SOME BIRDS THAT COME IN MAY 421 
places it is said to be increasing; and as it is distinctly 
a bird of high trees, where its nest of loosely built sticks 
is placed, it is not so much affected by the modern plague 
of cats as either Robin, Song Sparrow, or the Thrushes. 
‘The song resembles somewhat that of the Robin, but 
is shorter and less varied, with a little apparent hoarse- 
ness or harshness in the tone. Chi-chi-chi-char-ee, char- 
éé-chi represents it fairly well.’ It also has a sharp 
‘Chip-churr!’ alarm note. 
“The Robin, Grosbeak, and Tanager all have certain 
notes in common, so that when they all sing at once, it 
is often difficult to distinguish the individual songs. 
“The Tanager is the guardian of the forest trees and 
their insect pests. As a caterpillar hunter, it is said 
‘he has but few superiors.’ He finds the leaf-rolling 
caterpillar in its snug retreat and destroys myriads of 
weevils, click-beetles, and crane-flies. The Tanager also 
visits orchards, and in early spring, during the mi- 
grations, he braves danger and feeds in the furrows of 
ploughed land in the same way as the Grackles and Robins. 
“The Tanagers are unique little specimens when they 
first leave the nest, for the male birds undergo as many 
changes of colour as Harlequin in the pantomime. After 
the down of nestlings, they wear the dull colour of the 
mother, and before they put on the full spring plumage, 
they go through a stage of patchwork such as you see 
in this picture in my portfolio. Then after being bright 
red all summer, they again go through the patchwork 
state before leaving in fall. 
“The coming of cold weather evidently warns this 
Tanager to go, for being provided with a dull travelling 
