oOG 
ECONOMIC RELATIONS OF OUR BIRDS. 
Tlie four specimens which I have obtained were taken between September 6th 
and September 22d. Of these, two were obtained in iiigh open woods, one in a 
tamarack swamp, and one in a front yard. 
Food: Only beetles were identified among tiie contents of the four stomachs 
examined, except a single ant. Ten beetles were taken from the stomach of 
one bird. 
44. Dendrceca discolor (Vieill.), Bd. PRAIRIE WARBLER. Group II. 
Class a. 
This Warbler enjoys, as a rule, a more southern latitude than our own, and 
although Mr. Allen finds it not uncommon in Massachusetts, Mr. Ridgway cites 
it as rare in Southern Illinois. But one instance of its occurrence in Wisconsin 
IS recorded. As a fiy-catcher. Dr. Coues regards it the equal of most of its 
tribe. 
Food: Flies and larvae (Nuttall). Small caterpillars and winged insects (Wil¬ 
son). Small insects and flies often seen in cotton fields (Audubon). Insects 
caught in the air (Coues). 
45. Dendrceca dominica albilora, Bd. YELLOW-THROATED GREY 
WARBLER. Group II. Class a. 
This is another of those southern species which probably occurs rarely in the 
state. As with the last species. Dr. Hoy has noted one instance of its occur¬ 
rence near Racine. Of its manners. Dr. Brewer says: “ It is almost as much of 
a creeper as Miniotilta varia, being frequently seen creeping not only along the 
branches of trees, but out over the eaves and cornices of buildings, with all the 
ease and facility of a Nuthatch.” 
46. Dendrceca palmarum (Gm.), Bd. PALM WARBLER. Group I. Class a. 
The Palm Warbler reaches us, from the British Possessions, early in Septem¬ 
ber, and not until after October has nearly gone have the last of the train passed 
us for Southern homes. It associates on friendly terms with the Yellow-rumps, 
whose autumnal dress its own so closely resembles, and with them it drives a 
vigorous competition along roadsides and fence-rows, and among the rank weeds 
and low bushes of neglected fields. While it is peculiarly terrestrial in its hab¬ 
its, it is quite an adept at catching insects on the wing. It pursues them from 
the ground or among the weeds into the air, whither they have taken flight for 
safety. It even sits upon the lower limbs of trees in open fields, and beats out 
for passing insects, returning again to the tree with its victim; or, marking from 
its perch a small moth or beetle in the grass below, it will drop quickly upon its 
prey, as the Pewee often does. “The odd sheep of the flock,” it alone of all 
this genus, so far as I know, builds its nest upon the ground. 
Food: Of eight specimens examined, one had eaten a small hymenoptera; one, 
five small moths; one, three diptera; two, thirteen beetles; and one, five plant- 
lice. 
47. Dendrceca pinus (Bartr.), Bd. PINE-CREEPING WARBLER. Group II. 
Class lu 
This species is said to breed among the pines in the northern portion of our 
state, and Mr. Nelson speaks of it as a common migrant, passing north between 
April 27th and May 20th, and returning again between September 15th and Oc- 
