Part 7

Nest.—Of leaves, rootlets, strips of bark and grass; located on the ground among clumps of weeds, usually in moist places; eggs white with brown specks (.62 × .48).

Range.—Eastern U. S., breeding north to Connecticut and Michigan; winters in Central America.

Hybrid.—Brewster Warbler is a hybrid between this species and the last. It resembles the Golden-winged Warbler without the black, but with a yellow patch on the breast and the black line of the Blue-wing through the eye.

NASHVILLE WARBLER 645. Vermivora rubricapilla. 4¾ inches

Male with a brown crown patch; female duller colored and with no crown patch. Dry side hills covered with young trees are favorite resorts for the Warblers. They conceal their nests on the ground under tufts of dead grass or overhanging stones. They are often rather shy and hard to sight, but you can usually hear their song, a lazy sounding “ker-chip-chip-chip-cherr-wee-e-e,” ending in a short trill. These birds breed in the northern half of the U. S. and southern Canada, wintering in Central America. A sub-species is found on the Pacific Coast.

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.

You will find these birds in damp woods or swamps, or less often in parks or open woods. They are usually seen at low elevations in scrubby underbrush. Their notes are very peculiar and will draw attention to them anywhere.

Song.—A deep grating whistle with a sharply rising inflection, “zee-zee-zwee.”

Nest.—In deep, swampy woods, especially common in laurel; of grapevine bark and rootlets lined with fine black roots and hair; the four eggs are white or buffy white with reddish brown spots and blotches.

Range.—Eastern N. A., breeding from Connecticut (sparingly) and Michigan north to Labrador and Hudson Bay; winters in Central America. 654a. Cairns Warbler (cairnsi) is said to be darker on the back; found in the southern Alleghanies.

MYRTLE WARBLER 655. Dendroica coronata. 5½ inches

Yellow patches on crown, sides and rump; outer tail feathers with large white spots; female duller and browner.

During migrations these pretty birds are very abundant in the United States. They usually travel in large flocks so that a small piece of woodland is literally flooded with them when they pause in the flight to feed upon insects or small berries. They are often known as Yellow-rumped Warblers.

Song.—A clear, broken trill or warble.

Nest.—Usually in coniferous trees, though sometimes in others, and at low elevations; of plant fibres and grasses; the four or five eggs are white, spotted and blotched with reddish brown (.70 × .54).

Range.—Eastern N. A., breeding from northern New England and Minnesota northward; winters south of the U. S.

MAGNOLIA WARBLER 657. Dendroica magnolia. 5 inches.

Male, with black ear patch, back, and necklace; female, with the black replaced with grayish; both sexes have a yellow rump and white spots midway of the tail feathers.

One of the prettiest of the Warblers and one of the least timid. I have often had one or more of these birds follow me the whole length of a piece of woods apparently out of curiosity, coming down to the nearest twigs within arms’ reach of me. Birch woods are their favorites during migrations, although a few of them will be found almost anywhere.

Song.—A short, rapidly uttered warble.

Nest.—Usually in coniferous trees, far out on the longer branches, where they are often difficult to get at, of rootlets lined with fine black rootlets and hair; four or five white eggs with small spots of chestnut around the large end (.60 × .48).

Range.—Eastern N. A., breeding from Massachusetts and Michigan northward; winters south of the U. S.

CERULEAN WARBLER 658. Dendroica cærulea. 5 inches

Above grayish blue with black streaks, below white with a bluish breast band and streaks on the sides; female washed with greenish above and yellowish below; both have white patches near the ends of the tail feathers.

These dainty little Warblers are not abundant anywhere, but seem to be most so in the central states. They are birds of the tree tops, rarely coming down so that they can be distinctly seen. They may be more common than supposed, for so small a body at such heights can readily be overlooked.

Song.—A little warbling trill, “zee-zee-ze-ee-eep.”

Nest.—In the higher outer branches of large trees usually in deep woods; compactly made of dry grasses and cobwebs, adorned with a few lichens; eggs white specked at the large end with brownish (.65 × .50).

Range.—Interior portions of the U. S., breeding north to Michigan and Minnesota; east to western New York and, rarely, southern New England; winters in northern South America.

CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER 659. Dendroica pennsylvanica. 5 inches

Yellow crown, black line through eye and on side of throat and broad chestnut stripe on sides; female, paler and with less chestnut; young greenish yellow above and with no chestnut.

