Birds of Indiana. 917 



They are most common during the spring migrations in March and 

 April, being also occasionally seen in February and early May, and in 

 fall in October, though they may be noted rarely as early as late 

 August and late into iSTovember. The following dates give respectively 

 the earliest and latest date of first arrival and the latest date of 

 departure in spring at the places noted: Vincennes, March 4, 1897; 

 Ked Key, February 15, 1895; Brookville, February 26, 1892; April 25, 

 1881, 1887; depart, April 30, 1887; Eichmond, March 20, 1892; de- 

 part. May 11, 1897; Greensburg, April 23, 1893; April 30, 1896; de- 

 part. May 7, 1893; Lafayette, March 13, 1897; April 28, 1895; Chicago, 

 111., April 12, 1884; April 28, 1885; Petersburg, Mich., March 17, 

 1889; April 23, 1897. At Brookville they have been noted in spring 

 nine years out of twenty-one. Some years they are found but for 

 a day; others, they remain for several days. They are usually found 

 in flocks, but occasionally single birds are seen. In 1896 they were 

 noted in Cook County, 111., August 21, and remained that fall until 

 October 31, while in 1895 they were found there November 4. At 

 Greensburg, Ind., the year last mentioned, they were found October 

 26. In 1894 they were seen at Sedan October 11 to October 31, and 

 in 1891 were present through November. In Carroll County they were 

 noted from October 12 to October 19, 1878. In spring they may be 

 noted as feeding upon the opening buds of the elms, particularly the 

 red elm, of which they seem to be very fond. 



They may be found wherever elms grow, and prefer less dense woods 

 or the straggling trees along smaller waterways. Sometimes they are 

 quiet while feeding. In April, however, their voices may often be 

 noted reaching through the woodland for a considerable distance. To 

 me, the song somewhat resembles that of the warbling vireo. The 

 song is a beautiful liquid utterance, and I fancy it as the beginning 

 of the nuptial courtship. They usually nfest in cedars, spruce or other 

 evergreens, but occasionally build in apple trees. In height, they are 

 found from 5 feet to 50. The nests are placed upon a limb among 

 the t^ags. The nest is shallow and composed of vegetable fibres, 

 grass, shreds of bark; sometimes they are nicely woven and lined with 

 a well-woven mat. In the fall they feed upon seeds, being esjJecially 

 fond of hemp and sunflower seeds. 



