Chapter 10

Washington, abundant W.V., Aug. 7-May 23. Ossining, common T.V., Apl. 13-May 28; Aug. 16-Nov. 11; a few winter. Cambridge, abundant T.V., Apl. 12-May 20; Sept. 1-Nov. 1; a few winter. N. Ohio, common T.V., Apl. 12-May 20; Sept. 15-Nov. 3. Glen Ellyn, common T.V., Apl. 8-May 28; Sept. 25-Dec. 29. SE. Minn., common T.V., Apl. 6-; Sept. 9-Oct. 28.

A hardy Warbler which, like the Tree Swallow, can substitute bayberries for insects. When the former are available some individuals remain in the North, enduring our winters without apparent discomfort. Its call-note, _tchep_, is as distinctive as its markings, and this fact connected with its general distribution and abundance, makes it one of the best known members of this little-known family.

Thayer in "Warblers of North America" describes its common song as "a loud silvery 'sleigh-bell' trill, a vivid, sprightly utterance."

It nests in coniferous forests, building from four to twenty feet from the ground and laying 3-5 white eggs marked with shades of brown, in late May or early June.

MAGNOLIA WARBLER

_Dendroica magnolia. Case 8, Fig. 42_

The female is duller than the male, but both have the crown gray, a white stripe behind the eye, a yellow rump and the white tail-patches near the middle of the tail, making the tail, when seen from below, appear white, broadly banded with black. L. 5

_Range'_ Nests from northern Massachusetts and northern Michigan, and in the Alleghanies, from West Virginia to Canada; winters in the tropics.

Washington, common T.V., Apl. 22-May 30; Aug. 15-Oct. 6. Ossining, common T.V., May 9-28; Aug. 13-Oct. 11. Cambridge, T.V., rather common, May 12-25; not uncommon, Sept. 10-25. N. Ohio, common T.V., Apl. 28-May 27; Sept. 1-Oct. 10. Glen Ellyn, common T.V., May 3-June 5; Aug. 12-Oct. 9. SE. Minn., common T.V., May 6-; Aug. 12-Sept. 9.

A common migrant distinguished by the beauty of his costume even in this family of gayly clad birds. When traveling, the Magnolia may be found in woods and woody growth of varied character, but when nesting, it shows a fondness for spruce forests, building in small spruces usually within six feet of the ground.

The Magnolia's song resembles the Yellow Warbler's in tone. Thayer in "Warblers of North America" describes it as "peculiar and easily remembered; _weeto: weeto-weeeéte-eet_, or _witchi, witchi, witchi tit_, the first four notes deliberate and even and comparatively low in tone, the last three hurried and higher pitched, with decided emphasis on the antepenult _weet_ or _witch_."

The eggs, laid in the first half of June, are white marked with brown.

CERULEAN WARBLER

_Dendroica rara. Case 8, Figs. 46, 47_

The adult male will be recognized at sight, but the female and young must be looked at sharply. The whitish or yellowish line over the eye, in connection with the white wing-bars make a fair field-mark. L. 4-1/2.

_Range._ Nests from Texas and Alabama to Minnesota and western New York; locally from North Carolina to Delaware.

Washington, several records in May, one in fall. N. Ohio, common S.R., Apl. 29-Sept. 20. Glen Ellyn, not common, local S.R., May 8-Aug. 19. SE. Minn., rare S.R.

A tree-top Warbler of deciduous forests, nesting from 25 to 60 feet above the ground. Its song bears a marked resemblance to that of the Parula and its call-note is said to be like the _tchep_ of the Myrtle Warbler. The white eggs, heavily blotched with brown, are laid in May.

CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER

_Dendroica pensylvanica. Case 8, Figs. 43, 44_

Adults are distinguished by their chestnut sides, yellow crown and wing-bars, but the young are wholly different, silky white below, yellowish green above. L. 5-1/2.

_Range._ Nests from northern New Jersey and, in the Alleghanies, South Carolina, north to Canada; winters in the tropics.

Washington, abundant T.V., Apl. 19-May 30; Aug. 10-Oct. 14. Ossining, tolerably common S.R., May 2-Sept. 24. Cambridge, abundant S.R., May 5-Sept. 10. N. Ohio, T.V., May 2-25. Glen Ellyn, rare S.R., common T.V., May 1-Sept. 26. SE. Minn., common S.R., May 3-Sept. 15.

Scrubby second growths undergrown with bushes, roadside borders of trees and bushes, and the brushy margins of woods are all resorts of the Chestnut-side. Here he attracts our attention by his rather loud, frequently uttered song, which strongly suggests that of the Yellow Warbler. The nest is built within a few feet of the ground and the white, brown-marked eggs are laid the latter part of May.

