THE YELLOW WARBLER. 



i37 



the tasty but inconspicuous chestnut stripes on the breast of the adult male. 

 These stripes are lacking in males of the second year, whence Audubon was 

 once led to elaborate a supposed new species, which he called the "Children's 

 Warbler." The name is not ill-fitting even tho we know it applies only to 

 the Warbler children. 



The Yellow Warbler is peculiarly a bird of sunshine, and is to be found 

 anywhere in open situations. It swarms through the orchards and gardens, 

 frequents the wayside thickets, and in town takes possession of the shrubbery 

 in lawn or park. It is abundant in swampy places, and through the willows 

 which line the banks of streams. 



NEST AXD EGGS OF THE YELLOW 



The song is sunny too, and while not elaborate, makes substantial con- 

 tribution to the good cheer of spring. The notes are almost piercing and 

 sound better perhaps from across the river than they do in the same tree. 

 Individual variation in song is considerable, but the high pitch and vigor 

 of delivery are distinctive. Certain common types may be syllabized as 

 follows: Sweet, sweet, szveet, siveetie; tsee, tsee, tsit-a-zvee, tsee; ivee- 

 chee, chee, dice wee-i-u. The bird is found singing from its arrival the last 

 week in April until near the close of its second nesting late in July. 



The nest of the Yellow Warbler is one of the commonest, both because 

 of the bird's abundance and because no special pains is taken at concealment. 



