398.205 CHO oS be NATURAL HISTORY SURVEY IN DADY LIBRA vig! ys Wash Ae Oe aa ie » j Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015 https://archive.org/details/oologist1188unse THe Younc Oo oaist, —FOR THH— fo PUDENT OF »-BIRDS.s? THEIR NEsTs AND Eaas. VOLUME I. Pesan hs ne removed because #0 that are missin LofY Were advertiser Were 2 ents. / 4 ae # 16 ee ya | aw ea THe Y ounG Oo oaist, ——V OR DE— poe llDRN TD OF BIRDSS” mein WeSTS AND-EGGS. VOLUME I. GAINES, N, Y.: FRANK H. LATTIN, Puspuisuer. 1884—1885. JOHN P. SMITH, JOB, RAILROAD AND BOOK PRINTER, 80 STATE ST., ROCHESTER, N. Y. ‘VOL. . YOUNG GAINES, N. Y., MAY, 1884, NOLOGIST ANIC. is INSTRUCTIONS FOR COL- \ LECTING BIRDS’ EGGS.* IP le esa 1 B49 _ =Intrropuction.—It has been the -endeavor of the writer to render ‘these Instructions as concise and ‘simple as the nature of the subject -would permit. How far he has suc- ceeded the reader must determine. _ No mention has been made of the elaborate methods of blowing eggs, adopted by English collectors, as it requires many delicate instruments to empty them in those ways, which could not be easily obtained in this country, and which also requires a degree “of care and time for their use, which the writer feels confident would not be bestowed by our read- ers. Besides, we maintain that eggs can be neatly blown by the simple methods detailed in this serigs of papers, and that the science of Dolo- gy will be as much furthered by Specimens so prepared, as by those upon which many hours have been wasted. _ Without further preface, we will _at once take up the subject, and first we wish to make a few PRELIMINARY Remarxs.—Collect- ing birds’ eggs for scientific pur- _ poses, requires far more discrimina- tion than collecting specimens in any other branch of Natural His- tory. Animals, birds, insects, shells, plants, &c., carry their own identi- fication with them; and knowing the locality, a person well versed in the particular science in question, can at once pronounce what they are. = with birds’ eggs it is very differ- BY J. P. NORRIS. * This article was written a number of years ago for the Country Gentleman, and as we consider __ the instructions as complete as any published, we eprint them for the benefit.of the readers of the Youne OoLoaist.—[En. a ent. Without they are bi identified and authenticated, they are of no value for scientific pur- poses whatever. Therefore Identifi- cation and Authentication should be the chief aim of the egg-collector, although the other details should not be neglected. There are many of the commonest species of birds whose eggs are so nearly alike, that unless they are very carefully identified, serious mis- takes will occur. This is particular- ly the case with the eggs of wood- peckers, two species frequently hav- ing their nests in the same tree, and, without great care is used in their collection, the eggs of one species will be confounded with those of the other. With ducks’ eggs also, great care must be exercised. Two or three’ species of ducks frequently have their nests within a few yards of each other, so that they will re- quire very positive identification. Neatness in blowing and marking the eggs, renders them more fit for the cabinet, and is not to be neg- lected, but the chief points to be at- tended to, as being the only ones by which science can_ be benefited, are Identification and Authentica- tion. IDENTIFICATION.— Whenever the collector does not positively recognize the parent bird of a nest of eggs, the parent should be procured and pre- served with the eggs. But if he is positively certain of the identity of the parent, there is no necessity for obtaining it. When, however, he is unable to procure the parent, either from not being able to shoot the bird, owing to its shyness, then he should make a careful observation of the materi- als of which the nest is composed— 4 THE YOUNG OOLOGIST. supposing that he cannot bring it away with him owing to its size or un- portability—and the nature of the spot where it was found. This should all be carefully noted on a register kept for the purpose, (a description of which will be given hereafter,) opposite to the number which is marked on the eggs. If the collector is fortunate enough to shoot, snare or trap the parent bird or birds, they should be care- fully skinned and labeled with a ref- erence to the eggs of which they are the parents—thus: ‘‘ Parent of eggs marked No. —.” In case the collector does not un- derstand how to skin birds, then he can preserve a wing (taken off at the shoulder joint) and the head, which latter should be cut off just behind the skull, and must have the eyes and the brain scooped out to pre- serve it. These will very often iden- tify eges very well. Many errors have arisen from see- _ing birds near eggs, and then sup- posing them to be their parents. There are many birds—such as the Crow and the Blue Jay—which suck eggs, and are consequently often found nearer to other birds’ nests than they have any right to be. Again, there are others—such as the Titmice, Creepcrs, Nuthatches and others—who, although not plunder- ers, obtain their food by seeking for it even in the very places where other species breed. Among the water birds also, which often breed very close to each other, mistakes have arisen from supposing a nest of eggs found in a marsh to belong to a bird which fluttered on the ground and showed other signs of distress, when the real cause of its distress was that it had a nest of its own within a few feet of the one that was found. The experience of a single season of egg-coilecting is, however, to most persons, worth more than pages written on this subject. wit We desire to impress it upon eg: PA eit collectors that without eggs are we ir identified, they are of no value for~ scientific purposes whatever. Let 4S So pe him not consider it a waste of time, therefore, if he spends an hour, nay, — even two, in watching for the parent of a nest of eggs of which he does: not know the name. One nest of — eggs well identified is worth more — than a barrel full not identified. If the parent of a nest of eggs does” : not make its appearance one day while you are waiting for it, then — leave the eggs until the next day or the day after, and then try again. Be careful not to handle the eggs if — you intend to leave them in the nest — until the next day, for some birds. © are so shy that if the eggs are touched they will perceive it and forsake the: eggs—and some will even break © them—and thus you lose the chance: of identifying them, and run the risk of losing them altogether. Kyen if you cannot identify them, you should preserve them, for an. oologist can often recognize them,. and you might in this way secure some yery rare eggs. | AUTHENTICATION.—— The proper way to authenticate eggs is to num- ber them, beginning with “1” for’ the first nest of eggs, “2” for the second, “3” for the third, @e-—— writing the number down on the register, with the name of the bird: to which they belong opposite to- them. In the column headed “ Po- sition of Nest, &c.,” should be writ- ten the site of the nest, and, if it be- an uncommon one in your vicinity, the materials of which it is com- posed. In every case where the eggs. are rare the nest should accompany — them, if not too large and bulky... Attach a label to the nest, with the number marked on the eggs found in it. In the column headed “ Position. of Nest, &c.,’ should also be added. a memorandum of the manner in which the identification was effected,.. A roa Sa } ey: ‘ et Se . MS X . This latter _ lutely necessary to keep the nests of hand side. Ae MLE Abe ’ / 4 THE YOUNG OOLOGIST. 5 -& Both birds shot,” “ Bird Pee Pabus: shot,” or, if the identification was effected by seeing the birds only, the D fact should be stated thus: “ Bird well’ seen,” or “Bird seen,” as the ‘ case may be. Never sina to add a these memoranda in all cases—even _ with the commonest eggs—as it adds greatly to their value for scientific _ purposes. Always mark all the eggs in the same nest with the same number. precaution is abso- eggs distinct—which is very impor- _ ‘tant, and should be carefully attend- ed to while collecting them. If the _ egg is difficult to mark, owing to _ greasiness of the shell, it can be _ easily marked by rubbing a little _ finely powdered chalk upon it. In marking the eggs use a pen- _ ceil, and write the numbers distinct- ly, but not too large, near the hole ‘by which the contents of the egg have been emptied. | When the eggs are not well iden- tified, the fact should be stated in the register. - In collecting many nests of the same species at the same time, it is necessary to mark each nest of eggs with a separate number in lead pen- cil, as they are collected; but the final marking, with ink, must not - bedone until the egg is emptied, - and is dry. Do not rub out the pencil mark until the one in ink has been substituted. : How to Krep an Eao-Reaister. —An HEgg-Register can be best kept con ordinary foolscap paper, in the following manner: Take a sheet of foolseap } paper, and rule a line length- wise, about an inch from the eft This space is for the date when the eggs are collected. Next rule a line half an inch to the ; right of the former one and parallel This space for the name of _ the bird. Next rule a line half an inch to the right of the former one. _ This space is for the number of eggs found in the nest, and how many were broken in blowing. The re- mainder of the space left unruled is intended for remarks concerning the position of the nest, how identi- fied, materials of which it is com- posed, &e. [To be continued.] rr re From Rhode Island. Spring has begun. Robins, Blue- birds and Blackbirds have returned. The breeding season is at hand. Among the earliest breeders is the Little Screech Owl, which may be seen at dusk hunting for its prey, the field mouse. In this respect it is very beneficial to the farmer. Its near relative, the Horned Owl, may also be found at this time. One of my correspondents has been so for- tunate as to find three nests contain- ing eggs of the latter bird. Both of these Owls breed in hol- low trees and old deserted nests, during the early part of March. H. A, Tapor. Great Horned Owl. Mr. Geo. H. Selover, of Lake City, Minn. writes us that on April 1st he found a Great Horned Owl’s nest which contained two young owls about three days old. The nest, which was made of large sticks and lined with soft grass, was placed in a birch tree about forty feet from the ground. It measured three feet in diameter and one and one half in depth. Besides the young birds, there were also in the nest the re- mains of a young rabbit and two or three field mice. The male, upon the approach of Mr.S. immediately flew from the neighboring rocks where he had recently alighted, but — the female, remaining near the nest, seemed reluctant to leave. Mr. S. also states that the horns or tufts of the parent birds could be plainly seen at a distance of 800 feet. 4 THE YOUNG OOLOGIST. Inquiries and Answers. ARRANGING SPECIMENS, &C. From S. L. W., GRINNELL, Ja.—What method of mounting, arranging and classifying, and what sort of a cabinet is preferable for a collection of about one hundred species of eggs? Almost every eollector has a method of his own, which, as a general thing, he deems superior to all others. For acabinet, we consider the spool cabinets, in which our merchants keep thread, quite suitable. The slats which separate the spools can be easily removed. Trays, such as can be obtained at any paper box factory, should then be placed in the drawer for holding the eggs. In case you cannot or do not care to use the trays, you can evenly cover the bottom of the drawer with a layer of white or pink cotton. (The pink wool coiton can usually be obtained at any large jewelry store, but is rather expensive). The slats which you have previousty removed, can now be replaced in such slots as you may wish, thus hold- ing the layer of cotton securely in place. The ma- jority of our best oologists collect in sets, while a few still saye only single eggs or pairs. Young collectors generally save single eggs. We should collect in sets as far as possible, and would always have a well filled data blank accompanying each set. In placing the eggs in the cabinet, take the eggs in the order of the names of the birds as they occur in ** Ridgeway’s Nomenclature,” beginning with No. 1, Wood Thrush; place the eggs or sets which you may have of this species in one corner of the drawer. Now place your Wilson’s Thrush next, then Robins, Mocking birds, Catbirds, Brown Thrashers, etc., etc., as you may have them. The above is about the way we would arrange and keep a collection. We would be glad to hear from our older collectors as to the man- ner in which they have arranged and classified their collections. SUMMER YELLOWBIRD; TITMOUSE. From W.I.S., CLINTON, Wis.—Will you please describe the eggs of the Summer Yellowbird and Titmouse? The Summer Yellowbird, or Yellow Warbler, as it is commonly called, lays from four to five eggs of a grayish white ground color, spotted and blotched. with brown. These spots, or rather blotches are quite thick at the larger end of the egg. The size of the eggs average about .65x.50 in. Fresh sets of the eggs of this bird can be ob- tained from May 20th to June 15th. The nests are usually placed in young Sapinge, six to twelve feet from the ground. The Titmouse, or Black-capped Chickadee, places its nest in an excavated hole, from six to ten inches in depth, in a stump or dead tree. Eggs number from six to eleven, of a pure white, slightly tinged with pink and covered with small dots of a reddish brown. Of the two nests of this bird, which we have found, both were in old stumps about two feet from the ground, — is 7 SCARLET TANAGER; OWLS. e From ©. C., Ciinton, Wis.—Where do thal Scarlet Tanaber and the Common Field Owl build and when shall I expect to find their nests? = The Scarlet Tanager generally builds its nest during the latter part of May. In the past few years we have found over a dozen nests of this bird, all of which were frail structures, composed of sonal hemlock twigs and fibrous roots, placed from eight to twenty feet from the ground, on horizontal limbs of hemlock trees, ata distance varying frum two to twelve feet from the trunk of the tree. If we remember correctly, a collector brought usa set last season which he obtained from a nest placed in an apple tree. But from our experience, we should expect to find them in the woods in hemlock trees. The eggs are usual- ly three in number, of a dull bluish green, (same color as those of the Chipping Sparrow) and more or less spotted or blotched with purplish or red- dish brown. The eggs vary in size, but Bi iacs about .95x.64 in, Most Owls nest very early in the season, some species nesting in February, but March seems to be the favorable month. The nests are variously. loeated. Crotches of tall trees, hollow trees and ledges of rocks are places well adapted for their nests. The Mottled Ow] nests later in the season and chooses a hollow tree, usually not more than ten feet from the ground. nest and eggs. SCOOP-NET. From § the depth of a foot or more? An old hollow apple tree seems to be a favorite receptacle for Lae 1. O. H.A., Burtineton, N. J.—Can you . tell how us get birds’ eggs out of holes in trees to We have always used, with best of success, a — scoop-net made by taking a piece of wire of the required length, bending and twisting it atone end soasioform a loop. The loop thus formed should be from one to three inches in diameter (depending upon the size of the eggs which you wish to obtain). muslin or to a wooden handle or to the rib of an old um-— brella. ‘ BOARD FOR DRYING BUTTERFLIES. From L. L., N. Y. Ciry.—Would you be so king. as to give me the address of a dealer in N. Y. City — who keeps drying cages for drying butteiflies? I ask this favor because I have been looking for one a long time, but without success. If you know of no city dealer please send me your prices, We knew of no dealer in N. Y. City who keeps — the boards for drying butterflies, but yon can easily make one. Take an inch pine board, of the desired width and length, make a groove, % inch in depth, lengthwise the board. Bevel the edges of the groove and glue a strip of cork in bottom — of groove. Your board is now ready {oF your | butterflies. Fasten a little bag, made of’ mosquito netting, to the loop. For. nests in very deep holes, the bag can be attached - | ' . } GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER. } From G.C. P., AusurN, Mze.—Please tell me what kiud of a looking bird the Great Crested _ Flycatcher is, and what kind of an egg it lays? The Great Crested Flycatcher somewhat resem- bles the Kingbird. We have not space to give a _ minute description of the bird. In regard to its nest, etc., WILSon says: ‘He arrives in Pennsyl- vania early in May, and builds his nest in a hol- low tree deserted by the Bluebird or Woodpecker. The materials of which this is formed are scanty, and rather novel. One of these nests, now before _ me, is formed of a little loose hay, feathers of the guinea fowl, hog’s bristles, pieces of cast-off snakes’ skins, and dogs’ hair. Snake skins, with this bird, appear to be an indispensable article, ‘for I have never yet found one of his nests with- out this material forming a part of it. Whether he surroundsthis nest with this by way of a terro- - rem, to prevent other birds or animals from enter- ing; or whether it be that he finds its silky soft- ness suitable for his young, is uncertain; the fact however, is notorious. The female lays four eggs of a dull cream color, thickly scratched with purple lines of various tints. as if done witha pen.”’ Of the nests of this bird that have come under our observation, all have invariably contained the essential (?) snake skin. From a large series of eggs, we find that the ground color is not always of a ‘dull cream,’’ as we have had several speci- mens of which the ground color was lilac and many which range between the two colors. NOMENCLATURE OF N. A. BIRDS, From J. D. H., Rep Bank, N.J.—Will you please tell me what the meaning is of the ‘* No- menclature of American Birds,’’ as we see on your price lists? What kind of a bookisit?’ I received your circular and think that a paper of that kind would be very popular. The *‘ Nomenclature of North American Birds”’ is a 94 page pamphlet, published by the govern- ment, under the direction of the Smithsonian In- stitution. It contains a catalogue of the Birds contained in the U. S. National Museum, with other valuable matter. Most of our leading col- lectors and dealers use numbers corresponding with those used in this catalogue in making out their lists and in marking their specimens. . PARTRIDGE; SAPSUCKER. From N.L. W., TRuMANsEURG, N. Y.—What is the correct name of the bird commonly called Partridge? Also of the bird called Sapsucker? The latter isa small bird that flies from tree to tree pecking the bark. _ The Ruffed Grouse is very commonly, but im- properly, called Partridge; in fact, many of our rural sportsmen, 1n Western New York at least, know this bird by no other name, The Yellow-bellied, Hairy, and Downy Wooa- peckeis are often called Sapsunckers. id ‘THE YOUNG OOLOGIST. 7 PREPARING SKELETONS, From G. S., DELAWARE, O.—In collecting for my museum I have often wanted the skeletons of animals but could never succeed in getting one. Could you tell me how to prepare one? We have had no experience in preparing skele- tons, but take the following from Manton’s Taxi- dermy: ‘During the busy collecting season, rough skeletons may be made by removing skin, viscera, and as much muscle as possible, covering the body with the arsenic-alum powder, and allow- ing it to dry, when the specimen may be wrapped in paper and laid away forfuture use. To pre- pare skeletons for the cabinet, remove as much of the fleshy part as possible, and boil the bones un- til the remaining flesh is softened and can be easily removed. Then boil in water in which a piece of lime as large as a hen’s egg has been dis- solved. Remove, dry, and if necessary wire.- Skeletons Should be mounted on wires fixed in a wooden standard painted black.’’ PACKING BOXES. From O. D., PHILADELPHIA, PA.—DoO you sell the little tin boxes such as you sent the egg in, if you do, will you let me know the price? We had our packing boxes made for our own use, but should our friends desire any of them we can supply them at the following rates: size. per doz. per hun. tonnce; 1s by Lianch co. Sey Tete kot coe $ 2 497 SScrpa neh rei ies re Lee 95 3 ag create + AT ed ea nT 9) ordeal Se 1 35 APES SAREE AS SE ee NOD eet mg 1 50 SAE AS Ne OD ee See Sirs = ch eh OR 2 Ae Thy 1 $5 6 OF I Ser eh it nar eee Oui Uyak gs Medes ks a oe GRRE RNS ARE SG tei Me ee re ey 2 70 pe pal BOG RAT rahe e uty Hick Sie ot are Se Mull 3 15 16 Eis es gh SPN AIO RES Boe ee. eta Let oe 3 75 Boxes will be sent by express or freight at pur- chasers expense. Special rates on large orders. We find that by the use of these boxes we save enough from breakage and postage to more than pay their entire cost. ‘* WESTHRN’”’ BIRDS. From L.C., Huron, Dak.—Is the Kingbird and Meadow Lark, which we have here, the ‘* West- ern”? Kingbird and Meadow Lark? I haye some eggs of a bird which is like the Kingbird, only the male has.a yellow breast. What kiud of bird is it? The term ‘‘ Western,”’ as given to many of our birds, usually applies to those west of the Rocky Mountains. Possibly the Western Lark breeds in Dakota. Will some Ornithologist, who knows, please inform us? The other bird you inquire about is the Yellow-breasted Chat. CABINETS. From J. C. McL., THAYER, Kan.—Have you any cabinets, or cases, or anything in which to keep a collection? If you have no cases, please name some good method to keep them, Parties having cabinets for sale should adver- tise in THe Youne Ontocist. We have had at least a dozen inquiries for them during the past week, THE YOUNG OOLOGIST. EDITED AND PUBLISHED MONTHLY —Y —< FRANK H. LATTIN, - GAINES, N.Y. Cor espondence and items of interest to the Oolo- gist, and Specimen and Curiosity collector solicited trom all. Terms of Subscription. Sing!e Subscription, - + £0 cents per annum, Clubs of two or More copies, - 40 cents per copy. The above rates include postage. Rare Specimens will be offered, from time to time, at « slight advance on regular rates, to induce per- sons to subscribe. For particulars see first page. Terms of Advertising. Single insertion, 20 cents per line, nonpareil. 1mo. 3 mo. 6 mo. lyr. Five lines, 1 00 2 50 4 00 6 00 One inch, 2 00 5 00 8 00 12 00 1-2 column, 70) 17 £0 28 00 42 00 One * 13 00 32 50 52 00 78 00 One page, 25 00 62 50 100 09 150 00 Advertisements under five lines, charged one line extra. Yearly advertisements payable quarterly in advance. No deviation in any case from the above rates. Remittances should be made by draft on New York ; money order or postal note payable at Albion, N. Y.; or by registered letter. Unused U.S. postage stamps of any denomination will be accepted for sums under one dollar. Address all subscriptions and communi- cations to THE YOUNG OOLOGIST, Gaines, Orleans Co., N. Y. S77 Make money orders and drafts payable to FRANK H. LATTIN. Editorial Melange. Prof. Bailard’s new Hand-Book is just what is needed by every collector. W. B., of Flint, Mich., found an egg of the Whip-poor-Will last season at that place. Spaulding’s new catalogue is a ‘‘ little dai- sy.” Send stamp at once and see for your- self. RK.) B.; Jr,, of (Hyde Park, Til., shot three Evening Grnevoaks near that place during the past winter. We were unavoidably somewhat delayed in issuing this, It will not occur again. our first number. Yhere are hundreds of A. A, Chapters and Natural History Clubs in the United States. Let each Society instruct one of its most ac- tive menbers to act as our agent and solicit subscriptions. Remember, agents can de- 8 THE YOUNG OOLOGIST. duct, as their commission, 15 cents from every subscription they obtain, and that the one hundred who obtain the most subscrip- tions will receive valuable-prizes in addition to their regular commission. S. L. W., of Grinnel, Iowa, has found several Shrikes’ nests in that locality during the past two seasons. BuveE Jay.—First nest reported by R. W. H., of Savannah, Ga.; found April 14th, and contained three eggs. J. D. McD., of sPiymonth, Ohio, found two nests of the Sandhill Crane in that vi- cinity during the season of 1883. W. Elliot Woodward’s sixty-sixth sale, consisting of coins, medals, pre-historic rel-_ ics, &c., took place at Bangs & Co’s, April 24, 25 and 26. Catalogue received. W. B. H., of Toronto, writes: ‘‘Last year while collecting, we found the nest of the - Yellow-shafted Flicker in a hollow stump, about twenty inches from the ground.” If this copy of THz Youne Ooxoaist is of no value to you, please hand it to some per- son interested in the collecting of birds’ eggs or curiosities, or return it to the publsher. We thank our friends for their promptness in responding to the little circular announc- ing Tue Youne Oonocist. We received over 1,000 ‘‘favorables,” and 400 yearly sub- scriptions. Collectors’ blanks, labels, tags, etc., ete., should be used by every collector. The par- ties who advertise in this number of THe Youne Oonocist do good work at low prices. Give them a trial. We use a considerable space in this issue ‘‘blowing our own horn,” for which we hope our friends will make due allowance. We intend to give a variety of more interest- ing matter hereafter. To Eprrors anD PusiisnHers.—We will send THe YounG Oouoaist one year to any editor or publisher who will give it a fayora- ble notice, and send us a marked copy of his paper containing the same. : aim Y. ‘a hs ~ ‘a i att _ .adyertisement on page 16. THE YOUNG OOLOGIST. 9 The article, now running in the Golden Days, ‘Birds’ Eggs and Egg Collecting,” by the Rev. J. G. Wood, is very interesting for. the American boys -to read, but what do _ they care for the nesting of European birds? We send out 5,000 copies of this issue. Should you receive more than one copy, or - if you do not care for the copy you do re- - @eive, please hand to some curiosity-collect- ing friend and have them send in their sub- scriptions. W. T. C., of Paris, D1l., has a fine cabinet, patterned after a cathedral, 33x2} feet. He made it during the spare moments of two years with a scroll saw. It has five hundred and twenty-six pieces of thirty kinds of wood in its construction. Mr. G. G. Pendell, of Edniboro, Penn., writes us that he has a very curious speci- men in the gedlogical line. It bears a strik- ing resemblance to a miniature human skull. “The eyes, mouth and nose were formed by the action of water. Dealers often obtain specimens in large ‘quantities at very low rates. From time to time, as we obtain such bargains, we will give our friends the benefit of these reduc- tions. Bargains in the fossil, mineral, shell, egg and curiosity line will be offered in each _ issue of Tur Youne Oo.xoaist. Advertisers may think our rates a trifle ‘high, but we request any advertiser who has anything that is of interest to wide-awake boys and girls, to give us a trial. We will refund the money for all advertisements in -June and July issues thatdo not pay the per- son inserting the same. What publisher ‘makes a fairer offer to obtain trial ads? Every collector should have a rubber ‘stamp with which he can print his name and address on all packages and mail matter he sends out. We have used them for years, and by their use have often saved packages worth three times the first cost of the stamp. Don’t fail to send 15 cents to C. J. Conolly .& Co., for their 144 page catalogue. See When you write -smention Tez Youne Ootoaist. Queries Answered. ———oo L. T., Atuantic, Jowa.—Your egg is the Rose-breasted Grosbeak. G. P. B., TRumanspure, N. Y.—Cliff and Eave Swallows are the same. A. B. W., Curnton, Wis.—April and May are the best months to find nests of the Hawk and Crow. EK. L. W., Mizrwavxer, Wis.—Egg No. 1 is doubtless Wood Pewee. No. 2, from de- scription, should think egg must be Prairie Hen. L. D., Lircurrerp, Minn.—The Purple Grakle of the eastern U. 8., and the Bronzed Grakle of the Mississippi valley are each commonly called the Crow Blackbird. J. A. H., Whitehall, N. Y.—Ingersoll’s work describes neither birds nor eggs, but tells you all about how to collect, how to ar- range cabinets, &c. Samuels’ Birds of New England is doubtless the book you want. J. 8. B., Cuicaco, Inzu.—There are so many of our Sandpipers, Plovers, &c., that persons, who are not familiar with birds, call Snipe, that we cannot name your egg positively without a more definite descrip. tion. i> <> ie —___ ‘**Dad, if I were to see a duck on the wing and were to shoot it, would you lick me?” ‘‘Oh, no, my son, it would show that you were a good marksman and I would be proud of you.” ‘‘ Well, then, dad, I pep- pered our old Muscovy duck as he was flyin’ over the fence to-day, and it would have done your heart good to see him drop.” it << ‘‘You see, grandpa, we perforate an ap- erture in the apex, a corresponding aperture in the base, and by applying the egg to the lips and forcibly exhaling the breath, the egg is entirely discharged of its contents.”— ‘*Bless my soul,” cried the old gent, ‘‘ what improvements they do make. Now in my young days we just made a hole in both ends and blowed.” <2 rS” Now is the time to send in your sub- scriptions for Tur Youne Ooxoeist. 10 THE YOUNG OOLOGIST. Notes from Durand, Wis. I found the first bird’s nest of the season last January. It was an (old. —Ep.) Indigo Brnting’s, and con- tained one egg, which the Blue Jays had doubtless overlooked. Two Bald Eagles have been found dead here this spring, supposed to have been killed by poison which had been placed upon a dead horse. Waxwings have been quite plenti- ful this winter. They live on the crab-apples left on the trees. The only birds that have returned from the South, as yet, (March 19,) are Crows and Hawks. Kh. S. B. i ED et A Genuine Curiosity. We take the following item from a letter written us by Wes Hocking, of Dodgeviile, Wis.: “T received a few days since from a friend, who resides in Ellendale, Dakota, a spinal joint of a buffalo, which he picked up on the prairies, containing asteel point of an Indian arrow, which is about five inches long and half an inch in width at the base, tapering to a sharp point. The point of the arrow struck the bone immediately above the spinal column at the base of the vertical process, penetrating through the process about one-half inch, where it now remains firmly imbedded, having slightly checked the bone at the intersection of the process with the vertebra. I prize it very highly.” oe Ground Dove. (CHAMPELIA PASSERINA.) This bird is very common with us in this locality during the entire year. Ihave often shot them dur- ing the coldest winters. They com- mence to build their nests abont the last of April. I have found nests with eggs as early as May 5th. I have been collecting eggs about fif- teen years, and during that time I have never found a nest of this bird ing big prices for poems like yours. on the ground. The nest is a very pee simple structure, generally conan My ing of a few twigs and pine straws, — and is usually placed at from two. to four feet from the ground, and : have known them, in one ingtaiiee, to build as high as eight feet on the branch of a tree. This nest con- tained two eggs, slightly incubated. About three weeks afterwards, I was collecting in the same place, and chancing to look in the old nest, found two fresh eggs. Whether the eges belonged to the same pair of birds or not I am unable tosay. I am certain that they raise two,if not three broods during the season,. for a friend of mine found a nest as late as Aug. 31st, which contained one fresh egg. I think this is the latest on record. The Ground Dove lays two white eges which vary in size. T, Dz, PERRY: Savannah, Ga., April, 1884. —ED>- <> If you have any doubt, either of our ability or intention to fulfill all of our offers, we refer you to R. Andrews, Postmaster, Gaines, N. Y. | THE YOUNG OOLOGIST. Vol. 1. No. 2. GAINES, N. Y., JUNE, 1884. | INSTRUCTIONS FOR COLLEC- TING BIRDS’ EGGS. BY J. P. NORRIS. No. 2. Biowine Eaes.—Eggs are best emptied of their contents, by means of a drill, made for the purpose. By means of this drill a hole is made in the stde of the egg, and one is sufficient. The size of the hole should be proportionate to the egg, and the amount of incubation it has undergone. To start a hole with one of these drills, take a fine-pointed needle and perforate the shell. Then insert the drill gently and work it slowly, as a too rapid motion is almost sure to break the shell of fragile eggs. When the hole is large enough, insert a hollow straw, (in case of not having a tube made for the purpose,) and blow through it gently. You will then perceive the contents of the eggs slowly oozing out. Too violent blowing will cause small and delicate eggs to break. Those not having a drill can blow eggs in the following manner : Make two holes on the same side of the egg, near the ends with a fine pointed needle,—the hole near the large end of the egg being the larger of the two. Then apply the mouth to the smaller hole and give a gentle puff, and the contents of the egg will ooze out of the larger hole. Large eggs should be rinsed out with clean water, (taking care not to get any upon the shell, as it will sometimes remove the color,) to prevent decompostion of any -matter that may not have been ejected by the blowing. This precaution is not nec- essary in eggs less than 14 inches long, unless they should contain embryos, when they should be thoroughly rinsed out. And sometimes it is not necessary to rinse { PuBLisHED MONTHLY. 50c. Per YEAR. out larger eggs when they are perfectly fresh. When the egg has been incubated a suffi- cient time to form an ambryo, it will be necessary to make a much larger hole by which to empty the contents. No matter how far the embryo is developed, it is possible to empty the egg by making a large enough hole. Never make holes in the ends of the egg for the purpose of emptying it, as it ruins its appearance, and prevents accurate measurements being taken of it. When the holes are on the same side, they do not injure the appearance of it, as they do not show when the egg is resting on that side, and consequently it looks much better in the cabinet and is more valuable. The principal accident to be avoided is crushing the egg between the fingers, while holding it. To avoid this hold the egg very lightly between the thumb and fore-finger of the left hand, and then you have the right hand free to operate with. It is recommended to have a basin of water in front of you and to blow the eggs over it, and then if you should happen to drop them, the water will stop the violence of the fall, and prevent them from being broken. Most persons suppose that eggs are very fragile things, and are very difficult to blow. We can assure all such persons that this is not the case, and that, witha little experience, any one can blow them neatly and without breaking them. PACKING FOR TRANSPORTATION.—TO pack eggs for transportation, each one should be enveloped in a roll of raw cotton. The eggs over an inch long should be laid in layers in large paste-board boxes, each one having been previously wrapped in a roll of raw cotton. The outside box, or one that contains them all, must be made of 20 THE MOUNG, @GGDOGIATs wood, as paste-board boxes without any- thing to protect them, would certainly be broken or crushed in transportation. We have found this to be invariably our ex- perience, and we have had many valuable eggs broken from their having been packed in paste-board boxes, and not enclosed in wooden ones. If raw cotton cannot be procured in sufficient quantity at a cheap rate, old rope carefully picked into tow makes a very good substitute. Or the silk from the ear of Indian Corn makes a capital article for the purpose. Large eggs may be packed in dry moss, using great care to envelope them entirely in it. But after all, raw cotton is by far the best substance to use when it can be procured cheaply. Never pack eggs in sawdust or bran ; it works in at the holes where the eggs are blown, and makes them so solid that they jolt together in the box and break. We have seen some very valuable eggs entirely ruined by being packed in this manner. SUGGESTIONS FOR FINDING THE NESTS oF Brrpos.—Birds breed in accordance with the latitude of the country they select, and their eggs are to be found from February to August. Most birds, however, breed in the months April, May and June; but the nests of all large hawks and owls should be sought for at least a month or two previous, according to the latitude of the place where the collector is located. In fact it is utterly impossible to give exact dates for certain species, as they vary in almost every State, and even in the different parts of a State. The collector must use his own judgement in regard to this point, and be on the lookout for the early breeding birds. Many hawks and owls breed in deserted crow’s nests, and also in holes and cavities in decayed trees. When they go to the trouble of building a nest for themselves. it can hardly be distinguished from that of a crow, if it be on a tree. A great many species of hawks and owls have a great partiality for the nest occupied by them during the previous season, and they will often return to it year after year. The eggs of all woodpeckers, creepers, titmice, nuthatches, &c., are very rare, and extremely difficult to find, owing to the unexpected cracks and crevices in which they breed. Many sandpipers and plovers breed in plowed fields, and in meadows near a fence, or in a clump of grass. All eggs of this class of birds are much wanted by oolo- gists. They are hard to find, owing to a habit that they have of running along the ground for a distance before taking flight, and thus misleading the collector as to the position of their nest. If concealed, the collector will often have an _ oppor- tunity of seeing them alight near their nest. If they are particularly shy, and persist in running before taking flight, try the ex- periment of discharging a gun suddenly. Very often in their flight they will take wing directly from their nest. Another good way to find the nests of birds that breed in the grass or in marshes, is to throw down your hat or some other article, as near the place where the bird rose as youcan. Now hunt round in a circle from the object which you threw down, and you will stand a much better chance of finding the nest, than if the eye had no guide to help it. A dog (particu- larly a trained setter or pointer) is a very valuable companion for an egg collector. He should be well taught, however, not to rush in and break or devour the eggs before his master can come up. In conclusion dear reader, I would ask you if you are an egg collector ? If so, you have chosen one of the most rational and interesting of sports. Sport it certainly is, and quite as legimate sport as the pursuit of the birds themselves; for when you kill the bird you destroy all hope of future progeny, but if anest of eggs be taken, cannot its owner readily replace them with another lot. *This article was written a numberof years ago for the Country Gentleman, and as we consider the instructions as complete as any published, we reprint them for the benefit of the readers of THE YOUNG Oo.oicisT.—| Ed. THE YOUNG OOLOGIST. 2% Painted Bunting or Nonpariel. (PASSERINA CIRIS.) This bird is one of the migratory. tribe wintering in South America and the West India Islands. It is one of the handsomest birds we have, beautiful in plumage and rich in color, besides having a very pleasant song. It generally arrives at Savannah by the 14th of April. I have never seen them any earlier, and have watched them for years. They commence to build early in May ; I have found their nests as early as May 7th, with eggs ; they build a neat nest composed of paper, rags, withered plants, leaves, etc., lined with fine fiberous roots and sometimes horse-hair. They have no regular place to build, as you will find them in the smallest bushes to the largest trees. I know of no bird that the collector needs to watch more than he does the Painted Bunting. At first sight the female looks a great deal like some of the Warb- lers and Vireos, and the eggs vary a great deal in size and markings, but the general type is white, with red, amber, purple and lilac shadings. Last summer, while out collecting, I found a nest in a small pine sapling, about four feet from the ground ; it contained four eggs so thickly marked with ferruginous dottings, as to appear that color. As I was somewhat doubtful about its identity, I concealed myself near by to watch ; I had not long to wait before the bird came and went on the nest ; I shot it, and it proved to be a female Painted Bunt- ing. I have often found two and three nests in the same tree, piaced in the moss ; I have collected as many as forty eggs of _ this species in one afternoon. Another striking thing about this bird is, that it will very often build its nest on top of another Bunting’s nest. I cite a case here: On June 238d, 18838, I found a nest which con- tained one egg and one young bird; the whole structure was about eight inches long outside, and only about two and one- half inches deep inside. I was somewhat surprised, and thought it strange that the nest should be so long and yet so shallow, so I took the egg and young bird out and laid them on the ground, and commenced to pull the nest apart, when I found another perfect nest, which contained three eggs slightly incubated, and upon the ground underneath the nest, among the leaves, I found two more eggs which doubt- less had fallen from the top nest, as incuba- tion was far advanced. I have often found eight eggs in one nest, thus leaving little doubt that two birds sometimes lay in the same nest. I have found nests with eggs as late as July 20th, so I think they must rear two, if not three broods during the season. Troup D. PrrRry, Savannah, Ga. a — _ Pigeon Hawk. J.B. W., of Fork Union, Va., sends us the following description of a Hawk, its nest and eggs, which he has found at that place. Can any of our older Ornithologists tell us whether it is the Pigeon Hawk or not? ““The nest was one that had previously been used by a pair of crows, and was placed in the top of a spruce-pine, twenty- five feet from the ground, Four eggs, average dimension 1,7;x1,3; inches; unequal in size, and varying in color; three were dirty white, with very small brown dots, and around the middle a broad band of brown, the blotches running together ; the fourth was smaller than the rest, uniform light brown, with light mottlings. Parent- male killed ; spread of wings, 1913 inches ; length 114 inches ; tarsus, 24 inches ; tail, 74 inches; beak, 12 inches. Eye, pupil, large black ; iris red; top of wings, back of neck, back and upper part of wings, slaty blue. Under part of primaries and secondaries, light, with dark bars under wing coverts, dirty white, with reddish brown motlings. Throat and ear coverts white; mid rib of each feather, black ; breast and under body, light reddish, with indistinct white spots. Tarsus and toes, yellow ; claws much curved. Under tail coverts, pure white ; upper coverts, slate ; tail, brown, barred with black tips, faintly white,” What is it ? NS NS THE YOUNG OOLOGIST. Inquiries and Answers. WAX-WING, FLICKER, WHITE-BELLIED SWALLOW. G. W. H, Worcester, Mass.