LIS et Ye ey 7 Pe ee ee) a ein ; Pt ee me stare! ee ve ’ Fe Re ee Ne af hs ae tM, a ex ay aceite 0 ON ee a eg a On ms - ee 8 ee ee ee TM Ka ED A fo wh x, at Ot NE 4 wot Se it ke ee oe bie are t y qn oa ee et ee ee oe ee ae ee rao hg ee oe iat Ate Etat PLT LMM LLL Eee Ce 1% om om ow mee Ss Be A Ne we ee ge he as dah Hy Shag MR icy Ny yy Ng IK CE A A Pe tpi Pee Pe, Me Re Meine aan a lea anh: fm ee OE Me a ? 4 ‘eo its & @ t we a eS 4 ih i a ° . eS a ee fee a Oe ee ee a i, a 2 2 > = C mas x Gh dt et ae r 2 of iat awe ad on *, Pr we Se te ey ae aT, Oe wan ae Ma aa eS pra aan a woe ae ‘sk rere sy PEPE Per RR Kop! yt ed = a me te Ne 79 8 oe ns CJ t PS Ky Raphi) Sea a we . ‘eh OS 6 awa wa eines Sl =e faa ee os wr te gs cts ig in nee pes Cae ei re ee ee ee ie Th gt AE TNS eh ge ang a et oe ig PS 20 em se P&H oe Wn eS = na a ate Maye peat, ~ aM RE yay E ep ee —— ct ig? “2, TE oe ae eg TS ae we ey ee Ne ae : . ’ = Pere Oe Td Ta Fe Sa a ee we ig te ot ae a es ee gt PAPO te ok ee oe f . eS Nt etek, ‘ath Be Ky He RM be ey Sis A a ae erg Le ‘ek ms ‘yt ; AG oe. pre eon at CP th KL Ke ag a EN ta EE AE Mie MM aw oe Oe ow , wet celts aay, ee kk ee Re eS ae ee eg a a tae ™ i a he al oS Beka Wie Malays NE ar A ee I ee gy oe 8 @ Oe SgA ee ey er Pen a ee, 3 rey, Poeemde IVY HARVARD UNIVERSITY. LIBRARY OF THE MUSEUM OF COMPARATIVE ZOOLOGY BEQUEST OF WILLIAM BREWSTER 55,FT22X } ey, wh ree Ry Mearns es Bt) Wh "iy aee aa ©) Ass: cia EDES sh asa chee _———$ ballets’ HI HISTORY ONC. + aise 5 oar maze eee uf ph eek ene ae es NATURAL ~ = =)) Monthly, VYo.1.- NEWBURGH, N. Y., AUGUST, 1893. Now ts BA BBITT ‘SELLS BLUE JAYS, NICELY STUFFED, FOR 75 CENTS, POST- PAID, OTEIER SPECIES IN PROPORTION. & ra Set of Two Black-backed Gull, with full data, for 53 Cents, Post-paid. Have You Seen My Latest List of Eggs ? Babbitt’ s Glove Kid Tan Costs $1.00 per Bottle and will make four gallons of tan. 3 _ Fars, &e., tanned with this preparation are “made as soft as glove kid. y ape, aN cirealar of testimonials will be mailed you, free. Babbitt’ s Insertion Barrels ey ‘The finest thing yet invented for collecting small birds. It is an inven- tion ines allows vou to shoot a 32 or 88 Cal. C.F. shell in your 12 or 16 guage shot gun. Does not interfere in shooting large game, as it is as easily removed as a shell. They cost but $1.50, and should be in the hands of every collector. Shells, loaders, wad cutters, &e. ., in stock. ‘(> If you willsend your address on a postal, I will be pleased to a ‘you a Catalogue and other interesting matter. JAMES P. BABBITT, 10 Hodges Avenue, Taunton, Mass. ~ Are You Tired Handling Poor Bird Skins ? if so, try some of mine and see if they don’t suit you.. I will refund your _ money if they do not. isi eS ere MeO ET eT a ~ 202. Black Crowned Night Heron §$ 85 | EGGS,i in Setts ; Full data; post-paid. 283. Turnstone 28 | .70. Common Tern, 2 eggs $ 1 395. Red Cockaded Woodpecker 40 | 202. Black, or Night Heron, 4 eggs Bi) _ 452. Crested Flycatcher 18 , 364. American Osprey, 3 eggs ~ 1.00 _ 546. Grasshopper Sparrow 20 | 878. Screech Owl, 5 eggs 1.00 — _ 672a Yellow Redpoll Warbler AQ. 390. Belted Kingfisher, 7 eggs 1.00 kee . Brown-headed Nuthatch. .20 | 616: Bank Swallow, 5 eggs 15 (Ge Send a 2cstamp for complete list of Skins and Eggs. Ww. Workington, Box 44 Shlerislan Heights, New York £5) 3} Wicd Eggs... Special rates for 1893. Send ce for Catalogues (Our complete Cata- loge, of, Songs wil 1 be issued short- lee send ‘cent Loe same. PRANK BLAKE," Webs Hy Park, Mass. Scientific American Cah for COPYRIGHTS, etc. : Tor information oes free Handbook write to - MUNN & CO., 361 BROADWAY, NEw YORK. Oldest bureau for securing patents in America. Hyvery patent taken out by us is brought before the public by a notice given free of charge in the - ihe Shades ‘atts Ts Suis, CONSTANTLY ON HAND. Also, Dealer i in all kinds of NATURAL HISTORY SPECIMENS. Address. ai orders to 4B PECK, = P 0, BOX 196. ~NEWBURGH, N.Y. ‘COLLECTORS ATTENTION! Every collector and dealer should have a 4 cake of “ Elite” Frozen Perfume, to place in- 7 their trays, drawers and cabinets with their — specimens, skins, eggs, etc. This Perfume > comes in a solidified form and will last for — years. to place inside their skins, etc. cake. Address : Is especially adapted for Taxidermists — It is transpar- — ent, and is put up in neat cakes, at 10 cents per — Do not fail to send for a sample cake ; post-paid to any address, upon receipt of 10g cents ; two eakes 15 cents. we oS oe FRED, W. STACK, Ponghkeepsie, I. ie PLEASANT REFRESHIN G -LEMONADE — Can be carried in the Pocket, while ona a tour. S The RECEIPT for making this excellent drink will be sent to any address in the United States, on receipt of 1@ Cents, stamps or silver. A Place a teaspoonful of this composition in a glass of water and all the beauties of Lemonade will stand before you, waiting to be dviink, not. costing you a cent. a glass. Don’t fail to send for this Receipt. pocket on your next “ collecting Address all orders for same to ARCHIE F. OSTRANDER, ce | NEWBURGH, N. a 4 P. O. Box, 195. ERED, It will, be very handy to Aavonaupene i 4 “a 4 COLLECTORS’ MOMTPLY. Devoted to Oology, Ornithology, Entomology. Wor. il. NEWBURGH, N. Y., AUGUST, 1893. No. 1. SALUTATORY. We wish to call your attention to this issue of the Cottecrors’ MontHty, ‘and hope that it will please as well as interest all whom it may reach. Our columns will be devoted to ar- ticles relating to Ornithology, Oology, Entomology and other Natural History subjects, and will be from the pens of some of the best writers in the country. We will endeavor to make this one of the best papers of the kind pub- lished, and by so doing we hope our efforts will be appreciated by our nu- ‘merous readers. All advertisements appearing in our columns will be responsible dealers, in whom our subscribers may place their entire confidence. To the old subscribers of the “‘ Col- lectors’ Monthly,” published by Char- les H. Prince, of Danielsonville, Con- necticut, we wish to state that their subscriptions will be filled by us, he having placed his list in our hands. It may also please the subscribers of the “ Oologists’ Journal” to know that we also intend: to contine their subscriptions. i Hoping that they will become our friends, and also all those who may receive a copy of eur paper, we sub- mit to you this, our first number. A Word for the Hawks and Owls. By J. H. LANGILLE. There is no notion in the general mind of men more erronious in refer- ence to birds, than that which pre- vails in respect to the Birds of Prey. All Hawks are supposed to be either “ Hen Hawks” or * Chicken Hawks,” and their sharp beaks and claws, as also those of the owls, are supposed to serve no other purpose than that of destruction in the poultry yard, among game birds, and in respect to usetul birds in general. The state legislation, therefore, which would sig- nalize itself by some popular enactment which must meet general applause, sees to it that good bounties are pro- vided for the destruction of these ma- rauders. The country gunner who would step into popular favor, kills as many Hawks and Owls of all kinds as possible, and hangs them on a leafless tree in the front yard in mid-winter, that all may see and emulate his pub- lie spirit. | The naturalist has long since learn- ed, that as a class, these are among the the most useful birds in the protection of agricultural pursuits. Shakespeares ‘‘Mousing Owl” is still doing service, when most other birds, as well as the 2 THE COLLECTORS’ MONTHLY. * farmer himself are asleep. ubo vir- ginianus does occasionally treat him- self to a “ Hen” or a “ Chicken, ” in fact, of the stomachs examined, decid- edly a large proportion, discover the remains of the domestic fowl. Is it not true however, that those individ- uals which have attracted attention by their disturbance of the hennery, are the ones which fall into the hands of anatomists? It is well known that the smaller owls such as the Sereech Owl and the Acadian Owl, live almost en- tirely on insects, their remaining diet being mainly mice. The Short-eared or Meadow Owl is almost exclusively a mouser, and of the Long-eared Ow] Dr. Warren in his Birds of Pennsyl- vania, says :—‘‘I have examined the stomachs of twenty-three Long-eared Owls, and found that twenty-two of them had fed only on mice,” the oth- ers showed “some beetles and portions of a small bird.” The Barn Owl is notably a mouser, while the Barred Owl, which is quite promiscious in its bill of fare, will occasionally attack the poultry. Thus we see that the owls are, with little exception, the friends and allies of the farmer. The record of the Hawks is about equally favorable. To begin with the Sparrow Hawk, it is not only espec- ially an isectiverous species, but a des- troyer of those insects which are most noxious—example, the various species of grass-hoppers. The Marsh Hawk, like the Meadow Owl, is notably a mouser. Notwithstanding the bad reputation of the Red-tail, dissection shows that he is mainly a destroyer of mice and insects ; birds and domestic fowl being the smaller proportion of his bill of fare. The Red-shouldred Hawk would seem to be one of the most harmless of the large species, its fare consisting mainly of mice and in- sects, to some extent of frogs and snakes, small birds being taken but occasionally. These birds reside in the forests in the immediate vicinity of my house throughout the year, and never disturb the hens though they roam about the woods for some dis- tance. Cooper’s Hawk and the Sharp- shin are the only species to be serious- ly dreaded, and yet it is surprising how little mischief the latter does, compared with his reputation. A pair reside in my immediate vicinity, nesting regularly, and in a few instan- ces have frightened the hens, but I do not think they have ever taken any. While one should depreciate imdis- criminate destruction of birds of prey, there is no doubt an exception to be made. A hawk will sometimes get in the way of visiting a poultry yard in an especially destructive manner. Such an individual should be shot, but there let destruction end. Never forget, thatas a rule, the birds of prey are the best and the indispensable friends of the farmer. +o - A pet crane acts as a watch-dog for a man in Tennile, Ga. We will exchange with all monthly papers and magazines sent to us. THE COLLECTORS’ MONTHLY. 3 Notes on Birds of Long Island. By W. W. WorTHINGTON. [All articles by Mr. Worthington are original and are written expressly for The Collectors’ Monthly.—Ep.] The annotated list of Long Island Birds which was begun in the “ Col- lectors’ Monthly,” of Danielsonville, Connecticut, ceased being published when that journal became defunct, in May 1892. The list will now be con- tinued in the present publication, be- ginning where it was left off in the former one. The author is well aware of its imperfections, and it is given simply for what it is worth to the brotherhood. - [The first number is the list number, the sec- ond that of the A. O. U. Check List, and the one following the name is that of the Ridge- way Catalogue. ] (29) 207. Ardea viresceus. Green Heron. (494.) Crown and back, glossy green. Neck pur- plish brown. Front of neck with streaks of brown and whitish. Back with long plume like, white shafted feathers. Wings with edg- ings of yellowish white. Length 15 inches. An abundant summer resident. The nest is a mere platform of small twigs, slightly hollowed. The eggs are four to six in number and pale greenish blue in color. Fresh sets are usually found the second week in June. Arrives from south about April 25th. Frequents the shores of creeks and sloughs, and nests in young thickets, often a considerable distance from water. Eggs average 1$ x 1% inches. (9Z) 202. Nycticorax nycticorax nevius. Black-crowned Night Heron. (495.) Crown and back, greenish black. Rest of upper parts pale bluish ash. Beneath yellow- ish white. A tuft of long slender cylindrical feathers in back of head. Length 25 inches. An abundant summer resident, sometimes remaining through the win- ter. Breeds in communities. The nest is a slightly hollowed platform of sticks. The eggs are four to six in number and pale greenish blue in color, average size 2x 1dinches. The Night Herons are locally distributed, and are seldom seen at any great distance from water, except when in search of new feeding grounds. There is a large col- _ ony on Gardiners Island. : (95) 2038. Nycticorax violaceus. Yellow-Crowned Night Heron. (496.) The general color buish ash, back with black streaks. Long lanceolate plumes on back and head, patch on sides of head and through crown, yellowish white. Length 22 inches. Are extremely rare stragglers from the south. Recorded from Massachu- setts. I have found this species breeding in south Georgia, in retired parts of large swamps and never near any other species, and never more than two or three nests in a community. The eggs cannot be distinguished from the Black Crowned Night Herons, and the birds habits are very similar, but the present species is of a much more solitary nature. (96) 277. Rallus longirostris crepitaus. Clapper Rail. (57 1.) Above olive brown, with stripes of blackish brown. A whitish line over the eye. Sides of head ash color. Throat white. Lower breast and sides brownish black, with narrow whitish barring. Feet large. Tail short. Length 14 inches. Although I have never seen the Clapper Rail alive on Long Island, I , + THE COLLECTORS’ MONTHLY. have had in my possession an unmis- takable egg of this species, found in amarsh on Shelter Island. “A few breed at Mount Sinai Harbor. It is very abundant and breeds along the south side, opposite Babylon, Merrich, Freeport, Baldwins ete.” (Helme.) Along the South Atlantic coast this is an extremely abundant species, breeding in uncounted thousands in all the marshes bordering the coast The nests are quite hard to discover how- _ ever, being generally well concealed in bunches of marsh grass or rushes, well above highwater mark. The nest is simply a platform of dead grasses and rush stalks, with a slight depression in the center, usually raised six or eight inches above the ground. The eggs, from six to twelve or more in number are of a pale clay yellow ground, dot- ted more or less thickly with red, brown and lilac, and average 1? x 14 inches. The Clapper Rails afford ex- cellent shooting on a high spring tide, when they are driven in numbers to the few bunches of grass protruding from the water. They are then easily approached, and can be killed with small loads of “‘ mustard seed ” shot. (97) 272. Rallus virginianus. Virginia Rail. (572.) Above olive brown, with stripes of blackish. Line over eye whitish. Throat white. Breast rufous. Lateral under parts blackish with narrow white bars. Length 74 inches. A regular summer resident, but no- where very common. A _ few pairs breed on Shelter Island. ‘‘ I saw one along ‘Carmans River,’ in June, 1882, where I think it sometimes breeds.” [Helme.] Arrives about the first week in May. Nests amongst thick grass or rushes, near water. The eggs, eight totwelve in number are of a pale buffy ground, spotted with reddish brown and lilac, average size, about 14 x 1 inch. These rails show the greatest anx- ietv when their nest is approached, feigning lameness, darting about the intruders feet, and almost allowing themselves to be captured, in their eff- orts to entice the intruder from the vi- cinity of the nest. Colaptes. This beautiful genus is represented in the western continent, by six spe- cies, three of which belong to the Uni- ted States, namely, Awratus No. 457, Mexicanus No. 459, and Chroysoides No. 458, according to Coues. The principal seat of difference existing be- tween the three, lies in the coloring of some of the parts about the head and under surface of the wings and tail. The temale of each species are hike the male, with the exception of the maler stripe, which is wanting. The bill is not truncated, that is chisel like, as is usual to the woodpecker family, but weaker and thrush like in appearance. The Colaptes all have the regular extensible tongue of the Preide fam- ily; not attaching itself in the fore- head as in the other species, but pass- ing into the right nostral to end of the bill, the total length, including the two boney rods and horney tip, is Continued on page 6. THE COLLECTORS’ MONTHLY. 