SONG BIRDS OF ORCHARD AND WOODLAND. 215 
dissections go the bird seems to be almost entirely insectiv- 
orous, and in every way one of the most desirable species 
of woodland, orchard, and field. 
FINCHES, GROSBEAKS, AND TOWHEES. 
The Finch and Sparrow family is larger in numbers of 
both species and individuals than any other family of North 
American birds ; but comparatively few of the species dwell 
and feed in orchard.or woodland. The Pine Grosbeaks, 
Pine Finches, Redpolls, and Crossbills are forest birds; but 
they come here from the north mainly during the colder 
months of the year, when they feed largely on the seeds 
of trees, and are not particularly useful. There are only 
three common species belonging to the Sparrow family that 
habitually live in or near woods, and even these are often 
found in orchards and small groves. Most of the Sparrows 
find a large part of their food on the ground or near it. They 
all have strong, rigid, conical beaks, and muscular gizzards ; 
all are seed eaters, and, as the family feeds to a great extent 
on the seeds of weeds and grasses, they live mainly in or 
near open fields. A few, such as the Chipping Sparrow, the 
Purple Finch, and the Goldfinch, build their nests in trees. 
But these get a large part of their food in pastures, fields, or 
gardens. The Goldfinch and Purple Finch, however, live so 
much in trees that they may well be included among the 
birds of woodland and orchard; while the Rose-breasted 
Grosbeak and the Towhee are entitled to be known as wood- 
land birds, although often seen in orchard or garden. 
The Goldfinch and the Purple Finch are more in the 
orchard and less in woodland-than the Grosbeak and the 
Towhee. In spring and summer these finches feed on many 
orchard caterpillars. The Towhee is found mostly in young 
coppice growth, in thickets on the borders of woodland, and 
in briery tangles, but seldom in deep, dark woods. These 
four species of this family perform essential service for trees. 
The Towhee works on the ground and among the smaller 
sprouts, and the others work more among trees of larger 
growth. 
