BIRDS OF NELSON COUNTY- 23 



A common summer resident. In the immediate neighbor- 

 hood of Bardstown this is the most abundant of all the 

 swallows. Their favorite nesting places about here are 

 natural cavities in the limestone cliffs that surround the 

 town. 



Family TANAGRID^: Tanagers. 



Genus Piranga. 



70. Piranga, erjrtbromelas (Vieill.). Scarlet Tanager. 



Transient. Abundant in May and Septentber ; not seen 

 during the summer ; arrives about May 1st. A bird of 

 the forest ; rarely seen about cultivated places. 



71. * Piranga rubra (Linn.). Summer Red-bird. 



A common summer resident ; arrives April 20th to 25th. 

 Fresh eggs are generally to be found about May 15th. 

 Their nesting sites are confined exclusively to "the open," 

 and almost always near a path or road. The terminal 

 j)ortion of a lower limb is selected, upon which the nest 

 is ' ' saddled ; ' ' the beech being their favorite tree. They 

 frequently build in the immediate vicinity of dwellings. 

 One was taken by me in May, 1882, in a small dogwood 

 near a cistern, directly over a paved way, and within twenty 

 or thirty feet of the house. About four- fifths of the nests 

 contain three eggs — the remainder four. They have a 

 rather pleasing song, which is heard only in May and June. 

 In September they seem to become particularly abundant, 

 and wander around in an uneasy, anxious sort of way, 

 constantly uttering their querulous call-note. 



Family FRINGILLID^: Finches, Sparrows, &c. 



Genus Carpodacus. 



72. Carpodacus purpureus {Gui:!..). Purple Finch. 



A common transient. A few probably winter here. Prin- 



