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THE RED-EYED VIREO, OR GREENLET. 



-/-Vireo olivaceus, Linn. 

 PLATE CCXLIIL— Male. 



One of the principal differences between the habits of this and some other 

 species, which are now called Vireos, and the Flycatchers, is, that the former 

 procure their food principally by moving about, and along the branches or 

 the twigs of the trees, by light hops, alternately changing sides, reaching and 

 securing their prey by an elastic extension of the legs and neck, without the 

 continual snapping or clicking of the bill so common among the Muscicapse 

 on such occasions, and that they seldom make sorties on the wing to any 

 distance, for the purpose of seizing the insects on which they usually feed. 

 This habit is retained until autumn, when, insects being scarce, the Vireo 

 sallies forth to a short distance in pursuit of them, as they may chance to 

 pass near the tree on which, in the silent mood of a Flycatcher, it stands 

 erect, using the watchful side-glances peculiar to its tribe, as it anxiously 

 expects the passage of its prey. Another difference is, that Vireos are 

 generally more musical, lively and gay, than Flycatchers, so that their 

 society is more welcome to man; and, as if fully conscious of their supe- 

 riority in this respect, and knowing that they commit no depredations upon 

 his fruit or bees, calculated to arouse his anger, they often suffer him to 

 approach with a carelessness that evidently proves the simplicity of their 

 nature. The third great difference between the Vireos and Flycatchers is, 

 that the former seldom, if ever, go down from the trees to the water, for the 

 purpose of drinking; while the latter are often seen gliding closely over 

 rivers and pools, from which they sip their drink. The Vireos quench their 

 thirst with the drops of dew or rain that adhere to the leaves or twigs. I 

 might add, that the quivering motions of the wings in Flycatchers when 

 alighted, is not exhibited by the Vireos, at least has never been observed by 

 me. On the other hand, the affinity existing between the Vireos and 

 Muscicapse is indicated by their being equally possessed of the power of 

 regurgitation. 



The Red-eyed Vireo is an inhabitant of the whole of our forests. Now 

 you hear its sweet, unaffected, musical, loud and free warble, from the inner 

 top branches of a tall tree, for hours at a time, and even during the hottest 

 part of the day; again, you may count each note that it utters, the little 



