196 



An early warbler to arrive in spring and the last one to depart in 

 autumn. At times in the latter season the brushy wastes, roadsides, and 

 the overgrown fence lines are filled with Myrtle Warblers each showing, as 

 it darts away, its distinct yellow rump as proof of its identity. 



657. Magnolia Warbler, black and yellow warbler, fr. — la fauvette a 

 T^iTE CENDREE. Dendroica magnolia. L, 5-12. Plate XLI B. 



Distinctions. The bright yellow breast and underparts sharply striped with black, 

 black cheeks, and greyish upperparts are perfectly distinctive in the spring. Autumn 

 birds have recognizable reflections of the adult plumage but the breast markings are absent 

 and those of flanks reduced. The head and cheeks are evenly greyish and the back greyish 

 shaded with green to the rump which is suffused with yellow. 



Field Marks. The yellow below and on rump will separate the Magnolia from all 

 warblers but the Cape May. The latter's yellow breast is sharply and more evenly 

 striped with black and it has the chestnut ear patch. Close examination of the Magnolia 

 in autumn plumage always shows a vague, light ashy bar across the upper breast. 

 The tail is also a good identification mark. The characteristic white marking of the 

 tails is well back from the tip and rather extensive, giving, when seen from below, the 

 appearance of a white tail broadly banded with black. 



Nesting. In coniferous trees 3 to 6 feet from the ground in nest of fine twigs and 

 leaf stems lined with hair like rootlets. 



Distribution. Eastern North America north to tree limits; breeds mostly north of 

 general cultivation. 



One of the most beautiful of the warblers, on migration coming into 

 shade trees and orchards where its rich coloration makes a pleasing com- 

 bination with the blossoms. 



658. Cerulean Warbler. Dendroica cerulea. L, 4-50. Male: sky-blue and white. 

 Above, all blue with fine black markings on back and sides of crown. Below, pure white 

 with blue breast-band and flank stripes; wing-bars white. Female: even dull greenish- 

 blue above, white below, more or less stained with greenish and yellow suggestions. 

 Juvenile similar but yellower all over. 



Distinctions. The male is unmistakable. Other plumages have a pecuUar bluish, 

 instead of olive or yellowish, green above that is quite characteristic. The Juvenile with 

 its yellowish-greenish underparts is somewhat similar to the young Tennessee, having 

 a similar eyebrow stripe, but its white wing-bars and tail patches will separate it. 



Field Marks. The blue of the adult and the bluish sheen of other plumages. Other- 

 wise like a juvenile Tennessee but with wing-bars and white in tail. 



Nesting. In a tree 20 to 60 feet above the groimd in nest of fine fibres boimd with 

 spider's web, lined with strips of bark fibres and with a few lichens on the outer surface. 



Distribution. Eastern United States except the coast; north along lake Erie to 

 just within Canadian territory. 



Too rare in Canada to be expected regularly except in a limited area 

 in southern Ontario. 



659. Chestnut-sided Warbler. fr. — la fauvette de pensylvanie. Dendroica 

 pe7isylvanica. L, 5-14. Male: Crown yellow; back black and grey in stripes, over- 

 washed with yellowish green; below white with chestnut bands along flanks; two white 

 or yellowish wing-bars. Juvenile: an abnost even yellowish-green above, white below, 

 cheeks grey; usually with suggestions of the chestnut sides of the male. 



Distinctions. Superficial attention to the above description might confuse this 

 species with the Bay-breasted but the white throat is distinctive. Spring birds with 

 their yellow cap, chestnut sides, and white underparts; and autumn birds white below, 

 yellowish green above, and yellowish wing-bars are easily recognized. 



Field Marks. The white underparts and pecuUar lemon yellowness of the green above 

 are good recognition marks even in plumages where the characteristic markings do not 

 show. 



Nesting. In bushes some 3 feet from the ground in neat of strips of bark, leaf sterna, 

 etc., lined with tendrils and rootlets. 



