SPECIES 15. SYLVIA VIRENS. 



BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER. 



[Plate XVII. Fig. 3.] 



Mutacilla virens, GMEL. Syst. i, p. 985. Le fguier a cravate 

 noire, BUFF, v, p. 298. Black-throated Green Flycatcher, EDW. 

 t. 300. Green Warbler, Jlrct. Zool. n, JVb. 297. -LATH. %H. 

 iv, p. 484, 108. TURTON, Syst. p. 607. Parus viridis gutture 

 nigro, the Green Black -throated Flycatcher, BARTRAM, p. 292.* 



THIS is one of those transient visitors that pass through Penn- 

 sylvania, in the latter part of April and beginning of May, on 

 their way to the north to breed. It generally frequents the high 

 branches and tops of trees, in the woods, in search of the larvae 

 of insects that prey on the opening buds. It has a few singular 

 chirrupping notes; and is very lively and active. About the 

 tenth of May it disappears. It is rarely observed on its return 

 in the fall, which may probably be owing to the scarcity of its 

 proper food at that season obliging it to pass with greater haste; 

 or to the foliage, which prevents it and other passengers from 

 being so easily observed. Some few of these birds, however, 

 remain all summer in Pennsylvania, having myself shot three 

 this season, in the month of June; but I have never yet seen 

 their nest. 



This species is four inches and three quarters long, and seven 

 broad ; the whole back, crown and hind head is of a rich yel- 

 lowish green ; front, cheeks, sides of the breast, and line over 

 the eye, yellow; chin and throat black; sides under the wings 

 spotted with black; belly and vent white; wings dusky black, 

 marked with two white bars; bill black; legs and feet brownish 

 yellow; tail dusky edged with light ash; the three exterior feath- 

 ers spotted on their inner webs with white. The female is dis- 

 tinguished by having no black on the throat. 



* Sylvia virens, VIEIH, Ois, de l\4m, Sept.. pi. SO. 



