THE SCAKLET TANAGER. 305 



in the Vale, bj the wild and embellished gorge of the 

 river, called the Bocdguas, — in some garden grounds 

 near the Flat Bridge where a fortress in ruins, with a 

 block-house above, commands a sweep of the waters, — 

 and where the waters themseves are rendered more pic- 

 turesque by occasional placid spots, blended with the 

 broken stream, in which detached tufts of Bamboos 

 and Cocoa-nut trees stand reflected in the deep, dark 

 and tranquil intervals, — a Scarlet Tanager in the most 

 brilliant summer plumage attracted attention amid 

 the verdure of the scenery. His sizeable figure, so 

 bright and glaring, as he glanced from one group of 

 trees to another, with his doubled image in the placid 

 parts of the stream, made him * the observed of all 

 observers.' The knots of travellers along the gorge 

 coming to the turnpike, spoke of the strange and 

 beautiful bird they had remarked in the river- 

 side garden above the bridge, and the turnpike- 

 keeper's attention being, in consequence, drawn to a 

 thing so curious, he went out and shot it. The 

 specimen has been brought to me, after it has been 

 preserved unskinned, and though the plumage has 

 been a good deal deranged by the unskilful manage- 

 ment of the person who has preserved it, it has 

 sufficient of the true figure to enable me to make a 

 very faithful drawing of it, and to add it to the list 

 of our migratory visitors." 



The female was with her mate, but her sober- 

 coloured plumage possessing no attractiveness, she 

 was allowed to escape unharmed, when the " leaden 

 shower " fell upon her gaudy companion. 



