314 A SPRING AND SUMMER IN LAPLAND. 



Yeiy different are the breeding habits of this 

 bird from that of its near relation, the crossbill. 

 As soon as ever they begin to build, the sweet song 

 of the male entirely ceases, and he assiduously 

 assists the female in gathering sticks and fibres 

 for the construction of the nest. Jlot a note do 

 they utter except a gentle " cluck," as if convers- 

 ing together in an under tone; and nothing in 

 their note or habits indicates the proximity of the 

 nest. Not so the crossbill male ; all he appears 

 to have to do with the building part of the business 

 is to sit on a high fir close to the nest, and cheer 

 his mate in her labours by a loud clear song. 

 Thus the nest of the crossbill is very easy to find, 

 that of the grosbeak difficult. The note of the 

 male grosbeak, both in winter and early spring, is 

 delightful, clear, and flute-like; and I have observed 

 them on a frosty winter day sing in the air while 

 floating from one tree to another, after the manner 

 of the woodlark. But you often hear both male 

 and female keeping up a very low pretty little 

 twitter (without breaking out into a song), as if 

 conversing; as in the crossbill, the female can 

 sing, but not so loudly as the male. You principally 

 hear the song early in the morning, and in egg col- 

 lecting, one hour in the morning before ten o'clock 

 is worth any three after. It is a very fine, bold, 

 tame bird, rather foolish than otherwise, for here 



