124 BIEDS OF ILLINOIS. 



Helmitherus vermivorus (Gmel.) 



WORM-EATING WARBLER. 

 Popular synonym. Worm- eating Swamp Warbler. 



Motaci'la vermivora GM. S. N. i. 1788, 951 (based on Edw. pi. 305). 



Sylvia vermivora LATH. WILS. Am. Orn. iii, 1811. 74, pi. 24, fig. 4. NUTT. Man. i. 1832, 

 409. AUD. Orn. Biog. i, 1832, 177; v, 1839. 460, pi. 34. 



Helinaia vermivora AUD. Synop. 1839, 60; B. Am. ii, 1841, 86, pi, 105. 



Helmitherus vermivorus BAIRD, B. N. Am. 1858, 252; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859. No. 178; Re- 

 view, 1864, 179. COUES, Key, 1872. 93; Check List. 1873, No. 60; 2d ed. 1882, No. 96 

 ("Helmfotherug"); B. N. W. 1874, 48; B. Col. Val. 1878, 211. B. B. & R. Hist. N. Am. B. 

 i, 1874, i8~, pi. 10, fig. 10. 



ne.lmintherus, vermivorus VON FKANTZIUS, Jour, fur Orn. 1869, 293. 



Helminlhothsrus termivorus SALV. & GODM. Biol. Centr. Am. i. 1880, 112. RIDGW. Nom. 

 N. Am. B. 1881, No. 77. 



HAB. Eastern United States, chiefly south of 40; north regularly to Connecticut Val- 

 ley, casually to Maine; west to border of Great Plains. Wintering in Florida, Cuba, Ja- 

 maica, Yucatan, and Central America, south to Veragua. 



SP. CHAR. Adult (sexes alike): Head buff, with a broad black stripe on each side of 

 the crown (from nostrils to occiput), and a narrower black stripe behind the eye, along 

 upper edge of the aurieulars, continued, more or less distinctly, at the anterior angle of 

 the eye. Upper parts plain olive-green. Lower parts buff, paler on chin, throat, abdo- 

 men, and crissum, where sometimes almost white. Upper mandible dark brown, the 

 lower paler; iris dark brown; legs and feet pale brown in dried skins, pale brownish 

 flesh-color in life. Wing, 2.65-2.90; tail. 1.90-2.20; culmen, .60-65; tarsus, about .70. (Female 

 averaging smaller than the male.) 



Young, first plumage: Head, neck, and lower parts deep buff, the black stripes of the 

 adult merely indicated by indistinct stripes of dull brown; back, scapulars, rump, and 

 wing-coverts dull light brown, tinged with cinnamon, the greater coverts passing into 

 deep buff terminally. Remiges and rectrices olive-green, as in the adult. 



The buff of head-stripes, etc., is deeper in autumnal specimens. 



Few of our Warblers are less conspicuous than the present species. 

 Dull of color, retiring in disposition, and unusually shy (according 

 to the writer's experience), with no distinctive notes, he may easily 

 pass unnoticed, or if seen, unidentified. Except for the absence of 

 streaks on his breast (and this deficiency only a full front view 

 would reveal), he would readily pass to the less careful observer for 

 a Golden-crowned Thrush, so common in the same localities. His 

 song so closely resembles that of the Chipping Sparrow that it is 

 sometimes difficult for the most critical listener to distinguish it. 



The Worm-eating Warbler usually frequents thick woods, preferably 

 the sides of ravines, where it keeps among the undergrowth, and 

 builds its nest on the ground, imbedded in dry leaves, and hidden 

 by a bunch of sprouts, a few fern-fronds, or other similar objects. 



In suitable localities in southern Illinois, the Worm-eating War- 

 bler is a common species ; but in the northern portion of the State 

 it appears to be very rare, Mr. Nelson, noting only a single speci- 

 men, taken at Waukegan, May 21, 1876. 



