LAND BIRDS. 571 



"sections. It appears to be most abundant in the Lower Peninsula, but 

 this may be due in part to the fact that it is partial to the well shaded 

 streets of towns and villages, and so is more frequently met with. It has 

 been reported from practically all the counties of the state, and doubtless 

 may be found in all. It arrives from the south the last of April or first 

 of May, the earliest date at Petersburg being April 21, 1889, and the latest 

 May 5, 1893. At Battle Creek the first was seen April 19, 1889, at Bay 

 City May 7, 1890, and Sault Ste. Marie May 6, 1900. Near Detroit Mr. 

 Swales says it arrives from April 27 to May 7 and is usually gone southward 

 by September 15, his latest fall record being September 28, 1889. 



In its nesting habits it closely resembles the Red-eyed Vireo, but its song 

 is unlike that of any other. It is a sprightly and musical warble which 

 resembles closely that of the Purple Finch, although it is weaker and 

 shorter. Dr. Brewer says "One of the sweetest and most constant of 

 our singers. Its voice is not powerful, but its melody is flute-like and 

 tender." To one familiar with the songs of the other vireos the song of 

 the present species would suggest an entirely different bird, certainly one 

 of the Fringillidffi. 



Its food probably resembles that of its relatives very closely but it 

 doubtless has certain Hkes and dislikes. It eats a few seeds and berries, 

 but is mainly an insect eater and one of the farmer's best friends. In 

 Nebraska Prof. Aughey found it eating the young of the Rocky Mountain 

 locust in all stages of their growth and saw it bring them constantly to its 

 nest as food for the young. Prof. Forbes in his study of the birds of an 

 orchard overrun with canker-worms, found that 35 percent of the food of 

 the two Warbling Vireos taken one season consisted of canker-worms, 

 while other caterpillars made 43 percent additional, and other insects, 

 mainly injurious, formed almost all the remainder. Three other specimens 

 contained 44 percent of canker-worms, 35 percent of other caterpillars, 

 and 15 percent of beetles. 



Apparently the nest is quite variable in structure and location. On 

 the average it is more slightly built, and in higher situations, than the 

 nest of the Red-eye. Shade trees are favorite nesting places and it is 

 fi'equently seen in elms, maples, and other common shade trees along 

 the streets and in city parks. Ordinarily it is perfectly pensile like 

 that of all the other Vireos, yet Dr. Wolcott (MS. list, December, 1904), 

 states that the nest in his experience is frequently swung l)etween three 

 or four vertical twigs or even placed in a crotch. He also has found it to 

 be thicker walled, firmer and better lined. Numerous observers state 

 that the nest is frequently found in orchards and there can be no doubt 

 that the bird is partial to such situations. 



Kggs are most likely to be found in central Michigan during the last 

 week in May and the first week in June, but a pair was seen building near 

 the Agricultural College, May 15, 1903, and doubtless the birds often rear 

 a second brood in late .hino or -July. Tiie eggs are scarcely separal)le 

 from those of the other vireos, being white, tliiiily spotted with l)rown 

 and black, and averaging .75 by .55 inches. 



According to Dr. (iibbs this is one of the few species which sings white 

 incubating. 



TECHNICAL DKSCHIPTION. 



Bill slightly hooked :it tip; riclal bristles evident; spurious first prini:iiy present; no 

 wing-bars. 



Adult (sexes alike): Toj) of liead dull ashy-gray, sliadiug gradually into olive-gray 



