BLUE-GREEN WARBLER. 265 
On dissecting these birds, the gizzard was found extremely muscu- 
lar, having almost the hardness of a stone; the heart remarkably large; 
the crop was filied with brier knots, containing the larve of some 
insect, quantities of a species of green lichen, small, hard seeds, and 
some grains of Indian corn. 
BLUE-GREEN WARBLER.—SYLVIA RARA.— Fie. 125. 
Peale’s Museum, No. 7788. 
VERMIVORA? RARA, — Jarvine.* 
Sylvia rara, Bonap. Synop. p. 82. — Aud. pl. 49, male; Orn. Biog. i. p. 258. 
Tus new species, the only one of its sort I have yet met with, was 
shot on the banks of Cumberland River, about the beginning of April, 
and the drawing made with care immediately after. Whether male 
or female, Iam uncertain. It is one of those birds that usually glean 
among the high branches of the tallest trees, which renders it difficult 
to be procured. It was darting about with. great nimbleness among 
the leaves, and appeared to have many of the habits of the Flycatcher. 
After several ineffectual excursions in search of another of the same 
kind, with which I might compare the present, I am obliged to intro- 
duce it with this brief account. 
The specimen has been deposited in Mr. Peale’s museum. 
The Blue-green Warbler is four inches and a half long, and seven 
and a half in extent; the upper parts are verditer, tinged with pale 
green, brightest, on the front and forehead; lores, line over the eye, 
throat, and whole lower parts, very pale cream ; cheeks, slightly tinged 
with greenish ; bill and legs, bright light blue, except the upper man- 
dible, which is dusky ; tail, forked, and, as well as the wings, brownish 
black; the former marked on the three exterior vanes with white, and 
edged with greenish; the latter having the first and second row of 
coverts tipped with white. ‘Note, a feeble chirp. 
* This species was discovered by Wilson, and does not seem to have been again 
met with by any ornithologist except Mr. Audubon, who has figured it, and added 
somewhat to our knowledge of its manners. 
“ It is rare in the middle districts, and is only found in the dark recesses of the 
ae swamp. On its passage through the states, it appears in Louisiana, in April. 
hey are met with in Kentucky, in Ohio, upon the Missouri, and along Lake Erie.” 
Mr. Audubon has never seen the nest. In spring the song is soft and mellow, and 
not heard beyond the distance of a few paces ; it is performed at intervals, between 
the times at which the bird secures an insect, which it does with great expertness, 
either on the wing, or among the leaves of the trees and bushes. © While catching 
it on the wing, it produces a slight, clicking sound with its bill, like Vireo. It also, 
like them, eats small berries, particularly towards autumn, when insects begin to 
fail.. There seems little difference between the sexes. Such is the most important 
information given by Mr. Audubon. — En. 
