SYLYIIDyE — THE SYLVIAS. 



77 



Suckley, however, regarded it as a transient visitor, rather than a winter resi- 

 dent of that region, and far more abundant from about tlie 8th of April to 

 the 20th of May, wlien it seemed to be migrating, than at any other time. 



Dr. Kennerly found these birds in abundance near Espia, Mexico, and 

 afterwards, during January, among the Aztec Moimtains, and again, in 

 February, along the Bill Williams Fork. He describes them as lively, 

 active, and busy in the pursuit of their insect food. They seem to be 

 equally abundant at this season in California, Arizona, and Colorado. 



Mr. Eidgway found them common in June and July among the coniferous 

 woods high upon the Wahsatch Mountains in Utah, and has no doubt that 

 they breed there. 



Mr. Dall found this species abundant at Nulato, Alaska, in the spring 

 of 1868, preferring the thickets and alder-bushes away from the river-bank. 

 They appeared very courageous. A pair that seemed about to commence 

 building a nest in a small clump of bushes tore to pieces one half finished, 

 belonging to a pair of Seolccophagus ferrugincus, and, on the blackljirds' 

 return, attacked the female and drove her away. This was early in June| 

 and Mr. Dall was compelled to leave without being able to witness the 

 sequel of the contest. 



A straggling specimen of this bird was taken in 1860 at Nenortatik, in 

 Greenland, and sent in the flesh to Copenhagen. 



Subfamily POLIOPTILINiE. 



The characters of this subfamily will be found on page 69. 



Genus POLIOPTILA, Sclat. 



Polioptila, ScLATER, Pr. Zool. Soc. 1855, 11, (Type, Motacilla ccerulm.) 



Char. Bill slender, attenuated, but depressed at the base ; nearly as long as 

 distinctly notched at the tip, and provided with 

 moderate rictal bristles. Nostrils rather elongated, 

 not concealed, but anterior to the frontal feathers. 

 Tarsi longer than the middle toe, distinctly scutellate ; 

 the toes small ; the hmder one scarcely longer than 

 the lateral ; its claw scarcely longer than the middle. 

 Outer lateral toe ionger than the inner. First pri- 

 mary about one third the longest; second equal to 

 the seventh. Tail a little longer than the wings, 

 moderately graduated ; the feathers rounded. Nest 

 felted and covered with moss or lichens. Eggs green- 

 ish-white, spotted with purplish-brown. 



the head, 



Polioptila ccerulea. 



The species all lead-color above ; white beneath, and to a greater or less 



