If only tliey were inipoited in separate cages (as Non- 

 pareils generally are, which only fetch one quarter the 

 price of a Grosbeak, though for them, it is true, there is a 

 regular demand) or at least in a canvas-topped store 

 cage, they would arrive in good condition, and would 

 be much more saleable, as they would attract attention 

 by their good looks and bright colour, and not only by 

 the violence of their movements and the scantiness of 

 their plumage. But I must leave the possibilities of 

 improvement in our present methods of importing 

 birds, and return to my subject. 



Food. As a dealer said to me the other day, ••They 

 will eat anything,"' and if put to it I believe they would. 

 Xo seed seems to come amiss.. IMine has canary as a 

 staple, but his favourites are hemp, sunflower and oats ; 

 he also samples millet and niga (I hope the admission 

 that my birds are allowed the "poisonous" niga will 

 not bring down universal execration on my head). Soft 

 food he never touches, but is ver}^ keen on spiders and 

 mealworms ; (my first ate soaked ants' eggs and also 

 preserved yolk of egg occasionally). Just now he has 

 some elderberries daily or a piece of apple, and earlier 

 in the summer he took his share of an}- fruit in its season. 

 But in this line he has his likes and dislikes : most fruits 

 wild or cultivated he is verj- fond of, but will not touch 

 haws or sorrel, and though ver}' fond of red currants 

 absolutely refused black ones ; bananas also he does not 

 like. Daily I also give him a little green food, usually 

 grass or watercress. He bathes regularly and thoroughly 

 every morning as soon as the water-trough is filled. 



As a singer this bird is much prized by American 

 writers. One av;thor describes the Rose-breasted Gros- 

 Ijeak as, '•a most melodious and indefatigable warbler, 



frequently passing a great part of the 



night in singing, with all the varied and touching notes 

 of the nightingale " ; he considers him only second to 

 the ^Mocking bird among American songsters. Another 

 description of its song is "as loud and powerful as that 

 of a Thrush." I can corroborate the above to a certain 

 extent, ]Mv bird has since his moult treated me 



