364 



NORTH AMKKLCAN BIKDS. 



Virfo olivactus. 



Habits. The common Ked-eyed Vireo is an abnntkiit species throughout 

 Eastern North America, from Florida to Nova Scotia on the northeast, to 

 Lake Winnei^eg on the northwest, and as far west as the liocky Mountains. 

 It ajsparently breeds wherever found, and in especial abundance in the Central 

 States. It is a familiar and fearless species, often found, like the Warbling 



Vireo, in the very midst of crowded cities, 

 and making its lively and pleasant notes 

 lieard in their public si^uares and private 

 gardens, amid the ruder sounds of the 

 neighboring streets. It breeds in Texas 

 and Louisiana, at tlie Southwest, and also 

 in abundance, at least as far as Halifax, 

 in tlie ()pi)osite direction. At Fort Eeso- 

 lution, at the Cumberland House, and at 

 Fort Simpson, tlie nests and eggs of this 

 species were procured by Kennicott and 

 Ross. A single specimen of tlie bird lias 

 been procured in Greenland, and another 

 accidental specimen was shot in England. Specimens have also been pro- 

 cured in Central America. 



This Vireo, like all of its peculiar and well-marked genus, jirefers the 

 forests or the tops of large and shady trees, obtains its i'ood usually among 

 their upper branches, and very rarely approaches the ground. It is not ex- 

 clusively sylvan, as at times it may be found around dwellings, hunting 

 for insects and spiders ; and although it hunts for food among the tree-tops, 

 its nest is not always in such high situations, often not more tliaii four or 

 five feet from the ground. 



In their migrations these birds enter the United States early in Marcli, but 

 do not make their appearance in Pennsylvania until tlie last of April, or in 

 New England until tlie middle of May. 



Tlie Vireos procure their food, for the most part, by moving about and 

 along branches, and among the twigs of trees, hopping from one position to 

 another, and securing their prey without the click of a Flycatclier. The in- 

 sects they capture are usually not in motion, though occasionally they will 

 take them on the wing. They also feed on several kinds of ripe berries in 

 the autumn. 



The song of this Vireo is loud, musical, simple, and pleasing. It is uttered 

 in short, emphatic liars, and at times has a very marked resemblance to the 

 melodious chant of the liobiii, though without its volume and power. This 

 Vireo is one of the earliest of our sjjriiig musicians, as it is also one of the 

 most constant and untiring in its song, continuing to sing long after most of 

 the other vocalists have become silent, and even until it is about to leave 

 us, at the close of September. Tlu; tender and pathetic utterances of tliis 

 Vireo, uttered witli so much apparent animation, to judge from their sound. 



