PINICOLA ENUCLEATOR : PINE GROSBEAK. 215 



is irregular in its appearance in different seasons, 

 being sometimes abundant in southern parts, at others 

 quite rare. It is generally observed from November 

 until April. Probably no one supposes that numbers 

 of the birds do not spread at large in southern New 

 England ; but their movements are erratic, being 

 doubtless largely dependent upon the weather and the 

 state of the food-supply. According to Dr. Brewer, 

 they are sometimes extremely abundant about Boston, 

 from December until March, feeding chiefly upon the 

 berries of the red cedar, and being so little used to 

 danger that they could be knocked down with poles, 

 or caught alive in butterfly nets. Numbers were de- 

 stroyed for the market, and others were caged alive. 

 Severe " north-easters " drive many of the Grosbeaks 

 from their usual winter resorts, sometimes sending 

 them in flocks with the Red-polls and Long-spurs into 

 the Middle and even the Southern States. When 

 wandering about in such fashion, the Grosbeaks are 

 not entirely confined to coniferous tracts, as implied 

 in the name, and few of the carmined males are seen 

 in comparison with the numbers of the gray young 

 and females which are usually observed. The loud, 

 rich song is rarely heard except in the summer haunts 

 of the bird.* 



* In this connection it may be observed, that the Evening Gros- 

 beak, Hesferiphona vespertina, will doubtless be added hereafter to 

 the list, this species having been observed so near the New England 

 line as to render its occurrence within our limits extremely probable. 

 (See Cones, Pr. Essex Inst., v, 186S, p. 312; Bull. Nutt. Club, iv, 

 1879, p. 74.) 



