112 LIFE-HISTORIES OF BIRDS 



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The eggs arc rounded-oval in shape, and 

 marked with reddish-brown, purple and dark- 

 brown blotches and spots, upon a white ground- 

 color which often presents a bluish tinge. They 

 are six in number, and average .76 of an inch in 

 length and .53 in breadth. 



During incubation the parents are exceedingly 

 shy, and can be approached only with the greatest 

 difficulty. 



Dendroeca blackbumitf, Baird. 



The Orange throated or Blackburnian Warbler 

 is a very late migrant which reaches the latitude 

 of Philadelphia not earlier that the 1 5th of May, 

 and retires about the 22nd of the same month. Its 

 early presence is restricted to tall open woods 

 with a slight undergrowth, which it subsequently 

 deserts for the borders of fields and thickets, where 

 it may be found foraging high up in the tulip- 

 poplar, for insects. Mainly arboreal whilst feed- 

 ing, we have seen it busily searching a heap of 

 freshly- turned earth for food, and even using its 

 feet like the Brown Thrasher which is exceedingly 

 rasorial. 



In woods it delights in the tallest tree-tops where 

 it may be seen for long periods, gleaning with all 

 the address and perseverance of a Flycatcher, and 

 moving about with the wonted agility of a Titmouse. 

 Few species exhibit greater activity and nimble- 

 ness than the one under consideration. It will 

 sometimes descend from its leafy height to mingle 



