THE BIRDS OP NEW JERSEY. 199 



Their song resembles that of the Chipping Sparrow, 

 but is weaker. 



The food consists of insects, principally spiders and 

 caterpillars. 



Warbler, Yellow, or XiiHtmcr Yellow-bird. 



Length, five and one-tenth inches; extent, seven inches; 

 bill, one-third of an inch, lead-colored; head, bright 

 yellow; back, rich greenish yellow; breast, belly and 

 sides, rich yellow streaked with reddish brown; tail, 

 slightly forked, dark slate, with yellow spots; wings, rich 

 greenish yellow, edged with lighter yellow; legs, pale 

 clay; feet, light brown. The female is greener on the 

 back, the wings are dark slate and there is little or no 

 brown on the breast and sides. 



The bird builds its nest in shrubs or in trees, fruit- 

 trees preferred; the nest is made of large quantities of 

 plant down, with grasses and hair. The eggs are either 

 four or five in number, bluish white, with numerous 

 brown spots, the latter frequently forming a wreath near 

 the large end, and seven- tenths by one-half an inch in size. 



The birds breed throughout eastern and northern 

 America and spend the winter in Mexico and northern 

 South America. They arrive in New Jersey about May 1 

 and leave about the first of September. 



The song of the bird resembles the syllables sweet-sweet- 

 sweet-siveeter. 



The food of the birds consists of insects. 



War bier i Yellow-backed, Blue. See Parula Warb- 

 ler. 



Warbler, Yellow Red-Poll. See Palm Warbler. 

 Warbler, Yellow-rumped. See Myrtle Warbler. 



Water Thrush. Length, six inches; extent, nine 

 and a half inches; bill, one-third of an inch, dark brown; 



