This section is from the book "The American Bird-Keeper's Manual", by James Mann. Also available from Amazon: The American Bird-Keeper's Manual.
The Blue Grossbeak is another beautiful bird of this class. It inhabits Guiana, and perhaps further south, and is rather rare, even in the Southern States. It is but seldom that we see them in Massachusetts. About half a dozen, however, were brought to Boston last summer, with some Nonpareils, or Painted Buntings, from Louisiana. They are active and lively birds, and generally keep their plumage neat and smooth. Their song is very sweet and musical, but much feebler, than any of the forementioned birds.
Feed them the same as the Cardinal Grossbeak.
The male is wholly of a purple blue, skirted with black. The female of a dark drab color, tinged with blue.
Found throughout the Southern States. Not numerous. Migrates south in winter.
 
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