Page:Birdcraft-1897.djvu/143

 rail, or telegraph wire. They also flock in the autumn-ploughed fields, searching out the newly uncovered grubs and larva. When on the ground they resemble the Water Thrushes and they are continually jerking their tails about, a habit which has given them, together with these Thrushes, the title of Wagtails.

FAMILY MNIOTILTIDE: WOOD WARBLERS. Black and White Warbler: Mniotilta varia.

PLATE 16. FiG. 1. Length: About 5 inches.


 * Male and Female:
 * Above striped black and white. White stripe on top of head, bordered by black stripe. White stripe over eye. Black cheeks and throat, separated by a black line. Breast white in middle, black stripe on sides. Wings and tail black; wings with two white cross-bars and some white edgings, tail with white markings on outer quills. Bill and feet black. Female paler stripings, less distinct. Strong resemblance to the Downy Woodpecker.

Song:
 * Feeble and lisping, "Weachy, weachy, weachy, 'twee --'twee, 'twee 'tweet."


 * Season:
 * April to late September.


 * Breeds:
 * From Virginia and southern Kansas northward.


 * Nest:
 * Low down, either on a stump or the ground, composed of bark, grass, leaves, hair. Very difficult to find.


 * Eggs:


 * 4-5, white, dotted thickly with red and brown.


 * Range:
 * Eastern United States to the Plains, north to Fort Simpson, south, in winter, to Central America and the West Indies.

The Black and White Warbler is one of the most familiar and sociable of the Warblers. At first you will doubtless think it a small Woodpecker, as it is seen principally scrambling around tree trunks searching for the insect food upon which it, together with the entire family of Warblers, subsists.

During the past four years this Warbler has not varied a week in the dates of his first and last appearance in the garden. He has come to a certain gnarled old apple tree, his favourite resort, twice on May 2, once May 1, and once April 29, and has invariably been last seen, in the same locality, between September 25 and October 2.