156 
SYLVIA CiERULEA. 
individuals, are found in the depth of the pine Barrens ; 
and are easily known by their manner of rising* from 
the ground, and alighting on the body of the tree. They 
also often glean among the topmost boughs of the pine 
trees, hanging, head downwards, like the titmouse. 
124 . SYLVIA GJERULEA) LATH MUSCICAPA CjERULEA, WILS. 
SMALL BLUE GRAY FLYCATCHER. 
WILSON, PLATE XVIII. FIG. V. 
This diminutive species, but for the length of the 
tail, would rank next to our humming bird in magni- 
tude. It is a very dexterous flycatcher, and has also 
something of the manners of the titmouse, with whom, 
in early spring, and fall, it frequently associates. It 
arrives in Pennsylvania, from the south, about the 
middle of April; and, about the beginning of May, 
builds its nest, which it generally fixes among the 
twigs of a tree, sometimes at the height of ten feet from 
the ground, sometimes fifty feet high, on the extremities 
of the tops of a high tree in the woods. This nest is 
formed of very slight and perishable materials, the husks 
of buds, stems of old leaves, withered blossoms of weeds, 
down from the stalks of fern, coated on the outside 
with gray lichen, and lined with a few horse hairs. 
Yet in this frail receptacle, which one would think 
scarcely sufficient to admit the body of the owner, and 
sustain even its weight, does the female cow bird 
venture to deposit her egg ; and to the management of 
these pigmy nurses leaves the fate of her helpless young. 
The motions of this little bird are quick ; he seems 
always on the look-out for insects ; darts about from 
one part of the tree to another, with hanging wings 
and erected tail, making a feeble chirping, tsee, tsee , no 
louder than a mouse. Though so small in itself, it is 
ambitious of hunting* on the highest branches, and is 
seldom seen among the humbler thickets. It remains 
with us until the 20th or 28th of September; after 
which we see no more of it till the succeeding spring. 
