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White-eyed Vireo
Adult--Upper parts greenish; two wing bars of yellowish white; under parts whitish, the breast and sides being tinged with yellow; iris white until after the breeding season; yellow eye-ring and in front of eye. Length--5.27.
Breeding Range--From Maine southward.
The nest is much deeper than most of the vireo nests, being about two inches deep inside, and three and a half to four and a half deep outside. It is made of moss, lichen, plant fibre, grass, with chips of wood (taken often from a woodpecker's excavation) fastened on the outside; the lining is of fine grass. It is sometimes attached to the forked branch by numerous threads of caterpillar silk. The eggs are white, with either very few or many small spots or specks of dark purplish brown. 3 to 5 are laid. Size--.76 x .56. See Fig. 6, Plate C.
These little songsters may be found nesting in the damp thickets, the nest being hung within a few feet of the ground; the birds sit very close and will not readily desert their nests. In taking the accompanying photograph I was able to arrange and focus the camera and give a time exposure without disturbing the bird, even though the camera was within three feet of the nest. They become highly indignant if the nest is touched, coming almost to one's hand while they alternately scold and sing. The irregular song, which is delivered with great energy, is particularly sweet and of surprising volume for so small a bird.
The breeding season in the neighbourhood of New York begins about the third week in May.