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WM Wives me geue “mua uvwdy te, ¥V wes iy ye WY V) sai N se Moire sat Te svar vivid SY MN, RNS Dy WNL eT Pe SOUS U UCU YY SOG oe eS ha ne Pane me ib) a ‘i tf American Ornithology For the Home and School. EDITED BY CHESTER A. REED, B. S.§ Vol. 5 WORCESTER, MASS. CHAS. K. REED, PUBLISHER 1905 Oe NO ae | JANUARYY, 1905. [Qe a copy, oi a year. WY yy) lu Uli, UMM Y yisdiiliiyyy Wty FOG hi, Yj Yj ‘) ) Wl A § yM D ‘ “s V > AD Ree Far or esl ei aby Gar ey a ey a Ue ly Gun UL CE a Gi IE Cy Ca area Entered «1 tne Past Office at Worcester, Mass. as second-class matter. Jan. 16 10:07 VINPPTPLYTFPTPPRPPPDATYDPPYIPTPI OPED PPTTT TTI PTD PPTPD TPIT PPY PTT PAT IP ITT A AALAAAAALAALAARAAAAARAAAAAAAAMMMAMARA ARR ARAMA RMA BEST RESULTS IN MAKING BIRD PHOTOS CRAMER CROWN PLATES Which are especially adapted for this class of work, and are used exclusively by the publishers of AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY is mentioned. 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AWARDED GOLD MEDAL, WORLD’S FAIR ST. LOUIS, 1904. A. W. MUMEORD, Publisher, 378 Wabash Avenue, Chicago. Guide to Taxidermy | The Moth Book. Full of valuable information. By W. J. HOLLAND COMPLETE INSTRUCTIONS Fully illustrated by color photography. HOW TO PREPARE AND MOUNT The illustrations of the moths are natural size and the coloring is perfect. With this ° book it is easy to identify any moth at a Birds glance. It is by far the best work on moths ever published. $4.00 PREPAID. Animals CHAS. K. REED, “==> Worcester, Mass. and Fish Also contains. a com- plete list of all North American Birds, with prices of their eggs, skins and mounted specimens; also an ex- haustive line of Orni- thologists’, Oologists’ and Taxidermists’ sup- plies, valuable infor mation forthe amateur, recipes, etc. Bound in Mounting a Wild-Cat. We can teach you how. We can teach you BY MAIL to correctly mount Birds, Animals, etc. Nothing is more fascinating or profitable. 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A Magazine Devoted Wholly to Birds. Published monthly by CHAS. Kk. REED, 75 Thomas St., Worcester, Mass. EDITED BY CHESTER A. REED, B.S. SUBSCRIPTION PRICE in United States, Canada and Mexico, One Dollar yearly in advance. Single copies, ten cents. Vols. I, Il, Ill and IW enol OO each a special: Vols wal aI iT IW andssulbseripuon for 1905, $3.50. We can supply back numbers at ten cents per copy. FOREIGN SUBSCRIPTION, $1.25. = COPING, UGOR I Clo. Ko 1808) 8) VOL. V JANUARY, 1905. NO. 1 We start the new year and our fifth volume with the best wishes for all our readers and our friends the birds, and trust that we may become more intimately acquainted with our feathered friends during the coming twelve months. By the addition of more help in our other lines of work, the editor’s duties will be lessened so that he can devote more time to the magazine work and correspondence. We will be more than pleased to have all our readers lend their assistance by reporting and unusual occurrences or observations concerning bird life and by contributing articles. It will be greatly appreciated by the editor and other subscribers. We are preparing a series of colored drawing of birds to be repro- duced by the three-color process. These will be given in every other issue. We hope to have them ready for the next number if not the first will be shown in March. We shali have another photo competition this year, the particulars of which will be given in March. Very good pictures can now be made of winter birds by baiting with crumbs, suet, etc. Bear in mind that we consider a good photograph of a common bird to be more accept- table than a poor one of a rare bird or one difficult to photograph. = 677 Kentucky Warbler. 678 Connecticut Warbler 679 Mourning Warbler. 680 Macgillivray Warbler. 682 Belding Yellow-throat. 681 Maryland Yellow-throat. 683. Rio Grande Yellow-throat. (One-half Natural Size.) VOL. V JANUARY, 1905. NO. 1 WARBLERS OF THE GENUS GEOTHLYPIS, All the members of this group are ground-inhabiting birds and are usually found in the low underbush in swamps or marshy land, They all have olive-green backs and rounded tails, wholly devoid of markings, and their tarsi and toes are yellowish flesh color. They all nest on the ground or very close to it. KENTUCKY WARBLER. A. O U. No. 677. (Geothlypis formosa). RANGE. Eastern United States, breeding from the Gulf, north in the Mississippi Valley to Michigan and on the coast to New Jersey and Pennsylvania. DESCRIPTION. Length 5.5 inches. The plumage of the adults is very similar, differ- ing only in the slightly brighter colors of the male. They are greenish on the back, wings, tail and flanks; the underparts are yellow, very bright on the throat and breast; a black cap more or less broken behind, covers the crown and a black triangular patch on the ears extends for- ward to the bill, being separated from the crown by a yellow super- ciliary line which curls behind the eye. The young birds differ from the adults in having less black than the female adult. NEST AND EGGS, The Kentucky Warbler builds a large nest of leaves, fibres and root- lets lined with horse hair and placed on the ground or not more than two feet above it. Usually it is found in a clump of weeds or tall grass 4 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. in swamps or beside brooks, with the bottom resting on the ground while the top is elevated several inches and not sunken in as are many of Sparrows and Warblers’ nests. If the weather is favorable their nests are completed by the middle of May and by the latter part of the month the sets of four or five and rarely six eggs are laid. The eggs are white, specked and spotted with reddish brown and umber, heavily at the large end and usually in minute dots over the entire surface.; SiZO .IZ & SOs HABITS. The center of abundance of this beautiful species is in the Lower Mississippi Valley; they are only locally abundant in some of the east- ern states. Their haunts are similar to those frequented by Oven-birds. but they are much more conspicuous in their actions than are the latter. Their songs are loud clear and attractive, being perhaps more so than any others of the Warblers. Their call note is a loud sharp whistle while their song is a varied musical succession of notes. They are very noisy during the breeding season and the male will sing for many minutes at a time to his mate who is quietly sitting in a shady nook on her white treasures Especially is his song merry beside a running brook, the rippling and murmuring of which seems to incite him to melody. While their nests are bulky they are not easy to find as it is difficult to flush the bird from the immediate vicinity of the nest for she will run along for several feet beneath the low foliage before tak- ing wing. When their home is approached their notes take the form of an excited chip, it usually being accompanied by a flirt of the tail for emphasis. CONNECTICUT WARBLER. A. O. U. 678. (Geothlypis agilis). RANGE, Eastern North America breeding north of the United States and win- tering at the equator. DESCRIPTION This and the two following species are very similar in many respects, and in some plumages are difficult to separate. The present species. is always marked by a white or light ring completely encircling the eye. The adult male has the entire head, neck and upper breast bluish slate in high plumage becoming very bright and quite dark on the breast but never black as in the Mourning Warbler. The remainder of the upper parts, and the sides, are greenish, unmarked, and the under- parts are yellowish. The female and young have the head, throat and breast an olive brown color of a shade not differing greatly from the back; the eye ring is distinct in all plumages and ages but not as white as in the old males. AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 5 NEST AND EGGS. Nests of the Connecticut Warbler have only, as yet, been found in Manitoba and Ontario and eggs of this species are among the most rare of any of our North American birds. One of the nests found in Manitoba was in a Swamp embedded in the moss; the nest was made of dried grass and the four eggs were white, sparingly sprinkled, chiefly about the large end with specks of brown and black. Size .80 x .56. HABITS. Connecticut Warblers are seen in the United States only as migrants and the route that they take in passing through our country seems to be subject to many variations; some Falls they are very abundant, that is you might see twenty or thirty of them in a day, while the next year they may not appear at all; at least this is the case in Worcester County and I understand that it is in other localities. I have never seen but three in the spring, they seeming to take an entirely different route in returning to their breeding ground from that taken on their journey south. They are met with in low wet land, just such as is frequented by the Maryland Yellow-throats, and attention is usually called to them by a sharp metallic chip. However they do not appear to like obser- vation for if they are noticed they quickly slink out of sight among the weeds and underbrush. MOURNING WARBLER. A. O. U. No. 679. (Geothlypis philadelphia). RANGE, Eastern United States breeding from northern New England, New York and Illinois northward into Canada. Winters in northern South America. DESCRIPTION. Length 5.2 inches. The adults of this species are alike in plumage and are both very similiar to the last but lack the eye ring entirely, and always have some black feathers in the breast, and in full plumage have a large black patch sharply defined against the yellow underparts. Young birds are similar in plumage to the female and young of the Connecticut Warbler but can be distinguished by the shorter and more rounded wings, those of the preceding species being longer and more pointed. 6 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. NEST AND EGGS. For the nesting habits of this handsome little bird we will quote from Mr. Wm. L. Kells, the veteran Canadian writer, he having studied their nesting habits for a great many years on his farm in Ontario. The mourning warbler though not abundant in any district, is yet pretty widely distributed over the province of Ontario, as well as other divisions of eastern Canada, but it is among the last of the family to announce its vernal advent amid the wild scenery of its summer haunts. In March it begins its northward journey, but two months pass away before it reaches the terminus of its winged voyage in the regions of its northern range, and summer home, and here begins one of the chief objects of its migration movements 7. ¢. the propagation of its species, and when the period in which this can only be done is over the impulses to return towards the south seem strong, and to yield to the impulses of nature in this matter is not long delayed; for by the middle of September , if not earlier, all this species and its genus have disap- peared; though some individuals may linger longer amid the scenery of their summer haunts in the thicket and the swamp, than is now known. The haunts and home of the mourning warbler, during the period of its residence in Canada, are generally on the margins of low-land woods, or second-growth swamps, where there is an intermingling of young underwood, fallen brush, and raspberry vines. It may also occasionally be found to frequent wooded ravines, the sides of brush- covered hills, and the margins of muddy creeks which meander their courses through what was called “beaver-meadows,”’ where there are deep concealments; and here, amid the deep foliage, one strain of the song-notes of the male of this species, may often be heard, in the mid- summer days, while the little performer itself is invisible. At timeshe will rise to a considerable elevation, and after a pleasing performance of quite a different series of musical notes, in the ventilation of which he appears to take much pleasure and pride, and during which he makes a rain-bow like circuit, and takes a rapid descent into the thicket below, near where it is probable the female has a nesting place. During the past twenty years a number of the nests of the mourning warbler have come under my observation, and the finding of these has been rather accidental than the results of continuous field and forest research; but the last of these noted up to the end of the season of 1902, is the first to which attention will here be directed. On the 8th of June, 1902, when strolling across a piece of recently cleared fallow, now oOver-grown with raspberry vines, on the northwest corner of eee «— AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 7 Wildwood Farm, a small bird flushed out from a thicket of vines within a few feet of where I was passing. A little research revealed a a new-made nest, which I inferred belonged to a mourning warbler; though at the time I had got only a glimpse of the builder; yet, though all the members of this genus ot the warbler family compose nests, and deposit eggs much alike, there is always some variation on the part of each species, by which the attentive student of bird architecture can distinguish the owner, even in most cases without seeing the bird, much less without resorting to the crime of murdering the mother, and in this section of country I know of no other member of the family except the Maryland yellow-throat that nests in a similar manner and situation; and even between these near relatives there is a distin- guishing difference which will be noted hereafter. This nest was not sunk in the soil, nor yet in the herbage in which the builder evidently desired to conceal it; but its foundation rested on some dry vine stalks elevated a few inches above the ground; and the first strata was formed of dry leaves and vine stalks placed loosely over each other, and not pressed down in the centre, as is the manner of the J/arylander. On the top of this mass of dead leaves and stalks, and partly supported by the growing vines, the nest proper was placed. This was quite compactly put together, as though the materials were damp with rain, or the morning dew, when used by the builder, and may have been further moistened by the saliva of the bird when engaged in placing the particles together. The materials used were mostly dry leaves, fine fibres of vine stalks, rootlets, and some cattle hair. The inside was about two inches in diameter; by one and a half deep, the top of the nest was quite open, their being no artificial attempt at concealment, as is the habit of the Maryland Yellow-throat. Six days after, I revisited this nest, the mother bird was at home and on flushing she did not rise 0n the wing, but ran off among the herbage in a mouse- like manner, for about 20 feet, when she rose and took a position on the top of a log, about two feet off the ground, and here she remained about a minute, twitching her wings and tail, a peculiarity of this species when excited. She flew off and disappeared in some under- wood; but on neither occasion did she utter a note that I could hear, but there was no doubt of her identity as a female mourning warbler; on parting the canes and viewing the nest I found it contained four beautiful fresh eggs; but I inferred that the set was complete and incubation begun. The general color of these eggs was white, with a rosy blush, but less dotted with reddish brown spots than have been other sets of the eggs of this species previously observed. AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. CII SSI) “TOT “H ‘SB Aq ast] MOTT OJON ‘ UOT YeduI09 OV0Yd MO UT 9ZzIAId IS] JO LAUUT AA) “SMOTIVMS MNVA ONNOA AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 9 MACGILLIVRAY WARBLER. A.O.U. No. 680. (Geothlypis tolmei) RANGE: Western United States from the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific, breeding from southern United States north to the southern British Provinces. Winters in Central America and Mexico. DESCRIPTION, This species is very similar to the Mourning Warbler in plumage and size. It can be distinguished at any age and in any plumage by the presence of two white or whitish spots, one above and one below each eye. Inthe adult males the lores or feathers between the eyes and bill are black, and the breast has black feathers as does the Mourning Warbler but they are never concentrated in a solid patch as in that species. The female Macgillivray Warbler is much duller in color than the male but still retains the gray head and neck but of a very dull color, and the black loral spots are wanting. NEST AND EGGS. These birds nest usually in small bushes at elevations of two or three feet from the ground, sometimes as high as six feet and again they have been found with the bottom wresting on the leaves. The nests are made of dried grasses and lined with horse hair. Their eggs are usually laid during the latter part of May; they are white spotted and blotched handsomely with brown and gray; size .72x.52. HABITS. Differing but little in habits from its preceding eastern relatives, this species is found abundantly in moist woodlands and often by the road- side. They are very active and nervous creatures, always dancing about among the underbrush or on the ground and scolding if one is too inquisitive in regard to their family affairs. MARYLAND YELLOW-THROAT. A. O U. No. 681. (Geothlypis trichas). The Maryland Yellow-throats are divided into six sub-species from slight differences in their sizes, intensity of color and geographic dis- tribution. It must be borne in mind that these differences are based upon examinations and measurements of a large series from different 10 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. localities and they cannot be applied to individuals regardless of the localities in which they are found. For instance the average of a large number of northern Yellow-throats has been found to be slightly larger than the southern one, but it is possible to find southern birds that are even larger than the northern variety; and the western Yellow-throat is said to be a richer yellow, still eastern birds are often found that are as bright in every respect as the western. We will give the chief differ- ences as accepted by the American Ornithological Union and allow our readers to satisfy themselves as to which bird they are looking at ac- cording to the locality in which it is found. The present species is found and breeds on the south Atlantic coast from the Carolinas to New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The male has the forehead and cheeks black bordered behind by ashy white; the back, wings, tail and sides are greenish; the throat and breast are yellow and the under parts are white washed with yellow. The female and young have the upper parts greenish, lack the black mask of the male, and are white below washed with yellow on the throat and breast. WESTERN YELLOW-THROAT. A. O. U. No. 681a. (Geothlypis trichas occidentalis.) RANGE AND DESCRIPTION Western United States from the Plains to California and north to Montana and Washington. Similar to the eastern Yellow-throat but brighter, the yellow being richer and the border of the mask whiter. FLORIDA YELLOW-THROAT. A.O. U. No. 681b. (Geothlypis trichas ignota.) RANGE AND DESCRIPTION. South Atlantic and Gulf coasts from Virginia to Florida and along the Gulf coast to Texas. The yellow deeper and more extended on the underparts and the black mask wider. PACIFIC YELLOW-THROAT. A. O. U. No. 68le. (Geothlypis trichas arizela.) RANGE AND DESCRIPTION. Pacific coast from British Columbia to southern California. Similar to the western Yellow-throat but slightly smaller and duller. NORTHERN YELLOW-THROAT. A. O. U. No. 681d. (Geothlypis trichas brachydactyla.) RANGE AND DESCRIPTION, United States from the Mississippi Valley to the Atlantic and from New Jersey north to Dakota and New Foundland. Similar to the southern Yellow-throat but slightly larger with the yellow brighter and more extended. AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. Dale SALT MARSH YELLOW-THROAT. (Geothlypis trichas sinuosa.) RANGE AND DESCRIPTION, A. O. U. No. 681e. Salt marshes of San Francisco Bay. Smaller than the Pacific Yellow- throat and darker. All the Yellow-throats migrate south of the United States in winter, those of the east going to the Bahamas and the eastern coast of Mexico and Central America while the western birds are supposed to migrate to Lower California and the western coast of Mexico. Photo by J. B. Parker, NEST AND EGGS OF MARYLAND YELLOW-THROAT. NEST AND EGGS. Yellow-throats nest on the ground or very near it usually in swampy localities. Most of the nests that I have found have been in tangled masses of weeds and have nearly all been built slightly above the ground and usually with the bottom of the nest touching the earth. I have found two that were built in tufts of swamp grass and completely arched over. They are made of dried grasses and rootlets skillfully woven alk AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. together and lined with hair. Some of these nests that I have come across have had leaves in their construction but the majority have been without. They lay four or five white eggs specked chiefly near the large end with black and reddish brown spots. Size .68x.50. HABITS. Few bird lovers are unacquainted with the Yellow-throats in one form or another for they are found throughout the United States and are usually abundant in all suitable places. While the birds are rather re- tiring, their notes are always in evidence, either in the form of a sharp scolding chirp, a long rattling trill or a lively ‘witchery, witchery, witchery,’’ the latter song often uttered by the male during the breeding season. (‘They are very inquisitive little birds and if you goto aswamp and quietly hide yourself you will soon have all the Yellow-throats in the place about you to see what you are doing, all scolding with all their might. Their nests are quite difficult to find as the birds are very sly when building and in entering or leaving the nest afterwards, and be- fore they have commenced incubating they will be very apt to leave a nest if they know that it it has been found. One day I saw a female with a grass in her bill and stopped to see where she would place it. She knew I was watching her and was very loath to continue her build- ing operations, but, as I remained still, after her long and violent tongue-lashing had ended she went bravely into a clump of grass, from which she emerged a few seconds later minus the grass which she had carried in. As it was so close to me I moved farther away in order notto disturb her. She soon came with another bit of building material. but this she carried behind some broken alder stubs which I found later to be the true site. The next trip she went to the place where she had deposited her first load and carried the same bit of grass to the nearly completed nest beside the alder stubs. Whether this bit of deception was done purposely or not we cannot tell, but she showed that she was unusually bright later. Several times, after she commenced incubating, I tried to flush her from the nest but she always slunk slyly away inthe underbrush before I came within sight of her home, making no outcry so that, had I not already known, I would never have suspected there was a nest in the neighborhood. These actions were very different from those of other Yellow-throats for, while they all leave the nest be- fore you get too near, they will vigorously scold you as long as you are within the danger zone. The very acme of bird pleasure seems to be AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 13 expressed in the ‘“‘witchery’’ song of the male when he launches him- self into the air from the tip of some bush and mounts skyward for fifty or more feet, singing as he goes, and then descends either on gliding wings or with the utmost abandon, as suits his fancy. BELDING YELLOW-THROAT. A. O. U. No. 682. (Geothlypis beldingi) Range.— Lower California. DESCRIPTION. Similar to and as bright as the western Yellow-throat but with the black mask crossing the head diagonally on top and bordered behind by yellow instead of white. It also differs in being quite a little larger that being the chief difference between the females of the two species; length 5.7 inches whereas the common Yellow-throat is but 5.2 inches. HABITS. The habits of this peculiar species do not differ materially from those of the other Yellow-throats but from all that is known of them they appear to nest exclusively among reeds or cat-tails over water, as the Western Yellow-throat does frequently. The nests that have been found were from two to four feet above the water and were made of the cat-tail leaves lined with fibre and hairs. The eggs are like those of the preceding but slightly larger. RIO GRANDE YELLOW-THROAT. A. O. U. No. 682.1. (Geothlypis poliocephaea). RANGE. Rio Grade Valley in Texas and south. This species is of the size of the last; it has only the lores and forehead black, the crown and cheeks being gray; otherwise it is colored like the common Maryland Yellow- throat. Its habits do not differ at all from the others of the genus. They are only locally abundant in Texas. TOM, DICK AND HARRY, By J. 8S. Drxon. Tom, Dick and Harry were three Desert Sparrow hawks: (Falco sparverius deserticolus). Their first view of the world was from a hallow limb of a white oak, which was their home. This cavity was about 18 inches long by 6 inches in diameter, but it was large enough to shelter a happy family of six. My attention was attracted to this tree one day in the last week in June 1902, by the mother bird swooping down at me as I was passing by. From her angry demonstrations I concluded there was a nest of young ones nearby. I climbed up to a favorable looking stub and looked in. I was greeted by a scream from the inmates which were four in number. Their cry brought both parents from a nearby tree 14 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. Photo by R. B. Rockwell. DICK who swooped down at me uttering angry screams and chattering all the while. I reached into the hole and caught three of the young ones, but the other one escaped and flew off down the canyon accompanied by its mother. I then put the birds into my hat and carried them to the cabin where I placed them in a box in the wagon and started for home some 20 miles distant. : Upon our arrival home the birds were placed in a large cage and here they remained for about three weeks. At first only the brightest one (Tom) would eat grasshoppers. The other two (Dick and Harry) would back up into a corner on my approach and present their beaks and talons to anything that came their way. They soon became quite tame and would take grasshoppers from my hand as fast as I could supply them. Their capacity for consuming grasshoppers was amazing. ‘They never seemed to get enough. Catching grasshoppers for them was too tedious so I shot birds and rabbits and caught lizaras and mice for them. They seemed to be partial to mice and sometimes would not stop to tear them to pieces but would try to swallow them whole and consequently they often got choked. A cottontail would only last them one day; so I think they could consume their weight in meat in 24 hours. It was amusing to AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 15 watch two of them get hold of the same piece but though they tugged and pulled I never saw them quarrel or fight. After they had had their fill they would retire to their perches, where standing on one foot they would go to sleep. After a nap they would put in most of their time trying to get out. It was their delight on a hot day to sit and let me spray them with cool water. They would spread out their wings, shake their heads and tails and ruffle up their feathers. They seemed to enjoy it immensely. After a bath they would retire to their perches and arrange their feathers. As they grew older and stronger they would fly about the cage and their untiring attempts to escape, combined with the fact that they could henceforth take care of themselves, lead me to give them their liberty. So one day I took Tom out of the cage. He perched on my finger for quite a while before he realized that he was free. He then gave me a farewell scream and fluttered off and I never saw him again. The next day I opened the door of the cage but Dick and Harry did not leave at once and when they did it was only to fly up into the tree from which the cage was suspended. ‘They seemed to not have much Photo from life by F. R. Miller. TOM, DICK AND HARRY. 16 , AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. confidence in their ability to fly at first, but in a day or two they sailed away very gracefully. The next morning they were ready for breakfast and when I held up a bird they left their perch, which was the roof of an old house and came chattering to me. They took the bird from my hand and returned to the roof, where they tore it to pieces and devoured it. They became so accustomed to being fed that they would come fifty yards to me if I whistled and called Dick! Harry! They grew more independent however and the day soon came when they no longer needed some one to feed them. They remained about the ranch about a month after I gave them their liberty, and now sometimes as I go along the road I see a little falco perched on a telephone pole and when I whistle and call Dick! Dick! he will cock his head to one side and bob up and down just like he used to do. Photo from life by C. A. Reed. BLACK GUILLEMOT ENTERING NEST. (Note the kelp worm with which she is feeding her young.) AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 17 BLACK GUILLEMOT, A. O. U. No. 27%. (Cepphus grylle) RANGE. Coasts of the North Atlantic breeding from Maine north to Greenland and wintering south to the coast of Massachusetts and casually farther. DESCRIPTION. Length 12 to 14in. Eye brown; bill black; feet, mouth and tongue fiery red. Plumage an intense sooty black with a greenish lustre. Wing coverts white, forming a large white patch called a “‘mirror’’; in this species the bases of the greater coverts are black, in some birds this color showing through the mirror and partly dividing it with a black line. Adults in winter and young,—Above gray marbled with white; below white mottled with grav. MANDT GUILLEMOT, A. O. U. No. 28. (Cepphus mandtii) RANGE AND DESCRIPTION. This species has a more northerly distribution than the Black Guillemot breeding in the Arctic regions and south to Labrador and Hudson Bay. Itis like the preceding in all respects except that the greater coverts are white. PIGEON GUILLEMOT, A. O. U. No. 29. (Cepphus columba) RANGE AND DECRIPTION, This Pacific coast species is found from southern California north to the Bering Strait, breeding throughout its range and also wintering in the same places except inthe extreme north. Inappearance itis like the | Black Guillemot except that the under surfaces of the wings are sooty gray instead of white as in the two preceding species. 18 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. BLACK GUILLEMOT, (Summer and winter plumage. ) (Photographed frommounted specimens, os APE AMERICAN, ORNITHOLOGY. 19 2 BLACK GUILLEMOTS ON GREAT AND LITTLE DUCK ISLANDS, ME. As our little launch sped along, her sharp prow cutting the dense fog, splashes were heard and occasionally dark forms were seen rapidly winging their way through the gray gloom. It was only when one individual perhaps confused by the noise of the engine, allowed the boat to nearly run him down that we were able to see the white patches. on the wings and identify the birds. GUILLEMOTS NESTED UNDER THE ROCKS NEAR THE TREES. We found that a large colony, numbering several hundred birds, were securely entrenched on the northeastern side of Great Duck Island. Here the shore was very rugged and boulders and granite blocks were piled in confusion above the water line. We spent a day in watching and photographing the Guillemot here. Upon our approach they all left the rocks and lined up abreast about fifty yards out from shore, where they sat watching our movements with shrill wails of alarm. We selected a rift in the rocks near the water, into which we crawled and covered the top with our tent cloth and seaweed. They soon seemed to forget our presence and those in the water swam ashore while others flew in and alighted on the slippery weed-covered rocks. 