AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 83 



CHESTNUT^SIDED WARBLER. 



A. O- U- Xo. 659. ( l>fii(lri>ica peniisylvaiilca.) 



RANGE. 



Eastern North America, breeding from New Jersey and Ohio north 

 to Manitoba and Nova Scotia; winters south to Panama. 



NEST AND EGGS. 

 These Warbiers build their homes generally near the ground in low 

 bushes or trees. The nest is almost always placed in an upright crotch 

 and is neatly woven of grasses and plant fibres and lined with hair. 

 Grasses form the larger part of the material; this serves to distinguish 

 the nests from those of the Yellow Warbier that offen builds in simi- 

 lar locations, but more offen higher up. These latter nests have a 

 wooly appearance which that of the Chestnut-side does not. In New 

 England their nesting season commences the latter part of May and 

 continues during June and July. They lay from three to five eggs 

 which have a white or pearly white background, distinguishing them 

 from the bluish white eggs of the Yellow Bird; they are speckled with 

 reddish brown often in handsome wreaths around the larger end. 



HABITS. 



These sprightly little fellows are generally one of the most common 

 of eastern Warbiers. They leave their winter homes in Central Amer- 

 ica early in March to commence their annual journey northwards, 

 reaching the southern border of the United States about the first of 

 April; from here they straggle along by easy stages, reaching their 

 northern breeding grounds from the tenth to the fifteenth of May. 

 The two weeks following their arrival are devoted to frolicking midst 

 the new surroundings, with the numerous other species that are pass- 

 ing through to breeding grounds farther north. They are active birds 

 and especially in the morning their simple little song of "Chee-chee- 

 chee-chee-e-e-e," rings out at regulär intervals. It is a very similar 

 ditty to that of the Redstart and Yellow Warbiers; the difference can 

 not readily be expressed in words but can generally be distinguished 

 after an intimate acquaintance with each. When feeding they are quite 

 partial to birches, the leaves and bark of which harmonizes so well with 

 their plumage that they are not readily seen; they are conscientious 

 workers and do a great deal of good while they are with us. They seek 

 the more open woods when nesting, building in the low bushes in 

 Clearings or on the borders of woods, along the edges of brooks, or in 

 scrubby pasture land. They are very confiding birds and especially 

 when incubating, they will allow one to approach very closely. often 



