PASSERES MI?IOTILTID^. 183 



them will probably not be able to distinguish between them 

 in life. A good pair of field glasses, such as the 8-power 

 prism glasses, usually makes their identification possible 

 at a range of twenty-five yards. But under any circum- 

 stances close scrutiny is necessary to detect the tint of cream- 

 buff on the underparts of the Bay-breast and the distinctly 

 yellow tint of the same parts of Black-poll. Both species 

 are wood birds, but they also feed in wooded parks within 

 the city limits, at times. In their southward migrations 

 they are partial to the hillsides bordering streams where 

 the trees are not so tall. 



The Black-poll does not reach Oberlin until after May 

 10, and remains but a week or ten days. It returns during 

 the last half of August and does not leave our southern bor- 

 der before the 10th of October. 



255. (662.) Dendroica blackburni^ (Gmel.). 47. 

 Blackburnian Warbler. 



Synonyms: Dendroeca blackburnige, Sylvia blackburnise, Sylvi- 

 cola blackburnise^ Motacilla blackburniffi. 

 Hemlock Warbler, Orange-throated Warbler. 

 Kirtland, Ohio Geol. Surv., 1838, 163, 181. 



Dr. Wheaton regarded this beautiful warbler as an 

 abundant migrant. It appears to have decreased in numbers 

 until it is only common in most parts of the state, and un- 

 common in others. At Oberlin it is usually common during 

 both migration periods. It is a bird of the tree-tops, sel- 

 dom descending below the middle story of the woods, unless 

 the weather be inclement. It is one of the few birds which 

 attract the attention of the casual passer whose eyes are 

 ever raised above the ground. Its brilliant orange throat 

 gleams like a sunbeam amid the foliage. 



This winged Prometheus comes with the opening buds 

 near May-day, usually after rather than before, and remains 

 until the foliage hides him. During the first two weeks only 

 males in brilliant dress may be found, but during the last 

 week these have made way for the host of plainer colored 

 females. The last are seen about May 22. The return 



