VIREO SOLITARIUS : BLUE-HEADED GREENLET. 203 



those of the other Vireos, being between 3 and 3|^ 

 inches wide, and nearly as deep. It is placed in the 

 fork of a horizontal branch, from three to fifteen feet 

 above the ground, as often in the orchard as in the 

 wood, though I have found it in pines. It is com- 

 posed of narrow strips of thin bark, such as that of 

 the cedar or large vines, is lined with pine-needles or 

 grasses, and is usually ornamented on the outside with 

 caterpillars' silk and large pieces of lichens." (B. N. 

 E., 1877, p. 154-) The Yellow-throat has an agree- 

 able song, unmistakably a Vireo's, yet readily distin- 

 guished from the several different melodies of the other 

 species ; together with the harsh scolding outcry com- 

 monly uttered by the members of this family when 

 their homes are invaded. It is not less beneficial than 

 the rest are to the agriculturist, as it destroys its full 

 share of objectionable insects. 



BLUE-HEADED GREENLET. 



ViREO SOLITARIUS ( WHs.) V. 



Chars. A large stout species, with a thick bill ; size and propor- 

 tions nearly those of V. flavifrons ; but there is a well-developed 

 spurious quill, 0.50-0.65 long, a fourth as long as the next prima- 

 ry. Upper parts olive-green, of the same shade as in V. oliTa- 

 ceus, the crown and sides of the head bluish-ash in marked 

 contrast, with a white line to and around but not behind the eye, 

 and dusky lore. Below, pure white, the sides olive-shaded, the 

 under wing and tail-coverts quite yellowish. Wings and tail 

 dusky, most of the feathers edged with white, or with the color of 

 the back, or both, and the wings with two white or yellowish 

 cross-bars. Bill and feet dark plumbeous. Fall specimens are 

 commonly yellower than in spring. Length about 5.50 ; ejctent, 

 8.50 ; wing, 2.75 ; tail, 2.25 ; bill, 0.40 ; tarsus, 0.70. 



