60 THE CARDINAL GROSBEAK. 



THE CARDINAL GROSBEAK. 



{Loxia Cardinalis.) 



This magnificent bird, no less celebrated 

 for the splendor of its colors than for the 

 liquity and richness of its tones, is a constant 

 resident of a great portion of this continent. 

 Its colors are a brilliant scarlet, with a beau- 

 tiful crest elevated and lowered at pleasure ; 

 it very rarely visits farther north than New 

 York, though specimens have been obtained 

 as far north as Massachusetts. In the mid- 

 dle states it is perfectly hardy, and in New 

 Jersey abounds in the swampy sheltered 

 thickets, even in the severest winters. As 

 you travel farther south, they are found in 

 still greater abundance. Their notes are 

 lofty, liquid, and sublime, and in a wild 

 state may be heard at the distance of a mile 

 on a clear morning, running as it were from 

 a resemblance to the fife, into the soft ca- 

 dence of the flute. It possesses considera- 

 ble powers of mimicking, and would readily 

 acquire some of the notes of other birds if 

 kept within hearing. Care should be taken 

 to keep it out of the hearing of Canaries, as 

 the latter will take most of the notes of the 

 Red Bird, doing them considerable injury ; 

 in fact they scarcely ever recover. They are 

 hardy, and may be kept in a room without 

 fire for most part of the winter season. North 

 of this they require stove heat ; every oppor- 

 tunity should be taken in the winter season 



