Handsomer birds there may be, but in the opinion of many this visitant
to various portions of western North America is in shape, color, and
markings one of the most exquisite of the feather-wearers. It has for
its habitation the region extending from the plains to the Pacific
ocean and from Mexico into British America. Toward the North it ranges
further to the east; so that, while it appears to be not uncommon
about Lake Superior, it has been reported as occuring in Ohio, New
York, and Canada. In Illinois it was observed at Freeport during the
winter of 1870 and 1871, and at Waukegan during January, 1873. It is a
common resident of the forests of the State of Washington, and also of
Oregon. In the latter region Dr. Merrill observed the birds carrying
building material to a huge fir tree, but was unable to locate the
nest, and the tree was practically inaccessable. Mr. Walter E. Bryant
was the first to record an authentic nest and eggs of the Evening
Grosbeak. In a paper read before the California Academy of Sciences he
describes a nest of this species containing four eggs, found in Yolo
county, California. The nest was built in a small live oak, at a
height of ten feet, and was composed of small twigs supporting a thin
layer of fibrous bark and a lining of horse hair. The eggs are of a
clear greenish-ground color, blotched with pale brown. According to
Mr. Davie, one of the leading authorities on North American birds,
little if any more information has been obtained regarding the nests
and eggs of the Evening Grosbeak.
As to its habits, Mr. O. P. Day says, that about the year 1872,
while hunting during fine autumn weather in the woods about Eureka,
Illinois, he fell in with a number of these Grosbeaks. They were
feeding in the tree tops on the seeds of the sugar maple, just then
ripening, and were excessively fat. They were very unsuspicious, and
for a long time suffered him to observe them. They also ate the buds
of the cottonwood tree in company with the Rose-Breasted Grosbeak.
The song of the Grosbeak is singularly like that of the Robin, and to
one not thoroughly familiar with the notes of the latter a difference
would not at first be detected. There is a very decided difference,
however, and by repeatedly listening to both species in full voice it
will be discovered more and more clearly. The sweet and gentle strains
of music harmonize delightfully, and the concert they make is well
worth the careful attention of the discriminating student. The value
of such study will be admitted by all who know how little is known
of the songsters. A gentleman recently said to us that one day in
November the greater part of the football field at the south end of
Lincoln Park was covered with Snow Birds. There were also on the field
more than one hundred grammar and high school boys waiting the arrival
of the football team. There was only one person present who paid any
attention to the birds which were picking up the food, twittering,
hopping, and flying about, and occasionally indulging in fights, and
all utterly oblivious of the fact that there were scores of shouting
school boys around and about them. The gentleman called the attention
of one after another of ten of the high school boys to the snow birds
and asked what they were. They one and all declared they were English
Sparrows, and seemed astounded that any one could be so ignorant as
not to know what an English Sparrow was. So much for the city-bred
boy's observation of birds.
[Illustration: EVENING GROSBEAK.]