The Pine Grosbeak on Long Island, N. Y. — It is so rarely that Long 
Island is favored with the presence of the Pine Grosbeak ( Pinicola enu- 
cleator canadensis ) that their occurrence here in considerable numbers 
during the past winter is worthy of record. During the last twenty five 
years there have been few winters that I have not spent considerable time 
in the field at this place, but I have never been able to meet with this bird, 
to be certain of its identity, until the past winter. I have heard of a few 
instances of its occurrence on Long Island in former years, as at Miller 
Place, Cold Spring, Middle Island, and Terryville. At Miller Place, on 
November 26, 1903, three Grosbeaks were noted in an orchard near my 
house, and later a red male was seen flying westward. I was told of a 
“flock of Butcher Birds ” that were seen here about a week prior to this 
date. From the description given me I have little doubt that they were 
Pine Grosbeaks. While perched on the top of a tree, and in their undu- 
lating flight, they bear a strong resemblance to shrikes, and if seen singly 
by one unfamiliar with them might readily be mistaken for these birds. 
From November 13 to 25, I was away from home and cannot tell at what 
time they began to arrive. I am inclined to think that some birds I 
heard early in the month were Grosbeaks, but I was not then familiar with 
their notes and did not recognize them. November 27, I left Miller Place 
and did not have another opportunity to look for them until December 4, 
when I met with a small flock in a cedar grove not far from my house. 
In this grove, from this time on until about the middle of February, 
Grosbeaks could be found in varying numbers. The last one was seen 
on February 28. On February 1 and 6 they were more plentiful than at 
any other time, and appeared to be migrating. Not more than two per 
cent were in the red plumage. Their food consisted almost entirely of the 
seeds of the red cedar. The seeds were nearly always crushed before 
they were swallowed, only the inner portions of the seeds being eaten. 
Occasionally a few would come into the orchard and pick among the 
frozen apples left on the trees. While feeding they were very gentle and 
I had no difficulty in catching several in a small scoop-net, made of fine 
wire, attached to a pole. Four that I have in a large cage are very fond 
of sunflower and hemp seeds. They will eat canary and rape seed but 
prefer that of the sunflower. Millet seed they will not eat if they can get 
any other food. They appear to have four distinct sets of notes, — a low 
querulous note uttered while feeding ; another, somewhat resembling that 
of the Goldfinch, uttered both on the wing and while sitting in the trees; 
and a longer drawn whistle that reminds one of a Cedar-bird. This 
appears to be their usual call-note when restless and alarmed. Several 
times I heard an attempt at a song, consisting of three or four finch-like 
notes. During the winter I met with a few Grosbeaks at Rocky Point, 
and heard of their presence at several other places on Long Island. — 
A. H. Hilme, Miller Place, N. T. _ 
Auk, XXI, Apr., 1904, p ■ 
The Pine Grosbeak on Long Island, N. Y. — After years of waiting I 
am at last able to positively record this species on Long Island. Three 
specimens were seen at Southold, February 2, 1904, by Mrs. A. F. Lowerre 
who is an unusually careful observer. Her report is as follows: “Tues- 
day morning I saw three birds in a neighbor’s honeysuckle. Took my 
opera glass and went close to study them. Found they were Pine Gros- 
beaks, either all females or young male birds. There were no carmine-red 
adult males to be seen. I never saw or heard of them here before.” 
February 12 Mrs. Lowerre wrote: “I saw the three grosbeaks again 
yesterday ; the only places they seem to visit are the honeysuckle vines.” 
Subsequently Mrs. Lowerre reports that she did not see the grosbeaks 
after February 11. 
All Giraud says of them is : “In the autumn of 1827, large flocks of pine 
grosbeaks visited Long Island .... Since that period until the present 
year (1844), 1 have not seen or heard of its occurring on Long Island.” — 
William Dutcher, New York City. 
Auk, XXI, Apr., 1904, p- 
$</£) ^ , - 
Pine Grosbeak ( Pinicola enucleator). — A few of these rare visitors 
from the north have been about this winter. A single one was seen 
November 28, 1903. I received a pair to mount, shot on Dec. 22, the 
male in the full red-washed plumage, the female gray. They were found 
feeding around a garbage heap near the back door of a dwelling house, 
and were very tame. Two more were seen near the same place, but not 
taken, on January 3, 1904. 
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