FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 349 



THE BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK* 



The Black-headed Grosbeak may be considered the 

 Western representative of the rose-breasted species of the 

 eastern United States. Its range extends from British 

 Columbia and ^lontana southward into Mexico and Lower 

 California. Throughout the larger portion of this dis- 

 trict it is quite common. "It appears to shun the pine 

 woods, preferring ravines wooded with deciduous trees and 

 upgrown to shrubbery, as well as the thick willow copses 

 that fringe the mountain streams." On the mountain sides 

 it seldom ventures higher than eight thousand feet. 



In its flight, feeding habits, and, in fact, in all its 

 actions, it closely resembles its rose-breasted relative. It 

 does not fly high, and during the breeding season the birds, 

 as a rule, do not associate wath each other to any great 

 extent. In the fall, however, they gather in small flocks. 

 ]\Iany people say that the rose-breasted grosbeak is the 

 most beautiful singer of all the birds tliat frequent the 

 Eastern States. The song of the black-headed grosbeak 

 very closely resembles that of the Eastern species, except 

 that it lacks some of the variety which is apparent in the 

 latter's sweet-toned voice. The song of both species is 

 often compared to that of the robin. The comparison must 

 stop, however, with the consideration of the musical anno- 

 tation of the two songs. The grosbeak's song has "a mel- 

 lowness about it, and running through it is a rich under- 

 tone, which should charm every listener." 



The nests are usually built in low deciduous trees or 



