ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK. 203 



"One year in the month of August," says Audubon, "I was trudging along the 

 shores of the Mohawk River, when the night overtook me. Being Httle acquainted with 

 that part of the country, I resolved to camp where I was ; the evening was calm and 

 beautiful, the sky sparkled with stars, which were reflected by the smooth waters, and 

 the deep shade of the rocks and trees of the opposite shore fell on the bosom of the 

 stream, while gently from afar came on the ear the muttering sound of the cataract. 

 My little fire was soon lighted under a rock, and, spreading out my scanty stock of 

 provisions, I reclined on my grassy couch. As I looked around on the fading features 

 of the beautiful landscape, my heart turned toward my distant home, where my friends 

 wetre doubtless wishing me, as I wished them, a happy night and peaceful slumbers. 

 Then were heard the barkings of the watch-dog, and I tapped my faithful companion 

 to prevents his answering them. The thoughts of my worldly mission then came over 

 my mind, and having thanked the Creator for all his never-failing mercy, I closed my 

 eyes, and was passing away into the world of dreaming existence, when suddenly there 

 burst on my soul the serenade of the Rose-breasted bird, so rich, so mellow, so loud in 

 the stillness of the night, that sleep fled fi-om my eyelids. Never did I enjoy music more: 

 it thrilled through my hearty and surrounded me with an atmosphere of bliss. One 

 might easily have imagined that even the Owl, charmed by such delightful music, 

 remained reverently silent. Long after the sounds ceased did I enjoy them, and when 

 all had again become still, I stretched out my wearied limbs, and gave myself up to the 

 luxury of repose. In the morning I awoke as vigorous as ever, and prepared to con- 

 tinue my journey." 



The Rose-breasted Grosbeak must be ranked among our most beautiful birds as 

 w^ell as among our most exquisite songsters. It is evidently a high-bred bird, being 

 nowhere very common, living rather retired in the most beautiful parts of the forest and 

 being of a quiet and noble disposition. Its accomplished song is a charming accom- 

 paniment to the notes of the Wood Thrush, the Veery, the Scarlet Tanager, the Towhee, 

 and other woodland minstrels. It is heard most frequently from the bird's arrival until 

 latri in June or the beginning of July. The male sings even on the nest. "During incu- 

 bation," says Dr. T. M. Brewer, "and in the presence of its mate, this Grosbeak is a 

 persistent and enthusiastic singer, and, at times, carries his love of song so far as to 

 betray his nest. This is more especially so when he relieves his niate, takes her place on 

 the nest, and then apparently oblivious of the danger of lifting up his voice in song 

 when upon so responsible a duty, attracts, by his melody, the oologist to his treasures." 



The Rose-breasted Grosbeak is a late, arrival. In Sheboygan County, Wisconsin, 

 I have never heard its full Song until the third week of May, but I have often seen 

 males as early as the second lveek of the same month. It winters south of the United 

 States, in the tropics, being especially numerous in southern Mexico, Guatemala, and 

 Honduras. In the latter country Mr. Erich Wittkugel found it in the wooded mountain 

 region west of San Pedro Sula. It winters also in Cuba, through all States of Central 

 America south to northern South America, as far as Ecuador. In the collection of 

 Colombian birds at the World's Columbian Exposition I found quite a number collected 

 by C. Balen in the Andes during the winter of 1891 and 1892. In south-eastern 

 Texas I have never seen the bird, but in southern Louisiana I met with small 