20 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. In some places a dozen or more would be sitting erect in a row, like black soldiers, while others would be reclining and still others were continually passing overhead on their way to and from their nests which were farther from the shore. The only notes that we heard any of them utter were while they were in the water; they were very high pitched, long-drawn whistles or wails, a sound which, while not loud would easily carry for a distance of perhaps three or four hundred yards. While they did not move about much on the rocks, their walk when they did so was not ungraceful. Their flight was very rapid and always performed at a low elevation above the water, I do not recall at any time during our stay, of seeing one more than twenty feet above the water and the majority were much closer than that. One of the most noticeable facts observed was that practically every bird seen, except those that were flying out from the rocks after having been to the nest, had a long red kelp worm or clam worm in its beak. Every few minutes each bird in the water would dip his head beneath the surface and we concluded that it was for the purpose of wetting these worms and keeping them alive, for we could see that those held in the beaks of birds on the rocks were still alive and squirming. Evidently young Guillemots like their food served fresh and while still alive. The waves broke over the rock-weed covered rock upon which the Guillemots sit and sun ube mised es: aThe bird flying has a worm in his bill; others are lined up at a distance in the ~ These;worms were held in the bill by the extreme end, allowing them to hang down to their full length, and in no instance did we see one of the birds holding them in any other way. We watched the birds very closely when they went in shore to feed their young but it was afternoon before we could locate a single entrance where there was any liklihood of being successful with the camera. We could easily see where the bird went but nearly always AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 21 they would emerge from some other crevice, and as they could go for a long distance beneath the rocks we could not be positive just where any particular bird would light before going to her young. Finally we found one crevice where the same bird went four different times and each time emerged from the same place; so we selected this one for illustrative purposes. We concealed the camera as skillfully as we could on a rock about four feet distance from the entrance and worked the shutter with a long black thread which ran to our place of conceal- ment. When we retired it was with very great doubts as to whether the bird would use the same entrance now that the surroundings had been added to, but fortunateiy she did not notice the change and we were enabled to secure several very satisfactory pictures, Photo from life by C. A. Reed. GUILLEMOT LEAVING NEST. Although we managed to move a great many of the boulders we were unable to find either the young or eggs, they being deeper down among the rocks where we were unable to penetrate. As so many of the birds were carrying food, evidently for their young it is very doubtful if any eggs could have been found at this date, July 21st. Not more than 22 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. twenty feet farther inland from where we made these pictures were several Petralgburrows; these birds we found to be very tardy in their incubating, for of a dozen nests examined, in none had a single egg hatched. In an old dead stump standing almost directly over the Guillemot:nest'was the nest of a pair of Tree Swallows and one or the other of the old birds was nearly always on guard on one of the smaller limbs. He was very tame and allowed us to stand directly under him'about four feet away. : The next day we took a dory and rowed over to Little Duck Island a mile away. It was early in the morning and the fog had not lifted so we could see or be seen but a short distance. As we rowed with as little noise as possible, we surprised a number of the Guillemot in the water and were within a boat’s length of them before fhey knew of our approach. They would leave the water with a noisy splash caused by their wings and feet striking the water at the same time and after two or three steps on the surface they would launch themselves safely in thevant: We found the number of these birds on the smaller island to be larger than on the Great Duck and it was no uncommon sight to see from a dozen to in one case nearly a hundred lined up in a row on the rocks. If we had had more time to devote to the Guillemots on this island it is probable that we could have unearthed a few nests for some of them undoubtedly nested under some of the scattering rocks back of the tangled mass at high water line. A few of the birds already showed signs of moulting, some individ- uals having white feathers mixed in with the black while the wings were very worn and shabby, and in a few weeks more some of them would probably have been in their winter dress of gray and white. By the latter part of October they begin to leave the vicinity: of the nesting island and in flocks of a few individuals spend the winter roaming along the coast as far south as Long Island. Very few know them by their name of Guillemot and we were unable to find out if any were on the island by inquiring for them by that name but ask if there: are any Sea Pigeons’’ about and you will get the information that, you wish. All three kinds of the Guillemots are known throughout their whole ranges by this same name. ‘They all have the same nesting habits placing their eggs underneath or behind boulders or in crevices ‘where they are more or less difficult to get at. A small number of Pigeon Guillemots breed on the Farallone Islands but they do not nest in any great number except north of the United States coast. They lay two or very rarely three eggs having a ground color varying from grayish white to greenish white, handsomely marked with brown and black. AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 23 MY CHOICE. If I could choose the way That I should like to sing, I’d make a vow today To sing upon the wing. If I could choose the words For every poet’s song, I’d borrow from the birds That never sing of wrong. If I could choose the strain To play upon my lyre, I’d ask their sweet refrain, Nor ever faint nor tire. If I could choose the day On which for me to die, I’d have it in the May, When birds and bees are nigh. C. LEON BRUMBAUGH. THE WATER OUSEL IN THE KING’S CANYON. This summer when I was in the King’s River Canyon. I was much interested in watching the Water Ousel. They build their nests close to the water in some low tree or bush. Almost every morning or evening rnd shmetimes in the middle of the day, you may see them ducking their heads into the water, under some fall. Isat one day on a flat rock and sat very still, till suddenly I heard the familiar sound of the Ousel. It came out into the water and seemed to sort of test it, then running back, returned with another large Ousel and several small ones. I think it must have been only the first or second time the babies have been under the water, for they behaved so strrngely. They seemed half afraid and hung back as a naughty school-boy, Our euide suddenly came up and scaren them rway to their nest. I saw quantities of hirds to this summer, but I think perhaps the Water Ousel is the most interesting. LUCILLE KEYES, Berkeley, Cal. 24 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. Address communications for this department to MEG MERRYTHOUGHT, 156 Waterville Street, Waterbury, Ct. My DEAR YOUNG FOLKS: Dorothy and Harold have asked me to tell you about the Christmas tree which they trimmed for some little neighbors of theirs, and I am glad to do it, for perhaps some of you may like to decorate one too. There was one morning during the past week when mother did not have to call you. Before it was fairly light we heard little feet scampering across the floor, to where the row of stockings hung, bulging most amazingly. Then what chattering and giggling, there was as treasures were pulled forth from their depths. Had you been in a certain town in Connecticut, that same morning, you might have seen a row of stockings so tiny, that they would fit only the foot of a fairy, and so full of holes that you might wonder if Santa Claus would dare attempt to fill them, but they were filled to the very top, not with candy and toys, but with bits of bread, cake, nuts and fruit, neither did they hang in a warm chimney corner, but swayed in the December winds from arbor and syringa bush in the door yard. You have already guessed who claimed the contents of these stockings. Not far above the house, Dorothy and Harold had trimmed a little spruce tree for the Bird’s Christmas. It was still growing and its green branches were filled with a motley array. Festoons of red berries, sunflower seeds and pop-corn were looped from twig to twig on the top of the tree tips and on the trunk were fastened pieces of suet, with tiny bright red peppers for a relish; a marrow bone, some pumpkin seeds, some grapes and peanuts added variety and on the tip top ot the tree was a great bunch of holly tied with one of Dorothy’s red ribbon’s. It did not take long for the birds to discover the feast. All day long there was a jolly company there, Blue Jays, Chickadees, Creepers, Nut- AMHRICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 25 hatches, Woodpeckers and Tree sparrows, each in his own way made merry on this Christmas day and joined in a Bird’s Christmas carol chirping a “thank you’’ to the two little folks who had prepared such a fruit tree, when a snowy blanket covered the ground. We wish for the bird of our comer, a very happy new year ard include in our greetings the many new comers who join us for the first time this month. Cordially, your friend, MrcG MERRYTHOUGHT. ROLL OF HONOR. James H. Chase, Logansport, Ind. ANSWER TO DECEMBER PUZZLES. oma Onell: White-breasted Nuthatch. Briemilal No. 2: Summer Yellow-bird. What Is My Name? Screech Owl. WHAT IS MY NAME? “Say! Say! Say!’ Boys and girls, do you know my name? I wear a fluffy bluish gray coat with a black velvet collar and a white crown and a vest of a delicate gray. I like pretty cold weather and so do not venture very far into the United States. I begin to build a nest for my babies in February, when there is still a soft white covering over the earth, I build it in a fir tree, of twigs and long strips of bark with a warm lining of moss and feathers. I ama very sociable bird, often taking my meals with the lumbermen and eating from their hands. Indeed, I do not always trouble them to feed me, for I can help myself to meat, butter or other dainties which they leave about. ‘They nickname me Whisky Jack, Meat Hawk and Moose-bird, I wonder why. 26 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. DIAMOND. —A consonant. —A pronoun. O —A wicked act. O O —An insect. O OO —A winter friend. O O —A conveyance. OQ —A prize. —A number. —A vowel. ©) e1o1® OOOCO SOOOOOL SOOOOOOOe @eee61612 RUSSELL ADAMS, St. Johnsburg, Vt. ENIGMA. Two 16-1-12-13-3-13 named 14-3-17-17-3 and 9-16-7-4-1 went out with their 6-1-2-3-4-7-I2 to take a picture of a 10-15-17-16 which 10-1-8 1-9- 4-11-13-13 a field 8-6-7-4 by, they stopped to pick some 6-10-3-12-13 from the brook near the deserted nest of an 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8 Goldfinch. As they 4-7-8 through a 17-7-8-3 Miss 9-16-7-4-1 caught her 7-4-2 on a branch of a tree and fell and hurt her 8-11-13-3, this made her 9-10-11- 12-13 but they went on and took a snap-shot of some ducks swimming in the old 2-5-16-17 pond. PI. The Winter Birds. Ile AC iE IN © Ide Oe Cojune 2. Dorewopche. 7. Karshe: 35 VLSI 8. Dickcheea: 4. Rollbssie. Ore Gani, 5. Owns-bitgunn. 10. Netwir-newr. GLEANINGS. Who has not listened to a mother quail calling her hunted family together when the snow and the night were falling? It is most sweetly, tenderly human, the little mother, standing upon the fence or in the snow of the silent fields, calling softly through the storm until the young ones answer and, one by one, come hurring to her out of the dusk, and murmuring. Some of them do not hear. They have been frightened far away. Louder now she whistles; Whz7-7/-le, whir-7-rl-le whir-1-v-ri-le! But there is only the faint purr of the falling snow, only darkness and the silent ghostly fields. DALLAS LORE SHARP, (Roof—Meadow. ) AA GOOD FIELD GLASS The BEST for Bird Study and Equally Good for Mountain, Sea Shore or Opera. These Glasses are well made and espec- ially adapted for the use of the bird stu- dent as they give about twice the field vision of ordinary ones and magnify near- ly four diameters. They are in good strong leather case, silk lined. i@s-Remember, you can have them free by getting only ten subscriptions for our magazine at $1.00 each. Or if you prefer we will send you a pair prepaid on receipt of $5.00. Try them a week and if not perfectly satisfactory return them to us and we will refund the $5.00. Is not that fair? The Glass and Color Key to N. A. Birds by F. M. Chapman.............. $ 6 50 The Glass and North American Birds Eggs by C. A. Reed...............- 6 50 ne Glass eiaol) voto, BOOKS asakesunood aes bagododoscuocucce acne. Docou od ooG 8 00 CHAS. K. REED, WORCESTER, MASS. VVVVVVVVV VV YY VO VV VV VVVVVVVY SV UV VV VVVVV VV VV Ve American Association of Camera Hunters An Association of wild animal photographers is being formed for the purpose of promoting the interests of the new form of Ve sport popularly known as ‘‘camera hunting.’’ Its main object will be to encourage the use of the camera in preference to the oun, as a means of obtaining sport; but as it is intended that an active assistance in securing the enactment and enforcement of game and bird protective laws shall come within the scope of its activities, it is hoped that it will be an effective means of dis- couraging the unnecessary slaughter of the birds and other wild AAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA animals of America. All interested should write to LE ROY MELVILLE TUFTS THRUSHWOOD, FARMINGTON, MAINE OVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVIVVVVVVVVIY eAAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALAALAAA LAS bAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAA $66 ©- © 0-6 ©-© Methods in the Art of Taxidermy ¢ © © © By Oliver Davie, Author of ‘“Nests and North American Birds” & Eggs of 4 90 FULL PAGE ENGRAVINGS. Never before has the Art of Taxidermy had its practical methods and beauties portrayed as we find them interpreted in this work. It is a work of art from cover to cover. Form- erly published at $10. My price $2.50 post- paid or Given Free for 6 new subscribers. mS Chas. K.Reed, Worcester, Mass. D— DOOD _O—O—G OPO % ® { i How to Collect Animal Tracks. A simple, inexpensive method of presery- ing accurately the footprints of birds, mam-— mals, etc. Clean, instructive pastime for boys, girls, sportsmen and naturalists. Send two cent stamp for particulars, or $1.00 for complete instructions. J. ALDEN LORING, Owego, N. Y. THE OOLOGIST A monthly publication devoted to Oology, Ornithology and Taxider- my. Published by Frank H. Wathines MED Alibron ING hve Oldest, Cheapest and most popu- lar ““ BIRD”? PUBLICATION in America. The best exchange and want columns. Question and answer columns open to Collectors and Students in every branch of Natural History. An entire year with free 25c. exchange notice cou- pon only 50c. Sample copy on application. Address, ERNEST H. SHORT, Editor and Manager Chili, N. Y. WOOD and MANDARIN DUCKS WHITE and BLACK SWANS PEAFOWLS, Etc., Etc. Mention AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY and large illustrated catalogue. SCHMID’S EMPORIUM OF PETS, WASHINGTON, D. C. send for 50 YEARS’ EXPERIENCE TrRavE MARKS DESIGNS CopPyYRIGHTS &c. Anyone sending a sketch and description may quickly ascertain our opinion free whether an invention is probably patentable. Communica- tions strictly confidential. HANDBOOK on Patents sent free. Oldest agency for securing patents. Patents taken through Munn & Co. receive special notice, without charge, in the Scientific American. A handsomely illustrated weekly. Largest cir- culation of any scientific journal. Terms, $3 a year; four months, $1. Sold by all newsdealers. MUNN & Co,2¢18roadway, New York Branch Office, 625 F St.. Washington, D. C. The Butterfly Book, by W. J. Holland D. D. has, besides hundreds of text illus- trations, Colored Plates which show over a Thousand Species of American Butter- flies with all their native beauty and _ bril- liance of coloring. This is a ‘‘Popular Guide to a Knowledge of the Butterflies of North America.’’ It tells everything about butterflies, and tells itin a way any- body can understand. Every one interes- ed in Butterflies should own this book. Price is only $3.00 prepaid. Given asa premium for 10 subscribers. HAYE YOU A HOBBY ? No matter what itis THE West keeps you posted. Send 10 cents to the undersigned and you will receive for three months the oldest. largest and best collectors’ monthly for all kinds of hobbies, coins, Stamps, Cur- ios. Relics, Natural History and American Historical Science, Mineral Discoveries, Pho- tography, Souvenir Post Cards, etc. THE PHILATELIC WEST AND CAMERA NEWS. Fifty cents entitles you to a year’s subscrip- tion and a free 25-word exchange notice in the largest exchange department extant. Over 2,500 pages last two years. This 100 page Dlustrated Monthly was es- tablisbed is 1895 and has the largest circula- tion of any Collector’s Monthly in the world, and in size has no rival. Rates small, results large. It will pay you to write us about it. Our motto: ‘The best and lots of it.” Invest 10 cents judiciously by sending it to L. T. BRODSTONE, Publisher, Superior, Nebraska, U.S.A. Send 5c. for membership card American Camera Club Exchange. Over 4,500 mem- bers all parts of the world. Try it. Birds That Hunt and Are Hunted, by Neltje Blanchan. Gives colored plates and the life histories of 173 of our game and water birds and birds of prey. You can actually see the iridescent sheen on the neck of the wild pigeon. Price, post- paid, $2.00. CHAS. K. REED, Worcester, Mass. LANTERN SLIDES WES HAW EEIStE DEBE EOW-AS FINE A LIST OF SLIDES OF BIRDS As have ever been offered. PHOTOGRAPHED DIRECTLY FROM LIFE. Every one of them is 50 CENTS EACH, $5.00 PER DOZEN OR FINELY COLORED, $1.00 EACH, $10.00 PER DOZEN. t Chippy Family (6 Chipping Sparrows). 2 Preparing Breakfast (6 Chipping Sparrows.) 3 Woodcock on Nest. 4 Nest and Eggs of Woodcock 5 Three Young Woodcock. 6 Ruffed Grouse on Nest. 7 Nest ani Eggs of Ruffed Grouse. 8 House Wren (male). 9 House Wren (female). to Cedar Waxwings Feeding Young, ir Cedar Waxwing on Nest. 12 American Redstart (male) Feeding Young. r3 American Redstart (female) and Nest. 14 Prairie Warbler (male) Feeding Young. 15 Prairie Warbler (female) and Nest. r6 Red-eyed Vireo on Nest 17 Red-eyed Vireo Feeding Young. 18 Wilson’s Thrush and Nest with Eggs. 19 Wilsons Thrush Feeding Young. 20 Chestnut-sided Warbler on Nest. 2t Ovenbird and Nest. 22 Black and White Warbler on Nest. 23 Field Sparrow Feeding Young. 24 Field Sparrow Cleaning Nest. 25 Young Field Sparrow. 26 Nest and Eggs of Grasshopper Sparrow. 27 Grasshopper Sparrow on Nest. 28 Nest and Evgs of Bob White. 29 American Robin on Nest. 30 American Robin Feeding Young. 31 Five Young Chickadees. 32 Chickadee at Nest in Bird House. 33 Chickadee at Nest in Tree. 34 Brown Thrasher. 35 Brown Thrasher on Nest. 36 Wood Thrush on, Nest. 37 Young Wood Thrush. 38 Pigeon Hawk. 39 Bluebird at Nest Hole. 40 Barred Owl. Screech Owl. Four Young Screech Owls. Young Blue Jays. Blue Jays in Nests. Blue Jay Feeding Young Loggerhead Shrike. Phoebe on Nest. Hairy Woodpecker. Chimney Swift. Four Young Crows. Arizona Jays. Rocky Mountain Jay. Bluebird Feeding Young. Young Bank Swallows. Young Bobolinks Seven Young Kingfishers. Young Kingfishers. Barn Owl. Barn Swallows (pair). Kingbird and Young. Kingbird and Nest. Young Kingbirds. Young Goldfinches. Yellow Warbler and Young. Catbird on Nest. Gila Woodpecker. Wood Pewee on Nest. Young Spotted Sandpipers. Flicker at Nest Hole. Flicker leaving Nest. Young Baltimore Oriole. Yellow breasted Chats. Robin Feeding Young. Young Red-wing Blackbirds. Young Wood Pewee. Young Robin. Young Green Herons Young Shrikes. Red-headed Woodpecker. Bush-Tit and Nest. ADDRHASS CHAS. K. REED, DOYOU WANTA CAMERA? AN AL-VISTA . CAMERA WILL MAKE THE REVOLVING LENS taking in a scope of nearly 180 degrees; makes a panoramic picture which is true in perspective and without distortion. Makes Pictures Any Size You want them, either from film or the regular glass plates. Is adapted to out door, interior and portrait photography; really FIVE CAMERAS IN ONE AND FOR THE PRICE OF ONE Sold in ten different styles. CAN BE LOADED IN DAYLIGHT SOLD ON EASY PAYMENTs, SEND FOR CATALOGUE, PRICES AND DISCOUNTS LM CO. GTON, WIS. S29 ©VVVVVVVVVVVVVVIV VV VV VV IV VV VV VV VV VV VV VV VV VV VV VY The Graphophone se Best Talking Machine on the Market. Buy one. [ft will amuse you, your family and friends on many a long dreary winter evening. All the latest popular song hits G as well as Grand and Comic Opera selacdons: vocal and instrumental solos in infinite variety. Graphophones from $5 to $100. Records from 25 cents to $2 each. COLUMBIA PHONOGRAPH COMPANY VVVV VVVVVEVV VV VV VV VV YY VY VV VV Vy SOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAL ® Grand Prize, Paris, 1900. Grand Prize, St. Louis, 1904. < Boston, 164 Tremont Street. New York, 353 Broadway. B Chicago, 88 Wabash Avenue. San Francisco, 125 Geary Street. P PAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAL ? AAAAAAA It Pays. Picture Study in the Public Schools. Beginning with the New Year, are you planning to do this work? ‘eg ‘eZ eZ Ghe Perry Pictures One Cent Each for 25 or more; 120 for $1.00. Size 5 1-2x8. oe Send three two-cent stamps for Catalogue of rooo miniature illustrations two pictures and a picture in three colors. Great Premium Offer with Ghe Perry Magazine Ghis offer expires January Sl, a The Perry Magazine one year, monthly except July and August, and one dollar’s worth of the pictures in Colors, or one dollar’s worth of the New York Edition Perry Pictures, or 20 Indian Portraits in Colors, or our selected set of 100 Perry Pictures, Boston Edition. ALL FOR $1.50. To new subscribers only. Remember this offer expires January 31. Do not miss the article describing the World’s Great Paintings appearing in every number. 23 of the paintings exhibited at the St. Louis Exposition are to be published inthis Magazine, beginning with the January number. Send now. THE PERRY PICTURES COMPANY, Tremont Temple, Boston, or BOX 413, MALDEN, MASS. Send all mail orders to Malden. CSR ee) _A BIRD DICTIONARY } = C ARTZ COLOR KEY TO By FRANK M. CHAPMAN A complete bird dictionary, with upward ‘of 800 drawings in colors, so arranged that one may learn a bird’s name with the least pos- sible difficulty. In no other book has the problem of identifica- tion been so simplified. The book is equally useful in any part of the country from the Atlantic tothe Pacific. 312 pages, cloth, $2.50. NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS EGGS By CHESTER A. REED, B. S. A complete illustrated book of all eggs. It gives the habitat and breed- ing range of each species; location and construction of the nest; time of nest- ing; number, description. and varia- tion of eggs laid; with a full-sized illustration of the egg of nearly every species, and a large number of full-page illustrations of nesting sites. 300 pages, ( cloth, $2.50. Both of these books and the American Bird Magazine one year for $5.00. —E SS a sR E on G ee ( CHAS. K. REED, Worcester, Mass. SLOSS SN 4 Yj, WH), : te th GF BS FEBRUARY, 1905. 5 A YONG % 4 ? ) WY pM VB Sta uf S f NEN Entered 1 the Post (tice ar Worcester, Wass, as. second-class matter. Jan. 10¢ a copy, $1 a year. TO, TCO? VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV VV VV VV VV VV VV VV VVVVVVVVVVVVVS The Graphophones® Best Talking Machine on the . Market. Buy one. It will amuse you, your family and friends on many a long dreary winter evening. All the latest popular song hits as well as Grand and Comic Graphophones from $5 to $100. Records from 25 cents to $2 each. COLUMBIA PHONOGRAPH COMPANY VVVVVVVVVVVVYVVY VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVY e Grand Prize, Paris, 1900. Grand Prize, St. Louis, 1904. Boston, 164 Tremont Street. New York, 353 Broadway. Chicago, 88 Wabash Avenue. San Francisco, 125 Geary Street. CAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAA AALASAASLAADAAAAAABAAAAAL ey AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAS SAO AABLAAA It Pays. Picture Study in the Public Schools. Beginning with the New Year, are you planning to do this work? ‘e@ ‘e@ eZ Ghe Perry Pictures One Cent Each for 25 or more; 120 for $1.00. Size 5 1-2x8. Send three two-cent stamps for Catalogue of rooo miniature illustrations two pictures and a picture in three colors. Great Premium Offer with Ghe Perry Magazine Ghis offer expires January 31, The Perry Magazine one year, monthly except July and August, and one dollar’s worth of the pictures in Colors, or one dollar’s worth of the New York Edition Perry Pictures, or 20 Indian Portraits in Colors, or our selected set of too Perry Pictures, Boston Edition. ALL FOR $1.50. To new subscribers only. Remember this offer expires January 31. Do not miss the article describing the World’s Great Paintings appearing in every number. 23 of the paintings exhibited at the St. Louis Exposition are to be published inthis Magazine, beginning with the January number. Send now. THE PERRY PICTURES COMPANY, Tremont Temple, Boston, or BOX 413, MALDEN, MASS. Send all mail orders to Malden. _ ‘A GRAND PREMIUM OFFER) FOR 9O DAYS ONLY “THE PEN IS MIGHTIER THAN THE SworpD.” But there is a choice of Pens and in this progressive age one does not want to be tied downto AN OUTWORN STYLE OF PEN. The Egyptian used a split reed; our grandfathers a goosequill; our fathers a steel or ordinary gold pen. But to-day we want A FOUNTAIN PEN that dispenses with the inconvenient inkstand, that does not cor- rode, and that is always ready for use. In order to enable our readers to secure this really indis- pensable convenience, we have made arrangement with The Selden Pen M’f’g Co. of New York, whereby we can supply a FIRST CLASS GOLD FOUNTAIN PEN to every subscriber, OLD or NEW, who sends us A YEAR’S SUBSCRIPTION IN ADVANCE within the next 90 days, and; FIFTY (50):CENTS#additional. The pen will be for- warded immediately on receipt of the money. The pen is made-:of the best quality of hard rubber in four parts, and fitted with a guaranteed irridium-pointed 14-k GOLD PEN. The ‘‘fountain”’ is throughout of the simplest construction and cannot get out of order, overflow, or fail to supply ink tothe nib. It is EQUAL TOUtANY $2 PE on the market today. : EYERY PEN WARRANTED. THE CUT SHOWS THE EXACT SIZE. “CELTRIC MODEL I!” bears the manufacturer’s guarantee that the pen is solid GOLD 14-k fine. If it does not prove satisfactory in every way we will exchange it for another, or return the fifty cents additional on return of the pen. This is an unusual opportunity to secure, at a very low price, an article of superior quality that is coming to be essential to the comfort and convenience of every one who writes. REMEMBER THAT THE OFFER IS FOR 90 DAYS ONLY. THIS IS THE PEN. THE AMERICAN BIRD MAGAZINE, (AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY.) CHAS. K. REED, Publisher, WORCESTER, a) J AA GOOD FIELD GLASS (== ‘The BEST for Bird Study and Equally Good for Mountain, Sea Shore or Ofera These Glasses are well made and espec- ially adapted for the use of the bird stu- dent as they give about twice the field vision of ordinary ones and magnify near- ly four diameters. They are in good strong leather case, silk lined. feses-Remember, you can have them free by getting only ten subscriptions for our magazine at $1.00 each. Or if you prefer we will send you a pair prepaid on receipt of $5.00. Try them a week and if not perfectly satisfactory return them to us and we will refund the $5.00. Is not that fair? The Glass and Color Key to N. A. Birds by F. M. Chapman............-. $ 6 50 The Glass and North American Birds Eggs by C. A. Reed................ 6 50 The:Glassandcboth: Bookse ic aa eos eee nn Cae nee 8 00 CHAS. K. REED, WORCESTER, MASS. Biro-Lore => For February, No.1 of Vol. VII, will contain upwards of roo pages and 50 illustrations, including ten colored figures of Warblers. SS Se SS 20 cents a copy Reduced line cut of Ernest Thompson Seton’s drawing of One Dollar a year a Northern Shrike. Presented we RS to every subscrirer to Volume ye : VII, 1905, of BIRD-LORE. Che Wacmillan Co. The original is nearly life-size. New York City. Harrisburg, Pa. 060-666-666 % Methods in the Art of Taxidermy By Oliver Davie, Author of ‘‘Nests and Eggs of North American Birds:”’ © 90 FULL PAGE ENGRAVINGS. © © 6 Never before has the Art ot Taxidermy had its practical methods and beauties portrayed as we find them interpreted in this work. It & © ® is a work of art from cover to cover. Form- erly published at $10. My price $2.50 post- paid or Given Free for 6 new subscribers. Chas. K. Reed, Oo—@ & Worcester, Mass. ©o-—<@ —$—F — — DD) —_OH—S How to Collect Animal Tracks. A simple, inexpensive method of preseryv- ing accurately the fouotprinis of birds, mam-— mals, etc. Clean, instructive pastime tor boys, girls, sportsmen and naturalists Send two cent stamp for particulars, or $1.00 for complete instructions. J. ALDEN LORING, Owego, N.Y. THE OOLOGIST A monthly publication devoted to Oology, Ornithology and Taxider- mye Published by ~Brank HE: Lattin, M. D., Albion, N. Y. The Oldest, Cheapest and most popu- lar ““ BIRD” PUBLICATION in America. The best exchange and want columns. Question and answer columns open to Collectors and Students in every branch of Natural History. An entire year with free 25c. exchange notice cou- pon only 50c. Sample copy on application. Address, ERNEST H. SHORT, Editor and Manager WOOD and MANDARIN DUCKS WHITE and BLACK SWANS PEAFOWLS, Etc., Etc. Mention AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY and large illustrated catalogue. SCHMID’S EMPORIUM OF PETS, WASHINGTON, D. C. send for Chili, N. Y.- 50 YEARS’ EXPERIENCE Parents TRADE Marks DESIGNS CoPYRIGHTS &c. Anyone sending a sketch and description may quickly ascertain our opinion free whether an invention is probably oa TANDBO Communica- tions strictly confidential. HANDBOOK on Patents sent free. Oldest ac eney for securing patents. Patents taken through Munn & Co. receive special notice, without charge, in the Scientific Americatt, A handsomely illustrated weekly. Largest cir- culation of any scientific journal. Terms, $3 a year; four months, $1. Sold by all newsdealers. MUNN & Co,3618roadvay, Ney York Branch Office, 625 F St., Washington, D. C The Butterfly Book, by w. J. Holland D. D. has, besides punmiddadis of text illus- trations, Colored Plates which show over a Thousand Species of American Butter- flies with all their native beauty and _bril- liance of coloring. This is a ‘Popular Guide to a Knowledge of the Butterflies of North America.” It tells everything about butterflies, and tells itin a way any- boa, can understand. Every one interes- ed in Butterflies should own this book. Price is only $3.00 prepaid. Given asa premium for 10 subscribers. HAYE YOU A HOBBY ? No matter what it is THE Wrst keeps you posted. Send 10 cents to the undersigned and you will receive for three months the oldest. largest and best collectors’ monthly for all kinds of hobbies, coins, Stamps, Cur- ios, Relics, Natural History and American Historical Science. Mineral Discoveries, Pho- tography, Souvenir Post Cards, ete. THE PHILATELIC WEST AND CAMERA NEws. Fitty cents entitles you toa year’s subscrip- tion and a free 25-word exchange notice in the largest exchange department extant. Over 2,500 pages last two years. This 100 page Illustrated Monthly was es- tablished is 1895 and has the largest circula- tion of any Collector’s Monthly in the world, and in size has no rival. Rates small, results large. It will pay you to write us about it. Our motto: * The best and lots of it.”’ Invest 10 cents judiciously by sending it to L. T. BRODSTONE, Publisher, Superior, Nebraska. U.S.A. Send 5c. for membership card American Camera Club Exchange. Over 4,500 mem- bers all parts of the world. Try it. Birds That Hunt and Are Hunted, by Neltje Blanchan. Gives colored plates and the life histories of 173 of our game and water birds and birds of prey. You can actually see the iridescent sheen on the neck of the wild pigeon. Price, post- paid, $2.00. CHAS. K. REED, Worcester, Mass. American Ornithology. A Magazine Devoted Wholly to Birds. Published monthly by CHAS. K. REED, 75 Thomas St., Worcester, Mass. EDITED BY CHESTER A. REED, B.S. SUBSCRIPTION PRICE in United States, Canada and Mexico, One Dollar yearly in advance. Single copies, ten cents. Vols. I, Il, Ill and IV, $1.00 each. Special:—Vols. I, II, III], IV and subscription for 1905, $3.50. We can supply back numbers at ten cents per copy. FOREIGN SUBSCRIPTION, $1.25. ——— C@PVRIGH ie lOOSs bya CHAS ma kew REED VOL. V FEBRUARY, 1905. NO. 2 NEST AND EGGS OF OLIVe-SIDED FLYCATCHER. BEBE SSS SBSe SSBB Bebe SSeS BSS SeSSBHes ISS SSS Sea Belly lec lol cl aol le el es el se lel le celle ll | ells cle ole lel] ee The Great Gray Shrike. ror 1MSEEA ee es) se cs) el eee ells cl] a cle Sl | lc els sc) ol cs a = When other birds have southward flown, And winter winds so bleak and chill, Through naked branches sadly moan, The Great Gray Shrike is with us still. He braves the danger of the plain, ’Mid the desolate wastes of snow And in the woods the feathered slain His deeds of cruel warfare show. The tree-top is his turret high Where he watches his thoughtless prey, And sallies forth with practiced eye, Relentless to pursue and slay. The sparrow searching in the snow, Cheerful over his frugal meal, Gives one despairing note of woe As he feels that fierce warriors steel. No knight that ever harness wore, And charged the foe with lance in rest, What e’er the emblem that he bore, Showed greater courage in his quest. I fain would speak of him with praise, Respect his courage and his skill, But pity for the one he slays, Has ever kept those praises still. HATTIE WASHBURN. | ce EF ec el ls) eel lll el J ee eel el] lols sel lll ll Ee el ee el es eels ls | Eat Teg etes Eee eS Sete Ee eee eS Ly es NN el) a lel |e 28 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. IN THE MEADOW, In a small quiet meadow at the back of a certain farm a pair of -Meadow Larks, last summer, chose to make their home and rear their young. A small stream, whose source was a spring in a neighboring field, ran lazily through the meadow. A few cows lived here feeding on the rank grass in the early morning and late evening and lolling in the shade of the trees or standing listlessly in the stream, during the heat of the day. Such was the scene that was to greet the eyes of the little Larks when they were old enough to sail above the grassy wilderness in which they found themselves when first they opened their eyes. The nest was incidentally discovered May 18th, at which time it contained four helpless little Larks that looked as if they had just made their exit from the shell. I visited them frequently during the course of the next few days and noted with pleasure their rapid growth and how thrifty they looked. But on May 27th. when I went to see them it was a sad sight that met my eyes. After searching several minutes for the nest I was shocked to find in it’s stead a cow track in the bottom of which there was a bloody mass of flesh and feathers. A sad fate for such a promising family. I wasn’t in this meadow again for nearly two weeks and then, knowing that birds are not easily discouraged even by such misfortunes as above, I concluded they would be well under way towards raising another brood, consequently the afternoon of June 9th, found me making my way down the lane to the meadow gate. When I reached it, having absorbed just about as much sunheat as I care to stand at one time, I stopped a few moments to cool off. A Dickcissel sitting on a fencepost bravely chirped away as if in open defiance to the sun. From a weed thicket came the clear notes of the Maryland Yellow- throat while from somewhere in the distance came the ditty of the Indigo Bunting. But not a sight or sound did I get of the Meadow Larks- “‘Perhaps they are enjoying their siesta,’’ was my thought and I turned towards a shade tree that grew on the banks of the stream intendfng to follow their example, As I neared the tree a Red-winged Blackbird which had been concealed in the foliage, darted out at me and hovered above my head uttering a loud ““Chee-oo-o.’”’ His spouse hopped nervously about in the tree protesting my approach. In their efforts to protect their nest they only served to betray it’s presence, for until I saw them I hadn’t the least idea there was a Red-wing’s nest in the meadow. Ina clump of dogwood sprouts growing almost in the water and appearing as if thep all sprung from one root I found AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 29 the nest. It was a bulky affair, firmly suspended between four of the sprouts, and contained three pale blue eggs curiously scrawled with black. The Red-wing’s kept up such a clatter that I left their domains after making these observations, and it was just here that I heard what I had wished for, the loud sputtering call note of the Meadow Lani. I preceived her on the topmost bough of a nearby tree, with head erect, tail nervously twitching, her golden breast flashing in the sunshine. She sat there several minutes occasionally repeating her call note and then, leaving her perch, sailed out across the meadow, alighting on a weed that swayed to and fro under her weight. Assuming the same alert attitude as when in the tree she uttered her call note once and then dropped lightly into the grass below. I waited and watched for Photo from life by N. W. Swayne. BARN OWL. twenty minutes and as she didn’t appear again I decided to. try to find her though I didn’t much expect to find her nest for if she had one there it didn’t seem probable that she would have approached it so openly, however, when I neared the spot where she she disappeared she flew up with a loud flutter of wings that startled me even though I was expecting it. I drew the grass aside where she had been sitting, and 30 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. Ses Photo by N. W. Swayne. EGGS AND YOUNG OF BARN OWL. The Barn Owl lays one egg every day or oftener every two days, so that a period of perhaps two weeks elapses between the laying of the first and the last. As she commences to incubate as soon as the first egg is laid, they hatch at different periods and the young show great variations in size. beheld one of the finest specimens of bird architecture that it was ever my good fortune to see. Perhaps the Larks thought by concealing this nest well, they would avoid a repetition of the sad accident that happened to the first, anyhow this one was very carefully hidden and it would have been almost impossible for me to have found it if I hadn’t had the builder to aid me. It was a veritable little bower extending back ten or twelve inches under the grass with only one doorway. At the back end there reposed five handsome pinkish white eggs freely speckled with reddish brown. On June 18th, when I looked in the nest it contained four little birds and one egg. I didn’t happen to be in this vicinity again till in July. As I neared the nest two half grown Meadow Larks flew awkwardly out of my path. I found the little bower in the first stages of decay. It still sheltered one soiled egg. EpGAR Boyer. AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 31 Crow rails. abassnsDanaayhautin snyeboaTho thay uahouDa sala Although our American Crow is black in color and by reputation, he will afford the bird lover many pleasant hours studying his traits and habits before he can feel that he is acquainted with Crow life. It seems as if the Crow was possessed of much the same kind of shrewdness and longing for mischief as the dirty, ragged urchin who makes his headquarters on some street corner. The most prominent character- istic of the Crow is his curiosity. Let a person do any work in woods or field and almost as soon as his back is turned, from one to a half- dozen crows will appear to inspect his work. But for all of his inordinate curiosity the Crow’s natural wariness usually keeps him from harm. First he will take a flight high in air over the suspicious place, if all appears safe he will take a flight near the ground and then alight in some open spot and inspect the surroundings. If, perchance a good shot brings one to an untimely end what precautions are then taken; if two or three are searching for food there is sure to be a sentinel post on the summit of some tall tree, dead stub or failing these, the tallest stake or fence post available, and any unual movement will send the whole flock into the air with loud caws. Generally if there are any large trees overlooking their late feeding ground and at a safe distance from it, they will take refuge in these and exchange audible remarks about the prospects, present and future. By most farmers the Crow is condemned as a bird possessed of little good and almost unlimited powers of evil; often when the farmer’s crops are coming up the Crows will proceed to render assistance by catching the visible part in their bills and carefully pulling the whole affair, stem, root and all, out of the ground. It is very rare that they make any use of these plants thus pulled up, dropping each in its turn and proceeding to the next. It is amusing to watch two or three Crows when at work; for several minutes they will work as lively as possible then one will raise his head and utter a kind of questioning caw as much as to say, Have you fellows found anything,”’ then he will fly a few rods and the work of inspection will go on as rapidly as before. BZ AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. Their actions around their nests vary so much in different localities that one cannot be sure what they will do. in some localities they will never fly directly to the tree where their nest is located but will fly over the tree-tops to some other part of the woods and then, low down amongst the trees, will fly to their nest. In some other places I have watched them for several days fly to a certain tree in a piece of woods, and, upon investigating found a nest therein, This freedom and openness I have never observed except in a few districts where several deserted farms adjoin and the Crows are left in undisputed possession from one year’s end to another. When the time approaches for their autumnal migrations they will congre- gate in large flocks, sometimes as many as 100 to 200, and their move- ments have all of the appearance of a lot of school boys at play.. Now they will start and follow this leadcr tarough a series of evolutions, then several will seperate from the main body and go through various feats of speed and agility and at last after the games are all ended they will divide into squads of five or six and start off 1n search of food. Altogether there is a certain fascination in watching the adroitness and dzablerze of their movements that will be felt by every bird lover who comes in contact with them. Harry L. Sirs, Me. Photo by N. W. Swayne. YOUNG BARN OWLS. Before the hoods have commenced to develop or pinteathers to appear. Notice that the bird on the left is much the largest. AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 35 BARN OWL. A. O. U. No. 366. (Strix pratincola.) RANGE. This species is found in a warmer portion of the United States from the Gulf north on the Atlantic coast to southern New England, on the Pacific to Oregon and in the interior to southern Mnnesota. It is only casually or accidently found north of these boundaries. They are slightly migratory throughout their range, that is the birds in the south go farther south while those from the north take their places. DESCRIPTION. Length 16 to 20 in. Eyes dark brown; a very pronounced and lengthened facial disc. Above finely mottled with gray, buff and white; below white, more or less washed with buff and specked with black. The young are more buffy below than are the adults. Facial disc white tinged with buff and bordered with blackish brown. NEST AND EGGS, Barn Owls Owls are very indifferent as to their nesting sites. They are equally well satisfied with the cavity of a dead tree, holes in banks, deserted crows nests or even with a simple hollow on the ground. When the opportunity occurs they will probably choose the hollow tree. Many have also been found in barns and under sheds. In various'sections. of the country they may be found nesting from March to the end‘of June. There eggs are white, equally rounded at each end and number from four to ten, usually about six or eight; size 1.75 xe JES: HABITS. Owls of this genus are the oddest of the family; their queer faces and expressions have caused them to receive the name of Monkey-faced Owls. Their most noticable difference from other Owls is in the small dark colored eyes, the distance from the eyes to the mouth, and the long legs. All the Owls are more or less nocturnal but this species is rather more so than the others; it is rarely seen moving about, in the 34 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. Photo from life by N. W. Swayne. BARN OWL. (winner of 4th prize.in our photo contest.) ~ A characteristic pose of this species showing the long legs. AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 35 daytime unless disturbed from its resting place either by human beings or crows, the latter detesting the sight of any member of the Owl family. Photo by N. W. Swayne. YOUNG BARN OWLS. The young have now assumed attitudes common to the adults, their hoods are well developed and the wings fully feathered, but the bodies are still covered with soft white down. They are found most abundantly in low meadows and marshy ground where, soon after the sun has sunk behind the hills, they commence their hunting. The appetite of all Owls is something astonishing, but that of the Barn Owl is almost beyond belief. Only a few days ago a friend brought me a Screech Owl which he had caught the week before and kept in the stable. Hesaidit had seemed perfectly well when caught and he had fed it a mouse every day and he could not understand why it did not live. The reason was very apparent for it was nothing but a skeleton and had died of starvation. Instead of a single mouse a day it should certainly have had a dozen and in its wild state probably it devoured more than that number in every twenty four hours. A 36 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. single Barn Owl has been known to eat eight mice, one after the other and then at the end of three hours to be ready for another meal. It has been found by examination that their food consists of, almost with- out exception, rodents which are harmful both to crops and trees, so that probably this bird is the most useful one, in the amount of good work done, of any that we have in this country. Besides rodents they catch insects and also eat some fish. In Europe, Barn Owls breed most commonly in barns, church towers orruins, while in this country they are most often found nesting in holes in trees or banks. Usually the bottom of the cavity is scantily lined with feathers but this is not always the case. The eggs require about three weeks in which to hatch and as the bird commences to sit before the set is complete the eggs do not hatch at the same time. Young birds several days days old and eggs are often found in the nest together, and usually over a week elapses from the time of the hatching of the first egg to that of the last. The breeding season, especially after the young have hatched, is a very busy one for the adults, for their large family is always hungry and trips between the nest and the hunting grounds have to be made regularly and often. The young are first covered with a soft white down; in about a week or ten days a few pinfeathers make their appearance and then their development is more rapid but it is several weeks before they can leave their nest and follow their parents across the marsh to take their first lessons in mouse-lore. The plumage of Barn Owls is soft even for that of an Owl and their flight, which is very easily performed, is entirely noiseless as they sweep in long curves just over the tops of the meadow grass. They have two distinct notes, one a shrill cry and the other a deep-toned, long-drawn grunt. They are more gregarious than the other Owls except the Burrowing, and are often found in colonies. In the day time they remain concealed under dense foliage or in hollow trees. OUR FEATHERED FRIENDS, By WILLIAM GAYLORD TAYLOR. I want to tell you what a great amount of pleasure I had last winter feeding the birds in my back yard. Fourteen varieties and 25 to 30 at a time, and all but one have readily eaten the food which I put out for them, and that one was the most beautiful and loving of them all, AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 37 the Bluebird. He seems to be satisfied with Nature’s store. Ibegan early in the fall and put out bones and suet for the Woodpecker, Nut- hatch and Chicadee and for the two latter I cracked butternuts till'I had used a half bushel of them_and when they were gone I resorted to pea- nuts, which I fed raw, shelling and chopping them fine, and I used 15 Guantssim, alll: The wary crow even, has come to ‘‘pick the bones”’ in the apple tree, not more than 25 feet from my door, but he always came very early in the morning, just at daybreak, thinking there would be no one stirring. I have seen three at one time picking a scanty breakfast from the bones, but a face at the window was all that was necessary to cause them to take wing and with loud “‘cawing”’ hastily seek safer quarters. The sweet little Chicadee seemed the least suspicious of any of my flock and he readily took food from my hand and as Jong as I kept perfectly still, was contented to sit and eat, casting wondering side glances at me occasionally. Both he and the Nuthatch seemed to fear that their food supply would run out, for they carried away great quantities of the nuts and hid them underneath the bark of trees and in cracks in the shed, everywhere and anywhere they could find a place to tuck them away and here the little Brown Creeper, with curved and slender bill, finds an abundant food supply and I can imagine poor littte ““Dee’s”’ disappointment when he goes to look for some of the dainty morsels he has so carefully tucked away. The Downy and Hairy Woodpecker have both been callers, the former constant but the latter only occasional, and last winter is the first time I have seen him in this locality and he seemed to heartily enjoy the suet which hung in a temporary cedar (one which adorned my parlor as a Christmas tree) and not 10 feet from my door, where I stuck it in a snow bank. I was much surprised, late in December, to receive a call from a Cedar Waxwing. I first noticed him eating the dried grapes that hung to a vine on my back shed, so I threw out some seeded raisins which he seemed to enjoy greatly. He also fed on the berries of a honey- suckle, which covers a porch; his visit was short as I missed him after two or three days. My greatest surprise, however, was to see, one very cold day in January, a Song Sparrow nestled in the vine on the south side of our shed. He looked cold and forlorn so I at once set about making him comfortable. I arranged a shelf on the shed high up and partially hid it with cedar boughs and then scattered grass seed over it. He very soon got it and ate ravenously, but one very cold morning after a visit of only three or four days, I missed him and suspect he was frozen on his perch at night. 38 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. Photo. from life by C. A. REED. TREE SWALLOW. The Tree Sparrow finally found the seed, and from one lone bird the flock grew till there were 14. They were constant visitors all winter and were with metill March 12. Timothy and millet seed was their principal diet, although for a change and in way of dessert they ate peanuts and fat meat. They are an extremely happy set, full of life and fight, and I never tire of watching them, they readily drive the English Sparrow, and when one ventures to alight among them a sudden dash from a Tree Sparrow caused him to ‘light out.” I greatly missed them when they left for their far northern home. The Junco with his modest slate colored coat and white vest came to the number of two, but they did not seem to be welcome visitors among the sparrows, and came only occasionally. The Goldfinch did not find his food supply in the seed which I put out as I did not see him eating anything except the berries on the honeysuckle: One Sunday morning in February, I was overjoyed to receive a call from a Purple Finch the only specimen I have ever seen here. He came while I was watching the other birds, alighting on a clothesline directly in front and not five feet from my face, he then flew to the path and picked up a few seeds but his stay was very short, efforts to locate him later failed, much to my regret, as I should like to have had a better opportunity to study his plumage and general make-up. As the warm spring days advanced I regretted to see my Tree Sparrow family making preparations to leave for their Northern home, but the migratory birds from the South have kept me busy thus far Se ee ea Re ee eee ee ee 39) AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 40 AMLURICAN ORNITHOLOGY. through the spring and I have discovered some new varieties for this locality, among them being the European Starling. He is a handsome bird, a good songster and great worm and insect destroyer, conse- quently of great value to the farmer. He builds his nest in a hole in the trees. With all the pleasure I have had with the summer birds I look forward with greater pleasure to the coming of the bleak North winds and snow and a Geupia of my Winter visitors. —[The Newtown Bee. | IVORY-BILLED WOODPECKER. A.O.U No. 392 (Campephilus principalis.) RANGE, Florida and the Gulf Coast to Texas north to Indian Territory and, rarely, to the South Atlantic States. DESCRIPTION. Length 20 in. Eyes yellow: bill ivory white. Male glossy blue-black and white, with a long pointed crest of scarlet. Female similar with a crest of black. HABITS, These are the largest and decidedly the most distinguished appearing of American Woodpeckers. Their glossy black plumage and gorgeous pointed crest impart a regal look which is not attained even by the Pileated Woodpecker. Like that of all the members of the Woodpecker family, their flight is apparently laborious and performed with that undulatory motion so noticable in the flight of the Flicker. Unless unduly alarmed they rarely fly for any considerable distance at a time They are very shy and fully realize the folly of getting within range of a two legged animal with a gun. It is this wariness that has preserved them from extermination for so long, as man has been ever wont to kill them on sight just for vain glory. They are most apt to be found in burned over pine barrens where insects thrive in the decaying wood and furnish a sumptuous repast for the Ivory-bills. They are usually silent birds but during the nesting season have a sharp trumpeting note frequently repeated and also the long rolling drumming sound performed with their bill upon a resonant limb. Careful observers believe that they remain mated for life. During February and March they retire to the depths of impenetrable swamps where they rear their young. Their nesting site is chosen in the top of a tall tree and the two birds take turns boring the excavation in the live wood. Usually it is located under the protection of a pro- AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 41 jecting limb which keeps out the rain. The entrance to the nest is usually oval in shape and varies in size from five to eight inches in width by eight to ten inches in length. The cavity is excavated to a depth of from a foot to two feet. With the cunning of the Flicker they carefully carry the chips away from the nesting tree, whereas when they are simply feeding chips will be found by the bushes around the base of the tree. They lay five or six glossy white eggs, measuring about 1.45 x 1.05. They are very industrious birds and hack great quantities of chips from trees in their search for grubs. They do not, however, to any great extent, except for nesting purposes, deface living trees. KILLDEER. A. O. U. No. 278. (Oxyechus vociferus)’ RANGE. North America from the southern British Provinces southward. Rare on the Atlantic coast north of New Jersey. Wintersin southern United States and south to South America. DESCRIPTION. Length 10 inches. Upper parts grayish brown; forehead, line over eye, throat meck, and underparts white; breast crossed by two black bands, the upper one being the widest; upper tail coverts and rump reddish brown. The downy young show evidences of the two breast marks as soon as they leave the shell. NEST AND EGGS Kildeers build no nest, unless the occasional scratching together of a few pebbles or bits of straw into a hollow can be called such, but lay their eggs in hollows in the ground in fields, marshes, or even on plow- ed ground, but usually in the immediate vicinity of water. Their three or four eggs are very handsomely marked, as indeed are nearly all the shore birds; they are very pointed, of a greenish buff color and heavily blotched and scrawled with blackish brown; size .55 x 1.10. HABITS, Like all of our true Plover, except the Black-bellied, the Killdeers have but three toes. In the greater part of the United States they are the most common shore bird, even outnumbering the Spotted Sand- piper, and their loud “‘kill-dee, kill-dee”’ is frequently uttered for their own amusement as well as for warning when they see anyone approach- ing. For this reason they often prove to be very useful birds, for they {‘usettoeds pequnoW &% WO1] poydeisojoyd | “AHACTIIN SS a) © | S Sa Ny BY x Re © = N S a = = x 42 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 43 warn other less suspicious birds of approaching danger and cause them to escape, to the disgust of the hunter. Their flight is usually quite straight or in gentle curves, except sometimes when suddenly startled they may resort to the zig-zag mode of flight adopted by many of the shore birds. They are very devoted parents and, were they able, would. forcibly protect their young, but, being birds they have to resort toa numerous artifices to draw intruders away, such as feigning brokem wings, legs, etc. If these devices fail they will stand off at a safe dis- tance and continually repeat their cry until danger is past. They are very often found in cultivated fields, where they often lay their eggs. They run rapidly and gracefully along, in the furrows, catching insects which form a large part of their food. They often escape notice by standing perfectly still, their colors matching their surrounding perfecty. The downy young are especially adept in thus concealing themselves. Orne Bird fay. By Dr. C. 8. MOODY. The man who returns in after years to the haunts of his early boy- hood realizes, if he be in touch with Nature, the great decay of bird life. It was my fortune to return once to the old homestead and wander among the wood paths and down the meadow brook that was. of yore replete with feathered songsters. Alas, now you can hardly hear the sound of a happy bird voice. All day long I sought for the presence of my youthful friends, the Thrushes, Vireos and Sparrows and sought in vain. Nowhere in the deep blue of Heaven’s vast vault could I see the circling form of sailing hawk. In the deep beech woods where once was the Partridge wont to beat his ‘throbbing drum”’ now was silence. I sought in my pilgrimage for the nest of the merry little Quail beneath the blackberry bush beside the old line fence and found it not. What, | ask myself, is the cause? The answer was found in a man with a basket and climbing irons wheeling along the high road upon nesting bent. Thousands upon thousands of birds are every year robbed of their homes to pander to the taste of men and women who are possessed by the idea that by collecting eggs they are 44 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. pursuing the study of birds. Ina vast majority of instances this is not true. The average nest hunter is usually as ignorant of the actual home life of the birds he robs as we are of the condition of life on Mars. I will plead guilty of this sin of commission myself. I have a col- lection of eggs gathered from various quarters of the globe and repre- senting many families of our feathered friends. I cannot express with what degree of regret and shame I now look upon those mute evidences of the rapacity of man. I sigh when I contemplate the vast deal of harmony that has been stilled forever when those tiny treasures were clutched from beneath the little mother’s breasts. Every day now I go forth and follow my inclinations for nest hunting but instead of being armed with drills and egg boxes and collecting pistol I have only my faithful camera. Its cyclopean eye looks momentarily into the nest and brings away a lasting impression of the contents and often before I am out of sight, the avian resident is back at home in undis- turbed possession of her treasures. My delight in seeing the image impressed upon the glass is far greater than even in the old days, when I gloated over my stolen spoils. Let me give you the result of one day’s sojourn on lake shore and in forest in North Idaho. As the sun’s rays were just gilding the mountain tops and the friendly robins were straining their throats in a matin of praise to the Giver of all Light, I strayed from the busy haunts of men armed as aforesaid. My path led me along the shore of the beautiful Lake Pend d’Oreille whose placid waters mirrored back the deep blue of the towering mountains. While picking my way around some drift wood I startled from her nest of softest down, a Mallard and before she had ceased circling around watching me with anxious eye I had set my machine and her olive eggs were glued to my dry plate with a flash of light. I passed on and she returned to her duties of incubation. Donald, my Chesapeake dog, enjoyes the hunting of birds in his doggish way, fully as much as his master, and to him belongs the honor of locating the next nest. We were tramping a burn of several acres in extent when he nosed up an Ashy Gnatcatcher from her brood of nestlings. Poor little mother when she saw that great red mouth opened over her defenseless darlings she was wild with grief and fear. Her frantic cries soon brought me to the spot and at my word of com- mand the obedient animal lay down and watched my preparations for the photographing, with a great deal of interest. The little mother was an interested spectator as well, but I very much fear that her interest had a different motive. The youngsters, taking advantage of AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 45 the protective coloring that a wise Nature has provided them with, shrank down into the nest and keep becomingly quiet. I could not help thinking that they might serve as models for some children of other bipeds that I have attempted to photograph. The proper focus obtained, then a click of the shutter and I was off again. I can imagine that the parent birds (the father had made his appearance by this time) heaved a huge sigh of relief when they saw my retreating form lose itself in the woods beyond. We have one of the thrushes occassionally nesting in this locality that the chronic egg hunter would give something to possess. My collection does not contain a set of the eggs and unless chance should throw me in the way of a deserted nest, it never will. The Varied Thrush is one of the most retiring of all our summer residents. Nesting deep in the tall firs, and selecting a leafy topped one for her home it is a difficult matter to find one of the nests. I seemed to be followed this day however, by the spirit of Good Fortune. As the morning grew on to mid-day and I was gradually drawing my circle nearer and nearer home and lunch, I was startled while traversing a coppice of deep woods by a bird note that was new to me. Crouching near the root of an immense cedar I waited. Before long a bird came spying out my hiding place. Silent asa ghost she came and flitted from limb to limb, looked me all over. It was a Varied Thrush and soon I had the satisfaction of seeing a nest some thirty feet up in one of the red firs. My climbing irons were some donned and I was prodding my way up the body of the tree. A nest and its four blue eggs was the reward of my efforts. I took the strap from the camera case and tied the camera to a limb some four feet from the nest and sitting upon another swaying branch focussed the lens upon the nest andits eggs. The result I give to you. The eggs I gave back to the silent mother that was watching me from a near by tree and never uttering a sound. Right back of the house in the edge of the pine woods, where the ground is all strewn with the last years needles from the trees is a dainty little nest all made of dried grass and neatly lined with hair; within reposes two beautiful brown spotted eggs. This little domicile is presided over by Mrs. Merrill Song Sparrow. Ihave had difficult work keeping the ubiquitous small boy from destroying the home. When I called that evening to ask the madame for a sitting of her home she was not there but soon arrived and entered her protest. All to no avail however, for I plumped my one-eyed battery right down over her home and that night watched the shadowy representation of her embryo sparrows come into being under the dim light of a red lantern. Thus ended the first day with the camera. A day devoid of robbery of happy homes, yet to me, replete with all that goes to make the life of a bird lover one of pleasure. 46 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. OUR YOUNG FRIENDS. My Drar YoOuNG FOLKS: It must have been just sucha day as this that one of our nature- writers wrote in his journal—‘Another bright winter’s day; to the woods to see what bird’s nests are made of.”’ That is what Dorothy and I did yesterday, and we had such a nice time although we saw but few birds. Some Blue-jays, very charming in their brilliant blue and pure white gowns, scolded us in harsh voices— go away! go away! away!’ A flock of jovial chickadees wel- comed us, for they knew that with the passing of a certain rosy-cheek- ed little girl, was found substantial good cheer at the foot of the great pine tree. We watched an acrobat walking upside down along a tree-trunk call- ing “Yank, yank, yank!” White vested juncos and tree-sparrows with bay crowns greeted us with soft trills, and a solitary song-sparrow gave promise of approach- ing spring. Here at our feet among the low bushes was a bulky nest which this self same little song sparrow may have occupied last sum- amer. Birdnests—we found dozens of them, where we had least thought when trees and shrubs were clothed in green, and we could now pull them apart and examine them to our hearts content without fear of dis- turbing the little builders. Right by our path swung a marvelous cup, ac Phi” eee AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 47 as good as new in spite of winter wind and storm. Here mamma vireo had fed four babies months ago. The flat rim of a peewee’s nest was piled high with a feathery ring of snow. As we climbed the fence by the great elm, there swung to and fro in the wind, an oriole’s closely woven gray pocket. We have not time to tell you of the treasures we found, but I am sure you will agree with Dorothy and me that there is fun afield even on a midwinter day. Cordially, your friend, Mrc MERRYTHOUGHT. ANSWERS TO JANUARY PUZZLES, What is my name? Canada Jay. DIAMOND, € s) lal 18; CRE Mor CIR MC KS Ab © lel © IK Ay 1D) 18 18, SS) AD TB Je ES IB IR WO 18) ID) vay 1G, AD 18; IN| E ENIGMA, American Crossbill. PI. TEN WINTER BIRDS, 1. Nuthatch. Gn iuncor 2. Woodpecker. 7. Shrike. 3, Bluejay. 8. Chickadee. 4. Crossbill. 9. Waxwing. 5. Snowbunting. 10. Winter Wren. ROLL OF HONOR. 1. Lillian M. Weeks, Marietta, Ohio. 2. James H. Chase, Logansport, Indiana. 3. Huldah Chace Smith, Providence, R. I. 4, Clifford S. Merrick, Curran, III. 48 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. LETTER SQUARE. Find thirty-six birds. a ID SWE AN A AE Ng i I IE I 18 EE Wie en OmKes Nile sl © Ons DUD BC UM Nie Or Ue We WI) Ase AN Gp IG I 1 IES) ld Ie Jab le deh UE IE AE Reh SW oS el AC A 1 (©) 1 I VN I ZN GO) OW PIN A Ie OVE EON BOR Dy ole dee ders Sie ait: (Xe IN IG AR leh 10 ig JD) AE a Gg Ja ss ee O Wie i IN iy Oey IoD) i ih WY lh Wh DN Ge Ges OS Iss Ig A DUN eh we aN Seon i VetO nn sbien haat ty 1 ON WN ah AO 1h Mele G © lh W OF Wie ale Hie D ipAve ACs Wing ea bya hu 0) lah EO) ey I I tel A I ly ©: Ih IL INP IE al ay la Sel Se IN IE IN © G. L. HARRINGTON, Langdon, Minn. What birds are suggested in the following sentences? 1. I shall severely punish my son William. 2. Jchn, bring a crowbar to move this stone. 3. With flushed cheeks he ran quickly from us toward the train, for the conductor had called “‘all aboard.” 4. Ben painted the handles of his hatchet and hammer a light yellow. 5. Silently the flakes of suow floated through the air. 6. They crossed the brook on a rail from the fence. 7. He consulted a high official in the Roman Catholic church. 8 A large kettle swung from an iron arm in the old-fashioned fire- place. 