5 The Collectors’ IWonthty, A Monthly Magazine Devoted to the Study of Ornithology, Oology and Entomology. J. B. PECK, Editor and Publisher. Interesting MSS, relating to either Ornithology, Oology, Entomology or other Natural History subjects always solicited for publication. TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION: Single Subscriptions, = - 50c. per annum. Foreign Subscriptions 2 - - 10c. extra. Single copies, - - eis - 5c. each. Post-paid to any address in the universe. Each new subscriber is entitled to one coupon, good for an Exchange Notice. Limited to 40 words. ADVERTISING RATES: One page, one insertion, - - - $5 00 One Column, one insertion, - - - 2% Half Column, one insertion, - - - - 1 50 One Inch, one insertion, - - - = 60 Half-inch, one insertion, - = 35 k Reading notices 15c. per brevier line, each insertion. t=" Cash must accompany all advertisements. Write for special rates on standing advertisements. Address all Subscriptions and Communications to the Publisher. Entered at the Post Office, at Newburgh, a Y., as second-class matter. Vor 8AUGUST 1893. Nose Babbitt’s adv. which will be found on the cover, is the famous New Eng- land dealer and Taxidermist. Send in your subscriptions at once, fifty cents in stamps or a ?. O. Money Order for forty-five cents will do it, you deducting five cents for the order fee. Each new subscriber is given a coupon good’ for a want or exchange notice of forty words. Send now. If you wish to become acquainted with good reliable dealers, do not hes- itate to write to our numerous adver- tisers. They will give you better value than those unknown dealers, who offer you many times the amount you wish to invest, and * fake” you. Beetles. A visit to an Entomologist disclosed the fact that about 10,000 kinds of Beetles have been classified and des- cribed, and new additions are con- stantly being made. There are prob- ably not less than 25,000 species in the country, 15,000 of which are yet to be discovered. Most bug collectors study but one order or family. Taking beetles, moths, butterflies, bugs, flies, ants, etc., together, there raust be over 160,000 different species inhabiting the United States alone. It is supposed that over 100,000 kinds of plants Scattered over the world, and tive distinct species prey upon each plant. This would give us 500,000 kinds of insects, and there are prob- ably many more. Taking this view of the matter, it is no wonder that the individual bug collectors give their time to the study of but one family. One tamily of beetles work exclu- sively at trees. Their grubs live and bore into the timber. There for in- stance, are the long horned beetles, over 500 species being already named and deseribed, in the United States. Every farmer knows the apple-tree borer, which is one of the long-horned family. They are of all sizes and col- from one-eighth of an inch to The Tickler beetle which is worthy of much notice, is of- ten found in eastern states, breeding in pine-trees. The male may be seen standing on the bark of a tree or an old log. It will throw forward its attenne and make a ticking sound, ors, three inches long. 6 THE COLLECTORS’ MONTHLY. supposed to be a call-note to its mate. for the female will invariably appear, and then the couple will fly away to- gether. The destructiveness of beetles may be imagined when some of their grubs are as large as a man’s finger, and live in the trunk of atree from ten to twenty years before changing their shape and becoming beetles. A1I these years they are constantly feeding. They go boring through the trees like augers, and leave trails as crooked and devious as the path of aship in a head wind. Grubs have been known to bore over fifty feet in oak trees before they were turned into beetles. One might suppose when a grub is encased in two inches of hard green maple, that he is pretty well protected from the outside world ; but it is not so, for we have a fly, called the Ich- neumon Fly—the wings are transpar- ent, the legs and attenne yellow, the waist wasp-like and a tail like a horse- hair, about five inches long. Through this fine hair she deposits her eggs. It has been a great mystery to know how this fly can tell the exact spot in the tree to finda grub. She no doubt does it by listening; for aman placing his ear to a tree can hear the grub boring. Having located the grub the next thing is to get at him. On the end of her horse-hair tail is a two- bladed back saw ; with this saw the fly cuts through the solid wood to the grub. But when she reaches him she does not destroy him, she simply de- posits an egg on his back; the egg hatches another grub, and the second one bores into the first, feeds on him, destroying him, and enlarges, until in time, after vairous changes, it emerges from the tree another Ichneumon fly. It cannot propagate its species without finding this grub. +++ CoxraptTEs. (Continued). about six inches. The horney tip is three-eights of an inch long, with one- third of the extreme tip lined on each side with very fine hair like spines ; the remaining two-thirds of the tip to fleshy part of tongue, flat and smooth ; the whole tip arrow-head shaped and slightly notched near the end. The first specimen examined, the spines on extreme tip was wanting ; hence they must have been worn or scraped off in some manner., As the Colaptes Aur- atus, U. L. No. 412 is the best known bird in our district, 1 will now only describe those parts unlike those of the other species, and necessary for comparison. It has a searlet crescent on the nape, black maler stripe ; Shafts of primaries and tail feathers a bright yellow, while the under surface of wings and tail is a rich golden hue or “ gamboge yellow.” The Colaptes Cafer, U. L. No. 418, (Mexicanus), has no scarlet crescent on the nape, but has the maler stripe scarlet instead of black. Shafts of the primaries and tail feathers, also the under surface of the wings and tail, have a reddish tinge, ur, as expressed by a well known au- thor :—‘* The rubefaction replaces the auration of the Auratus.” THE COLLECTORS’ MONTHLY. 7 Mr. Coues in his excellent book— “ Key to North American Birds,” in- eludes with No. 459, Colaptes Memi- canus, the two Union List numbers, 413 Colaptes Cafer, and 418a Colap- tes cafer saturatior, with foot note on No. 418a. “An alleged dark colored form occuring on the North-west coast from Columbia river to Sitka, a region of heavy rainfall where tenden- ey of the whole ornis is to acquire heavier colorations. Colaptes Chroysoides, No. 414 U. L. has the appearance of a combination of the two former, as it has the scarlet -maler stripe and no scarlet muckal crescent. Coloring of the shafts of ‘primaries and tail feathers, with the under surface of the wings and tail, are the same as the Awratus. I un- derstand that the Awratus in Kansas, shows touches of red in the maler stripe; I have also killed this same bird in Jackson County, Mo., with tail rubricated. Hybridity of this species has long been questioned. Mr. Goss in his estimable work — “ Birds of Kansas,” names both the Awratus U. L., 412, and Cafer 413, as being indi- genous to the State, and indification similar. Why not-hybridity? All the birds noted above are beautiful ; especially so when grouped together and mounted with wings outstretched and placed so as to show off their lovely colors. The nzdus is in a hole or excavation ; and the eggs are a pure white, being pyriform in shape and al- most transparent. I took from a nest Jast summer, in an old apple tree, of Colaptes-Auratus, 15 eggs; I could stand on the ground and reach the nidus hole; this same nest was robbed the year previous, and about a dozen eges taken out. The Yellow-hammer or Flicker, with its many aliases, is well known and common in the east- ern and middle states, it being an ac- tive and busy bird, generally the first seen on ones approach to the woods, principally on the ground with the robins and other of its like; searching about some old decayed log or stump, or in the top of some tall tree or snag; hammering and yelling at the height of its voice, calling to its mate. Migratory ; leaving in the fall and early winter, though frequently some remain the entire winter season. Those returning in the early spring (some arrived this year as early as the twentieth of February), begin nesting in the later part of April to the first of May. The flesh is much esteemed by some and when on the market is eagerly purchased by the restaurants. Joun A. Bryant, Kansas City, Mo. ——_—_——¢. Marsh Tern. Sterna Aranea. From Watch Hill, the famous sum- mer resort, extends a narrow strip of sand ; about west, and formed by the Pawtucket river and Little Narragan- sett Bay. This narrow neck of land, from 100 to 500 yds. in width extends a distance of some 16 miles, terminat- ing in whatis known as “ Sandy Point.” On the widest part of this 8 THE COLLECTORS’ MONTHLY. neck is a small pond, but a few rods in circumference. Here I observed a pair of terns, sail down, after the man- ner of swallows, on the surface of the water, as if after insects. I supposed at first it was done for amusement, as the water was too shallow to contain fish. They did not plunge as terns generally do after their prey; they continued at it so much that I called my companion’s attention to the spe- cies; he said: “ It was the ‘ Little Bass Gull.’” After some discussion, we agreed to each secure one. We were compelled to be satisfied with one. My note-book contains the following measurements as taken at the time: ‘Head embracing the eye—black ; wings and back, lavender, with slight grayish tint ; outer webs of the pri- maries nearly white, and inner webs ash color ; tail lavender, with the ex- ception of the outer feather which is white ; entire under plumage includ- ing the front side of the neck, white ; bill, legs, and feet, black ; length 134 in. ; extent of wings 34 in. ; tail 44 in. ; bill 14 in.” Once afterward, during the summer and only once did I see any more j. then I saw three and secured two of them. Not very shy, yet seldom ap- proaching within gun-shot. As to its breeding habits, I know nothing about them ; they may possibly breed here, but I have yet to discover the nest. The first that I saw here was in the month of August, I found that their habits, that first called my attention, was the pursuit after insects that dwell on the surface of the water, of which they devour many. B. J. Prcknam, Westerly, R. I. NOTICE. Be sure to read all the ads. Get your friends to subscribe ! tas" If you should receive more than one copy of this paper, kindly place the extra one where you think it will benefit us. We desire a few articles for our fol- lowing issues, and any who may be able to contribute the same, that they think will be of interest to our readers, we would esteem it a great favor for them to do so. Please send as early as convenient as we wish to use some in our September number. WANTS, EXCHANGES, AND FOR SALES. Brief special announcements. ‘“‘Wants,” ‘‘Exchan- ges,’ ‘‘For Sales,’’ inserted in this department for 50c per 40 words. Notices of over 40 words, charged at the rate of ane cent per each additional word. No notice inserted for less than 50c. Cash or specimens must accompany order. First class specimens with data will be accepted in payment at one-half list value. TO EXCHANGE.—A ** New Rogers ”’ Scroll saw in excellent order for best offer of first class specimens with data. Make offers immediately. J. B. PECK, Newburgh, N. Y. WANTED.—Five-hundred collectors to send for my Lemonade receipt ; just the thing you want to refresh yourself when on long collecting tours. Price 10 cents stamps orsilver. Address A. F. OSTRANDER, Box 195, Newburgh, N. Y. TRICKS AND MAGICAL APPARATUS, all kinds for sale. Send 10 Cents, silves or stamps, and get cir- culars and price list and get a nice trick free. Engage- ments taken for Entertainments in Magic and. Punch and Judy. Address all orders to Prof. Wm. G. Thorpe, 60 Smith Street, Newburgh, N. Y. WALL TENT 9x9.—For best offer in First-class Natural History Specimens, with full data, will ex- change Wall Tent—Heavy duck ; as good as new; 9x9; poles, guy ropes. etc. Address A. F. Ostrander, P. O, Box 195, Newburgh, N. Y. SS HISTORY OF THE —— BIRDS OF KANSAS By N. 8. GOSS. 7 This valuable addition to the literature of Kansas is eee now ready for sale. ‘The following page shows. the style of the matter = It is unnecessary for us to say to old residents of Kansas _ anything in regard to Col. Goss or his accomplishments. But to _ others we will say, that he is a life-long Naturalist ; an enthusiast in his chosen study of Ornithology ; a member of the Council of - the American Ornithological Union, and a fee ceeee authority — on his chosen subject. F The Goss Ornithological ole tor is Solely. the work of © this author. Each specimen has been obtained and preserved by his own effort, and the entire collection —which is one of the larg- q est in the. country, the result of one man’s exertions—has been 4 presented to the State of Kansas, and is on exhibition in a room in the State House set apart by law for that purpose ; and his en- 3 tire time and fortune are devoted toits perfection ; long and ex-— ; pensive trips are annually made to increase the collection. Within _ a few years he has generously prepared for the State, without cost, _ two separate catalogues of Kansas Birds. 