THE BLUE GROSBEAK. 207 



fields of Guinea corn, the seeds of which they easily break with their strong 

 bills. I never saw them eat fruits or berries. 



The song of the Blue Grosbeak is prolonged or rapidly renewed, and 

 resembles that of the Rice-bird (Dolichonyx oryzivora), but it seldom sings 

 after the breeding season. Its flight is prolonged, undulating, and rapid, 

 resembling that of the Rose-breasted species. They hop on the ground, 

 where they pick up gravel to mix with their food, and frequently bathe. 

 They are confined to the maritime districts, seldom going more than forty 

 or fifty miles inland. 



Individuals are now and then exposed for sale in the markets of the 

 southern cities, where, on account of the difficulty experienced in catching 

 them, they sell for about a dollar the pair. 



The young, which has heretofore been represented as the female, does not 

 attain its full plumage until the third year, and in the mean time varies but 

 little from the one represented in the plate. In the course of the second 

 autumn, it shews spots of blue irregularly placed on its back, and the follow- 

 ing spring acquires its full beauty. The male and female represented in the 

 same plate are both adult, and in their perfect spring plumage. They retain 

 their colours unimpaired during winter, while in confinement, which is 

 therefore probably the case in the countries to which they resort at that 

 season. 



The Blue Grosbeak extends to the Rocky Mountains, on which it has 

 been procured by Mr. Townsend. I found it abundant and breeding in the 

 Texas. In confinement it suffers greatly during the moult. One which is 

 now in my possession in Edinburgh, and which was raised from the nest, 

 obtained its full summer plumage in the month of September, but was about 

 two weeks nearly naked. The feathers of the wings and tail fell gradually 

 off whilst those of the other parts were growing, and in about a fortnight 

 more, when the bird was about one year old, it became of a beautiful blue. 

 This bird frequently sang in the night, and before dawn. It was extremely 

 tame, going out and returning to its cage, generally perched on the head- 

 dress of my wife, or on the heads of other members of the family, alighted 

 on the table, and fed on almost any thing given to it. It is curious that if a 

 gold or silver coin was thrown on the table, while he was near, he went to 

 it, took it up in his bill, and tossed it about apparently with pleasure. After 

 bathing he invariably went to the fire, and perched on the fender, to dry 

 himself. Two or three other birds were put into the cage with him, but 

 were instantly attacked. He now and then held his food in his claws like a 

 Hawk. 



Male, 7|, 11. 



