Pantheon See aescesetots Semana eee ate weirs ones ahs v THE OOLOGIST for the STUDENT OF BIRDS THEIR NESTS AND EGGS —— ee ee ee VOLUME XXXVIII ALBION, N. Y. and LACON, ILL, R. MAGOON BARNES, Publisher 1921 @ of Co a) H, 034 ee Zeotoay 2 ' MAY 10 1943 rORA~ ILLUSTRATIONS BIRDS “Billy,” First Snow Goose Raised in Confinement ............. 12 Young Cooper Hawk........... 18 Swan on J. O. Jackson’s Place, (CON OMS Score a tea i he ea 21 Honduras Turkey Mounted for U. S. National Museum...... 58 Brood of Wild Canada Geese... 73 Brood of Wild Mallard Ducks... 79 Gambel’s Partridge in Captivity, ING Sah, AEA ie eet aa ee 134 Inca Dove at Nest, Mest, Ariz.. 134 Young Lesser Snow Goose Raised at Editor’s Home..... 151 How a Blue Bird Comes to its INGStA wae Ose es 163, 165, 167, 169 NESTS Great Horned Owl’s Nest...... 36 Nest of the Sharp-tailed Grouse 39 Nest Site of Gila Woodpecker at INES ARRATIUZ Escher a sceieese ath sce s 130 NEST AND HGGS Great Horned Owl’s Nest and USDC HO Seat Met Ooi at aN ENTS At tana uel a aR pe 31 Nest of King Rail EHggs........ 43 Wild Mallard Duck’s Nest and IDEA PeNSy Weems Me RecN cat Aen Artin Nt cal 62 Nest and Eggs of Inca Dove...... 130 Nest and Hegs of Texas Meadow 12 e iene eee Falla mapa RRL Da eteae 147 Nest and Eggs of Black Throat- Ca AWiarbler: 8 sccucscars sala 155 EGGS Kites in Case of T. H. Jackson. 4 PORTRAITS Editor and Wife............... 13 Gerard A. Abbott................ 85 AS Younes, Oologist; 2 -2.6- 24. 4- 89 John Lewis Childs and His Friends in Florida........... 103 John Lewis Childs............. 105 CONTRIBUTORS Abbott, G A. Ajlong the Mason Dixon Line... 86 Feathers in Blue Grass......... 90 Abbott Still Fnds ’Hm.......... 91 A Valuable Factor in Conserva- tion and Protection of Ground IN@Siwwoesy IBIS gogooocesoobo0 164 Allen, Lawrence Marshall Co., la. Raptores...... 156 Bailey, H. H. Huropean Starling in Va....... 57 Uo IO avis chaste eee eoesecions cremate 102 Congratulations ............... 129 Save the Flamingoes........... 148 Barker, W. H. H. Mornieds uae: 2 cicie oicios cic.es 6 sselee 71 Birds Killing Themselves...... 99 Notes from Kansas............ 133 Blocher, A. HACINIS WE AWE, sree eon tv as navevavaeenene 80 Freak Sparrow Hgg............ 129 Brannon, P. A. Notes of Birds Observed in Lowndes Co., Ala............ 96 Brooks, C. M. Birds of North Hero Island, Ver- TOM(ON ON GS rea ses BCA tc atc eRe ee alae 4 THE OOLOGIST Barnes, R. M. Evans, L. I. irpl iN) OVpetreaeerta cick oOo ODI a Nee tet A a eee Qe eupiaiee Trop 83 March Oologist ............... ii Fredricks, K. W. INO UUCEY A gato oloido ciara ao Ootoo ; 2 CrsHT Ga See eR cleo rig CMMOAIE IBULIS “ogegsoboebo20 0% we Books Received...24, 46, 65, 78, 108 fuller, R. 136, 156 SINONY FOOL IDEAS. S45 G5 000005000 172 New Catalog ..... 37, 58, 69, 80, 113 ae Ve, dose NOTA GS Leta sara ost oeetonots 44 Gill, G. Personal News ......-++-++-+++- 47 More Housing Problems........ 49 A New Oologist............... 47 (O}iie IRICKNHSe GoonooonooeobdOODOS 47 Gillin, J. R. Building NUcHMenencncuelichioiielselsit-loielollalleitelt 47 An Outrage SN Gat ea eet ee 162 Coopers CIWMB ese lessee oreo 48 (Gas Sian i eicse desea sence ee melee 55 Goelitz, W. A. H. H. Bailey 0000000000000000000 61 Nesting of the Great Horned Owl Trumpeter Swan .............. 64 in Vicinity of Rochester,N.Y. 8 Barely? 5 pean ain iis aeesusneusschereees 65 Horicon Marsh, Wis........... 67 Graham, R. Lesser Snow and Blue Goose... 70 Why So Many Rats............ 41 SICKNESS: Wich he Spon slain see Me 78 In Cae WOVE). sot See oer 41 A Word Personal.............. 89 GC LOUN GES DOVe Tae eee 41 An Unusual Quail.............. 92 Cow Binds) (oeycsccco ene eee 41 Newspaper Ornithology ........ 97 Bartramian Sandpiper ......... 41 More Honecker Fraud.......... 119 Great Tailed Grackle........... 42 COMAGHIOM eGooccsocobdsasoooous 129 Corpus Christi Bay Bird Life... 46 Report of the Chief Game Guard- List of Breeding Birds of Tar- eM, CORINEOIY: g5000ccccsboooods 136 rant.iCon Nexasicae sans 93 Journal of Museum or Compara- Texas Migration Notes......... 133 tive (‘OolOSYy 2s vated usw ate 136 Sense or Instinct.............. 135 Bird Houses for 1922........... 116 Road Runner’s Curiosity........ 135 Texas Notes, 1921.............. 176 Bowles, J. H. A N AL AIO Fast te ee ae 37 Green, H. O. owe = Hints for Beginners........... 28 Carryl, F. M. : Harden, M. G. How Do They Get That Way... 2 — Mississippi Birds .............. 17 Cole, A. A... Harlow, J. E. The Prairie Chicken in Central Return of the Birds............ 46 TOW Shel dew alaeacaterie eis arene 40 IX IDE ASHI gaccococooccusccse 67 Cole, J. L. Harrison, H. M. Prairie Lark’s Nest Snowed Un- Pileated Woodpecker .......... 114 GIGI Pte aeraclmaticiiey cr cts artnet tee tak aa ack cn 51 . Hastings, H. E. Cook, G. L. Michigan Observations ........ 54 Spotless King Bird’s Hggs..... 40 Hembree, D. V. Danforth, S. T. Notes from Georgia............ 93 Brunswick, N. J. Migration Rec- Henderson. A. D. COD C6 Unseen Ia Ania an Ug pa ae 7 Notes eel th 44 Bird Notes from the Pine Bar- Grouse ........ © pee 38 Tren, ING eis eeahenesl steels eile rousoon ates 7 Keen Eye Sight in Northern Daniel, V. FUASVIETL nie SCN geen ae eee 82 TOXAS INCHES ooccoccc0c00000000 92 Hess, I. E. Old hiriends! eee en eos DuBois, A. D. etemls sooo UU King Rail’s Nest in Sangamon Holbrook, W. B. COmpTlly Case Ser ceeeerceiedncnie 43 Pink Crow’s Eggs.............. 152 THE OOLOGIST Howes, P. G. Kingfisher and Mourning Doves EUS GUDLUS Brae e io. Shalev dieivarer avowed aeeeced 138 Winter in Winthrop, Ia...... 173 Hurley, G. B. Pilquist, S. E. d Birds of Yakima Co., Wash.... 14 AB oysy Contmipuvion yn). . 82 Do Red Shouldered Hawks Mi- Jacobs, J. W. A, s fESIGEN USM (ees cy Cha acta eco cen Oe a 152 Sequel of the Death of a Wan- Paice. A. i dering Snowy Owl........... 24 3 cesta Bas : 1S ue : Hot Weather Ornithology...... 97 There is Something in the Study Beene. © Git IBPGIS? IDES. coococcnsacccc 106 Winter Birds of Perry Co., Ala.. 17 Jackson, T. H. Rounds, Dr. W. ILoings WWenredl Opie ccocsososcdcne Ue De (CONOCUINEG scavrcocccoccoous 175 Johnson, H. H. Sanborn, C. S. The Great Horned Owl......... a An Osprey that Swallowed an Mine Berra Sywyelllosrsceoese eons ss 125 Ae ik aie nn ee epee coin eae ee 131 Keesler, R. L. Simpson, R. B. SIT CS een pee ee Go Rae isl cliey sks seer gi he des 170 Birds Freezing AIS bal st aa ie RPA Se 135 Lunsford, I. C. he Brown Creeper-a ne eee 153 JESURE NNR) TENS EXO sialic eae e caret oe 70 Shufeldt, R. W. Maxon, G. HE. Passing of the Great Bird Taxi- Another Swan Murdered....... 40 Germistys dyke See ae 59 Swan Killing Not Profitable.... 149 Skinner, K. L. VW SS ALOIS) 15 cid lol wis ae aie mae eer 173 Books Received) ss5-4050 ese 48 The Turkey and Black Vulture. 177 Spaulding, N. G. Marshall, B. C A Peculiar Accident............ 92 The Ruby Throat’s Song....... 152 Strong, W. A. Miller, R. F. To Pack a Large Shipment of Ornithological Questions ...... 121 IBRGIS? IDES 5 ooocancuosuonoce 38 Some Misnamed Birsd......... 158 Feeding Prairie Chickens....... 39 Millers 1 Ve California Observations ........ 54 INIOWES <'5.5: 0.0 alors ce REIS ee 123 Albino Quail Found............ 65 On the Great Lake............. 132 light Blinds Birds............. 81 The Chestnut-sided Warbler.... 154 Magpies Attack Cattle......... 81 Moffat, EH. BH. One Snowy Owl Saved......... 154 Carolina Chickadee ............ 57 Stone, C. F. More, R. L. Gleanings From My Bird Journal 8 Caracara Following Prairie Stone, D. D. MOK Tite ese iS ds 67 METUCHEN Dae parevete eek tole wea thesocsete 55 Morse, G. W. Stoner, H. A. Observations from a a Cab Win- California Shrike ............. 2, 59 dew of a Locomotive......... 65 Barn Owl at Benicia, Cal....... 60 Neff, Johnson Carquinez Straits, Cal. Notes... 94 Rare and Uncommon Birds, La'w- Newspaper Ornithology ....... 150 HEMCS OOH WiOseoogseacceesces 23 Vos Burgh, G. W. ANGIGHSIONGIES: = aienard Beale ecaNereNG een EEE oe 24 Old Water Color Plates......... 47 Norman, LE, S. WAS ConSinie acne a ane eee 76 Nesting of American Hawk Owl 27 INGLE Serene tte inten beat 78 Pahrman, C. F. Wild Duck Speed.............. 119 Red Shouldered Hawk.......... 174 Wisconsin Notes, 1920......... IL7/a3 Peabody, P. B. Vars. H. M. Preparation of Far Incubated Florida Sunshine .............. 142 BOIS ate ca cia wet anautinewer eee 26 Walker, Alex A New Method in Oology....... 74 Some Notes on the Preparation The Maynard Series........... 162 of Mammals’ Skins............. 166 Peck, G. D. Warner, C. D. Vike OTe Sharerconisiwncs pica econ 114 ANNO WINE ANRC Goscncocacuuccc 60 Peters, A. S. Wheeler, E. A. A Minnesota Afternoon......... 56 Birds Observed at Ea'st Ran- Pierce, F. J. COT MING helices al om ee ee 20 Buchanan Co., Iowa, Birds...... 4 Sparrow Hawk Laysin Captivity 45 Biography of the American Wolfe, L. R. CROW Bee aie rai susie ok 109, 122 AVES COTM cata rete gt tay chase ten enaeees 11 INDEX Albatross IOC? 36.0.0 CLOCenS CGR OIE EoR oe eae PATNI TNS Arar irons a uee ac: sider dase ee Auks RAZOr=DINTEA 2 eo. 5 6 6 c's css ge oe Avocet ANTUNETE CENT peel eee ee NCPC TAIN epee cicien cscs ore seco Shs Slane one 56, ATINGTIGAT | icici. ceils es be 5, 20, ILASEVSNG 5 G6 Oo GE A eRe 20, IB NWe mT Oalts sy ctecsc s eonciccd ce encores 75, Bobolink ........ 6, 17, 22, 86, 94, 118, 121, Bobwhite ....5, 17, 18, 20, 51, 92, 94, 97, 115, 117, MOXA SM nrca cer sa ead cree 14, Black Bird’ ........... 10, 57, 108, IBICGOIOTEGS fe S5.6 ans see cc 16, 54, Brewer’s ..11, 16, 17, 54, 74, 95, Redwing ....6, 7, 10, 16, 19, 22, 56, 74, 75, 86, 93, 115, 118, Northwestern Redwing Rusty Tricolored Yellow-headed Bluebird ...7, 9, 17, 23, 49, 86, 91, 96, 117, 119, 121, 125, 170, 171, eee ee ee woe ee ee eee ee ee ee ee eee eee ee ee ee soe IMIOMMNC AIM ee coe a esarers adios ths 17, VEST OTM ani acccnnsss aloietes 17, 54, AS USM een ewejters, sve sieeee) croveos, densa sisi SU Stlaitsit aerate ryt otk rele oe elec Bunting SOs Waco eatias cece Gis aehidual'emiecacoe ete Ibnhietoy Soeooane 6, 17, 22, 86, 97, JALAN Co pit hie oes eee ae Oe 16, IPRA ORE@ GE). -Souhis cutee eres ie en ne IBUW AAG a5 3 Sic Breit TICE Ren ARTE eNCe ee AIBC YS “Pete ecci se 2 ore 46, 67, 91, 96, pS Cie ears talc oy stetac tees ai at Cat Bird ...... 6, 11, 17, 22, 50, 81, 86, 90, 94, 96, 118, CQHOEHE 5 acre area ene ene ares 9, 86, Yellow-breasted ..... 11, 17, 86, 94, Wong-tailed ....6.26..4 cnn es 17, Cardinale... 6, 17, 19, 67, 86, 90, 93, 96, 116, Srarthin Chay ans oaossee chee ose Chickadee .... & iO 2, 4, 81, 86, 91, 118, 121, Black-capped ......... Up BB, Warolinas 265 Josec.n ee. U, BU, IWaligormiay. oir oss bak ekk ne wees os Chestnut-backed ............... 116 OREZ ON asec ert iia ohoteus 17, 116 IMO UTA IT ee eaten tee suchcvern reste ee 116 PIUMBCOUS) g.once oct ee ws 57, 93 Caracara AAW DOM Aor sc tad eae ascot cane 55, 67 COO tp, sceuee parolee its eas 86, 108 AUMOPICAM™ 16.565 .c0e 4 eee 5, 14, 20 @hrewimke -cc5.o yao 6 oe cu ees 87, 91 Chuck Will’s Widow........... 94, 97 Cow Bird ...6, 9, 10, 11, 22, 41 86, 93, 115, 118, 129, 154 ORANG Herakocke vos coe ee Ee ee 47 Sel NGG load a DU encore eee tenia ele 23, 48 AW INI E Chitra as ate tel sae enna ne eee 97 CHECD ETS res okle oo Ae ee 158 BROWN: 5. cee roe 6, 19, 22, 55, 96 116, 121, 153 Californias. ot snore crac c eee 116 Crow ..... 3 aly, 73, Oil, Oe, WN? 120, 121, 122, 128, 129 132, 144, 152, 174 Blac kanincrtnt era eee eae 78 CarriOne es ject hee iis sae ee 158 American ...... 6, 19, 22; 55, 93 94, 109, 115, 121 INOGEN WIESE dis cissisig sci ate etecinte 115 CrOSSSDID Ee as pai sieesiertcrs ooo Gees 135 SAME PICA shi: lo'ce sly wear cet sve 116, 120 White-winged .............. 116, 173 CUCKO OME SA ees cr cere rea tae 158 Californiay s 254 fan Soe eae 115 Black-billed ......... 5, 22, 56, 115 120, 173 Yellow-billed ..... BR, O08 OL 96, 115 Dickcissel .......... 6, 17, 86, 96, 115 Dove Mourning ..5, 10, 15, 18, 20, 41, 46 67, 77, 86, 90, 93, 94, 99, 115, 173 DIC ahi Mee sree ba cenit 5 cranes 41 GrOUMGN: sical aoe 41, 115 Duck oad 5, 46, 108, 117, 119, 173 SGA Gen horns aetna eo eeet oie 61, 108 Baie kane See eee 20, 114, 119, 138 Baldpate ...14, 20, 23, 46, 114, 133 Golden Eye ..... 14, 54, 55, 119 IDRC SVE Ne terchepe co piety aR een Reese 119 Baldpater es ark oan cma e 133 Buffle Head ......... 14, 20, 54, 55 114, 133 Canvas Back ......... 14, 20, 114 Gadwel eid ois hanes 20, 46, 114 Harlequin’ .akic cos ce peo esis 14 8 Lhe OoOLE oO GIs i IMIBANNBNECL os ooce 14, 18, 20, 61, 63, IIL), 11833}, ICT AMIS 'C Tae coseae) a saeco 14, American Merganser....20, 54, 114, ..Red-breasted Merganser.14, 20, : i, lakes Hooded Merganser...14, 75, 114 OUGS'S GUA Wien eee 14, JEADONGE He meee is a els 4, AO, 23, Oil, 114, American Scaup.20, 54, 55, 114 lesser Scalp! .......... 14, 48, Shiowelllersareece eit 14, SCOOLER? 2 Welk Ae ie oe ate Redheaded) s.55cn, oes eek os hedges 6 Scooter, White-winged.......... Scocter Supe ee ae AR HUIG IO Ne eee ter lnrt eee ee eaee clan ec 20, 114, Cinnamon Tieal......... 14, 46, Bule-winged Teal ...... A), 2'6, Green-winged Teal...14, 20, 46, WYCOC! cosoose 14, 20, 46, 75, 114, WWAIGIE@OMN soancc0000 46, 61, 114, Dipper HASIIIE TCA: ere AU tee Nera anti mnenntante ST ASST Sy elds ec ae rand cies Bream ean res Aunt IRGC! sccues H, 9 Bil, 5G, IOS, Was, Golden -ses5 oe ec ‘15, 108, ATUL Fras Sears OM, 3 oo RNa sy crc eared tog Egret AVANT Geese on sacy ec conee pace See AMET CAM) eeadesalecsne ousiene 23, 38s STMOWAY welt ncietoee eno rorarea eer ee Finch FLOUSC: gagctesicmalocuusetencts 16, 75, PUT pliGienpaacioe era a ae 6, 19, Cavhiiommie, IPM ssboccn0000050 Cassis IPUPDIS Gsoccccoccco0es Falcon Prairie (See Hawks) Batra Oia eete Ney eects mune ens 1). Flicker (See Woodpecker) IMNVCBUCOAE sooooacco0c 63, 76 156, IANTCIG Te eters RU veaeanee esac ne ena aaa Ash-throated: 5 4.2. ecs ecto Crested a4. 5, 225 86, 9 98; IIL), ILIL7/, NGC AS HR tere encore 22, 56, WA; Green iCrested! faa a0 came 22h Oline-Sidied fe wiis oan eee elde ne NICE MIS ee grehetto, Sameer Enea oreieE GG 16, Wellow-billlediyesa ee eee 22, WViSS TEI Te bs 3). eee chca apart ouenee pegees SIGISEOMHUIBIICCD oopcoeoogotoodag00 GieCSey srr orcs evan 5, 46, 67, (OP MENOEN Fabia cin oa6e o 14, 20, 61, 77 IBII OM acveiotutenn icone a teversuers 12, 70, Lesser Snow ...... Py, Vv 2B, 7 NWihitte=fronteduanss eens a Gallhinuiledsee = Akio teary eee HOTU aes che eat eto eae De Godiwity eases ets lees eee ee Man ble dig 32) scsc eke ohn ae Goldin chiens 56, 86, 1118, 1120, American ...6, 195 22; 54, 55, IATKAISA Son sivre: Son erence anes Caliiornia 5 se see ee eee eee Paley areca ahd Sag SAO ee Westen. % 8 fassctot Kot ee Goshawk (See Hawks) Gmateatcher cc) sae eee BUOY Goo ooooocce 86, 88, 93, WiCSEORIs ts..,occkentn tine eee ee Grackle 24.5 s44.6.% UO. dal, wey, | Sil, BrONZ ssa 19, 22, 56, 86, 118) Boat tale a5 cee eee 93, Greatatailed ice acess ee Purple ashes peat eee ‘D5 Ul OB Grebe HA ROG sds ey eavcnies ray tyes TROT 0 (es. hea cence ye Fied-pillediyss eae ee 14, 20, 86, WeStermy 25 Uy ui aa eee ene , Grosbeak aie cscs een eee Black-headed .............. 16, RB UG h ss ie. Cop Se i ee 17, 93, HVenine Aaa et ee ee TL, PIM ee cies, ene Rocky Mountain Pine.......... Rose-breasted ........ (yA, as, 116, Western Hivening: 2555-45. 50ee WrestermsBIwe: a2 ses eee: Grouse Canadapraitediaa: seas oe aeeee Ruffed ..... 3, 20; 38, 55, 56; 108, 115, 120, Siianp-tailed seers DAPOP bie euceceetiee yes ee 14, SOO oceans nein one ee OrecconeRuike diane GRU oe roe Vac ee ay (B33, Bonapart): cei eee Byram kell » 342.3 hie eek ose Herring ....20, 54, 55, 117, 1132) Ring-billed ........... 54, 55, LAW eins: bncekeonk ane eee Hawks ..55, 71, 97, 111, 114, 122, Broad-winged ............. 94, COC oo ol, BO, BY, BR, OR, 115, 120, DWC is Salsas ieee eae Gosihaiwie sires arco aiacres ean OUe Western Goshawk ............. ED arr Sy e eih see ao ae OR Marsh ...... 15, 20, 54, 67, 86, THE OOLOGIST 117, 156, IP COMere sis sco ke kk 15, 115, Prairie Falcon ....... 54, 115, Red Shouldered... 3, 20, 32, 82, 93, 94, 115, 117, 152, 156, 172, 174, Red-tailed ....... Hy 9, a, ih, 46, 67, 98, 94, 115, 156, Sharp-shinned ........ 15, 20, 94, Sparrow ....20, 45, 67, 86, 94, 115, 138, Desert Sparrow ...... 15, 54, SIWAIMSOMES ences ese se cn 15, Western Red-tailed........ 54, WWitte-tanled: 2 ob. sc. ce wc ba ce Hen ISI@AN AY 6 6 Golo care DSi eee Ee 1E@IO) Ne hoe Gee ee 8, 41, Black Crowned Night. 5, the 20, 78, 114, Great Blue....... 5, 14, 56, 66, 99, 114, 117, Greate NWN ER 5 orci cA wos y oe ee ste ee Green ...5, 20, 78, 82, 91, 92, 94, 114, 123, JD yleinlle) JSS ace ceecsceen Cees ie eee eae INTEANE 26's bid oe ee eee ISTTVENIA© 8 osicia Sonereaeeee Meee ame tegen tea WiRIGHS: & Sonoita ee ene Humming Birds............. 9, 86, PANS TIS Meeey Wench vations cieicaiane iauteleeis ANTONE 29 5 75 Be eG ae REP gmeae aa gS CaN OM CMs sissies homie Sols eatuawe Ruby-throated soot lO avilyg, 86, 93, 115, 117, 120, Ibis White-faced Glossy............. aa AaI A aR Sista ee Bs aes Black-headed ............. 105), Blue ...... @, ig, 19, 2, 67, 77, 82, 86, 90, 98, 115, 117, 120, 132, 54, CC CY California Rocky Mountain Steller’s Oregon Junco Oregon CC DY CC CC cc re cy CC TY Killdeer (See Plover) King Bird....5, 15, 22, 40, 91, 98, 96, 115, 117, Arkansas Kingfisher ...18, 56, 94, 97, Belted ...5, 15, 22, 93, 115, MIRON AN saat cscsiaca wich eis wh ts. Bs ee Coe 94, . 173 156 162 67 120 175 20 174 gil 115 95 156 115 115 115 67 SIT OU Cts Ai eee Me ica Mahe Sc Sata RLS Wee Golden-crowned ...... U5 ZB lA, Ruby-crowned ....... U, UO, 2x3, SENVIESWORIIN cps aes He ete roe eee Kite Swallow-tailed ............. 114, Lark EPORMC iy eee aac setae Py, Tal Dusky Horned ................ Prairie-horned ........ 5, 22, 51, 86,, 115, Ruddy-horned Meadow ........ Oy My 4, Olly wily 90, 98, 96, 99, 115, 118, 120, (iM KANY pei see ok eaten cee Ub. Long Spur Takp Vaal cvsee-ceaseack a tea een eeie ee es TOON say ect Shiscae ee 20, 56, PACHIG Mea ete ccs ais CO eee Red-throated ............ Pr, Beh Magpie, American ......... 16, 81, MIAN; Gini A eres ees atae coe nea 91, IPWGROII® ~“socoo00e G5, 7, 225 tt, 93, 94, 96, 116, Mocking Bird.......... 17, 19, 59 90, 98, IMGUERO Siac. coo siete cen cee ecole als 74, Nutcracker Cla rksisiese aan sored eee nee: INUESMAT CHS Spee tee | caeoe ay ateeneorsics Brown-headed ............ 19, White-breasted .....6, 22, 55, 94, 116, 118, Red-breasted ..... 3 6, 23, Slender=bill ws ee A see a ee Nighthawk ...... bs (8, 22) 86, 93; 158, IWIESTSI Meee cies aicusietee sce 15, Oven Bird.......... G, Jal, 22, Oéy Osprey, American ....... 15), 2X0), 115, 121, (OSGI IES tate se anaes eli ume Teun Gta aap ORIOL aeons et es enes Mas oa eet aia toe Baltimore @, bt, AA. Wo, Oil, 96, 115, IB UNO CES see ikea Sone 16, Orel! soo4), @ i”, 2 a, . 86; 1B, FVOOU EOE ra eos catia asics See Ow gp BeeS eae cee A, ili, Weil, U2), ANTNETNGAIN TIBET. 5 oo c0000G06 93, American Hawk............... Barmy een eco 60, 67, 81, 94, Barred ...... by, lis, 44, OB, SA, 120, 156, IBUUTO WLS socooasacouodase eal California Pigmy .............. 10 Great Horned.... My, oil), 60, 65, 78, 938, 94, 98, 117, 120, 156, 173, 174, IPE co G00 e Did b)golo 6 0100 0'0.0'¢ Sereech ....2, 5, 11, 22, 60, 94,, 97, 115, 117, 120, 156, Mc Farlane’s Screech........... Kennicott’s Screech............ Short Hared.......... 15, 22, 23; 156, Snowy .....4, 5, 15, 22, 24, 154, Western Horned........ 15, 55, Sa wewilietiecas wes secs mies ele 20, Partnidees in sccusaee iow ne cirearoeet: California, fan pale cenia enone: 1BOUMEWVEIEWO, ooo0aGg0000G05000 14, Quail ....67, 83, 86, 95, 99, 108, Niibinom@uanleneaaneecoronceeene Mountain Quail................ Valley. @iwailltigns tisicedvekene a ae 14, Paraquictiriciececvsra soe tacvenee) oneee Pelican BrOWD nsec Ore eee 238, 46, AVA OUT emt Acaen con hte Atenas ty asap 46, IRS ERC] irs crue seatiaiies eatin aan ene eens Pewee Wood 2sn.2.ehoe Hem alate 228an Wie 94, 115, Phalarope WIS OM esate 14, Pheasant Chinese eis ae oe ae Phoebe ...... BU, I, BA, HO, 7C, 90, 938, 115, ISIE ON Canale... Semmens tpearseccdese meena ic SAV Sicmchueroic se evens aerate hitmen 15, WESTERN setae seteynGrsscne 15, Pigeon Bandetaile dare mirriciskessy- creer IPASS EN RET Was ic niccausta sista eaninenene 75, White-crowned ................ Pipit, American......... 6, 24, Prairie Chicken....5, 38, 39 40, 67, 81, 99, 115, Plover, Kill Deer..... eae hn 18, 20, 56, 60, 67, 81, 86, 90, 91, 93, 97, 108, 115, 138, 143, Bartramian Black-bellied Golden Mountain Ringed Semipalmated CC ee ee Ce Quail (See Partridge) THE. © OF © Gil Ss T 22 115 Rail RDI sek ners cwaiane yeleinetoree tere 20, 48, SOMA Most oc) ies seks 7, 20, 56, 108, Wiles, sosoaoon 14, 20, 23, 114, WellOw™ vy cinco cee eas ek 74, 114, WaynenClappersessoyoeee soon Raven AMERICAN webs suuioetssr etre Brees Northern's 43,0355 s.faeie Geen 82, Red Start, American.9, 17, 22, 116, 121, REG: Pollet setcrcis mere eters 116, Robin, American.....7, 19, 23, 46, 54, 55, 56, 77, 78, 80, 81, 90, 109, 119, 121, 138, 158, Western .........202- 17, 54, ROAATUNNER” 22h. crore cyeseve clover 93, Sand: Piper <3... «sees eee 143, IBYVAENOVEN, Gogoqn0000006 20, 41, PECtoralll vo..cis ates bite ee 20, RCG-DaCK ed) is siececss ens g/aee aisles Solitary % iseh sc cancers 20, Semipalmated ................. Spotted ..... 5, 14, 20, 56, 68, 86, 94, 114, 115, WISSEL ars ser cucesteweversroverenayeree eae Sanderling 2.2.40. 268 eenminee ene SHriIKGs cyt oe eee ee 96, California ......... 2, 54, 59, 95, Loggerhead ............ 6, 17, IMRAN 565500000000 10, 11, 22; MIpTaM pak esate es ce ae ee White-rumped .......... 16, 116, Snipe Wilson ....:.52... 5, 14, 20, 108, Sapsucker Red-naped ............. 15, 67, Yellow-bellied ....... ay, als), 115, Siskin; Pine eeeonaoe ee 115, 120, Snowflake ....5........+% 22, 55, SPaTLOWS: teins ieee eee 10, Bachman: senate eee IBeIVS 2: SL eee ee eee Cassins <5. tianeinnoue ere ee Chipping ........... GW, 9, Be, 91, 94, Clay-colored: .....0..05...000045 00% English ...... 6, 17, 50, 77, 81, 96, 129, S13 C=) [C0 Utes eetoa 9, 17, 19, 22, 78, 86, 91, 93, NOR wea leven orvett otoes Uy Ys 19, 22, FIO USC asec scteiscan sicker: 22, Gamibelisi\ sn atec en ee ene eee Golden-crowned ............ 16, Grasshopper ......... 22, 86, 93, FEATS Hatihe svcnevs vacances iarperonoee yore Ube ©OO 8 OG 1S 1 TLABNEIRR. - cs Gig Sty ChOREnE ROR ECCI ECR TERETE 86, NBIC OMM Meera erase taere Soe suacens 10, Wiemcils Somes oooogausoongde 16, Oregon Vesper .............08. RUS VAN SOMO creas sc we) «fe aseia ese esecw « SOP Cmte crc csspecarers-a) iaeispasevalers 16, SVU pice ans) oloteneia Dia cle cneioue 22, SCASIGIG coms ile o Geto eee Slate Colored Lot.............. Song ....6, 19, 22, 56, 63, 67, 86, 91, 94, 96, 118, 121, “MPEG i's ocints Sines £9; 22; 132) MOwmnsends WOE jsc0c+essse5e bee Vesper ........ 6, 9, 19, 22, 74, 94, 118, Western Chipping ............. Wresternt@ibank oo scene sas ees Western Savanah ............. White Crowned....... 6, 9, 16, 54, White Throated...6, 7, 7 94, 118, 121, SCarslimomemnsrocraly ecko ccc ois cu uels 57, Stilt, Black-necked............... Siw Owais cesisntis cescecste ars eres TB UI ey oe shewe «8 ees 16, 22, 86, BETA oob0ce 6, 16, 22, 7, 86, 125, 126, 127, 128, (hides gecesi WG, Be, 23 Ay Northern Violet Green..... 16, ROC ai ein ave 6, 22, 116, 118, 125, Rough Winged.... 6, 63, 93, WAICIEE (CAREC ais Gclan ee ceo tS CI seer aie aoca aie crelovesd-aod 6:84 Swift Chimney ...... 5, 22, 86, 94, 96, SHEN ca do B06 HS UE OE 40, RrUM pCO 2. . oc coc 2 ae 19, 23, VV AIT SENT IN ese sy evens one so ele: ou 14, Solitare MLORWANS CMG csiGre: csererer evra tolecesndic s suavane Tanager Scarlet ...6, 22, 86, 90, 94, 116, Summernwes asec 17, 86, 90, IVVESTOTIM ES sao. sroeici cos oelera lee 16, Teal (See Ducks) AMET" Sia epee aoe 20, 74, 132, INOS. 65 bb Soe CO Ooo ets BIA CK ates sty stele: 54 205) 2235 114, 132, Walter naccss-o onion wines asians bike Walsmiaaieesinc, ie evel ca evaeeie s08 aos 54, IRORSE CT Bra srarniatay a vapewetetcierans a sibs 5, ILSASB ies: SECTOR PROT RA r HUOSC AUC uesareis cieyere dsees » Se oe sususienece Thrasher IBTOWAN GS aieceteseitoussers 6, 19, 22, 81, 90, 93, 96, 118, @urved-billed 2... ..2 ces 16, INC eer occ erare iar waitin. ode 11, 94, 116, ANU ase Cate cee slush acer 24, INOTthernearilasse seen TAU S Sora reaper Petes soa ee ceue oma noes Prothonatary: cae ccm <6 056 esse SWANS OMe oer rete st eve ces eaeeamle ARO WANS CIC iiisveue tessa easter souls, cub. oleianenent MeCnNeSSCC Mee Wek cee cine eles ue DOR WiellOw fess! 17, 22, 86, 96, Waters Marsh eins 205 Sis ho ates DIOR WO WISTERIA oes Be esas, Sanerensoraceh ensteius IN ORGS TM eer tenn eatcatrm.leeeiou ees AWAD ISIOTOUS Seo Starsier cen arceseaeee orem toicar 6, WON IDABINE Goousccgeccesoace RYO TOM Wanmety cicsrie cae means naman ore 56, NVA KGENVAINES | rete (ee Bre ches 91, Cedar... 16; 17, 19, 22) 48) 86, 116, 118, BOMSMIAM YY Bok sees oe so dheeeeles 48, AIST US G aeh eA St ae Sere ean coe RENE Rae Whip-poor-will ......... a, I, AeA 86, 93, 94, 97, 115, POOR Will eet eer Meta sca seze remiacus Woodcock 25, 48, 75, 86, 108, PATINE TU CAM! Oe. sae shee tes uevene 18, 20, Woodpecker ........ 2 i, Up O CN, 93, 94, 95, Cahitormiawerwases oes 54, Downey ........ Sye22e 485 55: 77, 86, 90, 115, 117, 120, ie fal l= © @ {ko © Sp Gardinery tia. oe hee teens ils, JERI AY rigiSaee oo. iy fe), As ZS) aS 77, 94, 115, EP ATTUSMcecracherenet cher agate Reee nee 5A, Tvonry=billed\ jonni wane MEW al Shc torege ols Seni’ cs, sé. drstrenerene eter Reo Great Blak: o..cciceeccrssrentone aise Pileated ...... 8, ize alg 82" 94, 114, 115, 121, 129, Northern Pileated..... 15, 22, Red Bellied ...... Oye a7, ee eae 93, 94, 114, Red-headed ...5, 17, 19, 22, 67, 90, 94, 96, 120, Northern Flicker ..... 22, Ly, North Western Flicker.... 15, Arctic Three-toed.......... 48, Red Shafted Flicker..... 15, 54, Southern Downey..5, 17, 18, 93, White-headed ........c2.6..0.: Southern ihcker esse Wren Be wie: Vie Setinos hee eee 86, CACtUs: SSae sso ars Canolhinarn ance st oe ee 19, 86, TEIGWISS sococsocc 6, 19, 22, 46, 49, 67, 86, 96, IVD ATS Ta ete s sactere eee ate RE 86, Long-billed Marsh .......... 22 Par kines dic ivcsae cua eeeee ee eee ROCK. # ise cihua ool Boe eae cere Seattle cnc eee oe ee Short-billed Marsh.......... Bn. NLU = ieee annem ey Nats Cee Mam nila a6 WMO oe ep acoceman cate eee see tage 116 Western Winter ............., IWeESTERH 4455 UE eee aes 6, 19, Western House ................ Worthington Marsh .........., Yellow Legs ............. 20, 108, Greatvein igo. see ee 14, 20, TECSSOT? hee riences ee eee 4, Yellow Throat Maryland ........ 6, 17, 86, 116, WIGSTON 2 cs aie eye Metre wete ame ceme INortinennt ence. oe ce uneereeser PalCiiies 2.4% 2b 6 Se eee ee HE OQOLOGIST. BIRDS--NESTS--EGGS TAXIDERMY Vou. XXXVIII. No.1. ALBION, N. Y., JAn. 1, 1921. WHOLE No. 405 on of Comp, oe Zooloc MAY if 1943 LiBRA&: THE OOLOQGI8T BRIBE SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS Wanted, Exchange, Fer Sale, for each 25 words for one {ssue; ene serted for less than 25 cents. te., inserted in t additional wor 8 copay tment at 1 cent. Fired ® no im- We. will advertise the skins, nests, eggs, or mounted specimeng of North Amer- {can Birds for sale for persons pene in the same. These columns are for a lawful authority under the law to deal e use of thoge 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 nee to dispose of by exchange or otherwise. M. BARNES, Lacon, Il. ENTIRE COLLECTIONS—Will cash for entire ] pay collections of . 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, ewan: ie WANTEHED—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. WANTED—Complete set of ‘“Con- dor”. I have a small collection of sea i eggs, excellent for duplicates, that I am offering for this set. THEO- R. GREER, Sheridan, 111. DATA BLANKS—I will send 500 standard data blanks with your name printed on them for $1.25. No less than 500 done. EDW. S. COOMBS, 243 Frank- lin St., Boston, Mass. CORRESPONDENCE and Exchange wanted with Butterfly and Moth col- .. Especially in the West, the Gulf States and Canada. A. E. BROW- HR, Willard, Mo. CORRESPONDENCE desired with parties having sets of any of the Gyr- falcons to spare. ERNEST S. NOR- MAN, Kalsvala, Manitoba, Canada. TEACHERS WANTED for schools and- Colleges—big salaries—write or National Teachers Agency, Syra- euse, N. Y. WANTED—“‘Birds of Pennsylvania,” by Warren, Ist and 2nd editions. RICH- ARD KF. MILLER, 2526 North Second St., Philadelphia, Pa. WOR BEST CASH OFFEHR—Cones IKXey IK ifth Edition, 12 Vols. like new, A. C. DYKE, Bridgewater, Mass. MAKE MONEY—yYou ean 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 $3.00 postpaid, duty free. EDWIN DIXON, Taxidermist, Union- Ville, Ont. BUTTERFLIES-—I wish to purchase or exchange. 5 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. “THCCOBS” wants correspondents to exchange ornithological observations experiences. Address Geoffrey , Sea Cliff, Long Island, New York. Western Correspondents address Theo- Core Greer, Sheridan, Illinois. TO EXCHANGE—Many complete and incomplete volumes and odd numbers of bird magazines, U. S. Reports, ete. for flower plants and bulbs. A. EE. SCHUTZE, Box 302, Austin, Texas. R. R. 1, Miami Beach, Florida. 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 DISPOSAIL-—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, 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. HEMBREE, Roswell, Ga. FOR EXCHANGE—A. O. U. 77, 408, 418, 560a and 683a. Can use any com- mon sets. JOHN B. HURLEY, Yakima, Wash. WANTED—Mountable skins of coon, opossum, Swift Fox, civet, ringtail and wild cats, Mt. Beaver, badger, white and fox squirrels, all colors, western hares and rabbits, gopher, ermine, and prairie dog. Will exchange or buy at reasonable prices. Squirrels wanted especially. HAROLD N. VARS, Plain- field, Conn. us. | HE OOLOGIS1 Vou. XXXVIII. No.1 ALBIon, N. Y., JAN. 1, 1921. WHOLE No. 405 Owned and Published Monthly, by R. M. Barnes, Albion, N.Y., and Lasm, IG. TAKE NOTICE. SUBSCRIPTION, 50 CENTS PER YEAR Examine the num es Bean the wrapper of your poloRist: It denotes the time your aan scription expires. ber we must be notified if you wish it Gisee nbyeues ané all arrearages must be ark: 378 your subscription expires with this issue. 377 your sub tion expired with December-issne 1918. Other expirations can be computed by imteror numbers at the rate of one number per mont Entered as second-class matter December 21, Fee at the post oflee at Albion, N. Y., under the Act of Congress of March 3, 1879 <" - HOW DO THEY GET THAT WAY? Some of us keep hens, and if we cnly knew how, we would get eggs, at least more than we do. Most field men know that many birds will, if their eggs are taken, at once nest again. Owls will for at least three times. Flickers will by the season. Gulls will, and so on. Normally these birds will nest but once in a season, yet when robbed can and do at once nest again. I have taken Screech Owl sets of five and within two weeks more a third set of two well incubated. How do they do it? It would help us a lot with our hens if we could know. Does any one know? I don’t, and I have spent many hours and many seasons trying to find out. EY. M. Carryl. 2—~<@>—e CALIFORNIA SHRIKE This member of the butcher-bird family is one of the familiar birds in the vicinity of Benicia, California Our California Shrike has the same relish for small birds, mice and grasshoppers and other insects as its eastern rela-. tives, the loggerhead and Northern. In this vicinity it nests in scrubby trees, frequently in a row of trees along the roadside, though sometimes in a lone tree in a field. The locust is a favor- ite tree with them. In construction the nest is rather bulky and the in- terior is lined with any soft material, including feathers, hair, wool, ete., gathered from the barnyard. The eggs number five to seven,—I find sets of seven common. The best sea- son for eggs is during April and the forepart of May. One of my prettiest specimens of nests is one of this bird taken with seven eggs on May 9thth, 1919 along the Benicia-Vallejo road. This nest is especially well rounded and softly lined. It was placed eight feet from the ground in a small lone locust tree which was in full bloom. Emerson A. Stoner, Benicia, Calif. +—~< > © = THE GREAT HORNED OWL .By H. H. Johnson, Pittsfield, Maine. Who-who, Who-who, Who-who, ho; thus was I greeted this spring, when Il commenced operations in my sap berth making maple syrup. Just a might startling to the nerves to be re- quested sometime in the middle of the night to explain ‘““Who” I was and my business there in that man’s wood at that time of night. I commenced to tap the twentieth of March this year; there had been a fine run of sap fora few days, and that I might keep THE OOLOGIST 8 abreast of the flow with my evaporat- ing I was running the fire nights. The only birds I had noted at this time had been a Downy Woodpecker, Chicka- dees, a Red-bellied Nuthatch and a Ruffed Grouse. It was near one o'clock. The moon was up and quite bright. I was alone, busy cutting up wood for the fire, when, Who-who- Who-who, Who-whoo, he rang out from way up in the trees, just over my head. JI will admit ‘I jumped. This Owl often commenced to hoot just be- fore sundown, though one dark cloudy day he was heard at various times throughout the day; usually the hoot- ing stopped at sunrise. The first hoot- ing always came I noted from a cer- tain point in the wood then passed to- other parts as his hunt for supper, or perhaps it was called breakfast since he worked nights, progressed. ~- I judged by the excited cawing of the Crows that he was often mobbed, but this soon stopped as darkness came. Once about two o’clock in the morn- ing, while yet very dark there being no moon, there was a great outburst from the Crows, who spent the night in the trees at no great distance from the camp. I judged from the sound that the Owl had caught one of his persecuters, having chanced upon the roost, and the Crows had fled in every direction. It was as though each startled Crow awoke with a_ yell; there was much excited cawing for a time. The night the Owl made my camp a visit, I had been hearing the calls at a distance, thus I knew he was abroad, but I neither heard the sound of his arrival, and although I watched and listened carefully I could hear no sound as he took wing again The flight through the limbs and _ tree trunks was as swift and sure as a Partridge in the day time. My time was so taken up with syrup making and other farm work that I did not lo- cate: the nest, though I felt sure it was not far away. Often I would hear an answer, Who-who, Who-who, Who- whoo as he called in his..hunting and this . answer always came from the section of the wood whence the first calls of the night came; these answers coming as I. thought from his mate on the nest. This nest I judged to be in an old Red-Shouldered Hawk’s nest. From this hawk’s nest, which has been used yearly for a number of years, I on the 5th of May, this year, 1920, took a set of three eggs. While part way up this tree after the -hawk’s eggs there again came the question, Who-who, Who-who, Who-who, Whoo, twice repeated, from just a few rods away, then it passed to another part of the wood, but,I was up a tree and “not in .position to follow as I would have liked, this was about one o’clock of a bright sunny day, yet some peo- ple say Owls cannot see in the day time. This Owl appeared to wish to know why I took such an interest in his old home, since he had broken up house-keeping and let the place to Mr. Red-shouldered Hawk for the summer; said hawk to keep the place in repair as rental. The Great Horned Owl is given a bad reputation and to some extent no doubt deserves it. it is not adverse to making a meal from a farmer’s poultry, Mrs. John- son having found one which had just killed a young four pound rooster when she went to close up the chicken house after dark one night, and would I come quickly with the gun and avenge the death of the poultry. Like Caesar, “I came, I saw, I con- quered,” at least I ate the chicken. Mr. Owl had departed. I am also quite sure that the Skunk is favorite food for the Great Horned Owl. This spring I picked up one that a sportsman had shot and then thrown away and it was strongly impregnated with the odor I know 4 THE OOLOGI8T Kites in Case of T. H. Jackson of that animal, and I have noted this odor at other times in connection with this Owl. 2+— CO, oir wes, A Bibliography of Papers relating to the Birds of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Deleware, in which The Oologist often appears. This followed by a list of Club Members and an Index to Species, complete this most excellent issue. He never seemed to associate with the other Wild Geese much _ but stayed mostly with the ducks, a trait I have noticed also in a Lesser Snow Goose that we raised. Billie is now, Jan. 1, 1921, 18 months old and per- fectly healthy. Hditor. THE OOLOGI8T FOR EXCHANGE—Nice set Golden Basle 172. 