FINCHES. 39

constructed of any of our birds’ nests, containing five nearly pure white eggs.

The Pine Goldfinch (Clarysomitrz’s firms) is a winter bird, sometimes seen in company with the Chickadees and Redpolls, from which it is abundantly distinguished by its clear voice and strong, buoyant flight.

The Snow Bunting (Plectrop/zanes m'zlalz's) is the winged sprite of our winter wilds. Its plumes mimic the purity of the crystal flakes, and it comes in flocks wayward as the whirling drifts. The Buntings are here in October, and then frequent lonely shores and sand-reefs, running over the sands in 'pursuit of marine insects in company with Sanderlings and Plovers. We see little of them till snow covers up their food in the wilds, then they come about the farmsteads looking for grain and stray seeds. They are very fond of oats which they shell with address, eating only the mealy kernel.

Among the roving winter flocks we only hear the softly-uttered flocking call; but, as the breed— ing season approaches, in April, the males will sometimes sing a sweet Linnet-like song, when

enjoying the sunshine in some sheltered nook.