CARDINAL GROSBEAK. 153 



This is, however, unnecessary trouble, as 

 they may be readily obtained in our 

 principal markets during winter, where 

 they are constantly exposed for sale, at 

 the low price of one to two dollars each. 



Their diseases, which are similar to the 

 Canary, though they are seldom taken 

 sick, may be treated in the same manner. 

 They live to a great age; a specimen 

 being preserved in the Philadelphia Mu- 

 seum collection which was kept by a 

 member of the Peale family for twenty- 

 one years, and which was probably three 

 or four years old when first obtained. 



They should be fed on Canary-seed, 

 rough or unhulled rice, in which they 

 delight, millet-seed, diversified at times 

 with a little finely cracked corn, buck- 

 wheat and wheat; and occasionally, during 

 the severity of winter, with a little hemp- 

 seed. In the use of the latter, especially 

 in the autumn months, great care should 

 be taken; as the Red-bird has a tendency 

 to become very gross, and will oftentimes 



