THE SCARLET TANAGER 91 



uals have been obtained in New Jersey and Penn- 

 sylvania; southward from this it is more abundant, 

 extending as far as Texas. It has also been seen in 

 considerable numbers among the Rooky Mountains.- 

 Its plumage much resembles that of the Indigo Bird, 

 but the blue upon the head and throat is much finer 

 and lighter. Although the nest of this bird is gener- 

 ally built near the ground, either in a low bush or a 

 tuft of rank grass, it is observed that the male, which 

 is possessed of a fine song, seldom or never utters 

 more than a monotonous chirp when near it ; but, 

 retiring to the top of a tall detached tree, he will 

 there indulge for some time in a succession of melo- 

 dious strains. 



We now present to your notice a bird which is 

 pre-eminently beautiful, in every sense in which the 

 term is applicable. This is the Scarlet Tanager. 

 Look at him, with his gracefully formed body clothed 

 in the most brilliant and glowing scarlet, and his 

 wings and tail of jetty black, as he sits upon a tree 

 with a strong light falling upon him, or as he gam- 

 bols among the thick foliage, uttering his simple 

 plaintive note, and we shall behold one of the most 

 lovely and attractive objects which our feathered 

 world can afford. Every one should be familiar with 

 the habits as well as the appearance of this elegant 

 bird. It is widely scattered over the United States 

 during the summer months, and although seeming 

 to have a decided preference for the woods, it may 

 sometimes be seen about the farm-house and in the 

 orchard where he occasionally builds his nest. This 



