268 THE INVITATION. 



yards. In most cases the iris of birds is a 

 dark hazel, which passes for black. 



The basket-like nest, pendent to the low 

 branches in the woods, which the falling 

 leaves of autumn reveal to all passers, is in 

 most cases the nest of the red-eyed, though 

 the solitary constructs a similar tenement, 

 but in much more remote and secluded lo- 

 calities. 



The general color of this group of birds 

 is very light ash beneath, becoming darker 

 above, with a tinge of green. The red-eyed 

 has a crown of a bluish tinge. 



Most birds exhibit great alarm and dis- 

 tress, usually with a strong dash of anger, 

 when you approach their nests ; but the de- 

 meanor of the red-eyed, on such an occasion, 

 is an exception to this rule. The parent 

 birds move about softly amid the branches 

 above, eying the intruder with a curious, 

 innocent look, uttering, now and then, a sub- 

 dued note or plaint, solicitous and watchful, 

 but making no demonstration of anger or 

 distress. 



The birds, no more than the animals, like 

 to be caught napping ; but I remember, one 

 autumn day, of coming upon a red-eyed vireo 

 that was clearly oblivious to all that was 



