EVENING GROSBEAK. 



514. Hesperiphona vespertina. 8 inches. 



Female paler and with white on upper tail coverts. 

 As would be judged from the large bills that these 

 birds have, their food consists almost entirely of seeds, 

 with occasionally a few berries and perhaps insects. 

 In certain localities they are not uncommon, but, ex- 

 cept in winter, they are rare anywhere in the U. S. 

 and east of the Mississippi they can only be regarded 

 as accidental even in winter. They have been taken 

 several times in Massachusetts. In winter they usu- 

 ally travel about in small bands, visiting localities 

 where the food supply is the most abundant. 



Song". — A clear Robin-like whistle; call, a short 

 whistle. 



Nest. — A flat structure of twigs and rootlets placed 

 at low elevations in trees or bushes. Four eggs, green- 

 ish white, spotted with brown (.90 x .65). 



Range. — Breeds in mountains of western British 

 America and northwestern U. S. South and east in 

 winter to the Mississippi and rarely farther. 



