4 Brewster on the Philadelphia Vireo. 



to Dixville Notch in New Hampshire. At the latter point they were 

 noted in greater numbers than elsewhere, and on June 10 several 

 pairs were found in the open birch groves about the " Dix House," 

 just beyond the Notch. A sufficiently amusing, if rather humili- 

 ating, development was, that a Vireo -which had been daily in the 

 habit of singing in the foliage of a paper birch before the hotel at 

 Upton turned out to be of this species. Possibly the same bird 

 had sung there in former years, when we were vainly scouring the 

 surrounding country for his species. Evidently too much knowl- 

 edge is not a safe thing. Had we not liioivn the Red-eye's song, 

 the other species might have been detected long ago, and it is 

 highly probable that it will yet be found, during the summer 

 months, over the whole of that portion of New England which is 

 embraced in the (^anadian Fauna.* 



The habits of this Vireo appear to be very little known. Even 

 Dr. Coues and Mr. Nelson, both of whom seem to have found it in 

 comparative abundance, are nearly silent on this point, and our 

 whole available literature furnishes scarcely more than a few para- 

 graphs relating to its life-history. This is not so much to be won- 

 dered at when it is considei'ed that the bird has rarely been observed 

 except during its migrations, when it is certainly a more than or- 

 dinarily silent and retiring species. 



The Philadelphia Vireos usually arrive at Umbagog during the 

 last week of May, or, if the season be a late one, in early June. 

 They come with the last flight of "NVai'blers, when the forest trees 

 ai-e putting on a drapery of tender green, and the moose-wood is 

 white with snowy blossoms. They are most apt to be found singly 

 at this season, though they not infrequently associate with the 

 various species of Wai'blers. For some time after their first ap- 

 pearance they are severely silent, and, although by no means shy 

 or suspicious, their habits are so retiring and unobtrusive, that their 

 presence may be easily overlooked. Their motions are essentially 

 like those of all the rest of the genus. A branch shakes, and you 

 catch a glimpse of a pale lemon breast that matches well with the 

 tint of the thin foliage. Then the whole bird appears, hopping 

 slowly out along the limb, and deliberately peering on every side 



* I am indebted to the kindness of Mr. W. B. Douse for the opportunity of 

 examining, since writing the foregoing, a specimen of the Philadelphia Vireo 

 shot by him, August 8, 1878, near Pleasant Eidge Pond, Somerset County, 

 Maine. It was a young male, just acquiring the fall plumage. 



