Chapter VI 



THE WOOD WARBLERS 



TO the newly initiated, seeking a knowl- 

 edge of birds in any part of that 

 wide expanse of territory, already 

 designated, which takes in my own stamp- 

 ing-ground (and which, to be more exact 

 this time, extends from the middle counties 

 of Pennsylvania to the upper boundaries 

 of Maryland and runs across into New 

 England on the one side and to the Missis- 

 sippi on the other) the fact of the existence 

 of the large and briUiant feathered family 

 styled '^Wood Warblers'' is always sure to 

 come at first with a deeply fascinating 

 surprise and interest. 



For it seems almost unbelievable for 

 a while that these charming little winged 

 beauties should appear and depart year 

 after year, in great number and variety — 

 and yet the mass of people not be acquainted 

 with them, or, indeed, even see them at all. 



[83] 



