Warbler WESTERN BIRDS 



some distance is the lemon-yellow head, the color ex- 

 tending down to the black patch and forming a gay 

 hood. In fall plumage the male has some black on the 

 head and the throat veiled with whitish. The female 

 resembles the male in fall garb, but has less yellow on 

 head, and the throat is usually yellow, bordered pos- 

 teriorly with black. Young resemble the adults, but 

 have greenish backs and are duller with markings less 

 distinct. 



These charming birds begin to be seen in southern 

 California the last of April, often in company with Mac- 

 gillivrays, Calaveras, Black-throated Gray, and Black- 

 capped. Together they all forage in tree-top, being espe- 

 cially fond of the oak tassels, low bushes, even going 

 down on to the ground in search of insect life. One day 

 the last of April I stood in Eagle Rock Canon, Los An- 

 geles County, surrounded by a band of these various 

 species that were flitting about unmindful of my pres- 

 ence and I was able to fully revel in their beauty. It 

 seemed out of place when they flew down into the rank 

 grass, or out into the plowed field near the mouth of 

 the canj^on, but this they did many times during the 

 morning. 



The common call note of the Hermit is a thin sharp 

 tsit given frequently as the bird flits about. Barlow 

 gives the song as tsit, tsit, tsit, tsit, chee chee chee, the 

 first four syllables being uttered with a gradual and 

 uniform speed, ending quickly with the chee chee chee. 

 However, the bird is distinctive enough to be easily 

 identified, and so beautiful that its weak song adds 

 little to its attractiveness. 



To enjoy these birds in their summer home, one must 

 go to the fir trees of the north, where they place their 

 dainty cup so high in the trees that they are beyond 

 the sight, or reach, of the ordmary bird student. 



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