PASSERES—M NIOTILTIDA. 183 
them will probably not be able to distinguish between them 
in life. A good pair of field glasses, such as the 8-power 
prism glasses, usually makes their identification possible 
at a range of twenty-five yards. But under any circum- 
stances close scrutiny is necessary to detect the tint of cream- 
buff on the underparts of the Bay-breast and the distinctly 
yellow tint of the same parts of Black-poll. Both species 
are wood birds, but they also feed in wooded parks within 
the city limits, at times. !n their southward migrations 
they are partial to the hillsides bordering streams where 
the trees are not so tall. 
_ The Black-poll does not reach Oberlin until after May 
10, and remains but a week or ten days. It returns during 
the last half of August and does not leave our southern bor- 
der before the 10th of October. 
~ 
255. (662.) DENDROICA BLACKBURNIZ (Gmel.). 47. 
5 Blackburnian Warbler. 
Synonyms: Dendreca blackburnie, Sylvia blackburniz, Sylvi- 
cola blackburnie, Motacilla blackburnie. 
Hemlock Warbler, Orange-throated Warbler. 
Kirtland, Ohio Geol. Surv., 18388, 163, 181. 
Dr. Wheaton regarded this beautiful warbler as an 
abundant migrant. It appears to have decreased in numbers 
until it is only common in most parts of the state, and un- 
common in others. At Oberlin it is usually common during 
both migration periods. It is a bird of the tree-tops, sel- 
dom descending below the middle story of the woods, unless 
the weather be inclement. It is one of the few birds which 
attract the attention of the casual passer whose eyes are 
ever raised above the ground. Its brilliant orange throat 
gleams like a sunbeam amid the foliage. 
This winged Prometheus comes with the opening buds 
near May-day, usually after rather than before, and remains 
until the foliage hides him. During the first two weeks only 
males in brilliant dress may be found, but during the last 
week these have made way for the host of plainer colored 
females. The last are seen about May 22. The return 
