BIRDS OP SPRINGFIELD, MASS., ETC. 59 



quenting stubble and newly-plowed fields, and the muddy 

 banks of streams and ponds ; also for a few days in May. 



55. Mniotilta varia Vieill. Black and White Creeper. 

 Common summer visitant. Have found it breeding, nest- 

 ing on the ground. It appears to nest in various situa- 

 tions, according to different observers ; in hollow trees, 

 on the ground, and in crevices among rocks. Arrives 

 about April 25th, and for several weeks is very abundant, 

 but the greater part going further north to breed, is not 

 so common in summer, but becomes abundant again 

 the last of August and early in September. 



56. Parula americana Bonap. Blue Yellow-backed 

 Warbler. Very common, particularly in May. Many 

 remain through the summer and breed, nesting about June 

 1st. Seem to prefer high mixed woods and thick spruce 

 and larch swamps, keeping almost wholly in the tops of 

 the taller trees and near the extremities of their larger 

 branches. On their first arrival, about May 5th, they fre- 

 quent the orchards, and keep lower among the undergrowth 

 in the woods than they do later in the season. Leaves 

 10th to the 15th of September. 



57. Geothlypis triclias Cab. Maryland Yellow-throated 

 Warbler. Summer visitant. Very abundant, breeding 

 plentifully in all swampy situations, nesting on the ground. 

 Arrives about May 10th, and leaves the first or second 

 week in September. 



58. Geothlypis Philadelphia Baird. Mourning Warbler. 

 Very rare. Have taken two specimens about the middle 

 of September. Five specimens of this Warbler were taken 

 in Lynn, a few years since, from the 4th to the 29th of 

 September, by S. Jillson. (Ms. notes of S. J.) 



The Connecticut Warbler ( Oporornis agilis Baird) may 

 probably be found here as an extremely rare species, but I 

 have not known it detected here. 



59. Icteria viridis Bonap. Yellow-breasted Chat. Ex- 

 tremely rare. Has been seen here but a few times. In 

 May, 1863, 1 saw a few pairs which appeared likely to breed 

 here, but being harrassed and some of them killed, by 

 collectors, the others sought a safer haunt. Was seen here 

 in September, a few years since, by R. B. Hildreth, Esq. 



60. Helminthophaga ruficapilla Baird. Nashville War- 



