1896.] NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 159 



Helmitherus vermivorus (Gmel.). Worm-eating AVarbler. 



Plumages : first, winter, nuptial. 



There is scarcely any variation in the plumage of this species 

 after the nestling stage. Spring birds show but little abrasion. 

 Compsothlypis americana (Linn.). Parula Warbler. 



Plumages : first, first winter, nuptial, adult winter. 



The spring molt is probably not very marked, as the birds show 

 much abrasion. Fall adults have the breast markings fringed with 

 yellow, which is lost by the breeding season. How much varia- 

 tion there is in the nuptial plumage I cannot say. I had thought 

 the dark-breasted individuals to be birds of the second or third 

 year, but Mr. Brewster has shown that they represent a geogra- 

 phical race, C. americana usnece. Perhaps the younger birds of this 

 race will still be found to be lighter colored. 

 Dendroica tigrina (Gmel.). Cape May Warbler. 



Plumages : first, first winter, nuptial, adult winter. 



A nearly complete spring molt of body plumage takes place the 

 first spring, and a good deal of abrasion follows during May, which 

 brings out the spots on the back and throws all the markings into 

 stronger contrast. Birds in the first winter are very dull and 

 tinged with gray, while adults in winter diflTer little from spring 

 birds, except that all the feathers are broadly bordered with olive- 

 gray or yellow. This plumage changes to the adult nuptial dress 

 wholly by abrasion, which is very strongly marked in spring adults. 



Dendroica sestiva (Gmel.). Yellow W'arbler. 



Plumages : first, first winter, nuptial, adult winter. 



There is a complete molt of body feathers the first spring, but it is 

 probably not so extensive in subsequent years, as some spring birds 

 show that the tertials have not been renewed. Young in first win- 

 ter are very dull, with the top of the head quite green. Adults in 

 winter are scarcely distinguishable from spring birds. 

 Dendroica caerulescens (Gmel.). Black-throated Blue Warbler. 



Plumages : first, first winter, nuptial, adult winter. 



The freshness of the flight feathers in some spring specimens 

 seems to indicate that they are sometimes renewed with the rest of 

 the spring plumage. Others are so worn that they probably molted 

 but little at this time. Most fall adults have white edgings to the 

 throat feathers, but others are absolutely indistinguishable from the 

 the freshest spring specimens. Females are always in the brown 