—I received THE YouncG Oovoaist this morning, am perfectly satisfied with size and contents. Will you tell me the true name of the bird called ‘‘ Cherry-bird’”’ in this sec- tion? Also Pigeon Wood Pecker? There is a pair of birds building their nest in a bird house in my yard. The birds are about the size of the English Sparrow, they have purple backs, white bellies, and very large, swallow like wings. Can you tell me what they are? 1. Cedar Wax-wing, commonly called Cedar or Cherry-bird. 2. Yellow Shafted Flicker. There is no American bird known by a greater number of names. In our correspondence we have had this bird called by more than a dozen names, among which we might mention as more common Goldenwinged|Woodpecker, Flicker, Yellow hammer, Highhole, WHighholder, Yellow Shafted Woodpecker, Pigeon Woodpecker, etc., etc. We once had a correspondent who called this bird the ‘* Zebec,’’ cannot say what authority he had for so doing. 3. White-bellied Swallow. SHRIKES, ETC. From E. B. W., Cresco, Jowa.—I am very well pleased with your paper. Please, can you tell me the difference betwen a Loggerhead and a White-rumped Shrike? I have found three Shrikes’ nests, but I don’t know which kind laid the eggs. In your price list of first class eggs, the Yellow-billed Cuckoo is numbered 387, and the Black-billed 388. In the second class list the numbers are changed around. Which is right ? Your Shrikes’ nests are doubtless those of the White-rumped. Of the difference between this species and the Loggerhead, Baird, in Vol. IX of the Pacific R. R. Reports, says: This species is similar in appearance to the Loggerhead, but differs in several points. The ash of the upper parts is decid- edly lighter, the rump generally almost white, instead of nearly like the back. The white at the base of the tail feathers is much more extended, reaching within half an inchoor less of the tips of the coverts. There is also a good deal of white on the secondaries, visible from below, not seen in Loggerhead. The numbers given the Cuckoos in first class list are correct. SPARROW HAWK. From W. B., Hoosack Fats, N. Y.—‘‘I have an egg in my posession that I would like to hear you give the name of in your next number of THE YounG Oovoaist. I found five of them in the latter part of May 1883,in a hole made in a rotten tree about fifteen feet from the ground. The egg is an inch and one-fourth in diameter, being nearly round ; it is light brown, completely covered with small specks of a little darker hue, some being darker than others. I am very well pleased with your paper, it is more than I expected. Your egg is that of the Sparrow Hawk. PEWEE, BLACK PEWEE, AND WOOD PEWEE. From L, M. D., NewsurGH, Oun10.—You will find enclosed the egg of some bird that builds on the ground. The nest is very simple, being composed of fine grass, and lined with a few horse hairs. The nest was concealed under a tuft of grass, and con- tained four eggs of the owner, and two eggs of the Cowbird. Please tell me the distinction between the Black Pewee, Wood Pewee, and Pewee, their eggs and nests. The egg sent was that of the Song Sparrow. The Pewee is very commonly called Phoebe-bird. The Black Pewee takes the place of the Pewee on the Pacific coast. Im regard to the nest of the Pewee, Samuels, in his Birds of New England, says; The nest is usually placed under a bridge, sometimes under an eave or ledge of rock, sometimes a barn or other building. It is constructed of fine roots, gras~ ses, fine moss, and hairs, which are plastered together, and to the object the nest is built on, by pellets of mud; it is hollowed about an inch and a half, and lined with soft grasses, wool and feathers. The eggs are usnally five in number; their color is white, with avery delicate creafn tint. There are usually in each litter one or two eggs, with a few spots thinly scattered over the larger end ; these spots are of a reddish brown. The period of incubation is thirteen days, and two broods are often reared in the season in this latitude. The length of eggs varies from .72 to .78 inch ; breadth from .54 to .56 inch. The Wood Pewee is smaller, and in color of a darker shade than the Pewee, which it resembles in many respects, The eggs are of a beautiful cream color spotted and blotched, frequently forming a wreath around the large end, with brown and lilac. From several dozen eggs we find them to measure from .66 to .76 inch in length, and from ,52 to .58 inch in breath. The nest is usually built on the horizontal limb of atree. Nuttall describes the nest as follows : ‘*‘ The nest is extremely neat and curious, almost universally saddled upon an old moss grown and decayed limb in a horizontal] position, and it is so remarkably shallow, and incorporated upon the branch as to be easily overlooked. The body of the fabric consists of wiry grass or root fibers, often blended with the small branching lichens, held together with cobwebst‘and caterpillars’ silk, moistened with saliva; externally it is so coated over with bluish crustaceous lichens as to be hardly discernable from the moss upon the trees. It is lined with finer root fibers or slender grass stalks.”’ WHITE BLUEBIRD EGGS. _From C. A. D., Buritincton, Vt.—Is there a new kind of Bluebird here? We found a nest in a post, with bird on ; it contained five white eggs nearly the same shape and size as acommon one. The Bluebird occasionally lays white eggs. ErRraAtTa,—On page 7, No. 1, under Western birds, your reply is an error. _The Lark of Dakota is the Western Lark, and the bird with yellow breast, the eter Kingbird. rov., R. I. Many thanks for correction.—[Ed. THE YOUNG OOLOGIST. - 23 NIGHT HAWK, From W. G. D.,—While hunting in the woods, I found an egg a little larger than that of the Meadow Lark ; lying on the ground: comparatively no nest ; eggs white, with brown markings, somewhat resemb- ling the above mentioned bird’s egg; bird a little larger than a dove, of a dark color with little white on the back. Can you tell through your paper what kind of an egg I have found, Your egg is that of a Night Hawk. ‘CAROLINA’? WAX-WING, REDBIRD, BUNTING, Will you please inform me if there is such a bird as the “ Carolina Wax-wing?’’ Also if the Redbird we have here is the Western Redbird? 1 found a nest of eggs the 2d of May, that I know nothing of. The male had a yellowish green back and head, witha red throat and breast. The females entire plumage was a yellowish green cast. The eggs were chalky- white, thickly specked with red ; size about the same as the egg of the Lark Finch. ER D., JR. Gainesville, Texas. The nest which you found May 2d, was that of the ‘ainted Bunting. AND PAINTED GREAT BLUE HERON, WHIP-POOR-WILL, CROW. From F. B, S., Lancaster, N. H.—‘*Can you tt] me how many eggs the Great Blue Heron lays? Wil you describe the Whip-poor-will’s egg? I ob- taied a set of six Crow eggs on May-day, is not th: an unusual number ?”’ bs. 1. Most writers give three or four eggs as the aveige set of the Great Blue Heron. At a large erqry in this county, (Orleans, N. Y.) four seems to behe usual number. We obtained several sets last Sason from Little Spirit Lake, Iowa, of five eggs each. No., We have several eggs of the Whip-poor- will, br have never found one ourselves. Samuels, in his3irds of New England, gives the following good de¢ription : € ‘hip—poor-will constructs no nest, but lays its eggS, Wch are two in number, in a slight hollow which itzratches in the earth, usually near a rock or fallen trik of atree. These eggs are of an elliptical form, beiy as large at one end as at the other ; their ground cor a delicate creamy white, with blotches, lines, andpots of different shades of light brown and lavemr; taken altogether, it is one of the handsomes eggs found in New England. The length of eral specimens before me varies from 1.21 tO 2.27 ches, breadth from .75to.7g inch. The bird commeées laying about the last week in May, and the perl of incubation is fourteen days. No. 3. Sixs not an unusual number fora set of Crow eggs. DGED EGGS OF THE PEWEE. From W. Ul PoucHKEeprsic, N. Y.—I have just found an egg, d do not know the name. I found it In a nest Maof moss, ina barn. The old bird is like a Pewee ycatcher; the egg is white, witha few small reddi brown spots on the large end. I would be muchbliged if you would tell me the name. . Your nest is thof the Pewee, they frequently lay eggs having a fevots on the larger end. One of the first Pewee nests ever found, contained eggs dotted with reddish bro.. This nest was attached to a beam underneathn old barn. For several years this pair of birds; undisturbed, raised from two to three broods eaGeason. The eggs were always more or less dottec From the hundreds of Pewee eggs that we have hdled during the past few years, not over one out of s|ye was dotted. California Mottled Owl. (How a western collector obtained one.) On Saturday, April 29th of this year, I was on a collecting trip at the Foot Hills, six miles from our suburban city. The first nest that I found was that of the California Mottled Owl, which contained three eggs. I was desirous of obtaining some Woodpeckers’ eggs, and seeing a hole of that bird in an old decayed oak, about twelve feet from the grouud, I scrambled up to investigate its contents ; finding that I could not reach the bottom of the hole, I procured a small oak stick and was agreeably surprised, on probing with it, to feel, what I thought were the coveted Woodpeckers’ eggs ; on breaking a hole in the limb lower down, I saw what appeared to be a dead owl, with chips and debris nearly covering its back ; it was sometime before the owl would show any signs of life in spite of my poking it with the stick ; I finally secured its legs with a string, and transferred both the owl and eggs to the ground without injury to either myself or my prizes ; I then tied the other end of the string to a twig, while I should pack away the eggs in a collecting tin, which I carry for the purpose. When I was again ready to move, I untied the string from the twig and unthinkingly laid it down. The next instant I had the pleasure of seeing my beautiful specimen disappear under the thick underbrush, carrying with it the string with which its legs were bound together. At first all hope of recovering the owl left me, but it soon occurred to me that, as its legs were bound, it would be compelled to alight on the ground to rest ; with this faint glimmer of hope, I took up my gun and started, as nearly as possible in the same direction taken by my learned friend, the owl. Luck seemed to be with me, for about fifty yards from my starting place, I discovered the runaway, or flyaway bird on the ground before me; creeping up slowly, with my gun already to fire should it attempt to fly, I managed to secure it by pinioning it to the ground with my gun barrel. This specimen stayed with us for several days, eating very little, but finally escaped from its cage. js ACN arg be Alameda, Cal. - 24 THE YOUNG OOLOGIST. THE YOUNG OOLOGIST EDITED AND PUBLISHED MONTHLY FRANK H. LATTIN, GAINES, N. Y. Correspondence and items of interest to the OoLo- GIsT, and Specimen and Curiosity collectors solicited from all. Terms of Subscription. Single Subscription - - 50 cents per annum. Sample Copies, - = = ~ 5 cents each. The above rates include postage. Rare Specimens will be offered, from time to time, at aslight advance on regular rates, to induce persons to subscribe. For particulars see first page. Terms of Advertising. Single insertion, 20 cents per line, nonpareil. 1 mo. 3 mo. 6 mo. lyr. Five lines, 1 00 2 50 4 00 6 00 One inch, 2 00 5 00 8 00 12 00 1-2 column, 7 00 17 50 28 006 42 00 1 a 13 00 32 50 52 00 78 00 One page, 25 00 62 50 100 00 150 00 Advertisements under five lines, charged one line extra. Yearly advertisements payable quarterly in advance. No deviation in any case from the above rates. Remittances should be made by draft on New York ; money order or postal note payable at Albion, N. Y.; or by registered letter. Unused U.S. postage stamps of any denomination will be accepted for sums under one dollar. Address all subscriptions and communications to THE YOUNG OOLOGIST, Gangs, Orleans Co., N. Y. (= Make money orders and drafts payable to FRANK H.LATTIN. JOTTINGS. F. L. A. H., of Bangor, Maine, found a set of eight ruffed grouse eggs on May 6th. C. H. D. Sharon, Wis., has found a nest of the yellow shafted flicker con- taining ten eggs. Some of our southern friends wish to know the correct names for the following birds: tomtit, titmouse; wheatbird, tea- bird. We thank our friends for the many val- uable items they have sent us. On account of space we have been obliged to hold over a large amount of valuable matter for the July number. To Epirors AND PUBLISHERS.—We will send THE YounG OoOLOGIST one year to any editor or publisher who will give it a notice, favorable or otherwise, and send us a marked copy of his paper containing the same. Fraudulent, Patent Medicine, or ‘‘ Blind” advertisements or notices, will not be pub- lished in THE YOUNG OOLOGIST at any price. Advertisers will please bear the above fact in mind, and thus avoid needless correspondence. J. R.S. of Alexandria, Va., writes that in that vicinity there has been recently found a nest of the blue bird which contained five eggs, upon removing the nest it was found to have been built upon an old nest containing two eggs. S. J. O., of Ocala, Fla., writes that while on a collecting trip, a short time since, he happened upon an old Indian camp, where he picked up twenty-three flint arrow heads, the most of which were perfect ; and that he also found there several fine specimens of petrified Palmetto. One of our western friends sends us a valuable article for Tok YounG OoLoGIsT, to which he adds the following: ‘‘If the above is worth while, insert in next OOoLo GisT and send copy, if not, gently consigi to the waste pot without funeral services.’ Our friend is doubtless an editor. Mr. H. B. of Adrian, Mich., has a cal- net made of walnut, 4 ft. high, 2 wide ad 14 deep. It has fourteen drawers, of which nine are two inches in depth ; pur six inches, and one three inches. Tw of these he uses for books, instrument,etc. The cost of the cabinet was $12.00. | Our friend, J. M., a leading Taxidrmist of Quebec, Can., writes us that thyother day he mounted a Robin which ha been kept in a cage for over eleven year) The bird was of good size and in goodeather. He also writes that he has a kit with two heads, eight legs, two tailsmd one body ; it was alive when born,/ut died soon after. The valuable collection of birs eggs of Mr. F. M. Carryl, Avondale, } J., has been placed in the hands offrank H. Lattin for sale. Catalogues w/ be issued at once. The collection ‘consts of 450 species in sets with data, (besiS hundreds of duplicate sets.) Collecti¢ valued at over $1,600. MinERAL . TABLES.,— A? mo. book, bound in cloth, containing’) pages by J. ©. Foye. This little bogis Invaluable to mineralogists, it contain complete ta- bles for the determination, /ScTiption and classification, of minerals. /or further in- formation address the puShers, Jansen, McClurg & Co., Chicago, |S. | | THE YOUNG OOLOGIST. 25 Mr. H. §., of Algonac, Mich., writes us that on April 26th, he found his first Mallard’s nest for ’84., it contained eight eggs. He also sends us interesting items about the Coot, Ruddy Duck, Crow, ete. _ In regard to the Loon, he says that it is very scarce in that locality, its nest 1s usually made of rushes and is placed on old rat houses, by the edges of creeks and bays. te H. R. T., of Almeda, California has found eleven Humming Birds nests this season, two of them were found on March 31st. Can any of our many friends inform us as to the best method of erasing ink marks and other stains from eggs ? W. iB. K. of. Toronto, writes us that on May 34, he obtained a set of six Crow eggs. All were very pale in color, especially one which was nearly white, with avery few markings at the larger end. When sending specimens by mail, you should always have your own name and address (as well as that of the party to whom you are sending) either written, printed or stamped on your package ; also state the nature of the contents of the pack- age. By so doing you may save many -_ valuable packages and prevent unpleasant- ness between. yourself and correspondents. One of the best labels for this. purpose we have just noticed on a package received from an old collector from’ Utica. For the benefit of our friends we print it below, and trust they will use one similar : ‘‘Specimens in Natural History only. Postmaster. Should this package mis- carry or remain uncalled for, I will send necessary stamps to prepay its return, if you will kindly inform me the amount needed. EB! B: Jr.; Utica, N.Y. —___ ><> @—=2-4-____ A Predicament. DEAR SIR: I find myself in the condition of the traditional Irishman. I have entirely for- gotten to remember whether I sent. you 50 cents for your paper or not.. | do remem- ber of writing you on the subject, but about the subscription I am nonplussed. Please be kind enough to inform me how I stand. If I havn’t sent the money, I shall most assuredly do so at the first opportunity, as I am much pleased with your paper. Will do what I can to further its circula- tion, and will send any items of interest I can get hold of in this vicinity, Yours, etc. C. B: W. Watervilie, Me. | DATA BLANKS. Every collector should use them. The following is a fac simile properly filled. > . . . . i) ali OS shea” apne NM geen nd mR os ; . : - oS ; Ht . ‘ = . me] . re SG < 3S ° S ia acl haan aS NN ea eh yee > f 78 nC -Q Y 8 % . -— an) Ne K) aN . cd) 5 = lg peta ge mene ere sa Se ‘ soiegye aiflt tactmot&e byis “lier ve ATL RRE ou e = tS . Ww . 208 ea CO ALO ; eS ing S ‘ tabee! ee Si cigeny og elle err” S ok Biden S yn) . are S ! fa! > BbbiAias 8 . ' . _— = SS . e . WN . .&Q he ; iis Na ne alae s A ke ee noplaaal Tbe Ei Gmeint eae ERY ORG io raked hi walbost ool dire AAS OT NE STP TEN Pines eee NP Ge. oad, Gleilton. HB wic® Pe. Sn Si Aa ao Rita lea i Each egg of the above set should be marked 5163. er Cabinets. (Editor of Young Oologitst.) In regard to Cabinets for collections I found it hard work to get anything to suit me until one day I came across a printers cabinet with cases, which I found to answer the purpose very well for all small eggs. The triple cases are the best, as the com- partments are of the same size. Of my large eggs, some are in glass cases on each side of my studio, and others in a cabinet of my own make, after the style of the printers cabinet mentioned above, having large drawers to suit the height of the eggs. At first [ tried keeping my eggs in glass cabinets, but as my collection be- gan to grow I found it useless to try this plan as it takes great deal of space which I find is not very plentiful with an ama- teur. BLUE NOSE, Halifax, Nova Scotia. 26 THE YOUNG OOLOGIST. Nashville Warbler. Notes on the Nashville and Hooded Warblers, and Golden-winged Woodpecker from Dighton, Mass. On the fourth of June, 1883, I found a nest of this species. The nest was placed in a snarl of briars about six inches from the ground; it was composed of grape vine bark, dead leaves, and the inner bark of the chestnut, lined with horse-hair and pine needles ; it contained four eggs of a white color with a faint rosy tint, covered irregularly with dots of reddish brown and obscure lilac. Dimensions of the four specimens were, .62x.50 inch; .58x.48 inch ; .60x.48 inch, and .59x.47 inch. HOODED WARBLER. I found a nest of this species on the 9th of June, 1883. The nest was pensile, attached to the fork of a young white oak, about four feet from the ground; it was composed of bark, moss and dead grass, neatly and compactly woven together ; it was suspended in the form of a basket from the forked twig to which it was attached, and deeply hollowed; it was lined with pine needles and feathers, con- tained four eggs of a dull white, covered with dots of reddish brown at the large end ; average dimensions .52x.68 inch. GOLDEN-WINGED WOODPECKER. On May 6th, 1883, I found in a hole two eggs of this bird ; I took one, leaving the other as a nest egg, and continued to do this day after day, until she had laid seventy-one eggs. The Woodpecker rested two days, taking her seventy-three days to lay seventy-one eggs. I prize this set very highly. dated CG. LP. --—-——— ———_——_- => @ oe Skeletons. To G. 8., DELAWARE, O. The surest and best way to prepare the skeletons of birds and other small animals for collections is, to place the dead body in the midst of an ant-hill; after leaving it there for a month or so, the flesh will be entirely taken off, and the bones will remain white and unsoiled. The ants are of the common black species, which raise large mounds of earth in the pastures and woods. H. A. TALBor. The Intelligence of Birds. Dr. Charles C. Abbott describes in Se¢ence some interesting experiments on the intelli- gence of birds. When he girdled branches on which birds had built their nests and thereby caused the foliage to shrivel up so that the nests were exposed, the birds abandoned the nests, although they had already laid their eggs. But in a case in which the nest already contained young birds, the old birds remained, notwith- standing the exposure of the nest, until the young ones were able to fly. He placed a number of pieces of woolen yarn—red, yellow, purple, green and gray in color— near a tree in which a pair of Baltimore orioles were building a nest. The pieces of yarn were all exactly alike except in color. There ‘was an equal number of each color, and the red and yellow pieces were purposely placed on top, The birds chose only the gray pieces, putting in a few purple and blue ones when the nest was nearly finished. - Not a red, yellow or green strand was used. Dr. Abbott concludes from his observations of the building of birds’s nests that the female birds is exact- ing, obstinate and tyranical, and not at all disposed to give in to the wishes of her lord and master. The site of the nest is selected after careful examination of suita- ble locations by both birds. There is an island on the coast of Cali- fornia, which is covered by three acres of eggs. A sea captain who recently visited it says the island is of rock with a surface of about three acres. It is covered with guano, in which sea fowls of all descrip- tions were found laying or incubating their eggs. The surface appeared to be almost entirely covered with eggs, principally those of sea-gulls, shaggs, and a small bird known as the salt-water duck. He says it was difficult to walk without treading on the eggs, and a ship could be easily loaded with them. The above clipping was sent to us by a friend in New York City. THE YOUNG OOLOGIST. 27 (For the YOUNG OOLOGIST.) Ornithology of the Island of Montreal. By W. D. SHaw. The following list of birds frequenting the Island of Montreal has been prepared chiefly from observa- tions made by Mr. Ernest D. Winter and myself, ex- tending over a period of several years. It is probable that a few species have escaped our notice, as many remain only a short time on the Island during their migrations north and south. t.- Merula Migratoria, (American Robin.) 2. Hylocichla Mustelina, (Wood Thrush.) _ 3- Hylocichla Unalasce Pallasi, (Hermit Thrush.) 4. Hylocichla Ustulata Swainsoni, (Olive-backed Thrush.) 5. - Hylocichla Fuscescens, (Wilson’s Thrush.) 6. Galeoscoptes Carolinensis, (Catbird.) 7. Harporhynchus Rufus, (Brown Thrasher.) 8. Sjialia Sialis, (Bluebird.) g. Regulus Calendula, (Ruby-@rowned Kinglet.) 10, Regulus Satrapa, (Golden-crowned Kinglet.) 11. Parus Atricapillus, (Black-capped Chickadee.) 1z. Sitta Carolinensis, White-bellied Nuthatch.) 13. Sitta Canadensis, (Red-bellied Nuthatch.) 14. Certhia Familiaris Rufa, (Brown Creeper.) 15. Troglodytes Aedon, (House Wren.) Anorthura Troglodytes Hyemalis, (Winter 17. Eremophila Alpestris, (Shore Lark.) 18. Anthus Ludovicianus, (American Titlark.) 1g. Mniotilta Varia, (Black-and-white Creeper.) 20. Parula Americana, (Blue Yellow-backed Warbler.) 21. Dendroeca Aestiva, (Summer Yellow Bird.) 22. Helminthophaga Chrysoptera, (Golden-winged Warbler.) 23. Dendrceeca Virens, Warbler.) 54. Dendroeca Czerulescens, (Black-throated Blue Warbler.) 25. Dendreeca Coronata, (Yellow-rump Warbler.) 26. Dendrceca Blackburniz ,(Blackburnian Warbler) 27- Dendreca Striata, (Black-poll Warbler.) 28. Dendroeca Castanea, (Bay-breasted Warbler.) (Black-throated Green 29. Dendrceca Pennsylvanica, (Chestnut-sided Warbler.) 30. Dendroeeca Maculosa, (Black-and-yellow Warbler.) 31. Dendrceca Pinus, (Pine-creeping Warbler.) 32. Siurus Auricapillus, (Golden-crowned Thrush) 33. Geothlypis Trichas, (Maryland Yellow-throat) 34. Geothlypis Philadelphia, (Mourning Warbler.) _ 35. Myiodioctes Canadensis, (Canadian Flycatch- ing Warbler. 36. Setophaga Ruticilla, (American Redstart.) 37- Pyranga Rubra, (Scarlet Tanager.) 38. Hirundo Erythrogastra, (Barn Swallow.) 39. Tachycineta Bicolor, (White-bellied Swallow.) 40, Petrochelidon Lunifrons, (Cliff Swallow,) 41. Cotile Riparia, (Bank Swallow ) 42. Progne Subis, (Purple Martin.) 43- Ampelis Garrulus, (Northern Wax-wing.) 44. Ampelis Cedrorum, (Cedar Wax-wing.) 45. Vireosylvia Olivacea, (Red-eyed Vireo.) 46. Lanius Borealis, (Great Northern Shrike.) 47. Lanius Ludovicianus, (Loggerhead Shrike.) 48. Pinicola Enucleator, Pine Grosbeak.) 49. Carpodacus Purpureus, (Purple Finch.) 50. Loxia Leucoptera, (White-winged Crossbill.) 51. Loxia Curvirostsa Americana, (American Crossbill. 52. Aegiothus Linaria, (Common Redpoll.) 53. Chrysomitris Pinus, (Pine Goldfinch.) 54. Astragalinus Tristis, (American Goldfinch.) 55. Plectrophanes Nivalis, (Snow Bunting.) 56. Poceceies Gramineus, (Grass Finch.) 57- Melospiza Palustris, (Swamp Sparrow.) 58. Melospiza Fasciata, (Song Sparrow.) 59. Junco Hyemalis, (Black Snowbird,) 60. Spizella Montana, (Tree Sparrow.) 61. Spizella Domestica, (Chipping Sparrow.) 62. Spizella Pusilla, (Field Sparrow.) 63. Zonotrichia Albicollis, (White-throated Spar- 64. Zonotrichia Sparrow.) 65. Passer Domesticus, (English Sparrow.) 66. Zamelodla Ludoviciana, (Rose-breasted Gros- beak.) 67. Passerina Cyanea, (Indigo Bunting.) 68. Dolichonyx Oryzivorus, (Bobolink.) 69. Molothrus Ater, (Cowbird.) 70. Agelzus Phoeniceus, (Red and buff-shouldered Blackbird.) 71. Icterus Galbula, (Baltimore Onuole.) 72. Scolecophagus Ferrugincus, (Rusty Blackbird) 73. Quiscalus Purpureus, (Purple Grackle.) 74. Corvus Frugivorus, (Common Crow.) 75. Cyanocitta Cristata, (Blue Jay.) 76. Perisoreus Canadensis, (Canada Jay.) 77. Tyrannus Carolinensis, (K ingbird.) 78. Myiarchus Crinitus, (Great Crested Flycatcher) 79. Sayornis Fuscus, (Phoebe Bird. 80. Contopus Virens, (Wood Pewee.) 81. Contopus Borealis, (Olive-sided Flycatcher,) 82. Empidonax Flaviventris, (Yellow-bellied Fly- catcher.) 83. Caprimulgus Vociferus, (Whip-poor-will.) 84. Chordeiles Popetue, (Nighthawk.) 85. Chetura Pelasgica, (Chimney Swift.) 86. Trochilus Colubris, (Ruby-throated Hum- mingbird.) 87. Ceryle Alcyon, (Belted Kingfisher.) 88. Coccyzus Erythrophthalmus, (Black-billed Cuckoo.) 89. Coccyzus Americanus, (Yellow-billed Cuckoo) go. Hylotomus Pileatus, (Pileated Woodpecker.) gt. Picus Villosus, (Hairy Woodpecker.) 92. Picus Pubescens, (Downy Woodpecker.) 93- Picoides Arcticus, (Black-backed Three-toed Woodpecker.) 94. Sphyrapicus Varius, (Yellow-bellied Wood- pecker.) gs. Melanerpes (Red-headed Woodpecker.) 96. Colaptes Auratus, (Yellow-shafted Flicker.) 97- Bubo Virginianus, (Great Horned Owl.) 98. Scops Asio, (Little Screech Owl.) 99. Asio Americanus, (American Long-eared Owl) too. Asio Accipitrinus, (Short-eared Owl.) 101. Ululo Cinerea, (Great Gray Owl.) 1oz. Strix Nebulosa, (Barred Owl.) 103. Nyctea Scandiaca, Snowy Owl.) 104. Surnia Funerea, (American Hawk Owl.) 105. Nyctale Tengmalmi Richardsoni, (Richard- son’s Owl.) 106. Nyctale Acadica, (Saw-whet Owl.) 107. Circus Hudsonius, (Marsh Hawk.) 108. Accipiter Fuscus, (Sharp-shinned Hawk.) tog. Astur Atricapillus, (American Goshawk.) 110. Falco Peregrinus Nevius, (Duck Hawk.) 111. Tinnunculus Sparverius, (Sparrow Hawk.) 112. Buteo Borealis, (Red-tailed Hawk.) 113. Buteo Lineatus, (Red-shouldered Hawk.) 114. Buteo Swainsoni, (Swainson’s Hawk. 115. Buteo Pennsylvanicus, (Brosd-winged Hawk) 116. Archibuteo Lagopus Sancti-Johannis, (Amer- ican Rough-legged Hawk.) 117. Pandion Haliaetus Carolinensis, (Fish Hawk) 118. Halizetus Leucocephalus, (Bald Eagle.) 119. Ectopistes Migratoria, (Passenger Pigeon.) 120. Bonasa Umbellus, (Ruffed Grouse.) 121. Squatarola Helvetica, (Black-bellied Plover.) 122. Charadrius Pluvialis, (Golden Plover.) 123. Ochthodromus Wilsonius, (Wilson’s Plover.) 124. Obyechus Vociferus, (Killdeer.) 125. Aegialites Semipalmatus, (Semipalmated Plover.) 126. Aegialites Melodus, (Piping Plover.) 127. Aegialites Cantianus Nivosus, Plover.) 128. Philohela Minor, (American Woodcock.) 129. Gallinago Media Wilsoni, (Wilson’s Snipe.) Leucophrys, (White-crowned Erythrocephalus, (Snowy 28 THE YOUNG OOLOGIST. 130. Macrorhamphus Griseus, (Red-breasted Snipe.) 131. Actodromas Minutilla, (Least Sandpiper.) 132. Actodromas Maculato, (Pectoral Sandpiper.) 133. Lotanus Flavipes, (Yellow-legs.) 134. Rhyacophilus Solitarius, (Solitary Sandpiper) 135. Totanus Melanoleucus, (Greater Yellow-legs; Tell-tale.) 136. Tringoides Macularius, (Spotted Sandpiper.) 137. Ardea Herodias, (Great Blue Heron.) 138. Nyctiardea Grisea Nezvia, (Black-crowned Night Heron.) 139. Botaurus Lentiginosus, (American Bittern.) 140. Rallus Elegans, (Red-breasted Rail.) 141. Rallus Virginianus, (Virginian Rail.) 142. Porzana Carolina, Sora Rail.) 143- Fullca Americana, (American Coot.) 144. Bernicla Canadensis, (Canada Goose.) 145. Anas Boscas, (Mallard.) 136. Anas Obscura, (Black Mallard.) 147. Dafila Acuta, (Pintail.) 148. Mareca Penelope, (Widgeon.) 149. Nettion Carolinensis, (Green-winged Teal.) 150. Querquedula Discora, (Blue-winged Teal.) 151. Spatula Clypeata, (Shoveller.) 152. Aix Sponsa, Wood Duck.) 153. Fulix Marila, (Scaup Duck; Greater Blue- bill.) : 154. Fulix Affinis, (Little Blackhead; Lesser Bluc- ill.) 15s. Aethyia Americana, (Redhead.) 156. Aethyia Vallisneria, (Canvas-back.) 157. Clangula Glaucium Americana, (American Golden-eye. . 158. Clanguia Albeola, (Buffiehead.) 159. Mergus Merganser Americanus, (American Sheldrake; Merganser.) 160. Mergus Serrator, (Red-breasted Sheldrake.) 161. Lophodytes Cucullatus, (Hooded Sheldrake.) 162. Larus Marinus, (Great Black-backed Gull’) 163. Larus Argentatus, (Herring Gull.) 164. Larus Philadelphice, (Bonaparte’s Gull.) 165. Sterna Fluviatilis, (Common Tern.) 106. Sterna Antillarum, (Least Tern.) 167. Colymbus Torquatus, (Loon; Great North- ern Diver,) 168. Podilymbus Podiceps, (Thick-billed Grebe ; Pied-billed Dabchick.) The above will, I trust, induce others to publish lists of birds occurring in their localities. Such records are valuable for reference regarding the geo- graphical range of the species. Oe Chewink, Sora Rail, Cooper Hawk. During the last Summer I found three Chewink’s nests which were placed in bushes at a height of from two to five feet. According to most Ornithologists this bird builds its nest on the ground. Nests of the Scarlet Tanager promise to be very abundant this season, if the number of birds that have arrived here is any indica- tion. Last summer I found a nest of the Sora Rail on May 30th, within one hundred yards of half a dozen houses. The nest contained twelve eggs nearly hatched. One of my friends found a nest of Cooper Hawks, on the 5th inst. It was placed in a black oak about sixty-five feet from the ground, and contained five fresh eggs. ’ Rock Island, Ills. White-rumped Shrike. A. B. W. of Clinton, Wis., under date of May 5th, writes us as follows: I re- ceived your paper and am much pleased with it. I have been collecting nearly two weeks. The first nest found this season was that of a crow and contained seven young birds. The next time I went col- lecting I climbed an Oak tree, and found two young squirrels. They were quite tame and very lively. On this same trip I, together with two other boys found a White-rumped Shrike’s nest containing four eggs. It was placed in a locust hedge in a crotch of a tree, about six feet from the ground. The nest was composed of thistle down feathers, twine, pieces of cloth, in facts almost anything suitable that the bird could obtain. It was lined with wool, hair and feathers. Shrike’s nests can generally be found by the bones and carcasses of young birds, etc., impaled upon the thorns about the nest. We took the four eggs but did not disturb the nest; upon revisiting the nest a few days later, we found two more eggs. We took both, eggs and nest. Still later while collecting in the same locality, we found a nest of this same bird containing five eggs. An old New York Sun quotes the follow- ing high prices for eggs : Two eggs of the great auk (supposed to be extinct), recently sold in an auction room in Edinburgh, for $16. They were afterward resold in London, one fetching $500 and the other 102 guineas. This supposed to be the largest price ever paid for an egg, except a single specimen of a moa egg, which was sold in London in 1865 for $1,000, or £200. A nest full of these would be worth finding, provided one could find purchasers at the above-named prices. Se aoe From Nebraska. The first number of THE Youne OoLocistT received ; am well pleased with it. On the morning of the 10th inst., I found eight or ten nests of the Bronzed Grakle. They were each and every one of them placed from six to ten feet high in the wild plum trees, which grow in abund- ance on the banks of the creeks in this state. The birds in question have chosen very picturesque places for their camping ground. The plum trees are at present one mass of white blossoms. ‘The nests of the Mourning Dove were as plenty as those of the Black birds. N,. A. &., York, Nebraska. THE YOUNG OOLOGIST. 29 ae Queries Answered. H. J. D., NorTHFIELD, VT.—The Stone- chat is an European bird, its eggs resemble those of the Blue-bird. The Baltimore Oriole is often called the Golden Robin. F. H. P., Nortn BEVERLY, “Mass.— Robins often build their nests in pine trees. F. B. W., Rocnestrer, N. Y.—Your nest and eggs are either those of the Swamp or Savannah Sparrow, doubtless the former. W. B. S., Artanta, Ga.—l. White- eyed Vireo. 2. A Bank Swallow's egg is pure white. Cliff Swallow’s eggs are white spotted, with dusky brown. 3. Send egg and we will try and give name. a dull olive, spotted with brown. A. R., CHARLESTOWN, W. Va.—We cannot identify your eggs from description | given, as you neither describe the bird nor nest. Martin. J. H. H., SprirxcGrretp, Mass.—The Ruffed Grouse and the bird which you call the Partridge are identical. In Pennsy]l- vania and other localities the Ruffed Grouse is often called the Pheasant. .W. C. W., New Haven, Conn.—We W. McK., AxLepo, Inu.—The Martin, | which is found in your locality and in | other parts of the U. S.. is the Purple | will endeavor to name all eggs sent us for | identification, if description is also given of nest and bird. Collectors wishing their specimens returned, must enclose stamps | for packing and return postage. A. M. B., Warsssstne, N. J.—Full information in regard to skinning, stuffing and mounting is given in Manton’s Taxidermy. Price 50 cents. For sale at this Office. R. W. T., CoatHam. O.—The nests and eggs which you have found, are those of the White Rumped Shrike. CoLLEcTOR, OswEGo, N. Y.—The eggs of the different Shrikes resemble each other so closely, that they could not be described so as to make identity. The variety which breeds in your locality, is doubtless the White Rumped. From your description, should say that your ‘‘ Wild Ducks” eggs were the Sora Rail. The Yellow Shafted Flicker has a red cresent on the back of its neck. The Euphonia is a small bird of the Tanager family, and is a Mexican bird. | | L. D., LrrcHrre.tp, Mrxn.—The bird of which you have found so many nests, is doubtless the Indigo Bunting. A. 8S. M., Parua., Pa.—Cannot Posi- tively name your eggs as you describe, neither the bird nor nest. W. C., Woovstock, ItLt.—The Cooper’s Hawk is more commonly known as Chicken Hawk. H. J. D., NORTHFIELD, VTt.—We can- not identify eggs from a mere description, _ unless description is given of both nest and bird. Egg No. 1 is English Sparrow. The bird you desired named is the Rose- breasted Grosbeak. R. W. F., PrymMoutu, Ct.—The King bird that breeds in California is the Western S.J. O., Ocara, Fra—The Blue Jay | King bird. usually lays five eggs, in color they are of | W. A., Unton Sprines, N. ¥.—Purple Grakle is the correct name for Crow _ Black bird. C..P. W., LAKE ViLLaGE, N. H.—Bald Eagle eggs are worth $4.00 each. Par- roquet eggs 50 cents each. T. C., SEAFoRTH, OnT.—We can fur- nish Samuels Birds of New England at $4.00 per copy. If you have already subscribed for THE Youne OOoLoaist, you can obtain one of our premiums by getting a friend to subscribe with you. You can then pay the 15 cents extra and select one of the premiums for yourself. C. R. E., FREDERICK City, Mp.—The bird you wish named is the American Goldfinch. We have never known the Catbird to harm the nests and eggs of other birds. Has any of our friends ” C. H. D., SHaron, Wis.—The correct name for the Wild Pigeon is Passenger Pigeon (459). The bird you sent for identification was the Yellow Shafted Flicker, (378). We are not quite certain in regard to your hawk, will inform you later. F. M. W., Newron 14.—Phoebe bird or Pewee is the correct name for the bird that you call Bridge Swallow. W. B. W. CLARKSVILLE, TENN.— Your egg is that of the White-bellied Nuthatch. G. R. C., NasHviLLe, TeEnn.—The egg you sent for identification is that of the Lark Finch. W.S. C., Peorra, I~tLt.—Your nest is doubtless that of the Chipping Sparrow. We have known of several early nests of this bird being placed in clumps of weeds, at from six to twelve inches from the ground. E. K. M., McConnELLs VILLE, 8. C.— Chimney Swift is the correct name for bird often called Chimney Sweep and Chimney Swallow. We have had eggs, supposed to have been turtles, which had hard shells. G. H. 8. Jr., Ryz, N. Y.—Are not your eggs those of the Grass Finch ? H. G., Porr Byron, N. Y.—The red and black shouldered Blackbird is a Western bird. Its nesting habits, eggs, etc., resemble those of our common red and buff shouldered Blackbird. R. B., Minustonn, N. J.—The bird building the pensile nest which you describe is the Red-eyed Vireo. The two small ones were eggs of that bird. The larger ones were eggs of the Cowbird. G. H. L., LircHrre tp, Mrinn.—Our set of two, Swallow-tailed Kite eggs, came from Texas, and were collected April 21st, 1888. .The nest was in an Oak tree, about 75 feet from the ground. The three set of eggs of this bird, which have come under our observation during the past few years, consisted of two eggs each. E. N. B., Sourn Boston, Mass.—Alli- | gator eggs are worth about 25 cents each, (we have none). A first class egg is one that has been carefully blown through, one smoothly drilled hole in the side, properly cleaned and identified. Dealers number their eggs to correspond with those given in Ridgway’s Nomenclature of N. A Birds. Eggs sold or exchanged in sets should be accompanied with a data blank, giving full particulars as stated in your egg register. L. R., Trumansspureu, N. Y.—Ostrich eggs are worth $3.50 each. The bird you call High-holder, is the Yellow Shafted Flicker. The one you call Teetering Snipe, is the Spotted Sandpiper. Our eggs are numbered to correspond with the numbers given in our regular Price-list ON Oe C., Decatur, TEexas.—We will endeavor to determine your Minerals, if you will send us small fragment samples. W. V. A., NorrH GRANVILLE, N. Y. —Your nest and eggs are those of the Wood Pewee. H. H.. ArnLantic, lowa.—We have no doubt that eggs would look fine if stuck on cards, but don’t do it, it is neither scientific nor convenient. M. K., Freeport, Inu. — The bird which is called the Crow Blackbird in your vicinity, is the Bronzed Grakle. If you take only one or two eggs from a nest, but few birds will know the difference. 30 THE YOUNG OOLOGIST. C. A., Taunton, Mass. — Blow-pipes can be cleaned when they become clogged by the use of a fine wire. F. M., West ELkton, O.—We have not the space in this issue to tell how to skin, stuff and mount birds, but will soon pub- lish an article on the subject. E. §., Spring Hitt, Tenn.—The Boat- tailed is a larger bird than the Purple Grakle (or Crow Blackbird). We have obtained eggs of the Boat-tailed Grakle from Ga., 8. C., Miss., and Texas. W. K. P., ArHEeNns, Pa.—The bird which you describe as having a black head and back, white belly, and a large red neck-tie which runs to a point at the breast, is the Rose-breasted Grosbeak. B. D. C., SoutH BLOOMFIELD, N. Y.— The bird which you call the Butcher bird. is the White-rumped Shrike. Many of our larger Hawks are known to most per- | sons under the more general name of Hen Hawk. The Hen Hawk of your locality is doubtless either the Red-tailed or Red- shouldered Hawk. H. M. §., Reaprine, Pa.—Seven is not an unusual number of eggs for the Yellow Shafted Flicker to lay. We had three sets last season of eight eggs. W.S. C., Peorta, ILuts.