4 
The Scarlet Tanager 
although the material is renewed at intervals by moult. On the other hand, 
the richly dressed male is subject to many changes. Commencing with the 
nest it has a natal down, which is followed by a juvenal plumage) this is suc- 
ceeded by the first winter plumage. These latter plumages are very much in 
color like that of the female bird. This carries the male bird until the 
following spring, when by moult an entire change in appearance takes place 
and the Tanager assumes the first nuptial plumage of scarlet vermilion, which 
is worn until the post nuptial moult takes place after the breeding season 
and just prior to the southward migration. It is known as the adult winter 
plumage. The male at this moult assumes a plumage very much like that of 
the female bird, but he can always be readily distinguished by his jet-black i 
wings, the wings of the female bird being a brownish black. The bird 
student, especially the beginner, often wonders why it is that he fails to find : 
any male Scarlet T anagers in the late summer, and it is only after the subject of 
moult and change in plumage is understood that such enigmas are unraveled. ) 
During the post nuptial moult of the male the plumage assumes a parti- 
colored appearance that is very singular. One of the most important and j 
valuable contributions to the literature of ornithology was made a few ■ 
vears since, by Dr. Jonathan Dwight, Jr., in which he discussed the 
plumage and moults of the passerine birds of New York.* 
The subject is treated so comprehensively and intelligently by the author 
that every nature teacher should procure a copy of this valuable treatise. 
It is practically impossible, in a leaflet of this size, to do more for the student . 
than to refer him to a recognized authority on this interesting subject. A 
short quotation from the opening chapter of the book will show its value 
and scope: ''The moulting of birds is a subject so complicated, so extensive, 
and so difficult of study, that it is not surprising to find it wrapped, even ' 
today, in dense clouds of ignorance which obscure the true principles under- j 
lying it. It is my present purpose to demonstrate the principles dominating ; 
the plumages and moults of no less than one hundred and fifty North 
American species of the great order Passeres, or Perching birds, and at the ; 
same time indicate the wider application of these principles, which the study 
of other groups leads me to believe prevail among all species of birds, 
modified only by circumstances. 
Questions for Teachers and Students 
Use as many as possible of the questions in E. L. No. 3o; nearly all of them may be 
adapted. What is the bole of a tree? Describe how the age of a tree can be determined. ' 
Who were the Druids? When and where did they live? Describe how forests store mois- ' 
ture? What species of Tanager is found in your locality? Describe change of plumage of s 
male Tanager. Have you ever seen one during process of change; give season? What are i 
the primaries? What are the rectrices? 
* The Sequence of Plumages and Moults of the Passerine Birds of New York, by Jonathan Dwight, jr.. Annals iw 
N. Y. Acad. Sci., Vol. XIII, No. i, pp. 7? to j6o, Oct. 19, 1900 (Plates I to VIl). 
Reprinted from ” Bird -Lore,” official organ of the Audubon Societies. 
