THE YELLOW WARBLER. 135 
The other thing of peculiar interest is that this warbler has a cleft and 
fringed tongue, and has been called Perissoglossa. Just what the function 
of this pattern of tongue may be is a puzzle, but that it is in some way useful 
to the birds can hardly be doubted. It is certainly not an aid to singing, for 
this warbler is one of the weaker voiced ones, with a high pitched, wiry song, 
spelled “a-wit, a-wit, a-wit,” by Mr. Butler. The song is given while the bird 
is feeding, and is a sort of accompaniment to the real business of life during 
the northward journey. In my experience this warbler is unwary and per- 
mits a close approach. I have never seen it at a greater height than twenty 
feet in the trees and bushes. 
The migrations have not been well worked out yet, but what we know 
about the movements across Ohio would indicate a northward movement dur- 
ing the first half of May, and a southward return during August and early 
September. The persistent student of the migrations is sure to find Cape 
May sometime under favorable conditions for study. 
The nest is built in a low bush in a wooded pasture or open woodland, 
and is said to be partially pensile. The nest and eggs are not readily distin- 
guishable from other members of this genus. The males sing frequently 
from their perch on the topmost twig of a spruce tree, and so mislead one as 
to the whereabouts of the nest. In the United States nests will be found only 
in northern New England and northern Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota, 
except in the mountains. Lynps Jonrs 
No. 61. 
YEELOWOWARBIEER: 
A. O. U. No. 652. Dendroica zstiva (Gmel.). 
Synonyms.—SUMMER YELLOW-BIRD; SUMMER WARBLER. 
Description.—Adult male: Forehead and fore-crown bright yellow with 
an orange tinge; back bright olive-green ; rump greenish yellow; wings and tail 
blackish with greenish yellow edgings, the wing “quills edged on both webs, the 
tail- -feathers—except middle pair—almost entirely yellow on inner webs; sides 
of head and entire under parts golden yellow, the breast and sides heavily streaked 
with chestnut ; bill black; feet pale. Adult female: Like male but duller; olive- 
green on back, not brighter on forehead; paler yellow below, obscurely or not at 
all streaked with chestnut. Young males resemble the adult female. Young 
female still duller; dusky yellow below. Length 4.75- : 25 (120.6-133.3); av. 
of five Columbus specimens: wing 2.51 (63.8); tail 1.68 (42.7) ; bill .40 (10.2). 
Recognition Marks.—Medium size; golden Faips Eoloration: chestnut 
streaks on breast of male; the commonest of the resident warblers. 
