H E M L O C K W A R B L E R .
gun was silently raised to his shoulder, the explosion followed in course,
and as I saw the twig whirling downwards, I experienced all the enthusiastic
anxiety ever present with me on such occasions. Picking up the
branch, I found in it a nest, containing three naked young, with as yet
sealed eyelids. The nest was small, compact, somewhat resembling that
of the American Goldfinch. It was firmly attached to the leaves of the
hemlock twig, which appeared as if intentionally closed together over and
around it, so as to conceal it from all enemies. Lichens, dry leaves of
hemlock, and slender twigs formed its exterior. It was delicately lined
with the fur of the hare and racoon ; and the young lay imbedded in the
softest feathers of the Ruffed Grouse. The parents soon became aware
of the mischief which we had done; they descended, glided over our
heads, manifested the most tender affection and the deepest sorrow, and
excited our sympathy so far, that I carefully placed their tender offspring
on a fallen log, leaving them to the care of their kind protectors, and contenting
myself with their cradle.
I have since met with this species in the State of Maine, and have
seen several individuals in Newfoundland ; but never again have I found
a nest, nor can I say any thing regarding its eggs. Confined as it is to
the interior of the forests, I cannot even tell you more respecting its mode
of flying than what I have already related, never having observed it performing
a longer flight than from one tree to another.
S Y L V I A P A R U S , Ch. Bonaparte, Synops. of Birds of the United States, p. 82.
H E M L O C K W A R B L E R , S Y L V I A P A R U S , Wils. Amer. Ornith. vol. v. p. 114.pl. 4 4 .
fig. 3. Male.—Nuttall, Manual, part i. p. 392.
Adult Male. Plate CXXXIV. Fig. 1.
Bill shortish, nearly straight, subulato-conical, acute, nearly as deep
as broad at the base, the edges sharp, the gap line slightly deflected at
the base. Nostrils basal, elliptical, lateral, half-closed by a membrane.
General form rather slender. Feet of ordinary length; tarsus slender,
compressed, anteriorly scutellate, sharp behind; toes scutellate above, the
inner free, the hind toe of moderate size ; claws arched, slender, compressed,
acute.
Plumage soft, blended, slightly glossed. Wings of ordinary length,
the first quill longest. Tail shortish, emarginate.
Bill dark brown above, pale brown beneath. Iris hazel. Feet pale
H E M L O C K W A R B L E R . 207
brown, tinged with yellow. The upper parts are yellowish-green, spotted
with brownish-black. The head yellow. The quills and their coverts
brownish-black, margined with yellowish-green. The outer margin of
the inner secondary quills, and the ends of the secondary coverts and first
row of small coverts, white. Tail-feathers brownish-black, edged externally
with yellowish-green; the three outer on each side white, with the
shafts and a broadish line at the end black. A yellow band passes over
the eye; cheeks greenish; throat, fore neck, and breast, rich yellow,
which gradually fades posteriorly; the sides streaked with blackish-brown.
Length 5^ inches, extent of wings 8£ ; bill along the back T
6
2 , along
the edge T
7
g ; tarsus T
9
5 .
Adult Female. Plate CXXXIV. Fig. 2.
The Female resembles the male, but is rather paler.
T H E D W A R F M A P L E .
A C E R S P I C A T U M .
This is a low shrubby tree, which does not attain a greater height at
most than fifteen or twenty feet. It abounds along the rocky margins of
creeks or rivers, especially those meandering at the bases of the Alleghany
Mountains.