428 
WOOD WARBLERS 
685. Wilsonia pusilla ( Wt7s.). Wilson Warbler. 
Similar to pileolata , but not so bright; wings and tail shorten bill broader 
and darker colored. Male: length (skins) 4.05-4.45, wing 2.09- 
2.64, tail 1.83-1.97, bill .2S-.35. Female: length (skins) 4.10- 
4.45, wing 2.05-2.17, tail 1.81-1.95, bill .31-.35. 
I Distribution. — Breeds from the Hudson Bay region south to 
Fig. 538. Maine; migrates sometimes through the Rocky Mountain district 
to eastern Mexico. 
Nest. — Imbedded in ground in swampy woods, made of leaves and 
grasses, lined with finer grasses and hairs. Eggs: 4 or 5, white or creamy, 
speckled with reddish brown and purplish. 
Food. — Largely winged insects. 
685a. W. p. pileolata (Pall.). Pileolated Warbler. 1 
Adult male. — Crown glossy blue black ; back bright yellowish olive 
green; under parts vivid yellow ; forehead often orange yellow. Adult 
female: similar, but crown patch often wanting. Young: like adult 
male, but black of crown nearly obscured by olive wash. Male: length 
(skins) 4.13-4.49, wing 2.17-2.36, tail 1.85-2.05, bill .28-.3S. Female: 
length (skins) 4.13-4.57, wing 2.15-2.24, tail 1.87-1.97, bill .30-.35. 
Distribution. — Breeds from the Great Basin to the Pacific, and north 
to Alaska, migrating through western Texas to Costa Rica. 
Nest. — In willow thickets and among blackberry vines, on or near the 
ground, made of willow leaves, weed stems, and grasses. Eggs: 2 to 4, 
creamy, spotted with reddish and lilac over entire surface or around larger 
end. 
Seen in migration when the dainty pileolated warbler has plenty 
of leisure, his airy ways are peculiarly charming. He usually hunts 
in low bushes, and as he suddenly appears through a chink in the 
dull chaparral wall the intense brilliant yellow of the little beauty 
set off by his shining jet black crown gives you a thrill of surprise 
and delight. 
He is winningly trustful and will come close to you and with 
wings hanging turn his head and look up at you from under his 
jaunty cap, then whip |ilong with a jerk of his tail. As he goes he 
stops to run up a twig, leans down to peck under a leaf, flutters 
under a spray like a hummingbird, and then flies off singing his 
happy song. 
On his breeding grounds in the mountain meadows when feeding 
young he has much to occupy his mind, and flies back and forth 
through his willow thicket in a preoccupied way, giving his flat 
chip and inspecting you with an anxious parental air in passing. 
686. Wilsonia canadensis (Linn.). Canadian Warbler. 
Adult male. — Under parts yellow ; throat bordered by black lines, and 
1 Wilsonia pusilla chryseola Ridgway. Golden Pileolated Warbler. 
Like pileolata , but slightly smaller and much brighter colored. 
Distribution. — Pacific coast district of United States and British Columbia, breeding 
from British Columbia to southern California ; migrating to eastern Oregon Arizona 
Lower California, and northern Mexico. ( Birds oj North, and Middle America ii. 714.) 
