MOURNING WARBLER. 251 



and concealed by projecting weeds and grass. Sometimes a 

 mere tussuck of grass or accidental pile of brush is chosen. 

 It is made of dry sedge-grass ( Carex) , and a few leaves loosely 

 wound together and supported by the weeds or twigs where it 

 rests ; the Hning consists entirely of fine bent-grass (Agrostis) . 

 The young leave the nest, here, about the middle of June, 

 and a second brood is sometimes raised in the course of 

 the season. The parents and young now rove about in 

 restless prying troops, and take to the most secluded bushy 

 marshes, where they pass their time in comparative security 

 till the arrival of that period of scarcity which warns them to 

 depart. As early as the close of July, the lively song of the 

 male ceases to be heard, and the whole party now forage in 

 silence. 



This species "breeds from the Gulf States to Manitoba and 

 Labrador ; winters from the Gulf States southward." (Chapman.) 



Note. — The Western form has lately been separated from true 

 trichas and given varietal rank with the name G. trichas occidentalis. 

 Its habitat is from the Mississippi valley to the Pacific. It is some- 

 what larger and more brightly colored than is the eastern race. 

 Another geographical race, the Florida Yellow-throat {G. 

 trichas ignota), differs from typical trichas in having the yellow of 

 under parts of deeper shade and greater extent ; the facial mask is 

 wider also. 



MOURNING WARBLER. 



GeOTHLYPIS PHILADELPHIA. 



Char. Above, olive ; head, neck, and breast ashy ; breast mottled with 

 black ; remainder of under parts yellow. Length 5^ to 5^^ inches. 



Ntst. In open woodland or pasture, on the ground or in low tree or 

 bush; of vegetable fibre, lined with hair. 



Eggs. 3-5 ; white or creamy, with brown and lilac spots wreathed 

 around the larger end; 0.70 X 0.54. 



Wilson, the discoverer of this curious species, never met with 

 more than a single individual, which in its habits of frequent- 



