94 



CASSELLS BOOK OF BIRDS. 



dirty brown, blackish at the tip, the legs greyish brown, and the eyes dark brown. This bird inhabits 

 the northern countries of Europe and Asia, and in America there is a very similar species. As far as 

 we can ascertain, the Pine Grosbeaks live during the summer alone, or in pairs, and only assemble 

 during the winter in flocks, that may be seen flying over the northern woods or frequenting the 

 solitary farms, returning at the commencement of spring to their retreats in the forests. Should a 

 heavy fall of snow occur and compel them to migrate to more southern parts, the flocks will join 

 each other, and that often in very considerable multitudes. 



In the years 1790-93-98, and 1S03, such enormous swarms of these birds appeared in the islands 

 of the Baltic, that in the country about Riga some thousands of pairs were caught weekly for a 

 considerable time. They were also very numerous in Russia during the winter of 182 1, and have 

 been more recently seen in great numbers in various parts of Germany. We have to thank these 

 involuntary wanderers for nearly all the information we possess concerning their habits, for we are but 

 little acquainted with their mode of life in their native wilds. Whilst with us, they fly about in flocks 

 during the day, eat in company, and settle in the evening all together upon the same sleeping-place, 

 their favourite haunts being the pine forests, and they seem to prefer those in which the underwood 

 is composed of young juniper-trees. They do not frequent thick foliage, but fly over barren plains 

 as rapidly as possible. 



When these birds first come amongst us they are harmless, confiding creatures, who have not 

 yet experienced the artifices of man, never offering to stir if a stranger or hunter approach the trees 

 on which they are perched, and will stare at the gun destined for their destruction without thinking 

 of flight, even should one of their companions be shot down from the same branch. Persons have 

 tried successfully to catch them by means of snares fastened to the end of poles, by the aid of which 

 they could be thrown over the heads of the birds ; indeed, the clumsiest kind of trap is all that is 

 required to catch these unsuspicious little wanderers. The most touching tales are told of the attach- 

 ment of the Pine Grosbeak to its mate. On one occasion, three out of a party of four had been 

 captured, when, to the astonishment of all, the fourth crept into the net in order to share the fate of 

 its companions. It must not be imagined, however, that these birds are really foolish, for experience 

 soon teaches them its lessons, and they become distrustful, shy, and cautious. In its habits the Pine 

 Grosbeak often reminds us of the Cross-bill ; it is essentially a tree-bird, being quite at home upon a 

 branch, but uneasy and out of place upon the ground. It can climb skilfully from one bough to 

 another, hopping with ease to tolerably distant branches. Its flight is rapid, and, like that of most 

 finches, rather undulating, and it hovers before perching. Its voice is flute-like and expressive, resem- 

 bling that of the bullfinch, and its song, which may be heard throughout the whole of the winter, is 

 very varied and pleasing on account of its soft clear notes. In winter we do not hear it in perfection, 

 as it is then low and disjointed ; but in spring, when the male rouses all his energies to cheer his little 

 mate, his tones would satisfy the most fastidious critic ; it sings during the clear light summer nights 

 of its native land, and is there called on that account " the Watchman." This bird has many other 

 good qualities, and, owing to its gentle, confiding temperament, may be easily tamed if properly 

 treated. It becomes, in a few days, accustomed to confinement, taking its food readily from the 

 hand, and will allow itself to be stroked, or even carried about the room, all the time testifying its 

 happiness and content. It is an interesting sight to see a male and female bird in one cage, for their 

 tenderness towards each other is extreme ; but, alas ! in one point they are deficient — they do not 

 survive the loss of their freedom for any considerable length of time, and pine away rapidly, especially 

 when their keepers forget that these children of the north must have fresh cold air, and foolishly 

 confine them in hot rooms. The birds that come to us prove themselves almost entirely insensible 

 to cold, and are lively and cheerful in the most severe winter weather. If shut up in a warm, close 



