The Yellow Warblers 



from across the river than they do in the same tree. Individual variation 

 in song is considerable, but the high pitch and vigor of delivery are dis- 

 tinctive. Certain common types may be syllabized as follows: Sweet, 

 sweet, sweet, sweetie; tsee, tsee, tsit-a-wee, tsee; wee-chee, chee, chee wee-i-u; 

 tsu, tsu, tsu, tsu, tseeew. From its arrival some time in April, until near 

 the close of its nesting season in July, the bird may be found singing 

 throughout the sunlit hours. 



The migrations of this bird in California have not been closely 

 studied. April 1st at Los Angeles is our earliest record, but "some 

 time in April" is as near as we dare to come to generalization. Nesters 

 in Transition areas are doubtless detained at lower levels until May. 

 Late April migrants are probably bound for Washington; D. ce. rubigi- 

 nosa may dawdle within our borders till early June, to the scandal of 

 honest mothers of families. Occasionally, no doubt, typical eastern 



birds occur as stragglers, but the 

 grounds of difference as between 

 cestiva and ce. brewsteri are already 

 so slight that you never could prove 

 the occurrence of cestiva. 



The nest of the Yellow Warbler 

 is found in suitable territory at 

 any height, in alders, willows, apple 

 trees, or even fir saplings, but with- 

 out doubt the most acceptable site 

 is that afforded by dense thickets 

 of the wild rose (Rosa calif or nica), 

 wherever found. Unlike its habit 

 in the northern and eastern portions 

 of its range, Yellow Warblers appear 

 to raise but one brood in a season 

 in California. Dates for fresh eggs 

 vary from May 5th to June 26th, 

 but it goes without saying that 

 later dates concern higher elevations, 

 or else second trials. The cradle 

 of this bird is of exquisite fabri- 

 cation. The tough inner bark of 

 certain weeds — called indiscriminate- 

 ly "hemp" — together with grasses 

 and other fibrous materials in various 

 proportions, is woven into a com- 

 pact cup around, or settled into, 



Taken in Oregon Photo by Finley < 



A CONTENTED BABY 



' Bohlman 



464 



