YELLOW BED-POLLED WABBLEB. 
53 
OBSERVATIONS. 
I have never seen a nestling of this species. The young are very much like the immature D. tigrina but may be 
distinguished from them by the yellow under tail coverts and the browner upper parts. It may readily be known 
from all others in the adult stages by the chestnut crown. Habitat, during the breeding season, Eastern North 
America from Northern New England north to Hudson’s Bay. Winters in the Southern states, including the Keys 
of Florida,. and in the West Indies. 
DIMENSIONS. 
Average measurements of thirty-six specimens.—Length, 5-58; stretch, 7'78; wing, 2-70; tail, 2-50; bill, -45; 
tarsus,-80. Longest specimen, 5-75; greatest extent of wings, 8’75; longest wing, 2-76; tail, 2*30; bill, ’55; tarsus, 
•90. Shortest specimen, 4-90; smallest extent of wings, 7-35; shortest wing, 2-30; tail, 1*90; Sill, -42; tarsus, -71. 
DESCRIPTION OE NESTS AND EGGS. 
Nests, usually placed on the ground; composed of weeds, grasses and moss rather carelessly arranged; lined 
with fine roots and pine leaves. 
Eggs, four in number, rather oval in form, dull white in color, with blotches of pale brown around the larger 
end. Dimensions, ^Sx^. 
Eggs described by Mr. Ridgway from specimens in the Smithsonian Institution. 
HABITS. 
On tlie eastern side of Key West, between the wooded portions of the island and the sea, 
is a narrow strip of land which is destitute of trees. It is a grassy plain, while a few bunches 
of low scrubs grow at irregular intervals over it; flowers bloom here in abundance throughout 
the season and myriads of butterflies and other insects are floating over them attracted by 
their fragrance. Many birds are also found here but the most common species are the Yellow 
Red-polls. They are quite abundant and may be seen flitting among the brightly colored 
lepidoptera or springing into air to catch some rapidly moving fly or beetle, then alighting on 
the low bushes or pieces of coral rock which are scattered about. They are seldom quiet for 
an instant; for, when perching, they are ever turning their little heads right and left while their 
bright eyes are carefully scanning everything far or near; their tails are also constantly moving 
up and down; this latter peculiarity at once distinguishes the Yellow Red-polls from all other 
North American Warblers, for none besides have this habit. 
The constant watchfulness of these birds, which is exhibited by every movement, is necessary 
for their existence, for they usually inhabit open places where they are in constant danger from 
the attacks of enemies. At Key West this vigilance frequently saved their lives, for a Sparrow, 
Pigeon, or Rroad-winged Hawk would often come sweeping over them and without a moment’s 
warning would dart like a flash at a Warbler; but such forays almost always proved 
unsuccessful; for although the swoop of the hawk was so rapid that the eye could scarcely 
follow its movements yet the Red-poll was on the alert, and uttering a shrill chirp of alarm 
would instantly shoot into the nearest prickly pear, or mass of tangled vines where it was safe 
from the pursuer. 
In March, this species leaves Florida, arriving in Massachusetts in April; here they frequent 
low bushes by the side of woods spending much of their time upon the ground. At this season 
the males have a low warbling song; after lingering here a few weeks they migrate northward. 
Mr. Boardman informs me that these birds occasionally breed about Calais placing their nests 
on the ground. In autumn they pass Massachusetts during October but they are not as 
abundant then as in the spring. They make their appearance in Florida about December. 
