THE BLACK-POLL WARBLER. 235 
try, in spring and summer; and that it should become 
exceedingly abundant in autumn is inconsistent with reason 
and nature. The description of the young of the Black-poll 
also agrees with that of the Autumnal Warbler, as do also 
its habits and characteristics. 
I will append Wilson’s description of the habits of the 
Black-poll and Autumnal Warbler, and also their general 
description. He says of the Autumnal Warbler, — 
“This plain little species regularly visits Pennsylvania from the 
North, in the month of October, gleaning among the willow-leaves, 
but, what is singular, is rarely seen in spring. From the Ist to the 
15th of October, they may be seen in considerable numbers, almost 
every day, in gardens, particularly among the branches of the 
weeping-willow, and seem exceedingly industrious. They have 
some resemblance, in color, to the Pine-creeping Warbler, but do 
not run along the trunk like that bird, neither do they give a 
preference to the pines. They are also less. After the Ist of 
November, they are no longer to be found, unless the season be 
uncommonly mild. These birds doubtless pass through Pennsyl- 
vania, in spring, on their way to the North; but either make a very 
hasty journey, or frequent the tops of the tallest trees: for I have 
never yet met with one of them in that season, though in October 
I have seen more than a hundred in an afternoon’s excursion. 
“ Length, four inches and three-quarters ; breadth, eight inches ; 
whole upper parts olive-green, streaked on the back with dusky - 
stripes; tail coverts ash, tipped with olive; tail black, edged with 
dull-white; the three exterior feathers marked near the tip with 
white; wings deep-dusky, edged with olive, and crossed with two 
bars of white; primaries also tipped, and three secondaries next 
the body edged with white ; upper mandible dusky-brown ; lower, as 
well as the chin and breast, dull-yellow; belly and vent white ; legs 
dusky-brown; feet and claws yellow; a pale-yellow ring surrounds 
the eye. The males of these birds often warble out some low but 
very sweet notes, while searching among the leaves in autumn.” 
He says of the Black-poll Warbler, — 
‘“‘ This species has considerable affinity to the Flycatchers in its 
habits. It is chiefly confined to the woods, and, even there, to the 
