72 ' SOME CANADIAN BIRDS. 



exception, though it is not always placed upon the ground, but is 

 sometimes placed in a low fork of a shrub. The general construction 

 does not vary much, though in the detail there is some variation. 

 When on the ground the neat is usually hidden in a tussock of grass 

 or under cover of a dense bunch of slirubbery . The walls of the nest 

 are composed exteriorly of strips of bark, bits of fern, dried 

 grass, twigs and dead leaves, loosely and rather clumsily laid. 

 Inside of this is a lining that appears like a second nest, made of 

 fine grass — sometimes hair is added — neatly and compactly woven. 

 Occasionally a nest is found that is partially roofed, and others are 

 set upon a cushion of dried leaves. The eggs, four to six in number, 

 are white or pale cream colored, marked round the larger end with 

 spots of brown and lilac. Sometimes a few black spots and lines are 

 seen. 



Few birds are more aflfectionate than the yellow-throat. The 

 female is modest and retiring, and as she lacks the curiosity so 

 conspicuous in the male she seldom leaves the shelter of her 

 favorite thicket, and is less frequently seen than her more 

 brightly-plumed spouse. (The female wears much the same costume 

 as the male, but the tints in her coloration are of a duller hue). 

 But if you chance to discover a pair during the mating or nesting 

 season, you will cease to wonder why the male is so tenderly 

 devoted to his mate, for she herself is so tender and loving, and 

 displays such winning manners. When the female is on the nest 

 her mate is peculiarly attentive — carrying food to her, caressing 

 her, singing for her diversion, and guarding her from disturbance. 

 Serene and peaceful as he appears, under ordinary conditions, be 

 becomes aroused if the nest is approached, and alternately scolds, 

 and pleads with marked emphasis of displeasure and anxiety. 



The Maryland yellow-throat does not rank high as a singer, though 

 he does make a better attempt than most of the warbler fraternity, 

 and it can be said of his song that it can be readily distinguished — 

 most warbler songs being so similar they confuse any but the most 

 expert observer. Mrs. Kate Tryon says this bird calls to her, 

 *' Which is it? Which is iti Which is it? Which V with a 

 strongly marked accent on each " which,^' and I thmk these words 

 represent the song very well. One may often hear several variations 



