SONG-BIRDS. Vireos 



This Vireo, whose mark of identification is an ash-blue 

 crown, is by no means as much of a recluse as the name 

 Solitary would indicate. It does, indeed, prefer remote and 

 swampy woods, but, though much rarer than the preceding 

 species, is often seen about orchards, and in the migrations 

 exhibits many of the cheerful, sociable family qualities, 

 peering at you in the woods, and often coming quite near in 

 its rather anxious curiosity. 



Its song is of the unmistakable Vireo type, but is rather 

 shrill, and is continued for a long period ; according to Mr. 

 Bicknell, as late as October 9 on its return migration. To 

 learn to judge accurately and quickly between the songs of 

 the five Vireos is an accomplishment that you must not 

 expect to acquire until your ear is thoroughly seasoned; but 

 three of the five — the Red-eyed, the Warbling, and the 

 White-eyed — will give you but little trouble. 



White-eyed Vireo: Vireo noveboracensis. 



Length: 5 inches. 



Male and Female : Above olive-green, rump obscurely yellow. Below 

 white, sides of breast and belly clear yellow. Yellow line from 

 beak to and round eye. Two yellow wing bars. Iris white. 

 Tail feathers yellow-edged. Bill and feet dark lead-coloured. 



Song : Colloquial. "Delivered with strong expression and very vari- 

 able in intonation." 



Season : May to September. Common summer resident. 



Breeds : Through its United States range, but more sparingly in the 

 Northern States. 



Nest and Eggs : Similar to the Eed-eyed, but in a low bush or vine ; 

 eggs decidedly smaller than the other species. 



Bange : Eastern United States, west to the Rocky Mountains, north 

 to southern New England and Minnesota ; south in winter to 

 Guatemala. Resident in the Bermudas. 



This small, nervous Vireo, with a Wren's vehement scold- 

 ing powers, is a common garden and wood-lot bird, taking 

 refuge in bushy places like the Chat, Catbird, and Maryland 

 Yellow-throat. In other parts of New England it is rare 

 in varying degrees. Dr. J. A. Allen, writing of it from 

 Springfield, Mass., says that out of a thousand of the smaller 

 land-birds taken during three years by different collectors 



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