104 LAND-BIRDS AND GAME-BIRDS 



the crown. The above colorations are the extremes, between 

 which there are various intermediate forms. It' is remarkable 

 that the eggs, though so variable, are very generally character- 

 istic of the birds, and unlike those of other warblers. In 

 Eastern Massachusetts four or five eggs are laid about the first 

 of June, but no second brood is raised unless some accident 

 befalls the first. 



(c). The Yellow Birds are the most common and familiar of 

 all our warblers ; and who is there that does not, or who ought 

 not to know these beneficial and charming little birds, who are 

 so pleasantly associated with the arrival here of actual spring, 

 since generally in the first week of May they come from the 

 South ? Throughout the summer they are to be found about us, 

 but when autumn comes they leave us, and generally, before 

 the first week of September has passed away, the}'' have gone. 

 Yet they are very hardy, and stray to the Arctic shores, though 

 hardly anywhere common to the northward of Massachusetts, 

 where they are, in most parts of the State, abundant. They 

 inhabit pasture-land and cultivated grounds, being not infre- 

 quently seen near houses, and never retiring to the woods. 

 They are not sufficiently social to gather in flocks, but, on the 

 contrary, though of a pleasant-tempered and affectionate dis- 

 position, seem always to be absorbed in the search of insects, 

 through our orchard-trees, shade-trees, and shrubbery. They 

 never seek for these insects on the ground, or in the higher 

 tree-tops, and rarely seize them in the air, but whilst pursuing 

 them continually move among the lower branches, occasionally 

 taking short flights from one place to another. 



(d). The Yellow Bird's song is simple, yet very pleasing, 

 and one does not become tired of it, though repeated often, as 

 it has several variations. It nearly resembles the syllables 

 wee-chee-wee-chee-wee-i-u, but is like the song of several other 

 warblers. The loud chirp of the Yellow Birds is often heard 

 from the branches, among which they are busy, and often is 

 repeated plaintively, when their nest is disturbed. 



Though probably less familiar toward man than many people 

 suppose, the Yellow Birds do not repel his advances, and cer- 