—We can fur- nish the ‘‘ Nomenclature of N. A. Birds” at 35 cents per copy. We have often heard of the Mourning (or Turtle, as you call it) Dove nesting on or near the ground. The Ground Dove is a sourthern bird, and_ is one of the most diminutive doves known to naturalists. Its size is about the same as the Song Sparrow. Ground Dove. In my notes on the Ground Dove I re- ported that they commenced to build about — the last of April, I should have said the last of March, as I have found their nests as early as April 18th, containing young, large enough to fly. 2 Dar. Sap Sucker. I would suggest in answer to N. L. W.., of Trumansburg, N. Y., that in this local- ity the White-bellied Nuthatch is the most commonly known as Sap-sucker. Being in about the same range as he is, I think, perhaps this is really the bird he means, a description of the bird giving measure- ments etc., would soon prove the point. ‘** Medicus,” Cortland, N. Y. THE YOUNG OOLOGIST Vol. 1. No.3. GAINES, N. Y., JULY, 1884. Oological Items from Waterville, Maine. The first was the discovery, the third week in May, of a Red Shouldered Hawk’s nest. It was builtin the top of a tall Black Birch, some 35 feet from the ground. It was composed externally of sticks, and was lined with moss and leaves ; the eggs were three in number, quite fresh ; although nearly the same in size and shape, there was a marked difference in coloration. The ground color was a dirty white, over which was spread on one egg a great profusion of lilac and brown _ blotches. A second egg had no markings on_ the - ground color, which, in this instance, had a distinct drab tint. The third egg was intermediate between the two. Now, as this disparity in color is no unusual thing in Hawk’s clutches, the question comes, what causes it? This question is nearly answered in the present case by the fact that the highly colored egg was laid first, and the spotted one last. The coloring matter is deposited on the shell while the egg is still in the oviduct, and in such a case as this either was insufficient in quan- tity, or thtough the piggishness the first egg took the lion’s share, or since the lion stands so high among beasts perhaps this would be called anormal appetite in his case. At all events we have here a_ hint well worth following up more closely than has been in the past, 7. e., whether, when such a difference occurs in a clutch, it is due to precedence in time of laying or to some other more subtle cause. Let us hear from others on this point. The second find was a Summer Yellow bird’s nest with four eggs in it. There was nothing peculiar about the eggs or nest, save the great height of the latter led to a close inspection of its structure. It was found after a little that the nest had a § PusiisHeED Montuty. t( 50c, Per YEAR. false bottom. When this was removed a cow bird’s egg was found securely packed in on the original bottom. This method of getting rid of the para- sitic egg that the cow bird is forever im- posing "on the smaller birds is, I believe, much commoner than first supposed, Ac- cording to Baird it is the invariable practice of this Summer Yellow bird, which will never under any circumstances hatch a cow bird’s egg. Nests of two stories have also been found of the white crowned sparrow, in the bottom a buried cow bird’s egg, while above were two more cow bird’s eggs and three of the rightful owners. With us here the robin, nearly all the vireos and many of the warblers have been known to become uuwilling nurses of the cow bird. ie Wee Yellow Shafted Flicker. Yesterdav, June 7th, I found a nest of the Yellow Shafted Flicker in a stump, about five feet from the ground. The nest contained eight eggs, one of which was remarkably small. I noticed at the time, that four of them looked dark and hard set; on reaching home I blew them. No. 1, 2, 8 and 4 were hard set to such an extent, that I could plainly discern the eyes of the young birds. ~The contents of No. 5 were thick and tinged with blood, while Nos. 6, 7, 8 were perfectly fresh. The following are their dimensions. Lola Webra ee 1.08 by .85 NO s5encmeet 61.00). DYESS Niol 2salesar}. 1.08 by .83 Nio6./f3 0123.88 1.06 by .84 Nov geen assis. 1.07 by .85 INP im < 5 siarstataie 1.96 by .84 No.'g.: 2.51.06 by .89 ING. Sse cnsos -70 by .56 I do not know whether it is usual for more than one to lay in the same nest, but it looks remarkably like it in this case. No. 8 is the smallest Yellow Shafted Flicker’s egg that I have ever seen, it is no larger than a Blue-bird’s egg. W. B. K., Toronto, Can. 36 Yellow Headed Blackbird. The Yellow-headed Blackblid, Xanthoc- ephlus icterocephalus, is medium between the Crow Blackbird and the Red-and-buff shouldered Blackbird, and as his name in- | dicates has a zone of yellow over the en- | tire head and extending down on to the | shoulders with a few traces of the same be- low; the remainder black- The female is a dull brown with traces of the yellow of | of the male. The Yellowhead is eminent- ly a marsh bird and may be found most abundant in the lake regions of Northern Towa and Southern Minnesota, where it breeds in the wild rice swamps, placing the carefully woven nest of grasses in a cluster of last years’ stalks; usually in a part inaccessible except by boat. I have counted over 500 nests ina tract of one- eighth of an acre, the eggsall in the same state of incubation. the nest, the owners set up a series of hoarse croakings by which others are at- tracted, when a perfect din of grating, | The grassy | cries and ‘‘squawks ” begins. materials of the west are nicely interwoven among the stalks so firmly that the struct- ure can be removed only by cutting away the stalks with the nest; height of twelve to fifteen inches, usually about four inches. The egg is dark-speckled and much re- sembles the egg of the Brown Thrush, four to five in a set. The only bad trait attributed to the Yellow-head is his habit- ual merry-making with his neighbors’ corn-fields, where he frequently ruins an entire crop, not only picking off the young plant. but literally digging up the seed. During the migration the Yellow-head is more seldom seen than other species; his flight is mostly by night, while he remains in swamps and marshes by day. — Notwithstanding his ugly habit of pelf 1 like the Yellow-head, for there is sure to be lively racket if not melody, where he casts his lot. J. W. PREsTON. Baxter, la. When any one nears | some attain a | | | THE YOUNG OOLOGIST. Inquiries and Answers. CHEWINK, ROUGH- WINGED SWALLOW. From G-8.-P., Princeton, N. J.—In your paper E. 8. B. says he ‘‘found three Chewink’s nests last summer in bushes.” I found a nest May 2nd, 1884, on the ground containing two eggs, incubation far advanced. Do they not usually lay four? A friend of mine, here, found a nest of the Rough-winged Swallow, which contained seven eggs. Is not that an un- usually large clutch ? The Chewink usually lays four or five eggs. The set of swallows is large, and from the few sets of the Roygh-winged which we have had, would say ‘‘ unusual- ly.” RESTORING AN EGG’S TRANPARENCY. From A. T. H., Boston, Mass.—Rev. J. G. Wood, the naturalist, recommends that those eggs which lose their pink trans- parency after being blown, to restore it by means of colored wax. Is that the way you do ? We have never tried it. with what success ? Who has, and FINDING EGGS ON THE GROUND. From T. F. H., GALT, Onr.—Last year a friend of mine found a perfectly fresh egg of a Wood Pewee lying among a num- ber of rocks on the bank of the river, and I myself found several eggs of the English Sparrow lying on a gravel path. Could you let me know if all birds lay their eggs on the ground at times ? All birds are apt to deposit their eggs on the ground if their nest is destroyed before they have laid their usual complement. CUCKOOS, &C. From VY. C. W., GRANVILLE, O.—I have a pet hawk which eats bread and milk. Will you please tell the difference between the Yellow-billed and the Black-billed Cuc- koos ? Also, difference between their eggs? The most noticable difference between the two Cuckoos mentioned is the yellow under mandible, and black in the tail feath- ers of the yellow-billed. The eggs of the yellow-billed are of a light greenish blue ; average dimensions, .90in. by 1.80 in. The eggs of the black-billed are of a darker greenish-blue, and smaller in size ; dimen- sions .70 in. by .98 in., to .85in, by L.10 in. Measurements of the eggs of both species were taken from eggs in our collection. THE YOUNG OOLOGIST. 37 EGGS OF THE COW BIRD. From G. K., Peoria, Inu.—Last year IT found three Cow Bird eggs in a Wood Thrush’s nest. I would like to know if any of the subscribers of THE YouNnG Oot- ogisr have ever found that many in one nest. We once found a Pewee’s nest contain- ing three pewee eggs and four eggs of the cow bird. Let us hear from others. GREAT-CRESTED FLYCATCHER, BIRDS’ NESTS. ; From R. B., SomERsET County, N. J. —On the 19th inst. I mailed to you a box containing an egg which I found in an old holiow apple tree ; the nest contained four or five eggs ; can you tell me what it is? Do Humming Birds ever use the same nest the second year when the nest is in good condition ? Your ege is that of the Great-crested Flycatcher. Who can answer the Hum- ming Bird query ? HUMMING LEAST FLYCATCHER. From C. K., AtHENs, Pa.—I have a set of eggs that [ found a short time since, which at that time I supposed to be of the Wood Pewee, but as I see by the descrip- tion in the last number of THE YounG Oo.oeisr that it does not agree with mine, I will describe the bird, nest and eggs. The nest contained five eggs, which were all pure white, exactly the shape of the com- mon pewee, and mearsured 7-16x9-16. The bird was quite a little smaller than the cemmon pewee, grayish-white breast, black head and bill, each wing had a streak of lighter colored feathers across it. The note of this bird is ‘‘ pe-wee,” but, not as the common pewee ; the first syllable is short, the second long, and rises to a very high pitch at the end. The nest was in the fork of four limbs of a small willow tree, about seven feet from the ground; I have the nest and fork. The nest is 13 in. deep, outer diameter 24 In., inner 12 in.; is built of dry grass and lined with fine roots about - the size of a horse-hair ; also quite a few orioles’ feathers were woven in. I also have a set of three eggs which I cannot identify. The nest was built in a small willow, about two feet from the ground, is very bulky, 14 in. deep, outer diameter 6 in., inner diameter 24 in. Itis built en- tirely of stiff, dry, hayey-like weeds, and lined with white horse-hair. The eggs re- semble the Song Sparrows very much, only being a little larger. The bird, as near as I can recollect, also resembles the Song Sparrow. The nest which you supposed to’ be that of the Wood Pewee is that of the Least Flycatcher. Your other nest is doubtless that of the Song Sparrow, RUSSET-BACKED THRUSH (7) From R. E. D., VANCOUVER’S ISLAND, B. C.—The egg which we send as sample is of a dark blue color, covered with brown spots, and is larger than a Hedge Sparrow’s. The bird is nearly as large as a Robin, stays mostly in dense woods, is never out in the heat of the day, but early in the morning and in the evening. Its usual note is a short whistle, late at night it may be heard with its shir-r-r-r-r-r. The nest is made of moss, lined with leaves. The bird lays three eggs. Would like to know the name. As yet we have not received, the egg , can any of our readers tell us whether it is the Russet-backed Thrush or not ? WOOD THRUSH. From R. O. 8., EN@LEWOOD, Thu. — Will you please give me a description of Wood Thrush eggs ? Coues in his ‘‘ New England Bird Life c gives the following excellent description of the nest and eggs of this bird: ‘‘ The Wood Thrush is chiefly found in low, damp woods, and in thickets. The nest is usually placed in a bush or low tree, in the situations just indicated, a few feet from the ground. It is composed of leaves and grasses, with a layer of mud, and then a lining of fine rootlets. The eggs, four or five in number, are greenish-blue, like those of the Robin, but smaller, being 1.05 to 1.12 in length by 0.68 to 0.75 in breadth. They are laid usually about the last of May.” Blue-jay, Brown Thrush. May 12th, 1884, I found a set of six Blue-jay eggs; will some one tell me if this is not an unusual number? All the sets I ever found before contained four or five, mostly five. IT also found on May 16th, a set of five Brown Thrush, I think they generally, if not always, lay four. Let me hear from some one upon the subject through THE Youne OoLoeist. R., Norwich, Conn. 38 THE YOUNG OOLOGIST. _ Date of Arrivals for 1884. (From the note book of an Otsego County Collector.) March 18—Blue Birds ; Black Birds. March 20—Meadow Larks and Robins. March 22—Song Sparrows; Pewees. March 23—Ducks, in small flocks. March 26—Geese; Passenger Pigeons. March 380—Belted King Fishers ; Gr. Blue Herons. April 13—Red Tailed Hawks ; Grakles and Swamp Sparrows. ~ April 14—Golden Winged Woodpecker; Field Sparrows. April 15—Sparrow Hawks; wee; Red-headed Woodpeckers. April 18—Spotted Sandpiper; Chipping Sparrow. April 22—Barn Swallow; Cliff Swallow and Woodcock. April 25—Cow Bird; Chimney Swift; House Wren. May 3—Rose Breasted Gresbeak; Green Heron; Goldfinches; Wilson Thrush. May 5—Balt. Oriole; Bobolink; M. Yel- low Throat; King Bird; Cat Bird. Took clutch of crow’s egg, first of the season, in freezing weather, April 14 April 19th I took my first clutch of eggs of the Red Tailed Hawk. The nest was placed in a hemlock tree, about forty feet from the ground. In the lining I noticed some thin pine shavings. I have found many nests of the Red Tailed Hawk, but have never been able to obtain the eggs be- fore. On the same day I found five nests of the crow, containing 5, 6, 4, 5 and 2 eggs, respectively. On April 25th I hap- pened near the nest from which I had taken the only two eggs a few days before, and saw the crow leave the nest. On climbing the tree I found two more eggs, one of about the ordinary size, and the other, upon measuring, I found to be 1.58 x 2.40 ins., the largest I have ever seen. May 10th I saw two nests of the Green Heron in pro- cess of construction. From the 4th until the 12th of May it rained every day, and tes has been going on rather slowly. F. L. R., West Burlington, N. Y. R. and B. S. Purple Wood Pe- Orchard Oriole. (ICTERUS SPURIEUS. ) This is another of our beautiful summer visitors, arriving about the middle of April. They commence to build about the 10th of May, but last summer while collecting in Beaufort County, 8. C., I found a nest on May 9th, which contained three eggs. I have looked back through my note book, but this is the earliest case that I can find. Here in Georgia I never found them earlier than the 16th of May. They build a beautiful nest, perfect, as a work of art surpassing anything I have ever seen in the nest line. Outwardly it is composed of a species of long, green grass, lined with the down of the Scotch thistle, which mades it very soft and warm, and is placed on the extreme end of a limb among the thick foliage, almost defying detection except to the experienced collector. Theeggs are from three to five in num- ber, and varying somewhat in size. are of a light blue color marked with blotches and lines of black umber and shades of purple. The Orchard Oriole is a good songster, having a clear and musical note. The birds are easily reared, and are often found in cages, where they seem quite contented. In Georgia they seem to prefer the sweet gum tree, at all events I have found them oftener in these trees than any other. I have found as many as six nests in less than~a quarter of a mile. There is one striking peculiarity about the nesting of this bird that Ihave noticed; this is that out of nine nests that I found one day last summer, with the exception of two, I also found the nest of the kingbird placed in the same tree and near the Oriole’s nest. Whether this holds good as arule in other placesIamunabletosay. T.D. PERRY. Long-eared Owl. On March 22d, this year, I found a Long-eared Owl’s nest, containing two eggs and one young owl. W. W. G., Stoughton, Wis. The Slip System. CLARENCE M. WEED. Every young oologist ought to be some- thing more than a mere collector. If he works only for the sake of getting a col- lection, to show ordinary friends, much as he would a collection of highly colored beads, he had better give up at once. Only when he strives to learn the habits of our feathered beauties and to discover some- thing new about them, does he deserve the title of oologist. By the slip system is meant a method of keeping notes and catalogues on slips of paper, or card-board, about the size of a postal card. This is the system adopted by many of the greatest scientists in the Uni- ted States, and is a great help to any per- son wishing to do real earnest work in al- most every branch of science. For notes, ordinary unruled book paper, cut the size ofa postal card, is best. Enough of these slips to last a year can be obtained at-any printing office for a few cents. On these every observation in regard to the nesting or other habits of each species, the color and number of eggs in a nest, the time of arrival and departure, and many other points, should be noted. Each sub- ject should be on a different slip, and the slips should be arranged alphabetically with regard to subjects. By this method a sur- prising amount of information will be ac- cumulated in a single season, in a form that is readily accessible. The best slip-holder for beginners isa piece of manilla or other thick paper, cut twice the width of the slip, and then doubled. This is held by a rub- ber band. It is a good plan to have a sep- arate slip for the notes on each species. The advantages of this system are its handiness and ease of reference. As the slips can: be carried in the pocket, notes can be made on the spot, which makes them much more valuable, and, aS new observations are made, they can at once be slipped in their proper place. For catalogues, each egg should have a slip bearing the same number and giving THE YOUNG OOLOGIST. 39 date, locality, and so forth. When an egg is lost or exchanged, a new slip may be substituted and another egg given the same - number. oo—_—_—__ Turkey Buzzard. DeaR Epiror: One thing which I overlooked in my last was the allusion to the Turkey Buzzard’s egg in THE YouNG OoLocist. I have two specimens in my collection, one ‘‘found under a shelving rock” on the east side of Beaucatcher Mountain, near Ashville, N. C. The first year I found the young birds two as ugly specimens of Ornithology as I ever en- countered. The following year I went earlier (the last days of March), and found only one egg which I took, fearing to wait for another. The bird then abandoned that locality. The eggs are not ‘‘ blue,” neither are there any ‘‘pink spots” on them. Mr. Lusk must have found a ‘‘mare’s nest.” The specimen which lies before me has a creamy white ground, dotted all over with spots and blotches of chocolate brown from the nearest dot to spots 4 inch in diameter and intermingled with fainter markings and scratchings of a clay-blue and lighter shades of brown, more thickly at the large end. The other egg is similar, and was given to me by a young collector near the same place. There is no mistake about either of them. Yours truly, N. A. S. York, Neb. ————-e —> -2e Marsh Hawk. _ Saturday, May 10th, while collecting in a marsh, I found the nest of a Marsh Hawk, containing five bluish-white eggs, faintly marked with reddish brown spots. F. G. O., Lapeer, Mich. Two gentlemen, one named Woodcock, the other Fuller, walking together, hap- pening to see an owl, the last said: ‘‘ That bird is very much like a Woodcock.” ‘* You are very wrong.” said the first; ‘‘for it’s Fuller in the head, Fuller in the eyes, and Fuller all over.” 40 THE YOUNG OOLOGIST. THE YOUNG OOLOGIST "EDITED AND PUBLISHED MONTHLY — BY — PReNe H. LATTIN, GAINES, N. Y. ‘Gaaeaaces and items of interest to the OoLo- Gist, and Specimen and Curiosity collectors solicited from all. Terms of Subscription. Single Subscription - ~ 50 cents per annum. Sample Copies, = - - - 5 cents each. The above rates include postage. Rare Specimens will be offered, from time to time, at aslight advance on regular rates, to induce persons to subscribe. Terms of Advertising. Single insertion, 20 cents per line, nonpareil. 1 mo. 3 mo. 6 mo. 1 yr. Five lines, 1 00 2 50 4 00 6 00 One inch, 2 00 5 00 8 00 12. 00 ie column, 7 00 17 50 28 06 42 00 ve 13 00 32 50 52 00 78 00 One page, 25 00 62 50 100 00 150 00 Advertisements under five lines, charged one line extra. Yearly advertisements payable quarterly in advance. No deviation in any case from the above rates. Remittances should be made by draft on New York ; money order or postal note payable at Albion, N. Y.; or by registered letter. Unused U.S. postage stamps of any denomination will be accepted for sums under one dollar. Address all subscriptions and communications tt THE YOUNG OOLOGIST, GaingEs, Orleans Co., N. Y. (8 Make money orders and drafts payable to FRANK H.LATTIN. JOTTINGS. In marking eggs collectors should always use a Soft lead pencil. We have several files full of valuable items from our friends. These will be used at the earliest possible period. During tne month of July we will send THE YoOuNG OoLocistT and one of our rubber stamp outfits for only 65 cents. Tue YounG OoLoeist without the outfit for 58 cents. In regard to the American Peregrine Falcon; Duck Hawk, J. R. B., of Windsor, Vt., wfites us, that he has found where they are breeding; easily accessible; do not know as I shall get any this year, but think I can ‘‘monopolize” the locality in the future. P. B. H., of Sherwood, Cayuga Co., N. Y., found a set of Mottled Owl eggs during the latter part of May. Mr. I. Tennant, of Stoke, England, has our thanks for the set of Tabular Views of Characteristic British Fossils, stratigraphic- ally arranged, and the valuable papers which he kindly sent us. Collectors desiring to purchase or ex- change desirable specimens should try our exchange and want column. Several par- ties write us that they have received over forty replies from a single notice. If each and every one of our present subscribers will send us only one sub- scription during the month of July we will have THE Youne OoLoaistT neatly covered, and have our advertisements con- fined strictly to the cover pages. To Eprrors AND PUBDISHERS.—We will send THk YouNnG OoLogisT one year to any editor or publisher who will give it a notice, favorable or otherwise, and send us a marked copy of his paper containing the same. On the 8d of May I observed a Golden Eagle soaring at a good height, north of this city. There are few birds besides - Crows, Bluebirds, and Robins breeding here yet. (May 7th.) F. D., Toronto, Ont. S. L. W., of Grinnell, Iowa, writes us: A companion Oologist of mine last season saved some hawk’s eggs, which contained young birds; by putting lye into the eggs, this, of course, destroyed the chicks, and made it possible to blow theeggs. Another way is, to put the egg into an ant-hill, leaving it there until the ants have eaten the inside. We often receive a dozen or more pack- ages at a single mail, consequently it is almost impossible for us to tell who they are from unless the sender’s name is either written, stamped or printed on the wrap- per. THE YOUNG OOLOGIST. 4I Prof. Ballard’s Hand-book of the Agas- siz Association, at hand. After hastily glancing over the contents, must say that it will be almost invaluable, not only to the members of the Agassiz Association, but to any beginner in the study of the natural sciences, while our older Naturalists will find many valuable and interesting hints and items. The little book, of nearly 120 pages, contains twice the matter that books of that class usually contain, and is pub- lished at the same price, viz: 50 cents. To give the readers of Tok YounG OoLoaist some idea of the contents we take the fol- lowing from the chapter on exchanging. We trust our friends will read it carefully and profit by it, not only for our but for their own good : ‘‘In preparing packages for the mail, be sure that you enclose the specimens in a box sufficiently strong to withstand the fre- quent concussions of the way, and so se- | _ curely wrapped and tied that it shall not become undone. About one third of the packages received here, are broken on the way. Minerals should be separately wrap- ped in paper or cloth before being put into the box. Eggs may safely be sent in aug- ur holes bored in little blocks of wood. Flowers and ferns should be carefully pressed between strong sides of paste-board. Insects should be pinned with the utmost possible strength and care, into boxes thor- oughly lined with cork, very strong, light, and doubly wrapped. Beetles and bugs may be sent in cotton, like eggs. Always prepay postage in full. Enclose no writing in package (except labels of specimens, which are allowed) but never neglect to ac- company the package with a postal card or letter, describing contents, stating from whom it comes, and rehearsing what you expect in exchange. It is often utterly im- possible to determine the sender of a pack- age, or what to send in return. Tie the parcel strongly, but do not seal it, unless you wish to pay letter postage. One or two fine specimens are always more accept- able than several inferior ones.”’ Also, from the chapter on reports we | take the following items: ——s = COW BLACK BIRDS. I found four Cow Birds’ eggs in a nest with one of the Wilson’s Thrush. Has any one else found so many in one nest? X. NIGHT HAWK ASLEEP. Last August, I saw, about 7 o’clock one evening, what I took to be a dead bird ly- ing on a stone wall by the road side. It was half lying, half leaning against a stone. I clambered up the bank to get it, making some noise. Just as I put out my hand to pick it up, with a great flap and rush by my face, the bird soared up into the air. As soon as it opened its wings, I knew it to be a Night Hawk by the white spots on the under side of them, and by the peculiar cry it uttered. Wm. CARTER, — The Black Stilt. This bird has begun to arrive in large numbers on this coast (about May 1st). However, owing to the protracted rain they are a little late this season. They are in very poor condition on account of their long flight from the lower part of the United States and Mexico, where they spend the winter. They breed about the middle of May, the eggs may be obtained fresh until the middle of June. They usu- ally congregate in large flocks ‘in some suitable locality, and build their nests close together a score or more often being found within a few yards of each other. The nest is composed of small sticks and roots, closely put together, and placed among the grass on the margin of some lake or river. The eggs are four in num- ber, speckled, and resemble the eggs of the Killdeer, but about twice their size. Towards the last of August, the young birds having attained their growth, they begin to assemble flocks to leave in large numbers, and six weeks later there will ‘be very few if any remaining. Such are the uabits of the ‘‘ Black Stilt” as nearly as I can ascertain during their breeding season. A. M. SHIELDs, Los Angeles, Cal. 42 THE YOUNG OOLOGIST. Queries Answered. J. H., MippLeport, N. Y.—Can’t say positively what your egg is. If you had sent description of bird, could doubtless have identified egg. J. W., GOUVERNEUR, N. Y.—Eggs sent for name were as follows: 1. Scarlet Tanager. 2. Cliff Swallow. (?) 4. Purple Grakle. 5. Song Sparrow. 6. English Sparrow. N. A. §., York, Nes.—All numbers used by us in marking eggs, in our cor- respondence or exchanges, are those used in the Smithsonian Catalogue, (1881 edition). Coues’ work describes the birds of the Pacific Coast. J. W. H. Jr., MippLeport, N. Y.—No. 1 is the white-rumped Shrike. No. 2, Downy Woodpecker. C. H., BENNINGTON, Vt.—The Brown Thrush is often called the Brown Thrasher. The bird which you call the Tipup or Spotted Tattler is the Spotted Sandpiper. The nest you found was that of the White- rumped Shrike. M.S. P., NASHVILLE, TENN.—The nest and egg which you sent for identification is that of the Blue-gray Gnat-catcher. Coues in his key to N. A. Birds gives the following excellent description of the nest and eggs of this bird : ““The nest is a model of bird-architec- ture, compact walls and contracted at the brim, elegantly stuccoed with lichens, fixed to slender twigs at a varying distance from 10 to 50 or 60 feet ; eggs 4-5 about 0.60 x 0.45, whitish, fully speckled with reddish and amber brown and lilac.” A. C.8., Fr. Mapison, [a.—From de- scriptions which you give, should think that No. 1 was the Yellow-billed Cuckoo ; No. 2, Summer Yellow Bird. A. B. W., Cuinton, Wis.—The bird which you call ‘‘Common Snipe,” is the Spotted Sandpiper. F. C. J., Rep Hoox, N Y.—Your Thrush queries are answered elsewhere in this number. A. T. R., Puiua., Pa.—Cannot positive- ly name egg from description given. H. B., Fuutron, N. Y.—There is no common Sparrow, except the English, that breeds in holes in trees. EK. De 'L., Exiicorr Crry, Mp.,—All descriptions of eggs sent for name, must be accompanied with full description of nest and bird ; or, which is better still, with a skin of the bird, if you wished them named with certainty. J..M. A., JR., MURFREESBORO, TENN. —The two Whip-poor-will eggs which you found are worth, at dealers rates, $1 each. C. R. E., Freprrick Crry, Mp.—The “odd” egg which you found in the Chip- ping Sparrow’s nest was that of the Cow Bird. The eggs of the Baltimore Oriole often have brown scrawls on them. JUMBO, JERSEY City, N. J.—The larger mineral specimen you sent for identifica- tion was Feldspar; the smaller one the same, containing Galena. H. W. B., PuLatTtsvitizE, CrT.— The Hawk eggs which you sent (1b and 1c) were both eggs of the Cooper Hawk. A. V. B., Sr. Josepnu, Mo.—The eggs which you found in the Chewink’s nest were those of the Cow Bird. We hardly think the Dwarf Cow Bird breeds very ex- — tensively, if at all, in Missouri. Who can informs us with certainty? R. B., Miuustonr, N. J.—The correct name for the bird so commonly called ‘‘Shite Poke,” is Green Heron. Cow Bird eggs are white, thickly specked with various shades of brown. L. E. J., Cotton, WasH. TER.— Your Black Bird eggs are those of the Red-and- black-shouldered Black Bird. H. D., Fr. Mapison, Ia.—Your de- scriptions are hardly complete enough to accurately name the eggs. W.H., SHELBYVILLE TENN.—A corre- spondent from Houma, La., writes us that if you want eggs to retain their natural color and not fade, to rinse them with a so- lution of isinglass and sugar. He also states that this will not only keep them from fading, but strengthens them. S. M.—1, cle ia aiautie 2, Satie | Yellow Bird; 3, Wood Thrush. The re- mainder of your eggs we can not positively identify from-descriptions given. G. B. P., Parrerson, N. J.—From your description should think your nest was one of the Herons. C. H. D., SHaron, Wis.—Your Hawk is doubtless the Swainson’s or the Red-tail. J. A. C., Jonnstown, N. Y.—Don’t keep your eggs in saw-dust, or any other material that can work in the holes that are made in blowing the eggs. For correct manner, carefully read THE Youne Oo1- OGIST. J. 8. B., Curcaco.—We are always glad to obtain eggs of the Red-headed Wood- pecker at one-half rates in exchange. A. L H., Rockport, Mass.:-— Embryo Hooks are used to remove the contents of eggs in which incubation is far advanced. _ Every collector should have one, as many rare specimens can be saved by their use. A pin with the point slightly bent will an- swer very well in case you have not a reg- ular hook. For data blanks see June YouneG Ooxoeist. L. A. W., AND OTHERS.—We do not pay contributors for items, and are happy to say that there are hundreds of collectors in the United States who take enough interest in our work to forward us valuable little items and newsy notes from time to time, gratuitously. We most heartily thank our many friends for these valuable little notes, and in payment for them will endeavor to give them good exchange in other items through the columns of Taz Youne Oot- OGIST. R. M., LaCrosse, Wis.—For ego cases, cabinets, &c., we refer our readers to Mr. H. P. Mitchell, Gaines, N. Y., whose ad. appears in another column. Mr. M. has had considerable experience in that line of work, and we can assure our friends who may see fit to favor him with their orders that “satisfaction” will be ‘‘guaranteed.” W.S. B., Lansine, Micuo.—The Caro- lina and Sora Rail are the same bird. THE YOUNG Mia a | easy 43 Ww. Y. P. Aanttiees (ue _The bird - which is ccuuntuule called the Bull-bat, es- pecially in the South, is the Night Hawk. F. D., Toronro, Onr.—The Bronzed Cow Bird is a Mexican bird, and is found along the Mexican border of the U. 8. Its eggs are entirely different than those of our common Cow Bird—in color being of a greenish white. We have several in stoek and in color they closely resemble those of the Indigo-bunting. Perhaps they are faded a little. Average measurements about .90 x .70. Notes from Peoria, I. This spring I have found two nests of the Great Horned Owl, also, one nest of the Bald Eagle ; the latter was about fifty feet from the ground, placed in a cottonwood tree. Among the several Hawk nests that I have found this season was that of the Black Hawk (American Rough-legged Hawk) a very rare bird in this locality. I tried to secure the birds, but failed. I have several varieties of eggs that are not men- tioned in your list, the rarest of which is the Hooded Merganser (Hooded Sheldrake. ) I found the nest on April 20, 1881, in the hollow of a willow tree, about fifteen feet from the ground. In the nest, or rather hole, for there seemed to be no nest other than rotten wood, were twelve eggs, these hidden under a covering of down from the breast of the bird. Both the eggs, except- ing three that I have exchanged, and the down are in my possession. In the ‘‘Ool- ogist”’ you state that the Scarlet Tanager builds in hemlock trees, as we have no hem- lock here, they build mostly in the elm. I also found the nest of the Great Crested Fly-catcher, composed mostly of feathrrs, and containing six eggs. W.S. C. The largest number of subscribers we have yet received from any one person does not exceed five. Collectors should go to work in earnest in soliciting subscrip- tions. At least ten or a dozen of our friends will receive on the 10th of August, from five to ten times the amount of money they have sent us. 44. THE YOUNG OOLOGIST. Wilson’s Thrush. As we have had many inquiries in regard to the nesting of this bird, for the benefit of our readers we take the following article, written by C. O. Tracy, of Taftsville, Vt., from an 1882 Ornithologist and Oologist : ‘‘Wilson’s Thrush, except the robin, is the most abundant thrush of this locality. Although found plentifully in nearly all situations, its favorite haunts are low, swampy woods. The past summer a pair of these thrushes built their nest and reared their young within fifty yards of my house. The site selected for their nest was by the roadside, under an.elm tree, among the rank, growing-male ferns. ‘They seemed to be an unusually social pair, and came | about.the house searching for food, show- ing no signs of fear. Teams were constant- ly passing within eight feet of their nest. Of twelve sets which I collected this sum- mer, seven contained 4,. four 3, and one 2 eggs, each. The set containing but two eggs was taken July 26th, and would un- doubtedly have contained one or two more had I left the nest undisturbed.’ The ear- liest set was taken May 30th. Six sets measure as follows: Set of four, collected May 30th, 92x66, 90x65, 88x65, 88x65 ; set of four, collected June 5th, 88x65, 87x65, 86x65, 85x65; set of four, collected June Sth, 89x68, 88x67, 89x66, 92x65; set of three, collected June 13th, 85x68, 84x67, 85x68 ; set of three, collected June 20th, 84x70, 87x69, 84x69 ; set of three, collected June 28th, 80x60, 76x62, 80x60. “The set taken June 28th was, I think, | the third litter laid-by that. pair of birds, which will account for the small size of the eggs. The eggs are oval, but vary some- what in shape ; their color is bluish-green, a little darker than than those of the Blue Bird, and lighter: than those of the Cat Bird. The nest is placed on or near the ground, but usually in a low bush within a few inches of the ground, and is composed of leaves, dried grass and weeds, lined with fine roots, strips of bark, and often hair. There is but little variation in the nests which I have examined in this locality.” Cedarbirds in California. On May 13th, I received a bird from a friend, killed in his cherry orchard, which | he called the Cedarbird, or cherry bird. It is a. wax-wing, having six waxen points on its wing. I mention this because I had never before seen one here, and was ’ not aware that they were found in California. G. C.-C., Petaluma, Cal. ( ‘‘Tomtit,” “Titmouse” and ‘‘Wheat- bird.” I have lived for the past. five years in North Carolina and studied the birds there. The following are the correct names of the birds which your southern correspond- ents mentioned: The ‘‘ tomtit ” is the Carolina Titmouse (Parus carolinensis). The ‘‘titmouse ” is the Tufted Titmouse (Lophophanes bicolor). Another Southern name for this bird is ‘‘ fairy bird.” There are two birds called ‘‘wheatbird,” one the blue grosbeak (Guiraca evruleca) and the other the Indigo bunting (Passerina cyaned). Are not.the above statements correct? , E. T. ADNEY. — —— Removing Stains, &c. Noticing in one of the columns of Quer- ries concerning stains on eggs, I would say, try a piece of felt dipped in Muriatic acid, of equal dilution, just so as to be damp, all free drops should be wiped off cloth, and then apply carefully to spots. W.S. B., Mineralogist. West Medford, Mass. —- << Ink Stains. In the last YounG@ Oonoaist there was a query about the best mode to remove ink stains from eggs. We think of the different methods we have tried that the following is the best: ‘Take a gill of water and dissolve in 5 cents worth of ox- olic acid, and unless the shell is very rough it will remove the stain immediately.” Yours truly, G. A. & D. A. Loomis, North Granville, N. Y. ——_—=< <> __- To any person sending us 50 cents for one year’s subscription to THE YOUNG OOLOGIST, with 15 cents additional to pay the postage, packing, &c., we will send any one of the following articles as a premium : 1—One egg of the Yucatan Jay, 2—One egg of the Euphonia, ' 3—One egg of the Gular (?) Oriole, Icterus Gularis. 4—One Mazan Creek Fossil Fern, 5—Two Abalone or Pear] Shells. HE YOUNG OOLOGIST The Screech Owl. After few days the weather grew intense- ly cold, the thermometer running ten de- grees below zero. Making a professional visit on one of these bitter days, as I drove into the barn-yard to unharness my horse, I noticed the result of quite a little tragedy in the animal kingdom. Some fifteen feet up the side of the barn hung a Screech Owl (Scops asio), caught by one foot under a large batten partly sprung off from the building. It was frozen stiff, its eyes standing out white and ghastly with the expansion of the frost ; and just above it, seemingly caught under the same batten, and frozen in like manner, was a common mouse; thus both had been turned into ice in the very act of the chase. This bird is abundant here throughout the year, but is more noticeable in winter, as it then approaches the barn and the out- buildings, probably in search of food and shelter. In late summer and early autumn it may be heard about the orchard or the edge of the wood ; in the evening, uttering a soft whinny, not at all to be compared, however, to ‘‘ Screeching.” Thoreau, des- cribing the sounds within hearing of his hut at Walden Lake, gives special promi- nence to the vocal performance of this bird. He says: ‘‘It is no honest and blunt tu-whit, tu-who of the poets, but, withont jesting, a most solemn. graveyard ditty, the mutual consolations of suicide lovers remembering the pangs and the delights of supernal love in the infernal groves. Yet I love to hear their wailing, their doleful responses, trilled along the road-side, re- minding me sometimes of music and sing- ing birds ; as if it were the dark and tear- ful side of music, the regrets and sighs that would feign be sung. They are the spirits, the low spirits of melancholy fore- bodings of fallen souls that once in human Volkl, No 4. GAINES, N. Y., AUG., 1884. { Pus.isHep MonrHLy. ) 50c. Per YEAR. Shape night-walked the earth, and did the deeds of darkness, now expiating their sins with their wailing hymns or threnodies in the scenery of their transgressions. They give me a new sense of the variety and ca- pacity of that nature which is our common dwelling. Oh-o-o-0-0 that I never had been bor-r-r-r-r-n! sighs one on this side of the pond, and circles with the restlessness of of despair to some new perch on the gray oaks. Then—that I never had been bor-r-r- r-n! echoes another on the further side with tremulous sincerity, and bor-r-r-r-n / comes from far in Lincoln woods.” About nine inches long, with 'large ear- tufts, ash-gray above, with a lighter shade of the same beneath, all over mottled and streaked with black, the biack streaks be- neath again crossed with black and accom- panied with reddish tints, white markings on the shoulders—sometimes the general ash-gray above mentioned being entirely replaced by reddish ; this bird can never be mistaken. H. D. Minot says: ‘‘ The eggs are laid in the hollow of a tree, an apple-tree being frequently selected, in which are often placed a few simple ma- terials, such as leaves or dried grass. The eggs, of which four are laid about the middle of April, average 1.85x1.80 of an inch. They are white, and nearly spher- ical.” The almost round, white eggs, generally pure white and about equal at both ends, and with a fine surface, are characteristic of the Owls. Mr. W. Perham (at Tyngsboro, Mass.) often secures the nest of this species .by on trees in the woods ‘‘ sections of hollow trunks, boarded up at the open ends, with entrance-holes cut in the sides,” the bird appropriating these instead of natural cavities or deserted Woodpeckers’ nests, ‘both as roosting and nesting places.” As with the Owls in general, this species, when in the down is pure white. Being re THE YOUNG OOLOGIST. very small except the bill and feet, it might be mistaken for a little white ban- tam chicken. A pretty sight, indeed, is this snow white brood of little creatures, inahole of some old apple tree, in the thick, shadowy part of the orchard, or in some partially decayed tree in the edge of a dense woods. On one of the last days of May (1880), I was surprised, while passing through the woods, by something which seemed to me at first sight a large bunch of gray wool on a limb some fifteen feet from the ground, but which, on closer examination, proved to be four young Screech Owls. nearly full grown, well fledged, and sitting so closely together, and so perfectly still, as to re- quire quite an effort to define them to the eye. They were a weird sight. The plumage was soft and downy, the color cold gray, thus refuting the theory that the red garb, in which this bird is often found, is the immature dress. The same species seems to be sometimes red, and sometimes gray, independant of age or sex. In the latter part of June, the same year on entering the woods at late twilight, a bird flew at his my head, uttering a hoarse guttural scream, followed by a sharp snapping of the bill. It proved to be a Screech Owl, probably a parent bird, with young near by. Including a number of varieties, this Owl inhabits North America at large.— From Rev. J. H. Langille’s, ‘‘ Our Birds in their haunts.’ , The Importance of Identification. Having been a collector of birds eggs for many years, I feel that I have a right to call the boys’ attention to the greatest error which they generally make at the be- ginning of their career as Oologists ; that is the collecting of eggs not fully iden- tified. In many of their collections you will find eggs marked ‘‘hen hawk” or ‘‘oround bird,” when in fact either of these names will apply equally well to several varieties, and neither egg is of any scientific value unless better named, and when I say better named I mean correctly named also. Unless you are positively cer- tain that you know the bird by seeing it do not take the eggs till you can take the bird. This will seem to many cruel ad- vice but if you will collect at all, you should collect in such a way that your col- lection will be of value. There are many ways of taking the bird, the most satisfac- tory way being to shoot her, but as many of you have no gun, you will have to fall back upon the various kinds of traps. Of these by far the most useful is a simple snare of horse-hair for small birds, and of twisted horse-hair for large ones. These snares will very seldom fail to catch the bird, if properly placed about the nest. There are various other traps well known to most of you, but they are not so certain to take the correct bird as the snare, for it often happens, that other birds besides the owners of the nest are about, sometimes seeking for food which is commonly most plentiful in just the places where you will find the nests, and sometimes like your- selves birds-nesting. So it is very necess- ary that you should be certain that the bird you take is the one that owns the nest. The next most important thing after most positively identifying the eggs, is to make such a record that all your trouble may not be wasted by your own forget- fullness. Put a number on each egg with a lead pencil, and number each egg alike ; then in a blank book kept for the purpose enter the number, and opposite it the name, date, locality, number of eggs in the set, how they were identified, as ‘‘ both birds shot,” or ‘‘female snared.” as the case may be, full description of the nest as to size, inside and outside, diameter and depth construction, material, and how and in what sort of a tree it was placed, whether in the woods or fields, whether the locality was wet or dry, and any other information you may think of value. A set of eggs so identified and with such a record is worth a hundred carelessly col- lected. In conclusion let me ask you to always remember that the value of a collection does not depend upon its numbers but on the scientific accuracy of its collector.— The Collector. Be Anat THE YOUNG OOLOGIST. 53 . Correspondence. THE SUMMER YELLOW-BIRD AND COW- , RIRD AGAIN, From E. §S. B., Rock Isuanp, InL.— In regard to the habit common to some of our birds of ridding themselves of the Cow-birds’ egg left in their nests, by cover- ing the eggs and enlarging their nest, C. W. B. states, that according to Baird, it is the invariable custom of the Summer Yel- low-bird. Now either C. W. B. or Prof. Baird must be mistaken, for in this locality, while two-story nests of the Summer Yel- low-bird are of frequent occurrence, nests containing young Cow-buntings, or incub- ated eggs, are not uncommon. I recently found a vireo’s nest of unusual heighth, in which, on examination. were found two Cow-bird’s eggs securely imbedded. The nest had been deserted, probably upon the Cow-bird again revisiting it. I have often found nests containing as many as three Cow-bird eggs, and once or twice have found four in nests of the Wood Thrush, which rarely escape the Cow-bird here. DAKOTA JOTTINGS. REDFIELD, Dax.—I send a few notes from observations here during the past five weeks, which may be of interest. I have found nests of Marsh Black-bird, Bank Swallow, Summer Yellow-bird, Yellow- billed Cuckoo, Crow Black-bird, Wilson’s Thrush (6), King-bird, Sandpiper (?) Least Flycatcher, Turtle Dove, Brown Thrush and others. Whip-poor-wills breed here. I think Night-hawks, Plovers and Meadow Larks abound. The Lark often sings from the tops of houses in this town of 800 people. I think the Great Crested Fly-catcher is here. Is this it? A bird associating with King-birds, larger than them, back ashy gray, head, neck and throat slaty blue, belly sulpher yellow, wings tiffed with light brown? They flutter about, making a great and continuous racket when I approach a King-birds nest. I have found nests, which seemed certainly to belong to them, for when I took the nest away the pair came up and mouned piteously, but the eggs don’t at all answer _ descriptions, but more like Wood-pewee’s. ~Cas-birds and Cow-birds breed. Horned Larks are here in small numbers. found no nests. Maryland Yellow Throats breed here. I found in one Wilson’s Thrush’s nest two Cow-bird’s eggs, one of which was pushed down out of sight in the middie of the nest. One of your correspondents asks if 5 eggs is not an unusually large set of Brown Thrush’s eggs. In lIowa, where that I have thrush is one of the commonest road-side breeders, 5 eggs is the usual set. . Red-shouldered Hawk. (Buteo lineatus.) (FOR THE YOUNG OOLOGIST.) This bird is a rather common resident of Massachusetts throughout the year. It is the most noisy of its family, during spring especially, when it would be difficult to ap- proach a large piece of woods without hearing its shrill cry, ‘‘ Ka-hee, ka-hee,” as it is seen sailing in rapid circles at a very great height above the trees. At the approach of spring this species begins to pair. This happens about the first of April. The top of a tall tree seems to be preferred to any other place for a nest. The nest is a bulky affair built of sticks and twigs and lined with feathers, moss and the inner bark of the chestnut. The nest is quite often of sufficient bulk to fill a bushel basket. I have found several nests of this hawk. Some of them were not over fifteen feet from the ground ; others from forty to fifty. This bird lays three and four eggs, but sometimes only two. The eggs vary a great deal both in color and markings. In some the ground color is a dirty white and marked with large blotched lines and dots of amber brown of various shades, from quite light to dark. Others are covered with faint dots of purple and lilac, and look as if they had received a thin coat of whitewash over the dots. And still others are of a dirty . yellowish white color, without spots or marks of any kind. The average dimen- sions of several specimens is 2 by 1 11-16 inches. They are usually laid about the 20th of April in Massachusetts. C. D. Purmurpes, Dighton, Mass. 72 THE YOUNG OOLOGIS! EDITED AND PUBLISHED MONTHLY FRANK H. LATTIN, GAINES, N. Y. Correspondence and items of interest to the OoLo- cist, and Specimen and Curiosity collectors solicited from all. - Terms of Subscription. 50 cents per annum. Single Subscription - - 5 cents each. Sample Copies, = - - - The above rates include postage. Rare Specimens will be offered, from time to time, at aslight advance on regular rates, to induce persons to subscribe. Terms of Advertising. Single insertion, 20 cents per line, nonpareil. 1 mo. 3 mo. 6 mo. 1 yr. Five lines, 1 00 2 50 4 00 6 00 One inch, 2 00 5 00 8 00 12 00 1-2 column, 7 00 17 50 28 006 42 00 1 5 13 00 32 50 52 00 78 00 One page, 25 00 62 50 100 00 150 00 Advertisements under five lines, charged one line | extra. Yearly advertisements payable quarterly in advance. No deviation in any case from the above rates. Remittances should be made by draft on New | York ; money order or postal note payable at Gaines, | N. Y.; or by registered letter. Unused U. S. postage stamps of any denomination will be accepted for sums under one dollar. Address all subscriptions and communications to THE YOUNG OOLOGIST, GaInEs, Orleans Co., N. Y. (2 Make money orders and drafts payable to FRANK H.LATTIN. eal JOTTINGS. The October number of THE YounG OoLoGistT promises to be very interesting. The page ot ‘‘ Queries Answered” has been necessarily omitted from this number. T. D. Perry, Savannah, Ga., has found several nests of the Bachman’s Finch. W.H. B., Lebanon, Ohio, says he has been ‘‘out west,” and there “Partridge” | means ‘‘ Prairie Chicken” ; the Common Quail is also frequently called ‘‘Partridge.”’ T. B. H., Sherwood, N.Y., sends us an interesting story of his capture of a Mot- tled Owl and twelve eggs, which he ob- tained by removing the eggs as they were deposited In the nest. THE YOUNG OOLOGIST. E. §. C., Huron, D.T., wishes to know if it iscommon for Mallard and Ruddy Ducks to lay in the same nest, and says he has found a nest containing 8 Mallard eggs and 8 of the Ruddy. Theeggs were fresh. es L. M. Davies, Newburgh, O., has found a nest of the Savannah Sparrow, containing two eggs of the owner and two of the Cow- bird. He wishes the opinion of others as to whether the set is complete or not. L. M. 8., Newburgh, Cuyahoga Co., O., sends his receipt for mending cracked eggs. It is to hold the eggs firmly together and brush them with collodion. He gives T'he Collector credit for first calling his attention to the fact. L. G. S., Schuyler’s Lake, N.Y., writes that his brother found a young Robin who had not its eyes open. He put the bird in a Pewee’s nest, in which there were eggs not hatched. The old bird fed the Robin, who now rules the roost and sits on the young Pewees, four in number. W. E. H., Jr... Winston, N.C., inquires the number of eggs the Logcock (Pileated wood-pecker) lays in aset. He thinks six, as none of the nests he has found have ex- ceeded that number except one, which he found near Farmville, Va., containing eight. F. P., Lake City, Minn., has found two Barred Owls’ nests this year, not more than 2U0 feet apart. The first nest was in a birch tree about 75 feet from the ground, and contained one egg, which he left for a set. The second contained five eggs. The owls were very savage. The nest was made of sticks. and lined with feathers of the Ruffled Grouse. He returned to the place in about a week to secure the set which had one egg, but when he was within a few feet of the nest a Flying Squirrel ran out of the nest, and on looking at it the nest contained but a few crumbled egg- shells. He inquires if any of our readers have ever known of the Flying Squirrel eating eggs. THE YOUNG OOLOGIST. 73 During the months of Septsonber and October we will send THE YounG OoLo- Gis? one year and any one of the following works, post-free, for only 95 cents : Arabian: Nights. Sketch Book. Tom Brown’s School Days. Don Quixote. East Lynne. Dickens’ (Charles) History of England. Robinson Crusoe. 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. Ivanhoe. Willy Reilly. Gulliver’s Travels and Baron Munchau- sen. Swiss Family, Robinson. Thaddeus of Warsaw. Paul and Virginia Parselas, and Vicar of Wakefield. Grimms’ Popular Tales. Tour of the World in Eighty Days. Ballard’s Hand-book of the Agassiz As- sociation. All of the above works are handsomely bound in cloth and gold, and, with the ex- ception of the last, contain from three or four hundred to over six hundred pages each, F. E. L., Salt Lake City, writes that | during a recent trip on Great Salt Lake he collected eggs of the White Pelican and the California Gull. J. W., Paw-Paw, Mich., says he has found a Warbling Vireo nest lined with a Sunday school lesson leaf. This speaks well for the morals of Paw-Paw birds, but not so for the boys who are so careless with their Sunday school papers. H. A. H.. Berkely, Cal.—-This corres- -pondent says that in the nest of a Red Shafted Flicker he found three Flicker’s eggs. He took two, leaving one. The _next day he found three deposited in the same nest. He took them, and going next day found two more. This leads him to believe that two Flickers sometimes use the same nest. The. competition for the 100 prizes offered for obtaining subscribers by the publisher of Tok YounGe Oo oaist closed August 20th. Every person who sent us only a single subscriber will receive a prize. The ten best prizes will be award- ed as follows 1. John T. Nientimp, Rochester, N.Y. 2. H. W. Hayford, North Conway,N.H. H. W. Davis, North Granville, N: Y. Geo. W. Tripp, Adrian, Mich. T. H. Spaulding, Albion, N.Y. . Geo. Phillips, Sterling, Ills. . Ned. K. Swigart, Toledo, O. C. E. Stowe, Ashburnham, Mass. . A. M. Shields, Los Angeles, Cal. 10. Charles Cook, Syracuse, N.Y. The above parties sent us clubs ranging from four to about thirty subscribers each. OS? White Pelican. - ~ ( O -3D Our collector at Minneapolis, from whom we expected to receive a large number of White Pelican eggs, writes us that he has been unable to procure any. He says that Devil’s Lake, Dakota, where the birds are usually very plentiful, is this year deserted by them. Last season eggs were easily ob- tainable, one man getting over a barrel of them. The Pelicans were certainly a beau- tiful feature of the lake. When there last summer I saw a large flock of them, per- haps several thousand. As the steamer neared them the engineer blew the whistle and they all flew. Thesky was white with them for a space the length of four hun- dred feet or more at a height of perhaps seventy-five feet. Where the birds have gone is a mystery. Sod ee) Ls SL OEE Our Catalogue. Our new catalogue is now partially printed, but we will not again attempt to name any definite time when it will be ready for delivery, but can assure our friends who have already purchased a copy that it will be forwarded them as soon as we can get itfrom the binder. As we gave our printer the copy nearly a month ago, we feel somewhat inclined to ‘‘saddle” the cause of fhe delay upon him. 74 THE YOUNG OOLOGIST. A RARA AVIS. “The Sealskin-bird,” ‘‘ Monkey-faced Owl.” (?) We find space for the following which several friends have clipped for us : Mr. Henry Torstadt, who resides upon Eleventh, between Maple street and Broad- way, Lousville, Ky., is the possessor of the strangest living creature ever seen. Mr. Torstadt has already been offered $100 for the bird repeatedly, and has invariably refused it. Several ornithologists and nat- uralists in the east and one in Chicago, upon finding they could not buy it, have notified Mr. Torstadt that they intend com- ing to Louisville to see what they believe to be the missing link, between the bird and beast creation. Mr. Ross says the bird, though ouly a short time in the pos- session of Mr. Torstadt, has become so famous in Louisville that it is visited daily by hundreds of people, many of whom are ladies. From the ladies it got the name of ‘‘ the seal skin bird.” Mr. Ross says it was shot in the left wing, fell to the ground and was captured by Mr. Torstadt’s brother-in-law, while hunting near Louis- ville. It is about the size of a hen, but has a monkey-shaped face with a beak like no other bird that has ever been seen. The beak is very short and shovel-shaped, and has a destructive capacity beyond that of a bald eagle. The talons are exactly like those of an eagle, and the wings measure four feet nine inches from tip to tip. The legs are perfectly straight and without joint, and about nine inches long. It is the body of the bird however that attracts the most attention. This is covered with fur instead of feathers, and the hair is about the length of that on a sealskin after it is dressed to make a lady’s sack with. It is of a dark brown color, but somewhat lighter than seal-brown. The wings are covered with fur, commencing at the body but feathers being farther on, and the end feathers on the wing are as long as those of an ordinary-sized bald eagle The bird lives on raw beef and English “Sparrows om and nothing delights it so much as to have an opportunity to catch, tear and devour a lot of sparrows. It has already become quite domesticated and a great pet with the ladies who declare it is to lovely for anything. Our friends wish our opinion in regard to the above. In reply, would say that the following article from the Ornithologist and Oologest may throw some light on the subject : ‘“MONKEY-FACED OWLS.” Enclosed please find a photograph of a pair of Owls which have been on exhibi- tion here for two or three weeks. The owner‘says they are the only pair in the United States of North America, and are native birds of Tartary. The photo is a very fair representation. He calls them ‘“Monkey-faced Owls.” The bill proper is very small, but the mouth extends almost to the eyes. Eyes, as near as I could see, were very small. Iris dark hazel. Back dark brown, marked very finely, breast speckled with brown, bill blackish, crown finely mottled, no tufts, tarsi long. Two » pair were taken at the fort at St. Augus- tine, Florida, last February. One pair was bought for some scientific institute in Ohio, but escaped. P.T. Barnum, the man says, offered him $500, but he refused. If they are American birds they are a cross of Barn Owl and something else.— W. P. Tarrant, Saratoga. A specimen of the ‘‘Monkey-faced Owl,” a rare bird, was recently captured by Cap- tain Pitts, of Orlando, Fla., in the Ever- glades. It is described as being somewhat smaller than the Hooting Owl. The plum- age has the soft, furry texture of the owl family, but a tinge of orange enters into the color. The head and face are those of a baboon, the face being white, while the eyes are much smaller than those of an owl of the same size, coal-black and some- what almond-shaped, opening and closing with lids like those of ananimal. In fact, they more nearly resemble the eyes of an otter than a bird.—Hv. <> + The Turkey Buzzard. (FOR THE YOUNG OOLOGIST. ) I suppose this will not be new to you,. but I thought I would tell you a little of my study of the Turkey Buzzard. Yes- terday I happened to look out of my win- dow and saw on the church on the corner of the square about twenty Turkey Buz- ee ee ~ to see them. zards. As I had not seen one closely, I took advantage of my opportunity to study natural history and went out into the yard I noticed they kept flying down into one corner of the churchyard, and my curiosity being aroused, I looked over the fence and discovered they had carried one of their own dead into the graveyard and were dragging it into the corner of the yard, where they left him under the shade of a small bust. I found they had a very unpleasant odor. The male resembles our male turkey very much, being a little smaller, but where the tur- key’s neck is a blueish red color the buz- gard’s is a bloody red. The female is all black, but sometimes a dirty brown. They generally fly very high, and usually sail unless frightened. Of course, they are protected by the law on account of their eating all garbage left around. In Charles- ton you can see them in the street as we see sparrows up North. Yesterday I shot what the boys in the South call ‘‘Bull Bats.” They are just the same bird as our Night-hawk. I found on my trip up Mt. Craggy, near Asheville, N.C., a garnet which is at least twice the size of a man’s fist. Have any of the readers of THE YouNG OOLOGIST ever seen one as large? MC. We Columbia, 8.C. Le! ee ee ee) California Birds—Their Eggs, Nests, and Habits. (FOR THE YOUNG OOLOGIST.) BURROWING OWL. The Burrowing Owl lays from four to nine white eggs, somewhat larger than the pigeon’s. Its nest is composed of dry horse dung, some of which is always scat- tered around the hole and is an infallible sign of a nest, and without which it is use- less to dig in the hope of finding one. In the breeding season I have found some odd things in owls’ nests at different times Last year I found two dead mice in a nest THE YOUNG OOLOGIST. 7s scraping the loose dirt away from a nest and was not a little startled to find a large trap-door spider in my hand, as its bite is supposed to be sure death. My brother was also scraping away some dirt from a hole and brought out in his hand two large centipedes. This Owl lives chiefly upon rats, mice, insects, etc., and I once saw one devouring a snake. It usually sits on the mounds of dirt by its hole during the day and hoots at night. If anyone approaches it bows, or bobs its head up and down, and “‘coo-coo’s” in an amusing manner. KING-BIRD is not altogether a California bird, being also found in the Eastern States. Its usual number of eggs is four or. five. They are white, with reddish brown spots. The nest is composed of straws, leaves, string, wool, etc., andis built in a convenient tree. It is very warlike and courageous. I have often seen one, two or more attack an eagle or turkey buzzard. It is commonly supposed to live upon bees, and is there- fore called ‘‘bee-bird” or ‘‘bee martin” by many, but I cannot confirm the supposition from actual knowledge. Ihave seen King- birds catch millers or moths, beetles, flies, etc., but do not recollect seeing any catch bees. CRESTED QUAIL. The Quail lays from six to eighteen eggs asa rule. I have been told by persons that they have found twenty-three eggs, and have read of as many as thirty eggs being found in a single nest. The nest is usually built of dried grass and leaves, but sometimes the eggs are laid upon the bare ground, especially in sandy regions. They live chiefly upon seeds, small insects and grapes, the latter being their favorite food insummer. One of a flock always seems to be acting as sentinel, and the moment there is a sign of danger it gives the signal, and with a great whirring of wings-the flock takes refuge in flight or in the nearest bushes. MOCKING-BIRD. The Mocking-bird lays from four to six eggs of a blueish green color, with red- containing five eggs. This year I was brown spots. The nest is composed of 76 THE YOUNG OOLOGIST. sticks, straws, then a lining of horse dung, and inside of that horse hairs, string, wool, etc. The birds are rather shy when build- ing, but the nest is easily found, being usually in orange, lemon or lime trees. Its food consists principally of insects, seeds and fruit, mainly the latter in sum- mer. During the breeding season the male sings almost incessantly, often during the night as well as day. I have occasionally awakened during the moonlight summer nights and heard them singing magnifi- cently. WHITE-RUMPED SHRIKE. The White-rumped Shrike is found in many States other than California, where it is more commonly known as ‘‘Butcher- bird,” owing to the supposition that it catches and impales upon orange and other trees living mice, rats and small birds. It lays from four to six eggs as a rule, but a friend assures me that he found eight in a single nest, which is the first case I have heard of. LINNET OR HOUSE FINCH. The Linnet is in California what the Sparrow is in England and some parts of the United States. It is very common and is a great enemy of the farmers, owing to its practice of living almost entirely upon the fruit buds just before they bloom, thus injuring the crop considerably. It lays from four to six eggs of a pale blue color. The nest is composed of small sticks, straws, etc., and lined with horse hair, wool or other soft material. It is built almost anywhere, in barnsypvines. trees, under house eaves, on barn beams or any convenient place. HUMMING-BIRD. The Humming-birds are quite abundant in California, theré being some half dozen kinds. They lay two pure white eggs, a little larger than a pea. The nest is com- posed of spider webs glued together with a secretion from the bird’s mouth. The nest looks like a ball of yellow cotton wool, and is usually fastened on a single branch, wil- low and fig trees being their favorites. During the season when the orange, lemon and lime trees bloom there are vast myriads of infinitesimal insects, which attract great numbers of the beautiful Humming-birds. ROAD RUNNER. The Road Runner is found chiefly in the sandy cactus patches and mountains. It lays from four to nine eggs, which are at first white, but because of the bird being uncleanly soon become dirt color. The nest is composed of sticks, straws and dried grass, etc., and is placed within six or eight feet or the ground, usually in a cactus or waternote bush. It is rather a curious bird, with a large beak and head and very long tail, while the body is quite small. It gets its name from a curious habit of run- ning along in front of a horse or team for a considerable time before it will leave the road. There are many other species I might mention, but fear your space will forbid. A. RES A-——, Cal. (ae ‘From Wycming. * (FOR THE YOUNG OOLOGIST.) Rovais, Wyo. Ter., Aug. 16, 1884. — DEAR Eprror,—I enclose you a few hastily written notes from this section. I am a subscriber to THE YOUNG OOLOGIST, and am very much pleased with it. NOTES. Sage-hen.—This magificent bird, for size, is found in abundance in this part of the country. The nests I have found have been invariably a mere hollow scratched in the ground under a sage-bush. The nest complement is from ]0 to 14 eggs, laid in the latter part of April or May. My ex- perience has been that the eggs vary con- siderably in size, although all in one nest are very uniform. Here are the measure- ments of four eggs taken at random from a set collected by me, also to show varia- tion in size measurement of two from an- other set: (1.) 1.75 by 1.38, 1.63 by 1.17, 1.69 by 1.18, and 1.63 by 1.17. Three of the foregoing are very similar in size. They are all of a whitish cream color and oval in shape, being nearly as large at one end as at the other. (2.) 2.25 by 1.51 and smaller end than the egg of a hen. white, with a slight shade of cream. the mother. ———— _ 2.28 by 1.48. These two last mentioned are more the shape of a hen’s egg, except that they taper to a sharper point at the Color, At this season (Aug. 16) the young birds are about half grown and still following They are shot in great num- bers and eaten,as their flesh is very white und tender, and at this early age has not taken on that strong and disagreeable taste of sage which characterizes the old bird. As their name signifies, they live almost entirely on the leaves of the sage-bush. In the crop of several I have shot this summer I have found wild currants, gooseberries and sage leaves. I have observed here this summer King- birds, Black-billed Cuckoos, Robins, Black- birds. Bank Swallows, Cliff Swallows, Night-hawks, Meadow Larks, Shrikes, Plover, Magpies, Crows, Hawks, Eagles, Ducks, Geese, Curlews and several kinds of Sparrows. As far as my observations go, Magpies do not breed in this valley (Sweet Water River). This spring they were very numerous here, but a littie be- fore the breeding season they all disap- peared, and I saw none all summer until the other day, when I saw six disporting themselves among the willows on the river bank. The nearestso the river I have seen any nests was 18 miles. sticks. W. 58., Rougis, Wyo. Ter. -/— eee Yeliow-headed Blackbird. / (FOR YOUNG OOLOGIST.) I noticed in one of the numbers of THE Youne Oouoaist that you would like some notes on the Yellow-headed Black- bird (Xantliocephalus icteroceplialus), and as I have had a little experience among them this season, I send a few words con- cerning their breeding habits. - generally placed from six inches to three feet above the water, fastened to the stems of ‘‘cattails” or reeds, and is a little larger THE YOUNG” OOLOGIST. They were built | in cotton woods, 15 to 25 feet from tne | ground, and were composed of coarse | The nest is | 77 structure than the Red-wing’s (Agelaeus pheeniceus), though it can generally be distinguished from the latter by the lining, which consists of rather broad yellowish straws. The Yellow-head prefers a slough that has a little open water in the centre, but does not seem to notice or care much about its neighbors, as I have found them breed- ing indiscriminately with Red-wings, Least Bitterns, and Florida Gallinules. They commence laying about the last week in May in this locality, which is about forty-one degrees north latitude, and we have taken fresh eggs as late as June 12th, but would probably not have got them if the nests had not been disturbed two or three times in the spring. I have found many nests in a single slough. (Let me caution the collector about going into these sloughs, as they are very decep- tive in presenting an appearance of firm footing. ) The measurement of the eggs of the Yellow-head is 1.00 to 1.15 by .75. Eggs, ground color, greyish, spotted all over with brownish, thickest near larger end, where it usually hides the ground color. Uny. S. GRANT, Des Moines, Lowa. Nest of the Black-thri ated Green Wartile.. (Dendreeca virens.) (FOR THE YOUNG OOLOGIST.) On June 28rd, 1884, I took a set of four fresh eggs of the Black-throated Green Warbler. The nest was placed in a small fir bush, 34 feet from the ground. It was composed of small spruce twigs, dry grass, cobwebs and thin, narrow strips of birch bark, and was lined with hair and a single black feather. It measured 3 x 2} height, 24 outside measurements and 12% x 14 depth, 12 in. inside measurements. The eggs, which were creamy white, with brown and purplish markings (principally on the larger end), averaged .67 x .55 of aninch. The bird was very tame,“almost allowing me to catch her. H. H. M. Oak Bay, N.B. 78 THE YOUNG OOLOGIST. Exchanges and Wants. Brief special zannouncements, ** Wants,’’? ‘‘Ex- changes,”’ inserted in this department for 25 cents per 25 words. Notices over 25 words charged at the rate of one-half cent per word. No notice inserted for less than 25 cents. Notices which are merely indirect methods of soliciting cashépurchasers cannot be ad- mitted to these colums under any circumstances. Terms, cash with order. WanTED—To exchange and buy Birds’ Eggs from collectors throughout the United States and Canada. Write and send prices to E. R. Davis, Jr., Gaines- ville, Texas. WanTED—A few Humming Birds’ *Nests. Will give excellent exchange’:or good cash price. Also eggs of 312 for exchange. C. H. Andros, Taunton, Mass. Lead; ore, zinc ore, fossil shells and crinoids, py- rites iron, petrified moss and wooe, pressed terns and other curiosities for sea*urchins, mounted sea mosses and good curiosities. Good specimens sent and de- sired in exchange.g Send list of what you have and want. Ocean curiosities especially desired. Sam. CARPENTER, JR., Oswego, Kansas. A collectionZof 6ojeggs «including Woodcock, Wild Goose and Bonapartian Gull, for the best offer of la- belled woods, which must be 2x8 inches or larger and of uniform size. A first-class Purple Martin’s eggs for every V nickel without ‘‘cents.”’ Cuas. A. Davis, 128 King St., Burlington, Vt. I have ancient Roman and Greek coins and foreign coppers to exchange for match and medicide stamps, small fossils or rare minerals. Write,to J. D. Van Saun, Jersey. City, N. J., Box 283. Fresh water and marine,shells to exchange for birds eggs. Correspondence with field collectors desired. VERDI Burrcu, Branchport, Yates Co.,N.Y. Henri N. Barser, Polo, Ogle Co., Ill., wishes to exchange birds’ eggs with collectors having, either first or second,class ones. Please write. I have for exchange one® large chromo, ten differ- ent foreign stamps, a few picture cards for birds’ eggs, minerals or coins. Address La GRANDE SOUTH- WORTH, Schuyler’s Lake, N. Y. Gollectors—I havetwenty eggs of the Brown Peli— can, also a few of other desirable varieties to ex- change. Correspondence solicited.;ARTHUR H. Hack, Taunton,.Mass. Exchange—A Chinese coin ora Chinese newspaper for every stamp from Iceland, Liberia, Cypress,U. S. 12, 24, 30 Or go., 1851, 1861 or 1869 issue. 25 rare Cali- fornia postmarks for every 5 U. S. department stamps. A fine specimen of Red Wood from the big tree of California, for every U.S. executive, justice or state department stamp. A rare Chinese calling card or a horn nut for every 75 varieties ofistamps. Foreign exchanges and correspondence desired.,.W.A. TEBOow, 1,630 Q. St., Sacramento, Cal. Southern Eggs, Fossils, Sea Beans, Minerals anda large variety of specimens for first class Eggs, Shells, Geodes, Shark Teeth, Crystals and Books on Natural History in good condition. Send, list. JouN B. WHEELER, East Templeton,§Mass. I have onethundred (100) varieties of foreign coins to exchange, both copper and silver. I will exchange them for other coins. Lists exchanged. W.G. JER- REMS, JR., 38 Aldine St., Chicago. Frep M. Anpkos, ‘Taunton, Mass., has over a hun- dred varieties of Birds’ Eggs in sets and single to ex- change forsets. Correspondence solicited. H. K. Lanpis, Landis Valley, Pa., will give good exchange in minerals for first-class eggs not native to Pennsylvania. Correspondence desired with experi- enced collectors. Write soon. Anfimproved Lester scroll saw with 100 feet ofi,Y% inch wood for best offer of*Birds’'Eggs. A good flute worth $12.50, for eggs, stamps, coins, specimens, cu- riosities, printing press, type. A breech-loading shot gun or riffe,an oak and white holley cabinet for eggs, will hold 200, togexchangei for eggs. Address SPER BER SE SrouT, 611'Franklin Ave., Minneapolis, inn. Tofexchange—A?f fine new Racine Canoe for a 54 ariel Bicycle. E.§C..P., P. O. Box.2545,+ Springfield, ass. Something? needed! by every boy in the United States, will be given inexchange for Birds’ Eggs or other curiosities. Write immediately to W.E, Proc- tor, 1518,Market Street, Oakland, Cal. Stuffed Birdsgto exchange for Birds’ Eggs. Best of Workmanship? guaranteed; twelve years’ experi- ence; send your lists of eggs by letter, no;postals wanted. H.F. Kramp, Wallingford, Conn. Minerals, stamps, silk curiosities, silk scraps, etc., to exchange for minerals, curiosities and birds’ eggs insets. WiLL G. Cope, 1818 Barrett Ave., Louis- ville, Ky An eight fdollar Continental Note of 1776, gzexuzne, for the best offer in Indian or Mound Builders. Relics in good condition. E. M. FReNcH, Amesbury,Mass. WanTep—First-class Birds’{Eggs and,Curiosities in exchange in large?quantities. Send lists and state what you ‘desire in exchange. Frank’ H._LaTTIN, Gaines, N. Y. Twenty varieties sof American Birds’ Eggs, first- class. and fourteen varieties of shells to-exchange for the.same., W. G. TALMADGE, Plymouth, Conn. Eggs and stamps ?for ,eggs; 32, foreignistamps for every foreign coin except one cent Canada. Corres- pondence solicited. F. J. Sorrore, Belmont, Alle- gany Co., N. Y. T. L., Box 62, Oakland, Cal., wants:to exchange good eggs ofiCrested Quail and:Foolish Guillemot forciee Role ees, ‘**V nickels’? without the word cents, and minerals for birds’ eggs and. minerals. WARREN CARTER, Wallingford, Del. Co., Pa. "Dealers please send lists and prices of minerals, rel- ics and eggs to W. B. FLANsBURGH, La Fargeville, Jefferson,Co., N.Y. I would like to exchange eggs with allcollectors. I also desire rare foreign stamps; send for list; I also have foreign coins for exchange. ,.V. E. WyMaAn, Perry, Lake Co , Ohio. Cuas. Acuorn,” Rockland,' Meine, wants toyex- change first-class Wilson Tern eggs with data, for others in Same Condition. Send list and state number wanted. Fossils, Flint, pectolite, iron’'and.copper ore, plum- bago, soil from Japan, China and Turk’s Island, shells, picture cards, vegetable ivory from,Africa, to exchange forg birds’ eggs. JAMES JUDD, 528 Will- oughby Ave., Brooklyn, N. Y. —ees tial eesti = Ocean curiosities, such as star fish, sea urchins, shells, etc., minerals, magazines, amateur papers, books, etc., will be given in exchange for all kinds of coins, stamps (except U. S.) minerals and birds’ eggs; correspondence desired. E. G Hartow, Lynn, Mass ‘; Ihave eggs to exchange with all collectors. List on application. W. F. BEADMAN, Vineland,N. J. HE YOUNG OOLOGIST i 50c. Per YEAR. el, No, 6. GAINES, N. Y., OCT. 1884, — {Pearshen Mowraty. The Bobolink. Leaving the swamp and coming out into ‘the broad meadows in the vicinity, I am greeted by the newly-arrived Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus). It is difficult to speak of the. Bobolink without going into ecstasies. To say the least, le is the finest bird of our fields and meadows. See him “mount that stake by the roadside! Every feather of his jet-black front is partially raised, the elegant creamy-white patch on the back of the head and neck is elevated into a crest; his wings and scapulars, so finely marked with white, are partially extended; and as he pours forth his mar- velous song, he waltzes gracefully to his own music, turning slowly around, so that the beholder may have a fair view of all sides. Now he launches into the air, and— half hovering—half flying—his song be- comes even more resonant and penetrating ; the loud, rich, liquid notes of his prolonged and varied warble causing the air to vi- brate over many acres of the open field. The first tinkling tones are like those of a fine musical box rapidly struck, then come the longer drawn. notes as of a rich viol or violin, and finally the sweet liquid, limpid, gurgling squnds as of an exquisite bell- toned piano lightly and skillfully touched. These several different strains, variously modulated, are uttered with a rapid, gush- ing volubility, which to an untrained ear might sound like the performance of a whole chorus of songsters. As the strain ceases, he drops down most gracefully with elevated wings into the clover, or, grasp- ing the elastic culms of the taller grasses, swings proudly on his tiny perch. Each individual adopts his own territory and adheres to it, compelling his intruding neighbor to retire to his own side of the road or fence, and then returning to his own domain with an air of independence and | authority. Here he keeps up his proud antics and charming melody some week or 10 days before the female arrives. Only 7.50 long, and very nearly the colors and marking of a Sparrow—the lighter parts being simply a little more yellowish—you would never suspect her relation to such a gay consort. He recognizes her at once, however, and begins his ardent demonstrations. He sings and waltzes to her, hovers in front of her, fairly rending his throat in the ardor of his musical performance ; and when she in her coyness, real or feigned, flees from him, he pursues her closely, and they dash in and out of bushes, trees, and fences with the most perilous speed. More than once he slackens the chase for a few minutes, alighting and throwing in a few of his finest musical flourishes, and again renews it as ardently as ever, till at length he completely wins the object of his pas- sion. Now they are seen together fora short time, and then the modest female re- tires among the clover and the taller grasses of the luxuriant meadow, and, scooping outa rather deep cavity in the ground, arranges a frail, loose nest of dried grasses, and lays her 5 eggs—averaging about .90X.67, white tinged with brown, spotted, blotched, and clouded with several shades of brown, and also a neutral shade of brownish-lilac. She adheres most close- ly to her nest. In walking across the field you may almost step on her before she will leave her treasures. Then flying only a few feet, she is instantly out of sight again ; and unless you are a ready observer, or have some knowledge of birds and _ nests, you will be puzzled to know what you have found. As the Bobolink raises but one brood, and in the thick grass, some time before the hay is cut, its nest is but seldom seen by the farmer. During the whole period of incubation the male is one of the happiest of birds. 82 THE YOUNG OOLOGIST. Without any perceptible sense of care, or | of any misgiving, whatever, he keeps up his gay performances of waltzing, flight, and song, with but little intermission, his beautiful figure adding greatly to the charms of the summer landscape, and his far-reaching melody harmonizing grandly with the joyousness of the season, and ever Cheering the husbandman in his long hours of toil. If the Bay-winged Sparrow is ‘‘the poet of the plain, unadorned pastures,” the Bobolink is the poet of the luxuriant blooming meadows, announcing the beauty and the promise of the fruit-blossoms, and hymning the bright hues and the fragrance - of the clover. It is the utterance of all the youth and joy of spring—of an un- bounded hilarity. In due time the young appear, a thrifty family, all clad in the plain but beautiful habit of the female, having a great deal of yellow, almost of bright yellow, on the under parts. When they leave the nest the parents show the greatest solicitude for them, flitting about in the most excited manner, and chipping loudly when their domain is intruded upon. The nest of the Bobolink being so well hid away, and in parts little infested by enemies, it would seem that the species must sustain but a small loss during the breeding season. These birds have their casualties, how- ever. Walking once over a meadow along a stream, I saw a young Bobolink flutter- ing over the edge of the water; and going up to it, saw something like a good sized stone just under it, which I imagined had in some way fastened down the bird so that it could not get away. Taking hold of the supposed stone and lifting it out of the water to free the bird, my friend accom- panying me called out. ‘“‘a turtle!’ Sure enough ! a large turtle had been holding the bird by the foot, but relinquished it on my interference. I do not know which was the quickest, I to let go the turtle, or the bird to fly away to the woods beyond. Perhaps the bird, thinking this reptile a stone, had lit on it to drink, and had thus | been entrapped by the treacherous object. About the 20th of August these birds are gathered in flocks preparatory to migration. By this time the old males have laid aside the gay livery of the breeding season, and appear as plain and sparrow-like as the rest of the family. Imagine the chagrin and disappointment of European bird fan- ciers, in the early history of our country, who, having captured Bobolink in all the glory of the breeding season, beheld him turn brown and spotted as a Sparrow and become voiceless ere they reached the end of their long voyage homeward! Nor does this bird ever resume his bright colors while caged. Exceedingly perplexing, too, was this change of plumage to the first students of American ornithology, who Saw the males migrate in immense num- bers to the north in spring, but saw none return to the south in autumn. As soon as the Bobolinks begin to flock for their very leisurely fall migration. their whole manner is entirely changed. Who would imagine those immense flocks of plain birds, flying high, and in the swift, undulating manner of the Goldfinch, over the marshes about Niagara river in August . to be the same species which he saw enliv- ening the meadows the spring before. That plain and subdued note which it repeats quite leisurely—guatt, quait, quait—could give no clue to the voice of the same bird a few weeks earlier. But fire into the*flock as they alight among the weeds and grasses after the manner of snowbirds in winter, and like them, feed on seeds instead of in- sects, and you will find them to be verita- ble Bobolinks in excellent condition, and not at all of mean appearance, clad in their finely-marked suits of greenish yellow and brown. These autumnal migrations con- tinue through the day and the night, and pretty much throughout the month of August along Niagara river and along the shores of our great lakes in its vicinity. In the day-time even, one often hears the familiar migratory note above given, with- out being able to see the birds. On _ look- ing carefully, however, one can see them flying very high, seemingly scarcely more ne TE’ YOUNG ’*,OOLOGIST. than dark specks against the sky. As these birds move southward, they re- ceive different names according to their habits of diet. In eastern Pennsylvania, where they feed on the seeds of the reeds along the rivers, they are called Reed-birds, and in the south, where they feed on the rice, they are called Rice-birds. Wintering beyond our boundaries, this bird enters the Eastern United States in large numbers, and reaching the Middle States about the first of May, breeds from thence northward to the Saskatchawan, and west to the Rocky Mountains. To the eastward, Mr. Smith reports it as breeding adundantly in Maine; Mr. Chamberlain gives it as acommon summer resident in New Brunswick, particularly in the valley of the St. John river, and I found it plentiful last June in the Annapolis valley, Novia Scotia, but did not see it elsewhere in the Province. Mr. Maynard gives its summer habitat between 38° and 40°. Arriving in Western New York during the first week in May, it reaches Maine about the middle of that month, and New Bruns- wick about the last. On account of its short, thick Dill, this bird was once called a Bunting, but its general structure places it among the Marsh Blackbirds or American Starlings; and as its white markings are similar to those of a Skunk, it has also been called the Skunk Blackbird.