650 MICHIGAN BIRD LIFE. 



found almost anywhere, but is rather more partial to tlie lower growths 

 than the heavy woodlands, and is not often seen at any great height. 



Its song is loud, clear and characteristic, but not readily described so 

 as to be recognizable. Seton Thompson writes it "rup-it-che, rup-it-che, 

 rup-it-chitt-it-lit." It is a very active bird, constantly catching insects, 

 sometimes from twigs and leaves, but often also on the wing. 



Throughout the northern half of the state it is by no means uncommon 

 during the summer, and it breeds abundantly in suitable places. O. B. 

 Warren states that it is a common nester in Marquette county, and S. E. 

 White found it a common resident on Mackinac Island in 1890 and 1891, 

 where "its loud song was heard in every patch of evergreens, and the 

 young birds left the nest from July 2 to July 8." Widmann found it near 

 Petoskey in Emmet county, feeding young July 20, 1901, and Mr. Newell 

 A. Eddy took a nest and four eggs near Bay City, Bay county, June 2, 

 1885. Members of the University of jMichigan expedition to Ontonagon 

 county noted the bird frequently in July, and on Juh^ 13 one with an 

 insect in its bill, apparently feeding young, was noted. On Isle Royale, 

 the following summer, similar evidence of nesting was obtained. The 

 writer found it fairly common on Beaver Island, Charlevoix county, and 

 at Marquette, Munising and Grand IMarais, in July 1903. It is also one 

 of the abundant breeding warblers on Grand Island, Lake Superior, ac- 

 cording to Mr. E. A. Doolittle. 



The nest is said to be placed on the ground usually, and to be similar 

 to that of the preceding species, Wilson's Blackca]). Near Listowel, Ontario, 

 Mr. Kells found the Canadian Warbler breeding in low damp woodlands 

 and the nest placed ''in cavities of upturned roots of trees, and in the 

 depressions in banks near streams of water" (Mcllwraith, Birds of Ontario, 

 1894, 383). Mr. E. S. Currier, however, near Leach Lake, Minnesota, 

 found nests differently placed. He says: "In 1902 I saw only two nests, 

 but in 1903 I saw several. The nest seen in 1902 was placed in a clump 

 of long dead grass, and almost on the ground after the manner of a Yellow- 

 throat. It was composed entirely of long dry grass without any dead 

 leaves, while those seen in 1903 were built principally of long dead leaves. 

 The other nests varied considerably in situations, most of them being 

 several inches above the ground, in low growths — one at least ten inches 

 up. One nest seen in 1903 was placed on the ground at the side of a stock 

 path in a dense growth of wild currants, and was the only one completely 

 hidden. The number of eggs laid was usually four, and in only one case 

 did I see five" (Auk, XXI, 1904, 43). Riclgway descril)es the eggs as 

 colored like those of the Hooded Warbler, that is, white or buffy white, 

 speckled with reddish l)rown and lilac-gray, and averaging .68 by .51 

 inches. 



TKCHNICAL DIOSCRIPTION. 



Adult luale: Upper ])arts mostly bluish-ash, the feathers of tlii' forehead and crown 

 with black centers, the forehead often entirely black; lores, incomplete ring aromul the 

 the eye, and most of the under parts, bright yellow; a black line running from the base of 

 the bill along the sides of the tlirf)at and joining a broad belt of black spots and streaks 

 which encircles llie breast like a iiecklac(>; wings and tail uinnarked; under tail-coverts 

 white. Female similar, l)ut with little or no l)lack, tlie forehead being brownisii or grayish, 

 but slightly spotted, and the s])()ts forming the necklace across the breast s])arse and ashy. 



Length 5 to 5.75 inciies; wing 2.50 to '2.65; tail 2.20 to 2.40. 



