Among the winter inhabitants of Mexico, one of the handsomest is the
scarlet tanager--a small bird, being only six or seven inches in length.
It migrates north in the spring, generally making its appearance in the
United States about the end of April, where it remains till the breeding
season is over.
The colour of the male bird is a brilliant scarlet, with the exception
of the tail and wings, which are deep black. The tail is forked, and
has a white tip. This gay plumage is, however, only donned during the
summer, for when it returns to Mexico in the autumn, its body is covered
with a number of greyish-yellow feathers, giving it a mottled
appearance. Its note is powerful, but not particularly musical.
Wilson describes it as a remarkably affectionate bird. Having captured
a young one, it was placed in a cage high up on a tree. The father bird
discovered it, and was seen to bring it food, roosting at night on a
neighbouring bough. After continuing to do so for three or four days,
he showed by his actions and voice that he was trying to make the young
one come out and follow him. So distressed did he appear, that at last
the kind-hearted naturalist set the prisoner at liberty, when it flew
off with its parent, who, with notes of exultation, accompanied its
flight to the woods.