BIRDS OF THE UNITED STATES. 
69 
Plate XIII. 
PYRAXGA RUBRA, Vieillot. 
Scarlet Tanager. 
The Scarlet TajvAger, a species but little known outside of tlie 
ornithological world, is more generally distributed than the casual observer 
is aware. According to various authorities, it ranges from Texas to IMaine, 
and from South Carolina in a northwesterly direction to the southern limits 
of Lake Huron. 
In the Eastern parts of Maine and JMassachusetts it is but an occa- 
sional migrant; while in the western counties of the latter State, it is 
somewhat more j)lentiful, and nests in high, open Avoods and time-bewasted 
orchards. But it is in the States of Pennsylvania, NeAv Jersey and Vir- 
ginia, and throughout the great Valley of the Mississippi, that the birds 
more especially abound and rear their young. 
EeAv sjjecies are more susceptible to cold and sudden atmospheric 
changes than the subject of our sketch. As a necessary consequence it is 
by no means a very earlj^ comer. HoAvever fond it may be of the scenes 
of last year’s labors and pleasures, it does not forsake the genial climate 
and perennial groves of its tropical American home, until balmy April 
has yielded her crown and scejAtre to the lovely goddess of May. 
The male is usually the first to appear, the time of his arriAml ante- 
dating that of his sombre-colored, less-favored comjjanion by three or four 
days, although cases are cited Avhere the sexes seemed to have performed 
the journey together. 
For some time subsequent to his advent, the male is shy and sus- 
picious, keeping aAvay from the habitations of man, lest his brilliant suit 
