BIRDS OF 



The discovery of this species is due to Wilson, who found it 

 on the banks of the Cumberland River in the State of Tennessee, 

 and who speaks of it as rare, for he met with it again only on two 

 occasions. 



Genus COMPSOTHLYPIS Cabanis. 



254. COMPSOTHLYPIS AMERICANA (Linn.). (U8. 



Parula Warbler. 



Male, in spring, above blue, back with a golden-brown patch, throat and 

 breast yellow, with a rich brovn or blackish patch, the for.ner sometimes 

 extending along the sides ; belly, eyelids, two wing-bars and several tail 

 spots white ; lores black ; upper mandible black, lower flesh-colore.i ; female, 

 in spring, with the blua less bright, back and throat patches not so well 

 defined ; young, with th^se patches obscure or wanting, but always recogniz- 

 able by the other marks and vcjry small size. Length, 4J-4J ; wing, 2J ; 

 tail, I'i- 



Hab. Eastern UniteJ States, west to the Plains, north to Canada, and 

 south in winter to the West Indies and Central America. 



Nest, globular, with a hole in the side, suspended from the end of a 

 bough, often 20 feet or more from the ground ; composed of hanging mosses, 

 so as often to look like on excavation made in the side of a bunch of moss. 



Eggs, creamy-white, with spots of lilac and brown. 



This small and neatly dressed species is very common during 

 the spring migration, when it may be seen in the tops of the 

 tallest trees often hanging back downward like a Titmouse, 

 searching for insects among the opening leaves. In winter it 

 withdraws entirely from Canada, and even from the United 

 States, great numbers being at that season observed in the West 

 Indies. 



On the return trip in spring a few pairs stop by the way, but 

 the majority pass on still farther north to breed. I have not 

 heardofthenestbeingfoundin Ontario, but I have the impression 

 that this and many others of the same family will yet be found 

 breeding in the picturesque District of Muskoka, between the 

 Georgian Bay and the Ottawa River. 



256 



