576 MICHIGAN BIRD LIFE. 
which is a broad streak of bright yellow running from nostril over the eye, and, as a narrow 
line around it; checks washed with olive-green; throat, chest and sides of neck grayish white 
or pale gray; sides of breast and belly, and flanks bright sulphur yellow; middle of belly 
pure white; wings and tail dusky, the exposed edges glossed with olive-green, the wing with 
two conspicuous whitish or yellowish bars, and tertiaries broadly edged with the same; 
bill blackish above, horn-blue below; iris bluish-white. Young: Similar to adult, but 
duller; stripe from nostril over eye white anteriorly, yellowish only over the eye; sides and 
flanks pale buffy yellow; wing markings broader and yellower. 
Length 4.50 to 5 inches; wing 2.35 to 2.50; tail 1.90 to 2.10; culmen about .40. 
Family 63. MNIOTILTIDAs. Wood Warblers. 
Nearly forty species of Wood Warblers have been found in Michigan 
and more than thirty of them occur regularly and in some numbers. In 
spite of the family name most of the members are not conspicuous as 
singers, their voices being thin and weak or shrill and insect-like. Notable 
exceptions are the Ovenbird and Waterthrushes, while a dozen other 
species have sweet and musical songs, though commonly short and simple. 
In this family the sexes as a rule are noticeably different in plumage, 
and young birds frequently are quite unlike their parents. Add to this 
the seasonal variations and it becomes apparent that the identification 
of species is often a difficult matter. The following purely artificial key 
should prove satisfactory for all adult male specimens in spring, and for 
a smaller number of females at the same season. It is practically im- 
possible to construct an artificial key for beginners which will answer for 
immature birds. When one knows the adults fairly well he will begin 
to see resemblances in the young. 
As with other families this key is intended for use solely with specimens 
in hand. Except under extraordinary conditions it would be entirely 
useless for living birds. 
KEY TO SPECIES. 
A. Tail with white or colored patches. B, BB. 
B. Tail patches white. C, CC. 
C. Light patches or bars on the wings. D, DD. 
D. Wing bars yellow. E, EE. 
E. Throat black or slate colored, sides gray. Golden- 
winged Warbler, male and female. No. 265. 
EE. Throat pure white, sides with more or less rich 
brown. Chestnut-sided Warbler, male and female. 
No. 276. 
DD. Wing-bars white. F, FF. 
F. Birds without any yellow. G, GG. 
G. Streaked with black and white only. H, HH. 
H. Top of head clear black. Blackpoll Warbler. 
No. 278. 
HA. Top of head black with a median white 
ae Black and White Warbler. No. 
261, 
