176 
NEW-YORK FAUNA — BIRDS. 
THE BLACK-WINGED RED-BIRD. 
Pyranga rubra. 
PLATE LXV. FIG. 149 (Male). 
(STATE COLLECTION.) 
Tanagra rubra, Linnjeus. Canada Tanager, Pennant, Arct. Zool. Vol. 2, p. 369 (male, olive do. female).. 
Merula marilandica, BartrAm, Travels, p. 290 (bis). Pyrangra rubra, Vieillot. 
Tanagra id, Wilson, Am. Orn. Vol. 2, p. 42, pi. 11, figs. 3, 4 (male and female). 
T. ( Pyranga ) rubra. Bonaparte, Ann. Lyc. N. Y. Vol. 2, p. 105. Audubon, fol. pi. 354. Nuttall, Man. 
Orn. Vol. 1, p. 4G5. Richardson, F. B. A. Vol. 2, p. 273. Peabody, Zool. of 
Mass. p. 319. 
Pyranga id, Audubon, B. of A. Vol. 3, p. 226, pi. 209. 
P. id., Scarlet Tanager. Giraud, Birds of Long’island, p. 135. 
Characteristics. Scarlet red. Wings and emarginate tail black. Base of the plumage 
ash; then white. Female and young, olive green; beneath yellow. 
Wings and tail dusky. Length, 7 inches. 
Description. Bill robust, rather short, compressed towards the end, acute : a faint notch 
towards the tip. Claws large and arched. Second quill longest. Very small bristles at the 
base of the upper mandible. 
Color, as in the specific phrase. Axillary feathers, inner lower wing-coverts, and a part 
of the inner webs of the quills white. Female, olive or yellowish green ; the secondaries and 
tail tipped with white. The young male, after the moult, often spotted with greenish yellow, 
and every feather marked with black. 
Length, 6"5-7'0. Alar spread, 10'5-11 - 5. 
The Black-winged Red-bird, or Fire-bird and Tanager, as it is often called in this State, 
reaches us from the tropics about the middle of May, and extends its migrations north to the 
49th parallel, where, however, it is rare. It is a shy solitary bird, breeding in this State, and 
laying from three to five bluish eggs speckled with brown. Feeds on insects and their larvas; 
preferring, however, beetles, wasps, etc. They also eat berries and grapes. They leave this 
State in September, migrating by night. 
(EXTRA-LIMITAL.) 
P. ludoviciana. (Aun. B. of A. Vol. 3, pi. 210.) Greenish yellow. Head all round carmine red; 
back, wings and tail black; wings bifasciate with yellow. Female: head dull green; back, wings 
and tail brownish tinged with green. Length, 7 inches. Louisiana. 
