loi The Ottawa Naturalist. [Augus 



or ten syllables. These birds feed largely on the ground where 

 they walk about, instead of hopping- as do most, other small birds. 



The nest of this species is built upon the ground, sometimes 

 partially concealed by a bush or other plants, but sometimes with- 

 out any attempt at concealment, and is composed of leaves and 

 fibres compactly woven and the cavity covered over, so that the 

 entrance is at the side. The eggs number from three to five, and 

 are white, speckled with cinnamon or rufous-brown. The female 

 is a very close sitter and will almost allow one to step upon the 

 nest before she will betray its presence by taking flight. When 

 disturbed she flutters from the nest in an apparently helpless con- 

 dition, trying to allure her enemies from her home. The sexes are 

 the same in color of plumage. They may easily be mistaken for 

 thrushes which they much resemble, but are somewhat smaller, 

 than those birds are when adult. 



Water Thrush, Seiurus noveboracetisis . 



A Common bird of swamps and watercourses. With us from 

 mid-May until October. We first know of its arrival in spring by 

 hearing the male pouring forth his loud, sweet, liquid song, from 

 some high perch in a tree along a brook. He sings most enthusi- 

 asticaly while his mate is searching about on the ground, gleaning 

 some choice material with which to build a nest. His loud song 

 without a doubt calls the attention of enemies to himself, and 

 leaves his mate with less watching for her own safety at that 

 season. During autumn migrations th'ey often stroll about build- 

 ings in search of flies or other insects, that may be partially con- 

 cealed in crevices. 



Mourning Yellow, Geothlypis Philadelphia. 



This species has been observed in Westmoreland <.ounty by 

 Mr. J. Brittain. 



Maryland Yellow-throat, Geothlypis trichas. 



A not uncommon summer resident from the middle of May 

 until September. They prefer thickets along water-ways.and damp 

 places, and from such places the male sends fort his wichity, 

 wichity, wichity, sounding song. This species gets quite excited, 

 at any disturbance in its near neighbourhood, and generally seeks 

 to solve the cause of disquiet with much chipping and purring 

 about through the intervening shrubbery. 



