150 



BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER. 



662. Dendroica blackburniae. S% inches. 



Male, black above with large white patch on wing, 

 and bases of outer tail feathers white; throat and 

 breast intense orange; female, duller and with the 

 orange replaced by dull yellow. 



Without exception, this is the most exquisite of the 

 whole family; it is the most eagerly sought bird by 

 bird lovers, in the spring. Some years they are very 

 abundant, while others few are seen, their routes of 

 migration evidently varying. They arrive about the 

 time that apple trees are in bloom, and are frequently 

 seen among the blossoms, dashing after insects. 



Song. A high pitched lisping zwe-zwe-zwe-see-ee-ee r 

 ending in a thin, wiry tone, almost a hiss; it is very 

 distinct from the song of any other bird. 



Nest. In coniferous trees at any height from the 

 ground; of shreds of bark, fine cedar twigs, rootlets, 

 etc.; eggs greenish white blotched with brown. 



Range. Eastern N. A., breeding from Massachu- 

 setts (rarely) and Minnesota northward; winters ID 

 Central America. 



