THE SCARLET TANAGER 23 
fore I came out of them, I put my opera-glass on 
two of those wonderful scarlet and black birds. 
It was a day to be remembered. 
Since that time, of course, I have seen many 
like them. In one sense, their beauty has become 
to me an old story; but I hope that I have set 
here and there a reader on a hunt that has been 
as happily rewarded as mine was on that bright 
summer afternoon. In one respect, the beginner 
has a great advantage over an old hand. He has 
the pleasure of more excitement and surprise. 
The bird to be looked for is a little longer than 
a bluebird, of a superb scarlet color except for 
its wings and tail, which, as I have said, are jet- 
black. Ispeak of the male in full spring costume. 
His mate does not show so much as a red feather, 
but is greenish yellow, or yellowish green, with 
dark — not black — wings and tail. 
You may see the tanager once in a while in 
the neighborhood of your house, if the grounds 
are set with shade-trees, but for the most part 
he lives in woods, especially in hard woods of a 
fairly old growth. 
One of the first things for you to do, with him 
as with all birds, is to acquaint yourself with his 
call-notes and his song. The call is of two syl- 
lables, and sounds like chip-chirr. It is easily 
remembered after you have once seen the bird in 
