198 PINE GROSBEAK. 



are not often seen far from coniferous trees. Tlieir Bin- 

 gular bill might, at first glance, Ije considered misshapen, 

 but if you will watch a Crossbill push his crossed mandi- 

 bles beneath the scale of a pine cone, and with a quick 

 twist force it off and secure the seed at its base, you will 

 readily admit that for the bird's purjjoses his bill could 

 not be easily improved. 



In hunting for Crossbills it is a good plan to look 

 through the woods for falling scales of pine cones, and 

 when you see a shower of them whirling softly down- 

 ward it behooves you to learn the cause of their descent. 

 The birds often follow them to the ground, to secure the 

 seeds which have dropped there. 



Crossbills fly in compact flocks, and often utter a 

 sharp, clicking note while on the wing. Their song is 

 sweet and varied but not loud. 



Pine Grosbeaks are among our rarer winter visit- 

 ants. They come as fai- south as Massachusetts in vary- 

 Pine Grosbeak "^o numbers, and occasionally reach 



I'iniaila enudeatiir. CoUUCcticUt, 1 )Ut SOUtll of this point 



Plate LT. j^^.^ ^-j.- ^^^.^^ infrequent occurrence. At 



irregular intervals Pine Grosbeaks become abundant dur- 

 ing the winter in New England, when, because of their 

 size, they attract general attention. They usually resoi-t 

 to coniferous ti-ees, upon the seeds of which they feed, 

 but they also eat berries and buds, and are said to be espe- 

 cially fond of the fruit of the staghorn sumach. 



N"o one seeing the Goldfinch or Yellowliird in his 

 summer costume of gold and black would imagine that so 



Goldfinch dainty a creature could brave the storms 



Spinus tristu. of winter; but late in the season, when 



Piatu LIT. ]jj^ home life is ended, he changes the 



gay wedding dress for a jilaiuer suit, and joins the raidis 

 of winter l)irds. 



I wish that every one knew the (loldtinch. His gen- 



