| THE BIRDS OF ‘SPRINGFIELD AND VICINITY _ | BY | - ROBERT O. MORRIS ror, Beach Will =e PREPARED ESPECIALLY FO THIS WONK BY L.S RICHAROS &Ce. MAP wal fs) , SPRINGFIELD i<. AND VICINITY. 2 Me ~ ) : FAS /UEVERETT : 2 » Swhresay, = " Scale of Miles ‘ A m = WE Halfpenny, Del Gb G24 tate in Women sr iki NGFIELD ND Ve INT y Biv ROBERT O. MORRIS | SPRINGFIELD, MASS. PUBLISHED BY HENRY R. JOHNSON 1QOI , 7 7 Oe Ore i AE OS | ;- 0 a os é wy, a § - e PRESS OF C. R. KAPLINGER, SPRINGFIELD, MASS. The Birds of Springfield and Vicinity. The Hydrographic valley of the Connecticut at Spring- field is about sixty miles wide, and the river here is somewhat east of the center of the basin. ‘The State of Connecticut lies three and a half miles south of Springfield, the town of Long- meadow intervening. Thirteen miles to the west, a mountain range rises abruptly from the level land at Westfield, continuing beyond to the Housatonic Valley, forming a portion of the so- called Berkshire hills, and running north until it joins the Green mountains in Vermont. ‘The highest point of this range in Hampden County is ‘‘ Round Top’’ in Chester, which reaches an altitude of 1800 feet. About ten miles to the east of Springfield lies a range of considerably less height, which is locally called the ‘‘ Wilbraham Hills,’’ and extends north to New Hampshire, where it merges into the White mountain range. Five miles to the west of Springfield is a series of Hills, 4oo to goo feet in height, of trap rock formation, which continues up the valley and crosses the river, south of the greater part of Northampton. Here the hills are higher, Mount Tom and Nonotuck on the west side, and Holyoke on the east, reaching an altitude of about 1200 feet. The Connecticut River at Springfield is but forty feet above tide water, and except in time of freshet, is a sluggish stream, averaging about 1200 feet in width. ‘The important branches in this vicinity are the Chicopee, Mill and Scantic Rivers, that enter from the east, and Westfield and Farmington Rivers, that come from the west, and the largest natural land- locked body of water is Lake Congamond in Southwick, which covers about 410 acres. In nearly all the towns there are small ponds, both natural and artificial. The land of the river towns is sparsely timbered, being mostly under cultivation. The mountain regions east and west of the river are heavily timbered, chiefly with deciduous trees, consisting principally of chestnut. white oak, gray birch, sugar maple, with a sprinkling of white pines and hem- { THE BIRDS OF SPRINGFIELD AND VICINITY. locks, and on the east side the pitch pines are quite numerous. Along the streams may be seen the willows, elms, red and white maples, river poplars, alders, pin oaks,» and button- woods. In Russell and Montgomery there is quite a growth of tulip trees ; on the trap rock range the red cedars are common, and here and there in the valley can be found black and red oak, sassafras, black and paper birch, and many other kinds not generally common; on the hills to the west of Westfield there is an immense growth of mountain laurel, and considerable is found on the Wilbraham hills, and a little in the river towns. One of the great attractions to bird life near Springfield in late Summer and Autumn, particularly to the water birds, lies in the wild rice, Zzanta aquatica, that grows so profusely along the banks of the Connecticut river. About twenty years ago many bushels of the seed of this plant was brought from Wis- consin and Canada and scattered along the shores of the Con- necticut, and in some of the ponds ; in all the latter the attempt to introduce proved a failure ; whether the large quantity that now grows along the banks and in the river is due to the seed that was so distributed, it is pretty hard to say. Prior to 1878 there was quite a little growing here, as had always been the case down the river towards the Sound ; about that time the dam across the Connecticut at Enfield, ten miles below Spring- field, was raised, which