NATURAL HISTORY. 
405 
time; returns early in the fall. Frequents high open woods, but keeps 
near the ground. Shy and solitary. 
46. Turdus swainsoni, Cab.— -Olive-backed Thrush. Spring and 
autumn visitant; none breed. The most abundant of the thrushes, 
except perhaps T. pallasi. Have seen them in considerable flocks in 
the fall. Arrives the second week in April; remains but a short 
time. Returns in the fall, second week in September; remains till 
second week in October. 
47. Turdus aliciae , Bd. — G-ray-cheeked Thrush. Spring and 
autumn visitant ; none breed. Apparently as abundant as T. sivain- 
soni , more so than T. fuscescens. Found in similar situations with 
the former, with which its times of arrival and departure are nearly 
identical; perhaps fonder of swampy localities. (First shown to 
belong to the eastern Avi-fauna by ourselves. See Proc. Acad. Nat. 
Sci., Philada., Aug., 1861.) 
48. Turdus ( Planesticus ) migratorius, Linn. — Robin. Permanent 
resident. A few breed, and a few remain during the winter; the 
greater part, however, proceed north in summer and south in winter. 
Most abundant in November and March. Sour gum and poke-berries 
( Phytolacca decandra ) are their favorite food. Found in all localities. 
Many nest in the parks about the Capitol and President's House. 
49. Sialia sialis , (Linn.,) Bd. — Blue Bird. Very abundant. Per- 
manent resident. Disappears in severe weather in winter, but is 
found on warm, sunny days throughout that season, and becomes ex- 
ceedingly numerous on the first opening of spring. Breeds plentifully 
in holes of trees and in boxes throughout the city. 
50. Regulus calendulus , (Linn.,) Licht. — Ruby-crowned Kinglet. 
Spring and autumn visitant. Yery abundant. None breed. In spring, 
from April 1 to May 10; in fall, through the month of October and 
first few days in November. Frequents orchards, thickets, copses, 
cedar patches, &c. ; less frequently found in high woods. Is most 
numerous in the fall. Is in full song before it leaves. Spring migra- 
tions always embrace a number of both sexes, with the head perfect^ 
plain. 
51 . Regulus satrajpa , Liclit. — Golden-crested Kinglet. Winter resi- 
dent. Abundant from October 1 to latter part of April. None breed. 
Habits much the same as the preceding. Thick pine woods a favorite 
resort. Familiar and unsuspicious. 
52. Anthus ludovicianus, (Gin.,) Licht.— -Titlark. “Skylark. 7 ’ Win- 
ter resident. Abundant. Makes its appearance towards the end of 
October, and remains until April. Always found in restless straggling 
flocks, usually of considerable extent. Frequents open commons, 
bare meadows, ploughed fields, &c. Has a* remarkable habit of fre- 
quently alighting on the roofs of houses and sheds. [Breeds in great 
numbers in Labrador.] 
53. Mniotilta varia, (Linn.,) Yieill. — Black and White Creeper. 
“ Sapsucker. 77 Yery common summer resident, but more abundant 
in spring and fall, as the greater number go further north to breed. 
Arrives first week in April, and is exceedingly numerous until May. 
Breeds in holes in trees. Generally found in high, open woods. 
54. Parula americana , (Linn.,) Bon. — Blue Yellow- back Warbler. 
