162 CITIZEN BIRD 



"'• going to such a heap of trouble for something they 

 could fix with one good push." 



" What happens when the Cowbird's egg stays in the 

 nest and hatches out ? Aren't the other little birds 

 squeezed and uncomfortable ? " asked Dodo. 



" Yes, they are very uncomfortable indeed, and often 

 starve to death ; but you must wait to hear about that 

 until we come to the Cowbird himself." 



" What family does he train with ? " asked Nat. 



'' With the Blackbirds and Orioles," said the Doctor. 



Then the male Yellow Warbler flew out along a 

 branch above their heads, gave his lisping song, that 

 sounded like " sweet, sweet, sweet, sweeter," seized an 

 insect, and went across the garden toward his nest. 



" I'm going to watch that nest," said Rap, " and if a 

 Cowbird lays in it any more I'll take the wicked old 

 egg away." 



" Sweet, sweet, sweet," called the Warbler from the 

 bushes. 



"Maybe he understood you," said Dodo. "I'd be- 

 lieve most anything about birds." 



The Yellow Warbler 



(Or Summer Yellowbird) 



Length about five inches. 



Upper parts rich olive-yellow, brightest on the rump and crown, 

 but dark brown on wings and tail, with the inside half of each tail- 

 feather yellow, and some yellow edgings on the wing-feathers. 



Under parts bright yellow, in the male streaked with rich 

 brownish-red. 



A Summer Citizen of the greater part of Xorth America, nest- 

 ing in orchards and bushes, and going to the tropics in winter. 



Belongs to the guilds of Tree Trappers and Sky Sweepers. 



