298 BIRDS OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



makes occasional visits here, though it is generally described 

 as not passing the bounds of our adjoining states. Professor 

 Emmons assures me that he has found it in Berkshire. Their 

 ordinary migration does not extend so far, but in the middle 

 states they abound. 



The Yellow throated Vireo, Vireo flavifrons, is one of a 

 beautiful family of singers, some of which are quite familiar, 

 and highly valued for the sweetness of their song. This is 

 not the most musical of their number, but its note is pleasant, 

 resembling that of the red-eye. It prefers the solitude of the 

 forest to the society of man, and there employs itself in explor- 

 ing the branches of the largest trees, in search of its insect food ; 

 passing over each with short hops, examining every leaf and 

 bud, in order to be sure that nothing is left undetected. There 

 it may be found from May to September, when it retreats to 

 the warmest parts of America. 



Its nest, like that of other vireos, is suspended from the 

 branch of a tree, being attached to the twigs with slender 

 strings, mixed with the threads of caterpillars and fine blades 

 of grassfcemented with the saliva of the bird. The whole 

 is' covered with green moss attached by threads of silk, and 

 resembles the foliage in color so much as to deceive, or rather 

 to elude the eye. The eggs, four or five in number, are white, 

 spotted with black. When the young are hatched, it conducts 

 them into orchards and gardens, in search of berries for food. 



The White-eyed Yireo, Vireo Noveberacetisis, comes to us 

 in April, and passes the summer in our state, where it appears 

 to be much more abundant than the former, because it is more 

 retired. Its song and its motions are energetic and animated ; 

 it passes from twig to twig in quick succession, glancing up and 

 down so quickly, that nothing can escape it, sometimes swal- 

 lowing an insect, then stopping to drink a dew-drop that hangs 

 upon the leaves. Its song is spirited and emphatic, with con- 

 siderable variety of expression, and more powerful than could 

 be expected from so small a bird. This bird suspends its nest, 



