Page:The Zoologist, 3rd series, vol 1 (1877).djvu/439

Cardinalis virginianus, Cardinal Red Bird; Virginia Nightingale.—The well-known Red Bird of Bermuda is an abundant resident throughout the islands, everywhere conspicuous by its brilliant plumage and loud but not unmusical song. This bird is a general favourite with all classes, and in great esteem as a cage-bird. Formerly considerable numbers were caught by the "coloured" boys in the neat trap depicted in 'The Naturalist in Bermuda'—an introduction, as I am informed, by Mr. J.M. Jones, from Somersetshire, and not a 'Mudian invention. Fortunately, however, there are now stringent local laws for the protection of the resident birds, and these traps are seldom seen. I have tried in vain to bring up the young from the nest. The Red Bird breeds twice a year in Bermuda. Fresh eggs have been found as early as the 1st April, and I find in my notes that I saw young birds just able to fly on the 19th; but these are exceptional cases. As a rule, the two clutches of eggs are deposited about April 10th and May 30th respectively. The eggs are three to five in number, averaging 1·00 in. × ·73 in. They vary much in size and markings, but are usually greenish white, irregularly marked with few purplish and many amber blotches. The nest is bulky, built of twigs and roots, lined with dry grasses. This lining alone serves to distinguish some of the nests from those of the Cat Bird, which they much resemble; they are usually at a greater elevation, however, and are never ornamented with rags or paper. The parent birds are extremely solicitous in bringing up their offspring, and attend them assiduously long after they are able to fly, betraying their anxiety by much "tick-tick-"ing, flirting of tails, and raising of crests. To see a fine old paterfamilias in all the glory of his rich vermilion garments, tail and crest in air, now on a post, now on an oleander or cedar bough, all the while uttering his sharp "tick" of alarm, while the more sober-coloured mother is ministering to the appetites of the children, is a great treat, and will ever be associated in my memory with the hot sun, the while houses, dark cedars and fragrant sage-bushes of Bermuda. The young resemble the female, being ashy-brown, paler below, with evident traces of the red on the crest, wings, tail, and under parts. I have mentioned the "tick," or call-note of this species. The song is exceedingly variable, consisting of a series of musical whistles. There is also a strange " whir-r-r-r," like a large bird suddenly rising on the wing, which is very peculiar. A most remarkable fact is that the