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AY oop A Ogg MassEAN ARAN ead ni “ can a a wt ote Kh @ Bla ea eae TUT swith ae ~ tare “ovr TARAS - Bia = . | 1 9 oe ervtiveseery SOBA A TAS GE A ttne UR ETT aa Wy Midas | \e wove” pb Bab PATA EO SOT po ste fSTil r) avs PL S wos ig sty NS is rw wre SS SG ee Ray abetted DPA | | |) he va a 7 Phi (< , | dh TATTITLE eee a ao ail WY =u Mh, Ss er : hd | | og wy : bo ; f | Pd. Py Tt ii RES lea nit NN ree . ad a> a v wy Fiera” ih Awa Wa eT yevvd weft WH ET je \e SS et oe all ne ae wit ae wh whe a Wvvycwirs cate jeyvew v@ wry Burt, © HTT | » ee ant ya: \e Aa NALA ig ont wvwun aA 7 a nt Warr gts heey WV 10,9) eee ~~ YoUN mst’ Td TONNE aA EAT lab i rh PO ees f ‘ UTA Mra nasty 4,» . ad = | TO ekg 4 7 ADA tah pared Uy ay Woy Vd id rl Vy wee wer Wy Se abaale Rr aN Wie’ Uy wh kaye seeeerel ae yogis VN Lit ' Meo” CVG Oat SAN nS Lngudoe® nit ae a YY 0 eae wife Yu Sew ; "~~ oe - Ke iit See | pero Pirp w ve Tis 3 trod mninhy J jtervwuNy et) AMAR LET bd eho , | "VN ar Moos: rT | aw Po ; oat, 5 “ty a | beh et OS Cytr vet thn Ra ieee umes ’ ~s wae V LAS “A, ~w. . ke % w ~~ Seer tty he eye Writing gee q SEcee ™ Ne. te APPA LA Wo A Peri e,,6 Wren al Re ease ov 5 4 1 te d eee gaat gyyterrne iit att “Wi gy! =” wert Ny Me A te ts ri eee ’ ppereediynd evedtey en Pe ” v Tao kat AP TITTY aveFal, Ub sees: mh wa: : Je et LULL 4 AAG Sg . J lll Re , \ sete Mite it) att Wid ri TU UEe willy CC eas | Lah ) vy ev 1 ley } fyN Ie eee Where reat Matt lv wy! Ny - v . = «4 Cm wy" we LTTE (ene nts tea, ote TEE or ose dll Naat Sls ea ATTN eee. —_ ~~ bes od — “Of s = & we ~s} RAK WN - ™ A ty be = ’ x RPM A { PL ABD PA PDD. WU Nae vrs Th - F we a Sty Arr | * \ | eM i ew 5 wc. qQe = ; vil Rie te oe wn ee ; ahh ee eae ba = MiAe, .. . pee | Pal | wr 2 ers Te aM ! “Se Very an AIS J J ace TTT “Ve PP ee on NY’ Ou vue” we tete | ¢ v , pat aka AON ayy eh ( a 7 wea a . OA nate? arene | ~ Sgn 1 ’ PAS at eear ie i} en? ( “2, VU evuretvNy vee Yue ee 3 J NF oe At || a ad als ta Ma | at i éve wy Avs. un , ie aaa Hall ella ee Ny ™" ara Hy rerdal M4 $ we. Shae RANG I Ad ties, Pi nel 4 nts “4 we | ary! vise rib : we | Mi tN Sid a an Mente LULULE Cea eS ative | aityeeeey ALA) 3 ifonw= Stim SALT LL t vey @ b -. f eer “wn Vee AR AT <3, ; eit CORT vo whe we AA wt iy, wv y C4 $ “Vitny . ph "Os ~* Sky \ x . | Sue aaa Vv Vay SSE G ai Ty 4s *Y arght iam agent sy y - V i 1 wee wey, >* be . a Simei wuamenee qe. yw. Lit Ti TTT TT TTaA LL wf s (MO ih wk : a ~ aT SA vv. uw mY ~ o' w a) Jn be tg Nig wt ee el "we one (erer nen bk LAG | FOR THE STUDENT OF BIRDS THEIR NESTS AND EGGS ED VOLUME XXXVII 2 27 Pe ALBION, N. Y. AND LACON, ILL. R. MAGOON BARNES, Publisher 1920 — ; 2 ear fa ta i ia 7 ae ¢ 72 7 i% i * ah x anes ’ ie se Ee ® \ 14s | . * i > P : ie fe: * ‘ oy ILLUSTRATIONS Birds Blue Gray Gnatcatcher, Adult Pe AS GOUAITEE . oon s ac ew wis ee a Wild Fowl at Home, Editor’s PE PACE oo ok ey pe os Birds of Brooks Co., W. Va., Male and Female, Cerulean Warbler Hutchuns Goose on Home Place wid Howl at Home............ Birds of Brooks Co., Caroline Wren, Male......... Birds of Brooks Co., Yellow Breasted Chat, Male.. Long-eared Owl, Three Weeks DRE ck ae wae « Canada Gander Defending Her Nest on Editor’s Home Place Indian, Bar-headed, American, Lesser Snow, European, Pink- footed Geese on Editor’s Home Place ee ee eee eee ee ee eee eee ere r eee eee eee eee ee ee eee Nest and Eggs Nest and Eggs of Song Sparrow Nest and Eggs of Cerulean MT tc 2 2s. viv doa a's 6 wleaede Nest and Eggs of Blue Gros- eS shes. a aies ore oye “aie Nest and Eggs of Turkey Buz- .). . [oT ee, eee pemieon Warbler. ... . ssi see.» Southern Meadow Lark.,...... 10 12 19 22 44 69 78 103 114 117 7 Nests Series of Nests of Cerulean WERE roche soso sy Ate scale ats 89 Series of Nests of Cerulean Wreanrbletae tm s..csccs/c asks es Eee 91 Swainson’s Warbler.............. 127 Nests and Young Nest and Young of Cat Bird.... 81 Portraits Hoa AEP REO), saat ais. 2/qraee eda te 3 Edward S. Coombs and His MIOUHCR. aig. eases Se nine eae 24 oe Ppa lamacmam’s #2 de eee ee Be 42 Wranke Aisa er were ones wake teen “1. W. H. Pharaman Holding Two Eggs of Great Horned Owl... 106 Landscapes View Looking South Across Lake at Editor’s Home....... 114 Scene on Buffalo Creek........ 138 Buffalo Creek in Mid-winter.... 138 Buffalo Creek in Mid-summer.. 141 Buffalo Creek During Spring PPESMEE Si ood sad caer eee 141 Miscellaneous Cactus Bed at Hditor’s Home... 32 Cactus Bed at Editor’s Home... 35 CONTRIBUTORS Alexander, F. G. fin OREM SOS. en wile te ieee anda 33 Alexander, HK. L. Two Exceptional Records...... 62 Bailey, H. H. Cow Birds Notes from Virginia. 43 Bales, B. R. New Hee Catalogo. sci. eee 99 iaocal- Bird MNamess.- cass 6 eee 146 Barnes, R. M. U. S. Collecting Permits, 1920.. Z LO Caltormnia:s.-. hakcgie aoe See 6 The Oologist’s Exchange and JAY F i a es Pe oe er ne YE EB 8 Walliama (BrewStems st. 4s. ..e ence 9 New Price Iistisints oe .a.i ose 11-39 The Trumpeter Swan.......... 60 The Migratory Bird Treaty Law 62 Arch-Deacon, A. R. Hoars, Mur- GOT OU et sg sae os Nae eRe eee 70 Books Received. . 2.4 27.68.62 «28 98 SB) e210 0S ar Pe pi DRA eek Pe A Oe 100 1D Gt Ale Ey MEIER eee NR 7 lesiialt cl BEET i © Aa PR Re Syl i 118 MINS AION: Meet compete tees oes eae 123 Et, SHE BBall eyelice. sauteres as sex tee 136 ONT RIMNCIge se oak eaeaske, tees oe 146 Blincoe, Ben. J. MineuaSikey Wak. .eteactee ts cot eee 104 INeGstime: THLOIES.: exes vie ca kee oe eusceut's 137 Tie Mourning Doves... 7. osc. 145 Bowles, J. H. Bohemian Waxwings........... 86 Burnes, F. L. The Ornithology of Chester Co., 12a Raa a a hese Re Rane San Sees Mann rau Epes 8 Campbell, W. R. IBWZZaishek tant pcre Se edeoee ee aes 130 Cole, John Story County, Iowa Birds...... ih Coombs, EH. S. The Starling in New Hampshire 4 Day, C. S EANVARS 4 seica. cooNe vp sewes acl bcs Wharicoh ae 93 Dickey, S. S. Days with Cerulean Warbler... 88 Danforth, S. T. New Hampshire Notes......... 2 Daniels, J. W., Jr. Paraphernalia, Points. .ee «nts n6 16 DuBois, S. D. Albino Sparrow, Springfield, Ill. 93 Farrow, A. H. With Camera in Birdland...... 80 Gill, G. New Use for Camouflage....... 112 Graham, Ramon. A Beautitul(Sizht,).. 2.2.57) oe D The Musical Buzzard........... ot Spring’s Awakening............ 36 Texas Migration Notes BP SS ig Me) 34 Hawi “and ‘Squirrels. ee 50 Hawk and Wold @ats... ss. ee 50 Vulture; Pimes 2... 0.2.2. ee 68 Bird Travel Notes............. 129 Texas Duck Migration Notes.130, 131 Grant, C. L. Prank El Icattin« 2c eee ele Green, H. O. A Mockingbird’s Nest........ re 20 Greer, T. R.. MNimOisiaMs: ...o3.0i doen eee U2, Hastings, W. EH. | Birds of Duck Lake, Michigan.. 131 Hatch, Delos Oakfield, Wis. Henderson, A. D. Golden Hagle and Horned Owl. 122 Local, Rarities ......a5.0 heen 132 Holbrook, H. B. Notes from Arlington, Mass. 126 Insinger, H. A. Black. Snake... 4... isan ee 49 Making Our Beat... eee 60 Jacobs, J. W. Two Species of Birds Use One Nest The Work of the Oologist Ele vating and Commendable..... Johnson, W. W. The Meadow Lark............. 21 Kohler, L. S. Northern New Jersey Notes.... 29 107 Two Days Afield............... 45 The Starling and Its Depreda- 47 TIONS sa 1.0) v aheze ohio he ae 47. Cape May Warbler in New Jer- SOY #5) Side Siete oe reuatorstatonster ae 48 Red Poll and Cardinal at Haw- thorne, Ne ge See eee 74 LeBaron, H. M. Mixed “Sets oiste in scenes eee 122 Maxon, G. EH. Long HMaredaOwlh wossckie wees eae 4 McLeod, J. R. Winter Birds Around London, ON as Meenas aeie ie eae arenes) ee OM McGrew, A. D. Increase of Herring Gulls and Common Terns in Lake Huron 112 Moffat, E. E. =) 1S Le ea es More, R. L. Pereimem MeLeer......... 26... Sennett’s White-Tailed Hawk... Neff, Johnston Ss. W. Missouri Warbler........ feeration Notes............... One Day in S. W. Missouri..... Nelson, E. W. Bird Banding Taken Over by Biological Survey Nicholson, W. F. Permeeemem MeetLEr., 2... es Osterhart, G. E. eee EIN GINE.. 5 kw Concerning the Ornithology of the Long Expedition of 1820.... Over, W. H. Notes from South Dakota...... Peabody, P. B. _eeteal Comment............ Bohemian Waxwing in Kansas. PEGA SILISIN . Sk ee North Dakota Birds of Coulee 2 A Phalarope and Montana Red Wing Pelton, C. W. A Few Notes from the A. E.F... Ducks Pierce, F. J. Collecting Local Birds’ Names.. Correction Flight of the Prairie Horned Owl Reynolds, L. R. Notes from Lemicolae of the meamev OL MexicO............ Sanborn, C. C. Some Notes on Winter Birds mumnia Cnicazo, Iil...'....... OOLOGIST 5 Sell; R. A. 86 Watching a Humming Bird Feed Ds Kei Se YOO) Na ie 139 i) Simpson. 5: 73 Mur and: Beatiersew...6.c. 0% wees 24 The Maryland Yellow-throat... 43 83 Nesting of the Goshawk........ 91 115 Sharpshins and Pileated....... 134 121 Twor Maseebaycage te sete) tt 142 Stone, C. F. , Bird Nesting Notes from Yates 97 Cor. INDM Ye eee nie; ere eee 19 Some Later Nesting Dates in 15 Vares i Corr Net Veta eee on 59 : An Early Nesting Date of Ruby ( Throated Humming Bird....... 60 An October Melody of Birds.... 124 118 Stoner, EB. A. Arina SEuumimines Birdets o.. .. 6 86 of Strong, W. A. - Bird Notes from the Back Lot.. 31 tl Saunders, W. HK. 33 CumadanCeecern et ic Governe 713 40 Sutton, Geo. Anotated List of the Birds of 93 Brooks Co., W. Vat..... 52, 64, 76 Tyler, W. M. 113 Turkey Vultures Feeding...... 9 Tree Swallows in the Autumn... 126 47 VosBurgh, Geo. 68 Red Bellied Woodpecker....... 08 Cold=wWeather Birds: 25..38e...- 91 95 Wheeler, EB. A. 110 Ans Way; Avril) « & tao ance. 122 136 Zeitlin, Jake Ornithological Acquaintances... 50 82 or INDEX Creeper, Brown..29, 30, 38, 61, 78,143 BIRDS Crpw. Ae. . 6, 25, 29, 30, 34, 36, 45, 46 61, 85, PMS, 121, 124) 176. atom INGEEULES: . 124 Flicker (See Woodpecker) 8 BD 2 BSS 101 ooo. i SSA eee 65 POISUPIMVAECT 1. te ees 31 Oerecred .o...0.. Ta voon eel. toc, 146 Ss eA eens tS. OS Er os ve ea Dawe ee 5 Le MOGMOW-NECLIEd 026 cc le ce ee 65 II ese wk ASA he wis 31 25S: -. 3 SSR 116, 119, 120 OCeamada ....... 6G, 41,-55, 73, 116, 130 to CS SOS 101 oo Sb 2 Se 116 est SSC 101 So 2. a 93 Gedwit, Marbled............... 82, 101 NER PETETN enw nee ae wiles 101 SS i 29, 30, 34, 38, 46 aN, 96. Vea ist 2G is, 4.60 aU SS 2 ee atau EY) RMMNEGRI EE, nay cc ak re eS aw etki 31 PGSM ACKCd . 206. ke a SL Goshawk (See Hawks) Gnatcatcher, Bluegray.....78, 88, 101 Ls Zt 8 eee ee eee ia BS) LE A 13, 20, 38, 40 46, 53, 66 86 20 RCS 146 PSI PAMIOOM .. 6c ee 115, 129 Purple ..... 45, 46, 47, 121, 126, 182 EE ee ff PIPOR-MCAGDCH 2... 6.3 be eee 31 EE eee aa ae 38 MENS) Sk oeeed 8 Sek cide 29, 30, 38 Mose-breasted: .............- Pa, On. Western, Hivening.............. 16 a oh 84 aa 4 mmmermwcan Hared::::..:.......- 36 en ee 54 Pied-billed ...... 46, 47, 54, 116, 131 eee eae 36 Ee 26, 101 gE a a 85, 119 Prairie, Sharp-tailed:.......... 85 0 2 1 ee ee 29, 30, 38, 56, 132 0S ee oa 93 IE G2 2 ER, cece eo ise. « 101 ee a 6, 34, 116 0 ee 146 0 EE a 45 ww ee 29, 38, 45, 46 ‘ m2 tG, 131, 132 22 i. HG . . a eae 46, 146 mimcrican Herring.....-..,. ee ee Baws) fae es 6, 34, 50, 80, 85, 96, 101 Hawks (accipiterine)........ DoLlG OIBPORIOTIM Mortara itive cone oboe s Be eiers 61 Broad-winged ............ 9, 46, 101 Coopers 2, 38; 57, 92,hOL 129 Desert Sparrow Bee Marit 2 athe eee Gall Cacara, Audubons...... LG, 129, 180 NCISUI St CAMERA a eiehe Se a6 sic ee Aes 57 Goshawk, American .57, 91, 121, 133 FROMLAMinse ecatcste Gene Pa OR Kas eee Shas 101 Marsh » $26.4 12, 29.85, LG, 132. 34 BISCO) hehe Garters Oe OS ee Cees 5 Prairie- Maloonmis: oss 22604. 0 ees 85 Red-shouldered .....7, 25, 29, 30, 38 AT. 938; NOL, Ws2, 4s Shae 12, 36; 5%, 85, 101 ales 8377 . 26, 29, 30, 87, 57 101, 132, 134 Red-tailed Sharp-shinned ... American Sparrow......... 12, ot SDATEROW oie nce ees 29.30; 47, 74 85, 119, 132 Sennett’s White-tailed.......... 73 SiIVanSON Sit sre 7 eis acee Vee ee 85 Western Red-tailed............. 36 Hen, Prairie (See Prairie Chicken) ERO EO Mira ere aticce Ginteaie ss 515 OO 96, 109 Black Crowned-Night. 31, 55, 96 Great Blue...... 12, Dds Gye A NGe al Zakk 1d, 132, 134. 146 Great, Vinten. ..5.% 2c: eee 101 Cae S JARS Heke Geo eiee eee 2, Jeon O 2s 2. AG Ioitele BNC. ao c:3 sd ie ees All ING ESM rece GR ss, ose a ww as ge RC eS 146 JA( Roan oa eoe 24 050s ne nee 116, 130, 139 EPR EIA Des lara 5 rai sy Jos.a A SR 140 PAMITVC A gee aes goden te ckicansatacneac ene 31, 86, 140 CaO Sth 5c. a leus.aastecae dae Se ee = Hol Ruby-throated .....13, 21, 59, 60, 65 Black-chiinmed:. .. 5.2% scAsew. «Boe 31 DA a, CORT h ac ccuindeseedies 25, 26, 115, 131 CATA ere Acts dcsuenca ene eeee tea $5. 132 Be. (ie Sie 135. 20s oO ols, oS MAnhooS GL Gay 412 iss. a1 39 Camel OMNIA: O52, js facedincateca shee Rave ak 31 PEM ON 2 es os ERS Re. tee ie 85 SPIN GG Aes ss cee 4, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 46 G1, G7, 96, 118, 138i, 142 Slate-colored .13, 38, 67, 74, 124 IE EOS tad chareore.? <5 tee sss whee 31 White Winteed 2525 ca s4s08 2834 85 Killdeer (See Plovers) ring “Bird 13, 59:.65,°85; 1b5, 12% 132 AVRANSAS Ayo ee Pe ot Le 85, 120 Castle ie wae az, = ALi owe a eee 102 Kingfisher ...... . 6 a AO et eh ta. eA HOA D2 ts BeIted e464. V¢2teae, ‘Dey. 68, Weg 8 THE OOLOGIST Kinglet, Golden-crowned.....4, 29, 30 38, 78, 124 PUD Y-CLOWRER 3. os oe ad eee 46, 78 Kite, Swallow-tailed......0.2..... 101 ark. Horned... ..6; 29, 30, sisxs5,.104 Ose ls. tole is2 Prairie, Horned.13, 65, 107, 121, 136 Meadow ..13, 21, 22, 23, 29, 46, 47 66, Sb, L1G 221 Tole iS aesG Western Meadow...... OL, G18 Dsm eae Lannet. . ate. s & « Sill on SATS eons ice Me rater Ae x aaheneiede ante 5) Bam di blog Grotto cane nore PAR 4s Ue! © ae 92, 96, 101; 121 FSU O WAIN oro he us os Setece vo siccsenettonss 95, 101 Great Horned...... WA 5, Se, IMI Avie. v'ste Ae ooioa teen ec aes etn 41, 132 Horned Be BA ao, IAL, RA. 183 Long Hared sortie (cule reser A. 139. 001 PACIIIG, SEROTMEGS. chcvexs waseesare see eke 3 Screech ....... 1229) a0, oS moo naS ‘85, 121, 139 SWOrECMareGz..ccmewee «ce te 3, 101 Parthidge, Californias...) 02. omer Bill AG ANN IDOL. Bye. ce. a's a. aeooestwite aire vo»: erat ood 122 (OUI ORE Oe Se Seem, Jena | Sabai eerie 85, 101 Paraguet, ‘Carolina......s 05490 hec. =; OA Peli¢gam, witite.. 7... 4.0 swe 116, 131 OWN goes ss voceheuic's «0. Beereeee Soe eae alesse IPOWES? aes oA lias a Aetiiots aie Wapowenapaee« eens 121 WVOOG: "Sitch cecatiok: ¢ Sos ae aeane 13, 69 PTA IARODE Vics8 ss ese. no cee mene ae 1S VANUSRAC AT Secs ¥5 55 nibitis cca toyere caste creat 101 VN SONNE 4 - Ses, sr'os alee “eyes (ergo tae tole aepome eee 93 Pheasant, Ring-necked..,.,., 29, 30 PHOCDE: 4s fen ki nek 13, 29, 46, 47, 60 65, 116, 1212 Western: .26o8yGit) 6 see ee ol Mestern,.- Black... ...\.....c.2 See ou Pigeon, (Passeneers 4). se0ns ee 84, 109 Mam stiledsy os Leste 5 Laden, forsee 119 WAU, > eee Seto an AL cee eee 101 Pipit. Amenicans....det eee ee ok Prairies Chicken... ..\. so 12, 85, 101 Plover, Wildeer...12, 31, 56, 68, 7am82 96, disil, is2 aia American .Golden\.. ....... ace 82 IED oe eo a ice Ane a 146 Wa Spee eee a. ce eke eee 82, 94 WVU Oita, ss ogee a ae eos Ai ete 82, 146 Quail (See Partridge) ERATE get eanr cman te ec aie te ty 94 Carolina) \o.0:563) osha eos 6 eee 132 Clapper’... seen, oe 146 Kae. Ge es eens ie. 56 VSIA ns sic hae oe ee ee 20, 5d, 132 DOD, esac cece een eee ee 12) 20 a NSH OW osciins Sa eee ee oe Dai ILLS RUaIVeT a ee,.) 05 5-. egee e e 6, LOW 12 INOFUNEFN. \. : okt. Le ee 132 Reda Start accra 48, 77, 84, 90, 142 AIMETICAT abies ee) ila! Red FO co Nien chs, ones 29, 30; 1a 38) ad RO bina. es oe aI 2 29, 31, 34, 38, 40, 45 46, 47, 86, 104, 115, 116, 119 121, 124, 126, 131; 1132 AIMOTICAM =. cee. orcs, cn ee 13, 80 PUTIN 6 vances loisueie asc cewend See 93 Wiestenins cd. penne cos heen 31, so3nnaso Roadrunner 275. wae ee 58 Sandpiper... ee eee 129, 131, 146 NGCAS Cees ch icinc. 2c. eee 82, LOdeaiis2 Bartramiaiy o: 4, ee a ee 56, 101 IeCtOrall 7.32 610 sac, Se ee 82 DOLtATY 5. wise) A.) ae Oe 56, 101 OPC Gs, etka cktan cas oe 5 Oe 132, 134 OUUNG eho be acs Sage a wie tac Ae ee tO AWICSTCTNG 84 v.20 kos taxis ob eee eee a 82 Slarikeey cee icaue tc. Se ee 96 Califormia, ss qacs,dist eel tec eee 31 INORENERM Raion. 6x eee os 29, 30; 338 Great Northern) .< ic. .4.escusee 101 Wihite-rulmpe@ v.00. ss one 2 ee 13 Shear «Watetecsii css case a cee 146. SWUNPO i. c .. ia: beaten ane coil ce ee 82, 116 WS OM) Cigars pisces 94, 96, 101 Sapsucker, Yellow-bellied........... 29, 388, 46, 58 Siskin. Pine yi5>..96% 29, 2o0n ole eos Siow Mlake. 7.1, .lo, 9 20, o0 sos, «ol THE OOLOGIST eparrew ....... Sh. 96, LOI. 115, 0 Lg SMO pIneg” s........ 47, 59, -66, 124, Pei ee... a, vr Soe uote MSI PA PDINO.... 0... c cece eas el.) toe AR boy et, SET e aie iss sv a 28, a0) Srasshopper .........5. Ss +66) LC bo So. kOe. LS, 2 9LED 8) Si LDS 0 So) 0 EMM OTA DOME... ee ee mommies. ..29, 30, 31, 38, 41, AG. 47, 67, 74, 118, OES 46, 72570 er 46. 67, 116, i Bow aOr ol; . 38; 47... 66,.. 74, Miesper .2...-.. i 46, 59> , 66, ern eA MID PING..... 1. ee eee 220 iat e133) i White-throated ... 4, 29, 30, ee 4G 47, 6G 124, SLES «erie ee White-crowned .......... Bila | Op S300 i 4, 29, 30: BEUIOW 2. 5. 2 ee ee ee CJ: 2... 3.3 toe “4a, (2200 2 i «Aq. ‘Gt, 126, _ OP 4 eee fe olin LOO, Tree BG) 47, 67, 126, 129, Rough-winged ........ ee Gi, I ca os oie ke we wale Cmimmney ..:.. 13, 47, 64, 96, REC TMITOALCH «2.5... cue eee eee een Trompeter ..... G- 755, 60, 118, 7 SG ide 6, Solitaire, Townsend............-- Tris 5 os et ee eee ees 30) 2. ere 13. 60, REMMI te, . 5s aes ee ete es ores Teal (See Ducks) RE ec og et es FAS NAD. Lal; 2 cs 4 a a na EME, 6 ees we te en es oe MEUM ogg. blac es ce eee ees S070 ree ee) 40, /46, 77, 96, 104, 121, er ee MMMM Gee aa ses oa 29, 30, 45, 59, 80, 84, Gray-checked .......-----+++++> IIWE-DACKEO 2. bine se eee eee Pmaset-DACKeEd ...-.-+-0eeercers Mo. go ds fe oe #4 Brame +> 0 46, 47, 60, 0 re 13: 5a., 78, 104, 132 94 121 132 TIEMOUSOW Retiro Beck Pees orc. be 61 124 dh ee ee ce a a ok, sb, Lay Tubted! seo 72.68 ece. 29, 45, 46, 47 61, 78, 121 Towhee: gists eos: 13, 41, 46, 67, 90 UG. 2 t3t. 132 AIDORTES seein ce sd SRE a he 122 Californias sees") Bee hie een ol @hewinle: saree te eee cea 47, 85 ATG Ty amee ire cet lee Ae ce aye coe as ake 36 aorkeyie Niles 2 cn. ert ara are 84, 102 Waiter ce, Avnne is io qth eter gene ee 131 TarneiS tome sree ee ee Sones 82, 146 BAG: 2.5/8 a st Be Pat naehel sae eee 101 Ware On Ps aes se eA a es iene 142 Bilwetheadedh rakes tates Ree oe 68 Philadel plays ) woSyu nat Nichti ‘ 58, 74, 85, 116, 124 eee : eh (SWS ord 6 nro. 16.0 loLoTQNaoya 6 ARV. eae a 13, 25, 29, (30,1038 = TeVOUN oihtoke tan reuaeiseeem pacerewe 58, TLS, 121 R he Se In Ory billed rice ttt cto eicteeeehs Tt OU arene aa Oc Noa aE COS TEEWAS), Oa ue Meee mache hiss Ccpeicanio teens 119 Hee Age AST Sa: Ea > ee Pileated ...... 25, 61, 92, 116, 132 ae Sc Ror sbeicg Pro Northern Pileated......... 102, 133 eee Breas Ge oS Northern. «Downy... 4.9. o2608 ee 13 NAILER, Sie eee) =/ swansea each Red-bellied ........ 37, 58, 64, 65 116, 120 Red-headed ........ S20 pono ag ame O Al oniay2 Northern: FlCKers si. ie eee 13 Arctic, Three-toed..:: 2... <.2.- 102 eevee e eee we ee wee ew ee eee eee eecoee eee ee ee eee eee eee eee eee ee ee ee eee CC eee e eee ee ee we ew eee ee ee ee) oe ee eee ew we we we ww 48 : a o . e = be on . ‘ a Z a % irs a {? ’ \ . —— > r j I . _ a = t aun - y " 0 ew. ‘ans Fi Rat eo 1 i fer : M - ‘ ~, ¢ aul x ¥ t. ¥ s ; 5 ‘ Hy ae ? r r , i he a Cah . f : q + . f — - ' v » . - } ‘ r ; - , = - : u ) i ie , ar _ Uli oo i yes i ; - i ; ues ft 1 aera PR *. i i cal er vin, | ‘ 2 R v i i yi s, * oo va ne 5 5 Ay : mn sie a is " f i . 7 4 7 7 d < — 6 y £ oa = : , : ia ‘ = i Ne i ae An 7 i rt s = \ “ ee s \ vii + ”) 7 aie mr ie 1 , ; a i ‘ : \ i % * n i 5 a os ' 1 ¥ y ‘ © < f 1 4 - . ar : - wy ’ + a , , = . ar. ‘ F a ' ‘ = 7 - . * ' an i THE OOLOGIST. BIRDS--NESTS--EGGS TAXIDERMY Vou. XXXVII. No.1. ALBION,N. Y., Jan. 1, 1920. WHOLE No. 398 ssn enone terete rt eer eer home h ogee = sespepatoanaeences FEB7 1920 a we RK REEDP il THE OOLOGIST BRIEF SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS Wanted, Exchange, Fer Sale, Btc., inserted in this department at 26 eents for each 25 words for one issue; each additional word 1 cent. serted for less than 25 cents. No notieé in- We will advertise the skins, nests, eggs, or mounted specimens of North Amer- ican Birds for sale for persons having a lawful authority under the law to deal in the same. These columns are for the use of those desiring to make bona fide exchanges of such specimens for scientific collecting purposes only.—EDITOR. In answering advertisements in these columns mention “The Oologist,’’ and thereby help us, as well as the advertiser and yourself. BIRDS Send me the list of A 1 Bird Skins that you have to oe Gee of by exchange or otherwise. R. M. BARNES, Lacon, Il. FOR EXCHANGE—A large list of Al North American species of skins for specimens needed in my collection. C. W. CHAMBER- LAIN, 36 Lincoln St., Boston, Mass. price for those that I BARNES, Lacon, [1]. EXCHANGE — Collection of North American Birds. Containing four hun- WANTED—A pair of living Sand Hill Cranes A. O. U. No. 306, taken north ef For them I will pay a good R. M. Barnes, Lacon, IIl. WANTS SETS of 2-3-47-136-140-167- 196-208-289-305-611. Will exchange mounted alligator, 36 inches long, for sets. Send list. Will send mine. F. M. CARRYL, Maplewood, N. J. WANTED for Cash—Any one or all complete vols. of the “Asprey.’ Please write price. B. S. GRIFFIN, 22 Currier Ave., Haverhill, Mass. Would like to Exchange bird Migra- tion notes with observer in western state, preferably Montana. A. S. WAR- THIN, Ferda Road, Ann Arbor, Mich. FOR SALE—Bird Lore, 100 single, 13 odd volumes, $1.25 each; Condor, vol. , 8, 4, 5, 6 and singles; Portraits of birds, Trumhull; Birds of Maine, Knights; Birds of Conn., Sage; Oologist, singles; The Warblers, 5 vols. Childs. C. M. CASH, 306 Blue Hills Ave., Hart- ford, Conn. FOR EHXCHANGE—Reed’s Bird Guide (Part I, Water Birds), Tree Guide, Flower Guide, Standard Library Nat. 5 vols., plates and hundreds of Ills., Am. Ornithology (Wilson Bonaparte), Bird Friends (Kear- ton), Bird Our Brother (Miller), Wond- ers of Bird World (Sharpe), Birdcraft (Wright), N. A. Wild Fowl (Elliot), Nests and Hggs (Davie), Worn Copy. Nuttalls Ornithology, 2 vols., many col- ored plates. What I Have Done With bo HGGS. Birds (Porter), Auk vol. XXXI un- bound, Birds of Conn. (Merriman), Birds of Penna. (Warren), Land and Game Birds of New Eng. (Minot), Pac. Coast Avifaunas Nos. 7 & 8. the following: 30, 30a, 31, 31a, blue or green specimens only. any species of Gull or Tern, also sets of 417, 444, (461 with A-1 nest in situ), 552, (751 with A-1 nest in situ). PAUL G. HOWES LABORATORY, Stamford, Conn. In sending in your exchange rnotiees fer nests, skins and eggs, we woul preeiate it if you would arrange numerals in your exchange noti¢e {st their numerical] order, and mot tum them together hit and misa, as some of. our readers are complainfag, and ve think justly so. a WANTED—PFntire collection of Eggs of North American Birds for spot cash. R. M. BARNES, Lacon, II1. FOR SALE—Complete sets and odd volumes of Nidologist, Osprey, Condor, Warbler and N. A. Fauna; Auk, VIII- - XXVIII inclusive; Ridgway’s “Manual’, “Birds Mid. & North Am,” complete. “The Hummingbirds’; Coues’ “Orni- thological Bibliography” complete, “Birds of Northwest,’ “Key” 4th Hd.; Turner’s “Contributions Nat. Hist. Alaska’’; Nelson’s “Nat. Hist. Collec- tions in Alaska’; Corwin Cruises in Alaska; Stejneger’s “Explor. Command- er Ids. & Kamchatka’, ‘Poisonous Snakes of N. Am.”; Allen’s “Hist. N. Am. Pinnipeds’’, “Hist. Am. Bison”; Horna- day’s “Extermination of Am. Bison’; Bailey’s “Handbook Birds West. U. S.”’; Cory’s “Birds of Bahamas”; Bendire’s “Life Histories N. Am. Birds’; Biologi- cal Survey Bulletins; National Museum Reports, Proceedings, and Bulletins; of N. Am.”’, “Cretaceous Vertebrata”; Elliott’s “Seal Ids.’’ (including copy of very rare suppressed edition); Fern Bulletin Vols. VI to XIV; Dwight’s “Our Feathered Game’; Minot’s “Land and- Game Birds New Eng.’’; Macoun’s “Cat. Canadian Birds’; Marsh’s ‘“Dinocer- ata’; Stearn’s “New England Bird Life’; Samuels’ “Our North. & Hast. Birds” Stone’s “Birds New Jersey’; Warren’s “Birds of Pennsylvania’; Knight’s “Birds Wyoming”; many others, mostly rare and out of print. Address DR. T. W. RICHARDS, U. S. Navy, Naval Hospital, Annapolis, Md, THE OOLOGIST. VoL. XXXVII. No.1 ALBION, N. Y., JAN. 1, 1920. WHOLE No. 393 Owned and Published Monthly, by R. M. Barnes, Albion, N.Y., and Lacon, Ill. TAKE NOTICE. SUBSCRIPTION, 50 CENTS PER YEAR ‘ Kxamine the number on the wrapper of your Oologist. It denotes the time your sub- scription expires. Remember we must be notified if you wish it discontinued and all arrearages must be paid. 378 your subscription expires with this issue. 377 your subscrip- tion expired with December-issue 1918. Other expirations can be computed by intermediate numbers at the rate of one oumber per month. Entered as second-class matter December 21, 1903, at the post office al Albion, N. Y., under the Act of Congress of March 3, 1879. LEBLBLLLLLGLLLBLRE LLG WW W) as ae SR AN OPEN LETTER Se We Gs oS I do not believe that there is a collector in the United States who has been reading Tur Oo.oaist any length of time that 4° wants to get away from it; there is no possible chance for any @ one interested in Birds and who has read the paper for twenty- @s five or thirty years that would give it up at any price. If you §&% never collected another specimen you would always look forward S2 to the coming of this little paper. In the November issue is a @& plea from the Editor for copy; a plea that is worthy of immedi- as Y ate help from each and every Oologist in the world. on Gs There certainly cannot be a money consideration in this paper ‘@ for the Editor, and each and every issue just “hammers it in” that it is more for the interests of the birds and the personal S&% pleasure the Editor gets out of it that this paper is continued. Now, collectors, it is up to the boys in the field to keep it & going. Personally this writer is as far behind as any one in & America, but I am going to turn around, send in mess (and it will doubtless stand up to the title) but you are going to get it, every issue if possible and at least several times a year. 36) If each and every one of us will send in copy, let the Editor Se, be the judge of what he needs for the press, the balance to the waste basket, then we will help ourselves, the birds and show that case: Deena et Ree vet iiseL eek are IsV2) we appreciate the efforts of this man in one of the best causes & in the universe. ob | R. L. MORE. oe Vernon, Texas. | 36 f CoeLisveL ase ater case t3eC sek See aeeK cae cae ae 9 THE OOLOGIST U. S. Collecting Permits for 1920. We are in receipt of a letter from the Bureau of Biological Survey of the United States Department of Agricul- ture containing information as to the Biological Survey Bureau’s construc- tion of the Regulations governing the issuance of collectors’ permits for the taking of birds, nests and eggs for scientific purposes; in which the Bureau announces a construction that will meet with the approval of every well thinking friend of Ornithology and Oology, as well as every friend of conservation and of the birds. It has been rumored abroad that the reins would be drawn tight and the ap- plication to be endorsed by two well known ornithologists would be given an unnecessarily strict construction, which would exclude the endorsement of many ornithologist because they might not be ‘well known.’ And also many would be applicants might not know or might not be known by two “well known” ornithologists and hence be unable to get the necessary en- dorsements. We are very glad to announce that no such strained construction, is to be adopted. As a matter of fact the Bureau has adopted the reasonable and sensible view of the matter. In its communication to us under date of December 6, 1919 it says, “As a mat- ter of fact, the Bureau accepts the in- dorsements of professors of Zoology in high schools, colleges or universi- ties, when the facts are shown on the application, as readily as it does those of the most eminent ornithologists, and endeavors in every way possible to encourage the scientific study of wild life. No application for a scien- tific collecting permit is turned down until every effort has been made to enable the party to secure satisfact- ory indorsements, and so far as the Bureau is aware, there has not been a single bona fide applicant to whom a Federal collecting permit has been denied.” This is as it should be and we are very glad of the stand of the Bureau in the matter, and likewise to be able to place it in the hands of our readers. There is one matter connect- ed with this issuance of Federal per- mits, however, that we think could be improved on and that is this: An applicant is required to state where he desires to collect and his permit: usually confines him to one state. Many of the more advanced collectors have taken about all of the specimens in their own localities that they care for, except for unusual oc- curances, and some of these prowl about more or less, often very far from home, and usually can take a day or two in a new locality to add a - few things to the collection. One hates to become a lawbreaker under such conditions, specially when he has a. permit to collect elsewhere. The U. S. permit should, we believe, cover the entire United States, and its trib- utories. No person who would be favored with such a permit, would be apt to abuse the same, we think, and we hope to see the regulations modi- fied in this respect. R. M. Barnes. New Hampshire Notes. The town (or as most people living west of New Hngland would call it, the township) of Jaffery, New Hamp- shire, was for ten years the locality of my field trips for the observation of birds. But for the last two summers I have been able to be there for only | a few weeks in the summer. In the last three years I have noticed that a change is occuring in the bird inhabi- tants of the region. The more North- ern forms are becoming more abund- ant. In at least one case, that of the THE OOLOGIST 3 E. F. Pope, Formerly of Colirnsneil, Texas, now of Albuquerque, N. Mex. 4 THE OOLOGIST White Throated Sparrow, this is so noticeable that many persons not ac- customed to notice birds have noticed it. This bird always breeds more or less sparingly in the town, but inthe last three years, particularly in 1919, it has become so abundant as to be one of our most common breeding birds. The same is also true of the Junco. This speciés was always an abundant breeder on the mountains or higher hills, but it has gradually been extending its breeding range to the low lands as well. Another bird whose abundance was a noticeable feature of the 1919 season, was the Chestnut Sided Warbler. In almost any suit- able locality at least one family of these birds could be found by means of a little searching. On June 19th, I was searching a marshy meadow in quest of a pair of Short Billed Marsh Wrens that I had reason to believe had bred there for a number of years, when from a swampy tangle at one end of the meadow I hear the song of the Water Thrush. On following up the singer several good views of him were obtained. On later dates singing Water Thrushes were observed in a number of differ- ent Swamps in the region, though all attempts to locate their nests were in vain. But as they remained all through the summer the probability is that they breed there. Until this season the Water Thrush has always been very rare or absent in the summer. Another species that bred in Jaf- fery in somewhat unusual abundance in 1919, though it was always more or less common, was the Nashville War- bler. This bird is found most com- monly in the higher parts of the town, and is particularly abundant in the region of spruce timber, near the sum- mit of Mount Monadnock, which is 3166 feet in altitude. A common breeder at elevations below 2400 feet on the mountain, and in parts of the lowlands was the Black Throated Blue Warbler. This is one of the first species to leave in the fall. It is not seen in its breeding ground after the middle of August and the latest date on which I have seen it in the low- lands is the 30th of August. A few pairs of the Golden Crowned Kinglets were also breeding on Monad- nock in 1919 as usual. The season was also marked by the absence of breeding Loons, Grebs, and Ducks, which were usually found in the ponds and marshes, but there was enough increase in land forms to make up for any loss in that way. Stuart T. Danforth, New Brunswick, N. Y. The Starling In N. H. I know of three different times where the Starling has driven the Flicker from her nesting site. No. 1, the Flicker had her nest completed in an apple tree when the Starling took possession and made her nest, and laid five eggs. No. 2, the Flicker had her three eggs robbed by some- thing, probably the Starling in another apple tree. Later on a Starling made her nest and hatched her eggs in the same cavity. No. 3, a Flicker had a nest and laid seven eggs in the cavity of another apple tree and just as the eggs were taken by a boy, Mrs. Star- ling took and invaded a nest just as I left for home. This is what happened in only three seasons. I think the Starling must be a great pest to the Flicker. EK. S. Coombs. Long Eared Owls. On December the 28th, 1919, while walking up a small ravine close to my camps here on the lake, my atten- tion was attracted by a large Owl fly- ing up, seemingly from the bare THE OOLOGIST 5 ground under a small oak tree. Going over towards the tree to investigate to see if I could find out what he was doing there, I was more surprised to fiush four more from the same spot. The birds took wing and soon settled on the limb of a large dead oak tree, all in line with their backs to me, com- ing closer one turned only his head in my direction but soon seemed to be excited for in a moment two long ears came into view, then as if ordered they all faced about and showed their ears in succession and bid me a fond farewell. These are the first notes of the mi- gration of the Long Eared Owls I have taken or heard of from this section of the country. Geo. EK. Maxon. Ft. Worth, Texas. Mr. Maxon was recently instru- mental in assisting in the seizure of $500.00 worth of Aigrettes by the U.S. Game Warden’s at Ft. Worth. Editor. Some Notes on Winter Birds Around Chicago, Illinois. By Colin Campbell Sanborn. On November 30, 1919, Mr. H. L. made a trip to Beach, IIl., which is in the extreme northeast corner of the state, on Lake Michigan. The trip was made to collect some winter birds as Mr. Charles Douglas of Waukegan had reported seeing large numbers of Bohemian Waxwings and White- winged Crossbills there. The day was stormy with a strong north wind, but we found Bohemians in large numbers and must have seen about 1500 during the day. We ar- rived there at 7 a. m. and until noon, every few minutes flocks of fifty to sixty birds passed over. The birds were very nervous and kept flying south, only two or three flocks stopped to feed on the juniper berries, and then were very hard to: approach. Shooting seemed to bewilder them and for some time they would only fly a short distance when suddenly, coming to their senses they would rise and whirl away to the south. They followed the lake in their flight and none were seen more than a quarter of a mile from the lake. A few American Crossbills were seen, but no White-wings. Also the remains of a Pigeon Hawk were found and one Short-eared Owl was seen be- sides the other common winter birds. In Highland Park, Ill., a few miles south of Beach, during the following week a flock of about twenty Bohe- mians stayed for three or four days to feed on the berries of a mountain ash tree, at which time they were very tame, also numerous flocks have been reported from Jackson Park in Chi- cago. I have not heard of any in the Sand Dunes in Indiana but believe that they could be found there. The only other record I have for the White- winged Crossbills, is a pair taken by Mr. L. L. Walters of the Field Museum, in the Sand Dunes. There seems to be a large flight of Bohemian Waxwings this year and we would like to hear where other ~ readers have seen them, and when they saw the last ones. Mr. Henry K. Coale of Highland Park, II1., says that these are the first ones he has seen around Chicago since 1909. Colin Campbell Sanborn. A Beautiful Sight. On the evening of October thirty- first, I decided to take a spin down the lake. I motored south, then east for eight miles, seeing but little bird life. The wind was blowing from the south and the waves were choppy. A few clouds scattered through the sky. Then as the sun began to get low and go behind the clouds, I said I better 6 THE OOLOGIST start back, because when the sun does not set clear in these parts, nine times out of ten, we will have bad weather soon. They say any one that predicts weather in Texas is a new comer or a fool.. It was warm and comfortable before I got half way back to camp. I looked in the north and a dark blue cloud was rising. And in direct line from the northern sky, bunch after bunch of Gulls of all description. Then Can- ada geese could be seen flying high and low, circling over the lake, a bunch lilting now and then: Next I glanced up and large bunches of ducks of all description were coming in a direct line from the north. All settling in dierent parts of the lake. Water birds galore were observed all through the northern sky, and were settling in different parts of the lake. ting dark, but I stopped long enough to take down the notes on the birds as they arrived. They were all tired cut from the long flight and did not hesitate to light. I said to myself, look out for a stiff norther for the first day of November. At this date thousands of water birds peace- fully settled on old Lake Worth’s choppy waters. The wind ceased to blow from the south and before I docked at Williams Spring landing the north wind began to whip the waves back to the south. And by morning it was good and cold. This was one hight that the birds will get a peace- ful nights rest and be ready to take to the air in the morning. They came in so late that the hunters did not have time to disturb them. To see sO many birds coming out of the clouds seemed like a dream, and to my knowledge this is the most beauti- ful sight I ever witnessed. Ramon Graham, Mexas oe: To California. Ye editor and his wife hied them- selves to the Golden Gate State via Sante Fe R. R., leaving Dec. 7th, and the editor returned Dec. 31st. The object of the trip being to help cele- brate the 86th birthday of the best mother in all the world, and in the new home of our sister, Mrs. Stith in Hollywood. Leaving Lacon’ with everything frozen up and real winter in vogue, we ran into a tremendous Dliz- zard in Western Kansas and Hastern Colorado. The mercury was 26 below zero in Trinidad the evening before we reached there. Snow and winter prevailed substantially all the way. Very few birds were seen, a few Horned Larks, some Winter Sparrows, Crows and a few Magpies and Ravens and but two Hawks, were seen prior to reaching the western slope of the San Barnideno Mountains. The usual winter birds for the region were in evidence about Los Angeles, Hollywood, Pasadena, River- side, Arcadia and Longbeach. We saw nothing unusual. One of the pleasantest experiences of the trip was the privilege of attending the De- cember meeting of the Cooper Club, where we renewed acquaintance with the members and made some new ac- quaintances. The club appears to be in a flourishing condition. One ofthe interesting things of the evening to the writer being the report of a Whist- ling Swan hanging in a nearby mar- ket for sale. We were a little sur- prised not to see a committee appoint- ed at once to ferret the matter out, and to take steps to prosecute the killer and the dealer both. Unless such offenders are promptly and vigor- ously dealt with the Whistling Swan will follow the Noble Trumpter Swan into complete extinction. On the way home we came by the THE OOLOGIST 7 way of Beleu, cut off through the Texas pan handle, western Oklahoma and Southern Kansas and saw no snow or cold weather all the way, and but few birds, though the smaller ground birds seemed far more plenti- ful in Texas and Oklahoma than in Kansas and Colorado on the way out. The thing that impressed us all the way on this 4500 mile trip, as far. as more than one sixth the way around the world was the extremely scarcity of birds of prey. Though constantly on the lookout during daylinght hours for them, we saw less than a dozen on the entire trip. Truly the long range rifle is doing its work! The Editor. Oological Comment. One shrinks, really, from appearing to put himself forward, in a critical ‘ way, as regards bird matters. And yet there are often items coming into print that require some modification or explanation. In the October issue of The Oologist are three such mat- ters. I beg to make brief suggestions in regard to these: EK. G. Alexander lists the ‘‘Long- tailed” Chickadee as found at “Lexing- ton, Missouri.” Of course, Missouri is quite out of the range of this Chicka- dee. A set of eggs of the Red-shouldered Hawk is listed as found by W. C. Wood; and is described as being ‘the largest (this collector) ever found.” In point of fact, the dimensions given fall well within the listed extremes. Another observer speaks of the Gol- den-cheeked Warbler as breeding in Arizona. This region differs so radical- ly from the plant associations main- taining in the reputed range, ‘Parts of Central and Southern Texas,” that one is gravely in doubt as to the al- leged occurrence. Only the fact of specimens having been taken, during singing is done on the wing. the breeding season, could give sub- stantial color and authenticity to the alleged occurrences. P. B. Peabody, Blue Rapids, Kansas. The Lark Bunting. (Calamospiza melanocoris Stejneger) The Lark Buntings are peculiar birds; peculiar in their habits, in their size and color among the sparrows, and in their structure. Dr. Coues in his “Key to North American Birds” says: “A well marked genus, with wing-structure reminding one of An- thus or Aulada,’ and “There is a curios. anology of not affinity of this genus to some of the Icteridae.’ “In form of bill this interesting species is closely allied to Grosbeaks; and this with the singularly enlarged second- aries, as long as the primaries in the closed wing, renders it unmistakable in any plumage.” They are strictly ground birds, abundant on the uncultivated plains of the West. During the early part of the summer they sing much and are elegant songsters. Much of the They mount upward for a short distance— twenty-five to forty feet—singing as they rise, float for a few minutes at the summit of their flight, and con- tinue to sing for a part of the descent. Usually a number nest in proximity to each other, and at times fill the air with song. Their note is peculiar and can be distinguished as far as it can be heard. This habit of soaring and singing give them the name of Lark Bunting. © They did not become known in scientific ornithology until discovered by Thomas Nuttall and J. K. Town- ‘send in the spring of 1834, when these two men of science journeyed together across the continent to the Pacific in Capt. Wyeth’s party. The discovery 8 THD OOLOGIST must have been made not far from the 20th of May, for at this time the party was making its journey through the Platte country, and the birds had not been many days in their summer home. Mr. Townsend published his description in 1837, and said they ‘“in- habit a portion of the Platte country, east of the first range of the Rocky Mountains.” His scientific name was fringilla bicolor. As Mr. Townsend wrote in his ‘Nar- ative’ they are strictly ground birds, and they are unable to adapt their mode of life to a country made into farms and under cultivation, and they have almost entirely disappeared from the agricultural country. For a time some of them tried nesting in the al- falfa fields. At the time the birds ar- rive from the South the alfalfa is growing, and the fields look like a Suitable place to nest; but by the time the nest is made and the eggs laid, the fields are flooded for irriga- gation, or the mower and hay rake pass over the fields. The sexes are decidedly unlike in their summer plumage. The male is black with a large white patch on the wing; the female more resembling a sparrow, mostly grayish brown, but with a white wing-patch, white wing-patch is a distinctive mark in any part of the season. When they arrive in north-eastern Colorado about the tenth of May, the males are in this summer or breeding plumage. To quote again from Dr. Coues: “The male wears the black plumage only during the breeding season, like the Bobolink; when changing the charac- ters of the two sexes are confused. The change of the adult male from a winter plumage resembling that of the female to the full breeding dress is ac- complished by aptosochromatism— that is without moulting; for the black comes to the surface by the and this — wearing away of light tips and edg- ings of the feathers, as in the Bobo- link.” Geo. E. Osterhout, Windsor. Colo. The Oologists’ Exchange and Mart. We are very pleased to note the progress made by our British contem- porary, the O. E. and M., founded by friend Skinner last June. Its new year commences with the January number and the subscription is $1.25 which in- cludes one free advt. of 25 words. - Mr. Skinner seems to have enlisted most. of the best men on this side as well as in Britain with not a few in the British Dominions overseas and the European continent. The paper is being conducted on very sound lines and we can heartily recommend it to any collector desiring relations with other countries. No dealers are ad- mitted to its subscription list and those who wish to subscribe must be proposed by some existing subscriber. Mr. Skinner points to the fact that no less than eight of our new list com- mittee are subscribers so that any of cur readers wishing to get on the sub- scription list should be able to secure the necessary nomination. We all like to get our bird papers from No. 1 and we understand that the back numbers for 1919 can still be had for $1.00 though the supply is limited. Subscriptions can be remitted in dollar bills with one cent stamps to make up the odd amount. R. M. Barnes. The Ornithology of Chester. Co., Pa. By F. L. Burns, 1919. This splendid little volume of 122 pages is typical of Frank L. Burns, its author in its thoroughness. Every- thing Burns publishes is accurate, thorough and reliable: witness his THE OOLOGIST 9 papers on the Broadwing Hawk, and his review of the publications of Alex- ander Wilson in the Wilson Bulletin, as well as his “Bibliography of Rare and Unusual Publications” in the Oologist July, 1919. The present volume is divided into three parts. Part one being a des- cription of the physical features of Chester County, Biographical notes and an extensive review of the pub- lished faunal lists relating to that County. Part II is an annotated list of the birds of the county giving 247 species and a hypothetical list of 16 species. Part III is a Bibliography of the faunal lists of the Country and some notes. This publication is without doubt the best list extant on the birds of Chester County and the author is to be congratulated on bringing to com- ‘pletion this work which will for years be so useful to students of the birds of that county. Editor. William Brewster. By the death of William Brewster, American Ornithology loses its leader. No one can deny but that this quiet, unassuming, wealthy gentlemen of leisure was at the front of our scien- tific bird students when he pased on. As with all ornithologists of note he began by “making a collection of birds’ eggs.” Wm. H. Dana of Har- vard, (class of 1874) in which Brew- ster also finished his school year fur- nishes this information in an article in The Harvard Graduates Magazine for September, 1919. Collecting birds’ eggs as a beginning has produced many great naturalists in the end. Editor. Our Place To Rest. J M. Welch, a wealthy citizen of Rock Island, Ill., has recently -pur- chased Scheck Island, six miles south of there in the Mississippi River, con- taining 315 acres and will convert the same into a game and bird sanctuary where all bird shooting and hunting and trapping will be for all time pro- hibited. Good! Turkey Vultures Feeding. On March 2, 1917, near Daytona, Florida, I was fortunate in seeing the Turkey Vultures come upon a newly killed pig. It was a young animal, a foot and a half long, which lay in the road, having evidently been struck by a passing automobile. I drew up a short distance away and watched the birds approach. The first bird sailed gracefully over, then, skimming low over the roadway, alighted gracefully, with head held high and tail well raised from the ground. With all his ugliness, the bird looked proud and dignified. He stepped, almost waddled, to the pig, took his stand upon the forequarters and, reaching down deftly extracted the eye from its socket. All his movements were slow and deliber- ate; he attacked his prey with all the precision of a true artist. Meanwhile two or three other Vul- tures either sailed overhead or walked near, eyeing the food, but not ventur- ing to come within reach of the feed- ing bird. If they steppped too near, the bird standing on the pig looked up threateningly. The point next attacked was not the abdomen (as I had expected), but the region just over the shoulder-blade. In ten minutes, during which time the birds had been driven into the air twice by passing automobiles, most of the spine of the scapula was exposed, and during this period only one bird had been at work ata time. We found another pig not far away on the beach. In this animal also the scapula was denuded and the abdomen still un- Blue Gray Gnatcatcher, Adult, Male, Scolding. Life Sketch. —By Geo. W. Sutton. THE OOLOGIST 11 opened. When we left, seven Vultures were sailing overhead. Winsor M. Tyler, M. D. Lexington, Mass. George M. Sutton. With this issue we begin the publi- cation of a series of plates made from drawings by our friend, Geo. M. Sut- tensor the Carnegie Institute, Pitts- burgh. It is our prediction that in a few short years he will be at the front of American bird artists. Study these illustrations carefully and seeif ~ “we are not justified in this prophesy. Photo Craft. Published at No. 2 Nickels Arcade, Ann Arbor, Mich., is one of the very best photographic magazines we know of. It makes a specialty of nature photography and is of much use of those who desire to follow that branch of art. E; Ee. . Pope: With this issue we present a fine likeness of E. EK. Pope, one of the very best of American leading oologists. Mr. Pope was formerly at Colinsneel, Texas, and he is now at Alberquerque, N. Mexico. No oologist known to us excells him in accuracy or painstak- ing preparation of specimens. He is a member of the committee of twenty- five in charge of the new eggs price list. The New Price List. The new price list of North Ameri- can Birds Eggs moves ahead slowly. The committee of twenty-five in charg of the matter of prices has organized with Dr. R. B. Bales of Circleville, Ohio, chairman and Rev. H. E. Wheel- er, of Fayetteville, Ark., Secretary. The members of the committee are engaged in arranging matters by inter- correspondence but it is quite doubtful if the catalogue can be completed in time to be used before July first. Editor. Everybody Late. It is a matter of extreme regret on our part that the January number was late. We sent the copy to the printer in November in time to get it out as we thought December Ist. However, when such publications as the ‘Pictorial Review,” with over a million subscribers is compelled to issue a double January-February num- ber and “The Literary Digest” must issue its number without type, it is no wonder our little Oologist was caught in the malstrom of labor troubles. We hope soon, however, to be caught up with schedule time and will do all we can to be out on the first of each month. O. W. Emerson. Professor Emerson of Berkeley, Calif., one of the nestors of North American Oologist and one of the most loved of all the many California Oologists has recently been engaged in taking moving pictures of birds at Oakland, Calif. We are glad to note that he is still active in the science. Story County, lowa Birds. A list of birds observed near Ne- vada, Story County, Iowa during 1919. 54. Ringbilled Gull. Hight flying north over ploughed field May 8th. 77. Black Tern. A flock of about fifty flying northward. May 6. 132. Mallard. At different times from March 28th to May 2nd; again in fall in large numbers from Oct. 11 to Nov. 16th. 139. Green-winged Teal. March. 18- 20-21-23-24 and April 2nd, and Oct. 25 and 26th. 172, Canada Goose, Several V 12 THE OOLOGIST ee Sis : shaped flocks seen from Mar. 28th to April 3rd. 190. Am. Bittern. One seen along West Indian Creek May 8th. 191. Least Bittern. Two seem in grass in edge of pond June 7th. 194. Great Blue Heron. One seen along creek Sept. 4th. 201. Green Heron. A number seen at different times from April 11th to Sept. 8th. 214. Sora Rail. One observed in pond June 10th. 221. Am. Coot. One seen along creek May 9th. 273. Kildeer. Common from Mar. 15th to Oct. 5th. 289. Bob-white. A few were ob- Served along a hedge at different times throughout the summer, Wild Fowl at Home. June 9, 1919. —Photo by V. Lane. 305. Prairie Hen. Three seen Oct. 5th. 316. Mourning Dove. Common. 331. Marsh Haw’ Fairly common. 333. Coopers Hawk. Formerly com- mon now becoming rare. One set of three taken this season. 337. Red-tailed Hawk. Common. 360. Am. Sparrow Hawk. Fairly common. 378. Screech Owl. Common. 375. Great Horned Owl. Rare one seen June 7th. 387. Yellow-billed Cuckoo. Com- mon. 388. Black-billed Cuckoo. Two ob- served this season. Not so common as the Yellow-billed. 390. Belted Kingfisher. Common, THE OOLOGIST 18 393. Hairy Woodpecker. Fairly common. 394c. Northern Downy Woodpecker. Common. 406. Red-headed Woodpecker. Com- mon. 421a. Northern Flicker. Common. 417. Whip-poor-will. A few ob- served this season. Becoming rare. 420. Nighthawk. Rare. 423. Chimney Swift. 428. Ruby-throated Hummingbird. Fairly common. 444. Kingbird. Common. 452. Crested Flycatcher. Fairly common. 456. Phoebe. Common. 461. Wood Pewee. Fairly common. 466. Traill’s Flycatcher. Fairly common. | 467. Least Flycatcher. One ob- served on May 9th. 474b. Prairie Horned Lark. Com- mon throughout the year. 477. Blue Jay. Common. 488. Am. Crow. Very abundant. 494. Bobolink. Common. 495. Cowbird. Common. 497. Yellow-headed Blackbird. Rare. 501. Meadowlark. Common. 506. Orchard Oriole. Fairly com- mon. 507. Baltimore Oriole. Common. 509. Rusty Blackbird. Common migrant. 511b. Bronzed Grackle. Common. 517. Purple Finch. Rare migrant. Three seen on Dec. 16th. 529. Am. Goldfinch. Common. 534. Snowflake. A few observed in late December. 540. Vesper Sparrow. Common. 546. Grasshopper Sparrow. Com- mon. 552. Lark Sparrow. Formerly abundant, now rare. 563. Field Sparrow. Common. 567. Slate-colored Junco. Common migrant, 587. Towhee. becoming rare. Formerly common, 595. Rose-breasted Grosbeak. Fair- ly common. 604. Dickcissel. Very abundant. 598. Indigo Bunting. Common. 608. Scarlet Tanager. Fairly com- mon. 611. Purple Martin. Common. 612. Cliff Swallow. Rare breeder 613. Barn Swallow. Common. 616. Bank Swallow. Commor. abundant nesting species in this lo- cality. 617. Rough-winged Swallow. Com- mon. 618. Bohemian Waxwing. Rare migrant. One observed Dec. 18th. 619. Cedar Waxwing. Common in winter. Rare in summer. 622a. White-rumped Shrike. Com- mon. 624. Red-eyed Vireo. Fairly com- mon. 627. Warbling Vireo. Not so com- mon as the Red-eyed Vireo. 636. Black and White Fairly common migrant. Warbler. 652. Yellow Warbler. Fairly com- mon. Formerly abundant. 655. Myrtle Warbler. Abundant during migration in spring and fall. 659. Chestnut-sided Warbler. Rare migrant formerly abundant. 687. Am. Redstart. Fairly common during the migration season. 704. Catbird. Common. 705. Brown Thrasher. Common. 721. House Wren. Common. 727. White-breasted Nuthatch Common throughout the year. 735. Chickadee. Common. 755. Wood Thrush. Fairly com- mon. 761. Am. Robin. Abundant. 766. Bluebird. Common. John Cole, Nevada, Iowa, Jan. 1, 1920, | 14 THE OOLOGIST MAGAZINES WANTED I will pay the highest prices for any one of the following back numbers of these publications. Agassez Bulletin. Buffalo, N. Y., 1885. All except Vol. I, No. 5. The A. A. Bulletin, Gilman, 1890, Vol I, No. 3. The Agassi Record, Oskaloosa, Ia., 1888, Vol. I, Nos. 3 and 4. American Magazine of Natural Science, 1892-3, Vol. I, Nos. 4 and 6; Viel. Tie iINos 12 The Agassiz Companion, Wyondotte i, Ks., 1886, Vol. I, all but No. 2;Vol. 11, © all but 3-5-6-10; Vol. III, all but 1-5-10- 11-12. . Amateur Naturalist, Ashland, Maine, 1903-6, Vol.I, all; Vol II, all; Vol. III, all except Nos. 1 and 4. Bear Hill Advertiser, Stoneham, Mass., 1903, Vol. I, Nos. 1 and 3, and all after No. 4. American Osprey, 1890, Vol. I, No. 6. The Buckeye State Collector, Ports- mouth, O., 1888, Vol. I, Nos. 4 and 6. ‘Bulletin of the Oologists Assn., Omaha, Nebr., 1897. All except No. I, Vol. 1. ..California Traveller and Scientists, 1891-2, Vol. I, all except No. 5; Vol. II, all except No. 3 and all later issues. The Collector, West Chester, Pa., 1891, Vol. I, all; Vol. II, all except Nos. 1-2-3. The Collector, Des Moines, Vol. II, all except Nos. 6-7-8. Collectors Journal, Fayetteville, Ia., 1901, Vol. I, all except No. 2. The Collectors Monthly, Newburg, N. Y., 18938, Vol. I, Nos. 2-3-4. Collectors Notebook, Camden, N. Y., 1903-4, Vol. I, all; Vol. II, all except Nos. 2 and 6. The Curio, Benson, Maine, Vols. I, i, Wi TV; Vi, Collectors Monthly, Philadelphia, Pa., 1888. All except Vol. I, No. 1. The Collectors Monthly, Oakland, Calif., 1911. All published except Nos. 2, 3 and 4 of Vol. I. The Curio Exchange, New Kamilche, Wash., 1901-2, Vol. I, No. 4 and Vol. II, 3 and all after. Empire State Exchange, Water Val- ley, N. Y., 1889, Vol. I, all except Nos. 1-5-10; Vol. II, all except Nos. 1 and 2; Vol. III, all except Nos, 2-3-4; Vol. IV, all except 1-2-3-4. Ashland, Ky., 1882, If you have any of them write me at once. R. M. Barnes, Lacon, Il. The Exchange, Quendota, IIll., 1889, Vol. I, Nos. 1 and 4. The Exchange, Adrian, Mich., 1885, Vol. I, Nos. 1-2-4-5. - The Exchangers Monthly, Vol. IV, complete, 1888. Exchanger and Collector and Ex- changers Aid, 1885, Canaijohorie, N. Y., all except Vol. I, Nos. 1 and 2. Forest and Field, Gillertville, N. Y., 1892, all except Vol I, Nos. 1 and 5. Golden State Scientist, Riverside, Calif., 1886, Vol. I, No. 1. The Sup- pressed copy. The Guide to Nature Study and Nature Literature, Stanford, Conn., Vol. I, No. 12; Vol. II, all after No. 7; Vol. IIIl, 1V, V;.Vol. IV, Nos: £ tors and No. 10. Also issues of March, Nov. and Dec. 1909 and from Jan. 1910 to Dec. 1913, inclusive and March 1914 and July 1915 to Jan. 1916 inclusive. The Hummer, Nebraska City, Neb., 1899-1900, Vol. I, Nos. 3 and 4. lowa Ornithologist, Salem, Ia., 1895- te MOlotV, NOx 3: Kansas City Naturalist, Kansas City, Mo., 1886-91, Vol. 5, No. 10. The Kansas Naturalist,. Topeka, Ks., 1902, Vol. I, all except No. 2. The Maine O. and O., Garland, Me., 1890-1, Vol. I, Nos. 5-6-7-12; Vol. II, No. ile The Naturalist, Kansas City, Mo., 1890, Vols. I, II, II] and Vol. IV except Nos. 6-8 and 10. . The Natural History Collectors Monthly, 1893, Vol. I, except Nos. 1-2- 3-4, The Naturalists Companion, Branch- port, N.’ Y., 1885, ,Vol. al, sNora: The Naturalists Journal, Frankfort, and Phila., Pa., 1884, Vol. I, Nos. 4 and 7; Vol. II, Nos. 1-2-3-4. Nature Study Review, Chicago, IIl., All issues prior to No. 45; also Nos. 46, 58, 59. 60. 61, 62, 72. 74, 93, 94 and ale The Observer, 1889-1917, Vol. I, all except Nos. 1-2-3-6; Vol. II, all except No. 3; Vol. III, all except Nos. 2-45-6- ~7:Vol. IV, all except Nos. 2-3; Vol. V, Nos. 6-8-9-10-12; Vol. VI, Nos. 2-7-10-12; Vol. VII, Nos. 10-12; Vol. VIII, all ex- cept No. 4. THE OOLOGIST 19 Ohio Naturalist, Ohio State Univer- sity, 1889-1895, Vols. I-II-IIJ and Vol. IV, No. 5 and all later issues. The Old Curiosity Shop, Vol. IX, No. 6. The Oologist and _ Botanist, Moines, Ia., Vol. II, Nos. 3-4-5. The Oologist Advertiser, Danilsville, Conn., 1889-90, Vol. I, No. 1. The Ornithologist, Twin Bluffs, Wis., iso, Vol. 1, No. 1. The Oregon Naturalist, Sire aot, Vol. Il, No. 7. . The Owl, Glenn Falls, N. Y., 1885-6, Vol. I, all; Vol. II, all except Nos. 1 and 2; Vol. III, all except No. 2. The Stormy Petrel, Quendota, IIl., 1890, Vol. I, Nos. 2 and 6 The Taxidermist, Hyde Park, Mass., 1907-14, all after Vol. II, No. 7. The Valley Naturalist, St. Louis, No. 1878, all except Vol. I, No. 1. The Weekly Oologist and Philatlest, all published except Vol. I, No. 2 and Vol. II, No. 2. The Western Naturalist, Topeka, Ks., 1903, all issues except Vol. I, No. i Be The Western Naturalist, Quadison, Wis., 1887-8, Vol. I, Nos. 7-9-10; Vol. II, Nos. 1-5-6. The West American Scientist, San Diego, Calif., 1885 to 1902, Vol. I, all except Nos. 5-9-11; Vol. II, all except Nos. 15-21; Vol. III, all except Nos. 27- 31; Vol. IV, all except Nos. 43-47-53; Vol. VI, Nos. 61. Vol. VIII, 66-68-69-70- 71--72-73 and all after No. 139 except No. 158. The Wisconsin Naturalist, Milwau- kee, Wis., Vol. I,, all except Nos. 6-6; All of Vols. II-III-IV and V; all of Vol. VI except No. 1; all of Vol. VII except Nos. 77 and 78; all of Vol. VIII except Nos. 79-81-82; all of Vol. IX except Nos. 87-88-89-90. The Young Collector, Des Moines, Ia., 1881-2, all issues except Vol. Il, No. 41; and Vol. II, Nos. 1-2-3. The Young Naturalist, Galesburgh, Ill., 1884, Vol. I, all except Nos. 1-4-5. The Young Ornithologist, Boston, Mass., 1885, Vol. I, No. 10. —_— —-?*<-_—______—__ Des Hugene, NOTICE. We are out of copy. BIRD BOOKS OFFERED AT NOMINAL PRICES Mr. Sherman’s decision to limit his business to Insect Books only, affords a rare opportunity to pur- chase desirable items relating to Reptiles and Birds, Mammals, Shells at unheard of prices. Lists only upon application. John D. Sherman, le: 24 Claremont Ave., Mount Vernon, N. Y. IV THE OOLOGIST THE OOLOGIST’S SPECIAL CLUBBING OFFERS FOR 1920 The following offers are made by Special Arrangement and we cannot guar- antee prices for more than 30 days. of these Bargains. Wael OOlgeist nc. ofa eae ess ae $ .50 American Magazine.............. 2.00 Woman’s Home Companion...... 2.00 Publishers “Erices-c.c ee or $4.50 WATT FS SLOT Oe Se eer sai Pore eosin $3.35 SAV ois wa tee tee Wee ee $1.15 The (O0logisti i tte be ode eee $ .50 Pictorial Review .........¢....<. 2.00 McClure’s Magazine............. 2.00 Publisher’s Price... ..2... 5.4... $4.50 © AN GOT OD = io decte cae en aA fcas ee $3.35 AVC 5s cunintniicta, ro. ofa) aehels iets kee $1.15 The "Oologistic. os fel eee $ .50 Reviews of Reviews............. 4.00 Everybody’s Magazine or Ameri- COM SiG ee ade 5 Ce eecee 2.00 Publisher's Price... .o....5<00% $6.50 ELS LOL eee eh ork eae ee ae $4.85 SOWIE) Hebe c aes aoni ae es co is $1.65 PHS Ooleeists sii eiscccks Se bak $ .50 Metropolitamy cece ciel eaten e ee 3.00 Current Opinion... s..4 26 «aie ek 3.00 PUDNHSHEr SPLICE o.6< jcpers ocs e $6.50 PUR i) “ic a eens CR en: oh amare $4.85 SACI Seti. senlena cesar. tort ecnye eee mete $1.75 Phe OOlOsiSt ao s:05/ss, ch esc ee eee $ .50 All OULGOOERS a. Seas Soe ee 2.00 Forest and Stream. o....53...6<. 62 2.00 Publisher’s Price...... ah AER $4.50 ASST LOR LO Se cA tea oe $3.35 SaViO ute 2S poke ee eee eee $1.15 ORDER GRUMIAUX News & Subscription Co., 175 Fifth Ave., New York City. Place your order now and take advantage Subscriptions may commence with any issue desired. The .Ooloeists.. « ..ecguesen eee $ .50 DelineatOr 00..5 60e.8 Se eee 2.00 Everybody’s Se Tee ei PEGS) a5. 0. 2.00 Publishers) Pricetla aaa $4.50 ANT 8S POR: <8 208 See $3.35 Save™ oo 6.5 ok eee $1.15 The Oologist....< <..: coe eee $ .50 Modern: Priscilla... choi. eee 1.50 McCall’s Magazine................ 1.00 Publisher’s. Price....6.......6. $3.00 ADT) 3 f0P nhs i ee Se $2.25 SAVE) is oe a ae. oS $ .75 The. Oologist. ics sn «dee $ .50 World’s. Work: ..<. s..ss«s.ceeceeee 4 .00 CTE WISE i sisineice: Sides) 0-0 4s oe 4.00 Publisher’s: Price:.4->4. ene ee $8.50 AM BY LOPS 2 is2d whem $5.85 SAVC 2c wag ae eee $2.65 PRE OOlOSIS Te. i. o5 oi «chs, as ee $ .b0 Youth’s Companion. ........25006 2.50 Pictorial Review... ... +s. sce 2.00 Publisher’s, Price ...2:... <.< ase $5.00 All. "Three, for. nc ons 5.0 oo eee $4.00 — SAME bushe tcke es ance $1.00 The Oologist..< 025.0225 36 cn ee $ .50 OWE iota. ue oe aoa ole eons eee 3.00 Independent <2. 26. 1s. cee come 4.00 Publisher’s Price...... 7... nen $7.50 IS OROPS) esse coca ee $5.35 SAVIC! ss cite cuts ac Cee ce $2.15 BLANK Please send the following magazines, each for 1 year, for which I enclose f “Name of Magazine Qik AE aly BIS Oe torte or mera Ce Les Ee i tovcte 7: Bos Mig. cy Shei atte’ ado tattoo 0 aCeriahlcke Ts NSE RO Pe ens hss: oh MNS Soe colds te sdneii eicalio tei gh tacle RMS Rea ner Bis. ston ao Sia eS eeae er ks ets See Pees haieoete eee, 6 ns ININION. «, Facace-s eS cnceens era rstereyetonresves SERGGE: intl. Wweguie semen hess DOWD) ec eloe pce 2 eel aue eels a When to Begin Ce Se ec) eececeorereowe eee eee eee ee ee ee eee me eee eee ee & © coor ewer eee eee eee eee eee eee eee eee eee ee ow eorreeereeeeceoeeeeeee ee eeeee ee ee eee eee eo & ceoeeceeeoeeeseeosvseeese ee eee ee eee ere ee eee ee oo eeoceeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeseee eee oe eo oeereeoeeeceee eevee e te eee eee eee eee THE OOLOGIST v NOTICE | During 1920 the Oologist will publish ad- vertisements only for the length of time for which they are paid for, and no longer. If you want to get Birds’ Skins, Eggs, Nests, or Mounted, or to dispose of the same, or to get or sell books relating to the same, we are the very best medium in America through which to secure or dispose of the same. ADVERTISE IN ~The Oologist VI | THE OOLOGIST THE CONDOR A Magazine of Western Ornithology Published Bi-monthly by the Cooper Ornithological Club of California Edited by J. Grinnell and Harry S. Swarth “The Condor’’ is strictly scientific but edited in such a way that a be- . ginner of ‘‘Bird Study”’ can easily un- derstand it. The articles in ‘‘The Condor’’ are written by the leading Ornithologists of the United States and are illustrated by the highest quality of half tones. Our subscription rates are $1.50 per year in the United States and $1.75 in a Foreign coun- try. Sample Copy 30c. Address W. LEE CHAMBERS, Bus. Manager, Eagle Rock, Los Angeles, Cal. THE “Blue- Bird”’ Is now published monthly, the year ’round, with new and inter- esting departments, features and contests, and At No Additional Cost to Subscribers ‘Official Organ of the Cleveland Bird Lovers’ Association. SEND STAMP FOR SAMPLE COPY Annual Subscription, $1.50 AGENTS WANTED EVERYWHERE “THE BLUE-BIRD,” 1010 Euclid Ave. | CLEVELAND, OHIO THE NEW CATALOGUE The work on the new price list moves slowly. The com- mittee of twenty-five, named by the Oologists of the coun- try, now have the work in hand and we hope to receive the results of their labors in time to publish the volume so it will be available for 1920 exchanges. It is, however, a long laborious road this committee has to travel and we are sure they will do thorough work before submitting it for publi- cation. —R. M. Barnes. | THE OOLOGIST. BIRDS--NESTS--EGG TAXIDERMY VOL. XXXVIT. No. 2. AUBION, NY... Fes. 1, 1920: WHOLE No. 394 THE OOLOGIST BRIEF SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS Wanted, Exchange, Fer Sale, Etc., inserted in this department at 26 eents for each 25 ‘words for one issue; each additional word 1 eent. serted for less than 25 cents. No notieé in- We will advertise the skins, nests, eggs, or mounted specimens of North Amer- ican Birds for sale for persons having a lawful authority under the law to deal in the same. These columns are for the use of those desiring to make bona fide exchanges of such specimens for scientific collecting purposes only.—EDITOR. in answering advertisements in these columns mention “The Oologist,” and thereby help us, as well as the advertiser and yourself. BIRDS Send me the list of A 1 Bird Skins that you have to dispose of by exchange or otherwise. R. M. BARNES, Lacon, II}. FOR EXCHANGE—A large list of Al North American species of skins for specimens needed in my collection. C. W. CHAMBER- LAIN, 36 Lincoln St., Boston, Mass. ALL PERSONS having A-1 skins in I will pay the highest R. M. price for those that I need. BARNES, Lacon, I11. EXCHANGH — Collection of North American Birds. Containing four hun- dred and twenty-three species and sub- Represented by thirteen hun- dred and sixty specimens. PHILIP LAURENT, 31 East Mt. Airy Ave., Phil- adelphia, Pa. WANTEHED—A pair of living Sand Hill Cranes A. O. U. No. 306, taken north of the center of the U. S. If the birds are only slightly wingtipped this will not matter. For them I will pay a good price. R. M. BARNHES, Lacon, I11. WANTS SETS of 2-3-47-136-140-167- 196-208-289-305-611. Will exchange mounted alligator, 36 inches long, for sets. Send list. Will send mine. F. M. CARRYL, Maplewood, N. J. WANTED for Cash—Any one or all complete vols. of the “Asprey.”’ Please write price. B. S. GRIFFIN, 22 Currier Ave., Haverhill, Mass. Would like to Exchange bird Migra- tion notes with observer in western state, preferably Montana. A. S. WAR- THIN, Ferda Road, Ann Arbor, Mich. FOR SALE—Bird Lore, 100 single, 13 odd volumes, $1.25 each; Condor, vol. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and singles; Portraits of Trumhull; Birds of Birds), Tree cde Standard Library Nat. plates and hundreds of other Ills., Am. Ornithology (Wilson and Bonaparte), Bird Friends (Kear- ton), Bird Our Brother (Miller), Wond- ers of Bird World (Sharpe), Birdcraft (Wright), N. A. Wild Fowl (Elliot), Nests and Eggs (Davie), Worn Copy. Nuttalls Ornithology, 2 vols., many col- ored plates. What I Have Done With EGGS. Birds (Porter), Auk vol. XXXII un- bound, Birds of Conn. (Merriman), Birds of Penna. (Warren), Land and the following: 30, 30a, 31, 31la,- blue or green specimens only. any species of Gull or Tern, also sets of 417, 444, (461 with A-1 nest in situ), 552, (751 with A-1 nest in situ). PAUL G HOWES LABORATORY, Stamford, Conn. In sending in your exchange notices for nests, skins and eggs, we would ap- preciate it if you would arrange the numerals in your exchange notice in their numeracal order, and not tumble them together hit and miss, as some. of our readers are complaining, and we think justly so. WANTHD—BHEntire collection of Hggs of North American Birds for spot cash. R. M. BARNBES, Lacon, IIl. FOR SALE—Complete sets and odd volumes of Nidologist, Osprey, Condor, Warbler and N. A. Fauna; Auk, VIII- XXVIII inclusive; Ridgway’s “Manual’, “Birds Mid. & North Am,” complete. “The Hummingbirds’; Coues’ “Orni- thological Bibliography”’ complete, “Birds of Northwest,’ “Key” 4th Ed.; Turner’s “Contributions Nat. Hist. Alaska’’; Nelson’s “Nat. Hist. Collec- tions in Alaska’; Corwin Cruises in Alaska; Stejneger’s “Explor. Command- er Ids. & Kamchatka’, ‘Poisonous Snakes of N. Am.”’; Allen’s “Hist. N. Am. Pinnipeds”’, “Hist. Am. Bison”; Horna- day’s “Extermination of Am. Bison’; Bailey’s “Handbook Birds West. U. S.”’; Cory’s ‘“‘Birds of Bahamas’; Bendire’s “Life Histories N. Am. Birds”; Biologi- cal Survey Bulletins; National Museum Proceedings, and Bulletins; .’, “Cretaceous Vertebrata’; “Seal Ids.”’ (including copy of Suppressed edition); Fern i s “Our “Land and Game Birds New Eng.’’; Macoun’s “Cat. Canadian Birds’; Marsh’s ‘“Dinocer- ata’; Stearn’s “New England Bird Samuels’ “Our North. & East. Stone’s “Birds New Jersey’’; Warren’s “Birds of Pennsylvania’; Knight’s “Birds Wyoming”; many others, mostly rare and out of print. Address DR. T. W. RICHARDS, U. S. Navy, Naval Hospital, Annapolis, Md. Elliott’s very rare — THE OOLOGIST. VoL. XXXVII. No. 2 ALBION, N. Y., FEs. 1, 1920. WHOLE No. 394 Owned and Published Monthly, by R. M. Barnes, Albion, N.Y., and Lacon, Ill. TAKE NOTICE. SUBSCRIPTION, 50 CENTS PER YEAR ' Examine the number on the wrapper of your Oologist. It denotes the time your sub- scription expires. Remember we must be notified if you wish it discontinued and all arrearages must be paid. 378 your subscription expires with this issue. 377 your subscrip- tion expired with December. issue 1918. Other expirations can be computed by intermediate numbers at the rate of one number per month. Entered as second-class matter December 21, 1903, at the post office al Albion, N. Y., under the Act of Congress of March 3, 1879. LBELLLLLLLLCELLLELLLEL LBL L Gs ANOTHER OPEN LETTER Hon. R. M. Barnes, Lacon, III. Se If my vocabulary were as well supplied with fine words as is that of a lawyer I would show you a fancy stunt right here and S&% now. But, on account of my being short along the line of pretty speech, I shall have to stick to the plainest kind of English and it is wholly inadequate to express the things that ought to be @® said. JI wish I could put on paper my real estimate of Tue Ooxoeist of today as compared with Tue Ooxoaisr of some thirty-one years ago—the time when I began to read it. Some- times now that early publication with egg-drills, blowpipes, 9&2 embryo-hooks, etc., bristling from almost every square inch crowds itself into my dreams. But, presto! begone! here comes the December number! What was a torturing nightmare -has become a happy dream realized. Yes, that which a year or two ago we scarcely dared hope could ever become a permanent part Se of Tue Oo.ocisr seems to be here to stay. Artistic front cover, high grade of paper, plain clear-cut type, and wonderful half- @& tones scattered all through—here they are at no extra expense to the readers. But—somebody pays the bill. Those half- tones in this one number are worth more than the subscription price. I wonder whether your subscribers have appreciated what you have been doing for us. I wish this child could help you Se earry out the kind of program that you seem to have in mind. If I only knew enough about birds so that notes of any worth & might be made from my observations you might depend on me for several columns of copy. But—yes, but. I certainly wish you success in your worthy undertaking. Cordially yours, Toulon, III. W. F. NICHOLSON. ae BEER eP ORR OCR SOG OER BRR PORVOO BRB ORR 16 THE O@GE 6-41.85 FT Paraphernalia Points. The most important phase of collect- ing is to be methodical and systemat- ic and to proceed well prepared for all contingencies. Much time may be saved, many a slip avoided by being well heeled as to the necessary and tabooing the unnecessary in the field. In a back number of the Condor the fortunate collector who took the nest and sets of the Western Evening Gros- beck, mentions a device of Mr. Chas. Littlejohn’s for collecting sets in in- accessible locations and a packing box —such accessories would be indeed in- teresting, and would be of much aid to the average collector, and it is to be hoped that the inventor will let his brethern of the oological field have some idea about the contraptions by giving the Condor or the Oologist readers an account and that the edi- tors will transmit the request. There should be a mutual interest and certain- ly a mutual benefit in the exchange of new notions and novel points of col- lecting outfits and original methods of field and useful tricks. Half the difficulty in collecting the rare sets lies in locating the nests, then comes the rub of landing the prize and next the caring of what is required. The best method of locating nest; is undoubtedly in watching the parent birds where they are feeding or sing- ing. If it is the breeding season the nest usually is not far from the birds, though they sometimes wander far from the nest. What has been termed the “Singing Tree’ as mentioned in the Auk under that title sometime ago, seems to be an important item. The birds haunt certain radius, usually a short one, and in the nearby trees, the collector may accustom himself tothe spot and learn the average distance that the nest is likely to be at, from such a given point, as the singing tree, there the birds accustom themselves and frequent, and sing a while away from the nearby nest. How often does it happen that a collector goes into a field not well prepared and finds exact- ly what he does not expect to find in the way of rarety but has to forego securing it because of some outfit. On the other hand what a pleasure it is to feel fully prepared and find that the outfit fits exactly with the con- ditions encountered. I have never seen a list of what might be termed a complete oological outfit and the vari- ous lists noted were incomplete or suited to special conditions or environ- ment. Hornady gives admirable lists on his year in the Jungles and Methods. Davis gives lists in his Taxidermy; Chap- man also mentions the desirable in his directories, and others likewise but while these include many useful articles there is a lack of complete- ness. Of course much depends on the nature of the country one expects to negotiate, and the length of time and the means of transportation, and the species of game. Also whether one may have to depend on the country for accommodations or whether one takes a camp outfit along. The best single item in the collector’s outfit apart from the gun is a burro. They are sure footed, enduring, good-natured, and can always go anywhere you would go yourself. Of course the first es- sential of the field is the gun itself. The old reliable 12 is best but if I were to have the choice of a single barrel I would choose a 22 rifle and take plenty of dust shot shells. There is a 22 shot shell now on market and these are excellent where a shorter range is desired. I have not seen enough to talk about the 22 dust shot cartridge. The 32 auxiliary is the one that I prefer. I have killed birds as large as bittern with it and in the Great Dismal Swamp where all the fon =. OO LO GN ST collecting was short range, I used a 32 long dust shot cartridge, which I loaded myself with H. C. and Ballestite powder, and an auxiliary barrel fitted in a Parker double barrel 28 gauge shot gun. The 28 gauge worked per- fectly. It was light and effective and the shells of a day’s supply felt like sO many peanuts in the pocket as compared with the heavy 12 gauge shells. Still for all round work I would choose a Parker 12 and 32 auxi- liary in one barrel at least. The Colts revolver described in a back number of the Condor is a good thing and such contribution are certainly helpful to the collector. In the nature of shot, half of the skins of today are made from badly shot up specimens. Care should be _taken not to put too many shots in a bird and mangle it. After the bird is in the hand it should be cared for gently so as not to muss the feathers. Several English collectors string up the birds. through the nostrils but this causes stretching of specimens. A paper cone is a good thing. One may carry a supply of square cut sheets in the hunting coat and make cones of them as the occasion demands. The way a bird is wrapped after the skin is made, during the drying process, is important. A thin layer of absorbent cotton should be smoothed out, just the right size and thinness and laid smoothly on a smooth surface. The bird should then be placed on it breast forward and the _ cotton brought over from each side from the corners alternately, the bird being wrapped tightly and the surplus ends torn away. It is best to insert the bill through the cotton and bring the cot- ton straight over the crown and head to the nape. Have the cotton so thin that the color of the bird is faintly _preceptible. This is the method adopt- ed by the experts. Cotton plugs for the field should be carried in supply and made the right size for throat and wound plugging. Cornmeal should be used in the field and a supply carried in a small bottle. For cleaning, ben- zoin is the thing for cleaning off grease stains. Labeling specimens is a matter of taste, aS much print as possible should be had and the names printed neatly. It requires a little more time to use a pen or pencil letter by letter in the printing but it adds much to the vaule of the cabinet specimen later. I know a collector whose filed notes looked all the world like they had been print- ed by a press and who has the art of interspersing water color drawings of birds through the notes at intervals. For types, pink or red paper or card board should be used. I would rather have one perfect specimen than three indifferent ones. In the preparation of the eggs, the late Dr. W. L. Rolph, made holes scarcely larger than a pinpoint, in eggs the size of crows eggs. Likewise Major Bendere showed me eggs pre- pared by Dr. Fisher with the same sized small