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The Singing of Birds. B.P.BiokneU. 



Compsothlypis americana (Z.) Ca<5.* Blue Yellow- 

 backed Warbler. 



A constant songster on its spring migration, but ordinarily 

 silent in tlie fall, unless individuals sometimes cause exceptions 

 to the rule. I feel quite positive of having heard a faint song 

 on September i8, 1881, from one of a small party of these 

 birds ; but it was not repeated, and I could not verify my convic- 

 tion. A little farther north, however, the species does sing on 

 its return migration ; for I am told by Dr. E. A. Mearns that, 

 near West Point, he has sometimes found it in full song in the 

 autumn. 



The Blue Yellow-backed Warbler has two different songs. In 

 one the notes coalesce into a fine insect-like trill ; in the other 

 four similar notes are followed by four others, weaker and 

 more quickly given. 



This species arrives in the fall in full plumage, and somewhat 

 fat. The color of its fat is a very pale sulphury, in contrast to 

 that of other species, as the Nashville Warbler or the Redstart, 

 in which the fat is more opaque and of an orange or reddish 



color. ^ Stejneger, Auk, Vol. I, pp. 169. 170. I Auk, I, JUly, 1884. P. ^/jj . 



CalJkmftzoo Oounty , Mic"h:. 

 Dr. Morris Qibba. 



'■idn amencriii/i (Linn.) Bp. Blue 

 Warbler. — xVrrives from April 23 

 have never taken a specimen in 

 3unty and do not think that the 

 s to breed. It may prove to be a 

 resident, as it is not rare during 



h-ed miles north. The song of the 



Yellow-back is very pleasing although simple. 

 The division of the note is something like this, 



with our imagination stretched to the compre- 

 hension of supposed sounds Zuee zues suee dee dee 

 dee. The song is frequently uttered, both from 

 the tops of the tallest trees and the low bushes, 

 the bird seemingly having no preference as to 

 cither elevated or a nearer terrestrial mode of 

 travel. In its late Summer and Pall migration the 

 species is not so tuneful, and the little fellows can 

 only be detected l)y their faint chirping calls, or by 

 watcliing them as Ibey flit silentlyfrom tree to tree. 



O.&O. S.M»r.l8S5.p. 



M~'7 



