Evening star., 1947-10-30
This and That
Bu Charles E. TraceUell

More people speak of the cardinal than any
other bird, perhaps
Can 1t be merely color?
The flash of this species is confined entirely
to the male. The female is dressed more
modestly.
This plain preference, however, cannot be
put down entirely to color appeal Much of
it is due to the living characteristics of the
redhirds. They possess, along with their con-
stancy qualities that endear them to most
watchers.
Their faithfulness to locale, for one thing.
Redbirds live more or less in the same block
for all their lives.
One watcher swears that the same male
cardinal has been seen In the yard for 10
years.
This is probable but is about at the extreme
limit of age.
The chances are that several birds posed as
the same. Since most male cardinals look
alike. except in their formative years, the first
two or three, the chances are slim for one
being sure that 1t is the same bird.
Young male cardinals resemble the mothers.
until they take on the complete male dress of
feathers.
Female cardinals are often overlooked, espe-
cially by the newcomer to home bird watching.
The female is seen in the company of the
mate, but in fall and winter not so close as
in spring and summer
This natural phenomenon, Is not to be
wondered at, but 1t sometimes accounts for
the fact that the new observer overlooks fine
bird.
The female cardinal is best in the cold
weather Then her soft greens, salmon, grays
and browns become sharper
She is all cardinal, however no matter If
she lacks the more fiery character of her mate,
both in coloring and disposition.
About the only time the male redbird makes
up to his lady is in early spring. when he offers
her seeds from his bill.
This is startling action, to come from one
Viao the rest of the year, has acted very much
the Crouch At feeding stations in the cold
ne often chases his mate from the food, and
never allows her taste until he has eaten
all he wants.
The female is pretty, in her way; in fact
is too bold in effect.
We do not think so, but every one to his
taste The male is fine bird, much too fine
to be used as target, as he once was, IN
the famous days when the Colonial long
rifles had to be kept in trim.
Those days are gone, with some loss but
with gain, too, and surely the end of the custom
of using the bright male cardinal as bulls
eye was one of the latter.
These birds are the first to wake up, all
the year around, and about the last to go to
bed except in the summer months, when the
wood thrush sings longer and later.
Cardinals sleep in evergreens mostly. Care
full early observers may hear them, and see
them, too as they 60 along suburban side
walks, If they get up early enough.
The cardinals stay with us the year around.
This is an elementary fact the newcomer to
outlying areas soon learns.
City dwellers may see this bird, however,
since 1t comes anywhere there are trees Few
birds have more loyal following than the
cardinals. They have had the benefit of much
and constant good publicity. and their bright
coloring the red with black, makes for univer-
sal popularity But it is the character of the
bird, after all, that keeps people singing It's
praises. If there were no others, feeding the
birds in fall and winter would be well worth
while. AS a member of great group of birds
that includes the common sparrows the car
dinals are most peoples first thought when
they think of bird life.