80 WESTERN SERIES OF READERS. 



young insects, and old ones, all of which are good 

 eating for warblers. We examined the branch 

 when the birds had taken their leave, and not a 

 single live scale was left. 



If the birds of winter were better understood, 

 the ranchers of California would welcome them. 

 Many of the titmouses, as well as these warblers, 

 live occasionally upon the scales that infest the 

 orange trees. 



Audubon's warblers are sometimes seen with 

 the blackbirds on the ground in corrals and barn- 

 yards. The blackbirds disturb grubs and other 

 good things which the warblers love to get hold 

 of. In fact, the warblers are always on the look- 

 out for things to be disturbed. An old house 

 was being torn down. The shingles and the 

 boarding were decayed, and they parted at the 

 touch of the workman's hammer. The hammer 

 dropped, and the workman went down the ladder 

 to get it. In his short absence, as if they had 

 been on the watch for the opportunity, the war- 

 blers took possession of the torn roof and feasted 

 on insects. The man stood on the lower rung of 

 the ladder and watched the hurried breakfast. 



Though their feet are not formed for long 

 walks, these birds are often on the ground; 

 always, however, with wings atilt, ready to snatch 

 the nearest gnat in the air. 



