Part 32

Nest.—Of strips of bark, usually located in juniper trees six to twenty feet above ground. Eggs white, splashed about the large end with reddish brown (.65 × .50).

Range.—Central Texas southward into Mexico.

BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER 667. Dendroica virens. 5 inches

Throat black; two wing bars and outer tail feathers white; female with little black on the throat.

A common bird in pine groves in northern United States, or during migrations in birch woods. I have found them most abundant on side hills covered with low-growth pines. They seem to be very nervous and are greatly excited if you appear near their nests. They often have the habit of building several nests, whether with the deliberate intent to deceive or whether because the first was not satisfactory as to location is not known.

Song.—Entirely different from that of any other bird; a rather harsh “zee” repeated six times, with the fourth and fifth syllables lower.

Nest.—Of rootlets and fine grasses, lined with hair; placed high up in pine trees; eggs white with fine brown specks around the large end (.60 × .50).

Range.—Eastern North America, breeding from southern New England and Illinois north to Nova Scotia and Hudson Bay; winters in Central America.

KIRTLAND WARBLER 670. Dendroica kirtlandi. 5½ inches

Above bluish gray streaked with black; underparts pale yellow streaked on the side with black.

This is one of the rarest of American Warblers, and until 1903 but little was known of their habits or range; in that year they were discovered nesting in Oscoda County, Michigan. They were found near the banks of a river in Jack pines, building on the ground and remaining in the underbrush near it.

Song.—Loud and clear and said to resemble that of the Maryland Yellow-throat.

Nest.—In depressions in the ground at the foot of pine trees and probably also under bushes; made of strips of bark and vegetable fibres; eggs white, wreathed about the large end with brown (.72 × .56).

Range.—Breeds in Michigan and migrates southeast through Ohio, Missouri, Tennessee, Virginia, the Carolinas and Florida to the Bahamas.

PINE WARBLER 671. Dendroica vigorsi. 5½ inches

Greenish yellow above, brighter below; two white wing bars and white spots on outer tail feathers; female, duller and grayer.

Found only in tracts of coniferous trees, except during migrations, when they are often in company with other kinds of Warblers. They like dry hillsides covered with scrub pines and are often quite abundant in such localities. They are rather quiet in their manners, creeping about among the tree tops like Black and White Warblers and occasionally giving their clear little trill.

Song.—Nearest like that of the Chipping Sparrow, but easily distinguishable; a long, clear trill.

Nest.—A small, compact structure of black rootlets lined with hair; placed in the extreme tops of scrub pines, where it is very difficult to see them; eggs white specked with reddish brown (.62 × .50).

Range.—Eastern N. A., breeding from the Gulf north to southern Canada; winters in southern U. S.

PALM WARBLER 672. Dendroica palmarum. 5¼ inches

No wing bars, but white spots on the outer tail feathers; crown, cheeks and streaks on the sides chestnut.

During migrations you will find these Warblers along roadsides, in open woods and scrubby pastures. They are of a very nervous temperament and, when at rest or when walking, are continually flirting their tail, a habit which none of the Warblers, except the Water-thrush, seem to have. They are one of the earliest of the family to appear in the spring, reaching northern United States in April.

Song.—A short trill; an ordinary Warbler chirp.

Nest.—On the ground under shrubs, or sunken in moss; made of fine grasses, bark and moss; the four eggs are creamy white with reddish-brown spots.

Range.—Interior of N. A., breeding in the interior of British America; winters in southern U. S. 672a. Yellow Palm Warbler (hypochrysea) is brighter yellow below; it is found in eastern N. A., breeding north of Nova Scotia; winters along the Gulf.

PRAIRIE WARBLER 673. Dendroica discolor. 4¾ inches

Above greenish with chestnut spots on the back; below yellow with black markings; female paler.