THE SCARLET TANAGER 23 



fore I came out of them, I put my opera-glass on 

 two of those wonderful scarlet and black birds. 

 It was a day to be remembered. 



Since that time, of course, I have seen many 

 like them. In one sense, their beauty has become 

 to me an old story ; but I hope that I have set 

 here and there a reader on a hunt that has been 

 as happily rewarded as mine was on that bright 

 summer afternoon. In one respect, the beginner 

 has a great advantage over an old hand. He has 

 the pleasure of more excitement and surprise. 



The bird to be looked for is a little longer than 

 a bluebird, of a superb scarlet color except for 

 its wings and tail, which, as I have said, are jet- 

 black. I speak of the male in full spring costume. 

 His mate does not show so much as a red feather, 

 but is greenish yellow, or yellowish green, with 

 dark not black wings and tail. 



You may see the tanager once in a while in 

 the neighborhood of your house, if the grounds 

 are set with shade-trees, but for the most part 

 he lives in woods, especially in hard woods of a 

 fairly old growth. 



One of the first things for you to do, with him 

 as with all birds, is to acquaint yourself with his 

 call-notes and his song. The call is of two syl- 

 lables, and sounds like chip-chirr. It is easily 

 remembered after you have once seen the bird in 



