THE CARDINAL GROSBEAK. 201 



light, driving the birds to the coverts to seek repose for awhile. Nature 

 again invigorated, the musician recommences his song, when, as if he had 

 never strained his throat before, he makes the whole neighbourhood resound, 

 nor ceases until the shades of evening close around him. Day after day the 

 song of the Red-bird beguiles the weariness of his mate as she assiduously 

 warms her eggs; and at times she also assists with the modesty of her 

 gentler sex. Few individuals of our own race refuse their homage of admi- 

 ration to the sweet songster. How pleasing is it, when, by a clouded sky, 

 the woods are rendered so dark, that were it not for an occasional glimpse 

 of clearer light falling between the trees, you might imagine night at hand, 

 while you are yet far distant from your home — how pleasing to have' your 

 ear suddenly saluted by the well known notes of this favourite bird, assuring 

 you of peace around, and of the full hour that still remains for you to pursue 

 your walk in security! How often have I enjoyed this pleasure, and how 

 often, in due humbleness of hope, do I trust that I may enjoy it again! 



This species is very abundant in Texas, where, as in our Southern States, 

 it is a constant resident. Mr. Townsend has observed it on the waters of 

 the Upper Missouri. According to Dr. T. M. Brewer, it is but a chance 

 visitor in Massachusetts during summer, indeed so rare, that he never knew 

 certainly but of one pair which bred in the Botanical Garden, Cambridge, 

 about six years ago, and departed in the fall, with their young. The eggs 

 measure one inch and half an eighth in length, five-eighths and a third in 

 breadth, and are thus elongated, although the smaller end is well rounded. 



Male, 8|-, 11 J. 



Breeds abundantly from Texas to New York. Very rare in Massa- 

 chusetts. Valleys of the Mississippi and Missouri, Kentucky and Ohio. 

 Resident from Maryland southward. 



Cardinal Grosbeak, Loxia cardinalis, Wils. Amer. Orn., vol. ii. p. 38. 



Fringilla cardinalis, Bonap. Syn., p. 113. 



Cardinal Grosbeak or Red-bird, Fringilla cardinalis, Nntt. Man., vol. i. p. 519. 



Cardinal Grosbeak, Fringilla cardinalis, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. ii. p. 336; vol. v. p. 514. 



Adult Male. 



Bill short, very robust, conical, acute, deeper than broad at the base; 

 upper mandible with its dorsal outline a little convex, the sides rounded, the 

 edges sharp and inflected, the tip slightly declinate; lower mandible broader 

 than the upper, with its dorsal line straight, the back broad, the sides 

 rounded, the edges inflected; the gap-line deflected at the base. Nostrils 

 basal, roundish, concealed by the feathers. Head large, neck short, bod}^ 

 robust. Legs of moderate length, rather strong; tarsus compressed, ante- 

 riorly covered with a few scutella, posteriorly sharp; toes scutellate above, 



