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THE SUMMER RED-BIRD. 



-<-Pyranga estiva, Gruel. 

 PLATE CCVIII. — Adult Male, Young Male, and Female. 



This beautiful species is of solitary habits, preferring at all times the 

 interior of the forests, but not the densest parts of them. I have observed 

 that woods interspersed with what are called scrubby hickories or stunted 

 oaks, are favourite resorts of the Summer Red-birds. 



Their residence in the United States scarcely exceeds four months. None 

 remain in any of the more southern parts of our districts. Indeed, by the 

 middle of September, it would be difficult to see a single pair in the forests 

 of Louisiana. So very tender do they seem to be in regard to cold, or even 

 temperate weather, that they seldom go farther north than Boston, or the 

 shores of Lake Erie, but prefer the sandy woodlands all along the eastern 

 shores, as far as Massachusetts. 



Their flight is performed in a gliding manner when passing through the 

 woods, generally amidst the top branches of trees. Whilst migrating, they 

 rise high above the trees, and pursue their journeys only during the day, 

 diving towards dusk into the thickest parts of tbe foliage of tall trees, from 

 which their usual unmusical but well-known notes of chicky-chucky -chuck 

 are heard, after the light of day has disappeared. This species feeds prin- 

 cipally on insects, and especially coleoptera, some of which are often of 

 larger size than a bird of the dimensions of the Summer Red-bird might be 

 supposed capable of swallowing. It seldom alights on the ground, but 

 prefers pursuing insects on the wing, which it frequently does from the 

 dried twigs at the extremity of the branches. 



The construction of the nest of this richly clad species is nearly the same 

 in all parts of the L T nion in which it breeds. It is frequently fixed on a 

 branch crossing a road, or an opening of some description, or, if in the 

 woods, in some partially cleared space. It is usually placed low on a hori- 

 zontal branch. It is composed externally of dried stalks of weeds, and is 

 finished within with fine grass, arranged in a slovenly manner. It is so 

 insecurely fastened to the branch, that it may be shaken off by striking the 

 latter smartly. The female lays four or five eggs of a light blue colour. 

 The male and female sit upon them alternately for twelve days, and are as 

 anxious about their safety as most species. The young are seen about the 



