YELLOW WARBLER 



117 



and, indeed, one may find it in almost any trees except those of the 

 deep woods. 



Walter Fisher writes that "in California the Yellow Warbler is 

 common during Spring and early Summer among the willows, poplars, 

 and alders that line most of the streams and dry water-courses of the 

 lowlands; and it is found also at lower altitudes in the mountains, 

 about as high as the black oak ranges. Its song and characteristic 

 chip are heard almost continually in willow thickets of bottom lands, 

 where the birds move busily to and fro in the tree tops." {Fisher, MS.) 

 It is remarkable that although Warblers are imposed upon by 

 the Cowbird more than any other birds, the Yellow Warbler alone 

 appears to resent the intrusion of the strange egg, so unlike that of 

 any other Warbler, and to have a definite method of avoiding its incu- 

 bation. The building of a platform or second nest-bottom over the 

 unwelcome egg may with this species be called a habit and numerous 

 cases are on record where the unfortunate Warbler has been visited 

 three times by the Cowbird and has built as many floors to its home, 

 sealing, as it were, the unwelcome contribution. 



Song. "While there is no little variability there is little likelihood 

 of confounding any of the variations with other species. Now it is sweet 

 sweet sweet sweet sweeter szveeter, now sweet sweet yweet sweetie, 

 again wee-chee, we-chee, wee-i-u; once more wee-chee, chee, chee, 

 chur-zvee. Over all presides the bird's distinct individuality. In all 

 the variations I have heard the penultimate syllable is at a higher pitch, 

 if the last phrase be three syllabled, lower if the last phrase be two 

 syllabled. There is also a tendency to an increase in cadence to the 

 last. The whole song is forcible and loud, but smooth and pleasing. 

 It will be seen that in each variation there are two parts, though 

 the last may be but a double syllable. 



"There is no second song period, because singing does not cease 

 until the last of July or the first week in August. It should be 

 remarked, however, that there is a marked decrease in singing after 

 the middle of July, at least in northern Ohio. Sometimes individuals 

 are heard singing after the middle of August for a few days" (Jones.) 

 "There are two common call-notes used in the fall. The song 

 is more often heard in spring than the call-notes, and is rarely or 

 never uttered in the fall. The commoner of these two notes is the dzt 

 uttered by many Warblers; the other is a softer, less decisive 

 chip, much like that uttered by the Parula and Prairie Warblers. 

 The song is generally uttered while the singer moves slowly about 

 among the branches ; it is simple, but lively and pleasing, resembling 



