204 THE BLUE GROSBEAK. 



nate. Tarsus short, compressed, with seven scutella; toes moderate, hind 

 toe stout, broad beneath, outer toe slightly longer than inner, and adherent 

 at the base. Claws moderate, arched, compressed, acute. Upper mandible 

 concave beneath, with three longitudinal ridges; tongue as high as broad, 

 convex above, tapering to a point; oesophagus rather wide, dilated about the 

 middle; stomach rather small, roundish, compressed, with its muscles dis- 

 tinct and of moderate thickness, the epithelium longitudinally rugous; intes- 

 tine short, and of moderate width; cosca very small. 



THE BLUE GROSBEAK. 



•+ Coccoborus ccsRULEus, Linn. 



PLATE CCIV Male, Female, and Young. 



While the Cardinal Grosbeak enlivens the neighbourhood of our southern 

 cities and villages, and frequents the lawn of the planter's habitation, the 

 present species, shy and bashful, retires to the borders of the almost stagnant 

 waters used as reservoirs for the purpose of irrigating the rice plantations. 

 There, where the alligator, basking sluggishly on the miry pool, bellows 

 forth its fearful cries, or in silence watches the timid deer, as it approaches 

 to immerse its body in order to free it from the attacks of myriads of 

 tormenting insects; where the watchful Heron stands erect, silent, and ready 

 to strike its slippery prey, or leisurely and gracefully steps along the muddy 

 margins; where baneful miasmata fill the sultry air, now imbued with a 

 virus almost sufficient to prostrate all other beings save those whose nature 

 enables them to remain in those damps; — there you meet with the Coerulean 

 Grosbeak, timidly skipping from bush to bush, or over and amid the luxu- 

 riant rice, watchful even of the movements of the slave employed in culti- 

 vating the fertile soil. If the place is silent, and the weather calm, this 

 cautious bird gradually ascends some high tree, from the top of which it 

 pours forth its melting melodies, the female sitting the while on her eggs in 

 her grassy nest, in some low sheltered bush hard by. Her mate now and 

 then relieves her from her task, provides her with food while she sits, and 

 again lulls her to repose by his song. One brood and again another are 

 hatched, reared, and led forth to find for themselves the food so abundantly 



