BIRDS OF 



This is a summer resident in Southern Ontario, but is by no 

 means common. It seems partial to the beech woods, and being 

 more retiring than the preceding and less noisy than the Red- 

 eye it is not much observed. It is by some considered the 

 handsomest of all our Vireos, and a male in full spring plumage 

 is pleasing to look at, but I prefer the succeeding species. The 

 Yellow-throated Vireo, though not abundant, seems to be gener- 

 ally distributed throughout Ontario. It has been found at 

 Ottawa by Mr. White ; at London Mr. Saunders reports it as a 

 common summer resident ; and it is also included in Mr. Seton's 

 list of Birds of the Northwest Territory. 



248. VIREO SOLITARIUS (WiLs.). 629. 

 Blue-headed Vireo. 



Above olive-green ; crown and sides of head bluish-ash in marked con- 

 trast ; a broad white line from nostrils to and around eye and a dusky loral 

 line ; below white, flanks washed with olivaceous, and auxilaries and crissum 

 pale yellow ; wings and tail dusky, most of the feathers edged with white or 

 whitish, and two conspicuous bars of the same across tips of middle 

 and great coverts; bill and feet blackish horn-color. Length, 5^-5!; wing, 

 af-3 ; tail, 2^-2$ ; spurious quill, -, about as long as second. 



HAB. Eastern United States to the Plains. In winter south to Mexico 

 and Guatemala. 



Nest and eggs, similar to those of the other Vireos ; resembling those of 

 the Yellow-throat more than either of the others. 



This is a stout, hardy-looking bird, apparently better 

 adapted to live in the north than any other member of the 

 family. It arrives from the south with the earliest of the 

 Warblers, and in some years it is quite common during the 

 first half of May, after which it is not seen again till the fall. 

 While here it is much among the evergreens, leisurely seeking 

 its food, and is usually silent, but when at home it is said to 

 have a very pleasant song. 



FAMILY MNIOTILTID^E. WOOD-WARBLERS. 



GENUS MNIOTILTA VIEILLOT. 



249. MNIOTILTA VARIA (LINN.). 636. 



Black and White Warbler. 



Entirely white and black, in streaks except on the belly. Tail white 

 spotted ; wings white barred. Length, about 5; wing, 2^ ; tail, -z\. 



250 



