The CARDINAL or TUFTED GROSBEAK (_Cardinalis Virginianus_) is closely
allied to the species we have just described, as is plainly indicated by
its compact body, short wings, graduated tail, and upright attitude. The
length of the Cardinal is about eight inches, its breadth rather more
than eleven inches, the wing, from shoulder to tip, three inches, and the
tail three and a half inches. The soft and glossy plumage of the male is
very beautiful, though almost uniform in its tints, the prevailing colour
being dark red; the head is scarlet, and the face and throat deep black;
the inner web of the wing is light brown, the shafts being of a darker
shade, the beak bright red, the eyes dark greyish brown, the feet pale
brown, shaded with greyish blue. In the female the tints are paler than
those of her mate, and the tuft shorter; the back of the head, nape of
the neck, and upper part of the back are greyish brown; the forehead,
eyebrows, and tuft deep red; the wings dark brownish red. The individual
quills are bordered with greyish brown, the lower part of the body is
greenish brown, the breast and middle of the body of a reddish hue, and
the beak pale red.
The Cardinal is found in nearly all parts of North America, inhabiting
the Southern States in large numbers; but, we believe, is entirely
unknown in the extreme north of that continent. It prefers such districts
as are near the coast, and during mild seasons will remain for years
together in the same locality; but should extreme cold set in, it at once
changes its abode for a more southern region. Its life is passed upon
the trees, from which it makes short excursions over the neighbouring
country. Should food be scarce in its favourite woods, it visits fields
and gardens, and is occasionally met with in the villages, where it
receives a hearty welcome on account of its brilliant plumage and
delightful song. In the summer time these birds may be seen in pairs;
in winter they associate in small parties, living on very friendly
terms with many other species, and constantly frequenting farmyards,
where their strong beaks are of the greatest service to them, enabling
them to feed upon the various kinds of corn scattered over the ground;
at night they sleep upon a thickly-foliaged tree, and thus survive the
winter months. They are remarkably restless, and rarely remain longer
than a minute in one position; their flight is abrupt, rapid, and noisy,
the movements of their wings being accompanied by a constant opening
and closing of the tail; they seldom fly to any great distance, and hop
nimbly, either upon the ground or in the trees. Should the winter prove
severe, the Cardinal journeys southward in search of a milder climate,
returning about March, in company with other migratory birds. Audubon
tells us that these journeys are accomplished in some measure _on foot_,
the little creature hopping from one bush to another, and flying over
more considerable distances. The males return some days previous to their
female companions; shortly after their re-appearance the pairing season
commences, and is always inaugurated by violent disputes and battles
between the males, who chase each other from place to place with bitter
animosity, and then return to pour forth a song of triumph in the ear of
their mates, to whom they are most tenderly attached; bushes or trees
in the vicinity of a river or farmyard are the localities generally
preferred for building purposes, and the nest is frequently placed within
a few yards of that of a Mocking-bird. In the Northern States the female
lays but once during the year, but further south three broods are by no
means unusual, each consisting of from four to six eggs of a dirty white
colour, marked with olive brown. The food of the Cardinal consists of
corn, seed, and various berries; during spring it devours the berries
of the sugar-maple in large quantities, and in summer wages continual
war against beetles, butterflies, and caterpillars, committing great
depredations in the gardens, attacking the fruit and destroying the bees.
American naturalists are loud in their praises of the song of this bird,
to which they give the name of "the Virginian Nightingale," asserting
that its notes are fully equal to those of its European namesake, both
in purity and variety of tone. Audubon describes its song as resembling
the sound of a flageolet, commencing in a loud clear key, and gradually
sinking until scarcely audible. It is during the breeding season that
these notes are heard in their greatest perfection, the little songster
appearing to feel the full beauty of its own performance, as it inflates
its breast, spreads its tail, and opens its wings, turning from right
to left as though to attract attention to the wonderful sounds it is
producing. Again and again these strains are renewed, the pretty vocalist
only pausing from sheer exhaustion, sometimes continuing its song almost
without intermission from sunrise to sunset, occasionally accompanied by
the less pretentious effort of its mate. European naturalists are by no
means so enthusiastic in their notices of this bird, and pronounce its
song to be more striking than beautiful. The Cardinal is easily reared in
captivity, but it is so quarrelsome as to be dangerous to any companions
confined in the same cage.