80 LAND-BIRDS AND GAME-BIRDS 



(A common migrant, in spring and autumn, along the coast 

 of New England.) 



(o). About 6^ inches long. Above, pure dark brown 

 (" olive-shaded " ? ), slightly streaked. Under-parts and super- 

 ciliar3' line, light buffj^-brown. Breast and sides dusky-streaked. 

 Tail dark ; outer tail-feathers partl}'^ white. 



(&). The Titlarks breed chiefly in Arctic countries, and 

 never in New England. 



(c). The}' pass through Massachusetts in spring and autumn, 

 when traveling to and from their summer-homes, and are then 

 common on the sea-shore, "in the Fresh Pond marshes of 

 Cambridge," and sometimes in old fields. They usually collect 

 in loose flocks, and feed on seeds and insects, which they pick 

 up on the ground, where the}' can run with ease and rapidity. 

 They have a singular habit of jerking their tails, which is very 

 noticeable. When disturbed, they generally fly away to quite_ 

 a distance and high in the air, resuming their labors, if they 

 may be so called, when they alight. They retire in summer to 

 breed in Labrador and other cold countries, where the}^ are said 

 to sing. 



(d). When with us their only note is a feeble one, a simple 

 chirp, which is often repeated. 



§ 9. The SylviCOlidSS, or American tvarbkrs, form a 

 group, which may perhaps be best defined negatively. By the 

 omission, however, of the Icterincn (or chats), who probably 

 should be ranked as a family intermediate between the warblers 

 and tanagers, their characteristics may be considered the follow- 

 ing. Length, 4-6J inches ; bill twice as long as high ; commis- 

 sure entirely straight or slightly curved, unless interrupted by a 

 terminal notch ; nostrils exposed ; tarsus scutellate ; " hind toe 

 shorter than the middle ;" primaries nine (fig. 4). It is doubt- 

 ful how many subfamilies there should be, but the following 

 well-defined groups exist. 



Seiurince, or lai'k-warblers (I). Bill notched, scarcely bris- 

 tled. Birds sti'eaked beneath. Tail not marked or forked. 



Oeothlypince, or thicJcet-warblers (II, III). Bill notched, 



