PASSERES — SYLVICOLIDjE — SYLVICOLA. 89 



The Yellow-crowned or Yellow-rump Warbler, or Myrtle-bird, ranges from Mexico to the 

 65th degree of north latitude. It is a common species, and reaches us about the beginning 

 of May, on its way to the north, where it breeds. On its return, it leaves us in November, 

 and some are even seen as late as the early part of December. In summer, it feeds on 

 caterpillars and insects which it takes on the wing ; in the autumn and winter, on berries 

 of the Juniper, and particularly the Myrtle-wax berries [Myrica cerifera), which has 

 given rise to one of its popular names. Eggs 4-5, flesh-colored, sparsely dotted with red 

 in a ring around the larger end. Extremely common in this State. 



THE RED-POLL WARBLER. 



Sylvicola ruficapilla. 



PLATE LVIII. FIG. 133 (Adult male). 

 (STATE COLLECTION.) 

 Sylvia ruficapilla, Latham. Re>l-poll Warbler, Pennant, Arct. Zool. Vol. 2, p. 401. 

 S. petechia. Wilson, .Am. 0rn - Vol 4, p. 19, pi. 28, fig. 4 (adult). 

 S. palmarum. Bonapakte, Am. Ornith. Vol. 2, p. 12, pi. 10, fig. 2 (young). 

 S. petechia, Bonaparte, Ann. Lye. N'. Y. Vol 2, p. 83 ; and palmarum, p. 78. 



S. palmarum. Audubsn, fol. pi. 1C3 (adult); petechia, pi. 145 (young) ; Ornith. Biog. Vol. 2, pp. 259 and 350. 

 Yellow Red-poll Warbler. Nuttall, Man. Orn. Vol. 1, p. 364. 

 Sylvicola petechia. Richardson, F. B A. Vol. 2, p. 215, pi. 41. 

 S. petechia. Addobon, B. of A. Vol. 2, p 55, pi. 90 (males and young). 

 Yellow Red-pall Warbler. Giracd, Birds of Long Island, p. 59. 



Characteristics. Brownish. Crown rufous ; line over the eye, and all beneath yellow . 

 lateral tail-feathers tipped with white. Crown and streaks on the breast 

 bright bay. Female, without the rufous crown. Young, yellowish 

 grey beneath. Length, 4^ inches. 



Description. Upper mandible carinate, and distinctly notched. Second quill longest, but 

 6ubequal with the first and third. Tail emarginate, but, when expanded, somewhat rounded, 

 an inch longer than the tips of the closed wings. 



Color. Above yellowish olive. Crown dark bay. Rump yellow, tinged with green. The 

 two lateral tail-feathers with a large dash of white on the inner web, embracing the tip. Deep 

 bay streaks on the yellow breast. Over the eye, a bright yellow streak ; an obscure reddish 

 line passing through the eye. Female, without the bright rufous crown,, and the spots on the 

 breast not so distinct Young of the year : Crown spotted with bay ; the breast yellowish 

 brown, obscurely streaked with deeper brown. 



Length, 4 • 5 - 5 • 0. Alar extent, 8-0-9-0. 



There has been great confusion in relation to this species, and more extended observations 

 are still requisite to render its history complete. The specimen in the State Collection was 

 shot, September 20, in the neighborhood of New-York. Although very abundant in the 

 Southern States from November to April, it has seldom been noticed in this State, where it 

 appears to be shy and solitary. Its breeding places and periods of migration are yet unknown. 

 It has been observed from Mexico to the 55th degree of north latitude. 

 [Fauna — Part 2.] 12 



