1018 EEPORT OF STATE GEOLOGIST. 



arrival in the spring, through humid periods and droughts, to the time 

 of its departure. September 14, 1897, it was heard singing as plainly 

 as in June. In early springs they are usually distributed to our north- 

 ern limits before the first of May, and more tardy seasons they are 

 sometimes two weeks later. At Brookville their first appearance was 

 noted April 21, 1896, May 11, 1882; at Bicknell, April 19, 1896, 

 April 25, 1895; Spearsville, April 25, 1895, May 4, 1897; Greencastle, 

 April 27, 1892, May 2, 1894; Lafayette, April 28, 1894, May 11, 1897; 

 Waterloo, April 25, 1897. I found them paired May 2, 1884. Their 

 nests vary in material according to location. Almost any available 

 kind of material that can be worked in is used. Even fragments of 

 newspapers are frequently worked in. For that reason Wilson called 

 this bird the "Politician." They are built at the ends of horizontal 

 forked twigs, from which they hang as purse-like structures to receive 

 the most valuable possessions of their makers. Mr. Nehrling says: 

 "The average length of the nest is 4.50 inches, the width at the rim 

 2.25 inches and somewhat wider toward the middle. The interior 

 is about 2.00 inches deep, the opening 1.75 inches wide. At the time 

 when the female begins to lay, the nest looks rugged and unfinished, 

 and small branches of lichens hang down from it. The work is com- 

 pleted by the male, which labors assiduously to embellish and orna- 

 ment the exterior." 



They have been noted in the fall at Brookville, September 20, 1886; 

 in Warren County, September 12, 1897; at Sedan, September 27, 

 1889. 



Like the other members of its family, its food while with us is 

 principally insects, notably in its season, the larvae of the canker- 

 worm. When in the south in winter it supplements its insect diet 

 with palmetto berries and other wild fruit. 



XLVI. FAMILY MNIOTILTID^E WOOD WARBLERS. 



a 1 . Bill depressed, broader than deep at base ; rictal bristles distinct ; bill notched 



at tip ; length 5.50 or less. 



ft 1 . Lower parts yellow; throat sometimes more or less black. SYLVANIA. 162 

 6 2 . Lower parts without yellow in onr species. SETOPHAGA. 163 



a 2 . Bill not depressed, without distinct hook or notch at tip; rictal bristles, if 

 present, scarcely reaching beyond the nostrils. 

 c 1 . Size small ; length less than 6.50 ; bill slender, nearly cylindrical. 



d l . Hind toe with claw as long as naked portion of tarsus in front; color 



black and white; no yellow. MNIOTILTA. 152 



d 2 . Hind toe with claw much shorter than naked portion of tarsus in front. 



e 1 . Middle toe with claw jnnch shorter than naked portion of tarsus in 



front; or wings barred with white (Dendroica dominica) ; or outer tail 



feathers shortest (Geothlypis trichas). 



