io 4 Gbe IKHarbler 



plants. While this description may cover the majority of cases, it is im- 

 possible that it should cover all. There are too many exceptions. No two 

 nests appear to be exactly alike, all in point of fact differing each from the 

 other. 



One nest which I have in my collection is made, except for the lining, 

 entirely of "waste" — that used for cleaning steam engines. This was built 

 so close to a trolley track that the tree was brushed by each passing car. 

 Another oddity is composed almost entirely of the pappus of the cat-tail. A 

 third was constructed of wool, gathered from a barbed wire fence surround- 

 ing a sheep pasture, against which the sheep were constantly rubbing. 

 But no matter what the material is, the nest is strong and enduring. Some- 

 times several years pass before a nest is finally destroyed. 



The Yellow Warbler is one of those poor unfortunates upon whom the 

 Cow-bird {Molothrus ater) thrusts its unwelcome egg. Being unable to eject 

 this the bird sometimes resorts to strategy, building a second nest imme- 

 diately upon the first, by this means ridding itself of the offending egg. 



Once while walking on a railroad track, flanked on either side by a 

 water-filled ditch, I counted not less than ten nests of this species in less 

 than a mile. 



While, generally speaking, the Yellow Warbler breeds close to the 

 ground — the greater number of nests being not over ten feet from it — I have 

 occasionally seen them at a height of, approximately, twenty feet. The eggs 

 number, ordinarily, either four or five. I have never heard of a larger num- 

 ber and frequently no more than three are laid. The variation shown in a 

 long series of these eggs is not nearly so great as might be expected. It is 

 much less than that shown by any Warbler unless it be the Hooded ( Wil- 

 sonia mitratd). The color is a delicate blue-white, varying in intensity in 

 different specimens. The markings are very dark, purplish brown, becom- 

 ing in some specimens yellow brown. These vary greatly. They are al- 

 ways more thickly gathered at the larger end, but distinct wreaths are not 

 frequent. 



I know of an egg that is unique. To all intents and purposes it is un- 

 spotted, with its surface coarse and rough, but when held to the light the 

 spots are readily seen, apparently on the inside of the shell. The egg ap- 

 pears to have been laid wrong side out. I have never seen another egg 

 anything like this. The other eggs in this clutch are normal. 



The Baltimore Oriole 



(Icterus galbuld) 



THE Baltimore Oriole is one of the most beautiful birds that inhabit 

 North America. The brilliant orange of the male is one of the rich- 

 est and brightest colors to be found on any bird outside of the tropics. 



