Lancaster, Mass.
1902.
May 22
  Clear and warm with strong S.W. wind.
  Visiting the cemetery this morning I found in
the cluster of balsams a Wilson's Black Cap, a
female Canadian Warbler, a pair of Goldfinches, two
or three Purple Finches, a Redstart and an Oriole.
Migrants in balsams
  This quiet old town with its broad, elm-embowered
streets is a perfect paradise for Warbling Vireos and
these birds are more numerous here than I remember
to have ever found them elsewhere. Where the elms
are continuous the birds occur at intervals of about one
hundred yards. There must be nearly or quite a dozen
pairs scattered along the main street between Miss Holman's
and the depot. The males have been singing to-day
from day-break until nearly dark - more continuously,
indeed, than any other birds. I should characterize the
song briefly as an evenly flowing warble, too rapid and
strong to be called listless and joyous rather than the reverse
yet withal somewhat pensive in quality as if the bird
were indulging in reverie. It bears an unmistakable
resemblance to the song of the Purple Finch but is much
less emphatic and ecstatic as well as more leisurely. It lasts
from three to four seconds and when the bird is singing
steadily is delivered at intervals of from three to five seconds
for hours in succession. Although by no means a song of
the most pleasing as well as soothing of the bird voices
of early summer.
Warbling Vireo
  As I have said the Warbling Vireos here sing chiefly in the
elms but Mr. Harriman tells me he has found their nests in sugar maples
only.
97