—Hrom Rev. J. H. Lan- gille’s ‘‘Our Birds in Their Haunts.” a Bachman’s Finch. Peucea eetsivalis. ~ This species, I believe, is somewhat rare and but llttle known, but this season I had the good fortune to find them breeding quite numerous among the rank grass in old fields. They are somewhat shy in their actions when flushed from the nest, run- ning off a little way, beating the ground with its wings and uttering a slight chirp- ing sound, seeming all the time to be in great distress. They build on the ground in a slight hollow; nest composed of dry grass and roots, nest nearly arched over, they lay four white eggs, one-half inches wide by three-quarters long. The first nest I found was on May 18th; incubation far 83 advanced, therefore allowing for time of building, laying of eggs, and advancement of incubation, it stands to reason that they commence to build about the last of April. All the nests that I have ever found (and | found nine (9) this season, in which all ex- cept two, had young large enough to fly) have been in the same field, and in nearly every instance have been near a path, leav- ing little doubt that they are sociable birds, and prefer to breed incompany. ‘They do not rise right off the nest, but seem to run through the grass a little way before flying, but by standing still and watching, you will soon see the bird sneaking back, and you will find the nest every time, at least I have found it so. Whether they remain with us the whole year or only come from farther south to breed I am at present unable to say. T. D. PERRY. SAVANAH, Ga., October, 1884. <> -_______— Dove vs. Robin. Yesterday morning I climbed up an apple tree to get some apples, and a Turtle Dove flew out of the tree. I did not see any nest belonging to that bird, but I found a deserted Robin’s nest containing two Dove’s eggs. The nest had no lining, but was smoothly plastered inside with sand, as Robins’ nests generally are. 1| did not know that Doves laid their eggs in other birds’ nests before. Wood-peckers are plentiful around here, and there area good many half rotten trees for them to breed in. THE YOUNG OoLoGIsT improves with every number, I think, and could not well do without it now. H. E. DzEats, Flemington, N.J. Col Be Testimonial. SEPT. 25, 1884. Mr. F. H. Lattin: DEAR SrrR—I think your paper is a very good paper to insert exchange notices and notices for selling collections, I having put in a ‘‘for sale notice” and obtained a sale in two days after issue. Yours truly OTIS T. MOUNT, JERSEY City, N. J. {Mr. M. Informs us that he sold his col- lection in the A. M. and his Y. O. did not come until P.M. This is what we call quick returns. 84 THE YOUNG OOLQGIST?, A Day Among the Sea Birds of Maine. On the fifteenth of June last a couple of friends and myself started in a carriage for Seal Harbor to see a fisherman and local axidermist, whom we had engaged to take us out to the islands. It was a glori- ous day, and after our hour and a half ride through the most beautiful section of Maine, we arrived at the harbor (about 8 A.M). We immediately startéd for Little Green, an Island about eight miles out to sea, where the terns and petrels nest. After rowing about a mile past the granite quarries of Spriceand White Heads and vis- iting anold deserted herony, a row necessa- ry onaccount of the strong ebb tide, we hoisted sail and the wherry just scudded for the open sea. R. entertained us with stories of his trips after water-fowl and pointed out the different ledges where they most congregate in Winter. His stories held our close attention and so did some- thing else not so pleasant, viz., rowing, for our breeze died away and left us with three miles of heavy pulling. When about a quarter of a mile from the island the Terns arose in clouds, hovering over the island, and filling the air with their discordant shrieks, cree-cree-cree-e-e, and the Laughing Gull mocked us from his safe-elevation with hoarse ha-ha-hah’s, at a nearer approach the Sea Pigeons left their nests, skimmed over the surface of the water, a safe distance and there in pairs, calmly floating on the water watched our movements, then a Raven startled from his feast of eggs, flew into the air, uttering his harsh cry, but he was not the beautiful, glossy, black Raven which is really a handsome bird, for alas, his plumage had become soiled, dirty, brown and _ torn, many of his wing feathers were gone, and his flight was feeble, the reason was evi- dent for the moment he rose into the air the whole cloud of Meds. rushed after him. Poor bird, he could only scream, flap his wings and try toescape. After we had landed we saw him several times far away with his crowd of Meds. about him try- ing in vain to escape. But now we turned our attention to collecting eggs; first, we went for the Terns, these we collected in our hats, and as a consequence mine was a little the worse afterward. On Little Green the Terns, although many build on the ground, generally lay on the bare ledges where the sun is hot, and on the pebbles of the, beach, where the eggs easily escape detection; sometimes the nest will be well formed in the sand, or a bunch of sea-weed will hold the eggs, but generally no attempt at a nest is made, and the eggs are quite often dropped below high-water mark. But on Fisherman’s Island, they generally build a nest, which isa hollow in the ground, lined with coarse weeds, and generally contains three eggs, some- times four. In a short time we had ob- tained all the eggs we wanted, and after eating our dinner, turned our attention to the Petrels. We hunted around and found some old tree trunks which had lain fer years, until they had settled deep into the ground. These we overturned for the Pet- trels’ nests, the Petrel digs a furrow a foot or two deep beneath some old tree or ledge, hollows out the extremity, makes a rude nest, and deposits one egg only, one ~ pure white egg, somewhat resembling a pigeon’s, rounded at both ends and some- times having fine flesh tinted dots arranged about the larger end. Under some trees we found several nests, and the birds were always at home. This necesitated the unpleasant part of collecting. They could not be driven from their nests, and so we took them by the tail and tossed them into the air, whereupon they took wing. and flew away, but many, like Bo-Peep’s sheep, ‘“‘left their tails behind them,” In my eagerness to get one off the nest I seized it by the head, but I dropped him quick, for the creature did what R. warned us against, used its weapon of defense, squirted into my handa thimble full of oily liquid, which had a most disgusting, sick- ening odor, secondly, if second, to that of the skunk. This musky odor is almost impossible to be removed, the eggs emit it, and those which I collected on that day still retain it. The oilissues from the nos- ~ ere a & > Se ae ae ee Mipete tril above the beak, and can be ejected to Sometimes we | found two birds in one nest, but in such a | -_a distance of several feet. case no egg was found, while one bird was always accompanied with one egg, so probably the male attends his mate until the egg is laid, and then leaves. and eggs don’t accumulate very fast at the rate of one ata time, so we thought we would try to find some other kinds. A diligent search in the rush hummock revealed but one egg of the Laughing Gull, and but two | sets of Sandpipers. This was disgusting, and the mockiug laugh of the Gull sound- ed then, anything but pleasant. rocks of the shore, peering under the ledges and rocks for Sea Pigeons, and we felt well repaid with four nests and six eggs, for they are very large and hand- some. Then we were ready to go home, _ but if we had to row going we had to row much harder and further returning, but stories made the time pass pleasantly, and we gathered many hints which will be of ser- | vice to us in our collecting next year. | After our arrival at the shore we took sup- | per with our host, once more looked over his birds, started for home, tired but happy “and well pleased with our day’s work. We voted R.a good fellow and agreed that | our pleasantest day of the season had just been passed. We got home about 9 P. M., | and went to bed to dream of Gulls, Terns | and Petrels. Cuas. ACHORN, Rockland, Maine. ——<_<_<__4+ > o—_ Reunion of Hawks. As I was passing from the house to the barn on Sept. 18th I chanced to look at the | sky and noticed four or five hawks, but on a closer examination found there was a large flock in three clusters. The two largest contained about ninety each and the less seventy-five. These were followed by what might be called a rear-guard of | fifteen or twenty. They were moving to- ward the south, with that circular move- | ment common to hawks, especially when searching for prey. I think I am safe in saying that there were fully three hundred. Is it common for hawks to congregate in this way ? FL D. ‘ Sharon, Wis. But it | was awful hard work getting their nests, | For the | ~ next half hour we broke our knees on the | THE YOUNG OOLOGIST. 85 Queries Answered. G. H., PorrsmourH, Va.—In regard to some of the local names which you use, would say that the Shite-Poke is Green Heron, the Rain Crow is the Yellow- billed Cuckoo, the Jackdaw is the Boat- tailed Grackle, and the Lettuce bird (of some localities at least) is the Blue Gros- beak. H. W. H.—There are many dealers in Natural History specimens and supplies in the United States, each of which, asa rule, make some particular branch a specialty, and with the larger dealers each have their specialty in which they excel any other dealer. We cannot give the names and addresses of dealers in this column. Our advertising rates are low, and we would be pleased to have any reliable dealer give THE YouNG OoLoGeist a trial. F. H. M., Hotyoxe, Mass.—The nest and eggs of the birds which you describe as given below are those of the Great Crested Flycatcher. ‘“The nest was found June 7 near West- fiield. It was ina holeinan apple tree, 20 feet from the ground, and composed of cast-off snake skin and a few pieces of hay. The eggs were 6 in number, .86x .83 in size, and are difficult to describe. The ground color is buff, which is marked lengthwise by purplish brown, mixed with others of a lighter tint. The markings ap- pear to be done with a pen or scratched with a sharp instrument, and and are more confluent near the larger end.” C. De L. A., SourHineton, Conn.— The bird you desire named is the Yellow- billed Cuckoo. Chipping Sparrow is the name for the bird you call ‘‘Chippy.”’ L. M. D., NEwsureH, O.—A set of eggs is not complete unless it contains all of theeggs taken from the nest. Should a collector find a nest containing the eggs of the Cow-bird in addition to those of the owner, to have the set complete it would be necessary to keep the eggs of both species. Boot A.,.N.. oe Orry..—The Weld Sparrow is the smallest of our spaisrows. Its nest is placed either in a low bush or on the ground, and contains four or five whit- 86 THE YOUNG OOLOGIST. ish eggs, speckled with reddish brown, average dimensions about .69 x .50 in. The white ground color of these eggs usu- ally has a slight greenish tinge. This Sparrow is quite common in Eastern U. §. The Marsh Hawk is found throughout North America. Its nest is placed on the ground in some marshy locality. H. C. L., Hanrorp, Cau.—The bird commonly called ‘‘Wild Canary” in your section is, from your description, Lawren- | ce’s Goldfinch. J. W. G. JR., GAMBIER, O.—Nesting Season proper will begin in your latitude during the early part of April. Nests of our early breeders, such as the Shore Lark, Woodcock, and some of the larger Owls can be found in March, while the nest of the Great Horned Owl should be sought after in February. L. D., Lircarrep, Minn.—The Boat- tailed Grakle birds in the South Atlantic and Gulf States, its eggs average larger than those of either the Bronzed or Purple Grakle. In the two last named species and variety the ground color of the eggs is a Sort of a greenish or blue- ish color, while that of the Boat-tailed is either a greenish or purplish white. The large, long-legged bird, so commonly called ‘‘crane”’ or ‘‘blue crane,” is the Great Blue Heron. A. H. G., Urica, N. Y., AND OTHERS.— American Goldfinch is the correct name of the bird which breeds so frequently in many localities during the months of July and August. Its nest is composed of some soft, downy material, usually thistle- down. Eggs are from four to six in num- ber, of a bluish white color. This bird is commonly called the ‘Thistle Bird, ‘‘Yel- low-bird,” ‘‘Wild Canary,” &c. J. H. B., Dayton, O.—The term ‘“‘set- mark,” as used in the data blank signifies the number, letter or charactcr you have placed on each egg of one clutch to dis- tinguish them from the eggs of another clutch of the same species. E. C. P., SPRINGFIELD, Mass.—Egegs sent for identification were: 1. Shore Lark. 2. Western Lark Finch. 3. Field Sparrow, “P. D. Q.,” Monirz. ALA.—From the specimens which we receive we think the Orchard Oriole must be much more plenti- ful in the South than the Baltimore. ‘The eggs of the Baltimore Oriole are larger, ground color ‘whiter, and markings more of a scrawling nature than those of the Orchard. A. B..H., Scortsyvinie, NP y= we American Coot is the ‘‘Mudhen of our inland Lakes and rivers. ‘‘White-billed Mud-hen” is also a common name for the above bird. The bird known as the ‘‘Salt- water Mud-hen” is the Clapper Rail. L. L. C., Unton City, Conn.—Grass Finch is the name of the bird known in your vicinity, as the ‘‘Potatoe Bird.” [Mr. C. states that the nest of Grass Finch is so frequently found in his neigh- borhood ina potatoe hill that the above name is given it. ] G. D. P., Estes Park, Cot.—The breed- ing range of the Black-billed Magpie in the United States is from the Plains to the Pacific with the exception of California. In this state it is replaced by the Yellow-billed, Pica nuttali. In regard to the Western Yellow- bellied Flycatcher I would say that, asarule the nest is not far fromthe ground. I now have a nest of this variety before me which was taken from a little ledge five feet from the ground on the inside of a hollow Pla- tamus tree, at Haywood, Cal. The nest is a loose structure composed of small root- tets, small shreds of bark, from grass and weed stalks, and is lined with fine grass. The outer portion of the side of the nest which was placed next to the ledge was composed of rotten reed stalks, leaves in- termingled with spider webs or a worm’s nest, doubtless to hold the nest more secure- ly tothe rotten wood to which it was attached. This nest is perhaps more care- lessly constructed than that of our com- mon King bird, and is decidedly below par asa thing of beauty. The eggs, five in number, are white, having a slight tinge of cream, sparsely speckled with. reddish = = ’ THE YOUNG OOLOGIST. brown. These specks are quite thick at the larger end and on some specimens become nearly confluent. Average measurements .68X.53 inches. The eggs are readily distinguishable from those of the other Flycatchers, with the exception of the eastern variety of this species, whose eggs are identical (we have gets of both varieties to which the identifi- cation is positive.) P. McF. B., AtrLAN?TA, Ga.—The bird that is often called ‘‘Red-bird,” ‘‘Scarlet _ Sparrows etc., in the south, of which you give the following description, is the Sum- mer Red-bird. ‘The male bird is about the size of a Cat- bird, he is red colored and has a crest on the back of his head. yellowish color, without the crest. The nest is very simple in construction, being always placed on a horizontal limb of a scrub tree, generally an oak. it is built of twigs, lined with a yellowish straw. The eggs are about the size of a Red-headed Woodpecker’s egg, and of the same coloras a Chipping Sparrows, thickly spotted and blotched around the large end with brown- ish blotches. in regard to Sparrows query see answer to E. T. A, New York city. - J. E. McK., PotnuapELPuta, Pa.—The Fish Crow is smaller than our common Crow, and is a martime bird, a habitant of the south Atlantic and Gulf Coast, in the south east, and of the Pacific Coast from | Oregon to Alaska in the northwest. = i 2 Take Notice. The eggs of Lawrence’s Goldfinch are not blue. Various California collectors have sent Arkansas Goldfinch eggs broad- cast over the country under the name of Lawrence’s. We have had numbers of blue ones sent us, but coming from collec- tors who did not take skins as well as eggs, we always refused them. We lately re- ceived white eggs from an esteemed collec- tor, and in reply to a note written by us to William Brewster, he writes, “The eggs of Lawrence’s Goldfinch are always pure white, despite what Coues affirms in his new “Key.’”—Random Notes on Natural His- tory. The female is of a | 87 An Oological Surprise. ee On the 21st of July a friend gave me an egg of the chipping sparrow. It had been droped into the grass and shaken, but not broken. I wraped it in cotton and put it into a’small tin box, as I was just starting out collecting and had not time to blow it then. The next morning when*I opened the box the large end of*the egg came off and there was a young bird with open mouth asking for breakfast. It was taken back to the nest. M. C. Eau Claire, Wis. + 2 Late Nesting—Ground Dove. I found a nest of the Ground Dove in a orange tree, six feet from the ground on Sept. 11th, incubation advanced. The nest was composed of a few straws and grasses placed on the top of an old Mocking-bird’s nest. In this locality the Ground Dove usually nests on the ground. Their nest usually consists of a slight cavity scratched in the ground, lined with grass and roots. Should you go near the nest the old bird will fly off and flutter around asif she had broken her wing, in fact, I have seen per- sons try to catch them. I have found their nests as early as May Ist. But few birds lay here later than June, and with this ex- ception I have never taken eggs later than July. If any collector has ever found a nest later,than Sept. 11 let us hear from them through this paper. J. 8... Tampa, Fla. we Doubtless hundreds of our readers have noticed the advertisement of Mr. W. W. Osgoodby, which appears in the Youne OoLoaist. Mr. O. has been the official stenographer for ‘the New York Supreme Court for the last 22 years. And we, hav- ing faith and fully believing that he will do just what he says he will in his circulars and advertisement, most cordially endorse the following extract from the Rochester Commercial Review: ‘We stake our repu- tation on the statement that he will do pre- cisely as he advertises. Mr. Osgoodby is not only all his advertisement claims for him, as a reporter, but he is one of the re- liable men of Rochester. This statement is made for the benefit of those who do not know him. In this judicial district he does not require the endorsement of anybody. Everybody who wishes a knowledge of short-hand should send for the book, and thus secure a practical idea of it at merely nominal expense.” 88 THE YOUNG OOLOGIST. THE YOUNG OOLOGIST EDITED AND PUBLISHED MONTHLY PRANE H. LATTIN, GAINES, N. %. Printed by JoHN P. Smiru, 80 State St., Rochester. eaten lene and items of interest to the Ooto- GisT, and Specimen and Curiosity collectors solicited from all. Terms of Subscription. Single Subscription - - 50 cents per annum. Sample Copies, - = = - 5 cents each. The above rates include postage. ’ Rare Specimens will be offered, from time to time, at aslight advance on regular rates, to induce persons to subscribe. Terms of Advertising. Single insertion, 20 cents per line, nonpareil. 1 mo 3 mo. 6 mo. i yine Five lines, 1 00 2 50 4 00 6 00 One inch, 2 00 5 00 8 00 12 00 1-2column, 7 00 17 50 -28 06 42 00 | ol} ‘i 13 00 32 50 52 00 78 00 One page, 25 00 62 50 100 00 150 00 Advertisements under five lines, charged one line | Yearly advertisements payable quarterly in extra. advance. Remittances should be made by draft on New | York ; money order or postal note payable at Gaines, N. Y.: ; or by registered letter. stamps of any denomination will be accepted for sums under one dollar. Address all subscriptions and communications to THE YOUNG OOLOGIST, Gains, Orleans Co., N. Y. (8 Make money orders and drafts payable to FRANK H. LATTIN. Entered at the Post Office at Gaines, secs gh oS svat matter, INVER as JOTTINGS. We now have 1,068 yearly subscribers. Back numbers of the Youne OoLocist can be furnished at five cents per copy. The new edition of Ridgway’s Nomen- | clature is just out, and we have obtained a new supply from the government. In answer to several inquiries we will | say that the ‘‘Hand-book of the Agassiz Association” is well worth the sum, 54 cents, which the author asks for it. young collector will find it invaluable. Hereafter the YouNG OoLoGIsT will con- tain 16 pages nicely bound in @ colored cover. The subscription price will be in- - creased to 60 cents per year. Subscrip- tions will be taken at 50 cents each until Nov. 1st. Unused U. S. postage | The | We want 500 new ’ aupgeeibeg before January ist. Let each of our present sub- scribers send us only one and we'will have double that number. Parties interested in mineralogy or an- tiquities should send 8 cents for a sampie copy of the ‘‘ Young Mineralogist and Antiquarian,” an eight page monthly maga- zine published by Mr. T. H. Wise, of Wheaton, Il. Our new catalogue of eighty pages will be the most complete ever offered to col- lectors. The catalogue will be ready for delivery before November 1st, and will be sent post-paid to any address upon receipt of twenty-five cents. We send out several thousand sample copies of this number of the Youne Oo1o- geist. Should you receive more than one copy, or not care for the copy you do re- ceive, please hand it to some friend whom you think might be interested in our work. WE have just received a copy of Rev. J. H. Langille’s “Our Birds im: their Haunts,” and are delighted with the con- tents. It has been Mr. L’s. aim to write a book on birds for everybody in which we think he has more than succeeded. The article on the Bobolink, which we give in this number of the YouNG OoLoaistT, is only a fair sample of hundreds of similar articles which this work contains. We wish our readers to pay especial attention to Mr. L’s. advertisement, which appears in this number- We have been personally - acquainted with Mr. L. for several years, and know that he will give our friends 100 cents worth of valuable information and valuable reading for every dollar they will send him, and furthermore, if any of our readers purchase a copy of ‘‘Our Birds in their Haunts” and are not fully satisfied with it, we will give them fifty cents more than they paid for it in exchange. We make this offer in order to aid Mr. L. in the dissemination of his valuable work. Perhaps it will be needless to add that we do not expect a single copy offered us in exchange, but if there is we are ready to stand by any offer we may make. i ior Late Nesting. P. B., of Atlanta, Ga., finds a nest of the Yellow-billed Cuckoo, containing one fresh egg on the 24th of August. W, B. P,, of Decatur, Mich., found a Quail’s nest containing 18 eggs, incubation far advanced, on the 5th of September. _ — — —— NAMES OF SUBSCRIBERS Who Received Seventy-Nine of the One Hundred Presents Given September, 1884. The subscribers whose names and places of residence are given below, are those who received seventy-nine of the one hundred valuable prizes offered for obtaining the largest number of subscribers for the Younea Oonoaist between May Ist and - August 20, 1884. These presents were given in addition to a premium worth 20 cents or a cash com- mission of 15 cents for each name sent by them, Whether it has paid our friends to work for us or not, our readers can decide for themselves. Opposite each name the number of subscriptions is given that the subscriber obtained. Twenty-five dollars in cash—John T. Nien- trimp, Rochester, N. Y., 29. Twenty dollars worth of specimens—H. W. Hayford, North Conway, N. H., 28. Fifteen dollars worth of specimens—H. W. | Davis, North Granville, N. Y., 20. Ten dollars in cash—Geo. W. Tripp, Adri- an, Mich., 20. Hight dollars worth of specimens—T. H. Spaulding, Albion, N. Y., 16. Five dollars in cash—Geo. Phillips, Ster- ling, Il., 10. Samuel's Birds of New England, worth four dollars—Ned. K. Swigart. Toledo, m;- 10. International Stamp Album, worth two | jifty—C. E. Stowe, Ashburnham, Mass., 5. International Stamp Album, worth one | Jifiy—A. M. Shields, Los Angeles, Cala., 4. | Ingersoll’s Birds’ Nesting, worth one twenty- jiwe—Charlie Cook, Syracuse, N. Y., 4. Manton’s Tazxidermyt, fifty cents each.— Lincoln Rappleye, Trumansburg, ie 4, Henry Sampier, Algonac, Mich, 3. H. Platt Osborn, Clinton, N. Y., 3. H. F. Kramp, Wallingford, Ct.. 3. Fred. 8. Odle, Lapeer, Mich, 3. Willie E. Brewster, Rochester, N. Y., 3. | Anam B. Harmon, Scottsville, N. Y., 3. F. H. McLaughlin, Detroit, Mich., 3. iN, THE YOUNG OOLOGIST. 89 | H. M. Shoemaker, Reading, Pa., 2. Chas. H. Kenyon, Adams, N. Y., 2. Ridgway’s Normenclature, 35 cents each Joseph West, Gouverneur, N. Y., 2. M. E. Norton, West Winsted, Ct., 2. E. 8. Walker, Battle Creek, Mich., 2. Herbert K. Yeager, Reading, Pa., 2. H. A. Hyde, Berkeley, Cala., 2. Cecil G. Stone, Raleigh, N. C., 2. Henry W. Warner, New York city, 2. A L. Stevens, Claremont, N. H., 2. Benj. B. Squier, Brooklyn, N. Y., 2. Louie Jackson, Springville, N. Y., 2. Spider Shells, 35 cents each —F. Enderis, Milwaukee, Wis., 1. W. A. Welch, Greene, N. Y., 1. O. S. Cole, Biddeford, Me., 1. Robt. Irvine, Reading, Pa., 1. RoW. Pord,.Plymouth, Ct., 1, Theo. R. Green, New Preston, Ct., 1. Wm. H. Milton, Berryville, Va., 1. James Bowles, Chicago. Ills., 1. Bert F. Case, Granby, Ct., 1. Geo. H. Selover, Lake City, Minn,, 1. Nickled Blowpipes, 35 cents each—W. J. Andrews, Raleigh, N. C., 1. Geo. Miles, Collinsville, Ct., 1. C. H. Voorhees, Jr., New York city., 1. Frank M. Woodrow, Newton, Iowa., 1. Henry Halstead, Rye, N. Y., 1. Geo. S. Johnson, Easton, Pa., 1. Geo. C. Codding, Petaluma, Cal., 1. Fred O. Cary, Danvers, Mass., 1. F. C. Moore, Norwich, Ct., 1 Chas. Austin Russell, Pittsfield, Mass., 1. Ralph O. Smith, Englewood, IIl., 1. R. B. Trouslot, Valpariso, Ind. 1. Howard Bucknell, Philadelphia, Pa., 1. Elam La Roy Gardner, Troy, N. Y., 1. W. G. Talmadge, Plymouth, Ct., 1. A. Dodge, Santa Barbara, Cal., 1. Charles Achorn, Rockland, Me, 1. W. H. G. Adney, Pittsborough, N. C., 1. J. B. Warren, Rochester, N. Y., 1. Samuel Van Bergen, Cortland, N. Y., 1. 100 Data Blanks, 25 cents each—G. R. Lumsden, Greenville, Ct., 1. Edward L. Day, Dunkirk, N. Y., 1. C. N. Howe, Grafton Centre, N. H., 1. H. B. Butler, Fulton, N. Y., 1. Fred O. Duncan, Englewood, N. J., 1. gO Wm. M. Phillips, Catasqua, Pa., 1. Clarence Van -Alystyne, Chatham Centre, iV Se ees Be Ed. A. Sanford, Rochester, N. Y., 1. Ed. C. Miller, Grinnell, Iowa, 1. A. R. Hicks, Palmyra, N. Y., 1. Charles H. Larkin, Buffalo, N. Y., 1. John Stephan, Jr., Cleveland, O., 1. F. Z. Gibson, McKeesport, Pa., 1. Rolla G. Treat, Brooklyn, O., 1. Fred H. Pitman, North Beverly, Mass., 1 Herbert E. Stout, Minneapolis, Minn., 1. W. J. B. Williams, Holland Patent, N. 5 ee B F. J. Davidson, Toronto, Ont., 1. Egg Drills, 12 cents each—Not competi- tors enough to win the last twenty-one prizes. eS Egging in a California Swamp. I see so much interesting reading matter in your paper from eastern correspondents I thought it would not be amiss to let them know what we can do out here in the way of egging. It was an early morning about the mid- dle of June that two friends and myself procured a light spring wagon and set out for a lake called ‘‘ Nigger Slough.”” Why it is called this I cannot say, unless it is the unusual darkness of the water, caused by a large amount of alkali in its general composition. We reached the lake at 8 o’clock, having made the drive of over fourteen miles in less than three hours. The view which met our gaze was beau- tiful in the extreme—before us stretched the beautiful expanse of placid, sparkling water, lined here with a dense wall of tall green reeds, nodding with a polite ‘‘ good- morning” to the golden sun just beginning to make itself conspicuous from its con- cealment behind a lofty cloud of ‘‘morn- ing mist;” again the eye is charmed by twining, curling banksof green, here and there intercepted by a group of graceful drooping willows, which would ever and anon dip their emerald boughs into the graceful ‘‘love me still” air; the otherwise solitary scene is enlivened by the swarms of splashing, noisy water fowl, which seem to live for their own enjoyment. But this is straying too far from my sub- ject; my readers will begin to question whether I am eulogizing on the beauties of nature, or going on a fishing expedition. To return: One of my companions soon procured a small skiff and we all embarked and began to penetrate the masses of dark waving Tules or Sedge. We could not row on account of the Tules, but easily pushed the boat along by placing the oar on the sandy bottom and pushing oufselves along. The first two or three nests were Coots, which contained from seven to fifteen eggs each; then, to add variety to the scene we would now and then run across a nest of © the Little Grebe with its contents of seven little eggs, snugly hid from view by being covered over with a layer of dead Tules and decaying grasses, (indeed it has puz- zled me when this curious little water- fowl] sits on her eggs, as I have never yet found a nest that was not snugly covered over and hidden from view, as just de- scribed). Then, after a long interval, dur- ing which we would literally ‘‘scoop in” the Coot eggs, we would find a fine set of from seven to fourteen Redhead’s eggs and Swamp Wrens; without exaggeration I have stood at one spot and counted over a dozen nests at one time. We continued in this manner until the setting sun, casting its long reflective shadows across the water warned us that it was time to make our departure, and thus ended our days sport, resulting in the possession of over 500 Coots eggs; several dozen Redheads, Grebes, Swamp Wrens and Red-winged Black- birds without end; this is one days’ hunt out of many. It is true this is one of the most successful, in which I have been en- gaged, but I could tell of many more which were very profitable as well as in- termingled with the varied experience of a practical ‘‘field collector.” A. M. SHIELDs. ae fb *: Se gr) Old ‘‘ Put” and the Bird’s Nest. _ The boys of revolutionary times were ' very much like the boys of to-day. ¥ e General Israel Pntnam, who is the hero of all ‘‘Young America” for his breakneck ride down the cliffs and his adventure in the wolf’s den, was a ‘‘bird’s-nester” in his | : _ is sent us by a friend : _ Putnam’s early days were spent as those of most boys placed in his situation in life. | One of his favorite amusements was ‘‘bird- nesting.” The hunts for the nests were fol- lowed in company, and Putnam was always the leader. ‘Qn one occasion he and his companions came across a fine nest, which lodged on a | fine branch of a very high tree. There was no way of reaching the nest except by climbing (which was very difficult), and venturing out on the branch, which, nine | chances to one, would break under the weight of the robber. No one would ven- ture. Putnam regarded the nest and limb in silence for some moments, and at length said : “Yd wager that there is not a boy for ten miles around that can get that nest.” | All agreed with him. _ “Tl try it,” said he, deliberately taking off his jacket and rolling his pantaloons up | to his knees. His companions tried to dis- : : f z suade him, but to no purpose. Go he would. “Tl fancy that: one of the king’s strong- holds,” said Putnam, ‘“‘and may I be blessed if I don’t take it-” ++ The tree was ascended—The limb gained. Putnam placed his foot upon it, and it cracked. He ventured a foot further; the limb bent low, and a warning murmur rose from the boys below—and Putnam persevered. His fingers touched the wished for prize, and just as he cried, ‘I’ve got it,” the limb broke clear off, and he fell— but not to the ground. His pantaloons caught in one of the lower limbs, and his head hung downward. _ “Put, are you hurt?” asked one of the boys. ee ee A ‘ boyhood. The following anecdote of him | . THE YOUNG OOLOGIST. yl ‘“Not hurt,” answered the undaunted heart, ‘‘but sorely puzzled how to get down.” “We can’t cut away the limb, because we have got no knife.”’ ‘““T can’t stay here till you get one.” ‘We'll strike a light and burn the tree down.” ‘““Ay, and smother me in the smoke. That won't do.” There was a boy named Randall in the group, who was noted for being a crack marksman, and who afterwards fought bravely by Putnam’s side. Him Putnam addressed : ‘Jim Randall, there’s a ball in your rifle?” tes fe ‘Do you see that a very little limb holds me here?” Laon ‘* Fire at it.” ‘What, to cut you down?” “Of course,” ‘‘ But I might strike your head,” “Shoot! Better blow out my _ brains than see me die here, which I shall do in fifteen minutes. Shoot!’ ‘But you will fall.” ‘* Jim Randall, will you fire?” The sharp crack of the rifle rang through the forest, the splinters flew, and Putnam fell upon the ground. He was severely bruised, but laughed the matter off, and nothing more was thought of it. Drawing the nest from his pocket, he said : ‘* Here is that nest; I said I would have it, and no one should see me fail.’’ Oe In regard to the Mallard and Ruddy Ducks laying in the same nest as men- tioned among the Jottings in the last num- ber of Younc Oo.toaist by E. 8S. C., Hu- ron, D. T. We might add the following similar instance. In our collection we have a set of five eggs of the Cinnamon Teal, collected by Chas. E. Aiken, near Ft. Garland, Colo., July 12th, 1875, on the back of the data blank which accompanies the set, the col- lector add: ‘‘In the same nest with these eggs (the Cinnamon Teal) were three larger ones of a different species—probably Mal- lard’s.” Mr. Aiken also says in regard to this nest: ‘“The nest was reached by wade- ing about 200 yards through mud and water waist deep.” 92 THE YOUNG OOLOGIST. To Advertisers. Owing to our limited space heretofore it | | | | | has been impossible for us to exchange or | even solicit advertisements. But in the | future, as our cover will give us three or | four more pages for your use, we most re- spectfulky request you to send us a copy of | your ‘‘ad.” and let us give you our figures. | We will give you a good discount from udvertised rates. 2 Wisconsin Birds. The following is a list of Wisconsin birds, mostly prepared from. my notes, on | Ornthology and Oology, taken during the last five years in the central and eastern parts of the state. I have placed a single dagger (+) before the names of birds found to be rare, a double dagger ({) before very rare species, and before migrants an aster- isk (*) American Robin. Wood Thrush. Hermit Thrush. Gray Cheeked Thrush. Olive-backed Thrush. Wilson’s Thrush. Catbird. Brown Thrush. Bluebird. * 10 Ruby Crowned Kinglet. * 11 Golden Crested Kinglet. 12 Blue Gray Gnat-catcher. 13 Black-capped Chickadee. 14 Hudson’s Bay Titmouse. 15 White-bellied Vuthatch. * + 16 Red-bellied Vuthatch. 17 Brown Creeper. 18 House Wren. 19 Long-billed Marsh Wren. 20 Winter Wren. 21 Short-billed Marsh Wren. 22 Shore Lark. * 23 American Titlark. 24 Black and White Creeper. * 25 Blue Yellow-backed Warbler. t 26 Worm-eating Warbler. + 27 Blue Golden-winged Warbler. PG * + CMAIAOokWeH ++ * 28 Nashville Warbler. * 29 Orange-crowned Warbler. 30 Tennessee Warbler. 31 Summer Yellow-bird. * 32 Black-throated Green Warbler. * 33 Black-throated Blue Warbler. * 34 Cerulean Warbler. * 35 Yellow-rumped Warbler. * 36 Blackburian Warbier. * 37 Black-poll Warbler. * 38 Bay-breasted Warbler. * 39 Chestnut-sided Warbler. * 40 Black and Yellow Warbler. * 41 Red-poll Warbler. 42 Pine-creeping Warbler. * 43 Cape May Warbler. 44 Golden-crowned Thrush. 45 Small-billed Water Thrush. * 46 Connecticut Warbler. i Maryland Yellow-throat. 48 Mourning Warbler. Golden-breasted Chat. 50 Hooded Warbler. ns a ce 51 Black-capped Yellow Warbler. k | we * 52 Canadian Fly-catching Warbler. | 58 American Redstart. 54 Scarlet Tanager. 55 Barn Swallow. 56 White-bellied Swallow. d7 Cliff Swallow. 58 Bank Swallow. + 59 Rough-winged Swallow. 60 Purple Martin. * 61 Northern Waxwing. 62 Cedar Waxwing. 63 Warbling Vireo. 64 Red-eyed Vireo. * 65 Philadelphia Warbler. 66 Yellow-throated Vireo. + 67 Blue-headed Vireo. 68 White-eyed Vireo. - + * 69 Great Northern Shrike. 70 White-rumped Shrike. 71 Evening Grosbeak. 72 Pine Grosbeak. 73 Purple Finch. 74 American Crossbill. 75 White-winged Crossbill. 76 Common Red-poll. + 77 White-rumped Red-poll. 78 Pine Goldfinch. 79 American Goldfinch. 80 Snow Bunting. 81 Lapland Longspur. 82 Smith’s Longspur. 83 Savannah Sparrow. 84 Grass Finch. 85 Yellow-winged Sparrow. - . *k—— * 86 Nelson’s Sharp-tailed Finch). 87 Lark Finch. 88 English Sparrow. * 89 White-crowned Sparrow. 90 White-throated Sparrow. * 91 Tree Sparrow. 92 Chipping Sparrow. 93 Clay-colored Sparrow. + 94 Field Sparrow. * 95 Black Snowbird. 96 Song Sparrow. 97 Swamp Sparrow. * + * 98 Lincoln’s Finch. + * 99 Fox-colored Sparrow. * 100 Chewink Towhee. + 101 Cardinal Grosbeak. 102 Rose-breasted Grosbeak. 103 Indigo Bunting. 104 Black-throated Bunting. THE YOUNG OOLOGIST. ———— ie . * 113 - 114 Brewer’s Blackbird. + 122 » 184 » 186 + 142 105 Bobolink. 106 Cowbird. 107 Yellow-headed Blackbird. 108 Red and Buff-shouldered Black- bird. 109 Meadow Lark. 110 Western Meadow Lark. * 111 Orchard Oriole. 112 Baltimore Oriole. Rusty Blackbird. 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 121 Purple Grackle. American Raven. Common Crow. Black-billed Magpie. Blue Jay. Canada Blue Jay. Great Crested Fly-Catcher. Phoebe Bird. Olive-sided Fly-catcher. Wood Pewee. Traill’s Fly-catcher. Least Fly-catcher. Ruby-throated Humming-Bird. Chimney Swift. W hip-poor-will. Night Hawk. Hairy Woodpecker. Downy Woodpecker. 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 182 pecker. 133 Yellow-bellied Woodpecker. pecker. Pileated Woodpecker. Red-bellied Woodpecker. Red-headed Woodpecker. Yellow-shafted Flicker. Belted Kingfisher. Yellow-billed Cuckoo. Btack-billed Cuckoo. American Barn Owl. American Long-eared Owl. American Short-eared Owl. Barred Owl. Great Grey Owl. Richardson’s Owl. Saw-whet Owl. Screech Owl. Great Horned Owl. Snowy Owl. American Hawk Owl. 135 137 138 139 140 141 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 151 152 ’ *153 Peregrine Falcon. . 154 Pigeon Hawk. 155 Sparrow Hawk. 156 Fish Hawk; American Osprey. 157 Swallow-tailed Kite. 158 Marsh Hawk. 159 Cooper’s Hawk. 160 Sharp-shinned Hawk. 161 American Goshawk. 162 Red-tailed Hawk. 163 Red-shouldered Hawk. * + 164 Swainson’s Hawk. ~ Black-backed Three-toed Wood- | Banded backed Three-toed W ood- | | 165 166 167 168 169 170 171 172 173 174 175 176 177 178 178 ++ + *226 * 207 Broad-winged Hawk. American Rough-legged Hawk. Golden Eagle. Bald Eagle. Turkey Buzzard. Passenger Pigeon. Mourning Dove. Canada Grouse. Ruffed Grouse. Prairie Hen. Common Sharp-tailed Grouse. American Duck. Great Blue Heron. American Egret. Green Heron. Black-crowned Night Heron. American Bittern. Least Bittern. Wood Ibis. Turnstone. Black-bellied Plover. 5)» American Golden Plover. Killdeer. Semipalmated Plover. Piping Plover. American Woodcock. Wilson’s Snipe. Stilt Sandpiper. Robin Snipe. Purple Snipe. Pectoral Sandpiper. ) Bonaparte’s Sandpiper. } Baird’s Sandpiper. Least Sandpiper. Red-backed Sandpiper. Semipalmated Sandpiper. Sanderling Sandpiper. Marbled Godwidt. 2 Hudsonian Godwit. Greater Yellow-legs. Yeliow Legs. Solitary Sandpiper. Willet. i Bartram’s Sandpiper. Buff-breasted Sandpiper. Spotted Sandpiper. Long-billed Curlew. Hudsonian Curlew. Red Phalarope. Northern Phalarope. 4 Wilson’s Phalarope. American Avocet. Black-necked Stilt. Belding’s Rail. Virginian Rail. Sora Rail. Little Yellow Rail. Florida Gallinule. American Coot. Whooping Crane. Sand-hill Crane. Whistling Swan. Trumpeter Swan. Blue-winged Goose. 904 THE YOUNG OOLOGIST. * 228 Snow Goose. 229 Lesser Snow Goose. * 230 American White-fronted Goose. * 231 Canada Goose. * 232 Hutchin’s Goose. + *233 Brandt. 234 Mallard. 235 Black Mallard. * 236 Gadwall. Pintail. * 288 Baldpate. * 289 Shoveller. 240 Blue-winged Teal. 241 Green-winged Teal 242 Wood Duck. + *243 Scaup Duck. * 244 Little Blackhead. 245 Ring-billed Blackhead. * 246 Canvas-back. * 247 Red-head. 248 Butterball. + 249 Harlequin Duck. 250 Long-tailed Duck. * 251 Ruddy Duck. * 252 American Sheldrake. + *253 Red-breasted Sheldrake. 254 Hooded Sheldrake. * 255 American Pelican. * 256 Double-breasted Comorant. + *257 Glaucous Gull. + 258 American Herring Gull. * 229 Ring-billed Gull. * 260 Bonaparte’s Gull. 261 Forster’s Tern. * 262 Common Tern. 263 Black Fern. + 264 American Red-necked Grebe. + *265 Horned Grebe. 266 Eared Grebe. 267 Thick-billed Grebe. 268 Loon. { 269 Black-throated Diver. 270 Red-throated Diver. C. McCoiuvum, Twinn Bluffs, Wis. Aa RS Se Ca) (Ju) ~ Showy and Desirable Eggs at Lower Rates than Ever Before Offered. Unless so stated inthe November Youne OoLocist these low rates will be cancelled November 15th. Owing to the fact that we now have thousands of the following eggs, rather than to carry so large a stock we have de- cided to give our friends an opportunity to purchase at one-half usual rates. These eggs are among the most desirable ever offered for collectors desiring showy eggs ; for young collectors, or to be used in mak- Mocking-Bird - - - 10° Brown Thrasher - - - - 05 — House Wren - - . : 08 | Long-billed Marsh Wre 2) io ET Summer Yellow Bird - - - 08 Cedar Bird - - : 2 : 10 Purple Martin - - : . 20 Cliff Swallow - : L - - 05 Bank Swallow - : - E 05 — Crimson House Finch — - - - 15. American Goldfinch - : 08. Lark Finch - - - - - 20 Cardinal Grosbeak - - - 15] ‘Rose-breasted Grosbeak - - : 25 | Cala. Brown Towhee - - - 20. Painted Bunting — - . - - 20 Yellow-headed Blackbird _ - - 20 Texan Orchard Oriole’ - - - 15 Purple Grakle~ - : - - 08 | Common Crow - - - - 10. Blue-Jay — - : - - - 08 Scissor-tailed Flycatcher - : 20 | Kingbird - - - - - 06— Pewee) = - a 8 oe . 