MNIOTILTID^ — THE AMEEICAN WAEELEBS. 121 



"The place which Helinaia should occupy in systematic lists is a 

 somewhat puzzHn;? question. Its long wings, large, flesh colored 

 feet, and sluggish terrestrial habits indicate an affinity with Oporornis; 

 its acute, compressed bill and short tarsi a perhaps stronger one 

 with Helinitherus. In many respects it seems to form a connecting 

 link between these two genera, with Helmilherus extending the 

 change towards Helminthophila. Baird apparently held some such 

 view in 1858, for he placed Helmitherus (in which he included 

 Helinaia) between Icteria and Helminthophila, and Oporornis imme- 

 diately before Icteria. Subsequently he separated Helminthophila 

 still further from Oporornis by the intervention of the additional 

 genera Perissoglossa, Dendroica and Seiuras, and later authorities 

 have widened the gap still more. Leaving out of consideration the 

 Caerebidse, a troublesome family which seems to grade insensibly 

 into the Sylvicolidse through such genera as Helminthophila and 

 Perissoglossa, our North American Sylvicolidae might be very naturally 

 arranged as follows : 1, Mniotilta; 2, Dendroeca (including Ferisso- 

 glossa and Peiicedramus as sub-genera) ; 3, Protonotaria; 4, Panda; 

 5, Helminthophila; 6, Helmitherus; 7, Helinaia; 8, Seiurus; 9, Oporornis; 

 10, Geothlypis; 11, Icteria; 12, Myiodioctes ; 13, Setophaga; 14, Car- 

 dellina; 15, Ergaticiis; 16, Basileuterus. The Cserebidse, however 

 cannot be thus conveniently ignored, and the general subject is far 

 too important and comprehensive to be discussed within the limits 

 of the present paper." (Brewster, Auk, Jan., 1885, p. 79-) 



Helinaia swainson Aud. 



SWAINSON'S WAEBLER. 



Popular synonym.— Swainsou's Swamp Warbler. 



Sylvia swaiyisonii Aud. Orn. Biog. ii, 183J, ECS, pi. 198. 

 Helinaia swainisonii AuD. Synop. 1833, IX; B. Am. ii, 1841, 83, pi. 101. 

 HelonKjea swainsoni Ridgw. Nom. N..Am. B. 1881. No. "d. 

 Helmillierus swainsoni Baikd. B. N. Am. IS38, 252; Cat. N. Am. B. 1850, No. 179; Review, 



1864, 180.— CoUES, Key, 1873, 93; Cheek List, 1873, No. 01; B. Col. Val. 1878, 212.— B. B. 



& R. Hist. N. Am. B. i, 1874. 190, pi. 10, flg. 9; iii, 1874, 504. 

 Beliniatheras suiaiitsoni CouES, 2d Check List, 188.', No. 97. 



Hab. "Austroriparian Province." or Gulf States from South Carolina, Georgia and 

 Florida to eastern Texas (Rice Co.); north, in Mississippi Valley to southern Illinois and 

 southwestern Indiana? Cuba; Jamaica. 



"Sp. Char. (Adult t, breeding plumage, No. 8974, Coll. W. B., Charleston, South Caro- 

 lina, May 1, 1881.) Crown and nape reddish brown; remainder of upper parts, including 

 the sides ol' neck, clear olive, the wings, tail, aud upper tail-eoverts tinged with reddish 



