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THE BAY-BREASTED WARBLER. 



Sylvia castanea, Wils. 



PLATE LXIX. Male and Female. 



This species does not breed in the United States, or if it does, must 

 spend the summer in some of the most remote north-western districts, so 

 that I have not been able to discover its principal abode. It merely 

 passes through the better known portions of the Union, where it remains 

 ,for a very short time. There is soxnething so very uncommon in its ap- 

 pearance in different States, that I cannot refrain from briefly mentioning 

 it. It is sometimes found in Pennsylvania, or the State of New York, as 

 well as in New Jersey, as early as the beginning of April, but is only 

 seen there for a few days. I have shot some individuals at such times, 

 when I observed them employed in searching for insects and larvae along 

 the fences bordering our fields. At other times I have shot them late 

 in June, in the State of Louisiana, when the cotton-plant was covered 

 with blossoms, amongst which they were busily searching for food. The 

 Bay-breasted Warbler, however, has so far eluded my inquiries, that I 

 am unable to give any further account of its habits. 



Stlvia castanea, Ch. Bonaparte, Synops. of Birds of the United States, p. 80. 

 Bay-breasted Wakbleh, Sylvia castanea, Wils. Amer. Ornitli. voL ii. p. 97. 

 PI. U, fig. 4. 



Adult Male. Plate LXIX. Fig. 1. 



Bill of ordinary length, nearly straight, subulato-conical, acute, as 

 deep as broad at the base, with sharp edges. Nostrils basal, oval, half 

 concealed by the feathers. Head of ordinary size, neck short, body 

 ovate. Feet of ordinary length, slender ; tarsus compressed, covered an- 

 teriorly with a few long scutella, acute behind, a little longer than the 

 middle toe ; toes free, scutellate above ; claws arched, slender, compres- 

 sed, acute. 



Plumage loose, tufty. Wings rather long, the second quill longest. 

 Tail of ordinary length, slightly emarginate, of twelve rounded feathers. 



