GREEN BLACK-CAPT FLYCATCHER. 



391 



GREEN BLACK-CAPT FLYCATCHER. (Muscicapa 

 pusilla) 



PLATE XXVI.— Fig. 4. 



PeaWs Museum, No. 7785. 



SET OP HAG A ? WILSONJI.-JAB.nmE.* 



Sylvia Wilsonii, Bonap, Synop. p. 86. — Nomenclature, No. 127. 



This neat and active little species I have never met with in 

 the works of any European naturalist. It is an inhabitant 

 of the swamps of the southern states, and has been several 

 times seen in the lower parts of the states of New Jersey and 

 Delaware. Amidst almost unapproachable thickets of deep 

 morasses it commonly spends its time during summer, 

 and has a sharp squeaking note, nowise musical. It leaves 

 the southern states early in October. 



This species is four inches and a half long, and six and a 

 half in extent ; front line over the eye, and whole lower parts, 

 yellow, brightest over the eye, and dullest on the cheeks, belly, 

 and vent, where it is tinged with olive ; upper parts, olive 

 green ; wings and tail, dusky brown, the former very short ; 

 legs and bill, flesh coloured ; crown, covered with a patch of 

 deep black ; iris of the eye, hazel. 



The female is without the black crown, having that part of 

 a dull yellow olive, and is frequently mistaken for a distinct 

 species. From her great resemblance, however, in other 

 respects, to the male, now first figured, she cannot hereafter 

 be mistaken. 



* The Prince of Musignano has never seen this species, but was of 

 opinion that it would prove a Sylvia ; and the specific name being 

 preoccupied, he chose that of its discoverer. I have retained his specific 

 name, though the reason of the change will not now be available. The 

 services of Wilson, however, can scarcely be overpaid, and the reputa- 

 tion of no one is here implicated. — Ed. 



