BIRDS OF DURHAM AND VICINITY. 
83 
Family VIREONID^. 
Vireo olivaceus. Red-eyed Vireo. 624. 
The familiar Red-eye is an impartial seeker in woodland, orchard, 
and shade tree. Its song is a constant reminder of its presence at all 
times of day from May until August. Its spring coming varies con- 
siderably. For the last three years its record stands: May 13, May 
8, May 24. The latest fall record that I have is September 15. The 
food habits of this vireo are of especial interest to the agriculturist, as 
it is one of the few birds known to destroy hairy caterpillars. Its 
nest, which is suspended between the forks of a low branch, and 
sometimes surprisingly near paths or highways, is usually largely com- 
posed of birch bark, though in one instance I have knov/n newspaper 
to form a considerable part of the structure. The song and call notes, 
when once learned, furnish the readiest way of distinguishing the 
vireos from one another. When near at hand, the narrow black and 
white lines above the eyes of this species serve to identify it. 
Vireo gilvus. Warbling Vireo. 627. 
Warbling Vireos are less abundant here near the sea in summer than 
a few miles inland, though they are very common during the migra- 
tion seasons. They are essentially village birds, preferring the maples 
and elms of the street to any other situation. There they sing early 
and late as they flit from branch to branch, twisting their necks this 
way and that, while peering in every direction for such insects and 
larvae as infest foliage. They nest in town also, but select high sites 
where the dangerous small boy cannot go. I have recorded their spring 
coming on different dates between the fourth and the tenth of May; 
and their latest appearance has varied from the eleventh to the nine- 
teenth of September. The nest of this species is pendant like that of 
all the family, but ordinarily placed much higher above the earth. 
Vireo flavifrons. Yellow-throated Vireo. 628. 
The Yellow-throated Vireo breeds regularly at Hampton and more 
or less commonly at Exeter, but it is infrequently seen here at Dur- 
ham, even in the migrating seasons, though it ouglu to be found 
nesting occasionally. I have usually found it near water, searching 
the foliage of deciduous trees. The earliest date on which I have 
noted this species is May 18, and the latest August 29. Two xMay 
stomachs which I have opened contained coleopterous, hemipterous, 
and hymenopterous insects. 
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