Graham's Magazine, Vol. XXXIV, No. 6, June 1849Various
General
Graham's Magazine, Vol. XXXIV, No. 6, June 1849
Various
Literature -- Periodicals; Literature, Modern -- 19th century -- Periodicals
The eggs of the Yellow-Bird are four or five in number, white, with
small spots of brown. After they are hatched, or even while sitting, the
female often feigns lameness at the approach of a stranger, falling down
near him and uttering pitiful cries, or perhaps fluttering along the
ground. It is frequently annoyed by the intrusions of the Cow Troupial,
which, building no nest of her own, makes use of the Yellow-Bird’s. The
little builder being too weak to remove the incumbrance, generally
builds a partition over it, thus preventing its being hatched. Nests
have been found in which a second story has been raised in a similar
manner.
The Yellow-Bird is five inches long, and seven across the wings.
Greenish yellow above; below, with crown and front golden, and orange
spots on the breast; wings and tail brown, and the bill blue. The female
is without any variation of color on the breast.
[Illustration]
BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER.
The Green Warbler arrives in Pennsylvania about the beginning of May,
and in New England somewhat later. When observed for the first time in
spring, it is generally alone, seated on a fruit-tree, and industriously
searching for the small insects and larvæ which constitute his food. The
species is somewhat rare, rarely more than a single pair, as it is
asserted, being seen together, except in the fall, when scattered
individuals collect to prepare for migration. Except during the period
of incubation, they are not very shy of man, often permitting him to
approach within a few feet. They are supposed to wander in summer as far
north as Canada and Hudson’s Bay, but the larger portion remain in the
Middle and New England States.
Little is known of the precise time of building, since the habits of
this songster are then retired. They appear to prefer low, dry
situations, and build on bushes, not far from the ground. A nest
examined by Nuttall contained four eggs, of a light flesh-colored tint,
variegated with pale, purplish points of various sizes, interspersed
with other large, brown or blackish spots. The outside was formed of
fine strips of the inner bark of juniper, with another tough, fibrous
bark, the whole lined with soft feathers, horse hair, and bent grass.
The Green Warbler is four and a half inches in length, and seven across
the wings. The chin and throat are black, with spots of the same color
on the sides under the wings. The breast and belly are white, the wings
and tail dusky, with some white, and the legs and feet pale brown. A
bird called by Latham and Pennant the Yellow-Fronted Warbler, is
probably but a variation of the same species. The song of the Green
Warbler is a somewhat plaintive note, not unlike that of the Chicadee,
uttered at short intervals, in a slow manner and with some variation.
Owing to its solitary habits, it rarely mingles in the chorus of our
summer groves.
* * * * *
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