108 LAND-BIRDS AND GAME-BIRDS 



caused so much discussion as to species and varieties. All 

 this shows that properly one man ought not to write the Nat- 

 ural History of other than a small tract of country, and that, 

 before the habits of our birds can be thoroughly known, it 

 will be necessary to station competent naturalists, who can 

 devote their whole time to making observations and accurately 

 noting them, at various points in the regions of the different 

 faunce, all of whom shall work under a system and a superin- 

 tendence. This plan is not at present a feasible one, but the 

 advantages of it would be numerous, for the flights of birds 

 (particularly should ornithologists be stationed near meteoro- 

 logical observation-posts) could be foretold with considerable 

 accuracy to sportsmen and other ornithologists, who are al- 

 ready, however, by far too destructive. 



(d). The ordinary notes of the Chestnut-sided Warbler are 

 a soft tsip, a louder and harsher tsip, uttered in a peculiar tone, 

 and much like that of the Black and White "Creeper," and a 

 rather loud chip. Mr. Samuels speaks of their having "at 

 times, a rattling cry something like the alarm-note of the 

 Maryland Yellow-throat." Their song is attractive and mus- 

 ical, though containing but a few simple notes. One variation 

 resembles the syllables wee-see-wee-see-wee-see (each of which is 

 higher than the preceding, except the sixth, which is lower 

 than the fifth). The other common variation is almost exactly 

 like the song of the little Yellow Bird (A) , and consequently 

 like that of various other warblers. 



(D) CASTANEA. Bay-breasted Warbler. (Autumnal War- 

 bler?) 



(Through Eastern Massachusetts a rare migrant.) 



(a). About 5 1 inches long. Back, light ashy-yellow, black- 

 streaked. Under parts, white. Wing-bars white, (generally) 

 forming one patch. Forehead and sides of head, black. Crown, 

 throat, and breast, chestnut (or deep chestnut-red). Belly and 

 ear-patch usually buff-tinged, but sometimes white. $ with 

 paler chestnut than the $ . 



(b). The nest is rather coarsely built, and is placed in the 



