376 
PALM WARBLER. 
nata in its most humble dress, that it is distinguishable only- 
on a close examination. However, the bill is longer, and 
more slender, the crown spot chestnut instead of yellow, the 
feathers being destitute of the white which is observable in the 
other, by separating the feathers ; the rump is olive yellow, 
not pure yellow, and that colour extending on the tail- coverts, 
which it does not in Sylvia coronata. The under parts tinged 
with yellow, and especially the pure yellow tail-coverts, which 
are pure white in S, coronata^ will sufficiently distinguish them. 
It is a remarkable circumstance, that there is no obvious 
difference to be observed between the plumage of the sexes, 
notwithstanding the statements of authors to the contraryo 
This is the case, however, in S. coronata^ and in almost all the 
warblers that change periodically from a dull to a bright plu- 
mage ; and, in fact, in most birds in which this change takes 
place. 
According to Buffon and Vieillot, this bird is a permanent 
resident in the West Indies, where, as they state, the name is 
sometimes applied to it of Fausse Linotte. We, however, can 
perceive scarcely any resemblance, except in its dull state of 
plumage, to a similar state of the red-poll finch. The name 
of Bimhele, by which it is known among the negroes of those 
countries, is derived from the recollection of an African bird, 
to which, probably, the resemblance is not more evident. Un- 
fortunately, this propensity of limited minds to refer new ob- 
jects, however distinct, to those with which they are acquaint- 
ed, seems to have prevailed throughout the world, and is found 
exemplified nowdiere more absurdly than in the Anglo-Ame- 
rican names of plants and animals. 
‘ The food of this little warbler consists chiefly of fruits and 
small seeds. Its song is limited to five or six notes ; but though 
neither brilliant nor varied, it is highly agreeable, the tones 
being full, soft, and mellow. While other birds of its kind 
build in thickets and humble situations, this proud little crea- 
ture is said always to select the very lofty tree from which it 
takes its name, the palmist, (a species of palm,) and to place its 
