common birds: second series. 
y 
seeds. When startled, the bird utters a rich, deep che-wee', or to-whee', 
from which its name has been derived. Like most of the bush- 
haunting birds, it knows well how to keep out of sight, but often a 
sudden alarm or curiosity brings the brightly marked male or his 
more sober-colored mate to the top of a wall or a low bush, where 
it flirts its tail, and hops nervously about till ready to descend 
and begin busily scratching again. The song is delivered from an 
exposed perch, especially in the early morning and again toward 
evening. It consists of a modification of the call note, followed 
by a rich trill. The nest is generally placed on the ground and 
never far from it, and is composed of twigs, roots, and grasses. 
Four eggs are laid, brownish or grayish white, finely marked with 
brown or lilac. The female, though more plainly colored than the 
male, is nevertheless a handsome bird. The head is brown instead 
of black, a color which harmonizes well with the chestnut on her 
flanks. Chewinks linger in New England into October, and winter 
in the Southern States. Like the Thrasher and the Field 
Sparrow they prefer the wild, overgrown berry pastures or clear¬ 
ings to the cultivated land, and rarely come into villages. They 
are vigorous and cheerful, not very musical, but dressed richly and 
in excellent taste. 
Cardinal, or Cardinal Grosbeak* 13. 
[CARDINALIS CARDINALIS. ] 
Although the Cardinal, or Redbird, as it is more generally 
called, is familiar to nearly every one as a cage-bird, it is rarely 
found, in thfe wild state, north of New Jersey in the Eastern States, 
or of Ohio in the Middle States. It is a bird of the thickets, 
finding shelter and food, and a home in the nesting season, in the 
tangles of brier, holly, and laurel. It is resident nearly throughout 
its range, and whistles as cheerfully in winter as in spring. At this 
season its brilliant plumage makes it very conspicuous. It is noisy 
at all times, and the strength and variety of its notes have won for 
