KEEL-BREASTED BIRDS. 



285 



FIG. 314. The gardener-bird ; its house, garden, flowers, etc. 



The Finches (FringillidcB] have the bill shorter and 

 more robust than in the preceding family, the corners of 

 the mouth drawn down. They have a wide range in every 

 country except Australia. 



The cardinal grosbeak (Cardinalis Virginianus) is one 

 of our familiar birds. The general color is red, ashy on 

 the back, the chin and forehead black, the crest conspicu- 

 ous, and the beak a bright red. Their notes are extremely 

 melodious, especially in the breeding-season. The nests 

 are placed in trees, and contain from four to six grayish- 

 white eggs, with olive- brown markings. 



door rich green mosses are planted and kept clean, and upon this 

 miniature meadow bright flowers and insects are scattered, which are 

 taken away and replenished as soon as they fade. In this curious 

 habitation the birds meet in social and aesthetic enjoyment, the nest 

 being entirely different and distinct. 



