THE CARDINAL GROSBEAK.

[Northern Cardinal.]

PITYLUS CARDINALIS, Linn.

[Cardinalis cardinalis.]



PLATE CCIII.--MALE, AND FEMALE.

In richness of plumage, elegance of motion, and strength of song, this
species surpasses all its kindred in the United States. It is known by
the names of Red-bird, Virginia Nightingale, Cardinal-bird, and that at
the head of the present article. It is very abundant in all our Southern
States, as well as in the peninsula of the Floridas. In the western country
a great number are found as far up on the Ohio as the city of Cincinnati,
and they extend to considerable distances into Indiana, Illinois and Missouri.
They are found in the maritime districts of Pennsylvania and New Jersey,
where they breed, and where a few remain the whole year; some are also
seen in the State of New York, and now and then a straggler proceeds into
Massachusetts; but farther eastward this species has never been observed.

This fine songster relishes the interior of the forest, and the heart
of the deepest cane-brakes or retired swamps, as well as the neighbourhood
of cities. It is constantly found in our fields, orchards and gardens;
nay, it often enters the very streets of our southern towns and villages
to breed; and it is rare that one goes into a planter's yard without observing
the Red-bird skipping about the trees or on the turf beneath them. Go where
it may, it is always welcome, and every where a favourite, so rich is its
song, and so brilliant its plumage.

The Cardinal-bird breeds in the Floridas. In the beginning of March
I found them already paired in that country, and on the 8th of February
near General HERNANDEZ's. In the neighbourhood of Charleston, as well as
in Louisiana, they are nearly a month later, and much the same lapse of
time takes place again before they form a nest in the State of New Jersey
or in that of Kentucky.

The nest is placed, apparently without much consideration, in some low
briar, bush, or tree, often near the fence, the middle of a field, or the
interior of a thicket, not far from a cooling stream, to which they are
fond of resorting, for the purpose of drinking and bathing. Sometimes you
find it placed close to the planter's house or in his garden, a few yards
from that of the Mocking-bird or the Thrasher. It is composed of dry leaves
and twigs, together with a large proportion of dry grass and slips of grape-vines,
and is finished within with bent-grass, wrought in a circular form. The
eggs are from four to six, of a dull white colour, marked all over with
touches of olive-brown.

In the Southern Districts they now and then raise three broods in the
season, but in the Middle States seldom more than one. The young on leaving
the nest, frequently follow their parents on the ground for several days,
after which they disperse and seek for food apart. During the pairing season,
the males are so pugnacious, that although they breed near birds of other
species, they never allow one of their own to nestle in their vicinity.
One male may be seen following another from bush to bush, emitting a shrill
note of anger, and diving towards the fugitive antagonist whenever an opportunity
offers, until the latter has escaped quite beyond his jurisdiction, when
the conqueror, elated, returns to his grounds, ascends his favourite tree,
and pours out his song in full exultation.

Those which migrate to the eastward begin to move about the commencement
of March, usually in the company of the Towhe Bunting and other Sparrows,
hopping and passing from bush to bash during the whole day, announcing
to the traveller and husbandman the approach of a more genial season, and
resting at night in the secluded swamps. The males precede the females
about ten days.

Towards autumn they frequently ascend to the tops of tall trees in search
of grapes and berries, being as fond of succulent or pulpy fruits as they
are of the seeds of corn and grasses. On the least appearance of dancer
they at once glide into the interior of the nearest thickets. During the
summer heats they frequently resort to sandy roads to dust themselves,
carelessly suffering people to approach them until within a few yards,
when they only remove to the neare

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 fill, with their young. The eggs measure
one inch and half an eighth in length, five-eigths and a third in breadth,
and are thus elongated, although the smaller end is well rounded.

Male, 8 1/2, 11 1/2.

Breeds abundantly from Texas to New York. Very rare in Massachusetts.
Valleys of the Mississippi and Missouri, Kentucky and Ohio. Resident from
Maryland southward.

CARDINAL GROSBEAK, Loxia cardinalis, 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, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. ii. p.
336;vol. v. p. 514.

