ii8 THE WORM-EATING WARBLER. 



No. 52. 



WORM-EATING WARBLER. 



A. O. U. No. 639. Helmitheros vermivorus (Gmel.). 



Description. — Adults: Head striped above; a narrow black stripe from 

 either nostril, broadening behind; and a stripe of the same color through either 

 eye ; alternating stripes, and sides of head dingy buff ; remaining upper parts 

 dull olive ; below dingy buffy, brighter on breast ; bill dusky above, pale below ; 

 feet pale. Length 5.50 (139.7); wing 2.86 (72.6); tail 1.91 (48.5); bill .58 



(I47)- 



Recognition Marks. — Medium warbler size ; black and buff stripes on head ; 

 dingy coloration. 



Nest, on the ground, often sheltered by bush clumps, roots, projecting stones 

 and the like; of leaves, bark, and trash, lined with grass, moss, or hair. Eggs, 

 4-6, of variable shape, white, lightly or heavily spotted and blotched with lavender 

 and chestnut. Av. size, .68 x .54 (17.3 x 13.7). 



General Range. — Eastern United States, north to southern New York, and 

 southern New England, west to eastern Kansas and Texas ; south in winter to 

 Cuba and northern South America. Breeds throughout its United States range. 



Range in Ohio. — Not uncommon summer resident in southern and south- 

 eastern Ohio. "Ranges northward in eastern portion to and including Cuyahoga 

 and Ashtabula Counties" (Jones). 



DAMP woods, shady hillsides, and heavy undergrowth are required to 

 attract this modest Warbler even in the southern part of our state, where 

 alone it is common. Here the bird glides about over fallen logs, scuttles 

 under bi'ush-heaps or projecting stones, scratches vigorously among the fallen 

 leaves, or clambers about the bushes, pursuing always a relentless search for 

 the spiders, grubs, and worms, which form its almost exclusive diet. It is 

 mainly a silent bird, and apart from nesting considerations regards your 

 intrusion into its dusky haunts with little concern. Given, however, a sitting- 

 mate, or babies in the vicinity, and the bird's expostulations are most em- 

 phatic. Chip — chip — chip, it says with an energy which shakes the little frame ; 

 and presently every bird on the hillside joins in berating you. 



There is little danger, however, for the bird. The nest is lodged some- 

 where upon the hillside, half buried by festoons of running vines and mosses, 

 or else tucked away under the shadow of a log amidst a riot of dead leaves. 

 Mere search is useless. The bird will guide you to her nest — perhaps. If 

 not, why try again next year. 



If caught upon the nest the bird sits close and braves the threatening 

 hand, or else flutters out and tumbles down the hill with every symptom of 

 acute and most inviting distress. Of course the distress is only mental, and 

 the invitation is withdrawn in the nick of. time. 



