CARDINALS. 113 



Melancholy, or wasting away, is caused by the absence of sunlight, or from 

 being confined in a cage too small for proper exercise. Pure air and sunshine, a 

 roomy, clean cage, and plenty of rich food and green stuffs, will effect a cure quicker 

 than any medicine. 



Cramps are also frequently seen in this class of birds : they are caused by too 

 frequent bathing, or by bathing in a cold place where the proper aids, sunlight or 

 warmth, for drying off, are wanting. This complaint may be detected by the bird 

 lying on the bottom of the cage, having apparently lost the use of his limbs. He 

 should at once be removed to a dry, warm place, a quantity of sand or gravel 

 should be warmed, and strewn on the bottom of the cage, and a dose of sherry 

 wine should be administered. A preventive of this disease is, to always hang the 

 bird in a sunny exposure or near the stove while he is taking his daily bath. 



Constipation may be easily cured by giving a few meal-worms dipped in castor- 

 oil, and afterwards an abundance of fresh green food. 



Diarrhoea is cured by mixing a half- teaspoon ful of brandy with the drinking- 

 water. 



A large cage is necessary for the Cardinal ; as he is a very sprightly bird, and 

 exceedingly fond of keeping in constant motion. 



The Gray, or Brazilian, Cardinal is exten- 

 sively seen throughout South America ; and, if 

 his appearance is not as brilliant as the Virginia 

 Cardinal's, the contrast in the various colors of 

 his body make him altogether a very attractive 

 bird. Flocks of these birds frequent the in- 

 habited portions of Brazil, and their regimental 

 uniforms of red caps and gray coats give them 

 a very soldierly look. They are very sprightly 

 birds, easily become tame, and the delightful 

 melody of the song is charming. 



The Brazilian Cardinal is seven inches 

 in length ; the upper parts of the body and 

 Brazilian Cardinal. tail are dusky gray ; the lower parts vary 



from clear white to pale gray ; the head and 



crest are brilliant scarlet ; the beak is conical, and white in color. The female 

 greatly resembles the male ; the difference being in the dark shade of gray 

 on the breast, and the lighter shade of scarlet on the head and crest. The bird was 

 formerly very little known as a cage-bird ; but, as soon as his beautiful qualities 

 became known, they were extensively exported. His notes are not as loud as those 

 of the Virginia Cardinal, but the real music is as sweet. His habits and food when 

 caged are the same as those of the Virginia Cardinal. 



Although these birds are imported from a very warm climate, they endure well 

 the colder temperature of the North, and are subject to few or no diseases. Their 

 constant activity may partially account for the fact that these birds enjoy long lives, 

 free from the illness to which so many of the tropical birds are subject when con- 

 fined to high latitudes. 



Pairs breed readily in a roomy aviary if furnished a bush in which to build a 



