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its incumbering the pursuit with unnecessary and perplexing hd- 

 menclature. As for ourselves, in such arrangement we cheer- 

 fully acquiesce, viewing it as a system founded on a thorough ac- 

 quaintance with the science — one which is calculated to reduce 

 the labor of the student. In many cases with immature birds, as 

 is also the case in certain stages of the adult, there are no signs of 

 plumage by which the species can be identified. In such cases of 

 doubt, by referring to the generic character, which always remain 

 unchanged, you are at once brought to the class to which it belongs, 

 thus affording a greater facility for arriving at the species. 



Such species of this numerous Family as visit Long Island, are 

 mostly birds of passage. They arrive among us during the month of 

 May, early or late, according to the weather. Their visit in the 

 spring is of short duration, soon passing on farther North 

 to breed. When journeying southward, they return to us 

 in autumn, which gives us an opportunity to secure both the adult 

 and young. Although not affording amusement to sportsmen, they 

 are nevertheless rendered attractive by their beautiful plumage 

 and musical notes. They frequent the fields and woods, and 

 in spring the blooming orchards echo with the sweet notes of these 

 sprightly minstrels. At times, several species are observed col- 

 lecting food, or sporting around the same tree ; unless to a 

 close observer, their manners and customs appear quite similar. 



With us, the Hooded Flycatching Warbler is not abundant. In 

 the Southern and Western States it is more common ; it is gener- 

 ally met with in low situations ; feeds on winged insects ; and 

 its note is loud, lively, and agreeable. 



With the practical Ornithologist, a minute description of the habits 

 of familiar species is not required. Those who have never parti- 

 cipated in the pleasui'es of a collecting tour, and who are desirous 

 for a more detailed account, will of course refer to the highly cele- 

 brated works of Wilson and Audubon. 



