Summer Tanager 75 



dozen in Albany County. Some seasons I have encountered 

 none. Notwithstanding the brilliant colors of the male, he 

 is an extremely sedate and retiring bird, making no effort at 

 any time to flaunt his gay plumage. Even the most 

 experienced ornithologist counts it an event when suddenly 

 the flaming colors of the beautiful creature are discovered 

 against the green of oak or chestnut trees. Some years 

 the Scarlet Tanager is rarely seen, and at other times one 

 will run across several, in an old road, perhaps, or an orchard, 

 though open groves are its favorite abiding place. The male 

 sheds his bright feathers the last of August and becomes for 

 the rest of the year similar to the female — greenish-olive, 

 brown, and pale yellow. During the breeding season the male 

 is often heard to warble, faintly but pleasingly, some of his 

 notes resembling those of the Robin. 



The nest is rather carelessly constructed and placed on a 

 limb, rarely more than twenty feet from the ground. I have 

 found more nests in orchards than in woods. 



Summer Tanager; Summer Red-bird. — Piranga 

 rubra. 7.50 



Uncommon Summer Resident 



Field marks. — Plumage dull rose-red, becoming reddish- 

 brown, or dusky on wings and tail. Female, similar to 

 erythromelas, but lighter olive. 



A pair of these birds bred near Hurstville in 1904 and 

 another pair had their nest in Pine Hills in 1905. This is 



