194 



Nesting. In moss on ground in small, dense, coniferous growth in nest of fine grass 

 rootlets, and long hairs. 



Distribution. Eastern America, probably to the northern tree limits. Usually a 

 rare migrant through our settled sections but locally common. 



A rather rare warbler in most sections of eastern Canada. In migra- 

 tion usually found well up in the trees. 



648. Parula Warbler, blue yellow-backed warbler, fr. — la fauvette d'a- 

 MERiQUE. Compsothlypis americana. L, 473. Above and sides of face and neck blue, 

 almost bright blue, \vith yellow suffusion over middle of back. Below white, throat and 

 breast clear yellow with a vaguely defined black (or bluish-black), and rufous band across 

 breast. Females and juveniles are duller, without the breast band, and with the yellow 

 more or less suffused over all upperparts but strongest in middle of back. White wing- 

 bars in all plumages. 



Distinctions. The blue back, either pure or overwashed with yellow, wing-bars, and 

 yellow breast and throat are always distinctive. 



Field Marks. See just above. 



Nesting. In hanging bunches of Usnea (the old man's beard) or other hanging lichens. 



Distribution. Mostly eastern America. The Northern Parula occupies the northern 

 part of the specific range to the limits of present settlement; not breeding in the lower 

 Great Lakes region. 



SUBSPECIES. The Parula Warbler is divided into a northern and a southern 

 subspecies. The Canadian form, the Northern Parula C. a. usnece, is named from the lichen 

 in which it builds its nest. 



Genus — Dendroica. Woodland Warblers. 



The genus Dendroica is composed of Avarblers of shghtly sturdier 

 build than Vermivora. The bill is longer and the culmen more decidedly 

 arched (Figure 58, p. 27). The tail, except that of the Yellow Warbler, 

 has a considerable amount of white. 



650. Gape May Warbler, fr. — la fauvette du cap may. Dendroica Tigrina. 

 L, 5. Male: throat, breast and most of underparts bright yellow finely and sharply 

 striped with black on lower throat, breast, and flanks. A chestnut patch in the middle of 

 the cheek cuts sharply against the yeUow. Top of head black continuing as elongated 

 spots on the yellow-green of back. The rump is yeUow and the wing has a large white 

 patch. Female: Olive-grey above, dirty white below warmed with yeUow suffusion 

 across breast which is faintly striped with dark. Rump yellowish and white wing-patch 

 replaced with vague bars. Juvenile: similar to spring birds but less bright ; male without 

 chestnut cheeks. Females: even dull olive-grey, slightly yellow on rump; dull white slightly 

 olive below, faintly streaked with soft dark hues, and with faint washes of yellowish olive 

 on breast and flanks. 



Distinctions. Males are distinctive with their tiger-like colours of yellow with black 

 striptngs. Adult females show enough of the male's pattern to be recognizable. Juvenile 

 females are more difficult to recognize. However, all show at least an appreciable yellow- 

 ness on the inner parts of the feathers on the sides of the neck just behind the ears. This 

 sHght tinge sometimes shows in Ufe when the bird turns its head but with the bird in the 

 hand the feathers must be separated to show it. 



Field Marks. Adults and juvenile males are distinctive. Juvenile females can 

 be recognized by the pecuhar fine, dim striping of breast against a sUghtly buffy, fight 

 ohve-grey ground or by the concealed yeUow spot on sides of the neck as described above. 



Nestijig. On low branches in smaU trees in pastures or woodlands in partly pensile 

 nest of twigs and grasses fastened together with spider web and fined with horse hair. 



Distribution. Eastern America west to the prairies and north to beyond settlements. 



One of the most beautiful of the warblers; usually regarded as rare 

 but locally growing commoner. It is a woodland treetop species but often 

 seen in orchard and shade trees. 



652. Yellow Warbler, summer yellow bird. fr. — la fauvette juane. Den- 

 droica cestiva. L, 5-10. Plate XL A. 



