YELLOW WABBLEB 523 



When found, this nest contained three eggs ; the following day a fourth 

 was laid. During our first approach to the nest on the 7th, both male and 

 female were about and voiced their alarm. Returning to the nest later 

 that day we noticed only the female. She departed at once, dropping close 

 to the ground and then speeding off through the underbrush. A nest of 

 this species probably used in the previous year was seen 8 feet away in 

 another cherry bush and 36 inches above the earth. Still another occupied 

 nest was seen 7 feet above the ground in a small incense cedar, close to a 

 well traveled road. 



One of the nests found at Smith Creek on June 5, 1915, was 4 feet 

 above ground in a chokecherry bush and near the stream. It was 2i^ 

 inches in diameter and 4 inches in outside height, and was made of plant 

 fibers and feathers. There were 3 young, about 2 or 3 days old, and one 

 unhatched (evidently infertile) egg. The other nest was 4 feet above the 

 ground in a mountain lilac {Ceanothus integerrimus) . It also contained 

 j^oung, 4 in this instance, and not over 3 days from the shell. The parents 

 of this brood were tsip-ing excitedly about 30 to 50 feet from the nest. 



None of the nests just mentioned was watched until the young emerged ; 

 but observations on still another nest, in Yosemite Valley, help to complete 

 the story. This nest was found by Miss Margaret W. Wythe (MS), who 

 watched it at intervals from June 13 to 27, 1915. It was placed about 

 15 feet above the ground in a small pine tree growing at the margin of a 

 pond. It rested on the next to the topmost whorl of branches and one side 

 was against the slender trunk of the tree. On June 23, the male was seen 

 with his bill full of 'green worms.' The young left the nest on or before 

 June 27 ; on that day they were perched in adjacent shrubbery while being 

 fed at frequent intervals by the parents. No more than three young birds 

 were seen at any one time. 



But little is to be seen of the yellow warblers after the young are grown. 

 They then take to foraging, individually and unobtrusively. Soon the molt 

 with its quieting influence comes on, after which the birds slip off south- 

 ward for the winter. 



Alaska Myrtle Warbler. Dendroica coronata hooveri McGregor 



Field characters. — Essentially as for Audubon Warbler (which see), but chin always 

 white and tail with spots of white on but three outer feathers on each side (fig. 57a). 

 Voice: Song similar to that of Audubon Warbler; call note similar, though of slightly 

 different quality. 



Occurrence — Sparse winter visitant. Recorded at Smith Creek, 6 miles east of Coulter- 

 ville, February 12, 1916, and February 6, April 26, and December 23, 1919. Forages in 

 foliage of trees and bushes. Usually in scattering companies with Audubon Warblers. 



