ii6 



Bird-Land Echoes. 



be always on the wing. They will rob a spider's 

 web or pick a fly from a window-pane ; but in the 

 latter case the concussion when the beak and glass 

 come together must be staggering, and the act is 

 not likely to be repeated. Do not set down the 

 tyrant flycatchers as perfect in their art. There is 

 no such thing as perfection in nature. 



There are half a dozen species of vireos, four of 

 which are found all summer in New Jersey, the others 



merely passing 

 through on 

 their way to 

 more north- 

 ern localities. 

 These birds are 

 insect-eaters, 

 and therefore 

 catchers of 

 flies, and I am 

 quite disposed 

 to award to 

 them very de- 

 cided skill in the art. Not often do they launch 

 out in pursuit of passing insects, though I have 

 sometimes seen this done, particularly in wood- 

 land. Insects are sure to congregate where there 

 is a wagon-road passing through the forest, and I 

 have seen vireos dart out into this open space and 

 return as any flycatcher would and for the same 

 purpose. When not singing, vireos are eating, and 

 it is a mistake to suppose that their food lies quietly 



Philadelphia Vireo. 