Nearly every swamp or bush-covered pasture within their range shelters one or more pairs of these Warblers. While they sometimes feed in the tree tops, they are birds of the lower foliage and are usually seen in low bushes.

Song.—Similar to that of the Yellow Warbler but more choppy.

Nest.—In low bushes or weeds, and often in sweet fern or briars; similar to that of the Yellow Warbler but coarser, being made more with grasses than with fibres, situated in upright forks or attached to several weed stalks; eggs white, specked around the large end with reddish brown (.68 × .50).

Range.—Eastern N. A., breeding from New Jersey and Ohio north to Manitoba and New Brunswick; winters south of U. S.

BAY-BREASTED WARBLER 660. Dendroica castanea. 5½ inches

Male, with crown, throat and sides rich chestnut; female, paler; young and adults in winter, greenish above, streaked with black and with a trace of chestnut on the flanks.

These Warblers are only locally abundant during migrations, while in eastern New England they are rare. They are active insect hunters, darting rapidly about the tree tops or, less often, in brush; their habits most nearly resemble those of the Chestnut-sided Warbler.

Song.—A low, liquid warble.

Nest.—At low elevations in trees in swampy woods; compact, cup-shaped structures made of fine shreds of bark, rootlets and grass; eggs bluish white, finely specked around the large end with reddish brown (.70 × .50).

Range.—Eastern N. A., breeding from the northern edge of the U. S. northward; winters south of the U. S.

BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER 662. Dendroica fusca. 5¼ inches

Male, black above with large white patch on wing, and bases of outer tail feathers white; throat and breast intense orange; female duller and with the orange replaced by dull yellow.

Without exception, this is the most exquisite of the whole family; it is the most eagerly sought bird by bird lovers, in the spring. Some years they are very abundant, while others few are seen, their routes of migration evidently varying. They arrive about the time that apple trees are in bloom, and are frequently seen among the blossoms, dashing after insects.

Song.—A high-pitched lisping “zwe-zwe-zwe-see-ee-ee,” ending in a thin, wiry tone, almost a hiss; it is very distinct from the song of any other bird.

Nest.—In coniferous trees at any height from the ground; of shreds of bark, fine cedar twigs, rootlets, etc.; eggs greenish white blotched with brown.

Range.—Eastern N. A., breeding from Massachusetts (rarely) and Minnesota northward; winters in Central America.

BLACK-POLL WARBLER 661. Dendroica striata. 5½ inches

Whole crown black; female, without black cap, greenish gray above streaked with black; young paler than the female.

These birds are one of the latest of the migrants to arrive, reaching northern United States about the last of May, but coming in such numbers that they are found everywhere. While their plumage somewhat resembles that of the Black and White Warbler, their habits are entirely different.

Song.—A high-pitched, hissing whistle similar to that of the Black and White Warbler but uttered more deliberately and with an instant’s pause between each note.

Nest.—At low elevations in thick coniferous trees; made of slender twigs, rootlets and lichens, lined with hair or feathers; eggs whitish, thickly spotted with brown (.75 × .52).

Range.—Eastern N. A., breeding from northern New England, Minnesota and Wyoming north to the Arctic regions; winters south of the United States.

YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER 663. Dendroica dominica. 5¼ inches

Throat, breast and line from eye to bill yellow.

This species has habits very similar to those of the Black and White Creeper, being often seen creeping around the trunks or over the branches of trees with almost as much facility as the Nuthatches. They are southern birds and are only rarely or accidentally found in the northern half of the U. S., and they are one of the few members of the family that winter in the southern parts of our country.

Song.—Loud and similar to that of the Indigo Bunting, but shorter.

Nest.—Usually high up in pines and often concealed in tufts of moss; made of fine twigs and strips of bark, held together with cobwebs and Spanish moss; eggs greenish white, spotted with various shades of brown.

Range.—Southeastern U. S., breeding north to Virginia; winters in the West Indies. 663a. Sycamore Warbler (albilora) is like the Yellow-throated, but is white before the eye; found in the Mississippi Valley north to Illinois and Iowa; winters in Mexico.

