240 



Sketches of Some Common Birds. 



rendition of the song enabled me immediately to identify 

 this vireo. The song is louder than the tender expression 

 of the warbling vireo, and in tone and execution has a 

 closer resemblance to the carols of the robin than to the 

 songs of the other vireos. We first hear three or four 

 notes clearly articulated with a rising inflection ; then 

 there comes a short pause, followed by a series of four or 

 five notes executed as before; again there is another em- 

 phatic song, and thus we become familiar with the persist- 

 ent roundels of the red-eyed vireo. 



Both the warbling and the red-eyed vireo are common 

 residents of the tall elms and maple trees of the highways 

 and dooryards. They are also found regularly in the 

 maple groves and the parks, and both are also found in 

 the woodlands. The red -eyed vireo, however, is more 

 attached to the woods than the warbling vireo, and in the 

 woodlands it discovers its most charming traits. Eobert 

 Eidgway says that '' taking the country at large, the red- 

 eyed vireo is perhaps the most abundant woodland species. ' ' 

 It is especially abundant in the large trees growing on the 

 immediate banks of the rivers, among the elms, maples, 

 cottonwoods, and willows. Its urgent notes ring o'ut in 

 fullest power, sharpest tone, and most persistent repetition 

 in the woods thus fringing the rivers and small streams. 

 The fine groves of oak, hickory, and walnut, yet standing 

 here and there throughout our upland prairie regions, are 

 favorite resorts of this vireo, though woods bordering 

 small water-courses have the most attraction for it. It 

 seldom seeks the depths of the woods and groves, but 

 prefers the outer parts, though it does not often get out into 

 the direct sunshine, as the vireos are all creatures of the 

 shade. 



The summer home of this species is eastern temperate 

 North America. It ranges westward to the Kocky Moun- 

 tains, and winters from Florida to northern Soutn America. 

 Our red-eyed vireos come back to us about the beginning 

 of the third week in April, usually preceding the warbling 

 vireo a few days. They remain until the middle of Sep- 

 tember, or even until the last of the month in favorable 

 weather. Their lively movements in the time of migra- 

 tion, when they dally in the tree tops, and flit in and out 



