200 THE CARDINAL GROSBEAK. 



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

 ment 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. During the summer 

 heats they frequently resort to sandy roads to dust themselves, 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. 



During winter the Cardinal Grosbeak frequently shews itself in the farm- 

 yard, among Turtle-Doves, Jays, Mocking-birds, and various species of 

 Sparrows, picking up its food from the store daily supplied to the poultry. 

 It now and then seeks refuge at night in the lee of some haystack, or throws 

 itself with many other birds among the thickest branches of the nearest 

 evergreen tree. 



The flight of this species is strong and rapid, although seldom continued 

 to any great distance. It is performed by glidings and jerks of the tail. 

 When the bird is alighted it also frequently juts its tail with grace. Like 

 all birds of the genus it hops, but does not walk. 



Its song is at first loud and clear, resembling the finest sounds produced 

 by the flageolet, and gradually descends into more marked and continued 

 cadences, until it dies away in the air around. During the love-season the 

 song is emitted with increased emphasis by this proud musician, who, as if 

 aware of his powers, swells his throat, spreads his rosy tail, droops his 

 wings, and leans alternately to the right and left, as if on the eve of expiring 

 with delight at the delicious sounds of his own voice. Again and again 

 are those melodies repeated, the bird resting only at intervals to breathe. 

 They may be heard from long before the sun gilds the eastern horizon, to 

 the period when the blazing orb pours down its noonday floods of heat and 



