1S87.] Trotter on the Genus Helmintliophila. 3^7 



THE SIGNIFICANCE OF CERTAIN PHASES IN THE 

 GENUS HELMINTHOPHILA. 



BY SPENCER TROTTER, M. D. 



The Mniotiltine genus Helminthophila has of late years 

 presented some very interesting and curious features in the re- 

 lations of certain of its species to one another and to several 

 remarkable forms which have come to light in the past decade. In 

 fact, in its earlier known history as a genus two forms appeared, 

 one of which has only lately turned up again within our limits, 

 while the other, if indeed it belonged with the genus, has long 

 been relegated to the list of 'lost' or 'doubtful' species, a veritable 

 myth, never having been seen since its first discovery, so that the 

 genus has always figured in a rather eccentric light. 



The group is highly characteristic of the Nearctic Region, con- 

 sisting of eight well defined species, which pass under the gen- 

 eral name of Swamp Warblers. Nowhere what might be called 

 abundant birds, the Helminthophilce still enjoy an extensive range 

 over the continent, and are essentially migratory, as the insect 

 nature of their food demands. The species fall into two sub- 

 groups, as regards their general form and pattern of color, and 

 this corresponds pretty closely with the extent of their dis- 

 tribution. 



Celata, rujicapilla^ pcregrina, Incite, and virginice form one 

 section, small birds of a more or less uniform and quiet colora- 

 tion, the two former being the most widely distributed species of 

 the genus. 



The Orange-crowned Warbler, celata, with its western variety 

 lutescens, ranges over the entire continent from ocean to ocean. 

 but is comparatively rare in the Eastern Province, being seldom 

 met with. It winters southward, beyond United States limits 

 into Mexico, and reaches high latitudes in the Northwest. The 

 Nashville Warbler, rujicapilla, on the other hand, with as wide 

 a range as celata, is far more abundant in the Eastern Province 

 than in the West, and extends its migrations northward to the 

 Arctic Basin on the east. The Tennessee Warbler, peregrin a, is 

 chiefly eastern in its distribution, breeding northward into high 

 latitudes. 



