Middlesex Co., Mass. [Middlesex County, Massachusetts]
Chrysomitris pinus   
1874. December 16- 1874
Dec. 16 [December 16, 1874] Clear and rather mild. In P.M.
took a turn up on the farm and
much to my surprise struck a
large flock of C. pinus [Chrysomitris pinus] in the cedar
grove. Then saw some thirty in all
and they were feeding on the seeds
of the Cedar berries. This is the first
time that I ever found the bird here
in winter. Killed 8 in 4 shots and
on dissection found that it was impossible
to distinguish the sexes by plumage at
this season, although adults were quite
readily to be separated from birds of
the year. They were very tame, in fact
could not be driven away from the
spot & I could have secured the
whole flock. Among them was a
very bright adult [male] Carpodacus purpureus 
(four individuals of which I forgot to
note on the 10th inst). Saw also a
few scattering Aegiothus linaria &
a small flock of Pinicola behind Mt.
Auburn. Heard an immature bird of
this latter species trying apparently to
sing and he really produced some fine
notes all of which reminded me
much of those of C. purpureus [Carpodacus purpureus]. Saw
a few Juncos, a single Turdus mig. [Turdus migratorius]
(undoubtedly the identical bird observed
in the same place on the 10th) and
at least 30 Regulus satrapa in a
flock. This species literally swarms
here this winter. While standing in a
grove of pines my attention was attracted by
a whistling overhead and looking up I discovered
a Bucephala americana flying high up in air towards the North.