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a bright May morning, flitting here and there among 

 the pink and white apple-blossoms of our orchards, or 

 peering at yon from the green domes of our deep, nor- 

 thern forests, or disporting himself in quest of insects 

 amid the perfume-exhaling lilac groves, is one of the 

 most gorgeous vistas of bird-life vouchsafed to an 

 appreciative naturalist. Yet, alas ! the " encrimsoned 

 body, contrasting with wings and tail as black as night," 

 makes the lovely bird " only too conspicuous an object, 

 the never failing bait to the greed of the mere collector 



of, or dealer in bird skins " These birds are famed 



for their beauty and variety of their coloration, being 

 among those most frequently exhibited in the show- 

 cases of bird-stuffers and milliners, as well as on the 

 headgear of fashionable ladies " (Coues.) 



The Scarlet Tanager, is about the size of a snow- 

 bunting. Its bill is notched at the tip, strong and 

 turgid, capable of masticating fruit as well as insects : 

 its tail and wings are black ; back and body, of a bright 

 scarlet ; he builds in thick woods, or in an orchard on 

 the horizontal limb of some low tree or sapling : a 

 losely fashioned structure, built with rootlets, twigs 

 and leaves, more neatly and compactly lined with finer 

 materials of similar kinds. " The eggs, from three to 

 five in number, are of a pale dull-greenish blue, more 

 or less profusely and heavily spotted with reddish- 

 brown and violet." — (Stearns.) Like many other gaily- 

 dressed things, the Tanager's personal appearance is 

 more attractive than what he has to say, his song 

 being of no remarkable effect, and his ordinary call- 

 notes decidedly unmelodious. The bird feeds consi- 

 derably upon berries and other small fruits, as well as 

 upon beetles and large- winged insects and their larvas. 

 The dress of the male is not perfect until after the first 

 year. Doctor Alexander N. Eoss adds " that it thrives 

 well in captivity and makes a beautiful pet." 



What marvellous stories were once poured into our 

 youthful ears, by old chasseurs and foresters ! tales of a 



