BIRDS OF PEASEMARSH 



food, hoping to induce them to come as regu- 

 larly as the Snow Birds. These are the Cross- 

 bills and the Grosbeaks. The Rosebreasted 

 Grosbeaks, however, will nest here if they find 

 a suitable place. They are shy, retiring birds 

 until they find that they are among friends who 

 will protect them. With their black heads and 

 throats, rich, dark red breasts and a little red 

 on the wings and the other parts black and 

 white, they make the most striking appearance 

 of all the Grosbeaks. The real value of this 

 bird, an appetite for potato beetles, should be 

 better known. The Pine Grosbeak nests in the 

 far north. 



To look at the Crossbill's beak one would 

 wonder how they manage to eat. But they 

 manage very well indeed, that is what their 

 cross bills are for. Cone-bearing evergreens, 

 such as hemlocks, spruces and pines always 

 attract them. With their cross bills they are 

 very expert in gathering the seeds. Their nests 

 are usually found in the cone-bearing trees. 



The Red Crossbill is a rich vermilion red, 



but Mrs. Red Crossbill is grey, with a little 



greenish yellow on her breast. The White 



Winged Crossbill is more of a rose shade, but 



[87] 



