y many times before succeeding; but seem to
pass by him in a great hurry, making all the noise possible, and with
plumage furled, he stands as immovable as a know, allowing you a good
view, and a good shot if you are a sportsman.

Passing along one of the old Barkpeelers' roads which wander aimlessly
about, I am attracted by a singularly brilliant and emphatic warble,
proceeding from the low bushes, and quickly suggesting the voice of
the Maryland yellow-throat. Presently the singer hops up on a dry
twig, and gives me a good view: lead-colored head and neck, becoming
nearly black on the breast; clear olive-green back, and yellow belly.
From his habit of keeping near the ground, even hopping upon it
occasionally, I know him to be a ground warbler; from his dark breast
the ornithologist has added the expletive mourning, hence the mourning
ground warbler.

Of this bird both Wilson and Audubon confessed their comparative
ignorance, neither ever having seen its nest or become acquainted with
its haunts and general habits. Its song is quite striking and novel,
though its voice at once suggests the class of warblers to which it
belongs. It is very shy and wary, flying but a few feet at a time, and
studiously concealing itself from your view. I discover but one pair
here. The female has food in her beak, but carefully avoids betraying
the locality of her nest. The ground warblers all have one notable
feature,--very beautiful legs, as white and delicate as if they had
always worn silk stockings and satin slippers. High tree warblers have
dark brown or black legs and more brilliant plumage, but less musical
ability.

The chestnut-sided belongs to the latter class. He is quite common in
these woods, as in all the woods about. He is one of the rarest and
handsomest of the warblers; his white breast and throat, chestnut
sides, and yellow crown show conspicuously. Last year I found the nest
of one in an uplying beech wood, in a low bush near the roadside,
where cows passed and browsed daily. Things went on smoothly till the
cow bunting stole her egg into it, when other mishaps followed, and
the nest was soon empty. A characteristic attitude of the male during
this season is a slight drooping of the wings, and a tail a little
elevated, which gives him a very smart, bantam-like appearance. His
song is fine and hurried, and not much of itself, but has its place in
the general chorus.

A far sweeter strain, falling on the ear with t