^ TANAGERS. 317 



608. Piranga erythromelas Vieill. Scarlet Tanager. (See 

 Fig. 48.) Ad. 5. — -Bright scarlet, wings and tail black, under wing-coverts 

 white. Ad. 9. — Upper parts light olive-green ; wings and tail /i/scows, lightly 

 margined with olive-green ; under parts greenish yellow, /m. 3 and Ad. $ 

 in winter. — Similar to the ?, but wings and tail black. L., 7*25; W., 3-75; 

 T., 2-09 ; B. from N., -46. 



Range. — Eastern North America; breeds from southern Illinois and Vir- 

 ginia to Manitoba and ISew Brunswick; winters in Central and northern 

 South America. 



Washington, common T. V., rare S. K., Apl. 28 to Oct. 7. Sing Sing, com- 

 mon S. K., May 4 to Oct. 9. Cambridge, rather common S. E., May 12 to Oct. 1. 



Nest., of line twigs and weed stalks, lined with vine tendrils and blossom 

 stems, generally near the end of a horizontal limb, seven to twenty feet up. 

 J^ygs., three to four, pale bluish white or greenish blue, with numerous rufous 

 or rufous-brown markings, -88 x -68. 



In watching birds, there are certain sights and sounds that make a 

 day memorable much as a beautiful sunset does. I say to myself, 

 " I have seen a Scarlet Tanager to-day ! " or, " I have listened to a 

 Hermit Thrush this evening." 



High among the tree tops of the cool green woods the Tanager 

 sings through the summer days. Hidden by the network of leaves 

 above us, we often pass him by; but once discovered he seems to 

 illuminate the forest. We marvel at his color. He is like a Bird of 

 Paradise in our northern landscape. 



We are first guided to him by his call and song. They are pecul- 

 iar, and both have a rare woods flavor. The call is a distinctly uttered 

 chip-chirr. The song is a loud, cheery, rhythmical carol, suggesting 

 the song of the Robin. 



Inside the green woods the Tanager spends the summer, flying 

 down to visit his nest in the fresh young undergrowth or to bathe in 

 the still forest pools, and hunting and singing in the tree tops high 

 overhead. ' Florence A. Merriam. 



610. Piranga rubra (Linn.). Summer Tanager. Ad. s. — Kose- 

 red, brighter below ; wings fuscous, margined with rose-red. Ad. 9 . — Upper 

 parts orange olive-green ; under parts yellowish orange. Ini. 6 . — Eesembles 

 the 9 . L., 7-50 ; W., 3-75 ; T., 290 ; B. from N., -55. 



Range. — Eastern United States; breeds from Florida to southern New 

 Jersey, wandering casually to Nova Scotia ; winters in Central and South 

 America. 



Washington, uncommon S. R., Apl. 28 to Sept. 15. 



Nest., of leaves, sti'ips of bark, etc., generally near the extremity of a limb, 

 about twenty feet up. Eggs., three to four, bluish white or greenish blue, with 

 numerous cinnamon- or olive-brown markings, -96 x -68. 



This is a common summer resident of our Southern States, arriving 

 in Florida early in April. It frequents open, rather than dense woods, 



