other substances, which seem to the builder to be useful or ornamental, are added to or take the place of 

 materials mentioned above. There is not much variation in the dimensions of different nests of the 

 species under consideration from the measurements given. The external dimensions are of course subject 

 to the usual variations for nests of this size. Of the internal measurements, the diameter of the cavity 

 is the more constant. 



EGGS: 



The complement of eggs is usually five. They are pure white, marked, about the base especially, 

 with a few spots and minute specks of dark chocolate-brown or sepia laid on so thickly as to appear black. 

 The deep shell-marks are neutral tint. A set of eggs before me measures, respectively, .75 x .52, .76 x .53, 

 .78 x .52, and .80 x .53. One of these contains nine marks, another eleven, another twelve, and the fourth 

 thirteen, varying in size from a faint speck to a bold dot as large as a pin's head. Eggs of this species 

 vary in size from .50 to .60 in short-diameter, and from .73 to .83 in long-diameter. A frequent size is 

 about .53 x .76. 



DIFFERENTIAL POINTS : 



See Lanivireo flavifrons, Yellow-throated Vireo. 



REMARKS : 



Plate XLVIII, Fig. 1, illustrates a nest and three eggs of the White-eyed Vireo. The nest was 

 collected August 2nd, 1879, near Locust Corner, Clermont county, by Mr. Leonard Freeman, of Cincinnati. 

 The nest was discovered on July 21st, in a thicket of small trees. It was situated about three feet from 

 the ground, in a fork, at the extremity of a long slender branch of a plum tree, and contained one egg. 

 On the 25th it contained three eggs. The bird was observed upon the nest, and was finally shot when 

 the nest was taken. The season at which the nest was built, and the small complement of eggs, sug- 

 gest that this was probably her second 'nest for the year. 



The eggs figured were selected from three sets. They represent the ordinary variations in size, 

 shape, and markings. 



The White-eyed Vireo differs from others of the family breeding in the State, in the fact that it 

 frequents shrubbery instead of timberland or open fields with here and there a solitary tree. Its char- 

 acter is very similar to that of the Warbling Vireo. Dr. Coues has so well described this species during 

 the nesting season, that I can not do better than to copy his words. Page 524 of "Birds of the Colorado 

 Valley." He says: "The White-eyed Vireo has always been notable, even in groups of birds whose 

 spirit is high, for its irritable temperament; and, during the breeding season, nothing can surpass the 

 petulance and irascibility which it displays when its home is too nearly approached, and the fuss it makes 

 when its temper is ruffled in this way. It skips about in a panicky state, as regardless of exposure as 

 a virago haranguing the crowd on a street corner, seemingly at such loss for adequate expletives that 

 we may fancy it quite ready to say 'Thank you,' if somebody would only swear a little. . . . Their 

 uneasiness is chiefly exhibited during the breeding season, and all their vehemence is but the excess of 

 their concern for their little families, which, as they seem to be aware, are peculiarly exposed to danger 

 in their lowly homes ; their ai-dor exhausts itself when the occasion is past, and, what had been excess- 

 ive solicitude gives way to simple sprightliness and vivacity, which then appears as an agreeable trait." 



168 



