Other Birds of the Sparrow Family 331 



sitting on the eggs. The bottom of the nest is so thin 

 that the eggs may be seen through it. The nests are 

 commonly less than 12 feet above the ground, in second- 

 growth timber or in orchards or parks. 



The song of the grosbeak might be mistaken for that 

 of a robin or scarlet tanager, but is superior to both. 



" There is an exquisite purity in the joyous carol of the 

 grosbeak ; his song tells of all the gladness of a May morn- 

 ing; I have heard few happier strains of bird music. 

 With those who are deaf to its message of good cheer, I 

 can only sympathize, pitying the man whose heart does 

 not leap with enthusiasm at the sight of rival males dash- 

 ing through the woods like winged meteors, leaving in 

 their wake a train of sparkling notes." 1 



Grosbeaks are fond of the buds and blossoms of fruit 

 trees ; they eat also cherries, strawberries, and green peas. 



Finley & Bohlman 

 FIG. 207. Young black-headed grosbeaks. 



1 Frank M. Chapman, Birds of Eastern North America. 



