RED-EYED VIREO. 7!> 



like the back, dark brown. Top of head, slaty-blue. Superciliary stripe, dirty white, preceded above by a narrow 

 line of black. A dusky line extends from the base of the bill, through tin- eye, to some distance behind It. Under 

 parts, pure white, with tin- sides. Hanks, under wing coverts, axillaries and under tail coverts, greenish. Irides, red. 

 Ailii'' ">"l i/oitnij in nl! fiiiijfs, similar, but paler, with the black markings about tlie head often nearly 



obsolete. The irides are quite brown, especially in the young. In all stages the bill is dark brown on the upper 

 mandible, and bluish on the lower. The feet are blue. 



OBSERVATIONS. 



Hcadily known from all other Vireos by the slaty-blue head, accompanied by the white and black superciliary 

 line. At one time I was inclined to consider the 1'. brirbatula as a valid species, but after carefully studying 

 southern-born Vireos and comparing them with more northern specimens of the same species, find there Is but one 

 character upon which l.ur/'i'tiil'i can lie consistently ha^ed ; this is tin- dusky maxillary stripe, which, in the specimen 

 before me. taken in Oiba and kindly loaned me by the Smithsonian Institute, is barely perceptible. The size of the 

 bill is nothing more than might be expected from its southern range. In fact I have skins of V. Xoveboracensis, 

 from Key West, where they were evidently resident, that exhibit as great proportional differences In length. The 

 under mandibles of these are considerably swollen, giving the bills a wider appearance; the tips are also elongated. 

 These peculiarities are what give the barbatuln its large bill. Southern Xoreboractnsis are rather more dusky than 

 those from the North, but as there are no indications of a maxillary line this duskiness may not take that form. I 

 have never seen any northern \'. olivaceus with any dusky maxillary lines, or any approach to one, yet I think could 

 birds be taken breeding in intermediate localities they would exhibit traces of it, thereby forming the connecting 

 links. Although I am now inclined to consider barbatula and olivaceus as one species, I have scarcely seen enough 

 of the former, or a sntlicient series of the latter from more southern localities, to render this decision Una); but as 

 the two, if really separate, must closely agree in habit, choose to consider them as one for the present. Distributed 

 during summer throughout eastern North America west to the Rocky Mountains, wintering in the West Indies and 

 South America. 



DIMENSIONS. 



Average measurement of sixteen specimens. Length, 6-25; stretch, 10-10; wing, 8-25; tail, 2-25; bill, -53; 

 tarsus. -i;;l. Longest specimen, G-50; greatest extent of wings, 10-05 ; longest wing, 3-48; tail, 3-00; bill, -65; tarsus, 

 f.5. Shortest specimen, G'OO; smallest extent of wiugs, 9-88; shortest wing, 3-20; tail, 2-10; bill, -GG; tarsus, -GO. 



DESCRIPTION OF NESTS AND EGGS. 



x, pensile, placed in trees or bushes. Composed of strips of bark or dried grasses, while the whole Is 

 neatly overlaid with cobwebs; lined with finer grasses. Dimensions: external diameter, 3 inches, internal, 2; 

 external depth. 2. internal, 1-50. 



/.;/!/. four in number, oval in form, pure white in color, spotted rather sparsely with deep umber. Dimensions, 

 from -85 x CO to -80 X -55. 



HABITS. 



Throughout the entire extent of New England, even in the immediate vicinity of the larger 

 cities, are patches of woodbind of varied extent, and many of them are composed of ancient trees 

 which once partly formed the vast primeval forest that in former times overspread the land. 

 It is very pleasant in summer to wander beneath the shades of these sylvan patriarchs; for, uo 

 matter how brightly Ihe sun may he shining upon the broad open Holds and meadows, the moment 

 we enter the woods we seem transported to another sphere. Without, the air is hot and dry ; 

 now, a cool, refreshing breeze sweeps through the dimly lighted vistas, slightly moving the 

 ferns which <rrow at the bases of the gigantic trunks that stretch their arms high overhead, 

 where the deep green foliage sweeps to and fro disclosing glimpses of the blue sk}'. A murmur 

 pervades the air, caused by the rustling leaves, the hum of insects and the songs of birds. The 

 experienced ear at once detects the notes of the various Thrushes and those of other species, but 

 the last one noticed will be that of the Red-eyed Vireo. There may be several of these birds 

 singing nt one time quite near, yet so nearly do the gently given lays accord with the general 

 harmoiiv around, that they mingle with the whole and are not observed, but when a Vireo that 

 has been continually singing pauses for a moment, its voice is missed and one is apt to notice 

 when it commences again. 



When the attention is attracted and one wishes to see the author of these melodious strains, 

 it is exceedingly difficult to catch .-ight of the little green-backed birds for they generally remain 



