PALM WARBLER 



215 



Fall Migration- 



The Bird and its Haunts. The Palm Warblers, including under 

 this head both the present species and its eastern representative, hypo- 

 chrysea, are strikingly unlike all but one of their congeners in color, 

 in actions, and in choice of both haunts and nesting site. Kirtland's 

 Warbler is the only other member of the genus which nests on the 

 ground, and this species, singularly enough, is the only other Den- 

 droica which has the habit of tail-wagging. 



It is this motion in connection with the bird's occurrence in old 

 fields, that causes it to be likened to the Titlark or Pipit; the latter, 

 however, is purely terrestrial, rarely if ever alighting in bushes or on 

 fences, etc., as is the custom of this Warbler. 



During the winter, and indeed, until May i, the Palm Warbler is 

 one of the commonest birds in Florida. It inhabits not only the 

 pineries, old fields, and fence-rows, but is common in gardens and even 

 visits the streets of the towns, its oft-repeated chip and wagging tail 

 impressing themselves on the memory as characteristic features of 

 Florida's winter bird-life. 



Allison writes that "about New Orleans, this Warbler is found 

 on open ground, roadsides, pastures, etc., with small bushes, clumps 

 of palmetto, or occasional willow trees. In Tishomingo County I 



