204 
THE BLUE GROSBEAK. 
nate. Tarsus short, compressed, with seven scutella ; toes moderate, hind 
too 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 
distinct and of moderate thickness, the epithelium longitudinally rugous ; 
intestine short, and of moderate width; coeca very small. 
THE BLUE GROSBEAK. 
Coccoborus CCERULEUS, Linn. 
PLATE COIV. — 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 embued 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 Ccerulean 
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 
