BIRDS OF THE CAMBRIDGE REGION. 



313 



for, on the 1 7th, I found a little flock feeding in a Norway spruce at Chestnut 

 Hill. These birds also were very tame, and I got within a few feet of them, and, 

 with my glass, saw them quite clearly. You may judge that I was very much sur- 

 prised in both cases. I did not hear the birds sing at all, but heard the scolding 

 note once or twice." 



It is to be regretted that observations so interesting and important as those 

 just quoted could not have been absolutely verified by the capture of at least one 

 of the birds. The Philadelphia Vireo is so difficult of positive identification with- 

 out the aid of a gun, and its local occurrence in numbers is so unprecedented, 

 not to say improbable, that I trust Mr. Maynard will pardon me for venturing to 

 suggest that his record cannot be regarded with quite the same confidence as if 

 it had been backed by the actual taking and preservation of a specimen. It 

 would not, indeed, be worthy of serious consideration, did it not rest on the 

 authority of an ornithologist whose keen and discriminating powers of observa- 

 tion, and wide field experience, are known to every one. 



190. Vireo gilvus (Vieill.). 

 Warbling Vireo. 



Locally common summer resident. 

 SEASONAL OCCURRENCE. 



April 29, 1 89 1, one seen and heard, East Lexington, W. Faxon. 



Ma)' 5 — September 15. 

 September 23, 1891, one seen and heard, Arlington, W. Faxon. 



NESTING DATES. 

 May 30 — June 8. 



The Warbling Vireo is a bird of somewhat peculiar and restricted distribu- 

 tion. It shuns extensive tracts of woodland and, indeed, most wild and primitive 

 places, although it nests sparingly in orchard or shade trees near secluded farm- 

 houses, and rather frequently along country roads bordered by rows of 

 large elms or maples. We find it most commonly and regularly, however, in or 

 near village centers such as those of Lexington, Arlington, Belmont and Water- 

 town, where, during the greater part of the summer, its sweet, smoothly flowing 

 song may be heard at all hours of the day, issuing from the canopies of foliage 



