194 Trans. Acad. Sci. of St. Louis. 



dent it is rare in northern Missouri, but becomes more numerous 

 as we approach the southern boundary, chiefly southeast. The 

 first Towhees return to their breeding stands in the southern part 

 before the middle of March, to the northern part chiefly after 

 the middle of March. In the vicinity of St. Louis March 17 is 

 often the day when their song is heard for the first time at most 

 of their stands, meaning that the bulk of males has come and is 

 taking possession of their former haunts, awaiting the arrival 

 of the females. This takes place generally within one week 

 and the species is conspicuous, noisy and mating, before the 

 end of the month. Their ranks continue to fiU up, and many 

 transients in smaU troops are present, during the first half of 

 April, while some of the first comers have already begun nest 

 building, and eggs may be found by the first of May. In the 

 latter part of September the Towhees begin to flock and are 

 heard to sing again. Migration from the north sets in soon after 

 the first of October and lasts till about the 20th, being most brisk 

 about the middle of the month, or a few days before. After the 

 20th the species rapidly approaches winter numbers. 



*593. Cardinalis cardinalis. (Linn.). Cardinal. 



Loxia cardinalis. Fringilla cardinalis. Pitylus cardinalis. Guiraca cardi- 

 nalis. Cardinalis virginianus. Redbird. Kentucky Cardinal. 



Geog. Dist. — Eastern United States, north to southeastern 

 New York, the Great Lakes, southern Iowa, southeastern 

 South Dakota; west to eastern Nebraska, Kansas, Texas. 

 Breeds from Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, etc. northward, 

 being replaced farther south by the Florida and Louisiana sub- 

 species. Mainly non-migratory, but said to extend its range 

 from year to year. 



A common resident in all parts of Missouri, very common in 

 most of southern Missouri, the Ozark region as well as the prairie 

 and swamp lands. One of the few species of which many indi- 

 viduals are truly permanent residents, remaining on the same 

 ground summer and winter. They are mainly old pairs which 

 risk wintering in places where few other birds find food and 

 shelter, having for neighbors sometimes only the Carolina Wren 

 and Tufted Tit, the ground being too bleak even for Blue Jays 

 and Woodpeckers. But not all Redbirds are thus attached to 

 their summer haunts; the majority retire to sheltered woods in 

 the bottomland, or to nooks and corners on warm hillsides,. 



