19 



YELLOW RED-POLL WARBLER. 

 SYLVIA PETECHIA. 

 [Plate XXVIIL— Fig. 4.] 



Red-headed Warbler, Turton, I, 605. — Peale's Museum, No. 7124. 



THIS delicate little bird arrives in Pennsylvania early in 

 April, while the maples are yet in blossom, among the branches 

 of which it may generally be found at that season, feeding on the 

 stamina of the flowers, and on small winged insects. Low swampy 

 thickets are its favorite places of resort. It is not numerous, and 

 its notes are undeserving the name of song. It remains with us all 

 summer; but its nest has hitherto escaped me. It leaves us late 

 in September. Some of them probably winter in Georgia, having 

 myself shot several late in February on the borders of the Savan- 

 nah river. 



Length of the Yellow Red-poll five inches, extent eight ; line 

 over the eye and whole lower parts rich yellow; breast streaked 

 with dull red; upper part of the head reddish chesnut, which it 

 loses in winter; back yellow olive, streaked with dusky; rump and 

 tail coverts greenish yellow; wings deep blackish brown, exteriorly 

 edged with olive; tail slightly forked, and of the same color as 

 the wings. 



The female wants the red cap; and the yellow of the lower 

 parts is less brilliant; the streaks of red on the breast are also 

 fewer and less distinct^ 



