Status:

4686: Maeve

Charcoal inhaled the cold air, full of various scents. It was early morning, and the sun had barely appeared in the sky, timidly spreading its warm glow over the archipelago. The male, despite the rather gregarious nature of his species, was alone. This was not surprising - young males, upon reaching adulthood, could rarely count on the comfort of being a member of the herd. Energetic, adventure-seeking youngsters were usually exiled and banished until they were able to build their own herd....

A small, brightly coloured bird lowered its flight and landed on a branch. The thin, young branch bent slightly under its weight, moving like a spring. With a quick, almost automatic movement, the bird cleaned its feathers with its beak and then uttered a few melodious sounds. It had bright red feathers, which formed a characteristic crest around the top of its head, contrasting sharply with the blue-grey background of the winter forest. A male Red Cardinal.   Deadnet...