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 neigh- 
bours. The purity of its colouring is soon lost when it is kept in confine- 
ment, wdiere 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 docs 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 a>nd again 
are those melodies repeated, the bird resting only at intervals to breatiie. 
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 
