SYLVICX)LID^ — THE WARBLERS. 



279 



In Soutlieni Illinois, Mr. Eidgway cites this species as a rather rare bird 

 among the oak barrens where it breeds. He also met with it in orchards in 

 the wooded portions, iu April, during the northward migration of the Syl- 

 vicolidce. 



The eggs are of an oval shape, pointed at one end, and measure .68 Ijy .48 

 of an inch. They have a white ground, marked with spots of lilac and pur- 

 ple and two shades of umber-brown. 



Subfamily GEOTHLYPIN^. 



Section S E I U R E /E . 



The diagnosis of the suVifamily will Ije found on page 178. The Sciurecr, 

 as there stated, have the wings pointed, and rather longer than the nearly 

 even tail, which is unspotted. The genera differ iu proportion rather than 

 absolutely, Oporornis having longer wings and larger claws. The coloration, 

 however, is always distinctive, as follows : — 



Under part white or whitish, thickly streaked 

 Beneath yellow, without spots 



Seiurus. 

 Oporornis. 



Genus SEIURUS, Swaixson. 



Sciunis, SWAINSON, Zoiil. Join-. Ill, 1S27, 



Motacilla aurocapiUa, L.) 

 HenicociclUa, GliAY, List of Genera, 1S40. 



171. (Sufficiently distinct from ;&'(;(Mr«6'. ) (Type, 



Gen. Char. Bill rather sylvicoline, compressed, with a distinct notch. G-onys ascend- 

 ing. Rictal bristles very short. Wings moderate, about three quarters of an inch longer 

 than the tail ; first quill scarcely shorter than the 

 second. Tail slightly rounded ; feathers acumi- 

 nate. Tarsi about as long as the skull, con- 

 siderably exceeding the middle toe. Under 

 tail-coverts reaching within about half an inch 

 of the end of the tail. Color above olivaceous ; 

 beneath whitish, thickly streaked on the breast 

 and sides. Wings and tail immaculate. Nests 

 on the ground, often arched or sheltered by posi- 

 tion or dry leaves. Eggs white, marl^ed with 

 red, brown, and purple. 



Seiunts aurocapillus. 



This genus is decidedly sylvicoline in general appearance, although the 

 spots on the breast resemble somewhat those of the Thrushes. The three 

 sj)ecies may he grouped a-s follows : — 



A. Middle of crown brownish-orange, bordered by blackisli. No white super- 

 ciliary streak .......... S. aurocapillus. 



