YELLOW-THROATED VIREO. 297 
writer’s experience with it is concerned, he has found it only in the woods, and mostly 
in the luxurious forests of the bottom lands, where it may be regarded as the most 
abundant species of its family.’’ In certain parts of New England it is a familiar sum- 
mer resident. Dr. T. M. Brewer gives a highly interesting description of the bird as it 
appears in Massachusetts: ‘All the older ornithological writers, in speaking of the Yellow- 
throated Vireo, repeat each other in describing it as peculiarly attracted to the forest, 
seeking its solitudes and gleaning its food chiefly among its topmost branches. Such 
has not been my experience with this interesting and attractive little songster. I have 
found no one of this genus, not even the Warbling Vireo, so common in the vicinity of 
dwellings, or more familiar and fearless in its intercourse with man. All of its nests 
that I have ever met with have been built in gardens and orchards, and in close 
proximity to dwellings, and they have also been exclusively in comparatively low 
positions. In one of the most recent instances a pair of these birds built one of their 
beautiful moss-covered nests in alow branch of an apple tree that overhung the croquet- 
ground, within a few rods of my house. It was first noticed in consequence of its bold 
little builder flying in my face whenever I approached too near, even before its nest 
contained any eggs. The grounds were in frequent use, and the pair were at first a 
good deal disturbed by these constant intrusions, but they soon became reconciled to 
their company, and would not leave their position, even though the game was contested 
immediately under their nest, which was thus often brought within a foot of the heads 
of the players. Before this nest was quite finished, the female began her duties of incu- 
bation. Her assiduous mate was constantly engaged at first in completing the external 
ornamentation of the nest with lichens and mosses, and then with a renewal of his 
interrupted concerts of song. These duties he varied by frequent captures of insects, 
winged and creeping, most of which he duly carried to his mate. His song was varied, 
sweet, and touchingly beautiful. Less powerful than the notes of several. others of its 
family, except those of the Warbling, I know of none more charming.” 
In Sheboygan County, Wisconsin, this Vireo usually arrives about May 15, simul- 
taneously with the gorgeous Baltimore Oriole. Although originally a native of the 
beautiful forests of this region, it now seems more at home in the orchards and shade- 
trees near dwellings. It is now much more abundant than in the pioneer days, when 
almost all the land was covered with heavy timber. This beautiful and unsuspicious 
bird was one of my special favorites in the days of my boyhood. In front and on 
the sides of my early home stood a few large and spreading elms, a number of middle 
sized sugar maples, oaks, ashes, lindens, June-berry trees, and white-thorns, remnants 
of the once so magnificent forest. As cats, nest-robbing boys, and other bird enemies 
were strictly kept out of our premises, this grove and the near orchard were the 
very paradise for all our familiar songbirds. Bluebirds, Titmice, Wrens, and Martins 
selected their nesting-sites in the many nesting-boxes that I had provided for them. 
Chipping Birds and Song Sparrows found the shrubbery a very convenient home. Bal- 
timore Orioles, Warbling Vireos, and Robins took up their abode in the elms, while 
Goldfinches, Red-eyed Vireos, Yellow Warblers, and Kingbirds showed a decided parti- 
ality for the maples, as Purple Finches did for the evergreens. Catbirds nested in the 
yellow honey-suckles, and Thrashers preferred white-thorns for the same purpose. 
38 
