106 NORTHERN TELLOW-THROAT. 



with feathers. Eggs, usually four, some timestive, pure white, spotted and 

 blotched everywhere, but rnther more thickly on the larger end, with brown 

 and lilac. Dimensions, .68 by .53. 



GknkkaIv Habits. The Xoithern Yello^v-throats are 

 (Hie of ouv most common wai-blers. They are fond of swamp}^ 

 thiclcets. and may be foiind anywhere in them from the lx)r- 

 ders of the cranbeny bogs of Cape Cod. alono^ the streams 

 and ponds elsewhere m Massachusetts, in the solitudes of the 

 northern Avoodlauds to the quakin<j^ marshes f>f the Mag-da- 

 len Islands. It matters not to the birds of what these thick- 

 ets tire composed as long as they are dense enough to fonn a 

 perfect shelter for them. It is fortnnate for those who wish 

 to see these Yellow-throats that they are inquisitive Httk' birds^ 

 and will always try to catch sight of their visitors, for so close- 

 ly do they keep concealed that were it not for this habit they 

 would be seldom seen. 



One has, however, only to do something to attract their 

 attention, like mimicking tlieir harsh alarm notes, which may 

 be accomplished by making a kissing or squeaking sound by 

 placing the back of the hand or a finger to the lips. When 

 the birds hear this sound they will almost invariably answer 

 with their alarm notes, then after ti moment or two will ap- 

 pear. Their curiosity is easily satisfied, and tifter a glance or 

 two at the intruder they will dive into the fastness from Avhich 

 they emerged to be seen no more at that time. Occasionally 

 a Yellow-throat may be seen feeding among the branches of 

 a tree if it grows out of a jungle or stands near one. Xow 

 and then one of these bu*ds will venture into an orchard if 

 this be bordered by a thicket. 



As remarked, here in the north the YelIo^v-throats pre- 

 fer shrubbery that grows in the low lands but in winter in 

 Florida, more especially in the Bahama Islands, they are foimd 

 in low bushes often in places remote from fresh water. This 

 at first sight mtiy appear singular, but when we find that the 



