442 



NOETH AMERICAN BIRDS. 



i3ieo 



S^S'h'J- 



sop.e'* 



In the accompanying cut we give outline of the hill of the two varieties 

 of Pyranga cestiva as compared with a near ally, P. saira, of South Amer- 

 ica. (1,3,190, P. cestiva ; 34,344, P. mstiva var. CoojmH ; 50,994, P. saira.) 

 This species is one of wide distribution ; its habitat in the United States 



including the " Eastern Province," north 

 to Nova Scotia, and west toward the 

 Eocky Mountains, along the streams 

 watering the plains, through Texas, into 

 Eastern Mexico, Central America, and 

 the northern part of South America, as 

 well as some of the West India islands. 



In the different regions of its habitat 

 the species undergoes considerable vari- 

 ations as regards shades of color and 

 proportions. Specimens from Texas and 

 Eastern Mexico exhibit a decided ten- 

 dency to longer bills and more slender 

 forms than those of the Eastern United 

 States ; the tails longer, and colors rather purer. In Central America and 

 New Granada the species, acquires the greatest perfection in the intensity 

 and purity of the red tints, all specimens being in this respect noticeably 

 different from those of any other region.^ 



Specimens in the collection of the Smithsonian Institution, from Peru 

 (39,849 c?, 39,849 c?,and 39,850 $, head-waters Huallaga Ptiver), are undis- 

 tinguishable from those killed in the eastern United States. 



The young male exhibits a variegated plumage, the red appearing in 

 patches upon the other colors of the female ; in its changing plumage, the 

 red generally predominates on the head, and often individuals may be seen 

 with none anywhere else. In this condition there appears to be a great re- 

 semblance to the P. erythrocephala (see S3^noptical table), judging from the 

 description, but which appears to be considerably smaller, and perhaps has 

 the red of the head more continuous and sharply defined. 



The young male in first summer resembles the female, but has the yellow 

 tints deeper, the lower tail-coverts approaching orange. 



Habits. The Summer Pedbird is found chiefly in the Southern States, as 

 far nortli as Southern New Jersey and Illinois. Mr. Audubon speaks of their 

 occurring in Massachusetts, but Mr. Lawn-ence has never known of their hav- 

 ing been found farther north than the Magnolia Swamps near Atlantic City, 

 N. J. One or two recent instances of the capture of these birds in Massa- 

 chusetts, as also in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, liave occurred, but 

 these must be regarded as purely accidental. 



^ Of this liighly colored form, the average length of five specimens is 7.55 ; in twelve the 

 average is, wing, 3.67 ; tail, 2.86 ; cnlmen, .67. The bill appears to be slightly darker than in 

 North American examples. 



