302 
Distinctions . The intensely brilliant scarlet spring male, with sharply black wings and 
tail, is unmistakable. Female and autumn birds resemble female Orioles, but are greener 
and with characteristic Tanager notched bill (Compare Figures 273 and 257). They 
are more difficult to separate from the female and Juvenile Western Tanager. Geographical 
range is a good guide. Specimens from Manitoba are most likely to be this species. They 
are clearer green than birds of the Western species, and the back is the same colour as 
the head and nape. 
Nesting. Usually near the extremity of a branch on small tree in nest of leaves, strips 
of bark, etc. 
Distribution. Eastern North America. In Canada, west rarely to southern Manitoba 
and has been known to occur in Saskatchewan. 
The Scarlet Tanager shows remarkable seasonal and sexual plumage 
changes. In the spring the sexes are so entirely different that one wonders 
at their specific relationship, and in the summer the brilliant scarlet male 
gradually assumes the dull green of his mate. In midsummer some moult- 
ing males, remarkably pied in scarlet and green, may be seen. 
The Scarlet Tanager is a bird of light woodlands, where large timber 
grows with a sprinkling of small underbrush below, but in spring it occasion- 
ally visits the orchard. On arrival in spring the Scarlet Tanager is a most 
conspicuous object, but as the trees put on their leaves it becomes cautious 
in exposing itself and if it were not for its distinctive note “ Chip-chur ” that 
attracts attention it would be most difficult to find. The song is cheerful, 
rythmical, and fairly sustained, something like a Robin’s but more con- 
nected and not quite so clear. 
Economic Status . The food of the Scarlet Tanager consists mostly of 
insects and fruit. The insects are mostly woodland species and their 
destruction is of importance to the forester and fruit grower. The fruit 
eaten is mostly wild, in fact most birds prefer wild to domestic fruit and, 
give an abundance of the former, seldom eat the latter. The Scarlet 
Tanager does no serious damage. 
FAMILY — HIHUNDINIDAE. SWALLOWS 
General Description. Mostly small birds, in Canada only one, the Purple Martin, is 
as large as a House Sparrow. Wings, very long and pointed; feet small and weak, unsuited 
to walking; head flattened and bill very short, with deep, wide gape (Figure 274 a and 
a'). 
Distinctions. In superficial characters and general proportions as here described, 
Swallows resemble the Goatsuckers and Swifts, but are much smaller and entirely different 
in colour from the former and are not nocturnal. In the field, more likely to be confused 
with the Swifts. The wings, with their looser and softer feathers, the nearly straight 
primaries, longer secondaries (Figure 274 d and e), and the characteristic wing action 
are sufficient to show the great difference in the birds. The Swift beats the air with 
rapid, regular strokes and then sails like a bullet; the Swallow flies with long rhythmic 
strokes, gliding up and down invisible aerial waves, instead of boring straight through them. 
The legs and feet of the Swallow are more or less scaly, and not as fleshy as the Swifts 
(Compare Figures 274 and 244). 
A world-wide family, of aerial habits, seldom coming to the grotmd 
except for nesting material. Their feet are weak and suitable for alighting 
only on small twigs, telegraph-wires, and similar perches. They take their 
food on the wing and can often be seen sweeping over ponds, slightly 
furrowing the still surface as they drink. They are skilful nestmakers and 
build a remarkable variety of forms, from bottle-necked structures of 
kneaded mud to holes tunnelled in earth banks. 
r : >) Economic Status. Flying insects constitute almost the entire food of 
the Swallows. Sailing high or low in the air as food results justify, the 
Swallows attack many winged insects which are otherwise almost unmo- 
