VOL. i. PITTSFIELD, MASS., JUNE, iSSS. NO. 6. 



The Black-and-White Warbler, 



(Mniotilta rario.) 



BY WM. L. KELLS. LISTOWEL, ONT., CAN. 



This species, in some of its food-seeking habits, resembles the Brown Creeper, 

 for which reason it has, until lately, been denominated the Black-and-White 

 Creeper. It also frequents much the same situations, though it does not pene- 

 trate so deep into the forest ;but is often, especially in spring-time, observed on the 

 outskirts of the woods and in new fallows, where the other species of Creeper is 

 never heard or seen. Its movements, while in quest of its insect food on the 

 trunks of trees, are generally in a circular manner, and its mode of procedure, 

 rather a series of hops than creeping jerks. It will also run out along the branch- 

 es and cling to a limb with its feet, suspended back downward, while searching 

 for the prey that may be concealed in the crevice of the bark. Its food-seeking 

 employment is often varied in the early season by its perching on a small branch 

 and warbling its song in a cheery and pleasing manner. At other times it will 

 alight upon the ground and fesJ upon the various species of insects that it finds 

 there and again it may be seen running along old logs or amono- fallen brushwood, 

 foraging for food, or seeking a nesting place, or material for its nest. 



It arrives in this vicinity about the middle of Maw and for a time it may be ob- 

 served pursuing its various avocations, in company with many other small birds, 

 along the fences and the borperings of the woods. As the season advances, i* 

 seems to prefer to glean more amongst the higher timber, though it is never very 



