128 BIRDS OF SOUTH DAKOTA 
among underbrush or clumps of tall weeds adjacent to low or 
swampy ground. The nest is on or near the ground, and here 
most of the bird’s time is spent. The song is a cheerful “witchy, 
witchy, witch,” which, when once heard, can never be forgotten. 
683. YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT (Icteria virens virens.) 
Upper parts olive green, with a clear white line over the 
eye reaching to the base of the bill; throat and breast bright 
yellow. The Chat is nearly as large as an Oriole, and so unlike 
all other Warblers that the ordinary observer would not put him 
in the Warbler family but for the insistence of the books that 
he belongs there. These birds love a tangle of trees, vines and 
bushes, such as are often found in the fringe of woods skirting 
the Missouri River. They love to be heard rather than seen, 
and when you are in their vicinity the male whistles, quacks, 
barks, chuckles and makes numerous other noises, seemingly to 
attract your attention. His love antics are like the bucking of 
a bronco. With drooping wings and legs, and intensified quacks 
and whistles, he bucks his way in aerial circles for the admira- 
tion of his mate. 
685. Wutson’s WarBLER (Wilsonia pusilla pusilla.) 
“A common migrant” (Visher, for Clay County). Olive 
green, with shiny black crown, and forehead; cheeks and under 
parts vellow. 
687. RepstTart (Setophaga ruticilla.) 
A common migrant and a frequent summer resident. The 
male is black, with salmon red on sides, wings and tail. When 
the tail is spread in flight the salmon patches are large and fan 
shaped, and are the bird’s best distinguishing mark. This little 
“torch-bearer,”’ as the Spaniards call it, is seen in a certain grove 
near Vermillion nearly every year in June and July, where it 
evidently nests. It is one of the choicest of the Warbler family, 
extremely light and airy of wing, flitting and poising like a 
Hummingbird as it gathers insect food from leaf and blossom. 
FAMILY MOTACILLIDZ. PIPITS 
697. Prpir; “TirtarK” (Anthus rubescens.) 
This interesting bird, though not common, is found locally 
