278 



NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS EGGS. 



607. Louisiana Tanager. Piranga ludoviciana. 

 Range. United States, west of the Plains and north to British Columbia. 



This handsome species is black and yellow, with an 

 orange or reddish head. They are common and breed in 

 suitable localities through their range, nesting as do the 

 eastern Tanagers in trees usuallly at a low elevation, the 

 nests being saddled on the forks of horizontal branches; 

 they are made of rootlets, strips of bark, and weed stalks 

 and are usually frail like those of the Grosbeaks. Their 

 eggs, which are laid in May or June, are bluish green, 

 specked with brown of varying shades. Size .95 x .65. 



[Bluish green.] 



[Greenish blue.] 



608. Scarlet Tanager. Piranga erythromelas. 



These beautiful scarlet and black birds frequent, chiefly, 

 woodlands although they are very often found breeding in 

 orchards and small pine groves. They are quiet birds, in 

 actions, but their loud warbling song is heard at a great 

 distance, and is readily recognized by its peculiarity. They 

 nest upon horizontal limbs or forks at elevations of four 

 to twenty feet, making frail nests of twigs, rootlets and 

 weeds; they are often found in pine trees, but apparently 

 just as frequently in other kinds. Their eggs are greenish 

 blue, specked and spotted with various shades of brown. Size .95 x .65. Data. 

 Holden, Mass., May 31, 1898. Nest on low limb of an oak, 4 feet above ground; 

 of weeds and rootlets and very frail. Collector, A. C. White. 



609. Hepatic Tanager. Piranga hepatica. 



Range. Western Mexico, north to New Mexico and Arizona 

 in summer. 



This species is similar to the next but is darker red on the 

 upper parts and bright vermilion below. They nest on the 

 lower horizontal branches of trees, usually live oaks, making 

 the nests of rootlets and weeds; the eggs are bluish green, like 

 [Bluish green. ] those of the next, but the markings appear to average more 

 blotchy and brighter. Size .92 x .64. 



6 1 0. Summer Tanager, Piranga rubra. 



Range. Eastern United States, breeding from the Gulf to New York and Kan- 

 sas, and casually farther; west to Texas; winters south of our borders. 



This bird is of the size of the Scarlet Tanager, but is of a 

 uniform rosy red color, darker on the back. They are very 

 common in the South Atlantic and Gulf States. Their 

 nests are located at low elevations on horizontal branches 

 of trees in open woods, edges of clearings, or along the 

 roadside; the nests are made of strips of bark, weed stems, 

 leaves, etc., and are frail like those of the other Tanagers. 

 Their eggs are light bluish green, specked and spotted with 

 reddish brown, and not distinguishable with certainty from those of the Scarlet 

 Tanager. Size .92 x .64. 



6 1 Oa. Cooper Tanager. Piranga rubra cooperi. 



Range.- Western United States, breeding from the Mexican border and Texas 

 north to central California and Nevada. 



Similar to but slightly larger than the last. There are no differences between 

 the- nesting of this form and the last and the eggs are not in any way different. 



[Light bluish green] 



