The Worm-Eating Warbler {HelmUheros vermlvorus) 



[By W. Leon Dawson 



Description. — Adults: Head striped above; a narrow black stripe from either 

 nostril, broadening behind; and a stripe of the same color through either eye; 

 alternating stripes, and sides of head dingy bufif ; remaining upper parts dull olive ; 

 below dingy buffy, brighter on breast ; bill dusky above, pale below ; feet pale. 

 Length 5.50 (139.7) ; wing 2.86 (72.6) ; tail 1.91 (48.5) ; bill .58 (14.7). 



Recognition Marks. — Medium warbler size ; black and buff stripes on head ; 

 dingy coloration. 



Nest, on the ground, often sheltered by bush clumps, roots, projecting stones 

 and the like ; of leaves, bark, and trash, lined with grass, moss, or hair. Eggs, 

 4-6, of variable shape, wliite, lightly or heavily spotted and blotched with lavender 

 and chestnut. Av. size, .68 x .54 ( 17.3 x 13.7) . 



General Range. — Eastern United States, north to southern New York, and 

 southern New England, west to eastern Kansas and Texas ; south in winter to 

 Cuba and northern South America. Breeds throughout its United States range. 



DAMP woods, shady hillsides, and heavy undergrowth are required to attract 

 this modest Warbler even in the southern part of our state, where alone it is 

 common. Here the bird glides about over fallen logs, scuttles under brush-heaps 

 or projecting stones, scratches vigorously among the fallen leaves, or clambers 

 about the bushes, pursuing always a relentless search for the spiders, grubs, and 

 worms, which form its almost exclusive diet. It is mainly a silent bird, and apart 

 from nesting considerations regards your intrusion into its dusky haunts with little 

 concern. Given, however, a sitting mate, or babies in the vicinity, and the bird's 

 expostulations are most emphatic. Chip — chip — chip, it says with an energy which 

 shakes the little frame; and presently every bird on the hillside joins in berating 

 you. 



There is little danger, however, for the bird. The nest is lodged somewhere 

 upon the hillside, half buried by festoons of running vines and mosses, or else 

 tucked away under the shadow of a log amidst a riot of dead leaves. Mere search 

 is useless. The bird will guide you to her nest — perhaps. If not, why try again 

 next year. 



If caught upon the nest the. bird sits close and braves the threatening hand, or 

 else flutters out and tumbles down the hill with every symptom of acute and most 

 inviting distress. Of course the distress is only mental, and the invitation is with- 

 drawn in the nick of time. 



The nest consists of a copious swathing of bark-strips and dead leaves, open 

 at the top or side, according to the nature of the ground, and carefully lined with 

 fine grass, hair, or moss. 



Upon one occasion only does the Worm-eating Warbler avail himself freely 

 of the more elevated perches which his forest home affords. In singing the bird 

 mounts a limb twenty or thirty feet high and pours forth a torrent of notes not 



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