64 HELMINTHOPHAGA RUFICAPILLA. 



^S 



These first specimens were taken in a cluster of yellow pines which stood in an open field, 

 but near a somewhat extensive grove. I have always found these birds in similar situations, 

 for they inhabit the borders of woods, and are seldom found in the deeper portions. Even in 

 the vast forests of northern New England, the Nashville Warblers are invariably found 

 near the open marshy spots which are of frequent occurrence iu these wilds. The males are 

 quite easy to find, for they sit on the topmost bough of some tall tree and sing their loud 

 songs throughout the entire day; but the females are not as frequently seen, for they are very 

 quiet, and generally keep Bmong the thick branches where they are constantly searching for 

 insects. These birds place their nests on the ground, usually in the ed;e of a wood. They 

 are careful to keep them concealed so that it is almost impossible to discover one unless the 

 bird is accidentally started. But the chances of doing this are quite small, as, while incubating, 

 she will sit so closely that it is extremely difficult to make her rise, and she will allow herself 

 to be nearly trodden upon before flying. There is another method by which the nest may 

 be discovered, however, and indeed one that may be practised to advantage in finding the eggs 

 of all ground breeding Warblers. If, while the collector is walking in the woods in early 

 June, he observes a female bird that appears uneasy, he should quietly retreat for a short 

 distance and after watching a short time will generally see the anxious Warbler enter her nest. 

 I have found rare eggs in this way which would otherwise have remained undiscovered, but 

 have always found that it is useless to search for a nest which is concealed on the ground 

 without having more knowledge of its whereabouts than is imparted by the uneasy actions 

 of the female. 



I have several times searched for the unknown eggs of the Tennessee Warbler while the 

 female was flying frantically about, chirping loudly and frequently alighting within a yard of 

 my head. In spite of these assurances that I was very near the nest I have always given up 

 the search in disappointment, after having, perhaps, unconsciously crushed the concealed prize 

 beneath my feet. In these instances, an half hour spent in carefully watching the bird from a 

 little distance would probably have been rewarded ; but the mosquitoes and black flies are so 

 numerous in the sections where the Tennessee Warblers breed (Northern New England), that 

 during a single moment of inaction their stings become unendurable and one cannot remain 

 quiet for any length of time. 



It is singular that, although, as far as is known, all the members of the genus 

 Helminthopliaga place their nests on the ground, the males perch in elevated situations while 

 singing and, excepting during the breeding season, neither male nor female is often seen upon 

 the ground. They all frequent the tops of trees which stand on the borders of woods or in 

 open fields, and none of them are apt to be found in the deep forest ; of the four species 

 which occur commonly in eastern United States the Tennessee and Nashville occur on the 

 borders of woods, while the Orange-crowned -and Golden-winged appear to prefer the more 

 open sections. 



The latter named species may occur rarely iu northern Florida as it is quite abundant in 

 Georgia. I once saw a male Warbler at Key West which I thought might be the Tennessee, 

 but, as it was flitting quickly through the thick bushes I could not be certain. The Nashville 

 Warblers arrive in Massachusetts about the middle of May ; breed during the first week in 

 June, and depart in early September. They are very rare in Florida, and to my knowledge 

 there has been but one specimen taken in the state; this was captured by Mr. Boardman, 

 at Jacksonville, on March 13, 1860. 