9. King Edward caught a basket full of fish. 10. The Knight wrapped his mantle more closely about him, for the wind blew fiercely. AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 49 ENIGMA, (A bird of eleven letters.) Little 7-5-4-8 7-5-5 had a pet 1-5-4 which she called 6-2-9-8. Early in the spring this 1-5-4 made up its mind to set: So brother 4-5-6 placed some ducks eggs in the nest. These in course of time, changed into nine downy yellow balls. But very 11-2-2-4 trouble began for 6-2-9-8. These nine little ducklings would go to the pond in the 7-8-4-5. In vain the mother 1-5-4 clucked, coaxed and scolded, her babies would surely drown! Morning 4-2-2-4, and night would find the little family enjoying the pleasures of this watering place. In June they were left to follow their own sweet will on 7-8-4-6 or 11-5-8 for about 6-8-3-10 one afternoon, 7-5-2-4, 3-5-56 knocked at the 6-2-2-0. He had a basket in his 1-8-4-6 which he said held something for 7-5-4-8. When she raised the cover there were 11-5-5-4 cuddled in the lining of grass, ten tiny brown quails, which 7-5-2-4 had found in a field where the men had been mowing, the mother bird 1-8-6 been hidden by the tall grass, and been killed by the machine. The orphans were placed in 6-2-9-8-11 care and she became as proud of her adopted family as if they had been 1-5-3 own. It was a pretty sight during the rest of the summer, to see the ten little brown birds following their foster mother about the yard and they grew, and grew, and grew. But, 8-7-8-1]1, as they grew larg- er, they grew more independent, and 2-4-5 frosty September morning 6-2-9-8 was again in trouble. The ten little quails had disappeared as: completely as if the ground 1-8-6 opened and swallowed them, 4-2-9 were they 11-5-5-4 again untii a few weeks ago as 7-5-4-8, 7-2-2-10-5-6 toward the woods she saw what seemed like eight brown globules roll- ing down the snow crust upon the slope. As they came 4-5-8-9-5-9 she clapped her hands in delight, pressed by 11-2-3-5 hunger, her 6-5-8-9 little wanderers had returned. She and 4-5-6 cleared the snow from around the lilac bushes, and the little flock were soon feasting on buckwheat and oats. The birds re- treated to the woods again, but now come nearly every day for the grain scattered for them beneath the bushes, and 7-5-4-8 and 1-5-3 brother hope to coax some of the other birds to share in the goodies 5-9-5 the long winter months 8-3-5 gone. 50 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. GLEANINGS, Where, twisted round the barren oak _ The summer vine in beauty clung, And summer winds the stillness broke, The crystal icicle is hung. Alas! how changed from the fair scene, When birds sang out their mellow lay, And winds were soft, and woods were green, And the song ceased not with the day. But still wild music is abroad; Pale, desert woods! within your crowd; And gathering winds, in hoarse accord, Amid the vocal reeds pipe loud. Chill air and wintry winds! my ear Has grown familiar with your song: I hear it in the opening year, I listen, and it cheers me long. Longtellow. Guide to Taxidermy Full of valuable information. COMPLETE INSTRUCTIONS HOW TO PREPARE AND MOUNT Birds Animals and Fish Also contains. a com- plete list of all North American Birds, with prices of their eggs, skins and mounted specimens ; also an ex- haustive line of Orni- thologists’, Oologists’ and Taxidermists’ sup- plies, valuable infor ination for the amateur, recipes, etc. Bound in cloth, 35c, postpaid. 104 Union St., CHAS. K. REED, Worcester, Mass. 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Send roc for catalog FRANK BLAKE WEBSTER CO., HYDE PARK, MASS, Museum DOD DDD DDD DDD DD DDI DDD GRRE RCE REC E RRR E RE \cascccseea EEE EEE EE VY ISS VSSIIOO THE SPORTING DICTIONARY AND FIELDann STREAM FOR ah1.50 — We have purchased the entire edition of the SPORTING DICTION- ARY, the most valuable addition to the Sportsman’s Library ever pub- lished, for free distribution to our readers. No lover of hunting, fishing, out-door life, athletics or card playing should be without this book. In fact no modern library is complete without it. It contains 180 pages printed on a good quality of paper in clear, legible type and defines thousands of words and phrases—both professional and technical terms—used in all popular sports and games, including: THE GUN CANOEING BOWLING CROQUET HUNTING CARD PLAYING TENTH ARCHERY FISHING BASE BALL THE HORSE QUAITS — RIFLE PRACTICE FOOT BALL GOLF CURLING BOATING HAND BALL BOXING BILLIARDS To every new subscriber to FIELD AND STREAM and every old sub- scriber who renews or extends his subscription a copy of this book will be mailed, post free. Place your name and address on the coupon below, cut it off, pin it to a money-order or check for $1.50 and mail it to us. FIELD AND STREAM is America’s foremost magazine for Sports- men. Every issue is paid with stories of the Rod, Gun, Dog Canoe, Camera and Cruise. A new serial by Horace Kephart on ‘‘Camping and Woodcraft’’ is just now beginning. This series of articles by the famous out-door writer will be of tremendous interest to the men and women who go to the fields, woods and waters in search of health and recreation. Re RR Re PP PP DDD DDD DDD DOD DDD DODD GRRE KEE ERE ERE ERE 2 s x Field and Stream : curtnis coupon orr HERE. ; é FIELD AND SEREA New York. s “America’s Magazine for Fici'eun'StabAtvfor one year and the ¢ Sportsmen’”’ & SPORTING DICTIONARY. ; a © INBIMN@sc090ed00000 soopdgsccdcadnoDGDGen0 5 35 West Twenty-first y ING\EIRESGo0d0 pp 0000600000 nodco0G000000000 5 Street, NEW YORK Suede ae B.M. Dec, § ee a EN a ines eine ee oe American Bird Magazine SPECIAL OFFER. Volumes !, 2, 3, 4.and Subscription for 1905 FOR $3.50. These FIVE VOLUMES will contain over 1700 ages of the most interesting and instructive bird literature, with nearly 1300 illustrations, many of them photographs of live wild birds. THE FIVE VOLUMES WILL BEa PAID FOR $3.50. CHAS. K. REED, Worcester, Mass. SENT PRE- THE DOG FANCIER. ESTABLISHED 1801. A MONTHLY KENNEL PUBLICATION. The oldest, most popularand mest prosperous amateur kennel publication in America. Contains each month appropriate reading matter and illustrations of great value to every owner of a dog. Advertisers get excellent results, and the rates are very low. Covers the entire United States and Canada, and if he’s got a dog you are pretty sure to reach him through THE DOG FANCIER. A sample copy will be sent free. Subscription price, soc a year. EUGENE GLASS, Publisher, Battle Creek, Mich. NEW BARGAIN LISTS. Our new Winter Bargain Lists are just out. Fine assortments of Minerals Shells, Curios, and everything required for a Natural His- tory Collection. Wecarry the finest assort- ment of the kind in America and sell the cheapest. Write today. WALTER F.WEBB, 902 Westminster Road, Rochester, N. Y. BOYS AND GIRLS Nature Study Magazine Organ of the Chautauqua Junior Naturalist and Civic Improvement Clubs. 50 CENTS A YEAR Sample sent free. ADDRESS BOYS AND GIRLS ITHACA, N. Y. STATE MUTUAL LIFE ASSURANCE COMPANY. Insurance in force Jan. 1, 1904,..... $100,902,399.00 AISSetS diame 11904) eee eee 23 249,248.36 Liabilities Jan. 1, 1904 .................. - 21,064,170.00 SoUe OMIS Daal, 1, OM scocescecencscesseees = $2,185,078.36 A. G. BULLOCK, President. HENRY W. WITTER, Secretary WORCESTER, MASS. Game of Birds A series of fifty-two illustrations of popular birds in colors, true to nature. A beautiful, interesting, and instructive game. 35 CENTS POSTPAID. We will send this FREE for one new subscriber to American Ornithology. CHAS. K. REED, Worcester, Mass. The Young Idea Normal Clubbing List Offer First—Will send Popular Educator, Primary Education, and The Young Idea for $2.00 for the full year. Offer Second— Will send Popular Educator or Primary Education, the Young Idea and Birds and Nature for $2.25 for full year, with 20 Bird Plates Free. OFFER THIRD—Will send Popular Educator or Primary Education, The Young Idea and the Bird Magazine for $2.00 for the full year. Offer Fourth— Will send Popular Educator or Primary Education and The Young Idea for $1.25. Offer Fifth— Will send Popular Educator or Primary Education, The Young Idea and Four Track News for $1.60 for a full year. Offer Sixth— Will send Popular Educator or Primary Education, The Young Idea and the SchoolArt Book for $2.00 for the full year. Young Idea and Pets and Animals $ .75 i a ‘“ Four Track News 15 = a “ Boys and Girls 15 ss i “ Success 1,10 Be os ‘* American Educator 1.25 ce & “ Pathfinder 1.10 Correspondence solicited. THE ALLEN COMPANY, 4 Ashburton Place, Boston, Mass, JAMES E. HUGHES, Manager. ) | APES SN PRIA If you are in authority over children whether TEACHER or PAREN Your most anxious desire is to help them in their studies SE Cr EDIE Nes @) Wie has become a time of trouble; the lessons will not come right—and the parents cannot debe Wale CiatibIDIQslN| because ‘“‘methods of instruction have changed so” since they went to school. If this is your case, would you not like to see a magazine devoted to Clearing up just these troubles? Taking up the subjects of the COURSED Ole STUD NG ) Grade by Grade, and showing how they should be presented? ( SCHOOL WORK will do this for you. It isa QUARTERLY of 128 pages, addressed to parents andteachers who wantcthelp. IT COSTSEONE DOLLAR A YEAR, for four num- bers; 30 cents acopy. Number:3 of Volume 3:will be invaluable to parents of children learning Algebra and Geometiy and eighth year Arithmetic, and in the work in English for all grades. If you send us a postal, mentioning ‘‘American Ornithology’’ we will send postpaid, circulars showing contents of Volume Three, or the entire volume, over 500 pages of timely pedagogy written and presented by the Superintendents, Principals and Teachers who won for New York City gold medal recognition at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, will be sent on receipt of One Dollar. Address Mik 2 DIMORS Ors Chi@ OK n/n 70 Fifth Avenue, New York. re \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ ¥ HOPPTYPPYTDPYTIDIPYDOPETTDIPTTDD PITT TPETIPTTD PETIT PPT TDO PTDINS FID NITIIEL IN ORDER TO OBTAIN THE BEST RESULTS IN MAKING BIRD PHOTOS YOU MUST USE THE CRAMER CROWN PLATES Which are especially adapted for this class of work, and are used exclusively by the publishers of AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. Full descriptive manual sent free to any address upon application, provided AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY is mentioned. G. CRAMER DRY PLATE CO. ST. LOUIS, MO. OF FICHRKS IN New York, Chicago, San Francisco, 93 University Place. 39 State Street. 819 Market St. TLD AaTAGIAQIAL22(00) 040100000 1410 obcoa0 cdi 0aa can cao | FaVddbddbdsidsidssdsidsidsassdssdssdsadsadsaAddssssassasss Mbbbbdbdddddbdddddddsbbddddbddddddddddddddddsddddddddsddddddddsdddddddddddcire FOUR GOOD BOOKS. BIRDS AND NATURE. One Year. Price $1.50. Nothing could be more appropriate than a year’s subscription to ‘‘Birds and Nature’’ as a Christmas present or birthday gift, for it reminds your friends of the giver each month during the year. Where requested we send a card informing the recipient that through your kindness he will receive ‘‘Birds and Nature’’ for a full year, and cards are mailed so as to reach the subscriber at the proper time. Send the name and $1.50, we do the rest for you. A. B. C. BOOK OF BIRDS. 26 Color Plates and Bird Covers in Colors. Price $1.00. By Mary Catherine Judd. A-book for children both large and small. Miss Judd, in this, has prepared a book that will be a delight to every child and will be in- tensely interesting to every adult lover of birds. THE JINGLE BOOK OF BIRDS. 16 Colored Plates. Bird Covers in Colors. Price 60 Cents. By Edward B. Clark. Beautiful pictures, catchy verse. Adopted for township libraries in Wisconsin. This book is for both children and the elders. The lines are not jingles merely, but jingles which have a well-rounded purpose and much of pith and point. The color scheme of the cover is strikingly beautiful. This book will make an appropriate Christmas gift. THE FAIRIES THAT RUN THE WORLD AND HOW THEY DO IT. 30 Fnil-Page Illustrations. Price $1.00. By Ernest Vincent Wright. A ' beautiful book of children’s stories in verse. The subjects dealt with are well known to children and many pleasant thoughts regarding the work- ings of Nature may be derived from the pages of this volume. AWARDED GOLD MEDAL, WORLD’S FAIR ST. LOUIS, 1904. A.W. MUMEORD, Publisher, 378 Wabash Avenue, Chicago. ( _A BIRD DICTIONARY COLOR KEY TO North American Birds By FRANK M. CHAPMAN A complete bird dictionary, with ; upward ‘of 800 drawings in colors, so arranged that one may learn a bird’s name with the least pos- sible difficulty. In no other book has the problem of identifica- tion been so simplified. The book is equally useful in any part of the country from the Atlantic tothe Pacific. 312 pages, Q TORTH AMERICAN BIRDS EG6S By CHESTER A. REED, B. S. A complete illustrated book of all eggs. It gives the habitat and breed- ing range of each species; location and construction of the nest; time of nest- ing; number, description and varia- tion of eggs laid; with a full-sized illustration of the egg of nearly every species, and a large number of full-page illustrations of nesting sites. 360 pages, cloth, $2.50. Both of these books and the American Bird Magazine one year for $5.00. © ( CHAS. K. REED, Worcester, Mass. ES Se LLY My \e Sis CORN LEZ wes ( fa Entered at the Post Office at Worcester, Mass. as second-class matter. Jan. 16, 1co1 a al) A BIRD DICTIONARY COLOR KEY TO North American Birds By FRANK M. CHAPMAN “as NN q A complete bird dictionary, with i upward ‘of 800 drawings in colors, so arranged that one may learn a bird’s name with the least pcs- sible difficulty. In no other book has the problem of identifica- tion been so simplified. The book is equally useful in. any part of the country from the Atlantic tothe Pacific. 312 pages, cloth, $2.50. NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS EGGS By CHESTER A. REED, B. S. A complete illustrated book of all eggs. It gives the habitat and breed- ing range of each species; location and construction of the nest; time of nest- ing; number, description and varia- tion of eggs laid; with a full-sized illustration of the egg of nearly every ClLIDIRIEIN « because ‘“‘methods of instruction have changed so’’ \ since they went to school. If this is your case, would you not like to see a « magazine devoted to clearing up just these troubles? Taking up the subjects of the COURSERORe ssi Wipe Grade by Grade, and showing how they should be presented? (SCHOOL WORK & will do this for you. It isa QUARTERLY of 128 pages, addressed to parents and teachers who want help. IT COstS ONES DOEEAR SA YE AR tO toute emul bers; 30 cents a copy. Number 3 of Volume 3 will be invaluable to parents of children learning Algebra and Geometry and eighth year Arithmetic, and in the work in English for all grades. If you send us a postal, mentioning ‘‘American Ornith»logy”’ we will send postpaid, circulars showing contents of Volume Three, or the entire volume, over 500 pages of timely pedagogy written and presented by the Superintendents, Principals and Teachers who won for New York City gold medal recognition at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, will be sent on receipt of One Dollar. Address THE EDITORS OF SCHOO: WORK 70 Fifth Avenue, New York. A Nk Nk Nk RV FN Vw NR NANB A GOOD FIELD GLASS The BEST for Bird Study and Equally Good for Mountain, Sea Shore or Opera These Glasses are well made and espec- ially adapted for the use of the bird stu- dent as they give about twice the field vision of ordinary ones and magnify near- ly four diameters. They are in good strong leather case, silk lined. bes-Remember, you can have them free by getting only ten subscriptions for our magazine at $1.00 each. Or if you prefer we will send you a pair prepaid on receipt of $5.00. Try them a week and if not perfectly satisfactory return them to us and we will refund the $5.00. Is not that fair? The Glass and Color Key to N. A. Birds by F. M. Chapman.............. $ 6 50 The Glass and North American Birds Eggs by C. A. Reed................ 6 50 Lhe Glass:and both: Books i112 eae eek oe ecient ee 8 00 CHAS. K. REED WORCESTER MASS. NO COLLECTION IS COMPLETE WITHOUT ONE OF THESE Fine Shell Curios Do you know what it is? Down in the islands near South America, this large land shell (Bulimus oblongus) is not un- common. Many collectors boast of having one of the shells, but how many have one of its “eggs.” The illustrations are natural size. The shell is brownish with rosy red lip. The egg is pure white of the same texture as an alligator egg. They are always hidden away in the soil, and hatch the same as a turtle egg; when the young emerges, it starts in to feed on green leaves at once. The eggs are really very s-arce, and few have ever found their way into collections, We have a very limited supply and while they last will mail a fine shell and egg for a dollar bill. The egg, whenever it has been offered, usually brings this price or more. We guarantee safe arrival and hope to have your order by return mail. We have young immature shells at 10c. each. Larger ones at 20c. Eggs alone 75c, (The eggs are neatly blown.) If you would like our other lists of fine shells, minerals, corals, curios, etc., we shall be pleased tO send them. WALTER F. WEBB 202 Westminister Road, Rochester, N. Y. American Bird Magazine SPECIAL OFFER. Volumes |, 2, 3, 4and Subscription for 1905 FOR $3.50. These FIVE VOLUMES will contain over 1700 ages of the most interesting and instructive bird feerature, with nearly 1300 illustrations, many of them photographs of live wild birds. THE FIVE VOLUMES WILL BE SENT PRE. PAID FOR $3.50. CHAS. K. REED, Worcester, Mass. THE DOG FANCIER. ESTABLISHED 18or. A MONTHLY KENNEL PUBLICATION. The oldest, most popular and mest prosperous amateur kennel publication in America. Contains each month appropriate reading matter and illustrations of great value to every owner of a dog. Advertisers get excellent results, and the rates are very low. Covers the entire United States and Canada, and if he’s got a dog you are pretty sure to reach him through THE DOG FANCIER. A sample copy will be sent free. Subscription price, soc a year. EUGENE GLASS, Publisher, Battle Creek, Mich. NEW BARGAIN LISTS. Our new Winter Bargain Lists are just out. Fine assortments of Minerals Shells, Curios, and everything required for a Natural His- tory Collection. Wecarry the finest Base tl ment of the kind in America and sell th cheapest. Write today. WALTER F. WEBB. 202 Westminster Road, Rochester, N. Y. BOYS AND GIRLS Nature Study Magazine Organ of the Chautauqua Junior Naturalist and Civic Improvement Clubs. 50 CENTS A YEAR Sample sent free. ADDRESS BOYS AND GIRLS ITHACA, N. Y. STATE MUTUAL LIFE ASSURANCE COMPANY. Insurance in force Jan. 1, 1904,.... $100,902,399.00 Assets Jan. 1, 190!, es Sey Oe 23.249 248.36 Liabilities Jan. 1, 1904 -............... - 21,064,170.00 Surplus Jan. 1, 1904, 00... _ $2,185,078.36 A. G. BULLOCK, President. HENRY W. WITTER, Secretary WORCESTER, MASS. Game of Birds A series of fifty-two illustrations of popular birds in colors, true to nature. A beautiful, interesting, and instructive game. 35 CENTS POSTPAID. We will send this FREE for one new subscriber to American Ornithology. CHAS. K. REED, Worcester, Mass. The Condor A Magazine of Western Ornithology EDITED BY WALTER K. FISHER For 1905 THE CONDOR has been fortunate in securing cooperation of Mr. William Lovell Finley and Mr. Herman T. Bohlman whose superb photographs of wild birds have never been excelled, and rarely equaled. They will contribute to each issue dur- ing 1905 and the collection of photo- graphs will be notable in the history of ornithology. The first article, in the January issue, details the photographing of in aerie of Western Red-tails, and as illustrated by superb photographs, taken in a huge cotton-wood, 120 feet above the ground. Volume VII begins with the January issue and will be better than any pre- ceding volumes. Subscription $1.00 a year. Sample copy, twenty-five cents. Order of JOSEPH GRINNELL, Pasadena, Cal.. American Ornithology. A Magazine Devoted Wholly to Birds. Published monthly by CHAS. K. REED, 75 Thomas St., Worcester, Mass. EDITED BY CHESTER A. REED, B.S. SUBSCRIPTION PRICE in United States, Canada and Mexico, One Dollar yearly in advance. Single copies, ten cents. Vols. I, II, Ill and IV, $1.00 each. Special:—Vols. I, II, III, IV and subscription for 1905, $3.50. We can supply back numbers at ten cents per copy. FOREIGN SUBSCRIPTION, $1.25. — COPYRIGHT, 1905 BY CHAS. K. REED-—— VOL. V MARCH, 1905. NO. 3 Photo from life by J. M. Schreck YOUNG KINGBIRDS. Photo from life by R, H. Beebe. ADULT KINGBIRDS ON MULLEIN STALK. 52 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. A DRUMMER BOY. My interest in the Partridge was roused by reading William Long’s stcry of the “‘Ol’ Beach Pa’tridge.’’ This is the story of a bird, which roamed for years, over a certain tract of land, claiming it as his own, and from it, driving off every other cock Partridge that dared approach the region of his two favorite drumming logs. He was the target of many a hunter, and many a noble dog tried to hold him but in vain. As a last resort, a small boy set a trap for him, but through the curiosity of a Blue Jay, the'Ol’ Beech Pa’tridge’s life was spared. Due to the large number of devotees of the hunt, the woods in this region, have been largely depopulated of these birds. So it was to me 5 Photo from life by J. M. Schreck. MOTHER KINGBIRD AND YOUNG. a matter of joy and interest when an opportunity was presented of ob- serving the Partridge. Tired from a long bird walk, which had just led through an old wood lot, densly covered with a low growth of bushes and brambles, I sat down to rest. At my feet trickled a little brook, and opposite rose a AMERIGAN ORNITHOLOGY. 53 gentle slope covered with hickories, seemingly an ideal place for birds. As I looked about, my eye rested on a stump, and standing on it, scarcely discernible on account of the blending of color, was a Partridge. The bird strutted about on the stump with drooping wings, his fine tail spread and ruff raised, apparently looking to see if he was observed. No one was looking, he concluded, and so he stood erect and preened himself. Then the woods resounded with his drumming. He seemed to produce the sound by striking his wings against the side of his body. This, he did very slowly at first, then after a short pause, he gradually increased the speed until the sound died out in a continuous whirr. Ten consecutive times I saw this Partridge drum, and every time he went through the same preliminary movements. After watching for a time, I made my presence known, by going nearer, only to see him hop from his stump and disappear in a great flurry. About fifteen minutes later, asI stood at the edge of the woods, Some distance from this spot, I again heard the sound of his drumming, which seemed to come from a long distance. All summer I thought of this persistent fellow, drumming on his stump to calla mate. Always there came the wish that the ruthless hunter would spare his life, and that he might secure a loving mate. ELSIE SPACE JACKSON. A MUNICIPAL BIRD TRAP. By BERTON MERCER. A recent article in the Philadelphia ‘““Public Ledger’’ brings to the attention of the general public some very interesting facts concerning bird life and travel in this locality. Probably few persons are aware that hundreds of migrating birds are ensnared annually in the heart of our city by one of the largest bird traps in the world. This trap is no less than the immense bronze figure of William Penn on the top af City Hall tower. The distance between the pavement and the statue is about 549 feet, and around the base of the figure is a circle of mammoth arc lights that burn throughout the night. This circle of light—the highest point for miles around—has been the destroyer of many birds during their nocturnal migration be- tween their winter and summerhomes. They become temporarily blind- ed by the strong light and fly against the statue, dropping in the bal- cony be-neath either dead or mained. The lights were turned on for the first time on the night of the Fourth of July 1897, and the next morning the body of a young Sora Rail was found in the balcony. This Rail was the first bird to meet death in 54 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. the great trap. Since the above date, upwards of two thousand birds, representing 60 different species, have been killed at the top of the tower. Following is a list of the different birds which have been found in this lofty balcony. STROH MS URIS © Oman CANE DEIR Olin @laniva leleAue ema ly @\WaE Re Horned Grebe Magnolia Warbler Ruddy Duck Chestnut-sided Warbler Sora Rail Black-poll Warbler Mourning Dove Blackburnian Warbler Sparrow Hawk : Black-throated Green Warbler Yellow-billed Cuckoo Palm Warbler Black-billed Cuckoo Yellow Palm Warbler Yellow-bellied Woodpecker Prairie Warbler Flicker Hooded Warbler Phoebe Tennessee Warbler Wood Pewee Water Thrush Bobolink Purple Finch Savannah Sparrow Pine Warbler Grasshopper Sparrow Bay-breasted Warbler White-throated Sparrow Cape May Warbler Chipping Sparrow Nashville Warbler Field Sparrow Connecticut Warbler Slate-colored Junco Oven Bird Song Sparrow Maryland Yellow-throat Towhee Yellow-breasted Chat Indigo Bird Redstart Scarlet Tanager Catbird Cedar Bird Brown Thrasher Red-eye Vireo House Wren White-eye Vireo Marsh Wren Blue-headed Vireo Brown Creeper Black-and-white Creeper Red-bellied Nuthatch Parula Warbler Golden-crowned Kinglet Black-throated Blue Warbler Ruby-crowned Kinglet Myrtle Warbler Wood Thrush A prominent electrician, connected with the equipment corps, has taken a great interest in studying these birds, and has secured a col- lecfion of 130 handsome specimens which have been mounted and are on exhibition in his office. A large number are also turned over to the Philadelphia Academy of Natural Sciences. This gentlemen states that thousands of birds pass close to the lights, while comparatively few strike. The majority of the birds found dead are young ones, which would seem to indicate that the old birds who have made the journey before, AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 15) have learned the fatal character of the lights and avoid them. It has also been noticed that no birds strike on moonlight nights, at least until towards morning when the moon sinks below the horizon and leaves the heavens darkened. The largest flight of birds takes place in the spring and fallmonths. The above report is valuable from the fact that it gives an accurate idea of the dates of migration, and of the different species which travel over this section. Extracts from Philadelphia ““Public Ledger,’’ Jan. 31, 1904. A. O. U. No. 444. (Tyrannus tyrannus.) RANGE. Whole of temperate North America, but chiefly east of the Rocky Mountains as they are only rarely and locally found on the Pacific coast; their range extends north to the southern parts of British America; in winter they go beyond our borders to Cuba, Central America and northern South America. DESCRIPTION, Length about 8.5 inches. Upper parts slate color, blackest on the crown, wings and tail; the underparts are white, and there is a semi- concealed orange patch in the center of the crown; only the adult birds have this latter mark, the young having the crown solid blackish. NEST AND EGGS. King birds nest in open places either on the edge of woods or in or- chards; their nests are placed at moderate distances from the ground; say four to fifteen feet. Nests may be found in a great many varieties of trees but by far the greater percentage are in apple or pear trees. Their nests are made of grasses, fibres, twigs, and especially in the neighborhood of houses, string; this structure is quite large and is usually lined with horse hair. They lay three, four, five and sometimes even six eggs ina set, four 56 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. and five being the number most often found; they are creamy white handsomely specked and spotted with reddish brown and blotched with lavender and gray. Size .95x.70. HABITS. Was ever a bird more aptly umed, a king by name, by nature and, if we may consider the little orange patch on the head as a crown, in dress. To be sure their feathers are of a sombre hue, but any plain- ness in attire is more than offset by their vivacious manners, for they are very active and pugnacious. and even more fitting than their common name is the scientific one of tyrannus. They are faithful allies to their friends—swift, sure and relentless pursuers of those who incur their displeasure. Without fear they will attack birds of many times their size and drive them away; Hawks, Crows and Jays flee from them in appar- ent terror. Their method of attack is always the same,—darting down at the enemy from above as if they were going to tear him to pieces. While it is very improbable that they ever do any injury to the larger birds that they attack, it is strange that none of them ever attempt to NEST AND EGGS OF KINGBIRD. AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 57 offer the slightest resistence but appear to exert every muscle in an effort to escape. After chasing the object of his hate sometimes a mile away, this valiant little tyrant will proudly sale back to his lookout with ex- cited cries of victory. In this way they do good service for farmers by protecting his poultry from the depredations of birds of prey. While never at peace with birds that are in the habit of preying upon other birds or their eggs, King birds always seem to be on good terms with all other kinds and birds of other species are often found nesting in the same tree with them. Not only do they protect their own nests with great valor, but they will do their utmost to drive intruders away from the home of any of their neighbors in distress. One pair of King birds that I began to feel as though I was acquaint- ed with, returns to the same orchard year after year. They have taken upon themselves the duty of police, and try to look after the welfare of all their neighbors. The first time I approached the place, this pair of birds came out to greet me, not with words of welcome, but with notes of alarm and warning; so vociferous were they that they soon had all the bird popu- lation in a panic, and Robins, Blue birds, Chipping and Song Sparrows, Orioles, House Wrens and a pair of Tree Swallows swarmed about me uttering their varied notes of alarm. It required only a few minutes of this din to bring forth the farmer to investigate. I first made my peace with him and then tried it with the birds, which was a more difficult matter. All except the King birds soon quieted down but these would have nothing to do with me and it was only after I had visited them half a dozen times that they would omit their angry greeting. Finally, however, they did become reconciled to me and my photographic outfit. Their food is almost wholly of insects, which are caught on the wing, and so keen is their vision that they will, from their lookout on a dead branch, see a favorite insect fifty or more yards away and immediately dash out in pursuit, and a snapping of the mandibles announces his success. While most of their food consists of obnoxious insects, they also eat bees, which causes them to be in ill-repute with bee keepers, who call these birds Bee birds or Martins. They arrive at their northern breeding ground early in May and remain until their food supply is getting scarce which occurs after the first frostof Autumn. Most farm- ers now realize the value of insect-eating birds and offer them what pro- tection they can from human enemies and, at least in Massachusetts, I think that King birds have been increasing in numbers during the past few years. : 58 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. ee es eT PNET 2 PUN AEE LD ie OES OP a LION PDs PE — SS I aN Na enna Ny : What the Birds Said. By CLARENCE HAWKES. The birds were always a source of sweet delight to the children. It mattered not, whether it was early in the spring and the bluebird had just come with his sweet song, gay in his bright coat of blue and crimson; or whether it was late in the autumn and the last faint call of the robin was dying away as he flew southward to his winter home. The song was alike welcome. The children could not always tell what the birds were saying in their low musical language, so their mother who was a bird lover and understood bird language made some pretty little jingles which told just what they were saying. Some of these rhymes I remember and you shall have them so you may know what the birds are saying when you hear them sing. When Blue-bird sat upon the clothes post and the bright sunlight falls upon his rich coat, he would pour fourth his pure sweet song which was all the more welcome as none of the other birds had yet come north. Cheery, cheery, low and clear, I can charm the dullest ear, Singing when the air is chill, Calling for the daffodil. The next one of the children’s little feathered friends to arrive from the south was robin. Some mornings they would get up and look out of the window and there he was hopping about in the meadow, getting his breakfast. His breast was just as bright as when he flew away and he was the same pert fellow. When he had finished his morning meal he would fly up into the old elm tree, and swelling out his breast to its utmost, begin, his song. Cheer up, cheer up, when the sun Is rising in the east, Cheery cheery when we've done The work of man and beast. AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 59 Next after robin came phoebe, who was a quiet little fellow, with a sweet sad song. His coat like his song was very modest, but he was welcome nevertheless. The children were apt to discover him flying about in the shed looking for some convenient beam upon which to build a nest for Mrs. Phoebe. © Phoebe, phoebe, all day long, Just that plaintive little song, If he knows another note, It is hidden in his throat. Next atter the phoebe, came the swallow, flying along the meadows like the wind. He always wore the same brown coat, and was always the same noisy fellow. You might see him perched upon the top of the barn, or under the eaves, or he might be trying his wings over the corn stubble. — Chatter chatter in the air, Chatter chatter “neath the eaves, Chatter chatter everywhere *Till the falling of the leaves. It was some time before the most beautiful song of all was heard, but like all good things, it came at last. May be you discovered him flying above the erass in the meadow, or perhaps he was perched upon the top most branch of a small tree or bush, but there was no mistaking the song. Gurgle, ripple sweetest song, Sparkle, bubble, all day long, Merry music don’t you think From the wonderous bobolink. Then there were oriole and song sparrow each with a wonderful song of his own, and a host of others that only chirped and twittered, but all did what they could to make the summer days glad. Over in the beach woods was a very shy fellow. The children rarely saw him, and even when they did, it was not much of a sight, for his coat was a rusty brown, but he had a very peculiar song which you will never forgot when you had heard it once. Cuckoo, cuckoo, in the woods, How he loves the solitudes, Cuckoo, cuckoo, calling yet, He is asking for more wet. AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 60 ip a FOES ‘aqoog “H “M Aq ast] WoL 0}04d ‘ONNOA GNV GUHIFONIN DTNGV AMERIGAN ORNITHOLOGY. 