50 : BRIGHT FEATHERS. 
interesting subject, seems to furnish albinistic representatives more 
largely than any other family. A pure white American Goldfinch is 
in the possession of Mr. Gilbert, of Penn Yan, N.Y. This Finch is, 
though apparently a delicate bird, strong and hardy enough to brave the 
winters of this section. While the larger portions of the bands which 
have assembled early in autumn proceed in October to more southerly 
localities, many may occasionally be found with us in winter, gleaning 
a subsistence from the seeds of the composzte. In Dutchess county, 
N. Y., I have found them very common in winter, associating with the 
Red-polls, Snow-flakes and Blue Snow-birds. A writer in Forest and 
Stream and Rod and Gun, over.the initials M. C. H., and under date 
of Warner, N. H., May 26, 1878, says: “I have noticed for many 
years that they (the Goldfinches,) winter here and are often seen in 
large flocks. During the winter of '76—~77 there was an unusually 
large flock of these birds in this vicinity, and I often saw them and 
have specimens taken at the time.” Under date of February 2d, 1880, 
the same writer, regretting a dearth of the feathered tribe for that 
winter continues : ‘‘ There have been very few Yellow-birds about, and 
almost none of late.” A great many of these birds passed the winter of 
1880 in the vicinity of Fishkill-on-the-Hudson, (Dutchess County, N. 
Y.,) according to the valuable list of the birds of that locality, by Mr. 
Winfrid A. Stearns. Mr. H. D. Minot, of Boston, Mass., says they 
pass the winters about that city. 
In this section, the: flocks of the Yellow-bird begin to dissemble 
about the middle of May. Even at this interesting period of their 
existence, their social habit occasionally asserts itself with energy, and 
especially may small groups of males be seen chattering good-naturedly, 
and pluming their satin habits with apparent pride and satisfaction, 
