282 



June, 1897, both from nests hidden in bunches of Usnea at heights of five and ten 

 feet respectively. Both nests were lined with feathers and hair. A nest was taken 

 by McLaughlin in Iredell County on May 11, 1887, and Cairns reported the species 

 breeding in Buncombe County in May and June, the nests averaging about twenty- 

 five feet from the ground. 



FIG. 227. PARULA WARBLER. 



The eggs number three to five, pure white, and are speckled around the larger 

 end with reddish brown and lilac. Size .65 x .48. 



This species is one of the smallest and most dainty of our warblers, and in sum- 

 mer is a familiar feature of our damp lowland woods. In August and September 

 it is to be seen migrating in great numbers in upland woods. 



283. Compsothlypis americana usnese (Brewst.). NORTHERN PARULA 

 WARBLER. 



Description. Similar to preceding, the chest darker and more conspicuously marked; the bill 

 averaging somewhat shorter. 



Range. This is the Northern and Mississippi Valley form of the species. 

 Range in North Carolina. So far, only known from Raleigh, as a spring migrant. 



Years ago C. S. Brimley took a single spring specimen of this form of the Parula 

 Warbler at Raleigh. The heavy markings on the breast were very pronounced. 



Genus Dendroica (Gray) 



This, the largest and most important genus of the warblers, contains nineteen 

 species and subspecies that are found in the eastern United States. All but one 

 of these are known to occur in North Carolina. 



KEY TO SPECIES 



1. Tail-feathers edged with yellow; plumage chiefly yellow. Yellow Warbler. 



1. Tail-feathers, at least the outer ones, blotched with white. See 2. 



2. A white blotch on the primaries at their bases; no wing-bars. See 3. 



2. No white blotch on the primaries. See 4. 



3. Male with considerable black on upperparts. Cairn's Warbler. 



3. Male with little or no black on upperparts. Black-throated Blue Warbler. 



4. Wing-bars not white. See 5. 



