Vireo WESTERN BIRDS 



from the monarchs of the forest down to the humblest 

 underbrush. 



Most of them are migrants and leave the United States 

 during the winter months, but a few of them remain on 

 the western coast throughout the year. The peculiar 

 hooked bill, with the conspicuous rictal bristles, will help 

 to place these midgets in the right family if you fail to 

 get the generic name. 



They are among the jfinest of our nest builders, sus- 

 pending a beautifully constructed cup from the arms of 

 a forked branch. The sexes are similar. They are often 

 called GREENLETS. 



GENUS VIEEOSYLVA: WESTERN 

 WARBLING VIREO. 



Western Warbling Vireo: Vireosylva gilva 

 swainsoni. 



FAMILY— VIREOS. 



This bird quite resembles its eastern cousin but has 

 been listed as a subspecies by the scientists. It breeds 

 from British Columbia south to Lower California, 

 Arizona, New Mexico, and western Texas, and east to 

 western South Dakota and northwestern Nebraska; 

 wintering south to Guatemala. 



In the west the bird is not quite so friendly as in the 

 east, preferring the high altitudes of the mountains for 

 nesting purposes, although in some localities they nest 

 near mankind and during migrations are frequently seen 

 and their sweet warbling song often heard. 



Both birds help build the dainty cup-nest and the 

 male also shares the arduous duties of incubation. 

 Baby Vireos are wonderfully pretty little birds with their 

 soft dull-colored plumage and their gentle ways. 



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