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THE ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER. 



Sylvia celata. Say. 



PLATE CLXXVIII. Male akd Female. 



This species is seen in the company of Sylvia coronota and Sylvia 

 petechia^ both in the Southern States, where it passes the winter, and 

 while crossing the Union, in early spring, on its way to those North- 

 eastern Districts where it breeds. It leaves Louisiana, the Floridas, and 

 the Carolinas, from the beginning to the end of April ; is seen in the 

 Middle States, about the 10th of May ; and reaches the State of Maine 

 and the British provinces by the end of that month. On its return, be- 

 sides settling in the Southern States, it spreads over the provinces of 

 Mexico, from whence individuals in spring migrate by the vast prairies, 

 and along the shores of the western parts of the Union, entering Canada 

 in that direction in the first days of June. The Orange-crowned Warbler 

 is thus very widely distributed over North America. I met with none, 

 however, between Hahfax and Labrador, nor did I see one in the latter 

 country. 



In the summer months, it manifests a retiring disposition, keeping 

 among the low brushwood that borders the rivers and lakes of the 

 Northern Districts. While in the south, however, where it is rather 

 common near the sea-shore, it is less cautious, and is seen, in considerable 

 numbers, in the orange groves around the plantations, or even in the 

 gardens, especially in East Florida. Like the Sylvia petechia, it plays 

 about the piazzas, skipping on wing in front of the clapboarded house, 

 in quest of its prey, which it expertly seizes without alighting, or with- 

 out snapping its bill, except during the disputes that occur among the 

 males, as the spring advances. You find it among the branches of the 

 Pride- of- China, that ornaments the streets of the southern cities and vil- 

 lages, as well as on those bordering the roads. From these it descends 

 into the smilaxes, rose-bushes, and other shrubs, all of which yield it food 

 and shelter. At the approach of darkness, it enters among the foliage 

 of the evergreen wild orange and wild peach, where, with the Sylvia pe- 

 techia and Sylvia coronata, it quietly passes the night. Its principal food 

 VOL. ir. p f 



