234 ANNALS OF BIRD LIFE. 



true Finch will most probably roost in company ; 

 but the Buntings will just as likely retire to a 

 separate locality for that purpose. Other mixed 

 congregations of bird life may often be met with 

 in the autumn woods. It will almost invariably 

 be remarked that the birds which fraternise 

 together are very similar in their habits and 

 movements, and subsist on much the same kind 

 of food. When the autumn is waning, and the 

 birch and alder trees have lost much of their 

 painted foliage, we may be sure to meet with 

 parties of Goldcrests among them. These little 

 birds are almost invariably accompanied by a few 

 Coal Tits ; and sometimes a brood of Blue Tits 

 will join the picnic. Now and then the Tits are 

 the most numerous, and only a pair or so of Gold- 

 crests accompany them ; whilst, on rarer occasions 

 still, a flock of Siskins, and more frequently a 

 party of Lesser Redpoles, will join the general 

 congregation. The seeds on the alder and birch 

 trees are a great attraction ; and we may find 

 amusement by the hour together in watching the 

 various attitudes assumed by these active little 

 birds in searching for their food. From tree to 

 tree fly the eager birds, from one end of the 

 grove to the other ; then back again, one after 

 the other Tits, Goldcrests, and Siskins, all 

 mixed up together in the greatest confusion, yet 

 readily distinguished by their various notes. 

 Another mixed party may often be seen in the 

 woods in late autumn, composed of a Nuthatch, a 



