WARBLERS 317 



in migration in Texas, rarely in Louisiana, and has been reported from 

 Rising Fawn, Georgia (May 14 to 20, 1885). Doubtless it occurs occa- 

 sionally, perhaps regularly, in Alabama.] 



MARYLAND YELLOW-THROAT: Geothlypis trichas 

 trichas (Linnaeus). 



State records.— The Maryland yellow-throat, with its sub- 

 species, is one of the most abundant and widely distributed 

 birds of the State. It does not ascend very high in the moun- 

 tains, but is found in all the mountain valleys and in the low- 

 lands generally. The typical race (trichas) occupies in the 

 breeding season the northern and mountainous parts of the 

 State from Walker County northward. Breeding specimens 

 have been examined from Leighton, Elkmont, Sand Mountain 

 (near Carpenter), Guntersville, Natural Bridge, and Ardell. 



McCormack records the arrival of spring migrants at 

 Leighton, April 7, 1890; one was noted at Anniston, March 

 26, 1916; and one at Carpenter, April 17, 1914; a migrating 

 specimen of this race was secured by Holt at Oakchia, April 

 24, 1912; the last in fall were seen at Leighton, September 

 23, 1893. Fresh eggs were found at Leighton, May 12, June 

 6, and July 6. 



General habits. — ^ITie yellow-throat is a lover of brushy 

 clearings, brier patches, and marshy pastures and is a familiar 

 bird about the farm. It lives on or near the ground, feeding in 

 thickets and brier patches and ascending only to a rather low 

 perch to deliver its song. On the approach of danger it dives 

 into the thick brush and is then very difficult to detect. From 

 its retreat it persistently utters its characteristic alarm note 

 — a somewhat reedy tchib — and if the ©bserver remains quiet 

 the little fellow will shortly hop out to see if the coast is clear. 

 Thayer calls attention to another call note, "the grating, wren- 

 like Brrrrrr — a little long-drawn snarl — which does not seem 

 often to have been described."* The song is a vigorous little 

 ditty, often written as witchity, witchity, witchity, but sub- 

 ject to much variation. The nest is usually placed on the 

 ground in a bunch of weeds or briers or at the base of a small 



*Chapman, F. M., The Warblers of North America, p. 256, 1907. 



