288 BIRDS OF NORTH CAROLINA 



The Magnolia Warbler is quite a rare spring migrant in the central part of the 

 State, having been observed in spring at Raleigh only four times, these all being 

 between May 10 and 15. In fall it is more often seen and has been taken at differ- 

 ent times between September 11 and October 20. 



In the mountain regions it has been noted somewhat more commonly in spring, 

 the dates ranging from April 30 (1905), at Andrews, to May 19 (1899), at Ashe- 

 ville, while the latest fall date is October 15 (1902), at Andrews. 



Cairns says that the young are common in July. Davis in a migration schedule 

 from Asheville, for 1899, states that a nest and eggs had been taken by Cairns and 

 were then in the collection of Dr. Samuel B. Ladd, of West Chester, Pennsylvania. 



When flitting about in the woods this bird frequently spreads the tail and exhib- 

 its the conspicuous white bar across it, which is hidden by the unmarked middle 

 pair of feathers when the tail is closed. 



FIG. 230. MAGNOLIA WARBLER. 



The nests are usually built on horizontal twigs of fir or spruce trees at a height 

 of from four to six feet, but sometimes very much higher, and the situations chosen 

 are often along roads or other openings in the forest. The nest is loosely con- 

 structed of fine twigs, coarse grasses, and weed stems, lined with fine black roots. 

 The eggs are most frequently creamy white in color, spotted and blotched with 

 various shades of brown, the markings often forming a wreath round the larger 

 end. Size .63 x .48. 



290. Dendroica cerulea (Wils.). CERULEAN WARBLER. 



Description. Bright blue, with black streaks above; underparts white, a bluish-black band 

 across breast. Female not streaked, greenish above, slightly yellowish below. The species can 

 be known in all plumages by its having white spots near the end of nearly all the tail-feathers. 

 Extreme measurements of 3 Raleigh specimens: L., 4.34-5.00; W., 2.45-2.50; T., 1.60-1.85. 



Range. Eastern United States, mainly west of the Alleghanies, breeding most abundantly 

 in the Ohio Valley. Winters in South America. 



Range in North Carolina. Known as a migrant in the mountains and at Raleigh. Has been 

 found to breed near Morganton. 



Cairns recorded this species as a rare transient in Buncombe County, and three 

 females have been taken at Raleigh by H. H. Brimley, the dates being May 8, 

 1893; August 29, 1889; and September 16, 1887. 



The most interesting record, however, is that of Wayne, who saw an adult male 

 in company with a young bird just able to fly, near Morganton, on May 28, 1909, 

 thus conclusively proving that this dainty little warbler breeds in our State. (See 

 Auk, Jan., 1910, pp. 84-5.) 



