Bhatt ts mp eccata bAste , eit eit ene rest spiitty) sitaraet Tae! thd SOE Brahe ee ‘ bioancs pee iit ik an hae, " % ‘i SPUN Hi ,! S Zi Lf y 4 7 HENRY REED TAYLOR) }{ Epitor & PuBLi HER. & (AssociaTen f WITH AWN o NI G A: Dr R.W:SHureLoT = |e War « \ OF THE Aa : Wy 1 J Zz SMITHSONIAN [STITUTION 7 Vol. III Nos. 4 and 5 WW i 7 \h N y =2N, = \ 1 OFrick.br\Pyaticarian: ae a YES 7/150 FIFTH AVENUE. NEw York CITY. Nesting e the Duck Hawk in Trees....:..+..:.---- Se PURI Nate ee Oe '.+......Robert Ri Page Illustration, ‘‘ Where the Duck Hawk Nested” - .. Drawn by J. L. Ridgw: PeRODing ee ae kien tase ni ae ee ee ee ee a So EIN ts BAS L. Whitney Watki Sonerseasons.of sbbree'Carolinar Binds ac se etcetera ee aes ae THE PoucH FROM CoLorapo—Its Contents: ; } Portrait from Life of Jenny Lind................. bch eos OSU MD MeMbmacuots tao on pAntobiaaraphy of Jemnyalera ds see yest smc pint eia pei eae ane es we . Sa A Diagnosis of Our Case....2..--s.-0055 ss Perici bin G aU CoE aoe ae Bisons oe SOMEMBInd SEN ewe toy COlLOTad Olas cent ie temiaier ernment area see eres ee eee kins — An Albino Tine DDE OOH SAA OBES HeA cin o NO ae eo emo MEAT MGmNS PRPS THA oA eee Hen) Gheory Applied'to Lhrashers:. ...-- «seer eceuh acm ole de UP RICH epee cE < DA. mS ~ Cooper ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB: iat : Pi: Notes from the Colorado Desert.................. Cetin cera Erte aie AGAVE Random Notes on the Birds of Alameda County, Cal...............0-- Shove amc Teoh ag Birds Attracted by a Fire.......... SE ner ec a RT REECE acho Sobios Rat ene aie Tees. . Birds’ _— Have on hand as fine a lot of Southern: Birds Eggs lay ina oe of desirable material fon eading You may never get such another chance, so don’t. miss i All sets: cuaranteed true to name, and original. With full data. Nest w He many. Fair dealing assured. Satisfaction a pleasure. & = n . E. A. McILHENNY, THE NIDOLOGIST. Exponent of American Ornithology and Odlogy Published Monthly, with Illustrations Vot, III. Nos.4 anv 5. NEW YORK, DECEMBER, 1895. $1.00 PER YEAR. A View of Heligoland. HIS little rocky island in the North Sea has been described by Dr. Etiiorr Cours as the “magnetic pole of the bird-world.’’ Although only a little over a mile in length, and bare except for the green turf, it is the most wonderful Ornithological observatory known. Herr Giitke’s publication of the results of his studies of bird migration at this favored spot during the last fifty years lend a renewed interest to Heligoland. 4o THE NIDOLOGIST Meeting of the A. O. U. in Wash= ington. HE Thirteenth Congress of the American Ornithologists’ Union met in Washing- ton, D. C., on November 12. An aver- age of fifty Ornithologists attended the sessions, which were held in the lecture hall of the United States National Museum for three days, between the hours of rr A.M. and4p.mM. A lunch was provided each day in the convenient café in the Museum building by the Union. ‘The following papers were read and discussed: “An Important Factor in the Study of Western Bird Life,’ Carl F. Baker; “The First Plum- age of the Philadelphia Vireo,” Jonathan Dwight, Jr.; “On Pallas Cormorant,” F. A. Lucas; “Further Remarks on the Subgenus Quiscalus,’ Frank M. Chapman; “ Midwinter Migration Southward in the North Temperate Zone to Breeding Grounds,” Leverett M. Loo- mis; “The Terns of Muskeget Island, Part II,” George H. Mackay; “Food of the Meadow- lark, EB. EB. 1 Beal; An’ Instance of’ Indi= vidual Dichromatism in the Screech Owl,” A. P. Chadbourne; “The Pine Grosbeak in Captiv- ity,’ O. W. Knight; “ What Constitutes Publi- cation?”’ J. A. Allen; “ Kingbirds and Sap- suckers of Southern California,’ A. J. Cook; “Methods in Economic Ornithology, With Special Reference to the Catbird,” Sylvester D. Judd; “A Few Effects of the Winter of 1895 upon the Spring and Fall Migration in Canton, Mass.,” J. H. Bowles; “‘ Birds of Idaho,” M. J. Elrod; “On the Standing of Ardetta neocena,” Frank M. Chapman; “ A Critique on Trinomial Inconsistencies,’ William Palmer; ‘‘ Why Are There So Few Bluebirds?” Mrs. Louisa M. Stephenson; “ On Gitke’s Heligoland,’’ George H. Mackay; “The Value of the Tongue in the Classification of Birds,” F. A. Lucas. Considerable interest was taken in the exhi- bition of unpublished water color paintings of birds, by Louis A. Fuertes, with remarks by Dr. Elliott Coues. The work of young Fuertes, who is a student at Cornell, shows undoubted marks of genius, and was compared to that of the Audubonian period. The exhibition of lantern slides of birds, by William Palmer, was very instructive and pleasing. On Tuesday evening, November 12, a large audience listened to a memorial address on the late George N. Lawrence, by D. G. Elliot, and a memorial address on the late Thomas H. Hux- ley, by Elhott Coues. The officers elected by the Union for the en- suing year were as follows: President, William Brewster; Vice Presidents, Robert Ridgway and C. Hart Merriam; Secretary, John H. Sage; Treasurer, William Dutcher. A. W. Anthony, of San Diego, Cal., was elected to active membership. An amendment to the constitution was proposed, to be acted upon at the next Congress, increasing the maxi- mum limit of active membership to seventy-five, with the proviso that not more than five new members be-elected each year. The invitation of the Nuttall Ornithological Club to have the next Congress of the Union in Cambridge, Mass., was accepted, and the time set for the second Tuesday following the first Monday in November, 1896. PEN-SLIPS BY THE WaAy. The Bluebird is not so nearly wiped out as was thought. Mr. Loomis came from California to attend the Congress. Mr. Sennett left early to proceed to the At- lanta Exposition. The big United States National Museum should provide a better workshop for its chief taxidermist, William Palmer. Those in attendance were photographed on the steps of the National Museum by Mr. Prince. This is the first group picture ever taken of the Union. It is reproduced on the opposite page. Quite a number of ladies attended the Con- gress. Miss Florence Merriam and Mrs. Olive Thorne Miller hardly missed a paper. Miss Tessa Kelso, formerly of Los Angeles, Cal., was an interested listener. A new museum is needed to accommodate the National collections. It is just as bad in the Smithsonian Institution. Space is at a premium in the Ornithological department. Over twenty thousand bird skins are stored in the basement, along with alcoholics. Professor Lucas says that Pallas Cormorant, which got itself extinct because it had hardly any wings at all—or didn’t use them—us really much rarer than the Great Auk, there being but four specimens in museums. It was of great size, being the largest of the Cormorants. Major Bendire’s rooms were the center of at- traction for Odlogists. He kindly explained to me the intricate process of making the wonder- fully faithful colored plates which give such value to his Zzfe Histortes. Most of the plates require seventecn separate printings to get the reproduction required. Portland, Ore., has an ambitious society for the introduction of exotic song birds, such as the Skylark, Nightingale, etc. They have spent $3,000 on their undertaking. Dr. T. S. Pal- mer and Dr. C. Hart Merriam think there is some danger, in the thoughtless introduction of foreign species, of discovering another such pest as the English Sparrow. 41 NIDOLOGIST yj THI : t : - 2. Mrs. W. F. Roberts. 42 THE NIDOLOGIST On the Eggs of the California Vulture. N exchange says of the California Vul- iN ture, that “the skin and eggs are of extraordinirus devideration and value to Ornithologists and Odlogists.”’ I am not privy to the meaning expressed in the sentence quoted, but the writer is in error when he says, that “ Los Angeles boasts of the possession of two out of the three known eggs contained in all North American collections, public or private.” The present writer has paid particular attention to gathering authentic in- formation concerning this rare and rapidly de- creasing species, and is ina better position than anyone to know how many eggs there are extant. It will be a matter of news and of great in- terest to Ornithologists to know that there are nine eggs in collections, all in sets of one each. The existence of five of these rare eggs has not been previously made known to the public, and I feel that, while violating no confidence, I am doing Odlogists a service in publishing for the first time this bit of information. This count includes no “hypothetical list,” but 1s of eggs whose authenticity is clearly proven. One of the nine specimens was in the Phila- delphia Academy of Sciences and vanished a number of years ago, nobody knows where, al- though it is thought to be in some one’s safe keeping. The United States National Museum has a specimen, blown with two holes in one side, taken in early years. Mr. G. Frean Morcom, of Los Angeles, Cal., has two eggs, one being a perfect specimen which was collected this year for Mr. A. M. Shields, and afterward sold to Mr. Morcom at a good price. The other egg in Mr. Morcom’s possession was bought by him recently from the writer, the consideration being $100. This egg is the one taken in 1889, a full account of which appeared in THE Nip- oLocist for January and February (1895). The specimen had been unfortunately broken into three pieces, but was very neatly mended. It had been blown through: a large, rough hole in the larger end. ‘This disfigurement was al- most entirely concealed by building up with plaster of Paris from the interior on a support of cotton. Two eggs, one blown through rather small holes in the ends, and the other through two holes in one side, were taken in 1879, and are In the possession of a gentleman in California, who sets a very high valuation on them. It is his intention to hold the eggs for a big price, or later present them to some museum. The re- maining three eggs which make up the nine are perfect specimens. Four eggs were taken in California the past season. The present writer has no eggs of this Vul- ture, nor any interest in any, but expresses it as his conviction that none of these nine eggs are likely to be “ put on the market; ” at least any time soon. When interest in Odlogy in this country shall be very much more intense and widespread than it ever has been, including many men of liberal means among its votaries, the egg of the Cali- fornia Vulture, or Condor—which will then be extinct—will command a high price; but at the present day there is a very limited demand in America for such expensive luxuries. Even the big museums are some of them rather pinched for money (at least in comparison to the popular idea) and would hesitate before purchasing such an expensive eggshell. There are many more men of means in England who cultivate Odlogy, and the eggs of the Great Auk, which belonged to the list of British birds, consequently come high. An egg was recently sold in London, however, for only $700. I have not been backward in saying that the egg of the California Vulture is a great rarity, which will some day bring a big price, and this I still believe, but those who expect to make a small fortune hunting for Condor’s eggs will be sadly disappointed. i am informed that the cost of the expedition sent out by Mr. Shields was $188. H. R. Tavtor. Nesting of the Duck Hawk in Trees. HE late Colonel N. S. Goss, of ‘Topeka, Kan., was the first to discover and record the previously unknown and _ possibly unsuspected fact that the Duck Hawk (/a/co peregrinus anatum) sometimes breeds in cavi- ties of large trees. In the “ Bulletin of the Nuttall Ornithological Club,” Vol. III, pages 32-34 (January, 1878), Colonel Goss gives an interesting account of his discovering four nests of this species thus situated during the years 1875, 1876, and 1877 in the timber along the Neosho River, near Neosho Falls, Kansas. In May, 1878, I found three nests of the Duck Hawk in large sycamore trees in the bottom lands of the Wabash River, near Mt. Carmel, Ill., my experience thus closely coinciding with that of Colonel Goss, except that none of those found by me were accessible on account of the great size of the trees in which they were placed. The accompanying illustration is from a sketch made by my brother, John L. Ridgway, of one of the three Duck Hawk trees found by me before it was felled (I was not the fortunate possessor of a camera at that time), and repre- sents very faithfully the proportions of the tree THE NIDOLOGIST WHERE THE DUCK HAWK NESTED. 44 THE NIDOLOGIST and the character of its surroundings. This tree was afterward felled by my father and myself— a matter easily accomplished on account of the fact that its base was a mere shell, while the tree itself leaned at an angle of some thirty degrees from the perpendicular ; nevertheless, a considerable amount of chopping across the side of tension was necessary before it gave way and fell. The somewhat enlarged base of this tree was twenty-six feet in circumference, and the hollow within reaching through an arched opening on the side opposite to the one shown in the sketch, had been used by fisher- men for a camping or cooking place. Some seven feet above the ground the girth was six- teen anda half feet. The cavity containing the nest was eighty-nine feet from the base, and was caused by the breaking off of a main branch (here four feet in diameter), the upper part of which projected over sufficiently to afford some protection from both sun and rain. The total length of the tree, although the whole top had been blasted by storms, was one hundred and fifteen feet. Four full-fledged young were found, only one of which had been killed out- right by the fall, though two others were so badly injured that it was necessary to kill them. The fourth was entirely uninjured, and was kept for some time in captivity, eventual- ly, however, making its escape. LA Smithsonian Institute, Dec. 9, 1895. Robin. T ts only the Robin I am writing about ; but why not an excellent subject after all? The “dear bird” whose inborn, lovable na- ture prompted it to cover the babes in the wood with fallen leaves. The “poor little Robin,” as he sits in the apple tree on an early winter’s morning and encour- ages in the cold blast with his hearty chirrup the sturdy farmer’s boy, whose joints and cow- hide boots both creak in the frosty air as he stubs his way over the hills to look to his traps on the neighboring slough or lake. The “Robin Redbreast”’ of the household, where it matters not that his breast is not red at all, and that the ‘‘Redcoat” is the Briton’s and not a Yankee epithet. These various things we have heard of the Robin from our youth. We have vied with our companions in our anxiety to welcome the first Robin in spring, and the joyous news, “I saw a Robin this morning,” ever and again will Inspire us with thoughts of the grass and flow- ers, of shaded streams and woodlands, and of meadowed fields so: peaceful—of a summer time to come. Yet this is the so bitterly condemned little thief of the orchard and garden, that destroys so many cherries and other fruits as to make the farmers and horticulturists about equally divided in opinion as to which way the evidence, accurately known, would throw the balance in the case of this hardy ‘Robin Hood.” My Ornithological readers, I trust, love, if possible, all birds, so we will not bother our- selves with the comparative veracity of these good and bad statements. Satisfied, as I am, that the subject of this rambling talk is of real economical importance, even where he is most roundly abused-—I have so often seen him partaking of the largest and most perfectly ripened cherries upon the top- most branches of the ladened trees, while I, of necessity, was eating of the poorer fruit below— I cannot refrain from allowing my sister from Convent School, who has just invaded my “den,” from abusing as she may, with nothing more harsh than the weapons of a poetic fancy, this bird of all birds so thoroughly a type of the true American. Iam informed, for my own peace of mind, that the word “ others,” used below, refers to me. Then, with this joke in verse, we leave the ‘Robin to ply his independent way in peace: The scene was the bank of a crystal brook Where a saucy young Robin had paused to look, As the morning sun had gilded the waves Which sparkled and sang thro’ the autumn days. He glanced at the leaves, that had copied his breast, The leaves that in springtime had shielded his nest; Then turning his head with a bird-like grace, He searched in-the stream for his mirrored face. Not his mottled coat of rusty brown He saw in the brook-bed sloping down, But a touch of gray with an amber dab— The reflected form of a brooklet crab. He gazed in surprise at the specter-like thing, Then chirping aloud and raising each wing, In terror he turned from the ghost-haunted place And met on the bank the real crab face to face. Young Robins, like ‘‘others,” are inclined to be Sayer And our hero’s misfortune occurred in this way: He considered a moment; his foe seemed quite weak, And he ventured a peck with his slim, shiny beak. A flutter, a scream—up the bank Robin came ; He found two could play at the same little game, And the waves as they fled, with a smile and a gleam, Carried crab and brown feathers adown with the stream. L. WHITNEY WATKINS. 5 Our next number will contain a half-tone portrait of A. W. Anthony, the active Western Ornithologist. Song Seasons of Three Carolina Birds. BY LEVERETT M. LOOMIS. Curator of the Department of Ornithology of the California Academy of Sciences. “*—_the time of the singing of birds is come.” ()" all the birds inhabiting upper South Carolina, the Carolina Wren is almost the only one that may be said to sing the whole year round. Other birds begin to sing as soon as the spring side of the year is reached. Usually this is in February. The song season in all lasts at least until after the nesting is over. Some, as the Field Sparrow, continue on into autumn. Others, as the Mock- ingbird, after an interval of silence have a sec- ond song period. So it is that the resident birds of the up country of South Carolina, as to the duration of their singing, fall into three classes: those that have but a single song sea- son and are silent after the period of nesting, those that have a second one following this period, and those that sing all the year. About the first of February there issues from the plum thickets and other lesser shrubbery of the open, a great clattering of Sparrows. As the days advance this babel of song takes form, resolving into the familiar notes of the Field Sparrow as usually heard in Northern climes. The variations of song so characteristic of this bird in the Southern country are not prominent until later. With the progress of spring Field Sparrows bear no inconspicuous part in the general chorus. Midsummer comes with its burning heat and most birds are silent, still the Field Sparrow sings with unabated persistency, and so variously, too, as would sound strangely to Northern ears. I have sometimes been puz- zled to know whether some of their perform- ances were not uttered by Prairie Warblers, so nearly were they like the quaint ditties of that bird. More than once, with the bird in plain sight, have I resorted to my gun so as to make sure that my eyes and ears had not deceived me. By the middle of September only occa- sional, half-hearted songs are heard, and the season is over, having lasted more than seven months. The remarkably mild weather of De- cember, 1889, and January, 1890, had an in- teresting effect upon the Field Sparrows, arous- ing them to song nearly two months ahead of the ordinary time. It is a rare thing to hear Mockingbirds sing in the upper country during December and January. It is only when the weather has been very mild for some time that they are awakened to song—but song without heart, without em- phasis. Usually the first season opens about THE NIDOLOGIST 45 the beginning of February, sometimes a little earlier, and sometimes a little later, as the weather may be. As spring advances, and as others appear from farther south, they become more and more conspicuous as musicians. Be- fore the end of April the whole open country is occupied. ‘The first season continues unabated to July, even the serenades in moonless as well as moonlight nights. Long wet spells tend to lengthen out the season, singing con- tinuing with variety and effect nearly to the close of the month. The habit of singing in the night is more common among birds than is generally supposed, occurring chiefly when the nuptial passion is at its height. ““And smale foweles maken melodye That slepen al the nyght with open eye— So priketh hem nature in hir courages.” Often in the early morning hours when I have been camping out has the stillness been broken by the song of the Field Sparrow. The second song period of the Mockingbird begins about the first week in September. In the interval between the first and second period there may sometimes be heard a curious musi- cal performance. ‘The first time it reached my ear I thought it came from a bird a long way off—at least a quarter of a mile away—it was so soft, so far away—suppressed I wrote it in my journal at the time, and no word better de- scribes it. The singer was just over my head, concealed in the heart of the foliage of a great hickory. He sat there motionless, his song complete as at other times, but almost in a whisper. I thought of what Richard Grant White wrote of the przma donna who sang an operatic air in all its perfection, but which was heard only by the ear almost touched by the lips of the great singer. Every summer I hear this pianissimo singing, and always from the heart of thickly foliaged trees. How different is this quiet demeanor from that of the earlier season, when observation is challenged from the most exalted pinnacle of the neighborhood, when the musician sings as he flies, or bounds aloft from his perch in ecstasy of song. My ear has sometimes caught the sound of this subdued vocalization at the opening of the first season, at which time the Brown Thrasher and Cardinal are inclined to sing in the same manner. One gray February afternoon I heard a Car- dinal singing in this sotto voce style from the depth of a cedar bush. When I stopped to listen, he raised his notes, and after a moment came out upon an adjoining oak twig and whistled in a strong, clear voice, as I stood a few steps away. I left him thus, and returning a few minutes later found he was gone. It was 46 THE NIDOLOGIST early in the season, and there was no appreci- ative audience to inspire him to further effort. The second song season of the Mockingbird ordinarily ends about the middle of November. At the last they may be seen in the frosty mornings sitting solitary on the summit of some small tree, with their white breasts to the sun, giving utterance to a few notes of song. With the warmth of midday there is a return of spirit. In the second season they never attain the vigor of the first. At the close of the second they sing when the thermometer ranges among the forties. Later they are silent when it is tem- porarily above seventy degrees, the previous chill having stilled them. When the first sea- son fully begins, cold, however, does not seem to have the power to suppress them, the im- pulse, once aroused with the approach of spring, being irrepressible. The Carolina Wren, of all the songsters of the up country, is, as I have said, almost the only one that has a continuous song period, lasting the whole year round. At the close of the nest- ing season, when molting, they are least in- clined to be musical, but even then their hearty song greets the ear at all hours of the day. At this time of the year the young are stirred to music, and their peculiar warbling notes singu- larly contrast with the finished productions of the adults. Great Carolina Wrens were these little birds called when I first became acquainted with them years ago, and great still they are—as weather prophets. With senses so keen as to discern those subtle changes which to us are imper- ceptible, which find no response in our duller organisms, the end of those sharp, cold spells which come to us from the Northwest, and which change our land of sunshine and song into Northern winter, is unerringly fore- told; their loud, ringing song heralding the coming change. During an unusually inclement season a few years back, the superior foresight of these sensitive little creatures was brought home with renewed force. I had been out all day searching for Northern birds, which I hoped would be driven southward by the severity of the weather, and was returning home on horse- back with a companion, chilled and _ tired. There was nothing inviting inthe scene. It was near nightfall, after a gray, cheerless afternoon. It had not been one of those days every field Ornithologist loves to recall, when so many in- cidents occurred that the hours passed un- heeded and mght came on before you were aware, when the old enthusiasm returned—that first enthusiasm, that knew neither hunger nor fatigue, that, unbreakfasted and undinnered, brought you home in the gathering twilight with quickened step, and which afterward carried you without sense of weariness into the small hours as you finished specimen after specimen, or recorded on the pages of your journal the experiences of the eventful day. My compan- ion had just complained of the cold and had predicted a very hard night, and urged that we hasten our horses’ steps homeward, as we had some distance to go. A moment later, almost at our feet, from a brush pile on the wood’s edge, came the song of a Carolina Wren. So inspiring was it that my friend instantly cried out, “Hear the Spring Bird! It is going to be warmer!’ Spring Birds are these Wrens locally called. For once, a proverb is broken, for this prophet is not without honor in his own coun- try.* Before the remaining two miles of our ride were accomplished, the change in the weather had become marked, and by the follow- ing night the last vestige of snow had disap- peared. A year later, with a botanical friend, I made my first ascent of Mount Pinnacle—the highest ground in South Carolina. We started early in the morning at the foot. A dense fog shrouded the mountain, and the bushes and trees were dripping. A thousand feet took us above the vapor. A glorious sight now presented itself to our eyes. There below us lay a sea of silver, and above a vault of blue. We had bathed our faces in the clouds and passed above into sun- shine. Before the second thousand feet were overcome the distant mutter,of thunder admon- ished us of an approaching storm. A thunder- storm without shelter on an uninhabited moun- tain had not fallen to the lot of either. The vivid lightning and the sharp peals of thunder, reverberating through those everlasting hills until it seemed as if all the forces of nature were let loose, will never be forgotten by either of us. When we reached the summit the war- ring elements were at our feet, for the storm had passed below. Here in this remote spot, as the sun came from beneath the cloud, were we greeted with hearty welcome by a familiar ac- quaintance. It was the Carolina Wren—still the Spring Bird—the bird of sunshine. In that one moment the toil of the mountain was for- gotten. a a Of Educational Value. Tue NIDOLOGIST is a magazine devoted, as its name indicates, to the study of the nesting habits of differ- ent species of birds. Its contents are the results of actual observation by scientists of reputation, and in some cases, of eminence. It is good supplementary reading for grammar schools.—Pudblic School Fournal. * In some sections, I have been informed, this Wren is called Spring Bird because it frequents the dense vegetation about springs. \ co a Oe : ‘i ;: f. : THE NIDOLOGIST 47 Colorado. (Department Edited by Frederick M. Dille, 4o6 McPhee Building, Denver, Colo.) AM tthe “ Town Crier,”’ and did fill that | position to the top of my lungs for the little town of “Sunset Pass ” fessor Nestling fell onto our hard and rocky street from the top of the “Silver Plume” Coach. The profess- or came to our town in order to better pro- ceed on an ex- pedition after some of the rare things whichare tobefound only around timber line. He calls me a rare bird,” but in spite of the va- rious ways in which I am slandered it is gratifying to see them all bow to my supremacy when it comes to a scientific expedition with its paraphernalia to the timber line and over the range. We (the professor and I) have now been out from Sunset Pass over a week, and nothing has occurred to jar the fraternal feeling between us until this morning. My companion was in the act of throwing his last “diamond _ hitch” when one of them pesky camp robbers (the professor called it a true Cafztalis) appeared on the scene. He dropped his pack, picked up his gun, and took after it. I improved the opportunity to stroll up to this clump and browse upon the leaves of the “William Henry,” which leaves I find very good for “ that tired feeling,’ and now the poor professor is “wasting much valuable time” looking for me. I can hear him now, thrash- ing around in the bushes down by the creek, where, had he but the instincts of a mule, he might know I could not conceal my whole frame from his “ Eagle eye.” I can also hear his rambling talk, and he de- clares “that but for that set of Ptarmigan’s eggs packed in the box on my ‘off side’ he would not feel so worried over my own pre- cious skin.” This morning I eschewed a little pamphlet from the professor’s luggage. It came from New York, and was printed by a man whose name is Taylor, and who proposed to exhibit from time to time in his journal “ photographs of noted Ornithologists.” I have half a mind Copyrighted. THE COLLECTOR'S FRIEND. until Pro- to send him ‘‘one of mine” and see if he will publish it, for what does Taylor and his clique know about Ornithology until they have seen a picture of the Rocky Mountain Canary in full tone? (the photo, however, is only half-tone.) Yours vociferously, Jenny Linp. * ok ok * Few States possess the attractions for the Ornithologist and offer such a tempting array of Oédlogical treasures as does Colorado, and yet the persons of such inclinations within the State are as scarce as ‘‘ Owls’ nests on the limbs of trees one hundred and fifty feet from the ground” (in the Illinois River bottom), and as scattered as our four boundaries. ‘There are not one dozen persons within the State at pres- ent who are known to each other as “ kindred spirits,” and who would make fit material for the composition of an Ornithological club, or, in the event of the organization of such a club, would it be possible to convene more than four of them at one point and at one time without more outlay for traveling expenses than said possible members would feel like standing. The Ornithology of the State, however, has received at various times much systematic study and research from the hands of competent ob- servers, whose reports are scattered through the different journals of this nature. But the re- sults which would occur from the work of a systematic organization can at this day only be anticipated. To Mr. Charles F. Morrison is due wholly the credit of the only effort thus far to bring the “enthusiasts” of the State into close rela- tions and to systematize their work. We refer to his efforts in this line in 1887 and 1888, and can but reflect what uphill, discouraging work to Mr. Morrison it must have been. There are parties in the State who possess a mine of valuable information stored up from years of successful work in the field, and the mention of whose names gives guarantee as to the reliability of their notes and interest to the general reader. There are others, new in the field, but, having started in the correct way (blowing their eggs with but one hole in the side), who will prove of value to any future organization, and it is our hope, with the gen- erosity of Brother Taylor and the use of his in- dispensable Nipo.ocist, to bring our short dozen of “kindred spirits” into the habit of recording their various notes and experiences, and into closer relations with each other and the outside world. * * * * Tue list of “Some Birds New to Colorado” contained in this issue will be found of especial interest and value, particularly in the range or 48 THE NIDOLOGIST distribution of the species mentioned and their occurrence at this remote point, if only at rare intervals. Ir any reader of this journal is at present aware of the whereabouts or address of Mr. Charles F. Morrison they would confer a favor by sending us the same. In the preparation of a list of our State now being made, communica- tion with Mr. Morrison would be most gratify- ing, but with the sudden termination in the March, 1890, issue of the “O. and O.”’ all traces of him disappeared, to us at least. ee OR A xist of the birds of Colorado, revised and unabridged, will soon be started in these columns. Most of the list is being compiled by Professor W. W. Cooke, now at Fort Collins, who concludes that Colorado has a larger list than any other State in the Union. Sy, Oulke > +S Some Birds New to Colorado. Witu Nores oN Oruers or LITTLE KNOWN DISTRIBUTION IN THE STATE. ~Y “HE greater part of the following observa- ir tions was made during frequent visits to the various taxidermists’ shops in Denver. As most of the specimens were brought in for mounting by sportsmen and others, the reader will understand why greater details as to dates and other information could not be ob- tained. Echmophorus occidentalis, Western Grebe.— In October, 1888, I examined three skins of this species in possession of Mr. Hugo Toden- warth, a local taxidermist, one of which was shot about October 25; the others a few days earlier. They were taken on three different lakes—Sloan’s, Marston’s, and Tynon’s—adja- cent to the city. Stercorarius parasiticus, Parasitic Jager.—A young bird in the dark phase was shot at Sloan’s Lake during the fall migration of 1889. I be- lieve it has been but once recorded for the State—by Drew, on authority of Ridgway (Auk, Vol. II, No. 1). Larus atricilla, Laughing Gull.—One shot at Sloan’s Lake (located in the western suburbs of Denver) in December, 1889. I believe the second recorded for the State. Larus philadelphia, Bonaparte’s Gull.—An immature specimen was shot on Marston’s Lake about November 10, 1888. One shot on Sloan’s Lake in the fall of 1889, and another at same place in October, 1890. Xema sabinii, Sabine’s Gull.—One shot about October 1, 1889, on one of the locallakes. One other was also sent in for mounting, but the date and locality were not preserved. It was, doubtless, a local specimen, however. Sterna paradisea, Arctic Tern.—A mounted specimen in the possession of Mr. Todenwarth was shot on Marston’s Lake in the spring of 1887. Through the kindness of the owner I was permitted to, send it for comparison to Mr. Ridgway, who pronounced it of this species. Phalacorcorax dilophus, Double-crested Cor- morant.—Since recording a specimen of this species in the 4k (Vol. III, No. 2), in 1886, I have had the pleasure of examining several others of this species. One was shot on Sloan’s Lake (about October 1, 1891), from a flock of about twenty, the hunter mistaking them for Geese. Another was shot on Marston’s Lake in the fall of 1886, and a third came from Jones’s Lake. Aix sponsa, Wood Duck.—Occasionally taken at the lakes near Denver. : Oidemia deglandi, White-winged Scoter.— Examined a skin of this species which was shot at Marston’s Lake in October, 1887. It was in the plumage of the female or young. Another mounted specimen is in the possession of Mr. C. A. Cooper, formerly of Denver. The bird was shot on Lee’s Lake, near Fort Collins, October 23, 1888. Mr. Cooper also informed me that he had seen another specimen in the possession of William G. Smith, a tax- idermist and Ornithological writer of Loveland, Colo. On October 16, 1890, I examined a’ specimen which had just been shot at Sloan’s Lake. The general opinion of sportsmen is that “Surf Ducks” occur irregularly in small num-~ bers nearly every year. Oidemia perspecillata, Surf Scoter.—One shot in October, 1887, at Marston's Lake, in com- pany with the specimen of O. deglandi above- mentioned. It was in the plumage of the fe- male or young. A mounted specimen is also in the possession of the “ State Historical and Natural History Society.’” Mr. C. A. Cooper told me that Mr. William G. Smith, of Love- land, had another “ Surf Duck ” which was not O. deglandi. Possibly it was this species. Olor columbianus, Whistling Swan.—Have examined some half a dozen specimens of this species, and have heard of others being taken, which were probably the same. One was shot near Berthoud, from a small flock, and mounted by Mr. A. T. Allen. One came from Rush Creek, one from Julesburg, and another from the northern part of the State. Olor buccinator, Vrumpeter Swan.——This spe- cies would seem to be the one we should expect to find in this region, yet but two specimens have come to my notice. One was shot about thirty miles south of Denver, some time prior to 1887 ; another from the southern part of the State at a much earlier date. Horace G,. SMITH. Denver, Colo. ( To be continued.) ea Notes From Michigan. (Department Edited by Dr. Morris Gibbs, Kalamazoo, Mich.) ()* August 20, 1895, a Baird’s Sandpiper, Tringa bairdit, Coues, was taken by Mr. Leon J. Cole in company with W. E. Mulliken at Spring Lake, Ottawa County, Mich. These collectors have shown that this is the first recorded capture in the State, for, although Cook, in his Birds of Michigan, p. 93, credits Cabot, 1850, with this bird, these gen- tlemen have pointed out that the only represen- tative of the genus Z7inga in Cabot’s list is T. schinzii. he list does not give the English names, and Cook, mistaking the synonymy, gave the Baird’s instead of Bonaparte’s Sand- piper. Notwithstanding the report that the Bluebirds were about all killed off by the severe weather of last January and February, there were found a goodly number in Michigan during the past autumn. The writer heard but a single Blue- bird sing in southern Michigan in the spring of 1895, and ina fifty-nine mile carriage ride in June not a bird was seen, though the region traversed was a favorite one with these birds in former seasons. In early October, 1895, a small flock was seen, and at various times | saw flocks of from six to a score of birds, old and immature, and a friend of mine noted a flock of forty birds in October. Where these birds came from can only be conjectured, but they probably reached us from the North, as they were evidently migrating when observed. The Chautauguan for November contains an article upon the Passenger Pigeon by Simon Pokagon, Chief of the Pottawatomies in Michi- gan. Further reference will be given to this article. ” aor ie Q ++} BEING in its third year of successful publication, and now pretty thoroughly known, THE Nipo.ocisr has decided to discontinue its occasional distribution of free ‘‘sample” copies, except in exceptional cases. THE NIDOLOGIST 49 Epiror NIDOLOGIST. Dear Sir: In answer to the inquiry of B. H.S. (Tue Nipotocist, Vol. Il, No. 2, p. 19), I send these notes concerning Spiza americana. It is possible that had Mr. Swales more carefully investigated the clover fields and up- land meadows out from Detroit he might have found that this ‘Little Meadowlark,” as it is sometimes called—and well so, too, for at a short distance the markings of the male bird appear very like those of Sturnella magna—had been breeding for some years past, and per- haps, locally, in some numbers. This he may have done, but from his note it cannot be known how far out and how general his meadow searches have been. Yet at Lansing, in four years of careful ob- servation, I failed to note a single specimen of this species, though my “tramping ground” took in the outlying country to Pine Lake, Park Lake, Williamston, Okemos, Trowbridge, and included the great Chandler’s Marsh, north of the Michigan Agricultural College, where, by the way, I met Mr. Swales years ago in Ab- bot Hall. Collectors knowing the ground will appreciate the extent and varied conditions in- cluded within this territory. I am expecting each season, however, to learn that the bird is now found in that same locality. It is scarcely ten years since the more ob- serving farmers in this section began to notice this new bird in their meadows. Its cheery “ CHIP, CHIP, CHEE, CHEE, CHEE, CHEE” (empha- sized on the second and third notes), from the topmost bough of some lone tree, is in fact apt to attract the attention of one who happens near. It has, during the past four years, been quite abundant here. Arriving rather late in spring, it builds its nest of grasses, collected near at hand, either upon the ground or fas- tened among the swaying clover stems a few inches above, where the four light blue, round- ish oval eggs are placed. I have found the young ready to leave the nest by June 20, and on about the same date have taken only slightly incubated sets of eggs. We may conclude, therefore, that they nest from the latter half of May through June. As is the case with many of our meadow nesters, great numbers of nests of the Dickcissel 50 THE NIDOLOGIST are annually destroyed in haying time. I once saw a female bird of this species sitting upon a freshly raked windrow of hay, and upon ap- proaching the spot happened to notice a dainty blue egg where she had been resting. The nest and incomplete set had undoubtedly been broken up and the poor mother forced to de- posit her treasure, unprotected, upon the bunch of drying hay. It is also the case, as with most species which are apparently extending their regular habitat, that the Dickcissel seems to be irregu- larly distributed and local in its abundance in our State. L. WHITNEY WATKINS. An Albino Junco. Epiror NiIpo.ocisv?. Dear Sir: On November 23, 1895, I shot a pure white Junco (/unco hyemalis), from a flock of twelve or fifteen birds. This is the first albimo Snowbird I have ever seen. It was pure white; legs and feet were much lighter than usual. The bird was taken within our city limits. J. B. Neat. Easton, Pa. Hen Theory Applied to Thrashers. Epiror NIpoLocist. Dear Sir: I would like to answer, through your columns, Mr. William H. Fisher’s query in August Nipotocisr. In his article, entitled “A Persistent Brown Thrasher,” he states he took three eggs from a Brown Thrasher’s nest, and while he was packing them the female re- turned and sat upon the nest, and, flushing her again, he found a fourth egg, all highly mcu- bated. Your explanation is good, that ‘‘ there is no law laid down which permits a bird to lay an incubated egg,” but when you say, “ Mr. Fisher must be mistaken in the number of eggs he saw,” I cannot agree with you on //a¢ solution of the problem, as a collector is supposed to count “four” correctly. My theory is, that there weve four eggs in the nest; and, when Mr. Fisher flushed the bird, one egg stuck to her feathers owing to the presence of some sticky substance (accidentally acquired by contact therewith), and when she returned and settled into the nest this egg became de- tached. I think this explanation reasonable from the fact that Mr. Fisher says the bird hopped only six inches from the nest and stood watching him; consequently her actions were not violent enough to loosen the egg supposed to be hang- ing to her feathers; and again, I give you an almost parallel case, which ought to be the clincher to this case—namely, I have seen hens walking or running about with an egg fas- tened to their feathers, in several instances. D. A. CoHEN. Alameda, Cal. — > > Cooper Ornithological Club. HE monthly meeting of the Club was held in San Francisco, November 2. Four new members were elected: P. K. Gilman, of Palo Alto, and the following, on recommenda- tion of the Annex: W. S. Cobleigh and O. W. Howard, of Los Angeles, and Clifford H. Wood, of Pasadena. Mr. Claude Fyfe was present as a visitor. The evening was given to the reading of a paper by A. W. Anthony, entitled NOTES FROM THE COLORADO DESERT. On the 21st of March of the present year Mr. Anthony, in company with Mr. F. Stephens, left Witch Creek for a short expedition through the southwestern part of the Colorado Desert. The season was an early one, vegetation being at least a week in advance of normal seasons. The range was crossed at Julian, and the first camp made in the lower end cf San Felipe Valley, where the creosote bush and catclaw were the most common plants. Tricolored Blackbirds and Cassin’s Kingbirds were migra- ting, and Zonotrichia and Lincoln’s Finches were observed in the catclaw. A number of Cas- sin’s Finches flew by in company with the com- mon House Finch, coming from the lower regions to their breeding grounds in the pines. Several old nests of the Verdin were noted, but no birds were seen. Leaving San Felipe Valley in the forenoon of the 22d, a drive was made to the Indian Wells, the altitude being 1,600 feet. Large flocks of White-bellied, Barn, Cliff, and Violet- green Swallows were flying in scattered flocks to the northwest, and every bend in the canyon was sought as a protection against the gale which was blowing. ‘The flocks ranged from four to fifty, and the Cliff and White-bellied Swallows formed about eighty per cent of the whole number. In San Felipe Canyon the vege- tation assumed a typical desert aspect. Oc7zl/os, fouquiera, agave, yucca, and the various species of cactus formed the chief growth. Scott’s Oriole, Baird’s Woodpecker, Cactus Wrens, and Verdins were allcommon. And here amid the barren rocks, miles from the nearest pines was found the Plumed Partridge in comparative abundance. A few Black-throated Sparrows sang from the ocofz/los, but were scarce. ‘The Sage Sparrow was not met, it being only a win- ter resident in thisregion. March 23 was spent in investigating the country about the wells in San Felipe Canyon, Several Verdins and Phainopeplas were taken, and the females showed that incubation had begun. ‘Three species of Gnatcatchers were shot—Plumbeous, Western Blue-gray, and the Black-tailed. The Plumbeous was evidently incubating. A single Western Yellow-throat was met and Bullock’s, Arizona Hooded, and Scott’s Orioles lit for a short time in the ironwood trees near by. The latter were very shy. Other species met with were Least and Warbling Vireos and Wilson’s Warbler. The 24th was spent in tray- eling to Borego Springs, Brewer’s Sparrows being common along the way. - Just at sun- set the clear, soft call note of Leconte’s Thrasher was heard from far across the plain, but a search the next morning failed to reveal the bird. A few Plumbeous Gnatcatchers were seen, and a nest of the Verdin containing four incubated eggs was found in a catclaw. In an arroyo east of Borego the perpendicular cliffs of hard clay offer nesting sites for Say’s Phoebe. One or two White-throated Swifts were dashing about as if contemplating nesting in some of the ledges later on. It was in this arroyo that Mr. Stephens dug two Swifts out of a hole March 23, 1890, but was too early for eggs. Travel was resumed to Salt Creek, a water hole, about fifteen miles south of the southern end of Salton Lake. The valley was a mile or more in width, covered with a scattered growth of chollas and creosote brush. A few mesquite trees of rather large size grew along the wash, and were carefully scanned for a possible nest of Leconte’s Thrasher. About five miles east of Borego a Thrasher flew across the wash from a large mesquite and was secured, proving to be a fine adult male. A nest and four eggs of this Thrasher were tound near by, which had evi- dently been abandoned for several days. Three of the eggs were pipped, and the nest was very large, just filling a large-sized water pail, in which it was packed. Its composition was almost entirely thorny mesquite twigs with a scant lining of grass, and was supported by a number of small branches about four feet from the ground. A nest and six badly incubated eggs of California Shrike were taken from a mesquite. Mockingbirds were very common all along the route, and among their many ac- complishments they one and all had acquired the notes of the Pinon Jay. It seemed to be a favorite with them and was rendered with won- derful precision. As the Mockingbirds are hardly expected to reach the coniferous belt the theory is advanced that the note was learned by a few Mockingbirds from a wandering flock of Jays, and the others had picked up the call from them. THE NIDOLOGIST 31 On the 26th birds were scarce, only a few Zonotrichia tyrannus and an occasional Mock- ingbird being noted. A few miles farther on.a pair of Leconte’s Thrashers flew from a thick mesquite, separating and running through the low, scrubby brush at a wonderful rate, only one bird being secured. The next few days were given to collecting in what was once the bed of the Gulf of Califor- nia. The country was very sandy, large sand dunes being the principal objects of attraction. A pair of Thrashers were flushed from a sand drift and secured, both proving to be young, though fully grown, Near by a female was shot, which contained a clutch of three eggs about to be deposited. In two days spent about Salt Creek the following species were noted: Tur- key Vulture, Swainson’s Hawk, Cinnamon Teal, Great Blue Heron, Black-crowned Night Heron, and Mockingbird. a nae Our advertising pages are crowding a little and suggest a possible enlargement. It is a puzzling mat- ter sometimes at present to make room for illustra- tions we have in hand. THE NIDOLOGIST 53 [Publications for review should be sent to Dr. R. W. Suuretpt, Associate in Zoology, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D. C.} PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED. BAKER, FRANK Couns. A Naturalist in Mexico, being a Visit to Cuba, Northern Yucatan, and Mexico. With maps and illustrations. Sm. 8vo, cloth. Pp. 1-145. Chicago, 1895. [From The Chicago Acad- emy of Sciences. ] LEVERKtHN, Paut. Vogelschutz in England. Mit einer Tafel. (Sonderabdruck aus der ‘‘ Ornithol. Monatsschrift des Deutschen Vereins zum Schutze der Vogelwelt.” Jahrg. 1894. Nr. 1-11.) Halle, 1895. [From the author.] LEVERKUHN, PAu. TZodesanzeigen. VII1 and IX. Tid. Jahrg. 1895. Nr. 6,9. [From the author.] TownsenD, C. H. Birds from Cocos and Malpelo Islands, with Notes on Petrels obtained at Sea. Bull. Mus. Comp. Zoél. Harvard Coll. Vol. XXVII, No. 3, Art. xvii. Pp.121-126. Two colored plates. [Not numbered.] Cambridge, Mass., U. S. A., July, 1895. [From the author. ] Bulletin of the British Ornithologists’ Club, No. XXTX, and Chairman's Address on Opening the Fourth Ses- sion of the British Ornithologists’ Club, 1895. [Both from Mr. Howard Saunders, F.Z.S., Secretary of the Club.] E.uiot, DANIEL GrraAuD, F.R.S.E., etc. orth American Shore Birds, Francis P. Harper, New York, 1895. Illustrated by Edwin Sheppard. Pp. 1-287. Crown 8vo, cloth. [From the publisher. ] The A. O, U. Check-List of North American Birds. Second and Revised Edition. Issued by the American Ornithologists’ Union. L. S. Foster, New York, 1895. Pp. i-xi, 1-372. 8vo, cloth. [From the publisher. | The Feather. Vol. 1, No.2. November, 1895. The American Monthly Microscopical Fournal. XVI, No. 11. November, 1895. Popular Science News. December, 1895. The American Field, November, 1895. Forest and Stream. November, 1895. Shooting and Fishing. November, 1895. Baker: 4 Naturalist in Mexico, being a Visit to Cuba, Northern Yucatan, and Mexico. In this little volume we have presented us a popular account of a Mexican expedition, compiled from the notebook of the author and naturalist that accompanied it. Weare left some- what in doubt as to the year that this expedition was entered upon or completed, but nevertheless we are told in the preface that ‘‘ the tour which forms its sub- ject was undertaken under the auspices of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, the author acting as Zodlogist. The expedition was under the leader- ship of Professor Angelo Heilprin, Curator-in-charge of the Philadelphia Academy, and its object was to collect data and specimens illustrating the fauna, flora, and geology of Yucatan and Southern Mexico, with a consideration of the high mountain peaks of the Mexi- can Plateau. For full accounts concerning the scien- tific portion of the expedition, the reader is respectfully referred to the Proceedings of the above academy from 1890 to 1895.’ From this it would appear that Vol. the expedition must have been made some time prior to 1890, and closed early in 1895. In his narrative Mr. Baker has attempted to link together matters of science, matters of history, and matters of descriptive detail, and in the majority of instances throughout the work he has very well succeeded in doing this, and in astyle to fully interest the reader. Two or three sketchy outline maps serve to help out the text, and show the route taken by the exploring party. Fur- thermore, the volume is embellished by the addition of numerous half-tone plates, made from the photo- graphs taken of cities visited, peoples seen, and vari- ous other subjects of interest. The pen and ink sketches made by the author had better, perhaps, been omitted in most cases, as they are greatly lacking in artistic beauty, and but illy compare with the really very creditable half-tone plates that are given. The work especially interested the present reviewer, as a number of the places in Cuba, Yucatan, and Mexico had been visited by mein former years. Mr. Baker's notes on what he saw in the city of Havana, Cuba, are very good, and the same may be said for Vera Cruz. Very tempting sketches of the shores and forests that were visited along the line of the route are given; but unfortunately the descriptions of the birds seen, or even what they were, are altogether too vague. It is only occasionally, however, that we catch Mr. Baker in downright error in his book, as, for example, when describing the Mammal Hall of the Museo Nacional of the City of Mexico, he says of Hyrax capensis, that ‘*‘ this animal, from Australia, is exceedingly rare, but few museums possessing speci- mens of it(p.95). Now, Hyvax capensis is an Afri- can animal, and not especially uncommon in the col- lections of the larger museums of the world. Mr. Baker, on page 141, makes a remarkable state- ment about the Black Vultures of Vera Cruz (Catha- vista atrata), namely, ‘‘ There is one mystery in regard to these birds which naturalists are trying to solve, namely, their breeding place. No one knows where they go to build their nests and rear their young.” Of course, the breeding habits of these birds within the limits of the United States are well known, and doubtless the Black Vultures of Vera Cruz possess similar ones, that is, they nest on the ground in the forests beyond the city limits. R.W.S LEVERKUHN: On Vogelschutz in England. The dis- tinguished author of this work has devoted himself to several departments of Ornithology during past years, and yery recently I have been favored with a large number of reprints of his works in these fields. Pro- fessor Leverkiihn has proved himself especially active in the matter of bird protection and everything that pertains thereto. He has had his attention directed to this subject in many of the countries of Europe, and he has accomplished a great deal of good by agi- tating the entire question. In the present memoir the whole matter of bird protection and the killing of birds in England is taken up and handled in a more or less exhaustive manner. Various acts of the Brit- ish Parliament from 1869 and on, passed with the view of protecting sea fowl and land birds, are dis- cussed in their many bearings, and these acts include the Pease’s Bill of 1880. His words bring the case directly home to ourselves, and it is very sure that in certain, and perhaps in all, quarters our birds can only be efficiently protected by acts of Congress, and these at all times most rigidly enforced. R. W. S. TownsEND: On Birds from Cocos and Malpelo Islands, with Notes on Petrels obtained at Sea, is a memoir well worthy of notice. It constitutes one of the ‘‘ Reports on the Dredging Operations off the West Coast of 54 THE NIDOLOGIST Central America to the Galapagos, to the West Coast of Mexico, and in the Gulf of California, in charge of Alexander Agassiz, carried on by the United States Fish Commission Steamer 4Jlbatvoss, during 1891, Lieutenant Commander Z. L. Tanner, U. S. N., Commanding.” Ornithologically speaking, not a lit- tle interest attaches to Cocos Island, and previous to the time of the Albatross calling there on the 28th of February, 1891, nothing was known of its birds be- yond the fact that the peculiar Cuckoo described as Coccyzus ferrugineus, by Gould, was a representative of probably its non-abundant Ornis. A specimen of this form in 1840 was obtained by one of the collectors on board of H. M.S. Sud/phur, during her voyage in those seas. Mr. Townsend tells us that “Cocos Island is about 275 miles distant from Costa Rica, in latitude five degrees, thirty-two minutes, fifty-seven seconds N., longitude eighty-seven degrees, two min- utes, ten, seconds W. It occupies a position nearly midway between the mainland and the islands of the Galapagos group, and with the exception of Malpelo Island, an inaccessible barren rock off the Gulf of Panama, is the only connecting point of land. Like the Galapagos Islands, it is of volcanic origin, and has received its peculiar animal and vegetable forms from the mainland. The American origin of the forms of life upon the Galapagos Islands was demon- strated by Darwin, who made researches there more than halfa century ago. It appears from a study of the birds alone that Cocos Island is similarly a satel- lite of America, with the added interest of being a stepping-stone to the group of islands beyond it, some of whose Ornithological features it bears.” We all remember the interest Darwin took in the av7fauna of the Galapagos Islands, and how well he pointed out the extraordinary variations existing among its bird forms It has been found difficult to separate them specifically, and in this matter the birds collected by the Albatross have only served to show that the inti- macy is even closer than wasat first supposed. No- where in the world is the gradual intergradation of bird forms more striking than it is upon the Galapagos Islands; and, as we all know, a great deal of decided interest has been written upon this important subject. A thorough search for birds on Cocos Island unfor- tunately could not be made by the 4/éatross, especially in the more elevated central part of the island, but the three additional genera (and species) of land birds collected convinced Mr. Townsend of the ornitho- logical relationship between it and the Galapagos. ‘The island is about four miles long by three wide, its central part having an elevation of about 1,700 feet. It iseverywhere covered with the densest forest. Cocoanut trees are found upon the higher slopes, and tree ferns abound in the ravines. No tropical forest could be more dense and tangled. The rainfall is, doubtless, great, as each ravine contains a dashing stream. It is a garden spot in comparison with the arid Galapagos Islands.” Two specimens of Dendroica aureola were obtained, as well as the new genus Co- cornis, represented by the new species C. agassizi. This bird is fully described and figured in colors ona plate. This has likewise been done in the case of Nesotriccus rvidgwayi, still another new genus and species. Two specimens of Coceyzus ferrugineus were taken; and among the water birds, four specimens of Anous stolidus. A specimen of Szla was also found to be abundant, but was not identified. At Malpelo Island four specimens of Creagrus furcatus were taken, and Mr. Townsend briefly presents the history of this very rare Gull. Upon this voyage quite a number of Petrels were obtained at sea; these are tersely described in this re- port, and are referred to Oceanodroma cryptoleucuera, O. melania, Halocyplena microsoma, Procellaria tethys, and Puffinus tenebrosus. R. W. S. Bulletin of the British Ornithologists Club. Through the courtesy of Mr. Howard Saunders, F.Z.S., I have received Bulletin No. XXIX of this very active organization, as well as a copy of the Chair- man’s Address on Opening the Fourth Session of the Club in 1895. The issue of the Azdletin now under consideration appeared October 31, 1895, or eight days after the Club’s twenty-eighth meeting, which took place at Restaurant Frascati, 32 Oxford Street, London. Dr. P. L. Sclater, F.R.S., was chairman on the occasion, and a number of distinguished members and visitors were present, including Sir William Flower, Sir Henry Howorth, Dr. R. Bowdler Sharpe (Editor of the Club), Mr. Henry Seebohm, Mr. How- ward Saunders (Treasurer of the Club), Messrs. W. B. Tegetmeier, W.R. Ogilvie Grant, Captain Shelley, and others. The financial condition of the society isin a very satisfactory state, and Dr. Sclater gave his an- nual address, which is separately printed, and will be noticed further on. Some very interesting Ornitho- logical papers were discussed at this meeting, and Mr. W. R. Ogilvie Grant exhibited specimens of some new species of birds sent by Mr. John Whitehead from the Philippines, and also described a new Proparus from Manipur and the Naga Hills, which he proposed to call P. azstent. Captain Shelley described three new species of African Barbets, and Mr Henry Seebohm anew species of Eagle-Owl from Sidemi, in the Ussuri Country, East Siberia. This species he proposed to call Budo doerriest. Inter2sting remarks were made by Dr. Sharpe on the type specimen of Azadyornis woodwardt from Natal, which he was convinced was only an example of Sy/via simplex in greenish plum- age. An important paper was read by Mr. H. J. Pear- son on the Ornithological results of his 1895 expedition to Kolgney and Novaya Zemlya, and this account will be continued at the next meet of the Club, which will be on the 20th of November, 1895, at the same place. On that occasion, too, Mr. Howard Saunders, one of the Delegates to the International Congress held in Paris for the Protection of Birds useful to Agriculture, will give some account of the proceed- ings; and his colleague, Sir Herbert Maxwell, Bart., M. P., will be present as a visitor. Dr. Sclater, in his address as Chairman, first invited attention to the losses Ornithology has sustained by death of British workers. Chief among these stood Henry Thorton Wharton, who was the active and efficient Secretary of the Committee for the preparation of the B. O. U. List of British Birds, published in 1883, and he was General Editor of that work. Attention was also called to the deaths of Lieutenant Henry E. Barnes, F.Z.S.; and to Ernst Baumann. ‘‘ Baumann was a young and energetic collector, who had worked hard at the birds of the German Colony of Togoland, on the West Coast of Africa, and had added upward of one hundred species to its avifawuna.” Continuing, Dr. Sclater said that he thought the year 1896 would see the completion of the British Museum catalogue of birds; he also pointed out the great works that were soon to appear, referring to Count Salvadori’s volume on the Anseres, Tizamz, and other lower avian orders; to the joint volume of Mr. Saunders (on the Laride) and Mr. Salvin (on the Yudinares); to Dr. Sharps’s work on the Waders, which is nearly com- pleted; and to the catalogue on the Divers, Pelicans, Cormorants, and Herons, by the same distinguished Ornithologist. Mention was also made of Captain Shelley’s magnificent and complete Catalogue of Afri- can Birds now passing through the press, and ‘‘I may also express a hope, which I am sure will be joined in by all Ornithologists, that Captain Bendire’s Life Histories of North American Birds, of which the first part was published in 1892. will be continued and completed. Such a work is just what we require for a better understanding of the Nearctic Ornis.” In the body of his address Dr. Sclater invited attention to the lands as yet but little explored by the scientific Ornithologist, and the truly remarkable birds that still remained in them unknown to science. This part of the address was extremely interesting. “In concluding my remarks I will again urge upon you the great want of a convenient handbook on the anatomy of birds,” and after commenting to some ex- tent upon this subject the hope was held out that Mr. Beddard and Mr. Chalmers Mitchell will undertake and complete such a formidable task, R. W. S. THE second issue of 7ke Feather has come to hand, and its pages are stamped with an excellence of a high order. Some of the cuts and figures are brilliantly reproduced, and it contains a mass of interesting items and short articles. Among these is a good one on the ‘‘American Turkey,” illustrated by three figures; others are devoted to the Goldfinch, the Blue Jay, the Song Thrush of Europe, and several minor contribu- tions. It will be of interest to Ornithologists to learn that Dr. F. H. Knowlton, of the United States Na- tional Museum, and an associate member of the American Ornithologists’ Union, ‘‘has accepted a chair on the editorial staff of 7e Feather, and, be- ginning with the December number, will have exclu- sive charge of the bird department.” Certainly a better man could not have been selected. THE December (1895) issue of Popular Science News comes to us very much enlarged and improved. It is brimful of scientific items, presented in a popular style, calculated to interest the general reader and ex- tend the boundaries of common knowledge and infor- mation. Now, this is an extremely important field to occupy, and the journal that can successfully fill the place of a medium between strict technical science on the one hand, and the popular mind on the other, is performing a work of the greatest usefulness possible. Indeed, it is chiefly through such media that we can hope for general enlightenment of the people, and a universal circulation of knowledge among men. But such a calling is full of danger, and it ought to be well appreciated, especially the responsibility assumed by the organ that stands guard over the conduit that passes the popularized material garnered from the coffers of science, to the minds of the masses, where it is intended to further the ends of education. It de- volves upon that organ to see well to it that none but the strictest facts slip through, none but what will bear truth’s most brilliant illumination, and these couched in language so simple that even the most ordi- nary mind will be capable of receiving and assimila- ting them. We sometimes fear that our worthy con- temporary is a little derelict in such matters, and when I say this, I refer to the issue of the Popular Science News for December. Here, in the column entitled *‘Science Gossip,” on page 192, we meet with no less than eighteen statements made, and that with the intention of conveying scientific information to the people To bear out what I have just said per- mit me to give an example of one or two of these. It is there said, for instance, that ‘‘the only quadruped that lays eggs is the Ornithorhynchus, of Australia.” This is ot true, for Echidva does the same thing. Again it is there said. that ‘‘the smallest bird isa species of Hummingbird common in Mexico and Central America. It is not quite so large as a blue- THE NIDOLOGIST 55 bottle fly.” The smallest Hummingbird known to science has a total length of two inches and three eighths of an inch. There may be ** bluebottle flies” as big as this, but—we've never seen them! Itis one of the most pernicious things that we can do, is to start a wrong tidea about anything, for a wrong idea once started may deceive its thousands before it can again be eradicated from the minds of the people, and this is very bad from every educational point of view that we know anything about. There is a very excellent article in this number of the Mews, by Professor Charles H. Coe, entitled ‘““The Great Vulture of the Andes,” and what Pro- fessor Coe says in it about the propriety of securing alive Condor for the National Zodlogical Gardens, and better specimens for the United States National Museum, is only too true and should be acted upon. R. W. S. Ex.uior: North American Shore Birds is the title of a charming work, which the author describes as ‘‘a reference book for the naturalist, sportsman, and lover of birds.” Elliot’s valuable monographs of the Grouse, Pheasants, Birds of Paradise, etc., are famil- iar to all Ornithologists, and this, his first work of a more popular character, on a subject so happily chosen, cannot fail to be welcomed most heartily. The book is embellished richly with over seventy full- page plates, drawn by Mr. Edwin Sheppard, of the Philadelphia Academy of Natural Sciences. The au- thor has made a special study of the Zimico/e, and writes very pleasingly of their habits, as he has ob- served them in extensive travels, extending from Alaska to Rio Janeiro. Technical terms are avoided as far as possible, and the glossary, a ‘‘map” of a bird, with the terms used in describing it clearly indi- cated, and a key to the families and genera will prove valuable aids tothe sportsman or amateur student of birds. The letterpress is in the best style. We pre- dict for this work the large sale which it undoubtedly merits. Isla kes alls THE new and a long-looked-for A. O. U. Check-List of North American Birds has just been issued. This second and revised edition of the Check-List repre- sents the results of the careful labors of the committee appointed by the Union, consisting of Elliott Coues, J. A. Allen, Robert Ridgway, William Brewster, and H. W. Henshaw. Zhe Code of Nomenclature, pub- lished separately in 1892, has been omitted, but the new edition includes all the additions and changes in nomenclature made in the several supplements since the publication of the original edition. The ‘* habi- tats’’ of the species and subspecies have been carefully revised. Following the ‘‘ Hypothetical List” a list of the fossil birds of North America has been appended. Twenty-six pages are covered in the comprehensive index, including both the scientific and common names. The new Cfeck-List will be practically in- valuable to all working Ornithologists. It is supposed that it will stand, without another edition, for fully ten years to come. He Roe > + > READY FOR MAILING.—We will send copies of this number of THE NIDOLOGIST, postpaid, to any address for ten cents each; six for fifty cents; or will supply any quantity desired in envelopes ready for mailing. One dollar, sent for a new subscription, will pay for six extra copies of this issue and the magazine for a year, besides the two premium plates free of all charge. I CONGRATULATE you on the excellent magazine you are giving us. It is a thing of beauty, conse- quently a joy forever. E. E. BREWSTER. 56 THE NIDOLOGIST THE NIDOLOGIST. AN ILLUSTRATED MONTHLY MAGAZINE DEVOTED TO THE STUDY OF ORNITHOLOGY, With Special Reference to the NIDIFICATION OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. H. R. TAYLOR, Editor and Publisher, Associated with Dr. R. W. SHUFELDT. WE EXPOSE FRAUDS. Official Organ Cooper Ornithological Club of the Pacific Coast. Subscription (in advance), 6 6 d 0 : $1.00 (Foreign subscribers add 12 cents for postage.) Single Copies. 15 cents Remit bills, money order, draft, or check. The Magazine is not sent after subscriptions have expired. OUR AGENTS. Swann & Co., 1 & 2 Bouverie Street, Fleet Street, London, E. C. Catirornra—O. Bartow, of Santa Clara, is our agent, and can receive subscriptions, advertisements, furnish terms, papers, etc. Cotorapo—FreperioK M. Dixie, 406 MePhee Building, Denver, is our accredited agent for the middle West. Canapa—Henry O. Trounog, 14 Collier Street, Toronto, is our Canadian agent. Original contributions, with or without illustrations, are desired. ADVERTISING RATES FURNISHED. OFFICE OF PUBLICATION, 150 FIFTH AVENUE, NEW YORK OITY. Entered at the New York Post Office as mail matter of the second class. Tue NrIpoLocist has h~4 its 7 knocked out, but re- covers with a smiling face from the effects of the blow. YOUR paper is a beauty, and your premium offers very generous. CLIFFORD E. WHITE. Springfield, Ill. THE NipoLocisr deserves the support of every bird-loving naturalist of this country. Madison, Minn. ALBERT LANO. I AM astonished at the wonderful improvement you have made in your journal during the past six months, and shall be more than pleased to be one of its read- ers for 1896. FREDERICK HILL. Lyme, Conn. THE excellent photographs we published in the Sep- tember number of young Killdeer, Burrowing Owl, and Barred Owl with their nests and eggs, were taken by Mr. E. S. Cheney, of South Dakota, and not by Otto Emerson, from whom, however, we secured them for THE NIboOLoGisT. THE publishers of the Waturalist and Collector, of Abington, Ill., request us to announce their suspen- sion, caused by lack of sufficient support. Publishing a natural history paper is an alluring buc difficult task, requiring a boundless amount of money, faith, and good humor, together with some ability. Because a paper is a good thing it does not follow that it will grow and succeed. The good often die young. REGARDING a recent shipment of handsome eggs of the Terns, Shearwaters, Yellow-billed Tropic Birds, and others, which we have received for our premium department, Captain D. P. Ingraham writes: ‘‘ I think you will be pleased with my selection, as I never have before sent out as fine a lot of eggs.” Mr. ALBERT LANO’s address is Madison, Minn., not Wisconsin, as we erroneously published it. You publish an excellent magazine. It was worth the $1.50. J. Y. STANTON, PLATE of Water Ouzel’s nest just received. It is an interesting picture and a fine premium. Mingen, O. L. B. GILMORE. YouR paper is worth the amount without any premium. ALFRED MIERS. Walkerville, Ontario. I HAVE been much pleased with your magazine during the year. E. G. ELuior. Bradford, Mass. D. D. Stone, of Lansingburg, N. Y., left early in December for Florida, where he will spend several months in collecting. A SALE has recently been made of Mr. William Dutcher’s specimen of the Labrador Duck, we are in- formed, to Rothschild, the price being $1,000. I AM sure you would have no difficulty in holding your present subscribers at the price you ask without any premium. F. L. Burns. Berwyn, Pa. Mr. RicHarp C. McGREGOR has gone to Panama on a collecting trip with Dr. Gilbert and several students of Stanford University. The party will be gone three months. Dr. A.G. PRILL, of Sodaville, Ore., has presented his collections of birds, nests, and eggs to the Park Museum, of San Francisco, of which Mr. C. P. Wil- comb is Curator. J. WARREN JAcoBs, of Waynesburg, Pa., writes of THE Nipo.ocist: ‘* Each number is received and read with pleasure, keeping up my enthusiasm and desire to study Nature’s free lessons.” W. W. Price's collection of 2,740 bird skins has been sold to the California Academy of Sciences, sup- plying very much needed material from the southern border of Arizona and New Mexico. To get a dollar from me is the easiest thing in the world. All you have to do is to drop me a postal that my subscription has expired and you will get one every time E. HousEeMAN. Calgary, Canada. GEORGE W. Farco, Jr., of Kaukauna, Wis., writes us that he has noticed the decrease in the number of Bluebirds in his vicinity during several years past. No nests had been discovered in the last four years. A pair of Bluebirds were seen in the spring of 1893, but none in 1895. “THREE BrirRDS, ONE STONE.”—Introduce THE NIDOLOGIST to some friend and you accomplish three things: first, you do him a favor; second, you help yourself as a reader in assisting us to increase the sup- port of the magazine and improve it; third, you do us a favor, and thereby show that you appreciate our efforts in the interests of Ornithology and Odlogy. iti THE NIDOLOGIST Orrer EXTRAORDINARY. <>? > o> A Book of over 400 pages, highly illustrated with over 100 half-tones and photo-engravings, all for a mere trifle. This is all The Museum cost for’95. The second volume, commencing with the November num- ber, starts off as usual with 21illustrations, and the December number will contain fully 25. The year’s number will contain over double the number of illustrations in Volume I, and the text will increase in interest as sure as the age of the journal increases. While we are not wholly “ Ornithological,” still the tastes of the editor run in that channel and subscribers can be assured of a good big dollar's worth of “ Ornithological News.” We offer you Che Museum for’96, commencing with the November, ‘95, number, for $1.00, and give you as premium a leather bound copy of my Ornithologists’ and Oologists’ Manual, the standard list used by collectors in exchanging. > > A complete list of all North American Birds, giv- ing prices of their eggs and skins, which are the standard prices used by over four-fifths of the col- lectors throughout the country. The arrangement is according to the A. O. U. list, and after each name is Ridgway’s number. Both Common and Scientific Names are given, in different size type. A large list of Mammal Skins, with both common and scientific names, and prices of specimens ; also of Reptiles. Then follows a table, giving the approximate number of eggs considered a full set of every family of birds in the U.S. This is of special value to those beginning the study of Odlogy. Complete and exhaustive directions for making Scientific Bird and Mammal Skins, and preparing Some of its contents are as follows: wb. specimens for the cabinet. Instructions for col- lecting, preparing, and preserving birds’ eggs and nests, tools needed, various recipes recommended and valuable information about making cabinets for specimens. Complete list of Taxidermists’ Instruments, Sup- plies, and Requisites. Our noted convex glasses with plush backs, oil paintings and frames to go with same, animal heads, etc. Odlogists’ Instruments and Supplies. Standard prices adopted by most of the well-known Taxider- mists throughout the country for mounting birds, making bird skins, mounting mammals, mammal heads, fishes, making rugs, etc. A large and com- plete list of books, making in all a neat little Man- ual, 44x6} inches. Fust the right size to carry tn the pocket. Wrap $1.00 bill up with your order, say you saw it in the “ Nrp” and enclose to WALTER F. WEBB, Albion, N. Y., - or, - Keokuk, Iowa, And “We'll do the rest.” TO WESTERN COLLECTORS. I have opened an office at 917 Main Street, Keokuk, Iowa, where a_ complete line of Naturalists’ Supplies, books, etc., will be kept in stock at all times, Before sending halfway across the continent write me, address- ing simply Keokuk, Iowa, and the matter will have prompt attention. We also shall have in stock at our Western Branch the largest stock of shells, minerals, and fossils ever seen in that section of the country. Give usa trial, THERE IS YET TIM Read ‘The Nidologist’s” Offers. SHOWY, DESIRABLE OF EGGS P Collected by Capt. D. P. INGRAHAM, first-class in every respect, and with full data. “ SETS” Audubon’s Shearwater 4........... $1 50 Sent for one subscription, Man-o'-War ae 4, S1.00 ) _ Noddy Tern SOM oe ROMA 1.50 Z Sue stor one subscription. Sooty Tern 4, ) § 2 , 1 Tego cnt eee UN 1.50 €abot’s Tern 4, | ; Sent fee one subscription. 3ridled n4 rt Cae cab sso 1.50 Sent for one subscription. Audubon’s Shearwater 4, Man-o'-War Bird 4, Seas ee 2 86 Louisiana Heron 4, Sent for two subscriptions. fellow-billed Tropic Bird + Teton ree yg t BS aie 2.86 Sent for two ye Anudubon's Shearwater 4, ) Booby (Svla szlix) $ Sent for nee subscriptions. ‘ advantage oe these great offers. to the wise.’ N. B.—Inclose six two-cent stamps for postage and packing on eggs, and four two- — Remit just now; to cent stamps for same on the plates, H. R. TAYLOR, Publisher. We will send you the best and only Illustrated Monthly Mag. azine of Bird Life a whole year, $1.50 worth of handsome Birds’ Eggs in “sets,” a coupon good for 50 words in exchange or sale column, and Two Elegant Proof Plates for Beas all worth, Be lowest, "$3. 50, FOR ONTLY $1.00. i IMPORTANT. ~ Remember, every subscriber is entitled to the fifty words in the exchange column, and ae the two (2) beautiful plates go with each offer. We have a good supply, but it won't last forever—‘*‘ A word THE NIDOLOGIST, 150 Fifth Avenue, New York. ne Sample Copy sent for 10c. None free. we THEN THE PLATES.’ me WATER OUZEL'S NEST.—A oa ing picture for framing. Everyone delighted with it, : ste ’—J. H. Bow es. Cis “Tt isa beauty.” wooD PEWEES AND NEST.— Nest and living wild birds, life-size. “One of the best pictures of bird life I have ever seen.”’—Oxive THORNE MILLER. Ks These elegant hand proofs are on heavy. plate paper, 9 x 13 mches, and will make valuable ane rich additions to the wall of your — museum or “den.” The plates are worth — ee 50 cents each. They are objects of art. We simply priced them at 25 cents and stick to it. The /Wustrated London News asks $1 each for fine ‘‘ proof ” plates of its pictures. We can’t give you a $3 paper for 25 cents, but we can, and will, give you all of these premiums- FREE, It’s a_ business proposi-_ tion. You profit (just now) by our great and | unprecedented offers in order to at once ex- tend our circulation. By and by you will simply have to have the magazine and will pay the regular price, without any premium. — Delay means a loss to you. Present subcribers may renew ahead to take & = S \ SS at Rss Dr. R.W:SHUFELDT OF THE | LisHERL, a Am WS) *\ssociATED Ab CG» iN © with AWN & Sy Ze = vB ICATIGN: 150 FIFTH AVENUE | NEw York CITY. No. 6 February toy ofS Leet = i ure i Nat! d ery 3 Bx r 4 wees FE se ie ee ae he _ THE NIDO : CR eer ae ees a - a oc nr a eel carla ap a ean Kb. - —- a CONTENTS, Cae More about Alnimal, Photography. (Ulustrated)) sj...) sate eiolete ofesctele tate vlnicls atae!-tcie/sicyeists Dr. R. W. Shufeldt Wii p=poor-wallsNotesis.; (s.> Whip-=poor-=will Notes. HILE sitting on a stump, before day- light on May 1, 1895, I listened to the bird voices that came to me from the hillsides and ravines that surrounded me. Silent within myself, and soothed by the twi- light and the breath of the night wind that swept softly through the trees; breathing the fragrance of the forest, those subtle odors of budding and blooming life, of wild plum blos- soms and the pink-tinted blooms of the wild crab, that pearl among our wild fruit trees; the spicy perfume of the ferns that grew in rank profusion on the steep slopes beside me; the scented breath from herb and shrub and tree, breaking forth into 7zav¢ growth at the call of April’s sun and showers—it seemed the little for- est glen was almost a paradise. High overhead could be heard the voices of Martins as they circled through the darkness, while from every direction, trembling through the “dim aisles of the woods,” came the songs of the Whip-poor- wills. In the midst of these beautiful surround- ings, the prosaic notebook and pencil were busy. At first all songs heard were the usual ones of the Whip-poor-wills; soon after, from a neigh- boring ravine, came a song so remarkable that my attention was instantly directed toward it. It resembled the ordinary song in all respects, ex- cept in having between each “ whip-poor-will ” a “cluck,” sounding as though a dry log was struck by a tack hammer. I soon found that the “ cluck ”’ followed the phrase, but was near- est the following, thus: “Whip-poor-will—cluck; whip-poor-will—cluck; whip-poor-will,” etc. This was about four o’clock. Soon after, a Whip-poor-will lit just opposite me, in the top of a dead tree which spanned the ravine. A moment’s silence, and then began the song above described. Searching the place as care- fully as I could with an opera glass, I could see no trace of the singer, though the gray outlines of the log and the dead branches were fairly distinct. After singing for some time, he sud- denly ceased. Then came what was to me a most extraordinary performance. ‘There came a continuous stream of low guttural notes, re- sembling “ kaw-kaw-kaw-kaw-kaw-kaw,” etc., with occasional harsh notes, “ kuk-uk-uk-uk,” almost “ kuk-kuk-kuk-kuk,”’ interspersed with- out interfering with the regular utterance of the “kaw ”’ notes. Then with a few “ quirts,” the bird flew over the bill and disappeared in the next ravine. It was a curious performance, one I have never seen described, and have never heard before nor since. Was it a love song of gen- eral occurrence in the mating season, or was this the performance of some erratic individual whose abilities led him out of the usual line? The alarm note, “quirt,” above mentioned, is commonly heard both from the ground and as the bird flies in easy curves through the trees and underbrush. The flight of the Whip-poor-will is strikingly . like that of its near relative, the Nighthawk; and though performed in a maze of trees and underbrush, it is remarkably easy and grace- ful. After all Whip-poor-wills had ceased singing, Ispent a couple of hours studying Warbler songs; and then, tired, hungry, and a trifle sleepy, walked up the ravine into which my singer had disappeared. A pair of Whip-poor- wills flew up and alighted on an old log. They were male and female, and, so far as I couid see, did not differ in the least from the general run of Whip-poor-wills. J. C. Gattoway. Montgomery, O. ->—-> > Welcome News of Bluebirds. HE following letter has been received by Mr. Ridgway, Curator of the Depart- ment of Birds in the Smithsonian Institu- tion, Washington, who kindly places it in our hands as an interesting and welcome piece of news: SANDY SPRING, Montgomery County, Md, December 14, 1895. RosperT RipGway, Esq., Smithsonian Institu- tion. Dear Sir: While driving a few days ago, some miles north of Washington, my son, who was with me, exclaimed: “ Look az the Blue- birds!’’ There were, perched on telegraph wires and flying about, at least twenty-five birds; and a few miles farther on we saw an- other smaller flock of perhaps half a dozen. My son suggested that they might be visitors from Florida; he has been observing them with in- creasing frequency for months past. It was a THE NIDOLOGIST 59 very welcome sight to see so many of our gentle, large-eyed little friends, and gives promise of a more speedy restocking of this region than we thought possible after the havoc of the blizzard of last winter. Very truly, James P. STABLER. a Our Grouse Picture. SN’T this a “snap?” From a photographic point of view a remarkable one, certainly, and for the naturalist one could hardly find a photograph of greater interest—portraying so RUFFED GROUSE ON NEST. (Photographed from life.) beautifully this living Ruffed Grouse in the woods, faithfully covering her eggs, which she would not leave, although the camera was placed within four feet of her beak! Dr. J. B. Cook took this fine picture by grad- ually accustoming the bird to his presence day after day. Note how closely the tail resembles the bark of the tree, as if an instance of pro- tective coloration. Dr. Cook is to be con- gratulated on this picture, which it gives us pleasure here to present to the public ——_—_—_—__ - » —____ W. S. CosLeicu, of Los Angeles, Cal., writes, re- garding the brief Avifauna. ‘‘ The Eagles’ eggs due me from Avifauna have undoubtedly hatched ere this— think I saw them fly over last week.” Amphibious Experiences. BY P. M. SILLOWAY. E all remember with interest the plays and amusements of our early child- - hood days, and perhaps most of the readers of the NrpoLocist have played pro- pounding conundrums; therefore if I should ask any of you to spell “land and water with three letters,’ you would immediately say, “O, that’s easy: M-u-d.” Though mud was an element of wide and deep proportions encoun- tered in the experiences vaguely outlined in the following paragraphs, I have chosen to use the more euphonious and dignified term writ- ten in the title; trusting that the memory of early days will enable the reader to fathom my meaning. Truly the mud is a great drawback to the pleasures of a day in the swamps, but the discouragements in the way of the earnest collector can usually be shaken off, and even though we should happen to carry home a shoe full of the amphibious material along with the basket of treasured specimens gathered from under the drooping flags and among the scented lilies, we can empty it out at our leisure, re- membering the time-honored adage, “ All things come to those who wade.” In my hmited experience as a student of bird ways nothing has given me more pleasure than to visit the swamps and find the homes of birds which are little known in the districts not forming parts of the bottom lands of rivers or bordering the larger lakes. The upland col- lector in his native range has little opportunity to acquaint himself with the forms and sounds which render the swamps so alluring to his eyes and ears on his first visits to the haunts of the water birds. It is no wonder that the novice tramps over the same soft, yielding ground day after day, or forces his way laboriously among the flags which terminate his horizon a few feet from his head, and whose tangled stems often cause him to execute a semblance to the High- land Fling in his efforts to preserve his balance and his fragile specimens. Who can blame the en- thusiastic amateur for collecting a basket of eggs of a recently known species, even though they are only Coots and Grebes, and quite worthless either in his cabinet or on the market ? In the eyes of us egg cranks each newly found nest has new features of attraction, though we have found dozens of the same in the course of the day. Isn’t it strange how much nicer a set of eggs in a newly found nest looks than the eggs of the same species we have just gathered and placed carefully in our baskets ? And of course we are tempted to take the last set because it looks so tempting and the eggs appear so fine and fresh. Isn’t it worth 60 THE NIDOLOGIST Be); \Z4 the while of a landsman to wade thigh deep in water above six inches of mud, and with yards of moss trailing after his tripping feet, if he can add a coveted set ot eggs to his collection of a species he never sees except when he visits the swamps? I should feel myself unworthy the name of egg crank were I to complain of hav- ing to stand in water up to my middle while I ate my lunch (always too small on such occa- sions), knowing that just beyond among the reed stems was a fine set of Least Bittern await- ing my progress. I suppose that most of the readers of the Nipo.tocist have enjoyed the pleasurable ex- perience of parting the intervening flags as quietly as possible in order to surprise the ten- ant of a nest seen in hazy outline among the stems in advance. It is no unusual thing to find the King Rail in her canopied home sitting contentedly in the shadow of the reedy walls of her nest, and the first view of her brown outline will amply repay the enthusiastic Ornithologist for the labor necessary to reach her at home. If he is not overimpatient, she will give him ample time to impress on his mind a picture which he will afterward recall with continued interest. She does not care for the fact that he is only three feet away and bending over her with mouth open wide enough to engulf her, and eyes standing out far enough to war- rant his being classified with the stalk-eyed animals for the time. She is not frightened, but interested, and the look of inquiry plainly manifested in her frank countenance tells us that she wonders what sort of creature we can be. But those eggs under her are a magnet which draws us irresistibly nearer, and now suspecting danger she glides forward and down- ward and disappears among the flag stems. And now we count the extent of the prize, care- fully marking each egg on the side least richly colored. Weare not allowed to make our cap- ture without protestation, however, for Mrs. King (it should certainly be Queen) Rail has not gone far from the scene and now manifests her presence quite openly, frequently stepping out from behind a tuft of flags to angrily utter her cry, and then slinking behind another tuft, through whose separated stems we can trace her excited movements. I have said her title should be the Queen Rail, for she is «without doubt the head of the family, and without her the name King would be rather inappropriate. It is she who takes forcible possession of the homes of her meek neighbors, the Gallinules, and itis she who defends her home so spiritedly when it is invaded, sol respectfully submit that the King Rail is more a king by marriage than in his own right. ( To be continued.) Epiror NiboLocist. Dear Sir: A female Briinnich’s Murre was killed at White Lake, Oneida County, N. Y., December 13, 1895. These birds seem to have become quite common in the northern part of this State the past few years. ‘ W. S. JOHNSON. Boonville, N. Y. : Two Bird Curios. Epiror NIDOLOGIST. Dear Sir: Last week I secured two Ornitho- logical abnormities, of the existence of one of which I know of no parallel instance. On the sixth instant I secured a female Western Yellow- throat which had the upper mandible curved to the side and downward, as in the genus Loxia. Notwithstanding the deformity in bill, the bird was in excellent condition, and its stomach contained several larvee and a few small beetles. On the following day I took a Californian Towhee that exhibited two distinct bars on its tail. ‘The first bar is about fifteen hundredths of-an inch in width, and crosses the tail obliquely just beyond the tips of the under tail coverts. Its color is whitish, and is more distinct than the other, which crosses the tail an inch below the first—its color is tawny, and it is not exhibited on the under side of the tail. Last month we were visited by some strag- glers from southern Arizona. On the second of November two male Vermilion Flycatchers were observed along the Santa Ana River, near here, one of which was taken. EpMUND HELLER. Riverside, Cal., December 9, 1895. Abnormal Nest and Eggs. Epiror NIDOLOGIST. Dear Sir: On June to, 1895, I collected a nest and four eggs of the Chewink (Pipz/o erythrophthalmus) nearthe edge ofanopen grove, the eggs of which are notable, being equal in size to many eggs Gf.the Brown Thrasher. They measure 1.04X.77, 1.05xX.78, 1.04x.78, and 1.04x .77.. The markings are not unlike those found on the typical egg of the latter bird, being free from the usual gray and lilac shell markings, THE NIDOLOGIST 61 but retaining that fresh and beautiful blush characteristic of the Towhee, and which, in this case, is the chief differentiation. ‘The nest is also of an extraordinary diameter, 5.75, in con- trast to 3.00 inches, outside measurements of another nest collected the same season. Berwyn, Pa. FRANK L. Burns. See ee RO A Bluebird Note. Epiror NIpo.Locisv. Dear Sir: I recorded a Bluebird (.S7a//a sia- dis) to-day here in the city. Weather clear and warm. More Bluebirds were heard flying North. C. M. Case. Hartford, Conn., December 22, 1895. * * * * Double-crested Cormorant in Indiana. Epiror NIDoLocistT. Dear Sir: On Thanksgiving Day last a Double-crested Cormorant was collected by Mr. F. E. Earle, of this city, on the banks of Walnut Creek, two miles from Greencastle. The bird was full size, winter plumage, and was alone. It is the second one that has been re- ported from this State. Yours respectfully, Cy Ga bASSET LT. Greencastle, Ind. LEAs? SANDPIPERS and various Sparrows that fre- quent small marshy sloughs on the shore of Alameda, Cal., have a singular enemy in a domestic cat, which hunts for them successfully with an utter disregard for ooze and salt water. We have seen this stealthy hunter returning from a foray covered with black mud. A Belted Kingfisher which frequented the raft- ers under the Bayfarm Island bridge, in that vicinity, was caught and killed one day in the presence of the writer by acat whose ordinary diet was fish. The bird was motionless, eyeing the water for its prey, when it fell under the cat’s eye and got scooped. Most people know what a ‘‘dead” advertisement is. It is dead because it no longer pays, having be- come “flat, stale, and unprofitable,” yet is continued to be published by an editor to ‘‘fill up.” None of that sort are carried in this magazine—we haven't the space. Our advertising solicitor clipped an “ad” from a sportsman’s magazine the other day, and, scenting a contract, went on a hunt for the adver- tiser. He didn’t find him. The man had been dead two years. Unnecessary to state that the ‘‘ad’’ was very dead. “ BasBiTtT” has got up anew drill. It will be as popular as his wonderful auxiliary barrel when fully introduced. Like all great things, it’s a wonder no one ever thought of it before. I RECEIVED the Nipo.ocistT to-day and was very much pleased with it, and it will be worth to me $5 a year. R. W. MATHEWS. St. Paul, Minn. Duck Hawks of Mount Tom. “N an article in Popular Science News (to whose courtesy we are indebted for the accompanying illustration) Dr. J. Hobart Egbert says: Mount Tom, in Hampshire County, Mass., has been the birthplace of many broods of DUCK HAWK. young Duck Hawks. Indeed, it is the opin- ion of the writer that at least one pair of this species of Falcon has nested on the rocky ledges of this picturesque mountain each year for many decades. ‘This opinion is founded upon personal observation and the knowledge of sets of eggs which have been taken from the shelves that now exist and have long existed on its almost perpendicular sides. In recent years the writer has never failed to locate a nest when exploring this mountain during the nesting period; and others, in still earlier years, have demonstrated the preference of the Duck Hawk for this mountain as a nesting site. The nest of the Duck Hawk is not easily located by one unaccustomed to the work. Missiles may be hurled from the summit of the cliff, and may even strike the rocks in close proximity to the ledge which shelters the nest- ing bird, but ordinarily she cannot be driven from her retreat until some approaching body warns her of imminent danger. Her courage is almost invincible. When driven from the eyrie, 62 THE NIDOLOGIST both birds may quickly rise in the air and pass rapidly beyond the limit of human vision; and then, with almost incredible velocity, swoop down in close proximity to the invading party. The portion of Mount Tom usually chosen as the nesting site is on the western exposure of the mountain, about one third the distance from the abrupt southern extremity of the mountain to where the Connecticut River cuts its way through the range at the foot of Mount Nonotuck. Here the side of the mountain is rocky and precipitous, extending almost per- pendicularly downward for about three hundred and fifty feet, and then making a more sloping descent to the plain below. Only those whose heads are clear and limbs steady may venture to stand with safety on the edge of this cliff and gaze upon the rocks and trees at the foot of the mountain. >> Curious Notes on the Water Ouzel in Montana. N sending to the NrpoLocisv the follow- ing interesting observations, Mr. A. H. Wheatley writes: That beautiful Ouzel’s nest, figured in your September number, has moved me to send an extract from my note- book: MIDDLE STILLWATER Lake, Mont., | January ro, 1895. | Yesterday spent some time watching a Water Ouzel who frequents the rapid, shallow water at the outlet of the lake just opposite our camp. He was sitting on a point of ice projecting from the shore; feathers all fluffy, and every minute or so, with a flirt of his wings, down he would go, head first, to the bottom, where be would run along a short way on the rocks and then bob up lke a piece of cork. If he had found something tender, he would swallow it on the swim and then dive again with another wing flirt, but once every little while he would get hold of a water snail, or something with a shell, in which case the instant his head came to the surface, he would flap his wings, rise from the water and reach the ice in a few flaps, where he would drop his prey, peck the shell to pieces, eat the contents, maybe take a drink and then dart in again. Sometimes instead of diving in head first, he would jump in breast first and swim around awhile before diving. Some time ago I saw him on a small, semisubmerged rock in the riffles, going over the same performances, but in this case he invariably came up facing and close to the rock as though he had turned round in the water and climbed up the sub- merged portion to the surface. Some days he seems restless and flies along the river shore, drops into the water with a splash at short intervals, swims around and dives for a while, possibly wades a little close inshore or near shelving rocks, and then rises from the water or rock for another short flight. Often, on fine, clear days, and sometimes even cloudy days, he will sit on a rock or ice floe and pour forth his rich, gurgling notes, though I notice some of them seem a trifle harsh or guttural. The majority of the notes are clear and melodious, howeyer, and the harshness may not be there in the spring. ‘The bird is very tame and un- suspicious. While fishing for trout this fall from a large, rounded bowlder, surrounded by water, below the rapids—I had been watching an otter and was standing very still, fish pole in hand—an Ouzel came to the bowlders and proceeded to dive, swim, wade, and sing ; so when the otter disappeared I watched the Ouzel. He came close to me, not five feet away, and after eyeing me inquisitively a little while, flew on to my fish pole, and getting bolder, seeing I stood perfectly still, preened his feathers alittle, then hopped along the pole toward my hand, stopping sidewise every hop or two to eye me, until finally he was withm a foot of my hand. He stayed there a little while, then flew off, did some more diving, singing, etc., and finally coming round to me again, concluded to in- vestigate once more. He flew on my fish pole again and repeated his previous performance, coming even closer this time, and then flew off and hunted some more dinner, while I pro- ceeded to try and get a fish for mine, otherwise he might have come again. A. H. WHEATLEY. > +> The Spirit of the Magazine. Mr. EuGENE S. ROLFE, in a recent letter, so tersely defines the sort of magazine we have tried to publish, with our readers’ generous help, that we here print it in full : “T like the NipoLocisT thoroughly. Aside from its wealth of illustrations, its good, honest paper, and its typographical appearance, I like its kindly, genial tone—its gentlemanly tone—and feel thankful that the matter furnished covers that distinctly great field mid- way between that which appeals to the merest tyro bent on a ‘collection,’ and that which is prodigiously heavy or insufferably dull.” So They All Say. To-pay I received the premiums, and must say they are excellent, especially the photos. Accept my thanks for the same. H. W. Beers: Bridgeport, Conn. Tue NIpo.oaist is indeed a fine paper, and every word it contains is of interest to the Odlogist. New Vineland, Me. W. A. LEE. Notes and Comments. Davip STARR JORDAN, President of Stanford Uni- versity, was elected President of the California Acad- emy of Sciences January 6. Dr. H. H. Harkness had been the incumbent of the office for many years. At Spiers’ nursery, in the western suburbs of Vi- salia, Cal., a Valley Quail has taken up with a flock of guinea hens, and has been making itself at home with them ever since last spring. The Quail roams over the orchard with the guinea hens all day, and at night roosts in a tree with them. WHEN does the nesting season close and when be- gin? Bald Eagles nest in December in Florida, and we have just received the information that a nest and two fresh eggs of Anna’s Hummingbird were taken by A. I. McCormick at Los Angeles, Cal., on Decem- ber 21, 1895. This is the earliest (or latest ?) record of this bird’s breeding. WE read in a late number of /ve/d Sports San Fran- cisco, that the fishermen on the bay catch many Ducks in their fishing nets. It is claimed that in shal- low water, where the Ducks go to the bottom to feed, they are caught and entangled in the drift nets of the fishermen, only to be taken out when the net has been landed. These drowned Ducks are quite plentiful in the markets. THE NIDOLOGIST 6£ A Thrush’s Nest. (WRITTEN FOR THE NIDOLOGIST.) Far from this clay-built cup the soul is gone— Here broken twig and ragged fiber lie; But with dear fancy’s wing my thought flits on Through arch of woodland green and sunny sky, There—thongh in rigid boughs chill winter grieves, And barren every shrine of joy may be, Still broods a golden bird among the leaves— Sull floats a hymn of lover's ecsté EMMA CARLETON. New Albany, Ind. A. W. ANTHONY writes: ‘I congratulate you on the improved cover for the NIDOLOGIST, also on the other improvements. I was pleased to meet the A. O. U. members, also the editor of the Colorado Depart- ment. I'd know him by that smile anywhere. But what is the matter with that port ear? He looks as if he were listening to a Burrowing Owl down a deep hole.” ——_ > 0 Dangerous Game to Stalk. N OT a pleasant fellow to meet on a lonely road of a dark night. ‘This rhinoceros was seen by a native hunter employed by Fekete (Dr. Emil Holub’s companion on an African journey), fast TWO-HORNED BLACK RHINOCEROS. | asleep under a tree: | Noiselessly approaching, he climbed into another tree, and put several bul- lets into him before he could rise. When cut up, the great ungulate required eight strong men to bring him into camp. In South Africa, in 1866 (at which place and time the editor of this magazine first saw the light, and soon thereafter held the important off- cial position in Cape Town of town cvzer), the soggy, swampy woodlands were punctured with the tracks, nearly a foot deep, of the rhinoceros. M.S. ‘Taylor, then a youth of nineteen, started out one fine day with a shotgun and bird shot to slay one of these big two-horned terrors. The intrepid youth found following rhinoceros tracks hard work, and fortunately did not come up with one, 64 THE NIDOLOGIST Colorado. (Department Edited by Frederick M.Dille, 406 McPhee Building, Denver, Colo.) The Fortunate Possessor of a Set of Grouse Eggs.—Will Bur- nett. Where the Killdeer Article Left Us. Our Exchange and Want Department. More of Smith’s List. F. M. Dit e, responsible, ORTUNATE indeed is the person who stumbles on toa nest of the Dusky Grouse. Such a find is more the result of accident than of any methodical search. During the summer months young Grouse and older-birds are readily found throughout the mountains at our higher altitudes, but when it comes to finding the various nests from which all these broods came, that is another matter. From my own experience in looking for these nests I have concluded that most of the broods are hatched back from the valleys, on the tops of the ridges and higher levels, the old hen taking her brood to the low valley and vicinity of the creek as soon as they are able to travel. This gathering of the birds along the valleys gives one an impression that they are very plen- tiful, but one must allow for each brood thus seen a part of the large number of square miles of terrritory adjacent to the valley, with its many timbered ridges, shaded spring holes, and smaller water courses (as well as a vertical range of from one thousand to two thousand feet to overcome); and would you not rather take the chance of stumbling on the nest ac- cidently than to undertake this contract? Durinc the past summer Mr. Will Burnett, of Fort Collins, had the good luck to find a nest with nine eggs of the Dusky Grouse, the cir- cumstances of which he has sent me for the Niporocisr. He writes as follows: “I was taking a rest from business and ‘ doing time’ on a ranch near Manhattan, Larimer County, the latter part of May, and had resolved that if there was a Grouse’s nest in that vicinity I would have it. I was making particular search along the north slope of a heavily timbered mountain, where my ranch friend had seen several of the birds at different times during the spring. After a few days I thought there was no place of concealment on that mountain which I had not peered into, and I changed my base of opera- tions to another mountain farther away. “Commencing May 29, and continuing for over a week, we had a severe spell of cold weather and a considerable fall of snow, which was not entirely gone from the north slopes until the middle of June. Shortly after this I was passing along the side of my first mountain, where I had been several times before, and ina dark nook under two logs my eye caught the outlines of several light-colored eggs; had the bird been on the nest I could imagine it possible not to see her, for the contrast between her plumage and the dull bark on the logs would not have been so great as that then apparent between the deserted eggs and their surround- ings. “ The nest was buta hollow in the end of dry pine needles that covered the ground, lined with a few dry aspen leaves, and well secreted under two logs lying crosswise, all under the branches of asmall pine. The locality was well grown up to dwarf pines and aspen trees. The eggs were all addled except two, which were slightly incubated. In color I should call them a creamy buff, some of the eggs being lighter than others, and all finely dotted from end to end with a rich brown. The spots are larger on some than on others, but the distribution is. quite even. ‘The eggs have an ovate form, and one is a decided short ovate, like the eggs of the Quail. The measurements of the nine eggs in inches are as follows: 1.88x1.35, 1.82x1.34, T.06X1.32, 1-89K1-33) Te68x0. 315) Toh Ke ale 1.89X1.34, 1.87x1.32, and 1.85x1.38. “Witt L. BURNETT.” ONE of the most impressive articles that has been in the recent issues of this journal was that of H. R. T.’s, in the September number, on the Killdeer. It was as true to life as the illus- tration which appeared with it. And yet in one way the article must be condemned. We all follow the writer as he leads us through “ every stage of the game.” His experiences are just like ours! The most exasperating birds “that ever lived! ” and now, is he really going to tell us how at last he did outwit the bird and find the eggs? But no! our sympathies have been trifled with, and we are left on the verge of some secret revelation, with nothing but the bitter memory of some hot, dusty afternoon in our past, a fruitless search over a dazzling stretch of sand, and that rasping “kill-dee,” “kill-dee”’ still piercing our brain. We have secreted ourselves behind a barb- wire fence and oggled the lenses out of our opera glasses. We have gone on about our business and accidentally returned to the spot later. But will some one, please, who has had the pleasure of inducing Mrs. Vocifera to re- veal her collection of eggs, let us know how it was done, so we can “score one” more on our list of triumphs ? 1a, WML, 1D), x oe eo * I WOULD like to book a few orders for some skins of the Ute Indian (472 soape) in fall plumage. Thesé Rocky Mountain Vultures are fast becoming extinct, and you should fill your cabinet while the opportunity is open. Address Tom A. Hawk, Lodge Pole, Bates’s Hole. THE NIDOLOGIST . 65 Some Birds New to Colorado. Wiru Notes On OTHERS OF LITTLE KNOWN DISTRIBUTION IN THE STATE. BY HORACE G. SMITH. ( Continued.) Ajaja ajaja, Roseate Spoonbill.—A specimen in very worn plumage was brought in for mounting about August 8, 18go, said to have been taken near Pueblo. Guara alba, White Ibis.—In 1890 one was shot at Barr Lake, on the Burlington and Mis- souri River Railroad, east of Denver. I be- lieve it has not been previously recorded. Plegadis guarauna, White-faced Glossy Ibis.— Occasionally reported by sportsmen. I have examined at least four specimens, three of which came from Marston’s Lake, the other from the vicinity of Pueblo. Other specimens have been purchased in the market. Ardea candidissima, Snowy Heron.—One shot at Marston’s Lake in the fall of 1887 has been examined, and several others are reported as having been shot at same place. Nycticorax nycticorax nevius, Black-crowned Night Heron.—An additional specimen was shot on the Platte River, about three miles be- low Denver, May 15, 1889. Philohela minor, American Woodcock.—Two further records of this species have come under my notice. The first was seen during the fall of 1887 by Mr. John Bentley, crouching by a pool of water by the railroad track, near Boulder. Mr. Bentley is well acquainted with the bird, and assures me there could be no mistake in the identity. A more recent one was shot near Fort Lupton, and mounted by Mr. Toden- warth. Micropalama himantopus, Stilt Sandpiper.— An additional record is one shot by Mr. Dean W. Park, in the fall of 1888, at a small lake in South Denver. Calidris arenarvia, Sanderling.—May 16,1888, I examined a recently mounted specimen shot at Sloan’s Lake but a few days before. Charadrius squatarola, Black-bellied Plover. —Saw a specimen at the curio store of E. P. Fortune in this city. It was also a young bird, like the original one recorded (AwA, Vol. III, No. 2), and was said to have been taken in Colorado some time prior to 1887. Arenaria interpres, Turnstone.—An adult was shot at Sloan’s Lake April 26, 1890, and mounted by Mr. Todenwarth. I beheve it has not been previously recorded: Columba faciata, Bandtailed Pigeon.