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.