116 CANARIES AND CAGE-BIRDS. 



say until sunset, for his return. Then you hear a clear, mellow whistle, and 

 imagine some farmer's boy, who is ' turning the cows " in a distant pasture, is tun- 

 ing his pipe ; but nearer and clearer it sounds : and soon the gorgeous bird, hopping 

 from tree to tree, and whistling all the while his harmonious melody, shows his rose- 

 colored shield on a white and - black ground. A shout of delight almost escapes 

 you ; but smother it ! for this is only the leader ; and, if he is frightened away, all 

 his followers will fly. On come the flocks with heavy, clumsy hops, straying here 

 and there, aimlessly, seeming to care not where they may alight, but giving all 

 attention to the softer modulations of the songs, putting in a rest here and there, as 

 though they expected the very trees should be their claque. 



The bird maybe called an "evening" Grosbeak, as he sings during the still- 

 ness of the night also ; and the notes at these hours are even more mellow and 

 delightful. 



The song greatly resembles that of the South-American Troopial : the rich, 

 mellow notes are whistled in a manner which greatly and pleasant!}' surprises one 

 unacquainted with the bird. 



The Grosbeak readily accommodates himself to cage-life ; and, although a little 

 timid when first caught, he quickly becomes accustomed to his new life, and later 

 pipes as merrily as in his native thickets. It is a matter of wonder among bird- 

 fanciers that he is not more commonly kept caged. It cannot be said of him, as of 

 the Bobolink, and many more of the native birds, that he is too common : on the 

 contrary, he is seldom heard near the habitations of man ; because he enjoys 

 seclusion. Of late years the appreciative bird-fanciers of Europe have noticed the 

 many merits of the Rose-breast, and large numbers are exported in pairs for breed- 

 ing in the Zoological Gardens. It is not known whether or not they will breed 

 readily in cages. If in the proper situation, where they would be safe from intru- 

 sion, and could enjoy the seclusion which their nature seems to demand, they could 

 probably be as easily reared as any other class. 



The Rose-breasted Grosbeak, when caged, has many of the Bobolink's character- 

 istics : he is a merry fellow when well acquainted, and, if given too many dainties, 

 will become as fat and lazy as his more rollicking neighbor of the open fields. 



His food, when he is first caged, should consist of the plain canary-seed, as the 

 natural timidity and consequent wasting away must be overcome by rich feeding ; 

 as he becomes better accustomed to his cage, unhulled rice may be added. After- 

 wards his daily food may consist of a mixture of unhulled rice, canary and hemp 

 seeds. A portion of Mocking-bird food may be added two or three times each 

 week. He is very fond of green food, apples, or any ripe fruits. A meal-worm or 

 spider may be given him occasionally. Care should be taken that too mucli food 

 should not be given him at one time : it is better to give him a fair portion of 

 food rather than too much, because he has a great desire to eat constantly ; and from 

 this fault his principal disease arises. 



He is exceedingly fond of bathing, and his daily plunge is always keenly 

 enjoyed. When hung in the warm sunlight, he will dive in and out of his bath with 

 the vigor and carelessness of a dog ; and he has no sooner plumed and dried himself 

 than he plunges in for another ducking ; therefore it is better to withdraw the bath- 

 dish as soon as he has had a fair wash. 



