178 LAND-BIRDS. 



far as I know, been satisfactorily explained, though it may 

 possibly be due simply to an inability of the young to with- 

 stand the cold so well as their parents.* Yet these birds are 

 supposed to be regulated in their migrations almost entirely 

 by supplies of food, and not to be affected by cold, since in 

 severe winters they are often much less abundant here than in 

 mild seasons. To determine questions of this sort, much 

 philosophical study, technical knowledge, comparison of notes, 

 and cooperation of different sciences is greatly needed. 



The Pine Grosbeaks frequent the pines and other evergreens 

 almost exclusively, feeding largely upon their seeds, but also 

 upon buds and berries. Mr. Maynard speaks of their being 

 so unsuspicious that they can be easily captured by a noose 

 attached to a pole, but I have never observed such indiscretion 

 on their part.f In general appearance they bear a strong re- 

 semblance to the Eobin ; but they possess powers of flight 

 even superior to those of that bird. Large flocks often travel 

 many miles, from time to time, in the course of a day, moving 

 at some height, and the individuals rising and falling in their 

 flight. The Pine Grosbeaks are also very much at ease among 

 the trees, though not such clever climbers as the Crossbills. 

 They seem, whilst here, to remember those long winter nights 

 of the north, which " become less and less separated by day- 

 light, the farther to the northward that they occur, until at the 

 pole tliey become fused into a period of darkness which lasts 

 for six months." I have observed that they generally retire 

 before sunset, whilst other birds are still occupied in feeding, 

 and collect among the branches of some thickly foliaged ever- 

 green. The " Red-polls," on the other hand, are given to 

 late hours, so that their respective habits are probably to be 



* It is almost certain that the yotmg^ natural discrepancy in this respect is 

 male of the Pine Grosbeak, like that doubtless still further increased by the 

 of the Purple Finch, does not often if ravages of birds and animals (including 

 ever acquire the full plumage until it man) of prey, who are more likely to 

 is more than one year old, and there are select a bright than a dull-colored in- 

 some reasons for believing that a cer- dividual from the flock. — W. B. 

 tain proportion of males never become t It is absurdly easy to take them 

 "red." Hence it is probable that at in this way, especially when they are 

 all times and places the'* gray" birds hungry and feeding on or near the 

 largely outnumber the " red.'* The ground. — W. B. 



