Myrtle 
i^h 
’ r 
Warbler s 
Myrtle Warblers are among the most numerous 
and universally distributed of the smaller birds at this date. 
They frequent open, treeless places much more than in spring 
and I see them along roadsides perching on the fences and 
low bushes, in stubble about "stooks" of corn or other grain, 
and very frequently mar houses, barns and other buildings. 
They associate freely with Bluebirds and the different kinds 
of Sparrows in such places. Their plump forms, generally 
brovmish coloring and conspicuous straaking beneath give 
them a curious resemblance to young Chipping Sparrows but 
the yellow rump is shown conspicuously when the bird starts 
to fly. 
For the past three or four mornings a dozen of 
more of these Warblers accompanied by Bluebirds and Chippies 
have come about our house a little after sunrise to hop along 
the shingled roof, perch in rows along the ridgepole and 
flutter up under the eaves or against the blinds and window- 
panes. This is a common habit in autumn but I have never 
observed it in spring. The birds seem to be getting insects 
which are perhaps found in these places only at this season 
although this explanation is not wholly satisfactory. It is 
interesting to see "Wood Warblers" behaving thus. This 
morning severa.1 Yellow-rumps and a Song Sparrow came to my 
window and fluttered against the glass within a foot of my 
face while I was dressing and the same thing was observed 
by other members of our family, i 
