272 HOODED WARBLER 



The Bird and its Haunts. — To my mind there is no Warbler to 

 which that much misused word "lovely," may be so aptly applied as 

 to the present species. Its beauty of plumage, charm of voice, and 

 gentleness of demeanor, make it indeed not only a lovely, but a truly 

 lovable bird. Doubtless, also, the nature of the Hooded Warbler's 

 haunts increase its attractiveness, not merely because these well- 

 watered woodlands are in themselves inviting, but because they bring 

 the bird down to our level. This creates a sense of companionship 

 which we do not feel with the birds ranging high above us, and at the 

 same time it permits us to see this exquisitely clad creature under 

 most favorable conditions. 



As we approach the bird's nest she protests with a chirp which 

 one soon learns to recognize. It is not the sharp, insistent note of the 

 Oven-bird, but of a milder tone uttered as the bird flits from bush to 

 bush displaying her white outer tail feathers in flight or jetting them 

 when perching. The male often ascends to a height of twenty to forty 

 feet, his song being more frequently delivered from a perch well above 

 the undergrowth than from the undergrowth itself. 



In Mississippi, Allison (MS.) writes, that the Hooded Warbler 

 inhabits "low, heavily shaded woods, with thick undergrowth. Where 

 convenient cover, such as a brake of switch-cane, extends to the border 

 of the woods, the bird has no objection to an open, light, situation; 

 and along the Gulf coast, where the only swampy situations are the 

 narrow 'bay-galls,' the thickets of rose-bay (Illicium) and azalea 

 afford sufficient seclusion for a few. Damp woods such as are afforded 

 by river and creek bottoms, however, are more favored." 



The same writer adds : "I find the following note on the behavior 

 of the males during courtship (New Orleans, Apr. 28) : 'We saw 

 * * * a very interesting fight between two male Hooded War- 

 blers, for the possession of a female; the two began the contest in 

 a tree, fluttered down into the mud and water, and the upper one, who 

 had the other by the head, was in a fair way to drown or disable his 

 opponent, when we frightened them off.' " 



Song. — The song of the Hooded Warbler is distinguished by an 

 easy, sliding gracefulness. To my ear the words you must come to 

 the woods or you won't see me, uttered quickly, and made to run one 

 into the other exactly fit the bird's more prolonged vocal efforts, though 

 they are far from agreeing with the attempts at syllabification of 

 others. The call is a high, sharp cheep, easily recognized after it 

 has been learned. 



