BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER. 201 
dotted and spotted with different shades of brown and lilac, chiefly about the larger 
end. This Warbler is one of our birds most persistently victimized by the ‘reprobate 
tramp of a Molothrus (Cowbird), and one which sometimes displays great ingenuity in 
avoiding the disagreeable task of incubating the alien egg, by adding a second story to 
its nest, thus leaving the hateful object in the basement below, out of the hatching way 
forever.” (Stearns.) 
The young are fed with minute inseéts, such as infest our orchard and orna- 
mental trees and shrubs. The food of the old birds also consists of inse¢ts, especially 
small caterpillars, canker-worms, moths, small beetles, etc. Like all our small birds, 
they are of invaluable benefit to man. 
Early in September, before the first storms of autumn sweep over the Northern 
States, they depart for the South. In Texas they leave late in September and early in 
October. They spend the winter in south-eastern Mexico, Central America, and northern 
South America. 
The Yellow Warbler west of the Rocky Mountains is said to be paler, with 
chestnut streaks on breast and sides averaging much narrower and paler. This form 
is now called the WESTERN YELLOW WARBLER, Dendroica xstiva morcomi COALE. 
NAMES: YELLOW WarsBLeER, Summer Yellow-bird, Summer Warbler, Yellow-poll Warbler, Golden Warbler, 
“Wild Canary.’’—Gartensanger (German). 
SCIENTIFIC NAMES: Motacilla estiva Gmel. (1788). Sylvia estiva Lath. DENDROICA AESTIVA Baro 
(1858). Sylvia citrinella Wils. (1810). Sylvia childreni Aud. (1831). S. rathboni Aud. (1831). 
DESCRIPTION: Adult male: Entire lower parts and head, pure rich gamboge-yellow; breast and sides, 
boldly striped with rich chestnut or orange-brown; wings and tail, dusky, every feather edged with 
‘yellow; upper parts, olive-green, sometimes streaked dusky; bill, dark horn-blue; feet, brownish. . 
Female: Paler yellow, the chestnut-rufous stripes dull, few, or wanting entirely. 
Length, 5.25 inches; wing, 2.66; tail, 2.25 inches. 
BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER. 
Dendroica czerulescens BAIRD. 
PLaTe XIV. Fic. 2. 
ZAlssHE WARBLERS are the most attractive and lovely of all our birds. Their 
4q a delicate forms and brilliant plumage, their spritely and showy bearing, their 
interesting migration when the trees are flowering and the air is filled with fragrance, 
their pretty and often exquisitely artificial nests and the rarity of many, contribute to 
make them the special favorites of the ornithologist. They all are small and very active, 
but their song is often feeble, and, to be seen, they must be sought for. Most persons 
are not acquainted with them, a fa¢ét which was clearly shown in the spring of 1888. 
The season alluded to was extremely cold, rainy weather prevailed throughout the 
month of May. Hundreds and thousands of delicate migrants, mostly Warblers in full 
spring dress, were killed by the cold weather and many hundreds came to the windows 
even in Chicago and Milwatikee, to seek protection from the cold and rain. The daily 
26 
