WOODLAND WARBLERS 



163 



THE YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER 



(Or Myrtlebird) 



" This Warbler does not sing much of a song, even 

 in nesting-time; but you will know him on the wing by 

 the bright yellow spot on the rump, and if he perches 

 near by perhaps you will also see 

 the crown of gold on the head and 

 a spot of yellow on each side of 

 the breast. They say there 

 was once a great king 

 named Midas, whose touch 

 turned everything to gold, 

 he was such an avaricious old 

 miser. If that be true he must 

 have put his finger 

 M3'rtlebird in four diffei 

 places. Unlike most 

 his family the Yellow- 

 rump is fond of seeds 

 and berries ; and so 

 he is able to live furtlier 

 north in winter than any of his 

 brothers. Unless you are spend- 

 ing the summer near the Canadian border you Avill not 

 see him in his own home. But when the}^ are on their 

 journeys in spring and autumn you will meet them 

 almost everywhere, travelling in sociable flocks." 



" It must be that dark-backed bird with a yellow 

 spot on his tail, that gobbles all the bayberries — and 

 eats the poison-ivy berries too," said Rap. 



Yellow-rumped Warbler. 