hole. This stirred in my desire to measure up the splendid examples, and when I took my first set of Bald Eagle after a hard climb near Washington, D. C. I wanted to preserve it up to the highest standard and struck on a new idea. I took a hypodermic syringe and filled the point and used water to force the con- tents from the Eagle egg. By taking the utmost care I entirely emptied the contents through a single hole. I would recommend such methods for use on such eggs as the California Con- dor, but it is to be trusted that no more eggs of this bird will be taken. Mr. Stephens of San Diego states that now days a collector who would col- lect Condor’s eggs for profit would at; nas Yona) Muse™ MAR 15 199¢ “4 17 oS Birds of Brooks County, W. Virginia. Male and Female Cerulian Warbler. Male Drawn From Life Sketch Made In Field. Female From Sketch of Closely’ Related Dendroica, ree ©:O LO Gis £ 19 stand a chance of having his permit revoked. Well, the hypodermic meth- od is par excellent but requires patience. Still the beautifully small hole will repay for the care and time. J. W. Daniels, Jr. Bird Nesting Noted From Yates, County, N. Y. The interval of time between the date arrival of birds and the very date of beginning nest construction, and date when first egg was deposited, also the number of days required to complete nests, and lay full sets of eggs is an interesting phase of bird nesting study. An old date book of mine has taken new interest since I began to search its well filled pages and tabulated these data. Some birds begin nest construction in a remarkably short time after ar- rival, and I find recorded many in- stances of the first beginning of nests, first eggs laid and time required to build nests and deposit the usual com- plement of eggs. The following data or observations illustrated a few instances concerning this subject—of birds observed almost daily during the nesting time. Baltimore Oriole. The Baltimore Oriole arrives as early as April 20th, the usual time be- ing May 1-5. In 1895 they arrived on May 3 and on May 15 I found a nest containing fresh eggs. Figuring back- wards we find the first eggs were probably laid on May 11th. Just eight days after the arrival of the Oriole, and assuming that it required five days to sew and lace its intricate pouch of a nest, we are led to believe the nest was begun three days after date arrival of the birds. In 1899 they came on April 28th and on May 5 I ob- served a female tearing shreds of weed bark for the first strands of her nest, seven days after arrival. In 1901 they arrived on May 5 and on May 10 a pair commenced a nest in my yard. Indigo Bunting. I have recorded the Indigo Bunting as early as May 2nd but this however only once in 25 years, the normal date being May 10th. There were several years however the Indigo did not ap- pear until May 10-15. In 1896 they arrived here and also in Geneva (24 miles away) on May 17th and one pair at least did not waste any time, for I found on May 27th a nest with 4 fresh eggs. The first egg must have been deposited on May 23rd, just 45 days after the species arrived. Her= is an instance of nest building in 48 hours after the arrival for we may well admit that it requires four days for the Indigo bird to finish a nest. Red Eyed Vireo. This Vireo is a June nesting bird, usually the earliest nest construction begins during the last week of May. I have but one remarkable record of extremely early nesting. This oc- curred in 1905 when the Red Hyed Vireo arrived about as usual on May 4 and on May 14 I found a newly finished nest. This same year another nest was reported to me as containing one egg on May 138. Louisiana Water Thrush. This interesting species, the gay “Othellos” of the finger lakes gullies arrive here on the average close to April 15, the earliest date being April 10. However, the arrival date of the Louisiana Water Thrush for 1902 was April 19th and I found a nest on May 4th containing 6 fresh eggs. We may figure that the first egg was deposited on April 28 only three or four days 20 THE OOLOG LST after arrival. My 60 odd nesting records indicate that the usual inter- val between this bird’s arrival and first egg is about 20 days. In regard to the nesting of this bird it is not at all unusual to find one or two jpart- ly unfinished nests near the one final- ly used. Green Heron. From the time that the “Shyte-poke” arrives it does not do much “poking” around before it proceeds to get busy immediately constructing its frail plat- form nest of twigs with the lining of slender twigs arranged just so, with the ends laid in the center and radiat- ing towards the rim, after the fashion of wheel spokes. The Green Heron arrives as early as April 20th and late as May 2nd, but the average date for 26 years is: April 25th. In 1907 they arrived on May 2nd and on May 13th I found a nest with five eges having tiny embryos. I figured that this bird commenced her nest or repaired an old one within two days after the arrival. Incubation was close to four days, so it seems logical that the first egg was laid about May 4th. During these years I worked near a big cattail swamp, and the “tag alder’ haunts of Green Herons and I am satisfied that this bird could not have been here several days unseen, therefore, I believe this record is fair- ly accurate. In other years my dates show sets of four and five fresh eggs prior to May 20th with fresh to large embryos sets from May 20th to May 30th. Sora Rail. The Sora arrives as early as April 13th, but usually close to the 20th I have found finished nests as early as April 29 and nests with first eggs as early as April 30th and May 1. I do not think it requires over two days for a Sora to construct a nest. Virginia Rail. This Rail has arrived here as early as April 7th. This is, however, arare date, the usual date being close to April 16th. I have usually noted the Virgiina Rail from two to three days before the Sora and surely both birds are noisy enough to not escape notice even if not actually seen. The earliest first egg I have noted of the Virginia Rail was on May 2nd and this happened to be in a year when they arrived on April 9th. While the Virginia Rail always pre- ceeds the Sora in arriving at their nesting haunts by three or four days, their nesting dates begin in unison. We might explain this feature as an effect of the usual inclement weather during the latter part of April. Bronze Grackle. The Grackle is another bird that gets busy almost as soon as arriving here. They take immediate possession of their old nesting colonies in the sev- eral evergreen groves that adorn the woodsy hamlet of Branchport. The Grackle unlike the Red Wing is er- ratic in time of arrival. They vary anywhere from March 6 to 28, but I have more records between March 12 to 17 than any other date. The earli- est date that I have observed them to carry nest material—and I saw them daily—was on April 9th. One set of five eggs taken April 27th had large embryos. I estimate the first egg was laid on April 17th. One year I collected 10 fresh sets from May 1 to 7. The latest nesting date recorded is four fresh eggs on May 30th. ; Ovenbird. : The Ovenbird being a bird of sedate EAE QQOLOQGis4ir 21 methodical habits, we are not at all surprised to find that it arrives on tolerably regular dates year after year. My earliest record is April 28th. It would be a rare occasion not to find the Ovenbird in suitable haunts by May 1 or 2nd. In 1905 they arrived April 30th and on May 14th I noted two nests just begun and one nest ready to be lined. The earliest fresh egg laid that I have recorded was deposited on May 20th. Another record reads May 21st nest being lined. May 27th one egg, May 31 one egg. June five three eggs and one of the Cowbird’s, June 8th four eggs with one of the Cowbird’s. Here is an illustration of the Oven Bird’s methodical habits for it is evi- dent that she fussed around eight or nine days to get the nest arranged just so before depositing the first egg and then probably owing to a Sunday or Decoration day she had not laid the second egg by the 31st. However, an accommodating Cowbird had slyly deposited the usual hard shell on time. This particular Ovenbird was at least 12 days laying four eggs. The nest was begun on May 17th, which figures that 22 days this bird occupied itself in nest building and de- positing four eggs, they were perfectly fresh on June 8th. The usual time for fresh sets is the last week in May and they also nest in considerable numbers throughout the month of June. Several recorded July nests are of, course, second or third at- tempts at nesting. Ruby Throated Humming Bird. I had thought to present some data in regard to the interval of time be- tween the Ruby Throated Humming Bird’s arrival and the very first begin- ning of its nest. But I find that the years I discovered the first fragments of nest construction I had no migra- tion dates, also vice versa, also how provoking, as exasperating as the Hummer is charming. Anyway they arrive here, I might say, between May 8th and 18th. The normal time being May 10 to 12. The earliest recorded date of a Humming Bird beginning to fabricate its dainty nest was on May 29th. On June 3 it was unlined but June 7th there were two eggs thus taking 10 days to build the nest and lay two eggs. If we use the above record as a basis for another nest and two eggs with tiny embryos, that I found on June 10, then I figure that this nest was probably begun on May 27th. Records of another Hummer nest indicate that this would be fairly accurate. Several times I have found un- finished nests with one egg and up to time of laying the second egg, no decoration of lichens and spider webs would be added to the nest. Clarence F. Stone, Branchport, N. Y. The Meadow Lark. By W. W. Johnson, Pittsfield, Maine. The Meadow Lark is a comparative- ly new resident in Maine. In 1882, in his “Catalogue of Birds Found in the Vicinity of Portland, Maine,” Mr. Nathan C. Brown gives this bird as a rare summer resident. Dates of ar- rival and departure then given were April 22 and Nov. 3. This is the first record of the Meadow Lark I find for this state. I first noted its occurrence in this locality May 13, 1892, and next noted Sept. 23, 1892. The earliest date of their arrival in the spring I have is April 9, 1894, the day being a cold blustery one with the wind north- east and snowing. I have no definite date of their departure; it is the last of October or the first of November, depending on the weather. The Meadow Lark is still with us at this 22 T HE OO LOG LST Hutchin’s Goose on Home Place. date October 12, 1919. I think that there has been a slow increase in num- bers in the state since that time. In this locality the increase has been slow, indeed, since five is the largest number I have ever noted in the fall, of a family of old and young, more often only three The Meadow Lark once identified is easily discovered even at a distance; its size, mode of flying, alternate flappings of wings and sailings, and the two white outer tail feathers all serve to establish its identity. Though a pair of Meadow Larks have nested in my fields each year for several years, I have never found their nest with the eggs, I have found the nest without the eggs twice, and three times have found the eggs without the nest. Three different years I have found the eggs of the July 14, 1919. —Photo by Virginia Lane. Meadow Lark while harvesting my hay crop, and each time in the month of July. Supposedly each time I have disturbed the female in my work, and broken up the nest, since having once raked up an egg in the new made hay, once the egg was layed on the top of a hay cock, and this year July 11, 1919, finding one fresh egg on the ground at the foot of a hay cock. July 22, 1904 is the latest date of find- ing their eggs I have. Knight in his “Birds of Maine” sets of nesting date as “early in June,’ but my experience points to a much later date, and I would set the time for finding fresh eges from the middle of June to the last of July. Both Chester A. Reed in N. A. Birds’ Eggs, and Oliver Davis, in Nest and Eggs of North American Birds, FRE G@OcLoOoG!hSs'T 23 describe the ground color of the egg of the Meadow Lark as white. Those which I have collected, have a shade of greenish blue for a ground color, in the fresh egg, but fades to white in time. The nests which I have found (without the eggs) have. been some five inches across the top situated in a cavity of some depth, as one made by the hoofs of cattle in soft ground. Nest made of fine dead grass woven together. There is a record of the Maine Ornithological Society Vol. XI, page 80. Fred S. Walker, Auk Vol. XXVII reports more fully of the Meadow Larks wintering at Pine Point, Maine. He says, “I have seen these birds there almost daily throughout the past three winters. Making their home in the thick woods near by, they obtain their food from the marsh. In the winter of 1907-08 a flock of eight stayed in the vicinity, the next winter the number increased to twelve to fourteen, 1909-10 there were thirty-five to forty. In cold weather, and the marsh covered with snow these birds would venture up to the railway sta- tion and pick up grain which had fallen from the freight cars.” Mr. Walker also fed them at times with grain, cracked corn, oats and barley, which they ate with a relish. He also states that on warm days in January and February they often alighted on the telegraph wires and sang. A large portion of its food, three fourths at least, consists of insects, and in the fall it feeds mainly on grasshoppers. The U. S. Department of Agriculture estimates that twenty Meadow Larks consume 1,000 grasshoppers a day dur- ing the season. A grasshopper is said to consume an amount of grass equal to its own weight each day. In Cali- fornia the ranchers of San Joaquin and Sacramento Valleys reported a loss of one third to one half of their grain crops due to the depredations of Meadow Larks on the sprouting seed. Investigations justify the charges, but also show that as a des- troyer of cutworms and grasshoppers, the Meadow Lark is unequalled by any other California bird, and clearly does a deal to offset the direct damage. One may see from this what a great benefit the Meadow Lark is to the farmer. The Meadow Lark was for- merly hunted for game. Wilson in American Ornithology says of the Meadow Lark: “They are generally considered for size and delicacy little inferior to the quail, and valued ac- cordingly. There is scarcely a market day in Philadelphia from September to March, but they may be found in the Market.” The name “Meadow Lark’’ was first applied to this bird by Alexander Wilson, Bartram ealls it “The Great Meadow Lark” and Cates- by “The Large Lark.” Pennant called it the “Crescent Stare.” Fanny Hardy Eckstorm calling attention to the slow advance of the Meadow Lark into the eastern section of the state says, Auk 1909. “It is one of the group of AIl- leghanian birds which are _ steadily pushing their. way eastward across what was formerly a forest portion of the state. The advance of these birds is curious and should have been studied much more closely than it has been so far. The important point is the determination of how long one of our north and south flowing rivers like the Kennebec and the Penobscot holds a species in check. They seem very reluctant to cross a stream like the Penobscot, here about a quarter of a mile wide. From five to fifteen years is required before a species well es- tablished in Bangor, come over here, just across the river, to breed.” This coincides with observations I have made on my farm. The Sehbasti- cook rive, a branch of the Kennebec is one of its boundaries, and it was 24 THE OOLOGIST Edward S. Coombs of Boston, and His Mother. several years after I noted this bird to the west of the river, before it ap- peared on this side, the east. Often I have observed the bird to arise from the ground and alight on some tree or the telephone wires which cross the river at this point, and afterward take flight to some distant field, but never once have I noted it to cross the river. That the Meadowlark migrates by night is evinced by the observa- tions made at night of migrating birds, by O. G. Libby, as reported in Auk Vol. XVI, page 144. These observations were made through a six-inch tele- scope trained on the moon during ex- ceptionally clear nights. Of the birds noted and identified the Blackbirds were the most numerous and next to them came the Meadowlarks, several flocks being observed. Fur and Feathers. A few days ago in the late fall Ihad a two week’s vacation which I spent mostly in the woods, I wanted to get a few nice skins to make a couple of sets of furs so I had a few good trap- ping sets fixed up quite a ways back in the woods. I had good luck or suc- cess or both during this vacation and had several very successful days. One of the best days I had on this va- cation was a nice still sunny day. I arose early and after quite a tramp in the dark reached my starting-in place just as day was breaking. As I reached the turning in point I met a skunk in the middle of the road and came near to walking over him but luckily saw him in time. Needless to say I detoured and gave him plenty of room. I sat down awhile until it was light enough to see good and was well entertained by the hooting of a pair of Horned Owls. When it was light enough to see to shoot I began working back in on an old woods road. As the leaves and nuts were about all down I watched the ground close and soon saw a squirrel start off at full speed, I raced him up a tree Tote 2.0 fF OG hS t 95 when after twenty minutes he came out and I got him. Farther on a fine jet-black fellow started off on the ground from behind some logs but he was in range and I got him on the run. Not long after- wards I heard a racket in the dry leaves and coming my way. Standing still I saw a black squirrel coming in a great hurry. As there seemed to be nothing pursuing him I took him along with me. After going a long ways I saw off to one side a black squirrel going up a pine tree. Going over I sat down a while and soon got him. Shortly after I saw another go up a large oak, but although I sat there for some time this one failed to appear again. While watching these two last places I saw a few birds. Red-bellied Nuthatches were fairly common, also Jays, Chick- adees, a few Juncos and now and then a Hairy or a Downy Woodpecker. But it was rather late for many migrants. By this time it was quite warm so selecting a place I sat down a while. Red or pine squirrels were abundant all day and quite noisy and active. I had been sitting on an old log when I heard a racket among the fallen leaves on the ground below me and very soon on a large stub I saw a black squirrel going at full speed and close at his heels was a red squirrel. I was just raising my gun when right down past me came a large noiseless object that turned out to be a Barred Owl. Straight at the two squirrels he plunged. The black was the sharpest of the two and went down under the stub and into a hole that was handy. But the Red sprang to a tree where by a sudden upward swoop of the Owl he was quickly picked off. The Owl evidently didn’t like my presence for he kept right on going with his vic- tim. As squirrels were quite plentiful I let this black one go and going on further I sat down at another likely look place. At this place there was a big dead hemlock which the Pileated Wood- peckers were working on and I had not been there long until along came a Pileated and began business on the dead tree. A great deal of the bark had been hammered off and the ground was littered by it. I watched the Pileated working and the red squirrel chasing around until a black squirrel came along then I took Mr. Black along with me. I was now getting into rougher woods and near the first of my traps, when I glimpsed what looked to be a fine gray squirrel running off on the ground. I raced it away and concluded it had gone up a big stub among some hemlocks so I sat down for a while and got a very large and finely marked gray squirrel. It was fine fur and had considerable rusty color, also a black throat and breast so I kept it in good shape and mounted it for my col- lection. I saw several more squirrels afterwards but as this made six I was done with squirrels for that day. I looked at a couple of traps but with no results, but saw a very large flock of Crows flying over and a belated Red-shouldered Hawk circling about. Then I came t a water set and found my first catch—a skunk. He was drowned all right but was a sweet smelling object nevertheless. As _ it was a skunk I was after I left him in the water to rinse off so I could get my traps off the next trip. As I drew near a water set in a little spring run, I saw a red fox hard and fast. It was an old dog and in as handsome fur as any I ever saw in midwinter. It sure was a beauty. At a trap set in the edge of a slash- ing but in the heavy timber I had a good large porcupine. This trap was set for wildcat so I used the “porky”’ 26 THE OOLOGIST .for bait. This trap was set at a reg- ular cat crossing and later was the scene of several cat disasters, among them one record being broken for weight and dimensions. happened before this family of cats got whipped out with trap, dog and gun is quite a story. For a mile along this stream there were numerous signs of bear but they slashings. I flushed Grouse occasional- ly and got several shots, getting two Grouse to add to my string. At one. trap I got one very large and fine were no doubt snoozing in the near by raccoon. Would like to have weighed and measured him but he was too heavy to pack all the way back home with the rest of my game so I had to peel him. I got another raccoon also, a medium sized, but nicely furred one. At a trap set in a runway that looked as if it was used by mink I got an old big mink that probably wouldn’t have gone near if the trap had been baited. On the way in through bushy broken timber I saw quite a few flocks of Juncos and Jays and Chickadees and one Sharp-shinned Hawk. At the very last trap where I had seen plenty of signs of raccoon I found one drowned and waiting for me. When I got home I had some nice furs, also a good string of game for the folks to eat. I had very good success right along during this vacation but this day was by far the most pleasant day to be in the woods, besides being a very suc- cessful one. R. B. Simpson. Charles J. Pennock Found. In the June 13th Oologist, Vol XXX, page 92, we published an account of the sudden disappearance of Charles J. Pennock of Kennett Square, N. J. Mr. Pennock was at one time the Bur- gess of his town and at the time of his disappearance was Justice of the But what Peace, tax collector, representative of several insurance companies and a recognized man of financial standing. He was a director in the Academy of Natural Science of Philadelphia, and a member of the Deleware Valley Or- nithological Club. He and his wife went from their home one day over Six years ago to Philadelphia, she to shop and he to attend a meeting of the Deleware Valley Club. After the club he complained of not feeling well, and about half past ten in the evening went to the R. R. station ostensively to take the train for home. That was the last seen or heard of him for more than six years. Foul play was feared and other theories advanced. A nation wide search was instituted by his relatives and friends which was both thorough and persist- ent, being backed by ample funds, but all to no purpose. He simply had faded from the face of the earth, ap- parently so far as any one knew, leav- ing no track or trace. Imagine the pleasurable surprise with which his multitude of friends read the announcement of his discov- ery in Associated Press dispatches of Jan. 1st, as follows: “Leadership.” Our brother, Leon Dawson, director of the Museum of Comparative Oology of Santa Barbara, California, advises us in a Circular Letter that: “The publication last spring of our little ‘Journal’ brought us a host of desirable friends. The plan of co- operation is cordially approved at home and abroad, indeed the cordial- ity of the reponse has forced upon us a responsibility of leadership in this special field of oology which as we do not disregard.” We hardly know whether to con- gratulate or console Brother Dawson upon his assumption of this self im- posed responsibility. Tree OO LOG th Sct NOTICE | During 1920 the Oologist will publish ad- vertisements only for the length of time for which they are paid for, and no longer. If you want to get Birds’ Skins, Eggs, Nests, or Mounted, or to dispose of the same, or to get or sell books relating to the same, we are the very best medium in America through which to secure or dispose of the same. ADVERTISE IN The Oologist THE OOLOGIST W ANTHD—Common sets of all kinds ornithological magazines, bird sKins. Will pay reasonable prices. What have you? Will be in the Hxchange market in spring. JOHNSON A. NEFF, P. O. Box 9, Marionville, Mo. I HAVE over 100 kinds of Fresh Water mussels to sell or exchange for same or skins or eggs. DR. STRODH, Lewiston, [1]. WANTED—To correspond with any enthusiastic, but careful, students of natural history that will exchange ideas, experiences, ete. Friendly cor- respondence solicited, especially with Ornithologists; mammalogists; botan- ists; and lepidopterists. R. GREER, Sheridan, Ill. care F. R. A. FOR HXCHANGE—Birds, Skins and mounted birds; also eggs in sets and singles. Wanted, Bird skins and eggs in sets. Send lists. JHSSH T. CRAVEN, 811 Roosevelt Ave., Detroit, Mich. WILL BUY for cash or exchange Printing Press outfit, Stereopticon, Nature Specimens for sets with or without nests, Pistols, Skins, Ringtail Cats. DEAN NAT. SCIENCE HESTB., Alliance, Ohio. THEODORE - THE “Blue- Bird’’ Is now published monthly, the year ’round, with new and inter- esting departments, features and contests, and At No Additional Cost to Subscribers Official Organ of the Cleveland Bird Lovers’ Association. SEND STAMP FOR SAMPLE COPY Annual Subscription, $1.50 AGENTS WANTED EVERYWHERE “THE BLUE-BIRD,” 1010 Euclid Ave. CLEVELAND, OHIO NEW SUBSCRIBERS This is an appeal to each one of our subscribers to pick out some likely young student of birds and send him ‘‘The Oologist’’ for 1920. Surely our older subscribers have interest enough in spread- ing the influence of this Journal to do this. THE OOLOGIST. THE OOLOGIST. BIRDS--NESTS--EGGS TAXIDERMY Vou. XXXVII. No.8. ALBION, N. Y., MARCH 1.1920. | WHOLE No. 895 ‘ i, ier, ik el sl ——s = THE OOLOGIST BRIEF SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS Wanted, Exchange, For Sale, Btc., inserted in this department at 26 eents for each 25 words for one issue; each additional word 1 cent. serted for less than 25 cents. No notiee if- We will advertise the skins, nests, eggs, or mounted specimens of North Amer- ican Birds for sale for persons having a lawful authority under the law to deal in the same. These columns are for the use of those desiring to make bona fide exchanges of such specimens for scientific collecting purposes only.—EDITOR. In answering advertisements in these columns mention ‘The Oologist,”’ and thereby help us, as well as the advertiser and yourself. Send me the list of A 1 Bird Skins that you have 1 ae cse of by exchange or otherwise. R.M.B ES, Lacon, Il}. ALL PERSONS having A-1 skins in pairs of any of the North American Jays send list. I will pay the highest price for those that I need. R. M. BARNES, Lacon, I1l. EXCHANGE — Collection of North American Birds. Containing four hun- dred and twenty-three species and sub- species. Represented by thirteen hun- dred and sixty specimens. PHILIP LAURENT, 31 East Mt. Airy Ave., Phil- adelphia, Pa. WANTED—A pair of living Sand Hill Cranes A. O. U. No. 306, taken north of the center of the U. S. If the birds are only slightly wingtipped this will not matter. For them I will pay a good price. R. M. BARNBES, Lacon, III. WANTS SETS of 2-3-47-136-140-167- 196-208-289- 305- 611. Will exchange mounted alligator, 36 inches long, for sets. Send list. Will send mine. FE. M. CARRYL, Maplewood, N. J. Would like to Exchange bird Migra- tion notes with observer in western state, preferably Montana. A. S. WAR- THIN, Ferda Road, Ann Arbor, Mich. FOR SALE—Bird Lore, 100 single, 13 odd volumes, $1.25 each; Condor, vol. Zin By 2 Dy O Blinc singles; Portraits of Birds of Knights; Birds of baa. Sage; Oologist, singles; The Warblers, 5 vols. Childs. C. M. CASH, 306 Blue Hills Ave., Hart- ford, Conn. ENTIRE COLLECTIONS—Will spot cash for entire collections of North American birds eggs. Send lists. B. R. BALES, M.D., Circleville, Ohio. WANTED—First class showy singles for Exhibition collection. ‘Will ex- change sets from this locality. RAMON GRAHAM, Box 136, Route 2, Ft. Worth, Texas. SALE OF BIRD NHEGATIV HS—Many sold. Many left; some fair, some good, pay per dozen, my choice, prepaid. Extra- ordinary opportunity. For Fifty Cents you get at least 5 Negatives worth aS cents each “and then some.’ 12, PHABODY, Blue Rapids, Kansas. M. J. Hofman—Taxidermist, Mount- ing to order from specimens in the flesh or dried scientific skins. Address 989 Gates Ave., Brooklyn, N. Y. WANTED—Entire collection of Hggs of North American Birds for spot cash. R. M. BARNBES, Lacon, Ill. WANTEHD—Skins of water and shore birds, Grouse and Quail and many Ra- pot Raptores; Eggs in sets. Have many skins sets, curios, shells, miner- als, Butterflies, etc., to offer. ERNEST Ho SHORT, Rochester, No: BUTTERELIES—I wish to corres- pond with collectors with a view to purchase or exchange. Dr. T. W. Rich- ards, U. S. Navy, Naval Hospital, Anna- polis, Maryland. STAMP COLLECTORS—Send for my approval selections; I allow 70% dis- count from standard catalogue prices. Reference required. J. EH. RHNOLL, Hanover, Pa. FOR EXCHANGE or SALE—One dup- licate collection of stamps, composed of about 3000 stamps from 95 countries or states. Many good expensive stamps included. Will sell for cash or ex- change. Send for detailed list if inter- ested. JOHNSON NEFF, Marionville, Mo. A few unbound copies standard cata- log of N. Am. Eggs, just what you need to aid in the work of the new catalog. 1915 revisions, 25 cents while they last. “Reeds” North Am. Eeegs, 2.50; ‘Reeds’ Manual of Taxidermy, $1.20. Cut the lining Drills and other supplies. H. H. SHORT, Rochester, N. Y. :Box 173. Will Trade or Sell a few good sets. I want good sets with full data. Send your complete list and receive mine. D. BERNARD BULL, 411 H. St. James, San Jose, California. FOR SALE—Pair Everglade Kites, Mounted, with nests and set of three well marked eggs. Express paid east of Mississippi River. $75.00; also sev- eral excellent sets of Bald ‘Hagle, $10. Cc. P. RYMAN, Palm Beach, Fla. W ANTED—Perfect pairs of mammals, skins from Western states or Canada, also eggs in sets A.O.U. Nos. 8, 9, 10, 15, 17, 18, 19, 20, 238, 24, 25, 26, 34, 36, 39; 40a, 42b, 45, 46, 48, 52, 55, 57, 60, .1, 62, 68, 738, for which I will pay cash. Please send list. W. R. CAMPBELL, Lobo P. O., Ont. Canada. ee FOR SALE—Beautiful heads on pan- els of Deer, Bear, Wolf, Fox, etce., fur rugs, fish, birds and small animals. Guarantee satisfaction or refund money. List on request. Address, 989 Gates Ave., Brooklyn, N. Y. THE OOLOGIST. VoL. XXXVII. No. 3 ALBION, N. Y., MARCH 1, 1920. WHOLE No. 895 Owned and Published Monthly, by R. M. Barnes, Albion, N.Y., and Lacon, I LL. TAKE NOTICE. SUBSCRIPTION, 50 CENTS PER YEAR Examine the number on the wrapper of your Oologist. It denotes the time your sub- scription expires. Remember we must be notified if you wish it discontinued and all arrearages must be paid. 378 your subscription expires with this issue. 377 your subscrip- tion expired with December issue 1918. Other expirations can be computed by intermediate numbers at the rate of one number per month. Entered as second-class matter December 21. 19u3, at the post office at Albion, N. Y., under the Act of Congress of March 3, 1879. YE EDITOR , 07 HEN this issue of The Oologist is made 2 up, March 21st, Ye Editor is at home sick ae = in bed, where he has been for a week ww, with a bad attack of the flu, which has settled in his left ear, necessitating a serious surgical oper- Sp ation. At this writing he is improving. The magazine for this month is edited by the MW, undersigned, who has been connected with The Oologist for the past eighteen months. M2, Virginia Lane. tae oth seek eek oth sek och sek sel och isek lock cock 2s: SBOE BROL CBRCEBECRBEBRGKKL 28 TH Ee O07 705Gal Sah Charles J. Pennock. Through an error in making up the last Oologist the following was omited from the last column on page 26. Philadelphia, Feb. 7.—Six years ago Charles J. Pennock, an ornithologist of note and a leading citizen of Ken- nett Square, Pa., disappeared unac- countably. Now he has returned and is reunited with his wife. A love of birds, the ruling passion of his life, was respon- sible for his continued concealment, and it was responsible also for his re- appearance. — The most recent chapter of Mr. Pen- nock’s career culminated in this city, when he met his wife at the home of his brother-in-law, Dr. Richard J. Phillips. Mr. Pennock, who disap- peared mysteriously on May 15, 1913, was brought back by Dr. Phillips from St. Marks, Fla., where he was living under the name of “John Williams.” Dr. Witmer Stone, curator of the Philadelphia Academy of Natural Sci- ences, is primarily responsible for Mr. Pennock’s return. Suspicion is aroused. Dr. Stone returned late in Septem- ber from an extended stay in Arizona. He found many manuscripts awaiting his perusal which had been submitted for publication in the ornithological magazine, The Auk, of which Dr. Stone is the editor. One article had been forwarded to Dr. Stone from the natural science department of the Federal Department of Agriculture It was a description of a number of rare birds seen in Flor- ida and it was a noteworthy article. The name “John Williams,’ which was signed to the articles, was un- known to Dr. Stone. He had never heard of St. Marks, Fla. As he read the descriptions, written in the precise and scientific manner of the master ‘ornithologist, Dr. Stone was impressed. - man occurred to Dr. Then Dr. Stone thought of his inti- mate friend, Charles Pennock. The night of May 15, 1913, Mr. Pennock had attended an ornithological meet- ing at the Academy of Music. After the meeting the two friends and lov- ers of birds had been together. Mr. Pennock had not been seen or heard from again after that day. Goes to Florida Town. When the possibility of Mr. Pennock and “John Williams” being the same Stone, he dis- missed the idea as ridiculous and did not mention it to any one. Finally, however, in November, he decided to consult with Dr. Phillips. As a result Dr. Phillips left Philadel- phia for St. Marks. The last stage of his journey was in the pine tree re- gion of Florida. He found St. Marks to be a hamlet with a turpentine still and a few dwellings. It was easy to find “John Williams.” The instant he saw him Dr. Phillips knew he had discovered Mr. Pennock and the latter immediately recognized Dr. Phillips. Bystanders being pres- ent, they greeted each other casually despite their amazement. Persuades Him to Return. That night, in the three-room shack in which Mr. Pennock was living, he men “talked the thing out,’ and Dr. Phillips persuaded him to return to his wife. Mr. Pennock told how overwork and business worries in Kennet Square had caused a sudden return of an old trouble. Once before, 20 years ago, when he was recovering from an attack of inflammatory rheu- matism, he had wandered about in this state for two days. Mr. Pennock said that after he. had been attacked in 1913 he found him- self in Baltimore, the victim of a de- lusion that he must remain away from home. He had a little less than $100 in his pockets. By easy stages he roe ero LO Gus T 29 moved toward the South, living large- ly in small towns, hunting and study- ing outdoor life. He finally settled in St. Marks, where he did a little book- keeping for the turpentine establish- ment. NORTHERN NEW JERSEY NOTES. Winter 1919-1920. The winter just ending, with its at- tending heavy snows and severe cold, has been, without doubt, the most rigorous one that Northern New Jer- sey has experienced in several de- cades. The first snow of the season occurred on December 6th when about one half inch fell. On the 7th the weather was fair, but on 8th and 9th jeavy rains fell and the first severe cold weather of the winter were ex- perienced. On December 17th a fall of several inches of snow occurred and the weather was bitter cold. This severe weather continued until Decem- ber 26th when it moderated slightly. January lst was rather warm, but im-. mediately after cold weather again set in and continued throughout the month. February, likewise, was very cold throughout On the 4th it rained and followed by a heavy fall of sleet. On the 5th considerable snow fellas well as on the 6th. After this date a number of smaller snowfalls took place so that by March 1st there was about eighteen inches of snow on the ground. Bird-life during this winter has been somewhat different than in numerous years within the past dec- ade. Many of the species which usually range much further to the north of this section were present and other species which heretofore have been present in former years were conspic- uous because of their entire absence. Frequent trips were made afield by the writer during the months of De- cember, January and February, and during these three months, forty-five species were observed: These were the Herring Gull, Merganser, Mallard, Black Duck, Ruffed Grouse, Ring-neck Pheasant, Marsh Hawk, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Red-shouldered Hawk, Sparrow Hawk, Barred Owl, Screech Owl, Hairy Woodpecker, Downy Wood- pecker, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Flicker, Phoebe, Horned Lark, Blue Jay, Crow, Starling, Meadowlark, Pine Grosbeak, Purple Finch, Redpoll, Gold- finch, Pine Siskin, Snowflake, White- throated Sparrow, Tree Sparrow, Jun- co, Song Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Card- inal, Cedar Waxwing, Northern Shrike, Northern Shrike, Winter Wren, Brown Creeper, White-breastel Nuthatch, Tufted Titmouse, Chickadee, Golden- crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Robin and Bluebird. On December 7th, a trip was made afoot through Singac, Mountain View, Pequannock, Pompton Plains and Pompton. (All Passaic County), and the following were observed: Mergan- ser (one male along the Pompton River in Pequannock); Black Duck (Two along the Pompton River at Pompton Plains); Marsh Hawk (one over the fields adjacent to canal feed- er at Pompton Plains); Hairy Wood- pecker (one at Singac along the Pas- saic River); Downy (five during the day at different points); Blue Jay, Crow, Starling, and Goldfinch (all rather common at different points); Junco (a flock of about fifteen at Pompton); Song Sparrow (rather com- mon); Northern Shrike (one at Moun- tain View); Tufted Titmouse (three along the canal feeder at Pequan- nock); Chickadee (rather common); Robin (two at Pompton Plains) and Bluebird (one at Pompton). On December 14th, the _ section known as Federal Hill at Pompton Lakes was canvassed and two Ruffed Grouse and Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 30 FHE GQOOLOGIST were observed In addition to these the Hairy Woodpecker, Downy Wood- pecker, Flicker, Blue Jay, Goldfinch, White-throated Sparrow, Tree Spar- row, Junco, Song Sparrow, Brown Creeper, White-breasted Nuthatch, Chickadee and Bluebird were record- ed here. On December 21st, the locality about Hawthorne, Midland Park and Wor- tendyke was traversed and one male Ring-necked Pheasant was observed on Goffle Hill in Hawthorne; Barred Owl, one at Midland Park, Screech Owl, one at Wortendyke adjacent to the Susquehanna railroad tracks in a copse of conifers; Winter Wren (one in a brush pile near Midland Park railroad depot; and Hermit Thrush (one at Wortendyke). On December 23d, a Cardinal was observed in a copse of weeds in Haw- thorne. On December 25th, the writer took the usual Census for Bird Lore in Hawthorne, Ridgewood, and Glen Rock, and on this trip observed the Horned Lark, Purple Finch, Pine Sis- kin, Cedar Waxwing and Bluebird, which are rather unusual species for this section. On December 29th, the Sparrow Hawk was observed at Riverside Paterson and since that time has been rather common in this locality, and elsewhere along the Passaic River. January 1st, 1920, the section includ- ing Caldwell, Fairfield, Singac, Little Falls and West Paterson were can- vassed and a single Mallard was ob- served at Pine Brook on the Passaic River; a Red-shouldered Hawk was observed in Fairfield, Horned Lark (five along the roadside in Singac), Pine Grosbeak (one male seen in some conifers adjacent to the Passaic River at Little Falls. The writer spent a half hour studying this bird at close range and positively identified it by so doing); Purple Finch (four males and six females near the Lack: awanna railroad bridge in West Pat- erson); Fox Sparrow (two at Little Falls; Northern Shrike (one at Fair- field); and Winter Wren (one at West Paterson). January 18th, the section in Rich- field and Allwood and along the Mor- ris Canal to Paterson was traversed ‘and the Sharp-shinned Hawk, (one at Richfield); Screech Owl (one along the canal at Richfield); Pine Siskin (three in Allwood); and Bluebird (one in South Paterson) were observed. February Ist, the section about Pompton Lake was visited and the Ruffed Grouse, Hairy Woodpecker, Horned Lark, Meadowlark, Pine Sis- kin, Winter Wren, Golden-crowned Kinglet and Bluebird were observed in addition to the usual winter species. February 8th, a single male Redpoll was observed at Hawthorne. February 12th, the section in North Halden and Totowa was canvassed and the Snowflake and Horned Lark were observed. February 23d, the section in Char- lottesburg, Smith Mills and Butler was visited and the following were ob- served: While enroute to Char- lottesburg the following were observed from the train window: Starling (common); Blue Jay (two); Tree Sparrow (two) and Song Sparrow (one) at Hawthorne; Barred Owl (one at Wortendyke); Meadowlark (one at Wyckof); and Crow (one at Pomp- ton Lakes). From Charlottesburg to Butler the trip was continued on foot and the following species were Ob- served: Golden-crowned Kinglet was the first bird to be observed. A single Junco was next observed near the Newark Waterworks in an open shed, Tee So: LOG t-S't 31 Two Chickadees and five Horned Larks were then seen. Blue Jays were heard calling frequently near Smith Mills and here also four Bluebirds were seen flying overhead northward. In Butler three Juncoes, a Pine Siskin and two more Blue Jays were ob- served. This day was very cold and this probably accounts for the scarcity of some and absence of others from the list. March 7th, Branch Brook Park, Newark, was canvassed and the sec- ond record of the Redpoll for the win- ter was made near the conservatories in the northern section. The Tree Sparrows, White-throats, Song Spar- row, Pine Siskin and Chickadee were present. Louis S. Kohler. Hawthorne, N. J., Mar. 15, 1920. Birds Noted From the Back Lot. The back lot consists of three lots two miles west of the center of San Jose facing Meridian Road and the block is surrounded on three sides by street car lines and small boys with guns and air-guns. One shot a Robin the other day. There are three large elm trees across the road and several blue gum trees on the front of the lots. . There was a heavy fog all day on February 13, 1920 and the following birds were noted between 8:30 and 9:30 a.m. The largest number in one day. 0 ft 412 Red-shafted Flicker .......... i 429 -Black-chinned Hummingbird... 