THE SPARROW TRIBE AND ITS KIN 99 



upon the ground, mainly upon seeds of grasses and herbs, 

 with a few insects interspersed to give reUsh to the grain; 

 they build grassy nests in low bushes or tall, rank grass; 

 and their flight is short and labored. Borders of woods, 

 roadside thickets, and even garden shrubbery, with open 

 pasture lots for foraging grounds near by, are favorite 

 haunts of these birds, that return again and again to some 

 preferred spot. Their metallic cheep, cheep, warns you to 

 keep away from the little blue-white eggs, hidden away 

 securely in the bushes; and the nervous tail twitchings and 

 jerkings are pathetic to see. Happily for the safety of 

 their nest, the brooding mother has no tell-tale feathers to 

 attract the eye. Dense foliage no more conceals the male 

 bird's brilliant coat than it can the tanager's, or oriole's. 



With no attempt at concealment, which he doubtless 

 imderstands would be quite impossible, he chooses some 

 high, conspicuous perch to which he mounts by easy 

 stages, singing as he goes; and there begins a loud and 

 rapid strain that promises much, but growing weaker and 

 weaker, ends as if the bird were either out of breath or too 

 weak to finish. Then suddenly he begins the same song 

 over again, and keeps up this continuous performance for 

 nearly half an hour. The noonday heat of an August 

 day that silences nearly every other voice, seems to give to 

 the indigo bird's only fresh animation and timbre. 



The Rose-breasted Grosbeak 



Length — ^7.75 to 8.5 inches. About one fifth smaller than 



the robin. 

 Male — Head and upper parts black. Breast has rose- 



carmiae shield'jghaped patch, often extending down- 



