CARDINAL. 187 



chase each other through the branches of the trees and the air. These armies of birds 

 save our forests from ruin, cleansing them, as they do, from the ground, carpeted with 

 mosses and ferns, to the tops of the tallest trees from injurious insects. Were it not for 

 the good and timely work of the birds, especially these migrating hosts, the trees would 

 soon be destroy^ed by their many insect enemies. They search each leaf and flower for 

 insects and they even take them with great celerity from the crevices of the bark. The 

 number of the Warblers alone is immense, and their good work is of inestimable value. 

 When they are ready with their good work in the South, they proceed northward/cleansing 

 every orchard on their way from insect pests. In south-eastern Texas and on the Gulf 

 coast this activity lasts till about May 10, when even the latest stragglers depart for 

 their northern home. Amid all this life, activity, and splendor the songs of a large 

 number of resident species resound. The incomparably charming song of the Mocking- 

 bird, and the sprightly strains of the Carolina and Bewick's Wrens are heard on all 

 sides. The cheerful twittering of the Parula Warbler and Redstart, the peculiar cbickty- 

 beaver of the White-eyed Vireo, the loud and plaintive peto-peto of the Tufted Titmouse, 

 and the gushing notes of the Orchard Oriole fall constantly on our ear. There are other 

 sounds. The Red-eyed Vireo sings in the South as persistently as in the North, and 

 the Chat is at home in almost every suitable thicket. The Yellow-throated Warbler 

 sings everywhere in the branches covered with swaying Spanish moss. Woodpeckers 

 are numerous as their rappipg on hollow trees indicates. The fervent strain of the 

 Painted Bunting or Nonpareil, and the mellow notes of the Blue Grosbeak sound through 

 the thickets. But the loudest and most characteristic song among the woodland choir 

 is that of the Cardinal Grosbeak. We hear it in the early morning hours and during 

 the night, during the cool hours of the day as well as in sultry weather. High up in 

 the blue sky the Fork-tailed Kite in majestic flight describes its wide circles. How 

 graceful and fascinating his motions are, and how charming the contrast between the 

 pure white and dark of its plumage with the deep azure of the sky ! Although a bird 

 of prey, it, ra,rely feeds on small birds, snakes being its main game. In the water near 

 bv little Blue and White Herons are seen, and occasionally a Snake Bird or Anhinga. 

 The splendid Fork-tailed Flycatcher, everywhere in Texas known as the "Bird of 

 Paradise," darts in picturesque zigzag lines through the air, uttering incessantly its shrill 

 notes. In Avhatever direction the observer may turn his eyes, he will glance upon a vivid, 

 many-hued and beautiful picture. Yet this apparently restful and idyllic picture has also 

 its dark shades. Many a feathered robber darts in among the cheerful throng of inno- 

 cent songsters, causing fright and terror. On the water's edge lurks the most dangerous, 

 of our snakes, the venomous w^ater moccasin*, awaiting its prey. How often have I 

 been in^ danger w^hen searching among the bushes for nests, while the exceedingly poi- 

 sonous moccasin snake or copperhead" lay coiled near my hand, ready for a strike. And 

 how often have I been warned not to proceed farther among the thickets of the woods 

 by huge specimens of the diamond rattle snakes'! Tree-climbing snakes, such as the 

 whip snake, the southern water snake*, pilot snake^, chicken snake^, black snake', and 



t Agkistrodon piscivoras, i Agkistrodon eontortrix. a Crotalus .adamaateus. * Tropidoaotus fasciatus. 

 e Coluber obsoletus. « Coluber guadririttatus. i Bascaniun constrictor. 



