DESCRIPTIVE LIST 281 



Island, Currituck County, on January 3, 1915. The specimen is in the American 

 Museum of Natural History, New York City. 



Ludlow Griscom writes further regarding this species: "One seen very satis- 

 factorily by J. M. Johnson and L. G., December 31, 1916, on Pamunkey Island 

 (Currituck Sound). L. G. well acquainted with this bird in several States." 



281. Vermivora peregrina (Wils.). TENNESSEE WARBLER. 



Description. Olive-green above, head more or less ashy and without crown-patch; under- 

 parts white or slightly yellowish. Known from the two preceding species by the comparatively 

 long wings and short tail. Extreme measurements of 12 specimens from Raleigh and Weaverville : 

 L., 4.65-4.85; W., 2.45-2.65; T., 1.65-1.75. 



Range. Breeds in northern North America, mainly north of the United States; migrates 

 chiefly in the Mississippi Valley, and winters in Mexico and in Central and South America. 



Range in North Carolina. A transient in fall only; so far, recorded from Wake and Buncombe 

 counties. 



The Tennessee Warbler is one of those birds which pass through our State in 

 fall on their way south from their summer homes, but appear not to visit us on 

 their return trip in spring. 



It has been taken in Wake County, near Raleigh, only four times, but in Bun- 

 combe County Cairns considered it tolerably common at that season. The dates 

 for the two counties are about the same, the earliest one being September 10 and 

 the latest October 29. 



This is about the dullest colored and most inconspicuous of the warblers. 



Genus Compsothlypis (Cab.) 



282. Compsothlypis americana americana (Linn.). PARULA WARBLER. 



Description. Clear ashy blue; back with a large golden-green patch. Underparts, except 

 belly (which is white), mostly yellow; a brown band across breast; wing-bars white. Female 

 smaller and duller than the male. Autumnal birds with the upperparts mainly olive-green, 

 and the brown bar on breast almost or quite absent. Extreme measurements of 130 Raleigh 

 specimens: L., 4.25-4.85; W., 2.15-2.50; T., 1.50-1.85. 



Range. Eastern North America in summer, breeding throughout its range, wintering in 

 southern Florida, the West Indies, Mexico, and Central America. 



Range in North Carolina. Common summer visitor throughout the State. 



The Parula Warbler, formerly called the "Blue Yellow-backed Warbler," arrives 

 in our State early in April and has been noted as late as October 27. It appears to 

 be more plentiful during the migrations, particularly in fall, when it is often the 

 most abundant of all the birds in the woods. 



The nest is frequently built in a bunch of the hanging gray lichen ( Usnea) , and 

 is made by weaving the fibers of the plant together, but little building material 

 being brought from outside. The entrance is on the side, and the nests are usually 

 in trees standing near water, as it is in such a situation that the Usnea is gener- 

 ally found growing. Occasionally the nest is built in a bunch of the hanging or 

 Spanish moss (Tillandsia usneoides), as was the case with one found under con- 

 struction on the edge of Great Lake, in Craven County, by H. H. Brimley, in late 

 May, 1908, and another found at Lake Ellis by Pearson in June, 1903. Two sets 

 of eggs were taken by Smithwick in Bertie County in late April, 1896, and mid- 



