Glljr Marbbr 



but the writer prefers the more daring one that the eye of these birds, ac- 

 customed to the contrast between dark trunks and branches and sky high- 

 lights, can handle a black and white plumage most readily, or prefers it 

 aesthetically. 



We can then consider the greens and yellows common in the group, and 

 the special Thrush-like colors of Ovenbird and Water-thrushes as conceal- 

 ing coloration, the wonderful diversity of color among the different species, 

 as well as certain markings peculiar in position, color or shape (note the 

 differently shaped white areas on the tails of Magnolia and Hooded Warb- 

 lers) as a uniform enabling the species each to readily recognize its own ; 

 the high colors of the spring male as advertisement and display ; and ex- 

 plain the woodpecker-like color of the Black and White Creeper, on 

 aesthetic grounds. 



It is thus found that the colors of the familiar Warblers considered may 

 be so far explained on the grounds of phylogeny and various more or less 

 conflicting biological utilities, as to lead to the conclusion that these colors 

 are by no means a haphazard product of evolution, but are controlled or 

 determined by natural selection or some other force which is constantly 

 adapting the bird to its complicated environment. 



