134 LAND-BIRDS. 



and western localities than in other parts, where they are the 

 most common of the woodland Warblers. They are summer 

 residents throughout the northeastern United States, but they 

 pass the winter in a warmer climate. They reach Massachu- 

 setts between the fifth and tenth of May, and leave it in the 

 early part of September ; but, except in spring, when I have 

 seen three or four together on their arrival, I have never ob- 

 served them to be at all gregarious. They frequent woods and 

 groves of various sorts, but generally avoid isolated trees and 

 shrubbery. Occasionally, however, they approach the ground, 54 

 though they usually remain at some distance from it, often at 

 a great height. During their residence here, they never wan- 

 der far, and never take other than very short flights. They 

 are, however, continually catching small flies, gnats, and mos- 

 quitoes in the air. They also search for them among the 

 branches, in the manner of the Vireos, and their handsome 

 tail, outspread, then shows to great advantage. They are 

 more wonderfully active and dexterous than most other War- 

 blers, renowned as they all are for their industry and skill. 



The male Redstarts, inclusive of the young in various 

 stages, who, for a long time, much resemble the females, 

 are more abundant than the opposite sex, and consequently, 

 though otherwise peaceful, they often have occasion in May 

 to quarrel for the possession of the females. Though easily 

 caused to desert their nests, they possess great conjugal and 

 parental affection, as do nearly all the more highly organized 

 birds. Inclination to desertion varies with individuals more 

 than with species, but is widely different among the several 

 families and orders. 



d. The song of the Redstarts is simple and pleasing, but 

 constantly varied. Sometimes it is merely a rather shrill che- 

 wee-o or che-tvee-o-wee-o. at other times it is che-wee-see-wee-see- 

 wee, or a soft wee-see-wee-see-wee, much like the song of the 

 Yellowbird (Z>. cestiva), and again a series or repetition of a 

 few gentle notes which form an indefinite song. 



The Redstarts have also a soft chip, which is often repeated 



64 I have since observed that the female obtains much food for her young 

 from the ground. 



