340 SINGING BIRDS. 
Eggs. 4-5; dull white, or tinted with green or buff, spotted chiefly 
around larger end with reddish-brown and lilac; 0.80 X 0.60. 
This hardy and very numerous species, common to both 
continents, pours in flocks from the northern regions into the 
United States about the middle of October, where their ap- 
pearance is looked upon as the presage of approaching winter. 
At this season they migrate into the Southern States in great 
numbers, and seem to arrive in augmenting hosts with the 
progress of the wintry storms and driving snows, before which 
they fly for food rather than shelter; for even during the 
descent of the whitening inundation, and while the tempest 
still rages without abatement, these hardy and lonely wander- 
ers are often seen flitting before the blast, and, seeking ad- 
vantage from the sweeping current, descend to collect a scanty 
pittance from the frozen and exposed ground, or stop to col- 
lect the seeds which still remain upon the unshorn weeds 
rising through the dreary waste. At such times they are also 
frequently accompanied by the Snow Bunting, the humbly 
dressed Yellow Bird, and the querulous Chickadee. Driven 
to straits, however, by hunger, they at length become more 
familiar, and are now seen about the barns and out-houses, 
spreading themselves in busy groups over the yard, and even 
approaching the steps of the door in towns and cities, and 
gleaning thankfully from the threshold any crumbs or acci- 
dental fragments of provision. Amidst all this threatening and 
starving weather, which they encounter almost alone, they are 
still lively, active, and familiar. The roads, presenting an 
accidental resource of food for these northern swarms, are con- 
sequently more frequented by them than the fields. Before the 
severity of the season commences, they are usually only seen 
moving in families ; and the parents, watchful for the common 
safety, still continue by reiterated chirpings to warn their full- 
grown brood of every approach of danger, and, withdrawing 
them from any suspicious observation, wander off to securer 
ground. At this time they frequent the borders of woods, seek 
through the thickets and among the fallen leaves for their 
usual food of seeds and dormant insects or their larve. Their 
