BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER. 1^71 



These different birds' eggs, placed in varied and artistic 

 styles of nests, make bird-nesting peculiarly fascinating, 

 especially when it gratifies a thirst for knowledge. Then 

 the careful manner in which many nests are hidden away 

 among grass and foliage, or placed in remote regions, almost 

 beyond the reach of civilization, makes them objects of an 

 exciting curiosity, and contributes greatly to their value. 



One of my most interesting places for the study of birds 

 in their breeding haunts is Tonawanda Swamp, bordering 

 Orleans County on the south, extending into Genesee County 

 southward, and far to the eastward and westward. Very 

 different indeed is the character of its various localities. 

 Here, in the midst of an almost undisturbed wilderness are 

 glassy ponds and coves, where various water-birds revel in 

 their migrations, and in the vicinity of which some rear their 

 young. Here are miry marshes, tracts of fallen trees par- 

 trally submerged, forests and low lands of dense shrubbery 

 standing in the water a great part of the year; dense groves 

 of cedar, extensive moss-bogs, cranberry marshes, and wild 

 meadows dry in summer and in early autumn. It is a very 

 paradise of wild flowers, shrubs, climbing and running vines, 

 and plants both delicate and curious. 



BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER. 



On a beautiful morning, the 7th of May, I enter one of the 

 cedar groves of the above region. In these deep shadowy 

 recesses I hear in various directions the song of the Black- 

 throated Green Warbler (Dendrxca virens). The notes are 

 most peculiar, and once identified can never be forgotten. 

 Many writers have described this song, for it seems to sug- 

 gest to almost every one some fancied phrase. One has 

 given it as " Hear me Saint Tker-e-saj" while one of my 

 private correspondents represents . the song by the ditty. 