—In the fall of 1887 Mr. John Bentley, who is some- thing of a naturalist sportsman, told me of his experiences with some Pigeons at Dome Rock, on the Denver and Southern Pacific Railroad, in Platte Canyon. He said that the birds used to roost near his camp, but as he had a rifle only he did not shoot ary of them. The fol- lowing summer he promised to look out for them, and his search was rewarded with the capture of several specimens, some of which were young birds evidently reared in the vicinity. The locality abounds in scrub oak, and the birds may have been attracted by the acorns. (To be continued.) oo Notes From Michigan. (Department Edited by Dr. Morris Gibbs, Kalamazoo, Mich.) N issuing monthly notes from Michigan, the | editor of the NipoLoGist has fully con- sidered the requirements of his readers. The Great Lake Region, as a whole, is well summed up in this centrally located State, and observations will be of interest to all. It is hoped that notes of worth to the readers will be sent in. A recent issue of the American Field contains an article on an outing on the St. Mary’s River, and refers to the Bay-breasted and Blue War- blers in that region, and tothe Ruby-crowned Kinglet, as if these rare summer birds were common in northern Michigan. Notes from the pens of angling outers are rarely to be re- lied upon, as it will be found that everything, good and bad, goes in to fill space. An article on the Passenger Pigeon in the November number of the Chautauguan is re- markably well written. It is from the pen of Simon’ Pokagon, an educated full-blooded In- dian, Chief of the Pottawatomies. Many inter- esting points are touched upon, and the nesting habits are described with the clearness which could not result from an attempt by an unob- servant writer. Among other points he describes the clutch as a single egg, which agrees with the observation of all reliable collectors in the Great Lake Region. Chief Pokagon denounces the exterminators of the Wild Pigeon and other game, and especially does he speak severely of the netters. The article is the best that I have ever read from an Indian, and the style, though simple, but the better expresses the research and observation of a reliable, thoughtful child of the forest. Every Ornithologist should read it. It could not be improved upon. The second annual meeting of the Michigan Academy of Sciences was held at Lansing, De- cember 26-27, 1895. Fifteen papers were read, of which two were upon the subject of birds. Mr. L. Whitney Watkins presented “ Michigan 66 THE NIDOLOGIST Birds that Nest in Open Meadows,” and Pro- fessor Walter B. Barrows gave a paper upon “Food Habits of Michigan Birds.” A new section of Conchology was formed. It is to be hoped that this science will receive the sup- port which was denied the section of Ornithol- ogy. No compiled report was made upon our birds, and the selected- subject for the past season, the Warblers, was utterly neglected. Whether the subject was too little understood, or that the observers had no time to devote to the season’s specialty, will not be known. To the writer of this little rhyme The pleasing honor fell Of naming NID(1)oLocist; Yet critics now will tell Of scratching out one of my (I's), Perhaps it’s just as well. They say the words are hybrid, and Poke fun at my name, But that’s no matter when we think That critics’ views are tame; It ‘cuts no ice”’ with most of us, If our science is the same. Nipotoeist or Nid(i)ol— The magazine is fine, Long may success attend your work In our selected line; And may we strive with one accord To make your paper shine. We Ni Soa ++} Cooper Ornithological Club. DECEMBER MEETING. HE Club convened at San José, Cal., De- cember 7. The following publications were reported as having been received from the Department of Agriculture and added to the Club library: Zhe Crow Blackbirds and Their Food and The Common Crow of the 77. S. Proposed amendments to the constitu- tion were read and ordered submitted to a Club vote. The evening was given to the discussion of plans for systematic Club work. The Annex met at Pasadena, November 25, at the residence of Joseph Grinnell. The fol- lowing were elected to membership in the Club: M. L. Wicks, Jr., R. L. Garnier, and Otto J. Zahn, of Los Angeles. Club work was the sub- ject of the evening’s discussion. January MEETING. The Northern Division of the Club met at San José, January 4, in regular session. The amend- ments submitted to vote were carried, the result being that two coédrdinate divisions of the Cooper Ornithological Club are established for the better facilitation of study, to be known as the Northern and Southern Divisions respec- tively. The Club in its entirety is to be known as the Club-at-Large. The following members were elected at the meeting of the Northern Division: Miss Hattie E. Wilson and Claude Fyfe, of San Francisco. The annual election of officers for 1896 resulted as follows: President, Walter E. Bryant, Oakland, Cal.; Vice Presi- dent, W. H. Osgood, San José, Cal.; Secretary, C. Barlow, Santa Clara, Cal.,and Treasurer, R. S. Wheeler, Alameda, Cal. A paper from Henry B. Kaeding, of Amador County, on the Water Ouzel was read. In Eldorado County m De- cember, 1893, an Ouzel was noted on the river, and Mr. Kaeding describes its performance as follows: “The river at this point was quite narrow—barely seventy-five feet wide—deep, and swift, but the bird easily breasted the cur- rent, and occasionally would swim quite rapidly up stream. From time to time it would dive, going down head foremost. The water was clear as crystal and we could follow the Ouzel quite plainly under water, although we were not near enough to see whether or not it used its wings when diving. It did not dive deeper than four ~ or five feet, making the dive by a series of ‘jumps’ or spurts of apparently six or eight inches each. It would then turn and come up like a cork, apparently without effort. A shot from the rifle scared the bird, and it made off up stream leaving no doubt as to its identity. Notes from others on this subject would be ap- preciated.” The Northern Division meets at Berkeley, February tr. The Southern Division met at Los Angeles, December 30, a good representation being present. A motion was carried providing for the collection of a scientific library for this division. The annual election of officers of the Southern Division resulted as follows: Presi- dent, W. B. Judson; Wice President, M. L. Wicks, Jr., and Secretary-Treasurer, Horace A. Gaylord. Mr. A. I. McCormick, of Los Angeles, was elected to membership in the Club. The Southern Division will meet at the residence of Mr. W. B. Judson, Highland Park, January 27. Tribute to William L. Kells. Epiror NIDOLOGIST. Dear Sir: I was pleased to see the face of Wilham L. Kells adorning one of the pages of the Nrpotocisr. He was an old contributor to the O. and O. I wish I could be with “ that old straw hat’ in the woods for a stroll. Long may he live to scatter his notes and ob- servations among us, from field and forest, like the fragrance of .sweet-scented flowers, or the beautiful songs of the birds, which he so dearly loves. |. 18, 1? Plymouth, Mich. THE NIDOLOGIST 67 [Publications for review should be sent to Dr R. W. Suvuretpr, Associate in Zoology, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D. C.} PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED. RorzeLt, W.E. Birds of Narberth, Pa., and Vicin- ity. 8vo. Pp. 1-8. 1895. [From the author.] Kirkwoop, F.C. ~ 4 List of The Birds of Maryland. Reprint from the Trans. Maryland Acad. Sciences. 8vo. 1895. Pp. 241-382. [From the author.] Bulletin of the British Ornithologists’ Club. No. XXX, November 30, 1895. [From ‘the secretary. | Rorze.i: Birds of Narberth, Pa., and Vicinity, is alist of the species recorded by the author for the whole of Montgomery County, Pa. Itappeared first, in part, in a paper ‘of Narberth, in June, 1895, and eventually was put forth by Dr. Rotzell in its present form. It isa neatly printed little pamphlet of eight pages, on good paper, and in clear type. Both the land and water birds are given; there being one hundred and eight species in all recorded, representing observa- tions extending over three years of time. Apparently the nomenclature of the 4. O. U. Check-List has been adopted, and brief notes upon the less abundant species are giv2n, the more extensive ones being drawn from the work done on Pennsylvania birds by Stone and by Warren. Published lists of birds, such as the one here being noticed, always have a certain use and value, even if the area explored be only a limited one. They become decidedly more so, how- ever, if the authors of them will take the pains to pref- ace the list in any case with a few highly important facts that are absolutely essential for the reader to have before him. For example, the exact limits of the area explored should be given; the latitude and longitude of its center; its physical characteristics; its climate; and how thickly settled it may be by people. Dr. Rotzell has omitted all of these considerations in his list, and consequently greatly restricted the use it would otherwise have had for Ornithologists at large. R. W. S. Kixrkwoop: 4 List of the Birds of Marylandisa very excellent piece of work, and one greatly needed. This list was publishedin Baltimore (1895), being extracted from the Transactions of the Maryland Academy of Sciences, and its author is particular to say that in it will be found the dates of arrival and departure of the birds regularly occurring within the State of Maryland, as well as their periods of nesting; stragglers and such othersas no doubt occur, but are not recorded, are also fully referred to. The list is com- piled from the author's field work (January 1, 1881-95), taken in connection with much material assistance, which he duly acknowledges. The situation of Maryland, as well as its phvsical features, climate, etc., are all dwelt upon in the intro- duction with sufficient fullness to render the list of value to the student of Ornithology in any part of the world. Both the nomenclature and classification adopted is that put forth by the American Ornitholo- gists’ Union, while under each and every species re- corded are-given notes of greater or less extent, rang- ing from a line or two to nearly a page. Atthe close of the paper we find addenda and errata added, as well as an ‘‘ Index” to the scientific, popular, and local Maryland names for the birds, and a list of the books used by the authorin his work. I find no summing up in this paper, as, for example, (1) the total number of birds £nown to occur in Maryland as compared with the number known to occur in the United States; (2) the total number of ‘‘ stragglers,” and (3) the total number of those that no doubt occur, but are not recorded. A ‘““synoptical table ’’ should have been made arranging all such data for the reader's use and convenience of the student. What would also have given the work still greater value would have beena good map of the State, and a few outline sectional maps passing through the highest mountains and deepest valleys. Upon these maps should be given the areas occupied by certain characteristic species, and elevations at which others have been captured, or at which they are known to occur or breed. On the State map could also be shown such areas of the State as stand most in need of further exploration and examination; and the areas most thoroughly gone over by the Ornithologist. Apart from such omissions as are here pointed out, this list of Zhe Birds of Maryland, which Mr. Kirk- wood has given us, is an extremely useful one, and doubtless will long remain the standard upon which future lists will be built and compiled, and so isacon- tribution to American Ornithology of decided value. R. W. S. Bulletin of the British Ornithologists’ Club. About thirty members and visitors were present at the twen- ty-ninth meeting of this Club, which was held at the Restaurant Frascati, 32 Oxford Street, London, on the 20th of November, 1895. President Sclater was in the chair, and opened the meeting with some interest- ing remarks upon a fine specimen of the Spotted Red- shank (7otanus fuscus) now living at the London Zoological Garden, it being the first individual they had ever had in captivity there. Dr. Sclater like- wise announced that in view of the large amount of work the distinguished Italian Ornithologist, Dr. E. H. Giglioli, ‘*had done in American Ornithology, the authorities of the Smithsonian Institution had kindly agreed to publish, in the Budletin of the United States National Museum, a complete bibliography of his pub- lished writings from 1844 to 1894, inclusive. The MS of this volume, which was already in type, had been prepared under his superintendence by Mr. G. A. Doubleday. The list contained the titles of 1,239 publications, many of which, however, were short notes and notices.” Following this announcemen Mr. Howard Saunders gave a brief sketch of the pru ceedings at the International Congress recently held at Paris to consider the legislation necessary for the protection of birds useful to agriculture, to which he had been accredited as the delegate of the British government, with Sir Herbert Maxwell, Bart., M.P. Sir Herbert also gave an interesting account of the diplomatic work of the Congress. Several other in- teresting papers were read, as the one by Professor Menzbier, describing a new Goose; one by Dr. J. von Madarosz, of the Hungarian National Museum, from whom some photographs were received of a nest of the Chimney Swallow (Hivundo rustica) built in a curious position among the hanging branches of a vine. Dr. Blanford showed that the two Sarus Cranes of the Indian Region were distinct species, and Mr. Pearson exhibited specimens of the downy nestlings of Bewick’s Swan, Bean Goose, Common Eider, Gray Plover, Turnstone, Dunlin, and Temminck’s Stint. He also brought for exhibition a beautiful series of the eggs of Briinnich’s Guillemot. R. W.S. 68 THE NIDOLOGIST THE NIDOLOGIST. AN ILLUSTRATED MONTHLY MAGAZINE DEVOTED TO THE STUDY OF ORNITHOLOGY, With Special Reference to the NIDIFICATION OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. H. R. TAYLOR, Editor and Publisher, Associated with Dr. R. W. SHUFELDT. WE EXPOSE FRAUDS. Official Organ Cooper Ornithological Club of the Pacifie Coast. Subscription (in advance), —. $1.00 (Foreign subscribers add 12 cents for postage. ) 15 cents Single Copies, Remit ‘pills, money order, draft, or cheek. The Magazine is not sent after subscriptions have expired. OUR AGENTS. Swann & Co., 1 & 2 Bouverie Street, Fleet Street, London, E. C CatirorniA—C. Bartow, of Santa Clara, is our agent, and can receive subscriptions, advertisements, furnish terms, papers, etc. Cororapo—Freperick M. Ditte, 406 McPhee Building, Denver, is our accredited agent for the middle West. without illustrations, are desired, Original contributions, with or “ADVERTISING RATES FURNISHED. OFFICE OF PUBLICATION, 150 FIFTH AVENUE, NEW YORK CITY. Entered at the New Yor k Post Office as s mail m: natter of the s econd class More pages and pictures? Why, yes, and more than ever about our birds. That is the road we are traveling. So many compliments on our new cover, etc., fairly overcome us. The paper belongs to the subscribers, anyway, and is, and will be, what they make it. Tue Niporoeist had no forerunner, has no proto- type, and will not have a peer for many a long day. Watch events and see! In writing advertisers do us the favor of mentioning this magazine. And we trust those interested in its future will mention it on other occasions. Tue December NIDOLOGIST is just received. It is irresistible to me, and I therefore inclose a dollar. G. F. Dierie. Toronto, Canada. THE Nipo.ocist has received some flattering no- tices from Zhe Overland Monthly, Sports A field, Ganie- Jand, and other publications, in acknowledgment of which we make our best salam. WE are at all times glad to obtain interesting un- published photographs and drawings from nature suitable for illustrations. Notes from the world’s museums, jottings, and news for working naturalists earnestly desired. ENGLISH SPARROWS were nest-building in a cranny among the timbers of the Sixth Avenue elevated road in New York on the last day of the year. Nothing seems to phase these hardy little pests. CoRYDON CHAMBERLIN, of Los Gatos, Cal., has en- listed in the Navy for three years, expecting the sea life to improve his health. His first voyage is to Japan. THE ‘‘sanctum” has been favored with visits re- cently from the following among our subscribers: Benjamin Hoag, C. Y. Semple, A. H. Frost, D. D. Stone, C. C. Young, George B Badger, Dr. A. H. Helme, and others. Ornithologists visiting New York should call in and see us. Ir is with the regret one feels at the loss of a true lover of birds that we record the recent death at Phil- adelphia of Dr. William L. Maris, a young man of ability and great promise. One of the best of his bird papers was “An Acre of Birds’ Nests.” A BEAUTIFUL illustration of Snowbirds will ac- company an article by Dr. Shufeldt in our next num- ber, which will also contain a valuable contribution on ‘‘ Unusual Nesting Sites” in Dakota, by E. S. Rolfe, a portrait of Mr. A. W. Anthony, and other at- tractive features. SEND us in new subscriptions! We will turn the money into half-tone illustrations such as you have never seen, and be enabled to improve in every way at once. Mr. W. E. Saunders has sent us zie new subscribers. Mr. Oliver Davie says, in sending ina new subscription, ‘I think I will be able to scare up at least five, perhaps double that number.” Other good friends are doing likewise—won't yoz do a little in this good work ? Dr. ELtiorr Cougs, then President of the American Ornithologists’ Union, suggested that in order to make the name of this magazine (a coined word) perfectly correct, we should knock out an ‘‘i.” It was no great privation, of course, to perform this small piece of orthographical surgery, and now our learned and es- teemed friend, writing under date January 6, 1896, writes us: DEAR Mr. TayLor: I acknowledge the reception of the January Nipox- OGIsT, and can compliment you sincerely on its marked improvement in many respects, especially on the new cover-title. You have happily survived your own “black eye,” and are quite handsome now. With regards and good wishes, sincerely yours, ~ ) PAN English Correspondence. CONGRATULATION, Birps, ANTI-WAR SENTIMENT. Epiror NIbDoLocist. DerAR Sir: Thank you for introducing to us forty- two members of the American Ornithologists’ Union, including yourself, modestly vignetted in the back- ground. The expressions of all come out well. We shall now read any papers signed by them with greater interest. The NrpoLocisT appears less wild and des- olate, and more warm and rustic in its new garb, and, like most other individuals, looks more natural and proper with but twoi’s. To-day, in this mid-January, the thermometer stands at 38° Fahrenheit—rather a contrast to last January in England. With kind re- gards and best wishes for peace and prosperity on both sides of the Atlantic. Believe me, faithfully yours, Wm. C. BLAKE. Ross, Hereford, England, January 15, 18096. WITHOUT MEDICINE. Often Cures Cases Incurable to the Most Approved Remedies. . .. . % _ The following letteris from Rev. Ross Taylor, editor of ILLUSTRATED — 3 AFRICA (formerly called AFRICAN NEWS), a journal in the interests of African missionaries, and which was established by his father, Rev. William Taylor, Bishop of Africa: a oi wit Si uehvenes 4 ; No. 150 FIFTH AVENUE, NEW YORK, J/ay 15, 1894. ax My Dear Sir 4 I take pleasure in notifying you of the beneficent results of the use of the Electropoise as reported i _ to me by several of our missionaries. Rev. William Rasmussen, for some six years on the Congo, ai testifies that when early applied it will check African fever. Rey. William E. Dodson, who has seen still eS longer service in Angola, has found it very efficient as a remedial agent. =e 3 I have used one in my own family with very gratifying results. My youngest son had what seemed 5 " to me to be a very serious nervous affection; when your treatment was first applied, he could not endure = c more than three minutes’ application at a time. After some weeks he could go to sleep under the treat- . _ ment, and lef it continue until morning. He is now in perfect health, which can only be attributed, % under the blessing of God, to the Electropoise and your advice to keep him as much as possible in the a fresh air. oi The Bishop has taken one of your instruments to Africa, since when we have sent several others. Yours truly, & ROSS TAYLOR a = wa >, Electrolibration Go., 407°oxton! Seer Landon, : ead The wig Fit wp oA (ea FOR NEW SUBSCRIPTIONS AND RENEWALS! - iums and are ot only for the two charming “plates” ttractive and valuable, thus sending you the with every subscription. and Sale Department. The “plates” in brief: Water Ouzel’s Nest. This carries you into nature’s wilds where the spray of a Rocky Mountain river dashes over the green moss of the wonderful nest of the Ouzel— sprite of the stream. A charming picture to frame. “It is a beauty.”"—/. 7. Bowles. Wood Pewees and Nest. These’ birdlings were photographed by Dr. Shufeldt ave and /fe-sfze, one on the nest and _ the other beside it. It is really a delightful picture. ““One of the best pictures of bird life I have | ever seen.”—Olive Thorne Miller. Owl Snap-Shots. Four photographs, beautifully clear, wonder- fully interesting—Great Horned Owl in tree hol- low, Barred and Burrowing Owls, nests, eggs, and | young—all four pictures on one “‘ plate.” ““ Those owl pictures, just as they were photo- graphed in nature, will certainly make a rare ad- dition to any collection. The group is excellent. REMEMBER: _ proofs on heavy plate paper, 94 x 13 inches, The magazine alone is ont more than twice the subscription price; th alone are worth more than twice the subscription price ; fe DIAtes 1 for less than half the value of either. Remit at once One Dollar in any form and add four two-cent stamps for postag and packing on “ plates.” THE NIDOLOGIST, H. R. TAYLOR, Publisher, 150 Fifth Avenue, = = = HE rare “plates’ for framing which we have been offering, of Wa Ouzel s and Wood Pewéees and Nest, have delighted all fortunate enough to secu and the demand has so increased that we have discarded all other offers Now Ready to Fill All Orders named, but for zqwo new ones, both remarl Four Plates Absolutely Free Only one dollar for the best magazine of the kind ever r pt shed, for a whole year, the four “ plates,” and coupon good for fifty words in Exchan; A. O. U. Group. These pictures from nature represent the cream of all the hundred that have appeared in three volumes of THE N1IpoLoaist. It’s a splendid premium and a good companior the other ‘plates.’ —C. Barlow. “That is a good photo of the Great Hou Owl. A good model to mount by.”—. H. Bec A large half-tone of the A. O. U., as assemble recently in Washington in front of the U.S tional Museum. This exceptionally fine pho graph, the first group picture ever taken of tl Union, is published for the first time by TH» Nr oLoGis?. It contains all the officers and m: members, forty-three portraits in all, including Bendire, Coues, Ridgway, Brewster, etc. Fac one is numbered and names corresponding app below. A truly valuable possession to frame hang in your library or museum. “The reproduction of the photograph is n excellent. I like it better-than the ouee Robert Ridgway. ““The group of members of the A. O. UL: produced beautifully.’—Vernon Bailey. ““The A. O. U. plate is worth $1 to every nithologist and Odlogist. "— Frank H, Lattin. They are elegant han bui—you get ies - = New York City AT Ic NUE | NU wi B \ NEw York CITY. 1 150 FIFTH AVE No. 7 March With OHITHSONIAN [NSTITUTION ENRY REED TAYLOR. EpiTor & Pus \ OF THE 7A THE ees AMERICAN EGG CATAL A True Basis of Exchange for All Collectors. xa at \ _ Not Antique or Misleading, but Up-to-Date. It will be the “Standard.” ) Pi nted, Handy, with Colored Cover ; Size of page, 5x7. THE PRICE, low—to suit e e—r0 cents per copy, postpaid. REMIT NOW !—orders filled as entered. It will be out on time, March 1, or 10, at latest.: A NEW FEATURE. be allowed to insert a “ card” giving, in brief, name and address and “ specialties’ obtaina or dealers’ notices under this head. Terms, and cost 25 cents only. No “for sale”’ dvance, and you must write now to get in. ADVERTISEMENTS. NETRA sha dre «Tee ee eee eR Tak oa gre Re ea Ones HalfRa ce aio. ee etiam raps cree Chetan eee har ae 1s are ~ 5.50 OnezOuarter:Pae e..2) ae ahs eo ae eet aes 3.00 Write at once. Remember this is the only standard Collector’s Catalogue. You must have it. Send for it now. a Address H. R. TAYLOR, 150 Fifth Avenue, New York City. HE NIDOLOG | Fink of ott, the Bird, A Magazine Devoted to a Popular Knowledge of Animated Nature PUBLISHED MONTHLY, WITH ILLUSTRATIONS Woe. Ul No. 7. NEW YORK, MARCH, 1896. $1.00 PER YEAR Invading the Home of the Elf Owl. makes its home in the giant cacti of Arizona. It extends its range into Mexico, and a specimen has been secured as far north as the Mojave Desert in California. Mr. Herbert Brown has taken many of their eggs near Tucson, but they are still rare in collections, In a deserted Woodpecker’s hole in a giant cactus they lay their three (and more rarely four or five) pygmy eggs. Mr. Brown carries a jointed ladder when seeking their eggs. The type specimen of these birds, taken by Dr. Cooper, remained unique for eleven years, when Major Bendire found them in Arizona. The eggs were first taken by Mr. F. Stephens. (he Elf Owl, the smallest of the Owl species inhabiting the United States, 70 THE NIDOLOGIST Two Days with the [lississippi Kite. N May, 1892, while camped on Pease River, if near the toot of the plains (Llano Esta- cado), I secured my first sets of Missis- sipp! Kite. I had just taken a fresh set of Red-headed Woodpecker, and was admiring their rich, pink tint, and wondering if I could not reproduce it with red ink, when a rush of wings quite near my head diverted my attention; on look- ing behind me, I saw that the noise had been caused by a small Hawk (then known to me only as the “ Blue Darter), and that she had wheeled and was again coming at my head. After afew minutes’ search I located the nest in a wild china tree, and only about seven or eight feet from the ground. Catching the branch I pulled it down and secured two plain, white eggs, one of them being stained from contact with some green leaves, which had either fallen or been placed in the nest. They measured as follows: 1.52x1.27 and 1.53x1.28; on blowing them I found that they had been slightly incubated. The nest was about sixteen or eighteen inches across (I measured it by my hand only), and a very slight depression was made for the reception of the eggs. About two hundred or two hundred and fifty yards away I came upon a second nest, placed in a small oak; as the nest was only a little higher than my head, I had no difficulty in examining its contents; these were a very young bird and an egg already picked. Very much disgusted I turned away, and, to vent my displeasure, picked up a stone and threw it at the parent, who had settled on a cottonwood about fifty feet away; but on rising I noticed that she had quitted her perch and was making a “‘ bee line”’ for my head. When about ten feet away she swerved to one side, and I left her in possession of the ranch. Going on toward the camp, I went nearly a mile without finding anything but a Mourning Dove’s nest, and had given up the hunt for eggs, and was shooting a few Quail for supper, when my gun frightened another Blue Darter off her nest, only a few feet away from me; this time the nest was placed in a pecan sapling and was about ten or eleven feet up, so I was compelled to climb for it. ‘The nest was little more than a platform, about the same size as the first, and contained only one egg; this egg was badly incubated, and like the others was plain white, a little nest stained; it measured 1.62X1.34. All three of these nests were found on the evening of May 27, 1892, and though I searched diligently and made several inquiries, I failed to find any more until the next year. In the harvesting season my business (re- pairing harvesters) frequently takes me all over this (Haskell) county. On June 15, 1893, after having repaired a harvester about fifteen miles from town, I and a friend who was with me decided to put in the balance of the day on the Double Mountain fork of the Brazos River, which was about five or six miles farther. After driving about four miles we came to the bot- tom and began looking for eggs. Our first find was a Mockingbird, with four fresh eggs; next I found a nest of a Woodpecker, and while digging out the hole I scared some bird out of a tree near by. My friend went to in- vestigate, and began shouting and hallooing at me to come on, assuring me that he certainly had found a nest. I hastened to him, and found that he had gone up the tree and was starting out on the limb on which the nest was located; the nest L found to be composed entirely of sticks, the largest being about as large around as a man’s forefinger; it was about nine feet from the ground, in an oak tree, and when my friend held the two eggs in sight I saw at once that they were Mississippi Kite’s. ‘They were nearly fresh, and measured 1.75x1.41 and 1.72X1.35. After packing them safely we started on and went nearly half a mile before finding anything more; then my friend shouted, “ Whoa!” just as I noticed another Kite leaving her nest in the top of a wild china tree. I jumped out of the buggy on one side and he on the other, and as I ran to my tree he remained (as I supposed) to tie the horse; but before I had reached my tree he remarked, ‘‘ Here are two more of them; where are you going?” Looking back I found thathe had discovered a nest just above the horse, and pulling the limb down secured two more eggs. When L reached my nest I found it contained only one egg, which I immediately secured, and sliding down the tree returned to the buggy. My egg measured 1.59x1.36, and, contrary to my expec- tation, was far advanced; the other two mea- sured 1.57x1.28 and 1 56x1.28; incubation was advanced. Packing these away we again climbed into the buggy and drove on, but had only gone a short distance when we came to another nest in a wild china. Driving under the nest we could easily reach into it, as it was not over eight feet from the ground. We took from it two eggs which measured 1.58x1.37 and 1.62x1.36; these were nearly fresh. Securing these eggs we turned our horse toward home, and were congratulating each other on our success, when just ahead of us a THE NIDOLOGIST 71 Kite sailed quietly away from her nest, which was placed in a pecan tree, about fifteen feet from the ground. I climbedupand easily secured the two eggs, which measured 1.6rx1.32 and 1.66x1.34. Incubation had begun in these, but I managed to get them cleaned out all right. In conclusion, I will say that though Mr. Davie describes the Mississippi Kite’s egg as bluish-white, the eggs I have found are so nearly white that I can hardly detect any bluish tinge about them. One of them was near the color of skimmed milk, the balance being plain white. Haskell, Tex. W. E. SHERRILL. > +> Grebe Notes. BY A, W. ANTHONY. HE last week in June, 1895, found the writer, in company with onecompanion, camped on the margin of a small inland lake in southern California, collecting birds and eggs by day and spend- with the eggs in a depression in the center, half submerged and covered by a handful of wet, muddy moss. No Grebes were seen about the nests, and it is not improbable that they trusted partly to the heat of the sun and decaying veg- etation to carry on incubation, as the eggs were quite warm, On the third day we discovered an old boat and started on an exploring expedition three or four miles from camp. Halfway down the lake the marsh grass was found to extend in a broad band entirely across from shore to shore, and the water was of a uniform depth of about eighteen inches. Forcing the boat into the grass, which reached a foot or more above the water, we found a number of small circular openings one hundred feet or more in diameter, each fairly covered with nests of the Eared Grebe. As we came upon the first colony, dozens of Grebes, all in beautiful nesting plum- age, were seen on their rafts of floating grass, each frantically endeavoring to reach enough moss to cover her eggs before diving out of sight ing the hours of dark- ness in fighting a villain- ous breed of mosquitoes that made life a burden and death by torture only a matter of time. The season was ad- vanced for most of the birds, large flocks of young Ducks—Rud- dies, Cinnamon Teal, and Redheads —skirted the tule beds, into which they scurried at the least alarm, leaving their parents to divert atten- tion by the time- honored deception of a broken wing; and Black-necked Stilts of- ten flew to meet us with loud, complaining cries, while their young, almost as large as their par- ents, squatted in the wet grass and trusted to their silence to escape notice. Many species, however, had not yet finished nesting, and among them was the American Eared Grebe. Beginning at the northeast end of the lake, where the tules were the thickest and most promising, we thoroughly explored the most likely places the first two days, taking quite a series of Coots’ eggs, selecting only those that were likely to prove moderately fresh. Only three sets of Grebes were found, all in rather isolated, small clusters of tules—a float- ing bunch of wet, decaying tule stalks and moss, A SCENE IN NORTHERN (Courtesy of Sports A field.) SOUTH DAKOTA. to appear again out in the open water. And numerous chicks just from the egg dove hastily out of sight and escaped in the thick grass. So close together were the nests that often three or four sets could be taken without moving the boat. Most of the eggs were so far advanced in incubation that they were not taken, but by selecting the cleanest sets and testing them by putting them in the water—the freshest float- ing—we secured about seventy-five sets, about sixty of which were saved in fair condition. The sets ranged from one to five (mostly three) while those found at the other end of the lake were from six to ten. The nests exhibited sur- 72 THE NIDOLOGIST prising regularity and not a little ability on the part of thearchitects. The rafts all consisted of a number of stems of the long marsh grass, laid in the form of a triangle, with the ends crossed to keep them from floating apart. A second triangle was laid across the first so as to make a six, or often a five, pointed star, between the points of which several stems of grass were left growing, acting as a mooring, and so prevent- ing the nest from floating away. In the center an open space was left, in and over which was built the nest itself, which was a mass of mud and moss brought up from the bottom (appar- ently). A hollow in the center which contained the eggs usually also contained half an inch of water, as the nests were almost submerged. Out in the open water, half a mile from the nests, swam the Grebe colony. As we turned toward camp, and in the middle of the pond, several hundred feet from the boat was a wee mite of a Grebe, probably but a few hours old, cut off from the shelter of the grass by our boat and deserted by all of its kindred. The poor little fellow was, for once in its short career, in trouble, and raising up its voice in an appeal for help it swam away toward the opposite shore. Several times I had tried to secure specimens of downy Grebes, but so far they had allescaped, but here was a chance, possibly, to capture one. Before making any hostile demonstrations, however, an idea occurred to me which I im- mediately put into effect. The chick had again turned and was regarding the boat in timid won- der. Behind us the flock of old birds were pip- Ing their high-pitched notes, and after one or two attempts I produced a fair imitation. At first the effect was to start the chick away from us, but after one or two stops it turned and came toward us, stopping at intervals, as if in doubt, and at times taxing my powers to the uttermost to restore confidence. At about two hundred feet distant it stopped, and I thought it would not venture nearer; all of my most endearing Grebe phrases were for a time in: vain, but they at last prevailed, and with an answering peep it dashed toward the boat and did not stop until it had climbed into my hand, which I held down to the water toward it. Nestling down in my palm as contentedly as if it considered that naturalists were the natural guardians of small Grebes, it looked up at me with its bright little eyes, peeped in a question- ing way, and then, perhaps seeing that I failed to comprehend, pecked ata fly on my finger. The suggestion was a good one, and I fell to catching flies, which were eagerly taken by the downy bunch of awkwardness until half a dozen had been eaten—all in the most matter-of-fact way imaginable. Make a specimen of a downy Grebe? I would have instantly resented any intimation that such idea had ever been entertained, and at last I reluctantly returned the willing captive to the water, expecting to see it swim away or, at most, watch us with indifference as we de- parted ; but to my surprise it declined to be abandoned, and followed along by the side of the boat, “peeping” and trying to climb up the sides, until it was actually necessary to use more than the ordinary speed in order to leave our waif behind. The last we saw of our baby Grebe it was. floating, away behind, a mere speck on the water, from which came doleful peeps of de- spair at being thus cruelly abandoned. a Whip-poor-will’s Love Note. AJOR CHARLES E. BENDIRE writes us under date, February 5, 1896: “T was much interested in Mr, J. C. Galloway’s article on Whip-poor-wills. I have no doubt whatever that the peculiar notes he mentions therein are uttered only during the mating season, and are the love notes of one of the pair. I describe such a performance wit- nessed by me (in my second volume of Zzfe His- tories, on page 149) while within a few feet of the performers. I have as yet been unable to learn how soon this volume will be out, but it has already been in type since July 1, 1895, and is still lying in the Government Printing Office.” a Unusual Nesting of American Merganser. AY 26, 1895, I collected a set of ten American Merganser’s eggs from a hole in the rocks about one hundred feet above the Umpqua River. Thenest was about fifteen feet from the top of anearly perpendicu- lar cliff about fifty feet in height, and was found by watching the bird. In going to the nest the bird would fly up and down the river in an oval course several times, and finally, coming close to the water as if to light, would rise to: the nest. The entrance to the hole was six inches by twelve, and the inside dimensions four feet long, two feet deep, and eighteen inches high. The nest was about one foot in diameter, of down mixed with moss, one half inch thick in the center and thicker around the edges. The eggs were incubated about one half. On the same day four young Mergansers were seen swimming in the river. There are hollow trees which could be, and sometimes are, used THE NIDOLOGIST 73 for nesting purposes, but in this vicinity the Mergansers appear to prefer the cliffs. Although this is the only nest found in 1895, I am reasonably certain that three pairs nested in the cliffs within half a mile of each other. In 1894 I found a nest, also in the rocks, but was unable to get to it. Frep H. ANpRus. Elkton, Ore. Se Breeding Habits of the Broad= winged Hawk. BY FRANK L. BURNS. VER since Alexander Wilson shot the type specimen on the banks of the Schuylkill, Buteo latissimus has received more or less attention from American Ornithol- ogists, and yet of the Hawks of general distribu- tion in northeastern United States, this species may be classed with those whose nesting habits are the least understood. In these days of numerous clever and persistent collectors, and the excellent opportunities afforded them of recording their notes, it is surprising that so little has appeared in relation to this the most interesting of all our local Hawks. At this place they usually appear early in April, and soon after begin search for their summer quarters, which, as it is with all the fam- ily, is confined to the section formerly occupied by them, unless repeatedly disturbed. At this time they are somewhat noisy, flying about from tree to tree, or lazily skimming through the air just above the tree tops, uttering a fre- quent metallic “chu-e-e chu-e-e.” When the location has been decided upon this gives way A HYENA TRAP. (See page 77.) to absolute silence, save now and then, at long intervals, a plaintive and metallic whistling- scream of ‘“che-wee,”’ or “ che-wee-e-e,”” so subdued that the average person would attribute it to the Wood Pewee, if indeed he noticed it at all. It has been intimated that this note re- sembles that of the latter bird, but this is not strictly accurate, as I have had ample oppor- tunities to compare them. ‘The first syllable of the Wood Pewee is different, although the last syllable is the same and.often uttered with the falling inflection peculiar to the Broad- wing, yet it lacks the penetration of the latter. As I said, this note is uttered only occasionally, so that one unfamiliar with their habits would conclude that they had deserted their usual haunts. A medium-sized chestnut tree in close prox- imity to an abandoned or rarely used cart road appears to be the favorite location, and in- variably an old nest, usually that of a Crow, and the older and more disreputable the better it seems to suit them, is selected. This goes through a slight remodeling process; a few oak and chestnut twigs gathered from the ground are placed on top with little attempt at art, and this, with ahandful of bits of rough chest- nut bark by the way of lining, completes the nest, with the exception of a few green leaves, which are added after the eggs are deposited and incubation has begun. Possibly this is intended to cover the eggs, or at least render them inconspicuous at such times as the parent takes her airing. The late Harry K. Jamison once informed me that I was the only collector he had met who, besides himself, had noticed the fragments of rough chestnut bark in the nest of this species, al- though it is a well- known trait of Occepiter cooper. An invariable sign of incubation is the down feathers sticking about the nest, and I have found quill feath- ers on the ground under the nest before the set was completed. Complete sets may be reasonably looked for during the first week in May. Inone instance where three eggs constituted the set, I found that the second and third eggs were deposited on the third days after the previous ones had been 74 THE NIDOLOGIST laid; in other words, two days intervening be- tween deposition. On the morning of April 27, 1895, I was agreeably surprised to hear the notes of a pair of these Hawks in their old haunts, not more than five hundred yards back of my home. I found them perched about an old Crow’s nest, forty-five feet up in a chestnut tree, which stood close to a much frequented cart road. They were evidently having an animated con- sultation regarding the merits of the place; at any rate, they protested vigorously when a party of four came within easy gunshot. A pair of Cooper's Hawks had remodeled this nest the previous year, but owing to the publicity of the place and constant danger of disturbance, they deserted it before any eggs had been deposited. Probably the same conditions influenced this pair to reject this site, for they did not tarry long. Feeling posi- tive that they had nested in the immediate vicinity, I made ineffectual searches for them until May 19, when I observed one of the birds perched on a tree in close proximity to a rather favorable looking nest, but subsequently I found it unoccupied. Later visits to all the old nests in the neitgh- borhood resulted in my complete failure to locate the occupied nest. The trees were in full leaf; my perfect familiarity with this por- tion of the long ridge of chestnut timber, and my knowledge of the location and history of every large nest, alone enabled me to inspect them all in turn. On occasions I had heard the well-known whistling notes, and so on the afternoon of the 5th of June, as a sort of forlorn hope, I sallied out for one more effort before giving it up entirely. My steps wandered toward a likely looking nest not one hundred feet from where I had secured a set of three eggs in 1888, and but four times that distance from the tree which I had climbed to find a set of two eggs in 189t. Now I had pounded the base of this tree on two occasions previously (May 23 and 29), and yet looked upon it with suspicion. Again I rapped and rapped, hard and continuously, without re- sponse. Pondering upon the uncertainty of everything, and the nesting habits of this little ample-winged Hawk in particular, I continued to pound, and felt gratified, not surprised (for anticipation seldom fails of being much greater than realization in the life of an Odlogist), when the little Hawk silently and leisurely sailed off with a few sluggish flaps of her wings, disappearing in the leafy tree tops. I returned toward evening with climbers and field glass. When yet some distance off I could see her standing upright, preening her- self, but as I advanced she settled in the nest until only ‘her head appeared above the rim as she watched me attentively. She must have left while I was strapping on my climbers, but so quietly that I did not know she had gone until I reached the nest. From first to last no sound was uttered by the birds, nor where they afterward located in the neighboring tree tops. Two undersized plainly marked eggs were my reward for an easy climb of forty-seven feet. They measure 1.74x1.42, 1.76x1.45. I think they can justly claim the title of “runts ” of their kind, if that peculiar term be not confined to infertile eggs alone. With my experience with this, my last clutch, I do not find it hard to account for the ap- parent rarity of the species, and why so few of our local OGlogists have found their nests; yet with plenty of time and persistence an in- teresting series of sets might be taken within a radius of ten miles of this place. I have always felt a reluctance toward harrying this species on account of their perfect harm- lessness and quiet unobtrusiveness; my three sets having been taken from the nearest woods and collecting ground, much frequented by me in odd moments, where the fascination of searching for and the temptation to collect a rare nest could hardly be resisted. Berwyn, Pa., December, 1895. >> Amphibious Experiences. BY P. M. SILLOWAY. NE does not always find as interesting an oc- cupant of anest asa King Rail, and in peer- ing among the flags one frequently under- goes an experience altogether unpleasant. I had been anticipating the finding of a nest of the Mal- lard or other species of Duck (I am still antici- pating this coveted experience), and as I slopped among the scattered tufts of flags I once caught a glimpse of a brown body occupying a structure partly hidden by intervening stems. I stepped high to avoid splashing the water and stealthily drew near the nest, congratulating myself that at last | had found the dream of my Odlogical life. When I had stepped around the last in- tervening tuft and was within eight feet of the nest, to my horror I saw a large (not too large) snake coiled upon the pile, awaiting my ar- rival with glittering eye and vibrating tongue. The sight of a snake near at hand always un- nerves me, if I ever had any nerve, and though I had my egg basket on my right arm and a good stout staff in my left hand, it is no ex- aggeration for me to say that I leaped clear out of the water as I retreated, while to my further demoralization the reptile glided down on the side near me and straitened his form out in the THE NIDOLOGIST water directly toward me. Ideas raced to and fro in my excited brain. My stick was in my left hand, and I knew that I could not hit the ophidian with my left if I tried, while if I took time to change the basket and the stick I might be attacked and bitten. Retreat was out of the question, for I was firmly anchored in three distinct layers of resisting material, mud, moss, and water. Happily for me the snake turned aside abruptly and wriggled among the stems, but you to the swamps last summer was an introduction to the Yellow-headed Blackbird. I had waded far out into the deepest portion of an extensive swamp lake, and was in the tall flags which im- mediately bordered the area of open water, when I heard a strange yet familiar note. The attempted song was ludicrous in its failure to exhibit any musical qualities, yet the note was so unmistakably like the Grackle’s that I knew I had found the Yellow-headed Blackbird be- fore I discovered who are “scary” will appreciate my feelings for the next half hour. Another _ nerve- testing experience of the swamps is to havea great big dog- fish bump against your legs as he darts after a school of minnows, and then while you are back- ing away or hurrying forward to escape the presence of this unknown subterra- nean demon, he kicks up a diminu- tive shower of drops and spray in your face, and you realize that it is only a harmless prowler of the mossy water forests that has mo- mentarily crowded your throat with the contents of your thorax. However, fearing that some of the inexperienced readers of the Nip- | the owner of the voice. The bird was grasping the bending stem of one of a group of flags, | and now and then | he perpetrated that harsh, squeaking song, which sound- ed as though it were uttered with utmost effort, and rasped through the wind- pipe of the perform- | er like the screaking of a hinge long rust- ing, yet the ending was not so unmu- | sical as the begin- ning. As I cau- tiously approached the performer, he gently loosened his grip on the stem where he was perch- ing and slowly shd down the stem until he had disappeared below the horizon of the flags about me,and then he soon flew from the spot to another point far- OLOGIsStT may be fearful of the terrors A. W. of the swamps, and thus be deterred from invading the homes of the water birds, I take pleasure in stating that all these things are perfectly harmless, and one may wade the swamps from day to day with no danger from snakes, fishes, or other amphibious creatures. All these denizens of the water will be more startled than you at your approach, and the snakes will always be found at the sur- face of the water, thus making it impossible to tread upon them. Just leave them alone and they will be only too glad to treat you in the same manner. One of the pleasant experiences of my visit ANTHONY, ther away, there to screech out his ca- denza as before. In the notes on the distribution of this species in Illinois, given in Ornithologist and Odlogist for August, 1893, Dr. W. S. Strode reports his not having observed it. Yet I found them sparingly in Flag Lake. Fulton Co., near the home of Mr. Strode, from May 15 to June 5, and found several nests which I felt morally certain were of their architecture, though it was too early for the eggs, and I was unable positively to distinguish their work from that of the Red-winged Black- birds. I believe that they nest in this swamp, however, and I shall take the opportunity an- other year to develop the fact, yet this must be MEMBER A. O. U. 76 THE NIDOLOGIST near the southern limit of their summer resi- dence. And now I realize that I have written a great deal and have said a very little. I have not added greatly to the knowledge of the readers of the Nipotocist, I have not described any rare birds or eggs, yet if I have caused any of my friends to think more highly of the birds and their ways, I am content. My lot is not cast where I am likely to meet any of the rarer species, but I love the common birds, even the Coots, the Gallinules, the Rails, and the Grebes, and bespeak for them a wider acquaintance even among the lovers of the NiDOLoGiIsv. Roodhouse, Ill. > + > Some Birds New to Colorado. Witu Notes ON OTHERS OF LITTLE KNOWN DISTRIBUTION IN THE STATE. ( Concluded.) Strix pratincola, American Barn Owl.—One was caught in the Town Hall of South Denver and mounted by Mr. Todenwarth. Asio accipit) inus, Short-eared Owl.—Rather common about Denver in migration. Also found in winter. Sometimes parties of half a dozen seen together. I have seen many pre- served specimens. Nyctala acadica, Saw-whet Owl.—On April 25, 1888, an adult was killed with a pitchfork four or five miles from Denver, on Clear Creek. Another shot by Mr. John Bentley at Dome Rock, Colo., June 16, 1888, and a third shot near Fort Lupton, February 2, 1890. Mr. Denis Gale, of Gold Hill, not only reports it as occurring, but breeding. Nyctea nyctea, Snowy Owl.—During the win- ter of 1886-87 many of these Owls appeared in the State, and many competitive dealers who could not get the genuine article imported skins from other points and had them “ set up,” thus making matters confusing to the Ornitholo- gist. However, I succeeded in locating a num- ber of genuine Colorado captures, several of which were taken by Mr. William G. Smith, of Loveland, Colo. In response to an inquiry, Mr. Smith wrote under date of January 19, 1888, that he had killed four specimens and seen one other. They came during a heavy snowstorm and were very shy. Three were taken in traps set on posts over ice on a lake. Others which I have seen are two from near Greeley—one in 1888, the other about January 1, 1890—one from Barr Lake in January, 1890, with several others reported from same place. I have also received reliable information of its presence through many others. Glaucidium gnoma, Pygmy Owl.—One was caught alive February 18, 1888, in the heart of the city, but died a few days later. Another was mounted by Mr. A. T. Allen during the winter of 1888-89. It was sent from Durango, Colo. Empidonax pusillus trailli, Traill’s Fly- catcher.—Not uncommon at Denver in migra- tion together with ¢we pusillus. Specimens of the two, as well as of &. minimus, were sent to: Mr. Ridgway for verification. Zonotrichia albicollis, White-throated Spar- row.—On October 5, 1892, while hunting on Coal Creek, about eight miles east of Denver, I saw a specimen of this species in company with Intermediate Sparrows. As they were among some weeds standing in water, I did not shoot, hoping that a change of position might give me a better opportunity, but unfortunately the birds. flew still farther into the marsh, and could not be dislodged. Though positive in my own mind of the identity, it is, perhaps, best to give: the reader the benefit of a doubt. I believe it has been but once recorded in the State. Vireo solitarius cassiniz, Cassin’s Vireo.—A_ female was shot by the writer May 13, 1888, on Coal Creek, east of Denver.- Sent to Mr. Ridg- way for verification. Hlelminthophila celata lutescens, Lutescent Warbler.—Quite common in migrations, to- gether with “we H. celata. Specimens were veri- fied by Mr. Ridgway. It has been recorded from Cclorado Springs by Mr. Brewster (Bull. Nutt. Ornith. Club, Vol. VIII, No. 3, p. 156). Dendroica caerulescens, Black-throated Blue Warbler.—A female was shot by the writer May 24, 1888, on the Platte River, near Denver, and verified by Mr. Ridgway. The second recorded for the State. Troglodytes hiemalis, Winter Wren.—A_ fe- male was caught by the cat at the writer’s home October 13, 1891. Turdus aonalaschke, Dwarf Hennit Thrush. —Quite common in migration at Denver. A small series was sent, with other Thrushes, to Mr. Ridgway for comparison, of which he wrote: “The former are not quite typical, being a little larger than the average, but are much too small for awduboni, and altogether too gray and too slender billed for pad/asz,” with the fur- ther remark that he thought it had been re- corded, for the State, but I can learn of no record. Mr. Brewster found awdubont quite abundant at Colorado Springs in 1882 (B. N. O. C., Vol. III, No. 3, p. 152), but made no mention of this species. Sialia sialis, Bluebird.—One seen in com- pany with S. arctica at the writer’s home, Sep- tember 6,1884. Though not captured, there is no doubt of its identity, as it was rather tame and permitted ciose observation with a field glass. Horace G. SMITH. Denver, Colo. THE NIDOLOGIST 77 Earty Recorp.—Jan. 22.—A flock of fifty Geese, going West.. Cari Fritz HENNING. “ Birds’ Home,’ Boone, Ia. * * A Few [lichigan Notes. On July 1, 1895, R. R. Newton found a Wood Pewee’s nest near this city, saddled onto a horizontal branch, fifteen feet above the ground and three or four feet out from the trunk. It contained young, partially feathered, and a Cuckoo's egg, which was badly incubated. This looks a trifle as though our American bird has taken upon himself one of the traits of his European cousin. I notice that the Dickcissel has been up for discussion in the Nrpotocist. I have never seen the bird myself, but Mr. A. B. Durfee says that he has found it fairly common in the meadows near this city. R. R. Newton took a fine male Pine Grosbeak from a flock January 6, 1896. It was in the height of the red plumage. Horned Larks have been with us in large flocks for the past month. W. E. MULLIKEN. Grand Rapids, Mich., Jan. 28, 1896. * * Notes from Connecticut. Kingfishers, Downy and Red-headed Wood- peckers have been quite plenty since December 8. I noticed four Kingfishers asleep in an old shed near our pond during a snowstorm. They seemed quite startled by my presence. A large flock of Redwings were seen January 3, but none have been seen since. LL. M. CLark. Suffield, Conn., Feb. 4, 1896. * * Bluebirds in West Virginia. Epiror NIpOoLocisr. Dear Sir: Thereare quite afew birds win- tering here, among others the Bluebird. I was quite surprised, when I first came here (about November 25), to see a good many Bluebirds; saw several flocks of thirty. The first week of Jan- uary, was very cold and they disappeared, but since then it has been quite warm, and a few have again come back. Other birds wintering are a few Cardinals; Juncos; Hairy, Downy, Red-bellied, and Pileated Woodpeckers ; lots of Tufted Titmice, Chick- adees, White-bellied Nuthatches, Tree Sparrows ; a few Brown Creepers and Horned Owls. R. B. Simpson. Arches, W. Va., Jan. 29, 1896. > 7 Mining by Taxidermy. R. JOHN A. BRYANT, of Kansas City, Mo., writes us: “Tt may be that this will be of some interest to the readers of the Nipo.ocisr. I had an occasion a few days since to drop in on one of our prominent taxidermists and found him much excited over the peculiar condition of a pair of jaws he had taken from the heads. of two deer sent to him for mounting. The jaws in question were those of the ordinary deer of Colorado, but the molars were incrusted with a brownish-yellow substance, which, on being. scraped off and assayed, proved to be gold. Of course the professor was worked up over the find. He claimed that he knew the locality where the deerwere killed, and that he thought he would be able to locate a placer mine from this leader, as these deer (according to his ideas) no doubt incrusted their teeth with the gold from licking at some sandy salt lick, or by the teeth grinding the grass with gold amid the soil that the roots were imbedded in. He says that the animals were killed within a radius of one hundred miles of Cripple Creek, but will not give the exact location, as he is going to sell out his business and prospect for this, which he considers, will prove an extremely rich gold field.” >- +o Trapping Hyenas. HIS is the way they catch hyenas in Africa. The trap is built on the simple “ dead- fall” principle, and itis needless to say the animal is not taken alive. Just what crushed hyena is useful for we do not know, but at any rate the tables are turned, and, in- stead of the “laughing hyena,” the native has the laugh on the hyena. > > > WE take pleasure in this number in presenting to our readers a good portrait of Mr. A. W. Anthony, of San Diego, Cal. His active work in Western Ornith— ology is too well known to need comment here. We regard his recent election to active membership in the American Ornithologists’ Union as simply a fair ex- change of honors. Tue NipoLocist appears with a beautiful new cover. Among the contributors are many eminent Ornithologists; but stories of collecting adventures and ‘‘ Notes from the Field” present nature and bird- life in their most charming aspects.—. Sports A field. 78 THE NIDOLOGIST (Publications for review should be sent to Dr. R. W. Suuretpr, Associate in Zoologs, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D. C.] PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED. Parker, T. JEFFERY, D.Sc., F.R.S. On the Cranial Osteology, Classification, and Phylogeny of the Dinor- nithide, Trans. Zool. Soc., London. Vol. XIII, Pt. xi. Oct., 1895. Pls. LVI-LXII. Wwe. in text. Pp. 373-428. 4to. [From the author.] FuURBRINGER, MAX. nat. Ornitho. Congress. gel, [From the author. ] FurerIncer, Max. Ueber die mit dem Visceralskelet verbundenen spinalen Muskeln bet Selachiern. Ab- druck aus der Jenaischen Zeitschrift fiir Naturwis- senschaft. Bd. XXX. N. F. XXIII. Pp. 127-135. [From the author. ] Mostus, K. Die @sthetische Betrachtung der Thiere. Sitzungsberichte der Kéniglich Preussischen Akad- emie der Wissenschaften zu Berlin. XLV. 1895. Pp. 1-11. [From the author.] Zoilozical Society of London. [Min. of meetings. | roth Nov. and 3d Dec., 1895. [From the secretary. | PARKER: On the Cranial Osteology, Classification, and Phylogeny of the Dinornithide. This is a superb piece of work, from one of the most distinguished con- tributors to scientific Ornithology now living. Cover- ing, as it does, over fifty quarto pages, it is gotten out in the usual sumptuous style of the T. Z. S. publi- cations, and the figures on the plates stand among the finest for fossil birds that the present writer knows anything about. The skulls were photographed by J. Thompson and lithographed by M. P. Parker (a brother of the author), and finally printed by West Newman. The outlined skulls were drawn by Pro- fessor Parker, and chromo-lithographed by his brother also. They areextremely useful, and admirable pieces of work. A number of life-size views of the skulls of Lmeus are given, as well as those of dnomalopteryx adidiformis, Mesopteryx, Pachyornis, with a great many outlines of the crania of other Dinornithide. This family, last named, includes the ‘“‘Moas” of New Zealand, which were great Ostrich-like forms, now all extinct. Professor Parker being connected with the museum of the University of Otago, at Dunedin, New Zeaiand, it has given him especial opportunities to enter upon the labors that he has now brought to so successful a termination. Sir Richard Owendid some grand work upon the osteology of the Dizornithide, but he by no means exhausted the subject; nor was this accomplished by the appearance of the recent volumes of Lydekker and Hutton. Indeed, these three authorities left much of our dinornithine litera- ture in a state of dire confusion. The nature of this confusion is fully set forth by the author of the pres- ent monograph, following which he prints, 27 exfenso, the magnificent list of material he has been permitted to study at his leisure. This illustrates the genera Dinornis, Pachyornis, Mesopteryx, Anomalopteryx, and Lmeus. The third section of the work is given over to a complete account of the comparative anatomy of the skull of the Dinornithide ; and section four to ‘‘A Comparison of the Skulls of the Dinornithide with those of the other Ratite.” An excellent section (5) Rep. Com. fiir den. W1-ten Inter- 3. Sect. Anatomie der Vo- is devoted to the ‘‘ Measurements of the Skulls of the Ratite;’’ and another (6) to a ‘‘Summary of the Cranial Characters of the Ratite.” This latter is ac- companied by exhaustive tables on the subject, being far ahead, in that direction, of anything done yet with Apteryx, Dromeus, Casuarius, Struthio,and Rhea. In the section devoted to ‘‘ The Classification of the Di- nornithide,’’ the several classifications of Reichen- bach (1850), Von Haast (1873), Lydekker (1891), Hut- ton (1891), and Parker (1892), are clearly set forth ina tabulated form. A study of this monograph up to this point is surely a lesson for. any thinking Ornithologist we may have among us, and I only wish I commanded the space here to dwell upon it. By arranging the groups as nearly as possible according to their affinities as determined. by cranial characters, Professor Parker proposes the following scheme: Family. DINORNITHID. Subfamily a. DINORNITHINA. Genus 1. Dinornis. Subfamily 4. ANOMALOPTERYGINA. Genus 2. Pachyornis. «3. Mesopteryx. «4. Anomalopteryx. Subfamily c. EMEIN«@. Genus 6. Emeus. Then attacking next, in an equally masterly man- ner, and by similar methods, the subfamilies and gen- era of the Dinornithide (Sect. 8), he is prepared to present ‘The Phylogeny of the Ratite’’ as a whole (Sect. 9). This last part is illustrated by phylogenetic diagrams, after the fashion of Firbringer. In con- clusion, Professor Parker classifies the subclass RA- TIT by primarily dividing it into the three New- tonian Orders, to wit, the STRUTHIONES, the RHE, and the MrecistaNnes. The first of these contains the Family Struthionide, created for the single genus Struthio ; the second, the Family Rheide, with the genus Rea, while the third and last order is divided into two suborders, namely, CASUARIFORMES and Ap- TERYGIFORMES, as was done by Fiirbringer. The first of these has two families, Casuariidze (with the genus Casuarius) and Dromeide (with the genus Dromeus). The second suborder has also two families, namely, the Dinornithidz (the classification of which is already given above) and the Family Apterygidz, containing the single genus Apteryx. A list of works referred to (twenty-eight in number) completes this luminous con- tribution to our knowledge of that highly important group of living and extinct birds—the Ostriches and their allies. R. W. S. FUBBRINGER: Anatomy of Birds (Address before the second International Ornithological Congress). Space will by no means admit of my reviewing here, as it amply deserves to be reviewed, this splendid effort on the part of one of the greatest workers in Ornithology the science has ever known In upward of fifty quarto pages, printed in the last refinements of the art, Professor Fiirbringer sweeps over the field of what has been accomplished in the study of the struc- ture of birds. Beginning briefly with the days of the dawn of the science at the time of Aristotle, he quickly carries the subject down to the period of modern laborers, and into those fields where his own pen has made such far-reaching and brilliant achievements. Once there, his generous hand omits no name that has added anything worthy of especial mention to Ornithological science, representing whatsoever coun- try they may. With similar pride and enthusiasm he calls attention to the many splendid monographs pub- lished both in Europe and America upon Avian On- THE NIDOLOGIST 79 togeny, as well as those upon Palzornithology, or where the remains of many extinct birds have been studied. Goethe, Lamark, Darwin, Wallace, and Haeckel added much to the elucidation of systematic or taxonomical Ornithology through the demonstra- tion of certain general biological laws, while this science of classificatory Ornithology received light from another direction, namely, the morphological one, through the labors of Witzsch, Huxley, Milne- Edwards, W. K. Parker, Garrod, and others. His- tology and its allied branches, with Physiology and its kindred departments, both as applied to birds, have been ably advanced by not a few minds and hands, and in addition to this all the anatomical systems of many species and groups of avian forms have been worked out in detail. As in all other natural di- visions of animals, it is found that the facts of mor- phology, physiology, paleontology, and geographical distribution as applied to AvEs, all rest upon and mu- tually explain each other, and all tend to demonstrate the origin of birds in time, their relations to each other, and to other vertebrate groups, and all else that goes to make up the special and general biological history of the class. Professor Fiirbringer’s address brings the history of avian anatomy down to about the latter part of 1890, and for the ten years prior to that time he, with great thoroughness, points out the wonderful amount of work that has been accomplished in the Osteology of Birds, and how, in some quarters, this acquired knowledge has been utilized by those systematic tax- onomers capable of appreciating it. Many have de- voted themselves to the embryology of birds; to studies of the flight of birds; and to their pterylog- raphy. One author neglects to notice not a thing, and with marked lucidity and a keen philosophy he handles the literature of every possible department of Ornithological science that has in any way had its literature augmented during the period of which he treats. Ten quarto pages of Ornithological bibliog- raphy complete this masterly paper, the closing words of which latter echo we back to its very eminent au- thor—‘‘ Gehen auch wir Viribus unitus zur Arbeit—so gehen wir zum Siege!” R. W. S. > +e Ornis of a City Yard. N EXT door to me, in this city, is a hous® in a yard of about half an acre, in which are some seven or eight good- sized trees. Below I give a list of the birds noted in there by me during the last three years. Screech Owl.—December 24, 1892, just be- fore dark, I saw one perched on the rainspout under the eaves of the house. Chimney Swift—While not zz the yard I have seen them flying aéove it, and on one oc- casion saw one pluck a twig from a locust tree. Ruby-throated Hummingbird.—I have fre- quently seen a single individual, and on one warm day in May, 1893, I saw at least one hundred birds flying about a large horse chest- nut tree that was in full blossom at the time. Crow.—Only once have I seen one stop in the yard. March 14, 1892, two flew over, then circled about and perched in the top of one of the maples. Goldfinch.—September 8, 1894, one ¢ and two 9 were seen eating the seed from a bed of sunflowers. Cedarbird.—May 20, 1894, while eating breakfast I heard their note, and looking out my back window I saw a flock of eight or ten in the locust tree. Red-eyed Vireo.—July 20, 1893, one was seen feeding in the maples; another was seen May 20, 1894. Black-and-white Warbler.—In May, 1892, I saw one in a maple tree in the street in front of my house. It soon flew to the next yard, where it remained the balance of the day. Yellow Warbler.—I do not know the date of their arrival, but during the latter part of May, and all through June, 1892, I could hear a pair in the next yard. ‘They would begin singing about 4 o'clock a. M. On November 13 I discovered the nest. It was in a gincko tree, about forty feet up, and out on a long limb, about twenty feet from the trunk. May 4, 1893, my little friends made their ap- pearance again, as usual singing every morning soon after daybreak. June 7, while seated on my back porch, I caught sight of their nest. Next spring I shall look for them about May r. (They did not appear in 1895.) Black-throated Blue Warbler.—October 17, 1895, I shot a &. Blackpoll Warbler.—Killed an immature bird September 28, 1895; another October 2, 1895. Brown Creeper.—October 26, 1895, I saw one working in and out of the crevices of an old stone wall. Golden-crowned Kinglet.—Several seen in the maples October 26, 1895. Robin.—Frequently seen during the fall mi- grations. English Sparrow.—My list would not be complete unless I included this pest. They are there all the time, and many a one meets its death by my rifle. Their nests are in the vines on the side of my house, but are out of reach. I have also noted the following from time to time: Sparrow Hawk, House Wren, Blue Jay, Nighthawk, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, White-bellied Nuthatch; also several small Warblers, species unknown. The following were seen and reported to me: Bob White.—In the latter part of September, 1892, the colored janitor of a club near my house was passing the front gate early in the morning and saw a covey of nineteen birds on the lawn. i Ruffed Grouse.—In company with the Bob Whites was a single individual of this species. WiLiiaM H. FIsHer. Baltimore, Md. 80 THE NIDOLOGIST THE NIDOLOGIST. AN ILLUSTRATED MONTHLY MAGAZINE DEVOTED TO THE STUDY OF ORNITHOLOGY, With Special Reference to the NIDIFICATION OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. H. R. TAYLOR, Editor and Publisher, Associated with Dr. R. W. SHUFELDT. WE EXPOSE FRAUDS. Official Organ Cooper Ornithological Club of the Pacific Coast. Subscription (inadvance), . . ‘ Sat : $1.00 (Foreign subscribers add 12 cents for postage.) ‘) Single Copies. 15 cents Remit bills, money order, draft, or check. ; The Magazine is not sent after subscriptions have expired. OUR AGENTS. Swann & Co., 1 & 2 Bouverie Street, Fleet Street, London, E. C. GatirornrA—C. BArLow, of. Santa Clara, is our agent, and can receive subscriptions, advertisements, furnish terms, papers, etc. Cotorapo—Freperick M. Ditix, 406 McPhee Building, Denver, is our accredited agent for the middle West. Original contributions, with or without illustrations, are desired ADVERTISING RATES FURNISHED. OFFICE OF PUBLICATION, 150 FIFTH AVENUE, NEW YORK CITY. Entered at the New York Post Office as mail matter of the second class. Tue New York papers have recently published long accounts of the theft of $10,000 worth of specimens from Yale’s museum by A. H. Verrill, of New Haven, Conn., whom, it will be remembered, the NpIOLOGIST was obliged to expose, in its October (1893) number, as a hand painter of birds’ eggs. Among Verrill’s achievements at that time was the sale of seven /z7- tles eggs for Carolina Paroquets, for which he received $1o each. Verrill was literally an ~tistic cheat, and the notorious Dr. Smith, of Malden, of Ivory-billed Woodpecker fame, wasn’t “in i!" with him. His re- cent peculations consisted chi -y of archeological specimens. Many have been recovered from dealers to whom he sold them. In some cases he substituted cheap imitations in the museum for the stolen orig- inals. It is said that his father, a highly respected professor in Yale College, has made good the loss, and that the young man will not be prosecuted. Ver- rill is said to be a good taxidermist, and it is a pity he has gone wrong. ; A Standard Egg Catalogue. Our ‘“‘Standard American Egg Catalogue”’ will be all the name implies. Carefully prepared with the assistance of representative active collectors, and those who handle large quantities of eggs in exchanging, it cannot fail to be a fair basis, and as such will be adopted and continued in use by collectors for some time to come, conforming as it does to the nomencla- ture of the new ‘‘A. O. U. Check List.” We have fixed the price to meet the convenience of every col- lector. It will be out on time. We have no ‘‘ax to grind” or instruments to sell. Cool judgment and all available information alone influence us in fixing prices. There will be only one ‘‘ standard,” and that one indispensable. WE are informed on good authority that Avifauna is dead. Two numbers did it, the last being Novem- ber. Espousing a dishonest cause may have been partly the cause of this brilliant failure. The birds sing long over untold graves of ambitious but short- lived ‘‘ bird papers.” I HAVE received the December number of the NIDOLOGIST, a magazine which is the exponent of American Ornithology and Odlogy. Among the con- tents are a report of the thirteenth Congress of the American Ornithologists’ Union held in the United States National Museum, Washington. Itis pleasing to note that quite a number of ladies attended the Congress. A portrait group is given of the officers and principal members of the Union. There is also an excellent drawing of the nesting place of the Duck Hawk, a bird of prey of the Falcon species, and an engraving of a portion of Heligoland, show- ing the great Monk Rock and adjacent cliffs, whereon millions of birds alight on migration. A new cover with beautiful sketches of birds, and notes on Carolina birds, the Dickcissel, Thrushes, etc., add interest to the number. The magazine affords English Orni- thologists the means of becoming acquainted with the habits of rarer American birds. It is edited by Mr. Henry Reed Taylor, with whom is associated Dr. R. W. Shufeldt; of the Smithsonian Institution.—Vew- castle-on- Tyne Chronicle. WE had an interesting talk with Mr. C. P. Wilcomb, curator of the Golden Gate Park Museum, San Fran- cisco, who paid our office a visit recently. He had just completed a successful tour, gathering up Colonial relics for the ‘‘ Colonial Room” of the museum. The. Park Museum is receiving constant additions to its valuable collection. Among rarities it possesses the famous Doré vase, which cost $40,000. The natural history department occupies one floor of the main building, and besides this there are ‘* Aboriginal Hall,” “Oriental Hall,” ‘* Jewel Hall,” a valuable depart- ment devoted to a display of California food fishes, etc. An annex of two stories is now being built. Birds and mammals are represented in the Gruber collection, which has been purchased; also others do- nated, including Dr. Prill’s collection of birds’ eggs. Large crowds visit the museum daily. Mr. C. W. Marcuant, of West Redding, Conn., writes us: ‘‘In my rambles last spring I found a Ruffed Grouse on her nest in almost the same po- sition as the one in the picture in the NIDOLOGIST. The bird’s mate stood about three feet away, and I approached within four or five feet before either took wing. The nest contained ten eggs, and was placed at the foot of an elm tree in a swale ona high hill, and { find them there each year, in about the same spot.” Comment in England. Tue NipoLocist’s happy combination of bright- ness, scientific accuracy, and records of field natural- ists’ works has been a constant source of instruction and entertainment. It came out in December with a new and nicely illustrated cover, and some illustra- tions very artistically reproduced, particularly the view of a corner of the headland of the island of Heligoland, ‘‘the magnetic pole ot the bird world.’”— Yorkshire Weekly Post. Mr. J. H. Bow es, of Ponkapog, Mass., is con- gratulating himself over the acquisition of an odd specimen of the Rusty Grackle. It was taken Octo- ber 24, and is of a uniform silvery-white plumage, with greenish-gray iris. Such a ‘‘take”’ is ‘‘a thing of beauty and a joy forever.” EVERY sort of tent is kept by S. Hemmenway & Son, of New York. They are thoroughly reliable, and can furnish collecting naturalists with every requisite _n their line, 1 ‘An OXYGEN HONE CU a WITHOUT MEDICINE. Bs | _ Often Cures Cases Incurable to the S Most Approved Remedies. ... . » ieee . 5S ‘The following letter is from Rev. Ross Taylor, ec.or of ILLUSTRATED — AFRICA (formerly called AFRICAN NEWS), a.’ournal in the interests — bie > of African missionaries, and which was established by his father, Rev. ae __--~‘William Taylor, Bishop of Africa: ee No, 150 FIFTH AVENUE, NEW YORK, May 15, 1894.. r ..” My Dear Sir: ‘S a8 I take pleasure in notifying you of the beneficent results of the use of the Electropoise as reported! 3 a to me by several of our missionaries. Rev. William Rasmussen, for some six years on the Congo, 3 testifies that when early applied it will check African fever. Rey. William E. Dodson, who has seen still _ longer service in Angola, has found it very efficient as a remedial agent. I have used one in my own family with very gratifying results. My youngest son had what seemed to me to be a very serious nervous affection; when your treatment was first applied, he could not endure more than three minutes’ application at a time. After some weeks he could go to sleep under the treat- _ ty ment, and let it continue until morning. He is now in perfect health, which can only be attributed, ai under the blessing of God, to the Electropoise and your advice to keep him as much as possible in the _ fresh air. = The Bishop has taken one of your instruments to Africa, since when we have sent several others. _ Yours truly, 4 ROSS TAYLOR e x. 1122 Broadway, New York lect libration (0.., 407 Oxford Street, London GREAT EASTER UNTIL APRIL 10TH I will send you eggs in complete sets with data as follows: Pe g. ef. m. Herring Gull, 1-3.......... $o 08 | Am. White Pelican, 1-3.......... $0 16 | Western Lark Sparrow, 1- Ring-billed Gull, 1-3 15 | White Ibis, 1-3 15 | Vesper Sparrow, 1-4...... Royal Tern, 1-3.. ... 18 | Least Bittern, 1 09 | Redwing, 1-4.............. ommon Tern, 1-3... 05 | Scissor-tailed Hiyeatonen: tbe. Od| Gartbin.d; aie jeer santos ee eache’s Petrel, 1-1 08 | Am. Goldfinch, 1-5............... 03 Or the entire lot, listing at $6.55, for only $2. 25, F. O. B., or $2.75 prepaid. I have also fine nests for Baster decoration: Am. Goldfinch, Yellow Warbler, Indigo Bunting, Red- -eye at15 cents each. Black-chinned Hummer, Baltimore Oriole, Kingbird, Hedge Sparrow, Chat, at 20 eens f. Bush-tit, Ruby-throated Hummer, Golden-crowned Knight, at 25 cents each, all prepaid. : Fine skins of Bohemian Waxwing é at 75 cents; Pine Grosbeak? at 45 cents; Am. Crossbill 4 at 35 cents ung Sereech Owl or Ruffed Grouse in down, just right for group work, 35 cents each. All skins pr epai If you want GOVERNMENT. REPORTS send me a list of your wants. Thave a splendid JAPANESE CO PPER PHEASA NT, PSEHNEL 3 on plush nal funnel ches long; a fine wall piece; valued at $25.00. Will be sold for $10. oo €c as A fine pair of mounted DEER HEADS. Reeular price $20. 00; for $9.50. You couldn't get * them mounted for that. ; : SHARK’S JAW withset of teeth, $2.00 prepaid. : CREAT CURI Oo SITY. A kitten haying two distinct bodies joined to one head, eight legs on ae Is (aleoholie specimen), in jar, $2.00. AS Fine eee POTTERY from Patzcuar), Mexico. A lost art revived. CUPS, BOWLS, PL rE ASKETS, etc., 10 cents each. } MEXICAN BAN KS, shaped and colored to imitate various fruits, as BANANAS, MELONS, PEAR etc, 30 cents each. Fine GIANT SEA-PEN, Pennatula borealis. Regular price, $2.50, at 75 cents each. ro ‘Nine inch SAW-FISH SAWS, regular price, 35 cents, at 21 cents each. 2 ‘ “ak PORCUPINE FISH at 24 cents each, regular price, 45 cents. > A fine line of Odlogists’ and Taxidermists’ Instruments and Supplies always on hand. The best Glass Ey: ecialty. Write for quotations on Minerals, Fossils, and Shells. e GEST to Ae Retail ane a en of ERNEST H. SHORT, ALBION,. N. y. ATTENTION? Birds’ Eggs. Be Birds’ Eggs. . A rare chance for collectors who know a good thing. Don't you miss 1 Have on hand as fine a lot of 5 ues Southern Birds’ Eggs -as were ever brought together, and will sell same at prices that defy com- petition.” Now is your chance to strengthen your series of Southern eggs, 0 ; \\ : : : 6 f lay in a stock of desirable material for trading. Yor may never get such another chance, so don’t miss it. All sets guaranteed true to name, and original. With full data. Nests with he - many. Fair dealing assured. Satisfaction a pleasure. 7 E. A. McILHENNY, 7 Heny ReeoTaYLon SS }{ EDITOR & PUBLISHER G Dr. 8. W.SHUFELDT- OF THE No. 8 April NEw York CITY. Ornithologist and paces AND Avery’s Island, Iberia Parish, La. PiRtCr ST ; Per Egg. | Per Egg. : Pied- billed Grebe... ..........50 05'| Chimney Swifts. os csqceens sees $0 10 Lark SPANLOWs = camera srene aughing Gull.. 05 | Ruby-throated: Hummer......... 90:1)" Mexas = 5° é aspian LUG SoS nae o Mere TORII BING: Sivisitna ciere el aemesenreratore 02 Varied Bunting... Meader Peys cats Oe as ahste A AEIEEOS 10 | Crested Wy. CAteh ery reppetentereiaiarte 10 | Sharpe’s Seed- “enter, Cabot’s ** PoP eolaiyMood Pewee fos s eee as 05 | Black-capped Vireo. oster’s ‘t 05 | Orehard Oriole. . ... 02] Brasher’s Warbler... east ES 05 | Boat-tailed Grackle. ... 05} Sennett’s sf “Shit 7 AO Na Ratan Sa eae eon es ala ae Dormers ae ake eee 05 | Mirador. Yellow- throa 3 Black So UR tian ear cOaay aston bo 05 | Texan Seaside Sparrow Spa eaneae 50 | Long-tailed Chat......... Black Skimmer.........0.00000. 051 clenslow's rss. tarstclmenmeantoreee nie 50 | Sennett?’s ‘Thrasher. ...... UATE Se ogee Meme ener HO: fa@arciaal eso cris oi no alee areeeinnet 02) Curved-billed “ Mexican Cormorant 25 | Painted Bunting.........--..-.- 05 | Lomita Wren.......... oe Am. White Pelic: in 15 | Summer Tanager... 202... 6-..- 10} Texas Berwick’s Wren..... oa Brown 10 | Purple Martin.........2..2...5. 05 | Black-crested Titmouse..... ‘Hooded Merganser. .. 50 | White-eyed Vireo. . Ob |e Merditnnameeee reece Mottled Duck Matsa h aiaretereitere se eee 40 | Prothonotary War ler. ... 10} Rose-throated Bicwrd. Bictadinca ramen st cteack tsrtwe at £0) Parle pation Ata x peiaserereterateioiss 10 | Montezuma Yellow-tai Roseute Spoon-bill,........-.... 35 | Hooded Cbs ade .... 20] Gray-tailed Hawk. ....... SBT LOM DISS oes ineitiicsis alee seine ce 10 | Swainson’s ck nee eeing 50| Black Frog‘ Mo. MEANOOC Be Siegen ie ease clea erences 50 | Florida Yellow- throat. sccss2... 25)| St. Domingo Grebe. American Bittern 20 | Yellow-breasted Chat .... ..... 04 | Texas Dusky Duck : Least 05'| Mockingbird yy... 9.2 .cseecces +a 02 | Blacix-bellied ‘Tree Duck... Great Blue Heron 10 | Carolina'Wren.......c+e22+ «+ OPV EWAN GicerreScosseadecao no a3 Snowy et 10 | Long-billed Marsh Wren... 03.| Mexican Jacana... 2. sn. eseetesene : ~ Louisiana‘ 04 | White-breasted Nuthatch.. .. 15| Texan Bob-white... Be Little Blue ‘ 04 Carolina Chickadee ............. 05 | Mexican Wild Turkey Green of 04 | Blue-gray Gnat-catcher. . 08 | Aztee Paraquet ...... Yellow-crowned Night Heron. .. 15 | Bluebird..........+....--2.24-+- 02 | Groove-billed Ani....... pAMeVICAN WETeb. cess a eiean ale 25 | Red-billed Pigeon..... ........- 15 | Roadrunner......-...2.-. Pred dishes Ce cs rctte meen 10 | White-fronted Dove............- 12 | Coppery-tailed Trogon .. OUST Clapper Rail 85 | White-winged ‘“ 08) Texas Kingfisher. ....... Kin vs. ssee.. 10] Mexican Ground ‘‘ 10 | Rufus- bellied Kingfisher, . isle Gaimulesice am erasers 10 | Inca Se 15 | Baird’s Woodpecker Florida LOR ig rae pie aetahe 05 | White-tailed Kite... 1 25) Cent. Am. Pileated Woedjee. 20 | Mexican Goshawk 1 25 | Golden-fronted sleds 751) Hamissbawlsie=cce sosmeeatrs 90.| Paratigue ss. ssi acticin aval) Bee cea cafe tania 10 | Western Red-tail................ 30] Texas Nighthawk... : Perey Tee CR A aon eae 10 | Mexican Blackhawk............. 1 70] Western” Ne ec aieeelic Peas ‘Bobwhite mck mite anes 05 | Aplomado Faleon............... 1 50) Buft-bellied Hummer........ ve 40. ~Atwater’s Prairie Hen........... 50 | White-throated Faleon.......... 1 00 | Scissor-tailed Flycatcher .... é Wild Turkey. - 40 | Audubon’s Caraciura........ 020. 80 | Couch’s Kingbird Mourning Dove.. 02 | Mexican Sereech Owl.. 30 | Derby Fly catcher. . Yurkey V ulture 30 | Texan - es RS 18| Girand’s “ Black 30 | Flamulated ‘t mM 50 | Mexican Crested Flycatcher. Swallow “ziled Kite 5 00} Western Horned ‘* 35 | Lawrence’s f 4 Mississipp 1 25 | Ferruginous Pigmy ‘ 65 | Vermilion fe ~ Florida Py enideed He aw k... 25 | Mexican Meadowlark..........-. 10 | Beardless _ _Harlan’s -2. 2 00 SETS Oriole 60 | Green Jay Florida Night stow ee 20 | uesson’s 18| Brown * ISO es Seno aeeroes snes anon 1 50 | Hooded Rae Mats roe 10 | Mexican Crow Florida Barred Owl..........-.. 75 | Great-tailed Grackle. .. ... 05} Bronzed Conn American Barn: pines ee vee 12 | Mexican Goldfinch...... ..- 60) Dwarf ag Blorida Sereech “* .. 20.02.2205. 20 | Dusky Seaside Sparrow........-. 60 | Chachalaca ..............-. Chuck-will’s-widow............. 50 1 am now booking orders for the above eggs at the low prices stated. If you want any for your cabinet, or exchanging, sendin your order now. I have the finest corps of collectors in the South. _ Mr. F. Bo Armstrong and all his men are now collecting for me. Special attention given to series. ae HE NIDOLOGIST Bheh cf all , the Bind, A Magazine Devoted to a Popular Knowledge of Animated Nature PUBLISHED MONTHLY, WITH ILLUSTRATIONS Wor. lit. Not :8: Snowbirds. BY R. W. SHUFELDT, C.M.Z.S. HEN I was a boy and passing through the early phases of an Ornithologist in my home in New England, there were two kinds of birds we called “ Snow- birds.” There was the big white and dappled one, and also the smaller species, the males of which have blackish heads and white breasts. American Ornith- ologists now speak of the first kind as “Snowflakes,” and place them in a genus Plectrophen- ax—the common Snowflake being P. nivalis. The small- er fellow is called a“‘Junco,’’ and has had the genus /zn- co (of Wagler) cre- ated for him—the best known form being the one called the ** Slate- colored Junco (/. Ayemalis). This is the bird I knew asa“ Snowbird” whena boy, and I expect, if the truth were known, there are more people now, a hundred to one, who call them “Snow- birds,” rather than “ Juncos,” and at the best the latter is not a very pretty name. Dr. Coues, who is something of an Ornithophilolo- gist, says it ought to be pronounced “ Yoonco,” and that it comes from a Latin word “juscus, a reed or rush; or jungo,1 jom; punctus, joined ; either, reeds growing denseiy together, or used as withes to bind with.” He does ot tell us, however, what all this has to do with the Snowbird. When the United States National Museum was preparing material for NEW YORK, APRIL, 1896. SNOWBIRDS (¥. HYEMALIS, & AND 2). $1.00 PER YEAR, the great Columbian Exposition, there was. some wonderful progress made there in the way of taxidermical exhibits. This progress: was due to the fact that the institution em- ployed a number of very skilled taxidermical artists. Among these was a young man who produced some ex- pert pieces of work; I refer to Mr Harry ae Denslow, so well known to the American — school of taxidermists. Mr. Denslow after- ward went to New Vork jsita tere study, and while there he sent me a number of photo- graphs of his re- cent work and progress. Well, what I am coming to is this, one of these was of a pair of Snowbirds he had mounted (/. hyematlis, d and $ ), and they are so well done, and represent these birds so beau- tifully, that it gives me pleasure to put them in here as an illustration of the genus we have now under consideration. It is a splendid piece of work and as natural as life. Now years and years ago when that lovely poet-naturalist, Alexander Wilson, wrote on American Ornithology, he knew of but one species of this genus, and for it he used the term FYringilla hudsonia, calling it by the honest name of a Snowbird. It was the Ayin- gilla hyemalis of Linneus ; the Passer nivalis of Bartram, and our present /wnco hyemalis. What would Wilson say were it possible for him to be among us again, if he were told that Snowbirds are now called “Juncos;’’ that 82 THE NIDOLOGIST Fringilla hudsonia 1s very, very wide of the mark for a name; and that moreover, in ad- dition to the species he knew and described, there were now no less than seven other species known, and seven subspecies, making /i/teen in all, and that they ranged over nearly the whole of the North American continent? He would most assuredly be somewhat dazed at first, not knowing what a “ Junco”’ was; much less what a swdspecies was ; and having very dim notions as to what was meant by the North American continent, his discomfiture would be quite complete when told that he had xot described more than three hundred of our birds, and that according to the Check-List of the American Ornithologists’ Union, published in 1895, there were no less than 1 062 species and subspecies of birds known to this country(!), and very likely a few more still remained to be described. But America has never known a more charming writer about our birds than Wilson was, and his account of ¢##e Snowbird is a most excellent one. Like all his work it is Honest, and his descriptions exhibit the in- fluence of his trained mind and intellect, and are quite bereft of all flowery passages or the evidences of an overenthusiastic bent. His work is also a/7 Wilson, and when we read it, we do not eternally feel that there is some one constantly standing behind him to keep him informed in classification and bird-structure. He made no pretensions of knowing much of either, and he was too proud to duy any part of his knowledge and then try and get the world to believe afterward that he had gained it through his own observations. In one place in his account he says: “In some parts of New England I found the opinion pretty general, ‘that the Snowbird in summer is transformed into the small Chip- ping Sparrow, which we find so common in that season. I had convinced a gentleman of New York of his mistake in this matter, by taking him to the house of a Mr. Gautier there, who amuses hiniself by keeping a great number of native as well as foreign birds. This was in the month of July, and the Snowbird ap- peared there in the same colored plumage he usually has. Several individuals of the Chip- ping Sparrow were also in the same apartment. The evidence was, therefore, irresistible; but, as I had not the same proofs to offer to the eye in New England, I had not the same suc- cess.” Wilson had some peculiar ideas about the migrations of Snowbirds, that make in his account very interesting reading, es- pecially when compared with our modern views upon the migrations of the members of this class. January 16, 1896. Valuations of Nests and Eggs. CoMMENT on “ TayLor’s STANDARD AMER- ICAN EGG CATALOGUE.” HE compilation of a “ Standard American Egg Catalogue,’ to be used as a guide for Odlogists in the exchange of nests and eggs of North American birds, has just been completed by the writer with the valuable as- sistance of A. M. Ingersoll, A. W. Anthony, Thomas H. Jackson, J. H. Bowles, Rev. P. B. Peabody, C. W. Crandall, C. Barlow, Dr. A. C. Murchison, and other well-known Odlogists, some of whom have been actively engaged in field work and the exchanging of eggs for fully fifteen or twenty years, and are, therefore, fully qualified to adjust with accuracy an equitable scale of valuations for exchangers. The unthinking might hastily imagine that to alter prices would be a matter of perfect ease, but the task in this case has required the most patient application and careful consideration, digging into books of reference, and giving due weight to every factor which might affect the exchange yaluation of one egg in relation to another—for the prices are all ve/atve, and must be as nearly in fair proportion as is pos- sible. In very many respects the compiler believes the Catalogue under discussion will be greatly appreciated by Odlogists. It is the first one ever issued éy collectors for collectors. Dealers’ catalogues have confounded cash valuations with exchange valuations, and have-in some cases priced rare species so low that they have laid themselves open to the charge of having private motives for doing so. All price lists preceding the present Cat- alogue have perpetuated the most absurd er- rors, putting a value on eggs that are mot yer discot ered, as Spoon-bill Sandpiper, Solitary Sandpiper, etc. ; while some compilers have even priced eggs of extinct birds in this same amiable, misleading way. Other eggs extremely rare, or perhaps represented by only a few spec- imens in the United States National Museum, have been priced as low as much commoner species. The eggs of the Little Brown Crane, which breeds in the Arctic regions, have been valued at $5; but who is so fortunate as to . have a set to exchange at that figure? Numer- ous rare Sandpipers’ eggs have heretofore been slapped down at a nominal $2. Of course one may not hear of a set (outside of a government expedition) in ten years—but is it not as well, while assuming to publish a “standard” price list to fix the sum, just as a matter of informa- tion, at a higher rate than eggs represented in hundreds of collections? By the time a score of good collectors get to traversing the frozen THE NIDOLOGIST 83 North, our views may change, but until then let us be sensible and not misinform the great majority who depend upon a catalogue (and justly, too) for a large stock of valuable knowl- edge. Prices in general in this new Catalogue will be found to be considerably higher than for- merly, but it is just and proportionate, while in some cases a drop in price has been found necessary. ‘The demand for certain eggs has been given fully as much weight as that of supply. For example, the eggs of the Golden Eagle are not rare, yet from their beauty are greatly in demand for series, like certain other well-distributed Raptores’ eggs, and therefore deserve to be priced at a higher figure. Some of the commoner birds’ eggs are difficult to secure, from the nature of their nesting; others, again, are raised in price by the new “ Stand- ard,” owing to increasing rarity, as the Purple Finch. Prior lists have aimed to indicate by the asterisk (*) eggs secured only in Europe, but have omitted it where it should have ap- peared in many cases, failing in others to price doth the foreign and American-taken specimens. It is thought that these misleading points have been pretty well corrected in the new Standard American Egg Catalogue. It should be noted that casf prices, published from time to time by dealers and others, seldom really influence exchange values, for they do not indicate, fev se, an overstocking of the market, nor yet, sometimes, that even the more prom1- nent collectors are supplied, or are likely to be soon. Credit is due to Mr. A. M. Ingersoll, the well- known and thorough field collector, for the idea of a table of nest valuations. No attempt of the kind has heretofore been made to put a valuation upon nests, and the present table will be found to be compiled with great care, taking into consideration weight, bulkiness, and diffi- culty of securing and packing. Owing to the expense of publication the price is 20 cents, postpaid, slightly higher than was at first intended, but still nominal, considering the value of the list. Attention is called to the fact that while there are other catalogues called “ Standard,” this is the oly collectors’ catalogue, and the only one that is claimed to be up to date or printed for permanent and general use. It is submitted confidently by the compiler and the representative Odlogists who have labored in its behalf. Taylor's Standard American Egg Catalogue is the title. It is not connected in any wise with any other “catalogue,” past, present, or future. It is for sale ov/y by the publisher. H. R. Taytor. To Identify Nestlie Water Birds. HE birds will soon be with us again, and the Odlogist will once more sally forth in search of specimens for his cabinet. It is the purpose of this article to bring to his notice a new way to secure the parent bird in order to identify its eggs. In the season of 1895 I met, in the course of my collecting, with a serious difficulty. I dis- covered some Grebe’s nests at Little Lake, near Barrie, but could not tell to what species they belonged, for the simple reason that I could not even see the birds, much less shoot them, although I heard them calling every day. I tried setting snares on the nest, but that did not succeed. I then tried to shoot a bird by waiting in the boat near the nest, but al- though they were quite close to me, calling to each other several times, yet I could not catch even a glimpse of them. I was now thoroughly disgusted with Grebes and their ways, which, in my opinion, were altogether too modest and re- tiring. On July 3 I took a set of six eggs, and on July 9 a set of eight, trusting to identify them later. In my boathouse I had a lot of No. 1 steel traps, which I determined to try on the Grebes. I set one in the afternoon of July 10 in a nest containing four eggs. On returning next morn- ing, having found a prize in the shape of a set of two Loon's eggs on the way, the Grebe, a Pied-billed one, was in the trap, caught by the leg. Taking it out I threw it up in the air, ex- pecting to see it fly off, but it could not, and dove as soon as it reached the water. On July 20 I took another set of five eggs. The bird was unfortunately drowned in this case, having pulled the trap off the nest. I found that to prevent this the trap should be tied short so that it could not be pulled into the water. On July 26 I set a trap on a nest containing four eggs, near where I took the set of six on July 3, and likely owned by the same pair. I went away for about half an hour, and when I returned the bird was inthe trap. I took it out and placed it in the boat, which it could not get out of. I then returned to the boat- house and left it there, while I went to set a trap on a nest containing three eggs, near where I took the set of eggs on July 9, and probably built by the same birds. When I came back to the nest the bird was in the trap caught by the leg, as all the others had been. I placed it in the bottom of the boat, where it was quite safe, and went ashore. I carried both birds to a small pond, about three quarters of a mile away, and let them go, They scrambled down the bank, and seemed very glad to get back into their native element, 84 THE NIDOLOGIST swimming around, diving, and flapping their wings before disappearing in the rushes. They are very courageous little birds, continually pecking my hands and each other while I was carrying them, and also pecking the dogs who came up to sniff at them. I intended to ob- serve them while they were in the pond, but when I went there the next day they were very shy, going into the rushes at once, and not coming out while I remained there. I think steel traps would be very useful to secure the parent bird when collecting the eggs of Ducks or other fair-sized birds. They are much surer in operation than a gun, as the owner of a valuable nest might get away from the latter, badly wounded, and never come back. The trap is always ready, its patience is inexhaustible, and the bird which puts 7¢s foot init has to stay there. If the bird is not wanted to preserve, it can be set at liberty, after it has been identified, suffering no injury ex- cepting a little temporary pain. The trap should be set with the inner jaw almost touch- ing the eggs, covered carefully up, and tied so that it cannot be moved off the nest. It should be looked at in about half an hour, in order to release the bird from its uncomfortable position as soon as possible. A No. o trap with slightly padded jaws would probably be the best kind to use, as it would be easier on the bird. By the use of traps I found that the Pied-billed Grebe not only would not, but could not fly in this section of the country, during the month of July at least. A. D. HENDERSON. Barrie, Ont. ———o. Some Bluebird Notes. HAT a pleasure to contemplate with renewed interest the recent winter records of our Eastern Bluebird! For it is evident, no doubt, or doubtfully cer- tain, at least, that our gravest fears of the pre- vious year may have been not well considered— even possibly a trifle premature! By its destruction of Sza/za we could easily recognize the brutal and cruel work of the Frost King; but, as to its alarming nature and the extent thereof, may it not be said that perhaps we have erred a little in our calculations? To this the writer would say, Yes, though of course it may be taken as an optimistic view of the situation. However, writing to me under date of January 25, 1896, my friend, Otto Widmann, of Old Orchard, Mo., has discovered on one of his recent trips, that the Bluebirds are winter- . ng successfully, and in respectable numbers in 'Northeast Arkansas and Southeast Missouri, especially so in the neighborhood of Paragculd, Ark., where in the course of an hour he had counted twenty-four! From Mount Pleasant, S. C., Mr. Arthur T. Wayne, writes me (Feb- ruary 26, 1896) that “ Bluebirds have been here in numbers all winter, and I see forty or fifty every day around my house.” In view of these facts, coupled with the ap- parent mortality visited upon the ranks of Svadza, during the severe and protracted cold spell of last winter, throughout the Southern States, it has been thought advisable to publish a few items of last season’s gathering. It seems hard to explain row the conditions as then existed; indeed, it is quite difficult to even harmonize them, but, judging from present indications, the results plainly show the remark- able recuperative powers of our blue-backed favorite. Doubtless the readers of this journal are familiar with the article prepared by Mrs. Louisa M. Stephenson, of Helena, Ark., entitled “Why are there so few Bluebirds?” which ap- peared in the December 14, 1895, issue of Horest and Stream, the paper consisting in the main of a compilation of records from various localities, the observers with but few exceptions reporting a very noticeable falling off in numbers of Blue- birds. To those, however, who have not seen this paper, the few following records may be of some interest. Here at Glen Ellyn, in Northeast Illinois, the work of annihilation seemed all but com- plete the past spring, and what few Bluebirds that did occur arrived here on widely separated dates, namely, March 27, 619; May 7, 6; May 27, and June 19. No breeders were ob- served the season through, and no birds seen in the county (Du Page) outside the immediate vicinity of my home at Glen Ellyn. Letters from Dr. Murchison and Mr. W. E. Loucks also testify to the great scarcity of Bluebirds in their respective localities, Kewanee and Peoria, this State. Mr. Ruthven Deane, of Chicago, writes of seeing a single male in Lincoln Park some time im June, and although his letter was dated August 7, none were seen since July 1 at or near his summer home at Kenilworth, fifteen miles north of the city. Outside of the State he had recorded but two specimens seen during Sunday visits to English Lake, Ind. Bluebirds were scarce all spring and summer near Old Orchard, Mo., so Mr. Widmann writes me, as well as in his favorite “ Peninsula’”’ in the southeastern corner of the State. Thatso few were observed in the last named locality ap- pears quite remarkable, taking into consideration the number of favorable nesting sites offered by the numerous “deadenings ” in that section. But he writes that Sza/a is under the ban there, that Bluebirds are killed by the farmers for meddling and driving away the Martins. That the species fared badly in the neighbor- hood of Mount Pleasant, S.C., I have Mr. Wayne’s letter of August 5 in evidence. He says: “In reference to the Bluebird during the past winter, the intense cold weather we ex- perienced in South Carolina killed outright an enormous quantity of them, as well as Robins, Catbirds, and Pine Warblers.”’ In another letter he also refers to the few breeding birds noticed by him in the neighbor- hood of Mount Pleasant. But as my friend Deane observes in epistle (August 7, 1895): “The most singular feature of the whole thing to me is, why should a bird hardy enough to follow the melting line of snow from the South to the North, and often getting caught in cold storms for a week, be the one to get so thor- oughly frozen out, more so than most other species which we know are less hardy.” The temperature at Charleston, 5. C., at one time registered as low as eight degrees above zero, so Mr, Wayne informs me. But in this connection, now that we know that numbers must have passed the winter suc- cessfully, the following from Mr. Widmann may be of interest. His letter dated August 13, 1895: “On my trip from Cape Girardeau to the Current River, and Black River to Poplar Bluff (Missouri points), I was somewhat sur- prised to find Bluebirds were more numerous than Ihad expected. It is possible that the Blue- birds had a better chance to pass the ‘ glacial period’ successfully in those regions where the hillsides are often covered with the refuse left by the lumberman. On these sunny hillsides snow and ice must have yielded to the sun much earlier than in the lowlands, and under the decaying logs the bird is sure to find insects in spite of snow, and rain, and ice.’’ In the same letter the cheerful information is also im- parted that a troop of two dozen was seen by Mr. Widmann near his home at Old Orchard on August 10. But in getting back to Northeast Illinois again we find that the summer and fall records for Glen Ellyn afford a little more encouragement, thus showing that some few more pairs had also escaped the frigid spell, and had succeeded in bringing out their broods somewhere in the country to the north of us. On August rr the writer saw a flock of four, and on the 13th a troop of twelve, all in female dress, and at the same stand. None were seen again until the 26th of the month, when a flock of five was noticed flying southwest over the village at 7:30 A. M., and September 25 one calling. Mr. George K. Cherrie, of the Field Colum- bian Museum, Chicago, also informed me that THE. NIDOLOGIST 85 he found Bluebirds more or less plentiful, in juvenile dress, while on a visit to his home near Des Moines, Ia., in August last. But the phenomenally low temperature experienced in the Southern States last winter also had a marked effect on other species as well—forms less conspicuous to the casual observer—for instance, the Hermit Thrush, Winter Wren, and Myrtle Warbler, the two last entirely falling short of recognition, being not recorded at all by the writer at Glen Ellyn during the spring of 1895. BrNJAMIN T. GAULT. Glen Ellyn, Ill., March 4, 1896. OO The Photo Fiend. BY P. B. PEABODY. HE universal American habit of exagger- ation finds an apt illustration in the cur- rent semihumorous use of the word “fiend.” The fiend is no longer a pandemoniac—never safe unless loaded with chains and guarded by ponderous doors; but simply a harmless, ec- centric creature whose permanent, or even tem- porary, turn of mind makes him, in a measure, ridiculous to that great world whose infinites- imal units, are, of course, entirely sane. A fiend with an epithet adds a degree of sanity to his craze. We may define the Photo Fiend, then, as one who pursues the art of photography with just enough of reasonableness in his ardor to make the results of his labors mildly inter- esting or amusing to the great multitude that are more sane than he. In process of time, the Photo Fiend will, if he have sufficient sense of humor, emerge into the domain of the amateur photographer. Having passed thus from the state of the “larval fiend” to that of the pupal amateur, there is at least a faint chance that he may, after much vicissitude, become that splen- did imago, a real artist—not a professional one, of course, or of necessity; but so much the better an artist, perhaps, for that. In my ardent pursuit of the photographic art I have grown to feel, at times, . . . “a tremor, fierce and strange,” that warns me of the pos- sibility of my becoming, some time, an amateur. And [ have determined that, before I leave this larval state, I will record a number of things concerning which the photographic manuals are learnedly silent, but which the beginner in photography absolutely needs to know if he would escape vexations and costly disappoint- ments. The world would never grow wiser were all men too proud to register their mis- takes; and the way of life would never grow the easier were they that climb too selfish or too 86 THE NIDOLOGIST lazy to clear, as they go, a way for the tiring feet that follow. All that is here said will pertain exclusively to the photographic art as applied to Ornithoscopy—taking this word in its most com- prehensive sense, Odlogic and Nidologic, as well as Ornithic. My bird-loving friend, all en- thusiasm, wants to know what camera to buy. Knowing him to be a sensible man, I sweep away all illusions by saying, “ Buy a five-dollar instrument at first; bythe end of three months, you will have become slightly acquainted with the ways of a camera, and will have learned the more radical, at least, of cameric limitations, as related to the recording of bird-life studies.” “Let me save you,” I add, ‘‘many a spoiled negative, by dropping a half-dozen hints: Take no ‘shots’ at first, save in strong sunlight. With bird subjects and nest subjects, never try time exposures at the first. And, as for small nests and eggs—all of them—and for nearly all nests im waving grass, avoid them if you would escape disappointment.” My friend has still a crumb of patience left; and I go on to disenchant him as to his fancy that he will do marvelous things, on the start, at ““shooting”’ birds in flight. I tell him how coldly dealers once treated my own enthusiasm in this direction; and I quench the fire of his eye, incredulously ardent at this remark, by telling him how I once took, in the brightest of midday June sunshine, under the most favor- able circumstances, with a forty-dollar camera, negative after negative of Franklin’s Gulls fol- lowing a prairie-breaking plow; so near me that even the most delicate shade of their colors could be distinctly seen, as they floated by, quietly and unscared, while yet in not a single negative could the uninitiated tell whether the winged things that followed the plow were bats, gnats, or cheese mites. “What camera shall I buy, after I’ve out- grown the five-dollar one ?’’ queried my young friend, a little disconcertedly. Feeling that I must encourage him a bit, [ answer, ‘‘ That’s an open question,” which, of course, is very easy to say, if not very wise. But, candidly, if one be ambitious to do thoroughly satisfactory work in the photograph- ing of ordinary nests and eggs, I doubt whether there be any camera manufactured, that is sold under, say, twenty-five dollars, that would long satisfy the purchaser. One might even risk dis- couraging, altogether, some who might otherwise attain a fair measure of success, by saying, that even a forty-dollar camera has grave limitations in the matter of nest photography. One must find what form and weight of camera is found by most men to be best suited to his especial purposes, and then he should buy the highest grade of that camera that he can possibly afford; one involving possible change of lenses being highly preferable. As a.mark to aim at, it might be said, that if one can have but a single camera, that one should be a magazine film camera focusable down to two feet or less, with glass plate attachment, perhaps, and the best of “rapid rectilinear” lenses. Having now discarded my beginner's camera and settled into serious work, I start out on the new season, repeating to myself a few cardinal hints: Avoid windy days. Don’t “shoot” at everything you see; many things lose the heart of them when transferred to a neg- ative. Learn to see, not merely pretty things, but picturesque things, and not things that are merely picturesque, but photographically so, as well. ( To be continued.) >> Notes from the Great Lakes. N the December issue of this journal, Mr. Watkins gives interesting notes regarding the Black-throated Bunting, Spzza amer- tcana (Gmel.). This is another of those species which are greatly increased in numbers by the clearing of the country and the advancement of civilization. We have in Michigan over one hun- dred species of birds, both permanent residents and visitors, who are more or less influenced by civilization, and of these there are two or more becoming extinct, while quite a number of spe- cies, but only among the smaller birds, are be- coming more common, like the Dickcissel, and some are even added to our list through the effects of civilization. It is to be hoped that the observing readers will present notes upon the arrival and abun- dance of the Bluebirds in the succeeding num- bers of the Nipotocist. The notes need not be long; in truth, extended observations on arrivals are never pleasing. But let us have terse notes, but plenty of them, and from every place in the Union where this pleasing warbling harbinger of spring failed to appear in his ac- customed haunts, or has lessened in numbers In 1895. W. H. Fisher presents an interesting scrap of notes on the ‘“‘Ornis of a City Yard” in the March Nrpotocistr. An item of this nature is always of interest, as it indicates what may be done in the line of observation by anyone so inclined, even if within the confines of a city. As a further evidence of the benefit from con- tinued observation, it may be stated that I have carefully noted the birds which have visited my city yard during the last twenty-seven years in Kalamazoo, Southern Michigan, latitude be- tween the forty-second and forty-third parallels, and longitude approximately eighty-five de- THE NIDOLOGIST ; 87 grees. Our city was a village when these ob- servations began, but now contains a population of about twenty-five thousand inhabitants, yet within the bounds of a lot, five by twelve rods in size, I have recorded one hundred and thirty- four species of birds and have known of nine- teen species nesting. A list with notes will be found published in the Forest and Stream, August 11, 1892. In the front yard in our lot is a low spread- ing burr oak, and in its branches I have at various times seen sixty-four species of birds and found three to nest there. This list with notes will be found in Sczence, New York, of issue October 27, 1893. As a boy I kept up a system of observations on the zoology and botany of our sixty square rods of territory, and the list, if published with annotations complete, would fill a good-sized book. This information is offered to those whose chances of observation are curtailed, and the stggestion is made that anyone, in any place, and at any time, may take observations and find food for reflection concerning the animal and vegetable kingdoms. Morris GIBps. oe A Reverie. (WRITTEN FOR THE NIDOLOGIST.) I’M a dreamin’, just a dreamin’, Of the winter that is done ; Of the old nests and the Owl’s eggs, And the other treasures won. I’m a thinkin’, just a thinkin’, Of the many months to come ; Of the wet and soggy weather, And the new nests just begun. I’m a watchin’, just a watchin’, All the birds a flying past ; The flocks of Geese and Blackbirds, And the Ducks that go so fast. I’m a waitin’, just a waitin’, For the flowery month o’ May, With its blossoms and its sweetness, And the birds who've come to stay. I’m a ccountin’, just a countin’, On the happy times in spring, When the birds are all a nestin’, And the woods with music ring. J. R. BonweELt. Nebraska City, Neb. > +> Bluebirds and Passenger Pigeons. Mr. R. D. Goss sends some very interesting notes from Arcadia, Mo., under date March 14, 1896: «Saw a pair of Bluebirds the first day I was here, and and from that time until now they have been quite common. Have observed as many as six at one time, and there is scarcely a day that I do not see them and hear the sweet music of their voices. ‘* Years ago when a boy in Wisconsin, it was but a common occurrence to see the sun clouded by the many thousands of Passenger Pigeons, and as late as in the Sixties, in Minnesota, I observed the same thing; in fact, have seen children out with cow bells, tin pans (and anything else that would make a racket), in seeding time, and were kept busy running to and fro to keep the Pigeons from devouring every grain of wheat, until the farmer could cover it up with his harrow. But alas! that day is past. Some ten years ago I saw a flock of seven in Iowa, and do not remember seeing another until a few days ago, when I saw in the woods near here a flock of nine. They came close to me, and for a few moments I think I was about as excited a man as you will meet.” ————_>—_ »__—_ J. Maurice Harcu, of Escondido, Cal., took a set of four Barn Owl’s from a high cliff on February 22. THE sad announcement has come from Chicago of the death of Dr. J. N. Rowe, the famous sportsman and proprietor of the American Field. O. W. Howarp, W. B. Judson, Harry Rising, and Harry Swarts have left Los Angeles on a collecting trip into Arizona, partly in the interests of A. M. Shields and G. Frean Morcom, THE O@logists’ Association is thriving. At arecent meeting officers were elected as follows: President, I. S. Trostler, Omaha, Neb. ; Vice President, Harry W. Kerr, River Sioux, Ia; Secretary, Will E. Snyder, Beaver Dam, Wis.; Treasurer, Dr. Morris Gibbs, Kalamazoo, Mich. C. H. Morrett writes from Maine: ‘‘I wish you could get more articles from this State. We are obliged to go by guess for many of our nesting dates. I feel particularly sore on this point, for I lost a nice set of four Pileated Woodpecker’s the past season by leaving the nest too long, not climbing for fear of driving the birds away before the eggs were laid. When I did climb the youngsters were just appearing through the shell. It was a solemn occasion about then.” AT a recent meeting of the British Ornitholcgists’ Club Mr. H. M. Wallis exhibited three eggs of a Golden Eagle which had been about thirty years in confinement, and began to lay eggs about fifteen years ago. The eggs were taken and those of a domestic fowl substituted. The Eagle hatched three of the latter, and reared three fine birds, feeding them principally on rats. One was slain by its foster- mother for taking undue liberties, but the others have thriven. >? To the Point. DEAR Mr. TAYLOR : I think your Zg¢ Catalogue a good one in every sense of the word, and do not see how any dealer or any- one else at all interested in birds’ eggs could well do without it. Sincerely yours, CHARLES K. WORTHEN. 