PASSERES-SYLVICOLIDiE-SYLVICOLA. 
89 
The Yellow-crowned or Yellow-rump Warbler, or Myrtle-bird, ranges from Mexico to the 
65th degree of north latitude. It is a common species, and reaches us about the beginning 
of May, on its way to the north, where it breeds. On its return, it leaves us in November, 
and some are even seen as late as the early part of December. In summer, it feeds on 
caterpillars and insects which it takes on the wing ; in the autumn and winter, on berries 
of the Juniper, and particularly the Myrtle-wax berries ( Myrica cerifera), which has 
given rise to one of its popular names. Eggs 4-5, flesh-colored, sparsely dotted with red 
in a ring around the larger end. Extremely common in this State. 
THE RED-POLL WARBLER. 
Sylvicola ruficapilla. 
PLATE LVIII. FIG. 133 (Adult male). 
(STATE COLLECTION.) 
‘Sylvia rujicapilla , Latham. Red-poll Warbler , Pennant, Arct. Zool. Vol. 2, p. 401. 
S. petechia. Wilson, Am. Orn. Vol. 4, p. 19, pi. 28, fig. 4 (adult). 
S. palm a rum. Bonaparte, Am. Ornith. Vol. 2, p. 12, pi. 10, fig. 2 (young). 
5. pttechia. Bonaparte, Ann. Lyc. N. Y. Vol. 2, p. 83 ; and palmarum, p. 78. 
S. palmarum. Audubon, fol. pi. 163 (adult); petechia , pi. 145 (young) ; Ornith. Biog. Vol. 2, pp. 259 and 36C. 
Yellow Red-poll Warbler. Nuttall, Man. Orn. Vol. 1, p. 364. 
Sylvicolapetechia. Richardson, F. B A. Vol. 2, p. 215, pi. 41. 
S. petechia. Audubon, B. of A. Vol. 2, p. 55, pi. 90 (males and young). 
Yclloiv Red-poll Warbler. Giraud, Birds of Long Island, p. 59. 
Characteristics. Brownish. Crown rufous; line over the eye, and all beneath yellow 
lateral tail-feathers tipped with white. Crown and streaks on the breast 
bright bay. Female, without the rufous crown. Young, yellowish 
grey beneath. Length, 4| inches. 
Description. Upper mandible carinate, and distinctly notched. Second quill longest, but 
subequal with the first and third. Tail emarginate, but, when expanded, somewhat rounded, 
an inch longer than the tips of the closed wings. 
Color. Above yellowish olive. Crown dark bay. Rump yellow, tinged with green. The 
two lateral tail-feathers with a large dash of white on the inner web, embracing the tip. Deep 
bay streaks on the yellow breast. Over the eye, a bright yellow streak ; an obscure reddish 
line passing through the eye. Female, without the bright rufous crown, and the spots on the 
breast not so distinct. Young of the year : Crown spotted with bay ; the breast yellowish 
brown, obscurely streaked with deeper brown. 
Length, 4’5-5’0. Alar extent, 8'0- 9■ 0. 
There has been great confusion in relation to this species, and more extended observations 
are still requisite to render its history complete. The specimen in the State Collection was 
shot, September 20, in the neighborhood of New-York. Although very abundant in the 
Southern States from November to April, it has seldom been noticed in this State, where it 
appears to be shy and solitary. Its breeding places and periods of migration are yet unknown 
It has been observed from Mexico to the 55th degree of north latitude. 
[Fauna — Part 2 ] 12 
