179 



Distribution. The Cardinal in its various subspecies has a wide distribution in the 

 United States and the type form crosses the Canadian border commonly along the western 

 end of lake Erie, occurring as scattered individuals and in isolated communities there and 

 in adjoinging localities. The Eastern Cardinal, the one here considered, is the type form 

 of the species. 



The Cardinal Grosbeak is not generally distributed in Canada, but is a 

 permanent resident wherever it is found and its gorgeous colouring and 

 brilliant whistling give an added interest to nature. It may surprise many 

 that this southern bird ever occurs in Canada, but in some sections along 

 the lake Erie shore it is not only regular but common. It should be 

 rigorously protected for its beauty as well as for more material reasons. 



Economic Status. The Cardinal feeds largely upon locusts, cicadas, 

 potato bugs, rose chafers, plum and cherry scales, cutworms, weevils, and 

 other destructive pests. In addition, it takes weed seeds in considerable 

 amount and some wild fruit. There is no evidence that it damages cul- 

 tivated varieties. 



.595. Rose-breasted Grosbeak, fr. — gros bec a poitrine rose. Zamelodia 

 ludoviciana. L, 812. Plate XXXIV B. 



Distinctions. The male with his black back and rose-coloured bib is unmistakable. 

 The female is the only sharply streaked Grosbeak in eastern Canada. Young autumn 

 males are much like the female, but have a slight rosy suffusion showing through the buff 

 colom- of the breast. They vary considerably, but indications of the more pronounced 

 spring plumages can usually be seen. 



Field Marks. A full view of either sex with their characteristic colorations and 

 large bills is distinctive enough. The black-backed male with contrasting white rump and 

 wing-bars can be recognized at a glance even as it vanishes in the brush. The female, 

 if not clearly seen, may be mistaken for the much smaller female Purple Finch; but the 

 unstriped underparts, more heavily marked head with conspicuous line over the eye, 

 and more prominent white wing-bars usually serve for its identification. 



Nesting. In bushes or trees 5 to 20 feet above ground, in nest of fine twigs, weed 

 stalks, and rootlets. 



Distribution. Eastern America, north to well beyond settlement. Breeds in Canada 

 wherever found. 



The Rose-breasted Grosbeak is one of our most beautiful birds and 

 best songsters. It prefers tangled thickets interspersed with open spaces 

 and large tree clumps. It frequents thickets along rivers, edges of wood- 

 land abutting on clearings, overgrown fence lines, and sometimes orchards. 



Economic Status. If the number of Rose-breasted Grosbeaks could 

 be greatly increased on the farms the potato bug scourge would soon 

 disappear. This bird is one of the few that eats the potato beetle and it 

 takes them in both adult and larval stages. One-tenth of the contents 

 of the stomachs examined consisted of potato bugs and this species is 

 equally efficient against other insect pests. To increase the numbers of 

 Rose-breasted Grosbeaks may be difficult, but the next best thing is to 

 conserve what we have, protect them from preventable destruction, and 

 see that suitable nesting corners are left in waste corners of the farm and 

 woodlot. In carrying out plans for clean cultivation and the elimination 

 of waste places, care should be taken that bits of shrubbery are left to 

 afford shelter for birds which without these sanctuaries must disappear. 

 The preservation of the birds will more than compensate for the small 

 losses entailed. 



597. Blue Grosbeak, fr. — le gros-bec bleu. Guiraca ccerulea. L, 7. A small 

 Grosbeak, coloured like a large Indigo Bunting, but not quite as bright and with 

 chestnut-rufous bars on wing and shoulder. 



