Order II. PASSERES. 



Tribe III. Dentirostres. 



Family III. MusciCAPnm 



The sixth Subfamily, 



VIREONINiE, or Gueenlets, 



have the Bill rather short and straight, with the culmen slightly curved, and the sides compressed to the 

 tip, which is curved and emarginated ; the gonys long and ascending ; the gape furnished with short 

 weak bristles ; the Nostrils rounded and exposed : the Wings rather long and pointed : the Tail moderate : 

 the Tarsi moderate, and covered with broad scales : the Toes moderate, the lateral ones equal, and united 

 at the base, especially the outer. 



Vireo Vieill.* 



Bill rather short, strong, and straight, with the culmen slightly curved, and the sides much compressed 

 to the tip, which is curved and emarginated ; the gonys long and ascending ; the gape furnished with 

 short weak bristles ; the nostrils basal, and placed in a short broad groove, with the opening rounded 

 and exposed. Wings more or less long and pointed ; with the second, third, and fourth (and sometimes 

 only the third and fourth) quills the longest. Tail moderate and even. Tarsi longer than the middle 

 toe, and covered in front with broad scales. Toes moderate; the outer toe longer than the inner, but 

 both united at the base, especially the outer ; the hind toe long ; the claws moderate, curved, and 

 acute. 



The species of this genus are found in various parts of America and the West Indies ; being observed in particular 

 localities at certain periods of the year. They are very lively birds, seeking amongst the leaves of the trees for their 

 food, which consists of insects, both in the larva and perfect state ; while so engaged, they often pour forth a sprightly 

 song of a few notes. The nest is small, sometimes pendulous between two twigs within a few feet of the ground. It is 

 composed of fragments of withered leaves, vine bark, flax, and other materials, all glued together with the saliva of the 

 birds, and with the silk of caterpillars ; so firmly are these put together, that they resist the effect of the weather. Those 

 of some species are placed on the upper side of a limb, or sometimes on a horizontal branch among the twigs, and are also 

 made of various vegetable substances. The eggs are usually four or five in number. 



1. V. noveboracensis (Gmel.) Pr. Bonap. — Vireo musicus Vieill. 

 Ois. d'Amer. Septr. t. 52. ; Muscicapa cantatrix Wils. Amer. Orn. 

 pi. 18. f. 6., Audub. B. of Amer. pi. 63. 



2. V. Bellii Audub. B. of Amer. 2nd edit. pi. 485. 



3. V. flavifrons (Gmel.) Vieill. Ois. d'Amer, Septr. t. 54. — 



Muscicapa sylvicola Wils. Amer. Orn. pi. 7- f. 3., Audub. B. of 

 Amer. pi. 119. 



4. V. solitarius (Wils.) Vieill. Amer. Orn. pi. 17. f. 6., Audub. 

 B. of Amer. pi 28. 



5. V. olivaceus (Linn.) Catesby, Carol, pi. 54., Wils. Amer. 



Established by Vieillot in 1807 (Ois. de XAmir. Septr. i. p. 83.). It embraces Vireosylvia of the Prince of Canino (1838). 



