THE KENTUCKY WARBLER. 177 



As to its platform the musician is not so particular. Usually a free 

 branch from ten to twenty feet high is selected, but I have seen the bird sing 

 his best song while standing knee deep in water. There is said to be also 

 an ecstacy song which lifts the bird quite clear of earth. Audubon de- 

 clared the Water Thrush's song equal to that of the English Nightingale, 

 but a somewhat less extravagant claim will leave us with a keener apprecia- 

 tion of the bird's real merit. 



No. 80. 



KENTUCKY WARBLER. 



A. O. U. No. 677. Geothlypis formosa (Wils.). 



Description. — Adult male : Crown lustrous black, more or less tipped even 

 in highest plumage, at least behind, by obscure olive or grayish slate; a bright 

 yellow line over eye and curling around it behind ; a black patch on side of head, 

 including, lores, produced downward on side of neck as though forming incipent 

 collar; remaining upper parts uniform olive-green; below gamboge yellow, pure 

 and continuous ; olive-shaded on sides ; bill slightly curved, dark above, light 

 below; feet very pale. -Adult female: Similar but with perceptibly less black on 

 head, because of more extensive grayish skirtings. Both sexes in winter: The 

 black of the crown is further veiled and with brownish tips, while the black on 

 sides of head is partially obscured in the same manner. Immature birds lack 

 the black on head or have it concealed in inverse ratio to age. Length 5.25-5.75 

 ( 133.3-146.1 ) ; wing 2.69 (68.3) ; tail 1.96 (49- 8 ) ; bm -44 I IT - 2 )- 



Recognition Marks. — Medium Warbler size. Pattern of black and yellow on 

 head distinctive, save as regards the "Maryland" Yellow-throat. It is larger and 

 more deliberate in its movements than the latter bird, and differs furtner in having 

 continuous yellow on the lower parts. 



Nest, a bulky affair of dead leaves and grasses, lined with rootlets, and some- 

 times hair ; usually on the ground, concealed or not by overgrowth. Eggs, 4 or 5. 

 sometimes 6, white or grayish white, speckled, spotted or blotched with umber, 

 cinnamon and lilac-gray, chiefly about larger end. Av. size, .7^ x .58 ( 18.5 x 14.7). 



General Range. — Eastern United States west to the plains, breeding from 

 the Gulf States north to southern New England and southern Michigan. In 

 winter, West Indies, eastern Mexico, and Central America to Panama. 



Range in Ohio. — Tolerably common summer resident in the southeastern 

 and southwestern portions of the state. Rare or casual elsewhere. 



