flocks. I counted 22 birds in one, 20 in
another, 15 in a third, 9 in a fourth. Of
the 20 five birds were red males. The other
flocks I did not examine carefully with
respect to proportion of red & gray birds.
The Grosbeaks were feeding chiefly on 
larch buds to-day but they also 
visited the orchard at frequent intervals 
to taste the frozen apples. This flock of 
22 were in tall sugar [sugar maple] the buds of 
which they were evidently eating.  
Bethel, Maine.  March 16, 1904
Ther. [Thermometer] 24 [degrees] 7 a.m.
22 [degrees] noon
18 [degrees] 3 P.M.
18 [degrees] 9 P.M.
   Partly cloudy, Raging N.W. [northwest] wind
  A wild March day, with deliciously
sweet, dry air however. 
  Went to the village after breakfast, 
called at the bank & post office, and at Ceylon Rowe's
where I bought six pairs of home knit socks. 
Returning found a good sized flock of Grosbeaks in
the larches just to eastward of house. Counted 16 grey 
and 6 red birds. Several of the males were singing 
& at times rather finely I thought. Their
songs were very like those of the Purple Finch but less 
rapid and ecstatic. All this singing was in subdued tones