168 BIRDS OF OHIO. 



This shrike reaches northern Ohio about the middle of 

 March and returns south about the first of October. 



Family VIREONID^. Vireos. 



Of the six vireos found in Ohio four remain to breed, 

 and one of the four is found only in the southern parts of 

 the state. These birds closely resemble the warblers in hab- 

 its and carriage, but are more dehberate in their movements,' 

 and glean from leaves rather than from the twigs and stems, 

 but they must sometimes make sallies into the air for flying 

 insects, and frequently act like warblers. They usually sing 

 all the time between mouthfuls, and may be known by their 

 songs even when other characteristics fail. For the most 

 part they are sober-colored, one species having a yellow 

 throat. Their colors are shades of gray vv^ith some green 

 and yellow. In contrast to the warblers, they are not patchy 

 in color. 



The vireos are preeminently leaf gleaners, but they some- 

 times catch flying insects after the manner of the warblers. 

 Their food is therefore more largely eggs and larvse of in- 

 sects than the winged forms. It is just possible that they 

 may take a little ripe fruit in its season, but if so, in too small 

 quantities to count. 



230. (624.) ViREo OLIVACEUS (Linn.). 66. 

 Red-eyed Vireo. 



Synonyms: Vireosylvia olivacea, Muscicapa olivacea. 



Red-eyed Greenlet, Red-eyed Flycatcher, Red-eye, Preacher- 

 bird. 

 Kirtland, Ohio Geol. Surv., 1838, 163. 



This vireo is almost abundant in woods throughout the 

 state. Its perpetual phrased song is likened to the admoni- 

 tions of a preacher, and has given it the name of "Preacher 

 Bird." Its woven pensile nest is an easy mark for the Cow- 

 bird, which is pretty sure to deposit one or more of its par- 

 asitic eggs in the nest. I have found three eggs of the Cow- 

 bird and but two of the rightful owner in one nest. The 



