Chestnut-sided Warbler — A Study 



By MARY C. DICKERSON 



With photographs by the author 



THE nest was two feet from the ground, in a viburnum bush, and was 

 owned by an atom of bird-life, a Chestnut-sided Warbler, who was in 

 possession at the moment. She made a charming picture on the nest, 

 her yellow cap, above her bright black eyes, shining like gold in the sun. This 

 Chestnut-sided Warbler was a trustful bird and did not move till the enemv 

 was fairly upon her, when she stretched up her head and was gone so silentlv 

 and swiftly that it was impossible to tell how she went, or where. 



Immediately she appeared on the branches above the nest, flying out for 

 an insect here, cleaning her bill yonder, inspecting this branch, then that, but 





CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER BROODING 



all of the time keeping an eager eye on the doings of the enemy. Her behavior 

 had the effect of drawing attention to herself and thus away from the nest. 

 With sides shining blood-red, with the golden cap and a white throat, and with 

 a bright, quick grace of motion, she was inspiring enough to lure any eye from 

 a mere nest of speckled eggs — notwithstanding the fact that these eggs were 

 exquisite in their delicacy of shape and color, slightly tinted with cream, and 

 speckled with brown at the larger end (if it is possible to use that comparative 

 with anything so small). 



Among birds all of the main acts connected with rearing the young are 

 instinctive, of course. But really how wonderful is this blind giving up of freedom 

 by a wild bird. She sits patiently and without nervousness minute after minute, 

 half hour after half hour, fully alert, hearing everything, seeing everything, 

 yet letting the insects fly past uncaught, and her mate chase and hunt and sing 



'207) 



