jfRAIRIE WARBLER 



209 



more individuals than in 1903. Mr. Parmelee, who observed them, 

 says the male does not help to build the nest but sits near by and 

 sings all of the time. 



"The nest is made of soft bark, strips of vegetable fiber, and 

 dead grass, with dead flower stems of arbutus and weeds, which make 

 the outside firm. It is lined with fine, dead grass, old pine needles, 

 and, lastly, with horse and cattle hair. 



Nesting Dates. — "There is much variation in the time of nesting. 

 I have the first nest with complete set of three eggs ever taken; it 

 was found in Oscoda County, June 6, 1904, the earliest recorded nest- 

 ing date. On July 7, 1903, I flushed a female at work on a nest site, 

 but, possibly, her first nest may have been destroyed. The average is 

 from June 15 to 20, although I am sure it varies with each season. 



^gg^- — "The eggs in a set vary from 3 to 5 the usual number 

 being 4, only two sets of 3 are recorded, while of 5 we have three nests 

 recorded, and eight at least of 4. Only one brood is reared each year. 

 Second sets are no doubt laid to replace a first set which has been 

 destroyed." (N. A. Wood, MS.) 



Biographical References 



(i) F. M. Chapman, Kirtland's Warbler, Auk, XV, 1898, 289. (2) N. 

 A. Wood, Discovery of the Breeding Area of Kirtland's Warbler, Bull. Mich. 

 Orn. Club, V, 1904, i. (3) C. C. Adams, The Migration Route of Kirtland's 

 Warbler, Bull. Mich. Orn. Club, V, 1904, 14. (4) E. Arnold, Nesting of 

 Kirtland's Warbler in northern Michigan, 1904, Bull. Mich. Orn. Club, V, 

 1904. 67. 



Prairie Warbler 



DENDHOICA DISCOLOR (Vieill.) Plan I 



Distinguishing Characters. — The adult c?, and, usually the adult ?, may be 

 known by the reddish chestnut dorsal spots, while the small size, entirely 

 yellow underparts, more or less streaked sides, and yellowish wing-bars will 

 identify most specimens without regard to age. Length (skin), 4.20; wing, 

 2.20; tail, i.go; bill, .35. 



Adult c?. Spring. — Above bright olive-green the center of the back spotted 

 with reddish chestnut; line over, and space below eye yellow, a blackish 

 streak through eye; outer tail-feather largely white on both webs, second 

 and third feathers white at end of inner web ; wings edged with greenish the 

 median and greater coverts edged with dusky yellowish; underparts entirely 

 yellow, a black crescent at the side of the throat, sides streaked with black. 



Adult £?, Fall. — Similar to adult c? in Spring but reddish chestnut spots 

 in back more or less concealed by olive-green tips to feathers. 



Young (J, Fall. — Similar to adult t? but chestnut marks in back small or 

 wanting, cheeks grayish, line over eye less distinct black marks much reduced 

 or absent, wing-bars duller, less white in tail. 



