Family Virconiihe Red-Eyed Vireo 87 



38. RED-EYED VIREO ; RED-EYED GREENLET 



( Vireo olivaceous.} 



Upper parts olive-green ; under parts grayish white ; a broad 

 white line above eye, running back for a considerable distance 

 behind it. Beak and feet light brown. Bird distinctly smaller 

 than a sparrow. Sexes similar. 



THE red-eyed vireo is the most common of all the 



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vireos. The distinction between him and the war- 

 bling vireo has already been discussed (see above, 

 No. 37). He is to be sought in high, open woods, 

 in village streets, and in the clusters of trees in the 

 neighborhood of houses ; he does not, however, 

 spend his time so exclusively among the higher 

 branches as does his brother. He comes to us 

 early in May, and leaves again in September. 



The nest is built at a moderate height, sometimes 

 not more than four feet from the ground ; it is hung 

 from a fork, usually near the end of a limb, and is 

 placed either in the edge of the woods or in a shade- 

 tree. The eggs are laid early in June, and there are 

 sometimes two sets. 



The song consists of a few notes repeated over 

 and over again with little change or intermission. 

 Indeed, the red-eyed vireo is our most voluble song- 

 ster, keeping up his simple music all day long and 

 all summer long. It '' would be monotonous, were 

 it not for its wonderful cheerfulness, energy, and 

 animation/' MINOT. 



