THE YELLOW-THROATED VIREO. 



the disconnected fragments which the Red-eye furnishes, the song of the 

 Warbling Vireo is gushing and continuous, a rapid excursion over pleasant 

 hills and valleys. The notes are flute-like, tender, and melodious, having, 

 as Chapman says, "a singular alto undertone." All hours of the day are 

 recognized as appropriate to melody, and the song-period lasts from the time 

 of the bird's arrival late in April until its departure in September, with only 

 a brief hiatus in July. 



In sharp contrast with the beautiful canzonettes which this bird showers 

 down from the tree-tops, come the harsh, Wren-like scolding notes, which 

 it often delivers while searching through the bushes, and especially if it comes 

 across a lurking tabby-cat. 



The Warbling Vireo's cradle is swung where its after life is spent — in 

 the depths of a shade tree. The structure is a little the neatest of them all, 

 being closely woven of grasses and fine bark-strips, and felted more or less 

 compactly with vegetable downs. The female is a close sitter, sticking to 

 her post even tho nearly paralyzed with fear. The male is usually in close 

 attendance and knows no way of discouraging the inquisitive bird-man save 

 by singing with redoubled energy. He takes his turn at the eggs when the 

 wife needs a bit of an airing, and even, it is said, carries his song with him 

 to the nest. 



The Vireos are frequent victims of the Cowbird. The birds seem to 

 realize the imposition that is being practiced upon them, but are not able to 

 eject the foreign egg. Sometimes a false bottom is constructed to hide the 

 bastard product, and sometimes the tainted nest is deserted outright. One 

 such I found which contained only a single Cowbird's eggs, and that punc- 

 tured by the outraged Vireo. 



No. 132. 



YELLOW-THROATED VIREO. 



A. O. U. No. 628. Vireo flavifrons Vieill. 



Description. — Adult: Above and on sides bright olive-green, giving way 



posteriorly to bluish ash: wings and tail blackish; conspicuous white edgings 

 all around on the inner quills and outer rectrices ; edging of primaries narrow, 

 whitish, or olivaceous; that of inner tail-feathers whitish or bluish white; two 

 conspicuous white wing-bars formed by tips of middle and greater coverts; no 

 apparent spurious quill; first primary longer than fourth; tip of wing formed by 



