THE ROUGH-LEAVED CORDIA.
CORDIA SERESTENA, Willd.—PENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA, Linn. CORDIACEJE, JUSS.
This plant, on account of its large tubular scarlet flowers, is one of
the most beautiful of the West Indian trees. I saw only two individuals
at Key West, where, as was supposed, they had been introduced from
Cuba. They were about fifteen feet high, the stem having a diameter of
only five or six inches. They were in full bloom in the early part of
May, and their broad deep green leaves, and splendid red blossoms, mingled
with the variety of plants around me, rendered their appearance delightful.
Both trees were private property, and grew in a yard opposite to
that of Dr STROBEL, through whose influence I procured a large bough,
from which the drawing was made, with the assistance of Mr LEHMAN.
I was informed that they continued in flower nearly the whole summer.
T H E O R A N G E - C R O W N E D W A R B L E R .
SYLVIA CELATA, SAY.
P L A T E C L X X V I I I . MALE AND FEMALE.
THIS species is seen in the company of Sylvia coronata and Sylvia
petechia, both in the Southern States, where it passes the winter, and
while crossing the Union, in early spring, on its way to those Northeastern
Districts where it breeds. It leaves Louisiana, the Floridas, and
the Carolinas, from the beginning to the end of April; is seen in the
Middle States, about the 10th of May; and reaches the State of Maine
and the British provinces by the end of that month. On its return, besides
settling in the Southern States, it spreads over the provinces of
Mexico, from whence individuals in spring migrate by the vast prairies,
and along the shores of the western parts of the Union, entering Canada
in that direction in the first days of June. The Orange-crowned Warbler
is thus very widely distributed over North America. I met with none,
however, between Halifax and Labrador, nor did I see one in the latter
country.
In the summer months, it manifests a retiring disposition, keeping
among the low brushwood that borders the rivers and lakes of the
Northern Districts. While in the south, however, where it is rather
common near the sea-shore, it is less cautious, and is seen, in considerable
numbers, in the orange groves around the plantations, or even in the
gardens, especially in East Florida. Like the Sylvia petechia, it plays
about the piazzas, skipping on wing in front of the clapboarded house,
in quest of its prey, which it expertly seizes without alighting, or without
snapping its bill, except during the disputes that occur among the
males, as the spring advances. You find it among the branches of the
Pride-of-China, that ornaments the streets of the southern cities and villages,
as well as on those bordering the roads. From these it descends
into the smilaxes, rose-bushes, and other shrubs, all of which yield it food
and shelter. At the approach of darkness, it enters among the foliage
of the evergreen wild orange and wild peach, where, with the Sylvia petechia
and Sylvia coronata, it quietly passes the night. Its principal food
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