Life History of the Pi'othonotary Warbler. 1 5 



'Protonotaria is a denizen of the wooded borders of 

 lakes, and it does not matter whether thej are in the 

 midst of the deep forest or only fring-ed by a few rows 

 of willows, provided that the bird finds a suitable hole 

 for a nest. It is one of the most abundant birds in the 

 swampy lands of S. E. Missouri, where it was apparently 

 in full force and pairs, visiting tree holes as early as 

 April 12. Around St. Louis, in ordinary seasons, it 

 does not become numerous before the last week of that 

 month." 



As far north as Muscatine, Iowa, the prothonotary is 

 an abundant summer resident. Mr. E. S. Currier has 

 found it breeding commonly in the vicinity of Keo- 

 kuk; it is abundant near Warsaw; and Mr. C. P. Fore 

 writes me that the bird breeds around the mouth of the 

 Des Moines River. From Mr. D. L. Savage,, of Salem, 

 Iowa, I have the following: "I have found it hereabout 

 the middle of May, but have never found it nesting ia 

 this county, although I have no doubt but that it does, 

 in favorite localities, as it nests in the adjoining coun^ 

 ties, Lee county especially, which borders the Mississippi 

 River and has many favorite localities for this warbler." 

 A large and valuable series of eggs has been taken near 

 Burlington, Iowa, many of which are now in the posses- 

 sion of J. P. Norris, Esq., and are described b^^ him in 

 the Ornit^tologisf and Oologist (Vol. XV., Dec, 1890, pp. 

 177-182). An interesting article by Mr. 0. C. Poling, of 

 Quincy, 111. appeared in the same publication* in 1887, 

 in which, of the bird in his locality, Mr. Poling writes: 

 "The Golden Swamp Warbler {Protonotaria citrea) is per- 

 haps the most abundant bird in the bottom-lands on 

 either side of the Mississippi for about twenty miles 

 north of Quincy, and in Missouri, it is most plentiful 

 just across the river." 



Mr. B. H. Wilson has found this species breeding 

 abundantly in the willow swamps near Muscatine, Iowa, 

 but he considers the bird a rare summer resident at 



♦Vol. XII.. 1 . 160. 



