Handbook of Birds of Eastern North America

The book that made American bird-watching possible in the field: keys, plumages, songs and habits for every species of the East, by the man who ran ornithology at the American Museum.

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Range (Higher portions)

Higher portions of the Alleghanies in North and South Carolina; southward in winter to Florida.

VIREOS.

This race of the Blue-headed Vireo is a common summer resident in the southern Alleghanies (see Loomis, Auk, viii, 1891, p. 329). 631. Vireo noveboracensis (Gmel.). WHITE-EYED VIREO. Ad.- Upper parts, including upper tail-coverts, bright olive-green, more or less washed with grayish; greater and middle wing-coverts tipped with yellowish white, forming two distinct wing-bars; outer web of inner secondaries whitish; lores and eye-ring yellow; throat white or whitish; belly white; breast and sides washed with greenish yellow; iris white, hazel in the young. L., 5-27; W., 2·37; T., 1-95; B. from N., 29.

Range.-Eastern United States; breeds from Florida to New Hampshire and Minnesota; winters from Florida southward.

Washington, common S. R., Apl. 20 to Oct. 7. Sing Sing, common S. R., Apl. 29 to Oct. 3. Cambridge, rather rare S. R., May 8 to Sept. 20; formerly common.

Nest, generally similar to that of V. olivaceus, suspended from a forked branch in thickets. Eggs, three to four, white, with a few specks of black, umber, or rufous-brown at the larger end, 75 x 55.

If birds are ever impertinent, I believe this term might with truth be applied to that most original, independent dweller in thickety undergrowths, the White-eyed Vireo. Both his voice and manner say that he doesn't in the least care what you think of him; and, if attracted by his peculiar notes or actions, you pause near his haunts, he jerks out an abrupt "Who are you, eh?" in a way which plainly indicates that your presence can be dispensed with. If this hint is insufficient, he follows it by a harsh scolding, and one can fancy that in his singular white eye there is an unmistakable gleam of disapproval. I have always regretted that the manners of this Vireo have been a bar to our better acquaintance, for he is a bird of marked character and with unusual vocal talents. He is a capital mimic, and in the retirement of his home sometimes amuses himself by combining the songs of other birds in an intricate potpourri. 631a. V. n. maynardi Brewst. KEY WEST VIREO.--Scarcely distinguishable in color from the preceding, but averaging somewhat paler and less yellow below, and with a larger bill. L., 5·12; W., 2·40; T., 2-12; B. from N., 35.

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