3 1 0
B L A C K - T H R O A T E D B L U E W A R B L E R
snaps its bill so as to produce a clicking sound. It now and then alights
on a low plant, such as that represented in the plate, and moves along the
branches searching for pupa?, ants, and insects. I have never heard its
love-song, but its common note is a rather melancholy cheep. I am inclined
to believe that it breeds in the State of Maine, having seen several
individuals of both sexes not far from Eastport, in the beginning of June
1833, when several other species had nests.
SYLVIA CANADENSIS, Lath. Ind. Ornith. vol. ii. p. 539. Ch. Bonaparte, Synops. of
Birds of the United States, p. 8 4 .
BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER, Wils. Ainer. Ornith. vol. ii. p. 115. pi. 15. fig. 7-
Nttttall, Manual, p. 398.
Adult Male. Plate CLV.
Bill short, nearly straight, tapering, depressed at the base, compressed
towards the end; upper mandible slightly arched in its dorsal outline,
and in the sharp notchless edge. Nostrils basal, oval, covered above by
a membrane, and partially concealed by the feathers. Head of ordinary
size, neck short, body rather slender. Feet of ordinary length, slender;
tarsus compressed, covered anteriorly with a few long scutella, sharp behind
; toes slender, free, the outer united to the second joint, the hindtoe
proportionally large; claws arched, slender, much compressed, acute.
Plumage blended, soft, slightly glossed. Wings longish, straight, third
quill longish, second almost equal, fourth next in length, and not much
longer than the first. Tail of moderate length, even, the lateral feathers
bent outwards towards the end. Bristles at the base of the bill distinct.
Bill black. Iris dark brown. Feet light brown. The general colour
of the plumage above is deep greyish-blue. Quills, coverts, and tailfeathers
black, edged with blue; base of the primaries, excepting the
first, white, forming a conspicuous spot on the wing; inner margin of
most of the quills and tips of the secondaries, white, of which there is a
large .spot on the inner webs of the four outer quill-feathers on each side.
Margin of the forehead all round, a line over the eye, the sides of the
head, fore-neck and sides of the body deep black; the rest of the under
parts white.
Length 5 inches, extent of wings 7^; bill along the back ft, along
the edge ft ; tarsus ft.
The Female resembles the male, but is somewhat paler in the colours.
THE CANADIAN COLUMBINE.
AauiLEGiA CANADENSIS, Willd. Sp. PL vol. ii. p. 1247- Pursh, Fl. Amer. Sept. vol. ii.
p. 372—POLYANDRIA PENTAGYNIA, Linn. RANUNCULACEJE, JtlSS.
This species, which has the flowers of a bright red mixed with yellow,
and is characterised by having the horns of the nectaries or petals straight,
grows in the crevices of rocks, and in dry places near rivulets.