4 ~The book is handsomely bound in full beh: tle gold em- E bossed back and sides. There are 603 pages, beside the photo- _ gravure illustrations of 529 birds, Price, $7.50; delivered on receipt of price. Bieduced price _ for quantities. On account of the frequent absence of Col. Goss, Z call communications and orders should be mailed to Sak W. CRANE & CO., TOPEKA, KANSAS. ats ee } ORDER GALLINA. GALLINACEOUS. BIRDS. “ Bill generally short, stout, convex, with an obtuse vaulted ‘tip, corneous ex- cept in the nasal fossa, and without restriction in its continuity, Nostrils scaled, or feathered. Tomia of upper mandible overlapping. Frontal | feathers forming — : re-entrant out’ ;at the base of upper mandible. Legs usually feathered to the” tarsus or beyond. Hallux elevated, with a few exceptions (@ g., Oracide and Megapodidce) smaller than the anterior toes, occasionally wanting (asin the Hemi- 3 ae pods). Tarsus (when not feathered) generally broadly scutellate. Front toes — commonly webbed at base. Claws blunt, little curved. Wings strong, short, and — concayo-convex. Tetices commonly more than tw elve. Head small. ~ Plomage usually after shafted, Carotids double, except Turnicidce and Megapodidee.. No intrinsic syringeal muscles. Sternum very deeply, generally doubly notched. sales ate schizognathous., Chiefly polygamous. Praecocial aaa ptilopeedic.” SuBORDER PHASIANI. Panasans, Grovsn, Par TRIGES, QUAILS, ETC. _ Hind toe small, short (much less than half as long as lateral toes), and inserted above the level of the anterior toes. (Ridgwoay.) Famity TETRAONIDA. GROUSE,. Papree ie ETO. _. Tarsi without s Spurs ; head entirely feathered ( except sometimes over eyes ye and tail not vaulted. (Ridgway.) : : SuBFrAMILY PERDICIN A. PAaRvRinoRs. Tarsi and nasal fossz entirely naked ; sides of toes not pectinated ; smaller : (wing less than 6.00). (Ridgway.) =» ~ : ee Gunus GOLINUS Lesson, aagee « Bill s stout; head not conspicuously crested; tail short, scarcely more than half the wing, composed of moderately soft feathers wings normal ; ; legs devel oped, the toes reaching considerably beyond the tip of the tail ; the Jateral toes short, equal, their claws falling decidedly short of the base of the middle claw. a ~ Colinius yirginanus (Linn.). BOB-WHITE, /. PLATE XO. woe Ps a iden n mn the eastern t the mi no Resident ; abundant from the eastern to uiddle portion 3 the State, moving westward and increasing with its. settlement. Begin laying the last of alee af ive NEWBURGH, ey, SEPTEMBER, 1893. “money | if they do not. 02. Black Crowned. Night Heron § Oncten Phesichor oe ony \ some of mine and see if ‘they don’ t suit you. 85 28 40 18) 20, 40 20 4 will refund your EGGS, in Setts; Full data; post-paid. 70. Common Tern, 2 eggs $..15 202. Black, cr. Night Heron, 4 eggs 85 864. American Osprey, 3 eggs 1.00 ~ 878. Screech Owl, 3 eggs 1.00 390, Belted Kingfisher, 7 eggs 1.00 616. Bank Swallow, 5 eggs 15 = Send @ 2C stamp for’ complete list of Skins and Puss. Scientific American aes for CAVEATS, - TRADE MARKS, | ESICN PATENTS, ry COPYRICHTS, etc.) ormation and free Handbook write to ‘BROADWAY, NEW YORK. Irving patents in America. it by us is brought before.” ven free of charge in the | Anevican y ene paper in the. } No intelligent ie matte atte ee ee coe BS, 361 Bava ay, New York City." Reet cS EADQUARTERS FOR LOW PRICES . SCALES OF EVERY VARIETY. a 1,000 Articles Less than Wholesale Prices. (2S SE OE ges, Buggies, Wagons, Carts, Sleighs, Harness, Safes, Sewing Machines, Blacksmiths’- Tools, Rone Mills, Feed Mills, Cider Mills, Corn Shellers, Feed Cutters, Lawn Mowers, Fanning Mills, Stoves, Kettles, Jack Serews, Hand Carts, Wire Fence, Letter. Presses, Coffee and Spice Mills, Guns, Pistols, Bicycles, Trycicles, Cash Drawers, Clothes Wringers, Meat Chop- pers, Trucks, Lathes, Engines, Watches, Organs, Pianos, Etc. Send for free Catalogue and see how to save Money. 151 8. Jefferson 8t., CHIC AGO BCALE CO., Chicago, Ill. NTAL2 73 DEN J TOOT: OT BURN THE Mout r ™ Agents Wanted. ADDRESS: SK RED W. STACK:?| SOLE MFR. AND PROP. j= POUCHKEEDSIE. NLY.z=4 ae COLLECTORS ATTENTION! ACHR BS TOPS TOOTHACHE f WSdMMEDIATELY, — ~ years. _to place inside their skins, etc. Price 10 Uents§ ‘post-paid to any address, upon receipt | of 10 _ cents ; two cakes 15 cents. ee V. STACK, Pues, ie 1 x; - Byery collector and dealer” should have. ia - cake of “ Elite” Frozen Perfume, to, place in” their trays, drawers and cabinets ‘with | their specimens, skins, eggs, etc, This Perfume comes in a solidified form ae will last for Is especially adapted for ce It is transpar- © ent, and is put up in neat cakes, at 10 cents per | cake. Do not fail to send for a. sample cake ‘ _ Address :. = 4 365.00 | her ocwiig Machine! For $18.00. Black Walnut Furniture Cov- er, Drop Leaf, 5Drawersand Full Set of Attachments. Warranted. 41b Teaor Family Scale, $1.00. 1,000 other Articles 4% to “4 usual prices. Send for Catalogre CHICAGO SCALE CO,, Chicas 20. aa ms for an me Western Gan Works, ae Pa,” OO Seria stamp Creat Western for Price List. GunWorks,Pittsburgh,P= We have a nice line of light, small-bore single and double guns. Pocket shot guns for speci- — DOUBLE | - &SINGLE {| men hunters. Shot Cartridges for all rifles and — guns, and a splendid ‘assortment of standard _ regular guns and all kinds of sporting ‘goods. G | NATURALIST TOO OLS | AND. SUPPLIES 3 CONSTANTLY ON HAND. ATSO, DEALER IN ALL , KINDS oF ae a siete _— aces Layee Sayan yee = ee * es srRe ne a haste: NATURAL H L HISTORY —— Eddies all orders V6 Og B. P.O Box 195. PECK, | ] Y N le N. COLLECTORS MOMTPLY. Devoted to Oology, Ornithology and Entomology: Vor. I. NEWBURGH, N. Y., SEPTEMBER, 1893. No. 2. Black and White Creeper. This species is sparcely distributed throughout the southwestern part of Rhode Island. Frem the fact that it is seen in the fall in greater numbers, I judge it to breed more plentiful to the northward. It is an early arrival often here by the 1st of April. I gen- _ erally observed it among heavily tim- bered wood searching after insects with great industry and thoroughness, that is certainly commendable to all. A strong contrast is exhibited be- tween his plumage and the rough brown bark of the tree as he nimbly runs up its sides, sticking his bill into erack and crevice that can shelter an insect. In the woods where dozens of birds are warbling, you would scarcely have your attention called to it by its song, their most common note is a faint metallic chink. In the sec- ond week in June I had discovered a nest of the Scarlet Tanager in an oak tree on the edge of a—not so dense as heavily wooded grove ; and asI lay under the tree watching their move- ments a creeper came and stopped within eight feet of me; I saw that he had some food in his mouth for his family of young, but was too bus- ily employed to observe more, and immediately left me. I did not think that I should see him again, but after I had satisfied myself in regard to the Tanagers, I saw him returning the same way and by watching soon dis- covered the nest which contained four young, scarcely a week old. I dis- covered another the same _ season, which was placed among the roots of a large chestnut. It was composed of moss, leaves and a few fine roots for the exterior, while it was neatly lined with a soft substance obtained from mullen stalks and a few hairs. It held five eggs, and as I stood and gazed at it I thought it the prettiest and coziest nest that I had seen for many a day. The ground color of the eggs was of a delicate cream and marked with fine dots and an occasion- al blotch of a ferruginous color. The marks were thickest at the large end. Average of the eggs, .65 x .52. The first nest that I was fortunate enough to find had young that would have been able to care for themselves by the Ist of July, which would have given the parents plenty of time to rear a second brood, but could not say that they did in this locality. B. J. Prcknam. The numerous illustrations and de- scriptions of world’s fair buildings in Scientitic American are excellent. 10 Notes on Birds of Long Island. By W. W. WorrsHtneTon. [All articles by Mr. Worthington are original and are written expressly for The Collectors’ Monthly.—Ep.] [The first number is the list number, the second that of the A. O. U. Check List, and the one following the name is that of the Ridgeway Cvtalogue. | (98) 274. Porzana carolina sora. Carolina Rail. (574.) Bill short; above greenish brown, with blackish bands and much white edging. Un- der tail coverts white. Top of head and front of neck in adult, biack. Sides with bands of blackish and white. Length 84 inches. Common during the migrations, a limited number remaining to breed, The nest is a flat structure, built in the grass in some swampy place, or in a marsh. Seven or eight eggs are laid, with a light creamy ground color, and brown spotted, and averaging about 14 x 1 inch in size. (99) 275. Porzana noveboracensis. Yellow Rail. (575.) Above yellow, with stripes of blackish, and narrow ones of white. Neck and breast tinged with reddish, and some of the feathers tipped with brown. Lower tail coverts rufous, with spots of white. Length 6 inches. This little bird is rare in all places, It occurs on Long Island in very lim- ited numbers. “Tate in August, 1876, I saw one on the marshes at Port Jefferson.”— Helme. The only specimen of this species I ever saw alive, was a fine adult female on which my setter came to a stiff point, and which I stopped when flushed, at Ege Island, Ga., on March 29th, 1890. This specimen exhibited quite remarkable powers of flight, ris- THE COLLECTORS’ MONTHLY. ing well up and starting off very rap- idly. This was also in a large salt marsh. The eggs are creamy or buff, with red-brown markings, ? x 1 inch. (700) 276. Porzana jamaicensis. Black Rail. (576.) Head and under parts slaty black, whitish on throat. Back with whitish and chestnut markings. Lateral under parts white barred. - Length 54 inches. : Occurs as an extremely rare sum- mer visitor. Recorded as breeding near Saybrook, Conn. The nest of this species is more cup shaped than is usual with this family of birds. The eggs are whitish ground color, spotted with reddish brown, about ?x 1 inch. (707) 277. Crea cren. Corn Crake. (577.) Above dark brown, with yellowish edgings. Wings brownish red; bill short; conical. Lateral under parts banded with red-brown and whitish. Length 10 inches. A rare straggler from Europe ; a specimen of this species was shot by a farmer at Amagansett, in August, 1885. It was found in an upland meadow in company with some Meadow-larks.— Dutcher. (702) 278. Ionornis martinica. Purple Gallinule. (578.) Upper parts bright glossy olive green, with a brownish tinge on the rump and back. Head and under parts glossy purple. Fore- head blue. Bill red, its tip yellow. Legs yel- low. Length 12 inches. This beautiful bird is very rare, so far north as Long Island. A fine male, in full plumage, was killed by Mr. Victor Edwards, at Middle Island, in the summer of 1879, which I have had the pleasure of examining. THE COLLECTORS’ MONTHLY. 11 Breeds in the Southern States, among rushes, near water. Nest simi- lar to the larger rails. Eggs six to ten, creamy ground, spotted with dus- ky and brownish, and averaging about 13 x 14 inches. (708) 279. Gallinula galeata. Florida Gallinule. (579.) Above olive brown; head, breast and un- der parts, dark slaty blue; lower tail coverts, white, with a black zone across their base ; forehead and bill red ; tip of bill yellow ; legs greenish ; a patch of red on the tibia ; length 12 inches. Probably oceurs as a rare summer resident ; nests in grassy swamps or wet marshes ; recorded as breeding in Mass. ; common in the south ; nests made of dried grasses or rushes; eggs eight to twelve or more, pale buffy ground, spotted with different shades of brown and lilac ; 1#x 14 inches. (702) 580. Fulica americana. American Coot. (580.) Body, bluish slate color, lightish beneath ; head and neck black ; edge of wing and un- der tail coverts white ; bill white, with a black patch near its tip ; legs and feet large, green- ish ; length, 14 inches. Probably a rare summer resident, as it is found breeding both north and south of our district. Frequents fresh water marshes and ponds, and is not to be confounded with the so-called Salt-water Sea ‘“‘ Coots,’ viz. :—Vel- vet Ducks, Surf Ducks, Scoters, &c., from which it is distinguishable at a glance by its pointed bill and by its lobed toes, instead of web feet. Breeds in marshes, and grassy ponds, often in large communities ; nest a platform of decaying marsh vegetation, slightly hollowed in the center ; eggs eight to fifteen ; whitish; or clay color ground, thickly dotted and specked allover with dark brown wand blackish, and averaging 2x14 inches. —_—__+++—___—_ Numismatics. The study and collection of coins has an important bearing on history. It has been the means of ascertaining the names of forgotten countries and cities, their position, their chronology, the succession of their kings, their usages, civil, military and religious, and the style of their art. The metals used *by the Ancients were about the same kinds as are used to-day :— gold silver, copper and bronze—although most of the ancient coins found in collections of to-day are made of the latter. The side of a coin which bears the most important device or inscription is called the obverse, the other side the reverse. The words or letters on a coin are called its inscription ; an inscription surrounding the border is called the legend. The use of coined money cannot be traced farther back than the 9th cen- tury B. ©. Early metallic money was in the form of bars, spikes and rings; the ring money could be opened, closed and linked in a chain for convenience of carriage. The people who first used» coined money were the inhabitants of Asia