decidedly slackened the current above, making the conditions much more favorable for wild rice to thrive; very likely the rapidly increasing growth here, that began just about that time, was owing to that tact rather than to the planting of the seed; anyway, it then seemed to appear on the river in every suitable place, whether seeded by man or in other ways. Wild celery, vad/?sneria spiralis, the root of which is a favorite food of some of the duck family, is common here, both in the river and ponds. In order to attract some of the water birds, roots and seeds of this plant were brought here from the West about eighteen years ago and planted in the river, and it was successfully propagated in both ways; which was an unnecessary step, as there was plenty of it here before. Kotweed, olygonum Amphibium, arrow head, Sagzttaria variabilis, button bush, Cephalanthus Occidentalis, ground THE BIRDS OF SPRINGFIELD AND VICINITY. oO nut, dfios tuberosa, and several kinds of wild grass, all grow along the river, furnishing food for various kinds of surface feeding ducks. With all the reliable text books on New England birds, a local list may seem to many uncalled for, but we sometimes find bird life different in short distances. For instance, less than fifty miles to the south and west of Springfield, there is a de- cided change in Summer residents, in the latter direction undoubtedly accounted for by reason of variation in altitude, but in the former the reason is not so apparent, at least why the difference should be so marked in so short a distance and with practically the same flora, temperature, and altitude. To well know the bird fauna of any particular section of the country, observations must extend over a series of years, and this is particularly true of the water birds; many of them are very irregular in their appearance, and their visits here are often short, owing to the absence of their favorite food, and in late years to the persistent manner in which they are driven away. An observer near a river like the Connecticut, and above tide water, by the latter part of Summer, can make some reliable calculations as to the probabilities of the presence of surface feeding ducks in the river, a month or two later. If the rainfall has been heavy during the Summer, and the river high, the vegetation along the shore will be destroyed, or only have a stunted growth; thus their food supply being scarce, if they stop here on their way South, they soon pass on. When the Connecticut river is high and roily during the time of their migration, none of the sea ducks make any lengthy stay, it being so hard for them to find their food; and few, if any, of the so-called shore birds stop here when such conditions prevail. In this list I have indicated the authority for the occurrence of a bird here, if it is otherwise than from my observation, and have only made a record when the evidence was conclusive. I do not treat towns more than twenty-five miles distant as being within the vicinity of Springfield. The numbers prefixed to the names of the birds correspond with those used in the check list adopted by the American Ornithol- ogist Union, and with very few exceptions are those found in Chapman’s Hand-book of the Birds of Eastern North America. 6 THE BIRDS OF SPRINGFIELD AND VICINITY. 2. Colymbus holboellii (Reinh.). HoLBor..’s GREBE. Chiefly an uncommon winter visitor, but Dr. J. A. Allen records its capture in Springfield, the third week in May, in full breeding plumage. The specimen in the Science building, Springfield, was taken alive in Otis a few winters ago and sent to Forest Park, where it soon died. ‘Two have been taken at 3elchertown. (See Birds of Amherst, page 45. ) 3. Colymbus auritus Linn. Hornep GREBE. Some autumns the young of this species are quite common and I have seen them in small flocks; the adults are rarely here, Their food usually consists of frogs, small fish and aquatic insects, but some years ago, while attracting wild ducks by baiting with corn, I found that one of these grebes had devel- oped a decided taste for this grain, and when taken its craw was filled with it. A pair were killed here in full breeding plumage about June 1. (See Catalogue of the Birds Found at Springfield. ) 6. Podilymbus podiceps (Linn.). PIED-BILLED GREBE. A rare summer resident and a common spring and autumn visitor. 