282 BIRDS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 



from Middle States (rarely seen in Pennsylvania) and the Ohio valley southward 

 to the West Indies and Central America. 



The Myrtle Warbler, also called Yellow-rump and Yellow-crown, is the 

 most abundant of all the family occurring 1 in this state. It is one of the 

 first to arrive from the south ; small flocks being often observed in the 

 southern parts of Pennsylvania early in April. During- mild winters 

 doubtless a few of these warblers remain along- our southern borders. I 

 have several times seen individuals of this species in company with 

 sparrows, in different parts of Maryland, Delaware and West Virginia 

 in whiter when snow was on the ground. My friend, Eobert Eidg-way, 

 writing- of the Mrytle Warbler in southern Illinois,* says: "It may often 

 be seen in midwinter, when the ground is covered with snow, in the 

 door-yards along with Snow-birds (Junco hyemalis), Tree Sparrows and 

 other familiar species, gleaning bread crumbs from the door-steps, or 

 hunting for spiders or other insect tid-bits in the nooks of the garden 

 fence or the crevices in the bark of trees ; and at evening, flying in con- 

 siderable companies, to the sheltering branches of the thickest tree tops 

 (preferably evergreens), where they pass the night. Not unfrequently, 

 however, they roost in odd nooks and crannies about the buildings or even 

 in holes in the straw or hay-stacks in the barn-yard. A favorite food of 

 this species are berries of the Poison-vine (Elms toxicodendrori), and 

 during^ the early part of winter large numbers of them may be seen 

 wherever vines of this species are abundant." 



Although I have never found the nest of the Yellow-rump in this state, 

 I believe that future research will show that it breeds regularly, but 

 sparingly, in some of our secluded and higher mountainous districts. I 

 have seen on different occasions, as noted on a previous page, birds of 

 this species in the summer months ; and have also observed single birds 

 or small detached flocks late in August and early in September, in Chester, 

 York and Juniata counties, whence they doubtless had come from some 

 comparatively near breeding place. The food of tho Myrtle Warbler, in 

 spring, is composed mainly of insects, especially beetles, spiders, flies, 

 aphides, etc., and in the late fall and winter, in addition to numerous 

 kinds of insects, this bird often eats various kinds of berries. I have 

 found in their stomachs remains of wild grapes, cedar berries and seeds 

 of other berries. In Florida I have seen Myrtle Warblers feeding on 

 Palmetto berries. 



Dendroica auduboni (TOWNS.). 



Audubon's Warbler. 



DESCRIPTION. 



Similar to D. coronata, from which it differs chiefly in having throat yellow ; no 

 white superciliary line ; sides of head lead color ; male has large white wing patch ; 

 female two white wing-bands. 



Nat. Hist. Survey of 111., Vol. 1, Orn. . p. 141. 



