408 
FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 
to the Gulf States; casual in Minn., Wise., Mich., N. B., Mass., and Conn.; 
resident in Bermuda. 
Washington, common P. R. ; less common than formerly. Ossining, A. 
V. Cambridge, irregular but not very infrequent at all seasons. N. Ohio, 
common P. R. Glen Ellyn, rare S. R. SE. Minn., rare. 
Nest, of twigs, rootlets, and strips of bark, lined with grasses and rootlets, 
in bushes. Eggs, 3-4, white or bluish white, speckled or spotted with grayish 
brown, cinnamon-brown, or umber, 1*00 x ‘70. Date, D. C., Apl. 15; 
Chester Co., Pa., Apl. 30; Central Park, New York City, May 5. 
One’s first impression of the Cardinal Grosbeak will usually be that 
he is rather a clumsy fellow. His body appears to be stiff, as if it were 
made of wood, different in every way from the pliant, lithe body of the 
Catbird, for example. He hops about on the ground with tail held well 
up out of harm’s way, and comes heavily down upon his feet, 
as if his body were really very solid. In fact, he is not at all. a 
graceful bird. 
He is a famous singer, his song being a loud, clear whistle, into 
which usually enters quite frequently the sound of q! q! q! and a pecu- 
liar long-drawn-out e-e! sometimes syllabled as “ three cheers!” He is a 
favorite cage-bird. The female Cardinal is herself a charming singer, 
more pleasing to many than her mate, her music being softer in tone 
and otherwise different from his. The common call-note of both is a 
sharp, abrupt tsip! easily recognized after being once heard. 
As the head of a family the Cardinal is admirable, not only in his 
attentions to his lovely dove-colored mate, but in singing to her by the 
hour, and in protecting her from intrusion or danger. To the young in 
the nest he is an untiring provider of worms and grubs, and thus most 
useful in a garden. Nothing can be more comical than his behavior 
when he first conducts his young family out into the world while his 
mate is engaged with her second sitting. He is as fussy as any young 
mother, hopping about in great excitement, and appearing to think 
the whole world thirsting for the life of his pretty little ones. 
The Cardinal mother shows the restless manners and anxious spirit 
of her mate, taking one’s intrusion upon her domestic affairs greatly 
to heart, and being so much disturbed that there is more pain than 
pleasure in making acquaintance with her nestlings. 
Olive Thorne Miller. 
593d. C. c. doridanus Ridgw. Florida Cardinal. Similar to 
C. c. cardinalis but smaller, male averaging deeper red; female darker and 
richer in color, particularly on breast. W., 3*40. 
Range. — Florida. 
Nesting date, San Mateo, Fla., Apl. 12. 
595. Zamelodia ludoviciana {Linn.). Rose-breasted Grosbeak. 
Ad. <?. in summer — Head, throat, and back black; breast and under wing- 
coverts bright rose-red, this color sometimes extending down the center of 
the white belly; rump white, tipped with black; wings black; primaries 
white at the base; tail black, the outer feathers tipped with white on the 
inner web. Ad. in winter. — Similar but uoperparts and breast margined 
with brown; throat rose; superciliary whitish, sides with black spots. Im. 
& in winter. — Resembles the $, but under wing-coverts rose-red; breast 
