156 THE RED-EYED VIREO. 



vocalist resting as it were to enjoy the sounds of its own music; next moment 

 all seems hurry and bustle; — it raises its voice, and chants on with great 

 volubility, so loudly that one might think the little creature intent on 

 drowning all other sounds. The darker the woods, the more cloudy the 

 day, the more unremitting are its exertions. It is one of the earliest singers 

 in spring, and among the latest in autumn. In the south-eastern parts of 

 East Florida, where many spend the winter, I have heard its notes and those 

 of the White-eyed Vireo, even at that season. In South Carolina, in the 

 neighbourhood of Charleston, I have heard and seen it early in the month of 

 February, when scarce a leaf was yet expanded. It is not seen in Louisiana 

 until the beginning of March, and I am inclined to think that perhaps an 

 equal number of these birds come to us from the West India Islands or from 

 Mexico. 



Few birds seem to enjoy life more than this Vireo, for at almost every 

 short cessation of its song, it is seen making a movement or two up or along 

 a branch, searching with extreme diligence for food, peeping cautiously 

 under the leaves, and examining each bud or blossom with a care peculiarly 

 its own. It may be seen flying from one tree to another with indefatigable 

 industry, and this not only from morning to night, but during the whole 

 time of its stay with us. 



So abundant is this bird, and so prodigal of its song, that any one paying 

 the least attention is sure to hear it either from the trees which embellish the 

 streets of the villages and cities, or the gardens and woods. The principal 

 notes resemble the syllables jjewee, pea, sho-re, sheire, chew-ree piivit. 

 They are, as I have said, clear, loud, and melodious. 



The flight of this bird is altogether performed in a gliding manner, and 

 when it is engaged in pursuit of a rival or an enemy, it passes through the 

 woods with remarkable swiftness. It is an affectionate parent, generally 

 leading about its young, particularly its second brood; for it often breeds 

 twice in the year, even in the State of Massachusetts, or far up on the Mis- 

 sissippi. On such occasions, the parents proceed through the woods with 

 more care, and on the least appearance of danger utter a querulous note, the 

 meaning of which is so well understood by the little family, that they 

 seldom fail to hide or become mute in an instant. The young are fed for 

 several weeks after they leave the nest, and, I believe, migrate with the old 

 ones, for I have frequently seen them on the move until dusk, and going to 

 roost together at nightfall. I do not recollect ever having seen one of them 

 on the ground. 



Like the true Flycatchers, these birds eject small pellets formed of the 

 hard crusts of the abdomen, legs, and other parts of insects. I have but very 



