Accuracy in Systematical Arrangement. 407 



for many of the judicious alterations which have been more 

 recently introduced into different departments of science. Of 

 its importance, particularly with respect to the subject men- 

 tioned at the commencement of this paper, the following no- 

 tices of Sylvia petechia, I trust, will afford a very striking 

 illustration. 



Differing from the true SyhicolcE in external development, 

 less, perhaps, than some species of that genus do from each 

 other, the bird just mentioned, has been passed unquestioned 

 by every systematic writer with whom I am acquainted. In 

 reality, however, it has no more claim to the position to 

 which it has been invariably assigned, than any of the species 

 which have been judiciously removed from this family. The 

 Sylvia petechia properly belongs to the small genus Seiurus of 

 Swainson. The characteristics of this genus are chiefly indi- 

 cated by habit, and these, by the bird abovementioned, are 

 exhibited just as forcibly, as by either of its congeners. But 

 before adducing the evidence upon which this opinion is 

 founded, it may be observed that in our fauna, this genus 

 contains at present only two acknowledged species; it is, 

 however, probable, that this number will yet be augmented, 

 when the very material differences existing between the Seiu- 

 rus Noveboracensis of the south and north shall have been 

 fully ascertained. 



It is well known that the true Syhicolce do not build upon 

 the ground, nor do they resort there, except from necessity. 

 This appears to occur so seldom, that in this situation, I have 

 never noticed but one species — the Sylvia coronata. In 

 spring, the Sylvia petechia and the warbler previously men- 

 tioned, arrive simultaneously in Nova Scotia. Subsequently, 

 however, intervals of cold weather often intervene — the sur- 

 face of the soil becomes frozen, insect life is retarded, and 

 both the species abovementioned are forced to mingle with 

 the robins and other birds while seeking food upon the accu- 

 mulations of seawrack, upon sahflats, or along the margins of 

 pools or streams. In situations of this kind, the movements 

 of the Sylvia coronata and Sylvia petechia present a most 



