568 



NATURAL HISTORY. 



frequently builds its globular nests on the same branches that support the 

 large structures of the paper-wasps. The reason for this association is 

 uncertain ; it may be that the presence of the wasps is a protection to the 

 little birds. 



Our warblers — to be numbered by dozens — are considerably different 

 from those of Europe. They are all small birds, whose cheery warble 

 enlivens our woods and fields all summer long. Some stay in one locality 

 but a short time, while others make a longer tarry, so that there is scarcely 

 a moment when one or another cannot be heard. They are exceeding 





Fig. 468. — Common brown creeper (Certhia familiaris). 



busy little bodies. Go into some little grove if you wish to see them and 

 hear them in all their glory. At first not a note is audible, not a bird 

 visible. Soon, however, a quick and pretty note is heard from a neigh- 

 boring shrub, and then comes the song, varying in character with the 

 species. You sit still, and soon the alarm is over, and the little songster 

 displays itself in all its naturalness. Now it takes a sudden dart after 

 some passing fly, and again it is gathering dried grass, or perhaps the 

 down from yonder dandelion to make its pretty nest. Again it lights and 

 sings its song, to be answered by some comrade, perhaps its mate, from a 

 neighboring tree ; and so the day goes on, each moment furnishing some 

 new feature to the careful observer. 



