WARBLERS 



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(687) Setophaga ruticilla 



(Linn.) (Gr., an insect eater; Lat,, red- 

 tail). 



REDSTART. Bill wide and flat, 

 and with development of rictal bris- 

 tles almost like those of flycatchers. 

 Ad.cP — As shown by the upper bird; 

 upper parts, throat and breast jet 

 black; rest of under parts white; 

 outer tail feathers, except at their tips, 

 basal portion of wing feathers and un- 

 der wing coverts, bright orange-red. 

 Ad. 9 — Shown by the lower bird; 

 grayish-brown above and whitish be- 

 low; orange-red replaced by yellow. 

 Immature males show all stages of 

 plumage between these two. L., 5.50. 



Range — Breeds from N. Car,, 

 Ark. and Col. north to Newfound- 

 land, Quebec, Mackenzie and B. C. 



catching Warblers. They are very active and do catch many 

 small insects on the wing. They sing with a hurried, ring- 

 ing little warble sufficient to identify them but not sufficiently 

 different from other songs to attract the attention of those 

 not familiar with it. They nest rarely in the Northern 

 States but chiefly in Canada, the nest being on or very close 

 to the ground in rather swampy land. 



CANADIAN WARBLERS also belong to the so-called 

 flycatching group. Besides in woods and orchards, I have a 

 number of times seen them feeding on the ground under 

 bushes in my yard in the middle of the city. They are not 

 at all shy either during migration or while nesting. Their 

 song is a loud, ringing, distinctive warble similar in character 

 to that of the Water-Thrush. They nest on the ground in 

 swamps or moist woodland. I have found nests under roots of 

 laurel and also imbedded in mossy banks just out of the water. 



REDSTARTS are birds that can hardly be overlooked in 

 locaHties where they are present, for their plumage and their 



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