THE WHITE-BELLIED SWALLOW. 



gives a much more musical song, with rather more volume to the notes: when 

 heard side by side and contrasted, the wide difference between the two songs 

 may be perceived at once. The song of the pine warbler is somewhat varied, 

 but to attempt to give these variations here would tend only to confuse those 

 who are learning bird songs. The results of my studies of the songs of this 

 warbler, will be found in my Warblers of New England, now in press. 



The appearance of the pine warbler corresponds well with its song, and 

 with the yellowish pine needles among which it lives, for it is greenish yel- 

 low, darker above and lighter below, the female being considerably duller, in 

 fact, frequently almost plain greenish gray. 



The nest of this warbler is placed in its favorite pitch pine, well out on 

 the end of a branch, often among the leaves. It is not unfrequently bud 

 of pine needles. The eggs are laid early, often by the first of May and the 

 young are thus the first of all our warblers to appear. A second Utter of 

 eggs is laid about the first of July. The pine warbler has a very wide breed- 

 ing range, being found from Florida to New England, wherever the pitch 

 pine, or allied species, grow. 



My question in regard to the pine warbler is, why is it without con- 

 spicuous markings ? 



THE WHITE-BELLIED SWALLOW. 



This bird is often a shining example of the one swallow which does not 

 make a summer, for it frequently comes so early in April that it must wish 

 itself back again to a warmer climate. I have no doubt, and even have 

 proof of the fact, that these swallows do advance north during pleasant, 

 warm weather, and return again during cold snaps. Why should not a bird 

 which can cover the distance between Massachusetts and New Jersey in three 

 or four hours, occasionally take a backward flight ? 



The steel blue back, white under parts, and slightly forked tail will 

 serve to distinguish this beautiful swallow in spring. 



The white-bellied swallows are sometimes called tree swallows from the 

 habit which they have of nesting in holes of trees. They sometimes select a 

 deserted hole of a woodpecker, or often a natural cavity in a tree in which 

 to build. It makes very little difference to the swallow whether such a cav- 

 ity be high or low, as long as it is of the right dimensions. The nest is 

 made of grass and lined with feathers, and the eggs are pure white, un- 

 marked. 



The nests are often placed in holes about the eaves of buildings, or in boxes 

 put up for the accomodation of birds. Such boxes are, however, in these 

 days, too often occupied by the English sparrows, which, by being on hand, 

 get in first, and thus possession is truly nine points of the law, but when 



