THE HOODED WAKBLEK. 



By "Scolopax" 



There are but few members of the 

 family Sylvicolidae that remain during 

 summer, as little known as the Hooded 

 Warbler. Nevertheless the species is 

 comparatively common, and if heavy 

 beech and maple woods, with an irregular 

 undergrowth are properly searched, these 

 birds will be found nesting in secluded 

 places where their presence is not suspect- 

 ed. 



This beautiful, vivacious warbler is ex- 

 tremely shy, and were it not for their 

 musical and pleasing songs, of which they 

 are gifted with three, their presence would 

 not be detected. To the ordinary wood- 

 land stroller, uneducated to distinguish 

 bird songs the Hooded would remain 

 unknown, while even to the regular col- 

 lector the bird would remain a mystery 

 unless he could use his gun with good 

 effect. The notes can be heard issuing 

 from the opposite side of a thicket, or 

 from the lower branches of the beeches, 

 throughout the entire day, from May 15 

 to June 25, without the stroller ever get. 

 ting a fair sight of the beautiful bird. 



The first nest that came under my notice 

 was discovered by accident, May 27, 1876 

 and contained two eggs, and one of the 

 cowbird. I left the eggs several days in 

 hopes of getting more, but in this was dis- 

 appointed. Three eggs appear to be the 

 usual number, and I have yet to find a 

 larger set. Other nests containing eggs 

 were found, May 31, June 6, and 9. The 

 eggs vary in dimensions from .72x.65 to 

 .74x.58, and are pearly white, with a slight 

 roseate tinge before the contents are ex- 

 pelled, with more or less red dots and 

 small blotches at larger end, and a few 

 scattered markings over entire surface, in 

 some instances. Occasionally a black 

 dot is found at base of egg. The birds 

 always left the nest before a view could 

 be obtained. Both sets were found incu- 

 bating. 



All the nests I have ever met with were 

 in beech and maple bushes, not over four 



feet from the ground, one being not over 

 one foot up. They were composed of 

 beech and maple leaves of the last season 

 bleached and dry and almost skeletonized, 

 neatly formed into a compact structure 

 four inches across the top, four inches 

 high externally, the hollow being two 

 and a half in width and the same in depth. 

 The whole was nicely lined with grape- 

 vine bark and fine roots. 



This species is extremely plentiful from 

 43 to 45 degrees north, and one of the most 

 common of the family in some localities. 

 Little is seen of it after the breeding sea- 

 son, it being exeedingly shy and perfectly 

 silent. 



— A Wren has been known to build her 

 nest in the body of a dead hawk, which 

 had been killed and nailed to the side of 

 a barn. 



— The Blue Jay is said to mimic the cry 

 of the Sparrow Hawk to such perfection, 

 as to cause the smaller birds in its vicinity 

 to seek cover, thinking to avoid an attack. 



Exchanges and Wants. 



Notice of Exchange, Wants, etc., inserted in this 

 column at the rate of 25 cents for 25 words, and 

 one half cent for each additional word. No no- 

 tices inserted for less than 25 cts. 



—City residence lot to exchange for Indian 

 stone relics, old coins, minerals or cabinet spec- 

 imens of curiosities. C. P. Wilcomb, Visalia, 

 Tulare Co., Cal. 



Notice! 



The Oologist's supply depot, where you 

 can buy bird's eggs ect. at wholesale, is 

 at 312 Church St., Pokeepsie, N. Y. 



Send 5cts. for catalogue. 



LLOYD & STACK. 



HISTOLOGICAL 



* SLIDES 



FOE SALE CHEAP. 



H. C. BACORN, Oak Park, 



See advt. on last page. 





