THE BLUE GROSBEAK. 
201 
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 Bice-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. 
