1 68 MEMOIRS OF THE NUTTALL ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB 



I believe a pair bred there every year until 1914. In 1913, there appeared to be 

 two pairs. This locahty is, I believe, the most northern breeding locality recorded. 

 It is doubtful if it still breeds in Swampscott. It was reported as probably breed- 

 ing in the Lynn Woods Reservation, in 1918 and in 1919. 



The courtship performances of this bird are many and varied. I have seen 

 only the following: in emitting his notes he throws his head up, swells his neck 

 and sways from side to side. Every now and then he flies with fluttering wings, 

 drooping tail, and dragging legs, uttering in rapid succession his mimicing notes. 

 Sometimes he flies from bush to bush in this manner, sometimes he explodes 

 straight up in the air and flops down again. I have heard the sound of fluttering 

 wings after the vocal sounds ceased. 



I have heard at various times and years at Ipswich the Chat imitate many 

 other birds so perfectly that I have often been deceived. Many of the notes and 

 sounds in his selection are harsh while others are exceedingly sweet and liquid. 

 The various notes of the Red-winged Blackbird, of the Brown Thrasher and Cat- 

 bird were particular favorites of his. The scream of the Blue Jay, the rough call 

 of the Baltimore Oriole, the whistle of the Bob-white, the alarm-note of the Robin, 

 the caw of the Crow and the scolding note of the Maryland Yellow-throat were 

 all easily recognized. On one occasion he imitated the bark of a small dog so 

 perfectly that I looked about for that animal. 



*30i [684] Wilsonia citrina (Bodd.). 



Hooded Warbler. 



Accidental visitor from the South. 



I have four records for this unusual warbler new to the list. A male was 

 taken at Pigeon Cove on June 20, 1909, by Mr. Charles R. Lamb. A male was 

 seen on August 30, 1913, at Nahant by Messrs. Geo. M. Bubier and Arthur P. 

 Stubbs. On May 17, 1916, and on June 2, 1917, Mr. C. E. Moulton saw a Hooded 

 Warbler at Nahant. 



302 [685] Wilsonia pusilla pusilla (Wils.). 



Wilson's Warbler. 



Uncommon transient visitor. May 15 to June 10; September 8 to 27. 



In some years this species is almost common. On May 19, 1907, I saw five 

 at Ipswich. I am inclined to think the bird has increased in numbers in the last 

 fifteen years. 



