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THE BLACK SNOW BIRD. 
Few birds are better known than the Linnet, although the change of plumage to which it 
is subject in the different seasons of the year has caused the same bird, while in its winter 
plumage, to be considered as distinct from the same individual in its summer dress. Except 
during the breeding season, the Linnets associate in flocks, flying from spot to spot, and feed- 
ing upon the seeds of various plants, evidently preferring those of the thistle, dandelion, and 
various cruciferous plants. It is a very lively bird, and is possessed of a sweet and agreeable, 
though not very powerful song. 
The Purple Finch {Carpodacus purpureus). This is a winter bird of passage, coming 
to us in the Northern States in September and October. Great numbers remain during the 
winter as far south as Pennsylvania, feeding on the seeds of buttonwood, cedar, etc. 
In severe seasons they are found farther south. They return north to breed in May. The 
Purple Finch is a hardy, vigorous bird, and very quarrelsome if placed with other birds 
as pets. 
A Californian variety is known, and three other species of the genus Carpodacus. 
THE CANARY, THE SPARROWS, AND THE BUNTINGS. 
The Snow Bird, which is not to be confounded with the Snow Bunting, hereafter to be 
described, is an inhabitant of America, and has a very large range of country. 
According to Wilson’s lively description of this bird, “at first they are most generally 
seen on the borders of woods among the falling and decayed leaves, in loose flocks of thirty or 
forty together, always taking to the trees when disturbed. As the weather sets in colder, they 
venture nearer the farm-houses and villages, and on the approach of what is usually called 
‘falling weather,’ assemble in larger flocks, and seem doubly diligent in searching for food. 
This increased activity is generally a sure prognostic of a storm. 
‘ ‘ When deep snow covers the ground, they become almost half domesticated. They collect 
about the barns, stables, and other out-houses, spread over the yard, and even round the steps 
of the door ; not only in the country and villages, but in the heart of our large cities ; crowd- 
ing around the threshold early in the morning, gleaning up the crumbs, and appearing very 
lively and familiar. They also have recourse at this severe season, when the face of the earth 
is shut up from them, to the seeds of many kinds of weeds that still rise above the snow, 
in corners of fields, and low sheltered situations, along the borders of creeks and fences, where 
they unite with several species of sparrow. They are at this time easily caught with almost 
any kind of trap, are generally fat, and it is said are excellent eating.” 
At the very beginning of summer, as soon as the weather begins to be warm, the Snow 
Bird retires from its winter quarters, and migrates to the higher regions of the earth, for 
the purpose of breeding. Even in the business of rearing their young, the Snow Birds are 
very gregarious, placing the nest upon the ground, or on the grass, in close proximity to 
each other. 
The head, neck, and upper parts of the body, and the wings, are very deep, slaty -brown, 
either color predominating according to the age of the individual and the season of the year. 
The lower parts of the breast and the abdomen are pure snowy-white, and the two exterior 
tail-feathers are of the same hue, the secondaries being dark slate. The female has but little 
of the slaty-blue, and is almost wholly brown. The total length of this species is about six 
inches. 
The Black Snow Bird (, Bunco Tiycsmalis — formerly fringilla ) is a cheery, pretty little 
winter visitor from the far north, and is by far the most numerous and widely disseminated 
of all the feathered tribes that come from that direction. Their migrations extend from the 
Arctic Circle to Mexico, and from the Atlantic Ocean to Louisiana. As the winter lengthens, 
this bird, in flocks, approaches the farm-houses, and even the dwellings in towns. They are 
lively and familiar little creatures. 
