BIRDS OF MINNESOTA. 363 
ash, maple, ironwood and basswood, where the birds abound 
as almost nowhere else in the country. During the latter part of 
May, the Red-Eyed Vireos invariably have vied with the Robins 
in opening the daily bird-concert from half-past four o’clock, 
gradually earlier and earlier, until in the latter part of June it 
was no more than half-past three o’clock when these two song- 
sters poured forth their fullest measures. By eight, in the 
warmer days, the Robin would have retired from the concert, 
but with only the briefest intervals, the Vireo would keep up 
an even, clear, strong and sweetly monotonous song, which 
seemed a mere incident of his existence, costing the songster 
little effort, and a delight, though it were everlasting. There 
is comparatively little variety in the notes, but they are the 
very expression of cheerfulness and entire satisfaction. They 
are described best by the words—vireo-vireo-viriee-vir-'a-viree, 
uttered energetically, but without any appearance of hurry. 
They reach their summer destination about the first of May, 
some times a little later, and at once enter upon their singing. 
Concealed by the leaves of the lofty trees, he flits amongst the 
more elevated branches where the casual observer will scarcely 
see him, but he will hear him beyond a question. They build 
their nests from about the 25th of May to the 10th of June. I 
have frequently found them no more than three feet from the 
ground, suspended from the horizontal forks of a limb of the 
size of my finger, and I have still oftener met with it from ten 
to twenty feet above my head, but never very much more ele- 
vated. Always typically pensile, it is outwardly composed of 
fine strips of inner bark of the slippery elm, and basswood of 
the previous year, and therefore bleached nearly white, with 
which are mingled fragments of hornets’ or wasps’ nests, vege- 
table down, etc.; and inside with fine thread-like roots and 
shreds of fine bark. The eggs are a glossy white, slightly 
speckled on the larger end with dark brown. Occasionally 
there are afew blotches scattered over the same part, of a 
brickdust red. They are generally four in number, yet not in- 
frequently there are only three. They are abundant in every 
wooded section of the State which I have visited, and are fre- 
quently found about the elms and other shade trees of the city 
and farm houses. They mostly leave us in September, although 
a few individuals remain still later. 
Mr. Washburn found it in August, and early in September, 
_ in the Red river valley—‘‘the most abundant of its family.” 
Every correspondent of mine has reported its presence in 
timbered sections. 
