OF EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA. 217 



nests have been taken early in July which con- 

 tained eggs, and . which we attributed to birds 

 whose early designs had been frustrated. After 

 the cares of brood-raising are over, both old and 

 young, the latter, in imitation of their parents, 

 seek the tops of the highest trees in their preda- 

 tory excursions. Occasionally, they descend from 

 such lofty eminences to glean among the grasses, 

 and, as if disdaining too near an approach to the 

 earth, ultimately perch upon some tall shrub to 

 feast upon its berries, as those of Cornus florida 

 and Viburnum Lentago. It continues in its favorite 

 sylvan retreats, until its departure for the South, 

 during the last of September or the beginning of 

 October. 



The song of the Red-eyed Vireo is simple, 

 musical, and pleasing. It is uttered in short em- 

 phatic bars in the intervals of feeding; and so 

 unsuspicious is the male while thus occupied, that 

 he heeds not the presence of human beings. It 

 may be heard even during the sultry hours of 

 noon, when most other songsters are panting in 

 the refreshing shade of some tall tree. From its 

 first appearance until its departure, its song is 

 continued with . undiminished ardor. Its notes 

 being but moderately loud, are uttered with a 

 somewhat plaintive intonation, and may be repre- 

 sented by the syllables te-te-tweah-we-dh-tweah- 

 twe&h-tiveet, produced rather hurriedly. 



The eggs are white, and marked at the larger 

 end with reddish-brown spots and dots. They 



