330 THE BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER. 



spots of lilac and umber." Another, which was taken June 

 8th, 1871, was "composed outwardly of a few scattered dead 

 twigs of larch, interwoven with stalks of weeds and dry 

 grass. It is lined with black horse-hair; this dark lining 

 forms a strange contrast with the faded appearance of the 

 outer part. The whole structure is very light and airy in 

 appearance, strongly reminding one of the nest of the D. 

 pcnnsylvanica." This is in harmony with a note from Mr. 

 Andrew Downes, of Halifax, N. S., who says: "I once 

 found the nest of this bird on a hard-wood bough, breast 

 high. It was composed of very light material. I could 

 see through it." From a nest in H. A. Ward's cabinet, at 

 Rochester, N. Y., and which was taken in Maine in June, I 

 have the following note: "Placed in a fir bush two feet 

 from the ground, shallow, and so frail that one can see 

 through it, made of dried grasses and rootlets, and lined 

 with fine rootlets and a little horse-hair. The 4 eggs are 

 creamy- white, spotted and specked with red, brown and lilac, 

 forming a delicate wreath. Size, .62X.50." 



Like other Warblers, tfiaculosa has a strictly insect diet, 

 and contributes greatly to the preservation of our forests. 



THE BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER. 



As I recline on a bed of dry leaves, and listen to this 

 chorus of traveling songsters, I notice one song, the tones 

 of which strongly resemble the hum or shrilling of an in- 

 sect. I recall the fact that insects almost invariably render 

 their music by some external organ, the wings, or the wings 

 and legs together, for instance, and so are instrumental 

 musicians; therefore, this striking resemblance of a vocal 

 performer is all the more remarkable. Again and again I 

 hear it, zwee-zwee-zwee, per-wee-wee-wee* in languid notes, 



* I once heard this peculiar song preluded by a half-dozen beautiful, staccato, whistling 

 notes. 



