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herself on that occasion she had difficulty in convincing any one
that she was responsible for the result。
Indeed； she was compelled to lift beak and wing against her mate
in defense of this egg； for it was so unusually large that he
could not be persuaded short of force that some sneak of the
feathered tribe had not slipped in and deposited it in her
absence。 The king felt sure there was something wrong with the
egg； and wanted to roll it from the nest； but the queen knew her
own； and stoutly battled for its protection。 She further
increased their prospects by laying three others。 After that the
king made up his mind that she was a most remarkable bird； and
went away pleasure…seeking； but the queen settled to brooding； a
picture of joyous faith and contentment。
Through all the long days； when the heat became intense； and the
king was none too thoughtful of her appetite or comfort； she
nestled those four eggs against her breast and patiently waited。
The big egg was her treasure。 She gave it constant care。 Many
times in a day she turned it； and always against her breast there
was the individual pressure that distinguished it from the
others。 It was the first to hatch； of course； and the queen felt
that she had enough if all the others failed her； for this egg
pipped with a resounding pip； and before the silky down was
really dry on the big terracotta body； the young Cardinal arose
and lustily demanded food。
The king came to see him and at once acknowledged subjugation。
He was the father of many promising cardinals； yet he never had
seen one like this。 He set the Limberlost echoes rolling with
his jubilant rejoicing。 He unceasingly hunted for the ripest
berries and seed。 He stuffed that baby from morning until night；
and never came with food that he did not find him standing a…top
the others calling for more。 The queen was just as proud of him
and quite as foolish in her idolatry； but she kept tally and gave
the remainder every other worm in turn。 They were unusually fine
babies； but what chance has merely a fine baby in a family that
possesses a prodigy？ The Cardinal was as large as any two of the
other nestlings； and so red the very down on him seemed tinged
with crimson； his skin and even his feet were red。
He was the first to climb to the edge of the nest and the first
to hop on a limb。 He surprised his parents by finding a slug；
and winged his first flight to such a distance that his adoring
mother almost went into spasms lest his strength might fail； and
he would fall into the swamp and become the victim of a hungry
old turtle。 He returned safely； however； and the king was so
pleased he hunted him an unusually ripe berry； and perching
before him； gave him his first language lesson。 Of course； the
Cardinal knew how to cry 〃Pee〃 and 〃Chee〃 when he burst his
shell； but the king taught him to chip with accuracy and
expression； and he learned that very day that male birds of the
cardinal family always call 〃Chip；〃 and the females 〃Chook。〃 In
fact； he learned so rapidly and was generally so observant； that
before the king thought it wise to give the next lesson； he found
him on a limb； his beak closed； his throat swelling； practising
his own rendering of the tribal calls； 〃Wheat！ Wheat！ Wheat！〃
〃Here！ Here！ Here！〃 and 〃Cheer！ Cheer！ Cheer！〃 This so delighted
the king that he whistled them over and over and helped the
youngster all he could。
He was so proud of him that this same night he gave him his first
lesson in tucking his head properly and going to sleep alone。 In
a few more days； when he was sure of his wing strength； he gave
him instructions in flying。 He taught him how to spread his
wings and slowly sail from tree to tree； how to fly in short
broken curves； to avoid the aim of a hunter； how to turn abruptly
in air and make a quick dash after a bug or an enemy。 He taught
him the proper angle at which to breast a stiff wind； and that he
always should meet a storm head first； so that the water would
run as the plumage lay。
His first bathing lesson was a pronounced success。 The Cardinal
enjoyed water like a duck。 He bathed； splashed； and romped until
his mother was almost crazy for fear he would attract a
watersnake or turtle； but the element of fear was not a part of
his disposition。 He learned to dry； dress； and plume his
feathers； and showed such remarkable pride in keeping himself
immaculate； that although only a youngster； he was already a bird
of such great promise； that many of the feathered inhabitants of
the Limberlost came to pay him a call。
Next； the king took him on a long trip around the swamp； and
taught him to select the proper places to hunt for worms； how to
search under leaves for plant…lice and slugs for meat； which
berries were good and safe； and the kind of weeds that bore the
most and best seeds。 He showed him how to find tiny pebbles to
grind his food； and how to sharpen and polish his beak。
Then he took up the real music lessons； and taught him how to
whistle and how to warble and trill。 〃Good Cheer！ Good Cheer！〃
intoned the king。 〃Coo Cher！ Coo Cher！〃 imitated the Cardinal。
These songs were only studied repetitions； but there was a depth
and volume in his voice that gave promise of future greatness；
when age should have developed him； and experience awakened his
emotions。 He was an excellent musician for a youngster。
He soon did so well in caring for himself； in finding food and in
flight； and grew so big and independent； that he made numerous
excursions alone through the Limberlost； and so impressive were
his proportions； and so aggressive his manner； that he suffered
no molestation。 In fact； the reign of the king promised to end
speedily； but if he feared it he made no sign； and his pride in
his wonderful offspring was always manifest。 After the Cardinal
had explored the swamp thoroughly； a longing for a wider range
grew upon him； and day after day he lingered around the borders；
looking across the wide cultivated fields； almost aching to test
his wings in one long； high； wild stretch of flight。
A day came when the heat of the late summer set the marsh
steaming； and the Cardinal； flying close to the borders； caught
the breeze from the upland； and the vision of broad fields
stretching toward the north so enticed him that he spread his
wings； and following the line of trees and fences as much as
possible； he made his first journey from home。 That day was so
delightful it decided his fortunes。 It would seem that the
swamp； so appreciated by his kindred； should have been sufficient
for the Cardinal； but it was not。 With every mile he winged his
flight； came a greater sense of power and strength； and a keener
love for the broad sweep of field and forest。 His heart bounded
with the zest of rocking on the wind； racing through the
sunshine； and sailing over the endless panorama of waving corn
fields； and w