1890.] Scott, Birds of the Gulf Coast of Florida. 1*7 



For records of its occurrence and capture by Mr. Atkins, on the Island 

 of Key West during the seasons of 1887 ar >d 1888, the reader is referred to 

 ' The Auk,' Vol IV, p. 348, and Vol. V, pp. 428-430. During the sea- 

 son of 1889 Mr. Atkins has again had the opportunity to study this little- 

 known and rare species, and has kindly s.ent me the following notes to be 

 used in this connection: " Key West, Florida, 18S9. First arrival from 

 north, July 17, one adult male and one young female. Next observed 

 July 23, three birds. Not seen again until July 31, though I was watching 

 for them almost continually; three birds again on this date. August 4, 

 found them more common, perhaps a dozen birds in all were seen. From 

 this time till August 25 inclusive, I found them regularly in small num- 

 bers. On August 8, 11, and 25 they were most abundant, particularly so 

 on the first-named date, when as many as twenty-five or thirty birds were 

 seen. After the nth there was a decline in the numbers until the 25th, 

 when they were again almost as numerous as on the 8th, but none were 

 observed after the 25th." 



The following biographical notes, also made by Mr. Atkins, are sub- 

 mitted. " Bachman's Warbler in its habits is very much like the Parula 

 Warbler (Cotnfisot/ilypis amcricanci). The resemblance is more notice- 

 able when feeding and in search of food. The birds will then penetrate 

 a thick bunch of leaves and go through, over and all around in the most 

 thorough manner in their exploration after insects that appeal to their 

 taste. They are very active, and constantly in motion. They are also 

 quarrelsome, and resent the intrusion of other species. Frequently I 

 have noticed them fighting away the White-eyed Vireo, and where two or 

 more Bachman's Warblers are observed together, one is pretty sure to see 

 them chasing and fighting among themselves. When disturbed or 

 alarmed they are at once alert; a sharp alarm note, something like that 

 of a Yellow-throated Warbler (Z>. dominica), is uttered, but more forci- 

 ble and clear cut in its delivery. This is accompanied with a few jerks of 

 the tail, and the bird is off to a neighboring tree. They are found alike 

 in the trees, low bushes, and shrubbery, sometimes on or quite near 

 the ground, and seem to prefer the heavy and more thickly grown woods 

 to trees or bushes more in the open. Young birds were quite tame, but 

 the adults as a rule were very shy and difficult to approach after having 

 been once disturbed." 



Mr. Atkins secured a series of some forty odd of these interesting birds 

 during the fall migration above alluded to, i. e. , during July and August, 

 1889. 



During the season of 1888 the birds remained at Key West somewhat 

 later, the last observed being on September 5. 



Helminthophila pinus. Blue-winged Warbler. — Apparently rare 

 on the Gulf coast of Florida. I have been unable to detect its presence in 

 the vicinity of Tarpon Springs. Mr. Atkins did not meet with it at 

 Punta Rassa, and has only found it on a single occasion at Key West, 

 August 30, 1887, when he secured a single bird and saw no others. 



Helminthophila chrysoptera. Golden-winged Warbler. — Another 



