Identifier: birdsnature101901chic (find matches)
Title: Birds and nature
Year: 1900 (1900s)
Authors:
Subjects: Birds Natural history
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : A.W. Mumford, Publisher
Contributing Library: Smithsonian Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: Biodiversity Heritage Library

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ited States. This pert and trim little bird is knownby other suggestive names. Because ofthe character of its nest it is called thelittle green hanging bird. Its song, astranslated by boys, has given it the namechicktv-bearer, or chickity. Exceptwhen nesting this vireo is unsuspectingand will permit a near approach. Dr.Brewer says that when whistled to itwill often stop and eye you with marker!curiosity, and even approach a littlenearer, as if to obtain a better view, en-tirely unconscious of any danger. Im-pertinent at all times, they are especiallyso when the nest is approached. At suchtimes it exhibits great uneasiness, andeven its expressive eyes seem to flash.Continually scolding the intruder, it ut-ters a hoarse mewing that is very pecu-liar. The nest of the White-eyed Vireo is abeautiful structure. It is artistic, dur-able and a wonderfully pretty home forits beautiful architect. It is seldom placedhigher than five feet from the ground.Dr. Brewer thus describes one of these 194
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FHOM COt. f- M. WOODRUFF. 449 WHITE-EYED VIREO. (Vireo noveboracensis.) About Life-size. COPYRISHT 1901, BY A. W. MUMFOHD, CHICAGO. nests. It was composed of a singularmedley of various materials, amongwhich may be noticed broken fragmentsof dry leaves, bits of decayed wood andbark, coarse blades of grass, variousfibers, lichens, fragments of insects,mosses, straws, stems, etc. These wereall wrapped round and firmly bound to-gether with strong hempen fibers of vege-tables. Within this outer envelope wasan inner nest, made of the finer stems ofgrasses and dry needles of the white pine,firmlv interwoven. There are usually either three or four eggs, which are whiteand speckled at the larger end, with blackor some shade of brown. Mr. Chapman says: I have alwaysregretted that the manners of this vireohave been a bar to our better acquain-tance, for he is a bird of marked charac-ter and with unusual vocal talents. Heis a capital mimic, and in the retirementof his home sometimes amuses himse

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