_Pyranga rubra._
_Tanagra rubra_, +Linn.+—Aud. pl. 354.
_Pyranga rubra_, +Vieill.+
Of this gay-plumaged stranger, a male and female were seen in March
of the present year, in that wild and magnificent gorge, called the
Boca-guas, near Spanish Town. The brilliant appearance of the male,
attracted the admiration of passers by, and he was at length shot, and
brought to Mr. Hill.
About three weeks after this, a male, also in summer dress, occurred to
my own observation, hopping about the small fruit-trees, on the banks
of Bluefields River. He was very fearless, allowing me to sit and watch
him within half-pistol-shot; now and then he flew down to the ground,
by the side of the water, and remained a few moments peeping about;
then he would fly up into a shrub, and presently be down again to
drink; for the season was parched with drought. I watched him full half
an hour, before he flew away.
Both these instances show that the Scarlet Tanager, occasionally at
least, takes our lovely island, in his spring migration from Central
America to the north. He certainly does not winter with us, having been
until this season unknown to Mr. Hill, who for many years has paid
close attention to the migrant birds. Yet D’Orbigny states, that it
winters in Cuba; perhaps, however, but casually.