GOLDEN-CHEEKED WARBLER 666. Dendroica chrysoparia. 4¾ inches

In some plumages these birds may be confused with the Black-throated Green. Notice that the adult male has a short median line of yellow on the crown, otherwise the top of head and entire back are intense black. Young birds, which bear the closest resemblance to the next species, can be distinguished because their underparts are white, those of the Black-throated green being tinged with yellow.

These rare Warblers have a very restricted distribution, but are said to be not uncommon within their range.

Notes.—Song with the usual Warbler quality, but entirely distinctive: “sweah-sweah-swee-e-e.”

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.

These are very locally distributed birds and will often be found breeding abundantly in a small patch of brush-covered pasture, while many others apparently just as well suited for their purposes will be shunned by them. They are very active, flitting rapidly from one bush to another, the male occasionally mounting to a bush top to hurriedly deliver his song, then diving out of sight below the foliage.

Song.—An energetic, rather harsh “zee-zee-zee-ee” on an ascending scale.

Nest.—A neat cup of grasses and vegetable fibres, lined with black rootlets or horsehair; located in low shrubs or bushes from one to two feet above ground; eggs whitish with blackish-brown specks about the large end (.65 × .48).

Range.—Eastern U. S., breeding from the Gulf to Massachusetts and southern Michigan; winters in the West Indies.

OVEN-BIRD 674. Seiurus aurocapillus. 6 inches

Crown orange brown bordered by black; no white in wings or tail.

This bird is found in open woods, where it builds its arched nest on the ground among the leaves or pine needles. It is the peculiar oven-like construction of their nests that gives them their name. They are essentially ground birds, only mounting to the lower branches of trees to sing or when scolding an intruder.

Song.—A peculiar ascending song resembling the word teacher, repeated five or six times and gathering strength and volume with each syllable; call, a sharp chip.

Nest.—Of leaves, strips of bark and grass arched over the top so as to leave a very small opening; placed on the ground in woods; four to six white eggs spotted with reddish brown (.78 × .58).

Range.—Eastern N. A., breeding in the northern half of the U. S. and north to Labrador; winters chiefly south of U. S.

WATER-THRUSH 675. Seiurus noveboracensis. 6 inches

This species always has a yellowish tinge to the underparts and the stripes beneath are narrow, but prominent. These Warblers are found in tangled underbrush near water. They have a habit of continually flirting their tails, thus giving them the local name of Water-Wagtail. Their call is a sharp metallic “chink”; their song a loud, liquid “quit-quit-quit-que-quewe-u.” Breeds from the northern edge of the U. S. northward; winters south of U. S.

LOUISIANA WATER-THRUSH 676. Seiurus motacilla. 6¼ inches

Larger, grayer above and whiter below than the preceding; stripes fewer and broader. This is a more southern species and breeds from the Gulf to Connecticut and southern Minnesota. Its notes are wild and ringing, like those of the last. They build their nests under the roots of trees or under the edges of overhanging banks. The eggs are creamy white, boldly blotched with brown.

KENTUCKY WARBLER 677. Oporornis formosa. 5½ inches

Crown and ear coverts black, underparts and line over eye yellow; no white in the plumage.

These birds are found in about such localities as are frequented by Oven-birds, but with a preference for woods which are low and damp. They are locally common in some of the southern and central states. They are active gleaners of the underbrush, keeping well within the depths of tangled thickets. Like the Maryland Yellow-throat, which has similar habits to those of this bird, they are quite inquisitive and frequently come close to you to investigate or to scold.

Song.—A loud, musical, Wren-like warble.

Nest.—A bulky structure of leaves, bark and grasses, lined with black rootlets or horsehair; placed on the ground in bunches of weeds or at the foot of a small bush; the four or five eggs are quite heavily speckled, chiefly at the large end, with reddish brown.

Range.—Eastern U. S., breeding from the Gulf north to New York and southern Michigan; winters in northern South America.

CONNECTICUT WARBLER 678. Oporornis agilis. 5½ inches

Male with a bluish slate-colored head; eye ring white and completely encircling the eye; female with a saffron-colored head.

In the United States we find this Warbler only in spring and fall migrations. They appear to be much more rare in the spring than in the fall; while I have seen perhaps a hundred in the fall I have never seen but one in spring. They frequent wild tangled thickets, such as you often find Maryland Yellow-throats in. As they do most of their feeding upon the ground and remain in the depths of the thickets, they are rarely seen unless attention is drawn to them.