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Range (Eastern North America breeds) (XXXII)

Eastern North America; breeds from Florida to Newfoundland and Manitoba; winters in the tropics.

Washington, common S. R., Apl. 20 to Sept. 15. Sing Sing, tolerably common S. R., Apl. 30 to Sept. 7. Cambridge, common S. R., May 8 to Sept. 1. Nest, pensile, of strips of bark, plant fibers, etc., interwoven, lined with fine grasses and covered externally with lichens, suspended from a forked branch ten to thirty feet up. Eggs, three to four, white, with a few specks or spots of black, umber, or rufous-brown, chiefly about the larger ends, *80 x 60.

The Yellow-throated Vireo is a dweller in tree tops, and whether in woodland, orchard, or lawn, he seldom comes below the upper story of his home. But even at a distance his bright yellow breast is a conspicuous mark, at once distinguishing him from other members of his family.

If the Red-eyed Vireo is a soprano, the Yellow-throat is a contralto. He sings much the same tune, but his notes are deeper and richer, while they are uttered more deliberately and with greater expression than those of his somewhat too voluble cousin. "See me; I'm here; where are you?" he calls, and at intervals repeats his question in varying forms. Sometimes he astonishes us by an intricate liquid trill which suggests the wonderful song of the Ruby Kinglet, but which unfortunately is sometimes marred by the scolding notes that precede or follow it.

YELLOW-THROATED VIREO.

WARBLING VIREO.

VIREOS. 629. Vireo solitarius (Wils.). BLUE-HEADED VIREO. (See Fig. 52.) Ad.-Top and sides of the head bluish gray; eye-ring and lores white; back olive-green; greater and middle wing-coverts tipped with white, forming two distinct wing-bars; outer web of inner secondaries white; under parts white; sides washed with greenish yellow. L., 5.61; W., 2.96; T., 2-15; B. from N., 28.