46 HOME STUDIES IN NATURE. 



eggs were nearly or quite white. The nest that the 

 male completed was more beautiful than the female's, 

 and how she could have refused such cosy quarters is 

 a mystery. 



During the winter a number of cardinal-grossbeaks 

 (Ca/rdinalis virginianus) were at home about the 



THIS CARDINAL-GROSSBEAK. 



grounds, living harmoniously together; but towards 

 spring, as early as February, they began to manifest a 

 quarrelsome disposition, which finally ended in fierce 

 battles. Jealousy seemed to be the sole cause of the 

 disturbances, for they never attacked a bird of any oth- 

 er species. At last one stands alone, the proud possess- 

 or of a quiet, soberly attired partner, who looks up to 



