(JO 



THE PINE WARBLER. 



The nest is built early in May, and like the robin's, plentifully supplied 

 with mud, and evidently for the same reason, but the mud is often cov- 

 ered with moss, and there is usually a lining of feathers. It is far from being as 

 compact as that of the robin's, thus crumbling very easily. 



The eggs are white, frequently unspotted, but sometimes finely dotted 

 with reddish. 



The phoebes migrate in September, and are then often accompanied by 

 the wood pewees. -At this season, the two species are quite difficult to 

 distinguish, but if the fact that the phoebe has a wholly black bill, and 

 the wood pewee a yellow under mandible, be known, there will be no 

 difficulty in recognizing them. In spring, the plaintively given "pe-wee" 

 of the wood pewee is in strong contrast with the more energetically given 

 k ' phoebe" of the phoebe. 



I will ask why the phoebe places its nest under shelter ? 



THE PINE WARBLER. 



In the early days of April, when the sun shines warm upon the pine 

 woods, and causes the fallen needles to give out a spicy, resinous odor, as a 

 reminiscence of their birth place, Avhen the heat is shimmering on the south side 

 of fence rows, and there is a silence over all the woodlands, a silence rendered 

 more intense by the faint murmur of the gentle south wind through the tops 

 of the pines, suddenly, without Avarning, a low, musical trill comes to the 

 ear. To the untrained ear, careless of the gems of melody, of which nature 



Fig. 28. 



Head and tail feather of Pine Warbler, 



is so lavish, this quietly given song is meaningless, or even passes unheard 

 To one, however, whose ear is awake to all of the melodies of the fields and 

 woodlands, this gentle trill brings a feeling of gladness, for it is a true har- 

 binger of spring, and gives promise of the coming summer. 



This is the song of the pine warbler, and to many it closely resembles 

 that of the chipping sparrow. There is some resemblance, but the warbler 



