288 Catalogue of Birds. 



pecked at for being in the way, paying but little heed to the 

 admonition, merely hopping to one side; there was a fountain 

 in the yard, and on the edge of the basin this same party were 

 afterwards enjoying a bath together. One pair of adult birds 

 especially took our attention, both being in perfect plumage. 

 I was surprised to see the male possessed of such pure and 

 bright colors, so different from the dingy smoke-begrimed spe- 

 cimens from Europe, usually seen in collections. Their flight 

 is strong, rapid, and direct; they probably have two or more 

 broods in a season, as at this date (the end of March) some 

 appear to be already mated.* 



I never expected to see the realization in this city, and by the 

 species supposed to be alluded to, of "a Sparrow alone upon 

 the house top." 



That pest of our shade trees and the horror of pedestrians, the 

 caterpillars or larvae (of " Ennomos subsignaria Hiib."), fami- 

 liarly known as the " measuring worm," from a single one of 

 which a sensitive lady shrinks in disgust, are said to form part 

 of the diet of this species. In Philadelphia, where these worms 

 abound to a much greater degree than in New York, the intro- 

 duction of this bird would confer a boon on the inhabitants they 

 could not fail to appreciate. 



121. Pipilo erythrophthalmus (Linn.). Ground Robin. 



125. Plectrophanes nivalis (Linn.). Snow Bunting. 



126. Lapponicus (Linn.). Lapland Long 



spur. 



127. Loxia Americana (Wils.). Red Crossbill., 



128. " leiccoptera, Gm. White-winged Crossbill. 



129. Pinicola Canadensis (Briss.). Pine Grosbeak. 



130. Carpodacus purpureus (Gm.). Purple Finch. 



131. Aegiothus linaria (Linn.). Lesser Red Poll. 



* At this time (April 15th) several nests are built in the ivy on the church at 

 the corner of 29th street; the nest is globular in form, with an entrance at the 

 side. 