06. Yellow-shafted Flicker - - 06 Mourning Dove - - - - 08 Ground Dove - 50 Wild Turkey - - - - 1.00 Texan Quail - - - : - 20 Cala. Quail - . - . . - BDI Snowy Heron - - - . . 25 | ing exchanges, collectors wishing to avail § themselves of these low rates, should not delay in sending in their order, as we can- not agree to fill them at these prices after November 15. All orders will be filled promptly, and forwarded by return mail or express, AT MY RISK, POSTAGE OR EXPRESS CHARGES PREPAID. SPECIAL RATES UNTIL NOV. 15. Collectors sending us 25c can select from the following list eggs to the amount of 30c. Collectors sending us 50c can select from the following list eggs to the amount of 70c. Collectors sending us $1,00 can select from the following list eggs to the amount of $1.50. Collectors sending us $3.00 can select from the following list eggs to the amount of $5.00. Collectors sending us $5.00 can select from the following list eggs to the amount of $7.00. | Collectors sending us $12.00 can select from the following list eggs to the amount of $25.00. Remit at once by draft on N, Y., money order or postal note on Gaines, N. Y., or by registered letter. Louisiana Heron - : s : 25 Little Blue Heron - - - - 20 mone riover =" - » - =; 50 potted Sandpiper - - - - 20 |'Plorida Gallinule - . - 15 American Coot - - - - 15 \[Redhead — - : - - . 50 American Hider - : - . 40 (Ruddy Duck - : - - 1.50 own Pelican - : - - 20 Double-crested Cormorant - - 40 orida Cormorant - - - - 30 Brandt’s Cormorant - - - 1.00 ||\Baird’s Cormoront - - : «6° 4200 ¢Black Skimmer - - - - 30 American Herring Gull - - - 30 Laughing Gull - ; th Me 25 \|Royal Tern” - See : 40 |}Porester’s Tern - a . 30 Common Tern - - - - - 12 \|}Arctic Tern - : : - 15 “Roseate Tern - : - - - 18 ibeast Tern - - - - - 12 | Leach’s Petrel - - - - 25 Common Guillemont - -~— - 35 \/Cala. Guillemont - - - : 40 | Bronzed Cowbird - - - 1.50 \Great-tailed Grakle- - - - 60 .|Parauque Goat-sucker A a 5.00 || Groove-billed{Crotophaga pi ee) BOO ' Ocellated Turkey et : ae 4.00 NGuinea Fowl - - - = - 10 Summer Redbird- — - - 35 \ Carolina Wren Sea eam 25 | Red-headed Woodpecker - - 15 4 Alligator - - - : ’ é 30 4 Western Gull 4 : : - 75 Two SPECIAL OFFERS TO ENLARGE We will give 25 cents worth of the above eggs for every new subscriber you will send us for the Youne Ooxoeist before Nov. | 15, 1884. These subscriptions will count towards the valuable prizes to be given January ist. No. 2: For $1.00 we will send one dollar’s worth Any of our present subscribers wishing to avail themselves of this offer can have i years’ subscription. Address, plainly, FRANK H. LATTIN, GAINES, N. Y., Orleans Co. i THE YOUNG OOLOGIST. 95 Exchanges and Wants. Brief special announcements, ** Wants,” ‘*Ex- changes,” inserted in this department for 25 cents per 2s words. Notices over 25 words charged at the rate of one-half cent per word. No notice inserted for less than 25 cents, Notices which are merely indirect methods of soliciting cash purchasers cannot be ad- mitted to these colums under any circumstances. Terms, cash with order. WanTED—To exchange and buy Birds’ Eggs from collectors throughout the United States and Canada. Write and send prices to E. R. Davis, JR., Gaines- ville, Texas. Z Wantep—A few Humming Birds’ Nests. Will give excellent exchange or good cash price. Also eggs of 312 for exchange. C. H. Andros, Taunton, Mass. Lead ore, zinc ore, fossil shells and crinoids, py- rites iron, petrified moss and wooe, pressed terns and other curiosities for sea urchins, mounted sea mosses and good curiosities. (Good specimens sent and de- sired in exchange. Send list of what you have and want. Ocean curiosities especially desired. Sam. CARPENTER, JR., Oswego, Kansas. A collection of 60 eggs, including Woodcock, Wild Goose and Bonapartian Gull, for the best offer of la- belled woods, which must be 2x8 inches or larger and of uniform size. A first-class Purple Martin’s eggs for every V nickel without ‘‘cents.’’ Cuas. A. Davis, 128 King St., Burlington, Vt. I have ancient Roman and Greek coins and foreign coppers to exchange for match and medicide stamps, small fossils or rare minerals. Write to J. D. Van San, Jersey. City, N. J., Box 283. Fresh water and marine shells to exchange for birds eggs. Correspondence with field collectors desired VeERp1I Burrcn, Branchport, Yates Co.,N.Y. Henri N. BarBer, Polo, Ogle Co., Ill., wishes to exchange birds’ eggs with collectors having either first or second class ones. Please write. I have for exchange one large chromo, ten differ- ent foreign stamps, a few picture cards for birds’ eggs, minerals or coins. Address LA GRANDE SOUTH- WORTH, Schuyler’s Lake, N. Y. Gollectors—I havetwenty eggs of the Brown Peli-— can, also a few of other desirable varieties to ex- change. Correspondence solicited. ARTHUR H. Hack, Taunton, Mass. Exchange—A Chinese coin ora Chinese newspaper for every stamp from Iceland, Liberia, Cypress,U. S. 12, 24, 30 Or go., 1851, 1861 or 1869 issue. 25 rare Cali- fornia postmarks for every 5 U. S. department stamps. A fine specimen of Red Wood from the big tree of California, for every U.S. executive, justice or state department stamp. A rare Chinese calling card or a horn nut for every 75 varieties of stamps. Foreign exchanges and correspondence desired, W.A. TEBOW, 1,630 Q. St., Sacramento, Cal. Southern Eggs, Fossils, Sea Beans, Minerals and a large variety of specimens for first class Eggs, Shells, Geodes, Shark Teeth, Crystals and Books on Natural History in good cond:tion. Send list. JouHN B. WHEELER, East Templeton, Mass. I have one hundred (100) varieties of foreign coins to exchange, both copper and silver. I will exchange them for other coins. Lists exchanged. W.G. JER- REMS, JR., 38 Aldine St., Chicago. FRED M. ANDROs, Taunton,Mass., has over a hun- dred varieties of Birds’ Eggs in sets and single to ex- change forsets. Correspondence solicited. Bo. srs THE YOUNG OOLOGIST. H. K. Lanois, Landis Valley, Pa., will give good exchange in minerals for first-class eggs not native to Pennsylvania. Correspondence desired with experi- enced collectors. Write soon. An improved Lester scroll saw with roo feet of yy inch wood for best offer of Birds’ Eggs. A good flute worth $12.50, for eggs, stamps, coins, specimens, cu- riosities, printing press, type. A breech-loading shot gun or riffe,an oak and white holley cabinet for eggs, will hold 200, to exchange for eggs. Address HerseErT E., Strout, 611 Franklin Ave., Minneapolis, Minn. To exchange—A fine new Racine Canoe for a 54 nek Bicycle. E.C. P., P.O. Box 545, Springfield, iWlass. Something needed by every boy in the Uhited States, will be given inexchange for Birds’ Eggs or other curiosities. Write immediately to W.E. Proc- tor, 1518 Market Street, Oakland, Cal. - I have eggs to exchange with all collectors. List on application. W. F. Beapman, Vineland, N. J. WanTED—A good Acromatic Telestope, Surveyor. Compass, with Vernierand Surveyors chain. Addres Ao full particulars, to J. E. Winstow, Virgil. Chrome ore, magnesia, rose, milky and glossy quartz, flint, pectolite, michorchist, soap-stone, fele- spar, horn block, to exchange for birds’ eggs. Jas. W. Jupp, 528 Willoughby Ave. ,Brooklyn, L.I.,N.Y. Birds’ Skins, Eggs and Insects for the same. A Foot-Power Holly Bracket Saw for the best offer in birds’ skins or side-blown eggs. CARLETON GiL- BERT, Jackson, Mich. _t Stuffed Birds to exchange for Birds’ Eggs. Best of Workmanship guaranteed; twelve years’ experi- ence ; send your lists of eggs by letter, no postals wanted. H.F. Kramp, Wallingford, Conn ee Minerals, stamps, silk curiosities, silk’scraps, etc., to exchange for minerals, curiosities and birds’ eggs insets. Wr1Lt G. Copr, 1818 Barrett Ave., Louis- ville, Ky. Minerals, Curiosities, etc., to exchange for Birds’ Eggs, in sets with data, and blown through one hole Rare foreign stamps for match and medicine. C. L. BRownELL, Nyack-on-Hudson, N. Y. -~ f pr) ee Ep. K. McCvain, McConnellsville, S. C., wants to exchange a first-class Telegraph Instrument (cost. $5), for a printing press complete in first-class order. Write at once if you want to exchange. ; An eight dollar Continental] Note of 1776, genuine, for the best offer in Indian or Mound Builders. Relics in good condition. E. M. Frencu, Amesbury,Mass. WantTEp—First-class Birds’ Eggs and Curiosities in exchange in large quantities. Send lists and state what you desire in exchange. FRANK H. LatTIN, Gaines, N. Y. Twenty varieties of American Birds’ Eggs, first- class, and fourteen varieties of shells to exchange for the same. W.G. TaLtmapGe, Plymouth, Conn. Eggs and stamps for eggs; 32 foreign stamps for every foreign coin except one cent Canada. Corres- pondence solicited. F. J. Sorrore, Belmont, Alle- gany Co., N. Y. T. L., Box 62, Oakland, Cal., wants to exchange good eggs of Crested Quail and Foolish Guillemot for other good eggs. **V nickels’? without the word cents, and minerals for birds’ eggs and minerals. WarREN CARTER, Wallingford, Del. Co., Pa. Dealers please send lists and prices of minerals, rel- ics and eggs to W. B. FLANSBURGH, La Fargeville, Jefferson Co., N. Y. I would like to exchange eggs with all collectors. I also desire rare foreign stamps; send for list; I also have foreign coins for exchange. V. E. Wyman, Perry, Lake Co , Ohio. Cuas. Acuorn, Rockland, Meine, wants to ex- change first-class Wilson Tern eggs with data, for others in same Condition. Send list and state number wanted, Fossils, Flint, pectolite, iron and copper ore, plum- bago, soil from Japan, China and Turk’s Island, shells, picture cards, vegetable ivory from Africa, to exchange for birds’ eggs.. JAMES JuDD, 528 Will- oughby Ave., Brooklyn, N. Y. S. S. Owen, North Turner Bridge, Maine, wishes to exchange birds eggs with all collectors. Lists sent upon application. He also wishes new nickels with- out the word cents, and_will give cash or eggs in exchange for the same. Correspondence solicited. Ff XCHANGE—Owing to our overwhelming stock | in 30 or more varieties of minerals, we will give extraordinary offers until November ist. Gorres-_ pondence necessary. A. E. SOUTHWORTH & CO., Woodstock, Ill. ALLIGATOR EGGS by return mail at only 30c. each. H. W. DAVIS, North Granville, N.Y. PASTE BOARD BOXES made especially for col- lections of all kinds. Two inches square, % inch high, 25 cents per doz. Send stamp for circular. pt. J. NEABIS: 511 Washington Ave., St. Louis, Mo. My 24 Page Illustrated Catalogue, containing prices _ of thousands of Coins, Stamps, Currency, &c., sent free, with two Silver Plated Medals, for roc. For sale only by W. F. GREANY, 827 Brannan St., San Francisco, Cal. : j ANTED—7s5 cents cash or 50 cents and an egg of the Painted Bunting for an Ebony Fife nam ly new; the fife cost $1.50. A. S. MEHL, 1,527 Mt. Vernon St., Philadelphia, Pa. i GEND to cents for one of the Celebrated Micro- scopic Watch Charms; 3 for 25c. Louis E. SCHRADER, 1021 Main St., Wheeling, W. Va. NOTICE. Owing to protracted illness I am breaking un my entire private collection of U.S. and Foreign Stamps, Revenues, etc., Post Cards, Confederate Bills, Minerals, Fossils, Petrifac- tions, Indian‘ Relics, etc. Sheets of stamp: sent on approval on receipt of postage. Nine kinds of rare Iowa Minerals (1 by 1, labelled’ for 25c.; 2 by 2 specimens 10c. each; perfec arrow heads 4 to Ioc. each; large specimen of gold ore 15c. each. List of any of th above for 2c. stamp for postage. Address TAMES. ©. JAY; La Hoyt, Henry Co., Iowa . 4 4 wh a Sa — THE YOUNG OOLOGIST BVol. 1. ————————— : The Crow Blackbird, or Bronzed - ~_—- a Grackle. Quiscalus purpureus eneus. For many years, during the fall and early spring, a forest of young maples on the old college farm has been the regular resort, or roosting place, for thousands of these birds. Soon after daylight on these October mornings, the long sinuous cloud of Grackles sweeps over the city of Man- hattan, bound for the vast cornfields on the bottom lands of the Kansas river. In _ the evening, the return to roost is in some- what detached bodies; but there is usually one flock which is more extensive than others. This gradually absorbs the smaller bodies, and circles around the roosting place until twilight, when all dis- appear among the maples. All their evo- lutions are accompanied by the usual chat- tering noise. . This habit of the Crow Blackbird has been constantly observed in our latitude farther east and southward. Indeed, these birds breed in large companies. _ The thicket of black Austrian pines on ‘the college farm is a favorite nesting place. Hundreds of pairs of Grackles breed in them yearly, some of the pines having several nests each. = SS eee Se v Farther south, along~ the Mississippi river, these birds form ‘‘ roosts” during the fall and winter of almost incredible num- | bers. In Southern Lllinois, flocks perhaps a hundred times as large as those seen here, occur. These scatter over an im- mense territory during the day, but return to the ‘‘roost” at nightfall. The question arises: Do not these birds do great damage? It may be that question is an open one for some localities; but for the greater part of Kansas I would rec- ommend that they be protected. No. 7. GAINES, N. Y., NOV, 1884. | | { PuBLisHED MonrHLy. 60c. PEr YEAR. eee PES IID TERE DET, CL ELE TE DE LL ELIOT TO a ees I know some farmers look upon the Crow Blackbird as an enemy to their in- terests; but the charge has not been that it destroys the maturing crop of corn. On the other hand, they are charged with de- struction to the young corn that has just appeared above the ground. I have long been convinced that this charge against the Grackle is almost wholly groundless. I have gone into the fields of young corn where these birds were especially busy, and have examined the young corn pulled up. In nearly all cases the graln was un- touched, and was evidently not that for which the bird was searching. Further observation showed, that these cornfields were much infested by cut-worms, and that the birds were evidently engaged in destroying them. The cut-worms often burrow at the base of the young plant and the bird destroys the plant in getting the worm. I will not deny that the birds often do eat the grain when thus exposed; but they do not seem to have that purpose in view. Mr. B. H. Warren, of West Chester, Pennsylvania, has given to the State Ag- ricultural Society of that State the results of an examination of the food taken by a a large series of specimens of the Crow Blackbird killed during the different months. The results seem to*substantiate what [have said. In March twenty-nine specimens were examined. They had eaten chiefly insects and seeds; in five corn was present, and in four wheat and oats were found. ‘‘All of these grains were in connection with an ex- cess of insect food.” April—Thirty-three were examined. Food chiefly insects, but with a small amount of vegetable matter. May—Eighty-two examined. Food al- most entirely insects, chiefly cut-worms. June—Forty-three examined. Showed 98 generally insects, cnt-worms in abundance; ‘‘fruits and berries present, but to a very small extent.” July—The twenty-four examined showed mainly insects; ‘‘ berries present to a lim- ited amount.” August—The twenty-three examined showed chiefly insects, berries and corn. September—EHighteen examined. Food, insects, berries, corn and seeds. October —Three hundred and_ seventy- eight were examined. One hundred and eleven of these, taken from the first to the tenth of the month, showed the following results, Thirty, corn and _ Coleoptera; twenty-seven, corn only; fifteen, grasshop- pers; eleven, corn and seeds; eleven, corn and grasshoppers; seven, Coleoptera; three, Coleoptera and Orthoptera (grasshoppers); three, wheat and Coleoptera; two, wheat and corn; one, wheat; one, Diptera. ‘“The remaining two hundred and sixty- seven birds were taken from the tenth to the thirty-first of the month, and their food was found to consist almost entirely of corn.” I have no doubt that an examination of Kansas birds would show similar results. Hence, we must conclude that it is only _ when insect food is not abundant that corn becomes the principal diet of the Crow Blackbird. In the first part of the season itis of decided benefit, and even in the item of cut-worms alone saves far more to the farmer than it reclaims in late summer and autumn.—Hrom The Industrialist, by Prof. D. HL. Lantz, of Kansas State Agricultural College. 2 i A Singular Duel, On page 76 of that recent and most in- teresting popular treatise on ‘‘Our Birds in Their Haunts,” by J. H. Langille, appears this statement, among others, descriptive of the Blue-Jay: After noting the consid- erable mimicking power of this bird, and the evident satisfaction he enjoys in teasing other birds with it, seeming to prefer for his victim a small Hawk, the author says : ‘* But this ludicrous farce often terminates THE: YOUNG) OOLOGIST, tragically. The Hawk, singling out one of the most insolent and provoking, sweeps upon him in an unguarded moment and offers him up a sacrifice to hunger and resentment.” In confirmation of the statement here made, I may venture to add the following tragic termination, of which I was an eye- witness : It was a cold, raw forenoon in the early winter of 1881; the snow lay some eighteen inches deep and was still falling in occa- sional gusts. While passing through a little thicket of junipers on the bank of Pleasant River, deep in the virgin forests of Maine, my companion and myself came upon some fresh Porcupine tracks. Here close beside the margin of a little tributary stream to the river was a path as hard and well-worn as a cow-path where - these animals had passed and repassed with their heavy plantigrade tread. Yonder is one of the junipers with its bark well-nigh eaten away by the same animal. These incisor marks of the Hedgehog are an accurate indicator of the depth of the snow, a sort of self-registering depth meas- urer, by means of whose records one may ~ tell, even in the heat of summer, just how deep the snow has lain when the chilly blasts of winter drove it in white clouds to gather behind some sheltering knoll. They tell us, too, on what these hardy animals feed when all else lies buried deep beneath December’s white mantle. Suddenly the winter’s silence is broken by an unearthly sound; no! not @ sound, but a medley of sounds all pitched on the same discordant key. Having never been fortunate enough to hear the far-famed ‘‘cry” of a wounded Hedgehog, I at once imagined that I was at last listening to it and that the noise pro- ceeded from two males of that species in deadly combat, But on carefully approaching a dense clump of the junipers whence the sound proceeded, what was my surprise to behold, instead of the two animals of my imagina- tion, only a Blue-Jay and a Sharp-shinned © Hawk. THE YOUNG OOLOGIST. 99 Firmly locked together, each was fight- ing with that grim despair which only comes when death impends. In this case, however, the desperation was mainly on the part of the Jay, as with beak and talons the Hawk was fast reduc- ing both his plumage and his courage. But it was by no means so one-sided as might appear, for in the little time that I watched them the Jay drove his sharp beak into one of the Hawk’s eyes and again into the back of his neck in such a vicious manner as made him wince very perceptibly. fe This duel would have undoubtedly re- sulted in the death of the Jay before very long, as already his wing and tail feathers _were gone and the snow for some distance around was covered with his characteristic blue plumage. : Determined to die game, he was fighting till the last, but was foolishly expending Buch of his energy in heartrending cries ‘indicative alike of stern defiance and a ‘rapidly waning hope. Interspersed with these dying throes came the harsh exultant tones of the Hawk, too often cut short and _assimilated to the mourning of the Jay by a fierce jab of the latter’s beak into some ex- posed portion of the Hawk’s body. _ After studying the duel for some time I brought it to a sudden close by shooting both birds. The Jay was quite well picked and partially skinned also. The Hawk ‘Made a good specimen and was preserved. The insertion of a glass eye in place of the ‘one he was unwary enough to lose made him almost perfect. _ There is a suggestion in this latter fact that possibly as a result of similar encoun- ters there are among birds, as among men, certain one-eyed individuals, and it would be instructive to ascertain whether in such Instances that wonderful precision by which ‘the Hawk strikes his quarry endures the loss. C. B. Wison, Waterville, Me. — j The Fish Hawk. q Pandion haliztus Carolinensis. f The following article was taken from an old paper and sent us by a friend, thinking . : it might be of interest to the readers of the Youne Oouocist : In the ‘‘ Naturalist’s Guide” (1877), Part II., Catalogue of the Birds of Eastern Massachusetts, by C. J. Maynard, is the following note: ‘‘ Pandion Carolinensis, Bon. Not a common summer resident, growing less so every year. Perhaps a few breed in the interior, but it is doubtful.” Mr. Maynard also placed the bird in his list of regular spring and autumn migrants. I was much surprised when I read this note, as no bird is more familiar in this locality than the Fish Hawk. It is with us a regular summer resident, arriving early in the month of March and departing early in November, and breeds evtry season quite abundantly. From more than a quarter of a century’s personal observation I can attest that these Hawks have not per- ceptibly diminished in number in this vicinity, and I can find a dozen or more nests of this species within an hour’s drive of my home which have _ been occupied by them for years, and in which they have annually reared their young. For nearly nine months of the year I can look up any day, and almost any time of the day, and see one or more Fish Hawks watching for their prey or going to and from the nest. Some of the nests are locat- ed near Taunton, Great River, or on the shores of Mount Hope or Narragansett Bay, and some are situated a mile or more from tbe water. Perhaps I live in a para- dise for Fish Hawks, but I should not have been more surprised to have read that the Robin and Bluebird and the Song Sparrow were uncommon summer resi- dents, and that but few of them breed in this region. Though not so numerous as Swallows or Blackbirds, if the phrase ‘‘common summer resident ” is applicable to any representative of our avi-fauna, it is applicable to Pandion haleatus. The Osprey begins to build, or much more com- monly, to repair an old one, soon after their arrival. From two to four eggs are the usual complement, and incubation commences in May. While the female is setting the male brings her food and at Tele) times takes charge of the eggs as the mate goes off foran airing. One of the pair is on or in sight of the nest from the time in- cubation begins until the young are able to shift for themselves. I have repeatedly seen the female on the nest and her mate perched on a limb of the tree pruning its feathers or wings and murmuring a not unmusical strain, evidently as a solace to his companion, while Robins, Sparrows and Blackbirds lit upon the branches and sang their melodious songs, apparently un- noticed by the Hawks. Harmless to the agriculturist, protected by the fishermen, watched with intense interest by all who care for our birds, second to none In the matchless majesty of his mien, the Fish Hawk is seldom molested save by the oologists, ornithologists or the mere collec- tor of eggs. EisHa SLADE, Somerset, Mass. ——$$<—__§_~- Spurred Towhee; Least Tit. An interesting California bird is the Spurred Towhee, here named from its peculiar call the ‘‘ Catbird.””» The Spurred Towhee places its nest in various situations, but seems to prefer a hidden position on the ground. Three or four eggs are laid ina nest, which is usually composed of decayed leaves and lined with dry grass and roots. During the past season I found many nests, most of which were placed under brush or grass on the. ground. Of the three found above ground, one was built in the lower limb of a cherry tree, three feet nine inches above ground: one in a shrub, five feet six inches above the ground, and the other in a eucalyptus tree, ten feet from the ground. When flushed from the nest the female Towhee will sometimes drag herself fluttering along the ground for a considerable distance in the vain hope of | enticing the collector from its home. I have an egg of the Spurred Towhee in my possession which is less than half the ordi- nary size. It was found with fonr other eggs of the usual size in a Towhee’s nest built on the ground. THE YOUNG OOLOGIST. y The Least Tit, although one of the tiniest birds to be found in California, is not by any means the least interesting. The nest - of the Least Tit is usually placed in a live- oak tree, at varying heights. Although built by such a minute little bird it is un- doubtedly one of the most beautiful and curious nests to be found on this coast. The home of the Least Tit is hanging and cylindrical in form and made up of in- numerable minute dead leaves, sticks, etc., plentifully interspersed with dry moss. The moss is held together by a fine, com- paratively strong, web-like substance, which is drawn out in fibres. The dimen- sions of the nest are as follows: Length, ten and a half inches; diameter near the bottom, four inches; diameter in the centre, three inches. The entrance to the nest is through a small, circular orifice, in the side near the top. This little entrance is only three-fourths of an inch in diameter, and seems hardly large enough to admit even its little owner. The lower part of the nest, for about two inches and a half, is nearly solid. This firm foundation the Least Tit covers with feathers and other soft substances, upon which she deposits her eggs, which are usually from five to eight in number and pure white. Hick. JPAyioR Alameda, Cal. pid pee ea “¢ Lettuce-Bird.” I see you state in the last Youne Oouo- GIsT that the name ‘‘ Lettuce-Bird ” is ap- plied to the Blue Grosbeak. I would state that in the central part of North Carolina it is also applied to the American Gold- finch, from its feeding on the seeds of the lettuce. Yours very truly, Kk. T. ADNEY, N.Y: City, Thanks. Our only authority for stating that the Blue Grosbeak was sometimes called the ‘‘ Lettuce-Bird”’ was that a few years since we obtained some eggs from a collector in Texas, which he called the ‘* Lettuce-Bird.” These eggs proved to be those of the Blue Grosbeak. ‘Old Put and the Bird’s Nest.” re E ANOTHER VERSION. _ The anecdote published in the last num- a of THE Youne Ooxoaisr relating one of General Israel Putnam’s daring ex- ' ploits in his younger days calls forth the following letter froma gentleman to whom the general was a great-great-uncle : ‘ Boston, Oct. 18, 1884. _ THE Youne Ooxoeist : A copy of your issue, No. 6, vol. I., ad- dressed to A. Putnam, Boston, has found its way to me, though probably intended for someone else, because I have never been _a student of birds nor of any other class of animated beings than Man. Having lived already four score and two years, I am not likely to travel much in search of birds’ eggs. __ Your account of “Old ‘Put’ and the _ Bird’s Nest’? amused me a little. He was born in the same house and reared on the same farm as myself. He was the brother of my great-grandfather. ‘in Danvers, Mass. From my grandfather “Israel, nephew of the Old ‘‘Put” Israel, I heard in my younger days of his uncle’s exploits in taming bz//s, etc., but never of hunting for birds’ eggs, though, like my- self and other boys, he no doubt did that; but the use of the ‘‘rifle’ many years be- fore the rifle was invented caused me to smile. Very respectfully, ALLEN PUTNAM. Knowing that the boys of America never tire in reading about their heroes, and knowing that the above letter would be of especial interest to the readers of THE _Youne Oo.oeist, we have taken the lib- erty to publish it in full. It will be need- less to add that we value the letter highly. From a long article given in the Rural _ New Yorker some fifteen -years ago we clip the following extracts, which includes an- other version of the ‘‘Bird’s Nest” anec- _dote—the writer of which must also have forgotten that the ‘‘rifle’ was hardly in use -acentury and one-half ago—and also the one about ‘‘taming bulls’ which Mr. P. alludes to in his letter : - Our hero’s great-grandfather, John Put- nam, settled in that part of Salem, Mass., now Danvers, in 1634. His father was Captain Joseph Putnam. Israel was born _January 7, 1718. The house in which he 1 The place was, THE YOUNG OOLOGIST. IO] was born is still standing, in good _preser- vation, and occupied by his’ grand- nephew. THE BIRD’S NEST. Young Putnam’s first daring exploit was in attempting to get a bird’s nest attached to a Slender limb at the top of a tall tree. He walked out on the limb below, but just as he touched the nest and exclaimed, ‘‘I’ve got it—it is mine,” the limb broke, and he fell till he caught on another limb by his pantaloons, where he hung, head down- wards. Hanging thus, where he could get neither up nor down, in a position where death must come ina few minutes, he called to a boy in the frightened group below to shoot off the limb with his rifle, After some hesitation he did this, and young Putnam fell to the ground somewhat bruised. Determined not to be defeated, a few days afterwards he returned to the tree, alone, and with much difficulty secured the nest, which he brought to his com- panions in triumph. HE CHASTISES A BULL. He was a man of great personal strength, as an incident occurring at this period will show. He had an eye for fine cattle, and having reareda bull of beautiful proportions, which he highly valued, but having a vicious temper had become the terror of his neighbors, he determined to chastise and conquer him, and took the following very novel way todo it. Com- ing up to the animal in the pasture, while in one of his vicious moods, ‘‘he seized him suddenly by the tail, and twisting it around a small tree. held him fast” with one hand, while he severely chastised him with an ox-gad, in the other. The bull bellowed and tore up the earth in his rage, but all in vain, as the grip that held him was inexorable. From that time the bull had a master, and the sight of a rod made him submissive. a ee For every new subscriber you may send us for the YoUNG OOoLoGIsT, we will give a copy of our new Hand-book. 102 THE YOUNG OOLOGIST EDITED AND PUBLISHED MONTHLY FRANK H. LATTIN, GAINES, N. Y. Printed by JoHN P. Smit, 80 State St., Rochester. 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Address all subscriptions and communications to THE YOUNG OOLOGIST, GAINES, Orleans Co., N. Y. ("Make money orders and drafts payable to FRANK H.LATTIN. Entered at the Post Office at Gaines, N. Y., as Second-class mail matter. mays oe - Re SO a Se RESEND AEM PERT STS ETP Ore eewra GS. JOTTIN Back Numbers of the Youne OoLoaist can be furnished at 6 cts. per copy. Sub- scriptions can commence with any number the subscriber may desire, As we go to press, we receive from J. Tennant, F. G. 8., Stoke, Eng., some valuable papers on the egg of #pyornis maximus, the colossal Bird of Madagascar. Our readers will hear from them later. H. W., of Adrian, Mich., writes, us, that while out collecting last May, he found a set of four Robin’s eggs, the first was of the usual size, the second a little smaller, and the third smaller than the second, and that the fourth was perfectly round. THE YOUNG OOLOGIST. The name of Mr. L. B. Walker, Morris- town, N. J. was omited from the list of prize winners, given in the last Youne Oo.toeist. Mr. W. sent one subscriber. Publishers receiving a copy of this months Youne OoLoeist, having a red hand pointing to this paragraph are invited to exchange, if they do not care to exchange at even rates, we would be pleased to know the amount of cash required to balance. Best Book for Everybody.—The new illustrated edition of Webster’s Dictionary, containing three thousand engravings, is the best book for everybody that the press has produced in the present century, and should be regarded as indispensable to the well-regulated home, reading-room, library, and place of business.—G@olden Hra.* Mr. S. E. Cassino, of Peabody, Mass., is now compiling the International Natur- alists Directory of 1885, and desires to have the name of every scientist, whether amateur or professional, in the world, inserted in this edition. The 1885 edition will contain the names of people interested in science, and desirous of making exchanges from all parts of the world; and in order that the addresses may be reliable, only such names will be inserted in the foreign department as are heard from, or are well kaown. Blanks will be furnished the readers of the YounG OoLoGIsT with pleasure, but if they do not take interest enough to fill them out and return, the publisher cannot insert their names. Our readers should write for blanks at once, as it will cost nothing to have their names inserted in the Directory. The last edition of this directory contained thousands of addresses from all parts of America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Oceanica, all of which were interested in one or more of the many branches of science. The 1885 edition Mr. C. intends to make more com- plete than any previous edition. Mr. C. is also compiling a Philatelic Directory. When sending for blanks always mention Tue Youne OoLoeist. THE ‘YOUNG ‘OOLOGIST. 103 G. R. N., Phila., Pa., writes, that on th morning of October 20th, he saw a flock of at least six hundred crows within twenty yards of a house. We are indebted to Chas. Achorn, of - Rockland, Maine, for the following items: Prof. Bickmore of Central Park, N. Y. City, made arrangements for a collecting tour through the Mussel Ridges and Fox Islands, Me. He particularly desired young birds, in the down, and engaged afriend of mine to accompany him, who was to skin the birds secured. They were to have started August 6th, but owing to the death of Prof. B’s associate, the trip was given up after ail the arrangements had been made. last year Prof. B. engaged the same man to accompany him on the same trip, but was forced to abandon his plans at the last moment. Prof. B. is a native of Tenants Harbor, Maine. Albert Phelps, of Damariscotta, Me., has been collecting for the Peabody Institute this summer. He was off here in the harbor for about a week with his Yacht. Phelps is about 19 years of age. —_»+_ .___ * Dove vs. Robin;” White Robin Eggs. Noticing H. E. Deats’s article in your last issue headed ‘‘ Dove vs. Robin,” 1 add my experience. During five years’ collect- ing I have found two nests in every res- pect like a Robin’s, and apparently built by that bird, which when found contained two Turtle Dove’s eggs each. The old doves were tending the nests, and seemed | ‘to have full and undisputed possession. At another time I found a found a Robin’s nest containing three white eggs, which, supposing them to be Dove’s, I was about to take, but noticing that the shape and the shell varied from Dove’s eggs gen- erally, did notdo so. On that day the par- ent was not seen around the nest. On re- turning the next day the nest contained four white eggs, on which a Robin was sit- ting. I have known of one other nest being found in this vicinity which con- tained what were evideutly White Robin’s eggs. J. L. HoLumnasHeap, Woodstock, Il. Jottings from West Stratford, Conn. Scarlet Tanager :—I have found several nests of this species during the season, all of which were in appletrees. I have never seen anest of this bird in any other tree. Found a set of six Great Crested Fly- catcher eggs. Is not this a large set? Turtle Dove:—Found several nests of this bird this year. The nest is placed in a small cedar about four feet from the ground; made of sticks, grass and leaves; eggs, two in number, pure white. Yours respectfully, W. H. Lucas. 0 =e Late Nesting. I noticed several items on late nesting, and can give a little of my experience in a few brief words. On August 7th, 1882, took a set of four Song Sparrows, fresh; took set of four Gold- finchs on the 30th of August, 1883, fresh. I also found nest containing one full- fledged Goldfinch on the 2nd of October, 1882. Catbird’s latest is the 25th of July, and Grass Finch the 29th of July, fresh. Yours, CPi. As. Taunton, Mass. 0 eo The Flying Squirrel as a Nest-Robher. In regard to the query of F. P. about Flying Squirrels eating eggs I would say that this spring I found a Red-headed Woodpecker’s nest in a tree about sixty feet from the ground. A few days after- ward, when I returned to get the eggs, the bird was sitting on a tree near by making a pitiful noise. I looked up at the hole in the limb containing the nest and saw the head of some animal. I shot it, and it proved to be a Flying Squirrel, but the eggs were gone. Outof the nine Woodpecker’s nests I found thts season I saved three; the rest were destroyed, I suppose, by Flying Squirrels. I poisoned seven by putting strychnine in a dove’s egg and put- ting the egg in a hollow tree where I had found a Woodpecker’s nest. Flying Squir- rels are very numerous in this locality. EK. A. W., Lake City, Minn. 104 Queries Answered. W. 8B. H., MinwavKe&zE, WIs., writes:— ‘‘T have noticed that nearly all the fruit trees especially apple, are fairly speckled with little sap-holes, made by sap-suckers. [s this injurious to the tree.?” We have often noticed trees, the bark of which was literally perforated with the holes our correspondent mentions, but we have yet to hear of the first instance of their being injurious to the tree. C. H. V. Jr., N. Y. Crry.—The White- bellied swallow builds its nest-in holes, in walls, in trees, and sometimes in bird- houses or boxes. C. H., Bennrneton, Vir'—The bird which you call ‘‘ Fire Bird,” is doubtless the Scarlet Tanager. Snakes produce their young from eggs. C. W. P., Tiuton, N. H., and others:— Information in regard cabinets can be found on pages 6, 9, 24, and 25 in May and June YounG Oo.uocists. more informa- tion will be givenin the future. C’ G..8., Rateren, N. C.—The nest and eggs which you describe as follows, are those of the Little Screech Owl. ‘“The nest was found in the woods in a hollow tree about 6 feet from the ground, and the depth of the hollow was about a foot. The eggs are a little larger than those of the Domestic Pigeon, nearly round. Color white. Number of eggs in nest, four. the Screech Owl, in fact it is not called by any other name.” ERRATA. The answer to P. McF. B. on page 87 of October Young Oologist is part- ially wrong. The nest and eggs which Mr. B. describes, are those of the Summer Red- | bird, but the birds described were doubtless intended for a male and female Cardinal Grosbeak. The Summer Red-bird has no crest. We are indebted to Mr. T. D. Perry for first noticing the error. G. R. L., Orrawa, ILu.—With the exception of the Guillemots, there is doubt- less no one species of birds whose eggs show a greater variation in color and markings than those of the Blue Jay. The Bird is commonly called | THE YOUNG OOLOGIST. L. M. D., NEwsBurGH.—1. In your egg- register always note the person from whom you obtained the set of eggs. This should be done in the column for remarks. 2. Collectors should keep the data of © domestic birds’ eggs. ®. The eggs of the Cow-bird should be kept with nest and eggs which accompanied them when found. 4, . . =t ‘ ee ; Byes . ia) wier re . a te as : an ae at vf =. a ae P= : Bes * pate ey Ur ie oR > nae eae Ee ae oS ee em a : 2 oe Bot og x oop aq 8 8 aec°s ate 2 eS oe = £ a5 36 Sh rl hecones FA aS a ah ey Pip ° — SHA 0 2a ME NON 1 0d 0 eee) Se CRM MES sche 0) een CR oe) |e Ot eset Bee ©): 025, (al ele ae er eter 2 2. al a MS, | ees $1 SiS aS ae : 8 8.3 6. S) Sy ee SS) 8. Lee SS Se Ss. 8 3.8 8 8) 350 ee Se OS 4 sos eee The above is about the way you should fill out a data blank for a nest of the Indigo Buntings which contains three eggs of its own and two of the Cow-bird. Should there be anything peculiar about the Cow- bird’s eggs, or their finding, the fact should be noted either on the margin or back of the blank. F. E., Rocuester, N. Y.—-The Black-bird which is so common in the marshes is the Red-and-buff-shouldered Black-bird; the one in trees, evergreen generally, is the Purple Grakle. J. V. V. W., CHATHAM CENTRE, N. Y. —The bird which you call the ‘‘ Quoc” or ‘Quack ” is doubtless the Night Heron. J. W. W., Rocuester, N. Y.—The term ‘‘Cowbird” is preferable, according ~ to Ridgway. THE YOUNG OOLOGIST. C. T., Atroona, Dat.—Wilson’s Snipe is frequently called Jack Snipe. W.R.B., Po’xrEpste, N. Y.—The nest which you describe is one of the Cuckoo’s. The Chewink is frequently called ‘‘ Ground Robin.” H. H., SHELBYVILLE, TENN.—The Bank Swallow is frequently called ‘‘ Sand Martin.” OC. R. H., New Lonpon, CT.—Several collectors have found eggs of the Blue-bird ‘during the past season, that were pure white. B. H. W., West View, Va.—The correct name for the bird which you call the ‘‘ Blue-gray Flycatching ” is, according to Ridgway, Blue-gray Flycatcher. The ‘‘Crested”’ Titmouse of your locality is doubtless the Tufted Titmouse, No. 36 of Ridgway. J.C. J., St. Jonnsury, VT., and others. —Every subscription you send us for the Youne Ooxogist between October Ist, 1884, and January 1st, 1885, will count towards one of the prizes, it makes no dif- ference whether you send one at a time or twenty, every subscription sent will count. J. W. H., MippuEePort, N. Y.—The birds’ nest which you found in the top of an evergreen tree is that of a Purple Finch and not the Summer Red-bird as you suppose. C. H., Bennineton, Vermont :—The length of time required for a Hawk to lay its full clutch we are unable to say. We have taken sets of the Cooper’s Hawk in which one egg was deposited daily. During the spring of 1881 we took a set of three eggs of the Red-tailed Hawk, one of the eggs was fresh, another had been set about one week, and in the third incuba- tion was far advanced. Hawks frequently use the same nest more than one season. | ; Our larger Owls breed during the monhts of February and March. Hawks, Owls, and | Crows can often be started from the nest by pounding the trunk of the tree. The Marsh Hawk doubtless breeds in Southern Vermont. 105 J. M. 8. Jn: Newrort, R. 1—The Spotted Sandpiper generally, if not always lays four eggs, the set of three which you found, in which Incubation was advanced, was either an exceptional set, or else one egg of the set had been taken or broken before you found the nest. Sandpipers and Plovers usually lay four eggs. G. R. N., PHrwapeLpata, Pa.