_Compsothlypis americana usneæ. Case 7, Fig. 39_
A small, bluish Warbler with a yellow patch on the
back, a dark band on the breast, and white
wing-bars. L. 4-3/4.
_Range._ Nests from Virginia and Louisiana to
Canada; winters in the tropics.
Washington, T.V., but dates not distinguishable
from those of _americana_. Ossining, common T.V.,
May 2-28; Sept. 21-Oct. 7. Cambridge, common T.V.,
May 1-28; Sept. 10-30. N. Ohio, not common T.V.,
May 1-18. Glen Ellyn, not common T.V., May 3-28;
Aug. 25-Oct. 1. SE. Minn., common T. V., May
5-Sept. 9.
A common migrant, traveling with other Wood Warblers, but in summer
usually restricted to swampy localities where usnea moss flourishes. Of,
or rather _in_ this, it makes its nest, laying 4-5 white, brown-marked
eggs the latter half of May. To describe its song as several wheezy
notes running into a little trill, conveys no idea of pleasing
character. It is easily recognized and, in time, acquires associations
with what, to bird-lovers, is the most delightful season of the year.
The Southern Parula Warbler (_C. a. americana_) is a slightly smaller
race with less black about the lores and on the breast in the male. It
summers in the Southeastern States north to Virginia, and winters in the
tropics. Its habits resemble those of the northern race, but it nests in
the hanging, gray tillandsia or Spanish 'moss' instead of in usnea.