The Birds’ Calendar * 
where to put the chat, and pending the deter- 
mination of its status it is regarded as a warbler. 
The next two species introduce us to another 
family—the vireo or greenlet family, peculiar 
to America, where there are about sixty well- 
defined species, although North America con- 
tains only sixteen of them. They are small 
insectivorous birds, much like the warblers in 
general habits, and the grounds of their special 
grouping do not appeal to the field ornitholo- 
gist. The name is suggested from the prevail- 
ing greenish-olive tint, at least of the upper 
side of the bird, the lower side being white, or 
shaded with olive or yellow. Plainly colored 
as a class, the bright song of several of the 
species makes them quite as attractive as many 
of the warblers. I cannot forbear to quote the . 
appreciative words of Mr. Elliott Coues in his 
‘¢ Key to North American Birds,’’ in reference 
to this family. He says, ‘‘ Next after the war- 
blers the greenlets are the most delightful of 
our forest birds, though their charms address 
the ear and not the eye. Clad in simple tints 
that harmonize with the verdure, these gentle 
songsters warble their lays unseen, while the 
foliage itself seems stirred to music. In the 
quaint and curious ditty of the white-eye—in 
162 
