THE YELLOW WARBLER. 135 



The other thing of peculiar interest is that this warbler has a cleft and 

 fringed tongue, and has been called Perissoglossa. Just what the function 

 of this pattern of tongue may be is a puzzle, but that it is in some way useful 

 to the birds can hardly be doubted. It is certainly not an aid to singing, for 

 this warbler is one of the weaker voiced ones, with a high pitched, wiry song, 

 spelled "a-wit, a-wit, a-wit," by Mr. 1 hitler. The song is given while the bird 

 is feeding, and is a sort of accompaniment to the real business of life during 

 the northward journey. In my experience this warbler is unwary and per- 

 mits a close approach. I have never seen it at a greater height than twenty 

 feet in the trees and bushes. 



The migrations have not been well worked out yet. but what we know 

 about the movements across Ohio would indicate a northward movement dur- 

 ing the first half of May, and a southward return during August and early- 

 September. The persistent student of the migrations is sure to find Cape 

 May sometime under favorable conditions for study. 



The nest is built in a low bush in a wooded pasture or open woodland, 

 and is said to be partially pensile. The nest and eggs are not readily distin- 

 guishable from other members of this genus. The males sing frequently 

 from their perch on the topmost twig of a spruce tree, and so mislead one as 

 to the whereabouts of the nest. In the United States nests will be found only 

 in northern Xew England ami northern Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota, 

 except in the mountains. Lvnds Tones. 



No. 61. 



YELLOW WARBLER. 



A. O. U. Xo. 652. Dendroica sestiva (Gmel.). 



Synonyms. — Summer Yellow-bird; Summer Warbler. 



Description. — Adult untie: Forehead and fore-crown bright yellow with 

 an orange tinge; back bright olive-green; rump greenish yellow; wings and tail 

 blackish with greenish yellow edgings, the wing' quills edged on both webs, the 

 tail-feathers — except middle pair — almost entirely yellow on inner webs ; sides 

 of head and entire under parts golden yellow, the breast and sides heavily streaked 

 with chestnut; bill black; feet pale. Adult female: Like male but duller; olive- 

 green on back, not brighter on forehead; paler yellow below, obscurel) or not at 

 all streaked with chestnut. Young males resemble the adult female. Young 

 female still duller; dusky yellow below. Length 4.75-5.25 (120.6-133.3) ; av. 

 of five Columbus specimens: wing 2. 51 (63.8) : tail r.68 142. 71 ; bill .40 ( 10.2). 



Recognition Marks. — Medium size; golden yellow col. nation ; chestnut 

 streaks on breast of male; the commonest of the resident warblers. 



