BLACK -POLL WARBLER. 



PLATE XXXVI. 



Class Aves. Order Passeres : birds of passage. Genus 



Sylvia : warbler. Species Striatee. 



THIS species has considerable affinity to the Flycatchers 

 in its habits. It is chiefly confined to the woods, and even 

 there, to the tops of the tallest trees, where it is described 

 skipping from branch to branch in pursuit of winged insects. 

 Its note is a single sweep, scarcely audible from below. It 

 arrives in Pennsylvania about the twentieth of April, and is 

 first seen on the tops of the highest maples, darting about 

 among the blossoms. As the woods thicken with leaves, it 

 may be found pretty generally, being none of the least num- 

 erous of our summer birds. It is, however, most partial to 

 woods in the immediate neighborhood of creeks, swamps, or 

 morasses, probably from the greater number of its favorite 

 insects frequenting such places. It is also pretty generally 

 diffused over the United States, having myself met with it in 

 most quarters of the Union ; though its nest has hitherto de- 

 fied all my researches. 



This bird may be considered as occupying an intermediate 

 station between the Flycatchers and the Warblers ; having 

 the manners of the former, and the bill, partially, of the latter. 

 The nice gradations by which Nature passes from one species 

 to another, even in this department of the great chain of be- 

 ings, will forever baffle all the artificial rules and systems of 

 man. And this truth every fresh discovery must impress 

 more forcibly on the mind of the observing naturalist. These 

 birds leave us early in September. 



The Black-poll Warbler is five and a half inches long, and 

 eight and a half in extent ; crown and hind head black j 

 cheeks pure white ; from each lower mandible runs a streak 

 of small black spots, those on the side larger ; the rest of the 