88 THE NIDOLOGIST Cooper Ornithological Club. ¢ | ‘HE Southern Division met at Highland Park January 27. The receipt of four documents from the Department otf Agriculture was reported. The meeting was devoted to discussing a plan of Club work, a committee being appointed to report at the fol- lowing meeting. The Northern Division met at Berkeley, at the residenceof Rev. E. L. Hood, February 1. Messrs. H. S. Groves, N. M. Moran, S. W. Geis, and H. M.Anthony were present as visitors. The usual committees were appointed by the presi- dent, as follows: On Publication, Messrs. Beck and Barlow, and on Meetings, Messrs. Osgood, Cohen, and Koch. A paper on Nuttall’s and Gairdner’s Woodpeckers, by H. W. Carriger, was read, being in substance as follows: “ Both species are alike in habits, frequenting the deep woods, edge of forests, and open country with- out favor. Both nest alike—always in a freshly dug cavity in a decayed part of the tree. The favorite nesting sites are along the creeks both in valley and hills, but usually in the foot-hill region. The entrance to Nuttall’s is larger than Gairdner’s, the former being 14 to 2 inches in diameter, while the latter ranges from 1 to 1} inches. A nest of Nuttall’s was taken from a willow stub only two and one half feet up, and another fully sixty feet up in an alder. A nest of Gairdner’s was not over six feet up, and others fully forty feet. Vhe freshly dug chips are usually a reliable index to the location of the nests of both species, fully two thirds of the nests found having fresh chips beneath them. [The males of both species were observed exca- vating the nesting cavities, and Mr. Carriger in- clines to the belief that they nearly always pre- pare the nest.| The males have been caught on the nest, showing that they assist at incubation. Before incubation commences Nuttall’s will usually leave the cavity upon the approach of a person to the tree, but after incubation is begun they will usually remain on the eggs until removed by hand. Gairdner’s, as a rule, will leave its nest at all times when disturbed. “ The number of eggs laid by Nuttall’s is from three to five, usually four, and with Gairdner’s it is five or six. Several runt eggs of each species were found. If unmolested the same tree is returned to year after year, though each season a new cavity is made. One tree ob- served had four nests in a single limb. Fresh eggs of both species may be taken from the latter part of April until the last of May.” Henry B. Kaeding presented a few interest- ing records secured in Amador County recently, as follows: “On December 1, 1895, was taken a specimen of California Pygmy Owl, the bird being shot in the middle of the day while feed- ing on a California Towhee. On the same day a male specimen of /wnco hyemalis was shot from among a flock of Oregon Juncos. De- cember 29 a male Rocky Mountain Creeper was collected. On December 15 a male Rusty Blackbird, which was drinking at a creek, and which was without companions. January 26, 1896, an adult male Bullock’s Oriole in an orchard, an early record.’’ All were collected by Charles D. Kaeding. Mr. N. M. Moran read a paperentitled “ The White-throated Swift,’ which will appear en- tire later. A paper on “ Macgillivray’s War- bler,” by H. W. Carriger, was presented. This Warbler arrives at Sonoma about April1. The first of this species for 1895 was noted on April 5 1n a clump of wild blackberry bushes along a small creek. The birds were afterward ob- served in the vines, scolding continually, and when the nest was discovered it was fully sixty yards from this place. It resorts to the under- brush, rarely going up into the trees. The favorite nesting sites are in wild rose bushes or blackberry vines along the valley streams. A pair of these birds have returned to a certain patch of rosebushes for several successive sea- sons, which cover nearly a quarter of an acre, and when any portion of the patch was ap- proached the birds would be met, when they would immediately begin scolding. Before in- cubation commences the bird will silently leave the nest while you are some distance away and go perhaps twenty feet through the underbrush before it utters a note; here it commences to cry distressingly, leading the col- lector on until he is well away from the nest, when the bird disappears. One nest containing highly incubated eggs was visited, and by re- maining a few feet from the nest the bird would approach and go on, but left at the slightest movement of the observer. Two nests are built each year, and the same localities are often returned to year after year. ‘The first set is laid about the last of April, and the second toward the last of July. One nest, found May 15, contained five large young, and the same pair again on June 21 had a new nest with four eggs nearly ready to hatch. ‘The second nest is usually built near the first. The first set is nearly always of five eggs, and the second of three or four. The first nest is placed quite low, often not over four inches up and rarely over a foot, while the second ranges anywhere from six inches to three feet or more, though usually about sixteen or eighteen inches. As a rule, the first nest is much larger than the second. A nest collected May 2, 1895, is composed of wild oat straws loosely put to- gether, near the center of which is the nest proper, which is lined with fine grasses and a very few hairs. One straw in the nest is over twenty inches long, and many are over a foot long, all bent inacircle. Another nest is com- posed of wild oat straws, large pieces of bark,and coarse grass, with the same lining as No.1. The eggs of each set are always very similar to one another. On one occasion a male was observed about forty feet up in an oak, where it poured forth a pleasing song, which was the only time the bird was heard singing. March [eeting. The Southern Division met at the residence of F. S. Daggett, in Pasadena, February 24. The receipt of six publications from the Smith- sonian Institution and one from the Depart- ment of Agriculture was reported, the same having been placed in the Southern Division Library. Mr. W. S. Cobleigh also presented Fisher’s Hawks and Owls of the United States to the library. Two lines of work were decided upon, namely, collecting notes on the migra- tions, which is in charge of a committee com- posed of Messrs. Daggett, Grinnell, and Wicks, and studying the early life histories of common species, the report to be compiled by Messrs. Anthony, Arnold, and Jewett. Members are requested to forward observations to the com- mittees. It was also decided to record all in- teresting Ornithological notes which may be sent in. Mr. Arnold exhibited representatives of species taken by him in Arizona on a recent trip, and comparisons were made with allied races of Southern California. ‘The Southern Division meets March 30 at the residence of C. H. Wood in Pasadena. The Northern Division met at the residence of H. C. Ward, in Alameda, March 7. ‘The evening was given to discussing Club work, Mr. Bryant advancing a number of ideas which will probably be followed out. The Northern Divi- sion meets April 4 at the residence of W. H. Osgood, in San José >+ > Mr. FRANK M. CHAPMAN, sailed from New York February 21, for a trip to Yucatan. The Ornithologist, the admirable British monthly, will be referred to more at length next month. OLIve THORNE Mitter’s recent lectures at the Hotel Marlborough, New York, have been much enjoyed. ‘“Sracks” of admirable articles and illustrations have lately come to us, and we must ask the patience of all contributors. Among notable articles to appear is one by Dr. Shufeldt, on the Smithsonian, with a fine view of its Ornithological Hall. THE NIDOLOGIST [Publications for review should be sent to Dr. R. W. Suuretpt, Associate in Zoology, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D. C.] PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED. Gurney, J. H. Ornithological Notes from Norfolk. Reprinted from 7/te Zoologist for March, 1895. Pp. 1-8. [From the author.] Gurney, Jonn Henry. F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. Supposea Occurrences of the Spotted Sandpiper in Yorkshire. Pp. 311, 312. [From the author. | Gurney, J. H. Ox the Recent Abundance of the Little Auk (Mergulus alle, Linn.) in Norfolk. Weprinted from the Transactions of the Norfolk and Norwich Naturalists’ Society. Vol. VI, Art. viii, pp. 67-70. [From the author. ] Gurney, J. H. Catalogue of the Birds of Prey (Accip- itres and Striges), with the Number of Specimens in Norwich Museum. Published by R. H. Porter. London, 1894. [Frontispiece: Portrait of late J. H. Gurney.] Pp. 1-56. [From the author.] SouTHWELL, THomas, F.Z.S. Afemotx of the Late Yohn Henry Gurney. |Reprinted, with some Revi- sions, from the Transactions of the Norfolk and Norwich Naturalists’ Society, Vol. V, p. 156.] _Tay- lor & Francis. London, 1896. Pp. 1-12. [From J. H. Gurney, /ils.] Itis my intention to devote the Review-space of the present number to a few brief remarks upon the life and works of the late John Henry Gurney, the well- beloved British Ornithologist of Norwich, England. Although it is now quite six years ago since Mr. Gur- ~ ney’s death, the time is hardly more than ripe to glance at his careerand form some estimate of his in- fluence ; in fact, itis buta few weeks ago since his good friend, Mr. Southwell, put forth a memoir devoted en- tirely to this subject, and a most charming account it is. For many years past Mr. Gurney frequently fa- vored me with copies of his publications, and at one time no little correspondence passed between us. There is in my private library acopy of his Diurnal Birds of Prey, presented me by him over ten years ago, and several of his excellent papers that appeared in Zhe Jbis are also there. It is to Mr. Southwell’s Memoir, however, that many Ornithologists here in America, myself among the number, are indebted for a more intimate knowledge of his life and career, and to his esteemed son for a photographic portrait of his father (see the works in list of ‘‘ publications re- ceived” above); which last I have succeeded in making a copy of with my camera, and present it herewith. Mr. John Henry Gurney was born at Earlham Hall, near Norwich, England, on the 4th of July, 1819, and, after a long and active career in Ornithology, he died at the old family mansion, Northrepps Hall, in his seventy-first year, on the 20th of April, 1890. In ad- dition to being a member of a number of learned so- cieties we had the honor in this country of having him as an original Honorary member of the American Or- nithologists’ Union. By his earnest labors, his nu- merous addresses upon Ornithological subjects, his writings, and other works he greatly furthered the cause of Ornithology in general, while, owing to the especial attention he bestowed upon Raptorial Birds, go THE NIDOLOGIST he vastly increased our knowledge of that group in particular. Indeed, at the time of his death there was probably no one who possessed the information about the Owls and the diurnal Raptores that Mr. Gurney did, and the collection he had built up at the Norwich Museum illustrating those birds was consid- ered by many to rival even what they had at -the British Museum. Taking the Owls and diurnal birds of prey together, this collection now numbers over four thousand seven hundred specimens. It contains no less than one hundred and twenty-four specimens of Strix flammea and its subspecies, while of /adco peregiinus and its near ally, /. melanogenys, there are Mr. Gurney was also very seventy-five specimens. fond of keeping many animalsand birds alive, and, according to Mr. Southwell, he had in his younger years a “large yard dedicated to the cause of Zoology, in which a row of cages was put up for birds of prey, of which he had much the best private collection then in ex- istence, though since surpassed by Lord Lil- ford’s. Although the birds never bred he ob- tained many eggs of the Goshawk, Kite, Yellow-billed Kite, Jackal Buzzard, Rough- legeed Buzzard, Mon- golian Buzzard, Wedge-tailed Eagle, Sociable Vulture, and others. This last named laid about a dozen eggs, most of which were very fine, though one or two were soft-shelled ; she began to lay in 1859, and always laid in Feb- ruary until 1868, when she changed her time to March.” Mr. South- well concludes his most entertaining biography of the subject of this sketch by saying, ““Those who remem- ber Mr. Gurney in his prime will recognize his somewhat portly figure and prepossessing features, lit up with a kindly smile, so well transferred to canvas in the museum portrait; but the personal charm of manner, the culti- vated yet natural tones of voice, and the cheerful greeting can never be reproduced. Those who knew him intimately will recall with pleasure the infinite fund of quiet humor and flow of anecdote, the result of keen powers of observation of men and manners extending over many years—which made his compan- ionship so delightful, even when his bodily powers were failing—and feel that his loss has created a void never to be filled.” The son, the present Mr. J. H. Gurney, will doubt- less sustain handsomely his father’s enviable reputa- tion, and still further increase the usefulness of the Norwich Museum and the other enterprises he had so firmly on foot at the time of his death. In his Cata- THE LATE JOHN H. GURNEY. logue of the Birds of Prey he gives us much additional biographical matter relative to his father, as well as a list of his works. (See title above.) This is an ex- cellent little volume, and a very useful one. It is illustrated with maps of the world, giving the distri- bution of the Vulturide, Scops, etc., and has an excel— lent figure of the nest of Archibuteo ferrugineus in it, showing four young in the downy plumage. In speaking of the Supposed Occurrences of the Spotted Sandpiper in Yorkshire Mr. Gurney, Jr., says = ‘‘There are thirty-one supposed occurrences of the Spotted Sandpiper in the British Isles, and there are very few birds around which so much misapprehen- sion has clustered. A good many of them are un- doubtedly cases of mis- taken identity, while some are foreign skins willfully or uninten- tionally palmed off as British-killed, and ad- mitted into collections where they would otherwise not have found a place.” This paper is well worth reading, and gives con- siderable information about our Common Spotted Sandpiper (7. macularius). The Or- nithological Notes front Norfolk is a good ex- ample, going to show how interesting a monthly Ornitholog- ical journal can be made and how impor- tant it is to keep such records. In hisaccount On the Recent Abun- dance of the Little Auk (Mergulus alle, Linn.) in Norfolk, the same author gives us a most remarkable chapter in bird-life, which was the result of ‘‘the Arctic weather which pre- vailed during January, 1895. which was the theme of every tongue at the time.” Among many extraordinary happenings in En- gland’s Ornis, Little Auks were ‘‘ sprinkled broadcast over the northern part of Norfolk, nearest the coast,’ some- times far inland, and many hundreds of them were gathered up. (For complete titles of these papers see above.) In closing we desire to wish Mr. Gurney all - success in his conduction of the affairs of the Norwich Museum, and especially that he may succeed in ob- taining the list of Accepitres and Striges necessary to fill out his desédevata, and which are given in full in his Catalogue of the Birds of Prey. Re We San ———_+>++—______ Mr. JoHN Murcarroyp, of New York, the taxider- mist, suggests that Nansen, the Norwegian, who is said to have discovered the North Pole, may bring back a Great Auk or two. What a pleasant sight it would be to see a /ive Great Auk in with the Swans in the Central Park ! THE NIDOLOGIST gl Thoughts on the New Check-List. THE appearance of this expected work was wel- comed by perhaps all Ornithologists as the crowning effort of an organized endeavor that has done so much to place American Ornithology on a sure and firm basis. To those who study birds occasionally as a pastime or hobby, and they far outnumber the really scientific students, it and its predecessor have presented a fixity of names which to those not in touch with the higher lights of the science, or en- dowed with the faculty of remembering or noting the many changes to which scientific nomenclature is prone, has afforded a sure basis from which to associate and recall the incidents and experiences with which they delight to regale and instruct themselves and others. Comprehensive in plan and admirable in typo- graphic execution as this work is, it yet presents some failings which in this era of free criticism one may perhaps be allowed to at least point out and to some extent also question. The book is ostensibly the compilation of a committee of five well-known gentle- men who in it acknowledge their indebtedness for as- sistance rendered by six other Ornithologists equally or nearly as well known. If this volume had had an editor-in-chief, instead of the noble array of talent mentioned, one would not necessarily feel at all backward about one’s action in even remotely advancing evidence, in effect suggesting that an addenda to the book would be useful, in fact, neces- sary. Typographical errors are few. That Greenland, on page 321, should be spelled with three e's, and that the word *‘ probably,” on page 221, should have two p’s, are doubtless due to the incorrigibility of the printer, and surely could not have been overlooked by the learned ar- ray of proof readers associated with this work. Another and a larger series of vexatious misplacements, are shown by a careful comparison of the absence or presence of marks of parentheses in connection with the name of the authority for the specific or subspecific name. ‘ The rule is to inclose the ab- breviated name of the authority in parentheses when it is not also the authority for the first use of the name as adopted by the committee. No. 675@ is a case where the parentheses should be removed. No. 211a@ is a case where they should be inserted. No. 706 is a similar case, and there are several others. No. 13@ is an example where one is tempted to ask who really described the name of the bird in question. The usual practice certainly does not obtain in this instance. In another example, No. 7662, the Ornithological tyro will doubtless be mystified as to the course of reasoning that put (Swains.) as the authority for the name of this bird as adopted by the committee. Nothing appears below it to sustain the alleged authority. The date 1884 is certainly erroneous. I must also confess my inability to decide by the Check- Listas to who first formed the name Ral/us jamaicensis. Linn. is given under the subgenus Creci#scus, while Gmel. is given a few lines below. The question is submitted for examination and elucidation by the ““wise men.” No. 567d was described as a species by Mr. Loomis and was changed to a subspecies by the committee in the Aw for January, 1894, page 47. To be consistent, a line should be added crediting the A. O. U. supplement of that date with the change of name, also inclosing the authority, Loomis, in paren- theses. This has been done in several precisely similar cases, for instance, No. 740a. As no one has proved intergradation of this form with hyemalis why may not the committee be wrong altogether and Mr. Loomis right ? In the Zis¢ of 1886 the committee permitted the introduction of manuscript names as authoritative. In the Zist of 1895 this action is reversed, and no such names, except through oversight, are now allowed. This change by the committee is hardly well taken, is unscientific, and considerable might be said in objec- tion. I take it that when an author accepts a manu- script name he thereby gives up all claim to it him- self. Can the committee force him, whether he will or not, to accept the credit which he has willingly given to another and whom he has thereby acknowledged to be the real discoverer and namer of the new form in question? One effect has been to make a certain author name a new bird in honor of himself, which, of course, never was intended. Another effect in one case has been to give a manuscript name to a bird without even the hint of a description being found in the record of the citation given. Parus gambeli, a new name, was furnished the committee in manu- the Zis¢ of 1886. Now, in 1895 they quote this Zis¢ of script by Mr. Ridgway, and was inserted by them in 1886 as authority and first published use of the name, ignoring completely the lack of a description, and also the fact that it is only a manuscript name. To be consistent in their practice the Zis¢ itself or the committee should be given as authority for the name. But in fact both are wrong, as a description occurs on page 562 of the Manual of 1887, where the name is perhaps first properly used. Canons XXXII, XXXIV, and XLI of the code apply with full force to this case. It might also be in order to suggest that, inas- much as the committee have in this Z7s¢ reversed their former course of procedure on this subject, it would have been as well to have inserted a statement of their intention or reasons for doing so in the Preface to the present volume. The book will be used by many who will doubtless be puzzled to ac- count for such a radical change, and who will, on account of their location, be unable to discover the reasons therefor. - In No. 320, page 122, we have an interesting case from several points of view. The North American continental bird so long known as Columbigallina passerina was finally, after some treatment by Mr. Maynard, which has been set aside, renamed by Mr. Chapman as Columbigallina passerina terrestris. In his paper Mr. Chapman distinctly states that his name is intended to apply to the resident continental bird. Now Mr. Chapman tells us that the Jamaica bird, which is different, was the bird which Linnzus called Columba passerina. The committee adopts these views of Mr. Chapman by adopting his name. If then these gentlemen are right, how can Columba passerina be the original name from which to cite the name Columbigallina passerina terrestris? Yet this is what the committee does. If Linnzeus described a continental bird, then Mr. Chapman and the com- mittee are wrong. If Linnzus described a Jamaica bird, then Mr. Chapman is right in giving a new name, but the committee is also again wrong. There is nothing more different in the conditions in this case than appears in, for instance, No. 360a, and the treatment should be precisely the same. The geo- graphical distribution as given for this bird is mislead- ing. If the bird of the Southeastern States is distinct from its insular relatives, then it should most certainly have a different name. If it does not and cannot intergrade, then the name should be a specific one, and the bird should stand as Columbigallina terrestris (Chapm.). WILLIAM PALMER. (70 be continued.) 92 THE NIDOLOGIST THE NIDOLOGIST. AN ILLUSTRATED MONTHLY MAGAZINE DEVOTED TO THE STUDY OF ORNITHOLOGY, With Special Reference to the NIDIFICATION OF NorTH AMERICAN BIRDs. H. R. TAYLOR, Editor and Publisher, Associated with Dr. R. W. SHUFELDT. WE EXPOSE FRAUDS. Official Organ Cooper Chath ul Oe of the Pacific Coast. Subscription (in advance), a 5 5 $1. 00 (Foreign subscribers add 12 cents for postage.) Single Copies, . 15 cents Remittance may be m: ade in any form. The Magazine is not sent after subscriptions have expired. OUR AGENTS. Swann & Co., 1 & 2 Bouverie Street, Fleet Street, London, E. C. Gatirornra—C. Bartow, of Santa Clara, is our agent, and can receive subscriptions, advertisements, furnish terms, papers, etc. CoLtorapo—Freperick M. Ditie, 406 McPhee Building, Denver, is our accredited agent for the middle West. Original contributions, with or without illustrations, are desired. ADVERTISING RATES FURNISHED. ‘OFFICE OF PUBLICATION, 150 FIFTH AVENUE, NEW YORK CITY. tthe New York Post Office as mail matter of the second clas: SS. Song to the Chickadee. After © Sweet Marie.” BY E. A. DOOLITTLE, PAINESVILLE, 0. ‘VE a bird song in my heart, Chickadee; One that I would impart, Tit, to thee : From the woodland, from the dell, Where in happiness you dwell, Comes the song I love so well, Chickadee ! Come to me, Chickadee ; Chickadee, Come to me, Not because you're full of grace, Birdie wee ; But your form so very small, And your hearty, happy call, Make me love you best of all, Chickadee. Though the snow is on the ground, Chickadee, Still your happy, cheery sound Comes to me. Everyone that passes by Hesitates, and wonders why To the South you do not fly, Chickadee. Sing to me, Chickadee ; Chickadee, Sing to me; Not because your song excels, Birdie wee ; But the other birds are still, And your sweet contented trill Seems to lessen winter’s chill, Chickadee. When you stand out in the blast, Chickadee, Recollections of the past Come to me ; I mean that warm spring day, The thirty-first of May, When I stole your eggs away, Chickadee. I can see, Chickadee ; Chickadee, I can see That it was a heartless act, Birdie wee ; But since I have a ‘‘clutch,” No more your eggs I’ll touch, Though I'd prize them very much, Chickadee. i A TRUE Lover OF BIRDs. No recent event in the world of Ornithologists has caused more regret than the recent death of Henry Seebohm, the famous naturalist, who devoted his life and much of his large fortune to researches in Orni- thology, often undertaking long and perilous journeys in search of hitherto undiscovered eggs. One of his expeditions was, in company with Mr. Harvie-Brown, into Siberia, in search of eggs of the Gray Plover and Little Stint, both of which were found. His British Birds, Siberia in Asia, and other illus- trious works will long survive him in fitting commem- oration of his ardent love of science. He has left his great collection, numbering 16,000 specimens, to the British nation. We have reproduced the excellent portrait of Mr. Seebohm, from Zhe Ornithologist, the charming new publication just launched by H. Kirke Swann, Esq. Messrs. WILLIAMSON AND CHADWICK, the active collectors of Loring, Kan., make a specialty of collect- ing eggs of the Great Horned Owl. The editor was reminded of this most pleasingly the other day by the presentation of a set of three eggs of Budo of their take. They were beautifully prepared. iii THE NIDOLOGIST OUR SPECIAL EASTER SALE. I found on taking an inventory of my stock of EGGS prior to moving into my new quarters, that I had a Surplus of many singles. To reduce this I have decided to make the follo wing liberal offers. * For every Dollar ($1.00) sent me before April 10, I will send you, prepaid, your selection from the follow- ing list to value of $2.50. For every $2.00 sent me, | will send you, prepaid, your selection to value of $5.00 worth, and include FREE a copy of Lattin's New ‘Standard Catalogue.'’ For every $2.50 sent me, | will Send you $6.50 worth and include FREE one egg of Chuck-will’s-widow and one copy of Lattin’s ‘‘ Standard Catalogue.’’ For $5.00 I will send you $13.25 worth and include FREE an egg of the Canvas-back and ~ Hutton’s Vireo, listing at $3.25, and also send Lattin’s ‘‘Standard Catalogue,"’ if you will mention it. Send money in manner most convenient. stamps not taken in sums over $1.00. Parties sending orders amounting to less than $1.00 can select eggs to double the amount sent. Orders of less than 50c. must include Sc. extra _ for postage. Remember that this offer expires April 10, 1896, and that, while I will fill orders at these rates as long as stock holds out, NO EXTRAS will be sent after that time. Always mention a few substitutes and address everything plainly to ERNE H. Snot: Albion, N. Y. *Pied-billed Grebe......... _ 10} Marsh Hawk...:..:... 30 35 5 Baltimore Oriole... ...... $0 06) Long-taiied Chat......... _ Black Guillemot. 5 25 | Sharp-shinned Hawk...... 1 00) Brewers Blackbird... 03 | Pileolated Warbler. *Murre 233.5 o.. . 20} Cooper's Hawk........... 530 Purple Grackle.... 05 | *Am, Redstart : Calif. Murre. . 20) *Red-tailed Hawk,..... 60 *Bronzed Grackle. .. 04} Am. Dipper. *Razor-billed Au . 20] Western Red-tail.... 60 Boat-tailed Grackle 15 | *Mockingbird Gt. Black-backed Gull... 40 | Red-shouldered Hawk. 35 Great-tailed Grack 15 | *Catbird . Western Gull............ 30 | *Fla. Red-shouldered Hawk. 60 | Purple Finch 20 | *Brown T *Am. Herring. Gull, 20} Am. Sparrow Lawk,..... 30 | House Finch, 05 | Sennett's ‘Tbrasher.. 4Calif. Gull......... 30} Audubon’s Caracara, . . 100) *Am, Goldfinch 05 © *Curve-billed Thr asher, 15 Ring-billed Gull. 25 | Am. Osprey........ ; 50 | Ark, Goldfine 10) *Calif, Thrasher. 20 Laughing Gull.. 20} Am, Long-eaved Owl...... 30 | *Chestnut - collared Long- , Cactus Wren 20 sf Caspian “Tern... 50 | Fla, Barred Owl...... = 1 WOR SSPUN ee SS sieccs davies esis 35 Bewick's.... 20 Royal Tern, . 40 | Fla. Sereech Owl... 40] Savanna Sparrow, 12 Baird's Wren.. 20 Cabot’s Tern, 30 | Calf. Sereech Ow! . 40} Seaside Sparrow... 20 | House Wren., Peri Forster's Tern | 10 | *Yellow-billed Cuckoo... 10 | *Lark Sparrow,... .. 05) Parkman’s Wren... ...... 10 *Common ‘Tern 0S} *Black-billed Cuekoo...... 12) Western Lark Sparrow 05) *Long-billed Marsh Wren.. 05 Least Tern... 08 | Belted Kingfisher. 15 | *Chipping Sparrow . .. 03 | *White-breasted Nuthatch, 85 *S8ooty Tern... 25!) Hairy W oodpeck 40 | Black-throated Sparrow «. 20 | Brown-headed Nuthatch,, 25 '*Black Tern. . 10 | Downy Woodpecker, . 20 | *Song Sparrow.. ......... 02) Tufted Titmouse 30 *Noddy..... 50 | Baird’s Woodpecker . 50 | *Heerman’s Song Sparrow, 10 | Plain Titmouse. . 50 Fulmar’... 2.5. 75 | *Red-headed Woodp 10 | *Swamp Sparrow.........- 10 | *Chickadee 12 *Leach’s Petrel.. 20 | *Red-shafted Flicker. 10 | *Towhee.. 5 10) Oregon Chie! 35 ; 25) Nighthawk........ 40 | *Spurred Towhee,. 20) Calif. Bush-tit...... 15 Donble-cres'ed Cormorant, 25] Chimney Swift 12 | *Calit. Towhee, . 10 | Blue-gray Gnateatcher 20 Am, Merganser, 75 | Costus Hummer, 60 | Gray-tailed Cardi .. 25) *Wood Thrush... 06 Black Duck... 40 | Anna’s Hummer. 50 | Rose-breasted Grosbeak... 10 mt ilson’s Thrush, ..... 12 Pintail 207 .. 80-| *Scissor-tailed Flycatche 10 | +*Black-neaded Grosbeak... 15 |* Rus-et-back Thrush. . 15 Ruddy Duck. . 85| Kingbird:, 04 | Blue Grosbeak... 20 | Hermit Thrush,, 30 Roseate Spoon . 100 *Arkansas King rd... 06 | *Indigo Bunting... 0S} Am. Robin... 02 #White This..... . 30] *Cassin’s Kingbird... . 20) Lazuli Bunting. . 20} Bluebird....... 08 Wood Ibis. . . 100} Crested Flycatcher... ...... 12) Painted Bunting. 10 | Mountain Bluebix 10 *Least Bittern .. . 20} *Mex, Crested Flyeatcher.. 25) Dickcissel....... 05 | *Gt. Blue Heron., 30 | Ash-throated Flyeatcher.. 25) *Lark Bunting, 3 25 Foreign *Little Blue Heron. ADEP Heeb sa avec cela ge ces 04 | Searlet Tanager... . 955) gn. *Green Heron. >. 12} Black Phot 15 Summer Tanager... 20 | *Song Thrush, ........... $0 05 WOXMie tess sia. Bia'ese 10 | *Wood Pewee,....... 12 *Purple Martin...., 12 | *Blackbird ... 0 Purple Gallinule. 25 | *West. Wood Pewee. 20) Cliff Swallow, , 03'| *Redstart,..... 10 Fla. Gallinule 10} Western Flycatcher. . 25 | *Barn Swallow. 05 | *Willow Warble 05 i *Am. Coot... . O08| Acadian Flycatcher, . 20 | *Tree Swallow . -- 15) Wood Warbler 10 me Wilson Phalar: p 1 00} *Little Flycatcher 204 -Bank Swallow....... .... 03) Marsh Warble 20 a Am, Woodcock = 1 25) *Traill’s ipcataien ¢: 25 | *Rongh-winged Swallow... 20) Cettin Warbler 40 Bartramian Sandpiper .,... 30 | *Least Flycatcher. . 10 | Cedar Waxwing 10 | Orphean Warbler. Seen! eo “phe Sandpiper... 2... 15 | *Prairie Horned Lark. 15 | -Phainopepla....... 30) Gr: isshopper Warbler... . 30 ildeer’;.. 24... wees veee. 20} Ruddy Horned Lark. 30, *White-ramped Shrike. . 0s c 25 Snowy Ployer . 50 | Am. Magpie 20 *Red-eyed Vireo.. 10 10 Oystercatcher - 25| Yellow-billed Magpie 50 | *Warbling Vireo . 20| Garden Warbler. 10 “*Bob-white,..... 10} Blue Jay...... 04). Yellow-throated 80 | Hedge Sparrow 10 Florid Bob-white. . 15 | *Fla. Blue Jay.. 25 White-eved Vireo . 15 | Siskin... o) Mountain Partridge 75 | Blue-fronted Jay 75 | Bell’s Vireo....... 15| Wren,, 05 Calif. Partridge. . RiiRE eseslUs| ssOnlthwl avert he ceca. 20) Prothonotary Warble' 25) Robin... 05 Valley Par’ tridge. . wee @ 1D ewhite=: meatal Raven..... 60 | Lutesecent peasblces 75 | Blackes ne 10 Sooty Grouse............. 75| Am. Crow 05 Parula Warbler... 20| Spotted eb 10. Oregon Ruffed Grouse.... 40) | *Bobolink . 25 *Yellow Warbler 04| Lony-tailed Tit 30, Vy ANTS? > CR GRE eae 20} Cowbird ;. 02 | *Chestnnt-sided Warble 20} Mo S 30. Wild Turkey.. - 1 00| *Yellow-headed Blackbird.. 05 Prairie Warbler ..... joe 80" Partridgerc it. .ceees 15. Chacalaca ...., . 50} *Red-wing Blackbird... .. 01) Oven-bird) 552 20. ew... 15| Barbary Partridge. 255. *Red-billed Pigeon. +100} Bicolored Blackbird... |. 10 Louisiana Water-thrush .. 40) Pheasant........-.. 25. a *White-winged Dove. 20} Tricolored Blackbird...... 15 *Maryland Yellow-throat... 12) Sparrow Hawk 30 = Ground Dove - 20| Meadowlark,............. 10 Western Yellow-throat ... 5) Dartford Warbler. 40 : Turkey Vulture... 75 | Western Meadowlark . 12. *Yellow-breasted Chat... . 03 | Blue-throated W arbler. 4 Black Vulture. . 75| Orchard Oriole........... 06 | All guarantéed First Class. Of those marked (*) I have original sets with,data. Write for price on what you want. HONE ¢ WITHOUT MEDICINE. Often Cures Gace Incurable to the : lost Approved Remedies. ee % AFRICA (formerly called AFRICAN NEWS), a journal in the isis oe of African missionaries, and which was established by his father ey mei William Taylor, Bishop of Africa : ; “tare a ~ testifies that when early applied it will ee African fever, Rey. William 1B Donon, who = seen st ; ige! service in Angola, has found it very efficient as a remedial agent. “1 have used one in my own family with very gratifying results. My youngest son had what “to me to be a ver y serious nervous affection; when your treatment was first applied, he could not endure _ more than three minutes’ application at a time. After some weeks he could go to sleep. under the. treat- ment, and Jet'it continue until morning.. He is now in perfect health, which can only” be attr ibuted under the blessing of God, to the Electropoise and your advice to keep him as much as posses in th fresh air. A e ee The Bishop has taken one of your instruments to Africa, since when we have sent several others Yours truly, ROSS" ee 1122 Broadway, Newark) - Electrolibration G0., 207 oxox Steet, Londo f laa SP, sek Ye) a SSOCIATED f t © WITH AN OF THE OHITHSONIAN [NSTI —_— = THE NIDOL oGIsT E. A. McILHENNY Ornithologist and Odslogist GENERAL COLLECTOR OF NATURAL HISTORY SPECIMENS. AND Avery’s Island, Iberia Parish, La. ay —=——_ ISB SiS) Ia Sjane Of Southern Bird’s Eggs in Fine eine Sets with Careful Data TRANSPORTATION MUST BE PAID BY PURCHASER ON ALL L ORDERS UNDER FIVE DOLLARS PER EGG | 3 ie 05 Pied-billed Grebe.........--. ++ Laughing Gull... . Caspian Tern... Royal “ Cabot’s ‘“ Foster's ‘ Least Sooty st Black fs Black Skimmer. . Anhinga...... ci Mexican Cormorant. Am. White Pelican. . Brown Hooded Merganser, . Mottled Duck. Shobd Wood nm Roseate Spoon-bill White Ibis...... Wood ‘“* American Bittern. J east CH Green Blue Heron. Snowy WY Louisiana Little Blue ‘‘ Green Se bo Vellow-crowned Night SIGHS sence Americans Mgrets.. eckecenccces: Reddish = 5 Louisiana Clapper Rail.. King Purple Gallinule. Plorida o Black-necked Stilt. American Woodcock.. BONG ee rem yaniaisisictad aint Wilson’s Plover... Florida Bobwhite....... ett Atwater’s Prairie Hen .... Wal dihurkeyecpentieer << serie cine secisioce Mourning Dove... Turkey Vulture. . Blick M4 Swullowed tailed Kite.. Mississippi gE Florida Red-shouldered H awk Harlan’s 0 Florida Night Rald Eagle...-.. Florida Barred Owl. . American Barn ‘‘ Florida Screech “ . Chuck-will’s wido I am now booking orders for the above eggs at the low prices stated. want any for your cabinet, or exchanging corps of collectors in the South. for me. 85 Ghinme yas wi leat a-iee ere Ruby-throated Hummer.. King Bird Crested Flycatcher Wood Pewee-... Orchard Oriole... Boat-tailed Grackle. Florida ce Texan Seaside Sparrow. Henslow’s Cardinal....... Painted Bunting.. Snmmer Tanager. . Purple Martin..... White-eyed Vireo.. Prothonotary Warbler Parula | Hooded Me Swainson’s ey Florida Yellow-throat. . Yellow-breasted Chat. . Mockingbird. ....... Carolina Wren .. Long -billed Marsh Wren. White-breasted Nuthatch........ Curolina Chickadee. ........ Blue- gray Gnat-catcher.. pluebirdesnmese eee ee ae Red-billed Pigeon ... . White-fronted Dove. . White-winged *‘ Mexican Ground Dove.. Inca White-tailed Kite... Mexican Goshawk. Harris’ Hawk..... Western Red-tail. are Mexican Blackhawk.... Avlomado Falcon...... White-throated Falcon. Audubon’s Caracara.... Mexican Screech Owl. Texan HY eae: Flamulated ‘“ ide ws Western Horned ‘“ .. Ferruginous Pi-my Owl Mexican Meadowlark. Audubon’ S Oriole... Lesson’s Hooded oF | Great-tailed Grackle. Mexican Goldfinch. 3 Dusky Seaside Sparrow........-..... >) Special attention given to series. | Black-capped Vireo... | Brasher’s Warbler... | Sennett’s Warbler | Mirador Yellow- throat. | Curved-billed | Lomita Wren Lark Sparrow. ‘Texas Be Varied Bunting. necsan Sharpe’s Seed-eater. Long-tailed Chat....... Sennett’s Thrasher. PER EGG Te 95 Io 60 20 20 60 Bae Nas 5 Texas Berwick’s Wren 08 | Black-crested Titmouse, 20) I hING Sok Goncoodel gsr 10 Rose-throated Bicard... 35 Montezuma Yellow-tail. 15 | Gray-tailed Hawk... 40 | Black Frog _** 4o St. Domingo Grebe. 18 Texas Dusky Duck........ 40 | Black-bellied Tree Duck.. 50 WOME Goat oc stoecc secuo on 10 Mexican Jacana .... I 00 Texan Bob-white..... 10 | Mexican Wild Turkey 40 Axtec Paroquet....... 25 Grooved-billed Ani. 12 Roadrunner... ~....-..-- 06 Coppery-tailed Trogan... I 75 Texas Kingfisher. BS I 00 Rufus-bellied Kingfisher. . I 00 Baird’ Woodpecker........... 25 Cent Am. Pileated Woodpecker 50 Golden-fronted b 12 PEREM@PIS PSoocceoccosscce 7° Texas Nighthawk.. 12 Western & 12 Buff-bellied Hummer..... 4o Scissor-tailed Flycatcher - 05 Gouch?seKamre bir dynes eeeenianers 25 Derby F) lycatcher.. 50 (Giraud sien ieee eens =O Mexican Crested Fly catcher... 12 Lawrence's 20 Vermillion os ey 40 Reardless t¢ 60 Green Jay 25 Brown 22 Mexican Crow. 20 Bronzed Cowbi 10 Dwarf o8 Chachalacalesn sachs seen eee rnee 15 If yor T have the finest send in your order now. Mr. F. B. Armstrong and his men are now collecting She; THE NIDOLOGIST Exponent of American Ornithology and Osdlogy PUBLISHED MONTHLY WITH ILLUSTRATIONS Vor. III. No. 9. ALAMEDA, CAL, MAY, 1896 $1.00 PER YEAR PARTIAL ALBINO BICOLORED BLACKBIRD Drawn for THE NipoLocist by Mrs. C. C. McGregor) Albinos. BY R. C. M’GREGOR, PALO ALTO, CAL. HE following list of albino birds seems to be worthy of record. The first five are in the collection of the Leland Stanford Junior University; the last two were collected by me and presented to the U. S. National Museum: Aphelocoma californica. California Jay. Mayfield, Santa Clara county, Cal., July 8, 1894. 2 N. G. Buxton. Pure white, no trace of color. Bill and legs pale straw in the dry specimen. Melauerpes formicivorus batrdt. nia Woodpecker. San Diego county, Cal., July 25, 1892. ¢ Stoddard and Hyatt. (Coll. Leland Stanford Junior University, No. 549.) Jugulum, pale lemon-yellow lightly streaked with white; crown and hind neck, glossy crimson; upper tail- coverts, crissum, abdomen, sides of body and basal portion of primaries and second- aries, white. A few white spots on the outer tail feather and destal portion of sec- Califor- ondaries. Remainder of plumage ashy color; tips of wings creamy. Merula migratoria propinqua. Western Robin. Palo Alto, Cal. Nov. 18, 1894. Wel Xellogon (College S anliiamWan Nios 2808.) >_< Interesting Comments. HE following letters, apropos of our removal, have been lately received, and explain themselves: 145 BRATTLE STREET, CAMBRIDGE, Mass., May 6, 1896. My Drar Mr. Tayior: I have been spending the past five weeks at Concord, ina little log cabin in the woods, where I go to rest once or twice a year. Returning, I learn with much regret that by my absence I have missed the pleasure of see- ing you here and showiug you my collection. I am very sorry, also, that there should have been so long a delay in answering your letter ask- ing for my advice with respect to moving your establishment back to California. On that point I -have no doubts whatever, for I have always believed that you made a mistake in coming Hast. It is not easy to define my reasons for this opinion, but my feeling was that THE NIDOLOGIST was a natural outgrowth of the Pacific Slope, that it had that large and interesting region to itself,and that it possessed a certain distinctive Western flavor THE which it was in danger of losing if it were pemna- nently transplanted in New York. ‘s * If your expenses are greater here, that is certainly a strong reason for returning. In short, I should strongly advise yon to return. Thanking you for the compliment you have paid me in asking for my advice, I remain, with best wishes for the success of your valuable jour- nal, Yours very truly, WILLIAM BREWSTER. SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, WASHINGTON, } APRIL 27, 1896. j DEAR Mr. TayLor: Iam sorry to learn that you propose returning to California; not that I think THE Nrpovocis? will not prosper as well there, but because there will be less chance ofsee- ing you in Washington, as I had hoped to do quite frequently. I do not, however, question the wis- dom of your judgment in deciding to return, and I believe that wherever you may locate von will maintain the high standard of your magazine, which is a decided success and deserves the sup- port of every Ornithologist. I respect all the more any man who never loses his respect for the land of his birth, and in your desire to return to your native State, I recognize the expression of a sentiment which I can easily understand and with which I heartily sympathize. That you may find there all things as you would wish them, is the sincere hope of Yours very truly, ROBERT RIDGWAY. SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, WASHINGTON,) APRIL 18, 1896. iy Mr. H. R. Taylor. DEAR SIR: What you write me about goirg back to San Francisco and publishing THE Nrp- OLOGIST there again does not surprise me, and I do not think you will lose anything by the move; in fact, I believe you will gain by it,and the expe- _ rience obtained by you while in the East in vari- ous matters pertaining to the publication of a popular magazine will help you materially to make it still more of a success than it is at the present date. Yours truly, CHARLES BENDIRE. OFFICE OF “THE AUK,’’ NEw YorK,) May 4, 1896. J My DEAR Mr. Tay LOR: I regret to learn of your decision to take THE NipOLoGIst back to the place of its birth. While it made an excellent start in the golden West. its sojourn in the East has evidently had no constitutionally bad effects, but has given it tone and strength, qualities which I trust a return to its birthplace will still further develop. Wishing THx NrpoLocistT the continued success it so well deserves, believe me, as ever, Cordially yours,’ - J. A. ALLEN. == W. K. VANDERBILT, JR., Esq., is interested in Ornithology, and is one of THE NIDOLOGIsT’s sub- scribers. AN ARTICLE on ‘‘Whip-poor-will Courtship’ appears in this number, contributed by W. A. Johnson, who has announced that he will publish a paper similar in scope to THE NIDOLOGIST, at Galesburg, I1]., in September. NIDOLOGIST 3(2), \$%G 99 Periods of Deposition of Eggs. BY J. H. BOWLES. HIS, to me, exceedingly interesting subject in the study of Ornithology and Oology is among the many that I have pursued with but small measure of success. However, I have managed. t accumulate.a few notes that I trust may be considered worthy of a place in the NIDOLOGIST. It seems to me that amofig the principal features to be considered as being of influence, are temperature. which so largely depends upon the location and time of year; the number of eggs to the set; and food, its character and quantity. It is fairly safe to assert as a rule that the majority of birds lay one egg, and only one, each day until the set is completed. There are certain families, however, in which the rule is occasionally broken, and others where its application would be entirely inadmissable. Probably the family of birds by far the most erratic in this respect is that of the Raptores, the members of which seldom (never in my experience) lay all the eggs ofaset in as many days. The different members of this family extend their nest- ing periods from February to July, in fact I believe the Bald Eagle commences incubation during December in Florida, and at no time do the birds seem at all regular in laying (I am uncertain regarding the larger Owls and Eagles). The most irregular of all I have found to be the Cooper’s Hawk (Accipiter coopert), which I have known to occupy over two weeks in laying aset of five eggs. The dates of this areas follows: nest was found on May 15, 1893, containing two fresh eggs, one of which I took. Visited the nest again on the 19th when it still held but one egg, which I took and left an egg of Gallus domesticus as a substitute. On the 23rd there was one more egg which was left. On the 25th the nest held one egg of Biddy and two of cooferi, the latter I took and left two more of Biddy in ex- change. ‘Took one egg, the last one, June 1, after which no more were laid. None of the eggs showed the least sign of incuba- tion. By a similar method I have found the Red-shouldered Hawk (Szzeo lineatus) to lay an egg every other day or two, though on one occasion there was an interval of 100 THE NIDOLOGIST six days between the second and the last egg in a set of three. Sharp-shinned Hawks (Adccipter velox) skip from one to three days, usually more than one. For example, it took one bird exactly two weeks to lay a set of five eggs, for which eggs of the bantam were substi- tuted. ‘This bird seemed to think some- thing was wrong, for after I exchanged the first two eggs she puta thick lining of hem- lock bark in the nest, which is the only instance I have'’seen of lining in the nests of these little Hawks. The results of my experiments may possibly have been effected by my visiting the nests so frequently, but I think it im- probable, as many full sets that I have taken have shown in their different stages of incubation that several days must have elapsed between the laying of each egg. The smaller birds, such as Flycatchers, Sparrows, Warblers and others, I have found to follow closely the rule of an egg every day. One exception to this was in the case of a Least Flycatcher (Empidonax minimus) which laid the last two eggs in her set of four in one day. I also have my suspicions of a Prairie Warble (Dendroica discolor) though the evidence is rather weak. I found her nest about five o’clock one afternoon when it had not a vestige of lining. Early in the morning of the fourth day after, I was sar- prised to find the nest completely lined and containing four eggs. This was in very wet weather, when the bird would scarcely have chosen night work for working on her nest, and certainly could not have finished it the day I found it. I have read that all birds that habitually lay only two eggs to their sets, lay an egg every other day, but have had no experi- ence with any such, except domestic pigeons, which usually conform to this rule, so cannotadd my quota. It is hardly necessary to mention those extremely eccentric birds, the Cuckoos, in this respect, as they are, if possible, more freaky than the Raptores. Who has not found their apologies for nests with eggs in every stage of incubation, among which a young bird of the jettiest black is oftenseated? But it would be a surprise to usif these birds ever did anything in the way most birds would do it. I will deviate from my subject to mention that there are also few birds who are such deadly enemies to the tent cata- pillar as are our Cuckoos. I once watched a pair of Black-bills (Coccyzus erythroph- thalmus) “go through” at least half a dozen tents. Hach selected a nest, thrust its bill in, pulled out acatapillar, ate it and then repeated the act, working all around the nests, which were like honeycombs at the end of the performance. How the birds held so many insects I cannot conceive; indeed, at the end they came and sat close together ou a limb, looking very pensive and sleepy. I closely examined the rifled nests and could find nothing but a few dead worms. The last bird on my list is the Sora (Porzana carolina) of which I can give but one instance. My brother found the nest on May 29 of the past season, when it contained twoeggs. Asit isan uncommon nest in our marshes, he took me to it on the following day, and we were agreeably surprised to find that there were four eggs. Whether this is usually the case or not, must be answered by someone of more ex- perience with these birds than myself. And now comes the question, ‘‘Why are these things thus?’’ I can form no plausi- ble theory, of regular application, for any of the above mentioned, with the exception of the Raptores. In thecaseof these birds, I believe the explanation lies in the ques- tion of food, as from its nature, it cannot be found in regular quantities. There must be times when they find it difficult to get food enough to satisfy their hunger, while the food of the insectivorous birds is probably about equally plentiful at all times during the breeding season. Now it seems plausible to think that birds having regular rations, we may call it, will be more regu- larly productive than those which much of the time, have to depend on what chance . throws in their way. Ponkapog, Mass. => Whip-Poor-Will Courtship. read with interest the experiences of Mr. Galloway and Major Bendire on the love notes of the Whip-poor-will, but think I had a much’better opportunity of watch- ing the birds than mentioned by Mr. Gallo- way and noticed one or two more phases in the proceedings. On the third of June last while camping in the Spoon River valley, I was suddenly startled about 9 p. m. by a Whip-poor-will very close to the tent; opening the flaps I saw Mr. Whip-poor-will had installed him- self on a level spot, free from grass, where there had previously been a campfire. The moon-light streaming through the tree tops gave this improvised stage a calceum light effect. He began the well-known call with the “cluck’’ closely following. A person would hardly believe the ‘‘cluck’’ came from the same source, as each ‘‘whip-poor-will’’ fol- lowed in such close succession as to seem one continuous call. After a few minutes he took short flights of about two to five feet verticlly into the air, hovering similar to the Kingbird, then dropping likea stone to his former position to resume his call. This continues until the female appears in the ring as suddenly and as silently as though she had come out of the ground. Now the scenes changes. Mr.Whip-poor- willassumes a ‘“‘turkey-gobbler’’ attitude, struttingaround his mate, and woz the notes change to the low guttural sounds discribed by.Mr. Galloway; sounding to me much like the notes of young Crows. Here our horse takes it into his mind to scratch his back on the wagon-wheel, mak- ing a racket which scares away our love- making pair. I felt very much impressed with the sight and grabbing my note-book wrote my inspirations of this rare opportunity before again retiring. WALTER A. JOHNSON. GALESBURG, III. ~~ e Birds and Fire. NOTHER aarticle appeared in THE Th Nrponocis’? a short time since con- cerning birds being attracted by fire. I have a similar instance to record: It happened in Boone County, Iowa, in the fall of 1889, when there was quite a large prairie fire. After the ground had been burnt over, two haystacks that had caught continued burning. They were but a short distance from a fence, the posts of which remained standing, and a slough. While the stacks burnt a flock of Blue- winged Teal stopped at the pond and for a long time several Meadowlarks were singing on the fence posts, while overhead, inthe darkness, could be heard the cry of many Nighthawks and numberless Killdeers. The cries of these birds and burning smoky prairie made a scene, that midnight, I shall never forget. ARTHUR M. FARMER. CLINTON, MAss. THE NIDOLOGIST Iolr A Battle in Air. N JANUARY 21, ’96 while crossing the bridge that spans the Merrimack River at this city, I saw a Great Northern Shrike, having a set-to with an English Sparrow. They were in the air, about thirty feet from the ice, the river being frozen at the time. I of course, stopped to see the fun, and to note the re- sult. The Sparrow would dart in every direction, trying his best toevade his antag- onist, but go where he would, -Mr. Shrike was not more than three feet behind him. He did not seem to be trying to catch him then, but to tire him out. But finally, the Shrike, as if tired of fooling with him so long, rushed in, and dealt him a blow, and at the same time caught him with his claws. The Sparrow was evidently stunned as he did not move after that, but the Shrike did not drop him, and after circling around a few times quite heavily as if he had about all he could carry, flew across the river, and lit in an elm tree, and it being so far from the bridge, I could not see what was done after that. The Sparrow put up quite a fight for his life, but wasn’t ‘‘in it” with the Shrike, and I think it is safe to say that he will not be missed. Cuas. S. BUTTERS. HAVERHILL, MAss. —____» 9 —___ The Song of the Wood Pewee. 9g OTWITHSTANDING we are told that the Zyrannid@ are ‘‘nou-melodi- ous,’’ I have un two occasions heard from the Wood Pewee what I would not hesitate to calla song. One was heard in June, 1893; the other in a different locality in July, 1894. The songs were similar; they had the usual plaintive tone of the Wood Pewee, and consisted of a miscellany of notes uttered easily and rapidly, without a pause from start to finish. The predominating expressions were ‘‘pewee,’”’ ‘‘pe-te-wee”’ and ‘‘peer,’’ the latter often uttered three or four times in succession, these notes being intermingled with many shorter but similar sounds. The duration ofthe entire song was about twenty seconds; not so short a song as you may think, unless you have timed a few bird-songs. Whether an account of the song of the Wood Pewee has been published, I do not 102 THE NIDOLOGIST know,as I have access to but little Ornitho- logical literature; but as I have seen nothing of the kind, I think perhaps this note may be of interest to at least some of the readers of THE NIDOLOGIST. J. C. GALLOWAY, Montgomery, Ohio. Thoughts on the New Check List. (Concluded.) ONSERVATISM as opposed to liberalism is ( generally regarded as slowness, but is it not better to make haste slowly and to be right than to act hastily and then have to retrace and alter? With laws to act by, why not compare with and follow them, and when they fail to meet the requirements of advancing knowledge, why not change them? Mr. C, W. Richmond has recently noticed the difference in the spelling of the name of the genus Helmitherus as given in the List, and the same genus Helmitheros as given by Prof. Baird. He very kindly showed me the original spelling as used by Rafinesque, and has allow me to use it in this connection. But one conclusion can be formed, and that is that Prof. Baird was right. There is an error also regarding the number of the page where this name was first used. Another illustration of the same kind is afforded in the genus Zhryothorus. Thriothorus is the original spelling. Compare the spelling in /unco hyemalis aud 7roglodytes hiemalis. Canons XXXI and XL of the Code apply with especial force to the above cases. No. 474] is a nut that needs cracking. Mr. Dwight’s use of the name fal/ida antedates Town- send’s by several months, also Dwight distinctly prints, Ofocoris alpestris pallida Townsend, MS. Does Dwight’s mention of the bird constitute a description? As intergradation is unknown, what objection is to be found to the Ofocoris pallada (Townsend MS.), Auk, Vol. III, April, 1890, page 154? If the Committee’s action in eliminating manu- script authorities is sustained, then the genus Phainopepla should have Baird‘as authority. Mr. Richmond tells me that the publication of this genus by Sclater occurred in 1859, while Baird’s meution is about a year earlier (P. R. Rep. 1X 923, October, 1858). Common names are not properly an object of scientific nomenclature, but as the List contains a nanie of this kind for every bird mentioned, it is perhaps unnecessary to suggest that their use should be, as far as is possible, consistent and euphonious. I shall mention but two cases, but they will show what I mean. There are two genera of Cardinals. Would it not be better to call all the species Cardinals, with the addition of a word designating the kind? Pyrrhuloxia is not a common name, but is used in the List as such as a means of getting rid of a difficulty. If we cannot call No. 594@a an Arizona Cardinal, why not call it Beckham’s Cardinal? And No. 5940, why not call it Peninsula Cardinal? No. 587a is zof a white-eyed bird. The irides are yellowish-cream color, surrounded by a red- dish ring. Why not call it the Florida Towhee? There are many lapses in the habitats as given under the head of geographical distribution. Most of them are perhaps due to the widely dis- persed nature of the evidence necessary to cor- rectly define the habitats, and also the great labor necessary to systematically work them out cor- rectly, but there are some which may be conven- - iently pointed out. Having recently been under the necessity of cutting up a list of North Ameri- can birds and having arranged the names under certain catagories,I have been impressed with the impossibility of depending on the wording as found under the name of each form, even as regards their general distribution. Melospiza cinerea does not occur on the Pribilof Islands. When Mr. Richmond was preparing his recent paper on this species and Melospiza insignis we were careful to see that the Pribilof Islands were not not mentioned as a habitat for either. Dr. Brandt’s specimens there mentioned came, I take it, from Kadiak and St. Paul’s Islands, both of which are situated on the Aleutian chain. A wrong tying on of labels at about the time of collecting will account for the difficulty about the habitats mentioned by Mr Richmond. During several months spent on the Pribilof Islands I should certainly have seen this bird if it had been ~ there. The words ‘‘Pribilof Islands and” should be stricken out under No. 272a@. The bird does not breed on the islands, is only a rare migrant. To be consistent, birds having equal distribution range should: be indicated by the use of the same language. Birds known to breed in Newfound- land and Labrador only should be sostated. A bird breeding from Newfoundland and Labrador to British Columbia or Alaska should be recorded assuch. The language used to show the geogra- phical distribution should be concise and plain and consistent npon comparisons. I wish now to notice a series of conditions which many students of ornithology fail to under- stand because the masters of science seem to act inconsistently. One would naturally think that under like conditions a like treatment would be made, but this is not always so. Canon XI of the Code is as follows: ‘‘Trino- mial nomenclature consists in applying to every individual organism, and to the aggregate of such organisms known now to intergrade in physical characters, three names, one of which expresses the subspecific distinctness of the organism. from all other organisms, and the other two of which express respectively its specific indistinctriess from, or generic identity with, certain other organisms; the first of these names being the sub- specific; the second the specific, and the third the generic designation; the three, written consecu- tively, without the intervention of any other word, term, or sign, constituting the technical name of any subspecifically distinct organism.” Under the same Canon we find the followiag: ‘In a word, intergradation is the touchstone of trino- mialism.” * * * ‘The system proceeds upon a sound scientific principle.’ * * * “Such local forms are often extremely different from one another; so different, in fact, that, were they not known to blend on the confines of their respective areas, they would commonly be rated as distinct species.” Dr. J. A. Allen, in ‘‘A Seven Years’ Retro- spect,’ Says, page 5: ‘‘Since conspecific sub- specifics often differ more from each otherthan do THE NIDOLOGIST 103 valid species, notwithstanding that the former completely intergrade while the latter are always separated by an appreciable hiatus, two things are recognized through the use of trinomial designa- tions. First, that distinctness, without regard to kind or degree of difference, is indicated by the use of a binomial name, while the use of a trino- mialimplies known intergradation, notwithstand- ing the wide difference which may sometimes exist between two or more forms of a conspecific group.’”’ Again, he says on the same page: “While intergradation, in the case of new germs, may be often inferred with a great degree of cer- tainty, perhaps fewer retractions will be necessary if the use of a trinomial be deferred till satisfac- tory evidence of intergradation be acquired.’’ Mr. Henry Seebohn, in his ‘‘Geographical Dis- tribuution of the Family Charadriide,’’ 1887,page 64, says in effect the same thing: ‘‘In practice it will be found that the most convenient line that can be drawn between a species and a subspecies is to regard those forms as specifically distinct, however near they may be to each other whenever they are woz counected by intermediate forms— without reference in the one case to Zow the inter- mediate forms are produced, or in the other to why they were not produced.”’ Now if intergradation is not the criterion by which to gauge the use oftrinomials,I take it that the above is only wasted ink and paper, to say nothing of the trouble incurred in writing and originatingit. What are the Codeand the Remarks for, if not to decide these cases by? Parus carolinensis is a geographical race of P. atricapilius, asouthern derivative from a boreal form. They are not known to intergrade, hence are good species. Their habitats, however, at some points interlock, but as far as known the two forms are now distinct. S?turnella magna and S. m. neglecta are on precisely the same foot- ing though occupying eastward and westward habitats. _Who has collected intermediates of these kinds? Who has noted the mixed melody of these intergrading birds? Whereis the evi- dence on which one is made a subspecies of the other? In ‘‘N. A. Fauna, No. 5,’’ Dr. Merriam has described a single specimen of an Owl as Megascops flameolus idahoensis. The bird is unique, distinct from flameolus, and should, to be consistent, stand as a species Iegascops idaho- ensis until proved to intergrade with another. Besides, its locality is about four hundred miles from the nearest known habitat of flameo/us and intergrades are unknown, in fact are almost impossible owing to the character of the interven- ing country. There are certain North American: birds which are in a large degree congereric with certain Eurasian forms. Many of these are in the List considered as conspecific, notwithstanding the distance and oceans which separate them. They undoubtedly had a common origin previous to or about the time of the glacial epoch, but since that time there has been no land connection to enable the forms to intergrade. What is therefunscienti- fic in allowing the American forms of Certhia to stand as species until they are proved to inter- grade with each other? Thus Certhia americana, ‘C. alticola, C. montana, and C. occidentalis. If they do intergrade, then they should stand as subspecies of americana. Why should we not also write Loxta minor and perhaps Loxia strick- landi? Why not Pica hudsonica? How can this last intergrade with Pica pica? Why will not Archibuteo sancti-johannis correctly indicate a bird which inhabits nearly the whole of North America? It does look as ifa new definition of what constitutes a subspecies is in order, or else the laws we have should be obeyed. We have a Code, a Check List and a Committee. Yet authors will persist in absolutely changing names, in allowing their own limited experiences to over- rule the supposed superior abilities and knowledge of the Committee. Even the individual members of the Committee persist in using names contrary to the rules of the Committee. We laymen like to look up to those whom we support as the heads of our organization, but we ofteu have our faith considerably shaken, WILLIAM PALMER. “THOUGHTS ON THE NEW CHECK LIST.” Yo the Editor of THE N1ipoOLocIst : EAR SIR :—‘‘A little learning is a dangerous lis. thing.” So wrote Alexander Pope over two hundred and fifty years ago, and the correctness of the statement has been many times demonstrated, and is newly evidenced by the article under the above caption in THE Nrponocis‘ for April, 1896. In the interest of scientific accuracy, it is to be hoped that Mr. William Palmer, with his excellent literary equipment and extended scientific experience, which stand forth so prominently in his article above cited, will lose no time in preparing for the benefit alike of his scientific confreres and the ‘‘noble array of talent” responsible for the New A. O. U. Check List, the full and complete ‘‘addenda to the book,’’ which he finds is ‘necessary.’ Possibly in the series of papers appar- ently to be given under ‘‘Thoughts on the new Check List’’ this will be supplied. : It is gratifying to know that in a work of this kind “*Typograpical errors are few.” Mr. Palmer calls atten- tion to two; he may have many more on his list; we can supply a limited number which he possibly may have overlooked. ‘There are also a number of clerical slips,—“‘vexatious misplacemenis’’ of parentheses in respect to the names of authorities, etc., of which it is intimated there is ‘‘a large series.” But only two are here pointed out. In these the criticism is well taken; please let us have the rest. I am sure the A. O. U. committee will be only too glad to have the errors in its work pointed out, and will promptly take steps for their correction. No. 13a and No. 766a, referred to by Mr. Palmer, he will find noticed in ‘‘The Auk”, April 1896, p. 189. In the case of ‘“‘Radlus jamaicensis Linn.,’’ Linn. of course should read Gmel. There should also have been aline added to the reference under No. 740a. In his next paragraph about manuscript names, Mr. Palmer shows he has waded beyond his depth. It seems strange that he should not know that in substituting anew name far a preoccupied name that no description is necessary. Furthermore, that while Parus gambelt was a manuscript name when adopted by the committee in 1886, it ceased to be such when published in the Check List. The correct citation for the new Check List is as there given, and not “‘Ridgw. Man. 1887.” Mr. Palmer’s references in this connec- tion to Canons XXNIT, XXXIV and XLI would seem to indicate that he considers Parus gambeli as nomen nudum till published in Ridgway’s ‘*Manual,” over- 104 THE NIDOLOGIST looking the fact that the concordance given under this species fixes the identification of the name beyond ques- tion. Thus Mr. Palmer’s criticisms on this point are wholly gratuitous and erroneous; the reference in the second edition is perfectly correct, and the only one that can be given. Yet it might be well for Mr. Palmer to enlighten still further the benighted committee and many others in- volved in the same deep ignorance, how it is that its treatment of manuscript names is ‘‘unscientific.’’ In the case of Collumbigalina passerina terrestris it is hardly worth while to waste words in argument. When Mr. Palmer is able to show us that all of the West Indian birds are identical with the the Jamaican formand that ¢ervestvzs is confined to the ‘‘Southeastern States’’--a condition of affairs the committee evidently satisfied itself did not exist—then Mr. Palmer will have grounds for his opinions. Very truly yours, New York, April 7, 1896. J. A. ALLEN. Whip-poor-will Calls, G7], HE interesting ‘* Whip-poor-will wy Notes’ by Mr. J. C. Galloway in the February NIDOLOGIST confirms what I heard in the notes of Whip-poor-wills at different places and times in Crittenton county, Kentucky, about five years ago. After I first noticed the ‘‘chuck,’’ so well described by Mr. Galloway, I always heard it sandwiched between the calls when with- in, say, thirty to fifty feet of the bird. I regret that I have been unable to find my notes on these occurrences, and what I write is from memory only. However, it must have been early in the season, say April; and I know my observations did sot extend over a long period, for not exceed- ing two years after I first heard the peculiar note, I removed to where I have been un- able to hear the plaintive call at all. I half-way suspect that, if not alway present, the ‘‘chuck’’ is at least common, though by no means commonly heard. The ‘“‘haw’”’ and ‘‘kuk’’ notes I have never heard. The Whip-poor-will has been a favorite ‘song bird’’ with me, and I remember well the feeling of mingled indignation and pity that overcame,or to put it mildly,came over me when, in Red River county, Texas, I first heard the vastly inferior call of “Chuck-will-widow!” R. H. DEAN. Tennallytown, D. C. oo oe “WISH you success, and like new appearance of NIDOLOGIST very much. Keep it up.’’ Worcester, Mass. CuHas. K. REED.”’ “T am well pleased with the ‘Nrp,’ and look torward to its coming with eagerness. Blacksburg, Va. Harry A. PENTz.”’ gt EV. C. M. JONES, of Easttord, R Conn., sends us the following inter- esting note: “T was much pleased to obtain, in De- cember last, a Murre, which a man here in town found in his mill-pond, frozen in the ice, and dead. Hechopped it out and gave itto me. The ice had evidently frozen around it in the night and held it fast. It was resting in a perfeetly natural position, showing no evidence of any struggle. But, of course, the interesting thing about it is the fact of its being so far inland as the north-eastern part of Connecticut. There had been a north-east storm a short time before, but not very severe, and it would seem hardly sufficient to have driven the bird so far out of its way.” * * * THE SAW-WHET BREEDING ON LONG ISLAND. I went out ‘“‘prospecting’’ about a week ago and saw a Saw-whet Owl’s nest, con- taining five eggs. This is the first instance that has come to my knowledge of their breeding on Long Island, and I never ex- pected to have the pleasure of finding their nest, but it’s “‘the unexpected that always happens.’”’ A. H. HELME. Miller’s Place, N. Y. * * * On THE ABUNDANCE OF THE PURPLE FINCH. In the article on valuations of nests and eggs, in the April NipoLocrst, I read that the eggs of the Purple Fiuch have been priced at a higher figure in the new ‘‘Tay- lor’s Standard Catalogue’’ on account of their ‘‘increasing rarity.” Without finding any fault with the price, may I not suggest that possibly this evident increasing rarity is duein part to the shifting of their range? In Saratoga county, N. Y., I have for several years observed the apparent in- crease in numbers of this species. Here in Madison county they are one of the first a » tae birds to arrive in the spring. They have been here since April rr in no small num- bers, and can be heard singing at almost any time of day. Like other birds, they go in greatest numbers where they can find their own peculiar nesting locations, seek- ing the fir spruce and cedar trees, and as such accommodations fail in one place, they move along to a new district. B. A. GARRETT. Hamilton, N. Y. * * * NortH DAKkoTaA COLLECTING. A four days’ trip to the wild country just completed, netted a companion and myself, nine sets and two singles, Ferruginous Rough-legged Buzzard, 1-5 lLong-eared Owl, 1-5 Canada Goose, I-2 Sandhill Crane, 1-11 Shoveller Duck. Am now watching a pair of Ferruginous Rough-legs completing a nest on the verge of a steep bench overlooking a lonely valley not more than two miles from this point. They are somewhat belated, and I take them to be the same pair that I disturbed while build- ing on a rocky hillside less than half a mile from their present location, as the former site was promptly abandoned after my visit. On April 17 a boy brought mea set of two (one broken) of the Ferruginous, to- gether with the female, which he winged as she left her nest. My yard is enclosed with a woven-wire fence, and I[ turned this fine bird loose and kept her nearly four days, and I feel that I am pretty familiar with this magnificent species that seems but a short remove from the Eagle. EUGENE S. ROLFE. Minnewaukan, N. D. * * * MY FIRST NEST IN 1896. I had the good fortune of discovering a nest of Anna’s Hummingbird, containing two eggs, on February 14,1896. ‘The nest was constructed on a horizontal limb of a Monterey cypress tree, and was supported by two small twigs which formed the shape of a V. It was nine feet from the ground, _ composed of bits of bark, moss and cob- webs, lined with a few pieces of cotton and California Partridge feathers. Unfortunately the eggs contained well- developed embryos, which would doubtless have hatched in a day or two. I think I can safely say these eggs were fresh on February 5, thereby making this an ex- THE NIDOLOGIST 105 tremely early nesting date for these little birds considering the climate and location of San Francisco. As far as I can learn this is the earliest record for this species ever taken in San Francisco county. CLAUDE FYFE. San Francisco, Cal. x % YELLOW—-HEADED. BLACKBIRD IN FLAG LAKE, FULTON COUNTY, ILL. After reading Mr. P. M. Silloway’s arti- cle in the last number of the NrpoLocis’, in which he refers to Flag Lake, I looked over my notes and found the record of a set of four eggs, of the Yellow-headed Blackbird, taken trom said lake June 6, 1894. This was the only set taken, al- though in company with Dr. Strode I searched for them on several occasions. A number of the birds were seen, but an effort to secure a specimen for the cabi- net failed. J. R. MAGUIRE. Lewiston, Ill. «x A NOTE ON THE MEADOWLARK. On May 24, 1895, while at Beatrice, Neb., a set of seven Meadowlark’s eggs were brought me bya friend, collected ina field about twelve feet from a seldom trav- eled country road, the nest not being rooted over as is usually the case. Six of the eggs were so badly incubated that I could not save them. The remaining egg was addled. This set might have been of Sturnella magna, but was probably the west- ern form, S. magna neglecta. A.S. PEARSE. * * * ENGLISH SPARROW IN WASHINGTON. I observed to-day on the streets of Puy- allup a male English Sparrow. This is the first instance it has ever come to my ob- servation in this section in my three years’ residence here, either by notice or hearsay. Have they been reported elsewhere on this northern coast ? Gro. G. CANTWELL. April 14, 1896. BREEZES. A. M. Farmer writes from Clinton, Mass.: ‘‘Nearly thirty Bluebirds have been observed here this year, so we are not en- tirely deserted by them.’’ Here is a sample of what I wish I could doevery day: February 2d, collected a 106 THE NIDOLOGIST fine Great Horned Owl and two eggs; Feb- ruary 5, a subscriber for the ‘‘Nrp.”’ CARL FRITZ HENNING. Wilfred H. Osgood and R. H. Beck are camping and collecting in the Sierras, hav- ing arranged to dispose of their bird skins Wie metices A.M. Shields and G. Frean Morcom’s collectors in Arizona, send in glowing re- ports, having secured many eggs of the rare Thrashers, includings seven sets of Leconte’s Thrasher, more than the total previously known to collections. > Cooper Ornithological Club. Been. Woo DIVISION met at the residence o C. H. Wood, Pasadena, March 30. LEVERETT M. Loomis, curator of Ornithology in the California Academy of Sciences is preparing a bibliography of Californian Ornithology, chrono- logically arranged, and with careful annotations. It will be published by the Academy and will be welcomed as a valuable contribution by working Ornithologists. See JOSEPH GRINNELI,, of Pasadena, Cal., is ona three months collecting tripin Alaska. — > > —__—_ Have you ever thought how handy your Catalogue is for a collector to catalogue the sets he has in his collec- tion? J have in my own case indicated in a couple of the Catalogues in front of the A. O. U. No. of each species, the number and size of the sets of those eggs which I have in my-~collection. the Catalogue I can tell in no time just what sets I have, and by the use of certain arbitrary signs I can tell whether the eggs are rst class, full data, or incom- plete sets, or full sets, in fact just what their condition is. This is very handy as it saves having to refer to my collection every time I wish to learn the number of sets I have ofa certain species.—O. W. KNIGHT, Bangor, Maine. Thus by looking at- Two yvounG California Vultures were taken this year in Monterey county, Cal., from as many nests. > >—_+ Mr. Harry R. Vayior. DEAR SiR: I have just examined your new “Standard American Egg Catalogue,” and am very muck pleased with it. My future exchanges will be based on the prices contained in this cata- logue. Youcertainly are to be congratulated for compiling a recognized basis for exchange,so com- plete and impartial. Waynesburg, Pa. J. WARREN JACOBS. WANTED, FOR SALE AND TO EXCHANGE ANTED—The | first four ‘numbers of volume 1, NIDOLOGIST; will give good cash price. Address ALFRED MIERS, Walkerville, Ontario, Canada. ANTED—AUK’S complete file ‘‘Archeologist” (except No. 1, Vol 2), 17 Oologists, 5 O. and O. of 1891 for best offer. V. H. CHASE, Wady Petra, Ill. AMERA WANTED—sx8 or larger of good make. Can also use a Pocket Camera or Kombi or Zerfect Indian relics. I can offer the following first-class skins, also other articles: Red-tailed Buzzard, Marsh Hawk, Pied-billed Grebe, Horned Grebe, American Merganser, Golden-eye, American Bittern, Black-crowned Night Heron, Great Blue Heron, Ruffed Grouse, Loon, Bald Eagle. L. V. Cass, Geneseo, Io Ws OR EXCHANGE— I will exchange a secret for trapping foxes by scent, which will call them one- half mile to the trap; the scent has tobe made in April, and it costs you nothing to make it, and until May 15, I wili exchange the secret for $10 cash or $12 worth of such things as I can use in the line of microscopes, tele- scopes, field glasses, mounted birds, rare eggs, books or U_S. stamps; no cards answered. Address WALTER EK. MacLarn, Box 70, New Vineyard, Me. [PCOS ee a $5 bill I’ll send 20 extra fine Osprey Eggs in sets, with data, showing variation in color and markings, with a fine set of Eider Duck with data. F. B. BastM AN, 903 Market st., Wilmington, Del. ANTED. aN Kodak : I want any of the follow- ing makes: Bullet, Bull’s Eye, Hawk Eye Jr., Hawk Eye, or Night Hawk. I offer Vols. I and II of the Nid. complete, and the following sets of Hawk’s eggs with data: Nos. 33574, As 337%, 33343 337034; 34732; 360a%8; 36034, i. L. M. CLARK, Suffield, Conn. (Gee Southern Eggs in sets to exchange for sets and singles of 35, 104, 112, 183, 188, 204, 205, 206, 271, 452, 356, Emue, Ostrich. Dr. M. T. CLECKLEY, 45-47 Greene St., Augusta, Ga. OR SALE.—‘‘Nidologist,”? Vols. I and II (com- plete), ““O. & O.” Vols. XV, XVI and XVIII, Coue’s ‘‘Key’’ and ‘Land Birds of the Pacific District;”’ all as good asnew. Can use Le Conte’s ‘‘Elements of Geology,’’, last edition, and ‘‘National Herbarium Con- tributions Vol. IY. H. M. HALL, 399 Ist St., Riverside, Cal. a $ D. M. AVERILL & CO. PORTLAND, OREGON Do you know that we sell Stamps as well as Curios If you are in need of any good U. S. at 2: per cent, or Foreign at 50 per cent, it will pay you to write us. We also buy old collections and Reve- nues and pay highest cash price for them. For sixty days we offer: $1.00 black 1894, unused and no watermark, $1.50 3oc. deep claret ‘‘ dues ’’ 1894, unused and no PETER MAC. Piss ces oS agers So ae 75 3oc. deep claret ‘‘dues’’ 1894, used, no water- rE aE ae Le ae et Oe Godiprs Eanes 50 soc. deep claret ‘‘dues’’ 1894, used, no water- mark SS RTS Se ei Oca ci ec 75 D. M. AVERILL & CO. 148 SIXTH STREET Portland, Or. The-King-Of- BICYCLES. MoNARCH:CYCLE M'F'G. Co. fea “—— CHICAGO. — New Yori: SAN FRANCIsco, Toronto. -” eS THE NIDOLOGIST NOTICE! HILE I no longer send the extra eggs I still offer $2.50 worth of eggs from my list in last ‘‘Nrp”’ for $1.00 or $5.00 worth for $2.00 and will send Lattin’s Standard Catalogue extra. Take up your last ‘‘Nip,’’ you may see something you need which you can never buy cheaper. If so send AT ONCE TO ERNEST H. SHORT, Albion, N. Y. NortH DAKOTA Ferrug. Rough Leg Buzzard, Canada Goose, Pin-tail, Shoveller, Short-eared Owl, Swainson’s Hawk, etc., etc. No common species collected. Nine years’ ex- perience collecting in North Dakota and Minnesota. Sets or singles. Correspondence solicited, J. R. CRAIGUE, Minnewaukan, Benson Co., N. D. «NOTICE... LE TR si AM NOW prepared to sell Bird Skins at Rock Bottom Prices, from this locality—I will send pre- paid a fine pair of Clark’s Nuterac- kers for $1.00 bill. Parties desiring to take a tour in Rockies for Large Game will do well to write me. NATHAN L. DAVIS Mary’s Vale P. O. Jackson's HOLE, WYOMING iv. - THE NIDOLOGIST — @ , pe ee Othe TRADE if MARK ____ f : x = eae ot eee An OXYGEN HOME CURE WITHOUT MEDICINE es Often Cures Cases — Incurable to the The following letter is from Rev. Ross Taylor, editor of ILLUS- | ae TRATED AFRICA (formerly called AFRICAN NEWS), - . journal in the interests of African missionaries, and which was © established by his father, Rev. William Taylor, Bishop of Africa: No 150 FIFTH AVENUE, NEW YORK, May 15, 1806. My Dear Sir: I take pleasure in notifying you of the beneficent results of the use of the Hlectropoise as reported to me by several of our missionaries. Rev. William Rasmussen, for some six years on the Congo, testifies that when early applied it will check African fever. Rev. William EK. Dodson, who has seen still longer service in Angola, has found it very efficient as a remedial agent. J have used one in my own family with gratifying results. My youngest son had what seemed to me to be a very serious nervous affectation, when your treatment was first applied, he could not endure more than three minutes’ application at a time. After some weeks he could go to sleep under the treatment, and let it continue until morning. He is now in perfect health, which can only be attributed, under the blessing of God, to the Electropoise and your advice to keep him as much as possible in the fresh air. : The Bishop has taken one of your instruments to Africa, since when we have sent several others. Yours truly, Rose ELECTROLIDRATION C0., 207 Geto’ Sticen, London AW KUN ALAMEDA, Nos. 10 and 11 ee c= A ree CALIFORNIA JUNE-JULY ii. THE NIDOLOGIST E. A. M¥c ILHENNY Ornithologist and Odlogist AND GENERAL COLLECTOR OF NATURAL HISTORY SPECIMENS Avery’s Island, Iberia Parish, La. = IS aaa IS ae Of Southern Bird’s Eggs in Fine Original Sets with Careful Data TRANSPORTATION MUST BE PAID BY PURCHASER ON ALL ORDERS UNDER FIVE DOLLARS Pred-billed\ Grebe... 02... 6.6 cence ees $o = Laughing Gull... Ss Caspian Lern.. a Royal sf Io | Cabot’s ‘‘ 15 Foster’s ‘‘ 05 Teast sf 05 Sooty ‘‘ TO | Black CO Rou doospdensdebborS 05 | Black Skimmer... 05 | Anhinga...... ... Io | Mexican Cormorant. 25 Am. White Pelican... 15 | Brown 10 | Hooded Mergansér.. 50 Mottled Duck.. 40 Wood Bodbr 40 | Roséate Spoon-bill 35 | White Ibis...... Io Woodhestlct. 50 | American Bittern. . 20 Least 05 Green Blue Heron. 10 | Snowy Os Io Louisiana §“* 04 Little Blue ‘*‘ 04 Green sf 04 Yellow-crowned Night Heron Ses American Egiret................ be Reddish r Duy. xO Louisiana Clapper. Rail... ee hee sts King See) Purple Gallinule. a2) Florida se en 05 Black-necked Stilt. . o American Wi oadcock.. stele isie aa = fs ISTGRSE ce saoogeo 2 re ake) Wilson’s Plover... azo! Florida Bobwhite. . = Atwater’s Prairie Hen. SO Wild Turkey ....... + 40 Mourning Dove. 5 ee Turkey Vulture. > 30 Black sf sa Swallowed tailed Kite. 5 00 Mississippi Lara aiaece I 20 Florida Red-shouldered Hawi 5 2 Harlan’s 2 00 Florida Night se Son, RaldsBarless ech. tuteieceten es . I 50 Florida Barred Owl. Pa 754 American Barn ‘ . 12 Florida Screech ‘“‘ . 20 | C@huck-will’s- widow ...0.....---...5.- Eo | Chimney Swiltsens-oie)s-lieieite eerie $o ro Ruby-throated Hummer. ZO) WSs! Soparonaioons o2 | Crested Flycatcher. 10 | Wood Pewee ... 05 Orchard Oriole... 02 Boat-tailed Grackle. 05 Florida er Osc 05 Texan Seaside Sparrow. 5° Henslow’s as 50 i. Cardinale stents eae c2 Painted Bunting.. 05 Snmmer Tanager. c 10 Purple Martin:.... 05 | White-eyed Vireo. . Os | Prothonotary Warbler 10 | Parula 10 | Hooded a 20 Swainson’s ts 50 Florida Yellow-throat. . 25 Yellow-breasted Chat.. 04 Mockingbird. ...... o2 Carolina Wren...........- o5 Long-billed Marsh Wren... 03 White-breasted Nuthatch.. 15 Carolina Chickadee......... 05 | Blue-gray Gnat-catcher.. 08 jeblte bind seme. mentee . o2 | Red-billed Pigeon... I5 White-fronted Dove. . 12 | White-winged ‘ 08 | Mexican Ground Dove. BO Io | Inca Ae 15 | White-tailed Kite...... 2 | Mexican Goshawk. 25 Harris’ Hawk... 20 Western Red-tail. . 30 Mexican Blackhawk 75 Aplomado Falcon...... 50 White-throated Falcon fee) Audubon’s Caracara.. a RO Mexican Screech Owl... - 30 Texan gs aha oat) Flamulated ‘“ Gier oS) ke) Western Horned “ .. Peers5 Ferruginous Pigmy Owl a GR Mexican Meadowlark.. xO Audubon’s Oriole. . 2. Lesson’s Cie a BAR Hooded sg SeeLO | Great-tailed Grackle. a> (Ox Mexican Goldfinch. . 60 | Dusky Seaside Sparro 60 PER EGG DBarkisS parrowseesesllel-teicienteesieretels $o 05 TYexas Ooh. SH) 3s) Varied Bunting... 60 | Sharpe’s Seed- eater 20 Black-capped Vireo 20 | Brasher’s Warbler.. 60 Sennett’s Warbler. .... 50 Mirador Yellow-throat. 7° Long-tailed Chat....... 06 Sennett’s Thrasher. 05 Curved-billed ........ 05 | Lomita Wren .... .. Is Texas Berwick's Wren... 08 Black-crested Titmouse. 20 Webb sonposonesos acon Io Rose-throated Bicard. 35 Montezuma Yellow-tail. 15 Gray-tailed Hawk.. 40 Black Frog ‘‘ 40 St. Domingo Grebe. 18 Texas Dusky Duck....... 40 Black-bellied Tree Duck. 50 SWallleteemniser settee 10 Mexican Jacana.. 00 Texan Bob-white..... 10 Mexican Wild Turkey. 40 Axtec Paroquet......... 25 Grooved-billed Ani. 12 | Roadrunner............ 06 Coppery-tailed Trogan. 75 Texas Kingfisher.... .... (ere) Rufus-bellied Kingfisher. . 00 Baird’s Woodpecker............. 25 | Cent. Am. Pileated Woodpecker. . 50 Golden-fronted . 12 WRaralig te mises aientiete tse 7° Texas Nighthawk.. 12 Western os I2 Buff-bellied Hummer.. 40 Scissor-tailed Flycatcher. 05 Couch’s Kingbird 25 Derby Flycatcher. 50 Giraud’s WEES abandoass 50 Mexican Crested Flycatcher. 12 Lawrence’s bo 20 Vermillion 40 Beardless ae 60 Green Jayi.. cieldeterieiteletisteretientete 25 Brown “‘ ..... 22 Mexican Crow.... 20 Bronzed Cowbird. . . Io Dwarf 2 P o8 | Chachalacasessceaee cee ere nee I5 I am now booking orders for the above eggs at the low prices stated. want any for your cabinet, or exchanging, send in your order now. corps of collectors in the South. for me. Special attention given to series. If you I have the finest Mr. F. B. Armstrong and his men are now collecting = Tat NIDOLOGIST Exponent of American Ornithology and Odlogy PUBLISHED MONTHLY WITH ILLUSTRATIONS Vor, III. Nos. lo AND II. ALAMEDA, CAL, JUNE-JULY, 1896 $1.00 PER YEAR NEST AND EGGS OF THE WHITE-NECKED RAVEN. Iz0 THE NIDOLOGIST Nidification of the White=necked Raven. URING the past four years it has been my fortune to examine over forty nests of the White-necked Raven, fourteen of them this season. In this portion of Texas the Raven begins building about the 20th of April, and by the 1st of May fresh eggs may be found. June ro is my last date for fresh eggs, though I am satisfied they may be found even as late as the Ist of July. On May 11 of this year I found a pair carrying sticks to a mesquite tree, and after dropping quite a pile on the ground, they seemed at Jast to settle on a location, and began building. On May 15 the body of the nest was complete, and so remained until the -18th, when the work of lining was begun; in this work only the female seemed to be engaged, though both had been occupied in constructing the outer portion. On the zothit was complete, and a very pretty nest it was, the body of it being composed of sticks and twigs, some of them as large as a man’s little finger and 12 to 18 inches long. ‘Then came smaller twigs and ‘‘binder’’ twine, while around the brim a number of ‘‘devil’s claws” served to hold everything well in position; the lining was of wolf hair, cow hair, rab- bit fur, and avery little wool. Outside measurements—diameter 114 inches,depth 17 inches; inside measurements—diameter 6 inches and depth 434 inches. This is a typical nest, both in construction and measurements, and as such I send along a picture of it. On May 23 the first egg was deposited, and one was added each day uutil the set was complete. I allowed them to remain three days longer, to be sure, then took the set, which measured as follows: 1.79 x TEA), UO) x6 MAG, (Ou x WB, WIG ue WoAz/, 1.88 x 1.21 and 1.90 X 1.25. In markings, the eggs of a set are quite similar, though different sets vary very much. I have one set marked almost exactly like the American Crow, another with longitudinal stripes like the Crested Flycatcher, and still another with almost no marks at all, only a few faint specks. On May 12 Emmett Robertson and I made a trip of a few miles, and found two, complete sets, one of five and one of six eggs, and alsoa nest containing only one egg. This last was left until the 18th, when we returned and secured the set of six, and found seven more nests, having in one nest seven; in two, six each; in two, five each; and the two remaining sets in- complete, coutaining respectively four and one each; these were left as before, and secured later on. I have found that eggs are deposited daily, usually between three and nine o'clock; that as soon as the set is complete both birds stay near, and frequently put in a vigorous protest in the shape of hoarse croakings whenever their home is invaded. Of 92 eggs in my possession the average size is 1.83 X 1.25, maximum being 1.97 x 1.29,and minimum 1.69 x 1.10. The usual number of eggs laid is five or six, more often the latter; occasionally a set of seven is found, and I have found one nest with only four, which I suppose was complete, as one was already hatched. I have only examined some four or five nests containing young, and they are about as hard-looking specimens as one need wish to see. When first hatched they are naked, red as lobsters,and principally head; by the time they attain the size of a Dove the skin has become darker and black feathers have come out,especially on the wings and head, which, by the way, is still the main part of the bird. The white feathers of the neck are not present at this age, and as I have never examined any birds between this size and full grown, can’t say when they do first appear. The site chosen for the nest is usually low ground, near a stream, more often in a mesquite tree than anywhere else, and placed from 8 to 15 feet from the ground; horizontal limbs are seldom selected, the favorite situation being in a crotch where the nest may be supported by from three to ten upright limbs. W. EK. SHERRILL. Haskell, Texas. -_> — THE FEATHER, a poultry and fancier’s journal, has a short wild bird department, edited by Dr.F. H.Knowlton of the Smithsonian Institution. In its last number appears a truly wonderful (if true) story about a visit to a Bald Eagle’s nest in Vir- ginia, in which the writer states: ‘‘The nest, which was about fifteen by twelve feet, was built in the top of a giant tree * * * the outer works of the nest were composed of fence rails, just as they had been used on the farm.” As Dr. Knowlton is responsible for the paper’s bird department, we would respectfully beg to inquire if he verified the above measurements, or counted the fence rails? Authorities in Virginia should havea care to these Eagles, forif they once combined they might carry off a town. wi ee — THE NIDOLOGIST Itt COMMON PUFFINS (F. ARCTICA) ON ONE OF THE ROCKS AT ROTT. STAVANGER, NORWAY. (From a Photograph by Dr. Collett) Ornithology in Norway. BY DR. R. W. SHUFELDT. HERE is a great deal about Norway and the coast of Norway that reminds one of what he sees along the shores of Maine, or Labrador and the adjacent regions; while in certain of the districts back from the ocean in these latter local- ities, the topography of the country is not so very different from what we see in Nor- wegian landscapes in similar places. And, so it is, with the sea-fowl of these several precipitous and rock bound shores. Many of the birds, such as Grebes, Loons, Puffins, Auks, Guillemots, Dovekies, Jaegers, Gulls, Terns, Fulmars, Shearwaters, Petrels, Cormorants, Mergansers, Ducks, and a perfect host of others are common to the two countries, though this does not obtain to such a marked degree in the case of the land birds. But the Capercally of Norway would be perfectly at home in the forests of Maine,—indeed I believe it has already been successfully introduced there. We have one Woodcock, while the big European Woodcock is found all over Norway; plenty of Ptarmigan are found in the last named country, while certain representatives of these birds are well-known to Labrador, and in vigorous winter no doubt could often be found in north-eastern Maine. Owls _and Hawks, not so very different in charac- ter, occur in both countries, and the same remark applies to some of the limicoline birds. Incidently, it may also be said here, that what is true of the Norwegian Avi- fauna is also true of the other classes of animals,—for, asa rule, representatives of any of the vertetrate or invertetrate groups we may be pleased to select, will be found to occur, in these latitudes, upon either side of the Atlantic. Many pens in this country have made the Ornithology of all our New England districts, as well as the eastern portions of her Majesty’s domimions in America, familiar to us—and, soit has been in northern Europe. So far as Norway is concerned, however, there is no one of her naturalists, in these days, that has done more towards the elucidation of the natural history of that country than has been ac- complished by Dr. Robert Collett of the Zoological Museum of Christiania. Very well does the writer remember at the first Congress of the American Ornithologists’ Union in 1883 in New York, when Dr. Collett was elected a corresponding mem- ber of that organization;—since which time at various intervals, not a few letters have passed between us, as have also many pub- 112 THE NIDOLOGIST | | { | nil” | DR. ROBT. COLLETT. (1892) lished memoirs. Dr. Collett has written much both upon the fishes and the birds of Norway, and has also published in the Norwegian language, an extensive brochure (with 3 folding plates) upon the classifica- tion and the anatomy of the Owls. This work I have recently had translated into English, with the view of publishing it, and thereby extending its usefulness. Still more recently he has done some very good work with his camera among the sea-fowl on the rocky coasts of Norway and the off- lying islands that enjoy a similar character. One of these, wherein he succeded in taking a number of Cormorants and their nests (Phalocrocorax carbo) on the Lofoten Islands has recently been accepted by The Auk for publication, and another that he has like- wise sent me is here offered in connection with the present article. (See Figure.) It represents a number of Puffins (/vatercula arctica) on a rock near Stavanger, a point the Doctor visited during the summer of 1895. I copied this photograph with my own camera, slightly enlarging the original, and it is my enlarged copy that appears here. . Upon examining the photograph with a powerful lens so as to greatly increase the size of the birds, I could easily imagine that I stood upon the very rock where they were, and as they were resting in many characteristic attitudes, it was almost as good as seeing the birds themselves, some- thing that I have as yet not enjoyed in nature. Some day I may have this picture very much enlarged, so as to have the Puf- fins at least a fourth the size of life; they will then be useful as models from which mouuted birds may be preserved by the taxidermic artist,and it is a species we very much need such an example of, as a guide to go by, for the mounted specimens of Fratercula in all the museum’s cases that I have examined are usually anything but correct. ; Doctor Collett writes me that he intends to still further explore the coasts of Norway during the coming summer (1896), and doubtless to no little benefit to ornithologi- cal science. —-—> — Song Flight of the Prairy Horned Lark. N MY WAY to the thicket and just as I was climbing over the north gate I heard a Prairie Horned Lark, and I soon saw him singing as he was fly- ing upward until almost out of sight— though I saw him plainly with the glass. And then he flew up and down, up witha very glad strong song and down witha jerky twitter, only a few feet at a time. After he had kept this up for fully five minutes he just seemed to shut his wings and fall head first from where he was, al- most out of sight, tothe ground, only about ten rods from the place he went up trom, just opened his wings twenty-five or thirty feet above the ground to catch himself. This song flight I have read of several times but never saw a good sample of it be- fore. I just lay on my back on top of the gate and took it all in. While at the highest point in the air when coming down a few feet at a time with a jerky song, he apparently just tumbled end over end, suddenly catching himself and flying back up, singing loudly and much finer than he ever does on the ground. [Ex- tract from letter from Virginius H. Chase, Wady Petra, Ill., Feb. 26, 1896.] BRB ris Se ie Mr. N. M. Moran, of the Cooper Ornithological Club, took this year two sets of the White-throated Swift. These are the first complete sets ever taken. He also secured two sets of the Black Oyster-catcher. THE NIDOLOGIST The Red-=breasted Nuthatch. NE of the typical birds of our wood- land avifauna is the sprightly little Red-breasted or Canada Nuthatch, common from early spring till late in the fall. Closely resembling the larger White- breasted Nuthatch in habits, it is less noisy and more likely to be overlooked, though outnumbering the White-breasting more than three to one. Its notes are quite simi- lar, having the same peculiar twang, but are not so loud, though, I think it posesses a greater vocabulary. It has one loud ratt- ling call that can be heard some distance, as it is frequently repeated from a perch on the topmost twig of an evergreen tree, which is one of its favorite feeding grounds. In early spring it is usually in company with Titmice, Kinglets and Brown Creepers, roaming about through the woods in small flocks. It isless hardy than the Chicadee and I think seldom or never remains Pinongh our long, cold winter. My experience has been more in the nest- ing season, when [ have had little difficulty in finding its nests. A rather low, swampy piece of woods is generally chosen, and its favorite nesting site is in some very shaky fir stub, from eight to twenty-five feet up. A very small hole is made for an entrance, not much more than an inch across, and a cavity about six inches deep is excavated. Frequently the wood is so soft and rotten about the entrance that it can be broken away with the fingers, and is never so hard but that it is easily removed with a jack- knife. One exception to this class was a nest about forty feet up in a large maple where a branch of four inches in diameter had been broken squarely off; straight down in the heart of this branch the cavity was dug through wood which was nearly as dry and hard as stone. The nests themselves are quite scanty affairs, consisting merely of a few shreds of what looks like the inner bark of the fir, mixed with feathers, evidently from the breast of the parent bird. ‘The nests differ so radically from the nests of the Chickadee that it is impossible to confound them, al- though the eggs bear a very close resemb- lance. About the entrance to the nest is always a coating of pitch, sometimes only a few drops and at other times quite a quantity being used. When in the woods in the early nesting season if I hear a Nuthatch I approach as t13 near as possible and sit down and watck, keeping an eye on the most favorable stubs in sight. If you cau see both birds the nest is not far distant and usually fifteen minutes patient waiting will locate it. When both birds get together in the same tree and begin to converse in low tones, almost in whispers, a visit to the nest is in contemplation and if you have not taken up your position too near the nest the chances are that you will soon be re- warded. After a little experience one can tell by the uneasy actions of the birds if he is too near, and a change of base may become necessary in order to locate the nest. When a complete set has ben laid and incubation has begun it is much more difficult to find the nest. Full sets are found about the 2oth of May and six or seven eggs is the usual number, although I have taken as many as eight in a set. When incubation has begun the birds are very bold and fearless. ‘The last set that I took was somewhat incubated and during my ascent the female started sev- eral times to re-enter the nest, and when I was robbing the nest of its contents she darted by my face repeatedly within a few inches and expostulated in her loud- est voice, though the male did not appear F. B. SPAULDING. Lancaster, N. H. SNS ee Bird Notes From Montgomery Co., Pa. HE BOB-WHITE ( Coknus virginianus) is a resident in some portions of Penn- sylvania, and formerly it was common in this vicinity, but now it iscomparatively rare; last reason, however, especially during September and October, there have been quite a number of them observed. As seems to be characteristic of tbese birds they have usually been seen in small flocks consisting of from four or five-birds toa dozen or more, frequenting our fields and meadows. The Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) isa resident of some sections of this state dur- ing all seasons of the year,but is, of conrse, more abundant during the summer season. In many portions of the state it breeds, in recent years its nests have been found in Chester, Delaware, Lancaster, and York counties. In the two latter counties and along the Susquehanna river it is said to breed annually in small communities. In 114 THE NIDOLOGIST this vicinity (near Philadelphia) I have never considered it a common bird until this season when I have seen a great many, So far as I know, there is no explanation to offer for the present prevalence of this spe- cies; their services as scavengers are cer- tainly no more in demand, this season than they have been during previous seasons. Is it possible that the food supply in the inter- rior of the state is deficient, and hence the distribution of the bird is more general than it has been during recent years? Perhaps some of the readers of the NrpoLoGIsT are in a position to throw light upon this sub- ject. The Warbling Vireo (Vzreo giluus) is a not very abundant summer resident in this vicinity. When found, however,it usually frequents the valleys of our larger streams and rivers. I founda set of four eggs of this species along Mill Creek, near Man- ayunk, on July 4, 1895. I have never found it breeding here before, and do not consider it common. Dr. Warren (Birds of Pennsylvania) and Mr. Pennock (Lzréds of Chester Co., Pa., Oologist, 1887, p. I.) meution it as a species breeding in this vicinity, but Mr. Stone (Bzrds of Eastern Pennsylvama and New Jersey) does not. On September 19 I secured a specimen of the Tennessee Warbler (Helmznthophila peregrina). It is a rare migrant in this vicinity, more common in the fall than it is during the spring. Several specimens have been recorded by different Ornitholog- ists in eastern Pennsylvania. The readers of the NripoLocist who are medically inclined, and I know that there are a member of them, know that there are several preparations of the juice of the poke-berry (Piytolacca decaudra) upon the -market which are claimed to be of great service in the treatment of obesity. It was originally used for this purpose, because it was alleged to make the birds which feed upon the berries emaciated, and as it was supposed to reduce the amount of fatty tissue in birds, the natural deduction was that it would be of service in reducing the superfluous amount of adipose tissue in the human subject. Almost a year ago Igath- thered some data upon this subject from well-known Ornithologists, and their obser- vations, as mine had been, were that birds which feed upon poke-berries are always well nourished and are never in an emac- iated condition, at least not from feeding upon these berries. This being the case,of course, the berries are worthless for the purpose for which the Phytolacca prepara- tions were intended. The birds thatI have recorded as feeding upon poke berries are the following: American Robin (Merula migratoria), Wood Trush (Zurdus mustel- inus ) BrownThrasher(Harporhynchus rufus), Catbird ( Galeoscoptes carolinensis), Flicker, (Colaptes auratus),Red-headed Woodpecker (Welanerpes erythrocephalus), Cedar-bird (Ampelis cedrorum), Carolina Chickadee (Parus carolimens7s), Myrtle Warbler (Dendroica coronata). I have examined a number of these birds this season that have been feeding upon poke-berries, and have always found them well nourished and very frequently abnormally fat. W. E. Rorzeuy, M. D. NARBETH, PA. Yellow-headed Biackbird in Wisconsin. N Mr. P. M. Silloway’s article, ‘‘Amphi- | bious Experiences,” in the March num- ber, hespeaks of being ‘‘unable posi- tively to distinguish their work from that of the Red-winged Blackbird.”’ In this locality there is a great difference between the nest-building of the two species. The latter builds its nest in the lower rushes and flags, sometimes on a tus- sock of grass, and among the straight- jointed stalks of the horse-tail before they reach their full height. Quite a bit of green vegetation also enters into the construction of their nests. The Yellow-head seems to prefer the taller reeds and patcbes of wild rice, that grow nearer the open water, in which to build. They weave the long dried grasses in and out about the rice stalks, thus fast- ening them together, and build up a loose, bulky nest, trom six to ten inches high, about a foot above the water. The edges are carried about three inches higher than the bottom inside, forming a thick brim. Bits of broad, soft grass cover the bottom. I have a beautiful specimen of a nest, taken May 27, 1891, with a set of four fresh eggs, being the most elaborate I have ever seen. It is attached to thirty or more wild rice stalks, beginning about a foot. from the water. The broad grasses and sedges are loosely woven and intertwined about the rice stalks (all dead except four), forming a nest fifteen inches long, from top to bot- THE NIDOLOGIST tom. The bowl is three and one-half inches deep, and is lined to the top with the threshed-out tips of the rice. The bottom is covered with short pieces of broad grass, none of the fine wire grasses being used in the make-up, as in the Red- wings’ nests. It measures six inches across the top on the outside, and three by two and one-half inches across the bowl in- side. The whole resembles a roughly-woven inverted cone. My notes of ’91 show that the first set was taken May 25, and consisted of four fresh eggs. May 27, obtained several of three and four each, fresh, to advanced in incubation. A set of four eggs was found June 6, too far advanced to take. ‘I‘he last note is June 12, when I took several sets, fresh to advanced, of three and four each. Saw several nests with young birds, but none with more than four. I think there is usually one more note iu their song than in that of the Red-wing’s, which consists of but three,“kong-ker-eee.”’ A chorus of ‘‘kong-kong-ker-ee, kong-kong- ker-ee,’’coming from the borders of a marsh, while the‘‘pum-pum’”’ of the Bittern reaches your ears from the distance,and the whistle of the Rails as they dart here, now there, and the ‘‘kong-ker-ee’’ of the Red-wings, all about you, make upa grand chorus (per- haps not harmony) that makes one wish the early morning hours were longer. Gro. A. MorrRIson. Lake Fox, Wis. — > Wood Thrush. Pais the Wood Thrush is com- paratively speaking a common wood- land bird, still very little is recorded in the Ornithological papers about, or is it given the credit due it. From the earliest recollection of my boyhood days when I first began to cultivate my love for the feathered friends around my home, the Wood Thrush has been my favorite song- ster. Formerly there existed, a few miles north of Detroit, a piece of rather low tim- ber land bordering and intersected by a de- lightful rippling stream. Here in this locality I became acquainted with many of our songsters, and here it was that I learned to love 7urdus mustelinus. Many an exquisite May morning have I pulled out of bed with the first streaks of early light and driven out to the woods in order to hear this divine singer break out into IIl5 song to greet the morn. ‘The violets and spring beauties nodded their dainty heads and blossomed throughout the woods, while overhead their representative of the air filled the glades with music. ‘The Wood Thrush here seemed at his best, and his mild ethereal bell notes, seemed to vibrate and ring through the glades like the notes of some great organ. Not often would I see the author of all the music, but his notes seemed to shame the lesser songsters into silence, and when he sang they listened in company with me. When I did dis- cover the author perched in a sappling or leafy bush, he would eye me in his open honest manner and deliberately fly away and not skulk like the Veery and kindred Thrushes. ‘The Wood Thrush seems to be musical in all kinds of weather, rainy as well as sunny. I think in Wilson’s fine description of this bird nothing is so fine and pleasing as his note: ‘‘Even in wet, dark and gloomy weather when scarcely a single chirp is heard from any other bird, the clear notes of the Wood Thrush thrill through the drooping woods from morning until night; and it may be truly said the sadder the day the sweeter his song.’’ Will I ever forget the 8th of June, 1889, a sobbing, soft kind of a day when the rain fell gently and the verdant world seemed to absorb and welcome it with open mouths after the hot drouth of May. I wandered out to my favorite woods in my mackintosh and spent the day. One songster I remem- ber in particular perched on a mossy log facing me with his creamy spotted breast swelled out, and how his notes filled and revibrated through the woods. I never have heard the Hermit’s professed supe- riority to the Wood Thrush, but until I do I wit! side in with Langille, who terms him the Beethoven among birds. In his nesting he usually selects a small sapling or leafy bush, some times by the border of a stream. ‘The nest is an affair of sticks, twigs and leaves plastered to- gether with mud, and well lined. Once I found a nest of this species decorated with green leaves. ‘Truly a sylvan retreat worthy of the owner! The eggs are three or four, of a beautiful blue. The Blue Jay seems rather partial to Thrushs’ eggs here, according to the number of depleted nests I find with broken eggs. The favorite time to hear the Wood Thrush at his best is when the twilight is beginning to settle down upon the woods, I16 THE NIDOLOGIST and the alternative shadows made by the setting sun causes the woods to glorify in the fading light. All is holy and quiet; night is all but here; and the birds hymn the dying day. Then it is the Wood Thrush’s wavering, tremulous notes, tinged with melancholy, to suit the hour, bear good-bye to the day and welcome the evening shades. Upon the woods being drained in my locality and the favorite places being de- stroyed this bird is growing rarer every year here except in retired portions. Oc- casionally I see one in early spring around amid the shrubbery in the city. Arriving about the middle of April, they nest by the 2oth or 25th of May, when full sets of their eggs can be taken. Early in October they leave for their Central American home. Insects and berries are their principal diet. B. Hal SWALEs, Detroit, Mich, ne The Florida Red-shouldered Hawk. (Buteo lineatus allent. ) N the vicinity of Waco, McLennan | county, Texas, this form of Buzeo linea- tus is the most abundant bird of its genus that occurs. During the breeding season tkese Hawks are principally ob- served in the bottom-lands in the vicinity of the rivers and streams, but during the winter months they are quite common on the prairies, which they haunt in quest of food. Their priucipal food during the period of reproduction consists of such species of small birds, mammals, reptiles and batrachians as are found in their breed- ing haunts; while the stomachs of speci- mens shot on the prairie during the winter contained the remains of small mice (species of Sztomys and Ochetodon) and Sparrows and other small birds. During tne fall months, while on the grassy flats, engaged in jotting down bird arrivals, I observed many of these Hawks, either circling high in the air or at rest on some lonely elin or mesquite tree, gazing with watchful eyes at the flocks of Arengillida@ which are found here at this time of the year. In this locality the breeding season of this species extends trom the last of February to about the lest of May. ‘To some observers, among them Mr. Atkin- son of Dime Box, Texas, whose notes I have read in the June-July, ’94, NipotLo- GIST, this may seem a rather broad asser- tion, as the latter gentleman mentions that in his section eggs may be found as early as March 5 and as late as the middle of March. ‘This year the first eggs taken were a set of three, collected on March 24. The bird was incubating and the contents of the eggs were slightly tinged with btood. On May 5 the last set of the season, con- sisting of two eggs, were almost fresh. On May 19 4 pair of the birds were discovered flying over a nest situated in a fork ofa tall pin-oak tree. On climbing to this nest it was found to beempty, but had been newly lined and partly filled with fresh green elm leaves, It was visited again a week later, but was still empty and the birds had dis- appeared. Some observers mention this Red-shouldered Hawk as being pugnacious towards persons disturbing or despoiling their nests, but my observations do not coincide with this. At the nest discovered on March 24, on our approach the female silently slipped off, circled around once, enabling me to identify her, and disap- peared in the deeper woods and was not seen again. On April 7 a set of two fresh eggs was taken from a nest in a tall pecan tree. Both birds were present. and after circling around my companion, Mr. Chas. B. Pearre, who had climbed for the nest, for a few moments,they disappeared; but after we had left, and were yet within a hundred yards of the tree, they returned. One of the birds, the female, I think, then flew to a branch of the tree overlooking the nest, while its mate perched on a pin-oak near by. Ata nest discovered May 5, the birds were not seen until the eggs were taken, when they made their appearance, uttered several loud cries, and flew in circles around the tree containing the nest. On April 15 one of several nests examined contained three well-fledged young. The parents were very demoustrative in their actions, but not at all pugnacious. The birds were present at the nest in most in- stances, often betraying their location. Two, three, and rarely four ezgs compose the nest complement, two being the more common number in this locality. The ground color of the eggs is dull-white or bluish-white,and varies from almost wholly unmarked specimens to those heavily blotehed with umber, rusty and reddish- brown, and red. A set of three eggsin the collection of my friend, J. W. Mann, Jr., present quite a contrast. Egg (@) has a dul! white ground, and is heavily blotched with rusty brown; egg (4) has the same ground color, but is almost wholly un- marked with the exception of one or two light-colored specks on one side; egg (c) has a deep bluish-white ground, and is evenly and handsomely marked with small reddish blotches. A set of two eggs in my collection are faintly marked with dull brown at the smaller end. ‘The eggs are usually ovate in shape, and average 2.05 x 1.70 in size. The birds breed principally in the bottom-lands, usually in a thickly wooded section bordering some river or stream of fair size, but seldom at any great distance from water. The largest trees growing here are pin-oak, elm and pecan trees, and in these the nests are built usu- ally in a fork of the main trunk or of some large out-branching limb, at an elevation of from 30 to 60 feet from the ground The nests are large and bulky,composed for the most part of large sticks, lined with tree moss, dry grass, and in some instances a few feathers. The nests are used for several seasons by the same pair of birds. The birds always fill the nests with a small quaitity of green elm leaves or green cedar twigs, before the eggs are deposited, and afterwards add more. Nearly all of the eggs taken this season were more or less stained by these leaves. I notice that the cedar twigs are principally found in the nests discovered early in the year, as in the case of a backward spring, like the one past, the trees did not get their leaves as early as usual and the green leaves were not so easily obtained. Four nests were meas- ured, ‘he first, situated in a triple fork of a tall pin-oak, at a height of 50 feet, was an old nest repaired, and measured 23 inches in diameter, outside, and 12 inches in depth, outside. Nest (2) was 45 feet up ina pin-oak tree, was an old nest repaired, and measured 20 inches in diameter, out- side. Nest (c) was about 4o feet from the ground, ina pecan tree, was a new nest, and measured 16 inches in diameter, out- side, 9 inches in diameter, inside, and 9 inches in depth, outside. Nest (7) was situatea ata height of 38 feet, in a large elm tree, and was 18 inches in diameter, Only one nest examined had a deep cavity, in all others they were rather shallow. Early last spring a young man presented me with a livespecimen of the Florida Red- shouldered Hawk, with its wings badly injured. I kept it confined for several days in a large lynx cage, but although it was THE NIDOLOGIST 117 not at all pugnacious and I frequently handled it, it refused all food. I tried on several occasions to induce it to fly, but its wings were too badly injured, and knowing that if I let it go free it would be tortured by boys or dogs, I despatched it to put it outof misery. During its captivity the cage that the Hawk was confined in was near a Dove cote, and whenever the Doves would fly near the cage it would fly against the bars as though attempting to capture them. When I would approach the Hawk it would slightly raise its wings, gaze wonderingly at me, and crouch low in a corner of its cage. ‘The flight of this species is usually easy and graceful, but if harrassed by foes, such as a pair of Crows or other Hawks, they fly awkwardly and aimlessly around. not appearing to defend themselves as much as to attempt their escape. I have fre- quently seen them pursued by Crows, and on one occasion, on February 17; 1894 ,I observed one fleeing before a little Rusty- crowned Falcon (Falco sparverius). I made mada mention before of the almost invari- able habit these Hawks have of breeding near water, and this year I was presented a striking illustration of the truth of this. In 1894, a point about ten miles to the west of Waco was visited. Here I found a very thick, though rather long and narrow,strip of woods bordering a running stream, anda number of Florida Red-shonldered Hawks were observed here, as well as several of their nests. In 1895 the same place was visited on several occasions, and the stream was found to be perfectly dry, there not being even a trace of water found. Audu- bon’s Caracara, the Vulture, and many other species of both large and small birds which are usually found here, were seen quite commonly, and the nests of some species were examined, but not a single individual of the Florida Red-shouldered Hawk was seen. As the birds are never molested here, I can arrive at no other conclusion than that this species deserted the locality for one near a running stream. JoHN KERN STRECKER, JR. Waco, Texas. —————— > Ss A. W. ANTHONY, of San Diego, Cal., is to leave shortly on a cruise to Lower Caliturnia, accom- panied by Horace A. Gaylord, of Pasadena, as his assistant, and James Gaylord as botanist. They will be absent about three months, visiting the islands of Guadaloupe, Cerros, Natividad and others, 118 THE NIDOLOGIST The American Bittern. READ BEFORE THE COOPER ORNITHOLOGICAT, CLUB HE American Bittern, or ‘*Thunder Pump,’’ as it is usually called, is a common bird in suitable localities all over thestate of Illinois, though very few, except enthusiastic collectors, have ever met it, and few of them have anything like an intimate acquaintance with it. To me it is by far the most interesting of my feathered friends. Since a small boy I had looked in vain for its nest, until the spring of 1892, when on a visit to the large swamps in the north- ern part of this county (Henry) I struck it rich, though in ’92 the same ground had failed to afford me a single nest. About the 15th of May of ’93I1 received a. letter from ‘‘Ikey,’’ saying he had found a nest of the ‘‘Thunder Pump’’ with one egg. Soon the 21st I found myself in the swamps filled with great expectations. These ‘‘swamps’’ are two in number, each about four or five miles long and from one to three miles wide, separated by a strip of sand hills and low ground, perhaps a mile wide. ‘This strip of low land con- tains a number of ponds, and in these I found most of the nests. The first set was taken on the 22nd of May. It was of five eggs, nearly fresh. The nest was by far the best of any I saw. It was about 2 feet long, 18 inches wide, and 8 inches deep, situated in a small open place in a pond with over 4 feet of water, and supported on the tops ofa clump ot dead rushes—broken to the top of the water. The nest was of the rushes taken from about this clump, leaving the open space. The birds were both near the nest. This pond was covered, like all the others, with a dense growth of cane rushes and grass. The second nest was foundina large pond a short distance away, and contained six eggs, nearly fresh, only one or two show- ing signs of incubation. I had been well content with sets of ten Coots and thirteen of the King Rail, but when I waded out to where Keener was waiting for me, he took my breath away by saying he had not done very well—‘‘only a set of fifteen King Rails and six of those ‘Tilla-ma-loo’ birds’ eggs.”’ The nest was a shallow platform of dry rushes ina thick clump of green rushes, over about 18 inches of water. This pond was covered with grass and rushes and was about ten acres in extent, with water about 18 inches deep. At this time Coots, Gallinules, King Rails, Bitterns and a few Ducks made it their home. ““George’’ found the third set of Bittern’s in a small pond near the main marsh, some days before, when it held but one egg. As usual,it was in a thick clump of rushes over water. It was avery flimsy affair, just sufficient to hold the eggs, which were about 4 inches above the water. The evening before, while out with the hounds after a wolf, I had seen a pair ot Bitterns chasing eachs other about in the edge of the swamp, and judged from their actions they had a nest near by; so George and I went after it. We had given it up and George had started for home when I heard him laughing. Ihurried to him, and when I got there I laughed too, for there was the old Bittern on her nest, and no old hen could make more fuss than she—scold- ing, her bill open to its widest extent, head drawn back and feathers all ruffled. She was acomical sight. Holding out my bas- ket for her to bite, I caught her by the neck and gave her to George. We were disap- pointed,as she only had two eggs;so George carried her to the house and put her in a barrel, where we got one more egg next day, but that was all she would lay. I would advise anyone to grab quick if they are going to fool with live Bitterns and to keep a good grip on the neck, as they can strike an awful blow. This nest was in the edge of the main swamp, about 100 yards out, and over but 3 inches of water. It was the only nest I found in the main swamp. My next visit to the swamp was on the 14th of June, but I found it rather late for Bitterns. Most of the eggs found were ready to hatch, so I got only two sets offour each, one from the large pond and the other from the pond where the set of five was taken. They were perhaps by the same birds. The first nest was found by the bird “scolding”? a dog, and she remained on the nest until I was ready to pick her up, when she flew a few feet away. This nest was well concealed in the grass and rushes, by this time grown to a height of two or three feet above the water. It was merely a shallow platform. The other set was taken near the spot where the first set was taken, and probably from the same birds, but the nest was the usual slight platform, while the first was a very well made affair. During the succeeding season the swamps were very dry, only one or two ponds con- taining any water, and perhaps for this reason only a very few Bitterns were to be seen. ‘I'wo nests only were found. The first was in the edge of the main swamp and held but two eggs, which were left, but only one more was laid. ‘This nest, if nest it could be called, was beside a tussock of grass and the eggs were on the bare ground, with a few pieces of dry rushes to keep them together. The other nest was in the large pond spoken of before, now dry, and held four eggs, the nest consisting of a few pieces of dry rushes laid on the ground among a lot of dead rushes. Cattle had fed all about the nest until very few rushes were left. These sets were taken on the 22nd of May. In color the eggs range from a dead grass to the green sometimes found in grass dried in the shade,and both shades may be found in the same nest. Others are of a dirty cream color, but as all sets of this color were taken late in the season they may possibly have been second sets, from birds laying darker eggs at first. In any case they are very near the color of the rushes used for the nest. i In size the eggs run from 1.90 to 2.08 in length, and fromz.4i to1,51 in width. The average measurements of twenty-threeeggs were 1.97 X 1.45. The nests willaverage 15 x 10x 4inches. When placed over water a few rushes are bent flat on the water, and on these the nest is laid. They seem to prefer ponds as nesting places, and are not particular as to depth of water or how open the pond may be, provided it has plenty of dead rushes. One or both of the old birds are usually to be found near the nest, but in no case did I find more than two birds near the nest,even when the set was incomplete. When several birds were observed near each other no nest was to be found, and none of the nests were nearer each other than too yards. A plat- form much like a nest is built by the birds to stand on during the day, except that green rushes are more commonly used in its construction. The call of the Bittern is not unlike the sound made by driving a nail in a board, It is much faster than a blow could be given by a sledge. Sometimes it ends with a bellow very much like that of a bull, and sometimes this bellow is all that is given THE NIDOLOGIST 119 When frightened it has a hoarse croak, much like that of the Herons. A. C. MurcHISON. Kewanee, IIl. ——__—» Raptores of Maryland. BY WM. H. FISHER. Cathartes aura:—Turkey Vulture. HE Turkey Buzzard, as it iscommonly called, is an abundant resident. On account of its habits as a scavanger it is protected by the law, a penalty of $5.00 being imposed for killing one. I have many times seen dozens of them about the carcase of a horse or cow, and others per- ched in the neighboring trees waiting their turn at the feast. On one occasion I saw a circle of them around the remains of a calf, and perched on it, eating his fill. was a Bald Eagle. The eggs, twoin number, are deposited from the middle of April to the middle of May, in a hollow log or under a ledge of rock. Elanoides forficatus:—Swallow-tailed Kite. This beautiful southern species, occasion- ally, in the summer, strays as far north as the state of New York. In either July or August 1889, one was shot near Catonsville, Baltimore county. Circus hudsonius:—Marsh Hawk The Blue Hawk is resident the whole year, except during severe winters. It is fairly common, but not abundant excepting in the lower counties, and in Baltimore county,and the adjoining counties, is gener- ally seen in the spring and fall. This Hawk can easily be recognized by the white feathers of the upper tail coverts, which are plainly discernible as it skims low over the meadows and marshes in quest of mice, of which it destroys immense num- bers. The nest is placed on the ground, in marsh or meadow. Accipiter velox:—Sharp-shinned Hawk. Resident, but not at all common, especi- ally during the summer months. The Sharp shinned Hawk although small in size, is not lacking in courage, and fre- quently kills birds much larger than itself. Some years ago one of these Hawks was seen every morning about one of the North- ern Central R. R. elevators in this city, chasing the pigeons which congregated 120 THE NIDOLOGIST there to feed on the grain, and it rarely missed getting one for its breakfast. When in pursuit of their quarry they have very little regard to their safety. Once, while walking through some bushes where a flock of Tree Sparrows were feeding, a Sharp-shinned Hawk dashed into their midst and captured a bird not twenty teet from where I was standing. In nesting they generally seem to prefer a pine tree or a cedar,and occasionally they will make use of a hollow. ‘They are very noisy when one approaches their nest, and nearly always make known its location by their anxiety to drive one away. A nest I found May 29, 1892, was in a pine tree, thirty-five feet from the ground, and resting at the base ofa limb, close to the trunk, and contained five eggs, slightly incubated. ‘The birds were very tame and remained perched within a few feet of me, frequently darting quite close to my head. In Somerset county this Hawk on ac- count of its predaceous habits is called Subatavateetyym After being robbed of the first set ofeggs it will occasionally deposit a second set. Accipiter coopert.—Cooper’s Hawk. The ‘‘Long-tailed Chicken Hawk’’ is one of our most destructive Hawks as far as the poultry yard is concerned. It is also a terrible enemy of our game birds. I have often seen them ‘‘beating’’ over a field which I knew one or more covies of Par- tridges were in the habit of frequenting. This Hawk is one of the late nesters, the eggs, four or five in number, being depos- ited about the middle of May. It is resident except during very severe winters. Accipiter atricapillus:—Am. Goshawk. The Goshawk inhabits principally the more northern portions of the eastern half of the United States; at times, during the winter months, they are found, sparingly, as far south as Maryland, one being killed at Sandy Springs, Montgomery county, Dec. 27, 87. (Dr. A. K. Fisher, ‘“‘Hawks and Owls of U.S.’’). They are very destructive to the farmer’s poultry yard as well as to the wild game birds. Buteo borealis:—Red-tailed Hawk. This well-known ‘‘Hen Hawk’’ is a fairly abundant resident, being more com- mon during the winter months. Although calleda ‘‘Hen Hawk, the name is inapprop- priate, as it is seldom that it disturbs the poultry yard. Still, it occasionally does, and I once saw a Red-tail strike one of our old hens, striking so hard that it was un- able to extricate its talons, and as the weight of the fowl was too much for it to carry, it was unable to escape, and was killed with a stick. Its principal food consists of rabbits, squirrels, rats, mice, snakes, frogs, insects, etc. They will remain perched for hours at a time on a favorite limb, but if a person tries to sneak a march, he will soon find that Buteo is wide awake, in spite of his seem- ing apathy. The nest, which is resorted to from year to year, is generally built in a very tall tree, and the eggs (usually two) are depos- ited about March 20. - This Hawk especially delights in soaring, and it is not an infrequent sight to see a pair sailing about, so high that they look like mere specks in the heavens. Buteo lineatus:—Red-shouldered Hawk. Resident, and next to the preceeding species the most abundant of our larger Hawks. Whilst it is also called a ‘‘Hen Hawk,’’ it is very lowly in its diet, and out of two hundred and twenty stomachs exani- ined by Dr. A. K. Fisher, at Washington, D. C., only three contained remains of poultry. It is especially fond of frogs. In nesting it generally chooses a lower situation than the Red-tailed Hawk; the eggs, two to four in number, being depos- ited during the latter part ot March. Luteo latissimus:—Broad-winged Hawk. A very tame and inoffensive Hawk, and is generally found about heavily timbered bottom lands. Frequently, while wander- ing along a trout stream in the solitute of the woods, my attenticn has been drawn to one of these birds by hearing its shrill whistle within a few yards of me, and look- ing up I would see it perched in a tree looking at me. There it would remain, totally indifferent to my presence, until through with its scrutiny of me, it would fly a few yards and alight in another tree. It nests late, usually depositing three, sometimes two and rarely four eggs, about the third week in May. A nest found by my brother, May 23, 1892, was sixty feet up in a chestnut tree, and contained three slightly incubated eggs. Resident except during severe winters, but at no time abundant with us. THE NIDOLOGIST Archibuteo lagopus sancti johannis:—Am. Rough-legged Hawk. This handsome Hawk is rare in this state, at times being seen during its southern mi- grations. It is harmless, as well as bene- ficial, most of its foods consisting of mice, moles, frogs, etc. Aquila chrysaetos:—Golden Eagle. Rare straggler; occasionally one will be recorded in the state; in all I have seen about half a dozen records. One from Gaithersburg was under date December 8, 1889 (‘Hawks and Owls,” Dr.A.K. Fisher. ) In March 18y4, one was shot near Port Deposit. ‘The latest record I have was one shot by Mr. Chas. H. Boone Jr., of this city, and recorded in the Baltimore “Sun’’ of Nov. 30, 1894. It was killed at the mouth of Atter Creek, Harford county, and measured 3’ 4’’ in length and seven across the wings. This specimen I saw shortly after it had been skinned. Hale etus leucocephalus:—Bald Eagle. Resident, and not rare in the neighbor- hood of Baltimore, several pairs nesting annually within a few miles of the city. It isseldom I have been in the vicinity of any of our large rivers without seeing one or more of these birds, and on one occa- sion (July 16, :891) I saw three together. In the immature plumage it is commonly supposed to be a distinct species, and is called the ‘‘Gray” or ‘‘Black’’ Kagle. It is very fond of fish, many of which are taken from the Fish Hawk, although I have seen if capture them for itself. It will also eat carrion, and is occasionally seen consorting with a flock of Turkey Buzzards. In this neighborhood they generally be- gin nidification by March 1. Another date being March 29, 1893, two eggs, incubation about fresh. In this latter case the ¢ was shot two days before the eggs were taken, and the 9° was incubating there alone. There nests I visited with my friend, Mr. Kirkwood who ascended to both nests. The nest of 1893 was an immense affair, meas- uring 5’ 6’’xq4’ on top, and was 4’ 5”’ high. It was eighty feet from the ground, in a red oak. The birds made no pretense at defending their nest in either case, only flying about overhead or perching some distance off in a tree and ‘‘cackling.”’ Scattered about in the vicinity of the nests were the feathers and remains of num- 121 erous Ducks that had been eaten by the birds. Falco peregrinus anatum:—Duck Hawk. The Duck Hawk, or Great-footed Hawk, as it is sometimes called, may be considered as very rare inthis state. While ina ducking blind on Gunpowder river, March 5, 1887, my attention was attracted bya Hawk which I took to be this species, but having no glass with me I was un- able to positively identify it. It is exceedingly destructive to Ducks, game and poultry, and when in pursuit of them, it is said to fly with the swiftness of an arrow. It is said that for years past several pairs have nested on the rocky cliffs of ‘‘Mary- land Heights,’’ across the Potomac river, opposite Harper’s Ferry. They are there known as ‘‘Rock Hawks.’’ Falco columbarius:—Pigeon Hawk. This species is very rare in Maryland, and personally I have never met with it. Inthe ‘‘Ornithologist and Oologist,’’ Vol. VIII, September 1883, Mr. Chas. D. Gib- son stated it to be a resident of Maryland, and to breed in the state. Falco sparverius:—Am. Sparrow Hawk. Our smallest Hawk, and resident but most abundant during the summer. The ¢ is a beautiful bird. They are easily tamed and make very interesting pets; oneI once possessed would answer my call and follow me about in the field. Their food consists of small mammals, and birds, but principally, during the sum- mer, of grasshoppers. I have killed them when their stomachs were gorged to the utmost extent with ‘hoppers alone. A favorite perch is the pole of a haystack, or the ridge of a barrack, from which they make frequent forays over the field, hover- ing in search of their prey. The eggs, four or five in number, are usually deposited on the bare wood in either an old Flicker’s hole, or a natural cavity in a tree, although occasionally they will make use of the dark corner of an open hay bar- rack. Their eggs can be found from early in April until the end of May. May 26, 1894, I found a set of four fresh eggs in a Flicker’s hole in an old chestnut tree,about thirtv feet up. The Hawks had evidently driven off the Flickers soon after they had finished the hole, as along with the eggs of 122 THE NIDOLOGIST the Hawk I took one of the Flicker’s.* About ten feet up, in the same limb, was a hole occupied by a pair of Red-headed Wood- peckers. The same day, from a natural cavity in a chestnut tree, about twenty-five feet up, I took a set of five eggs, one about half set, four rotten. They become very much attached to one place, and resort to the same tree from year to year, even though they be repeatedly robbed of eggs or young. After being rob- bed they remain about the tree for a long time, and occasionally deposit a second clutch. As a rule no nesting material is used, although they are said to sometimes part- ially fill up the hole with dead leaves and grass. Pandion haliaetus carolinensis: —Am.Osprey. The Fish Hawk 1s a common summer resident along our sea coast and about the larger rivers and Chesapeake Bay, arriving about the middle of March and leaving in September or October. Their nests, which are rebuilt and used from year to year, are generally placed near the top of a large tree, although at times they build quite low and ina small tree. The eggs are generally three in number, sometimes only two,and scarcely ever four. They feed almost exclusively upon fish, which they take alive. Strix pratincola:—Am,. Barn Owl; Monkey- faced Owl. A rare resident; more abundant in 1893 than in any other year of which I have record. It sometimes breeds; Mr. A. Wolle took five young birds from a hollow tree in Anne Arundel county in May 1893. For several years a pair have been breeding in one of the towers of the Smithsonian Institution, at Washington, D.C. May 20, 1893, the Purple Grackle in Kent county, I flush- ed one of these Owls from the top of an apple tree where it was perched within a few feet of a Grackle’s nest. As soon as it flew it was immediately set upon about a dozen of Grackles, and was followed by them for some distance until I lost sight of them in a willow swamp. heir tood is principally rats and mice, of which they destroy immense numbers. *This was rotten and the Flick ers had a new nest in a stub about 50 feet off. whilst hunting nests of Asio wilsonianus:—Long-eared Owl. Resident, but not at all common. In nesting it is said to use the old nest of a Crow, which it patches up to suit, then deposits from four to six eggs. In November 1892, a party of hunters in Howard county came across a flock of about ten individuals, which were flushed from the ground in a sedge field. (Reported as wilsonianus but may have been accipetrinus. Asio accipitrinus:—Short-eared Owl. This one of our winter visitors. ‘The only time I have personally met with it was April 1, 1892, when I flushed and shota & as it flew from a cedar tree. During the day the commonly remain on the ground in the tall grass of the marshes, and are sometimes shot by sportsmen hunt- ing Snipe. Syrnium nebulosum:—Barred Owl; Owl; Booby Owl. Resident; and next to the Screech Owl our most abundant species. It is commonly supposed to be very destructive to poultry, but from examination of stomachs made by the U.S. Agricultural Department at Wash- ington, D.C., it has been shown that this supposition is an error, although they do occasionally visit the barnyard. They are partial to heavily timbered land, during the mating season are very noisy. Frequently, in March, I have heard them hooting during the day, especially in cloudy weather. In nesting they generally choose a hollow tree. not using the open nest so often as the Great Horned Owl, although they do occasionally make use of one. ‘The eggs, two, sometimes three, are deposited during the latter part of March. May 5, 1894,I flushed a Barred Owl from a hollow about fifteen feet up in a large chestnut tree, and climbing to it I found two young, seemingly about three weeks old. This tree was on the edge of a public road and was almost grazed by the wheels of passing vehicles. March 16, 1895, in same nest I found one fresh egg, but one week later when I went after the set I found the egg was broken, and as the bird was missing I think she must have been found and killed by ’coon hunters. In Somerset county this species is com- monly supposed to be the ? ‘‘Booby Owl” (Great Horned Owl). Nyctala acadica:—Saw-whet Owl. This, our smallest Owl, is not often me Hoot THE NIDOLOGIST with, and when seen it is commonly during the winter season. Personally I have only seen it on two occasions, the first time was in November, in Somerset county, when I found one ina small cedar brush on the edge of a marsh. Again, March 4, 1894, while hunting through the woods near the Gunpowder river, Baltimore county, we flushed a Bar- red Owl from a medium-sized cedar tree and then saw an Acadian Owl on the same limb, about two feet from where the Barred Owl was perched. Thishad evidently been a roosting place for both birds for quite a time, as beneath the tree we picked upa large number of pellets from both species. Audubon states that it is found in the swamps of Maryland the whole year. Megascops asio:—Screech Owl. This little Owl, variously known as Little Horned Owl, Mottled Owl, Red Owl, etc., is a highly beneficial species, being an abundant resident throughout the state. Its flight bears much resemblance to that of the Woodcock (Philohela minor), and on one oceasion whilst hunting ‘‘Cock’’ in an Aldar swamp I shot an Owl by mistake as it flushed from the grass at my feet. Its food consists of small mammals, in- sects, fish, reptiles, crawfish ete. January 14, 1894, I found a number of pellets con- sisting almost wholly of the remains of crawfish. They generally deposit their eggsin a natural cavity ina tree, or a deserted Flicker hole, laying them ona bare wood. Davie states (‘‘Nests and Eggs of Nor. Am. Birds’’)that they sometimes deposit as many as nine eggs; here I should say four was the average, sometimes three and often five being found. Three sets taken by me in 1894, were as follows: April 6, four fresh eggs from Flicker hole on apple tree, five feet up. Eggs on bare wood and covered by Owl in red phase. About three weeks previously my brother felt in the hole and brought out both birds; one was red, the other gray. April 7, four fresh eggs trom Flicker hole, fifteen feet up in apple tree; Owl in red phase. With the eggs I found two mouse skulls, numerous small bones, and some Bluebird feathers. On April 21, as I passed the tree I looked in hoping to take a second set, but found none although an Owl was there, this time a gray one. April 8, three slightly incubated eggs 123 from a natural cavity in beech tree, about twelve feet up, and covered by Owl in red phase. Eggs very much soiled from the damp rotten wood upon which they rested. I have never kept an account of the rela- tive number of the two phases of color, but think they are pretty evenly distributed in their locality; if either predominates I should say it is the red phase. Bubo virginianus:—Great Horned Owl; Booby Owl; Hoot Owl; Cat Owl. This, our largest Owl, is resident, where found. It inhabits principally heavy wood- land, and is much more abundant in our lower counties than near Baltimore. Fre- quently of a winter night, in Somerset county, I have heard one of these Owls hoot, presently to be answered by another and then a chorus would come from all direc- tions. They are frequently seen during the day, and I once saw one about 3 p. m., making sweeping circles over an open field where shortly before I had scattered a covey of Partridges. This is our most destructive Owl, killing many domestic fowls, game birds and rab- bits. They are very fond of the latter, and almost all pellets examined will show signs oi their fur. They usually nest from the end ofFebruary to the end of March, depositing two, and sometimes three eggs. In this locality the Great Horned Owl is more often found incubating in an open nest than in a hollow tree. Nyctea nyctea:—Snowy Owl. A rare visitor, sometimes making its ap- pearance during excessively cold winters. Baltimore, Md. = R. W. WILLIAMS, Jr., of Tallahassee, Florida, took a set of five eggs of the Florida Screech Owl this year. Mr. C. Barlow, of Santa Clara, finding that his duties as secretary of the Cooper Club occupy much of his spare time, has resigned the Cali- fornian editorship of a new publication to which he was appointed. Volume II of Major Bendire’s ‘Life Histories of North American Birds,” is now in type, after a long delay in the Government printing office. Volume III will commence with the Evening Grosbeak. 124 THE NIDOLOGIST A Hawk Diary. (1894. ) PRIL 21.—While out hunting,I passed by a nest in an oak tree, where I had taken a set of two finely marked eggs of the Red-tailed Hawk (Bzteo borealis) on April 29, 18g3. Climbing up to the nest, I found it looked as if it had been re-lined, but contained no eggs. April 28.—Saw a pair of Broad-winged Hawks (Buteo latissimus) around a small grove. They were much less wary than most other Hawks (which is characteristic of the species), and more than once I ap- proached within easy gunshot of one. When scared up, one would only fly a short distance and light in another tree. They probably nested around there a little later in the season, there being a number of old nests visible. May 5.—When I came near my old Hawk’s nest of April 21, I was not sur- prised to see a large Red-tail fly from the nest. She was soon joined by her mate, and they sailed around overhead uttering loud discordant sounds, something like scree é €, Scree-e-e, The nest was torty feet from the ground and contained three beau- tiful, fresh eggs. The eggs were very differently marked, one being very faintly spotted with pale lavendar and very light brown; another was thickly marked over the entire surface with light brown, blurred- looking spots, the markings being thicker towards the smaller end and almost form- ing a wreath. The third egg had many large, bright brown blotches, chiefly on the larger end, the spots being very clear and well defined, looking like little dabs of paint put on with a brush. They measured DP] F8 Noy DAD. Te Unay)y Qoope a6 Wasi Nous was the only set of Red-tail’s eggs which I found that season. ‘Two other places where I found the Hawks building, nests were deserted, the birds evidently disliking to have their housekeeping affairs intruded upon. The same day I saw a Swainson’s Hawk (Buteo swainsonz) sitting near a large nest in an oak tree about fifty feet from the ground. ‘The nest was an old one which I had noticed the preceding winter, and con- tained several cottonwood or poplar twigs, with small fresh green leaves on them, looking as if they had been picked today. When I came down the Hawk was sitting in another tree not far away, and allowed me to come quite near before taking alarm. May 6.—While walking along a country road I saw a pair of Marsh Hawks soaring low down over a patch of hazel bushes and tall weeds near a slongh, so I proceeded to investigate. When I came near, the Hawks began to get alarmed, the male bird being especially demonstrative. He would start a short distance away,and seem to be flying straight at my head, but would turn aside when about ten feet from me. Gn looking the ground over thoroughly, I found the nest, flat on the ground in the center of the weeds, It contained only a. single pale blue egg, with a few small spots onit, so I left it for future reference. May 12.—Saw a Swainson’s Hawk sit- ting in a tree near an old nest that had been unoccupied last year. I started to try and get a shot at it, but just as I was coming up Isaw another Hawk approaching, carrying in his bill a stick about a foot long. He lit right in the middle of the nest with it, but soon espied me, flew off the nest, circled around once or twice,and then lit beside the nest. He remained until I had climbed halfway up to the nest, which was in a large oak. Both Hawks then flew around screaming, sometimes swooping down close to my head. I visited the nest again later in the month, but it seemed to be deserted. A little further on, in the same grove, a Cooper’s Hawk (Accipiter cooperi) dashed off her nest and away through the woods, screaming. She soon lit in a tree near by, and dropped at the report of the double- barrel. The nest was in a burr-oak, about twenty-five feet from the ground. It was about 18 inches across, built ofsmall sticks, and unlined, being in the near vicinity, if not the actual nest, from which I took a set of two eggs last year,on May 6. ‘The nest contained five fresh eggs, pale bluish in color, two being unmarked, the others spar- ingly flecked with light brown. They aver- age 1.81 x 1.45 in Size. May 13.—Visited the Marsh Hawk’s nest found May 6, but found it abandoned, and the egg nearly covered up with weeds. Some boys told me of another Marsh Hawk’s nest which they had found in the center of a slough the previous week, con- taining five whitish-colored eggs. Different parties who saw the nest said it was built well up from the water, which was quite shallow. Some young Hawks were subse- quently taken from this nest. May 16.—Started early in the morning to THE NIDOLOGIST 125 visit the Swainson Hawk's nest noted on May 5. One Hawk was sitting on a dead tree not far off,but I could not see anything on the nest. After I had climbed up several feet, striking the spurs in hard, the bird flew off, was joined by her mate, and they flew around, screaming high overhead. On a limb about a foot below the nest hung a dead green snake, about fifteen inches long. The nest was lined with fresh green leaves, and contained three fresh eggs. Two of the eggs did not differ materially in color from ordinary eggs of the Red-tailed Hawk, one having heavier markings than the other; but oneegg was somewhat unique. It had “very pale lavender shell markings over the entire surface, with two large brown blotches on the middle of one side, about one-fourth of an inch in diameter and less than a quarter of an inch apart, also halfa dozen large irregular blotches in a bunch near the smaller end. Measurements: Banieexe7 0. 22:9)xX 178, 2:29 X 170: RupoLPpH M. ANDERSON. Forest City, Iowa. ee Nesting of the Nashville Warbler. HE Nashville Warbler is quite common here during migration, and a few re- main each season in favorable localities to breed. I have always found them in the young growths of small trees and thick bushes, where they keep well hidden, ap- pearing in sight only for an instant as they move quickly from bush to bush. They are shyer than most Warblers and move about so quickly from bush to bush that it is often difficult to identify them,even when they are quiteplenty, Arriving the second week in May, they are at once in full song. The song isnot loud, and does not resemble that of the Chestnut-sided Warbler. It is quite well described by Langille as ‘‘a com- position, the first half of which is as nearly as possible like the thin but penetrating notes of the Black-and White Creeping Warbler, while the last half is like the twitter of the Chipping Sparrow.’’ To my ear the first half of the song more nearly resembles the song of Wilson’sWarb- ler than that of the Black-and-White Warb- ler. When disturbed, the Nashville Warb- ler frequently utters a sharp,chipping note. Here their favorite nesting site is rough pasture land covered with ‘ ‘cradle-knolls,’’ and more or less grown up to brakes, bushes and small trees—just sucha locality as is preferred by the Yellow Palm and Wilson’s Warblers, both of which breed here sparingly. I have found but two nests of the Nash- ville Warbler, both of which were located in bushy pastures. The first was found June 5, 1893, in the adjoining town of Detroit. The nest was placed in the side ofa knoll, well concealed by brakes and brush; built of grass, with some moss and leaves; lined with fine grass and horse-hair. It contained four fresh eggs, which were white, spotted and blotched with light-red, reddish brown and lavender, more thickly at the larger end. These eggs are rather long, and pointed at the smaller end, meas- uring .67 x .46, .66 x .47, .66 x .46, .64 x .45. The bird was flushed from the nest. The second nest was found May 30,1894. This nest was placed on the routs of a small bush that grew from the side of a knoll; it was composed largely of grass with some moss, lined with horse-hair and and fine red hair-like moss-stems. It con- tained five eggs, one half incubated, which were white, spotted with dark reddish- brown and lavender, with a tendency to form a wreath around the larger end. They measure .60 X .50, .59 X .47, .58 X 50,.58x -49, -56 x .49, being more round than those first taken. When a nest of this species is disturbed the birds stay near, but utter few complaints. In the bush the Nashville Warbler has the appearance of a rather small bird with olive back, bluish head and neck, yellow throat and breast, and tail without white blotches. The chestnut crown patch can hardly be seen unless the bird is in the hand. C. H. MorreE.u. Pittsfield, Me. L awe Eggs of the Western Evening Grosbeak Rollo H. Beck, of Berryessa, California, and Wilfred H. Osgood of San Jose, have just returned from their successful collecting trip in the Sierra Nevada mountains, Mr. Beck secured a nest and four eggs, with parent, of the Western Evening Grosbeak. The eggs are distinctly different from those of the Black-headed Grosbeak, and make it certain that those secured by Mr. Fiske in the valley, and which were too far advanced to blow, could not have been those of the Western Evening Grosbeak The taking of this rare set, with description of eggs, will be written up for the Sep- tember Nipo1octs7, and if it is found possible to do it correctly, we intend to publish a colored plate of the eggs. Mr. Osgood secured two sets of Calaveras Warbler and one of the Hermit Warbler, with parents, while Mr. Beck also took the nest and eggs of the Dwarf Hermit Thrush. 126 THE NIDOLOGIST The Photo Fiend, BY REV. P. B. PEABODY. (Concluded. ) word about ‘‘taking’’ nests, in brush- JN land—in the woods. Sometimes we leave the stems or stalks that stand between camera and nest; for they are a part of the bird’s choice. But, tar oftener, they are both accidental and destructive, — and should be cleared away. For example: A nest and eggs of the Western Grebe lie but a trifle above the water, on a narrow bed of marsh-grass, in a two foot clear space, and surrounded by a dense growth of grass and rushes, into which a boat cannot possibly be drawn. How elsein this case, with a five- foot focal limit, is one to secure a negative, than by clearing away the grass and rushes in a ‘‘lone’’ five feet extendent from the nest? This fact, alone justifies the setting of a minimum two-foot focal limit as being the szve gua non of a perfect camera for next photography. For example: in June, 1895, I went, en route, five miles out of my course, taking back eggs collected in May, to pho- tograph a most beautiful nest built by my favorite pair of Krider's Hawks, on the semi-horizontal branch of a small elm with no adequate branches above. My camera has a five-foot limit. The wind was blow- ing terrifically. I couid not come again. From any place whereon I could stand, I could not possibly hold the camera more than two feet from the eggs,—and view, meanwhile, the finder. But it was cloudy, —raining. No snap-shot would avail. The very best that I could do was to strap the camera to a higher branch, three feet away, (having previously strapped myself to the tree), just guessing at the allign- ment. So, I obtained, a negative, indeed, but autoffocus. ‘The very features of the nest that I wished to preserve—location, material, perspective—all were lost. = $1.00 (Foreign subscribers add 12 cents for postage) Single Copies, - - - - - 15 cents Remittance may be made in any form The Magazine is not sent after subscriptions have expired FOREIGN AGENTS Swann & Co., 1-2 Bouverie Street, Fleet Street, London, Original contributions, with or without illustrations, are desired. ADVERTISING RATES FURNISHED JOSEPH MAILLIARD, of Nicasio, Cal., is collect- ing at Sitka, Alaska. WALTER RAINE, of Toronto, is announced to have gone to England to dispose of a large collec- tion of eggs. He will be sure to sell. THE ‘‘North American Naturalist” of Newark, N. J., got out one number, and is now moved to Nowhere—N. G. THE meetings of both the Northern and South- ern Divisions of the Cooper Club for June were postponed on account of absence of members in the field. “T am glad you have taken the NIpDOLOoGIS?T back to California, for I think it will prosper better in that land of birds and flowers. Penn Yan, N. Vi. VERDI BURYCH.” Is NoT September a little late for ‘‘Ospreys’’ to hatch? Better 'zamin dem aigs frew de light, Brudder Johnsing! Ir is said the former editor of ‘‘Avafauna,’’ Los Angeles, which disappeared ‘“‘up the lume,” after issuing some big promises and two numbers, is now the proprietor of a coffee house in that city- THE present number is a double one, thirty-two pages and cover, to ‘‘catch up,’’ asso much time was unavoidably lost by our removal. The sub- scribers get just as much matter, but we lose one issue’s advertising by the combine. HavinG become personally acquainted with Prof. A. J. Cook, who was severely criticised in No. 5, Vol. 1, of this magazine, in connection with his book, ‘‘Birds of Michigan,’’ we are con- vinced that we were misinformed at that time, and injustice to Professor Cook make this state- ment. THE advancement of the study of Oology in America of late years is truly notable. Collectors are exploring Alaska, and over the southern line into Mexico, and penetrating fields within our boundaries which but few expeditions have touched. A great deal of research has been made in both the Ornithology and Oology of Lower California, while there are now active collectors each season iu Idaho, the Dakotas and in the rich country to the North-west. The next few years will probably see half ascore of collectors of eggs in the far North, and the natural tendency will be to give Oology such a boom as it has never seen before. Theimportance of the science in its relation to Ornithology is now recognized, and the publication by the Govern- ment of Major Bendire’s ‘‘Life Histories of North American Birds” has given the study a prominent place in literature, and an impetus which will be felt for years to come. THIS magazine (allow us to remark very confi- dentially) has secured a large circulation,consider- ing the hard times which have dominated the three years of its existence. It took enterprise, patience, hard work and the expenditure o: no small amount of capital to achieve success and win the high standing which we ‘shall hold for years tocome. We could publish a list, covering a page, of ambitious bird journals that never lived to see a half-year out—died in the suckling stage, in fact. The printers’ bills have an aggravating way of growing faster than the subscription list. We have been there and know all about it, and we had no competitor. Asa purely business venture most Ornithological journals are a flat failure. Shoveling sand is more profitable, for the paper requires all the grit, and the money too. We estimate that THe Nipo1Locis?’ (and it’s not so big as to size) has cos¢us in time and money about $5,000, and now that it is a paying success and a scientific success, we are satisfied to run it for the next fifty years. But just from a business stand- point, there are other ways of expending that cap- ital. The above remarks are gratis, but we do not expect any young publisher to pay the least heed in the world to them—at present. AN infinite variety of data blanks are used by Oologists, aud it seems impossible to originate a form which will be adopted by all, and perhaps the diverseness serves some useful purpose after all,as the data belonging to eggs from a particular collection mav be readily separated We object, however, to the printed form ‘‘Krom the Collec- tion of’’ (John Smith, or whoever he may be) on data blanks used with eggs for exchange or sale. Sometimes “‘from’’ is omitted, and Thomas Jones, it may be, who has received the data and eggs into /zs collection, rests under the imputation of having purloined them ‘The John Smith Col- lection;’’ especially if the legend be printed in scare-head type. It wouid certainly seem that data that never was really in the “‘collection’’ of said John Smith should not be adorned so promi- neutly with his name. Of course, there is room here for a difference of opinion. A plain piece of paper may sometimes answer to write data on, but don’t ever use a lead pencil. Ink becomes illegible soon enough. It is a good plan to be doubly safe by adding the scientific as well as the common name of the species, for in the course of years old names sometimes go through a course of evolution and are lost and forgotten. a a ee ee ee ee eT ee 4 THE NIDOLOGIST iil. Tourmalines, Beryls, Sapphires, Opals, Carbuncles, Ognamarines, Agates, Onyx, Etc., Etc. your attention is called to my stock of polished, cut and uncut gems. If you want a set for a ring of your own selection, or wish to make a collection of semi-precious stones ata very reasonable figure, you should examine my goods and prices. Collections of Opals and other gems, cut and uncut, polished, in great variety at prices that defy competition. A very small order will con- vince you of the superiority of these gems, and of the low prices at which they are being closed out. Mention the NipoLocisr and enclose stamp for Price List. MORRIS GIBBS, I. D., Kalamazoo, Mich. ISS W \ OG — No. 12. AUGUST oc So 58 SET) NIDOLOGIGI ce gee ee ee _ PHOTOGRAPHS We are now preparing a series of 150 Photo- graphs, taken from our work during the past five years. They will consist of all kinds of speci- mens—such as Deer, Fox, Birds, Moose Heads, etc., etc. Price, 15 cents, two for 25 cents, $1,25 per dozen, postpaid. We will have a list ready this month, and will mail it on receiving a request. FRANK BLAKE WEBSTER CO. TAMIDERMISTS AND NATURALISTS’ SUPPLY DEPT HYDE PARK, MASS. PRINTING FOR NATURALISTS We can print your Trice Lists, Cards, Envelops, Letterheads, Catalogues, etc., a little BETTER and a little CHEAPER than others. No extra charge for use _ofour large assortment of illustrations. Get our figures \ before placing orders. , A. M. EDDY, Albion, N. Y. WM. W. HART & CO. (NEW SCHOOL) TAXIDERMISTS ae 5 West Third St. NEW YORK GUARANTEED MOTH PROOF | | in our | tailed Petrels, Xantus, Marbled and Ancient Murrelets, High-Grade, Lifelike, Artistic Workmanship | The largest and finest stock of Animal Skin Rugs and | Mounted Game Heads in America. Goods sent out of town ‘“‘ on approval.”’ Can be secured elsewhere, but if you want the : Ss >»»>—>BEST AND RAREST<—<_ You should at once write CHAS. K. WORTHEN, of Warsaw, IIl., who can give lowest rates on fine skin of Ivory-billed Woodpeckers, Carolina Paroquets, — Copper-tailed Trogans, and many other rarities diffi cult to obtain. It is impossible to mention everythin, stock of over 10,000 fine Bird and Mammal Skins. To mention a few others we have Franklin’s and Richardson’s Grouse, Ashy and Fork Farallone Cormorants, Pacific Fulmars, Black-vented Shearwaters, Least, Crested, Parrot Auks, Aleutian and Prybilof Sandpipers. Rio Grande Turkeys Aplomado Falcons, Arctic Horned Owls, Great Black Swift, St. Lucas, Coues’ and Sulphur-bellied Fly-— catchers, Swainson’s, Bachman’s, Red-faced, Grace’s, Hermit, Golden-cheeked, Lucy’s, Virginia’s, Olive and Brasher’s Warblers, Mirador Yellow-throat, White- naped Nuthatch, Anabel’s Bluebirds, etc., ete. Also many beautiful Tropical Species. Finely mounted — heads of Deer, Elk, Caribou, Rocky Mountain Sheep and Goats, etc. Aime Geodes of many varieties—~ order a few deauties for your cabinet. I also have a few sets of Illinois Geological Reports (Vols. 1 to 8) complete and elegantly illustrated. This magnificent work is now becoming extremely rare. Send two stamps for catalogue or with letters of inquiry. Reference, all prominent Scientists or Institutions throughout the country. CHAS. K. WORTHEN ~ Naturalist, Taxidermist and Dealer WARSAW, ILL, U.S. A. Mention ‘‘Nid” Established in 187 3 aes rs @Western, Masculine and Gritty.” —Harper’s Weekly. = 81.20 a Year.' You Will Like It. @ ; wy At News-stands ¥ Sy = nd te Y Cass —S=S=—) SS CLAUDE KING'S - Famous Monthly, 49 - “Sports Afield,” 358 Dearborn St., Chicago. — GAMELAND, the gentle sportsman’s illus- trated magazine, reveals virgin woods and waters—homes of the trout, the bass, the deer and quail—and tells of hundreds of _ places to freely hunt and fish. Price, ten cents; three trial numbers, twenty-five cents. month), any address, postage paid, One Dollar. Don’t ask for a free copy. won't send it. Gameland, 108 Fulton Street, New York, N. Y., U.S. A. By the year (one a | We | , | Three doors from Park Row | Halfa minute from Bridge Entrance JOHN MURGATROYD Taxidermist — 18 NORTH WILLIAM STREET New York THE NIDOLOGIST Exponent of American Ornithology and Odlogy PUBLISHED MONTHLY WITH ILLUSTRATIONS Vor, III. No. 12 ALAMEDA, CAL, AUGUST, 1896 $1.00 PER YEAR * : ¥ CHIMNEY SWIFT ON NEST—Photo from Life 138 THE NIDOLOGIST Nesting of the Chimney Swift. BY C. W. AND J. H. BOWLES. HE Chimney Switt (Chaetura pelagica) 1s altogether too well known to require much space as to its characteristics. Yet there are a few minor details in its habits that have escaped our notice, if ever fully described, which may make the less important details more endurable. The nest is composed of dead twigs and a few feathers, which are glued together by the saliva of the birds in the form ofa shallow cup, placed against the inner walls ofachimney. Originally, the birds are said to have nested in hollow trees and against cliffs or high rocks, and in some places reports come from time to time of nesting in buildings. In this locality the twigs preferred for the nest are those of the willow and elm, which the birds break from the trees while in full flight, with scarcely any hesitation, seem- ing to select the ones they wish as they approach. From six to sixteen feet down the chim- ney seems to be the favorite location, the latter distance being nearer the average than the former. Two sets of eggs are laid in a season, one in the latter part of May, anotber in early July. These consist of from three to four eggs; some writers say five, but we have never seen that number. They are most persistent in domestic duties, always build- ing a new nest as soon as the other is des- troyed. This is very often the case for numerous reasons, such as falling bricks and mortar, rain or another cause which is hardly necessary to mention. Smoke seems to make but little difference to the birds as we have knowr them to con- tinue incubation in a regularly used chim- ney, although an unused one is more often chosen. In this way they sometimes cause considerable annoyance by driving the smoke down into the room in their journ- eys to and from the nest. Collecting the eggs is, at best, uncertain but we have found the most successful ap- paratus to be a small stone wrapped in cot- ton. This is covered with glue and lowered at the end ofa string onto the eggs which will naturally stick and may then be drawn up all at once like a fish. The illustration shows the bird on the nest. This we photographed down the chimney of our house on July 10, several previous attempts having proved unsuccessful. +o The Check-List Again.—A Rejoinder,. To THE EDITOR OF THE NIDOLOGIST : EAR SIR:—I feel gratified that so eminent D a gentlemen as Dr. J. A. Allen should agree with me on ten of the twelve points raised in my first communication. I wish briefly to present reasons for still disagreeing with the List on the other two. No. 738 is given as Parus gambeli, Ridgw. I fail to see that the authority is correct, under the Code for the following reason. Parus montanus being preoccupied, Mr. Ridgway furnished the committee with the manuscript name gamzbelz for substitution. According to the Code, until pub- lished this is a omen nudum. Now who is the author of the List of 1886 where the name first ap- pears? Mr. Ridgway? No. Is the committee? Yes. How then, as Mss. authorities are rejected, can Mr. R. be cited in the 1895List as to full authority when he is but one-fifth of the committee? Is not a Mss. namie here credited unwittingly? Now take the Ground Dove. See Bull. Am. Mus. Nat. H. 1V. 1892, p. 292. The name ¢errestrzs is proposed on page 293 (not 292) where Mr. F.M. Chapman says, ‘‘and I suggest, therefore, that the Ground Dove of Eastern North America be known as Columbigallina passerina terrestris.” In this paper Mr. Chapman expressly says he has compared ‘‘some twenty’’ Floridan and ‘‘some forty” Jamaican specimens and then ‘“‘concludes” on the same page, “It is evident then that the name fasserina can no longer be accepted for the bird from eastern North America.”* As he cannot “affirm (p. 292) the identiy of the Bahaman (daha- manensis) and Cuban forms, and calls this latter “passerina, subsp.’’ where can we place derrestris but in the Southeastern States? Besides this name is proposed in place of purpurea, Maynard, who distinctly says ‘I propose the name Chamepelia purpurea for the large continental Dove!” For definition of ‘‘North American,” see Code p. 14, I. Also in his recent Handbook of Birds p. 190, Mr. ‘Chapman gives the range of ferrestris as ‘‘South Atlantic and Gulf States north to North Carolina, west to Texas’ etc. Mr. Ridgway in the new1896 Manual gives (p. 591) for this bird ‘‘Hab. South Atlantic and Gulf States. Not a word about the West Indies, yet these two gentlemen -have spec- ially investigated the different forms and examined much material. The new List gives ‘Geog. Dist. —South Atlantic and Gulf States, West Indies and northern South America!* Breeding, in the United States, from South Carolina to Louisiana, chiefly coastwise.’’? Thus, the name Zerrestris is absolute- ly based on the larger Floridan form and this name is accepted but not the habitat given for it ! If Mr. Chapman is right in the habitat, as I be- lieve that careful observer is,and intergradation is only assumed, as appears to be the case, why under the Code is this not a species? My use of the word unscientific is misleading. As the Union has but recently changed from a ten years use of Mss. authorities (without explan- ation) and the practice is by no means universal, I may perhaps be pardoned. Until a consistent international basis is decided upon for such ques- tions, one or the other of those who use diametri- cally opposite views will be considered inconsistent if not unscientific. WILLIAM PALMER. * Italics mine. _- + Wild Pigeon and Dove. NTIL about 1880 the Wild Pigeons were seen regularly almost every season, generally migrating in Sep- tember and October in flocks of from about fifteen individuals to large ones of several hundred. From about 1880 up to 1893 very few birds were seen, but in the latter _ year they made their appearance in various parts of the state, the following having been reported to me: August 27, three birds in Dulaney’s Valley, Baltimore county (Kirkwood); Sep- tember 17, ‘‘a flock of from 50 to 60 birds 8 miles from Ellicott City [Howard county] flying north about 10:30 A. M. They flew to a piece of bottom land ‘‘grown up with pin oak’’ (Ridgely). In September a flock of about forty were seen near Lake Roland, Baltimore county (Cottman); and some time during November ‘‘a good sized flock’? was seen feeding in the woods in Long Green Valley, Baltimore county (Schenck). ‘This latter flock was reported as being very wild. Personally I have only seen three birds in the last fifteen years; in September ’88 I shot one near Bradshaw, Baltimore county, flying alone; in September ’89 I shat one from a flock of about ten Doves in Dulaney’s Valley, and March 8, ’94, one was seen alone near Harewood Park, Balti- more county. . The following notes refer to this species as they were in Howard county about 1840 —1845. F “Large flocks would be seen reaching as far as the eye could see. In roosting they always used a piece of pine wood, and would begin coming in about four P. M., continuing to do so until long after it was too dark to see, and they would leave at sunrise. They would never fly direct to the roost, but would always first stop in the heavy timber and then fly down to the pines. At times they would crowd on a tree until their combined weight would snap the limbs. “Tn feeding on the ‘mast’ on the ground they would keep up a rolling motion, those behind continually arising and flying THE NIDOLOGIST 139 ahead of the ones feeding in the front rank. ‘“‘No nests were ever seen, the birds making their appearance in the fall and generally remaining until about Christmas, although at times a few would winter with us.’’ (Ridgely), ee MOURNING DOVE; DOVE, This species is a common resident, but ia the last three years I have found them to be decreasing in number in the neigh- borhood of Baltimore, possibly on account of the ‘‘blue thistle’? fields, where I have commonly found them feeding in the fall, being plowed up and put under cultivation. They begin nesting early (about April) and when most of the young birds have left the “nests, the old and young collect into flocks, sometimes numbering several hundred, and feed in the thistle, stubble, and corn fields. In 18g0-1-2, I had great sport with them during August and Sep- tember, flushing them from the ground in the thistle fields. We would frequently hunt them with dogs, the dogs ‘“‘drawing”’ on them as on a covey of Partridges. Late in the evening after eating their fill, they visit the bank of some small stream and lay in a supply of gravel tu aid their digestion. I have frequently tried to find their roosts but only came across one, and walked into that quite unexpectedly. It wasin a small clump of low pines, and as I was passing through them one evening after dark, it seemed as if all the Doves in the State started up from about me. Thenext _ night I went back to see if I could find them, but they were not there, and judg- ing from the manure on the ground they had only used the roost the one night. If taken young, Doves will become very tame, and will mate with the Ring Dove, breeding in confinement. Wo. H. FISHER, Baltimore, Md. oo ee = A Good Advertising Medium, Eugene S. Rolfe writes: ‘‘My daily mail is heavily charged with inquiries for fine sets of Ferruginous Rough-leg, and these inquiries are from the dest collectors, scattered all over the country, which to my mind establishes two things —first, that THE NipoLocrst is a good advertis- ing medium; second, that the best collectors are not as yet supplied with a satisfactory representa- tion of sets of this fine species.”’ 140 THE NIDOLOGIST Nest and Eggs of the Calaveras Warbler. (Helminthophila ruficapilla guttural.) URING the months of June and July D of the past summer I made the ac- quaintance of this little bird while on a trip through the Sierras. It was first met at about 3,500 feet elevation on the road from Placerville to Lake Tahoe. At 3,700 feet we camped for several days, and there found it more common, and thence on over the summit and down tothe lake, we heard its cheerful notes nearly every day. As I have had very poor success in describing bird notes I will not attempt this, but will only say that its bright, sprightly song did much to enliven our trip through the moun- tains. At 5,000 feet we found them most common, and from 7,000 to 9,000, feet they gradually disappeared, apparently going as high up as the black oak, in which trees they were generally seen, skipping about in search of insects. From Lake Tahoe we returned to Placerville, and from there went south to Yosemite, crossing the ridges of the lower Sierras, and cutting directly through the counties of El Dorado, Amador, Calaveras and Tuolumne. All the way where we were at 3,000 feet or more eleva- tion we caught occasional glimpses of the Calaveras Warbler and heard its song from the tops of the oaks. At Big Trees, Cala- veras county, it wasseen frequently, and in Yosemite Valley was quite common even around about the tents of the many campers there, Near Fyffe post-office—elevation 3,700 feet—I found my first nest, on June 5. I had watched several pairs of the birds at different times with little success, and, as I was almost certain that the nest would be on the ground and well hidden, I had small hopes of finding it. One day, as I was re- turning from a morning’s shooting, walk- ing along the side of a hill, and scanning the lower limbs ofthe black oaks for nests of Cassin’s Vireo, a Warbler fluttered outa few yards in front of me and then scuttled away over the leaves, feigning a broken wing for a short distance, and then flying away. I stopped in my tracks and looked, and looked again, but I saw nothing but dead leaves and refuse covering the ground. I stood there for nearly five minutes, mean- while inwardly resolving to find that bird’s nest if I had to turn over every leaf within fifty yards. I knelt down and immediately found myself looking into a nest of five handsome fresh eggs. I turned round, and now saw the parent hopping about above me in an excited manner in the top of an oak. In another moment I had picked up my gun and shot, and a female Calaveras Warbler fell almost into the nest. The nest was situated among the dead leaves near the foot ofa cedar stump, on the side of the hill facing the east. A littlesprig of cedar grew from the upper side of the nest, but save this it was surrounded by nothing but dead leaves which covered asmall open space on the side of the hill, elsewhere thickly car- peted with the so-called ‘‘ mountain misery.”’ The front and outer edges of the nest are composed of dead leaves and leaf stems. Save one or two bits of dead grass, the rest of the nest is of a peculiar brown fibre resembling horsehair. Its outside and in- side diameters are respectively 314 and 214% inches. ‘The eggs are creamy-white, spot- ted with cinnamon-rufous, somewhat wreathed and blotched on the larger ends, where they are mixed with pale lavender. They measure as follows: .58x .47, .59 x .48, .56 X .47, .59 X .50 and .59 x .47. About ten miles from this place I founda second nest near the American River on June 10. I was walking up a hill about 200 yards from the river when I noticed a pair of Warblers in the top ofan oak. It is often very disappointing to watch a bird for a long time and then find it tobea male. This time, however, I had a sure thing, for both birds were in easy view, hopping about catching insects, occasionally stop- ping to burst into song and at short inter- vals indulging in little amorous frolics with each other. For some time I watched them thus, often with some difficulty as they passed rapidly from tree to tree, whem all at once, as if suddenly remembering a for-. gotten duty, both birds quickly flew across a little gulch and lit on the ground among the dead leaves. HereI presume the female gave her mate to understand that his ser- vices were no longer desired, as he immed- iately left. Keeping my eyes fixed on the spot, I hurried across the gulch and soon flushed the bird from the nest, which, like the first, contained five fresh eggs. The nest was situated much like the first, in a thick bank of dead leaves on the southern side of a hill, almost bare of trees. The leaves formed.a canopy overhanging one side of the nest, and from one corner grewa little tuft of ‘‘mountain misery,’’ and as the rays of the western sun glinted on theeggs, the whole presented a very pretty picture. I walked back to camp and got the camera, but when I returned the sun’s position had changed just enough to put the nest in dark shade, and I didn’t get a good photo ot it. While I was taking the eggs the female hopped around in the trees on the other side of the gulch,chirping excitedly. After a short time the male’ joined her, but though I concealed myself and waited nearly half an hour, neither offered to go near the nest. This nest, like the first,was fronted with a thin coat of dead and skeletonized leaves. It was composed chiefly of fine, light- colored grass and lined with fine shreds of the same anda few white hairs of some rodent. ‘The outside and inside measure- ments are 3 and 2 inches respectively. The eggs are similar to those of the first set, but the markings are finer and confined more closely to the larger ends. They measure -59 X .48, .56 x .50, .56 x .48, .59 x .48 and .56 x .48. On June 19 I again found myself at our old camp near Fyffe. While walking on the hill a short distance above the location of the first nest, I found a nest containing five young a few days old. ‘This nest was much better concealed than either of the others. It was situated in a thick patch of “mountain misery,’’ well embedded among the roots of this little shrub, and shaded by its thick leaves—the last, but the neatest and cosiest nest of the Calaveras Warbler which I found. WILFRED H. OsGoop. San Jose, Cal. (Read before the Cooper Ornithological Club, August, 1896.) oS Cooper Ornithological Club, HE Southern Division met May 30 at the residence of F. S. Daggett in Pasadena. Mr. F. Stephens of Witch Creek was appointed to fill the vacant position on the migration committee. ‘Two letters from Mr. W. B. Judson and party in Arizona were read. The June and July meetiugs were postponed. NORTHERN DIVISION. July meeting was heldat R. S. Wheeler’s in Alameda, with a large attendance. Mr. Taylor was appointed. on the program committee to fill the unexpired term of Mr. Koch. A portion of the evening was THE NIDOLOGIST 141 given to short talks by those present, touching on a number of interesting takes of the season, including Western Evening Grosbeak, Calaverasand Hermit Warblers, and others. The Evening Grosbeak set and nest were exhibited. Mr. Cohen read some extracts from letters from Mr. H. B. Kaeding, who has been on a trip through the Sierra Nevada mountains. A set of five eggs of Thurber’s Junco was taken from a nest built in a small cedar eight feet trom the ground, the identity being positive. A set of four eggs and nest together with the female of Water Ouzel was taken. IJua week the male had secured a mate and started a new nest on the former site—a beam of a bridge. By actual observation he built the whole nest, except the lining, in twelve hours. Two pairs of Harlequin Duck were located, and a pair hatched out a brood, no eggs being secured. AUGUST MEETING. The Northern Division met at the resi- dence of C. Barlow, in San Jose, August 1. W. H. Osgood was added to the committee which is to compile a list of the birds of Santa Clara county. The following were appointed as a committee to prepare a similar list of Alameda county birds: Walter E. Bryant (Chairman), W. O. Emerson, H. R. Taylor and D. A. Cohen. The receipt of a document entitled ‘‘Four Common Birds of the Farm and Garden’’ was reported. Mr. Osgood read a paper on “Nesting of the Calaveras Warbler,’’ which appears in full elsewhere, and exhibited two sets of five eggs each together with the nests. NESTING OF THE DUCK HAWK IN CALIFORNIA, Mr. R. H. Beck presented a paper describing the taking of a set of four eggs of the Duck Hawk, being in substance as follows: ‘‘While on a tramp through the hills on April of this year a Duck Hawk was seen flying about a rocky cliff, occa- sionally screaming and alighting on various points of the cliff. On the 18th the cliff was visited and a number of rocks were thrown over the top, but the bird left the nest without being seen and was noticed flying about a short distance away, where after circling about and screaming for a short time she retired from view. On the 20th the cliff was revisited and the Duck Hawk left in response to a stick thrown 142 THE NIDOLOGIST over. After sailing and screaming for a long time she returned to the nest, alighting on the ledge and after looking about for a few minutes walked up to the nest. The following day the descent to the nest was made, it being twenty feet from the top of the cliff, placed on a narrow ledge three feet wide, under overhanging rock. There were a few small dry sticks on either side of the eggs but no real nest. - The male was sitting on a cliff seventy-five yards from the nest at the time of the visit, the only time he was seen. The female flew across the canyon and lit on a dry limb of an oak and screamed but little, in contrast to former visits.”’ The set of four eggs is of the dark type, evenly marked. Mr. Cohen read a paper describing the experiences of Roswell S. Wheeler and himself with a pair of Duck Hawks the past season. The first visit was made April 4. ‘“We were now almost on the highest point of the surrounding country, but before crossing the last canyon had sat down to take in the sights, and while gazing at the ‘nest rocks’ saw a Falcon fly from a small ledge. When half way up the incline we saw another bird fly from a small cave in the rock nearest tous. This bird proved to be the female, and the ‘first one was the male, who had evidently been keeping vigil from the ledge on the adjoining rock about twenty-five yards away, and from his position of vantage had seen us long before we could have seen him, as his post commanded a view for miles over the neighboring country. We were soon on top of the ‘nest rock,’ a large, sugar-loaf shaped affair. A rope was soon adjusted and Mr. Wheeler began the descent down the sloping rock. The female Falcon was by far the more aggressive, while the male kept much farther away, sometimes flying out of sight and finally toa perch on a dead oak acrossa gully. The nearer the nest was approached the more enraged did the female become, screaming lustily and mak- ing frequent swoops at the collector. The wing beats of the birds were short and rapid, much after the manner of the Swifts. The cave was about 5x3, and about three feet high inside. No attempt was made at a nest. The eggs, four in number, re- clined on the sandy floor in the middle of the cave, three being in the depression and highly incubated, while the fourth lay near the opening of the cave, partially covered with fine gravel and excrement. This egg had not been incubated and was more richly colored than the others, being of a pinkish shade below and rich brown on top, with marblings around the center. Another egg was very rich dark brown and the other two were rather plain by comparison. The eggs are quite round in shape. On April 30 the locality was again visited. Before the base of the hill was reached the male flew from the original sentry box and over the ‘nest rock’ for a few moments and then flew from view. The female finally lew from a hole behind the ledge where the male was accustomed to watch, and dashed past the collectcr several times. Twice she mounted aloft and turned half a back somersault and pitched headlong downward with incredible swiftness, keep- ing up a continual screeching. The male kept high in the air, diverting his rapid wing beats several times to a sailing or gliding motion, and his notes, uttered three or four times, were less harsh and distressed than those of the female, in fact entirely different in tone. The hole containing the nest was about ten feet from the top of a perpendicular cliff, and was about two feet in diameter by about the same in height. The eggs, thzee in number, lay on a small pile of bones of small quadrupeds on the sandy floor. Doubtless many a luckless rabbit and squir- rel fell prey to these swift-winged, sure- footed birds. The eggs were almost fresh, being slightly incubated and of the same skape and size as the former set, but richer and handsomer.’’ The Northern Division meets Sept. 5 at Mr. Osgood’s residence in San Jose. _ -oe A “Full Set of Rail’s.” On June g I was exploring a little inland swamp in St. Clair county, Michigan, and ran across a Rail’s nest that puzzled me greatly. I flushed a King Rail off the nest, but imagine my surprise when I found it to contain 17 eggs—g of the King Rail and 7 of the Virginia Rail, and to cap the climax, one of the Sora Rail. The nest was unusually large, and flattened down. Could all three Rails usc the nest as their own or had some one of them deserted it while the other Rails hatched out the batch of eggs? I would like to have some explanation on the subject B. H. SwWALEs. Detroit, Mich. eee THE take of a set of four Hermit Warblers recorded in our last number, was credited, by mistake, to W. H. Osgood. The good fortune came to Rollo H. Beck. NEST AND EGGS OF THE WESTERN EVENING GROSBEAK. Supplement to “THE NIDOLOGIST,” September, 1896. [Publications for review should be sent to Dr. R. W. SHUF- ELDT, Associate in Zoology, Smithsonian Institution, Wash- ington, D. C.] PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED. Montacu Browne, F.G.S., F. Z. S.. etc. Artis- tic and Scientific Taxidermy and Modelling. Maemillan & Co., New York, 1896, pp. I-VILI, 1-463, 22 half tn pls, 11 illus. in text, price $6.50, (From the Publishers.) Of late years it has become evident to those interested in museums, in museum-methods, and especially in the art of the preservation of animals, that there has been a a lively and general awakening to the fact that a new school of taxidermists were gradually replacing the old time ‘‘stuffer” and his apprentices. Ancient taxidermic methods and the production of animal effigies no longer satisfied people of taste or those who had any concep- tion whatever of the natural appearance of natural ob- jects in nature. Biologic knowiedge and artistic skill entered into the field and the exhibition cases in our museums containing specimens or groups of specimens of preserved animals soon felt the difference. With this growing improvement in the technique of taxidermy, came, fart fosu a new literature of the art, and the high-priced booklets containing but little or no informa- tion,gave way before the incoming of sizable volumes re- plete in detailed instruction, and minute accounts of the new methods employed. In this last category the recent work of Mr. Montagu Browne, curator of the Leicester Museum in England asks for a place and favor. So far as the present reviewer has been able to judge from notices of the work seen by him in prjnt,and communications he has received in regard to it, from both foreign and American taxidermists, it has not been accorded, asa volume, either of these much desired marks of recognition. And why? Not that there is to be found any fault with the literary execution of the book, or with the beauty of the volume and its plates as a whole, for both Mr.. Browne’s just claims to authorship, and the long recognized skill of the publishers would place anything of this nature at once beyond the pale of adverse criticism.—No, for on the other hand, its peculiar faults are of a far graver charac- ter, and the very fact that it is held at a high price, comes from a famous printing house,and the production of the pen of a distinguished contributor to the literat- ure of the taxidermic art, will for a long time lead many of the new recruits to the profession to believe that its methods are not only af the best, but are all that modern skill represents them to be. This how- ever, is by no means the case, for an advanced student of taxidermy of the present time, after a half an hour’s perusal of the volume, cannot fail but ap- preciate the fact as he places it aside, that in the matters of usefulness and instruction, it is a long way behind the age. They are Mr. Browne’s methods at Lei- cester, and the most of his methods are very bad ones indeed. Many, it is feared, will spend much time in mastering them, only to unlearn, later on, practices that can never lead to the best preservation of animals in their most natural attitudes and forms. Thus this pretentious manual can but retard the best progress of taxidermy, at the very time it most needed a helpful THE NIDOLOGiST 143 vciume;and it can only be hoped now thut as a remedy for this, it may soon run through its first edition, and that afterwards Mr, Browne will visit the taxidermical workshops of other lands and cities, and by so doing gain the opportunity (to be availed of in another edition) to point out really some of the solid advances in the art in which he justly takes so much professional pride. His ‘“‘tools used in taxidermy and modelling” (Plate IL) give one the idea that possibly they may have been picked up in a taxidermical workshop during the 17th Century; and the nearly roo formulae for kil- ling and preserving animals is quite as archaic, espec- ially as we read of red pepper, alum and musk being used as preservatives in the place of white arsenic. His chapter on ‘Collecting’ will be surely read,by American collectors at least, with more amusement than profit, for its author has apparently never so much as heard of the‘‘Cyclone trap’’ for sinall mammals, nor the 22 cal. “collecting canes’? and ‘‘auxilliary barrels” for birds, These oversights taken in connection withMr. Browne’s lengthy and time-absorbing method of putting up a bird skin,are simply extraordinary. Surely it would bea revelation to him to witness the performances of an expert American collector in the field in these days, where in a month, if fortune favors at all, he will collect and put up upwards of six hundred small mammals and bird skins, and these prepared and labeled in the best and most scientific manner. Just why Mr. Browne ignores the methods of making szammal skins it is hard to understand for he does not even refer to the matter anywhere in his book and surely it is a very important one for the taxidermist to know something about. To speak in the briefest terms possible, our author’s method of setting up a large mammal, say a tiger for example, is to cover a paper cast of the dead and flayed body of the animal with its preserved skin; and one of the results of this practice is shown in his Plate VI, where the ruination of two fine tigers and an elephant is graphically represented. Nothing in the entire range of taxidermy can be worse than to expect to reproduce the appearance ofa live, fighting animal by adjusting its skin over a cast of its dead body. It is no wonder that Mr. Browne has no use for photographic pictures of liv- ing animals, nor works upon their anatomy. As to his mode of mounting skeletons he is simply in the rear- guard of those knowing anything of this, extensive and difficult subject, nor does he propose to enlighten his read- ers by what little he does know, for we are informed that the “actual methods of wiring the bones together, and the preparation of ligamentary skeletons, are so much mat- ters of individual expertness that they need not be des- cribed, coming easily with a little experience.” (p. 162.) Passing all this we find many useful suggestions in his rules for the preservation of fish, and many marine invertebrates, while the chapters on the casting and modelling of flowers and plants generally, is a refresh- ing treat succeeding so much that must be considered as bad in the first part of the work, by any taxidermist at all familiar with the modern accomplishments of the science. At the close of the volume, a truly valuable Bibliography of Taxidermy etc.is given, for which many a student of the subject will be grateful. Erratum—In last month’s ‘‘Recent Publications,” last paragraph, read bibliography for ‘‘biography.” R. W. S. $$$ —__§_ The unexpected death of Lord Lilford occurred in England June 17, in his sixty-fourth year. Lilford Hall has a remarkable collection of living birds. Lord Lilford’s additions to the literature of Ornithology were numerous and of great value. 144 THE NIDOLOGIST “Brought to Book.’’ BY EUGENE S. ROLFE HERE are fashions and fads in collect- ing and the tendency of Oclogical collectors is to run to specialties. The general favorite, probably, is the great family of Raptores—with the Warblers, perhaps a close second; while the Grouse, _ the Waders and others have their devotees. ' In the gathering together of great series of sets the selection of favorites is, doubtless, practically necessary and in this selection our Ducks have been generally neglected. Very naturally so, too—when the average number constituting a set and the conse- quent expense and space required is consid- ered, and fortunate indeed is the collector who is able to make sets of this great fam- ily his specialty. For the family itself is worthy of the closest study and,in addition, if beauty and attractiveness of display in a collection are worthy of consideration, it would be difficult to produce a finer effect than that offered by a display of Duck sets arranged with reference to their finely con- trasting shades and tints in their respective nests with natural down lining. And, of course, any general collection to be repre- sentative must contain characteristic examples of this as well as of other families and if funds for purchase are not available and field collecting impracticable, solong as exchanges are so readily accomplished the disposition of some collectors to ignore Ducks entirely is not to be commended. But they insist that identification is so dificult aud uncertain as to make imposi- tion easy and that the only safe course is to abandon the Ducks to their fate and turn to other lines less dangerous—and I have wondered if at some time they have not sought the books with a set of Duck’s in hand and failing to find the tint accredited by the books to that species sorrowfully ended the examination right there. And yet I believe that experienced ficld collec- tors will agree with me that identification from the eggs alone even, is scarcely more difficult than in the case of most other spec- ies and certainly not moreso than with eggs of the Grouse and many of the Rapt- ores. And in field collecting where the col- lector works year after year the same limited area and among only a limited num- ber of species, he becomes so familiar with the appearance, tricks, manner and gaz? of the few Ducks of his acquaintance that he will in almost every instance be able to identify the female flushed without the use of the gun, and this even though the male, generally so easy of identification, may not be at hand and though the females of the different species vary so much less—the one from the other—than females of the Wader family for instance. And when to the evidence “of the bird flushed, (generally speakiug, this flushing is necessary to the finding of every Duck’s nest on land) he adds that offered by the nest,eggs and their surroundings, he is ina position to name his find with as close an approach to abso- lute certainty as in the case of almost any species lacking conspicuous individuality of appearance or producing eggs that do not positively identify themselves. As illus- trating this statement I might say that I have had occasion to shoot for identification but twice this season and in each case I simply proved my first impressions to have been correct. And of fully two hundred sets of Duck—covering those of ten Species —taken here by myself and others this season, I consider that but one set really remains in doubt, and this was a case where the female was unexpectedly flushed and, in getting away, offered no view of herself more than sufficient to prove her Duckship, and the nine eggs in a nest ap- parently not distinctive were of a rich light tan color,about a match for the sheep bind- ing of a law book. But probably this Duck was breeding out of its ordinary range and perhaps this—to me unusual coloration— though not described in the books, would be the very feature that would make this set easy and sure to some field collector really familiar with the species elsewhere. For, surely, the books are, at times, a sore trial,—who that has had occasion to refer to two or more for help in identifying eggs has often found them agreeing, except where one simply quoted the other? And what, for example, is one to think when he finds one really high authority describing the eggs of a certain species of Duck in a single statement as ‘‘drab colored,’’ and another equally critical and accurate author pronouncing them unreservedly ‘‘ashy- green’’? Of course it is right in the sense that his statement is true of specific sets, aud each is wrong in that his statement is misleading as a general proposition. An- other respectable authority, and one that, judging by my limited experience, errs less seldom than some of his fellows, assures us wo that eggs of the Mallard are easy of identi- fication because of their ‘‘elegant green tint.’’ And yet I feel certain that very many sets of this species have been taken that show little or no tint of green—‘'‘ele- gant’’ or otherwise, and, indeed, no less a writer than Dr. Coues is content to dispose of them simply as ‘‘dingy, yellowish-drab.’’ The last named writer makes the flat assertion that eggs of the Baldpate are “dull, pale buff’ and I believe this, too, but I venture the assertion that there are to-day in many collections in this country absolutely authentic sets of these beautiful eggs that, if taken fresh, are as nearly white as Duck’s eggs ever get, with the pearly, translucent appearance that belongs to what we call white porcelain. | And so might instances be multiplied of authoritative book statements, regarded so widely as standard, that appear to seriously conflict, and undoubtedly cause much doubt and perplexity. That these half-truths told by the writers may possibly cause injustice will be illus- trated by a personal experience that may not be wholly uninteresting or uninstruct- ive. In a lifetime spent, principally in Wis- . consin, Iowa, Minnesota and North Dakota I have, as a student of birds and an ardent sportsman, become pretty familiar with the Sandhill and Whooping Crane,and a goodly number of both have fallen tomy gun. The one, roughly described,isa great bird stand- ing, when erect, over three feet in height, and brownish-gray allover. The other is still greater, but with gleaming white body and black primaries. No man in his senses and in broad daylight at short range would by any possibility mistake the one for the other. I had never succeeded in taking a nest of either till this spring. On May 2, while at a lonely cattle ranch far from the haunts of man, a herd boy, some eighteen years of age, rode in and told me he had that morning,while wading his pony across a flooded meadow traversed by. a coulee, flushed a Sandhill Crane from her nest con- taining one egg, and that she had permitted approach within thirty feet before she sud- denly rose up and flopped away. I was afraid that his handling of the egg might have caused abandonment of the nest, but on the next morning just before noon, and under a brilliant sun, the lad and Itoiled away on foot to the locality of the nest, and divesting ourselves of trousers waded the THE NIDOLOGIST 145 chilling waters with its tangle of rank grass and weeds toward the spot which he had roughly marked, when up rushed the great bird just out of gun range and flew to the hillside bordering the coulee, where she was speedily joined by her mate and they stalked back and forth nervously in full view ut- tering their peculiar cries and did not leave the vicinity until we waded out and toward them, practically driving them away. ‘The nest was a crude affair, not necessary to describe here, and contained the now com- pleted set of two eggs——perfectly fresh, of course, with hard, smooth shell, and the ground color of one might be described as yellowish-drab and that of the other as greenish-drab. No man, without shooting for identification, probably ever took a set of eggs of this species under more satis- factory circumstances as to authenticity, and it is to emphasize this feature that I have given the details at greater length than might otherwise be deemed necessary. But when I sent these eggs to one of the best known collectors in the United States the greenish ground of the one didn’t tally with other Sandhill sets in his collec- tion, but did with some examples of the Whooping Crane, and on consulting the great book authority he discovered there a statement to the effect that Sandhill’s show yellowish ground, Whooper’s greenish, and so my eggs, though not definitely rejected as yet, are under suspicion, and my corres- pondent, while considerately absolving me from any attempt at intentional imposi- tion, is still fearful that I have mistaken eggs of the Whooping for the Sandhill Crane. It is true the book gives the Sandhill a smooth shell and the Whooper ‘“‘warty elevations’’ and mine didn’t have the latter but the ground color of the one was so inconsiderate as to show greenish, which the book doesn’t allow in theSandhill, and there you are! Now if my eggs should be suspected of being a ‘‘made up” set be- cause one is yellow and the other green I think I could bear the imputation with much more equanimity than I can to have a mis- taken identification proved on me by a simple reference to the half-truth told by this well-meaning book. Surely books covering so great a field can- not be infallible, but they could be more guarded and less arbitrary and positive on points so difficult of exact determination, and so be less misleading and of much greater value scientifically. 146 THE NIDOLOGIST l.atitude Affects Nidification. Tis as yet not clearly understood why latitude | should have any material effect upon the num- ber of eggs laid to the set by certain species of our North American birds. Yet the fact has been presented to us time and again. One is apt to forget or lose sight of this unless an incident showing the correctness of this statement is brought within the scope of our own work. A case which I shall briefly outline is that of our common Shrike (Lanius ludovicianus excubito- vides), a species whose breeding range extends from Mexico, across our northern border and well into British America. In the north,sets of eggs of this bird are rarely if ever less than six, oftener seven, and not infrequently eight eggs are found in anest. My own experience with this species in Colorado, years ago, where a day’s travel along the scant growth of willow bordering the streams might reveal a dozen or more nests, was that the usual number was seven eggs, frequently six, and rarely eight. During the spring of the present year, while pursuing Ornithological work in the vicinity of Pheenix, Arizona, I frequently met with the Shrike; in fact, the desert scenes would be quite incomplete without several of them in sight. The first Shrike’s nest was discovered one morn- ing in March, after which I saw nothing of it until five eggs were deposited. As my series of this species was quite complete, I did not care to collect the eggs. Happening in the vicinity of the nest a week later, from mere curiosity I peered into it, only to find the set had not in- creased. Another nest which I had found some days previously was next made an object of ex- amination: it, too, contained a complete set of five eggs. Others were found, in which incuba- tion was well along, with but four eggs. In all, probably twenty Shrike’s nests were ex- amined. Half of these contained five eggs, the rest but four eggs to the set. None were seen with six eggs. By way of illustration I collected and prepared four of these small-sized sets to place along side of my series of sets of larger size taken in Colorado. The few sets taken of Gilded Flicker (Colaptes chrysoides) each contained but four eggs. : A well known naturalist, who has done much Ornithological work in Sinaloa, Mexico, tells me that it is not uncommon in that region to find the Red-shafted Flicker setting upon three eggs. From a scientific standpoint I am not prepared at present to say what is the direct cause of the decrease in size of sets with decrease in latitude. At Phoenix the food supply was abundant, and heat at that date was not excessive. This rule, be it understood, does uot apply to all species whose range is equal or not equal to that of the Shrike. For from a nest of the Western Red-tailed Hawk I took three eggs, and in two instances of the White-winged Dove I found more than the usual. number—each contained three eggs. G. F. BRENINGER. Santa Cruz, Cal., July 2, 1896. —+@~+ Raineism, AINEISM is a new word for an old trick,and R it could be spelled, I suppose, by omitting the awkward ‘‘e’’ in the middle of it, but then there would be a risk run in many quarters. as to exactly what the word meant; and I do not wish to incur that risk. It is proposed to dedicate this new word to any fraudulent practice that may be committed in any part of the world in avian Oology or other departments of science; and it derives its origin from one Walter Raine of Toronto, Canada, who is now probably the best expert in the field in such practices. It will be remembered by the readers of THE. NipoLocis? that not long ago this Mr. Walter Raine was concerned in a very unprincipled trans- action, wherein a large number of Grebes and Cormorants’ eggs were collected for him, and to make these look pretty and sell well they were all mixed up together and then sold in ‘‘sets,’’ either for Grebes’ eggs or for Cormorants’ eggs, as the demand required. But all this has been fully pointed out in a former issue of Tar NipoLocisT. Recently we have come across some very lively i a Locality, wn kdontity,. $ Nest. ereeeics copes Te : ethiad tarts, Talne enplays blo com Collectors In Irelans Se(tain and f h a ‘land, Lapland, Groat fhe xels nF exchange, ruco Bir ces in Atmeclens as S te ie = THE NIDOLOOIST 147 cases of Raineism—the Simon pure article—all having been perpetrated by Mr. Walter Raine (of Toronto, Canada) himself, and covered all over with his ‘‘trade-marks.’’ As representative of perhaps not the worst class of cases we have this: Mr. Raine sells a set of eggs of the American Scoter to Mr. E. R. Schrage of Pontiac, Michigan, accompanied by the origi- nal label in Raine’s own handwriting, stating that these eggs were collected on the south-west coast of Greenland on June 19, 1889. The question is: Were they? Up to the present time it is not known to naturalists that the American Scoter ever bred in Greenlan!, and in his work, ‘‘The ‘Birds of Greenland,” Mr. Andreas T. Hagerup does not give that Duck as occurring there, and his memoir appeared in Boston in 189r. This is an example of Raineism, wherein a false locality is attached to the specimens with the view of having them sell better as an unusual set, or at least as a set collected upon an extralimital range. But I now come to aclass of cases ofa far bolder and at the same time ofa more flagrant type. These are cases of downright fraud, and as such are fully deserving of the most severe denuncia- tion that American Oologists can mete out to them, Every one of these cases are easily traced directly to Raine’s own personal fraudulent opera- tions, and are of comparatively recent occurrence. During the early part of last April (1896), Mr. Raine sold to Mr. E. Arnold of Battle Creek, Mich., two eggs of what he represented to be eggs of the Little Brown Crane (Grus canadensis), the set being accompanied by a large data-label filled outin Mr. Raine’s own handwriting. A photo- graph of this labelis’here given, and it will be seen that these eggs are purported to have been collected at Duck Lake, Saskatchewan, North- west Canada. Upon measuring these eggs at the United States Natioval Museum, with an instru- ment of the most recent and improved pattern, divided to one-hundredths of an inch, I find them to measure respectively: 3.49 x 2.08 and 3.32 x 2.01, Now in the collecticns of the United States National Museum at Washington, D. C., there are at this writing sixteen specimens of eggs of the Little Brown Crane (G. canadensis), and these are all from Northern Alaska and Northern British America, none having been found breeding south of Great Slave Lake. Upon carefully measuring these eggs, the fol- lowing results were obtained, viz.: 3.68 x 2.26, 3.66 x 2.16, 3.47 x 2.26, 3.96 x 2.23, 3.64 x 2.17, 3.41 X 2.28, 3.65 x 2.30, 3.54 x 2.26, 3.26 x 2.35, 3.54 x 2.25, 3.83 X 2.10, 3.54 X 2.33, 3-73 X 2.24, 3-73 X 2.18, 3.45 X 2.31, and 3.75 x 2.29—which it will be seen gives an average of 3.61 8-16 x 2 24 13-16, or prac- tically 3.61 x 2.25. So that the eggs sold to Mr. Arnold by Raine as eggs of the Little Brown Crane are considerably below the average for the size of the eggs of that bird. In his ‘‘Bird-Nesting in North-west Canada”’ Mr. Raine gives a colored figure of an egg of the Little Brown Crane, not stating where the speci- ‘men was obtained, and it measures 3.65 x 2.27, and it probably represents an egg of that species. But now to the egg he sold Mr. Arnold again, They are very small for eggs of the Little Brown. Crane—so small, indeed, that the suspicion arose that possibly they were eggs of the Little Demoi- selle Crane of Europe, the species well known to science as Grus virgo. There are three specimens of the eggs of Grus virgo in the collections of the United States National Museum, and they meas- ure respectively 3.29 x 2.16, 3.37 x 2.14and 3.16 x" 2.02. Seebohm, in his ‘‘History of British Birds’’ (Vol. II, 1884, p. 577), says of the eggs of Grus virgo that they ‘‘vary in length from 3.8 to 3.1 inch; and in breadth from 2.2 to 2.0 inch.’’ In short, of the nineteen species of Cranes now known to naturalists, none lay eggs as small as those laid by Grus virgo,—or, in other words, it lays the smallest eggs of any known Crane. The doubt that arcse from an examination and comparison of these eggs in the Arnold collection was greatly enhanced when another set of two was sent to the National Museum for identifica- tion. These also came with Raine’s original data- label, in his own handwriting (see photograph herewith), and claimed to have been collected (June 2, 1891) at Big Grass Marsh, Manitoba. He is also careful to point out on the label that they are the set known as ‘‘Set IV,” and described in his ‘‘Bird-Nesting in North-west Canada”’ on page 167. These eggs were received at the Museum early in May (1896), and belonged to Mr. Albert H.Frost of NewYork City. One of them measured 3.48 x 2.11, and the other 3.39 x 2.15. Upon com- paring these figures with the measurements given by Raine in his book for the same eggs, we find there that he states that they measure 3.47 x 2.09 and 3.38 x 2.18. In any event they are consider- ably smaller than the average eggs of Grus cana- densts for which they were sold, and my examina- 148 THE NIDOLOGIST tion of them by no means allayed my doubts, and tome they looked more like the eggs of Grus virgo than they did as ever having been laid by a Little Brown Crane. However,there was not long to wait before additional evidence came to light. This time it wasa set oftwo more eggs claimed by Raine to be those of the Little Brown Crane, accompanied by his original data-label, and sold to Mr. W. A. Davidson (68 Woodbridge street, N. W. Detroit, Mich.) On the label Raine is care- ful to write that ‘‘This set is recorded in ‘Bird- Nesting in North-west Canada.’ W.R.” Turn- ing to that description, we findon page 167 that it is ‘‘Set II,” and the specimens are alleged to have been collected at ‘‘Crescent Lake, Assiniboia, May 2oth, 1890,’’ and measured ‘‘3.60 x 2.30 and 3.64 x 2.32... These eggs, however, measure nothing of the kind, for they only measure 3.32 x 2.04 and 3 26x 2.00, In other words, they are not the eggs of Grus canadensis at all, but they are the eggs of Grus virgo, and markedly small eggs even for that species.* Moreover, I am perfectly safe in saying that these two eggs never were found in a “nest made of rushes on a sandy knoll in the marsh, at Crescent Lake, Assiniboia,’’ but they were doubtless purchased at a very moderate sum from some European dealer, by Mr. Walter Raine of Toronto, Canada, and sold fora good stiff price to Mr. W. A. Davidson of Detroit, Mich. A photographic copy, made by myself, of a letter of Raine’s to Mr. Davidson, herewith reproduced, will throw additional light upon this subject. In other words, Mr. Raine buys eggs of Grus virgo cheap from dealers in Europe (mks. 2.25) and sells them to American collectors, dear, as the eggs of the Little Brown Crane, stating at the same time that they were secured either by himself or his collectors in North-west Canada, in localities where the Little Brown Crane is not known to breed. You have been caught napping again, Mr. Raine, ’ but this time I believe it to be the sleep of death, —that is, death to your fraudulent practices and your successes in deceiving, all over this country, the collectors of eggs of North American birds. R. W. SHUFELDT. gth July, 1896. roe Special We have a small surplus of two especially valuable back uumbers, and offer one of each, for 30 days, or until extra stock is exhausted, to every renewal or new subscriber. Theseare in addition to other premiums, and may be had by those who speak early for them and enclose two 2-cent stamps extra. November ’94 number contains, among other features, a fine colored plate of a set of White-tailed Kite’s eggs, natural size. May *95 number includes numerous valuable articles: “Apparatus” (z//ustrated); “Hints for Egg Col- lectors;’’ New Method of Blowing Eggs’? (z//us- trated); ‘‘Hints to Campers and Cruisers”’ (cllus- trated), etc. * I have received a letter from Hermann Rolle, a dealer in eggs in Berlin, Germany, dated July 9, 1896, which throws light on this subject. The following extract is quoted ver- batim: . ‘‘Very likely I have send Grus virgo to Canada (Mr. W. Raine), but Iam not quite sure of it. Certainly they are specimens of this European Grus in your country. If you desire, I can send you also clutches or singles of it.”” Cahto Birds BY RICHARD C. McGREGOR [A list of birds observed in northern Mendocino county, California, during the spring of 18809. ] ( Continued ) 28.—Agelaius gubernator.* A large number of these birds took up their quart- ers on the marshy flat as soon as the creek overflowed. vide ante p. 94. 29. — Sturnella Abundant. 30.—Icterus bullocki.* Abundant 31.—Scolecophagus cyanocephalus. very abundant—large numbers always found about the cow yards. 32.—Carpodacus mexicanus frontalis.* Very abundant. 33.—Piuus tristis. magnu neglecta.* Abundant. 34.—Spmus psaltria. Rather abun- dant. 35-—Spinus pinus. Taken on two occasions. 36.—Ammodramus sandwichensis alau- dinus. A single bird taken. 37,—Chondestes grammacus strigatus.* Fairly abundant. 38.—Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelt. Abundant. 39.—Zonotrichia coronata. Abundant. 40.—Spizella socialis arizonae.* The most abundant of all the /rzngillidae. 41.—/Junco hyemalis oregonus. A male taken May 20, resembles very closely a specimen in my collection from Salem, Oregon. The Cahto specimen has a lighter back and slate upper tail coverts. Mr. Authony pronounces it intermediate be- tween /. thurbert and oregonus. 42. — Melospiza fasciata samuelis.* One specimen taken. Identified by Mr. Ridgway. ; 43.—Pipilo maculatus oregonus.* Fairly abundant. Specimens from here are typical of neither ovegonus nor megalonyx but seem to resemble more nearly the former. 44.—Pipilo fuscus crissalis.* dant. 45.—Habia melanocephala.* Abundant in the willows along the creek. 46.—Passerina amena.* 47.—Piranga ludoviciana. in the taller pines. Abun- Rare. Abundant [CONCLUDED NEXT MONTH] For record of partial albino - a et THE NIDOLOGIST 149 ero aires Ss the Meadowlark hides from the sun, and the song birds at noon are mostly silent (sad- dened thet the merry love season is past, perhaps) I betook me to the hills in search of verdure— green vines and chapparel—some wistful remind- ers that might be of the beautiful spring, which had gone on regretfully but inevitably to cheer the myriad life on the other side of the earth. There was nothing to be seen or heard in ali the hills of California like the riotous exuberance of the songsters on a day in April. Hidden in a growth of brush and vines, over running water, a Thrush whistled low, a note full of questioning. A lonely Ground Wren, in some cool retreat, surprised me by uttering its sweet song, but it was not the loud, clear note of spring-time. Some Goldfinches there were that sang sweetly, and saucy California Jays could be heard occasion - ally screeching in the shrub oaks as usual, as though to declare that neither time nor seasons could alter their audacity. Then, also, a Spurred Towhee cried out querulously from a brush tangle where a dog had been delving for rabbits, and I strongly suspect that it had a second brood of young hidden somewhere in those vines and briers. Truly the wooded hills were a delight after coming from the confines of the tiresome city, but they were not as once they were; and as I made my way up a tiny canyon the wind blew in my ears a strange sort of sadness. I searched for a little brook through the ferns, but no water ran, and I thought, like the grass in the path, it was dead—killed by the sun’s intensity. Where do the bird dwellers in the woods go now to drink and bathe, ‘I queried? Just at that moment I heard a noise clear and regular—unmistak- ably it was water, dripping into an un- seen pool. What sound is more grate- ful and delightful to the ear of the thirsty! In one leap I was down on the gravelled floor of the miniature brook, its steep sides dense with ferns, weeds and vines, which formed almost a pro- tecting canopy of green. I stooped and peered, and there I beheld a most pleasant sight. An elfin waterfall, not tumultuous, but [_ ‘te in July, when the fields are brown, and . acluster ot auizk drops, formed a reservoir in a sylvan grotto. Here, indeed, was the birds’ water supply. My question was answered. Although I had discovered it by accident only, so well was it hidden, all the winged dwellers of the brush, I have no doubt, had known it long. Lying there, looking upward, I thought, as I have often thought, how the birds must enjoy the scenery of the corpses, the weeds and the ferns. It is easy to see from such a spot with the eves of the ground bird, pausing after his drink, perhaps, before he flies. The abrupt, creviced walls of the miniature river-bottom, with their clinging vines, transports he who gazes thus, to a land of unreal- ity, while shutting out the sky above, droops that stupendous forest of ferns. So it must appear to the Wood Warbler or the Wren, if they are sensible of such matters, and who is there that dare say that birds have not thoughts of their own? Alameda, Cal. H. R. TAYLOR. eee Killdeer Plover at Hartford. While out collecting June 6, 1896, I found a nest of the Killdeer containing four eggs, situated on a small hammock, with small bits of grass and moss for a nest lining. It was in a pasture near apond. The eggs are light drab color, thickly blotched with black and umber, and pyriform in shape. This is the first set taken near Hartford. I should judge by the size of the embryos that they were laid about May 20. The Killdeer is not at all a common bird near Hartford. CLIFFORD M, CASE. Hartford, Ct. +o A CORRECTION.—A typographical error in W. E. Sherrill’s article on the White-necked Raven in the last number gives the time of laying as between three and nine o’clock. These hours should be corrected to ‘‘between ezght and nine o’clock.”’ roe Woodcock on Nest. Through the courtesy of the ‘‘Maine Sportsman” we present the accompanying remarkable photo- graph to our readers. It is of the same class as the excellent picture from life of Grouse, Wood Pewees, and others which have been published in THE NIpoLociIsT, and as a snap shot of this partic- ular bird we are safe in saying that it is unique. 150 THE NIDOLOGIST THE NIDOLOGIST. AN ILLUSTRATED MONTHLY MA GAZINE DEVOTED SOLELY TO ORNITHOLOGY With Special Reference to the NIDIFICATION OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS H.R. Tayor, Editor and Proprietor DR. R. W. SHUFELDT, of Smithsonian Institution, Associate Founded at Alameda, California, September, 1893 WE EXPOSE FRAUDS Official S32 Cooper Ornithological Club of the Pacific Coast Subscription (in ae Ue): - $1.00 (Foreign subscribers add 12 cents for postage) Single Copies, = = 15 cents Remittance may be made in any form The Marerne is not sent after subscriptions have expired FOREIGN AGENTS _ SWANN & Co., 1-2 Bouyerie Street, Fleet Street, London (C Original contributions, with or without illustrations, are desired. ADVERTISING RATES FURNISHED Publisher’s Notices. While our regular Fall renewals of subscription, with new ones also, are coming in fast, we would remind all that this magazine is not mailed after subscriptions expire. Ihe rule implies no distrust or disrespect to any, being simply the impartial application of a necessary business principle, which we have followed since No. I, Vol. I. A very fine photograph has been taken for us of the nest and eggs of the Western Evening Grosbeak, and the rare find will be pictured in a colored plate now in preparation for the Septem- ber number, opening a new era with Vol. IV in the history of this publication. A complete index to Vol. III, kindly prepared by Mr. Richard C. McGregor, will be issued with our next number. - o> In publishing, for the information of Oologists, the facts regarding certain sets of eggs from Waiter Raine, we are willing to print a reply from him, if he chooses to write one, provided it is a proper and respectful rejoinder, and devoid of any attempt to ‘‘bluff.” il Send us news and records of interesting ‘‘takes’’ during the past season. Pseudo Eggs of N. Longirostris. A few months ago the editor of this magazine came into possession, hy purchase from a dealer in the East, of a set of four eggs, alleged to have been collected personally by Walter Raine in Yorkshire, England, asappears from the data in his own well-known handwriting, of which a —— ser marx. C# see ey t Scientific 2 ee Sean Ving bikie Cakwa.. DATE. SSG IPE. : Be a ae DPA. Mhlay Nae be IDENTITY..... Chet... -INCUBATION, ) REMARKS. Dhafoaad Alearg. eel f face. tid, Es can. teh, Jukerhus Ui rlarcla.... Aer a eae Y& OR ac eI EIEN COLLECTOR faithful photographic copy is presented herewith. It will be seen that the eggs are declared to be Long-billed Curlew, longirostris, and that Raine stated that he ‘‘found those of our Numentus many nests,’’ whereas, according to Seebohm and other of the highest authorities on British birds, this Curlew was zever known to breedin England. The Common Curlew, however, whose eggs are catalogued at 15 cents, is found breeding there, and as the eggs of the two are much alike, Raine’s are probably Common Curlew’s, and are certainly not Long-billed Curlew’s. ; There are, no doubt, many other of these so- called Long-billed Curlew’s sets, taken by Mr. [ From Oological Collection of WALTER RAINE, Toronto, Canada. Vy betlee, Cultuur “bleuhedasd, 5 Fy es Vice Se a. Set Mark MM... Remarks ... ads Alora hi Te | Name. we a Wetlalicll na No. of Eggs in Set Incubation yz eae) Aeahlue OTE-—W., Raine employs his owa Collectors in Iceland, Greenland, Lapland, Great Bu and NorthWest Canada, and has for sale or exchange, rare Birds’ Eggs. Lowest Prices in Ameri Publisher of " Bird Nesting in North-West Canada." Raine or his collectors 77 England, scattered over the country. We have seen two others, and the data accompanying one oi these, in the collection of Mr. C. Barlow, of\ Santa Clara, Cal., is here reproduced in fac simile. EXCHANGE DEPARTMENT. TERMS:—onE CENT PER WORD. No notice for less than 25 cents. Address printed free, ~ \A/ANTED—First class skins, Warblers especially - desired. Also any good sets of eggs—many common ones wanted, with- nests if possible. Have some good skins to exchange. - Send in your lists. I want at once a good rifle, 22 caliber; will pay cash. am ERNEST ADAMS, 300 E San Salvador st., ae San Jose, Cal. = a fa EXCHANGE~—Back volumes of Museum, Oolo- oe gist,Popular Science News, Natural Science News, _ etc. Scientific; Natural History and other books and birds eggs. Wanted. First class skins A. O. U. 285, _ 300, 332, 478, 521, 621, 701, and others. Ps, G, N. UpHam, Coffeyville, Kans. cee ANTED—A second-hand copy of either Coue’s a . Key or Ridgway’s Manual, for which I will give birds eggs, nests, bird and mammal skins, Parties having either to dispose of will please co respond with ALBERT LANO, Aitkin, Minn. | exchange for desirable sets. THE NIDOLOGIST | ili. FO EXCHANGE—Fine nests of Am, Goldfinch, Traill’s Flycatcher, Bell’s Vireo, Yellow Warbler | etc., for common eggs in sets, FRED Matsy, Olathe, Kansas, O EXCHANGE — Buff Cochin and White Leg- horn eggs for good sets. $1.00 per setting. RUSSELL GRAY, 7oth and Haverford st., Philadelphia, Pa. Nartces have a few fine sets of Cassin’s Purple Finch, Brewer’s Sparrow, Sage Thrasher, etc., to Also lessons in Hypnotism and Mesmerism for sets. Send lists of strictly first class sets. Isador S. Trostler, ‘ 4246 Farnam st., Omaha, Neb. ANTED—At once, a nice set each of Purple Finch and Slate-colored Junco, with nests if pos- sible. For same I will give good exchange in other eggs and pay some cash, I also have full sets to ex- change for others not in my collection. Send list and receive mine. Letters answered. ERNEST MARCEAU, 869 Iowa st., Dubuque, Iowa. i _[F you want one of the Best Drills, Blowpipes, Embryo Scissors, Hooks, or anything used in collect- ing, send four cents in stamps for our Illustrated Cataloge and see prices before buying elsewhere. A S full stock of Birds’ Eggs. CHAS. K. REED, Taxidermist and Dealer in Naturalists’ Supplies 262 MAIN STREET, WORCESTER, MASS. # MONARCHS OF BICYCLES AND KEEPIN me F / y ~~. " BY CRA PO ae see ee ee Py ARE YOU} TENTING ? 