61 YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER. A. O. U. No. 663. (Dendroica dominica) ; RANGE. The breeding range of these Warblers is in eastern United States, chiefly east of the Alleghenies, where it is found from southern Flori- da to Maryland and casually Pennsylvania. They winter in southern Florida, the Bahamas and the West Indies. DESCRIPTION. Length, 5 to 5.25 in. The adults of this species are very similar in color and markings, the female being only a trifle duller colored. SYCAMORE WARBLER. A. O. U. No. 663a. (Dendroica dominiea albilora.) RANGE AND DESCRIPTION, The western form of the Yellow-throated Warbler is most abundantin the lower Ohio Valley, ranging from the Alleghenies in Virginia west to Nebraska and from Michigan and Wisconsin south to the Gulf. It differs from the eastern form in having the lores white or nearly white instead of yellow as in the preceding» and in usually having the chin white also. The habits of the two very similar birds do not differ. NEST AND EGGS. The eastern Yellow-throated Warblers nest commonly in the South Atlantic States, building their homes upon the horizontal boughs of pines or oaks, or sometimes in pendant bunches of Spanish moss something after the style of the Parula Warbler; as a rule their nests are placed at quite an elevation from the ground, the distance varying from fifteen to forty feet. When placed on limbs the nests are made of fine twigs, grasses and shreds of bark and lined with feathers. They lay three or four, and rarely five, eggs of a pale greenish-white color, specked or wreathed with brown and lavender. Size .70 x .50. HABITS These birds are one of the earliest ot the Warbler migrants, due per- haps to the fact that many of them winter along the Gulf coast and in Florida. ‘They arrive at their summer homes and commence breeding early in April, usually rear their families and commence to take their departure in the latter part of July or August. Their song is loud and 62 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. clear and with a faint suggestion of the Indigo-Bunting melody, it being an unusual song for a Warbler. Their habits are quite similar to those of the Black and White Warbler, being in fact, aS much like those of a creeper as a Warbler. They are persistent gleaners and often give voice to their little song as they clamber about among the branch- es. It will be noticed that their bills are longer and more curved than those of the other Warbler. GRACE WARBLER. A. O. U. No. 664. (Dendroica graciz). RANGE. Western United States breeding in the mountains of Arizona and New Mexico, and wintering in the western part of Mexico. DESCRIPTION AND HABITS. This species averages about a quarter of an inch less in length than the last, to which it bears some resemblance although it has a typical warbler bill; the entire supercialiary line is yellow, the sides of the head are gray and the back is marked with black streaks or arrow heads. These birds are quite abundant in pine woods at high elevations in southern Arizona. Their nests are placed high up in coniferous trees usually in a bunch of needles at the end of a limb. They are therefore quite difficult to find and their eggs are scarce. The nests are made of grasses, bark, needles, etc., and are lined with hair and feathers; the eggs are white with reddish brown specks, chiefly on the larger end. BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLER. A. O.U. No. 665. (Dendroica nigrescens.) RANGE. Western United States, breeding from southern Arizona and south- ern California north to British Columbia and east to the middle of Col- orado. ‘They winter in the southern part of Mexico. HABITS. Black-throated Gray Warblers are easily identified by their black, white and gray colors and the small yellow spot on the lores. These birds return to our country from their winter quarters about the first Townsend AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. WARBLERS. Yellow throated Grace Golden-cheeked Black-throated Green Black-throated Gray Hermit 63 64 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. week in April and reach the northern limit of their breeding area about the third week in that month. They are usually found on high dry areas, seeming to prefer tall coniferous trees within which to construct their nests, although these are sometimes found in bushes as well. The female does the greater part if not all the nest building, the male merely superintending the work. Their nests are placed at heights of from five to twenty or more feet from the ground and are usually sit- uated in a small bunch of leaves which effectually conceals it from the view of prying eyes, whether of man or bird, for Crows, California and Steller Jays are common where these warblers nest and are always in search of a breakfast of eggs or young birds. Their nests are com- pactly made of dried grasses and lined with feathers or hair, or both. Four eggs usually constitutes a complete set, these being laid early in May. While quite common in the spring and fall, but few of them are seen during the summer as during the nesting period they are shy and retiring. The male bird frequently sings while the female is on the nest, but usually at some distance from it. Should any danger appear the female will quietly glide away through the underbrush and seek her mate, upon finding whom they will both return and scold the intruder. While they are naturally shy birds, they are not opposed to becoming friendly with anyone that they feel that they can trust, and so accurate is a bird’s intuition that its confidence is rarely betrayed. Young birds in the fall show but few traces of black on the throat, the crown is grayish and the back is without streaks; the adult female is similar, but shows more black on the throat, the crown is mixed with black and the back is streaked with the same; as is usual among the ‘Warblers, the male is the most beautiful, this species having an intense glossy black crown and throat, which requires the out-of-door light on the living bird to display its complete beauty. GOLDEN-CHEEKED WARBLER. A. O. U. No. 666. (Dendroica chrysoparia. RANGE. This rare species is found in the United States only in Texas where it breeds in the south central portion; in the winter it migrates into Mexico and Central America. HABITS. These beautiful birds are, perhaps, the rarest of the North American Warblers. The male bears a strong resemblance to that of the Black- throated Green Warbler, but the back and crown are a jet black, the latter often with a nearly concealed spot of yellow in the center, and the sides of the head are a brighter yellow with a narrow black stripe AMERIGAN ORNITHOLOGY. 65 through the eye. The female is much brighter than the female of the Black-throated Green having a bright yellow throat mixed with black, and bright greenish-yellow upper parts with black streaks. The birds are found entirely where there is cedar timber, and they build their nests in these trees, usually at low elevations, such as five or ten feet from the ground. The nests are handsome structures, compactly woven of grasses, mosses and cobwebs, and lined with hair and feathers. The four eggs that they lay are white, specked chiefly around the large’ end with cinnamon or reddish brown. They average about .75 x .55 inches. The birds first appear in Texas about the middle of March and may be found breeding during April and May. BLACK-THRORTED GREEN WARBLERS. A. O. U. No. 667. (Dendroica virens). RANGE. The United States and southern Canada east of the Great plains, breeding in the northern half of the United States and in the Alleghenies south to Georgia; in the fall they migrate through Texas and Mexico to Guatemala where most of them winter. HABITS. With the possible exception of the Pine Warbler, Black-throated Greens are most abundant of resident Warblers in eastern United States. During migration, Black-polls and Myrtle Warblers are also very abun- dant but they all pass on beyond our borders. During the summer these birds are found almost exclusively in coniferious trees but in the spring and fall, during migrations they may be met with anywhere; in the fall migration especially, they like to keep in the tops of tall trees in company with many other varieties and then they are very hard to identify as at that season they sing but very little. They appear in the United States about the first of April reaching their breeding grounds in the north after the first of May. By the end of the month they have all mated and retired to the pine covered hill-sides to breed. In ex- teusively wooded districts, they nest in communities but in isolated pine trees in other woods a single pair may often be found nesting. As arule they like low growths of pines but many may be found in very large trees; in either case the nests are usually placed well up towards the top and wholly concealed from below by the numerous needles. The birds are bright little fellows, ever on the watch to see 66 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. that no one is watching them while they are house-building or, later, when they are feeding their little ones. I have often known them to build decoy nests when they knew that they were observed, and have known them, too, to leave a nest when they were certain that it had been found. The only evidence of short-sightedness in their endeavors to keep their homes secret is the violent scolding to which they treat every intruder, thereby notifying him of the fact that they have ahome near by. Their nests are made of grasses, rootlets and fibres, lined with horse hair. They lay four, and sometimes five white eggs specked and spotted with brown and lavender; size .60x.50 inches. Their song is one of the most familiar and characteristic of the eastern Warblers. It is a spirited, high-keyed ditty, something like “‘zee-zee-ze-ze-zee-zee”’ with the first four notes high pitched, the fifth considerably lower and the sixth mid-way between the others. It is a very welcome song and one not to be mistaken for that of an: other bird. TOWNSEND WARBLER. A. O. U. No. 668. (Dendroica townsendi.) RANGE, Western North America, breeding from southern California north to British Columbia and southern Alaska; east to western Colorado. Winters in southern Mexico and Guatemala. HABITS. These birds are very similar to, and almost might be called the western Black-throat Greens, differing only in the black ear patches aud blackish crown. ‘They are found in coniferous districts and are common in certain localities. In the spring they first reach the United States from their winter quarters in Guatemala about the middle of April where they are quite common in the Huachuca Mountains of southern Arizona. They slowly work their way northward, bands dropping out to settle in certain regions, until they reach British Columbia and southern Alaska, which marks the northern limit of their distribution, about a month later. They at once commence house-keeping, building their nests in the same situations that the eastern Black-throated Greens do; their four eggs are very similar to, and usually cannot be distinguished from those of the preceding. They raise but one brood in a season and by ~ AMERIGAN ORNITHOLOGY. 67 August first, at the latest, these are able to fly, and by the last of the month they commence to travel southward in preparation for another winter. HERMIT WARBLER. A. O. U. No. 669. (Dendroica occidentallis) - RANGE, This Warbler is foumd in the Pacific coast states from California and Arizona north to British Columbia. They reach the United States at about the same time in the spring as the last but are usually several weeks later in leaving. HABITS, : These handsome Warblers are wholly different in plumage from any other American variety and can easily be recognized in any plumage by the evidences of the yellow head. They cannot be called common in any locality but may be met on any of the Pacific coast mountains usually being found at quite an elevation. Owing to their extreme westerly distribution they are frequently known as Western Warblers. They nest high up in pines, concealing their nests so that they are very difficult to find. The nests are made of fibres and rootlets, lined with shreds of bark and hair. The four eggs have a pale greenish white ground spotted and blotched with reddish brown and gray. THE HUMMING BIRD. At frequent intervals this summer I watched the Humming birds as from time to time they visited the canna-beds on the lawn. It is an in- structive and delightful occupation for busy people as well as those who are leisurely inclined, to watch these beautiful creatures amid nat- ural surroundings, and to know some of their habits and peculiarities from original investigation and observation. When first I knew them as the most diminutive of all feathered tribes, I occasionally swept my net over them—only to behold with one mighty regret their immediate and plausible disappearance. It is peculiar that such a charming bird —so diminutive that in fact its name a couple centuries ago was synony- mous with mosquito, should be found in our own American gardens Its gorgeous changing colors.are peculiar to birds of tropical regions; but, after the migratory season, they are found everywhere east of the Mississippi, and are considered quite numerous by persons who are habitually and diligently observant. The statistics claim that 450 species are found on the American continent; but only ten or eleven of AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 68 “IOTILN “H £ Aq 9ftT “LSUN NO WO O}0Ug @algONINWOH GHLVOUHT-AGNY ATV 09S ddI 9 INSOdxa AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 69 these venture into the states. One of these, the Ruby-throat, notice- able by:a patch of color—‘‘metallic in hue, but in the sun lights to a flame,’’—is found in abundance and ought to be familiar to everybody. Everyone knows the the Rcby-throated Hummidg bird, or would do. so, only that some people confuse him with the bright-colored long- tongued sphinx moths that are seen hovering, mostly inthe early even- ing, over the flowers of the garden. The average person seldom notices one on a branch, they are so small and easily overlooked, and occasionally a person perceives not one under his very nose, except when guided by the gesticulations of some one else. Many persons, also, imagine this bird lives constantly on the wing, they never saw one otherwise, they say. Yet, if they observed attentively, they could often see them basking in the sun on some quiet twig. Recreation, to these plumed bipeds, is of considerable importance, and there they pass but a fraction of their time in aerial navigation. It is curious and interesting to watch the male, who is more gorge- ously attired than the female, glide upward to the height of twenty or thirty feet, and then descend like a bullet, instantly rebounding to the same height as before, as if he was suspended by a rubber band, the elasticity of which caused him to bound back and forth thru the air. In order to see this process of gymnastics, I had to “‘freeze,’”’ that is, Standing as still as possible whenever his quick eye scanned the place for moving objects. This is necessary—all naturalists realize this—no matter how painful or ludicrous your position may be, asa single move- ment, visible to wild creatures in their natural state, will always con- sider you dangerous to them. Then, after he had fairly cut the air with his marvelous gyrations, he settled himself comfortably on the fence and yawned a little yawn, sick of the sickening honey and excitement of the day. I, also had ample time to notice his apparently useless. ebony-black feet, which were subjected to strong muscular tension in its efforts to preserve equilibrium of a fat and supple body, weighing on the average only twentw-eight grains. The plumage of this bird is of special interest, ahd its arrangement and color vary with the species. All the most magnificent and brilliant colors you can imagine are fairly showered upon them. The wings and tail of the Ruby-throat are a soft brown, and as its name signifies, it carries a patch of scarlet at its throat. Otherwise, the bird is of that bright color which alternates in green and gold. All Hummers have ten feathers in their tail, and their position differs widely with each variety. One certain kind carries all the glory of a peacock’s tail in miniature, and another the correct fac-simile of a Lyre-bird’s graceful plumes. 70 AMERIGAN ORNITHOLOGY. Their principal food is the nectar found at the bottom of tubular- shaped flowers, which they extract while on the wing by means of their long and slender bill. Their bill, by the way, is shaped according to the flower it feeds upon, and their long tongue is “bifid and filiform nearly to the base.’’ This enables them to make short work of the beetles and winged insects which are captured within the carollas of flowers. It is a well known fact that a caged Hummer will droop and die if fed on exclusive honey diet. But in their rural state they vary their delightful diet with a ‘tender spider or a dainty ant.’’ Last sum- mer I grew quite familiar with one Hummer thru his frequent visitations to the cannas and late Easter lilies. Every morning and evening he fairly gobbled down the surplus honey-dew, slayiny all the unwelcome intruders, and then this cannibal king feasted himself sick on all the delicacies within his domain. | Every year these emerald pygmies are guided by the migratory im- pulses, and are seen in this vicinity by the first day of June. In ten days nest building isin progress, but they remain and luxuriate through- our Indian summer until September, and again that strange instinct guides them, in all possibility, back to the West Indies. Yet, their manner is not affected by latitude, very quick and active as they dart in the sunlight and display their bright colors. The note usually heard from the Hummer is a squeak which seems to be an expression of nervousness or annoyance, and is uttered whenever an intruder approaches its nest. It will ofted hover around the head of the intrud- er, squeaking and fluttering, defiantly inviting battle, all for the sake of its young ones. Their nest is generally found firmly attached to some dry limb of a tree. It is difficult to locate one, for they are so often mistaken for a small kuot. The edge of the nest curves in, probably to prevent the contents from getting spilled out. Internally, it is lined with the soft- est vegetable fibers, and extcrnally, whether put on purposely or for ornament, are chips of lichens and soft mosses, glued on with the bird’s saliva. Ten days after the nest is built, two eggs are laid, about the size of peas, and are hatched after an interval of three weeks. Then the female is kept constantly busy feeding them, for the male absents him- self as soon as incubation begins. I once saw the female probe the little ones in such a way that it sent a cold chill thru me. When the little Hummers grow, they also grow more pugnacious and quarrelsome among themselves, and the little black-capped Chickadee retreats before them without the slightest risistence, as if he had long ago acknow- ledged their superiority. A friendly duel is the “acme of Humming bird happiness,’ and then they come together with about as much noise AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. a as two balls of yarn. I once saw a Yellow Warbler—by comparison a mammoth—pestered by a little Hummer. It could not learn that the midget was only a miniature bird, but regarded him asa creature great- ly to be feared, and fled before him to the best of his clumsy ability. But the agile little Hummer followed him like a shadow, and pestered him exceedingly, by makiug feints at him or even giving playful jabs with his rapier-like bill. It ended with the Warbler making adeliberate retreat for life thru the thick bushes and briers. M. R, Simonson, Wis. GLEANINGS. THE SONG SPARROW. Glimmers gay the leafless thicket Close beside my garden gate, Where, so light, from post to thicket, Hops the sparrow, blithe, sedate, Who with meekly folded wing, Comes to sun himself and sing. It was there, perhaps, last year, That his little house he built, For he seems to perk and peer, And to twitter too, and tilt, The bare branches in between, With a fond, familiar mien. LATHROP. 72 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. OUR YOUNG FRIENDS. My DEAR YounNG FOLKS: Once upon a time, (when I was a child) I saw in a little magazine a picture of an old man with birds flying all above, some eating from his hand, and some upon his head and shoulders, and the story told how he had tamed the birds by kindness so that they would come at his call. I thought it a charming sight, but classed it with my favorite fairy tales. But many dreams of my childhood have come true, and during the past year I have known personally a half dozen people who have so tamed the little feathered folk that they come at their call and eat from the hand. I have in mind one busy man who never goes out without a supply of broken raw peanuts in his pockets with which to regale three or four chickadees that he usually meets as he goes to and from his place of business. The chickadees seem to be the most easily tamed—what dear cheery little fellows they are—but time and patience will conquer many others, and it is a much more delightful sport than to hunt them with the gun. Probably there are few of our boys and girls who do not have some birds about their homes, (we always except English Spar- rows). Coax them to be friendly by an abundance of food, and fresh water, protect them from cats, then get them used to seeing you, and knowing that you are harmless, and that your presence always means something good to eat—for the way to a bird’s “heart is through his stomach’’—and by slow degrees win their confidence, and with patience, patience, and more patience, by the end of the season you can each one AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. (3 of you have at least one or two saucy chickadees come at your bidding. ar yrsit: Cordially, your Friend, MEG MERRYTHOUGHT. ROLL OF HONOR. 1. Huldah Chace Smith, Providence, R. I. 2. Russell S. Adams, St. Johnsburg, Vt. 3. Samuel D. Robbins, Belmont, Mass. 4. Frank B. Clark, Jr., Glastonburg, Ct. 5. James Chase, Logansport, Ind. ANSWERS TO FEBRUARY PUZZLES. Birds in Letter Square. 1. Redstart. 19. Evening Grosbeak. 2. Red-throated Loon. 202) Drains 3. Red (bird). ile Weimncte 4. Hermit Thrush. Zee Ole 5. Oven (bird). 235 = Orioles 6. Am. 24. Nuthatch. 7. Hawk. 25. Teal. os) Himeh: 26. Chat. ws NS 27 Catabinc)): OPS Cron. 28. Knot. 11. Heron. 29. Ruff. 12. Jay. 30) | Pipit: 13. Kestrel. 31. Brant. 14. Bobolink. 32. Reed (bird), Sey licker: 227 Nile. 1G} Slibis. 34. King (bird). ie COOt. 802 ao kta: Ss herin. SO Ditech: Suggested birds. 1. Whip-poor-will. 2. Turnstone. 3. Redstart. 4. Yellow-hammer. 5. Snowflake. 6. Rail. 7. Cardinal. 8. Crane. 9. King-fisher. 10. Nightingale. Enigma. MHornen Larks. EXTRACTS FROM OUR MAIL BAG. I have enjoyed feeding the birds tnis winter. The Red-breasted _ Nuthatch that ate from my hand last winter did not return this winter, and the female hairy woodpecker has been succeeded by a male, other- wise I have the same birds I had last year, some twenty in all. The 74 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. chickadees fed from my hand, while the white-breasted nuthatches, juncos, and brown creepers fed from a board restaurant that hangs from a wire out of harm’s reach. The brown creepers and nuthatches are very awkward when they are not upon the tree, and the nuthatch is still more awkward when he tries to perch upon the wires near the res- taurant. Many of the birds even come to my window-sill when I am very near. The woodpeckers enjoy suet with the above mentioned birds, and the blue-jays on a large nut tree near by. Strange to Say, the English sparrows seldom, if ever, attempt to eat of the food I pro- vide and I have never seen them drive away another bird. SAMUEL DowSE ROBBINS, Belmont, Mass. One day last summer when I was picking wild azalias, I saw a nice bush of it and ran there and began to pick the flowers. While I was doing so I spied a newly made nest in the center of the bush. I knew other people would come there to get the flowers and find the nest, so I picked off all the blossoms. Seeing no bird around to claim the nest I did not know what kind it was. I visited it a week affer and found a brave little mother sitting on four eggs. I fouad out that it was a Chestnut-sided Warbler. The next time I came there were four newly fledged birds. She did not mind if I came within a yard from her. The birds had all flown in a week, and I took the nest. ALFRED Boyp, Waterbury, Conn. ENIGMA. My 1-9-18-13 is a metal. My 2-8-5-17-9-6 is a state. My 7-12-11-20 is a piece of money. My 3-2-6-4-9-16 is a foreign city. My 14-15 20-20-19-11 is a young animal. My 7-8-9-10 is a black bird. My 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8t9-10-11-12-13-14-12-16-17-18-19-20 is a small bird. Russet S. ApAms. St. Johnsburg, Vt. PI. TWELVE BIRDS WHICH WALK INSTEAD OF HOPPING, ee haa ket: (ee squitla 2. sadpinsper 8. clakb-dribs 3. spines 9. slow-slaw 4. rovelsp 10. deamow-ralks Se SOUEaE 11. skilbobon 6. gonesip 12. lono-ridbs Te Lit See il Oe poe eed isda mat i SS = D9 in: NATURE BOOKS. Wilderness Ways. A second volume of ‘‘Ways of Wood Folks.’’ Written in the same intensely interesting style that makes its predecessor so popular. 200 pages. 75 cents. 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D. P. & C. Nature’s Garden. By Neltje Blanchan. 32 colored plates, 48 black and white. $3.00 postpaid. D. P. C. The Book of Gardening. By W. D. Drury. A handbook of horticulture (by various experts on gardening). With over 750 illustrations. Thick 8vo, $6.50, postpaid. C.S. How to Knowthe Ferns. By Frances Theodora Parsons. 150 full-page illus- trations. Crown 8vo, $1.50 postpaid. C.S. The Fruit Garden. By George Bunyard, V. M. H. and Owen Thomas, V.M.H. With numerous sketches and photographic full-page illustrations of every va- riety of fruit. Square 8vo, $7.50 postpaid. C.S. Bog Trotting for Orchids. By Grace Greylock Niles. With illustrations from nature. Large square 12mo, $2.50. G. P. Sons. Ten New England Blossoms, and Their Insect Visitors. By Clarence M. Weed. Illustrated, Square 12mo, $1.50 postpaid. H. M. & Co. The Flower Beautiful. By Clarence M. Weed. Profusely illustrated from photographs. 8vo, $2.50 postpaid. H. M. & Co. Getting Acquainted with the Trees. By J. Horace McFarland. Popular de- scriptions of familiar trees. $1.50. M.M. Co. Ferns; In Their Homes and Ours. By John Robinson, professor of botany, Massachusetts horticultural society. A practical handbook. Illustrated with six colored and seventeen engraved plates. Cloth, 16mo, 4 3-4 x 7 1-2 inches, $1.50 postpaid. K. & M. How to Know the Wild Flowers. By Frances Theodora Parsons. With 40 colored plates and new black and white drawings, enlarged rewritten and entire- ly reset. Crown 8vo, $2.00 postpaid. C.S. Our Native Trees and How to Identify Them. By Harriet L. Keeler. With Rene pee plate from photographs and 128 text drawings, $2.00 postpaid. CHAS. K. REED, WORCESTER, MASS. Guide to Taxidermy Full of valuable information. COMPLETE INSTRUCTIONS HOW TO PREPARE AND MOUNT Birds Animals and Fish Also contains. a com- plete list of all North American Birds, with prices of their eggs, skins and mounted specimens; also an ex- haustive line of Orni- thologists’, Oologists’ and Taxidermists’ sup- plies, valuable infor mation for the amateur, recipes, etc. Bound in cloth, 35c, postpaid. 104 Union St., CHAS, K. REED, Worcester, Mass. \ y \ Covers the entire field of Western Sports by land and sea \ | NN, MONTHLY DEPARTMENTS \ Huating and Shooting Fish and Fishing \\ Game Protection Physical Culture Golf Automobiling Tennis Yachting Canoeing Athletics ‘ Rifle and Trap Guns and Gun Makers Natural History The Dog Adventure Fiction Club Life Photography 150 pages beautifully illustrated. Clean, authemk aud autboritative. [published at 4 Sutter Street, San Francisco, Cal, 10 cents the copy $1.00 the year Sample Copies with pleasure 4 Address The Moth Book. By W.J. HOLLAND. Fully illustrated by color photography. The illustrations of the moths are natural size and the coloring is perfect. With this book it is easy to identify any moth at a glance. It is by far the best work on moths ever published. $4.00 PREPAID. CHAS. K. REED, Worcester, Mass. Mounting We can a: teach you Wild-Cat, how. TAXIDERMY BY MAIL. LEARN We can teach you By MAIL to correctly mount Birds, Animals, etc. Nothing is more fascinating or profitable. KHvery NATURALIST, TEACHER, SPOTRSMAN should know this art. We have thousands of successful students. If interested in Birds, Nature and Outdoor Life, ask for our new illustrated catalog. ITs FREE. WRITE TODAY. THE NORTHWESTERN SCHOOL OF TAXIDERMY, Inc., Suite 81 Com. Nat. Bank, Omaha, Neb. Have Your Magazines Bound. Send your magazines to us prepaid (if well wrapped postage will be ro cents), we will bind them in an at- ‘, tractive cloth cover, stamped with AMERICAN OR- 4: NITHOLOGY in gold and bird in color, and return to you FOR 75 CENTS PREPAID. American Ornithology, Worcester, Mass. JAMES P. BABBITT, — DEALER IN — #1 Supplies for the Naturalist and Taxider- mist; Fine Glass Eyes a Specialty. TAUNTON, MASS. Bargain Lists free upon application. Large illustrated catalogue of Naturalists Sup- plies [Oc. Naturalist Supply Depot DEALERS IN Supplies of all Kinds, Glass Eyes. Mounted Specimens a Specialty. Send toc for catalog FRANK BLAKE WEBSTER CO., Museum HYDE PARK, MASS. © ©§9--© ©-§-$ © Methods in the Art of Taxidermy By Oliver Davie, Author of ‘"Nests and Eggs of North American Birds*”’ 90 FULL PAGE ENGRAVINGS. is a work of art from cover to cover. Form- erly published at S10. My price $2.50 post- paid or Given Free for 6 new subscribers. Chas. K.Reed, Worcester, Mass. OOOO OO —- O_O O—_© O © OG © SF Mp DZ a mS Never before has the Art of Taxidermy had its practical methods and beauties portrayed @ as we find them interpreted in this work. It O ) COLOR KEY TO North American Birds By FRANK M. CHAPMAN A complete bird dictionary, with ; upward sof 800 drawings in colors, so arranged that one may learn a bird’s name with the least pos- sible difficulty. In no other book has the problem of identifica- tion been so simplified. The book is equally useful in any part of the country from the Atlantic tothe Pacific. 312 pages, cloth, $2.50. NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS EGGS By CHESTER A. REED, B. S. A complete illustrated book of all eggs. It gives the habitat and breed- ing range of each species; location and construction of the nest; time of nest- ing; number, description and varia- tion of eggs laid; with a full-sized illustration of the egg of nearly every species, and a large number of full-page illustrations of nesting sites. 360 pages, cloth, $2.50. Both of these books and the American Bird Magazine one year for $5.00. tN N ma ea CHAS. K. REED, Worcester, Mass. LLL ee ~S eM PRAY POAVRAER AS APS SSS LSS ‘ ; NATURE BOOKS. Wilderness Ways. A second volume of ‘‘Ways of Wood Folks.’’ Written in the same intensely interesting style that makes its predecessor so popular. 200 pages. 75 cents. School of the Woods. By Charles Copeland. With 12 full-page pictures and 300 marginal sketches, illustrative initials, and chapter decorations. Hand- somely bound in cloth with a design stamped in full gold, gold tops. Square 12mo, $1.50. ee Mother Nature’s Children. By Allan Walter Gould. The love and care and mutual dependence of living things, from human beings down to the plants, set in an imaginative framework for children. With 200 illustrations. Square 12mo, cloth, 265 pages, $1.00. Brooks and Brook Basin. By Alexis E. Frye. Every brook basin is regarded as a miniature world. The form of the book is a story adapted to the minds of children, in which nature speaks for herself. With full-page illustrations. 12mo, cloth, 119 pages, 75 cents. The American Sportsman’s Library, By Casper Whitney. Bound in gilt. Crown 8vo, gilt tops, $2.00 postpaid. M. M. Co. The Deer Family. By the Hon. Theodore Roosevelt and others. Illustrated by Carl Rungius. With maps by Dr. C. Hart Merriam, $2.00 postpaid, M.M.Co. Salmon and Trout. By Dean Sage, W. C. Harris and C. H. Townsend. IIl- ustrated by A. B. Frost and others. $2.00 postpaid. M. M. Co. aS, Upland Game Birds. By Edwin Sandys and T. 8. VanDyke. Illustrated by Louis Agassiz Fuertes, A. B. Frost, J. O. Nugent and C. L. Bull, $2,00 postpaid. The Water-fowl Family. By L. C. Sanford, L. B. Bishop and T. 8. VanDyke. Illustrated by L. A. Fuertes, A. B. Frost and C. L. Bull. $2.00 postpaid. Bass, Pike, Perch and Others. By James A. Henshall, M. D. Illustrated by Martin Justice and Charles F. W. Mielatz. $2.00 postpaid. The Big Game Fishes of the United States. By Charles F. Holder. I[llus- trated by Charles F, W. Mielatz and others. $2.00 postpaid. The Bison, Musk Ox, Sheep and Goat Family, The Bear Family, Cougar, Wild Cat, Wolf and Fox Guns, Ammunition and Tackle. Each $2.00 postpaid. M.M.Co. The Mushroom Book. By Nina L. Marshall. 