46


and even Budgerigars frequently drive them away if they

approach them whilst feeding.


During their short residence in my aviary one of the

cocks has paired with the hen, and on the 24th October (exactly

seven weeks after date of arrival) the hen bird laid her first

egg; and on the 28th she was closely sitting on five pure

white eggs.


If any young are reared, I will ask you to let me record

the fact.



THE SONGS OF TANAGERS.

By Arthur G. Buti^kr, Ph.D.


Dr. Carl Russ says of Tanagers : — "They have no true

song, only low harsh unpleasant sounds," and, because he

regards the Violet Tanager as an exception to this rule, he

adopts for it the name of ''The Common Organist" or

" Whistler," yet he says that it is " decidedly not a superior

songster," although Mr. Abrahams pronounces it " a magnificent

songster."


Undoubtedly the renowned German aviculturist is,

generally speaking, a very trustworthy guide in the treatment

of birds ; and what he tells us of their habits rightl}^ commands

our respect ; but, when we consider that none of his Tanagers

lived long ; that, by his own admission, they were invariably

dirty, greed}^, and abominably stupid, it stands to reason that we

must accept his statements respecting their vocal acquirements

C2WZ grano salis.


The Tanagers being intermediate in structure and in

nidification between Finches and Warblers, it would be a curious

fact, if it were a fact, that all, with the exception of the species

of Euphonia, were songless.


A German lady, Mrs. A. Musil, stated that her Scarlet

Tanager uttered "clear Thrush-like sounds and a beautiful soft

song, rich in variations, somewhat resembling that of the Robin,"

and Dr. Russ quoted the statement with a note of interrogation,

yet he does not appear to have attempted to investigate the

matter for himself. When I have kept my two fine males long

enough for them to become confiding, perhaps they will give me

an opportunity of forming an opinion respecting the merit of

their performance.


My Superb Tanager, which I purchased on May 28th, 1897,

moulted into splendid plumage last autumn, and is, without