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,
anteriorly covered with a few scutella, posteriorly sharp; toes scutellate
above, free, the lateral ones nearly equal; claws slender, arched, compressed,
acute, that of the hind toe considerably larger.

Plumage soft and blended, slightly glossed. Wings of moderate length,
broad, much rounded, the fourth quill longest; primaries rather broad,
rounded, from the second to the sixth slightly cut out on the outer web,
secondaries rather narrow and rounded. Tail long, straight, rounded. Feathers
of the crown long, pointed, and erectile.

Bill of a tint approaching to coral-red. Iris dark hazel. Feet pale
umber. The whole upper parts of a deep dusky-red, excepting the head, which
is vermilion. The anterior part of the forehead, the lores, and the upper
anterior part of the neck, black. The under parts are vermilion, which
is brightest anteriorly. Inner webs of the quills light brown, their shafts
and those of the tail-feathers blackish-brown.

Length 8 1/4 inches, extent of wings 11 1/2; bill along the back 7/12,
along the edge 3/4; tarsus (1 1/2)/12.

Adult Female.

Adult Female.

Length 7 1/2 inches.

In a male preserved in spirits, the palate ascends very abruptly, and
has two very elevated soft ridges, at the junction of which anteriorly
is a prominent soft space, on the lower mandible beneath are three longitudinal
ridges with four grooves, of which the two lateral are much wider. The
tongue is 4 1/2 twelfths long, emarginate and papillate at the base, convex
and fleshy above, as high as broad, horny beneath, tapering to a point.
The width of the mouth is 6 twelfths. The lower mandible is broader than
the upper, exceedingly strong, and very deeply concave. The oesophagus
is 2 inches 5 twelfths in length, 3 twelfths in width. The stomach pretty
large, roundish, 7 1/2 twelfths long, 7 twelfths broad; its lateral muscles
strong, the tendons large, the epithelium very dense, longitudinally rugous,
brownish-red. The stomach is filled with seeds, which have all been husked.
Intestine 10 1/4 inches long, its width from 3 twelfths to 2 twelfths.
Coeca 3 twelfths long, 1/2 twelfth broad, 1 inch distant from the extremity.
Cloaca ovate, 4 twelfths in width.

Trachea 1 inch 10 twelfths long, from 1 1/4 twelfths to 1/2 twelfth
in breadth; its rings 52; the muscles as in the other species. Bronchial
half rings about 12. THE WILD ALMOND.

PRUNUS CAROLINIANA, Willd., Sp. Pl., vol. ii. p. 987. Pursch, Fl. Amer.
Sept., vol. i. p. 330.--ICOSANDRIA MONOGYNIA, Linn.--ROSACEAE, JUSS.

Flowers in racemes; leaves evergreen, oblong-lanceolate, mucronate,
serrate, without glands at the base. The wild almond is altogether a southern
tree. Its height now and then is as much as twenty-five feet, the stem
in that case being a foot or more in diameter. The usual rounded form of
its top, and the persistence of its foliage, together with its white flowers,
and dark coloured fruits, render it a very agreeable object. Many are planted
around the plantation grounds or the gardens of our southern cities, on
account of their beautiful appearance. The fruits are greedily devoured
by many species of birds, but are unpalatable to man. I have not observed
it to the east of Virginia, nor farther west than the town of Memphis on
the Mississippi. The wood is seldom applied to any useful purpose.

[ send green star]

As found in Indiana Code 1-2-5-1:

God crowned her hills with beauty,
Gave her lakes and winding streams,
Then He edged them all with woodlands
As the settings for our dreams.
Lovely are her moonlit rivers,
Shadowed by the sycamores,
Where the fragrant winds of Summer
Play along the willowed shores.
I must roam those wooded hillsides,
I must heed the native call,
For a Pagan voice within me
Seems to answer to it all.
I must walk where squirrels scamper
Down a rustic old rail fence,
Where a choir of birds is singing
In the woodland...green and dense.
I must learn more of my homeland
For it's paradise to me,
There's no haven quite as peaceful,
There's no place I'd rather be.
Indiana...is a garden
Where the seeds of peace have grown,
Where each tree, and vine, and flower
Has a beauty...all its own.
Lovely are the fields and meadows,
That reach out to hills that rise
Where the dreamy Wabash River
Wanders on...through paradise.

