Tanagers. Family Tangaridæ
SCARLET TANAGER
Piranga erythromelas. Case 7, Figs. 27, 28
The black wings and tail of the male will distinguish him from our other two red birds—the Cardinal and Summer Tanager. The olive-green female may be known from all our other olive-green birds by her larger size. L. 7¼.
Range. Nests from northern Georgia and southern Kansas to Canada; winters in the tropics.
Washington, common T.V., less common S.R., Apl. 17-Oct. 15. Ossining, common S.R., May 4-Oct. 9. Cambridge, rather common S.R., May 12-Oct. 1. N. Ohio, common S.R., Apl. 28-Oct. 2. Glen Ellyn, not common S.R., Apl. 30-Sept. 29. SE. Minn., common S.R., Apl. 29-Sept. 11.
As a family Tanagers are the most strikingly colored of American birds, but among the nearly 400 species none appears more brilliant in life than the male Scarlet Tanager. The leaf-colored female is as difficult to see as the male is conspicuous. Both have the same characteristic call—chip-chúrr, chip-chúrr. The song suggests a Robin’s but is more forced and has a hoarse undertone. They live and nest in the woods, building on a horizontal limb 10-20 feet up. The 3-4 greenish blue, brown-marked eggs are laid late in May.
SUMMER TANAGER
Piranga rubra rubra. Case 5, Figs. 33, 34
The male is usually red like the Cardinal, but lacks the Cardinal’s crest; the female is more yellow than the female of the Scarlet Tanager.
Range. Southern States; nesting north to Maryland and Illinois; winters in the tropics.
Washington, uncommon S.R., Apl. 18-Sept. 19. Cambridge, one record.
The “Summer Redbird’s” chicky-tucky-tuck, is as clearly pronounced and unmistakable as the Scarlet Tanager’s chip-chúrr. Its song is somewhat sweeter than that of its scarlet cousin, but bears a general resemblance to it. Both pine and deciduous woods are inhabited by this bird. Its nesting habits resemble those of the Scarlet Tanager.