112 CANARIES AND CAGE-BIRDS. 



American songster, and insist there is only one bird in the world which is his 

 superior. Probably this decision was reached under peculiarly happy circumstances. 

 Given a fresh June morning, a meandering stream in one of Virginia's lovely val- 

 leys, shut away from the bustling strife and grinding care of business, with the Blue 

 Mountains seeming to lift you up on their high shoulders out of the narrow rut of 

 daily toil, so you are in a half-conscious, half-heavenly state of mind ; then let 

 a flock of gorgeous Cardinal-colored birds flit among the green cedars and greener 

 laurel, some perching on the topmost boughs, while others seek the dense shade be- 

 neath the laurel. The whir of many wings ceases ; not a leaf rustles ; one hears 

 only his own heart beating : then two shrill call-notes startle ; and this signal of the 

 leader is followed by a concerted melody, in which every songster joins. All about. 

 down from loftiest cedar-tops, and up from beneath the dwarf-laurels, the songs are 

 poured in choral floods that sweep away judgment, and leave only sentiment to 

 exclaim, " This bird is a Nightingale ! " 



But thrusting aside all sentiment, and with calmness comparing this bird's song 

 to that of other greatly admired bird- vocalists, we find, though he may not stand 

 first on the list, he is a most superb second. And when one considers the low price 

 at which he is sold, compared with the amount asked for other songsters, it is easily 

 seen why the bird is so great a favorite, and is so generally kept. 



They are great favorites in the European countries, where thousands are annu- 

 ally sent. 



In their wild state they associate with Snow-birds, Sparrows, and numerous 

 other varieties. Their food consists of Indian corn, rice, and oats ; thej T also eat 

 apples or cherries, of which they are specially fond ; they dig through the fruit, 

 and delight in cracking the hard stones ; they also devour large quantities of insects 

 of various kinds. 



In confinement the Cardinal should be fed on unhulled rice or paddy, mixed in 

 equal parts with hemp or canary seeds. He should daily have a piece of apple, or 

 other ripe fruit or green stuff of some sort ; and two or three times each week, in 

 addition to his regular seeds, he should have a portion of the prepared Mocking- 

 bird food, and two or three meal-worms. Raw, grated beef is also beneficial, and 

 serves as a change. The frequent changes in food are necessary to keep him in 

 good health and song ; and, if carefully observed, he may be kept caged to an old 

 age. He is exceedingly fond of bathing, and the daily bath should not be for- 

 gotten. 



AVhen first caught, and placed in a cage, the Cardinal is very timid ; for this 

 reason the cage should be kept covered on the top until the bird becomes acquainted. 

 When newly caged he should have very rich food, such as canary or hemp seed, 

 Mocking-bird food, and plenty of green stuff, because his efforts to escape and his 

 timidity cause him to waste away : therefore rich feeding is necessary. He should 

 hang in a quiet place about eight feet from the floor : after a little time he gets 

 accustomed to the new mode of life, and will eagerly seize a meal-worm from the 

 fingers. After two or three months of cage-life he may be allowed to come out of 

 the cage, and will entertain with many tricks and playful ways. 



The ailments to which the Virginia Cardinal is subject are few, as the bird is 

 naturally very hardy and long lived. 



