Scientific American, Volume 56, No. 9, February 26, 1887Various
Science
Scientific American, Volume 56, No. 9, February 26, 1887
Various
Science -- Periodicals; Technology -- Periodicals
A glance at these birds will take one into the same localities that
have been so often traversed in the summer time, and once within
the woods, the fact that they are cold and leafless is lost sight
of. One can now find birds entirely different from any that he has
heretofore seen, and at the same time learn several facts of interest
concerning birds with which he considers himself well acquainted; as,
for instance, the American goldfinch, which is supposed to migrate in
the fall, will be found in the swampy woods in large flocks, but with
plumage so changed that they will probably not be recognized, being
of a somber brown color, and sexes undistinguishable. Why hundreds of
a species, the majority of which migrate regularly, and which do not
reach us until late in the spring, should change their dress and remain
with us throughout our most severe winters is a problem.
In company with them will often be found the pine linnet and common
red poll. These little finches are rather rare, and are seldom found
together in any great numbers. They leave the North in large flocks,
but as they journey southward break up into smaller and smaller
companies, until only a few are left together. These join interests
with the nearest goldfinches, and remain with them throughout the
winter.
The results of a visit to the fields, on some clear day, will often
repay a somewhat wearisome tramp. The snow buntings and shore larks
frequent such places in large numbers, and a locality where the ground
has been swept bare of snow, or is covered with a growth of weeds, is a
favorite feeding ground.
Their food consists entirely of the seeds, and a spot once chosen by
them is seldom forsaken until all in this line has been eaten.
The buntings will be found in flocks of from a dozen to two hundred,
and in some even more. Their appearance when flying is pure white, but
the upper parts of a specimen in the hand will be found mostly black.
They are extremely shy, and when approached spring into the air and
dart away in a manner that would indicate their intention of departing
for the next county; but should you return that way in the course of
half an hour, you will, in all probability, find them in the same place.
The shore larks, although feeding on the same grounds, seldom mix with
the buntings, preferring to keep in flocks by themselves, and are
worthy of attention, inasmuch as they have one marked peculiarity; this
is the small tuft of feathers on each side of the head, resembling
minute horns, which are raised and lowered at pleasure. (See cut.)
The majority of these birds reach us at the approach of cold weather,
although a few spend the summer here and rear their young. They are
less timid than the snow bunting, and may often be approached quite
close.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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