160 PASSERES. TURDID.E. 



preventing, by the irregularity of its contortions, my 

 taking aim at it, for some time. I have no doubt 

 it was capturing some of the minute dipterous 

 flies which were floating in the declining sun, in 

 numerous swarms ; but in a manner not usual with 

 the Warblers. The stomach, in each specimen, was 

 full of small fragments of insects. From that period 

 to April, on the llth of which month I last saw it, 

 it was a very common resident in the bushes and 

 low woods. 



Wilson describes the markings of the female 

 as less vivid than those of the male ; but two of 

 that sex, which I shot in January, were in no 

 respect inferior to the brightest males. Some have 

 the red spots of the back almost, or even quite, 

 obliterated ; but this is not a sexual distinction. 



BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER.* 

 Sylvicola Canadensis. 



Motadlla Canadensis^ LINN. 



Sylvia Canadensis^ LATH. Aud. pi. 155. 



Sylvia sphagnosa (young), BON A p. 



IN its winter residence with us, the Black-throat 

 prefers the edges of tall woods, in unfrequented 

 mountainous localities. I have scarcely met with it 

 in the lowlands. The summits of Bluefields Peaks, 



* Length 5 inches, expanse 8, flexure 2-^, tail 2 , rictus ^i, tarsus 

 _ middle toe . 



