144 



LIFE-HISTORIES OF BIRDS 



in their behalf are unremitting during the period 

 of helplessness; at the expiration of three weeks 

 they are thrown upon their own resources. The 

 species is single-brooded. 



The following beetles constitute a portion *of its 

 bill of fare: Platyrms capripenuis, Harpalus pen- 

 sylvanicus, and Cratonychus pertinax. Later in the 

 season the neuropterous larvae of Agrioii and 

 Pkryganea, the dipteria Culex taeniorkyuchus, and 

 the larvae and images of Noctuids and Tineids 

 which abound at the time. 



Its song is loud clear and ringing, beginning 

 with a sudden gush of melody and gradually de- 

 creasing until scarcely audible. Like most of the 

 Warblers while singing it does not like intrusion. 

 During its winter residence in Jamaica it is devoid 

 of song and merely utters a monotonous chip. 



The eggs of this species are oblong-oval in figure^ 

 pointed atone extremity and rounded at the other. 

 They are marked with dots, lines, and dashes of 

 umber-brown, varying in tints upon a clear white 

 ground, which are more numerous about the larger 

 end. In some, these markings are larger and 

 bolder; while in others they are reduced to mere 

 points, and are pretty evenly diffused over the en- 

 tire surface, or are confluent about the larger end 

 forming a ring, while the rest of the egg is un- 

 marked. They average .84 of an inch in length and 

 .67. in breadth. 



In some sections of the country, particularly in 

 sheltered localities, such as dense woods afford, 



