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THE HOODED WARBLER. 



Sylvia mitrata. Lath. 

 PLATE ex. Male and Female. 



In many parts of our woods, the traveller, as he proceeds, cannot help 

 stopping to admire the peaceful repose that spreads its pleasing charm on 

 all around. The tall trees are garlanded with climbing plants, which 

 have entwined their slender stems around them, creeping up the crevices 

 of the deeply furrowed bark, and vying with each other in throwing forth 

 the most graceful festoons, to break the straight lines of the trunks which 

 support them ; while here and there from the taller branches, numberless 

 grape-vines hang in waving clusters, or stretch across from tree to tree- 

 The underwood shoots out its branches, as if jealous of the noble growth 

 erf the larger stems, and each flowering shrub or plant displays its blos- 

 soms, to tempt the stranger to rest a while, and enjoy the beauty of their 

 tints, or refresh his nerves with their rich odours. Reader, add to this 

 scene the pure waters of a rivulet, and you may have an idea of the places 

 in which you will find the Hooded Warbler. 



The Southern and Western States are those to which this beautiful 

 bird gives a preference. It abounds in Louisiana, along the Mississippi, 

 and by the Ohio nearly to Cincinnati. It is equally plentiful in the north- 

 ern parts of the Floridas, Georgia, and the two Carolinas, after which it 

 becomes rare. None, I believe, are ever seen east of the State of New 

 York. It enters the lower parts of Louisiana about the middle of March, 

 and by the beginning of May has laid its eggs, or sometimes even hatched 

 them. It arrives in South Carolina in April, immediately constructs its 

 nest, and has young quite as soon as in Louisiana. 



The Hooded Flycatcher is one of the hveUest of its tribe, and is al- 

 most continually in motion. Fond of secluded places, it is equally to be 

 met with in the thick cane brakes of the high or low lands, or amid the 

 rank weeds and tangled bushes of the lowest and most impenetrable 

 swamps. You recognise it instantly on seeing it, for the pecuKar grace- 

 ful opening and closing of its broad tail distinguishes it at once, as it goes 

 on gambolling from bush to bush, now in sight, now hid from your eye, 

 but constantly within hearing. 



