262 
SINGING BIRDS. 
0-0 (probably 4 or 5) ; white, wreathed around larger end with 
brown and purplish spots : 0.65 X 0.50 (?). 
This rare and plain species was discovered by Wilson on 
the banks of Cumberland River, in the State of Tennessee. It 
was hunting with great agility among the opening leaves in 
spring, and like the rest of the section to which it appertains, 
possesses a good deal of the habits of the Titmouse. Its notes 
were few and weak, and its food, as usual, smooth caterpillars 
and winged insects. It is still so rare that Audubon never 
saw more than three individuals, — two in Louisiana, and one at 
Key West in East Florida, all of which were males. 
Ornithologists of the present day do not consider this Warbler 
quite so rare as did Nuttall and his contemporaries, though it is 
somewhat local in its distribution, and is only met with occasionally 
at many places within its range. In the Eastern States it is rather 
rare, excepting on the northern border of New York and New Eng- 
land, where it breeds; but it is more numerous in the Mississippi 
valley, and Dr. Coues found it migrating in abundance along the 
Red River, through Minnesota and Dakota, while Thompson 
reports it as “ a common summer resident ” in parts of Manitoba. 
Dr. Wheaton considered it rare in Ohio, but Saunders reports it 
“ common at times ” in the southern peninsula of Ontario, while 
Mcllwraith has seen it but twice near Hamilton. It is rare in the 
Ottawa valley and near the city of Quebec, while common near 
Montreal. Comeau says it breeds in numbers near Point de 
Monts, on the north shore of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and Macoun 
reports it common around Lake Misstissini. It is not uncommon in 
some few localities in New Brunswick, where it remains all sum- 
mer. Mr. Walter Faxon reports seeing an example on Graylock 
and another on the White Mountains. Very few nests have been 
discovered, and one of these was taken near Springfield, Mass. _ 
It is an active bird and very wary, always on the alert, — darting 
rapidly from branch to branch. The song is a sweet-toned, cheery 
whistle, — somewhat similar to that of the Nashville. 
