206 



A rather rare Warbler in most sections of eastern Canada. In migra- 

 tion usually found well up in the trees. 



648. Parula Warbler. BLUE YELLOW-BACKED WARBLER. FR. LA FAUVETTE 

 D'AMERIQUE. Compsothlypis americana. L, 4-73. Above and sides of face and neck 

 blue, almost bright blue, with yellow suffusion over middle of back. Below white, throat 

 and breast clear yellow with a vaguely defined black (or bluish black), and rufous band 

 across breast. Females and juveniles are duller, without the breast-band, and with the 

 yellow more or less suffused over all upperparts but strongest in middle of back. White 

 whig-bars in all plumages. 



Distinctions. The blue back, either pure or overwashed with yellow, wing-bars, and 

 yellow breast and throat are always distinctive. 



Field Marks. See just above. 



Nesting. In hanging bunches of Usnea (old-man's-beard) or other hanging lichens. 



Distribution. Mostly eastern America. The Northern Parula occupies the northern 

 part of the specific range to the limits of present settlement; not breeding in the lower 

 Great Lakes region. 



SUBSPECIES. The Parula Warbler is divided into a northern and a southern 

 subspecies. The Canadian form, the Northern Parula C. a. usnece, is named from the 

 lichen in which it builds its nest. 



Genus Dendroica. Woodland Warblers. 



The genus Dendroica is composed of Warblers of slightly sturdier 

 build than Vermivora. The bill is longer and the culmen more decidedly 

 arched (Figure 58, p. 27). The tail, except that of the Yellow Warbler, 

 has a considerable amount of white. 



650. Gape May Warbler. FR. LA FAUVETTE DU CAP MAY. Dendroica tigrina. 

 L, 5. Male: throat, breast, and most of underparts bright yellow finely and sharply striped 

 with black on lower throat, breast, and flanks. A chestnut patch in the middle of the 

 cheek cuts sharply against the yellow. Top of head black continuing as elongated spots 

 on the yellow-green of back. The rump is yellow and the wing has a large white patch. 

 Female: olive-grey above, dirty white below warmed with yellow suffusion across breast 

 which is faintly striped with dark. Rump yellowish and white wing-patch replaced with 

 vague bars. Juvenile: similar to spring birds but less bright; male, without chestnut 

 cheeks. Females: even dull olive-grey, slightly yellow on rump; dull white slightly olive 

 below, faintly streaked with soft dark lines, and with faint washes of yellowish olive on 

 breast and flanks. 



Distinctions. Males are distinctive with then- tiger-like colours of yellow with black 

 stripings. Adult females show enough of the male's pattern to be recognizable. Juvenile 

 females are more difficult to recognize. However, all show at least an appreciable yellow- 

 ness on the inner parts of the feathers on the sides of the neck just behind the ears. This 

 slight tinge sometimes shows in life when the bird turns its head but with the bird in the 

 hand the feathers must be separated to show it. 



Field Marks. Adults and juvenile males are distinctive. Juvenile females can be 

 recognized by the peculiar fine, dun striping of breast against a slightly buffy, light olive- 

 grey ground or by the concealed yellow spot on sides of the neck as described above. 



Nesting. On low branches in small trees in pastures or woodlands in partly pensile 

 nest of twigs and grasses fastened together with spider-web and lined with horsehair. 



Distribution. Eastern America west to the prairies and north to beyond settlement. 



One of the most beautiful of the Warblers; usually regarded as rare 

 but locally growing commoner. It is a woodland tree-top species but often 

 seen in orchard and shade-trees. 



652. Yellow Warbler. SUMMER YELLOW-BIRD. FR. LA FAUVETTE JAUNE. Den- 

 droica cestiva. L, 5-10. Plate XL A. 



Distinctions. The Yellow Warbler is apt to be confused with few other species. 

 Its tail, with yellow on the inner vanes of the feathers, will distinguish it from all other 

 evenly yellow or green species. 



