Birds of Oregon and Washington 49 



The explanation of the fearlessness of these 

 birds is found in the fact that they are not fa- 

 miliar enough with the bird-stoning and killing 

 propensities of human beings to keep at a safe 

 distance. Every wild and fearful bird is a sad 

 comment upon the savage treatment bird-life has 

 received at the hands of man. And every such 

 familiar intercourse as that between this bird- 

 lover in Oregon City and the birds, indicates 

 what, if we will, may be the future relation be- 

 tween us and these angels of song and beauty. 



The Evening Grosbeak has no song proper 

 while with us, but has such a musical conversa- 

 tional note that we long some day to come upon 

 the quiet family in their summer homes ; where 

 if their love-song is one-half as sweet as the 

 songs of other Grosbeaks, we know it must be 

 sweet indeed. 



These birds must be very numerous, as re- 

 ports from different parts of these States show 

 that, in large flocks, they cover a wide territory. 



PARTICULAR DESCRIPTION. Male : Crown, black ; 

 neck, sides of head, throat, breast, and abdomen, 

 rich olive-yellow or old gold ; color darker on back, shad- 

 ing lighter yellow to tail-coverts ; white patch on wings ; 



