Cardinal
cardinal
a kind of song bird – related to the finches; different species (kinds) are with different sizes, but on average: 6-12 inches in length and weighs 12 to 80 grams; male feathers are of bright red and female feathers are dull reddish-brown, both sexes have red cone-shaped strong beaks (bills);
- red crest
both sexes have typical raised crests (raised tuft of feathers) on their heads; feeds (eats) on seeds (some species go for fruit and insects); lives up to 15 years; found in North and South America
Special Features:
It is the state bird of Illinois, Indiana, North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia and West Virginia; and Kentucky cardinal is the state bird of Kentucky, in the United States of America.
Cardinals are once very popular pet birds, kept in cages for their songs (calls), but recent laws banning caged birds have made this bird less popular.
The male is of thick blood red colour for which it got the name Red Cardinal.
It got its name from the Catholic cardinal’s vestment. (Catholic cardinal)
Figures of Speech:
1.
a cardinal =
(a)
- a Catholic cardinal
a high official (clergyman) of Roman Catholic Church
(b) chief, main, very important, principal and essential
(c) colour red – dark or thick blood red (also ‘crimson’)
(d) a short hooded cloak (= a coat-like covering worn on other clothes) worn by women in 18th century
(e) a cardinal number in mathematics – 2, 5, 8, 79, etc.
Mr. Kumar, an English language teacher, having taught in many countries around the world including Ethiopia and Oman shares this English Language Reference website using material that he has written and compiled during the past 20 years.
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