86 History of Hingham. 



mile one of his young, submitting to feed it attentively through 

 the bars of a cage, and with a devotion which despair could not 

 damp, roost by it in the branches of the same tree with its prison. 

 So strong, indeed, is this innate and heroic feeling that life itself 

 is less cherished than the desire of aiding and supporting his 

 endearing progeny." 



As most of our birds are known to suffer intensely in being- 

 deprived of their young, it would seem that the recital of such a 

 case as that given should lead to a feeling of more interest than 

 is always manifested in protecting our native species from cruel 

 molestation. 



It is pleasant to add that in the instance mentioned, of the 

 young Tanager followed and tended by the courageous parent, the 

 heart of the person having it in charge was so moved by the ex- 

 hibition of parental devotion, that the cage was opened after four 

 days, and the young set free. Happily reunited, parent and off- 

 spring flew into the deep woods. 



The Tanager in some rare instances has been known to build 

 its nest near the residence of man, when this has stood near the 

 border of a forest. 



The body of the male is scarlet-red, and the wings and tail are 

 black in the pairing season. In the autumn he becomes, like the 

 female and young, of a dull green color. 



The Tanager is but for a short time a resident in the North, 

 arriving about the middle of May, and leaving for his tropical 

 home verv earlv in August. 



