VIREOS 375 



WREOS: Family Vireonidae. 

 RED-EYED VIREO: Vireosylva olivacea (Linnaeus). 



State records. — The red-eyed vireo, known to many as 

 "hanging bird," is one of the most common and widely dis- 

 tributed of our summer birds. On the pine flats of the coast 

 region, however, it is seen only rarely, in migration. It ar- 

 rives from the south about the first of April, the earliest 

 birds having been noted at Greensboro, March 27 (1891) ; 

 Barachias, March 31 (1909) ; Autaugaville, April 2 (1912) ; 

 and Jackson, April 4 (1912). First arrivals were noted at 

 Sand Mountain (near Carpenter) April 15 (1917), and at 

 Anniston, April 16 (1916). The species was particularly 

 abundant near Muscle Shoals, April 20 to 22, 1914. In fall, 

 the latest birds were seen at Leighton, October 2 (1891), and 

 at Greensboro, October 18 (1890). Nests with eggs have been 

 found at Leighton, May 6, at Weogufka; May 21. and at Au- 

 taugaville, May 26. 



General habits. — This familiar bird is found in deciduous 

 woodland, both in wet river bottoms and on dry mountain 

 sides, and often takes up its abode in shade trees along village 

 streets. It is gentle and unsuspicious, and often remains on 

 its nest until almost touched by the hand. It is deliberate in 

 its movements and lives for the most part well up in the trees. 

 The song is a smoothly flowing, melodious warble and the bird 

 is a most persistent singer even in the hot days of midsummer. 

 The continuous and rather monotonous style of performance 

 has earned for the bird the name "preacher." 



The nest is cup-shaped and pensile, fastened to the forks of 

 a horizontal limb of a bush or tree, commonly 4 to 5 feet above 

 the ground, but sometimes as high as 25 feet. It is neatly and 

 compactly woven of strips of bark, paper, plant down, leaves, 

 etc. 



Food habits. — This vireo is one of our most useful woodland 

 birds. Forbush, speaking of its destruction of caterpillars, 

 says: 



In the discovery of this kind of game the bird has few 

 superiors. * * * It is most astonishing to see him pick up 

 caterpillar after caterpillar from twigs and foliage, where with 



