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Till-: Canadian Hortkultlrlst. 135 



THE EVENING GROSBEAK. 



rare and beautiful bird has in considerable numbers lately visited 

 '^P\ this part of the country making the trees look gay with their beautiful 

 plumage. 



On the authority of Thomas R. Jones, it is called the " Evening Cherry 

 Hawfinch " {Hesperiphonn vespertina). It inhabits the almost unexplored 

 northern parts of North America and has rarely been found east of the 

 Saskatchewan. A few instances are recorded of their having been seen 

 and a few specimens obtained in Western Onatrio, but they have never 

 before been found so far east as Kingston. Doubtless they have been 

 induced to visit this section through the exceeding mildness of the winter 

 weather. 



By the Indians, this bird is called the sugar-bird. The name of " Evening 

 Grosbeak " may have arisen from the popular belief that their song is only 

 heard in the twilight, although in fine Weather it may be heard during the 

 day time. 



These birds are about seven and a half inches long, not quite so robust 

 as the pine Grosbeak, who is also visiting us just now in large numbers. 

 They seem to be of a social disposition, as they are rarely to be seen except 

 in companies. 



The male is a very showy bird, with his body of yellowish olive and 

 greenish yellow, his bright golden underwing and tail coverts, his wings of 

 black and white, golden forehead with line of gold extending back over 

 the eyes, all the various colors being so blended as to greatly enhance the 

 beauty of the whole coat. He has a large strong yellow beak and slender 

 feet. 



The dress of the female is not so bright as that of the male, but she is 

 perhaps more prettily marked on the wings and tail. 



They seem to feed chiefly on the buds of the pine and spruce trees, but 

 we observe them in search of the seeds of the cones of those trees and we 

 have seen them eating red cedar berries, and they are said to consume the 

 larvae of the black ant. 



Their cry when in search of food is of a melancholy sound, differing 

 much from the sound of any other bird we have ever heard. 



This bird we reckon as among the greatest rarity in our collection. 



Fine mounted specimens may be seen with Mr. Stratford, taxidermist, 

 Kingston. 



Cntaraqui, Out., January 28, 1890. D. NICOL. 