'S. HEMMENWAY & SON | 60 SouTH STREET, NEw YORK WILL ANSWER ALL QUERIES ABOUT THE TENT YOU | | SHOULD CARRY | : = T HAS been the custom of THE NIDOLOGIST to offer premiums each yearto old and new subse not but that the magazine could and does stand alone, giving in its pages far more value than i price, but as 2 small remembrance to our friends who have done so much to make this unique ye in Ornithology and Oology so pronounced a succes : New subscribers, a by our premiums, will soon a concur in the judgment o are readers ae mere ni illustrations and articles present to them in a full © year for the /ow subscription price of Onze Dollar. The uniformity of hig class matter in fact, ma our back volumes equal indispensable with succe' ing ones. Anticipating the demand for Taylor’s ‘‘Standar American Egg Catalogu (accurately pricing nests and — eggs) we had an ed printed especially to give away as premiums with this magazine. We are therefore ready to are every dollar subscription or renewal, post free, TWO of these valuable Catalogues, one of w will come handy to check off your collection. For an egg offer we have chosen the beautifully marked, pear-shaped eggs of the California _ Murre, not rare, but so large that they areseldom secured in exchange on account of the heavy post These eggs are wonderfully showy. Ours are worth more than those ordinarily sent out, bette choice picked specimens. We could easily have offered a series of Egg prizes, aggregating hundreds of dolce: for 1 most new subscribers sent in, but have found that plan unsatisfactory, as but a very few would secut the prizes. We will send, carefully boxed, post free, two oppositely marked eggs of California Murre with every dollar sent as subscription or renewal, when 4 two-cent stamps are enclosed for packing a boxing only. Boxes are made especially to order to insure safety. Always state which premium you prefer. EGG OF CALIFORNIA MURRE Important—A pplications for eggs should be in eav/y, Present subscribers whose renewals f due during 1896 may remit as soon as suits them, and receive premiums at once. None of these eggs are for sale. Give the magazine a lift by telling all your friends of these offers and securing some new “oy scribers for us. Remit in any form to THE NIDOLOGIST, or H. R. TAYLOR, Alameda, California WILHELM SCHLUTER | RARE ALASKAN EGGS and SKINS — f ¢_______FIRST CLASS WITH DATA———__—9 HALLE A. S. GERMANY In order to close out my remaining specimens, 1 have con- *__Wuchererstrasse No. 9 cluded to cut the prices in two, to suit hard times. Send in order soon and get the benefit. No order filled for less than $1.0 00 Keeps for sale a large and choice stock of European and Terms, Cash with order. Best of References. xotic——, ee Wee ct Set 2 eggs..$2. 7s per set. Skins, ees assin’s Auklet ... a I egg... “ce 2.50 BIRDS’ EGGS Pigeon Guillemot... begga. 50 | « * Tufted Puffin...... eg an. Some and BIRD SKINS of the best quality at very | Fork-tailed Petrel... - “ regg.., 2.00 Sy moderate prices Leach’s Petrel... peau) sos OC Pteron aig 0 : P ae Mallard Duck..... ...... 1.8 to x0 ezgs.. -I5 each, TERMS: Cash and postage with order. No Moreanset Sah wees 7 to 10 SERS 40 o iy €eutlan Sandpiper .. ..... twee order filled for less than $ 2. Aleutian Song Sparoy: 3 and 4 eags. cs eae oy i qauuags “EOF \PB eh TIgN: OY =f i ALATIEDA, CALIFORNIA No. 1. SEPTEMBER E. A. McILHENNY AND Avery’s Island, Iberia Parish, La. I= ASE Sls) se Sr Of Southern Birds’ Eggs in Fine Original Sets with Careful Data TRANSPORTATION MUST BE PAID BY PURCHASER ON ALL ORDERS UNDER FIVE DOLLARS ILA ue Cie Sineeerotnhs ata a etme Se Aine Foster’s Tim..... Phat eee Black Skimmer . MRA PAM LIN Pal ts eaten ur Ite Mexican Cormorant Fla. Cormorant Gah PRES Ys ORS Ss eee eT peas BitterMe set cast deus ites eks saw eee Rees Snowy Heron,........... IU Gh EIS do) Rae ns aerenG GTECMIETSLON sens oR ha eine avai Be eR NOR Yellow-Crowned Night Heron................. AumeriGanpe ere fc ccives p> spinelsteld =F HECGISHMB OER ei eit cent Gitar sake eaviniabonteye Re ane Clapper Rails... b> sas see Reinga iRalloeryy nee ost enaen ion as Purple Gallinule ........... ; ald cer witieraisncee- st hee Thiki Wste x ihiCbes ims leis ee nD Loon eas coen ec he SexaneBObWhite: wn. 6 os ena entes Pane Re Red-billed Pigeon ..........5......- White-fronted Dove................ White-winged Dove......... Rape h ny he ep ane Mex Grounds) ove ye verramqapinarstactramer- ira ee GroundDoveayceanc aaah ThealDoversii.o<... 208 IMOUTMING BOVE Ws oe 4) Sete ao as tee oe ea PIAL RE VAICULL ©: tte has Sha nas dente a AULKC Va WiWltnles ee Ness: Pas eae ee Ree Harlan’s, Hawk.......... Harris’ Hawk ........ : White-tailed Hawk.. ....... Mex Black ia white onsite sehen oe toramiees Aplomado Falcon...... ae sAtdubONS) Catacala men asda en, Peactemenn cise NMexaiscreechi Owl creer nice: ines oe exansscreech) Owls fees oars uss ea udane Ferruginous Pigmy Owl...............5....... PETG ONS Sy Panenpon OO ba gatue mato bed oc nu ao as Wester Nighthawks: «7.3. sce seein see ee I have these eggs in fine series of sets, they are finely prepared, and have good scientific datas. is solicited, and will be filled to your satisfaction. eal _ Golden-fronted Woodpecker Pla. Nighthawk 2.5.00 S525 2 eee ee re Baird’s Woodpecker Central America Pileated Woodpecker Red-bellied) Woodpecker as. 00a anise een ane Red-cockaded Woodpecker............... Southern Hairy Woodpecker @otich’s Kang binds sek ene DerbysHlycatcherds, as sey pishsteete, cn Mex. Crested Flycatcher........ lie Wayans ta stb siees Greenyaynce ss aaeeee Brown Jay....... Mex. Meadowlark. Wessons| Orioles... ieee eee pete Orchard Oriole............ Great-tailed Grackle-.... Boat-tailed Grackle........... Blas Grackless sich. cents Dame Ree he Oats Dusky Seaside Sparrow. :...:..2....:-02-0- 002 Texan Seaside Sparrow Gaxdinal pa aae Gray-tailed Cardinal ........ Nbert's) Mowheerun si eae Lomita Wren. oat dit ial Sone g Carolina, Wren f..2 sf. 2 sec itt Mockingbird .:.......... Bluebirds sess ce Mexican Jacana........:.. ....). Coppery-tailed Trogon.............. Chochalaca fe Your order & THE NIDOLOGIST EXCHANGE EXTRAORDINARY | WANT at once any of the following eggs in complete sets with original data, and also single of those preceded by (*) ; A. O. U. Nos. 1, 2, *3 to 74 inclusive, 77, *So, *81 to 107, 112, 118, 120, *125, *126, 128, any of the Ducks, 172, *183, I9f, 194 281, *202 to 310 b, 320, *325 to 373, *375. 378, 379 a, 385, 393, *416 to 443, 452, 461, 463, 474 b, *475, 478 a, *482 to 497, 505 to 511 a, 512 to 528, 542 a, 546, 552, 554 b, -67 to 580, *587 to 591 b, *593, 595» 597, 598, 601, 604 to 615, 617 to 622, 627, *628 to 650, 654 to 682, *687 to 703, *713, 715, 718, 724, *726 to 723. 754, 758 a to 760, 766. All eggs must be strictly first class. Exchanges of less than ONE DOLLAR will not be bothered with. All exchanges must be based on Lattin’s ‘‘Standard Catalogue” rates. For these, I will allow any of the following supplies, specimens or publications at prices quoted. Sent PREPAID. = 1 | Mammoth Bahama Sea Beaver... - x instruments and Supplies | Spider Star Fish....s.....--+-0- lie Eye Instrument for Taxidermist...........-.. 0-20-2000 $110 | Deep Sea Star Fish 32 a 25. 12 inch Scissor Handle Stuffer ... 250 | Black Star Fish....... SoD 5c 4 inch Nickel plated Caliper... . 200 | Atlantic Star Fish.....-...... 35 6 Inch Steel Rule (mm and rooths) ..... 175 | California Star Fish (large)... = 00 Had Blower, complete, for Oologists.. 3 25 gasket Star Fish (poor).....-. : : Be Water Blower, a “ he So. B50 GlasspRope Sponge (rare) srietteictele ciersicia/ateraie clare lela'alale ela 5 00 KESrrpm Gre Dia ajetale)sjelsivin ele (eiatertiele\eieraia/ole ls pie) inle(n{u ein o/s =/a\uis|= ocel etal $ 40 ~ Fiddler Crab.... 5 Sbogoroeoopoosas ere 20 Minerals ee. ne “Student’s Junior’ Mineral Collection, 53 Varieties, all Chinese Horn-nut . 10 Weuhre lec ielcicisisi-Iniactssieisvelerelel« sa coreon 250 | Liver Bean........... 99) Soooansnonas Io Carnelian Agate Polished, 3 inch .. . 1 oo | One half Dozen Assorted Sea Beans (4 colors) : 25 Chalcedony in Zinc ...........6-++ oo 15 | Eggof Skate............. 2 P 10 Geyserite. 5-06 15 Alligator Tooth...... 10 prosrexus CROCE enn aaa 20 | Lucky Tooth from Co! 10 Herkimer County Quartz Crystal.. 15 | Irridescent Pottery from Mexico. 25 Hot Springs Se LS a9 ; a reoets 25 | es ae oC os 2 RGEC DOL IMO eie eisicfeie ss epee ssi oa as 20 Assorted Shapes.... I 00 Calcite, Mexico. 10 Sea Pen (small) I 00 Onyx, Arizona ........... 15 Sea Pen (large) 2 00 Pearl Spar, Niagara Falls. 10 ‘ a Satin Spar, England........ 10 iS Opalized Wood, California. fae 15 | Indian Relics Fluorite, New York ........ one ro | Arrow Point, Ky SIE GOOdO, abo 12 peaenesiic, press “aacoaaa 10 ss CG" NG esueeisa sn APS : 18 phalerite, Mo.......... 10 < «« New York onde © ae 20 Graphite, New Zealand... 10 SpeanibleadseNe) Gee.) .)<-im15 od 40 Sulphur, California,...... 10 if as Ind.... 2 Suse wae eee se 30 Selenite Crystal, Ohio........... Ga08 aire 15 Drill ln ete main elm preiee ioereeines tae 85 Gold-bearins Quartz, Montana..........-0.seee2- crereeee 15 Gelfealrid era tenets 00 podene $22 “Little Gem” Collection of semi-precious Stones, 19 Varie- Celt, New York.... = 200 Gras; gil Wallet, cocbespoesurosoeGonpedounsosasscacn I 50 | Sioux Arrow, S- D 6 50 StouxmBes@edjAwl Sheathirinwic «elatcie ole ocle sie lare ea) telnici=teleicletete I on Showy Shells 5 ’ : Ibie SS (Chit: aoqo bbe pdegecOpRO DOCEUCOer BR SeDEnooceEocouonad $ 75 Birds Eggs (Singles) Boel ee : : Coe SOM Westenra Gnu lliaeyetet-dataiseiateeislalaintcielelateletetedcleteletstalelete stetatelsteletatsisl= $ 40 Harp! Shall O00 oS American Herring Gull.... aie good ed 20 . op 5 Gaspianwierm st mjeceentatniietntolstelersins's]s/eisle one 45 Mitre Shell... 25 | California Brown Pelican. 85 Cow-tooth Shell Ie . > 5 American Eider - 4 ac 35 pleading: sooth HOSS ae 10 White Ibis 25 ack-mouth Strombus . : atic si idisls tes 15 Si icc ne ee i ae BS Magpie (large) ......- Pee Riel cone oe Se eee a nage Scallop (small)... . 10 Chasalacamenen: 60 Scallop (large). || eee oon ee “ee Capone: Sail 1S Red tailed Hawk . ....... 60 i 4 SPOR Zo) Florida Red-shouldered Haw 60 The “Leader” Shell Collection, 61 sp s, all Labelled.... 5 25 Pine Grosbeak (with data)........ ; wos) 2250 Fossils Logger head Shrike (with data) ...........sese eee e eee ee eee 10 IGEHIGHES TION AtAL sais ninco cic cicis o.oe- cies eeinieinie’s ev Neale $ 10 Foreign Rhynconella Capax... cas 10 = = Zaphrentis Bilateralis ae Partridge Lene ee eeeeett eet eeerseesseesesessisenes ceeeee $ 20 Orthoceras Duseri.... : ae 26 Caper Galeri ccmielanisilateteleteistelelecces<=ces¥<\s/alslcieloielateiejeiciet ==) 75 Scaphites Nodosus ... BODOOSH ERO OOSODE 15 Pentremites Godini..... .... 15 Books Fossil Crinoid Heads, two Varities, mounted and named... 3 00 s x or = Collection of Twenty Varieties Named Fossils................ 2.50 | ..Notes on the Natural History of Labrador,” by Stearns.. $75 2 “Birds of Michigan,” Cook.............- 75 Echinoderms “Birds of Western New York,” Short (2d edition) 35 *‘Our Birds in Their Haunts,” Langille -e= 4.00 Sand Dollar...... sdoosddooa doe OQDUSU boc das Tdogcyaocend 10 AR@MUm Checkslists (abridged): sits -t-c)a\sinafelsistnla ctete(erieterte 1 00 Club-Spined Urchin.. 50 Mainards ‘‘Butterflies of Eastern North America,” colored White-Spined Urchin. 75 Plates of all Species (2d hand) .......-.-.-..+0+0005 20 00 Black-Spined Urchin..... fe, ones oseagtice danteru I 00 Bird’siMggs, Lattin’s: 4225). c ee sews emcee eeseesis «renee 35 _ All eggs must be sent PREPAID at sender’s risk of breakage. Any other sets not listed, and all singles, (except No’s 316, 495, 498, 540, 560, 581) , taken at one-half list rates. Address plainly, ERNEST H. SHORT, Albion, New York THE NIDOLOGIST | A GREAT PROPOSITION! WTIGAG ROLF KONA SINT LOY Tue Nripo.ocist is always ready to meet its friends more than half way on any pian to please, and to advance the interests of Ornithology. Three years of unqualified support from the best class of bird students warrants us in counting on their hearty co-operation in a new piece of enterprise devised for their pleasure. The Farallone Islands, the ‘‘Paradise of Oologists,’’ and the greatest Ornitholo- gical wonder in America today, have never been fully described or illustrated. Farallon Island has been visited by but a hand full among the thousands of collectors who have read of the marvelous myriads of the bird tribes which make it their summer breed- ing home. We purpose to tell Zhe Story of the Farallones, in an elegant souvenir, with artistic cover, to include at least 30 or go Superb IMlustrations, printed on heavy coated paper, the finest half-tones that can be made, graphically presenting the picturesque features of the Islands, with their countless Gulls, Cormorants, Murres, Puffins, Petrels, Pigeon Guillemots, etc., as they are seen in life, accompanied by photographs of their nests and eggs. One large illustration will be a panoramic view of South Farallon Island showing jt complete from Fisherman's Bay and Arch Rock to South Landing, and extending to the ‘‘bridge over Jordan’’—a most ingeniously conceived picture from unpublished photographs, giving the first complete idea of the wonders of their densely populated city of the birds. “The Story of the Islands and their bird life’’ will be from the pens ot C. Barlow and H. Rh. Taylor who have each made three or four expeditions to South Farallon and will describe it from a collector’s standpoint, as a bird observatory, and from a historical point of view, giving concisely the results of the observations of other Ornithologists and publishing MANY NEW AND INTERESTING NOTES on the ways of its feathered clans. The Illustrations aloue will cost a large sum, and in order to carry the undertaking through, we must have an immediate recognition of its worth and importance from every reader. ‘To insure some of the expense of the mechanical part alone we ask that you send us at once 10 2-cent stamps, or the cash, to pay your part for one copy of the superb Souveniy. You then are a partner in the enterprise, and are priviledged to order now 2 extra copies at the same rate. The memoir will undoubtedly sell later at least fwice or trice this amount, but our main object is to issue it as a gift to our sub- scribers, with this small assessment, which alone makes it possible. The illustrations alone will be more than would appear zz a full year in most Ornithologicay magazines. We usually carry out all we undertake, but this is your enterprise, now that we leave it in vour hands. Stamp it at once with your approval, and we promise you your 20 cents or more, will bring returns in 300 per cent. The minimum price (20 cents) subject to conditions, expires wzthin 30 days. Write us at once. Respectfully submitted, HH. KR. TAYLOR, tite NIOOLOGIST Exponent of American Ornithology and Odlogy PUBLISHED MONTHLY WITH ILLUSTRATIONS Vor. 1V. No.1 ALAMEDA, CAL., SEPTEMBER, 1896 $1.00 PER YEAR THE MASSENA PARTRIDGE (CYRTONYVX MONTEZUMAE) RATHER MORE THAN ONE-HALF NATURAL SIZE 2 THE NIDOLOGIST The Eggs of Cyrtonyx. BY DR. R. W, SHUFELDT. Cyrtonyx montezumae, known to us in the vernacular tongue as the Massena Partridge is one of the very handsomest and at the same time one of the most conspicuously marked of the smaller gallinaceous game birds of this country. All over Arizona this bird is known as the ‘‘Fool Quail,’’ while in Texas the gunners call it the “Black-bellied Quail,’ or, for short, the “Black’’ simply. It was originally des- cribed as Ortiz montezumae by Vigors in the ‘Zoological Journal’ in 1830, and consequent- ly has been known to science for a period of nearly seventy years. So far as at pre- sent reported, the geographical range of this particular Partridge, seems to extend so as to include the Mexican tablelands from the capital city of that country north to the western part of Texas, thence westward through New Mexico and Arizona, being most frequently met with in the southern parts of these districts. In the summer time it resorts to the mountains,often being found at a height of 8000 to gooo feet, but as winter approaches it again seeks the lower lands, and the foot-hills at their bases. When Bendire published his account of this bird in the first part of his Lzfe Hzst-~ ores of North American Birds, he remarked of the present species that ‘‘nothing absol- utely reliable was known about the nest and eggs of this bird up to the season of 1890. Not a single positively identified egg was to be found in any of the larger and well-known Oological collections of the country and up to the time of this writing, no description of them has been published. This is rather remarkable when the exten- sive range which this species occupies with- in our borders is considered, and also the fact that in many localities it is by no means rare. Nevertheless the Massena Partridge, next to the Lesser Prairie Hen, Tympanuchus pallidicinctus, is still one of the best-known game birds of the United States. When I published my Comparative Oology of NorthAmerican Birds this tact was set forth in the Table on page 473. This was in 1894,when Coues had given no des- cription ot the egg of Cyrtonyx at all; Ridg- way’s Manual had it that the identification was very doubtful (1887); and Bendire had given a description of both nest and eggs. As Bendire’s work is by 10 means acces- sible to every one, and as it is highly desir- able that more should be known of the nest: ing habits of this species, I take this occa- sion to publish here a very correct figure of the male of the Massena Partridge, and reprint what Bendire has said of the nest and eggs of the bird, with the hope that in the future those that have the oportunity will make especial effort to add to our knowledge of this interesting subject. Bendire’s description is of a clutch of eggs of the Massena Partridge in the collection of Mr. Thomas H. Jackson, of West Chest- er, Pennsylvania, and ‘‘they were taken by Mr. G. W. Todd, near the head of Turkey Creek, in Kinney county, Texas; June 22, 1890, and are, as far as Iam aware, the first fully identified eggs of this species that have been found.”’ The targ- est egg of this set measures 33 by 24.5 millimetres and is w/zfe. Mr. Todd thus describes his find: ‘‘The only nest of this species I have ever seen was situated under the edge of a big bunch of a coarse species of grass, known as ‘hickory grass.’ This grass grows out from the center and hangs over on all sides until the blades touch the ground. It is a round, hard- stemmed grass, and only grows on the most sterile soil. According to my observations the Massena Partridge is seldom seen in other localities than where this grass grows. I was riding at a walk up the slope of a barren hill when my horse almost stepped on a nest, touching just the rim of it. The bird gave a startled flutter, alighting again within 3 feet of the nest and not over 6 feet from me; thence she walked away with her crest slightly erected, uttering a low chuckling whistle until lost to view be- hind a Spanish bayonet plant (yucca)about 30 feet off. I was riding a rather unruly horse, and had to return about 30 yards to tie him to a yucca, before I could examine the nest. This was placed in a slight de- pression, possibly dug out by some ani- mal, the top of the nest being on a level with the earth around it. It was well-lined with fine stalks of wire-grass almost ex- clusively, the cavity being about 5 inches in diameter and 2 inches deep. At the back, next to the grass, it was slightly arched over, and the overhanging blades of grass hid it entirely from sight. The nest was more carefully made than the average Bob-white’s nest and very nicely concealed. “The eggs, ten in number, were fresh when found, pure white in color, rather glossy, and the majority of them are more elongated than those of the Bob-white. A few of these eggs resemble those of the lat- ter somewhat in shape, but the greater number are distinctly ovate and much more glossy. Some are slightly granulated, and corrugations converge from near the middle to the smaller end.”’ AN EGG OF CYRTONX The notable feature about the eggs of Cyrtonyx is that they are distinctly ovate in form thus differing trom the egg of every other representative of the genus Co¢zwas which are, according to Bendire, ‘‘usually rounded ovate or subpyriform.’’ (p. 38). From the figure given by this authority I have made a sketch of an egg of the Mas- sena Partridge, and this is given here, in order that an idea may be gained by the reader of its form and size. meee ee = Western Evening Grosbeak. (COCCOTHRAUSTES VESPERTINUS MONTANUS ) STARTED out from our camp in the Sierras» | on the morning of June 8, with the vain hope of rediscovering a beautiful Cassin’s Vireo’s nest I had discovered a couple of days before. It contained four fresh eggs and was attached toa small pine four feet from the ground. I had left it with the intention of returning and photograph- ing bird, nest and eggs. I thought I had care- fully marked the place but on returning with the camera, had failed after a long search, to locate the spot. We had decided to move camp so after bidding good-bye to our jolly, open-bearted host, Jerry Brownell, who had cooked our meals and pastured our horse for several days with old-time Californian hospitality, I left my partner, Mr. Osgood, to pack up and start out, while I made ny futile attempt at the Vireo’s nest. After searching an hour or so and finding nothing but an incubated set of Green-tailed Towhee’s eggs under a small bush among the leaves, I struck out along the ridge, wishing to find a trail leading to the road a couple of thousand feet below. I soon found a good looking trail and began my descent. While passing through a smal! glade, surrounded THE NIDOLOGIST 3 by oak and pine trees, I heard the call of an Evening Grosbeak. This call note—faeek or Peet I would spell it—is very similar to one of the English Sparrow, though much louder, and can be heard for some distance in the pine and oak forests where the birds were usually seen. I looked up and saw two Grosbeaks, a male and a female, in the top of a small black oak 35 feet from the ground. The male was uttering the notes, while the female wandered about the tree catching insects. Presently she came to my side of the tree, fifteen yards from where I stood and I raised my gun to shoot her, but just as I was ready to pull the trigger she flew up a couple of feet into a small cluster of twigs which I took to be misletoe. Iraised my gun a trifle and was ready to press the trigger again when I saw her settle down,and open her wings and turn round in the commencement of a nest. She soon came out and flitted down, breaking off twigs and dropping tkem until finally she got one of a suitable length. She then moved it along in her mouth until she held it by the center and flew back to the nest where she went through the various contortions ’till the twig was satisfactorily placed. I watched her for some time while the male sat on the other side of the tree uttering his single note. I then jotted down the following in my note book to enable me to find the spot again: ‘Black oak stump 2% feet high, 60 feet west, 60 feet from bottom of gulch straight down from corral, 60 yards up gulch from dead black oak stump. Small pine 30 feet toward gulch, 100 yards below ditch.”’ After looking at the few twigs in the top of the tree again I began my descent once more and reached the road in due time. On the 18th I happened along in this vicinity again, having in the meantime paid a short visit to Lake Tahoe. I started out at 8 o’clock to climb up the moun- tain, expecting to strike the spot in an hour or so. I wasted an hour trying to scare a Sooty Grouse out of a pine tree by shooting into it. Although I saw him fly in and heard him hoot- ing in it, I gave up beaten while he kept up his little song. I then wasted two hours more try- ing to find out where I was at, and finally about one o’clock found myself on the top of the ridge where I began my descent on the 8th. I followed down my old tracks and after walking back and forth along a ditch, to find the log I had crossed on, found it and made for the nest with a very “‘tired feeling.”’ On approaching the tree— there, in place of a dozen or so twigs was a healthy looking nest, and on closer inspection a tail sticking over a little way on one side. I lost no time in commencing to ascend. Though I broke off twigs and small dry limbs the bird staid on until I was within ten feet of its nest. She then flew off a few feet but staid in the tree until I began climbing down. She twice uttered a few weak notes in a scolding manner, but with these exceptions, the cry was the same as the regular note heard on other occasions and the only one I heard the birds give voice to. She kept calling for ten or fifteen minutes, but no other Grosbeak came near. The nest was placed in the fork of a small limb, 35 feet up, near the top of the tree, and was readily seen from the ground. On first glancing into the nest Ithought of Bicolored Blackbirds’ eggs, as the coloration and markings were quite similar though the size 4 THE NIDOLOGIST was much less. The position of the eggs was un- usual but was probably accidental. The eggs were in two rows, three in one row while the fourth had a row all to itself, with the small end facing the middle egg of the other row. Icarefully wrapped the eggs and placed them in atin can. Wrapping the nest I cautiously climbed down the tree with the nest and eggs. Placing them on the ground I picked up my gun to collect the female. She flew 75 yards to another tree and began to pick insects from the leaves. I then shot her, thereby making identity perfectly sure. The nest is a much more substantial structure than that of any Black-headed Grosbeak I have collected. It is composed of three materials. The foundation is of twigs broken from the tree. Upon this is placed the nest proper—of long moss-like rootlets of a very dark color and very small size. Inside this is the lining of light-colored rootlets and a couple of dry pine needles. The inside diameter is about three inches and the outside is fourand one-half inches’) The eggs are of a light greenish-blue ground color, spotted and blotched with dark brown and black. They measure .g6x.66, .g1x.64 and .88x.63 inches. This set of eggs was taken at an elevation of 4,700 feet in E] Deradc county, Cal., three miles from the American River. I saw eight or ten birds at this elevation during four days stay. At 3,700 feet, ten or fifteen were seen the first week in June, two or three being in an apple orchard near an empty house. A pair was scen and shot near Lake Tahoe in some willow trees by a small stream. They seemed to stay in the tall thick pines the greater part of the day, though in the mornings they would visit the tops of the black oak trees for food. Berryessa, Cal. RoLLO H. BECK. pieced before the Cooper Orn. Club, September, 1896. ) + oe The Pileated Woodpecker. BY C. H. MORRELL, ONG AGO, in this part of the state,the great pines, the original tenants of the soil, disappeared before the axe of the pioneer, and now only a few gray, weather- beaten stumps are left, a lingering remem- brance of the ‘‘forest primeval’’ which gave to Maine the title, the ‘‘Pine Tree State.’’ Following the pines came the forests of birch, beech, maple, spruce and hemlock, and now these, too, have been cut down until they stand in isolated blocks or are connected by growths of young trees and bushy pastures. The clearing of the land drove back to less thickly settled localities many birds which were once abundant, and now such birdsas the Canada Grouse, Cauada Jay and Hudsonian Chickadee are unknown, while birds of a more southerly range, as the Crested Flycatcher and the Meadowlark, have become common or occasional summer residents. In the secluded portions of these rem- nants of the forest a few Pileated Wood- peckers remain. Wild, surpassing even the Crow in wariness, they are rarely seen and still more rarely observed. My ac- quaintance with this bird had been limited to an occasional glimpse in the woods, and to the examination of one or two mounted specinens secured by much labor and valued accordingly. ‘That I should ever chance upon a nest of this species was a thought beyond my most sangine expecta- tions, but we are told ‘‘it’s the unexpected that happens,’’ and so it was with this. May 16, 1895, I was returning from a long and unsuccessful tramp through one of the large blocks of woodland, and had reached the outer portion of it—a small patch of large trees free from under-brush, partially separated from the main growth by cuttings—when I noticed a small beech stub with a large hole about thirty feet from the ground, which had the appearance of having been recently made. I had walked but a little way toward the stub when there appeared at the entrance of the cavity the black-and-white striped and scarlet-crested head of a Pileated Wood- pecker. “Just digging her hole,”’ was my mental comment, and I hastened to leave without further investigation. After arriving home I proceeded to examine all the books and papers I had accessible, hoping to learn something as to the probable time when fresh eggs might be expected. Isoon realized that such statements as “first of May to middle of June,’’ while undoubtedly correct, were not as satisfac- tory as would appear at first glance. As for the papers, there were Pileated Wood- peckers in Florida and Ohio, but apparently there wasz’t one within five hundred miles of Maine. Left thus to my own resources, I decided that they ought to lay about the same time as other Woodpeckers, or late in May. On the 28th I visited thenest. A rap on the trunk brought the bird to the entrance, and as I struck my spurs preparatory to ascending, she left the nest, flying directly out of sight without uttering a sound. As I neared the entrance a slight ‘‘screeing” noise from the cavity caused a sudden drop in my expectations, and on introducing a little mirror, always carried for such occa- sions, 2 glance showed my worst fears real- ized, the chicks were even then struggling THE NIDOLOGIST 5 through the shells of four eggs. I de- scended, but as I called to mind an over- cautious Oologist stealthily leaving a nest of fresh eggs, twelve days previous, my thoughts were more expressive than ele- gant. While out gunning October 1g in a local- ity distant from the nest I came across a fine male of this species and secured him before he was aware of my proximity. He is now in my possession, nicely mounted. Early in May, ’96, I was watching the locality of the nest of 95, but several visits failed to show a single bird, though I saw one in the much larger growth adjoining, and I decided they had retired to the deeper and more inaccessible woods,and reluctant- ly gave up hope of finding another nest. A Broad-winged Hawk was located in the larger growth, and on the r1thI went there and made a thorough search for the nest. For hours I searched unsuccessfully, and at last gave up, the Broad-wing circling over- head with a derisive ‘‘sig-e-e-e-e’’ as I de- parted. (And right here I must remark that those Michigan brethren who collect Hawks’ eggs in a top buggy ought to visit this section, where we amass a series by finding one nest with infinite trouble and then securing one set from it each year.) As I was near the nest of ’95 I decided to make another search in its vicinity,and was soon rewarded by finding a hole from which a small portion of a head protruded, but not enough to distinguish whether it belonged to the greatest of northern Woodpeckers or only a Flicker. All efforts to dislodge the bird were vain. I pounded the stub and bombarded the entrance with clubs without the slightest effect. so I strapped on my climbers and ascended. I was more than half way up to the nest before the bird, Ceophloeus pileatus indeed, with erected crest and expanded wings, sailed from the nest to a tree near by, from that to another, and so on until out ofsight. The cavity admit- ted my arm, and in another instant I was holding in my hand two beautiful translu- cent eggs. I returned them to the nest, for I was sure the set was not complete. On the 15th I visited the nest and found the male occupying the cavity. He did not leave until I was within ten feet of the nest,when he flew to a tree nearby. Hedid not leave at once as had been done previ- ously, but exhibited perfect indifference to me, staying within three rods of the nest and occasionally moving from one tree to another and tapping in a desultory manner on the trunk. ‘The nest contained three eggs, and incubation had not commenced, so I again left them. I had hardly reached the base of the stub before the male alighted at the entrance, and, after repeated inquir- ing glances within, entered and disap- peared. ‘The 20th I again visited the nest. The bird flew directly out of sight when I was part way up the stub. At none of my visits did the birds utter a note of remon- strance. The nest hole was in a large dead beech stub thirty-four feet five inches from the lower edge of the entrance to the ground. The cavity was large and roomy, being wider at the top, like a cup, measuring, straight in horizontally, the rule placed on the lower edge of the entrance, eleven inches; depth, fifteen inches; diameter of entrance, four inches. No more eggs had been laid, so I took the set of three. I was surprised to find incubation considerably advanced, as the eggs were fresh the 15th. ‘The period of incubation for these birds must be short—I think not over twelve or fourteen days. The eges average larger than the measure- ments usually given, a common occurrence when the number of eggs in the set is small. One egg is noticeably smaller than the others. The three eggs measure: 1.43 x 1-034 1-41 X 1-02) 1.20.97 in inches: Ten days later I happened to pass the nest and as I passed I hit the stub, and was surprised to see the male appear at the en- trance. I climbed to the nest two days later, but it was empty. The male was probably using it for a roost while the female was preparing another nest else- where. Pittsfield, Maine. ; A Minnesota [en Organize. September 4 a meeting was held at the residence of Mr Mitchell in St. Paul to organize a State Orni- thological Association. Thirty-two names were en- rolled as charter members. Mr. Mitchell was elected temporary Chairman and Mr. Peabody Secretary. A committee was appointed to draw up a Constitution and By-Laws, A communication was read from Rev. P. 3. Peabody of St. Vincent and three sets of eggs of the White-faced Glossy Ibis, the first recorded in the State, exhibited. All Ornithologists of Minn., desiring to join the Association should address W. I. Mitchell, 534 Summit avenue, St. Paul. LLoyD PEABODY, SechiMin OseAs 6 THE NIDOLOGIST FIG. I. Intelligence of Ouzels. HE TWO handsome photographs of Water Ouzel’s nests, here presented, have a peculiar interest attached to them. The nests, it will be seen, are quite different, but the /ocation is identical. The photographs were taken by Mr. H. W. Nash, of Pueblo, Colorado, near which point the nests were found. Figure 1 is the ’95 nest, and that pic- tured in figure 2 isa 96 nest. Being, as is clearly shown, in exactly the same spot as the nest of the previous year, the assumption is fully warranted that it was built by the same pair of birds. It is on the identical ledge of rock, and there it will be observed, are the same ferns and vegeta- tion of ’95—only grown a Uittle longer! We have in Figure 2, (the ’96 home of the Ouzels) a remarkable nest of this species. Notice the numerous pine needles woven in about the entrance, giving it such an odd appearane>. Why this wide departure from the con- ventional, mossy nest-structure of the Ouzel? Mr. Nash suggests that the pine needles were used to effect concealment, the birds having been so often disturbed. And with the two photographs to back the theory it is not at all improbable, and fur- nishes a most striking instance of the in- telligence of birds. H. R. Tayror. WATER OUZEL’s NEST (1895) The Twilight Song of the TMeadowlark. S the winter’s snow banks gradually melt before the sly peeps of the ap- proaching summer’ssun, and March’s chilly blasts scatter the remains of the cold season, our songsters begin to return from the warmer climes. Among the first to greet us in our rambles is Sturnella magna. This beautiful song- ster. who is generally about the ninth or tenth migrant returning to its summer home, usually arrives between the 6th and 26th of March. On a clear but damp morning at this time of year, as the observer starts on a tour in the woods, a loud, liquid ‘‘Te, te—ou, we —ee,’’ coming from a neighboring field, apprises him of the fact that the Meadow- lark has returned. Soon after its arrival it begins an inter- esting twilight performance which can be heard throughout the early part of the breeding season. In 1895, the writer chancing to be in close proximity to a field, observed a bird perched ina treetop. Its position and ac- tions proclaimed it a Meadowlark at the first glance. As I approached it took wing and flewswifty upward, its wings vibrating rapidly as the bird ascended spirally into the air, uttering a hushed but penetrating chattering noise, resembling somewhat the THE NIDOLOGIST 7 FIG. 2. notes of the Chetnra pelagica. Suddenly these chattering noises are interrupted by loud ‘‘chirps’’ or ‘‘cheeps,” like those of a Canary, uttered in quick succession. The bird flew in almost a circle, slowly descending to the ground again. It seemed to have great powers of ventril- oquism (or else the damp air caused a mis- leading influence in determining its position by hearing), for the notes appeared to come out of the tree—near which I stood—but every twig was visible and no bird was to be seen, and as I had lost sight of it in its flight I knew not where it could be. The notes grew louder and louder. I was positive the bird was in the tree. But it was not, for I was still gazing upward, above and partially through it. I was puzzled. The bird was certainly coming nearer, for the notes continued to grow louder until I almost imagined it would end by lighting on my head. But the misleading notes did not end here. The noise ceased for a moment, then a sharp and harsh, grating ‘‘cheep” came froma point in the field about eighty or one hundred feet distant. I was vexed the first time this occurred, but realized that either the bird was deceiv- ing me or the air had a hand in the decev- tion. The loud hoarse call was repeated at WATER OUZEL’S NEST (1896) intervals, and I could easily determine its position. A few moments later it again took wing, and the chattering began, broken in upon occasionally by the chirping, until it again seemed almost upon me. Then a repetition of the intervals of silence, and once more the harsh, tell-tale ‘‘cheep’’ from the field. On one occasion, while gazing up, the bird flew directly over my head only about thirty feet above; his voice had so bewil- dered me that I could not ascertain his whereabouts until I saw him sail smoothly over. Whether the dampness, the clear, moist air, or the bird itself caused this ventriloquial effect Ido not know, butI rather favor the latter supposition. As the season advances this herald of spring becomes more musical and utters songs resembling the syllables: ‘‘He—to— weedle’’ and ‘‘“Toodle—te, to—ou.’’ This last note he often shortens to a loud, liquid ‘*Toodle—te.’’ Anu if you observe closely you will occasionally hear his ‘‘twilight song,” although March is the best time for that. Although I have never collected any eggs of this species, I am sure it breeds here, as the latitude is favorable and I have seen old birds carrying food. The Meadowlark is found commonly hereabouts from its arrival until the middle 8 THE NIDOLOGIST of June; then they decrease in numbers, though their voice is often heard. It isa common bird east of the Missis- sippi, andis known both by sight and song, but I strongly doubt if there are many with- in his range who know and would recognize this bird by his ‘‘twilight song.”’ ROBERT B. McLAInN. Elm Grove, W. Va. Cahto Birds. BY RICHARD C. McGREGOR. [A list of birds observed in northern Mendocino county, California, during the spring of 1889. ] ( Concluded ) 48.—FPetrochelidon lunifrons.—A very abundant bird, breeding in the peak of an old barn, thus avoiding the usual trouble with rain. 49.—Chelidon erythrogastra.—Not so plentiful as the last—a few pairs only. 50.— Stelgidopteryx serripennis.* A single specimen secured. 51.— Vireo gilvus.* Abundant, breed- ing in the willows and aspens. 52.—Vireo solitarius cassinit. ess abundant than the last. A beautiful nest builder. 53-—Helminthrophila celata lutescens.* Rare. 54.—Dendroica westiva. dant. 55.-—Dendroica audubonit. Abundant —birds in high breeding plumage taken in the evergreens. 56.—Dendroica nigrescens.* The most abundant Warbler observed. Male birds could be heard singing in the larger trees every day, and it was quite a common matter to take both male and female from the same tree. 57-—Dendroica townsend?. A single specimen, in company with the next, was secured from a large fir during a shower. Fairly abund- 58.—Dendroica occidentalis. One male in fine plumage was secured. 59.—Geothlypis macgillivrayt. Fairly abundant. 60—Geothlypis trichas occidetalis. Fairly abundant. 61.—Icteria virens longicauda.* A number of fine specimens taken. 2—Harporhynchus redivivus. specimens secured. A few 63.— Thryothorus bewickii spilurus, Fairly abundant. 64.—Troglodytes c@don More abundant than the last. 65. Certhia familiaris A few birds seen—two taken. 66—Sztta carolinensis aculeata. dant. 67—Parus inornatus.* uals seen. 68.—Parus riufescens. 69.—Psaltriparus minimus. Abun- dant-—unfortunately no specimens were taken so I cannot be certain that this is not californicus. Judging trom the other species of birds taken it seems that the chances are greater of birds being P. mznzmus from here. 70.—Regulus satrapa olivaceus. A single specimens, male, taken during a light shower. 71.—Turdus ustulatus parkmani.* occideutalis . Abun- A few individ- Abundant. A few speci- mens seen. 72.—Merula migratoria propingua. Abundant. 73.—Sialia mexicana occidentalis. Occasionally seen. Cooper Ornithological Club. No August meeting of the Southern Division was held, but an interesting meet- is booked for September 26. The Northern Division met at San Jose September 5, with a large attendance. It has been decided to take up the prepa- ration of a complete annotated list of the Land and Water Birds of California. The work will be begun by County Committees in each county in which the Club is repre- sented by members. Information concern- ing the work will be sent out during the month and Messrs. Bryant and McGregor have been appointed a committee to receive the county lists when completed. Mr. R. H. Beck read a paper on the nest- ing of the Western Evening Grosbeak, and exhibited the nest and four eggs described inthe paper. The article appearsin full elsewhere. Mr. R. C. McGregor of Palo Alto gave an interesting talk on Panama and some of its birds, based on his ex- perience as one of a party who was sent to Panama last December for the purpose of making a collection of the fish. Owing to an attack of fever and time spent upon the fish Mr. McGregor collected but seventy- five specimens, representing thirty-six species. ‘‘The immediate vicinity of Pan- ama is not suitable for good collecting, but ifone gets a little way into the interior birds are numerous enough both in species and individuals. Among the large birds, by far the most numerous were the Black Vultures or Carrion Crows. They area familiar feature of all southern towns and are ever on the watch fora choice bit of refuse meat. During a shower they made no effort to find shelter but sat humped up on the tile roofs until the rain ceased. As the sun came out they spread their wings to dry, making a good imitation of some of the Heron and Gull fire screens which are so common. ‘“A few of our Turkey Vultures were sometimes seen. ‘The nativessay this kind come from Jamaica during the winter but go away during the summer. Probably the next bird in respect of numbers is the Frigate Pelican. I first saw them at Mazatlan, Sinoloa, but of course they range much farther north as the observations of Mr. Bryant show. At Panama they are abundant anywhere along the water front. They are exceedingly graceful in flight, for which their wings are well fitted and as they slowly open and shut their long, forked tails one is reminded of a pair of shears. Mr. Bryant (Nid. I. p.1.) has already spoken of their Mexican name meaning scissors. In spite of the weak feet, the Man-o’-War Bird is able to perch upon a tree in a very respectable manner, as all of our party can testify. Among the birds observed belonging to our fauna and which are more or less familiar to collectors in the United States were the following: California Brown Pelican, Spotted Sand- piper, Green Heron, Sparrow Hawk, Groove-billed Ani, Rieffer’s Humming- bird, Dickcissel, Yellow-throated Vireo, Water-Thrush and Prothonotary Warbler.’’ The Northern Division meets October 3 at Oakland. +o LEVERET? M. Loomts of the California Academy of Sciences found a new Petrel on the Fara/lones this year. He has not yet determined if it is separable from Leach’s. Six eggs were found, which are said to be larger than the Ashy Petrel’s. Mr. Loomis will leave shortly for another visit to Monterey to work on the migration of Sea-birds, = aS Enclosed find $1.00, for which continue my sub- scription. Although you are not as easily reached by us Eastern bird lovers as before I shall keep on taking the ‘‘Nip’’ even if vou should move to Australia. WARREN H. SMITH. Fairmount, Ohio, THE NIDOLOOIST A New England Heronry. VISITED a Night Heronry on May 12, | and thinking that my experience might be of some interest to your readers I send you this brief account. I met my collector friend at the Union Station in Boston and we took the noon train for a station in Essex county. After leaving the train a halfhour’s walk brought us to the top of a large hill, at the foot of which was a swamp composed of fir, white spruce and maple trees. This swamp although not large in extent, contained 300 or more Heron’s nests. ‘This Heronry is not regularly harried and the few eggs taken will not in the least injure its useful- ness as a colony. The swamp was inaccessible from many points but we finally made an entrance by jumping from hammock to bush, but the ground was easily shaken at each step. No nests were encountered till we had pro- gressed for fifteen or twenty rods, then the familiar ‘‘quaw’’ reminded us that we were in a busy community. We started examin- ing those bunches of sticks that appeared in almost every tree, and out of sixty-two only one of them was without eggs. In some trees there were two nests, one about two feet above the other. The majority contained four and five eggs, but two nests held six eggs each. The nests were in slim, white spruce or fir trees, and were from fifteen to twenty-five feet high, although there were a few in tall maples. After climbing several trees my friend Will said, ‘‘this is too much shinning,’’ and he began to make trips from the top of one tree to another, until he had visited four trees before he returned to the ground, and he accomplished this feat several times. We only examined nests within a radius of 150 square feet, but afterwards walked over a halt acre or more where the nests seemed to be abundant. J. R. MANN. Arlington Heights, Mass. 10 THE NIDOLOGIST Notes from Ohio. N JUNE 2, 1895, while hunting for a nest of the Indigo Bunting, I flushed a Woodcock from her nest contain- ing two eggs. As the nest was near a path I was afraid to leave the set to be completed, so I took the eggs and substi- tuted two stones as near Jike the eggs as I could find. I then continued my trip up the small creek I was following. Returning in about two hours I thought I would take a look at the nest to see if the stones had fooled my bird. Walking cautiously, so as not to scare the bird if she should be on, I approached the nest. She was on but flew up before I was within a yard of her. Imagine my surprise when looking down I saw she had laid the third egg in my absence! The next day I again visited the nest to take the fourth egg; but in this I was dis- appointed, although the bird was still sitting on the stones. Two days after- wards I weut to the nest again but she had left, so I cnly secured a set of three. While fishing on June ro of this year, a boy across the river from me ran across a young Spotted Sandpiper and immediately gave chase. ‘The bird made at once for the river, ran in and swam out about ten feet. The boy tried to hit it with a pole, but every time he struck the bird would dive. It was about half grown and was as yet unable to fly. On the 29th of June a friend and I were standing knee deep in water fishing for bass. Bank Swallows were numerous and kept flying around very close to us. One made a dash at an insect, caught it, and then settled on my friend’s fish pole. * It devoured the insect and then commenced to view its surroundings, looking first in one direction and then in the other. My friend kept perfectly quiet, but all the time moving his pole in nearer to him. At last the bird was in reach—he waited till the Swallow looked in the other direc- tion and then picked him off the pole. After examining him we sat him back on the pole but he did not stay there long. Perhaps he was not surprised when my friend grabbed him, but the ‘‘squak” he gave seemed to confirm that idea. The Red-headed Woodpeckers have been making use of the poles of the local [* Mr. A. H. Wheatley has described in THE NIpoLocisT a similar action of a Water Ouzel.—Eb. ] telephone company to build their nests. The poles have not been here more than a year, yet many of them contain excava- tions, in spite of the fact that there are many dead trees in the vicinity. On July 8 I climbed one of the poles, from an exca- vation in which a Woodpecker had flown. The nest contained threeeggs. I left them until the rrth and then visited the locality again, expecting to take a set of four or six. No more eggs had been deposited and so I took the three. They were very slightly incubated. On July 29 I again saw the bird fly from the hole. Ascending I was soon in possession of five more eggs. The excavation had been made several inches deeper. What I want to know is whether to call ita set of eight, or two sets, one of three and one of five? E. A. DooLirrLe. Painesville, Ohio. * * * Infested Nests of Swifts. Noticing an article about the Chimney Swift in the last issue of THE NIDOLOGIST, I would add to that a little of my own ex- perience. In every case where I have taken the nest of the Chimney Swift I have always found it infested with ‘‘bed-bugs;’’ so much so, that they were difficult to clean for preservation. My experience was in and about Rockville, Conn. The birds also, when caught, have bed-bugs on them, and I came to the conclusion that in this way bugs were often taken from one dwell- ing to another. Jos. M. WADE. Boston, Mass. Pas Phalaropes in the Park. I noticed 22 Wilson’s (?) Phalaropes on the lake at the Park yesterday, they were very tame, and szwzming about with greatest ease. They were wild birds, as they flew short distances, but didn't care a snap for the crowds. H. B. KAEDING. San Francisco, Aug. 22, ’96. +o That the conscientious work accomplished by the numerous representative Oologists who com- piled ‘“‘Taylor’s Standard American Egg Cata- logue”’ has been recognized is demonstrated by its very general adoption by exchangers of nests and eggs, who find it nearer a true ‘‘standard” than any list previously attempted. THE NIDOLOGIST ; 2 11 Exchanger’s Aphorisms. Eggs with nest are best. wate Identity isthe thing,even if you write it ‘‘shure”. To pack eggs economically—use plenty of cotton. A prompt correspondent is a man to swear by. A slow correspondent is a man to swear at. A “reinforced”? box can stand hard kuocks, but a flimsy affair will never get there. No eggs are too common to be well prepared and accompanied by full data. au “incomplete” set is better than none, but honesty requires that it be so called. Blessed (nit) is he who leaves off the A. O. U. number. Science is the religion of patience your work shows it. See that SS Raine Bets. We promised to printa reply from Walter Raine, aud he sends the following for publication: RAINE BETS 2 TO I. Special bet—I will bet both Mr Shufeldt $200 to $100 as follows: I. That the set from Cresent Lake came from that locality and not from Europe. 2. Thatthedatais in Mr. Rippon’s own writing, 3. That I will produce a set of unmistakable eggs of Little Brown Crane collected as recent as the past season. 4, That this set shall be accompanied by original data with a letter from the collector. 5. That I will produce two letters from the collector besides myself swearing to the fact they have received eggs of Little Brown Crane, from N. W. Canada. 6, That I will produce letters from at least five Canadian Ornithologists, stating they are confident the Little Brown Crane nests in N. W. Canada. If I prove the above Mr. ,is to pay me $100 within a month, butif I fail to prove the above facts I will pay Mr. , $200. Signed, W. RAINE. Taylor and Accepted by Mr. ——_+o+—_ Unusual Nesting Sites. I found last spring, near Sombra, Ontario, the nest of a Chipping Sparrow built on the ground, and a nest of the Vesper Sparrow built in a bush near the house. The occurrence seems unusual in both species Marine City, Mich. JOHN A. LINK. Eugene Carlton Thurber died at his home at Aihambra, Cal., September 7, aged 31 years. He was an Associate Member of the A. O. U., and at onetime a member of the Linnzean Society of New York. He took a great interest in Orni- thology. The common Junco of California was named in his honor, Thurber’s Junco. +o+ The Murres’ eggs sent as premiums arrived safe, and they are beauties. M. T. CLECKLEY, M. D. General Notes. Five sets of the Duck Hawk were taken this year in California. Dr. J. A. Allen, editor of ‘The Auk,’’ has re- turned from a European tour. R. B. McLain, formerly of Elm Grove, West Virginia, has removed to Stanford University, Cal. We have started Vol. IV with a ‘‘boom.”’ Can- not you, whose magazine it is, give it a little shove too? The ‘‘Iowa Ornithologist,” quarterly, has sus- tained the reputation of bird students in its State by issuing some very excellent numbers. J. H. and C. W. Bowles, have removed from Ponkapog, Mass., to Tacoma, Washington, and are much pleased with their new field for bird study. J. W. Mailliard, of San Francisco reports the finding of a number of nests of Brewer’s Black- bird in Marin county the past season which were built on the ground. A. L. Caldwell, of Santa Barbara, Cal., writes that he took an egg during the past season, of the California Vulture. This would be the only egg, we believe, taken this year. Oliver Davie’s promised new edition of ‘‘Nest and Eggs of North American Birds,’’ is not yet out so far as we can learn, although it was billed for publication in January last. Major Charles E. Bendire’s second volume of “Life Histories’ is now out after a long delay in the Government Printing Office. The third volume will commence with the Evening Gros- beak, ‘Biological Survey’’ is the new and appropriate name given by Congress to the Division of Orni- thology and Mammalogy of the Department of Agriculture, of which Dr. C. Harte Merriam is Chief and Dr. T. S. Palmer, Assistant. Enclosed please find $1.00 for subscription to the ‘“‘Nid”’ for Vol. IV. Am highly pleased with the investment. Lawrence, Kans. G. N. UPHAM. Please find $1.00 bill for your excellent paper for another year. It has touched a tender spot in the hearts of its nature-loving friends. May its future be as grand a success as its past has been. Portland, Maine. J. MERTON SWAIN. Your ‘‘Standard American Egg Catalogue’”’ and also the California Murres’ eggs received some time ago. Please accept kindest thanks for both. The Catalogue is certainly a much needed booklet and the eggs are beauties. Aitkin, Minn. ALBERT LANO. Oe True to His First Love. Bowles’ photo of nest of Chimney Swift is great! Will enjoy reading the ‘‘Nrp’”’ much as ever. Galesburg, Ill. W. A. JOHNSON. ae THE NIDOLOGIST SN, ice (Publications for review should be sent to DR. R. W. SHUF~ ELpDT, Associate in Zoology, Smithsonian Institution, Wash- ington, D. C.] PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED. Swann, H. Kirke. A Concise Handbook of British Birds. Yoolscap 8vo, cloth, p. i-vu1, 1-210. London. John Weldon & Co. 1886. Price 3s. 6d. [From the Author. ] MonvTGoMERY, THOS. H., JR. Extensive Migra- tion in Birds as a Check Upon the Production of Geographical Varieties. Yhe Americin Naturalist. June, 1896, pp. 458-464. [From the Author. ] RIDGWAY, ROBERT. ican Family of Passerine birds. Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus. Vol. XVIII, No. 1076. Pp. 449, 450. [From the Museum. ] Lucas, F. A. Osteological and Pterylographical Characters of the Procniatide, Proc. U. 8. Nat. Mus. Vol. XVIII, No. 1077. Pp. 505, 507. RicHMOND, Cuas. W. Catalogue of a Collection of Birds made by Doctor W. L. Abbott in Kashmir, Baltistan and Ladak, with Notes on Some of the Species, and a Description of a New Species of Cyanecula. Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus. Vol XVIII, No 1078, pp. 451-503. [ hrom the Museum. ] RrpGway, Roser. Ox Birds Collected by Doctor W. L. Abbott in the Seychelles, Amtrantes, Gloriosa, Assumption, Aldabra, and Adjacent Islands, with Notes on Habits, etc , by the Golleciors Eroc) Us..s. Nat. Muss Vol. XVI11, No. 179, pp. 509-546. [From the Museum. | OBERHOLSER, Harry C. Descriptions of Two New Subspecies of the Downy Woodpecker, Dryobates pubescens (Linneus). Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus. Vol. XVIII, No. 1lo80, pp. 547-550. [From the Museum. ] RICHMOND, CHARLES W. Catalogue of a Collec- tion of Birds made by Doctor W. L. Abbott, in Eastern Vurkestan, the Thian Shan Moun- tains, and Lagdumbash Pamir, Central Asia, with Notes on Some of the Species, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. Vol. XVIII, No. 1083, pp. 569- 576. |From the Museum.] Jupp, SYLVESTER D. Four Common birds of the Farm and Garden, and BEAL, F. E. L. The Meadow Lark and Baltimore Ortole. [Reprinted from the Year Book of the U. 3S. Department of Agriculture for 1895.] U.S. Dept. Agricul. 1896, pp. 405-430. [From the Department. | PaLMER, T.S. Bird Day. U.S. Dept. of Agri- culture, Circ. No. 17. Washington, July 2, 1896, pp. 1-4. [From the Department. ] ANDREWS, CHas. W. B.Sc. F. G.S. On the Skull, Sternum, and Shoulder girdle of Characters of a New Amer- pyornis, The Ibis (London), July, 1896, PP. 376-389 [1-15] Pll. vili-ix. 3 text figgs. [From the Author. ] ANDREWS, C. W. Wote on the Skeleton of Aptor- nis defossor. Ext. Geol. Mag. [London] Decade 1V, Vol. III, No. 384, p. 241. June, 1896. Pl. x. [From the Author. ] Swann on British Birds. Vf one desires a neat, well-printed, authoritative and handy little book that gives concise accounts of the birds occurring in the Islands of Great Britain, this is an excellent volume to buy for the purpose. Its author, the editor of Zhe Ornithologist, has also written “The Birds of London’’ and ‘‘Nature in Acadie,”’ which latter we had the pleasure of reviewing in these columns. Turning to the ‘‘Preface,’”’ it it gratifying to the scientific Ornithologist to find Mr. Swann announcing the following facts, to wit, ‘« The classification and nomenclature practically accord with those of the ‘‘List of British Birds’’ compiled by a Committee of the British Ornitho- logists’ Union (1883), but a number of necessary alterations have been made, particularly in the matter of adopting the specific names of first describers as far as possible. An effort has also been made to allow specific rank to valid species only, while sub-species or races, instead of being nameless, are distinguished by sub-numbers and trinomials—after the American style. With the exception of the late Henry Seebohm, no British Ornithologist appears to have openly avowed bim- self a trinomialist, so that I shall not escape cen- sure for adopting the despised system, yet until some of our Ornithologists can suggest some other way of allowing a name toa recognised race without giving it the rank ofa species, I will ad- here to trinomuials.’’ An avowal of this nature,and a step taken in this direction, speaks more than volumes could do in favor of Mr. Swann’s ability to deal with the science of Ornithology as a whole, and it is clearthat his studies have given him an insight into avian biology sufficiently far-reaching in character as to bring conviction of this kind to his mind. Upon this he is to be congratulated, and if he ever comes to study such North Ameri- can genera of birds, or as they are represented in Otocoris, Ammodramus, Junco, Melospiza, Pipilo, Viveoand a host of others, he will find what a help, nay, what an absolutely indispensable method trinomialism is. So far as it is possible for them to do so, the law of organic evolution and the application of a trinomial to a sub-specific animal form, go hand in hand,—it is but a convenient method for the mind to appreciate, and fix there by a name, those evident departures from recog- nized specific types, that the operation of evolu- tion is constantly producing at all times within the realm of nature about us. Mr. Swann has made use of, for the purpose of measurement, the inch and its fractions, whereas it would have been far better and more scientific had he adopted the metric system. Again, in presenting his classification and arrangement he commences his work with the ‘‘Order’’ PASSERES, and terminates with the ‘‘Order’? PyGOPODEs. This sequence is now considered by most all scien- tific Ornithologists to be at least unnatural. We should start our Lists with the lowest bird forms known to us, and carry it up through the series, to the most highlv organized and most recent forms. ‘The avian tree has come “fward, and so ‘THE NIDOLOGIST 13 we should follow it, that is from Grebe to Crow,— and not downward, in the reverse order, from Crow to Grebe. And be it noticed here that Mr. Swann places 7urdus at the head of his List, and ends with /yratercu/a, although he has both Corvus and Tachybapies in the series. In passing these remarks, those birds having the so-called “‘struthious characters” are not considered, for neither in the avifauna of Great Britain nor of the United States have we any such to deal with. On pp. vii-viii of his work we find a ‘‘Iust of (senera” of British birds, and upon counting these we find there to be 206 of them,—the major portion agree- ing with the genera represented in this country, or are rather common to both countries. At the close of his volume we also find in an Appendix the ‘‘Provisionally Excluded Species,’’ and quite a number of these are North American, while at different times not a few of the birds of this coun- try have, as stragglers, appeared in Great Britain, and these have been duly admitted in the List. To American Ornithologists it will be interesting to know that amony these have been the White- winged Crossbill, the Belted Kingfisher, the Yellow-billed Cuckoo, the Black-billed Cuckoo, the Swallow-tailed Kite, American Bittern, the Glossy Ibis, and a number of otbers. We further find this little volume practically brought up to date in nearly all matters of importance, with full descriptions of the majority of the British birds, and in many cases interesting life-histories are given. Among its serviceable features is the numbering of all the genera (i-cevi) and all the species (1-381), aud other convenient and useful data, as descriptions of plumage changes, habi- tats, dates and authorities for names, and so on. With respect to the classification, we find some of it to be quite in keeping with the natural system, while in other instances it is antiquated and at variance with our present-day knowledge of avian morphology. Other unfortunate occurrences are seen here and there in the adoption cf the scien- tific name for this or that genus. For example, for our Hairy Woodpecker we find Dendrocopus villosus to equal Dryobates villosus of the A. O. U. Check- List. That is, Mr Swann claims Devn- drocopus, Kock (1816), against Dyryobates, Boie (1826), of the A.O.U Check-List. These are matters for an International Ornithological Com- mittee to settle, appointed by an International Ornithological Congress; and be it said here, the sooner that that is accomplished, the better for Ornithology. In his above cited paper, Mr. MONTGOMERY divides all the North American species of birds into three groups, based on the extent of their migrations, to wit,—(1) Species with exceedingly protracted migrations, but irregular as to the localities traversed; (2) species with more or less regular migrations, of 30° lat. or more in extent; and (3) species which undertake migrations less in extent than 300° lat., or species which do not migrate at all. These three Lists the author com- pares in a variety of ways with the view of ascer- taining to what extent extensive migration in birds has as a check upon the production of geo- graphical varieties, and after a very interesting discussion of the question at issue, formulates the following general conclusion: ‘‘It is the rule that the amount of geographical variation in species with more or less extensive breeding areas, stands in inverse ratio to the extentof its periodic migra- tions.’’ The paper seems to be worthy of careful study and consideration. The new American family of Passerine Birds created by Mr.R1pGway is the family Procnialida or the Swallow-Tanagers. On another paper (cited above) Mr. Lucas describes some of the very remarkable osteological and pterylographical characters of this group. This was originally the genus Procnias of Illiger, and some time ago it was Mr. Ridgway’s intention to establish a new family for it, but it was not published until now. These birds range over the Brazilian, Amazonian, and North-east Colombian provinces. [See Proc- niactine (Tanagridx), Sclater, Cat. Am. Birds, p- 54, 1862. (Sub-family.) ] The papers by Mr.R1pGway and Mr.RICHMOND describing the very valuable collections of birds made by Dr. ABBorT are wonderfully interesting, and extremely useful to those studying the Orni- thology of the Old World. Dr. W. L. Abbott is an enthusiastic American naturalist from Phila- delphia who has been collecting (1890 and on) in various parts of Africa, Central Asia, Madagascar and the off-lying islands. He has sent hundreds of skins to the United States Natural Museum, where they are being described by the above quoted authors. Additional memoirs upon this subject will follow, some of considerable extent. Major Bendire is examining the nests and egegs collected by Dr. Abbott. In a brief article Mr.OBERHOLSER describes two new sub-species of Downy Woodpecker, viz., Dryobates ~. meridionalis, the Southern Downy Woodpecker, and LD. f. nelsoni, the Northern Downy Woodpecker,—the habitat of the first being given as ‘‘South Auantic and Gulf States, from South Carolina to Texas,’’ and the last as ‘‘Alaska and Northern British America.”’ Written from an economical standpoint, the papers by Messrs. Jupp and BEAL are of consider- able interest to the American farmers and fruit- growers, giving as they do the foods of the birds treated. The figures illustrating them are suffi- ciently good, it would seem, for one not an Orni- thologist, to identify the species by. It is to be hoped that such publications as these, and similar ones, will at least have the effect of saving some of our birds from destruction. Greedy man can often be appealed to where the words pass through his pocket with far better success than he can where the naked matter of sentiment is addressed, and the words pass only into his ears. Dr. T. S. PALMER has printed an admirable letter advocating the establishment of Bird Day, setting forth its object and value. His valuable remarks, however, have been so thoroughly repro- duced in the public prints the country over that it would be quite superfluous to re-state them here. In two veryimportant memoirs PROF. ANDREWS of the British Museum describes the skull and other bones of the fossil 4ipyornis from Central Madagascar,and the skeleton of Apfornis defossor, another curious fossil bird of New Zealand. Ona future occasion Professor Andrews proposes to give a detailed account of the more important characters of this skeleton,and this will be looked for with interest by those interested in the study of extinct birds, many of which have been de- scribed lately with great industry by the same author. t4 THE NIDOLOGIST Published and DR.SHUFELDT Edited by Smithsonian Henry R. TaYLor Institution, Associate. Founded at Alameda, California, September, 1893 WE EXPOSE FRAUDS Official Organ Cooper Ornithological Club of the Pacific Coast Subscription (in advance), - - - - $1.00 (Foreign subscribers add 12 cents for postage) Single Copies, - - - - 15 cents Remittance may be made in any form i The Magazine is not sent after subscriptions have expired FOREIGN AGENTS Swann & Co., 1-2 Bouverie Street, Fleet Street, London HAG: Original contributions, with or without illustrations, are desired. ADVERTISING RATES FURNISHED Our subscribers will please note, among the new features of Vol. IV., that we are using 100 pound coated book paper, the best in the market for half-tone illustrations. THE colored plate we have presented with this number pictures faithfully the peculiar ground color and the shade of brown on the Western Evening Grosbeak’s eggs. The results secured by the artist, Mr. P. W. Nahl, surpass our highest expectations, and it is quite likely that other sub- jects will be illustrated similarly in this magazine from time to time. Mr. CHASE LITTLEJOHN, of Redwood City, Cal- ifornia, offers in this number some rarities in sets of eggs and skins from Alaska, collected by him- self. Data is complete and specimens are very choice. The prices are low. Mr. Littlejohn fur- nished the notes for an interesting article by Major Bendire on the Ancient Murrelet which ap- peared in Zhe Auk for July, 1895. THE readers of THE NipoLocis? declare that it is the only up-to-date, reliable, illustrated maga- zine of bird-life in America. It has completed its third successful year. Its fourth volume is under way, and will be a record breaker. Help on a good cause by subscribing at once and interesting your friends in us also. It takes money to grease the wheels of progress, and all who help us will be fully repaid for their interest. RAINE Offers to lay some bets with us. Reply- ing to his proposition, in the first place we are not running a sporting journal. Webster’s Dic- tionary defines a wager: ‘‘A contract by which two parties or more agree that acertain sum of money, or other thing, shall be paid or delivered to one of them on the happening or not happen- iug of an uncertain event.’’ There is too much of chance in this to make it scientific. Two [lore Albinos. was printed in the May Nipotocist, I over- looked two interesting specimens ‘n the Stan- ford University collection. They are in a small lot collected by Mr. Cloud Rutter and presented by him to the museum. The birds may be described as follows: Grasshopper Sparrow. Ammodramus Savannarum passerinus. Wong Pine, Neb. 5-31- 93. Pure white, except edge of wing which is yellow as in normal speciniens. Tree Sparrow.—Spizella monticola. Johnstown, Neb., Jan. ’91. Colors as usual except one primary ineach wing, two feathers of tail and large portion of scapulars pure white. Another odd specimen in the same lot is re- called to mind by reading of Mr. Heller’s cross- billed Vellowthroat (Nid. III. 60.) In this in- stance it is a Goldfinch whose mandibles are pro- longed an.! crossed in an exact reproduction of Loxia in miniature, I am especially interested in abnormal plumages and will be very grateful to members of the Cooper Club, or other collectors not in California, who will send me specimens for examination. All material loaned will be returned in a short time and full credit given in case of publication. RICHARD C. MCGREGOR. Palo Alto, Aug. 28, 1896. roe New Publications. 66 HE OSPREY,” published monthly at IE Galesburg, Ili., with an editorial staff consisting of W. A. Johnson, of Gales- burg, A.C. Murchison of Kewanee, and D, A. Cohen of Alameda as editor of the California department, is the latest venture to appeal to bird lovers for support. No.1, (September) is a good first number, with an interesiing article by E.S. Rolfe, with full page illustration in hal!- tone of nest and eggs of the Ferruginous Rough- leg. The magazine announces that it will soon start areview department. The title is not new having been used for an American Ornithological magazine published years ago. ‘‘Ebersold’s Quarterly,’’ descriptive of natural history in Florida, is a decidedly unique venture, No. I, appearing with 24 pages and cover. Itis published by the Ebersold family of eleven, ‘‘on board the house-boat ‘The Collector,’ while cruising about the coasts of Florida.” There are seven full page pictures, gelatine prints, which are unusually interesting. To print these a regular lithographic roller is ordinarily deemed necessary, but not having one, the house-boat publisher used an ordinary clothes wringer, with first-class results! A colored plate is announced for the next number. The price of the magazine is 50 cents per year, or 15 centsacopy. The address of the Ebersolds until June 20 is Oceanus, Brevard Co., Florida. i? making up my list of albino birds which +o WE WOULD ask that everyone read at once the announcement, printed elsewhere, of the beauti- fully illustrated souvenir to be devoted to the “‘Story of the Farallones.’’ A careful record will be kept of all orders and remittances. Co-opera- tion accomplishes wonders. See that you have a share in this enterprise. Se Mie ie | ee a ld REN ns oe ee ee oe ee ere ies THE NIDOLOGIST » dil, EXCHANGE DEPARTMENT. | ERMS:—onE CEN’ PER WORD. No notice for less than 25 cents. Address printed free. ANTED—A good revolver, Smith & Wesson pre- ferred. Will give singles for same, also have singles to exchange for sets. B. M. GRANT, 1363 Oglethorpe st., Macon, Ga. ANTED—To correspond witha collector in the South, with a view to exchanging first-class birds’ skins this coming fall. Cay offer a full list of Santa Clara County species. Also skins to exchange for strictly A 1 set cf eggs. C. BARLOW, Santa Clara, Calif. nae D bine sets of eggs (both common and rare) , and cloth-bound books, also extra fine Indian Relics; for which I offer fine specimens of minerals, duplicate birds’ eggs, skins, mounted birds and fossils. Gro, W. Drxon. Watertown, South Dakota. ANTED—Partner with $1,000 or more, in a well established collecting and curio business. Address, Box 447, Orlando, Fla. eet men often make great mistakes! Be sure and not make the mistake of not sending for a copy of ‘The Osprey.” WALTER A. JOHNSON, Galesburg, Ill. RIDE A MONARCH AND KEEP IN ARE YOU" — ANTED—I need a few more copies Sept., Oct., and Noy. ‘‘Nid,’? 1895, and for each in fair condition will send one copy ‘‘Standard American Egg Catalogue,’’ H. R. TAYLOR. Alameda, Cal, OR SALE—Fresh skins of the rare Little Black Rail at $3.00 each; send stamp for reply. ARTHUR W. Brockway, Hadlyme, Ct. O EXCHANGE—A fine lot of gold, silver, lead and copper specimens direct from the mines in Montana. Have just unpacked them and wish to exchange for good sets of eggs and cloth bound books, Gro. W. Drxon, Watertown, South Dakota. Vereen hand copies of Coues’ ‘‘Key,” Ridgway’s ‘‘Manual,’”’ Maynard’s ‘‘Eggs,”’ hunting and dog books. Can offer A 1 eggs in sets, journals, medical works, or cheap for cash, Dr. M. T, CLECKLEY, 457 Green st., Augusta, Ga. O EXCHANGE--For desirable authentic sets of Grouse and others, choice sets inseries: Pigeon Guillemot %, Tufted Puffin 1-1, Cassin’s Auklet, Western Meadowlark 14 1-5, Long-tailed Chat 1%, Cali- fornia Murre 1-1. Western Gull 1-3. Can also offer for ‘‘extra” sets of Raptores, etc.; Avocet 14, Black- necked Stilt 1%, Green-tailed Towhee n-3, n—4 and others — Will give a bonus on extra fine sets Red#tailed and Red-shouldered Hawks. H. Rk. Taytor, Alameda, Cal. Sane si 88 TENTING ? S) HEMMENWAY & SON 60 SouTH STREET, NEw YORK WILL ANSWER ALL QUERIES ABOUT THE TENT YOU SHOULD CARRY » a vee) B. Bendire, Robert Ridgway, Dr. Elliott Coues, Dr. R. W. Shufeldt, Dr. J. A. Allen, William Palmer, Dr. W. E. Rotzell, Walter E. Bryant, A. W. Anthony, Leverett M. iy. course) during three full years of successtul ee We were folds at beginning, by an active member of the A. O. U., that we would do remarkably well i if we presented one good illustration in each number—the old “O. and O.” and othe: monthly journals, had had practically none whatever. Westarted in the time of finan panic, but nothing stayed our ambition, and commencing uniformly with No. rt, we hi published in all, 140 original photographs, nearly all fine halftones, with an occasiona’ colored plate. Our pictures speak for themselves, and we our ‘‘going on to perfectio Hundreds of letters from prominent scientists and lovers of birds all over America, and even from abroad have commended the general style of the magazine, its vigorous prosecution of ‘‘frauds,’’ its untechnical, popular but accurate articles, and its unequalled — pictures of living birds in Nature’s setting and of nests and eggs 2 sztu. Among the many valued contributors in the three volumes, were: Major Charles Loomis, Dr. Emil Holub, C. Barlow, A.M. Ingersoll, J. B. Purdy, Eugene S. Rolfe, Hon. R. M. Barnes, J. H. andC. W. Bowles, Prof. P. M. Silloway, Rev. P. B. Peabody, Richard C. McGregor, Prof. Ludwig Kumlein, Olive Thorne Miller, F. B. Spauldin L. Whitney Watkins, H. H. Brimley, J. R. Bonwell, KE. Arnold, Otto Emerson, A. ut Shields, Wm. L. Kells, Judge J. N. Clark, J. P. Norris, ae Wm.H. Fisher, B. Gault, J, C. Caray Fred’k M. Dille, R. H. Beck, W. H. Osgood, George F. Bren: inger, Morris Gibbs, R. D. Goss, Rev. C. M. Jones, Dr. A. “e Helme, Dr. J. C, Merrill, B. H. Swales, A. H. ee -C. H. Morrell, Ruthven Deane, and many other abiod writers and good friends of Ornithology too numerous to mention here. “In closing the pages of Vol. III, we earnestly solicit the subscriptions of yourself and your frtiends,to make volume IV all it should be, can he, and zz// be—if you say the word! Subscription, $1—only and always—Premiums noted elsewhere. Remit early and in any form, to H. R. Taylor, or The Nidologist, ALAMEDA, CALIFORNIA SPECIAL TO OOLOGISTS DON’T Read this unless you have your eyes open to opportunities. Some people are almost too slow to — pick up a dollar in the street for fear it may be counterfeit. They make the sort of collectors who leave eggs to hatch lest they disturb the bird to soon. Most Oologists are “‘up to time,’’and take advantage of every good thing thatis going. Dow’t you let this one slip you! THE NIDOLOGIST is in the field for eggs an! bird notes. We are proud of its record during its almost — three years of successful publication, but mean to susPass it. The enthusiastic support it has received explains all. It is preeminently a magazine for the active collector, and its news of important “takes,” of the whereabouts of Oologists, and bird notes from everywhere, far exceed those of any other publication, and makes it practically indispensible. Even onits advertising pages the collector gets late and valuable news as to the supply and desirability of certain eggs or other specimens. As to the EXCHANGE AND SALE DEPARTMENT, read this sample opinion, from many; 3 “Flave received a number of offers for camera,and have disposed of same for a set of eleven Black-beilied Tree Duck, so I will swear by the Nip as an advertisting medium”. H. B. KAEDING. The collecting season is over and.‘‘exchanging’’? deals are on. If you are 7ot .already a subscriber we will take choice sets of eggs with full data, not too common, at o7te-third ‘‘Taylor’s Standard Catalogue” rates postage prepaid, in payment, for one years suscription only. This is conditional on your taking not less than 100 words in exchange column, to be paid for in sets of eggs at ove-half ‘‘Taylor’s Standard Catalogue” rates. You will be credited with your space in exchange and sale column and it may be used up as you may desire. Note—We are no longer offering exchange notices free with premiums. This offer will not be repeated, is strictly limited to conditions named, and expires within 3o days. Prem- iums not included on this proposition. é Eggs must be in ‘‘full’’ sets well prepared and ‘‘desirable”. We make no offer to exchange subscriptions ~ alone for eggs, even at 4 or I-5 rates. Address éavly, with complete lists offered. Tue Niporocisr, Alameda, Cal. « <= Yy YN ON: an BuIC \ ALAMEDA, * CALIFORNIA No, 2. OCTOBER li THE NIDOLOGIST Ee A Mel HENNY Ornithologist and Oologist AND GENERAL COLLECTOR OF NATURAL HISTORY SPECIMENS | Avery’s Island, Iberia Parish, La. ae Ss caw se eae, Seose ome Of Southern Birds’ Eggs in Fime Original Sets with Careful Data TRANSPORTATION MUST BE PAID BY PURCHASER ON ALL ORDERS UNDER FIVE DOLLARS PSS cee a weet Le ani elin eg Gull es eke se Cy disc siden cet naierces eee O54) Fla. Nighthawksc.o25 =< oshhoncceee pee eee 25 eosterssigleim-w asaya ey Se GEES ML Re Che Baird's) Woodpecker >=... 450 toe. ae eee 25 PRI AG Kan S LONGI aes e ht epae ieeieeeR aee Gees aay 05 Golden-fronted Woodpecker................... 15 ANANEVISTEEN SC Bee RAB ene Cree tens =e ec Dela gaasaeie to Central America Pileated Woodpecker .......... 50 Mexican Cormorant ... ,. Fea Be IER ea 25) Red-bellied) Woodpeckers: S24) ee eee I2 Fla. Cormorant aes eRe es een ... 20 Red-cockaded Woodpecker............... Ae) ea OND! EHIME TEL CT anp ete Aiies cw Le eat ent UO Gol aalee 05 Southern Hairy Woodpecker............5....-. 35 SHOW MELE LOM er keira ss Sl gel ans ds feael | LOeay Couchis) Kingbird es). 5 ya Sk aa 25 arm rLeLOnownatyits ciayncieis') Markcsva tes ieee Roe ee 05) o DerbysPlvicatch ery riacii| eee ee ee 50 Neither mewNe Konia nis ie ney eis) aware oe = =e O5suy Mex Crested sbilycatchens. es ease eee 15 KETC OUEENELOM eyo) pan Sere y mrt ea aya pues OSme Crested Mlycatchern,2)..-02 6). Meee ee 12 Yellow-Crowned Night Heron............. 2... Lose singbird) oes Yoo ke 2 ee 03 PATE HCA DME Te baer pe Use eee ae ren Tan 2508 BING Jay i. 8 wes anincauh eee eee 05 IRGC UNS: DSS iis DN Ae es ee ice Sar ett 15, Green Jays. 3. hess Co Se ee 25 WaeaGlapperRatlva cts jonas eet ee gncpe ety S- AIRON AN Chace ss 6 AGRA es 37 avbeae eeee eae 22 UST TREY LS Fe Gh 2 ea ae an Sy ee kOlees. Wiex Meadowlark 2: = anos tern eee aio) Punjeihe Callie. Sab enioGn eters essen acco =. 2, slog, WessonsiOriolec v.22 22-19 contd ee eee 20 RSC ee es nee ass ite eon! Ver kiero ne mien a Loses Orchard\@niolenge-1e. oc oan a 03 Rape BOD Where tie Oe ves ne cay Clem aN Loy, Great-tailedyGracklés=. =... 4a eee 05 WicxansBobwhiterr. ne Licetnn saenenteres Hee TOjeesboattallediGrackles =. s=5-5 er ee eee 05 fNedehilled Pigeon. sis s oe. ene Toho Ee SS ity MM EEOSOLE so oalba das dees BASE Ress siac Us 05 White-fronted Dove...... sa Tit. eerste EA ree te I2heDuskyeGeaside Spatrow) 5.0 1.5) ae 60 WWibte winged DOVE) wana e oon near aaah Toy Lexan seaside; Spartow,= =.=) eee 60 MExAGrolndiDOves. 2 i). 4 ee see eon eee Wyn Cardinals 2 920 Uae Sicoee cae 5 ne kee Oe 03 (CuRO ITN AD ONDA RN pee REP ete pall Seen ea yogat ame Uy Tue ouay-tailedn@arcdinal’ S55 cs ae naeent ne 25 Ima DOVE eae ops ND. Bus eel ilk aula Dae PA bert’s: Powhees.« 5.) neko. 1 cee Ce ee 25 DOIG WERT DON Oem ake COUR irre eet eek ie se a Osta shlonidanvellow-throate:) sake nearer 25 Holacloavailhurey wae pei. <) SNe hee sil pert oe 30. Sunnett’s) Phrashews ec-sc. en Were 05 DUNT ESRS WATE OUCLeRS ato cs Aer Siem Sent nt ae Sous~ Lomita Wireniy sce se 8-2 Rice, ee 15 [AG ar) ENTERS? 8 IAT Sa a ity rea el Eten WE oe 2.5009 .Carolina Wrens.) 0). Goh AEs if) Harris’ Hawk ........ Hepa vena Mest ames «Bisa 20ree > hort-tailled Witentaerenn. s/c eee ae eee 25- WWitor Lester led Ui Teiwikevels Sipe careers ee ae inna 35 black-crested Mitmonse ss se 2 oie renee 20 MexieBlacksbla wk)! 503830) ie a ee ee cee 2) 00by (Mockingbird atkere ese 5 ne eee eee 03 ANomad omalCOnas- i - teee pie erie kee SOME Luebixdencs see ee. R |.” Se een eee 05 PAU Ones Caraca rae tela oe eee see eee 30% Black-bellied Grees Duck2a5 se ee eee 50 WE, Meee OGN Me se eee own wo Skewanes 5 Om Viexicany jacana erm oo oe ee eee eee I 00 Se SORIA OWle rs onsbasvecceccaceejaneoe 250) Coppety-talled litocones se). ir a eee eres 2 00 Berusinouspleemiys O\wiliges eye p ee ety 65a) Chochalacas.. :Vaisicisce tase eee ee 15 ATAU UCR Pecan are Shih Tete, 3 e eN ten cena ENO 70m) ose-throated Becardie=..5- ae -eene eine 85 Westen =Nishthawkin sae seen eee nes ene 1) TMAH nara Sag HME hao ud ao oss > oocc a, S I have these eggs in fine series of sets, they are finely prepared, and have good scientific datas. Your order is solicited, and will be filled to your satisfaction, THE NIDOLOGIST Exponent of American Ornithology and Odlogy PUBLISHED MONTHLY WITH ILLUSTRATIONS Vor. IV. No. 2 ALAMEDA, CAI, OCTOBER, 1896 $1.00 PER YEAR American Rough-legged Hawk This fine picture from life was kindly sent to us by Mr. H. W. Nash, of Pueblo, Colorado, who says: ‘‘the Hawk from which the photograph was made was in a bicycle store here, and had become quite tame, so that it could be handled, after its claws were clipped. I made two exposures in the store close to a window, where the sun struck the bird. Neither was as good as I wanted, but it was turned loose before another attempt could be made.”’ 16 THE NIDOLOGIST Eggs of the Black, Socorro and Least Petrels. N ADVANCE of a more extensive article ov the lite histories of these little-known Petrels, I will give a brief description of their nesting habits, and describe their eggs, which have been until now unknown. On July 22 I anchored in the lea of the larger of the San Benito Islands, which lie about seventy-five miles off the coast of Lower California, and some twenty miles west of Cerros Island, between latitude 28 deg. and 30 deg. The San Benito Islands are small, rocky reefs only, with little vegetation, and being so far off shore are but little resorted to by Gulls, Cormorants and similar species. Cas- sin’s Auklets had bred in considerable numbers, as their burrows testified, but at the time of our visit they had al! left. Their burrows, however, had been appro- priated by later arrivals, and during the four and a half days that we spent at the Island, Mr. Horace A. Gaylord and myself devoted most of our time to digging for Petrels. Both Black and Socorro Petrels were taken from the burrows formerly occupied by the Auklets, the former species out-numbering tke Socorro about five to one. There was no attempt apparently on the part of the species to colonize by themselves, both being found in adjoining burrows. The Socorro Petrel had evidently begun nesting somewhat earlier than its neighbor, the Black, for while fresh eggs of “the latter were the rule, very few fresh or even mod- erately incubated eggs of the Sorocco were found, and several downy young were taken. There was little if any attempt at nest building by either species, though in several burrows a small nest-like platform of little twigs was found upon which the egg was laid. But in most eases it rested upon the bare earth at the end of a more or less winding burrow, about three feet in length. Several eggs of both species were taken from under loose slabs of rock, but as a rule they preferred the burrows which were in all cases, I think, those of Cassin’s Auklet. On our return to the island, September 8 and 9, we found that the Sorocco Petrels had all left, but many young Black Petrels were found, as well as a few eggs which the birds wers stz// zncubating. The fresh eggs of both species were white, with a slight rosy blush before being blown, but pure white after the contents were removed—the shell smooth without gloss. Those of the Black Petrels were in all cases spotless, but about half of the eggs of the Socorro were marked about the larger end by aring of pale lavender specks, often quite faint, but in some specimens well defined. Their shape was similar in both species, ranging from an elongate ovate to a short or even rounded ovate. The eggs of either species were easily iden- tified, however, by their size, ten speci- mens of Oceanodroma socorroensis averag- ing 30x27-7 millimetres, an unusually elongated specimen, measuring 33.2x22.5 millimetres. Tenegegs of O. melanza averag- ed 35.2x26 millimetres. The second day on the island Mr. James M. Gaylord, the botanist of our party, reported finding a ‘‘half-grown Petrel incu- bating an egg’’ on another part of the island. Scarcely daring to hope but sus- pecting that it might be the almost mythical Least Petrel, he was instructed to bring it back with him when he returned from that quarter next day. As we had surmised, the specimen proved to be /alocyptena microsoma, which we subsequently found breeding in several parts of the island. All eggs of this species were taken either from under loose slabs of rock or crevices in the broken ledges, the former location seeming to be preferred. None were found in bur- rows, although several were opened in the colonies of thisspecies. They all contained either O. melania or O. socorroensis. In shape the eggs of the Least Petrel were more inclined to be elliptical than either of the other species described, but were often elongate-ovate, short or even in some cases rounded ovate as in the species of Oceanodroma. They were pure white, with rosy flush before being blown, but dead white after- ward. In many, if not in the majority of our specimens, a ring of very minute black specks encircled one or both ends. These: specks came off upon the slighest touch, leaving slight stains or marks such as might be made by brushing away a spot of lamp- black which had accidentally fallen on the shell. Eggs taken from July 24 to 27 were in most cases fresh or but slightly incubated, though many were well advanced in incu- bation. Downy young, and even incubated eggs were found on our return to the island September 8. Ten eggs of this species averaged in measurement 29.4x1g9.3 millimetres. A. W. ANTHONY. ——-- —- +e = Chimney Swift Feeding its Young. HOUGH so common, and living as it does in the summer so near us, the life-history of this bird is still but little known to most persons. The true and instructive frontispiece in the August Nipo.ocis? is of the greatest interest, and one can be at least thankful for the patience and enterprise of the photographers of that picture. My friend, Mr. Nelson R. Wood, some years ago had an excellent apportu- nity of observing some old birds feeding their young, and I have prepared the follow- ing as he related the circumstances to me. Place: an old-fashioned large chimney in an old cooper’s shop in Clyde, Wayne County, New York, with our friend crouching at the fireplace watching, but unobserved by the birds. Nest: about twelve feet up and about fifteen feet from the top of the chim- ney, andcontaining young. With one bird on the nest, its mate enters and descends to about twelve inches below the nest; the sitting bird leaves and the other climbs up, and perching on the edge of the nest dis- gorges the tood and feeds the young. Hav- ing finished, it takes its place in the nest over the young and awaits the arrival of its mate with a fresh supply of food. ‘The feeding thus alternates every three to five minutes, sometimes more, until the young are satisfied. As is well known, the old Swifts retain the flies captured in.the mouth until a sufficient quantity is obtained. The insects are held in the mouth and throat, and apparently no effort is made by the bird to crush and kill them, as specimens taken at such times will show most of the flies living, but prevented from escaping by the abundant saliva. Additional informa- tion regarding the feeding habits of the young while in the chimney, and also about their first efforts at flight, would be inter- esting and instructive. 2 WILLIAM PALMER. Washington, D.C. —__—_—_———+ @-¢—____—__ Dr. Couks adds a word or two in the last Aus to the controversy over the defects in the new A. O U. Check-List, started by Mr. William Palmer's recent articles in THE NIDOLOGIST. THE NIDOLOGIST 17 Habits of the Turkey Vulture. HE young Turkey Vulture shown in the sketch was taken on July 21, 1891, from a hole in a large maple, broken off about ten feet from the ground leaving a cavity similar in size and shape to the inside of a barrel. ‘The location was on a steep hillside covered with trees and brush, in an unfrequented locality. At the time of discovery neither parent was present. When the attention of the young birds was attracted by mesns of a stick, they would rise up and then bump down against the bottom of the hole, making at the same time a noise liks ‘‘scrawze.’’ There was no attempt at nest-making, and no offal within the hole. The odor, however, was very unpleasant, and this is retained to some degree by the mounted bird. On May 5, 1892, the nest was visited before daylight. The sitting bird left with- out looking behind her after the writer had climbed up and looked in. A_ beautiful set of two eggs incubated one-third was taken. The next year, under similar cir- cumstances, a second set was taken. Since then the birds have nested undisturbed until the present year, when the building of a saw-mill one hundred yards away, and a dwelling house not far off, gave them excuse for changing their quarters. They are, however, still in the vicinity, and doubtless nest near by. The writer has heard old men belonging to the rural population tell of having seen Turkey Buzzards at their roosts where they congregated in great numbers, and unlike W.C. Purdin’s Flickers, hung by the toes in long strings along the limbs while roost- ing. The writer has seldom seen Turkey Vul- tures perching in trees except along streams, where they can be seen commonly during the summer months sitting singly in com- panies in the sycamores. Aloug the Ohio River they often band together in companies of fifty or more, and spend much time in standing on the sandy shores bathing and sunning themselves, often with wings outspread; or mounting into the air, they sail about in close bunches, making a constellation of black stars in the heavens. Toward evening they descend to lower levels, and circling about time after time over the tree-tops, along the mouths of the 18 TURKEY (Drawn by J. C. GALLOWay) creeks, they eventually get low enough to dash through them. As thesun goes down, one bird after another fails to re-appear as it sails into the trees, until all are out of sight in their darkening shades. Then if one walks quietly up the bed of the creek he can espy one huge bird after another perched on the upper branches, with their heads drawn down to the shoulders. When the birds become alarmed the heads are raised. If the disturbance continues, the wings droop at the shoulders. This is presently followed by spreading them to their fullextent. Should they deem flight advisable, they rise to their full height and launch forth, the huge wings beating through the foliage with a rushing sound. Sometimes the circling about is kept up until it is too dark to see the birds, but I do not think they move about later than that. The Vulture ot the sketch was about as large and heavy as a medium-sized hen, and was covered with long and ragged yellowish-white down. The skin was black; the strip down the front of the throat was bare, while the back of the head and neck were sparsely set with short, white frizzly down, giving it the appearance of an aged colored gentleman with a close hair-cut. The primaries were as yet encased in their blue coverings. J. C. GALLowAy. Montgomery, Ohio. VULTURE IN THE DOWN The Robin as a Freak. HILE looking around one morning to see what could be found that was new and startling, I saw a Black-billed Cuckoo’s nest in an apple tree, about fifteen feet from the ground. Saw the female on the nest, which was com- posed of nothing but small twigs, and as it was not quite completed, did not bother to go up and look at it. June 1 Isent a friend of mine over to look at it, ard to collect it if the set was complete. He came back and reported that he could not find it, but had found a Robin’s nest about where he had expected to find the Cuckoo's. I did not think much of it at the time, supposing that he had probably overlooked it, but the next day I had to go in that direction, and went around to have a look at it. There, sure enough, was the Cuckoo’s nest just as it was when I saw it last, but in addition to it, and on top, was the regulation Robin’s nest with two eggs. The female was on the nest when I came to the tree. I thought it queer, as this was the second time I had seen the same thing that spring, never having seen it before. In the other case it was Rose-breasted Grosbeak vs. Robin. I noticed the Grosbeak’s nest in an apple tree about the same height. This was May, 18, ’96. I knew there were eggs in it, as the female was sitting quite close, but didn’t go up to investigate as it was THE NIDOLOGIST 19 quite near to the home of a large dog that was not in love with the study of Oology. ater in the season (June 28) as 1 walking by the tree I noticed a Robin fly into it with her bill full of dried grass, and upon looking up I saw the nest built directly on top of the Grosbeak’s. It was all completed with the exception of the lining. I do not know whether the Gros- beak’s eggs were hatched or aot, but think quite likely they were. The nest was quite a large and strong affair, made of small sticks and roots, and furnished quite a good foundation for the Robin to commence on. Wouid like to know if anybody else has ever seen the Robin build in a like position. CHARLES S. BUTTERS. Haverhill, Mass. —— 6 Cooper Ornithological Club. HE Southern Division met at the resi- dence of Jos. Grinnell in Pasadena, September 28. The proposed work of preparing a State list of the Land and Water Birds was promised every support. Committees for Southern California to con- duct the work were appointed in the fol- lowing counties:—Los Angeles: Jos. Grin- nell, O. W. Howard, Horace A. Gaylord and W. B. Judson; San Diego: A. W. An- thony, A. M. Ingersoll and F. Stephens; Riverside: H. M. Halland Edmund Heller; San Bernardino: Edw. Hall. Mr. Grinnell entertained those present with reminiscences of his summer sojourn in Alaska which were backed by a large collection of skins and eggs taken on the trip. The Southern Division meets October 26 at the residence of Chas. Grosbeck, in Pasadena. The Northern Division met October 3rd at the residence of Walter E. Bryant, in Oakland. Mr. Ernest Adams of San Jose was elected to membership. Mr. A. W. Anthony was added to the State Committee that is to conduct the final work upon the State list. ‘the following committees were appointed for the counties of Northern Cali- fornia:—Alameda: W. E. Bryant, W. O. Emerson, D. A. Cohen and H. R. Taylor; Amador: Henry B. Kaeding; Lake: A. W. Johnson; Marin: John W. and Jos. Mailliard; Monterey: Oscar P. Silliman and L. W. Brokaw; San Francisco: T. E. Slevin, Claude Fyfe, E. W. Currier; San Luis Obispo: N. M. Moran; San Joaquin: W.B. Sanson and W. F. Sanson; Santa Clara: C. Barlow, W. H. Osgood, R. H. Beck and H. R. Painton; Santa Cruz: Os- car P. Silliman. Sonoma: Henry W. Car- riger. The first-named member of each County Committee will act as Chairman. Circulars containing complete instructions have been sent to members. A paper was read by W. Otto Emerson on the “GREAT WAVE OF TANAGERS’’ observed at Haywards, Cal., and at other points in the State during May last. Louisiana 'Tanagers made their appear- ance in countless numbers at Haywards, between May 12 to 14, frequenting cherry orchards, where they did much dam- age. They began to move off on the 25, all through the hills and canyons, and be June 1 only one here and there would by seen. ‘hey made their night roosting- place in a grove of young live oaks. They uttered no notes whatever. Two men were kept busy shooting them. All the ammu- nition used seemed not to decrease the numbers which came day after day. Dead Tanagers lay about by the hundreds, and were food for the cats. Perhaps a thousand of the birds were slaughtered. ‘‘My notes for the last 15 years record this species here but twice—a female seen May 28, 1880, and another observed May 21, 1883. Almost all the birds seen this year were males. ‘““Mr. Horace A. Gaylard writes me that at Pasadena they were seen singly from April 23 to May 1. From this date to May 5 their number were greatly in- creased, then for about 10 days, until May 16, the great wave of migration was at its height. By May 26 the last of the birds had left the valley. What caused this great wave of Tanagers to move so regularly together through the State north- ward can hardly be known positively. It may have been caused by the late cold spell occurring in California, April 15, and meeting them on their way from their win- ter quarters in Central America, inducing them to move together in large companies where food was plenty and the weather milder.’’ Henry B. Kaeding of San Francisco pre- sented a paper on the “OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER’”’ “The Olive-sided Flycatcher (Contopus 20 THE NIDOLOOIST borealis) is a common resident of the moun- tainous regions in the eastern portions of California during the spring, summer and fall, arriving at 700 to rooo feet altitude at about April 1 to r4, and passing to higher altitudes to spend the nesting period, returning about September 15. During the winter I have never seen it in the foot- hills and it evidently winters in common with other Zyrannidae far south, but dur- ing the spring and fall migrations it is, in common with Wright’s and Hammond’s Flycatchers and the Swallows and Swifts, very frequently met with. This summer I spent the seasou in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, in Tuolumne and Mono counties and found that the Flycatch- ers breeding there were the Western Wood Pewee, Black Phcebe, Hammond's, Wright’s and Olive-sided Flycatcher, of which the latter was by far the most numer- ous. Only one specimen of Traill’s Fly- catcher (Hpzdonax trailli) was met with, and that at 1,000 feet altitude. By May 1 the Olive-sided Flycatchers had all passed up, so that on leaving our home in Amador county on May 15, none were seen until May 24 when at 3,00 feet altitude. From this point up to 7,000 feet they were very numerous and were generally in the tops of the tallest firs, so high as to be almost out of sight and far beyond ‘‘dust-shot’’ range. The Olive-sided Flycatcher has two notes as far as I could ascertain. ‘The song, if it can be so called, is a very musical one of three notes, given with a firm, loud manner, very different from the soft, plaintive notes of the smaller Flycatchers. The other note is more gener- ally heard, particularly when alarmed or when the nest is disturbed; it resembles nothing so muchas the plaintive note of the Bluebird, 1epeated three times in quick succession, but with rather more emphasis. On June 1, at 4,600 feet altitude, my brother noticed an Olive-sided Flycatcher flying in a suggestive manner about a slen- der fir, and concealing himself awaited de- velopments. In a short time he saw the bird flying with a mouthful of nest material and by watching it located the nest. On June 20 the nest held three eggs, and the nest, eggs and parents were secured. ‘The nest is composed of two-thirds green moss, weeds and grass fibers, and lined with brown grass roots, and was placed on a horizontal limb of a small white fir near the top. It was 55 feet from the ground. The eggs are a delicate cream-buff, spotted and wreathed with lilac-brown, purple and sienna; incubation slight. The next nest was situated also in a white fir on a horizontal limb 4o feet up and on June 13, contained three slightly in- cubated eggs. It was admirably concealed, being composed of green moss and roots of the color of the fir and lined with brown roots. The third nest was found on June 20, and contained four eggs, incubation about one-third; the nest being composed of the same materials as the other two and situated in a white fir 4o feet from the ground.” The Northern Division meets November 7, at Rev. E. L. Hood’s residence in Ber- keley. 7 Brief Mention. THE death of N. Raymond Reed, an enthu- siastic Oologist and one of our subscribers, oc- curred at Richmond Mills, N. Y., on May 17. THE excellent photograph of nest and eggs of the Western Evening Grosbeak, from which our colored plate in last number was made, was kindly taken for us by Mr. C. Barlow of Santa Clara. Dr. J. A. ALLEN'S recent paper read before the Linnzean Society entitled ‘‘Notes of a visit to some of the Natural History Museums of Europe, ”’ shows that he gathered profit as well as pleasure during his trip abroad. THE photograph from life of a Mountain Part- 1idge, from which our half-tone heading for “Field Notes’’ was made, was presented to us by Mr. George G. Cantwell, who took the pretty snap-shot in Washington. Aucust Kocu, of Williamport, Pa., writes of California Murre’s eggs, recently received as a premium with this magazine: ‘Am very much pleased with your selection, especially as to con- trast. It is very interesting to note the great difference of shape and color of the eggs of this species.”’ TuIs is from Mr. Rollo H. Beck, who took the rare set of eggs and nest of Western Evening Grosbeak, figured in colors in our last number: “ September number is superb! Figure of Moun- tain Quail takes me back to 7,500 feet altitude in El Dorado county, near snow line, where I saw original (?) of plate July 16. Hope to be there again some day among Grouse, Thrush, Solitaire, etc THE editor of THE NrpoLoGisT has a number of Petrel’s eggs, collected on the Farallones. He is not sure at this writing as to the most of them, if they are the eggs of the newly discovered Petrel or Ashy’s, which should be smaller than the eggs of the other. Later investigations may settle the vexed question, and meanwhile Western col- lectors are very properly allowing such eggs to lie quiescentin their collections. THE NIDOLOGIST 21 i Vesey) NOTES: TWO MORE ALBINOS. I may App the following to your recently published list of albinos: Red-winged Blackbird, collected by Edwin Roslin, Greeley, Colo. This bird, a male, was pure white with the red and orange on the wings. Barn Swallow, collected by Charles Boyd, Greeley, Colo. This bird, a male, was pure white with pink eyes, collected just after leaving the nest. GLENN S. WHITE. Fort Morgan, Colo. ax A NOTE FROM WISCONSIN. THE PAST SEASON has been a remark- able one here for the abundance of Ameri- can Redstarts. I fouud about 4o nests with sets ranging from 3 to 5 eggs, and from 2 to 5 young. In one day ina small woods found 16 nests. Red-eyed Vireo, Indigo Bunting, Wood Pewee and Md. Yellow Throats seemed more abundant than ever before, and Yellow Warblers less so. W. E. SNYDER. Beaver Dam, Wis. xe THREE ALBINO CROWS. I HAVE in my possession four live Crows taken out of one nest. One is black and three are white, with a little buff tinge on wings; point of wings black; a few little black spots around bill, eyes dark; bill black and white, spotted; feet and legs, white. Is there any record of three birds like these found in ove nest? They are very healthy, but are in poor plumage, being kept in a small box before I bought them. They were taken this summer in Larre county, Oregon, near Cottage Grove. Both of the parents were black. Portland, Oregon. F. A. STUHR. ax A NEW MOUSE TRAP. WHILE in front of the cage in Golden Gate Park which contains both squirrels and birds, I witnessed an unusual sight. I was observing the White-necked Raven in particular, when it came quickly toward me and lit on an old tree root. It looked into the nicks and crevices as though searching for something. Making a quick move it drew from a hole a mouse by the tail, which it had captured. Leaping to the gronnd, it placed its foot on the mouse to hold it, and pounding at its head with its beak, killed it. Then picking up the mouse it walked toward me, and stood with it a little while, as though conscious of the feat it had accomplished. It then flew into a corner, carrying the mouse in its bill and commenced to pull it in pieces and devour it with apparent relish. Gro. H. Warp. San Francisco, Cal. * * * CONNECTICUT NOTES. I THINK THAT in consequence of the early and continued warm weather, the Northern-bound Warblers went by without any delay. At any rate, I have no recol- lect of a time when all kinds were so rare as they have been the last spring. But Iam more puzzled about the Red- starts and Parula Warblers. Some years ago they used to be abundant here in the migrations, and were common breeders. But they have been growing scarce, until now they seem to be almost extinct here. I have not been able to find one of either species during spring, though I have been in search of them several times in the places where I used to be sure of finding them during their migration. I really hope they have uot left for good, as they were great favorites of mine. C. M. JoNgEs. Eastford, Conn. * * * ABUNDANCE OF BLUEBIRDS. ON the 3rd of this month (Sept. ) while waiting for a train at Mt. Marion, Ulster county, N. Y., I saw a flock of about two dozen Bluebirds flying about the station. Reports from various parts of the country seem to indicate that they are zo¢ so scarce as was formerly supposed. ‘This is the first time, however, that I have seen any in this locality lately. ALLAN A. BRADLEY. 22 THE NIDOLOGIST ON LARGE RAILS’ SETS. I NoTicEepD Mr. B. H. Swales’ description of a Rail’s nest coztaining 9 eggs of King, 7 of Virginia and one of Sora. I have some- times thought that Soras may economise labor by more than one pair laying in the nest, for these two reasons: first, as you remember, my brother mentioned finding one of their nests with two eggs, which contained four eggs the next day. ‘Two eggs in one day is rather quick work for one little Sora, considering the comparitive size of the bird and egg. Again, last May my brother found a Sora’s nest with seven eggs ready to hatch, and the dog found three small Rails (newly hatched) within a few feet, and then flushed four adult Soras one after the other, that had been making a fuss all the time near by. ‘They seemed to be in pairs, as two birds flew one way, and the other two went in another direction. No other nest could be found,—the dog was with him and hunt- ed well,—so it occurred to him that both might belong to the same nest. Other birds that lay large eggs, suc has Woodcocks and Sandpipers, have small sets; and birds like Grouse that lay small eggs have large sets; but Quail and Part- ridge lay enough for both, so I suppose nothing can be inferred from this. CHARLES W. BowLeEs. Tacoma, Washington. Paar “ORNIS OF A CITY YARD.”’ SINCE THE publication of my list in THE Nipo.ocist of March, 1896, I ha,e made the following additions to it: Redstart: May 13, 1896.—Spent most of the day feeding in the large locust tree, at times making short trips to some of the adjacent maples. Great Blue Heron: August 2, 1896—My eldest boy came running into the house, and told me there was ‘‘a great big bird with a long bill’’ in the next yard. Going in to see what it was, I found a Great Blue Heron on the ground, caught in a dense tangle of wisteria vines. I thought it must be hurt, so grabbing it by the wings and neck I carried it into my yard, and set it down on the ground. It immediately straightened up, then flew to the top of the fence, and from there it flopped off and out of sight. As there are a number of large trees in the yard, I think the bird must have stopped there the night before, and whiie hunting for food on the ground became entangled in the vines. ‘These bring the list up to twenty-five species, not including several Warblers which I could not properly identify. Wm. H. FISHER. Baltimore, Md. x AN ACCIDENT. On July 1, 1896, at 12:30 Pp. M., a gentle- man came to the store door, and pointing across the street, called my attention to an accident which he had been an eye-witness of. A Chimney Swift, in its swift, down- ward flight to enter the chimney, had struck the lightning-rod, and was impaled thereon. I hurried acrross, procured a ladder, and throwing off my shoes, ran up the steep roof, climbed to the top of the steep chim- ney, from which I was able to reach the unfortunate bird and carefully remove him. The lance-like point had entered the left breast fully one and a quarter inches. The wound bled profusely, and the poor little fellow seemed very faint; the sharp eyes lost their brightness, and he lay very still in my hand on the way to the store. His struggles when I attempted to examine the wound seemed to cause him pain and make him much weaker, so I did not examine it as carefully as I very much wished to. I placed him on a shelf in a dim corner of the store, where he remained perfectly quiet, allowing me to gently stroke his head dur- ing my frequent visits. At four o’clock he seemed to have partially regained his strength, and began to fly about the store, and was soon dashing against the windows, so I carried him out and allowed him to fly away. BENJAMIN Hoac. Stephentown, New York. Par HIGH NESTING OF TURKEY VULTURES. As THE Turkey Vulture nests ordinarily near or on the ground, the following notes concerning a nest placed some seventy feet high may be of interest. The two fresh eggs now in'my collection, which came from this nest, were taken May 6, 1891, by Mr. J. P. Feagler, of Waterloo, Dekalb Co., Indiana. They are in every way typical of the species and measure 2.82 by 1.95 and 2,90 by 1.86inches. Mr. Feag- ler has very kindly sent me a complete THE NIDOLOGIST 23 description of the nest, from which I gather the following. The nesting of the Turkey Vulture is rare in his locality and he has found but three nests. ‘Two of these, including the high one, were in a large wood, two miies southwest of Waterloo. The person who showed him the breeding place said that Vulture had nested in this same sycamore tree for a number of years, at least ten, he thought. The tree stands in about the cen- ter of the woods, and is one of the iargest there, measuring seventy-two feet in heigit, and nearly fifteen feet in circumference. The top had broken off and the center of the tree had rotted out, leaving a hollow shell twelve feet high, and about thirty inches in diameter. The eggs were laid at the bottom of this hole on a bed composed of bits of wood, feathers and bones. There seemed to be plenty of good nesting places near the ground, and as the birds had probably not been disturbed, there is no evident reason why they should have gone so high. In 1892 Mr. Feagler found the Vultures, ‘‘undoubtedly the same pair,’’ nesting in another large sycamore a short distance from tke old site. The tree was not so large nor so high as the first, but as it was too late in the season for eggs, he did not climb it. HENRY R. Buck. Wetherfield, Conn. +e Correspondence. AN OLD LETTER. The following interesting letter was written by Raine to the editorin New York, over a year ago. Kew BEACH, TORONTO, SEPT. 7, 1895. Mr. Taytor, Szv:--I expect Macoun will be home in two weeks, when I shall go to Ottawa and inter- view him about the Western Grebe’s eggs. I shall expect him to explain why he wrote me saying all his eggs were collected in sets. When Macoun explains himself I shall give you a chance to vindicate me in THE Nipotocist and if you still refuse I shall proceed with my case for libel when the Canadian courts open up in October. In your scramble for evidence against frauds you forgot to ask me to explain my side of the case. You evidently read with pleasure Macoun’s letter in which he states he did not collect the eggs in sets, criminating me. Yours, etc., r, W. RAINE. P. S.