250 
MOURNING WARBLER. 
first attracted my attention. I Lave traversed the same and 
many such places, every spring* and summer since, in expec- 
tation of again meeting with some individual of the species, 
but without success. I have, however, the satisfaction to say, 
that the drawing was done with the greatest attention to pecu- 
liarity of form, markings, and tint of plumage ; and the figure 
on the plate is a good resemblance of the original. I have 
yet hopes of meeting, in some of my excursions, with the 
female, and, should I be so fortunate, shall represent her in 
some future volume of the present work, with such farther 
remarks on their manners, &c. as I may then be enabled to 
make. 
There are two species mentioned by Turton, to which the 
present has some resemblance, viz. Motacilla mitrata , or 
Mitred Warbler, and M. cucullata , or Hooded Warbler; 
both birds of the United States, or, more properly, a single 
bird ; for they are the same species twice described, namely, 
the Hooded Warbler. The difference, however, between 
that and the present is so striking, as to determine this at once 
to be a very distinct species. The singular appearance of the 
head, neck, and breast, suggested the name. 
The Mourning Warbler is five inches long, and seven in 
extent ; the whole back, wings, and tail, are of a deep greenish 
olive ; the tips of the wings, and the centre of the tail-feathers 
excepted, which are brownish ; the whole head is of a dull 
slate colour ; the breast is ornamented with a singular crescent 
of alternate transverse lines of pure glossy white, and very 
deep black ; all the rest of the lower parts are of a brilliant 
yellow ; the tail is rounded at the end ; legs and feet, a pale 
flesh colour ; bill, deep brownish black above, lighter below ; 
eye, hazel.* 
* Wilson saw this bird only once, and I have met with no one who has 
since seen it. From the general appearance of the representation, it seems 
to approach nearest to the generic appellation we have given, but which must 
rest yet undecided. Bonaparte observes, “ The excessive rarity might lead us 
to suppose it an accidental variety of some other, — ■perhaps S. trichas .” — Ed. 
