80 XORTII AMERICAN BIRDS. 



oil tlie iiiountaiii-sides. It is not mentioned by Sumichrastas a liird of Vera 

 Cruz, but was ibuud during the winter inoutlis at Oaxaca, Mexico, liy Mr. 

 Boucard. 



Mr. 0. Salvin states (Ibis, III. p. ?>^>2) that he found tliis species, though 

 not of very common occurrence, pretty generally distributed, in winter, 

 tliroughout Vera Paz. He met with it on tiie Plains of Salania, and all the 

 collections from the warmer districts to the northward of Coban contained 

 si)ecimens. It was found by Mr. George H.. "White near ^Mexico. 



Wilson spealvs of this bird as retired and solitary, and also as a scarce 

 species, and as having but few notes, its most common one being a loud 

 chuck. He was, however, aware that at times they have a few low sweet- 

 toned notes. He mentions their being kept in Charleston in cages, but as 

 seldom singing in confinement. He fed a caged bird of this species on Indian 

 corn, which it easily broke with its powerful bill ; also on hemp-seed, millet, 

 and berries. He speaks of them as timid, watchful, silent, and active. 



j\Ir. Audubon was, apparently, somewhat at fault in regard to the pecu- 

 liarities of this species. His accounts of the eggs of the Pyranga (estiva 

 are entirely inapplicable to that species, and, so far as I know, apply to no 

 other bird than the Blue Grosbeak, to which they exactly correspond. He 

 makes no mention and gives no description of the eggs of the latter. His 

 statements as to the nest appear to be correct. 



Dr. Bachman kept several of these birds in an aviary ; two of these mated, 

 took possession of the nest of a Cardinal Grosbeak, which they drove off, 

 and laid two eggs that were unfortunately destroyed. In the aviary these 

 birds were silent. ^Ir. Audubon kept one, in confinement, with him in Edin- 

 burgh. It had been raised from the nest. This bird frequently sang in the 

 night, and before dawn. It was extremely tame, coming out or going into 

 its cage at pleasure, perching on the head-dress of Jlrs. Audubon, or on the 

 heads of other members of the family, alighting on the table and feeding on 

 almost anything given to it. If a gold or silver coin was thrown upon the 

 table he would go to it, take it up in his bill, and apparently toss it about 

 with pleasure. After bathing he would go to the fire and perch on the fender 

 to dry himself He would attack other birds, if put into the cage with him. 

 In feeding he sometimes held his food in his claws like a Hawk. 



The eggs of this bird are of a uniform light-blue color, and most resemble 

 those of the Sialia arctica, but are larger and of a lighter color. Their color 

 is quite fugitive, and readily fades into a dull white upon even a slight ex- 

 posure to light. They are of an oval shape, equally rounded at either end, 

 and measure .98 of an inch in length by .65 in breadth. 



