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Red-eyed Vireo
Adult--Upper parts olive green; a dark line on either side of crown; a whitish line over the eye; under parts white; the iris is red. Length--6.23.
Breeding Range--From the Gulf States northward.
The nest is made of grasses, thin strips of bark, lichen, spiders' web, and plant fibre, with the lining of grass and sometimes hair. It is cup-shaped, the rim being securely laced to the forked twigs; from four to forty-five feet from the ground. 3 to 5 eggs are laid; they are white with a few dark specks. Size--.85 x .56.
This is the most common of our vireos, being found throughout the woodland. The nests vary greatly in appearance, some being roughly made of coarse grass and bark, while others are beautifully decorated with white web, or some sort of white silky material, which is fastened all over the outside, for what purpose it is difficult to imagine. Almost any sort of tree or sapling is chosen, but the oak has the preference in most places; apple trees are occasionally used.
The breeding season begins towards the end of May; probably two broods are reared.