Open Nests in Woods, Thickets, Swampy Thickets 



Breeding Range — Eastern States, from southern New England 

 southward. 



The nest is composed of leaves, weed stems, strips of bark, 

 lined with fine roots and occasionally hair ; it is placed on the 

 ground at the foot of a tree, under a log or in a slight depression 

 or hole in a bank. Usually it is in hilly woodland, but some- 

 times a more open place is chosen. The eggs, 3 to 5 in number, 

 are white or pinkish white, with fine spots of cinnamon and 

 purplish brown, chiefly at the larger end. Size — .72 x .58. 



Should you happen to venture at all near to the nest of the 

 Worm-eating Warbler, she will tell you of its proximity by falling 

 on the ground with seemingly broken wings, and apparently on 

 the verge of death from some unknown cause ; she will even roll 

 over and over down the side of a hill while in this condition, in 

 the hope of luring you away from her home, which is usually 

 concealed with the utmost care. When on the nest the parent 

 bird will almost allow herself to be caught, so close does she sit. 

 As a rule, these warblers live and feed on or very near the 

 ground, most frequently in damp woods or thickets, but 1 have 

 seen them creeping along the overhanging branches somewhat 

 after the manner of the black-and-white creeper. 1 do not, how- 

 ever, think this is a common habit, as 1 have seldom seen it done. 

 The nesting season commences towards the end of May in the 

 vicinity of New York. 



641. Blue-Winged Warbler: Helminthophila pinus 



(Linn.) 



Adult 3 — Upper parts light olive green ; wings and tail bluish ; 



wing shows two broken white bars ; crown and under 



parts brilliant yellow. The black line in front and back of 



the eye is a distinctive feature. 

 Adult $ — Under parts somewhat less bright. Length — 4.80. The 



young in first plumage are nearly as bright as the adult $ . 

 Breeding Range — Eastern States, from Connecticut and southern 



New York southward. 



The nest is placed on the ground in clearings, scrubby 

 places, and in the undergrowth of woodland or second growth. 

 It varies greatly, being sometimes a very rough structure of 



66 



