Part 29

ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER 646. Vermivora celata. 5 inches

This species is fairly common in the Mississippi Valley but is rare in New England. Its habits are much like those of the last species and it is often mistaken for that bird. These birds breed only north of the U. S. and winter in Mexico. A sub-species, the Lutescent Warblers, nests from California to Alaska.

TENNESSEE WARBLER 647. Vermivora peregrina. 5 inches

Male, with a gray head and greenish back; female, with the top of the head the same color as the back.

A dull-colored bird that, with the exception of the bill, bears a strong resemblance to some of the Vireos. Like many others of our birds, this one has received an inappropriate name, because the first specimen was shot on the banks of the Cumberland River, while the bird is no more abundant in Tennessee than in other states during migration.

Song.—A simple ditty similar to that of the Chipping Sparrow.

Nest.—Either on the ground or at low elevations in bushes; of grasses and fibres lined with hair; eggs white, sparsely specked with reddish brown (.62 × .45).

Range.—Eastern N. A., breeding from the northern parts of the northern tier of states northward to the limit of trees; winters in Central and South America.

PARULA WARBLER 648. Compsothlypis americana. 4½ inches

In the summer Parulas are found in wet swamps where the ground is covered with a carpeting of moss which only partially keeps your feet from the water below; the dead trees are covered with a growth of long, drooping moss; the ends of this moss are turned up and formed into a neat cradle within which the eggs are laid.

Song.—A little lisping trill.

Range.—Breeds in the southern half of the U. S. The Northern Parula (usnea), No. 648a, breeds in the northern half of the U. S. and southern Canada; it is brighter colored than the southern form. Both varieties winter from the Gulf States southward.

SENNETT WARBLER 649. Compsothlypis pitiayumi nigrilora. 4½ inches

A smaller similar bird from southern Texas. Note the black ear patches and lack of black on breast.

CAPE MAY WARBLER 650. Dendroica tigrina. 5 inches

Male, with a chestnut wash on the ears and throat; female, duller and with little or no chestnut.

In the greater part of eastern North America, Cape May Warblers are regarded as rare birds; they appear to migrate in compact bodies, not spreading out over the country as do most of the others; consequently they may be very common in restricted areas while lacking entirely in others. I have never met with but two specimens in Massachusetts. While passing through the United States you may meet with them in open woods, parks or in shade trees along the streets of cities.

Song.—A thin, high-pitched whistle repeated several times.

Nest.—Of small cedar twigs lined with horse hair, placed within a few feet of the ground in small cedar trees; eggs white spotted with brown (.68 × .50).

Range.—Eastern N. A., breeding in eastern Canada and, rarely, northern New England; winters south of the U. S.

YELLOW WARBLER 652. Dendroica æstiva. 5 inches

Male, with chestnut streaks on the sides; female, duller and without the streaks.

An abundant bird everywhere in woodland, park, orchard or garden and one of the most vivacious of the family. Arrives in the north soon after May first and is seen flitting about like a gleam of sunshine snatching insects from the foliage or darting after them in the air. Often known as the Summer Yellow-bird. It frequently nests in garden or orchard trees, where it is a most welcome tenant.

Song.—A sharp, vigorous “che-wee, che-wee, che-wee.”

Nest.—A beautiful and compact structure of vegetable or plant fibres firmly quilted together, and fastened to upright forks of bushes or trees at low elevations. Willows along creeks, ponds or rivers are favorite resorts.

Range.—N. A., breeding from the Gulf to Labrador and Alaska; winters in Central America.

BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER 654. Dendroica cærulescens. 5¼ inches

Male, grayish blue above and with a black face, throat, breast and sides; female, grayish olive above, whitish below. Both sexes always have a white patch or speck at the base of the primaries.