TANAGERS 413 
1903. Ruoaps, S. N., Cassinia, 17-28 (historical).—1904.. Minumr, 
W. De W., Auk, Xx 487 (nesting in N. J.). 
The Lark Buntine (606. Calamospiza melanocorys), ‘a western species, 
has been recorded from Massachusetts, Long Island, and South Carolina. 
53. Famity Tancarips. Tanacsrs. (Fig. 65.) 
Although a distinctively American family, the Tanagers are so 
closely related to the Finches that it is not clear to which family certain 
genera should be referred. About three hundred and fifty species are 
known, most of them being confined to the tropics, and only four species, 
all migratory, reach the United States. They are remarkable, as a 
whole, for the brilliancy of their plumage, as well as for their marked 
sexual differences in color, and our Scarlet Tanager is, therefore, no 
exception to the rule. 
They are arboreal and for the most part forest-inhabiting birds, 
feeding on flowers, fruit, and insects. The tropical species are of a 
roving disposition, and wander through the forests in search of certain 
trees bearing ripe fruit, near which they may always be found in num- 
bers. As a rule, they are not musical. A few species, including ours, 
have more or less pleasing songs, but the voices of the majority are 
weak and squeaky. 
KEY TO THE SPECIES 
A. With red in the plumage. 
a. Wings and tail black . - . » . 608. ScaRLET TANAGER ¢ 
6. Wings and tail like the body - - « « « « 610. SUMMER TANAGER & 
B. Without red in the plumage. 
a. Underparts, including under wing-coverts, dull buffy yellow. 
610. SumMER TANAGER 9 
6. Underparts greenish yellow, under wing-coverts white. 
608. ScaRLET TANAGER 9. 
608. Piranga erythromelas Vieill. Scaruet Tanacer. (Fig. 65.) 
Ad. @ in summer. —Bright scarlet, wings and tail black, under wing-cov- 
erts white. Ad. ¢ in winter. —Similar to the 9, but wings and tail black. 
Im. @ in winter.—Similar to ¢, but wing-coverts black. Im. 7 in summer. 
—Similar to.ad. ¢ in summer, but primaries and secondaries as in winter. 
The adult summer plumage is acquired at the second spring (prenuptial) molt. 
Ad. ¢.—Upperparts light olive-green; wings and _ tail fuscous, lightly mar- 
gined with olive-green; underparts greenish yellow. L., 7°25; W., 3°75; 
T., 2:09; B. from N., ° 
Range. —E. N. Am. and n. 8. Am. Breeds mainly in Alleghanian and 
Carolinian faunas from se. Sask., cen. Man., cen. Ont., s. Que., N. B., and 
N.S. s. tos. Kans., n. Ark., Tenn., n. Ga., and mts. of Va. and S. Ci winters 
from Colombia to Peru; migrates through Cuba, Jamaica, and Yucatan, 
and along the e. coast of Cen. Am.; casual in migration in Wyo., Colo., the 
Bahamas, and Lesser Antilles. 
Washington, common T. V., less common &. R., Apl. 17—Oct. 15. res 
ing, common S. R., May 4-Oct. 9. Cambridge, rather common 8. Ris 
12-Oct. 1. N. Ohio, common 8. R., Apl. 28-Oct. 2. Glen Ellyn, not Bee 
mon 8. R., Apl. 30-Sept. 29. SE. Minn., common S. R., Apl. 29-Sept. 11. 
Nest, of fine twigs and weed-stalks, lined with vine tendrils and blossom 
stems, generally near the end of a horizontal limb, 7-20 feet up. -Eggs, 3-4, 
