PINE GROSBEAK. 611 



performed in a direct line when it is migrating, at a consi- 

 derable height above the forests, and in groups of from five 

 to ten individuals. They alight frequently during the day, 

 on such trees as are opening their buds or blossoms. At 

 such times they are extremely gentle, and easily approached. 

 They are exceedingly fond of bathing, and, whether on the 

 ground or on branches, move by short leaps. I have been 

 much surprised to see, on my having fired, those that were 

 untouched fly directly towards me until within a few feet, 

 and then slide off, and alight on the lower branches of the 

 nearest tree, where, standing as erect as little Hawks, they 

 gazed upon me as if I were an object quite new, and of 

 whose nature they were ignorant. They are easily caught 

 under snow-shoes put up with a figure of four, around the 

 wood-cutters' camps, in the State of Maine, and are said 

 to afford good eating. Their food consists of the buds and 

 seeds of almost all sorts of trees ; occasionally, also, they 

 seize a passing insect. I once knew one of these sweet 

 songsters, which in the evening, as soon as the lamp was 

 lighted in the room where its cage was hung, would 

 instantly tune its voice anew." 



A friend of Mr. Audubon says, " I received a male in 

 splendid plumage, but so emaciated that he seemed little 

 else than a mass of feathers. By cautious feeding, how- 

 ever, he soon regained his flesh, and became so tame as to 

 eat from my hand without the least appearance of fear. To 

 reconcile him gradually to confinement, he was permitted 

 to fly about my bedroom ; and upon rising in the morning, 

 the first thing I did was to give him a small quantity of 

 seed. But three mornings in succession I happened to lie 

 rather later than usual, and each morning I was aroused by 

 the bird fluttering upon my shoulder, and calling for his 

 usual allowance. The third morning I allowed him to 

 flutter about me some time before showing any symptom 



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