310 SINGING BIRDS. 



musical shake on the fife, and is frequently repeated. The 

 note of the female is a chattering, and appears almost like the 

 rapid pronunciation of tshicky-tukky-tuk, tshicky-tukky-tuk, and 

 is chiefly uttered 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 is usually 

 mute ; while the loquacity and brilliance of the male render 

 him, as he flits timidly and wildly through the branches, 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 various kinds, 

 after which he often darts about until hindered by the ap- 

 proach of night. The late suppers are probably necessary, 

 from the almost nocturnal habits of some of these insect 

 tribes. After the period of incubation, and until their depar- 

 ture, whortleberries and other kinds of berries form no incon- 

 siderable part of the food of these birds. 



This species does not occur regularly north of New Jersey, 

 southern Ohio, and southern Illinois. Occasionally stragglers are 

 found in Connecticut and Massachusetts, and two examples have 

 been taken in New Brunswick, one in Nova Scotia, four near 

 Montreal, and one at Hamilton, Ontario. 



Note. — Specimens of the Louisiana Tanager {Piranga 

 ludoviciand) — a Western species — have been taken in New York, 

 Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Maine. 



INDIGO BUNTING. 

 Passerina cyanea. 



Char. Male: indigo blue, intense on head and throat, other parts 

 tinged with green ; black bar from bill to eyes : wings and tail brown, the 

 edge of feathers tinged with blue. Female : above, brown ; below, much 

 paler, with dark streaivs. Length about 5^ inches. 



Nest. On the margin of a meadow or country road, or in an orchard 

 or garden, in a bush or low tree, placed in an upright crotch ; a rather 



