. The birds of eastern North America : with original descriptions of all the species which occur east of the Mississippi River, between the Arctic circle and the Gulf of Mexico, with full notes upon their habits, etc. , . and from Minnesota to Kansas. When with us in Massachusetts they aresolitary in lial>it and of a restless, roving dis[)osition, moving constantly frtnn place to- RED-EYED VIREo. 549 place in sjairli of insects, mice and small hiids, all of which form tlieir prev. Thev have the singular, well known habit of killing more birds and insects than they can eat, by often hanging
. The birds of eastern North America : with original descriptions of all the species which occur east of the Mississippi River, between the Arctic circle and the Gulf of Mexico, with full notes upon their habits, etc. , . and from Minnesota to Kansas. When with us in Massachusetts they aresolitary in lial>it and of a restless, roving dis[)osition, moving constantly frtnn place to- RED-EYED VIREo. 549 place in sjairli of insects, mice and small hiids, all of which form tlieir prev. Thev have the singular, well known habit of killing more birds and insects than they can eat, by often hanging them up on thorns, possibly thus storing them for future use. I on(;e saw a Northern Shrike hang up several Red-polls which I had shot in some neighboring bushes, by placing their necks in crotches of twigs. Tliey are quite bold when impelled by hunger and I have known of their attacking Canary Birds when their cages were placed near oijen windoAvs. The song of the Northern Shrike l)earssome resemblance to that of the Loirtterhead butis finer and louder. They also emit a harsh cry of alarm or of rage when disturbed,Tliis large Shrike appears in Massachusetts in November and often remains until themiddle of Fig. 72. Head of Adult NorthernShrike in winter. FAMILY VI. VIREONIDAE. THE VIREOS. Bill, not wide at base nor deeply cleft; but curved and notched at tip. Coracoid bones, nearly equal inlength to the top of the keel. Keel, moderately high, equaling in length one half the width of sternum. These are birds of plain markings, being greenish above and yellow or white beneath ; but like manyspecies with inconspicuous plumage, they are fine songsters. GENUS I. VIREO. THE Ch. Sternal characters as given above. Wings, long. Tail, moderate. Bill, shorter than the head. VIREO Vireo. Vireo olivaceus VieilL, Bon., Obs. Wils.: 182(i, 124. DESCRIPTION. Sp. Ch. Form, rather slender. Size, moderate. Sternum, not stoutly built. Tongue, thinand horny,
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1890, booksubjectbirds, bookyear1896
