256 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 



Bennett on ]\Iount Holyoke during the breeding-season, and by Mr. B. Hos- 

 ford on the western ridges during the same period. They are common, Mr. 

 Boardman states, in the thick woods about Calais, through all tlie breeding- 

 season. 



In Jamaica, during the winter, it exclusively frequents the edges of tall 

 woods in unfrequented mountainous localities. They are found in that island 

 from October 7 until the 9tli of April. Mr. Gosse, who has closely observed 

 their habits during winter, speaks of their playing together with much spirit 

 for half an hour at a time, chasing each other swiftly round and round, occa- 

 sionally dodging through the bushes, and uttering at intervals a pebbly cheep. 

 They never remain long alighted, and are difficult to kill. Kestlessness is 

 their great characteristic. They often alight transversely on the long pendent 

 vines or slender trees, hopping up and down without a moment's intermission, 

 pecking at insects. They are usually very plump and fat. 



De la Sagra states that this bird occasionally breeds in Cuba, young birds 

 having been killed that had evidently been hatched there. The record of 

 this Warbler, as presented by different authors, is apparently inconsistent and 

 contradictory : rare witli some observers, abundant with others ; remaining 

 in Jamaica until well into April, yet common in South Carolina in March, 

 and even appearing in Massachusetts in midwinter ; supposed to breed in 

 the highlands of Cuba, yet, except in the case of the nest taken near Halifax, 

 its manner of breeding was unknown until lately. It is probably rare in low- 

 lands everywhere, and nowhere common except among mountains, and, while 

 able to endure an inclement season where food is abundant, is influenced in 

 its migratory movements by instinctive promptings to change its quarters 

 entirely in reference to a supply of food, and not by the temperature merely. 

 It presence in Boston in winter was of course a singular accident ; but its 

 plump condition, and its contented ^tay so long as its supply of food was 

 abundant, sufficiently attested its ability to endure severe weather for at least 

 a limited period, and while its food was not wanting. Mr. Trippe states tliat 

 these birds reach Northern New Jersey during the first week of May, and 

 stay a Mdiole month, remaining there longer tlian any other species. At first 

 they have no note but a simple chirp; but, before they leave, the males are 

 said to have a singular drawling song of four or five notes. 



Mr. Paine states that this Warbler is a resident, but not very common bird, 

 in Randolph, Vt. He has usually noticed it in the midst of thick woods, 

 not generally in tall trees, but among the lower branches or in bushes. The 

 song he describes as very short and insignificant, its tones sharp and wiry, 

 and not to be heard at any great distance. He knows nothing as to its nest. 

 They arrive at Randolph from the South aljout the middle of May. 



We are indebted to Mr. John Burroughs for all the knowledge we possess 

 in relation to the nest and eggs of this species, which had previously baf- 

 fled the search of other naturalists. He was so fortunate as to meet with 

 their nest in the summer of 1871. Early in July, in company with his 



