Rusty Tomlin, age 11, of Libertyville, I11., for his question:

HOW FAR SOUTH DO THE CARDINALS FLY?

The handsome cardinal is the most popular bird in America  and he can prove it. He is the official state bird of Illinois, plus six other states. No other state bird can equal this record. What's more, people in his home state do not have to s.ay goodby to him in the fall, for the cardinal is a permanent resident throughout his range.

The cardinal is a member of the finch family, though slightly larger than most of his sweet singing cousins. The, male wears an eye catching outfit of vivid scarlet, topped with a red tuffed crown on his head. His short thick beak is very sharp, just right for grasping seeds. There is a patch of black across his eyes and under his chin. The female cardinal wears dullish brown, with touches of red on her wings, her tail and her crest. Her drab outfit is less noticeable when she sits on the nest.    

These beauteous birds are at home throughout the eastern half of the United States. There they feed summer and winter on wild berries, weed seeds and assorted insects, especially the ones that damage our crops. Goodness knows who would want to harm such handsome, useful birds. But just to make sure, there are laws to protect them.

The popular cardinal is the state bird of Indiana and Kentucky, Ohio and Virginia, North Carolina and West Virginia  ¬and Illinois. Wherever he lives, he never travels far from his favorite woodland, swamp or roadside. He is quite fond of people and often makes his home on a farm, in a park or suburban garden. There he stays throughout the year.

Come spring the cardinal parents gather grasses and rootlets to build a nest. The two or three eggs are white or palish blue, freckled with brown or pale violet blue. For a couple of weeks or so, the male brings food to the female while she sits on the nest. Then he helps to feed the chicks and in about ten days they are ready to leave home. The parents may raise two or three broods a year.

Both the male and the female whistle sweet sounding notes, though his voice is louder. They do not mind the winter weather, but sometimes food is scarce at this time of year. If you set up a bird feeding station, they are sure to come around. If you want to make the cardinal really happy, be sure to set out some sunflower seeds, which happen to be one of his favorite foods.