Minor (a country noted for its gold mines and fruitful soil) about 720 years before the christian era. Their 12 | THE COLLECTORS’ MONTHLY. example being followed by the differ- ent states of Greece. The first metal money was coined by placing a lump of metal on a die,® on which was engraved the religious or national symbol to be impressed. A wedge or punch placed at the back of the metal was held steadily with one hand and struck by a hammer with the other, until the metal was sufficiently fixed in the die to receive a good impression. The impression was a guarantee of the weight of the piece. From the nature of the pro- cess, the earliest coins had a lumpish appearance. The original coins of Asia Minor were of gold, those of Greece, of silver. The earliest coins bear emblems of a sacred character, often embodying some legend regard- ing the foundation of the state. Silver was first coined at Rome about 281 B. ©., the standard being the Greek drachma. The earliest of Roman coins has on the obverse side the head of Roma. . The earliest gold coins seem to have been issued about 90 B.C. These pieces bear the head of Mars on the obverse, and on the reverse side an eagle standing on a thunderbolt. The high prices given for ancient coins have led to numerous forgeries from the fifteenth century down. Against such imitations collectors re- quire to be always on their guard. It is not only coins of the ancients that are valuable in collections, but there are many cvins of recent dates which, when sold, bring many times their face value. For instance, take our own coins of the United States, and there are many pieces worth at least one hundred times as much as coins 1500 years old. So it is with the copper cent of 1793 and 1799 and the silver dollar of 1804, which is one of the coins least found, even in large collections. T. O. Youna, North Seriba, N. Y. ti gag gaa Shot a Great Owl. Henry E. McKensie, of Port Ewen, N. Y., while hunting, a short time ago, shot and wounded a bird that proved to be a great owl,a bird rarely seen outside of British America, its natural habitation. Its wing measure- ment is five feet; it stands two and a half feet high, and has a head about 18 inches in circumference, surmount- ed by two large horns. The only in- jury done the bird, by the shooting, was a slight wound about the left wing. It was taken to Port Ewen by Mr. McKensie, where he has it on ex- hibition. About two hundred people visited his residence for the purpose of viewing it during a single day, and everyone pronounces it the greatest of the owl species ever seen in that sec- tion of Ulster county. Many people who have visited Central Park, New York city, and seen the many curious | owls there, say that nothing like it either as to size or resemblance is on exhibition. Have you shown a copy of our paper to your friends? If not, do so and help to extend our circulation. THE COLLECTORS’ MONTHLY. 13 The Collectors’ Drouthly. A Monthly Magazine Devoted to the Study of Ornithology, Oology and Entomology. J.B. PECK, ~ Editor and Publisher. Interesting MSS, relating to either Ornithology, Oology, Entomology or other Natural History subjects always solicited for publication. TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION: Single Subscriptions, - - 50c. per annum. Foreign Subscriptions = S00 8 10c. extra. Single copies, - - ws - 5c. each. Post-paid to any address in the universe. Fach new subscriber is entitled to one coupon, good for an Exchange Notice. Limited to 40 words. ADVERTISING: RATES: One page, one insertion, - - - $5 One Column, one insertion, - - - 2 Half Column, one insertion, - - - - 1 One Inch, one insertion, - - - - Half-inch, one insertion, - - aetacile Reading notices 15c. per brevier line, each insertion. 8 Cash must accompany all advertisements. Write for special rates on standing advertisements. Address all Subscriptions and Communications to the Publisher. Entered at the Post Office, at Newburgh, N. Y., as second-class matter. Vou. 1. SEPTEMBER 1893. No. 2. tas" An X after this paragraph signities that your subscription expires with this number. Please renew at once and oblige us. Weare in receipt of a neat book entitled “Summer Birds of Greene County, Pennsylvania, published by J. Warren Jacobs, which should be in the hands of all our readers. Numerous testimonials have been received in regard to the neatness and general “ make-up” of our first issue, but we are unable to use them as we wish to give all the space we can to our natural history subjects. If the old subscribers of the ‘‘ Col- lectors’ Monthly” and the ‘‘ Oologists Journal” would kindly drop us a postal card informing us whether they receive our magazine at the proper address, we would esteem it a great favor. The world’s fair grounds cover nearly 200 acres. A stranger would get lost without a guide among the hundreds of buildings. The handiest and most convenient one is issued by the Chicago Scale Company, Chicago, Illinois, which is furnished free upon application to them, or mailed to any address for two cents to pay postage. Smithsonian Institution. Wasuineton, D. C., dfs 18s 171 SKONG, August 25, 1893. Newburgh, N. Ye: Sir: I take pleasure in acknowledging the receipt of the CortEecrors’ Monta- Ly, Vol. 1, No. 1. The Secretary authorizes me to say that he is desirous of obtaining the Monthly for the Library of the Smith- sonian Institution and will be glad to send in exchange the Smithsonian Annual Reports. Very respectfully yours, Cyrus Apter, Librarian. —_——_++—__—_ Send us some short article of your experience as a “collector,” that you think will be interesting to our many friends. Don’t wait, send now! We should like to hear from you. 14 THE COLLECTORS’ MONTHLY. Three Picariaus. I startled from a flower bed one morning last August, a large and beautiful red-winged butterfly ; it rose rapidly in the air for a space of about one hundred feet, when out from a snag of a once lofty elm came the well known call of the Red-head- ed Wood-pecker as it caught sight of the brilliant-hued insect, which in- stinctively knew its danger, as it dropped immediately toward the earth for safety ; to escape however was impossible as the bird seized the struggling insect, bore it tothe snag and devoured it. We all know this bird of America true to the national colors: red, white and blue. As described by Coues— “beautifully tri-color, with red, white and blue ; back, wings and tail a glos- sy blue-black ; secondaries, upper tail covert, under wing coverts, under parts from the breast and ends of out- er tail feathers white ; whole head, neck and fore-breast crimson.” There is also nesting in this elm, the ‘ Stink-bird,” or the Red-bellied Wood-pecker ; it belongs to the spe- cies of Ladder-backed, or Zebra Wvod- peckers ; having under parts grayish white with red on belly, as though blood had been smeared on the feath- ers ; upper parts zebraed with small bands of black and white. Head of male scarlet, with exception from un- derneath eyes and down on the throat to breast, is grayish white. The fe- male has the muchal, only scarlet. Down on the trunk of this same elm, almost daily may be seen, travel- ing up and around it, seldom higher than the first limbs, a bird somewhat smaller than the two former, having a white stripe down the middle of the back which is otherwise black and covered profusely with white dots. Under parts and outer tail feathers white with a scarlet muchal band broken in two in the male and want- ing in the female. This is our much and wrongfully abused Hairy Wood- pecker, searching indefatigably for his daily food. The three foregoing birds, while each belongs to a different species, are very similar in their habits and nest- ing; occupying holes and excavations for. their nests, and depositing from four to six white eggs. Their young while in the nest have such a stench that they are seldom disturbed. All having the regular truncate bill and the extensible tongue, armed with a. spiney tip of the Picide family, tor the securing of Jarve and wood worms. Food principally being in- sects, the larve, fruit, berries and green corn in summer. Migratory ; though some of each species remain with us during the winter, gleaning a scanty subsistence in the bleak and almost deserted woodland districts. These three wood-peckers are not much of a terrestrial bird, especi- ally the two latter, though frequently seen on stumps, logs and roots of trees seeking their food ; the Hairy being particularly fond of ants. The THE COLLECTORS’ MONTHLY. 15 Red-headed wood-pecker is much scarcer now than five years ago, when they were extremely common, as now but few are met with in our woods. On examining a tongue of each of the above species, I find the Melauer- pes-erythrocephalus, No. 406, had a horney tip very acute and sharp with eleven spines on each side and five- eights of an inch in length ; whole tongue with bony rods five inches. Melauerpes-Carolinus, No. 409, had five-eights of an inch horney tip, broad and flat with numerous hair-like spines on each side; total length of _ tongue being five inches. Dryobates- Villosus, No. 393, had tip three-eights of an inch long, with seven hair-like spines on each side ; _ probably more as some of the hair- like spines had been scraped off in cleaning tongue; its total length being four and three-quarter inches. Joun A. Bryant, Kansas City, Mo. ee The Imported Cabbage Worm. Preris rape Linn. This insect was imported from Europe into Canada about thirty-six years ago. It spread rapidly in all di- rections, and now is found in injurious numbers from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and, through the Northern States, at least, is the most destruct- ive insect attacking cabbage and cauli- flower. The mature insect is a white butter- fly. It measures a trifle over 14 inches from tip to tip of the front ‘wings when spread, the female being a little larger than the male, as is usually the case among butterflies and moths. .As seen from above, the body, bases of the wings and the tips of the fore wings are black or blackish in both sexes. The female has, a little beyond the middle of the fore wing, two black spots, and there is another spot in line with these on the anterior border of the hind wing. On the un- der side, the female has two black spots on the fore wing, and the tip of the fore wing and the entire surface of the hind wing are sulphur yellow. The male differs from the female by having but one black spot on the fore wing above, and being a little whiter in color. These butter-flies appear early in the spring, and the female is ready to deposit eggs for the first. brood of worms as soon as early cab- bages are transplanted into the gar- dens. The eggs are elongate, yellow- ish white objects, and just large enough to be plainly seen with the naked eye. They are deposited singly during daylight, and nearly always upon the outer surface of the spread- ing leaves and not upon the cabbage head. When the butterflies are flit- ting abundantly over the cabbages, a moment’s watching will be rewarded by seeing one or more of these eggs deposited. In a very few days the eggs hatch, and the little green worms begin to feed upon the leaves. They gradually work inward to the head, and latein the season a large number of worms that are half grown or more may be found eating into the base of 16 THE COLLECTORS’ MONTHLY. the hand, often entirely ruining it. In from two to three weeks after hatching the worms become mature, and then change to a green chrysalis, in which stage they eat nothing, and remain quiet unless disturbed. Ifthe worms were very numerous, some of these chrysalids may be found attached to the leaves of the cabbage, but most of the worms will crawl away to un- dergo their transformations upon other near objects. In the course of a week or ten days, the chrysalis splits along the back and the butterfly emerges. In a few days more the females begin to deposit eggs for a second brood of worms. How many rounds of developement there are in a. year depends upon the length of the summer season. There are probably not less than three gene- rations yearly in central Colorado. The number of worms increases many fold with each generation, so it is important that the first brood be as largely destroyed as possible. If three-fourths of the first brood were destroyed, there would be only one- fourth as many in the second brood as if none of the first brood were killed. NATURAL ENEMIES. At Fort Collins there are three very important parasites that attack this insect. The most important of these is a minute green fly (Pteromalus pu- parum Linn.), belonging to the order Hymenoptera. This little parasite does not kill the larvee, or worm, but the chrysalis. The chrysalids lose their green color and become very dark, and, in a short time, instead of butterflies, there will appear from each chrysalis forty or fifty specimens of this parasitic fly. Another small, four-winged parasite (Apanteles glomeratus Linn.), which is black in color, attacks the larvee and destroys many of them. By tearing open nearly mature worms, the mag- gots of this parasite can often be found in large numbers inside. Be- fore the worm changes to a chrysalis, these maggots eat through the body wall, and each spins about itself a yellowish silken cocoon. Each of these little cocoons is about one-eighth of an inch long, and all together form a mass a half-inch or more in length. These masses are usually found upon the leaves of infested plants, and would be liable to be taken by the gardener as some insect enemy in dis- guise. These little parasites are of great service to the gardener and should not be destroyed. C. P. Ginverre. = a eae : Send in your subscriptions now! WANTS, EXCHANGES, AND FOR SALES. Brief special announcements. ‘‘Wants,”’ ‘*Exchan- ges,’ ‘‘For Sales,’’ inserted in this department for 50c per 40 words. Notices of over 40 words, charged at the rate of one cent per each additional word. No notice Cash or specimens must inserted for less than 50c. accompany order. First class specimens with data will be accepted in payment at one-half list value. TO EXCHANGE.