
THE WARBLERS. 181 
that it breeds there in abundance, it is seldom seen in this 
locality.after the end of June, although from the beginning of 
May until that time it is exceedingly common. About the 
first of September it reappears, and in a short time becomes 
abundant, remaining so for a few weeks, when it disappears 
again. It has a number of notes, some of which are very 
agreeable, especially its spring warble, which has been well 
described by Nuttall. Its peculiar habits are too well known 
to require any farther comment. 
_ These species are about all that are to be found in the New 
England States. There are a few, however, not enumerated 
above, that occasionally visit them, stragglers from their 
more proper places of abode. Of these, those that are most 
likely to occur are the Kentucky Warbler ( Oporornis for- 
mosus), which has been discovered on Long Island several 
times; the Golden-winged Warbler (Helminthophaga chry- 
soptera), which undoubtedly migrates as far north as Massa- 
chusetts ; and the Tennessee Warbler (Helminthophaga per- 
egrina) , which has been shot in the neighborhood of New York 
City. The Orange-crowned Warbler (Helminthophaga celata), 
is also said to have been found in New York State; and, of 
course, may occur in the adjacent parts of New England. 
Its occurrence is very doubtful, however, and is still a subject 
of dispute. ; 
It would scarcely be proper, in an account of the warbler 
family, to overlook the Water-thrushes (Seiurus), which are 
how generally classed among the Sylvicolee, or typical war- 
blers, although their proper place in our systems has long 
n a matter of discussion. Audubon placed them among 
his Motacilline, or wagtails; while Wilson regarded them 
as true thrushes. Wilson, however, is not to be relied upon 
In matters relating to classification ; he excelled as a descrip- 
tive naturalist, but not as a systematist. The specific rank of 
the Water-thrushes, or wagtails, now seems to be universally 
acknowledged ; and there can be little doubt, but that the 
Position assigned to them by Professor Baird, is the correct 