7. Gavia imber (Gunn.). Loon. A not uncommon spring and fall visitor; Dr. J. A. Allen reports it as breeding here occasionally, but that was nearly forty years ago. I have not known of its presence here in summer for a long time. 11. Gavia lumme (Gunn.). RED-THROATED LOON. Rare spring and fall visitor. 31. Uria lomvia (Linn.). BruNNicH’Ss MuRRE. For some unknown cause, during the last five or six years, repre- sentatives of this species have paid us a number of visits; previous to that time there appears to be no record of its capture here, and now it is far from being common. I took one November 30, 1899, and the same day one was shot in Berkshire county. (See Birds of Berkshire County, page 53. ) ~“ THE BIRDS OF SPRINGFIELD AND VICINITY. 34. Alle alle (Linn.). Dovexir. Accidental winter visitor, but has been taken here on several occasions, supposed to have been driven from the coast by a storm. In the Cata- logue of the Birds of Springfield, Dr. J. A. Allen reports its capture at Greenfield, and in his revised list of birds of Mas- sachusetts, at Springfield. (For report of its occurrence at Belchertown, see Birds of Amherst, page 45.) In the Bulletin of Massachusetts Natural History, published at Amherst for June and July, 1884, it isstated that: ‘‘In 1872 a large number of these birds were secured in and about Belchertown pond, not far from here, where they were cast by a severe coast storm.”’ 51. Larusargentatus Brinn. Herrrinc Gui. Com- mon winter visitant; when the Connecticut is free from ice, a few usually fly slowly up the river during the forenoon, search- ing for food, and there is a return flight in the afternoon. On several occasions, during open winters, I have found them quite numerous here. 60. Larus philadelphia (Ord). Bonaparre’s GULL. Rare visitor; July 31, 1893, three appeared on the river near Springfield, one of which was captured. Dr. J. A. Allen stated that they were occasionally observed here. 70. Sterna hirundo Linn. Common TERN. Very rare; one was taken in Longmeadow, September, 1878, the only instance that I have known of its presence here. 80. Rynchops nigra Linn. Brack Skimmer. Acci- dental visitor; after a very severe gale that prevailed the last of August, 1893, one was taken in West Springfield. 106. Oceanodroma leucorhoa (Vieill.).. Leacn’s PETREL. Very rare visitor; in late years, I have known of its capture here but three times; Dr. J. A. Allen stated that it had been taken here in a few instances. In an address delivered at Springfield, on the occasion of the opening of the railroad to Boston, a little over sixty years ago, Gov. Edward Everett, on 8 THE BIRDS OF SPRINGFIELD AND VICINITY. the authority of Rev. W. B. O.. Peabody, referred to‘a recent visit of this ‘‘ little sea bird’’ to this region, which he regarded as a good omen. ‘The specimen in the Science building, Springfield, was caught by a cat, in a meadow close by the Connecticut river, in Agawam, September 20, 1900. 120. Phalacrocorax dilophus (Swain.). DowusLe- CRESTED CORMORANYT. During the years 1887 and 1888, a number were seen here in small flocks, and several were taken, but with the exception of these two years it has appeared here only as a rare visitor. 129. Merganser americanus (Cass.). AMERICAN MERGANSER. On the Connecticut river and its tributaries this is the most abundant of the duck family, from November 15 until May 1; occasionally it is found on the large ponds, and I have observed it here repeatedly in mid-summer, but have no further evidence of its breeding. One summer, I saw one here in company with a blue-winged teal. During the very cold. winters, these mergansers assemble in large numbers on the Connecticut, in the rapid water just below the Enfield dam. 130. Merganser serrator (Linn.). REp-BREASTED MERGANSER. Mr. E. O. Damon has taken one specimen in Northampton, and I have done the same near Springfield; with these exceptions, I have never known of its presence here. 31. Lophodytes cucullatus (Linn.).. Hooprp MEr- GANSER. A common late autumn migrant; I have not observed it hére at other seasons, but it undoubtedly may be found occasionally in early spring. 