364 The Bird 
he is still ever on the move, from twig to twig, from tree 
to tree. Nevertheless, he has gained an advantage which 
ensures to his race a long life; for in a tree whose foliage 
and twiglets are being scanned with the microscopic glances 
of his relatives, he gets more than the others by watch- 
ing for the many insects which are alarmed at the dis- 
turbance of the tiny hunters, and which flutter out in 
the bright sunshine only to flutter straight down his 
throat. Mother Nature has seen his efforts in the new 
field with satisfaction, and has given to him a little re- 
ward; for from either side of his mouth several stiff bristles 
project, and many times, when he has misjudged the dis- 
tance or the dodging powers of his prey, these little hairs 
shunt the gnat or fly into his mouth. 
The Myrtle Warbler is an expert catcher of flies, and 
has in addition another string to his bow, which bids fair 
to place him at the head of the list of new departures 
in warblers. He has learned that bayberries are not only 
an occasional welcome variety to the everlasting diet of 
insects, but that a warbler can comfortably live upon 
them when the cold has benumbed the little winged and 
crawling creatures. So, instead of migrating south at 
the first hint of winter, these hardy little Myrtle Warblers 
sometimes remain with us throughout the whole season of 
cold and snow. 
A most daring departure from old-established prin- 
ciples of the warbler clans is that of the Water Thrushes. 
Ages ago, perhaps, we may imagine that some member 
of this group, while drinking at a stream or pond, watched 
the little bobbing sandpipers as they scurried past along 
