242 SINGING BIRDS. 



hatching, they were white, with a sHght tinge of green, very- 

 full of small pale brown spots, somewhat more numerous 

 towards the larger end, where they appear connected or aggre- 

 gated around a purplish ground. The female made some little 

 complaint, but almost immediately resumed her seat, though 2 

 of the eggs were taken away ; the male made off immediately, 

 and was but seldom seen near the place. 



The Pine Warbler is a common summer resident of New Eng- 

 land, but I seldom saw it in New Brunswick, and can find no evi- 

 dence of its occurrence in Nova Scotia. Mr. Neilson thinks it 

 uncommon in the vicinity of Quebec city, and Mr. Mcllwraith 

 makes a similar report for Ontario, while Mr. Thompson reports 

 it common in Manitoba. It winters in the Southern States. 



PRAIRIE WARBLER. 

 Dendroica discolor. 



Char. Above, olive ; back with patch of red spots ; forehead, line 

 over the eyes, wing-bars, and entire under parts rich yellow ; black streak 

 on sides of head ; sides spotted with black ; 3 outer tail-feathers with 

 broad patches of white. Length 4J/2 to 5 inches. 



JVest. In open woodland or old meadow, on small tree or bush ; neatly 

 and compactly made of grass and vegetable fibre lined with hair or 

 feathers. 



Eg§-s. 4-5 ; white, spotted around larger end with brown ; 0.63 X 

 0.47. 



These birds, rare in the Atlantic States, appear to be some- 

 what more common in the solitary barrens of Kentucky and 

 the open woods of the Choctaw country. Here they prefer the 

 open plains thinly covered with trees ; and without betraying 

 alarm at the visits of a spectator, leisurely pursue their search 

 for caterpillars and small flies, examining among the leaves or 

 hopping among the branches, and at times descending pretty 

 near, and familiarly examining the observer, with a confidence 

 and curiosity seldom witnessed in these shy and retiring 

 species. Such was the conduct of a male bird in this vicinity, 

 on the 4th of June, whom I discovered by his slender filing 

 notes, which were uttered every half minute, and like those of 



