WESTERN BIRDS Warblers 



FAMILY— MNIOTILTIDiE: WOOD WARBLERS. 



This interesting Wood Warbler family is found only 

 in America, there being about one hundred and fifty-five 

 known species, the great majority of which live east of 

 the Rocky Mountains. They should not be confused 

 with the Old World Warblers (Family — Sylviidae, in 

 which are the Kinglets and Gnatcatchers) , from which 

 they are quite different. 



The majority of them are about five inches long and 

 many of them are brightly plumaged, yellow being the 

 commonest color. They have slender, pointed bills, 

 which render them valuable insect destroyers. 



In many parts of the United States they are known, 

 only, as passing migrants, since they winter farther 

 south, and many of them pass the summer north of our 

 country. 



As early as March they begin to appear, but are 

 usually most abundant in April, or early May. Several 

 species band together into a flock and, we are told, 

 travel by night, which may account for their sudden 

 appearance among us, and their as sudden departure. 



Most of these Warblers are dwellers of the tree- 

 tops, but others there are that hunt lower down among 

 the bushes, while still others guard the ground, peering 

 under the dead leaves for insect life. Some are veritable 

 flycatchers, so far as manner of getting their food is 

 concerned, and still others hunt over the tree-trunk 

 and limbs, digging into crevices with their pointed bills. 

 Wherever found they are among the best guardians of 

 our trees. 



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