BAY-BREASTED WARBLER

_Dendroica castanea. Case 8, Figs. 69, 70_

The adult male is unmistakable; the female has chestnut on sides and crown, a grayish streaked back and white wing-bars; the young bird in the fall cannot, in the field, be certainly distinguished from the young Blackpoll, but has the underparts tinted with buff instead of with yellow. L. 5-3/4.

_Range._ Nests from northern New England into Canada; winters in the tropics.

Washington, sometimes abundant, usually uncommon T.V., May 2-27; Aug. 29-Nov. Ossining, tolerably common T.V., May 14-28; Aug. 5-Sept. 26. Cambridge, rather rare T.V., May 15-25; Sept. 12-28. N. Ohio, common T.V., May 4-23; Sept. 7-Oct. 10. Glen Ellyn, tolerably common; T.V., May 8-June 5; Aug. 13-Oct. 4. SE. Minn., uncommon T.V., May 13-; Aug. 18-Sept. 15.

The Bay-breast is one of the rarer members of its family. Most of us know it only as a migrant passing northward in May and southward in September, when it may be found in woodlands associated with other migrating Warblers. Its song resembles that of the Black and White Warbler. Mrs. Farwell describes it as "a poor, weak, monotonous saw-filing note." The nest has been found in hemlocks 15-20 feet from the ground. The white eggs, finely marked with shades of brown, are laid in June.

BLACK-POLL WARBLER

_Dendroica striata. Case 8, Figs. 71, 72_

In the spring, a black cap, white cheeks and a gray, black streaked back distinguish the male; a gray, black-streaked back, the female. In the fall, young and old are olive-green, streaked with black above; yellowish white below, and thus closely resembles the young Bay-breast. L. 5-1/2.

_Range._ Nests from northern New England and northern Michigan into Canada; winters in the tropics.

Washington, abundant T.V., Apl. 28-June 16; Aug. 31-Oct. 20. Ossining, common T.V., May 7-June 6; Aug. 30-Oct. 16. Cambridge, abundant T.V., May 12-June 5; Sept. 8-Oct. 20. N. Ohio, common T.V., May 6-June 2; Sept. 1-Oct. 16. Glen Ellyn, common T.V., May 2-June 8; Aug. 23-Sept. 27. SE. Minn., common T.V., May 8-; Aug. 27-.

Toward the end of the May Warbler 'waves' the Blackpolls come in force. They are excessively fat and, perhaps for this reason, move rather slowly for a Warbler. They are Wood Warblers, but at this season may overflow into the trees of our lawns and orchards. Mrs. Farwell describes the Blackpoll's song as "a succession of hesitating, staccato, unmusical notes varying greatly in volume. The notes separated, not combined in twos, as in the Black and White Warbler's song." When nesting this Warbler frequents stunted spruce forests, placing its nest in these trees a few feet above the ground, and laying 4-5 white, brown-marked eggs the latter part of June.

BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER

_Dendroica fusca. Case 8, Figs. 67, 68_

The orange breast, fiery in the spring male, duller in the female and fall males, is distinctive. L. 5-1/4.

_Range._ Nests from Massachusetts (locally) and central Minnesota north to Canada and southward in the Alleghanies to Georgia; winters in the tropics.

Washington, common T.V., Apl. 30-June 3; Aug. 14-Oct. 7. Ossining, common T.V., May 10-29; Aug. 15-Oct. 15. Cambridge, T.V., uncommon, May 12-22; rare, Sept. 15-30. N. Ohio, common T.V., May 4-June 8; Aug. 12-Sept. 22. SE. Minn., common T.V., May 3-; Sept. 4.

The remoteness of their homes prevents us from making the acquaintance of the brilliantly plumaged birds of the tropics, but among them all we will find none more beautiful than this flame-breasted Warbler, which each spring comes from his tropical winter home almost to our doors. In the summer he seeks the seclusion of coniferous forests and the higher branches of spruce or hemlock. There his nest is made sometimes 80 or more feet above the ground, and in late May or early June the white eggs, spotted, speckled and blotched with brown, are laid. The Blackburnian's song is described by Miss Paddock in "Warblers of North America" as "very shrill and fine, growing even more shrill and wiry as it rises toward the end."

YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER

_Dendroica dominica dominica. Case 5, Fig. 18_

A gray Warbler with a yellow throat. L. 5-1/4.

_Range._ Southeastern States, nesting north to Maryland; wintering from central Florida southward.

Washington, rare S.R., rather common late in July and Aug.; Apl. 19-Sept. 4.

