i 
MNIOTILTA PINUS. 49 
“nomy of the pine creeping warbler (fig. 132. b) as thus 
narrated by the ornithologist of America. 
_(53.) “ The pine creeping warbler,” says Wilson, 
“runs along the bark of the pines; sometimesalighting and 
feeding uponthe ground, and almostalways, when disturb- 
ed, flying up and clinging to the trunks of trees. They 
associatein flocks, and are easily known by their manner of 
rising from the ground, and alighting on the body of the 
tree : they also often glean among the topmost boughs of 
the pine trees, hanging head downwards likethe titmouse ; 
but, notwithstanding the habits of the bird, the tongue is 
‘slender, as in the warbler genus.* Again: ‘“ The pine 
warbler has all the habits of a creeper, alighting on the 
trunk of the pine trees, running nimbly round them, and, 
according to Mr. Abbot, builds a pendulous nest.” + Here, 
then, is a bird presenting as extraordinary a union of cha- 
racters (in themsélves apparently contradictory), as any 
in this class of animals. It climbs with all the facility 
of a scansorial creeper, yet, unlike that family, it is gre- 
garious and builds a pendulous nest: it has the tongue 
of a warbler, but the habits of a Vermivora and a Parus. 
It frequently feeds upon the ground, in flocks, like the 
gallinaceous birds; but yet it ascends the highest trees, 
and hangs to the branches like a titmouse! Finally, the 
bill of the bird (fig. 132. b) (the two sexes are now 
before us) is precisely like that cf Vermivora, equally 
entire ; but the culmen is very slightly arched, and the 
base somewhat depressed. It further exhibits the re- 
markable character of the rictus being distinctly bristled : 
to this latter character we shall subsequently call the 
reader's particular attention. 
(54.) Let us now inquire how far the above pecu- 
liarities admit of explanation. The affinity between the 
black and white creeper (Mniotilta varia) and the pine 
creeper is manifested not only by the foregoing account, 
but by the similar construction of their feet, wings, and 
tail ; both birds, indeed, have been placed together by 
the able elucidator of American ornithology, prince 
* Am.Orn. vol. iii. p. 25. + Ib. vol. ii. p. 110. 
VOL. II. E 
