33

1916.

40. Yellow-throated Vireo. For the first time since I have owned the
Barrett farm it failed, this year, to harbor a pair of nesting Yellow-throated
Vireos. A male was heard singing there, near the house, however, on May 2 [May 2, 1916],
23 [May 23, 1916] and 24 [May 24, 1916] and on June 1 [June 1, 1916], 2 [June 2, 1916] and 5 [June 5, 1916]. Elsewhere, one was noted in Bedford
Village on May 14 [May 14, 1916] and June 21 [June 21, 1916], in Concord village (by Dexter) on May 15 [May 15, 1916].
Throughout the entire Concord Region the species seems to have
been diminishing steadily in numbers during recent years until
now it has become, apparently, of less common occurrence than
the Solitary Vireos. This widespread and very considerable decrease
is perhaps due to the almost universal spraying with poison of shade
trees near houses - in which Vireos of this species almost invariable nest.

41. Warbling vireo. At our Farm, a male sang on trees overspreading the
road near the big elm on May 12 [May 12, 1916] and either the self same bird or
another in the apple orchard on the 21st [May 21, 1916]. I heard still another
in Billerica, near Dudley Pitman's farm, on June 4 [June 4, 1916].

42. Cedar bird. A flock of 10 (counted) flying low over Green Field
on April 15 [April 15, 1916]. Two in blossoming apple tree in our orchard on May 13 [May 13, 1916].
After that noted almost daily through May and June, usually singly or 
in pairs & very near our house, but seven birds were seen together,
flying over the Berry Pasture, on May 24 [May 24, 1916] and nine, eating shad bush
berries by the roadside in Carlisle, on June 21 [June 21, 1916]. One of a pair that 
appeared close under the front windows of the house on June 18 [June 18, 1916] was
collecting fine blades of dry grass which she selected and plucked,
with characteristic deliberation, from a neglected tuft on the border of a
flower bed, and finally carried off in her bill towards the
bungalow, no doubt to a nest in some apple tree or white pine
thereabouts. Both she and her mate were in full plumage with
conspicuous "sealing wax" adornment on their wings.