584 FRINGILLID A. 
smooth, performed in a direct line when it is migrating, at 
a considerable height above the forests, and im 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. Ihave 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 were 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 
