BIRDS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
287 
Alaska, and by Mr. L. M. Turner in Labrador and Ungava, Mr. E. W. 
Nelson, * writing- of this species, say s : “ It is stated that it usually builds 
its nest in bushes, a few feet from the ground, but some Arctic nests are 
placed directly upon the ground. This variation in habit probably ac- 
cords with the locality, since it nests in bushes when the latter are to be 
found.” 
This species is generally seen singly or in pairs, but sometimes small 
detached flocks are to be met with. Feeds on beetles, flies, aphides, 
spiders and canker-worms. Has a rather sharp lisping and somewhat 
squeaky note. “ Dr. Bryant met with it in the Bahamas, in the spring 
of 1859, where it was abundant from the 1st to the 10th of May. He 
describes its habits as similar to those of the Mniotilta varia (Black and 
White Warbler), climbing around the trunks of trees in search of in- 
sects with the same facility. * * * Dr. Cones found it abundant in 
Labrador in all well-wooded situations, and describes it as a most expert 
flycatcher, taking insects on the wing in the same manner as the Gon- 
topus Virens (Wood Pewee).” — Hist. N Am. Birds. 
Dendroica blackburnise (Gmel.). 
Blackburnian Warbler. 
Description {Plate 98^ male). 
Top of head with a central spot of yellow ; yellowish (sometimes whitish) and in- 
distinct in young. Length 5| ; extent about 8§. 
Male, in spring. — Outer tail-feathers, except ends, chiefly white ; white wing patch ; 
middle of crown with a patch of orange ; rest of upper parts chiefly black ; back 
streaked more or less with grayish, whitish and yellowish ; black area in front of 
eye ; ear-coverts blackish ; between the black streak below the eye and the eye is a 
bright orange spot; chin, throat, forebreast, and superciliary line, orange-red 
brightest on throat and breast ; rest of lower parts white, more or less tinged with 
yellow ; sides streaked with black. 
Female quite similar, but paler. Autumnal specimens are much duller and 
have two wing bars ; the females and young especially are more brownish, olive 
above and the streaks below are much less distinct ; the bright-colored throat and 
breast of female is duller, and the yellow is only clearly shown on chest of young 
male. 
Habitat. — Eastern North America to the plains, breeding from the northern and 
more elevated parts of the eastern United States northward ; in winter, south to 
Bahamas, Central America, etc. 
The Blackburnian Warbler is a regular and tolerably plentiful spring 
and fall migrant, arriving in Pennsylvania from the 10th to the 15th of 
May, and departing in September. This species breeds rather sparingly 
but regularly in the mountain regions of our state, and, occasionally, in- 
dividuals have been observed during the summer months in the south- 
east and also in some of the western counties. Dr. W. Yan Fleet 
informs me this bird breeds “ quite plentifully in Clinton, Clearfield and 
Northumberland counties,” and Prof. August Kock has found this beau- 
*Rept. upon Nat. Hist. Coll, made in Alaska, p. 203. 
