THE ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK 41 
my inquirer represents him to be. In that re- 
spect he ranks with the oriole and the scarlet 
tanager. 
He is distinguished also for his song, which is 
a flowing warble, wonderfully smooth and sweet. 
To most ears it bears a likeness to the robin’s 
song, but it is beyond comparison more fluent and 
delicious, although not more hearty. Keep your 
ear open for such a voice, — by the middle of 
May if you live in New England, a little earlier 
if your home is farther south, — and you will be 
likely to hear it; for at that time the bird is not 
only common, but a very free singer. 
In addition to his song, the rosebreast has 
a short call-note, which sounds very much like 
the squeak of a pair of rusty shears—a kind 
of fic, which you will find no difficulty about 
remembering if you have once learned it. His 
nest is generally built in a bush, often within 
reach of the hand, but I have seen it well up in 
a rather tall tree. The two birds spell each 
other in brooding, and are not only mutually 
affectionate, but very brave. I have known the 
mother bird to keep her seat even when I took 
hold of the bush below the nest and drew her 
almost against my face. She, by the way, is 
a very modestly dressed body, being not only 
without the rose-color, but without the clear 
