NATURAL HISTORY. 407 



laurel brakes, (Kalmia lati/olia,) so that its loud, harsh notes are not 

 heard until the first of ^lay, when they fill the woods, greatly to the 

 annoyance of the collector searching for rarer and more retiring 

 species. Found in high woods, especially where there is an under- 

 growth. Is not aquatic in any sense, but keeps on the ground rust- 

 ling among the dry leaves for insects, and when disturbed flies to the 

 nearest tree. 



66. Seiunis novcboracensis, (Gm.,) Nutt. — Water Wagtail. Quite 

 common in spring and fall ; also breeds sparingly, having been found 

 in July. Arrives in spring about May 1. Is eminently aquatic ; 

 swampy thickets, thick gloomy woods interspersed with puddles, 

 where it associates with RhyacopMlus soUtarius, are favorite resorts. 



67. Seiurus htdovicianvs, (Yieill.,) Bon. — Large-billed Water Wag- 

 tail. This bird, generally considered so rare, we have found to be not 

 at all uncommon at certain seasons in particular localities. From the 

 20th of April to the 10th of May it may always be obtained, by an 

 acute collector, in the dense laurel brakes which border the banks of 

 and fill the ravines leading into Rock creek and Piney branch. We 

 think we have seen it in June, which would prove it to breed here, as 

 is, indeed, very probable. We have not detected it in the fall. It is 

 usually very sh}^ darting at once into the most impenetrable brakes; 

 but Ave have sometimes seen it quite the reverse, and have shot a pair, 

 one after the other, as they sat in full view before me unconcernedly 

 wagging their tails. We have nearly always found it in pairs, even as 

 early as April 20. Its note is a sparrow-like chirp, like that made 

 by striking two pebbles together; but it has also a loud and most 

 beautiful and melodious song, the singularity of which first drew our 

 attention to it. 



68. Dendroica virens, (Gm.,) Bd. — Black-throated Green Wood- 

 warbler. Spring and autumn visitant. None breed. In spring, from 

 May 1 to 20 ; in fall, from September 7 to October 1. High open 

 woods. Abundant. 



69. Dendroica canadensis, (Linn.,) Bd. — Black-throated Blue Wood- 

 warbler. Like the preceding, but rather less numerous. 



70. Dendroica coronata, (Linn.,) Gray. — Yellow-rumped Wood- 

 warbler. Winter resident. Exceedingly abundant. Arrive sec- 

 ond week in October and remain until second week in May. Moult 

 during the w^hole month of April, but before they leave are in full 

 spring dress, though they have no song here. Most abundant in 

 April and October, less so in depth of winter. Fond of hedges, 

 orchards, copses, &c., but found everywhere. (Albino obtained.) 



71. Dendroica hlackhurniae. (Gm.,) Bd. — Blackburnian Wood-war- 

 bler. Spring and autumn visitant. None breed. In spring, from May 

 1 to 20 ; in fall, from September 1 to 25. High open woods. Com- 

 mon. 



72. Dendroica caskmea, (Wils.,) Bd. — Bay-breasted Wood-warbler. 

 Spring and autumn visitant. None breed. May 1 to 20; September 

 1 to 30. More abundant in fall than in spring. High open woods ; 

 sometimes laurel brakes, <fec. 



73. Dendroica pinus, (Wils.,) Bd. — Pine-creeping Wood-warbler. 

 Summer resident. Arrives early in March, and stavs until October. 