1/1. Can use sets of 9, 10, (ease (Aad ASS aZen Sol. oOo Or other raré sets. ROBERT F. BACKUS, Ilorence, 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. im M. GARRY, No. 1 Princeton Street, Nutley, N. J. FOR EXCHANGE—One Taylor Smoke torpedo, one Mandelette, one minute Camera. Wanted—Butterfles. Wee 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. WHEELER, 166 Athol Ave., Oakland, Calif. WANTED—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, I11. I am always willing to purchase “Bulletin of the Cooper Ornithological Club,” Vol. 1. Complete or old num- bers. W. EH. CHAMBERS, Hagle 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. KOR SALE—Live Opossums. Also fresh skins of Opossum, Fox and Gray Squirrels for mounting. Want several volumes of the Condor. ALBERT LANO, layétteville, 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 SALH OR EBEXCHANGE—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 Lore, Vols. 17, 18, 19, 20; 50 Singles; American Ornithologist, Vols. 1-2. C. M. CASE, 306 Blue Hills Ave., Hartford, Connecticut. OR SALH—The Insect Book, by L. O. Howard (cloth), $1.50; American Animals, Stone and Cram (cloth), $1.50; ishes of North and Middle America, Vol. 4, with 392 plates (paper), $2.00; Reed’s Flower Guide, 25c; North Ameri- Calm Iimeyuung, INOS I), i, is}, il, eye BOC each. Above prices postpaid if ordered at once. HMERSON A. STONER, Box 444, Benicia, Calif. « WANTED—Sets of eggs, side blown, of Raptores (excluding Owls) of the world. Gash Vor Exchange: HR is: 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.. HKDWARD 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. 8; 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. i, No. 1; Museum, Vol. 1, No. 3; Oregon Naturalist, Vol. 1, No. 2; O. and O., Semi Annual Viole 1) Nor i: Volk iy No: 1; Vol IIl, 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, Il, T HOE 0 O)e One Son ORNITHOLOGICAL PUBLICATIONS ; T H E WANTED by H. H. Johnson, Pittsfield, Me.; American Ornithology, Vol. VI, HSBecoG=7-5 1eiieCl IbGie, Wolly if, B}8 Jub, ale 66 e 99 ilelute Toe Se JV, 1-2; Want. 1; TX, 5 and in- Bl dex; X, 4-5-6 and index; XIII, 4. Orni- Uue- r thologist & Oologist, Vol. VI ‘complete; VII, complete; XI, 2-3-4-5-6; XII, 10. Is now published monthly the oe Te a ee 5 FOR SALE or Exchange—Many odd 5 5 5 numbers and some complete Vols. of yee round, with new and inter- Am. Ornithology, Condor, Journal Main esting departments, features and Orn. Soc., Oregon Naturalist, Notes on Rhode Island. Ornithology, Oologist contests, and (Utica), Oologist (Albion), Ornitholo- gist and Oologist, Osprey, Warbler, At No Additional Cost to Wilson Bulletin, and Nature Ornitholo- gical magazines. BENJ. ADAMS, Subscribers Wethersfield, Conn. WANTED—A good pair, each of Official Organ of the Cleveland Bird Black and Yellow Rails for which I Lovers’ Association. will give good exchange. O. C. HAST- J INGS, 207 Denver Ave., Bridgeport, SEND 20 CTS. FOR SAMPLE COPY Conn. pahgra A alee Wen A ; WANTHD—First Class sets from re- Annual Subscription, $2.00 liable collectors. Especially sets con- =| taining Cowbird eggs. G. B. REGAR, AGENTS WANTED EVERYWHERE 1000 Chestnut Sis Philadelphia, Pa. Spal Gee See eee: 66 9 NIE PERSONS eB A- aes in THE BLUE-BIRD, pairs of any of the orth merican 5 Jays send Liste I will pay the hi Bes 1010 Euelid Ave. rice for .those that need. A : BARNES, Lacon, Ill. 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. | THE OOLOGIST. BIRDS--NESTS--EGGS TAXIDERMY VoL. XXXVIII. No. 2. ALBION, N. Y., Fes. 1, 1921. WHOLE No. 406 THE OOLOGIST BRIDF SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMMSNTS Wanted, Exchange, Fer Sale, Wtc., inserted in ths departme for each 25 words for one issue; eveh additional word 1 tone o no serted for less than 25 cents. srilleenae a eae a ae inion 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, III. ENTIRE COLLECTIONS—Will pay spot cash for entire collections of North American birds eggs. Send lists. B. R. BALES, M.D., Circleville, Ohio. WANTEHD—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, Illincis. WANTED—Complete set of dor’. I have a small collection of sea birds’ eggs, excellent for duplicates, that I am offering for this set. THEO- DORE R. GREER, Sheridan, I11. DATA BLANKS—I will send 500 standard data blanks with your name printed on them for $1.25. No less than 500 done. EDW. S. COOMBS, 248 Frank- lin St., Boston, Mass. CORRESPONDENCE wanted with Butterfly and Moth ecol- Especially in the West, the Gulf States and Canada. A. E. BROW- ER. Willard. Mo. CORRESPONDENCE desired with parties having sets of any of the Gyr- falcons to spare. ERNEST S. NOR- MAN, Kalsvala, Manitoba, Canada. TEACHERS WANTED for schools and Colleges—big salaries—write or wire. National Teachers Agency, Syra- cuse, N. Y. WANTEHED—“‘Birds of Pennsylvania,”’ by Warren, lst and 2nd editions. RICH- ARD FEF. MILLER, 2526 North Second St., Philadelphia, Pa. FOR BEST CASH OFFER—Cones Key Fifth Edition, 12 Vols. like new, A. C. DYKE, Bridgewater, Mass. MAKEH MONE Y—You can handle and an 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 $3.00 postpaid, duty free. EDWIN DIXON, Taxidermist, Union- ville, Ont. “Con- and Exchange ct 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. FOR EXCHANGH—Eegegs in full sets from Southern California for those of ovher localities. Must be from reliable collectors and in good condition. JOHN BURNHAM, Timken Building, San Diego, California. FOR. DISPOSAL—A _ egollection of choice cabinet sets and sets with nests from Hurope and America with full and accurate data. Send 2 cent stamp for complete lists. Satisfaction guaran- teed. DR. M. C. CLECKLEY, Augusta, Georgia. “TECCOBS” wants correspondents to exchange ornithological observations and experiences. Address Geoffrey Gill, Sea Cliff, Long Island, New York. Western Correspondents address Theo- Core Greer, Sheridan, Illinois. TO EXCHANGE—Many complete and incomplete volumes and odd numbers of bird magazines, U. S. Reports, ete. for flower plants and bulbs. IN, 1D, SCHUTZE, Box 302, Austin, Texas. R. R. 1, Miami Beach, Florida. W ANTE D—Correspondenee with par- ties desiring to exchange good speci- mens, ornithological publications, pho- tographs, ete. B. S. BOWDISH, Demar- est, N.. J. FOR DISPOSAIL—Four volumes of The Oologist, 1916-1919, inclusive, with October, 1918, supplement. Make offer. H. M. HOLLAND, Galesburg, Il. FOR SALE—Vol. VI, VII, VIII, Birds of North and Middle America, E. K. SCHLEICHBEIT, 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. HEMBREBE, Roswell, Ga. FOR EXCHANGE—A. O. U. 77, 408, 413, 560a and 683a. Can use any com- mon sets. JOHN B. HURLEY, Yakima, W ash. WANTEHD—Mountable skins of coon, opossum, Swift Fox, civet, ringtail and wild cats, Mt. Beaver, badger, white and fox squirrels, all colors, western hares and rabbits, gopher, ermine, and prairie dog. Will exchange or buy at reasonable prices. Squirrels wanted especially. HAROLD N. VARS, Plain- field, Conn, PET Zoology “%, MAY 11 1943 wow THE OOLOGIST#« VoL. XXXVIII. No. 2 ALBION, N. Y., FER. 1, 1921. WHOLE No. 406 Owned and Published Monthly, by R. M. Barnes, Albion, N.Y., and Lacon, IW. TAKE NOTICE. SUBSCRIPTION, 50 CENTS PER YEAR Examine the number on the wrapper of ah Dore aS It denotes the time your sub- scription expires. Remember we must be notified if you wish it discontinued and all grrearages must be paid. 378 your pacer pulon expires with this issue. 377 your suber lon expired with December-isstie 1918. Other EEpirations can be computed by intermediate numbers at the rate of one number per month. Entered as second-class matter December 21, 1908, at the post office al Albion, N. Y., under the Act of Congress of March 3, 1879. Ye Editor and His Better Half at Home. Queen Cactus with 24 Blooms. —Photo by Virginia Lane. BIRD LISTS This issue of The Oologist is given over to the publication of Bird Lists, ‘with malice afterthought.’ The reason being that the collecting season is now rapidly approaching and we believe that the publication of a wisely selected series of Bird Lists, from various parts of the country would be of benefit to the collectors in the field, and would enable them to avoid taking more specimens of the common species than would be needed for their own collection. A bird that may be rare in one territory may be quite common in another and eggs of the common varieties of birds are of no value com- mercially, and have no demand for exchange, hence it is well to examine all lists and take duplicates only of those that are generally rare and not merely locally uncommon.—R. M. B. 14 THE OOLOGI8T BIRDS OF YAKIMA COUNTY, WASH. By John B. Hurley, Yakima, Wash. AS-O2 UU: 1. Western Grebe. One record in winter of 1917. 4. Eared Grebe. A pair observed on May 27, 1920. No specimens secured. 6. Pied-billed Grebe. Fairly com- mon in summer and fall. 10. Pacific Loon. Rather rare. Sev- eral specimens secured. Regular migrant in fall. 77. Black Tern. Summer resident. Small colony breeding. 129. Merganser. Regular winter mi- grant. 130. Red-breasted Merganser. Breeds in mountains. Last specie to leave in winter. 131. Hooded Merganser. Fairly com- mon in fall and winter. 132. Mallard. Regular resident and migrant. Breeds over the coun- ty. 137. Bald Pate. Regular migrant and probably breeds. 139. Green-winged Teal. Regular mi- grant and resident. Breeds. 141. Cinnamon Teal. Regular mi- grant and resident. Breeds. 142. Shoveller. Fairly common. Breeds. 143. Pintail. One pair observed June 10, 1920. No specimens secured. 144. Wood Duck. Rare. Fall mi- grant and probably breeds. 147. Canvas-back. Rare. One speci- men taken 1915. 149. Lesser Scaup Duck. One speci- men (female) taken in fall of 1919. 151. Golden-eye. Fairly common late in fall. One of the last species to leave. 153. Buffle-head. Not common. One pair taken in fall of 1913. 154. Old Squaw. Rare. A male taken in fall of 1919. Probably 155. 169. 172. 180. 194. 289. 292. Z294a. driven over mountains by severe storm on Pacific coast. Harlequin Duck. A pair taken on mountain lake in 1912. Snow Goose. Several flocks seen. Probably of this spe. cie. Canada Goose. Regular migrant limited numbers. Whistling Swan. Rare. One specie taken in fall of 1919. Fed- eral Government prosecuting of- fender at present writing. Great Blue Heron. Summer resi- dent. One small colony reported. Breeds on ground and in trees. Black Crowned Night Heron. Rare. Probably breeds in some localities. Virginia Rail. Not common. Breeds in suitable localities. American Coot. Common. Breeds extensively in all parts of the country. Wilson’s Phalarope. Rare. Three birds of this specie observed on May 27, 1920. A female secured. Wilson Snipe. Fairly common resident and migrant. Breeds. Greater Yellow-legs. Rare. A few specimens observed in fall and spring. No egg records. Spotted Sandpiper. Fairly com- mon. Breeds over all the coun- ty. Killdeer. Common. Breeds ex- tensively and along water courses. Texas Bob-white. Common. In- troduced by county game com- missioners. Mountain Quail. Once fairly plentiful but now rare. Intro- duced by County Game Commis- sion. Valley Quail. Common. Intro- duced by County Game Commis- sicn. Hungarian Partridge. Common, THE OOLOGIST Introduced by County Game Commission. 1.S. Chinese Pheasant. Common. In- 300a. 309. 310a. 516. 325. 330. 360a. 3664. 366. 367. troduced by County Game Com- mission. About 15,000 birds killed every year during open season. Canada Ruffed Grouse. Fairly common. Protected in _ this county for several years yet. Sage Grouse. Fairly common. Breeds in suitable localities. Protected. Wild Turkey. Three pairs plant- ed by County Game Commission No record of them since plant- ing. Mourning Dove. Common. Nest- ing in trees and on the ground, open season on them in fall. Turkey Vulture. Not common. Breeds on cliffs above the city in limited numbers. Marsh Hawk. Not common. Probably breeds but no egg rec- ord. Sharp-shinned Hawk. common. ~ Breeds. Cooper’s Hawk. Probably breeds. Western Red-tail. Common. Breeds over all of county. Eggs range from two to five in set. Swanson Hawk. Not common. Breeds in limited numbers in certain parts of county. Golden Hagle. Rare. to breed in mountains. Pigeon Hawk. Rare. taken in 1912. Desert Sparrow Hawk. Common. Breeds over all of county. Osprey. Not common. ably breeds. Long-eared Owl. Not common. Breeds. A set of eggs taken by Mr. Fred Weber of this city. Short-eared Owl. Fairly com- mon, Breeds, Fairly Not common. Reported One bird Prob- 375a. 379. 413. 413a. 420a. 444. 457. 462. 464. 15 . MacFarlanes Screech Owl. Com- mon. Breeds over all the coun- ty. Western Horned Owl. Not com- mon. Breeds in certain locali- ties. i Snow Owl Rare. Several spec- imens secured in late years. Burrowing Owl. Common sum- mer resident. Breeds over whole county. Pygmy Owl. A pair taken in 1910 that was probably of this specie. Belted Kingfisher. Common res- ident at all seasons of the year. Gardiner Woodpecker. Fairly common. Breeds. White-headed Woodpecker. Fair- ly common in mountains. Un- doubtedly this specie breeds here, have no egg record. . Red-naped Sapsucker. Breeds in mountains. Not common. . Northern Pileated Woodpecker. Rare. One bird taken in 1912. Lewis Woodpecker. Common. Breeds over entire county. Red-shafted Flicker. Common summer resident. Nests placed from sixty feet from ground to almost level with ground. Northwestern Flicker. Rare. Two records of birds but none of its nesting although it probably does. Western Nighthawk. summer resident. mountains and hills. Kingbird. Fairly common sum- mer resident. Say Phoebe. Fairly resident. Nests old buildings. Western Pewee. mer resident. No egg record. Western Flycatcher. Several pairs observed. No egg record. Common Breeds in in sage brush common chiefly about Common sum- 16 466. 474i. 475. 478c. 485a. 488b. 491. 498. 499. 500. 501.1. 508 510. 519. THE OOLOGIS8T Traills’ Flycatcher. Several pairs noted One set of eggs taken July 8, 1920. Dusky Horned Lark. Common summer resident. Breeds. American Magpie. Common res- ident at all times of the year. Are on the bounty list as des- tructive to game birds’ eggs. Black-head Jay. Common resi- dent in mountains. Breeds. Gray Jay. Rare. Several small flocks observed in mountains. No egg record. Western Crow. Common sum- mer resident. Large flocks gather in early fall. Clarke’s Nutcrackers. Rare. Several birds reported from mountains. Common summer residents. Breeds in small colonies on al- kali swamps. Red-winged Blackbird (Authori- ty Dawson & Bowles Birds of Washington). Common summer resident. Bi-colored Blackbird. This specie and the nest seem to merge in No. 498 although sev- eral birds have been taken that show clear markings of No. 498 and No. 499 and No. 500. Tricolored Blackbird. See notes on 499. Western Meadow Lark. Com- mon summer resident. All nests secured have been exceedingly well hidden. Bullock Oriole. Common sum- mer resident. Seems to prefer cotton woods over-hanging water for nesting sites. Brewer Blackbird. Common sum- mer resident. Gather in large flocks in fall. House Finch. Fairly common summer resident, 529a. 5d2a. 5d4. 557. 560a. 567b. 5741. 581k. 615. 616. 619. 622a. . Spurred Towhee. Pale Goldfinch. Fairly common summer resident. Western Lark Sparrow. Fairly common summer resident. White-crowned Sparrow. Rare spring migrant. Golden Crowned Sparrow. Rare spring migrant. Western Chipping Sparrow. Common summer resident. Breeds in orchards and along river bottoms. Shufeldts Junco. Fairly com- mon summer resident. Breeds mainly in mountains. Sage Sparrow. Uncommon sum- mer resident. One set of eggs taken June 6, 1913. Merrils Song Sparrow. Com- mon resident at all seasons of the year. Fairly com- mon summer resident. Black-headed Grosbeak. mon summer resident. Lazuli Bunting. Common sum- mer resident. Western Tanager. mon summer resident. to breed in mountains. Cliff Swallow. Common summer resident. Breeds in large col- onies. Barn Swallow. mer resident. Northern Violet Green Swallow. Several pair observed. Set of eggs taken May 6, 1920. Bank Swallow. Common sum- mer residents. Breeds in small colonies in suitable localities. Cedar Waxwing. Common mi- grant and young birds observed in summer so they probably breed. White-rrumped Shrike. Fairly common summer resident. No egg record but young birds re ported. Com- Fairly com- Reported Common sum- THE OOLOGIST 17 652. Yellow Warbler. Common sum- mer resident. 656. Audubon Warbler. Rare spring migrant. 68la. Western Yellow-throat. Fairly common summer resident 683a. Long-tailed Chat. Common sum- mer resident. 685a. Pileolated Warbler. Rare. One pair observed April 19, 1920. No egg record. 701. American Dipper. Uncommon summer resident. Reported to breed in mountains. (21a. Western House Wren. Common summer resident. 725a. Tule Wren. Uncommon summer resident. No egg record. 735b. Oregon Chickadee. Common summer resident. 758. Russet-backed Thrush. Not com- mon summer resident. 761. Western Robin. Common sum- mer resident. Comes early in spring and leaves late in fall. Western Bluebird. Common summer resident. Prefers woods to nest in. Mountain Bluebird. Common summer resident. Builds in bird houses, mail-boxes, etc. English Sparrow. Numerous. A nuisance and a pest. Build in crevices of trees, walks, electric signs, under awnings, etc. Are spreading out even in rural dis- tricts. Errata: 334a. Western Goshawk. Resident in mountains of county. Reported to breed but no record. 767. 768. 1.8. MISSISSIPPI BIRDS Common Name No. Seen Black Vulture. .3, overhead flying A.O. U. 326 387 Yellow-billed Cuckoo ......... 1 394 So. Downy Woodpecker........ 1 406 Red-head Woodpecker ........ 5 409 Red Bellied Woodpecker....... 2 428 Ruby Throat..... 1, unusual to us 456. (PHOCDE Vi aaae dg fase ci ap so ace 1 Ate) SBTC ADA e epee etek Numerous ASS: Crowne some 1 flew over 494 Bobolink. Hundreds feeding in Vetch. Migratory only. 498 Red-wing Blackbird ..Numerous 501 Meadowlark .......... Numerous 506 Orchard Oriole ......... Several 507 Baltimore Oriole ...... Numerous 5l1b Bronzed Grackle ...... Hundreds HOS Cardinal sce by serormnein anette 4 SY IBWE CHPOSIDEENR colesoscoocgnbood 2 598) Indigo Buntines: =) 8... Several 604 Dickcissel. Numerous partly mi- gratory for scarce in nesting sea- son. ClLOM Summer ana scieeeeeeerere Ps GL eR urple svat eee Numerous 619 Cedar Waxwing. Numerous, mi- grating North. 6622 Logger Head Shrike.......... 1 681 Maryland Yellow-throat. Several 683 Yellow Breasted Chat.......... 2 OSs MRIGGIS tasty cys aro ieee naceseens 1, male 103. IMI@@KGINS IBireG|IS 5 ceccccodeocavcc 3 MOAR TC AUIS crete siesses cet sesesiewenen cs bacv ear 2 COO > TENIVES IBINAGIS Cagis aes clo acco HAD BYia; IMIGIIGL SyoRTAFOM oodoocoacn Several I saw some two or three different species of Sparrows but am not posi- tive of their identity. The above list of birds seen on April 8, 1920. M. G. Harden, Rosemont, Miss. o

o SOME WINTER BIRDS OF PERRY COUNTY, ALABAMA The following list is not as notable for the birds which are included as for those which are omitted. There are a great number of birds whose winter range is given as from Ken- tucky southward which are not noted. With the exception of the water birds the following list is complete for the section around Marion, Ala., as walks were taken almost daily during the months of January and February, and 18 EOOLOGIS8T Young Cooper Hawks—Photo by T. H. Jackson daily lists were made from which the following is made. The opportunity for observing the water birds was limited as there are no large creeks or lakes near Marion. 132. 228. 273. 289. 316. Mallard. Fairly common during January. None observed in Feb. American Woodcock. Several observed on the flat places in the open part of the swamps dur- ing both months. Killdeer. Common all winter. Bob White. Very common now but will probably become scarcer as Alabama has a four months season or did have two years ago. Mourning Dove. Large bunches are seen feeding in the stubble fields all during the winter. A 368. 390. 393b. 394b. much hunted game bird in Ala- bama. Turkey Vulture. See next. Black Vulture. There is hardly a time when several of these and the above cannot be seen sailing in the air. Probably not so common as the Turkey Vul- ture. Barred Owl. Common in allthe swamps. In the larger swamps are liable to be heard at any hour of the day. Begin nesting January. Kingfisher. Not common. So. Hairy Woodpecker. Not common. So. Downy Woodpecker. Very common. 402. 405. 406. 409. 412. ATT. 488. 490. 498. 501c. 511b. 517. 529. 540. 558. 559. 560. 563. 567. 581. 585. THE OOLOGIS8ST 19 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. Not common. Pileated Woodpecker. Not com- mon, but occuring in all the large Swamps. Red-headed Woodpecker. Very common. Red-bellied Woodpecker. Not common. So. Flicker. Very common. The northern form probably occurs as large bunches were seen mi- grating early in March, but no specimens were taken. Blue Jay. Common. Am. Crow. Very common, oc- curing in immense droves. Ruby Crowned Kinglet. Very common among the thickets in all the swamps but does not oc- cur in large numbers as when mi- grating. Red-winged Blackbird. Was not observed until late in February when the northbound migration had begun. So. Meadowlark. Very common. It is probable that the No. Meadowlark also occurs. Bronzed Grackle. Fairly com- mon. Purple Finch. Occuring in large droves, periodically, all winter. Am. Goldfinch. Common. Vesper Sparrow. Not common. White-throated Sparrows. With the exception of the English Sparrow, the commonest of the Sparrows. Tree Sparrow. Not common. Chipping Sparrow. Not com- mon. Field Sparrow. Occurs in large numbers. Slate Colored Junco. Very com- mon. Leaves late in February. Song Sparrow. Common. Fox Sparrow. Only a few ob- served, 587. 593. 619. 761. 766. Towhee. Very common Cardinal. Very common. Cedar Waxwing. Occurs period- ically in droves of from one to two hundred. The negroes are fond of Cedar bird pie, and large numbers are killed. Loggerhead Shrike. Only two observed in two months. Myrtle Warbler. Fairly com- mon. Mids Mockingbird. Very common. Hardly a yard in the town but what have from one to three pairs of Mockingbirds. Brown Thrasher. An early nester. Carolina Wren. Very common around the edges of the swamps. Nests early in March. House Wren. Not common. Winter Wren. Only one served. Brown Creeper. Not common, but occurs regularly. Brown-headed Nuthatch. mon. Nests early in March. Tufted Titmouse. Observed three or four times. Carolina Chickadee. mon. American Robin. Very common. Can be seen early in March gathering in large droves prepar- atory to their northward journey. Bluebird. Common along the creeks where cleared. Prewitt Roberts, Conway, Missouri. oe Olar Columbianus Very common. ob- Com- Very com- The last native Wild Swan was shipped a short time ago to J. O. Jack- son, of Denver, Colorado, in an effort to mate the same with a male of the same species, which Mr. Jackson has on his grounds there. It is to be hoped that this effort will not result as did the effort to mate the last Trumpeter 20 THE OOLOGIS8T Swan, of a female of the same species Scaup Duck in the Zoological Garden, at Washing- Buffle Head tony WC: Old Squaw ee American Scooter TEXAS NOTE White Winged Scooter Texas Bob White Surf Scooter While on the Elkhart Dairy on Ruddy Duck ranch out from San Antonio, Texas, (Canada Goose my wife and I were getting material Whistling Swan for some stories and also taking bird American Bittern Breeds notes. I could hear Quail, Bob Whit- [east Bittern Breeds ing in the hay fields near the house. (Great Blue Heron Breeds The Johnson grass was all mowed (Green Heron Breeds down and I thought these Quail lost Black Crowned Night Heron (B) their eggs, by horses or cattle tramp- king Rail (B) ing on them. But after a few weeks Virginia Rail (B) the grass was ready to cut again, so I Sora Rail (B) was running the mowing machine. I fWorida Galinule (B) had about six acres cut down and was’ American Coot (B) finishing up on my last round when American Woodcock (B) up jumped Mrs. Quail and about fif- Wilson Snipe (B) teen little ones just big enough to fly. Ppijctoral Sand Piper It sure was a fluttering sight to see [east Sandpiper them make their first flight and they Red Backed Sandpiper were lucky to be alive after the grass Sempal Mated Sandpiper being cut where the nest was situated. Western Sandpiper Ee oO ENE Sanderling BIRDS OBSERVED AT EAST RAN- Greater Yellow Legs DOLPH, N. Y. Yellow Legs (B) indicates Breeding Birds of Solitary Sandpiper this area. Spotted Sandpiper (B) Horned Grebe Bartramian Sandpiper (B) Pied Billed Breeds Black Bellied Plover Loon Golden Plover Herring Gull Breeds Killdeer (B) Bonapart Gull Semipalmated Plover Common Tern Turnstone Black Tern Breeds Bobwhite (B) American Merganser Ruffled Grouse (B) Red Breasted Merganser. Mourning Dove (B) Mallard Breeds Marsh Hawk (B) Black Duck Breeds Sharp Shinned Hawk (B) Gadwall i Cooper’s Hawk Breeds Baldpate American Goshawk Green Winged Teal Red Tailed Hawk (B) Blue Winged Teal Red Shouldered Hawk (B) Pintail American Sparrow Hawk (B) Wood Duck Breeds American Osprey Canvashack American Long-eared Owl (B) 21 THE OOLOGIST ‘ojOD ‘uaAusq ‘90e8|d S,uosyoer 'O “fF UO UEMS 29 THE OOLOGIS8T American Short-eared Owl Barred Owl (B) Saw-whit Owl Screech Owl (B) Great Horned Owl (B) Snowy Owl Yellow Billed Cuckoo (B) Black Billed Cuckoo (B) Pelted Kingfisher (B) Hairy Woodpecker (B) Downy Woodpecker (B) Yellow Bellied Sapsucker (B) Red Headed Woodpecker (B) Red Bellied Woodpecker Northern Pileated Woodpecker Northern Flicker (B) Whippoorwill (B) Night Hawk (B) Chimney Swift (B) Ruby Throated Hummer (B) King Bird (B) Crested Flycatcer (B) Phoebe (B) Wood Pewee (B) Alder Flycatcher (B) Yellow Bellied Flycatcher Green Crested Flycatcher Least Flycatcher (B) Horned Lark Prairie Horned Lark Blue Jay (B) American Crow (B) Bobolink (B) Cowbird (B) Red Winged Blackbird (B) Meadow Lark (B) Orcard Oriole (B) Baltimore Oriole (B) Rusty Blackbird Bronzed Grackle (B) House Sparrow (B) Purple Finch (B) American Goldfinch (B) Snowflake Vesper Sparrow (B) Savanna Sparrow (B) Grasshopper Sparrow (B) White Crowned Sparrow White Throated Sparrow Tree Sparrow Chipping Sparrow (B) Field Sparrow (B) Slate Colored Junco (B) Song Sparrow (B) Swamp Sparrow (B) Tox Sparrow Towee (B) Rose Breasted Grosbeak (B) Indigo Bunting (B) Scarlet Tanager (B) Purple Martin (B) Cliff Swallow (B) Barn Swallow (B) Tree Swallow (B) Bank Swallow (B) Cedar Waxwing (B) Northern Shrike Migrant Shrike (B) Red-eyed Vireo (B) Warbling Vireo (B) Yellow Throated Vireo (B) Black and White Warbler (B) Golden Winged Warbler (B) Nashville Warbler (B) Tennessee Warbler (B) Yellow Warbler (B) Black Throated Blue Warbler Myrtle Warbler Magnolia Warbler (B) Cerulean Warbler (B) Chestnut Sided Warbler (B) Bay Breasted Warbler Black Pall Warbler Blackburnian Warbler Black-Throated Green Warbler Oven Bird (B) Water Thrush (B) Northern Yellow Throat (B) American Redstart (B) Catbird (B) Brown Thrasher (B) House Wren (B) Short-billed Marsh Wren Long Billed Marsh Wren (B) Brown Creeper White Breasted Nuthatch (B) THE OOLOGIST 23 Red Breasted Nuthatch Chickadee (B) Golden Crowned Kinglet Ruby Crowned Kinglet Wood Thrush (B) Wilson Thrush (B) Hermit Thrush American Robin (B) Blue Bird (B) Harl A. Wheeler. ag pe RARE AND UNCOMMON’ BIRDS Lawrence County, Mo. Notes By Johnson Neff Down here in Southwest Missouri, where it seems that hills and prairies merge together, we sometimes find-un- common birds, sometimes rare ones in our state, many times rarer to our vi- cinity. A partial list follows: 11. Red-throated Loon. Very un- common visitant. One bird was ob- served by myself on a large body of water, eleven miles east and south of Marionville, on May 11th, 1918. 74. Least Tern, August 10th, 1917. 77. Black Tern, August 10th, 1917. My first and last acquaintance with these birds. The birds were flying over the pond mentioned above and these were in all probably 80 individu- als. 125. White Pelicans. Fall of 1919. For several weeks during September and October reports came to me from people living about ten miles south of a flock of Pelicans which were stray- ing first to the river then back to the pond in the hill regions. But it was not my good fortune to be able to see the birds. 137. Bald-pate. Fall 1919. First time I had ever been lucky enough to collect a specimen of this common duck. Was found feeding in a puddle of water in a wheat field. 169. Snow Goose. (Lesser Snow Goose in all probability—EHd.). Have ‘seen several geese flying over which are called Snow Geese, but a neighbor was lucky enough to kill one out of a flock of ten which were feeding on his wheat field in October 1919. 181. Trumpeter Swan. (Possibly Whistling Swan—KHd.). A very ob- servant farmer living on the James River about 35 miles south reported a Swan, or rather a pair of Swans which remained on the river for weeks in the fall of 1917. After looking through some bird books to which he had ac- cess he named it a Trumpeter, al- though one more reliable might have been able to distinguish which it was, this species or the Whistling Swan. 196. American Hegret. The “Snowy Egret” is becoming more and more common here on the rivers, aS a few years ago none were seen. I also saw one specimen sitting on a log in the Missouri River, Hast of Macon on September 6th, 1918, as I passed on a Wabash train. 212. Virginia Rail. Found one specimen with a broken leg, in 1910. 206. Sandhill Crane. I saw one specimen of the Sandhill Crane near the James River in July 1914. It was sailing in circles high over the hills but with a good field glass I was able to identify it. For weeks one lone Crane fed about over the _ prairies within sight of Marionville during December and January, 1919 and 1920, until the owners of the farm it fre- quented heard some town hunters planning to kill it. He and his neigh- bors tried to scare the bird away but could not so at last killed the bird to save it, and it is now in the hands of an expert taxidermist. 228. Woodcock. Possibly once a year I hear from various sources that Woodcock have been killed, but I have never found any very reliable traces. Have seen many Woodcock in Wisconsin but none here. 367. Short-Hared Owl. My only 24 THE OOLOGIS8ST acquaintance with the species is one individual found dead in the woods about five miles south of my home on Nov. 15th, 1916. 595. Rose Breasted Grosbeak. Have seen only twospecimens of this beauti- ful bird. One was in 1909, the other was on May Ist, 1917, a very clear and distinct view. 638. Swainson’s Warbler. Have seen two of these birds. One was at Brown Spring Lake, Aug. 10th, 1917, the day I found the Black Tern. The other specimen was observed on the James River near Galena, Mo., in the rank growth near the water’s edge on July 18, 1917. (Identity very doubtful. —Ed.) 648. Parula Warbler. Have seen only two instances of this bird. One was an adult male April 15, 1917, at Browns Mill Pond, six miles southeast. The other was a pair with nest of per- haps from young about seventy feet above James River, ina Sycamore tree, July 16, 1917. The latter were very tame and were closely examined. 697. American Pipit. I saw one specimen of this northern bird while plowing, Feb. 19th, 1917. The bird was not wild but remained for hours following the plow. It was observed from all distances and angles and can- not be mistaken. Co Se ee ADDENDA Since writing my list of Sw. Mo. Warblers I have added two more species to my list. Both are common pirds according to Widmann, but I have had much trouble in finding them —Addenda. 667. Black-throated Green Warbler. Seemingly rather common here but was first seen in the College Campus of Marionville College, by the Biology Class which I had charge of for field bird-study. On April 22, 1920 I found a pair with two full-grown young on James River. 686. Canadian Warbler. I just al- most fell over one of these Aug. 22nd, 1920 as I went through a small group of oak trees on the edge of my lawn. This is the only one of the kind I have seen here. Johnson Neff, Marionville, Mo. pee pyre a Ee at BE AA The Sequel of the Death of a Wander- ing Snowy Owl J. Warren Jacobs This little nine page publication is a poem brought forth by the death of a Snowy Owl, near the home of J. Warren Jacobs, December 9, 1918, and is credible to the author. It is written in truly Jacobs style —R. M. B. See Se ee eee “Economic Books Received” “Heonomic Value of The Starling in the United States.” United States De- partment of Agriculture, Bull. No. 868 Professional Paper January 10, 1921, by HE. R. Kalmback and I. N. Gabriel- son. This paper consisting of 66 pages contains an exhaustive review of the present status of the Starling in the United States, and all its habits, food, and the conclusion arrived at is that most of the Starling food habits have been demonstrated to be either bene- ficial to man or of a neutral character. Furthermore, it has been found that the time the bird spends in destroying crops, or in molesting other birds is extremely short compared in the end- less hours it spends searching for in- sects or feeding on wild fruits. Nevertheless new policies would be warranted which would give the birds absolute protection and afford new re- lief to the farmer, whose crops are threatened by local abundance of this species——R. M. Barnes. THE OOLOGI8T FOR BHXCHANGEHE—Nice set Golden Eagle 1/2. 1/1. Can use sets of 9, 10, 112, 118, 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. Er. M. CARRYL, No. 1 Princeton Street, Nutley, N. J. FOR EXCHANGE—One Taylor Smoke torpedo, one Mandelette, one minute Camera. Wanted—Butterfles. IWATE 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—‘SBendire’s Life Histories, Vol. 2”, ‘‘Bent’s Life His- tories.” ROSWELL S. WHEELER, 166 Athol Ave., Oakland, Calif. WANTED—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, I11. IT am always willing to purchase “Bulletin of the Cooper Ornithological Club,” Vol. 1. Complete or old num- bers. W. H. CHAMBERS, Eagle Rock, Calif. Il 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, layetteville, Arkansas. WANTEHED—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 Lore, Vols. 17, 18, 19, 20; 50 Singles; American Ornitholog ist, Vols. Wor, - (Cs M. CASH, 306 Blue Hills Ave., Hartford, Connecticut. FOR SALH—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- can, Haunia, INos: 105 25> 13) £5, at 30¢ each. Above prices postpaid if ordered at once. HMERSON A. STONER, Box 444, Benicia, Calif. WANTED—Bird Lore, Vol. I, 3-4; II, 1S ANN Wewyoss WANG, Ibs As, 6 and index.Orni- thologist and Oologist Vol. VI and VII complete, Vol. XII, 10. The Warbler, 1st series complete. Wilson Bulletin com- plete file H. H. JOHNSON, Pittsfield, Maine. FOR dred EXCHANGE—About one hun- mounted birds each with full data; including Hawks, Owls, Eagles, Water Birds, ete. Also several finely mounted Deer heads. Want first class bird skins only. Send your list and get mine. WHARTON HUBER, 225 St. Mark’s Square, Philadelphia, Pa. FOR HXCHANGE—Full sets of the iKOMMoysialayers: abs ale, Ie ILE, ALG, BO), Wal, Diy, Bo 28 29, 80, Bil, Sila, 82. By ul, Be, 82-1, 86, 86f, 86-1, 89, 90, 93, 101, 103, 104, 105, 105-1, 105-2, 106, 167, 108, 108-1, U4 allel, al, aL Gail, Til, GZ, itd, 194f 1-4, 355 1-5, 357 1- 4, 348 1-7, 364 a8, 389, for sets of equal value or will sell. E. A. WHEELER, E. Randolph, N. Y. WANTED—To correspond with col- lector who can furnish any of the water birds, shore birds, and waders, all num- bers from 1 to 392 desired. Offer good exchange or cash. BH. A. WHEBHRULER, Hast Randolph, N. Y. Collection of United States Stamps (in part or whole) for sale or exchange for eggs in sets. G. B. REGAR, 1000 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, Pa. FOR HXCHANGE—Bausch and Lomb microscope, a fine instrument. Ideal for student doing dissecting. In wooden case. Can use sets or anything useful. HARL WHEELER, EH. Randolph, N. Y. WANTHED—_vVolume 2, complete or in parts, bound or unbound, of The Auk. Will pay a good price for it to fill my file of The Auk. W. OTTO EMERSON, Hayward, R.E.D. No.1, B. 30, California. WANTED—Two pair of climbers, must be in good condition. State price in first letter. RAYMOND BEHARDS- LEY, East Claridon, Ohio. THE WILSON BULLETIN A QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF ORNITHOLOGY Paying particular attention to Field Studies of Birds in Middle North America, Now in its 28th year. 48 pages or more of readable matter with illustrations. Indispensable to all ucctive field workers. One dollar per year, 30 cts per copy. Official Organ of THE WILSON ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB Address A. Ff. GANIER, Secretary, 2507 Ashwood Avenue Nashville, Tennessee. 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 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. WANTED—A _ good pair, each of Black and Yellow Rails for which I will give good exchange. O. C. HAST- es 207 Denver Ave., Bridgeport, onn. WANTED—First Class sets from re- liable collectors. Especially sets con- taining Cowbird eggs. G. B. REGAR, 1000 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, - Pa. ALL PHRSONS having Ne 1 “1 skins" in pairs of any of the North American Jays send list. I will pay the highest price for those that need. M. BARNES, Lacon, III. 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 OTS. FOR SAMPLE COPY Annual Subscription, $32.00 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. THE OOLOGIST. BIRDS--NESTS--EGGS TAXIDERMY - Vou. XXXVIII. No.3. ALBION, N. Y., Marcu 1, 1921. WHOLE No. 407 gr Of Compa, oo Zeology EB “MAY 11 1943 — THE OOLOGIST BRIEF SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS Wanted, Exchange, Fer Sale, Ntc., inserted in Bae department at le eentes g e for each 25 words for one issue; each additional serted for less than 25 cents. wo! 1 eent. 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.