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 ROSCOE S YELLOW-THROAT. 



SVL VIA RosCOE. 

 PLATE XXIV. Male. 



The many kind attentions which I have received from the celebrated 

 author of the Life of Leo the Tenth, joined to the vahiable advice with 

 which I have been favoured by that excellent gentleman, has induced 

 me to honour the little bird before you with his name. 



I shot it in a deep swamp not far from the River Mississippi, in the 

 State bearing the same name, in September 1821. It was flitting amongst 

 the top branches of a high Cypress, when I first observed it, moving side- 

 ways, searching for insects, and occasionally following one on the wing. 

 It uttered a single ttvit repeated at short intervals. It having unexpect- 

 edly flown to a distant tree of the species on a branch of which you now 

 see it, I followed it and shot it. It was the only one of the kind I have 

 ever seen, although I went to the same swamp for several days in succes- 

 sion. It proved a male, and was to all appearance in perfect plumage. 

 The gizzard was nearly filled with very minute red insects, found on 

 Cypresses and Pines, the wings of different flies, and the heads of red 

 ants. 



In general appearance, this species so much resembles the preceding, 

 that had not its habits thff'ered so greatly from those of the Maryland 

 Yellow-throat, I might have been induced to consider it as merely an ac- 

 cidental variety. On examining it more closely, however, and on com- 

 paring it with that bird, I felt, as I now feel, fuUy confident of its being 

 different. 



The species of Oak, on a twig of which it stands, is commonly caUed 

 the Swamp Oak. It grows to a large size, always near the edges of damp 

 or watery places. The heiglit is from fifty to sixty feet, its diameter from 

 two to three. The branches come off from the trunk at a height of eight 

 feet from the ground, nearly at right angles. The twigs have a similar 

 disposition. The wood is extremely hard and close in the texture, heavier 

 than that of either the Red or the White Oak, and sinks when thrown in- 

 to water. The Southern States appear to be those in which it thrives 

 best. 



