PASSERES——FRINGILLIDE. 155 
south. Lately it has appeared at London, Ontario. Clear- 
ly it is extending its range from year to year. With more 
thorough protection it will soon become one of our most 
familiar birds. 
This large, strong beaked bird is made for a diet of seeds 
which most other sparrows could not crush. I sometimes 
wonder what the birds which apparently spend all their time 
in towns and villages find to eat there. But there are al- 
ways gardens with more weeds than vegetables. Weed 
seeds must form a large proportion of its food, with a small 
proportion of insects and fruit. I have yet to hear com- 
plaints about the destructiveness of this brilliant plumaged 
bird. Its loud, clear whistled calls and song are familiar 
to most persons, whether they go into the woods or not. 
Away from towns and villages the birds are thicket 
haunters. They are often more numerous along the courses 
of streams than elsewhere, especially during the winter. 
215. (595.) ZAMELODIA LUDOVICIANA (Linn.). 111. 
Rose-breasted Grosbeak. 
Synonyms: Goniaphea ludoviciana, Fringilla ludoviciana, Coc 
cothraustes ludoviciana, Guiraca ludoviciana, Hedy- 
meles ludoviciana, Habia ludoviciana. 
Rose-breasted Song Grosbeak, Rose-breast, Redbreast, Red- 
breasted Song Grosbeak, Red-breasted Grosbeak, Potato- 
bug Bird. 
Audubon, Orn. Biog. II, 1834, 166. 
The Rose-breasted Grosbeak is hardly common as a mi- 
grant in the southern half of the state. It is a summer 
resident in the northern half, but is rare as far south as 
Columbus, and not common at the lake shore. It is not 
infrequently seen among the shade trees bordering village 
streets, and may nest in the parks if not persecuted. Its 
favorite nesting-place is a woods in which there are patches 
of second growth or large bushes. Briar patches and 
brushy tangles do not seem to offer many inducements. 
The “gross” beak is adapted for crushing strong seeds, 
upon which it feeds to a large extent. It is also accused of 
eating ripe fruit. I have seen it. eating the buds from 
