54 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 



grass or golden rod. I have found them beside cart paths, roads in 

 fields near woods, in the woods on tussocks of grass, and in low, damp 

 but not wet places; in fact most everywhere, but only where those fa- 

 miliar would look for them. 



The nest is composed of dried o^k or chestnut leaves as a foundation, 

 placed in such a way that they point up, forming a cup shaped affair. 

 This contains the nest proper, which is made of long strips of grape 

 vine bark and grass, running up and down and forming the letter U. 

 The lining is composed of very fine strips of the same, fine grass, and 

 sometimes a few hairs. This is not always the rule, as I have found 

 them made entirely of ribbon-like grass, finer grasses and green bark, 

 and lined with fine grasses, resembling a nest of the yellow throat. I 

 have found nests measuring 6 in. high and 4 in. wide; again, only 3 in. 

 high and 3 in. wide, and with leaves covering the top, so that nothing 

 but the birds head could be seen. 



The eggs vary greatly in size and markings. Some of the markings 

 are of a black tint, others of a brown, some few have no markings, 

 some are well covered, and others have bold splashes. I have found 

 one set so heavily marked, that it resembles a set of Magnolia Warb- 

 lers. 



Here in Fairfield county, Connecticut, the blue-wing Warblers, though 

 not abundant, may be called common. 



About the first week in May you will hear the insect like song of the 

 male, while feeding with the female; the second week you will find them 

 busily engaged in building. 



Soon after they arrive here, they will be found about the orchards 

 that are in full bloom, but later they are rarely seen about dwellings. 



June first you will find complete sets, though dates will change ac- 

 cording to seasons, the average set being five, very often four and rare- 

 ly six. The largest set I have ever seen was found by Mr. Beer of this 

 city, contained six eggs, and one of the cowbird. The cowbirds destroy 

 a great many nests by laying in them before the rightful owner, who 

 will then leave it and build another nest. In these cases they seldom 

 lay more than four eggs. When the cowbirds lay after the blue-wing 

 has laid two or more eggs, they seldom leave the nest, but if only one 

 egg has been laid, they desert at once. You will seldom find a nest 

 containing a cowbird, and more than four eggs of the owner. This 



