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Range (Eastern United States breeds) (VII)

Eastern United States; breeds from the Gulf States to southern Illinois and Virginia; wanders casually to Maine; winters in the tropics. Washington, of irregular occurrence in summer.

Nest, of rootlets, fine twigs, and moss, plant down or feathers, in a hole in a stub or stump, generally of a willow tree. Eggs, four to six, white, thickly and rather coarsely marked distinctly and obscurely with cinnamon-brown, chestnut, or rufous-brown, 69 x 56.

This exquisite Warbler frequents bushes and low trees-particularly willow trees-hanging over the water. Its call-note so closely resembles that of a Water Thrush (Seiurus), I have sometimes mistaken it for that species. Its usual song, as Mr. Brewster remarks in his admirable biography of this species, "sounds at a distance like the call of the Solitary Sandpiper, with a syllable or two added-a simple peet, tweet, tweet, tweet, given on the same key throughout. Nearer at hand, however, the resemblance is lost, and a ringing, penetrating quality becomes apparent in the Warbler's song." ...

To thoroughly appreciate the Prothonotary's radiant beauty, one * Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, iii, 1878, pp. 153-162.

WOOD WARBLERS. should float quietly in a canoe past its haunts. Its color shows to best advantage against the dark background of its home, and its every movement is a delight to the eye. 638. Helinaia swainsonii Aud. SWAINSON'S WARBLER. Ad.- Crown cinnamon-brown; a whitish line over the eye; back, rump, wings, and tail olive grayish brown without white; under parts soiled yellowish white, grayer on the sides. L., 5.00; W., 2.75; T., 1.90; B. from N., 46.