—Spec- imen sent for name is Pyrites and on ac- count of its color, resembling gold. it is often called ‘‘ Fools’ Gold” because it is valueless and useless as a metal. [eA Be 7 AY The American Goldfinch. This is one of our most common summer birds, and is to be seen almost throughout the entire year. Long after all other birds have sought their sunny haunts of the south, the Goldfinch is still to be seen with us and cheering us with his sweet songs far into the cooler days of autumn. I have seen flocks of hundreds of them in mid-winter when the ground was covered with snow, but they seemed to be as merry as ever picking the seeds from the thistle and the wild sunflower. A short period in early summer they are not to be seen, but slowly put in their ap- pearance during the latter part of June. They begin to build their nests in July, which is usually made of fibres, paper, and fine straws, with a thick lining of thistle down, usually placed in saplings and osage hedges. The set of four or five eggs are to be found fresh from August 1st till Sep- tember 10th, and even later. The eggs are of a light blue color. The Goldfinch is a bright yellow color, with black wings and some black on the top of the head, making it a bright eolored bird. But winter changes its bright hue to gray, [brownish olive above, grayish-yellow and white be- neath.] They are easily reared from the nest and caged. Gro. F. BREUNINGER, Beattie, Kansas. a The circulation of the YounG OoLoaisT the past six months has averaged over 4,000 each issue. 106 THE YOUNG OOLOGIST; A Bird Island. BY E. C. W. Off the east coast of Last Island, La., encircled by the blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico, lies a small sand island, quarter of a mile in breadth and three-quarters of a mile in length. As this bird island became visible from our approaching sailboat, a beautiful scene met our view. Along the northern coast for about a quarter of a mile a column of White Pelicans were ar- rayed, and along the southern side a line of Gray Pelicans were stationed, all basking in the sunshine. On our boat nearing the shore the column of White Pelicans arose, and with the regularity of drilled soldiery leisurely took their flight, their ebon black primaries in rich contrast with their pure white bodies. Away, away they went, the column never breaking. When they reached the gray ones they too rose in splendid order, and the two separate columns left us, bound for the shores of some other island. They do not breed on this island, but among the scented evergreens and other marine plants of Timbalier and Last Island, where each pair builds a conical-shaped nest and incubate their two white eggs, which in size and proportions equal those of a goose. Their breeding season is in the latter part of spring. Whena Pelican de- sires fish it flies aloft over the waves till it descries one; partly closing its wings, so as to form a resemblance to an arrowhead, it darts down on its finny prey with such velocity as to disappear beneath the waters. Quickly rising, it; buoyantly rests on the wave a moment to’store the fish in its capa- cious pouch, and rises again to repeat the performance until its storage room is well filled, when it wings its way to the shore to devour in silence the objects of its exer- tions. Troops of them may be seen any day on these coasts fishing in this way. Sometimes a different ‘method’ is adopted. A body of them alight in a small and shal- low bay, and, ‘forming a line across the mouth, the invaders march along, driving the fish before them ‘into shallower water, where they seize and transfer them with ease to their pouches. In the crop of a specimen killed by a fisherman two trout six inches long were found,$,These birds are respectively Pelecanus americanus and Pelecanus fuscus of Audubon. The bird island is only a waste of white sand thickly spangled with sea-shells of many forms and colors. Not a bit of vegetation is to be found. A strong scent of fish is exhaled from the hot sand, caused by the innumerable fish eaten by these birds. Under a July sun this island would suggest a desert but for the beat of the the waves on the shores and medley cries of seabirds. Thousands of birds live and breed here, and earth and air are fairly alive with them; auks, gulls and terns, as far as the vision reaches you observe birds. Rookeries resembling cities and towns are regularly laid out over the whole island by them. Each nest, or rather depression in the sand, is about two feet from its neigh- bors, thus leaving paths or streets through which a person may walk and view every citizen’s home, with its one, two, three or four young, or eggs of different sizes and markings, according to the species. A pretty sight it is, to view this vast con- course of birds from a distance, when un- molested. The gleaming of their uniform or variegated plumage in the sunlight; the roar of the breakers as crested with foam they roll on the shore, and the distant out- lines of Vine and Last Island, render the region and scene picturesque. Visitors to Last Island stop and gather some ot these eggs; some as curiosities and others as sub- stitutes for domestic fowl’s eggs. The young of these birds can scarcely be distin- guished from the sand, so near in color is their down, and which the parents, to make the deception complete, scatter sand on. When unfledged they will not move from the abode provided them by their parents, though you touch them, but if removed and placed?on,the sand again, they hastily scamper away. Lattin’s new Catalogue is at last ready for delivery. Send for a copy-_ It is inval- uable to collectors. é > The ‘‘ Young Oologist ” as an Advertis- _=_°* > _ 2t ing Medium. Woopsrtock, Ill., Oct. 10, 1884. F. H. Lattin : Dear Sir—We cannot say near the exact number of answers received from our _ “‘ad” in your journal, as most of them ne- glect to mention,in what journal they saw it, but we have ordered out column in the - , as it proved a failure compared with THE YouNG OOLOGIST, -F-We predict success to THz Youne could answer. OOLOGIST, as it is the best advertising me- dium, and has the finest and most instruct- ive reading matter of any journal of the _Kind ever published. We heartily recom- mend it. We received 713 addresses from our ex. in your columns. =E. G.® Harlow, of Lynn, Mass., gets the axe, list’numbered 483. * * * * * Thanking you for the second insertion of our ‘‘ad,” and stating that when in need of more ‘‘ads” THE YouNG Oo oeristT shall receive our attention. We remain, sir, yours,truly, A._E. SouTHWORTH & Co. STILL ANOTHER. F. H. Lattin: Dear Sir:—Many thanks for inserting my Adv. I received more letters than I I was actually surprised the way the letters poured in. I received more letters than all the rest of the letters - combined that came to La Hoyt. I expect to advertise in the Dec. No. Yours tuly, JAMES C. JAY. A Four-Story Nest of the Summer Yel- lowbird. ‘One day as I was out collecting eggs I found a nest of the Yellow Wren (Summer Yellowbird) which was built in a currant bush. As I approached the nest I found it to contain a young Cow-bird. But as I drew nearer the Cow-bird fluttered away. At the nest was a fine specimen and seemed to be very long. I thought I would take it THE) YOUNG OOLOGIST. 107 home. As I was cutting off the branch I happened to squeeze the nest, and felt something break. I took the nest apart, for I knew what it was, and'found nest No. 2, containing two eggs of the Cow-bird. I thought I would see if there were any more Cow-bird’s eggs in it, and to my great surprise found two more compartments, each containing one egg, which makes in in all (counting the young Cow-bird) five Cow-bird’s eggs. Has any reader of THE Youne Ooxtogisr ever found a nest like this? jal & aa Canandaigua, N. Y. Blue Grosbeak. Guiraca cerulea. This retired but beautiful species is an- other of our migratory birds, arriving from farther south, where it winters, amongst us about the 20th of April. They are, I believe, considered a very rare bird, which I suppose is caused by its not being generally known, as it is a silent and very timid bird in all its actions and habits, not having much of a song, only an occasional chuck. 'They commence to build early in May. I have found their nests as early as May 11th with eggs slightly incubated. They generally choose a low, swampy place to build, and seem to prefer pine saplings to all other places. They build a neat and compact nest, composed outward- ly of snake-skin (I have never found one that did not contain one), withered leaves and plants, and lined with fine fibrous roots. Lay three eggs (sometimes four), pale blue, turning to a lighter shade after being blown. Like all other birds, their eggs vary somewhat insize. Jam positive they raise two, if not three, broods during the season, as I have found a nest with fresh eggs as late as July 7th. I do not think they are as rare as they are generally supposed to be, as I have found as many as seven full sets during a season; but then some seasons are better than others, and you may find a certain species right along and never find it again for years to come. TD; Prey, Savannah, Ga. 108 The Nest and Eggs of a Fish Hawk. May 9th, 1883, I collected a handsome set of three eggs of this bird. The nest was placed in a rotten oak, at its very top, and before it could be reached we were com- pelled to nail huge bars as braces to the side of the tree. On arriving at the top the nest appeared prodigious. It was fully twice as large as a bushel basket, and was made of the most curious mixture of old seaweed, dung, clods of earth and sticks or limbs as largeas one’sfist. I chose dusk as a suitable time to obtain the eggs on ac- count of the extreme height, being from sixty to seventy feet from the ground. I was rewarded by a most beautiful set of eggs. They lay before me now, and I hardly feel as if 1 could do justice to them by a description. They are all about the same size; number one is arich blood red | at the larger end and entirely bulf at the smaller, by far the best of the three; num- ber two has the same top, but the color runs all over the egg; number three is a curious mixture of the other two, being dark chocoiate on a creamy buff ground, marked with confluent splashes of brown. They all have the fishy smell which lingers so long after they leave the nest. I have seen and collected a great many eggs of this bird, but this set | would not part with for any amount of other eggs. H. A. TA.sort, Brooklyn, N.Y. The Way We Get the Eggs of the Bank Swallow. About 7 o’clock A. M. my partner and I get ready for our hunt. The first thing we get is the seat, as we call it; itis a board about three feet long and one foot wide, with a hole in eaeh end in which we tie the ends of the rope. Next thing is the scupper, a piece of iron 6 by 2 inches. And last the egg box and spile, which we drive in the bank. to hold and adjust the seat in the right place. We then hitch up the horse and are ready for the journey. It is about three eee pee THE YOUNG rOOLUGiIs :. go. When we arrive and hitch the horse to a tree we walk down to the bank. Here you will see a bank about thirty feet high and very steep, in which there is numerous little holes out of which the swallows are darting. We now drive the spile in the bank and fasten the rope to it, and descend with the scupper to the board on which we sit. | Now you will see us digging into the holes in the bank, and next running our hand in and pulling out six small white eggs. I usually take a hold of the edge of the nest and pull the whole thing out at once, in this way you are not liable to break the eges. Then my partner lowers the egg box, which is nothing more than a big cigar box full of cotton, and I place the eggs in it. In this way we get the Swallow eggs, ‘‘CHAD,” Cleveland, O. 2 Flickers in a Church Tower. Last fall (1883) a beautiful church was built at this place, with a tower that rose gracefully into the air to the heighth of sixty-five feet. In the spring of 1884, Yellow-shafted Flickers, on their road passing from one woods to another, chanced to alight on the tower, and began to cut holes in large enough to admit them- selves, finding it a suitable place for breeding, began at once to construct nests, placing them on timbers within. Six pair succeeded in bringing forth their young. GL P85 Beattie, Kansas. Unspotted Eggs of the Chipping Sparrow. In reply to C. H. A., I would say that while collecting in Middletown in June last I found in a hedge of thorn trees a nest containing four eggs of the same size and color of the Chipping Sparrow, and identi- fied them by the bird and the nest. J. W. Sway, Jr., Newport, R.TI. THE YOUNG OOLOGIST. Vol. 1. No.8. GAINES, N. Y., DEG. 1884. | The Alligator. The Saurian in its native home written for the YouNG OOLOGIST. The principal haunts of this saurian are our swamps, lagoons, grassy borders: of fresh water, lakes, and unnavigated bayous. But it is not restricted to those localities alone, for small and medium sized ones are found in all of our water courses, even near the stir and noise of towns. They would be exceedingly common in all of our streams, were it not that some people kill them because they fear them, and others, on account of their few vulnerable parts, consider them a desirable target to test their marksmanship. The large alli- gators will not trouble a person if he shows no hostility to them; but, if troubled or wounded, they prove formidable antago- nists, especially during the breeding season. They are consequently shunned by the swampers. and not many of them can be obtained, who will go and trouble their nests and eggs. As an instance of how dangerous it is to travel where the alligators breed, I may mention the two colored wood-choppers on Bayou Du Large, who, while passing near an alligator’s nest, were attacked and their pirogue capsized. One of them had his thigh badly lacerated by the enraged reptile, and, but for the other man coming to his assistance, might have been killed. The pupil of their eyes are elongated like a cat during the day, and are dilated by the darkness of night, and assume an orbicular form. They are, therefore, noc- turnal as well as diurnal in their habits, though the greater part of the day is spent in basking in the sunshine, or sluggishly drawing themselves over the gramineous surface of the water. Their locomotion is as rapid at night as during the day it is slow. When disturbed by the approach of { PuBLISHED MONTHLY. 60c. Per YRAR. a person and not disposed to fight, the alligator disappears with a splash beneath the water. If shot and mortally wounded, he turns over on his back, beats the water violently with his tail, and plunges beneath to die. The alligator does not eat often and can live for weeks without food. The alligators food consists of dead animals, birds, etc., besides which he manages to secure some of the living ones also. He has been seen to catch and kill large dogs as they were drinking from the stream, and to climb up the cross-bar fence, drop over in the poultry yard, and steal some of its denizens ; clothed in nearly invulne- rable armor he does not hesitate to attack the prey. Sometimes he may be observed apparently sleeping, while the dragon-flies are circling overhead, some of them prob- ably mistaking the projection on the tip of his snout for something inanimate, alight to rest themselves, and are immediately engulped by the saurian, who, throwing his head back, catches them in the same manner that a dog does the cracker placed on his nose. In spring the alligator calls its mate by uttering a series of yelps. When fighting among themselves, or play- ing in the muddy water, the large ones bellow nearly like a bull, which has been compared by Longfellow, in ‘‘A Tale of Acadie,” to aroar: ‘‘ Mixed with the whoop of the crane and the roar of the grim alligator.” The alligators generally build their nests in the shallow part of swamps, lagoons, or untraveled bayous during the months of May and June. It is conical in Shape and rises to a height of about two feet, with a base approximating three feet. It is composed of grass, rushes, and con- tiguous vegetable litter; the grass and rushes are cut and transported to the mound, that which is near is thrown on by their feet. During the months of June and July the alligators lay, and as many Ilo as 48 eggs have been counted in one nest. The eggs average about 8x1# inches ; the swampers say that the oblong eggs produce males and the oval ones females. The eges resemble porcelain ; the internal pel- licle is very thick and strong ; it is com- posed of two membranes, the fibres in one extending longitudinal and in the other laternal ; this conjoint pellicle on the inner | side is as smooth as glass, and seems enameled. The transverse white band seen on the egg, while fresh, is only the whiteness of the internal membrane, in those parts, seen through the semi-trans- parent shell. The yellow spots, of diff- erent shades, seen on some eggs, are also | situated on the pellicle, but are permanent, ; while the former disappears as incubation advances, or when the egg is emptied of its contents. The alligators fecundity is wonderful, but many of their eggs are destroyed by animals and reptiles. It requires from sixty to ninety days of | warmth and sunshine before the young escape from the shell. parents call by following them, but in a few days care for themselves. The greatest length; attained by an alligator that I am cognizant of, is eighteen feet. They grow very little in a year; those over twelve feet long are over a century old. RC. W,. Houma, La. i Collecting in the Marshes. , BY B. A. G. Early in June of this year two of us made a collecting trip to the marshes of the Seneca River, or, as they are often called, the ‘* Montezuma Marshes,” and as I had there the pleasure of seeing the nests of several birds which were new to me, some account of the trip may be interest- | ing to the readers of this paper. In order to collect in these marshes it is necessary to have both a boat and a pair of hip-boots of rubber, for in many places it is too deep to wade, and in many others the flags are too thick to push a boat through. They then average | nine inches long, and respond to their | BARE. YOUNG OOLDGIET: The first nests we found were those of the Long-billed Marsh Wren. These were placed in the flags from a foot to six feet above the water, and were composed of last year’s flags very neatly and cunningly woven into a ball about as large or a little larger than a cocoanut, with a small round hole on one side about large enough to admit one’s finger. They were lined with the down of the ‘‘ cat tail,” and we found the complement of eggs in almost all cases to be six. These were about the size of the common chipping sparrow, and of a beautiful chocolate color. They were in all stages of incubation, from perfectly fresh to almost hatched, but we found no young birds. One very odd thing about these birds is the number of nests they build. Without having kept any accurate record, I should estimate that not more than one nest in eight or ten was occupied. Whether these birds build these nests for safe roosting places out of the reach of night prowling animals, or whether they are not suited with the first, second or third, and con- tinue to build till the desire to lay over- comes their critical taste, or whether they build so many nests (as some have claimed) to deceive and annoy their enemies, neither I nor any one else can say positively, but it is certain that no one can spend a day in these marshes without coming to the con- clusion that these wrens are among the most interesting of our many interesting birds. One of the most plentiful birds on these marshes we found to be the Florida Galinule. This bird is decidedly mis- named. It should be called the American Galinule, for it occurs almost all over the United States. It breeds in great numbers here, building its nest among the flags and grasses generally far out from shore. The foundation is made by breaking down the flags till a little platform is made which will, to a small extent, rise and fall with the water. On this the nest proper is built of last years flags newly placed together and one might think, except for its location over the water, that some small hen had wandered from home and hid her nest among the reeds. Thd eggs are about the size of a bantam hens, and of a handsome light buff color, marked pretty thickly with reddish brown spots and blotches. The number varies so greatly that I have no doubt that more than one bird sometimes occupies the same nest. Many sets seemed to be complete with seven or eight eggs, while some con- tained as many as thirteen. In all cases when the number was large, they were in _ various stages of incubation, some ranging all the way from ‘‘fresh” to newly hatched. The birds slipped off the nests and quietly stole away among the thick moss so that it was very difficult to see them. In all their ways they are remark- ably like a domestic fowl so that the com- mon local name of ‘‘ water chicken” is quite appropriate. They can swim very well indeed, though their feet are not webbed at all, and their long toes spread ‘wide apart enabling them to stand and run upon the water plants and lily pads with ease, giving them at a distance the appear- ance of walking on the water. Like all the rail family, though their flight is slow and they make a fair mark, they are difficult to shoot because of the fact that immediately upon rising they fly to the nearest cover, and as they are rarely seen more than a few feet from this, it is neces- sary to shoot very quickly. They are hunted a great deal, as they are delicious eating and fair sport; still they seem to thrive, and, after many years I can not see that their numbers have diminished much, though they have become very shy. While searching for the nest of the galinule, you will probably discover what you think is a last years nest of one of these birds, sodden and water soaked, just floating upon the water and just ready to sink, caught in the grass but likely to go away at any minute. Don’t pass this by without a closer look at it, and you will find that it is not an old nest but a new one. Although built of the oldest and most water soaked rubbish which can be col- lected from the muddy bottom of the II! THE YOUNG OOLOGIST. river, it will not sink entirely, though it is almost submerged ; but on the contrary, if the water rises it will rise with it. It will not float away, but is securely fastened to the grass, and finally, if you look care- fully, you will see that a little of the material in the middle of the nest is loosely placed, carefully remove this and you will find under it a set of eggs; from four to seven of the Pied-billed Grebe or Dab- chick, (Thick-billed Grebe). These eggs, if freshly laid, are a pretty pale blue, but soon become dusky and dirty, stained with the wet and muddy material of the nest ; they are a trifle smaller and more pointed than the last species, and the shells are thick and chalky. Like the last, they have been set upon since laying begun, and the pale blue one is perfectly fresh, while the dirty brown one in the same nest is well along toward hatching. The contents of these eggs has a very peculiar consistency, sticky and bright orange red. As you will have learned from the description, the bird covers them when she leaves the nest, and © very quickly and neatly she does it too— just a scratch or so of the loose material and it it is done, and she slips in the water and dives a long way before she makes her apperance again. In observing her actions we found an opera glass invaluable, as indeed it is for observing all mostall birds. The diving of these birds, as almost all know, is something wonderful; and whether it is true or not that they dive at the flash of a gun, it is certain that they are exceedingly difficult to kill if they see you before you shoot. If, however, you can approach them unobserved they are no more difficult to kill thanaduck. They make poor work of rising, beating the water with their wings for a long way and gradually end by sinking back again, and if they are still pursued dive for a long distance.—T'he Collector. DT RR ON, Weare pleased to note that Mr. A. M. Shields, a name familiar to the readers of the Young Oo.xoecist, of Los Angeles, Cala., was awarded a Diploma and Silver Medal for the best Oological Exhibit at the Fair, recently held in that City. The American Woodcock. (Philohela minor. ) The Woodcock is a common summer inhabitant of Massachusetts ; it is one of our earliest spring arrivals, appearing by the ist of March, and sometimes by the 25th of February. When it first arrives it is gregarious, being found in small com- panies of seven or eight; it is nocturnal in its habits, frequenting low swampy thickets, and sometimes bushy pastures. If we stand in the evening in the neighborhood of a low tract of land frequented by these birds, we sometimes hear a number of individuals uttering their note or bDleat. Upon flushing one of them they rise twenty or thirty feet in the air, circle around for a few moments, all the time uttering a sharp twitter ; when ready to alight, they partly close their wings, and descend very swiftly, and the air passing through their wings produces a sound similar to that of the Night-hawk. About the first of April they commence their duties of incubation ; the nest is nothing but a slight hollow scratched in the leaves by the female bird, the situation usually preferred is a clump of bushes in a swampy locality. I found a nest April 28d, 1883, containing four eggs, I almost stepped on the bird before she could be induced to leave the nest; after she left it she fluttered along on the ground for a few yards as if her leg or wing was broken. I didnot follow, think- ing it only a temporary lameness. The four eggs I found in the nest were of a rich creamy drab color, thickly spotted with several shades of brown and obscure lilac, their dimensions was 14§x1.% in., 144x12, in., 143x149 in., and 148x1.% in. Incuba- tion was far advanced. The Woodcock departs on its southern migration about the middle of November. CHARLES L. PHILLIPS, Dighton, Mass. St NO Collectors desiring anything in the stamp or coin line will do well to examine the prices on the lots offered in our adver- tising columns, THE)! YOUNG *OOLOGISTN, | A Downy Woodpecker. The fact that it is very imeresting to study our winter birds, and that our young friends can add many grains of value to their bird granary by observation during these cold dreary months, is plainly illust- rated in the following, which we take from an article by John Burroughs, in the December Century, entitled ‘‘ Winter Neighbors.” ‘‘ My bird is a genuine little Savage, doubtless, but I value him as a neighbor, It is a satisfaction during the cold or stormy winter nights to know he is warm and cosy there in his retreat. When the day is bad and unfit to be abroad in, he is there to. When I wish to know if he is at home, I go and rap upon his tree, and, if he is not too lazy or indifferent, after some delay he shows his head in his door- way about ten feet above, and looks down inquiringly upon me—sometimes latterly I think half resentfully, as much as to say, I thank you not to disturb me so often. After Sundown he will not put his head out any more when I call, but as I step away I can get a glimpse of him inside looking cold and reserved. He is a late riser, especially if it is a cold or disagree- able morning, in this respect being like the barn fowls; it is sometimes near nine o'clock before I see him leave his tree. On the other hand, he comes home early, being in if the day is unpleasant by 4 P. mM. He lives all alone ; in this respect I do not commend his example. Where his mate is I should like to know. SO eg ne eee Humming-birds in California. In some parts of the State of California the Humming-birds are very numerous, and, on sunny days, may be seen in all their tropical splendor, buzzing about among the flowers in search of their food. The nest of the Humming-bird is nearly as beautiful as the bird itself, and displays an amount of exquisite workmanship that would seem well calculated to put to shame the owners of more rudely constructed nests. The dainty little hummer usually places its nest on a small limb or twig a _ nest. THE YOUNG OOLOGIST. somewhere between eight and twelve feet from the ground, although I have known eccentric members of the Humming-bird family to construct their downy little homes as high as twenty and even as low as five feet above the ground. In my locality they seem to consider one tree as suitable as another when building their nests ; [ have found them in the eucalyptus, live-oak, cyprus, pine, and various fruit trees. About the best way to discover them is to patiently watch a female bird until she goes to her nest. This requires sharp eyes and not a litle patience, as the bird you have your eyes on may have its nest at a distance, or have none at all. In the protection of their nests they are extremely sagacious, and resort to many devices to prevent them from being dis- covered. I have often seen the female when going to her nest fly with almost lightning rapidity past it, and then as swiftly return and gracefully alight on the They have a curious habit of rising to a great height, and suddenly flying straight toward the earth at full speed. H. R. Taylor, Alameda, Cal. A Daring Hawk. While | was sitting in the mounting-room ° of a taxidermist of this place, an old farmer entered bringing a fine specimen of the Red-shouldered. Hawk; the taxidermist seeing no mark or blood on it, asked the old man how he killed it, this led to an explanation, and the old fellow said, that as he was coming from a pasture back of his barn through a little clump of firs, he saw a Partridge, and picking up a stone, was lucky enough to hit it and kill it, and picked it up and was going on toward home when this hawk swooped down and tried to wrest the Partridge from his hand. He was greatly surprised, as any one naturally would be, but clung to his bird and so did the hawk ; he had a rope with a large bull-ring attached, with which he had been leading a cross bull to the back pasture, he raised this and struck the hawk 113 and stunned him so that he fell to the ground, and the old fellow got him and wrung his pretty neck. I will vouch for What he said, as he is a respectable farmer known by many people in this town, and had no reason to exagerate. Joke Bs. . St. Johnsbury, Vt. Snake Eggs. Permit me to call your attention to a slight error in the current number of the Youne Oo.oaist. In ‘‘Queries Answered” you stated that snakes produce their young from eggs. This is true of most species. but some species of the genus Htaenca, for example, the common garter snake, (H. Sirtatis), are ovoviviparous. Sincerely, C. H. WILDER, sanandaigua, N. Y. Our answer to the above mentioned query was doubtless rather blind. We did not intend to have it understood from our answer that all snakes lay eggs, for as Mr. W. says, several species of fishes and reptiles are Ovoviviparous, and consequently do not lay eggs, but nevertheless, as we stated, produce their young from eggs.—[ Ep. ~7~os Dove vs. Robin. I do not think it would be amiss if I tell you a funny bird-nesting experience I had in the spring. I was climbing an apple tree in which a pair of turtle doves had built for several years, when a Robin’s nest excited my curiosity, and I looked into it and found two Robin’s eggs. Seve- ral days after I visited the same nest and a turtle dove flew off. I thought it very strange that a dove should take possession of a finished nest, especially if it contained eggs, on looking into the nest, fancy my astonishment on finding two eggs of the dove and two of the Robin. I have since concluded that there must have been a fierce battle for the possession of the nest, and that a dove can’t count very well. Gro. P. ELLiorT, Mercer, Pa, 114 THE YOUNG OOLOGIST. THE YOUNG OOLOGIST EDITED AND PUBLISHED MONTHLY FRANK 2. LATTIN, GAINES, N, ¥. Printed by Joun P. SMITH, & State Se Racteceee: Correspondence and items of interest to the OoLo- G1sT, and Specimen and Curiosity collectors solicited from all. Terms of Subscription. Single Subscription - - 60 cents per annum. Foreign Countries, - =F Sen one Sample Copies, = - - The above rates include postage. Rare Specimens will be offered, from time to time, at aslight advance on regular rates, to induce persons to subscribe. 6 cents each. Terms of Advertising. Single insertion, 20 cents per line, nonpareil. 1 mo. 3 mo. 6 mo. iL yiacs Five lines, 1 00 2 50 4 00 6 00 One inch, 2 00 5 00 8 00 12 00 1-2column, 7 00 17 50 28 00 42 00 1 ey 13 00 32 50 52 00 78 00 One page, 25 00 62 50 100 00 150 00 Advertisements under five lines, charged one line extra. Yearly advertisements payable quarterly in advance. Remittances should be made by draft on New York ; money order or postal note payable at Gaines, N. Y.: ; or by registered letter. Unused U. S. postage stamps of any denomination will be accepted for sums under one dollar. Address all subscriptions and communications to THE YOUNG OOLOGIST, GaInEs, Orleans Co., N. v: (e" Make money orders and drafts payable to FRANK H.LATTIN. Entered at the Post Office at Gaines, Second-class mail matter. ING We, vas JOTTINGS. Santa Claus should not forget to obtain a copy of ‘‘Our Birds in their Haunts” for each of his young friends. If you wish to make two persons happy, send the YoUNG OOLOGIST one year as a Christmas present to some nature loving friend. _ Owing to our limited time, the Curiosity Bulletin has suspended, but special lists and rates will be given in advertising col- umns of the YoUNG OoLoGIsT in its stead. The sample sets of Data Blanks and price-lists of Taxidermists’ and Entomolo- gists’ supplies, as mentioned in our Hand- Book, will be ready January 1st, and Feb- ruary 1st, respectively. C. G. Strong, of Raleigh, N. C. writes us, that he has a runt egg of the Cat-bird, which is no larger than that of the Blue- gray Gnat-catcher. Mr. 8. also states in reply to W. H Lucas, p. 108 Nov. Youne OoLoGIsT, that six eggs is the number generally found in the nest of the Great Crested Flycatcher in his locality. Mr. Oliver Davie, of Columbus, Ohio has our thanks for sample copies of his Naturalist’s Manual, it is a neat little work, and well merits the attention of our oological friends. The work is intended especially for the young naturalist. Mr. D. gives instructions for collecting and preserving birds, eggs, nests, and insects, and for the benefit of the oologist he has compiled, from leading scientific works a description of the nests and eggs of Ameri- can Birds from the Thrushes to the Tanagers, inclusive (No. 1 to 164 Ridge- way’s Nomenclature) to which he has added original notes on the species with which he is familiar. We trust friend D. will be able to complete the descriptions from Pringillide to Alcide, thereby making a work indispensable to the oologist. The ‘* Naturalist’s Manual” can be obtained by addressing Mr. D. or at the office of the Youne OouoeistT. Price, paper covers, 75 cents ; bound in cloth $1.25. The attention of every reader of the Youne Ooxoatsr is called to the advertise- ment of Messrs. Davis and Baker. Just think of it! An Oologists Directory ! Just what we have long wanted and always needed. To be compiled and published by two wide-awake collectors. If every reader of’ the YouNG OoLoeistT will take hold of the work as they ought, its success will be unquestionable. Send in your names at once, and at the same time those of your friends, and, per- haps, obtain a rare and desirable egg in addition to the Directory for your trouble. Boys, this is our work. Let’s put our shoulders to the wheel and make it a success. Remember the address. Davis & BAKER, N. Granville, N. Y. | == i! é ee 7 Aa ae / G. K. Smith of South Bend, Ind., sends ‘us the following item taken from the | Sunday Register of that place: ‘‘A fine |, specimen of the cormorant family was )| killed at Fish lake on Wednesday by W. | L. Casaday, and will be taxidermized by / Schuyler Martin. Mr. S. adds that this is ) the first of its species that has been found in that vicinity, and that a Pelican was } wounded and captured at South Bend some time ago.” We have received a box of handsome Minerals from A. E. Southworth & Co., of |) Woodstock, Ills.. samples of those adver- )| tised in another column, and if these are || fair samples of the specimens which they / send out, we must say to our friends, if they desire to obtain showy and desirable specimens at reasonable prices, give the }| firm at least a small trial order. _ The competition for the sixty valuable | presents offered by the publishers for ob- || taining subscribers for the YouNG OoLoGIstT up to December 1st, has been very light ; only two or three parties have sent in over | three subscriptions each. With this com- }| petition there will be no postponement, and | all subscriptions intended to count towards / one of the valuable presents we offer, must ‘be sent us before January Ist. On the | morning of January 12th we shall forward to each prize-winner the premium they /may win, and in February issue, a list of 'the lucky competitors will be published. ' Every Person who sends us one or more subscriptions will doubtless receive a prize. Only thirty more days. Improve your feeme. Gaines is a small village of less than | three hundred inhabitants, and receives at present only one mail per day. Weare ‘four miles from a railroad station, and over thirty miles from the city where we transact the most of our business, and have \the bulk of our printing done. These inconveniences cost us several hundred | dollars per annum in fares, valuable time, ete. Our business is rapidly and steadily ee vw ( THE YOUNG OOLOGIST. 115 increasing, and.in the future. we have con- cluded to devote our energies almost ex- clusively to the handling of Oological Specimens and Naturalist’s Supplies, both Wholesale and Retail, and to the publishing of the Youneé Oouoaist, we, in order to close out our large stock of Curiosities and Natural History Specimens, shall offer them in lots from time to time, (beginning with Stantps and Coins in this No.) until the entire stock is sold, which will neces- sarily take at least eight or nine months, and as soon as our stock is reduced down to our specialties, we contemplate removing to some town or city that will furnish us with better facilities for conducting our business. Librarian W. L. Scott has our thanks for a copy of ‘‘ Transactions No. 5, of the Ottawa Field Naturalists’ Club.”” This club of 120 members is doing a large amount of good Scientific work, and as their name indicates, the summer months are devoted to field work. The Transactions, a pamphlet of 152 pp., is a desirable acquisi- tion to any naturalists library, and gives able papers and good reports on the six branches of natural Science to which the club is devoted, viz: Geology, Botany, Conchology, Entomology, Ornithology, and Zoology. We are inclined to believe that Canada has more good working Field Clubs than the United States. Whether the 7ransactions can be purchased or not, we were not informed. ee The Young Oologist as an Advertis- ing Medium. A publisher well known to Scientists throughout the world adds unsolicited testi- mony. Prasopy, Mass., Nov. 21st, 1884. Mr. F. H. Lattin. My Dear Sir:—1 am greatly pleased with the result of your notice of the Directory. It was a good investment. As I have not seen the notice, will you kindly send me a copy. Yours respectfully. S. A. Cassino. 116 THE YOUNG OOLOUWIST. Queries Answered. A. F. P., Paw Paw, Mica. — The Western and California Gulls breed on the Pacific coast of N. A., their eggs resemble those of the Herring Gull, and like most of the Gull family, three eggs comprise the complete set. In regard to the Leach’s Petrel, read ‘A Day among the Sea Birds of Maine,” p. 84, October YOUNG OOoLocistT. G. H.—As a rule we cannot furnish the eggs of any species not priced in our New Catalogue. Can any of our correspondents tell us the correct name for a southern bird called ‘*thaddy ” ? J. F.C., Micu. Crry, Inp., and others. — The ‘‘Teeter-tail,” ‘‘ Teeter Snipe,” ‘“Tip-up,” ‘‘ Water Wagtail,” are names by which the Spotted Sandpiper is known in various localities. L. A. W.. NEwineron, Cr.—The Old Curiosity Shop has suspended its subscrip- tion list, has been transferred to Our American Youth, of Middlebury, Vt. W. T., La Crosse, Wis.—Your nest is that of the Mourning Dove, this bird is often called ‘‘ Turtle Dove” and “‘ Carolina Dove.” A. Van L., Coxsackiz, N. Y.—‘‘Hivel’’ is doubtless another name added to the already long list by which the Yellow- shafted Flicker is known. The markings on the eggs of the Red-and-buff-shouldered Blackbird vary, we have seen eggs of this species in which the markings were entirely absent. To MANY QUERISTS.—On account of | space it has been necessary to omit the answers to your queries this month. - SO? Trees injured by Sap-suckers, With regard to the query on p. 104, I can positively state that several mountain ash trees on my fathers grounds have been killed by the Yellow-bellied Woodpecker | (Sphyropicus varius). W. L. Scorr, Ottawa, Canada. . but was a little larger. | Very late Nesting. On the 20th of October, 1884, I found a / nest containing four fresh eggs. The eggs — were like the bluebirds eggs, you could not | tell the difference. The nest was built in — a bush about four feet from the ground, — and was made of sticks lined with grass, — and was about the size of a cat-bird’s nest. — The bird resembled the English Sparrow, ~ The eggs were | blue, I have never before seen a bird like © it. Please tell me the name AUSTIN C. STEMPEL, Fort Madison. Iowa ~ Doubtless the Black-throated Bunting.