—A ‘‘New Rogers ” Scroll saw in excellent order for best offer of first class specimens with data. Make offers immediately. J. B. PECK, Newburgh, N. Y. TRICKS AND MAGICAL APPARATUS, all kinds for sale. Send 10 Cents, silves or stamps, and get cir- culars and price list and get a nice trick free. Engage- ments taken for Entertainments in Magicand Punch and Judy. Address all orders to Prof. Wm. G. Thorpe, 60 Smith Street, Newburgh, N. Y. ee HISTORY OF THE — BIRDS OF KANSAS pe By N.S. GOSS. eS | - : This valuable addition to the literature of Kansas 1s We | ie: See now ee for sale. ie oS 1S unnecessary for us to say tO old residents ot Kansas - ie: in regard to Col. Goss or his accomplishments. But to’ others we will say, that he is a life-long Naturalist ; an enthusiast - in his chosen study of Ornithology ; a member of the Council of the American Ornithological Union, arid ¢ a poe hae authority on his chosen subject. & | The Goss. Ornithological Callcction 4 1S solely che work of | hee ether Each. specimen has been obtained and preserved by his own effort, and the entire collection —which is one of the larg- q est in the country, the result of one man’s exertions —has been. _ presented to the State of Kansas, and is on exhibition ina room © in the State House set apart by law for that purpose ; and his en- _ tire time and fortune are devoted to its perfection ; long and _ ex- _ pensive trips ; are annually made to increase the collection. Within _a few years: he has generously prepared for the State, mete cost, 5 two separate catalogues of Kansas Birds. : a The book is handsomely bound in full cloth, with gold em-— _ bossed back and sides. There are 693 pages, beside the photo- gravure illustrations of 5209 birds, | : _ Price, $7.50; delivered on receipt of price. Reduced price for quantities. On account of the frequent absence of Col. Goss, all communications and orders should be mailed to GEO. W.CRANE&CO., TORERM: KANSAS. VLU dd Wed S| RISTORY : ‘a Tide Het [| fe if ( my t PV¥o.1. © NEWBURGH, N. Y., OCTOBER, 1893. No. 3. Are You Tired Handling Poor Bird Skins ? ’ Tf so, try some of mine and see if they don’t suit you. I will refund your q e money if they do not. 202. Black Crowned Night Heron $ .85 EGGS, in Setts; Full data; post-paid. _ 283. Turnstone 28 70. Common Tern, 2 eggs $ .15 395. Red Cockaded Woodpecker AO 202. Black-cr. Night Heron, 4 eggs 80 452. Crested Flycatcher 18 364. American Osprey, 3 eggs 1.00 546. Grasshopper Sparrow .20 | 378. Screech Owl, 3 eggs 1.00 672a Yellow Redpoll Warbler 40 | 390. Belted Kingfisher, 7 eggs 1.00 ; 729. Brown-headed Nuthatch .20 616. oS Swallow, 5 eggs 15 (= Senda 2¢ stamp for complete list of Skins and Eggs. WW. Montini, Bor 44, Shaler snd Heit, New Yor - Scientific American Aucnt for . EADQUARTERS FOR LOW PRICES « SCALES OF EVERY VARIETY. A 1,000 Articles Less than Wholesale Prices. CAVEATS, TRADE MARKS, DESICN PATENTS, ‘Ss COPYRIGHTS, etc. For diteeenhtion ens. free Handbook write to MUNN & CO., 361 BROADWAY, NEW YORE. Oldest bureau for securing patents in America. i ape patent taken out by us is brought before the public by a notice given free of charge in the | Sremtitic American est circulation of any scientific paper in the orld. Splendidly illustrated. No ae uent should be without A Week) Wa Bit ear; $1.50 six months. Address M 'UBLISHERS, 361 Le ae New York geo" Buggies, Wagons, Carts, Sicishs, Har: afes Sewing Machines, Blacksmiths’ Tools, Rone Mills, Feed Mills, Cider Mills, Corn Shellers, Feed Cntters, Lawn Mowers, Fanning Mills, Stoves, Kettles, Jack Serews, Hand Carts, Wire Fence, “Letter Presses. Coffee and Spice Mills, Guns, Pistols, Bicyeles, Trycicles, Cash Drawers, Clothes Wringers, Meat Chop- pers, Trucks, Lathes, Engines, Watches, Organs, pee Ete. Send for free Catalogue and see how to save Money 151 8. Jefferson S8t., CHICAGO SCALE CO., Eiicaps: Til. Te) f COLLECTORS aren 4 D) EN TA TAL, ACHR Every collector and: dealer should havea — ) cake of “ Elite” Frozen Perfume, to place in ~ CYT their trays, drawers and cabinets with their — 100’ b OWAN: . a specimens, skins, eggs, ete. This Perfume E TOPS TOOTHACHE comes in a solidified form and will last for 9 “IMME. DI¢ TE Lf years. Ts especially adapted for Taxidermists — to place inside their skins, etc. Itis transpar- — ent, and is put up in neat cakes, at 10 cents per ~ ea Agents Wanted. Price 10 Cents’ | cake. Do not fail to send for a sample cake; — ADDRESS: 3 K= post-paid to any address, upon receipt of 10 A & RED W. STAC cents ; two eakes 15 cents. Address : SOLE MFR. AND PROP. POUCHKEEPSIE, N.Y. FRED. W. STACK, Poughkeepsie, \. 14 A $65.00 2 ~ Sewing Machine I a for Prive Lak a a S For $18.00. We have a nice line of light, small-bore, single : Black Walnut Furniture Cov- and double guns. Pocket shot guns for speci- er, Drop Leaf, 5Drawersand Full Scpor atinchments., Warrnited: Bg hunters. Shot Oartridges for all rifles and y 1 coe oe Pie guns,and a splendid assortment of standard — \ usual prices. Send for Catalogue. regular guns and all kinds of sporting goods. W CHCAEE SILESLEE*. Sidnes fur Catlg, Great, Western Gun Works, Pittsburgh, Pa NATURALISTS TOOLS AND SUPPLIES CONSTANTLY ON HAND. &SINGLE ERM FEE Nee se ee eaten ee Te aE ALSO, DEALER IN ALL KINDS OF NATURAL HISTORY SPE OIMENS. Address all orders to 2 ete : / J (mS | PHCEK, ‘P.O Box 195. Newburgh, N. ys é be oe eee ee a Se COLLECTORS’ MONTPLY. Devoted to Oology, Ornithology and Entomology. Vou. I. NEWBURGH, N. Y., OCTOBER, 1893. No. 3. Our Feathered Friends. A. F. OSTRANDER. Birds are the spoiled children of nature—favorites of creation. Their plumage often assumes the most re. splendent colors. They have the happy privilege of moving in space— fluttering through the air, hunting insects which flit from flower to flow- er; or soaring high aloft, to swoop upon the victim marked for their prey; again cleaving the atmosphere and performing journeys of vast ex- tent with remarkable rapidity. We cannot fail to admire these beautiful winged beings, which charm at once by the elegance of their form, the melody of their song and the graceful lmpetuosity of movement. Of all the animals that surround us in the ample field of nature, none are more remarkable and worthy of note than our feathered friends of the air. They diversify the landscape with the most lovely motion and beautiful association ; they come and go with the change of /the seasons, and as their actions are directed by an un- controllable instinct of provident nature, they may be considered as concurrent with the beauties of the surrounding scenes. With what graceful sensations we hail these faithful messengers on their return after forsaking us for some more favored clime. Their sweet notes, heard from the leafy groves and shadowy forests, inspire delight or recollections of the pleasing past in every breast. How musical and happy are these roving fairies of the air, to whom earth, air and waters are almost alike habitable. Their lives are spent in boundless action, and nature has formed for them a wonder- ful display of perpetual life and vigor in an element almost their own. Is it any wonder then that so many find the study of birds so interesting and instructing that they devote all their spare moments to it ? s ——_++o—__—_ Leaf and Flower Impressions. Oil a piece of white paper on one side ; hold the oiled side over and in the smoke of a lamp or pine-knot till quite black ; place the leaf on the black surface—smooth side up, as_the veins and fibres of the leaf show plainer on the under part. Now press on all parts of the leaf with the fingers; then take up the leaf and put the black oiled sides on the page of a book made for leaf impressions—with an extra piece of paper on the top to 18 THE COLLECTORS’ MONTHLY. prevent smutting the opposite page. Press this a few moments ; then re- move the green leaf and the impres- sion will be left on the page as beauti- fully as if it were an engraving. The impression book may be made still more interesting by giving botanical classifications of each flower and leaf. Notes on Birds of Long Island. By W. W. WorTHINGTON. [All articles by Mr. Worthington are original and are written expressly for The Collectors’ Monthly.— Ep. | [ The first number is the list number, the second that of the A. O. U. Check List, and the one following the name that of the Ridge- way Catalogue. | (705) 222. Orymophilus fulicarius. Red Phalarope. (563.) Back, throat and top of head black ; feathers of back with broad yellowish edgings; stripe on cheek and the tips of upper wing coverts white ; beneath deep reddish brown with a purplish cast on the belly ; bill yellowish ; length 74 inches. A rare migrant along onr coast, usually passing by off shore, unless driven in by storms or thick weather. Breeds from Maine northward. Nest, a hollow in the ground scantily lined with grass or moss. Hyys, three or four, clay or ashy ground, spotted and blotched with different shades of brown and averaging about 1¢x1inch and are laid early in June. (706) 223. Phalaropus lobatus. Northern Phalarope. (564.) Above brownish black, with bright rusty red markings on the back ; top of head and back of neck dark ash; ring around, and stripe on each side of neck bright rusty red ; beneath white ; sides ashy, mixed with rusty red ; length 7 inches : A regular off-shore migrant, but rarely seen near land during migra- tions unless driven in by unfavorable weather. There was a large flight of these birds along the south shore of Long Island in the latter part of May, 1883. Many were killed by gunners, some being sent to Mr. Dutcher, who speaks of them in the Awk:—“ On the 18th of May it commenced to blow trom the north-east, and continued blowing from that quarter to south- east steadily until the 21st, when it culminated in an easterly storm which lasted about 24 hours. On the 23d and 24th the Phalaropes were seen, but disappeared as suddenly as they came.” Breed in the tar north, in a rude nest on the ground. Eggs, three or four, creamy ash ground, blotched with different shades of brown, and averaging about 14x 1 inch. (707) 224. Phalaropus tricolor. Wilson’s Phalarope. (565.) Above smoky brown, with reddish markings on the back ; rump white; crown and back of neck light ash color; a broad patch of bright reddish brown across the neck and ex- tending around to the back; a stripe back of the eye deep reddish brown ; beneath white ; legs and bill black ; length 94 inches. A rare migrant alone the coast, keeping off shore unless driven in by adverse weather. Breeds inland, from Illinois northward. ‘Nests commonly around the prairie marshes. Nest a hollow in the ground and lined with grasses. Eges three or four are laid about June Ist, ground color creamy, or yellowish ash-color, blotched and ———- THE COLLECTORS’ MONTHLY. 19 spotted with different shades of brown, size about 14x 1 inch. (708) 226. American Avocet. (566.) Recurvirostra americana. Above black ; head and neck light reddish: brown; rump, tail, scappulars, tips of upper wing coverts and under parts white ; bill 32 inches long and curved slightly upward ; length 17 inches. A rare straggler along our coast ; breeds in the western states, where it is common. Nests in marshes near water. Eggs, three or four, creamy or greenish buff, spotted with different shades of brown ; average size about 2 x 14 inches. (709) 226. Himautopus mexicanus. Black-necked Stilt. (567.) Top of head, back of neck, back and wings black ; Front of head, under parts and spot behind the eye white; legs long, red; bill black ; length 14 inches. A rare straggler along our coast. Much more common in the Western States. Breeds in California in com- munities. Nest of sticks, etc., on the ground near water. Eggs, three or four, pale olive yellow ground, spot- ted and marbled with different shades of dark brown and about 1? x 1} in. (770) 228. Philohela minor. American Woodcock. (525.) Above mottled with black, ash color and brown of different shades; beneath pale rufous brown ; bill long; eyes near back of head ; length 11 inches. A common summer resident, fre- quently remaining throughout the year. The nest is simply a hollow in the leaves in woods or swampy locali- ties. The eggs are four in number, ground color pale brownish clay with spots and specs of dark brown and lighter shades of the same color, size 14 x 14 inches. (777) 230. Gallinago delicata. Wilson’s Snipe. (526a.) Above brownish black, with spots and edg- ings of pale brown and whitish; beneath white barred with brownish ; black on sides ; bill long ; length 104 inches. A common, but somewhat irregular migrant. Arrives from the south in April, and passes through on the re- turn in October. Breeds from our northern tier of states northward to Alaska. Nest simply a hollow in the leaves or water. Eggs three or four, creamy, olive or clay ground eolor, blotched, spotted and marbled with different shades of dark brown, and averaging about 14x 1 in. grass, near (772) 287. Macrorhamphus griseus. Red-breasted Snipe. (527.) Above mottled with brownish ash color and black ; rump white; below pale reddish brown, spotted on the neck and banded on sides and under tail coverts with blackish ; bill long ; form slender ; length 10 inches. A rather rare migrant. Ihave ta- ken a few at Gardiners Island during the fall migration in September. Breeds in the Artie Regions late in June. Nests in marshes, near water, made of grasses and leaves. Eggs four, closely resembling those of the last species. (778) 232. Macrorhamphus scolopaceus. Long-billed Dowitcher. (527a.) Almost exactly like the preceding bird, but a trifle larger, and bill and tarsus longer. “Upper parts more cinereous,” legs and bill dark brown. Length 114 inches. Rare on Long Island during the migrations. ‘“A female of this species 20 THE COLLECTORS’ MONTHLY. was shot Sept. 19, 1882, by a sports- man * * * on Shinnecock Bay, who kindly presented it to me. Sept. 26, 1883, I secured another in the same locality. The gunners about Shinne- cock Bay claim they can distinguish the note of this bird from that of * * * M. Griseus.”