The Scarlet Tanager 87 



climate and are still especially sensitive, will 

 kill off great numbers in the north woods and 

 in Canada. They really should postpone their 

 journey a little while until the weather becomes 

 settled and there are fewer fogs on the coast. 



The male tanager, in his wedding garment, is 

 sometimes mistaken for a cardinal by people 

 who only half see any object they look at. 

 Bird study sharpens the sight wonderfully, and 

 teaches boys and girls the importance of accur- 

 rate observation. The cardinal, a larger bird, 

 is almost as large as a robin ; he is a rich, deep 

 red all over, and not a scarlet shade. Moreover 

 he wears a pointed crest by which you may al- 

 ways know him, while the tanager, whose head 

 is smooth, may be certainly named by his black 

 wings and tail. After the nesting season, the 

 tanager begins to moult and then he is a queer 

 looking object indeed in his motley coat. Only 

 little patches and streaks of scarlet remain here 

 and there among the olive green feathers that 

 gradually replace the red ones until, in winter, 

 he becomes completely transformed into ao 

 olive bird with black wings, looking like his 

 immature sons. How tiresome to have to 

 change his feathers again toward spring before 

 he can hope to woo and win a mate ! 



The exacting little lady bird, who demands 

 such fine feathers, is herself quietly clad in light 

 olive green with a more yellowish tinge on hei 



