MARYLAND YELLOW-THROAT. 71 



certain to find it in the same grove to morrow, and very likely on 

 the same tree. They sing with frequency, even through mid-day, 

 when most birds are silent. Besides their Hong, they utter many 

 other notes — a loud, clucking call, and many softer twitterings. 



MARYLAND YELLOW-THROAT. 



The typical warbler is a bird of the high tree-tops, but grouped 

 with this family are several species who do not frequent the trees, 

 but prefer the dense thickets of the undergrowth. One group of 

 this latter division are called ground warblers, from their habit of 

 building their nests on the ground, or in the low shrubbery. Also, 

 they are seen foraging amid the dead leaves quite as often as amid 

 the branches. Of this group the most abundant and most widely 

 distributed is bhe Maryland yellow-throat. Mr. Mcllwraith thinks 

 the bird is somewhat local in its selection of breeding places in 

 Ontario, but while it may pass by many suitable nesting sites near 

 Hamilton, the yellow-throat must be counted among the common 

 birds of Ontario, when considering the Province as a whole. The 

 bird is equally common over all this eastern country, building 

 wherever a patch of brier or tangle, by swamp or brookside, gives 

 it the coveted shelter. 



While a retiring bird, it is not timid, and being extremely 

 curious is attracted by a stranger near its haunts, and usually 

 comes to the front to inspect the visitor. This habit and 

 the bird's showy dress have combined to make the yellow-throat 

 better known than are most of its congeners. As the bird faces an 

 observer, in its customary staring fashion, its yellow-throat is very 

 conspicuous. The yellow is of a rich tint, and covers the throat 

 and breast, and extends, in a paler shade, over the whole under 

 parts. On its face the bird wears a mask of deep black — crossing 

 the forehead and covering the cheeks. The upper parts are of an 

 olive-green tint, brightest on the rump. 



Most birds' nests that are placed on the ground are constructed 

 with less care — are less compact and firm — than those that liave to 

 bear exposure to the wind. The nest of the present species is no 



