150 BIRDS THROUGH AN OPERA-GLASS. 



Like the vireos, although the tanagers seem to 

 prefer the higher branches and tree tops in sing- 

 ing and hunting, their nest, a "saucer shaped 

 structure," constructed of wiry dead grass-stems 

 and like materials, "is built usually on a low 

 branch. The eggs are pale bluish or greenish, 

 spotted or speckled with brown." 



The tanagers belong in pigeon-hole No. 5, which 

 is marked " tanagers," and is between the -"finches, 

 sparrows, etc.," of No. 4 and the swallows of No. 

 6. Unlike the flycatchers and sparrows the males 

 are brilliant birds, whose plumage varies greatly 

 with the season, and whose plain wives are in 

 marked contrast to them. But compare their 

 unobtrusive ways with those of the catbird, the 

 restless kinglets, chickadees, and blue jays ; and 

 their habits with those of the ground-loving oven- 

 bird, the nuthatch, snowbird, and partridge, and 

 you will see that the difference lies deeper than 

 color. 



XLIII. 



BROWN THRASHER. 



IN a Massachusetts sand flat, where nothing but 

 sand burrs and low scrubby bushes could flourish, 

 I heard my first thrasher song. There were a 

 pair of birds in a clump of bushes, and we came 

 up within a few yards without disturbing them. 

 Their backs were rich reddish-brown, and their 



