with brown, varying in shade from almost black to a smoky tint, sometimes confined almost entirely to 
the basal half, sometimes distributed quite regularly over the whole egg. The shell is so transparent, 
that before the eggs are blown they have a pinkish tint given to them by the yelks. They measure in 
long-diameter from .62 to .70, and in short-diameter from .48 to .54 — average, .64 x .51. 
DIFFERENTIAL POINTS: 
See table. 
REMARKS : 
Walking leisurely through the border of a woods, with a thick undergrowth of hazel, blackberry, 
and wild-rose bushes, on the 15th of May, 1881, I stopped to look about and to listen to the various 
bird-songs, when, nearly at my feet, a little bird flew out, and was in an instant lost in the thick foliage. 
The oracle was soon interpreted. After a few moments’ search the nest was revealed, containing two eggs. 
Not being certain as to the identity of the species, I returned the following day and found the bird upon 
the nest. I had approached within a few yards of the spot and was cautiously peering to get a good 
look, when she disappeared among the neighboring bushes and began uttering a lisping chirp. These 
often repeated notes soon brought her mate, who uttered the same cry and seemed much disturbed. Both 
birds remained near their home during my stay, flying from one bush to another, but more frequently 
heard than seen. I remained only long enough to see that an egg had been added to the set since the 
previous day. For two days following I went in the morning to the nest, and found at each visit an 
increase of one egg. I drove the female from the nest each time, and once handled the eggs, and remained 
quite a time to watch the movements of the birds. Two days later I shot her as she left the nest — a 
cruel act, but one which I always resort to in the case of Warblers. For if the skin accompanies the 
nest and eggs no controversy as to identification can arise. This proved to be the nest and eggs of the 
Blue-winged Yellow Warbler, and is the one illustrated by Plate SXXII. It is built between a young- 
elm and several blackberry stems. Its foundation is made principally of oak leaves, and rests upon the 
dead leaves which are lodged about the roots of the bushes. The superstructure and lining are composed 
entirely of grape-vine bark. The greatest diameter of the cavity is three inches; the least diameter two 
and one-eiglith. The depth of the cavity is two and three-eighths inches. The five eggs, which it con- 
tained, measure respectively .64 x .52, .64 x .51, .66 x .51. .65 x .52, and .64 x .51. The nest I consider a 
typical one in position, size, shape, and materials. 
There is not much known in regard to the breeding habits of this species. In fact, I have been 
able to find but few well authenticated nests taken in the State. This is more owing to the difficulty of 
finding the nest, however, than to the scarcity of the birds. In the southern portion of the State they 
are by no means uncommon, but in the northern section, I am informed by Dr. Wheaton, they are quite 
rare. Mr. Ridgeway has found a number of nests near Mount Carmel, Indiana, as also has Mr. -Jenks, 
near Norwich, Connecticut, arid it is surprising how closely those resemble Ohio nests, in size, material, 
and situation. 
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