CARDINAL GROSBEAK. 337 



yards from that of the Mocking Bird or the Thrasher. It is composed of 

 dry leaves and twigs, together with a large proportion of dry grass and 

 slips of grape-vines, and is finished within with bent-grass, wrought in a 

 circular form. The eggs are from four to six, of a dull white colour, 

 marked all over with touches of olive-brown. 



In the Southern Districts they now and then raise three broods in the 

 season, but in the Middle States seldom more than one. The young on 

 leaving the nest, frequently follow their parents on the gi'ound for seve- 

 ral days, after which they disperse and seek for food apart. During the 

 pairing season, the males are so pugnacious, that although they breed 

 near birds of other species, they never allow one of their own to nestle in 

 their vicinity. One male may be seen following another from bush to bush, 

 emitting a shrill note of anger, and diving towards the fugitive antago- 

 nist whenever an opportunity offers, until the latter has escaped quite be- 

 yond his jurisdiction, when the conqueror, elated, returns to his grounds, 

 ascends his favourite tree, and pours out his song in full exultation. 



Those which migrate to the eastward begin to move about the com- 

 mencement of March, usually in the company of the Towhe Bunting and 

 other Sparrows, hopping and passing from bush to bush during the whole 

 day, announcing to the traveller and husbandman the approach of a more 

 genial season, and resting at night in the secluded swamps. The males 

 precede the females about ten days. 



Towards autumn they frequently ascend to the tops of tall trees in 

 search of grapes and berries, being as fond of succulent or pulpy fruits 

 as they are of the seeds of corn and grasses. On the least appearance of 

 danger they at once glide into the interior of the nearest thickets. Du- 

 ring the summer heats they frequently resort to sandy roads to dust them- 

 selves, carelessly suffering people to approach them until within a few 

 yards, when they only remove to the nearest bushes, until the intruders 

 pass. 



They are easily raised when taken from the nest, and breed when 

 kept in aviaries. My friend Dr Samuel Wilson of Charleston, has had 

 them breeding with him, having placed straw-baskets for the purpose, in 

 which the female deposited her eggs, without improving the nest any 

 more than by placing in it a few grass-blades, perhaps pilfered from some 

 of her neighbours. The purity of its colouring is soon lost when it is 

 kept in confinement, where it is gentle, easily fed on corn or hemp-seed, 

 and it sings when placed in a cage for several months in the year. 

 VOL. ir, Y 



