100 
ORANGE-CROWNED SWAMP-WARBLER 
Helinaia celata, Say . 
PLATE CXII. — Male and Female. 
This species is seen in the company of Sylvicola coronata and Sylvicola 
petechia, both in the Southern States where it passes the winter, and while 
crossing the Union in early spring on its way to those North-eastern Districts 
where it breeds. It leaves Louisiana, the Floridas, and the Carolinas from 
the beginning to the end of April ; is seen in the Middle States about the 
10th of May ; and reaches the State of Maine and the British provinces by 
the end of that month. On its return, besides settling in the Southern 
States, it spreads over the provinces of Mexico, from whence individuals in 
spring migrate by the vast prairies, and along the shores of the western parts 
of the Union, entering Canada in that direction in the first days of June. 
The Orange-crowned Warbler is thus very widely distributed over North 
America. I met with none, however, between Halifax and Labrador, nor 
did I see one in the latter country. 
In the summer months, it manifests a retiring disposition, keeping among 
the low brushwood that borders the rivers and fakes of the Northern 
Districts. While in the south, however, where it is rather common near the 
sea-shore, it is less cautious, and is seen, in considerable numbers, in the 
orange groves around the plantations, or even in the gardens, especially in 
East Florida. Like the Sylvicola petechia, it plays about the piazzas, skip- 
ping on wing in front of the clapboarded house, in quest of its prey, which 
it expertly seizes without alighting, or without snapping its bill, except 
during the disputes that occur among the males, as the spring advances. Y ou 
find it among the branches of the Pride-of-China, a tree that ornaments the 
streets of the southern cities and villages, as well as on trees bordering the 
roads. From these it descends into the smilaxes, rose-bushes, and other 
shrubs, all of which yield it food and shelter. At the approach of darkness, 
it enters among the foliage of the evergreen wild orange and wild peach, 
where, with the Sylvicola petechia and Sylvicola coronata, it quietly passes 
the night. Its food principally consists of insects, partly caught on the wing, 
but chiefly along the branches and twigs, where the little depredator seeks 
them out with great activity. 
The flight of this bird is short, rather low, and is performed by gently 
