Kentucky Warbler in Massachusetts. — On June 22, 1913, while 
walking in the Arnold Arboretum, at Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts, the 
writer heard the call note of a warbler followed almost immediately by a 
song very much different from that of the regular local members of the 
family. The bird was finally placed in a low moist spot which was covered 
with rather a heavy growth of high bushes near some oak trees and a spring. 
I was very much surprised when it proved to be a finely plumaged male 
Kentucky Warbler (Oporornis formosus). The bright yellow underparts 
and the black stripe running down the side of the throat were quite conspic- 
uous. The black crown was not so plain, although the yellow about the 
eye was easily seen. There was not any white evident in the plumage. 
The warbler was observed from about 12.30 to 1.15 e. m. and was in song 
most all of the time. The notes seemed to the writer to be rather like 
two of those of the Ruby-crowned Kinglet ( Regulus calendula calendula), 
also recalled the Carolina Wren (Thryolhorus ludovicianus ludovicianus). 
The song was a loud clear whistle of three or four double notes. While 
under observation the bird did not at any time perch above twenty feet 
from the ground nor did it fly over a rod from the place where it was first 
seen. Once I approached to within six feet of it. 
Supposing at the time that this was the first record of an Oporornis 
formosus for Massachusetts and desiring corroboration I telephoned to Mr. 
Richard M. Marble of Brookline, who, with Mr. Joseph Kittredge, Jr., 
also of Brookline, met me in the Arboretum, that same afternoon. The 
bird was soon found and both Mr. Marble and Mr. Kittredge identified 
it as a male Kentucky Warbler (Oporornis formosus). The late date, June 
22, led me to look for some signs of breeding, but although I searched for 
several days afterwards I was unable to find even the bird. 
This appears to be the second record for Massachusetts, as Mr. Horace 
W. Wright reports one at Wellesley on May 14, 1907 (Auk, July, 1907). — 
Hakold L. Barrett, Jamaica Plain, Mass. . O r.. IQi 9, {&!> 
