The Canadian Horticulturist. 



207 



COCCOTHRAUSTES VESPUTINA.— (Evening Grosbeak.) 



ERY little is known here about these birds. We hear about 

 their having been seen in different parts of Ontario, but only 

 once, that I am aware of, have they visited this district in 

 a period of forty years. That was in February, 1889, when 

 a flock of a dozen or so delighted the dwellers in this locality 

 with their golden-shaded, black and white plumage, flute- 

 like notes, easy and graceful movements. Their home is 

 said to be North-West Canada and some of the Western 

 States. I have not met any one who is acquainted with 

 them or who has ever seen them in their summer residences. 

 I believe the Horticulturist is now read in almost every 

 town and village in the Dominion, and, doubtless, some of 

 its readers can give us some information regarding these 

 interesting visitors ; that is the reason I write this letter. 

 These birds are remarkably social, seldom parting company more than a 

 short distance, nearly free from timidity, and happy as the " Blue Jay." While 

 sojourning here, their food was chiefly the buds of evergreen trees, for the 

 clipping off of which their ponderous beaks are peculiarly adapted. When I 

 found they had cut off nearly every bud from some of my Norway spruce trees, 

 I felt thankful their visit was not prolonged. I hope they have otherjbod than 

 buds when in their native habitdt. When the Pine Grosbeaks visit us they eat 



Fig. 546. Evening Grosbeak. 



