Then he indulges in a fit of merriment at his own jokes--'chatter-chatter-chat-chat-chat-chat-chat' he says, calling his own name as he slips away to the security of a catbrier or barberry bush.

Large and vigorous and strong of beak as he is, this practical joker is wise, and does not often show his conspicuous yellow breast in open places.
[Illustration: Yellow-Breasted Chat.] "Some day in the nesting season you may see the Chat fly up in the air and hear him sing his courting song, which is very sweet, different from all his jests and jeers.

You will say, if you are near enough to take a long look--'Why, that Chat has forgotten to fold up his legs, they are hanging straight down.' He has not forgotten, however; it is merely one of his odd habits at this season to cut all sorts of capers in the air, with his legs and wings and tail let loose, while his mate is quietly house-keeping in some thick bush near by.

The nest is something like a Catbird's, not very tidy outside, but snug inside, and easy to find if you look in the right place.

If you find it at the right time you will see that it holds four or five well-rounded eggs of a crystal-white color, with plenty of bright reddish-brown spots all over them." The Yellow-breasted Chat Length seven and a half inches--much more than any other Warbler measures.
Upper parts bright olive-green, even all over.
Lower parts very bright yellow on the throat, breast, and wing-linings, but the belly pure white.
A strong dark-colored beak, with some dark and light marks between it and the eyes.
A Summer Citizen of the United States east of the plains and south of Ontario and Minnesota; travels far south in winter.