BIRDS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 287 



Alaska, and by Mr. L. M. Turner in Labrador and Ungava. Mr. E. W. 

 Nelson, * writing- of this species, says: " It is stated that it usually builds 

 its nest in bushes, a few feet from the ground, but some Arctic nests are 

 placed directly upon the ground. This variation in habit probably ac- 

 cords with the locality, since it nests in bushes when the latter are to be 

 found." 



This species is generally seen singly or in pairs, but sometimes small 

 detached flocks are to be met with. Feeds on beetles, flies, aphides, 

 spiders and canker-worms. Has a rather sharp lisping and somewhat 

 squeaky note. " Dr. Bryant met with it in the Bahamas, in the spring 

 of 1859, where it was abundant from the 1st to the 10th of May. He 

 describes its habits as similar to those of the Mniotilta varia (Black and 

 White Warbler), climbing around the trunks of trees in search of in- 

 sects with the same facility. * * * Dr. Coues found it abundant in 

 Labrador in all well-wooded situations, and describes it as a most expert 

 flycatcher, taking insects on the wing in the same manner as the Con- 

 topus virens (Wood Pewee)." Hist. N. Am. Birds. 



Dendroica blackburnise 



Black bumian "Warbler. 



DESCRIPTION (Plate 98, male). 



Top of head with a central spot of yellow ; yellowish (sometimes whitish) and in- 

 distinct in young. Length 5 ; extent about 8^. 



Male, in spring. Outer tail-feathers, except ends, chiefly white ; white wing patch ; 

 middle of crown with a patch of orange ; rest of upper parts chiefly black ; back 

 streaked more or less with grayish, whitish and yellowish ; black area in front of 

 eye ; ear-coverts blackish ; between the black streak below the eye and the eye is a 

 bright orange spot; chin, throat, forebreast, and superciliary line, orange-red 

 brightest on throat and breast ; rest of lower parts white, more or less tinged with 

 yellow ; sides streaked with black. 



Female quite similar, but paler. Autumnal specimens are much duller and 

 have two wing bars ; the females and young especially are more brownish, olive 

 above and the streaks below are much less distinct ; the bright-colored throat and 

 breast of female is duller, and the yellow is only clearly shown on chest of young 

 male. 



Habitat. Eastern North America to the plains, breeding from the northern and 

 more elevated parts of the eastern United States northward ; in winter, south to 

 Bahamas, Central America, etc. 



The Blackburnian Warbler is a regular and tolerably plentiful spring 

 and fall migrant, arriving in Pennsylvania from the 10th to the 15th of 

 May, and departing in September. This species breeds rather sparingly 

 but regularly in the mountain regions of our state, and, occasionally, in- 

 dividuals have been observed during the summer months in the south- 

 east and also in some of the western counties. Dr. W. Van Fleet 

 informs me this bird breeds " quite plentifully in Clinton, Clearfleld and 

 Northumberland counties," and Prof. August Kock has found this bean- 



'Kept, upon Nat. Htst. Coll. made in Alaska, p. 203. 



