has been undoubtedly captured “ a-field”’ within our 
boundaries, is a matter of infinitesimally small import- 
ance, and in such cases as that of the present species we 
can only argue from probability. On this ground I 
hold the Pine-Grosbeak as a very unlikely dona fide 
visitor to this country, whilst I am well aware that 
many are imported, chiefly, as I believe, from Russia. 
I only know this bird in captivity, and have found it as 
a rule extraordinarily tame. ‘The male has a clear and 
pleasant warble, and the female also sings sweetly ; 
I have noticed that whilst the male generally sings from 
the top of a bush in our aviary, the female usually sits 
upon the ground, or close to it on the brickwork, 
within a few feet of her human visitors, especially in the 
hottest sunlight that she can find, to regale us with her 
music. ‘The home of the Pine-Grosbeak in Europe is 
in the pine-forests of the north, its favourite food the 
seeds of various conifers, occasionally varied, according 
to authors who are personally acquainted with it in 
these districts, by insects. In captivity few seeds come 
amiss to these charming birds. ‘The Pine-Grosbeak is 
said to inbabit the conifer-zone of the northern parts 
of both the Old and the New World; for details with 
regard to habits, nest, and eggs, I must refer my 
readers to the account given in the 4th ed. of ‘ Yarrell,’ 
to which I have above referred. 
