301 
Distribution. The plains of central North America. In Canada, southern Saskatche- 
wan and probably adjoining parts of Alberta. There are occasional records for southern 
British Columbia and southwestern Manitoba. 
A bird of our most southern and open prairies. It is shy and difficult 
to approach, but the male is recognizable at long range by its striking 
colour. It has a delightful flight song that has suggested the name of 
“Lark” Bunting. 
FAMILY TANAGRIDAE. TANAGERS 
General Description. Brilliantly coloured birds; in Canada, about the size of, or slightly 
larger than, House Sparrow. Bills rather sparrow-like in outline, but slightly longer, and 
with an evenly curved culmen. Cutting edge of upper 
mandible toothed and notched as in Figure 273. 
Distinctions. The spring males are very distinctively 
brilliant in colour. Autumn birds and juveniles are 
generally recognized by their soft, uniform yellow-green 
coloration, resembling some of the dull green Vireos or 
Warblers, but much larger. In the field, most likely to be 
confused with the Orioles, but less active, more sluggish, 
and'entirely different in action and bearing. Figure 273 
The Tanagers are a typically American Scarlet Tanager, showing 
family that reaches its highest development in 
the tropics and is regularly represented in Canada by only two species. 
As a family the Tanagers are so closely related to the Sparrows that the 
status of some extralimital species is still undetermined. 
607. Western Tanager. Louisiana tanager. crimson-headed tanager. Piranga 
ludovtciana. L, 7. Plate LXII A. Male in spring: bright lemon-yellow with crimson 
head and black saddle, wings, and tail; in autumn, with only traces of the crimson on head. 
Female and juveniles: dull yellow-green, yellowing on breast and below, with brownish 
wings and tail. 
Distinctions. Male most like a bright male Oriole, but with crimson or nearly solid 
yellow head, without black crown or bib. Females and juveniles with characteristic 
Tanager bill (Compare Figures 273 and 257) and greener and less orange than female 
Orioles. Females are more difficult to separate from female Scarlet Tanagers. Geographical 
range is a good guide as the latter is not regularly found west of Manitoba, nor the former 
east of western Saskatchewan. The Western female is not as clear a green above, the 
back is noticeably darker than the crown and nape, instead of being evenly coloured with 
it, and it has distinct white wing-bars that are absent in the Scarlet Tanager. 
Field Marks. The spring male: a black and yellow bird with a crimson head, is 
unmistakable. Female and juvenile: evenly dull greenish birds, a little larger than a 
House Sparrow. Much more sluggish and less agile than the Orioles. The characteristic 
note of the Western Tanager is an oft-repeated, quickly uttered “ Pricklydick ” 
Nesting. Nest, in trees or bushes, of twigs, rootlets, and moss, lined with soft material. 
Distribution. Western North America. In Canada, east to western Saskatchewan, 
north to Mackenzie valley. 
One of the showiest of our western birds. Though not as spectacular 
as the Scarlet Tanager, it is much like it in general habit. It has a pleasant 
little song, suggesting the rolling syllables of the Robin, but more con- 
tinuous. 
Economic Status. The food of the Western Tanager is composed 
mostly of insects, many of them of harmful species. It may, at rare inter- 
vals, take an appreciable amount of small fruit, but the good it does far 
outweighs the occasional damage. 
608. Scarlet Tanager. red bird, fire bird, wi r bird. Piranga erythromelas. 
L, 7 -25. Spring male: a brilliant scarlet all over except wings and tail which are intense 
black. Female: dull greenish yellow, lightening to yellow on breast and undeiparts. 
Male, both adult and juvenile, in autumn similar to female, but with wings and tail black. 
