55(1 RED-EVED VIKEO. 



OBSERVATIONS. 



Readily known from all other Vireos by the slaty-blue head, accompanied by the white and black 

 superciliary line. Distributed, during summer througliout eastern North America west to the Rocky 

 Mountains, wintering in the West Indies and South America. 



DIMENSIONS. 



Average measurements of si.xteen specimens. Length, (I.L'.k stretch, 10. 10: wing, 3.2.5 : tail, 2 2.5; 

 bill, ..53; tarsus, .63. Longest specimen, fi..50 : greatest extent of wings, 10.6-5: longest wing, 3.48; tail, 

 3.00; bill, .55; tarsus, .6.5. Shortest specimen, 6.00; smallest extent of wings, 9.8S; shortest wing, 

 3.20; tail, 2.10: bill, ..56; tarsus. .60. 



DESCRIPTION OF NESTS AND EGGS. 



Nest.s. Pensile, placed in trees or bu.shes. Composed of strips of bark or dried grasses, while the 

 whole is neatly overlaid with cobwebs: lined with finer grasses. Dimensions: external diameter, 3 inches, 

 internal, 2 ; external depth, 2 inches : internal, 1..50. 



Eggs, four in number, oval in form, pure white in colnr. spotted rather sparsely with deep umber. 

 Dimensions from .8.5 by .60 to .80 by .55. 



HABITS. 



Tlii'oiighout the entire extent of New England, even in the immediate vicinity of the 

 larger cities, are patches of woodland of varied extent, and many of them are composed 

 of ancient trees which once partly formed the vast primeval forest th;it in former times 

 overspread the land. It is very pleasant in summer to wander beneath the shade of 

 these svlvini patriarchs ; for. no matter liow brightly the ,^un may be shining upon the 

 broad open lields and meadows, the moment we enter the wt>ods we seem transported to 

 another sphere. Without, the air is hot and dry ; now, a cool, refreshing breeze sweeps 

 through tlie dimly-lighted vista,'*, slightly moving the ferns which grow at the bases of 

 the gigantic trunks that stretch their arms high ovei'head, where the deep green foliage 

 sweeps to and fro disclosing glimpses of the l)lue sky. A murmur pervades the nir, 

 caused liy the rustling leaves, the hum of insects and the songs of liirds. The experienced 

 ear at once detects the notes of the \arious Thrushes and those of other species, but the 

 last one noticed will be that of the Ked-ey ed Vireo. Theie may be several of thtS3 birds 

 singing at one time quite near, yet so nearly d(.) the gently given lays accord with the 

 general harmony around, that they mingle with the whole and are not ol>served, but 

 when a Vireo that has been continually singing pau.'es for a moment, its voice is mi.ssed 

 and one is apt to notice wlien it connnences agam. 



When the attention is attrai'ted and one wishes to see the author of these melodious 

 strains, it is exceedingly dihicult to catch sight of the little green-backed birds, for they 

 generally remain high in the tree tops, where theii' leisurely moveire its correspond with 

 their slowlj-given song. Although the Ked-e\ ed \^ireos are generally found at such an 

 elevation, yet they often place tiieir nests quite near the ground. Tliey u-iually select 

 a swaving oak or maple and build their pensile nests in the folks of slender boughs. 

 During this time, and in fact tiiroughout the entire breeding .«eason, both birds, keep 

 toaether, exhibitiiip- c(Hisiderable solicitude for each other's safetw If one is shot and 

 falls to the ground the sur\i\(>r alights near it iind evinces intense sorrow bv cAcrv note 



