592 MICIIIGAN BIRD LIFE. 
270. Cape May Warbler. Dendroica tigrina (Gmelin). (650) 
Synonyms: Motacilla tigrina, Gmelin, 1789.—Sylvia _tigrina, Vieill—Dendroica 
tigrina, Baird, 1858.—Dendreeca tigrina, Newton, 1859.—Perissoglossa tigrina, Baird, 
1865.—Sylvia maritima, Wils., 1812. 
Plate LVIII. 
The sooty-brown crown, yellow rump, and conspicuous chestnut or 
orange-brown patch on the side of the head, are sufficient to identify 
this bird in spring. In addition it has much white on the wings and in 
the tail, while the under parts are rich yellow, streaked with black. 
Distribution.—Eastern North America, north to Lake Winnipeg and 
the Hudson Bay Territory, west to the Plains. Breeds from northern 
New England northward; winters in the West Indies. 
This, one of our most beautiful warblers, has been regarded by most ob- 
servers as decidedly rare. It is, however, less uncommon than is generally 
supposed and doubtless occurs in some numbers during the migrations 
in all places where warblers are at all numerous. It arrives from the 
south from the first to the middle of May, more often later than earlier. 
Specimens were killed on Spectacle Reef Light, Lake Huron, May 11, 
1888 and May 22, 1890, while on the southward migration they struck 
the same light September 7, 1888 and September 25, 1889, and one was 
killed on Pt. Oneida Light, September 27, 1886. 
Usually the Cape May Warbler appears with the opening of the apple 
blossoms, and it seems to have a preference for blossoming trees, possibly 
because it feeds largely upon the hymenoptera and diptera which are 
attracted by the nectar. It seems at all times to prefer rather open woods, 
and we have seen it more often in the shade trees of city streets and parks 
than any other warbler which is at all rare. Usually it is very tame and 
unsuspecting, and especially in the fall, when it is fairly common, it moves 
in the most leisurely manner and often spends half an hour or more in 
the same tree. 
Its nesting habits are but imperfectly known. No instance of its nesting 
in Michigan has come to our notice, yet the northern counties of the state 
are certainly within its nesting range, and it is by no means impossible that 
it breeds there regularly. The nest is said to be placed usually in an 
evergreen tree, quite close to the ground, and to be made of twigs, grasses, 
strawberry vines and similar materials, lined with horse-hair, rootlets, etc. 
The eggs are dull white, marked with lilac and reddish brown, and 
average .70 by .52 inches. 
The single point of economic interest which we recall, in connection 
with this species, is the fact that, in company with the Tennessee Warbler 
and perhaps a few other species, it has been known to puncture ripe grapes 
and suck their juices. Were the birds numerous and the habit general 
some damage might be done, but under the circumstances no fruit-grower 
will be likely to complain. 
TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION. 
Adult male in spring: Entire top of head black or brownish-black; back olive-green, 
slightly streaked or spotted with black; rump and upper tail-coverts yellow; a yellow 
line over the eye, a black streak through the eye, a chestnut patch below and behind 
the eye; throat and upper parts generally rich yellow, thickly streaked with clear black, 
