This group of American Warblers is very distinct from any other. The typical species is quite similar in color to Geothlypis philadelphia, but is at once to be distinguished by much longer wings, more even tail, and larger toes and claws. It is also very similar to Seiurus, differing chiefly in the longer wings, larger claws, and absence of spots beneath.
Throat and crown ash-color; a white ring round the eye. No black on the side of the head … O. agilis.
Throat and superciliary stripe yellow; top of the head and a streak beneath the eye black … O. formosus.
Oporornis agilis, Baird.
CONNECTICUT WARBLER.
Sylvia agilis, Wils. Am. Orn. V, 1812, 64, pl. xxxix, fig. 4.—Aud. Orn. Biog. II, pl. cxxxviii; Bon. Sylvicola ag. Jard.; Aud. Birds Am. II, pl. xcix. Trichas ag. Nutt. Oporornis ag. Baird, Birds N. Am. 1858, 246, pl. lxxix, fig. 2: Rev. 218. ? Trichas tephrocotis, Nutt. Man. 2d ed. 1840, 462 (Chester Co., Penn.; top of head pure ash).—Samuels, 208.
Sp. Char. Spring male. Upper parts and sides of the body uniform olive-green, very slightly tinged with ash on the crown. Sides of the head ash, tinged with dusky beneath, the eye. (Entire head sometimes ash.) Chin and throat grayish-ash, gradually becoming darker to the upper part of the breast, where it becomes tinged with dark ash. Sides of the neck, breast, and body olive, like the back; rest of under parts light yellow. A broad continuous white ring round the eye. Wings and tail-feathers olive (especially the latter), without any trace of bars or spots. Bill brown above. Feet yellow. Length, 6 inches; wing, 3.00; tail, 2.25. Female. The olive-green reaching to the bill, and covering sides of head; throat and jugulum pale ashy-buff. Young not seen. Nesting unknown.
Autumnal specimen nearly uniform olive above; the throat tinged with brownish so as to obscure the ash.
Hab. Eastern Province of United States.
