12 8 BIRDS OF SOUTH DAKOTA 



among underbrush or clumps of tall weeds adjacent to low or 

 swampy ground. The nest is on or near the ground, and here 

 most of the bird's time is spent. The song is a cheerful "witchy, 

 witchy, witch," which, when once heard, can never be forgotten. 



683. Yellow-breasted Chat (Icteria virens virens.) 



Upper parts olive green, with a clear white line over the 

 eye reaching to the base of the bill ; throat and breast bright 

 yellow. The Chat is nearly as large as an Oriole, and so unlike 

 all other Warblers that the ordinary observer would not put him 

 in the Warbler family but for the insistence of the books that 

 he belongs there. These birds love a tangle of trees, vines and 

 bushes, such as are often found in the fringe of woods skirting 

 the Missouri River. They love to be heard rather than seen, 

 and when you are in their vicinity the male whistles, quacks, 

 barks, chuckles and makes numerous other noises, seemingly to 

 attract your attention. His love antics are like the bucking of 

 a bronco. With drooping wings and legs, and intensified quacks 

 and whistles, he bucks his way in aerial circles for the admira- 

 tioii of his mate. 



685. Wilson's Warbler (Wilsonia pusilla pusilla.) 



"A common migrant" (Visher, for Clay County). Olive 

 green, with shiny black crown, and forehead; cheeks and under 

 parts yellow. 



687. Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla.) 



A common migrant and a frequent summer resident. The 

 male is black, with salmon red on sides, wings and tail. When 

 the tail is spread in flight the salmon patches are large and fan 

 shaped, and are the bird's best distinguishing mark. This little 

 "torch-bearer," as the Spaniards call it, is seen in a certain grove 

 near Vermillion nearly every year in June and July, where it 

 evidently nests. It is one of the choicest of the Warbler family, 

 extremely light and airy of wing, flitting and poising like a 

 Hummingbird as it gathers insect food from leaf and blossom. 



FAMILY MOTACILLID^. PIPITS 

 697. Pipit; "Titlark" (Anthus rubescens.) 



This interesting bird, though not common, is found locally 



