THE NASHVILLE WARBLER. 127 



The Golden-winged Warbler is quite irregular in distribution, and varies 

 unaccountably from year to year. While it is always rare in most localities, 

 certain are reported where it is always to be found. The nest shown in the 

 illustration occupied a central position in the copse beyond the fence in 

 "Morgan County's Best"; and Messrs. Morris and Arrick feel that they 

 are sure of finding the species there each season. 



No. 55- 



NASHVILLE WARBLER. 



A. O. U. No. 645. Helminthophila rubricapilla (Wils.). 



Description. Adult male : Head above and on sides bluish ash, with a 

 partially concealed bright chestnut crown patch; a whitish eye-ring; remaining 

 upper parts bright olive-green ; wings and tail dusky without distinct white, but 

 with whitish edgings on inner, and olive-green edgings on outer webs ; below, 

 bright yellow, including crissum, whitening on belly ; bill small, short, acute, 

 blackish above, brownish below ; feet brown. Female : Like male but some- 

 what duller below ; ashy of head less pure, glossed with olivaceous ; chestnut 

 crown-patch less conspicuous or wanting. Immature : Olive-green without ashy 

 above ; below dull olive-yellow, clearing on belly and crissum. Length 4.25-5.00 

 (io8.-i27.); wing 2.34 (59.4); tail 1.66 (42.2); bill .38 (9.7). 



Recognition Marks. Smaller; yellow under parts usually clearer and 

 brighter than in H. celata, and more extensive than in any other species unmarked 

 below. Head contrasting more or less with back, as further distinguished irom 

 succeeding species. 



Nesting. Not known to breed in Ohio. Nest, on the ground in second 

 growth thickets and brushy pastures, of bark-strips, leaves, moss, etc., lined with 

 fine grasses and rootlets. Eggs, 4 or 5, white or creamy-white, thickly speckled, 

 chiefly about larger end, with rufous-brown or lilac. Av. size, .64 x .46 (16.3 x 

 11.7)". 



General Range. Eastern United States to the Plains, north to the Fur 

 Countries, breeding from the northern United States northward. Mexico and 

 Guatemala in winter. 



Range in Ohio. Common migrant throughout the state. 



ALTHO rightly accounted common during the migrations, this trim 

 little Warbler is by no means obtrusive and may easily pass unnoticed except 

 by the closest observers. It is a rather leisurely traveler, spending with us 

 about two weeks in spring and requiring twice as much time to pass in fall. 

 In spring it shows preference for young, second-growth timber and moist 

 brush-lots, but is not uncommon in the tree-tops, especially on the border 

 of the woods. On the autumn passage they are lured by the abundance of 



