WARBLERS 511 



with two indistinct, whitish bars; wing feathers edged with 

 drab; tail blackish, with feathers edged with drab; bill and 

 feet dusky buff. 



In August, by a complete moult, the first winter plumage is 

 acquired. This is rather duller colored than the corresponding 

 plumage of adult birds, the black markings and feathers of a 

 duller tint and the edgings of the feathers less gray. 



The first nuptial plumage is acquired by a partial moult in 

 early spring and is not quite as brilliant as that of full adult 

 birds. A moult beginning in late July or early August gives 

 the adult winter plumage, which in early spring by partial 

 moult gives the full adult nuptial plumage. 



The food of the adult birds in spring and summer consists 

 almost entirely of small grubs and larvae of beetles and lepi- 

 dopterous insects, eggs of various species of insects, beetles, 

 mosquitoes, and in fact, almost any insects, their eggs or larvae 

 which are likely to be found during a careful search of the 

 trees frequented by the birds. Many of the adult insects are 

 taken on the wing, the Warblers taking short springs and flights 

 into the air for this purpose. The young for the first few 

 days are fed on the softer sorts of insects secured by the parents, 

 and later their fare is like that of the parents in every way. 

 Towards fall considerable vegetable food creeps into their diet, 

 doubtless owing to the scarcity of insects. Berries of the 

 Virginia creeper, dogwood of various species, viburnum berries, 

 seeds of the alder, bayberries and doubtless other similar 

 vegetable matter is consumed. I have detailed only such as 

 I have actually seen individuals eating or found in their 

 stomachs. 



The last of August the first migrants from the north begin 

 to appear, and by mid-September the migrating hosts are 

 abundant. They dally with us longer than in the springtime, 

 and it is well along toward November before the bulk have 

 withdrawn from the State. I have seen a few near Bangor as 

 late as November 15th, but this is rather exceptional. 



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