Starting at the top of a shield on a dark blue field is the state motto "Forward". Below it is a badger the state animal. A sailor and miner show that the people work on water and land. The shield in the center shows Wisconsin's support for the United States. In four sections surrounding the shield are representations of the states main industries: Agriculture, mining, manufacturing and navigation. The cornucopia and pile of lead represent farm products and minerals. The flag law was amended in 1979 to include the name of the state and the date of statehood.

Wisconsin is known far and wide as the "Cheese State." This is due in part to the National Football Team the Green Bay Packers. This nationally renowned team has fans that come to each game sporting a "cheese head" hat and enough enthusiasm to heat up those cold winter games. Another reason for the cheesy nickname is the wonderfully fertile ground left behind by the glaciers of the past ice age. Although too rocky to plant agricultural farms, it was perfect to raise and graze cattle. It soon became clear to the early settlers that dairy farming was the way to go. Today Wisconsin is filled with specialty stores offering the largest cheese assortment this side of Europe.

Wisconsin is also known for its great beers. Beer manufacturing companies have been doing business in Wisconsin since the early 1800's. The same ground that made the state the perfect place for dairy farming makes it a wonderland for growing hops used to make excellent beers. Some of the more famous beer manufactures include Miller Brewing Company and Schlitz Brewing Company.

Family fun can be found in Wisconsin Dells a wonderland of water parks. Year-round excitement can be had at the many water theme parks located in Wisconsin Dells. Several hotels offer private water parks that are accessible by guests only.

Fishing, camping or sailing on the many lakes found in Wisconsin is always an adventure. From Lake Michigan to the Amherst Mill Pond Wisconsin's lakes are filled with fish, history and shipwrecks.

Hello Thomas and News Station members!

Although I was born and raised in the great U. S. of A., I have been residing in the beautiful country of New Zealand since May 2005.  I moved here with my husband...a native NZer...and our two cats.

New Zealand lies in the southern Pacific Ocean, 1600 km east of Australia. It is made up of the North and South Islands and a number of smaller islands, with a total area of 268 000 sq km.
Mountain ranges and hill country dominate NZ's landscape; one of the most striking physical features is the Southern Alps. These, along with fiords glaciers and lakes and the coastal plains of Canterbury and Southland add to the variety of the South Island scenery. In the North Island the volcanic interior contains NZ's largest lake, Lake Taupo, and most of the country's active volcanoes - Ruapehu, Ngauruhoe and Tongariro - Ruapehu erupted as recently as 1995 and 1996. Hot springs, geysers, mud pools also form part of the volcanic system centred around Rotorua.

Polynesians settlers arrived in Aotearoa/New Zealand around the tenth century, and by the twelfth century settlements were scattered over most of the country.

What the Polynesians found was a land much different to the South Pacific tropical isles of Polynesia. Instead they found a land of mountains with a more seasonal climate. There were no large mammals to hunt for food, but there was a large flightless bird called the Moa. The Moa stood up to 15 feet tall and the Maori found it easy prey. By the time Europeans had reached New Zealand the Moa was hunted to extinction.

Abel Janzoon Tasman was the first European explorer to see New Zealand in 1642, but it was Captain James Cook who first set foot on New Zealand soil in 1769.

The first permanent settlers didn't arrive until the 1830's. The Treaty of Waitangi was signed in 1840, giving sovereignty of New Zealand to Britain. The Maori were persuaded to cede vast tracts of land for mere token payments, but soon the Maori realised the true worth of what they had given away. The Maori rose up and attacked the British settlements repeatedly.

Today New Zealand is a relatively peaceful country and the people are extraordinarily friendly and outgoing. One quarter of New Zealand is protected wilderness and much of the country is pollution free.

