THE CARDINAL GROSBEAK. 
199 
number are found as far up on the Ohio as the city of Cincinnati, and they 
extend to considerable distances into Indiana, Illinois, and Missouri. They 
ate found in the maritime districts of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, where 
they breed, and where a few remain the whole year ; some are also seen in 
the State of New York, and now and then a straggler proceeds into Massa- 
chusetts ; but farther eastward this species has never been observed. 
This fine songster relishes the interior of the forest, and the heart of the 
deepest cane-brakes or retired swamps, as well as the neighbourhood of 
cities- It is constantly found in our fields, orchards and gardens ; nay, it 
often enters the very streets of our southern towns and villages to breed ; 
and it is rare that one goes into a planter’s yard without observing the 
Redbird skipping about the trees or on the turf beneath them. Go where 
it may, it is always welcome, and everywhere a favourite, so rich is its song, 
and so brilliant its plumage. 
The Cardinal-bird breeds in the Ploridas. In the beginning of March I 
found them already paired in that country, and on the 8th of February near 
General Hernandez's. In the neighbourhood of Charleston, as well as in 
Louisiana, they are nearly a month later, and much the same lapse' of time 
takes place again before they . form a nest in the State of New Jersey or in 
that of Kentucky. 
The nest is placed, apparently without much consideration, in some low 
briar, bush, or tree, often near the fence, the middle of a field, or the interior 
of a thicket, not far from a cooling stream, to which they are fond of resort- 
ing for the purpose of drinking and bathing. Sometimes you find it placed 
close to the planter’s house or in his garden, a few yards from that of the 
Mocking-bird or the Thrasher. It is composed of dry leaves and twigs, 
together with a large proportion of dry grass and slips of grape-vines, and 
is finished within with bent-grass, wrought in a circular form. The eggs 
are from four to six, of a dull white colour, marked all over with touches 
of olive-brown. 
In the Southern Districts they now and then raise three broods in the 
season, but in the Middle States seldom more than one. The young, on 
leaving the nest, frequently follow their parents on the ground for several 
days, after which they disperse and seek for food apart. During the pairing 
season, the males are so pugnacious, that although they breed near birds of 
other species, they never allow one of their own to nestle in their vicinity. 
One male may be seen following another from bush to bush, emitting a shrill 
note of anger, and diving towards the fugitive antagonist whenever an oppor- 
tunity offers, until the latter has escaped quite beyond his jurisdiction, when 
the conqueror, elated, returns to his grounds, ascends his favourite tree, and 
pours out his song in full exultation. 
