^OXFORD’S KARA AVIS. 
the address, which was printed. « - 
& 4 **^ Ok. 
Peculiar Winter Brings Evening Gros- 
i^k^Ck.WAMrj- 
iliar Winter B 
p. ^ 
STRANGE BIRDS. € 
Alcotr. states that this remarkable winter 
Boxford, Feb. 11.— Rev. William P. 
beaks as Visitors. 
tuei ij ttpinuatiUOU. 
These grosbeaks are a little larger, 
or longer than a bluebird, 
in color black, _ white and yel- 
low, brown tints taking the place of black 
m the females and younger birds. The pa- 
triarch of this dock; across the road, would 
appear entirely black above, with a conspic- 
uous white saddle upon his back. Evening 
grosbeaks belong to the piuewood regions 
near too Rocky mountains, ami I have met 
no allusion to their ever being seen in these 
Jan. 31 there appeared a flock of eight 
evening grosbeaks. Uoccotliraustes vesoer- 
tuia, and for at least dye days they re- 
mained here attracting considerable atten- 
tion from observant people, and were quite 
easily approached. 
has brought to his town visitors even more 
remarkable. 
These grosbeaks are a little larger, 
longer than a bluebird, 
i color t black, _ white and yel- 
This remarkable winter ha9 brought to Box- 
ford visitors even more remarkable. Jan. 
31st there appeared a dock of eight evening 
grosbeaks, Coccethraustes vespertuia, and 
for at least five days they remained here at- 
tracting considerable attention from obserT- 
ant people, and were quite easily approached. 
parts, ijflofk. i . AJ/l Jt9n 
triarch of this dock; across the road, would 
black. 
white 
The writer was able to note quite a full de- 
scription of the only full plumaged male. 
Later, a femals was kindly— I mean kindly 
for science — shot by A. J. Howe, but so thor- 
oughly shot that I was only able to preserve 
the head with Its very characteristic beak, 
the wings, feet and tall In part. 
For unscientific readers I may say that 
these grosbeaks are a little larger, or longer 
than a bluebird, In color black, white and 
yellow, brown tints taking the place of black 
In the females and younger birds. The pa- 
triarch of this flock, across the road, would 
appear entirely black above, with a conspic- 
uous white saddle upon his back. Evening 
grosbeaks helong to the pine-woods regions 
near the Rocky Mts., and I have met no allu- 
sion to their ever being seen In these parts. 
The call note, which first attracted my at- 
tention to our visitors. Is a loud quick whistle 
as of the syllables pet-up, uttered as If In 
alarm. Considerable of the time there was a 
low sociable peeping In the party, and I think 
I heard another note. These birds are said to 
sing Ip the night, hence their name. On ar- 
riving, the grosbeaks seemed to first visit the 
coniferous trees, at least It was so In my yard, 
and then were content to scour the grass- 
ground like an ordinary finch. They were so 
shrewd as to spend most of their time around 
the house of that good friend of birds, and 
men, Rev. Mr. Coggln. It does not appear 
that they had suffered on our Atlantic slope, 
for, the one I dissected was quite fat. Come 
and abide In our fine forests, O sweet bird, 
and we will not call you “ Coocothraustes.” 