—Dnutcher. (772) 288. Micropalama himantopus. Stilt Sandpiper. (528.) Above brownish black with much ashy and reddish edging to the feathers; spot on the ear and line over left eye bright reddish brown. Rump white, with spots and narrow stripes of black ; beneath pale reddish white, with stripes of blackish on the neck and under parts ; legs long; bill long and a little curved. Length 9 inches. Probably an extremely rare mi- grant. I have never met with it. Breeds in the far north. Nest a hol- low in the ground, lined with grasses and leaves. Eggs three or four, light eray ground, blotched and_ spotted with brown and lilac of different shades. Average size about 13 x 14 inches. (775) 284. Tringa canutus, Knot: Robin Snipe. (529.) Above mottled with black, reddish and gray; lightest on the crown; rump white with bands and spots of black ; tail light brown without markings; beneath reddish brown; form stout; bill and legs black; leneth 10 in. A common migrant. Travels in small flocks. Occurs in May and September. Gathers in immense flocks in winter along the South At- lantie coast. I have seen flocks near the mouth of the Altamaha River, from which I secured specimens, that must have contained at least five thousand individuals. Breeds ,in the British possessions and northward. Kggs three or four, laid in slightly lined hollow in ground ; ground color pale green specked all over with dif- ferent shades of brown, and average average about 14x 1 inch. ee Smithsonian Institution. - Wasatneton, D. C., J. B. PECK, August 25, 1893. Newburgh, N. Y. Sir: I take pleasure in acknowledging the receipt of the Cortecrors’ Monru- Ly, Vol. 1, No. 1. The Secretary authorizes me to say that he is desirous of obtaining the Monthly for the Library of the Smith- sonian Institution and will be glad to send in exchange the Smithsonian Annual Reports. Very respectfully yours, Cyrus Apter, Librarian. Fo >—___ Shed and Eat their Coats. The two large pythons which were imported trom India for the zoologi- cal garden have made themselves at home in their new quarters. They are said to be the largest reptiles in this country and naturally attract con- siderable attention. They had only been here two weeks when both snakes underwent a change. They be- came droopy ; it was seen that they had begun to shed their skins. The shedding process is about at an end now, but the manner in which the snakes accomplish the greater part of (Continued on page 22.) — es ow THE COLLECTORS’ MONTHLY. 21 the Collectors’ Monthy. A Monthly Magazine Devoted te the Study of Ornithology, Oology and Entomology. J.B. PECK, Editor and Publisher. Interesting MSS, relating to either Ornithology, Oology, Entomology or other Natural History subjects always solicited for publication. TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION: Single Subscriptions, - - 50c. per annum. Foreign Subscriptions - - - 10c. extra. Single copies, - - - - 5c. each. Post-paid to any address in the universe. Each new subscriber is entitled to one coupon, good for an Exchange Notice. Limited to 40 words. ADVERTISING RATES: One page, one insertion, - - - $5 00 One Column, one ingertion, - - - 2 75 Half Column, one insertion, - - - - 1 50 One Inch, one insertion, - = ie - 60 Half- inch, one insertion, - - - Reading hotices 15c. per brevier line, each insertion. t=" Cash must accompany all advertisements. Write for special rates on standing advertisements. Address all Subscriptions and Communications to the Publisher. Entered at the Post Office, at Newburgh, N. Y., as second-class matter. Vorusee OCLOBER 1893... No. 3. fee An X after this paragraph signities that your subscription expires with this number. Please renew at onee and oblige us. Send in your subscriptions now! We extend our thanks to Mr. Ernest H. Short for his neat pamphlet entitled :—‘ Birds of Western New York.” Look over ads. and exchanges. Special attention is called to the grand offer that Mr. Thaddeus Surber has made in regard to disposing of his Library ; we are in receipt of a list of the books and think that it well worth the price asked. See adv. on fourth page of cover. The Beaver, Castor fiber. Beavers belong to the family of rodents ; they have sharp chisel-shape teeth ; broad, scaly tail; the feet have five toes, the hind feet alone being webbed. They are considered a deli- eate dish by indians and hunters. Their houses are built in creeks and streams and the water is kept at the same height by means of a dam. This dam is built of logs, mud and stones plastered tightly together. The houses, which are half above and half below water, are divided into apartments, each family occupying one apartment ; no apartments are connected except by water. The mud and stones, used in build- ing the dam and house, are carried be- tween the fore-paws and chin ; the logs are dragged through the water. It is supposed by many that they use their tail for smoothing off their houses, and for carrying material to build with, but these stories are er- roneous. When a beaver sets to work to fell a tree, he gnaws all around the trunk, and by wonderful instinct makes the cut higher on one side than on the other so that the tree will fall the way he wishes it to. The number of inhabitants in one dwelling is seldom more than four old and eight young, although twice the number have been known to oc- cupy the same house. They are not very particular in the building of their houses as they are 22 THE COLLECTORS’ MONTHLY. the dams, as their aim seems to be to have only a dry place to lie on. The outside of their houses are covered with mud; sometimes the work is delayed until the frost becomes very severe, as the mud freezes almost as stone and prevents their common ene- my. the Wolverine, from disturbing them in winter. They are frequently seen to walk over their work and occasionally to give a flap with their tails, which doubtless gave rise to the common opinion that they used their tails as trowels. Beavers can: be easily domesticated and make nice pets. They are fond of sweets and you can readily make friends with them by giving them a little sugar. The beavers eat the bark of trees, particularly the poplar, birch and willow. Both male and female are provided with one pair of little bags containing castoreum, and also a second pair of smaller ones, which are filled with white fatty matter of the consistency of butter and giving forth a strong odor. When small ponds are inhabi- ted by beavers they are tainted with it, and this water probably forms a dressing to these acquatic animals. HerBert GREEN. KX [Shed and Eat their Coats.—Cont’d. | the job is wonderful. The greater one measures 16 feet and the other 12. They are males and have mouths like cellar doors, that are filled with fangs. The big snake, which had eaten noth- ing for three weeks because he was shedding his coat, got a move on him- self and climed one of the small trees and coiled all around the limbs. Then he rubbed his head and neck violenty against the branches in every direction — and gradually loosened the old cuticle from around his head, mouth and neck, In the meantime the other snake was not idle. It, too, coiled around the tree, and raising its head took hold of its big brother’s neck, and by care- ful manipulation loosened the skin from the head and neck for about a foot down. Then it took hold of the loosened skin, and the keeper and spectators who were watching the pro- ceedings saw what was going to hap- pen. With its head and neck free the big snake could help in the shed- ding operation, and it twisted around the treé near the top and began to pull away from the smaller snake at top speed. Inch by inch the old skin was released and the bright colors of the new cuticle camein view. It took nearly an hour to get about half of the body free from the old covering, and then both snakes rested. ‘The skin was pulled back just as one would turn a glove inside out, and gave the reptile a peculiar appearance. When the snakes resumed their job, they employed different tactics. The larger snake climbed higher, and the other made itself fast lower down the tree. The smaller one took hold of the skin and pulled for all it was worth until all the covering, with the THE COLLECTORS’ MONTHLY. 23 exception of about two feet from the big snake’s tail was loose. Then a most wonderful thing hap- pened. The big snake’s head was at the top of the tree, and he hadn’t been paying much attention to the goings on at the other end of his body. - When the smaller snake stopped pull- ing, the big one looked down and saw that something was wrong. His eyes glistened, and reaching down he grabbed a mouthful of his own cover- ing and proceeded to finish the job. It was done with dispatch and ease. The big snake seemed proud at his new suit and wriggled all around the ease and admired himself for some time. Then, to the astonishment of the watchers, the smaller snake also climbed the tree and went through the same performanee, assisted by the larger one. After both reptiles were free from the old skins they made a meal of them, and each drank about a gallon ot water to wash down the repast.— Philadelphia Press. —___++_—_. Only a Beetle. A distinguished naturalist was once shut up ina. gloomy French prison for some political reason. While there his active mind prevented him from sinking into despondency, for even his cheerless cell furnished him with food for thought and study. The very insects, which to another would have been merely objects of aversion, were to him as fresh leaves from the ever interesting book of nature. The surgeon who visited the prison found the naturalist one day intently examining a beetle, which had intrud- ed on his solitude. He informed the physician that the insect was a rare one, and proceeded with the enthusi- asm ofa naturalist to speak of its peculiarites. The physician begged that he night have it for two young friends who were ardent students of the science, and it was readily granted to him. The students were well acquainted with the fame of the celebrated Latre- ille, and when they learned his situa- tlon they forthwith took active meas- ures to secure his release. So success- ful were they, that the scholar was at length set at liberty, and could ever after feel that he owed his life to an insect. A month later, and all his fellow-prisoners were put on board a ship for transportation. The vessel foundered in the Bay of Biscay, and all on board perished. How small the means God uses to save our life, or to take it away. And if we will but look back along the line of our personal history, shall we not usually find that the most triv- ial events have frequently decided one whole life course. Great events do not often happen to us, and when they do the result is not what we ex- pected. But the chance meeting with an individual, the perusal of some book, or even a paragraph in a news- paper which deeply impresses us, may ® 24 THE COLLECTORS’ MONTHLY. be the means of changing our whole life current. SS A A Carnivorous Caterpillar. Prof. Perrier, of the Paris Museum recently stated to the Academy of Sciences, that Mr. Rouzand, maztre de conferences, at the Faculty of Sei- ences of Montpelier, has studied the habits and metamorphoses of a re- markable butterfly whose caterpillar lives upon the olive tree. The lepi- dopter was briefly described by Ram- bour sixty years ago, under the name of Erastria scicula. Unlike its fellows, the caterpillar of the Hrastria does not eat the leaves of the tree upon which it lives, but, on the contrary, despoils the latter of its parasites. It is not herbivorous, but carnivorous, and feeds upou the coceinellide that abound upon the olive tree and often cause the death of it. In addition to this peculiarity, this singular animal presents others of great interest. In its adult state it is so colored as to exactly simulate the excrement of the sparrow. While very young it hides itself under the carapace of the coccinellide: that it de- vours. When a little older it spins a ring of silk around such cerapace, and thus enlarges its dwelling in such a way that it shall always be adapted to its own size. Let us add that it con- ceals this addition under the debris of coccinellidee and the spores of Humuge, a fungus parasite of the olive tree.— Scientific American. ‘, NOTICE. To any person sending us an article for our November number will re- ceive one year’s subscription free, and a coupon good for a want, exchange or for sale adv. of 40 words. If already a subscriber, two coupons will be given. Communications to be in by the 15th of the month. ee Ask your friends to subscribe for our excellent magazine. | © | Birds Eggs.... Special rates for 1893. Send stamp for Catalogue. Our complete, Cata- logue of Supplies will be issued short- ly ; send 10 cents for same. FRANK BLAKE co" ™ Byte Park, Mass. WANTS, EXCHANGES, AND FOR SALES. ‘Brief special announcements. ‘‘Wants.”” ‘‘Exchan- ges,’ ‘‘For Sales,’’ inserted in this department for 50c per 40 words. Notices of over 40 words, charged at the rate of one cent per each additional word. No notice inserted for less than 50c. Cash or specimens must accompany order. First class specimens with data will be accepted in payment at one-half list value. TO EXCHANGH.—A Waltham 7-jewel movement, open-face ‘‘Ore-silver’’ case, for a Springfield Rifle. 50- 70 calibre, U. S. Government. THADDEUS SURBEB, White Sulphur Springs, West Va. 20 CENTS secures one of our Great Chinese Egg Curiosities. Are you interested in coins? If so, send 10 cents for one dozen pieces ot Chinese money. Ad- dress C. M. HATFIELD, 13876 9th Ave.. Oakland, Cal. TO EXCHANGE. —A Solid Silver Hunting-case Watch, extra heavy case. fitted with Illinois 7-jewel movement, in fine second-hand condition, A 1 time- piece, for a Goodell , Turning, Lathe ;with Scroll Saw Attachment and turning tools, or, fora Buffalo Port- able Forge. THADDEUS SURBER, White . Sulphur Springs, West Va. TRICKS AND MAGICAL APPARATUS, all kinds for sale. Send 10 Cents, silves or stamps, and get cir- culars and price list and get a nice trick free. Hngage- ments taken for Entertainments in Magic and Punch and Judy. Address all orders to Prof. Wm. G. Thorpe, 60 Smith Street, Newburgh, N. Y. hy NS. GOSS. ‘This valuable addition to the literature of Kansas is z now ready for sale. _ It is unnecessary for us to say to old residents of Kansas _anything in regard to Col. Goss or his accomplishments. But to others we will say, that he is a life-long Naturalist ; an enthusiast in his chosen study of Ornithology ; a member of the Council of the American Ornithological Union, arid a recognized authority on his chosen subject. . The Goss Ornithological Collection is solely the work of this author. Each specimen has been obtained and preserved by his own effort, and the entire collection —which is one of the larg- est in the country, the result of one man’s exertions —has been presented to the State of Kansas, and is on exhibition in a room in the State House set apart by law for that purpose ; and his en- tire time and fortune are devoted to its perfection ; long and ex- "pensive trips are annually made to increase the collection. Within ‘a few years he has generously prepared for the State, without cost, two separate catalogues of Kansas Birds. 