with brown, varying in shade from almost black to a smoky tint, sometimes confined almost entirely to 

 the basal half, sometimes distributed quite regularly over the whole egg. The shell is so transparent, 

 that before the eggs are blown they have a pinkish tint given to them by the yelks. They measure in 

 long-diameter from .62 to .70, and in short-diameter from .48 to .54— average, .64 x .51. 



DIFFERENTIAL POINTS: 

 See table. 



EEMAIiKS : 



Walking leisurely through the border of a woods, with a thick undergrowth of hazel, blackberry, 

 and wild-rose bashes, on the 15th of May, 1881, I stopped to look about and to listen to the various 

 bird-songs, when, nearly at my feet, a little bird flew out, and was in an instant lost in the thick foliage. 

 The oracle was soon interpreted. After a few moments' search the nest was revealed, containing two eggs. 

 Not being certain as to the identity of the species, I returned the following day and found the bird upon 

 the nest. I had approached within a few yards of the spot and was cautiously peering to get a good 

 look, when she disappeared among the neighboring bushes and began uttering a lisping chirp. These 

 often repeated notes soon brought her mate, who uttered the same cry and seemed much disturbed. Both 

 birds remained near their home during my stay, flying from one bush to another, but more frequently 

 heard than seen. I remained only long enough to see that an egg had been added to the set since the 

 previous day. For two days following I went in the morning to the nest, and found at each visit an 

 increase of one egg. I drove the female from the nest each time, and once handled the eggs, and remained 

 quite a time to Wcxtch the movements of the birds. Two days later I shot her as she left the nest — a 

 cruel act, but one which I always resort to in the case of Warblers. For if the skin accompanies the 

 nest and eggs no controversy as to identification can arise. This proved to be the nest and eggs of the 

 Blue-winged Yellow Warbler, and is the one illustrated by Plate XXXII. It is built between a young 

 elm and several blackberry stems. Its foundation is made principally of oak leaves, and rests upon the 

 dead leaves which are lodged about the roots of the bushes. The superstructure and lining are composed 

 entirely of grape-vine bark. The greatest diameter of the cavity is three inches; the least diameter two 

 and one-eighth. The depth of the cavity is two and three-eighths inches. The five eggs, which it con- 

 tained, measure respectivel}' .64 x .52^ ,64 x .51, .66 x .51, .65 x .52, and .64 x .51. The nest I consider a 

 typical one in position, size, shape, and materials. 



There is not much known in regard to the breeding habits of this species. In fact, I have been 

 able to find but few well authenticated nests taken in the State. This is more owing to the difficulty of 

 finding the nest, however, than to the scarcity of the birds. In the southern portion of the State they 

 are by no means uncommon, but in the northern section, I am informed by Dr. Wheaton, they are quite 

 rare. Mr. Ridgeway has found a number of nests near Mount Carmel, Indiana, as also has Mr. Jenks, 

 near Norwich, Connecticut, and it is surprising how closely these resemble Ohio nests, in size, material, 

 and situation. 



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