PASSERINE BIRDS. 



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assemble in flocks of some thousands. As long as the ground is uncovered, they feed upon grass- 

 seed, berries, and insects, and are often to be found in company with partridges, wild turkeys, and even 

 squirrels ; but as soon as the snow begins to fall, Winter Finches make their appearance in the farm- 

 yards, open roads, and streets of the town, and place themselves under the protection of man, who 

 shows how much he is to be trusted by capturing hundreds of these diminutive creatures. Still this 

 bird has more friends than enemies, and many Americans regard it with the same affection that we 

 feel for our robin redbreast, and will feed it in a similar manner. Its confidence in man is so great, 

 that it will allow a horseman or foot passenger to approach quite close to it in the street, only flying 

 away if it has reason to think it will be molested. Thus it lives until the winter is passed, when it 



THE brown LINNET {Cannakna Imola). 



quits the towns and villages for its favourite mountain or native haunts. The Winter Finch but 

 seldom joins company with any other birds, though in the villages and farmyards it will associate 

 with the so-called " Song Sparrow " and domestic fowls, keeping, however, somewhat apart. It passes 

 the night either perched upon a tree, or in a hole, and often makes a place for itself in stacks of com. 

 In its movements the Winter Finch much resembles our sparrows, and hops very lightly over the 

 ground, testifying great readiness to engage any of its kind in single combat. As soon as these birds 

 return to their native places the work of incubation commences, and the males are constantly engaged 

 in furious contentions, chasing each other through the trees with wings and tail outspread, and thus 

 exhibiting their plumage in all its varied beauty. At such times their simple but pleasing song is at 

 the best, its principal feature being a few long, drawn-out notes, that are not unlike the twitter of a 

 young canary. 



When about to build, the little pair seek a quiet spot in which to make their nest, preferring a 

 rock thickly covered with bushes ; and there upon the ground they construct their home, forming it of 

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