202 BIRDS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 



loses his bright feathers and is found in a livery similar to that of the 

 female. While I am not prepared to say that such a transition occurs 

 during the " fall moult," I am inclined to believe that this change 

 does take place. During the late summer and early autumn, or for a 

 period of about six weeks before the Tanagers leave Pennsylvania, I 

 have made repeated and most diligent search to find adult males in 

 which the scarlet feathers predominated, as is invariably the case with 

 the males in spring, but have failed. Although it is true I have seen 

 two or three males early in August with a few scattered feathers or 

 "patches" of scarlet, I have found the plumage of the males in 

 August and September to be the same as that of the females, except 

 that in the males certain of the long wing and tail feathers were black. 

 The presence of these dark primaries or tail feathers will, it is my 

 opinion, with rare exceptions, enable you to determine the sex.* 



This species arrives in Pennsylvania sometimes, though rarely, as 

 early as the last week in April; usually it comes about May 9. Tana- 

 gers, except when they pay occasional visits to cherry or mulberry 

 trees, on the fruits of which they feed to a limited extent, are seldom 

 found away from favorite retreats in the forests. The forests and 

 groves, particularly oak groves, in which streams of running water 

 are found, are the favorite resorts of this species. The nest, a loosely 

 built structure, composed of twigs, roots or stems of various weeds, is 

 usually placed on the horizontal limb of a small tree, preferably 

 beech (Fagus), about ten or twenty feet from the ground. Eggs 3 

 to 5, mostly 4 ; pale greenish blue, spotted with different shades of 

 brown; measure about .95 by .65. While the nests are nearly always 

 built in the depths of the woods, I have observed they frequently are 

 seen overhanging a cart-road or unfrequented path, when such a pas- 

 sage-way exists in the woods. I have often discovered the nests of 

 this species, and notwithstanding the fact that neither the nests or 

 contents were disturbed, have noticed that the birds would always 

 follow me to the edge of the woods, and occasionally some distance 

 beyond, uttering their peculiar chirp churr. When Tanagers thus 

 absent themselves from the nests, it not unfrequently happens that 

 the thieving and omnivorous Blue Jay robs them of their contents. 

 Mr. B. M. Everhart has known instances where the Jays, after devour- 

 ing the eggs or young Tanagers, have torn up the nests. 



Tanagers, during the summer residence with us, feed principally on 

 various forms of insects, and to a very small extent on fruits, such as 

 cherries, strawberries, huckleberries, etc. 



* The only pro]>er wny to determine sex is by dissection. This is true not only of the 

 Tunag-er, but all other birds. 



