SONG-BIRDS. i Warblers 



Female : Olive above. Below dusky, eye stripe gray. 



Song : Not loud, sweet, and thrilling, resembling the Maryland Yellow- 

 throat's. Call note, "tseep." (Nehrling.) 



Season : Summer resident ; May and September. 



Breeds : All through United States range, but only casually north of 

 Massachusetts. 



Nest and Eggs : Similar to those of the last species. 



Eange : Eastern United States ; Central America in winter. 



The Golden-winged Warbler seems to be considered rare, 

 or only locally common, in many parts of its range. It 

 comes about the orchard sparingly in May, but has a habit 

 of retiring very suddenly into dense underbrush, which ren- 

 ders its' identification difficult. Its name also is very delu- 

 sive ; for, if you go out to search for a gorgeous bird with 

 canary-yellow wings, you will never suspect this bird, with 

 small golden splashes on the wing coverts only, of being the 

 Golden-winged Warbler. 



All Warblers depend upon their markings rather than 

 song for their identity, which renders the majority of the 

 tribe of greater interest to the scientist than to the novice. 



In fact, until you have named four or five of the com- 

 monest species as landmarks, you will be considerably con- 

 fused, and feel oftentimes inclined to scold the brilliant 

 beauties, and tell them that they are bores, like gaily dressed 

 people who have no conversational ability ; and also that 

 fine feathers do not make fine voices, but quite the reverse. 

 Then some gloomy recess in the pines will be lighted by 

 the flitting birds, like sun motes filtering through the 

 branches, and all is forgiven, and you will say, " I know, at 

 least, that these are Warblers" which, after all, is some- 

 thing. 



Nashville Warbler: Helminthophila ruficapilla. 



Length : About 5 inches. 



Male and Female : No bars on wings or tail. Clear yellow below. 

 which remains constant all the season. Above olive-green, 

 brightening on the rump and shoulders. Slate-gray head and 

 neck, obscure chestnut spot on poll ; wings and tail brownish. 

 Bill and feet dark. Female dull olive. 

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