OF NEW ENGLAND. 157 



hunger, and they are certainly diligent in the care of their 

 young. They are very affectionate toward one another, and 

 are fond of returning to the same spot year after year. It is 

 pleasant to observe this attachment to their summer-homes, 

 and to know where to welcome them as old friends, when they 

 return in the spring. 



(d). Their song consists of a few notes, which are warbled 

 again and again with little intermission or variety (and which 

 are sometimes interrupted now and then by a low whistle). 

 This music would be monotonous, were it not for its wonderful 

 cheerfulness, energy, and animation, in these qualities resem- 

 bling the Robin's song. The "Red-eyes" have also a chip* a 

 chatter like a miniature of the Oriole's scold (and to be heard 

 in the season of courtship), and a peculiarly characteristic 

 querulous note, which, like others, cannot be described accur- 

 ately, whence the advantage of studying birds through nature, 

 and not through books. 



The Red-eyed Vireos are deservedly popular on account of 

 their cheerful disposition, and enlivening song, which is kept 

 up (less steadily, however, in the latter part of the season) 

 from the time of their arrival until they leave us for the South, 

 when the autumnal frosts become too severe, and the weather 

 too cold, A o admit of a sufficiency of the insect-food upon 

 which they depend. 



(D) GILVUS. Warbling Vireo. 



(A common summer-resident in Massachusetts, but very 

 much less abundant than the "Red-eye.") 



(a). About five inches long. Above, a dull olive-green, 

 which approaches mouse-color. Crown, ashy-tinged. Rump, 

 brighter ; wings darker and browner ; and sides of the head 

 paler. Superciliary line, dull white. Under parts, white dis- 

 tinctly shaded on the sides (but feebly on the breast) with the 

 color of the back, or light olive-green. 



(b). The nest is usually placed at a considerable height 

 above the ground (from twenty to sixty feet), and rarely else- 

 where than in an elm, poplar, or button- wood tree. It is 