Highest point: Mount Cook (3,754 m or 12313 ft)
Deepest lake: Lake Hauroko (462 m 1515 ft)
Largest lake: Lake Taupo (606 km or 234 miles)
Longest river: Waikato River (425 km or 264 miles long)
Largest glacier: Tasman Glacier (29 km or 18 miles long)
Deepest cave: Nettlebed, Mount Arthur (889 m or 2916 ft)
Length of coastline: 15,811 km (9824 miles)

http://www.virtualoceania.net/newzealand/facts/

Because Iowa is well known for the presence of the Geode, it was chosen as the official rock in an effort to promote tourism in the state. Legislators who favored making the Geode the state rock pointed out that it is among the rarest and most beautiful of rocks and that Iowa is known worldwide because of the large number found in the state. Other rocks considered for official status were limestone and fossil coral. In Latin, the word "geodes" means "earthlike." Geodes are shaped like the earth and average about four inches in diameter. Geodes are found in limestone formations and have a hard outer shell. When carefully broken open, a sparkling lining of mineral crystals, most often quartz and calcite, is revealed. Southeastern Iowa is one of the state's best Geode collecting areas. Geode State Park, in Henry County, is named for the occurrence of the Geode.

Just a few....

INTERESTING INFO. ABOUT IOWA

Each time a president signs legislation, a new Sheaffer Fountain Pen is used which was made in Fort Madison at Sheaffer Pen

Ripley's Believe It or Not listed Burlington's Snake Alley as the most crooked street in the world.

The first college to accept women in the U.S was in Mount Vernon, Cornell College, listed on the National Register of Historical Places.

The world's largest strawberry is in Strawberry Point.

The oldest, longest and largest touring bike ride in the U.S originated in Iowa in 1973-RAGBRAI (The Des Moines - Register's Great Bike Ride Across Iowa.

The world's largest bullhead fish is in Crystal Lake.

The first portable moving camera originated in Davenport.

John Harvey of Dubuque invented the paper clip.

Spirit Lake is the largest glacier-made lake in the state.

A Gas Powered washing machine was invented in Newton by Fred Maytag.

West Okoboji is the deepest natural lake in the state, with a depth of 136 feet. And East Okoboji is the longest natural lake in the state.

The first bridge built across the Mississippi was in Davenport.

Imes Bridge is the oldest Madison County covered bridge. There are only 6 bridges left and starred the movie, "The Bridges of Madison County."

Iowa rankes #2 in the U.S. for livestock production. The world's longest corn stalk was grown in Washington. Fort Madison is home to the largest double-deck swing-span bridge in the world. (Where I live! Johnny Carson was from Corning, Iowa. Elk Horn in the largest Danish settlement in the United States. Wyatt Earp grew up in Pella. Kalona is the largest Amish community west of the Mississippi River. Star Trek star, Captain Kirk was from Riverside. The state's lowest elevation point (at 480 feet) is in Lee County. (Where I live Glenn Miller was from Clarinda. Fenlon Place Elevator in Dubuque is the world's steepest and shortest railway. The Famous Bix Jazz Musician, Bix Beiderbecke, was from Davenport. Wright County has the highest percentage of grade-A topsoil in the nation. " Leave it to Bever", Jerry Mathers was born in Souix City. Quaker Oats, in Cedar Rapids, is the largest cereal company in the world. John Morrell Meat Packing Plant was founded in Ottumwa. (My dad and uncle once worked there). Knoxville's National Sprint Car Hall of Fame and Museum is the only museum in the country dedicated to preserving the history of sprint car racing. The hamburger was made by a resturant owner in Clarinda. Iowa's only fire tower is situated in Yellow River State Forest.

Texas here.

Thanks for the info. I didn't realise that there were other states then Texas.

Since this is Texas, I'll just assume everybody already knows about us, so I won't post any details.

I live In Australia ~ In The State of Queensland!

You will see the city of Brisbane  in Queensland ~ that is where I live!

This Is Australia Over America ~ it helps you see just how big our country is!

Animal Symbols:
State Bird

Bluebird

Plant Symbols:
State Flower

White hawthorn

State Tree

Flowering dogwood

Earth Symbols:
State Fossil

Crinoid

Miscellaneous Symbols:
State Musical Instrument

Fiddle

Agreed totally but Care2 might be noticing the loading time of this thread!