2A THE GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER. 
the xanthochroic (yellow) phase and in the other (H. chrysoptera) the leucochroic 
(white) phase represents the normal plumage,—and admitting that these two 
species in their various conditions, hybridize (which seems to be an incontro: 
vertible fact)—we have an easy and altogether plausible explanation of the 
origin of the almost interminably variable series of specimens which have found 
their way into the waste-basket labelled H. lewcobronchialis.” 
IN the spring of 1903 four individuals of this puzzling form, all singing 
males, were observed near Oberlin. The first one seen haunted the same 
spot—a little opening in a thicket of tall saplings—in which we had closely 
studied a Golden-winged Warbler the previous season. His song too re- 
minded us strongly of the other bird, except that he usually sang three notes, 
Swee-see-zee, where the other had always given four, Zwee, see, sec, zcet. 
Another Brewster in a wood three miles removed exhibited the same pecu- 
liarity; while a third seen in the “Old South” woods with the first, rendered 
a typical Blue-wing song of two drawling syllables. Here on another occa- 
sion a Blue-wing and a Brewster were seen chasing each other about through 
the smaller trees, and their excited songs hinted strongly of rivalry in love. 
The case of the Brewster Warbler is very perplexing—delightfully so— 
but there is no reason why it should not find its solution here in Ohio. 
No. 54. 
GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER. 
A. O. U. No. 642. Helminthophila chrysoptera (Linn.). 
Description.—Adult male: Above and on sides bluish gray ; a crown-patch, 
including forehead, and a large patch on the wing, formed by tips of median 
coverts, and outer webs of greater coverts, bright yellow; a black patch through 
eye, including lore and ear-coverts, separated from crown by a narrow, and from 
throat by a wide, white stripe; throat black, broadening below; remaining under 
parts white, tinged more or less with blue-gray; rest of wing and tail dusky, 
with narrow blue-gray edgings; three outer pairs of tail-feathers with white 
blotches on the inner web; bill slender, acute, blackish; feet dark brown. Female: 
Like the male, but crown duller, and black of cheeks and throat partially ob- 
scured; touched with bright olive above, especially on margins of inner quills. 
Immature: Vike female. Length 5.00-5.25 (127.-133.3); wing 2.54 (64.5); 
tail 1.87 (47.5); bill .44 (11.2). This bird crosses freely with the preceding 
species, H. pinus. See description of preceding form, also H. lawrencei in Ap- 
pendix A. 
