316 TANAGERS. 



several birds were observed ; not uncommon in 1833-'34 (see Bull. Nutt. Orn. 

 Club, iii, 1878, pp. 45, 190). 



Nest^ bulky, of coarse grasses and leaves, lined with finer grasses and 

 sometimes long hairs, on the ground or in low trees or bushes. £ggs^ four 

 to live, pale blue, '80 x -60. 



Thirty to forty years ago these birds were more or less common in 

 the middle Atlantic States, but they are now of rare occurrence east 

 of the Alleghanies. In Texas I have seen them migrating in closely 

 massed flocks of several hundred individuals, all silent, except for an 

 occasional cack. They alight on the prairie to feed ; birds in the rear 

 are constantly arising and passing to the front ; there is ceaseless mo- 

 tion. 



In the summer Dickcissel makes his home in grassy fields and 

 pastures, and from a weed stalk or bordering fence, with uplifted head, 

 he announces his presence as though life itself depended on his vocal 

 exertions. It is a poor song from a musical standpoint, but pleasing 



because of the singer's earnestness ; 



: [::=gT=3^iij=jz:3-. 



The Lark Bunting {605. Calamospiza melanocorys), a western species, 

 has been recorded from Massachusetts, Long Island, and South Carolina. 



Family Tanagrid^. Tanagers. 



The Tanagers form a distinctively American family, and are most 

 abundant in the tropics. About three hundred and fifty species are 

 known, of which only five reach the United States. They are re- 

 markable, as a whole, for the brilliancy of their plumage, and on;* 

 Scarlet Tanager is therefore no exception to the rule. 



They are arboreal and for the most part forest-inhabiting, feeding 

 on flowers, fruit, and insects. The tropical species are of a roving dis- 

 position, and wander through the forests in search of certain trees 

 bearing ripe fruit, near which they may always be found in num- 

 bers. 



As a rule they are not musical. A few species have more or less 

 pleasing songs, but the voices of the majority are weak and squeaky. 



KEY TO THE SPECIES. 



A. With red in the plumage. 



a. Wings and tail black 608. Scarlet Tanager 3 . 



b. Wings and tail like the body 610, Summer Tanager i . 



^B. Without red in the plumage. 



a. Under parts, including under wing-coverts, dull buify yellow. 



610. Summer Tanager 9 . 



b. Under parts greenish yellow, under wing-coverts white. 



608. Scarlet Tanager 9 . 



