492 
GRANIVOROUS BIRDS. 
a scanty pittance from the frozen and exposed ground, 
or stop to collect the seeds, which still remain upon the 
unshorn weeds, rising through the dreary waste. At 
such times they are also frequently accompanied by the 
Snow Bunting, the humbly dressed Yellow Bird, and 
the querulous Chicadee. Driven to straits, however, by 
hunger, they at length become more familiar, and are now 
seen about the barns and out-houses, spreading them- 
selves in busy groups over the yard, and even approach- 
ing the steps of the door in towns and cities, and glean- 
ing thankfully from the threshold any crumbs or acciden- 
tal fragments of provision. Amidst all this threatening 
and starving weather, which they encounter almost alone, 
they are still lively, active, and familiar. The roads, 
presenting an accidental resource of food for these north- 
ern swarms, are consequently more frequented by them 
than the fields. Before the severity of the season com- 
mences, they are usually only seen moving in families ; 
and the parents, watchful for the common safety, still 
continue by reiterated chirpings to warn their full-grown 
brood of every approach of danger, and, withdrawing 
them from any suspicious observation, wander off to se- 
curer ground. At this time they frequent the borders of 
woods, seek through the thickets and among the fallen 
leaves for their usual food of seeds, and dormant insects, 
or their larvae. Their caution is not unnecessary, for on 
the skirts of the larger flocks the famished Hawk prowls 
for his fated prey, and descending, with a sudden and 
successful sweep, carries terror through all the wander- 
ing and retreating ranks. 
In the latter end of March or beginning of April, as 
the weather begins to be mild, they reappear in flocks 
from the South, frequenting the orchard trees, or retreat- 
ing to the shelter of the woods, and seem now to prefer 
