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. 8. South and east in 
winter to the Mississippi and rarely farther. 
