256 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 



Bennett on Monnt Holyoke diiving the lireeding-season, and hv Mv. B. Hos- 

 ford on the western ridges (hiring tlie same period. Tliey are common, JNIr. 

 Boardmau states, in the thick woods about Calais, through all the breeding- 

 season. 



In Jamaica, during the winter, it exclusively frequents the edges of tall 

 woods in unfrequented mountainous localities. They are found in that island 

 from October 7 until the 9th of April. Mr. Gosse, who has closely observed 

 their liabits during winter, speaks of their playing together with much spirit 

 for half an hour at a time, chasing each other swiftly round and ronnd, occa- 

 sionally dodging through the hushes, and uttering at intervals a pebbly cheep. 

 They never remain long alighted, and are difficult to l<ill. Restlessness is 

 their great characteristic, 'i'hey often alight transversely on the long pendent 

 vines or slender trees, hopping up and down witliout a moment's intermission, 

 pecking at insects. They an; usually very ]iluiii]) and fat. 



De la Sagra states that tliis bird occasionally breeds in C'uba, young birds 

 having licen killed that had evidently lieen hatclied there. The record of 

 this Warbler, as presented by different autliors, is apiiarcutly inconsistent and 

 contradictoiy : rare witli some observers, abundant with others; remaining 

 in Jamaica until well into April, yet common in Sovith Carolina in March, 

 and even appearing in Massachusetts in midwinter; supposed to breed in 

 the highlands of Cul)a, yet, except in the case of the nest taken near Halifax, 

 its manner of breeding was unknown until lately. It is probably rare in low- 

 lands everywhere, and nowhere common except among mountains, and, while 

 able to endure an inclement season where food is abundant, is influenced in 

 its migi-atory movements by instinctive promptings to change its quarters 

 entirely in reference to a supply ol' food, and not by the temperature merely. 

 It presence in Boston in winter was of course a singular accident; but its 

 plump condition, and its contented stay so long as its supply of food was 

 abundant, suliiciently attested its ability to endure severe weather for at least 

 a limited period, and wliile its food was not wanting. Mr. Trippe states tluit 

 these birds reacli Xortliern New Jersey during the first week of May. and 

 stay a whole month, remaining there longer than any other species. At first 

 they have no note but a simple chirp ; but, before they leave, tlie males are 

 said to have a .singular drawlin<c sonsi of four or five notes. 



Mr. Paine states that this Warbler is a resilient, but not very common bird, 

 in llandolph, Vt. He has usually noticed it in the midst of tliick woods, 

 not generally in tall trees, but among the lower Imanches or in bushes. The 

 song he describes as very short and insignificant, its tones sliarp and wiry, 

 and not to be heard at any great distance. He knows nothing as to its nest. 

 They arrive at Randol])h from the South aljout the middle of May. 



We are indebted to Mr. John Burroughs for all the knowledge we possess 

 in relation to the nest and eggs of this species, which had jn-eviously baf- 

 fled the search of otlicr naturalists. He was so fortunate as to meet with 

 their nest in the summer of 1871. Early in July, in company with his 



