196 CITIZEN BIRD 



care to be seen in such patched clothes, but prefers to 

 stay in the deep woods or travel away until his fine 

 red spring jacket is complete. Father Tanager also 

 changes his scarlet coat after the nesting. About the 

 time he counts his children and starts on his southward 

 trip, he puts on a greenish coat like his wife's gown ; 

 but he keeps his black tail and wings, so that the chil- 

 dren need not mistake him for their mother. It is 

 lucky for her that he and the boys have sense enough 

 to put on their own clothes, or such a very dressy 

 family would keep her busy looking after their toilets." 



" These Tanagers aren't very plenty about here — 

 are they. Doctor ? " asked Rap. 



"Not now, my boy; their scarlet feathers are very 

 handsome, and thoughtless, greedy people have shot so 

 many in the nesting season, to sell for bonnet trim- 

 mings, that the family is growing smalL But I hope 

 that, by making laws to protect birds and teaching 

 children everywhere what good neiglibors and Citizens 

 they are, these beautifully plumed families may increase 

 once more. 



" The Scarlet Tanager is the brightest red bird that 

 you will find in the eastern half of the United States, 

 but even he is not as showy as his western cousin, the 

 Louisiana Tanager." 



The Scarlet Tanager 



Length about seven inches. 



Male : bright scarlet with black wings and tail. 



Female : light olive-green above, dull yellow below, with dusky 

 wings and tail. 



A good Summer Citizen of North America east of the plains and 

 north of Virginia. 



Belonging to the guilds of Tree Trappers and Seed Sowers. 



