I54 THE BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER. 



No. 69. 



BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER. 



A. O. U. No. 662. Dendroica blackburniae (Gmel). 



Synonyms. PROMETHEAN WARBLER; PROMETHEUS. 



Description. Adult male : Chin, throat, and fore-breast flaming orange 

 (Cadmium yellow) ; on the rest of head and neck paler cadmium, showing through 

 the black in spots, viz. a small patch on crown, a narrow median line on forehead, 

 a superciliary line broadening on lores and behind, an infra-orbital spot, and a 

 patch on side of neck; remaining upper parts black variegated with white or 

 creamy white; wings and tail dusky; large white wing-patches formed by tips 

 of middle, and outer webs and tips of greater coverts, but indented by dusky 

 webs of outermost feathers ; white blotches on inner webs . of tail-feathers, ex- 

 tensive on two outer pairs, narrow on remainder except central pair; remaining 

 under parts sordid white or yellowish, with black streaks on sides of breast and 

 sides. Adult female : Similar to male but paler ; dull olive-gray streaked with 

 dusky on back ; throat Indian yellow ; remaining yellow faded to maize color. 

 Immature: Like female but browner; narrow white wing-bars and dusky- 

 striped interscapular region diagnostic; yellow paler, almost wanting on breast. 

 Length about 5.25 (133.3) ; av. of four Columbus specimens: wing 2.60 (66.) ; 

 tail 1.71 (43-4); bill .38 (9.7). 



Recognition Marks. Medium size ; orange-yellow of throat is distinctive 

 even when faded. 



Nesting. Not known to breed in Ohio. Nest, a compact mass of bark- 

 strips, spruce-twigs, grasses and plant-down, lined with hair, fur, or feathers; 

 placed well up in coniferous trees. Eggs, 4, greenish- or bluish-white, speckled 

 and spotted in usual warbler fashion. Av. size, .69 x .49 (17.5 x 12.5). 



General Range. Eastern North America west to eastern Kansas and Mani- 

 toba, breeding from the southern Alleghanies, Massachusetts and Michigan north 

 to Labrador. In winter south to the Bahamas, eastern Mexico, Central America 

 and western South America. 



Range in Ohio. Abundant spring and fall migrant. 



IT is not difficult to follow the injunction of the birds : Love me, love 

 my woods. One simply cannot help it if they are as charming, and varied, 

 and productive as is the group of adjoining tracts near Oberlin, known col- 

 lectively as the South Woods, and now called affectionately by the nature- 

 lovers the "Old" South Woods. Nor is the reverent adjective misplaced, 

 for the three kingly oaks which mark the bend of Warbler corner (appearing on 

 P a g e 155 an d again on page 156) are full four hundred years old, as measured 

 by the rings of a brother hard by, recently slain in the full vigor of sap. No 

 guns are allowed in the forest ; would that as much could be said of axes ! 

 Berrying is forbidden upon pain of expulsion, and save for a few wandering 



