137 



''See above. 



154. [636] Mniotilta varia (Linn. ). Black and White Warbler.* 



Common migrant and rare summer resident. Considered a common 

 summer resident in 1886 by C. H. Bollmann. April 7 to October 4. Song 

 April 28, 1903. 



In spring you will find this striped vision only on the trunks of the 

 larger forest trees. Although you are searching for him and feel sure of 

 his presence, the actual discovery is always a surprise. This little flake 

 of sharply contrasted colors makes its appearance so quickly that we 

 find it difficult to realize that it is not a piece of bark suddenly possessed 

 of life, but our own dear .'ittle Black and White Creeper that is before 

 us. In Autumn he is more democratic and is often found in lowly 

 thickets. Is it not because we are sated with discovery, that the thrill 

 of last spring is not felt when this leader of the band of wood warblers is 

 espied? Is it not because we have met the timid glance of the rare Cape 

 May, or the gaudy Magnolia through the interlacing branches, or that 

 here the Redstart spins his glowing pin-wheel, that the Black and White 

 Warbler is not again hailed as a distinguished visitor when we see him 

 in September clinging to the slender stem of the hazel, inspecting its sur- 

 face or gracefully reaching out for the slow-descending caterpillar? 



Yes, we think the reason lies with the observer and not with the 

 observed; for we are surely not at our best when we slight our tiny 

 friend ever so little in the greeting. He remains always the most at- 

 tractive, the most dear of his wooclsv clan. 



