nests. It was "composed of a singular 

 medley of various materials, among 

 which may be noticed broken fragments 

 of dry leaves, bits of decayed wood and 

 bark, coarse blades of grass, various 

 fibers, lichens, fragments of insects, 

 mosses, straws, stems, etc. These were 

 all wrapped round and firmly bound to- 

 gether with strong hempen fibers of vege- 

 tables. Within this outer envelope was 

 an inner nest, made of the finer stems of 

 grasses and dry needles of the white pine, 

 firmly interwoven." There are usually 



either three or four eggs, which are white 

 and speckled at the larger end, with black 

 or some shade of brown. 



Mr. Chapman says : "I have always 

 regretted that the manners of this vireo 

 have been a bar to our better acquain- 

 tance, for he is a bird of marked charac- 

 ter and with unusual vocal talents. He 

 is a capital mimic, and in the retirement 

 of his home sometimes amuses himself by 

 combining the songs of otner birds in an 

 intricate potpourri." 



TO A WHITE-EYED VIREO. 



Up there among the maple's leaves, 



One morning bright in May, 

 A tiny bird I chanced to spy, 



And plainly heard him say: 

 "Sweet, who-are-you?" 



44 Dost call to me, in words so fair, 



O little friend?" I cried; 

 " Or to some feathered dame up there?" 



For answer he replied: 

 " Sweet, do you hear?" 



O yes, I hear you, little bird, 



All clad in leafy hue; 

 And I in turn, would like to ask 



The question, "Who are you?" 



But you might deem the question vain, 



And bid me note your size; 

 The shading of your dainty coat; 



The color of your eyes. 



For there I shall my answer find. 



Shall you be answered, too? 

 Will your wee feathered love reply, 



When asked, "Sweet, who-are-you?" 



— Annie Wakely Jackson. 



197 



