350 BIRDS OF ONTARIO. 



pointed out its peculiarities, claimed for it specific distinction, and 

 named it after the city near which he first observed it. For maiiA- 

 succeeding years it was again lost sight of, most likely because no one 

 was looking for it, l)ut as the number of collectors increased and rare 

 birds were sought after, the species was again observed, and at far 

 distant points, giving it an extensive range from north to soutli, and 

 west to the middle of the continent. How relatively rare it is it 

 would be unsafe to say, for it is difficult to identify it without 

 close inspection, to accomplish which might require the slaughter of 

 Warbling Vireos enough to excite the ire of the Audubon Club. 



Some time in the early part of 1883, I took up casually the 

 Bulletin of the Nuttall Ornithological Club, and read therein a 

 charming article by Wm. Brewster on the distribution of this Vireo 

 in the Eastern States. It showed the little bird to be more common 

 and more widely distributed than was first supposed, and left on mv 

 mind the impression that it must pass through Ontario. 



In May, when the Vireos began to arrive, I scrutinized them 

 closely, and the first I shot on suspicion proved to be of this species, 

 and was, I believe, the first record for Ontario. When seen in the 

 woods it looked rather smaller tliaii the ^\'arbling Vireo, was more 

 solid and compact in the plumage, and was noticeably tinged under- 

 neath with yello^\'. From these features in its general appearance, 

 I have since recognized it both in spring and fall. I have also heard 

 of its being taken at other points in Ontario, but have no record of 

 its having been found breeding within the Province. 



Since the above was written, it has been found V)y Mr. White at 

 Ottawa, by Mr. Chambeilain at Edmonton, N.B., by Mr. Boardman 

 at St. Stephens, N.B., and by Mr. Drexler at Moose Factory, H.B.T. 

 These records show that it is widely distributed, but how al)i)iidant 

 it may be, relatively, is still an uncertain point in its history. 



VIREO GILVUS (ViKiLL.) 

 258. Warbling Vireo. (027) 



Primaries, ten, tlio exposed portion of the finst of whieh is oiie-tliinl or lus.'s 

 of the .second, no obvious wing ))ar8, no })laekisli stripe along the side of the 

 erown, <and no ahiupt eontiast Ijetween color of back and crown ; upper parts, 

 greenish, with an ashy sliade, rather blighter on tlie rump and edgings of the 

 wings and tail, anteiiorly shading insensibly into ashy on the crown. Ash of 

 crown bordered immediately by a whitish superciliary and loral line ; region 

 immeiliately before and behind the eye, dusky asii ; below, sordid white with 

 faint yellowisli (sometimes creamy or butly) tinge, more rjbviously shaded 



