FINCHES. 35

of the field and the wood—land, strongr 0f wingr and animated in manner, while many of them are eminent songsters. They feed on insects in sum- mer, but during the severe season a few stray seeds afford them a support, and some of them are with us at every season of the year.

The Pine Grosbeak (I’im'cola mztdealor) comes to us in the fall, sometimes in numbers, some- times only a stray wanderer calling softly from the grove. 'l‘his bird is nearly as large as a Robin, carmine red, paler or whitish on the

belly, wings and tail dusky, the former with two

white cross-bars. Females grey, marked with brownish-yellow. In dull November days, fifty

of these forest beauties crowding on the cone— laden summit of a great spruce tree is one of the most pleasing sights. They are generally so tame that they are easily approached, and their soft voices and exceedingly gentle manners make them the most attractive of forest vagrants. In mid-winter they retire to the sheltered recesses of the coniferous woods, feastingr on the abundant seeds, and enjoying the gentle music of their own call—notes and rich, Linnet-like songs. In April

they are away to the wilds of the dreary North.