132. Anas Boschas Linn. MaALiarp. Rather common autumn visitor, arriving about the first of November; I have taken it here in the spring, but it is rare at that season. Usually it may be found associating with Azas obscura, but one year within my experience the mallards appeared in larger numbers than the black ducks, and they then flocked by them- THE BIRDS OF SPRINGFIELD AND VICINITY. 9 selves. ‘They are apparently very fond of corn, and when ‘baited ’’ on that grain, are loth to proceed on their journey. 133. Anas Obscura Gmel. Brack Duck. Abundant in spring and autumn; a few spend the winter with us, and can usually be found in the vicinity of the south branch of Mill river, in Hampden and Wilbraham, from December until March. As the ice closes the ponds and forms along the banks of the Connecticut river, the great body retire, and, even if the winter is open, do not return until spring. A few breed regu- larly in the ponds in the western part of this section and rarely in the river towns. In July of 1898, a brood nearly grown appeared in Forest Park in Springfield, and associated and fed with the domestic ducks there, and becoming quite tame they were finally captured alive and taken into winter quarters; a few of them still remain in the park. 35. Chaulelasmus strepera (Linn.). SADWALL. Accidental visitor; there are two specimens in the Museum in Springfield, that were taken here many years ago. (See Cata- logue of the Birds Found in Springfield. ) 37. Mareca atnericana (Gmel.). BarppaTe. A not very common, but regular spring and fall visitant; in the autumn of 1884, they were fairly abundant here. 39. Nettion carolinensis (Gmel.). GREEN-WINGED Tea. A not uncommon spring and autumn migrant, but less numerous than the Blue-winged Teal. 140. Querquedula discors (Linn.). BLuUE-wINGED Treat. A common autumn but a rare spring visitor; in the fall of 1885, it was abundant. I have seen it here repeat- edly in mid-summer, and once I observed a flock in the river about the twentieth of August. One of the specimens in the Museum at Springfield was taken here the last day of May; I have no further evidence of their breeding here, but there is no doubt that at one time they did. 10 THE BIRDS OF SPRINGFIELD AND VICINITY. 142. Spatula clypeata (Linn.). SHovELLER. An accidental visitant; the specimen in the Museum in Spring- field was captured by William C. Pease, in Longmeadow. It has been taken once or twice near Northampton. (See Birds in Amherst, page 46. ) 143. Dafila acuta (Linn.). Prinram. A common autumn visitant but rare in spring. This is the second migrant of the ducks to appear in the autumn, coming about two weeks later than the Blue-winged Teal; I have taken it here as early as the seventeenth of September. Fora few weeks in 1891 it was abundant on the river. 144. Aix sponsa (Linn.). Woop Duck. Common summer resident; until within a few years, one or two pairs bred regularly in Forest Park. 146. Aythya americana (Eyt.). RkEpD-HEAD. Rare autumn visitor and probably here occasionally in the spring. I have seen them on the river in large flocks, but that is unusual. 148. Aythya marila (Linn.). AMERICAN Scaup Duck. Uncommon autumn visitor; I have never known of their being here in any great numbers. 