8i 



all the winter, and I cannot find words to describe how 

 very lovely they look, their plumage is grand, the 

 scarlet being of such intense red, with a beautiful 

 shimmering gloss over the whole plumage, that they are 

 indeed very lovel}' ; but with all their loveliness, what 

 spiteful little creatures they are! being very difficult 

 to keep with other birds, especially those having any 

 scarlet colour in their plumage; you cannot leave 

 them together in the aviary without risk* ; for 

 instance, my Virginian and Red-headed Cardinals, and 

 also the Crimson-shouldered Whydah have suffered 

 from the continuous persecution of the Scarlet 

 Tanagers ; they could get no rest until I moved them 

 into another aviar^^ All this commotion and uproar 

 occurred about the first week in January last ; I 

 wondered if the Tanagers wanted quietude, so 

 watched them to see if they wanted to nest. I soon 

 found this to be the case, for one morning whilst 

 feeding my birds, I noticed the cock Tanager pick up 

 an empty millet spray, and ^y away with it to the very 

 highest place in the aviaiy, and begin to build a nest. 

 After this was completed the hen laid some eggs, but 

 how many I cannot say, for the nest was too high up 

 for observation, and I dare not run the steps up, as 

 female Tanagers are very nervous birds; however, 

 about the early part of February, I was sadly dis- 

 appointed to find two little baby Tanagers lying dead 

 on the aviary floor. This is the second nest of Tanagers 

 that I have had, but I regret to say, so far none of the 



* This demeanour appears to be common with all species that have so 

 far attempted to nest in captivity, and also with those kept in pairs as the 

 breeding season approaches, they are very unsafe company for any birds 

 weaker than themselves, and often for those apparently their equal in 

 strength.— Rd. 



