Yellow-Throat, Maryland 



In August they add a flight song to their repertoire. 

 This is usually uttered toward evening, when the bird 

 springs several feet into the air, hovers for a second, and 

 then drops back to the bushes. 



Chapman. Handbook of Birds.^^ 



The ordinary song is said to vary greatly with locality, 

 which may account for the quite different descriptions 

 given. 



Which way, sir? Which way, sir? Burroughs. 



''Wichity, wichity, wichity." 



I beseech you, I beseech you, I beseech you. Chapman. 



Where did you get it? Where did you get it? Abbott. 



I see, I see you, I see, I see you, I see, I see you. Flagg. 



Maryland Yellow-Throat 



While May bedecks the naked trees 

 With tassels and embroideries, 

 And many blue-eyed violets beam 

 Along the edges of the stream, 

 I hear a voice that seems to say. 

 Now near at hand, now far away, 

 Witchery — witchery — witchery. 



An incantation so serene, 

 So innocent befits the scene: 

 There's magic in that small bird's note — 

 See— there he flits— the Yellow-throat; 

 A living sunbeam, tipped with wings, 

 A spark of light that shines and sings 

 Witchery — witchery — witchery. 



Henry Van Dyke. 



184 



