GROSBEAK (from gross + beak, imitated from Fr. grosbec, grosbeak). Any of several birds, especially of the family Fringillithe, not able because of the great thickness of the bill, which can be used for breaking the stones of cherries, olives, and the like. The hawfineh (q.v.) and greenfinch (q.v.) are common Euro pean examples. In America a number of birds, which have no close association with each other, are so called—prominently the cardinal. (See CARDINAL-BIRD.) The pine grosbeak (Pincieola enucicator) breeds in the far North, but in winter is found as far south as Washington, though its appearance is very irregular. As it usually appears, the color is slaty gray, with yellowish or reddish olive feathers on the crown and rump. In full plumage, however, the males are beautiful rosy-red. The length is about nine inches. The rose-breasted grosbeak (Ffabia Ludoviciana) is one of the handsomest birds of Eastern North America. The male is black above and white below, with the breast a beautiful rose-red; the female is grayish-brown and bully. The length is eight inches. This grosbeak breeds as far north as Maine and Manitoba, but it winters in Central and South America. Its song is brilliant
though not elaborate. In the far West it is re placed by the black-headed grosbeak (Habia melanocephala), the male of which has the breast orange-brown instead of rose. (See Col ored Plate of EGGS OF SONG-BIRDS.) In the Southern States the blue grosbeak (Guiraca ccerulea) is a summer resident. The male is deep blue in color, and about seven inches long. In the interior of North America from Manitoba northward is found the very handsome evening grosbeak (Goccothraustes vespertinus), which is black, yellow, olive-brown, and white. The length is about eight inches. This grosbeak is irregularly migratory in winter, and in 1890 large flocks appeared in New England, where they were common for several weeks. It is usu ally a rare bird in any part of the United States except near Manitoba. It received its name under the impression that it sang only at twilight; but its voice is heard all day as it seeks its food (seeds, buds, and insects) in the forest trees. Three of the species above mentioned are illus trated on the Plate of BUNTINGS, ETC.