Bird Families 
tree, the cupola of a house, the ridge-pole or weather-vane of a 
barn, or a telegraph wire, from which to suddenly drop upon a 
victim. Eyesight remarkable. Call-notes harsh and unmusical. 
Habits solitary and wandering. The first-named species is resi- 
dent during the colder months of the year; the latter is a summer 
resident only north of Maryland. 
Northern Shrike. 
Loggerhead Shrike. 
Family Vireonide ; VIREOS OR GREENLETS 
Small greenish-gray or olive birds, whitish or yellowish 
underneath, their plumage resembling the foliage of the trees 
they hunt, nest, and live among. Sexes alike. More deliberate 
in habit than the restless, flitting warblers that are chiefly seen 
darting about the ends of twigs. Vireos are more painstaking 
gleaners ; they carefully explore the bark, turn their heads up- 
ward to investigate the under side of leaves, and usually keep 
well hidden among the foliage. Bill hooked at tip for holding 
worms and insects. Gifted songsters, superior to the warblers. 
This family is peculiar to America. 
Red-eyed Vireo. 
Solitary Vireo. 
Warbling Vireo. . 
White-eyed Vireo. 
Yellow-throated Vireo. 
Family Mniotiltide : WOOD WARBLERS 
A large group of birds, for the most part smaller than the 
English sparrow ; all, except the ground warblers, of beautiful 
plumage, in which yellow, olive, slate-blue, black, and white are 
predominant colors. Females generally duller than males. Ex- 
ceedingly active, graceful, restless feeders among the terminal 
twigs of trees and shrubbery ; haunters of tree-tops in the woods 
at nesting time. Abundant birds, especially during May and 
September, when the majority are migrating to and from regions 
north of the United States; but they are strangely unknown to all 
but devoted bird lovers, who seek them out during these months 
that particularly favor acquaintance. Several species are erratic in 
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