OF NEW ENGLAND. 81 
scarcely bristled. Birds wholly unstreaked. Tail not marked : 
or forked. In Geothlypis, the wings are approximately equal 
in length to the tail.*8 
Helminthophagine, or worm-eating warblers (IV, V, VI). 
Bill acute, unbristled, and unnotched 3 (pl. 1, fig. 7). 
Mniotiltinee, or creeping warblers (VII, VIIL). Bill scarcely 
bristled, and never (very) distinctly notched ; hind-toe much 
longer than itsclaw. (Except in structure, however, the Parulz 
and Mniotiltse are widely different.) 
Sylvicoline, or wood-warblers (IX, X). Bill notched, and 
with short bristles (pl. 1, fig. 8). Tail not unmarked, unless 
in estiva, where it is slightly forked. In other cases white- 
-blotched. Perissoglosse are characterized by the tongue. 
Setophagine, or fly-catching warblers (XI, XII). Bill notice- 
ably broader than high, also notched, usually hooked, and always 
with long bristles 3 (pl. 1, fig. 9). 
This last group is ranked as a subfamily, the others being 
united by Dr. Coues as Sylvicoline, though Prof. Baird further 
sets apart the Geothlypine. (For remarks on Icterine, 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 generally 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) Novesoracensis. Water “Thrush.” Water ‘‘ Wagtail.” 
(Common, perhaps locally so, during their migrations 
through Massachusetts, where, however, a few breed.) 
(a). 53-6 inches long. Dark brown above (tinged with 
olive). Superciliary line and under parts white, tinged with 
23 Characteristics underscored do not belong to other warblers. 
@ 
