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238 BIRDS—SYLVICOLID.®. 
Sub-family SYLVICOLIN AL TypicaL WARBLERS. 
Bill conoid-elongate, shorter than the head, about as high as or higher than wide at 
the nostrils, not hooked, but with a slight notch, or none, at tip; commissure straight 
or slightly curved; a few rictal bristles, reaching little if any beyond the nostrils, or 
none, wings ointed, longer (except in Geothlypis) than the narrow, nearly even tail. 
ZENUS MNIOTILTA. Vieillot. 
Bill nearly as long as the head, compressed, notched some distance from the tip. Rictus 
unbristled. Wings long, much longer than the slightly rounded tail. Tarsus rather 
short about equal to the middle toe, and but little longer than the hind toe which is 
very long, its digit nearly twice as long as its claw. 
MNIOTILTA VARIA (L.) V. 
Wilack-and=White Creeper. 
Sylvia varia, KIRTLAND, Ohio Geolog. Surv., 1838, 163, 182. 
Mniotilta varia, AUDUBON, B. Am, ii, 1841, 105.—Reap, Proc. Philad, Acad. Nat. Sci., vi, 
1853, 395.—WHEATON, Ohio Agric. Rep. for 1860, 363; Reprint, 1861, 5; Food of 
- Birds, ete, Ohio Agric Rep. for 1874, 563; Reprint, 1875, 3 —LANGDON, Cat. Birds 
of Cin., 1877, 5; Revised List, Journ. Cin. Soc. Nat. Hist., i, 1879, 171; Reprint, 5. 
Motacilla varia, LINNEUS, Syst. Nat., i, 1766, 333. 
Sylvia varia, LATHAM, Ind. Orn., ii, 1790 539. 
Mniotilta varia, ViIEILLOT, Anal., 1816, 45. 
Entirely white and black, in streaks except on the-belly. Tail white spotted; wings 
white barred. Length, about 5; wing, 24; tail, 24 
Habitat, Eastern North America. Mexico. Bogota. West Indies. Bermuda. 
Common summer resident. Breeds. Arrives in the vicinity of Col- 
umbus the last week in Apriland remains until September. During the 
migrations generally dispersed in woodland, but retires to breed to 
secluded spots, preferably second growth, mixed woodland. With few 
exceptions those members of this family which breed in this latitude are 
the first to arrive in spring and the first to depart in fall. This bird is 
no exception to the rule. 
The Black-and- White Creeper, as its name indicates, approaches more 
nearly in its habits to the true Creepers than any other member of the 
family. It is generally seen on the trunks of trees, climbing upwards, 
downwards, or laterally with ease. In May, August and September, it 
is a frequent visitor in the city, and during all these months its song, a 
sharp and not very pleasant warble may be heard. 
The nest is placed on the ground, constructed of leaves, fibres of bark, 
and grass, lined with hair. The eggs are creamy-white spotted and 
blotched with reddish. The young are fully fledged the last week in 
June. 
GENUS PARULA. Bonaparte. 
Bill considerably shorter than the head, depressed at base, attenuated at tip; notch 
usually obsolete or wanting. Wings considerably longer than tail. Tarsus but little 
longer than its digit. Claw of hind toe nearly two-thirds its digit. 
