Nesting of the Rose-breasted Grosbeak.



335



Tracey’s, because Dr. Butler mentions that Dr. Russ states that

when these Grosbeaks nested in his bird-room, the eggs were

incubated by the hen alone.


My male bird fully bore out Mr. Tracey’s testimony of

their habits in a wild state, and I believe it was often on the

nest all night.


My pair of Rose-breasted Grosbeaks have proved them¬

selves to be most harmless to other birds, for in the same room

where they nested (quite a small one too) there was the following

collection of mostly rarae aves : —


One pair of Hooded Parrakeets ( Psephotus cncullalus).


One pair of Blue Budgerigars.


Two pairs of Hooded Siskins ( Chryso/nilris cucullatns').


One pair of Fire-tailed Finches ( Zonceghitluis bellus).


One pair of Parrot Finches ; and


One pair of Red-headed Gouldian Finches.


All of which often perched quite close to the Grosbeak’s nest,

paying no attention to the sitting bird, and in turn being paid no

attention to.


One day towards the end of June, I found a dead young

Grosbeak, apparently about eight or nine days old, placed on the

sill of the window. It had evidently died in the nest and been

carefully taken out and deposited there, for there were no marks

of injury whatever, but the body itself was by no means fresh.

However, disappointed as I was, I was relieved to see the old

birds still taking their due turns in brooding, so that I felt

assured there was still one live nestling; which turned out to be

the case. Unfortunately, however, although it has since left the

nest, it is [up to the date of writing] a cripple, being apparently

rickety in the legs, but otherwise strong and healthy. I believe

it to be a male bird, for although resembling the female in mark¬

ings, the general colour, especially on the wings and head is

much darker. I have put this youngster in a cage, as he is unable

to perch, but I have hopes that his legs will gain strength later

on, for they do not seem to be deformed.


For the benefit of those who are not acquainted with this

most lovely Grosbeak, let me say that the bird is much the same

size as a Red Cardinal, but it is tighter and neater in its plumage.



