78 Land Birds of New England 



The birds, according to my observation, rarely 

 sing during migration ; but Minot speaks of having 

 often heard them sing in May throughout the day. 



31. SUMMER WARBLER ; YELLOW WARBLER 

 GOLDEN WARBLER 

 SUMMER YELLOW BIRD 



{flendroica cestiva.) 



Male : upper parts greenish yellow, becoming pure yellow on head ; 

 wings and tail dusky, each feather edged with yellow; under 

 parts yellow, breast somewhat streaked with orange-brown. 

 Beak long and slender, almost black ; feet light brown. Bird 

 rather more than half the size of a sparrow. Female : similar, 

 but paler, and orange-brown streakings nearly or quite wanting. 



THIS beautiful little creature is to be found every- 

 where, in woodlands, parks, gardens, and even in 

 city streets ; its abundance, brilliant color, and 

 familiar habits make it one of the best known of 

 our smaller birds. I have found it most abundantly 

 in the tops of willows which grow on the swampy 

 margin of a lake. It comes to us in early May, 

 and leaves at the very end of September. 



The nest may be placed in a fruit or a shade tree, 

 when it is built at some distance from the ground ; 

 but it is more commonly found in thickets, in low, 

 moist situations. The eggs are laid about the first 

 of June. 



