And through dead leaves of hope shall spring
Afresh the flowers of God!
—Whittier.
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| FROM COL. F. M. WOODRUFF. 6-99 | CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER. Life-size. | COPYRIGHT 1899, NATURE STUDY PUB. CO., CHICAGO. |
THE CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER.
(Dendroica pennsylvanica.)
LYNDS JONES.
FOR one reason or another we come to think of this or that bird as an exquisite. This may be due to color pattern, form, carriage or song, but whatever it be, the bird's presence adds color and beauty to all our surroundings. It is not easy to tell why the chestnut-sided warbler impresses me as an exquisite. His colors are not so bright, nor their pattern in either the contrast or harmony that may be found with other warblers, but there seems to be something about the bird that makes the day brighter, the wearing field-work easier, and hours of fasting forgotten when he flits into view. I have sometimes half suspected that he was more than half conscious of my admiration from the manner in which he displayed his pretty colors and trim form. But no doubt this is base slander. The slightly opened wings, spread tail, and quick movements give an alertness to the little fellow which adds to his otherwise bright appearance. The females and fall birds lack the distinct contrasts of color found in the male in his spring dress, but they usually have some trace of the chestnut on the side of the body, which, with the small size, will serve to distinguish them from all others.