BIRDS OF THE NORTHERN STATES 321 
554 White-crowned Sparrow. M. 588 Arctic Towhee. S.R. West 
and occasional S.R. of Central Dakota. 
563 Field Sparrow. S.R. 593 Cardinal. Casual S.R. 
563a@ Western Field Sparrow. S.R. 595 Rose-breasted Grosbeak. S.R. 
566 White-winged Junco. S.R. 596 Black-headed Grosbeak. S.R. 
Western Dakota. West of Central Dakota. 
583 Lincoln Sparrow. M. s98 Indigo Bunting. S.R. Rare. 
584 Swamp Sparrow. S.R. so9 = Lazuli Bunting. S.R. Western 
585 Fox Sparrow. M. _ Dakota and westward. 
587. Towhee. S.R. 
Tanager Family.— A large family of tropical, tree-living birds 
remarkable for their brilliant plumage. Only one species, the Scarlet 
Tanager, is common in the northern states, though another, the Louisiana 
Tanager, occurs in Southwestern South Dakota and westward. 
608 Scarlet Tanager. Length 7} inches. 
The male is a very conspicuous bird, his general color being bright 
scarlet and his wings and tail black. The female is olive green above 
and yellowish below. The song is 
similar to that of the robin. S.R. 
Swallow Family. — The swallows 
are to be admired for their swift and 
easy flight, their long and powerful 
wings enabling them to spend most 
of their time in the air in pursuit of 
their food, which consists almost en- 
tirely of mosquitoes and other insects. 
No birds can be of greater service. 
They search for their prey near the ground, skimming low over the 
fields with ease and grace. The bill is short, flat and broad, and the 
mouth opens conveniently wide. They have small, weak feet, and when 
alighting they select a perch which they can easily grasp, —a small 
twig, or preferably, a telegraph wire. The Barn Swallow has a deeply 
forked tail, and that of the others is more or less notched. The chief 
color of all but the last is blue-black or steel-blue; the under parts are 
mainly white; the Cliff and Barn Swallows also have chestnut on neck 
and breast. None of the family can take rank as singers, but their 
voices are very pleasant and their merry twitter is expressive of their 
ScaRLET TANAGER 
