Wayne: Birds of South Carolina. 145 



242. Lanivireo flavifrons (Vieill.). Yellow-throated Vireo. 

 Although Audubon 1 says, "My friend Bachman has never 



observed [this species] in South Carolina, ' ' I have found the Yel- 

 low-throated Vireo to be a regular, though rare summer resident 

 in certain restricted forests where there is a heavy growth of 

 deciduous oaks — especially the red oak (Quercus rubra). 



This bird arrives towards the latter part of March, my earli- 

 est record being March 21, 1903, and I herewith mention a few 

 dates upon which the first individuals havebeen observed, namely — 

 April 10, 1885, female; March 25 and 31, 1890, males; and March 

 27, 1901, male. Upon their arrival the birds make known their 

 presence by their rich and exceedingly sweet song, which continues 

 until June 25. 



This species inhabits the higher branches of the tallest forest 

 trees and rarely descends much lower than forty or fifty feet. 

 The nests are built near the extremity of a forked limb, from 

 forty to ninety feet above the ground, and are on this account 

 almost impossible to obtain. They differ from the nests of other 

 vireos by having the exterior beautifully ornamented with lichens 

 which grow on live oak and other trees. The eggs are three or 

 four in number, pure white, with a few spots of black or reddish 

 brown near the larger end, and measure .80X-60. Two broods 

 are raised. The Yellow-throated Vireo is a persistent singer 

 during the breeding season and I have observed it singing while 

 on the nest. 



Since the birds are always rare and very locally distributed 

 I have been unable to find how long they remain in autumn, but 

 I have September records and some birds may linger until the 

 middle of October. 



This handsome species breeds from northern Florida (Wacissa 

 River, Suwanee River) 2 to Maine, and winters from southern 

 Florida to Colombia. 



243. Lanivireo solitarius (Wils.). Blue-headed Vireo. 

 The Blue-headed Vireo is an abundant autumn, winter, and 



early spring visitant. I have detected it in autumn as early as 

 October 25, but it is not numerous until the first week in Novem- 

 ber. Although this species is said by Prof. Ridgway 3 and also 



i Birds of America, IV, 141. 2 Wayne, Auk, XII, 1895, 365, and X, 1893, 338. 



3 Birds of North and Middle America. Part III, 168. 



