980 Retort of State (iEolocist. 



(Mrs. Hiiie). Tii nortliern Ohio, tliey frequent the cranberry marshes 

 and nest there (^Yheaton). The nest and eggs very mnch resemble 

 those of a Scarlet Tanager. 



The first nests, with fnll sets of eggs, are usually found late in May; 

 May 22, 189T, Anderson; May 27, 1893, Lafayette; May 30, some 

 years, Cook County, 111. The breeding season continues through 

 June. The male shares in incubation. 



In the spring, some years, they come into the State by April 25, 

 and arrive at their breeding grounds, beyond the "Wabash River, by 

 April 27 to May 1. Dates of early and late first arrivals for the places 

 noted are as follows: Bloomington, April 23, 1886, May 1, 1887; 

 Brookville, April 25, 1885, May 8, 1897; Bicknell, April 25, 1897, 

 May 3, 1894; Spearsville, April 29, 1894, May 1, 1895; Terre Haute, 

 May 1, 1887, May 9, 1890; Lafayette, April 28, 1894, May 8, 1897; 

 Sedan, April 28, 1896, May 7, 1889; Petersburg, Mich., April 27, 

 1888, May 5, 1889. The earliest arrivals are males; the females follow 

 later. • 



When with us. in southern Indiana, in spring, they frequent the 

 wooded hillsides and uplands, preferring the former. There they are 

 often to be seen feeding upon the buds of the elm, oak and maple, 

 and catching insects among the topmost boughs of those trees. They do 

 not move about much, but their beautiful notes attract one to them. 

 Often, in looking among the greening tree-top, one may be seen, and, 

 while watching it. another and another will move slightly until from 

 six to a dozen are finally located. 



Viewed from a distance through the timber, as they fly. they may 

 readily be taken for Red-headed Woodpeckers, so sharply is the black 

 and white of the plumage contrasted. 



All who have heard the song of the Rose-breasted Grosbeak have 

 been charmed by it, and all who have known the singer, hold it in the 

 highest regard. Beauty of song ha? made it famous as a wild bird, 

 and it is extensively known also as a desirable cage bird, but the 

 beauty of its tri-colored plumage would attract attention even had it 

 not such a remarkable voice. That is not all; it does beautiful deeds. 

 Few birds are more beneficial to man. With the exception of a few 

 peas, its vegetable food consists of the buds and blossoms of shade 

 and forest trees, and seeds. They eat many insects. The value of its 

 services in its breeding range, in destroying Colorado potato beetles, 

 can not be overestimated. Prof. F. E. L. Beal tells of one field that 

 was badly infested by these destructive insects. "The Grosbeaks vis- 

 ited the field every day, and finally brought their fledged young. The 

 voung birds stood in a row on the topmost rail of the fence, and were 



