of any of the above types, and still others are immaculate. But upon all marked specimens the deep 

 shell-marks generally outnumber the surface ones. 



The average size of the egg is about W x .52. The greatest long-diameter observed is .73 ; the 

 greatest short-diameter, .55. The least short-diameter is .49; the least long-diameter, .61, The largest 

 egg is .72x.55; the smallest, .61 x .51 of an inch. 



DIFFERENTIAL POINTS: 



See Table. 



EEMARKS: 



The nest figured on Plate XXI. was found the 17th of June, 1880, and contained four fresh eggs. 

 It was built among the perpendicular stalks of a clump of golden-rod, growing along a little used river- 

 road. A recent freshet had drifted leaves, broken stems, and rotten wood against the old stalks of 

 the plant, two of which, bent and broken, are shown in the illustration. Upon this debris the bottom 

 of the nest rested, while all about it long blades of grass and vtirious weeds were forcing their way 

 through the covering of drift. 



The eggs exhibit the common sizes, shapes and marking. 



The Maryland YelloAv-throat is the most terrestrial of any of the family. Much of their time is 

 spent among grass, weeds, and low l^ushes ; rarely they resort to the tree-tops, and then to utter for 

 a few minutes only their sharp and shrill notes. Throughout the entire State they are very common, 

 usually attracting attention by their song and brilliant plumage. In their domestic relations they are 

 very model birds. The male assists the female in collecting the materials for the nest, and he seems to 

 take the greatest interest in all affairs of the home. During the period of incubation he stays close by 

 the nest, and accompanies his partner when she leaves for food. They guard their treasure with the 

 greatest solicitude, resorting to various strategies at the approach of danger to draw attention from their 

 domicile. But when these means fail, and the nest is about to be robbed, they sometinaes show a 

 remarkable deo-ree of valor. 



90 



