SYLVICULID.E — THE WAKliLERS. 209 



same ufarden nine or ten successive summers. Tt is also more ijenerallv found 

 in low lands than in liij^li, and is probaMv attracted to moist tliiekets of 

 briers and underbrush bv the 'greater al>undance of its favorite food. This 

 AVarl^kT is eminently terrestrial in its habits, never beinij: found among hinher 

 lind)S, but always either on the y-round ov anions the lower branches of 

 ])ushes, vines, and weeds. It is a diligent rather than an active or nimble 

 l»ird, is always on the move, and incessantly in search of its food. This con- 

 sists of insects in all their forms, but more particularly of larv^, small 

 beetles, and sjjiders. They are of great service in the destruction of several 

 forms of injurious grubs, and but that their mode of life exposes them to 

 destruction by prowling cats, I doubt not they would readily adai»t themselves 

 to living in our gardens. Occasionally they are found in tields of grain, 

 where their j)resence is due to the abundance of destructive insects. 



The Yellow-Throat ap])ears shy and retiring because it prefers to move back 

 and forth anmng low shrubs and brand)les, where it most readily procures its 

 food, but it is not a timid bird. They are unsuspecting, and will as readily 

 permit as fly from the near presence of man. I have frequently had them 

 approach within a few feet, especially- when at rest ; and even when in mo- 

 tion they will continue their lively song, as they move about from twig to 

 twig. Though able to cai)ture an insect on the wing, they are not expert fly- 

 catchers, and chiefly take their prey when it is at rest. 



Their song is a very lively and agreeable refrain, easily recognized, though 

 exhibiting at times marked differences, and occasionally closely resembling 

 the song of the Summer Yellow-liird. The same brief series of notes, usually 

 sounding like ichi-fi-tee-tee, is constantly repeated at short intervals, while 

 the singer continues his perpetual hunt for insects. 



The male is very affectionate and devoted to botli mate and oftspring. The 

 pair are never far apart, and during incubation the male is assiduous in the 

 collection of food, feeding its mate, and afterwards assisthig in collecting for 

 their young. They rely upon concealment for the protection of their nest, and 

 rarely show any open solicitude until it is discovered. Then they will make 

 the most vehement demonstrations of alarm and distress, flying about the 

 intruder and fearlessly ap})roaching him to within a few feet. In Massachu- 

 setts tliey rarely, if ever, have more than one brood in a season. The young 

 are able to take care of themselves early in July. At that time the song of 

 the male ceases, or is abbreviated to a single v:Iiif, and parents and young 

 form a family group and together hunt in the more secluded thickets, the 

 edges of woods, and other retired places, for their food. Early in September 

 they take their departure. 



The Y'ellow-Throat is distributed, in suitable localities, over a large area, 

 and wherever found is apparently ecpially common. Dr. Gerhardt found it 

 quite abundant in Northern CJeorgia. Wilson and Audubon thought it more 

 common in the Middle States than faither north, but I have found it quite as 

 numerous about Halifax and Eastport as I have at Washington. Dr. Cooper 



