304 WHITE-EYED VIREO. 
places of this bird. Along the West Yegua Creek in Texas, in a distance of less than a 
mile, I found in 1882 more than forty nests, and I have no doubt that more could have 
been found for the seeking. The favorite nesting places were white-thorns, viburnum, 
and Mexican mulberry bushes growing on the edge of thickets and woodlands, or in 
the shade of taller trees, like elms, pecans, hackberry trees, etc. I also found several in 
the low hanging branches of elms and swamp oaks. These structures were the most 
beautiful Vireo nests I ever saw, quite different from nests of the same species in 
other localities. Their exposed surface was always beautifully decorated with the 
delicate soft greenish Usnea lichens and spider webs. 
As I write this, there lay before me about a dozen nests from the West Yegua 
Creek, and about as many from northern and eastern regions. Not one is like the 
other except in shape. They are oblong, bag-like works of art, depending from a hori- 
zontal forked twig, and generally protected against rain and sunshine by overhanging 
leaves. A typical nest from Texas found by me May 12, 1882, I will describe more par- 
ticularly. It was fastened to the uttermost end of a horizontal forked twig of a white- 
thorn about three feet from the ground. It was composed of Usnea lichens, fine ground 
moss, soft leaves, and fine grasses. The lining consisted of very soft and thin blades of 
grass. The exterior was heavily decorated with Usnea lichens, moss, broken leaves, and 
particles of bark, all firmly held together by spider webs and cater-pillar nests. Most of 
the Texan nests were fastened by the same material and in the same manner to the 
supporting twigs, the large quantity of spider nests and cater-pillar webs used in 
connection with Usnea lichens enable them to withstand months of wind and rain. 
The nests from more northern regions somewhat resemble those found at the 
South, some being externally ornamented with particles of moss, others with bits of soft 
white birch bark, but they lack the bunches of greenish lichens which beautify the Texan 
nests in such a high degree. 3 
The nests of the White-eye resemble in shape and size those of Bell’s Vireo. 
The other larger species build shorter and wider nests. The average length of the nest 
is 4.50 inches, the width at the rim 2.25 inches and somewhat wider toward the middle. 
The interior is about 2.00 inches deep, the opening 1.75 inches wide. The nests are 
invariably built at the ends of horizontal forked twigs, usually three or four feet from 
the ground. At the time when the female begins to lay, the nest looks rugged and 
unfinished, and small branches of lichens hang down from it. The work is completed by 
the male, which labors assiduously to embellish and ornament the exterior. The fact, that 
the outside is often decorated with bits torn from newspapers, induced Alexander Wilson 
to apply to this bird the nickname “Politician.” 
’ The eggs, four to five in number, are clear white, sparsely speckled with reddish- 
brown and dark purple. Frequently the Cowbird lays her eggs into the nest of this 
Vireo; at times, indeed, two and even three of the eggs of this abominable parasite are 
found in one nest. The parent Vireos show great uneasiness when anyone approaches 
the nest, scolding all the while with very peculiar notes. 
Near Washington, D. C., the White-eyed Vireo is a very common bird. Dr. Elliott 
Coues remarks: “In places where the White-eyes are numerous, as they are, for 
example, about Washington, these nests are among those we may most frequently brush 