3 464 Western Flycatcher 501b Western Meadowlark......... 1 maneerowers Blackbird .......... 2 Beerecasrormia Linnet ............ 1 554 White-crowned Sparrow ...... 4 Peer tish SparrOW............. 20 Re rears WAXWIDE. .. 2... cco eee ot emeemmerican Pipit.........cccees 3 76la Western Robin (40a ‘Calitormian ASUSOE DIG ps sd ces cles 5 2 The following were noted between 8:30 and 9:30 each day from January 1, 1916 te January 1, 1920. 202 Black-crowned Night Heron... 3 273 Killdeer 2 A9A, ‘California, VRartridee —. o.6 cass 1 ero Ue WW UME Craters fala os cy cae %e et ausye 5 360a Desert Sparrow Hawk........ 3 soo American. Barm Owl. .s...<.<- 2 413 Red-shafted Flicker .......... 429 Black-chinned Hummingbird . 43 Anna's Elummine bird: 2.4.4 436 Calliope Hummingbird ....... 454 Ash-throated Flycatcher ..... 1 458a Western Black Phoebe....... if 464 Western Flycatcher........... ASL. ('Calitormia. Jay> ass vsdssasc Be. ce 1 497 Yellow-headed Blackbird...... 6 499 Bieolored - Blackbird. .. .....0<%.% 501b Western Meadowlark......... 508.-Bullock’s” Oriole... 5205 . snadck 5bt0 | Brewers Blackbird... ....4¢5.. AS Caltonnia, LAanmet.. <2 o.oo. bts: o2ta, Wexican Crossbillc.... ..oc26% 529 Calitormia. Goldfinch... ...%... ja0 Arkansas, Goldifineh..:......6. 530a Green-backed Goldfinch....... I. S. English Sparrow, abundant.. 554 White-crowned Sparrow...... 560a Western Chipping Sparrow... 6 SG0O Ey LEMOS.” JMMEO:! 0. ssc c's 0 ds 4 58ld Santa Cruz Song Sparrow.... 1 bea Shanecoln7gs Sparrow... ccc... 5. 1 oot Calitormia ‘Towhee@is.......... 596 Black-headed Grosbeak....... SEIS OR ASN RN 3-10 00: hr Glia, Western. Martin. ....... 0.2.6 i LEE Ses e005 ec 2 GLO) IWedar \VWWiaeWwIMe i.) occas are cee o220 Caltormian. SaPiKes . 6.46 secs ae 646a Lutescent Warbler............ it 680 Macgillivray’s Warbler........ Gsoa Long-tailed) Chats. < oi3.o2 sek. 3 685b Golden Pileolated Warbler.... 697. Aimericam Pipits 4000.42 484e05 703a Western Mockingbird......... 1 feo “Plain “Titmouse. isa 5 eo 1 THE OOLOGIST ‘ouUvT PIUISIIA AQ 010Ud— 6161 ‘pL Aine ‘awiopy ye pag snzoeD ~— Tmee VoOocLcoGis Ff 38 743a California Bush-Tit........ abe 744 lLead-colored Bush-Tit......... i 758 Russet-backed Thrush......... 4 waraeyvestern Robin............... Beeeevamed Phrush............6.05 AL for western Bluebird............. 8 W. A. Strong, San Jose, Cal. Bohemian Waxwings In Kansas. Prompted by the several notes in regard to the unusual wintral pres- ence of the Bohemian Waxwing, I am disposed to send a few notes on the occurrence of this erratic creature in a region wherein it has always been credited as “very rare.’ Only about four winters out of fourteen, covering my residence in Kansas, have I ever seen the Bohemian Waxwing. In the majority of these cases, the birds seen have generally numbered only about from ten to forty in a flock; with the (apparently-identical) flock of forty occurring, statedly, during a period of some two months. (At Irv- ing, five miles away, I saw, during a single winter, a flock of about twenty birds, three or four times). This pres- ent winter I have seen flocks of vari- ous sizes—ranging from ten to sixty. In most cases, I have been led to feel that the flocks observed were differ- ent flocks. They have appeared, with one exception, invariably at Bluse Rapids, the only exception be a flock of about twenty, seen at Marysville, fifteen miles away. A number of of people have inquired about these interesting birds; one man, from the country, six miles to the Northeast, reporting a flock of fully 200, feeding on his cedar-berries. My first flocks of the Bohemian Waxwings were seen in December. The last flock, to date, appeared about the twentieth of Feb- ruary. The sporadic wintral occurrence of this erratic bird, whose food appears to be greatly variant, is quite parallel- ed by its breeding variances. The scattered records covering what has been learned of southerly breedings of this wierd creature make interest- ing reading. P. B. Peabody. In Defense. Last October, the issue of The Oologist included a list of species ob- served at Lexington, Missouri, by several bird students, including my- self. Many of the species listed were collected there. I am prepared to explain just why each species listed is on the list, and therefore take some little interest in any criticism pub- lished concerning it. In the January issue, Mr. P. B. Peabody of Blue Rapids, Kansas, writes: “There are often items coming into print that require some modifica- tion or explanation,” and he cites my reference to the occurrence of the Long-tailed Chickadee as an example of that fact. “Of course, Missouri is quite out of the range of this Chick- adee,” are his words of ‘“‘explanation.” A rather broad statement, I would say. It might be well to prove its fallacy in order to show the correctness of my statement. In the first place, let me say that Lexington is only forty-five miles from the Kansas line, and is located on the Missouri River. These two facts are of primary importance in understanding the range of P. a. sep- tentrionalis. Fortunately for Missouri ornitholog- ists, Mr. Otto Widmann (1) of St. Louis and Mr. Harry Harris (2) of Kansas City have published data on the birds of the state. There are perhaps no more capable ornithologists in the state than these two men. Their lists are full of valuable data, and I shall use their references freely in my “ex: 34 THE OOLOGIST planation.” This is not a “modifica- tion,’ however. As early as 1854, we have, from Mr. P. R. Hoy, (3) a record of the knowl- edge of the occurrence of the Long- tailed Chickadee in Western Missouri. Again, in 1874, Mr. W. E. D. Scott (4) stated that a series of Chickadees taken in Johnson Co., many closely ap- proached P. a. septentrionalis. Mr. B. F. Bush, an observer at Courtney, Jackson County, said, “The Long- tailed Ch. occurs here much of the time and undoubtedly breeds.” Pearse City also reports the form, and to cap the climax, Mr. Widmann himself states that: “In Atchison Co. (Lang- don, Rockport, etc.) this was the only . form found by the writer in June, 1906.” ae The above data may be found in Mr. Widmann’s book. Mr. Harris re-, peats Mr. Bush’s record and says: “A few counties to the north, as well as twenty or thirty miles to the west, this form is the common Chickadee.’ He adds: “‘The. local records are chiefly from’ the Missouri bottoms. My personal knowledge with refer- ence to the occurrence: at Lexington is not so extensive as that of Mr. J. Clark Salyer of Lexington. When he noticed the reference in The Oologist for January, he wrote me, stating that he was positive that four out of eight or nine Chickadees in his col- lection (taken at Lexington) are ‘“‘true septentrionalis.” My defense is not given in a spirit of contentiousness. I recognize Mr. Peabody’s standing as an ornitholog- ist of experience. However, I do pre- sent these facts merely to clear up his little error in the January Oolog- ist, and I hope I will be judged ac- cordingly. 1. A Preliminary Catalogue of the Birds of Missouri. By Otto Widmann. (1907). 2. Birds of the Kansas City Region. By Harry Harris (1919). 3. Annual Report of Smithsonian Institution for 1864. 4, Nuttall Bulletin, Vol 4, page 140. E. Gordon Alexander, Fayette, Mo. Texas Migration Notes. Unusual flight of Goldfinches were observed on Marine Creek near North Ft. Worth, Texas, Feb. 20, 1920. Ies- ‘timated that two hundred or more were in the elm trees along the creek. While motoring over Lake Worth near the Spillway, I observed many ducks of different kinds. They were tame, aS no shooting has gone on since: Mr. Maxon has kept a sharp lookout for anyone breaking the duck ~ law. .I ran the motor boat up close and took some pictures, then making them fly, I got some photos while they were in flight. Not many were identified, as there were so many dif- ferent kinds, but I recognized Red Heads, Spoonbills, Pintails, Mallard, Am. Scaup, and Teal. I guess on account of not a very severe winter is the cause of the scar- city of Cedar Waxwings. I have only observed a few, and other census takers have only reported a small flight. Robins were not as plentiful as usual, but several good flights were observed. A few scattered Gulls are on the lake at present. Crows have been flights. Feb. 15th, half grown Horned Owls observed. Feb. 20, fresh Hawk’s nest complet- ed. Not but mighty few summer breed- ers have arrived here yet. Ramon Graham, Texas Notes, 1920, seen in large 35 THE @QLOGcis tT ‘OUR BIUISIIA AG 0}0Ud — 616) ‘pL Aine ‘awoH ye peg snzoeD 36 THE OOLOGI ST TWO SPECIES OF BIRDS USE ONE NEST. OTHER “EMERGENCY CASES” OR DOUBLE SETS. The Western Red-tailed Hawk Ac- commodates a Pacific Horned Owl In Assisting In Supplying a Complement of Eggs. I have, in my collection seven sets of eggs, or rather double sets of eggs, which seem of sufficient interest to publish in The Oologist. 1. Pacific Horned Owl and Western Red-tailed Hawk. Collected by J. S. Appleton, March 20, 1900, at Simi, Calif. One egg of the Owl and two of the Hawk, in a nest on a cliff where the Owls had nested for twelve years. The old Owl was on the nest when found. All three eggs fresh. 2. April 5, sixteen days later, the Owl was again sitting upon the nest which now contained one of the Hawk and two of her own eggs; incubation begun. 3. Western Grebe and American- eared Grebe. Four of the former and one of the latter in a nest constructed by the latter species. Collected by Gerard A. Abbott, at Devil’s Lake, N. D., May 28, 1900. The American- eared Grebe occupying the nest at time of discovery. 4. Black-billed Cuckoo and Yellow- billed Cuckoo. Three eggs of the for- mer and one of the latter. Collected by R. T. Anderson, Aylmer, Ont., Can- ada, June 8, 1897. Mr. Anderson observed the nest each day, and the marks on the eggs indicate that the single egg of the latter species was the last one laid. 5. San Diego Song Sparrow and Anthony’s Towhee (Melospiza oc. cooperi and Pipilo c. senicula; accord- ing to Ridgway’s “Birds of North and Middle America,’ pages 367 and 437 respectively). Four of the former and one of the latter. Collected by Harvey M. Hall, at Riverside, Calif., April 14, 1891. Both birds near the nest. 6. Bluebird and Carolina Chicka- dee; collected by a friend near Wayneburg, Pa., May 11, 1892. The Chickadee had constructed a nest in a post and laid two eggs; the Bluebird built a nest of grass and rootlets on top of this and deposited five eggs, to which number the Chicka- dee added five more, probably at in- tervals between the laying of these of the Bluebird. All eggs were fresh. Both birds were near the nest post. My friend damaged one of the eggs of the Chickadee in the top nest, and in attempting to secure the nest with the eggs crushed the two eggs in the under nest, not knowing of their pres- ence. ; 7. Brown-headed Nuthatch and Blue- bird. Collected by Thomas A. Smith- wick, Merry Hill, N. C., April 26, 1891; four eggs of the former and one of the latter. Old Nuthatch on the nest at time. J. Warren Jacobs. Waynesburg, Pa. March 1, 1920. “Spring’s Awakening.” The welcome notes of spring ring from the woods and valleys in the early part of March. The Cardinals begin to sing their early morning song as the Titmouse answered in the dis- tance. Crows cawed on their north- ern journey. As the sun begins to shine from over the hill tops the Plumbeous Chickadee was heard sing- ing the day light, early morning Spring song. It sounds to me like they were saying ““We’re here—Who are you?” Jumping around in the dead trees they examined every natural cavity and also the Woodpeckers’ holes in search of a nesting site. I ® Hee. 0): 0,4 ©: Giles T 37 was just finishing writing the above when I heard one of my corks pop in the water. I laid my note book down on the seat of the boat, and quickly pulled out a nice Croppie; re- baited and then kept my ears and eyes open for more birds. The Red- headed Woodpeckers were busy ham- mering away testing out their bills for the coming spring and breeding season. They made music while I fished. Glancing overhead a Flicker passed, going on about its business. Through the mixed blue and white clouds a Sharp-shinned Hawk darted and shrieked drowsily swinging back and fourth over the tree tops in search of a late sleeping bird. A Red- bellied Woodpecker pounded away on an old dead hollow tree near by, as if he was telling the Barn Owl that was inside, that it was daylight and he could go to sleep now if he could stand the racket he made. As the sun peeped out occasionally between the clouds the birds became more plentiful and. musical. Blue- birds which looked to be in pairs flew down and scattered in the frosty leaves and flew away to examine the woodpeckers holes in the dead timber. A Kingfisher flew noisily by alight- ing on a overhanging tree to watch out of his morning meal. Vultures circled back and _ forth ' over the rocky banks thinking that spring was near and that the rocky cliffs and bluffs make an ideal nesting site during March and April. All the birds were happy and indus- trious until the man bird showed up; as the aeroplane purred over the tree tops all birds made away in the op- posite direction, and as the birds had “vamoosed” and I had a pretty good vamoosed and I had a pretty good string of croppies, I pulled in lines and hit it for camp. Ramon Graham, Texas, 1920. A Fight. Game Warden G. E. Maxon, and I were walking along a rocky bluff near the river and were surprised to see several Black Vultures fly from the ground. We went to where they flew from and there lay a half dead Tur- key Vulture. This appeared to us that Black and Turkey Vultures do not get along very well. The Musical Buzzard. The Buzzard that I reported some time ago, that flew back and forth with a bell tied to his neck, and ring- ing every time he flopped his wings, was also seen by a bird observer fifty miles below here. I also received a letter from a bird observer in Ohio that he had belled this Buzzard. It looks like to me that this Buzzard was taking quite a trip. Ramon Grahan Texas Notes, 1920. Winter Birds Around London, Ontario The Mcllwraith Ornithological Club, of London, Ontario, of which I am a member, has been getting out a list of all the birds seen around our city, each year, for the past ten or fifteen years. We are so situated that we can only do our field work on holi- days, Saturday afternoons, and inthe early spring mornings during the mi- grations of the birds. This year we started out on New Year’s Day, and up to the 15th of February, we have a list of forty birds recorded. When one considers the severity of the weather this winter, and the depth of snow, and the number of species recorded is remarkable. Txe_ther- mometer has hovered around the zero 38 THE OOLOGIST mark for days at a time, and the snow fall has been the greatest in years, necessitating the use of snow shoes on nearly every trip. Last year with its mild winter and slight fall of snow (the least in years) the list was not nearly so great. Following is our list from Jan. 1st to Feb. 15th: Herring Gull American Merganser Black Duck American Golden Eye Ruffed Grouse Cooper’s Hawk Red Shouldered Hawk Long-eared Owl Screech Owl Kingfisher Hairy Woodpecker Downy Woodpecker Yellow-bellied Sapsucker ter record) Bluejay American Crow Red-winged Blackbird (second winter record) Rusty Blackbird (first winter record) Bronzed Grackle Evening Grosbeak (very rare) Pine Grosbeak Purple Finch American Crossbill (rare) White-winged Crossbill (rare) Redpoll American Goldfinch Pine Siskin (rare) White-throated Sparrow (first winter record) Snowflake Tree Sparrow Slate-colored Junco Cardinal Northern Shrike (rare) Brown Creeper White-breasted Nuthatch Red-bre*sted Nuthatch (rare) Chickadee (first win- Hudsonian Chickadee (a new record for here) Golden-crowned Kinglet Robin Song Sparrow J. R. McLeod, Feb. 16, 1920. London, Ontario. Albino English Sparrow. October the fourth G. EH. Maxon and myself was driving along the paved pike between Lake Worth and Ft. Worth, Texas, and we saw an English Sparrow that was white all over ex- cept his wings. This article should have followed its intro- duction on page 26. second column, of last issue of The Oologist. Banker Who Disappeared Found In Florida. Wilmington, Del., Jan. 1.—Charles J. Pennock, banker and former state or- nithologist. who disappeared from his home in Kennett Square, Pa., six years ago, has been discovered through his love for birds, which led him to write an article for an ornithological jour- nal under his own name. He was dis- covered living in the forests of Flor- ida, where his only solace in his self- enforced exile was the companionship of his beloved birds. He was laboring under the delusion that he must bury himself. While he was in Florida he made his home at St. Marks, Fla., and was known as “John Williams.” During all this time he continued his intensive study of the birds and this finally led him to write an article on the birds of that vicinity under his assumed name. This led to his discovery. Little did the editor know that his Florida correspondent “John Williams” of the past few years was in reality his old friend, Charles J. Pennock. Let us all rejoice in his coming back. to us and hope he has entirely re covered his health and that we may enjoy his contributions to these col- umns in the future as in the past. AME OOC OGIS T NOTICE | During 1920 the Oologist will publish ad- vertisements only for the length of time for which they are paid for, and no longer. If you want to get Birds’ Skins, Eggs, | Nests, or Mounted, or to dispose of the same, or to get or sell books relating to the same, we are the very best medium in America through which to secure or dispose of the same. ADVERTISE IN The Oologist THE OOLOGIST W ANTED—Common sets of all kinds ornithological magazines, bird skins. Will pay reasonable prices. What have you? Will be in the Exchange market in spring. JOHNSON A. NEFF, P. O. Box 9, Marionville, Mo. I HAVE over 100 kinds of Fresh Water mussels to sell or exchange for same or skins or eggs. DR. 3 STRODBH, Lewiston, I]. WANTED—To correspond with any enthusiastic, but careful, students of natural history that will exchange ideas, experiences, ete. Friendly cor- respondence solicited, especially with Ornithologists; mammalogists; botan- ists; and lepidopterists. THHODORE R. GREER, Sheridan, Ill. care F. R. A. WANTED—For Cash or Exchange: Oologists for Dec. 1902; June and July, 1912; April and May, 1918; Jan. and Feb. 1919. Also who can offer any of the following complete volumes: Oolo- gist, 1903 to 1912 inclusive? J. WAR- REN JACOBS, Waynesburg, Pa. WANTED—Sets or singles of Hawks, crows, bluejays, sandpipers, waxwings, grackles, blackbirds, warblers in quan- tities for cash. Also Duck Hawks. KARL A. PEMBER, Woodstock, Vt. THE *Blue- Bird’’ Is now published monthly, the year ’round, with new and inter- esting departments, features and contests, and At No Additional Cost to Subscribers . Official Organ of the Cleveland Bird Lovers’ Association. SEND STAMP FOR SAMPLE COPY Annual Subscription, $1.50 AGENTS WANTED EVERYWHERE “THE BLUE-BIRD,” 1010 Euclid Ave. CLEVELAND, OHIO NEW SUBSCRIBERS This is an appeal to each one of our subscribers to pick out some likely young student of birds and send him ‘‘The Oologist’’ for 1920. Surely our older subscribers have interest enough in spread- ing the influence of this Journal to do this. THE OOLOGIST. | THE OOLOGIST. VoL. XXXVII. No. 4. ALBION, N. Y., APRIL 1, 1920. WHOLE No. 396 apenas BS ( APR 30 120 ) Xe, ee. Neonat Mur? THE OOLOGIST BRIBF SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS Wanted, Exchange, Fer Sale, Btc., inserted in this department at for each 25 words for one issue; each additional word 1 eent. serted for less than 25 cents. o ‘notles tn: We will advertise the skins, nests, eggs, or mounted specimens of North Amer- ican Birds for sale for persons having a lawful authority under the law to deal in the same. These columns are for the use of those desiring to make bona fide exchanges of such specimens for scientific collecting purposes only.—EDITOR. In answering advertisements in these columns mention ‘The Oologist,”’ and thereby help us, as well as the advertiser and yourself. Send me the list of A 1 Bird Skins that you have to one of by exchange or otherwise. R. M. BARNKS, Lacon, I. ALL PERSONS having A-1 skins in pairs of any of the North American Jays send list. I will pay the highest price for those that I need. R. M. BARNES, Lacon, Ill. EXCHANGE — Collection of North American Birds. Containing four hun- dred and twenty-three species and sub- species. Represented by thirteen hun- dred and sixty specimens. PHILIP LAURENT, 31 Hast Mt. Airy Ave., Phil- adelphia, Pa. WANTED—A pair of living Sand Hill Cranes A. O. U. No. 306, taken north of the center of the U. S. If the birds are only slightly wingtipped this will not matter. For them I will pay a good price. R. M. BARNES, Lacon, I11. WANTS SETS of 2-3-47-136-140-167- 196-208-289-305-611. Will exchange mounted alligator, 36 inches long, for sets. Send list. Will send mine. F. M. CARRYL, Maplewood, N. J. Would like to Exchange bird Migra- tion notes with observer in western state, preferably Montana. A. S. WAR- THIN, Ferda Road, Ann Arbor, Mich. FOR SALE—Bird Lore, 100 single, 13 odd volumes, $1.25 eaeh; Condor, vol. 4, 5, 6 and singles; Portraits. of Trumhull; Birds= of Knights; Birds of Conn., Sage; Oologist, i ; The Warblers, 5 vols. Childs. Cc. M. CASH, 306 Blue Hills Ave., Hart- ford, Conn. ENTIRE COLLECTIONS—Will pay spot cash for entire collections of North American birds eggs. Send lists. B. R. BALES, M.D., Circleville, Ohio. WANTEHED—First class showy singles for Exhibition collection. Will, ex- GRAHAM, Box 136, Route 2, Ft. Worth, Texas. SALEH OF BIRD NEGATIVES—Many sold. Many left; some fair, some good, some fine. To close out, sixty-five cents per dozen, my choice, prepaid. Hxtra- you get at least 5 Negatives worth 25 cents each ‘and then some.” IPs 18%. PHABODY, Blue Rapids, Kansas. Mount- in the Address M: J. Hofman—Taxidermist, ing to order from specimens flesh or dried scientific skins. 989 Gates Ave., Brooklyn, N. Y purchase or exchange. WANTED—SkKins of water and shore birds, Grouse and Quail and many Ra- pot Raptores; Hggs in Have many skins sets, curios, shells, miner- als, Butterflies, etc., to offer. HRNEST H. SHORT, Rochester, N. Y. BUTTERELIES—I wish to corres- pond with collectors with a view to Dr. T. W. Rich- ards, U. S. Navy, Naval Hospital, Anna- polis, Maryland. W ANTE D — American : Ornithology, Coleatee Vols. VI, VII complete; Vols. XI, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, Ui. xc Sengnenon 11. Rees Birds of Hastern North America; Mecllwaith’s Birds of Ontario, 2nd _ edition. Will pay cash or ex- H. H. JOHNSON, eae 4-20t THE BAILEY MUSEUM of NATUR- AL HISTORY, Newport News, Va., de- sires to secure through exchange or mit lists and price. H. BAILEY, Newport News, Va. EXCHANGE for Common Sets, Hdi- son Phonograph and course in Taxi- dermy. Will buy Entire collections, large or small. Exchange in sets de- sired. M. B. WHEELER, East Ran- dolph, N. Y. TO EXCHANGEH—One York EH. Flat Bass and 1-B Flat Tenor slide Trom- bone. I will buy, sell or exchange eggs in sets. M. B. WHEELER, Hast Ran- dolph, N. Y EXCHANGEH—“Insect Book,’ “But- terfly Book,’ ‘Moth Book,” “Spider Book,” ‘Shell Book,’ “Am. Food And Game Fishes,’ Ridgway’s “Birds of Middle and North America,’’ Vol. 1-5, for other nature books. Send lists. DMAHODORE GREHIX, Sheridan sais Care EF, R. A. CORRESPONDENCE and Hxchange wanted with Butterfly and Moth col- lectors. Especially in the West, the Gulf States and Canada. A. H. BROW- HR, Willard, Mo. WILL THE PHRSON who has the first six volumes of the Auk, bound in Morocco, with the name of H. B. Bailey, on the blank page before the title page, and the first Vol. of the Auk, bound in Morocco with the book plate of Dr. D. E. Lantz in same, communicate with me. The whereabouts of these volumes should be easily located if the bird men will look at their copies. HAROLD H. BAILEY, Newport News, Va. 4-20t3 THE OOLOGIST. VoL. XXXVII. No. 4 ALBION, N. Y., APRIL 1, 1920. WHOLE No. 396 Owned and Published Monthly, by R. M. Barnes, Albion, N.Y., and Lacon, Ill. TAKE NOTICE. SUBSCRIPTION, 50 CENTS PER YEAR Examine the number on the wrapper of your Oologist. It denotes the time your sub- scription expires. Remember we must be notified if you wish it discontinued and all arrearages must be paid. 378 your Bap sGtipon expires with this issue. 377 your subscrip- tion expired with December. issue 1918. Other expirations can be computed by intermediate numbers at the rate of one number per month. Entered as second-class matter December 21, 1903, at the post offiee al Albion, N. Y., under the Act of Congress of March 3, 1879. LEBLLKLLBLLLLLLLGLGLRKL LK K We GBS THE NEW CATALOG We are glad to Se eine that the work on the New Price List moves on apace. The Southern committee, Perry, Baynard and Bailey, have just SM, sent in a report of their work. We hope the other as divisions will be as prompt as possible, for good- a on knows, we surely need a new price list of North American birds’ eggs.—The Editor. ane ob oe LLLLELERKLLLEBRGLBKGRBRGLBRGS SHENEnene enenenensnenenent 40 THE OOLOGIST Bird Parasitism The rather elderly person whose hame is subscribed, hereto, has be- come greatly interested in the phenomena of parasitism, with many birds. (One uses the term, “many birds,” quite soberly; for the term covers a literal truth). There are now two distinct kinds of Parasitism, what we might call domiciliary-parasitism, and ovo-parasitism. Let us glance, briefly, at these, in turn. With birds that nest in tree-hollows, it is quite natural that there should be more pairs of birds of several kinds, in a given locality, than there are available hollows. Hence there has arisen the cheerful spectacle of halcyon nestings, in close contiguity, of species most-unlike; and on the contrary the rather repulsive spectacle of bickerings without end, between aspirants for a summer home. Of the same character, involv- ing violent usurption, is the finding of eggs of sundry woodpeckers in the arid south-west, within cactus hollows in use by elf owls. Rarer, still, yet sometimes occurring, is the case of eggs of golden-eyes intruded into nest- hollows occupied by hooded mergan- sers. (In this connection, the writer cites a rare experience of his own, il- lustrating the persistence of the hom- ing instinct, with many birds. Twice have I found an egg of the previous year with the fresh eggs in the nests of hooded mergansers, blew ’em, too! ) Fairly incomprehensible, on any other hypothesis than that of sheer laziness, is the finding of intruded eggs in ex- ternal nests, of various kinds. This is habitual, with both species of our easterly-breeding Cuckoos; and, of course, with the erratic and uncaring mourning dove. Often have I found a nest of the latter containing three eggs, one of them far less incubated than the others; while just once, here in Kansas, did I find a nest on the ground with its norm of two eggs; and later turned aside to the see the same nest, only to find it, to my sur- prise, containing, four eggs two of them quite fresh. I have also found, just once, an egg of the mourning dove in a nest of bronzed grackle. Inexplicable, yet entirely heart-warm- ing, are the rare cases when robins and cuckoos have been found sitting, peacefully, side by side; on a hodge- podge of robin, cuckoo and, possibly, brown thrasher-eggs. In the field of ovo-parasitism we . find greater diversity. Rarely enough, the eggs of even three species have been found in the same nest, example, a cardinal nest, found by me, last summer, containing, beside the normal complement, an egg, each, of cowbird and cat bird. Ovo-parasitism is dis- tinctly common, with all the fuligin- ous, and with some of the anatine, ducks. The records I have compiled are greatly interesting; and very vol- uminous. The redhead appears to be the commonest victim; and the canvas- back the ordinary aggressor. Of this sort of parasitism, innumerable cases are on record. I here set down one of my own: In a by-gone year, I spent several days about the borders of a grassy, meandering rush-filled lake of North Dakota. In those days there were ducks, a plenty. One sunny June morning, for illustration, I count- ed no less than seventy-five pintail drakes, all sunning themselves on the lake margin, amid the coverts. Mal- lards, pintails, shovellers and a very few green-winged teals were nesting beside that lake; with’an occasional gadwall. Phalaropes were abundant; as also were winged teal. On my ways to and fro, between town and . lake, I noted how frequent was my — encounter with a very fussy female © canvas-back. Always, at a certain FT Hee. OG EE O:cG.! S T 41 narrow coarse grass belt, I would en- counter her, sometimes swimming about, under manifest agitation and quite as often winging, hysterically, over-head. Determined, one day, to learn the reason why, my quest led into deep masses of marsh-growth, where mud and water were full three feet deep. Almost had I become tempted to give up the wearisome quest when, finally, the glint of something whitish amid the luxuriant grasses, aroused my deepest interest. And then, upon a bog, I found a deep, down-lined nest, with a slide into the water on the south side. In the nest were eight eggs, some of them clay color, some of them green, and in the water were other eggs, all of them red-head eggs. The red-head eggs were incubated; the canvas-back, fresh. No question, then, as to which bird had been the usurper. In the magazine files the in- terested student will find sundry simi- lar settings down of curious composite “sets” of red-head, canvas-back, scaup, buffle-head, ruddy, eggs. Of course, we all know much about the freaks engendered by cow-bird in- trusions. Some of us, perhaps, have found evidence of arrant stupidity on the part of cowbirds. I once took a set of towhee eggs, in Northern Min- nesota, only to find, two days later, two eggs of the northern cowbird in that otherwise empty nest. I have al- so found, quite counter to what some of the wise men have said, a very few host-nests containing eggs of the host that were nearer to hatching than those of the parasite. Most of us are aware that some of the larger specie of smaller birds are more frequent cowbird hosts than others. Is this, one wonders, a matter of tempera- ment, of a larger, more good-natured toleration? Again, hoW many of us have noted .* that the Song Sparrow never seems to lose any of its own eggs, as a rule, even upon the intrusion of two, or even three, cowbird eggs into their nests? (The same is sometimes true of the common towhee). A conspicu- ‘ous example of the greater frequency with which the nests of some one species of host is intruded upon, than others. I have found in the case of cbservations made by a correspondent of mine, a high-bred Hollander, who, poor fellow, went the way of all tubercular flesh, after a sojourn in Oaxaca, Mexico. He found the local form of the red-eyed cowbird almost uniformly parasitic upon the _ local towhee, Pipilo rutilis. Every set of these beautiful eggs, as I now remem- ber, was accompanied by one or two eggs of the red-eye. Akin to the parasitic habit is that of co-nesting. This is a habit prevailing, apparently, with but a few species. Of course, it is not strange that it should be found, occasionally, main- taining with domesticated species, as when, for instance, I once found amicably side by side on fourteen eggs. my two young hen-turkeys sitting, Of the same purport, that of co-opera- tion, is the rare habit evinced by, for example, the hawk owl, both birds of a devoted pair sometimes incubating side by side. One wauld greatly like to urge upon younger bird students an awakened and a persistent habit of in- trospective study of these, and of kindred phenomena in the great bird- world. Just as soon as we shall have found ourselves interested in the eco- nomic and social relations between various species of birds, and _ shall have become fascinatingly absorbed in the study of bird-psychology, as most- strikingly manifested in the reproduct- ive period, we shall then, and then only, have found the great, delicious secret of super-interest. And when 42 THE OOLOGIST added to this habit of observation we shall also have joined the habit of veracious and conscientious chronic- ling, we shall have begun to show our- selves really bird students; and not merely hoggish amassers of material. Isn’t this all richly worth the while? P. B. Peabody. ee ee o~<+ JOHN H. FLANAGAN Prominent Attorney, Former Solicitor of Town of Warwick, Dead in His 52nd Year. The Evening Bulletin, Feb. 24, 1920. —John H. Flanagan, prominent attor- ney here for many years, former War- wick Town Solicitor and a law partner. ef John Doran before the latter he- came justice of the Superior Court, died last right at his home, 89 Power street. He was 51 years old and had been ill since last November. Cere- bral hemorrhage caused his death. Next to legal affairs bird life ap- pealed most to Mr. Flanagan. Hewas an expert ornithologist, was Bird Com- missioner for Providence county and chairman of the board from 1905 to 1908, when he declined reappointment, and had one of the best private col- lections of eggs in this section of the country. He had also been secretary of the Bird Commission for several years. The American Ornithological Union claimed him as one of its most in- terested members. He was in the Providence Fish and Game Associa- tion, the Franklin Lyceum, of which he was a lecturer, and the Providence Gun Club. Mr. Flanagan was also a member of the Rhode Island Bar As- sociation and its executive board, the Catholic Club and the Athenaeum. He was born July 7, 1868, in Crans- ton, and lived the greater part of the time, prior to being admitted to the bar in 1894, in Apponaug. He was a graduate of La Salle, and a member of the executive board of that institu- tion. In 1892, he was graduated from Manhattan College, and the Harvard Law School three years later. He studied law in the offices of Ed- win D. McGuinness, who was at the’ time Mayor of Providence, and a part- ner of John Doran. Upon the death of Mr. McGuinness in 1901, the firm of Doran & Flanagan was established. Mr. Flanagan continued the practice of law alone, following the election of his partner as judge. He is survived by a sister, Josephine A., and three brothers, Edward J., Thomas L., and Dr. William F,. Flana- gan. Roe COLOCOGIstT 48 Cow Bird Notes From Virginia Previous to the opening of the great European War, the cow bird was quite a scarce breeder in Virginia and my oological sets seldom were over- burdened with these parasite eggs. Long before the entry of the U. S. into the conflict, Newport News’7 was selected as a_ shipping point for horses and mules by the French and British governments and later by our government and some 550,000 horses and mules were’ shipped _ across. This industry naturally called for a large acreage in corrals and around the feeding trough for oats, which were fed as short feed to these ani- mals, congregated during the winter months, thousand of winter cowbirds. The extreme cold winter of 1917 and 1918 drove many thousand of these birds into this excellent feeding ground and they remained well into the spring, before breaking up. Most of the horses and mules that were on hand when the Armistice was signed were sold soon afterwards and with them disappeared the greater part of the Cow birds. I was much interested, however, in seeing if a greater number of eggs would be found in this section owing to the great in- flux of these birds. In this * was not disappointed for during the past sea- son, nearly all small nests found con- tained one or more eggs of this para- site bird. While my egg collection was enriched by several new species containing cowbirds’ eggs, the com- munity has been the loser for they destroyed many nice nests and sets, and the cowbirds reared, took the place of many beneficial birds. Harold H. Bailey, Newport News, Va. F ne The Maryland Yellow Throat One day last June in mid-summer, a light rain set in. After dinner it still rained by spells but it was so quiet and warm that I concluded that it would be a good stunt to go out on a certain good sized mountain stream nearby and take a good thorough wetting for the privilege of catching a mess of trout. When trout fishing a person must go slow and carefully and must often spend some time at dr pools trying to tickle the palate of th« big fellows. Because of his slow progress a trouter often sees interesting birds, nests, and animals. Among _ other things I have come upon mink, coon, rettlesnakes and porcupines and on some occasions deer and have dis- covered some mighty interesting nests such as Winter Wren, Canadian, Mourning and _ Black-throated Blue Warblers. On this particular afternoon while going through some heavy buck laurel in the hemlocks to get behind a tree on the edge of a deep pool I flushed a bird off its nest. This nest was 20 inched up in the top of a low cluster of laurels. It was a bulky nest of grass and the four eggs were spotted and wreathed. It looked more like a Mourning Warbler’s nest than any- thing I could think of, so I sat down, and in a few minutes the female re- turned. Owing to the shade and the state of the weather and the fact that she kept low down in the laurels I could not identify her and she didn’t look just right for a Mourner. Several days later on a clear sunny day I returned and was surprised to find a Yellow-throat at home. It cer- tainly pays to positively identify all finds. The Yellowthroat is one of our commonest and best distributed warb- lers in the summer and is found every- It is one of the common birds in the slash- where in bushy or weedy places. ings and on the fire swept barrens and THE OOLOGIST 44 ouevy “A Aq 0J0Uq—sWoH 3e [MOF PIIM tT HE OO L:O GES-T 45 huckleberry ridges it is one of the few birds to be found. It is entirely absent in heavy growth. It nests on the ground and in low brush. Its eggs 4 to 5 in number are marked only by a few dark dots about the larger end. This particular Yellowthroat’s nest differs entirely from the ordinary Yellowthroat’s nests in being in laurel in quite heavy hemlock timber. The nest was larger than usual and the eggs unusually large. It is the only set of Yellowthroats that I ever found that was spotted and wreathed. They arrive the first week in May and de- part late in September. Very often they are imposed upon by the Cowbird. R. B. Simpson, Warren, Pa. a ee TWO DAYS AFIELD The First in the District of Columbia and the Second in New Jersey; A Comparison. On the morning of April 16th, 1916, Mr. B. S. Taubenhaus and myself left the 33d Street Station of the Pennsyl- Sante. hk. at 12:20 a. m. for the purpose of gathering information re- garding the status of the migratory aspect of the section of the Dis- mice oe Columbia, south of the Potomac River, and on the 17th I can- vassed the territory in New Jersey in Upper Passaic County, thereby secur- ing a fairly good comparison between the two sections. The principal object of this comparison was largely to de- termine the elapse of time between the time certain species were present in the Virginia counties and their ar- rival at the point of observations in Upper New Jersey. Daily canvasses were made up to the 30th, in the sec- tion of Upper Passaic County, for the purpose of checking up on the dates of arrival and obtained some fairly re- shore, liable data on this point of compari- son and elapsed time. The trip from New York City to Baltimore, Md. was uneventful, but on reaching the latter city the dawn had occurred and from the car windows numerous Flickers, Crows, Purple Grackles and Robins were observed while enroute from Baltimore to the city of Washington. While in Washington we had tra- versed along Delaware Ave. to S. W. B. street, thence to 14th street and to the Long Bridge over the Potomac. While thus walking we observed a colony of Purple Martins (10) at a colony house adjacent to a fire house on Delaware Ave. Numerous Tufted Titmice and Song Sparrows were present in the city, as well as numer- ous Robins and Purple Grackles. A Single Hermit Thrush was observed on S. W. B. street. While crossing the bridge two Herring Gulls, seven Frank- lin Gulls and a Fish Crow were ob- served. On our arrival on the Virginia we followed the Alexandria Road to the Columbia’ Turnpike pass- ing through Jackson City, and Arling- ton Junction. Thence along the Co- lumbia Turnpike through Arlington to Barcroft. Thence along the Lees- burg Turnpike over Munson and Up- ton Hills to Falls Church. Thence to Torrison, Ballston, Clarendon, Fort Myer, Rosslyn, Arlington National Cemetery to Arlington Junction and finally to the Long Bridge, the point of beginning. This itinerary included a goodly portion of Alexandria Coun- ty and a small portion of Fairfax County, Virginia. The total number of species ob- served during the day included forty, as will be determined by the following list, which bears notes regarding their abundance and point of observa- tion: 46 THE OOLOGIST Herring Gull. Two were observed along the shore of the Potomac, near Jackson City. . Crow. Common at all points visited and throughout the day. Robin. Common at all points. Purple Grackle. Common at all points. Song Sparrow. Common at all _ points. Flicker. Common at all points. Hermit Thursh. One observed in Arlington, near roadside, and which was the only one observed in Virginia. Tufted Titmouse. Observed and heard in every point visited. Savanna Sparrow. One in a swamp near Jackson City and one near Bar- croft. Kingfisher. One at Jackson City and one at Rosslyn. Osprey. One at Jackson City and two near Arlington National Ceme- tery during late afternoon. Cardinal. A pair at Jackson City,a pair at Arlington, a pair at Barcroft and a pair at Munson Hill. In every case the males were in full song. Cowbird. One at Jackson City. Redwings. One at Jackson City and four at Rosslyn. Carolina Wren. One male in full song at Jackson City. Meadowlark. Common at point visited. Mourning Dove. A pair at Arling- ton and another pair at Ballston. every Bluebird. Common at all points. Ruby-crowned Kinglet. Two in Ar- lington. Bronzed Grackle. Ten observed during day. Junco. Common. at all points. Mockingbird. About twenty-five in- dividuals were observed between Ar- lington and Rosslyn, and in each case were in full song. