Still, I do not wish to unduly depreciate the notes of the

Virginian Cardinal, they are far more tuneful than those of the

Bunting Cardinals ; and, indeed, when we consider the feeble

musical powers of most Foreign birds, and compare the Virginian

Cardinal’s music with the gurglings which pass for song among

the Weaver Finches, we shall be disposed to give the Red Bird a

fairly good place as a songster. Dr. Russ found that this bird

sang at night in his bird-room ; mine never did this, but he

began very earty in the morning, before it was really light.

A female of this species, when kept singly, will generally sing

like a cock, and some aviculturists have observed hen birds

singing at the beginning of the breeding season, even when in

the companj^ of the male bird.


The food of the Virginian Cardinal should consist largely of

canary seed, white millet, and sunflower seed, and to these may

be added paddy rice and maize, and occasionally a few hemp

seeds. He should have green food daily, and plenty of ripe fruit

when in season. Green peas are highly appreciated. In

addition, some kind of soft food should be given at least every

other day, and a few mealworms, for this species is partly

insectivorous and will not thrive on a purely vegetable diet. On

the other hand it is not desirable that he should have access to

an unlimited supply of soft food, and an average of two meal¬

worms per day should not be exceeded. It is a good plan to give

each Virginian Cardinal two mealworms every other day, and on

alternate days a small quantity of egg food and soaked ants’

eggs—but, of course, in a mixed aviary such careful feeding is

impracticable.


The Virginian Cardinal is an extremely hardy bird,

and when suitably fed will endure unharmed the cold of our

severest winters—therefore he is a bird specially adapted for the

outdoor aviary, where he is much more likely to preserve the

rich hue of his crimson coat. Unfortunately, it very frequently

happens that the plumage of the male bird changes to a brick-

dust colour after the first moult. It has been asserted that this

is due to an insufficient supply ofinsedt food, but that is certainly

not always the case, though it may be so in many cases. Then,

again, it has been suggested that want of fresh air may be the

reason—but this loss of colour has been noticed in specimens

kept in large out-door aviaries. Undoubtedly, a bird in an out¬

door aviary, liberally fed, has a far better chance of retaining his

good looks than one kept indoors; and any attempt to convert

the Virginian Cardinal to vegetarianism, whether in the open

air or in the house, will have a bad effedl on his colour.; but fox



