292 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 



numerous, and several specimens were obtained. He communicated the dis- 

 covery to his friend, Mr. William Brewster, and more tlian fifty specimens 

 of this rare Warbler were obtained during that season. In the following- 

 autumn, in September and during the first few days of October, these birds 

 were observed in the same locality, apparently in greater numbers, and 

 more specimens were obtained. 



Mr. Henshaw writes me that he first saw tliis species, September 7, 1870, 

 when he obtained a single specimen. From that time until September 27 it 

 was very common throughout the Fresh Pond swamps, to which locality it 

 seemed to be restricted. It again made its appearance in 1871, and at about 

 the same time, and remained until October 5. It Avas in even greater nuni- 

 l)ers than during the preceding year. 



Their habits, while with us in the fall, appear to be very different from 

 those of the individuals observed by Wilson and Audubon, which were 

 described as being of a remarkably lively disposition, and hence the name of 

 agilis. Mr. Henshaw found them almost constantly engaged in seeking their 

 food upon the ground. When startled, they would fly up to the nearest bush, 

 upon which they would sit perfectly motionless, in a manner closely resem- 

 bling the Thrushes. If not further disturbed, they immediately returned to 

 the ground and resumed the search for food among the leaves. If greatly 

 startled, they took a long flight among the bushes, and could rarely be found 

 again. The only note he heard them utter was a single sharp chirp, emitted 

 occasionally, when surprised. They were all remarkably fat, so much so as 

 to make it difficult to obtain a good specimen. 



About sunset, standing on the skirts of the swamp, he has repeatedly ob- 

 served these birds alight, in great numbers, on the edge, and immediately 

 pass in, evidently intending to remain there over night. He judged that 

 they migrate entirely by day. On only one or two occasions did he ob- 

 serve these birds feeding in the tops of willow-trees. At such times they 

 appeared equally lively in their movements with the Dendroica striata, in 

 company with which they were associated. The birds he saw were nearly 

 all in immature plumage, adults being comparatively rare. 



Dr. Coues states that the Connecticut Warbler is found near Washington 

 in tlie month of October, but that it is rather unconmion. He did not 

 meet with it in spring. He speaks of its frequenting old buckwheat and 

 corn fields, searching for food among the dry, rank weeds, and also in swampy 

 places among low thickets. 



