4 BIRDS OF CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY. 



Sialia sialis, The Bluebird, one of the earliest spring arrivals, is very 

 common. It usually makes its appearance about the same time as 

 the Robin. The Bluebird's eggs are blue, ordinarily, though I once 

 discovered a nest containing pure white ones. This is sometimes 

 the case. 



Regulus calendula. The Ruby-crowned Kinglet and R. satrapa, The 

 Golden-crowned Kinglet, among the smallest of our birds, slightly ex- 

 ceeding the Hummingbird in size, are with us during their migrations 

 in April and October. 



Parus atricapilbis, The Black-capped Titmouse or Chickadee, though 

 small in size, has the hardihood to stay with us during the entire year; 

 and is frequently seen in the door-yard. in cold weather. Common. 



Sitta Carolinensis, The White-bellied Nuthatch is common, most so 

 in winter. Its coat is ashy-blue, black and white. Its manner of 

 alighting on trees resembles that of the woodpecker, though it as often 

 stands head downward as the reverse. 



S. canadensis, The Red-bellied Nuthatch is a rare migrant in spring 

 and autumn. 



Certldafamiliarisrufa, The Brown Creeper, a migrant, is not common. 



Progfodytes sedon, The House Wren, a well-known species, is com- 

 mon, arriving about the middle of April. 



Anorthiera troglodytes hyemalis, The Winter Wren is rare. 



Telmatodytes palustris, The Long billed Marsh Wren, is not common 

 except in localities. 



The family Sylvicolidae. American warblers, is an unusually enter- 

 taining group, containing a large number of little birds about the size 

 of a Wren or slightly larger and resembling one another closely in 

 size, habits and song, but presenting a great variety of bright feathers. 

 They are, with few exceptions, strictly forest birds. To this family 

 belong the next eighteen species. 



Mniotilta varia, The Black-and-white Creeper occurs usually as a 

 migrant, though I have known it to nest here. 



Parula Americana, The Blue Yellow-backed Warbler is rare. I have 

 seen it only in spring. 



Dendroica aestiva, The Yellow Warbler or Summer Yellow Bird, the 

 best known of the family, frequently builds its nest in a lilac bush or 

 shade tree of the door-yard, and but that it is a quiet, modest, little 

 fellow might be familiar to eveiyone. It may be easity distinguished 

 from the other Yellow Bird, the Thistle Bird or Goldfinch by its lack- 

 ing the undulating flight and the black wings and crown of the latter, 

 and by its activity and restlessness. Its under parts and the sides of 



