but he often frequents the orchards and vines near by, to feast upon the insects 

 feeding there. He is such a restless, httle body, skipping nervously from one 

 retreat to another, making it hard for you to follow him. But listen to that out- 

 burst of song "witch-ee-tee, witch-ee-tee," he sings to his mate, then retreats to 

 the thicket. The female does not wear the black mask. Her plumage is more 

 subdued in color: Back, olive green; breast, grayish, white underneath; sides, 

 yellowish. The yellowthroat, unlike most warblers, builds on or near the ground. 

 The nest is made of strips of bark, dry leaves and grasses, the interior being 

 lined with fine grasses. Her nest, like that of the yellow warbler's, is often 

 invaded by the cowbird, who intrudes her eggs into the nest of the helpless 

 victim. Instead of evicting the egg, the yellowthroat hatches the egg and cares 

 for the young imposter, though her own little ones may be starving. 



The myrtle warbler occasionally spends the winter here. You may know 

 him by his strong, forcible call note, "tchip," the yellow patch on his crown, the 

 yellow under parts, and the yellow patches on rump and wings. Myrtle warblers 

 go north to nest. They are often seen in their migrations, tarrying a few days 

 in the central states, as they journey northward. 



In the Field Columbian Museum, Chicago, the state of Illinois has a good 

 exhibit of birds ; among them are the warblers that are native to that state. Most 

 of the species are also found in Ohio and Indiana. These mounted specimens 

 will be of help to you in identifying the live birds of your own locality. The 

 National Museum, Washington, D. C, has a collection of birds, their eggs and 

 nests, that are well worth seeing. But learn to name the birds without a gun, 

 for "A bird in the bush is worth two in the hand." 



It is interesting to note the various warblers that may be found along a 

 certain parallel of latitude. In this latitude — 41 degrees north — I have never 

 found the Pine warbler as a summer resident, but in Colorado, he sang to me 

 on a hot August day from the stunted pines and quaking asp on Prospect Hill. 

 However, he may have been already journeying southward. In the latitude of 

 Boston, he is a common summer resident, while at Washington he is an uncommon 

 summer resident. 



The Robin 



By Celia Thaxter 



Tn the elm tree sat the roliin bright, 



Through the rainy April day. 

 And he caroled clear with pure delight, 



In the face of the sky so gray. 

 And the silver rain througii the blossoms droppc<l, 



.And fell on the robin's coat 

 :\u(\ his brave red breast, but he never stojiped 



Piping his cheerful note. 



g7 



