226 BULLETIN 19 7, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM 



Chewink in its timing and pitch, others of a Chat. The number of phrases 

 given per minute was 31, 31, 29, 28, 32. A different bird gave 29 in one minute. 

 Intervals between beginnings of piirases varied from l.S to 3 seconds. No phrase 

 was given more than once at one time. I was not able to record all of his 

 expressions, but the following are samples : hcc-hcc chur, hee prvr, chee-chee-cJice- 

 chec, hee-hee-hee, ivhit tvhit whit, sissiivit lice, hay party, tcr para ch^e, toheep, 

 hur tvee ch6e. 



The phrases of another bird across the creek were all somewhat different from 

 those of the first bird. Some that I recorded are : which er ch^e (a Chewink-like 

 note), dee dee dee, what Tcie, whip chur whip kee. 



Mr. Simmons (1925) calls the song, "varied, reminiscent of that of 

 the White-eyed Vireo, but less emphatic and more of a gentle Vv'arble; 

 somewhat like the song of the Bell Vireo, but much slower and more 

 distinct, less of a helter-skelter roundelay ; a subdued, low, sweet, per- 

 sistent musical warble, neither hurried nor slow, as though the bird 

 were making insistent efforts to pronounce its name; * * * also 

 interpreted as a loud, emphatic, liquid tJiere now, wait-a-hit or come 

 here, right-now-quich. First and second usually alternate at regular 

 intervals; first and sixth end with a peculiar, fine, tinkling, bell-like 

 quality which is very attractive. * * * Sings from arrival in 

 March until mid-August, frequently from the nest after the manner 

 of the Bell Vireo. A hoarse alarm note." 



William Lloyd (1887) says that "the song is loud, clear, and very 

 musical, and the singer generally selects some blasted pecan stump for 

 the site of his vocal efforts. The female has also a song, sweet, but not 

 particularly noticeable." 



Field marks. — The conspicuous black and white head pattern of the 

 male is diagnostic and that of the female is only duller in color. No 

 other vireo even approaches this, and there is no other bird within its 

 habitat for which the black-capped vireo might be mistaken. 



DISTRIBUTION 



Range. — Southern Kansas to central Mexico. 



Breeding range. — The breeding range of the black-capped vireo 

 seems to be very restricted. Nests have been found north to central 

 southern Kansas (Comanche County, one record) ; north-central Okla- 

 homa (Stillwater and Tulsa). East to east-central Oklahoma (Tulsa 

 and Spencer) ; and central Texas (Dallas, Waco, Austin, New Braun- 

 fcls, and Castroville) . South to south-central and southwestern 

 Texas (Castroville, Medina, High Bridge, Langley, and the Chisos 

 Mountains). It seems probable that it breeds also in northern 

 Coahuila, but at present no data are available. West to southwestern 

 Texas (Chisos Mountains, Glass IMountains, and San Angelo) ; south- 

 western Oklahoma (Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge) ; and cen- 

 tral southern Kansas (Comanche County). 



