SWAINSON'S SWAMP-WARBLER. 85 



has been obtained in Massachusetts, by Mr. Samuel Cabot. This is the 

 only instance in which it is known to have been procured, or even observed, 

 in that part of the country, where nothing farther has therefore been ascer- 

 tained respecting its history. 



The species to which this approaches nearest is the Sylvia vermivora. 

 The bird, however, is very closely allied to the Wrens, which it greatly 

 resembles in the form of its bill and feet, although in the form of its wings 

 it differs essentially. 



To none of my ornithological friends could I assuredly with more pro- 

 priety have dedicated this species than to him, the excellent and learned 

 author, whose name you have seen connected with it — to him, who has 

 himself traversed large portions of America, who has added so considerably 

 to the list of known species of birds, and who has enriched the science of 

 ornithology by so many valuable works. 



S^aixson's Warbler, Sylvia Swainsonii, Aud. Orn. Biog.,vol. ii. p. 563; vol. v. p. 462. 



Adult. 



Bill as long as the head, slender, straight, tapering to a point, much com- 

 pressed, the ridge rather sharp, the sides of the upper mandible at the base 

 declinate and flat, the edges inflected. Nostrils basal, lateral, oblong, half 

 filled, above by a cartilaginous membrane. The form is slender and graceful. 

 Feet of ordinary length, slender; tarsus compressed, anteriorly covered with 

 a few long scutella, posteriorly sharp, longer than the middle toe; toes free, 

 but the outer united to the second joint; claws arched, very slender, very 

 acute, extremely compressed, with a lateral groove, the hind claw much 

 larger. 



Plumage soft, blended, slightly glossed. Wings longish, the first three 

 quills almost equal, the first being very slightly shorter, secondaries narrow 

 and rounded. Tail of ordinary length, straight, even, of twelve rather 

 narrow rounded feathers. 



Bill light brown, darker at the tip. Iris brown. Feet and claws flesh- 

 coloured. The colouring of the plumage is extremely simple, the whole of 

 the upper parts being of a rich brown, tinged with red on the head, while 

 the under parts are very pale brownish-grey, the sides darker. The sides of 

 the head are brownish-white, the feathers tipped with brown, and a whitish 

 line passes over the eye. 



Length 5\, extent of wings 8|; bill along the ridge T 7 2, along the edges 

 Y2; tarsus l\, middle toe including the nail f. 

 Vol. II. 14 



