192 BLACKBURN I AN WARBLER. 



■whole lower parts rich yellow, spotted from the throat downwards with 

 black streaks ; vent white ; tail slightly forked ; wings black, crossed 

 with two broad transverse bars of white ; croAvn fine ash ; legs brown ; 

 bill black. Markings of the female not known. 



Species XX. SYLVIA BLACKBUENIA. 



BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER. 



[Plate XXIII. Fig. 3.] 

 L.\TnAM II., p. 461, No. 67.* 



This is another scarce species in Pennsylvania, making its appear- 

 ance here about the beginning of May ; and again in September on its 

 return, but is seldom seen here during the middle of summer. It is an 

 active silent bird. Inhabits also the state of New York, from whence 

 it was first sent to Europe. Latham has numbered this as a variety of 

 the Yellow-fronted Warbler, a very different species. The 'specimen 

 sent to Europe, and first described by Pennant, appears also to have 

 been a female, as the breast is said to be T/elloiv, instead of the brilliant 

 orange with which it is ornamented. Of the nest and habits of this 

 bird I can give no account, as there is not more than one or two of 

 these birds to be found here in a season, even with the most diligent 

 search. 



The Blackburnian Warbler is four inches and a half long, and seven 

 in extent ; crown black, divided by a line of orange ; the black again 

 bounded on the outside by a stripe of rich orange passing over the eye ; 

 under the eye a small touch of orange yellow ; Avhole throat and breast 

 rich fiery orange, bounded by spots and streaks of black ; belly dull 

 yellow, also streaked with black ; vent white ; back black, skirted with 

 ash ; wings the same, marked with a large lateral spot of white ; tail 

 slightly forked ; the interior vanes of the three exterior feathers white ; 

 cheeks black ; bill and legs brown. The female is yellow where the 

 male is orange ; the black streaks are also more obscure and less 

 numerous. 



* Motacilla BlackburnicB, Gmel. Si/st. i.,p. 977. — SyHvia Blackbumioe, Lath. Ind. 

 Om. II., p. 527. — ViEiLL. Ois. de VAm. Sept. pi. 96. 



