The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1907-05-25
BIRD
STUDIES
ARTICLE s.
WarhIers.
(ISABEL LARSEN)

The warblers are our most abundant
birds, and among the most useful in
the woodlands and orchards They are
found wherever insect food is plentiful,
for their diet is wholly insectivorous
Careful estimates show that one war
bier often eats thousands of insects in
day These birds are the natural
enemies of woodland insects and with
out them the forests would not be long
preserved. for man. with his insect
cides, cannot cope with the millions Of
caterpillars, plant lice, scales, and pee
ties that infest trees.
The nests of warblers are built near,
or on the ground by the females, while
the males cheer them with thei1 songs.
Usually but on brood is 1aised, and
both birds care for the young. The
parents are kept very busy for each
nestling requires daily ne-half of its
own weight in insects. The wsrblers.
especially those nesting on the ground,
have many enemies. The foxes,
skunks. weasels, snakes squirrels and
cats do their part in destroying the
birds The Cowbird is perhaps the
greaest enemy for it lays its eggs In
the nests of the wal blers, which neglect
their own brood to procure sufficient
food for the stronger foster children.
The Yellow Warbler successfully avoids
this task by covering over the eggs,
thus adding second story to its home,
where the brood is developed from a
second laying of eggs. All of the
warblers are small active birds fire.
quently marked conscpiuously with
yellow.
Black and White Warbler -- Length,
5 to 81 inches. Above striped black
and white; white stripe over eyes; un
der parts white, heavily striped With
black. Abundant Frequently called
the Black and White Creeper because
of it's habit of creeping along tree
trunks and branches, when searching
for food.
Black Poll Warbler Length, 81
inches. Somewhat similar to black
aud white wal bier. Male has black
cap and white cheek upper parts
striped, black. white and olive; under
parts white with black streaks Fe-
male lacks the black crown; upper
parts olive green, streaked with black
Yellow Warbler Length inches
Above bright olive yellow under parts
golden yellow, In male chestnut
streaks on underparts. Commonly
called the yellow bird or canary. Seen
frequently in outer branches and on the
ground.
Wilson Warbler Length, 5 inches
Upper parts olive yellow; under parts
rich yellow. In male black crown.
These warblers are seen fitting about
among the outer branches of the trees
Northern Yellow Throat-Length,
81 inches. Above olive green below
yellow. The male has a white line
over the eye and forehead, and sides of
head black Found feeding on the
ground.
American Redstart Length, 81
inches. Male, upper parts, throat and
breast black under parts white; outer
tail feathers bar on wing, and under
wings marked with orange. Female.
brownish olive. with yellow markings.
Not common in this locality.
Myrtle Warbler-Lenath. 81 inches
Recognized by yellow patches on rump,
sides and crown; below whitish with
black markings on breast; upperparts
blush striped with black. The fe-
male. brownish, with crown and sides
patches of gray Very common and
tame Usually found in flocks.
Magnolia Warbler-L Length, 5 inches.
Male. rump and underparts deep vel
low; heavy black markings on breast
and sides; black cheek patch and back
crown dark gray; white markings on
wings and tail. Female, grayish
lacks heavy under markings, and black
patches Common and sociable.