313 
629. Solitary Vireo (Including Cassin’s Vireo). Lanivireo solitarius. L, 5-61. 
Plate LX VII B. A little smaller than the Red-eyed, larger than the other Vireos except 
the Yellow-throated. Back, greenish, shading into grey on head and face; white loral 
spot and ring about eye; all underparte white with suffusion of yellow and olive on 
flanks; two white wing-bars. 
Distinctions. The ashy-blue crown and face and the conspicuous white lores and eye- 
ring. 
Field Marks. The Solitary Vireo has a rather thick-headed appearance in life. It 
is the only Canadian Vireo with conspicuous or decided markings. The bluish crown and 
cheeks contrasted with pure white lores, eye-ring, and throat are very distinctive and the 
bird is not likely to be mistaken for any other species. 
Nesting. Nest pensile, between the forks of a branch, of wood fibres, bark strips, 
pine needles, and plant down. 
Distribution. North America. In Canada, across the Dominion. In the central pro- 
vinces north to Mackenzie valley, but, in British Columbia, confined to the southern parts. 
SUBSPECIES. Canadian birds divided into two subspecies. The Blue-headed 
Vireo Lanivireo solitarius solitarius extends west to the mountains. In British Columbia 
we find Cassin’s Vireo Lanivireo solitarius cassini, somewhat duller, darker in coloration; 
the grey head not so sharply defined from the green back. 
The Solitary is the brightest coloured and the prettiest of our Vireos, 
and a common resident or migrant of woodland or orchard. Its notes 
are reminiscent of those of the Red-eyed, but more varied and contain some 
harsh, scolding notes. 
632. Hutton’s Vireo (Including Anthony’s Vireo). Vireo huttoni. L, 4-75. The 
smallest of the Canadian Vireos. Like a Warbling but generally darker, more dull olive 
above and below, with a pale, indistinct ring about eye and white wing-bars. 
Distinctions. As above. 
Field Marks. Like a small, dark Warbling Vireo, with pale eye-ring and white wing- 
bare. Likely to look more like a female Ruby-crowned Kinglet, except for size, than any- 
thing else. Its songs and notes are very distinctive and unlike those of any other bird 
it is likely to be confused with. 
Nesting. Nest semi-pensile, from forks of branch; of mosses lined with fine grass. 
Distribution. Western United States and Mexico. Occurring regularly in Canada 
only on southern Vancouver island, rare in migration on adjoining mainland. 
SUBSPECIES. Anthony’s Vireo Vireo huttoni obscurus is the form accredited to 
the Canadian section of its range, but considerable doubt has recently been expressed as 
to the validity of this race. If it is thrown out as a recognizable subspecies, our bird will 
have to be recognized as the type form Vireo huttoni huttoni. 
One of the most inconspicuous of our woodland birds. Its limited 
range, small numbers in Canada, combined with its retiring habits, keep 
it from being very well known by Canadian ornithologists. Alone among 
our Vireos it is practically resident wherever found, and does not migrate 
in winter to a noticeable extent. 
FAMILY — COMPSOTHLYPIDAE. WOOD WARBLERS 
Figure 280 Figure 281 Figure 282 
Bill of Tennessee Warb- Bill of Myrtle Warb- Bill of Water-thrush; 
ler; natural size. ler; natural size. natural size. 
General Description. Small birds, only one Canadian species being over 6 -28 ’’inches 
long and very few over 5*75. They are usually bright-coloured woodland and treetop 
birds, though a few inhabit the ground and the grass. They are, as a family, difficult 
to diagnose and the genera may be most easily recognized by the bills (Figures 280. 281, 282), 
though considerable familarity with the species is necessary to recognize the generic 
characteristics. 