24 colored plates, 24 black and white, and about 100 text cuts. $8.00 postpaid. D. P. & C. Nature’s Garden. By Neltje Blanchan. 382 colored plates, 48 black and white. $3.00 postpaid. D. P. C. The Book of Gardening. By W. D. Drury. A handbook of horticulture (by various experts on gardening). With over 750 illustrations. Thick 8vo, $6.50, postpaid. C.S. How to Knowthe Ferns. By Frances Theodora Parsons. 150 full-page illus- trations. Crown 8vo, $1.50 postpaid. C.S. The Fruit Garden. By George Bunyard, V. M. H. and Owen Thomas, V.M.H. With numerous sketches and photographic full-page illustrations of every va- riety of fruit. Square 8vo, $7.50 postpaid. C.S. Bog Trotting for Orchids. By Grace Greylock Niles. With illustrations from nature. Large square 12mo, $2.50. G. P. Sons. Ten New England Blossoms, and Their Insect Visitors. By Clarence M. Weed. Illustrated, Square 12mo, $1.50 postpaid. H. M. & Co. The Flower Beautiful. By Clarence M. Weed. Profusely illustrated from photographs. S8vo, $2.50 postpaid. H. M. & Co. Getting Acquainted with the Trees. By J. Horace McFarland. Popular de- scriptions of familiar trees. $1.50. M. M. Co. Ferns; In Their Homes and Ours. By John Robinson, professor of botany, Massachusetts horticultural society. A practical handbook. Illustrated with six colored and seventeen engraved plates. Cloth, 16mo, 4 3-4 x 7 1-2 inches, $1.50 postpaid. K. & M. How to Know the Wild Flowers. By Frances Theodora Parsons. With 40 colored plates and new black and white drawings, enlarged rewritten and entire- ly reset. Crown 8vo, $2.00 postpaid. C.S. Our Native Trees and How to Identify Them. By Harriet L. Keeler. With woe page plate from photographs and 128 text drawings, $2.00 postpaid. CHAS. K. REED, WORCESTER, MASS. A GOOD FIELD GLASS The BEST for Bird Study and Equally Good for Mountain, Sea Shore or Opera ONLY $5.00 These Glasses are well made and espec- ially adapted for the use of the bird stu- dent as they give about twice the field vision of ordinary ones and magnify near- ly four diameters. They are in good strong leather case, silk lined. bes~Remember, yOu can have them free by getting only ten subscriptions for our magazine at $1.00 each. Or if you prefer we will send you a pair prepaid on receipt of $5.00. Try them a week and if not perfectly satisfactory return them to us and we will refund the $5.00. Is not that fair? The Glass and Color Key to N. A. Birds by F. M. Chapman...:.......... $ 6 50 The Glass and North American Birds Eggs by C. A. Reed..............-. 6 50 The Glass:and both Boolksz Gee eles ey eo teen eee 8 00 CHAS. K. REED WORCESTER MASS. VVVVVVVVVVVVVVYVY VV TV VV VV VT VVVV VV VV VV VV IVY VV $4.40 FOR $2.20 A Combination Offer That Means Something. BIRDS AND NATURE, I year...................... $1.50 \) All for BIRDS OF SONG AND STORY, Grinnell............ {.00 GAMEZORE BIRDS: foie ce i rae road amen ces 35 | ony GOLDEN PHEASANT, Colored Picture.............. .25 2 20 *PIPERATURE-GAMED os. oa See eee ee 40 | a *GAME OF INDUSTRIES: 3-22 ao eee ee .40 Postaae Or TWENTY-FIVE PICTURES, from Bires and Nature .. .50 g —_— | Express, djhestotayamountiof Valuees = saan ae ee ee ee $4.40 ) 25 cents. *Geography or History Game may be substituted. _ Certainly no periodical, and probably no book, on birds eyer found anything like such favor with the public as Brrps AnD NAtTuRE.”’—Hvening Post, New York. BIRDS OF SONG AND STORY. A bird book for Audubon societies, 16 color plates. Any other $1.00 book may be substituted for Grinnell. GAME OF BIRDS. Illustrations of popular birds, in colors true to nature, on 52 finely enameled cards, 25x34 inches, Enclosed in case with full directions for playing. A beautiful and fascinating game. GOLDEN PHEASANT. A beautiful picture for framing, Printed in natural colors on fine paper, 18x24 inches. LITERATURE GAME. 500 Questions and Answers in English Literature. 100 cards, 2x3 inches. Interesting and Instructive. GAME OF INDUSTRIES. Educational—400 Questions and Answers on the great in- dustries of our country. 100 cards, 2$x3 inches. A. W. MUMFORD, Pub., 378 Wabash Ave., Chicago MASAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASS AAAAAAAAMAAALAAALAA AAAAAAAAA eV VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVe eAAAA MAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASAAAA Guide to Taxidermy Full of valuable information. COMPLETE INSTRUCTIONS HOW TO PREPARE AND MOUNT Also contains. a com- plete list of all North American Birds, with prices of their eggs, skins and mounted specimens; also an ex- haustive line of Orni- thologists’, Oologists’ and Taxidermists’ sup- plies, valuable infor mation for the amateur, recipes, etc. Bound in cloth, 35c, postpaid. 104 Union St., CHAS, K. REED, Worcester, Mass. Covers the entire field of Western Sports by land and sea MONTHLY DEPARTMENTS Hunting and Shooting Fish and Fishing Game Protection Physical Culture Golf Automobiling Tennis Yachting Canoeing Athletics Rifle and Trap Guns and Gun Makers Natural History The Dog Adventure Fiction Club Life Photography 150 pages beautifully llustrated. Clean, autbemk end authoritative. published at 4 Sutter Street, San Francisco, Cal. 10 cents the copy $1.00 the year Sample Copies with pleasure Mounting a Wild-Cat. h Address The Moth Sook. | By W. JHOLLAND. Fully illustrated by color photography. The illustrations of the moths are natural size and the coloring is perfect. With this book it is easy to identify any moth at a glance. It is by far the best work on moths ever published. $4.00 PREPAID. CHAS. K. REED, Worcester, Mass. We can teach you how. ge gi pe LEARN TAXIDERMY BY MAIL. We can teach you By MAIL to correctly mount Birds, Animals, etc. Nothing is more fascinating or profitable. Every NATURALIST, TEACHER, SPOTRSMAN Should know this art. We have thousands of successful students. If interested in Birds, Nature and Outdoor Life. ask for our new illustrated catalog. ITS FREE. WRITE TODAY. THE NORTHWESTERN SCHOOL OF TAXIDERMY, Inc., Suite 81 Com. Nat. Bank, Omaha, Neb. Have Your Magazines Bound. Send your magazines to us prepaid (if well wrapped {| postage will be to cents), we will bind them in an at- | tractive cloth cover, stamped with AMERICAN OR- NITHOLOGY in gold and bird in color, and return to you FOR 75 CENTS PREPAID. American Ornithology, Worcester. Mass. JAMES P. BABBITT, — DEALER IN — Supplies for the Naturalist and Taxider- mist; Fine Glass Eyes a Specialty. TAUNTON, MASS. Bargain Lists free upon application. Large illustrated catalogue of Naturalists Sup- plies {Oc. Naturalist Supply Depot DEALERS IN Supplies of all Kinds, Glass Eyes. Mounted Specimens a Specialty. Send roc for catalog FRANK BLAKE WEBSTER CO., Museum HYDE PARK, MASS American Ornithology. A Magazine Devoted Wholly to Birds. Published monthly by CHAS. K. REED, 75 Thomas St., Worcester, Mass. EDITED BY CHESTER A. REED, B.S. SUBSCRIPTION PRICE in United States, Canada and Mexico, One Dollar yearly in advance. Single copies, tencents. Vols. I, Il, Ill and IV, $1.00 each. SPECIAL:—Vols. I, Il, III], 1V and subscription for 1905, $3.50. We can supply back numbers at ten cents per copy. FOREIGN SUBSCRIPTION, $1.25. <= GOIPMIRUIGIs, WOOE BN (CislAS 5 IK. IRBleID———= VOL. V APRIL, 1905. NO. 4 PHOTOGRAPH COMPETITION. Our object in conducting these competitions is to increase interest in the study of living birds and especially their study with the camera. A good photo- graph of a live wild bird is valuable scientifically, is always a delight to the beholder, and brings back pleasant recollection, to the one that made it. Bird Photography is a sport that may be indulged in by everybody, and in any part of the country, with equal chances of success. Only forethought, patience and a camera are necessary. The new Screen Focus Kodak, advertised in this num- ber, will overcome the chief objections to a film camera, and these campact in- struments may now be used by the bird photographer. Anyone may send in as many photos as they wish, and the awards will be made upon the clearness and beauty of the picture, with due regard to the rarity or difficulty in obtaining. As in our last contest the pictures will be grouped in three classes. All desirable photos, which do not win prizes, we will pay for at the rate of filty cents each. CLASS I. Live, wild birds. 1st prize, Folding Pocket Kodak, No. 3A.......List, $20 00 Del (OPWZ2,, jooibir JUNC! (CHOISSOS soc oo 5c00085' 0066 Stoo 0) 3rd prize, Color Key to North Am. Birds...... List, 2 50 CLASS II. Young birds. US Orion AE WES CONMMMARD 0 p06eue Seen oo0 aces List, $20 00 Pipolyoirwea, Ione JTIQUG) CHMISSOS.s 6oc0 nee 0 oo006s: List, 5 OO a eOl FO POAG ODIO IRON coe cawinadoocccsspnaoeousens IHISi, = 2 Be CLASS III. Birds’ Nests. 1st prize, Pair Field Glasses 2nd prize, North American Birds’ Eggs The editor would like information as to the places on the South Atlantic Coast where the following birds can, to your own knowledge, be found breeding (in colonies preferred) and directions for reaching the same and the best time in which to find both eggs and young. Laughing Gull, Gull-billed, Royal or Least Terns. Skimmers, Anhingas, Cormorants, Pelicans, Herons, Oyster- catchers. Any information that you can give concerning the above will be duly appreciated. AN OSPREY'S NEST. It was a beautiful June morning when I started to take a walk in the Maine woods. There could not be a more beautiful spot than Pema- quid Point, a narrow neck of land, with the blue ocean on either side, stretching out in all directions above the green fir trees that help so much toward making the point beautiful. I started along a narrow and dusty road that wound in and out among the fir trees which were so thick, that a human being could hardly penetrate them without the help of a hatchet. Now and then an old house came into view, having a clearing, a few fruit trees, a hen house and possibly an old barn beside it. Doubtless some old patriarch, who risked his life for his country in the Civil War, lives here, who would, if you happened to ask him, tell you stories about the fighting he did. The birds were singing on both sides of me as I walked merrily on, and flowers of all kinds were waving in the gentle breeze at my feet. My intentions were to follow this road to New Harbor, and thence take another road to Pemequid Beech, but the time for my return was slow- ly approaching, much to my regret, so I decided to go back through the woods, thus avoiding the dusty road and the sun which was becoming rather hot. I found a place where the trees did not grow as closely together, so I decided to strike in there and feel my way homeward as best I could. Although these woods were too thick for rapid walking, they were just what I liked. The wider the woods are, the more wood folk live there; so I walked along, hoping to make some new discovery of the ways of the wood folk. I was not sorry, however, to run upon a nar- row path once in a while, that led me in the direction in which I was going. It was on one of these narrow paths that I discovered a very interesting bit of bird life. I heard some strange and alarming cries above my head, such as I had never heard before, and, glancing in the direction of the cries, I saw two Ospreys flying about high in the air, calling their cry that in osprey language must mean, “Danger is com- ing, be on the watch.”’ Looking around, I saw that I was in a clearing that had been recently robbed of its trees by some woodcutters. Near the edge of this clearing were two tall hemlocks, both of which were dead at the top, and at the top of the lower of the two was a large pile of sticks, which I soon found to be the osprey’s nest. The nest was made entirely of sticks, which were woven tightly together, being over three feet in diameter and about three feet deep. It projected far over the topmost branches of the tree. 76 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. While I gazed at the nest, the birds became more anxious and screamed much louder. The birds became still more terrified when I photographed the nest, and the female, who is larger and stronger than the male, swooped down suddenly, as if to take me in its terrible talons and carry me away, but luckily for me it turned out of my way a few feet from my head. I noticed that the father bird was carrying a fish in his talons which he undoubtedly intended to give to his little ones, but as he did not care to let us see him give it to them, he told us as nearly as he could in osprey language to go off his grounds and very likely called us tres- passers. Although his proper name is American Osprey, he is more frequently called fish hawk, for he makes his living by fishing and he is an expert fisherman too. The Osprey looks quite like the bald eagle, but can easily be distinguished by his different habits and his smaller size. The osprey is from 22 to 23 inches in length. The upper parts are of a brownish black and the nape and underparts are white. The wings are very large and powerful and enable the birds to sail for a long distance. This nest was about one quarter of a mile from the sea, where the birds could easily get all the fish they needed for them- selves and their little ones. They never left their young exposed to danger; the mother stayed by the nest, while the father got fish enough for his whole family. Very few male birds feed both mate and young as the father osprey does. Much delighted with my new discovery, I started homeward, resolv- ing to go again in a few days, to see what more of interest I could learn about the Ospreys. A few days later, I started bright and early to see how my friends the Ospreys were getting along. It was rather a cloudy day, butit did not look as though it would rain. I went slowly along, stopping to turn off the road now and then to go into the woods to see what strange birds I might find. I had not gone far beyond when I perceived it was beginning to rain, so I knocked at the door of the nearest farmhouse to see if I could gain admittance until the shower was overr The hostess gave me a cordial greeting and I got into the house just as it began to rain in torrents. It rained ‘cats and dogs’’ as some people say, but I could not find either cats nor dogs that had not been there before the shower. However, I never saw more cats and kittens than there were in that house and spent the whole of the fifteen minutes playing with the whole families of kittens and asking questions about them. It soon stopped raining, so I resumed my walk toward the nest, thinking nothing about how wet the grass and trees would be. As I proceeded, I saw plenty of chickadees, nuthatches, yellowthroats, AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. a bao » AF Ds . = ~ Fey Photo from life by A. J. Myers. OSPREY RETURNING TO ITS NEST. 78 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. crows, warblers, thrushes and the like, but no osprey. While I was hunting for the nest, one of the Ospreys spied me and gave his call of danger. With his help I finally found the nest, and the birds near by. Soon I saw a violent thunder storm coming up, so I thought best to be starting back. I had not gone out of sight of the nest before it be- gan to rain harder than I had seen it that day. It thundered and light- ened also, so I stood under some thick hemlocks, thinking they would keep me dry until the shower was over. It did not, however, prove to be a shower, but a heavy storm. In ten minutes the trees began to let the water drip down my neck, so I decided to go home as fast as I could and risk a ducking. I risked my ducking and got it without any doubt. Like a spring, in the months when water is plenty, the water was running out of my boots every step I took all the way home. I shall always remember that funny walk home, with the water just run- ning off of me. My third visit found the mother Osprey on the nest, though the nest was so large and at such a height I could not see her. The mate was soaring around, uttering his danger calls, and telling me to go away from his treasures, but, as I would not go, he tried in vain to chase me away by making believe pounce upon me. This was an old trick of his so it did not bother me in the least. He would rise high in the air and remain still, flapping his wings as fast as he could make them go, while he screamed as loud as he could scream. He no doubt thought I must be a queer kind of thing not to be afraid of him when he was. doing such alarming things. When the father Osprey flew back of a hill where I was standing to rest, I crawled into some thick underbrush and concealed myself as best I could, hoping to see the Ospreys feed their nestlings. I knew he must have some little ones by the way he tried to frighten me away from his nest. I lay perfectly quiet to see what the Ospreys would do. The father Osprey did not hear me walking around, so he concluded I must have gone away, after circling around to see if he could see any traces of me, he gradually stopped his screaming, and sat down on the top of the hemlock tree near the nest to rest himself and guard his mate and little ones. He was a beautiful sight as he sat there so near me. All the time he stayed there he was uttering some quiet notes which I could not understand, but which his mate very likely did. Mr. Osprey had not been on the tree long, before a head peeked over the top of the nest. I thought it might be a young bird so kept very quiet, but as it slowly rose, Mrs. Osprey soon stood on the top of the nest. After looking around, she slowly flapped her wings and flew away. As I was anxious to know where she went and what she would AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 79 do when she came back, I waited quietly for over half an hour, but she did not return. Meanwhile the father stayed near the nest. I could not spare any more time that day, so I started for home. Mr. Osprey heard me at once and left his comfortable perch, calling his alarm cry. Immediately I heard a second cry of alarm and Mrs. Osprey came into sight. She must have wanted to stretch herself and so left the nest and flew to some perch just out of my sight, staying there until she heard her mate calling for help. ‘Their danger call grew less and less as I left them. EGG OF OSPREY, [NATURAL SIZE]. On my next visit I learned more about Ospreys than I had learned in all my other visits put together. I saw the mother bird on the edge of the nest, talking to the young birds, before she saw me. When I approached a few feet nearer a stick cracked under my feet and announc- ed my arrival. Mrs. Osprey flew around giving the note of alarm, and Mr. Osprey came in a few minutes with a large fish in his talons. I sat down with my camera near the nest. The Ospreys knew they must give the fish to their hungry little ones, yet they did not want to let me see them do so. I don’t see why they were so bashful. I had no objections to seeing them in the act of feeding their young. I had been near the nest fully an hour, and the fish had been cooking in the sun for the same length of time. The birds held a consultation and planned how they could deceive me. Mother Osprey secured a big stick, thinking I would suppose it to be a fish, for it did somewhat re- semble one, and, holding it in her talons just as her mate held the fish, she circled around the nest for a few times, then alighted on the nest, stick and all. She soon flew off with the stick, and, after circling around again, went stick foremost into the nest out of sight. She stayed there until she had told her children the plan, then flew off back of the hill to where her mate was. They could see me but I could not 80 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. see them. As soon as they found out that I did not attempt to get the fish out of the nest as they had expected, Mr. Osprey came along with the fish, and, after circling around a few times, left the fish for his hungry children to eat. He then flew away triumphantly to tell his mate how they had deceived me. I know of no birds that are trained as well as the young Ospreys. They did not utter a sound during the several hours that I watched them, nor did they show their heads above the top of the nest. What would a nest full of hungry Robins do if left for over an hour without food. Any passer by would hear the screaming and easily find the young robin’s nest. The Ospreys must train their young to keep perfectly quiet and not make a sound, even if they are starving, while the dan- ger call is heard. If all young birds wereas obedient as the Osprey’s how much better it would be for the parents. I secured my best photographs this day beside learning the most about their habits. The day before they were much afraid of me, but today, after quietly watching them for over an hour, they found I was their friend, and went to and from their nest without minding me. I left them quiet and happy with the mother on the nest. It takes patience to prove to any bird that you will not harm it, but after it once finds you to be its friend, it is no longer afraid of you; then is the time to study and photograph your bird and get the best result. Patience is the one great thing necessary in studying birds. On my last visit to the nest, I found the Ospreys in their usual position, Mrs. Osprey on the nest, and Mr. Osprey on the tree close by. I took several photographs of them this time. As I approached they were quieter than usual and seemed hardly to mind me. I found nearly a half dozen trees, all of which were dead at the top, thus affording perches for the Ospreys. I saw them use all of these. Thus the mis- tery was solved and I found out where the birds stayed when guarding the nest. The next day I was obliged to leave Pemaquid, but a week later a friend wrote me that the two young Ospreys were flying around with their parents, and that they were so large it was hard to tell them apart. I shall always remember my pleasant experiences with these Ospreys, and if I ever am so fortunate as to go and visit Pemaquid again, I shall expect to see these or some other Ospreys occupying the same nest, for the nest is repaired and used by the owners every year until death, and then occupied by their descendents for many years. By SAMUEL DowsE ROBBINS. 81 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. Photo from life by R. H. Beebe. A PAIR OF BLUEBIRDS AND THEIR NEST IN AN OLD FENCE POST. 82 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. THE COMING OF THE BLUEBIRD. For months we have been snowbound, and our favorite woods, where, last summer, we trod the soft moss carpet amid ferns and ereen leaves and to the accompaniment of myriads of bird voices, have been buried under two feet of dazzling whiteness from which the tree trunks protrude like gaunt spectres. Everywhere is - - silence, broken only at intervals by the coarse cawing of Crows, the harsh scream of the Jay, and the plaintive calls of the few small birds that are brave enough to face the rigor of a New England winter, notable Chickadees, Kinglets, Crosshills, Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers, and, occasionally a Robin, that in its devotion to its home-land, shows more courage than wisdom. It has always been a mystery how small birds could stand zero weather for days and weeks at a time, and, even though they are capable of withstanding such cold, why they should do it preferance when they have the ability to go toa land of sunshine and plenty. Undoubtedly a large percentage of our resident birds perish every year from lack of food and severe cold and one, the Bob White, is almost exterminated from New England, notwithstanding the fact that thousands of western birds have been liberated in hopes of replenishing the depleted covers; while large numbers cf these have met their end at the hands of gunners, most of them are victims of snow and ice storms and continued cold, during the winter, and wet weather during the nesting season. he Now comes the longed-for season—Spring. All eyes are strained to catch the first glimpse of blue; all ears alert for the first glad carol of the Bluebird, that forerunner of the myriads of birds soon to start northward. It is strange with what accuracy birds can reckon time; what should cause our Bluebird, basking in the sunny land of the Bermudas or the Antilles, to, on a certain day, start on his long journey northward? Some instinct, more subtle than we know prompts them, for they arrive in the land of their birth with remarkable regularity. In this county the earliest date that we have record of their positive arrival is February 14th., while the latest is March 10th. The first few weeks they spend in renewing old acquaintances. Each bush and stone and tree is examined with the same enthusiasm that is displayed by a man visiting the scenes of his childhood, but probably from a different motive, for fcod is very scarce at this time of the year and they must thoroughly examine every crevice if they are to obtain their daily fare. All birds are proud and our Bluebird is no exception. It is his delight to parade before his chosen mate and, with drooping and AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 83 trembling wings throwing off blue flusnes as the sun strikes them, to coo sweet refrains to her. In choosing a nesting site, tastes of different birds vary greatly: One may build in a cavity of an apple tree barely two feet from the ground while another chooses a hollow limb in a chestnut forty feet above the earth; still others find suitable houses in fence posts, bird boxes, etc., and one pair, as shown in our illustra- tions has even resorted to the arm of a scare-crow. Wherever we meet them they are the same gentle, confiding birds, very devoted to their off-spring, and it is little wonder that they have so endeared themselves to the hearts of all who know them. Photo by A. R. Spaid AN UNUSUAL NESTING PLACE. This scare-crow was adopted as a nesting site by the pair of Blucbirds which are seen perching on it. The entrance to the nest is in the arm unter the lower bird. 84 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. Photo from life by R. H. Beebe. BLUEBIRD ABOUT TO FEED YOUNG, {Winner of 4th Prize in Class 2.] A. O. U. No. 657. (Dendroica maculosa.) RANGE, United States and Canada east of the Rocky Mountains, this species peing casual or accidental on the Pacific Coast. The breeding rage includes the whole of eastern Canada except the barren regions of the north; in the United States it is found in the northern parts, south to Massachusetts, northern New York and Michigan and in mountains south to Maryland. They pass the winter in southern Mexico and Central America, principally at high altitudes; the birds in eastern United States make the journey across the gulf while the western ones usually follow along the east coast of Mexico. DESCRIPTION, Length 5 inches. Can be identified in any plumage by the yellow AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 85 4 . Photo by A. R. Spaid. NEST OF BLUEBIRD IN ARM OF SCARE-CROW. rump and white band across the mzdd/e of the tail, the spots being large, square and on inner webs of the feathers. The female is much duller in color than the male, having few if any prominent black markings. Winter adults and young birds are similar to the female but the back is more greenish and the yellow usually brighter beneath. NESTING HABITS. This species nests almost exclusively in coniferous trees at elevations of from three to forty feet from the ground. The nests are made of fine grasses and rootlets lined with fine black rootlets or hair. They lay from three to five eggs of a creamy white color wreathed about the large end and sparingly sprinkled with reddish brown and chestnut. Nests and eggs will usually be found the first of June. HABITS. Magnolia Warblers, or as many know them, Black and Yellow AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 86 “AHTPUYVA VITONDVIN JO SODH GNV LSUN AMERIGAN ORNITHOLOGY. 87 Warblers are one of the most strikingly beautiful species of the family. In the spring they are very active and often seen flitting out among apple trees when the latter are in bloom, their brilliant black and yellow plumage contrasting beautifully with the delicate pink and white tints of the blossoms. Large numbers of them can also be observed in the underbrush of open woods or on hillsides. They show little fear of man, but are very curious to see all that is going on; they are usually noticed peering out from beneath the foliage with tail up, wren fashion, and expanded so as to show the prominent white band while the yellow rump is also much in evidence. They seem loath to leave your society and may be seen first on one side then on the other as you may make your way through the woods. Their notes are of the same character as those of the Yellow Warbler, Redstart and many others of the more familiar birds, a loud whistling “‘chee-chee ----”’ usually uttered about six times. They chirp loudly and with great energy if any one approaches the vicinity of their nest, a fact that usually betrays that they have one, for they are _ skillfully concealed and their presence would not be suspected if kept a secret by the owners. During the latter part of September great numbers of these birds, both old and young, pass through our land on their way to warmer climes in which to pass the coming winter. CERULEAN WARBLER, A. O. U. No. 658 (Dendroica rara). RANGE. The breeding range of the Cerulean Warbler is in the Mississippi and Ohio Valleys. They are rare east of the Allegheny Mountains but are occasionally found as far east as Connecticut and Rhode Island. In western New York, Pennsylvania and West Virginia they are found as commonly as might be expected for a bird that is nowhere abundant, - but the center of their abundance is in Ohio and Illinois. In winter they are found in northern South America. DESCRIPTION. Length 5inches. Above, a light blue or grayish blue with black streaks on the back; below white with a gray blue breast band and darker stripes on the sides. The adult female and young are a gray blue washed with greenish above, and white washed with yellow below. They also have a white superciliary line. 88 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. NESTING HABITS. These birds are usually met with in the tree tops and they also build their nests at high elevations from the ground. Consequently they are quite difficult to locate and are not often seen in collections. The nests are placed on horizontal branches usually in a fork; They are small and compactly made of strips of bark and grasses lined with finer grass or horse hair. Their four eggs are white, sparingly specked with reddish brown. HABITS. The little sky blue creatures are also known as Azure Warblers. From their habit of keeping in the tops of the trees, where they feed upon small insects, they are rarely known by the masses of even bird lovers in the localities where they are most abundant. Their song isa high-keyed and rather faint “‘zeep-zeep’’ repeated several times and coming from the tree tops is barely noticable to an observer below. My personal experience with these beautiful creatures is limited to not more than three individuals that I observed in Rhode Island about ten miles below Providence. Here they were found in tall trees in the depths of a swamp and could not possibly have been identified without a gun or powerful field glasses. I have never found their nest, although as this was in July there is little doubt but what they were breeding there. CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER. A. O. U. No. 659. (Dendroica pensylvanica). RANGE. United States east of the Mississippi and in southern Canada. South of Pennsylvania they are found breeding only in the Alleghanies. Their winter range 1s in Central America from Mexico to the Isthmus. DESCRIPTION. Length 5 inches. Adults may always be recognized by the yellow crown and chestnut stripe on the sides. Young birds and adults in winter plumage are plain greenish yellow above and white below with no black or chestnut markings. AMERIGAN ORNITHOLOGY. 89 NESTING HABITS. Chestnut-sides always nest at low elevations usually within three feet of the ground. Their favorite location is in the top of a small shrub where the nest is completely concealed from view by the cluster of leaves. I have found a great many nests in patches of sweet fern. They are made of fibres and grasses tightly woven together and lined with fine grasses and hair. They lay four or five creamy white eggs quite Strongly marked with reddish brown and usually with obscure markings of gray or lilac. HABITS. In New England, New York and Pemnsylvania these birds are very abundant, in some places even outnumbering the Yellow Warbler. They are commouly found on low hillsides and in pasture land wherever low brush is to be found. Their song is very similar to that of the Yellow Warbler and also the Redstart and only the most practised ear can identify the birds by their notes. The best way to find their nests is to stoop so that you can look up under the tops of the bushes and if the nest is within a few feet you will surely see it, whereas hunting them from above is very difficult. The birds are very tame when sitting on their nests and a number of times, by carefully parting the leaves over a nest, I have stroked the back of the sitting bird before she would leave. They can very readily be tamed so as to take insects from the hand when they are offered and especially easy to photograph. They moult during the latter part of July and August, and toward the end of this month and in September it is difficult to find an individual with any chestnut, black or yellow in the plumage. BAY-BREASTED WARBLER, A.O.U. No. 660. (Dendroica castanea.) RANGE. This species breeds in the southern parts of the British Provinces west to Manitoba. In the United States they breed only in northern New England and Michigan. Their routes of migration vary in differ- ent years so that they cannot be looked for with certainty in any local- ity. They winter in southern Central America and northern South America. 