AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 45 



Grosbeak during the winter months, and the writer has on several 

 occasions seen them in the vicinity of our dwelling and has heard their 

 clear, mellow whistle ring out on the wintry air. Truly beautiful — one 

 of these splendid red birds sitting on an evergreen branch, the latter 

 bowed down with a mantle of snow, which sparkled m the sun-light 

 like a thousand glittering gems. 



These are a hardy species and sometimes remain all the year, and I 

 have also observed one or two stray robins and black birds as late as 

 December. Another interesting winter visitor is the Winter Wren, 

 which may be seen in the woods hopping around piles of cord wood, 

 lumber, brush piles and other such places. The writer has also ob- 

 served them on several occasions in the wood-pile in the rear of our 

 village yard. In and out, up and down, over and under, they go with 

 ceaseless activity, creeping through knot holes, and peeking into every 

 nook and cranny. Aside from this they are gifted with a beautiful and 

 varied song which has captivated bird lovers, and which has been re- 

 ferred to in beautiful language by Audubon and others. 



Still another winter resident is the pretty little goldfinch. On mild 

 sunny days especially does he make his presence known, and frequently 

 "bursts out in a melody of song which carries the thoughts of the 

 listener back to summer days of warmth and flowers. At other times 

 they simply utter a sort of warbling note during their undulating flight. 



The American Crow is also a resident throughout the year, and dur- 

 ing winter may be seen flying in long lines to and from their feeding 

 grounds. They are said to fly many miles daily to a good feeding 

 locality, always returning at night to an established roost. At this 

 time of year they become more daring and often come within close 

 range of our houses and barns. The Meadow Lark, while it usually 

 stays further south, is sometimes met with during the winter, and like 

 the Gold Finch, will suddenly surprise you by uttering its clear, sweet 

 call from some field or orchard. They congregate in numbers during 

 the winter months amongst the marshes of the lower Delaware. 



The Carolina Wren is also a resident and frequents woodlands and 

 bushy places, generally near water. They are sometimes called mock- 

 ing wren owing to the great variation in their vocal powers. Now 

 you hear them in a brush pile, then the sound may come from an old 

 log or cord-wood — while at other times — like the Indigo Bird — they 

 will mount the loftiest branch of a tall tree and pour forth their song 

 with spirit and energy. They are rather shy and are more easily heard 

 than seen. Several species of Hawks are also to be -met with. The 

 writer has observed the Sparrow Hawk, Chicken Hawk and Red-tail 

 Hawks; the latter being quite numerous in the vicinity of West Ches- 



