128 





Fig. 109. 3Iale Grosbeak with food for his tiny little ones. 



he would disclose the hiding place of the home, but he 

 must sing anyway. 



I have often seen it stated that the female grosbeak sings, 

 too, but I have never seen one do so. The year-old males 

 very closely resemble the female in plumage. Probably it 

 is the songs of these young males that are often accredited 

 to the females. I was delighted on one day in June whefi 

 I happened to come across a Grosbeak nest at an elevation 

 of only about four feet from the ground. Here was the 

 opportunity 1 had been awaiting and I could, in imagination, 

 see a whole series of beautiful pictures illustrating the horn? 

 life of grosbeaks. Alas ! The best of plans go astray. 1 



