The Gray Vireo 
arral tops, and seldom tarries within range of vision at those middle levels 
which are his chosen home. It is from such depths, therefore, that his 
song emerges, a surprising and delightful contribution which vindicates 
all the bird’s vireonine claims. 
According to the authorities above cited, “the song of the Gray Vireo 
is loud and full-toned in volume and quality. In these respects it reminds 
the hearer strongly of the Cassin Vireo, yet with the twang and less de¬ 
liberate utterance of a Western Tanager. In measure, and in the sug¬ 
gestion of rising and falling inflection, it recalls the Least Vireo.” I 
noted this resemblance to Cassin’s song in 1913; but the phrases seemed 
to me to come more rapidly, vivaciously, and energetically. They were 
a good deal more varied in character, and showed broader powers. Now 
and again the singer would rise to a rhythmic medley, a sort of rhap¬ 
sody, wherein the diverse elements were connected by a musical ku-ching, 
—a clashing of tiny cymbals after each phrase. 
The song will rarely betray the singer alone, for he easily contrives to 
slip away from his pursuer; but it will, alas! sometimes betray the “at¬ 
tachment.” For how could one ever expect to “meet up” with these 
elusive sprites, these flitting genii of the interminable chamise, except that 
they are obliged to pin their faith to some one spot? Some certain one of 
ten thousand stalks must serve to support the annual cradle. “Weary, 
stale, flat, and unprofitable,” the situation seems to us; but the birds not 
only make the best of it, but they seem to draw from the endless store of 
common things high inspiration for song and for life. Moreover, when the 
nest is found, the birds prove to be very much attached. The first-known 
nest, secured by W. E. D. Scott in 1885, proved to have no eggs; yet Mr. 
Scott had been obliged to displace the sitting bird with his finger in order 
to ascertain the fact. This habit of resting in the nest, or of trying it out 
for a few days previous to laying, is characteristic of many birds, but 
notably of the vireos; yet scarcely any other will submit to be handled 
under such circumstances. 
The nest of the Gray Vireo is placed at about three feet above the 
ground, and conforms to the usual vireonine type,—a semi-pensile basket, 
made fast by the edges; yet by reason of the density of its cover, it is likely 
to be partially supported by underlying twigs, or even to be settled 
down into them. The materials, too, which compose this basket are 
simpler than usual in character, with less attempt at ornament. Two 
nests found by Messrs. Grinnell and Swarth had on the very outside 
unbroken, tridentate, gray leaves of the sage-brush—a rather pathetic 
commentary on the meager resources of the pioneers. 
585 
