BRIGHT FEATHERS: 
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to 
especially fond of those of the cherry, and the rapidity with which it 
dispatches them is quite marvelous. _ It is not, however, regarded with 
disfavor ; perhaps because its beauty and delicious song disarm suspi- 
cion or allay punishment. _ It also resorts to the fields, newly sown 
with the cereal grains, when such are convenient to its woodland re- 
treats, and there will collect in large flocks, accompanied by the Pur- 
ple Finch, Indigo Bird, and a host of other fringilline depredators ; ow- 
ing to its black and white colors, these Hocks are frequently mistaken 
by the farmers for flocks of Bobolinks. | When frightened, the whole 
flock flies into the nearest trees, with a loud whirring of .wings, and ut- 
tering its characteristic sharp note. A giant white oak stands in the 
line of a stone wall, in sight of my house ; when the surrounding fields 
are sown with grain, 1 have there observed the Grosbeak in larger 
flocks than elsewhere ; when alarmed, they invariably fly directly into 
the big oak tree ; to stand near it when the birds take to flight, is to 
witness a pleasing sight, for a vivid crescent of carmine glows upon the 
snowy bosom of each male, and his mate exhibits to best advantage the 
beautiful yellow lining of its wings, which, in the male, is bright crimson, 
and its whirring flight and singular note are quite striking. 
The Rose-Breasted Grosbeak evinces a preference for highlands, 
during summer. The swampy margin of some mountain brook or 
pond is the most likely place to hunt for its nest, especially should the 
male bird be heard singing near by. The nest is built in the thickest 
part of some low tree; it is coarsely constructed of leaves, sticks, stems 
of plants, grass, bits of bark and similar materials found about its 
neighborhood ; near the nest, the male may be heard singing much of 
the time during the incubating period. | The eggs are very similar to 
those of the Scarlet Tanager, (Pyranga rubra), and are green, blotched 
