BIRDS NOT OF A FEATHER 83 



within a week rid a New England village of this pest that 

 had eaten the leaves on the double row of elms which had 

 been the glory of its broad main street for more than a hun- 

 dred years. When you see these birds in an orchard, look 

 for better apples there next year. Cankerworms are a bonne 

 boucMe to them; so are grubs and caterpillars, especially 

 cutworms. 



Some time after all the other birds, except the tardy little 

 goldfinch, have nested, the waxwings give up the flocking 

 habit and live in pairs. Toward the end of June, when 

 many birds are rearing the second brood, a couple begin 

 to carry grass, shreds of bark, twine, fine roots, catkins, 

 moss, or rags — any or all of these building materials — to 

 some tree, usually a f rxxit tree or a cedar which is ever their 

 favorite; and then, let it be observed, what is not always 

 the case with humans — the birds' manners at home are 

 even better than when moving in society abroad. The 

 devoted male brings dainties to his brooding mate and 

 helps her feed the family. 



The Scarlet Tanager 



Length — 7 to 7.5 inches. About one fourth smaller than 

 the robin. 



Male — In spring plumage: Brilliant scarlet, with black 

 wings and tail. Under wing coverts grayish white. In 

 autumn: Similar to female. 



Female — Olive above; wings and tail dark, lightly mar- 

 gined with olive. Underneath greenish yellow. 



Range — ^North America to northern Canada boundaries, 

 and southward in winter to South America. 



Migrations — May. October. Summer resident. 



