Pyranga rubra.
34177 ♂
The rictus is well provided with bristles, which bend downwards, but if brought forward would reach the nostrils. These are rounded, and are closely crowded by the frontal leathers. The tarsus is shorter than the middle toe, scutellate anteriorly, and smooth on the sides behind. The lateral toes are about equal; the basal joint of the middle toe united for half its length to the inner toe, and by almost the whole length to the outer.
The following table may serve to distinguish the males of the several species of this genus. The females of all differ from the males in having the red replaced, the dusky of upper surface by olive-green, the brighter tint of lower parts by yellow.—R. Ridgway.
Species and Varieties.
A. Wing and tail blackish, or deep black, in more or less striking contrast to the color of the upper parts. Wing with two light bands (except in P. rubra).
a. Body and head red in the ♂; yellow in the ♀.
Wings intense black in the ♂; back not streaked.
1. P. rubra. Wing without any bands, or with merely indications of bright scarlet ones. ♂. Intense pure scarlet; wings and tail intense black. ♀. Olive-green above (including wings and tail), pale yellow below. Juv. ♀. Olive-green above, yellow below; wings and tail black. Hab. Eastern Province of United States.
2. P. erythromelæna. Wing with two bands of pure white. ♂. Bright scarlet; wings, tail, and lores intense black. ♀. Olive-green above, yellow beneath; wings and tail slaty.