186 



NOUTH AMKRICAN JJIRDS. 



Mr. Kidi'wav adds that in its movements tliis WarMer is slow and delib- 

 crate, like tlie Hihnitltcnifi nrntirortts, strikiniily ditlerent in this respect 

 from the spri«j^htly, active D« luh-oaa: Its common note is a sharp ^> ?)>/<, re- 

 markably like tlie winter note of tlie Zonntrickut o/biroilis. 



It has been taken as tar north as IJo'^k Island, III, and Dr. Cones men- 

 tions tlie occuiTence of one individual near Washin«,^ton, 1). C, seen in a 

 swampy brier-patcli, ^lay 2, 18G1. Tiiis was perliajis c!»ly an accidental 

 visitor. If regularly found there, it is probably exceedingly rare. It has not 

 been met with l^etween Washington and St. Stephens, New IJrunswick, where 

 its occurrence was unquestionably i)urely accidental. 



Genus 



, Raf. 



Helmitherm, Rafinf.sque, Journal de Physi<iue, LXXXVIII, 1819, 417. (Tj-pe, Motacilla 



vcnnivnro.) 

 Vermivtira, Swainson, Zoiil. .Tour. IV. lh'27, 170 (not ot^MKYEi:, 1822). 

 Helinaiity AuD. SyiiopsLs, 1839, (Jti. (Tyi»e, Sylvia siraiusoui, AuD.) 



Gkn. Char. Bill large and stout, compressed, almost tanajrrine; nearly or quite as long 



as the head. Culmen very slightly curved; 

 gonys straight; no notch in the bill; rictal 

 Itristles wanting. Tarsi short, but little longer, 

 if any, than the middle toe. Tail considera- 

 bly shorter than the wings; rather rounded. 

 Wings rather long, the lirst quill a little shorter 

 than the second and third. 



The birds of this division are very 

 plain in their colors, more so than any 

 n,imitherusv^rmiroriis,i\,.nn'. otlicr Amcrican Warblcrs. There are 

 but two species referable to the genus, of which the If. sicainsoni differs 

 from the type in having a considembly 

 longer and more compressed bill, the 

 ridge of wliich is compressed, elevated, 

 and appears to extend backwards on 

 the forehead, as well as to be in a 

 straight line with the upper part of 

 tlie head. The wings are longer ; the 

 tail forked, not rounded; the feathers 

 narrower and more pointed ; the tarsi 

 shorter than in the type. It appears 

 to l)e at least a distinct subgenus to 

 which the name Hclmaia, AuD., is to 

 be applied. 



Helmithfnts vermivorus. 



