The Cardinal 
71 
grasses. The nest is placed in leafy bushes or vines, usually from eight 
to ten feet from the ground. Three or four white eggs, speckled with 
brown, are laid, and it is probable that in the South two broods of 
young are raised each season by most pairs. The home life of Cardinals 
is a pattern of domestic felicity, so true are the sexes to each other; 
even in winter they seem to be paired, for a male and a female are 
always seen together. During the season of incubation the tender 
solicitude of the male for his mate is strikingly shown. His anxiety 
that the home and its inmates should not be discovered 
excites him so much that sometimes he actually leads Habits* 0 
the visitor to the nest in an attempt to mislead him. 
When the bird finds that his nest is in imminent danger of being molested 
he may become very bold in its defence. 
The song of the male Cardinal is strong and clear, with a melodious 
ring — What cheer! What cheer ! — winding up with a peculiar, long- 
drawn-out e-e-e. Contrary to the usual custom in bird-families, the 
female Cardinal is an excellent singer, although her notes are in an 
entirely different key from those of her gifted mate — lower, and to some 
ears more sweet and musical. 
John James Audubon’s book, “American Ornithological Biography,” 
is found at the present day only in the largest libraries, and consequently 
is so inaccessible to many readers that Audubon’s description of the song 
of the Cardinal may well be quoted in full: 
Its song is at first loud and clear, resembling the finest sounds pro- 
duced by the flageolet, and gradually descends into more marked and con- 
tinued 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 light, driving the birds to 
the coverts to seek repose for a while. Nature again invigorated, the 
musician recommences his song, when, as if he had 
never strained his throat before, he makes the whole Audubon's joy 
neighborhood resound, nor ceases until the shades of m * e on ^ 
evening close around him. 
Day after day the song of the Redbird 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 and admiration 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 