—HDITOR. In answering advertisements in these columng 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 pare to dispose of by exchange or otherwise. R. M. BARNES, Lacon, Il. ENTIRE COLLECTIONS—Will pay 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 186, Route 2, Ft. Worth, Texas. WANTEHD—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. WANTED—Complete set of “Con- dor”. I have a small collection of sea birds’ eggs, excellent for duplicates, that I am offering for this set. THHO- DORE R. GREER, Sheridan, I11. DATA BLANKS—I will send 500 standard data blanks with your name printed on them for $1.25. No less than 500 done. EDW. S. COOMBS, 243 Frank- lin St., Boston, Mass. CORRESPONDENCE and Exchange wanted with Butterfly and Moth col- Especially in the West, the Gulf States and Canada. A. E. BROW- ER. Willard. Mo. W AN 1 Hi D—Pay cash for Fisher’s Hawks and Owls of the United States; also Birds of Maryland. L. R. Wolfe, Camp Meade, Md. TEACHERS WANTED for schools and Colleges—big salaries—write or wire. National Teachers Agency, Syra- cuse, N. Y. WANTED—“‘‘Birds of Pennsylvania,” by Warren, 1st and 2nd editions. RICH- ARD F. MILLER, 2526 North Second St., Philadelphia, Pa. FOR BEST CASH OFFER—Cones Key Fifth Edition, 12 Vols. like new, A. C. DYKE, Bridgewater, Mass. MAKE 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 $3.00 postpaid, duty free. EDWIN DIXON, ‘Taxidermist, Union- ville, Ont. 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. FOR EXCHANGE—European & Asia- tic eggs in sets for North American species and _ skins. Address, C. W. Chamberlain, 36 Lincoln St., Boston, Mass. 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. “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. TO EXCHANGE—Many complete and incomplete volumes and odd numbers of bird magazines, U. S. Reports, ete. for flower plants and bulbs. JX, 1D), SCHUTZE, Box 302, Austin, Texas. R. R. 1, Miami Beach, Florida. W ANTED—Correspondence with par- ties desiring to exchange good speci- mens, ornithological publications, pho- tographs, ete. B. S. BOWDISH, Demar- est, N. J. FOR DISPOSAL—Four volumes of The Oologist, 1916-1919, inclusive, with October, 1918, supplement. Make offer. H. M. HOLLAND, Galesburg, Il. ALL WHO ARE WILLING fo pay eash for mounted birds and bird skins write to me at once. Satisfaction guar- anteed. D. V. HEMBREE, Roswell, Ga. FOR EXCHANGH—A. O. U. 77, 408, 413, 560a and 683a. Can use any com- mon sets. JOHN B. HURLEY, Yakima, Wash. WANTED—First class skins of 740, 10a, Wace, M7, Tila, 709, 700, G7, 634, 600, 600a, 580c, 579, 576, 571, 525, 482.a, 472, 422, 424, 216, and many others. Address C. W. Chamberlain, 36 Lin- coln St., Boston, Mass. WANTED—The following Oologist singles: Feb. ’13, Mar. and Oct. ’15, Mar. May, June, July, Oct. and Nov. ’16; Aug. 19 and May, 1920. Will pay reason- able prices for any of the above. Box 96, Wallingford, Pa. THE OOLOGIST. VoL. XXXVIII. No. 3 ALBION, N. Y., Marcu 1, 1921. WHOLE No. 407 Owned and Published Monthly, by R. M. Barnes, Albion, N.Y., and Lacon, Iil. 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 at Albion, N. Y., under the Act of Congress of March 3, 1879. ae MAY 11 1043 ? / Ye Lier age 26 THE OOLOG!IST PREPARATION OF FAR-INCUBAT- ED EGGS For the benefit of newer oologists, one repeats, here, with some ad- ditions, a suggestion made some time ago, in regard to the Preparation of Incubated Hggs. As a rule, of course, when we find eggs opaque, we graciously leave them to hatch. But when one finds a beautiful set of Le Conte Sparrow at the very hatching point, one hates to see them lost to the enrichment of oological treasur- ing. If such an experience falls to you, try this: Carefully, with a darning needle, prick out, on the less-finely marked side of the egg, an area as small as possible; yet large enough to admit of the drawing of the embryo through the opening, with a hook. It is really surprising through how small a hole an embryo can be removed, if not too far advanced to completion. A large bent pin, attached to a wooden handle, makes a perfect em- bryo hook. With this, turn the em- bryo about, in the egg, until the back of the head appears. Then draw it out, with extremest care. The placenta usually presents grave difficulty. It clings to the shell. It must be coaxed out. This may often be done with a strong jet of water, _ through ones blow-pipe. With caution, the hook may be used. The placenta having been removed, rinse the egg thoroughly; and lay it to dry on some hard surface. When it is utterly dry, tear out a section of ‘tissue paper, of a suitable tint; providing a margin wide enough to grip the edges of your open- ing fairly. In applying this, on the point of a darning needle, gently press down the edges of the paper smoothly. In preparing the patch, use glue,— good, strong glue. NOT wmucilage. When this patch is dry, make another, somewhat larger. With an indelible pencil, affix the species-number, the set-mark and, if you care, your own private hall-mark, and apply this patch over the other. Use especial care in pressing and smoothing the outer patch. Firm adhesion can only thus be secured. When the patch is dry, with your darning needle spread over it a thin layer of collodion. With larger eggs, this treatment should be repeated. You will find that the ether in the collo- dion brings out the color of the indel- ible pencil finely. (By the way, why not use such a pencil, always, in mark- ing your eggs? It involves less danger of denting a fragile egg if you will moisten the surface, evenly and thin- ly: and then lightly mark the legend. In this wise you assure the impossi- bility of some dishonest pseudo-orni- thologist making up sets by erasing the common-pencil markings ) A concrete example of the above sort of treatment for eggs with ex- tremely large emptying holes is add- ed, here: Last June, in a little meandering swale, I found a robbed and deserted nest of a Montana Red-wing. It was set a foot above the slowly-running water. The new nest was just finished; and was quite like the for- mer nest. it was but a rod distant. In the abandoned nest were two per- fect eggs and one that had been part- ly eaten by some small bird or mam- mal. In the water below was another egg with a small hole in one side - through which almost the entire con- tent had been removed; still another that had almost all of one side crushed in. One of the perfect eggs was of rare beauty, all marked at the apex with delicate stripplings and hair-lines of dull-brown. The five eggs were all of them mutually so unlike that one might have imagined that the female Red-wing had “made up” a set by stealing from other nests! THE OOLOGIS8T 27 I greatly desired to save so unusual a set. I therefore rinsed the partly- emptied eggs, carefully; and blew the others: (which of course, were fresh). On reaching home I prepared the eggs in this set, as above indicated. By holding the much-broken egg gently, but firmly, with thumb on one end and fore-finger on the other, I was able to “treat” it without crushing. And now, with its fellows, it is one of the treas- ures of my cabinet: loath as you may be to believe it. I am well aware that the dilettanti among collectors will ridicule this idea of mine, without measure. But I shall still smile back at them, remembering how instructive is that one crushed egg, now secure against all ordinary breakage, as it lies beside its rarely- beautiful pin-hole-blown fellow. We older “boys” turn many a trick that may not appeal to the other fellow; we get lots of fun out of such ex- ploits. P. B. Peabody, Blue Rapids, Kansas. 2 EE ees NESTING OF THE AMERICAN HAWK OWL On my arrival in Manitoba, seven years ago, the American Hawk Owl was a very common bird, at least in this northern part of the province. Without doubt, it was by far the most common one of all the owls. During the winter 1913-14 several were shot here by ‘“‘Sunday-hunters,”’ and ‘the boy with the 22” destroyed many of them, knowing little and caring less of what he was doing. During the summer 1914 this semi- nocturnal raptor evidently bred here, as specimens were often seen during the breeding months, yet no nests were found. : After that year this owl was grad- ually getting rarer, and finally it dis- appeared entirely. I have not seen a hawk owl for three years. One day last summer (June 28, 1920), when I was walking through the woods near a small lake, following an old unused trail, that in winter times I use for a trap-line, I got a surprise of my life, and a pleasant surprise it certainly was. In an old dead willow bush, within a few paces of the trail is an old crow’s nest which I had known for years. This nest is only five feet above ground and another heavy, dead willow bush has fallen over the bush containing the nest, in such manner, that it forms a sort of a slanting roof over the nest some fif- teen inches above it. I had never seen a crow nor any other bird in this nest, yet as I have a habit of looking into °'"’ old nests, when within an easy rec -h, on this particular trip I stepped off the trail to peep into the nest. When I was within a step or two, off flew a bird, only to light on the branch of the next willow bush. Sure enough, right there before me was the Ameri- can Hawk Owl, snapping her bill at me and wondering what I was about And I had not seen a Hawk Owl for three years! In the nest were three very heavily incubated eggs, which I collected of course, and was successful enough in preparing first class specimens of them, with moderately large holes. The eggs average 1.48 x 118 in size, and are decidedly smaller than the eggs in a set of the Huropean Hawk Owl, which I have and which also is a personally collected set. In the spring of the year 1912 I made a trip to my native country, Finland, and while there I collected several sets of eggs, among them being a set of four of the Hawk Owl. This last mentioned set was in an old hollow poplar tree, which had been excavated by the Great Black Woodpecker. The 28 THE OOLOGIS8ST eggs of the European bird average 1.60 x 1.29 in size. It goes without saying, that I am very proud of these two sets, and as I am particularly interested in the Birds of Prey, and their nesting habits and eggs, these twin sets, will become “fixtures” in my collection for some time to come. In connection with the American set there are several items worth nothing. It is not the custom of this Owl to nest in an open nest (though in this particular instance the nest was part- ly covered, yet there were dead stubs with unoccupied Flicker holes within few hundred yards). The number of eggs is smaller than the average and the date unusually late. I am of the opinion, that it is a second set of the season, the first one having been des- troyed somehow. The male bird was not to be seen and even the solitary female has prob- ably left the land, as I have not seen her, nor any other Hawk Owls since. E. S. Norman, Kalsvala, Man., Can -> 2 jo HINTS FOR BEGINNERS Horace O. Green, Wakefield, Mass. The editor of The Oologist has al- ways been willing to allow space in the magazine for anything connected with the study of birds and I feel tempted to offer a few remarks in re- gard to field work. Since the Biologi- cal Survey has so wisely decided to allow permits for collecting purposes to be issued to sincere students of natural history it is to be expected that many young men may be en- couraged to take up seriously the most fascinating studies in all nature, orni- thology and oology, and it is for these beginners that this article is written. So many instructions for field col- lecting have already been published that the novice has little difficulty in learning from books most of the im- portant details in collecting and pre- paring birds’ skins, nests and eggs, but there are a few little points which seem to be worthy of mention either because they are generally omitted in printed directions or because the ama- teur is not liable to appreciate their value unless they are given special emphasis. Some of them seem so simple that most people would think of them anyway, but it often happens that attention to minor details de- termine whether success or failure shall attend your efforts to add to your cabinet a specimen in perfect condition. If the novice is fortunate enough to have among his acquaintances a naturalist who is willing to take him afiield and give him a little practical experience, this is by far the easiest, best and quickest way to require pro- ficiency in the work, but there are many nature students who are not blessed with such an opportunity, and for these a few hints may be helpful. As many naturalists have begun their career by collecting eggs we will do well to consider this subject first of all. The best way is to get the eggs when perfectly fresh if possible. If a set is taken as soon as the full quota has been laid they can be blown and rinsed easily through small neat holes and they make perfect specimens, whereas eggs in which incubation has considerably advanced not only re- quire much more work in their prepa- ration, but in some cases, at least, be- come badly nest stained, the color be- comes duller with a faded appearance, and it is almost impossible to remove the contents without making holes of such a size that they will be frowned upon by many collectors. In order to get the eggs while fresh try to find the nest before the complete set has been laid and then you can easily estimate THE OOLOGIST 29 about when to go again and collect them. Although it may seem much easier to wait until the bird is sitting and find the nest by flushing its owner from it you are very liable to have trouble because of incubation if you depend on that method, and it fre- frequently is not only possible but quite as easy to find the nest long be- fore the full set has been laid. It is a good plan to go afield and ob- serve what birds are about your terri- tory, and if it is the proper time for a species you see to be nesting, to im- mediately begin to look in suitable places for the nest, whether the bird’s actions betray its whereabouts or not. Some birds do show plainly by their actions when their nests are being ap- proached but many species slip out of your way quietly and disappear, and you would seldom find the nest by watching the birds until it was too late to save the eggs in good condition. It is well to make a list of all birds known to breed in your territory, be- ginning with the very earliest date on which a full set of any species has been found, and following in the order of time in which the various species have their nests until your list is com- plete. I simply rule sheets of ordin- ary letter paper, (size eleven by eight and a half inches), into five vertical columns of varying width to suit the entries, and in these columns, reading horizontally from left to right I make the following entries,—in the first column the earliest known date when a full set of the species was found, in the second column the common name of the bird, in the third column the average dates between which the ma- jority of that particular species have a full set, in the next column the num- ber of eggs which is considered a set, and in the last column, under the heading of remarks, anything of special interest, such as the usual location of the nest, or in the case of rare breeders some _ of the actual dates and localities where they have been taken. To start wtih get as much data as you can from publications referring to birds of regions as near as possible to the ground you wish to collect on, and then you can make additions from time to time from your own observa- tions. By carrying in your pocket a carefully compiled list such as des- cribed you can easily and quickly find out what nests to expect at any given date in the season; and when you see a bird whose nesting habits you are unfamiliar with you can get a fair idea whether or not it is time for it to be breeding, and it may save you many a weary hour of searching for a nest before the birds have made it, or when it is too late in the season to find eggs which can be saved for the cabinet. But remember that many birds have two or more broods in a season and if you can not find tneir first nest you may be lucky enough to find a later one. Many birds ordinarily lay but one set a season but if that set hap- pens to be destroyed some of them lay another clutch, sometimes in the same nest, but more often I think in a new nest built at no great distance from the first one. For this reason it is sometimes possible to get fresh eggs at a much later date than your aver- age dates would indicate and it is well to be on the watch for all such occur- rences. Carefully record all data pos- Sible about any nest which you find or the actions of its owners, for the num- ber of nests you can discover general- ly depends directly on how sharp an observer you are. As a list of this kind is for field use it is well to sew the sheets of paper together at the top, (or along the left side if you prefer), so as to prevent them from being separated or lost in the field, 30 THE OOLOGIS8ST Most collectors keep satisfactory data on the sets they take because data blanks with spaces for most of the necessary notes are in common use, but many fail to keep notes on the nests from which they do not take eggs. I find that the sets collected for a very small percentage of the number which I find and examine dur- ing the season and I have made it a practice to rule papers with blank spaces to keep a record of every nest found. When these are afterwards filled out they show at a glance, (in the order named), the date; name of bird; condition of the nest when found or the number of eggs, if any; lo- cality; date of collection, if the set was taken; number of eggs; incuba- tion; location of nest; and last, under a column for remarks, such items as general character of country, materials of which the nest is made, distance from nearest water supply, amount ot shade, or kind of vegetation in the im- mediate vicinity of the nest. It may seem that keeping such a list is a formidable task but if you pre- pare your blank forms in advance it is a very simple matter to fill them out in the field as each nest is found, and your data then will be much more complete than if you depend on your memory, if only for the reason that you do not notice things clearly until you try to describe them. When you find a nest before the complete clutch has been deposited in it do not handle either eggs or nest, but after glancing into it immediately leave the spot without disturbing the nest or its surroundings, for some birds will desert their nest if even slightly disturbed. If the nest is in grass or bushes where it may be diffi- cult to find it again, especially of in rank vegetation where a few days growth may change the general ap- pearance of the spot, it is well to mark in your note-book very carefully the aistance and direction from the near- est prominent landmark. I also usual- ly break a limb on a tree or bush when possible at a distance of ten or fifteen feet from the nest, leaving the broken branch hanging downward. When you visit the place again the wilted leaves make a mark easily found. Some col- lectors tie a piece of cotton batting on a twig near a nest to mark the spot when possible, but if you are on ground where any other collectors are liable to roam you may find out later that this habit simply makes easy work for the other fellow and some of your rare sets may be missing. A small broken branch is not nearly so liable to attract the attention of others, and even if it did if they found no nest at the spot they would seldom look farther Bear in mind that sometimes a dog cr a fox will follow a man’s trail through the woods, and for this reason if you are watching a nest on or near the ground it is well not to visit it too frequently and to go no nearer than is necessary to see the contents when you do. Remember that in years past profes- sional “egg hogs” have done much to bring our favorite study into disrepute, and do not take any more sets than you actually need. This is in no way intended as a reflection on any man who collects a large series of any species concerning which he is mak- ing a special study and for which he needs specimens for comparative work, but the average student does not need a large number of sets of the same species, and to collect either eggs or birds in excess of your legiti- mate needs is not only useless but a criminal waste of our national re- sources, and will bring you nothing but censure from every naturalist who finds it out. THE OOLOGIST 31 Great Horned Owl Nest. The ultimate end of all private col- lections should be that sooner or later, by gift or by purchase, the bulk of the material taken should be absorbed by larger collections and find a place in museums open to the public where it will do the most good. Prepare your specimens and take good care of them so that if they are finally placed on exhibition they will compare well with their surroundings, Note that One Egg Is Half Buried —Walter A. Goelitz so that you will either feel ashamed of them nor need to apologize for their condition. If it becomes necessary to blow eggs in which incubation has considerably advanced sometimes it can be accom- plished as follows: it is not impera- tive that all the contents should be re- moved immediately after the hole is drilled; just blow out what you can, fill the egg with clear water and allow 82 THE OOLOGIST it to set for two or three days. Then again blow out what you can, and re- peat the soaking several times if necessary. This is a slow, and some- what unpleasant task because of the odor, but if persevered in will many times reward you with a perfect set of eggs thoroughly blown and rinsed through medium sized holes, in spite of the embryo. Some collectors use caustic soda to dissolve embryos but personally I do not approve of that method because I tried it and decided that it weakened the egg shell so that the result was not all that could be desired. If an egg has some of its contents stuck on the inside surface where you have difficulty in removing it, but can locate where it is by holding the egg up to the light, try to accomplish it in the following way,—pull a soft long bristle out of an ordinary brush such as is commonly used with a dust pan, slip one end of the bristle inside the egg and gently roll the other end between your thumb and finger, caus- ing the end in the egg to revolve and serape the inner surface. But take care that the bristle does not get twisted into a knot and break the shell when you withdraw it. In deciding the size of hole you should drill in any egg a safe rule is to have the hole just large enough to remove all the contents and rinse clean with water. Provided you can do this the smaller the hole the better. For a collecting box to carry in the field I prefer a flat oblong tin box with rounded corners which will not tear a pocket lining. Some candy firms use a box of this description to pack a pound of candy in, and I have one which is deep enough to hold the eggs of the Red-shouldered Hawk, and is also very light and strong. When using the box in a tree I slip a strong rubber band over it to hold the cover on securely and I have never had an ege broken accidentally since I used it. Never use any box with a sliding cover as it is liable to catch on the cotton or other material used to pack the eggs in and create havoc with your specimens. Sometime you may desire to climb to a nest in a large tree when you have no climbing irons with you and if, as is frequently the case, the lowest limbs are ten or fifteen feet from the ground it may look as though some hard “‘shinning”’ is necessary to reach the first branches although the rest of the climb may be easy enough. By cutting down a small tree with plenty of branches and then trimming the ends of these branches off so as to leave a’ short length of each one at- tached to the trunk, you can use this as a ladder to ascend the lower part of the big tree and reach the limbs where climbing becomes easy. In or- der to be prepared for such an emer- gency I always carry a Marble safety pocket axe weighing about a pound and a half, which is also extremely useful for various other purposes such as cutting trees for a rude bridge over small streams, or for chopping into hollow trees where a nest cannot be reached through the opening used by the birds. In this connection I will mention the fact that our common Flicker often digs its nest hole on the outer side of a decayed limb where you cannot see the entrance from the main trunk of the tree after you climb up, and it often happens that the limb containing the nest is too rotten to support your weight with safety if you try to swing around to the side where the nest hole is, it being especially difficult to reach if the limb slants out at a decided angle to the trunk bring- ing the nest hole on the under side of the limb. Now most of us would leave the Flicker’s eggs alone in such a sit- THE OOLOGIST 38 uation but as other birds whose eggs are worth more sometimes use desert- ed Flicker holes it frequently becomes desirable to get at the contents of such a nest. If you take your little pocket axe and chop through the back of the limb, opposite where the nest hole is, you can generally get the eggs without much trouble although this method spoils the cavity so that it will seldom be used again. I have seen nice sets of Sparrow Hawk’s eggs procured in this way in situations where almost any other method would have resulted not only in broken eggs but in broken bones also. Always try to remember every nest hole found in cavities of trees, and every nest of any Hawk or Owl found anywhere, and visit them from year to year for many such nests will be repaired and used again and again. Whenever you find a nest which you consider rare study the details of the locality where you find it, and then when you happen across another sec- tion of country where the surround- ings are almost identical you may be lucky enough to find the same species breeding there also. The faculty of being able to glance over a country and determine from its topography what birds are liable to nest in it is a big factor in collecting. A word about guns for collecting may not be out place for most of those advertised especially for this purpose are too small to be of real service. It is generally useless to try to tell a man what kind of a gun he needs, for his own ideas usually decide that point, but I will say that for the last twenty-five years some kind of a gun for collecting has been a necessary part of my outfit during most of my leisure time, and I have seen and used quite a number of different kinds, ranging in size from a twenty-two cali- ber loaded with a few pellets of very fine shot, to an eight-gauge which gave good results when loaded with two ounces of coarse shot, and al- though I have seen times when each of the various sizes and styles of fire- arms were very useful I have found that for general collecting pur- poses nothing else can compare with a double-barrelled hammerless twelve- gauge shot-gun of medium weight and of any good standard make. Ammu- nition for this size can be obtained in many a small store where no other size will be found, which is one thing in its favor if you do much collecting at a distance from home. You can buy shells ready loaded which are suitable for all the various sizes of birds, from a snipe to a swan, and about the only special provision to be made is for shooting very small birds. For this purpose it is best. to get a box of unloaded paper shells from the dealer and some powder, shot and wadding, and then load some shells with a very small charge, using num- ber twelve or dust shot. By shooting at a piece of paper you can easily see what kind of a pattern the various loads make and get a good idea how much ammunition you need to kill a small bird at close range without un- necessary mutilation. In order to get the best results from these light loads the ends of the shells should be crimped over in regulation style to prevent the charge from jarring loose in your pocket. Most sporting goods dealers sell at a very slight cost a hand tool plenty good enough for this purpose, which will crimp the ends over very well even when the shells are only partly filled. If you carry a few of these light loads in your pocket you can slip one into the gun and be prepared for the smallest bird with little loss of time, and you also 84 THE OOLOGIST ' retain the advantage of being ready for large ones, whereas if you carry a’ gun of very small gauge, as most of the so-called collecting guns are made, you will frequently experience keen disappointment because a large bird presents a chance for a shot and your weapon is too small to collect it. On the salt-marshes in summer, with a twelve-gauge gun and these light loads I have collected Least Sandpipers in perfect condition for mounting, and in the woods in late autumn, with the same gun loaded with a solid round ball I have bagged a large ten-point buck deer, thus taking the smallest as well as the largest game which this state afforded without any extra cost except a few specially loaded shells. An auxiliary barrel can be _ pur- chased which will fit inside the twelve- gauge and allow the use of thirty-two or thirty-eight caliber metallic shells, and many collectors use them, but personally I much prefer the lightly loaded shells of standard size. Some use brass twelve-gauge shells which can be reloaded many times, but I found that there were several dis- advantages which generally accom- panied their use, not the least aggra- vating of which was the tendency to miss-fire occasionally. If you use new paper shells and throw them away af- ter discharging them, the cost is trifling and you have the least pos- sible amount of trouble and I think the very best results. Many printed directions advise that after shooting a bird and plugging the bill, nostrils and shot holes with cot- ton, to wrap the bird in paper before placing it in your coat. If a few drops of blood happen to ooze out of the specimen later they will very likely spread along the smooth surface of the paper and when you unwrap your specimen you will find the blood smeared on the feather over a much larger surface than you expected. I always carry in the back of my hunt- ing-coat a small sized bath towel, one of the soft variety called Turkish towels by the dry-goods dealers, and I use this to wrap up my choicest speci- mens in, simply laying a bird on the edge and rolling it up in the towel. Then if any blood drips out the towel absorbs it almost immediately and the feathers are kept much cleaner than by any other method I have tried, thus saving a lot of valuable time other- wise spent in washing and cleaning the plumage when making up skins. Perhaps the most important item of all is the one which you most often neglect, and that is your note book. As to the style of book to use, just suit yourself, for it is not the book but the notes which you write in it that count. For my own use I prefer a leather covered loose-leaf book for permanent records and keep it in my desk at home, to avoid the possibility of losing it, and I carry a small note book in my pocket while out collecting so that I can hastily put down notes during the actual work, and then I copy them into my record book dur- ing leisure time. Do not trust any- thing to memory if you wish to be sure of it at any future time, but write it down as soon as you have an opportunity. If you ever attempt to write out a detailed report of your field work, especially after a lapse of time, you will be sure to fervently - wish you had kept more and better notes. Although it is most impos- sible to write a satisfactory record in the few moments you can spare during outdoor work, it is best to put down as much as you can for you will be sure of that at least, even if your regular record is neglected for a few days which is liable to be a common occurrence, THE OOLOGIST 36 When camping out with a hunting party you will probably return to camp at the end of many a strenuous day with wet feet, empty stomach and a dirty shot-gun to look after, and when these are all properly taken care of and the rest of your camp mates light their pipes and sit up around the camp stove recount- ing their experiences, if you happen to be the taxidermist of the party with birds to skin which keep you busy for an extra hour or two, your record book is sure to get slighted occasionally. But do the best you can under all circumstances to keep your records, for they may stay with you for years after you have parted with the specimens collected, and they will be of real value to yourself and others of similar tastes as your data accumulates. There yet remains much work to do in this line before we have a com- plete account of even some common species. For in spite of all that has been written about our birds, when you become. interested in a special line of investigation it is astonish- ing to find out how many _ pub- lications you may have to consult before you find the information you wish, if indeed you find it at all. You will probably find a general state- ment covering the subject as a whole, but definite exact statements which can be applied to the locality in which you are interested are usually few and far between. When collecting do not allow your- self to become discouraged by poor success, especially when shooting ‘ birds if you happen to miss a fine specimen, and have the mortification of seeing it fly away toward the dis- tant horizon. ‘If you allow your tem- per to be ruffled by such an occur- rence it will probably spoil your nerve for shooting for the rest of the day. Make up your mind to take every good fair shot that chance al- lows you and if you miss be philo- sophic about it and keep perfectly cool until another chance is present- ed. For if you continue to shoot calmly you are bound to get more birds than if you allow excitement or ill nature to disturb you. Never give up discouraged for the day until it becomes too dark to shoot, for it will sometimes happen after a day of poor success in collecting that a lucky shot just at dusk will reward you with a fine specimen. Even after dark as you trudge homeward you may occasionally get a good shot at an owl perched up on a bare limb where its outline is visible against the sky. The man who patiently sticks to the work, day in and day out, is the one who will in the end be able to show a good collection, for it takes time and patience to build up even a small collection representing typical examples of the birds of any locality. Never be afraid to shoot when a bird is within range even if flying through tres at such an angle that you are likely to miss, for it is no disgrace to miss a difficult shot. The man who is always figuring up and telling you just what percentage of his shots are successful is generally waiting for a sure shot or he will not discharge his weapon. The true test to apply to any man with a gun, either the sportsman or the collector, is to allow him all the ammunition he can use and then see what he can show for it when the day is over. Many birds pursued by sportsman can be hunted successfully with dogs or by the use of decoys, but a col- lector is bound to find out that many species which he wishes for his needs cannot be procured thus easily and the number of specimens which he gets 36 THE OOLOGIS8T depends to a great extent on how re- sourceful he happens to be. And now I will say in closing, do not shoot a lot of birds with the idea’ that you will pick out a few of the best specimens and throw the others away, for if a species is common enough so that you can shoot them that way, you should be able by exer- cising care to pick individuals which suit your needs, and very few need be taken except those which are pre- served. While I do not think that the speci- mens taken by collectors in this coun- try have ever made any appreciable difference in the number of birds in any part of it, the carelessness and cussedness of shooters in general has in the past been a dreadful scourge to all forms of wild life in America. Keeping this in mind let your activi- ties be so governed that when the time comes for you to finally put away the gun and the egg drill for good, that your conscience may be perfectly clear. Great Horned Owl Nest.—Walter A. Goelitz THE OOLOGIST FOR EXCHANGE—Nice set Golden Hagle 1/2. 1/1. Can use sets of 9, 10, 112, 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 EXCHANGEH—One Taylor Smoke torpedo, one Mandelette, one re Camera. Wanted—Butterfles. W. Holland’s Moth Book. D. CouDEEne 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. WHEELER, 166 Athol Ave., Oakland, Calif. WANTED—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, I11. I am always willing to purchase “Bulletin of the Cooper Ornithological Club,” Vol. 1. Complete or old num- bers. W. H. 