Vireos SONG-BIRDS. 



Olive Thome Miller is on the right path when she describes 

 it as wearing the Oriole's colour combination, — except that 

 the Eedstart has a more salmonish cast. 



This Warbler, when it flutters through the spruces, seems 

 the veriest mite of creation, appearing much smaller than 

 its measurements indicate. The female is equally charming 

 in her brown and yellow habit, and together they are one 

 of the most interesting couples of the bird world, as well as 

 being capital illustrations of perpetual motion. 



Though the Eedstart is a summer resident here, it is 

 more visibly abundant during the May migration, as those 

 that breed retire from the vicinity of dwellings to nest. I 

 once found a nest in process of construction in a spruce in 

 a remote part of the garden, and had the satisfaction of 

 seeing it completed and occupied. Its composition was 

 very similar to that of the Yellow Warbler, but smaller, 

 and with the addition of some green moss which decorated 

 the outside. One of their most characteristic motions while 

 searching for food, is to raise the wings slightly and alight 

 on a higher branch or else one a little in the rear of the 

 spot where they were before, as if a breeze had lifted them. 



In brilliancy of flame-like colouring the Eedstart only 

 yields precedence to the Scarlet Tanager, Baltimore Oriole, 

 and the Blackburnian Warbler, and, in contrast to the dark 

 evergreens, it seems a wind-blown firebrand, half glowing, 

 half charred. 



FAMILY VIREONIDJ2: VIREOS. 



Red-eyed Vireo : Vireo olivaceus. 



Plate 17. Fig. 2. 

 Length: 5.75-6.25 inches. 

 Male and Female : Olive-green above, crown ash with a dark marginal 



line. White line over eye and a brownish stripe through it. 



Below whitish, shaded with greenish yellow on sides and on 



under tail and wing coverts. The iris ruby-red. Bill dusky 



above and light below, feet lead-coloured. 

 Song : Emphatic staccato and oratorical, — " You see it — you know 



it, — do you hear me ? Do you believe it ? " 

 Season : Common summer resident ; late April through September. 



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