The loud, ringing _ching-ching-ching, chicker, cherwee_ of the Yellow-throated Warbler is one of the characteristic bird songs of spring in southern woods. The bird usually sings from the upper branches of tall trees, often cypresses, in Florida, but further north, from pines, where he can be far more easily heard than seen. The nest is placed 30-40 feet from the ground and the white eggs, thickly marked with shades of brown, are laid in April.

The Sycamore Warbler (_D. d. albilora, Case 5, Fig. 19_) is a nearly related race of the Yellow-throat which inhabits the Mississippi Valley nesting as far north as southern Michigan and wintering in the tropics. It differs from the Atlantic coast form in having a smaller bill and no yellow in front of the eye. As its name implies, it favors sycamore trees.

BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER

_Dendroica virens virens. Case 6, Fig. 62_

The female has a yellow throat and a band of black spots on the breast, but both sexes may be known by the yellow cheeks and the large amount of white in the tail. L. 5.

_Range._ Nests from Long Island and northern Ohio north to Canada and south in the Alleghanies to Georgia.

Washington, very common T.V., Apl. 22-May 30; Aug. 26-Oct. 21. Ossining, common T.V., Apl. 30-June 3; Sept. 1-Oct. 26; a few breed. Cambridge, abundant S.R., May 1-Oct. 15. N. Ohio, common T.V., Apl. 25-May 24; Sept. 1-Oct. 16; a few breed. Glen Ellyn, common T.V., Apl. 29-June 6; Aug. 22-Oct. 12. SE. Minn., common T.V., uncommon S.R., Apl. 29-Sept. 22.

The quiet little _zee-zee, zee-ee-zee_ of the Black-throated Green announces the arrival of the vanguard of true Wood Warblers, which for the succeeding two weeks will pass in countless numbers through our woodlands, still almost leafless. At this time we may find him wherever trees grow, but his real summer home is coniferous forests, especially of hemlocks, in which he often builds his nests 15-20 feet above the ground. The eggs, laid in late May or early June, are white spotted and speckled with brown.

A southern form of this Warbler (_D. v. waynei_) has been described from the vicinity of Charleston, S.C.

KIRTLAND'S WARBLER

_Dendroica kirtlandi. Case 8, Fig. 45_

A large Warbler, pale yellow below; crown slaty; back brownish streaked with black.

_Range._ Nests in Oscoda, Crawford and Roscommon Counties, Michigan, winters in the Bahamas; in migration has been found within the area from Minneapolis, Minn., to Toronto, Ont., south to St. Louis, Mo., and Fort Myer, Va., and south-eastward.

Washington, one record, Sept. 25, 1887. N. Ohio, rare T.V., May 9 and 11. Glen Ellyn, one record, May 7, 1894. SE. Minn., one record, Minneapolis, May 13.

Kirtland's Warbler has one of the smallest nesting areas of any North American bird and consequently is one of our rarest species. In the summer it lives among the jack-pines of north central Michigan, nesting on the ground beneath them. When migrating, it may be found usually near the ground, where it may be identified by its habit of tail-wagging. Its song is described by Wood in "Warblers of North America" as belonging to the whistling type with the clear, ringing quality of the Oriole's. The 3-5 eggs, laid early in June, are white speckled with brown in a wreath at the larger end.

PINE WARBLER

_Dendroica vigorsi vigorsi. Case 4, Fig. 57; Case 6, Fig. 60_

The male is bright greenish yellow below, sometimes duskily streaked; the female is tinged with brown above, below is soiled whitish, tinged with yellow. L. 5-1/2.

_Range._ Nests from the Gulf States to Canada; winters from southern Illinois and Virginia southward.

Washington, quite uncommon S.R., Mch. 20-Oct. 29, abundant in fall. Ossining, casual. Cambridge, locally common S.R., Apl. 10-Oct. 20; occasional W.V. N. Ohio, rare T.V., Apl. 29-May 15. Glen Ellyn, not common T.V., spring records only, Apl. 17-May 24. SE. Minn., common T.V., Apl. 26-.

Pine Warblers seem almost as much a part of pine woods as the trees themselves. They feed on the ground below the pines, they glean from the bark of the trunk, or from the clusters of 'needles' on the topmost boughs, the very peace of the pines is expressed in their calm, even, musical trill; and where there are no pines there are no Pine Warblers. During the migration, it is true, they may be found elsewhere, but at that season they are travelers, and travelers cannot always be responsible for their surroundings. Their nest, of course, is always built in pines, usually from 30-50 feet above the ground. The eggs laid in March in the South, and early June in the North, are white wreathed with brown at the larger end.

