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 the 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, 8i, lli. 
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 eardinalis , Wils. Amer. Orn., vol. ii. p. 38. 
Fringilla cardinalis, Bonap. Syn., p. 113. 
Cardinal Grosbeak or .Red-bird, Fringilla cardinalis , Nutt. Man., vol. i. p. 519. 
Cardinal Grosbeak, Fringilla cardinalis , And. Orn. Biog., vol. ii. p. 336 ; vol. v. p. 5 1 4. 
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, body 
robust. Legs of moderate length, rather strong ; tarsus compressed, ante- 
riorly covered with a fewscutella, posteriorly sharp ; toes scutellate above, 
