Arkansas Cardinal. Bird or color?

There is a thread over on hogville concerning the original mascot of the University of Arkansas.  I believe we were referred to as “The Cardinal” not as the Cardinals as is sometimes said.  A couple of posters from hogville believe our mascott was mearly based on the color and not the bird.  I have scans posted in our photo gallery showing a cardinal bird from the cover of the 1902-03 University of Arkansas yearbook.  If anyone has information that would clear this up please let me know by replying to this post.