lay from
three to five pale creamy white eggs, speckled sparingly all over the
surface and more abundantly at the large end with reddish brown. Size
.65 x .50.

WARBLERS. Family MNIOTILTIDAE

Warblers as a family may be classed as the most beautiful, interesting
and useful birds that we have. With few exceptions, they only return
from their winter quarters as the trees shoot forth their leaves or
flowers, they feed largely among the foliage upon small, and mostly
injurious, insects. They are very active and always flitting from branch
to branch, showing their handsome plumage to the best advantage. Their
songs are simple but effectively delivered and the nests are of a high
order of architecture.

636. BLACK AND WHITE WARBLER. _Mniotilta varia._

Range.--North America east of the Plains, breeding from the Gulf States
north to the Hudson Bay region; winters from our southern borders to
South America.

This striped black and white Warbler is usually seen creeping about tree
trunks and branches after the manner of a Nuthatch. They are very active
gleaners and of inestimable value to man. They nest on the ground in
woods or swamps, making their nest of strips of bark and grass, placed
among the leaves usually beside stones, stumps or fallen trees. Their
three to five eggs are white, finely specked and wreathed with reddish
brown. Size .65 x .50. Data.--Worcester, Mass., June 3, 1889. Nest of
strips of bark on the ground in an old decayed stump.

[Illustration 387: White.]
[Illustration: White.]
[Illustration: Black and White Warbler.]
[Illustration: right hand margin.]

Page 386

637. PROTHONOTARY WARBLER. _Prothonotaria citrea._

Range.--South Atlantic and Gulf States, north in the interior to Iowa
and Illinois.

This species is often known as the Golden Swamp Warbler because of the
rich golden yellow of the head and underparts. They frequent and nest in
the vicinity of swamps or ponds, nesting in the cavities of trees or
stubs at low elevations, filling the cavity with leaves, moss and
grasses, neatly cupped to receive the four to seven eggs, which are
creamy or pinkish white, profusely spotted with reddish brown and
chestnut. Size .72 x .55. Data.--Quincy, Mo., June 1, 1897. 5 eggs. Nest
in hole of a dead stub 6 feet up, in timber some distance from water;
made of moss and grasses, lined with hair.

638. SWAINSON'S WARBLER. _Helinaia swainsoni._

Range.--South Atlantic and Gulf States, north to Vir