1902] Kells — Nesting of some Canadian Warblers. 231 



loosely put together, but there is quite a distinguishing' difference 

 in the eggs. Those ot M. varia are actually the largest, and 

 more globular in form, and the ground color more of a chalky 

 whiteness, and the spotting more of a brownish hue ; with a 

 general tendency to form a wreath about the larger end, and 

 be distributed over the surface, even to the smaller point. 

 The eggs of the Canadian warbler have a clear white hue, 

 with a beautiful rosy blush, and the coloring which clouds the 

 whole of the larger end of each ^^^^t has more of an orange 

 tinge than either reddish or brown, the dotting on the sur- 

 face is more separated, and the approach to the smaller point more 

 devoid of dotting than are those of M. varia ; but in all the 

 specimens the variations are so numerous that it is difficult to 

 describe them. This species is very local in its distribution, being 

 generally found to frequent the borders of swampy woodlands, 

 having much the same habitat as the water thrush and M. 

 varia ; but here it is more abundant than either of the other 

 species, and seems more disposed to explore the underwood of the 

 higher hardwood lands and to nest on more level ground. Alto- 

 gether, about a score of the nests of this species have come under 

 my observation in my woodland rambles in this vicinity in the 

 past twenty years; and, as in the case of the water thrush, black 

 and white warbler, and several other species, several of these nests 

 were in cavities previously prepared for them. The song of the 

 male of this species is generally emitted at a height ot twenty feet 

 from the ground, and is rather a plaintive warble than an expression 

 of joyfulness, and is rapidly repeated in an emphatic tone of voice; 

 and the attentive student of bird music will soon learn to distin- 

 guish it from those of the other warblers. Like most other of our 

 minor birds, this species is frequently imposed upon by the vaga- 

 bond cow-bird. It is uncertain if the male assists the female in 

 the duty of incubation, but he certainly helps to feed and protect 

 the young. When the first set of eggs is taken, they nest again; 

 but, if not molested, only one brood is raised in the season. The 

 nesting period extends trom the middle of May to the first week 

 in July. The ground-nesting warblers have many enemies; and 

 it is evident that many pairs of them come to this country, and 



