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OF NEW ENGLAND. 173 
severe winters they are often much less abundant here than in 
mild seasons. To determine questions of this sort, much 
philosophical study, technical knowledge, comparison of notes, 
and cooperation of different sciences, is greatly needed. 
The Pine Grosbeaks frequent the pines and other evergreens 
almost exclusively, feeding largely upon their seeds, but also 
upon buds and berries. Mr. Maynard speaks of their being 
so unsuspicious that they can be easily captured by a noose 
attached to a pole, but I myself have never observed any like 
indiscretion on their part. In general appearance they bear a 
strong resemblance to the Robin, but possess powers of flight 
even superior to those of that bird. Large flocks often travel 
many miles, from time to time, in the course of a day, moving 
at some height, and the individuals rising and falling in their 
flight. The Pine Grosbeaks are also very much at ease among 
the trees, though not such clever climbers as the crossbills. 
They seem, whilst here, to remember those long winter-nights 
of the North, which ‘‘ become less and less separated by day- 
light, the farther to the northward that they occur, until at the 
pole they become fused into a period of darkness which lasts 
for six months.” I have observed that they generally retire 
before sunset, whilst other birds are still occupied in feed- 
ing, and collect among the branches of some thickly foliaged 
evergreen. The ‘‘Red-polls,” on the other hand, are given to 
late hours, so that their respective habits are probably to be 
accounted for solely by a difference of taste, since both species 
inhabit much the same regions. Certainly nature has created 
much for the sake of pleasing man by variety alone. 
(d). The Pine Grosbeaks have a characteristic single note, 
a loud, clear, but somewhat plaintive whistle, which is often 
repeated several times, and also a few subdued whistles, not 
audible at any great distance. I here quote briefly from my 
journal. ‘March 13, 1875. This morning I arose at 5.15, 
and went out at 5.40, when crows were beginning to fly over. 
At 5.55 a Red-poll, who was among some pines, awoke and 
gave his call, which was answered by two or three of his com- 
panions, who were near him, likewise in pines. * * * * 