2 The book is handsomely bound in full cloth, with gold em- _bossed back and sides. There are 693 pages, beside the photo- - gravure illustrations of 529 birds. E Price, $7.50; delivered on receipt of price. Reduced price for quantities. On account of the frequent absence of Col. Goss, all communications and orders should be mailed to GEO. W. CRANE & CO., TOPEKA, KANSAS. _FOR SALE ATE: = = SACRIFICE! A Library of 36 Volumes of Morocco and eons Bound Books, on ~— Ornithology, Oology, Mammalogy, Botany. Taxidermy, ‘Travels, Ett Ss ORIGINAL COST, BIS5O. oo. ‘ Most of the volumes are new, and = are in fine condition ; The following Authors are represented, 2. e. Stanley,. Livingston, Du Chaillu, Sir Samuel Baker, Suhwemianle ree Wallace, Fred. A. Ober, N.8. Goss, E. A. Samuels, ©. J. Maynard, “= Rev, J. ia Langille, Avassiz, Gould, Wilson, Sone “9 7 parte, Raine and others. he (@=> Send stamp for list of Books. eee ‘i? Will Sell the Library Complete at About One-Third Cost, if Taken an Once. é For further information, address : MHAUDEDS hol nae an, Wa , VEU df 19fU eee NEWBURGH, N. Y., NOVEMBER, 1893. No. 4. * —— a ee a ee Are You Tired Handling Poor Bird Skins ? TIfso, try some of mine and see if the don’t suit you. I will refund your - pbrd y yy, bf money if they do not. 902. Black Crowned Night Heron § .85 EGGS, in Setts; Full data; post-paid. 283. Turnstone - 28 70. Common Tern, 2 eggs $ .15 - 395. Red Cockaded Woodpecker 40 | 202. Black-cr. Night Heron, 4 eggs 85 3 452. Crested Flycatcher 18 364. American Osprey, 3 eggs 1.00 ei 546. Grasshopper Sparrow 20 373. Screech Owl,.3 eggs 1.00 a 672a Yellow Redpoll Warbler 40 390. Belted Kingfisher, 7 eggs 1.00 729. eee ned Nuthatch .20 616. Bank Swallow, 5 eges 15 (Gs Send a 2c stam for complete list of Skins and Hggs. WV. W.Worthinecton, Box 44, Shelter Island Helos, New York. _ Scientific American ee for EADQUARTERS FOR LOW PRICES « SCALES OF EVERY VARIETY. A 1,000 Articles Less than Wholesale Prices. CAVEATS, TRADE MARKS, DESICN PATENTS, COPYRICHTS, etc. For information and nee Handbook write to MUNN & CO., 361 BROADWAY, NEW YORK. Ys Oldest Duirean for securing patents in America, _ very patent taken out by us is brought before _ the uu by pm given free of sate in the is iz Bugeies, Wagons, Carts, Sicichs; Harness, Safes, clen { if AMievican wi [achines, Blacksmiths’ Tools, Pore Mills, Feed Mills, ills. Corn Shellers, Feed Cutters, Lawn Mowers, a ! Fanning Mls Stoves, Kettles, Jack Serews, oe pl uy Pay } enee, Letter Presses, Coffee and Spice Mills, Guns stols, 8 circulation o aoe rey paper Fs the Bicycles, Trycicles, Cash Drawers, Clothes Wringers, Meat Chop- pers, Trucks, Lathes, Engines, Watches, Organs, Pianos, Ete. Send for free Catalogue and see how to save Money, 7 151 8. Jefferson Bt., CHIC EGO SCALE CO., Chicago, Tl. man should be without eee siee ‘year: $1.50siz months. Addr Wine bo" UBLISHERS, 361 Broadway, oNew York City. Birds Eggs.... Special rates for 1893. Send stamp for Catalogne. Our epmpletel Cata- logue of Supplies: will, be, jssued shart= ||; ly ; send 10 cents for same. PRANK BLAKE “2s” Hyde Park, Mass, Indian Relics, Tne Fossils, Sea Shells, Curiosities, Etc. Large Price List Free. Cheapest House in the United States. STONINGTON, CONN. | COLLECTORS ATTENTION ! Every collector and dealer should hayea — cake of “ Elite” Frozen Perfume, to place in ~ their trays, drawers and cabinets with their — This Perfume | -comes in a solidified form and will last for — Is especially adapted for Taxidermists — It is transpar- ent,and is put up in neat cakes, at 10 cents per — specimens, skins, eggs, ete. “years. to place inside their skins, ete. cake. Do not fail to send for a sample cake ; cents; two cakes 15 cents. Address : FRED, W. STACK, ._ rae N, t Lock Box 21, } = a ‘ har Sewing Machine! F EG For $18.00. K Black Walnut Furniture Cov- "| er, Drop Leaf, 5Drawersand Full l Set of Attachments. Warranted. WHA\ 4 ib Teaor Family Scale, $1.00. 1,000 other Articles % to 4 usual prices. Send for Catalogue. | and double guns. men hunters. Shot Cartridges for all riflesand — ~# CHICAGO SCALE CO,, Chicago. We have a nice line of light, smail- bore, single Pocket shot guns for speci- guns,and a splendid assortment of standard regular guns and all kinds of sporting goods. Addres for Catle. Great Western Gun Works, Pittsburgh, Pa, NATURALISTS TOOLS AND | SU PPLInbs CONSTANTLY ON HAND. ALSO, DEALER IN ALL KINDS OF - NATURAL HISTORY SPECIMENS. Address all orders to J.B. PHCOE, Newburgh, N. Y._ P.O Box 195. post-paid to any address, upon receipt of 10 P sity Akai. Pa OE By ee yen. Sy See COLLECTORS MORTRLY. Devoted to Oology, Ornithology and Entomology. Vot. I. NEWBURGH, N. Y., NOVEMBER, 1893. No. 4. The Virginia Rail, IN HUDSON CO., N. Y. This bird is a common summer resi- dent throughout the country, frequent- ing the marshes and wet meadows, that predominate hereabouts, where it is the most common specie of rail, breeding in the seclusion of the tall, rank grass, where we may also find the Sora, as well as the Florida Galli- nule and Coot. Fresh eggs may be taken from the latter end of May to the 30th of June, but I think that the most birds are incubating by the first of June, the belated ones being those that were robbed of their first clutch, when they will lay a second set. Incubation pro- ceeds from the time the first egg is laid, so that highly incubated and fresh eggs may be found in the same nest. Both birds assist in incubation, as a trap was set in one of the “runs” or tracks made by the birds coming to and from the nest, resulting in the capture of the male, from which I make my conclusions as expressed in the foregoing. The earliest nesting date that I have is May 25th, 1893, when a set of six eggs was taken together with the male bird as stated. These eggs were about three days. incubated for The latest record is June 30th, which were undoubtedly second sets. The eggs are from six to twelve in number, being placed in a compact, slightly hollowed nest, which is situated on the ground in a tuft of grass or other herbage, composed of rushes and grasses. The nest is rath- er difficult to find as it is almost im- possible to flush the birds, as they prefer to run and skulk among the reeds and rushes for which Nature has eminently fitted them for; with their thin compressed bodies, strong legs and feet. In ground color the eggs are white, creamy or buffy, spotted with rusty or vinaceous brown and purplish gray, exhibiting a good deal of variation, both in ground color and markings in a large series before me. One set in particular is marked on a creamy background with pencilings or fine pen lines of rusty brown, the larger end rings. encircling conflacent The markings remind one of the eggs of the Black birds (agelaius), although the lines are not so coarse. A set of 9 eggs taken June 38, 1898, presents markings of a different pat- tern. These eggs are of arich buff color spotted and blotched with vina- ceous brown, very handsome ; some of the blotches being a quarter of an inch in diameter. forming 26 THE COLLECTORS’ MONTHLY. Eggs found toward the latter end of June show an absence of pigment or coloring matter, being white with very fine dottings of brown and _ pur- ple, hardly larger than the head of a pin, one in particular is almost im- maculate, being sparsely marked with light purplish gray ; doubtless second sets. Davie, in his “ Nests and Eggs of North American Birds,” quotes this as almost exclusively a fresh water bird, which however does not hold good in this vicinity, as all the marsh- es where I have found this bird were salt. The young of this specie when they are hatched are clothed with soft, silky black down, and are able to run almost as soon as hatched. JoHn LuuRMan, JR. SSS 6s Notes on Birds of Long Island. By W. W. WORTHINGTON. [All articles by Mr. Worthington are original and are written expressly for The Collectors’ Monthly.—Ep. | { The first number is the list number, the second that of the A. O. U. Check List, and the one following the name that of the Ridge- way Catalogue. | (776) 2865. Tringa maritima. Purple Sandpiper. (530.) Head and upper parts dark brown, witha purplish tinge ; beneath white, with spots of dark ash color ; base of bill, and legs yellow; wings with a few white edgings ; length 9 in. A rare migrant ; I have never met with it; a hardy northern species, wandering southward in winter, but a few usually remaining in that desolate climate throughout the year. Breeds from Hudson Bay northward. Nest, a scantily lined depression in the ground; eggs usually four, creamy ash in ground color, richly marked with different shades of brown, and averag- ing about 14x 1 inch. (777) 289. Tringa maculata. Pectoral Sandpiper. (534). Above, black; all the feathers edged with brownish, and ashy white ; rump black ; neck and breast brownish ash, with fine dark brown spots running into streaks ; eye line, ashy ; throat and under parts, white ; bill and feet greenish ; length 9 inches. A common migrant ; these birds take more to grassy marshes than to beaches, and they skulk in the grass after the manner of Wilson’s Snipe. I have found them common at Napea- gue Harbor and Gardiners Island. Breeds commonly near the mouth of the Yukon River, in Alaska, in the first part of June. Nests on ground, in grass. Eggs, tour, grayish or olive ground, richly marked with different shades of brown and lilac, and averag- ing about 1 x 1 inch. (778) 240. Tringa fuscicollis, White-rumped Sandpiper. (536) Above ashy brown, darkest on the rump, each feather with a large central brownish black spot, and with bright reddish edgings. Upper tail coverts and under parts white ; neck breast and sides with dark brown spots; length 7 inches. | A rather rare Spring and Autumn migrant : “ Taken June 10, 1881.”— Helme. I have a finespecimen taken on Shelter Island, September 9, 1892, this was a female and was taken on the border of a fresh water pond, while leisurely feeding, and exhibiting THE COLLECTORS’ MONTHLY. 27 no particular shyness. Breeds in the Artie regions. Nest, a scantily lined depression in the ground ; eggs, three or four, ground color pale olive, spot- ted with brown and blackish, averag- ing about 14 x 1 inch. (779) 240. Tringa bairdit. Bairds Sandpiper. (537.) Above brownish black, the feathers with yellowish brown and whitish edgings, forming large scallops in the middle of the back, and running more into streaks on the neck and crown ; a zone of pale brown across the breast containing indistinct dusky markings ; throat and under parts white ; length 74 inches. A rare Spring and Autumn migrant; I have never seen it alive. Breeds in the Arctic regions. Nest, a depres- sion in the ground lined with grasses ; eggs, four, clay or buffy ground color ; blotched and spotted with brown of ditferent shades, and average size about 14x 1 inch. (720) 242. Tringa minutilla. Least Sandpiper. (538.) Above, deep brownish black, with ashy white and bright reddish edging to the feath- ers; throat, breast and stripe over eye ashy white; breast with spots of dull brownish ash ; beneath white; toes free at base; bill slender ; middle upper tail coverts black, outer ones white, with black spots ; length 54 in. An abundant migrant ; found on sandy beaches ; around the margins of creeks, ponds and bays, in company with the next species, and the other small shore birds. They arrive from the south in May, and on their return from the north in July, becoming abundant in August. Breeds from Canada northward to the Arctic regions. Nest, a depression in the ground lined with grass and leaves, and placed near water ; eggs, four, ground color pale ashy or drab : speckled with different shades of brown and lilac; and averaging about 14x ¢ of an inch. (727) 248a. Tringa alpina pacifica. Red-backed Sandpiper. (539a.) Above ashy brown; each feather with large spot in the center, blackish ; forehead, and un- der parts white; bill long, curved ; a wide black patch across the lower breast; bill and feet brownish black ; length 84 inches. A common migrant; I have not met with it in Spring, but have seen it at Neapague Harbor in September, and at Montauck, and have always found it abundant along the South Atlantic coast throughout the winter 3. breeds in Greenland, Alaska and the Arctic coast between ; nests in June, in a scantily lined depression in the ground ; eggs, four, buffy or drab ground color, marked with different shades of brown and averaging in size about 14x 1 inch. Correcrion. In the description of the Stilt Sandpiper, p. 20, October No., omit the word “ left.” SSS A Bundle of Bones. As I sit in my study there lies be- fore me a curions gray bundle, the contents of which would on careful examination prove to be human bones old and weather worn. They were dug upon a farm in this vicinity, by a farmer while pre- paring a place to set a young fruit tree. The locality was a sandy slope toward Flint creek and has ever been more or less rich in relics of the race who once lived, roved and hunted in 28 : THE COLLECTORS’ MONTIULY. this then wild and untrammelled country. The bones constitute parts of two skeletons of Indians. Beside those in my possession there were found in this same place a few small glass beads and among the bones ashoulder blade which had been pierced with and still contained a “‘ bird point” of flint, about one and a quarter inches long by half-inch wide. The arrow-head had apparently entered while the per- son was bending over, entering from behind and below, piercing clear through, and half of its length remain- ing visible beyond the puncture while the base was imbedded in the bone, which subsequently closed around and nearly hid the stem. These and the beads I was unable to obtain. These are the probable facts record- ed by the bones, but as one glances on these weird, gray, mouldering relics of a once grand and powerful, now nearly exterminated, and soon to be forgotten race, what a flood of fancy sweeps before his minds eye—the ear- ly history of our country. We see the forms of the red men once more glide among the trees of the mighty forest, and their wigwams once more stand on the bank of the stream. Nature is again in her most perfect state and we linger with a glance of pleasure on the wild scene. Then comes the white man’s rifle, axe and fire—wild confusion—then emerges before our gaze once more, the civilization of our present day, in all its grandeur. When the present generation shall go crumbling back to mother earth, shall there be left to their successors something more than gray, moulder- ing ponea to tell of how ape lived, hoped and died ? B. 8S. Bowptsu, Phelps, N. Y. A queer looking insect was taken from a street hydrant in Nashville, Tennessee. It was an inch in length, and of a bright yellow color. Along its back were two rows of a substance resembling delicate fringe, which is kept constantly in wave-like motion. The eyes were black and remarkably keen in expression. What appeared to be three tails were connected with a hardly perceptible membrane, and when spread out resembled a fan in shape. This seemed to furnish the motive power in swimming, though in making its way through the water it swam more like a snake than a fish. It was exhibited to several scientific gentlemen, but none of them had ever seen anything like it before. —_—__++o—___—_ We want the addresses of all the Naturalists that we can possibly ob- tain as we contemplate publishing an Al Directory early in ’94. Won’t you kindly assist us by sending us as many names as youcan? Let us hear from you ! Wait! If you have a friend who you wish to have a copy of this magazine, send name to us on a postal and we'll do the rest. See our December number. THE COLLECTORS’ MONTHLY. 