BLACK-roLLED WARBLER. 



CoMPABisoXs. The adult male somewhat resembles the Black and White 

 Creeper, but differs in having the crown wholly black and the back giayish. 

 See Comparisons on {^ge 10 and figs. 10 and 20. The adult stage of both sexes 

 tnay be known from the corresponding stages in the Bay-breasts by the absence 

 of any bay beneath, but in the autumnal plumages, especially in the young, the 

 the resemblance between these two species is very close. Autumnal Black-polls 

 are seldom as pale as Bay-breasts, and the latter named species always has the 

 flanks and under tail coverts tinged with bull', but this is very pale in the youn<:. 

 The upper outline of the white spot on the tail of the Bay-breast crosses the web 

 of the feather more r.eirlyat right angles than in the Black-poll in which this 



outline is more oblique. Compare fig\ 

 Fig. 28. 27 a, with fig, 28. Pale warblers in 



autumn, associating with Black-polls, 

 should be examined with care for traces 

 of buff or bay. 



Young Black-polls also resemble 

 the females of the Cape May and Pine 

 Warblers, but neither of these are at 

 all streaked above, while the former 

 named is more heavily streaked belowj 

 neither in any stage have greenish wing 

 bars. 



The Black-polled Warbler in fall plumage, and probably also the young 

 of the Bay-breasted, were considered by Alexander Wilson as a distinct species, 

 which he called the Autumnal Warbler. 



Nksts and Eggs. Nests placed in trees, usually evergreens, composed of 

 small twigs and grasses, lined with black, hair-like lichens. Eggs, four in num- 

 ber, oval in form, white, spotted and dotted with lilac and umber, usually with 

 the markings more confluent on the larger end. 



General Habits. With the blooming of the apple trees, 

 usually the second week in May, come the Black-polls. At 

 this season, although often found in the woodlands, especially 

 of late years, these birds appear to prefer the more open sec- 

 tions, and thus often frequent orchards. Their movements 

 at this season are rather more deliberate than are those of 

 many of the warblers The coming of these warblers is never 

 very welcome, for their advent announces that the migrating 

 season, so full of delightful avian surprises, is fast drawing to 

 a close. In autumn, when the Black polls arc in their green, 



Black-polled Warbler, head and outer 

 tail tVaiher. 



