What Bird is That? Part 24

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-churr, chip-churr_. The song suggests a Robin's but is more forced and has a hoa.r.s.e 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.

Was.h.i.+ngton, uncommon S.R., Apl. 18-Sept. 19.

Cambridge, one record.

The "Summer Redbird's" _chicky-tucky-tuck_, is as clearly p.r.o.nounced and unmistakable as the Scarlet Tanager's _chip-churr_. 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.

SWALLOWS. FAMILY HIRUNDINIDae

PURPLE MARTIN

_Progne subis subis. Case 5, Fig. 25_

Largest of our Swallows. The female is duller above than the male, and below is brownish gray.

L. 8.

_Range._ Nests locally from the Gulf to Canada; winters in the tropics.

Was.h.i.+ngton, rather common S.R., Apl. 1-Sept. 14.

Ossining, tolerably common S.R., Apl. 27-Sept. 11.

Cambridge, formerly locally common S.R., Apl.

20-Aug. 25. N. Ohio, common S.R. Apl. 1-Sept. 5.

Glen Ellyn, local S.R., Mch. 23-Sept. 10. SE.

Minn., common S.R., Apl. 1-Sept. 9.

Fortunate is the man whose hospitality the Martins accept. Their cheery notes and sociability make them the best kind of guests. The Audubon Society will send one plans for a Martin house, and tell one where to place it. Martins nest in May and lay white eggs.

CLIFF SWALLOW

_Petrochelidon lunifrons lunifrons. Case 6, Fig. 55_

The rusty rump is distinctive. L. 6.

_Range._ Nests locally from Georgia to Canada; winters in the tropics.

Was.h.i.+ngton, rare S.R., Apl. 10-Sept.--? Ossining, common S.R., May 1-Sept. 12. Cambridge, S.R., much less than formerly. Apl. 28-Aug. 25. N. Ohio, tolerably common S.R., Apl. 6-Sept. 25. Glen Ellyn, not common, local S.R., Apl. 25-Sept. 16.

SE. Minn., common S.R., Apl. 13-Sept. 12.

Cliff Swallow it is in the West, but "Eave" Swallow it should be in the East where the rows of flask-shaped mud nests cl.u.s.ter thick beneath projecting roofs. They prefer unpainted buildings and the modern barn rarely knows them. The white, brown-spotted eggs are laid in the latter half of May.

BARN SWALLOW

_Hirundo erythrogaster. Case 5, Fig. 32_

Chestnut underparts and a forked tail are the chief characters of this beautiful Swallow. L. 7.

_Range._ Nests from North Carolina and Arkansas to Canada; winters in the tropics.

Was.h.i.+ngton, common S.R., more abundant T.V., Mch.

30-Sept. 17. Ossining, common S.R., Apl. 15-Sept.

22. Cambridge, common S.R., but fast decreasing, Apl. 20-Sept. 10. N. Ohio, abundant S.R., Mch.

30-Sept. 22. Glen Ellyn, S.R., fairly common and increasing. Apl. 7-Sept. 1. SE. Minn., common S.R., Apl. 28-Aug. 31.

Barn Swallows are far more beautiful, more graceful and more companionable than Purple Martins. But while we are erecting special dwellings for the Martins we are making our barns Swallow-proof. A pair of Barn Swallows are not only cheerful neighbors but good investments.

Let us make it possible for them to enter the hay-mow. We may even supply shelves as foundations for their open mud nests. The white, spotted eggs are laid in the latter half of May.

TREE SWALLOW

_Iridoprocne bicolor. Case 5, Fig. 24_

Silky white below and s.h.i.+ning bluish green above; young birds are mouse-colored above but below are snowy white, unmarked, as in the adult. L. 6.

_Range._ Nests chiefly from southern New England northward and winters from South Carolina to Central America.

Was.h.i.+ngton, common T.V., Mch. 26-May 26; July 8-Oct. 14. Ossining, common T.V., Apl. 4-May 26; Aug. 4-Oct. 16. Cambridge, S.R., formerly common, now common only as a migrant, Apl. 5-Oct. 8. N.

Ohio, common S.R., Apl. 10-Sept. 20. Glen Ellyn, not common T.V., rare S.R., Apl. 21-Sept. 8. SE.

Minn., common S.R., Mch. 30-Aug. 31.

We see comparatively few Tree Swallows during the spring, but from July to October, as they journey slowly southward, they are the most abundant members of their family. In countless thousands long ropes of Swallows crowd the wayside wires from pole to pole. At night, with others of their tribe, they roost in the marshes.

Tree Swallows they are called because they nest in hollow trees and, like some other hole-nesting birds, they may be induced to occupy nesting-boxes, making a welcome addition to our list of bird tenants.

The 4-7 white eggs are laid in May.

BANK SWALLOW

_Riparia riparia. Case 6. Fig. 54_

Note the small size, dull plumage, and breast-band. L. 5.

_Range._ A native of the Old World as well as of the New. In North America nesting from Louisiana and Virginia nearly to the Arctic Circle; winters in the tropics.

Was.h.i.+ngton, common S.R., more common T.V., Apl.