Family Fringillidce American Goldfinch 115 



daily numerous near the coast, where they feed 

 upon small shell-fish. They commonly move in 

 flocks, which often contain thousands of individuals, 

 and may then be seen " whirling like a flurry of 

 snow before alighting on the ground." 



The sudden flurries of snowbirds 

 Like brown leaves -whirling by. 



LOWELL. 



They may be seen at any time in the winter, but 

 are most likely to appear after there has been a 

 heavy snowstorm in the north. 



Breeding occurs in the Arctic regions. One nest 

 was found " situated in a cave in a sandbank." 



The note which I have most commonly heard is 

 a weak chirrup, often uttered when on the wing. 

 Minot speaks also of a " clearly piped whistle." 



61. AMERICAN GOLDFINCH ; YELLOW BIRD 

 THISTLE BIRD 



(Spinus tristis.) 



Male in spring plumage : entire body clear yellow ; forehead, 

 wings, and tail black, the last two with white markings. Beak 

 conical, horn colored ; feet horn colored. Bird about two-thirds 

 as large as a sparrow. Female and male in fall plumage: 

 upper parts olivaceous ; under parts yellowish gray ; wings and 

 tail dusky, marked with white. 



THIS beautiful little bird comes to us in March or 

 early April, and leaves again in October, though 