149. Aythya affinis (Eyt.). Lesser Scaup Duck. Rare spring and common autumn visitor, arriving here about the middle of October. There are plenty of pond snails Limnea Megastoma here, which appear to be their favorite food, and when the Connecticut river is not high and roily they can obtain all they want without much exertion. I have seen five hundred of them on the river at once; they would make us long visits but for the practice of shooters of chasing them with boats, which very soon results in their being driven from this vicinity. The late Dr. Wood of East Windsor Hill has taken them there in the spring, but they are rare at that season. 150. Aythya collaris (Donov.): RING-NECKED Duck. A rare autumn visitor. THE BIRDS OF SPRINGFIELD AND VICINITY. 11 151. Clangula clangula americana Bonap. AMERI- CAN GOLDEN-EYE. Abundant spring and autumn visitor and occasionally here during open winters. 153. Charitonetta albeola (Linn.). BurrLe-HEAD. Not uncommon in early spring and late autumn. Once in September I found a flock of ten or a dozen on the river, near Springfield, that were evidently young; they permitted a boat to be rowed within easy shooting distance, and after being fired at once, when several were killed, they only flew a short dis- tance and then waited until the boat again approached, when a number more were shot. 154. Harelda hyemalis (Linn.). OLpSovuAw. Rather rare spring and autumn visitor. I have seen small flocks here. 165. Oidemia deglandi Bonap. WHutTk-WINGED ScoTER. Rare; Dr. William Wood captured two at Fast Windsor Hill. (See Dr. J. A. Allen’s Catalogue of the Birds of Springfield. ) 166. Oidemia perspicillata (Tinn.). SurRrFScorTER. October 23, 1886, I captured one on the river in Longmeadow, which is the only oceasion that I have known an individual of this kind to visit us; but my impression is that this species, as well as all the other sea ducks so common on Long Island Sound, are occasionally represented here. 167. Erismatura jamaicensis (Gmel.). Ruppy Duck. During the autumn of 1885, this duck was common on the waters in the vicinity of Springfield, but with the ex- ception of this season, it has been during the past twenty years a rare spring and fall visitor. 169. (a) Chen hyperborea nivalis (Forst.). GREATER Snow GoosE. Rare or accidental visitor; one was wounded and captured near Springfield a number of years ago, and turned loose with a flock of domestic geese in Southwick, with 12 THE BIRDS OF SPRINGFIELD AND VICINITY. which it remained for several years. In the spring of 1887, I saw one in Longmeadow. 172. Branta canadensis (Linn.). CANApA Goose. Common spring and autumn migrant. 73. Branta bernicla’ (Linn.). Brant. One was shot on the Connecticut river above Hartford, in the spring of 1876. (See Merriam’s Birds of Connecticut, page 121.) Dr Allen, 1n the Catalogue of the Birds of Springfield, gives it as ‘not common.’ 190. Botaurus lentiginosus (Montag.). Amert- CAN BITTERN. Common summer resident. 191. Ardetta exilis (Gmel.). Leasr Birrern. Rare; Dr. J. A. Allen reports the taking of one by C. W. Bennett ; E. O. Damon shot one at Northampton, and I captured one in Longmeadow September 1, 1895. As to its presence in Suf- field, see Merriam’s Birds of Connecticut, page 113. 194. Ardea herodias Linn. Great BiuE HERON. Transient visitor from April until November, except that it is generally absent during the months of June and July; it may breed here occasionally. 196. Ardea egretta Gmel. AMERICAN EGRET. Rare visitor from the South ; one was seen in Forest Park, Spring- field, on several occasions during the summer of 1897. A specimen was taken in North Hadley, in August, 1883, (see 3irds of Amherst, page 46, ) and it has been reported as having been seen by various reliable observers, within twenty miles of Springfield, but not during the past fifteen years. 197. Ardea candidissima Gmel. SNow HERon. Ac- cidental visitor ; the specimen in the Museum of Natural His- tory, Springfield, was taken by Mr. E. O. Damon at Northampton, and this is the only instance known to me of its presence here. THE BIRDS OF SPRINGFIELD AND. VICINITY. 13 201. Ardea virescens Linn. GREEN HERON. Abund- ant summer resident. 202. Nycticorax mnycticorax nevius’ (Bodd.). BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON. Common summer resident. 