124 Ferry, Notes on Winter Birds. [^ u 



Hesperiphona vespertina. Evening Grosbeak. — A flock of 

 seven of these interesting and erratic birds was observed on Nov- 

 ember 10 in Waukegan by Mr. C. W. Douglass. They were 

 feeding on the seeds of a box elder growing along one of the city 

 streets. On November 18 they were observed in practically the 

 same spot, and on this same date Mr. H. K. Coale saw two males 

 and five females feeding on a maple in Highland Park. He also 

 reports that a flock of seven are still (Feb. 7) in Highland Park, 

 feeding on maple seeds, etc., in private grounds. He again saw 

 two birds about December 1 in the same locality. Mr. F. S. 

 Daggett saw two birds at River Forest on Christmas Day, and 

 the writer heard one calling in the same locality on January 13. 

 These birds have been seen in Lake Forest three or more different 

 years, occurring in large flocks. They showed a great fondness 

 for willow buds, and also frequently fed upon the ground, where 

 the entire flock could be seen working industriously among last 

 year's fallen leaves. They would usually remain till late in the 

 spring, when they would depart in a body. 



Pinicola enucleator leucura. Pine Grosbeak. — This species 

 was presumably seen on November 9 and an immature specimen 

 was taken on November 17. It was accompanied by another 

 immature bird at the time. They were found in a thick clump of 

 pines and were moving quietly among the lower branches. They 

 occasionally uttered their low call-note. The following day six- 

 birds were seen in Lake Forest, a suburb ten miles to the south. 

 They were feeding on the dried fruit of ash and maple trees. No 

 brilliantly colored males were seen in this flock. They were in- 

 clined to be wary when in the flock, but when feeding singly, one 

 could almost stand beneath the tree where the bird was. The 

 birds called to one another frequently, and if really alarmed, the 

 scattered birds would soon gather and the assembled flock would 

 fly off together uttering their clear musical whistle. The birds 

 were next seen on the 25th of November, and a flock of Gros- 

 beaks, presumably of this species, was seen the last of December 

 or the first of January. This flock may follow the habit of previous 

 ones and remain within the park-like city of Lake Forest for the 

 winter. 



Carpodacus purpureus. Purple Finch. — The Purple Finches 



