LAND BIRDS. 571 
sections. It appears to be most abundant in the Lower Peninsula, but 
this may be due in part to the fact that it is partial to the well shaded 
streets of towns and villages, and so is more frequently met with. It has 
been reported from practically all the counties of the state, and doubtless 
may be found in all. It arrives from the south the last of April or first 
of May, the earliest date at Petersburg being April 21, 1889, and the latest 
May 5, 1893. At Battle Creek the first was seen April 19, 1889, at Bay 
City May 7, 1890, and Sault Ste. Marie May 6, 1900. Near Detroit Mr. 
Swales says it arrives from April 27 to May 7 and is usually gone southward 
by September 15, his latest fall record being September 28, 1889. 
In its nesting habits it closely resembles the Red-eyed Vireo, but its song 
is unlike that of any other. It is a sprightly and musical warble which 
resembles closely that of the Purple Finch, although it is weaker and 
shorter. Dr. Brewer says ‘One of the sweetest and most constant of 
our singers. Its voice is not powerful, but its melody is flute-like and 
tender.’ To one familiar with the songs of the other vireos the song 
the present species would suggest an entirely different bird, certainly one 
of the Fringillide. 
Its food probably resembles that of its relatives very closely but it 
doubtless has certain likes and dislikes. It eats a few seeds and berries, 
but is mainly an insect eater and one of the farmer’s best friends. In 
Nebraska Prof. Aughey found it eating the young of the Rocky Mountain 
locust in all stages of their growth and saw it bring them constantly to its 
nest as food for the young. Prof. Forbes in his study of the birds of an 
orchard overrun with canker-worms, found that 35 percent of the food of 
the two Warbling Vireos taken one season consisted of canker-worms, 
while other caterpillars made 43 percent additional, and other insects, 
mainly injurious, formed almost all the remainder. Three other specimens 
contained 44 percent of canker-worms, 35 percent of other caterpillars, 
and 15 percent of beetles: 
Apparently the nest is quite variable in structure and location. On 
the average it is more slightly built, and in higher situations, than the 
nest of the Red-eye. Shade trees are favorite nesting places and it is 
frequently seen in elms, maples, and other common shade trees along 
the streets and in city parks. Ordinarily it is perfectly pensile like 
that of all the other Vireos, yet Dr. Wolcott (MS. list, December, 1904), 
states that the nest in his experience is frequently swung between three 
or four vertical twigs or even placed in a crotch. He also has found it to 
be thicker walled, firmer and better lined. Numerous observers state 
that the nest is frequently found in orchards and there can be no doubt 
that the bird is partial to such situations. 
Eggs are most likely to be found in central Michigan during the last 
week in May and the first week in June, but a pair was seen building near 
the Agricultural College, May 15, 1903, and doubtless the birds often rear 
a second brood in late June or July. The eggs are scarcely separable 
from those of the other vireos, being white, thinly spotted with brown 
and black, and averaging .75 by .55 inches. 
According to Dr. Gibbs this is one of the few species which sings white 
incubating. 
TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION. 
Bill slightly hooked at tip; rictal bristles evident; spurious first primary present; no 
wing-bars. F ; ; 
Adult (sexes alike): Top of head dull ashy-gray, shading gradually into olive-gray 
