186 



NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 



Mr. Eidgway adds that in its movements this Warhler is slow and delib- 

 erate, like the Helmithcrus vermivorus, strikingly difi'erent in this respect 

 from the sprightly, active Dendroecm. Its common note is a shar]3 piph, re- 

 markably like the winter note of the Zonotrichia alhicollis. 



It has been taken as far north as Kock Island, 111., and Dr. Cones men- 

 tions the occurrence of one individual near Washington, D. C, seen in a 

 swampy brier-patch, May 2, 1861. This was perhaps only an accidental 

 visitor. If regularly found there, it is probably exceedingly rare. It has. not 

 been met with between Washington and St. Stephens, New Brunswick, where 

 its occurrence was unquestionably purely accidental. 



Genus HELMITHERUS, Raf. 



Helmitherus, Kafinesque, Journal de Physique, LXXXVIII, 1819, 417. (Tj-pe, Motacilla 



vermivora. ) 

 Vermivora, Swainson, Zool. Jour. IV. 1827, 170 (not of Meyek, 1822). 

 Helinaia, AuD. Synopsis, 1839, QQ. (Type, Sylvia swainsoni, AuD.) 



GrEN. Char. Bill large and stout, compressed, almost tanagrine ; nearly or quite as long 



as the head. Culmen very slightly curved ; 

 gonys straight; no notch in the bill; rictal 

 liristles wanting. Tarsi short, but little longer, 

 1-A8 /// if any, than the middle toe. Tail considera- 



bly shorter than the wings; rather rounded. 

 Wings rather long, the first quill a little shorter 

 than the second and third. 



The birds of this division are very 

 plain in tlieir colors, more so than any 

 Hdmitherusvermivorus,^onav. othcr American Warblers. There are 

 but two species referable to the genus, of which the H. sv:ainsuni differs 

 from the type in having a considerably 

 longer and more compressed bill, the 

 ridge of wliich is compressed, elevated, 

 and appears to extend backwards on 

 the forehead, as well as to be in a 

 straight line with the upper part of 

 the head. The wings are longer ; the 

 tail forked, not rounded ; the feathers 

 narrower and more pointed ; the tarsi 

 shorter than in the type. It appears 

 to be at least a distinct subgenus to 



which the name Helinaia, AuD., is to Hdmithrrm vermivorus. 



be applied. 



