194 PARULA WARBLER. 
According to the state of the weather it arrives now earlier, now later. As a rule, it 
makes its appearance when the apple trees are in full bloom. 
Wherever the Usnea lichens grow abundantly the Parula Warbler is a common 
bird, nesting invariably in the dense tufts which hang down from the branches, in the 
high woods as well as in the dense forests of the lowlands. From Maine and Canada to 
Texas, it seems to make itself at home wherever it can find a suitable nesting place. If 
we watch closely its actions and manners in such localities, we may readily notice that 
it prefers such trees and bushes which are draped with festoons of long, light green, beard- 
like moss. With the agility of a Titmouse it climbs about among the lichen-covered 
branches, and with the dexterity of a true Warbler it hunts among the leaves and 
flowers for inseéts. My small cabin near the West Yegua Creek, in Texas, was sur- 
rounded by forest trees, many of which were draped with lichens. Here I had an 
excellent opportunity to observe these beautiful Warblers. My attention was first called 
to the bird by its wiry, rather shrill notes, sounding like chirr-rirr-irr-reeh which came 
from all sides. I can hardly imagine a more lively and charming bird than the Parula 
Warbler in its habitat of lichens and mosses. Incessantly it hops from branch to 
branch. Now it rests a moment, and, holding its bill ereét, chirps its short lay; the 
next moment it creeps through the pendulous lichens, or is in pursuit of an escaping 
insect; then it returns to the tree, and again sings its brief notes, which are very 
savory to the ear. By its lively ways, its song and beauty it contributes much to 
the charms of these woods. 
During the first week of May, in the North early in June, we may find the nest. 
This is as peculiar as it is beautiful. It is always built in one of the many beard-like 
tufts of lichens. The building of the nest is easily accomplished. The bird simply enters 
the matted pendulous tuft, shapes in the center a small cavity, lining it with the same 
material, and the nest is finished. The entrance is usually on one side of thetruss and 
scarcely visible. Occasionally we find nests which are open above. The dimensions of 
these beautiful nests vary considerably, differing according to the size of the tufts of 
lichens in which they are placed. One nest which I found was 8 inches long and 5.50 
inches in diameter. The entrance was 3 inches from the top and hardly visible. (See 
plate XI, fig. 1, and the nest below.) 
* The slightest breeze swings these hanging structures to and fro.—Some nests are 
very long. Mr. J. M. Wade informs me that he saw one which was 21.50 inches long. 
He also states that in some places the Parula Warblers are so common as to form 
almost a regular colony. In 1881 he found near Norwich, Conn., in a small group of 
trees from five to six new nests and several old ones. 
As the bunches of lichens containing nests are not in the least different from other 
tufts on the same or neighboring branches, the difficulty of finding a nest becomes 
evident. The only way to success is the most patient vigilance. Where you see a bird 
enter 'abunchina timid and stealthy manner you may expect to find a nest. Assuredly, 
these lichen or moss nests afford to our beautiful birds the best of protection against 
their many enemies. According to my observations in Texas, snakes, squirrels, Blue 
Jays, and other marauders rarely, if ever, destroy these nests, and the obnoxious Cow- 
bird is prevented from laying its eggs in the domiciles of the Parula Warbler. This 
