j84 American Birds 



of orioles were living about a grove of trees, and the male 

 bird was in such fine plumage that a collector shot him 

 for his cabinet. The next day the female appeared with 

 a new husband, who was as bright and fine looking as 

 the bird she lost the day before. At the first chance this 

 male was also shot, partly, it was said, because he was 

 such a fine bird and partly to see if the female would find 

 another as readily. Two days later she appeared with 

 a third husband, who went the way of the two former 

 ones. The female then disappeared for a few days, but 

 returned again with a fourth suitor. These two began 

 building in a eucalyptus tree and soon had a family of 

 young birds. This may be a remarkable case of wooing 

 and winning, for I can't see where this supply of male 

 birds came from unless the widow oriole was breaking up 

 other families. 



THE VIREO FAMILY 



These birds are often called Greenlets; the name comes from the 

 Latin vireo, meaning I am green. They are small birds about five or 

 six inches in length, and dressed in soft tones of olive-green without 

 any brilliant markings. The bill is slender but stouter than a war- 

 bler's, and has a slight hook at the end. They have sweet, warbling 

 songs, and are very active in their search for insects among the trees. 



Warbling Vireo (Vireo gilvus): Male and female, above, pale olive- 

 green; grayish on head and more olive on rump; white streak through the 

 eye; no wing bars; below, dull yellowish, whiter on throat and belly. 

 Lives throughout North America in general, arriving from the South in 

 May and remaining till September or early October. Nest, cup-shaped, 

 hanging in the fork of a branch. Eggs, three to five, white with brown 

 dots more numerous on larger end. 



There are several other species of vireos through the United States, 



