88 SINGING BIRDS — OSCINES. 



al>iivc' tlip i,n'imiiil. It is extremely neat and duralile, formed in great part 

 of the down of plants, mixed with iiue strips of liark and leaves, sometimes 

 lined with horsehair or feathers. They ^'ary much, however, in the mate- 

 rials chosen, and often select bits of cotton-twine, silk threads and small 

 rags, wdien building near a house. 



The eggs are four or Ave, of a dull white, thickly sprinkled with pale 

 brown spots near the large end. When the nest is found, the female gen- 

 erally attempts to draw the invader away by feigning lameness, but soon 

 learns to take but little notice, if the eggs are not disturbed. 



In autumn they are said to feed much on juicy fruits, but I have not 

 myself observed this. 



Dendrceca Audubonii, Townsend. 



AUDUBON'S WARBLER. 



Si/ln'a Amliibomi, TowNSEND, J. A. N. So. Ph. VII. ii. 18.37. — Audubon, Orn. Biog. V. 

 18.39, 52; pi. .39.'5. — Si/lricohi Aiicliihonii, Bonaparte, List, 1838. — Audubon, Birds 

 AiiKT. II. 1841,26; pi. 77. — Nuttall, Man. 2cl ed. I. 414. — Dcndroim Aiiilulmnli, 

 Baird, p. K. Ki'p. IX. Birds, 273. — Kennerlt, X. iii. 24. — IIeee.mann, X. vi. 39. — 

 Cooper and Suckley, XII. iii. 181. 



Sp. Char. Above bluish-asli, streaked with l)lafk, most marked on the middle of the 

 back ; on head and neck bhiish-ash. Jliddlo of crown, rump, chin, and throat, and a 

 patch on tin.' side of the hreast, <;ambo2e-_venow. Space beneath and anterior to the eves, 

 fore part of breast and sides, black ; this color e.xtcndinf; behind on the sides in streaks. 

 Middle of belly, under tail coverts, a portion of upj)er and lower eyelids, and a broad 



band on the winjxs, with a spot on each of the four or five exterior tail feathers, white ; 

 rest of tail feathers black. Fcmnlc, brown above ; the other markings less cons]iicuous 

 and less black. Length. 5..')0 ; extent, 9.00 ; wing, 3.25 ; tail, 2 25. Iris brown ; hill and 

 feet black. 



Hnh. Pacific Coast of the I'nited States to central Rocky Mountains. South to 

 Mexico. 



This is a very abundant species, especially in winter, wlien Lirge numbers 

 reniiiin in the southern ])art of California, and are seen flitting about everj' 

 bush and tree, as well as the tall weeds of the prairie, seeking their insect 



