OF THE HAMILTON ASSOCIATION. 249 



watch his motions for a Httle we ma}' be favored with a glimpse 

 of the female steaHng through the underbrush, but except under 

 such circumstances she is rarely seen. 



During the heat of summer the loud ringing " Towhee" which 

 has given the birds their common name is discontinued, and 

 they spend their time quietly in the shade. In September it is 

 again heard, perhaps as a bugle note to call the flocks together 

 before starting for the south. We have no record of any being 

 observed during winter. 



Genus CARDINALIS Bonaparte. 



227. CARDINALIS CARDINALIS (Linn.). 59:^. 



Cardinal. 



Male, rich vermillion or rosy-red, obscured with ashy on the back ; face 

 black ; bill reddish ; feet brown. Feir.ale, ashy-brown, paler below, with 

 evident traces of the red on the crest, wings, tail and under parts. Length, 

 8-9 ; wing, about 3I ; tail, 4. 



Hab. Eastern United States, north to New Jersey and the Ohio Valley 

 (casually farther), west to the Plains. 



Nest, in a bush or low tree near the ground, usually not far from water. 

 Composed of bark, leaves, grass and rootlets rather loosely put together. 



Eggs, 4 to 5 ; white, thickly spotted with dark reddish-brown often 

 wreathed round the larger end. 



The Cardinal can only be regarded as a casual visitor along 

 our south-western border. It is quite common in Ohio, and as 

 might be expected a few occasionally cross the lake. Mr. 

 Nerval reports one or two being found at Port Rowan, and Dr. 

 Macallum mentions that a few are seen every summer along 

 the lake shore south of Dunnville, where they are supposed to 

 breed among the evergreens. The}' make showy, interesting 

 cage birds, on account of which great numbers are caught in 

 trap cages and sold in the southern markets. 