208. Rallus elegans Aud. KincG Ratu. Accidental visitor; a specimen was taken by William C. Pease in Long- meadow, October 19, 1895; this is the only record of its Sccmrmence heres (See [he Auk, vol) 139 page 86. ) 211. Rallus crepitans Gmel. CLaprer Ram. Ac- cidental visitor ; one was taken in the Hadley Meadows, and Mr. E. O. Damon captured one at Northampton. 212. Rallus virginianus Linn. VircinrA Rain. A common summer resident ; this and the following species are more numerous here in summer than is generally believed. I know of a man who used to tie up his dog, that was trained to hunt rails, to prevent his catching the young birds that he could find in any suitable breeding place. 214. Porzana carolina (Linn.). Sora. A common summer resident, often becoming abundant during early autumn. 215. Porzana noveboracensis (Gmel.). YELLOW Rai. Rare visitor. I captured one in Longmeadow, Octo- ber 16, 1894; it has also been taken at Northampton (see Birds of Amherst, page 47). 216. Porzana jamaicensis (Gmel.). Brack Ratu. A number of years ago, Mr. J. H. Batty, who formerly lived in Springfield, found this bird breeding in Hazardville, En- field ; this is the only record of its appearance here (see Merriam’s Birds of Connecticut, page 119). 219. Gallinula Galeata (Licht.). Frorma Gat- LINULE. Rare summer resident; I have taken half a dozen 14 THE BIRDS OF SPRINGFIELD AND VICINITY. specimens here during the past twenty years. Although I have no positive evidence, still I have little doubt that it occasionally breeds here. 221. Fulica americana Gmel. American Coor. A common autumn visitor, but rare in the spring. 222. Crymophilus fulicarius (Linn.). Rep PHAL- AROPE. Accidental visitor; on the 30th of September, 1893, William H. Lee captured two out of a flock of a dozen near Chicopee ; these are the specimens in the Museum of Natural History. 223. Phalaropus lobatus (Linn.). NorrHern PHALAROPE. Accidental visitor; one was taken in Ware, October 13, 1875. (See Bulletin Nutthall Ornithological Club, Vol. 5, page 122.) 228. Philohela minor (Gmel.). American Woop- cock. Regular spring and autumn visitor, and a tolerably common summer resident. Fifteen years ago, woodcock bred regularly and abundantly, but about 1887 they almost ceased to do so, and only occasionally could a brood be found here ; this condition continued for about a decade, but during the last three years they have again been more numerous as sum- mer residents. 230. Gallinago. delicata (Ord.). Wutson’s SNIPE. Common spring and autumn visitor, and I have known of its being here both in midsummer and midwinter. 231. Macrorhamphus griseus (Gmel.). DowrrcHERr. Rare spring and autumn migrant, not as common as formerly. 234. Tringacanutus Linn. Knorr. Accidental visitor; a number of years ago I captured one the last of August, which is the only instance known to me of its presence here. THE BIRDS OF SPRINGFIELD AND VICINITY. 15 235. Tringa maritima Brunn. Purple SANDPIPER. Accidental visitor. I shot one in November, 1883, but know of no other record. 239. Tringa maculata Vieill. PECrorAL SANDPIPER. Tolerably common autumn visitor. It formerly made us quite long visits at this season, but now this and all shore birds are killed or driven away very soon after their arrival; at least it is so with those that have selected the vicinity of the river for their feeding ground. 240. ‘Tringa fuscicollis Vieill. Wurrr-rumpEpD SAnp- PIPER. Common autumn migrant; occasionally large flocks stop here. 242. Tringa minutilla Vieill. Leasr Sanppiprr. Common spring and autumn visitor. 243. (a) Tringa alpina pacifica (Coues). Rep- BACKED SANDPIPER. ‘Tolerably common autumn visitor, and I have found it here on one occasion in the spring, but it is rare at that season. 248. Calidris arenaria (Linn.). SANnpERLING. Rare autumn visitor; it probably occurs here in the spring, but I know of no instance of its being seen then. 254. Totanus melanoleucus (Gmel.). GREATER YELLOW-LEGS. A common spring and autumn visitor ; several years I have found it abundant here in May. When decoying for ducks, I have heard far up in the distance, the faint whistle of this bird, and by a rude imitation of its note, have called it down until it would circle close around the wooden imitation of ducks. 