SPECIES 31. SYLVM STRMTJi. 
BLACK-POLL WARBLER. 
[Plate XXX. — Fig. 3, Male.] 
Lath, ii, ji. 460. — Arct. ZooL p. 401, JVb. 290. — Tuhton, 6G0.- — 
Peale’s Jl/wsewji, Ab, 7054.* 
This species has considerable affinity to the Flycatchers in 
its habits. It is chiefly confined to the woods, and even there, 
to the tops of the tallest trees, where it is described skipping 
from branch to branch in pursuit of winged insects. Its note is 
a single screep, scarcely audible from below. It arrives in 
Pennsylvania about the twentieth of April, and is first seen on 
the tops of the highest maples, darting about among the blos- 
soms. As the woods thicken with leaves it may be found pretty 
generally, being none of the least numerous of our summer 
birds. It is, however, most partial to woods in the immediate 
neighbourhood of creeks, swamps, or morasses, probably from 
the greater number of its favourite insects frequenting such 
places. It is also pretty generally diffused over the United States, 
having myself met with it in most quarters of the Union; though 
its nest has hitherto defied all my researches. 
This bird may be considered as occupying an intermediate 
station between the Flycatchers and the Warblers; having the 
manners of the former, and the bill, partially, of the latter. The 
nice gradations by which Nature passes from one species to 
another, even in this department of the great chain of beings, 
will forever baffle all the artificial rules and systems of man. 
And this truth every fresh discovery must impress more forci- 
* Motacilla slriala, Gmex. SxjU. i, ji. 976. — Sylvia striata, Lath. Ind. Orn. ii, 
I>. 527. 
