CHAPTER III. 



Family Sylvicolidae. American Warbler^. 



AH the Sylvicolas are small birds nof one being 

 over six inches in length, if we except Ideria and 

 probably a species of Seiurus. They are mostly 

 clad in variegated colors. The sexjes are gener- 

 ally unlike, and the variations of plumage so 

 striking with respect to age and season of the 

 year, that most careful discrimination is absolutely 

 essential. Some of the Warblers possess the 

 habits of Titmice or Wrens; others, imitate the 

 Creepers or Nuthatches; the Seiuri,in many par- 

 ticulars, resemble the Titlarks ; while the Redstarts 

 simulate so completely the true Flycatchers, that 

 they were formerly classified with the Tyrannida. 

 The Warblers graduate so completely into the 

 Tanagers, that they have been constituted a sub- 

 family of To-nagridcB; their affinity with the 

 Cosrebidez is so intimate, that a clear line of de- 

 marcation is not possible. 



The Sylvicolidee as now constituted, comprehend 

 more than a hundred genuine species, and in 

 America to which they are restricted, may be con- 

 sidered as representative of the Sylviidce of the 

 Old World. Dr. Coues separates them into three 

 Subfamilies: — Sylvicolims, Icteriince, and Setopha- 

 gina which are distinguished from each other by 

 certain structural peculiarities. 



