Animal Life in the Yosemite
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THE BIRDS

ALASKA MYRTLE WARBLER. Dendroica coronata hooveri McGregor

Field characters.—Essentially as for Audubon Warbler (which see), but chin always white and tail with spots of white on but three outer feathers on each side (fig. 57a). Voice: Song similar to that of Audubon Warbler; call note similar, though of slightly different quality.

Occurrence.—Sparse winter visitant. Recorded at Smith Creek, 6 miles east of Coulterville, February 12, 1916, and February 6, April 26, and December 23, 1919. Forages in foliage of trees and bushes. Usually in scattering companies with Audubon Warblers.

The Alaska Myrtle Warbler is occasionally to be detected in flocks of the more common Audubon Warbler. In voice, habits, and general appearance it resembles closely the latter species. Discriminating observers will be able to note the lesser amount of white on the tail and the regularly white chin. This warbler has thus far been recorded from a single locality in the Yosemite region, at Dudley on Smith Creek, six miles east of Coulterville. The records listed above were all made at this station by Mr. Donald D. McLean. Continued observations at other localities on the west slope of the mountains would probably show the species to be of regular occurrence, though in limited numbers, during the winter months, perhaps in a ratio of not more than one Myrtle Warbler to a hundred or so of Audubon Warblers.



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Animal Life in the Yosemite
©1924, University of California Press
Museum of Vertebrate Zoology

grinnell/birds164.htm — 19-Jan-2006