ears ago, on the
bank of the Potomac river. An old soldier had taken me to visit the
Great Falls, and as we were clambering over the rocks this Grosbeak
began to sing; and soon, without any hint from me, and without knowing
who the invisible musician was, my companion remarked upon the
uncommon beauty of the song. The Cardinal is always a great singer,
having a voice which, as European writers say, is almost equal to the
Nightingale's; but in this case the more stirring, martial quality of
the strain had given place to an exquisite mellowness, as if it were,
what I have no doubt it was,

A Song of Love."
--C. C. Marble.

[TO BE CONTINUED.]

[Illustration: From col. F. M. Woodruff. YELLOW-THROATED VIREO.]

THE YELLOW-THROATED VIREO.

The popular name of this species of an attractive family is Yellow
Throated Greenlet, and our young readers will find much pleasure in
watching its pretty movements and listening to its really delightful
song whenever they visit the places where it loves to spend the happy
hours of summer. In some respects it is the most remarkable of all
the species of the family found in the United States. "The Birds
of Illinois," a book that may be profitably studied by the young
naturalist, states that it is decidedly the finest singer, has the
loudest notes of admonition and reproof, and is the handsomest in
plumage, and hence the more attractive to the student.

A recognized observer says he has found it only in the woods, and
mostly in the luxuriant forests of the bottom lands. The writer's
experience accords with that of Audubon and Wilson, the best
authorities in their day, but the habits of birds vary greatly with
locality, and in other parts of the country, notably in New England,
it is very familiar, delighting in the companionship of man. It breeds
in eastern North America, and winters in Florida, Cuba and Central
America.

The Vireo makes a very deep nest, suspended by its upper edge,
between the forks of a horizontal branch. The eggs are white,
generally with a few reddish brown blotches. All authorities agree as
to the great beauty of the nest, though they differ as to its exact
location. It is a woodland bird, loving tall trees and running water,
"haunting the same places as the Solitary Vireo." During migration the
Yellow-throat is seen in orchards and in the trees along side-walks
and lawns, mingling his golden colors