448 ORNITHOLOGY. 



as well as coiiM be ascertained fnim the distant view obtained. In its 

 motionless attitude while perched, it called to mind Oicoscoplcs montanus, 

 which it closely resembled in size, general form, and dull, grayish colors; 

 but when it flew its markings were more varied, the ivbtgs prcsodirig a large 

 white patch, apparently on the primaries. The manner of its flight was quite 

 similar to that of the blocking-bird {Mimus poJijglottus), the wings and tail 

 being widely spread; while the resemblance was still more striking from the 

 white patch on the primaries. These characteristics correspond well with 

 those of the female or young male of rhcrnopcpla nitens, so that all circum- 

 stances taken into consideration render it extremely probable that this 

 species is a rare summer inhabitant of the desert portions of western Nevada, 

 a supposition strengthened by the fact that it was obtained in the southern 

 ])Ortion of the State by Mr. liischofF, the naturalist of Lieutenant Wheeler's 

 expedition, in 1871. 



Family VIIIEOXIDJ]— Gkeenlets. 



ViKEOSYLVIA GILVA. 

 li^'ai'bling Virco, or Orcviilct. 



/?. swainsoni. 



Yireo sirainsoni, Baird, B. N. Am., IS.IS, 33li (in text, sub V. gilcus). 



Vireonijtria nicainHoni, BAinu, Review Am B., 18G0, 343. 



Yireo.sijh-ia gilt'a var. ntcainsoni, Baird, in Coop. B. Gal., I, 18T0, llC — B. B. & 



U., Ili.st. N. Am. B., I, 1874, 37I.-UENSHAW, 187.J, 221. 

 Vireo gih'Hs var. .strainsoni, Coves, Key, 1872, 121, lig. 04; Check List, 1873, No. 



125a. 

 Vireo gilnis. h. sjcainsoni, CouES, B. N.W., 1874, 98. 



Few, if any, of the western birds are more extensively distributed 

 or more abinidant than this Greenlet, lor it abides in all fertile localities. 

 Altitude makes no difference with it, since it is equally common among the 

 Avillows or cotton-woods of the lowest valleys and the aspens just below 

 the timber-line — the only condition required being, seemingly, the exist- 

 ence of deciduous trees or .shru1)bery. The food of this bird consists in 

 summer chiefly of worms and other insects, but in the autumn it seems to 

 subsist almost exclusively on the small bluish berries of a species of cornel 

 (^Corniis puhescens), which grows abundantly along the mountain streams. 