90 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. DESCRIPTION. Length 5.5 inches. Adults in spring and summer may readily be identified by the chestnut crown, throat and broad strip on the sides, the female differing from the male in being marked less conspicuously; young birds and winter adults are greenish gray above with black streaks on the back, grayish buff below and usually have a trace of chestnut on the flanks. NESTING HABITS. Nests of these Warblers are usually found in swampy woods at ele- vations of from ten to twenty feet. The usual location is in the crotch of some coniferous tree. The nests are made of fibres and grasses closely woven and lined with fine rootlets or shreds of bark. The four eggs are white, with a bluish tinge, spotted and blotched about the large end with brown and stone gray. HABITS, While these birds at times are abundant, as much is not known of their habits as might be desired because of the uncertainty of their ap- pearance. I have not seen them in Worcester County since 1896 when there was a large flight of them, lasting several days. While indi- viduals probably pass through here every year they do not appear in sufficient numbers to attract notice. I have always met them along the banks of streams or ponds usually at low elevation. Their notes are slight in volume but have good quality and are similar to those of any of the others of the family. BLACK-POLL WARBLER. A. O. U. No. 661. (Dendroica striata.) RANGE, The breeding range of the Black-poll Warbler is in Canada north to the limit of tree growth and in mountains of northern New England, New York and Michigan. Their migration route lies chiefly east of the Rocky Mountains and their winter home is in northern South America. DESCRIPTION. Length, 5.5 inches. The male in spring may be recognized by his streaked black and white plumage and solid black cap which easily AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 91 separates him from the somewhat similar marked black and white Warbler. The female is greenish gray above streaked with black but with no black crown. ‘The underparts are less distinctly streaked with black. Winter adults and young are very dull colored birds, brownish gray above and buffy below with indistinct dusky streaks. NESTING HABITS. Nests of this species are usually placed at low elevation among the outer branches of spruces; they have been found at elevations of from five to ten feet usually in swampy localities. The nests are made of slender twigs, rootlets, mosses ect., and lined with fine grasses or black rootlets. The four eggs are dull white, usually blotched and specked with various shades of brown. HABITS. Black-polls are one of the most abundant birds during migration and are met with in woods, orchard or swamp. They seem very slow motioned compared to the agility displayed by most of the family, and attention is usually attracted to them by their rather faint and jerky ‘‘zee-zee”’ slowly repeated about seven times; it is a song re- minding one of an insect, most resembling that of the black and white Warbler but very much slower. In the fall when the adults return, re- enforced by their young, they are the most abundant bird that we have and are found in flocks everywhere. Owing to their very obscure plumage they are very hard to separate from several other species at this season. BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER. A.O U. No. 662. (Dendroica blackburniae.) RANGE. These Warblers breed in the higher portions of northern United States and in southern Canada. They are konwn to nestas far south as. central Massachusetts, New York and Pennsylvania and a few breed in the Alleghanies to the Carolinas. Their winter quarters are chiefly in northern South America. DESCRIPTION. Length, 5.5 inches. Being the only North American warbler except the Redstart to have any amount of orange in its plumage the male of 92 AMERIGAN ORNITHOLOGY. : WARBLERS. Magnolia. Cerulean. Chestnut-sided. Bay-breusted. Black-poll. Black burnian. AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. Photo from life by L. S CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER ON HER NEST. . Horton. 93 O4 AMERIGAN ORNITHOLOGY. this species is readily distinguished. Both the female and the young possess the same markings but the orange is replaced by a more or less bright yellow while all the black parts of the male are a greenish brown. NESTING HABITS, ~ Nests of these warblers are found in coniferous trees usually well ‘out towards the end of the limb and ten to thirty feet trom the ground. ‘The nests are made of grasses and rootlets lined with hair and closely resemble those of the Chipping Sparrow. The four eggs have a blu- ish green ground, specked, spotted and blotched with several shades of brown and gray. HABITS. Without doubt this is the most exquisite of North American warblers and is the one most eagerly sought in the spring by all bird lovers. A amore beautiful combination cannot be imagined than that of the black, ~white and intense orange plumage of these birds when set off by the green leaves and pink and white blossoms of an apple tree for they al- ~ways reach here when the latter trees are in bloom. Some years they are especially abundant and I have seen as many as two dozen in sight at once. One of the prettiest sights that I recall is that of several of this species in a freshly plowed field together with a few Magnolia Warblers, several Tanagers and numerous sparrows. Their brilliant plumage stood out like gems in the midst of the dirt. AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 95 OUR MVOUN EG Ses NID Ss: Address communications to MrkG MERRYTHOUGHT, 156 Waterville St., Waterbury, Ct. My Dear YouNG FoLks: We are all rejoicins in the swelling buds, the fresh sweet odors of spring, and the return of the birds. The severe cold and storms of the winter brought some unusual visitors to some parts of the Atlantic seaboard. Flocks of Snow- buntings—fittingly called Snowflakes—with fluffy white breasts and cheeks with rufous trimmings, the feathers on the back of a soft chin- chilla, and white banded wings and tail, walked over the snow, now div- ing into a snow-bank for a choice bit, coming fearlessly so close to the windows that the admirers within could have reached out a hand and touched them. , They seemed very plump, and as downy as little chickens. I know you would have wanted to cuddle them in your hands, though they were nearly as large as robins. The markings varied greatly. Some had bright rufous necklaces, cheeks and sides, others were entirely without these markings. It was a pretty sight to see the flocks containing hundreds of these birds rising together into the air, as at a signal, then floating like flakes of snow to the earth with soft rippling notes. Contrary to the traditions of bird historians, they often alighted in the tops of some nearby maple trees. They ate a water pail full of cracked corn daily, yet were ready each morning for a fresh portion. 96 AMERIGAN ORNITHOLOGY. With the Buntings were quiet Lapland longspurs, in winter dress of white, tipped black feathers and pure white throats. They too, had ‘yellow bills and black feet, with a long hind claw. They seemed to have a single thought to eat the greatest possible amount in the short- est possible time. They had still other companions, also walkers, wearing a black cres- cent upon their light breasts, and upon their heads two horn-like tufts, now you have guessed their names—perhaps you know the Horned Larks in their pretty pinkish grey summer suits. More shy were the Red-poll Linnets, crimson tinged, swaying upon snow-powdered sprays. All of these little visitors had au added charm, because they came to us when all was so cold and bleak that nothing seemed alive but the ever cheerful chickadees and nuthatches. Cannot some of you tell us something of these birds as you have met them in their summer haunts? Cordially, your friend, Mrc MERRYTHOUGHT. ROLL OF HONOR. Russell Adams. St. Johnsbury, Vt. Huldah Chace Smith. Providence, R. I. ANSWERS TO MARCH PUZZLES. Enigma—Golden Crowned Kinglet. PI, Titlark. Ouails. Sandpipers. Blackbirds. Snipes. Swallows. Plovers. Meadow-larks. Grouse. Bobolinks. Pigeons. Oven-birds. A CUCKOO FAMILY. Seeing Cuckoos so many times in a lot above our house led me to believe they nested there. One day while I was near there I saw a Cuckoo fly into a thicket of briers and shrubs. I made up my mind to find out where it went to. After I had looked around for quite a while, it flew up right in front of me. I looked at the place where it flew from and spiedits nest. It was not so neat a nest as many other birds build. It consisted of quite a number of twigs laid in the center of AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. © 97 five or six limbs branching out of a small dead tree. Inthe center of the twigs it was lined with grasses. The hollow of the nest was'about one inch deep, just enough to keep the three blue-green eggs that were in it from rolling out. About three days had elapsed before I went there again. This time I found three little black birds with a number of white feathers, and large mouths like all young birds. Thinking they would not fly for some time, I did not go there till a week after. I found but one bird in the nest and it was dead, having been killed in a late storm. ALFRED Boyp, Waterbury, Conn. ENIGMA NO. 1. My Ist is in cold but not in hot. My 2nd is in shoot also in shot, My 3d is in light but not in dark, My 4th is in flicker but not in spark, My 5th is in hawk but not in owl, My 6th is in rag but not in towel, My 7th is in dumb but not in talk, My 8th is in saunter but not in walk, My 9th is found in the short word me, My whole is a bird you are glad to see. CLARENCE C. ABBOTT, New York City, N. Y. ENIGMA NO. 2 My 1-2-3-4 is a planet. My 6-7-3-4-5 is severe. My 4-2-8 is a carpenters tool. My 1-7-3-4-6 is a swamp. My 8-2-4-5 is to cleanse. My 4-5-7-3-9 is a large fish. My whole is a field bird of 9 letters. CHARLES C. LEWIS, Philadelphia, Penn.~ 98 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. CHARACTERISTIC INITIALS. The initials of these words are the initials of a bird described by the words. It a Cd GS) ep Cn LS COIN I jd S Cherries Wanted. 5. Sweet Singer. Prettily Flushed. 6. Diligent Worker. Summer’s Torch. 7. Constantly Social. Ever Supplanting. 8. Brilliant Wanderer. QUERIES. What birds walk head downward? What birds have no crop? What birds sew leaves together for a nest? What birds’ nests are good for food? What bird carries its young as a cat carries her kittens? What birds do not raise the head to swallow? What bird has three toes but no hind toe? What bird has two toes but no hind toe? What bird courtesies when any one passes its home? What bird builds no nest? GLEANINGS. I, country-born an’ bred, know where to find Some blooms that make the season suit the mind, An’ seem to match the doubtin’ bluebirds’ notes,— Half-vent’rin’ liverworts in furry coats, Bloodroots, whose rolled-up leaves ef you on curl, Each on ’em’s cradle to a baby-pearl.— But these are jes’ Spring’s pickets; sure ez sin, The rebel frosts 71] try to drive ’em in. Though I own up, I like our back’ard Springs, ‘That kind o’ haggle with their greens and things, An’ when you ’most give up, without more words. Toss the fields full o’ blossoms, leaves an’ birds Thet’s Northern natur’ slow and apt to doubt, But when it does git stirred, ther’s no gin-out. All the in combination with an unrestricted useofthe ground glass,is found inthe NEW SCREEN FOCUS KODAK Equipment of the highest grade: Long draw, rack and pinion, rising and _ sliding front, Kodak Automatic Shut- ter, high speed Rapid Rectil- inear lenses. You can focus on the Screen when using Kodak a Cartridges. Instantly convertible to a plate camera. PRICE $30.00. Eastman Kodak Co., All Dealers. Rochester, N. Y. I Want You To doa little advertising for me by show- ing to your friends some of my BEAUTIFUL SEA SHELL If you will promise to show them well, ] will carefully pack and send prepaid a sample box of 50 varieties for only 90 cents. GEORGE J. TILLS. ALBION, N.Y. THE DOG FANCIER. ESTABLISHED 18or. A MONTHLY KENNEL PUBLICATION. The oldest, most popular and mest prosperous amateur kennel publication in America. Contains each month appropriate reading matter and illustrations of great value to every owner of a dog. Advertisers get excellent results, and the rates are very low. Covers the entire United States and Canada, and if he’s got a dog you are pretty sure to reach him through THE DOG FANCIER. A sample copy will be sent free. Subscription price, soc a year. EUGENE GLASS, Publisher, Battle Creek, Mich. NEW BARGAIN LISTS. Our new Winter Bargain Lists are just out. Fine assortments of Minerals Shells, Curios, and everything required for a Natural His- tory Collection. Wecarry the finest assort- ment of the kind in America and sell the cheapest. Writetoday. WALTER F.WEBB, 202 Westminster Road, Rochester, N. Y. BUYS AND GIRLS Nature Study Magazine Organ of the Chautauqua Junior Naturalist and Civic Improvement Clubs. 50 CENTS A YEAR Sample sent free. ADDRESS BOYS AND GIRLS ITHACA,N. Y. STATE MUTUAL LIFE ASSURANCE COMPANY. Insurance in force Jan. 1, 1904,-.-... $100,902,399.00 Wesets Jani 190 cee 23.249,948.36 Liabilities Jan. 1, 1904 ...........-... _ 21,064.170.00 Surplus Jan. 1, 1904, -.--.-0--c0ec0------ _ $2,185,078.36 A. G. BULLOCK, President. HENRY W. WITTER, Secretary WORCESTER, MASS. Game of Birds A series of fifty-two illustrations of popular birds in colors, true to nature. A beautiful, interesting, and instructive game. 35 CENTS POSTPAID. We will send this FREE for one new subscriber to American Ornithology. CHAS. K. REED, Worcester, Mass. The Condor A Magazine of Western Ornithology EDITED BY WALTER K. FISHER For 1905 THE CONDOR has been fortunate in securing cooperation of Mr. William Lovell Finley and Mr. Herman T. Bohlman whose superb photographs of wild birds have never been excelled, and rarely equaled. They will contribute to each issue dur- ing 1905 and the collection of photo- graphs will be notable in the history of ornithology. The first article, in. the January issue, details the photographing of in aerie of Western Red-tails, and as illustrated by superb photographs, taken in a huge cotton-wood, 120 feet above the ground. Volume VII begins with the January issue and will be better than any pre- ceding volumes. Subscription $1.00 a year. Sample copy, twenty-five cents. Order of JOSEPH GRINNELL, Pasadena, Cal STUDER’S Birds of North America Over eight hundred birds Finely Colored ONLY $18 by express prepaid. We have only a feW copies at this price. This elegant book was published to sell at Forty Dollars. CHAS. K. REED, Worcester, Mass. How to Collect Animal Tracks. A simple, inexpensive method of presery- ing accurately the footprints of birds, mam- mals, ete. Clean, instructive pastime for boys, girls, sportsmen and naturalists. Send two cent stamp for particulars, or $1.00 for complete instructions. J. ALDEN LORING, Owego, N. Y THE OOLOGIST A monthly publication devoted to Oology, Ornithology and Taxider- my. Published by Frank H. Lattin, M. D., Albion, N. Y. The Oldest, Cheapest and most popu- lar “BIRD” PUBLICATION in America. The best exchange and want columns. Question and answer columns open to Collectors and Students in every branch of Natural History. An entire year with free 25c. exchange notice cou- pon only 50c. Sample copy on application. Address, ERNEST H. SHORT, Editor and Manager Chili, N. Y. WOOD and MANDARIN DUCKS WHITE and BLACK SWANS PEAFOWLS, Etc., Etc. 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This 100 page Illustrated Monthly was es- tablished is 1895 and has the largest circula- tion of any Collector’s Monthly in the world, and in size has no rival. Rates small, results large. It will pay you to write us about it. Our motto: “ The best and lots of it.” Invest 10 cents judiciously by sending it to L. T. BRODSTONE, Publisher, Superior, Nebraska, U.S.A. Send 5c. for membership card American Camera Club Exchange. Over 4,500 mem- bers all parts of the world. Try it. Birds That Hunt and Are Hunted, by Neltje Blanchan. Gives colored plates and the life histories of 173 of our game and water birds and birds of prey. You can actually see the iridescent sheen on the neck of the wild pigeon. Price, post- paid, $2.00. CHAS. K. REED, Worcester, Mass. le \ A GRAND PREMIUM OFFER FOR 30 DAYS ONLY “THE PEN IS MIGHTIER THAN THE SWORD.” But there is a choice of Pens and in this progressive age one does not want to be tied down to AN OQUTWORN STYLE OF PEN. 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Itis EQUAL TO ANY $2 PEN on the market today. “CELTRIC MODEL I!” bears the manufacturer’s guarantee that the pen is solid GOLD 14-k fine. If it does not prove satisfactory in every way we will exchange it for another, or return the fifty cents additional on return of the pen. EYERY PEN WARRANTED. THE CUT SHOWS THE EXACT SIZE. This is an unusual opportunity to secure, at a very low price, an article of superior quality that is coming to be essential to the comfort and convenience of every one who writes. REMEMBER THAT THE OFFER IS FOR 30 DAYS ONLY. THIS IS THE PEN. THE AMERICAN BIRD MAGAZINE, (AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. ) CHAS. K. REED, Publisher, WORCESTER, MASS. MAUAAAAAAAARAALAALAAAAALAALAREAKLAROARRAAAAARAAROARAALAALAAEA AEA AEA ARAMA IN ORDER TO OBTAIN THE BEST RESULTS IN MAKING BIRD PHOTOS YOU MUST USE THE CRAMER CROWN PLATES Which are especially adapted for this class of work, and are used exclusively by the publishers of AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. Full descriptive manual sent free to any address upon application, provided AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY is mentioned. G. CRAMER DRY PLATE CO. ¥ « WANDAMAALAAAALAAAAARARGAAMAMAAAAAARAAAAAE Mddbddbddddddddddddddbdddddddddddbddbddddchddbbcddsddcdddire oe = ST. LOUIS, MO. = r= = OFPICHKS IN = New York, Chicago, San Francisco, = 93 University Place. 39 State Street. 819 Market St. Co 7 Mbbbbbbsdddddsbddbdddddddsbdddddddddddddddddddddddddddddcdddddddddddddcddddr FOUR GOOD BOOKS. BIRDS AND NATURE. One Year. Price $1.50. Nothing could be more appropriate than a year’s subscription to ‘‘Birds and Nature’”’ as a Christmas present or birthday gift, for it reminds your friends of the giver each month during the year. Where requested we send a card informing the recipient that through your kindness he will receive ‘‘Birds and Nature”’ for a full year, and cards are mailed so as to reach the subscriber at the proper time. Send the name and $1.50, we do the rest for you. A. B. C. BOOK OF BIRDS. 26 Color Plates and Bird Covers in Colors. Price $1.00. By Mary Catherine Judd. A book for children both large and small. Miss Judd, in this, has prepared a book that will be a delight to every child and will be in- tensely interesting to every adult lover of birds. THE JINGLE BOOK OF BIRDS. 16 Colored Plates. Bird Covers in Colors. Price 60 Cents. By Edward B. Clark. Beautiful pictures, catchy verse. Adopted for township libraries in Wisconsin. This book is for both children and the elders. The lines are not jingles merely, but jingles which have a well-rounded purpose and much of pith and point. The color scheme of the cover is. strikingly beautiful. This book will make an appropriate Christmas gift. THE FAIRIES THAT RUN THE WORLD AND HOW THEY DO IT. 30 Fnil-Page Illustrations. Price $1.00. By Ernest Vincent Wright. A beautiful book of children’s stories in verse. The subjects dealt with are well known to children and many pleasant thoughts regarding the work- ings of Nature may be derived from the pages of this volume. AWARDED GOLD MEDAL, WORLD’S FAIR ST. LOUIS, 1904, A.W. MUMEORD, Publisher, 378 Wabash Avenue, Chicago. VUVVVVVVVVV VV VV VVVVV VV VV VV VV VV VV VV VV VV VV VVVVVVe The Graphophes Best Talking Machine on the Market. Buy one. It will amuse you, your family and friends on many AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAL a long dreary winter evening. All the latest popular song hits as well as Grand and Comic Opera selections; vocal and instrumental solos in infinite variety. Graphophones from $5 to $100. Records from 25 cents to $2 each. COLUMBIA PHONOGRAPH COMPANY Grand Prize, Paris, 1900. Grand Prlze, St. Louis, 1904. Boston, 164 Tremont Street. New York, 353 Broadway. Chicago, 88 Wabash Avenue. San Francisco, 125 Geary Street. VVVVVVVV VV VVVV UV VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVY @AAAAAAA JAAAAAAAAA AAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA L ® AAAAAAA ON? OTOL ® Methods in the Art of Taxidermy } The Journal Of the Maine By Oliver Davie, Author of ‘Nests and © Ornithological Eggs of North American Birds- b 0 FULL PAGE ENGRAVINGS. A Society I Volume seven will consist of S issues the first of March, June, mS September and December. There LS will be articles on Maine birds by eS the leading ornithologists of the XS state as well as copious bird notes © of current interest. © Subscription 5O cents a year. I W. H. Brownson, Portland, $ ; mn Editor. Never before has the Art of Taxidermy had © Frank T. Noble, Augusta, a Pee naiuien ineruiatedamule Bore att © Associate Editor, J cealy Suuticnediatinea: (My peicels2 spines paid or Given Free for 6 new subscribers. Address W. H. BROWNSON, © Chas. K.Reed, Worcester,Mass. © 97 1-2 Exchange St., Portland, Me. —O—O—O—O—© MAY, 1905. 1c a copy, $f a year. Vol. 5, No. 9, WS \) XS A Se : NX AY NAN Kw = \ \ TIS Entered at the Post Office at Worcester. Mass. as second-class matter. Jan. 16. too" CS sR _———)) ) AA ae DIC TIONARY } ZN fe COLOR KEY TO North American Birds By FRANK M. CHAPMAN A complete bird dictionary, with upward ‘of 800 drawings in colors, so Ae ene that one may learn a bird’s name with the least pos- sible difficulty. In no other book has the problem:of identifica- tion been so simplified. The book is equally useful in any part of the country from the Atlantic tothe Pacific. 312 pages, cloth, $2.50. NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS EGGS By CHESTER A. REED, B. S. A complete illustrated book of all eggs. It gives the habitat and breed- ing range of each species; location and construction of the nest; time of nest- ing; number, description and varia- tion of eggs HEN with a full-sized illustration of the egg of nearly every S species, and a large number of full-page illustrations of nesting sites. 360 pages, cloth, $2.50. Both of these books and the American Bird Magazine one year for $5.00. SS SS SSS See litte tam IS RH CHAS. K. REED, Worcester, Mass. SSS SN Biro-Lore ror February, No i ot Vol, Wii, will contain upwards of 100 pages and 50 illustrations, including ten colored figures of Warblers. SR asia Sg 20 cents a copy Reduced line cut of Eraest Thompson Seton’s drawing of One Dollar a year a Northern Shrike. Presented ce ae to every subscriber to Volume Tee of) BIRD-LORE. Che Wacmillan Co. The original is nearly life-size. New York City. Harrisburg, Pa. $3.70 EOR $1.85 A New Unprecedented Combination Offer For new subscribers only. Just see what you get. BIRDSFANDENATUREVonelyealerer es eee oereeee ee ecee reece nee eecee eae: $1.50 CONSTRUCTIVE WORK, Worst... 0.0.0.0. 0c ccc sees sen cc eee tesecbeeeeues 1.00 WILD BIRDS IN CITY PARKS, Walter.............--. . -sesee seer seen 40 16 PHOTO ENGRAVINGS OF TYPICAL FOREST TREES................ 80 Motalivallueseeerneeee sce. $3.76 Vourcanigetiallithatabove:forionlymasscssceseeocrae cece ce eer eee $1.85 THIS OFFER SAVES YOU $1.85, Think of it. BIRDS AND NATURE. The only publication exclusively illustrated by color-photography. Each number contains thirty-two pages of popular text and eight large plates in colors true to nature of birds, animals, fiowers, plants, fruits, insects, minerals, shells, fishes, reptiles, etc. “I would not be without Birds and Nature if it cost $10 a year.’’—F. W. Baker, Ogden, Utah. “Please consider me a perpetual subscriber as long as J am on this planet.”—W. Scott Way, Pasedena, Cal., Sec’y and Treas. Pasadena Humane Society. 2 CONSTRUCTIVE WORK. Its Relation to Number. Literature. History and Nature Work. New and enlarged edition. Fifth thousand. By Edward F. Worst, Yale Practical School, Chicago Normal. 300 illustrations 225pp, 53x83 inches. Price $1.00. There is no book which contains the variety of work found in this book. Its chief value lies in the fact that coustructive work is treated not as an isolated subject, but in its relation to other lines of wo WILD BIRDS IN CITY PARKS. By Herbert Eugene Walter and Alice Hall Walter, Chicago, 1904. Pocket edition, pp. 66, cloth, with Chart showing Migration of Birds. Price, 40 cents. Every person who is interested in birds and visits city” parks should have a copy of this handy little book. It furnishes those who may be interested in making the acquaintance of wild birds with a simple letter of introduction to 145 interesting birds. The essential and striking characteristics that are readily noticed are mentloned. {6 PHOTO-ENGRAVINGS OF TYPICAL FOREST TREES. Printed on fine card board 9x12 inches. Each plate shows the tree, section of the trunk and spray of leaves, and at the bot- tom of each plate is given a description of the tree. These plates are beautifully printed and absolutely perfect in detail. Nature lovers everywhere should have them, Any of the above may be purchased separately at prices specified. Don't delay, remit $1.85 today. You are getting a bargain pure and simple. Money back if not satisfied. A. W. MUMFORD, Publisher, Suite 501-521, 378 Wabash Ave., Chicago Established 1887. Guide to Taxidermy Full of valuable information, COMPLETE INSTRUCTIONS HOW TO PREPARE AND MOUNT Birds Animals and Fish Also contains. a com- plete list of all North American Birds, with prices of their eggs, skins and mounted specimens ; also an ex- haustive line of Orni- thologists’, Oologists’ and Taxidermists’ sup- plies, valuable infor mation forthe amateur, recipes, etc. Bound in cloth, 35c, postpaid. 104 Union St., CHAS, K. REED, Worcester, Mass. Covers the entire field of Western Sports by land and sea MONTHLY DEPARTMENTS Huating and Shooting Fish and Fishing Game Protection Physical Culture Golf Automobiling Tennis Yachting Canoeing Athletics Rifle and Trap Guns and Gun Makers Natural History The Dog Adventure Fiction Club Life Photography 150 pages beautifully fllustrated. Clean, autbemtk and autboritative. published at 4 Sutter Street, San Francisco, Cab 10 conte the copy $1.00 the year Sample Copies with pleasure ©) © 66-_©- $O6—© ? Methods in the Art of Taxidermy Y By Oliver Davie, Author of ‘-Nests and © @ Eggs of North American Birds” © 90 FULL PAGE ENGRAVINGS. © y) | Th " © © Z © Never before has the Art of Taxidermy had its practical methods and beauties portrayed @ as we find them interpreted in this work. It is a work of art from cover to cover. Form- @ erly published at $10. My price $2.50 post- paid. or Given Free for 6 new subscribers. © © Chas. K.Reed, Worcester, Mass. O—)>—_— It was late in the afternoon, I walked down the hill road stopping at the bridge. Surrounding it were weeds, bushes, and shrubbery, aregu- lar haven for birds. And birds there were, galore. Thrashers, Cardi- nals, Chats, Phoebes, Yellowthroats, Dickcissels, Catbirds, Vireos and Indigoes were all to be found there. I could not see the singer, but ever and anon, I heard a familiar little song. ‘Sweet, sweet, sweet, oh so sweet.’’ Near me was a clump of densely leaved dogwoods. Suddenly a Blue-jay dropped apparently from the clouds, and disap- peared hastily within them. Instantly there was acommotion. There issued from the clump numerous short sharp commanding “‘Tsips,”’ and now and then I caught a glimpse of yellow, and I knew the Jay was tresspassing on forbidden ground for that clump of dogwoods sheltered the nest of the Yellow Warblers. And they didn’t trust him. No bird ever does. He is branded a murderer in all birddom and where ever he goes he is met with angry potests. And he has earned his reputa- tion, for though in the autumn and spring he is the handsomest, bold- est, loudest bird we have. When the nesting season comes around, he assumes a hangdog sneaking air, rarely appearing in the open when he can keep under cover, and never uttering a sound. He is the sneak thief and scoundrel of the bird world, ever ready to strike when his victim’s back is turned, but never caring to meet him face to face. And such was the visitor our tiny Warblers had. Probably he had no idea he was trespassiug when he entered the clump, but the War- AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. , 113 blers soon made the fact evident, and he left, swiftly, silently as he had come. And with his departure came relief to the Warblers, and to me. The sun had set. It was becoming dusky. The many sounds and voices of the day were becoming fewer and more subdued—the world was going to sleep. From over the hills came the low, far-away but distinct ““Hoo-o, hoo, hoo,’’ of the great horned owl. . Our day was done, we must retire and make room for him. Next day I visited the clump of dogwoods. As I entered I glanced up and there, just above my head as I had known it would be, was the little woolly nest, fasten- ed firmly in a crotch. Drawing myself up, I could look down into the little home. Inside were five little eggs, white, speckled with. brown. sb mS) al J. “I 2K *K aC 7K 2K Glancing down across the bleak fields into the valley, I saw,.skim- ming along just above the little stream, following its every crook. and turn, a flock of wild ducks. Suddenly, as if by one accord they all dropped down between the banks of the stream. Hastily but cautious- ly going down the hill road, I reached the bridge, and crept in under a clump of leafless dogwoods. The ducks, a- band of five Greenwing Teal, came on down passing me and going out of sight around a bend below. As they moved along they probed in the mud with their bills, or strained the cold water through them as only a duck can. They passed within a few feet of me and never suspected my presence. After they had gone, I rose from my cramped position, and as I did SO, spied just above my head a little wooly, weather-beaten nest. Drawing myself up I glanced in. It was empty, save for a single tiny faded yellow feather. Carefully I cut away the bough that supported it and brought it home. And sitting with it before me, I dream of the time when the joyous little cries, “Sweet, sweet, sweet, oh how sweet.’’ coming through my open window on the perfumed air of an early May morning, shall once again waken me to the world and to the joy of living. é EDGAR BOYER. 114 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. sss SSE 8 SSS PAINTED BUNTING OR NONPARIEL. AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 115 A BIRD TRAGEDY, Spring time in the country! Why those poets of the old Smoky-city class-room were not so flightily unreal after all. Spring is a wondr- ous, glorious panorama; and we who—many years ago—more than half believed in the wonderful Genius of Aladdin’s Lamp; stand to-day in awe before the wondrous transformations wrought by an unseen hand. Yon trees but yesterday bleak, black, leafless—laugh now in leaves of tenderest green or in blossoms pink or white: the air is redolent of blossom and vocal with the song of birds. Previous to this my first experience of Spring time in the country, bird-life was quite unknown to me. I admit, too, a feeling somewhat of irritation at the frequent allusions to birds made by poets, prose- writers, spring-enthusiasts etc. But, as so frequently happens that which one condemns in another comes sooner or later to dominate over him—and I found myself to-day fairly fascinated by the birds. Bird Magazines, Ornithological treatises, Audubon and even bird-poets are eagerly sought and now, for the first time, understood. Shelley’s “Sky Lark” unfolded a whole world of meaning as I read it whilst listening to the vesper strain of the little Song Sparrow. I too echoed: . “Teach me half the gladness That thy heart must know, Such harmonious madness From my lips would flow That the world would listen then as I am listening now.’’ O the birds!