WARBLER— SNOW-BIRD— AMERICAN CROSS-BILL. 



53 



The Yellow-rumped Warbler. (Dendroeca coronata.} 

 Fig. 4. 



This species is also known by the name of Yellow-crowned 

 Warbler and Myrtle-bird. It is one of the most numerous winter 

 birds of the Southern States, where it passes the season in the 

 myrtle swamps and the hummocks of the mainland. In the 

 Middle and Northern States, it is a bird of passage, arriving from 

 the South the latter part of April, and proceeding north as far as 

 Canada and Labrador to pass the summer season in the cares of 

 breeding and rearing their young. After an absence of about 

 three months, they again appear, and continue to remain in the 

 Middle and Northern States, in gardens and woods, till about the 

 close of November, feeding almost exxlusively on the myrtle wax- 

 berries, or on those of the Virginian juniper. In fine weather, in. 

 the earlier part of October, they may be seen collecting grass- 

 hoppers and moths from the meadows and pastures. They often 

 watch for the appearance of their prey from a neighboring stake 

 or fence-rail ; and, at this time, are so familiar and unsuspicious 

 as fearlessly to approach almost within the reach of the silent 

 spectator. While feeding, they are very active, in the manner of 

 Fly-catchers, hovering among the cedars and myrtles, with hang- 

 ing wings, and only rest when satisfied with gleaning food. Of its 

 song, Nuttall says: "This beautiful species . . . frequents 

 the orchards, uttering, at short intervals, in the morning, a sweet 

 and varied, rather plaintive warble, resembling in part the song of 

 the Summer Yellow-bird, but much more the farewell, solitary 

 autumnal notes of the Robin Redbreast of Europe. The tones, 

 at times, are also so ventriloquial and variable in elevation that it 

 is not always easy to ascertain the spot from whence they proceed." 

 This species may also be seen in Mexico and Central America. 

 The length of the male bird is about five inches and a half, its 

 breadth about eight inches. 



The Snow-bird. (Junco hyemalis.) 

 Fig. 5, Male. Fig. 6, Female. 



This species is one of our most common and numerous Sparrows. 

 It arrives in flocks from the northern regions in the United States 

 about the middle of October, and their appearance is looked upon 

 as the sign of approaching winter. " I have traveled," says 

 Wilson, " over the country, from North Maine to Georgia, a dis- 

 tance of 1,800 miles, but I do not think there was a day, or indeed 

 an hour, in which I did not see a flock of these birds, often number- 

 ing thousands ; and several travelers with whom I conversed gave 

 me similar accounts of their experience." The Snow-bird is an in- 

 habitant of the northern mountains of America, where it builds its 

 nest, and from thence it wanders south when winter closes in. It 

 will alsa occasionally migrate as far as Europe ; and Temminck 

 assures us that several have been captured in Iceland, and it is 

 upon this authority that it is reckoned amongst European birds. 

 As stated above, these birds are seen in the United States about 

 October, departing in April, and migrating by night. Hosts 

 of them are found early in the morning, in localities where 

 not one was to be seen the evening before. On first arriving, 

 they fly about the outskirts of the woods and hedges, in parties 

 of from twenty to thirty, but at a later period assemble in flocks 

 of some thousands. As long as the ground is uncovered, they 

 feed upon grass seed, berries, and insects, and are often to be 

 found in company with Partridges, Wild Turkeys, and even 

 Squirrels, but as soon as the snow begins to fall, Snow-birds make 

 their appearance in the farm-yards, open roads, and streets of the 

 town, and place themselves under the protection of man, who shows 

 how much he is to be trusted by capturing hundreds of these 

 diminutive creatures. Still, this bird has more friends than ene- 



mies, and many regard it with affection. Its confidence in man 

 is so great, that it will allow a horseman or foot-passenger to 

 approach quite close to it in the street, only flying away if it has 

 reason to think it will be molested. Thus it lives until the win- 

 ter is passed, when it quits the towns and villages for its favorite 

 mountain or native haunts. 



The Snow-birds seldom join company with other birds, though 

 in the villages and farm-yards they will associate with the so-called 

 "Song Sparrow" and domestic fowls, keeping, however, some- 

 what apart. They pass the night, either perched upon a tree or 

 in a hole, and often make a place for themselves in stacks of corn. 

 In their movements, the Snow-birds much resemble the Sparrows, 

 and hop very lightly over the ground, testifying great readiness to 

 engage any of their kind in single combat. As soon as these birds 

 return to their native places, the work of incubation commences, 

 and the males are constantly engaged in furious contentions, 

 chasing each other through the trees, with wings and tail out- 

 spread, and thus exhibiting their plumage in all its varied beauty. 

 At such times, their simple but pleasing song is at its best, its prin- 

 cipal feature being low, drawn-out notes, that are not unlike 

 the twitter of a young Canary. When about to build, the little 

 pair seek a quiet spot in which to make their nest, preferring a 

 rock thickly covered with bushes; and then, upon the ground, 

 they construct their home, forming it of twigs and grass, and 

 lining the interior most delicately with fine moss and horse-hair. 

 The four eggs, of which a brood consists, are of a yellowish color, 

 thickly covered with reddish spots, and measure five-eighths of an 

 inch across the broadest end. Both parents tend their young with 

 great care, feeding them for some time after they leave the nest, 

 and warning them of danger by a peculiar cry The Sparrow 

 Hawk may be regarded as the most formidable of their many 

 enemies. Wilson mentions having seen this bird continually 

 hovering in their neighborhood, watching for a favorable oppor- 

 tunity, and when the proper moment arrived, the destroyer would 

 swoop down upon its victim, seize it, and carry it to the nearest 

 tree to be devoured. The length of the male bird is five inches and 

 three-quarters, its breadth nearly seven inches ; the female is five 

 and a half inches in length, and eight and a quarter across. 



The Red, op American Cross-bill. (Curvirostra amerzcana.) 



Fig. 7, Male. Fig. 8, Female. 



This remarkably formed species is an inhabitant of both conti- 

 nents. Those in North America are considered the dwarfs of the 

 family, on account of the smallness of their size. " On first 

 glancing," says Wilson, "at the bill of this extraordinary bird, 

 one is apt to pronounce it deformed and monstrous ; but, on atten- 

 tively observing the use to which it is applied by the owner, and 

 the dexterity with which he detaches the seeds of the pine-tree 

 from the cone and from the husks that inclose them, we are obliged 

 to confess that no other conformation could have been so excellently 

 adapted to the purpose; and that its deviation from the common 

 form, instead of being a defect or monstrosity, as the celebrated 

 French naturalist insinuates, is a striking proof of the wisdom and 

 kind superintending care of the great Creator." The Cross-bills 

 always inhabit pine-forests, as their food consists entirely of the 

 seeds of the pine, fir, and larch. They are consequently more 

 numerous in the North than in the South, seeing that in northern 

 latitudes these trees are met with over a far wider extent of country 

 than elsewhere. When the cones are abundant, they visit in great 

 numbers many places where they have not been for years, appear- 

 ing at irregular intervals, and not confining themselves to any par- 

 ticular localities. Should the situation be suitable, they will proceed 

 at once to breed ; otherwise, they merely tarry for a short time, 

 and then pass on to a more desirable resting-place. The most 

 favorable spots in the woods are soon taken possession of to serve 

 as their headquarters, from whence they fly over the surrounding 



