The Singing of Birds. E. P. Bicknell. 
Vireo olivaceus. Red-eyhd Vireo. 
A most untiring vocalist, maintaining song almost uninterrupted- 
ly through the summer, and only relinquishing it in September 
from the ist to the iotli. My records fail to show any regular 
time of silence before this ; but singing is at a low ebb about 
mid-August, and in seasons of heat and drought almost fails at 
that time. Towards the end of the month, however, there is 
usually an accession of vocal energy. 
With individuals of no other one of our birds is singing so con- 
tinuous as with the Red-eyed Vireos. They are often to be heard 
in full song for a great part of the day about one spot in the 
woods or even on the same tree. I have watched single birds 
singing for many minutes uninterruptedly ; that is, with no rests 
save the slight natural pauses between the different sets of notes 
that make up the song. 
In August while the species is still in song, it is undergoing a 
change of plumage ; this is consummated in September, when 
the bird soon becomes fat. I have shot individuals in August 
which, though in an active stage of feather-growth, were never- 
Auk. I, July, 1884. p. JZ/7- Z/tf. 
theless in song. 
Correspondence. 
Editor of O. & 0.: 
Seeing the article by Henry Halos in tlie 
O. & O. of this month, “Bird Notes of New 
Jersey,” in which he gives his experience with 
regard to birds singing while on the nest, let 
me add to this that both the Red-eyed and the 
Warbling Vireo sing while on their nests, 
especially the latter variety. 
0.& O.Vol.l7,May 1892 p. 80 
/Oq 
