144 OUR FRIENDS, THE BIRDS. 
so bright, and his voice is not so cheery as they were 
in those days when I was a child.” 
Dr. Coues says of the Cardinal Grosbeak: “ A bird 
of striking appearance and brilliant vocal powers, resi- 
dent and abundant from the Middle States southward; 
inhabits thickets, tangle and undergrowth of all kinds, 
whence issue its rich, rolling, whistling notes, while 
the performer, brightly clad as he is, often eludes ob- 
servation by his shyness, vigilance and activity.” 
H. E. Parkhurst says in the “Bird’s Calendar,” 
“The Cardinal is brilliant, stately, unsocial, and appar- 
ently not anxious to make the most of his gifts. Can 
any one say that birds are not types of mankind?” 
The Rose-breasted Grosbeak is another beautiful 
bird belonging to the same family, but it is rarely seen 
by the ordinary observer. 
QUESTIONS. 
What other beautiful bird belongs to the same family? 
Compare the Cardinal with the Scarlet Tanager. 
Which is more beautiful ? 
Where is the winter home of the Cardinal ? 
At what time of year have you first seen him ? 
What interesting incident can you tell about him? 
What do you think he says ? 
Is he a social bird? 
Why does he not make the most of his talents? 
Is he a singer? 
