MARYLAND YELLOW-THROAT. 403 



that precious treasure, he scolds, laments, and intreats 

 with great anxiety. The species generally nest in the 

 recluse thickets of the forest, or the low bushy meadow, 

 but sometimes they take up their abode in the garden, 

 or the field contiguous to the house ; and, if undisturb- 

 ed, show a predilection for the place which has afforded 

 security to themselves and their young. They commence 

 their labor of building about the middle of May, fixing 

 the nest on or near the ground, among dry leaves, with- 

 ered grass, or brush, and choose often for security the 

 most intricate thicket of briars, so that the nest is often 

 sheltered and concealed by projecting weeds and grass. 

 Sometimes a mere tussuck of grass or accidental pile of 

 brush is chosen. It is made of dry sedge-grass {Carex), 

 and a few leaves loosely wound together and supported 

 by the weeds or twigs where its rests ; the lining con- 

 sists entirely of fine bent-grass (Agrostis). 



The eggs, about 5, are white, inclined to flesh-color, with 

 touches, specks, and small spreading blotches, and some- 

 times with a few lines of two or three shades of reddish 

 brown, chiefly disposed towards the greater end. I have 

 also seen the eggs a whole size smaller, pure white, with 

 a few small spots only at the greater end. This is perhaps 

 the egg of a different, but allied species. The young 

 leave the nest, here, about the middle of June, and a 

 second brood is sometimes raised in the course of the 

 season. The parents and young now rove about in rest- 

 less prying troops, and take to the most secluded bushy 

 marshes, where they pass their time, in comparative 

 security, till the arrival of that period of scarcity which 

 warns them to depart. As early as the close of July, 

 the lively song of the male ceases to be heard, and the 

 whole party now forage in silence. 



