SPECIES 31. SYLVIA STRMTA. 

 BLACK-POLL WARBLER. 

 [Plate XXX. Fig. 3, Male.] 



LATH, n, p. 460. w2rc. ZooL p. 401, JVo. 290. TURTON, 600. 

 PEALE'S Museum,' No, 7054.* 



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 screep, 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 blos- 

 soms. As the woods thicken with leaves it may be found pretty 

 generally, being none of the least numerous of our summer 

 birds. It is, however, most partial to woods in the immediate 

 neighbourhood of creeks, swamps, or morasses, probably from 

 the greater number of its favourite 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 defied 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 beings, 

 will, forever baffle all the artificial rules and systems of man. 

 And this truth every fresh discovery must impress more forci- 



*Motacilla slriala, GMEL. Sysl, i, p. 916. Sylvia striata, LATH. Ind. Orn. u, 

 p. 527. 



