174 ON THE GRENADIER GROSBEAK 
hurried repetition of the same note; to this succeeded 
a sort of snapping noise, similar to that occasioned 
by bringing the open mandibles into sudden contact, 
and the finale consisted of a protracted sound, en- 
forced with considerable emphasis at regular intervals, 
somewhat resembling the sibilation which results 
from the grinding of scissors. Mr. Audubon, the 
celebrated American ornithologist, who saw this bird 
when he was last in Manchester, compared the con- 
cluding part of its song to the sound produced by the 
brisk agitation of the tail of the Rattlesnake. While 
pouring forth its discordant strains, this grotesque 
vocalist would frequently raise its wings, expand them 
in a slight degree, and again bring them into their 
ordinary position of repose. It would also approach 
slowly towards any of its companions in captivity 
which happened to occupy the same perch with itself, 
and endeavour to touch them with its bill, as if it 
were desirous to elicit their attention in particular 
to its strange music, which, im conjunction with its 
fierce deportment, had usually the effect of exciting 
consternation in that portion of its audience. 
For the purpose of calling into action one of the 
most singular instincts with which this bird was en- 
dowed, Mr. Garside supplied it with a little thread. 
No sooner had it obtained the prize than a Dominican 
Grosbeak (Loxia dominicana, Linn.) hastened to 
dispute its right of possession. Erecting the feathers 
on the back of its neck, and uttering a few angry 
