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THE GROSBEAK BRANCH 89 
more than forty freed. This shows how many 
are caged. 
While nesting, the cardinal is rather savage, 
ready to fight any one who disturbs the nest. 
If a snake comes about, all the birds within 
hearing, from cardinals to kinglets, will come to 
help defend the nest and punish the enemy. 
They fly at him with loud cries, and even attack 
him if he does not leave. 
The nest of these birds is not very high, in a 
tree or bush, and they are very shy about it. A 
cardinal will desert her nest if it is touched, 
especially if eggs are not yet laid. But they 
have reason to be afraid; they cannot be blamed 
for that. 
I saw a nest built on a trellis beside a kitchen | 
door, and the birds were so used to the people 
that they were not afraid. One who lived in 
that house was a boy fourteen years old. But 
he was so gentle with birds that they did not 
fear him at all. They would feed the nestlings 
freely, while he stood not three feet from them. 
So they can be made tame, if people will be 
gentle and not disturb them. 
The cardinal grosbeak stays as far north as 
New Jersey and Ohio all winter, and a little 
flock have lived in Central Park, New York, for 
several years. That is most delightful for those 
