356 SINGING BIRDS. 



1813-14. They appear very unsuspicious while feeding in the 

 gardens, or on the seeds of the alder-bush, one of their favor- 

 ite repasts, and thus engaged allow a near approach while 

 searching for their food in every posture, and sometimes head 

 downwards. They are also fond of the seeds of the pine, the 

 linden, and rape, and in the winter sometimes content them- 

 selves even with the buds of the alder. Wilson believed he 

 heard this species utter a few interrupted notes, but nothing 

 satisfactory is known of its vocal powers. Mr. Ord remarks 

 that their call much resembles that of the common Yellow 

 Bird, to which, indeed, they are allied. They are said to 

 breed in the Highlands of Scotland, and to select the heath 

 and furze for the situation of their nests, though they more 

 commonly choose alder-bushes and the branches of the pine. 



According to Richardson, these birds are among the few 

 hardy and permanent residents in the fur countries, where they 

 may be seen in the coldest weather on the banks of lakes and 

 rivers, hopping among the reeds and carices or clinging to their 

 stalks. They are numerous throughout the year even in the 

 most northern districts, and from the rarity of their migrations 

 into the United States it is obvious that they are influenced by 

 no ordinary causes to evacuate the regions in which they are 

 bred. Famine, in all probability, or the scarcity of food, urges 

 them to advance towards the South. It is certain that they do 

 not forsake their natal regions to seek shelter from the cold. 

 This season, by the 7th or 8th of November (1833), before 

 the occurrence of any extraordinary cold weather, they arrived 

 in this vicinity (Cambridge, Mass.) in considerable flocks, and 

 have not paid a visit to this quarter before to my knowledge 

 for I o or 12 years. They now regularly assemble in the birch- 

 trees every morning to feed on their seeds, in which employ- 

 ment they are so intent that it is possible to advance to the 

 slender trees in which they are engaged and shake them ofl" by 

 surprise before they think of taking wing. They hang upon 

 the twigs with great tenacity, and move about while feeding in 

 reversed postures, like the Chickadees. After being shot at 

 they only pass on to the next tree and resume their feeding as 



