OF NEW ENGLAND. 125 



usually at that season they inhabit the most southern United 

 States and even warmer climates. I have several times, in 

 December and January, found them near Boston, in swamps, 

 where they were feeding upon the berries, and also among 

 cedars.^^ 



Whilst here in spring, they are to be found on the road- 

 sides, in swamps, in pastures, in "scrub-land," and amongst the 

 trees and shrubbery of cultivated estates, but rarely in woods, 

 though in northern New England such are their summer-haunts. 

 They generally move about in flocks, often very loose ones, 

 inclusive of immature specimens in various stages of colora- 

 tion. They prefer the orchard and hard-wood trees to the 

 pines, and usually take their perch among the latter to look 

 out for passing insects. They more generally frequent the 

 higher than the lower branches, and from these fly to snap up 

 insects in the air, usually at some distance, afterwards often 

 alighting in another tree. At other times, unlike the flycatch- 

 ers, they glean among the branches and look for insects among 

 the foliage and blossoms. In autumn their habits are essen- 

 tially the same, except that they are more upon the ground, 

 feed more upon berries, sometimes those of house-vines, and 

 show a greater liking for hedge-rows and like places, where 

 they often associate with the "Yellow Red-polls" or with the 

 sparrows. They may generally be distinguished at a distance 

 by their habit of being much in the air, and of taking long 

 flights (as compared with those of other warblers) at quite a 

 height above the ground. 



(d). The " Yellow-rumps " have a soft chip, and a loud checJc 

 or chuck (which sometimes is softened to chup). I have often 

 heard them sing in May, throughout the day, much like the 

 Purple Finch, but without the richness, fulness, continuity, or 

 melodiousness of that bird's music, especially if heard from a 

 near standpoint. This song is often varied, and sometimes 

 has reminded me of certain of the " Maryland Yellow-throats' " 



82 Mr. Charles C. Abbott states that they pass the winter ia New Jersey. 



