128 



Fig. 109. Male Grosbeak with food for Ms tiny little ones. 



lie would disclose tlie hiding place of the home, hut he 

 must sing anywa}'. 



I have often seen it stated that the female grosbeak sings, 

 too, but I have never seen one do so. The year-old males 

 very closely resemble the female in plumage. Probably it 

 is the songs of these young males that are often accredited 

 to the females. I was delighted on one da\' in June whefi 

 I happened to come across a Grosbeak nest at an elevation 

 of only about four feet from the ground. Here was the 

 opportunity I had been awaiting and I could, in imagination, 

 see a whole series of beautiful pictures illustrating the horn- 

 life of grosbeaks. Alas ! The best of plans go astray. 1 



