242 
NESTS AND EGGS OF 
migrant in the northern parts of New England, and the same may be 
true of places situated in corresponding latitudes, while in the southern 
districts it remains through the entire year. In Eastern Pennsylvania, if 
the weather be not extremely severe, paired individuals, and even flocks of 
a half-dozen or more, may be met with in sheltered localities. In early 
autumn larger bodies of birds are met with, and the same is true in April, 
when there is an increased supply of food. When the ground is covered 
with snow, and the trees laden with ice and sleet, they lead very nomadic 
lives, and are often compelled to seek the habitations of man where they 
freely mingle with the Snowbirds and Sparrows, to receive their share of 
refuse from the kitchen. They now become exceedingly tame, and can be 
approached without difficulty. While partaking of our hospitalities, this 
Finch disdains not its natural food. It will lay siege to a honeysuckle, 
if in fruit, and gorge itself to satiety — a berry for which it manifests great 
fondness. The seeds of the radish, and of the various species of amaranths 
and pigweeds that grow in our midst, are also sought after, and devoured 
in vast numbers. In woods various species of coniferous seeds, the mast 
of the black beech, and the seeds of grasses form an important part of 
its diet. When the red maples are in blossom, dozens of these birds 
will settle down in the trees, and feast for hours upon the tender stamens 
and pistils, and the small insects which are attracted thither. As the 
season advances, and the apple and cherry come into bloom, the same fate 
awaits them. To the gardener they are sources of annoyance. They visit 
the garden when the soil has been broken, apparently for the writhing, 
scampering beings unearthed, but avowedly for the freshly-sown, delicious 
salad-seeds, every grain of which they pilfer, unless driven away by force. 
Later on they revel in high life, for the dandelion, thistles and sunflowers 
have perfected their fruits. Although chiefly a granivorous species, the 
Goldflnch does not subsist entirely upon seeds, but destroys vast numbers 
of insects in all their different stages. Various measuring- worms, diptera, 
ants and plant-lice are destroyed, which, doubtless, largely outweigh the 
mischief which they commit. 
