156 PASSERES* — TURDID^. 



YELLOW-THROAT WARBLER.* 



Sylvicola pensilis. 



Sylvia pensilis^ Lath. — Aud. pi. 85. 

 Sylvia JlavicoUis, WiLS. 

 Sylvicola pensilis, Bonap. 



Wilson has justly observed that the habits of 

 this lovely bird are those of a Tit or a Creeper. 

 I have usually observed it creeping about the twigs 

 of trees, or among the blossoms. The first I met 

 with was thus engaged, creeping in and out, and 

 clinging to the beautiful and fragrant flowers that 

 grew in profuse spikes from the summit of a papaw- 

 tree. It is one of the earliest of our visitors from 

 the north, for this was on the 16th of August; and 

 it remains until April among the sunny glades of 

 our magnificent island. The stomach of such as I 

 have examined was large, and contained caterpillars 

 of various sizes and species. An individual in 

 March, which I proved by dissection to be a female, 

 did not differ in intensity of colouring, or any other 

 appreciable respect, from the male. The eggs in 

 the ovary at that season, were distinguishable, but 

 minute. 



* Length 5^ inches, expanse 8, flexure 2^, tail 1-^^^, rictus ig. (nearly), 

 tarsus f , middle toe -^. 



