OF NEW ENGLAND. 173 



severe winters they are often much less abundant here than in 

 mild seasons. To determine questions of this sort, much 

 philosophical stud} r , technical knowledge, comparison of notes, 

 and cooperation of different sciences, is greatly needed. 



The Pine Grosbeaks frequent the pines and other evergreens 

 almost exclusively, feeding largely upon their seeds, but also 

 upon buds and berries. Mr. Maynard speaks of their being 

 so unsuspicious that they can be easily captured by a noose 

 attached to a pole, but I myself have never observed any like 

 indiscretion on their part. In general appearance they bear a 

 strong resemblance to the Robin, but possess powers of flight 

 even superior to those of that bird. Large flocks often travel 

 many miles, from time to time, in the course of a day, moving 

 at some height, and the individuals rising and falling in their 

 flight. The Pine Grosbeaks are also very much at ease among 

 the trees, though not such clever climbers as the crossbills. 

 They seem, whilst here, to remember those long winter-nights 

 of the North, which u become less and less separated by day- 

 light, the farther to the northward that they occur, until at the 

 pole they become fused into a period of darkness which lasts 

 for six months." I have observed that they generally retire 

 before sunset, whilst other birds are still occupied in feed- 

 ing, and collect among the branches of some thickly foliaged 

 evergreen. The " Red-polls," on the other hand, are given to 

 late hours, so that their respective habits are probably to be 

 accounted for solely by a difference of taste, since both species 

 inhabit much the same regions. Certainly nature has created 

 much for the sake of pleasing man by variety alone. 



(d). The Pine Grosbeaks have a characteristic single note, 

 a loud, clear, but somewhat plaintive whistle, which is often 

 repeated several times, and also a few subdued whistles, not 

 audible at any great distance. I here quote briefly from my 

 journal. "March 13, 1875. This morning I arose at 5.15, 

 and went out at 5.40, when crows were beginning to fly over. 

 At 5.55 a Red-poll, who was among some pines, awoke and 

 gave his call, which was answered by two or three of his com- 

 panions, who were near him, likewise in pines. * * * * 



