GROSSBEAKS. 63 



FOOD. I have kept them in good health and 

 song, upon Canary, two-thirds, and hempseed 

 one-third, and a bit of beef, say twice a week, 

 scraped as for the Mocking Bird. I have had 

 them in full song in the middle of winter. They 

 require plenty of gravel, and water to wash with, 

 which should never be omitted for any bird. 



CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SEXES. The male is 

 of a fine red, brighter towards the head; under 

 the bill and sides of the head black, a fine large 

 pointed crest, which it can lower or erect at plea- 

 sure. On the female the crest is smaller, and not 

 so often raised ; where the male is black she is 

 of a chestnut brown. The body is of a drab 

 color, except the wings and the tail, which are 

 nearly as red as the male. 



LOCATION. Found throughout the Southern 

 and Western States. To the south of Maryland 

 Resident. 



ROSE-BREASTED GROSSBEAK. 



This is another elegant bird, of the same spe- 

 cies, and likewise a charming songster. I think 



