of the vicinity of MontreaL 359 



bird. I believe be was sbot bere some time ago. Sometimes 

 tbey pursue insects on tbe wing, but only as an exception to tbe 

 general rule. Tbis species diflers from tbe majority of tbe war- 

 blers, in flying and associating in flocks. As far as we can learn, 

 tbey bave not been seen at Newfoundland nor Labrador. Tbe 

 Soutbern States seem to be tbeir general breeding ground. Tbe 

 following is from AVilson : " Tbe food of tbese birds is tbe seeds 

 of tbe pitcb pine, and various kinds of bugs. Tbe nest accord- 

 ing to Mr. Abbot, is suspended from tbe borizontal fork of a 

 brancb, and formed outwardly of slips of grape-vine bark, rotten 

 wood, and caterpillars' webs, witb sometimes pieces of bornets' 

 nests interwoven ; and is lined witb dry pine leaves, and fine 

 roots of plants. Tbe eggs are four, wbite, witb a few dark brown 

 spots at tbe great end." 



Specific cbaracters. — " Lengtb, five and a balf incbes ; extent, 

 nine incbes ; tbe wbole upper parts are of a ricb green olive ; 

 tbroat, sides and breast, yellow ; wings and tail, brown witb a 

 sligbt cast of blueisb ; tail, forked ; middle of tbe belly and vent 

 featbers, wbite. Tbe female is brown, tinged witb olive green 

 on tbe back ; breast, dirty wbite, or sligbtly yellowisb. Tbe bill 

 in botb is truly tbat of a warbler, and tbe tongue slender, as in 

 tbe Motacilla genus, notwitbstanding tbe babits of tbe bird." 

 Wilson. 



Tbe genus Tricbas or ground- warbler, is represented bere by 

 two species only. Tbeir babits are very retiring and secret ; so 

 mucb so, that tbeir migratory movements are seldom noticed. 

 Swampy land and tangled tbickets are tbeir places of resort; sel- 

 dom are tbey seen bigber tbau tbe top of a low busb, but often 

 down amonof tbe roots and lower brancbes. In sucb situations 

 tbey quietly but actively pursue tbeir avocations. Tbe nest is 

 placed near tbe ground, and generally amongst tbe tangled 

 roots. 



Tbe Mourning ground-warbler, (Sylvicola Philadelphia, 

 Wilson.) — It is to be regretted tbat so little is known concerning 

 tbis beautiful little bird's babits. He is very retiring but not 

 timid; lives and rears bis little family in low swampy marsbes. 

 As an exception, I bave found bim sometimes on our mountain, 

 near a swamp at tbe east end. I bave also seen tbe young birds 

 on tbe mountain, and know, tbey breed tbere. Few birds are 

 more beautiful in respect to plumage, yet in song be decidedly 

 ranks as inferior to most of tbe warblers. 



