262 FRINGILLID^ : FINCHES. 



whole of that season north of Massachusetts ; while, as 

 above explained, it is on the whole a permanent resi- 

 dent in Southern New England — on mountains in 

 summer, elsewhere at other times. It is likely to dis- 

 appear in November from those northerly parts where 

 it may breed down to sea-level. In Massachusetts, 

 excluding alpine localities, it is common from Octo- 

 ber until some time in May ; it reaches Connecticut 

 early in October, and does not disappear until Ma\'. 



The habits of the Snow-bird during that greater 

 part of the year when it is trooping fearlessly about 

 man's abode, with lively action and incessant chirp- 

 ing, are too well known to need description. It is 

 most familiar just before and during snow-storms, 

 when it seems instinctively to seek the countenance, 

 if not the actual protection, of man ; returning to com- 

 parative seclusion in the shrubbery during more open 

 weather, and making for the mountains in May, with a 

 simple, sweet song by way of saying good-by. The 

 nest is built on the ground, early in June, and is not to 

 be distinguished with certainty from that of some other 

 Sparrows which nest in a similar manner. A case 

 of tree-building has been recorded by Mr. Maynard, 

 Mr. Bailey having found a nest in a low spruce-tree, 

 four feet from the ground. The eggs, numbering four 

 or five, measuring about 0.80x0.60, are dull white, 

 grayish-white, or greenish-white, irregularly but plen- 

 tifully speckled with various shades of reddish-brown. 

 I do not think they are to be positively identified by 

 any character, having a close general resemblance to 

 several other kinds, laid by allied Sparrows ; but the 

 parents, if seen, cannot well be mistaken. Two broods 

 are reared each season. 



