170 FAMILIAR FEATURES OF THE ROADSIDE. 



But before we leave the woodland road and the 

 thrushes, I wish to call attention to another bird 

 who incessantly warbles a few short notes among the 

 foliage of the twilight forest in midsummer. Just 

 where the light takes on a shimmering green color, 

 where the forest grows silent and solemn and stately, 

 there is always in summer time a little bird away 



up in the high- 

 petually sing- 

 song. 



est branches, per- 

 ing a disjointed 

 This is called the red- 

 vireo ( Vireo olivaceus). 

 He is about six inches 

 long, olive - backed, slaty- 

 crowned with a dark line over the 

 eye, and white-breasted. The hang- 

 ing nest is usually built well up from 

 the ground on a forked branch, and in 

 it one may see from three to four pearly 

 white, madder-brown spotted eggs. 

 I do not see how it is possible for one to mistake 

 this bird's song for any other. No other bird sings 

 so disjointedly and continuously. I must except the 

 yellow-throated vireo ( Vireo flamfrons\ however. 

 This bird is olive-green, with a yellow throat. His 

 song is pitched lower, and the tempo is less agitated. 

 The best time to hear this music is in the afternoon 

 of a warm day in July or August, immediately after 



Ked-eyed 



Vireo. 



