WARBLING FLYCATCHER. 385 
WARBLING FLYCATCHER.—MUSCICAPA MELODIA.— 
Fie. 175. 
VIREO GILVUS. —Bonaranrtn. 
Muscicapa gilva, Vieill. pl. 34. (auct.. Bonap.) — Vireo gilvus, Bonap. Synop. p. 
70. Nomen. sp. 123. 
Tuts sweet little Warbler is for the first time figured and described. 
in Fig. 175. In its general appearance it resembles the Red-eyed 
Flycatcher ; but, on a close comparison, differs from that bird in many 
particulars. It arrives in Pennsylvania about the middle of April, and 
inhabits the thick foliage of orchards and high trees; its voice is soft, 
tender, and soothing, and its notes flow in an easy, continued strain, 
that is extremely pleasing. It is often heard among the weeping wil- 
lows and Lombardy poplars of this city; is rarely observed in the 
woods; but seems particularly attached to the society of man. It 
gleans among the leaves, occasionally darting after winged insects, 
and searching for caterpillars; and seems by its manners to partake 
considerably of the nature of the genus Sylvia. It is late in departing, 
and I have frequently heard its notes among the fading leaves of the 
poplar in October. 
This little bird may be distinguished from all the rest of our song- 
sters by the soft, tender, easy flow of its notes, while hid among the 
foliage. In these there is nothing harsh, sudden, or emphatical ; they 
glide along in a kind of meandering strain, that is peculiarly its own. 
tn May and June it may be generally heard in the orchards, the borders 
of the city, and around the farm-house. 
This species is five inches and a half long, and eight inches and a 
half in extent; bill, dull lead color above, and notched near the point, 
lower, a pale flesh color; eye, dark hazel; line over the eye, and whole 
lower parts, white, the latter tinged with very pale greenish yellow 
near the breast; upper parts, a pale green olive; wings, brown, broadly 
edged with pale olive green; tail, slightly forked, edged with olive ; 
the legs and feet, pale lead; the head inclines a little toash; no white 
on the wings or tail. Male and female nearly alike. 
