250 MOURNING WARBLER. 



and pleasant warbling song, the novelty of which first attracted 

 my attention. I have traversed the same and many such 

 places, every spring and summer since, in expectation of again 

 meeting with some individual of the species, but without 

 success. I have, however, the satisfaction to say, that the 

 drawing was done with the greatest attention to peculiarity of 

 form, markings, and tint of plumage ; and the figure on the 

 plate is a good resemblance of the original. I have yet hopes 

 of meeting, in some of my excursions, with the female, and, 

 should I be so fortunate, shall represent her in some future 

 volume of the present work, with such farther remarks on 

 their manners, &c, as I may then be enabled to make. 



There are two species mentioned by Turton, to which the 

 present has some resemblance, viz., Motacilla mitrata, or 

 mitred warbler, and M. cucullata, or hooded warbler ; both 

 birds of the United States, or, more properly, a single bird ; 

 for they are the same species twice described, namely, the 

 hooded warbler. The difference, however, between that and 

 the present is so striking, as to determine this at once to be a 

 very distinct species. The singular appearance of the head, 

 neck, and breast, suggested the name. 



The mourning warbler is five inches long, and seven in 

 extent; the whole back, wings, and tail, are of a deep greenish 

 olive, the tips of the wings and the centre of the tail-feathers 

 excepted, which are brownish ; the whole head is of a dull 

 slate colour; the breast is ornamented with a singular crescent 

 of alternate transverse lines of pure glossy white and very deep 

 black ; all the rest of the lower parts are of a brilliant yellow ; 

 the tail is rounded at the end ; legs and feet, a pale flesh colour ; 

 bill, deep brownish black above, lighter below ; eye, hazel.* 



* Wilson saw this bird only once, and I have met with no one who 

 has since seen it. From the general appearance of the representation, 

 it seems to approach nearest to the generic appellation we have given, 

 but which must rest yet undecided. Bonaparte observes, " The exces- 

 sive rarity might lead us to suppose it an accidental variety of some 

 other, — perhaps S. trichas." — Ed. 



