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Range (Northern portions) (II)

"Northern portions of the northern hemisphere, breeding far north; in winter south, in North America, irregularly to the northern United States."

Washington, casual in winter. Sing Sing, irregular W. V., Dec. 18 to Apl. 12. Cambridge, irregular W. V., frequently common, sometimes abundant, Nov. to Mch. Nest, of twigs and rootlets lined with finer materials, in coniferous trees a few feet up. Eggs, "pale greenish blue, spotted and blotched with dark brown surface markings and lilac'shell-spots, 1.05 × 74."

The Pine Grosbeak, like the Spruce Partridge and Canada Jay, may be said to find its true home in the coniferous forest or Canadian belt, which crosses the continent diagonally from Maine to Alaska. Like many of its congeners in this inhospitable region, it nests so early in the springtime that the winter's frost and snow are still dominant among the evergreens when the eggs come to claim the attention of the pair. Its habits at this season are but little known, as very few naturalists have had the opportunity of seeing it in its native pine wood. But in midwinter, when it comes southward in search of food, it is a well-known frequenter, in flocks, of plantations of mountain-ash trees, or groups of sumach bushes, whose unfallen berries provide it with a bountiful supply of nourishing diet.

FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC.

It is said to make an admirable cage-bird, as it readily takes to confinement, and during the springtime has a prolonged and melodious song. ences.

Its form has a general resemblance to that of the common Robin, but its very short, thick beak and its forked tail are striking differ- It is rather slow and inactive when in a tree, and when on the wing it has a loud whistle which is very characteristic; at all times its colors, as above described, should distinguish the bird at a very considerable distance.