326 LIFE-HISTORIES OF BIRDS 



plants, and the stamens and pistils of Acer rubrunt, 

 A. saccharinum, Pyrus mains, Pnmus cerasus, &c., 

 are esteemed great luxuries. 



Its movements are mostly performed in silence. 

 Occasionally, in the intervals of feeding, a low, sim- 

 ple call-note is uttered. The male is reputed a very 

 fine singer; but it is an unusual occurrence to hear 

 its song in this latitude; it probably reserving this 

 power until it has attained its more northern habi- 

 tat. Dr. Brewer says "his voice is loud, clear, and 

 melodious; his notes full, rich, and varied; and his 

 song is unequalled by any of this family that I have 

 ever heard." It generally disappears about the 

 time Spizella monticola takes its departure. 



The breeding range of this species, according to 

 Sir John Richardson, extends to the 68th parallel 

 of latitude. It breeds in the wooded regions of 

 fur countries. Mr. Ball has found it breeding- 

 abundantly at Nulatoy where it arrives from the 

 loth to the i5th of May; and also on the Yukon 

 river. Messrs. Kennicott, Ross, MacFarlane, and 

 Lockhart, have discovered it breeding at various 

 places in British America. According to the 

 reports of Mr. Kennicott and Mr. MacFarlane, 

 this species nidificates both on the ground and in 

 trees; and in one instance, a nest was found at an 

 elevation of eight feet above the ground. In 

 structure, it is affirmed to be similar to that of 

 Turdus alicice, Nidification evidently takes place 

 before the middle of June, between that and the 

 first of the same month, as complete nests were 



