264 DwiGHT, The Phihidelphia Vireo. [^^"i'^, 



within earshot, rush to the scene, take a hand in the chorus and 

 having expressed their opinions discreetly retire. Very often a 

 Philadelphia Vireo, seldom two, will join in the rumpus for a little 

 while but they soon slip away satisiied, leaving the White-throats 

 as boisterous as ever in their denunciations. 



It is impossible not to be struck with the close resemblance 

 between the Philadelphias and the Red-eyes in appearance, actions, 

 and habits, as well as in song. Both frequent the same localities 

 in the wilderness, but the Philadelphias rather shun civilization 

 and rarely appear, like the Red-eyes, in the village trees. Both 

 prefer to sing in the upper branches, but I have seldom found the 

 Philadelphias in the rambling groves of birches which are the 

 especial delight of the Red-eyes, and they are more partial to the 

 low, bushy, second growth or copses of alders sprinkled with 

 stray trees. Both hop from bough to bough in search of food, 

 singing as they go, and in actions the one is almost the coun- 

 terpart of the other, save that the smaller bodied Philadelphias 

 are quicker in their movements as contrasted with the lazy leisure 

 of the Red-eyes. Another point of difference is in the amount of 

 curiosity displayed, the Philadelphias exhibiting comparatively 

 little while the Red-eyes, fairly brimming over with it, never fail 

 to seek the reason for unusual sights or sounds. The Philadel- 

 phia's song is much slower than that of the Red-eye, while his 

 scolding notes are much more rapid and less evenly delivered. 



There would seem to be a streak of ill-temper in the mental com- 

 position of this little Vireo, which manifests itself in brief out- 

 breaks of scolding. These notes are even interjected into the 

 song, and also greet you unexpectedly in the woods, as if you had 

 disturbed nest or young, but many of these rude birds turn out to be 

 males and can never be found a second time in the same locality. 

 The fact is, unless they are in full song, it is no easy matter to 

 find them in the same neighborhood two days in succession, for 

 the bushes are very thick and afford safe cover. In fine weather 

 their pleasing music may be heard from daybreak till midday, and 

 again in the afternoon, but when it is dull and rainy or hot they 

 often remain perfectly silent. While the female is incubating, her 

 mate will spend hours in song, choosing an elevated perch or 

 roving about, high and low, singing as he goes. Later in the 



