TeUow-THroat WESTERN BIRDS 



GENUS GEOTHLYPIS : MARYLAND 

 YELLOW-THROAT. (Eastern.) 



Maryland Yellow-Throat: Geothlypis trichas trichas. 

 FAMILY— WOOD WARBLERS. 



The bird of this genus most familiar in the east and 

 middle west is known as the Maryland Yellow-throat 

 and is a summer visitor, only, through most of his breed- 

 ing range, spending the winter months in the southern 

 States and farther south. 



Like others of his tribe he is a dweller of marshy 

 ground, choosing berry bushes, or other dense tangles, 

 and in some localities the foul-smelling skunk's cabbage, 

 for nesting sites. The nest is a deep cup-shaped, some- 

 times rather bulky, structure which is placed on the 

 ground, or a few feet above when it is woven onto the 

 coarse grass or tules for support. The material used is 

 dried leaves, grasses, or strips of bark, lined with finer 

 rootlets, fibers, and sometimes horsehair. 



It is not the easiest kind of a nest to locate because 

 of the surrounding wetness ; even when you are sure that 

 baby Yellow-throats are not far away, the prickly tangle, 

 together with the water beneath, will keep you from 

 them. 



The birds are inquisitive midgets and as they slip 

 through the thicket will stop to peek out at the intruder 

 who has entered their domain. If they refuse to come 

 into view, a smacking noise or squeal will bring them 

 about. 



The ordinary call has been compared to the striking 

 together of two stones, variously given as chack, chit, or 

 pit, which best represents the bird if the vocal sound is 

 eliminated. As the birds forage they give their call note 

 and also their cheery, energetic song peals forth at fre- 



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