AMERICAN REDSTART. 



687. Setophaga ruticilla. S l / 2 inches. 



Male, black, orange and white; female, grayish, yel- 

 low and white; it requires two or three years to attain 

 the black plumage of the male, in the intermediate 

 stages they are sometimes strangely mottled. 



In the northeastern half of the United States, these 

 are one of the commonest and most active of the 

 species. Both the males and females seem to be proud 

 of their handsome plumage and are continually spread- 

 ing and closing their tails. They are equally happy 

 whether in the treetops or near the ground and are 

 as often found in the one place as the other. 



Song. Che-wee, che-wee, che-wee, very similar to 

 that of the Yellow Warbler and also the Chestnut- 

 sided Warbler. 



Nest. Of plant fibres and grasses in forks of bushes 

 or trees, usually at greater heights than those of the 

 Yellow Warbler; eggs whitish speckled with brown. 



Range. N. A;, rare west of the Rockies, breeding 

 from North Carolina and Missouri northward; winters 

 south of the U. S. 



