Family Fringillidce Grosbeak 99 



48. ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK 



(Hal) i a ludoviciana.') 



Male: upper parts in the main black, often mottled with flaxen; 

 rump white ; tail and wings dark, variegated with white ; under 

 parts white ; breast with a rose spot about the size of a half- 

 dollar; under surface of wings rosy. Beak extremely large, 

 conical, light horn color ; feet medium size, dark. Bird con- 

 siderably larger than a sparrow. Female : upper parts blackish 

 brown streaked with olive and flaxen ; head with a median 

 white line, and one over each eye; under parts impure white, 

 marked with dark brown spots ; under surface of wings saffron- 

 yellow. 



THIS beautiful bird is found in heavily timbered 

 regions, particularly near the water. It is said to be 

 especially fond of dense undergrowth. I have usu- 

 ally found it in the very tops of tall oak-trees. It 

 comes to us in mid-May, and leaves in early Sep- 

 tember. 



The nests may be found in very various locations, 

 in pasture lands, in damp woods, in trees or shrub- 

 bery of parks or gardens. They are usually placed 

 at a moderate height above the ground. Eggs are 

 laid commonly about the first of June. 



It is one of our richest and most beautiful song- 

 sters, and is one of the few birds \vhich occasionally 

 sing at night. In the vicinitv of New York song 

 continues until mid- August. 



