VOL. XL NO. 9. 



ALBION, N. Y., SEPT., 1894. 



Whole No. 107 



Nesting Habits of the Hooded Warbler- 



This Warbler is quite common cer- 

 tain seasons in Michigan and may be 

 found nesting in all sections where it 

 remains. However, like many other 

 species of birds, more particularly the 

 Warblers, it is variable in its choice of 

 location. Sometimes it is found quite 

 abundant during May and June, and 

 again in the same locality is noted only 

 with great difficulty. 



It arrives May first or later, and one 

 season I did not observe a bird until 

 May 14, although the birds soon be- 

 came abundant after this date and nest- 

 ed in the locality. It is one of our shy- 

 est birds and to the ordinary collector 

 will remain unknown, although per- 

 haps abundant in the neighborhood. 

 For this reason we often see collections 

 of skins with a single specimen, and the 

 owner claims that the species is rare, 

 whereas the Warbler has been simply 

 overlooked. 



The Hooded Warbler, Sylvania mi- 

 trata (Gmel.), usually arrives on the 

 southern boundary of Michigan, about 

 forty-two degrees north latitude, dur- 

 ing the first week in May. Nearly all 

 the birds pass further north, so it is 

 largely transient in this neighborhood. 

 Nevertheless the nests may be taken by 

 careful observers each season. 



I think that the birds rarely sing dur- 

 ing migration and only become musical 

 after settling for the summer. I have 

 heard the pleasing song-notes in the 

 second week in May and later, although 

 a sharp and characteristic call-note 

 may be given at any time. 



This is one of those Warblers, who, 

 from their very shyness will remain un- 

 known, if the collector does not famil- 

 iarize himself with the song. How 



often one meets collectors who call 

 themselves thorough naturalists, who 

 know next to>nothiug regarding birds' 

 songs ana habits. There are unfor- 

 tunately far too many who think that 

 the whole business, science and pleas- 

 ure is summed up in simply robbing 

 nests and adding to the stock of eggs. 



When I stroll with a companion, the 

 opinion I form of his qualifications is 

 largely due to his ability to identify 

 birds on the wing, or by the notes, or 

 if he can offer some notes of interest on 

 some species. I am but little interested 

 in long accounts of big climbs and 

 large collections. I have met men and 

 boys who did not collect, whose knowl- 

 edge of birds' habits made them much 

 more companionable than those who 

 could simply brag of their powers as 

 collectors. I cannot imagine a less in- 

 teresting person than the egg-crank 

 who knows dothing of nature, and who 

 thinks that robbing birds' nests is the 

 ultima thule of the science of nest-hunt- 

 ing. 



The Hooded Flycatchiug Warbler has 

 three distinct songs, two of which are 

 commonly uttered during courting and 

 nesting, and when these songs are 

 heard one may rest assured that the 

 birds are nesting or ' will nest in the 

 woods. 



It is extremely difficult to get a view 

 of this species Avhen it is singing and 

 I made many unsuccessful efforts be- 

 fore success followed. The singer 

 keeps ' in the underbrush and flits from 

 bush to bush keeping out of sight most 

 persistently. 



When a strange song is heard in 

 wood or field a collector should always 

 search out the performer, and in this 

 way notes and nests of rare species 

 may be taken, or it may be that some 



