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His diseases are few, mid chiefly arise from high living. The symptoms of dis- 

 ease may be observed by the absence of song and the dumpish appearance of the 

 bird. He is careless of any thing which' goes on around him. When these actions 

 are observed, the bird should be hung in a warm exposure, and fed on the plain, 

 unhulled rice, and a daily portion of green food. A few drops of castor-oil may be 

 administered at first. 



His diseases are those which are usually observed in the seed-eating class of 

 birds. His cage should be roomy : and, when the weather permits in summer, he 

 may be hung out doors ; as sunlight and fresh air are a great boon to him. 



If properly cared for, the Rose-breast will live in confinement six or eight years, 

 and be in song about ten months of the year. When all his qualities are con- 

 sidered, he is, without doubt, one of the most desirable of cage-birds. 



Xuttall, the great ornithologist, claims the Grosbeak is melodious the entire 

 night, pouring out floods of song as varied and enchanting as those of the English 

 Nightingale, and adds that he is the only rival of the Mocking-bird. An opinion 

 such as the above, when given by so eminent an authority, must rank the bird high 

 up in the list of native songsters. 



THE PINE GROSBEAK. 



This is the largest specimen of the Grosbeak family, and extensively inhabits 

 the northern portions of the entire globe. They are handsome birds, and but little 

 is known of their habits in a wild state ; as they come from, the most barren 

 countries, and, when visiting the civilized parts of the world, appear to seek the most 

 secluded portions. Indeed, it is said that they are so little experienced in the arti- 

 fices of man, that, if a hunter approaches the trees on which they are perched, they 

 never offer to stir, but will stare at a gun destined for their destruction without 

 thinking of flight, even should one of their companions be shot down from the 

 same branch. The clumsiest kind of a trap is all that is needed to catch the unsus- 

 picious little wanderers. 



The most touching tales are- told of the affection shown by the Pine Grosbeak 

 for its mate. On one occasion three out of a party of four had been captured, 

 when, to the astonishment of the trappers, the fourth hopped along, and crept into 

 the net to share the fate of his fellows. It must not be imagined that these birds 

 are really foolish ; for experience soon teaches them its lessons, and they become 

 distrustful, shy, and cautious. 



The Pine Grosbeak is eight inches and a half long ; the head, neck, breast, 

 and rump are carmine, tinged with blue ; from the nostrils a black line runs as far 

 as the eyes ; the feathers of the back and upper wing-coverts are black, edged with 

 red ; the tail is forked, and marked like the wing feathers. 



The prevailing color of the female is grayish green, tinged here and there, 

 especially on top of the head, with pale red or yellow. 



The beak resembles that of the Parrot, the upper mandible hanging some dis- 

 tance over the lower. This formation enables it to climb skilfully from branch to 

 branch on the trees. Its flight is very rapid and undulating, and it hovers for some 

 time before perching. 



