90 INSESSORES. 
sylvania and New Jersey. Audubon says of this 
bird: “Its song is at first loud and clear, resembling 
the finest sounds produced by the flageolet, and gra- 
dually descends into more marked and continued 
cadences until it dies away in the air around. Dur- 
ing the love season, the song is emitted with increased 
emphasis by this proud musician, who, as if aware 
of his powers, swells his throat, spreads his rosy tail, 
droops his wings, and leans alternately to the right 
and left, as if on the eve of expiring with delight at 
the delicious sounds of his own voice. Again and 
again are those melodies repeated, the bird resting 
only at intervals to breathe. They may be heard 
from long before the sun gilds the eastern horizon, 
to the period when the blazing orb pours down its 
noonday floods of heat and light, driving the birds 
to the coverts to seek repose for awhile. Nature 
again invigorated, the musician recommences his song, 
when, as if he had never strained his throat before, 
he makes the whole neighborhood resound, nor ceases 
until the shades of evening close around him.” 
The Blue Grosbeak is also an inhabitant of the 
southern portion of the United States, but, unlike 
its brother the Cardinal, is a shy, modest species, re- 
tiring to the deep recesses of some secluded spot, 
where the footsteps of the white man are seldom 
seen. Here, by the borders of some stagnant pool, 
where the poisoned fumes exhaled by decaying vege- 
tation are filling the air, are the favorite haunts and 
the chosen summer dwelling of this beautiful bird. 
It is rarely seen north of Virginia, although individ. 
