Mearns on Less Hardy Winter Residents. 35 
ing among the cedars, in sunny places, till the early part of the following 
month, after which all depart to a more genial climate farther south. But 
during the past winter (1877- 78) they remained in considerable num- 
bers throughout that section of the Hudson Valley known as the High- 
lands. Their food consists mainly of the berries of the red cedar. The 
following notes are extracted from my journal : “ November 26, 1877. Still 
abundant, flying about uttering a loud chip , and feeding on the berries of 
the red cedar. December 19. Yellow-rumps still here; have been stead- 
ily abundant up to this time. January 8, 1878. Still present; weather 
intensely cold; ground covered with snow. January 18. Quite numer- 
ous. They are flying about in the orchards, and inhabit bushy places 
near the river, or among the cedars. They seem to be quite contented so 
long as the ground is bare ; but after a long snow-storm they are seen 
flying restlessly about, seeking with great alacrity any bare spot of ground. 
Numbers were seen during the last storm about the woodpile, in company 
with Parus atricapillus . February 12 . Very numerous among the cedars 
and all along the way ; feeding on cedar berries, in company with the 
Robins ; just beginning to acquire the summer plumage, as are also the 
Yellow-Birds ( Ckrysomitris tristis). This change, as in the Yellow-Birds, 
is confined, at this season, to a few feathers of the rump and crown. 
March 8. One small flock seen ; still in winter plumage. March 18. 
Numerous at Rhinebeck, Duchess Co., N. Y. April 3. Several seen. 
One that I shot was in the midst of the spring moult ; the new feathers 
being those of the nuptial dress.” 
From the above notes it will be seen that the Yellow-rumps were steadily 
present in considerable numbers throughout the past winter. They were 
always gentle and familiar ; uttered a sprightly chip , — the solitary ex- 
pression of their various emotions, — and were very agreeable winter com- 
panions. Later in the spring they favor us with a very pleasant little 
song. 
7. Carpodacus purpureus. Purple Finch. — These beautiful birds 
and sweet songsters are regular winter residents. In winter there is 
always a great preponderance of females, — almost as marked as was 
noted in the case of Pinicola enucleator and JEyiothus linaria , in the early 
part of the winter of 1874. Even the females are heard singing during 
the coldest weather ; this is of common occurrence in early winter. They 
are gregarious, often assembling in very large flocks. On such occasions 
they are quite wild, and, on being approached, all rise at once on wing, 
with a loud, rushing noise, accompanied by certain peculiar wild notes, 
which produces quite a startling effect. They feed upon seeds, chiefly 
those of the iron-wood ( Ostrya virginica ), and red cedar berries. 
8. Melospiza melodia. Song Sparrow. — A regular winter resi- 
dent, throughout the severest winters, in favorable situations ; its abun- 
dance and dispersion depend on the character of the winter. 
9. Melospiza palustris. Swamp Sparrow. — I have an impression 
