VIEEOXID.E THE VIREOS. 185 



"This Vireo, more than any other of its genus, if not exclusively, 

 is to a large extent a resident of villages, towns, and even cities. 

 It is by far the sweetest singer that ventures Within their crowded 

 streets and public squares, although Mr. Cassin gives his prefer- 

 ence to the notes of the Red-eyed, and the melody of its song is 

 exquisitely soft and beautiful. It is chiefly to be found among the 

 tall trees, in the vicinity of dwellings, where it seems to delight to 

 stay, and from their highest tops to suspend its pensile nest. It is 

 especially abundant among the elms of Boston Common, where at 

 almost any hour of the day, from early in the month of May until 

 long after summer has gone, may be heard the prolonged notes of 

 this, one of the sweetest and most constant of our singers. Its 

 voice is not powerful, but its melody is flute-like and tender. 

 Throughout the last of May, and in June and July, their charming 

 song may be heard amid the din of the city, from earliest dawn till 

 nightfall, and rarely ceases even in the noontide heat, when all 

 other birds are silent. It is ever in motion, while thus singing; 

 and its sweetest notes are given forth as it moves among the tree- 

 tops in search of insects. It is not only one of our most constant 

 singers, but it remains musical almost until its departure for the 

 South in October." 



To our mind, the song of this species is characterized more by 

 its ah 1 of happy contentment than by any other special quality, and 

 we have never heard one whose song sounded at all "flute-like;" 

 yet it is, withal a very pretty and agreeable performance. 



SUBGENUS Lanivireo BAIRD. 



Lanivireo BAIRD, B. N. Am. 1858, 329 (s. g.) ; Review, May 21, 1860, 32G, 345. Typo, Vireo 

 flavifrons VIEILL. 



"SUBGEN. CHAE. Body stout, head broad. Bill short and stout, broad at the base, 

 the culmen curved from the base, the commissure considerably arched. Bill blue-black. 

 Feet stout. Type, V. flavifrons." (Hist. N. Am. JB.) 



This genus includes a group of two species, one of which is ex- 

 clusively eastern, while the other extends entirely across the con- 

 tinent, though differentiated into several strongly marked races in 

 separate parts of its habitat. The two species occurring in the 

 Atlantic Province may be distinguished as follows : 



COMMON CIIAKACTEKS. Orbital ring and supraloral streak, yellow or white; two 

 broad white bands across wing. Upper parts olive-greenish, the wings and tail bluish. 