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. Arlington, One at Turkey Vulture. One appeared at Arlington. Cedar Waxwing. Three at Arling- ton. Yellow Palm Warbler. Five at Ar- lington and five at Torrison. White-throated Sparrow. Ballston and two in Rosslyn. Goldfinch. Five observed during day. ; Vesper Sparrow. One at Ballston and four more at Upton Hill. Brown Thrasher. Six at Upton Hill. Five in -Towhee. One at Upton Hill and one at Rosslyn. Phoebe. Two at Torrison and five at Rosslyn. Wilson Thrush. One near Arlington National Cemetery. Swamp Sparrow. Five appeared near Torrison. ; Tree Swallow. Five at Torrison. Purple Finch. Five at Torrison and four at Ballston. White-breasted Nuthatch. Arlington National Cemetery. Broad-winged Hawk. Four the Cemetery. On our return over the Long Bridge we observed a Laughing Gull and two Pied-bill Grebes, and while enroute on the train back to New: York City, we observed on a small inlet of the Chesapeake Bay, Maryland, what ap- peared to be five more of the Pied- bills. Among the other forms of natural life which were observed this day were the Cabbage Butterfly, a few Mourning-cloaks and one Purple Skip- per. A pair of Spotted Turtles were found mating, and the Green Pond Frogs were rather abundant in the moist sections. The peach, pear and cherry were in full bloom, the spice- bush, crocus, daffodil, seal, tulip and myrtle were in full inflorescence and several friebushes in bud ready to open. Two at near THe OO LO @ ts T 47 On the morning of April 17th, the writer undertook this comparison alone and journeyed Bloomfield, N. J. to Singac (Passaic County), after which he canvassed Wayne, Pequan- nock , Pompton Plains, Pompton, around Pompton Lake, Lakes village, Bloomingdale and Butler, all in Upper Passaic County, and observed the fol- lowing species: Robin, Starling, Song Sparrow, Purple Grackle,’ Flicker, Meadowlark, White-throated Sparrow, Redwings, Tree Swallow, Bluebird, Field Sparrow, American Crow, Gold- finch, Yellow Palm Warbler, Cowbird, Chipping Sparrow, Barn Swallow, Myrtle Warbler, Chimney Swift, and Bank Swallow, all quite common. The following were also observed, but in numbers as appears after each species: Phoebe (5), Downy Wood- peeker (5), White-breasted Nuthatch (1), Purple Finch (2), Kingfisher (5), Blue Jay (10), Chickadee (5), Tufted Titmouse (1), Red-shouldered Hawk (2), Sparrow Hawk (1), Osprey (8), over Pompton Lake. Mourning Dove (2), Chewink (5), Pied-bill Grebe (1), Black Duck (1), and Catbird (1). The record of Catbird is the earliest that the writer had ever secured on this species in Northern New Jersey. By comparison of these two lists the reader will observe wherein numerous species, which are common in Northern New Jersey on this lat- ter day, were rather uncommon in the former list. For instance the Field Sparrow was common in New Jersey and not to be found in Virginia. The Tree Swallow was common atthe northerly section but in Virginia only five were observed along the Potomac. No Catbirds were observed on the 16th, but one was found on the 17th. Tufted Titmice were common in Vir- ginia and only one was observed in New Jersey. Thus I might go ahead and draw numerous other compari- sons but I am quite sure the reader will be able to draw these for himself. Louis S. Kohler, Hawthorne, N. J. The Starling and Its Depredations. During the summer of 1919, the Starling were very numerous in and about Hawthorne, N. J. In fact, more so than in any other previous year. When the common red currant began to ripen numerous of these _ birds gathered about the bushes and played favoc with them, destroying about forty per cent of the yield. Later when the cherries were at _ their height, much damage was inflicted by these exotics. But the greatest harm of all occurred at the time the garden peas were just appearing through the earth. Each morning on_ arising shortly before sunrise, it was neces- sary for my wife and I to scatter these marauders and to keep at it through- out the day to save our crop. We tried all manner of frightening de- vices, but these birds cared little for these and the result was that four Successive plantings were completely destroyed by them. The strawberries and grapes were not attacked and we were quite thankful for this, but the loss of the other crops was a rather serious handicap. It is my opinion and, I believe this to be general in this section, that the sooner we are rid of these birds the better we will be off as regards our garden truck. Every farmer that I have talked to realizes the importance of preserving our native birds but does not want any more of these exotics as pests. Louis S. Kohler, Hawthorne, N. J. ig ee a ees A Few Notes From the A. E. F. When I went to France with the Marines, I had no bird guide with me, and while over there I could not find 48 THE OOLOGIST in the stores a popular priced work in English about the birds. So, such birds as I learned to know in France, I simply recollected from my former reading. One of my first acquaintances was the robin, though to us the name of robin sounds strange when we use it to speak of the red-breast of Europe. In disposition it Seemed amiable, solitary, and whenever I saw it I al- ways thought of a line I read in an old book: “A bush contains but one robin.” . The rooks were very common in northern France last winter, but I did not see any in southern France during the summer months. Of course one which everybody interested in birds looked for was the nightingale, and I was anxious to hear its song. The natives seem to think it is the only bird worth hearing. I, myself, was not greatly impressed with it. However, I am not a competent judge in such matters, and the nightingale’s reputation will suffer none because of my opinion. For my part though, I would rather listen to some of our Thrushes, in a quiet nook of American woodland. My real favorite of the birds over there was the skylark. After a cold spring night on guard duty, and when the East is flushed with the first light of morning, it is worth while listening to this cheerful singer high in air. I shall mention another bird which should be last and least: this, the much detested house sparrow. He is careless about his appearance, and he does not keep his quarters clean—to use a rather military expression. I have seen the screech owl—or what I supposed to be such—flying at dusk and in twilight. Rapacious birds, though, seem to be rather scarce. There is a little brightly- colored hawk which may be a sparrow hawk but he seems to have more pluck and dash than our bird of this name, and he is the terror of the smaller birds as they cower in the copse, when he is about. If the French have any laws for the protection of birds, they are certainly very lax in the enforcement of them, as the people seem to shoot whatever birds they please. The birds seem to thrive more through the general in- dolence of the populace, than through ‘ any special effort to protect them. C. W. Pelton, Jonesburgh, Mo. <9 —— Cape May Warbler in New Jersey On May 19, 1916, I observed my first Cape May Warbler (Dendroica tigrina). On this morning, as had been my usual practice for twelve years prior to this date, I canvassed the entire length of Branch Brook Park, Newark, N. J. and was fortu- nate enough to encounter this species near the band-stand in the section between Bloomfield Avenue and Park Avenue in the low shrubbery which borders the walk. Only one male was present of this species and remained in this park throughout the day. On this same morning the Maryland Yellowthroat, Redstart, Black and White Warbler, Ovenbird,. Louisiana Water Thrush, Hooded Warbler, Canadian Warbler, Wilson Warbler, Bay-breasted Warbler, Blackburnian Warbler, Palm and Pine Warblers were also present, making in all a very excellent day for the Mniotiltidae. On May 18th, 1919, in a copse of woods at Hawthorne, N. J., | saw my second specimen of the Cape May Warbler. This. latter bird was also the only one which could be found on this day, although it is quite possible there were others of the same species present as the shrubbery, lower and upper halves of the trees were fairly eave 2O-O°L Oo &. t's’ Fr 49 alive with the different Mniotiltidae. I made observations daily in this copse of woodland from May lst to 30th, 1919, and only was able to find species of the Wood Warblers on the 6th, 10th, 18th and 25th, the other days they being very conspicuous be- cause of their absence. During the coming migration season of 1920 I again intend to spend some portion of each day during the period between April 15th and May 3l1st, in this same locality and will at the end of this period draw up an article show- ing the comparative dates of arrival of the Mniotiltidae which I] am quite sure the readers of the Oologist will be glad to see. Louis S. Kohler, Hawthorne, N. J. OE : Black Snake faene. 6, VOL XXXV, Mr. W. H. H. Baker, from Harvey, la. tells us of a black snake adventure. Although I cannot report how this_ serpent managed to reach its perch, permit me to narrate several facts regarding similar “‘Black Snake stunts,’’ which might be of interest to the readers. This species of snake indeed is a very able tree climber. A friend of mine has repeatedly seen an at least six foot specimen of this reptile that has his haunts on his farm which is about a mile from my home. Never, however, has he been able to corner it,—for curiosity’s sake,—for as soon as he puts in an appearance she heads for a large tree in the woods, and dis- appears in the crown with amazing rapidity. With his repeated chances were plentiful of putting an end to her sojourn, but claiming this specie’s usefulness, (I cannot verify his claim as to that), he refrained from doing so, | may add here that this part of St. Louis Co., is rather hilly, and lavishly covered with woods, creeks and rivers, a welcome haunt to the naturalist. In another instance a boy had climbed to a telephone post with no intent. At the height of twenty feet, a Woodpecker’s home had struck his eye, and he designed to relieve the pecker’s better half of her duties. As it was somebody had beat this ur- chin’s time, for no sooner had he thrust his nimble fingers in the orifice to grasp the coveted eggs, he extracted them again, with prepostercus celerity, a three foot black snake attached to his mischievous fingers. This ssrpent dropped down immediately upon its removal from the hole, and made a getaway. Descending the post was ac- complished in two shakes, and the words he uttered came from no Sun- day School vocabulary. Let us hope this incident inclined the youngster to become a bird friend instead of a bird fiend. At another time several acquaint- ances noticed a few Martins clamor- ing about their abode—a box at the top of a fifteen foot sleek pole. Up- on closer investigation it was found that a two and a half foot black snake had ascended this very pole in order io make a meal of the fledgings. The reptile’s blood thirst had been quencnh- ed, and his stomach had _. been appeased but the beast had made no allowance for the infurriated embryc farmers. After many futile attempts Nemesis reached the nest robbers. Lastly, in the church yard of this borough I found the cast off skin ot a black snake in the crotch of a maple tree, seven feet from the ground. This has been garment is three fee: seven inches long. The diameter of the tree is approximately one aad a aalf foot. H. A. Insinger, Valley Park, Mo. 50 THE OOLOGIST “Ornithological Acquaintances.” While on an overland trip to South Texas, during January I stopped over in Austin, our state capitol. There I had the pleasure of meeting several men who are doing a lot to save and protect the birds of this state. I first went to see Mr. Sterret, state game, fish and oyster commissioner. I was greeted in a very cordial man- ner. (Although from my appearance, being in collection clothes, you would have suspected that I was a’ hobo). Mr. Sterret impressed me as a man who not only was a good official, but was a nature lover also. He talked about collecting and birds in a man- ner of one that knew what he was speaking of. And'‘also directed me to where I could locate a nest of Bald Eagles in San Angelo county, with a zest of one who takes greatest inter- est in birds. He assured me that he had sent me a permit to collect and at the same time had the thoroughness to warn me against collecting quail eges. The next man that I met was Mr. J. W. Neil, director of institutes, state department of agriculture, with whom I talked for quite a while. He seemed to be well versed in bird lore and to take a great interest in the birds of our state, having wrote several im- pressive articles, pleading for their preservation. He told me of the plans on foot for the publication of all the material that the U. S. Biological survey has collect- ed on the birds of Texas. I think that it would be a most valuable ad- dition to the publication of birds in this state, as here are no real good books on the birds of Texas. The pub- lication of this bulletin would require an appropriation of about ten thous- and dollars, from the state legislature. And I suggest that all the ornitholo- gist of this state, should combine and write the representatives of the state legislature, urging them to advocate the passage of this bill. I then went out to visit Mr. George Finley Simmons who although a young man, is now a professor in the state university. Mr. Simmons is now en- gaged in the writing of a bulletin for the state on the birds of central Texas, which will be most helpful. He offered to take me out and show me some good collecting grounds, but as my time was limited, I did not go out with him. Dr. Elton Perry and Deloach Martin are two that I did not have the pleas- ure of meeting, but with whom I cer- tainly would have liked to have gotten acquainted. Jake Zeitlin, 905 Bryan Ave., Ft. Worth, Texas. Hawk and Squirrel While out on a hawking trip this spring I came to a Hawk’s nest in an elm tree near a small creek. It was up in the top branches and after a climb I found that they had not laid yet. But the birds were observed close by.._After giving it a close ex- amination I found a squirrel’s nest cozily built right under the Hawk’s nest in the same fork. So this ap- peared to me that they were living close together. Ramon Graham. —_———————_o—e___ Hawk and Wild Cat While collecting along the Mexican Border I came upon an extra large Hawk’s nest. I was looking it over de- ciding to climb it when out jumped a wild cat. This was a surprise to me so I turned to shoot and he dis- appeared in the dense prickley pear thickets. Ramon Graham. THE OOLOGIS8T NOTICE | During 1920 the Oologist will publish ad- vertisements only for the length of time for which they are paid for, and no longer. If you want to get Birds’ Skins, Eggs, Nests, or Mounted, or to dispose of the same, or to get or sell books relating to the same, we are the very best medium in America through which to secure or dispose of the same. ADVERTISE IN The Oologist T HE 0:0 L 6 Gis) t W ANTED—Common sets of all kinds ornithological magazines, bird skins. Will pay reasonable prices. What have you? Will be in the Exchange market in spring. JOHNSON A. NEFF, P. O. Box 9, Marionville, Mo. I HAVE over 100 kinds of Fresh Water mussels to sell or exchange for same or skins or eggs. DR. STRODBH, Lewiston, Il. WANTED—To correspond with any enthusiastic, but careful, students of natural history that will exchange ideas, experiences, ete. Friendly cor- respondence solicited, especially with Ornithologists; mammalogists; botan- ists; and lepidopterists. THEODORE R. GREER, Sheridan, Ill. care F. R. A. WANTED—For Cash or Exchange: Oologists for Dec. 1902; June and July, — 1912; April and May, 1918; Jan. and Feb. 1919. Also who can offer any of the following complete volumes: Oolo- gist, 1903 to 1912 inclusive? J. WAR- REN JACOBS, Waynesburg, Pa. WANTED—Sets or singles of Hawks, crows, bluejays, sandpipers, waxwings, grackles, blackbirds, warblers in quan- tities for cash. Also Duck Hawks. KARL A. PEMBER, Woodstock, Vt. TRE “Blue-Bird”’ Is now published monthly, the year ’round, with new and inter- esting departments, features and contests, and At No Additional Cost to Subscribers Official Organ of the Cleveland Bird ~ Lovers’ Association. SEND STAMP FOR SAMPLE COPY Annual Subscription, $1.50 AGENTS WANTED EVERYWHERE “THE BLUE-BIRD,” 1010 Euclid Ave. CLEVELAND, OHIO NEW SUBSCRIBERS This is an appeal to each one of our subscribers to pick out some likely young student of birds and send him ‘‘The Oologist’’ for 1920. Surely our older subscribers have interest enough in spread- ing the influence of this Journal to do this. THE OOLOGIST. Von. SAS VII. - No. 5. THE OOLOGIST BRIEF SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS Wanted, Exchange, Fer Sale, Wtc., inserted in this department at rte eents e for each 25 ‘words for one issue; eaeh additional word 1 éent. serted for less than 25 cents. © notieé ift- We will advertise the skins, nests, eggs, or mounted specimens of North Amer- ican Birds for sale for persons having a lawful authority under the law to deal in the same. These columns are for the use of those desiring to make bona fide exchanges of such specimens for scientific collecting purposes only.—EDITOR. in answering advertisements in these columns mention “The Oologist,” and thereby help us, as well as the advertiser and yourself. Send me the list of A 1 Bird Skins that you have to dispose of by exchange or otherwise. R. M. BARNES, Lacon, Il. ALL PERSONS having A-1 skins in pairs of any of the North American Jays send list. I will pay the highest price for those that I need. R. M. BARNHES, Lacon, [1]. EXCHANGE — Collection of North American Birds. Containing four hun- dred and twenty-three species and sub- species. Represented by thirteen hun- dred and sixty specimens. PHILIP LAURENT, 31 East Mt. Airy Ave., Phil- adelphia, Pa. WANTED—A pair of living Sand Hill Cranes A. O. U. No. 306, taken north of the center of the U. S. If the birds are only slightly wingtipped this will not matter. For them I will pay a good price. R. M. BARNES, Lacon, II11. WANTS SETS of 2-3-47-136-140-167- 196-208-289-305-611. Will exchange mounted alligator, 36 inches long, for sets. Send list. Will send mine. F. M. CARRYL, Maplewood, N. J. Would like to Exchange bird Migra- tion notes with observer in western state, preferably Montana. A. 8S. WAR- THIN, Ferda Road, Ann Arbor, Mich. FOR SALE—Bird Lore, 100 single, 13 odd volumes, $1.25 each; Condor, vol. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and singles; Portraits of birds, Trumhull; Birds of Maine, Knights; Birds of Conn., Sage; Oologist, singles; The Warblers, 5 vols. Childs. Cc. M. CASH, 306 Blue Hills Ave., Hart- ford, Conn. ENTIRE COLLECTIONS—Will pay spot cash for entire collections of North American birds eggs. Send lists. B. R. BALES, M.D., Circleville, Ohio. W ANTEHED—First class showy singles for Exhibition collection. Will ex- change sets from this locality. RAMON GRAHAM, Box 136, Route 2, Ft. Worth, Texas. SALE OF BIRD NEGATIVES—Many sold. Many left; some fair, some good, some fine. To close out, sixty-five cents per dozen, my choice, prepaid. Extra- ordinary opportunity. For Fifty Cents you get at least 5 Negatives worth 25 cents each ‘‘and then some.” P. B. PEABODY, Blue Rapids, Kansas. M. J. Hofman—Taxidermist, Mount- ing to order from specimens in the flesh or dried scientific skins. Address 989 Gates Ave., Brooklyn, N. Y WANTED—Skins of water and shore birds, Grouse and Quail and many Ra- pot Raptores; Hggs in Have many skins sets, curios, shells, miner- als, Butterflies, etc., to offer. ERNEST H. SHORT, Rochester, N. Y. BUTTERELIES—I wish to corres- ~ pond with collectors with a view to purchase or exchange. Dr. T. W. Rich- ards, U. S. Navy, Naval Hospital, Anna- polis, Maryland. WANTED — American _ Ornithology, so pa 2 il, 2, Bs 5, 6, 75-8, 10, Ailiaxenmeace 11. Mauna Birds of EHKastern "North America; Mellwaith’s Birds of Ontario, 2nd _ edition. Will pay cash or ex- change. H. H. JOHNSON, eee -20t THE BAILEY MUSEUM of NATUR- Ree small mammal skins, collection of bird skins and eggs. mit lists and price. H. H. BAILEY, Newport News, Va. EXCHANGE for Common Sets, son Phonograph and course in Taxi- dermy. Will buy Entire collections, large or small. Exchange in sets de- sired. M. B. WHEELER, Hast Ran- dolph, N. Y. TO EXCHANGH—One York E. Flat Bass and 1 B Flat Tenor slide Trom- bone. I will buy, sell or exchange eggs in sets. M. B. WHEELER, East Ran- dolph, N. Y. EXCHANGEHE—“‘Insect Book,’ “But- terfly Book,’ ‘Moth Book,” “Spider Book,” “Shell Book,’ “Am. Food And Game Fishes,’ Ridgway’s “Birds of Middle and North America,’ Vol. 1-5, for other nature books. Send lists. THEODORE GREBXR, Care F. R. A. CORRESPONDENCE and Exchange wanted with Butterfly and Moth col- lectors. PEspecially in the West, the Gulf States and Canada. A. #. BROW- ER, Willard, Mo. WILL THE PERSON who has the first six volumes of the Auk, bound in Morocco, with the name of H. B. Bailey, on the blank page before the title page, and the first Vol. of the Auk, bound in Morocco with the book plate of Dr. D. HK, Lantz in same, communicate with me. The whereabouts of these volumes should be easily located if the bird men will look at their copies. HAROLD H. BAILEY, Newport News, Va. 4-20t3 Sheridan, Ill. THE OOLOGIST. VoL. XXXVII. No.5 ALBION, N. Y., May 1, 1920. WHOLE No. 397 Owned and Published Monthly, by R. M. Barnes, Albion, N.Y., and Lacon, Il. TAKE NOTICE. SUBSCRIPTION, 50 CENTS PER YEAR ; Examine the number on the wrapper of your Oologist. It denotes the time your sub- scription expires. Remember we must be notified if you wish it discontinued and all arrearages must be paid. 378 your subscription expires with this issue. 377 your subscrip- tion expired with December-issue 1918. Other Capt entians can be computed by intermedia numbers at the rate of one number per month. Entered as second-class matter December 21, 1908, at the post office at Albion, N. Y., under the Act of Congress of March 3, 1879. YH EDITOR The latter part of March the editor, Mr. Barnes, got much better and started to return to his regu-* lar work. A few days at the office however, over- taxed his strength and April 4th he suffered a vio-__— lent relapse. For a time he was a seriously and" ‘aif dangerously sick man. However after a consultaay yy ge tion of four specialists it was again determined\ olal # 1920 perform a second operation on the affected ea Nation This was done and since then the patient has been — slowly getting better. At this writing, April 20th, he is still confined to his bed but with a promise of being permitted to sit up in a chair soon for a short time each day. We are doing the best we can with The Oologist in the meantime and crave the assistance of the friends of the little journal who have its good near to heart. We need copy, short notes, and will truly appreciate all the assistance received, as it is sorely needed until ‘‘Ye Editor’’ can again re- sume his usual activities.—Virginia Lane. t LLCEBRBRBRR 5H aH oe \ \ j ects use ELROGROSVELELELELEDELERSREDEGS Ser act Nace Nace ace teers ae PORCH anenenensnenenens 52 THE OOLOGIST ANNOTATED LIST OF THE BIRDS OF BROOKE COUNTY, W. VA. Brooke County is the southernmost county of West Virginia’s panhandle. Along its entire western side runs the Ohio river, from whose immediate banks the hills of the lesser Blue Ridge ranges rise. The whole county is hilly; part of it rather gently rolling, but a great deal of it broken up by deep ravines and narrow gorges. A person’s feelings after jaunting through these hills for a day quite faithfully attest to their height and ruggedness. Bald, outstanding cliffs are unusual, and at only one place, three miles east of Wellsburg, do they attain any considerable height. Near the border line of Ohio county on the south there are also very rugged hillsides and a large area covered with interesting upstanding boulders, which suggest a glacial origin, though I un- derstand they are merely the products of erosion. A great deal of the till- able land is in use, epecially in the valleys and on the more gentle hill slopes, but possibly quite an equal amount has not been cultivated, so that much of the forest is primeval, and naturally conducive to an abund- ance of bird life. Marshy land is al- most entirely absent, and naturally so with the land so thoroughly drained. However, there are small suggestions of swamps along Juerdon Run, to the northwest of Bethany, and there are small sedge rimmed ponds of an ephemeral type near West Liberty. These small places have been watched with great care in hopes that members of the Rallidae would be discovered, but the searches have been for the most part fruitless. It should be borne in mind, however, that there are swampy lands directly bordering the medium sized streams. Buffalo Creek, for instance, which runs through the county and joins the Ohio at Wells- burg, is quite swampy at certain sea- sons of the year and at favorable places. A lack of the swamp loving birds in the following list may be part- ly accounted for by this evident lack of their favorite habitat. The creeks are usually swift flowing, narrow, and of short length, originating in springs on the hillsides and tumbling down through shaded rocky glens. ‘There are numerous beautiful falls; none especially high, but many of interest- ‘ing structure. The trees of the region are almost entirely deciduous. Hemlocks seem to have found quite a footing on some of the higher hills, however, and are quite common in restricted areas. The beech is notably a common species in the more open woodland, and there are handsome growths of oak, particu- larly near Bethany. Basswood trees are not unusual and elm fringe the creeks along with sycamores and wil- lows. Small bushy elms often make a very thick tangle along a low bank. Buckeye trees with their clusters of spring blossoms are at once notice- able and attractive, and species of ash and maple abound in some areas. Old apple orchards are common on the gentle hillsides and on top of the lower hills, the summer berries are common and general in distribution, and are very inviting to many of the summer residents. The stock of winter ber- ries is not so_ plentiful. The absence of chestnut trees is note- worthy, tho walnuts and hickories are quite plentiful. The birds with a taste for nuts all depend upon the beech woods for their supply, seemingly. Some of the most beautifully animated scenes I have witnessed have been among the beech woods, where the squirrels and birds were a-nutting. The climate of the county is for the most part very pleasant. The winters are rarely very long and snows of THE OOLOGIST 58 over two feet in depth have of late been considered very rare. During most of the winters the creeks are open and merry most of the season, and occasionally the winters are searcely cold. Fickle sallies of the weather are common, however, such as a violent snow flurry on the first of May or the middle of April. | Weather conditions do not play such an important part with the bird life here as do their enemies among the animal kingdom, however. Just how much the snakes of the county affect the bird life is impossible to say, but it is certain that snakes are wondrous- ly abundant. A warm summer will bring dozens of them out to bask on the trunks and roots along the shores of the creeks; and it is not unusual to see as many as fifteen drop into the water from the branches upon some disturbance of their basking tree. Black snakes, which occur more com- monly among the wooded hillsides cer- tainly do some damage, though pos- Sibly a negligible quantity. Several times I have discovered them near or at nests and twice I have taken them away just before their intended meal. I remember especially one snake which was entwined about the low built nest of a wood thrush, in which were four young birds. The parent birds were making a furious commotion, dashing carelessly back and forth over the snake and snapping their bills ve- hemently. Their attacks evidently kept the snake from his meal until I got there, and of course, I suspended his further operations. It was gratify- ing how quickly the anxiety of the birds subsided when the snake was put out of commission, even though I had my hands on the youngsters. Of course the towns and farms are not free from the roving house cats which do considerable damage, no doubt, though I have not kept a sys- tematic record of their inroads. The accipitrine hawks are not common enough to be a serious menace, nor are the great horned owls. Judging from the nests I have kept under ob- servation the birds do not suffer great- ly from the ravages of the predatory wild animals, either, though they cer- tainly cause some trouble, since weasels, skunks and raccoons are not rare. The red squirrel, which may be such a menace to its bird neighbors, apparently does not occur. Notable, however, is the bronzed grackle as an enemy of the smaller birds during the nesting period. For successive seasons I have watched them and their nest robbing proclivities are surely as pro- nounced as those of the blue jay, which is strikingly rare in the county. Often, when I have heard the birds scolding some robber, I have expected to find a cat or screech owl, but have been surprised and a bit ashamed to find the offender a grackle. I kept a record of their mischief one spring, and no less than fourteen nests of small birds were attacked and in some cases runined, by the grackles. Twice I have seen a grackle flying across the college campus at Bethany, with a robin or wood thrush egg in his bill. The robins are quick and re- lentless in attacking any grackle within blocks, though I am inclined to think that the habit is individu- alistic with the grackles, rather than characteristic of the species. With this rather abbreviated discus- sion of the environment it may be seen that conditions are favorable to an interesting bird life even though the monotony of the country lessens the number of marsh, lake and conifer loving species. The following list contains the species recorded during a period of residence at Bethany, from July, 1914, to June, 1919. 54 THE OOLOGIST 1. Horned Grebe One specimen was shot in January, 1916, on Buffalo Creek. The hunter stated that he had shot the same species before several times, but he may easily have confused his birds with the pied billed sepcies. There are two mounted specimens at Fol- lansbee, however, in the nuptial plu- mage, which from all I can gather, were secured on the Ohio river some years ago. A rather close observer of birds was fortunate enough to watch an individual of this species Swim, dive and sport about in the water at the remarkable distance of about six feet. The bird was identi- fied by its scarlet eyes. 2. Pied Billed Grebe Seemingly of rather regular occur- rence even in the smaller creeks. One specimen in my collection was shot on Oct. 23, 1916, practically in the town of Bethany. I have noted the bird sev- eral times in the deeper pools along the creek. As is common with the family the specimens I have collected have had their stomachs full of their own feathers. 3. Loon 4 A rather remarkable capture of this species took place in one of the quieter stretches of Castleman’s Run. The bird, having settled on the water at night was swimming about calmly when an early farmer passed. The loon finding diving impossible in the shallow water tried to rise, but could not since there was not a long enough stretch of deep water. The bird was killed and brought in shortly after- ward. Loons have been captured on I understand that the whole of the Ohio river is considered the Ohio also. as part of West Virginia, so that Ohio river records are records for this state, 4. Am. Herring Gull A hard storm in the winter of 1911 brought a lone gull to a farm house near Bethany. By close comparison of saved primary feathers, I judged this bird to have been of this species. Gulls sometimes appear irregularly along the Ohio, but I have not as- certained the species. I have no posi- tive record for any species of Tern. 5. Red Breasted Merganser A wounded female was secured in .the winter of 1916. This species must ‘surely occur on the Ohio at times, but I have no such records,—partly, per- haps because so much of my available time was spent in the interior of the county. 6. Hooded Merganser As a surprise to me this species is one of the most regular and common water birds on Buffalo Creek. Small active flocks appeared every winter. One beautiful specimen was secured on April 5,—a male in perfect con- dition. In the fall of the same year a female, which was by herself was secured, and a wounded female was discovered the following spring in a small artificial pond. A flock of six individuals-remained near town for an extended visit shortly after the cap- ture of this specimen. 7. Mallard ; Ducks are anything but common along the smaller creeks and are never abundant even on the Ohio, but the Mallards appear in migrations, and may be found in occasional bunches of three or four. One pair of Mal- lards remained very late in the spring of 1916, and I feel confident that they would have nested had not the male been shot. 8. Gadwall An interesting specimen of this rather rare species was brought to me on April 4, 1916. It was shot from a Tite OO. O Git Sot 55 flock of about ten birds, at a wide place in Buffalo Creek. The bird has the general appearance of a hybrid though she has all the characteristics of the female Gadwall. It is doubtful that the birds of the flock were of the same species as the specimen captured. 9. Baldpate Occurs occasionally. The wing feathers served to identify a specimen shot on a small creek near Independ- ence in 1914. 10. Blue Winged Teal This species nested along the banks of Juerdon Run in the spring of 1912, and I was fortunate enough to seethe remains of one of the young birds which was raised in captivity. Doubt- less the species will nest if the con- ditions are _ favorable. The green winged variety has not appeared in the county as far as I know. A flock of about twenty blue wings remained near Bethany for some time in August of 1915. The size of the flock which indicated a brood of the year suggests that a pair may have nested close at hand. An immature bird, presumably of the year was secured from this flock, and but one adult male was seen in the group. 11. Pintail Feathers of specimens shot near Wellsburg make the recording of this species possible. 12. Bufflehead A pair of these were shot near Beth- any in the spring of 1917. The heads of both birds were brought to me for identification. 