470 GRANIVOROUS BIRDS. 



to the South ; though the young remain later than the 

 old and more restless birds. 



The note of the male, like that of the Baltimore Bird, 

 is said to be a strong and sonorous whistle, resembling 

 the trill or musical shake on the fife, and is frequently 

 repeated. The note of the female is more of a chatter- 

 ing, and appears almost like the rapid pronunciation of 

 tsliicky-tukhy-tuk, tshicky-tuhky-tuk, and is chiefly ut- 

 tered in alarm when any person approaches the vicinity 

 of her nest. From the similarity of her color to the foliage 

 of the trees, she is, however, rarely seen, and usually 

 mute ; while the loquacity and brilliance of the male ren- 

 der him, as he flits timidly and wildly through the branch- 

 es, a most distinguished and beautiful object. 



The food of the Summer Red-Bird is very similar to that 

 of the preceding species ; bugs, beetles, and stinging bees 

 make part of his repast, as well as flies and cynips of vari- 

 ous kinds, after which they often dart about until hindered 

 by the approach of night. This habit, however, is prob- 

 ably necessary from the almost nocturnal manners of 

 some of these insect tribes. After the period of incuba- 

 tion, and until their departure, whortleberries and other 

 kinds of berries form no inconsiderable part of their food. 



The male of this species is 7^ inches, the alar extent about 12. He 

 is of a rich vermilion color, most brilliant below, except the inner 

 vanes and tips of the wings, which are tinged with brown. The legs 

 and feet are pale greyish-blue, inclining to purple. The iris light 

 hazel. — The Female is above of a brownish yellow-olive, below 

 brownish-yellow. 