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 SALH—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 BXCHANGEHE—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 Lore, Vols. 17, 18, 19, 20; 50 Singles; American Ornithologist, Vols. 25 es M. CASE, 306 Blue Hills Ave., Hartford, Connecticut. MAMMALS—I want A No. 1 scienti- fic skins of North American Weasels for which I will exchange skins of Mountain Beaver or other mammals or birds. I also want Ridgeway’s “Birds of North and Middle America,’ parts I and II; also North American Fauna, Nos. 238, 25, 27 and 28, for which I will pay cash. Alex Walker, Blaine, Oregon. WANTED—Bird Lore, Vol. I, 3-4; II, 1; III, 1-2-3; VII,1; X, 6 and index.Orni- thologist and Oologist Vol. VI and VII complete, Vol. XII, 10. The Warbler, 1st series complete. Wilson Bulletin com- plete file H. H. JOHNSON, Pittsfield, Maine. FOR EXCHANGE—About one hun- dred mounted birds each with full data; including Hawks, Owls, Eagles, Water Birds, etc. Also several finely mounted Deer heads. Want first class bird skins only. Send your list and get mine. WHARTON HUBER, 225 St. Mark’s Square, Philadelphia, Pa. FOR EXCHANGE—Full sets of the following: 12, 13a, 14, 15, 16, 20, 21, 25, 2 28, 28, 80, Bil, Bila, 8A, 88, SL, 8, 82-1, 86, 86f, 86-1, S19 Ooo me Olam OSs 104, 105, 105- ‘1, 105-2, 106, 107, 108, 108- al, 114, lilAcil, 115, IB iL, Teall(3, 194a 1-4, 194f 1- 4, 355 1-5, 357 1-4, 348 1-7, 364 3-3, 389, for sets of equal value or will sell. E. A. WHEELER, E. Randolph, N. Y. WANTED—To correspond with col- lector who can furnish any of the water birds, shore birds, and waders, all num- bers from 1 to 392 desired. Offer good exchange or cash. EH. A. WHEELER, East Randolph, N. Y. EEE Oe Collection of United States Stamps (in part or whole) for sale or exchange for eggs in sets. G B. REGAR, 1000 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, Pa. FOR HXCHANGE—Bausch and Lomb microscope, a fine instrument. Ideal for student doing dissecting. In wooden case. Can use sets or anything useful. HARL WHEELER, EH. Randolph, N. Y. WANTED—Volume 2, complete or in parts, bound or unbound, of The Auk. Will pay a good price for it to fill my file of The Auk. W. OTTO EMERSON, Hayward, R.F.D. No.1, B. 30, California. WANTED—Two pair of climbers, must be in good condition. State price in. first letter. RAYMOND BEARDS- LEY, East Claridon, Ohio. THE WILSON BULLETIN A QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF ORNITHOLOGY aying particular attention to Field Studies of Birds in Middle North Ameriea, Now in its 28th year. 48 pages or more of readable matter with illustrations. Indispensable to all tctive field workers. One dollar per year, 30 ects per copy. Official Organ of THE WILSON ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB Address A. F. GANIER, Secretary, 2507 Ashwood Avenue Nashville, Tennessee. n°) 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 numbers and some complete Vols. of Am. Ornithology, Condor, Journal Main Orn. Soe., Oregon Naturalist, Notes on Rhode Island Ornithology, Oologist (Utica), Oologist (Albion), Ornitholo- gist and Oologist, Osprey, Warbler, Wilson Bulletin, and Nature Ornitholo- gical magazines. BEN. 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., Bridgeport, Conn. WANTED—First Class sets from re- liable collectors. Especially sets con- taining Cowbird eggs. G. B. RHGAR, 1000 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, Pa. A a a 7 eee ALL PHRSONS having A-1 skins in pale of any of the North American ays send list. I will pay the highest price for those that need. M. BARNDS, 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 OTS. 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. THE OOLOGIST. BIRDS--NESTS--EGGS TA XIDERM Y Vou. XX XVIII. No. 4. ALBION, N. Y., APRIL 1, 1921. WHOLE No. 408 A yt oi compar, Zoology MAY 11.1943 THE OOLOGIST BRIBF SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS Wanted, Exchange, Fer Sale, Htc., inserted in t for each 25 words for one issue; each additional serted for less than 25 cents. s department at 25 cents word 1 cent. No notice 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. Send me the list of A 1 Bird Skins that you bave to dispose of by exchange or otherwise. R. M. BARNES, Lacon, Ill. - ENTIRE COLLECTIONS—Will spot cash for entire collections of North American birds eggs. Send lists. B. R. BALES, M.D., Circleville, Ohio. WANTED—Sets of No. 190, 208, 211, 212, 214, 2638, 273, 387, 619, in Exchange or will purchase same. Henry W. Davis, Box No. 844, Atlantic, N. J. I would like to correspond with active Oologists and Collectors. Write me for information of Birds and Eggs of Michigan. Jame Wood, Taxidermist & Collector, Northville, Michigan. Box 592. pay WANTED—To purchase or exchange for sets of 289-, 308b, 3810a, 325, 349, 352, 484, 486, 491, 492. First Class only. W. H. Over, Vermillion, S. D. DATA BLANKS—I will send 500 standard data blanks with your name printed on them for $1.25. No less than 500 done. Hdw. S. Coombs, 248 Frank- lin St., Boston, Mass. WANTED—Sets with down and nest feathers, Ducks & Geese, especially Nos. 131, 139. 137, 140, 149, 153, 157, 162, 166, 169, 169a, 173, 174; cash. Bunyard, 57 Kidderminster Rd., Croydon, HEng- land. EGGS OF THE FRINGILLIDAE—I am prepared to buy or give good ex- change for any eggs of the finches and buntings, a group in which I specialize. I will also be pleased to do all I can to help other specialists who will co- operate with me in securing finch eggs. Kenneth L. Skinner, Brooklands Estate Office, Weybridge, England. WANTED Ege: Cabinet, upright drawer. Cash or Exchange. Send full description. W. 3B. Purdy, Milford, Michigan. WOULD like to correspond with all active Oologists with view of exchange. Would like to buy good photographs of birds. nests and eggs, what have you? Walter E. Hastings, South Lyon, Mich. BIRDS, Animals, Fish and Game Heads, Mounted Furs and Hides, Tan- ned and made into Rugs and Robes. Mearl B. Wheeler, Randolph, N. Y. ‘from FOR SALE—One good coyote hide, tanned and made up in floor rug style, with open mouth lining, from Yellowstone Park and is extra light phase of color customary of furs that locality. A fine first class piece. Fred Dille, Valentine, Nebraska. ARTISTIC BASES—Made to order. Something far above the ordinary. Can- not be duplicated anywhere. Write for description and prices. L. W. Speer, Taxidermist, Sac City, Iowa. STAMPS WANTED—Have you a col- lection or odd lot to dispose of? If so write us about it. Offer cash or ex- change in ornithological publications. Ithaca hammerless, 12 gauge shotgun, and “Game Getter,’ collecting gun and rifle Also have stamps for sale or exchange. Reference, Editor of Oolo- gist Franklin’s, Box 292, Annapolis, Md. T. W. Richards. ALL PERSONS having A-1 skins in of any of the North American i I will pay the highest price for those that I need. R. M Barnes, Lacon, Illinois. SALE—Seven copies of Oologist magazine, year 1919; eight copies of The Oologist magazine, year 1920, at 4e each, postpaid. A. M. Nel- son, Jr., Lake Providence, La. EXCHANGE—History of the Birds of Kansas-Goss: Catalogue of the Guide—Reed; 6 1-2 power Army field- glasses: The Oologist for 1910-1911- 1912; Want Fishers Hawks and Owls of the U. S.; and good sets. Lieut. L. R. Wolfe, 64th Infantry, Camp Meade, Md. FOR TRADE—Bird-Lore Vol. XII, Nos. 3, 4, 5, 6. Wanted, Bird-Lore, Vol. XVII, Nos, 3, 4, 5, 6; XVIII, Nos. 5; XIX, Nos. 4, 5, 6; XX, Nos. 3, 5, 6; XXI, Nos. 2, 3, 5; XIV, Index, 1912. Will pay cash or Vol. XII, Nos. 3, 4, 5, 6 in trade. Fred Matthews, 70 Whittingham St., West Orange, N. J. S) FOR EXCHANGE—European & Asia- tic eggs in sets for North American species and _ skins. Address, C. W. Chamberlain, 36 Lincoln St., Boston, Mass. SS Se Ee FOR EXCHANGE —I have the largest exchange list of North American Birds’ eggs in existence, and will be glad to exchange with reliable collectors for speci- mens they need, and I am willing to purchase for cash those that I want and for which I do not have duplicates, that the owner of the specimens that I need are willing to exchange for. Lacon, Illinois. Send me your list of duplicates. R. M. BARNES, THE OOLOGIST. Vou. XXXVIII. No. 4 ALBION, N. Y., APRIL 1, 1921. WHOLE No. 408 Owned and Published Monthly, by R. M. Barnes, Albion, N.Y., and Lacon, I. 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 epecupuon expires with this issue. 377 your subs¢crip- tion expired with December-issue 1918. Other expirations can be computed by intermediate numbers at the rate of one number per month. Isntered as second-class matter December 21, 1903, at the post office at Albion, N. Y., under the Act of Congress of March 3, 1879. foe Zoology & D4 03H MAY 11 1943 He THE NEW CATALOGUE The following communication, Dated March 15, 1921, from ‘J Hopper Bowles, Chairman of the Final Committee of Re- view, selected by the full Committee of twenty-five, who have charge of the new price list, shows that some progress is being made in the production of this Catalogue for which all Oologists are indeed truly thankful. The Editor stands ready to arrange for the publication of this, as soon as the manuscript is delivered to him, and we had hoped to get it off the press in time to be used for the 1921 exchanges. —R. M. BARNES, Editor “T am glad to be able to report that I finished averaging the price lists for the final values of the new egg catalog some days ago, and have sent them on to Messrs. Harlow and Wil- lard for their consideration. We have been very greatly de- layed by the slowness in which the committeemen sent in their valuation lists, but that is all over now and I am most en- thusiastic over the prospects for the catalog, which I am sure will please all except the few who always want to get rare eggs for little or nothing. We have felt that a good price cught to be put on especial rarities so as to induce collectors to go after them. The whole country is put on an even basis, and not one-sided as has been the case with most catalogs.” —J. HOOPER BOWLES. 38 THE QOLOGIST NOTES ON THE SHARP-TAILED GROUSE Though the Sharp-tailed Grouse is one of our best known Alberta birds, it was not until the present season 1920 that I had the pleasure of ex- amining two nests of this fine game bird. This season the birds are more numerous than they have been for many years, and I have heard of sevy- eral other nests being found in the neighborhood. The Ruffed Grouse is also very plentiful. After a season or two of great abundance, the Sharp-tails disappear excepting a few birds, and probably migrate to other parts of their range. This bird is the Prairie Chicken: of Alberta, commonly known as “Chicken” and the Ruffed Grouse as “Partridge” to sportsmen. The Cree name of this Grouse is Pee-hue and this seems to have been extended to include the Ruffed Grouse. This name is simply the call note of the birds, a clear musical whistle, used principally when the flock gets separated in the long grass and brush. They also have a number of other notes, rattling and guttural croaks, used chiefly on clear frosty mornings, and on their dancing grounds. These dancing grounds are usually situated on top of a hill or knoll with short grass growth. Here they wear a net- work of little paths resembling rabbit runways where they perform the antics known as dancing in the spring mornings and evenings. And here also their enemies take toll. Hawks killing many and Indians and half- breeds more. Their method is to bend a willow in- to the shape of a croquet hoop and stick the two ends into the ground, forming an arch over the path and at- tacking a hanging snare to the center of the arch. Most dancing grounds close to a trail were decorated with these yellow croquet hoops when I first came to the country twenty-two years ago, but now are seldom seen. The birds appear rather stupid on the dancing ground and will remain there after a hawk has captured one of their number and devours it a short distance away. The Sharp-tailed Grouse is a plump, compact bird and my wife described them rather aptly on a recent motor trip when we were continually flush- ing them along the road by remarking “There goes another fatty.” They fly straight away when flushed and make an easy wing shot. When well start- ed their flight is slightly undulating and consists of a succession of rapid wing strokes and sails. They like to perch in the tops of the populars when the leaves have fallen on frosty fall mornings, and many are picked off with 22 rifles. They are fond of grain, wheat pre- ferred, also different kinds of wild berries, and I have found their crops full of grasshoppers well on into win- ter when the ground has been free from snow and it would be almost im- possible for a human to find a single grasshopper. They also feed in the birches in winter and I have often seen small birches literally full of them. The first nest examined by me on June 2nd contained fifteen eggs, and was located in a patch of wild roses on a hillside. The nest was a hollow in the ground, lined with dry grass and a few feathers, at foot of rose bushes. This is the nest in the photo- graph. The second nest visited on June 9th was similar, a hollow in the ground at foot of a rose bush, lined with dry grass and a few feathers, sit- uated in burnt off timber. This nest contained thirteen eggs. A. D. Henderson, Belvedere, Alberta, THE OOLOGIST 39 NEST OF THE SHARP-TAILED GROUSE —A. D. Henderson, Belvedue, Alberta. TO PACK A LARGE SHIPMENT OF BIRDS’ EGGS Secure a chicken egg crate and re- move all the card-board, then line the crate with a sheet of newspaper, cut to fit, then place a thick layer of cot- ton in the bottom and a sheet of paper between each layer of eggs and be sure and nail a good stout cover on top when the crate is packed. In 1916 Mr. J. Claire Wood of Detroit, Michigan, sent me over seven hundred sets packed in four crates and only two eggs in the entire lot were broken. in 1919 I received a shipment of over seven hundred sets packed in small boxes placed in larger boxes and more than teh eggs were broken, most- ly in the largest sets, and another lot of over four hundred sets and nearly fifty eggs were broken in this lot, mostly in the best sets, It would be a good plan to work on half a crate of eggs on this plan, chicken crates are not handled so roughly. W. A. Strong, San Jose, Cal. ago ©55 <> = FEEDING PRAIRIE CHICKENS Many North Dakota farmers have been feeding Prairie Chickens during the past winter as a means of conserv- ing what is considered the most im- portant bird in the state. Spaces about one hundred feet square were kept clean of snow. comparatively close to houses and barns, and table crumbs, screenings and grain scatter- ed thereon daily, and the wild birds were fed as regularly as barnyard fowl. Steward Lockwood, of the faculty of the North Dakota Agricul- tural College, made an investigation and determined that the Prairie Chicken annually eats many times its 40 THE OOLOGIS8T weight in insects.—Western Magazine.—W. A. Strong, Cal. Story San Jose, Raa ah ae eee ea AN EARLY 1921 RECORD February 2nd, 1921, born to Mr. and Mrs. Emerson A. Stoner, Benicia, Cali- fornia, a nine pound girl, Jean Muriel. THE PRAIRIE CHICKEN IN CEN- TRAL IOWA The year 1921, we think will pass without a Prairie Chicken being seen in Story County, lowa. Who of us would, in the 70’s, and early 80’s, have dreamed it would be exterminated from our prairies? In the early 70’s, I doubt if there was a forty acre tract of prairie land in the county, that did not contain from one to a half dozen nests in the proper season, and I remember of see- ing one spring, no less than six nests containing roasted eggs, where a prairie fire had swept over, burning out the old grass; and all these were noted in walking across a section of land in an almost straight line. In winter, they would congregate in enormous droves, and it was then that the settlers would trap them by the barrel, and sell them to the poultry dealers, to be shipped east. They used to be considered a good weather barometer too, for after a few days of clear cold weather, and the sky would begin to get gray and threaten another snow and blizzard, they would gather by the hundreds in the trees along the streams and in the groves, and cackle or sing, that I have never heard described by those who write of the bird. After all, it was not the trapping, the gun nor the prairie fires that caused his destruction, but simply because there are no places left for them to nest undisturbed. In this locality we will never be able to see them congregate on scme knoll, of an early spring morning, and hear that wonderful “boom,” that to one who was “raised up” with them, looks so funny in print by those who try to describe it. A. A. Cole, Nevada, lowa. * pe Another Swan Murdered In a local paper dated about the first of January appeared an article stating that two well known ranch- men in San Angelo, Texas, had killed a most wonderful bird that had all the natives guessing as to its identity, it was snow white, long neck, some three feet long, black feet like a goose, black bill like a duck and swam on the water like a duck, with a wing spread of seven feet, and when held up by its bill at full lengths its feet touched the ground. I cut the notice out and sent it to the U. S. Deputy game warden for our state, in hopes that he might enlighten them on the identity of our friend the SWAN, I re- ceived a letter in reply and thanks from him stating that he had investi- gated the case and enlightened them to the extent that they had killed a SIBERIAN SWAN? Would liked to have seen that bird myself having never heard of that specie of Swan around here. Have any of the read- ers? Geo. EH. Maxon. Ft. Worth, Texas. sh siete ite So oe 2 Spotless Kingbirds’ Eggs In the summer of 1916 while a friend and I were out in search for Crows’ nests one afternoon, I had a very pleasant surprise in finding a Kingbird nest which held two spotless eggs. This was on June 20th. I left the nest and eggs hoping to get a com- plete set later. Examining the nest again on June 24th but there were still only two eggs and fearing that something disastrous might happen to THE OOLOGIST 41 them if I left them any longer I took the two eggs, which I still have in my collection. I have examined a good many Kingbird nests since hoping to find some more spotless eggs but so far these are the only ones that I have ever come across. Geo. L. Cook, Bashaw, Alberta Elie, SEE TEXAS NOTES “The Belled Buzzard Is Dead” In 1917, I reported in The Oologist about seeing the famous Belled Buz- zard. This Buzzard being a Turkey Vulture, flew over my Camp at Lake Worth, Texas. It was noticed several times. Now 1 pick up a Chicago news- paper and it reports the Famous Belled Buzzard, of War times, is dead. It was belled with a small bell and leather collar around its neck. When flying and twisting its head, you could hear the tingle of the little bell. Pyrrhuloxia Observed In my travels along the trails and roads from San Antonio on to the Mexican border, I found this bird very plentiful, even right around San An- tonio they can be seen along the road, in Mosquete trees. Why So Many Rats? All over the farm country of Texas, I can hear the farmers and ranchmen say, “Why so many rats?’ I just reply, ‘““Well, stop this willful slaughter of hawks and owls, then you won’t have to ask, ‘““‘Why so many rats?” I ' have been yelling “Protect the Hawks and Owls in newspaper articles for some time. No one paid any attention. Now they yell “why so many rats?” Protect Hawks and Owls and there won’t be any rats. The rats are eat- ing up the corn in this part of the country. R. Graham, Fort Worth, Texas. Inca Dove August 2, 1920, while taking Bird Notes on the HEckhart Dairyland Ranch, I discovered my first Inca Dove nest, although I have observed plenty of the birds in Bexar County and the surrounding country, I have never dis- covered a nest. I found this nest in a Mosquite tree, ten feet up, on an over- hanging limb. The nest was built of srass, straw and a few feathers. The birds are about eight inches long The nest was larger than a Mourning Dove’s, and contained one half-grown young. The female was on the nest and stayed by her young until I near- ly touched her. I made some close observations of her. She had a black bill, eyes and feet were red, the head and body were checked with black and brown feathers, primaries chestnut, long tail with white feathers mixed with gray- ish ones. Ground Dove I have notice in my travels the Ground Dove, along the roads and trails from here to Mexico. They are small, about six inches long and quick in flight. The tail, unlike other Doves, is short. The feathers are bluish gray, the underneath parts are brown, near- ly red. The bill, feet and eyes are red. This Dove is the smallest Dove I ever saw, no longer than a Sparrow. To date I have not discovered a nest. “Cowbirds” Cowbirds are found around the Acime Dairy here. There is bunch after bunch, some feeding around the cows, some setting on top of the cows. I have noticed to my surprise that there is on an average of ten female to every male bird. ; Bartramian Sandpiper August 11, 1920, marked the first ar- rival of this well known Sandpiper. I 42 THE OOLOGIST heard them as they whistled in the air, now and then one or two of them alighting on the prairies. This bird is being rapidly killed out faster than they are breeding. This is what I prophesied a few years ago. They come in from the North in large bunches, stopping on the prairies to feed on grasshoppers, and the hunters would hunt them from a buggy, as you could get close to them in that way and thousands were slaughtered every year. Now six or seven is con- sidered a large number in this state. — Great Tailed Grackle Very Tame This extra large Grackle, which is twice the size of the Purple and Boat- tailed Grackles is found to be plentiful in and around San Antonio, Texas, where I have found them breeding. These birds are very tame and will come up close and let you feed them. Many people call them crows, as they are so large. One old Grackle with his tail pulled out by some boy, was on a lawn, jumping up and down as if he were having a fit. He kept this up until nearly all of the Grackle inhabitants of the park had crowded around him, then they danced around and left. They must have been hav- ing a meeting to figure out what went on with the Bob-tailed Grackle’s tail. R. Graham, Ft. Worth, Texas. pe ee eee RICHARD C. HARLOW INJURED A press dispatch in “The Buffalo Courier,’ March 9, 1921, comes to us which is published below. Mr. Harlow is one of America’s leading, if not the leader of Field Oology. No man is bet- ter known as a collector, and no col- lector’s specimens stand higher. We extend to Bro. Harlow our sin- cere sympathy, having been through the mill several times as the result of our love for this character of speci- mens, we know whereof we speak.— R. M. B. State College, Pa., March 9.—Dick Harlow, coach of the Penn State box- ing team and assistant football coach, had a narrow escape from serious in- jury or possible death today while con- ducting a search for rare birds’ eggs over in the fourth range of the Seven Mountains. Only his presence of mind and great strength saved him when he went over the side of a ninety foot cliff and landed with a crash at the bottom. Harlow is one of the leading authori- ties on bird lore in the United States and every summer he has been em- ployed by the Smithsonian institute on expeditions into northern Labrador in search of rare birds’ eggs. Swing Over Cliff In order to inspect a nest of ravens, the Penn State coach, who stands over six feet tall and weighs in the neigh- borhood of 250 pounds, was forced to swing himself over the cliff, slide down a rope, and then swing in under the over-hang to where the nest was located on a six-inch ledge. When about mid-way down the rope, a loose rock dislodged itself up above and came hurling down on Harlow’s head. Stunned by the blow, he managed to retain his hold on the rope as he went sliding to the bottom, and thus broke the worst of his fall. After lying unconscious for about a half hour, Harlow managed to make his way to Coburn, where he found a conveyance to bring him back to State College. One hand was cut to the bone and the other badly seared by the rope, his head was severely bruised, and his body was a mass of cuts and bruises, but fortunately no bones were broken, THE COLOGI8T 43 A Nest Full of King Rails Eggs, Situated Beside a Railroad Track A KING RAIL’S NEST IN SAN- GAMON COUNTY, ILLINOIS ' There is doubtless nothing unusual about the occurrence of the King Rail in central Illinois. That is why I was struck by the novelty of a field-note which I found recently in running through an old bird journal. It is my only record of the King Rail in my native county. Sangamon County is a highly developed farming area and embraces no marshes of an extent —Photo by A. D. Du Bois which one might consider adequate for the nesting of Rails. The note is dated May 14, 1908. I had been on a field trip west of Spring- field and was “counting the ties” toward home on the B. & O. R. R. track, when I found a marshy spot in the right-of-way, where several Red- winged Blackbirds were nesting in the cat-tails. Upon exploring this little marsh, which was probably fifty by one hundred feet in extent, I flushed a 44 THE OQOLOGIST King Rail. Further search led to the discovery of a nearly completed nest among the cat-tails. On May 29, I revisited the place with the expectation of finding a set of eggs. The nest was empty and had been overflowed; but to my great sur- prise I found another nest containing thirteen eggs. This nest was well con- cealed in a clump of coarse marsh grass near the edge of the little marsh, where the ground was wet though not covered with water. The base of the nest was made up of dead sedges but the superstructure consisted chiefly, and the lining entirely, of green sedges or grasses. The eggs were far ad- vanced in incubation; a circumstance indicating that the nest contained eggs at the time of my first visit and that the empty nest found at that time was a dummy or supernumerary nest. In order to photograph this ‘“nest- full” of eggs the vegetation was pressed aside and the camera was set up at the foot of the slight railroad embankment. An attempt was made to photograph the bird but I became convinced that no amount of patience would accomplish it without first get- ting her accustomed to a dummy camera. Although the nest was only a few paces from the railroad rails, whence the passing trains must have presented a terrifying sight, yet this bird found the camera and the man at the end of its thread too dangerous to contemplate. Near Elkhart, in the county adjoin- ing Sangamon on the north, I had noticed a small marshy creek and, prompted by this new experience with Rails, I made a special trip to investi- gate it. The cat-tails along the border of the stream were carefully explored (on May 21st) and I found one nest, only partially finished, which was ap- parently the work of a King Rail. Alexander D, Du Bois, April, 11, 1920. Chicago. JOHN LEWIS CHILDS A communication from W. Lee Chambers of California, under date of March 7th, advises us. “T was shocked today to read in ‘The Times’ that my good friend, John L. Childs, had died suddenly on his way home. He was out to the house Sun- day, Feb. 28th and started for home the following Tuesday. He died just before he reached home. We can never tell who will be next” With the passing of Mr. Childs, American oology loses one of its best men and most ardent devotees. Be- ginning about 1895 and for the follow ten years there were few, if any, men in North America who gave more at- tention to amassing a representative collection of North American Oology, and a library covering the Birds of North America. The corner stone of Mr. Child’s col- lection was Miss Gene Bell’s collection of Philadelphia, which was purchased and upon which, up to that time, had been spent probably as much money as upon any collection in America. Mr. Childs entered enthusiastically into en- larging this collection with the view of ultimately building up a complete representation of the eggs of all species and sub-species of North American Birds included in the A. O. U. list. For years he prosecuted this work with energy and brought to it the business acumen which had made the John L. Childs seed and flower business Known from one end of the land to the other. Being a man of very abundant means Mr. Childs wais not handicapped in this undertaking, and the result is that at the time of his death, leaves what is known as one of the most complete, if not in fact, the most complete collection of this kind in existence. It was not his purpose to build up a large series, but to acquire one, two or three typical sets of the eggs of each THE OOLOGI!IST 45 variety of birds together with a nest in situ, and a pair of each variety of birds mounted, as well as a pair of skins, and in this undertaking he suc- ceeded most admirably. One example of the thoroughness of his method was the sending of guides and a com- plete equipment into the wilds of Flor- ida after a set of eggs and the nest in which they were laid, of the Ivory- billed Woodpecker. For many years this collection has been noted as con- taining some of the rarest specimens of North American bird eggs known In addition to these specimens Mr. Childs gathered together one of the most expensive and complete libraries on the subject of North American Or- nithology in existence. Some years ago in 1906 he published a complete catalogue of his mounted birds, skins, nests, and eggs, and at another time of his library, which cer- tainly disclosed a wonderful array of these things. Mr. Childs was a large man physical- ly, with mental equipment fully up to his physique. His disposition was cheery and his mannerisms those of # gentleman, born and bred. In _ busi- ness he was an exceptional success amassing an estate which is counted in seven figures. The Hditor visited at the home of Mr. Childs in 1913 and inspected his specimens and library, the latter con- taining some of the rarest books on the subject of American birds known. At that time Mr Childs seemed to take more pride in a volume on the subject of “The Birds of Floral Park,” which was the name of the suburb in which his home was located, in the midst of his many nursery, flower and seed producing acres, than in any other single item in his possession. This volume Mr. Childs was the author of, and it was illustrated from nature by W. L. Brownell, and was unique in that but one copy of the same ever had come from the press. Of late years Mr. Childs had not taken so much interest in oology, but nearly every season went_to California where under the guidance of his friend Chambers, the old love never failed to shine; and that at these times he en- joyed trips into the mountains and fields as of yore, though it was a very great physical effort to Mr. Childs to travel far on foot. Me had too many pounds to carry for that. During the years 1905-6 he published a monthly magazine of high standard, devoted to his hobby of oology, ‘The Warbler,’ files of which are now eagerly sought for by libraries and or- nithological students in all places. By the death of Mr. Childs, North American Ornithology loses one of its most interesting figures and bird stu- dents of their most prized ornitholo- gists, and in his death, his personal friends, their associates and family have received an irreparable blow. —R. M. B. 2 ~< 2 SPARROW HAWK LAYS TIVITY On May 30th of last year a young man brought me a Sparrow Hawk (Falco sparverius) and two of its eggs. He told me that he had seen it enter a hole in a pine tree and ciimbed up and caught it on the nest. Well, I got a shoe box and placed Mrs. Hawk in it intending to keep her afew days. You may imagine my sur- prise when I looked in the box next day to see a nice fresh egg. To make a long story short, she laid three, and then I set her free. IN CAP- EK. A. Wheeler, Hast Randolph, N. Y Peal Pica ERE 1 LN ee “Your valuable publication helps to keep me interested in my old hobby.” ; A. M. Ingersoll, 46 THE OOLOGI!IST “Food Habits of Seven Species of American Shoal-water Ducks” “Rood Habits of Seven Species of American Shoal-water Ducks.” U. S. Dept. of A G. R. Bull. 862. Profes- sional paper Dec. 1920, by Douglas C. Mabbott. .This review of the food habits of the Gadwell, Baldpate, Huropean Widgeon, Green-winged Teal, Blue Winged Teal, Cinnamon Teal, Pin-tail Wood Duck, is an exhaustive compilation of the knowledge, at present available on this subject and the results obtained are surprising in several instances. The total number of stomachs examined was 2888, and, in each specie the dif- ferent foods consumed are reduced to decimal fractions. It is illustrated by some not overly good plates, but the scientific portion of the work is excel- lent.—R. M. B. A LIST OF THE BIRDS OF JAMAICA This publication is created from “The Hand Book of Jamaica for 1920.” Outram Bangs and Frederic H. Kennard are the authors which fact vouches for its reliability, 219 species and sub-species are noted, of which 26 are doubt ful records or escapes from captivity. 81 are migrants of winter visitors from the North. 5 are summer visitors, some breeding, but going South in winter and 52 are resi- dent breeding species, not wholly con- fined to the island of which 5 are now supposed to be extinct. The introduc- tion of the Mongoorse into the islands is supposed to account for these ex- tinctions as well as the near extinction of other species and the great reduc- tion in numbers of many other va- rieties. As no list of the birds of this island is available since Sclater’s list of 1910 the present paper is timely. —R. M. B. Henry W. Shoemaker, of McElhat- tan, Pa., author of “Pennsylvania Deer and Their Horns, EHtc.’, member of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, and Vice-President of “Wild Life League of Pennsylvania,’ who is now located at 71 Broadway, New York City, N. Y., sends us the following publications of which he is the author. “7. A Pennsylvania Bison Hunt.— 1915. 2. Pennsylvania Wild Cats.—1916. 3. Pennsylvania’s Grandest Cavern. The History, Legends and Descrip- tion of Pennsylvania Cave, in Center County, Pennsylvania.—1919. South Mountain Sketches —1920.” These books are a desirable addition to any library having to do with Pennsylvania Natural History. They are written with a purpose and not too technical a style, rare and yet con- tain a great fund of really scientific information.—R. M. B. <2 —_____—_- THE RETURN OF THE BIRDS The first 15 days of February have been like spring, and many of the mi- gratory birds have been seen in small numbers. I have seen the following: Feb. 5th. A pair of Red-tailed Hawks, and heard their low cry. Feb. 6th. Six Robins. Feb. 7th. Two House Wrens. Feb. 7th. Fourteen Wild Geese. Feb. 8th. Nine Robins. Feb. 9th. Four Red-tailed Hawks. Feb. 14th. One Turkey Buzzard. Feb. 15th. Two Mourning Doves. J. Earl Harlow, Texico, Illinois => —_____ — CORPUS CHRISTI BAY, BIRD LIFE While out at Flower Bluff near Cor- pus Christi, Texas, on the Bay, I was surprised to see the large amount of water birds. Pelicans, both Brown and White were plentiful, shore birds of all discriptions, not so many Ducks, THE OOLOGIST 47 many Cormorants, Cranes, Herons. I got some fine pictures while on the bay, also many notes of the birds. The birds are pretty well protected on the bay. A man was fined for shooting a Pelican We caught lots of fish from the rough waters such as flounders, gar, tarpon, stingeree, shark and catfish, also caught some crabs, shrimps, etc. I almost forgot to tell you the mos- quitoes were biting fine. Hverything was fine and dandy during the day time, but oh boy! after the wind ceased I thought they would carry wife and I and Tin Lizzie all away. R. Graham, Ft. Worth, Texas. re OLD WATER COLOR PLATES It may be interesting to some reader of The Oologist, who own hand- colored plates of birds to know that some of the plates in some old book is not today agreeing with the descrip- tion given in the text owing to deteri- oration in the scarlet pigment. Ver- milion, where it should be vermilion, it is probably lead color or nearly black, especially is it apt to be so in a very old book. I have a five volume work on birds, one hundred and twenty five years old, with one hundred and twenty-five exquisite, hand colored plates, of the highest type, but in all cases where vermilion comes in the subject is heavy lead color or near black. Vermilion is composed of mercuric sulphide, H g S. may be pure bright colored portions of the native ore cin- nabar, or artificially by subliming mer- cury and sulphur. Chinese Vermilion, a superior kind, is made by digesting precipitated mercuric sulphide with an alkaline sulphide for some hours. Geo. W. H. vos Burgh. 2 eS ee ee A NEW OOLOGIST The Birds seem to be nesting early in Fort Worth, Texa’ss, this year, as we have received this day an an- nouncement of the birth of Ramon Graham, Jr., March 13, 1921. Weight 8 pounds We hope he will grow up and become as enthusiastic an Oolo- gist as his daddy, and likewise be as thoughtful in furnishing copy for this magazine.—R. M. B. — oe PERSONAL NEWS Do you know that The Oologist pub- lishes every year more personal news items, relating to the bird enthusiastics of the country, and the oologists than all other bird publications in the United States combined? We do this in the hope of keeping members of the Fraternity in touch with each other. —R. M. B SEN i ee ee POETRY We have accumulated quite a con- siderable number of poetical effusions in the copy box of The Oologist, and it is our purpose to display these in our columns probably in the coming July issue. If any of our readers have any further contribution to make in the future, of copy of the same character, we would appreciate it if they would get it to us reasonably soon.—R. M. B. © ~-0 OUR PRINTER A card dated March 11th from St. Augustine, Florida, advises us that “Our Printer,’ A. M. Eddy, who has printed The Oologist from Volume I, to date was on that day at Miami, Flordia, and would leave that day for Cuba. He says among other things “Miami seems to equal California,” for which unguarded observation, should he be later caught within the state of Cali- fornia, he probably would be hung to a tree, quartered and buried at the cross-roads, by the outraged citizens of the Golden State.