NORTHERN OCEAN. 
they much refemble the Englifh bullfinch, but 
are near double their fize. ‘They build their nefts 
in trees, fometimes not far from the ground; lay 
four white eggs, and always hatch them in June. 
They are faid to have a pleafing note in Spring, 
though I never heard it, and are known to retire 
to the South early in the Fall. The Englifh re- 
fiding in Hudfon’s Bay generally call this bird the 
American Red Bird. 
Snow Buntines, univerfally known in Hud. 5°“ 
Bunting, 
fon’s Bay by the name of the Snow Birds, and in 
the Ifles of Orkney by the name of Snow Flakes, 
from their vifiting thofe parts in fuch numbers 
as to devour the grain as foon as fown, in fome 
years are fo deftructive as to oblige the farmer to 
fow his fields a fecond, and occafionally a third 
time. Thefe birds make their appearance at the _ 
Northern fettlements in the Bay about the latter 
end of May, or beginning of April, when they 
are very fat, and not inferior in flavour to an 
ortolan. On their firft arrival they generally 
feed on grafs-feeds, and are fond of frequenting 
dunghills. At that time they are eafily caught in 
great numbers under a net baited with groats or 
oatmeal; but as the Summer advances, they feed 
much on worms, and are then not fo much 
efteemed. They fometimes fly in fuch large 
flocks, that I have killed upwards of twenty at 
one fhot, and have known others who have kill- 
ed double that number. In the Spring their plu- 
mage is prettily variegated, black and white; 
but 
