THE YELLOW-THROATED VIREO. 301 



second and third; chin, throat, and breast bright yellow (canary) ; a ring around 

 the eye and a supraloral line of the same color ; a dusky spot in front of the eye ; 

 belly and remaining under parts pure white or sordid ; bill and feet black. Length 

 5.50-6.00 (139.7-152.4) ; wing 3.00 (76.2); tail 1.93 (49.); bill from nostril 

 .32 (8.1). 



Recognition Marks. — Warbler size; yellow breast; white belly. 



Nest, pensile, of interwoven strips of bark, plant-fibers, etc., lined with fine 

 grasses, and usually covered with hchens ; depending from forked branch ten to 

 forty feet up. Eggs, 3 or 4, white, with a roseate tinge, marked with dots and 

 spots of umber, black or reddish brown, chiefly about larger end. Av. size, .83 x 

 .61 (21. 1 X 15.5). 



General Range. — Eastern United States north to Ontario and Manitoba ; 

 south in winter to Colombia. Breeds from Florida and the Gulf States northward. 



Range in Ohio. — Common during migrations ; locally common or rare dur- 

 ing breeding season. 



THIS species is evidently the least known of our four resident Vireos. 

 It is a bird of handsome and striking appearance, but while it is occasionally 

 seen in orchard or shade trees about town, it is nearly confined to the woods, 

 and those, too, in rather out-of-the-way places. It is decidedly a bird of the 

 upper levels and seldom ventures down as do its kinsmen to inspect the 

 passer-by. 



The song of the Yellow-throated Vireo, because of its varied character, 

 is almost hopelessly confusing. Usually it differs from that of the Red-eyed 

 chiefly in having rough-edged notes, in briefer phrases, and in being less hur- 

 ried in delivery, altho- uttered with great asperity. Rev. J. H. Langille says : 

 "It keeps well up in the tops of trees, diligently gleaning as it sings, vireo, 

 viree-ee, zvee-ree, etc., in tones rather shrill for a Vireo, and not nearly so 

 finely modulated and fluent as those of its relative the Red-eye, but greatly 

 resembling them." Chapman says : "If the Red-eyed Vireo is a soprano 

 the Yellow-throat is a contralto," but the note of the latter has a shrill quality 

 which serves to disguise the somewhat lower pitch. I have heard a song — 

 and seen the singer too — which was continuously sustained for long stretches, 

 and which differed from that of the Warbling Vireo only in its greater va- 

 riety and strength. 



If the song is somewhat puzzling there need be no uncertainty with 

 reference to the bird's scolding note, or choleric tirade, zee, tzu tzu t.zu tzu 

 tzu tzu tzu, becoming rapid at first and then slowing down ; or else plain tzu 

 tzu tzu tzu tzu tzu tzu with exceeding rapidity at the start and a rallendo finish. 

 It is a nutmeg-grater cry like the House Wren's, but on a larger scale. 



The nest of this Vireo is similar in construction and position to those 

 of the other species. It is perhaps a little bulkier than most, and is often 



