THE ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK. 



d) 



(^ HIS is an American bird, and 

 has been described under vari- 

 ous names by various authors. 

 It is found in the lower parts 

 of Pennsylvania, in the state of New 

 York, and in New England, particu- 

 larly in autumn, when the berries of 

 the sour gum are ripe, on the kernels 

 of which it eagerly feeds. As a singer 

 it has few superiors. It frequently 

 sings at night, and even all night, the 

 notes being extremely clear and 

 mellow. It does not acquire its full 

 colors until at least the second spring 

 or summer. It is found as far east as 

 Nova Scotia, as far west as Nebraska, 

 and winters in great numbers in 

 Guatemala. This Grosbeak is common 

 in southern Indiana, northern Illinois, 

 and western Iowa. It is usually seen 

 in open woods, on the borders of 

 streams, but frequently sings in the 

 deep recesses of forests. In Mr. Nut- 

 tail's opinion this species has no 

 superior in song, except the Mocking 

 Bird. 



The Rose-Breasted Grosbeaks arrive 

 in ]\Iay and nest early in June. They 

 build in low trees on the edges of 

 woods, frequently in small groves on 

 the banks of streams. The nest is 

 coarsely built of waste stubble, frag- 

 ments of leaves, and stems of plants, 

 intermingled with and strengthened 

 by twigs and coarser stems. It is 

 eight inches wide, and three and a 

 half high, with a cavity three inches 

 in diameter and one in depth, being 

 quite shallow for so large a nest. 



Dr. Hoy, of Racine, states that on 

 the 15th of June, within six miles of 

 that city, he found seven nests, all 

 within a space of not over five acres, 

 and he was assured that each year 

 they resort to the same locality and 

 nest in this social manner. Six of 

 these nests were in thorn-trees, all 

 were within six to ten feet of the 

 ground, near the center of the top. 

 Three of the four parent birds sitting 

 on the nests were males. When a nest 

 was disturbed, all the neighboring 

 Grosbeaks gathered and appeared 

 equally interested. 



It is frequently observed early in 

 the month of March, making its way 

 eastward. At this period it passes at 

 a considerable height in the air. On 

 the banks of the Sohuylkill, early in 

 May, it has been seen feeding on the 

 tender buds of trees. It eats various 

 kinds of food, such as hemp-seed, 

 insects, grasshoppers, and crickets with 

 peculiar relish. It eats flies and wasps, 

 and great numbers of these pests are 

 destroyed by its strong bill. During 

 bright moonshiny nights the Grosbeak 

 sings sweetly, but not loudly. In the 

 daytime, when singing, it has the 

 habit of vibrating its wings, in the 

 manner of the Mocking-bird. 



The male takes turns with his mate 

 in sitting on the eggs. He is so happy 

 when on the nest that he sings loud 

 and lonof. His music is sometimes the 

 cause of great mourning in the lovely 

 family because it tells the egg hunter 

 where to find the precious nest. 



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