58 -^, BIRDS 



nest set in a most inaccessible briery part of the thicket, 

 can you hope to hear him rattle through his variety per- 

 formance. Walk boldly or noisily past his retreat, and 

 there is "silence there and nothing more." But two very 

 bright eyes peer out at you through the undergrowth, 

 where the trim bird watches you with quizzical suspicion 

 imtil you quietly seat yourself and assume silent indiflPer- 

 ence. Whew, whew I he begins, and than he rattles off 

 an indescribable, eccentric medley until your ears are 

 tired listening. With bill uplifted, tail drooping, wings 

 fluttering at his side, he cuts an absiu*d enough figure, but 

 not so comical as when he rises into the air, traihng his legs 

 behind him, stork-fashion. This surely is the clown among 

 birds. But eccentric though he is, he is capable of great 

 devotion and remains faithfully mated year after year. 

 However much of a tease and a deceiver he may be to the 

 passer-by along the roadside, in the privacy of the domestic 

 circle he shows truly lovable traits. 



He has the habit of singing in his unmusical way on 

 moonlight nights. Probably his ventriloquial powers are 

 cultivated not for popular entertainment, but to lure in- 

 truders away from his nest. 



The Maryland Yellow-throat 



Length — ^5.33 inches. An inch shorter than tW£nglish 

 sparrow. ^ 



Male — Olive-gray on head, shading to olive-green on all the 

 other upper parts. Forehead, cheeks, and sides of head 

 black, like a mask, and bordered behind by a grayish 

 line. Throat and breast bright yellow, growing steadily 

 paler underneath. 



