°'i9i9 J General Notes. 291 



turally, in which respect it comes much nearer to Icteria." I have care- 

 fully tabulated the structural differences between these three genera, 

 and the result to my mind unquestionably indicates a nearer relationship 

 of Chamoethlypis with Geothlypis. 



Sharpe (Hand-List of Birds) while recognizing Chamcethlypis, included 

 in this genus two South American species of Geothlypis, G. cequinoctialis 

 and G. auricularis. These two species and G. cucullata are intermediate 

 between Chamcethlypis and the typical species of Geothlypis in coloration 

 and in the form of the bill and have well developed rictal bristles as in 

 Chamcethlypis. They do not, however, approach the latter genus in the 

 length of the tail, as do certain Mexican species of Geothlypis, notably 

 G. nelsoni. 



While in Nicaragua in the spring of 1917 I had the opportunity of hear- 

 ing the song of the ' Ground-chat ' on several occasions. It is a highly 

 musical warble resembling that of Geothlypis semiflava bairdi but even 

 superior; the songs of both these species much excel that of G. trichas. 

 The song of Chamasthlypis possesses nothing whatever of the eccentric 

 qualities of the Yellow-breasted Chat's vocal performance. 



In conclusion, the evidence of size, coloration, external structure and 

 song, strongly indicate the near relationship of Chanuethlypis with Geo- 

 thlypis and the more remote affinity of the former with Icteria. The first 

 two genera are, in fact, practically connected by intermediate species. — 

 W. DeW. Miller, American Museum of Natural History, New York City. 



Blue- winged Warbler Feeding a Young Field Sparrow.— On June 

 16, 1918, I was passing through a brushy area near Norwalk, Conn., when 

 my attention was attracted by a Blue-winged Warbler ( Vermivora pinus) 

 evidently much excited at my presence as though it had a nest or young 

 in the vicinity. It carried a green caterpillar about with it, as though 

 wishing to feed young, so I sat down to watch it. A Field Sparrow (Spi- 

 zella pusilla) soon appeared and also manifested excitement at my presence. 

 After some waiting the Blue-wing approached a certain point in the bushes 

 so frequently, that I got suspicious and searched it, finding to my surprise 

 a young Field Sparrow, evidently just out of the nest and unable to fly. 

 I waited some time longer, hoping to find the young of the Blue-wiug, and 

 finally the latter got over its fear, and approached the young Field Sparrow, 

 and fed it the caterpillar it had been carrying. The adult Field Sparrow 

 remained near-by but would not go to the young bird. 



This incident seems rather surprising, but I believe it is explained by 

 supposing that the two species nested near each other; that the young of 

 the Blue-wing were destroyed by a natural enemy just as they were about 

 to leave the nest; and that the adult Blue-wing, finding a young Field Spar- 

 row of about the same age nearby, fed it, perhaps not realizing that it was 

 not its own offspring, and in any event, satisfying its natural instinct to 

 feed and care for young at that time. — Aretas A. Saunders, Norwalk, 

 Conn. 



