38 HIGHWAYS AND BYWAYS. 
the same female—as she showed so little fear at the 
frequent visits I made to the nest each year. It was 
necessary to bend the tree considerably in order to see 
into the nest. After the first summer the sitting bird 
would seldom fly off until the tree was bent so far that 
she was afraid of sliding off the nest. Sometimes she 
would not then move, but would look at me out of her 
fearless eyes, as much as to say, “You dare not upset 
me and spill us all out; my house is not on exhibition 
to-day, you will have to come another time.” Of course 
I did as I understood her to command, and left her 
mistress of the situation. 
Although late comers in the spring, the vireos, or 
greenlets, are great faverites of all lovers of the birds. 
Of the five or six species found in the State only two, 
the red eyed and warbling, are abundant in this local- 
ity. The red eyed vireo (Vireo olwaceous) is classed 
among the true sylvias or forest birds, but he is oftener 
found near clearings, and is becoming quite a summer 
resident in the cities, especially the sections abounding 
in large trees. He is a persistent singer, but sings most 
in the middle of hot days, when other birds are com- 
paratively silent. He has a variety of songs,—or notes 
rather,—as they are much detached, all uttered leisurely, 
and many of them with the rising inflection, as though 
questioning his auditory. Not a great musician, yet 
his cheerful voice ringing its many changes on the few 
rather sharp notes makes him a cheerful companion, 
singing and talking and feeding among the leaves of 
the tree above one: Samuels enthusiastically writes of 