29 The Collectors’ Mouthly. A Monthly Magazine Devoted to the Study of Ornithology, Oology and Entomology. J.B. PECK, Editor and Publisher. Interesting MSS, relating to either Ornithology, Oology, Entomology or other Natural History subjects always solicited for publication. TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION: Single Subscriptions, - - 50c. per annum. Foreign Subscriptions 2 - 2 10c. extra. Single copies, - - - - 5c. each. Post-paid to any address in the universe. Each new subscriber is entitled to one coupon, good for an Exchange Notice. Limited to 40 words. ADVERTISING RATES: One page, one insertion, - - - $5 00 One Column, one insertion, - - - 2 75 Half Column, one insertion, - - - - 1 50 One Inch, one insertion, - - - - 60 Half-inch, one insertion, >. - 35 Reading notices 15c. per brevier line, each insertion. => Cash must accompany all advertisements. Write for special rates on standing advertisements. Address all Subscriptions and Communications to the Publisher. Entered at the Post Office, at Newburgh, N. Y., as second-class matter. Vor. I. NOVEMBER 1893. No. 4. fas An X after this paragraph signities that your subscription expires with this number. Please once and oblige us. renew at We were unable to get this issue of our magazine out at the regular time as we have been “rushed” in our job department. We trust you will be satisfied ; will try to be on time in the future. “ Little drops of water.” Subscribe! We wish to thank those who sent us MSS. in response to last month’s notice. All will be used in rotation as they were received. Don’t hesitate about sending in any little article that will interest our friends. Next ? Golden-winged Woodpecker. The Golden-winged Woodpecker, (colaptes auratus), is a very common summer resident of New England. It is the best known of all the woodpeckers and also the most abund- ant. It is, in the southern part of New England, a resident throughout the year, and in Massachnsetts it is often met with in mid-winter. The first ones begin to arrive from the South about the first or second week in March; about the first of May the males begin to pay court to the females, and their movements are very amusing. The note of the Flicker at this time resembles a happy laugh heard at a distance. The manner in which they choose a mate causes a great deal of merriment. Several males pursue a female, overtake her, and then as if to prove their love they bow their heads, spread their tails, and back away, then advance again ; the female then flies to another tree, where the same antics are repeated until the female shows a preference for one of them ; the re- jected ‘suitors proceed in search of another female. After the wood-peckers have mated they immediately begin the excavation of a hole large enough for themselves and their young. The hole is from sixteen to twenty inches in depth and often more ; the female lays six pure white eggs in the bottom of this hole; they are of a uniform ovide shape. The measurements of a set that was 30 THE COLLECTORS’ MONTHLY. collected in Woods Holl, Mass., are respectively 1x .75 in., 1 x.82 in., .96x .75 in., 1.16x.82 in., 1x.80 in., and 1x.75 inches. , When the eggs are taken, the fe- male, after a couple of days deliber- ation, lays another set and I have known this to be repeated until twen- ty-four eggs have been laid. If the eggs are not taken, only one brood is raised in a season. Cuas. C. Purpum, Woods Holl, Mass. —__¢49—__—_ The Blue-gray Gnat-catcher. Polioptiia caerulea. (LINN.) My first acquaintance with this tiny feathered tribe was in the summer of 1892. I had been looking for this bird some time before I found it. From the reports given I thought the _ bird must be plentiful and so com- menced to look for it and it was more than a year before I got a glimpse of him. Oliver Davie, in his ‘‘ Nests and Eggs of North American Birds,” page 499, says: —‘‘ The Blue-gray Gnat- catcher is an abundant bird through- out most of the wooded districts of the United States, breeding in suit- able places south of 420” And from a report given on page 281 :—‘‘ Bird Migrations in the Mississippi Valley,” one would think the birdcoimmon. I lived in southern Indiana for many years and never remember seeing the the bird. I lived in Texas eight years before I saw it. It was in the south- ern part of Anderson Co., Texas, that I first seen it, in May, 1892. A pair had been building their nest for sever- al years in the trees in the yard of Mr. W. W. Miles; he pointed the bird out to me and asked what it was and as soon as I saw it, said it.was a Blue- gray Gnat-catcher. — We instituted a search for its nest and after a few days found it saddled on a limb about twelve feet from the ground in a Post Oak sapling. The female remained on the nest until | removed her. There were five eggs, but were too far advanced in in- cubation to be saved. I only took one out of the nest to examine it, yet the old bird forsook the nest and com- menced tearing it up the very next day. They commenced to build a new nest the next week which after com- pletion they abandoned. On June 13th, the birds commenced building — in the same yard withina few feet of the house. I saw the bird when she was flitting from limb to limb with her bill full of spider webs and finally selecting a nesting site she commenced to build. I watched the birds closely day by day until the nest was completed and the complement of eggs laid. Both birds labored industriously from day dawn until dusk, and on June 17, just four days from the time the nest was started, the first egg was laid, and on the 20th I collected the nest and eggs which lie before me on the table as I write. The nest is composed of lich- ens bound together with fine hair, wool, cotton and spider webs; the outside ornamented with feathers from the Cardinal (cardinalis cordin- THE COLLECTORS’ MONTHLY. 31 alis). The inside of nest is lined with what seems to be chicken feathers and cotton. The height: of the nest is 80 milli- meters ; the circumference 190 mill. ; depth inside 55 mill.; opening across top 20 mill. The complement of eggs — four ; greenish or bluish white and speckled with light chestnut brown. I came across but two pair of the birds in the same vicinity. Four miles west of this place I saw another pair ; the birds are not common at all, rather rare. In Hopkins Co., as yet, I have never seen any, and have only been able to secure the one set. On June 1, I picked up a dead bird that had been beaten down out of a large Post Oak the previous night by asevere storm that uprooted many mighty pines growing in this vicinity. W.S. Cruean, Sulphur Springs, Tex. —____¢44—__—_ Out in a Lafayette Park police station, St. Louis, they have a weather prophet which eclipses all the baro- meters in the neighborhood. It is a frog of the genus Ayla, more familiar to the general readers as the tree-toad. Hunt, the superintendent of the Park, was mildly abusing his barometer one day for misleading him, when the offi- cer on the beat, an old frontiersman, said he would show him a trick. He took a glsss jar and threw into it some stones and a couple of inches of water. Then he whittled out a wooden ladder and putit in the jar. After some lively scrambling a tree-toad was caught, chucked in and a tin top was screwed on. The weather indicator was complete. When it is going to be fair weather that toad roosts on the top round of the ladder, solemnly blinking the hours away. From twelve to fifteen hours before a change to bad weather, “ the general,” as they call him, begins to climb down, and hours before a storm sets in he squats himself on a stone, and, with his head just above the surface of the water peers aloft at the coming storm. Let the weather be changeable and “ shifting ” as “ Old Prob.” says, and the toad goes up and down that ladder like ascared middy. When it is fair and the toad roosts aloft his skin is of a light grayish green. When the change comes the skin turns black as the tead goes down the ladder, becom- ing a jet, shining black by the time he reaches the bottom. ———_++e—_—_ Ask your friends to subscribe for our excellent. magazine. ——_++4—_—_ Owls and Their Uses. The utility of the common owl as a destroyer of vermin is scarcely likely to be called in question at the present day. A remarkable instance in point is recorded by Herr Grotte, in the Journal of the Hanover agricultural society. This gentleman discovered in his garden an owl’s nest built in a hollow tree. When first observed it contained four eggs and the bodies of seven field mice. On the following day six of the mice had been devoured 32 THE COLLECTORS’ MONTHLY. and eight fresh ones introduced in their place. On the third day six more mice were added to the stock, and the carcasses of seven more were found in a contiguous hollow tree. Day after day the same thing was ob- served, a fresh supply of mice being constantly introduced. From cireum- stances which are not specifically mentioned, Herr Grote was only able to continue his observations for a period of fourteen days, but within this time the number of mice found in and around the nest was ascertained to be more than two hundred, and in addition to these the wing cases of a large number of dung beetles (scara- beus stercorarius) were tound in the same place. In order to avoid any source of possible error in his compu- tation, the observer took the precau- tion of marking each day’s supply of mice when first noticed, so as to make quite sure that none of of the bodies should be counted twice. There is a fish which is used as a candle, and is caught on the coast of Alaska. It is about eight inches long, transparent and very fat, which fat is pure, white and very sweet. The In- dians dry this fish then light it at the tail, and it burns with a clear spark- ling flame, which the wind cannot ex- tinguish. og EK NUFF.—No; we don’t think it would be policy for you to purchase an egg-plant with a view of increasing your already large collection.—Epb. New Species of Mammals. DWARF KANGAROO RAT. Microdipodops megacephalus. Of the many new and _ interesting mammals that have been discovered in America during the last few years, this is one of the most remarkable species. In external appearance it looks like a heavy, thick-set pocket mouse, with a hydrocephalie head and abnormally large, furry hind feet. Total length, 150. The fur of the back and sides is long, soft and silky, as in Hesperomys eremiaces. Upper parts, yellowish brown or clay color, finely mixed with black-tipped hairs and slightly tinged with olive ; under parts white. Locality, Halleck and Reese River, Nevada. DAKOTA RED-BACKED MOUSE. Eyotomys gapperi brevicaudus. Total length, 125. Similar to #. gappert, but with larger ears and shorter tail. Dorsal area dull hazel, lined with black-tipped hairs ; rest of upper parts pale bister ; under parts white. From the Black Hills of South Dakota. —_—___+++—___—_ Send your friends’ subseriptions. WANTS, EXCHANGES, AND FOR SALES. Brief special announcements. ‘‘Wants,’”’ ‘‘Exchan- ges,”’ ‘‘For Sales,’’ inserted in this department for 50c per 40 words. Notices of over 40 words, charged at the rate of one cent per each additional word. No notice inserted for less than 50c. Cash orspecimens must accompany order. First class specimens with data will be accepted in payment at one-half list value. EXCHANGE OR FOR SALE.—A fine Telescope, good as new; cost $25.00; Length extended twenty- four inches ; closed seven inches ; power twenty-five times. All answered. B.S. BOWDISH, Phelps, N. Y- = HISTORY OF THE ~— BIRDS OF KANSAS By N.S. GOSS. ‘This valuable addition to the literature of Kansas is now ready for sale. It is unnecessary for us to say to old residents of Kansas anything in regard to Col. Goss or his accomplishments. But to others we will say. that he is a life-long Naturalist ; an enthusiast in his chosen study of Ornithology ; a member of the Council of the American Ornithological Union, arid a recognized authority on his chosen subject. : The Goss Ornithological Collection is solely the work of this author. Each specimen has been obtained and preserved by his own effort, and the entire collection which is one of the larg- est in the country, the result of one man’s exertions—has been presented to the State of Kansas, and is on exhibition in a room in the State House set apart by law for that purpose ; and his en- - tire time and fortune are devoted to its perfection ; long and ex- pensive trips are annually made to increase the collection. Within a few years he has generously prepared for the State, without cost, _ two separate catalogues of Kansas Birds. 4 The book is handsomely bound in full cloth, with gold em- _ bossed back and sides. There are 693 pages, beside the photo- _ gravure illustrations of 529 birds. ! = ; Price, $7.50; delivered on receipt of price. Reduced price _ for quantities. On account of the frequent absence of Col. Goss, all communications and orders should be mailed to he = GEO. W. CRANE &CO., TOPEKA, KANSAS. eS - oe Good Investricnt for $1, 4 ag TRY US ONCE 4 ENVELOPES, 5 O O , BILL-HEADS ( Business Cards \ Ea NOTE-HEADS OR | CIRCULARS 50 Calling Cards--25c. > = ica This Magazine is Printed by us. First-Class Work bike | : Collectors’ Monthly, NEWBOURGH, N. Y. FASE PERE CIEE SR Tees OOP pean ae if a ts as Re MS este Go TT ale yi Re eer ee Stele ce thie mini ee Fe SS SBT cea a a lh a le ae a I a Al PP EEE TIEN | eee ee rt we ee we ~ OQ 303