Part 41

Comparatively few bird students can claim close acquaintance with this slow-moving, dull-colored bird who lives on or near the ground, usually in dry woodlands. Its song, resembling that of the Chipping Sparrow, will attract only an attentive ear, while its local distribution further prevents it from being more commonly known. It nests on the ground, the white, brown-marked eggs being laid in May.

BACHMAN'S WARBLER

Vermivora bachmani. Case 5, Figs. 20, 21

All but the central pair of feathers with white spots near the end; no wing-bars; size small, the bill sharply pointed and slightly decurved. L. 4-1/2.

Range. In summer known from Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Kentucky, Arkansas and Missouri; in winter recorded only from Cuba.

When migrating, this little-known species associates with other bird travelers and may be found high or low. When nesting, it frequents swampy woods and, although it usually sings from the tree-tops, it builds in bushes within a few feet of the ground, laying 3-4 white eggs in the latter half of April or in May. Its song has been compared to that of both the Parula Warbler and the Chipping Sparrow.

BLUE-WINGED WARBLER

Vermivora pinus. Case 7, Fig. 35

Outer tail-feathers white near the end; two white wing-bars; female duller than the male.

Range. Nests from Missouri and Virginia north to Minnesota and Connecticut; winters in the tropics.

Washington, rather uncommon T.V., Apl. 26-May 22; Aug. 13-Sept. 2; a few breed. Ossining, common S.R., May 4-Sept. 7. N. Ohio, common S.R., Apl. 27-Sept. 15. Glen Ellyn, irregular, possibly S.R., May 1-Sept. 15. SE. Minn., uncommon S.R., Apl. 30-Sept. 1.

In second growths, among birches, and at the border of the woods one may hear the wheezy, lazy, swee-chee of the Blue-wing. I make it a rule to see the singer always with the hope that he may prove to be the rare Brewster's Warbler, which usually sings like the Blue-wing, but in color is nearer the Golden-wing, being, in fact, like the Golden-wing but with the underparts and cheeks white unmarked with black. It appears to be a hybrid between the Blue-wing and Golden-wing. (Case 7, Fig. 38.)

A much rarer supposed hybrid between these two Warblers is known as Lawrence's Warbler. It is yellow below, like the Blue-wing, but has the black throat and cheeks of the Golden-wing. Some individuals sing like the Blue-wing, others like the Golden-wing, and this is true also of Brewster's Warbler. (Case 7, Fig. 37.)

The Blue-wing nests on the ground, laying 4-5 white delicately speckled eggs the latter part of May.

GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER

Vermivora chrysoptera. Case 7, Figs. 34, 36

A gray bird with a yellow patch on the wings and a black or blackish breast.

Range. Nests from northern New Jersey and southern Iowa north to Massachusetts and central Minnesota and south in the mountains to northern Georgia; winters in the tropics.

Washington, uncommon, T.V., May 1-30; Aug. 8-21. Ossining, rare S.R., May 8-Aug. 25. Cambridge, rather common S.R., May 12-Aug. 25. N. Ohio, rare T.V., Glen Ellyn, irregular, not common T.V., May 4-18; Aug. 16-Sept. 24. SE. Minn., common S.R., May 5-Sept. 9.

The Golden-wing's zee-zee-zee-zee resembles the Blue-wing's song in tone but the syllables are all on one note. When nesting, the Golden-wing prefers second growths, and birches, but when migrating it may be found in the woods with others of its family. The nest is made on the ground, and the eggs, which resemble those of the Blue-wing, but are more heavily marked, are laid in May or early June.

NASHVILLE WARBLER

Vermivora rubricapilla rubricapilla. Case 7, Fig. 33

No wing-bars or white in the tail; adult with a partly concealed chestnut patch in the gray crown; eye-ring white. L. 4-3/4.

Range. Nests from northern Pennsylvania and Nebraska to Canada; winters in the tropics.

Washington, uncommon T.V., Apl. 28-May 19; Sept. 5-Oct. 2. Ossining, tolerably common T.V., May 7-27; Aug. 11-Oct. 4; may breed. Cambridge, rather common S.R., May 5-Sept. 15; abundant T.V. N. Ohio, common T.V., Apl. 28-May 27; Sept. 1-Oct. 16. Glen Ellyn, regular T.V., Apl. 27-May 25; Aug. 20-Oct. 19. SE. Minn., common S.R., May 1-Sept. 29.

Thayer in "Warblers of North America" says that the Nashville is one of the most agile and restless of the gleaning Warblers. It prefers birches, but is found in rather open growths of other trees. Its commoner song consists of a string of six or eight or more lively rapid notes, running into a rolling twitter. It has also a flight-song.

The nest is placed on the ground; the eggs, which are laid in May or early June, are white, spotted with reddish brown.

ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER