82 FOREIGN FINCHES IN CAPTIVITY. 



only the natives, but travellers to that country, do their utmost to 

 procure it dead or alive. The skins were used ages ago by the natives 

 like those of many other birds to adorn their head-dresses and garments, 

 for they, like the inhabitants of other parts of the world, have great 

 taste for showy colours ; in this way the poor Virginian Nightingale 

 has been a persecuted bird in its native haunts from the time of 

 Columbus to the present day." 



Now, if this species is thus persecuted in the United States, 

 it is little wonder that all attempts to introduce it into this country, 

 or even into Europe, have been unavailing. No bird, having the 

 brilliant colouring of the Cardinal Grosbeak, would be safe from the 

 destructive instincts of English gunners for a single season. The 

 only marvel is, considering the immense quantity of Kingfishers shot 

 or netted every year, that a single example of that lovely bird remains 

 in Great Britain. 



Cardinalis is a hardy bird, and will do well in an unheated aviary ; 

 but if smaller or weaker birds than itself are associated with it, the 

 probability is that, sooner or later it will brain them. It will breed 

 occasionally, if provided with a good-sized bush, a deep nest box, or 

 even a German canary-cage, in which to build. For materials, aloe- 

 fibre, straw and hay may be provided. 



The best seeds for the Cardinal Grosbeak are oats, sunflower, 

 canary, and a little hemp ; boiled maize may also be given, and any 

 small ripe fruit when in season, also any kinds of insects, their 

 chrysalides and larvae. When breeding, additional insect food should 

 be supplied ; but mealworms should then be given sparingly, as they 

 are too stimulating, and if given in excess, will induce the parents 

 to brain their nestlings and start breeding again immediately. Fresh 

 ants' cocoons, if obtainable, are preferable to any other insect food 

 at this time. 



Dr. Russ evidently has a great admiration for the song of this 

 species ; he thus speaks of it : 



" Beautiful bird, excellent songster ; several amateurs, however, 

 do not approve of its song, especially in the room, because too loud 

 and harsh, whilst most praise it with one consent and listen with 

 especial pleasure to its long-drawn flute-like notes. Singing-time : 

 March till the autumn moult, morning to evening, sometimes at 

 night ; frequently even begins again in December. Extraordinarily 

 beloved, imported every year in considerable numbers, and distributed 

 by many dealers over the whole of Europe. 



" Beloved in its home by both Americans and Germans, it is 



