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. 



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 



148 



