What bird is that?

by Frank M. Chapman

Washington, rather uncommon T.V., Apl. 26-May 22; Aug. 13-Sept. 2; a few breed. Ossining, common S.R., May 4-Sept. 7. N. Ohio, common S.R., Apl. 27-Sept. 15. Glen Ellyn, irregular, possibly S.R., May 1-Sept. 15. SE. Minn., uncommon S.R., Apl. 30-Sept. 1.

In second growths, among birches, and at the border of the woods one may hear the wheezy, lazy, swee-chee of the Blue-wing. I make it a rule to see the singer always with the hope that he may prove to be the rare Brewster's Warbler, which usually sings like the Blue-wing, but in color is nearer the Golden-wing, being, in fact, like the Golden-wing but with the underparts and cheeks white unmarked with black. It appears to be a hybrid between the Blue-wing and Golden-wing. (Case 7, Fig. 38.)

A much rarer supposed hybrid between these two Warblers is known as Lawrence's Warbler. It is yellow below, like the Blue-wing, but has the black throat and cheeks of the Golden-wing. Some individuals sing like the Blue-wing, others like the Golden-wing, and this is true also of Brewster's Warbler. ([Case 7], Fig. 37.)

The Blue-wing nests on the ground, laying 4-5 white delicately speckled eggs the latter part of May.

GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER
Vermivora chrysoptera. [Case 7], Figs. 34, 36

A gray bird with a yellow patch on the wings and a black or blackish breast.

Range. Nests from northern New Jersey and southern Iowa north to Massachusetts and central Minnesota and south in the mountains to northern Georgia; winters in the tropics.

Washington, uncommon, T.V., May 1-30; Aug. 8-21. Ossining, rare S.R., May 8-Aug. 25. Cambridge, rather common S.R., May 12-Aug. 25. N. Ohio, rare T.V., Glen Ellyn, irregular, not common T.V., May 4-18; Aug. 16-Sept. 24. SE. Minn., common S.R., May 5-Sept. 9.

The Golden-wing's zee-zee-zee-zee resembles the Blue-wing's song in tone but the syllables are all on one note. When nesting, the Golden-wing prefers second growths, and birches, but when migrating it may be found in the woods with others of its family. The nest is made on the ground, and the eggs, which resemble those of the Blue-wing, but are more heavily marked, are laid in May or early June.

NASHVILLE WARBLER
Vermivora rubricapilla rubricapilla. [Case 7], Fig. 33