SPECIES 11. MUSCICAPA MELODId.* 



WARBLING FLYCATCHER. 



[Plate XLIL Fig. 2.] 



THIS sweet little warbler is for the first time figured and de- 

 scribed. In its general appearance it resemblance the Red-eyed 

 Flycatcher; but on a close comparison differs from that bird in 

 many particulars. It arrives in Pennsylvania about the middle 

 of April, and inhabits the thick foliage of orchards and high 

 trees; its voice is soft, tender and soothing, and its notes flow 

 in an easy continued strain that is extremely pleasing. It is 

 often heard among the weeping willows and Lombardy poplars 

 of the city; is rarely observed in the woods; but seem particular- 

 ly attached to the society of man. It gleans among the leaves, 

 occasionally darting after winged insects, and searching for cater- 

 pillars; and seems by its manners to partake considerably of 

 the nature of the genus Sylvia. It is late in departing, and I 

 have frequently heard its notes among the fading leaves of the 

 poplar in October. 



This little bird may be distinguished from all the rest of our 

 songsters by the soft tender easy flow of its notes, while hid 

 among the foliage. In these there is nothing harsh, sudden or 

 emphatical ; they glide along in a kind of meandering strain that 

 is peculiarly its own. In May and June it may be generally 

 heard in the orchards, the borders of the city, and around the 

 farm house. 



This species is five inches and a half long, and eight inches 

 and a half in extent; bill dull lead colour above, and notched 

 near the point, lower a pale flesh colour; eye dark hazel; line 

 over the eye and whole lower parts white, the latter tinged with 



* Muscicapa gilva, VIEILLOT, Ois, de L'Jlm. Sfpt. pi. 34, 



