SONG BIRDS OF OBCHARD AND WOODLAND. 213 



are large groves of white oaks Tanagers are sure to come. 

 They also frequent the detached oaks that are found in pas- 

 tures near woodland. The chestnut is another favorite tree. 



This bird seems to have increased somewhat in numbers 

 within the last forty years, and for at least twenty years has 

 been common and sometimes abundant in the greater part 

 of Massachusetts. It is somewhat local, however, and is 

 rarely as common anywhere as the Robin or Song Sparrow. 

 It is distinctly an arboreal bird, and seeks its food mainly 

 among the foliage of trees, where from the higher branches 

 its song may be most often heard. The lay resembles 

 somewhat that of a Robin, but is shorter and less varied, 

 with a little apparent hoarseness or harshness in the tone. 

 Gentry's rendering of the song as chi-chi-chH^char-ee, char- 

 ee-cM, represents it fairly well. At times it seems ventri- 

 loquial, and the bird is difficult to find, for its brilliant 

 plumage is not so conspicuous among the shadows of the 

 foliage as one would naturally expect to find it. It sings at 

 intervals all through the day, but more often at early morning 

 and at night. A sudden noise, like a shout or the rumbling 

 of a carriage along the road, sometimes startles the Tanager 

 into song, or brings out the alarm note, ckijp, churr, or the 

 sharp chip uttered by this bird. 



After the leaves have attained their full size, the Tanager, 

 which feeds mostly in the trees, is hidden much of the time 

 by the foliage of the tree tops, and so is seldom seen except 

 by those who know its notes and are looking for it. For this 

 reason it is commonly considered rai-e. 



In its food preferences the Tanager is the appointed guard- 

 ian of the oaks. It is drawn to these trees as if they were 

 magnets, but the chief attraction seems to be the vast num- 

 ber of insects that feed upon them'. It is safe to say that 

 of all the many hundreds of insects that feed upon the oaks 

 few escape paying tribute to the Tanager at some period 

 of their existence. We are much indebted to this beautiful 

 bird for its share in the preservation of these noble and 

 valuable trees. It is not particularly active, but, like the 

 Vireos, it is remarkably observant, and slowly moves about 

 among the branches, continually finding and persistently de- 



