388 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 



Under parts pale olivaceous-yellowish ; purest behind, lightest on the throat and abdo- 

 men ; the breast more olivaceous, the sides still deeper olive-green, the breast soiled with a 

 slio'ht bufFy tinge. Axillars and crissum yellowish ; the inside of wings whitish. Loral 

 region and a narrow space around eye dull-yellowish, in faint contrast to the olive of head. 

 Bill horn-color above, paler below ; legs dusky. 



Total length, 4.70; wing, 2.40; tail, 2.05; difference between tenth and longest quills, 



.43 ; exposed portion of first primary, .72, of second. 1.52, of longest, fourth, and fifth 



(measured from exposed base of first primary), 1.90; length of bill from forehead, .45, from 



• nostril, .29, along gape, .60; tarsus, .72; middle toe and claw, .50, claw alone, .16; hind 



toe and claw, .45, claw alone, .22. 



Hab. California and Western Mexico, to Oaxaca ; La Parada (Scl.) ; Orizaba (alpine 

 region, resident, Sqmichr.). 



The description just given is based upon the type specimen, probably in 

 winter plumage. Spring specimens do not vary materially except in greater 

 purity of white edgings of the feathers. Two Mexican specimens are rather 

 larger, the wing measuring 2.50, the tail 2.30. No other differences are 

 appreciable. In general the first primary is about half the second, sometimes 

 rather less. 



This species is readily distinguished from other Vireos, excepting V. 

 modesties, wliich it greatly resembles in the small bill, form, coloration, and 

 size ; nor indeed is it easy to separate them. In modestus, however, the 

 first quill is usually more than half the second, not less ; the wing shorter, 

 and less pointed ; the tail longer. The upper parts are more uniform, not 

 much brighter towards rump. 



Habits. This species is one of comparatively recent origin, and of its his- 

 tory but little is as yet known. It was first described by Cassin, in 1851, from 

 a specimen obtained in Monterey, Cal. It has been found in various parts 

 of California, in the valley of the Gila, and in the northern and eastern por- 

 tions of Mexico. Mr. Sumichrast gives it as a resident of the alpine region 

 of the Department of Vera Cruz. 



Dr. Cooper has observed this bird near San Diego, late in February, where 

 he at first mistook it for the Euby-crowned Wren, a bird that winters there 

 in abundance, and which he states resembles this species closely in appear- 

 ance and habits. Two of them came to within a few feet of where he sat, 

 scolding in a harsh tone. He recognized then their larger size and different 

 plumage, as well as their remarkably large eyes, and a peculiar slowness and 

 deliberation in their movements as they searched the foliage for insects. 



Dr. Cooper has since found them wintering plentifully up to latitude 38°. 

 Having observed but few of them in the Coast Eange, in May, he thinks that 

 most of them go farther north in summer. At San Diego, however, he shot 

 a female, on the 9th of March, containing an egg nearly ready to be laid. 

 He had not been able to find the nest, which is presumed to be built in the 

 dense shade of the evergreen oaks (Quercus agrifolia). Their song is said to 

 consist of a few short and quaint notes. Among the memoranda of Mr. 

 Xantus, made at Fort Tejon, I find the following: (No. 1,827.) Nest and 



