242 SINGING BIRDS. 



hatching, they were white, with a sUght tinge of green, very 

 full of small pale brown spots, somewhat more numerous 

 towards, the larger end, where they appear connected or aggre- 

 gated around a purplish ground. The female made some little 

 complaint, but almost immediately resumed her seat, though 2 

 of the eggs were taken away ; the male made off immediately, 

 and was but seldom seen near the place. 



The Pine Warbler is a common summer resident of New Eng- 

 land, but I seldom saw it in New Brunswick, and can find no evi. 

 dence of its occurrence in Nova Scotia. Mr. Neilson thinks it 

 uncommon in the vicinity of Quebec city, and Mr. Mcllwraith 

 makes a similar report for Ontario, while Mr. Thompson reports 

 it common in Manitoba. It winters in the Southern States. 



PRAIRIE WARBLER. 

 Dendroica discolor. 



Char. Above, olive; back with patch of red spots; forehead, line 

 over the eyes, wing-bars, and entire under parts rich yellow ; black, streak 

 on sides of head ; sides spotted with black ; 3 outer tail-feathers with 

 broad patches of white. Length 4>^ to 5 inches. 



Nest. In open woodland or old meadow, on small tree or bush ; neatly 

 and compactly made of grass and vegetable fibre lined with hair or 

 feathers. 



Eggs. 4-5 ; white, spotted around larger end with brown ; 0.63 X 

 0.47. 



These birds, rare in the Atlantic States, appear to be some- 

 what more common in the solitary barrens of Kentucky and 

 the open woods of the Choctaw country. Here they prefer the 

 open plains thinly covered with trees ; and without betraying 

 alarm at the visits of a spectator, leisurely pursue their search 

 for caterpillars and small flies, examining among the leaves or 

 hopping among the branches, and at times descending pretty 

 near, and familiarly examining the obser\^er, with a confidence 

 and curiosity seldom witnessed in these shy and retiring 

 species. Such was the conduct of a male bird in this vicinity, 

 on the 4th of June, whom I discovered by his slender filing 

 notes, which were uttered every half minute, and like those of 



