Birds of Massachusetts. 163 
the case is reversed, and the females lead in the 
migration. There is sometimes a fortnight between. 
Wilson praises the address with which the ground- 
robin conceals the place of its nest; but it seems 
to depend almost entirely on its resemblance to the 
ground about it, to secure it from unfriendly observ- 
ers. ]t is sunk a little below the surface, some- 
times under the shelter of a small bush, and is made 
of such materials as come most readily to hand, 
such as strips of bark and withered grass, with a 
lining either of fine grass or the fallen leaves of a 
pine. The eggs are four or five, of a soft white, 
spotted with reddish brown. The old birds are 
very anxious for the safety of their young, and 
practise the usual arts to draw the intruder from 
their nest. ] j 
The CARDINAL Grospeax, Fringilla cardinalis, 
cannot be considered as one of our birds, though 
its occasional visits require its insertion in our list. 
It is seen, but only at irregular intervals, in the vil- 
lages on Connecticut river. Wherever the celebrat- 
ed red-bird appears, it attracts attention, not only 
by its splendid plumage, but its bold and beautiful 
song. 
The RosE-BREASTED GrosBEAK, Fringilla Ludo- 
viciana, supplies the place of the cardinal, rivalling 
that fine bird in beauty and surpassing itin song. 
It is difficult to determine at what time its visits to 
us are paid. It is seen here sometimes before the 
snow has left the ground, and is met with at in- 
