13. Vireo belli, Aud. ♂ Neb., 1296.
14. Vireo pusillus, Coues. ♂ Cape St. Lucas, 16354.
This Vireo has been taken several times at Charlotte Harbor, in Florida,
and is thus entitled to a place in our fauna. Its distinction from a closely allied race in Jamaica, Hayti, etc., var. calidris, is shown on page 359.
A specimen belonging to Mr. Salvin (“No. 187.), from “Isthmus of Panama,” we cannot distinguish satisfactorily from typical examples of the present race, with which it is to be compared, and not with calidris. The colors are quite identical with those of barbatulus. In size it is slightly larger, the wing measuring 3.25 instead of 3.15; the tail 2.50, instead of 2.35 (from exposed base of feathers); the bill is thicker, being .20 instead of .18 deep; the third quill is longest, the second intermediate between it and the fourth; the first intermediate between the fourth and fifth. In barbatulus the second is longest, the third and fourth successively a little shorter. It is not improbable that other specimens from that locality may show greater differences, as the specimen under examination is in rather worn plumage, and has the tip of the bill broken off.
Habits. This species only claims a place in our avifauna on the ground of its presence in Florida. How abundant it is there is not determined, further than it has been observed within a restricted locality by Dr. Heermann. This was at Charlotte Harbor, on the southwestern coast. They appeared to be visitors only, from a more southern clime. They reached Florida in their northern migrations, remaining only for a short season, but evidently staying long enough to breed. Dr. Heermann states that this species resembles, in manners and in appearance, the common Red-eyed Vireo of the more northern States. He describes its song as clear and musical, and very distinctly uttered. It was constantly on the search for insects, and appeared even more active than any of the northern species, darting among the foliage, peering into crevices and cobwebs, suspended from branches with its back downward, and occasionally chasing a flying insect in the manner of a true Flycatcher. These movements were usually accompanied by a song. This species was not abundant, though Dr. Heermann saw it frequently, and obtained several specimens.
Dr. Bryant found this species very abundant at the Bahamas, arriving there about the first of May. All the specimens he obtained were males, the females not arriving there until after the 13th of May. The notes of these birds, he states, vary, though the most common one resembles whīp tom kĕllȳ pheūū, pronouncing the first word distinctly.