Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 



673 



olive green; wings and tail, unmarked and glossed with olive green; 

 throat and breast, bright golden yellow; under wing coverts, yellow; 

 belly; white; sides tinged with ashy; lores, black, shading into gray 



Yellow-breasted Chat. 



on the auricular region; a stripe over the eye and lower eyelid, 

 white; a short white maxillary line. Sexes similar. 



Length, about 7 . 10; wing, .3; tail, 3.15; bill, .55. 



The Yellow-breasted Chat is a common summer resident in suitable 

 localities in Illinois and southern Wisconsin. Frequents thick under- 

 growth and shrubbery. The majority arrive from the south early 

 in May. 



Breeds in May and June. The nest is rather large, built in thick 

 bushes, and composed of shreds of bark, leaves, and coarse grasses, 

 lined with finer grasses. The eggs are from 3 to 5, white or cream 

 white, spotted and speckled with various shades of brown and purplish 

 gray, and measure about .90 x .65 inches. 



In writing of this species Dr. Elliott Coues says: "An exclusive 

 inhabitant of low tangled undergrowth, and oftener heard than seen, 

 except during the mating season, when it performs the extravagant 

 aerial evolutions for which, as well as for the variety and volubility 

 of its song, it is noted." 



