164 



YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT. 



683. Icteria virens. 7^ inches. 



Breast yellow, lores black, line over the eye and un- 

 derparts white; no white on wings or tail. 



Dry side hills and ravines covered with thick under- 

 brush are the places to look for Chats. Usually if 

 they are present they will make themselves heard long 

 before you see them. They are one of the most odd 

 birds both in action and song. They are mimics of the 

 highest order and can make any kind of whistle or 

 squawk, but all their vocal efforts seem to require a 

 great deal of flirting of the tail and twisting of the 

 head. They even jerk their tail up and down while 

 flying, this making them appear extremely ludicrous. 



Songs. A varied medley of whistles and calls. 



Nest. Near the ground in tangled thickets; of 

 grass, weeds, etc.; eggs whitish plentifully specked 

 with reddish brown (.90x.70). 



Range. Eastern U. S., breeding north to Massachu- 

 setts and southern Minnesota; winters in Central 

 America; 683a. Long-tailed Chat (longicauda) is 

 found in the U. S. from the Plains to the Pacific. 



