BIRDS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 293 



as in the spring ; they are often seen in company with different species 

 of sparrows and also Yellow-rumped Warblers. Like others of its 

 genus this warbler feeds on small beetles, larvae, spiders, etc. 



Dendroica discolor (VnsiLL.). 



Prairie Warbler. 



DESCRIPTION. 



Length about 5 ; extent about 1\. Upper parts olive-green (some specimens 

 olive-yellow), interscapular region with patch of reddish chestnut spots. Under 

 parts, sides of head and streak from nostrils running back over and behind eye, 

 two wing-bands and under parts, yellow ; black streak in front of eye and another 

 behind it black ; sides of neck and body streaked with black ; inner webs of outer 

 tail-feathers mostly white. The female is similar but duller and reddish spots on 

 back are indistinct 



Habitat. Eastern United States to the plains ; north to Michigan and southern 

 New England. Winters in southern Florida and the West Indies. 



The Prairie Warbler is a regular and tolerably common migrant in 

 suitable localities in the eastern half of Pennsylvania. Arrives early in 

 May and departs in September. Dr. Van Fleet, of Clinton county, and 

 Prof. A. Kock, of Lycoming county, have never met with this species in 

 their localities or in fact is it reported to occur, except in rare instances, 

 in any of our higher mountainous districts. In Erie and Crawford 

 counties Mr. Sennett has found the Prairie Warbler as a rare spring and 

 autumnal visitor, and from reports received from other observers in 

 western Pennsylvania this bird is either marked as " not found " or as a 

 rare spring and fall migrant. From the fact that I have, on different 

 occasions, during the summer months, seen Prairie Warblers in high 

 grasses, tall weeds, cedar thickets and other bushy places in old fields 

 on the Barren Eidge in the southeastern part of this state, I am of the 

 opinion that it breeds regularly through not abundantly with us. Prof. 

 H. J. Eoddy has, he informs me, found this bird as a rare summer resi- 

 dent in Perry county. Food flies, small beetles, larvae, etc. 



GENUS SEIURUS* SWAINSON. 

 Seiurus aurocapillus (LINN.). 



Oven-bird ; Golden-crowned Thrush. 



DESCRIPTION (Plate 99). 



Length about 6 ; extent about 9| inches ; bill and eyes brown ; legs flesh color. 

 Above uniform olive-green with a tinge of yellow ; crown with two black lateral 



'"Gen. Char. Bill rather compressed, with a distinct notch. Gonys ascending. Rictal bristles very 

 short. Wings moderate (about three-quarters of an inch longer than the tail) ; first quill scarcely 

 shorter than the second. Tail slightly rounded, feathers acuminate. Tarsi about as long as the skull, 

 considerably exceeding the middle toe. Under tail-coverts reaching within about, half an Inch of the 

 end of the tail. Color above olivaceous, beneath whitish, thickly streaked on the breast and sides ; 

 wings and tail immaculate. Nests on the ground, often arched or sheltered by position or dry leaves. 

 Eggs white, marked with red, brown and purple. This genus is decidedly sylvicoline In general appear- 

 ance, although the spots on the breast resemble somewhat those of the thrushes" (Hist. N. Am, B. ). 



