256 LIFE-HISTORIES OF BIRDS 



about the i5th of May, the eggs are laid June ist, 

 and the young are able to fly near the end of 

 July. At St. Michaels, owing to the lack of trees 

 and scarcity of bushes, the birds nidificate in 

 grasses. Their fearless and familiar manners^ 

 bright plumage, and elegant nests, are sufficient 

 to make them general favorites, so says that dis- 

 tinguished writer. Richardson affirms it to be a 

 permanent resident in fur countries where it fre- 

 quents the banks of lakes and rivers, to glean 

 among the reeds that grow in such places. In 

 British Columbia it is very rare, and occupies 

 swampy localities where alder bushes and water 

 plants grow,, and may be seen pecking at seed 

 pods, or searching for insects among the flowers. 



Holboll speaks of it as irregularly distributed 

 over Greenland, building near the shore in birches, 

 willows, or alders. At the end of August it 

 separates in small flocks and feeds upon the seed 

 and tops of lichens. By October it has entirely 

 disappeared. The eggs, he says, are five in num- 

 ber, and spotted with pure brown upon a bluish- 

 white back ground. 



In Europe as in America, this species nests in 

 low bushes, from two to six feet from the ground. 

 In habits and appearance it seems identical with 

 our own. Mr. Yarrow, an eminent English orni- 

 thologist, says that it is readily domesticated and 

 can be made to breed .in confinement. He des- 

 cribes the nest as being placed within willows and 

 alder bushes, and as constructed of dry grssses 



