SCARLET TANAGER. 307 



of the forest, where, timidly flitting from observation, he darts 

 from tree to tree like a flashing meteor. A gaudy sylph, con- 

 scious of his briUiance and the exposure to which it subjects 

 him, he seems to avoid remark, and is only solicitous to be 

 known to his humble mate, and hid from all besides. He 

 therefore rarely approaches the habitations of men, unless 

 perhaps the skirts of the orchard, where he sometimes, how- 

 ever, builds his nest, and takes a taste of the early and inviting, 

 though forbidden, cherries. 



Among the thick foliage of the tree in which he seeks sup- 

 port and shelter, from the lofty branches, at times we hear his 

 almost monotonous tship w'itee, tship-'idee, or tshukadee, tshu- 

 kadee repeated at short intervals and in a pensive undertone, 

 heightened by the solitude in which he delights to dwell. The 

 same note is also uttered by the female when the retreat of 

 herself and young is approached ; and the male occasionally 

 utters in recognition to his mate, as they perambulate the 

 branches, a low whispering 'tait'm a tone of caution and tender- 

 ness. But besides these calls on the female, he has also dur- 

 ing the period of incubation, and for a considerable time after, 

 a more musical strain, resembling somewhat in the mellowness 

 of its tones the song of the fifing Baltimore. The syllables 

 to which I have hearkened appear like 'tshoove 'wait 'wait 

 'vehowit wait, and ^wait 'vehowit vea wait, with other addi- 

 tions of harmony for which no words are adequate. This 

 pleasing and highly musical meandering ditty is delivered for 

 hours, in a contemplative mood, in the same tree with his 

 busy consort. If surprised, they flit together, but soon return 

 to their favorite station in the spreading boughs of the shady 

 oak or hickory. The song resembles that of the Red-eyed 

 Vireo in its compass and strain, though much superior, the 

 'wait wait being whistled very sweetly in several tones and 

 with emphasis, so that upon the whole, our Piranga may be 

 considered as duly entitled to various excellence, being harmless 

 to the farmer, brilliant in plumage, and harmonious in voice. 



These birds only sojourn long enough to rear their single 

 brood, which are here fledged early in July, leaving us already 