YELLOW PALM WARBLER

_Dendroica palmarum hypochrysea. Case 6, Fig. 61_

Underparts bright yellow streaked with reddish brown; cap reddish brown; line over the eye yellow. L. 5-1/4.

_Range._ Nests from Maine northward; winters from North Carolina to the Florida Keys; west to Louisiana.

Washington, T.V., common. Mch. 31-Apl. 29; Sept. 4-Oct. 28. Ossining, tolerably common T.V., Apl. 11-May 5; Sept. 20-Nov. 8. Cambridge, usually common, sometimes abundant, T.V., Apl. 15-May 5; Oct. 1-15.

A tail-wagging Warbler that frequents bushy places, weedy fields and open pine woods and gardens, living near the ground where it may be easily seen. Its call-note, _chip_, is distinctive and one learns in time to recognize it. Its song is a trill, clear and sweet, but by no means loud.

The Palm Warbler (_D. p. palmarum_) is the Mississippi Valley form of the Atlantic coast race, from which it differs in having the line over the eye white instead of yellow; the yellow of the underparts paler and confined to the throat and breast. It is not infrequent during the fall migration in the North Atlantic States and, in Florida, is far more common than the Yellow Palm.

Washington, rare T.V., Apl. 22-May 18; Sept. 18-Oct. 11. Ossining. T.V., Apl. 29; Sept. 30-Oct. 12. Cambridge, uncommon T.V. in fall, Sept. 15-Oct. 10. N. Ohio, tolerably common T.V., Apl. 24-May 20; Sept. 10-Oct. 16. Glen Ellyn, common T.V., Apl. 23-May 19; Sept. 4-Oct. 18. SE. Minn., common T.V., Apl. 23; Sept. 17-Oct. 3.

Both races nest on the ground.

PRAIRIE WARBLER

_Dendroica discolor. Case 8, Fig. 48_

A small Warbler with a reddish brown patch in the back, yellowish wing-bars, and much white in the tail. L. 4-3/4.

_Range._ Nests from Florida and northern Mississippi to Michigan and New Hampshire.

Washington, very common S.R., Apl. 12-Sept. 20. Ossining, rare S.R., May 2-Sept. 14. Cambridge, locally common S.R., May 8-Sept. 15. N. Ohio, rare, Apl. 29, May 9, and 14.

Scrubby second growths, hillsides with scattered cedars and barberries, and, sometimes, bushy places in the pines are the haunts of the miscalled Prairie Warbler. Common and generally distributed in the South, it is local in the North and not always found in districts which seem to supply all its wants. Its song is composed of six or seven minute _zees_, the next to the last one usually the highest. The nest is generally built within 4 feet of the ground, the eggs, laid in May, are white marked with shades of brown, often wreathed about the larger end.

OVEN-BIRD

_Seiurus aurocapillus. Case 6, Fig. 64_

An olive brownish bird, white streaked with black below, with an orange, black-bordered crown and no white on wings or in tail. L. 6-1/4.

_Range._ Nests from Georgia and Missouri to Canada; winters from Florida southward.

Washington, very common S.R., Apl. 10-Oct. 17. Ossining, common S.R., Apl. 27-Oct. 10. Cambridge, very common S.R., May 6-Sept. 15. N. Ohio, abundant S.R., Apl. 22-Oct. 1. Glen Ellyn, not common S.R., common T.V., Apl. 28-Sept. 30. SE. Minn., common S.R., Apl. 27-Sept. 22.

The Oven-bird, and its near relatives the Water-Thrushes, bear so little resemblance in color and habits to the true Wood Warblers, that one might well think they were members of another family. Their plumage lacks the bright colors, white wing-bars and tail-patches possessed by most Warblers, and, instead of hopping and flitting from twig to twig, they spend their time chiefly _walking_ on the ground, where they find their food.

It is not so much its abundance as its song which makes the Oven-bird well known. Years ago Mr. Burroughs wrote it, _teacher, teacher, teacher, teacher, teacher_, and no one has improved on this description. The Oven-bird also sings an ecstatic warbling on the wing; a thrilling performance. The nest is built on the ground and, like a Dutch oven, is roofed over with the entrance at one side. The eggs, laid in May, are white, marked chiefly at the larger end with brown.

NORTHERN WATER-THRUSH

_Seiurus noveboracensis noveboracensis. Case. 8, Fig. 56_

Underparts white tinged with pale _yellow_, everywhere--_including throat_--streaked with black; no white in tail or wings. L. 6.

_Range._ Nests from northern New England to Canada, south in the mountains, to West Virginia; winters in the tropics.

