PASSERES SYLVICOLID^E SYLVICOLA. 105 



THE KENTUCKY WARBLER. 



SYLVICOLA FORMOSA. 



PLATE LVI. FIG. 127 (Male). 



(CABINET OF THE LYCEUM.) 



Sylvia formosa. Wilson, Am. Urn. Vol. 3, p. 85, pi. 25, fig. 2. Audubon, fol. pi. 38 ; Orn. Biog. Vol. 1, p. 196. 



S. id. Nuttall, Manual Orn. Vol. 1, p. 309. 



Myiodioctes formosus. Audubon, B. of A. Vol. 2, p. 19, pi. 74 (male and female). 



Jtf. id., Kentucky Flycatching Warbler. Giraud, Birds of Long island, p. 49. 



Characteristics. Olive green ; beneath, and line over the eye yellow. Crown ashen : a 

 black stripe from the bill down the sides of the neck. Female, without 

 the stripe. Length, 5h inches. 



Description. Bill somewhat curved, compressed and distinctly notched, 0-5 long, with 

 a few bristles. First quill longest. Tail slightly emarginate, 1 • 2 longer than the tips of the 

 closed wings. 



Color. Above rich olive green. Frontlet, at the centre of the base of the upper mandible, 

 jet black, becoming spotted and striped on the crown of the head on a dark ashen ground. 

 A yellow stripe over the eye, with a patch of the same behind it. Wings olive on their outer 

 webs ; brown within. 



Length, 5« 0-5- 5. Alar extent, 7*0- 8*0. 



This is a rare bird in this State ; the specimen in the Cabinet of the Lyceum being the 

 only one I am acquainted with, within our territorial limits. It is very common in the Mis- 

 sissippi valley, but does not seem to be often found north of Carolina, except in Maryland, 

 where it is rather common. Its present ascertained geographical range is between Mexico 

 and New-York. It has a certain resemblance to Wilsonia pusilla, but is larger. Feeds on 

 spiders, insects and their larvae. The eggs are described as white, finely sprinkled with bright 

 red dots. Mr. Giraud states that a few have been obtained from the south side of Long 

 island ; and it has also been observed at Hoboken, and in Rockland county in this State. 



[Fauna — Part 2.] 14 



