STATE GEOLOGIST. 
161 
Industriously about the lops of the evergreens for a short time, when all of 
a sudden, at the sound of a few sharp notes, uttered by one of the party, 
they were off over the forest with wayward, erratic flight, sounding their 
call note as they went. They are not at all shy, but on the contrary are 
tame and unsuspecting birds. The roof of a house, the immediate door- 
3 T ard, a tree standing close beside a dwelling are as likely resorts as other 
equally suitable localities. A tall, isolated pine, standing but a few feet 
from our shanty at Grand Marais, was a favorite stopping place for birds of 
this kind, and on several occasions they descended to feed about the very 
door, giving but little heed to the presence of the inmates. 
The adults were frequently found paired and the evidence afforded by 
dissection seemed to indicate that they were breeding. Yet this could 
scarcely have been the case, since this bird is known to be one of the earliest 
to nest. Much attachment existed between these mated birds. On one or 
two occasions the male of a pair being shot first, the female flew only a 
short distance and remained calling loudly, until the gun was recharged 
and the traged} r ended by placing her beside her mate. 
Only once was the species heard to sing and then (Aug. 5) it was but 
snatches of an apparently pleasing song. 
38. Chrysomitris pinus, (Wils.) Bp. Pine Linnet.—Common. A tame, 
familiar species, going at this season of the year in small flocks. They fed 
about a fish house occupied by our party at Grand Marais, and frequently 
ventured under the building in their search for food. 
39. rChrysomitris tristis, (Linn.) Bp. Thistle Bird.—Found at Duluth 
In July, 1877.] 
40. [Passerculus savanna, (Wils.) Bp. Savanna Sparrow.—Rather com¬ 
mon about the fields below Duluth in July, ’77.] 
41. [Pooecetes gramineus, (Gm.) Bel. Grass Finch.—Common at Duluth* 
July, ’77.] 
42. [Melospiza palustris, (Wils.) Bd. Swamp Sparrow.—Duluth, com¬ 
mon, July, ’77.] 
43. Melospiza meloda, (Wils.) Bd. Song Sparrow.—Abundant m every 
suitable locality. Minnesota Point, Sept. 1. Grand Marias, July 28 ; Aug. 
13, etc. 
44. [Junco hyemalis, (Linn.) Scl. Snow Bird.—Found common at 
Duluth in July, ’77 ; but not noted at any point this summer.] 
45. Spizella socialis, ( Wils. ) Bp. Chipping Sparrow.—A common species 
all along the shore and abundant at some more than usually suitable 
localities, as on Minnesota Point and about Grand Marais. Attending to 
young in early part of August. Grand Marais, Aug. 13. 
46. Zonotricliia albicollis, (Ghn.) Bp. White-throated Sparrow.—Com¬ 
mon ; rather shy ; frequenting the thick brush and raspberry patches of 
burnt areas. A brood of young just able to fly and accompanied by the 
parent, was found at Grand Marais, Aug. 21. This, however, was exception¬ 
ally late. In song quite generally during the first week of August. From 
this time onward the singing gradually decreased until during the last week 
of the month it was only occasionally that the full song was heard. 
47. Goniaphea ludoviciana, (Linn.) Bowd. Rose-breasted Grosbeak.—A 
single individual seen a short distance below Burlington Bay, Aug. 30. 
11 
