NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS EGGS. 



285 



[White.] 



VIREOS. Family VIREONID/E. 



623. Black-whiskered Vireo. Vireo calidris barbatulus. 



Range. A Central American species, breeding in Cuba, Bahamas and south- 

 ^^j^M^fe.. ern Florida. 



Like the Red-eyed Vireo but with a dusky streak on either 

 . side of the chin. They build pensile nests of strips of bark 

 and fibres, swung from the forks of branches. The eggs can- 

 not be distinguished from those of the next species, being 

 white, more or less specked about the large end with reddish 

 [White.] brown and umber. Size .78 x .55. 



624. Red-eyed Vireo. Vireo olivaceus. 



Range. United States, east of the Rockies, breeding north to Labrador, Mani- 

 toba and British Columbia. 



This is the most common of the Vireos in the greater part of 

 its range and is a most persistent songster, frequenting groves, 

 open woods or roadsides. Their eyes are brown, scarcely if any 

 more red than those of any other species and I have yet to see 

 one with red eyes outside of mounted museum specimens. 

 They swing their nests from the forks of trees at any elevation 

 from the ground but usually below ten feet, and I have found 

 them where the bottom rested on the ground; they are made 

 of strips of bark, fibre, etc., and often have pieces of string or paper woven 

 into the sides; they are one of the most beautiful of bird homes and are woven 

 so strongly that old nests hang to the branches for several seasons. Their three 

 or four eggs, often accompanied by one of the Cowbirds, are laid in May or 

 June; they are white, sparingly specked with blackish brown. Size .85 x .55. 



625. Yellow-green Vireo. Vireo flavoviridis. 



Range. Southern Texas and southward to South America. 



Similar to the Red-eye but greener above and more yellowish on the sides. 

 The nesting habits are the same and the eggs indistinguishable from those of 

 that species. 



626. Philadelphia Vireo. Vireo philadelphicus. 



m Range. Eastern United States breeding from northern New 



England and Manitoba northward. 



This rather uncommon species is much smaller than the 

 Red-eye (length 5 in.) and is yellowish below, and without 

 black edges to the gray crown. It nests like the others of the 

 family, in forks of limbs and the eggs do not differ from those 

 [White.] of the Red-eyed Vireo except in size, averaging .70 x .50. 



627. Warbling Vireo. Vireo gilvus. 



Range. North America east to the Plains, breeding north to Labrador. 



This Vireo is nearly as abundant as the Red-eye but is not 

 generally as well known, probably because it is usually higher > 

 in the trees and more concealed from view. Their nests are 

 like those of the Red-eye, but smaller and usually placed 

 higher in the trees. The birds are even more persistent 

 singers, than are the latter but the song is more musical 

 and delivered in a more even manner, as they creep about 

 among the foliage, peering under every leaf for lurking insects, 

 pure white, spotted with brown or reddish brown. Size .72 x .52. 

 627a. Western Warbling Vireo. Vireo gilvus swainsoni. 



Range. Western United States, breeding from Mexico to British Columbia. 



This species is like the last but said to be a trifle smaller and paler colored. 

 Its nesting habits and eggs are precisely like those of the eastern form. 



[White.] 

 The eggs 



are 



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