258 Birds of Xoktii C'a 



The nest is a rather shallow, saucer-shaped structure, composed of dark weed- 

 stems outside, and of light colored grass within, the colors of the two laj'ers being 

 in abrupt contrast. It is built on the horizontal limb of some medium-sized tree, 

 often an oak or pine. The eggs arc usually three in number, laid in May or June, 

 and are light green in ground-color, spotted, speckled, and blotched with various 

 shades of lilac, browaiish-purplo and dark Itrown: average size .9.5 x .CS. 



Fig. 206. Sl'MMER T.KXAOEB. 



The Summer Tanager is a better singer than its more gaudy relative in scarlet 

 and black, and its song is even more like that of the Robin, but is more continuous. 



Both the Tanagers are woodland birds, the present species being equallj' at 

 home in pine forests, mixed woods, groves of shade trees near houses, or mulberry 

 orchards. In matters of diet it seems to prefer bees and wasps. Its bill is well 

 fitted for the task of quickly crushing stinging insects. 



Although the fact is not mentioned in Chapnuui's descriptions, the females not 

 infrequentlj' have the plumage more or less flushed with red. 



47. FAMILY H I RU NDINID/E. SWALLOWS 



Swallows are found iu all parts of the workl, and may be known from other 

 perching birds by their long, pointed wings, and deeply cleft mouth, the latter being 

 a veritable dip-net with which the bird catches its insect-prej^ while on the wing 



Six genera occur with us. 



KKY TO (;e\kr.\ 



1. Color of uppcrpMrls brown. See 2. 



1. Color of uppcrparts more or less bluish. See .3. 



2. Outer web of outer primary with stiff recurved hooks. Stelgidopleryx. 



2. Outer web of outer primary witliout hooks. Jiiparia. 



3. Tail forked for more tlian half its length. Iliruitdo. 



3. Tail not forkeil for more thau half its length, tjec -4. 



4. Length more than 7.(X). Progne. 



4. Length les.s than 7.00. See 5. 

 .5. Throat wliite. Iridoprocne. 



5. Throat chestnut. Pelrochelidon, 



