BIRD BIOGRAPHIES 



describes him most delightfully as follows: "If birds 

 are ever impertinent, I believe this term might with truth 

 be applied to that most original, independent dweller in 

 thickety under-growths, the white-eyed vireo. Both his 

 voice and manner say that he doesn't in the least care 

 what you think of him; and, if attracted by his peculiar 

 notes or actions, you pause near his haunts, he jerks out 

 an abrupt 'Who are you, eh?' in a way which plainly in- 

 dicates that your presence can be dispensed with. If this 

 hint is insufficient, he follows it by a harsh scolding, and 

 one can fancy that in his singular white eye there is an 

 unmistakable gleam of disapproval. 



"I have always regretted that the manners of this Vireo 

 have been a bar to our better acquaintance, for he is a 

 bird of marked character and with unusual vocal talents. 

 He is a capital mimic, and in the retirement of his home 

 sometimes amuses himself by combining the songs of 

 other birds in an intricate pot-pourri." ^ 



THE YELLOW-THROATED VIREO 



Vireo Family — Vireonidce 



THE Yellow-throated Vireo resembles the White-eye 

 in being olive-green above, yellowish underneath, 

 and in having two distinct white wing-bars. He differs in 

 possessing a bright yellow throat, breast, and ring about 

 a dark eye. 



Mr. Forbush says of this bird; 'The song is a little 

 louder than that of most vireos, and may be easily dis- 



s From "Birds of Eastern North America," by Frank M. Chapman. 



[252] 



