Nests in Trees, Bushes, or Vines 



The nest is placed in low bushes or scrub within four feet, 

 and sometimes within a few inches, of the ground. It is corn- 

 posed of leaves, shreds of 6ark, and scales of beech buds all com- 

 pactly woven'ari^ secured together with spider web§ ; the lining, 

 in soine nests is entirely of horse pr cattle hair ; otljers are found 

 lined with fibre's of grape-vine bark. 3 to 5 eggs are laid; they 

 are, whife, with'spei;ks and spots of rf;ddish brown and lilac often 

 forming an irregular wreath at the larger end. Size — .71 ,x .52. 



Iri' damp woods, where tHe undergrowth is fairly dense, 

 these warblers will be found nesting during the latter part of May 

 of early in June. 



687. American Redstart: $etophaga ruticill^ (UnnO 



^/sfe/?'^ — Upper parts black ; patch on the wing and basal hajf 

 of tail feiathers (except those in the middle) yellowish recT; 

 und-er parts,' throat and ' tipper part of breast black; sides 

 bright orange red ; belly white. ■ 



A4t^ 9-^ Upper parts greenish gray ; under parts white ; instead - 

 of orange y^Uow on the;sides, wing, and-tail; the female has 

 light yello\y. Lengthy — 5.41., See Fig. 6, Plate- B. 



Breeding ifaw^*-— Throughout the Ea$te;rij States, from ISofth Caro- 

 lina northward. 



The nest is placed either in a crotch pr on a branch against 

 the tree trunk, at a height of from five to thirty feet from the 

 groLind. It is a beautiful, neat, cup-shaped nest, about two inches 

 inside diameter, and one inch deep. The materials used in its 

 corisfructiori are fine dried grass, a silver-coloured vegetable fibre, 

 plant down, and thin strips of bark, with a lining of fine grass 

 and hair. 3 or 4 and sometimes 5 eggs are laid ; they are white 

 or whitish, with spots and small blotches of, reddish brown and 

 lilac chiefTy at the larger 'end.' Size — .66 x '.51. ""'" 



In the damp woodia,nd these beautifuj \yarblers may-be seen 

 darting through the rich mass of grjeen, foliage like tiny flashes of 

 fire. The rare combination of black and flame colourj' together 

 with their habit of constantly spreading their tail, renders them 

 easy- ofidentificatibn. They are seldom seen on the ground 

 except when in search of food for their young. The breeding 



season^begin^ towards the end 6f May: 



166 



