THE WHITE-EYED VIREO 



JOHN JAMES AUDUBON 



THIS interesting little bird enters the State of Louisiana 

 often as early as the ist of March. Indeed, some indi- 

 viduals may now and then be seen a week or ten days sooner 

 provided the weather be mild. It throws itself into the 

 thickest part of the briars, sumachs and small evergreen 

 bushes, which form detached groves in abandoned fields, 

 where its presence is at once known by the smartness of its 

 song. This song is composed of many different notes emitted 

 with great spirit and a certain degree of pomposity, which 

 makes it differ materially from that of all other Vireos. It is 

 frequently repeated during the day. 



These birds become at once so abundant that it would be 

 more difficult not to meet one than to observe a dozen or 

 more during a morning walk. Their motions are as animated 

 as their music. They pass from twig to twig, upward or 

 downward, examining every opening bud and leaf, and 

 securing an adult insect or a larva at every leap. Their 

 flight is short, light and easy. 



Their migrations are performed during the day, and by 

 passing from one low bush to another. Like all our other 

 visitors they move eastward as the season opens, and do not 

 reach the middle States before the end of April or the begin- 

 ning of May. Notwithstanding this apparently slow progress, 

 they reach and disperse over a vast expanse of country. I 



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