206 ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK. 



generally nesting in the central portion of a small tree, the Tanagers' nest being placed 

 on a horizontal limb.— The Rose-breasted Grosbeak is a very beneficial bird. In spring 

 and summer it feeds largely on injurious insects, especially beetles, eater-pillars, moth's, 

 and others which infest the trees. It even eats the Colorado potato beetle. Wild fruits 

 and seeds of many kinds also constitute a part of its diet. In winter seeds form the main 

 part of its food. It is said to eat green peas, and for this reason it is often killed, though 

 the damage done in this way does not compare with the many benefits which it bestows. 

 This elegant and useful bird, one of the jewels of our bird fauna, should be pi;otected where- 

 ever it occurs by stringent enforcement of the laws for the protection of our native birds. 



In the woods its flight is light and easy, but over large treeless tracts it is' some- 

 what slow and heavy. During migration the flocks ascend high into the air, and then 

 the flight is quick and constant. 



Although the Rose-breasted Grosbeak is nowhere more beautiful and poetical than 

 in its natal haunts, although its song is most thrilling and lovely in the fresh flowering 

 June woods, the bird fanciers years ago ranked it among the most valuable cage pets. 

 Large numbers are exported annually to Europe, where they are highly appreciated 

 as cage birds. I have kept this Grosbeak frequently in confinement. It soon becomes 

 tame and much attached to those who treat it kindly, taking flies, grasshoppers, meal- 

 worms, and other insects out of the hand. Mealworms are especially relished and while 

 in song during spring and summer it should have from ten to fifteen each day. If 

 these cannot be fiimished hard boiled egg and "ant's eggs" (the dried larvae of ants) 

 should be substituted. Its main food in the cage should be a mixture of Canary, millet, 

 and sunflower seed, and also Mockingbird-food mixed with crated carrots. If exclusively 

 sustained by seeds it becomes exceedingly fat and soon dies. Therefore it is necessary to 

 supply the bird with all kinds of fruits as the season offers them. Only those who are able 

 to supply all the w^ants of this beautiful songster, should keep it in the cage. During 

 spring and early summer, and also during bright moonshiny nights, it sings very sweetly 

 in the cage. Though apparently a robust bird, it is easily affected by cold, suffering 

 very much in cold wintry nights. The cage, which must be roomy and kept very clean, 

 must always be kept in a warm place and out of draught. I knew a Rose-breasted 

 Grosbeak which was kept in perfect health for over fifteen years. All the white of the 

 plumage had become in time a very beautiful rosy-red. 



NAMES: Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Rose-breast, Redbreast, Red-breasted Song Grosbeak, Red-breasted Gros- 

 beak, "Potato-bug Bird." 



SCIENTIFIC NAMES: Loxia ladoviciaaa Linn. (1766). Guiraca ludoviciana Swains. (1827). Cocco- 

 tbraastcs ludoviciana Rich. (1837). Coccoborus ludovicianus Aud. (1839). Goniophsea ludoviciana 

 "Bowd." Hidymeles ludoviciana Cab. (1851). Zamelodia ludoviciana Coues (1880). HABIA 

 LUDOVICIANA Stejneger (1884). Loxia rosea Wils. (1810). 



DESCRIPTION: Male. "Upper parts generally, with head and neck all round, glossy black. A broad cres- 

 cent across the upper part of the breast, extending narrowly down to the belly, axillaries, and under 

 wing-coverts, carmine. Rest of under-parts, rump and upper tail-coverts, middle wing-covei'ts, spots 

 on the tertiaries and inner great vying-coverts, basal half of primaries and secondaries, and a large 

 patch on the ends of the inner webs of the outer three tail-feathers, pure white." 



■Female entirely different. "Without the white of the quills, tail and rump, and without any black 

 or red. Above, yellowish-brown, streaked with darker; head with a central stripe above, and a super- 

 ciliary one on each side, white. Beneath, dirty white, streaked with brown on the breast and sides. 

 Under wing<overts and axillaries saffron-yellow." (B. R. & R. II. p. 70.) 



