AMERICAN OUNJTHOLO (lY 



267 



The notes are very varied, and while scores of listeners have tried to 

 translate them into words, no two seem to be able to agree on what it 

 does sound the most like. "What cheer, what cheer" seems to be the 

 usual interpretation of the most common notes, a full, round, deep 

 and mellow whistle. For several hours after sunrise, the Cardinal 

 orchestra is heard in full tune; then it gradually dies down through the 

 heat of the day, but along towards night the melody again breaks forth. 

 A great' many, especially those in the south, consider the song of these 

 to be superior to that of any others of our birds, but of course tastes 

 vary, and without detracting in the least from the credit due the Cardi- 

 nal, I do not think that the musical ability of this species equals that of 

 the Goldfinches (my favorites) or several others of the northern birds. 



Photo by J. B. Pardoe. 



YOUNG BROAD WINGED-HAWK. 



ROBINS AND RED SQUIRRELS. 



Columns have been written concerning the piratical expeditions of 

 the red squirrel. Although one cannot help admiring the nerve and 

 the audacious temperament of this little quadruped, he is ever willing 

 to undermine your confidence in him with his unwarrantable depreda- 

 tions. 



Not all of his advocates will admit he is a pirate. It is not my pur- 

 pose to condemn the little fellow, for he is one of many of my four- 

 footed friends. His questionable acts are but the consequences of nat- 

 ural laws. 



