126 
NEW-YORK FAUNA-BIRDS. 
THE YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT. 
ICTERIA VIRIDIS. 
PLATE XXXII. FIG. 71. 
(STATE COLLECTION.) 
Muscicapa viridis, Gmelin. Chattering Flycatcher, Pennant, Arct. Zool. Vol. 2, p. 385. 
Garrulus australis , Bartram, p. 290. Icteria dumicola , VlEILLOT, Ois, de l’Am. pi. 55. 
Pipra pollyglotta. Wilson, Orn. Vol. 1, p. 90, pi. 6, fig. 2. 
Icteria viridis. Bonaparte, Ann. Lye. N. Y. Vol. 2, p. G9. Aodubon, fol.pl. 137; Orn. Biog. Vol. 2, p.223, 
and Vol. 5, p. 433. 
Yellow-breasted Icteria. Nuttall, Man. Orn. Vol. 1, p.299. 
I. polyglotta. Richardson, F. B. A. Vol. 2, p. 157. 
Yellow-breasted Chat. Audcbon, B. of A. Vol. 4, p. ICO, pi. 244 (male and female). Giraud, Birds of Long 
island, p. 162. 
Characteristics. Greenish olive. Throat and breast yellow. Belly and line around the 
eye white. Length, 7 inches. 
Description. Bill typical, subcarinate between the nostrils, O'7 in length from the rictus. 
Tail three inches long, rounded, and extending 2-2 beyond the tips of the closed wings ; the 
inner vanes of the feathers attenuated so as to render them acuminated. Hind claw largest. 
Color. Deep olive green above. Inner webs of the quills and tail-feathers brownish ; 
outer webs olive. Frontlet occasionally deep slate. Lores, and a line under the eye black. 
Chin margined on each side by a short white line, which occasionally consists of a series of 
white points. A line of white from the nostrils, encircling the eye, and extending beyond it. 
In the adult, the breast is of a rich orange-yellow, passing into lemon-yellow beneath. Abdo¬ 
men and under tail-coverts white. Female, scarcely differing from the male, except in 
having the black and white adjacent to the eye less pure. 
Length, 6-0 -7‘0. Alar extent, 8-5 -9'0. 
This bird, which attracts general attention whenever seen, by the oddity of its motions and 
its singular notes, arrives from the tropical regions of America, in the southern part of this 
State (where it is common), in the early part of May, and scarcely advances farther north 
along the Atlantic. It is not uncommon in the Western States, and has been noticed by Mr. 
Say near the Rocky mountains, among the sources of the Arkansas river. I cannot state 
from my own observation that it breeds in this State, although it is extremely probable. It 
lays 4-6 light flesh-colored eggs, spotted with reddish brown. Feeds on beetles, and 
berries of various kinds. It is among the earliest of the birds which leave us ; taking its 
departure about the middle of August. 