13. Canada Goose A huge gander was brought to me for mounting in the winter of 1915. It was said that he was a straggler from a flock that dropped down to a pond on a farm near Independence. Flocks pass over as migrants regular- ly. 14. Whistling Swan I have this record on a specimen in the collection of Bethany College. The bird there was killed twenty-five years ago, on Wallace Run, about three miles from West Liberty. It was incorrect- ly labelled ‘Trumpeter Swan.’ 15. Am. Bittern A specimen was shot at Bethany in 1912. It is preserved. I recorded one in 1914. It is evidently very rare. 16. Great Blue Heron Regular summer resident. words for one issue; eveh additional word 1 serte dd for less than 25 cents. L ANNOUNCEMBENTS jte., inserted in this depariment at 26 eenta cent. No notiee in- We will advertise the skins, nests, eggs, or mounted specimens of North Amer- ican Birds for sale for persons having a lawful authority under the law to deal in the same. These columns are for the use of those desiring to make bona fide exchanges of such specimens for scientific collecting purposes only.—EDITOR. in anewering advertisements in these columns mention ‘The Oologist,” and thereby help us, as well as the advertiser and yourself. Send me the list of A 1 Bird Skins that you have to dispose of by exchange or otherwise. R. M. BARNES, Lacon, Il}. WANTS SETS of 2-3-47-1386-140-167- 196-208-289-205-611. W ill exchange mounted alligator, 36 inches long, for - sets. Send list. Will send mine. F. M. CARRYL, Maplewood, N. J. ENTIRE COLLECTIONS—Will pay cash for entire collections of j . Send lists. B. R. BALES, M.D., Circleville, Ohio. WANTHD—First class showy singles for Exhibition collection. Will ex- WANTED—To Trade birds eggs in sets—almost any kind. Also will buy birds eggs in sets. Senr lists right away. ARTHUR BLOCHER, Box 404, Amboy, Illincis. W ANTED—Complete set of ‘“Con- dor’. I have a small collection of sea birds’ ges, excellent for duplicates, that I am offering for this set. THEHO- DORE R. GREER, Sheridan, I11. DR. CLECKLEY’S HAND EGG Blow Sent prepaid with full instructions for $1.25. Hndorsed and used by many prominent Oologists. Dr. CLECKLEY’S MUSEUM, 457 Green St., Augusta, Ga. WANTHD FOR CASH—Osprey, 1, No. 2; American Ornithology, B. S. GRIFFIN, 22 Currier Ave., Haver- hill, Mass. - jin St., Boston, Mass. CORRESPONDENCE and Exchange wanted with Butterfly and Moth col- lectors. Especially in the West, the Gulf States and Canada. A. E. BROW- ER, Willard, Mo. I have 70 copies of all Outdoors, Pop. Mechanics, Loco. Fireman Mag., etce., which will exchange for copies of Bird Lore, Nat’l Georgraphic and others. FRED J. PIERCE, Winthrop, Iowa. Suitable for all fresh eggs and - BUTTERFLIES—I wish to corres- purchase or exchange. Dr. T. W. ards, U. S. Navy, Naval Hospital, Anna- ‘ polis, Maryland. THE BAILEY MUSEUM of NATUR- AL HISTORY, Newport News, Va., de- sires to secure through exchange or purchase, small mammal skins, and a collection of bird skins and eggs. Sub- mit lists and price. H. H. BAILEY, Newport News, Va. FOR DISPOSAL—A _ collection of choice cabinet sets and sets with nests from Europe and America with full and accurate data. Send 2 cent stamp for complete lists. Satisfaction guaran- teed. DR. M. C. CLECKLEY, Augusta, Georgia. FOR DISPOSAL—A noe series of sets with nests of Swainson’s Warb- | lers. Choice Cabinet Specimens. Make offer. Satisfaction Guaranteed. En- close 2c stamp for reply. Dr. CLECK- LEY’S MUSEUM, Augusta, Ga. THCCOBS wants correspondents to exchange ornithological observations and experiences. Address Geoffrey Gill, Sea Cliff, Long Island, New York. Western Correspondents address Theo- dore Greer, Sheridan, Illinois. FOR BEST CASH ~ OF FER—Cones Key Fifth Edition, 12 Vols. like new, AE CD INGKEB): Bridgewater, Mass. W ANTE D—Correspondence with par- ties desiring to exchange good speci- mens, ornithological publications, pho- tographs, ete. B. S. BOWDISH, Demar- est, N. J. FOR DISPOSAI-+-—Four volumes of The Oologist, 1916-1919, inclusive, with October, 1918, supplement. Make offer. H. M. HOLLAND, Galesburg, II1. FOR SALE—Vol. VI, VII, VIII, Birds of North and Middle America, E. K. SCHLEICHEIT, Mathias Point, Va. ALL WHO ARE WILLING to pay . cash for mounted birds and bird skins write to me at once. Satisfaction guar- anteed. D. V. HEMBREEH, Roswell, Ga. FOR EXCHANGE—A. O. U. 77, 408, 413, 560a and 6838a. Can use any com- JOHN B. HURLEY, Yakima, WOULD LIKE TO EXCHANGE notes or correspond with any observers in the Ozark Mountains. P. ROBERTS, Conway, Mo. THE QOLOGIST. Vou. XXXVII. No.10 Ausion, N. Y., Oor. 1,1920. = WHone No. 402 Owned and Published Monthly, by R. M. Barnes, Albion, N.Y., and Lacon, Ill. TAKE NOTICE. SUBSCRIPTION, 50 CENTS PER YEAR ‘ Examine the number on the wrapper of your Oologist. It denotes the time your sub- scription expires. Remember we must be notified 1f you wish it discontinued and all arrearages must be paid. 378 your subscription expires with this issue. 377 your subscrip- tion expired with December-issue 1918. Other expirations can be computed by intermediate Rumbers at the rate of one number per month. Entered as second-elass matter December 21, 1903, at the post office al Albion, N. Y., under the Act of Congress of March 3, 1879. FrRE! The Bashaw Star of Bashaw, Alberta, Canada, under date of September 2d, contains this unfortunate news item: Fire, supposed to have been caused from a defective stove pipe, completely destroyed the home of George L. Cook, who lives about six miles east of town. The fire started about seven o’clock in the morning while the fam- ily were out doing the chores and milking and by the time they arrived on the scene the entire building was a mass of flames, the building and contents being a total loss. Among the contents was a collection of birds’ eggs valued at between $800 and $900 and representing practi- cally every known species of bird known to Alberta. This collection had been gathered over a period of fifteen years and was considered one of the finest in the province. We extend to our brother our sympathy at his loss. Any one of us would hate to lose the accumulation of years. Why not each of us send Mr. Cook one set to assist in replacing as near as may be his loss. It would be a neat way to show there is a bond of sympathy between real Oologists. R. M. Barnes. 112 THE OOLOGIST Increase of Herring Gulls and Com- mon Terns in Northern Lake Huron Four years ago, in 1916, somewhere | in the vicinity of seventy-five or one hundred pairs of Herring Gulls were found breeding on a small isolated island off the south shore of the upper peninsula of Michigan. A return on June 17th of the present year (1920) gave evidence of the fact that this number had increased to approximate- ly one hundred and fifty pairs or there- ‘abouts. Only a limited time was available for a reconnaisance of the Situation but even that brief survey was sufficient to reveal the occupancy of over one hundred nests. The con- tents of these being distributed as fol- lows: (OJ a = t= 4 see a Twenty nests TWO C228 .i00.0. 665. Forty-two nests Three eggs....Thirty-seven nests Two and young and one egg.... ee leas Mancino ce ane Three nests In addition to the occupied nests there were between twenty and thirty nests of this year’s building. The ma- jority of the nests were found on or close to the point at the extreme south end of the island, but the remaining suitable stretches were by no means neglected. All of the nests were on the ground and within forty or fifty feet of the water’s edge. No young birds feathered or out of the nest were to be found. The only young seen were those which had but recently hatched and were still covered with their natal down. The tiny island on which one pair of Common Terns bred in 1916 afford- ed nesting places for twenty-five pairs this year, and a practically adjoining reef held four additional pairs, mak- ing a total of twenty-nine pairs of breeding birds. The island on which the main colony was established was hardly larger than thirty by forty feet while no point on it was at a greater elevation than four feet above the water line. However, it was given fair protection by the proximity of the heavily wooded shores which bounded the bay in which it was situated. The twenty-nine nests were distributed as follows: One CES sc). i) etek One nest PIWO" CEES Sra Mei teateee Nine nests Three eggs........ Highteen nests FOUr ,CS2Si.ewaweieee ee One nest The set of four was composed of © three eggs of normal size and one runt. In addition to the above men- tioned nests one egg was discovered in a crevice between two rocks which Showed absolutely no evidence of ownership and it was, therefore, not credited in the list of twenty-nine oc- cupied nests. } It was very gratifying to note this large increase in the case of both gulls and terns, especially in lieu of the fact that the neighboring shores are be- coming more popular yearly as sum- mer resorts and with a greatly aug- mented tourist body disturbances of birds on their breeding grounds would naturally be expected to increase and thus tend to continually lessen the number of birds resorting to this lo- cality to breed. That such is not tho case reflects as a compliment an both summer and permanent residents. Albert D. McGrew. September 30, 1920. A New Use For Camouflage By Geoffrey Gill You all know that not one single thing won the great world war, but a great number of things. One of these was camouflage. Did you ever stop to © think what a great life-saver this art of ‘Making things appear as what they ain’t,’ is, and of the great number of lives and untold suffering this art has saved. Many of our sons, brothers, husbands, our boys, that have return- THE OOLOGIST 113 ed to our firesides again, might not be with us today without its aid. Think of those giant transports that carried our army over there, ever plunging through the angry seas. Without camouflage their dangers would would have been increased a hundred-fold. Camouflage is not a new idea. In fact it is a very old one and bird stu- dents, ornithologists if you wish, have known it for so long that they regard it as old as the often mentioned hills. We call it protective coloration with the birds though, but still it is the same thing. Birds and beasts have always used it and all through nature it appears. It is more noticeable in some than in others. Take the whip- poorwill for example. Here it is al- most perfect, as you know how hard it is to distinguish this bird from a back- ground of dead leaves in which it usually hides its nest. Its feathers seem to be colored exactly right to en- able it to blend into its surroundings. There are many other examples and of course, quite a number of ex- ceptions. I think one of the best ex- ceptions is the crow for his uniform of black, while not a striking color, easily distinguishes him when flying or in winter against the snow. Now that peace has come, or is in the act of coming, camouflage will drop somewhat into the discard, but there are a great number of peace time uses for it. All bird lovers ought to be especially interested in the camcuflaging of bird houses and feed- ing devices. This goes, the idea of painting the houses and feeding sta- tions a dull color such as grey or brown, one better. It gives a person a chance to show what a really good painter he is. Branches and leaves can be made to appear on the devices and they can-be hidden in a great many more ways than they have beeu hidden before. Perhaps it is one of the houses which are being made with the bark intact. Then a little more bark can be added to make it appear as though it was naturally growing from the tree. Theré are a great many ways of using camouflage in connection with bird houses. More than I can write about in such a brief space, but each different proposition would need its own solving and I think that half of the fun of doing a thing is figuring it out oneself. As for the cost of ma- terial it wouldn’t cost anything as un- doubtedly there are some little dabs of paint left over from this job and a little from that job, and I am sure that. if you will look in the cellar or wherever you keep such paints, you will find enough assortment of dabs to rival a paint shop. Now get busy on the houses you are taking down for the winter and when you clean them out try your hand at ‘making them appear as what they ain’t.’ Camouflage carry on. Phalarope and Montana Red-wing My North Dakota article in the Aug- ust issue of this good little magazine having proven of interest, I am prompted to add somewhat to what. has gone before. I have long been especially interested in the Phalarope. The curious sex-inversion, with its de- cidedly amusing phenomena, always impresses one to a high degree. I have found the sitting males highly nervous and excitable; fiushing from their eggs as far as thirty feet from the invader. Indeed, no less than twice the past season I have been compelled to put up a flag, at the first flushing; and then return, sometimes as much as twice to flush the bird again. And I know of no bird-parent that makes so great a fuss; even when the sets of eggs are incomplete. One’s natural expectation of find- 114 ee, THE OOL.OGIS-T View Looking South Across Lake. Editors Home Place. —Photo by Lizzie Lynch.. 1ada Gander Defending Nest on Editor’s Home Place. —Photo by Lizzie Lynch, THE OOLOGIST 115 ing phalarope nests amid the longer grasses is certain to meet with dis- appointment. Tiny bogs, with scanty growth, are much favored; and, still more, the areas whereon naught is growing but a tiny, five-inch rush. Herein, the nests are placed. They are usually real nests, full half inch in thickness. They are of grassy and other fine materials, and the entire fabric is fairly well sunken into the soft meadow soil. Seldom is the site where water stands. The Montana Red-wing is quite as interesting as his more plebean con- gener of the southern and _ mid- northern marshes. His voice is of a rather different quality, and especially in the alarm notes uttered when one nears the nest. In no wise are these Red-wings so abundant as the common Red-wing is with us. During ten days of search for nests of the Yellow Rail I found, probably about fifteen nests of Montana Red-wings only. These, in location and make-up, were decidedly uniform. They were, as I found them, almost invariably ob- conical; were always fairly sessile, amid rather short, fine meadow grass; and were made, of course, of marsh- materials, laid in wet. Few nests wer raised above the ground level. I found a few that were hardly swathed to any appreciable degree to the sur- rounding grasses. The small series of eggs taken involved some exceedingly beautiful variances. One set contained eggs that were fairly specked with a few hair lines and most delicate stipp- lings while one set of very small and narrow eggs are hardly marked anywhere, save at the apex. (One egg of this exquisite set has just a tiny, sprawly blotch of black at the very crown. One egg of a set of five bears much of the faint, diffused tint of purplish grey so characteristic of the eggs of the Great-tailed Grackle, while the magnificent markings are of the most delicate fairly wine-colored sepia-umber. A single (aborted) egg found lying on the sand at a lake mar- gin fringed by rushes was totally un- like any red-wing egg I have ever seen. It was of a pale blue and was obscurely marked with clouded umber spots, all coalescing at the apex. The egg, moreover, was equal ended. One ventures here a suggestion in regard to series collecting. In cases where but a single egg of a set shows any wide variation it does seem a pity to break up the laying. Why not then take just the one unusual egg and de- pend on later findings for the gradual assembling of a fairly representative series? P. B. Peabody, Blue Rapids, Kansas. Migration Notes The fall of 1919, in the Ozark moun- tains, about the section of Marionville, Mo., began early and was very irregu- larly drawn out over a much longer space than usual. The first thing to be noted is that on account of the drouth, the summer residents had be- come transient. There was no surety of their whereabouts. During the last few days of August we had a change of weather which was sufficient to turn the attention of wild life towards fall. During the last few days of August and the first few days of September the birds began to assemble and re- appear in greater numbers than I had seen for months. Then during the whole of September there was a steady flight, slow to be sure, but they were moving. This flight consisted of Robins, Grackles, Blackbirds, Jays, small Sparrows, Bluebirds, Cowbirds, Flickers, Woodpeckers, Kingbirds, Blue Gray Gnatcatchers and other 116 autumn transients and passed on southward. On the last few days of September the Blackbirds were in full flocks here and the hardy Phoebe were leav- ing their haunts and appearing in places they were seldom seen in. Just at this time we had some heavy rains. ily was restless, the Purple Martin de- parted Sept. 10. I want to make a comment on that Martin. I was ina field at work on September 10th, when one lone Martin passed me, flying swiftly northwest. He was the last to be seen. Soon after October 1st the Downy, Hiairy, Red-bellied Woodpeckers came ‘n abundance with the occasional Sap- cucker and all the summer residents were the Swifts, Hummingbirds and an occasional flock of Myrtle Warb- lers. From October ist to 5th the weather was warm and stagglers of many species were seen high in the air, and all with one idea in view, “Southward Bound.” On October 5th all of a sudden the weather changed, became stormy and threatening and a few stragglers re- doubled their energy. I saw several Catbirds and Thrashers passing over but none desired to visit. This cool, threatening state of affairs lasted un- til about the 20th when it changed to storm. This sent all the Cowbirds, Waxwings and Swifts out in a hurry and on the 20th were seen the first wild fowls. Two flocks of rather sma!l Geese were seen. Robins and Meadow Larks became became after a long vacation on the part of the later. From October 21st to November 1st the weather grew rapidly worse. The mammoth crow roost was again in- habited. Wild fowl of all sort were seen and especially a family of Bit- terns whom I heard fighting a high wind late one night. I could not tell whether they were in trees or in the appeared THE OOLOGIST air. But if in the air, I knew they were not very sure of their perch for the trees were bent almost double. On_ Sunday morning, October 26th, I saw a flock of ten Water Fowls which I took to be Caspian Terns. I had no chance to kill one, so must only take my best guess with the field glass. During this eight day period there was an exceptional rainfall, greater than for many years and it was a paradise to Ducks and Geese. Whole fields were flooded, wheat stacks floated and the creeks were wild. Had no chance to shoot so my identification of the wild fowl will be rather a guess, but I know that there were three kinds of Geese, Mallards, Pintails, Wood Ducks and likely others, although I know of no others being bagged in this locality On October 27th I took a trip to a notable little place, a deserted mill, presumably duck hunting; but it grew cold and the ducks were high so I took a partial list during my trip and it showed that the migration was almost over. I identified the following: Great Blue Heron, American Bittern, Canada Goose, Lesser Goose, Mallard, Teal, Dipdivers, Snipe, Pileated Woodpeck- ers, Swamp Sparrows, Winter Wren and hundreds of Myrtle Warblers. I saw two flocks of sea fowl, both gulls but of different species. I presume one was the Herring an one of the Ring billed Guli. A flock of six white Peli- can were seen about ten miles south and was found by investigation to be wandering about over the countryside apparently lost. One unusually large flock of Turkey Vultures came along on the 27th and remained over a day or two, then went on. I saw a fine Marsh Hawk October 28th and on the 29th I killed a young male Baldpate. It was a new one to me as here one must kill most wild fowl before identification. Never too many that I can not find a new one, THE COLOGIS8T 117 i. : : indian Bar-headed American Lesser Snow and European Pink-footed Geese on Editor’s Home Place.—Photo by Lizzie Lynch African Nile Geese on Editors Home Place.—Photo by Lizzie Lynch, 118 Wild fowl strayed through for several days until finally the weather cleared up about November 10th. For the central ten days of Novem- ber the weather was fine and summer birds came out from hiding but about November 22nd storms came again. Scattering ducks started south again and on November 29th I saw my first flock of Juncos, which always mean winter to me. And on December 2nd, after a snow storm, the weather is cold but clear with the Meadowlarks making the fields ring. Johnson Neff. Marionville, Mo. The Poor Fox Sparrow We are receipt of “A Revision of the Avian Genus Passerella, with special reference to the Distribution and Migration of Races in Californ:a. University of California Publications in Zoology, Vol. 21, pp. 75-224, by H. De waka This. 1s an extensive paper which shows very great re- search and expenditure of time, but we cannot. endorse all the conclusions that seem to be arrived at. We are sorry for the poor Fox Sparrow which is here split into sixteen more or less “Millimeter Races.” In fact we fear it may ultimately meet the unhappy fate in this respect that has already overtaken the Song Sparrow and Horned Lark, Red Winged Blackbird, etc. To show the depth of the mire in which our big Bird Doctors are floundering in their efforts to give every country in the United States a separate sub-species; this author says pp. 81 “In these birds variation is so extensive and of such a nature that not only might different people arrive at different conclusions after study of the same material, but the same per- son might handle certain skins at dif- THE OOLOGIST ferent times and label them different- ly each time.” In the name of common sense is there any difference then in the birds, when different scientists could not de- tect it, nor can the difference be very great when the same _ investigator would refer the skin to « different sub- species every time he examined it. Is it not about time to call a halt on this sort of foolishness and get to ‘“Nor- maley.” Rare We have recently added to our col- lection a set of Trumpeter Swan and four sets of Whooping Crane. Heggs of these birds that are really authentic are certainly hard to get at this time. Editor. Concerning the Ornithology of the Long Expedition of 1820 Geo. E. Osterhout During the summer of 1820—a hun- dred years ago—Major Stephen H, Long conducted the notable expedition which bears his fame, to the Rocky Mountains. During thé summer of 1819 the expedition came by stéani- boat from the vicinity of Pittsburg to the mouth of the Platte river, near Council Bluffs, and wititered there. Major Long was not at the éncamp- ment during the winter, but joiniéd the party on the 28th day of May, and on June 6th, 1920, began the then long journey up the Platte. Dr. Edwin P. James, then a young man of 23 years, was botanist, also geologist and sur- geon; he also became the historian of the expedition and it is from his “Account” that these notes of the Or- nithology of the expedition are taken. The “Account” was published in 1828. Thomas Say was the Zoologist, and to him fell the duty to “examine and describe any objects in zoology and its several branches, that may conie THE OOLOGIST under our observation. A classification of all land and water animals, in- sects, etc., and a particular descrip- tion of the animal remains found ina concrete state will be required of him.” It was also expected of him to make a study of the customs and tra- ditions of the Indian tribes, as wellas a study of their comparative anatomy, and diseases and remedies. Mr. Say was one of the founders of the Phila- delphia Academy of Science, was born in Philadelphia on the 27th day of. July, 1787, was a relative of ‘the Bar- trams, who had the Botanic Garden at Kingsessing on the Schuylkill, near Philadelphia. and accomplished nauralist is evident from his work, and he has been called the father of modern American Zoolo- gy. He was the author of a work on en- tomology and Dr. Elliott Coues in his “Historical Preface” to the “Key to North American Birds,’ says that he was an entomologist rather than an Ornithologist. As Zoologist of the Long expedition he became the des- criber of a number of mammals, rep- tiles and invertabrates, as well as of a number of birds. The camp at which the expedition wintered was named “Engineer Can- tonment.” It was five miles below Council Bluffs, on the west bank of the Missouri. The expedition an- chored there on the 19th day of Sep- tember and remained till the 6th day of June 1920. The scientific workers thus had time to observe and collect the animal life of the region and to note both the fall and spring migra- tion of birds. A catalog of the ani- mals was made which includes quite a long list of birds, a number of which were the common but now are rare. “The great emigration of geese, swans, ducks and cranes commenced on the 22nd of February and termjnated the latter end of March, 1820,” The That he was an able. 119 species described as new, which were collected here, are: ‘“Fringilla gram- maca, Lark Sparrow; ‘Sylvia celatus,” Orange-crowned Warbler; “Sylvia _ bi- fasciata,” which is the “Sylvia cerulea”’ of Wilson, described in 1810; “Limosa scolopacea” Long-billed Dowitcher; “Felidna pectoralis,” which is the “Tringa maculata’ of Vieillot, des- cribed in 1819. ; The “Account” does not again men- tion the collection of a new species of birds till the expedition is in camp at the place where the South Platte issues from the mountains, July 6th to 9th. “We observe here the obscure wren, a bird more closely related to the great Carolina Wren of Wilson than any other we have seen.” This is the Rock Wren, and to it Say gave the name “Treglodytes obsoleta.’’ On July 9th the expedition moved from its camp on the South Platte, going southward and camped at night on “Defile Creek,’ which appears to be the small stream now known as Plum Creek. July 10th was Sunday and the expedition remained in camp for the day. At this camp was taken the Land-tiled Pigeon which Say named “Columba fasciata,’ and also the Dusky Grouse, ‘““Tetrao obscurus.” At the camp on “Boiling-spring creek,” not far from the site of Colorado Springs, were taken “Fringilla_ psal- tria,’ the Arkansas Gold Finch; and “Fringilla frontalis” the House Finch. “In the timber along the creek the sparrow-hawk, mockingbird, robin, red-head woodpecker, Lewis’ wood- pecker, dove, winter wren, towhee, bunting, yellow-breasted chat, and sev- eral other birds were seen.’ It was from this camp that Dr. James with two companions made the ascent of what is now Pike’s Pike, the first to ascend the lofty mountain. The next camping place was onthe banks on the Arkansas river, where 120 the city of Pueblo now stands, and the expedition reached this place July 16th. From this camp Captain Bell with Dr. James and two other men as- cended the Arkansas river to tne mountains and noted the _ springs where Canon City now stands. Here they took two small birds: “Hirundo lunifrons,” the Cliff Swallow and “Em- berezia amoena,” the Lazuli Bunting. Concerning the Cliff Swallow Dr. Coues wrote in “Birds of the Colorado Walley’: “Discovery of this notable Swallow, commonly attributed to Say, was made long before Long’s ex- pedition to the Rocky Mountains, though the species was first named in the book which treats of that inter- esting journey.” While descending the Arkansas river, on July 20th, the Arkansas Kingbird was taken; which we still know as “Tyranus verticalis pay.” Some of the descriptions of the birds are included in the next of the “Account,” and some of them are in the shape of notes appended at the end of a volume. Most of the birds which Mr. Say saw and studied in the sum- mer of 1820 are still here, but a hun- dred years has made notable changes in the appearance of the land, and al- so in bird life. No longer is there “the great emigration of geese, swans, ducks and cranes” in the early spring at Council Bluffs. Where were then silent and uninhabited places are now cultivated farms and busy towns. And when we look at the modern ornith- ological books we find changes in them. Some of the names which Mr. Say gave to his new species of birds are just as he wrote them, but for a. number the genus changed. The progress of Ornithology more general and new names. | Windsor, Colo. name has been — THE OOLOGIST A Mocking Bird’s Nest Many bird lovers in various parts of the country were trying to attract birds by putting up nesting boxes and by maintaining bird baths and feeding stations, and it may be of interest to note briefly the success of Mr. Joseph S. Snyder of Eustis Ave., Wakefield, Mass, who has among other feathered friends which frequent his lawn and bird bath, the only Mockngbird of which I have any record for this lo- cality. Mr. Snyder frequently spoke of his rare visitor when we met while wait- — ing for the train to Boston and I was much interested, but when one morn- ing in late July he finally told me that the Mockingbird had built a nest in a little tree near his garage and in- vited me to come up and inspect it, I was indeed surprised and of course accepted the invitation. It was late in the afternoon of July 29th, 1920 when I arrived at Mr. Snyder’s home and the Mocking Bird was sitting closely on her nest in the top of a slender pitch pine tree. She did not leave the nest until Mr. Snyder gently tapped the trunk on the tree and then she flew to the top of a nearby pine and from there to the roof of the house where I had a good view of her through my field glass. By placing a light ladder against the tree we could climb up and view the contents of the nest with ease. There were three eggs. The nest was about fifteen feet from the ground and was made of grass, paper, cloth and string, stuck together with mud, and the nest lining was of fine grass with one small piece of string. While we were examining the nest the bird came back if, into a nearby tree and anxiously has made smaller groups and thus 7 watched us, occasionally uttering a rather hoarse “Chip.” There was no . sign of the male bird, however, and izeif the nesting bird has a mate he has THE OOLOGIST not yet been seen by anyone. Mr. Snyder has had good success in attracting common birds for several seasons but this record seems to be exceptional. H. O. Green, Wakefield, Mass. One Day In Southwest Missouri On June 27th, 1917, the Scout Mas- ter of the Marionville troop of Boy Scouts, with myself and three other Scount Leaders set out in a Henry Ford for Galena, Mo., twenty miles away. In this drive at first we find prairies and then drop off into the head waters of a creek, following it for about twelve miles. Then we cross the range of hills and follow another valley into Galena, on the James River. As our business was to locate a suit- able location for a two weeks Scout camp we explored the James for a matter of eight miles, up and down. This trip gave a a very represent list of birds of this section. My list which follows is not given in A. O. U. order but copied from my note book as seen: 477. Blue Jay 611. Purple Martin 587. Towhee 593. Cardinal 506. Orchard Oriole 731 Tufted Titmouse 444, Kingbird 495. Cowbird 563. Field Sparrow 56. English Sparrow 560. Chipping Sparrow 704 Catbird 529. Goldfinch 412 Flickers 316 Mourning Dove 598 Indigo Bunting 604. Dickcissel 325 Turkey Vulture 766. Blue Bird 289. Bob White 121 456. Phoebe 616. Bank Swallow 501. Meadow Lark 652. Yellow Warbler 326. Black Vulture 474b Prairie Horned Lark 392 Hairy Woodpecker 337. Red Tailed Hawk 610 Summer Tanger 394 Woodpecker 634. Red Eyed Vireo 200. Little Blue Heron 194. Great Blue Heron 191. Least Bittern 617. Rough Winged Swallow 708. Mocking Bird 552. Lark Sparrow 409. Red Bellied Woodpecker 461. Pewee 390. Kingfisher 761. Robin 406. Red Headed Woodpecker 452. Crested Flycatcher 735. Chickadee 387. Yellow Billed Cuckoo 673. Prairie Warbler 719. Bewick Wren 488. Crow 727. White Breasted Nuthatch 751. Blue Gery Gnat Catcher 423. Chimney Swift 636. Black and White Warbler 505. Brown Thrasher 190. American Bittern 676. Water Thrush 663a Sycamore Warbler 755. Wood Thrush 333. Coppers Hawk 683. Yellow Breasted Chat 681. Md. Yellow Throat 718. Carolina Wren Total 65 species seen in one day on the camp. In the whole time spent on the river, the following were added: Barred Owl, Screech Owl, Parula Warbler, Green Heron, Night Hawk and Whip-poor-will. That sort of list made out by five 122 competent observers is good, indeed, for this country. Johnson Neff, Marionville, Mo. Golden Eagle and Horned Owl On January, 1907, while out hunting Coyotes along Lac La Monne Creek my favorite winter sport, I noticed a Great Horned Owl perched on astub eating a rabbit, about 75 yards from where I was standing. I raised my 30-30 and was.about to collect the Owl when a Golden Eagle appeared on the scene, dropping on to the stub and appropriating the rabbit which the Owl had very quickly abandoned without any argument. So I collected the Eagle instead. The number of Eagles in the coun- try that winter both Golden and Bald headed, the Golden Hagle predominat- “* ing, would hardly be believed unless actually witnessed. Hvery little mus- key had one or two and some four or five of the great bird perched on stubs or soaring over head; all living on the rabbits which were present in thous- ands. Hagles and Ravens were a great nuisance to the trappers that winter, destroying many fine skins. Other birds of prey, Owls and Goshawk and Ravens were also numerous, also lynx, coyotes and foxes, all living on the un- fortunate rabbits which increase to al- most inconceivable numbers’ about every seven years. The following winter you could walk many miles without crossing a rabbit track and the birds and animals of prey had departed. A. D. Henderson, Belvidere, Alta. An Early Arrival On January 29, 1920, I saw the first Purple Grackle of the season. It was a bitter cold morning several degrees below zero and the bird was sitting in 2 THE OOLOGISfT the top of a Maple taree. As these birds do not commonly arrive from the South before March 15, and then in groups of 9 or 10 birds, I think this an uncommon occurrence for this sec- tion. % EK. A. Wheeler. East Randolph, N. Y. Mixed Sets In looking over the October 1919 is- sue of Oologist I note a list of curious eges by W. A. Strong, San Jose, Calif., and I thought I would see what I had on record for 1919, which follows: 295 1-5, Gambel’s Partridge, nest 6 feet up in Mesquite tree, appeared to -be old nest of Crissal’s Thrasher, three of the eggs had been drilled by a woodpecker. Date May 5, 1919. ; 498a 1-2, Sonoran Red-wing, May 22, 1919. One Dwarf Cowbird egg in this set. ig 498a 1-3, Sonoran Red-wing, June 1. 1919. One Dwarf Cowbird egg in this set. 498a 1-3, Sonoran Red-wing, June 6, 1919. One Dwarf Cowbird egg in this set. 592 1-4, Abert’s Towhee, May 14, 1919. Two Dwarf Cowbird eggs in this set. 592 1-4, Abert’s Towhee, May 21, 1919. Three Dwarf Cowbird eggs in this set. ; 592 1-2, Abert’s Towhee, May 29, 1919. Three Dwarf Cowbird eggs in this set. On June 4, 1919 I took two sets of three Abert’s Towhee, each containing one Dwarf Cowbird egg, and in June I took one set of three and one set of two, also Abert’s Towhee, each con- taining one egg of Dwarf Cowbird. On June 28 I took a set of three and on June 30 I took a set of two Abert’s Towhee each containing one egg of Dwarf Cowbird. Edgar M. LeBaron, Mesa, Arizona. THE OOLOGIST WANTED—Sets of eggs, side blown, of Raptores (excluding Owls) of the world. Cash or Exchange. 1a ae de SWANN, Thorncombe, Lyonsdown, New Barnet, Herbs, England. For 30 Days Only I will exchange lots of 500 datas blanks for sets, give me an offer. Your name on the datas. Merrills’ Paranque wanted... EDWARD =A COOMBS, 243 Franklin St., Boston, ass. I Wish to Buy single eggs, of a num- ber of species. Imperfect eggs accept- able, of rarer kinds. Say what you have. Still in hand a number of me- dium value negatives at sixty-five cents per dozen. Quantities of bird maga- zines at low prices. P. B. PEABODY, Blue Rapids, Kansas. ~ MAMMALS—I want skins of North American Weasles. Will give in ex- change skins of Mountain Beaver or Mammals on Bird materials. Nothing but A No. 1 skins desired or sent out. I also want North American Fauna NMumipers, 4, 50: 7, 16, 19, 20, 28, 25, 28, 30. Cash or exchange for same. ALHX WALKER, Blaine, Ore. Can use two copies of the A. O. U., Loe reheck List. Barrows’ Birds of Michigan, and these magazines; Bit- tern, Vol. 1, No. 3; Condor, Vol. v, Nos. foo awkeye ©: and O., Vol. 1, all; Vol. II, 1-to 5; Journal Maine, Vol. iv, Nos. 2 and 33; Iowa Ornithologist, Vol. 1, No. 1; Museum, Vol. 1, No. 3; Oregon Naturalist, Vol. 1, No. 2; O. and O., Semi Pmarbucios Vole t. No. 1: “Vol. 11, No. 1; Vol Ill, No. 2; Western Ornithologist, Vol. I, No. 3; Nidologist, Vol. I, Nos. 2 and 6; Wilson Bulletin, Nos. 1 to 85; Auk, 1908 to 1917 inclusive. Offer for above, cash, old bird magazines, sets or skins. ALBERT F. GANIBR, 2507 Ashwood Ave., Nashville, Tenn. Statement of the Ownership, Manage- ment, Cireulation, ete., Required by The Act of Congress of Aug. 24, 1912. Of The Oologist, published monthly, at Albion, N. Y., for October, 1920. STATE OF ILLINOIS, County of Marshall—ss: Before me, a Notary Public, in and for the State and county aforesaid, personally appeared R. M. Barnes, who, having been duly sworn according to law, deposes and says that he is the Editor and owner of The Ooilogist and that the following is, to the best of his Knowledge and belief, a true statement of the ownership, management (and if a daily paper, the circulation), etce., of the aforesaid publication for the date shown in the above caption, re- quired by the Act of August 24, 1912, embodied in section 4438, Postal Laws and Regulations, printed on the reverse of this form, to wit: 1. That the names and addresses of the publisher, editor, managing editor, and business managers are: Publisher, R. M. Barnes, Lacon, Illinois; Editor, R. M. Barnes, Lacon, Illinois; Managing Editor, R. Barnes, Lacon, Illinois; Business Manager, R. M. Barnes, Lacon, Illinois. 2. That the owners are: R. M. Barnes, Lacon, Illinois. (There is no stock issued and no bonds issued. It is not an incorporated enterprise). 3. That the known bondholders, mortgagees, and other security holders owning or holding 1 per cent or more of total amount of bonds, mortgages, or other securities are: There are no bonds issued or outstanding and no no mortgages or other securities or indeb- tedness against the publication. R. Ma- goon Barnes publishes it as a private personal enterprise only. R. MAGOON BARNES. Sworn to and subscribed before me this 13th day of October, 1920. G. M. Smith, Notary Public. (My commission expires Feb. 15, 1921.) North American Birds Eggs FOR EXCHANGE | have on hand, to offer for exchange for specimens de- sired by me. two hundred and eighty different varieties of birds eggs. considerable series. Of some species I have but one set, of others Send mea list of what you have for exchange and if it contains anything I want | will:send you my list in reply. Some specimens that I have for exchange are very rare and hard to get, and others are of the commcn varieties This is an unusual opportunity to secure new specimen: or to enlarge series in your collection. R. M. BARNES, LACON, ILL. THE OOLOGIST ORNITHOLOGICAL PUBLICATIONS WANTED by H. H. Johnson, Pittsfield, Me.; American Ornithology, Vol. VI, 1-3-4-6-7; Bird Lore, Vol. I, 3; II, 1; TE 2=2=3:50V, 1-25 Vilb 1 oes ‘sand in- dex; X, 4-5-6 and index; XIII, 4. Orni- thologist & Oologist, Vol. VI complete; VII, complete; XI, 2-3-4-5-6; XII, 10. FOR SALE or Exchange—Many odd numbers and some complete Vols. of Am. Ornithology, Condor, Journal Main Orn. Soc., Oregon Naturalist, Notes on Rhode Island Ornithology, Oologist (Utica), Oologist (Albion), Ornitholo- gist and Oologist, Osprey, Warbler, Wilson Bulletin, and Nature Ornitholo- gical magazines. BENJ. ADAMS, Wethersfield, Conn. WANTHED—A good _ pair, each of Black and Yellow Rails for which I will give good exchange. O. C. HAST- ee 207 Denver Ave., Bridgeport, onn. WANTHD—First Class sets from re- liable collectors. Hspecially sets con- taining Cowbird eggs. G. B. REGAR, 1000 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, Pa. "ALL PERSONS neyine A-1 skins in baits of any of the North American ays send list. I will pam ue ue hi eee price for those that need M. BARNES, Lacon, II]. THE “Blue-Bird’’ Is now published monthly, the year ’round, with new and inter- esting departments, features and contests, and : At No Additional Cost to Subscribers Official Organ of the Cleveland Bird Lovers’ Association. SEND 20 CTS. FOR SAMPLE COPY. | Annual Subscription, $2.00 AGENTS WANTED EVERYWHERE “THE BLUE-BIRD,” 1010 Euelid Ave. CLEVELAND, OHIO NEW SUBSCRIBERS to pick out some likely young student of birds and send him ‘‘The Oologist’’ for 1921. older subscribers have interest enough in spread- This is an appeal to each one of our subscribers Surely our ing the influence of this Journal to do this. THE OOLOGIST. THE OOLOCIST. BIRDS--NESTS--EGGS TAXIDBRMY VoL. XXXVII. No. 11. ALBION,N. Y., Nov. 1, 1920. WHOLE No. 403 THE OOLOGIST BRIEF SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS Wanted, Exchange, Fer Sale, for each serted for less than 25 eents. Wtec., inserted in ints depariment at 25 words for one issue; eaeh additional wor 6 eentes 1 eent. No noticé in- We will advertise the skins, nests, eggs, or mounted specimens of North Amer- ican Birds for sale for persons having a lawful authority under the law to deal in the same. These columns are for the use of those desiring to make bona fide exchanges of such specimens for scientific collecting purposes only.