BIRDS OF MINNESOTA. 363 



ash, maple, ironwood and basswood, where the birds abound 

 as almost nowhere else in the country. During the latter part of 

 May, the Red -Eyed Vireos invariably have vied with the Robins 

 in opening the daily bird-concert from half-past four o'clock, 

 gradually earlier and earlier, until in the latter part of June it 

 was no more than half-past three o'clock when these two song- 

 sters poured forth their fullest measures. By eight, in the 

 warmer days, the Robin would have retired from the concert, 

 but with only the briefest intervals, the Vireo would keep up 

 an even, clear, strong and sweetly monotonous song, which 

 seemed a mere incident of his existence, costing the songster 

 little effort, and a delight, though it were everlasting. There 

 is comparatively little variety in the notes, but they are the 

 very expression of cheerfulness and entire satisfaction. They 

 are described best by the words — vireo-vireo-virieevir-'a-viree, 

 uttered energetically, but without any appearance of hurry. 



They reach their summer destination about the first of May, 

 some times a little later, and at once enter upon their singing. 

 Concealed by the leaves of the lofty trees, he flits amongst the 

 more elevated branches where the casual observer will scarcely 

 see him, but he will hear him beyond a question. They build 

 their nests from about the 25th of May to the 10th of June. I 

 have frequently found them no more than three feet from the 

 ground, suspended from the horizontal forks of a limb of the 

 s ize of my finger, and I have still oftener met with it from ten 

 to twenty feet above my head, but never very much more ele- 

 vated. Always typically pensile, it is outwardly composed of 

 fine strips of inner bark of the slippery elm, and basswood of 

 the previous year, and therefore bleached nearly white, with 

 which are mingled fragments of hornets' or wasps' nests, vege- 

 table down, etc.; and inside with fine thread-like roots and 

 shreds of fine bark. The eggs are a glossy white, slightly 

 speckled on the larger end with dark brown. Occasionally 

 there are a few blotches scattered over the same part, of a 

 brickdust red. They are generally four in number, yet not in- 

 frequently there are only three. They are abundant in every 

 wooded section of the State which I have visited, and are fre- 

 quently found about the elms and other shade trees of the city 

 and farm houses. They mostly leave us in September, although 

 a few individuals remain still later. 



Mr. Washburn found it in August, and early in September, 

 in the Red river valley — "the most abundant of its family." 



Every correspondent of mine has reported its presence in 

 timbered sections. 