—R. M. B. 48 THE OOLOGIST BUILDING The mail brings information that Ralph J. Donahue, of Bonner Springs, Kansas, one of the oologists of that territory, is doing like the other mem- bers of the Aves family viz: Building a nest in the Spring. In other words erecting a neat little home for his bride of a few months. —R. M. B. CHICAGO BIRDS In looking over my field notes for 1920, I thought the following might be of interest to some of the readers of The Oologist. Jan. 25, 1920, Bohemian Waxwing (10) Niles, Ill. (Rare). Mar. 23, 1920, Sandhill Crane (6) Or- land, Ill. (Rare.) May 16, 1920, Cedar Waxwing (15) Tessbille, Ill. (Harly?) May 23, 1920, Cliff Swallow (1) Taken Beach, Ill. (Rare.) May 31, 1920, Lesser Scaup (7) Slo- cum Lake, Ill. (Late.) June 13, 1920, Hairy Woodpecker, Grass Lake, Ill. Pair breeding. June 13, 1920, Downy Woodpecker, Grass Lake, Ill. Pair breeding June 27, 1920, Woodcock (young in down), Niles, Ill. (Late.) Oct. 31, 1920, Artic, 3-toed Wood- pecker, Taken, Tessville, Ill. (Rare.) George W. Friedrich, Chicago, Ill. <0 -—__-- THE COOPER CLUB While in California in January, ye Editor had the pleasure of attending a monthly meeting of the Southern Di- vision of the Cooper Club as is his custom while in that territory. It is a pleasure to renew our acquaintance with the best lot of ornithologists that we come in contact with at such times. The Southern California bird men are not surpassed in personal charm, and ornithological equipment by any we have met anywhere. A sadness, however, entered our mind in noting the absence of Frank Daggett, Curator of the splendid museum at Los Angeles, and most en- thusiastic member of this organization, whom the editor in his many different years visiting in California had learned to admire. We were pleased to meet Dr. Louis B. Bishop, of New Hazen, Conn., at this meeting. He is spending the win- ter in Hollywood. The main subject of discussion at this meeting was some far reaching and fundamental changes in the con- stitution of the Club. If these are ad- ministered in the spirit in which they seem to have been proposed and dis- cussed and adopted, they will be bene- ficial. However, on the other hand they open a wide door to narrowness and abuse.—R. M. B. 2>—~{> -2— BOOKS RECEIVED “Territory In Bird Life” being a brief review of a new book fraught with absorbing interest tothe oologist by H. Elliot Howard. Pub- lished by John Murray, London, 21s. Not since the far-reaching dis- coveries of Darwin and Wallace were first announced to an astonished world has any new theory been enunciated, at least so far as birds are concerned, so revolutionary as that contained in Mr. Howard’s great work. Mr. Howard tears to pieces the older theories in regard to bird warfare in the spring. It is well known of course that the males of most migrating species arrive in advance of the fe- males and he would have it that eacn male, on arrival, possesses himself of a small territory from which he assidu- ously expels all instruders of his own species, and, singing lustily, proclaims himself owner and lord. His song serves another purpose and attracts the females when they, in turn, arrive THE OOLOGIST 49 from cvyorseas. Later, when the be- trothal has taken place, both male and female fight to preserve the sanctity of their small domain, cocks fighting cocks and hens fighting hens. And the object of it all is clear. It is to secure to each pair sufficient food to sustain themselves and their young in order that they may fulfill nature’s greatest law—race preservation. All nature lovers are under a great debt to Mr. Howard whose work is the result of most painstaking obser- vation. To no section is the matter more engrossing than to oologists and for them it will make many things clear that have hitherto been puzzling and invest their work with yet another new aspect of most absorbing inter- est. Working in the light of Mr. How- ard’s theory they will be able now to watch and see to what extent their own observations can corroborate and, perhaps, elaborate his. Kenneth L. Skinner. °~< e MORE HOUSING PROBLEMS By Geoffrey Gill Some years ago, while I was still in High School, the Manual Training class had to construct bird houses These houses, when finished, looked very much like the kennel in which we kept our little fox terrier, Jim, be- fore he met his untimely death under the cruel wheels of a rambling Ford. Of course, the houses were much smaller; and the front door, so to speak, was under the peak of the roof instead of on the ground as in the late Jim’s abode. This hole or door was about one and one-half inches in diameter and was well rounded with a file so as to insure an easy passage for the future feathered tenants. These houses were especially adapted for the well-known spring friend of ours, the Bluebird, so the instructor said. When they were put together they though any dark color will do just as well. These were polished up and put on shelves for the exhibition at the end of the term in January, and then distributed to their respective owners. There were two or three that remained unclaimed, so I asked for these and after a little persuading on my part I at last carried them home. One Saturday afternoon, late in April, I went to see a kind neighbor, who had a fairly large garden. After much promising not to do this and not to do that, I finallly was given permis- sion to climb a few trees and place my little bird homes. You must be very particular concerning the future site ‘of all your different little wooden bird bungalows if you wish to get the best results, as all birds do not like the same thing. Bluebirds like their nests from ten to twelve feet high, in orchards, but will sometimes build a nest in a house attached to a building if it is properly protected. A House Wren, that tiny bubbling spring of song, is not at all particular and has been known to build its nest and raise its young in the pocket of an old coat that a gardener had left in a tool house. Chickadees prefer swampy woodland at the height of five or six feet. Robins will build in little open porches or shelves placed anywhere from six to sixteen feet high and so it goes with them all. You can’t ex- pect to know these right away, but after you have given much attention to the subject it will be easy to study out such matters. When I first put up houses I didn’t know these little ins and outs, but just placed them in the trees as best I could. In the middle of May I visited this place again and peeked up at the little houses now partly hidden by leaves. I passed under each one, and could not see any signs of occupancy 50 THE OOLOGIST in any of them; but the garden was such a delightful spot that I lingered around, examining the many flowers that were beginning to bloom I took a seat in one corner of the grounds and gazed around. Imagine my sur- prise and delight when I saw a bird pick up a small piece of dead grass and fly to a tree in which I had placed one of the houses. Full of expectancy and not a little awed, I stealthily stalked up under the tree and peered eagerly among the branches. Yes, sure enough he was living in the house, for I saw him hop out of the entrance. He looked around, gave a short chirp and flew away. I stayed under the tree, knowing that he would be soon returning with more furniture. I had not long to wait, for he was soon back carrying some feathers from a nearby chicken coop, I suspected. He looked around and boldly entered the door. I watched him and his mate, identifying them as the English Sparrow, carry on this performance for quite a while. I then walked away, fearing they would discover my presence and go away for good. These ' were my first bird tenants. It was nearly two weeks later be- fore, happening along that way again, I heard a terrible commotion up in the trees that was fast becoming a riot. My mind flew at once to that ever- menacing enemy of all our feathered neighbors, the cat. I hurried in, jump- ing over the gate in my haste. There was a small riot, but from circum- stances of which I had never dreamed. It seems that a pair of bustling House Wrens had moved into one of my other houses located in an old and weather-beaten crabapple tree. This was where the whole commotion centered. The Sparrows, disliking their new neighbors, were boldly and impolitely trying to drive them away; but the Wrens were just as deter- mined to stay. They were telling the fact to the whole world in general, and the Sparrows in particular, in very strong bird language. The whole bird population within hearing distance came over to listen. There were saucy Catbirds agreeing with every word every one said. Dainty yellow Warb- lers nodded their heads. Two or three pairs of Robins and numerous other birds came out. If they were looking for a sensation they certainly saw it. The Wrens were darting at the invaders of their home, and the Sparrows darting at the Wrens, al- ways manoeuvering to get them away from their home so that they could rush in and tear it to pieces; but one of the Wrens always stayed near their front porch, I couldn’t be sure, but I think it was Mrs. Wren. The door had been made a great deal too large even for a bluebird, and as the Wrens al- ways like a very small entrance it was way too large for them. Not daunted by this small oversight though, they had cunningly barricaded it with stout twigs until only a small place at the top was left open. This proves that something more than just instinct shows them to build their homes. How did they know enough to make the entrance smaller? They must have some brains, yet greater men than I have said they do every- thing by instinct. Much as I disliked doing it, with a few well-directed stones I drove my first tenants away from the immediate surroundings of my new friends. I had studied the Sparrows’ characters, and found that they didn’t have a very good reputation. They have a bad habit of fighting and driving our own native and more beneficial birds away. With one factor of the excite- ment out of the way things soon be- gan to become normal again, and I sat down and quietly watched the Wrens THE OOLOGIST 51 go about their business. I could only see one corner of their home up among the branches and was very much tempted to go up the tree and examine it, but after the excitement they had just gone through I hardly thought it fair or wise. Four days later, when I thought both of the House Wrens were away, I scaled the tree to examine the barri- cade. There was such a tangle of branches up there that it necessitated my putting my head within a foot of the door. As I peered into Madame Wren’s front parlor, bedroom and kitchenette combined, I was nearly startled off my perch. A living bullet shot from inside and stung me square- ly between the eyes, far worse than any bumble-bee’s sting that I have encountered. I caught my balance just in time and half jumped and half fell from the tree. The Wrens, both of them now, began furiously scolding me and I soon made myself scarce be- fore I brought the whole bird popula- tion after me. Ever since I have never disturbed nests of any sort and House Wrens especially, for this incident taught me a lesson. J, unlike some landlords, have never had any trouble collecting the rent, although I have a multitude of these tiny tenants since these first two of mine. They have an original but very beneficial way of squaring their debt, and that is by keeping the gardens and trees free from hosts of pests. oe ee ae On January 24th of this year I was in Stafford Co., Va., in a wild piece of the country between Aquia and Po- tomac Creek. I sat for a while on a steep hillside watching a pair of Bald Hagles repairing their nest. A move- ment of the bushes on the opposite hillside caught my eye and _ pretty soon six wild turkeys came in sight, a fine big male bird with five turkey hens. I watched them for twenty or thirty minutes until they went over to the top of the hill. The next day I was on the other side of Aquia creek walking down a deep gully that led to the creek which is very wide at this point. Almost on the bank of the creek I jumped two turkey hens and they started to fly straight across. I watched them and saw one hit the ice and start running for the woods. The other bird tired before it reached the ice and fell in the open water, about forty feet short of safety. I got a boat as soon as I could and started after the bird in the water but when I reached her she was dead. She was very fat for this time of the year and weighed 8% lbs. If the creek had not been frozen for a quarter of a mile out I don’t think the other bird could have made it. I once saw nine Bobwhites try and fly across this creek and all of them fell in the water. I was in a speed launch at the time and succeeded in saving four of the birds. The side from which I started the pair of tur- key hens is not near as wild as the opposite shore and I never heard of turkeys being seen there before. 1 think this pair belongs to the flock I saw the day before and had come across when the entire creek was frozen or had flown across at a point where it was much narrower. Ii is hard to tell how many birds die in this manner. EH. A. Sikkem, Hyattsville, Md. ————_r- _o - —_ —_—_ PRAIRIE HORNED LARK’S NEST SNOWED UNDER The Prairie Horned Lark is a com- mon resident of our fields and prairies throughout the central part of the state. This species is more or less migratory, but on almost any winter 52 tT, BE OVO O.G i Sit day when the ground is not covered with snow you may see from three to ten or a dozen in a flock along the road or in the ploughed fields, meadows or pastures. In February you can always look for them in larger flocks. I have often seen them in late February in flocks of fifty or more. On February 5th of this year as I was driving the car to town I saw no less than six bunches ranging in number from seven to eighteen in a flock, but the next day it snowed all day and I have not seen any from that date to the pres- ent time (Feb. 10th). The Prairie Horned Lark is an early breeder here with us, as it often nests early in March. On March 11th, 1909 as I was walking through a pasture which had grown up well to blue grass the fall before I found a nest of the Prairie Horned Lark on the ground in the blue grass. It was composed of grass and weed stems and a very few pieces of corn husks, lined with fine erass. The snow was not entirely gone, there being long narrow strips of snow scattered all over this 180 acre pas- ture where it had drifted during the previous storm some two weeks be- fore. The nest was situated well down on a long south slope near a ditch, and was not more than twenty feet from snow which was three feet deep, the nest contained two eggs so I carefully marked the nest so that I could find it. ‘The day was raw and cold and cloudy and that night it snowed about three inches of very heavy wet snow, and arriving at the nest next day I found it covered with snow and no larks in sight that day. I carefully removed the snow from the nest with my hands and found that the nest con- tained three egss, these I packed in my collection box, and then gathering up the water soaked nest I took it home and dried it and then mounted it on a stand. This is the earliest record which I have of this species nesting in central Iowa. I have found the nests from March 11th to Aug. 17th, the latter date is my latest record. By far the largest number of nests found are by hills of growing corn, placed usually on the north side of the plant, and each day that the weather will permit the farmers to cultivate their corn many thousands of their nests are destroyed by the corn plough. Most authors state that the number of eggs laid by this species is from three to five usually four, in fully 75 per cent of the nests which I have found contained three eggs. I have never yet been able to find a set of five out of the hundreds of sets which IT have found. There is a great vari- ation in the size and color of the eggs. See article in December 1920 Oolo- gist by Mr. Fred J. Pierce, on the flight of the Prairie Horned Lark. This is the best article on the flight and song of this bird that I have ever read. Note—Let each and all of us put our shoulder to the wheel and send in an article to the Oolcgist. We need the Oologist and it needs us to help. Let us hear more from the fellows in the Northwest and Canada John L. Cole, Nevada, Iowa. The editor seconds the motion. All _in favor will vote by sending us the copy showing that you each have “put your shoulder to the wheel.’—R.M.B. ———__-"__0@ e—__ “The paper improves every year.” E. W. Kelly. “T find much of interest in your little magazine and I hope it a very success- ful year.” Wm. L. G. Edson. THE OOLOGIST FOR EXCHANGE—Nice set Golden Hagle 1/2. 1/1. Can use sets of 9, 10, 112, 1138, 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. Fr. M. CARRYL, No. 1 Princeton Street, Nutley, N. J. FOR EXCHANGE—One Taylor Smoke one Mandelette, one minute _ Wanted—Butterfles. WwW. J. 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. WHEELER, 166 Athol Ave., Oakland, Calif. WANTED—To correspond with par- ties in Southern States who could get O. S. BIGGS, San Jose, I1l. 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 SALHE—Live Opossums. Alsc fresh skins of Opossum, Fox and Gray Squirrels for mounting. Want severa. volumes of the Condor. ALBERT LANO. tayetteville, 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 Birds of Wyoming, by Knight; Birds of Colorado, 3 Parts, by Cooke; The Oologist, 85 Volumes; The Orni- thologist & Oologist, Vols. 7-18; Bird Lore, Vols. 17, 18, 19, 20; 50 Singles; American Ornithologist, Vols. 1-2. C. M. CASH, 306 Blue Hills Ave., Hartford, Connecticut. MAMMALS—I want A No. 1 scienti- fic skins of North American Weasels for which I will exchange skins of Mountain Beaver or other mammals or birds. I also want Ridgeway’s “Birds of North and Middle America,” parts I and II; also North American Fauna, Nos. 28, 25, 27 and 28, for which I will pay cash. Alex Walker, Blaine, Oregon. WANTED—Bird Lore, Vol. I, 3-4; II, 1; III, 1-2-3; VII, 1; X, 6 and index.Orni- thologist and Oologist Vol. VI and VII complete, Vol, XII, 10. The Warbler, 1st series complete. Wilson Bulletin com- plete file H. H. JOHNSON, Pittsfield, Maine. FOR HXCHANGE—About one hun- dred mounted birds each with full data; including Hawks, Owls, Eagles, Water Birds, ete. Also several finely mounted Deer heads. Want first class bird skins only. Send your list and get mine. WHARTON HUBER, 225 St. Mark’s Square, Philadelphia, Pa. FOR EXCHANGE—Full sets of the following: 12, 13a, 14, 15, 16, 20, 21, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30; 31): 32a, 32; 83) sil, 82, $2-1, 86, 86f, 86-1, 89, 90, 98, 101, 108, 104, 105, 105-1, 105-2, 106, 167, 108, 108-1, 114, 114-1, 115, 116-1, 116, 194a 1-4, 194f 1-4, 355 1-5, 357 1-4, 348 1-7, 364 3-3, 389, for sets of equal value or will sell. EK. A. WHEELER, E. Randolph, N. Y. THE OOLOGISTS’ RECORD A quarterly subscribed to by the lead- ing oologists of the world. Published 1st March, Ist June, 1st September and lst December. Subscription $1.25 per annum, (All subscriptions run for the full calendar year). THE OOLOGISTS’ EXCHANGE AND MART Issued as a supplement to the above for the purpose of promoting inter- change amongst collectors direct. New subscribers are only admitted on the recommendation of an existing sub- scriber and no dealers are eligible. Most of the leading collectors in the U. S. A. subscribe. The O. E. and M. can only be taken by those who already subscribe to the Oologists’ Record, the extra subscrip- tion for the former being 60 cents per annum, i. e. $1.85 for the two papers. All communications about either of above papers should be addressed to: KENNETH L. SKINNER Brookiands Estate Office, Weybridge, England. THE WILSON BULLETIN A QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF ORNITHOLOGY Paying particular attention to Field Studies of Birds in Middle North America, Now in its 28th year. 48 pages or more of readable matter with illustrations. Indispensable to all active field workers. One dollar per year, 30 ects per copy. Official Organ of THE WILSON ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB ™ Address A. F. GANIER, Secretary, 2507 Ashwood Avenue Nashville, Tennesseg. THE OOLOGIST WANTED — Ornithological publica- tions; Bird Lore, Vol. I, 3-4 index; II, 1; III, 1-2-3; VII, 1; X, 6-index. Warb- ler, 1st series complete. Wilson Bulle- tin complete; Vols. Birds of Eastern North America, Maynard; Birds of On- tario, 2nd edition, MclIlwraith. For Eix- change or sale: Economic Value of Predaceous Birds ete., A. K. Fisher, 3 col. pl. by Fuertes, 1908. Fifty Com- mon Birds of Farm and Orchard, Hen- shaw, 50 col. pl. by Fuertes, 1913. Hawks and Owls from the Standpoint of the Farmer. A. K. Fisher, ill. 3 pl. by Ridgway, 1895; Birds as Weed De- stroyers, Judd, ill. 1 pl: by Ridgway, 1898. H. H. Johnson, Pittsfield, Maine. WANTED—A good pair, each of Black and Yellow Rails for which I will give good exchange. O. C. HAST- aes 207 Denver Ave., Bridgeport, onn. WANTED—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. M. BARNHS, Lacon, Il. 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 1921 SPRING is now here and the Collecting Season 1S Now on. Let every reader on ‘‘The Oolo- gist’’ select some young man, who would be inter- ested, and send us his name and we will be glad to forward him sample copies of ‘‘The Oologist.’’ THE OOLOGIST THE QOLOGIST. BIRDS--NESTS--EGGS TAXIDERMY VoL. XXXVIII. No.5. ALBION, N. Y., May 1, 1921. WHOLE No. 409 A at Comparagy Zoology @ MAY 44,1943 SEUSS \ eG az 1eCe anG a THE OOLOGIST BRIDF SPECIAL ANG Ute mani Nas Wanted, Exchange, Fer Sale, Btc., for each 25 words for one issue; eaéh aa tional wo serted for less than 25 cents. gerted in ate department at 45 cents 1 éent. No notice 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.—HDITOR. 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 te dispose of by exchange or sale Rk. M. BARNES, Lacon, Il}. ENTIRE COLLECTIONS—Will pay spot cash for entire collections of North American birds eggs. Send lists. B. R. BALES, M.D., Circleville, Ohio. WANTED—Sets of No. 190, 208, 211, 212, 214, 268, 2738, 387, 619, in Exchange or will purchase same. Henry W. Davis, Box No. 844, Atlantic, N. J. I would like to correspond with active Oologists and Collectors... Write me for information of Birds and Eggs of Michigan. Jame Wood, Taxidermist & Collector, Northville, Michigan. Box 592. WANTED—To purchase or exchange for sets of 289-, 308b, 310a, 325, 349, 352, 484, 486, 491, 492. First Class only. W. H. Over, Vermillion, S. D. DATA BLANKS—I will send 500 standard data blanks with your name printed on them for $1.25. No less than 500 done. Edw. S. Coombs, 2438 Frank- lin St., Boston, Mass. WANTED—Sets with down and nest feathers, Ducks & Geese, especially IN@s, alejil, SS). aes WAN), Leto). abineh, aby, ALAA, 166, 169, 169a, 173, 174; cash. Bunyard, 57 Kidderminster Rd., Croydon, Eng- land. EGGS OF THE FRINGILLIDAH—I am prepared to buy or give good ex- change for any eggs of the finches and buntings, a group in which I specialize. I will also be pleased to do all I can to help other specialists who will co- operate with me in securing finch eggs. Kenneth L. Skinner, Brooklands Hstate Office, Weybridge, England. WANTED —Egeg Cabinet, upright drawer. Cash or Exchange. Send full description. W. 3B. Purdy, Milford, Michigan. WOULD like to correspond with all active Oologists with view of exchange. Would like to buy good photographs of birds. nests and eggs, what have you? Walter E. Hastings, South Lyon, Mich. BIRDS, Animals, Fish and Game Heads, Mounted Furs and Hides, Tan- ned and made into Rugs and Robes. Mearl B. Wheeler, Randolph, N. Y. FOR HXCHANGEH—I have the lar FOR SALE—One good coyote hide, tanned and made up in floor rug style, with open mouth mount, felt lining, best of workmanship. This fur came from Yellowstone Park and is extra light phase of color customary of furs from that locality. A fine first class piece. Fred Dille, Valentine, Nebraska. _ ARTISTIC BASES—Made to order. Something far above the ordinary. Can- not be duplicated anywhere. Write for description and prices. L. W. Speer, Taxidermist, Sac City, Iowa. STAMPS WANTED—Have you a col- lection or odd lot to dispose of? If so Write us about it. Offer cash or ex- change in ornithological publications. Ithaca hammerless, 12 gauge shotgun,. and “Game Getter,’ collecting gun and rifle. Also have stamps for sale or exchange. Reference, Editor of Oolo- gist. Kranklin’s, Box 292, Annapolis, Md. T. W. Richards. 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, Illinois. _FOR SALE—Seven copies of The Oologist magazine, year 1919; eight copies of The Oologist magazine, year 1920, at 4c each, postpaid. A. M. Nel- son, Jr., Lake Providence, La. EXCHANGE—History of the Birds of Kansas-Goss: Catalogue of the Birds of Kansas with descriptive notes of their nests and eggs-Goss; Animal Guide—Reed; 6 1-2 power Army field- glasses: The Oologist for 1910-1911- 1912; Want Fishers ‘Hawks and Owls of the U. S.; and good sets. Lieut. L. R. W olfe, 64th Infantry, Camp Meade, Md. FOR TRADE—Bird-Lore Vol. XII, Nos. 3, 4, 5, 6. Wanted, Bird-Lore, Vol. XVII, Nos, 3, 4, 5, 6; XVIII, Nos. 5; XIX, Nos. A 5, 6; XX, Nos. 3, 5, 6; XXI, Nos. 2, 3, 5; NIV, Index, 1912. Will pay cash or Vol. XII, Nos. 3, 4, 5, 6 in trade. Fred Matthews, 70 Whittingham St., West Orange, N. J. FOR EXCHANGE—European & Asia- tic eggs in sets for North American species and _ skins. Address, C. W. Chamberlain, 36 Lincoln St., Boston, Mass. gest exchange list of North American Birds’ eggs in existence, and will be glad to exchange with reliable collectors for speci- mens they need, and I am willing are willing to exchange for. Lacon, Illinois. to purchase for for which I do not have duplicates, that the owner Send me your cash those that I want and of the specimens that I need list of duplicates. R. M. BARNES, THE OOLOGIST. VoL. KXXVIII. No.5 AuBion, N. Y., May 1, 1921. WHOLE No. 409 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 expiralions can be computed by intermediate numbers at the rate of one inmber per month. Entered as second-class matter December 21, 1903, at the post office at Albion, N. Y., under the Act of Congress of March 3, 1879. THE NEW CATALOGUE T will be good news to the Oologists to know that the Hdi- tor received the complete report of the final Committee of Review, selected to pass on the work of the Committee of Twenty-five, who were elected two years ago, to arrange the prices for the New Catalogue of North American Birds’ Eggs. Two years is a long time for twenty-five men to be engaged in an undertaking, and the class of men composing these com- mittees is a sufficient guarantee that the work was well done. We are now endeavoring to arrange with the printers to produce this volume for us, and as soon a3 the contract is let, we will advise all of the readers of THE OOLOGIST through these columns of that fact, and will then be able to notify you what the cost will be. This we hope to be able to do this coming month in order that the Catalogue may be used as a basis for 1921 Hxchanges. And while on this subject let us repeat the advice we have given annually for a long time to the Collectors of Oological specimens, not to take any more eggs of the commoner varie- ties of birds than they need for their own personal collection, as there is no market for such specimens, either by way of sale or exchange. There is however a very urgent demand for specimens of rarer kinds.—R. M. B. 54 THE OOLOGIS8T California Observations February 8, 1921, Mr. D. Bernard Bull and I went on a trip to the Uvas near Morgan Hill, and we noted the following birds: 294a California Partridge ........ 9 Bos] IWinwesin ISIANWEK cococcaccc0a000 il 337b Western Red-tail ........... 3 355. Prairie Malcom. 5 .--.....6-- il 360a Desert Sparrow Hawk....... 4 398c Harris Woodpecker ......... 2 407a California Woodpecker ...... 10 413 Red-shafted Flicker ......... 6 458a Western Black Phoebe ...... il AQ (Ceihitioraale, VAY ooacconcco0000 4 488b Western Crow .............. 2 499 Bicolored Blackbird. ........ 3 501b Western Meadowlark ....... 16 510b California Brewer’s Blackbird 8 529b California Goldfinch ........ 100 554 \Vhite-crowned Sparrow ..... 15 557 Golden-crowned Sparrow..... 1 HOTA, Oweeoim | IWIMNCO s.000000040506 30 588b Spurred Towhee ............ 7 591b California Towhee .......... 4 622b California Shrike. 656 Audubon’s Warbler ......... 6 (ee iPlay AVTAOMSE .socaccuod soc 2 "41a California Chickadee ........ 3 Gao Warciledeeitharn sin) een 1 76la Western Robin ............. 3 No. Niesterns I Bilulebindi es seeee ae 6 This is the first pair of Crows I have seen in twenty-seven years residence in San Jose. W. A. Strong. San Jose, Cal. Michigan Observations Having just returned from a short visit to Grand Traverse County, Mich., December 22, to January 3, 1921 I thought that possibly some of the readers of THE OOLOGIST would be interested in the birds I found in that region at this time of the year. My headquarters were Traverse City. The city is located on the shore of beautiful West Grand Traverse Bay. Besides the bay it has Board- -man lake which divides part of the city and Boardman River winds it way also through its center. The town is sheltered from the west and north- west storms by a range of high hills which is another very good feature. I really have a very warm spot in my heart for this community as I was born and raised here, spending nine- teen years of my life here. And will say that it was truly a great treat to get back to my home town again and travel the same country and spots as I did when a lad. I found a great many water fowl on the bay and rivers among them were “large flocks of American Golden Hye Ducks, Scaup and Buffle Heads, sin- gles, pairs and trios of Mergansers, both American and Red Breasted, hundreds of Herring Gulls, a few Ring-billed Gulls and Caspian Terns and a pair of Red Throated Loons were observed. , I also enjoyed a sight that I will never forget and that was the Herring Gulls feeding at the dumping grounds of the Michigan State Hospital, situ- ated about a mile back from the water. I had often heard of this, but had never had the opportunity to see them before, so shortly after my ar- rival my sister and I snow-shoed over one afternoon and it truly was a sight any bird lover would enjoy. Hun- dreds of Gull so tame that one could walk very close to them. And when one of the sleighs with refuse on came to dump some of the birds lit right on the load and started to feed. American Robins were found while I was there, which is very unusual for that locality at this date. And I also saw great flocks of American Gold Finches in the Hemlock woods in greater numbers than I had ever seen before. THE OOLOGIST 55 I wish also to say that Grand Tra- verse can boast of one of the best game and river wardens in the coun- try. Mr. Mark Craw by name, a true sportsman and nature lover and who has his work at heart for the benefit of our fast diminishing wild life. I only wish we had a great many more men like him; men that are liked and respected by their community and not ren that are disliked and whom peo- ple try to double cross, the way they do the average warden. t could not spend the time in the field = yould like to while there, a3 I was visiting a sick sister, so my ob- “oer ing was really limited to about three days. lollowing is a list of species found: A.O.U. 11 Red Throated loon. i Herring gull (abundant). 54 Ring-billed Gull (rare). 64 Caspian Tern (rare winter). 12 American Merganser (common). (rare). abund- 1290 Red-breasted Merganser 148 American Secaup (fairly ant). 153 Buffle Head (fairly abundant). 151 American Golden Hye (abund- ant). 300 Ruffed Grouse (abundant). 093 Hairy Woodpecker. 094 Downy Woodpecker. 400 Artie Three-Toed (rare). 477 Blue Jay. 488 American Crow. 539 American Goldfinch (abundant). 534 Snowflake. 567 Slate Colored Junco. (25 Brown Creeper. 727 White Breasted Nuthatch. 55 Black-capped Chickadee. 61 American Robin. Walter H, Hastings. January 11, 1921, Woodpecker A Truck Trip December 4th, 1920, my son and I left New York, with a ton truck, ar- ‘iving here (Casa Grande, Ariz.) in thirty days. Traveling about thirty-five miles west of Wichita, Kansas, we left the timbered country, and the re- maining distance was treeless, except- in two forest reserves. The hawks in the treeless country seemed to be of passing vehicles and re- mained perched on fence posts or tele- sraph poles. We saw many dead ones along the road, more of the Ferru- ginons Rough-leg, than of any other. All or nearly all, had been shot with a rifle by passing autoists. Near the ruins in this valley I picked up a fine male Audubon’s Caracara. The only one ! have ever seen in this state. \ witefronted geese come into the olialfa fields here while they are be- ing irrigated, and are not very wild; one flock of nine and another of 28 a few days ago. Yesterday my son flUshed a Western Horned Owl on a steep hillside, one egg somewhat in- eiubated on the bare ground between two rocks, no nest whatever. The nesting of many birds here is later than those of last year, perhaps on ac- count of our severe drought. D. D. Stone. Fearless Oswego, N. Y., R. D. 3. oe <0 — CASSINA There is no bird publication that is more welcome to our desk than Cas- sina. The 1919 issue was issued in October 1920, and arrived December 5th, so you see we are not the only one that is occasionally late, and when so stately and formal a serialas Cassina comes along eleven months To the D. V. O. C. and its publica- tion Cassina, we wish continued suc- cess. R. M. B, 56 THE OOLOGIST A MINNESOTA AFTERNOON Beating about through the woods and brush this afternoon in search for new specimens for my collection and hoping to secure some new phases of bird life, I found myself thinking of your magazine, or perhaps I should say our magazine, and I wondered if a few bird notes woud not be accept- able. With my wife and small daughter I have been camping on the banks of Girl Lake in Cass Co. Even as I write I can hear the call of the Whip- poor-will in the woods and the wild laugh of the loon ringing across the water. It is a veritable paradise for birds. Within one hundred yards of the cabin we have nests of the Robin, Catbird, Kingbird, House Wren, Spotted Sand-piper containing eggs and over one of the windows isa fam- ily of Phoebes, while in a small Nor- way pine close by, the Bronze Grackles are caring for a brood of young. A family of young Baltimore Orioles are swinging in the ‘breezes suspended from the boughs of a nearby birch tree and a mother Yellow Warbler is solicitiously watching over small mor- sels of bird life in a clump of hazle brush. I have been closely watching a pair of Cedar Waxwings in the hope of finding their nest but thus far they have eluded me. The little Spotted Sandpiper is having troubleous times as she placed her nest under a small sumac sprout one or two feet from the pathway by which we travel to the inn and every passerby causes her to leave her treasures with wild cries and flutterings. Wandering through the woods for a few hours each day I frequently flush Ruffled Grouse, sometimes an old cock who flies away through the trees but more frequently a brooding hen who flutters away with her strange dog-like whinning cries. I have added to my collection a set of Least Flycatchers and a set of Loons or Great Northern Diver. It is rather late for Loon to nest but I was fortunate enough to find a _ belated pair nesting in a lonely place. Large numbers of Great Blue Herons were seen winging their way through the heavens or perching on the top of tall dead trees and they must nest there in considerable numbers. In a nest nearby there is a colony of Red-wings and the whinny of the Sora is heard together with the pump- ings of the Bittern. That ghost-like creature, the Black- billed Cuckoo is very much in evidence for so shy a bird and the Song Spar- row sings jubilantly from every bush. I spent some time watching a pair of Towhees hoping to locate their nest- ing piace but all in vain. Large flocks of Gold Finch perch along the telephone wires and violet green tree Swallows flit everywhere. A pair of Killdeer had for some days but noisily proclaiming their tenancy of a small potato field near the cabin and one evening thought I would see if I could outwit them and locate their nest. Crossing the field and their vociferous scoldings I passed into a thick brushy place and then sat down to watch them. They ran up and down past the spot where I had dis- appeared for some time and always stopped to look in that direction. Finally they gave a short call and in a few seconds four small toddlers ran out from under a bush not over a rod away from me and ran across to their parents. I at once arose and walked out into view and great was the com- motion as the old birds took flight with wild cries of alarm and the youngsters ran in every direction seek- ing cover. A Great Bald Hagle is occasionally seen whirling in graceful circles over the lake and not infrequently takes THE OOLOGIST 57 advantage of the industry of his small- er relatives, the Osprey. Kingfishers perch on every small snag, watching the water for their finney prey and both the Black Terns are very com- mon. One could spend the entire sea- son in this locality with great pleas- ure. A. S. Peters, Lake Wilson, Minn. i etd CAROLINA CHICKADEE The Carolina Chickadee is the most common bird we have with us in the early spring, and it is somewhat like the Plumbeous Chickadee, both in color and nesting habits. The average nesting date that we can find a full set of fresh eggs is April 13th although I have found sets as early as March 3rd. Here in this locality one does not have to go out into the woods to find their nests. All you have to do is to go to the edge of town and pick out a barb wire fence, then start down the line looking at every fence post. Be- fore you have gone very far, ten to one, you have found your nest, be- cause they invariably pick out a fence post to build their nest in. They pick out a post where there is a spot in it that has started to decay, therefore, making the job less laborious, as you will notice by the accompanying photograph. But on the other hand you will find five nests out of a pos- sible twelve placed in a natural or de- cayed spot of the post which requires no labor at all to excavate. In plac- ing the nest material in the hole they always (in every case) start the foundation off with a one inch bed of pretty green tree moss. Then comes a layer of fine stripes of fibrous bark, followed up with a warm lining of soft hair, usually from a rabbit. In one instance I saw a Chickadee make ten or twelve trips to an old dead donkey and pull hair from the carcass for the nest which they had / close by. Many a time I have been strolling along a quiet country road and would be attracted by a faint muffled “ra-a-tat-tat” sound being made from some little unseen object, then the thought always strikes me to make for the nearest fence post be- cause I know Mr. and Mrs. Chickadee are making a nest in one of them close by. Then it is only a matter of a minute to locate the nest. Their eggs are from five to eight in a set, white sprinkled with small specks of redish brown and measures Dox. 43. The eggs are most dis- tinguishable from these of the Parus carolinensis agilis. Earl EH. Moffat, Marshall, Texas. 