THE SCARLET TANAGER. 
305 
in the Vale, by the wild and embellished gorge of the 
river, called the Bocdguas, — in some garden grounds 
near the Flat Bridge where a fortress in ruins, with a 
block-house above, commands a sweep of the waters, — 
and where the waters themseves are rendered more pic- 
turesque by occasional placid spots, blended with the 
broken stream, in which detached tufts of Bamboos 
and Cocoa-nut trees stand reflected in the deep, dark 
and tranquil intervals, — a Scarlet Tanager in the most 
brilliant summer plumage attracted attention amid 
the verdure of the scenery. His sizeable figure, so 
bright and glaring, as he glanced from one group of 
trees to another, with his doubled image in the placid 
parts of the stream, made him ‘ the observed of all 
observers.’ The knots of travellers along the gorge 
coming to the turnpike, spoke of the strange and 
beautiful bird they had remarked in the river- 
side garden above the bridge, and the turnpike- 
keeper’s attention being, in consequence, drawn to a 
thing so curious, he went out and shot it. The 
specimen has been brought to me, after it has been 
preserved unskinned, and though the plumage has 
been a good deal deranged by the unskilful manage- 
ment of the person who has preserved it, it has 
sufficient of the true figure to enable me to make a 
very faithful drawing of it, and to add it to the list 
of our migratory visitors.” 
The female was with her mate, but her sober- 
coloured plumage possessing no attractiveness, she 
was allowed to escape unharmed, when the ‘‘ leaden 
shower ” fell upon her gaudy companion. 
