132 ENGLISH AND AMERICAN SONG-BIRDS. 



golden-crowned wren is not a song-bird in Great 

 Britain, but the corresponding species here has a 

 rich, delicious, and prolonged warble. In the North- 

 ern States, its song is noticeable about the ever- 

 greens for a week or two in May, while the bird 

 pauses to feed, on its way to Canada and beyond. 

 In its breeding haunts, the ruby-crowned kinglet, tiny 

 as it is, fills the solitudes with music. 



There are no vireos in Europe, nor birds that an- 

 swer to them. With us, they contribute an impor- 

 tant element to the music of our groves and woods. 

 There are few birds I should miss more than the red- 

 eyed vireo, with his cheerful musical soliloquy, all 

 day and all summer, in the maples and locusts. It is 

 he, or rather she, that builds the exquisite basket- 

 nest on the ends of the low, leafy branches, suspend- 

 ing it between two twigs. The warbling vireo has a 

 stronger, louder strain, often more continuous, but 

 not quite so sweet. The solitary vireo is heard only 

 in the deep woods, while the white-eyed is still more 

 local or restricted in its range, being found only in 

 wet, bushy places, whence its vehement, varied, and 

 brilliant song is sure to catch the dullest ear. 



The goldfinches of the two countries, though dif- 

 fering in plumage, are perhaps pretty evenly matched 

 in song ; while our purple finch, or linnet, I am per- 

 suaded, ranks far above the English linnet, or lintie, 

 as the Scotch call it. In compass, in melody, in 

 sprightliness, it is a remarkable songster. Indeed, 

 take the finches as a family, they certainly furnish 