2p e The European Starling In Virginia The winter of 1917 and 1918 was the hardest one we have had in this state since 1888. That season I recorded the Starling in Tidewater, Va., (Oolo- gist, Vol. 34, page 111). Last season none were noted in Tidewater during the entire winter, it being quite mild. This year a small flock of eight Starl- ing were seen in Warwick County on October 11th flying off to one side of a small flock of blackbirds. Another flock of Starling, twelve or fourteen, were seen this year on De- cember 13th in the same county. Up to that time we had had no cold weather, so I presume these birds have come to stay as a resident. During a late trip in December, as far northas New York, the birds were seen near Washington, Baltimore, Philadelphia and New York and now breed near all these cities abundantly. They are gradually extending their breeding range southward from Chester, Pa., along the eastern shore peninsular of Charles, Va., but I have no record of nest with eggs or young as yet. Maryland and Virginia, towards Cape Harold Bailey, Newport News, Va. THE OOLOGIST 58 POOM ‘YH UOSs|aN Aq uinasny) JeUuolzeN SozeS peiun JO} pozyUNop-Aoyun]| seunpuoy 4 THE OOL THE PASSING OF A GREAT BIRD TAXIDERMIST . Nelson Rush Wood By R. W. Shufeldt. We have but very few scientific taxi- dermists of birds in the land—that is, in proportion to our population; Nel- son Wood, who died suddenly in Wash- ington on the eighth of last November, was one of them, and, as a taxidermist of representatives of certain groups of birds, as pigeons and fowls, domes- tic and wild, he had not his equal in this country. At the time of his death he was the taxidermist employed by the United States National Museum—a position he held continu- ously for over thirty years. During this long service he mounted for the exhibition series of that institution a yery large number of birds from all parts of the world; they range all the way from the hummers to the eagles and big vultures, while he paid espe- cial attention to the pigeons, the pl easants, wild turkey, quails, grouse, and their numerous allies. Parrots and toucans were also favorite sub- jects of his, as were certain passerine forms and the hawks and owls. Mr. Wood, whom I knew personally for over a quarter of a century and of whose accomplishments I was a close student, was a great observer of birds in nature, and it was such schooling that enabled him to imitate their at- titudes so well in his mounted speci- mens. He mounted pheasants from all parts of the world, and an entire day may be well spent in the United States National Museum, studying his truly marvelous productions in this family. Some ot them actually look like living birds, so gracefully and accurately did he pose them. It is needless to say that the Museum has sustained a most la- mentable loss in the death of this man, OGIST 59 combining, as he did, so many accom- plishments in the line of his work, and so cultured in each and all of them. He could imitate to perfection the notes of hundreds of birds and domes- tic fowls; and when in the woods, he could call every bird within hearing into the trees and shrubbery close to where he stood—even hawks and crows flying far over his head were lured in the same way through his wonderful imitations. So, too, with the barnyard fowls; and he certainly was a puzzle to peacocks, peafowls, ducks, chickens, and geese, when among some assembly of them in a well-stocked barnyard. Without any apparent effort, he could either silence them all, or, by varying their several ealls or cacklings, he could have the entire lot in an uproar, In the Museum there is a fine, mounted specimen of the Honduras Turkey. .ivot long ago I photographed this bird, and it is reproduced here as a fair sample of Mr. Wood’s work in the ease of a gallinaceous fowl; it has never been published heretofore. (OO The California Shrike This member of the “bytcher bird” family is one of the familiar birds in the vicinity of Benicia. This town is on the upper San Francisco Bay about thirty miles by water from San Fran- cisco. Because of the scarcity of un- derbrush many of the birds of the Bay region are not commonly found here, however, this Shrike is not adverse to the open country, and because of its habit of perching on telephone wires and posts along the country highways it is familiar to all passers-by. From a distance the gray and white colors of the bird call to mind the Mocking- bird; however, the Mockingbird has never been observed by me this far north, although it is common in the 60 THE OOLOGIST vicinity of Los Angeles. The habits of our California Shrike have been a. subject of much interest to observers, and it has the same relish for small birds, mice and grass- hoppers and other insects as its east- ern relative. It nests in scrubby trees, frequent- ly in rows of trees along the roadside or in a lone tree in a field. I find locusts, oaks and almond trees are the favorites. The construction of the nest is rather bulky and the interior is lined with any soft material, includ- ing feathers, hair, wool, etc. The eggs number five to seven, commonly seven, and are laid during April and the fore- part of May. One of my prettiest specimens of nests is one of this bird taken with seven eggs on May 9th, 1919, along the Benicia-Vallejo road. This nest is especially well rounded and softly lined. It was placed eight feet from the ground in a small lone locust tree in full bloom. Emerson A. Stoner, Benicia, California. Barn Owls at Benicia, Cal. In the top of a two-story storehouse, built of stone, and which is used by the government for storage of war materials, I found a pair of Barn Owls nesting during the season of 1919. In the tower, which is flat-topped and reached by three flights of wooden steps which wind around within, was formerly a large clock, but during a fire was burned out and never re- placed. The fire left several cavities through which the birds might enter, and on the wooden floor which had been rebuilt were deposited five white eggs. These were at the head of the stairs in a corner, without any, nest except the remains of birds and mice, bones and feathers and pellets. At least two bushels of this refuse wa's littered up in the two corners further- most from the head of the steps. The majority of the feathers were from bi- colored blackbirds. The rump and legs of @ Rail which had been freshly killed and partly eaten were under a pipe which ran above the refuse. I got two sets from this location dur- ing 1919, .one on March 19th, and the other on + pril 7th. The latter set was placed about ten feet from the first in another corner. Later I was told a third set was laid which was allowed to hatch. ' This season, 1920, all of the open- ings to this nesting site have been closed, and the birds no doubt by this time have found some other situation in which to rear their young. Emerson A. Stoner. ——— ______ eo —_____—_ Another Attack Thirty years ago today (March 20, 1891) from a cavity in a large black oak tree in what was known as the Saltenstahl timber one mile west of Mackinaw, Ill., I took a set of five sereech owl eggs. About two weeks later I took another set from the same cavity. Both sets are in my col- lection at the present time. Today while crossing an old straw stack bottom, I flushed a Killdeer and there lay four slightly incubated eggs. It revived in me a spirit which has lain dormant for the past twenty-five years, and taking the eggs to the house I proceeded to make a drill out of a ten-penny nail, using a straw for a blow: pipe. It was in the days when Charles K. Reed, J. Warren Jacobs, and Frank H. Lattin were making their debut; when Oology and Ornithology appar- ently had more followers than today, that the writer had his “egg-collecting fever.” My collection has been stored away in attics, closets and other dingy ® places until it has decreased from about 3800 varieties to half the num- ber. Ostrich, Emu, California Vulture, Stormy Petrel, Goshawk, Golden Ori- ole, and many others which I prized highly have been destroyed or lost. While I have collected but a few “pecimens in the past 25 years, I have been a close observer of bird life. One morning recently while taking a “before breakfast” stroll I observed migratory birds including Canada Goose, Brant, Mallard, Sprig or Pin- tail, Widgeon, and other ducks, which I could not distinguish. But a sight most pleasing to my eye was a bunch of seven Prairie Chickens one male and six hens. IJ have often heard the “oom-boom-boom” of the male and oc- casionally I saw one or two hens. These birds have been on my farm for the past three years. A pair of Mecking birds, have also used a little cedar in my front yard for a nesting place three consecutive seasons. Charles D. Warner. Almyra, Arkansas. >< fe John Burroughs All lovers of nature in America and in fact almost throughout the world, mourn the death of John Burroughs, who was buried April 3rd, 1921, at Roxbury, N. Y., exactly eighty-four years after the day of his birth. He was laid to rest at the home of his birth. His bier was blasted out of a huge boulder lying on the side of Rock Mountain, upon which he played as a boy, and later sat and mused as a man, as he observed the birds and enjoyed the wild flowers, and around which in his youth he hunted the sly fox. The burial service was simple. There were a few short prayers followed by the recitation of poems left to liter- ature by other admirers of the hills THE OOLOGIST 61 and valleys. Some of the lines were dedicated to Mr. Burroughs and one of the poems read at the grave had been written on the death of the fiaturalist by Hdwin Markham. When the coffin had been lowered into a bed of green hemlock branches and moss and flowers covered the mound, the townsfolk and the visitors began winding their way back into the valley by twos and threes. The pur- ple haze of dusk came down as a twi- light mantel over the village and then darkness fell, leaving John Burroughs to abide forever in his own native soil—From his home paper. es gig glee. NuleeaUa H. H. Bailey Our friend, H. H. Bailey, formerly of Norfolk, Virginia, now of Miami Beach, Florida, is demonstrating in his new home, his usual vim and pep, in bird matters, which has character- ized him through life. He just an- nounces the establishment of a new “Museum and Oological Park,’ which it is expected will cost at least $250,- 000.00 and possibly more. It is to be located on five acres of land in which a large lake is to be dredged out for water fowl, and the grounds are to be laid out and im- proved as nearly to reproduce natural surroundings for the various species of deer, bear, wild cat, lynx, coons, otter, opossum, weasel, muskrat, skunk, squirrels, etc., as possible. A flying cage “probably the largest erected in America” will be installed for the display of the larger water birds, Flamingo, Heron, Cranes, etc. A museum building will be erected, thoroughly modern in every way, and Florida fauna will be emphasized, in all the Departments.’ all the Departments.—R.M.B. Wid 3 OOS @ Gls y 62 Wild Mallard Duck’s Nest, July 1st, 1920, Four Brothers Island, In, Lake Champla THE OOLOGIST 63 Birds Nesting Upon the Four Brothers, Lake Champlain. Last summer in connection with some botanical work, I had occasion to visit the Four Brothers, a group of small islands comprising about six acres in the middle of Lake Cham- plain and about two miles from the New York shore. On the first day of July I set out with my daughter and a friend of hers to explore these islands. We went to Willisborough Point to get a boat to take us over to the islands. No one was available to take us in the motor boat, but we were able to hire a row boat for the day. As we were about to start a small boy at the dock mentioned a man and a camp upon one of the islands. “Why does a man stay over there?” I asked. “To protect the gulls,” he replied. This bit of information added one hundred per cent to my interest in visiting the islands, for I had never had the opportunity to visit the breed- ing grounds of any of the gulls. I had seen occasional birds farther down the lake and had wondered where they might breed. When we approached the first is- land we could see a large number of gulls (Larus argentatus smithson- janus) flying about the island and uttering their characteristic discord- ant screams, which did not cease so long aS we remained in sight about the islands. As soon as we landed we were challenged by a pair of rough-winged swallows (Stelgidop- teryx serripennis) whose nest full of young was in the rocky bank behind a lump of clay and rocks. I ‘had no sooner climbed to the top of the bank than a spotted sandpiper (Actitis macularia) flew up from her nest, which contained four eggs. IT soon found the camp and made known my errand to the “Bird Protec- tor,” an elderly man, who seemed to be much pleased to find some one with whom he could talk. He gave us reveral interesting bits of informa- tion, about the birds. He said he had made a census of the gulls in the spring and determined that there were about three hundred of them. He showed us several nests near our landing place and said that some of the old had little fear of him while they were incubating their eges. He peinted owt a small nest in a stump where he said a “flycatcher” (prob- ably tree swallow, Tachycineta bi- color) had reared her young. “She would sit there quietly and let me talk to her,” said he. A three-fourths-grown gull remain- ed upon the upper bank and allowed the girls to photograph him in sev- eral different poses. As I started to walk around the is- land, there was a rustle in the low bushes and a mallard duck (Anas boschas) flew out and away across the lake. I parted the brush carefully and looked into my first mallard’s nest (see the accompanying photograph). There were nine eggs which did not appear to have been incubated long. Mhe: Bird - Protector? * was much pleaced to see this nest. He said he had noticed the birds often but they had led him to believe the nest Was in another place nearer the shore. My time was limited for I had to go to all four islands and allow time to row back to Willsborough Point against the wind. I saw three more spotted sandpipers’ nests, each with four eggs, two song sparrows’ (Melos- piza fasciata) nests, one with five eggs, and one with three eggs and & reeently hatched bird. There were many gulls’ nests, some of which contained addled eggs. The “Bird Protector” showed me one nest of 64 THE OOLOGIST three upon which he said the old bird sat for a long time but finally gave up and left them. They were very badly addled and weather stained but not cracked as were many of the others. The young gulls were nearly full grown in size, but they were unable to fly; some of them were so fat that they seemed scarcely able to walk. If they were near the shore when I approached, they would make frantic efforts to get into the water where they seemed to be perfectly at ease. If they could not get to the water, they would skulk along the rocky bank or hide in the grass and weeds. Those I found hidden would allow themselves to be rolled over and handled without showing resistance other than to open their mouths, somewhat like kittens about to spit when they are molested. These notes may be of interest to show the effect of protection upon the gull colony. A few days ago I found an article by A. H. Jordan in the Ornithologist and Oologist for September, 1888. In this article, Mr. Jordan says that the colony had been reduced at that time to fifty pairs by the relentless persecution by farmers and boys who carried away the eggs by the basket full. He did not think a single breed was reared the preced- ing season. A ee, The Trumpeter Swan Recently it has been supposed that this, the most magnificent of North American wild fowl, was extinet, and it has approached very close to that abyss. However, recently a small col- ony of them are reported to have been discovered in a secluded lake in Canada, where they bred last sea- son, and moving pictures of them were taken. It is to be hoped that this is true.—R.M.B, Exasperating! C. W. Chamberlain, of Boston, writes that he is just back from a trip to Cuba, Jamaica, Costa Rica, and Panama, “but with not a moment to look at Bird life, save from auto, train or ship,’ which he says was ex- asperating. We rather think so! R.M.B. Books Received “Birds of the Isle of Pines,” by W. HH. Clyde Todd,—Annals of the Carne: gie Museum, Vol. X, pages 146-296. This is an exhaustive annotated list of the Birds of the Isle of Pines which has been in preparation for a long: time and reviews the present known status of 142 species and sub-species; is accompanied by a bibliography cov- ering the years 1854 to 1915 inclusive, and is illustrated with ten half tone plates and one map. This paper is a credit to Professor Todd and shows an exhaustive re- search; not the least interesting por- tion of it being the bibliography of each species, showing that a very large proportion of the recorded knowledge relating to the birds of this island fauna is derived from A. C. Read’s contributions to The Oologist. While it would not be strictly accur- ate to say that there are more refer- ences in this paper to Mr. Read’s pub- lished notes relative to the birds of the Isle of Pines than to all other publications combined, referred to therein, yet such statement would not be very wide of the mark. We congratulate Professor Todd upon the thoroughness of this produc- tion and also our friend Read upon the frequency with which he is quoted therein, THE OOLOGIST 65 “Insect Behavior’ — This splendid volume by Paul C. Howes, so well and favorably known to the readers of THE OOLOGIST, is as its title would indicate, a recitation of the behavior and a study into the life history of many of our common insects, as well as numerous uncommon ones, and some South American species. It con- tains 176 pages, every one of which teems with interesting facts, and is illustrated with upwards of a hundred splendidly executed half-tone photo- graphs, delineating the specie de- scribed. It is written in the accurate as well as popular method, with which our readers are familiar with in all of Howe’s productions, and is a most en- tertaining volume, deserving a high place in the library of every nature lover. There are but few observers who are as able to unearth that which is interesting in Nature Life, and pre- sent it to the public, in as attractive language as our friend Paul G. Howes. Long since we predicted in these columns that he would go a long ways as a naturalist and a writer.—R.M.B. — ——o-—— ee ----—-- An Albino Quail Found C. W. Huffman, a farmer, living near Leon, Missouri, for a number of years has claimed the honor of be- ing the discoverer of more freak birds than any other person in that state; his latest being a perfectly white quail which he discovered among a covey on his farm. Huffman ran across the bird while working in his field. He at first thought it was some other bird, but a peculiar whir of the Quail as the bird arose convinced him that it was of that family. W. A. Strong. San Jose, Cal, “make up civilization. Early V. David, of Ft. Worth, Texas, re- ports a set of Black Vulture eggs, at least one week incubated, taken February 27th, which is certainly early for this species, the earliest we know of.—R. M. B. ae eet ee ee Observations From the Cab Window of a Locomotive Being a bird student for something over twenty-five years, a ‘portion of this time employed as an engine-man for different railroads, in six differ- ent states, I take pleasure in relat- ing a few of the many incidents that become my good fortune to see. Upon a cold night in January, sev- eral years ago, the moon shining in fullness with all its glory upon this beautiful world of ours, over a broad expanse of snowy whiteness save the two lines of steel that we were cover- ing so fast, the tall and thickly wood- ed districts in the near by, a house, barn, and surroundings, that go to This is the pic- ture I see before me, as I look ahead to see that all is clear. I can see in the distance a dark ob- ject which resembles a dog or wolf, but as the keen eye never leaves the object it grows larger and larger as we are now closing in upon it rapidly. All at once it straightens itself up, just aS we are about to strike it. With two eyes (to me) as large as the full moon itself, showing fire snapping its bill. It raises and is boosted along the same direction that we were going and exactly with a parallel line with the full moon. I thought to myself (The Owl Moon) fortunately for the great Horned Owl, he was not hurt at all. His business there was his own, the work of a meal, as I noticed next day upon my return trip. He either caught a rabbit or some train 66 THE OOLOGIST had ran over one and he was making a meal of it. Often have I watched the rabbits start out in front of our engine and run excited in a zig-zag fashion, as though their life depended upon a good hard run, until we ran over them or they crouched down till we had passed over them in safety. You would surely make up your mind they would never bound over the rail, and in winter while the snow covers the track the eye can follow their movements far better than at any ether time. Yes, these are little excitements that one goes through in life, that the average people never think about. At another time in February also on a night mail run in old Missouri (it was not necessary to show me) for it had to be seen to be appreciated. The engineer and fireman were at outs and had not spoken a word to each other for most a week, as our train was dropping down a long hill at a terrific rate of speed with reverse curves and through a very densely wooded district, hills and hollows for miles and miles, when suddenuly with a crash in came the front cab window. An object fastened its claws in the bosom of the engineer’s jacket and looking up in his face was a Great Horned Owl, blinking and snapping his bill to the surprise of the engineer. He screeched as I never expect to hear him again. “Take him off of me, take him off’ (The Owl thing). Of course the fireman took him off, and this mended differences and a short time afterwards he had the fireman promoted. The Owl thing was respon- sible for this good deed. At another time as we were run- ning about fifty miles per hour, through State of Indiana, passing through a very heavy wooded district the sides of the grade were shallow pools of water, infested with tad- poles and insect life, which proved a good feeding ground for the spotted sandpiper. There were about six birds in all. As we came upon them so sudden they were so surprised and bewildered that they did not fly straight ahead to the openings, but instead almost arose perpendicular to tover the tree tops which were nearly one hynared feet, some of them. Bzt cone poor bird got so bewild- ered that it tried to alight in the top of a large Sycamore, somehow it lost its footing and tried to catch itself by its bill and consequently it slipped down into a sharp fork of the small limbs of this monster tree, and there it hung itself. I never passed this place for a year afterwards without looking for this would-be suicide. It hung there withered and _ dried, weather-beaten until at last only the bones and scalp were visible from the cab window. Again in the spring of 1898 I chanced to see a Great Blue Heron fishing in a narrow but swift run- ning stream that connects to some of the small lakes in Northern Indi- ana. The Heron was facing up stream standing in about one foot of water. Just as we came along a small fish about ten inches long passed between the Heron’s legs. He made a strike for it but landed about one foot be- hind himself, but got his fish. And in the struggle he was upset. He threw out his wings as he fell in the water the current was strong and caught him and started down stream with his legs sticking straight up in the air! But he never let go the fish. He finally arighted himself and shook the water from his wardrobe and took his ten inch prize to some Sycamore, where his little ones were being reared, These are actual observations THE OOLOGI!IST 67 that have come to me in my life in the cab of a locomotive, and on any day of the year one can study bird life from this point of observation all the year round, and always see many sights new to him and learn much about the birds nesting, feeding, flight and various other points of interest to a true lover of Birds. George W. Morse. Tulsa, Oklahoma. _ 0

ay Wiisen’s Thrush Russet Backed Thrush Olive-backed Thruch 117 Dwarf Hermit Thrush .....-..-- Ore Western Robin™ .....-----+:++::: Ore Varied Thrush ......------+::-+:: ore. Ne RE sonocacon00c000005000050 Ta. Western Bluebird*® :....-----+++-- Ore Mountain Bluebird .......------- Ore George D. Peck, Salem, Ore. The foregoing list is truly remark- able. To have collected 392 varieties of North American birds, and the eggs of 145 of them is wonderful. We have often wondered why more Oologists did not give their brethren information as to the number of dif- ferent varieties of eggs which they have taken If they would all do this, we wonder who would be at the head of the class. We have personal ac- quaintance with one collector who has taken more than 300 different varieties named in the A. O. U. List.—Editor. VERMONT By Chandler M. Brooks During the summer of 1920 I had the great privilege of spending my va- cation at Camp Abnaki, North Hero Islend, Vermont. While I was there many of my leisure moments were spent studying birds. Camp Abnaki is the Vermont State Y. M. C. A. Boys’ Camp. Its situation is very fine because it affords an op- portunity for studying both land and water birds. During my stay at the camp I took many hikes to different parts of the island and, by the tine my vacation was Over, I was suite familiar with the surrounding region. North Hero Island is one of the ‘ars- est islands in the northern part of Lake Champlain. It is about ten miles in length and varies in width from a few feet to over a mile. North Hero is an agricultural island, but it nas quite « few patches of woods Red and white oaks, beeches, Carolina and big-toothed poplars, quaking aspens and red and white cedars are common. Along the shore of the lake white, gray and yellow birches grow. Most THE OOLOGIST of the woodland is in the southern part of the island, near the location of our camp, and, consequently, most of the birds are found there. The following birds are the ones I saw during my stay on North Hero Island, from June 28th to August 21st, 1920. Herring Gull. Common. Not found nesting on this island, but breed abundantly on other islands in Lake Champlain. Wild Ducks, sp.? Great Blue Heron. Common. Seen many times fishing in shallow bays. Spotted Sandpiper. Frequently seen running along shore of lake. Bob-white. Not very common. A few small flocks observed out in the open fields. Marsh Hawk. One seen flying from field below camp. Red-shouldered Hawk. I saw several flying and one was found dead near a wheat field. _ Screech Owl. Fairly common. Seen flying late in the evening and often heard at night. Belted Kingfisher. Not as common as in many such favorable sections. Observed a few when I was out on the lake in a boat. Downy Woodpecker. One built its nest in an old tree near camp. Northern Flicker. Common. Nest- ing near camp. Ruby-throated Hummingbird. Saw only two during the summer. Kingbird. Built its nest in a white oak tree on our camp-grounds. The old birds carried many kinds of in- sects to the young. Crested Flycatcher. Three were seen feeding in some oak trees. The call of this species was heard several times. Least Flycatcher. Quite common. Blue Jay. This common bird was occasionally seen. Crow. Common. Seen several times feeding in corn fields. Starling. Not very common on the THE OOLOGIST island, but are becoming more so every year. Bobolink. Quite common. Nesting in hay-fields on parts of the island. Cowbird. These birds were very abundant, especially so during the month of August. which sometimes contained two or three hundred individuals. I found a Song Sparrow’s nest which contained a Cowbird’s egg. When the eggs hatched the Cowbird grew so much faster than the Sparrows that it soon began to crowd them from the nest. Red-winged Blackbird. Nested in Swamp near our lake. : Meadow-lark. A pair of these birds had their nest in our base-ball field, but it was destroyed 'by a mowing ma- chine. Baltimore Oriole. Common. They were nesting, but I did not succeed in locating the nesting sites. Bronzed Grackle. Frequently seen. Goldfinch. This species was ob- served a number of times. Vesper Sparrow. I saw a few along the roads. White-throated Sparrow. Very com- mon in July, but few were seen in August. Males in full song in early part of summer. One morning, while on a camping trip to Pinnacle Moun- tain in southern Canada, I heard a White-throat singing at four o’clock, some time before the other birds had awakened. Chipping Sparrow. One of these birds had a nest in a small elm tree near my tent. Boys would hang their towels on the try to dry in the sun, but the old birds were so quiet that none of the boys knew that there was a bird’s nest there. The old birds soon hatched their young and they flew away. Song Sparrow. Three nests of this species were found, all of them being in red cedar trees, and two of tkem were not more than three fee: from the ground. They were in flocks 118 Towhee. Common. Often seen scratching in the leaves. Purple Martin. These fine hirds were very common and nearly every farm-house on the island had a Mar- tin box. All these boxes seemed to be occupied by the Martins. Only one was observed that had been taken over by the English Sparrows. Cliff Swallow. They built their nests very close to a door througi which several hundred boys passed each day. Barn Swallow. Abundant. One barn that I visited had a fine colony living there. The thing that interest- ed me the most was the way the birds got into the barn. A bird would come at the barn, at top speed, and dart through a hole about as big as a silver dollar. Tree Swallow. Very common. HEvi- dently nesting near camp, though I found no nest locations. Cedar Waxwing. Seen feeding on ser- vice berries (Amelanchier). One pair had a nest in a red cedar tree near a path. The old birds did not seem to be afraid of the boys as they passed by. Warbling Vireo. many times. trees. Yellow Warbler. A few were seen. Maryland Yellow-Throat. Common. In a swamp, near our camp-grounds, this was a common species. Myrtle Warbler. One was seen in August in a red cedar tree. Seen and heard Fed mostly in poplar Redstart. Seen feeding about the cedars. Catbird. Common One nest was found in a red cedar tree. Brown Thrasher. Though it was seen frequently, I would not call it a common species on the island. White-breasted’ Nuthatch. “Sense or Instinct.” I have read that birds and animals did every action by instinct given them. This looks like more sense than instinct to me. I went out early in the morning of February 27th and motored up the lake for a mornings fishing for croppie. The waves were choppy and it was a cold frosty morn- ing. So when I landed at Williams Bayou, I at once rustled some leaves THE OOLOGIST aa and wood together and built a fire. I quickly warmed my hands and feet, then took a row boat from behind my motor boat and rowed out a short dis- tance from the bank. I put out my lines and glanced over at the burning fire that I had left. A Tufted Titmouse hopped down near the fire. A small saplin stood on the windward side of the fire. The Titmouse, after examin- ing where the heat was coming from, sat peacefully in the small saplin until he was good and warm. As the sun peeped up from over the rocky hills he sang a song of the coming spring and was answered by a Cardinal that had spent the night close by. It looked to me that this bird used sense instead of instinct. I wonder if when this bird was born that it had instinct to take advantage of a fire when it was cold. Ramon Graham, Texas Notes, 1920. — —. —— — -o—— o—— - ——__ — “THE ROAD RUNNERS CURIOSITY” I was in the front room of our home at the edge of town and heard a noise outside which sounded like someone walking up to the door. I jumped up to put on my shoes and to my surprise right on our front porch was a full - grown Road Runner. It seemed unalarmed and walked away, going into a sweet potato patch next door. It acted like it wanted to look into the house to see the béeby, and it was very tame and took its time in leaving. I think this is un- usual for these birds to visit right in town. Mrs. Ramon Graham, Ft. Worth, Texas. THE OOLOGIST BOOKS RECEIVED Bulletin No. 10, The New York State College of Forestry. The Palisades In- terstate Park: A Study in Recreation- al Forestry, by P. M. Silloway. Guide to the Summer Birds of the Bear Mountain and Harriman Park Sections of the Palisades Interestate Park, by P. M. Silloway. The Relation of Forest Animals to The Welfare of New York State, by Dr. Charles C. Adams. The New York State Wild Life Me- morial to Theodore Roosevelt, by Dr. Charles C. Adams. The Roosevelt Wild Life State Me- morial. By Dr. Charles C. Adams. Delights of The Wild Forest Trail. By Dr. Charles C. Adams. These publications are a part of those gotten out by the State of New York and Roosevelt Memorial Associa- tions and are descriptive, of the Fauna and Flora, of that territory. The names of the authors are sufficient guarantee of the readability and ac- tivities of the contents. Dr. Adams being a well known naturalist and writings of our friend Silloway on birds have been standard for lo these many years. R. M. Barnes. “Report of the Chief Game Guardian, Province of Saskatchewan, Canada, for 1921” It has been a pleasure to examine closely this report of 53 clearly printed pages, which discloses 102 prosecu- tions for violating the Game Law, two of which were for killing Swan, where the parties were fined $20.00 instead of $200.00. It also discloses the dissimination of 49,200 pieces of printed matter rela- tive to game, birds, laws, etc., and re- cites the seizure of 203 illegally killed birds and fur bearing animals, besides over 6,000 pounds of moose meat. It 136 tells of lectures attended by almost 12,000 school children, besides giving a list of specimens secured by the scientists of the United States Biologi- cal Survey; reviews the legislation on subject and makes recommendations with reference thereto, discusses the duck sickness with which the wild fowl of Canada were afflicted and then refers generally the status of the geese, swans, cranes, big game and fur bear- ing animals, besides setting forth the reports of the several assistant game guardians, as well as giving a tabu- lated resume of the 666,000 fur bear- ing animals taken in that year. This > report is a credit to the compiler, and the Department issuing it—R. M. B. “Journal of the Museum of Compara- tive Oology, Vol. II, 1-2, 1921” This issue is a credit to W. Leon Dawson, the editor. It is well illus- trated and contains much information of interest to the Oologist. The first article being by the edi- tor, “A candid examination of the right to collect bird eggs,” leaves little to be said further on that subject. It is fair, exhaustive, logical and thorough. This is followed by other articles, and communications on the