366 SINGING BIRDS, 



On their arrival in the Middle States, in spring, violent con- 

 tests sometimes ensue between the unmated and jealous males. 

 When the dispute is for the present closed, the pair, probably 

 for greater security, and dreading a recurring quarrel of doubt- 

 ful issue, wander off to a remote distance from their usual 

 abode, and in this way, no doubt, occasionally visit countries 

 but little frequented by the rest of their species. Early in 

 May, it seems, in Pennsylvania, according to Wilson, they 

 begin to prepare their nests, which are often placed in an ever- 

 green bush, cedar, laurel, or holly. They usually raise two 

 broods in the season. As they are so easily domesticated im- 

 mediately after being caught in trap cages, it is unnecessary to 

 raise them from the nest. By this kind of unnatural confine- 

 ment, the brilliant color of the male is found sometimes to 

 fade until it becomes of a pale whitish red. They live, how- 

 ever, long in confinement, and an instance is known of one 

 which had survived for 21 years. In the cage, they have not 

 that variety of song which they exhibit in their native wilds ; 

 and this, judging from the frequent repetition of the same 

 phrase, would appear to be a monotonous performance, if the 

 variety of expression, tone, and key did not perpetually relieve 

 and enhance the character of the lay. His song also con- 

 tinues for 6 or 8 months in the year, and is, even, as among 

 the Thrushes, more lively in wet weather, the sadness of 

 Nature, softening and soothing the tender vocalist into a lively, 

 pathetic, and harmonious revery. So highly were these birds 

 esteemed for their melody that, according to Gemelli Careri, 

 the Spaniards of Havanna, in a time of public distress and 

 scarcity, bought so many of these birds, with which a vessel 

 was partly freighted, from Florida, that the sum expended, at 

 10 dollars apiece, amounted to no less than 18,000 dollars ! 

 Indeed, Latham admits that the notes of our Cardinal " are 

 almost equal to those of the Nightingale," the sweetest feath- 

 ered minstrel of Europe. The style of their performance is, 

 however, wholly different. The bold, martial strains of the 

 Redbird, though relieved by tender and exquisite touches, 

 possess not the enchanting pathos, the elevated and varied 



