The Birds’ Calendar 
several times repeated. Among the commonest 
sounds in the country in late summer are the 
clusters of notes from the goldfinch (not its 
warble) in its wavy flight far overhead, one 
cluster in each undulation, and—to be precise— 
synchronizing with its wing-vibrations, which 
occur in the last or rising half of each wave. 
9 
That one’s heartiest admiration of a bird is 
rooted in something else than the physical charm 
of rich color is conclusively shown in the case 
of the scarlet tanager—without exception the 
most gorgeously apparelled specimen that ever 
appears in this latitude. Even the bright tint 
of the cardinal grosbeak looks like a pale wash 
in comparison with the intense scarlet that cov- 
ers the entire body of the tanager, which in the 
direct sunlight glows with dazzling brilliancy, 
the effect relieved and yet heightened by the 
jet-black wings and tail. And as I saw it 
perched upon the branch of an evergreen, the 
effect, as a mere composition of color, was 
strikingly beautiful. But further observation 
will modify your estimate. His beauty proves 
to be only feather-deep. He has no virility. 
From his listless manner one would suppose the 
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