The Maryland Yellow-throat is the merry little bird who puts his head on one side to peep at you through his black mask, and then flits further along to a thicket or clump of bushes, calling persuasively--'Follow me-e, follow me-e, follow!' He is trying to coax you into a game of hide-and-seek; but if you play with him you will soon find that you must do all the seeking, for he intends to do the hiding himself.
[Illustration: Maryland Yellow-Throat.

1 Male.2.

Female.] "Does he wish to show you his deep narrow nest, made of grape-vine bark, old leaves, and grass?
Not he; being crammed full of good spirits he simply wants you to share them and have a race.

Sometimes he will stop a moment quite near and call--'I-spy-it, I-spy-it,' and then fly off and challenge you to a new chase.

Or sometimes, if two or three call at once, you will stray away from your path without knowing it.
"They are very gentle, lovable little birds too, and sing all through the summer when many of the better singers have grown silent." "The Yellow-throat must be what I've called the Black-faced Yellowbird," said Rap.