184 LAND-BIRDS AND GAME-BIRDS 



thoroughly his great skill in climbing, and often, in searching 

 the crannies of the bark, hung with his head downwards. He 

 soon became silent, and I remained motionless until five min- 

 utes after six. I then observed another 'Red-poll,' who flew 

 over at some distance, and at a considerable height from the 

 ground, apparently about to 'take perch' in a neighboring 

 pine-grove. My friend, a moment later, took to flight and 

 seemed (it was then dusk) to alight in a pine." 



"March 13th. This morning I went out at twenty minutes 

 before six, when Crows were already beginning to fly over. 

 Quarter of an hour later, a ' Red-poll,' who was in the pines 



which border street, awoke and gave his call, which 



was answered by two or three of his companions, who were 

 near him, likewise in the pines. These birds then warbled for 

 about five minutes and afterwards flew away." 



" March 22d. This morning * * * * the 'Red-polls' awoke 

 at quarter of six among the pines, but not those in which they 

 were before, and at once sang. I next observed a solitary 

 one, who flew over at a great height, but the rest gathered 

 into flocks and set about the business of the day, flying to a 

 distance. The Goldfinches showed much the same habits. At 

 six I found one in a pine, singing very sweetly, but he soon 

 flew away, after uttering a few twitters." 



" March 28th. This morning I left the house at half-past 

 five, but spring has made the birds rise very early, for on 

 going out, I saw the Crows and 'Red-polls' flying over. At 

 six two of the latter, who have lately been very common, 

 alighted near me, to rest in their early rambles." 



"April 6th. A few 'Red-polls' flew over to-day, but they 

 are becoming scarce." 



"April 24th. This afternoon a 'Red-poll' (^Egiotlms Lin- 

 an'ws), who shows no wounds, nor as yst any signs of decom- 

 position, was picked up in the barn-cellar, the doors of which 

 were shut." 



(d). The "Red-polls" have a sweet call-note, like that of 

 the Goldfinch or Siskin, and a simple "chit," often so repeated, 

 especially by a flock, as to resemble the twitterings of the 



