BIRDS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 289 



Dendroica virens (GMEL.) 



Black-throated Green Warbler. 



DESCRIPTION (Plate 97, male). 



Length about 5 ; extent about 8. 



Male, in spring. Top of head, neck behind, scapulars back and rump bright 

 yellowish olive-green ; wings and tail dusky ; wings have two white bars and con- 

 siderable white edging, and the outer tail feathers are principally white. In some 

 specimens the back has a few concealed blackish streaks ; a dusky streak from maxilla 

 back through eye and auriculars, and another one below it. Forehead, superciliary 

 stripes- (the latter extending to nape), sides of head and neck rich yellow j chin, 

 throat and upper breast jet black, which is continued along sides in streaks; rest of 

 under parts yellowish-white. Bill and legs blackish, paler in young and autumnal 

 specimens. 



Female. Similar to male but duller and the jet black of chin, throat and breast is 

 absent, or at least largely hidden by yellowish and whitish ends of feathers ; but 

 black always is more or less evident on forebreast. 



Young. In fall resembles greatly the female. 



Habitat. Eastern North America to the plains, north to Hudson's Bay territory, 

 breeding from the 'northern United States northward. In winter, south to Cuba and 

 Panama. 



The Black-throated Green Warbler is a common and familiar visitor oc- 

 curring- generally throughout the state when migrating, and as a summer 

 resident it is frequently met with in the wooded regions of our higher 

 mountain ranges. Although this warbler often visits orchard and other 

 trees about the habitations of man, it is to be found most abundantly 

 during migrations in woodland. It frequents the tops of the forest 

 monarchs, as well as the lower limbs of trees and bushes. Although 

 these sprightly and showily-attired birds may be observed in any or all 

 kinds of trees in the woods, I have noticed that where hickory and oak 

 trees are growing, there you will generally find the present species most 

 numerous. Prof. August Kock informs me that this bird breeds regular 

 in Lycoming county, in the neighborhood of Williamsport. Dr. Van 

 Fleet says it breeds rather plentifully in Clinton, Clearfield and North- 

 umberland counties. Prof. H. J. Roddy, of Millersville, has captured 

 specimens at Bush mountain, Centre county, late in July, so young as to 

 warrant him in believing that they hatched in that immediate vicinity. 

 Mr. Sennett tells me this bird breeds in Crawford county, and I am quite 

 certain that it is a native in all our northern tier of counties, as well as 

 in many of the counties to the southward. Food consists largely of 

 aphides, spiders, beetles, flies, larvae, etc. Arrives in southern Pennsyl- 

 vania usually about the last week in April, and occasionally straggling 

 individuals are found along our southern borders as late as the middle of 

 October. 



19 BIRDS. 



