
THE WARBLERS. 177 
they show a marked preference for the ground, seldom 
ascending to the tops of the trees as the others do, but 
being always found in the low thickets and bushes, or even 
on the ground. The present species is, perhaps, the best 
known, and most familiar of all its tribe; indeed it could 
not have otherwise obtained its familiar name of “Yellow- 
throat.” It is scarcely necessary to add anything concerning 
it; suffice it to say, that it holds a most important position in 
the woodland choir; there is scarcely another bird that we 
should miss more. Without-it, the thickets and coppices 
would seem almost uninhabited ; and its song, simple though 
it is, would be sadly missed in August, when the hot sum- 
mer sun has silenced the wood-thrush and the veery. 
The Nashville Warbler (Helminthophaga ruficapilla) is, in 
this vicinity, quite an abundant species. It arrives about 
the twentieth of May, and, after staying a very short period, 
proceeds northward. During its stay it is shy and retiring, 
frequenting the tops of forest trees; occasionally it may be 
seen in orchards, and in the trees lining the brooks and 
swamps. It returns about the last week in September, 
remains a few days, and then moves off to the south. It 
has quite a fine song, which resembles that of the yellow 
Warbler more nearly than any other. Many of the warblers 
have songs, so closely resembling each other, that it is 
impossible to describe them accurately in words, though they 
can at once be distinguished in the woods by the practised 
ornithologist. 
The Blue Yellow-backed Warbler (Parula Americana) is 
one of the smallest, as well as one of the most beautiful of 
all. Usually very abundant, it is sometimes rather scarce, 
- 4nd its migrations seem to be somewhat irregular. It arrives 
in the second week in May, and remains a considerable time 
With us. About the time the apple and pear trees are in 
bloom, it is most abundant; and any one visiting orchards 
then, is sure to see it flitting among the blossoms like a 
winged gem, the dark blue and gold of the bird contrasting 
AMER. NATURALIST, VOL. II. 23 
