54 BIRDS OF THE BAHAMA ISLANDS. 



FAM. SYLVICOLID.^ 



WARBLERS. 



MNIOTILTA VARIA. {Lhui.) 

 Black and White Creeper. 



Winter Plumage, Male. — Upper parts, black, the feathers broadly 

 edged with brownish white; a superciliary Hne of brownish white; 

 under parts, white, with faint ash-colored stripes upon the sides of 

 the breast, shading into brownish upon the sides of the belly and 

 crissum ; two clearly defined bands upon the wings; tail, black, 

 edged with whitish ; inner webs of the two outer tail-feathers tipped 

 with white. 



Female. — Similar to the male, having the under parts white, 

 faintly marked with blackish on the sides. 



Length 5.05, wing 2.75, tail 2.10, tarsus .So, bill .50. 



The Black and White Creeper is not uncommon during the 

 winter on some of the larger islands. I procured specimens during 

 December and January, and Dr. Bryant found it common from 

 April 20 to May 10. It has a curious habit of climbing the trunks 

 of trees, after the manner of Woodpeckers, searching diligently for 

 the numerous insects which it finds concealed in the interstices of 

 the bark. None were seen after May 7. 



Fig. Aud. Bds. N. A., Vol. II. pi. 114. 



