298 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 



but very little that accords with any distinctifnis of haliitat. As a nilo, 

 however, those from the Atlantic Stiites arc tiu; smallest of the series, and 

 have most white on the abdomen, the yellow l)eing restricted to the tliroat 

 and juguliim, and tiie lower tail-coverts. In most specimens from the Mis- 

 sissippi Valley the yellow beneath is quite continuous, and the size consid- 

 erably larger tlian in the series above mentioned, in tliese respects ajiproacli- 

 ing the G. mdaiiops from Eastern Mexico, in wliich the yellow pervades tlie 



whole surface beneath ; but in tiiis the 

 wliitish border above the black mask is 

 extended over the whole crown, leaving 

 the nape only distinctly brownish, and 

 the size larger tlian the average of 

 the series alluded to. However, No. 

 (1 1,135 (?, Liberty County, Ga., has even 

 more white on top of the head, the whole 

 occiput being of tliis color ; while No. 

 7,922 <J , i'rom Ifacine, Wis., is quite as 



'^Zhiypis trichas^ lo"K '^^ ^^"^ ^ypc of milmwps (the tail 



only, shorter), and there is nearly as 

 much yellow beneath. The Georgia specimen, however, in other resi)ects, 

 is most like the Atlantic style. Specimens from the Pacific coast have just 

 appreciably longer tails tlian Eastern ones, and the olive-green above is 

 brighter. Jamaican and Guatemalan specimens are identical with many from 

 the United States. Tlie (f. rostra his of Hryfint, from the iJahamas, ajipears 

 to be merely a gigantic insidar race of the common species. 



Habits. This well-known and beautiful little Ground Warbler is a com- 

 mon, abundant, and widely diffused species, occurring througliout the Ignited 

 States from ocean to ocean, and from the Gulf of ^lexico to Canada and 

 Nova Scotia. It is found, during the winter months, in Cul)a, Jamaica, ^fex- 

 ico, Yucatan, Guatemala, Costa Kica, the Bahamas, and, in the i'all, in Ber- 

 muda. On the Pacific coast it has been found from Cape St. Lucas to the 

 British territories. It breeds from Northern (Jeorgia to Halifax, inclusive. 



In Central America, JMr. Salvin states that this Warbler is by far the most 

 connnon of the MinotiHulm, but is wholly niigratf)ry. It was usually found 

 in the neighborhood of water, fre(pienting tlie reeds that surrounded Lake 

 Puenas, and the bushes on tlie banks of its outlet. It was also taken l)y 

 Mr. Poucard at Totontopec, among the mountains of Oaxaca, Mexico. 



It was observed as far to tiie north as Lake of the Woods, by Mr. Kenni- 

 cott. Sevenil were there observed, botli males and females, May 2'.). It is 

 everywhere (juite connnon, and is, I think, as numerous in New England as 

 in the Middle States. 



For the most part it seems to prefer wild lands, especially those overgrown 

 with briers and low bushes, to o])en or cultivated grounds. Yet this prefer- 

 ence is not exclusive, as I liave known a pair, or their offspring, to visit the 



