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THE SUMMER RED-BIRD. 
Pyranga 2estiva, Gmel. 
PLATE CCVIII. — Adult Male, Young Male, and Female. 
This beautiful species is of solitary habits, preferring at all times the 
interior of the forests, but not the densest parts of them. I have observed 
that woods interspersed with what are called scrubby hickories or stunted 
oaks, are favourite resorts of the Summer Red-birds. 
Their residence in the United States scarcely exceeds four months. None 
remain in any of the more southern parts of our districts. Indeed, by the 
middle of September, it would be difficult to see a single pair in the forests 
of Louisiana. So very tender do they seem to be in regard to cold, or even 
temperate weather, that they seldom go farther north than Boston, or the 
shores of Lake Erie, but prefer the sandy woodlands all along the eastern 
shores, as far as Massachusetts. 
Their flight is performed in a gliding manner when passing through the 
woods, generally amidst the top branches of trees. Whilst migrating, they 
rise high above the trees, and pursue their journeys only during the day, 
diving towards dusk into the thickest parts of the foliage of tall trees, from 
which their usual unmusical but well-known notes of chicky-chucky-chuck 
are heard, after the light of day has disappeared. This species feeds prin- 
cipally on insects, and especially coleoptera, some of which are often of 
larger size than a bird of the dimensions of the Summer Red-bird might be 
supposed capable of swallowing. It seldom alights on the ground, but 
prefers pursuing insects on the wing, which it frequently does from the 
dried twigs at the extremity of the branches. 
The construction of the nest of this richly clad species is nearly the same 
in all parts of the Union in which it breeds. It is frequently fixed on a 
branch crossing a road, or an opening of some description, or, if in the 
woods, in some partially cleared space. It is usually placed low on a hori- 
zontal branch. It is composed externally of dried stalks of weeds, and is 
finished within with fine grass, arranged in a slovenly manner. It is so 
insecurely fastened to the branch, that it may be shaken off by striking the 
latter smartly. The female lays four or five eggs of a light blue colour. 
The male and female sit upon them alternately for twelve days, and are as. 
anxious about their safety as most species. The young are seen about the 
