36 FIELD KEY TO THE LAND BIRDS. 
92. SCARLET TANAGER. Piranga erythro- 
melas. — Length, 74 inches. Bright scarlet; wings 
and tail deep velvety black. Female and young 
olive green above and yellowish gray below; wings 
and tail blackish; resembling a Vireo in color. 
Later in the season the male changes his colors to 
those of the female. The Tanager is a wood bird, 
rarely seen on the ground or in low shrubs; feeding 
on berries, fruit, and insects. A summer bird, win- 
tering in South America. 
The great number of species of Sparrows, and the 
similarity of their coloring and habits, make it diffi- 
cult to distinguish one from another. As most species 
are here for only one season, and inhabit certain locali- 
ties, they may be divided into smaller groups, which 
will facilitate their identification. 
