300 THE YELLOW-THROATED VIREO. 



the disconnected fragments which the Red-eye furnishes, the song of the 

 WarbHng Vireo is gushing and continuous, a rapid excursion over pleasant 

 hills and valleys. The notes are flute-like, tender, and melodious, having, 

 as Chapman says, "a singular alto undertone." Ail hours of the day are 

 recognized as appropriate to melody, and the song-period lasts from the time 

 of the bird's arrival late in April until its departure in September, with only 

 a brief hiatus in July. 



In sharp contrast with the beautiful canzonettes which this bird showers 

 down from the tree-tops, come the harsh, Wren-like scolding notes, which 

 it often delivers while searching through the bushes, and especially if it comes 

 across a lurking tabby-cat. 



The Warbling Vireo's cradle is swung where its after life is spent — in 

 the depths of a shade tree. The structure is a little the neatest of them all, 

 being closely woven of grasses and fine bark-strips, and felted more or less 

 compactly with vegetable downs. The female is a close sitter, sticking to 

 her post even tho nearly paralyzed with fear. The male is usually in close 

 attendance and knows no way of discouraging the inc[uisitive bird-man save 

 by singing with redoubled energy. He takes his turn at the eggs when the 

 wife needs a bit of an airing, and even, it is said, carries his song with him 

 to the nest. 



The Vireos are frec[uent victims of the Cowbird. The birds seem to 

 realize the imposition that is being practiced upon them, but are not able to 

 eject the foreign egg. Sometimes a false bottom is constructed to hide the 

 bastard product, and sometimes the tainted nest is deserted outright. One 

 such I found which contained only a single Cowbird's eggs, and that punc- 

 tured by the outraged Vireo. 



No. 132. 



YELLOW-THROATED VIREO. 



A. O. U. No. 628. Vireo flavifrons Vieill. 



Description. — Adult: Above and on sides bright olive-green, giving way 

 posteriorly to bluish ash; wings and tail blackish; conspicuous white edgings 

 all around on the inner quills and outer rectrices ; edging of primaries narrow, 

 whitish, or olivaceous; that of inner tail-feathers whitish or bluish white; two 

 conspicuous white wing-bars formed by tips of middle and greater coverts;. no 

 apparent spurious quill ; first primary longer than fourth ; tip of wing formed by 



