Birds of America
By John James Audubon, F. R. SS. L. & E.
VOLUME II.
GENUS II.--SYLVICOLA, Swains. WOOD-WARBLER.
Bill short, straight, rather strong, tapering, scarcely broader than high
at the base, compressed toward the end; upper mandible with its dorsal outline
declinate and nearly straight, the tip slightly declinate, the edges
overlapping, with a slight notch; lower mandible with the angle short and
rounded, the dorsal line straight, the sides convex, the edges a little
inclinate, the tip narrow. Nostrils basal, oval or oblong, partially concealed
by the feathers. Head of ordinary size; neck short; body rather slender. Feet
of ordinary length, rather slender; tarsus longer than the middle toe, much
compressed, covered anteriorly with seven scutella, very sharp behind; toes of
moderate length, slender, free, the outer united as far as the second joint, the
hind toe proportionally large; claws moderate, well arched, much compressed,
laterally grooved, very acute. Plumage soft and blended. Bristles at the base
of the upper mandible feeble. Wings rather long, little curved, pointed; the
second quill longest, the first and third slightly shorter. Tail rather long,
emarginate.