The FIRE TANGARA, or SUMMER RED BIRD (_Pyranga æstiva_), is larger than
the rest of its congeners, measuring from six and three-quarters to seven
and a quarter inches in length, and eleven across. The body is red, like
that of the last-mentioned species, but the wings are of a reddish brown,
and the whole plumage somewhat paler. The female is olive green, shaded
with brown, the under part of the body being yellow, towards the middle
shaded with red. Very old females are occasionally met with, resembling
the male birds in their colours. The young are like the mother.
In their manners both these species of Fire Tangaras are much alike;
they inhabit the extensive forests of America, where they are found in
pairs, living a very quiet and retired life, and generally perching
upon the topmost branches of the trees. The Summer Tangara receives its
name from the fact that it is only seen in the United States from May
to September; though far from numerous, it is well known all over the
country, frequently making its appearance in the gardens and plantations,
where it does considerable damage to fruit and flax. The scarlet species
is generally seen as early as April, and leaves somewhat later than the
Summer Tangara. The latter migrates by day, the former at night, the
birds rarely consorting even on these occasions, and preserving their
comparative isolation when flying through the length and breadth of the
land. As to their habits, naturalists agree in telling us that they are
quiet and monotonous; but, whilst constantly deploring their deficiencies
as birds of song, they cannot speak too warmly of their great beauty and
of the striking contrast their red plumage affords to the surrounding
trees. Their flight is smooth and gliding; but they seldom descend to
seek their food upon the ground; their movements among the branches are
slow, and the trifling amount of animation of which they appear capable
is expressed by occasionally flapping their wings, or uttering their
call, which consists of only two notes. They live principally upon
insects, catching them when upon the wing, and Wilson mentions having
found Tangaras whose stomachs were entirely filled with the remains of
bees. The nest, which is clumsy in its construction, is usually built
upon a forked branch, no care being taken for its concealment. The Prince
von Wied mentions having seen a brooding female that remained sitting
quite undisturbed by his approach, even when he ventured quite close to
the young family; indeed, so little precaution is taken to ensure safety,
that the nests are often constructed by the roadside, and so lightly
fastened to the branches upon which they are built as to be easily shaken
from their place; dry roots and straw generally form the outer wall, the
interior is lined with fine grass. The eggs, four or five in number, are
light blue, or dark greenish blue, those of the Scarlet Tangara being
spotted with different shades of purple. Both sexes unite in the duties
of incubation, sitting upon the brood for the space of a fortnight, and
feeding the nestlings principally upon insects. By the beginning of June
the young birds are strong enough to fly about the country, accompanying
their parents until the season for migration arrives. Wilson mentions a
pretty instance that came under his own notice of the attachment of these
beautiful creatures to their young. On one occasion, he tells us, he
caught a young Scarlet Tangara that had been a few days out of the nest,
and carried it to a distance of about half a mile, when he placed it in a
cage near the nest of a Yellow Bird, thinking that as the occupant had a
family of her own, she might take pity on the stranger. In this hope he
was deceived, its plaintive cries being entirely disregarded, nor could
it be persuaded to take food from his hand. He had almost decided on
taking the poor bird to the place whence it came, when towards evening a
Scarlet Tangara was seen flying round the cage and making every effort to
obtain admission; not succeeding in its attempts, the bird flew away,
speedily returning with a beakful of food; this continued till sunset,
when it perched for the night upon a neighbouring tree. At break of
day its ministrations recommenced in spite of all the enmity testified
by its neighbour the Yellow Bird, who tried to drive it from the spot.
Several days and nights were spent in this manner, the parent urging
the young one by every tender persuasion of which it was capable to
leave its prison and accompany her. At last the cage was opened, and the
little captive permitted to rejoin its mother, who received it with loud
demonstrations of affection and delight. The Tangara is but rarely seen
in Europe, and though easily reared upon fruit and seeds, is by no means
adapted for domestication.
* * * * *
Under the name of CALLISTES (_Calliste_) we include a considerable number
of small birds, somewhat resembling the Siskin and Linnet in appearance,
but much more varied and brilliant in their hues. Their beak is
comparatively short, high, and slender, its edges compressed, the upper
mandible furnished with a horizontal ridge, and the tips slightly bent.
The eyelids are surrounded by a circle of small flat feathers; the wings
and tail are of moderate length, the latter slightly forked and covered
with small feathers; the legs are delicate, the tarsus high, and the toes
short. The plumage of the Callistes is variegated, the tints on the coat
of the male being more distinct and pure than in the female; the young
resemble the parents, but are paler in colour. These birds inhabit the
wooded districts of Brazil, and are distinguished from other Tangaras by
the fact that they subsist entirely upon various kinds of seed.