OF NEW ENGLAND. 135 



(though I have a specimen measuring 1-10X"70 of an inch). 

 They are strongly like the eggs of the Swainson's Thrv;sh ( §1, 

 I, D), being light greenish-blue, with usually rather faint (but 

 sometimes thick and strong) markings of umber-brown, which 

 is sometimes replaced by purplish. 



(c). The gaudy Scarlet Tanagers are summer-residents 

 throughout the eastern United States, but are rare in northern 

 New England and Canada, beyond which they never (?) go. 

 They reach Eastern Massachusetts in the second or third week 

 of May, and leave it in September, but during their stay here 

 are rather confined to localities. They frequent orchards, and 

 groves of chestnuts, oaks, and nut-trees, often showing a pref- 

 erence for swampy woods if not too thick. They feed upon 

 the larger winged insects, upon caterpillars, upon seeds and 

 berries, and so never have occasion to be much on the ground. 

 They often arrive in pairs, but at other times they appear in 

 small parties of three or four, mating subsequently, after the 

 males have fought the quarrels incident to the period of court- 

 ship. In the latter part of May they build their loosely con- 

 structed nests, and the females lay their eggs, the incubation 

 of which occupies them about thirteen days, the usual period 

 of incubation among a majority of the Insessorian birds. In 

 this stage of their household duties, the wonderful wisdom 

 everywhere displayed in nature is peculiarly noticeable. The 

 brilliantly colored males carefully avoid the nest, and approach 

 it, when necessary, with caution and stealth, fearful of be- 

 traying its presence ; whereas the females, with their plain 

 coloration assimilated to the surrounding foliage, sit upon it 

 with safety, and care for their young. If, however, the nest is 

 actually invaded or hostilely approached, the males show 

 themselves, with their plumage in bold and rich contrast to 

 the green leaves ; and I have known them to carry off the eggs, 

 how, I cannot positively say. I have known several instances 

 of birds removing even their young, though in many cases it 

 seemed almost impossible for them to do so. In the case of 

 the Scarlet Tanagers, to which I have just referred, one could 

 plainly see their eggs from the ground through the bottom of 



V 



