OF VIRGINIA 271 
three to four in number, white, sparingly specked with 
dark or light reddish-brown. Size, .85x.55. The egg of 
the Cowbird (Molothrus ater ater) is not an uncommon, 
though unwelcome, addition to this household. They do 
not winter with us, arriving about April 12th, and migrat- 
ing southward about August 27th to 30th. It is probable 
that they raise two broods some seasons. Their food 
consists of numerous moths, insects, spiders, and the 
smaller caterpillars; many are taken on the wing similar 
to that of the flyeatchers. They are about evenly, though 
sparingly, distributed over Tidewater, and become more 
numerous as we go westward into the State. 
[627]. Vireosylva gilva gilva (Vieillot). Warbling 
Vireo. 
Raner.—Eastern North America. Breeds in Tran- 
sition and Austral zones from southeastern Alberta, 
northern Manitoba, central Ontario, and Nova Scotia 
south to northwestern Texas, southern Louisiana, North 
Carolina, and Virginia; winter home is unknown but 
south of the United States. 
This is the least common of all the vireos found within 
our area. Unlike his cousin, the White-eyed Vireo, he is 
a bird of the high foliage, even more so than the Red- 
eyed, and procures his food and builds his nest seldom 
below thirty or forty feet. They arrive about April 5th, 
and migrate southward about the same time as the Red- 
eyed Vireo. They may be called a sociable bird, for they 
prefer the shade trees of gardens, yards, parks and streets 
to that of the woodland, though the inaccessibility of 
their nest makes close companionship or study almost 
