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Range (Eastern United States breeds) (XIII)

Eastern United States; breeds as far north as southern Michigan and southern Connecticut, and winters in Central America. Washington, rare T. V., may breed; May 1 to 30; Aug. 15 to Sept. 15. Sing Sing, rare S. R., to Sept. 1.

Nest, of leaves, strips of bark, and rootlets, lined with fine grasses and rootlets, in the crotch of a bush or sapling, about four feet up. Eggs, four to five, white or creamy white, rather thinly speckled or spotted with rufous or rufous-brown, generally in a wreath at the larger end, 71 x 53. This beautiful bird is a lover of well-watered, rather densely grown woods. It is a bird of the lower growth rather than the trees, but is not a thicket-haunter, and its habit of flitting restlessly from bush to bush renders it easily observed. When on the wing its white outer tail-feathers are conspicuously displayed, and, with the striking markings of the head, make an excellent field mark. The song of the Hooded Warbler is sweet and graceful. It is subject to much variation, but as a rule consists of eight or nine notes. To my ear the bird seems to say, "You must come to the woods, or you won't see me."

Its call-note is a sharp, characteristic cheep, frequently uttered when the bird is anxious for the safety of its nest or young, and accompanied by a flit of the tail, which reveals the white outer tail-feathers. 685. Sylvania pusilla (Wils.). WILSON'S WARBLER (Fig. 107.) Ad. .-Forehead yellow, crown black; rest of the upper parts, wings, and tail bright olive-green; no wing-bars or tail-patches; under parts bright yellow; bill with bristles at its base. Ad. 2.-Similar, but generally without the black cap. Im.-Similar, but without black cap. L., 5.00; W., 2.21; T., 2.03; B. from N., 25.