Washington, common T.V., Apl. 22-June 2; July 21-Oct. 6. Ossining, tolerably common T.V., May 11-21; July 28-Oct. 3. Cambridge, abundant T.V., May 8-June 1; Aug. 10-Oct. 10. N. Ohio, common, T.V., Apl. 26-May 25; Sept. 1-15.

The two Water-Thrushes and the Oven-bird are _walking_ Warblers, and the Water-Thrushes, furthermore, are _teeterers_, nervously tipping tail and body with apparently exhaustless energy. When migrating, the Northern Water-Thrush often seeks refuge beneath the shrubbery of our lawns, but when nesting it frequents the borders of streams in deep woods, building its home on the ground or in the roots of an upturned tree. Its call-note is a sharp _chink_; its song a hurried rush of loud musical notes, closing abruptly. The 4-5 eggs, laid in the latter half of May or early June, are white with numerous brown markings chiefly about the larger end.

Grinnell's Water-Thrush (_S. n. notabilis_), a slightly larger and darker form, nests in the Northwest and is casually found as a migrant on the Atlantic coast.

LOUISIANA WATER-THRUSH

_Seiurus motacilla. Case 5, Fig. 5_

Line over eye and underparts white, the latter tinted with _buff_ (not with yellow, as in the preceding species); the throat white _unmarked_; no white in wings or tail. L. 6-1/4.

_Range._ Nests from Georgia and Texas to southern New England and southeastern Minnesota; winters in the tropics.

Washington, rare S.R., Apl. 2-Sept. 14. Ossining, common S.R., Apl. 9-Aug. 24. N. Ohio, tolerably common S.R., Mch. 28-Sept. 15. SE. Minn., uncommon S.R., Apl. 17-Aug. 26.

A shy spirit of woodland brooks, the Louisiana Water-Thrush resembles the Northern Water-Thrush in habits but is more difficult to see; its call-note is louder, its song, wilder, more ringing. Like the Oven-bird it also has a flight, or 'ecstasy'-song. It nests in a bank or among the roots of a fallen tree, laying 4-6 eggs, white with numerous brown markings, in late April or early May.

KENTUCKY WARBLER

_Oporornis formosus. Case 8, Fig. 52_

A yellow line from the bill around the eye; crown blackish; no white on wings or tail. L. 5-1/2.

_Range._ Nests from Georgia and Texas to southern Wisconsin and the lower Hudson Valley; winters in the tropics.

Washington, not very uncommon S.R., Apl. 29-Sept. 2. Ossining, common S.R., May 2-Aug. 27. N. Ohio, rare, Apl. 27 and May 12.

Wet woodland with luxuriant undergrowth of bushes, ferns and skunk cabbage are the favorite haunts of this sweet-voiced Warbler, and its nest is usually built among vegetation of this character. Its freely uttered song is a loud, clear two-syllabled whistle, in tone like the voice of the Carolina Wren or Cardinal. Its 4-5 eggs, laid in late May or early June, are white, speckled chiefly about the larger end with shades of brown.

CONNECTICUT WARBLER

_Oporornis agilis. Case 8, Figs. 77, 78_

A complete white eye-ring; male without black on the gray breast. L. 5-1/2.

_Range._ Nests in the interior from north Michigan to Manitoba; winters in the tropics.

Washington, T.V., very rare in spring, May 24-30; common from Aug. 28-Oct. 24. Ossining, rare T.V., Aug. 26-Oct. 9. Cambridge, fall T.V., sometimes locally abundant, Sept. 10-30. N. Ohio, tolerably common T.V., May 7-24. Glen Ellyn, fairly common T.V., May 12-June 28; Aug. 14-Sept. 22. SE. Minn., uncommon T.V., June 1.

In the Atlantic Coast States this Warbler is found only as a fall migrant, at times in considerable numbers. It lives on the ground in or at the border of woods usually where there is dense undergrowth, and would easily escape observation were it not for its sharp call-note, _peek_, by which it may be identified. Its song, heard only on its migrations up the Mississippi Valley and on its nesting ground, has been described as resembling that of both the Oven-bird and Maryland Yellow-throat. The only nest recorded was found by Ernest Seton near Carberry, Manitoba, June 21, 1883. It was on the ground and contained 4 eggs, white with a few spots about the larger end.

MOURNING WARBLER

_Oporornis philadelphia. Case 8, Figs. 75, 76_

Male without white eye-ring; and with a black breast veiled with gray. L. 5-1/2.

_Range._ Nests from northern New York and Michigan to Canada, south in the mountains to West Virginia; winters in the tropics.