584 FRINGILLID^E. 



smooth, performed in a direct line when it is migrating, at 

 a considerable 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 al- 

 most 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 



