276 BIRDS OF NORTH CAROLINA 



H. H. Brimley. In the same county individuals were heard singing in the woods 

 between Little Lake and Lake Ellis in May, 1907 and 1908, by C. S. Brimley. 

 Bowdish and Philipp in June, 1909, discovered one feeding young in the woods 

 near Great Lake, Craven County. J. E. Gould, of Berkeley, Virginia, writes us 

 that he found a nest containing four slightly incubated eggs near Edenton, N. C., 

 on May 10, 1906. He also saw birds in the same region in 1907. 



The nest is large, loose, and bulky, and is placed in a low bush or bunch of 

 canes, usually but a few feet from the ground. The eggs are pure white, unmarked. 

 Size .75 x .57. 



This bird is shy, preferring swamps or damp woods, where it may be heard utter- 

 ing a loud song, resembling somewhat that of the Louisiana Water-Thrush. 



Genus Helmitheros (Raf.) 

 275. Helmitheros vermivorus (GmeL). WORM-EATING WARBLER. 



Description: Ads. A black line from the eye to the nape, and two on the crown from either 

 nostril; an olive-buffy line over each eye, and a third through the center of the crown; back, wings, 

 and tail olive-green without white; underparts whitish cream-buff, whiter on the throat and belly. 

 L., 5.51; W., 2.78; T., 2.05; B. from N., .39. (Chap., Birds of E. N. A.) 



Range. Eastern United States, wintering in West Indies and Central America. 



Range in North Carolina. Apparently the whole State in summer, but not common. 



FlG. 222. WORM-EATING WARBLER. 



This neat, plain species arrives in our State the middle or latter part of April, 

 and has been recorded in late September. While chiefly a migrant, it has been 

 noted occasionally in summer. In Bertie County it has been found breeding on 

 one occasion. In the mountains it seems to be more common in summer. Cairns 

 reported it as a rare breeder in Buncombe County. Bruner says it was common 

 in June, 1909, in Alexander County. It has also been reported as a migrant in 

 Cherokee and Orange counties, and as occasional in summer and frequently not 

 uncommon during the migrations in Wake County. 



The nest is built on the ground, usually on a sloping hillside in mixed woods, 

 and is composed of dry leaves lined with finer material. The eggs are four in num- 

 ber, white in color, heavily speckled with chestnut, chiefly near the larger end. 

 Size .65 x .52. 



Like the Black and White Warbler, it is often seen running about on the trunks 

 and limbs of trees. C. S. Brimley speaks of having seen it frequently picking some- 

 thing, presumably insects, from bunches of dead leaves hanging from the branches. 



