OF NEW ENGLAND. 81 



scarcely bristled. Birds wholly unstreaked. Tail not marked 

 or forked. In Geothlypis, the icings are approximately equal 

 in length to the tail.-^ 



HelmirithophagincB, or worm-eating icarblers (IV, V, VI). 

 Bill acute, itnbristled, and unnotched-"^ (pi. 1, fig. 7). 



Mniotiltince, or cree^iiig warblers (VII, VIII). Bill scarcely 

 bristled, and never (very) distinctly notched : hind-toe much 

 longer than its claw. (Except in structure, however, the Parulae 

 and Mniotiltse are widel}' different.) 



Sylvicolinoe, or ivood-vjarblers (IX, X). Bill notched, and 

 with short bristles (pi. 1, fig. 8). Tail not unmarked, unless 

 in mstiva, where it is slightly forked. In other cases white- 

 blotched. Perissoglossm are characterized by the tongue. 



Seto]}haginai, ox fly -catching icarblers (XI, XII). Bill notice- 

 ably broader than high, also notched, usucdly hooked, and always 

 loith long bristles ^^ (pi. 1, fig. 9). 



This last group is ranked as a subfamily, the others being 

 united by Dr. Coues as Sylvicolinai, though Prof. Baird further 

 sets apart the Geothlypinm. (For remarks on Icterince, see §10.) 

 The warblers are, no doubt, to many persons the most charm- 

 ing of our birds. They are eminently peaceful, and prettily 

 colored, brightly, sometimes brilliantly. Musically, however, 

 they are generall}' surpassed by the thrushes, vireos, and 

 finches. They are insectivorous, migratory, and in some cases 

 gregarious, except in summer. Among their nests are some 

 of the neatest and prettiest specimens of bird-architecture. 

 The eggs are, for the most part, four or five, white, spotted 

 with brown and lilac. 



I. SEIURUS 



(A) NOVEBORACENsis. Wcitcr ^^Thrush." Water ''^ Wagtail." 

 (Common, perhaps locally so, during their migrations 



through Massachusetts, where, however, a few breed.) 



(a). 5^-6 inches long. Dark brown above (tinged with 



olive). Superciliary line and under pax'ts white, tinged with 



*3 Characteristics underscored do not belong to otlier warblers. 

 7 