255. Totanus flavipes (Gmel.). VELLow-LEGs. A rare spring and autumn visitor. 256. Helodromas solitarius (Wils.). SoLirary SANDPIPER. A common early autumn and late spring visitor. 16 THE BIRDS OF SPRINGFIELD AND VICINITY. 258. Symphemia semipalmata (Gmel.). WILLE’. Rare spring and autumn visitor ; I captured one September 8, 1900, 261. Bartramia longicauda (Bechst.). BARTRA- MIAN SANDPIPER. Rather rare summer resident, breeding in Russell, Blandford and some of the other mountain towns. Formerly, it was abundant in the river towns during August, but now only a few individuals visit us. 262. Tryngites subruficollis ( Vieill.). Burr-BREASTED SANDPIPER., Given by Dr. J. A. Allen as a rare spring and autumn visitor, and recorded in Merriam’s Birds of Con- necticut, as having been taken near Hartford. ‘There is one example in the Science building in Springfield that was captured at Northampton by E. O. Damon. 263. Actitis macularia (Linn.). Sporrep SANp- PIPER. Abundant summer resident. 265. Numenius hudsonicus Lath. Hupsonicus CurRLEW. A rare migrant ; it has been killed in the vicinity of Harttord (see Merriam’s Birds of Connecticut, page 109). I have seen a Curlew in Longmeadow, probably one of this specie ; the specimen in the Science building in Springfield, was taken by E. O. Damon at Northampton. 270. Squatarola squatarola (Linn.). BLAacK- BELLIED PLOVER. Accidental visitor ; some years ago, about the first of June, I found one on the bank of the Connecticut river so tame that it permitted me to row within fifteen feet of it and watch it feed. 272. Charadrius dominicus Mull. AmerIcAN GOLDEN PLOVER. Rare autumn visitor. 273. Aegialitis vocifera (Tinn.). KiLrLDEER. A rare summer resident ; formally, common locally when a great THE BIRDS OF SPRINGFIELD AND VICINITY. 17 many bred in the lower part of Agawam and in Suffield. In August, 1898, an unusually large number appeared here. 274. Aegialitis semipalmata Bonap. SEMIPALMATED PLOVER. Recorded by Dr. J. A. Allen as a not rare autumn visitor. I have taken but one speeimen, and I think it now occurs here only as a accidental visitor. 277. Aegialitis meloda (Ord.). PipinG PLOVER. Accidental visitor. One record only. (See Birds of Amherst, page 47.) 283. Arenariainterpres (Linn.). TuRNSTONE. Rare autumn visitor. 289. Colinus virginianus (Linn.). BoB-wWHITE. Common resident, but sometimes, during winters when the ground is covered by deep snow for a long period, it is nearly exterminated. On the 17th of September, 1898, I found a brood just hatched. 300. Bonasa umbellus (Linn.). RurrepD GROUSE. A common resident, well protected by law, and a growing sentiment in favor of its enforcement. This bird has other enemies besides man; a species of wood tick often destroys whole broods, some winters the goshawk comes down from the north and persistently follows this grouse, which ts its favorite food, and the house cat is responsible for the destruction of great numbers of the very young. 315. Ectopistes migratorius (Linn.). PASSENGER PiGEon. In 1876, hundreds of thousands of pigeons appeared here, apparently as numerous as in previous years. From then until 1879 or 1880, a few small flocks only were observed each season. Inthe spring of 1884, I saw in Southwick the last pigeon that I have known to have visited this vicinity. 18 THE BIRDS OF SPRINGFIELD AND VICINITY. 316. Zenaidura macroura (Linn.). MouRNING DovrE. A common summer, and a very rare winter, resident. 325. Cathartes aura (Linn.). TuRKEY VULTURE. Accidental visitor. Dr. Wood notes the presence of one in East Windsor, which is the only record. (See Merriam’s Birds of Connecticut, page 92. ) 331. Circus hudsonius (Linn.). MArsH Hawk. A common spring and autumn visitor, and a rare summer resi- dent. 332. Accipiter velox (Wils.). SHARP-SHINNED Hawk.