—EDITOR. ee ee In answering advertisements in these columns mention ‘The Oologist,” and thereby help us, as well as the advertiser and yourself. Send me the list of A 1 Bird Skins that you hare to dispose of by exchange or otherwise. M. BARNES, Lacon, Il. WANTS SETS of 2-3-47-1386-140-167- 196-208-289-305-611. Will exchange mounted alligator, 36 inches long, for sets. Send list. Will send mine. F. M. CARRYL, Maplewood, N. J. ENTIRE COLLECTIONS—Will entire pay Send lists. B: R. BALES, M.D., Circleville, Ohio. WANTED—First class showy singles for Exhibition collection. Will ex- change sets from this locality. RAMON GRAHAM, Box 136, Route 2, Ft. Worth, Texas. WANTED—To Trade birds eggs in sets—almost any kind. Also will buy birds eggs in sets. Senr lists right away. ARTHUR BLOCHER, Box 494, Amboy, Illinois. W ANTED—Complete set of dor’. I have a small collection of sea prepaid with full instructions for $1.25. Endorsed and used by many prominent Oologists. Dr. CLEHCKLEY’S MUSHUM, 457 Green St., Augusta, Ga. WANTED FOR CASH—Osprey, 1, No. 2; American Ornithology, : 5 and 6; The Bittern, compl@e file. I “DATA BLANKS—I will send 500 500 done. HDW. S. COOMBS, 243 Frank- lin St., Boston, Mass. CORRESPONDENCE and Exchange wanted with Butterfly and Moth col- lectors. Especially in the West, the Gulf States and Canada. A. E. BROW- ER, Willard, Mo. I have 70 copies of all Outdoors, Pop. Mechanics, Loco. Fireman Mag., etce., which will exchange for copies of Bird Lore, Nat’l Georgraphic and others. FRED J. PIERCE, Winthrop, Iowa. collections of - BUTTERFLIES—I wish. to corres- pond with collectors with a view to purchase or exchange. Dr. T. W. Rich- ards, U. S. Navy, Naval Hospital, Anna- polis, Maryland. THE BAILEY MUSEUM of NATUR- AL HISTORY, Newport News, Va., de- sires to secure through exchange or purchase, small mammal skins, collection of bird skins and eggs. mit. lists and price. H. H. BAILEY, Newport News, Va. FOR DISPOSAL—A _ collection of choice cabinet sets and sets with nests from Europe and America with full and accurate data. Send 2 cent stamp for complete lists. Satisfaction guaran- teed. DR. M. C. CLECKLEY, Augusta, Georgia. FOR DISPOSAL—A large series of sets with nests of Swainson’s Warb- lers. Choice Cabinet Specimens. Make offer. Satisfaction Guaranteed. En- close 2c stamp for reply. Dr. CLECK- LEY’S MUSEUM, Augusta, Ga. TECCOBS wants correspondents to exchange ornithological observations and experiences. Address Geoffrey Gill, Sea Cliff, Long Island, New York. Western Correspondents address Theo- dore Greer, Sheridan, Illinois. FOR BHST CASH OFFER—Cones Key Fifth Hdition, 12 Vols. like new, A. C. DYKH, Bridgewater, Mass. W ANTE D—Correspondence with par- ties desiring to exchange good speci- mens, ornithological publications, pho- eae ete. B. S. BOWDISH, Demar- est, puede FOR DISPOSAL—Four volumes of The Oologist, 1916-1919, inclusive, with October, 1918, supplement. Make offer. H. M. HOLLAND, Galesburg, I1l. FOR SALH—Vol. VI, VII, VIII, Birds of North and Middle America, ID IEG SCHLEICHEIT, Mathias Point, Va. ALL WHO ARE WILLING to pay cash for mounted birds and bird skins write to me at once. Satisfaction guar- anteed. D. V. HEMBREH, Roswell, Ga. FOR EXCHANGE—A. O. U. 77, 408, 413, 560a and 683a. Can use any com- JOHN B. HURLEY, Yakima, WOULD LIKE TO EXCHANGE notes or correspond with any observers in the Ozark Mountains. P. ROBERTS, Conway, Mo. a THE OOLocisT. Vou, AAKVII. No. 11 AuBIon, N. Y., Nov. 1, 1920. WHOLE No. 403 Owned and Published Monthly, by R. M. Barnes, Albion, N.Y., and Lacon, Il. TAKE NOTICE. SUBSCRIPTION, 50 CENTS PER YEAR Examine the number on the wrapper of your Oologist. It denotes the time your sub- scription expires. Remember we must be notified if you wish it discontinued and all arrearages must be paid. 378 your subscription expires with this issue. 377 your subs¢rip- tion expired with December. issue 1918. Other expirations can be computed by intermediate numbers at the rate of one number per month. Entered as second-class matter December 21, 1903, at the post office al Albion, N. Y., under the Aet of Congress of March am 1879. MIGRATION The golden month of October and the following month of November are the best fall months for observing migration. Trip into the field, woods and swamp will amply pay any bird student for the time spent. The won- derful little understood instinct of mi- gration is asserting itself in the mind of the feathered tribe. That which causes the delicate shore bird to brave more than two thousand miles of open stormy sea which causes the sturdy gander to lead his flock through hun- dreds of miles of flying snow amid the clouds; that magnet which compels the tiny wren and warbler to leave summer home and cross the wild Gulf of Mexico at one flight is in operation. A half day spent with these strange wanderers will disclose perhaps some- thing new to the observer and if so that is worth while. —R. M. Barnes 124 THE OOLOGIST An October Medley of Birds One morring in October along a weed willow brush and butternut tree grown swale I found an interesting medley of birds. Robins came from the Northward in sixes and dozens and _ fluttered around the thickets with excited “Yappss Bluebirds, evidently a family, flitted about uttering a thrush-like trill, dart- ing at each other around the butternut tree. and they took turn inspecting a hole in a limb. Golden Crowned Kinglets frisked their tiny selves from limb to limb and tree to tree, exhibiting their gol- den crowns in flashes as they clung to the bottom of limbs and peared in- to decayed crevices and places around dead limbs. Purple Finches—a company of about 20 were down in the leafless growth of willow whips, but quickly dashed away at my approach, flying in a most erratic manner. White-throated Sparrows were com- mon all along the thicket, uttering subdued whistles and “chinks” as they cavorted with each other. Song Spar- rows tried to sing but gave it up when Robin guyed them with a mellow “tot- tot-tot.”’ Slate-cclored Juncos were represent- ed by four or five individuals all in sober dress. Myrtle Warblers were heard con- tinually but only saw four or five birds, however, I heard them uttering their characteristic ‘“‘chip” all day. Crows cawed and flopped and con- gregated in nearby pines. Chipping Sparrows were full of vim, dashing at each other, chasing Blue- birds playfully and I saw one chase a Robin for rods uttering excited squeaks. I do not recall seeing the chipping sparrow so full of activity, they flashed at each other, darted at Bluebirds who seemed to slightly re- sent their being so “fresh.” Among all this excited and flutter- ing throng of “migration fevered”’ birds a Downey Woodpecker calmly pecked and pecked and said never a word. C. F. Stone, Branchport, N. Y. sohetes LAL eee ABROAD Our friend, R. L. Moore, of Vernon, Texas, sends us a marked copy of the “Cunard Daily Bulletin,’ of Oct. 6th, published abroad the Aquitania from which we assume that he is either on his way to or from Hurope; probably after that Great Auk’s Egg that is known to be on the market over there. We wish him success. The Bulletin contains the following article: The Bird of Beauty Assurance that the flamingo, bird of | beauty and mystery, will escape ex- tinction is contained in a letter re- ceived by John Oliver La Gorce, vice director of the National Geographic Society, from H. HE. W. Grant, colonial governor of the Bahamas, which says: “You will be glad to hear that an order in council has been passed giv- ing complete protection to the flamin- go. This glory of our marshes owes your expedition a debt of gratitude.” The action of the Bahamas council was taken following an expedition which trailed the flamingo, the most beautiful of the world’s larger birds, to its last stand, took motion pictures of the timorous birds, brought about a realization of how near they were to -’ becoming extinct in the new world through annihilation by native sponge fishermen, who hunted them down for food purposes at the nesting and moulting season. The first American naturalist to lo- cate and study the gorgeous flamingo THE OOLOGIST 125 was Dr. Frank M. Chapman, in 1901, when he estimated that some 20,000 flamingoes were to ‘be found on one of the little known islands of the Ba- hamas group. Since then, it is be- lieved, fully two-thirds of the colonies have perished. The expedition that spent ten days in the abysmal salt swamps of Andros Island, filming the flamingo and study- ing his habitat for scientific purposes, was sent out by the Miami Aquarium Association, and the personnel of the party included James A. Allison, presi- dent of the association; Carl G. Fisher, its vice-president; Louis A. Fuertes, nature artist and bird life expert; Nor- man McClintock, naturalist and bird photographer; Louis L. Mowbray, technical director of the Miami Aquar- ium; Charles Harrison Thompson, Florida hunter and fish expert; John H. Levi and John Oliver La Gorce, secretary-treasurer of the Aquarium Association and vice-director of the National Geographic Society. “L’Apache,” Mr. Allison’s yacht, was the mother ship of the expedition, and the express cruiser, “Shadow V.” was used as a scout boat. Canvas canoes were taken along to get into the shallow salt creeks and nose into the lagoons for deep entrances to the murky swamps where the ‘lamingo hides. A Bahama guide, Peter Banni- ster, who had aided Dr. Chapmnian’s party nineteen years ago, also went with the party. After penetrating to the utmost navigable points with the canoes it was necessary to traverse miles of the “swash” or tidal marl marshes, carrying the heavy cameras and motion picture machines, in searc tor the birds. Wading in the wat2r up to the waist, knee deep in the marl mud, was the dail’ programme, while hlind- ing swarms of mosquitoes compelled nightly retreats to “L'Apache,” an- their long, chored several miles off-shore. But the hardships found a worthy reward when the party came upon colonies of several hundred birds, des- cribed by Mr. LaGorce as “a flaming mass of brilliant scarlet bodies, jet black beneath the huge wings, with slender necks gracefully lowering and raising their Roman- nosed heads as they sought beneath the water the tiny spiral shell, known to scientists as ‘cerithium.’ upon which the flamingo lives exclusively in its native habitat.” The expedition gathered much valu- able scientific material, not only con- cerning the life habits of the flamingo, but of other rare birds and fish of the Bahamas. The isolation of the flam- ingo may be sensed from the fact that the members of the party were the first white men to land at Man- grove Key in seven years. Mangrove Key is a small hamlet, presided over by a crown commission, the only vis-— ible sign of British authority to be found on an island ninety miles long and forty wide Because of this iso- lation many of the little known “out islands” of the Bahamas, only now and then visited by the sponge fishers, have preserved primitive conditions that hold secrets of high value to the naturalist. Both Colonial Gov. Grant and F. C. Wells-Durant, colonial secretary of the Bahama'’s, extended every courtesy and assistance and were deeply inter- ested in the results of the expedition, especially of the discovery . which pointed to the threatened extinction of the flamingo. The Bahama law has protected the flamingo for fifteen years, but the habitat of the bird is so far from settlements that little atten- tion has been paid to the menace of the spongers. The party found spongers in the act of killing the birds, and a government official swore in THE OOLOGIST Bannister, the negro guide, the only English subject present, as a deputy game warden, and thus brought about the first arrest of the kind ever made. <> —_______ Notes From Arlington, Mass. One day last May while standing under the willows on the shore of Spy Pond watching a Yellow Warbler building its nest, I saw a crow a short distance away suddenly drop from the top of a stump to the ground and com- mence picking. I hurried toward it and on reaching the spot I found a Robin’s nest that had been in the de- cayed side of the stump, tipped over and on the ground bits of egg shell and a few drops of yolk and a al- bumen. The Yellow Warbler’s nest was destroyed in the same way later. — I found it dislodged and the eggs gone. Now within a hundred feet of this Robin’s nest were three Purple Grackles’ nests, each containing eggs. Within a hundred yards there were a dozen more, some built in the slender tops of the tall willows, others lower down or in the bushes. Those easy of access I could look into and watch and those higher up I could often see the long tail of the Grackle protruding over the edge and later on observed them feeding their young. I visited this locality many times this spring, always saw the Crows and often saw them in close proximity to the Grackles nest. Yet the Grackles did not seem to be disturbed by their presence. From close observations I am confident they were in no wise molested by the Crows. Question? Can the Purple Grackle effectually defend its nest from the ravages of the Crow or have Crows more respect for Quiscalus? H. B. Holbrook, Arlington, Mass. Tree Swallows In the Autumn Although the following notes give no more than glimpses of the Tree Swallow at the time when it is pre paring to leave New England and be- gin its southward migration, it is hoped that they will also call to mind the spirit of happy playfulness in which the birds make the journey, as well as the orderly precision of the impetus which drives them onward. The notes were written when the birds were in view, or immediately after- wards, on their main line of travel, the sea coast. Aug. 13-16, 1915. Ipswich. We saw Tree Swallows in large numbers on the 14th and 15th, chiefly gathered in — good-sized companies of twenty to forty birds, sitting close together on the wires by the roadsides. The birds were most numerous in the three or four miles of country between the town and the'sand hills. Here, there were perhaps half a dozen such flocks which circled out over the fields as we approached in the car and returned to the perches on the wires after we had passed. We saw no. general flocking; the effect was rather that each local colony had kept to itself, and that the migratory instinct had not yet driven these birds together in- to a great band. However, it was ap- parent that some individuals had al- ready started on their southerly flight, for throughout the afternoon of the 15th, Swallows continually passed along the sea-shore, flying southward, either over the beach or over the ocean a short distance from the shore. The majority of these Swallows were Iridoprocne, perhaps 75%. the re- mainder were Barn Swallows. Once or twice, a Swallow, as it coursed along the beach, swooped at a small Shorebird which, starting into the air, led the Swallow a chase in which there was twisting and turning, rising 127 THE OOLOGIST SIOSOY “M “AOY AQ OJOYUG—usjqueAA S,uosuIeEMS THE OOLOGIST 128 S1I9Z0Y “MM ‘Ady AQ OJOUG—uUsjqueAA S,UOSUIEMS bss PRs THE OOLOGIST and darting down of the most rapid kind before the Swallow continued on. its way and the Sandpiper settled on the beach again to feed. This is an instance of the actual sea-beach being used as a migration line. Sept. 12, 1917. Ipswich. This morn- ing three or four hundred Tree Swal- lows flew due east over the dunes toward the sea-coast. They fly wide- ly separated, giving the high twitter and the gutteral note as in their song, flying with long periods of sailing, with wings out-stretched between periods of regular flight. When we reach the sea, all the Swallows are flying toward the south. Sept. 13, 1917. Ipswich. When we returned from the sandhills at 5:35 this p. m., a great number of Tree Swallows, 500 at least, were flying about the steeple of the church on the Town Common. Some of them sat on the weather-cock; once I counted nine birds clinging to the head, back and tail of the gilded rooster. For ten minutes or so they flew about, the flock passing over an area of several acres. The birds, without doubt, were acting under powerful excitement. AS we watched them, we caught the feel- ing ourselves and realized that this vicinity was for a purpose. Near the weather-vane the birds flew closer to- gether; many fluttered about those al- ready perched and attempted to alight. All of a sudden the haphazard flight changed to an orderly procession in which about two hundred birds wheeled in a great spiral and, mounting into the air to a considerable height above the steeple and almost over it, sailed away due south. At the moment the flock formed and separated from the other birds, the method of flight changed from an apparently aimless circling of the individual birds to a slow, steady progress, mainly on set wings, the birds all moving together. 129 Those which went off to the south moved as if under the influence of a powerful magnet which had _ been waved around the steeple and then drawn slowly away, pulling the birds in a steady stream after it. Many were left beind, more than half the - original flock, I think. These continued their maneuvers for ten minutes near the steeple, but not around it, then gradually disappeared, but not in a body toward the south. Sept. 14, 1917. Ipswich. Some hun- dred or so Tree Swallows at the pond this a. m. The birds, young and old in about equal numbers, sat on the wire fence, splashed in the pond, and flew about apparently in search of food. Some sat in the roadway and the grass adjoining, playing with feathers, picking them up from the ground and flying off with them, lett- ing them fall, catching them again as _they drifted in the air, sunning them- selves, waddling about; they disport- ed in a careless fashion, evidently with no thought of migration. There was no gathering at the steeple in the evening. , _ Winsor M. Tyler, M. D., Lexington, Mass. oa ald A a BIRD TRAVEL NOTES By Ramon Graham We left Ft. Worth in my tin Lizzie Gn a journey south. I was surprised at the number of Bob-Whites and Doves being so plentiful along the road to Waco, Austin, and San An- tonio, bird life was plentiful all along the way. In San Antonio at one of the parks there was a fine collection of birds, among them was an Albino Tur- key Vulture, several Eagles and Owls and Audubons Carcara. We took in San Antonio, along the street and plazas the great tailed Grackle and Inca Doves were noticed. We are now camped on the Medina 180 Lake where bird life is plentiful, among which is the White Winged Doves which have nests all. around Camp. We drove the Ford under a large live oak moss covered tree, the lower limbs touched the top of the Ford. My partner, Harry Fuller, said “Look at the Humming Bird fighting the Carcara, and to our surprise the Humming Bird’s nest with one egg -Wwas on an overhangine limb that touched our Ford top. We go from here to Camp Christa, Texas, and will take notes along the way, so will let you hear from us again. R. Graham. Bg figs cet Vita BUZZARDS Just a line in regard to ‘Cathartes Aura.” This grand Buzzard is holding its own in this part I think, if any thing gains in numbers a little but as yet there are not very many records of its eggs being taken. Mr. A. A. Wood and myself took a set of one from a large hollow log on the 18th of May last year but it is far advanced. There was another set down near ——, Ont., but in chopping open the log both were broken. A pair of young birds were taken in 1918 from the same wood that we found the egg in. Dan McNeill is now in Springbank Park near London, Ont. There were three pairs around, the place where we took the nest and were very tame but this was the only nest we could find, although there were lots of good nesting logs in this vicinity. reece Walter R. Campbell, — Lobo, Ont. -_ ao TEXAS DUCK MIGRATION NOTES No. 1 The Ducks arrived from the North on their Southern migration tour and settled on Lake Worth as follows: During the first part of October a THE OOLOGIST few Wood Ducks’ was_§ scattered through the timbered part of the lake. Next observed, singles of Scaup and Pintail. In past seasons the first Ducks to show up by the hundreds were Ruddys, but as the little ignorant brats have got shot to pieces, they are not as plentiful as usual. You could expect nothing else. Because they never would fly. Just dive and be shot at every time they come up. I think the captains of what few bunches come in this ‘season must have given flight orders instead of diving. Be- cause mighty few were killed. Next a few small bunches of Red-heads and — Canvas-backs. Several large bunches of unidentified Ducks passed over, bound for the Gulf. Canada Geese stopped for short rests. But one bunch that G. E. Maxon got into stopped to rest quite a while as he got six and now they rest in his camps with his private collection of Water-birds. Spoon Bills, mostly females, were ob- served in small bunches. During the last part of October, it was surprising to see how pentiful the Ducks were getting. They would come in just ahead of a Norther and depart during | the Norther. Hundreds of Scaup Ducks, bunch after bunch, would settle and rest, then leave. Ruddys, Canvas-backs, Red-heads, Teal Mal- lards, Wedgeons and Spoon-bills were well scattered over the lake. As these Ducks peacefully settled on the lake an unwelcome reception was given them. Some went away as they came in good health, but many went away crippled, others stayed dead on the water, never to return to the North again, while others may be called lucky and return back North in good health and happy over their daring adventures through the thousands of bullets that they heard throug! the South, Ramon Graham, Ft. Worth, Texas, THE OOLOGIST 181 TEXAS BIRD MIGRATION NOTES No. 3 What a wonderful and exciting feel- ing it must be for the birds to get to- gether and the captain of the bunch says all aboard for the warmer cli- mates. And off they go with some old heads and mostly young that have never seen the South and its bunch of guns. But it’s either face a freeze-up or guns and they say, let’s try the guns. The Swallows and the Jays come and go. It’s funny to watch their actions; it’s easy to tell that all the following birds are strangers. The Cardinal jumps here and there during October morns, while farther south Cardinaes, Wrens and Jays that are breeders around here are happy in the warmer climates. But we observe the strangers of the Crows, Robins Mock- ing Birds. A Towhee is seen scratcb- ing in the leaves; these are new leaves to him. But he’s happy. Gold Finches are in the tree tops. Juncoes in bunches are happily playing in their new souhern homes. While away in the air the Sandhill Cranes are heard and are on their way to the sandy southern country. And the Pelicans are observed feeding in the shallow waters of the lake making a collection of whatever comes in reach of their seine. Bugs, insects of all kinds, now and then a small fish; sometimes a catfish. A few Brown Pelicans take a chance on stopping for a rest. But mighty few have been observed here. Great Blue Herons are found in singles all over the lake. Loons are getting more bold and stop to try their diving ability, to some of them sorrow. A few Water Turkey or Cormorant fly back and forth over the rough waters. The Kingfisher sets silently over a prospective fishing place. Sandpipers and Killdeers are around the water’s edge. Herring gulls and Common Terns are flying and dipping now and then. The coots that are plentifully scattered here and there are in more danger than they think. Some hunters don’t know a Duck from a Jack Snipe. The little Pied-billed Grebe is having fair luck with his diving. Bluebirds, Flickers and Woodpeckers are here and there in the tree tops. Cowbirds, Meadow lLarks, Horned Larks and Rusty Blackbirds are found in the Rlowed lands close by. Chickadees are) dee deeing (iny ‘the, tree tops. Robins in small bunches are up every creek. There used to be hundreds of them. But now they are not as plenti- ful as usual. Not a Waxwing in sight. Maybe they haven’t migrated yet. Now comes over the lake like a dark cloud, Crows lined up like aeroplanes, Crow after Crow all going South. It takes these old November days to make bird life plentiful and migration sure in and around the lake. All that the bird lovers can wish is that nine- tenths of all the migratory birds get back safely to their breeding grounds, after their stay in the South. Ramon Graham, Ft. Worth, Texas. 3 La ee BIRDS OF DUCK LAKE, MICH. I am sending you a list of birds ob- served by myself and Mr. B. Purdy of Milford, Mich, on a trip to Duck Lake. Duck Lake is one of the many lakes in Oakland County and is well suited for shore and marsh birds. Part of the lake is marshy, grown up to cat- tails and bull rushes. While the other part is a hard sand beach, with rolling meadows, surrounding wood lots of oak, maple, beech, situated some little L919 distance back from the lake with swamps still farther back. We found Pied-billed Grebe, Loon and myriads of Red-winged Black birds nesting, 132 THE OOLOGIST 6 Pied-billed Grebe (nesting 5 nests found). 7 Loon (one nest of two fresh eggs found). 51 Herring Gull 77 Black Tern 132 Mallard Duck 148 American Scaup Duck 190 American Bittern 194 Great Blue Heron 201 Green Heron 212° Virginia Rail 214 Carolina Rail 221 American Coot 252 Least Sandpiper 254 Greater Yellow Legs 255 Lesser Yellow Legs 263 Spotted Sandpiper 273 Killdeer 289 Bob White 306 Ruffed Grouse 316 Mourning Dove 331 Marsh Hawk 332 Sharp Shinned Hawk 337 Red-tailed Hawk 339 Red Shouldered Hawk 360 Sparrow Hawk 390 Belted King Fisher 406 Red-headed Woodpecker 412 Flicker 420 Night Hawk 444 King Bird 456 Phoebe 474 Horned Lark 488 Am. Crow 494 Bobolink 495 Cow Bird 498 Red-winged Blackbird 501 Meadow Lark 511 Purple Grackle 540 Vesper Sparrow 542a Savanah Sparrow 546 Grasshopper Sparrow 547 Sparrow 554 White Crowned Sparrow 558 White Throated Sparrow 560 Chipping Sparrow 580 Song Sparrow 514 Swamp Sparrow 587 Towhee 618 Barn Swallow 614 Tree Swallow 652 Yellow Warbler 714 Catbird 761 Long-billed Marsh Wren 761 Robin 766 Blue Bird Walter EK. Hasting, South Lyon, Mich. eT eS LOCAL RARITIES Birds which are quite common on their main range are quite rare asthe limit of their range approaches and - in some sections where they were once common are now seldom seen. In a residence of twenty years off and in the Pembina River District about sixty miles north of Edmonton, I have only recently seen a specimen of the American Magpie, observing one fly- ing over on the 15th of October 1919. I have frequently seen them in South- ern Alberta or about as far north as Red Deer. Old timers tell me they were once common around Edmonton and on inquiring from one of my Half- breed hunting partners he replied, “Yes, lots of them around St. Albert when I was a kid.” This would be about thirty years ago. Another Half- breed informs me they were once com- mon along the Pembina River. The only way I can account for the ab- sence at present of these birds is that in settlement of the country they have been exterminated by the poison and steel traps of the white man. This applies also to a lesser extent to the Canada Jay and Northern Raven which were both very numerous the first few years I was in the country, the first is a resident and the latter a winter visitor but are not now plenti- ful. The whole wooded country is closely trapped and a considerable amount of poison is used. Poison ex- terminates both fur and feathers and THE OOLOGIST in my opinion should never be used, and seldom is by Indians or Half- kreeds. The white man is the offend- er. If a hunter has not sufficient skill to catch the wily fox, coyote and tim- ber wolf in traps he should quit the game and leave it to those who can. Many meat eating birds fall victims to the steel traps, chiefly Canada Jays and Ravens, Goshawks, Horned Owls, Eagles and Hawk Owls to a lesser ex- tent. In fact the Canada Jays andthe Flying and Red Squirrels are a pest to the trapper and it is no uncommon thing to have a Canada Jay and a young weasel, mink, otter, Martin trap before you have walked out of sight, after making the set. Meat eating birds would naturally have a better chance to exist in the Southern plains country which would not be so closely trapped as the northern wooded coun- try where almost every settler family has a weasel trap out. Another bird which I have only seen one specimen on the Pembina is the Turkey Buzzard. On May 3ist, 1914, I saw one flying low over the river. I recognized it at once, having seen many in California when I was a boy. My companion, also an Ameri- can, also recognized it. The Mourning Dove is a rare sum- mer resident in the country north of Edmonton and I have seen perhaps a dozen specimens. The last one Isaw was on October 4th, ’15 near Paddle River. In the spring of 1918 I also saw a Mourning Dove on Battle Prairie about ninety miles north of Peace River crossing, feeding on the prairie. This is probably the furthest north record for the Mourning Dove. Several years ago while conducting a trading post at Pembina crossing the Indian at Shoal Lake about twenty five miles north sent down a bird for me to identify as they had never seen 133 one like it before. It proved to be a specimen of Clark’s Crow which had strayed from its mountain home two hundred or more miles distant. I have never seen one since. I also have heard that they have been shot at Shoal Lake and in the winter of 1913 my partner saw a flock at Moose _ Lake, a few miles north of Muror Landing, but as he did not bring mea Specimen I did not know to which species they belonged. Another bird which is not common but is occasionally seen and heard is the Blue Jay and the few individuals with us appear to be resident and stay pretty well in the heavy spruce woods. They are heard more often than seen. It might be worth while collecting a few specimens for comparison with the Eastern Blue Jay to see if they differ in any ~espect. The Northern Pileated Woodpecker was scarce in "99, when I first came to the Pembina River, but seem to be now on the in- crease, frequenting the heavy timber along the river. His handsome and conspicuous appearance often brings him to grief at the hands of the sports- man out to kill “something,” it does not matter much what. It is intoler- able that this class of destroyers who kill and throw away should be im- mune to all laws for bird protection to almost impossibility of proof, while the responsible collector who kills only when necessary and pre serves his specimens with best of care is allowed only a pair of birds and one set of eggs per annum and is forced to pay five dollars for the scant privilege. Not that I would object to paying five dollars or twenty-five dol- lars under a liberal law, that would allow of say half a dozen birds and sets per annum of each _ species. Species in danger of extermination could be totally protected or only one 184 pair of birds and only one set allowed to be taken. We have a wonderful amount of bird life in Alberta around our lakes, sloughs and forests but our legislat- ors have made it impossible for a nat- uralist to avail himself of it, doubtess in ignorance of the subject. A. D. Henderson. Hi ie oe SHARP-SHINS AND PILEATEDS Several seasons ‘back on the 5th of May I paid a visit to my old stamping grounds five or six miles down the river at a wooded uninhabited region that has always been a fine place for birds both large and small. at 4 a. m. and was soon hitting the high places on the river road. It was quite chilly and ice had formed on the little pools and puddles on the road. After the sun got out through it soon warmed up and turned out to be a fine morning. On the way over the big hill, the steep and precipitous sides of which are covered with much hemlocks, I had on a former trip seen a Sharp-shin sticking pretty close. I looked for Sharpy when I went over and she was there but I kept right on for the Flats. At the Flats the road cuts across and does not get near the river for several miles, so I cut through the woods towards the river. I found a Red- shouldered Hawk’s nest but didn’t take time to go up. At the second Flat I found quite a little life. A pileated Woodpecker cackled fre- quently, a Red-shouldered Hawk or two was about and I saw several black squirrels. In the thick hemlock swamp I scared a pair of Great Blue Herons out of the large trees and a Horned Owl from some hemlocks. As I circled about in the swamp a female Sharp-shinned got very noisy and stuck close by, so I began looking carefully through the smaller hemlocks. I soon I was up > THE OOLOGIST saw the nest thirty feet up in a hem- lock and climbing up I found it was all ready for eggs. I then went to the Flat along the river and on the gravel bar saw several Kill-deer and Spotted Sandpipers, also a pair of Greater Yellow-legs. In the water near by was a lone male Lesser Scaup Duck. While going along slowly [| saw a Pileated fly from a giant old sycamore. Going over that way I saw several large holes in a large dead section high up. One hole looked new and on the ground was a large quantity of chips scattered about. I pounded tre tree hard and out came Mrs. Pileated. She protested loudly and soon left. Concealing myself I waited and very soon both birds came back. After looking about carefully the female entered the nest. I was surprised to find the nest tree so close to the river, as I had twice before found their nest back in the swamp. This sycamore was a hard proposition and an exami- nation of the chips showed that the nest was in a very rotten section of the tree so no attempt was made to get up to it. I kept watch afterwards and found that this tree is used nearly every year. On the way back over the big hill I found Sharpy still there and quite nervous. It didn’t take me long to lo- cate the nest 50 feet up in a hemlock. Later on I got a nice set of four from : Be- fore I got home I saw an adult Marsh each of these Sharp-shins’ nest. Hawk hawking about over a meadow and during the morning noted quite a few small birds but nothing unusual. —R. B. Simpson THE OOLOGIST WANTED—Sets of eggs, side blown, of Raptores (excluding Owls) of the world. Cash or Exchange. H. — K. SWANN, Thorncombe, Lyonsdown, New Barnet, Herbs, England. For 30 Days Only I will exchange lots of 500 datas blanks for sets, give me an offer. Your name on the datas. Merrills’ Paranque wanted... EDWARD EA COOMBS, 243 Franklin St., Boston, ass. I Wish to Buy single eggs, of a num- ber of species. Imperfect eggs accept- able, of rarer kinds. Say what you have. Still in hand a number of me- dium value negatives at sixty-five cents per dozen. Quantities of bird maga- zines at low prices. P. B. PEABODY, Blue Rapids, Kansas. MAMMALS—I want skins of North American Weasles. Will give in ex- change skins of Mountain Beaver or mammals on Bird materials. Nothing but A No. 1 skins desired or sent out. I also want North American Fauna Numbers. 4, 50, 7, 16, 19, 20, 23, 25, 28, 30. Cash or exchange for same. ALHX WALKER, Blaine, Ore. Can use two copies of the A. O. U., 1910 check list. Barrows’ Birds of Michigan, and these magazines; Bit- femme viol. -. No. 33; Condor, Vol. :v, Nos. £5, 6; Hawkeye O. and O., Vol. 1, all; Mole tet to s- Journal Maine, Vol. iv, Nos. 2 and 33; Iowa Ornithologist, Vol. 1, No. 1; Museum, Vol. 1, No. 3; Oregon Naturalist, Vol. 1, No. 2; O. and O., Semi Mma wool 1, No. t: Vol. 11, No. 1; Vol III, No. 2; Western Ornithologist, Viet No. o. Nidologist, Vol. I, Nos. 2 and 6; Wilson Bulletin, Nos. 1 to 85; Auk, 1908 to 1917 inclusive. Offer for above, cash, old bird magazines, sets or skins. ALBERT F. GANIBR, 2507 Ashwood Ave., Nashville, Tenn. Statement of the Ownership, Manage- ment, Circulation, ete., Required by The Act of Congress of Aug. 24, 1912. Of The Oologist, published monthly, at Albion, N. Y., for October, 1920. STATE OF ILLINOIS, County of Marshall—ss: Before me, a Notary Public, in and for the State and county aforesaid, personally appeared R. M. Barnes, who, having been duly sworn according to law, deposes and says that he is the Editor and owner of The Ooiogist and that the following is, to the best of his knowledge and belief, a true statement of the ownership, management (and if a daily paper, the circulation), etce., of the aforesaid publication for the date shown in the above caption, re- quired by the Act of August 24, 1912, embodied in section 443, Postal Laws and Regulations, printed on the reverse of this form, to wit: 1. That the names and addresses of the publisher, editor, managing editor, and business managers are: Publisher, IR. Barnes, Lacon, Illinois; Editor, R. M. Barnes, Lacon, Illinois; Managing Editor, R. M. Barnes, Lacon, Illinois; Business Manager, R. M. Barnes, Lacon, Illinois. 2. That the owners are: R. M. Barnes, Lacon, Illinois. (There is no stock issued and no bonds issued. It is not an incorporated enterprise). 38. That the known bondholders, mortgagees, and other security holders owning or holding 1 per cent or more of total amount of bonds, mortgages, or other securities are: There are no bonds issued or outstanding and no no mortgages or other securities or indeb- tedness against the publication. R, Ma- goon Barnes publishes it as a private personal enterprise only. R. MAGOON BARNES. Sworn to and subscribed before me this 13th day of October, 1920. G. M. Smith, Notary Public. (My commission expires Feb. 15, 1921.) North American Birds Eggs FOR EXCHANGE | have on hand, to offer for exchange for specimens de- sired by me, two hundred and eighty different varieties of birds eggs. considerable series. Of some species I have but one set, of others Send mea list of what you have for exchange and if it contains anything I want | will send you my list in reply. Some specimens that I have for exchange are very rare and hard to get, and others are of the common varieties. This is an unusual opportunity to secure new specimens: or to enlarge series tn your collection. R. M. BARNES, LACON, ILL. THE OOLOGIST ORNITHOLOGICAL PUBLICATIONS WANTED by H. H. Johnson, Pittsfield, Me.; American Ornithology, Vol. VI, 1-3-4-6-7; Bird Lore, Vol. I, 3; II, 1; TIT, 1-2-3; TV, 1-2; Vil, 1; IX, 5 and in- dex; X, 4-5-6 and index; XIII, 4. Orni- thologist & Oologist, Vol. VI complete; VII, complete; XI, 2-3-4-5-6; XII, 10. FOR SALE or Exchange—Many odd numbers and some complete Vols. of Am. Ornithology, Condor, Journal Main Orn. Soec., Oregon Naturalist, Notes on Rhode Island Ornithology, Oologist (Utica), Oologist (Albion), Ornitholo- sist and Oologist, Osprey, Warbler, Wilson Bulletin, and Nature Ornitholo- gical magazines. BENJ. ADAMS, Wethersfield, Conn. WANTEHED—A good. pair, each of Black and Yellow Rails for which I will give good exchange. O. C. HAST- INGS, 207 Denver Ave., Bridgeport, Conn. : WANTED—First Class sets from re- liable collectors. BHspecially sets con- taining Cowbird eggs. G B. REGAR, 1000 Chestnut Ses Philadelphia, Pa. ‘ALL PERSONS having A- 21 6B skins ‘in pairs of any of .the North American Jays send list.. I will pay the highest price for those that I need. M. BARNHBHS, Lacon, ‘Ill. THE “Blue- Bird”’ Is now published monthly, the year ‘round, with new and inter- esting departments, features and contests, and At No Additional Cost to Subscribers Official Organ of the Cleveland Bird Lovers’ Association. SEND 20 CTS. FOR SAMPLE COPY ' Annual Subscription, $2.00 AGENTS WANTED EVERYWHERE “THE BLUE-BIRD,” 1010 Euelid Ave. | CLEVELAND, OHIO NEW SUBSCRIBERS This is an appeal to each one of our subscribers to pick out some likely young student of birds and send him ‘‘The Oologist’’ for 1921. ‘Surely our older subscribers have interest enough in spread- ing the influence of this Journal to do this. THE OOLOGIST. ) © L/ va ) wa . THE OOLOGIST. BIRDS--NESTS--EGGS TAXIDERMY Vou. XXXVII. No.12. ALBION,N. Y., Dec. 1, 1920. WHOLE No. 404 THE OOLOG!IS8S TF BRIBE SPECIAL ANNOUNCD MENTS Wanted, Exchange, Fer Sale, Ntc., inserted in ees Gepey tne t at for each 25 words for one issue; eaeh additional wo serted for less than 25 cents. 