SWAINS ON’S WABBLE B. 
47 
springs at once from the bowels of the earth. The water which is always at a low temperature 
(about 70°) is slightly impregnated with sulphur and magnesia. It must flow from subterraneous 
reservoirs many hundred feet below. 
The head of the spring is surrounded by a fine grove which was the resort of several species 
of Warblers that visited the place in large flocks. I was collecting here on January 25th, when 
I shot a Worm-eating Warbler which was hopping about among the tree tops; this was the first 
time I had ever seen this species and although I saw several others in the thick foliage it was 
the only specimen which I was able to obtain. I have never seen them elsewhere in Florida. 
Although these birds breed commonly in the Southern and Middle states yet the nest was 
not discovered until June, 1871, when Mr. J. II. Batty found one on the eastern slope of the 
Orange Mountains in New Jersey. He was collecting in the woods and had wandered into a 
small open space when he observed the bird sitting on the nest; at the first glance he mistook 
her for a Golden-crowned Thrush to which these birds bear a slight resemblance, especially 
when at a distance, but upon approaching saw at once what she was and knew that he had found 
a prize. The bird remained quiet until he was quite near, then ran rapidly away for some 
distance when she took flight. The nest was placed in a little. depression of the ground aud 
partly covered with dead leaves. Both birds came about the place uttering a sharp chirp. 
According to Mr. Batty the birds are constantly searching among the fallen trees, brushwood, 
and on the ground for insects. Mr. Scote says that they have a low lisping song. 
HELMITHERUS SWAINSONI. 
Swainson’s Warbler. 
Helmitherus Swainsonii Bonap., Conspectus, 1850, 314. 
DESCRIPTION. 
Sp. Ch. Form, rather robust. Size, quite large. Bill, long, stout and acuminate. Wings, long. Tail, short 
and slightly rounded. 
Color. Adult. Above, reddish-brown which is brightest on the top of the head and palest on the back where 
there is a tinge of olivaceous. Stripe over the eye and entire under parts, including under wing and under tail 
coverts, yellowisli-white, with a tinge of pale olivaceous across the breast. The sides and flanks are also pale 
olivaceous. Lores, dusky. Neck, brown. Bill, brown, lighter on the lower side of the lower mandible. Feet, pale 
brown. Sexes similar. 
OBSERVATIONS. 
The above description was taken from a specimen of this species which was shot at Little Silver Spring, in 
Florida, by Mr. L. L. Thaxter who kindly forwarded it to me for examination. This is the only specimen which 
I ever had the pleasure of examining, and it is exceedingly rare in collections. There is no need of confounding 
this species with vermivorus as the latter has the top of the head striped while this has a rufously colored crown. 
Habitat, Georgia, Florida and Cuba. 
DIMENSIONS. 
Measurements of Mr. Thaxter’s specimen taken from the skin.—Length, 5-25; wing, 2-75; tail, 1-90; bill, -65; 
tarsus, -70. 
HABITS. 
The wild orange groves of Florida are quite abundant along the streams, and grow upon 
shell mounds which were formed by the Indians many years ago; as these trees do not grow in 
any other situations than those which bear evidence of having been the residence of man, this 
is a strong argument in favor of their having been introduced into the country by the Spaniards 
and distributed by them or by the original inhabitants. These groves are always noticeable 
landmarks when passing along the St. John’s River on account of the dark green foliage, but 
when in early winter the golden fruit appears surrounded by the glossy leaves the effect is 
striking; later in February, when the snowy clusters of blossoms burst forth and the air 
