298 
to be recognized as a Towhee’s, but with a sufficiently different tone and 
accent to attract attention. On the whole, the Spotted Towhee’s voice 
is hoarser, and its song less clearly musical than that of its eastern relative. 
Economic Status. Probably not different from that of the Eastern 
Towhee. 
595. Rose-breasted Grosbeak. Hedymeles ludovicianus. L, 8-12. Plate LX A. 
Spring male: tail, wings, back, head, and neck black, with conspicuous white patches on 
wings, rump, and tail; breast rose-red; below pure white. The female is an altogether 
different looking bird, with its typical sparrow-like striping above; in dull olive-brown 
and pale ochres; below, white, sharply striped on breast and flanks. Autumn males are 
similar to the female, but warmer in general colour and with an undercolouring of rose 
on breast. In any plumage with large, light-coloured bill (Figure 259). 
Distinctions. The Bpring male, with black back and head, flashing white-spotted 
wings and tail, and brilliant red bib, is unmistakable. The female resembles a Purple 
Finch in the olive plumage, but is obviously larger, much more contrastive in colour, and 
the underparts are purer white. Still more likely to be confused with the female of the 
Black-headed Grosbeak in the few regions where both species may occur. They resemble 
each other in nearly every detail of colour distribution and size, but the female Rose- 
breasted is decidedly duller in general tone and the breast is whiter and more obviously 
streaked (Compare with Plate LX B). Juvenile and autumn males can always be 
recognized by having rose under wing-coverts. 
Field Marks. The flashing black and white of the male with its conspicuous rose- 
coloured bib is always easily recognized. The female may be mistaken for the female 
Purple Finch, except for its larger size, whiter ormorebuffy underparts, with sparser stripings, 
white wing-bars, and especially, its much more distinct light line over the eye. It is doubtful 
if it can always be satisfactorily known from the female Black-headed Grosbeak in life. 
Nesting. In bushes or trees, 5 to 20 feet from ground, in poorly-built nests of fine 
twigs, weed stalks, and rootlets. 
Distribution. Eastern North America. In Canada, west to the base of the mountains 
and north to Athabaska lake. 
The Rose-breasted Grosbeak is one of our most beautiful birds, and 
with a very pleasing song much like that of a Robin. In the autumn its 
most frequent note is a curt, metallic “klip” that will often attract atten- 
tion when it is hiding in dense foliage. It prefers tangled thickets and large 
trees, interspersed with open spaces. It frequents thickets along rivers, 
edges of woodland clearings, and sometimes orchards. 
Economic Status. If the number of Rose-breasted Grosbeaks could 
be greatly increased on the farms the potato-bug scourge would soon 
disappear. This bird is one of the few that eats potato-beetles and it takes 
them in both adult and larval stages. One-tenth of the contents of the 
stomachs examined consisted of potato-bugs, and against other insect 
pests this species is even more effective. To increase the numbers of Rose- 
breasted Grosbeaks may be difficult, but the next best thing is to conserve 
what we have, protect them from preventable destruction, and see that 
suitable nesting comers are left in waste corners of the farm and wood- 
lot. In carrying out plans for clean cultivation and the elimination of 
waste places, care should be taken that bits of shrubbery are left to 
afford shelter for birds which without these sanctuaries must disappear. 
The preservation of the birds will more than compensate for the small 
losses entailed. 
596. Black-headed Grosbeak. Hedymeles melanocephaliLs. L, 8- 10. Plate LX B. 
Male: head, face, wings, and tail, with a broken saddle across shoulders, black. Con- 
spicuous white patches on wing and in tail. Throat, breast, flanks, a ring about base of 
neck, streaks in black saddle, and rump are tawny buff, brightening in centre of abdomen 
to lemon-yellow. Female: striped above with brownish black, ochre, and white; white 
