Vireo flavifrons . 
Belraont , 
1897 . 
June 6. 
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I 
Mass . 
This morning I called on Ralph Hoffmann and. enjoyed a most 
interesting spectacle. A pair of Yellow-throated Vireos have 
taken up their abode in an apple tree close by the house in 
Mr. Hoffmann's yard, some fifteen feet above the ground. The 
female bird has grown so tame that its winning confidence is 
beautiful to see. Dr. Walter Faxon who was there, took the 
cover of a pill-box with some ants in it which he had killed 
and climbed up the tree to within about six feet of the nest. 
He then called "Birdeel Birdeel" and immediately the female 
bird, y/ho was sitting on the nest, flew down to him and lit 
on a branch close beside him. She took the. ants from his fin- 
gers and even from between his lips. Finally she flew back 
and resumed her position on her eggs. Then Dr. Faxon climbed 
up to the nest and held the cover close to the bird. Without 
moving from her nest she ate up all the ants with great relish. 
The male bird has never made any approaches but has kept a 
dignified distance. On this occasion he flew about from 
branch to branch singing. Mr. Hoffmann has had several photo- 
graphs of the bird taken. One shows the bird sitting on his 
finger. He has even taken the bird from her nest and placed 
her on his shoulder while he inspected her eggs. The Vireo 
remained there till he put her back again on her nest. 
Walter Deane. 
