ECONOMIC RELATIONS OF OUR BIRDS. 
507 
tober 5th. It has not been my fortune to meet with the species. As its name 
implies, its favorite haunts are among the coniferous forests, where it frequents 
the tops of tlie taller trees. During the spring and fall, in Massachusetts, it fre¬ 
quents situations similar to those cliosen by the Palm Warbler, the two species 
at these times often associating together. While in the forests, its habits ai'e 
said to closely resemble those of the Creepers, but it is also said to capture in¬ 
sects on the wing. 
Food; Seeds of pitch pine and various bugs (Wilson). Insects taken princi¬ 
pally among the branches of trees, but occasionally upon the ground; young 
crickets, and a small red beetle found enclosed in the leaves or stipules of pines 
(Audubon). 
I obtained a single specimen of this species in May of 1880, at River Falls, 
since the above was written, 
48. SiURUS AUROCAPILLUS (LiNN.), Sw. GOLDEN-CROWNED THRUSH. 
Group I. Class b. 
This trim bird-of-the-woodlands breeds with us commonly. Dry groves and 
woods are its usual haunts, but it also frequents osier and alder thickets. Most 
of its time is spent upon the ground, running and scratching among the fallen 
leaves for food. Here, too, its quaint nest is built, and diligently sought for by 
the Cowbird as a receptacle for her eggs. Two broods are said to be reared each 
season. 
Food: A considerable portion of the food of this species consists of seeds 
gathered in the woods. Eight out of ten specimens examined had eaten seeds; 
one, three caterpillars; and one, three beetles. In the stomachs of five, there 
were fine bits of insects, none of which were identified. 
Ants, small beetles, and caterpillars (De Kay). Small insects, smooth cater¬ 
pillars, spiders, and berries (Audubon). Seeds, mud-insects, caterpillars, and 
small turbinated snails (Gosse). 
49. SiURUS ^ MYius , (Bd.), Coues. WATER THRUSH; WATER WAG¬ 
TAIL. Group I. Class b. 
This is not an abundant bird in Wisconsin, and I have never met with it earlier 
than August 10th, although a few are said to breed in the dark, gloomy swamps. 
It is terrestrial in its habits, but more timid and suspicious than its cousin. Un¬ 
frequented woodlands where pools abound, or through which some stream runs, 
are its usual resorts. Sometimes it leaves the wood a mile or more to visit 
streams winding through marshy tracts. In these places it often wades the 
shallows to obtain aquatic forms of life which may be witliin its reach. 
Food; The contents of four stomachs, examined collectively, included three 
dipterous larvae, two crickets, one grasshopper, three beetles — two of them cur- 
culios,— six dipterous insects, one dragon-fly, one haix--w'orm, six small mollusks, 
four orthopterous eggs, and two ca])sules and pedicels of some moss. 
Aquatic insects and mollusks (Gosse). Principally aquatic insects (Wilson). 
50. Oporornis agilis (Wils.), Bd. CONNECTICUT WARBLER. Group III. 
Class b. 
This rare Warbler is said to be quite abundant in Illinois and Wisconsin in 
the spring, but very rare in the fall. Mr. Nelson, however, speaks of it as being 
about equally abundant at both seasons. During the migrations it appears 
