SPOTTED CREEPER. 87 



SPOTTED CREEPER.* 



(Cape May Warbler WILS.) 



Certhiola maritima. 



Sylvia maritima, WILS. Aud. pi. 414. 

 Sylvicola maritima^ Sw. 



IT is with hesitation that I place this species in 

 the genus Certhiola. The extreme slenderness of 

 the beak, its curved form, and acute tip, the form 

 of the wings, the length of the tarsi, and above all, 

 the pencil of hairs which forms the termination of 

 the tongue, have guided me in this decision. It 

 appears to be so rare in the United States, that 

 but a single specimen occurred to the indefatigable 

 Wilson, and but one to the Prince of Canino. I 

 found it rather less scarce in Jamaica, having ob- 

 tained some four or five specimens in the course 

 of the autumn and winter. The character of its 

 plumage is certainly that of the Warblers, as is its 

 seasonal change : of its manners I regret that I 

 have no notes. When it arrives with us in October, 

 the crown of the male, instead of being deep black, 

 is ashy-grey, tinged here and there with yellow, and 

 studded with black spots, the feathers having black 

 disks with ashy borders. In February, by the 

 growth of the feathers, and the wearing off of the 

 edges, the black spots have become confluent, form- 



* Length 4| inches, expanse 8^, flexure 2|, tail 1^, rictus ^, tarsus 

 JL, middle toe . 



