I4 o THE MYRTLE WARBLER. 



spot on the edge of the wing is not very conspicuous in the female, but once 

 found it settles all dispute, however much imagination may rebel. 



The Black-throated Blue Warbler is rather deliberate in movement, quiet 

 and genteel. It is not very difficult to approach it, and a prudent observer 

 may sometimes attain inspection at arm's length. In such cases, however, 

 it is the bird that makes the advances. The surest opportunity comes when 

 the bird has been seen in a front yard evergreen. Then the observer may 

 approach quietly, while the bird, trusting to the density of the foliage, pursues 

 intently his entomological researches, or even publishes his prosy song. Dzwee, 

 dzivee, dziueedt comes in a matter of fact voice, or with a curious upward turn, 

 from the depths of the foliage. The sounds are consonantal, hard, and deep, 

 but not out of keeping with the bird's demure ways. On rarer occasions a 

 sprightly and much more musical ditty is heard, Cheiv, we-o, we-o, we-o, 

 we-o, wich, i-wich, wvich. 



This Warbler is common in spring but is even more noticeable in autumn, 

 since it is one of the few species which do not don plainer garments. Its fall 

 movement is leisurely and it finds a congenial companion in the dropping leaf. 



No. 63. 



MYRTLE WARBLER. 



A. O. U. No. 655. Dendroica coronata (Linn.). 



Synonym. YELLOW-RUM FED WARBLER. 



Description. Adult male in spring: Above slaty blue with black streaks, 

 smaller on sides of crown and nape, broader on back ; below white, with black on 

 upper breast, sides of middle breast, and sides in endless variety of patterns ; a 

 large patch on each side of breast, a partially concealed patch in center of crown, 

 and rump, bright yellow (lemon or canary) ; superciliary line white; a deep black 

 patch on side of head; wings fuscous; tail darker; middle and greater coverts 

 narrowly tipped with white, forming two rather conspicuous bars; three outer 

 pairs of tail-feathers with white blotches on inner webs, decreasing centrally ; bill 

 black ; feet dark. Female in spring, and both sexes in fall : Duller ; the blue of 

 tipper parts overlaid with brownish ; a brownish wash on sides of breast and flanks ; 

 black of breast obscure, restricted to centers of feathers ; yellow of breast-spots 

 pale or wanting-. Immature: Brownish above; whitish below with a few ob- 

 scure dusky streaks. Length 5.25-5.75 (133.3-146.1); av. of five Columbus 

 males: wing 2.98 (75.7) : tail 2.22 (56.4) ; bill .38 (9.7). 



