278 journal and proceedings 



Subgenus DENDROICA Gray. 



256. DENDROICA ESTIVA (Gmel.). ().52. 



Yellow^ Warbler. 



Golden-yellow ; back olive-yellow, frequently with obsolete brownish 

 streaks ; breast and sides streaked with orange-brown, which sometimes 

 tinges the crown ; wings and tail dusky, the latter marked with yellow 

 blotches ; bill dark blue. Female and young paler ; less or not streaked 

 below. Length, 5J ; wing, 2f ; tail, 2J. 



Hab. North America at large, south in winter to Central America and 

 Northern South America. 



Nest, placed in the crotch of a small tree or bush ; composed of a variety 

 of soft, elastic materials, including wool, hair, moss, bark fibre and plant 

 down, closely felted together. 



Eggs, 4 to 5 ; grayish-white, spotted and blotched with different shades 

 of reddish-brown. 



This is, perhaps, the best known of all the Warbler family, 

 its nest being more frequently found in a lilac bush in the gar- 

 den than in any more retired situation. About the loth of May 

 it arrives from the south, and soon makes its presence known 

 by its sprightly notes, the males being in full song at the time 

 of their arrival. 



It spends much of its time picking small caterpillars off the 

 foliage of the willows, and is a general favorite on account of its 

 sociable disposition and confiding manners. Unfortunately for 

 its domestic comfort, it is often reluctantly compelled to become 

 the foster parent of a young Cowbird, but it does not always 

 accept the situation. After the obnoxious egghas been deposited, 

 it has been known to raise the sides of the nest an inch higher, 

 build a second bottom over the top of the egg, and raise its 

 own brood above, leaving the Cowbird egg to rot in the 

 basement. 



257. DENDROICA C^RULESCENS (Gmel.). 654. 



Black-throated Blue Warbler. 



Male, in spring, above uniform slaty-blue, the perfect continuity of which is 

 only interrupted, in very high plumages, by a few black dorsal streaks ; below 

 pure white ; the sides of the head to above the eyes, the chin, throat and whole 



