WHITE-EYED TIREO. 305 



about 5 inclies; wing, 2i-2J ; tail, SJ ; spurious quill, f , half as long as the second, -which 

 about equals the eighth ; tarsus, about f ; middle too and claw, i ; bill, under i. 



Habitat, Eastern United States, excepting perhaps parts of New England; west to 

 Daljota, Kansas, and Western Texas ; south to Guatemala. Bermudas. Cuba. 



Common summer resident from the last week in April to the last of 

 September, but of irregular distribution. In some localities apparently- 

 well suited to its habits, it is never seen. Breeds. Dr. Kirtland names 

 it without comment. Mr. Read says it is abundant throughout the sum- 

 mer. Mr. Langdon gives it as a common summer resident. I have never 

 been able to find it in the vicinity of Columbus. 



This little bird, the smallest of the family breeding with us, has many 

 peculiarities besides its white eyes. It is a frequenter of low thickets, 

 while the others of the family are found in woodland. It is not a whit 

 behind its relatives in reputation for courage in defense of itself when 

 wounded, or of its nest and young. Dr. Coues (Birds Col. Val., 524) says 

 of it: 



"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 sur- 

 pass the petulance and irascibility which it displays when its home is too nearly ap- 

 proached, 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 snch loss for adequate expletives that we may fancy it quite 

 ready to say "Thank yon," if somebody would only swear a little. Like the Wrens and 

 Titmice — like various birds, iu fact, which live habitually in shrubbery, where they 

 have to peer and pry about to see well — these Vireos show a good deal of curiosity and 

 inquisitiveness when anything it going on that they do not quite understand; and if we 

 take care not to frighten them into a flatter of excitement, they frequently come almost 

 within arms' reach by slow and devious approaches, poising curiously on one twig after 

 another, and soliloquizing the while in their quaint fashion. Their uneasiness, however, 

 is chiefly exhibited during the breeding season, and all their vehemence is but the ex- 

 cess of t leir concern for their li tie families, which, as they seem to be aware, are pecu- 

 liarly exposed to danger in their lowly homes ; their ardor exhausts itself when the 

 occasion is past, and what had been excessive solicitude gives way to the simple spright- 

 linesa and vivacity, which then appears as an agreeable trait. In the springtime they 

 rival their relatives iu brilliancy and versatility of song, which must be heard to be 

 appreciated ; it is a curious medley, delivered with great earnestness and almost endless 

 variations, scarcely to be described iu words." 



The nest is suspended from a fork of a bush or low sapling, seldom 

 more than six feet above the ground, and generally so low that its con- 

 tents are visible to the passer by. It is composed of moss, fibres of bark, 

 bits of leaves, grass, and such other articles as the birds may consider 

 either useful or ornamental. Wilson nicknamed it " the Politician," be- 

 cause it frequently used bits of newspaper in the construction of its 



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