BIRDS OF INDIANA. 1047 



cease singing and disappear in July, sometimes a few remain until early 

 September. In 1894 the last were noted at Plymouth, Mich., and 

 Greensburg, Ind., the same day, September 3. 



It is very valuable in destroying the insects infesting the trees, 

 shrubbery and gardens on our farms and about our homes. Among 

 other forms, they are known to eat larvaB, beetles, wild bees, moths, 

 flies, bugs, spiders and myriapods. Those taken in Prof. Forbes' well- 

 known orchard infested with canker-worms were found to have made 

 sixty-six per cent, of their food of these worms. Dr. A. K. Fisher 

 also says they feed extensively upon the larvae of elm beetles. 



266. (654). Dendroica cserulescens (LINN.). 



Black-throated Blue Warbler. 



Adult Male. Above, uniform dull, dark blue, sometimes with a 

 few black streaks on the back; below, pure white; the sides of the 

 head to above the eyes, a narrow strip across the forehead, chin, 

 throat and sides of body, black; a white spot at base of the primaries; 

 wings and tail, more or less edged with grayish-blue, the latter with 

 a white patch on the inner web of each tail feather, except the middle 

 pair. Adult Female. Entirely different; above, dull olive-green, 

 more or less shaded with blue; below, whitish or buffy, tinged with 

 yellow; sides of head, dusky olive; the eyelids and a more or less dis- 

 tinct stripe over the eye, whitish; recognized by the -white patch at 

 base of primaries, which is, however, smaller than in male; spots 

 on tail feathers also smaller or wanting. 



Length, 4.70-5.50; wing, 2.50-2.45; tail, 2,05-2.25. 



RANGE. Eastern North America, from Guatemala and West Indies 

 to Labrador. Breeds from Connecticut, New York, southern Ontario 

 ;md Minnesota, north. Winters from southern Florida, south. 



Nest, of strips of bark, grass and rotten wood, held together and 

 ]ii>erl with rootlets and bark; in upright fork of bush or sapling, 6 

 inches to 2 feet off ground. Eggs, 3-5; white or pinkish- white, marked 

 with lilac and brown, most thickly at larger end; .69 by .52. 



Although in some localities in the State this is considered a rare 

 specie?, yet that, I am confident, is because of the year when the 

 observations were made. In southwestern Indiana and in other local- 

 ities where records have been kept for a series of years, the Black- 

 throated Blue Warbler is generally a common migrant, though some 

 years it is rare, and others, apparently, wanting. Still, however, birds 

 have their preferences, and there are doubtless localities where it is 

 not often found. 



