hROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK. 33 
with reddish-brown, averaging .g8x.70 of an inch. This Grosbeak pos- 
sesses a fine song, at times quite loud, which it warbles constantly dur- 
4 % ing spring, and through the nestling season. 
Ef EDGAR A. MEARNS. 
ee Hicuiann Fauts, N. Y., Aug. 19, 1880. 
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SB THE GROSBEAK vs. THE POTATO BUG. 
rs Althought this beautiful bird has been severely chastened by some 
‘writers for his depredations among the buds and blossoms of our fruit 
trees and orchards, he seems to be developing a commendable offset 
EAS thereto in his partiality for the potato beetle. | have carefully collated 
the following notes relating to this fact, which will explain themselves 
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without further prefatory : 
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‘“ Rose-BREASTED GROSBEAK AND CoLorRAbvo Porato BEETLE.—Re- 
Speorgest! 
ae ON Naat 
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garding this useful and pleasing bird, the following appeared in the Vew 
York Weekly Tribune, of February 11, 1880, to wit: “ Prof. C. E. Bes- 
sey, of the lowa Agricultural College, several years ago observed the 
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Rose-Breasted Grosbeak’s habit of feeding on the Colorado potato 
beetle. * *. Its useful propensity was again remarked during the 
past year by a correspondent of Forest and Stream, at Coralville, Lowa, 
and by another at Ames in the same State.” In a small aviary which 
I keep for better observing the habits of our native and several foreign 
song birds, the same preference in the selection of food was noticed by 
myself. | September 18, 1879, I found in the flower bed of my yard, a 
potato beetle (Doryphora decem-lineata), which | intended to give to 
my Cardinal Grosbeak (Cardinalis virginianus). After placing it in 
the cage, it was with difficulty that I prevented the Rose-Breasted Gros- 
