VIREOS 277 



a sprightly, musical warble, very similar to that of the purple 

 finch and quite unlike that of the other vireos. 



YELLOW-THROATED VIREO : Lanivireo flavifrons 



(Vieillot). 



State records. — The yellow-throated vireo is a moderately 

 common summer resident in the northern and central portions 

 of the State, but becomes rarer toward the coast. It is 

 recorded in the breeding season as far south as Abbeville and 

 Castleberry. 



The species arrives from the south at about the same time 

 as the red-eye, earliest migrants having been noted at Au- 

 taugaville, March 20 (1913) ; Shelby,' March 27 (1898) ; 

 Greensboro, March 28 (1893) ; Jackson, April 3 (1912) ; 

 Tuscaloosa, April 4 (1914) ; Sand Mountain (near Carpen- 

 ter), April 6 (1911 and 1912) ; and Leighton, April 8 (1891). 

 In fall it was last seen at Leighton, September 26 (1891) . A 

 nest with fresh eggs was found by Golsan at Booth, April 25, 

 1916, and a nest with young near Autaugaville, May 15, 1910. 



General habits. — The yellow-throated vireo dwells in upland 

 woods and groves of deciduous timber, spending most of its 

 time in the upper stories of the woods. It sings a rich alto 

 song, similar to that of the red-eye, but distinguished from it 

 by the upward inflection of some of its phrases. It has, also, 

 a loud, harsh, scolding note which is frequently uttered dur- 

 ing the nesting season. The nest resembles that of the red- 

 eyed vireo, and is usually decorated on the outside with lichens, 

 plant down, shreds of cotton or paper, bits of bark, insect 

 cocoons, and like material. It is hung in the forks of a limb, 

 usually from 10 to 40 feet above the ground. 



Food habits. — This vireo, according to Forbush, feeds upon 

 pests of the household, forest and orchard. 



Common houseflies and mosquitoes are eaten. In the orchard 

 it attacks the apple plant lice, the hairy tent, gipsy, and tussock 

 caterpillars, as well as moths of many species. It is quite 

 destructive to the larvae of butterflies, also, while weevils and 



