TANAGERS 413 



1903. RHOADS, S. N., Cassinia, 17-28 (historical). 1904. MILLER, 

 W. DE W., Auk, XXI, 487 (nesting in N. J.). 



The LARK BUNTING (605. Calamospiza melanocorys} , a western species, 

 has been recorded from Massachusetts, Long Island, and South Carolina. 



53. FAMILY TANGAKID^E. TANAGERS. (Fig. 65.) 



Although a distinctively American family, the Tanagers are so 

 closely related to the Finches that it is not clear to which family certain 

 genera should be referred. About three hundred and fifty species are 

 known, most of them being confined to the tropics, and only four species, 

 all migratory, reach the United States. They are remarkable, as a 

 whole, for the brilliancy of their plumage, as well as for their marked 

 sexual differences in color, and our Scarlet Tanager is, therefore, no 

 exception to the rule. 



They are arboreal and for the most part forest-inhabiting birds, 

 feeding on flowers, fruit, and insects. The tropical species are of a 

 roving disposition, and wander through the forests in search of certain 

 trees bearing ripe fruit, near which they may always be found in num- 

 bers. As a rule, they are not musical. A few species, including ours, 

 have more or less pleasing songs, but the voices of the majority are 

 weak and squeaky. 



KEY TO THE SPECIES 



A. With red in the plumage. 



a. Wings and tail black 608. SCARLET TANAGER cf. 



b. Wings and tail like the body 610. SUMMER TANAGER & . 



B. Without red in the plumage. 



a. Underparts, including under wing-coverts, dull buffy yellow. 



610. SUMMER TANAGER ? 

 6. Underparts greenish yellow, under wing-coverts white. 



608. SCARLET TANAGER ; 



608. Piranga erythromelas Vieill. SCARLET TANAGER. (Fig. 65.) 

 Ad. <? in summer. Bright scarlet, wings and tail black, under wing-cov- 

 erts white. Ad. & in winter. Similar to the 9 , but wings and tail black. 

 Im. <? in winter. Similar to 9 , but wing-coverts black. Im. <? in summer. 

 Similar to ad. cf in summer, but primaries and secondaries as in winter. 

 The adult summer plumage is acquired at the second spring (prenuptial) molt. 

 Ad. 9. Upperparts light olive-green; wings and tail fuscous, lightly mar- 

 gined with olive-green; underparts greenish yellow. L., 7'25; W., 3*75; 

 T., 2-09; B. from N., "46. 



Range. E. N. Am. and n. S. Am. Breeds mainly in Alleghanian and 

 Carolinian faunas from se. Sask., cen. Man., cen. Ont., s. Que., N. B., and 

 N. S. s. to s. Kans., n. Ark., Tenn., n. Ga., and mts. of Va. and S. C.; winters 

 from Colombia to Peru; migrates through Cuba, Jamaica, and Yucatan, 

 and along the e. coast of Cen. Am.; casual in migration in Wyo., Colo., the 

 Bahamas, and Lesser Antilles. 



Washington, common T. V., less common S. R., Apl. 17-Oct. 15. Ossin- 

 ing, common S. R., May 4-Oct. 9. Cambridge, rather common S. R., May 

 12-Oct. 1. N. Ohio, common S. R., Apl. 28-Oct. 2. Glen Ellyn, not com- 

 mon S. R., Apl. 30-Sept. 29. SE. Minn., common S. R., Apl. 29-Sept. 11. 



'Nest, of fine twigs and weed-stalks, lined with vine tendrils and blossom 

 stems, generally near the end of a horizontal limb, 7-20 feet up. Eggs, 3-4, 