same subject; all of which is brought about largely by the publication in the English Press of a silly fulmination against the Museum of Comparative Oology, entitled “Another New Threat to Bird Life,’ without any signature, perhaps because no reputable scientist or man of standing would sign such a thing; also because of another similar article appearing in the illustrated London News, over the signature of W. P. Pycroft, of the British Museum. If the readers of The Oologist could walk with the editor into the library of our new museum here and take from the shelves the :Catalogue of Bird Eggs, in the British Museum, pub- lished a number of years ago, being 137 five full volumes and sit down at our desk with pencil and tablet, and figure up the number of eggs owned by the Museum, we opine, that by so doing they would arrive shortly at the con- clusion that those connected with the British Museum living in a houss covered by so much glass of this kind, to say the least should be the very last ones to commence _ throwing stones. The few thousand eggs in the Museum of Comparative Oology, and the accumulations that are likely to be received by it, will not justify criticism, from the British Museum. with its vast accumulations of thous- ands upon thousands of specimens of this class of scientific material. Again if the Trustee of The British Museum could go through The Museum Museum could go through the Mu- seum of Comparative Oology, as we did, and see and realize the splendid equipment and infinite care bestowed upon the specimens there, and their present state of per- fection and preservation, and compare the same with the neglected and un- sightly slipshod manner in which oological specimens of the British Museum are treated, we are reason- ably sure that Brother Pycroft, would receive a more or less gentle sugges: tion from sources in authority to give more attention to the specimens under the care of that great institution, and spend less time carping, growling at and criticizing a younger and smaller institution that has fairly won its place in the Sun of public confidence and usefulness though it be smaller than that great mother of all museums. There are people, however, of small caliber connected in more or less sub- ordinate capacities with all great in- stitutions who seem to imagine that they have grown big and because of such connection with such institution THE OOLOG:IST they are thereby authorized to direct human affairs, of which they know little or nothing, even as far away as the other side of the globe. It may be that this gentleman who is so free in his criticism and so ready to attack that which he has never seen and of which it is clearly evident that he has little or no reliable information, be- longs to this class=—R. M. B. ——_ ——. -- > o—_—__—— RESULTS Paul G. Howes It is gratifying that the birds ar: coming back; that civilization is not to exterminate them all, and that the widespread and general sympathy for real rigid bird protection is bringing great results that are truly great in every sense of the’ word. Witness this: A few years ago, it would have been impossible to find Black-crowned Night Herons meeting anywhere near Stamford where I live. My house stands less than three hundred yards from the water of Long Island Sound with a clear view of all its beauties. At low tide three years ago an oc- casional Heron of the species in ques- tion flew in for the purpose of feeding, but they were scarce at best. Since that time they have increased very re- markably until they now are common birds, as of yore. Several stayed all winter last year, owing to the mild season and the culmination came dur- ing the spring of 1921, when I found a breeding colony, a real old time rook- THE OOLOGIS8T ery, and near by were fifteen nests of the Green Heron to boot! For the good of the birds that nesting place will remain an ornithological secret for the present, at any rate. Late in the summer (end of July) I visited the place and found two fine American Egrets in company with other Herons. This is my second record of this bird and a mighty pleasing one. In 1911 I recorded the breeding of the Killdeer at Long Ridge, Connecti- cut, nine miles from my house. Last year (1920) a pair bred in the same field that I found the nest in. They raised their young successfully. This spring they were back there and un- doubtedly bred, while a second pair nested on the sands a few hundred yards from my house. At Long Ridge, a pair of Black Duck have returned to a _ certain swampy thicket on my brother’s farm for two seasons. They spend the sum- mer and undoubtedly breed, but so far I have been unable to locate the nest. Their actions and the fact that in the fall there is a small flock of the Ducks, substantiates this supposition very strongly. I have no doubt but what I will find the nest next year, as the birds return to the identical spot in the spring. For the first time in many years a pair of Red-headed Woodpeckers raised their young near my house this year. On August first the two old ones and four noisy young were living in some dead oaks near by. This is good news indeed! Here is the biggest surprise of all. In June I was ealling on a friend in Stamford. Near the house at which I was calling stood another one with large columns supporting the spacious porch on which several people were sitting. These coulmns were hollow and so placed that from the top near the porch roof an entrance could be 138 gained to the inside of any one of them. As I sat on the porch of my friend’s house I heard a loud squawk- ing noise coming from one of the col- umns of the other house, and as. I turned to look in that direction, .a female Sparrow Hawk arrived with a garter snake and was greeted by four half grown young that piled from the column to be fed on the ledge. The birds paid no attention whatever to the people on the porch nor the auto- mobile that entered the driveway. As far as I could see the entire family of Hawks were as tame as Robins. I have never seen anything like it be fore. These few observations give a fair index to the ultimate results of bird protection. The laws that we have to- day, mean that in twenty years con- ditions will be as they used to be. We devastated Hasterners won’t have to go to the far northwest to see Gulls and shore birds and the other ones that make the heart leap when they lay their eggs. As for the smaller birds, they are undoubtedly increasing also. Orchard Orioles breed commonly in the sapling maples along the streets where new houses have been built. They seem to prefer these little trees that have been transplanted and have been set back in the process. Again I have noticed that the Warblers are easier to find than they use to be and the Martins are coming back occasionally. I have been convinced that Gulls breed near Stamford for some time past, because more of them stay each summer when the time for departure northward comes. Since the breeding season I have been informed of a place not ten miles from my house where many nested this year. Next spring we shall see. I look forward to the coming of the greatest of all seasons with keener joy than ever. 189 THE OOLOGIST THE NEW PRICE LIST We are pleased to announce that the New Catalogue of Prices of North American Birds’ Hggs, will be ready for distribution January 1st, 1922. This catalogue will fill an acute necessity. It has been sixteen years since a catalogue appeared that contained prices upon which the working Oologists of America as a whole were willing to base their exchanges. In 1919 an election was called to be participated in by all the active Oologists in North America, who selected a committee of twenty-five well known Oologists to revise the prices. Then a committee of three to pass finally on the prices agreed upon by the larger com- mittee. Two full years were occupied in this work and it is now ready for the printer. The catalogue will be published by the undersigned and its general arrange- ment will be as follows: 1. An introduction. 2. A history of Birds’ Egg Catalogue. 3. A history of this Catalogue. 4. Prices in this Catalogue. 5. Directions for collecting and preparing eggs. 6. Copy of Standard Data. 7. ITllustration of proper way to mark eggs. 8. Illustrations showing proper cabinet arrangements of collections 9. Report of the Committee of Twenty-five to revise prices. 10. Names and prices adopted for each species. 11. Advertisements. The size of the catalogue will be the same size as The Oologist, which it will in general respect as to make-up resemble. Advertisements of approved char- acter will be accepted at the rate of $10.00 per page, $5.00 per column and pro- portionate rates for half and quarter columns. Classified advertisements of not over fifty words will be accepted in limited numbers at one cent per word. As this will be without doubt the standard price list of North American Birds Eggs, for many years to come, and will be used by all museums throughout the world it is an unusual opportunity to secure desirable publicity. Those wishing advertising space should send in their application early. The catalogue will be printed on paper suitable to write on with pen and ink and will be used by many as a record on which to keep track of their own collection. The book will retail at $1.00 per copy in paper covers, those desiring a cloth bound copy can procure it for $2.00. The first edition will be about 500 copies. Send us your subscriptions and copy for advertisements now, on the blanks published in this issue. R. M. BARNES, LACON, ILLINOIS. Subscription Blank To R. M. Barnes, INO KS : Lacon, Illinois. Please enter my subscription for .... copies of The Amer- ican Oologist’s Exchange Price List of North American Birds’ Eggs IM eee os binding. Enclosed find $........ to pay for same. Delivery prepaid. Paper covers--$1.00 per copy. Cloth covers--$2.00 per copy. ecececeeese eee ee ee ee ee ec ee te ee ee eo he we eee eee ee ee eceoeeseeee eo ee eee we ee wee meee eee o see eee ee Bo 8 se cece ee ce te eo ee eee ew ee ew wo - 2 woo ew ee ee ew wo ww ee Hw ee eC oe eo ow ee eo woe oom ee eee Advertising Blank To R. M. Barnes, INO Msgs ue Lacon, Illinois. Please find herewith Draft for: $202.22 to pay for the postal note i new Price List, of North American Birds’ Eggs. Copy of advertisement herewith. Advertisements Classified uAdss sity [ier tis odes eam ahs a $10.00 per page Not over 50 words P.O 5.00 per column | 1 cent per word. ef SOR NOS A en a Re 7523) Stator tise er ee 1.25 9? z 9? eceoeer eos ee ee 18 ee ee ee ew ew we we ee ee we ewe ee ew eo ee ee eo eee eo et oC eo ee Oe wo ee ee ow 8 Fill in the above blanks, sign the same and return to R. M. Barnes, Lacon, Illinois, with remittances specified. Ra hi san jes THE OOLOGIST THE WILSON BULLETIN A QUARTELLY JOURNAL OF ORNITHOLOGY Paying particular attention to Field Studies of Birds in Middle North America, Now in its 28th year. 48 pages or more of readable matter with illustrations. Indispensable to all active field workers. One dollar per year, 30 cts per copy. Official Organ of THE WILSON ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB Address A. F. GANIPR, Secretary, 2607 Ashwood Avenue Nashville, Tennessee 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 OTS. FOR SAMPLE COPY Annual Subscription, $2.00 AGENTS WANTED EVERYWHERE “THE BLUE-BIRD,” 1010 Euclid Ave. CLEVELAND, OHIO all issues of this magazine of 1921 ap- | pearing after the: date of the receipt of | such subscription. For all New Subscriptions for the year 1922 received between October Ist, 1921 and January Ist, 1922, we will mail free PIRDCONESIS-EGes TA XIDERM Y VOL. XXXVIII. No. 11. ALBION, N. vee Nov. 1, 1921. WHOLE No. 413 an Of Compay @ we Zeolegy ay ma 10 1943 Linnans THE OOLOGIST BRIBF SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS Wanted, Exchange, Fer Sale, Wtc., inserted in this department at 86 eents tor each 25 words for one issue; @éaeh additional word 1 eent. serted for less than 25 eents. 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. EGGS I will purchase for cash entire col- lections of North American Bird Skins, tounied birds and birds eggs or odd lots of the same, which I still need to complete my series. Send list and prices. R. M. Barnes, Lacon, Ills. WANTED—Good set with data of Falco perregrinus anatum. Cash or exchange. H. Kirke Swann, Thorn- combe, Lyonsdown, New Barnet, Lon- don, England. WANTHD—One large upright egg cabinet with large drawers, also want best Burr Drills, have stamps to trade for eggs. Arthur Blocher, Amboy, Ills. I have following species in good sets to exchanige: 295, 325, 327, (346, 352, 355, 419, 421, 482, 498d, 513a, 585b, 594a, 602, 639, 641, 697, 759a. Thos H. Jack- son, 304 N. Franklin St., West Chester, Pennsylvania. EXCHANGHE—Texas birds ’eggs in sets. Bird and animal Skins, Curios. Natural history specimens. Ramon Graham, 3722 Ave. J. Poly, Ft. Worth, Texas. In order to buy material for my Maynard Series, I will sell, at very low figures, many selected singles for this series; of some a large number; of rarer ones, just a few. (Details about the series later). P. B. Peabody, Blue Rapids, Kansas. WANTED—Egegs of Nos. 81, 82, 88, 84, 85, 102, 109; 110, 112, 1138, 257, 270, 272. Wandering Albatross. Mazagucus conspicillatus. For exchange, 92.1, 96, 96.1, 111. Puffinus Carniepes Oestra- lata Solandrik Phaethon rubicandus. Roland Archer, Ryecroft, Lyndhurst, Victoria. Australia. FOR SALE—My entire egg collec- tion at once. Sets 85, 185, 264, 330, 343, 352a, 355, 356a, 357b, 416, 417, 478b, 568, 7i7a, ete. Singles 55, 60, 254; Ducks, Geese, ete. Also few fine skins. Oolo- gist Vols. XI, XII; Condor Vol. XX; Nidologist, Vol. II, Nos. 4-8; Vol. III, Vol. IV, Nos. 1, 2, 9. Robert F. Backus, Florence, Colo. Box 362. WANTED—Sets of eggs containing abnormal specimens, such as runts, monstrocities, abnormally marked or unmarked, albinistic and malformed specimens. Those with good data only wanted to further my studies of oolog- ical abnormalities. Write me when you have anything of this nature. Best cash price given. J. Warren Jacobs, Waynesburg, Penna. FOR EXCHANGE—Personally col- lected sets of the following species: A. @, 10, 63, 64, GH, G7, GO, 70, 745 BO, IMs, 199, 319, 320a, 329, 342, 387, 421, 488, 498g, 513a, 563, 573, 5938, 604, 612, 622a, 633, 708a, 704, 705, 706, 707, 731, 736, 761 and 766. What have you? Many SKINS BIRDS and ANIMALS mounted, Skins tanned. Write for price list. Ramon Graham, Taxidermist, 3722 Ave. J. Poly, Fort Worth, Texas. EXCHANGE—I can offer Western bird skins for first class skins that I need. Will also exchange A-1 Mam- mal skins. Send list. Alex. Walker, Blaine, Oregon. I will Exchange Mounted Birds for Bird Skins and Eggs or Sell Mounted Birds and Bird Skins for cash. D. V. Hembree, Roswell, Georgia. WANTED—Five perfect skins of all the Hawks. Cash only. Address K. B. Mathes, Batavia, N. Y. Fine pair of skins, Band Tailed Pigeon, Male and Female for best offer eggs in sets, or skins of Warbler’s family. Dr. A. G. Prill, Scio, Oregon. NOTICH—I am moving to Tuscon, Ariz., and will be glad to hear from all collectors who wish to write me, at my new address. James Wood, North- ville; Michigan. WANTED—Fine perfect skins of hawks and ducks, shoveller, and Blue wing teal especially; Cooper’s and Red tailed hawks. Make best cash offers. kK. B. Mathes, Batavia, N. Y. WANTED—Birds’ Eggs and Skins. Can offer Shells, Minerals, Corals, Cur- ios, Butterflies, Biological Specimens, Stamps, Half-tones, Cuts, Scientific and Medical books. Ernest H. Short, Roch- ester, N. Y. Box 178. SKINS WANTED—A-No. 1 Skins of the following birds wanted: Golden- winged, Virginia’s, Nashville, Sennett’s, Olive, Black-fronted, Cerulean, Bay- breasted, Sycamore, Grace’s, Golden- cheeked, Palm, Connecticut, Mourning, and Wilson’s Warblers; also Water Thrush, for which I offer skins of Western Birds. Alex. Walker, Blaine, Oregon. FOR SALE ONLY—A-1 Mounted Birds. Group of 38 solitary sandpipers, $10. Rare hybrid of black duck and mallard $25; Searlet tan. $3.50; Mourn- ing dove $3.50; Savanna Sparrow $2.50; Chest. Col. Longspur $3; Snow Bunt. $2.50; Hooded Merganser $5; Wilson Snipe $3. Books—N. A. Early Tertiary Bryozoa, Canu and Bassler, 1920, 2 parts. Text 870 pages, Plates 162 pages; Paper covers new, pages uncut $10. INSECT CASHES—8x104x24 Glass tops. Need fresh paper linings, 6 for $4.. Have 12. SHELLS—Collection of 345 species from all over world. Many rare ones. All correctly identified price $10. PAUL G. Howes Laboratory, Stamford, Conn. species desired in my collection. J. R. Pemberton, 729 Kennedy Building, Tulsa, Oklahoma, THE OOLOGIST. VoL. XXXVIII. No. 11. ALBION, N. Y., Nov. 1, 1921. WHOLE No. 413 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 explralions 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 at Albion, N. Y., under the Act of Congress of March 3, 1879. ol 4 03 ms Zontony "a. ui “MAY 11 ae fi bRAR: MYHE new Catalogue printing is progressing nicely, and our printers inform us that it will surely be out by January Ist, 1922. We have already passed on the copy for the preliminary matter and are expecting every day that part of the copy giving the list of the Birds and Prices for eggs. Those desiring copies should file their applica- tion early, and those desiring advertising space must act with promptness. No such opportunity for desirable pub- licity has been offered to the Oologists of this country with- in the recollection of the writer. This catalogue will event- ually reach every Scientific Oologist in the United States and Canada, and many in Foreign lands, and will be for years to come the standard reference book on this subject in all of the Museums of the world,—there is no doubt about that——R. M. Barnes. 142 THE OOLOGIS8T FLORIDA SUNSHINE As far into my short past as I can see I have always been interested deeply in birds and mammals. I have always waited patiently until spring when they would be allowed by old man weather to return to their and my old rendezvous along the stone walls, pastures, swamps, woods and hillsides up amongst these Connecticut hills and ridges. I have fished the swift trout brooks more than once and caught nothing; at other times a good string, but at all times their cheery song and presence has been most welcome. The young fellow of today is rare that likes to go into the woods and study birds, and give up good times of going to shows and having all kinds of pleasure. I have few friends but plenty of sympathizers, alas it is too bad to be known as a “bird crank,” “fiend,” “odd stick,” ete. Therefore it is a pleasure to have friends interested like yourself even to write to. You know, misery loves company. Now therefore, in the spring of 1919 when my friend, Mr. W. W. Worthing- ton of Shelter Island, N. Y. wrote and asked me if I cared to go to Florida and assist him and study the birds a little I sure thought an offer had come down from heav«:: I went over and paid him a visit, went salt water fishing the first time of my life, and inspected the boat we were to use in Florida. It was a skiff only 14 feet long with cockpit. It had collapsible hoops over the pit at night and to cover the sail. I saw Mr. Worthington’s wonderful mounted collection in the Shelter Island Library and was much im- pressed with it, with its originator al- so, and planned to have a like collec- tion some day myself. A piece I read in “The Oologist,’ of June 1918 came to my mind at once. It is titled “An -sembled and had spent much time, Appreciation,” and I am sure this short story written by Mr. S. S. Dickey is meant for the same kind of men as Mr. Worthington. From him I learnt much on our trip and he was unconscious of the larger part of it. I also learned that science is based on facts, cold facts. i We were to leave the first of No- vember so I left Long Island in week, and went home to work very hard that summer to buy my outfit, etc. ; We kept up a perpetual correspond- ence throughout the summer and made all our plans. We were to go to New Berlin at first and wait for our boat to come down by express. I took “The Wyandotte” at New London, the 29th of October and went over to Long Island and found Mr. Worthington had everything as- painstaking time, getting things ready. He also built our boat, a handsome piece of work. We left Greenport, Long Island No- vember 15th with what stuff we could carry and dog, our mascot, “Rags,” a very small dog that liked a boat. We finally arrived at the wonderful Penn- sylvania Station and as we were load-- ed down pretty heavy and had a dog: we were the subject of many curious: eyes, but I imagine we did look “‘kinda-- seedy.” The rest of that day we saw New’ York City, bought our tickets on the Clyde Line, and visited the New York Museum of Natural History which is some Museum. When night came 1] had the worst headache of my life and | sure was glad to get to “roost.” We left New York at about 10 a. m. the next day and soon were past the Statue of Liberty, and headed south- ward, to that birds’ paradise Florida. I never got seasick but was glad when we got to Charlestown, S. C. We visited the old slave market, St. THE OOLOGI!IST 143 Michael’s Church, etc., and here I saw a large palm for the first time. Most of the city looked very old and dirty and darkies were very plentiful. My first view of Florida the next ‘day was palm trees fringed along the sand, and the jetties and yellow water at the mouth of the St. John’s River. On the way up to Jacksonville I saw my first eagle (bald) perched on a spot near the river, also Florida Cor- morants, and several little Blue Herons, immature and mature. We left the steamer “Apache,” that night and put up in a hotel. The next morning we had a good breakfast and begun to get enthusi- astic. We got abroad the small pas- senger boat and went down to New Berlin. We stayed here from Nov. 19 to Dec. 15 waiting for our boat to come down from the North. During all our stay at New Berlin, we were with Mr. Alfred Lucas, a Florida “Cracker,” but one of the most generous open hearted fellows I ever saw. His life was a continual torture with.,four brawling yelling children. Worthington would buy cane syrup that they would all clean up at once, and then all start yelling in agony with the teethache. “It was truly the pigs in the parlor and the hens in the pantry” here. I couldn’t quite relish those monstrous Southern cockroaches that were so plentiful here. The water was sulphurous and tasted exactly like rotten eggs smell, which was sure some disappointment -to me as I thought I was going to send some nice highly scented Florida water (like you buy in bottles at a good price) home to my mother. Anyway we drank rainwater as long as it last- ed. They say this sulphur water is good for people’s kidneys but I would rather take pills. ieeetound = s that —some™ Jot =) thiese “Crackers” were a little superstitious In the grub-line while at New Berlin, ” I had my first corn “pone,” “grits,” mullet and shrimp. The little white beans we eat up North they called “Vankee beans” down here. They also drank black coffee strong enough to “float a flatiron,” and then I began to see why the Lord gave these people a good kidney remedy—aged egg water. We also had some frankfurts, once in a while, that were sure pep- pery. I was surprised at-seeing the large bushes they call myrtle, while ours are smaller and are called bayberries. Our berries are twice as large though. Here I saw my first orange tree. It was a small undeveloped one, however, loaded with green fruit. Every day or two a flotilla of sub- marine would go up river to Jackson- ville, also Ford eagles, with an oc- casional hydroplane. The steamships and there were some huge ones too, were very plentiful and one could al- most reach out and touch them, the river was so narrow. We found birds quite plentiful here. All night the Wayne Clapper Rail would keep up his noisy racket with an occasional Night Heron flying over. I saw but one Virginia rail. Great Blue Herons were quite plentiful alone the creek shores at dusk, also their small brothers. The natives called them “Poor Johns” and wanted some to eat! Worthington’s Marsh Wren (Telma- todytes palustris griseus) were quite plentiful here along with the long and short bills. Laughing gulls were com- mon with an occasional different specie. While the tide was out the mud flats were covered with Killdeer Plover, a few sandpipers and other birds. All kinds of fish, shrimp and crabs were quite plentiful at New Berlin, but I suppose they are the same in all Southern waters, ; 144 Our boat arrived in Jacksonville about the 15th of December and we went up there intending to row down, a good 15 miles I guess but the water and wind were too much for us, so we got abroad the small passenger boat going our way and towed the skiff. On the morning of the 17th we were up bright and early ready to row or sail to our destination, Moss Bluff, on the Ocklawaha river about 200 miles cff. We rowed all day long and when night overtook us we were just above Arlington about three miles across from Jacksonville. We camped for the night on the shore, under a big magnolia tree and slept on a Spanish moss bed right out doors, and it was certainly a cold night too. I never was so tired in my life; just “flopped” down on to that hard bed and dreamed I was on a feather one upon the Ocklawaha with all kinds of birds singing merrily all arcund me. In the meantime we had been wait- ing for some powder to come down from the North, but it never came, so were stranded in Arlington, for a month. (Couldn’t buy powder in Flor- ida.) Our quarters while there was an old real estate office, I was the “Chief cook and bottle washer” and certainly did a lot of experimenting. Hvery morning I fried what Worthington called griddle cakes but in this section we call them “flippers,” b’gosh. We didn’t see many birds while here. Every Sunday the woods were full of darkies with modern shot guns who kept wild life down pretty well I guess, There was a large gang of convicts here repairing the roads with shells. I climed my first orange tree at Ar- lington. It had one huge yellow fruit at the very top that I couldn’t dislodge with a club, so I decided to climb it. While climbing this tree I decided if THE OOLOGIST I were a Florida orange grower I would keep my trees well pruned. 1 wouldn’t have liked to fall in a bunch of trees like that one. After a few minutes which seemed years I got my “paws,” on to that orange and prepared to land, and de- vour him, but Lord when I got a piece into my mouth I thought is was some kind of a decoy orange loaded with vinegar and alum. I found out after it was a wild one. While walking in the woods near Arlington I came upon a dead cow, which was covered with black vul- tures. They were sure a dirty lot and reminded me of our Crows up North, but they (vultures) of course were very much larger and tamer, almost bold. I saw several specimens of mistletoe in the treetops, alsu nice holly trees while here. There was a small tur- pentine “still” at Arlington and it was interesting to watch the darkies at work around it. It smelled nice around there, too. There were quite a lot of moving picture actors in action around Arling- ton, roses were plentiful also, but there was plenty of cold disagreeable rain and wind Every morning it sure was some chilly; a damp penetrating chill that I never have felt up North. We had to pile a lot of blankets on us at night to keep warm. Finally got some powder from Bir- mington, Alabama. We left Arlington January 16th and proceeded upstream propelled by “elbow grease.” The Clyde boat “Osceola,” passed us going down stream in a few hours and it seemed to me that we were leaving civilization behind, but I thought we had to do that to see many birds. We rowed hard all that day against a heavy wind and water and night found us opposite a resort named THE OOLOGIST 145 Orange Park probably 12 or 13 miles below Jacksonville. We camped that night in the most dreary, dismal, muddy place that I had ever been in _my life so far, and it poured all night which made it worse, although we were under the canvas hood of our boat. Harly the next morning we rowed over to Orange, (I guess the river was three miles wide here), and bought some provisions. In about two hours our first favor- able wind came up and we sure did travel all that day under our leg-o- mutton sail, That night we landed near Colee which was a better camping site, but with considerable dead goats laying around the woods and we were much aroused by “Rags,” stirring one up. The next day we sailed two hours but had to row all day after that. We were quite a while finding our way out of a large bed of water hyacinths at a sharp bend in the river but finally got through. We reached a negro settlement that night near a place called Fairview, a very pretty place, but we were bothered all night with “razorbacks.” They were sure hungry and I was very cautious in not leaving any of my long limbs exposed to their ravenous mouths! The next day (Jan. 19th) at half past ten we reached Palaka and bought some fresh bread. This was quite an enterprising little town After racing hard all day we reached and camped at a spot Worthington thought was Mosquito Landing, near Buffalo Gap. That night we were aroused by the hardest looking speci- men of a “razorback,” I ever saw. We couldn’t drive him away and he was some savage too. : It was here that I first saw the re- mains of a shell bank, so common in parts of Florida. There were also several deep holes dug, I guess by In- dian relic hunters. The next day we reached Welaka, after a hard row nearly all day. We stopped here for our mail and then started out again and camped about a half mile up the Ocklawaha, the mouth of which is in sight of Welaka on the St. Johns. We had to chop down sev- eral bushes and then sleep in the boat drawn up on the mud. Talk about mosquitoes! The next day we started out and rowed up the Ocklawaha for about 10 or 12 miles against a whirlwind cur- rent, in a scalding sun, and were burnt as red as bricks. When night came we were all in, and couldn’t sleep with mosquitoes. We couldn’t use our mosquito bars right and it was slow torture. I covered myself with my blanket and let my nose stick out, but as I have a rather prominent nose it soon was the target for their opera- tions. I believe the Ocklawaha is the crookedest river in the world, there are very few dry camping places along it. We expected to be held up by the water hyacinths but the currents took them into other eddies than ours. There was plenty of water lettuce, too, but we failed to see any gallinules. We expected to find plenty of limpkins on the Ocklawaha with anhingas and other water birds but failed to see even one. The natives claim that limpkins have left the Ocklawaha of late years. I saw plenty of Herns, a few wood ducks, large turtles and some snakes, but I guess it was to late for “gators.” “Wards” Heron was quite plentiful and the Owls and other wild life made an awful racket after dark. The river is full of bass and they lezp and splash all night but don’t make half as much noise as the mosquitoes! There is some good semi-tropical 146 THE OOLOGIST a scenery along the Ocklawaha and you see several stately palm and cypress towering above the lower trees and vegetation, where coons, otters and other animals and reptiles roam ga- lore. The river water is clear asa crystal and you can see all the way to the bottom where it bubbles up in some places. The small passenger boat from Sil- ver Springs to Palatka, passed us on several occasions and we were pretty crowded sometimes as the Ocklawaha isn’t much wider than a mill canal. I think we rowed against the swift current for about 35 miles, and after awhile became completely exhausted and a little nervous in. thinking we would never get to Moss Bluff. And we never did! One morning after a record horrible night’s sleep we crawled out of our blankets in the boat, in a good place for malaria, and Worthington was as red as a wild Indian, and I guess I was the same. I forgot to say I felt like a wild man and he looked like one We looked at the “Ocks” little, old current for a while and then I saw changes rapidly coming over Worthington’s face and I knew in an instant what was on his mind but never once did I open my “peeper.” After a while he sprung “Let’s go back down to Welaka and get a shack?” I held back a while and then answered very reluctantly, “Just as you say.” Now, I can’t blame Mr. Worthington as he is an old man and did his share of the rowing and we might have be- come mad-men in rowing against that ever increasing swift current to Moss Bluff, a good 60 or 70 miles off, still in the first place if we had known what the “Ock” and surrounding coun- try was, we would never have been there. Anyway gas is the stuff. We might have camped and rested but it was all a wet, muddy, treach- erous swamp and our grub was getting low, so we evacuated at once and leaped (not slow leaping either) aboard our skiff pushed out into the current’ and went down it like a shot. First Worthington would take up a paddle and steer and then I and when we were losing velocity we would take up the oars and soon gain momentum. I will have to confess that we wished we had never seen Florida, but since then the old Florida fever has come back on me and away I go again the first opportunity. We hired a shack from a “Cracker,” near Welaka and stayed there until February llth. There was a grape fruit grove right over the zence ana an orange one not far away, that I made look sick. No wild one either! The owner of the grapefruit grove got a little suspicious and Worthington advised me to rid the neighborhood of parings in haste one day, which I did after much exertion. While in Welaka I saw a fine shell mound, a solid mass 20 feet thick. I guess the contents are a species of snail as I haven’t studied conchology much. There was an orange grove planted on top of some of them. We had Northern people for com- pany in Welaka and were happy as there were a few birds around there, but after a while it got to be pretty wet weather. Just before coming North we had an awtul season of rain that lasted ten days and nights. It poured into our shanty and as we had a lot of stuff and outfit we had to work some to keep things dry. Natives said it was the worst spell in years and I guess it was as it washed away the ground and made small brooks where there were none before. The St. John’s rose rapidly and just a little more would have carried off our shanty. THE OOLOGIST 147 During those ten days of solitude we got pretty discouraged with Florida, and I decided to brave the month of March up in Connecticut, and go home I “sprung” it this time and became a “squealer,’ but Worthington agreed to go too, so we sacrificed our outfit, took the “Osceola” from Welaka the night of February 11, at twelve o’clock and took the trip down to Jackson- ville. On February 13th we took the Clyde liner “Mohawk” and came to New York City. I don’t suppose this story I have written will ever appear in print, as it is the first I have ever written, and 1 imagine is pretty crude, but if it should I hope Mr. Worthington will not see it, as I imagine it would not digest very well with him, but with me it is only a kind of confession. I wrote it in answer to the appeal for more copy, by the Hditor of our nice little representative paper, “The Oologist,” which I hope to take all my life and if I can “The Oologist” will probably last a good many years as I am not far past a score. Harold N. Vars, Plainfield, Conn. Nest and Eggs of Texas Meadow Lark.