VIREOS 
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629. Solitary Vireo. le vireo solitaire. Vireo solilarius. L, 5-61. Plate LXII 
A. 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 underparts 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 should not 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 
provinces north to Mackenzie Valley, but in British Columbia confined to the southern 
parts. 
SUBSPECIES. Canadian birds divided into two subspecies. The Blue-headed 
Vireo (le Vireo h tete bleue) Vireo solitarius solitarius extends west to the mountains. In 
British Columbia we find Cassia’s Vireo (le Vireo de Cassin) Vireo 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. 
625. Yellow-green Vireo. le vireo jaune-verdatre. Vireo jlavoviridis. L, 6-5. 
Like the Red-eyed but a little larger and more yellowish below. Underwing and tail 
coverts decidedly yellow and flanks decidedly greenish yellow. 
Distribution. Mexico. There is one extraordinary record for Godbout on the north 
side of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. It is improbable that it will ever be detected in Canada 
again. 
624. Red-eyed Vireo. preacher-bird, teacher, le vireo attx yeux rouges. 
Vireo olivacea. L, 6-23. Plate LXII B. Of the size of a small Sparrow. White below, 
dull greenish olive above, with a grey crown and decided white eyebrow stripe. Sexes 
alike. 
Distinctions. The Red-eyed may be distinguished from other vireos by its superior 
size, lack of yellow, the grey confined to the crown, and the white eyebrow-line bordered 
with dark both above and below. The iris is red, but this can be seen only on very close 
examination. 
Field Marks. The markings of the face of the Red-eyed make the best field mark. 
The white eyebrow bordered with darker colour and the lower line through the eye can 
usually be seen as the bird peers through the leaves at the intruder. 
Nesting. Suspended from between the forks of a small branch 5 to 15 feet above the 
ground; pensile nest or hanging-cup, woven of strips of bark, dead-wood fibres, paper, 
plant-down, or birch bark, lined with fine materials. 
Distribution. North and South America. In Canada, north to Mackenzie Valley, 
west to Vancouver Island. 
The Red-eyed Vireo is one of the commonest frequenters of our groves 
and woods. Its song, a leisurely repetition of slight variants of the same 
phrase with pauses between, and continued ad libitum , can be heard in 
the tree tops almost anywhere in Canada and has given the species the 
name of Preacher-bird. 
