66 CHECK LIST OF THE 



Genus SPIZA. 

 (*) (604) Dickcissel. 



(Spiza americana.) 

 Mr. Saunders has recorded the occurrence of this bird in south- 

 western Ontario as a summer resident, and I have heard of it at other 

 points along our southern boundary. 



Family TANAGRID^. (The Tanagers.) 



Bill in our species stout, finch-like, considerably longer than broad, 

 and more or less evidently toothed near the middle of upper mandible. 

 Tarsus scutellate ; legs short, claws long. Colours brilliant in the males. 



Genus PIRANGA. 

 (608) Scarlet Tanager. , 



(Piranga erythromelas.) 

 Tolerably common summer resident ; breeding throughout its range 

 in the Province. 



Arrives early in May ; departs towards the end of August. 



(*) (610) Summer Tanager. 

 (Piranga rubra.) 

 A very rare \isitor to the south-western part of the Province. Strag- 

 glers have been taken at various places as far east as Toronto. 



Family HIRUNDINID^. (The Swallows.) 



Bill short, broad, triangular, depressed, the gape wide and about 

 twice as long as the culmen, reaching to about opposite the eyes, similar 

 in its form to that of the Swifts and the Goatsuckers, with which birds, 

 however, the Swallows have no affinity. Rictus without bristles ; wings 

 very long and pointed, secondaries very short. Tail more or less forked. 

 Feet weak ; tarsus scutellate. Plumage compact, and more or less 

 lustrous. 



All are remarkably strong on the wing, and while with us entirely 

 insectivorous. ^ 



The economic importance of these birds is very great ; without them 

 the smaller v/inged insects would multiply to' such an extent as to become 

 an unbearable nuisance to men and animals ; for it is, I believe, to these 

 birds chiefly that we are indebted for our freedom, in the cleared and 

 cultivated parts of the country, from the swarms of midges, black flies, 

 and gnats of various kinds that so abound in the woods. 



These birds seem to have a great predilection for the society of men, 

 partly because the clearing he makes in a forest country opens up to 

 them the necessary space for feeding grounds and partly because the 



