LXXI 



EOSE-BBEASTED GROSBEAK 



595. Zamelodia ludoviciana (Linn.) 



The male Rose-breasted Grosbeak is black above; 

 his wings and tail are black with some white markings ; 

 his breast and tail coverts are rose-red, or carmine. The 

 female is lighter in color, brown predominating. There 

 is no red in the breast of the female. 



The Grosbeak is from eight to nine inches in length. 

 It nests ten or more feet from the ground in tangles of 

 grape-vines and thick foliage. There are from three to 

 five eggs of a dull greenish color with lilac and brown 

 spots. 



The range and breeding territory of these birds ex- 

 tends from Central America to Canada, and throughout 

 the Missouri Valley. Several pairs of Rose-breasted 

 Grosbeaks nest each year in the city parks of Kansas 

 City, Missouri. 



With his rose-red short vest, his beautiful contrast- 

 ing color and his brilliant song, the bird is one of our 

 most attractive summer residents. (Fig. 107.) As a 

 singer he ranks with the very best bird artists. The 

 song is varied, from vaulting climaxes to low, tender 

 pathos. He is liberal with his art, singing persistently on 

 the hottest summer noons, when other birds are in the 

 shaded nooks, with wings spread and mouths open, try- 

 ing to keep cool. 



No bird has a happier combination of sweet songs 

 and beautiful plumage than the Grosbeak but his lovely 

 plumage has cost him dearly. So-called fashion decreed 

 that he looked more beautiful on a lady's hat than on his 

 own vine-clad bower; hence a price was placed on his 

 scalp. Many states, however, have wisely legislated 

 against his destruction. These birds journey from the 

 distant South to make their summer homes with us and 

 deserve all the protection and kind treatment possible. 



The Grosbeak is one of the few birds that is partial 

 to the Colorado potato beetle, also eating the caterpillar. 



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