WARBLERS. 105 



Warblers. In eastern Massachusetts, four or five eggs are 

 laid about the first of June, but no second brood is raised 

 unless some accident befalls the first. 



c. The Yellowbirds are the most common and familiar of 

 all our Warblers ; and who is there that does not, or who ought 

 not, to know these beneficial and charming little birds, who are 

 pleasantly associated with the coming here of actual spring, 

 since generally in the first week of May they come from the 

 South ? Throughout the summer they are to be found about 

 us ; but when autumn comes they leave us, and generally be- 

 fore the first week of September has passed away they have 

 gone. Yet they are very hardy, and stray to the arctic shores, 

 though hardly anywhere common to the northward of Massa- 

 chusetts, where they are, in most parts of the State, abundant. 

 They inhabit pasture-land and cultivated grounds, being not 

 infrequently seen near houses, and never retiring to the woods. 

 They are not sufficiently social to gather in flocks, but, on the 

 contrary, though of a pleasant-tempered and affectionate dis- 

 position, seem always to be absorbed in the search of insects, 

 through our orchard trees, shade trees, and shrubbery. They 

 never seek for these insects on the ground, or in the higher 

 tree-tops, and rarely seize them in the air, but whilst pursuing 

 them continually move among the lower branches, occasionally 

 taking short flights. 



d. The Yellowbird's song is simple, yet very pleasing, 

 and one does not become tired of it, though repeated often, as 

 it has several variations. It nearly resembles the syllables 

 wee-chee-wee-chee-wee-i-u, but is like the song of several other 

 warblers. The loud chirp of the Yellowbirds is often heard 

 from the branches, among which they are busy, and often is 

 repeated plaintively, when their nest is disturbed. 



Though probably less familiar toward man than many 

 • people suppose, the Yellowbirds do not repel his advances, 

 and certainly greatly benefit him by their constant industry in 

 destroying insects, particularly small caterpillars and canker- 

 worms, of which they are very fond. 



