140 
SYLVIA PHILADELPHIA. 
sides is considerably narrower, and not of so deep a 
tint. 
Turton, and some other writers, have bestowed on 
this little bird the singular epithet of “ bloody-sided,” 
for which I was at a loss to know the reason, the colour 
of that part being a plain chestnut ; till, on examining 
Mr Edwards’s coloured figure of this bird in the public 
library of Philadelphia, I found its side tinged with a 
brilliant blood colour. Hence, I suppose, originated 
the name ! 
109 . SYLVIA PHILADELPHIA, WILSON MOURNING WARBLER. 
WILSON, PLATE XIV. FIG. VI. 
I have now the honour of introducing to the notice 
of naturalists and others, a very modest and neat little 
species, which has hitherto eluded their research. I 
must also add, with regret, that it is the only one of its 
kind I have yet met with. It was shot in the early 
part of June, on the border of a marsh, within a few 
miles of Philadelphia. It was flitting from one low 
bush to another, very busy in search of insects ; and 
had a sprightly and pleasant warbling song, the novelty 
of which first attracted my attention. I have traversed 
the same and many such places, every spring and 
summer since, in expectation of again meeting with 
some individual of the species, but without success. 
There are two species mentioned by Turton, to which 
the present has some resemblance, viz. motacillamitrata, 
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 de- 
scribed, 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 
