MNIOTILTA. — PEOTONOTAEIA, 111 



recorded from the Windward Islands, which, doubtless, lie to the eastward of its route of 

 migration. In Jamaica it is said that a few remain to breed ^3 ; but in Cuba none have 

 been observed to do so ^^ 



The range of Mniotilta varia in North America is extensive ; but the bird is said to 

 be nowhere abundant. It does not pass the Eocky Mountains, and reaches the Pacific 

 at no point north of Mazatlan. In the States, except perhaps in Texas, it is essentially 

 a summer visitant, and it breeds throughout the country from Texas (where Heermann 

 found its nest) northwards. Its habits are well described by Brewer ^3 as resembling 

 those of a Creeper (Certhia) in its constant practice of climbing along the limbs and 

 stems of trees in search of food. In its winter quarters a sharp call is the only note 

 it utters ; but in the breeding-season its song is described as sweet and pleasing though 

 not powerful. 



The nest is always built upon the ground. 



PROTONOTAEIA. 



Protonotaria, Baird, B. N. Am. p. 239 (1858). (Type Motacilla citrea, Bodd.) 

 Protonotaria, Baird, Brew. & Ridgw. N. Am. B. i. p. 183. 



A single, peculiar-looking species constitutes this genus — a bird with a long bill and 

 long wings, and remarkable for the purity of the yellow colour of its head and under- 

 parts. The species is a scarce one in Central America, visiting Yucatan, Costa Eica, 

 and Panama during the winter months, and passing the summer in the Southern 

 States. 



1. Protonotaria citrea. 



Mguier h ventre et titejaunes de la Louisiane, D'Aub. PI. Enl. 704, f. 3 ', undfe 



Motacilla citrea, Bodd. Tabl. PI. Enl. p. 41 ^ 



Helminthophaga citrea, Cab. J. f. Orn. 1861, p. 85 '. 



Protonotaria citrea, Baird, Eev. Am. B. i. p. 173*; Lawr. Ann. Lye. N. Y. ix. pp. 94', 200 %• 

 Frantz. J. f. Orn. 1869, p. 293 ^ Scl. & Salv. P. Z. S. 1870, p. 780 ^ 1879, p. 494"; Baird, 

 Brew. & Ridgw. N. Am. B. i. p. 184'°; Cones, B. N.W. p. 47"; Gundl. Orn. Cub. p. 62 '^ 



Supra olivaceo-virescens, uropygio, alls extus et cauda (rectrioibus duabua mediis) cserulescenti-cinereis ; 

 capite toto et corpore subtus Isetissime flavis, subalaribuset crisso albis; reotricibus (praeter duabus mediis) 

 aibis, pogonio externo et apicibus nigris ; rostro corneo, pedibus plumbeis. Long, tota 5, ate 2-8, 

 caudsB 1-8, rostri a rictu 0'75, tarsi 0-75. (Descr. exempl. ex Teraguas, Panama. Mus. nostr.) 



Hob. NoKTH America, South-eastern States ^^ ii._Mexico, Merida, Yucatan (Schott^); 

 Costa Eica 3, Punta Arenas (/. M. Dow^ ^ v. Frantzius''); Pai^tama, Veraguas (Arce), 

 line of railway (iUfMs. G. K Lawrence).— Colombia^ ; Vekezuela^; Cuba 12, 



In its summer quarters the Prothonotary Warbler is restricted to the southern 

 region of the eastern section of the United States, being chiefly found in Kansas, 



