4 
Brewster on the Philadelphia Vireo. 
to Dixville Notch in New Hampshire. At the latter point they were 
noted in greater numbers than elsewhere, and on June 10 several 
pairs were found in the open birch groves about the “ Dix House,” 
just beyond the Notch. A sufficiently amusing, if rather humili- 
ating, development was, that a Vireo which had been daily in the 
habit of singing in the foliage of a paper birch before the hotel at 
Upton turned out to be of this species. Possibly the same bird 
had sung there in former years, when we were vainly scouring the 
surrounding country for his species. Evidently too much knowl- 
edge is not a safe thing. Had we not known the Red-eye’s song, 
the other species might have been detected long ago, and it is 
highly probable that it will yet be found, during the summer 
months, over the whole of that portion of New England which is 
embraced in the Canadian Fauna.* 
The habits of this Vireo appear to be very little known. Even 
Dr. Coues and Mr. Nelson, both of whom seem to have found it in 
comparative abundance, are nearly silent on this point, and our 
whole available literature furnishes scarcely more than a few para- 
graphs relating to its life-liistory. This is not so much to be won- 
dered at when it is considered that the bird has rarely been observed 
except during its migrations, when it is certainly a more than or- 
dinarily silent and retiring species. 
The Philadelphia Vireos usually arrive at Umbagog during the 
last week of May, or, if the season be a late one, in early June. 
They come with the last flight of Warblers, when the forest trees 
are putting on a drapery of tender green, and the moose-wood is 
white with snowy blossoms. They are most apt to be found singly 
at this season, though they not infrequently associate with the 
various species of Warblers. For some time after their first ap- 
pearance they are severely silent, and, although by no means shy 
or suspicious, their habits are so retiring and unobtrusive, that their 
presence may be easily overlooked. Their motions are essentially 
like those of all the rest of the genus. A branch shakes, and you 
catch a glimpse of a pale lemon breast that matches well with the 
tint of the thin foliage. Then the whole bird appears, hopping 
slowly out along the limb, and deliberately peering on every side 
* I am indebted to the kindness of Mr. W. B. Douse for the opportunity of 
examining, since writing the foregoing, a specimen, of the Philadelphia Vireo 
shot by him, August 8, 1878, near Pleasant Ridge Pond, Somerset County, 
Maine. It was a young male, just acquiring the fall plumage. 
