THE IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. 



cries and chirping-s from two yellow-breasted chats {Icicria virejis). 

 Knowing- that I must be in close proximity with the nest, I beg-in 

 scanning- closely the bushes near by. I soon find the nest, which 

 is in a thornbush about four feet from the g-round. Two young-, 

 nearly g-rown, are the only occupants. This is undoubtedly a sec- 

 ond brood, as four and sometimes five constitute a brood. 



The chat is an elegant bird, both in form and colors. Color 

 above, lig-ht olive g-reen; beneath, bright yellow; beak black and 

 strong-. His voice is very loud and not unmusical during- the 

 spring- months. No sooner do you enter his retreats on a June day 

 than you are serenaded with a variety of notes which were it not 

 for the inferior quality would equal the mocking- bird — the quan- 



THE YELLOW-BREASTEU CHAT. 



tity is not Ipxking. At this season the chat has a peculiar idiotic 

 flight. With leg-s extended, head drooped and rapid motion of his 

 wings, he makes an awkward zigzag- flight, giving one the impres- 

 sion that he is liable to fly to pieces. When young birds claim his 

 attention he proves that he possesses good sense and is a faithful 

 attendant. Continuing- my walk in the thicket, my attention is at- 

 tracted by the loud cries of a young bird. It is a cowbird {Mo/o- 

 ihriis aicr) the only occupant of a yellow warbler's {Dendroica 

 o'stiva) nest. The bird is nearly fledged, being now mAich larger 

 than the little warbler who is carrying- its food with all the tender- 

 ness of a true mother; while the cowbird that laid the eg-g- 



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