Part 34

These birds are found in swamps and thickets, as well as among the bushes and weeds along walls, fences and the edges of woods. Their habits are like those of the Maryland Yellow-throats, they being found on or near the ground, scratching about among the leaves or gleaning insects from the foliage of the low shrubbery. They appear to be the most abundant in the middle states and northward.

Song.—Similar to the liquid song of the Water-Thrush; call, a sharp “peenk,” like that of the last.

Nest.—On or near the ground in thickets or tangled vines; made of fine bark strips and fibres, lined with hair; eggs white specked with reddish brown (.71 × .54).

Range.—Eastern U. S., breeding from northern New England, Ohio and Michigan north to southern Canada; winters south of the U. S.

MARYLAND YELLOW-THROAT 681. Geothlypis trichas. 5¼ inches

One of our most common birds in swamps and also in shrubbery along roadsides or walls. They are very inquisitive, and their bright eyes will peek at you from behind some leaf or shrub as long as you are in sight.

Song.—A lively “witchity-witchity-witch”; call, a deep chip; also a rattling note of alarm.

Nest.—Of grapevine and grasses, located in clumps of weeds on or nearly touching the ground; eggs white with brown specks (.70 × .50).

Range.—Eastern N. A., breeding from the Gulf to New Jersey.

Sub-Species.—681a. Western Yellow-throat (occidentalis), said to be brighter; found chiefly west of the Rockies, but east to the Plains. 681b. Florida Yellow-throat (ignota), South Atlantic and Gulf coasts. 68ld. Northern Yellow-throat (brachidactyla), slightly larger and deeper colored; found in northeastern U. S. and southeastern Canada, west to Dakota and south through the Mississippi Valley to the Gulf.

YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT 683. Icteria virens. 7½ inches

Breast yellow, lores black, line over the eye and underparts white; no white on wings or tail.

Dry side hills and ravines covered with thick underbrush are the places to look for Chats. Usually if they are present they will make themselves heard long before you see them. They are one of the most odd birds both in action and song. They are mimics of the highest order and can make any kind of whistle or squawk, but all their vocal efforts seem to require a great deal of flirting of the tail and twisting of the head. They even jerk their tail up and down while flying, this making them appear extremely ludicrous.

Song.—A varied medley of whistles and calls.

Nest.—Near the ground in tangled thickets; of grass, weeds, etc.; eggs whitish plentifully specked with reddish brown (.90 × .70).

Range.—Eastern U. S., breeding north to Massachusetts and southern Minnesota; winters in Central America. 683a. Long-tailed Chat (longicauda) is found in the U. S. from the Plains to the Pacific.

HOODED WARBLER 684. Wilsonia citrina. 5½ inches

Male with yellow forehead and cheeks, the rest of the head and throat being black; female much duller with little or no black; both sexes have white spots on the outer tail feathers, but no bars on the wings.

This is one of the liveliest of the family, being very active in catching insects on the wing like a true Flycatcher; because of this habit all the members of this genus are often called Fly-catching Warblers. They also have a habit of often spreading and folding the tail as they flit through the underbrush that they frequent.

Song.—A clear, liquid series of whistles; call, a sharp “chip.”

Nest.—Within a few inches of the ground in low underbrush or vines; made of leaves, bark, etc., held firmly together with cobwebs; the four or five eggs are white, profusely spotted with reddish brown.

Range.—Eastern U. S., breeding from the Gulf to southern Connecticut and Michigan; winters south of the U. S.

WILSON WARBLER 685. Wilsonia pusilla. 5 inches

Male, with black crown patch; female, with the crown greenish like the back.

These little fly-catching Warblers are abundant in the United States during migrations, being found in woods or swamps, and very often in apple trees when they are in bloom. They fly about among the outer branches snatching insects from the foliage or blossoms, and often dashing out to catch one that is flying by. Their natural quickness is intensified by their very attractive plumage which harmonizes perfectly with green leaves.

Song.—A simple and rather weak trill.

Nest.—Of leaves and bark, imbedded in the ground under bushes on the edges of swamps or woods; eggs white, specked with reddish brown (.60 × 48).

Range.—Eastern N. A., breeding from the northern edge of the U. S. northward; winters in Central America. Two subspecies are found west of the Rockies.