662. Dendroica blackburnice. 5 1/4 inches.

Male, black above with large white patch on wing, and bases of outer tail feathers white; throat and breast intense orange; female, duller and with the orange replaced by dull yellow.

Without exception, this is the most exquisite of the whole family; it is the most eagerly sought bird by bird lovers, in the spring. Some years they are very abundant, while others few are seen, their routes of migration evidently varying. They arrive about the time that apple trees are in bloom, and are frequently seen among the blossoms, dashing after insects.

Song. - A high-pitched lisping "zwe-zwe-zwe-see-ee-ee," ending in a thin, wiry tone, almost a hiss; it is very distinct from the song of any other bird.

Nest. - In coniferous trees at any height from the ground; of shreds of bark, fine cedar twigs, rootlets, etc.; eggs greenish white blotched with brown.

Range. - Eastern N. A., breeding from Massachusetts (rarely) and Minnesota northward; winters in Central America.