—If I come to New York I shall ask you to apologize to me; if youdo I shall shake hands and forgive you, but if you don’t make amends for the wrong you have done me you must take the conse- quences, for [ am a devil when my blood is up. I am made of the stuff that has figured in duels more than once, and many a duel has been fought between editors and parties they have slandered. RAINE’S CRANE CASE. Mr H.R. Tayior, Dear Sir:—Will you pub- lish the following letter from Prof. Macoun so that the readers of THE NIDOLOGIST may see there is not a particle of truth in Mr. Shufeldt’s charge, ‘‘That I mixed a lot of eggs together to look pretty and sell well and then made them into ‘sets’? and sold them for either Grebes’ eggs or for Cormorants’ as the de- mand required.” While in Ottawa two weeks ago Prof. Macoun showed me the copy ot another letter he wrote last May to Dr. Murchison. This I copied from the Professors letter book as follows: May 4, 1896. Dr. Murcuison, My Dear Sir:—Your letter came this morning and in answer I may say that I have never known anything against Mr. Raine’s character in any sense whatever and many of our rare eggs have been obtained from him. Mr. Higgins wrote me in January, 1895, and I answered his letter on the 2oth of the same month and my answer is now before me. He asked about Cormorants’ and Western Grebe’s eggs and I took his letter as being one of simple inquiry only. The following is what I said about the Grebe’s eggs: ““The Western Grebe’s eggs were just gathered from the nests that showed fresh eggs so that they do not represent separate sets but just selections from a number of nests.”” Now if Mr. Higgins had asked for an explanation of the above I would have said, ‘‘ There were hundreds of eggs in the bull-rushes having from three to five eggs in each, and I just waded around and collected nearly one hundred of the freshest eggs, carried them to my hut and numbered them in sets ” On my return I exchanged many of these eggs with Mr. Raine and each set has my figuresin ink. As far as I am aware Mr. Raine sold a number of these sets with my set number on them, and if there is any fraud in the matter I was the guilty party and not Mr. Raine. I intended no fraud and I am quite sure none was intended by Mr. Raine. Yours truly, JoHN Macoun. Prof. Macoun says he considers there is no harm in making up sets when the eggs are immaculate, but when the eggs are marked and spotted he considers the eggs should be collected in original sets; of course others will differ from him in this matter, but as it was Prof. Macoun’s first season egg collecting he is to be excused. I might also add, Mr. Macoun did not tell me at the time I received the eggs of Western Grebe that they were made into sets by himself. As all the sets of Cormorants, Gulls, Ducks and other eggs I got from him were marked in sets, how was I to know that the Western Grebe’s eggs were made up sets from second nests. I am forward- ing short etchings of the data of some of the sets of Grebe, Cormorant, which I hope you will publish. I suppose both Mr. Taylor and Mr. Shufeldt will now apologize for the great harm they have done me, but this will be poor compensation for the loss I have sustained, for since Mr. Taylor charged me with making up sets of Grebe from singles in the May number of THE NIDOLOGIST, 1895, my sales of birds’ eggs and skins have decreased about one-half. While there was some excuse for Mr. Taylor jumping to the conclusion by THE NIDOLOGIST I had made up sets from single eggs, there is no excuse for Mr. Shufeldt stating ‘‘ I mixed those eggs together to look pretty and sell well, and then made them into ‘‘sets’”’ and sold them for either Grebe’s eggs or for Cormorants’ eggs as the demand required.” Mr. Shufeldt says it had been previously shown in THE NIDOLOGIST that I had done this, but this is a falsehood pure and simple, as nothing of the kind was ever alleged against me by Mr. Taylor. It would be advisable that when Mr. Shufeldt again makes a slanderous attack on any one he will get some proof together before he launches out on such contemptible work as slandering any individual. He has made a mountain out of a mole-hill, and he ought to feel ashamed of himself now that he finds there is not a particle of truth in this charge he made against me. Now as to the charge “‘ that I buy Crane’s eggs from some Kuropean dealer and sell them as Little Brown Crane’s eggs from N. W. Canada, ” this charge is as false as the preceding one. Mr. Shufeldt bases his charge on mere suspicion. He says my eggs are too small for Little Brown Crane’s eggs, but I will prove that Oliver Spanner & Co., of Toronto, have lately received a set of Little Brown Crane’s eggs that are smaller than my sets which Mr. Shufeldt condemns on account of their small size. Three weeks ago Oliver Spanner & Co., sent a set of Little Brown Crane’s eggs to the Smithsonion Institute. This set only measures 3.20 by 2.15 and 3 34 by 2.10 and was taken last May in Alberta by Mr. Cannon. This set was returned to Spanner & Co, with a letter stating . the eggs were too small for the eggs of Little Brown Crane’s, and that they were doubtless the same kind of eggs Raine was selling (Grvus virgo) from Northwest Canada. What a slander this is to be sure. Both Mr. Spanner and Mr. Flem- ming ace prepared to swear to an affidavit that this set came from Alberta and as they gave me the address of the farmer who collected the eggs, I wrote to him and a few days ago I got his reply, and Mr. Cannon says the Little Brown Crane has nested for several years near his farm and that next spring he will secure the bird with the eggs So the Smithsonian parties slander Oliver Spanner & Co when they say this set did not come from N. W. C. and both Mr. Spanner and Mr. Flemming are going to take action against a certain party in Washington for this slander. Perhaps you will publish Mr. Rippon’s letter which he allowed me to copy. From Mr. Rippon’s letter your readers will see that Mr. Shufeldt speaks false when he says he is safe in saying this set never came from Crescent Lake, Assiniboia, but was doubtless bought by me from some European dealer. Mr. Rippon isa gentleman well-known aad respected in Toronto. It appears Mr. Shufeldt wrote to a dealer in Ger- many in order to make his attack on me as strong as possible. Mr. Hermann Rolle of Germany should remember if he sold me any Cranes’ eggs. Surely he keeps an account of the eggs he sends out. I might say I only received one lot of eggs three years ago from Rolle and there was not a Crane’s egg in the consignment and the eggs were [* Raine has no right to speak injuriously here of Mr. Rolle’s business as he is only remotely connected with the matter.] such a poor lot, without data, that I will order no more from Mr. Rolle. * Mr. Shufeldt says my measurements of the Crane’s eggs don’t correspond with his measure- ments. The slight difference may be accounted for by my not having an accurate instrument for measuring, mine being a home-made measure. I may have measured the set of Mr. Rippon’s from Crescent Lake wrong, or it may be a printer’s error, but the measurement’s of the eggs does not amount to much; but the question is, did this set come from N. W. Canada or not ? Mr. Rippon is prepared to swear it did and this is all I want to vindicate me. I intend to get my collectors to swear to affidavits that they have sent me Little Brown Crane’s eggs from N. W. Canada, and the follow- ing gentleman can furnish proof that this bird breeds in this region: Messrs. Rippon, Spanner, Flemming, Dippie, Cannon, Bain, Graham and myself; no less than eight persons, and is it likely all are mistaken ? Oliver Davie says the Little Brown Crane breeds commonly in Manitoba. Mr. W. L. Kells, the well-known Canadian Ornithologist, says in THE NipoLocistT for October, 1893, ‘‘ The Little Brown Crane is common in varions parts of Manitoba,’’? Mr. Thompson says he is certain the Little Brown Crane nests in N. W. Canada, while Prof. Macoun informs me he caught half grown young ones some years ago at Fort Pelly. In Mr. Coues’ ‘‘Birds of the North-west’’ he says he saw the young of this bird in North Dakota. The Little Brown Crane most decidedly breeds sparingly in Manitoba and becomes more common ~ in Assiniboia, Alberta and northward to the Arctic Circle. Yours, etc., W. RAINE. FROM E. P. RIPPON TORONTO, CAN., OCT. 7, 1896. Mr. Tayvyor, S77-—Some friend has kindly sent me a copy of THE Nipo.LocisT for August, with an article in it marked ‘‘ Raineism, ” which contains some grave charges, made by a Mr. R. Shufeldt,against Mr. W. Raine, the well known Oologist. In it Mr. Shufeldt charges Mr. Raine with having purchased some Crane’s eggs, from European dealers and selling them in this country as Little Brown Crane’s eggs. Now sir, in 1890, I engaged a collector to collect for mein Assiniboia, N. W. T. I received from him a large number of eggs, some rare and others very common. Among the lot I received sets of Little Brown Crane, which I showed to Mr. Raine. Mr. Raine imme- diately purchased two sets from me, at nearly list price, and a large number of other eggs also from the same locality. The two sets I sold Mr. Raine were collected at Crescent Lake, Assiniboia, N. W. T., where the Little Brown Crane breeds. The data for the set of Little Brown Cranes from Crescent Lake, Assiniboia, which you repro- duced an engraving of, I at once recognize as being in my own handwriting, so that Mr. Shufeldt is terribly mistaken, when he says the ‘‘data is in Raine’s writing.” I have not the slightest doubt but that the data belongs to one of the sets Mr. Raine bought from me in 1890, and which I re- ceived from Assiniboia as stated on the data. If you will send the set with data, I am prepared to swear that the set came from the locality stated; and if this is not sufficient, I will give the THE NIDOLOGIST 25 name and address of the party who collected these sets of Little Brown Crane for me. And another season, I will get my collector to send me a specimen of the bird as well as the eggs to make doubly sure. From the above you will see there is not the slightest truth in Mr. Shufeldt’s statement, when he says, ‘‘I am perfectly safe in saying that the two eggs never were found in a nest made of rushes on a sandy knoll in the marsh, at Crescent Lake, Assiniboia,but were doubtless purchased at a very moderate sum from some European dealer by Mr. W. Raine, and sold for a good stiff price to Mr. W. A. Davidson, Detroit.” If you will kindly publish the above letter in your next issue, exonerating Mr. Raine from the charges made against him by Mr. Shufeldt, you will oblige me greatly. I remain, your truly, EDRICK P. RIPPON, Pres. Toronto Ento. Society. RAINE’S LATEST. TORONTO, Noy. 3, (896 Mr. Taytor, S77:—I have not yet received THE NIpoLocisT containing Prof. Macoun’s and Mr. Rippon’s letters vindicating me of the charges made against me by Shufeldt. If you do not intend publishing them let me know, astwo other Oological magazines have promised to print these letters if you won't. Some prominent Oologists have written me after reading the photos of letters I have sent out, and they say they will protest against your con- duct if you don’t give me fair play. I have now some forty ietters !1rom well known Oologists sympathizing with me, and some of these letters are not verv complimentarv to you. You will find you made a mistake to turn on me as you did without provocation. You listened to Shufeldt and others who have always been bigoted against me, and you must admit that I have always proved that most of the charges are false, and if you have any sense of honor you will at once withdraw what you have said. You must admit that you yourself personally know nothing against me, and you just repeat what a few others have said against me. When you started up THE Nip I helped you all I could, and do you honestly think you are justified in treating me you have done? Yours, etc., W. RAINE. RAINEISM:—A POINT IN EXPLANATION. WASHINGTON, D. C., SEPT. 5, 1896. Those who read in the August (1896) number of THE NIpOLOGIsT my remarks upon Raineism may remember what I said in a foot-note in that communication in regard to Mr. Hermann Rolle of Berlin, Germany, selling eggs of Grus virgo to Mr. Walter Raine of Toronto, Canada. Now, when I wrote to Mr. Rolle for the information I desired, Mr. Raine’s name was not mentioned in my letter. I simply informed Mr. Rolle that I was paying some attention to the Nidology of the Cranes in this country, and asked him to whom he had sold eggs of Grus virgo, either in the United States or Canada. It came from him entirely unsolicited that he had sold them to W. Kaine of Toronto, Canada. It is needless to say here that nothing in Mr, Rolle’s reply to me in any way connects him with the fraudulent practices now known to have been carried on hy the notorious Canadian above mentioned, and it is perfectly safe to say that he, Mr. Rolle, is in no way party to them. R. W. SHUFELDT. {Publications for review should be sent to Dr. R. W. SHuF- ELDT, Associate in Zoology, Smithsonian Institution, Wash- ington, D. C.] PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED. RICHMOND, CHAS. W.: ‘‘Description of a New Spe- cies of Ant Thrush from Nicaragua.’’ Proc. US, Nat. Museum. Vol. XVIII. No. 1ogo, 1896. pp. 625-626. (From the Museum.) RICHMOND, CHAS. W.: ‘‘Partial List of Birds Col- lected at Alta Mi a, Mexico, by Mr. Frank B. Arm- strong.” Proc. U.S. Nat. Museum. Vol. XVIII. No. 1091, 1896. pp. 627-632. (From the Museum ) ROBINSON, WirT: ‘An Annotated List of Birds Observed on Margarita Island, and at Guanta and Laguayra, Venezuela” Proc. U. S. Nat. Museum. Vol. NVIIL. No. 1093, 1896. pp. 649-685. PI. XXNIIT. (From the Museum.) HARTERT, ERNST: ‘‘Notes on Some Species of the Families Cypselida, Caprimulgide, and Podargide, with Remarks on Subspecific Forms and their Nom- enclature.’’ Ibis, (London) July 1896, Coi. Plates VI and VII. pp. 362-376. (From the author.) While collecting in Nicaragua during the year 1892, Mr. Richmond of the Ornithological Department of the U.S. National Museum, obtained several specimens of an Ant Thrush of the genus Phlegopsis. These, when compared with Panama examples of P. mac- leaunani, were found to be quite aberrant in coloration and proved conclusively the distinctness of the Nicara- guan bird, which Mr. Richmond now proposes the name or Philegopsis saturata for, and gives its tech- nical description in the paper cited in the list above. During the winter of 1894-95 Mr. Frank Armstrong collected birds at Alta Mira, a small town not far from Lampico, on the east coast of Mexico. From time to time, Mr, Armstrong sent representatives of this col- lection from the field of his labors to the US. National Museum for identification, and this partial list has been also published by Mr. Richmord for the information of those interested in Mexican Ornithology or the east ccast. Although no new species aie described, not a few interesting forms are recorded. A contribution of yet more importance is the “Annotated List of Birds Observed on the Island of Margarita, and at Guanta and Laguarita, Venezuela, ” by Robinson. Lieutenant Wirt Robinson of the Fourth U. S. Artillery has already done some very excellent Ornithological work in South America and elsewhere, and the present list annotated as it is by Mr. Chas. W. Richmond, contains a great many inter- esting facts In the first place, this paper demonstrates above all else what may be accomplished along such lines in a remarkable short space of time, and without 26 THE NIDOLOGIST much outlay. Mr, Robinson says that in sixteen days he collected ‘‘two hundred” skins, getting specimens of every land bird that he observed ina state of free- dom except the two common Vultures and a Caracara Eagle. He also took not a few mammals, reptiles, plants, and insects. When Mr. Richmond came to examine the birds received at the U. S. National Museum, there were found in the two hundred, no less than eight new species. Such work is worthy of emulation on the part of any active field Ornithologist. Doctor P. L. Sclater in ‘‘The Ibis” for January 1895, had invited the attention of explorers to the Island of Margarita, as a point, the Ornithology of which was but little known. Of this suggestion Lieut. Robinson took advantage, and during the winter of 1894-95 spent his brief vacation down there. “The Island of Margarita lies about midway between Laguayra and ‘Trinidad, and only some 17 miles distant from the nearest point of the Venezuelan coast,” and of this island our author gives a fairly full description, illustrated by a good sketch-map. It is written in a very interesting vein, and in a way calculated to make the field naturalist say to himself, “IT believe I’ll go down for a few weeks and take a good look at theplace.’’ So far as this collection goes to show, “‘the arifauna of Margarita is wholly derived from Venezuela. No purely West Indian forms are present. In a very few cases the occurrence of a species in Venezuela is yet unproven, but its presence in Margarita is considered pretty good evi- dence of its inhabiting the mainland.’’ The literature of Margarita is very meagre, and it will most assuredly repay another and longer visit. Of the new species of birds the following are noted: 1, Margaritan Green Heron, Lutorides vobinsont: 2, Margaritan Crested Quail, Zup.ychortyx pallidus; 3, Margaritan Dove, Leptotila insularts; 4, Ridgway’s Scaled Dove, Scar- dafella ridgwayt; §, Short-winged Burrowing Owl, Speotyto brachypt-ra; 6, Margaritan Tree Creeper, Dendroplex longirostris; 6, Margaritan Grackle, Quis- calus tnsularis; 8, Gray- footed Hylophilus, ylophilus erisetpes. In exploring a little-known locality, such as the Island of Margarita, before starting out, the naturalist should, if possible, carefully study a collection of all the fauna thus far taken there, and this he should do, part passu with a thorough reading of all the available literature that touches upon the field of his operations. Animmense amount of time is thus gained, and he is pre-armed to collect and observe intelligently; so that if birds be what he is after, he will be able in the brush and forest, to distinguish pretty closely among common forms and those little-known or as yet undescribed. Moreover, no matter what the state of the plumages may be, either breeding or in the moult, he should take both sexes and young in as large series as possible, and make as full field-notes on habits, food, etc., as the time will admit. In collecting in the tropice, there is a great temptation on the part of young and unprepared collectors to spend the best of their time in making skins of the most brilliantly feathered forms. Now, as aruvle these are the very ones that are best known to science, and so when these collections come to the museums fo dentification, we too often find only nice series of the known species, with but a meagre sprinkling of the ‘“‘little fellows with modest plumage.” These last are now the kind that most frequently furnish the new species, or even families or genera, Were I collecting in the forests of South America to-day, Iam inclined to think, I would let most of the-‘‘gaudy chaps” go by, and devote my time and attention to the obscure and most inconspicuous little fellows of the bush and fens. Of course, Lieut. Robinson took everything that came in his way, for the reason that the problem presented to him was, is the fauna of Margarita derived from Venezuela, or is it largely an insulated one. That the former is the case, his expeditions and efficient work abundantly proved. R. W. S. Mr. Ernst Hartert of the Tring Museum, Tring, England, has in the July ‘‘Ibis” (1896) a very excellent paper on the Swifts, Goatsuckers, and the allies of the latter, the Podargide. It is illustrated by fine colored plates of £gotheles insignis and .£, affinis. both very interesting forms of caprimulgine birds. Especially is ct, insignis a note- worthy type, with its strong feet and claws; subfacial ciscs; stoulish beak; and feathers in either scapular region ; all reminding « one of the Owls. Mr. Hartert devotes several pages of his memoir to the discussion of the advantages of the trinominal system of nomenclature, and the recognition of subspecies, in Ornithology. It is very encouraging to hear a voice coming out from the very heart of Her Majesty’s kingdom, uttering such sentiments as the following: ‘‘As regards my treatment of closely allied forms, it may be known to my colleagues that I ama strong advocate of the study of swdspects not because I like them, but because I see there is something more than species only. This is one of the revelations brought home to Zoologists by Darwin and his school, and unless we close our eyes and ears against the facts before us, we must not merely admit that sharply separated species do not alone exist, but we must also acknowledge this fact in our systematic treatment of such forms, and recognize it in our nomenclature, or both our work and its nomenclature will be inadequate and insufficient.” To Americans, who have used trinomials for a dozen years or more, these words, coming at so late a date as 1896, will indeed sound odd and old, but better late than never. We cannot follow Mr. Hartert in all that he has given us upon this now well tested system here, but we can say that there will never arise any necessity for writing such subspecies (as heseems to fear) as Perdix perdix perdix, nor can we quite agree with him in his proposed method of indicating the type species of any particular genus. Space will by no means admit of my discussing this question here as fully as I should like to, and we can but congratulate Mr. Hartert upon having arrived in his conclusions at such a sound opinion as the one he expresses in the following words: ‘‘Therefore we must agree that the scientific systematic treatment of living animals demands the recognition of subspecies, if systematic zoology is to be more than a pastime, and if it is to take the important place in science which it ought to hold.” (pp. 366.) In speaking of the Common Swift of Europe (d@cro- pus apus (Cypselus apus, auctt. mult.|), he says, “Several of my friends assure me that they never heard of this bird having more than two eggs ina clutch.”’ Perhaps those people who so constantly suggest that the Common Swift lays but ‘‘two white eggs to the clutch,’’ are of the stock who believe that that species is in reality only some kind of a metamorphosed Hummingbird, with an anatomical structure inconveni- ently like a Swallow. Our author also gives us a good deal of interesting matter about various kinds of Goat- suckers, of both a morphological as well as of a sys- tematic nature, and, upon the whole, this useful contribution is strongly commended to students of Ornithology at large, coming as it does from the pen of one of the soundest writers upon the subject. —Rj. W.S. THE NIDOLOGIST 27 Published and DR.SHUFELDT Edited by Smithsonian Henry R. TayLor Institution, Associate. Founded at Alameda, California, September, 1893 WE EXPOSE FRAUDS Official Organ Cooper Ornithological Club of the Pacific Coast Subscription (in advance), - - - - $1.00 (Foreign subscribers add 12 cents for postage) Single Copies, - - - - - 15 cents Remittance may be made in any form The Magazine is not sent after subscriptions have expired FOREIGN AGENTS Swann & Co., 1-2 Bouverie Street, Fleet Street, London B.C. Original contributions, with or without illustrations, are desired. ADVERTISING RATES FURNISHE Dy “‘Giving the WALTER RAINE gives us Devii his Duc’’ some facts as to those ‘‘made up’’ sets of Grebe’s eggs. It seems that Macoun made up the sets and R gladly gives him the credit for it. Raine explains that the instruments he used to measure the set of labelled Little Brown Cranes’ from Crescent Lake were home-made, or that it may be on account of a typographical error that these eggs were described in his book as measur- ing ‘'3.60x2.30 and 3 64x3.32,’’ whereas they show under the calipers only 3.32x2.04 and 3-26x2.00. It is quite evident that Raine needs a new pair of calipers badly. It is unfortunate for Mr. Raine that the Smith- sonian Institution, as we gather from his letter herein published, does not agree with him that these small eggs are those of the Little Brown Crane. We have to regret, also, that in the voluminous correspondence received lately from him he makes no reference to the so-called eggs of the Long-billed Curlew taken by himself and his collectors in England—where the birds do not breed—photographic copies of the data-labels of which, in his handwriting, we published in the August number. We are sorry to note, also, that no attempt is made to explain how Mr. Raine came to sell a set of eggs of the American Scoter to Mr. E. B. Schrage, accompanied by data-label in his handwriting, stating that they were taken on the southwest coast of Greenland on June 19, 1889, whereas it is unknown to naturalists up to the present date that the American Scoter ever bred in Greenland, and in Mr. Andreas T. Hager- up’s work, ‘‘The Birds ot Greenland,’’ published in Boston in 1891, this species of Duck is not given as occurring there. While publishing recent Raine correspondence we give herewith also, a letter from Raine, written to the editor of THr NipOLoGIST some time ago, when this journal was published in New York, in which he made belligerent overtures, threatening a duel. We were in that city for some months afterward, but neither Raine nor his seconds favored us with a call. Perhaps the center of civilization was a poor ground for such an unlaw- ful recourse. However, we are still on the earth, and if Mr. Raine still cherishes any such rash plan, which we doubt, the editor will take pleasure in accepting; provided, of course, that he has the choice of weapons—in which case we shall choose eggs of Grus virgo at ten paces. Raine freely admits in his letter that he is ‘‘a devil,’ on occasions, and as it is a common maxim that we should ‘‘give the devil his due,’’? we can- didly affirm that in any matter of doubt, he should be given the benefit of it. * “3 % THIS Is confessedly a “rush”? number, and Raine correspondence crowds out much that we have on hand in interesting articles and illustrations. However, we got a colored plate in September issue which any magazine would have been proud to publish, and we have another treat in prospect for our readers in another colored plate, true to life, of the head of a California Vulture, which we believe has never been figured in color and will be of great use in taxidermy, besides giving an exceilent idea of the greatest bird of flight in the world, and which is supposed to be nearing extinction. The drawing from ‘which the painting was made was executed by Mr. Walter E. Bryant from studies of a freshly killed bird, Our Color Work Succeeds Willbea Tue illustrated souvenir, ‘‘Story of Beauty the Farallones,” promises to be a great success. We extend our offer 30 days to give all a last chance to participate in it. Read the opinions published from among the many who hive promptly remitted the /ow price. ‘‘Get in’ and include vour friends,— before we raise it, as we shall do in next number, to 50 cents per copy. We mean every word we said in our announce- ment. Take apart in the enterprise, and at once. We will appreciate it, and you will have good cause to be glad you did not let the opportunity slip. Remit 20 cents each for from one to three copies, ow. Are They WE READ the following in a Sportsmen? Sonoma (California) paper: The Mira Monte Club will have a club hunt at their pre- serves in Sonoma county to-day. Only small game will be sought after, including hawks, bluejays and yellow hammers. The club consists of about a dozen members, and besides these there will be numerous guests. All who engage in the sport will be divided into two sides, and points will be scored for the various animals or birds killed. The losing side will bear the expense of an elaborate banquet at the club-house to-morrow. Leather medals will be provided for the two persons scoring lowest. We believe that a large leather medal should be provided for this sportsmen (?) club, if one of their alleged sports is to slaughter small birds, unfit for food, as well as Hawks, the best friends of the agriculturalist. * * % Beats the A ‘‘WoRLD” special from Alameda Cranes Crockton, Minn., gravely describes an attack bv “Giant Cranes,’’ said to be 7 feet 8 inches high, and with wings measuring 8 feet 4 inches. 28 THE NIDOLOGIST According to the truthful narrator Henry James, of Black Duck, was attacked by an immense rookery of ‘Blue Cranes,” his dog being killed in the fight: James, pursued by scores of the birds was struck in the back of the neck by the beak of the Cranes and knocked down. The blood spurted from a wound like that made by asharp knife. That blow was probably all that saved James from instant death. The Cranes could fight to advantage only from the air, and as James recovered his wits he intuitively reached for his gun and opened fire on the birds, keeping it up as long as the supply of cartridges lasted. roe Various Remarks L. L. Tower of Ionia, Mich., spent the past summer collecting at Cooke Inlet, Alaska. J. W. MarLiiarp took sets of eggs of the Western Robin in Marin county, Cal., this year. I THINK that last plate of the Grosbeak’s eggs and nest is simply exquisite. RALPH ARNOLD. COLORED PLATE, nest Western Evening Gros- beak, is a beauty. Wo. L,. KELLS. JAMES B. Neratof Easton, Pa., appreciates THE NID, and writes ‘keep it going, as it is the best magazine of the kind ont.” THE colored plate in the last Nrponocisr is deserving of the highest praise. Dr. Guy C. RICH. THE ‘‘premium plates’’ received yesterday, and they are beauties, THE NID is great. VERDI BuRTCH. I HAVE no doubt the ‘“‘Souvenir” will be a great success. September NID is great. H. WARD CARRIGER. THAT colored plate is fine. I’ve had it framed and hung up in my Oological room. C. F. STONE. I ENCLOSE one dollar for your magazine. Very cheap considering its excellence. L. BELDING. Mr. E. A. MCILHENNY of Louisiana, has ar- ranged to go for a two years’ collecting trip in Alaska, leaving San Francisco, March 1, next. YOUR proposition to publish the ‘‘Story of the Farallones’” ought to be appreciated by every Oologist. M. T. CLECKLEY, M. D. ENCLOSED find 60 cents for three copies of the illustrated ‘‘Souvenir’’? when out. I wish you success. VIRGINIUS H. CHASE. ENCLOSED amount for the interesting ‘‘Sou- venir’? you offer. Am sure it will bea success with such able promoters. G. N. UPHAM. ENCLOSED please find 20 cents for your pros- pective ‘‘Souvenir.’’ I am very much pieased with the idea. HARRY C. OBERHOLSER. I wanT the ‘‘Story of the Farallones’’ as I have confidence enough in the men behind it to be sure of a rare treat. J. MERTON SWAIN. THE United States National Museum has sus- tained a deep loss in the recent death of its effi- cient Curator, Prof. G. Brown Goode. HENRY F. SCHONBORN, a well known Ornith- ologist and earnest friend of this journal, died recently at his home in Washington, D. C. I HAVE for a long time been wanting some one to write a book on the Farallone Islands, and was very glad to see your proposition. EMMET ROBERTSON. SOON WILL BE.—Please find 20 cents for ‘‘Story of the Islands.” I am not a subscriber to THE NIp yet, but soon will be. GLEN RINKER, Unionville, Mo. I ENCLOSE 20 cents to help along the proposi- tion to give us the bird history of the Farallone Islands. Judging from the THE Nip it is bound to be a success. Gro. A. WARD. THE colored plate of the nest and eggs of the Western Evening Grosbeak is the finest thing in that line which I have ever seen. That plate alone is worth the price of a year’s subscription. BENJAMIN HOAG I ADMIRE your courage in publishing THE Nrp- OLOGIST. You will doa great deal of good with it, by setting men to thinking, but you will never get rich out of it. If you do, it will be contrary to my experience. ‘With best wishes for your welfare, Jos. M. WADB. ONE OF Frank R. Stockton’s heroine’s newly found admirers ‘tpossessed the present qualifica- tion which in her eyes raised him above all other young men in the world: he wasthere.’’ So with THE NIDOLOGIST; although late at times—it does get out. I DESIRE very much to express my appre- ciation of your paper, THE NIDOLOGIST, and especial y of the illustrations. Your supplement of last issue is superb. One of the! prettiest pic- tures in the Oological line I have ever seen. Wo. L. FINLEY. FIND postal money order for 2c cents enclosed, for which please send when ready your ‘“‘Story of the Farallone Islands.’’ Should it prove to be of as high adegree of excellence as THE NIDOLOGIST, I have no doubt but that it will meet with a great sale. ELLISON ORR. Mr. C. O. PERKINS noticed this year a peculiar trait of the Valley Quail in California. A farmer told him ofa nest with 25 eggs, which were being incubated by both male and female. He ob- served the nest for some time from behind a stone wall and saw both the birds covering tke large set. He is positive they were not two females. Mr. A. W. ANTHONY and party have recently returned from a cruise to the islands of Lower California, where he took birds, eggs and young of the almost unknown species, O. melania, O. socorroensis and H. microsoma. ‘The latter have been described twenty-five years, he writes, and but three are in collections, and but two of the Socorro Petrel and ten of the Black, besides those he took. The Socorro is not yet on our list, although taken a year ago by Mr. Anthony and recorded in the Awf. PHOTOGRAPHS Cellier] We are now preparing a series of 150 Photo- graphs, taken from our work during the past five years, They will consist of all kinds of speci- mens—such as Deer, Fox, Birds, Moose Heads, « ELCay perc. Price, 15 cents, two for 25 cents, $1.25 per dozen, postpaid, We will have a list ready this month, and will mail it on receiving a request. FRANK BLAKE WEBSTER CO. TARIDERMISTS AND NATURALISTS SUPPLY DEPT HYDE PARK, MASS. PRINTING FOR NATURALISTS | We can print your Price Lists, Cards, Envelops, Letterheads, Catalogues, etc., a little BETTER and a little CHEAPER than others. No extra charge for use ofour large assortment of illustrations. Get our figures before placing orders. A. M. EDDY, Albion, N. Y. WM. W. HART & CO. (NEW SCHOOL) TAXIDERMISTS 5 West Third St., NEW YORK High-Grade, Lifelike, Artistic Workmanship GUARANTEED MOTH PROOF The largest and finest stock of Animal Skin Mounted Game Heads in America. out oft town “‘ on approval.’’ Rugs and “Goods sent SEND FOR A FREE SAMPLE COPY OF GAMELAND, the gentle sportsman’s illus- trated magazine, reveals virgin woods and waters—homes of the trout, the bass, the deer and quail—and tells of hundreds of places to freely hunt and fish. Price, ten cents; three trial numbers, twenty-five cents. By the year (one a month), any address, postage paid, One Dollar. 277 Broadway, New York, N, Y., U.S. A. Gameland, THE NIDOLOGIST iii GEO. G. CANTWELL Naturalist and Taxidermist JUNEAU ALASKA ——Headquarters for—— Alaskan Birds’ Eggs, Skins, Furs, Etc., Etc. SPECIMENS CHEAP FOR CASH JOHN. MURGATROYD Taxider mist 18 NORTH WILLIAM STREET Three doors from Park Row Halfa minute from Bridge Entrance New York Who can think of some simple Wanted—An Idea issesinnis Protect your ideas; they may bring you wealth. Write JOHN WEDDERBURN & CO., Patent Attor- neys, Washington, D. C., for their $i, 800 prize offer and list of two nenared inventions wanted. ~ POSTAGE STAMPS Liberal Catalogue eae W. F. GREANY 827 Brass in Street 3 - Sent on discounts on Revenue approval, Stamps, Reference required. San Francisco, Cal. | The reigning sovereign of the wheeling kingdom—the Monarch sustains the strongest claim of | : merits the highest its makers and praise of its riders. OnARCH King of Bicycles $100—to all alike—$100 Deflance, eight models for adults aud children, $75, $60, $50, $40. Send for the Movaxcu Book. MONARCH oY CLE MFG Co., Lake, Halsted and Sts., Chicago- 83 Reade § w York, 8 and 5 Front St San Francisco. THE NIDOLOGIST Gear Birds’ Eggs and Bird Skins! CHOICE SPECIMENS OF NORTHERN RARITIES With complete data may be secured by collectors at very low prices. A chance not to be missed. A EGGS AND SKINS STRICTLY FIRST-CLASS And PERSONALLY COLLECTED ’ Highest references can be furnished TO CLOSE OUT I make the following prices; Specimens prepaid; Terms cash with order. Nee er order filled for amount under $1.00. Ancient Murrelet...... Set 2 eggs... .. $2.75 per Set. Skins, $2.50 Cassin’s Auklet...... , ie (EA iene 35 2.50 ANqiteal Powis oo 4 2o5e Se CEP esas FO oy : Fork-tailed Pettel2- 2. “> aieae) <= 2:00 os: 0 2kOo Weachusbetrell: sae ae Nia eR See 3 Os a E Mallard Duck........ 8 lo 10 eggs..... .15 each ‘ Merganser Serrator..7 to 10 eggs..... .40 each & Aleutian Sand piper ".o- eee. cal eee ee a Tyas 2 Aleutian Song Sparrow, 3 and 4 eggs.. 1.00 each ee 1.75 i INIESR ERLE OON SCS. Sao aiaade oc eM nos Oo apiece Be 1.00 : “NO EXCHANGES WANTED” y CESS os CHASE LITTLEJOHN, Redwood City, Cal. Zz SE Winchester Repeating Ce Rifles Our Model 1893 Shot-Gun is now used by all the most advanced trap Shot-Guns and game shooters. Single Shot-Rifles ASK YOUR DEALER TO SHOW YOU THIS GUN. Everything that is Newest and Best in Repeating Arms as well as all kinds of Ammunition are made by the WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO., Winchester Ave., New Haven, Conn. is ua Send a Postal Card pestle your peldreee fon ouN 12s DAES Tustrateds Catalozue, VY IN fj « WR Oy A | ge Na , KA) ) y LY; Ny y d Yf m _ = i 7 2 i Associate © WITH OF THE SAITHSONIAN [NSTITUTION/; os Nos, 3, 4 and 5 me ALAMEDA, NOV., DEC., JAN., 1896=97 CALIFORNIA E. A. McILHENNY Ornithologist and Oologist AND GENERAL COLLECTOR OF NATURAL LO SPHCIME Avery’s Island, Iberia Parish, La. LOOK, OOLOGISTS! LOOK AT THIS Se List TRANSPORTATION MUST BE. PAID BY ‘PURCHASER ON ALL | ORDERS U UNDER FIVE DOLLARS _ Laughing Gull, 25 sets of 3 eggs “O Re etre Wea eae s - $ 12 Fla. Nighthawk 8 sets of 2 eggs @... a ‘ Foster’s Tim, 25 sets of 3eggs @....... ...... 12 Baird’s Woodpecker 4 sets of 6 eggs @.. . - Black Skimmer, 25 sets of 4 eegs @.... 12.45 ‘15 Golden-fronted Woodpecker, To sets of 4 eggs @ Anhinga, 25 sets of four.eggs @.......-.....-, 35 Central America Pileated Woodpecker, 20f 5 @ Mexican Cormorant, 25 sets of 4eggs @....... 75 Red-bellied Woodpecker, 3 sets of 5 eggs @.. Least Bittern, 25 sets of 5eggs @. ............ 20 Mex. Crested Flycatcher, 10 sets of 4 eggs @ 3 Snowy seen 25 sets of 4 eggs @........... teh 35 Crested Flycatcher, 20 sets of four eggs @209 Lua. Heron, 25 sets of 4 eggs @ .......-....-.- i5 Kingbird, 50 sets of 4 eggs @.....¥....... ' Little Blue Heron, 25 sets OR Cessna ks 20 Green Jay, 3setsof8eggs@.......... i Bin Green Heron, 25 sets of 5 eggs @ ........... 20 Brown Jay, 5 sets of 4 eggs @.... 0.01.2... Yellow-crowned Night Heron, 20 sets of 6 eggs @ 5e, Lessons Oriole, 5 sets of 5egg @......... pipet: _ American Kgret, fo sets of 4 eggs @ ... 1.0... 75 Orchard Oriole,.50 sets of 5 eggs @...........- oe Reddish Egret, 25 sets cf 4 eggs (Oks ees Cree 30. Great-tailed Grackle, 20 sets of 3eggs@.. .. La, Clapper Rail. 5 sets of 10 eggs @.......:. 3 00 Boat-tailed Grackle, 50 sets of 3 eggs @........ King Rail, 3 sets of 10 eggs © (CU ee pen so ta g0 Fla. Grackle, 6 sets of 6 eggs @........5..... ' 30 Purple Gallinule, 5 sets of 9 eggs ee Sige eee 75 Ditsky Seaside Sparrow, 5 sets of 4 eggs @ mahey 2 00. Kildeer, 10 sets of 4 eggs @ 2 Sata are 35 Texan Seaside Sparrow, 3 sets of 4 eggs (Oneeeens 2 00 Fla. Bobwhite, 2 sets of 12 eggs @. Rebs Aenea I to Cardinal, 20 sets of 3 eggs @...... 1.......-. & ‘Vexan Bobwhite, 5 sets of 1leggs@. ........ I 00” Sray- “tailed Cardinal, 6 sets of 4 eggs @........ ; White-winged Dove, 10 sets of 2eggs@....... 15 Abert’s Towhee, 1osets of 3eggs@ ......... Mex.Ground Dove, Io sets of 2eggs @......... 25 Sennett’s Thrasher, to sets of 4 eggs @ .. ; Ground Dove, to sets of 2egg @....... 11.04 30 Short-tailed Wren, 5 sets of 4eggs @......... A Mourning Dove, 20 sets of 2 eggs @.........-. ©5 Mockingbird, 20 sets of 4 eggs @....... ...... “Black Vulture, 20 sets of 2ege @.............. 60 Bluebird, 20 sets of 4 eggs @........ pg hit Turkey Vulture, 11 sets of 20e885 (@ate nu <0 60 Mexican Jacana, 10 sets of 5eggs @........ Hartris’ Hawk, 10 sets of 3 3 eggs @ihe eee 50° Chachalaca, Io sets of 3 eggs Ona eee en ic 5 4A E White-tailed Hawk, To sets of 3 eggs @ .«...... 60 ose-throated Becard, Io sets of 4eggs @...-.. 1 : Western Nighthawk, ro sets of 2 eggs @....... Bo itseaaer ys A RAN Ty A Ene aie Se cee eae eee “S I have these eggs in fine series of sets, they are finely piepared, and have good scientific data. Your order is solicited, and will be fllled to your satisfaction, Here is a chance for Oologists to buy a lot of sets for tradin at such prices that there will be a profit in it for you. This is the way to get a collection. I am selling at thes prices only because I leave for Alaska in the spring and wish to close out before I go. p : THE NIDOLOGIST Exponent of Ameriean Ornithology and Oology PUBLISHED MONTHLY WITH ILLUSTRATIONS WoL, LV.. Nos. 3,4; 5 ALAMEDA, CAL., JANUARY, 1897 $1.00 PER YEAR Drea Nest and Eggs of the Arkansas Goldfinch The nest and eggs of the Arkansas Goldfinch, 77 s7¢u, here figured natural size, is from a photograph kindly sent to THE NipoLoGisT by Mr. H. W. Nash, who took it near Pueblo, Colorado. It shows very well how valuable an aid a good camera is in good hands, DOUBLE NEST OF THE ORCHARD ORIOLE Rare and Curious Nests. N.No. x of ‘‘The Museum,’’- (1885), a paper published at one time in Phila- delphia,appeared an interesting article on “Rare and Curious Birds’ Nests,’ by Tho- mas G. Gentry. Doubtless few, if any, of our readers have read the article, and we here reproduce the illustrations for their benefit and quote from the text. From time immemorial, it has been the current popular belief that birds of the same species never varied their style of architec- ture, but constructed the same form of nest, and out of the same material, as their remot- est progenitors did, instinct being the prin- ciple by which they were guided. ‘This opinion, though long since exploded by science, is still, 1 am sorry to say, enter- tained by those who should know better. An examination of nests from different and widely separated localities affords evidence suficiant to convince the most skeptical of persons of its erroneousness. The most marked differences will be noticeabie in the composing materials, as his will be found to vary with the environment, and in a wider degree in the nests of some, than in those of other species. Even the configura- tion, which is less prone to change, is often influenced by the circumstances of position and latitude. Among the Thrushes, the Robin is the most addicted to variation, and this is not wholly confined to the constituents of his usually mud-plastered domicile, but is fre- quently to be observed in the arrangement thereof, and in the contour and position as well. In southern New Jersey, where low marshy woods abound on the outskirts of towns and villages.. Robins build nests which contrast most markedly with what we are accustomed to see in more northern localities. The great masses of a grayish- green fibrous lichen which hang from tree and shrub in those sylvan marshes, are freely utilized by them, and its very nature to mat, when pressed together, precludes the necessity of using mad. A remarkable nest of the Orchard Oriole was found upon a few small branches of a maple, at an elevation of nearly thirty feet from the ground. It was a double affair, composed of long, flexible grasses, and securely fastened to its support. The larger nest is inversely sub-conical, while the smaller, which is joined to the other by rib- bons of grass, is somewhat similarly shaped, but less compact in structure. A circular opening, one inch in diameter, is a notice- able feature of the latter. That this addi- tional structure served some purpose cannot be questioned. I am inclined to think that ee ae a es THE NIDOLOGIST 31 it was constructed with the view of accom- modating either parent while the other was sitting. The aperture alluded to served, doubtless, for the head of the non sitting bird, who, from this position, looking away from the main building, could, like a sentry upon an outpost, detect with comparative ease and readiness the approach of enemies. The illustration gives a fair idea of the nest in its prominent details. In Eastern Pennsylvaniarare, curious nests of Acadian Flycatcher’s are often found. Such a one was discovered by the writer in June, 1882. It was placed upon the forked brench of a small red oak. The dried blos- soms of the hickory, which are the sole materials of the ordinary structure in this latitude, were here altogether wanting. In lieu thereof, long fibres of the inner bark of some herbaceous plant were substituted. These were compactly modeled into a shal- low, saucer-like cavity, from which de- pended a gradually slopizg train of the same substance, for nearly twelve inches. A pair of Kingbirds once took a fancy to an old apple-tree that stood a few yards from the writer’s Germantown home. It NEST OF ACADIAN FLYCATCHER was certainly not a place of quiet and retire- ment. Scores of noisy children daily re- sorted to its shelter for coolness and pas- time, but the birds were not uneasy. They had fixed their minds upon the spot, and build they did. ‘The nest was placed upon a forked branch just out of the reach of the urchins. It wasa curious affair. Roots of various kinds constituted the bulk of the fabric; but, as its completion was near at hand, the opportune discovery of a bunch of carpet rags was hailed with delight, and they were prompily adjusted to the outside, a number ofends being allowed to depend from the margin and bottom, for a distance of fourteen inches, whether for ornament or protection, I cannot say, but I am half in- clined to believe that the latter was the ob- ject uppermost in the minds of the builders, for, looking from below at the nest, it seemed merely a mass of rags that had been thrown into the crotch and become lodged. The common Ruby-throated Humming- bird of the eastern half of the United States is known to makea nest which is not easily imitated by any other species. Nests have been found by the writer, formed of the yellowish wool of the undeveloped fronds of the fern, and others of red shoddy—the refuse of some woolen factory—instead of thesoft down of the seeds of the poplar. But the most remarkable structure of ail was found in Germantown, in the summer of 1883. It was saddled upon the horizon- tal bough of a white oak, andis peculiar from the nature of the inner fabric. This isa brown wooly substance plucked from a species of fungus, possibly a sphaerza, which for softness and pliability is admirably suited for nest-building. Nothing of the kind, I think, has ever before been recorded. eee Habits of Anna’s Hummingbird. BY A. W. ANTHONY. OMETIME about April 1,an Anna’s Hummingbird began her nest in a cypress in frent of my residence in San Diego. I could not be sure as to the exact date of beginning, but on the 6th, when I first noticed the bird at work, there was nothing but a little platform the size of a silver twenty-five cent piece, fastened to the upper side of a twig which nearly over- hung the front walk, and was but just high enough to escape being struck by anyone passing below. From an upper window I could look down upon the growth of the downy cup, and watch the diminutive builder from a distance of but a few feet, as she brought almost imperceptible quantities ef of cotton and tucked them into the sides and rim of 32 THE NIDOLOGIST the prospective nest. In working the material into the structure she always used her body as a form around which to build, tucking the cottony substance into the side and pushing it with her breast, frequently turning about to see if it were the right size all around. On April 12, when the nest was appar- ently but half finished, and little better than a platform with a raised rim, I was surprised to see an egg, which the mother carefully guarded as she buzzed about, still bringing nesting material. The following morning the second egg was added, and on one or two occasions the male made his appearance, and tried, seemingly, to coax the female to leave the nest, even making severalattempts to push her from the eggs when other means failed. He soon became discouraged, however, and departed for parts unknown, leaving his demure little spouse to care for the eggs and complete the half finished nest. For several days incubation progressed just about two minutes ata time. The Hummer, after arriving with material and building it into the slowly raising rim, would incubate for two minutes, seldom more than a few seconds more or less, be- tore leaving for another consignment. Her periods of absence were of almost exactly the same duration. It was not until incubation was more than half com- plete that the nest was finally finished, but unadorned by the usual bits of lichen. These were added from day to day until May 1, when the first egg hatched, either eighteen or nineteen days after incubation began. Owing to the unsettled actions of the bird on the 12th and 13th of April I could not satisfy myself as to when incuba- tion really began. The second egg never hatched, and after the nest was abandoned the broken shell was found buried in the bottom of the nest. The diminutive waif on the cypress twig seemed to require constant feeding and dur- ing its brief residence in the nest kept the poor little mother so busy that Iam at a loss to know how she would have cared for two. The feeding was entirely by regurgitation, and at times it seemed as ifthe mother had, in desperation, decided to free herself from so much responsibility, for after alighting on the rim of the nest she would aim a vicious stab at the wide open mouth of her offspring and drive her long needle-like bill so deep that I half expected to see it appear through the bottom of the nest. Sometimes after feeding the chick the mother would settle herself into the nest, and after getting her young hopeful well tucked away under her feathers, would reach down under her breast and administer another ration to the ever hungry mite. What the food consisted of I am unable to state. It would have been necessary to have sacrificed the life of the nestling to determine, and I could not bring myself to do that. On the night of the 12th, when the youngster was not quite two weeks old, I discovered that it was spending the night alone, and climbing up to the nest I touched it gently on the back, whereupon it raised its head and squeaked out an appeal for lunch, repeating the call after I reached the ground. About this time its food uuder- went a change, I think, for the parent was seen searching the trunks of the cypress trees for minute insects which she picked out of the crevices of the bark, whereas, up to that time the food had been brought from a distance. Often after searching the tree trunks for several minutes, and gleaning a few spiders from their webs in the hedge, I saw her alight on the telephone wire over the street and sit motionless for five minutes before coming to feed the nestling. It would be interesting to know if it is necessary for the food to undergo a slight change in her stomach before being given to the young. On the 14th, although its feathers were but half grown, the little Calypie began to be very restless, often turning about in the nest, preening its stumps of what promised to be feathers, and waving its budding wings. I oiten investigated the nest at night, but after the 12th never found the mother, nor did she spend the night in the same tree, so far as I could ascertain, at any rate. Shaking the tree, which was small, failed to dislodge her if she were there. The young bird grew more and more restless from day to day, sometimes stand- ing on the rim of the nest and waving its wings as if contemplating instant depar- ture. It was not till the morning of May to, however, that he really left, and without even waiting to say good-bye. When I looked at the nest at 7 o’clock in the morn- ing it was empty, and upon going out to ee a THE NIDOLOGIST 33 the tree I encountered the mother, which showed more concern than usual, leading me to believe that the young bird was still in the vicinity, but I was unable to find it, nor did I ever see it again. From data at my command I am satisfied that this species, at least, often lays its eggs when the nest is but half completed, leav- ing the ornaments of lichen, etc., until the eggs are nearly hatched. San Diego, Cal. —+o-+—_—_ An Outing with the Boys. BY P. M. SILLOWAY. always enjoy an outing with the boys, | because somehow I can learn facts then which I can not obtain otherwise. The boys can find so many more rare speci- mens that I can chance upon, and their knowledge of the birds is so different from the formal facts I have derived from other sources and my own experiences, that it is refreshing to spend a day with the boys in rambling along the hedges and through the forest and meadows. Isn't it strange that boys who do not know anything about the value of eggs can so frequently find speci- mens for which we older fellows search long and unsuccessfully? This spring a boy brought to me three eggs of the Long-eared Owl, roughly blown through chipped holes in the side, for identification, and told me that he found a nest of six eggs in an old Crow’s nest near town. He and a friend had divided the set, but his friend had broken one of the three which fell to him in the distribution of the spoils. Now I have never found a nest of the Long-eared Owl, and so with a companion I set ought the next evening for the grove in which the nest was found, but after climbing tree after tree we found not even a Crow’s egg, and it was apparent that the guileless boys had accidently stumbled upon the only nest of the Owl in the first tree they climbed. It is safe to say that I have peeped into hundreds of nests of the Brown Thrasher without spying an egg of the Cowbird, but this spring two sets of eggs of the Brown Thrasher were brought to me by the boys, who desired me to identify the peculiar egg among the well-known products of the Thrasher, and I was forced to recognize the fact that luck is ever on the side of the small boy. And after I tramped over a meadow until I thought I had explored every foot of its grassy tufts, it was disgust- ing tome to have the boys bring to we two sets of Grashopper Sparrow of five each, and an incomplete set of six eggs of the Prairie Chicken, taken from the same meadow. The outing with the boys to which I refer in this article was on a bright and tempting May day. We started out with the intention of spending the day at a spring in the woods about three miles from town, and soon we were on the road in the rural districts. [he boys seemed anxious to form collections of eggs for themselves, and though they had no boxes or cotton, they collected one or two eggs from every nest of the Brown Thrasher found. It appeared that they were not collecting sets, but only choice singles, perhaps with the idea of forming choice sets of these choice singles, as I have heard that more advanced collectors frequently have done with some degree of temporary success. Every bird that flitted from the hedge or started up from the ground was a signal for a rush to find the nest, and some fine series of singles of the Brown Thrasher would have been formed if the boys were not forced to carry the eggs in their hands, and thus most of the specimens taken were broken. Noticing a low, recently trimmed hedge bordering a residence and orchard along the road, it occured to me that here was a favor- able place to find a nest of the Chipping Sparrow, of which I had seen numbers in every similar piece of hedge in my early years, but which I have not chanced upon for a number of years, doubtless owing to the illbred bullying of this domestic species by the ubiquitous English Sparrow. Soon the boys called my attention to a nest, and sure enough, there was the little nest of woven horse hair, but its only con- tents was a token of the Cowbird, and the owners of the tenement had rightly refused to assume the care thus imposed and had doubtless constructed another home for themselves. Now I walk along the long hedge, though the boys are ahead of me chasing out Thrashers and Sparrows. They are too intent on their big game to notice the second little nest, and awaiting me about sixty yards farther on I find the little nest of hair set in a crotch about a foot from the top of the hedge. It contained four eggs somewhat advanced in incubation, valuable to me simply as a reminder of the 34 THE NIDOLOGIST early days when the ‘‘Chippy’’ seemed to nest in greater abundance than it does now. Now we cut across a meadow, for I think a set of nice fresh eggs of the Meadowlark will be worth carrying home, and so thinks each of the boys. But Iam again out of luck, for Ican not stumble upon a nest, but one of the boys startles a female from the grass ahead of him, and finds a hand- some set of six fresh eggs, which he takes up in the nest to carry in his hand. It is needless to say that two of the eggs were cracked before the day was over, and the remainder of the set was divided among the boys as singles. Leaving the meadow, we are in the edge of the woods. In our path stands a large denuded, dead stub, about fifteen feet high, containing many holes bored by Red-headed Woodpeckers and ‘‘Yellow Hammers,’’ and as we approach it a Flicker portrudes her head from one of the holes. Seeing the rapid approach ot danger, she slips from the cavity and sweeps her way into the neigh- boring trees, uttering her sharp signal call. As the stub is too large for the boys to clasp and too smooth to obtain a good hold in climbing, I strap on my climbers and mount by holding to the numerous holes up its length. The wood is hard and the cavity deep, but with my hatchet, carried stuck through the strap at the back of my trousers, I open the entrance, to find six fresh rosy- white eggs of the Flicker, which I pack in cotton in my box and lower, with injunc- tions to the boys to be careful in handling. The racket incident to breaking open the cavity has stirred up other occupants of the stub, f.r a female fying squirrel makes her appearance at the entrance of a hole above me, and investigation discloses a family of young ones with her. Now the boys are all excitement, and I open the cavity, at which the young squirrels scram- ble out and race to the top of the stub, dis- appearing into other holes, while the mother launches herself from the top of the stub toward the nearest tree and sails away in safety, followed by the eager boys. In the confusiona red squirrel, which had remained till then quietly ina large cavity in the opposite side of the stub, makes its appear- ance, runs down the stub, and races to an- other tree to hide among the foliage. The boys return from the useless chase, and I descend to find two of the Flicker’s eggs cracked by careless handling, thus spoiling the set for me, but leaving some good singles available for the boys. Advancing through the scattered trees, the remnant of woods left fringing the creek, we are soon upon the banks of the wide, shallow stream. Growing upon a bank about ten feet above the water, and leaning over the water, stands a large elm, and I observe a Sparrow Hawk sitting ona dead branch of a portion of the tree, though at our approach the little faleon flutters away with its characteristic plaintive cry. Seeing a suggestive looking cavity in the branch on which he was seated, I rap on the trunk, and have the pleasure of seeing his fair partner emerge from the hole and flutter away, while a Red-headed Wood- pecker flies scolding from a smaller cavity about a foot above the home of the Sparrow Hawks. It is fully sixty-five feet to the site, but as the trunk is gently inclined, and there are good branches at convenient dis- tances to rest a poor climber like myself, I strap on the climbers while the boys drop in the shade to watch the ascent. I mouut carefully, and reaching the side, find the cavity large enough for me to insert my hand and remove the eggs, five fresh ones richly marked with dark rusty—-red on a lighter ground. I pack them carefully and stow them away in the sack slung over my shoulders, for they are too precious to be entrusted into the eager hands of the boys. Breaking open the upper cavity, I find four rosy-fresh eggs of the Red-headed Wood- pecker, and then descend slowly and care- fully. (About a month later I fell thirty- five feet, cracking my lower jaw and loosen- ing two of my lower ribs. ) After the boys had ceased to admire the handsome eggs of the Hawk held safely in my hands, we continued our progress along the dry bed of the ravine, one of the boys and myself keeping to one side and the others following the other side. Meetinga patch of water, the boy then ahead of me scrambled up the steep side of the ravine to avoid the water, and I followed almost in his steps. Just as he bent over the top of the bank to step on level ground above, a female Towhee fluttered from under his feet almost in my face and disappeared over the bank. She had kept her place under the feet of the boy so closely that he had not observed her, and had I not been following she would have escaped our notice. I scanned the side of the bank, over- grown with sprouts and weeds, and called THE NIDOLOGIST 35 the boy to help me, but for a time any resemblance to a nest escaped us. At length I descended the bank, and slowly climbing it as we had at first, I finally located it ona level with my eyes, about half way up the bank, placed snugly under the base and roots ofa sprout which grew out almost horizontally, thus effectually hiding it from above, and while the ground beneath it pro- tected it from below. Secreted as securely as it appeared to be, however, it contained four eggs of the Cowbird, in two separate pairs in appearance, as though two had been deposited by one female and two by another, and two eggs of the owner, all ad- vanced in incubation. ‘The Cowbird surely knows more about the habits of the Tow- hee and other species upon which it imposes its products than we Ornithologists can ever know, for except by the accidental startling of the female the keenest eye would never have located that nest in its well protected site. But I know that the editor of the Nipoiocist doesn’t like much, articles about such common things as Chipping Sparrows, Flickers and Towhees, so I shall leave the remainder of this wonderful and veracious story of my outing with the boys for a later issue. Roodhouse, III. +> + Habits of Audubon’s Caracara. BY J. K. STRECKER, JR. URING the past year it was the writer's pleasure to add much to his previous knowledge of the nidification and food habits of that interesting bird, Audu- bon’s Caracara Eagle (Polyborus cheriway), and in the present paper are incorporated his notes and observations. As mentioned in a former article in THE NIDOLOGIST (Vol. II, pp. 6), the Caracara is apparently a permanent resident with us, and judging from the number observed late in the fall of ‘94, 1am inclined to believe is rather more common during the autumn and winter, than insummer. It is possible, however, that Iam laboring under an error, as the birds may only be scattered out in their various breeding grounds during the spring and summer, and may haunt only certain localities at other seasons. About ten miles to the west of the city of Waco, away o’er the rolling prairie and mesquite flats, one comes to a rather small, winding stream, bordered by a long, nar- row and dense strip of woodland. Elm, ash and dogwood trees are the principal timber here, and these were hardly dis- tinguishable at any distance, from the mass- es of thick vines (wild-grape, rattan, poison ivy, etc.), that cover and entwine their branches in thick, matted masses. The undergrowth in some places is very dense, being composed of low, thick bushes, intermingled with myriads of obnoxious vines. Here are the favorite haunts and breeding grounds of Polyborus, as well as the Vultures, the Chuck-wills’-widow (Az- tostomus carolinensis) and many other spe- cies of birds. The 21st of April last, found the writer, in company with his friend J. W. Mann, Jr., driving briskly over the prairie in a buggy, heading in the direction of this strip of woods. ‘The first two miles of our jour- ney lay through a series of level mesquite flats. The day was rather cool for the season of the year, and all nature seemed astir. From the tops of fence-posts and small trees, the inimitable Mockingbird poured forth its grand medley of vocal music, while from among the mesquite rang the voices of Bell’s Vireo, the Dickcissel, the Lark Sparrow and other birds of the prairie. Now and then we flushed small skulking birds, among them the Yellow-winged and Cassin’s Sparrows, and at every turn of the road encountered troops of beautiful Fly- catchers (Mzlvulus forficatus) engaged in noisy courtship. Kingbirds flew over the road, busily engaged in catching insects, and the air was full of the combined music of birds and insects. From over the fields, the soft “quaily’’ of the Plover (Sartramia longi- cauda) and the soft cooing of mating Doves, broke on our ears, filling us with that indescribable emotion, known only to those who ‘‘convene with Nature.”’ As the father of my companion owned a very large farm in the vicinity, he was familiar with the country through which we were driving and quite frequently called my attention to solitary trees, a number of which, (so he informed me), had until recently contained nests of the Caracara, many of them having been in use for years. These were principally elm trees, but one large cottonwood, which stood on the bank of a small stream, contained the remnants of a nest that had been in use until the season of ’94 for six successive years. The first nest we intended visiting was 36 THE NIDOLOGIST finally reached. It was located in a tall elm tree which stood alone ina field at a dis- tance of 200 yards from the before men- tioned strip of woodland. In order to visit this, we were obliged to alight from our buggy and hitch the horse, as an unbroken stretch of barb-wire fence: prevented our advance. We had soon succeeded in crawling through this obstruction, and struck out across the small stretch of prairie interven- ing between us and the tree. As it was now getting warmer, at every step we started up lizards, principally sand swifts ( Cxemidopho- rus gularis) and horned “‘toads’’ (Phryno- soma). On nearing the tree, I observed the foliage to be so thick that I was unable to distinguish the outlines of the nest until I was within a few yards of it. Just as I was preparing to climb, my companion attracted my attention by shout- ing, ‘‘There are our Eagles,”’ and glancing upward I observed a pair of large birds fly- ing rather hurriedly away over the trees. This was apparently the same pair which had reared two young in the nest last season, but on ascending to it, I found it to be empty. The nest was a clumsily shaped though firm and well-made structure, with only a very slight depression in the top. The material used was thick stalks of broom- weed, which were cemented together, pro- bably by the excrement of the young birds that had been reared in itin past years. The diameter outside was 24 in., the depth, almost 26. After examining this nest, we concluded to strike across the woods in quest of others. We made a break through the dense masses of vines and bushes, pushing them aside, and slowly made our way to the center of the strip, starting up rabbbits, large tree lizzards (Sceloporns floridanus) and, to my companions horror, an occas- ional snake. The ophidiaus met with here were specimens of a green snake (Opheodrys aestivus), a pilot snake (Coluber spiloides), and a coachwhip snake, probably a variety of the Lascanion fragelliforme of Cope. Very few prairie birds were met with here, but other small species replaced them, among these being the Warbling Vireo, Long- tailed Chicadee, Wood Pewce and many others. Finally we reached an open space and after some few minutes search, discovereda second Caracara’s nest, which, however, proved to be an old one which had probably not been in use for several seasons. After leaving this, our attention was again attracted by the same pair of Eagles, which were now flying over us, heading in the direction of the elm tree containing the nest first examined. On our careful scanning the trees in the vicinity, we soon discovered the new domicile of these birds. This had been newly built and was composed of pieces of rattan vine and a few twigs, and was situated in the triple fork ofa slender ash tree, at an elevation of 20 feet. My only conjecture as to the reason these Car- acaras had for desertiug their ald and build- iug a new nest, is, perhaps in 1894, after Mann had examined the old nest containing the two young, other parties may have dis-. turbed it or carried the young birds away. Three lusty young, about two weeks old, I judged, were the contents of this new nest. The little creatures looked extremely odd, with their heavy beaks and claws, which looked very mnch out of proportion to their size. They were covered with both grayish and yellowish down with the exception of the whole occupit, side of face encircling the eyes and the tips of the wings, which were black. They offered no serious objec- tions to being handled, but judging from their actions they probably would have pre- ferred being fed to undergoing a critical examination at our hands. The tree con- taining the nest was covered with a tangled mass of mustang grape-vines. On leaving the young Caracaras we glanced around in h_pes of seeing the parent birds, which we soon discovered perched at the extreme top of the lone elm tree. We then made our way out of the woods, and crossed the field to where our horse was hitched, and although we spent some time in resting,as I was badly shaken up by a fall that I had sustained on account of a broken vine, the old birds were in the tree-top as long as we were in sight, and until we had driven away and they were lost to view. These Eagles are by far the most timid of raptorial birds, and I can- not recall an instance during the breeding season of one allowing a near approach, always deserting their nest or young when one is yet some distance away from their nests. We now drove away to another locality, or rather to another section of the bed of the stream, which was quite dry at this date, although this was the first time it had . ever been known to be so. In the woods here we found Vultures breeding, and saw Fa) many flocks of these birds, among ~them being some few Caracaras, feeding on the carcasses of several dead mammals. One empty nest of Polyborus was discovered and although empty it showed signs of being used in the near future as fresh broom-weed had very lately been added. ‘The elm tree containing this nest was located almost within the original bed of the stream, and its limbs were covered with a mass of mus- tang grape, rattan and other vines, while up the trunk ran a myriad of vines of that curse to the field naturalist—poison ivy. After leaving the woods at this point we drove over the prairie to the southwest, and through a flat covered with thin, scraggy mesquite timber, with an occasional sweet-gum, honey-locust and elm tree scat- tered here and there. Here we found sev- eral nests in mesquite, honey-locust and sweet-gum trees. From one of these a set of two eggs was taken, and two nests had been newly repaired and fresh building material added. Several Caracaras were seen, besides the pair to whom the eggs belonged. I am quite certain that had I the opportunity of revisiting the two nests mentioned a few days later I would have found them containing eggs. Nests of the Caracaras that I have examined in the vicinity of the Bosque river north of Waco were usually located in rather low, bushy trees which were growing on the borders of sparsely timbered tracts. ‘Those found here differed from those on the prairies by being composed of slender branches, rarely lined with roots and grasses. Those on the prairies were with two exceptions composed entirely of broom-weed without any lining whatever. One of these two was constructed of strips of rattan vine, the other of broom- weed, with a firm foundation of coarse twigs and branches, The nests are situated at elevations ranging from eighteen to twenty- five feet from the ground; usually about eighteen. A friend informs me that he has found nests of this species en cliffs which were favorite breeding places of the Black Vulture. On noting the extremely shallow depression in the nests of the Caracara, I have often wondered if the eggs and young are not often destroyed by rolling out and falling to the ground. In this species both sexes assist in the duties of incubation. In some cases the pair of birds that had been known to occupy a certain. nest were ob- served in the vicinity of it during the most of the year. The breeding season in this (McLennan) THE NIDOLOGIST 37 county is somewhat later than in the more southern secticns of the state. Fresh eggs are taken here from about the middle of March to the middle of May. Mr. James Carroll who has been collecting in Refugio county, southern Texas, stated in a letter written under date of March 26, that he had taken eleven sets of this species up to that date, the first being taken during the last week of February. He also mentioned that all sets excepting one were of three eges each. In this section sets of two are as common, if not more so, than those con- sisting of three. In this locality I notice that the breeding seasons of the majority of our Raptores ex- tends longer than in many other sections. The eggs of the Turkey Vulture have been taken here as early as the first week in March, and I have a set of two which were taken on the last of May, and were perfectly fresh when collected. The breed- ing period of most of our Hawks extends much longer than is recorded from other sections of the South. This especially ap- plies to the case of the ABuzeos. Although I have been long acquainted with the food habits of the adult Polydorus, until the present year I was not awareas to whether the young were fed both upon car- rion and freshly killed animals or merely upon the latter class of food. In my former notes I made the statement that the remains of rather large mammals were often found in the vicinity of their nests containing young, or strewn around the bases of the trees in which they were located. ‘This is quite true. Mr. J. W. Mann, Jr., found the skull and several leg bones of an opos- sum at the base of a tree containing a long- used nest of the Caracara. Dead mammals are commonly found lying around in the woods and fields in the near vicinity of the nests examined on April 21; on one day during the season of ’95 I took note of those upon whose carcasses I found Vultures and Caracaras feeding, and among them were several domestic animals, a small skunk (Spilogales—sp. ?), an opposum (Didelphys virginianus) and three rabbits. One of these last was a cotton-tail, the others, specimens of the great jack or mule-eared rabbit. From this I infer that the young Caracaras are not only fed upon birds and mammals captured by their parents, but also upon carrion matter in the form of such dead animals as it is possible for them to carry to their nests.—Waco, Texas. 38 THE NIDOLOGIST Birds of Estes Park. BY RICHARD C. MCGREGOR. STES PARK is situated in Larimer county, Colorado, some sixty miles northwest of Denver. It is an open park or valley of ten miles in length to four or six in width, with many side branches. The altitude is about 7,500 feet, while the surrounding peaks reach from 10,000 to ~ The highest is Long’s Peak, 14,271 feet. The Thompson river flows through the main valley. My stay at Estes Park occupied the most of July and August, 1893. Moraine is the post office. Most of the birds here recorded from Estes Park in the summer are such species as are found about the foot-hills and plains during the winter, showing very clearly that interesting fact known as_ vertical migration. What the birds of a _ level country accomplish by long journeys from south to north our birds are able to gain in a few hours from plain to mountain. Thus Junco caniceps and Lucosticte tephrocotis, which I was able to include in this list only by climbing the higher mountains about the Park, can be found in winter within a few miles of Denver among the, low foot- hills. Similarly such birds as the Magpie, Long- crested Jay, Lewis’ Woodpecker, Long- tailed Chickadee and Pygmy Nutchatch move from the mountains to the foot-hills and plains as the cold of winter comes on, and in the spring they move to their sum- mer camping ground. Loxia and “Leucosticte are especially re- luctant to leave their mountain homes on account of cold and snow. They are re- 14,000 feet. ported to me as staying in the valley most» all winter, moving in immense flocks and looking for food about the houses. An interesting collection of notes as well as birds might be made by spending De- cember or January in Estes Park. Mallard—One pair seen. Spotted Sandpiper—A bundant. Killdeer—Abundant. On July 14 I col- lected two downy young which were sitting about a dry bog. Dusky Grouse—Abundant. Nests inthe hills, after which the young follow the mother to the protection of thick willows growing along the water course. The Grouse was found at timber-line on Long’s Peak. White-tailed Ptarmigan—Are abundant above timber-line on the mountains sur- rounding the Park. A @ with two downy young taken July 20. Mourning Dove, Western Red-tail—A single specimen taken. American Sparrow Hawk—Breeds very abundantly. Pigeon Hawk—Specimens taken near Denver are of this species. More taken at Estes Park. Belted Kingfisher. * Cabanis’ Woodpecker—Rare. immature specimen taken. Batchelder’s Woodpecker—Rare. Red-naped Sapsucker—Abundant. Nest- ing in all the available stubs. Williamson’s Sapsucker—Abundant. Red-headed Woodpecker—One observed. Red-shafted Flicker. Western Nighthawk—Fairty abundant. Broad-tailed Humnringbird—July 18 I flushed a 2 from a lichen covered nest containing two featherless young. Western Wood Pewee—Abundant. Wright’s Flycatcher— Two specimens taken. Hammond’s Flycatcher—A single speci- men. American Magpie—Abundant. grown young taken July 14. Long-crested Jay—Abundant. Clarke’s Nutcracker—Occasionally seen. Red-winged Blackbird. Western Meadowlark. Brewer’s Blackbird. American Pine Grosbeak—An adult male taken a little below timber-line July 20. Cassin’s Purple Finch—Abundant. Both young and adults taken. # Gray-crowned Leucosticte—A bundant on Long’s Peak above timber, and found on the summit, over 14,000 feet. White-crowned Sparrow—Found above timber-line. Western Chipping Sparrows—A bundant. Gray-headed Junco—A nest containing incubated eggs found July 20. Mountain Song Sparrow—Few observed. Lincoln’s Sparrow — Three specimens taken. Green- tailed Towhee—Rare. Louisiana Tanager—A bundant. Cliff Swallow—Found nesting on the face of a cliff after their primitive style. About twenty pairs. Barn Swallow—Rare. A single A half- THE NIDOLOGIST Violet-green Swallow—Abundant, nest- ing in every suitable knot-hole and Wood- pecker’s excavation. Warbling Vireo. Audubon’s Warbler—Abundant. Macgillivray’s Warbler—Fairly abund- ant, but not easily obtained on account of its retiring habits. Pileolated Warbler—Rare. American Pipit—Abundant above tim- ber-line. } American Dipper—Rare. Sage Thrasher—Rare. Roek Wren. Western House Wren—Abundant. A nest containing young was found July 14, and watched for eighteen minutes. During this time the parent made thirteen visits with food. Both birds aided in the feeding, sometimes one, sometimes both being at the nest. The young Wrens kept up a continuous racket, which was increased whenever either parent came near. The food consisted mostly of grasshoppers and large flies. These occasionally escaped, but were soon recaptured and treated to a sharp rap on a limb. Slender-billed Nuthatch—Are abundant. Nest containing young found July 18. Pigmy Nuthatch—A bundant. Long-tailed Chickadee—This and the following species in large flocks. P. gambeli constituting about two-thirds of the flocks. Mountain Chickadee. Ruby-crowned Kinglet-—Rare. Townsend’s Solitaire. Both young and adults taken. Audubon’s Hermit Thrush. Western Robin. Mountain Bluebird. On the authority of Professor Vernon L. Keliogg* I add the following species not observed by me: Gadwall—Not uncommon. Bob white (introduced). Golden Eagle—A few seen. Bald Eagle—Rare. One seen. Prairie Falcon—One shot above timber- line. Western Horned Owl—One seen. Alpine Three-toed Woodpecker—Five seen. Poor-will—Not common. Cassin’s Kingbird—Common. Desert Horned Lark—Common. Rocky Mountain Jay—Common. *Trans. Kans. Acad Sci. XII—1889-99, p. 86. Mexican Crossbill—Small flock seen, ¢ and ¢ shot. Brown-capped Leucosticte—A few seen. Intermediate Sparrow —Common just above timber-line. Clay-colored Sparrow—One shot. Slate-colored Junco—Mostly above tim- ber-line. Identity not positive. Parkmann’s Wren—Common. Brown Creeper—Rare. White-breasted Nuthatch—Not common. Ee ee as Short-Eared Owl and [Marsh Hawk. BY EUGENE S. ROLFE. DO wor KNOW whether these two interesting species adopt similar breeding spots generally, but in the Devil’s Lake region it would seem that what constitutes a likely nesting spot for the one is often regarded with equal favor by the other. Nor can I makeup my mind satisfactorily trom actual observation as to the prefer- ence each manifests for a location in or near some marshy spot, for the food of both seems to consist largely of the com- mon field mouse and for this they must range the dry prairies. However, I suppose, in fact, both feed to some extent on frogs, small snakes and lizards, (though I have never canght them in the act) andif so their predilection for the marsh is accounted for. Many times I have watched the Marsh Hawk sailing low and keenly scanning the ground on the open prairie, and suddenly pouncing down and quickly ascending again with an empty mouse nest in its talons, and on one occasion I followed behind for fully two miles and in that distance it picked up and dropped seven of these empty nests. On examination they proved to be simply wads of fine dried grasses, and it was easy to see that if these had all chanced to be occupied by families of young mice, the foray of that particular Hawk would have been most fruitful in the destruction of these small pests. The search of acczpitrinus is very similar, though the sweep of its wings is longer and itis not so much given to sailing as the Marsh Hawk. Inthe case of both the length of wing and tail and the heavy growth of feathers gives the impression of a rather large species, but in fact the body is comparatively insignificant and the eggs seem disappointing in size. 39 40 THE NIDOLOGIST Aside from the nesting spots being similar in general, the habits of the two species in some other respects are strikingiy alike. I have had occasion many times to note the close companionship between male and female of both species, extending not only through the breeding season but apparently up to the time of migration at least, and, as has been suggested by other observers, perhaps through life. I have never dis- covered a nest of either species at anv stage of its building or use afterward that was not closely attended by both members of the pair, and in the case of the Owl, of some seven nests taken this year, I did not once flush the bird from the nest without first, or soon afterward, flushing the mate very close at hand, and late last fall I jumped a pair from a roosting place together under a couple of stalks of milkweed on the open prairie, near a big slough, and there was every evidence at and about the spot that the pair had practically adopted it fora home, though it was plainly nota nesting site. In the case of the Marsh Hawk this close association is only less marked. I have been able repeatedly to locate a nest ap- proximately by closely watching the opera- tions of the male and noting his reluctance to wander outsidea certain radius, and late in September I have come upon both parent birds piloting about a full family of young, apparently full-fledged and well able to care for themselves, and at a time when the families of other species had become permanently scattered. The two species I have found strikingly alike in another respect. Ifa nest of either contains an incomplete set and is ap- proached close enough for discovery, even though it may not be actually touched, it is promptly abandoned by the pair. This has been my observation in every case where incubation of the full set had not com- menced. In the latter part of May last, while driving on the open prairie near a small sheet of surface water, I flushed a Short-eared Owl from the long dry grass, and some twenty feet away, and almost at the same instant, its mate left her nest con- taining two fresh eggs. From my seat in the cart the nest could be plainly seen, and knowing the propensity of the species to abandon, I turned my horse quickly aside and quit the locality entirely, not returning fora week. But I doubt if the pair had even revisited the spot after being dis- turbed, for the eggs, still fresh and wholly unstained, were together with the nest, — cold and wet. A few days later, after closely watching a male Marsh Hawk for fully half an hour and coming to a definite conclusion as to the proper spot to_be searched, I walked - straight to a clump of greasewood brush of an average height of two feet, and, peering in from the edge but not approaching nearer, flushed the female from her newly — completed nest, containing one clean, fresh egg. On my next visit, eight days later, there was no change whatever in the situa- tion, except that the pair had wholly de- parted! But though the two species are some- what alike in food and habits, the construc- tion of their nests is radically different, that of the Owl being generally a trifling, careless lining of dried grass, or straws or fragments of weeds in a very slight depres- sion in the ground, sometimes hardly per- ceptible; while the Hawk’s is placed flat on the ground and ordinarily well built up, from one and a half to five inches in depth, of dried grasses, hay, weed stalks and even twigs fora foundation where the ground underneath is wet and marshy, as is fre- quently the case. I have this year taken the nest of each, high and dry, on the open prairie, fully two hundred yards from any water, and I have also taken a nest of each in a stretch of breast-high nettles and rushes on a marshy strip of land twenty yards wide, running out into a dismal alkali lake—a selection of nesting spots seeming to fully justify the use of the word “marsh” in the naming of both. As illustrating unusual nesting sites, I might mention a nest of the Marsh Hawk taken by me at the foot of a small popular tree in a trifling grove, along the old lake shore; also a flimsy nest of the Short- eared Owl containing young in all stages, from just hatched to half grown, on a sur- veyor’s ‘“‘witness mound” at a section cor- ner located in a half flooded stretch of graz- ing land. Incubation with both species seems to commence with the laying of the first egg, and a glance into a nest will generally dis- tinguish the fresh eggs from those first laid, the latter being usually dingy and nest- stained. The eggs of Accipitrinus that have come under my observation, range in color from dead-white to lustrous-white, with, some- eer oy ie THE NIDOLOGIST 4t _. times, a faint suggestion of a creamy tint, and in dimensions average about r.50x1.30, and run from five to seven to the full set. When their nests are despoiled the pair generally make a strong show of resistance and their vicious darts at the intruder and the angry snapping of their bills make an interesting display. The eggs of the Marsh Hawk I find to range from three to five to the full set, and to measure 1.60 to 1.80x1.25 to1.40. They are slightly bluish or greenish-white, and more often than otherwise wholly unmarked. When marked at all the majority show simply shell markings of pale buff, some- times scarcely perceptible, but one excep- tionally fine set of five taken by me this season, and now in the collection of C. W. Crandall, are of a very delicate bluish- white background with pronounced spots and blotches of rich amber-brown, alto- gether very pleasing to the eye. rae Cooper Ornithological Club. HE Southern Division met November 2, at tbe residence of Chas. K. Gros- beck in Pasadena. Mr. Grinnell was elected Vice-President for the rest of the present year. V. W. Owen of Los Angeles was elected to membership in the club. A paper by A. I. McCormick was read treat- ing of his observations made on the desert sixty miles east of Mojave. The vegetation consists of small mesquite bushes not over three feet high, numerous greasewood and a few yucca and cacti. The nearest water was eight miles distant, and it seemed as if all the birds of the vicifiity journeyed thither for their water supply. This year there was an absence of the marked seasons, winter seeming to merge into summer making it unfavorable to bird life. The House Finch was found to be the most numerous bird nesting on the desert, and was of a retiring disposition. Most of the nests of this species found were situated in the forks of a small variety of cholla, and four eggs constituted an average set. The Black-throated Sparrow was found distributed in pairs over the desert. ‘The first nest was found May 21, inasmall mes- quite and contained three incubated eggs. With two exceptions, the nests of this spe- cies which were found contained but two eggs. The Black-throated Sparrow is of a very friendly nature; its song is the first heard in the early morning and the last at night. The birds seem to nest in the vicin- ity of habitations, and are always found in the hills in preference to the desert. The bird is a close sitter and chooses a thick dense brush for its nesting site. On May 20, a nest of LeConte’s Thrasker was found containing three eggs. It was situated in a large thorny bush, and the parent when flushed flew to the ground and ran with the spread characteristic of this species. The nest was large and bulky, composed of limbs of the bush in which it was situated, and lined with dry, brown weed-stems and asort of grayish down from a sage grow- ing in the vicinity, and placed two feet from the ground. Just above the nest was a large substantial platform of limbs of the same bush. ‘This was about three inches above the nest leaving the bird just room enough to enter. Whether or not this was intended by the bird as a protection from the scorching sun is not known, but this peculiarity was noticed with other nests of this bird. Numerous nests of the Cactus Wren were found in the yuccas on the hill- sides but they had been occupied. Other species noticed were Mexican Horned Lark, Valley Partridge, Phainopepla, Arkansas Kingbirds, Canon Wren, Mourning Dove, Cal. Shrike, Burrowing Owl and a variety of Nighthawk. On a pond near Randsburg several species of Ducks and the Am. Coot were noted. Mr. McCormick arrived too late in general to find the desert species nesting. NOTES FROM GUADALUPE ISLAND, Horace A. Gaylord read the following paper:—‘‘On the evening of July 9, 1896, an expedition under the guidance and in the interests of Mr. A. W. Anthony left San Diego on a cruise along the coast and among the islands of Lower California. After being out for over two months, the afternoon of September 15, found us within sight of the mainland, leaving Geronimo Island for the lonely and rugged Island of Guadalupe far out at sea. Before night we noted a number of Phalaropes both Crymo- philus fulicarius and Phalaropus lobatus, Black-vented Shearwaters were common and a few graceful Petrels, Halocyptena microsoma, Oceanodroma melania and a single O. macrodactyla were dancing over the water with a flight very similar to that of a Nighthawk. September 16 was spent at sea out of sight of land. Three Black- 42 J THE NiIDOLOGIST footed Albatross followed the schooner all day, and these and an occasional Guadalupe Petrel and a few Phalaropes were the only birds seen during the day. Early on the morning of the seventeenth the helmsman sighted land through the fog and by noon we were anchored at the Mecca of the expedi- tion, Guadalupe Island. Three Albatross, probably the same ones that were with us on the 16th, followed the boat to within a mile or two of anchorage. Shortly after day-break Mr. Anthony saw a number of Pink-footed Shearwaters, Puffinus creato- pus, and as we neared the island two Jae- gers probably S. /ongicaudus, and a Royal Tern flew past. An inquisitive Farallone Cormorant and an immature Western Gull flew out from the rocks to meet us. Going ashore in the afternoon we found Guada- lupe House Finches and Guadalupe Rock Wrens abundant almost to the water’s edge, and around the stone houses near the beach a few /unco insularis were seen. A Great Blue Heron flew along the shore and once or twice during the afternoon the cry of a Wandering Tattler was heard from the rocks. One or two lonely Gulls and Cor- morants find a roosting place on some small out-lying rocks near the landing. Late in the afternoon Mr. Anthony went to the top of the island and stayed there over night in hopes of seeing the three or four Guada- lupe Caracaras which the goat-hunters informed us were in the habit of gathering around the carcasses of the goats killed at the camp. ‘These three or four individuals are probably the only remaining representa- tives of this isolated species, Polyborus lutosus. ‘‘Under the head of September 18, my note-book says: ‘Jim and I went to the pines over the worst trail I ever climbed,’ a truthful entry, if indeed the route over which we travelled had any right to be called a trail. Carpodacus amplus and Sal- punctes guadaloupensis were abundant all the way from the beach to the summit of the ridge. The latter species were remark- ably tame. A noteworthy fact is that all of the birds peculiar to the island are so tame that some will occasionally attempt to alight on the barrel of the gun aimed for their destruction. A single W’n. Red- tail circled tar out from behind the hill near the top of the island and soared away to the southward. During our four days’ stay at the island this species was occasionally noted. As we entered the timber the dainty sweetness of the Dusky Kinglet’s song came to us from an oak and the peculiar call of Sztta canadensis was heard from among the pines. A few Guadalupe Juncos were seen at this point, but through my ignorance of the timber growth we did not go far enough down the ridge to find either this species in abundance, or the resident Crossbill, Loxza curvirostra strick- landi. A pair of Sparrow Hawks, probably Falco sparverius deserticolus, were in the possession of a dead pine at the top of the ridge. This species was found to be present upon the island in about the same numbers as the Red-tail. Mr. Anthony returned from the cypress grove and goat camp with- out having seen a Caracara. In the cypress grove he caught a glimpse of a bird which had the appearance of Pzpzlo Consobrinus and as it afterward proved, this was our only record of this species. Regarding the Petrels which breed on the island, the hunters told us that while doing some stone work in the region of the Petrel colony, they had found two different spe- cies. They described the Guadalupe Petrel and an entirely black one, which together with a wing found on the trail to the cypress forest makes it appear that O. homochroa is an inhabitant of this island. A large Hawk, Falco peregrinus anatum (2), was seen around the cliffs near the anchorage on September 19. In examining a number of stomachs of Carpodacus amplus we found that its principal article of food was goats’ tallow and seeds of foxtail. Indeed the goat-hunters told us that these birds would, if opportunity offered, consume fifty pounds of tallow a day. Making due aliowance for the exaggeratiof and the number of birds, we must still conclude that each bird would eat more than its own weight in tallow a day. “On the 20th, I visited the cypress forest while Mr. Anthony and my brother went to the northern limit of the pines. They found the Mexican Crossbill common and the island Junco abundant. Inthe cypress Carpodacus, Salpinctes and Regulus were abundant and Juncos common. One Guada- lupe Flicker was shot and a single Nut- hatch heard. Around the cliffs at the northern edge of the grove a number of White-throated Swifts were dashing through theair. Late in the afternoon I started for the beach without even seeing tke principal object of the day’s hunt, a Caracara. But scarcely hadI been gone two minutes when THE NIDOLOGIST 43 the goat-hunters yelled for me to come back. : the Mexicans call the Caracara, alight on the cypress tree near the cabin. A shot while the bird was still in the tree and another, as, wounded, it circled within range, secured the only Guadalupe Cara- cara of the expedition. Again on Septem- ber 21, I visited the cypress and upper camp. On this date I had the pleasure of comparing the songs of the Guadalupe House Finch and the Dusky Kinglet, and had I not been prejudiced in favor of Regulus I would at once have given pre- ference to the Finch: as it is I am left undecided. The song of the House Finch is rich and jolly, and that of the Kinglet is modestly sweet and dainty. The quality in the one which appeals to your musical sense is lacking in the other. A Mourning Dove was seen around the slaughter pens in the afternoon. It was undoubtedly a migrant. At 7 o'clock on the evening of the 22d, we left Guadalupe Island for San Diego, thus ending a most interesting sojourn in this out-of-the-way place.’’ Mr. Judson exhibited specimens of rare Hummingbirds from south-eastern Arizona. The Southern Division met November 28, at the residence of H. A. Gaylord in Pasa- dena. The» Committee on Arrangements reported that everything was favorable for a successful meeting on December 28, when the Division will meet at the home of W. B. Judson at Highland Park. Nominations for Division officers for 1897 were made. NORTHERN DIVISION. The Northern Division met December 5, at the residence of C. Barlow in San Jose. Several visitors were present. Dr. J. G. Cooper of Haywards, and Lyman Belding of Stockton, were elected to Honorary Membership in theclub. The receipt of Vol. Il. of Major Bendire’s ‘‘Life Histor- ies’’ was reported, the same having been placed in the club library. Arrangements have been made to have the annual meet- ing in January, an exceptional one in point of interest. A special programme has been prepared and invitations will be issued. The Northern Division will meet January g, in San Jose. The annual election of officers will occur at the January meeting. + © <« —____ A. W. Anthony, who recently returned from an expedition to Lower California, will soon sail on another collecting trip, exploring this time the islands of the Gulf. I turned and saw a ‘‘Queleli, ’ as- Finding the Killdeer’s Nest. BY F. E. NEWBURY. AKING much interest in the article on the Killdeer by Mr. H. R. Taylor, some time since, and the remarks in THE NipoLocist by Mr. F. M. Dille, I thought it would be interesting to the many readers of the magazine to learn of my experience with a pair of Killdeers in Rhode Island. The Killdeer is not common in this state, but for several years I have known of the presence ofa pair in fields bordering Cowe- sett Bay, in the town of Warwick, about twelve miles from Providence. At the commencemeut of the season of 1895, I made up my mind to take a set of eggs of the Kildeer Plover in Rhode Island, if such a thing were possible. With that end in view I spent the night of the 17th of May at a farm house, and started at daylight on the 18th to look for my Killdeers. Sure enough, they were there, and acting very queerly, flying about with their shrill cry of ‘‘Kill-dee’’ ‘‘Kill-dee,’’ and dividing their time among three fields bordering the bay, and I could not get them to locate or settle down in any particular field. ’ After watching them until nearly time to take the train for Providence, I gaveit up for that day. On the 25th I made another trial, and started both birds again, at first the female, and she acted like a sitting bird, dusting herself and acting as if she had left a nest of eggs. The male soon joined her, and they acted the same as on the 18th, flying over-head, uttering their cries, and alight- ing far from where I started them, where they began feeding unconcernedly. The male was very demonstrative and noisy at this time, and I confess their actions puzzled me. They acted like birds witha nest of eggs, but to locate it wasa puzzling matter, sol gave up in despair aad started for home on my wheel. I spent the whole of the 30th collecting in that locality, and incidently noticed that the Killdeers were still there, so stayed over night at the farm bouse, and at 4 A. M. on the 31st, I was out to make my last attempt to find their eggs. I had practically made up my mind which one of the three fields contained the nest if there was one, so made my way cautiously to that spot. 44 THE NIDOLOGIST Three sides were surrounded by a barbed- wire fence, thé fourth was open to the salt water. _On one side was a little knoll. I chose that side to commence operations. Lying flat, I crawled through the wet grass until my head just came above the knoll, when I saw the Killdeer run (they are very wary birds) and getting my bearings by a mullen-stalk near where I first saw her, I took a line about twenty feet back of that, as I judged she possibly might have ran that distance before I discovered her. I walked slowly into the center of the field, and when I was opposite my mullen-stalk I took a step or two to the left, looked down and saw four handsome eggs of the Killdeer. They proved to be perfectly fresh, and in my opinion were laid since the 25th. This is the second set of which there is record of their having been taken in Rhode Island, aset having been taken on May 12, 1894, in another part of the state. I account partly for the lateness of my set from the fact that our annual May storm in 1895 was considerable later than in 1894. In fact, my observations on the 18th were made during a cold, drizzling rain. A field glass was used on each day except the last. The fields were barren pastures, scantily covered with coarse grass and bits of stubble. A few bitsof broken grass stems were scratched together to form a nest, and the eggs were all laid with pointed ends toward the center and partly on end. I have taken a good many eggs during my lifetime, but none of them gave me the satisfaction that I felt in finding. after so much labor, this, my first set of Killdeer’s eggs. Providence, R. I. —+ © +—_____ Swallows of Minnesota. BY WALTON MITCHELL. LIFF SWALLOW :—From the first of May until the latter part of August this isthe commonest of our Swallows. Going out into the country a few miles there is scarcely a barn, with suitable eaves, that is not occupied by a colony of these pretty birds. About the 20th of May the Swallows pair and select a suitable place for nesting. Sometimes only two or three pairs nest in the same locality, but usually from ten to fifty pairs will occupy a barn that is large enough to accommodate them. ‘The nests are built under the eaves, and composed of pellets of mud plastered to the side of the barn, and lined with fine grasses and hairs or feathers. The nest is pouch shaped and only open at the neck. About a week is occupied in constructing the nests. The eggs are almost invariably five in number, rarely six. The ground color is a pinkish-white, spotted thickly with reddish-brown and lilac. Occesionally unmarked eggs may be found. The eggs average about .85x.60. Two broods are reared in a season and some.imes three. They leave towards the latter part of August although a few may stay a week or two longer. Barn Swallow:—This species is not nearly as common as the preceding, though not by any means rare. They begin to arrive in small parties about the last week in April. About the 15th of May they be- gin to seek nesting places, which are usu- ally on rafters and beams on the inside of barns, although, failing to find such places, they occassionally nest under the eaves, like the Cliff Swallows. The nests are composed of mud, straw and small sticks, lined with hay and feathers. Eggs are from four to six in number, and in markings almost indistin- guishable from those of the Cliff Swallow, although they average smaller; about .75x.50. I think only one brood is raised. Tree Swallow:—About the middle of April these, the handsomest of our Swal- lows, begin to arrive in small companies, often with the Purple Martin. They pre- fer low woods in the vicinity of lakes and rivers for their nesting places, the bottoms of the Minnesota River being a favorite breeding ground. The nests are built in old Woodpecker’s holes and composed mostly of hay and lined with feathers. They seem to prefer to take the lowest holes obtainable, for in several instances where there were two or more holes ina tree the lowest was generally chosen. The eggs are laid about the first week in June, and are usually six in number, some- times only five and rarely seven. They are a clear roseate-white, measuring about .758.50 Onan average. Two broods are raised in a season, the second making its appearance the latter part of July. They leave towards the last of August. Bank Swallow:—An abundant summer resident, arriving the first week in May. About the 15th they begin to excavate Pe Genie, Ve Oa ST THE NIDOLGGIST 45 their holes in a clay or sand bank, usually ina railroad ‘‘cut.’’ The holes are com- monly about two feet in length,and widened at the end, on which is laid a scanty nest composed of a little grass and feathers. The eggs are from four to seven in num- ber, usually six, and laid by the 25th of May. ‘They are pure white in color and average .70x.50. The birds are all gone by the first of September. T'wo broods are raised. Rough-winged Swallow:—The Rougb- wing is less common than the Bank Swal- low, but not at al) uncommon. ‘They ar- rive about the same time as the Bank Swal- lows and depart a little earlier. The nests are placed in holes in stonework and iron- work of bridges, and when such a place is not accessible they resort to holes like the Bank Swallow. The nests are more substantial than those of the Bank Swallow, and composed of sticks, hay and weeds, lined with grass and feathers, The eggs are five or six in num- ber, pure white and average about the same as the Bank Swallow, and are laid the last week in May usually. The only place I have met with them is near Mendota, Minn., in Dakota county, where they are quite common and associate with the Bank Swallows, which are found breeding there by the thousands. St. Paul, Minn. fe + Notes from Illinois. N December 12,.a friend brought mea fine specimen of an Owl of golden yellow plumage covered with dark spots. On first examination I thought I had a rare prize, but a more thorough one proved it to be an American Barn Owl. If this were the first discovery of the species and I had the honor of naming him, I should surely call him the ‘‘ Monkey-faced Owl,’’ his resemblance to that animal, both in looks and actions being truly remarkable. Whether the Barn Owl is common or not in this locality I could not say with accur- acy, but would judge not, as he is rarely met with. His Owlship is at present alive in my barn-loft, and whenever approached will lower his head below the level of his feet, moving his head back and forth, slowly swaying, with great brown eyes rolling like balls of fire. If he does not soon exhibit a better appe- tite I shall give him a pedestal and an hon- ored piace in my cabinet. On July 15, I secured (from the top of an evergreen in our town park), a set of five eggs of the Yellow-billed Cuckoo. I could scarcely believe my eyes, and as yet, have not decided whether to call it a set of five or two sets, one of two and one of three. Two eggs were nearly fresh, one slightly incubated and two contained large embryos. On July 14, I secured a nest of five Robin eges, the only set of this size I have found in twelve years collecting. Besides the number in the set, I consider the date as remarkable. More Warblers and small birds have nested here this season than for many sea- sons past, partly perhaps on account of the growing scarcity of the Raptores in this section. On October 1 a Great Blue Heron came flopping down in a barn-yard inside our town limits. He walked around very un- concernedly, scaring all .he fowls off the place, until his career was terminated by a shot gun. He is now a valued member of my cabinet. It is a question whether hunger or exhaustion compelled him to alight in so strange a place. Philo, Ills. Isaac 5. Hxss. cree Sustains the Title. Among the brightest of the many journals reaching our editorial desk especial notice must be aceorded to the Nidologist, an illustrated monthly published at Alameda, Calif., which ably sustains a right to its sub-title as the ‘‘Exponent of American Ornithology and Oology."’ Within the limits of its field no journal has a better corps of correspondents or a more able editorial staff—the name of R. W. Shufeldt of the Smithsonian Institution as associate editor being a sufficient guarantee of the Nidologist’s sterling value.—Sports A field. roe SNOWY OWLS IN CALIFORNIA. Snowy Owls invaded California in some numbers early in December, driven down by northern gales. One was shot on Bay Farm Island, near Alameda, December 1, and three were taken in Sonoma county. Mr. Gillette, of Chula Vista, San Diego county, informs us he saw one there about the same time. These records are the first for California 46 THE NIDOLOGIST Extracts from an Old Book. BY H. M. GUILFORD. HILE in the Minneapolis Public Lib- rary recently I picked upa small book entitled, ‘‘Carver’s Travels.’ Its yellow and worn leaves and its old style print marked it as a volume of antiquity. It was the account of Jonathan Carver, a citizen of the Colonies, who at his own enterptise, a century and a quarter ago, traversed the Great Lakes, explored the Wisconsin and Chippewa Rivers, and the country lying along the upper Mississippi. The thought came to me to turn its leaves and see what it contained relating to early Ornithology, and I found therein a whole chapter about birds. As much of it was interesting to me and may be so to others, I copy parts of it as follows: The Night Hawk:—This bird is of the Hawk species, its bill being crooked, its wings formed for swiftness, and its shape nearly like that of the common Hawk; but in size it is considerably less and in coior rather darker. It is scarcely ever seen but in the evening, when, at the approach of twilight, it flies about, and darts itself in wanton gambols at the head of the belated traveller. Before a thunder shower these birds are seen at an amazing height in the air, assembled together in great numbers as Swallows are observed to do on the same occasion. The Whipperwill, or, as it is termed by the Indians, the Muckawiss. This extra- ordinary bird is somewhat like the last men- tioned in shape and color, only it has some whitish stripes across the wings, and like that bird is seldom seen till after sunset. It also is seldom met with during the spring and summer months. As soon as the In- dians are informed by its notes of its return, they conclude that the frost is entirely gone, in which they are seldom deceived; and up- on receiving this assurance of milder weather, begin to sow their corn. It ac- quires its name by the noise it makes, which to the people of the Colonies sounds like the name they give it, Whipperwill; to an Indian ear, Muckawiss. The words, it is true, are not alike, but in this manner they strike the imagination of each; and the cir- cumstance is a proof that the same sounds, if they are not rendered certain by being reduced to the rules of Ornithology, might convey different ideas to different peoples. As soon as night comes on, these birds will place themselves on the fences, stumps or stones that lie near some house, and repeat their melancholy notes without any varia- tion till midnight. ‘The Indians and some of the inhabitants of the back settlements, think if this bird perches itself upon any house, that it betokens some mishap to the inhabitants of it. The Fish Hawk greatly resembles the latter in its shape, and receives his name from his food; which is generally fish; it skims over the lakes and rivers, and some- times seems to lie expanded on the water, as he hovers close to it, and having by some attractive power drawn the fish with- in its reach, darts suddenly upon them. The charm it makes use of is supposed to be an oil contained in a small bag in the body, and which nature has by some means or other supplied him with the power of using for this purpose; it is, however, very cer- tain, that any bait touched with a drop of the oil collected from this bird is an irresis- tible lure for all sorts of fish, and insures the angler great success. The Wakon Bird, as it is termed by the Indians, appears to be one of the same species as the Birds of Paradise. The name they have given it is expressive of its supe- rior excellence and the veneration they have for it; the Wakon Bird being in their lan- guage the bird of the Great Spirit. It is nearly the size of a Swallow, of a brown | color, shaded about the neck with a bright green; the wings are ofa darker brown than the body; its tail is composed of four or five feathers, which are three times as long as its body, and which are beautifully shaded with green and purple. It carries this fine length of plumage in the same manner as a peacock does, but it is not known whether it ever raises it into the erect position that bird sometimes does. I never saw any of these birds in the Col- onies, but the Naudowessie Indians caught several of them when I was in their country, and seemed to treat them as if they were of a superior rank to any other of the feathered race. The Black-bird:—There are three sorts of birds in North America that bear this name; the first is the common, or as it is there termed, the Crow Black-bird, which is quite black, and of the same size and shape of those of Europe, but it has not that melody in its tones which they have. In the month of September this sort fly in large flights, and do great mischief to the Indian corn, which at that time isjust ripe. The second sort is the Red-wing, which is rather smaller than the last species, but like it black all over its body, except the lower rim ofits wings, where it is a fine, bright, full scarlet. It builds its nest, and chiefly resorts among the small bushes that grow in meadows and low swampy places. Tt whistles a few notes, but is not equal in its song to the European Black-bird. The third sort is of the same size as the latter and is jet black like that, but all the upper part of the wing just below the back, is of a fine, clear white; as if nature intended to diversify the species, and to atone for the want of a melodious pipe by the beauty of its plumage, for this also is deficient in its musical power. ‘The beaks of every sort are of a full yellow, and the females of each of a rusty black like the European. The Red Bird is about the size of a Spar- row, but with a long tail, and is all over of a bright vermilion color. I saw many of them about the Ottawa Lakes, but I could not learn that they sung. I also observed in some other parts a bird of much the same make, but that was entirely ofa fine yellow. The Whetsaw is of the Cuckoo kind, be- ing, like that, a solitary bird, and scarcely ever seen. In the summer months it is heard in the groves, where it makes a noise like the filing of a saw; froom which it re- ceives its name. The reader can draw his own conclusions. We must make allowance for this voyager’s limited acquaintance with some of the birds mentioned. For my part, I would say that the Whetsaw was the Acadian Owl; that the Red Bird was the Scarlet Tanager; and the fine yellow bird ‘‘of much the same make,’’ a female of the last mentioned species. The third species of Black-bird described might be the Bobolink, but, if so, it is strange that he never heard its song. But what was the Wakon Bird? Among all the birds I know of, now inhabiting the territory through which he passed, I cannot think of a similar one. Can some one tell me? Minneapolis, Minn. oe = A number of valuable and very interesting pen and ink sketches by an eminent artist of the West, illustrating the trials and humorous inci- dents of an early trip to the Farallones, are to be secured for the ‘“‘Souvenir.”’ THE NIDOLOGIST 47 Michigan Notes. FEW NOTES made during the past year or so may be of interest to your Michigan readers, at least, as they re- late to some species whose occurance in this locality, if not in this state, is quite in- frequent. A Double-crested Cormorant (P. dilop- hus) was brought to Prof. Wood of our High School by one of his students, which had been shot on the Saginaw River. This is the first Cormorant that I know of being taken in this locality. March 23, 1894, I made my first record of the Ring-necked Duck (A. collaris) in this vicinity. They were quite common during that Spring, and a few were also noted the same fall. A single specimen was also noted in the Spring of 1895. Their visits must be quite irregular, as my obser- vations extend back over a period of thirteen years. In the Spring of 1895, an Old Squaw (C. hyemalis) was taken at Marquette by a local hunter, and in the fall of the same year, a specimen was brought me for iden- tification which has been taken at the Lex Cheneaux Islands, Straits of Mackinaw. While returning from a trip to the North- ern Peninsula, the latter part of September last, on the D.S. & A. Railroad, a few miles west of Seney, in the low marshy lands peculiar to that locality, eleven Sand- hill Cranes (G. mexicana) were seen, and I was informed by one of the train hands, that ‘‘they were there every fall. I was not aware that the Baird’s Sand- piper (7. dazrdiz) was regarded as such a rare visitor toour state. In the December, 1895, number of your paper, page 49, under ‘‘Notes from Michigan,’’ the first recorded capture is reported and reference made to what Prof, Cook says regarding the species in his ‘‘Birds of Michigan. ’’ In my notes furnished Prof. Cook on the birds of this locality, I said relative to this species ‘‘tolerable common on bay-shore in September.’ Evidently the statement was regarded as an error, as he made no mention of it in his catalogue. ‘This statement, however, was based on the fact, that two birds had been taken September 11, 1891, four taken September 1, 1893, and others seen, and several taken September 23, 1893. 48 THE NIDOLOGIST Wild Turkey (J/. gallopavo)—This bird has been regarded as practically extinct in this locality, for the past few years. An old Turkey hunter informed me that last fall he tracked a flock of about a dozen birds several miles on the low lands south of the city, and other hunters stated they had seen birds fi that vicinity. Possibly as aresult of our game laws, the species may be on the increase. A Pigeon Hawk (F. colombarius) was brought to me last October, making my first record for this county. N. A. Eppy. Bay City, Mich. <2 Birds of Golden Gate Park. Golden Gate Park, the great pleasure ground of San Franciscans, is situated in the western portion ofthe city. It was commenced from the sand-dunes in 1874, and now covers one thousand and thirteen acres, being three miles long by a half a mile wide. Its forests area delight to the Oologist, and also furnish many a home for the feathered tribe. Often have I sat ona some shady ‘‘scrub-oak’’ tree, with wild blackberry vines forming a canopy over- head, and studied the habits of our feathered frlends. On April 20, ’95, I noticed a pair of Wren-tits in the Park scratching among the leaves and dirt. I did not pay much attention to them at first, but when turn- ing about on the bench on which I sat I saw the female with some Quail feathers, hopping from limb to limb until she was a few feet back of me in the vines. I turned around, and what should I see but Mrs. Wren-tit building her nest. I wrote the location down in my note book,and resolved to visit her in a few days. While going home I stumbled across a nest of California Bush-tit. As it was pretty early for eggs, I did not disturb the nest, but put it down in my note book also. On April 30 I went out to the Park to collect my nests (or rather the birds’ nests). I went in through the Hayes street entrance and took the path leading toward the Wren- tit’s nest. There were too many people around to begin operations, so lsat down on a bench and took it cool for a while. I waited patiently for half an hour or so, but instead of the people going away, it seemed to me asif more came. I waited a little bench, beneath longer, and seeing no one around, I got down on my hands and knees and began to’ crawl under the blackberry vines, when suddenly I heard footsteps. I ‘‘laid low’’ and held my breath, for if a Park Police- man’’ (or ‘‘star bird’’ as they are called) should catch you, it would be twenty dol- lar fine or twenty daysat the city’s ex- pense. I kept my position until I heard — the footsteps die away, and then proceeded on my crawling expedition. I was now near enough to stand up and reach the nest. This was no easy task, for the vines were twisted among the branches and thus pre- vented the hand from reaching it. I took out my knifeand began to cut the vines, when again I heard footsteps coming right in the direction I was standing. My heart began to thump upand down,and I thought I would have a free ride to the City Hall, when I saw a lady and gentleman come and take the seat a few feet from me. There I was again penned up. I waited for a while for the parties to go away, but they did not stir. I looked at my watch; it was five minutes past 4. I waited a little while longer, and still they did not move. I be- gan to think I wouldn’t get home that night at all, when the lady said: ‘‘Gracious me!* quarter of 5; I will have to be going home,’’ and they got up and left. Once more I felt good and was inmy right senses. I lost no time in cutting the vines this time, so I could reach the nest. When this was complete I pulled the nest out without looking in it to see whether it con- tained eggs or not. But there among the feathers and moss lay four little pale blue eggs. I packed the treasures in a little tin box which I had brought for the purpose, crawled out the same way I got in, and made a bee line fora cable car. Going home I said to myselt: ‘‘That’s the hardest job I ever undertook in my life for a bird’s nest.’’ I didn’t think about the Bush-tit’s nest until I was safe at home, and I assure you I made up my mind to leave it alone. Other birds that I have noted in Golden Gate Park are: California Partridge, Law- rence’s Goldfinch, Yellow Warbler,Golden- crowned Sparrow, Plain Titmouse, Bewick’s Wren, Gambel’s Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Russet-backed ‘Thrush, California Jay, Anna's Hummingbird, Californian Towhee, and Rufous Hummingbird. I think I can safely say these birds breed in the Park. AGS Cis San Francisco, Cal. 3 ¢ § ¥ Y : ‘ FIELD NOTES. MIGRATORY NOTES. From my notebook I take the following notes on migration for the fall season of ’96. The first arrivals noted were several species of Warblers August 3. ‘They arrived in large flocks, and are still plentiful, the black and white being the most Common. Noted on August 25 many Barn Swallows; they were especially plentiful after a rain. Noted on September 6 Rose-breasted Gros- beak; three birds, two females and one male. On September 24 I noted two American Redstarts, and have seen but one since. Noted on October 20 several Wil- son’s Snipe, and they were rather plentiful by November 25. On October 24 I saw a large flock of Killdeer Plover, and saw on October 15 a flock of Wild Geese. Ducks, Blue-winged Teal, Mallard and others ar- rived about October 5. The Robin was first noted on November 4; several large flocks seen November 23. P GinMAN J. WINTHROP. Tallahassee, Fla. * * * CHIMNEY SWIFT NOTES. I noticed in an article by C. W. and J. H. Bowles in the August NrIpoLocistT this statement: ‘‘In some places reports come from time to time of nesting in chimneys.’’ Now at Chili, Monrve county, New York, where [ spent most of my collecting sea- sons, nearly all the nests I found person- ally, or that were brought to me, were taken from the inside of barn gables. This was not confined to one or two pairs of birds, but seemed general all over that section. I never took but one set from a chimney. Was this a local condition? My nests were usually made of elm twigs, but I have seen the birds break off cherry and apple twigs. I always considered any feathers found as accidental, but that might not hold good on close investigation. Certainly the majority of my nests showed no feath- THE NIDOLOGIST 49 ers; in fact there was seldom anything but the twigs and saliva or glue. The birds usually started a number of nests before selecting one to complete. Let us hear from other localities as to nesting sites. EkNEST H. SHORT. Albion, N. Y. * * * USURPED A WAXWING’S NEST. Mr. Butter’s article, ‘‘The Robin as a Freak, ’’in the Nip., for October, brings to’ mind a similar experience of my own. June 15, 1896, i found a nest of the Cedar Waxwing containing five eggs, on a horizontal branch of a maple and far out from the body of the tree. July 24 I founda nest of the American Goldfinch in the same tree, but higher up. When I started to climb the tree a Robin flew from it and commenced to make a great fuss, so when I had examined the Goldfinch’s nest, and could see no Robin's nest in the tree, I concluded to look in the Waxwing’s, andfound that it had been added to by the Robin, she having made the walls higher by using mud and grass so that it looked like a typical Robin’s nest. It contained a newly hatched Robin and an egg just ready to hatch. VERDI BURTCH. Penn Yan, N. Y. * * * A ROBIN IN THE COLD. December 14, during a snow storm, and the thermometer at 20, a Robin made its appearance, and remained about the house for some time. That night the themometer registered six degrees below zero. W. S. JOHNSON. Boonville, N. Y. * * * A COWARDLY SCHEME. Those who have searched for the nests of Aegialites vocifera know what a deceiving creature the bird is. The nests are diffi- cult to find, unless you run onto one by mere chance. In the summer of 1891, a pair had its nest in a stump patch in an old pasture on my father’s farm. The stumps thickly covered about half an acre of ground, in places well grown over with weeds. Here I had searched many times for a nest which I was sure was located there, but my search was always attended with failure. I 56 THE NIDOLOGIST would endeavor to hide from the female’s observation behind a stump, but the male on the high knoll adjoining would invari- ably give my whereabouts away. Finally I gave itup in despair, One evening when driving home the cows an idea suddenly - passed through my head. Thinks I, “now if I drive the cows through that patch of stumps they may scare the old bird trom her nest and she will beso intent on watch- ing them as not to observe me.’’ No sooner said than done, and I started the cows stumpward. They scattered well in pass- ing over the patch, and soon I heard the alarm note of my deceitful friend. Look- ing in the direction whence came the sound I saw the Killdeer flying again ana again at the cow’s head. She soon saw me, however, and was off, but too late, for going to where the cow was when attacked I had no difficulty in finding her pretty set of four eggs near the base of an old well rotted stump. ‘‘There’s schemes in all trades but ours,’’ but this time my scheme proved a practical and successful one. : W. E. SNYDER. Beaver Dam, Wis. ———————== @ —_ __—_ Sunset in Early Summer. The farm on which I live is situated on the outskirts of a country village with a population of about 3,500 inhabitants. The town borders on the Connecticut line, in central Massachusetts, about twenty miles east of the Connecticut River. The house is built on the top of a steep hill. About one hundred and fifty yards north of the house is a stripof meadow land, with a small pond in the distance; just west of the house is another meadow with a brook running through it. On the east side is a small orchard, and beyond that, a knoll, the sides of which are covered with sweet ferns, while'‘on the top are a few yellow pines. A few rods south of the house are two more knolls, separated by a deep gully. The first one is covered with small brush, while the second is partly covered with pines. Many times in early summer I have sat in a chair in my back yard, when the fiery orb was setting in the west, and listened to the chorus sung by the birds in honor of the departing day. In the pines the Warb- lers and Ovenbirds are singing their best love songs. From the meadow comes the clear whistle of the Meadowlark and the rollicking song of the Bobolink, interspersed with the plaintive ‘‘peet-tweet, peet-tweet’’ of the Spotted Sandpiper, who is examin- ing the bed of the brook in search of his evening meal. In the orchard is heard the ‘‘chick-a- dee-dee” of the Black-capped Titmouse and the ‘‘rat-a-tat-tat’’ of the Downy Woodpecker, who has a bill as long as any milliner’s, and thought he would call and see if Mr. Wormis at home. On the knoll back of the house I hear the sweet song of the Song Sparrow, and at intervals, the whistle of the Bob-white. In the orchard is heard the evening song of the Robin and the sweet but sorrowful whistle of the Bluebird. ‘Truly, ‘‘all nature is iu tune.’’ In the midst of this chorus, there arrives from the south knolls, another songster that alights on the top branch of a pine in the yard near me. I look, and behold—it is the prince of mim- ics, the Brown Thrasher, come to bid the parting day aw revoir. After eveing me closely for a short time, he droops his wings and tail, gazes heavenward, and breaks forth in a song so loud, clear and sweet that those of the other birds are scarcely discernible. He intersperses his own original song with snatches from those of the other singers so much more perfectly that they are shamed into silence. After singing and mimicking for about half an hour, he disappears as suddenly as he came, for he has got to be on hand to meet his love at their trysting place in a brush heap. After he has gone, I can hear the clear, bell-like notes of the Wood Thrush in the distant woods and the Whip-poor- will calling his mate on the east knoll as the shroud of night closes over the scene. As I arise to enter the house, I hear the booming of the Night Hawks, performing their aerial evolutions, and the hoarse “quawk, quawk’’ of the Night Herons wending their way to their feeding grounds | at the pond. summer. This closes a day in early WILLIAM H. NaucHron. Monson, Mass. : oo Mr. O. Widmann, whose interesting article on the Chimney Swift appears in this number, writes: ‘I had a very good chance to watch a family of Swifts through an auger hole, which allowed me to bring my eye within two feet of the nest, without disturbing them.” Individuality in Eggs of Particular Pairs of Birds. (RRAD BEFORE THE LINN AZAN SOCIETY OF NEW YORK ) OLOGISTS make a great point of securing series of sets of eggs of cer- tain species of birds, intending by a completed series, which may consist of from a dozen to one hundred or more sets of a kind, to show the true type of the par- ticular species’ eggs, with all the principal variations in size, coloration, markings, etc. Mr. A. W. Johnson, formerly ot England, but now of California, once remarked to me that his large series of eggs of the Golden Eagle (Aguila chrysetos) was almost com- plete. Yet I feel that I may confidently affirm that with the eggs of certain species, and Golden Eagle’s particularly, such a thing as series, in the sense of possible ‘“completeness,’’ is practically a myth. I think investigation, which has hitherto been practically lacking, will prove it to be a general law that eggs of monogamous birds like the Golden Eagle show a remark- able individuality from year to year in size, shape, coloration and markings—some- times in allof these particulars, and always in one or more. I have had exceptional opportunities in Santa Clara and San Benito counties, Cali- foinia, to study individuality in THE BREEDER AND SPORTSMAN has a corres- pondent who believes that Ducks commit suicide, having found them dead under water attached to seaweed by their mandibles. TO THE SONG SPARROW. VRE winter’s blasts do strident blow, And sunshine seldom cheers our way, Then from the world of cold and snow Is heard thy sweetest, clearest lay. Just is the debt we owe to thee, Sweet singer of the dreary days; And better for thy minstrelsy, I gladly give thee praise. Aylett, Virginia . HENRY AYLET?. -—_o—_— —— WILFRED H. Oscoop of San Jose, Cal., infornis us that while out walking he noticed a number of characteristic pellets of the Western Horned Owl. Inthe centre of one he founda large prune pit embedded in the usual mass of hair and bones. Rather a peculiar diet for an Owl. FRANK L,. BurNS of Berwyn, Pa., writes us: “Your crusade against all manner of frauds has earned you the good will and support of every honest Ornithologist in the country.”’ GEORGE G. CANTWELL has left Juneau on a collecting trip to be gone until June. His address will be McLeod’s Post, Houkan, Jackson P. O., Alaska. REv. P. B. PEABODY writes us: ‘‘You are cer- tainly subject for congratulation in the ‘scoop’ you have scored in the world of scientific journals, in the beautiful and accurate portrayal of the nest and eggs of the Western Evening Grosbeak.” THE NIDOLOGIST just received and I should call it the dest number you have yet issued. The plate of the nest and eggs of the Western Evening Gros- beak is superfine. Enclosed find 20 cents in stamps to pay for one copy of your souvenir, ‘‘The Story of the Farallones.’’ I am sure that this work should be in the hands of every collector, as I know from my past correspondence with Mr. Barlow that it would be impossible for him to write anything which was not interesting.—Ora W. Knight. A. A. Forbes of Silver Lane, Connecticut, has taken twenty-four eggs of the Red-shouldered Hawk, this season. On April 2, a set of two eggs of the Great Horned Owl was secured from a tree where a pair of these Owls nested ten years ago. Ralph E. Case of Avon, Connecticut, on June 5, 1896, found a set of Whip-poor-will’s eggs one- half incubated, ondry leaves at foot of small pine. One egg has a complete circle of yellowish brown spots which give it a beautiful appearance. E. B. Sisson, of Canton, Connecticut, took on April 5, 1899, a set of three eggs of the Red- tailed Hawk frem a nest in a white pive tree. One egg is spotted with russet brown and two are greenish-white. Also on the same date he took a set of three eggs of the Barred Owl from a poplar stub in a hole six feet up from the ground. Hartford, Connecticut. C. M. CAsE. Mr. VERDI BuRTCH writes us that a Murre was killed recently at Penn Yan, N. Y.—two hundred miles from the sea coast. 56 _ THE NIDOLOGIST Published and DR.SHUFELDT Edited by Smithsonian HenRY R. TAYLOR Institution, Associate. Founded at Alameda, California, September, 1893 WE EXPOSE FRAUDS Official Organ Cooper Ornithological Club of the Pacific Coast \ Subscription (in advance), $1.00 (Foreign Subscribers) add 12 conte for postage) _ Single Copies, - 15 cents Remittance may be made in any Fonte The Magazine is not sent after subscriptions have expired FOREIGN AGENTS Swann & Co., 1-2 Bouverie Street, Fleet Street, London Ip (CH Original contributions, with or without illustrations, are desired. ADV ERT ISING | RATES FURN PSteN 210) WE wIsH to all our subscribers and friends a most happy and successful year, full of delightful experiences, rich in the fathoming of Nature’s secrets, and fraught with the peace of woodland bird songs on a day in May! WITH a desire to establish a closer sympathy between the paper and its subscribers, the pros- perity of the one being that of the other also, we addressed a letter to our friends on the advent of the new year, which has already been fruitful of results highly gratifying and cheering to the editorial heart. New subscribers are coming in; now let the good work go on. WE HAVE been obliged to issue a ‘‘combine” number. In it our readers will find many contri- butions of unusual interest and permanent value, a forecast, we believe of many more such with which we expect to be favored during the year. Tur NipoLocist is your medium—send in your articles for publication. THE YEAR 1897 promises well for this journal. It will be issued hereafter on time, and by the help of all who are its firm friends will advance to higher achievements, keeping up the good work of exposing ‘‘frauds” and doing its share to raise the standard of Ornithology and Oology and to increase the interest in the most delightful of scientific studies. THIS MAGAZINE shall continue to publish the best photographs by the latest half-tone process, not a lot of poor ones to please any amateur photographer at the expense of reading matter, but something in the way of beauty and value every time you see it. Line drawings make inexpensive and often very desirable illustrations, and we shall be pleased to have such sent in to us done with India ink, never pencil. THE NIDOLOGIST is not published for fun, as a passing plaything, but is the following out of an earnest purpose which friends of Ornithology have recognized and aided. We need the help of all, never more than now, when a little con- certed action can push a standard, established monthly of Ornithology into the 7igh¢ place in the new era of prosperity which is just dawning. This is to your interest. Let each one take a pride in it, and begin, now. THE Alfred Marshall collections of bird skins and birds’ eggs have just been transferred to the American Museum of Natural History. THE superb illustrated souvenir, ‘‘The Story of the Farallones,’’ has awakened a wide iuterest and the fact of its success is already established. It will be issued early in the year. THE main object of this letter is to send my hearty indorsement of your great proposition, “The Story of the Farallones.’’ For I know if it is in keeping with everything you have under- taken, THE Nip for example, I will never regret my investment. R. C. STEVENS, New York. I HAVE just been reading with much interest, the page of the September NipoLocisT, which relates to your Souvenir of the Farallones. There is a certain mystery about the sea-birds and their island homes that always interests me and I should not like to miss this paper on the subject. By the way, the Grosbeak nest plate is elegant. N. HOLLISTER. WRITES BENJAMIN T. GAULT: ‘It is just as you say, you do get a little late sometimes in getting out THE Nip, but you do have ‘some- thing worth waiting for occasionally!’ The Sep- tember supplement, nest and eggs of the Western Evening Grosbeak, is something that is really fine. It is very plain to be seen that you still intend to keep up your reputation as a leader.” THE steamer Hope, with the Peary Greenland party on board returned in safety to Sidney, Cape Breton Island, on September 26. A large collection of specimens of natural history and ethnology were obtained. Mr. Jesse D. Figgins of Kensing- ton, Md., accompanied the expedition as collector and taxidermist, and his energy and hard work were successful in preserving over 200 birds and nearly roo eggs, besides numerous other speci. mens. | | ee CENT PER WORD. No notice for less than 25 cents. Address printed free. NEW copy of Capen’s Oology of New England for sale cheap, White at once for price, enclosing : eee: 4 Gro. D. FRENCH, ae a: ¢ Ivoryton, Conn. OR SALE—Fine first Aas Sins of birds ane al mammals from this locality; this winters collecting. _ Also one hundred mounted birds; all first class speci- * mens, Prices low. Full lists for stamps. we Gero. D, FRENCH, Ivoryton, Conn. J ANTED—Brewer’s ‘‘N. A. Oology,” Bendire’s Y ‘Tife Histories,’ Fisher's ‘‘Hawks and Owls,” ““Maynard’s Eggs.” Write stating lowest cash price. Have to exchange ‘‘N. A. Grasses’? by Geo. Vasey. two vols. WALTER S. COLVIN, Miami Co. _ Osawatemie, Kans, | WANT. ae and western sets, in exchange for eee with data, of this locality. Also some unios J. R. MAGUIRE, SOMO R ES Ill. for exchange. Box 83. ANTED—A Geenhs instrument in good condi- tion, with sounder. Will offer good exchange in first class skins and eggs in sets, or will pay reasonable cash, pute: Early replies desired . é C. Barlow, Santa Clara, Calif, FOR THOROUGH ORNITHOLOGISTS — > 4 wee W, Antuony, M. A. O. U.; San Diego, Cal.—I congratu- Re Aste you upon its neat appearance and the quality of its contents. Keep it up to that standard and you need have no fear of the % I shall be pleased to do what I can toward contributing when | can find a little time. “Dr, R. W. Suurept, of Smithsonian Institution, United States National Museum, Washington—-I] am very much pleased with the appearance of the journal, indeed, and its well selected name. Pray accept my congratulations and for a long, useful as . _ well as successful career. ee Jno. W. Danie, Jx., Lynchburg, Va.—My expectations are fully realized; to say that lain pleased would be but to express my real convictions most mildly indeed. ‘Lhe paper is good, the typo- aphy excellent and the illustrations extremely fine, _ ~ Dr. Morris Ginns, Kalamazo, Mich—The first issue is the _ most perfect, typographically, of any publication of the kind it is been my pleasure to peruse, You have a painstaking proof- reader, as well as a capable editor in your “‘fish-hawk” sanctum; and your capable judges cannot fail to predict a bright future for your bright, fresh periodical. 1 know it will live, and will simply “2 ask my fellow students to help ‘‘The Osprey” to thrive. ~_ ArrHur M, Farmer, Clinton, Mass.—I think it is the best initial number of any scientific magazine I ever saw. _ September, October, November Numbers . ; Three Successes! Get these Issues before it is too late Sample Copy |O cents iii. Aer ~ +o EXCHANGE—77 Nos. of Oologist, Vol. XI. be of ‘“Auk,’? 6 Nos. of ‘“‘O. and O.” 2 second class eggs of Golden Eagle, and one Revolutionary Flint Lock Musket, for eggs in sets with data. Many common kinds wanted, J Harry C. CAMPBELL, Rens Co. _Lansingburgh, NYE 3 ORTH DAKOTA Birds Eggs: :—Complete list fo1 list for stamp; Mallard, Gadwall, Baldpate, Blue-wing Teal, Ruddy, Shoveller and Pintail; some nests, Also Grouse, Grebes, Hawks, Owls, Terns, ete.» Here.is a8 sample: Set of 3 egg Franklin’s Gull, postpaid $.50, $ g Senda half dollar and receive fresh skin of Prairie Sharp-tailed Grouse, ; EpwIn S. BRYANT, Grand Harbor, N. Dakota. ANTED AT ONCE—A_ good hammerless, double-barrelled 12 ga. gun, Parker preferred, r Spencer Repeater; must be in strictly fi st class conmbition. Will give big exchange in fossils, minerals, — gem stones, Indian relics or eggs in sets, or part cash, | balance in exchange. Gko. W. Dixon, Watertown, S, D. OR EXCHANGE—Following first class sets, offered for the same: 1 1- “5 4934, 64%, 260%, 285%, — 337 1-3, 360 1-3, 36832,375 1-1,378%s. 416 1-1, 4174, 538%. Send lists. W. F. Hint., Lake City, Minn. PCs Ue pa ANT ED—sody and job type, write stating lowest _ cash or exchange price. J. R. BoNWELL., 821-823 N. Sixteenth St., Nebraska City, Neb. TENTING HEMMENWAY & SON 60 SoutH STREET, NEW YoRK WILL ANSWER ALL QUERIES ABOUT THE TENT YOU SHOULD CARRY Good Sets at a al low ‘price. PER EGG _ Large-billed Pufiln...... Dae, ate satin Abe ere Raat $1.50 ‘Cassin’s Auklet.... PAL SE LE Sy a Saco yaa gee 1,00 Pigeon Guillemot....... SER Ee we ee EY -40 : _ California Murre. . Pretty seriesof 8...... .20 “Western Gull... RUN te TR SS Css ae ehh eee 20 |; Ring-billed Gull. . . Pere sata aes 125 Razor-billed Auk....... I-I Een eeitie ety ase 15 Black Skimmenecseenn ORR eel S08 oan Tae .10 | Far allone Cormorant. _ Baird’s Cormorant.,.... White Pelican.:........ - Brown Pelican .... Spotted Sandpiper TSildecrieepra ieee as, Snowy Plover,:........ Ee Valley Ouatleaunse, =Turkey Vulture _....... Red-tailed Hawk....... pAb mene 2 x2 Western Red-tailed Hawk % ae | Broad-winged Hawk.... _ your Siccnon has been sold, money returned ie first mail. L. PERCY WILLIAIS, Rediand=: California — Back Numbers Pe OF THE... The Nidologist > 3t<—<< Volumes If and III, Complete, $1.25 each. Single Nos., Vol. II, 15 cents each. Vol I, Nos. 5, 7, 8,9, 12, 20 cents each; 10-11 com- bined, 30 cents. Vol. III. Nos., 4-5, 25 cents; Nos. 6, 7, 8, 9, ; 12, 15 cents each; 10-11 combined, 25 cents, F Faithfully, as ever, Personally Prese ated : ‘Goon paren - If you have not renewed your subser ees do so at once. Premium Offers will soon be Revise Take advantage of them while they stand You will enjoy reading TH» Nrporocis' during 97, and on. Many valuable and \ helpful articles are coming in. One hy Willoughby P. Lowe, - with ae finer picture, froin life, of a young, Femg. inous Rough-Legged Hawk than you ever imagined possible to the photo graphic art, will be presented’soon, also photographs of a /ive California Con- dor, now in captivity at San Jose, Cal, Write and remit early. ' ‘A. R. fee a yy ALAMEDA, CAL. February, 1897 ii. THE NIDOLOGIST E. A. McILHENNY Ornithologist and Oologist AND GENERAL COLLECTOR OF NATURAL HISTORY SPECIMENS Avery’s Island, Iberia Parish, La. a6 LOOK, OOLOGISTS! LOOK AT THIS ase SoS) AES as Of Southern Birds’ Eggs in Fine Original Sets with Careful Data q TRANSPORTATION MUST BE PAID BY PURCHASER ON ALL ORDERS UNDER FIVE DOLLARS per set Laughing Gull, 25 setsof 3eggs@......... $ 12 Foster’s Tim, 25 sets of 3 eggs @....... ...... 12 Black Skimmer, 25 sets of 4 eggs @........... 15 Anhinga, 25 sets of four eggs @............... 35 Mexican Cormorant, 25 sets of 4eggs@....... 75 Least Bittern, 25 sets of 5 eggs @. ......,....5 20 Snowy Heron, 25 sets of 4 eggs @.....-....... 35 La. Heron, 25 sets of 4 eggs @............... i5 Little Blue Heron, 25 sets of 5 eggs @......... 20 Green Heron, 25 sets of 5 eggs @........... 30 0) Yellow-crowned Night Heron, 20 setsof6eggs@ 5c American Egret, Io sets ofa es osi@ sae 75 Reddish Egret, 25 sets of 4eggs @...... Pierre GO La. Clapper Rail, 5 sets of 10 eggs @.......-.. 3 00 King Rail, 3 sets of loeggs @ ............... 90 Purple Gallinule, 5 sets of 9 eggs @ ........... 75 Kildeer, 10 sets of 4 eggs @ NU aaah Nearer 35 Fla. Bobwhite, 2 sets of 12 eggs @ ............ I 10 ‘Texan Bobwhite, 5 sets of 11 eggs@. ........ I 00 White-winged Dove, 10 sets of 2 eggs @....... 15 Mex.Ground Dove, 10 sets of2eggs @ ......... 25 Ground Dove, ro sets of 2 egg @.............. 30 Mourning Dove, 20 sets of 2 eggs @........... 05 Black Vulture, 20 sets of 2egg @.............. 60 Turkey Vulture, 11 sets of 2 eggs @.......... 60 Harris’ Hawk, Io sets of 3 eggs @............ 50 White-tailed Hawk, to sets of 3 eggs @........ 60 Western Nighthawk, ro sets of 2 eggs @....... 25 per set Baird’s Woodpecker 4 sets of6 eggs @......... Golden-fronted Woodpecker, Io sets of 4 eggs @ 50 Central America Pileated Woodpecker, 2 of 5 @ I 25 Red-bellied Woodpecker, 3 sets of 5 eggs @..... 50 Mex. Crested Flycatcher, 10 sets of 4eggs @... 50 Crested Flycatcher, 20 sets of foureggs@ ..... 40 Kingbird, 50 sets of 4 eggs @................. 10 Green Jay, 3 sets of 8eggs @.... ..........5. 60 Brown Jay, 5 sets of 4 eggs @.... ............ 60 Lessons Oriole, 5 sets of 5 egg @......... ..-. 80 Orchard Oriole, 50 sets of 5 eggs @............ IO Great-tailed Grackle, 20 sets of 3 eggs @...... 15 Boat-tailed Grackle, 50 sets of 3 eggs @........ 12 Fla. Grackle, 6 sets of 6 eggs @.............. 30 Dusky Seaside Sparrow, 5 sets of 4 eggs @..... 2 00 Texan Seaside Sparrow, 3 sets of 4 eggs @...... 2 00 Cardinal, 20 sets of 3 eggs @...... ........., 10 Gray-tailed Cardinal, 6 sets of 4 eggs @........ 75 Abert’s Towhee, Io sets of 3 eggs @.......... 50 Sennett’s Thrasher, Io sets of4eggs@...... 20 Short-tailed Wren, 5 sets of 4eggs @.......... 75 Mockingbird, 20 sets of 4 eggs @.............. Io Bluebird, 20 sets of 4 eggs @............ Beet 105) Mexican Jacana, to sets of 5eggs@.......... 4 00 Chachalaca, Io sets of 3 eggs @...... .......- 40 Rose-throated Becard, 10 sets of 4 eggs @...... I 00 I have these eggs in fine series of sets, they are finely prepared, and have good scientific data. is solicited, and will be filled to your satisfaction. Here is a chance for Oologists to buy a lot of sets for trading at such prices that there will be a profit in it for you. This is the way to get a collection. I am selling at these prices only because I leave for Alaska in the spring and wish to close out before I go. Your order — a" mag THE NIDOLOGIST Exponent of American Ornithology and Odlogy PUBLISHED MONTHLY WITH ILLUSTRATIONS Voy. 1V. No.6 ALAMEDA, CAL., FEBRUARY, 1897 $1.00 PER YEAR California Vulture (PHOTOGRAPHED FROM LIFE) 58 THE NIDOLOGIST A Pet Condor STRANGE PET, you think, but this huge bird, a California Vulture (Pseudo- eryphus californianus,) now about eight months old, is as gentle and playful as a kitten. He was taken from the nest, which was simply the bare floor of a cave, high up among thecliffs in Monterey, Co., California, and overlooking a dark canyon, with the stream about 300 feet below. At that time (July 7, 1896) he was probably about four weeks old, about the size of a half grown SITTING FOR HIS PICTURE goose, and covered all over with white down. Through this the black feathers gradually pushed out until he was fully feathered, and he began to venture around the place a little. As he grew older, being still unable to fly, one of his favorite amusements was to wade out into the creek, flowing near the house, and take a good bath, after which he would stand in the sun with widespread wings until dry. We keep the bird now ina large wire netted enclosure where he has plenty of freedom, and he enjoys nothing so much as being petted. He is particularly partial to Mrs. Holmes’' company, and when she enters the cage he will always fly down from the highest perch, which is his favor- ite resting place, and come rubbing up as a kitten does to be played with. If annoyed by anything he dislikes he hisses much like a goose, raising the ruffs around his neck at the same time. A few days ago I turned a Golden Eagle into the cage witb him, of which the Condor was at first afraid, but now he stands his ground and hisses at Mr. Eagle should he ; get too familiar. Any small, bright object immediately draws his attention, and when trying to get his photograph the rubber bulb of my | camera shutter proved an irresistible attrac- tion, and I had to keep sharp watch to pre- vent its being ‘‘punctured,’’ or the possi- bility of the Condor taking a snap shot of me. A large white sheet I fastened up for a background he repeatedly tugged down for investigation, tangling up his head in a comical manner. On another occasion he caught up the sheet in his beak. FRANK H. HoLmMEs, Berryessa, Calif. +o An Odd Nesting Site. On January 9, 1896, while egging witha friend in Diamond Canyon, near Piedmont, Cal., I discovered a nest of the Black- headed Grosbeak almost over our heads in one of the lower branches of an alder tree. It was nothing uncommon to find such a nest, but there was a dark spot in the center of the nest which attracted our attention. When my friend touched the limb on which it was resting, we were surprised to see a female Arkansas Gold- finch fly off and alight on a neighboring shrub. That louked suspicious, so my friend bent the limb down until I could get the nest, when, to our surprise, the flat Grosbeak’s nest held a nest of the Arkansas Goldfinch, containing four perfectly fresh eggs. The inner nest was made of bark-fibre, string, and cotton, and was not fastened to the other nest in any manner. JoHn M. WILLARD, Oakland, Cal. —— — > > Next manth weshall most likely have to ex- ose an unusually audacious fraud. a er 59 DINNER TIME Notes from Alaska, Alaska certainly has a fine assortment of birds. One of my first takes here was a fine pair of banded- backed, three-toed Wood- peckers, a new bird for my collection. I have seen several Gyrfalcons, of what species I could not tell,as they kept circling about the mountain tops in most inaccessible places. LIalso flushed a flock of Yellow Wagtails from the beach one day while after some of the monster crabs we have here— my gun was back in the cabin, of course. Have had my first Ptarmigan hunt. Just at present they stay on the summit of the range. ‘The five I killed were the variety rupestris and had not fully assumed the white plumage. The Ravens and Fish Crows are always to be seen on the beach at any time of day. The Gulls are allnew to me. So far I have taken the Westeru, Red-legged Kittiwake, Short-billed and the Glaucous-winged. There are no Terns of any kind about at this season of the year. Marbled and Ancient Murrelets and other Divers are coming infrom the open water, as the weather gets severe, and Auks of many rare varieties afford good shooting on the mud flats. Eagles are very plenty wherever salmon streams occur—fine, bald*headed old fel- lows they are, too. The people here de- clare they have seen the young Eagles set- ting in the nests with white heads and tails. The Steller’s and Alaskan Jays of coursd are numerous and noisy,but I was surprisee to find the Magpie common also. There are several islands in the vicinity, I am told, that are breeding resorts for var- ious sea-birds. This will be investigated next spring and if I find any Great Auks nesting there will let you know. GEORGE G. CANTWELL. Juneau, Alaska. a a Measurements Corrected. Mr. Anthony informs me that there were some errors in the measurements given of the eggs of the Black, Socorro and Least Petrels in his article and presents the following measurements of the three species in inches and hundredth instead of millimetres: O. MELAINA. 1.32x. 98 — 1.34xI.03 1.35xI,02 — 1.38x .98 1.35xXI.00 — 1.46x1.05 1.38x1.04 — 1.44xI.05 1.33X .99 — I1.34xI.02 0. SOCORROENSIS. I.16x .g0o — I.12x .92 1.22x .87 — 1.22x .89 HALOCYPTENA. 1,.06x .77. — 1.08x .75 1.04x .76 — .97xX .70 98x .75 — T1.05x -77 .98x .75 — I1.01x .77 1.06x .77 — 1.03x .70 / 60 THE NIDOLOGIST THE COOPER CLUB Annual Assembly, January, 1897 HE Annual Assembly of the Cooper Ornithological Club of California con- vened at the residence of C. Barlow at San Jose Saturday evening, January 9, with a large attendance. Several visitors were present. R.B. Moran of Berkeley and R. B. McLain of Stanford were elected to mem- bership. A committee of four, consisting of Messrs. H. B. Kaeding, Jno. W. Mail- liard, D. A Cohen and H. R. Taylor was appointed to co-operate with a committee from the California Academy of Sciences with reference to the framing and passage of a bill favoring the protection of Califor- nian birds. The annual election of the officers of the Club-at-Large and Northern Division for 1897 took place, resulting as follows: Pres- ident, Walter E. Bryant of Santa Rosa; Vice President, Henry B. Kaeding of San Francisco; Secretary, C. Barlow of Santa Clara; Treasurer, D. A. Cohen of Alameda. The program of the evening was proceeded to. A paper was read by the Secretary, Mr. Barlow, entitled, A Club Retrospect. “A review of the work of the Cooper Ornithological Club during its existence is like all retrospective matters,—not without its regrets. The Club is now in the fourth year of its lifeand though it may have been possible for us as a body of members, to have accomplished a greater amount of scientific work than is now to our credit, it is beyond dispute that the Club in carry- ing out its general aims has been an unqual- ified success. At the time of our organi- zation in June, 1893, there was no Orni- thological association in California which embraced our proposed scope of work. Popular interest in the study of our birds among active field workers was practically at a standstili, and there were many difficul- ties to surmount in establishing a success- ful club. Weare all more or less familiar with the ups and downs of the Club during its first year. Happily our co-worker, Mr. Taylor, established his excellent magazine, THE NIDOLOGIST, a few months after we were organized and we were thus able to secure recognition among the workers to whom the magazine went. I feel that I voice the appreciation of the members at large in saying that the Club has been sub- stantially aided by means of the liberal space granted its reports in our official organ and the consequent wide distribution they have received. ‘“The work of the Club has perhaps been as successful as we could hope to have it, considering the wide distribution of our members and the differing nature of the | territory covered. We have inclined toward general observations rather than the pros- ecution of a given line of work. Soon after the organization of the Club we took up the study of the life histories and nidification of the Wrens and Vireos native to Califor- nia, which resulted in many good papers being sent in, but lack of organization pre- vented the work being a success. The success of our meetings been largely de- pendent upon the program committee, whose duty it is to solicit papers and contributions for the monthly meetings, and we have had presented papers ona wide range of sub- jects, which have made the meetings more interesting, perhaps, to members at large than would a sub ject of organized research or the study of a designated family. Among th. papers presented within the last two years have been many containing observa- tions of special interest and value upon the nidification and habits of many of our rare birds. These have included notes upon the rarer forms of birds of the Colorado Desert and Guadalupe Island, California Pigmy Owl, Poor-will, Calaveras Warbler, Hermit Warbler, and numerous others- Papers have been presented describing authentically for the first time the nesting of the Western Evening Grosbeak, (picturlug its nest and eggs), and the taking of two sets of eggs of the White-throated Swift, which are probably the first perfect sets on record. “Through the medium of our club pro- ceedings these papers have been placed within reach of all working Ornithologists of America. Copies of important papers are forwarded to the Smithsonian Institu- tion and by these two methods our pro- ceedings are given a wide circulation. There are but few lines of organized work along which a clubwith a comparatively scattered membership can hope to work successfully. The undertaking we have recently engaged in (that of compiling a complete annotated list of the Land and Water Birds of California) offers a field of work in which each member can engage with interest, and considering that the work is in charge ofa competent State Committee it would seem that its success is assured. In this connection I would refer to a letter recently received from Mr. Anthony in which he suggests that so far as possible in preparing the county lists, a map be also arranged to show the faunal areas and elevations of each county. ‘“*The Cooper Club has done much to bring together and acquaint with each other the Ornithologists of the state and this has made mutual work possible. The stated meetings of the Northern and Southern Divisions act as centers of Ornithological interest in the state, and members of the Club-at-Large have grown to feel that they are welcome at the meetings wherever held. A fraternal feeling of this nature can do much to promote a general interest in any line of work the Club may take up. Har- mony in the Club has at all times prevailed —a state of affairs very necessary to the life and welfare of an organization such as ours. Matters of importance requiring discussion have always been pleasantly ad- justed to the satisfaction of all and in many wiys our members have at all times attested their loyalty to the Club and itscause. We are happily free from cliques, and governed by our own council have built up an associ- ation of which we may well feel proud. “‘At the present time I think we may safely estimate that we have enrolled as members of the Cooper Ornithological Club two-thirds of the working Ornithologists of California. Our membership at present numbers 67, showing a gain of 1o new members for the year past, which is good considering that a large majority of the Ornithologists of thestate were enrolled at the beginning of the year. There are 41 members in the Northern Division and 26 in the Southern Division, considering Tehachapi the dividing line. “It is fortu- nate that in both division there are mem- bers sufficiently grouped together to permit of a good attendance at the monthly meet- ings as.a rule. The year of 1896 has found the Club better organized and doing a better work than ever before, and a good share of our advancement has been dueto the inter- est and energy of our President, Mr. Bryant. With the dawn of a new year let us hope that the Club may continue its researches with greater success than ever, which will ‘be possible if each member will realize his individual responsibility to the Club.”’ THE NIDOLOGIST Pe Henry W. Carriger of Sonoma read an interesting paper on Habits of the Red-Bellied Hawk. “In the year 1888 I was collecting with a compunion along a creek in the valley, when a large bird flew from a nest about forty feet up in a large white oak sapling. I got but a glimpse of the bird as it left the nest, but thought nothing of this, as in those days the eggs were the primary object and identity only a secondary con- sideration. Being a novice in the art of climbing it was fully five minutes before I reached the limbs under the nest. After resting afew seconds, I looked into the nest and there lay fourlargeeggs. Hawk’s eggs were then unknown to me and I felt as elated as if I had discovered a gold mine. How to get those eggs to the ground was the next question. After several attempts I reached the ground in safety with one} specimen,'the other three being brokeu on my way down. I suc- ceeded in blowing this specimen and now began to think of a name for it. My Orni- thological library consisted of some lists of birds of the United States and when I reached home I started to read over the list. When I reached the Cooper’s Hawk, my companion who was near by, cried, ‘‘That’s the bird!’’ He concluded that since the nest was found on the farm of a man by the name of Cooper, that was surely the name of the owner of our egg. I differed with my friend, but having no description of the bird I gave up the search. Next day I was in the locality with a field glass and got a minute deserip- tion of the bird, which was afterward identified by a friend. Thus I became acquainted with the Red-bellied Hawk. ‘‘Since then I have seen considersble of this bird and have become somewhat familiar with its habits, especially during the nesting season. My observations were taken in Sonoma valley, which is sur- rounded by foothills, and through which the Sonoma river flows. One pair of birds is located in a pasture field grown up to white oaks, where they can be found almost every day in the year. ‘The second pair is located in adry creek bed, where there are numerous large oaks and other trees. My observations lead me to believe that the birds remain mated the year round, and along about the first of the year they begin to get a little restless, and can often be seen 62 THE NIDOLOGIST flying up and down the creeks. They are quiet at this time, scarcely ever uttering a screech unless they come together. In early march they begin to look for a nest, and if they have raised a brood the previous season the same nest is almost invariably used. The first pair have changed but four times since I first found them and at present have two good nests, one of which has been used every year since 1892. ‘The other pair has three good nests and use one of them each season. They hatched for four successive years, using the same nest each season, but it fell to pieces in 1892 and there built one near by. I se- cured the set from this nest, and another was built in which they hatched a brood. I collected a set from this nest in Walter E. Bryant, President ‘93, and they built a third, all three of which still remain, one being used every year. The nests are within view of a much trav- elled road. ‘“A fter they de- cide on a _ nest there is but little to be done to it. It is lined (almost invatiably with green leaves) and is then ready for the eggs. From two to four eggs are laid, and incubation apparently com- mences with the first egg, as I found the bird setting on an incomplete set in the middle of the day. The nest is unlike most of the other large Hawks, being composed almost entirely of moss, with but very few sticks, which forms a compact body about 17 to 24 inches across and 6 inches in depth, the nest proper being about 14 inches in diameter, by about 3% inches in depth. They are usually situated about Chester Barlow, Secretary Officers of the Cooper Ornithological Club, 1896 forty to sixty feet up, and either in a hori- © zontal or upright crotch. The birds are close sitters and act very much like the Western Horned Owl when on the nest. When the eggs are incubated they often remain on the nest, while you may throw sticks or pound on the tree. I have sev- eral times got over half way up to the nest before they would fly from the same. Sometimes the bird will commence screech- ing as soon as it leaves the nest and will soon be joined by its mate, and will keep up the noise until you leave the locality. Often, they will stay in trees near by. and again will fly in circles overhead, but oc- casionally they leave without a note and do not appear for quite a while. One in- stance I remem- ber where I had no sooner reached the ground when the bird was back on the nest. “When the first set is col- lected, they soon take possession of another nest and lay a second set. If this be taken they sometimes, (perhaps always) lay a third time. On March 25, I saw one standing up in a nest call- ing to another in a tree about one hundred yards away. On the 2oth, I col- lected two fresh eggs from the nest. They went to another nest and on the 4th of April it had one egg. I collected this nest on April 12 with three eggs, and in early May I saw the bird on the nest from which I took the two eggs on March 29. The period of incubation seems to be about four weeks, and during this time the other bird can be heard screeching in trees near by. Both birds assist in feeding the Wilfred H. Osgood, Vice-Pres. Roswell S. Wheeler, Treasurer ee THE NIDOLOGIST 63 young. As soon as the young are able to look after themselves, the birds become very noisy and can be heard calling from all portions of the locality. The cries are kept up until the winter season and often continue for hours in the early part of the day. Ihave never been able to account for the continuous screeching, though it may be the voung crying for food. “The food consists of insects, mammals and snakes, and they seldom go any dis- tance from the river in search of it. I have never seen them in the hills and very seldom over half a mile from the groves I have mentioned. ‘They are often shot, as they are said to kill chickens, but I have been unable to secure proof of this state- ment, and do not believe it, for there are about twenty-five chicken ranches within a radius of half a mile of one pair and I have never heard any complaint about them while they are raising their young, but later on, when the Cooper’s and Sharp- skinned Hawks arrive, the poultrymen raise a complaint and I feel that it is for the acts of Cooper’s and the Sharp-shinned Hawks that they suffer. I have often wondered how they manage to live in this locality, for hunters are numerous and will shoot a Hawk on sight, but still they appear in nesting season. Though I know two were killed this year, I have hopes that I will find both pairs in their old homes by the last of March.’’ Four sets of eggs of the Red-bellied Hawk were ex- hibited. © Mr. R. B. Moran of San Luis Obispo read a paper as follows: Nesting of the White-throated Swift. “After the failure to collect a set ot Swift’s eggs in 1894 as reported in the May NrpoLocist, we hoped to be sure of a take in 1895 but our luck was even worse than that of the preceding year. Visiting the nest site several times during the spring, and not seeing anything of the Swifts or of anew nest, we supposed the place to have been deserted, but chancing to return about the first of August I found a nest containing several young just hatched. In ’96, profit- ing by previous experiences, we watched the place closely, first seeing the bird on May 1. On May the oth the nest had been build up and the bird was on it, but it con- tained no eggs. On May 16 the nest con- tained eggs but it proved to be no easy task to remove them in safety. My companion was just able to reach the nest by standing on my shoulders and holding on to a pole with one hand. The chief difficulty was that the crevice was so narrow that he could just get his hand in; but after the expenditure of some little time and trouble he transferred five fresh eggs to me. Mean- while the bird did not leave but crawled a few inches to one side of the crevice as she had done on all of our previous visits. “The male wes only seen to approach the place once and at that, only to dart past the cave once or twice. At almost any time however a number of Swifts might be seen as they darted here and there, occasionally uttering their shrill cry. The nest was elliptical in shape; the measurements were five by three by four inches deep with a depression of one and one-half inches. It was composed of feathers and a little dry grass glued together and firmly attached in the crevice. The eggs were elongated in shape, clear-white, resembling those of the Tree Swallow. They are sparingly speckled with black, which kowever is not really coloring of the shellas it can be erased with a damp finger so easily that we had trouble in preserving it while blowing. The eggs measure as follows: .88x.55; .83X.55; -83X +54; -90x.55 and .86x.55 in inches. ‘‘We next visited a granite cliff some 200 feet high, which was tenanted by a number of Swifts. Discovering a nest about three feet within a crevice, and which contained no eggs, I procured the nest by means of a wire. Climbing on top of a projecting pin- nacle the Swifts would dart within a few feet of us uttering their peculiar twittering cry. One was seen to dart into a crack only two or three inches wide but which apparently went in to a great distance, just where the cliff projected some 25 feet out- ward; after which the twittering could be heard within. Another was seen to dart down and up behind a large boulder, lodged in a crevice about two feet wide almost directly under the other but only a short distance up. Climbing up I managed to wedge myself into the crack in order to feel behind the boulder, but could reach nothing. As I was sliding down the Swifts could be heard inside and presently one flew out. Trying again with no better success, just as I was sliding down a second bird came out. “By watching the Swifts circling around in the vicinity of my take my companion and I were able to discover three cracks in 64 THE NIDOLOGIST which the male was evidently feeding ,the female or feeding young, darting in and out as above related. All of which were between fifty and one hundred feet above the surf but utterly unaccessible because of the nar- rowness of the crevices. On June 16 I col- lected a set of three eggs from the same nest which was robbed May 16. The parent bird again not only remained in the nest but objected to the intrusion by striking at my hand so that I feared she would break the eggs. The eggs were incubated about one-fifth and measure .84x.56; .88x.54 and .82x.56 inches.’’ The two sets of eggs of White-throated Swift described in the paper were exhibited, being probably the only perfect sets of this species yet taken. Donald A. Cohen of Alameda read a paper on The Western Flycatcher. “In this locality we may look for the return of our feathered friend in the latter part of March. In 1896 I noted the first arrival on the 24th and three days later quite anumber. When first arriving, evidently singly, they are rather shy but indicate their presence by their familiar ‘tshweep.’’ A visit to last year’s nesting site will gener- ally reveal the presence of a pair of birds and it appears the old birds usually inhabit the same small district if it is not usurped by some other pair. In this small domaiv they rule as miniature Kingbirds and are more than a match for the piratical Jay, their small size and great activity winning over bulk and strength. ‘These little acro- bats of the air are so quick and ‘scientific’ that attacked birds are glad to retreat in in short order where they recognize that vigorous rattle of snapping beaks, an almost mechanical sound. “May 4, 1895, a set of almost hatched eggs was the earliest record of the numer- ous nests I have found. Nearly all the sets are of four eggs, often three, while two faint recollections of sets of five eggs are recalled from my childhood days. The nests are on anaverage 8 feet from the ground while one noticed was but little over one foot and another nearly 45 feet from the ground, both on buildings. Ledges and sills on houses and old buildings, beams and rafters-in sheds, barns, and frames and under bridges are suitable sites for a nest. Slight hollows in the trunks of trees are readily used, in fact any suitable nook with a good foundation may be selected where the close-setting bird in her cobweb covered nest is well hidden in what appears to the casual observer to be an accumulation of web and dirt from natural sources. Many nests however are built on some horizontal fork of a bushy tree, mostly cypress, while one is occasionally found supported by vines against the trunk of a tree or the side of a house. Only twice have I found a nest on twigs and foliage and that was on a thick cypress. ‘‘Kor three seasons I have failed after dilligent search to discover a nest of a cer- tain pair of Western Flycatchers. There were many fine sites near at hand but none were chosen. It was only by chance that I saw one of them fly with a moth in its bill to a crack extending lengthwise about five inches in an almost perpendicular, live limb of a gigantic oak, about 4o feet from the ground. The limb was about five inches in diameter. Like most other birds in nesting season they become rather nervous at the approach of a person but never really ex- cited. The bird or birds as the case may be, will alight often very close to you with see-sawing tail and shrugging’ wings, all at once darting into the air to catch an insect, then immediately settling again perhaps on the identical perch and going through the same performance time after time, never betraying by its actions whether you are ‘hot or cold’ and uttering every two seconds or so its plaintive ‘‘tshweep,’’ as if to say ‘I know that you are aware I have a nest, but find it if you can.’ ‘The female sitting close with the knowl- edge that her color isin harmony with that of her surroundings can often be caught by a dexterous movement of the hand. I noted one caught and held for a few seconds re- turn instantly to her eggs after first alight- ing on the nearest perch to get her bear- ings. Occasionally, if robbed, a second set is deposited in the original nest, while if the nest be also removed, a second and even a third nest and set is produced ina re- markably short space of time, generally in the immediate locality. The construction of the nest varies but slightly when the material is at hand; a bunch of dirty cob- webs, a few dead leaves, a little dry grass, occasionally a bit of string and a few feathers, then a liberal drapery and festoon- ing of cobwebs and lastly the lining of fine shredded bark and vegetable fibres. By August the bird has become conspicuous by its absence, yet stragglers remain until late in September.’”’ The paper was discussed and Mr. W. O. Emerson described the summer song of the Western Flycatcher as resembling the words “‘whittier-whittier-whittier’’ uttered rap- idly. The address by the President, Mr. Bryant, was postponed until the February meeting. The following committees were appointed for 1897: Program, Messrs. Cohen, /mer- son and Bryant; on publication, Messrs. Barlow and Taylor. The Northern Dlvis- ion meets February 6 at the residence of H.R. Taylor in Alameda. The Southern Division of the Club held an interesting meeting at Highland Park, Dec. 28, with thirteen members and thir- teen visitors present. F. J. Illingsworth of Claremont and Howard Robertson of Los Angeles were elected to membership in the Club. The annual election of officers of the Southern Division resulted as follows: President, A. I. McCormick, Vice-Presi- dent, Frank B. Jewett; Secretary, Horace A. Gaylord; Treasurer, W. B. Judson. The program of the evening was taken up with the following papers: ‘‘Growth of the Club,’’ by Horace A. Gaylord; ‘‘Orni- thology as a Study and Recreation,’’ by A. I. McCormick; ‘‘Nesting of the Bald Eagle in Orange County, Cal.’’ by Evan Davis and read by F. S. Daggett; ‘‘Notes on Sea Birds’? by Jos. Grinnell. These papers will appear complete in next month’s pro- ceedings. Edward Simmons presented an interesting paper, as fellows, entitled: Nesting of the Dusky Poor-Will. “Tt is not my object in this paper to dis- cuss the fine points of distinction of our resident species with reference to its iden- tity, which is known to be somewhat “dusky.’’ My aim is to write a few notes on the nesting habits. My first success in finding the nest of the Poor-will began with the season of ’93. After repeated trials of search not extending over more than one- halt acre of ground my efforts were rewarded by finding a set of two badly incubated eggs. This event occurred on June 14, 1893. In describing this find I quote from Mr. Badger’s article, entitled ‘‘Nidification of the California Poor-will’’ in May 1894 Nipouocist, which was a parallel case to mine. He says: ‘Several days later, re- turning to the locality and cautiously work- ing my way along, stopping at every few THE NIDOLOGIST 65 steps to examine the ground ahead of me, I was finally rewarded. About three feet ahead sat the object of my search. Bunched up as it was it seemed more like an ipani- mate object than a bird. Indeed my eyes ranged over the spot several times before I became conscious of its presence. I was, in fact, about to advance, feeling sure that nothing more than the same white bits of chalky rocks lay ahead of me, when, as if coming out of the earth, my bird appeared.’ A little farther on he says: ‘Her eyes were closed, though the head was tilted a little off the horizontal, as if watching me through the ever so-slightly divided eyelids. Get- ting on my knees and slowly approaching her, she gaveno sign of disturbance till my hand came within about twelve inches, when she quickly and silently as a shadow, glided away.’ “«‘And silently ghded away.’ This last description does not tally with my exper- ience. The bird, on leaving the nest, uttered acontinued note of alarm, which lasted during a flight of about roo feet from the nest. I was not long in taking the two white eggs, which lay ina slight depres- sion of the earth, not made by the bird, however. The eggs were placed about twelve inches from a small eucalyptus and this was the only vegetation within ten feet. The season of ’94 was what might be termed an ‘off year’ for me in collecting Poor-willseggs, but I was lucky or unlucky enough to discover two nests of young dur- ing the season. A few words about them might be of interest. I found one brood when they were quite young, not hatched more than one or two days. These birds were well covered with yellow down re- sembling that of a young pigeon. My observation of their development only lasted through a period of about ten days. The most interesting feature about them was that upon revisiting the place I would find the young moved a few feet from the old site. How the parent birds accomplished this, if they did, Iam unable to state, but this was noticeable after every visit till I lost track of them altogether. The old birds must have assisted them, for all I could gain upon ex- aming the young was that they were per- fectly helpless. I noticed the development of the feathers, especially the wings, which grew very rapidly. I am sure the young receive no food during the day, for when I visited them they seemed dormant,and both parent birds were flushed near them; one of 66 THE NIDOLOGIST them was usually found hovering near the young. The food most likely consists of the regular line of insects caught by the old birds. ‘The manner of feeding Tam unable to describe. “Still having a little hope the season of *95 rolled around and it proved well in the ena. On April 21, while out making one of my usual searches on the old stamping ground I flushed a Poor-will from a set of two creamy-white eggs, which proved to be fresh. The eggs were placed on sandy ground about four inches from a weed and near a smajl stone, the whole site being placed two feet from a clump of eucalyptus sprouts. I retreated a few paces and hid, leaving the eggs undisturbed and after a few moments the parent bird came back, flying close to the ground and lighting squarely on the eggs. I flushed the bird again, packed the eggs, and went on my way. “June 4, 1896, found me again in the field, and I secured a set of Poor-wills’ on that date. The eggs were deposited on the bare ground, surrounded by oak leaves from a large live oak which o’ershadowed the whole situation. On blowing the eggs they showed a slight progression of incubation. In all the cases that I have been concerned in, in hunting Poor-wills’ nests I have pre- viously flushed a pair of birds in the vicinity of the supposed nesting site, and after in- cubation commenced I was unable to flush but one bird, which was found within a few yardsof the sitting mate. This bird seemed to be in my path every time I came but to find the sitting one was another question. “T believe that one of the birds is always found present on the nest, at least I found it invariably so, no matter how warm the day was, and the bird being exposed to the sun. This I think is so in order that the bird may conceal the conspicious white eggs from theft. I noticed that the nests were always placed on the south or south- east of a near-by object; this precaution allowing the sun’s rays to warm the earth and expedite incubation. I am led to believe that incubation takes place after the first egg is laid, because I always found a bird on the nest. I might be mistaken however for I never happened to find a nest contain- ing just one egg. The bird seems to sit closer as incubation advances, asin the first instance, I almost captured a bird by plac- ing my hat over her, while in the other two cases the birds were more on the alert, flying from the nest, when I was several steps away. With these meagre notes I anxiously await the disclosures of 1897.’’ After the business of the meeting had been transacted a banquet was enjoyed by those present. A Hawk’s Raid in a City. On the afternoon of December 14, 1896, while on a busy part of Kearny street, San Francisco, I observed a Sharp-shinned (?) Hawk darting under the cornice work of a three story building; the cornice being built in such a design as to afford elegant nest- ing sites for the English Sparrows, which had them all occupied. The Sparrows objected to the Hawk in- truding upon-their property at first, but finding him their superior they began to leave the place oneby one. Presently one of the Sparrows flew over the top of the building with the Hawk in close pursuit, and both were lost to view. The curious sight attracted the attention of a throng on the street. The Hawk must have been very hungry, or in its determination to catch one of the Sparrows it did not realize its position, asthis is a very crowded thor- oughfare. Whatever species of Hawk it may have been it ought to receive the indorsement of every Ornithologist, as it is about time something is done to diminish the numbers of this little pest. I might also state that a very reliable friend of mine who recently returned from a trip to Coos Bay,informs me that he caught three Hummingbirds (the identity he did not know) which fell exhausted on board the steamer two hundred miles out at sea. He took them down into the engine room, thinking the warmth of the place would relieve their suffering, but this had no effect and they soon expired. CLAUDE FYFE. San Francisco, Cal. oe PUBLISHER’S NOTE Our ‘“‘renewaJs,” which are numerous at this time of the year, are coming in steadily, but we would remind those who have neglected to remit for 1897 that the terms of subscription are, and have always been, in advance. Eg gaa Mr. Wilfred H. Osgood is now in Washington, D. C., where he will probably accept a position in the Biological Survey. oe FRIENDS OF OUR SCIENCE INCREASING THE VALUE OF A STANDARD JOURNAL AND PERPETUATING ITS USEFULNESS. T the first of the year the publisher of THE A NrpoLocist issued a circular letter to many of his subscribers and friends, setting forth the history of this journal, something as to the enduring patience, time and money expended to accomplish results for Ornithology and Oology, and submitting for earnest consideration the problem of its success, which should be dear to all bird lovers. Of this communication, William Brewster, President of the American Ornithologist’s Union, wrote: ‘‘I have read your appeal with sympathy and admiration. It is the frankest statement of the kind that I have ever seen, and if it does not bring the required help, nothing will.” The many responses indicative of appreciation and hearty support which have come to hand are most gratifying, and back of the substantial aid ‘*for the cause”’ the spirit actuating it has spoken louder than words and will never be forgotten. The sentiment is generously expressed that the Nip is ‘‘all right,” that the editor is satisfactory and that the publication #zus¢ be pushed on to an adequate full support, Every little helps, and one new subscriber is a dig help. See what will be accomplished if Za/f of our subscribers get ove more each! As an ardent Oologist the editor is interested with the subscribers equally in the success of a good magazine, extending researches into new fields, recording rare ‘‘takes,’’ and furnishing a wuedium worth much more to each collector than his one dollar per year. As the publisher, he gives his time, where he hasalready given largely of time and money, to develop such a first class publication, with a very distant prospect ofreturns, financially. Disregarding the educational factor, such a journal is worth $’s from a purely material stand- point, to every active collector. This is why we “laid the whole case’ before our friends. That the facts are appreciated we have already abund- ant evidence. Mr. E. A. McIlhenny, of Avery’s Island, La., has very generously volunteered a contribution of $100 worth of southern bird’s eggs in sets to be offered as premiums with THE NIDOLOGIST, thereby attesting substantially his good will toward the magazine and his desire to see it have a wider circulation—such as it will have, we believe, with our friends’ earnest co-operation. The following list includes the support recently received ‘‘for the cause,” and from good friends of Ornithology, and represents the number of sub- scribers secured, or their equivalent, with those pledged to be secured during the next five months. The first two objected to the publication of their names: A Western Ornithologist................ 10 PASAGUH Ana erterac e's alas ae aces com Slot ee laste 10 Chasey Littlejohn). 5 ccece a ccsysepeoys we icle se + Io ape dt Ket NOKTIS)sJEsic.ara sve-scieus ate #eswaresssyelase ° 3 OECGMESHIELSD finan net veri fclcisl stitial) ae ei 2 THE NIDOLOGIST 67 ep E es GBI Are tearetepiyat trey e lec alate tts <, siete sre cee 2 EL PE PELOLUS Water ices eles Men Gis = seus alee 2 Hs Newbury ey. <: setrar ast vee a oar 2 MUSENE SO eOMEo aeenitenats EawJien WHECLED a a0 tate tyes See raereas sae I Philo W. Smith John A, Brandon AG Meslngersolig tiv. once Reginald |G: Pape ea. ., Clandesbivfen, Jeie..njan WW Bony Gens Meee Lyte aay, 0 gel. tne aeaaee ee I Cr aT a PEMIL US eeu atthrnisesutits ty sears R. W. Williams Jr R. C. McGregor A. W. Johnson M. C. Howe Virginius H. Chase...... . Bred Semrine tokio 5 R= He Beck Mrs. Agnes Chase... Verdi Burtch rancis Re Copeitencrecsen-n eae eee I (Of Bigs Ooh on coumneone Dr. Louis B. Bishop.... Walter E. McLain yes Ry Wire LHe ren, cere cee ctetaiar osnastrs aachere reat I Hartley Jackson.......... C. H. Morrell DE: Hs Ve OSGenl.yy-i5 5 Leas srecaioerye I Prof DABS Burrows ence eee wacarter I GaP. Bourne? se. 2. : Miss J. F. Hecox Dr. W. M. Martin RP: Sharples, advertising ...% 3.2. 5. va. -6 Bert H. Douglass, engraving.. ............ How many will add to this list? The editor has done all he can, do a little then yourself for your own paper, and you will see it all come back, benefiting Ornithology and yourself a good Ornithologist and a member of THE NIDOLOGIST’S widening circle of enthusiasts. Keep up the good work. May we not hear from yox and that early? Let us have something to publish next month from every one who feels that he is wth us, and let it be a record to be proud of, and to remember when the magazine gets to be double its present size. +++ Mr. A. W. ANTHONY has sailed from San Diego on a five months collecting cruise in Mexican waters. He will visit this time a number of islands in the Gulf of California, He is accompa- nied on the expedition by Richard C. McGregor of Palo Alto and H. B. Kaeding of San Francisco. Some excellent work no doubt will be accom- plished. 68 THE NIDOLOOIST Published and “Tae PIONEER Edited by Magazine of HenRyY R. TAYLOR Illustrated Bird Life. Founded at Alameda, “California, September, 1895 WE EXPOSE FRAUDS Official one Cooper Ornithological ¢ Club bof the Pacific Coast Subscription Gn advance), $1.00 (Foreign SHSSSSNISS add 12 cents for postage) Single Copies, - 15 cents Remittance may be made i in any form The Magazine is not sent after subscriptions have expired FOREIGN AGENTS 2 Bouverie Street, Fleet Street, Swann & Co., 1- London (ee ~ Original contributions, with or without illustrations, are desired. ADVERT ISING RAT E Ss FURNISHED It SEEMS fitting, at the opening of auother year, to remark the fact that the files of this journal have been noteworthy for its valuable, original observaticns on the habits of little known or unknown species. A cursory examination of recent numbers will amply verify this assertion. In August, Mr. W. H. Osgood contributed an article on the ‘‘Nest and Eggs of the Calaveras Warbler.’’ Inthe September number, Mr. Reck described the taking of the first fully authentic nest and eggs of the Western Evening Grosbeak, both being accurately figured with a colored plate; while Mr. C. H. Morrell presented valuable notes on the nesting of the Pileated Woodpecker. In the October number, Mr. A. W. Anthony gave the jirst descriptions of the eggs and breeding habits of three almost unknown Petrels. Next month’s Nrp will contain an article on the nesting of the Bald Eagle in California and one on the ‘‘Nest and Eggs of the Hermit Warbler.” In our last number, Mr. Benjamin Hoag gave to Ornithologists his most interesting discovery of the nesting of the American Crossbill in numbers in New York. The articles, presented herewith, on the nesting habits of the White- throated Swift, the Red-bellied Hawk and the Dusky Poor-will, with the first photographs ever taken of a /ive California Vulture, now nearing extinction, accompanied by notes on its habits, simply emphasize the work which this journal, through its able supporters, is accomplishing for Ornithology, making it indispensable to all well informed workers. eS eg THERE is an instructive story by a humorous author about a literary man who, having madea moderate start as a writer, took unto himselfa wife. The great happiness incident to this event gave such inspiration that he wrote a wonderfully pathetic story, ‘‘His Deceased Wife’s Sister.”” A favored editor accepted it with gratitude; it was the hit of the author’s career. After a time he wrote another story. It was a good one, but did not show the exuberant genius of a rare moment, and it was returned to him by the publisher of his great success with a note expressing disappoint- ment. It was not equal to ‘‘His Deceased Wife’s Sister,’” he said, and it would never do to spoil the great reputation his masterpiece had gained. He tried other editors, and each returned his MS.; it was good, they all wrote, but they had really expected something like ‘His Deceased Wife’s Sister.”’ The situation became desperate, the once suc- cessful writer could no longer profit by his pen. Reduced almost to beggary he conceived the idea of publishing his stories under an assumed name. The editor who had given his great literary triumph to the world consented to the plan, and once more he was fairly prosperous. There was no ‘‘divine afflatus” about his stories, but they were good and made their way. Now it happened that the young author came to be blessed with a son. In all the freshness of new joy he began to write a tale. At last it was fin- ished, and his wife read it with tears in her eyes. She declared with her heart swelling with pride that it was indeed equal to ‘‘His Deceased Wife’s Sister.” At this moment of happiness a dreadful thought entered the mind of each. It was a critical moment. The warmth of her joy turned to ice as as she said to him: ‘‘Be strong, be brave!” He_ understood, and taking up the brilliant, pathetic story he placed it in a box in the garret, hermetrically sealed, there to lie until he should be dead. The moral of this little story in its relation to Ornithology will be found in its application. +o WE HAVE decided to eliminate from our review department hereafter, matter of foreign and techni- cal nature which can be better replaced by fresh original articles from the field. In taking this step our nominal associate relations with Dr. Shufeldt, who has been conducting this depart- ment, are coincidently severed. ee THE editor of a new Ornithological journal ingenuously states in an advertisement that his paper “is notintended to gain money for its pub- lisher.’”’? We feel sure that his earnest desire not to make any money will be fully realized, and trust he may have great joy in its very certain fulfill- ment. ee GEORGE A. Morrison, of Fox Lake, Wis., under date January 2, writes: ‘Our open season in Wisconsin has been the cause of the absence of many winter visitants. We have had little snow so far and the roads have been bare all winter.”’ > o+ I ENJOY THE NIDOLOGIST very much, and con- sider it the best magazine of its kind I have ever seen, and look forward to its coming as a rare treat. A. C. BENT Taunton, Mass. ~~<> — Our March issue will be of 24 instead of 16 pages and will contain much interesting matter. ~ . THE NIDIOLOGIST iii. EXCHANGE DEPARTMENT TERMS:—ONE CENT PER WORD. No notice for less than 25 | cents. address printed free. Dealers advertisements 15 per line. | ] } | ANTED—Sets of Swallow-tailed Kite and Golden Eagle. Will pay cash for same. Also, want Hawk’s and Owl’s eggs in exchange for goods on our | catalogue. If you are interested send for our bulletin of skins, eggs, etc,, the laigest bulletin sent out by a | dealer, JAMES P. BABBITT, _ ye Sa eR Taunton, Mass. | OR SALE—Having taken a position that demands my entire time I am obliged to close out my entire | stock of Natural History specimens, comprising Miner- | als, Fossils, Birds’ eggs, Mounted Birds and Animals, Polished Agates, Gem Stones, Indian Relics, etc. Iam making them at way below cost asI must sell them at once. Send for special lists in branches you are interested in, Gero. W. Dixon, Watertown, South Dakota. | ORDER to help defray the expenses of a long trip I shall be prepared to fill orders for choice Alaskan Bird Skins, curios, etc., till June next. Send stamp with inquiries. Gro, G. CANTWELL, Howkan, Jackson P. O., Alaska OTICE TO TAXIDERMISTS:—Gipsy, the man- killing elephant will be mounted here. I have arranged to give lessons on her to a few assistants. PHOTOGRAPHS We are now preparing a series of 150 Photo- graphs, taken from our work during the past five years, They will consist of all kinds of speci- mens—such as Deer, Fox, Birds, Moose Heads, ete, rece; Price, 15 cents, two for 25 cents, $1.25 per dozen, postpaid. We will have a list ready this month, and will mail it on receiving a request. FRANK BLAKE WEBSTER CO. TARIDERMISTS AND NATURALISTS’ SUPPLY DEPT HYDE PARK, MASS. JOHN MURGATROYD Taxider mist 18 NORTH WILLIAM STREET Three doors from Park Row Halfa minute from Bridge Entrance New York POSTAGE STAMPS Liberal discounts on Revenue Sent on approval. Those wishing to take the course should correspond | Stamps. Catalogue prices. Reference required. with me at once. B how W. F. GREANY University of Chicago, Chicago. 827 Brannan Street - San Francisco, Cal. The reigning sovereign of the wheeling kingdom—the Monarch sustains the strongest claim of its makers and merits the highest praise of its riders. 4K $100—to all alike—$100 Deflance, eight models for adults and children, $75, $60, $50, $40. Send for the Moyarcu Book. MONARCH CYCLE MFG CO., Lake, Halsted and Fulton Sts., Chicazo- S83 Reade St., New York. ARE YOU—— TENTING? S. HEMMENWAY & SON 60 SouTH STREET, NEw YORK WILL ANSWER ALL QUERIES ABOUT THE TENT YOU SHOULD CARRY iv. AoE NIDOLOGIST ’ Current ‘Literature and — 4.5.00 | Feld Alowers. = The regular price of CURRENT LITERATURE alone for one Boa He year is $3.00—25 cents acopy. Toevery one mention. ing this advertisement a sample copy will be mailed free FIELD FLOWERS is the most beautiful book of the century. This wonderful work comprises 17 of the best known, most beautiful and pathetic poems of the ‘‘Poet Laureate of Childhood”—RHugene : Field. As a sonvenir of respect entertained towards Mr. Field by the highest art talent of the land, it has leen exquisitely illustrated—a noble contribution by thirty-six world famous artists. FIELD FLOWERs is published under the auspices of Mrs. Eugene Field and with the approval ofthe Monument Committee for the purpose of creating a fund to be divided equally between the family of the late Eugene Field and the fund for the building of a monument to the beloved poet of childhood. But for gratuitous assistance in getting it ont FIELD FLOWERS would cost easily $7.00. We are glad to have made arrangements to assist the good work by giving ONE ~ COPY OF FIELD FLOWERS AND A YEAR’S SUBSCRIPTION TO CURRENT LITERATURE FOR $3.00. $1.00 of every subscription received will go directly to the fund. The Current Literature Publishing Company 52-54 LAPAYETTE PLACE, NEW YORK Prices eee TRAYS AT. x DISCOUNT eres + eae These are seldom offered at less than full list OF rates, but for a short time I offer them us follows, ~ either whzfe, brown or green color, as you choose: Not less than fifty of one size. Back Numbers a I. 2x 1% x 3, per 100..50 cents : No. 2. JS sae 100 ....60 cents =«cQ OF THE... No. 3. 43x 3%, per 100.. ..7o cents 3 No. 4. 6x 4x %. per too ....85 cents These prices are freight or express F. O. B. The Nidologist 500 or more of one size (sizes 1 or 2, whzle or brown colors only) 5 per cent off these prices >> *&<<«< ADDRESS PLAINLY— : : ERNEST H. SHORT — F Ibion, N. Y Volumes II and III, Complete, $1.25 each. Single Albion, Nos., Vol. II, 15 cents each. SEND FOR A FREE SAMPLE COPY OF - GAMELAND, the gentle sportsman’s illus- trated magazine, reveals virgin woods and waters—homes of the trout, the bass, the deer and quail—and tells of hundreds of places to freely hunt and fish. Price, ten cents; three trial numbers, twenty-five cents. By the year (one a Vol. III. Nos., 4-5, 25 cents; Nos. 6, 7, 8, 9, money any address, postage paid, One ollar. I2, 15 cents each; 10-11 combined, 25 cents. Gameland, 277 Broadway, New York, NW. Y., U.S. A. Vol I, Nos. 5, 7, 8,9, 12, 20 cents each; 10-11 com- bined, 30 cents. ao ZF Published hy Henry feed Faylar ALAMEDA, CAL. March, 1897 Of Avery’ s icteand’: hase Will leave for Point Barrow, IN JUNE corns ace IN ALL BRANCHES oe i Mammals. ~ He els now a ne corps of Collectors in Louisiana, 2 THE NIDOLOGIST Exponent of American Ornithology and Osdlogy s PUBLISHED MONTHLY WITH ILLUSTRATIONS 4 Vor. IV. No.7 ALAMEDA, CAL., MARCH, 1897 $1.00 PER YEAR Young Ferruginous Rough-Leg (PHOTO FROM LIFE) 70 THE NIDOLOGIST A Young Ferrugigous Rough=-Leg. BY WILLOUGHBY P. LOWE. |™ WAS in the Awk (Volume XI, No. 2) that Dr. J. A. Allen called the attention of Ornithologists to the striking difference of first plumages. It is not necessary here to comment on his excellent paper, but to try to further impress on the readers of THE NIpoLocis’ the vast importance of collect- ing sufficient material and studying this interesting subject. How little we know, even yet, about many familiar birds, as to the various stages and exact time required, for the downy young to develop into ap adult bird. For this reason, perhaps, the accompanying striking photograph of the young of Archibuteo ferrugineus, taken by Mr. H. W. Nash of Pueblo, at my house last summer, may prove of interest, show- ing as it does the large pectoral blotch, of rich ochraceous-buff, which as time goes on fades into pinkish-buff. This coloration extends also up the entire throat. There are, of course, many other points of differ- ence, but this appears to be the foremost and most striking. Just how longit takes for this to disappear is*not at present known to me, but judging from a large number of specimens several molts are required before this ezdzrely dis- appears, as many birds in breeding plumage show traces of buff toward the tips and edges of the feathers. The bird from which the photograph was obtained was kept in confinement several months and became an interesting and amusing pet. As the habits of this useful bird are well known and have been so often described, it seems unnecessary to repeat. pees as Minor Nesting Notes from North Dakota. BY EUGENE S. ROLFE. N ALL our rides and rambles over the blooming prairies the Bobolinks bubbled on every hand,yet as we had not chanced upon a nest, I had faithfully promised the youthful Oologist of the family to assist in making a deliberate search, and immedi- ately after breakfast on the morning of June 17, 1895, we started hopefully. Horned and Meadowlarks, Vesper, Savanna, Grasshopper, Bairds’ and Clay- colored Sparrows, Bartramian Sandpipers, Chestnut-collared Longspurs and Bobolinks galore were plentifully scattered over the almost boundless area that rolledin view, and it was plain that the small frame beside me could hardly contain the swelling spirits that trusted utterly in the paternal ability to find anything needed. Yet hour after hour had passed, many, many acres had been closely, painfully searched, the sun stood high and hot in the heavens, legs ached and the bounding spirits suffered a collapse. Not anest of any description had rewarded our search, and when noon came and the home loomed two long, weary miles away, we turned our lagging feet thither all but defeated, when happening to glance across the wide stretch far away to the right a female Bebolink caught my eye, going swift and straight as though upon serious business intent. She flew full 500 yards and dropped suddenly into the grass. When part way thither her mate, springing into view mysteriously, followed close after, and plumping down in the same spot presently shot up into the air pouring fortha wealth of bubbling song. Altogether this conduct wasa little strange and rather suggested a family of hungry progeny, but even so it would be most cheering to look in upon their retreat, so fixing the distant spot with an intentness of gaze that fairly made the eyes ache, I walked straight till within ten yards and then rushed in with a bound. The bird, usually so wary, was fairly taken by sur- prise, and instead of skulking away through the grass, struggled into the air directly from the nest. Down among the rank vegetation, sank in the ground slightly, tairly inthe centre of a tussock of grass was the nest—a trifling affair of dried grasses and fine dried weed stalks loosely put together but well held in place by the stiff upright grass stems of the tussock. Tall mesh-like culms stood about, such as the male loves to perch upon when giving utterance to the song which has made him famous. Six eggs of the heavily colored, clouded appearance so difficult to describe showed signs of incubation, and indicated that so far as making good specimens was concerned our visit was timely. And thus was filial confidence in the paternal power restored. This set went far west in exchange, and this past season we sallied forth again, this time with drag-rope. In three widely sep- arated places we flushed the trim, modest female, twice without result and once only THE NIDOLOGIST 71 to find the hungry, naked little offspring in nest almost identical with that already described, except thatit was not sunken in the ground at all. Searcely less pleasing in its way is the tastefully dressed Chestnut-collared Long- spur (C. ornatus) with its black velvet breast, bright c.rvical collar, white tail, sprightly way and pleasing song. It is essentially a prairie bird, and is never, so far as I know, found in the immediate vic- inity of timber. Its arrival here in the Spring is intermediate between those early and late—about the first of May and for nearly a montbit seems given over entirely to an idle, joyous life, and I find that my notes disclose no record of nest building earlier than June 3 and no full set taken before June ro. The nest is invariably on the ground, sunk flush with the surface, the neat, cup shaped cavity being evidently the work of the birds themselves and lined with fine dried grasses and the finer weed stalks woven with much more care than is employed by the Bobolink. Generally a spot overshadowed by a tussock of grass or or a weed stalk is selected and the most interesting nests found by me hada sprig of the golden-rod for a sunshade. In this region a fair proportion of nests will be found from afew yards toas many rods from a travelled highway, where the birds seem to find favorite feeding grounds. And, too, it is quite possible that they are not averse to the occasional visit of man and beast, for they are habitually familiar and cheertul in the presence of man and will fly about a visitor inan engaging way, pouring forth their gentle, twittering song in appar- ent confidence and pride. Dr. Couesin his Key says: ‘‘In the breed- ing season the birds are soaring and singing as they fly,rising to great height and letting themselves down with the wings held like parachutes.’’ And some one else has aptly described this song descent of the bird as a ‘sliding down on the scale of its own music.’’ I think that the birds are practi- cally mute except when on the wing in the breeding season. The eggs are commonly four—sometimes three, rarely five, and are uniformly dull, greyish-white with brown and blackish dots, spots and blotches, and lilac shell markings pretty widely scattered over sur- face, with now and then a specimen where the markings are most numerous at greater end. They are quite unlike eggs of any of the terrestrial Sparrows, and,indeed,among eggs of species hereabouts are quite dis- tinctive, though one set taken by me strongly suggests—except in their much greater size—eggs of the Yellow Warbler (D. aestiva). Three widely varying sets show average dimensions .70x.50, .70x56 and .75x.52. The Prairie Horned Lark (O. alpestris praticola) interests me much, being both pleasing in appearance and of a disposition that seems to regard man rather in the light of a friend to be cultivated than otherwise. It is something ofa singer while soaring during the breeding season, but only once have I heard its song while at rest and then Tinstantly recalled Langille’s homely but apt comparison, ‘“‘the screaking of an ungreased wheelbarrow,’’ a performance certainly not altogether pleasing, but unique and comical. I never know how writers can be so cer- tain that a particular species raises more than one brood ina season. ‘The books are positive that the Horned Larks do this, yet of very many nests found by me from my boyhood up I recall none later than corn planting time—say May 10 to 20—and surely these must have been the first nests otthe season. Thespecies isa fairly common breeder in the Devil’sLake region evidently, though just here I have taken but one nest containing eggs, and the attendant circum- stances bore out the reputation of this bird for hardihood. April 4 in this latitude is apt to be pretty uncomfortable—cold, wet and windy and not infrequently much like March in more Southern latitudes,—but on this date, with scattering snowflakes in the air, and signs excellent fora “spell of weather,” I discovered a pair of these birds engaged in laying fragments of straw and coarse grass in the bottom ofa very neat cup-shaped cavity inthe ground among the rank dried grass of the previous year’s growth. It was far out on the prairie by the roadside, and I stopped my horse within 15 feet and was an interested spectator for an hour. The work was performed leisurely and apparently without the slightest concern at my presence, the birds flying directly to the nest after one preliminary investigation of me, but their work was so desultory that scarcely a dozen pieces of nest material were brought and placed in position during my stay. During the night of April 15 there was 72 - THE NIDOLOGIST quite a heavy rain, freezing as it fell, and the morning of the 16th dawned ona gloomy and singularly cheerless scene. Every weed stalk, every blade of the thick dead grass was transformed into an icicle, either stand- ing vertically or bowed down with the unusual weight, and not one seemed smaller thau alead pencil. A trip into the country took me past the nest, and there amidst the dreary waste of ice sat the little bird faith- fully covering her three eggs. The nest lining, of fine dried grasses only,was most neatly woven and shaped to the walls of the cavity, and all, together with the eggs, was warm and ary despite the surroundings. The eggs, measuring about .82x.62, show smooth polished shell of greenish-white, sprinkled and speckled with olive-brown, heavily enough at larger end to constitute confluent marking and wholly obscure ground color. The unusually heavy mark- ing at the larger end is offset by the scanty marking elsewhere, so that on the whole, the eggs appear of an uncommonly light type and are very pleasing specimens. Minnewaukan, N. D. (To be continued.) Oe ——- Two Bute’s. BY J. C. GALLOWAY. T was one of those balmy spring days when the sky isas blue as the woods are beautiful,that a gang of us young fellows, accompanied by two old gentlemen, onea life-long curio collector, the other with a penchant for hunting, were ranging the woods ostensibly in search of ‘‘specimens”’ for your humble servant; but really the enjoyment of the perfumed air, the bird- songs, the glint of sunshine and the rustle of the wind among the forest leaves. After the discovery of a nest of the Oven- bird, curiously arched and woven of yellow grasses, under a bending limb that had fallen from some huge tree over-head, we walked on ’till some one reported a large nest about forty feet up in a beech. One of the boys, a big strapping fellow anda good climber, ascended the tree and an- nounced: ‘‘I'wo young Buzzards.”’ “Buzzards,’’ ejaculated the old hunter, “do they stink?” “No,’’ returned my friend whose posi- tien in regard to this question of identifica- tion was similiar to his bodily location. “They ain’t Buzzards then,’’ growley the veteran, and the historian of the party lost no time in removing supernumerard garments and shinning up the tree. There in a bulky nest of sticks, all but hidden from below were two complacent young Red-tails, not unlike goslings, covered with compact yellowish down. Carrying them down Z/az tree was out of the question, so off came a shirt and after tying it up with the sleeves, the youngsters were placed unprotesting within and brought to the ground. While the sports- men waited in vain for the parents to re- turn, the young Hawks sat on the ground, while the male who appeared to be the brighter of the two, stumped around on his heels in a ludicrous manner, while we made frequent attempts to keep from snickering, until we all broke out in a general snort when the performance was more than we could endure in silence. Then we began the triumphal march home. In the woodshed a square of carpet was thrown over a barrel, letting it bag a little, and in this artificial nest the fledglings were placed and covered up each night until they rebelled and climbed on top of the covers. Their irides were a clear silver gray and remained so as long as I had them. At this time the primaries were one-half an inch long and encased in their blue in- tecuments. As the feathers grew longer the birds picked and tore off the coverings, drawing the denuded feathers through their bills to further clean them. It soon developed that it was to be no small matter to keep. them supplied with food enough to satisfy them, especially when a few days later, a dainty, fluffy in- nocent baby of a Barred Owl was added to this happy family. All sorts of fresh meats, birds, fish and reptiles, everything but tad- poles, disappeared with astonishing rapid- ity, often followed by the hungry squeals so discouraging to their purveyors. One of my friends made a raid on some corn- barrels and brought in fifty-seven mice, large and small, but they were all gone by II A. M., and there was music in the wood-shed once more. After several days of civilized life they began to get restless and used to lumber around the nest or stand on the edge and flap their now rapidly growing wings, while the quills began appearing on their bodies, and they lost some of their infantile THE NIDOLOGIST ; 73 beauty and began to grow long and lanky. After thirteen days from their capture they got to flapping their wings vigorously and when placed on the floor would run with ridiculously long strides, flapping as they went, and falling in a heap when they got through. They aiso performed many other ridiculous gymnastics. Then as became their years, I was about to say, they got inquisitive and conceited, and made an attack on a motherly old cat who was eating her dinner of warm corn- bread, and when she fled they calmly devoured the entire supply. Their crops remained full 'till evening and they ate no supper. Next morning they were hungry for meat but cared no more for corn-bread. It was rarely necessary to cut up the food that was given, as they swallowed almost everything whole, excepting mud- turtles. Jennie, the female, swallowed whole a ribbon snake, A. Saurite, twenty- -seven inches long, and enjoyed it all the way down. She was always cross and unsociable, but Sam the male, was intelligent, good- natured and tame; used to chatter in a con- versational way and apparently showed a good deal of affection, though I could never be certain of that. They always got along well with the young Barred Owl. All this happened at the home of my cousins where I was visiting. When we had had them twenty-four days I put the Hawks in a box and brought them ina buggy to my home, a distance of twenty- five miles,leaving the Owl with my cousins. At this time the bodies of the Hawks were pretty well feathered, and their heads were thickly set with pin-feathers, which they delighted in having scratched. Sam’s coloring was warmer in tone than was Jennie’s, whose prevailing shades were white and gray. They were put into an empty hay mow with slats across the open door, and there they had more fun than a little. They were very fond of bathing in a pan but could not be induced to enter a tub, and a favorite diversion was to run across the floor at the top of their speed and plump into the pan with a big splash. When given a short corncob ora small wooden ball they would play with it for hours, rolling it around with their feet, picking at it, or standing onit and rocking. When the ball was first given them Sam hopped up to it and Jennie sailed down from her perch, striking him with her breast and knocking him down. Sam was up in a second, dancing and chattering, and bumped into Jennie, the two striking at each other with their talons. Then quick as a flash they backed off, one to each wall, and rushed together cackling and screech- ing, and this was repeated. My notes do not tell me and I do not remember what closed the contest. On June 3, about a month after his cap- ture, Sam got out of the mow and flew to the house roof, a distance of about one hundred feet. He was caught without difficulty and returned to his quarters. The same afternoon the most agonizing screams I ever heard came from the hay- mow; screams that I believe could have been heard for a mile. I hastened to the rescue and found the Hawks in mortal ter- ror of a Great Horned Owl, which had been occupying an adjoining mow, and was now quietly sitting on the perch provided for the Hawks, while the latter were cowering in corners, and when I approached threw themselves on their backs with wings out- spread and chattered hysterically. About this time the Hawks changed their style of eating and instead of bolting their food in whatever shape it was given them, they would pick and swallow it in almost infinitesimal bits. Atone time by way of experiment, I gave them live Sparrows. They pounced on them and then to my horror, very leisurely plucked them alive, one feather at a time, looking around each time to see what I was doing. Worse yet, they ate the birds alive in the same dilletante fashion, the agonized unfortunates writhing and wailing under the process. I attempted to interfere, but was informed that I might fare worse if I did not let them alone. It was their invariable habit after they had begun to feed themselves, to turn their backs towards one, drooping their wings and spreading their tails, often looking back apprehensively with warning cries. At one time I killed a snake and immedi- ately brought it in, placing it on the top of a barrel. Sam pounced on it at once but when he saw it writhe he backed off to the edge of the barrel, standing high on his legs staring, and with wings uplifted. This was repeated several times until he got courage enough to tear the neck open, when he hooked his claws into the skin, drawing out the flesh until it was all eaten, (AED ENE) NUDIOOCUS leaving the skin reversed and almost un- torn, except at the neck. The village urchins came out frequently to see my ‘‘Owls,’’ as they usually called them, sometimes asking timidly if they were Parrots. Sam took a great fancy to bare feet and upon the advent of a pair would saunter up chattering ‘‘rikki tikki tiktikki,”’ etc., and would paw the bare toes and nib- ble at them, to the dismay of the ‘‘kid,”’ whose trepidation was increased by his ignorance of the purpose of these investiga- tions. Sam was so intelligent, allowing me to handle him as I pleased; to place his breast against my cheek, while he drew my hair through his bill as he did his own feathers, and shook hands so readily that I often thought of training him to hunt. So I fixed up a hood and jesses, but he did not like the hood and I did not like to worry him, so that came to naught. : After hay harvest the mow was filled and the Hawks were transferred to a large box cage with wire netting across the front. Jennie had always been morose and intract- able, usually sitting on her perch and re- senting all familiarities with an engry jerk of her foot. From this time on she began to show symptoms of insanity, being un- usually vicious and monopolizing the food supply so that Sam was starving. In hopes that Sam could get a square meal I put a decapitated cat in the cage, and Jennie gorged herself and then stood on the re- mainder for an hour and a half, when she again filled up. That settled her fate, and I placed a flobert rifle to her breast as she stood on the perch beside Sam, and——Sam never looked surprised or shed a tear. After that for a time he got along better. The quickness of the birds was wonder- ful. Sometimes I would take a live mouse in a trap to them as they sat on the perch, and they would never seem to notice it, but when the trap door was opened and the mouse leaped past them, out would goa foot as unconcernedly as you please and they never failed to seize the luckless rodent. Sometimes I would see them apparently watching something in the sky overhead, and upon looking up could occasionally distinguish a Hawk sailing almost out of sight, and they would continue watching long after it had vanished from my sight. They always took great interest in all mov- ing objects, and frequently changed their positions on the perches in order to watch the movements of a dog or chickens. Dur- ing the winter, when I would take hot water down to thaw the ice in Sam’s drink- ing cup, it was amusing to see him twist- ing and turning his head as he watched the rising vapor. When he wanted a bath he would hop down to the floor, of the cage, look at me suggestively and drop,and shake his breast feathers vertically. He often bathed dur- ing comparatively cold weather in winter and would shiver the rest of the day. After I started to school times got worse and worse for poor Sam. I had but little time to hunt food for him, and could not afford to buy it, so he often went hungry. Late in the winter I moved him to a hay- mow where he spent much time sitting in the windows. Though without amusement, and alone and half starved, he always showed kindly feelings toward me, until towards spring, reduced almost to a skele- ton and to desperation, he used to attack me and drive his talons into my flesh. Those were dark days for him and me, and I do not like to recall them. I grieved to see him suffer and could not bear to kill him. Finally he broke through the window and flew out across the country, and my uncle, who considers pets a vanity and vexation of spirit, went after him and after along chase brought him home and shut him in a box. When I came home from school I saw that the erisis had come, and as I held him in my arms, as the fumes of the chloroform did their work, steeling my heart against the death agony of the bird I loved, do you wonder that the tears came to my eyes as his struggles grew weaker and weaker until he lay limp and lifeless in my hands? Montgomery, Ohio. >t ps THE OOLOGISTS’ ASSOCIATION. W. EH. SNYDER, of Beaver Dam, Wis., Treasurer of the Oologists’ Association, has issued his annual report, showing that twelve members were added to the Asso- ciation in 1896. The officers for the present year are: President, Isador S. Trostler; Vice-President, EK. A. MeIlhenny; Secretary and Treasurer, W. HE. Snyder; Executive Committeeman, J. A. Dickinson. THE NIDOLOGIST 75 A Visit to a Herony. BY VERDI BURTCH. R. CLARENCE STONE of Branch- port, and I liveeight miles apart and nine miles from each of us is the be- ginning of the great ‘‘Potter Swamps,”’ where a colony of Great Blue Herons make their summer home. Every spring we go to the rookery to get a few setsol eggs. This last spring I wrote to Stone to meet me May 3,at 7 A. M.,at an old barn which stands near the edge of the swamp and we would have a day with the Herons. I re- ceived a reply that he would be there. The day dawned bright and clear and I arose in the best of spirits before five o’clock and at six o’clock I was ready to start. I had strapped to my wheel my climbers, collect- ing box, and last, but not least, a good sub- stantial lunch. Ata few minutes before seven o’clock I broke over the brow of the hill, and there before me in panorama lay the great swamp stretching out north as far as the eye could reach. But I was so anxious to get to the Herony that I did not stop to view the beautiful scene, but was soon down the hill and at the barn, but Stone was not there. Looking toward the swamp I could see anumber of tall trees towering way above their companions. In each of these was a gigantic nest of sticks; on the near- est of them I couldsee birds, and above in the air were numbers of Herons flying to and fro uttering their peculiar squak. After a few minutes of this sight I got impatient, so I wrote a note toStone (saying that I had gone on into the swamp) and nailed it to the side of the barn, then plunged into the wilderness. After wading through mud and water, and falling over logs and stumps, and dodg- ing poison ivy for about twenty minutes, I came to the Herony, where I could plainly see the huge nests some 60 to 8o feet up in the very tops of ash trees, the most of which were dead, and consequently very danger- ous toclimb. Just here I saw fresh tracks in the mud so I shouted and Stone answered. (It seemed ke had misunderstood my letter, stopped at another barn and entered the swamp before me.) I soon found him half way up a large ash, in the top of which was a Heron's nest, Then the following conversation took place: ‘‘Hello, Clarence, have you been here long?’’ “No; just come. Climbed two trees close together, and got two sets and now I am after this one. You had better tackle that one behind you.”’ On going to the tree I found fresh climber marks on it, so I said: ‘‘Why, you have been up this one. There are fresh marks Oneitc ‘‘No; I just came here.” ‘‘Well, somebody has been up this tree today, and I followed your tracks here, so you must have been here before.” “No, I haven’t been that way at all. I just came from the road and followed your tracks.”’ So we had an argument on which way the read was and by this time Stone had reached the nest and said: ‘“Pshaw! It is empty.”’ Now, after he had come down and we had walked around a while he tound that he was completely turned around and had climbed twice to the same nest after eggs, and of course was disappointed. This Herony contains about thirty nests, allin tall ash trees. One tree contained three nests, two others two nests each and the others a single nest to the tree. There was formerly one tree with five nests, but some of them got blown down. We took seven sets of eggs, four of five eggs each, and three of four eggs each. The eggs were in all stages of incubation, there being fresh and badly incubated eggs in thesame set. Five eggs seemed to bea complete set, although Mr. Stone took a set of seven three years ago. ‘ After climbing one of the trees it wasa great sight to look around and see the other nests. Some in the distance with the bird sitting on them, and on others nearer by the birds had their long necks stretched out or were standing up ready to leave. The nearest uests were empty and their owners were flying about protesting about our in- trusion. Among the Heron’s nests and within fifty feet of them I found a nest?of Red- shouldered Hawk containing three very small eggs. It was in a large maple about forty feet from the ground. In the open marsh quite near the Heronry we found breeding, Virginia Rails, Long- billed Marsh Wrens, American Bitterns and Marsh Hawks. But I will leave these for some future paper. Penn Yan, N. Y. 76 THE NIDOLOGIST Petrels of Sitka, Alaska. BY JOSEPH GRINNELL. T. LAZARIA ISLAND lies within the S limits of Sitka Bay, about twenty miles southwest of the capital of Alaska. It is irregularly shaped, approximately a quarter of a mile in length, by three hun- dred yards in width at its widest portion. It has the general outline of a huge rock with steep sides, but in the main it is crowned by a heavy growth of large firs and hemlocks. ‘There is a rank growth of tall grass on those parts where there are few trees or none at all, and among the trees there are scattered clumps of salmon- berry bushes, while the porous sod is car- peted by deer’s feet and other low plants. This island is the one in the vicinity of Sitka chosen by thousands of sea-birds for a breeding ground. The exposed, broken precipitous sides of the island are the re- sorts of the Violet green Cormorants, Pig- eon Guillemots and California Murres, while the Glaucus- winged Gulls and Tufted Puffins select the grassy banks and promon- tories above the cliffs. But the Petrels, to be considered in the present paper, seem to prefer the dark forest, although their bur- rows are abundant wherever there is enough soil to hold them. I found two species of Petrel inhabiting St. Lazaria Island, Leach’s Petrel ( Oceano- droma leucorhoa),and the Fork-tailed Petrel (Oceanodroma furcata.) The former out- numbered the latter fully five to one, but even the Fork-tails were present in thous- ands. On first visiting the island, I had no idea that there were besides the conspicuous Puffins, Cormorants and the like, other avian inhabitants, and being unacquainted with the nocturnal habits of Petrels, it was only by chance that I discovered them, though they outnumbered the other birds many times over. In climbing to the top of the island, to which I was attracted by a shy flock of Crossbills, my feet frequently crushed through the sod into subterranean cavities. In one instance as my foot went deeper than usual there was a smothered squeal, and it soon dawned on me that the ground was inhabited by some kind of animal, not one of which was to be seen above ground. ‘The sod was light and flaky, and I had soon laid open several of the Petrel burrows, disclosing their be- wildered inhabitants. On being handled, both species of Petrel disgorged large quan- tities of the yellowish oil with a musky odor, so characteristic of this family. This oil rapidly saturated the plumage of the head and breast, and the birds had to be caught and killed with great care or else they became almost spoiled for specimens. I finally found that the best way to manage them was to hold them head downward until they had vomited most of their oil, then to kill them by compressing the thorax, plugging the bill and throat with a copious amount of the damp soil. If cotton plugs or corn meal were used, the oil soon sat- urated them and spread out over the feath- ers.