26 



30. Dendrceca cserulescens, (Ltnnf). BLACK-THROATED BLUE 

 WARBLER. An exceedingly common spring and fall migrant ; not seen 

 in summer. Arrives early in May, and remains till late in the month 

 (May 7 to 22, 1875; 9 to 23, 1876; 12 to 18, 1877; 4 to 18, 1878; 7, 

 1879); in autumn it appears early in September (11, 1876; 24, 1877; 

 23, 1878), and departs in October (5, 1874; 17, 1876). The males 

 arrive from the South before the females. The latter do not make 

 their appearance in considerable numbers for several days after. This 

 beautiful species possesses the flycatching habits of the Blackburnian 

 Warbler (D. blackburnice) , flying in short curves after insects, often 

 alighting upon the sides of trees, and equally at home upon the 

 ground or in the highest tree-top. 



On the 15th of October, 1876, we were visited by a heavy fall of 

 snow, which, at that early season, must have been as unwelcome to 

 the birds as it was unexpected by ourselves. The apple trees, loaded 

 with their beautiful fruit and dark green leaves, were bent low down 

 under a weight of snow, while the foliage on the mountains, still 

 glowing in all the beautiful tints of autumn, blended its gorgeous 

 hues with the burdening snow flakes. Several of our summer War- 

 blers were still present ; and, among them, this species and the Black- 

 throated Green ; both of these came close about the house, and 

 endeavored to enter at the windows : a common habit with the 

 Yellow-rump (D. coronata}. 



Dimensions. Average measurements of twenty-eight specimens: 

 length, 5-28; stretch, 7-96; wing, 2-52; tail, 2-06; bill from nostril, 

 29; gape, -55; tarsus, -74; middle toe, -45; its claw, '17. 



[TO BE CONTINUED.] 



