THE SCARLET TANAGER. 91 
uals have been obtained in New Jersey and Penn- 
sylvania; southward from this it is more abundant, 
extending as far as Texas. It has also been seen in 
considerable numbers among the Rocky Mountains. 
Its plumage much resembles that of the Indigo Bird, 
but the blue upon the head and throat is much finer 
and lighter. Although the nest of this bird is gener- 
ally built near the ground, either in a low bush or a 
tuft of rank grass, it is observed that the male, which 
is possessed of a fine song, seldom or never utters 
more than a monotonous chirp when near it; but, 
retiring to the top of a tall detached tree, he will 
there indulge for some time in a succession of melo- 
dious strains. 
We now present to your notice a bird which is 
pre-eminently beautiful, in every sense in which the 
term is applicable. This is the Scarlet Tanager. 
Look at him, with his gracefully formed body clothed 
in the most brilliant and glowing scarlet, and his 
wings and tail of jetty black, as he sits upon a tree 
with a strong light falling upon him, or as he gam- 
bols among the thick foliage, uttering his simple 
plaintive note, and we shall behold one of the most 
lovely and attractive objects which our feathered 
world can afford. Every one should be familiar with 
the habits as well as the appearance of this elegant 
bird. It is widely scattered over the United States 
during the summer months, and although seeming 
to have a decided preference for the woods, it may 
sometimes be seen about the farm-house and in the 
orchard, where he occasionally builds his nest. This 
