io8 



THE SC \kl.KT TANAGER. 



and carriage and is oftenest seen in cli.se company with him. Both birds are 

 rather sedate in movement ami have the habit of inclining the head t" peer down 

 at the observer with dignified interest. 



The males arrive a few days in advance of their mates and at such 

 times only may be found in close proximity t<> each other. Never shall I for- 

 get the day. when in treading an overgrown path by the riverside I came 

 suddenly upon four males on a single limb not twenty feet away. The vis- 

 inn smote me like a blinding flash. The two oldest of the group were cer- 

 tainly among the most magnificent birds ever seen in Northern latitudes. 

 Their coats were re-dyed to the point of scarlet saturation, and as they 

 moved off slowly the memory of the bird-man received an indelible image 

 of the Must Beautiful Four. 



Sheltered woodlands, especially in broken country, shady hillsides, and 

 the banks of streams, are favorite places for this bird; while second-growth 

 clearings, open groves, and the trees which overlook unfrequented roads, 

 also furnish acceptable nesting sites. In such places the Tanager's song 

 may he heard throughout the morning hours. It is remotely comparable to 

 that of the Robin, but it is more stereotyped in form, briefer, and uttered at 



