THE BIRDS OF THE BERMUDAS. 413 
Cardinalis virginianus, Cardinal Red Bird; Virginia Nightin- 
gale.— The well-known Red Bird of Bermuda is an abundant 
resident throughout the islands, everywhere conspicuous by its 
brilliant plumage and loud but not unmusical song. This bird is 
a general favourite with all classes, and in great esteem as a 
cage-bird. Formerly considerable numbers were caught by the 
“coloured” boys in the neat trap depicted in ‘ The Naturalist in 
Bermuda’—an introduction, as I am informed, by Mr. J. M. Jones, 
from Somersetshire, and not a ’Mudian invention. Fortunately, 
however, there are now stringent local laws for the protection of 
the resident birds, and these traps are seldom seen. I have tried 
in vain to bring up the young from the nest. The Red Bird breeds 
twice a year in Bermuda. Fresh eggs have been found as early as 
the Ist April, and I find in my notes that I saw young birds just 
able to fly on the 19th; but these are exceptional causes. Asa 
rule, the two clutches of eggs are deposited about April 10th and 
May 30th respectively. The eggs are three to five in number, 
averaging 1‘00in. x ‘73in. They vary much in size and markings, 
but are usually greenish white, irregularly marked with few purplish 
and many amber blotches. The nest is bulky, built of twigs and 
roots, lined with dry grasses. This lining alone serves to dis- 
tinguish some of the nests from those of the Cat Bird, which they 
much resemble; they are usually at a greater elevation, however, 
and are never ornamented with rags or paper. The parent birds 
are extremely solicitous in bringing up their offspring, and attend 
them assiduously long after they are able to fly, betraying their 
anxiety by much “tick-tick-”ing, flirting of tails, and raising of 
crests. To see a fine old paterfamilias in all the glory of his rich 
vermilion garments, tail and crest in air, now on a post, now on an 
oleander or cedar bough, all the while uttering his sharp “ tick” of 
alarm, while the more sober-coloured mother is ministering to the 
appetites of the children, is a great treat, and will ever be associated 
in my memory with the hot sun, the white houses, dark cedars and 
fragrant sage-bushes of Bermuda. The young resemble the female, 
being ashy-brown, paler below, with evident traces of the red on 
the crest, wings, tail, and under parts. 1 have mentioned the 
“tick,” or call-note of this species. The song is exceedingly 
variable, consisting of a series of musical whistles. There is also 
a strange “whir-r-r-r,” like a large bird suddenly rising on the 
wing, which is very peculiar. A most remarkable fact is that the 
