MNIOTILTID.2E THE AMERICAN WARBLERS. 121 



"The place which Hclinaia should occupy in systematic lists is a 

 somewhat puzzling question. Its long wings, large, flesh colored 

 feet, and sluggish terrestrial habits indicate an affinity with Oporornis; 

 its acute, compressed bill and short tarsi a perhaps stronger one 

 with Hclmithcrus. In many respects it seems to form a connecting 

 link between these two genera, with Hclmithcrus extending the 

 change towards Helminthophila. Baird apparently held some such 

 view in 1858, for he placed Helmitherus (in which he included 

 Helinaia) between Icteria and Helminthopliila, and Oporornis imme- 

 diately before Icteria. Subsequently he separated Helminthophila 

 still further from Oporornis by the intervention of the additional 

 genera Perissoglossa, Dendroica and Seiurus, and later authorities 

 have widened the gap still more. Leaving out of consideration the 

 Cserebidae, a troublesome family which seems to grade insensibly 

 into the Sylvicolidre through such genera as Helminthophila and 

 Perissoglossa, our North American Sylvicolida3 might be very naturally 

 arranged as follows : 1, Mniotilta; 2, Dendroeca (including Ferisso- 

 glossa and Peucedramus as sub-genera) ; 3, Protonotaria; 4, Parula; 

 5, Helminthophila; 6, Helmitherus; 7, Helinaia; 8, Seiurus; 9, Oporornis; 

 10, Geothlypis; 11, Icteria; 12, Myiodioctes; 13, Setophaga; 14, Car- 

 dcllinct; 15, Ergaticus; 16, Basileuterus. The Caerebidae, however 

 cannot be thus conveniently ignored, and the general subject is far 

 too important and comprehensive to be discussed within the limits 

 of the present paper." (BREWSTER, Auk, Jan., 1885, p. 79.) 



Helinaia swainson Aud. 



SWAINSON'S WARBLER. 



Popular synonym. Swainson's Swamp Warbler. 



Sylvia swainsonii AUD. Orn. Biog. ii, 1831, 563, pi. 198. 

 Helinaia swainsonii AUD. Synop. 18 S9, 66; B. Am. ii, 1841, 83, pi. 104. 

 HeloncEd swainsoni RIDGW. Norn. N.lAm. B. 1881. No. 76. 



Helmitherus swainsoni BAIRD, B. N. Am. 1858, 252; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 179; Review, 

 1864, 180. COUES. Key, 1872, 93; Check List, 1873, No. 61; B. Col. Val. 1878, 212. B. B. 

 & R. Hist. N. Am. B. i, 1874, 190, pl.'lO, fig. 9; iii, 1874, 504. 

 Helmintherus swainsoni COUES, 2d Check List, 1882, No. 97. 



HAB. "Austroriparian Province," or Gulf States from South Carolina, Georgia and 

 Florida to eastern Texas (Rice Co.); north, in Mississippi Valley to southern Illinois and 

 southwestern Indiana? Cuba: Jamaica. 



"Sr. CHAR. (Adult t. breeding plumage, No. 8974, Coll. W. B., Charleston, South Caro- 

 lina, May 1, 1881.) Crown and nape reddish brown; remainder of upper parts, including 

 the sides of neck, clear olive, the wings, tail, and upper tail-coverts tinged with reddish 



