304 BRANCH CHORDATA 



Although the tanagers are distinctively American, only five of them come 

 so far north as the United States. They are remarkable for their brilliant 

 plumage. When one sees the tanager in his royal or " court costume " one 

 feels that this beautiful bird of summer has indeed put brightness into 

 that day. Tanagers are arboreal, loving the woods. They feed on 

 flowers, fruit, and insects. 



Swallows {Hi'ruiidui'idir) have a remarkable power of flight. In 

 summer they are found throughout North America. Our barn swallow in 

 winter goes as far south as Brazil. The number of injurious and annoying 

 insects which they catch on the wing is almost beyond imagination. 



The wax-wings ( A m pel' idw) (Fig. 249) are found in the northern parts of 

 both the Old and New '\\'orlds, though there are but three Sjiecies. They 

 feed chiefly on wild fruits and insects, including the elm beelle. They are 



Fig. 249. — Cedar wax-wing. (Biological Survey, U. S. Dopt. Agricul.) 



usually found in small flocks. Their common notes are a few unmusical 

 calls, which our cedar wax-wing usually utt(^rs when about to fly.' The 

 quiet beauty of these birds is beyond all description. 



The warblers {Mnintil'liilir) are characteristic North American birds 

 and number more than 100 species, of which 70 \ isit the United States. The 

 others are tropical. \\'ith us in the temperate region they are only birds 

 of passage, making us brief but regular \-isit.s in May as they go to their 

 northern breeding ground, and again in September as they return to the 

 southland. Most of them are woodland birds. Some are terrestrial, some 

 arboreal, and others are lovers of the tliickets. They migrate by night. 

 Insects constitute nearly their entire food, and they are among our best 

 friends. 



' Reed and Chapman. 



