244 CITIZEN BIRD 



" This Grosbeak dares not trust its brilliant colors in 

 large trees or open places, and so nests where it may 

 hide in a maze of bushes. When it finds the right 

 spot, it is not very particular about nest-building. A 

 jumble of weeds, twigs, roots, and sometimes rags or 

 bits of paper, serves to hold its light-blue eggs with 

 brown markings. 



"If it be ever right to cage a wild bird, you may 

 make a prisoner of this Grosbeak ; but remember, you 

 must take a young male before it has known the joys 

 of freedom, and give at least a half-hour every day to 

 taking care of him. Then he will grow to love you 

 and be a charming pet, living happily and singing 

 gladly ; but under any other circumstances it is less 

 cruel to shoot one than to make it a prisoner." 



The Rose-breasted Grosbeak 



Length about eight inches. 



Male : black on the head, back, wings, and tail; the belly, rump, 

 several spots on the wings, and three outer tail-feathers, white ; 

 rose-colored breast and wing-linings; bill white and very heavy. 



Female : streaked brownish above and below, without any rosy 

 color, but orange-yellow under the wings ; she looks like an over- 

 grown Sparrow with a swelled face. 



A Summer Citizen of the eastern United States from Kansas 

 and the Carolina mountains to Canada, travelling south of the 

 United States in winter. 



A Tree Trapper, (t round (i leaner, Weed Warrior, and Seed 

 Sower. Rather naughty once in a while about picking tree-buds, 

 but on the whole a good neighbor. 



