SCARLET TANAGER. 389 
acquire a beautiful transverse band of glowing red on the smaller 
wing-coverts ; and I have several specimens in this state, presented to 
me by Mr Harris and Dr Trupeav. 
The Scarlet Tanager proceeds as far northward as Lake Huron, 
where it was observed by Dr Ricuarpson ; but this must happen rarely, 
as it is very sensible to cold, so much so indeed, that in the State of Mas- 
sachusetts, should a sudden change take place in the weather, during the 
time of their spring migrations, hundreds die in the course of a night, not 
only in the woods and orchards, but even in the towns and villages. I 
witnessed a like occurrence at Eastport in Maine late inMay, when I was 
on my way to Labrador; and as I was proceeding to the Texas, I ob- 
served that they sought the shelter of the low bushes, when the weather 
was damp or chill.. None were seen after we left the former place, 
though they are at times found breeding in the British provinces of New 
Brunswick and Nova Scotia. In the United States they seem ex- 
tremely partial to certain districts, generally preferring sandy soils and 
undulating grounds. Thus, I found them breeding abundantly in Loui- 
siana, but rarely there in the lower parts. My friend Dr Bacuman 
informs me that they are seldom met with in the maritime districts of 
South Carolina; and that there they follow the mountain range as it 
were for a guide. Yet they are plentiful in the Jerseys, where they 
usually arrive about the middle of May, in Kentucky, and along the 
Missouri; and, in short, are generally dispersed over the Union. 
The migrations of this species are performed by night. Its flight 
on ordinary occasions is even and swift, and it passes through the woods 
in a gliding manner, when the glowing colours of the males render them 
as conspicuous as pleasing to the sight. On the branches their move- 
ments are rather sedate, and it is but seldom that they emit their 
usual notes when in motion. These are by no means musical, although 
oft repeated. They have been well imitated by Witson, who repre- 
sents them by the syllables “ chip, churr.” J have not, however, thought 
them pensive in any degree, but rather lively: and when emitting 
them, the bird often inflates his throat, stands erect, and vibrates his 
body, as if in perfect ecstacy. 
It is by no means true, as authors allege, that the Scarlet Tanager 
retires from the sight of man, and prefers the deepest recesses of the 
forest to the neighbourhood of the husbandman’s cottage; at least, 
_ this is not the case in those parts of our country where the population 
jS not very dense ; for I have observed it to take up its abode for a 