—Photo by E. J. La Baron 148 THE OOLOGIST SAVE THE Editor Oologist: You will see by the enclosed that I have interested the authorities at Nassau, the capital of the Bahama Islands, in the preservation of the Flamingo, and the White Crowned Pigeon. Our American Consul there, writes me. “T have taken the matter up with the Governor and other officials and all are much interested.” So we can hope for the best. Mr, Lathrop, our Consul there, and his wife are much interested in birds, and I found him most courteous in his efforts to assist me in every possible way, when on the Islands collecting. There is a great deal of work yet to be done by Naturalists (Note I do not use the word Ornithologists), on the Islands, and one’s first trip only leaves the de- sire to return for a more lengthy stay, especially during the breeding season of the birds. All of which goes to show that collectors are not bent on exterminating the breed, as some would have us. FLAMINGOES Harold H Bailey, Miami Beach, Florida. Extract from a letter dated July 26, 1921, addressed to the American Con- sul at Nassau, by Harold H. Bailey, director of the Miami Beach Zoologi- cal Park and Museum of Natural Hist- ory. Mr. Bailey is an ornithologist of repute whose book on the bird life of the state of Virginia is a standard. “The Islands are more than attractive to the ornithologists, and as many of the Bahama forms are taken sparing- ly on the Florida Keys, generally blown across during stormy weather, specimens are necessary to the U. S. collections for comparison, etc. I do hope that some time in the near future I shall be able to return and do more work there, especially in the interior of Andros, which is little known and explored as yet, It seems a pity the Bahamas govern- ment cannot afford to appoint a regular warden for each one of the Flamingo breeding colonies, four all told, and pay such wardens for six. months’ each year—which would allow the eggs to be laid, the young reared; and old birds to moult, in perfact safety. As it now stands, I was informed that while the government. puts a heavy fine on one molesting them, there is no one appointed to protect them, and it is therefore impossible to stop the taking of eggs and young, and old birds when moulting, by the local in- habitants, and spongers as well. A warden should camp near the breed- ing grounds to make it successful. At present there are many families living near these nesting grounds, and spon- gers systematically taking eggs, young and old birds, covering & period of five months or even longer, for by robbing the colonies, the breeding sea- son is prolonged owing to many birds laying a second or third time after be- ing robbed of eggs or young. As you probably know, this is a different specie of Flamingo than one found down in Hgypt and so commonly seen at Cairo and along the canal, and so much commented on by tourists when visiting that section. It is more than probable that unless their breeding colonies are protected in the Bahamas, our native bird will soon become ex- tinct. As Nassau becomes the harbor for yachting parties in large numbers after the completion of their new har- bor basin, these birds if they could be incessant, or even made to hold their own, would offer great inducements to the tourist to spend both time and money in the Islands. I believe your British government could establish a small breeding colony of penned up birds, say twenty-five pair, in a fenced enclosure on most any of the islands, and not only save these birds from ex- tinction but make it pay from many THE OOLOGIST 149 angles. It also seems a pity that the famous White-crowned Pigeon of the Bahamas should be shot for sport and food, just at the time it is laying and with small young in nests. At the time of my visit there last month, the majority of these pigeons had nests just ready for eggs, many with fresh eggs, and a few newly hatched young. It would be impossible for the major- ity of these young birds to be large enough to take care of themselves by the time your shooting season opens while if the season opened September 15th these young would be strong of flight, and the old birds through the moult also. As it now stands, it is killing the breed off rapidly to shoot the old birds as they return to the keys to feed their young, the young of course dying from starvation and ex- posure. This practice nearly extermi- nated the “Hegrets” in this country, and if the sportsmen could try postponing the “open season” for one year, I think he would see that there would be more birds for all; and he would get his sport in a really humane way. I am sure the officials will be interested in bird protection over there, for the Canadian U. S. Bird Treaty put through some time ago, showed that all countries are alive to their bird assets, /both from an _ agricultural standpoint and means of attracting sportsmen. Anything you may be able to do or suggest will, I know, be ap- preciated, and if I can supply any as- Sistance or information to the officials at Nassau, please call on me.” a Se SWAN KILLING NOT PROFITABLE There appeared a note in the Jan- uary 1921 issue by Ye Editor of some one having a Swan in his possession and offering same for sale, and thought steps should be taken to bring the law breaker to justice. There appeared in one of the Ft. Worth papers an article trying to des- cribe a most wonderful bird that had been killed by a well known ranch- man from San Angelo, Texas. From its description it could have been nothing else but a Swan. So cutting the article out I sent it to the Federal Warden for the state. He identified same for them. He also told them what it would cost them for killing the mysterious bird. They had a pic- ture made of themselves holding the Swans up by their necks and a’ smile of satisfaction on their faces. But the warden (Mr. Geo. Shupee, San Antonio, Texas), got the picture to try and identify the bird so of course the rest was easy. I don’t think that any one else will shoot any more Swans from that section. From the number of violations from west Texas I think that there must have been quite a rumber of Swans passing through this season. Geo. HE. Maxon, U. S. Deputy Gaine Warden, Ft. Worth, Texas. Oi MILLER’S QUESTIONS I was much impressed with the in- teresting list of questions prepared by Mr. Richard F, Miller, which appeared in the September issue of The Oologist, and would like to suggest that if Mr. Miller would place a list of answers in an issue, it would be interesting to have his opinion on some of these questions, and instructive to myself as well as some other young ornithologist I presume, who are subscribers to this most esteemed paper. Byron C. Marshall, Imboden, Arkansas, 150 THE O GE O GIs f NEWSPAPER ORNITHOLOGY An Investigation of Newspaper Report That Eagle Kills Boy On page 97 of the present volume of The Oologist attention is called to an article in the Ventura California Post reporting the death of a Mexican boy due to the attack of an Hagle. Our editor adds that he hopes the truth- fulness of the report will be investigat- ed by some bird student in the lo- cality. I have made an investigation of the story, which also appeared as a lead- ing news item on the first page of our Oakland paper and probably was pub- lished in still other papers. The re- sult of my inquiry into the matter is interesting and also contains a moral, viz: not to study ornithoolgy from a newspaper. The following account was given in the paper referred to in the edition ot June 8th: “Juan Gonzales, aged eleven, was killed by an eagle on a stock ranch, twelve miles north of Ventura last Sunday. The boy climbed a tree to look at the bird’s nest and was at- tacked before he could escape. His skull was punctured in three places by the bird’s beak.” Being very skeptical as to the truth of such an account, I wrote a letter to Mr. L. P. Hathaway, coroner of Ven- tura County, enclosing a copy of the newspaper clipping and asking him to verify the death of the boy. Mr. Hathaway replied as follows: ‘Dear Mr. Stoner: Regarding the story of the horrible work of eagles in Ventura County, will say, on June 1 a Mexican boy employed on Ranch Sespe between Fillmore and Santa Paula, appeared at the office of Dr. Merrill in Santa Paula, with his little son who was ill; had been ill for some time. Dr. Merrill informs me that in taking the ‘history’ of the case he asked the parent or parents if the lad had suffered injury within the past few weeks. They said the only chance he had had of being injured was when he fell from a tree several weeks ago, blackbirds had flapped about his head when he attempted to interfere with their young, and frightened, he had fallen a short distance. Dr. Merrill made an effort to locate bruises or breaks, but it was not until he had bathed the lad and shaved his head for the removal of cooties, that he could determine as to outward ap- pearances; he informs me there were no bruises and no “holes in the skull” or even in the scalp, or indications that there had been any. The illness was then diagnosed as ‘peritonitis’ because, the possibility of cutward injury eliminated, this seemed the only result that could be arrived at. The lad died on June 2nd and the death certificate was ‘peritonitis.’ A Spanish vaquero heard the black- bird end of the yarn, proceeded to imagine the wounds on the head, and the business manager of the vaquero’s employer brought the embellished story to Ventura. It needed further embellishment and a willing news- paper reporter did the rest.” Thus it is that many of our large birds are condemned unjustly. I have read newspaper accounts in which an eagle is reported to have carried off, or attempted to carry off, young chil- dren. I believe there is no case, how- ever, which is authentic, or has been verified, even of an eagle seriously harming a human being. A large percentage of our population has little knowledge of bird life and its value, with the result that pre- judice against a large bird, especially the raptores, is easily aroused, and re- ports such as the one quoted above must be considered detrimental to bird conservation. Emerson A. Stoner, Benicia, California. THE OOLOGIST | youd] o1zziry Aq 0}04qd—s9ap1O aWOS ,,28995,, uno, soyjouy YyM ‘L261 ‘UIgZ “WdeS UaXeL “}od & Se WOH S,j10}[PA 94} We Pasiey pue 1.z61 ‘Ux Ajnf payozeH 28005 Mous assay Kuno, 152 PINK CROWS’ EGG In the issue of Dec. 1, 1919 of The Oologist, I noticed an article on Pink Crows’ eggs, by my old friends, J. R. Mann, of Arlington Heights, Massa- chusetts. Back in the 90’s there was a set of these eggs taken each year for three successive years, in the same lo- cality, and same grove, the first two sets were taken ‘by L. Halliday and Fay Kenrick, of Bedford, Massachu- setts, the two referred to by Mr. Mann, the third set, was taken by Kenrick and my self and is now in my collec- tion, though the first two sets had five eges each and mine has but four, I consider it the best set of the lot on ac- count of the markings. The ground color of all is white the entire surface covered with very minute dots of light brown giving them the pink appear- ance in addition to this the second egg has a few spots of darker brown, the third many more spots, and the fourth with still more spots had also a few blotches of dark brown and light lavender. I have taken more than a hundred crows’ nests in my time, but the only other rarity I ever found was one set of five, four of which was of the ordinary greenish color the fifth white with about a dozen small brown spots and three black ones on the larger end. W. B. Holbrook, 40 Mystic St., Arlington, Mass. We have two pink colored Crows’ eggs in our series.—Hditor. Se En AE as DO RED SHOULDERED HAWKS MIGRATE? This week I witnessed about 200 Red Shouldered Hawks, in one bunch, fly- ing over my house or rather they were sailing round and round. They were quite low; when first they passed, they came over, going northwest and in about an hour they came back over quite high, going faster, about an THE OOLOGI!IST hour before sundown. This time go- ing straight. They roosted close here as the next day they came back, as my wife saw them, Some of them lit in trees, in the lot the chickens were all cackling. My daughter tried to scare them out but they were not very easily scared. This bunch of Hawks came through Sept. 26 and 27, 1921. Once before this, in the year 1919, in January, I saw some three or four hundred very high, come over town. Everybody was talk- ing Hawks. This bunch roosted five miles from Dardanelle, in pine timber. A man saw them when lighting, got his gun, slipped up near enough to shoot and killed six at one shot. Now, do they bunch up and migrate? I saw some here all winter. They are quite plentiful here, as I took eight sets of eggs here this season. They always build near the same place each season if not killed and you can get a second set in a month of the same kind. G. EH. Pilquist, Sept. 29, 1921 Dardanelle, Ark. The Red-shouldered Hawk is a regu- lar migrant.—Hditor. SRE eae NS THE RUBY-THROAT’S SONG The peculiar “swinging song” ofthe Ruby-throated Humming Bird, des- cribed in the September issue of The Oologist, by Lyle De Vern Miller. I have also noticed for the first time this past summer. I noted same upon two different occasions at the same spot, and at about a week’s interval. The flight I observed, was precisely as described, only instead of the inces- sant twitter, there was an occasional shrill squeak uttered during the per- formance. I likewise wondered at not having seen mention made of this peculiar performance of the Hummer, but con- cluded it must be a freakish trick of this midget, performed for its own THH OOLOGIST amusement, although of course a bet- ter investigation of this habit might prove my conjecture wrong. At least it is a marvelous attainment in the art of flight. Byron C. Marshall, Imboden, Arkansas. ee ae eee THE BROWN CREEPER In winter when the snow lies deep and the bitter winds howl through the leafless trees bird life is scarce. Here and there small troops of birds may be found especially if there is good hemlock cover or thick brush. These little flocks consist of a few Chickadee and Kinglets and several Nuthatches and Creepers. Little mites but just the same hardy little fellows that refuse to leave in spite of the cold and snow. The little Creepers so harmonize with the trunks of the trees over which they search for food that they easily escape detection. Starting near the ground they zig- zag their way up the trunk seeming to spend considerable time on each tree but still keeping up with the flock. Early in April the little Creepers are sometimes quite common for a few days and at such times are frequent- ly seen around trees in town. As a summer resident the Creeper is not often met. An occasional pair may be found in the mountains in well timbered swamps. In such suitable localities its rather weak and squeaky but still pleasing song can be heard. The creeper at all times seems to be rather tame and unsuspicious and pays but little attention to the pres- ence of humans. The only way in which I could ever discover this bird’s nest was by watching the old birds and detecting them in the act of nest building. In this locality the time to do this is along about the 20th to 25th of April. 153 During an ordinary season is about the time to keep a sharp watch on any Creepers seen or heard in a suitable place. I have found that the male sings more or less regularly and a pair may be located by hearing the song where otherwise they might easily be passed by and overlooked. The female works quite steady when she has started to build and the male accompanies her on many trips. : With one exception the nests of this bird have been in old hemlock stubs, the exception being in a birch tree. An old big stub is selected, one on which the bark hangs loose or is part- ly fallen off. For a nesting site the birds select a place where they can get under the bark through a break or crevice or under where a piece has fallen off and where the bark stands away a couple of inches from the trunk. Here three or four inches back un- der from the opening the birds fill up the space, building a perfectly loose nest of fine pieces of dead wood or rotten wood with aw occasional small twig and lined with cobwebs or fine vegetable materials. If the nest is taken out very care- fully so as not to fall apart and is placed in a small box and packed in to carry home and reaches the egg cabinet in good shape it forms a pretty and odd addition to the collec- tion. The one exception that I found that was not in an old hemlock stub was in a birch. This birch was a very large old fellow on which con- siderable of the bark had curled or rolled up. In one of these rolls a pair of Creepers had built their nest. In height they have ranged from six to 35 feet from the ground and about May 8th or 10th is the time to expect a full set. Heggs-5-6. I have found the female to be a close sitter and too much or hard 154 pounding on the loose bark is liable to jar the nest loose and break the eggs. It is liable to be some job to get at a nest that is 15 or 20 feet up if the bark is real loose. A fine nest and set of 6 in my col- lection that I took in a swamp near here where these birds annually nest or did nest, I had to take from a rope. Simply couldn’t get up because of the loose condition of the bark, so was compelled to stretch a rope between two trees and in this way I went out the rope and tied myself onto the rope at the nesting site and secured the out- fit 30 feet from the ground R. B. Simpson, Warren, Pa. EDI eer ce er eee ee ONE SNOWY OWL SAVED Some time ago the “Forest Castle,” a whale-backed steamer bound from Liverpool to New York, was crossing the ‘Grand Banks of Newfoundland. The seamen and passengers, always on the lookout at sea, and apprehensive of iceburgs in this region, caught sight of a white speck moving in the air toward ‘them. As this enlarged they saw that it was a bird which was flying directly toward the ship. in a few moments a great white Own fell upon the deck exhausted. The sailors picked it up, and under their care it revived. This bird had evidently taken refuge from a long flight upon an ice-berg up- on which it had been carried too far out to sea to be able to return to the land. But it kept a sharp lookout, and when the smoke from the ‘Forest Castle” appeared on the _ eastern horizon it put forth all its strength in a desperate effort to fly to the steamer, realizing, apparently, that this would mean its safety. The Owl was in a half-famished condition and it was barely able to reach the vessel. But its prompt decision and vigorous effort THE OOLOGIST availed to save its life—The Class- mate. W. A. Strong, San Jose, Cal. We have recently been offered a series of 38 skins of the ‘Snowy Owl, recently brought down from the Arctic by a returned explorer.—R. M. B.° THE CHESTNUT-SIDBED WARBLER The Chestnut-sided Warbler is a common migrant in Northeastern Ohio, but up until the season of 1919, had never found it breeding here. I was watching warbler migrants on May 11th in an opening in a large beech wood, a bright sunny morning, when my attention was called to a Chestnut-sided Warbler, that seemed to dislike my presence. Presently he flew to the crotch of a beech bush but a few feet from the ground followed closely by the female with nesting ma- terial in her beak. The nest had just been started and on June 8th contained three eggs with one of the cow-birds and were very heavily incubated. The female was very tame and left the nest upon my touching her with my hand several times. The male made no disturbance and persistent beating on the nesting bush failed to arouse the female. It would surely never had been found but for the chance obser- vation in early May. Later in the season I saw a female feeding young in another wood. As the migration season was cold and rainy, I concluded that as the prime factor in causing them 'to remain and nest here. Lyle De Vern Miller, East Claridon, Ohio. CHRISTMAS How many of our readers are going to send The Oologist to some likely young boy interested in Birds as a Christmas present? This will be one way of materially adding to our sub- scription list as well as widening the influence of your only PHxchange Medium.—R. M. B. 155 THE OOLOGIST punou e TUvA[ASUUD ‘ Ud1IeM K) 94} Wous SOYoU| 8} 6 uosduisg aq th ‘sBhBQ pue ISON 0261 ‘ OL eunr jaune] “JalqueM eNjg peyeouyL HOeIg 156 MARSHALL COUNTY, TORES IOWA, RAP- During my three years collecting in this locality I have observed the fol- lowing: Great Horned Owl, Snowy Owl, Barred Owl, Pigeon Hawk, Red- tailed Hawk, Marsh Hawk, Turkey Vulture, Long Eared Owl, Screech Owl (Both phases), American Barn Owl, American Sparrow Hawk, Cooper Hawk, Red Shouldered Hawk. And I have found the following nest- ing here, the Great Horned Owl 2-3, 2-11, 1-2 and several containing young birds. This season I found three nests of this species the first contained three fresh eggs which I collected. The second contained one fresh egg which was destroyed and a new nest made in which two more were laid. The third contained one much incubated egg. Short Hared Owl, one deserted nest and young bird nearby. Long Eared Owl 1-6 from old Crow’s nest of 1921. Screech Owl, several sets of five and 1-10. American Barn Owl 1-5, from large cavity in elm tree, 1921. American Sparrow Hawk, 1-3; 2-5; 1920, 1921. Red Tailed Hawk, 1-2, 1920. Cooper Hawk, 1-5, 1918; 1-4, 1919. Marsh Hawk, 2-5, 1919, 1920. Red Shouldered Hawk, several nests found each season collected 1-2, 2-3, 1-4. I have seen several Barred Owls but never in pairs ‘but ‘believe they nest here occasionally. I saw a pair of Pigeon Hawks this summer, often in our chicken pens. I regret to say, but found no nests. The Marsh Hawks and Red Shoul- dered Hawks are quite common here. Mr. Metcalf while acting as Game Warden in this locality discovered a nest of the Turkey Vulture containing two young of which I am told he still has some pictures. Lawrence Allen, Albion, Ia., Marshall Co. THE OOLOG!IS8T BOOKS RECEIVED BIRDS OF SOUTH DAKOTA, Bul- letin No. 9. Series XXI March 1921, University of South Dakota, Wm. H. Over and Craig S. Thoms. This Bul- letin of 142 pages is a catalogue of 322 species and sub-species of Birds. that have been found within the boundaries of that state. It is illustrated with one colored frontispiece and 52 half _. tones and includes the following parts: Part I. Bird Study. Within which is included essays on the importance of Bird Study. Bird Houses Bird Baths. The Food Box How Birds Work for Us. Bird Enemies. Protective Coloration. Changes of Plumage. Bird Migration. Part II. List and description of Birds of South Dakota, concluding in Part III with a Bibliography of a list of publications, “That the reader will find most helpful in the study of Birds of South Dakota.” The entire Bulletin being well put together mechanically, and all of the contents will be of much _ benefit to those engaged in studying birds of that territory. Messrs. Over and Thoms are to be congratulated, in its production. R. M. Barnes. First annual report of the Division of Ornithology, Department of Agri- culture, of Massachusetts, by Edward Howe Forbush, 1921. This is a well gotten up report of the activities of Ornithologists, of that state, occupying forty-seven pages, and discussing numerous matters of inter- est for Bird Lovers. Not the least of which is the statement that it is sup- posed that the Heath Hen Colony on Martha’s Vineyard is increasing, but that a definite census could not be THE OOLOGIS8T 157 taken, that all the birds which had been distributed on the main land had died, that the extinction of this splen- did bird can be prevented only through The Martha’s Vineyard Colony. It is to be hoped that they will be amply and thoroughly protected.—R. M. B. Hunting Down Stock Killers, by W. B. Bell, Assistant Biologist, in Eco- nomic Investigations, Bureau of Biologi- cal Survey. Separate P. P. 290-300 Year Book of the Department of Agri- culture 1920. This interesting paper deals with the destruction of Beans, Bob-cats, Lynxes, Mountain Lion, Coyotes and Wolves, gives a tabulated statement showing the destruction of 128,513 animals and contains much interesting information on this subject. Conserving Our Wild Animals and Birds, by Edward A. Goldman, Assist- ant Biologist, in charge of Biological Investigation, Bureau of Biological Survey. Separate 160 P. P. 160-174 Year Book Department of Agriculture 1920. This paper is brimful of interest to these desiring to save some remnant of cur wild life and is well illustrated by numerous half tones which discloses the fact that approximately five million people armed with modern weapons such as repeating and auto- matic shot guns and rifles, take the field every year against the helpless wild animals and birds. There is no question what the ultimate result will be unless there is an awakened and militant public sentiment developed and maintained in favor of protecting these helpless and innocent beings with which our land was populated by Nature. Farm Help from the Birds by W. L. McAtee, Assistant Biologist in Hco- nomic Ornithology, Bureau of Biologi- cal Survey. Separate P. P. 254-270. This paper lives well up to the Mc- Atee Standard, which is of course well known and high It ought to bein the hands of every farmer in the United States, being as it is brimful of infor- mation, which the farmer should have, LIFE HISTORIES OF NORTH AMERICAN GULLS AND TERNS, U. S. National Museum, Bulletin 113, by Arthur Cleveland Bent. All those who have had the pleasure of examin- ing Mr. Bent’s Book on the Diving Birds know well what to expect from the above title and will in no way be disappointed in examining and using this production. It is typically Bent like in thorough- ness, splendidly written, well illustrat- ed numerous half tones, and fifteen full page colored plates of the eggs of the various Gulls and Terns. Its 345 pages are a well of information on the subject of which it treats, for which the entire bird Fraternity of students are and will be for many years under obligation to the author. Every page discloses the careful pains taking at- tention of the student and the amount of information assembled is truly re- markable. It is to be hoped that this contribu- tion is to be followed by many others of similar character—R. M. B. oe Res eS ets “SQUARE EGGS” The Philadelphia Inquirer says that the officers of The National Geograph- ic Society are more or less mystified over a book recently published. It con- tains a description of an alleged yacht- ing expedition in the South Seas, on one pedition in the South Seas. On one of the Islands of which the voyagers are alleged to have discovered a birG laying square eggs, and our corres- pondent who sends us the clipping adds the comment “This man has Uonecker beat,”—R. M. B, 158 SOME MISNAMED BIRDS The Titmouse is a bird. The Meadow Lark is an Oriole. The Bee Martin is a Flycatcher. The’ Mouse Hawk is a Shrike. The Water Turkey is a Darter. The Robin is not a Robin but a Thrush. The Water Thrush is not a Thrush but a Warbler. The Upland Plover is not a Plover but a Sandpiper. The Rain Crow is not a Crow, but is a Cuckoo. The Quail is not a Quail but is a trie Partridge.. “Renit is a name given to the giant of domestic Pigeons.” The Black and White Creeper is not’a Creeper but a Warbler. - 'Phe Carrion Crow is not a Crow but a Vulture. And the Turkey Buzzard is a Vul- ture. (Buzzards are a genus of large hawks.) ; The Ruffed Grouse is a misnamed Pheasant in the North, and Partridge in the South. The Nighthawk is not a Hawk, neither does it fly at night, but it is a Caprimulgidaeine bird, erroneously called Goatsucker. The Séa' Swallow is not a Swallow but is a Tern. Compiled by R. F. Miller. We have in store for The Oologist two very nice, treats. First, an ex: haustive article which will appear in the December Oologist, on the subject of The Prepartion of Mammal Skins, by one who is regarded as one of the best along this line, Alex Walker. _ Also a very exceptional series of half tones made from photographs taken by: Dr. Prill. The subjects are unusual and the photographs are A 1. These will begin in the January issue. R. M. B, THE OOLOG!:ST Statement of the ownership, manage- ment, circulation, etc., required by the Act of Congress of August 24, 1912, of ~The Oologist published monthly at Al- bon, New York, for October, 1921. State of Illinois, ) County of Marshall.—ss. Before me, a Notary Public in and for the state and county aforesaid, personally appeared R. Magoon Barnes, who, having been duly sworn accord- ing-to law, deposes and says that he is the owner of The Oologist and that the following is, to the best of his knowledge and belief, a true state- ment of the ownership management, ete., of the aforesaid ‘publication for the date shown in the above caption, required by the Act of August 24, 1912, embodied in section 443, Postal Laws and Regulations, printed on the re verse of this form, to wit: 1. That the names and addresses of the publisher, editor, managing edi- tor, and the business managers are: Publisher, R. Magoon Barnes, Lacon, Ill. Editor, R. Magoon Barnes, Lacon, Il. Managing Editor, R. Magoon Barnes, Lacon, Il. Business Manager, R. Magoon Barnes, Lacon, IIl. 2. That the owner is R. Magoon Barnes, Lacon, Ill. There are no stock, bond or security holders. It is not incorporated and owes no one. R. MAGOON BARNES. Sworn to and subscribed before me this 19th day of November, 1921. FAY BALL, Notary Public. — KK ‘Copy Wanted—If your December Oologist should be a little late, charge it to lack of copy. This issue practi- cally. cleans out our box all non- illustrated articles.’ Immediately up- on receipt of this, set yourself down at the table in your library and send for the benefit of the Bird Lovers, who read The Oologist, something of your 1921 activities++-R. Me:Barnes. THE OOLOGIST BOOKS Bendire’s Life Alex. Walker, FOR SALE—Part 1, Histories N. A. Birds. Blaine, Oregon. WANTED—“The New Nature Li- brary,’ and other second-hand Nature publications with no pages missing. State best price. Byron C. Marshall, Imboden, Ark. Please send me all your Christmas Subscriptions for all magazines. I give prompt attention to renewals as well as new subscriptions. Miss Fay Ball, Lacon, Illinois. WANTED—Oologist IV, 6, and all numbers of 1919 and 1920; Check-list of North American Birds, 1910; also Bent’s Diving Birds. M. Nice, Norman, Oklahoma. WANTED—Cash or Exchange: - Bent’s Life History of N. A. Birds; also Chim- ney Swallows nest in good condition. Offer Bendire’s V. I, newly bound, etc. Harold E. Meyers, ‘Medina, INEEDYe WANTED—A copy of lLawrence’s “Catalogue of the Birds found in Costa Rica,’ (Annals New York Lyceum of Natural History, IX, pp. 86-149). W. E. Clyde Todd, Carnegie Museum, Pitts- burgh, Pa. WANTED—Vol. I, II, Ridgeway’s Birds of North and South America, and Auk I to VI. For disposal, Auk 33 to 36 and odd numbers. Hoyes Lloyd, 406 Queen St., Ottawa, Ontario. I would like to get all the subscrip- cions that you have for all magazines before Christmas. Watch for my ad- vertisement in November. Miss Fay Ball, Lacon, Illinois. WANTHED—Bird Lore, Vol. III, Num-’ bers 1 and 2; give cash or exchange. Desire for the Miami Beach Zoological Garden and Museum of Natural His- tory, rare specimens of Birds, mam- mals and eggs. Address the Director. Harold H. Bailey, Box 5, Miami Beach, Florida. HCR SALE For Cas ; to xxl, compléte; Vol.xxll, Nos. 1, 2, 4; Vol. xxlll to xxv complete, Vol. xxvii and xxix complete. Forestry and Irri- gation, Vol. xiv Nos. 4, 6 to 12; Conser- vation xv No. 1 to 9, 11 and 12, Blue- bind aViole xs INO} <3.) Wouisy Ss kohiler; R.FE.D. 2, Patterson, N. J. EXCHANGE—I have the following Magazines to exchange for best offer in 1st class sets: “Auk,” Vols. XXXV, XXXVI, XXXVII. “Wilsons Bulletin,” Vol. XXXII. “Bird Lore’, Vol. XXII. “Condor,” Vol. XXII. “Oologist,’ Vol. XEXV., “Bay State Oologist,’ Vol. I, Nos. 1 to 6 (complete). ‘Birds,’ Vols. I, Il. ‘American Ornithology,” (C. K. Reed), Vols. I, II, III, IV. All in fine condition. Make me an offer. B. S. Griffin, 22’ Currier Avenue, Haverhill, Mass. FOR SALH—Mounted Texas Horned Frogs ,65 cents each. Skinned ready to mount, 40 cents. Add one to your collection. Sent postpaid. Ramon Graham Taxidermy and Tanning Co. Box 215 Polytechnic, Ft. Worth, Texas. ~ tions, by Paul G. Howes; $4.00. books and mounted birds; see last May | Paul G. Howes Laboratory, | 159 Red-backed, Gray, Dusky, Two-lined salamanders, finely mounted in solu- tion by most approved museum method; any species, $1.50. Spotted. salamander mounted as above, $4.50.- Unopened copy “Insect Behavior,’ 114 ; Other Oologist. Stamford, Conn. WANTED—The following Govern- ment Bulletins by W. W. Cooke: Distri- bution and Migratory of North Ameri- can Warblers, Distribution and Migra- tory of North American Shorebirds, Dis- tribution and Migration of North Amer- ican Rails, Distribution of American Egrets. Some new facts about the Mi- gration of Birds, Migratory Movements of Birds in Relation to the Weather. Cash or exchange in other bulletins. Write at once to Fred J. Pierce, Win- throp, lowa. MISCELLANEOUS FOR SALE—Conn Bantom Saxa- phone; Conn Cornet Flute; Conn Pic- colo; Buescher Slide Trombone; E Flat Clarinets; B Flat Clarinets. All triple silver plated except clarinets, and in plush lined cases. Clarinets in solid leather cases. Dr. A. EH: Payne, River- head, New York. FOR EXCHANGE—Photographs, size 5x7; nests and eggs Nos. 194, 125, 221, 325, 554a, 761a, 297a, 289, 761, 2738, "72 1a, 501.1, 701, 292, 554a, 2638, 619, 478, 581le, 725¢, 225, 120¢, 141, 132, 135, '542b, 554b, 567a. Birds: Sea Gulls on the Pacific, West Horned Owl, Pelican Colony, Malheur Lake Res., Young Pelicans, Young Turkey Vultures. Will exchange for eggs in sets or Bird.Skins. Must be first class with full data. A. G. Prill, Scio, Oregon. FOR SALE—South American Butter- flies in papers, for trays and other fancy work, mixed, $1.80 per dozen. If: wanted spread add 5 cents per fly. A. J. Potter, East Killingly, Conn. PHOTOS WANTED—A few striking pictures (glossy) for illustrative pur- poses, of a Gt. Horned Owl’s nest with young; Gt. Blue Heron colony; also Horned Owl and Herons separate. Send descrinvtions or prints. State price. R. Fuller, R.F.D. 1, White Plains, N. Y. I have a fine collection of Indian relics I wish to dispose of for cash the collection consists of about four hun- -dred fine arrow and spear points, skin- pendants, - ning stones, hatchets, knives, hammer ‘stones, and a number of very fine other specimens, the en- tire collection numbers about five hun- dred pieces in all, have complete data with every piece, $100 will take -the lot. Walter HE. Hastings, South Lyon, Michigan. illustra-. THE OOLOGIS8T THE NEW PRICE LIST We are pleased to announce that the New Catalogue of Prices of North American Birds’ Eggs, will be ready for distribution January ist, 1922. This catalogue will fill an acute necessity. It has been sixteen years since a catalogue appeared that contained prices upon which the working Oologists of America a's a whole were willing to base their exchanges. In 1919 an election was called to be participated in by all the active Oologists in North America, who selected a committee of twenty-five well known Oologists to revise the prices. Then a committee of three to pass finally on the prices agreed upon by the larger com- mittee. Two full years were occupied in this work and it is now ready for the printer. The catalogue will be published by the undersigned and its general arrange- ment will be as follows: 1. An introduction. 2. A history of Birds’ Egg Catalogue. 3. A history of this Catalogue. 4. Prices in this Catalogue. 5. Directions for collecting and preparing eggs. 6. Copy of Standard Data. 7. Illustration of proper way to mark eggs. 8. Illustrations showing proper cabinet arrangements of collections 9. Report of the Committee of Twenty-five to revise prices. 10. Names and prices adopted for each species. 11. Advertisements. The size of the catalogue will be the same size as The Oologist, which it will in general respect as to make-up resemble. Advertisements of approved char- acter will be accepted at the rate of $10.00 per page, $5.00 per column and pro- portionate rates for half and quarter columns. Classified advertisements of not over fifty words will be accepted in limited numbers at one cent per word. As this will be without doubt the standard price list of North American Birds Eggs, for many years to come, and will be used by all museums throughout the world it is an unusual opportunity to secure desirable publicity. Those wishing advertising space should send in their application early. The catalogue will be printed on paper suitable to write on with pen and ink and will be used by many as a record on which to keep track of their own collection. The book will retail at $1.00 per copy in paper covers, those desiring a cloth bound copy can procure it for $2.00. The first edition will be about 500 copies. Send us your subscriptions and copy for advertisements now, on the blanks published in this issue. R. M. BARNES, LACON, ILLINOIS. Subscription Blank To R. M. Barnes, INO accie ds Lacon, Illinois. Please enter my subscription for .... copies of The Amer- ican Oologist’s Exchange Price List of North American Birds’ Eggs HO ae a binding. Enclosed find $........ to pay for same. Delivery prepaid. j Paper covers--$1.00 per copy. Cloth covers--$2.00 per copy. DS CCN CN ICIICNIC nC nCNIC CNC CnC TCC nC iC CHIC NCIC CNICINC SiC ECE NICNC CNC HICNCICNCIC ICICI ICNCICNCIC HEC IICICEC CIC INC INCITS Advertising Blank To R. M. Barnes, Nose 8s. Lacon, Illinois. Draft postal note for $ new Price List, of North American Birds’ Eggs. Copy of advertisement herewith. i Please find herewith 4.9, for $........ to pay for the Advertisements Classified; Ads: cl ise el ee ee $10.00 per page Not over 50 words P.O 5.00 per column 1 cent per word. a peepee noe jet otnerse oleRes oe s : 5 Stateeen 2h eae RE PVR ie eee Cee da ea erates US Gaff lier 0lc alae caheules Cas Fill in the above blanks, sign the same and return to R. M. Barnes, Lacon, Illinois, with remittances specified. y! THE OOLOGIST THE “WILSON BULLETIN A QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF ORNITHOLOGY Paying particular attention to Field Studies of Birds in Middle North America. Now in its 28th year. 48 pages or more of readable matter with illustrations. Indispensable to all active field workers. One dollar per year, 30 cts per copy. Official Organ of THE WILSON ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB Address A. F. GANIER, Secretary, 2507 Ashwood Avenue Nashville, Tennessee 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 such subscription. For all New Subscriptions for the year 1922 received between October Ist, 1921 and January Ist, 1922, we will mail free all issues of this magazine of 1921 ap- pearing after the date of the receipt of naa] ‘Se A ‘ io KUS. COMP. ZOOL. | a LIBRARY HARVARD UNO ER SITY THE OOLOGIST. | BIRDS _NESTS-ECGs TAXIDERMY VoL. XXXVIII. No. 12. ALBION, N. Y., Dec. 1, 1921. WHOLE No. 416 THE OOLOGIST BRIBF SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS Wanted, Exchange, Fer Sale, Htc., inserted in this department at 25 genta for each 25 words for one i8sue; each additional word 1 eent. 4 Feng tne Sp oy lees . : Sees : LibupwiaciadawT. - Sa Paarl op i Nad pi