6 eents 1 cent. o noticé a in answering advertisements in these columns mention “The Oologist,” and thereby help us, as well as the advertiser and yourself. Send me the list of A 1 Bird Skins that you nee to dispose otf by exchange or otherwise. M. BARNES, Lacon, Ill. WANTS SETS of 2-38-47-136-140-167- 196-208-289-305-611. Will exchange mounted alligator, 36 inches long, for sets. Send list. Will send mine. EF. M. CARRYL, Maplewood, N. J. ENTIRE COLLECTIONS—Will pay spot cash for entire collections of North American birds eggs. Send lists. B. R. BALBHS, M.D., Circleville, Ohio. WANTED—First class showy singles for Exhibition collection. Will ex- WANTED—To Trade birds eggs in sets—almost any kind. Also will buy birds eggs in sets. Senr lists right away. ARTHUR BLOCHER, Box 494, Amboy, Illincis. WANTED—Complete set of dor’’. birds’ DORE R. GREER, Sheridan, 111. DATA BLANKS—I send 500 will Kspecially in the West, Gulf States and Canada. A. E. BROW- HR, Willard, Mo. I have 70 copies of all Outdoors, Pop. Mechanics, Loco. Fireman Mag., etc., which will exchange for copies of Bird Lore, Nat’l Georgraphic and others. FRED J. PIERCE, Winthrop, lowa. WANTED—“‘Birds of Pennsylvania,” by Warren, 1st and 2nd editions. RICH- ARD F. MILLER, 2526 North Second St., Philadelphia, Pa. MAKH MONE Y—You can handle and tan your own furs and skins, hair on or off. You can make up-to-date lined fur rugs with mounted heads; open mouth finish, My tan formulas and time and labor-saving methods enable you to do this profitable work at small cost. No former experience necessary. You are certain of success; no spoiled skins. Complete formulas and instruc- tions, only $38.00 postpaid, duty free. EDWIN DIXON, Taxidermist, Union- ville, Ont. purchase or exchange. Dr. T. W. Rich- ards, U. S. Navy, Naval Hospital, Anna- polis, Maryland. THE BAILEY MUSEUM of NATUR- AL HISTORY, Newport News, Va., de- sires to secure through exchange or purchase, small mammal skins, and a collection of bird skins and eggs. Sub- mit. lists and price. H. H. BAILEY, Newport News, Va. FOR DISPOSAL—A collection of FOR DISPOSAL—A large series of sets with nests of Swainson’s Warb- Choice Cabinet Specimens. Make Satisfaction Guaranteed. En- close 2c stamp for reply. Dr. CLECK- LEY’S MUSEUM, Augusta, Ga. TECCOBS wants correspondents to exchange ornithological and experiences. Address Gill, Sea Cliff, Long Island, New York. Western Correspondents address Theo- dore Greer, Sheridan, Illinois. FOR Key Fifth Edition, 12 Vols. A. C., DYKH, Bridgewater, Mass. WANTED—Correspondence with par- ties desiring to exchange good speci- mens, ornithological publications, pho- tographs, ete. B. S. BOWDISH, Demar- est, N. J. FOR DISPOSAI-—Four volumes of The Oologist, 1916-1919, inclusive, with October, 1918, supplement. Make offer. H. M. HOLLAND, Galesburg, I11. FOR SALE—Vol. VI, VII, VIII, Birds of North and Middle America, HE. K. SCHLEICHEIT, Mathias Point, Va. ALL WHO ARE WILLING to pay cash for mounted birds and bird skins write to me at once. Satisfaction guar- anteed. D. V. HEMBREBR, Roswell, Ga. FOR EXCHANGE—A. O. U. TT, 408, 413, 560a and 683a. Can use any com- JOHN B. HURLEY, Yakima, WOULD LIKE TO EXCHANGE notes or correspond with any observers in the Ozark Mountains. P. ROBERTS, Conway, Mo. THE OOLOGIST. Vou. XXXVII. No. 12 ALBION, N. Y., Dec. 1, 1920. WHOLE No. 404 Owned and Published Monthly, by R. M. Barnes, Albion, N.¥., and Lacon, Ul. TAKE NOTICE. SUBSCRIPTION, 50 CENTS PER YEAR ‘Examine the number on the wrapper of your Oologist. It denotes the time your sub- scription expires. Remember we must be notified if you wish it discontinued and ail arrearages must be paid. 378 your subscription expires with this issue. 377 your subscrip- tion expired with December-issue 1918. Other expiration» can be computed by intermediate numbers at the rate of one number per mont Entered as second-class matter December 21, 1908, at the post office at Albion, N. Y., under the Act of Congress of March 3, 1879. ee — HE end of the year is upon us. A flood of memories comes with it. The Oologist mind looks back over the past twelve months and we see air castles builded and plans made for our little publication, wrecked and not achieved. We see others carried out even better than we had planned.. The Oologist has survived the panics of 18938-4-5 and 1907. It now boldly sets its course into the present and near future financially strained times, in calm confidence that it is supreme in its chosen field, that its clientele is loyal to a fault, and will see it through the coming storm as they have in similar times in the past. We have never made promises for the future of this magazine and will not commence doing so now. Unfulfilled promises are the rocks upon which nearly a hundred Natural History publications ,of which we have record, have come to grief. We have however “hopes.” We hope and believe that the commit- tee in charge of the new Egg Price List, will get the copy to us so we can get it out in time for the 1921 season. It would be a good idea for each one desiring a copy to place their order now. It will be printed and distributed at absolute cost, not a nickle of profit will be made by us on this catalogue. We also hope to see a great revival in Oology as well as in the general study of Bird Life in 1921, after this new cata- logue price list appears. One way to assist in bringing this about is for each member of The Oologist family to renew his subscription for 1921, immediately upon receipt of this number, and when renewing send in another subscription for a young or old friend whom you know to be interested in Birds, their Nests and Eggs. If we could double the subscription list of The Oologist we could give you a better publica- tion and we could pay the the paper maker, the engraver, the printer, and our assistant with less trouble than now. Those who really have the good of The Oologist at hearc and who desire to see it continue, and prosper and improve, will give heed to this suggestion. We sincerely wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. R. M. BARNES. 136 FLIGHT OF THE PRAIRIE HORNED LARK I wonder how many lovers in the East Central States are familiar with the interesting sky journey taken by the Prairie Horned Lark. Doubtless a large per cent of the observers who spend a portion of their time afield with the birds, have witnessed this extremely interesting performance, but for the benefit of those who have not had this pleasure a few notes on the Larks flight will be appreciated. You will see the Prairie Horned Lark start up from a field, usually a meadow, where it makes its home, fiy- ing almost straight up until it reaches a high altitude, sometimes so high as to be invisible. It flies in relays, so as to speak, making a somewhat jerky flight. It gives its song at short in- tervals while going up, but when it sings it stops flying and spreads its tail and allows itself to drop down- ward a short way while it gives its song and then starts up again with re newed energy. It apparently does not want to sing when it wings are in motion. The Horned Lark’s song can- not be put in words that mean any- thing to the reader and can be better described by saying that it is similar to that of the Meadow Lark, but not so rich and sweet as that of this well known musician. It is a sight long to be remembered to see the Horned Lark going upward and giving its at- tractive song until it has disappeared in the air above, although its song floats down on the spring air to tell the enraptured listener that high in the heavens the Lark is putting its whole soul into joyful song. But the most thrilling part of the performance is yet to come. After the Lark has finished expressing his happiness he closes his wings and shoots to the earth with lightning speed and he does not check his mad fall through THE OOLOGIST space until within a yard or two of the earth where he opens his wings and alights on a convenient perch as gracefully as if he had been just fly- ing past, instead of falling hundreds of feet. Other individuals less daring do not drop the whole distance at once but open their wings several times on the downward trip and there- fore, no such amount of speed is at- tained. It usually takes them about three seconds to reach the earth but of course this depends on how high in the air they are when they begin their downward drop. Sometimes when I watch this inter- esting event I believe that the Horned Lark enjoys the thrilling drop to the earth more than it does singing while high in the air, and it is the former reason that prompts the Lark to make the sky journey. What do other read- ers who have watched this exhibition of the Prairie Horned Lark think about it? This Lark is a common bird in the East Central States but because of its dress which is not conspicuous, it is often overlooked. Fred J. Pierce, Winthrop, Ia. Pe a ew Nek SS a —H. H. BAILEY Harold H. Bailey wishes us to an- nounce that he has moved his Mu- seum and Library of National History, to Miami Beach, Florida, where he hopes to establish The Florida Mu- seum of Natural History, at an early date. Mr. Bailey is also already en- gaged on a book on the Birds of Flor- ida.” He will appreciate any notes on birds from that State. Exchanges and correspondence should be addressed to Harold H. Bailey, Route One, Miami, Florida. —R. M. B. se lg ig ce a A. C. ABBOTT Our friend A. C. writes to change THE OOLOGIST 137 his mailing address to Gallipolis, Ohio. He is sure some mover. Since leaving Chicago, we have mailed “The Oolo- gist” to him in five different states. He should become acquainted with bird life in widely different sections. —R. M. B. W. OTTO EMERSO This veteran ornithologist (one of the very first with whom we ever ex- changed a bird’s egg) has turned his splendid collection of 5500 bird skins over to the California Academy of Sci- ences, in the Golden Gate park at San Francisco. He writes us: “T don’t want to miss any of the Oologists. I never shall loose my bird interest. How could I? After forty years of watchful observations of them here on the home place, “Palm Cottage,” I have grown up with since coming to California from [Illinois in .1870. I shall devote more of my time to camera work in collecting facts of the bird habits than by the specimens of the individual birds themselves. I have them at all times, living their home habits on the place where I can count them as daily friends, of my door yard. Winter residents from the high Sierrias, are very abundant this winter, on account of the early snows on the mountains. Wishing you well and much of the joys of the coming Christmas month, I am in spirit of the olden days.” re NESTING HOLES Many times the thoughts have come to my mind of finding some hole nest- ing bird, of just how long that hole had been occupied, and how many species of birds had previously nested there. It is a well known fact that some birds will use the same nesting cavity year after year for a long period if they are not disturbed. Could the venerable oaks, beeches and maples of our woodlands tell all they had witnessed in this regard, many interesting facts would be re- vealed. A little limb is broken from a young oak by a storm and in a few years a cavity has formed. It is dis- covered by a pair of Chickadees, who at once begin nest building. After a few more vears the cavity has become enlarged and is perhaps taken over by a pair of Crested Flycatchers. Year after year the cavity enlarges and is taken up by Owls who hold it for many years. Later a racoon or an Oopposum may take up a home there. Interesting indeed would be the ac- count of such a knot hole, if one could tell of its occupants for a period of twenty years or longer. No doubt many of the older readers of the Oologist could give us some such ac- count. The particular knot-hole I had in mind, when in response to the Edi- tor’s plea for “copy” wa'’s a small orch- ard tree at my home at Cherry Hill farm. The tree was an Indian peach situated at the corner of the orchard about ten yards from the corner of the house. The knot hole was in the trunk at about five feet from the ground. The entrance was about eight inches high and four inches wide. In 1908 the cavity was only a few inches deep but year after year it be- came deeper. A few times prior to 1912 I had seen Bewicks Wrens, Chick- adees, Titmice, and Bluebirds inspect- ing the knot hole. Once I found a few sticks and leaves that had been put there by a Wren. It was in 1915 that the cavity was first used as a nesting site. In May of that year a Titmouse built a nest and reared its young there. The eggs hatched about the 18th of May and it was a short while before the young- sters left the nest. On June 138th of the same year a pair of Crested Fly- 138 THE OOLOGIST Scene on Buffalo Creek —Photo by F. J. Pierce. Buffalo Creek in Midwinter —Photo by F. J. Pierce. - THE OOLOGIST 189 eatchers were seen building a nest in the peach tree knot hole. As I have seen these birds rather excited at my presence about the nest,I made no notes, but a brood of Flycatchers were raised. The cavity was nearly a foot deep at this time. The following spring, 1916, Blue- birds, Chickadees, Tufted Titmice and a pair of Bewicks Wrens were continu- ally quarreling over the knot hole. These disputes began in Feb. before the coming of the Crested Flycatcher who again nested in the peach tree. The English Sparrows were never in- terested in the hole, perhaps because it was too low down, making it easy to break up the nest. This year the Crested Fycatchers began nesting about May 10th. On May 24th there were six eggs in the nest. I did not visit the nest often as it seemed to dis- turb the birds, and I thought perhaps they might desert the nest. At the edge of the nest was placed the piece of snake skin as is usual with this bird. On visiting the nest on the morning of June 2nd the eggs had hatched. The male was quite noisy and quite proud of his wife and fam- ily. All went well until June 13th. About noon that day I heard the Fly- catcher making an unusually lot of noise and deciding to investigate, ap- proached the tree. The parent birds flying excitingly about told me that something was wrong. Glancing into the nest I was startled to see a large “Cowsnake” coiled in the cavity. I soon had it out but the large lump in its otherwise slender body and the empty nest gave evidence of its guilt. About noon the same day I had oc- casion to pass near the nest when I noticed one of the parent Flycatchers fly up from the ground under the tree. Coming nearer I found one of the young Flycatchers in the weeds on the ground. It was unhurt and evi- dently was being fed by its parents. I put it into the cavity but it would not stay. It was nearly ready to fly and perhaps it came out all right as the birds were noticed about the place for several days. One December day of 1916 on hear- ing a pair of Blue Jays making a great outcry in the orchard, what should I find but a gray Screech Owl in the peach tree cavity. At once I had hopes of finding an Owls nest there in the spring. But no bird nest- ed in the peach tree cavity in the year 1917. The usual quarrel among the Bluebirds, Titmice and Wrens took place and the Flycatchers returned in April but not again to nest there where last year’s offspring had met fatal consequences. Passing the tree one June day of that year (1917) I chanced to glance in the old nesting cavity to find a large “Cowsnake” which wa's treated in the same unkind manner as the one that had destroyed the Flycatchers. Now the peach tree is gone but its reptile occupants will ever be matters of interest and these notes will record the happenings of the birds that oc- cupied the old Indian peach tree. Ben J. Blincoe. PEEL WATCHING A HUMMINGBIRD FEED HER YOUNG By R. A. Sell One of the pleasures of traveling is making new friends; and this pleasure is greatly enhanced on the second trip by renewing friendships. To an observer of birdlife, the native birds are the old friends of the previous trip. During the summer of 1915, the writer became acquainted with the hummingbirds of the botanical gar- dens of the University of California. More glib and graceful, more change- able and elusive than the butterflies, 140 these sparkling gems of bird life, pois- ing above the great tree-trumpet, hang- ing beneath the tube-cactus bells, flitt- ing across the lilacs, and even chas- ing the butterflies and bumblebees out of the garden, these glowing jewels easily _became the most entertaining and elusively interesting objects of that fairy-land of carefully husbanded natural beauty. When I arrived in Berkeley last Sunday morning, my first trip was to the botanical gardens. Yes, they were there; the same birds—sure, I know my friends—and they were so glad to see me. The familiar greeting and the smile .of recognition of the hotel clerk, they added to my pleasure—they swelled my egotism—pbut there was a tinge of the sordid, there was a graphone ring to the “Glad to see you” and the smile was set in plaster- paris; but here were iny old friends, flitting their pleasure, trilling their joy and glowing their rapture as a coal is fanned into flame by the wind. Two kinds of Hummingbirds are found in these gardens, the Anna and the Allen. It is of the latter that I will write. Mr. T. S. Papastavro told me that there were young birds in the gardens but our search on that day was unsuccessful, however, he showed me a deserted nest—a tiny doll-house affair, carefully woven from plant fibres, hairs and milkweed down, and we saw many of the adults busily about their work. This morning, July 2, I was standing beside the yellow Spanish broom watching the various gyrations of the Hummingbirds, when a rather lonesome call attracted my attention. I soon located a Humming- bird with feathers slightly ruffled. It was among some dead branches that protruded from the clump of tropical blue-bells (Tochroma tubulosa) but it was very nervous and kept changing from one branch to another. It’s THE OOLOGIST “S-S-S-S-Oit” was answered from the sage. The answer was a_ high-pitched “s-s-S-chick” but the bird that was making the answer seemed in no hurry to leave her work of mincing among the purple plantain-like blos- soms of the sage. (How can a Hum- mingbird get anything from the blos- soms of broad-leaved sage, Salvia In- volucrata?) Then she took a turn at the red-rabbit sage, Grahmi, mean- while the calls were being answered more promptly. Then I noted that the bird on the dead limb would oc- casionally thrust cut its tongue and even open its mouth in an expectant manner. The calls and answers ceased with a “zit” and the old bird made a slight circle and then dashed at the young one in a manner that seemed fierce; the little one—better not say little one for they were about of equal size— opened its mouth and stretched its head forward. With a dash the old bird thrust her beak down the youngster’s throat and gave two or three hasty twists,—and the feeding was over. I do not think that it took a half minute. The young bird flew away satisfied without making a sound while the old bird flew back to the red-rabbit sage; but she was cross with the bumble- bees and took occasion to drive two of them away from the flowers. Of course, I suppose that the old bird regurgitated some of the nectar that she had been sipping into the crop of the young bird, but why did not this young bird make some effort to feed itself, especially since it was about as large as its parent. I went back to the nest to see if the young- ster had returned but there were no birds to be seen around there and the nest was cold. This leads to the sup- position that Hummingsbirds may feed their young after they leave the nest, THE OOLOGIST 141 Buffalo Creek in Midsummer —Photo by F. J. Pierce. Buffalo Creek During Spring Freshet —Photo by F. J. Pierce. 142 Dr. Grinnell tells me that the Hum- mingbirds are increasing about the University campus but that for some reason or other, they are much more in -evidence during the early spring than they are at this time of the year when the California hillsides are clothed in brown. Like the butterflies, the Hummingbirds seem to come and go with the flowers. ge a = ae TWO MAY DAYS On looking over my note books re- cently I came across notes taken on two well remembered days in late May, 26th and 28th, a few seasons back. The Warblers had just about finished nest building and were be- ginning to lay and I had two pleasant and interesting days with them. The first day I spent on the wooded ridges that divide the river valley from a large mountain stream a few miles north of town. Birds were plentiful although I didn’t find many nests this day. My first find of interest was a Magnolia Warblers nest containing one egg. It was on the limb of a little hemlock and was ten feet from the ground. I found a Vireo’s nest with one egg and as it was early tor Red Eyes to be nesting this may have been a Solitaries. The next time I went that way, however, I found this nest to have been robbed so I am not sure which it was. Along the sides of a ravine I saw a small bird with nest- ing material in its bill, fly up into a little fork of a limb of a tall tree. Af- ter a little trouble I got near enough to the bird on the ground to find it was a Redstart. I was surprised at this find as it was fully 70 feet up to the nest and as a rule I seldom find one over 20 feet up. 10 to 15 feet is the average here and I have seen nests not over two feet up. Down this hollow where there was penty of hem- Jock J found a Magnolia nest out on a THE OOLOGIST long limb of hemlock. Climbing a small tree I pulled the limbs over and found the nest to contain five eggs. Sets of five here are rare and I have only found several out of a great many nests examined. I saw a nest saddled on the limb of a tree. I climbed up and the female never left the nest un- til I reached the limb on which it had — been built. I was within seven feet of her before she left and was surely pleased to find her to be a Black- burnian Warbler. The nest was 25 feet from the ground and seven feet from the trunk on a horizontal limb. The limb was two inches thick where the nest was saddled and it was fas- tened also to a couple of little sprigs that grew out at that spot. It held a fine set of four, and while I was gett- ing them, the female stayed very close but the male did not appear at all. During the day, I occasionally heard Male Blackburnians singing high up but they usually nest high and I con- sidered myself in luck to find this one so low. Birds, especially Warblers were plentiful and quite a few migrants were still about, especially Black-poll -and Bay-breasted Warblers. The next day was cloudy and threatening and the woods were rather wet from rains the night before. I went to a different locality this day going up the Tionesta Creek on the narrow gauge that hauls logs from the big woods around its waters. My objective was a piece of timber this side of the main track. There was much hemlock in the track and considerable underbrush. In many places large patches of low thick hemlock brush. Along the creek itself is quite a swamp. I intend to look it over a little but the day was too cloudy, and damp to wallow around in the cold water so I stayed out. I heard Northern Water Thrushes sing- ing, also saw two Black Mallards fiy- THE OOLOG!IST ing low down but postponed the ex- ploration of the swamp for a sunny day. Birds were singing everywhere so I went along between the narrow gauge and the swamp for some dis- tance where low hemlock was plenti- ful. I found three Magnolia Warblers’ nests but nothing unusual about them as I could hear Blackburnians sing- ing. Up. the hill farther I crossed the narrow gauge. I looked along the tracks for Juncos and found a Hermit Thrush at home on three eggs among the ferns. There is a water tank in this woods and the water is piped from a large spring up the side hill. I went to the spring for a drink and sat down awhile when my attention was attracted by the actions of a pair of Brown Creepers. I watched them and soon located the nest as they were feeding young. The nest was only eight feet from the ground in a very large birch tree. This birch tree has loose bark curled into rolls and inside one of these rolls the Creepers had gone to housekeeping. The nest con- tained large young, but I couldn’t tell how many without taking a chance on breaking the piece off. I intended to go back after the young had gone and get the nest, but never did Creepers annually nest in the swamp under the bark of old dead hemlock stubs but whether they still do I couldn’t say as I haven’t been in the swamp in Nest- ing time for several years. There was a great many clumps of low hemlocks and I fairly combed these with the result that I found two nests of Black-throated Blue Warblers. One contained two eggs and the other was just finished and both were pretty structures, being composed of much fine yellow and whitish strips of dead wood. Also found a Magnolia Warb- ler on a low nest containing three eggs. Coming to considerable second 143 growth hemlock I looked all about for a possible Blackburnian nest. I final- ly saw a nest saddled on a limb and went up but the owner was a female. Black-throated Green. This nest was about 25 feet up and eight feet out on a large limb. It held four eggs. While up in this tree I noticed a Tanager’s nest in a hemlock to one side. By climbing up above I could see eggs but couldn’t tell how many without disturbing it as it was out on a high limb. My next find was a Magnolia fully 40 feet up in a hemlock. I couldn’t tell what it was from the grounds so climbed up, but of course didn’t bother it after making sure of the owner. In an extensive patch of low hemlock brush I found another Black-throated Blue’s nest holding two eggs. A Tana- ger’s nest was low in a hemlock and contained one egg and was followed by two more Magnolias. One 15 feet up and the other eight feet up both contained four eggs. This was followed by another Black- throated Blues nest all finished and ready for eggs, and I wound up by finding still another Magnolia’s in the top of a small hemlock. This made 18 nests in this piece of yoods ,including four Black-throated Blues which is as many of the Blues as I could find in a whole season if I tried hard. Although I didn’t find much that I wanted my collection was richer by three good sets and I had the pleasure of finding and examin- ing a few fine Warblers’ nests beside seeing many birds and a few mam- mals. R. B. Simpson. _>e——____— COPY! COPY!! COPY!!! We are short of copy. Get busy. —Hditor. 144 THE OOLOGIST Nest and Eggs of the Turkey Buzzard. —Photo by G. HE. Maxon Southern Meadow Lark -—Phote by H. E. Wheeler. THE OOLOGIST THE MOURNING DOVE From the budding trees of early spring comes the first familiar voice of the Mourning Dove. It is among the first birds to mate and nest build and is a great favorite with those who are acquainted with its gentle and con- fiding habits. In Nelson County, Kentucky, the Dove is a permanent resident. At times in the winter it is scarce, and often it cannot be found for several weeks. The wintering birds usually resort to the corn stubble fields where an abundant supply of scattered corn and weed seeds are to be found. In severe winters they are noticed about barn lots and hog-feeding places. They are frequently found frozen to death in the severe cold weather like as we had in the winter of 1917 and 1918. As spring comes on the Doves are usually found ly in pairs or singly. Nearly all of the nests I have found were in red cedar trees usually about six to ten feet from the ground. Oc- casionally nests are found in orchards trees but they seem to prefer the scattered cedars at the edge of Wood- land as nesting sites. Evidently eggs are often laid in March. I have been told of eggs found in that month but have as yet found none, but I feel sure that they occasionally lay in that month. On April 14th I flushed a Dove from a nest containing the usual two young birds, about five to six days old. Evidently these eggs were laid in March. Butler in “Birds of India,” states, eggs are often found in early April, but gives no March record. He also states that they occasionally nest on the ground in that state. I have never known of a nest of that kind to be found here. The Dove is not only an _ early breeder but also nests well into the summer. On August 12th, 1916, I found a nest containing twoeggs. One 145 of the eggs hatched between the 19th and 23rd of the month. The young bird left the nest on the 38rd. It flew straight to the top of a sycamore tree at a distance of about twenty yards. The addled egg remained in the nest for several weeks after the young bird flew. Why the youngster did not shove it out is a mystery, for as all who have seen the Dove nest know that is a mere flat form of twigs. The following day a single egg of this species was found in the old nest, but it disappeared about a week later. As is a well known fact often feigns lameness, or a broken wing a's it leaves the nest. I remember finding a nest in 1916 that was placed in a cedar tree in a fence corner. The nest was on a horizontal limb and almost two feet above the top of the fence. As I approached the nest the Dove flew off in a downward course, striking the wire fence with a bang, fluttered to the ground, flopping through the bushes and finally disappeared. A minute later it was seen flopping and fluttering near the top of the tall tree some twenty yards away. Now I really believe it was the purpose of the Dove to strike the fence as it left the nest. Perhaps by accident it had learned that by striking the wires of the fence it made a considerable noise, and had used this means of attracting my attention to its pretended lame- ness. Of course this is only a theory of mine and it may be entirely wrong, but I will always believe that the Dove intended colliding with the fence. When the wheat ripens the Doves are often noticed about the fields and eat grain, but the damage is small. Some farmers claim that they often pull up corn as it sprouts. They are often seen feeding or taking a sun bath along the dusty roads in summer. The open season on Doves in Ken- tucky extends from September Ist to October 15th, a period of six weeks, 146 At this time the birds are found in fiocks of many individuals scattered over the fields. Wheat stubble fields are the favorite resorts at this time, and it is here that the Dove hunters seek the birds. Within recent years I have known of more than a hundred birds killed in one afternoon by a small party of hunters in two or three adjoining stubble fields. Still they seem to be holding their own number pretty well and it may be well that they do not become too abundant for being almost strictly a vegetarian. Great numbers of them could do con- siderable damage, but by no means should the economic position it holds as a weed seed destroyer be over- looked. Ben J. Blincoe, Bardstown, Ky. ee LOCAL BIRD NAMES The article by Fred J. Pierce deal- ing with local bird names in THE OOLOGIST, Vol. XXXVI, No. 8, Aug. 1920, is very interesting, and I wish to add my quota to this interesting subject: During several seasons spent among the islands off the coast of the Vir- ginia peninsula, I have learned that the Black Skimmer is called Flood Gull, Shearwater or Cutwater; all Terns are called Strikers, but the larg- er ones—Caspian and Royal—are Gan- net Strikers. Black-head or Black headed Gull is the name given to the Laughing Gull and the Oystercatcher is known as the Sea Crow. The Flick- er is called the Yellow Winker; the Boat-tailed Grackle is the Jack-daw, and the Crested Flycatcher is often called Clayton. The Clapper Bail is known as Mud Hen or Sage Hen, the Piping Plover is the Pee-Bo Bird and among the older men, the Wilson’s Plover is known as the Stuttering Bird. Green Herons are Scouts, Night THE OOLOGIST Herons are Wops and Great Blue Herons are Crankys or Cranes. The Brown Thrasher is locally known as the Rusty Mocker. The Scoters are Coots, while the Scaups are Broad Bills and all small Sandpipers are Pennywinkles or Pennies. The Turn- stone is often called Calico-back or Maggot Eater. , I am sure both Mr. Pierce and my- self would be glad to see other lists of this nature from time to time in the columns of THH OOLOGIST. B. R. Bales, M.D. Circleville, Ohio. aise Jah ee OUR PRINTERS A. M. Eddy, who has printed The Oologist since the first number in 1884 to date sends us the following notice. If the new Hddy is as satisfactory a person to do business with as “A. M.” we truly can recommend him to all. R. M. BARNES. Eddy Printing Co. | Effective November 1, 1920, the gen- eral. printing business conducted in Albion, N. Y., by A. M. Eddy. since 1885, will be continued as the Eddy Printing Co. A son, Mr. Sidney M. Eddy, assumes partnership on this date. The firm, organized under the general partnership laws of the State of New York, will have no less financial backing than heretofore. Mr. A. M. Eddy will continue in the active man- agement, while Mr. Sidney M. Hddy, recently graduated from Hamilton College, with nearly two years service with the American forces in France, and more or less familiar with the busi- ness from his youth up, will devote his time to the further building up of the business. All accounts and all mail should hereafter be in the name of Hddy Printing Co., Albion, N. Y. A. M. Hddy. THE OOLOGIST FOR EXCHANGE—Nice set Golden Baele 7/3. 171. Can use sets of 9, 10, 172, 113, 204, 249, 288, 328, 351, 356 or other rare sets. ROBERT F. BACKUS, Florence, Colorado. SOMETHING NEW—Solid silver tip to fit over the point of any Blowpipe. Gives a very fine stream for blowing small eggs and can be removed in an instant for larger ones. Price 50 cents. F. M. CARRYL, No. 1 Princeton Street, Nutley, N. J. FOR EXCHANGH—One Taylor Smoke one Mandelette, one minute : W anted—Butterfles. Wied: Holland’s Moth Book. D. GOLDBERG, R. R. 3, Rockville, Connecticut. FOR EXCHANGE—I still have a lot of Bird and Oological Magazines to ex- change for Natural History specimens. DE LOS HATCH, Oakfield, Wis. WANTED FOR CASH—“Bendire’s Life Histories, Vol. 2’’, ‘‘Bent’s Life His- tories.’ ROSWELL S. WHEELHER, 166 Athol Ave., Oakland, Calif. W ANTED—To correspond with par- ties in Southern States who could get me fresh skins suitable to mount of Dark Faced and Black Fox Squirrel. O. S. BIGGS, San Jose, III. I am always willing to purchase “Bulletin of the Cooper Ornithological Club,” Vol. 1. Complete or old num- bers. W. E. CHAMBERS, Eagle Rock, Calif. I have stones, gems and eggs from over the U.S. What have you to trade? Give exact description. ROBERT HATCHES, Victor, Colo. FOR SALE—Live Opossums. Also fresh skins of Opossum, Fox and Gray Squirrels for mounting. Want several volumes of the Condor. ALBERT LANO, kayetteville, Arkansas. WANTED—For cash or exchange, first class sets, with full data. Send list at once. D. B. Bull, Route A, Box 158, San Jose, California. ‘FOR SALE OR EXCHANGE—The Museum, complete by Webb; Wild Wings, by Job; Names and Portraits of Birds, by Trumbell; Birds of Alaska, by Nelson; Birds of Connecticut, by Sage; Birds of Wyoming, by Knight; Birds of Colorado, 3 Parts, by Cooke; The Oologist, 35 Volumes; The Orni- thologist & Oologist, Vols. 7-18; Bird Gre, Vols. 17, 18, 19, 20; 50 Singles; American Ornithologist, Vols. 1-2. C. M. CASE, 306 Blue Hills Ave., Hartford, Connecticut. FOR SALE—The Insect Book, by L. O. Howard (cloth), $1.50; American Animals, Stone and Cram (cloth), $1.50; Fishes of North and Middle America, Vol. 4, with 392 plates (paper), $2.00; Reed’s Flower Guide, 25c; North Ameri- Gan Fauna, Nos. 10, 12, 13, 15, at 30c each. Above prices postpaid if ordered at once. EMERSON A. STONER, Box 444, Benicia, Calif, WANTED—Sets of eggs, side blown, of Raptores (excluding Owls) of the world. Cash or Exchange. H. K. SWANN, Thorncombe, Lyonsdown, New Barnet, Herbs, England. For 30 Days Only I will exchange lots of 500 datas blanks for sets, give me an offer. Your name on the datas. Merrills’ Paranque wanted.. HDWARD S. COOMBS, 243 Franklin St., Boston, Mass. I Wish to Buy single eggs, of a num- ber of species. Imperfect eggs accept- able, of rarer kinds. Say what you have. Still in hand a number of me- dium value negatives at sixty-five cents per dozen. Quantities of bird maga- zines at low prices. P. B. PEABODY, Blue Rapids, Kansas. MAMMALS—I want skins of North American Weasles. Will give in ex- change skins of Mountain Beaver or mammals on Bird materials. Nothing but A No. 1 skins desired or sent out. I also want North American Fauna Numbers 4, 50, 7, 16, 19, 20, 23, 25, 28, 30. Cash or exchange for same. ALEX WALKER, Blaine, Ore. Can use two copies of the A. O. U., 1910 check list. Barrows’ Birds of Michigan, and these magazines; Bit- tern, Vol. 1, No. 3; Condor, Vol. v, Nos. 4, 5, 6; Hawkeye O. and O., Vol. 1, all; Vol. II, 1 to 5; Journal Maine, Vol. iv; Nos. 2 and 33; Iowa Ornithologist, Vol. 1, No. 1; Museum, Vol. 1, No. 3; Oregon Naturalist, Vol. 1, No. 2; O. and O., Semi Annual, Vol. 1, No. 1; Vol. 11, No. 1; Vol III, No. 2; Western Ornithologist, Vol. I, No. 3; Nidologist, Vol. I, Nos. 2 and 6; Wilson Bulletin, Nos. 1 to 85; Auk, 1908 to 1917 inclusive. Offer for above, cash, old bird magazines, sets or skins. ALBERT F. GANIER, 2507 Ashwood Ave., Nashville, Tenn. NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS EGGS For Exchange * I have on hand, to offer for exchange for specimens desired by me, two hun- dred and eighty different varieties of birds eggs. Of some species I have but one set, of others considerable series. Send me a list of what you have for exchange and if it contains anything I want I will send you my list in reply. Some specimens that I have for ex- change are very rare and hard to get, and others are of the common va- rieties. This is an unusual opportunity to secure new specimens or to enlarge series in your collection. R. M. BARNES, Lacon, Ill, THE OOLOGIST ORNITHOLOGICAL PUBLICATIONS WANTED by H. H. Johnson, Pittsfield, Me.; American Ornithology, Vol. VI, 1-3-4-6-7; Bird Lore, Vol. I, 3; II, 1; III, 1-2-3; IV, 1-2; VII, 1; IX, 5 and in- dex; X, 4-5-6 and index; XIII, 4. Orni- thologist & Oologist, Vol. VI complete; VII, complete; XI, 2-3-4-5-6; XII, 10. FOR SALE or Exchange—Many odd humbers.and some complete Vols. of Am. Ornithology, Condor, Journal Main Orn. Soec., Oregon Naturalist, Notes on Rhode Island Ornithology, Oologist (Utica), Oologist (Albion), Ornitholo- gist and Oologist, Osprey, Warbler, Wilson Bulletin, and Nature Ornitholo- gical magazines. BENJ. ADAMS, Wethersfield, Conn. WANTED—A good pair, each of -Black and Yellow Rails for which I will give good exchange. O. C. HAST- INGS, 207 Denver Ave., Conn. WANTHD—First Class sets from re- liable collectors. Especially sets con- taining Cowbird eggs. G B. REGAR, 1000 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, Pa. ALL PERSONS having A-1 skins in pairs of any of the North American Jays send list. I will pay the highest price for those that need. . Mz. BARNES, Lacon, I1l. Bridgeport,. THE. “Blue- Bird”’ Is now published monthly, the year ’round, with new and inter- esting departments, features and contests, and At No Additional Cost to Subscribers | Official Organ of the Cleveland Bird Lovers’ Association. SEND 20 CTS. FOR SAMPLE COPY - Annual Subscription, $2.00 AGENTS WANTED EVERYWHERE “THE BLUE-BIRD,” 1010 Euelid Ave. CLEVELAND, OHIO NEW SUBSCRIBERS This is an appeal to each one of our subscribers to pick out some likely young student of birds and send him ‘‘The Oologist’’ for 1921. Surely our older subscribers have interest enough in spread- ing the influence of this Journal to do this. 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