—they fill my field vision now—happy, amorous, all- natural little life-merchanisms, yet, containing in themselves and enacting before the eyes of the patient observer, all the passionate loves and hates of the old human drama. The other day I watched a duel unto death between two Chipping Sparrows. For some time the issue seemed doubtful and either might have sought safety in flight; but the Spartan-mother war cry—Return with your shield or upon it—was evidently the spirit actuating the combatants. A dexterous peck at the eye gave advantage to the stronger; the injured bird fell to the ground: the ensuing scene was simply murder. O the joy of triumph—satiated revenge! Why—the spirit of Marius seemed palpitating in that little hate-embodiment as he pecked and pecked and chirped and pecked and dragged his victim and shook him and even chirped and pecked and pecked long after life had, appar- ently, departed from the poor tortured little form. 116 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. Another bird which from a neighboring tree had evidently watched the fight now fluttered down to the scene. He or she—more probably the latter—perched on a stone near by and intently watched the struggle whether with looks expressive of admiration for victor or of secret lament over victim I could not tell. Perhaps my own feelings protruding themselves through my field-glass perceived in her the latter; certain itis she did not join the triumph song—but just as certain it is that she flew away under the voluble protection of her triumphant Lord and Master. And there lay the dead chippy, his chestnut head dyed crimson now, and his poor bleeding eyes closed forever; and there—right before my eyes, on this glorious Spring day—had been enacting just another expression of that tragedy old as the world. A very demure robin has her nest in a locust tree near my window. She is evidently a staid old matron secure in a nest that proved faithful last year and kindly tolerant of all the chatter and fuss of the inexperi- enced young nest-builders about her. The Red-headed Woodpecker may be seen flashing in crimson and white amid the foliage and performing acrobatic feats apparently for the amusement of his admiring mate. The Baltimore Oriole known colloquially as the Fire Bird or Golden Robin; has made his appearance; he is in richest color-glory just now a most beautiful Orioie alights upon a nearby tree upon which hangs a last year’s Oriole nest. Perhaps he grows reminiscent for his pure whistling melody modulates into full pathetic cadences as he suddenly flies away. Another bird not often seen though frequently heard is the Turtle Dove; its plaintive “Coo, coo”’ or its more prolonged call ““Achg coo, coo, coo’’ breaks sadly upon the country stillness. Its note is that of warning nay of rebuke to the chattering, quarrelling, carolling, rollicking young Warblers around it. Yet if—Cassandra-like—it tells of storms, and cats, and bad boys, and grape-shot, and telegraph wires, and all the thousand natural ills that bird-flesh is heir to, it is—also Cassandra-like-heard but not heeded. The morning concert wakens hopeful as ever, nature-demands have as joyous fulfilment, and no to-morrow shadows darken the happy to-day of our wise little brothers in Bird-land. SISTER M. FIDEs. AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. ILL Zé A GOOD MEAL, Who does not love that large majestic bird, who haunts our inland lakes, the Herring Gull? He comes to us in the spring, as the ice begins to break up and spends whole days with many of his compan- ions enjoying a free ride on the floating ice cakes. He not only enjoys it, but very unselfishly he tells all of us how very pleasant itis. Ihave watched these Gulls, sometimes as many as 40 or 50, through the epera glass and felt well repaid. I have also watched them, as they soared aloft and passed with graceful flight over the lake, showing to good advantage, their beautiful wings tipped with black. I love the lake shore walk especially in the early spring. It is on this walk, I receive some of my greatest discouragements in trying to identify the ducks and it is here that I see some most interesting sights. On the 21st of March the ice in the lake had not broken up, only near the shore, but there was sufficient open water to entice the ducks and gulls. At least it had enticed one gull, for there he stood on the edge of the ice not more than 40 feet away. What a beauty he was as he stood there in his rich, pearly mantle and how gracefully he carried himself! Quite an aristocrat! He was so near me that without opera glass, I could easily observe him ‘to my heart’s content, for he was interested in the one thing he was doing. He was having a most sumptuous feast with no one near with whom to share it unless perhaps with his spectator. Hehad got from the lake a small fish which looked like a horned pout. His manner of eating a morsel of fish reminded me somewhat of a robin’s manner of eating an earth worm. He gave the fish a good many hard shakings then ate some of it, he put his foot on it and pulled to get a good, big bite, then walked very proudly about it, watching lest it should disappear. He continued this for some time and when he had finished, there was not much left of the fish. I was just as willing, if not a little more so, that the gull should have this fish as that some sportsman, later on, should add him to his string. I was also grateful to the gull for choosing a place to fish on this side ot the lake instead of the other. ELSIE SPACE JACKSON. 118 AMERIGAN ORNITHOLOGY. SOME STRANGE BIRD NOTES, A MYSTERY. By EDWARD HOWE FORBUSH. The second week in June 1903, while living in a cabin on the banks of the Musketaquid, I heard one morning a succession of strange notes coming from a tree in the woods immediately behind the cabin. The bird that uttered them was concealed by the foliage; but after the per- formance was finished a B!ack-billed Cuckoo peered out from among the leaves and gave a few rattling call-notes. I was unable to find, in in the vicinity, any other bird to which the notes could possibly be at- tributed; therefore I set down the Cuckoo as the possible author of the sounds and determined to investigate the matter further at the first opportunity. On June 27th I heard the same notes again coming, this time from the pines on the top of the hills behind the cabin. By creeping care- fully along I succeeded in getting directly beneath the tree on which the strange performer sat. There were, in the tall pines on the hill- top, three Crows, one of which could be plainly seen as he engaged in this vocal performance. From my notes made at the time I take the following ‘extract: “‘The Crow says, Kep! kep! kep! woo! woo! and many other original things, some harsh, some very pleasing; but many of them are much more like the hooting of an owl or the cooing of a dove than the notes of a Crow.”’ This Crow remained about the hill all summer and frequently in- dulged in the most varied and peculiar music. Some ot it had a singu- lar melody. One day in the fall, while concealed near the river bank, I heard a noise much like the whining of a young puppy. A little later three Crows that had been hidden by underbrush on the shore, rose into the alders and I saw one of them open its beak as the melodious whining sound again fell on the ear. They soon saw me and flew off to the meadow whence I presently heard the sound again. Through the summer of 1904, I listened in vain for the crow-song, hearing a faint attempt at it occasionally, but no such varied outpour- ing as in the previous year. Crows were not so common as usual this season, owing perhaps, to the hard winter of 1903-1904 which killed many of them. Possibly the cooing Crow of 1904 was a young bird that had taken a few lessons from the star performer of the year before. These notes regarding the strange crow music have been mentioned not so much because of their unusual nature (for Crows have fine vocal organs which are capable of producing varied and musical tones) but because of some closely related sounds which were heard later from a AMERIGAN ORNITHOLOGY. 119 bird probably beionging to a different order. I take the following from my note book. It was written on September 24, 1904. Last Sunday night as I paddled by some maple and willows on the meadow shore, a voice came from among them, giving plainly the “wakeup” of the Flicker but in a softer and more pleasing tone and ended in a series of flute-like calls. I wondered what could be respon- sible for these. To-night as I opened the cabin door, similar notes came from the margin of the river near by. Then there ensued a most unique musical performance. Itis impossible to render much of it in words except the wakeup or wickeup. There ways in it something of the same quality that was heard last year in the tones of the gifted Crow. While seeking to identify the notes, the only other birds that were suggested to my mind were the Screech Owl, the Whippoorwill, the Bobwhite and the Sora Rail. I never have heard any other bird than these and the Crow give similar sounds and I never before have heard any bird produce them all. The bird, if it was a bird, was evidently in the pickerel weed which grew in the water and its voice moved along the shore from place to place. I heard, in the still night the splash and gurgle of the water as. if the creature were wading and sometimes swimming. It moved along some four or five rods during the five or six minutes it continued the first serenade. I was able, by whistling, to imitate closely much of its melody, but cannot remember and repeat it, for it was long, wild and varied. I fancied at first that a young Whippoorwill just learning to sihg might compass some such sounds as the beginning of the melody, but it soon transcended all Whippoorwill music in sweetness and variety, though not in volume. Then came some tones in imitation of the Screech Owl’s note: not the ordinary tremulous whine but the rarer sliding tones that run up the scale, like a siren whistle. When I had begun to think the bird might be an Owl, it struck into a whistling imitation of the whine of a puppy, much like that given by the Crow, but far sweeter. That non-plussed me. There were given later, however, many notes that seemed to have the quality of those of the Sora Rail. It was as if the bird had been startled into song by my opening the door; for it was plainly complaining at first, though in the most dulcet and millifluous tones imaginable.”’ At last, after perhaps ten minutes of this most delightful perfor- mance, it stopped short. It was a glorious night, clear and still. Not a ripple marred the 120 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. surface of the river in which the great fair moon, well risen, was now reflected from the depths. In the moonlight I tried in vain to find or see the creature that was stirring the gurgling water. Soon its wild sweet music poured forth again. I quote from the note-book. “I am able to translate some of it into English, Bobwhite, Bobwhite, it says; but it belies itself, for no Bobwhite would be whistling there at this hour, ‘Wickiup, wickiup;’? but probably this bird has never seen an Indian wickiup or wigwam. ‘Whew! whew! (Well, the night is growing cold). And so it goes, but as I take a boat to find the bird, the music ceases and f listen in vain. A Night Heron croaks harshly: A Snipe flies wheezing duwn the meadow anda Great Horned Owl hoots from the swamp. These honest creatures are unmusical but intelligible: not so my invisible serenader. Again the strange notes burst forth. The voice seems to have the quality of ventriloquism. Now close at hand; now up the shore; now down; now far in air. Now comes the sound of the rushing wings of a bird in flight high over the stream, but probably they are those of some night-bird flying by.”’ The serenade was continued with intermissions for about two hours. I heard it last after eleven o’clock; but briefly and rather petulantly and lessvaried than before as if the bird were sleepy, and ready to retire for the night. The next morning, I was out bright and early. Soon the same note came up from the shore, but somewhat subdued and chastened as if the bird were abashed by the glare of day. Cautiously I crept to the spot and was soon listening to the dulcet sounds as they came from the water-brush a rod away. I searched every inch of the thicket with my glass and scanned the pickerel weed and lily pads; but could see nothing, though I heard faint plashing now and then. Finally I raised my head slowly to look over a leaning tree-trunk. There was a sudden splash as of some heavy body plunging into the stream, some circling widening ripples—and that was all, I never saw the bird nor heard it again. It looked like a case of suicide for fear of discovery. I have described the notes to Mr. William Brewster, whose experi- ence is much more extended than mine, and he cannot suggest an explanation of them. By elimination, we may arrive at the conclusion that the sounds were produced by some kind of a rail, but I have listened to rail notes north, south, east and west and have never heard anything like this. What was it that I heard that moon-light night on the banks of the ‘Musxketaquid? AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. NEST AND Photo by A, R. Spaid. EG3S OF YELLOW-BILLED CUJKOO. 1 1 122 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. BERD CRAG S) Wie OWS VOUING aE Rn NID Ss Address communications to MEG MERRYTHOUGHT, 156 Waterville St., Waterbury, Ct. My DEAR YOUNG FOLKs: There is a plump robin looking in at my window. He seems to Say. “Ouick! quick! quick! Please write for me a message to the lads and lasses who read your magazine. Tell them that a host of my relatives have come to spend the summer here and we hope to make the world brighter and happier for them, and ask very little in return. If they will let us alone, we ask nothing more. We wish to protest against those boys who are studying about us, that is what they call it, and some of the mothers are so pleased that their boys are interested in Nature Study. Let me tell you how they do it. They gather for their collections, our eggs, our feathers, our nests, and even our Jdodies, besides nearly frightening us out of our wits. You may be surprised that this so called study is going on today, but only yesterday three boys passed me, one had a camera, but each boy also had some kind of weapon to destroy life. Will not the boys who are gaining bird lore in the right way do their best to interest these young folks in a better way of becoming familiar with the birds?” Here Mr. Robin bowed a farewell, and with a chirped “‘Thanks! ‘Thanks!’’ flew down upon the lawn, where he now hops about, busily destroying the one hundred and one angle worms which have come to the surface for a drink of fresh rain drops. AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. Pals I am glad to pass on this suggestion of Sir Robin’s to our young folks, knowing you will be ready to advance the better ways of bird study. In the walking bird’s fz, in the March Bird Chats, number 12 should read veno instead of lono, making oven-birds instead of loon birds. In the February word square the 5th letter on the second line should be K, and the 9th letter in last line should be F. The answer to number 6 should be ani instead of am. These mistakes may be the fault of the printer’s devil, or due to my poor penmanship. I prefer to lay the blame to the former. Cordially, your friend, Mrc MERRYTHOUGHT. ROLL OF HONOR. Harry E. White. Lisbon, Ohio. Huldah Chace Smith. Providence R. I. J. Howard Binns. Adena, Ohio. Katherine Stilwell. Phoenix, Arizona. Charles C. Lewis. Philadelphia, Penn. ANSWERS TO APRIL PUZZLES. Enigma Number 1.—Chickadee. Enigma Number 2.—Marsh Hawk. CHARACTERISTIC INITIALS. 1. Cedar Waxwings. 5. Song Sparrow. 2. Purple Finch. 6. Downy Woodpecker. Saeocanlerchanagen, 7. Chipping Sparrow. 4. English Sparrow. 8. Blackburnian Warbler. 1. Nuthatches walk head downward. 2. Birds like ducks, gulls, puffins, rails, etc., which find their food in abundance and take it in small quantities at short intervals, possess no crops and the food passes directly into the stomach, also all the insect- iyorous birds (which include many of our common song birds) have no crop. 3. The tailor-birds of India sew leaves together to hold their nests. using fiber for a thread and their bills for a needle. 4. The nests of a variety of swallows which build in caves in China and are composed of a gelatinous substance, are esteemed a delicacy by epicures. 124 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 5. The Whippoorwill carries its young from place by the back of the neck as a cat carries its kittens. 6. Pigeons do not raise the head to swallow, as other birds do, but keep the bill immersed until through drinking. 7. The Kildeer has three toes, all fore toes, no hind toes. 8. The Ostrich has two toes in front, no hind toes. 9. The Burrowing-owl courtesies when anyone passes its nest, So is sometimes called the “‘How-do-you-do owl.”’ 10. The Cow-bird lays its egg in the nest of some other smaller bird, and the European Cuckoo shirks its duties in the same manner. EXTRACTS PROM OUR MATE BAG. SOME MARSH BIRDS. One afternoon in June (1904) I put on my rubber boots and went to a marsh, of which I knew in a neighboring village. It is not. very large but it is the home of numerous marsh birds. As I approached the place I heard the rollicking’ song of the long- billed Marsh Wren and heard the merry “‘okalee’’ of the red-winged Black-bird. My real object was to find the nests of these birds, especially the Marsh Wrens’. I began to examine every clump of cat-tails to see if I could find one. : Ah, yes, there was one, but to my great disappointment it contained nothing. I found three nests but all of them were empty. I have heard of long-billed Marsh Wrens building sham nests to attract the attention away from the real nest, and it must have been one of these that I found. Pretty soon, however, I found the real gamie article containing one egg. The bird had probably just begun to lay. I also found a red-winged Black-bird’s nest just ready for eggs. While I was wading around among the cat-tails I frightened an American bittern, which flew slowly down the marsh, its long legs dangling out behind it. I was listening to the Marsh Wren’s singing so joyfully, when I heard a noise like the grunt of a small pig. The noise seemed tocome from about ten feet ahead of me. I followed it around and around the marsh but I could not see anything, for the cat-tails were three or four feet high. Pretty soon I came to an open space and found that I was following a bird that I had never seen before. I wrote down its des- cription in a note-book, which I always carry with me, and when I got home I looked it up in a book and found that it was a Virginia Rail. CLARENCE C. ABBOTT, New York City. AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. | 125 FRIENDLY BIRDS. My sister, brother and I are interested in the study of birds. We have a bird-shelf and the birds are so tame since we killed all our cats. Fourteen different kinds of birds have eaten off of our bird-shelf, the Chickadees, Tomtits, Winter Wren, Tree Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-throated and White-crowned Sparrows, Carolina Wren, Bewick’s Wren, Lark, Finch, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Junco, Blue Jay and White-breasted Nuthatch. The Tomtits, Chickadees and Carolina Wrens eat out of our hands, one Red-bellied Woodpecker ate out of my sister’s hand’ and one Winter Wren out of mine. We carry a can of nuts for the Tomtits, and when we see them even in the woods they ate out of our hands. Three Tomtits came in the house last winter. I have seen 92 different kinds of birds. There is a Bluebird nesting in the garden and a Carolina Wren has a nest in an old store room. Last summer a Mocking-bird built in a honeysuckle close to the house, a Blue-jay built in the rafters of our barn, a Cardinal built in our garden, a summer Tanager built in our back yard, the little ones were so tame they would perch on our fingers, and a Carolina Wren built in the buggy-house and we could sit in the buggy and watch it feed the little ones; when they were learning to fly they would light on our heads and crawl upon our necks. A Bewick’s Wren built under an old straw shed, a Maryland Yellow Throat built in our plum orchard, anda Mourning Dove and Bob White built in our orchard. Mary Barry, (12 years old) Columbus, Kentucky. Some Pi, made by J. Howard Binns of Adena, Ohio. Le AS MN 40) sale Os the S ths 2. drieeukcd. ds iw Ste Aa, lim © ie Bo 1) Ste, el Os ae Sesh uedekec: AMaenee a 1.c le oo. CSE Saat pall.exe, lO. wy 2 Ss QUERIES. 1. -What bird eats and sleeps upon the waves, scarcely coming to land but to nest? 2. What bird hangs his food upon thorns for future use? 3. What bird carries its young in its bill from its nest in a hollow tree to the water? 126 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 4. What is the largest bird’s egg in the world? 5. What is the smallest bird’s in the world? ENIGMA. My 3-2-4 is a small animal. My 1-2-5-4 is not the whole. My 3-6-7-8-9 is an elevation. My 1-6-4 is a large hole in the ground. My whole is the name of a game bird. CHARLES C. LEWIS, Philadelphia, Penn. GLEANINGS. THE FIRST WOOD THRUSHES. Was it a richer robin? The cherry’s snow Waved signal: wandering with enchanted feet In columbine bells and violets dewy sweet I walked into the springs of long ago. No robin: for the dim ravine below Echoed with voices in a golden trance, Welled with the pure deliberate jubilance Of flutes that none but Wood Thrushes could blow, So, they shall rise up at the voice of a bird, ‘The buried years; the unmemorial years; All hope, all love, all memory long deferred Flooded my heart and eyes with happy tears. ‘The golden-throated thrushes in the May! Spring, the sweet spring, and my love far away! A POPULAR HANDBOOK OF THE Birds of United States AND CANADA. BY THOMAS NUTTALL. A new edition, complete in a single volume. The best and most popular book on the birds of the Northern and Eastern States. The book has hitherto been made only in two volumes, and the price has been $7.50 net. In its new and handier form, it should find a place in every household. The illustrations of the birds faithfully rend- ered in colors (the most beautiful plates of the kind since Audubon) form an important feature. $3.00 postpaid. Secure only 8 new sub- scribers to A. OC. and GET IT FREE. CHAS. K. REED, Worcester, Mass. awa Mounting We can a teach you Wild-Cat. how. y LEARN TAXIDERMY =) 4 We can teach you BY MATL to correctly mount Birds, Animals, ete. Nothing is more fascinating or profitable. Every NATURALIST, TEACHER, SPOTRSMAN Should know this art. We have thousands of successful students. If interested in Birds, Nature and Outdoor Life, ask for our new illustrated catalog. ITs FREE. WRITE TODAY. THE NORTHWESTERN SCHOOL OF TAXIDERMY. Inc., Suite 81 Com. Nat. Bank, Omaha, Neb. Have Your Magazines Bound. Send your magazines to us prepaid (if well wrapped postage will be 10 cents), we will bind them in an at- tractive cloth cover, stamped with AMERICAN OR- NITHOLOGY in gold and bird in color, and return to you FOR 75 CENTS PREPAID. Address American Ornithology, Worcester. Mass. THE La Lal JOHN LEWIS CHILDS, Eprror series which will contain many su- rerb Colored Plates of rare eg¢s such as Kirtland and Olive Warbler, Carolina Par- oquet, Clark’s Crow. Ipswich and Rufous Crowned Sparrow, Yellow and Black Rail, Calaveras Warbler, ete. Also splendid illustrations of Bir ds and Nests, and lead- ing articles by well known authorities. Published Quarterly, 32 Pages & Cover SUBSCRIPTION PRICE $1.00 PER YEAR. SINGLE COPIES 30c Kegs of Kirtland Warbler will be figured in first issue(Jan or Feb.)of the new series. THE WARBLER FLORAL PARE, N. Y¥. ADDRESS le With 1905 The Warbler begins a new JAMES P. BABBITT, — DEALER IN — Supplies for the Naturalist and Taxider- mist; Fine Glass Eyes a Specialty. TAUNTON, MASS. Bargain Lists free upon application. Large illustrated catalogue of Naturalists Sup- plies {Oc. Naturalist Supply Depot DEALERS IN Supplies of all Kinds, Glass Eyes. Mounted Specimens a Specialty. Send roc for catalog FRANK BLAKE WEBSTER CO., HYDE PARK, MASS Museum Birds That Hunt and Are Hunted, by Neltje Blanchan. Gives colored plates and the life histories of 173 of our game and water birds and birds of prey. You can actually see the iridescent sheen on the neck of the wild pigeon. Price, post- paid, $2.00. CHAS. K. REED, Worcester, Mass. American Bird Magazine SPECIAL OFFER. Volumes |, 2, 3, 4 and Subscription for 1905 FOR $3.50. These FIVE VOLUMES will contain over 1700 pages of the most interesting and instructive bird literature, with nearly 1300 illustrations, many of them photographs of live wild birds. THE FIVE VOLUMES WILL BE: PAID FOR $3.50. CHAS. K. REED, Worcester, Mass. SENT PRE- HAYE YOU A HOBBY ? No matter what it is THE Wrst keeps you posted. Send 10 cents to the undersigned and you will receive for three months the oldest. largest and best collectors’ monthly for all kinds of hobbies, coins, Stamps, Cur- ios, Relics, Natural History and American Historical Science, Mineral Discoveries, Pho- tography, Souvenir Post Cards, etc. THE PHILATELIC WEST AND CAMERA NEWS. Fifty cents entitles you to a year’s subscrip- tion and a free 25-word exchange notice in the largest exchange department extant. Over 2,500 pages last two years. This 100 page Illustrated Monthly was es- tablished is 1895 and has the largest circula- tion of any Collector’s Monthly in the world, and in size has no rival. Rates small, results large. It will pay you to write us about it. Our motto: “The best and lots of it.” Invest 10 cents judiciously by sending it to L. T. BRODSTONE, Publisher, Superior, Nebraska, U. S.A. Send 5c. for membership card American Camera Club Exchange. Over 4,500 mem- bers all parts of the world. Try it. THE OCLOGIST A monthly publication devoted to Oology, Ornithology and Taxider- my. Published by Frank H. Lattin, M. D., Albion, N. Y. The Oldest, Cheapest and most popu- lar “BIRD” PUBLICATION in America. The best exchange and want columns. Question and answer columns open to Collectors and Students in every branch of Natural History. An entire year with free 25c. exchange notice cou- pon only 50c. Sample copy on application. Address, ERNEST H. SHORT, Editor and Manager. Chili, N. Y. WOOD and MANDARIN DUCKS WHITE and BLACK SWANS PEAFOWLS, Etc., Ete. Mention AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY and large illustrated catalogue. SCHMID’S EMPORIUM OF PETS, WASHINGTON, D. C. send for THE DOG FANCIER. ESTABLISHED 1801. A MONTHLY KENNEL PUBLICATION. The oldest, most popular and mest prosperous amateur kennel publication in America. . Contains each month appropriate reading matter and illustrations of great value to every owner of a dog. Advertisers get excellent results, and the rates are very low. Covers the entire United States and Canada, and if he’s got a dog you are pretty sure to reach him through THE DOG FANCIER. A sample copy will be sent free. Subscription price, soc a year. EUGENE GLASS, Publisher, Battle Creek, Mich. Game of Birds A series of fifty-two illustrations of popular birds in colors, true to nature. A beautiful, interesting, and instructive game. 35 CENTS POSTPAID. We will send this FREE for one new subscriber to American Ornithology. CHAS. K. REED, Worcester, Mass. The Young Idea Normal Clubbing List Offer First—Will send Popular Educator, Primary Education, and The Young Idea for $2.00 for the full year. Offer Second— Will send Popular Educator or Primary Education, the Young Idea and Birds and Nature for $2.25 for full year, with 20 Bird Plates Free. OFFER THIRD—Will send Popular Educator or Primary Education, The Young Idea and the Bird Magazine for $2.00 for the full year. Offer Fourth— Will send Popular Educator or Primary Education and The Young Idea for $1.25. Offer Fifth— Will send Popular Educator or Primary Education, The Young Idea and Four Track News for $1.60 for a full year. Offer Sixth— Will send Popular Educator or Primary Education, The Young Idea and the SchoolArt Book for $2.00 for the full year. Young Idea and Pets and Animals $ .75 = Be “ Four-Track News 75 a2 rs “ Boys and Girls ao ee 4 ** Success 1,10 Me > A complete illustrated book of all 2 ¢ eggs. It gives the habitat and breed- \\ ing range of each species; location and construction of the nest; time of nest- ing; number, description and varia- tion of eggs laid; with a full-sized illustration of the egg of nearly every species, and a large number of full-page illustrations of nesting sites. 360 pages, cloth, $2.50. Both of these books and the American Bird Magazine one year for $5.00. « Ke ( CHAS. K. REED, Worcester Mass. \ — SS eee Northern Shrike. Presented to every subscriber to Vol. VII, 1905, of BIRD- LORE. The original is nearly life-size. We still have left a few complete sets of BIRD-LORE, and offer the six volumes, 1899-1904, unbound, for $7.00 postpaid. BIRD-LORE Harrisburg, Penn. Reduced facsimile of ERNEST “~~ re THOMPSON SETON’S drawing of the v : BEAUTIFUL ARTISTIC INSTRUCTIVE The Birds and Nature Library {WILLIAM KERR HIGLEY, Editor, Secretary of the Chicago Academy of Sciences. This superb set of books should be in every home, in every school and in every library. Illustrated only by the three-color process of photography. 640 illustrations in colors absolutely true to life. Size of plates, 7x9 inches. 3871 plates of Birds; 14 plates of Birds’ Nests and eggs; 8 plates of Birds’ Eggs (49 varieties); 68 plates of Mammals; 18 plates of Insects (98 varieties); 9 plates of Shells (96 varieties); 86 plates of Flowers and Fruits; 17 plates of Gems and Gem Minerals; 54 plates of miscellaneous subjects. These volumes are bound in red, half morocco, and consist of 80 numbers of ‘‘Birds and Nature.”’ **Certainly no periodical, and probably no book on birds ever found any- thing like such favor with the public as BIRDS AND NATuRE.’’—EHvening Post, New York. Are these pictures good? The statements of two eminent men are a sufficient guarantee: The pictures are astonishingly good. I like them so well that I shall put on the walls of my rustic retreat, Slab Sides.—John Burroughs. You have certainly hit upon a method of reproducing colors with remarkable fidelity to nature.—Dr. Elliott Coues. The text of the books is most interesting and satisfactory. Both prose and poetry bring Nature home to the heart and mind in a captivating and delightful manner. Nature stories teach the younger readers, while reliable and readable articles present the great facts of Nature to minds more mature, awakening and fostering the love of the animate life of our wonderful world. PRICE, per volume, $3.00. Full set (8 volumes), $19.20. Same in 16 vols. Cloth, $2.00 each. Set (16 vols.), for $24.00. Awarded Gold Medal, World’s Fair St. Louis, 1904. Birds and Nature, monthly 20c, per year $1.50. A. W. MUMFORD, Publisher, 378 Wabash Avenue, Chicago. OVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV VV VV VVVVVVVVVVVVVVIVVVVVVe Buy one. as well The velliaiadi ei di Best Talking Machine on the Market. ‘It will amuse you, your family and friends on many a long dreary winter evening. All the latest popular song hits as Grand and Comic Opera selections; vocal and instrumental solos in infinite variety. Graphophones from $5 to $100. Records from 25 cents to $2 each. Grand Prize, Paris, 1900. VVVVVV VVVVVV VY VV VV VV VV VV VV VVV VV VV Boston, 164 Tremont Street. Chicago, 88 Wabash Avenue. ovy COLUMBIA PHONOGRAPH COMPANY Grand Prize, St. Louis, 1904. New York, 353 Broadway. San Francisco, 125 Geary Street. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAA AAABAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA @ AKAAAAA ONLY A FEW LEFT. SPECIAL MINERAL COLLECTION consisting of fifty different Minerals from all parts of the world. Actinolite, Claremont, N. H. Albite, Niagara Falls, N. Y. Aragonite, South Dakota. Asphaltum, Trinidad. izona. Barite, Pennsylvania. Beryl Xl, New Hampshire. Biotite, Virginia. Chaleedony, Tampa, Fla. 10 Cale Spar, Lampasas Co., 11 Cannel Coal, Grayson, Ky. 12 Chaleopyrite, Chili, S. A. 13 Chert, Bethany, N. Y. 14 Copper Ore, Lake Superior. 15 Cryolite, Greenland. 16 Cyanite, Hartford, Conn. 17 Dolomite, Lockport, N. Y: 18 Feldspar, Bolton, Mass. 19 Garnets, Hanover, N. H. 20 Geode Quartz, Keokuk, Iowa. 21 Gold Ore, South Dakcta. 22 Graphite, St. Lawrence Co., (© COS oOrkwWNrH 23 Gypsum, Grand Rapids, Mich. 24 Halite, Salina, Kansas. 25 Hematite, Michigan. Azurite and Malachite, Bisbee, Ar- Texas. 26 Each specimen his a number to correspond with this list. AAAA ®AAAAAAALAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAL sAAAAA Iceland Spar, St. Lawrence, N. Y. Iron Pyrites, Colorado. Lead Ore, Missouri. Limonite, Maine. Magnetite, Arkansas. Marble, Vermont. Mica Schist, New York. Milky Quartz, South Dakota. Obsidian, Isle of Lipari. Onyx, South New Mexico. Petrified Wood, Montana. Poreelainite, Montana. Prehnite, New Jersey. Psilomelane, New South Wales. Pyrolusite, New Brunswick. Rose Quartz, Bedford, N. Y. Satin Spar, Cumberland, Eng. Selenite, Lockport, N. Y. Smoky Quartz, Colorado. Sodalite, Conn. Tale, Gouveneur, N. Y. Tourmailne, South Paris, Me. Variscite, Montgomery Co., Wernerite, Bolten, Mass. Williamsite, Pennsylvania. PREPAID FOR $1.00. CHAS. K. REED, WORCESTER, MASS. Ala. Guide to Taxidermy Full of valuable information. COMPLETE INSTRUCTIONS HOW TO PREPARE AND MOUNT Birds Animals and Fish Also contaius. a com- plete list of all North American Birds, with prices of their eggs, skins and mounted specimens; also an ex- haustive line of Orni- thologists’, Oologists’ and Taxidermists’ sup- plies, valuable infor mation forthe amateur, recipes, etc. Bound in cloth, 35c, postpaid 104 Union St., CHAS, K. REED, Worcester, Mass. Covers the entire field of Western Sports by land and sea MONTHLY DEPARTMENTS Hunting and Shooting Fish and Fishing Game Protection Physical Culture Golf Automobiling Tennis Yachting Canoeing Athletics Rifle and Trap Guns and Gun Makers Natural History The Dog Adventure Fiction Club Life Photography 150 pages beautifully fllugtrated. Clean, authemk and authoritative. published at 4 Sutter Street, San Francisco, Cal. 10 cents the copy $1.00 the year, Sample Copics with pleasure f September and December. @} will be articles on Maine birds by “WY | the leading ornithologists of the ( DOOD —$O—-< PD —S—_ O_O O_O By Oliver Davie, Author of ‘“Nests and Eggs of North American Birds*” 90 FULL PAGE ENGRAVINGS. Se G i ( © 7 © Never before has the Art of Taxidermy had its practical methods and beauties portrayed @ as we find them interpreted in this work. It is a work of art from cover to cover. Form- @ erly published at $10. My price $2.50 post- © © paid or Given Free for 6 new subscribers. Chas. K.Reed, Worcester, Mass. OOOO ©—_E —- © _©_©-O—Y The Journal Of the Maine A Ornithological A Society Volume seven will consist of issues the first of March, June, There State as well as copious bird notes of current interest. Subscription 5O cents a year. W. H. Brownson, Portland, Editor. Frank T. Noble, Augusta, Associate Editor. Address W. H. BROWNSON, 97 1-2 Exchange St., Portland, Me. American Ornithology. A Magazine Devoted Wholly to Birds. Published monthly by CHAS. K. REED, 75 Thomas St., Worcester, Mass. EDITED BY CHESTER A. REED, B. S. SUBSCRIPTION PRICE in United States, Canada and Mexico, One Dollar yearly in advance. Single copies, tencents. Vols. I, Il, Ill and IV, $1.00 each. SPECIAL:—Vols. I, II, Ill, IV and subscription for 1905, $3.50. We can supply back numbers at ten cents per copy. FOREIGN SUBSCRIPTION, $1.25. = COIPWAIGIsN, WOOS 18" CHAS. 1K. IRB ID——= VOL. V JUNE, 1905. NOrG PHOTOGRAPH COMPETITION. Our object in conducting these competitions is to increase interest in the study of living birds and especially their study with the camera.