YELLOW RED-POLLED WARBLER. 53 



OBSERVATIONS. 



I have never seen a nestling of tliis species. The young are very much like the immature D. tigrina but may be 

 distinguished from them by the yellow under tail coverts and the browner upper parts. It may readily be known 

 from all others in the adult stages by the chestnut crowu. Habitat, during the breeding season, Eastern North 

 America from Northern New Kngland north to Hudson's Bay. Winters in the Southern states, Including the Keys 

 of Florida, and in the West Indies. 



DIMENSIONS. 



Average measurements of thirty-six specimens. Length, 5-58; stretch, 7-78; wing, 2-70; tail, 2-60; bill, -45; 

 tarsus, ->so. Longest specimen, 5-75; greatest extent of wings, 8-75 ; longest wing, 2-76; tail, 2-30; bill, -55; tarsus, 

 90. Shortest .-penmen, 4-90; smallest extent of wings, 7'35; shortest wing, 2-30; tail, 1-90; bill, -42; tarsus, -71. 



DESCRIPTION OF NESTS AND EGGS. 



A T e*t*, usually placed on the ground; composed of weeds, grasses and moss rather carelessly arranged; lined 

 with flue roots and pine leaves. 



EIJIJH, four ill number, rather oval in form, dull white in color, with blotches of pale brown around the larger 

 end. Dimen.-ions, 'i;.s x .">.">. 



Eggs described by Mr. Ridgway from specimens in the Smithsonian Institution. 



HABITS. 



On the eastern side of Key West, between the wooded portions of the island and the sen, 

 is a narrow strip of land which is destitute of trees. It is a grassy plain, while a few bunches 

 of low scrubs grow at irregular intervals over it ; flowers bloom here in abundance throughout 

 the season and myriads of butterflies and other insects are floating over them attracted by 

 their fragrance. Many birds arc also found here but the most common species are the Yellow 

 Red-polls. They are quite abundant and may be seen flitting among the brightly colored 

 lepidoptera or springing into air to catch some rapidly moving fly or beetle, then alighting on 

 the low bushes or pieces of coral rock which are scattered about. They are seldom quiet for 

 an instant ; for, when perching, they are ever turning their little heads right and left while their 

 bright eyes are carefully scanning everything far or near ; their tails are also constantly moving 

 up and down ; this latter peculiarity at once distinguishes the Yellow Red-polls from all other 

 North American Warblers, for none besides have this habit. 



The constant watchfulness of these birds, which is exhibited by every movement, is necessary 

 for their existence,, for they usually inhabit open places where they are in constant danger from 

 the attacks of enemies. At Key West this vigilance frequently saved their lives, for a Sparrow, 

 Pigeon, or Broad-winged Hawk would often come sweeping over them and without a moment's 

 warning would dart like a flash at a' Warbler ; but such forays almost always proved 

 unsuccessful; for although the swoop of the hawk was so rapid that the eye could scarcely 

 follow its movements yet the Red-poll was on the alert, and uttering a shrill chirp of alarm 

 would instantly shoot into the nearest prickly pear, or mass of tangled vines where it was safe 

 from the pursuer. 



In March, this species leaves Florida, arriving in Massachusetts in April ; here they frequent 

 low bushes by the side of woods spending much of their time upon the ground. At this season 

 the males have a low warbling song; after lingering here a few weeks they migrate northward. 

 Mr. Boardman informs me that these birds occasionally breed about Calais placing their nests 

 on the ground. In autumn they pass Massachusetts during October but they arc not as 

 abundant then as in the spring. They make their appearance in Florida about December. 



