Vol. XXVII 

 1910 



J Sherman, Brewster's Warbler in Massachusetts. 445 



Presently his mate flew to him. I immediately recognized in 

 her a female Brewster's. They mated and sported about for some 

 time. Although I had read that it was believed that these species 

 do interbreed, I never expected to have the actual experience 

 come within my observation. 



This female Brewster's was in much the same plumage as the 

 last described. She differed, however, in having the dusky throat 

 patch lighter in color. It bore the same character in being darker 

 towards its center and directly under the bill. The one of 1908 

 had a nearly black throat patch, mottled slightly in appearance. 

 The black line through the eye was narrower and placed on a pale 

 gray cheek. The white line above the eye was uniform in width 

 and looked as if put on with a brush, it was so beautifully defined. 

 The white line below the eye was shorter. The whole tone of the 

 back was more olivaceous. Two bright yellow wing-bars divided 

 by an olive or dark band showed on the wing. 



The entire underparts were washed with yellow, which showed 

 quite bright on the middle of the breast in good light. The crown 

 was bright dandelion yellow running into bronzy yellow toward the 

 back of the head. 



Seeing such a mismated pair, I knew the rest of their history 

 would be interesting and determined to locate their nest if possible. 

 This I did not succeed in doing until on the 13th, by inadvertently 

 walking almost onto it; the mother bird flew off, thus pointing an 

 index finger to the spot. 



It was placed in a blossoming backberry bush about six inches 

 from the ground. It rested in the center of the bush, being sup- 

 ported by the upright briery canes. The material used in its con- 

 struction was oak and chestnut leaves, with strips of red cedar 

 bark, and grasses for a lining and to hold the nest together. The 

 single strand of horse hair was inside. All the material was found 

 close at hand. The leaves were whole. 



It was securely yet loosely made, and so deep (2^ inches on the 

 inside) that the little nestlings looked well protected. It was so 

 well concealed that I always had to look sharply to see it, even 

 knowing its exact location. Living grasses were pulled up about 

 it in such a way as to completely hide it. It contained, when 

 found, four eggs similar to those, as I remember them, of the 



