THE MAKYLAKD YELLOW-THROAT. 393 



we saw tlicm occasionally descend to the surface of a lake or river, and seize 

 small spiders that were strug-gling in the water. The habits of this bird 

 have caused it to be classed in many dltiercnt ways. Linnanis and others 

 placed it in the genus T'ants, Latham and many others called it fSi/lr/'o, 

 some have named it 2Iot(ivlU<(, and Stephens named it Thrijotliorns. It, 

 however, belongs properly among the warblers ; and tliis position seems its 

 most natural one. About the first of JLine the birds commence building 

 their nest. This is placed in a fork near tlie end of a brandi of a tree, 

 about twenty feet from the ground. It is usually constructed of the long, 

 gray Spanish moss that is so plentiful in the states of INIaine, New Hamp- 

 shire, and Vermont. A beautiful specimen in our possessiou is of tiiis 

 description, and one of the most curious specimens of bird architecture. 

 The long hairs of the moss are woven and twined together iu a large mass, 

 on one side of which is the entrance to the nest, a mere hole left in the 

 moss; the lining is nothing but the same material, only of a finer quality. 

 The eggs are usually four in number, and they are laid about the first week 

 in June. Their color is white, with a very slight creamy tint, and covered 

 more or less thickly with spots and confluent blotches of brownish-red and 

 obscure lilac, thickest at the large end. Dimensions of the eggs about .63 

 by .40 inch. 



The Maryland Yellow-Throat (Geothli/pis Iric/ins) is also a common 

 inhabitant of all the eastern United States. It arrives Irom the south 

 about the second week in Jlay, sometimes earlier, and soon commences 

 building. The nest is usually placed on the ground, although often in 

 thickets of briers and bushes. It is constructed of leaves and grasses, and 

 is lined with fine grasses and hairs. It is often built o\er at the top, with 

 the entrance through a hole in the side. The whole makes a bulky affair, 

 almost impervious to water. The eggs are laid about the last week in May 

 or first week in Jmie. They are variable in size and markings, but are 

 usually five in numijcr, and creamy-white in color, with numerous spots of 

 dark-brown and obscure sj)Ots of lilac. These markings are thinly scattered 

 over the eggs, but arc quite thick at the larger end. This species rears two 

 broods in the season in southern New England. AVe have found nests often 

 as late as the middle of July. The habits of the ^Maryland yellow-throat 

 are well known. He is first noticed in the swampy thickets, darting in and 

 out througli the tangled shrubbery. Soon he makes his appearance in the 

 flower garden and orchard, where he maybe seen at almost all times through 

 the breeding season, busily engaged searching fir his insect food ; occasion- 

 ally pausing to carol his pretty song, whe-tlt-te-tee, ivhe-til-tc-trc, then 

 darting away for a discovered insect, then caressing liia mate, or flying to 

 liis nest with food for their young. 

 NO. X. 50 



