100 



ORANGE-CROWNED SWAMP- WARBLER. 



Helinaia celata, Say. 

 PLATE CXIL— Male and Female. 



This species is seen in the company of Sylvicola coronata and Sylvicola 

 petechia, both in the Southern States where it passes the winter, and while 

 crossing the Union in early spring on its way to those North-eastern Districts 

 where it breeds. It leaves Louisiana, the Floridas, and the Carolinas, from 

 the beginning to the end of April; is seen in the Middle States about the 

 10th of May; and reaches the State of Maine and the British provinces by 

 the end of that month. On its return, besides settling in the Southern 

 States, it spreads over the provinces of Mexico, from whence individuals in 

 spring migrate by the vast prairies, and along the shores of the western parts 

 of the Union, entering Canada in that direction in the first days of June. 

 The Orange-crowned Warbler is thus very widely distributed over North 

 America. I met with none, however, between Halifax and Labrador, nor 

 did I see one in the latter country. 



In the summer months, it manifests a retiring disposition, keeping among 

 the low brushwood that borders the rivers and lakes of the Northern 

 Districts. While in the south, however, where it is rather common near the 

 sea-shore, it is less cautious, and is seen, in considerable numbers, in the 

 orange groves around the plantations, or even in the gardens, especially in 

 East Florida. Like the Sylvicola jictechia, it plays about the piazzas, skip- 

 ping on wing in front of the clapboarded house, in quest of its prey, which 

 it expertly seizes without alighting, or without snapping its bill, except 

 during the disputes that occur among the males, as the spring advances. You 

 find it among the branches of the Pride-of-China, a tree that ornaments the 

 streets of the southern cities and villages, as well as on trees bordering the 

 roads. From these it descends into the smilaxes, rose-bushes, and other 

 shrubs, all of which yield it food and shelter. At the approach of darkness, 

 it enters among the foliage of the evergreen wild orange and wild peach, 

 where, with the Sylvicola petechia and Sylvicola coronata, it quietly passes 

 the night. Its food principally consists of insects, partly caught on the wing, 

 but chiefly along the branches and twigs, where the little depredator seeks 

 them out with great activity. 



The flight of this bird is short, rather low, and is performed by gently 



