Open Nests in Woods, Thickets, Swampy Thickets 



the tail feathers tipped with white, and in having, as, the name 

 indicates, the iris of the eye nearly white. Length— 8.00. 



In most respects the habits of these two birds are very simi- 

 lar ; the nest of the white-eyed is perhaps more frequently built in 

 bushes, and pine needles, in addition to the other materials, are 

 used in its construction. The eggs are bluish white, unmarked, 

 or "thickly speckled with pinkish-vinaceous and pearl gray" 

 (Davie). 



636. Black and White Warbler or Creeper: Mniotllta 

 varia (Linn.) 



Adult ^ — Streaked all over with black and white, except middle 

 of belly, which is white. 



Adult ? — Very similar, but with almost imperceptible brownish 

 tinge. Length — 5.30. 



Breeding Range — Eastern States, from Virginia and Kansas north- 

 ward. 



The nests are built on the ground except in very rare in- 

 stances, when they are placed in holes in trees (Minot). The ma- 

 terial used consists of leaves, grass, fine roots, and thin strips of 

 bark, with the lining of hairs. The eggs, 3 to 5 in number, are 

 white, spotted with brown and purple, most of the spots forming 

 a wreath around the larger end. Size — .65X.55. See Fig. 17, 

 Plate C. 



It is impossible to confound these warblers with any other 

 of their family ; the colour alone is quite distinctive, as also is their 

 method of creeping along the tree trunks or branches. This is 

 done by no other warbler, except to a very limited extent by the 

 worm-eating. The nuthatches and brown creeper also "creep," 

 but with these there is no chance of confusion. The nests are 

 carefully concealed, generally at the foot of a tree, under a log or 

 projecting stone, in thickly wooded places. The eggs are laid 

 about the third week in May. 



639. Worm-eating Warbler: Helmintherus vermivorus 



(Gmel.) 



Adult— ^wfi line through centre of crown and above the eye, 

 black lines on either side of crown and back of eye ; upper 

 parts greenish buff ; under parts buff. Length — 5.51. 

 s 65 



