GROSBEAKS. 



GROSBEAKS. 



THE ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK. 



THIS is a class of birds rarely seen caged ; although they are very attractive in 

 plumage in most cases, and very hardy in a caged state. 



The Rose-breasted Grosbeak is probably the best known, and is more frequently 

 seen throughout the southern New-England States than any other part of the 

 Northern United States. The males are charming songsters, and the demand for 

 them lately has greatly increased. The delightful song, combined with the brilliant 

 plumage, accounts for this growing popularity : moreover, it is rare to find the com- 

 bination of music and beauty existing to such a high degree in any other of our 

 American birds. 



The Rose-breast is a very shy bird, and cautiously conceals his nest in the 

 thickest shrubbery and underbrush ; so that it is exceedingly difficult for the most 

 skilful" of the bird-catchers to capture specimens. The birds inhabit only local 

 parts, and in no place are they widely distributed. The favorite haunts of these 

 beautiful birds are in the thickets near the rivers and streams of Massachusetts and 

 Connecticut. 



The male Rose- breasted Grosbeak is eight inches and a half in length : the 

 whole upper parts are black, except the second row of wing-coverts, which are tipped 

 with white. The chin, neck, and upper part of the breast are a brilliant black ; 

 the lower part of the breast and middle of the belly are a handsome tint of rose- 

 color ; the tail is forked and black ; the bill, like all the race of Grosbeaks, is 

 conical, very strong, and pure white ; the legs and feet are light blue. The young 

 males have at first the plumage of the females, but the rosy tint appears after the 

 first moult. 



In the female the upper parts of the body are streaked with brownish stripes ; 

 and the under parts are of a dusky tinge, and lack the rosy tint observed in the 

 male. 



The bird migrates South in the fall of the year, and passes the winter in Louisi- 

 ana, Texas, and Mexico, and in May, or in the early part of June, returns to New 

 York and the New-England States to breed. Before the habits of the bird are 

 understood, an ornithologist might think he would hunt through the woods until he 

 saw a specimen ; but, as long as he was in motion, not a Grosbeak would be seen. 

 The bird's favorite abode is in large forests, where he seeks the densest shade and 

 gloomiest retreats : and, if you would study him in his home, take a luncheon with 

 you ; so, if he is not in when you first call, you can await patiently several hours. 



