OF EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA. 269 



latitude we have never seen more than three of 

 four individuals at a time, frequently less, consort- 

 ing with Junci^s hyemalis and our common winter 

 sparrows. 



On their visits about our yards in quest oi food, 

 they betray but little timidity and behave them- 

 selves with all the familiarity of the Black Snow 

 Bird. In the rural districts, however, they appear 

 less tame and affect a predilection for running 

 water, where in early spring they may be seen 

 feasting upon the tender catkins of the Alnus 

 se rml at a. 



Their food consists of the berries of Junipenis 

 Virginiana^ J. communis, and Lonicera periclymc- 

 num; besides, the seeds of Pimis inops, Abies 

 mgra, A. canadensis, Betuta nigra, and those of 

 Amaranlus hybridus, and various grasses. In 

 the winter they feed upon broom-seed, cracked 

 corn, and the scraps and refuse matter which are 

 discarded by the cook. Just before retiring in 

 early April, the eggs and pupae of Cratonychus 

 cihereus, C. pertinax, and other beetles are eagerly 

 devoured. 



During their stay they are devoid of song; not 

 even so much as a simple call-note have we heard 

 them utter. In Scotland their call-note is said to 

 be very pleasing and often repeated during their 

 flight in a compact body. Before alighting upon 

 the ground they make several sudden turns com- 

 ing into contact with each other and uttering 

 several guttural notes. They seldom perch but 



