ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK 169 



tion for the Grosbeak is not based on his fond- 

 ness for potato bugs. He is a striking and beau- 

 tiful creature and his song is a delight ; moreover, 

 aside from his beauty and song, he is a most lov- 

 able bird. One of the pleasantest nesting epi- 

 sodes I have ever known was that of a Grosbeak 

 family. The pretty, pale blue eggs with their 

 brown markings were laid in a nest of twigs in a 

 pear-tree, close beside a carriage drive, and the 

 trustful birds seemed to realize that they were 

 among friends. The father was most devoted, 

 brooding the nest and feeding the young. All 

 his thoughts seemed to centre about the pear- 

 tree ; the little home there was clearly the point 

 around which everything in his world revolved. 

 When he came to the nest, it was with a low, sweet 

 greeting ; when he left, it was with a soft fare- 

 well ; if danger threatened he was on the spot, 

 and his anxious cries filled the air ; when all was 

 quiet again and he had flown away, his cheering 

 song came back to his mate on the nest, as if to 

 assure her that he was near. The rich music 

 that was always ringing about the home, the ten- 

 der watchfulness and affection of the old birds, 

 and the quiet happiness of the mother of the 

 family on her nest under the green leaves, all 

 seemed suited to the cheery orchard with its mel- 

 low sunshine and its ripening fruit. 