* Even the young barely out of the shell, although I am sure they had not as yet been fed by their parents, had a good supply of the oil. Most of the burrows each contained an gg, in which case one bird, either male or female, was sitting. In case there was a young one, neither parent bird was present. When there were neither egg nor young in the hole, both old birds were at home to- gether. On June 17 the eggs of Leach’s Petrel were all fresh, but those of the Fork- tailed Petrel were nearly hatched, and several young of the latter were found. On July 7 the lLeach’s Petrels’ eggs were nearly hatched and a few newly-hatched young were found. Thus the incubation period of O. deucorhoais about twenty days. Of course these last statements are based on the majority of nests examined. I col- lected a few nearly fresh eggs of both species on the latter date. The young are puffy balls of down, those of Leach’s being dark slaty, while the young Fork-tails are light gray. The down js superabundant, and the young of the age of about two weeks are much bulkier than the adults. The feathers grow from the same follicles as the down, and in continuation with the latter. As the juvenile grows larger, the down wears off from the ends of the feathers and thus gradually disappears so that finally hardly a trace is left. This wearing away of the down is first noticable on the wings, back and breast, and is due to the bird’s movements in the narrow nest-cavity. I took specimens that showed this process plainly. The two species of Petrel possessed the same nesting habits. The entrance to the burrows are semi-circular and usually open out under some clump of grass or a bunch THE NIDOLOGIST 77 of leaves, so that it is partly hidden. From the entrance the burrow runs at an easy slant for a few inches and then parallel with the surface of the ground, from two to five inches below. The total length of the bur- row varies greatly, being from one to three feet. It is seldom straight but usually very crooked. The birds in digging evidently follow the direction of least resistance. The debris is scratched out into a slight mound in front of the entrance. The cavity at the end of the burrowjisfabout three inches in height by five inches broad, and contains on the saucer-shaped floor a slight lining of dry grass-blades. The eggs of the two species are much alike, though those of the Fork-tail average somewhat the larger. Five eggs of the latter measure in inches: MeeOsO7,, L124X1 00, 1.33%.94, 1.31%.98, I.30xI.02. Five selected eggs of the Leach’s Petrel measure 1.14x.88, I.21x.GI, I.24x- -92, 1.33X-93, 1.30x.97. The eggs when fresh and unblown are light pink, but soon become nest-stained. A faint suggestion of dark brown dots about the larger end is frequentlyjto be seen,’ though the majority of the eggs of both species are immaculate. The sitting Petrels when pulled out of their nests are quite pugnacious, biting and squealing most vociferously. They are exceedingly awkward on land and progress with a shambling, unsteady gait. They only succeed in launching themselves on the wing after several attempts, and even after well started, an interposing weed- stock will throw them back to the ground. When tossed into the air they instantly take wing and dodge bat-like among the trees and aresoon lost to sight as they skim swiftlygon ward, toward thefopenjsea. The Petrels seem to have some formid- able enemy,as was shown by their remains, together with egg-shells scattered,on many parts of the island. I think the hundreds of Northwest Crows which breed on the island are accountable to some extent. As I was walking over one of the ridges of the island, I was attracted by a move- ment in the grass and upon examining found a Crow which_was evidently, digging into a Petrel burrow for either the egg or bird or more probably both. I nearly caught the Crow but it dodged me and flew away in a very culpable caught-in-the-act man- ner. This was the only instance which would go to prove that the Crows prey on Petrels, but I think that the hoards of Crows on the island must have an attrac- tion greater than the exposed eggs of the Gulls and Comorants which are not avail- able in sufficient quantities to feed so many Crows. I saw Crows several times carry- ing Cormorant’s eggs spitted on the ends of their bills. On July 7 and 8, through a misunder- standing with the Indians, I was left on the island over night without either ‘‘grub’’ or blankets. Thus, in anything but a voluntary manner, I was given an opportu- nity to observe the Petrels, which I would probably not otherwise have had. After the sun set and the long summer twilight began to make the woods a little gloomy, the Petrels became more active. Their curious calls came from every direc- tion in the ground, though as yet not a bird was to be seen. Presently a little stir in the grass called attention to a Petrel which clumsily scrambled from his hole, and after the usual fumbling put himself in flight, and betook himself speedily out to sea. Soon others appeared, and others and others. The Crows, their enemies, had by this time gone to roost, and as the gloom grew deeper the Petrels became more numer- ous. Those which had been out to sea all day began to arrive among the trees, and were even more awkward then those leav- ing. They flew against branches and bushes and into my face, but all ultimately seemed to know where their respective homes were. The chorus of their cries was curious, and depressing to one’s spirits, and the chilly air was constantly being fanned into my face by their noiseless wings. ‘The light- colored ghostly forms of the Fork-tails were much more readily discernible than the dark Leach’s. The ground was alive with struggling Petrels, and I picked up as many as I chose. It took fully three minutes to pro- perly kill and pluck each bird, sol was occupied for a considerable part of the short night. As the twilight of evening slowly merged into dawn, the height of their acti- vity was reached. I walked from end to end of the wooded part of the island, and everywhere the Petrels were equally num- erous. As I began to feel cold and likewise hungry, the novelty of these strange experi- ences naturally wore off. After considerable searching for dry fuel, I started a smoulder- ing little blaze, whick lighted up the dusky suroundings, together with the flitting forms of the birds, thus disclosing a very 78 THE NIDOLOGIST impressive scene. But presently several of the Petrels were attracted by the light and flew pell-mell into the fire, extinguish- ing the feeble flames in short order. After several similarly frustrated attempts, though partly on account of the damp wood, I gave it up. Luckily, in going back to Petrel-curing, I found a couple of hard-tack in the cotton in my collecting basket, and I lost no time in putting the crackers where they were of the most use under the existing circumstances. I noticed that they hada peculiar flavor, but that didn’t bother me muchat first. Fin- ally I closely examined the crackers, and found that in killing the Petrels and put- ting them in the basket, the hard-tack had become sprinkled with the odoriferous oil from the birds. So I had the ‘‘rare and wonderful’’ experience of eating hard-tack soaked in Petrel oil, or possibly more cor- rectly Petroleum ! As soon as the dawn became perceptibly brighter, the Petrels became quieter and fewer. Part went out to sea, others returned to their nests. By sunrise at 2.30 A. mM. not a Petrel was to be seen nor a note heard, where two hours before had been such a tumult of nocturnal forms and voices. The Crows set up their saucy cawing, and the Western Winter Wrens and Sooty Song Sparrows announced their presence with their clear musical trills. Fresh Puffin’s eggs served as my break- fast that morning, but before night, the Indians having returned, a favorable wind landed us at Sitka. The next day and for four days thereafter I was engaged in scrap- ing fat from greasy Petrel skins. I might here mention that I sent the series of Leach’s Petrels to William Palmer at the National Museum. He informs me that they are not typical of O. leucorhoa as found on the Atlantic. Possibly they may approach Loomis’s new Petrel, though as yet [have not been able to find a descrip- tion of it. Pasadena, Cal. Oe HARD ON ROGUES. JupGE J. N. CLark, of Saybrook, Ct., writes: ‘‘One of the best things you do is to hold a club over the heads of rogues, and you deserve the support of all honest folk for your course—which is a saving to the honest and a restraint upon the rogues, though you haven’t driven them all to the wall.” Cooper Ornithological Club. HE Southern Division met at the resi- dence of M. LL. Wicks, Jr., in Los Angeles. Prof. A. J. Cook of Pomona College was elected to membership in the club. The donation to the library of Cook’s ‘Birds of Michigan’’ by the author, was acknowledged. Mr. Evan Davis’s paper was presented on Nesting of the Bald Eagle in Orange Co, Cal, ‘‘The summer tourist whose tastes incline toward hunting or the study of natural his- tory, and who spends his time at any of the pumierous seaside resorts of Orange county, may vary the pleasant monotony of boat- ing, fishing or bathing by excursions in- land, wandering through rugged can- yous and over sloping ridges that reach down almost to the ocean’s side. Delight- ful hours can be spent in exploring these narrow gorges, where occasionally a startled deer will prove a tempting target,and where both flora and fauna offer grateful surprises to the intruder upon the almost primeval conditions of these secluded regions. “On August 15, ’94, theearly dawn saw our party of venturesome hunters sailing along the coast duly equipped with suitable weapons and with supplies for the inner man. After an exhilarating run of about five miles we landed. We had been ascend- ing a sharply sloping ridge, which divides two characteristic canyons, for less than half an hour, when we espied two deer lying down, presumably resting. This pre- sumption was clearly at fault, judging from the remarkable activity of the game as soon as it had observed our approach. With long leaps the graceful animals bounded down the canyon side, presenting buta fleet- ing target forthe marksmen. Imyself was out of range, but one of my companions, Parker, skillfully brought down both deer with three shots, while Wilbur, less accus- tomed to such sights, gazed upon the scene with undisguised amazement. “While securing our quarry on the limbs of a large sycamore which stood on the banks of acreek in the bottom of the canyon, I observed an unusually large nest in the upper branches. It was by far the most imposing one I had ever seen, measuring fully five feet in diameter and five feet in height. It was not difficult to determine thatit belonged toa pair of Eagles, and I promised myself the next set of eggs THE NIDOLOGIST 79 which the owner should deposit therein. A visit to the nest on March 15, 1895, discov- ered two active young Eaglets perhaps a monthand a half old. These we did not disturb, concluding to await another set- ting. From Mr. A. M. Shields of Los Angeles and Mr. A. W. Anthony of San Diego I obtained information which subse- quently proved very valuable. Mr. Anthony although he had never taken a similar set inland in California, advised January 5, 1896, to be ‘‘collecting my rents.’’ On Jauuary 15 a trip to the canyon resulted in the discovery that thetree had blown down and the nest lay among the rocks, a sorry looking heap of ruins. Further investiga- tion showed that the Eagles were construct- ing anew nest but a short distance away. By February 25 this was finished and on March 4, accompanied by my friend Oscar Farman, and a photographer, I took my first set 4% Bald Eagle. “While taking this set from the nest, seventy feet up in a sycamore, both Eagles kept ap a continual scold. The male was somewhat shy, yet both alighted on the nearest high tree not 60 feet distant from the tree in which the nest was being de- spoiled, and about the same distance from the camera. Both birds were sitting on the same limb, but just as a photograph was attempted, the male flew. A Western Red-tail made life a burden to the male, while the latter was on the wing, by re- peatedly swooping down upon it with vic- ious speed. With wonderful ease, however, the latter would swing over, extending upwards a pair of formidable talons which were carefully avoided by the Hawk. Thrice the infuriated Eagle turned complete double somersaults in his efforts at both attack and defense. Acting upon the advice of Mr. Shields, I had my friend keep a care- ful watch over the nest, as these birds are supposed invariably to deposit a second set when deprived of their first. For two weeks they remained in the vicinity of their spoliated habitation and then began building a new one about four miles distant. May 1 this was completed to their satisfaction, having required about seven weeks for its construction. Iwas disappointed however, inasmuch as they failed to deposit a second set. Under the circumstances this energetic pair now have a new nest ready for occu- pancy during the coming month and it is to be hoped that they may not fail to properly furnish two full sets for the good of thecause. “Tamof the opinion that the expected second set would have been forthcoming had not solong a time been occupied in building, thereby carrying the birds far beyond their normal period of nidification. From my observations I am satisfied they nest early in January and if the first set be taken or destroyed they will ordinarily de- posit a second within thirty to forty days. Judging, however, from the actions of the pair in question, it seems highly probable that any marked disturbance of their abode such as ours had been, wouid lead them to abandon their nest, even though it be a new one, and to build another rather than return to the one which had been so seriously interfered with. On our return trip I took a set of two Western Horned Owl,thus hav- ing enjoyed not only a highly interesting and pleasant excursion, but having also secured entirely acceptable and profitable booty, judging from the standpoint of the. collector.” Northern Division. The Northern Division of the Club met at the residence of H. R. Taylor in Alameda February 6. Messrs. Wm. Steinbeck of Hollister and John Neuenberg of San Fran- cisco were elected to membership in the club. Several committee reports were pre- sented. A paper by Rollo H. Beck of Berry- essa was read, on Nesting of the Hermit Warbler. “On the roth of June last I first became acquainted with the nestand eggs of the Hermit Warbler. For a week or sol had watched females while feeding, but when ready to go to the nest they would light out across a steep gulch or across some thick patch of brush ten or fifteen feet high and be lost tosight ina few seconds. My atten- tion on the roth was attracted to a pair by a lively battle between two males who screeched and flew about for some time while the female, whose charms had evi- dently caused the commotion, kept up a busy search for insects among the leaves of an oak tree. Shesoon flew to a young pine tree some distance away, followed by her mate, who had vanquished his rival. “T followed after, determined to watch her aslong as possible. After spending ten minutes in the pine tree she flew by me into a large pine, and a further flight of ten feet placed her exactly behind the body of the tree from me. After waiting several min- utes for her to reappear, which she did not 80 THE NIDOLOIST do, I walked around the tree, and saw the nest with the bird upon it. I fired a load of dust shot at the limb about four feet from the nest but with no visible results. A load placed 18 inches from the nest caused the bird to leave. The next three hours were spent in attempting various methods to reach the nest. I succeeded after packing a heavy ladder one-half mile up a steep hill from a hotel near the American River. After raising the ladder it was necessary to nail a number of steps up to the first limb, which was thirty feet from the ground. And then came aneasy climb away out uear the end of a limb forty feet from the ground. The nest was placed upon the sloping limb and supported on the lower side by a limb crossing the one on which it rested. “Te nest was mostly composed of fine dry pine needles and small rootlets and heavily lined with reddish shreds of bark, and finished off with a lining of cow’s hair. The upper part of the nest is little more than a rim, while the lower part is much heavier and thicker. The outside diameter is four inches; the inside one and three quarters inches. The depth of the upper side was one inch; the depth of the lower two inches; inside depth, one inch. The eggs are quite similar to some of those of the Redstart, being spotted quite heavily, chiefly in a wreath about the largeend with cinnamon, brown and lavender. ‘They measure .71X.51; .71X.52; .72x.51 and.70x .50. The female was shot after the eggs were taken, but she did not appear while I was in thetree. The nest was ina yellow pine ona deep mountain side 300 yards from the American River,at 3,500 feet eleva- tion in El Dorado County, Cal. The Her- mit wasthe rarest of the five Warblers we found breeding in the Sierra, while the . size and thick foliage ofthe pines in which they breed,as well as the brush and roughb- ness of the country, make their nests diffi- cult to find.’’ — <> —— Curious Sets of Kingbird’s Eggs. N glancing over a large series of eges of any species, one cannot fail to notice some odd and abnormal ones. Andsuch is the case with the series of the Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannns) now before me, and common as they are the following sets are so very peculiar that they seem to be worthy of mention. July 17, 1888, Taunton, Mass. ‘Two eggs, fresh, ground color and markings normal, but their sizes are extraordinary, one ofthem measuring r.12 x .69, and the other .77 x .57. Taking .95 x .68 as the average size of the eggs of this bird it will be seen what a very odd pair these are. June 17, 1895, Smithborough, Ill. Three eggs, fresh. Light creamy-white, marked with lilac-gray and heliotrope-purple almost entirely, there being only two or three small and indistinct spots of the chestnut which is typical of the normal Kingbird’s egg: .89 X .67; .90x.67; .93 x .68. No one could recognize these for eggs of this bird. June 6, 1886, Rozetta, Ill. These must unquestionably belong to Z7yrannns tyran- mus for no other Tyrannus is found in Illinois, but they exactly resemble typical eggs of the Gray Kingbird, (7yrannus ominicensis,) having the peculiar deep cream or pinkish-buff ground color characteristic of that bird’s eggs: .98x.74: -98 X .73; .96X .73; .95 X -73- The smallest sized sets measure .81 x .65; .81 x .65: .82 x .66; and the largest sets: .96 X.79; .94xX.78; .94x.78; (extremely broad) and 1.06 x .77; 1.01 x 76; .98x .74. J. Be Neve ———————+ 2-- Correspondence On the Chimney Swift’s Habits. EpiTor NIpoLoGisr:—In response to the request in your last issue concerning the manner in which the Chimney Swift obtains material for its nest, I would offer the following: While at ‘‘The Elms,’”’? Amoskeag, N. H., in 1894, as wellas the three previous years, I had exception- ally fine opportunities to observe the habits of this species, inasmuch as the chimneys of the old mansion were ‘‘alive” with them Often have I watched them through a pair of glasses as they flew about some of the large elms nearest my window. At first I was unable to determine the exact nature of their endeavors, for they kept continually about the few half decayed limbs that appeared near the tops of the trees, but at last when they selected a maple tree almost beneath my point of view, 1 easily saw what they were doing. Darting up suddenly and quite fast they would nip the dead tip of a small branch in their bill and without the slightest pause or alteration in their line of flight would carry it off. Going out of doors I lay back upon the grass almost under the tree with my glasses upturned watching the little fellows. Sometimes they would not be successful and then they rarely returned to the same limb again. But when they did get a twig they would sail away over the orchard for nearly a hundred yards and then come curving up again to the house and down the chimney with their prize. Down under the bank in the orchard where it almost touched the brook, was a large quantity of dead brush piled high and thick. This also seemed to furnish the ot Swifts with much material, as they maneuvered about the brush heap almost as much as the standing trees. ARTHUR M. FARMER. Clinton, Mass. EDITOR NIDOLOGIST:—A correspondent in your January issue asks for information about the Chimney Swift and its manner of obtaining the small articles it gathers for nest building. The birds will fly rapidly at a dead limb, and just as it approaches it slackens speed somewhat; then grasps a small twig firmly in its bill and gives it a twist to get it loose, keeping all the time on the wing. Very frequently it does not succeed, but flies away and circles around again to the tree and makes another effort. R. P. SHARPLES. Elgin, Ill. Epitor NIDOLOGIST:—Several years ago, while at my boyhood home in Monroe County, N. Y., I took many notes on the Chimney Swift, some of which may be of interest in the light of the question raised by Dr. Coues in January Nip. I watched the birds on many occasions to settle the question in my mind as to whether they used beak or claws in breaking off twigs. I had the best of opportunities, foras far as I could dis- cover, all my birds secured their twigs from three partly dead cherry trees in the yard. My observations extended over many years and cer- tainly did not all refer to one pair of birds, as I had sometimes three pairs under observation in one season. In every case the bird would swoop down from a_con- siderable height and break off the twig w7zth her beak, describe a semi-circle in the air to the barn gable and on my gaining the barn floor, she would be tound hang- ing by tne claws under the nest and placing the twig with her beak. Before starting for another she would seem to be covering the last one with glue. Albion, N. Y. ERNEST S. SHORT. Epitor Nipo.ocist:—I have watched Chimney Swifts break off twigsa number of times and know how they do it here in Brockton regardless of how they act in any other part of the country. They generally break off the end of a dead twig, but from the examination of several nests I am led to believe that they occasionally break the end ofa live limb. They do not seize the twig while going at full speed as generally reported, but stop an instant in air as they seize it wzth their bills. They give it one, and sometimes two sharp twists sidewise; and when this fails to break it off they go on far enough to swing around in alarge circle and try the same twig again. It is not untilafter repeated efforts that they leave a twig they have once attempted to break. The trees generally chosen are the wild cherry, red oak and pop- jar, with preference in the order of their naming. Of course to stop in the air it is necessary for the Swift, as for all birds, to drop the body more or less near to the perpendicular and this might give the impression tosome thatit grasped the twig with the feet, but this it never does. The nest I have found invariably placed in a chimney, to the inside of which itis firmly glued with the broken ends of the twigs down and out, so that there are no sharp ends or pro- jections on the inside of the nest. No feathers are used in its construction, although a few sometimes are worked in accidentally. Twigs of nearly the same size are used for the same nest, so that a nest is composed of nearly all small, medium or large twigs, as the case may be. R. H. Carr. Brockton, Mass. THE NIDOLOGIST 81 Epiror NrpoLoGisr:—In reply to Mr. Short’s query in January issue of THE NrpoLocist will say that according to my observations, extending over a period of eight years, the Chimney Swift invariably nests in chimneys in this part of central Wisconsin, and I am yet to learn of its nesting elsewhere with us. This is also true of it in Fayette County, Ill., my former home. When the chimney of the old grist mill at Far- ina, Ill. fella few years agoI am informed by compe tent authorities that by actual count over 400 Swifts, young and old, were killed, besides great numbers of eggs destroyed. The chimney wasof red brick, 65 feet high. Here at Beaver Dam it is necessary to cover the openings of the chimneys of the public school build- ings in order to keep out the Swifts during the summer months. Every year a few pair nest in an unused chimney at my country home. Hollow trees are com- mon nere, but I have never known the Swifts to use them as nesting sites, nor have I ever known them to nest in barn gables, as cited by Mr. Short. Beaver Dam, Wis. W.E. SNYDER. Epitor NipoLoGist:—Dr. Coues asks for facts about the Chimney Swift, which the following, copied from my note book, may do something towards supply- ing. Ine date is July 1, 1893, when the birds were build- ing a second nest to replace one taken on June 24, with four fresh eggs. I was riding down the road on my wheel, and got off to watch them just opposite the trees where the twigs were taken, so had a good view of the operation. To quote from the note: ‘The Swifts were flying around the old elm trees (about 100 yards from the chimney) and sometimes hovering an instant at the end of a dead branch—a ‘sucker’ which left the trunk about ten feet trom the ground. Finally one of them broke off a stick and flew away toward our house. The mate now got another from a little maple across the street. They do not ‘dash past’ the twig but stand almost still] (hovering of course) when they take hold, and probably break the twig by a twist of the head, as the stick, if I remember rightly, did not shake very much when the bird flew away” (as it cer- tainly would had they pulled or bent the twig off simply by flying on). This was written as soon asI reached the house and seems to show that the birds make some examination to be sure they can break the twig before they touch it; that both birds carry nesting material; and that they certainly do not use the feet in getting the twigs. Wethersfield, Conn, HENRY R. BUCK. Ep1tTor NIDoLoGIsT:—I see in the January number that Dr. Coues asks about how the Chimney Swift breaks off the twigs for its nest; whether they do it with their bill or feet. There are a few dead trees near our house whichfare favorite resorts for Swifts that are “house building” and I have often watchec them take the twigs, but to me they: always seemed to take them with their feet. They would circle around a few times until they could grasp it with their feet; and after clasping it tightly they would give a few sharp strokes with their wings and seeming to turn their bodies at an angle to the limb, and inthis way break it off. I am sure that they always clasped it in their feet as they were well over the twig while seizing it, and I could sometimes see it sticking out from their feetas they flew away. Also while watching them build in our chimney they brought in the twigs in their feet although they used their mouths to assist in putting them in place. SIDNEY S. WILSON, St. Joseph, Mo. 82 THE NIDOLOOIST NUTYTALL’S ORNITHOLOGY, edited by Montague Chamberlain, second edition; from Little, Brown & Co., Boston. The new edition of the ‘‘Popular Hand- book of the Ornithology of Eastern North America,”’ land and water birds, appear with rio illustrations in colors, which are unusually good, and mark advance- ment in the art. Mr. Chamberlain’s numerous correc- tions and additions have brought the classical writings of Nuttall ‘‘down to date,” making numerous im- provements over his first edition. It is a valuable con- tribution to science which deserves liberal apprecia- tion. A-BIRDING ON A BRONCO, by Florence A. Merriam; Houghton, Mifflin & Co., Boston and New York, price $1.25. Miss Merriam has a very pretty way of putting her enthusiasm for the study of her bird friends into words, and the reader follows her with unflagging interest as she writes of charming excursions afield in the vicinity of Twin Oaks, Southern California, where she spent two delightful summers. The Western Home Wren, Western Gnatcatcher, Road Runner, Phainopepla and many others are described as the author saw them daily in their home life. Observations are made, in all, on about sixty species. Numerous half- tones, with life-like pen drawings by Mr. Fuertes fur- nish the illustrations for this latest and praiseworthy addition to popular Ornithology. CrRossBILLs, by Dr. R. W. Shufeidt, is a character- istic and comprehensive article on these curious birds, appearing in ‘‘Popular Science News’? for March, ’97. The paper is accompanied by a good drawing by the author of two of the birds, one being represented in the attitude of extracting a seed froma pine cone. He writes: ‘‘The Crossbills present a character no less unique than the crossing of their bills—a feature not at present known to exist in any other species of the entire class ‘‘Aves.” Both the upper and lower bills are sub-crescentic in form, the margins being sharp and the apices extremely acute. Passing from base to apex, the lower bill is gradually curved to one side, the upper mandible having a corresponding curve to the opposite side, and both present a decided curvature of their own. This arrangement admits of the mandibles crossing each other near their middle thirds, and in this cross- ing the point of the lower jaw turns out to the right side. I have met with about one specimen in fifteen where the crossing takes place in the other direction. By this contrivance the bird has the power of forcibly pressing apart the firm leaflets of the cones of various pine trees, and by a dexterous use of the tongue, whip- ping into its mouth the seeds concealed in the deeper recesses.” BREEDING GROUNDS OF THE Rosy GULL. Dr. T. S. Palmer of Washington, D. C., has published a timely article in ‘‘Science’” for January, on Nansen’s discovery of the breeding grounds of the rare Ahodos- tethia rosea. The Rosy Gullis a typical Arctic cir- cum-polar bird, reaching a remarkably high latitade. “No one has yet been able to explain,” writes Dr. Palmer, ‘‘what becomes of the thousands which pass Point Barrow in the autumn, and less is known of the winter home of this Gull than of the region where it breeds.” Murdoch supposed its nesting grounds to be located somewhere north of Wrangel Island. In a letter published in the ‘‘London Daily Chronicle’’ Dr. Nansen stated that he observed Rosy Gulls in flocks August 6. These were seen near four small islands called ‘‘Hirtenland” by Nansen, a little northeast of Franz Josef Land. Although no nests were actually observed by Dr. Nansen he found the birds abundant and concluded that their nests were near by. Dr. Palmer finds no reason to question Nansen’s views, but concludes, quoting Schalow, ‘‘When will man’s foot again tread the dreary wastes of those high lati- tudes where one of the greatest rarities of Northern Oology is to be found?”’ A LIsT OF THE BIRDS OF WINNEBAGO AND HAN- cocK CounTIEs, Iowa, by Rudolph M. Anderson, Forest City, Iowa, 20 pages, published by the author, 1897. The list records 216 species, and is accompanied by careful annotations, and a short description of the topography and characteristics of the region. Notes are given on the breeding of the Whooping and Sand- hill Cranes. BIRDs, a monthly serial, Nature Study Publishing Co., Chicago, $1 per year. We have received No. 1 of this magazine (January 1897), and accord it a hearty welcome. Enclosed in a very attractive cover are thirty-six pages of popular matter well chosen to inter- est the young in schools and homes, including ten page plates in color photography of such birds as Cock-of- the-Rock, Australian Grass Paroquet, Red-throated Toucan and many other brilliant and curious forms. Aside from the excellence of its arrangement the best encomium for the new venture lies in the fact that its publishers, not content to be mere copyists, have devised a new thing and entered a field entirely their own. BULLETIN OF THE MICHIGAN ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB, quarterly, Grand Rapids, Mich., 50 cents per year. No, 1 of this excellent publication starts off at the beginning of 1897 with twelve pages filled with valuable articles pertaining to the Ornithology of Michigan. The style of the new journal does credit to its editor-in-chief, L. Whitney Watkins, and to his associates, T. L. Hankinson, N. A. Wood and W. A. Davidson. W. KE. Mulliken and L. J. Cole are the managing editors. A good half-tone portrait of Prof, Walter B. Barrows accompanies an able article from his pen entitled ‘‘Michigan Ornithology to the Front.” We trust the new publication, which indicates progress in Ornithology, will receive the enthusiastic support which it certainly deserves. THE third annual meeting of the Northwestern Ornithological Association met at Salem, Or., Decem- ber 29 and 30, 1896. The meetings were enthusiastic and attended by members from various parts of the state. Several interesting papers were read and Mr. George D. Peck gave an instructive lecture on Taxi- dermy. A fine exhibit of Oregon birds and eggs were made. THE ‘‘Story of the Farallones,”’ the beautifully illus- trated souvenir, will be out soon. It will be most in- teresting and cheap at the price, besides being a brochure of permanent value to Ornithologists. WE READ in a Haverhill, Mass. paper, that Mr. Chas. S. Butters has recently had on exhibition there a fine lot of birds, shot on the Maine shores last fall and mounted by himself. RICHARD C. McGReEGor desires us to state that during his absence in Lower California, state lists, books or other material sent to his Palo Alto address will be received and cared for. THE NIDOLOGIST 83 FIELD NOTES: NOTES ON ALBINOS. ON A RECENT visit in the neighborhood of Point Conception, I had the good fortune to capture a partially white California Tow- hee, and a perfect albino of what I take to be Gambel’s Sparrow. In the P2pilo, a peculiarity is noticed in the alternate of the wicg feathers, the first primary on one side being white, and brown on the oppb- site wing, andso on with more or less regu- larity. I was told that this bird had been seen in the same locality for nearly three years past. Several persons have reported seeing a partially white Turkey Buzzard during the past two seasons in the vicinity cf the settlement known as Naples on the coast. A. P. REDINGTON. Santa Barbara, Cal. * * * WINTER NOTES. BIRD LIFE is never very abundant at this season of the year with us. The pres- ent winter has been an open one with very little snow or severe cold. ‘The following are some of the species noted: Pine Siskin—A large flock of these birds was seen October 22. They seemed to pre- fer the yellow birch trees, feeding on the seed-cones. When actively at work there was a rain of seed-husks and excrement beneath the tree. They remained very common until about the middle of Novem- ber, when their place were taken by the Redpolls. Redpoll—Arrived in November and have been common ever since. ‘They are seen quite as frequently in the open fields feed- ing on the seeds of weeds, as in the woods. Apparently about one quarter of them have rosy rump and breast of varving intensity. Pine Grosbeak—First noted November 19. Since then they have been occasionally seen in small numbers, two to five at a time. Ail I have seen have been in dull plumage with yellow on the head and rump. The tail feathers of one shot No- vember 30, were only partly grown, as though the moult was not complete, but the date would seem too late for that. Perhaps the bird had a narrow escape from the Hawk or in some way accidentally pulled out its tail. Some winters these birds are entirely absent, and only rarely are they common. ‘They are usually tame and un- suspicious and may be closely approached if one moves slowly and quietly toward them. Birds in full red plumage are rarely seen. I once saw a pair of Grosbeaks alight on the ice near an opening in the river, apparently to get a drink. Hopping to where the water overflowed the ice, they turned their heads, placing the side of the bill against the ice, and scooping up the water by a forward motion of the head. Their locomotion on the ice, which was very ‘“‘glare’’ was amusing. They got along very well as long as they continued to hop, but when they tried to stop their legs spread apart and slipped from under them leaving them sliding along on their tails. Northern Shrike—A winter visitor rather than resident. Never very common. First seen this year on October 31. I once saw one of these birds fly some distance with a mouse, which must have been quite a bur- den. Unless I am much mistaken the mouse was carried in the claws, not the bill. Snowflake—This birds are most numer- ous during winters of much snowfall. This winter they have been scarce, only being seen at intervals. The first noted wasa flock of thirty on October 30, twenty-three days in advance of the first snow. My earliest date of arrival is October 20, 1892; latest date, April 10, 1893. Pileated Woodpecker—Seen once or twice winging its heavy, bounding flight from one block of woods to another. The few birds here do not seem to be decreasing in numbers. I think there are as many here now as there were five yearsago. Later in September I was given one of these birds by an acquaintance, who had shot it while out gunning. He said it flew from the ground to a stub where he shot it. It was a bird of the year, very ‘‘finefeathery’’ with tail and primaries but partly grown. ‘The red malar patch was complete as in an adult bird, however. The stomach was well stuff- ed with large black ants,wood-boring larvae and a considerable quantity of whole fruits and stones of the choke-berry, besides indistinguishable remains. 84 THE NIDOLOGIST Published and ; THE PIONEER Edited by Magazine of Henry R. TAYLOR Illustrated Bird Life. Founded at Alameda, California, September, 1893 WE EXPOSE FRAUDS Official Organ Cooper Ornithological Club of the Pacific Coast Subscription (in advance), = - - - $1.00 (Foreign subscribers add 12 cents for postage) Single Copies, - - - 15 cents Remittance may be made in any form The Magazine is not sent after subscriptions have expired FOREIGN AGENTS Swann & Co., 1-2 Bouverie Street, Fleet Street, London S on Original contributions, with or without illustrations, are desired. ADVERTISING RATES FURNISHED Charles E. Bendire. over will deplore the death of Major Charles K. Bendire, which occurred at Jacksonville, Florida, February 4. Major Bendire had been failing for months in Washington,under the dread influence of Brights’ disease. He removed from Washington to Florida, hoping to improve, but died soon afterward in the presence of his old friend, Dr. William lL. Ralph. Major Bendire was a unique figure in the pro- gress ot American Oology; of vast learning, the fruit of many years spent in the field, scrupulously exact ‘n all his statements, he was an authority in his specialty such as science may not soon see again. Under a bluff, military exterior, Major Bendire could not conceal a kindly, sympathetic nature. In his position of Honorary Curator of Oology in the United States National Museum, caring for all the great egg collections, of which his own, a gift to the Museum, was the real foun- dation, he was unfailingly patient in answering the queries of amateur Oologists and in identify- ing specimens sent to him. Volumes I and II of his ‘“‘Life Histories of North American Birds,” a life work of which he vainly hoped to complete the series, willremain for generationsan enduring monument to his genius, Major Bendire was born in Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, April 27, 1836. He wasrelated to Wey- precht and Payer, the Austrian explorers who dis- covered Franz Josef Land. He came to America in 1852, and in June, 1854, enlisted as a private in Company D, 1st Dragoons, U.S. Army. He was. later transferred to the first Cavalry, and served for 19 years with distinction, rising to the rank of Captain. He was retired in 1886 on account of an injury to his knee. Again, however, he took the field, and in 1890 was breveted Major for gallant () ‘over wiitaepioren and Oologists the world services in fighting the Indians at Canyon Creek, Montana. During his years of service in the Army he was stationed at many remote points in the West, where he carried on investigations in Oology which were destined to later make his name famous. His earliest writings were in letters to well-known naturalists, Baird, Brewer and others. In 1877 he published a valuable paper on the “Birds of Southeastern Oregon.’’ He has written about 50 papers in all, mostly relating to avian Oology, though a few treat of fishes and mammals. CAPT. (BREV’? Major) CHARLES E. BENDIRE (Photo taken about 1884) Major Bendire was conscientious, and noted for his unusual directness of speech and fearlessness in supporting his convictions. He was to the last an enemy of the dishonest, while a ready friend to all who proved themselves worthy. His death is a loss to science which it will take a long time to fully measure. When ‘shall we see his like again? GEORGE A. Morrison took aset I-3 Great Horned Owl on February 21 at Fox Lake, Wis. Incubation was advanced about one week, but differed in individual eggs, so that it must have commenced upon the laying of the first egg. The eggs were ina nest ina black oak 60 feet up, where a set of Red-tailed Hawk’seggs were taken March 31 last year. IF you get a paper this month to which you are not entitled it is because we overlook our rule as to non-renewels for ouce to call your special atten- tion to our ‘‘Farallone Souvenir’”’ and our new pre- mium offers. We do not promise that the eggs will last forever, so take the opportunity while it is vours. ee SS ee ae SS THE NIDOLOGIST FRIENDS OF OUR SCIENCE INCREASING THE VALUE OF A STANDARD JOURNAL AND PERPETUATING ITS USEFULNESS \ T the first of the year the publisher of THE NIpo.octst issued a circular letter to many of his subscribers and friends, setting forth the history of this journal, something as to the enduring patience, time and money expended to accomplish results for Ornithology and Oology, and submitting for earnest consideration the problem of its success, which should be dear to all bird lovers. Of this communication, William Brewster, President of the American Ornithologist’s Union wrote: I have read your appeal with sympathy and admiration. It is the frankest statement of the kind that I have ever seen, and if it does not bring the required help, nothing will.’’ The many responses indicative of appreciation and hearty support which have come to hand are most gratifying, and back of the substantial aid “for the cause” the spirit actuating it has spoken louder than words and will never be forgotten. The sentiment is generously expressed that the Nip is ‘‘all right,’’ that the editor is satisfactory and that the publication zzs¢ be pushed on to an adequate full support. Every little helps and one new subscriber is a 67g help. See what will be accomplished if Za// of our subscribers get ove more each! As an ardent Oologist the editor is interested with the subscribers equally in the success of a good magazine, extending researches into new fields, recording rare ‘‘takes,’’ and furnishing a medium worth much more to each collector than his one dollar per year. As the publisher, he gives his time, where he has already given largely of time and money, to develop such a first class publication, with a very distant prospect of returns, financially. Disregarding the educational factor, such a journal is worth $’s from a purely material stand- point, to every active collector. This is why we ‘Jaid the whole case’’ before our friends. That the facts are appreciated we have already abun- dant evidence. Mr. E. A. MclIllhenny, of Avery’s Island, La., has very generously volunteered a contribution of $100 worth of southern bird’s eggs in sets, now offered as premiums with THE NIDOLOGIS’, thereby attesting substantially his good will toward the magazine and his desire to see it have a wider circulation—such as it will have, we believe, with our friends’ earnest co-operation. The following list includes the support received “for the cause,” and from good friends of Orni- thology, to March 7, and represents the number of subscribers secured, or their equivalent, with those piedged to be secured during the next five mouths. The first two objected to the publication of their names: A Western Ornithologist................ 10 IPASAGET AN cteccrcc maces PRPS 8.055 A 10 Chase Littlejohn ......... oma Persyers es: 10 Jembarker Norris; Jr. 2in..\.)s ae eg eas a 3 DEFOR Merson. oii. oye ence eee (BW EVollis 2 45,0 sitters aa Pt ics ic ccalohats 2 BRE New Ditiye se rare tit sreltelsesons's ee <5 2 HngpensismRolted cauaelovarep iets tel asid uns I Bs Ji Wheeler’... a. saiade arn wpreite ots = eke Teint I PHIlOAW Sidi the. ctierah slecielatolalersiere ttrey* fens 2 Johnv As Brandon jr mcr cin efateateie cele 2 ACC VE Vin re rso Us eens. stig eee aks? fitey ten Reginald! GuPape. pe sig 0S ecngie) othe eee rye ster I Claude Fyfe...... Fe tia Tee Teen 1 WFR Siry erie svete terete cervie Naterace t=) sete cain I Krank T- Burns). ris ss5 onto} ee em aals 2 Re) Wet WiiktanntS4 il atas. oerdictae © nett terete I RGY MeGrepor nt 20 ier oc trneaine mina oat ee I TNS NB ko) 00130) 1 emo Aa NOC cho aia © 4 IMS Ce ERO Wes ieereyeneisle occetaay=fotel= sks otntNete tare I Wirpinigs El. Chase rir a .ccstesles! cies at 5 toe Mette soy Ge cian Soom S Te ae cecal Albert danoy >a cvaneact citar hee sere I Wy Ase Davidson ore )r pict. peciearciett ore ails I Mrs7Agnes;Chase scr <0 cites es esl ers I VerdisBortehiye an sete : met Brancisik’s Copes jniaeccsiis . ocean BSg OEIC Daa aC Sas OF SOUTHERN BIRD’S EGGS 1N FINE ORIGI NBIC SETS WITH CARRS pare Transportation Must Be Paid by “Purchaser on AA Orders Under Five Dollars PER EGG Red-billed Pigeon ........... 15 White-fronted Dove.......... 12 White-winged Dove........ Sets Mexican Ground Dove . 10 niga Ove sem ericsson Setntecsbe 215 White-tailed Kite. .......... Tee Mexican Goshawk .....,...... 1.25 1S tebe IS ENR en Gig h etn rs a1) Western Red-tail........,... +30 Mexican Blackhawk. ......... Tee 5 Aplomado Falcon............ 1.50 White-throated Falcon....... 1.00 Audubon’s Caracara ......... .30 Mexican Screech Owl........ .30 Texan Screech Owl . ....... .18 Flamulated Screech Owl ..... 50 Western Horned Owl........ +35 Ferruginous Pigmy Owl...... .65 Mexican Meadow lark ...... .10 Audubon’s Oriole..,. ....... .60 Lesson’s Oriole.............. 18 Hooded Oriole 3... 2.2... -Io Great-tailed Grackle .... 105 Mexican Goldfinch .......... .60 Dusky Seaside Sparrow ...... 60 Bark Sparrow. .... ..; ak OS MUEXAS SDAMIOW =>... ss Seen +10 Varied Bunting... ......... -60 yy Shatp’si Seed-eater. 22... 20 » Black-capped Vireo.......... -20 Brasher’s Warbler........... .60 Sennett’s Warbler.......... .50 Mirador Yellow-throat ....... -79 Wong-tailed Chat* 22... 22% -06 Sennett’s Thrasher .......-.. -05 Curved-billed Thrasher. ..... +05 MEOMItAS Wireline stone inchs +15 Texas Bewick’s Wren........ .08 Black-crested Titmouse ...... 20 WiGHUDN SO ame len en ae eaaD .10 Rose-thioated Bicard ........ +35 Montezuma Yellow-tail....... 15 Gray-tailed Hawk .......... .40 Black Frog Hawk,.......... -40 St. Domingo Grebe ......... 18 Texas Dusky Duck-.......... -40 Black-bellied Tree Duck ....; 50 Wie beam en techs Aateiac Kees 10 Mexican Jacana 2.5.6 .- 2 cielen- 1.00 Mexan Bobwhite... Are oes -10 Mexican Wild Turkey ....... -40 Ateca banaue: ters lpamrceins +25 Groove-billed Ani ,,.._....... 12 Roadnunnersas sess eet -06 Coppery-tailed Trogon ....... 1.75 Texas Kingfisher 1.00 ——AND—— PER EGG Rufus-bellied Kingfisher $1.00 Baird’s Woodpecker ......... -25 Cen, Am. Pileated Woodpecker .50 Golden-fronted Woodpecker. . .12 Paranique sees, «sere cies +70 Texas Nighthawk ......../.. 12 Western Nighthawk ......... 12 Buff-bellied Hlummer...... Pe eect: £2) Scissor-tailed Flycatcher...... 05 Couch’s Kingbird............ +25 Derby Flycatcher ...... .... -50 Giraud’s Flycatcher-......... 30 Mexican Crested Flycatcher,.. .12 Lawrence’s Flycatcher ....... .20 Vermillion Flycatcher ....... -40 Beardless Flycatcher......... .60 Green Jay..... LS AERO AT ESTED 25 ISLA ESy Sis2, ae oes 22 Mexican:Grows.. ss¢s52 Sons. LD Bronzed Cowhbird............ 10 Dwarf Cowbinds. 2 oes 8 ve. .08 Ghachalacavgeesti:.” 2 as 15 Pied-billed Grebe .... ...... -05 Laughing Goll. news os 05 (Caspianpienmyns...5. voetncitae 10 Royale Renneeeetsy=: oes cree ys -I0 Cabot’s erie. 2) eee 15 Foster's Terms... 2.2.5. SER SPOR Weastwbennenvess tae ees .05 Sootyaberpearen= ssc see Io BlackiBernbuascts -... ahaa .05 BlackiSkammien /n05 se deme 105 AT nn epee oa ery 10 Mexican Cormorant.... .25 Am. White Pelican 15 Brownebeltcantn }.... j. ces aes .10 Hooded Merganser .......... +50 Mottled-Buckw : 2. | oe. cack -40 Wood Duck ............ Soe) ale’ Roseate Spoon-bill........... -35 Wihiteibisieeess: 2 a; Soe -10 Wood lbisseapes. += coe scene 50 American Bittern...... ..... 20 Teast Bitterninas:: <.2. ccn cee -05 Great Blué*Heron. ... 20... 2 10 Snowy Heron... .2...008. 8. Bi ge) Louisiana Heron.... ........ 04 LittlesBluesHerons yee .04 Greeniklcronwen: “ohne .04 Yellow-crowned Night Heron, .15 AM eKicanglicnebas)7.mecteecier an e5 Red dispub greta... eieieerele .10 Louisiana Clapper Rail....... 35 King Raillreas: = a rcchiemestee -10 Purple Gallinule sss see ae .10 Florida Gallinule we RAE 05, Avery's bani, Ts Parish, da PER EGG Black-necked Stilt, . American Woodcock .... Kildeer fsa i feasee eae Wilson’s| Plover 0. ..i2eteence Floiida Bobwhite ........... Atwater’s Prairie Hen........ Wild Qurkeya oe acacia Mourning Dove ......<... TAHA ca oe bo Black) Vitltunes seseretr anne Swallow-tailed Kite 0) Mississippi Kite .........- < Florida Red-shouldered Hawk +25 Harlan’s Hawk............. 2 Obes Florida Night Hawk.,....... +25 Bald Baglen sake eens 1,50 Florida Barred Owl.,........ 75 American Barn Owl.....,.... 12 Florida Scrcech Owl.......-. +20 Chuckwill’s Widow,....-.... +50 Chimney. Swift 22) (2. J52-. -10 Ruby-throated Hummer, . .20 Koing binder cenit +02 Crested Flvcatcher -......... .10 Wood;Pewees ii... ace eee :05 Orchard Orioles. sense eee :02 Boat-tailed Grackle.......... .05 Florida Grackle {yon 2e een oe +05 Texan Seaside Sparrow ...... .50 Henslow’s Sparrow.......-... +50 Cardinal 27 hin ee .02 Painted: Bunting vers yee +05 Summen Hanager ieee +10 Purple >Miartiniiy aya nner 05 White eyed Vireo............ .C5 Prothonotary Warbler.... .10 PRarula Warblensesssee een 10° Hooded Warbler .........5-- 20 Swainson’s Warbler .......... ite) Florida Yellow-throat .. Bates) Yellow-breasted Chat........ +04 Mockingbird? eee 102 Garolina: \Wrenv iin coon ,05 Long billed Marsh Wren.....- -03 White-breasted Nuthatch, .... 15 Garolina ‘Chickadee os... -05 Blue-gray Gnat-catcher....... .08 © Bluebirds] ee eee Seer .02 Florida Wild “Turkey Pee eA .50 Florida Burrowing Owl...... -40 Bloridan Wrens a5 ose 225 Florida Cormorant........... 215 Southern Downy Woodpecker. .30 Florida Redwing ....,....... .10 Louisiana Seaside Sparrow.... .60 Florida Cardinal eee Netra Sa 1S My collectors are sending i in lots of eggs now, and by the last of April T will have a full stoc's “of southern I am offering on this list eggs never before put on the market, and you will get what you order, if you order early. eggs. Send in your orders now and I will make shipment on May Ist. We solicit your order for the following which will receive prompt and faithful attention. All sent prepaid | on Teceipt of Price. iiiters. Ane: Rites bon style, Sennea ‘byee OX PLESS.n ae neve Lae eistuiete lope seinters Gein eee $ 2.10 Unstrapped, by expresssis fb Aa accicnis ae vs sep reo Reenter poe ten aiiec = a aire ene 1.60 Hither prepaid for 60 cents extra. “ ‘ Embryo hook, handle, with three size hooks, nickled...........0 0. ee uee cece eee e eee ersetesecs .50 Cheap style: POOG in wee ees chek ee aT nl of Boa LISTE sty Scie teen 15 Hinevpoint nickle:forceps oi. 55 se os coe iit Reta dias) « coma biee Sencte Solin rete holes ee eo +20 Tead perieils, Soft 0-2. aetna Ue au Spee sf ~ 5-Lnik ee eT EES coo eee al eget Patek) Book colored tissae paper for mending€ges 8 e « ... 6.) een soldi sees ala a -10 Ritbperattbinp 7 feet, plece. as ave cry ate ene meaeIR Ta s's ox creanee ERE Sa Se 4! Hixtra feet ts Se cab ose Sse s Cag Wt oor ORNS J /n «Live te Geant eno -06 Datas-check-book style; withistub/100; each met co. mises pee ere ee eerie +25 Ditto other styles (samples for stamp) per hundred, 8 cents to 20 cents. sakes Checking lists, very handy to use in exchanging, price greatly reduced, per doz. toc per hundred 60 Egg Calipers, for measuring eggs, 4 inch, nickled, graduated Iooths ......... .......+..-++0ees -95 Ditto, graduated, 1ooths and mm., with screw.top.......... seleieeie + Gas Dare Cae TE De 2.10 Water blower, complete, rubber bag, 7 feet tubing, blowers, etc....................... ot are SSO “Reed's? hand. blower... ..:.72....s0tfh in. .e, ne 1.50 IB Inds Oe C HIS AN aah ire 61a) 1k ca AIS ate ae INT os, « SS Se IEE SEI TE eS Tepettee ee amen SORT Birds'of Lia brad oF os jccchon oss in eNO nye 4a coe wa RED Sa SST 2505 Eagersoll?s Bird Nestin sie aie vic tics csi cet, «ss wo a eh aap vee ae Spe CRE ete Se em pore Ts ‘1.25 Ridgeway’s New Manual of Birds, best book at present..............-2.0.ccueee cece essere eee 7.00 Cones Key,/a:standard work .2302..03 (Shir Geseh... . ab oe a 72s Goss’s Birds of Kansas, best book for Miss. Valley See wale duct Hi oslene ile ba lee eames reanane kes eae ea 5 50 - Large stock of back numbers of Ornithological papers, bound and unbound, at low rates. Siate what you want. Seud stamp for our latest builetin of sets of eggs. Iam selling at % to 4% of catalogue price. New 1897 fifty page catalogue for stamp Copy of “Maseamn free. The above snaps are only offered for a cecal time. Take advantage now and save money. W. F. WEBB, [ler., Albion, N. Yi Isa Monthly Illustrated Gamel ail nd_” Magazine Relating to Outdoor Life It has been aptly termed: ‘‘The monthly echo from the waters, the mountains and the fields” Subscription Price, $1.00 Per Year Three Trial Numbers, Twenty-fiue Cents Seeress22tss5siet sua2sttttittice Pee SVAN ME PLE COPY RPREE=- PEN Ps Sees ~~ —- + eo — We give guns, bicycles, cameras, and other sportman's goods as premiums for clubs of subscribers. Here aresome: $5 Pocket Kodak, loaded, for 6 subscribers. Bristol Steel fishing rod, for nine. Comet Camera, for nine, ~ Kole Washburn mandolin, banjo or guitar, for fifleen. $18 Marlin rifle, for G = eighteen. Spalding Tennis Outfit, for twenty-nine. Bijou Graphophone, = DA) 2 for fifty. Syracuse Bicycle, for one hundred and twenty-five. JOxS Surely you have fen or twenty friends who would subscribe to an attract- ive magazine like GAMELANDif you asked themtodoso. Send fora sample copy of GAMELAND, which contains full particulars, Gameland Publishing Co. (INCORPORATED) 63 Rutgers Slip = a = NEW YORK Ta Tre Cas ee eT T STS STINK ICED TOTTI VIC ean A no Om esd EXCHANGE DEPARTMENT - + TERMS:—ONE CENT PER WORD. No notice for less than 25 | cents. Address printed free. Dealers advertisements 15 per line. ee Rare sets or singles of eggs. No com- : mon. I offer sunplies, books and specimens in | most all branches of Natural History. Also want rare skins. W. F. Wess, Mer., Albion, N. W. ~ BOR SALE—\ few fine skins of rare Western Warblers (Calaveras, Hermit, Townsend's, Black- throated Gray and Macgillivray’s) at reasonable prices. Also others from this locality, Special rates to those desiring series; send for list Horace A. GAYLORD, Pasadena, Cal. WANTED—For Cash¥ Perfect sets with fall original data Swallow-tailec Kite and American Goshawk Address— A. W. JOHNSON, Upper Lake, California : Ferruginous Rough-Leg During May I will have a few fine sets to dispose of cheap for cash; also other varieties from North | Dakota. Correspondence Solicited. I. R. CRAIGUE, Mi.newaukan, N. Dakota STEEL Strapyed, Ready for use, ouly $1.25 per F. H. METCALF, Holyoke, Mass. ~ Wanted—An Idea sissies Protect your ideas; they may bring you wealth. Write JOHN WEDDERBURN & CO., Patent Attor- _ heys, Washington, D. C., for their $1,800) prize offer ) and list of two hundred inventious wanted. J. H. HOLS ES Dealer in......... Marine Shells and Curios DUNEDAN, FLA <<< Large Collections in ’ THE NIDOLOGIST _827 Brannan Street E - CLIMBING IRONS — iii.’ JOHN MURGATROYD Taxider mist 18 NORTH WILLIAM STREET Halfa aibatanrea Beeecteathanet New York PRINTING FOR NATURALISTS We can print your Irice Lists, Cards, Enveleps, Letterheads, Catalogues, etc., a little BETTER ana a little CHEAPER than others. No extra charge for use of our large assortment of illustrations. Get our figures before placing orders. A. M. EDDY, Albion, N. Y. POSTAGE STAMPS Liberal Sent on approval. discounts on Revenue Catalogue prices. Reference required. W. F. GREANY San Francisco, Cal. Stanips, Send 10c. for a Sampie Copy of the Great verland | Monthly Edited by ROUNSEVELLE WILDMAN. yi NO Established 1868. Like no other magazine on earth. Filled to overflowing with glorious pic- tures of the Golden West. Three Dollars a Year. Overland Monthly Publishing Co. San Francisco. Choice Birds’ Eggs COLLECTED LAST SUMMER IN Spain, Lapland Island, tate., ite. HAVE BEEN LATELY RECEIVED Price Lists will be sent GRATIS ’ . _ ADOLPH KRICHELDORFF <—— ADDRESS ——* - Berlin S. 42 Oranien-Strasse 135, Germany iv. THE NIDOLOGIST — + BARGAINS &. We solicit your order for the following which will receive prompt and faithful attention, All sent prepaid on receipt of price. Climbers, finest quality, best style, strapped, by express............0.0c00- ees Bs ont se area $ 2.10 Wnstrapped; by express a0 5 2.2, oisnsch, Sao aE. sist ae ete ie eI oe hol et 1.60 Hither prepaid for 60 cents extra. Embryo hook, handle, with three size hooks, nickled........... 000. 0c cece cee e ce eeeeerecurenes .50 heap style; sc o0d asthe i We eee Sta SERRE hea Rote OR Re es Sc cen Sats Hine point nickle‘forcepS.... 2.2 4. gs soe yee MOORE > os aa eon GOR nee nie en ee -20 iheadspeneils, soft sy, h 2 Se e235 aco Cirle ee RETR «Soon ON AE RRO Ce ye ~ 08 Book colored’ tissue paper for mending egesa- cman. . «castes onesie ste eee Siler Sen -10 Rubberstubingy7 feet; piece <> .5.cc ac gach caret meas «cea ee a ee -40 Extra Feet 52h 20S ec obrg acne SPATE «Ss ASC Cec Date SCR ERE .06 Datasycheck-book style with stub, too, ea@his cen). ose ceney. che a neers eee re Sere atsoce eas) Ditto other styles (samples for stamp) per hundred, 8 cents to 20 cents. Checking lists, very handy to use in exchanging, price greatly reduced, per doz. toc per hundred .60 Egy Calipers, for measuring eggs, 4 inch, nickled, graduated tooths ....................-.+-.:- 95 Ditto; graduated, 1coths and mm-, with screwtop.,)...-.c.sceeens ces see eee ~: 2 nrOms Water blower, complete, rubber bag, 7 feet tubing, blowers, etc............. ib eas SOR 1.50 “Reed's’’ hand blower........--- Oates ata ee TORTS) © lai 8 ang IE St am ean Done Ole See 1.50 BITAS OP MICH ga io cae he wesc kc Os OO A PY cosa RRC LSOD DEERE ee 50 IDO Se Ole seb tard Ors ses ee Re RN OER RE tg So eS eS Saha naib Glave yeu (so) Dapexsoll's Bird Nesting: 2... [ac hlee ec oe Gh eRla ax So AVS ee aie ee 1.25 Ridgeway’s New Manual of Birds, best book at present...........). 0020 cece ecceee esses seees 7.00 Coues' Key, aistandard work. :2.40. 0. $ nk eae). . eg eae eerie ee che Star en 7.25 {Soss’s: Birds of Kansas, best. book for Miss. Walley... .°. 3.0.2 202 as Ee ee ee eee 5-50 Large stock of back numbers of Ornithological papers, bound and unbound, at low rates. State what you want. Seud stamp for our latest bniletin of setsof eggs. Iam selling at % to 4% of catalogue price. New 1897 fifty page catalogue for stamp. Copy of “‘Museum”’ free. The above snaps are only offered for a limited time. Take advantage now and save money. + W. F. WEBB, [lgr., Albion, N. Y. TN ‘Winchester Repeating 4 SSS aifies ‘Our Model 1893 Shot-Gun is now used by all the most advanced trap Shot-Guns and game shooters. Single Shot-Rifles ASK YOUR DEALER TO SHOW YOU THIS GUN. Everything that is Newest and Best in Repeating Arms as well as all kinds of Ammunition are made by the WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO., Winchester Ave., New Haven, Conn. nug- Send a Postal Card with your address for our 112-page. d Catalogue. i ae z 2 ES FS eae ae te « eeIe ae ee ie ee SS California Vulture’s Nesting—First Published Photos in Next Number LAM EDA, CAL May, 1897 —— ; “‘The Story of the Farallones’’—Free to Our Readers ets me DON’T OVERLOOK THIS <7 A Generous Proposition from The Nidologist ~~ FARALLONES.”’ It is really a most interesting brochure, elegantly gotten up, and has been said, “well y g gantly §' Nos HAVE read some of the handsome things said of the beauty and value of “THE STORY OF THE worth the price’’—50 cents. We believe every copy which goes out is the best kina of an advertisement to increase the Sale. Realizing this we make the following unsuual announcement fo you specially. We willsend to our subscribers the elegant Farallone Island Souvenir as a gf, provided we receive their prompt renewal of subscription, Vew subscribers may also take advantage of this presentation by remitting one dollar for the magazine for a year. This is a compliment extended by the NIDOLOGTST to its readers. Take advantage of it while the offer is open. The Souvenir is a sheer gift to you—and we pay the postage! The mailing envelope of this month’s Nip will show the time your subscription runs out, Renew it at once and you will get the dainty brochure—a poem of the publisher’s art—free. Let us hear from you promptly, if you appreciate liberality and ente: prise. H. R. Taylor, Editor NIDOLOGIST Alameda, California. : THOUSANDS OF OLD BOOKS —==7 AVE accumulated in the libraries of our public institutions, and those of prominent public men, both in duplieite and otherwise Chey cost them nothing and oft times are valued accordingly. ‘Vhey are, however, both valued and desired by specialists and parties interested Perhaps you or your friends may have some of the identical volumes which | desire, crowding library shelves or Stored away in garrets, doing nobody any good; but hadT them I would not only appreciate them but might know of a dozen others who would do likewise. Look over my list of wants andif you have anything I desire or ofhers, write me, stating what you wish in xchange, and perhaps wé can arrange an exchange which will be advantageous to each. 1 will exchange for single volumes— — but the larger the exchange the better. | WANT Government and State Reports:—Annual Reports and Bulletins of U.S. Geological Survey, with F. V. Haydn incharge. Reports of Wheeler's U.S. Geological Surveys W. of the rooth Meridian. Reports of King’s U. S. Geological exploration of the 40th Parallel. Annual Reports of Bureau of Ethnology. Annual Reports of U.S. Geological Survey. Natural History of New York. Smithsonian Contributions to Knowledge. U.S. Reports on Etomology. Botany: —Any of Gray's or Wond’s Vext-Books and Publications. Lesquereaux & James, “Mosses."’ Tuckerman's “‘Lichens.” Goodale’s “Wild Flowers.” Hervey’s ‘Sea Mosses."" Sargent’s ‘‘Silva of N. A.” Hough’s ‘‘Am. Woods,” Geology, Mineralogy and Palevontology: —Any of Dana's, Winchell’s, Miller’s or Geikie’s Works. Conchology:—Any ot Tryon’s. Sowerby’s Gill's or Woodward's Works. 7 eatomologg: —Any of Packard’s, Westwood's or Comstock’s Books. Any of Maynard’s, Edward’s or Scudder’s Works on “Butrerflies ’? Ornithology, Ooleqy, and Taxidermy:—Works by any of the following: Baird, Bendire, Prewer, Brewster, Cassin, Chapman, Cory. Soues, Davie, DeKay, Fisher, Gentry Goss. Hornaday, Mclllwraith, Maynard, Minot. Nuttall, Nehrling, Raine, Ridgeway, Shufeldt, Studer, Warren. Wilson. Also back numbers or volumes of any of the following publications’ ‘‘Auk,’’ “Ibis,” *‘Ornitholo- gist and Oologist,”’ “‘Nidologist,” ‘Bird Rooks,” Pamphlets and Publications are my speciality and I can use almost anything in that line advantageously either in large or small lots, old or new. Medical: —Quain’s tore 1oth ed.: Rohe’s Hygiene; Ziegler‘s Pathology; Campbell’s T anguage of Medicine; Gould’s Medical Dictionary; The National Dispensatory; Gray’s Anatomy; Holden’s Jissector; Kirke’s or Veo’s Physiology: Whitte & Wilcox or Hare’s Materia Medica; Reese’s Toxicology; Osler’s Medicine; Park’s or American Text Brok of Surgery; Parvin’s or Lusk’s Obstet- erics; Garrigue’s or Keatmg & Coz’s Gynecology; Ingal’s L.aryngelogy; Duhring’s Dermatology; Wana’s Nervous Tiseases; Kirchoff’s or Blandford’s Insanity; Reese’s Medical Jurisprudence; Klein’s or Pierson’s Histology. I also Gesire second hand copies of any Standard book, report or publication deyoted to Ornithology, Oology, Geology. Mineralogy, Paleontology, Zoology, Ccnchology, Botanv, Microscopy; etc., etc. I also want choice Birds’ Eggs i in sets, with data; A No. x Mounted Birds and Reptiles; A Good Microscope; A Good Typewriter; Indian Relics. and choice collections of U.S. or more Stamps or Coins or Offers, I CAN OFFER IN EXCHANCE Cyclostyle; Corner Lot in Kearny, Neb.; 160 acres in Western Neb.; No. 2($32.50) Kodak, new; 23 vols. Harpers in patent binders; New set of Encyclopaedia Briltanica: Set Johnson 's Pncyclopaedia, Morocco bound; Rand and McNally’s $25 Business Atlas; New Vale Surgical Chair; New Gould Dental Chair; $25 Relief Map of U.S.; New $500 Upright Piano; $50 Mineral Collection; $rooo worth of “Surplus?” Stock as offered in “Natural. Screncr News” (copy ‘for stamp) of April ’96 consisting of Minerals, Fossils. Shells, Land and Marine Curios, Mexican Goods, Novelties, etc., etc.; 7 Foot Shark from the Plant R. R. System’s Exhibit at the Atlanta £3 Exposition. Select Disarticulate Human one-half skeleton; Skeleton of Monkey; *‘Fauna of British India. Ceylon and Burmah.’? — 7 vol., 4000 pp.. 1300 illus.; Jeancon’s ‘‘Atlas of Pathological Anatomy” cost $36.75; a $45 Roll top Black Walnut Desk. good as new, 150 acres of land near Vineland. N J. Iwill sell anything-I offer cHeap for cAsH. Exchanges und2r $5 not solicited except for choice material or desirable books. Address FRANK H. LATTIN, Publisher for the Oo1ocrst, ALBION, N. y f Coa) Ch, \ H THE NIDOLOGIST Exponent of American Ornithology and Odlogy PUBLISHED MONTHLY WITH ILLUSTRATIONS Vol. IV. No. 9 ALAMEDA, CAL., MAY, 1597 $1.00 Per Year AV Rugged Coast, Showing Pigeon Guillemots in Foreground : ; ’ ’ : (From ‘‘ THE STORY OF THE FARALLONES.) THE NIDOLOGIST ) Ardea herodias Nests on the Ground O THE Editor of THE NIpoLocisT; Sir: In response to your request, and as the night crying bells sounded at sunset on April 29, 1897, the 22 ton yacht Hmer- ald slipped moorings and sped away in the gathering darkness on a twenty-mile run toward the southern marshes of San Fran- cisco bay. ‘The course was directed to the mouth of a creek in the salt marsh near which a colony of Great Blue Herons had been previously located, avd here we found anchorage. In the morning the launch was dispatched in search of oysters, and two of the men, provided with camera and egg basket, rowed a light skiff up a narrow ‘“‘cork- screw’’ creek toward the heronry. As we drew near the spot a great flock of Herons arose from tke marsh, and after circling for a few moments flew off about a quarter of a mile and alighted to watch our approach. Occasionally small flocks re- turned to take note of our proceedings. When the creek had narrowed to about 15 feet—and its thread became as tangled as thread usually doesin a bachelor’s hands —we reached the colony, and from the white nests, standing out in bold relief against the dark green and brown marsh grass on the banks of the creek, scores of long feathered necks arose, cavernous mouths opened and hundreds of raucous squawks greeted our arrival. There were little downy, pin-feathed ‘‘Cranes’’ re- sembling large squabs, half-grown ones with wide-open, hissing throats, and others © | who were beginning to realize the possi- bilities of flight. From the course of the creek it was evi- dent that the Herons had selected the high- est spot on the salt marsh for a nesting © place. The rookery is about two miles from the mainland and three-quarters of a mile from the bay shore, and here, within an area less than an acre in extent, are located more than fifty nests. -I counted thirty-six from one point. The nests were constructed of smaller sticks than is usual in those found in trees, the birds securing twigs, none more than 34 of an inch in diameter, from bushes which grow to a height of about three feet on the marshes. inches in height. Some lined withdry grass. Depression was from three inchesin the older nests to9 inches in the more modern ones, the average being 4 inches. Most of the nests were bleached offal white and had apparently been in use for many years. All were remarkably neat and clean. They were ranged along the edge of the winding’ creek, about 8 feet apart, and another row of nests would be found on the opposite side. Three or four eggs or the same number of young Herons were found in most of the | They were from 6 to 18. nests, but the older families were composed of but twoor three young. Several sets were secured, and fresh eggs were taken from a few nests. When one of the more advanced juveniles, in seeking to avoid the intruder strayed into a strange nest he was immediately attacked by the occupants, and a fierce conflict was waged, during which we stood, entirely disregarded, within six feet of the combatants. Several dead birds observed were probably victims of similar brawls in Crane Town. The young Herons seemed very weak on their legs even when well grown, and when one venturing too near the edge, would tumble into the creek it was impossible for THE NIDOLOGIST 101 him to climb up again. We assisted with an oar some of these fledglings in distress. The only kind of food observed in the colony was in one nest where we found a section of a large fish, probably a sturgeon. It was a full foot in length, and about four inches wide, being that part extending from the heel of the tail fin to the dorsal fin. Imagine the hungry occupants of this strange colony, standing upright with out- stretched wings and open,clamorous throats, all facing and striking their long bills toward the intruder, and you have an ‘animated picture which once seen is not to be forgot- ten. EDWARD K. TAytLor. Alameda, Cal. Where the Herony Was Found An Interview with Dr. Sharpe. “BLACK AND WHITE”’ publishes an in- teresting interview with Dr. R. Bowdler Sharpe, in the course of which he said: ‘““What Iam most proud of, absolutely, is what I consider my most important work, my share in ‘‘The Catalogue of Birds in the British Museum,’’ which I started, of which I have written thirteen out of the twenty-seven volumes. It is no mere cata- logue, but really a description of every bird in the world, with the whole of the litera- ture on the subject, and a list of the speci- mens in the National Collection. You will get some idea of the vastness of the work when I tell you that the specimens of bird- skins alone number three hundred thou- sand. If you allow Leyden of Paris to have eighty thousand specimens, then you may say the British Museum has two hundred aud twenty thousand more than any other. The mere work of arranging and catalogu- ing over a quarter of a million of birds is enormous,’’ THE NIDOLOGIST An Anti-Camera Demonstration—Young Great Blue Heron COOPER ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB Southern Division HE Southern Division met April 26, at the home of W. B. Judson, Highland Park, Cal. R. B. Blackman of Los Angeles and Walter L. Richardson and H. A. Young of Pasadena were elected to active membership. The Lite History Committee, F. B. Jewett Chairman, requests that any- one having notes on the early life histories of Southern California birds hand the same in before May 29, in order that they may be embodied in the report then to be made. Notes on Cormorants Horace A. Gaylord presented the follow- ing notes: ‘‘On Geronimo Island, Lower California, both Brandt’s and FaraJlone Cormorants are very abundant; yet it isa remarkable fact that the two species do not associate with each other to any great extent. Late in the afternoon long lines of Cormorants begin to come in from their day’s work among the fish to their roosting placeson theisland. The Farallone, flying to a beach or to low rocks near the water’s edge, roost in loose, irregular companies, while the Brandt’s, choosing a flat portion of the island farther away from the water, stack themselves closely together in large armies. This individuality seems to hold good in the nesting habits of these twe species, for wherever I have found both these birds nesting on the same island, I have noticed that the nests of the Farallone were comparatively scattered while those of the Brandt’s were packed thickly together.’’ Black-throated Sparrow A. I. McCormick read a paper on ‘‘The Black-throated Sparrow,’’ based on obser- vations taken at Randsburg on the Mojave Desert. Five sets of eggs were taken between May 21, and June 6, 1896. On May 21, a nest was found in a mesquite ro feet up, containing three eggs advanced in incubation. Onthe same day a second nest was met with containing two fresh eggs, built in asmall thick bush 2 feet from the ground in a canyon, and but two feet from a wagon road. May 31, aset of two slightly incubated eggs were taken from a nest in a small mesquite one foot from the ground. June 2, a nest was found in a thorny white sage 2% feet from the ground, containing two eggs; the nest could be seen from a path about ro feet distant. June 4, a set of two was taken from a nest ina low thick ever- green bush one foot up, in the bottom of a small canyon. June 6, an advanced set of — two was taken from a nest ina low mesquite. — Two other nests were found each containing two young and one with one young bird and two addled eggs. It would seem that in this locality two eggs are the usual comple-. ment. ‘‘This bird wasthe most interesting one met with on my trip. The song is the sweetest of any desert bird. It is composed of notes of little-varying pitch, though very \ i" THE NIDOLOGIST pleasant totheear. ‘The bird is of a friendly _ nature, always preferrivg to remain near the haunts of man. All the nests I found were near some abode or wagon road. ‘They were to be found only in the small area enclosed in the mountains; not being seen at all on the desert plains which surround the hills. The nest is of a very fragile nature, depending for its support upon the branches against which it rests. The gen- eral composition is weed stems and dry grasses, lined with down of a certain sage growing in that locality. Under date of June 16,1 find, ‘The few Black-throated Sparrows remaining haunt the shady spots and are very tame, coming into our tent every day. The mandibles are always open and they always enjoy a drink from the cup.’ ”’ ‘The Division was entertained bya talk by Mr. Grinnell on his recent visit to San Clemente Island, illustrated by speci- mens and photographs. The Southern Division meets May 29, at the residence of F.S. Daggett in Pasadena. Northern Division The Northern Division met at the home of Otto Emerson at Haywards, Cal., May 1, with a good attendance. The following were elected to membership: A. P. Reding- ton, San Francisco; George H. Ward of Napa; A G. Maddren, Stanford University: A. J. Zschokke, Palo Alto and W. H. Armitage, Alameda. The report of the Committee appointed at the last meeting to draft resolutions recommending the comzle- tion of Major Bendire’s uncompleted work on “Life Histories,” with a view to starting a movement of this nature throughout the United States, was read by the Chairman, R, B. McLain, as follows: “WHEREaS the death of Major Charles EK. Bendire on Feb. 4, 1897, leaves his most magnificent work, the ‘‘Life Histories of North American Birds’’ but half completed, and Whereas the Ornithologists of the United States anticipate the probability that this work will never be completed unless con- - certed interest be shown, be it ‘* Resolved, that the Cooper Ornithological Club of California does hereby express its great interest in the completion of the work, and earnestly requests that the officers and scientists of the Smithsonian Institution, and men of influence at Washington D, C. 103 and in other parts of America, do all in their power to further the completion of this work by some competent man whois willing to undertake the responsibility, and be it further ‘' Resolved that copies of these resolutions be sent to the officers and scientists of the U.S. National Museum and to prominent investigators throughout America, who will be asked to use their influence to further the aims of these resolutions, and beit ‘Resolved that these resolutions be printed in the organ of the Club, the Nip- OLOGIST, and that other Ornithological clubs of this country be asked to adopt similar resolutions to show that there is enough interest manifested in this movement to warrant the completion of this most valuable work of life histories.’’ A Club sketch, entitled ‘‘Looking For- ward,’’ by C. Barlow, was read. Dr J. G. Cooper, was present and gave an entertain- ing talk on “Birds of the Garden.” — tr The Hooded [lerganser. This species appears irregularly on the small artificial ponds of this vicinity, arriv- ing during the night and feeding in the early morning. The drawing was made | from the mounted bird, so I cannot guaran. The Hooded Merganser tee the form or attitude to be life-like. Besides the narrow and toothed bill which nature has given the Mergansers, one notes with interest the looseness of the neck-skin. Montgomery, O. J. C. GALLOWAY. 104 : THE NIDOLOGIST _ FELD — @ NOTES. A CURIOUS BIRD NOTE. While at the ranch in the country on October 25, 1896, I heard a peculiar call from the o:ks, reminding me somewhat of the guank of the Slender-billed Nuthatch, and given with unusual energy. Not rec- ognizing the note I investigated and tound the musician a modest Hermit Thrush (pro- bably Zardus aonalaschkae) hopping along on the ground. There was a flock of about 15 Thrushes in the several oaks, all calling loudly and with great earnestness. Some were on the ground, some perched in the oaks and occasionally one would fly over into the garden, but all kept up their call, which was sharp and vivacious, and which could scarcely help but attract one’s attention. The day was clear and bright. I have never seen this Thrush in flocks before, and would be interested to know if they often congregate in this manner, and if the note described is the usual one. C. Bartow. Santa Clara, Cal. * * * THE MEXICAN HORNED LARK. The heavy markings of black and yellow on the head and throat make this bird a conspicuous object to most observers. These birds are very numerous about Es- condido, and breed rather commonly. They seem to do very little harm, except what is recorded in the account of the Death Valley Expedition where is described the habit the birds have of following the farmer and eating the newly sown wheat at seed time. This was true of a large flock which ranged over a five acre piece of land near my home during the winter of 1894-5. They did not seem to be content with the grain not covered by the harrow, but would scratch up that which had been covered. I have seen them several times eating ants, but the contents of a stomach examined contained grain, sand and small black seeds. The Mexican Horned Lark mates in February. The breeding season extends here from March until the middle of June. On February 21, I saw one with material in the beak for a nest. The nest is com- posed ef dry grass, rootlets and straws, sometimes lined with feathers. I found it took a pair just twelve days to complete their nest after they had selected and scratched a place for it. ‘ My first take this season was a set of three on March 16; incubation fresh. On the night of May 22 of last year I took % of a Mexican Horned Lark by the light of Diana’s bow. I found the number otf eggs to be usually three, sometimes two and very seldom four. white in ground color and spotted and speckled with brown and drab. Some are more heavily marked at the larger end, also a few have minute lines of black. J. Maurice HatcH. Escondido, Cal. * * * A SCREECH OWL ACCIDENT. Some time ago a friend of mine, after lighting the fire in the morning, heard a screeching in the chimney. Not knowing what it was he took down the stove-pipe and saw a Screech Owl lodged in it. The feathers were nearly all burnt off of it and it. was unconscious and suffocated with smoke. He killed it to get it out of its misery. It had apparently gone into the chimney to spend the day after making its nightly tour. HARTLEY JACKSON. Milton, Wis. * * * NOTES FROM NEW YORK. The Bluebirds are with us this spring in their old-time numbers. The Loggerhead Shrike is a summer res- ideut here, and I have never hitherto noted its arrival from. the South until the latter part of April or about May 1. March 22 of the present year I shot a male bird. I saw another one on the following day, and one on April ro. On the morning of April 9 it snowed quite hard for a couple of hours. A Robin that was building a nest near the house continued to carry straw and other material. This was the first time I ever saw nest- building going on during a snow storm. Lansing, N. Y. D. D. STONE. They are greenish- A QUEER NEST SITUATION Watching a Poor-will. ETURNING at dusk on my wheel from a short ride up a canyon in the foot- hills on January 17 I flushed a Dusky Poor-will out of the road. As the moon had just risen I got off my wheel and follow- ing in the direction the bird had taken I soon saw it again on the ground. Kneel- ing down within a few feet I watched it fly up and catch insects and return to the same spot after the manner of some Fly- catchers and Woodpeckers. It soon flew into the road and here 1 walked up within twenty feet of it. After flying after insects it would alight a couple of feet nearer to me until it had approached within eight teet. After watching it a while I crawled up within four feet and had a chance to watch it in the bright moon- light. It would fly perbaps twenty or thirty feet into the air after insects and return again within four or five feet of me. One time it flew up and evidently picked an insect off the leaf of a wild cherry tree, flut- tering for several seconds in its endeavor to doso. It several times flew by me after food and returning would fly within a foot or so of my head and alight just in front of THE NIDIOLOGIST 105 me. Onetime it lit in the grass just by the side of the road and looked much like a Hawk when it lights in a slender tree-top with its tail as high as its head. It stayed here but a second or so and then ran or waddled a short distance into the solid road. While sitting in the road it would some- times raise its head after the manner of a Killdeer. Three or four times it uttered a low guee?, gueet or pweek. After watching it twenty minutes or so I tried to catch it. Crawling up slowly I wriggled the fingers of my left hand in front of it while I moved my hat up behind it, ’till with a sudden movement the hat was over it, bu. unfortunately for me the front end of the hat didn’t descend as quickly as the hind end, and the bird flut- tered out. ‘This experience did not seem to scare it, for three minutes afterwards I had crawled up within three or four feet and was watching it again. I did not attempt to capture it the second time but watched it till it flew away. About the middle of November I saw a Poor-will fly across the road a few hundred yards from this place and would like to know if the bird winters here, or is this an unusually early arrival from the South. Berryessa, Cal. —a @ R. H. BECK. Curious Nesting of Vigor’s Wren. We are indebted to Corydon Chamberlin for the sketch of an unusual nesting site of Vigor’s Wren. The nest was placed inside of a small rag carpet which had been tacked to a manzanita bush ona hillside in Lake county, Cal. Writes Mr. Chamberlin: ‘“The nest was completely obscured by the folds of the carpet. I pinned a piece of twine to one side and tied it back to expose it while I made a hurried pencil sketch. I have not tried to represent the rain that fell while I was thus engaged.”’ — <> Can’t Do Without It. “‘The Story of the Farallones,’’ by C, Barlow and H. R. Taylor. This neat little booklet containes twenty- eight photo-engravings of more than usual excellence, illustrating the physical features and bira life of that paradise of the birds, which, with the eleven pages of well written text descriptive of the island life and and features makes one feel well acquainted with the place. The fact that the island has lately been closed to visitors makes it the more necessary to possess one of these booklets, which can be purchased of H.R. Taylor, Alameda, Cal., at the very low price of fifty cents. Noonecan afford to be without a copy.—‘‘Gen- eral Notes.” (Bul. 14, Wilson Orn, Chapter of the Agassiz Ass'n.) a 106 THE NIDOLOGIST Correspondence. DITOR NIDOLOGIST, Drar Srr;— In April number of the Osprey, Dr. Elliott Coues writes as follows: Since the deaths of Dr. Brewer, Prof. Baird and Maj. Bendire, I am probably the only person liv- ing who knows an episode of Bendire’s early career that led to the deposit of his egg collection in the U. S. National Museum. I “discovered” Bendire late in 1871, or early in 1872, when he was stationed iu Tucson, Ariz., and I was Post Surgeon at Fort McHenry, Baltimore, Md. Some of the earliest, if not the very first results, of his field work were published by me in the ‘‘American Na- turalist”’ for June, 1872, upon the strength of the correspondence with him upon which I had al- ready entered. Later that year, when I had become Post Surgeon at Fort Randall, S. Dak., he sent me some novelties and rareties in birds and eggs, among the former being those new species which I named Harporhynchus bendirei and Peucea car- palis, About that time the bumptious and capt- lous German soldier, who was a man to take strong likes and dislikes on very small provoca- tion, had a falling out with Dr. Brewer and Prof. Baird, whose ‘‘History of North American Birds” was then well under way. He fancied himself slighted by them, or misused in some way—I have forgotten exactly how. So he poured out his grievances to me in long letters in which he abused them right heartily, and swore by ‘‘donner and biitzen” that they should never have anything from him. I supposed that Dr. Brewer, who was a narrow-minded, prejudiced, and tactless person, had wounded Bendire’s self-esteem in some way, and thought I would do what I could to heal the breach, especially as I did not want his eggs. I had no private collection: the Smithsonian always received whatever I collected in those days, and I thought Bendire’s eggs had ought to go there too. So I determined to tell Professor Baird about the doughty captain’s state of mind, feeling confident that Bairdian suavity, sagacity and tactfulness would easily set matters aright. I did so; and promptly came from Baird an urgent request to ~ see Bendire’s letters to me, that he might learn exactly what the trouble was. Knowing that Baird’s astuteness could be trusted and having entire faith in his ability to manipulate men and measures, I send him the whole of the correspon- dence. It was a case in which somewhat question- able meaus were justified by the admirable results. I never knew exactly how Baird conducted his diplomacy, but he smooted Bendire’s ruffled plumes effectually, soon had him well in hand, and in due course thereafter the Bendire collection was in Baird’s hands also, becoming the nucleus of the present unrivaled oological cabinet in the National Museum, of which Bendire was honorary curator until his death. The same result would probably have been effected in the course of time without my friendly intervention, for few persons whom Baird ever got hold of escaped him after- ward, chiefly for the reason that few ever desired to get away from what he could and would do for them. But the fact remains that I was the one who turned Bendire over to Baird, shortly after my original discovery of him, and that this inter- mediation led directly to the consummation with which all are now familiar. Perhaps I will tell The Osprey’s readers some day about the writing and printing of Bendire’s two volumes, concern- ing which I also happen to be informed to some extent. But not now,—HE. C. In the above article Dr. Coues makes three distinct claims: — first. that he dis- covered Major Bendire; second, that he was the means of having a quarrel settled between Major Bendire and Dr. Brewer; last, that owing to him the Bendire collec- tion was secured for the National Museum. As an old friend of Major Bendire, I wish to show from his own letters the incorrect- ness of the last two claims. In a letter dated Fort Klamath, Oregon, February 11, 1883, Major (then Captain) Bendire writes: “You need not worry about repaying me. I'll give the birds to your daughter, and you can pay the express charges. I used [to haye] the same kind ofa time with the late Dr. T. M. Brewer of Boston before we got to know each other personally. We had been corresponding for several years before we met, and I was stationed in Ari- zona at the time where almost every egg I found there then was almost new in eastern collections. As he was the leading odlogist in the United States those days, I always sent him any duplicates I had to spare, never keeping account of value, etc., and it used to trouble him terribly to try to get even with me. Most of his specimens were end-blown and not well prepared, and I have no use for such; but he kept on send- ing, and those he did send were the best he had. Poor man, he died too soon. I just missed seeing him by a week, and have a letter now, written only a day or two before his death. I had hoped to spend a few weeks with him and go carefully over his entire collection with him; had brought some of my rarest specimens on with me to describe in the last two volumes of “Birds of North America;’’ but it was too late. Dr. Brewer was one of the best friends I had, and I think we had many mutual likes and dislikes. I like Dr. Coues as well as he did, and the latter has never forgiven me for the strong friendship I always sbowed for Dr. Brewer. He is not satisfied even now to let him rest in his grave and loses no opportunity to belittle him when- ever he can.”’ From the foregoing it seems that at the very time when Dr. Coues claims to have been acting as a mediator, Dr. Brewer and THE NIDOLOGIST Captain Bendire were firm friends and Dr. Coues was at swords’ points with both. Besides the written testimony, Major Bendire on several occasions expressed to _ me his intense dislike of Dr. Coues in as strong language as he was capable of using, and always On account of Dr. Coues’ abuse of his friend Dr. Brewer. Dr. Coues’ state- ment, in the article quoted, that Dr. Brewer was “a narrow-minded, prejudiced and tact- less person’’ proves that Major Bendire was correct in saying that Dr. Coues was ‘‘not satisfied to let him rest in his grave.”’ Dr. Coues claims to have secured Major Bendire’s collection for the National Museum. Ina letter dated Fort Klamath, January 26, 1883, or some eleven years after Dr. Coues states that he began to try to secure his collection, the Major writes ma regarding this same collection: “JT don’t know exactly how many I have got; somewhere between 15,000 and 17,000 specimens. I found a single set was of little or no use, and that series of sets were wanted; and that is what Iam now at. The whole collection will eventually be donated by me to the National Museum in Washington or to the Museum of Compar- ative Zoology in Cambridge.”’ If Dr. Coues was the consulting physician in this case, he must have used a very slow medicine to show no effect in eleven years after he began treating the case. As to his claim of ‘‘discovering’’ Major Bendire, the Major’s friends always have supposed that he discovered himself, as other men have done, and by his own ability and force of character. Dr. Coues had about as much to do with discovering Major Bendire as the dog did in discovering the moon—the moon shone too brightly for his peace of mind, and he barked at it. MANLY Harpy. Brewer, Maine. Se ee Individuality in Eggs. N reading the article in the N1pDOLoGIs’, regarding individuality in the eggs of particular pairs of birds, I ain reminded of an instance in my last season’scollecting, an occurence which I ¢/en regarded as mer- ely a coincidence. On May 23, ’96, while hunting for a nest of Sylvania mitrata, 1 flushed an Indigo Bunting from her nest in a tangle of bram- bles. The set I secured was one of those 107 remarkable ones, with which /asserina cyanea, sometimes surprises us. Three of the four eggs were immaculate; the fourth, delicately dotted with cinna- mon-brown. Twelve days later, I passed the place, and discovered the same* pair, finishing a second nest, within twenty feet of the first site. Another visit on June ro and I secured the second set of four eggs; one with the sprinkled brown markings, and three plain ones a perfect reproduction of the first set. A comparison of the two sets as they lay together, certainly shows a marked indivi- duality. True, this is not conclusive evidence, that these particular pair of birds, will a/ways produce sets corresponding with those in my possession. Yet, were I sure I would “stumble onto’’ a complete set from this same pair of Buntings the coming season, I would expect to find three of the eggs im- maculate; and one sprinkled with minute dots of brown. Opportunity is lacking for a true study of this individuality in the smaller birds, because of the almost impossible chance of recognizing a particular pair, after a winter's absence. It zs possible, however, to procure two, or even ¢hree sets from the same pair of birds in a single season; and these could be employed with a degree of accuracy toward establishing the fact of individuality, if existing. Philo, Ills. Isaac E. HEss. Wingless Birds Doomed. The wingless birds so characteristic of New Zealand are rapidly becoming extinct; the government is doing what it can to pre- serve them, but they areso easily run down by dogs that they must speedily disappear. I have seen but one Kiwi, and that I am not quite sure of as the light was fading and I had but a passing glimpse of it as the bird crossed the road in front of my horse; but one frequently meets with ‘‘Wekas,’’ (as the Maories call them) a rich brown wing- less bird that runs with amazing swiftness. —Herbert L. Grieve in ‘*The Wombat.’’ *) Evidently the same pair, as no others were n Sting near. 108 THE NIDOLOGIST Notes on the Ardea herodias in Texas HROUGHOUT the greater portion of North America the Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) is an abundant bird, and articles ou its habits are quite numerous in Ornithological literature. Yet, withal, I have failed to come across an article describ- ing the nesting habits of the species in this section of the country, and have concluded to give what information is at my com- mand. In this county (McLennan), although the birds occur in numbers during the migra- tions, I have never observed more than a few isolated pairs during the breeding sea- son, and these had their nest in tall trees growing along rivers in the more heavily timbered sections. Here the nests are usually composed of sticks lined with grass, and are very large and flat. The complement of eggs varies from three to five, four being the more com- mon number. The breeding season com- mences about the last of March. The nests are often built on slanting limbs over-reach- ing the water. In some sections of the state, especially in the extreme eastern, the breeding habits of the Great Blue Heron are similar to those of the birds in Florida and Louisiana, nest- ing in large rookeries in the midst of retired swamps. On the sand-bar-like islands lying off the coast of Texas, from Corpus Christi south- ward, the birds breed abundantly. One of these islands near Corpus Christi is known as ‘‘Bird Island,’’ and towards its center grow quantities of cacti. During the first week of last June five species of birds were found breeding there—the Brown Pelican, Black Skimmer, Laughing Gull and two Herons (Ardea herodias and A. caerulea). The eggs of the first three species were laid in the sand. The Pelicans’ nests contained young birds and eggs far advanced in incu- bation, and the number of eggs or young ranged from two to four. The nests were made by the birds scraping up the sand into a heap, with a depression, and filling in with twigs, small sticks and like material. The nests of the Gulls and Skimmers were merely hollowed in the sand. Those of the Laughing Gull contained from two to five eggs, ranging in incubation from almost fresh to far advanced, and some few con- tained young. The Skimmers’ nests con- tained from three to five eggs, varying in incubation. The nests of the two Herons were com- ~ posed of sticks and were built on the tops of the cacti, and some were rather well made and of fair depth. Some of the nests of the Great Blues’ were quite massive in proportions. Their eggs ranged from three to five; those of the Little Blue Heron, Incubation in the eggs from two to four. of both species was far advanced and some nests already contained young. On the coast, the Great Blue Heron is known as the *‘Blue Crane;’’ the Little Blue, the ‘Little ‘Crane;’’ the Skimmer, ‘*Seissorsbill’’ or ‘‘Shearwater;’’ articilla is simply the ‘‘Gull.”’ Nests fairly cover Bird Island during the breeding season and one can hardly walk along without stepping on eggs or young birds. Nae The following interesting notes I have quoted from a letter from my friend, James J. Carroll (now-in Mexico), dated at Refu- gio, Texas, April ic, 1896: ‘The Great Blue Heron is a common bird in Refugio County, though I have never found a large heronry here. The last week of February this year, a Mexican brought — me some eggs which on examination proved — to be those of the Great Blue Heron. He said that he found three eggs in one nest: and one in another, and one other nest was completed but had no eggs in it. He said there were a great many birds in the vici- nity of these nests. Exactly two weeks from the day, March 7, I went, by his directions to the place and found six occu- pied nests containing from 3 to 5 eggs each. Incubation in the sets of four and five had begun. In this remarkably short space of time, they had constructed their nests, depo- sited a full complement of eggs and begun incubation. The nests were very substan- tial structures of sticks and weeds, some- times nicely cupped. They were situated at heights of from 5 to 15 feet in a little ‘motte’ of chapparel, near acreek. From mere curiosity I revisited the place on March 30, and imagine my surprise to find the birds on the nests and full complements of eggs again. ‘“March 25, while collecting near a small prairie lake, I saw a great many Herons sitting on a ‘motte’ at some distance from me. tinguish some nests. ment I heard the croaking of many young. It did not require long for me to dis- | To my disappoint- — Lh rene Seok. wep ee He els and Larus — \ THE NIDOLOGIST 109 Nevertheless I obtained about twenty sets. Incubation was fresh to almost complete. These nests, some of them massive struc- tures, were situated at elevations of from ten to twenty feet in hackberry and knock- away trees. Revisited this locality first week in April and found several fresh sets. “In Aransas County there is the largest heronry that I have ever seen; I am confi- dent that within its boundaries there are several thousand nests. It is situated in live oak brush near the coast. Nests about seven to fifteen feet up. This heronry is deserted this year. The Great Blue Heron breeds in isolated pairs in the bays, making its nest on yucca growing on the islands, also sometimes in prairie ‘mottes.’ ’’ J. K. STRECKER, JR. Waco, Texas. ——> 6 In Mexican Waters. SUCCESS OF THE ANTHONY-KAEDING- MCGREGOR EXPEDITION. Mr. Charles D. Kaeding of San Francisco very kindly relieved the mind of the N1p's editor regarding the safety of the Anthony- Kaeding-McGregor party in Mexican wat- ers, and gives us the following very inter- esting extracts from letters received from H. B. Kaeding, sent back by schooners passed at sea. Writing from San Martin’s Island on March 13, hesays: ‘‘Our first stop was at Podos Santos Island, but we didn’t get anything very rare. The first take I made was a set of three and both parents of Bald Eagle. and then I laid in a basket full of Heerman’s Gulls, Black Turnstones, Black and Frazar’s Oyster-catchers. I got fifteen Black Turnstones with one shot. **Reached San Martin’s yesterday morn- ing and found about the same birds, be- sides Ospreys, ete. Took a few sets, six of them Ospreys. There being no trees they nest on the ground every hundred yards or so, but it is too early. There are two Pel- ican rookeries here, one of them one and a half miles long by a mile broad, and you can't lay down a six-foot stick anywhere without striking a nest or two.’’ Under date of April 10, writing from Natividad Island, he says: ‘‘Today I col- lected over a hundred sets with parents of Black-vented Shearwater, the eggs hereto- fore-unknown.’’ iblientioni “BIRDS OF CoLORADO,” by W. W. Cooke, Bul. No. 37, State Agricultural College; 141 pp.; From the Agricultural Experi- ment Station, Fort Collins, Colorado. A most useful work, and faultlessly printed, is this list by Professor Cook, with very complete annotations, recording 360 species known to occur in the state. The classifi- cation of Colorado birds is summarized elaborately, noting 87 residents, 228 sum- mer residents (separated into five divisions as to breeding ranges), 22 rare or accidental visitants, etc. A complete bibliography is given, as well as a history of Colorado Or- nithology. ‘The present author has added Ig species to the state list. Very interesting to Oologists are the notes given of the breeding time of many species; where are located the centers of abundance, and the number of broods raised. A complete index concludes this excellent work, which will be welcomed by all Ornitologists. It may be obtained free of charge by addressing the Director of the Experiment Station, Fort Collins, Colorado. “THE OsprREyY’’ looks very neat in a new face of smaller type, Pains are evidently not spared in making the new journal a gem typographically. Wetrust it may meet with the success which such a display of enter- prise deserves. SS CHARLES S. BuTTEeRS of Haverhill, Mass., has fav- ored us with a paper on the Red-shouldered Hawk, with a unique photograph of nest and eggs 77 sztu. “THE STORY OF THE FARALLONES’’ has made a big ‘‘hit,” replete as it is with matter of live interest to every Ornithologist and Oologist. The collection of unusually good photographs it contains should be alone worth the price. THE HIGH standard of the NIDOLoGIsT was declared by many a sufficient guarantee of the value and attract- iveness of ‘‘The Story of the Farallones,’”’ and now that the pretty brochure is out, no one, we are assured, can feel that his confidence was misplaced. The editor appreciates the many complimentary things said of the “Story’’ and pictures. EXCUSE my tardiness in acknowledging the receipt of that dainty booklet, ‘‘The Story of the Farallones.’, I am sure you must feel much pleasure in getting out so neat a bit of artistic work, and that feeling must be shared by every lover of nature who sees it. J. C. GALLoway, SS ee eee 110 THE NIDOLOGIST News from Near and Far. GErorGE F. BRENINGER left Phcenix, A. T., May 15 for a collecting trip in the Santa Rita and Huachuca Mountains. Our friend, Crandall, of Woodside, N. Y., 1s fast becoming an egg Baron. He has added 24 eggs of the Golden Eagle this year to his series. FRANK B. SPAULDING of Lancaster, N. H., took a set of American Goshawk May 1. On the same day he secured a set of Crow containing eight eggs. A RECENT fire in Worcester destroyed a large quantity of birds and eggs belonging to Charles K. Reed. He has moved into a more commodious store and is as active as ever. Wm. PALMER, Paul Bartsch and John Daniel, Jr., have left ona collecting trip into the Dismal Swamp. ‘When we return” writes Mr, Daniel, “I hope to have something for the NID.’’ H. W. NAsH of Pueblo, Colorado, writes that he expects to spend some weeks with the birds at a high altitude early in July. He hopes to take some good photographs and promises to remember the NID. IT WILL BE interesting news to Oologists that Oliver Davie’s fifth edition of ‘‘Nests and Eggs of North American Birds’’ is at last in press. He writes us under date May 8 that the printers have engaged to deliver bound copies by June 20. WILLouGHBy P.Lowe writes us from Good Pasture: “T secured a rare specimen the other day in the shape of a Peacock. It was a splendid bird and in fine plumage. I wonder who has been introducing such birds into the wilds of Colorado!”’ H. KIRKE SWANN, editor of ‘‘The Ornithologist”’ of England, has been obliged to discontinue the publica- tion of his interesting monthly, and is now editing a department in the ‘‘Naturalists’ Chronicle,” which now devotes considerable space profitably to Ornithology and Oology. Mr. P. C. CHADWICK of Loring, Kansas, was mar- ried on February 17 to Miss Anna R. Lacy at the home of the bride’s parents in Edwardsville. Mr. Chadwick is well known as one of the ‘‘firm” of Williamson & Chadwick, which can account for as many sets of Great Horned Owl annually as any two collectors in the country. Major BENDIRE'S ‘Life Histories’? records sets of four of the Red-tailed Pawk and its subspecies as unusual, and makes no mention ot sets of five. William Cooper of San Francisco informs us that he took a set of five eggs of Western Red-tail a number of years ago near Salinas. R.H. Beck secured a set of five; and Harold Moses a similar set this year, while sets of four each were taken by C. Barlow and H. R Taylor. O. W. Howarp, now of Tucson, A. T., writes us: “‘T have had the pleasure of meeting Mr. R. A. Camp- bell who has just returned from Lochiel, a small town near the Mexican border, and he informs me that ‘Fool Quail’ or Massena Partridge are quite plentiful in that vicinity. He says that he had some for dinner the other day. He never imagined what kind of Quail they might be when he sat down at the table, but could have ‘kicked himself? when he saw the feathers in the back yard, and thought of what nice skins he might have had.”” Californian Notes D. A. CoHEN this year secured four sets of four each of Duck Hawk’s eggs. LEE CHAMBERS of Santa Monica secured a fine set this year of Bald Eagle. The Golden Gate Park Museum has lately received valuable additions to its various collections. WE LEARN from ‘‘The Wombat’’ that California Quail introduced into New Zealand have multiplied remarkably. AS FAR AS known no one has this year gone to seek the eggs of the Harlequin Duck in Tuolumne county. H. B. Kaeding found a nest there last-season with young. CHARLES NICHOLS of Pescadero took a California Pygmy Owlat an old barn which the bird had frequented for some years. He says it would be seen -perched on the rafters watching for mice. \ H. Warp CARRIGER of Sonoma and C. Barlow of Santa Clara will leave early in June for a week's col- lecting trip in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. They are having almost nightly visions of new found series of Hermit Warbler and Western Evening Grosbeak. R. S. WHEELER received reliable information while on a recent trip to Isleton, Cal., of the nesting of a pair of Wood Ducks among the hay in a barn by the Sacra- mento river. The birds entered through a hole in the boards. The farmer who owned the hay guarded the nest, allowing the brood to hatch. On a TRIP to Sargents, April 3, Band-tailed Pigeons were found in large flocks in the hills. They were also seen in numbers in the Santa Clara valley while the editor was returning by train; one flock, which spread out into a half circle, must have contained 2000 birds. These ‘‘Wild Pigeons’’ seem to be on the increase in California and afford much sport to gunners. A LADY on this coast possesses two female Golden Eagles which lay sets regularly each year. Last season, we are informed, she sold their product to an Oologist in Canada for $24. EK. B. Towne of Santa Cruz means to try the same plan with two young Duck Hawks he has secured. He writes, ‘‘Perhaps you will be inter- ested in this fact: .I knew a pair of Duck Hawks to lay fourteen (14) eggs last year.”’ HAROLD C. WarRD of Alameda, a member of the Cooper Ornithologicol Club, who has been heard of in this journal, was married in May to Miss Frances Herbert of the same city. They departed on a honey- moon trip to Monterey, where Mr. Ward intended to improve some spare moments visiting a rookery of Brandt’s Cormorant. A good one was told on Ward at the last meeting of the Cooper Club. He arranged with Cohen to accompany him to a Great Blue Heron rookery, promising to meet him at the depot in Alameda on a certain morning. Subsequently he unfolded the same proposalto R.S. Wheeler, who promptly accepted, agreeing to tell no one of their plan. Ward failed to show up at train time, and Cohen and Wheeler were each surprised to meet the other, armed with fish baskets and cotton. Mutual explanations followed and the two went down together, but their ‘‘take’’ was but five eggs, as their reliance had been placed in Ward, to whom a lofty sycamore is as a blossoming palm to an orang: outang. THE NIDIOLOGIST Ii Published and Edited by Henry R. TAYLOR THE PIONEER Magazine of Illustrated Bird Life. Founded at Alameda, California, September, 1893 WE EXPOSE FRAUDS Official Organ Grover Ornithological Club of the Pacific Coast Gubacription (in advance), - $1.00 (Foreign subscribers add 12 cents for postage) Single Copies, - - - Remittance may be made in any form The Magazine is not sent after subscriptions have expired 15 cents FOREIGN AGENTS Swann & Co.,-1-2 Bouverie Street, Fleet Street, London hen ONgidal contributions, with or without illustrations, are desired. ADVERTISING RATES FURNISHED IN SENDING in your renewal try to favor us by enclos- ing a dollar for a friend who will appreciate the monthly visits of the magazine for a year. You MAY postpone your renewal or subscription, but if you wish to be sure of receiving the beautiful Faral- lone Island souvenir free, you will sed zt now. Mem- bers of the Cooper Club who send in their annual dues will be also ‘‘in” on the Farallone brochure. THE N1p’s editor was unable at the time to get away to pay a visit to ‘‘Heron Town,” on the ground, so that the interesting observations and pictures were taken by his brother, Edward K. Taylor, Alameda’s City Attorney, who sailed to the heronry in his yacht. THE NipoLoctst makes a notable addition to the achievements of its fourth volume in presenting in this number the interesting discovery, well authenticated by accompanying photographs, of the nesting of Arda herodias on the ground. Our next number will contain an article on the taking of a California Vulture’s egg this year, with the first published photographs of the nesting home of this rare bird, one picture showing the Condor in flight. The egg is the one which passed through Charles K. Worthen’s hands, and we are indebted to its present owne’, Mr. R. P. Sharples of Elgin, Illinois, for the article and valuable photographs. The Nip has been fortunate in publishing all the new information regarding this rare species securec in late years. THIS JOURNAL does not pretend to base any special claim to popularity on account of its ‘‘pretty pictures,” although we have published many very handsome ones, There are illustrations and illustrations, and those that are merely *‘pretty” are often of least scientific interest or value. Mr. CHARLES NICHOLS has demonstrated his appre- ciation of the Nip recently by presenting us with a handsome set of four eggs of the Duck Hawk, The set was secured by himself this year from a ledge on a per- pendicular cliff, 150 feet high and facing the ocean, entailing a dangerous descent by rope which few would care to undertake. ONE OF THE pleasant incidents of the month of May was a visit to the editorial den, of Charles K. Reed, the well known taxidermist of Worcester, Mass. Mr. Reed came out over the Santa Fe route with his family and is visiting relatives at Wrights and a sister in Oak- and. He will return soon by the Canadian Pacific. DuRING four full years (with the close of this volume) we have spared neither money nor pains to please our readers, whose friendship and appreciation is our full recompense, In addition to publishing what we believe to be a valuable periodical for a small price—consider- ing the limited field ot a scientitic publication—we have given away to our subscribers from time to time works of art, desirable sets of eggs, and other premiums which have been an added pleasure for the small amount invested. On another page we make a very unusual ‘«presentation’”’ offer, which cannot fail to receive, we believe, an early and enthusiastic response. see Side Remarks. I wON’T attempt to say what I think of the ‘‘Nip.”’ It is simply beyond what a few years ago would have been the wlldest dream of any Ornithologist. B. S. BowptsH, Holley, N. Y. Your frontispiece is certainly more characteristic of the state from which the Nip emanates than the former one, and the pictures inside of California Condor are capital. What interests me most, perhaps, is the account of the nesting of the White-throated Swift. Epmunp S. Ettiot, M. B. O. U., England. IF you happen to come across copies of Nos. 3 and 6, Vol. I, of Nrp I will willingly give $1 each for them rather than not have my volume complete. You may consider this a compliment to your magazine, and yet it is not undeserved. I subscribed, as you remember, upon receiving No. 1, Vol. I, and since then it has been my most welcome visitor, although I subscribe to a number of other natural science journals, some of which are most technical. J. K. STRECKER, JR., 701 South Sixth St., Waco, Texas. eS A. M. SHIELDs of San Francisco expects to secure a set or two of White-throated Swift soon, the birds nesting in the tower of an old adobe Mission, Ii2 THE NIDOLOGIST Notes on Western Eggs and Nests. OOKING over my ’96 note-book I find three or four items that may be of interest to the readers of the Nip. The first is Gated April 7, a set of five, Western Red-tail, from a nest ina sycamore 35 feet up. My mouth and eyes opened when I first gazed into the nest. Besides being larger than any other set I have taken or heard of, one of the eggs is larger than any other Red-tail’segg I have, and is larger than the largest measured Red-tail’s egg in Major Bendire’s ‘‘Life Histories.’’ It meas- ures 2.78x2.08 inches. ‘The other eggs of the set are a little larger than the average, being 2.50x1.93, 2.36x1.88, 2.47xI.g1 and 2:35x1.88. They areall fairly well marked. On the 8th of June I started out in the morning from camp in the Sierras at about 5000 feet elevation. Had not gone very far when I flushed a Solitaire from a nest on the ground in the cavity of a burnt pine tree. The bird flew a few feet toa low pine limb and I shot it, but unfortunately it was not ‘‘killed dead’’and managed to get into some brush where I was unable to find it. Returning tothe nest I found it to be composed of pine needles and fine grass, loosely made and containing three fresh eggs. The nest was well back from the opening of the tree which was standing, though only supported by a rim of wood, one side and the center being burned up for some distance. The eggs are marked principally on the larger ends, and measure .89x.68, .87x.67, .87x.66. On June 15 at Lake Tahoe I found a nest of Williamson’s Sapsucker containing four newly hatched young, two incubated anp one rotten egg. ‘The d was onthenest at two different times when I visited the tree. The entrance hole was very small, fifteen feet from the ground. ‘The tree was a de- cayed pine a few feet from the shore of the lake. Four feet above the Sapsucker’s nest in another hole wasa set of four Moun- tain Bluebird’s eggs in a nest composed largely of fine grass; and four feet above the Bluebird’s nest, in another hole, was a set of seven Tree Swallow’s eggs, in a nest composed principally of Duck and Pelican feathers. The three holes containing the nests faced west, north and east, respect- ively. I have now in my collection the sets of Bluebird and Swallow and the single egg of the Sapsucker. Two or three sets of Black Tern’s eggs — were taken from nests placed on old boards — and planks floating inaswamp near the Iake. The majority of nests seen were 3 \ ge r'aced on the water a” ongst the grass. : R. Hi Beck) Berryessa, Cal. : > ‘@ —__—<—oe ¢oe—____ An Insulted Owl. | On April 15 I visited a Florida Screech — Owl’s nest, and after removing Mrs. O., ‘ found the nest to contain threeeggs. Think- ing that perhaps it was not a complete set, yet fearing to leave the eggs, I substituted a hen’s egg—which was about twice the size of the Owl's egg—and took the set. Returning to the nest about twenty-five days later I found the egg hatched and the © chick running about on the bottom of the © hollow, while Mrs. O. was sitting on a limb near by, apparently disgusted with — the state of affairs. I took the chick and — placed it with a hen, where it lived about a week. The nest was eighteen feet from — the ground in a hollow, one and a half feet — deep. i rt Oe ee es ty Scablet GILMAN J. WINTHROP. Tallahassee, Fla. 4 —— Case of Bird Sense—or What? On June 24, 1894, I took aset of five eggs © of Desert Sparrow Hawk, near Sargents, © Cal., under peculiar circumstances. About © two weeks earlier when I visited the live © oak tree I had secured a set of eight of — Yellow-billed Magpie, and in an old weath- er-beated Magpie’s nest in same tree, about © 18 feet distant, there was one fresh egg of © the Sparrow Hawk. On my next visit on © the 24th I was surprised on climbing to the | nest to find it empty, nor was there a sign | of an egg shell. I took a look into the | Magpie’s nest IT had robbed and found the | five eggs of the Sparrow Hawk partly incu-— bated. | Query—Did my little Falco take advant- tage of the improved condition of affairs and carry its one egg to the better nest, there to set up housekeeping under more fashionable auspices? H. R. TaAyior. —=_ > JoHN W. DANIEL JR , writes us from Washington, D.C: ‘‘Have just received froma collector of mine in Virginia something quite novel in the egg line. It is aset of perfect ‘albino’ eggs of the Whip-poor-will, normai in size, and with the usual glossy white ground, but without a vestage of a marking.”’ WO clogict HQ): Wa, \9a7