SPARROWS AND FINCHES 65 



ward, sometimes on mountains farther south. 

 The nest of twigs and moss is usually placed in 

 an evergreen tree at considerable distance from 

 the ground. They are slightly more than six 

 inches in length. 



Cardinal. The cardinal, or Virginia Red Bird, 

 is a great favorite throughout his habitat; and 

 ever since making his acquaintance I have felt 

 that I should much enjoy him as a neighbor. 

 Only now^ and then do they stray as far north 

 as New England and are not common birds 

 about New York, although at times they nest 

 in the parks there. From northern New Jersey 

 southward, they are permanent residents whose 

 presence makes glad the heart of every bird- 

 lover. It is not easy to imagine a person so 

 blind to Nature's choice gifts in color of plumage 

 and gentle manner that he would not become 

 at once an ardent admirer and a consistent 

 defender of this beautiful bird. In James Lane 

 Allen's story, "The Kentucky Cardinal," is 

 found a description so pathetic and altogether 

 delightful that it has won many friends for this 

 brilliant creature that has too often fallen a 

 victim to its own beauty. The feather hunter 

 has no sentiment. 



The plumage of the male Cardinal is a rich 

 red color with black at the throat and about the 

 base of the red bill. The wings are washed with 

 gray, the feet are brown, and there is a promi- 

 nent crest. The female has a much duller red 

 and there is brown in her dress, but she is easily 

 recognizedas the mate of the '' Red Bird." Both 

 birds are singers and their vocal efforts are 



