VIREOS. 161 



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 accu- 

 rately, 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, to admit of a sufficiency of the insect food upon 

 which they depend. 



D. GILVUS. Warbling Vireo. A common summer resi- 

 dent 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 

 distinctly 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- 



* A common summer bird of south- of northern New England, especially 



ern New England, but, as a rule, found about the outskirts of the White Moun- 



only in or near towns or villages or in tains, but it seldom, if ever, enters the 



belts of large trees along the banks of primitive forests of that region. W. 



streams. It also breeds in many parts B. 



