WHITETHROAT SPARROW 91 



enough to allow close observation. They cling to 

 the cones on which they feed, exchanging a short 

 whistled call-note, and sending a shower of scales 

 and broken cones down through the branches, for 

 they can strip a cone with those crossed man- 

 dibles as quickly as you could do it with your 

 fingers. Like Waxwings, they often take wing 

 in a group without apparent reason, and circle 

 gracefully round to return to the same tree, in 

 their undulating flight uttering a flute-like whis- 

 tle. There is also a pleasant little song. 



The Crossbill flocks appear to nest wherever 

 they find themselves in early spring, often when 

 far south of their usual range, but always in 

 coniferous trees. 



Another bird of eccentric gypsy habits, whose 

 roving bands may be encountered in winter, is 

 the Purple Finch. He is not really purple, but a 

 dull rosy red with Sparrow-like markings, as if a 

 brown Sparrow had been dipped in grape juice. 

 A fine singer in his own range, he is seldom or 

 never heard here, leaving us before his spring 

 song commences. Unfortunately these beautiful 

 Finches are too fond of orchard buds to be wel- 

 comed as frequent visitors. 



WHITETHROAT SPARROW 



Among the many Sparrows who spend the 

 winter south of the Ohio none is handsomer than 



