88 Till': \\'ii,S()N IUji.lktin — No. G;5. 



1G2. *]>cii(1rolca ii>/rina. — Cape May Wafliler. 



This species, long classed as one of the rarest of thi; warblers, has 

 l)rove(l itself (luring our work at tlie I'oiiit to warrant a hardly less 

 strict term than scarce and. at times, has I)een almost common. We 

 have never detected its presence in spring, hut that is likely because 

 the dates of our spring work on tlie Point have never fallen within 

 those of the height of the warbler migrations. In 1905, three were 

 taken September 8, and ten seen or taken the 13th, in the red cedar 

 thickets near the end of the Point and the presence of more strong- 

 ly suspected. In 190G, two were taken or observed Sei)tember 17, 

 and an eiiual number the ne.xt day. In l!M)7, from one to four were 

 noted oi- cai)tured each day from August 29 to September 2. Among 

 the specimens so gathered, we ol)taine<l an almost complete series of 

 fall iilumages — from the young of tlie year to adults of both sexes. 

 In life there is something peculiarly characteristic in the appear- 

 ance of a faint, hidden copper spot that can only be distinguished 

 in some juvenile females on parting the feathers, but is present in 

 all specimens so far examined. 



103. *De)i(]r<)ica astiva. — Yellow Warbler. 



Common on all Maj' visits except that of 1908, when but two were 

 observed on the 3d. The season, however, was very late, the weather 

 inclement and all warblers were behind in their appearance. The 

 Yellow Warbler is one of the earliest warblers to depart in fall, and 

 conse<iuently we have, until 1907, been late for it on our autunui 

 trips. About Detroit it is not conuiion to see them after the first 

 of August, and often the last ones are observed about the middle of 

 July. However, from August 24 to 29, we saw one or two each day, 

 and once as many as six. then no more were noted until September 

 2, when the last two were noted. Several times in May we have 

 found a nund)er of peculiar, unmarked and much worn green plum- 

 ages among them. May 20-21, 1900, we were i)articularly struck with 

 their numbers. They invariably haunted the ground and brush 

 piles, acting more like members of the genus Gcotlilypis than Den- 

 droica. Several were taken for Conuecticuts, from their peculiar 

 skulking actions, and sui3fered in consequence. Although their kind 

 was* singing all around them they uttered nothing but commonplace 

 little peeps. Their plumage was worn and soiled, and all taken 

 proved to be females with poorly developed ovaries. 



104. *Dciulroica ccrnilesccns. — Black-throated Blue Warbler. 



A common spring and fall migrant. May 13-14, 1905, was about 

 the culmination of their nugration and they were abundant in all 

 the wooded sections of the Point. The next year. May 20-21, was a 

 little late for them and consequently but few were seen. During 

 the abnormal spring of 1907, six and four were seen ]May 31 and 



