138 On the Birds of Ritchie County. 



more emphatic toward the end, then after an interval of a few seconds 

 would follow a scolding chatter, to be immediately succeeded by a single 

 very clear note, then the series of whistles again, but all these notes were 

 varied to an almost infinite extent. All this time the bird would be dodg- 

 ing through the bushes ahead, keeping always in the thickest places, and 

 perhaps after a moment of silence would suddenly strike up directly be- 

 hind you. In this way I have frequently pursued one for fifteen or twenty 

 minutes without so much as getting a glimpse at him. 



Several times when I came upon him suddenly however, he would put 

 on a very innocent and injured air and vociferate his notes directly at me 

 as if to dispel any possible suspicion on my part that he had been running, 

 or, to speak more literally, flying away. 



When alive they look much smaller than they really are, and in general 

 markings, but especially those about the head, bear a resemblance to 

 Oporomis formosus ; their peculiar actions however, readily serve to dis- 

 tinguish them. 



The tail is usually carried rather high and frequently flirted in an odd 

 independent sort of way. I did not witness their performance so often 

 described of singing on wing with dangling legs, etc. 



35. Myiodioctes mitratus (Gm.) Aud. Very common. First specimen 

 taken May 1st. Found generally throughout the woods, usually on the 

 hillsides, where they sought their food low down among the undergrowth. 

 As the day advanced the males would frequently ascend to the tops of the 

 forest trees, and sing many times in succession sitting perfectly motion- 

 less in one place, then witli expanded wings and tail would sail to the next 

 tree aud sing-again. The chirp of alarm is a sharp chuck not unlike that 

 of M. Canadensis ; the song more resembles that of Dendroica maculosa, 

 being short, clear and quite loud, with a decided emphasis on the last 

 syllable ! like ichee, whee, see ser. 



When among the low thickets they are restless and shy. keeping a con- 

 siderable distance ahead however fast you may walk, and were it not for 

 the loud song they would be most difficult to procure. At such times 

 they have a habit, observable in others of the genus, of flirting up six or 

 eight feet after an insect and dropping almost perpendicularly again with 

 closed wings. 



I rarely observed one on the ground. Although during the last week 

 of our stay the males were abundant and numbers shot, only one female 

 was seen. 



36. Setophaya ruticilla (L.) In. Arrived April 29 and soon became 

 common. Found both in the woods and along the banks of the creek. 



Family TANAGRIDiE. The Tanagers. 



37. Pyranya rubra (L.) V. Quite common. Arrived May 1st. Found 

 generally throughout the woods. 



38. Pyranya cestiva (L.) V. A male in tine plumage shot May 5th, 



