THE YELLOW-THROATED VIREO. 279 



bird architecture that I am acquainted with. The eggs are 

 usually four in number. They are of a pure-white color, 

 with thinly scattered spots of two shades of reddish-brown 

 and black. The dimensions of four eggs collected in Con- 

 necticut are .83 by .61 inch, .82 by .60 inch, .82 by .60 inch, 

 and .80 by .59 inch. But one brood is reared in the season 

 in New England. 



Wilson, in describing the habits of this bird, says, 



" This summer species is found chiefly in the woods, hunting 

 among the high branches ; and has an indolent and plaintive note, 

 which it repeats, with some little variation, every ten or twelve 

 seconds, like preeb, preea, &c. It is often heard in company with 

 the Red-eyed Flycatcher (Muscicapa olivacea) ; the loud, energetic 

 notes of the latter, mingling with the soft, languid warble of the 

 former, producing an agreeable effect, particularly during the burn- 

 ing heat of noon, when almost every other songster but these two 

 is silent. Those who loiter through the shades of our magnificent 

 forests at that hour will easily recognize both species. It arrives 

 from the south early in May, and returns again with its young 

 about the middle of September. Its nest, which is sometimes fixed 

 on the upper side of a limb, sometimes on a horizontal branch 

 among the twigs, generally on a tree, is composed outwardly of 

 thin strips of the bark of grape-vines, moss, lichens, &c., and lined 

 with fine fibres of such like substances : the eggs, usually four, are 

 white, thinly dotted with black, chiefly near the great end. Winged 

 insects are its principal food." 



In dismissing this beautiful and favorite family of our 

 birds, I feel that it is impossible to say too much in their 

 favor : their neat and delicate plumage and sweet song, their 

 engaging and interesting habits, and their well-known insect- 

 destroying proclivities, have justly rendered them great 

 favorites ; and the farmer, in protecting them, and encour- 

 ing them to take up homes near his orchards and gardens, 

 but extends a care and welcome for his best friends. 



