PAINTED SPAREOTT. 75 



rare, but it has gradually been growing more and more 

 abundant until it has become one of our most common species. 



The Rcse-breasts build their nests in early June. The 

 site of the nesting place is often a clump of bushes by the 

 side of a favorite stream, but they often breed in fruit trees in 

 orchards and gardens. These Grosbeaks are never shy, and 

 when the female is setting, she will permit one to approach 

 within two or three feet of her without becoming alarmed. If 

 captured when young, they become exceedingly tame. The 

 Eose-breasted Grosbeaks occur all over New England, but 

 are among the earliest of the family to migrate, departing 

 the first week in September. They winter south of the 

 United States. 



Song. The ordinary notes of the Rose-breast which is 

 used by both male and female, is a sharp chirp, given in quite 

 a metalic-like tone. The song is among the finest of all our 

 bird cantatas, ringing out loud, clear and melodiously, es- 

 pecially in the still mornings of early June. Some parts of 

 the song remind one of the notes of the Robin, others are not 

 dissimilar to a portion of the lay of the Scarlet Tanager, 

 but lack the husky intonation of that species. There is con- 

 siderable individual variation to the song ; some birds give a 

 much more melodious carol than others. 



Genus. PAINTED SPARROWS. Passekina. 



Small birds, less than six inches long. The male of our sin- 

 gle species is bright greenish blue. The wings are longer than 

 the nearly even tail. 



