AMERICAN ORXITHOLOGY. 67 



August first, at the latest, these are able to fly, and by the last of the 

 month they commence to travel southward in preparation for another 

 winter. 



HERMIT WARBLER. 



A. O. U. No. 669. (Dendroica occidentaUIs). 



RANGE. 



This Warbler is foumd in the Pacific coast states from California and 

 Arizona north to British Columbia. They reach the United States at 

 about the same time in the spring as the last but are usually several 

 weeks later in leaving. 



HABITS. 



These handsome Warblers are wholly different in plumage from any- 

 other American variety and can easily be recognized in any plumage 

 by the evidences of the yellow head. They cannot be called common 

 in any locality but may be met on any of the Pacific coast mountains 

 usually being found at quite an elevation. Owing to their extreme 

 westerly distribution they are frequently known as Western Warblers. 

 They nest high up in pines, concealing their nests so that they are very 

 difficult to find. The nests are made of fibres and rootlets, lined with 

 shreds of bark and hair. The four eggs have a pale greenish white 

 ground spotted and blotched with reddish brown and gray. 



THE HUMMING BIRD. 



At frequent intervals this summer I watched the Humming birds as 

 from time to time they visited the canna-beds on the lawn. It is an in- 

 structive and delightful occupation for busy people as well as those 

 who are leisurely inclined, to watch these beautiful creatures amid nat- 

 ural surroundings, and to know some of their habits and peculiarities 

 from original investigation and observation. When first I knew them 

 as the most diminutive of all feathered tribes, I occasionally swept my 

 net over them — only to behold with one mighty regret their immediate 

 and plausible disappearance. It is peculiar that such a charming bird 

 — so diminutive that in fact its name a couple centuries ago was synony- 

 mous with mosquito, should be found in our own American gardens 

 Its gorgeous changing colors are peculiar to birds of tropical regions; 

 but, aft^r the migratory season, they are found everywhere east of the 

 Mississippi, and are considered quite numerous by persons who are 

 habitually and diligently observant. The statistics claim that 450 

 species are found on the American continent; but only ten or eleven of 



