PASSERES — SYJLVICOLIDiE — SYLVICOLA. 95 



THE BLACK-POLL WARBLER. 



Sylvicola striata. 

 (STATE COLLECTION.) 



Sylvia striata. Wilson. Am. Ornith. Vol. 4, p. 40, pi. 30, fig. 3. Bonaparte, Ann. Lye. N. Y. Vol. 2, p. 81. 



Audubon, folio, pi. 133; Orn. Biog. Vol. 2, p. 200. 

 Sylvicola id. Richardson, F. B. A. Vol. 2, p. 218. 



Black-poll Wood-warbler. Audubon, Birds of Am. Vol. 2, p. 28, pi. 78 (mate and female). 

 S. striata. Giraud, Birds of Long island, p. 53. 



Characteristics. Bluish grey above. Crown black ; cheeks and beneath white. Wings 

 bifasciate with white. Inner vanes of three outer tail-feathers marked 

 with white. Female, greenish olive, streaked with black and grey. 

 Length, 5-6 inches. 



Description. First primary longest. Notch in the bill scarcely perceptible. Tail emar- 

 ginate, half an inch longer than the tips of the closed wings. 



Color. Head black, often streaked with brown. Back dark ash, with central black 

 streaks in the feathers. Cheeks white, running backwards and encircling the neck behind, 

 and forming a species of collar more or less distinct. Primaries brown, edged with yellowish 

 olive on the outer webs. Tail wood-brown. Centre of the throat, breast and belly white ; 

 the sides striped with black. Female, above greenish olive ; bands on the wings yellowish. 



Length, 5-5-6-0. Alar extent, 8-5-9-0. 



I have observed the Black-poll or Black-headed Warbler in the neighborhood of New- 

 York, in the beginning of May. According to Mr. Giraud, it is the last of its tribe which 

 reaches us in the spring. It is one of our most common species, and is highly useful in 

 destroying canker-worms and other noxious insects. Its southern limits are not known. It 

 appears in Louisiana in February, is found in New-York in May, and in the middle of July 

 is seen breeding in Labrador. The history of its incubation and migration is yet imperfect. 

 The only author who has seen the eggs, neglected to describe them. This species has been 

 -een as high as 54° north. With its western geographical limits, I am unacquainted. 



