304 BIRDS OF N~ORTH CAROLINA 



last week in March, and perhaps a week later in the mountains. It remains all 

 summer, finally leaving in October, though occasional specimens have been observed 

 in winter at Durham, Raleigh, and farther east. Ludlow Griscom found it not 

 uncommon in Currituck County in January, 1915. 



This is a rather trustful little bird, frequenting thickets everywhere, especially 

 along streams, and if unmolested will often come to the edge of the thickets or 

 bushes to peer inquisitively at the passer-by. 



FIG. 248. MARYLAND YELLOW-THROAT. 



The nest is constructed of grass or reed leaves, and is usually built in a bunch 

 of grass, clover, or weeds, only a few inches from the ground. The eggs are most 

 often four, laid in May or June, and have a white ground-color, spotted near the 

 larger end with various shades of gray and brown. Size .70 x .52. 



Apparently, the form occurring throughout our State is the typical Maryland Yellow-throat, 

 but another slightly differing subspecies is probably found in the coastal country. This is the 

 Florida Yellow-throat, ignota (Chapman), which is said to have the tail longer than the wings, 

 the black of the head slightly more extensive, and the yellow of the underparts more ochraceous ; 

 but these differences are not readily detected in the field. 



Genus Icteria (Vieill.) 

 309. Icteria virens virens (Linn.). YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT. 



Description: Ads. Largest of the warblers; upparparts, wings, and tail olive-green; line from 

 the eye to the bill, one on the side of the throat, and eye-ring white; throat, breast, and upper 

 belly bright yellow; lower belly white; sidas grayish. L., 7.44; W., 3.00; T., 3.07; B. from N., 

 .41. (Chap., Birds of E. N. A.) 



Range. Eastern United States, wintering in Mexico and Central America. 



Range in North Carolina. Central and western portions in summer. 



The Chat, also locally called "Pompey," is an abundant summer visitor in cen- 

 tral and western North Carolina, occurring almost everywhere in sunny thickets 

 and among low second-growth trees. It arrives about the close of the third week 



