The Singing of Birds. E.P.Bickneli. 
Pinicola enucleator. Pine Grosbeak. 
Loxia curvirostra americana. Red Crossbill. 
In the spring of 1875 — a late spring, following a severe winter 
— both of these hardy, birds so far relented from their usual reti- 
cence while away from their northern homes as to allow us to hear 
them sing. Of this, I have already written as follows : “ as 
the winter waned the birds became none the less common, and in 
the mild mornings of early spring-time this species [the Crossbill], 
as well as Pinicola enucleator , would often be found m full song, 
frequently on the same tree. As I now recall them, the song of 
the Grosbeak was a subdued rambling warble interrupted with 
whistling notes ; that of the Crossbill bolder and more pronounced 
as a jtong.”* It the context, wherein is described a nest and three 
ego-s of the Crossbill, taken at Riverdale, on April 30, 1S75, the 
species is alluded to as having remained up to that time in full 
since that season I have met with flocks of Crossbills here in 
April, May, June, and July, but except an occasional low twitter- 
ing in May, 1884, their usual nervous chatter was their only utter- 
cince. 
As for the Pine Grosbeaks, they too remained late the present 
year — through March — and showed some disposition to sing. 
Low warbling notes were heard from them in February, at Sing- 
Sing, by Dr. A. K. Fisher, and also at Riverdale. 
Attic. I. Oct., 1884. p. 3-Z^ 3Z 
* Bull. N. O. C., Vol. V, No. i, p. 8. January, 1880. 
