THE PHILADELPHIA VIREO. 297 
IJ 
alarm note, we-aw or ye-an, with the French nasal “wn.” This is delivered 
about twenty-five times a minute, while the bird holds to one perch without 
moving, save to sway from side to side or to twist its head rythmically—a sort 
of nervous relief whose exact function is in doubt. 
The nest of this Vireo is a model of neatness, being swung by the brim 
from the forked tips of horizontal or declining limbs, as in the case of the twa 
species illustrated. The materials used are strips of thin bark, hemp, dead 
leaves bleached to the color of oxidized silver, and various vegetable downs. 
The exterior is frequently ornamented with lichens and shreds of cocoons or 
wasps’ nests. Bits of newspaper are always acceptable, and some nests are 
jargely composed of this interesting by-product of civilization. 
No. 130. 
PHIEADELPHIA VIREO: 
A. O. U. No. 626. Vireo philadelphicus (Cass.). 
Description.—Adult: Above, dull olive-green over gray, ashy on head; 
narrow frontal line and area around eye whitish, save for short, dusky line through 
eye; wings and tail fuscous, edged narrowly with olive-green; no apparent spu- 
rious quill; no white wing-bars; first primary shorter than fourth; tip of wing 
formed by second and third; below everywhere, except on chin, pale sulphur- 
yellow; sides sometimes buffy or olivaceous; bill blackish above, paler below ; 
feet plumbeous. Length 4.75-5.00 (120.6-127.); wing 1.60 (40.6); tail about 
2.00 (50.8) ; bill from nostril .27 (6.9). 
Recognition Marks.—Warbler size ; an almost exact counterpart of V’. giluus, 
and known from it positively only by the apparent absence of spurious quill (it 
having been nearly aborted); it may usually be distinguished, however, by its 
slightly smaller size, and yellower coloration below, as well as by its more marked 
olive above. 
Nesting.—Does not breed in Ohio. Nest, pensile, of grass and birch bark, 
suspended from fork of horizontal branch eight feet up. Eggs, 4, like those of 
V. olivaceus (E. E. Thompson). 
General Range.—As yet imperfectly known; eastern North America north 
to Hudson Bay; south in winter to Costa Rica and Panama. Breeds from Maine, 
New Hampshire and Manitoba northward. 
Range in Ohio.—Probably not uncommon, but little observed, spring and 
fall migrant. 
“NOT very common but regular spring and fall migrant, in May and 
September. ‘The Philadelphia Vireo is one of the most interesting of the 
