6 BLUE YELLOW-BACK WARBLER. 



that of the other ; but the eggs are smaller, usually four or 

 five in number, and of a rather deeper greenish blue. 



This bird is likewise found in the state of Georgia, and has 

 not escaped the notice of Mr Abbot, who is satisfied of its 

 being a distinct species from the preceding. 



BLUE YELLOW-BACK WARBLER. {Sylvia pusilla.) 



PLATE XXVIII. —Fig. 3. 



Parus Americanus, Linn. Syst. 341. — Finch Creeper, Catesb. i. 64. — Lath. ii. 

 558. — Creeping Titmouse, Arct. Zool. 423, No. 326. — Parus varius, Various 

 coloured little Finch Creeper, Bart. p. 292. — Peale's Museum, No. 6910. 



SYLVICOLA AMERICANA— Swainson.* 



Sylvia Americana, Lath. Ind. Om. ii. p. 520. — Bonap. Synop. p. 83. — Sylvicola 

 pusilla, Sw. Synop. Birds of Mex. Ann. of Phil. p. 433. —Zool. Journ. No. 

 10, p. 169. — The Blue Yellow-backed "Warbler, Aud. pi. 15, male and 

 female ; Om. Biog. i. p. 78. 



Notwithstanding the respectability of the above authorities, 

 I must continue to consider this bird as a species of warbler. 

 Its habits, indeed, partake something of the titmouse ; but 

 the form of its bill is decidedly that of the Sylvia genus. It 

 is remarkable for frequenting the tops of the tallest trees, 

 where it feeds on the small winged insects, and caterpillars 

 that infest the young leaves and blossoms. It has a few 

 feeble chirruping notes, scarcely loud enough to be heard at 

 the foot of the tree. It visits Pennsylvania from the south, 

 early in May ; is very abundant in the woods of Kentucky : 

 and is also found in the northern parts of the state of New 

 York. Its nest I have never yet met with.f 



* There is nothing more annoying than the unravelling of names. 

 That of Americana, without doubt, seems to have been the specific 

 appellation first applied ; and if we are to adhere to any given rule in 

 nomenclature, that should be now adopted. The present species has 

 also been made typical of the group which is confined to the New 

 World.— Ed. 



+ According to Audubon, the nest is small, formed of lichens, beauti- 

 fully arranged on the outside, and lined with the cotton substances found 



