MARYLAND YELLOW-THROAT. 
403 
that precious treasure, he scolds, laments, and intreats 
with great anxiety. The species generally nest in the 
recluse thickets of the forest, or the low bushy meadow, 
but sometimes they take up their abode in the garden, 
or the field contiguous to the house ,* and, if undisturb- 
ed, show a predilection for the place which has afforded 
security to themselves and their young. They commence 
their labor of building about the middle of May, fixing 
the nest on or near the ground, among dry leaves, with- 
ered grass, or brush, and choose often for security the 
most intricate thicket of briars, so that the nest is often 
sheltered and concealed by projecting weeds and grass. 
Sometimes a mere tussuck of grass or accidental pile of 
brush is chosen. It is made of dry sedge-grass ( Car ex ), 
and a few leaves loosely wound together and supported 
by the weeds or twigs where its rests ; the lining con- 
sists entirely of fine bent-grass ( Agrostis ). 
The eggs, about 5, are white, inclined to flesh-color, with 
touches, specks, and small spreading blotches, and some- 
times with a few lines of two or three shades of reddish 
brown, chiefly disposed towards the greater end. I have 
also seen the eggs a whole size smaller, pure white, with 
a few small spots only at the greater end. This is perhaps 
the egg of a different, but allied species. The young 
leave the nest, here, about the middle of June, and a 
second brood is sometimes raised in the course of the 
season. The parents and young now rove about in rest- 
less prying troops, and take to the most secluded bushy 
marshes, where they pass their time, in comparative 
security, till the arrival of that period of scarcity which 
warns them to depart. As early as the close of July, 
the lively song of the male ceases to be heard, and the 
whole party now forage in silence. 
