292 NORTH AMERICAN RIRDS. 



numerous, and several specimens were obtained. He communicate<l the d's- 

 covery to bis friend, Mr. William Brewster, and more tban titty specimens 

 of this rare Warbler were obtained during tliat season. In the following; 

 autunni, in September and durinjj: tlie tirst few days of Octol)er, these birds 

 were observed in tlie same locality, apparently in greater numbers, and 

 more specimens were <jbtained. 



Mr. Henshaw writes me that he tirst saw tliis species, September 7, 1870, 

 when he obtained a single specimen. From that time until September 27 it 

 was very common throughout tlie Fresh Pond swamps, to which locality it 

 seemed to be restricted. It again made its appearance in 1S71, and at about 

 the same time, and remained until October 5. It wjis in even greater num- 

 bers than during the preceding year. 



Their habits, while with us in the fall, appear to be very different from 

 those of the individuals observed by Wilson and Audubon, wliich were 

 described as being of a remarkably lively disposition, and hence the name of 

 agilis. Mr. Henshaw found them almost constantly engaged in seeking their 

 food upon the ground. When startled, they would Hy u]) to tlie nearest bush, 

 upon which they would sit perfectly motionless, in a manner clo.sely resem- 

 bling the Thrushes. If not further disturbed, they innnediately returned to 

 the ground and resumed the search for food among the leaves. If greatly 

 startled, they took a long Hight among the bushes, and could rarely be found 

 again. The only note he heard them utter was a single sharp chirp, emitted 

 occasionally, when surprised. They were all remarkably fat, so much so as 

 to make it difficult to obtain a good specimen. 



About sunset, standing on the skirts of the swamp, he has repeatedly ob- 

 served these birds alight, in great numbere, on the edge, and innnediately 

 pass in, evidently intending to remain there over night. He judged that 

 they migrate entirely by day. On only one or two occasions did he ob- 

 serve these birds feeding in the tops of wiUow-trees. At such times they 

 appeared eijually lively in their movements with the Demiroica xtriuta, in 

 com])anv with which thev were associated. The birds he saw were nearlv 

 all in immature plumage, adults being comparatively rare. 



l)r. Coues states that the Connecticut Warbler is found near Wa.shington 

 in the month of October, but that it is mther uncommon. He did not 

 meet with it in spring. He speaks of its frequenting old buckwheat and 

 corn fields, searching for food among the dry, rank weeds, and also in swam])y 

 places among low thickets. 



