172 BIRDS OF FIELD, FOREST AND PARK 



very difficult little creatures to study through a 

 glass, and much patience must be exercised if 

 one is to know them. But the reward is well 

 worth the effort, for they are among our most 

 attractive birds in plumage and nesting habits, 

 and while as a family they are not renowned 

 for vocal ability, yet many have very pleasant 

 notes, a few, songs of much merit. They present 

 a variety of colors that are brilliant and often 

 fantastic in arrangement. 



Warblers differ much in feeding habits. Be- 

 sides catching insects, some patiently search 

 the cracks and crevices of tree trunks and care- 

 fully inspect both sides of the leaves in a most 

 painstaking and persistent manner. Some are 

 frequently seen on the ground searching for 

 grubs among the leaves, and a few varieties, at 

 certain seasons, feed upon berries and fruit. 



The Warbler family is one of the most numer- 

 ous in summer, and it is perhaps safe to say one- 

 half the birds we find in the woods are mem- 

 bers thereof. 



The fact of their keeping pretty close to the 

 woods, together with their small size and incon- 

 spicuous notes, accounts for their being so little 

 known. They are at once the joy and the despair 

 of the bird student, and to know even a few 

 varieties is well worth while. Yet if one begins 

 in early spring, when the hardier varieties 

 arrive, and works patiently for a season as 

 opportunity offers, a goodly number of inter- 

 esting acquaintances may be made. During the 

 migration, before the trees are in full foliage, is 

 an excellent time to study Warblers. They 



