OF NEW ENGLAND. 135 
(though I have a specimen measuring 1°10X:*70 of an inch). 
They are strongly like the eggs of the Swainson’s Thrush ( §1, 
I, D), being light greenish-blue, with usually rather faint (but 
sometimes thick and strong) markings of umber-brown, which 
is sometimes replaced by purplish. 
(c). The gaudy Scarlet Tanagers are summer-residents 
throughout the eastern United States, but are rare in northern 
New England and Canada, beyond which they never (?) go. 
They reach Eastern Massachusetts in the second or third week 
of May, and leave it in September, but during their stay here 
are rather confined to localities. They frequent orchards, and 
groves of chestnuts, oaks, and nut-trees, often showing a pref- 
erence for swampy woods if not too thick. They feed upon 
the larger winged insects, upon caterpillars, upon seeds and 
berries, and so never have occasion to be much on the ground. 
They often arrive in pairs, but at other times they appear in 
small parties of three or four, mating subsequently, after the 
males have fought the quarrels incident to the period of court- 
ship. In the latter part of May they build their loosely con- 
structed nests, and the females lay their eggs, the incubation 
of which occupies them about thirteen days, the usual period 
of incubation among a majority of the Insessorian birds. In 
this stage of their household duties, the wonderful wisdom 
everywhere displayed in nature is peculiarly noticeable. The 
brilliantly colored males carefully avoid the nest, and approach 
it, when necessary, with caution and stealth, fearful of be- 
traying its presence; whereas the females, with their plain 
coloration assimilated to the surrounding foliage, sit upon it 
with safety, and care for their young. If, however, the nest is 
actually invaded or hostilely approached, the males show 
themselves, with their plumage in bold and rich contrast to 
the green leaves ; and I have known them to carry off the eggs, 
how, I cannot positively say. I have known several instances 
of birds removing even their young, though in many cases it 
seemed almost impossible for them to do so. In the case of 
the Scarlet Tanagers, to which I have just referred, one could 
plainly see their eggs from the ground through the bottom of 
