'IOS LIFE-HISTORIES OF BIRDS. 



location of the nest. When the nest is discovered, 

 the birds manifest the utmost consternation, and 

 with a recklessness that knows no bounds, throw 

 themselves down at the very feet of their assailants. 



DendrcEca ccerulca, Baird. 



The Cserulean Warbler is an exceedingly rare 

 species and but little known. Of its breeding- 

 habits we need more information to enable us to 

 detail its history with any degree of exactness. It 

 makes its appearance in our midst during the first 

 week of May, and retires further north, after a brief 

 sojourn. 



They delight in low grounds and the borders of 

 streams, which they occasionally desert for high 

 wooded regions where they may be seen gleaning 

 among the branches of the tallest trees. They are 

 excessively timid and suspicious, and not easily 

 obtainable. Their habits remind us of the Fly- 

 catchers especially, although in some particulars, 

 they imitate the Titmice. Its only note in the in- 

 tervals of feeding is a simple cheep. 



We have never heard its song; the birds in this 

 particular maintaining the most astonishing pas- 

 sivity. Mr. Audubon speaks of it as being neither 

 loud nor prolonged, but exceedingly sweet and 

 mellow. 



The food of this species consists of the following 

 insects: Chrysomelaformosa, C. C(zruleipennis y Cra- 

 tonychus pertinax, Haltica chalybea, Cymindis viri- 

 dipennis, and others not identified, besides spiders 

 and diptera, unrecognizable. 



