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continually appeared as if she could swallow no more； yet she was
constantly calling for food。
She took the first flight； being so greedy she forgot to be
afraid； and actually flew to a neighbouring thorn tree to meet
the Cardinal； coming with food； before she realized what she had
done。 For once gluttony had its proper reward。 She not only
missed the bite； but she got her little self mightily well
scared。 With popping eyes and fear…flattened crest； she clung to
the thorn limb； shivering at the depths below； and it was the
greatest comfort when her brother plucked up courage and came
sailing across to her。 But； of course； she could not be expected
to admit that。 When she saw how easily he did it； she flared her
crest； turned her head indifferently； and inquired if he did not
find flying a very easy matter； once he mustered courage to try
it； and she made him very much ashamed indeed because he had
allowed her to be the first to leave the nest。 From the thorn
tree they worked their way to the dead sycamore； but there the
lack of foliage made them so conspicuous that their mother almost
went into spasms from fright； and she literally drove them back
to the sumac。
The Cardinal was so inordinately proud； and made such a brave
showing of teaching them to fly； bathe； and all the other things
necessary for young birds to know； that it was a great mercy they
escaped with their lives。 He had mastered many lessons； but he
never could be taught how to be quiet and conceal himself。 With
explosive 〃chips〃 flaming and flashing； he met dangers that sent
all the other birds beside the shining river racing to cover。
Concealment he scorned； and repose he never knew。
It was a summer full of rich experience for the Cardinal。 After
these first babies were raised and had flown； two more nests were
built； and two other broods flew around the sumac。 By fall the
Cardinal was the father of a small flock； and they were each one
neat； trim； beautiful river birds。
He had lived through spring with its perfumed air； pale flowers；
and burning heart hunger。 He had known summer in its golden
mood； with forests pungent with spicebush and sassafras；
festooned with wild grape； woodbine； and bittersweet； carpeted
with velvet moss and starry mandrake peeping from beneath green
shades； the never…ending murmur of the shining river； and the
rich fulfilment of love's fruition。
Now it was fall； and all the promises of spring were
accomplished。 The woods were glorious in autumnal tints。 There
were ripened red haws； black haws； and wild grapes only waiting
for severe frosts； nuts rattling down； scurrying squirrels； and
the rabbits' flash of gray and brown。 The waysides were bright
with the glory of goldenrod； and royal with the purple of asters
and ironwort。 There was the rustle of falling leaves； the
flitting of velvety butterflies； the whir of wings trained
southward； and the call of the king crow gathering his followers。
Then to the Cardinal came the intuition that it was time to lead
his family to the orange orchard。 One day they flamed and rioted
up and down the shining river； raced over the corn field； and
tilted on the sumac。 The next； a black frost had stripped its
antlered limbs。 Stark and deserted it stood； a picture of
loneliness。
O bird of wonderful plumage and human…like song！ W hat a precious
thought of Divinity to create such beauty and music for our
pleasure！ Brave songster of the flaming coat； too proud to hide
your flashing beauty； too fearless to be cautious of the many
dangers that beset you； from the top of the morning we greet you；
and hail you King of Birdland； at your imperious command： 〃See
here！ See here！〃
End