164 HANDBOOK OF NATURE STUDY 



country was settled by white people. Now they nest almost 

 exclusively in chimneys ; however, occasionally their nests 

 are found in hollow trees ; still, they seem to like a chimney 

 very much better. Can you discover a probable reason for 

 this? 



The song of the goldfinch is a wild, canary-like warble ; 

 its call note is ker-chee-chee-chee, whew-e, whew-e. 



14. The Yellow Warbler. Dendroica cestiva. 



This little bird looks very much like a tame canary ; the 

 male is yellow all over, but brighter below than above, while 

 the female is of a darker color. 



The nest may be found in the garden, field, swamp, or 

 forest. It is one of the prettiest structures built by the 

 skilful little feet and bills of birds. Take a stroll in late 

 May through the brush adjoining fields and meadows; soon 

 you will flush the golden bird of summer ; then carefully 

 search the brush and you will find a perfect baby bird's 

 cradle firmly lashed to the twigs in the fork of a shrub, 

 about four or five feet from the ground. 



Procure several old nests, and find out for yourself how 

 the nest is constructed and what material the yellow warbler 

 uses. Do you think that he is influenced to any extent by 

 circumstances and locality ? The song of this bright bird, 

 as is the case with all warblers, is very feeble; it sounds 

 like, sweet-sweet-sweet-sweet-sweet-sweeter-sweeter. 



You may find in the nests of warblers and other small 

 birds two kinds of eggs. The larger egg, nearly an inch 

 long, whitish, and speckled with brown and various shades 

 of gray, is a cowbird's egg, which you should take out and 

 destroy. The cowbird is commonly seen in pastures, follow- 

 ing the cattle. The male is of a glistening black, but has a 

 dark brown head and throat ; the plumage of the female is 

 of a dull, brownish gray. Cowbirds build no nests, but lay 



