SUMMER BIRDS OF SHAW's GARDEN. 65 



for on calm, bright days he cheers his mate with his sweet 

 song, which has such a human ciuahty that wc arc tempted to 

 answer, but we rather leave it to herself, who, a rare thing 

 among birds, has the gift of song and echoes his whistle in a 

 subdued tone, befitting her subdued colors and modest ways. 

 That well-matched pairs of birds remain paired and together 

 all the year is demonstrated by our Reabirds and other easily 

 observed permanent residents, especially in daces like the 

 Garden with only one pair of a kind wintering. Looking 

 searchingly through the bare l^ranches of a thicket wc may 

 at first only sec him with the bright color, but it will not bo 

 long before she of the neutral tints also appears and both seek 

 safety in flight together. 



ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK. Zcimclodia ludoviciaua. 



Beauty of plumage and sweetness of voice arc most happily 

 combined in this bird. Deep black and pure white, set off 

 with brilliant rose-carmine on breast and Hning of wings, are 

 the pleasing combination of colors, and its song can only be 

 compared with those of the best songsters of all countries. 

 It has a distant resemblance to that of the Robin, but is a 

 continuous, rich, and finely modulated whistle, full of hfc 

 and gladness, in my opinion the most charming bird song 

 wc have. For breeding the Rosebreast Hkcs a locality where 

 different kinds of shade trees, orchards and gardens abound, 

 and is therefore a common denizen of our suburbs; but the 

 best place to make its acquaintance in St. Louis is Shaw's 

 Garden. Soon after the twentieth of April we may expect 

 his return from the tropics, where he spends his winters. His 

 arrival cannot be kept unnoticed long, for, in spring, he does 

 not look for concealment; on the contrary, he shows himself 

 with rare fearlessness and whistles his notes where people can 

 see him. It is his desire to mate which brings him back to 

 us and, coming in advance of his mate, he wants her to find 

 and join him immediately. It is his impetuosity in wooing 

 that makes him such a conspicuous object amidst the multi- 

 tude of attractions to eye and ear in the luxuriant month of 

 May. The modestly-clad female looks so different from her 



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