592 MICIHGAN BIRD LIFE. 



270. Cape May Warbler, Dendroica tigrina {G?nelin). (650) 



Synonyms: Motacilla tigrina, Gmelin, 1789. — Sylvia tigrina, Vieill. — Dendroica 

 tigrina, Baird, 1858. — Dendroeca tigrina, Newton, 1859. — Perissoglossa tigrina, Baird, 

 1865.— Sylvia maritinia, Wils., 1812. 



Plate LVIII. 



The sooty-brown crown, yellow rump, and conspicuous chestnut or 

 orange-brown patch on the side of the head, are sufficient to identify 

 this bird in spring. In addition it has much white on the wings and in 

 the tail, while the under parts are rich yellow, streaked with black. 



Distribution. — Eastern North America, north to Lake Winnipeg and 

 the Hudson Bay Territory, west to the Plains. Breeds from northern 

 New England northward; winters in the West Indies. 



This, one of our most beautiful warblers, has been regarded by most ob- 

 servers as decidedly rare. It is, however, less uncommon than is generally 

 supposed and doubtless occurs in some numbers during the migrations 

 in all places where warblers are at all numerous. It arrives from the 

 south from the first to the middle of May, more often later than earlier. 

 Specimens were killed on Spectacle Reef Light, Lake Huron, May 11, 

 1888 and May 22, 1890, while on the southward migration they struck 

 the same light September 7, 1888 and Septemlier 25, 1889, and one was 

 killed on Ft. Oneida Light, September 27, 1886. 



Usually the Cape May Warbler appears with the opening of the apple 

 blossoms, and it seems to have a preference for blossoming trees, possibly 

 because it feeds largely upon the hymenoptera and diptera which are 

 attracted by the nectar. It seems at all times to prefer rather open woods, 

 and we have seen it more often in the shade trees of city streets and parks 

 than any other warbler which is at all rare. Usually it is very tame and 

 unsuspecting, and especially in the fall, when it is fairly common, it moves 

 in the most leisurely manner and often spends half an hour or more in 

 the same tree. 



Its nesting habits are but imperfectly known. No instance of its nesting 

 in Michigan has come to our notice, yet the northern counties of the state 

 are certainly within its nesting range, and it is by no means impossible that 

 it breeds there regularly. The nest is said to be placed usually in an 

 evergreen tree, quite close to the ground, and to be made of twigs, grasses, 

 strawberry vines and similar materials, lined with horse-hair, rootlets, etc. 



The eggs are dull white, marked with lilac and reddish brown, and 

 average .70 by .52 inches. 



The single point of economic interest which we recall, in connection 

 with this species, is the fact that, in company with the Tennessee Warbler 

 and perhaps a few other species, it has l)een known to puncture rii)e grapes 

 and suck their juices. Were the birds numerous and the hal)it general 

 some damage might be done, but under the circumstances no fruit-grower 

 will be likely to complain. 



TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION. 



Adult male in spring: Entire top of head black or brownish-black; back olive-green, 

 slightly streaked or spotted with black; rump and upper tail-coverts yellow; a yellow 

 line over the eye, a black streak through the eye, a chestnut patcli below and behind 

 the eye; throat and upper parts generally rich yellow, thickly streaked with clear black, 



