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THE SNOW BIRD. 



Fringilla hyemalis. Linn. 



PLATE Xlir. Male AND Female. 



This is one of our winter visitants from the north, which, along with 

 many others, makes its appearance in Louisiana about the beginning of 

 November, to remain a few months, and again, when spring returns, fly 

 off, to seek in higher latitudes a place in which to nestle and rear its 

 young. So gentle and tame does it become on the least approach of hard 

 weather, that it forms, as it were, a companion to every child. Indeed, 

 there is not an individual in the Union who does not know the little Snow 

 Bird, which, in America, is cherished as tlie Robin is in Europe. I have 

 seen it fed by persons from the " Old Country,"" and have always been 

 pleased by such a sight. During fine weather, however, it becomes more 

 timorous, and keeps aloof, resorting to the briar patches and the edges of 

 the fences ; but even then it is easily approached, and will suffer a person 

 on horseback to pass within a few feet of the place where it may be 

 searching for food on the road, or the rails of the fences on which it is 

 perched. 



Although the Snow Birds live in little families, consisting of twenty, 

 thirty, or more individuals, they seem always inclined to keep up a cer- 

 tain degree of etiquette among themselves, and will not suffer one of their 

 kind, or indeed any other bird, to come into immediate contact with 

 them. To prevent intrusions of this kind, when a stranger comes too 

 near, their little bills are instantly opened, their wings are extended, their 

 eyes are seen to sparkle, and they emit a repelUng sound pecuKar to 

 themselves on such occasions. 



They are aware of the advantages to be derived by them from larger 

 birds scratching the earth, and in some degree keep company with Par- 

 tridges, Wild Turkeys, and even Squirrels, for the purpose of picking up 

 such food as these animals may deem beneath their notice. This habit is 

 more easily observed in those which frequent the farm-yards, where the 

 domestic fowls prove regular purveyors to them. The report of a gun, 

 or the unexpected barking of a dog, cause the Httle flock to rise and 

 perch either on the fences or an adjoining tree, where, however, they re- 



