AVERY BIRD COLLECTION 125 



No. 921. Male im. Greensboro. Sept. 10, 1891. W. C. Avery, 

 No. 1043. Male. Greensboro. Apr. 15, 1893. W. C. Avery. 



189. ICTERIA VIRENS VIRENS (Linnaeus). 

 Yellow-breasted Chat. 



No. 3 (old series) of Dr. Avery's collection was an adult 

 male of this species taken May 27, 1876, near Content- 

 ment. 11/2 miles southwest of Greensboro. The stomach 

 contained blackberry seed and debris of insects. After 

 recording the specimen he writes: "This bird is a sum- 

 mer visitant, appearing in April and disappearing with 

 cool weather in the fall. 



"He is a noisy bird ; generally found in cool, low, 

 marshy places, where sometimes leaving his dark haunts, 

 he perches upon a tall tree and utters a succession of 

 strange notes such as 'baw-tate-tate-tate-chuck' and then 

 a whistle. These are but a few of the strange sounds 

 with which he enlivens his shady haunts. 



"He doubtless breeds here, though I have never seen his 

 nest nor found his young." 



Writing in 1888, the Doctor says : "I was waked from 

 profound sleep by the fluttering of a bird in my room 

 on the morning of April 21 at three o'clock. I lighted 

 my lamp and caught the bewildered bird, No. 55 of my 

 collection." The stomach of this specimen contained 

 insects. 



May 21, 1888, a set of four eggs was taken near Greens- 

 boro. "Incubation advanced. Nest in plum tree {Primus 

 chicasa Michx.) , two feet from the ground. Measure- 

 ments of eggs: No. 1. .85 by .67; No. 2, .81 by M; No. 

 3, .82 by .65 ; No. 4, .80 by .67 ; average .82 by .67. Sent 

 to Capt. Charles Bendire." 



"Common. Summer resident. Breeds." (1891c). 



The chat was taken by Dr. Avery near the mouth of 

 Perdido Bay on his visit to Baldwin County, Sept. 16th 

 to October 2nd, 1892. 



No. 55. Male. Greensboro. A'Dr. 21. 1888. W. C. Avery. 

 No. 602. Male. Greensboro. Ausr. 23, 1890. W. C. Avery. 

 No. 1039. Male. Greensboro. Apr. 8, 1893. W. C. Avery. 



