258 LIFE-HISTORIES OF BIRDS 



arrives and there is a consequent decrease in 

 food-stuffs, these flocks dwindle down into smaller 

 ones, and finally into pairs, each pair consisting of a 

 male and a female. When spring opens with its 

 mild weather, and plenty again reigns, the small 

 parties re-unite into larger ones, and hunt in 

 common. In this manner they retire to their 

 breeding-quarters. 



In mid-winter when the temperature is low and 

 the ground is covered with snow, driven by neces- 

 sity, it seeks the habitations of man, where it 

 mingles with the snow birds and sparrows for its 

 share of the scraps and crumbs which have been 

 discarded by man. At this time it is exceedingly 

 tame and enjoys a near association with man; 

 but when once in its favorite haunts, the woods, 

 it relapses into its former state of shyness. When 

 disturbed now, it easily takes to flight, and does 

 not return to the same locality for hours after- 

 wards. It delights most particularly in pine 

 forests, where the dense foliage of the trees affords 

 its rather comfortable shelter, and the fissured 

 bark in a measure panders to its appetite. 



The flight of this species is lofty, graceful, and 

 undulating. Its movements resemble those of the 

 Carpodaci. Whilst feeding we are reminded of 

 its presence and whereabouts by a sharp, piercing 

 swe-er, repeated at irregular intervals. On the 

 wing a similar note is heard, which is uttered at 

 somewhat regular periods until the birds are com- 

 pletely out of sight. According to Audubon its? 



