SMALL BIRD TALK 521 



THE SCARLET TANAGER, 



it was not long before I caught sight of a fiery 

 red bird with black wings and scarlet body, and 

 later saw his modestly garbed mate. 



Continuing my walk, I entered the wood of tall 

 chestnuts, sweet gums, oaks, maples, and dogwood, 

 whose many branches form a shade which 

 shelters the jacks-in-the-pulpit, wild geraniums, 

 violets, and anemones. This wood is in the heart 

 of the old village of Flushing, and only about two 

 blocks long and one in width, but it is composed 

 of tall and ancient trees, and in them I discovered 

 several of these birds. 



Once I saw five male tanagers in an oak tree, 

 but this happened in the spring. The same scarlet 

 tanager builds its nest on this corner (Bowne and 

 Amity Streets) year after year. 



Last year its nest was in the oak tree in front 

 of our home; this year I have not discovered it, 

 but the male bird is never over a hundred yards 

 from the corner, and with the exception of three 

 days it has not ceased to sing from early morn 

 until dewy eve; it is indeed a most tireless singer, 

 but it's summer song of 



"OH DEAR! TOO RICH, TOO RICH, TOO RICH 

 FOR ME !" 



has not the rollicking enthusiasm of its robin-like 

 song in the springtime, when it crys : 



" Chur cheer chinic chinic wee wick cheer week. 



