648. Compsothlypis americana usneae 

 NORTHERN PARULA WARBLER. 4 1-2 inches 

 Male. Above gray-blue ; yellowish patch on back ; wing bars and tail 

 spots white. Below, throat and breast yellow, with dark band 

 across breast ; belly white. Female. Similar, colors duller, often 

 without dark band on breast. 



Also called Blue Yellow-backed. It frequents the tops of the trees, 

 but during migrations is often found in orchards and park shrubbery. 

 Arrives in Massachusetts about May 12. 



Song. Starts with a buzz and ends in a husky warble like p-r-i-t 

 with a strong accent. 



Nest. Suspended from a branch in orchards or on edges of woods, 

 made of usnea moss. 

 Breeds. In New England in localities where there is usnea moss. 



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