Their plumage is almost always striking, but their voices are rather lisping than musical, though they sing pretty little snatches in the woods; but many of their call-notes sound more like the squeaks and buzzings of insects and tree-toads than like the voices of birds, and it will take time and practice before you can distinguish them apart.

I have chosen only half a dozen species to tell you of, from the half-hundred that rove about the United States.

The first, and one that you are the most likely to see, is the Black-and-white Warbler." THE BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER "There are exceptions to everything," said the Doctor, as he pointed to an old willow tree on the edge of the river woods, where he had taken the children to look for Warblers.

"And the exception among the shy Warblers of these woods is that sociable little black-and-white fellow over there, who is creeping and swinging about the branches as if he was own brother to the Brown Creeper himself.

This Black-and-white Warbler hides his nest in an overturned stump, or on the ground, and you may try for days in vain, to find one.