VIRBONID^ — THE VIREOS. 369 



ondaiy coverts are obscurely tipped with light brov/n, forming two indistinct 

 liaiids across the wing. 



A specimen (No. 54,2(32) from Orizaba is, in positively every respect, 

 exactly intermediate between this species and V. josephcv of Costa Rica, 

 Ecuador, etc. (See footnote on page 360.) The crown is brown, decidedly 

 darker than, and difierent in tint from, the back, but less so than in josephce ; 

 the back is less olive tliaii in the latter, and less gray than in the former. 

 The lower parts are more yellow than in gilvus, and less so than in josejyhcc, 

 the superciliary stripe whiter and extending farther back than in the former, 

 and less pure white and shorter than in the latter, etc. 



Habits. The Warbling Vireo has only a slightly less extended distribu- 

 tion than the Eed-eyed, being found throughout all Eastern North America, 

 as far north as Fort Simpson and Selkirk Settlement, and west to the Mis- 

 souri River, and breeding as far south as Louisiana. It is stated by Audu- 

 bon to be found on the Columbia River, but in this he probably referred to 

 the Western race, V. swainsoni. That writer never observed this species 

 in Louisiana or Kentucky, nor in the maritime part of Georgia, and its man- 

 ner of entering the United States he was unable to ascertain. Where it 

 moves to in the winter is also unknown, none having been met with in the 

 West Indies, and only at a few points in Mexico, Cordova, Oaxaca, and the 

 State of Vera Cruz. It was, however, found breeding at Calcasieu, Louis- 

 iana, by ISIr. Wlirdemann. 



It breeds abundantly from Virginia to Nova Scotia, and throughout the 

 Nortliwestern States. West of the Rocky INIountains it is replaced by a 

 closely allied species, the V. swainsoni. This Vireo, more than any other of 

 its genus, if not exclusively, is to a large extent a resident of villages, towns, 

 and even cities. It is by far the sweetest singer that ventures within their 

 crowded streets and public squares, — although Mr. Cassin gives his prefer- 

 ence to the notes of the Red-eyed, — and the melody of its song is exquis- 

 itely soft and beautiful. It is chiefly to be found among the tall trees, in 

 the vicinity of dwellings, where it seems to delight to stay, and from their 

 highest tops to suspend its pensile nest. It is especially abundant among 

 the elms on Boston Common, where at almost any hour of the day, from 

 early in the montli of May until long after summer has gone, may be heard 

 the prolonged notes of this, one of the sweetest and most constant of our 

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

 Throughout the last of May, and in June and July, their cliarming song may 

 be heard amid the din of the city from earliest dawn till niglitfall, and rarely 

 ceases even in the noontide heat, when all other birds are silent. It is ever 

 in motion, while thus singing ; and its sweetest notes are given forth as it 

 moves among the tree-tops in search of insects. It is not only one of our 

 most constant singers, but it remains musical almost until its departure for 

 the South in October. 



The Warbling Vireo appears in tlie Middle States about the 15th of April, 

 47 



