WHITE-EYED VIREO. 305 
about 5 inches; wing, 24-24; tail, 24; spurious quill, ?, half as long as the second, which 
abont equals the eighth; tarsus, about }; middle toe and claw, 4; bill, under 4. 
Habitat, Eastern United States, excepting perhaps parts of New England; west to 
Dakota, Kansas, and Western Texas; south to Guatemala. Bermudas. Cuba. 
Common summer resident from the last week in April to the last of 
September, but of irregular distribution. In some localities apparently 
well suited to its habits, it is never seen. Breeds. Dr. Kirtland names 
it without comment. Mr. Read says it is abundant throughout the sum- 
mer. Mr. Langdon gives it as a common summer resident. Ihave never 
been able to find it in the vicinity of Columbus. 
This little bird, the smallest of the family breeding with us, has many 
peculiarities besides its white eyes. It is a frequenter of low thickets, 
while the others of the family are found in woodland. It is not a whit 
behind its relatives in reputation for courage in defense of itself when 
wounded, or of its nest and young. Dr. Coues (Birds Col. Val., 524) says 
Olt: 
‘“‘The White-eyed Vireo has always been notable, even in groups of birds whose spirit 
is high, for its irritable temperament; and during the breeding season, nothing can sar- 
pass the petulance and irascibility which 16 displays when its home is too nearly ap- 
proached, and the fuss it makes when its temper is ruffled in this way. It skips about 
in a penicky state, as regardless of ¢xposure as a virago haranguing the crowd on a 
street corner, seemingly at such loss for adequate expletives that we may fancy it quite 
ready to say ‘‘Thank you,” if somebody would only swear a little. Like the Wrens and 
Titmice—like various birds, in fact, which live habitually in shrubbery, where they 
have to peer and pry about to see well—these Vireos show a good deal of curiosity and 
inquisitiveness when anything it going on that they do not quite understand; and if we 
take care not to frighten them into a flutter of excitement, they frequently come almost 
within arms’ reach by slow and devious approaches, poising curiously on one twig after 
another, and soliloquizing the while in their quaint fashion. Their uneasiness, however, 
is chiefly exhibited during the breeding season, and all their vehemence is but the ex- 
cess of t :eir concern for their li tle families, which, as they seem to be aware, are pecu- 
liarly exposed to danger in their lowly homes; their ardor exhausts itself when the 
occasion is past, and what had been excessive solicitude gives way to the simple spright- 
liness and vivacity, which then appears as an agreeable trait. In the springtime they 
rival their relatives in brilliancy and versatility of song, which must be heard to be 
‘appreciated ; it is a curious medley, delivered with great earnestness and almost endless 
variations, scarcely to be described in words.” 
The nest is suspended from a fork of a bush or low sapling, seldom 
more than six feet above the ground, and generally so low that its con- 
tents are visible to the passer by. It is composed of moss, fibres of bark, 
bits of leaves, grass, and such other articles as the birds may consider 
either useful or ornamental. Wilson nicknamed it “the Politician,” be- 
cause it frequently used bits of newspaper in the construction of its 
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