CARDINAL. 



593. Cardinalis cardinalis. 9 inches. 



Noble in carriage, beautiful of plumage, amiable in 

 disposition and excellent singers are some of the 

 qualifications of these large-billed birds. They are 

 southern birds, rarely seen in northern U. S. unless in 

 cages, for large numbers of them are trapped for this 

 purpose, a practice that is being stopped as rapidly as 

 possible by enforcing the laws which protect them. 

 They are hardy birds, often passing the winter in the 

 northern parts of their range when the ground is cov- 

 ered with snow. They frequent gardens, plantations 

 and open woods, where they glean their food of seeds, 

 berries, fruit and insects. 



Song. A loud, clear and lively warble; call, a low 

 chip. 



Nest. A frail structure of twigs, in thickets or 

 bushes; eggs greenish blue with reddish brown spots 

 (1.00 x. 73). 



Eange. Resident and breeding from the Gulf to 

 New York and Iowa. 593. Florida Cardinal (flori- 

 danus) is supposed to be slightly smaller and brighter. 



