102 BIRDS 



more democratic robin, or even condescending below the 

 level of bushes, the cardinal is literally a shining example 

 of self-conscious superiority — a bird to call forth respect 

 and admiration. 



Few lady birds sing — an accomplishment usually given to 

 their lovers only, to help woo them. But the female cardi- 

 nal is a charming singer with a softer voice than her mate's^ 

 most becoming to one of her sex — and an individual song 

 quite different from his loud, clear whistle. Cheer, cheer, cheer! 

 Good cheer; good cheer! Cheer! like the notes of a fife. 



Cardinals never migrate as the rose-breasted grosbeak and 

 so many of our fair-weather feathered friends do. That is 

 because they can live upon the weed seeds and the buds of 

 trees and bushes in winter, as comfortably as upon insects 

 in summer, and forage in the grain fields or in the woods, 

 according to the season. It pays not to be too particular. 



The Towhee 



Length — 8 to 8.5 inches. About one fifth smaller than the 



robin. 

 Male — Upper parts black, sometimes margined with 



rusty. Breast white; chestnut color on sides and rump. 



Wings marked with white. Three outer feathers of 



tail striped with white, conspicuous in flight. 

 Female — Brownish where the male is black. Underneath 



shading from chestnut to white in the centre. 

 Range — From Labrador to the Southern states; west to 



the Rocky Mountains. 

 Migrations — ^April. September and October. Summer 



resident. Rarely a winter resident at the North. 



{See -plate, page 98-99.) 



