114 TRANSACTIONS OF THE [1891 



Wilson compares these notes to " the crackling sound, similar 

 to that produced by air bubbles forcing their way through mud 

 when trod upon," but this is rather too hard to state about our 

 little friend. The nest is a semi-globose structure, hollow, with 

 a hole on one side. Being composed mainly of the leaves of 

 the reeds, interwoven with one another, with some hanging 

 down or sticking out, it does not present a very neat appear- 

 ance. This nest is always attached to the stems of the reeds, 

 usually typha, and so constructed that sometimes as many as five or 

 six of the stems pass through its walls, thereby making it very 

 secure. The eggs are small, about five or six in a set and are of a 

 dark color, similar to that of chocolate. The writer has found 

 nests with eggs early in June, and again in July, making it ex- 

 tremely probable that there is more than one brood in a season. 



Mniotilta varia (Linn.). Black and White Warbler. 



Of the smaller birds that inhabit our woodlands, the "Black 

 and White Creeper," as it is usually called, is certainly one of 

 the most characteristic. This bird climbs the trees in all direc- 

 tions, with a dexterity and agility entirely foreign to our other 

 warblers, and only to be found again in the true " creeper," a 

 common winter bird whose place it seems to take during sum- 

 mer. The writer has never heard the bird utter sounds that might 

 be called a song, the only notes given forth being some screech- 

 ing ones, usually uttered as it flies swiftly from one tree to an- 

 other. It arrives in this region about the third week in April, 

 and leaves in October, having been observed as late as the 

 ninth of that month. This species is rather abundant in suit- 

 able localities, and not possessing a shy disposition, its habits may 

 readily be observed. 



Helmintherus vermivorus (Gmel.). Worm-Eating Warbler. 



Although a regular summer visitor in this latitude, we have to 

 consider this Warbler as a rather uncommon bird, and one which 

 has been nowhere found abundant. It seems to prefer woods 

 and groves composed of small trees and bushes, with thick un- 



