YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT 



May 12, i8q8 

 (Lake Forest) 



I HAVE been watching for this bird for 

 years but have never seen it till today. 

 I rode out to the woods west of Ft. Sheri- 

 dan and while there heard the queerest 

 loud whistle followed by a rapid scolding. 

 As this issued from a thick bush I thought 

 of a chat at once, but could see nothing. 

 This whistling and scolding was repeated 

 at intervals from various parts of the wood 

 and I followed, determined to see him if 

 possible. But after following the queer 

 sounds for an hour or so I was just giving 

 up and going home when there he was on a 

 low bush some distance ahead of me, but 

 near enough to see his gorgeous yellow 

 breast clearly. He hopped about and 

 stayed long enough for me to see him as 

 much as I wanted to, and came nearer so I 

 could distinguish all his markings. His 

 "song" is certainly the most remarkable 

 one I ever heard. All his notes are so loud 

 and imperative. He whistles as clearly as 

 a quail, but louder, chatters like a giant 



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