After receiving some very much appreciated insight and information from several experienced birders, I'm just not sure about the alleged Philadelphia Vireo I reported the other day. I have no experience with the species, so I have to rely on pictures in books. I found one picture that seemed to be an exact portrait of the bird I saw, in coloring, posture and overall appearance, and no other species looked right. But I can't absolutely rule out other species including the Orange-Crowned Warbler, with which I also have no experience, having never seen one. Again, I have only pictures to go on.

As I was watching the bird (without a field guide handy) I was thinking "warbler", not "vireo", so I failed to note the one piece of information that would settle the question - the size and shape of the bill. Looking through the book later, when I found the picture of the Philly I had a flash of hindsight that the bird's motions were slow and vireo-like, not quick like a warbler. If I had thought of that at the time, I would have checked the bill.

Thanks to everyone for your input. All I can say in conclusion is, I still THINK it was a P.V. but I can't claim to be certain.

Tim Rose

(Is anyone familiar with the call - not the song - of the Philly, and if so can you describe it?)