300 



Trees, Stars, and Birds 



FIG. 184. Black and white warbler. 



Warblers that nest in the United States. The yellow 

 warbler, yellowthroat, redstart, and black-and-white warbler 

 are species that are rather common in the United 

 States throughout the summer. Which of these do you 

 see most frequently? The ovenbird and water thrush 

 also belong to the warbler family and spend their 

 summers with us. The yellow warbler builds a beauti- 

 ful, compact nest of silver-colored plant fibers, leaves, 

 grass, and caterpillar's silk, and lines the nest with hairs, 

 feathers, and the downy material from fern stems. 1 

 The nest may be in an elder bush, in a stout weed, or in 

 a tree near a house. Usually it is at no great distance 

 from the water. Oftentimes the egg of a cowbird is found 

 in the nest of this warbler. 



Maryland yellowthroats build their bulky nests in 

 grassy hummocks in swampy places. Redstarts live in 

 the woods and are seldom seen on the ground except when 

 1 See Bird Homes by A. R. Dugmore. 





