NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 347 



general and is abundant. The form, V. g. swainsoni^ which is described 

 as the smaller, with slenderer bill, etc., occurs in Western United States. 

 Every collector is doubtless familiar with the incessant, mellow warb- 

 lings of this Greenlet, as it rambles through the foliage of trees in open 

 woodland, in parks, and in those along the banks of streams. In these 

 places it diligently searches the under sides of leaves and branches for 

 insect life, " in that near-sighted way peculiar to the tribe." It is one 

 of the most stoical of birds, and seems never surprised at anything; 

 even at the loud report of a gun, with the shot rattling about it in the 

 branches, and, if uninjured, it will stand for a moment unconcerned, or , 

 move along, peering on every side amongst the foliage, warbling its 

 tender, liquid strains. 



The nest of this species is like that of the Red-eyed Vireo — a 

 strong, durable, basket-like fabric, made of bark strips, and fine grasses 

 on the inside. It is suspended by the brim in slender, horizontal forks 

 of branches, usually at a greater height than the nest of the Red-eye. 

 The nesting time is in May and June. 



The eggs are spotted, frequently blotched at the larger end with 

 brown and reddish-brown on a clear white ground — sometimes over 

 the surface will be found small specks of reddish-brown. The comple- 

 ment of eggs is three or four; size, .70 to .77 in length by about .55 in 

 breadth. Seven eggs, taken in Ohio, measure .70 x .51, .y^ x .50, .74 x 

 •53» -75 X .52, .72 X .55, .74 X .55, .jj X .53; four from California, .72 x 

 .50, .72 X .53, .70 X .53, .73 x .51. 



628. Vireo flavifrons Vieill. [140-] 



TelloiV'throated Vireo. 



Hab. Eastern United States, west to the Great Plains; south in winter to Costa Rica. 



The Yellow-throated Greenlet is common in the woodlands of 

 Eastern United States. Mr. Mcllwraith gives it as a summer resident 

 of Southern Ontario, but is by no means common. Col. N. S. Goss 

 records it as a quite common summer resident of Kansas; begins 

 laying about the 20th of May. He states that the bird inhabits the 

 timber away from settlements. In the Eastern States it is found fre- 

 quenting and nesting in the orchards and gardens, as well as in 

 wooded country. It is a common summer resident in Ohio, especially 

 the northern portion. It frequents secluded woods and the banks of 

 ravines and streams, and appears to be partial to oak forests. 



The nest of this species is pensile, like those of other Vireos, but 

 the architectural taste and skill displayed in its building is perhaps 

 superior to any of the family. It is composed of strips of thin bark, 

 grasses, etc. The outside of the structure is beautifully adorned with 



