232 LAXD-BIRDS AND GAME-BIRDS 



I 



island off the coast of the latter country, says that " in the 

 spring of 1861, Mr. Cheney shot a fine $ specimen and sent it 

 to G. A. Board man, Esq., in whose cabinet it now is." This 

 specimen has been spoken of as having been obtained in Maine, 

 which I suppose to be an error.'''^ The Blue Grosbeaks are 

 probably closely allied to the Indigo Birds otherwise than 

 merely bj' their coloration and structure, but I can ascertain 

 but little about their habits. "Thej' are" says Wilson "timid 

 birds, watchful, silent and active," feeding " on hemp seed, 

 millet, and the kernels of several kinds of berries." 



(d). "Their most common note is a loud chuck; they have 

 also at times a few low sweet toned notes." Their song is 

 elsewhere described " as a rapid, intricate warble, like that of 

 the Indigo Bird, though stronger and louder." They also sing 

 at night. 



XXli. HYDEMELES 



(A) LUDOviciANA.'''^ Bose-breastecl GrosheaTc. 



(A common summer-resident in Massachusetts, though still 

 scarce in many places.) 



(a). About eight inches long. ^, with the upper parts, 

 whole head and neck, black. Rump and under parts, white. 

 A large patch on the breast, and also the fore-part of the wing 

 inside, bright carmine. Wings and tail, black, marked conspic- 

 uously with white. $ , with no white on the rump or tail, and 

 but little on the wings, and with none of the male's carmine, 

 that on the wings being replaced by saffron, which sometimes 

 tints the breast. Upper parts, flaxen-brown, and under parts, 

 white, dark-streaked, most thickly above, and most finely upon 

 the crown. Eye-stripe, dark ; line below, superciliary stripe, 

 and median line, dull white. Wings and tail, plain. 



'2 1 have since learned that I am probably mistaken about the occuvrcnce of 

 this bird in New Englaiid, since Mr. Uoanhnan (I'roc. B. S. N. H., IX, p. 127) 

 speaks of it as " very uncertain" at Calais, Maine, tliougli " common in the spring 

 of 1801." 



'3 This species, having been placed ia various genera, at last stands in Ilydem- 

 eles. 



