Part 40

Nest.—A pensile cup made of vegetable fibers, cobwebs, and so forth, lined with grape-vine bark, placed on a branch of a low sapling, usually from 5 to 10 feet from the ground. Eggs: 3 or 4, white, with a few dark brown spots.

The oft-repeated song of this bird, which is delivered all during the warm hours of the summer days, has been responsible for the name “Preacher Bird.” This song, given while the bird searches for food among the leaves, is repeated at intervals of a few seconds, sometimes apparently for hours at a stretch. Look for the Red-eye in shady woodlands where there are deciduous trees. The harsh note of alarm is not unlike the well-known cry of the Catbird.

PHILADELPHIA VIREO Vireosylva philadelphica Cassin

Description.—Like the Red-eyed Vireo, but smaller, with slightly shorter bill, greener upperparts, and rather decidedly yellower underparts.

Range in Pennsylvania.—A rather rare and little-known migrant in late April and early May and in September, found usually in alder thickets in the company of various species of the warbler family.

This species is not easy to identify in the field. Its song, which is like the Red-eye’s, but more rapidly delivered, may be heard in the spring; but in the fall, the chances are the bird will pass unnoticed since neither its song nor its color in any way attracts attention. All records are desirable.

WARBLING VIREO Vireosylva gilva gilva (Vieillot)

Description.—Like the Red-eye, but smaller, less strikingly marked, the top of head being almost the same color as the back, the sides less tinged with yellow. Length: 5¾ inches.

Range in Pennsylvania.—A common summer resident from late April to late September; usually found in or near towns.

Nest.—A pensile cup, made much like the Red-eye’s, but found high in shade trees, in towns, or along country roadsides. Eggs: 3 or 4, white, with a few small spots.

Dull, plain in appearance, this is one of our most perfectly named birds, for its song is a warble—a somewhat unmusical, wheezy, lisping warble, usually delivered from the shade of a big tree.

YELLOW-THROATED VIREO Lanivireo flavifrons (Vieillot)

Description.—About the size of the Red-eye, but with line in front of and around the eye, and chin, throat, and breast, clear light yellow; two prominent white wing-bars, and the blackish tertials strongly edged with white. The sexes are similar. Length: 6 inches.

Range in Pennsylvania.—Fairly common but somewhat irregular summer resident from late April and May to September.

Nest.—A deep, pensile cup, swung from a branch high in a large deciduous tree standing at the edge of a woodland or in an open field. Eggs: 3 or 4, buffy white, with a few red-brown spots.

The song of this species, which is deliberate, and alto in quality, has been written Mary, Mary, come ’ere, the ’ere with a downward inflection.

WHITE-EYED VIREO Vireo griseus griseus (Boddaert)

Description.—Smaller than the Red-eye and with a more sprightly manner. Line above and around eye yellow; wing with two yellowish or white bars; sides yellowish; breast and belly grayish; chin and throat white; eyes white, rather noticeable in the field. Length: 5¼ inches.

Range in Pennsylvania.—An extremely rare migrant in the western part; east of the mountains somewhat commoner, particularly along the Susquehanna and Delaware drainage, where it sometimes nests.

Nest.—A neat, pensile cup, placed in a low bush or tree, usually not far from the ground. Eggs: 3 or 4, white, with a few dark brown spots.

The song which may be written pit, pit-a-ta-chee-whēēr, does not suggest a vireo at all. Remember that this bird will be found among low, thick bushes.

BLUE-HEADED VIREO Lanivireo solitarius solitarius (Wilson)

Description.—Size of the Red-eye, but upper part of head rich blue-gray, with a prominent line in front of and around eye, white; wings with two noticeable bars; sides yellow, irregularly washed with olive-green; chin, throat, breast, and belly, white. Length: A little over 5½ inches.

Range in Pennsylvania.—A fairly common migrant and summer resident. It is the first of the vireos to arrive in spring, appearing in mid- or latter April and remaining until October. It nests only at high altitudes in the mountains or in the northern counties.

Nest.—A neat and beautifully built pensile cup, swung on a horizontal hemlock, witch hazel, or alder bough, usually deep in the woodlands. Eggs: 3 or 4, white, with a few small black spots.

The song of this handsome vireo is rich and beautiful—easily the most musical of all our vireo songs. It is to be heard chiefly in the depths of the coniferous woodlands. Unusually elaborate and prolonged songs are sometimes given in the spring. Remember the prominent white eye-ring of this species.

BLACK AND WHITE WARBLER Mniotilta varia (Linnæus)

Other Names.—Black and White Creeper; Black and White Creeping Warbler.