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.oo. 
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: Mniotilta 
varia (Linn.) 
Adult § —Streaked all over with black and white, except middle 
of belly, which is white. 
Adult 2 —Very similar, but with almost imperceptible brownish 
tinge. Length—s. 3o. 
Breeding i 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—Buff 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. 
5 65 
