SECOND ANNUAL MEETING 47 



crotch on a plum branch aboiit half way between the ti^j and the main 

 trunk. The average heig'ht of the nests I have examined is about three 

 feet and a half, though I have several times found nests of this species 

 hung from a crotch on a horizontal branch within a foot and a half of 

 the ground, much lower, in fact, than the tops of the weeds which 

 closelj^ surround it. They are as a rule thick-walled, deeply-cupped 

 structures composed mainly of weed fibers, dry leaves and fine strips 

 of the inner bark of trees, firmly woven together. The lining is of fine 

 grass and rootlets. Nests examined average about two and a quarter 

 inches in width by two and one-half inches in depth, outside diameter, 

 and one inch and five-eighths in width by one inch and three-fourths in 

 depth, inside diameter. It is thus seen that they are a little deeper in 

 proiJortion to their width than are nests of other species of Vireos. 



The eggs, laid the first or second week in June, are generally four, of 

 a creamy-white ground color, sijaringiy speckled with small dark red 

 spots, especially towards the larger end; these interspersed with small 

 lavender shell markings. Eggs vary a great deal in regard to the 

 amount of speckling but as a rule have smaller and fewer spots than is 

 the ease with those of other Vireos. In a set of five from Texas be- 

 longing to Mr. M. A. Carriker, Jr., the reddish speckling is reduced to a 

 minimum, what few spots there are being- very minute. One of the 

 eggs of this set was especially interesting, being entirely' immaculate. 



The Bell's Vireo is shy and retiring- in the extreme, being ver^- seldom 

 observed unless especially sought after. Even then the glimi^se is but 

 momentary, as it is a very restless little body and on the move nearly 

 all the time. Adding to this lively disposition the dull colors of the bird 

 it is not strange that it is seldom observed. Furthermore, the Vireo 

 rarely appears on the edge of the thicket but keeps back well within 

 the shadows so that even the momentary glimpse is unsatisfactory. 

 Bell's Vireo is seen to the best advantage in the early days of September 

 just previous to its departure for the south. At that time it keeps 

 company with the Eed-eyed and Warbling Vireos in the cottonwoods 

 and willows along streams. 



I know of no sounds with which I can correctly compare the song of 

 this bird and it is certainly bej'ond the power of words to describe it. 

 Speaking in a general way it is a peculiar jumble of odd notes, given 

 in a quaint manner. Once heard it cannot be confounded ^vith any 

 other bird song. When strolling around plum i^atches in June I have 

 frequently been accosted from the depths of the thicket by sounds 

 which greatly resemble the word "p-r-a-i-g-h" given forth with great 

 vehemence and rapidity. After close watching I find the source of 

 these noises to be a Bell's Vireo, and the nest is usually found in the 

 same thicket. These notes I have also heard in July and August, so it 

 is doubtless an alarm note used in all cases of excitement. 



My observations on the habits of this bird have not been restricted 

 to the vicinity of Neligh. I have also observed it closely at Long Pine, 



