Life History of the Protkonotm^y Warbler. 11 



the distribution of the warbler. He therefore has the 

 pleasure of ackuowledgiiig- his indebtedness to those who 

 have contributed, and thanks each one for assistance 

 received and courtesy shown. He feels under especial 

 oblig-ation to those along- the Illinois Kiver, Dr. W. S 

 Strode, W. S. Cobleigh, B. F. Bolt, and R. M. Barnes, 

 Esq., who have so kindly given him their time and will- 

 ing aid. Nor should the valuable papers of Mr. O. Wid- 

 manii, of Old Orchard, Mo., be forgotten, nor the kindness 

 of Prof. S. A. Forbes, in the loan of lists and in assist- 

 ance rendered. 



LIFE HISTORY AND DISTRIBUTION. 



A most attractive and abundant bird in certain por- 

 tions of the Mississippi Valley is that beautiful feathered 

 g-em, the Prothonotary Warbler. Its biography, prior 

 to the last few years, has been somewhat erroneous and 

 fragmentary, the bird being to many only a dried skin in 

 the cabinet drawer. 



The subject of the present sketch is a difficult one to 

 treat; and notwithstanding the copious notes so gener- 

 ousl.y furnished me by my correspondents, and my own 

 careful observation, it is with considerable hesitation 

 that I begin this paper. This warbler is so at home 

 in the prevailing river bottoms of the State, that ample 

 opportunity is offered for a thorough study of its 

 habits; and yet the most versatile pen could never 

 portray the natural elegance, the charming grace, and 

 the exquisite beauty of this fascinating swamp warbler, 

 as it appears in the willow swamps of Illinois. I feel 

 the impossibility of doing my subject justice, and this 

 bit of biographical sketch is presented, not as a complete 

 and final result, but merely as material for future elabo- 

 ration. 



To one unacquainted with Protonotaria citrea its 

 distribution might seem peculiar; but a study of the 

 topograyjhy of the country in relation to the bird's geo- 

 graphical range, will reveal the cause of the irregularity. 



