152 Sketches of Some Coynmon Birds. 



it is recorded as breeding occasionally in that State. It 

 is said to be a resident wherever it is found. 



The cardinal is ordinarily a bird of the bushes in wood- 

 lands, and it is found in greatest abundance in the undis- 

 turbed woods of the river bottoms, where dwarf trees and 

 climbing vines furnish it convenient nesting sites. 

 Thickets in open woody pastures, and the cleared mar- 

 gins of woods overgrown with wild gooseberry, black- 

 berry, haw, and plum thickets are its common resorts. 

 It can be observed to advantage, however, when, in com- 

 pany with its more plainly colored mate, it visits the 

 village and suburban gardens and dooryards in winter, 

 the sharp, forcible chirps apprising us of its presence. 

 On any of the fine mornings of early February, when the 

 genial sunshine is warming the frosty air, and the snowy 

 covering of the landscape is glistening with the radiant 

 gleam, the first summer song of the male is heard in the 

 ringing syllables, "What cheer, cheer, cheer, cheer?" 

 And if we are enabled to approach near enough to observe 

 him with head proudly erect, his body elevated, and his 

 bearing stately and dignified, we are ready to admit that 

 spring can have no more worthy or splendid herald. The 

 sweetly plaintive chant of the " peabody bird," which is 

 singing farther along the hedge, serves to enhance the 

 expressive richness of the cardinal's song, and the gentle 

 tinkle of the tree sparrow's silvery voice appears to be an 

 indistinct accompaniment. Little wonder that we men- 

 tally see robins squeaking in the tree tops and bluebirds 

 *' shifting from post to post," as we easily interpret the 

 full-voiced message of the cheerful cardinal. 



On the bright mornings at the close of winter the car- 

 dinals are particularly active and joyous in the swampy 

 bottom-lands, and with the recently arrived robins, song / 

 sparrows, and other venturesome species they make the 

 desolate regions fairly to ring with their choruses. It is 

 probable that they are mating at this season, for a female 

 is nearlyalways accompanied by a male, and often by two 

 who are seeking her favor. It seems to be a friendly 

 rivalry, always courteous and dignified, as I have never 

 seen them engaging in the jealous encounters which 

 accompany the courtships of the robins and many other 



