VIREOS 279 



WHITE-EYED VIREO; HANGING-BIRD: Vit^o griseus 

 griseus (Boddaert). 



State records. — The white-eyed vireo is a common summer 

 resident in nearly all parts of the State. A few individuals 

 winter in the extreme southern United States, and ona seen 

 by Holt at Barachias, February 21, 1913, was doubtless a win- 

 tering bird. First arrivals in spring were noted at Weogufka, 

 March 17 (1908) ; Mobile, March 18 (1912) ; Autaugaville, 

 March 27 (1913) ; Greensboro, March 28 (1891) ; Sand Moun- 

 tain (near Carpenter), April 1 (1914) ; and Leighton, April 2 

 (1890) . The last in autumn was seen at Leighton, September 

 20 (1891) ; Anniston, September 24 (1916), and Greensboro, 

 October 18 (1890). Nesting begins in April, eggs having 

 been found at Coosada, April 20 ; Leighton, April 24 and May 

 10 ; Autaugaville, May 1 ; and on Sipsey Fork near Mellville, 

 Mays. 



General habits. — This species is of very different habits 

 from the other vireos, dwelling nearer the ground and pre- 

 ferring dense thickets for its home, usually in swamps or low, 

 wet bottoms. It is not particularly shy, but the nature of its 

 haunts prevents easy observation of the bird. Its song, how- 

 ever, is loud and very characteristic, being quite unlike that 

 of any of the other species. It is a sprightly and varied ditty, 

 strongly accented, suggesting different translations to almost 

 every listener. Ridgway interprets it as chiek'ty-beaver, 

 lim'ber, stick; while Burroughs writes it : chick-Or-re'r-chick. 

 The bird has, also, a peculiar mewing, scolding note and is at 

 times an accomplished mimic; in the seclusion of his haunts 

 it sometimes gives voice to a remarkable and varied medley 

 which includes the notes of many other birds. The nest is 

 placed in thickets or swampy woodland, usually 3 or 4 feet 

 above the ground; it is deeply cupshaped and heavily orna- 

 mented on the outside with such material as lichens, mosses, 

 shreds of bark, paper, and spiders' webs. 



Food habits. — The food of this vireo includes cankerworms, 

 cutworms, tobacco worms, ants, beetles, bugs, and house flies. 

 Some fruits and berries are eaten, such as blackberries, rasp- 

 berries, mulberries, and the fruit of the sassafras and 

 palmetto. 



