298 PERCHERS AND SINGERS 



Nature has developed the members of the Swallow Family 

 to catch insects in mid-air, where very few other birds can 

 successfully pursue the flying pests. For this reason, if for 

 no other, all these birds should be most rigidly protected, 

 and encouraged by all the blandishments known to bird- 

 lovers. 



There are three Swallows which so much resemble each 

 other that it requires a reference to a good handbook of birds 

 to identify them. These are the Cliff, Bank and Tree 

 Swallows. The Barn Swallow can be distinguished from 

 these three by its very long and deeply forked tail, the tails 

 of all the others being rather short. 



THE TANAGER FAMILY 

 Tanagridde 



The male Scarlet Tanager 1 is one of the most showy 

 small birds of our American Passeres. Excepting its wings, 

 which are jet black, its entire plumage is of a clear scarlet 

 hue, as bright as the brightest ribbon. There is no precious 

 stone which compares with it, for beside it the ruby is dull. 

 The cardinal grosbeak is not nearly so bright as the male 

 Tanager. 



Wherever seen, the male Scarlet Tanager fixes the atten- 

 tion of the observer, and challenges admiration. It is an 

 early spring arrival from the South, and in Washington, D. 

 C, I have seen it in the parks while the trees were yet leafless. 

 Some of those which come annually to the Zoological Park, 



1 Pi-ran'ga e-ryth-ro-me'las. Length, 6.50 inches. 



