WARBLERS 495 



four or five, often mixed with the Nashville and other migrat- 

 ing bands of Warblers, while in the fall the migrants move 

 along through September, generally being gone by the twenti- 

 eth as a rule. As a migrant the species is probably not rare 

 anywhere in the State though very likely overlooked or confused 

 with related species. It was years before I discovered them near 

 Bangor, but once seen and identified positively the species be- 

 came readily found at proper seasons. With most of our birds 

 after the first individuals are found it is easier to discover others. 

 The species breeds regularly beyond question in northern 

 and eastern Maine, more rarely in the southern sections. That 

 it nests rather early is shown by the fact that Mr. C. D. Farrar 

 found a nest containing five eggs on the ground at north edge 

 of woods at foot of small hemlock bush near South Lewiston, 

 June 4, 1895, and as the parent was shot the identification 

 was absolute. These eggs were advanced in incubation. Mr. 

 Farrar writes that one of the eggs he saved measures 0.63 x 

 0.50 and another is a trifle larger. He states that the markings 

 form a wreath about the larger ends of the eggs which seem 

 more pointed than eggs of the Nashville Warbler. I have 

 found nests containing young birds near Bangor on June tenth 

 and fifteenth, so it is evident they nest very promptly after 

 arriving. The nests did not differ appreciably in construction 

 and appearance from those of the Nashville Warbler, being 

 very similarly situated on the ground in a very wet boggy 

 locality among alders on elevated hummocks of moss. Four 

 or five eggs are laid. The eggs are white, wreathed about the 

 larger end with brown and purplish, and measuring about 

 0.60 X 0.50. It is a matter of pure accident to find a nest 

 with eggs as the birds probably do not flush until almost 

 stepped upon, and indeed in the cases where I found nests with 

 young they were so discovered. Such few instances where I 

 have ascertained the food, it consisted entirely of beetles, grubs 

 and small insects, and in brief is probably very identical with 

 that of the Nashville Warbler. 



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