FUIX(;iLLIDJO — THE FINCHES. 4^7 



The same peculiarities of irrcij^iilar a]>pearance have heeii ol)serve(l by ^Ir. 

 Allen, in SpiinL^tield, where it is utten a very ahiindant visiter, hut j^en- 

 erallv n(jt so common. In the winter of 1859 -OO the pine woods in the 

 vicinity of tliat city abounded with them, and in February they were already 

 in full son<r. Tliev are at all times <irc<;arious, ami aie sometimes seen iu 

 lar^e Hocks. 



They have, as they fly, a loud, peculiar, and not unmusical cry. This call- 

 note they do not utter when at rest or when feeding. Their song in the spring 

 and sunnner is varii-d and pleasiug, but is not powerful, or in any respect 

 remarkahle. This song is especially noticeable in caged birds, who soon be- 

 come very tame, and feed readily from the hand, even when taken at an 

 adult age. Their manners in confinement are very like those of the Parrots, 

 clinging to the top of the wires with their claws, hanging with their heads 

 downward, and, when feeding, holding their food in one claw. On the trees, 

 their habits and manner are also said to be similar to those of Parrots. 



Mr. Audubon has found these birds, in August, in the i>ine woods of Penn- 

 sylvania, and inferred that they breed there. This (h»es not necessarily fol- 

 low. They breed so early at the north as to give ample time for their 

 migrations, even in nndsununer, to remote places. Professor Paird, how- 

 ever, informs me that during a summer spent in the mountains of Schuylkill 

 Countv- Penn., in the coal region, he saw them nearlv everv dav, moving 

 alx>ut or feeding, in pairs. 



The Crossbills are extremely gentle and social, are easily approached, 

 caught in traps, and even knocked down with sticks. Tlieir food is chiefly 

 the seeds of the Conifcra', and also those of plants. Audubon's statement that 

 they destroy apples merely to secure the seeds is hardly accumte. They 

 are extravagantly fond of this fruit, and i)refer the flesh to its seeds. Their 

 flight is undulating, somewhat in the manner of the Goldflnch, firm, swift, 

 and often pn^tracted. As they fly, they idways keep up the utterance of 

 their loud, clear call-notes. They move readily on the ground, up or down 

 the trunks and limbs of trees, and stand as readily with their heads down- 

 ward as upright. 



Wilson states that in the interior of Pennsylvania this species appears in 

 large flocks in the winter, and during the prevalence of deep snows they 

 keej) about the doors of dwellings, pick off the clay with which these huts 

 are jdastered, and are exceedingly tame and not easily driven ott'. 



So far as is known, these Crossbills breed in midwinter, or very early in 

 the si>ring, when the weather is the most inclement. The nest and eggs 

 of this species were procured by Mr. Charles S. Paine, in East L'andolph, Yt., 

 early in the month of March. The nest was built in an u]>per branch of an 

 elm, — which, of course, was leafless, — the ground was covered with snow, 

 and the weather severe. The birds were ver>^ tame and fearless, refusing to 

 leave their eix^s, and had to be several times taken oft' by the hand. After 

 its ne.st had been t-aken, and as ^Mr. Paine was descending with it in his hand, 



