Birds of Indiana. 1009 



Subgenus Vieeostlva Bonaparte. 



*247. (624). Vireo olivaceus (Linn.). 



Red-eyed Vireo. 



Adult. — Above, olive-green; head, slate-gray; a distinct white stripe 

 over the eye, bordered above by a dusky line; wings, not barred; 

 below, white, sides of body lightly washed with olive; axillars and 

 crissum, faintly tinged with yellow; iris, red. 



Length, 5.50-6.50; wing, 3.10-3.30; tail, 3.15-3.30. 



Note. — The larger size, dark stripe on each side of crown, and red 

 eyes distinguish this species. 



Eangb. — America, from Colombia and Trinidad, over eastern North 

 America to Labrador, the Mackenzie Valley and British Columbia. 

 Accidental in Greenland. Breeds from Gulf States north. Winters 

 from Morida south. 



Nest, pensile, fastened by rim to a small horizontal fork, five to 

 forty feet up; a light, thin structure of bark shreds, hornets' nest, 

 grass and vegetable fibre, closely felted. Hggs, 3-5; white, with a 

 few fine black and umber dots at the large end; .85 by .56. 



The Eed-eyed Vireo is one of the most common birds of the wood- 

 land. Especially is this true during the spring migrations, when 

 many a one has, by reason of its inquisitiveness, fallen a victim to the 

 collector's gun, and many another has revealed its identity by its 

 inquiring tones, just in time to save its life. No bird in the woods 

 is a greater nuisance to the collector than this Vireo. With the 

 utmost care to avoid killing what he does not want, some are certain 

 to get in the way of the load. 



Any spring morning after mid-April that is bright and balmy, or 

 lowering and warm, the visitor to the woods may expect to hear a 

 bird's voice coming from the branches above. It seems to say, "See 

 it? See it? Who are you? Cheer up." It is the Eed-eyed Vireo. 

 He would know his caller and give some of his life of cheer to him 

 and to all who come within these quiet forest aisles. There the 

 sounds of man's busy world are shut out and Nature rules, as in pri- 

 meval days, over all who submit themselves to her sway. The Eed- 

 eyed Vireo's song is clear, musical and sweet. Its notes and actions 

 are so inquisitive that one is disposed to regard it as an animated 

 interrogation point. 



The earliest record for the State is Greencastle, April 16, 1896. 

 In 1894 it was not seen there until May 2. The following are other 

 early and late dates when it was first seen: Brookville, April 17, 1896, 



64— Geol. 



