194 
Nesting. In moss on ground in small, dense, coniferous growth in nest of fine grass, 
rootlets, and long hairs. 
Distribution. Eastern America, probably to the northern tree limits. Usually a 
rare migrant through our settled sections but locally common. . 
A rather rare warbler in most sections of eastern Canada. In migra- 
tion usually found well up in the trees. 
648. Parula Warbler. BLUE YELLOW-BACKED WARBLER. FR.—LA FAUVETTE D’A- 
MERIQUE. Compsothlypis americana. L, 4°73. Above and sides of face and neck blue, 
almost bright blue, with yellow suffusion over middle of back. Below white, throat and 
breast clear yellow with a vaguely defined black (or bluish-black), and rufous band across 
breast. Females and juveniles are duller, without the breast band, and with the yellow 
more or less suffused over all upperparts but strongest in middle of back. White wing- 
bars in all plumages. 
Distinctions. The blue back, either pure or overwashed with yellow, wing-bars, and 
yellow breast and throat are always distinctive. 
Field Marks. See just above. 
Nesting. In hanging bunches of Usnea (the old man’s beard) or other hanging lichens. 
Distribution. Mostly eastern America. The Northern Parula occupies the northern 
part of the specific range to the limits of present settlement; not breeding in the lower 
Great Lakes region. 
SUBSPECIES. The Parula Warbler is divided into a northern and a southern 
subspecies. The Canadian form, the Northern Parula C. a. usnee, is named from the lichen 
in which it builds its nest. 
GENUS—DENDROICA. WOODLAND WARBLERS. 
The genus Dendroica is composed of warblers of slightly sturdier 
build than Vermivora. The bill is longer and the culmen more decidedly 
arched (Figure 58, p. 27). The tail, except that of the Yellow Warbler, 
has a considerable amount of white. 
650. Cape May Warbler. FR.—LA FAUVETTE DU cAP MAY. Dendroica Tigrina. 
L, 5. Male: throat, breast and most of underparts bright yellow finely and sharply 
striped with black on lower throat, breast, and flanks. A chestnut patch in the middle of 
the cheek cuts sharply against the yellow. Top of head black continuing as elongated 
spots on the yellow-green of back. The rump is yellow and the wing has a large white 
patch. Female: Olive-grey above, dirty white below warmed with yellow suffusion 
across breast which is faintly striped with dark. Rump yellowish and white wing-patch 
replaced with vague bars. Juvenile: similar to spring birds but less bright; male without 
chestnut cheeks. Females: even dull olive-grey, slightly yellow on rump; dull white slightly 
olive below, faintly streaked with soft dark lines, and with faint washes of yellowish olive 
on breast and flanks. 
Distinctions. Males are distinctive with their tiger-like colours of yellow with black 
stripings. Adult females show enough of the male’s pattern to be recognizable. Juvenile 
females are more difficult to recognize. However, all show at least an appreciable yellow- 
ness on the inner parts of the feathers on the sides of the neck just behind the ears. This 
slight tinge sometimes shows in life when the bird turns its head but with the bird in the 
hand the feathers must be separated to show it. 
Field Marks. Adults and juvenile males are distinctive. Juvenile females can 
be recognized by the peculiar fine, dim striping of breast against a slightly buffy, light 
olive-grey ground or by the concealed yellow spot on sides of the neck as described above. 
Nesting. On low branches in small trees in pastures or woodlands in partly pensile 
nest of twigs and grasses fastened together with spider web and lined with horse hair. 
Distribution. Eastern America west to the prairies and north to beyond settlements. 
One of the most beautiful of the warblers; usually regarded as rare. 
but locally growing commoner. It is a woodland treetop species but often 
seen in orchard and shade trees. 
652. Yellow Warbler. SUMMER YELLOW BIRD. FR.—LA FAUVETTE JUANE. Den- 
droica estiva. L, 5-10. Plate XL A. 
as. 
