286 BACKBONED ANIMALS. 



i The English sparrow (Fig. 271), an importation, is a 

 grain-eater when grown, but as it breeds six and even seven times 

 a year, and the young are invariably fed upon insects, it is of 

 value. Public opinion is against the pugnacious immigrant, but 

 some naturalists who have made the subject a special study think 

 that the bird is a benefit to the country on the above grounds. In 

 the Central Park Zoological Garden they have taken possession of 

 the rafters of the eagle-house, while year after year a pair rear their 

 young on the back of the iron eagle over the door of the Arsenal. 

 (See "Report of American Ornithological Union," 1884.) 



The Tanagers ( Tanagrida] include three hundred or 

 more species, confined to the warmer portions of America. 

 Their colors are brilliant, legs short, claws long, the bill 

 conical, and sometimes serrated or notched. 



The scarlet tanager (Pyranga rubra) is a familiar form 

 in the New England States. The general color of the 

 male is scarlet, the wings and tail black. Their note is 

 Chip-churr, repeated at short intervals, and at other times 

 exactly like that of a robin. They are more or less ven- 

 triloquists a protective provision their note sounding 

 far away when the bird is near at hand. The nests are 

 rudely made, the eggs marked with purple spots. 



The Swallows (Ffirvndinida) have a world-wide distri- 

 bution. The bill is broad, short, and triangular, the gape 

 wide, adapted for capturing insects on the wing, the wings 

 long and pointed, tail forked, and feet extremely weak. 



The bank swallows (Fig. 315) are remarkable for their 

 digging powers, excavating holes in the face of banks, and 

 there forming the nest. The tunnels are often six feet 

 deep. 



The barn swallow forms its nest of mud, brought in its 

 mouth and plastered against the wall, often assuming the 

 shape of that of some of the weavers. An entire nest is 

 frequently built in three days. 



The Chatterers (Ampelidcz) have a short, broad, de- 

 pressed bill, opening to the eyes, the mandibles notched 

 with a tooth behind the notch, the head generally crested. 