— — [ Ep. | C. 8. C., of Spencer, Mass., writes: ‘ How Can I Collect Bird’s Eggs Scien- tifically P During the past season we think the above query has been asked us at least fifty times if not more. Every collector should read the article on Bird Nesting in the Sep- tember number. We think Mr. Flint tells the reporter plainly and clearly how it is done. 120 The Little Black-bird and the Worm. From one of our young ornithological friends. A Blackbird and his mate had a brood of young ones, and kept feeding them all day long, but the mother had brought a large worm and gave it to one of the brood. Then she flew away, but when she came back, there was the worm sticking out of the mouth of the poor little bird in a very uncomfortable manner, the mother Black-bird seemed taken by surprise, and uttered a cry of distress, upon that forth came her mate. The two birds did all that they could to make the worm go down, but in vain. Something prevented it, and it was a little time before they found out what it was. At last the blackbird saw that the end of the worm had caught on the feathers of the breast and was held tight, so it could not be moved, and it cost him a great deal of trouble to do so, but he succeeded at last. The poor little black- bird had a narrow escape of death, and, as it was, it lay almost as if it were senseless for a long time, but the parent went on a twig close by the nest and sang one of his sweetest songs, as if rejoicing that the danger was over. L. 8., Schuyler’s Lake, N. Y. ogee For every new subscriber you may send us for the YOUNG OoLoGistT, we will give a copy of our new Hand-book. + ~ If you do not receive THE YOUNG OOLo- places of principal resort for the summer | Gist regular, write to us, not our agents. f : i t 1 F E22 Jottings From the Note-book of a Col- lector in Texas. Thinking it may interest the readers of THE YouNG Oouoaist, I send a few notes of my field work during 1883. I was in the North, New York and Pennsylvania, during ’84, and in consequence did not col- lect any that season. My first take was on the 12th of March, when I run upon a Black Vulture sitting on one egg, the nest placed under an old fallen tree top, incu- bation about one-third advanced. March 14th—Found nest of the Crow containing five fresh eggs. These were taken out, and passing the nest a few days afterwards found the crow had laid one more egg and was setting hard on that. March 15th—Found a nest of the Red- bellied Hawk containing three eggs, incu- bation slight. This species frequents the bottoms, building a very large nest of sticks and Spanish moss in the crotch of a tall post-oak or pin-oak tree. Moderately common in this locality. - March 17th—Took a set of Bluebird’s, five fresh eggs, out of an old gate-post. March 31st—I was in luck this day. While hunting for the nest of a pair of Great Horned Owls that I was positive were breeding in that locality, I flushed a Turkey Buzzard out of a bunch of briars and brambles. On searching I found her nest, a mere hollow in the ground, contain- ing two as beautiful eggs as I have ever seen. I have taken many sets of this spe- cies, but none that will compare with the set I took this day. After securing my prize I again commenced paying attention to my Owls, and at last found their nest, a hollow in a large post-oak tree, about twenty feet from the ground and not more than 100 yards from a house. I found this set rather too late to Save, as one young ow!et had just managed to get his head into this cold, cruel world; the other egg was slightly chipped. However, as I had never heretofore taken any eggs of this species, I bagged ’em with the rest. April 2d—I took my first set of Carolina Wren. The nest was placed fin an old FHE NOUNG. OOmUGis i i. outhouse and contained six fresh eggs. I took the last set of this species on July 3d. April 4th—I was fortunate in securing a rarity, namely, a set of the Red-cockaded Woodpecker, this day. The nest was pecked in a half rotten pin-oak, twenty-five feet from the ground, and contained four beautiful white eggs, incubation com- menced. April 7th—Took my first set of Red- bellied Woodpecker, five eggs, fresh. April 8th—First set of Cardinal Gros- beak was taken to-day. I took about two hundred sets of this species, taking the last July 23d. April 15th—Carolina Dove was the vic- tim to-day. This is one of our most com- mon species. J take many sets annually; have taken them as late as August 20th. Having seen the Swallow-tailed Kite during the preceding summers, I was on the lookout for their nest, and told Stokes and Dick Lancaster (two brothers whom I employ every year to climb and collect for me) to be on the watch also. IJ waited patiently and at last, on April 21st, Dick Lancaster brought me the welcome tidings that he had found a nest of the Swallow- tailed Kite. Accompanied by bis brother Stokes we went for that nest. there I found the nest was placed in the top of a very tall pin-oak, seventy-five feet or more from the ground. I am a poor climber myself, twenty or twenty-five feet being my limit, and consequently am de- pendent on others when it comes to col- lecting Crow, Hawk and Owl eggs. But to return to our nest. Dick shook his head, the wind was blowing and swaying the nest too much. Stokes said he could climb any tree in the bottom and was going to see into ‘“‘that nest,” took off his boots and commenced ascending. I watched On arriving | him anxiously and at last saw him peer- — ing into the nest, and the welcome cry came down, ‘Two eggs; guess what color they are.” They were brought safely down and proved to be beauties indeed. None other of the Hawk species can equal them in my estimation. I think this set of eggs now graces the cabinet of the editor of — Pas THE YOUNG OOLOGIST. THe YouNG Oo.uoaist, and if his readers want a description and measurements they | must call on him. } April 22d —-I took my first set of Bell's Vireo. Thisis one of our summer visitors, leaving here early in the fall. Ihave never found their nest after the middle of June. April 27th—Mockingbird, five eggs, fresh. This is one of our best known birds. It is very sociable, building its nest as Close to the habitation of man as it can. They build in all situations, in a pile of rails, bush, tree, or in a corner of the fence; wherever they can find a place that will hold the foundation of large, loosely laid twigs that is the groundwork of their nest. May Ist—I found my first set of Meadow Lark, Bronzed Grackle and Orchard Ori- ole. The Meadow Lark is a permanent resident. The Bronzed Grackle and Or- chard Oriole are summer visitors. May 2d—First set of Yellow-billed Cuckoo, three eggs, incubation about one- half. This is another of our summer vis- itors. May 3d—I found an egg of the Dwarf Cowbird in a nest of Bell’s Vireo, incuba- tion advanced. I have taken ‘these eggs out of the nests of Bell’s Vireo, Painted Bunting, and in two instances they had im- posed on the Orchard Oriole. The Painted Bunting is the victim though, twice to any other bird’s once. May 6th—The Lark Finch furnished its quota on this day, a fine set of five fresh eggs. This is another of our summer vis- itors, staying until early winter, raising two or three broods. Have taken their eggs as late as August 18th. May 8th—I bagged my first set of Scis- sor-tailed Flycatcher, one of our most com- mon birds during the summer months. They put in an appearance early in the spring and I have seen a few stragglers as — late as November 20th. I also on the Same day took one set each of the Painted Bunting and Yellow-winged Sparrow. May 10th—Brought me my first set of Blue Grosbeak. Of the fifteen or twenty sets of this species that I have taken I don’t think I ever found one that did not | 123 contain a cast-off snake skin in the make- up of the nest. I also took my first set of Texas Quail on May 10th. I don’t recol- lect how late [have taken eggs of this spe- cies, but I have seen the young not more than four or five days old as late as Sep- tember 28th. May 25th—I dropped on a set of Great- crested Flycatcher in a hollow limb of a post-oak. This species is one of our rarest summer visitors. June 2d—I run upon a colony of Boat- tailed and Bronzed Grakle and took several sets of each. This is not near all the species that I have taken, but owing to having lost many of my'slips or notes I could not make out a perfect list. If you think it will interest collectors in other localities, I will send you a monthly report during ’85. I will report the arri- val of each of our summer visitors, date of taking of the first and last set of each, and any other matter of interest relating to Bird Life. J. A. SINGLEY, Lee Co., Texas. + ~~ Trees Injured by Sap-suckers. Our reply to W. B. H., on page 104 of the November YounG Oo.oeist, although true as far as our observation extended, seems to have been erroneous. A Califor- nia correspondent sends us an article which appeared March 15th, 1883, in the Forest and Stream, on the Yellow-bellied Wood- pecker, by B. Horsford of Springfield, Mass., from which we take the following: In running my eye over the list of ‘‘Birds of Maine,” substantially the birds of New England, I noticed that the Yellow-bellied Woodpecker was passed over with a few words, just what every author gives the bird, showing most conclusively that ‘orni- thology as a science had not at all reached his character, habits and peculiar instincts. I am obliged to set down first, that this is the most destructive bird in our climate. I have seen the best trees in an apple orch- ard destroyed, while the owner looked sad- ly at the trees ceasing to bear and dying, 124 not once dreaming that so small a bird could cause it. ‘‘Sometimes called a Sap- sucker.” Falsely so-called. He has no sucking apparatus. often asserted and stoutly defended. False again; he never bores a wormy tree, and besides he has no barbed tongue like his tribe for pulling out a worm when he gets | almost to it. Still worse, he kills a tree leaving no mark of his bill on the wood equal to the scratch of a pin. Then what under heaven does he do ? Well, he kills the tree most certainly. I have seen the white birch cut off, or rather | broken off, twenty feet from the ground, in more cases than | can number, all his work. Ihave seen the yellow birch de- stroyed in the same manner; branches of the tree cut off, shriveled branches strug- gling for life, but dying. I have seen a tree girdled with spots twenty feet from the ground, then again a few feet lower, then below that, repeating the process to the roots, leaving a dead and dry section above each belt. I have seen the white pine destroyed in the same way. I have seen an elm tree eighteen inches in diame- ter whose trunk of twelve feet was spotted with ‘‘gimlet holes” in the bark nearly one inch thick, and where for ten summers past Ihave shot the pests, and thereby saved the tree. Rut this was a ‘‘honey dew” elm, of thicker, darker, greener foliage than hundreds of others in the neighbor- heod, and from the tips of the leaves a drop of sweet liquid falls—hence the name. What other crimes against property this bird may be guilty of, I leave others to discover. What I have seen any one can see if they have the same opportunity. | The bird crowds closely the snow line in its northern migrations, and although leav- ing his ‘‘trade mark” on many trees, does little damage in Massachusetts. But fur- ther north, where the bird breeds, whole orchards are severely injured, if not de- stroyed, by them; scarcely a tree can be | found without the gimlet holes in the bark, abandoned without enlargement for some distaste in thesap. In that case the wound in the soft inner bark would Boring for worms is | grow over, | THE YOUNG’ OOLOGIST! while the rough outside bark would show the holes ever afterward. The first im- pression might well be that sweet-apple trees would be selected, but the rule is not reliable, since the sour, ‘‘tpuckery” crab- apple seldom escapes. The bird usually commences operations early in May, on the smooth, green, healthy bark of a tree just beginning to bear fruit, and just asthe bark swells out with the soft pulp for the year’s deposit of wood. With true philosophy he invariably begins just below the offshoot.of branches, where the upward tlow of sap is retarded by knotty fibers above, and where the accu- mulation presses, causing the sap to flow more freely than at any other place. If the taste is satisfactory he bores agaln, then returns to the first, lapping oui the sap with a tongue fringed with hair on both sides, meeting at the point. This is the key to all his eccentric habits. Thus al- ternately pecking new holes, and lapping out those already made, he soon girdles a tree with bleeding wounds. Then perhaps flies off to other trees, picking bugs and worms from the bark, but soon returns to the flowing sap, where three-quarters of the day is spent. If the heat of summer dries a hole he at once enlarges it laterally, causing it to bleed afresh. Thus by a pro-. cess constantly intermittent, the work is carried on often by a whole family in turn. In this way the holes approach each other till the flow of sap is so diminished that the leaves fade and the fruit withers on the stem or falls to the ground. Per- haps not half the apple trees attacked are killed outright, but the birch tree invaria- bly dies. The injury is in degree, and in every possible degree, from the round gim- — let hole, which is not fatal, to the broad “countersink” which kills the branch or the whole tree. J must allude here to the fact that when the Woodpecker leaves the tree a Humming-bird invariably drops down from a twig on which he has been waiting his turn, thrusts his tongue into © the holes in rapid succession and darts off the moment Picus appears. I think the reader will acknowledge my _ THE YOUNG OOLOGIST. first assertion sustained, and also that this species is misnamed ‘‘a_ sap-sucker,’’ al- though at a certain season sap is a prime article of food, and that he is more of an insect than a worm eater, lacking the nec- essary machinery for reaching worms in the true picarian style. ome The Barn Owl in Southern California. With the exception of the Burrowing Owl, the Barn Owl is the most abundant of Southern California Strigedv. The breed- ing season begins about the first of March, and eggs may be obtained through March, April and even as late as the earlv part of May. The nest is usually a hole in the face of some cliff or steep bank—generally excavated by the birds themselves, although they sometimes make use of natural cavi- ties. in length and eight inches to a foot anda half in height. The eggs are laid on the bare earth of the hole, no material of any sort being added. If the nesting place be not disturbed, the owls occupy the same hole, year after year. If the first set of eggs is taken, a second set is generally laid. In one instance, which came under my observation last spring, a pair of Barn Owls made a nest in a gully about twenty feet deep, with perpendicular sides, the owls making use of a large hole, which had been washed out by the rains of previous years. This nest was not dis- covered until rain, late in March, softened the earth so that several feet of the side of the gulch was caved off, disclosing some fragments of egg shells and one egg which had been imbedded in the mud, so that it escaped destruction. On blowing, this egg was found to be perfectly fresh, About two weeks later [ was consider- ably astonished in going to the stable to feed the horses one morning, to hear the peculiar click-click of the Barn Ow] coming from place in close proximity. On in- vestigation I discovered that a pair of Barn : Owls (doubtless the same pair above alluded to, as they had been seen in the vicinity - evening), had taken possession of | \ The holes are from one to four feet | | 125 the upper part of a hay press, which had been left standing near the stable after the season’s work. Both birds were in the press when I went to investigate, but as I climbed up the side, the male flew out; the female did not follow, however, and seemed very unwilling to leave her corner. She did not fly, even when I gently pushed her a little to one side, disclosing a single egg, which was deposited on the bare boards of the platen. She was left undisturbed, and an egg was laid every other day until six had been deposited, when, as no more were laid in the ensuing four days, I took the set. The incubation varied from one egg about half incubated, to one which appeared p rfectly fresh. Barn Owls occasionally breed in hollow trees or other convenient places, but, in this locality at least, a hole in the face of a cliff is the general rule. The eggs vary both in number and in size and shape. They are usually rather long, and pointed at the small end, somewhat similar to those of the Quail, though in one set I obtained last spring, the eggs were nearly spherical, one of them measuring 1.47x1.29 inches. An egg from another set in my possession measures 1.98x1.48 in. The number of eggs in a set ranges from three to eight, five or six being the more common number. The eggs are white, but without the glossy surface common to the egos of the smaller species of owls. JosEPH L. EDMISTON, Riverside, Cal. fs eget J The new column = announcement of Messrs. Davis & Baker, publishers of the Oologists’ Directory, merits the special attention of, our readers. Their preVious advertisement appeared in two leading monthlies prior to its being published in THE YounG Ooxoeist, but in a letter a few weeks since they inform us that two- thirds of all answers received mention the YOUNG OOLOGIST. +e For every new subscriber you may send us for the YouNG OoLoeist, we will give a copy of our new Hand-book, 126 THE YOU YOUNG NG OOLOGIST EDITED AND PUBLISHED “MONTELY. FRANK H. LATTIN, GAINES, N. ¥. Printed ne Joux P, ‘SontH, 80 State ES “Rochester. eed nae ep items of interest to ae student of Birds, their Nests, and Eggs solicited from all. Terms of Subscription. Single Subscription - - 60 cents per annum. Foreign Countries, - - - 75 Sample Copies, - - - - The above rates include postage. 6 cents each. Terms of Advertising. Single insertion, 20 cents per line, nonpareil. 1 mo. 3 mo. 6 mo. lyr. Five lines, 1 00 2 50 4 00 6 00 One inch, 2 00 5 00 8 00 12 00 1-2column, 7 00 17 50 28 00 42 00 | 1 id 13 00 32 50 52 00 78 00 One page, 25 00 62 50 100 00 150 00 Advertisements under five lines, charged one line extra. Yearly advertisements payable quarterly in advance. Special discounts can be given on most advertise- ments. Send copy for estimate. Remittances should be made by draft on New York ; money order or postal note payable at Gaines, N. Y.; or by registered letter. Unused U. S. postage stamps of any denomination will be accepted for sums under one dollar. Address all subscriptions and communications to THE YOUNG OOLOGIST, GAINES, Orleans Co., N. Y. (es Make money orders and drafts payable to FRANK H. LATTIN. Entered at the Post Office at Gaines, N. Y., as Second-class mail matter. JOTTINGS. Back numbers of THE YounG OOLOGIST will be furnished at six cents per copy. Mr. M. Abbott Frazar, of Mt. Auburn, Mass., collected many showy and desirable eggsein Labrador last season. For $1.00 we will send a copy of our Hand-Book and THE YouNG OOLoaiIstT, from May, 1884, to Dec., 1885, inclusive. The first prize of last competition has been won by Mr. H. W. Davis, of North Granville, N. Y. Mr. D. sent us less than twenty new names. With the exception of Mr. D’s list, we received only one or two exceeding ten names. THE YOUNG) OOLOGISR The bya siatheee of Tae Youne OoLocisr will have a circulation of not less than 5,000 copies. Advertisers desir- ing space should send in copy at once. Erery copy will be placed in the hands of wide-awake Collectors. On page 1382 we give a fac simile of a hand-bill announcing the sale of one of the rarest eggs ever offered collectors. This egg, we think, brought its owner $1,000. There are but few collectors in this country but what an egg or two of this species would like to obtain. We are indebted to J. I. Tennant, F. R. 8., Stoke-in-Trent, Eng., for the loan of one of the original bills. To every collector who will send us a list giving the names of not less that twelve | collectors in their vicinity, whom they think might be induced to subscribe for THE YouNG OoLoGiIstT, we will send a copy of our new Hand-book, for their trouble. Names of present subscribers will not count. This offer will hold good until Feb. 15, only. Our Premium List In A Nut SHELL:— For every new subscriber, one of our pres- - ent subscribers may send us, we will give twenty-five cents worth of anything we advertise, or offer for sale in THE YOUNG Oo.oaist, our Catalogue, or any circular we may send out: We trust our friends will obtain for us as many new subscribers as possible. We consider our premium list one of the largest and most varied ever sent out by any publisher in America. Parties desiring to obtain a costly premium ean send in their names, as fast as obtained, and we will give them a check good for 25 cents, in trade, when the required num- ber of checks are obtained they may be sent to us and we will send the premium desired. We are receiving many kind letters, in praise of our Oologists’ Hand-Book, and to us it is very gratifying, as it assures us our efforts are appreciated. American Ornithologists’ Union. (BIRD MIGRATION. ) At the First Congress of the American | Ornithologists’ Union, held in New York city, September 26-28, 1883, a committee on the Migration of Birds was appointed. | It is the purpose of this committee to inves- tigate in all its bearings, and to the fullest | _ extent possible, the subject of the migra- | tion of birds in the United States and Brit- ish North America. The work will not be limited to the accumulation of records of _ the times of the arrival and departure of | the different species, but will embrace the | collection of all data that may aid in deter- | mining the causes which influence the pro- gress of migration from season to season. For example, severe storms, gales of wind, _ protracted periods of unusually high or low temperature (for the locality and time _of year) are among the atmospheric condi- tions that are known to exert marked ef- fects upon the movements of birds. The opening of the leaves and the flowering of certain plants, with the correlative appear- ance of a multitude of insects, are also among the factors that have to do with the abundance of many species. Hence the careful registration of certain metorological phenomena, and of the state of advancing vegetation from day to day, will constitute prominent items in the record books of the observer. For the purpose of rendering the result of the season’s work as full and valuable as possible, the committee earnestly solicits the co-operation of every ornithologist, field-collector, sportsman and observer of nature in North America. Indeed, a large corps of observers is absolutely essential to the success of the undertaking, and the undertaking, and the committee hopes to receive substantial aid from many who pro- fess no knowledge of ornithology. Effi- cient service can be rendered by those familiar with only our commonest birds, and the committee will gladly accept data concerning any of the following well- known species: THE YOUNG | | | | | | | | | OOLOGIST. 127 Robin. Mocking-bird. Catbird (Eastern). Brown Thrasher. Bluebird (Eastern). House Wren. Yellow-rumped Warbler; Myrtlebird. Yellow-breasted Chat. Redstart. Maryland Yellow-throat. Cedarbird; Waxwing. Purple Martin. Barn Swallow (fork-tailed). Cowbird. Yellow-headed Blackbird. Red-shouldered Blackbird (Eastern). Meadow Lark. Oriole; Hanging-bird. Crow Blackbird. Horned Lark; Shore Lark. Kingbird; Bee Martin (Eastern). Violet-Green Swallow (Western). Scarlet Tanager. Pine Grosbeak; Bullfinch. Purple Finch. Red- poll Linnet. Snow Bunting. Yellowbird; Thistlebird (Eastern). Chewink; Towhee (Eastern). Junco; Slate-colored Snowbird. Cardinal Redbird. Rose-breasted Grosbeak. Indigo-bird. Bobolink; Ricebird. Pewee; Phebe. Hummingbird (Eastern). Chimney Swift (Eastern). Whippoorwill. Nighthawk. King-fisher. Fish Hawk. Wild Pigeon. Also, any of the Waders, ‘‘Shore-birds,” and Ducks. PLAN OF THE WORK. For convenience in collecting and ar- ranging the enormous mass of material which will be accumulated by the joint labors of this army of field workers, it has been deemed advisable to divide the vast expanse of territory embraced in the United States and British North America into thirteen districts, each of which has been placed under the immediate direction of a competent superintendent. The districts, with their respective superintendents, are : Alaska—Supt., John Murdoch, Smith- sonian Institute, Washington, D. C. Northwest Territories—Supt., Ernest E, 128 THE ‘YOUNG, OOLGGIST. T. Seton, Assinaboia, oa Carberry, Mani- toba. ; Newfoundland—Supt., James P. How- ley, St. John’s, Newfoundland. British Columbia—Supt., John Fannin, Burrard Inlet, British Columbia. Manitoba—Supt., Prof. W. W. Cooke, Caddo, Indian Territory. Quebec and the Maritime Provinces— Supt., Montague Chamberlain, St. John, New Brunswick. Ontario—Supt., Hamilton, Ontario. New England—Supt., John H. Sage, Portland, Conn. Atlantie District (New York, Pennsylva- nia, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina) —Supt., Dr. A. K. Fisher, Sing Sing, New York. Middle-Eastern District (Southern Mich- igan, Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia, Ken- tucky and Tennessee east of the Tennessee river, Alabama, Georgia, Florida)—Supt., Dr. J. M. Wheaton, Columbus, Ohio. Mississippi Valley (Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Northern Peninsula of Michi- gan, Nebraska, Iowa, Lllinois, Kansas, Missouri, Indian Territory, Arkansas, the Thomas Mellwraith, small portions of Kentucky and Tennessee | west of the Tennessee river, Texas, Louis- | iana, Mississippi)—Supt., Prof. W. W. Cooke, Caddo, Indian Territory. Rocky Mountain District (Idaho, Mon- tana, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico)—Supt., Dr. Edgar A. Mearns. Pacific District (Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada)—Supt., IL. San Diego, California. Light-house Division—At charge of the chairman. present Belding, | in | The home of each observer is called a | station, and is recorded by number upon the books of the committee. The commit- tee particularly requests that all persons who read this circular, and are willing to aid in the work, will wnmediately commu- nicate with the superintendents of their re- spective districts. It is the duty of each superintendent to exert himself to the utmost to inerease the | number of observers in his district; to an- swer the questions they may put to him concerning the details of the work, etc.; to collect at frequent intervals the product of their labors; to ascertain from these data the whereabouts of certain species in win- ter, and the times of leaving their winter homes; to determine if possible the number and extent of the chief avenues of migra- tion within the limits of his district, and the average rate of speed at which the dif- ferent species travel; to locate the breeding areas of the summer residents; and, finally, to submit the result of the season’s work to the chairman of the committee. The chair- man shall, in turn, arrange, condense and systematize the material received from the superintendents of the several districts, and shall present to the Union the fruits of the joint labors of all the collaborators, to- gether with any comments, deductions or generalizations he may have made upon the same. INSTRUCTIONS TO COLLABORATORS. The data collected may conveniently be arranged in three general classes: @. Orni- thological Phenomena. 0. Meteorological Phenomena. c¢. Contemporary and Cor- relative Phenomena. (a) Ornithological Phenomena. Each observer is requested to prepare, at his earliest convenience, a complete list of the birds known to occur in the vicinity of his station, and to indicate (by the abbre- viations enclosed in parentheses) to which of the following five categories each species pertains: 1. Permanent Tesidents, or those that are found regularly throughout the entire year (R). 2. Winter Visitants, ovr those that occur only during the winter season, passing north in the spring (WY). 3. Transient Visitants, or those that oc- cur only during the migrations, in spring and fall (TV). 4. Summer Residents, or those that are known to breed, but which depart south- ward before winter (SR). 5. Accidental Visitants, from remote districts (AY). or stragglers to note the sex of the first comers, and the | THE YOUNG OOLOGIST. It is desirable also to indicate the rela- tive abundance of the different species, the terms to be employed for this purpose be- ing: Abundant, Common, Tolerably Com- mon, Rare. In many species the males arrive in ad- vance of the females, hence it is important date at which the opposite sex is first seen. In recording arrivals and departures it is highly important to distinguish between the movements of the great bulk of the _ species and those ot the forerunners or ad- vance guard. For this purpose two dates should be recorded for the incoming, and two for the outgoing of every non-resident species, as follows: 1. The first appearance of the species (F). 2. The arrival of the bulk (BA). 3. The departure of the bulk (BD). 4. The last individual seen (L). In addition to the above, which may be regarded as essential data, there are many other noteworthy details that bear more or | less directly upon the complicated prob- lems involved in the study of migration. Among such may be mentioned the bodily condition of the bird (whether fat or lean), the moult, and the periods of song. The time of mating, when observed, should al- ways be recorded. (0) Meteorologicul Phenomena. Extended meteorological data are not re- quired, though the observer would derive material assistance from a _ systematic weather record. The committee desires information upon: 1. The direction and force of the wind. 2. The direction, character and dura- tion of storms. 3. The general conditions of the atmos- phere, including rainfall. 4. The succession of marked warm and cold waves; including a record of all sud- den changes of temperature. (c) Contemporary and Correlative Phe-- nomena. The committee desires that the data under | this head be as full and complete as possi- | | | 129 ble, and requests exact information upon : I. The date at which the first toad is seen. 2. The date at which the first frog is heard. The date at which the first or ‘‘peeper” is heard. 4. The dates at which certain mammals and reptiles enter upon and emerge from the state of hibernation. tree-toad 5. The dates at which various insects are first seen. 6. The dates of the flowering of various plants. 7. The dates of the leafing and falling of the leaves of various trees and shrubs. 8. The dates of the breaking up and disappearance of the ice in rivers and lakes in spring, and of the freezing over of the same in the fall. Not long since we received the above cir- cular from G. Hart Merriam, M. D., of Lo- cust Grove, Lewis Co., N. Y., who is chair- man of the Committee on Migration. We trust that our readers will carefully con- sider the subject matter of this circular. Write to the superintendent of the district in which vou reside and he will add your name to the large list of stations already established, and will expect to hear good and favorable reports from you. Do not disappoint him, but procure a note-book, “several if necessary, for the purpose and keep a correct and minute record of the bird happenings in your locality. You will find your task far from being an un- pleasant one nnd your notes will be of no small value to this body of scientific men. We know that if the readers of THE YounG Oowoertst take hold of this work with the zeal so characteristic ig most of their undertakings, many hundred new Stations will be established during the com- ing season, and we propose, should we be enabled to enlarge THE YOUNG OoLoatst, to have several pages devoted to the re- ports of these stations. The ‘‘agents” can send their reports to us, we will print them in good shape and send a copy of our mag- azine to the superintendent of each district 130 THE YOUNG) OGLOGIST: Wild Geese Frozen to the Ice; Frozen Ducks. W. B. H. of Milwaukee, Wis., writes that last winter a young man of Milwaukee | secured several Wild Geese which had _be- come frozen to the ice while sitting around an air-hole, on a small lake about 100 miles | from the city, and that a hunter informed | him that he had in three cases found Wild | Geese frozen to the ice on lakesin northern Wisconsin. Mr. H. also enclosed the following clip” ping taken from the Oshkosh Times : Register of Deeds Spiegelberg brought — the news this morning of a very singular occurrence in the up-river country. He states that in the ifland formed at the con- fluence of Lake Poygan, the Wolf river and the Boom Company’s canal, the sud- den change in the weather on the 28d inst. | Nov.] overtook a thousand or more Mal- | lard Ducks, which had found a resting place, and the cold having numbed them they were unable to fly, and hunters and farmers had an easy time in catching them The highest number caught by one family was 213, A good many of the ducks were picked and brought into the market, while lots of them were packed for winter use. Mr. Spiegelberg says that the ducks were very fat, but that when discovered they had nothing in their crops, being unable to move on account of the cold. Mr. Spiegel- berg, who has lived in the vicinity a long time, has no remembrance of a similar oc- currence. + > o- How to Handle a Gun. The following advice to young sportsmen | appears in the St. Nicholas. readers wi]l peruse carefully and always bear it in mind when out for a day’s sport: We trust our | Always bear in mind that it is the muz- zle of a gun that is dangerous; therefore, never allow the muzzle to point toward yourself or any other person. Never put your hand over the muzzle of a gun nor allow another person to handle | your gun while it is loaded. Use a breech-loading with rebounding hammers. Our Smal'est Winter Friend. Of all our birds [ think the little Black- capped Titmouse (Parus atricapillus) is our best friend and most general favorite. Not like the others, who desert us at the first sign of hard times, they stay with us dur- ing the most dreary weather, cheering us with their funny ways and happy little song. They are of a social disposition, and often found in company with the Nu- thatches, with peaceable. Their only fault is, they are very inquis- itive. The other day when collecting it was snowing very hard, and not seeing any- whom they are always thing for along gime, felt rather discour- aged and stopped a few minutes to rest. I had not done so two seconds before I heard Are not | YOUNG QOLOGIST, I oe) — a little twitter above my head, and on look- ing up saw one of my little friends hang- ing from nearly the topmost branch of a very tall tree, working with all his little might, probably at the insects which it contained, every now and then uttering a little sort of twitter, with sometimes the note for which he gets his name, Chicka- dee. While I was looking at him I heard a rustling in the leaves, and about three yards from me saw one of his companions turning them over, running up into the bushes and shaking snow all over himself, to all appearances not conscious of my presence; but in reality peeping at me whenever he thought I was not noticing him. I watched him a little while, much amused, but feeling a little chilly, started on. I had not gone far before I shot a Blue Jay, and was standing admiring it when I looked up and found | was again sur- rounded by my little friends, who proba- bly were at a little distance when I shot, and being of such inquisitive natures could not help but come and see what I was do- ing. The Titmouse is also one of our most useful birds, each bird being said to de- stroy in the spring on an average of over two hundred injurious insects daily. ARTHUR H. LOcKEr', Exeter, N: EH. Le u The tallest bird known to ethnologists was found by Professor Herbert in the lower cocene deposits near Paris, France. It was over twelve feet in height, and could have bitten a man’s head off as easily We cannot be too thankful that this bird has Ladies would have wanted to wear it on their hats, as a Woodpecker can nip a cherry. gone out of fashion and existence. and men who sat behind such bonnets or ornaments in the theatres would be unable to see whether a ballet or a prayer meeting were in progress on the stage. EGG OF THE MOA OR DINORNIS, FRONI NEW ZEALANID. Ro Ps Ee eel & ea i ® Mee J. CG) Sav eae Has received instructions to offer for sale by Auction, At his GREAT ROOM, No. 38 KING STREET, COVENT GARDEN, On FRIDAY, the 24th day of NOVEMBER, 1865, AT TWO (0;CHOCE A SPECIMEN, NEARLY PERFECT, OF THIS VERY RARE & REMARKABLE HGG, The Bird of which is now presumed to be quite extinct. The egg has just arrived, per Ship RAVENSCRAIG, and is probably the Dinornis ingens of Owen. The egg will be on view the Day prior and Morning of Sale. The following account of the singular discovery of this Egg was published in the Wellington Papers. EXTRACT FROM WELLINGTON PAPERS. Discovery of a Moa’s Egg at the Kat Koras. There is at the present time being exhibited at Messrs. Bernune & Humrer’s stores, for the benefit of the curious, an object of no less interest than the egg of a Moa, another relic of the rara avis of New Zealand. The egg is of itself an object of no:common interest to ordinary people, but 1t must be still more so to those who watch narrowly the development of natural history in its relations to this colony, and the circumstances connected with the finding are calculated to lend a still greater, not to say aromantic, interest to It. It appears, from what we learn from Captain Davidson, of the schooner Ruby, which trades between this port and the Kai Koras, that a man in Mr. Fyffe’s employment at the latter place was digging the foundation of a house, and when on the side of a small mound he suddenly came upon the egg in question, and the skeleton of a man, supposed of course to be a Maori. ‘The body had evidently been buried in a sitting posture, and the egg must have been placed in the hands, as when found the arms were extended in such a manner as to bring it im- mediately opposite the mouth of the deceased. ‘This, it is assumed, was in accordance with the Maori custom, and was done for the purpose of giving the individual who was buried an opportunity of sustaining himself if he thought proper, or it, in the course of things, he required sustenance. Between the legs of the skeleton were found numerous tools, cut from green stone, including a spear, axe, and several implements, which would lead to the belief that the man to whom the bones belonged must have been, in some way or other, connected with the wood trade—that is to say, if carpenters. cabinetmakers, &c., flourished in his time. All the bones were in excellent preservation, one arm and hand being entirely without blemish. The skull bore evidence of its proprietor having, at some time or the other, received some hard knocks, probably in the battle-field while taking his part in some of those terrific encounters which are supposed to have taken place in ancient times. Unfortunately, before the man who was digging discovered the natural treasure, the implement he was using came in contact with the shell and broke a small piece out of the side of it, but the fragments have been carefully preserved, and might readily be fitted into the aperture. The egg itself is about ten inches in length, and seven inches in breadth, the shell being of a dirty brownish color, and rather better than the thickness of a shilling coin. ‘he inside is perfectly clear and free from all traces of decayed matter. From what Captain Davidson tells us, we should supnose that the ground where this relic was discovered must have been used asa cemetary at some distant period of the past,as Mr. Fyffe had previously found some interesting Maori emblems about the same place, but one of the natives about there—and some of them we are informed have arrived at very mature ages—have the slightest recollection of even having heard, as a matter of history, that any of their ancestors had found a final resting place in that particular locality. THE YOUNG OOLOGIST Vol. 1. No. 10. GAINES, N. Y., FEB., 1885. Nesting of the Winter Wren. ‘Why this species is called the Winter Wren seems somewhat strange, as, in Can- ada at least, it is very seldom ever seen or heard during the winter season, though in the latitude of Philadelphia some speci- mens may be commonly met with at that period of the year, but with the return of spring it is one of the earliest of our visit- ants to cheer the wild, swampy woods with its gladsome lays. The term Wood Wren would, I think, be more appropriate than the name it bears, as in contra distinction to its congener, the House Wren, it is ex- clusively a woodland bird. From early in April until mid-summer its cheery notes are constantly heard in the wild lowland woods where it makes its summer home, though with the exception of its notes the student of nature often has little evidence of its existence, for as soon as it becomes aware of the presence of man it immedi- ately seeks concealment among the fallen timber and tangled brushwood surrounding its nesting-place, at the same time uttering a few disconcerted notes. From my early childhood I have been a resident of the Janadian backwoods, and often when out in the pathless forest 1 have listened with delight to the thrilling music of this wood: land ranger, though for many years I was ignorant of the little performer and its af- finity to the House Wren, which. was among the most familiar of our feathered friends that annually made their homes around our dwelling. When I was about fourteen years of age, one summer day I was in hunt of cattle along the margin of the creek that bore the Indian namé of Can- a-ca-jig. Passing a place where there still indications of once being .an Indiair encampment I noticed that a large maple tree had fallen across the stream, and that in its fall it had drawn up with its roots A f | | | § PusiisHep MontHLy ) 60c. Per Year. large piece of earth which, hanging down- ward, formed a kind of wigwam. Into .this I entered, supposing it to be the nest- ing-place of a Pewee or a Jinco. AsI did so and began to look around in the gloomy | light, a little dark bird flew past my face, and which from 'the glimpse that I got of it, and its notes, I identified as the species then known to me as the Wood Wren. I soon discovered the nest, placed in a small cavity, built externally of moss in the form of a ball, with a small hole in the side. | Putting my finger into the nest I found that it contained a number of eggs. Some of the eggs I took out in order to see their color and count their number. I found that there were eight eggs in the nest, of a pure white color with reddish dots toward the large end. or much like those of’ the _ Black-capped Chick-a-dee in size and mark- | ing. | Some days after I looked at the nest again and found that it contained young. This was the first nest of this species, with eggs, that I had seen. Many a time since then I have seen partially formed nests of _ this species, and others from which eggs had been taken or in which young had ' been incubated, but I have seen only one other nest with eggs. I have on several ' occasions seen the bird in the act of form- _ ing her nest, but no sooner did she become aware that it was discovered than she im- | a hole in the side of an mediately forsook it. Once I saw a nest in which young had evidently been raised, in old Another time when engaged in sugar- moss-covered log. making I saw a bird of this species carry- _ ing bits of moss-into a hole in the top of , an old rotten stump, but when she saw me _ examining her nesting-place no more work yas* | was performed there. I have much other | evidence to show that if the nest is touched | or the bird suspects that it has been dis- covered before eggs are deposited, she at once deserts it. In the early part of. June, 134 1878, I was out in a piece of low woods about a mile south of this town, nest hunt. ing. Seeing a large hemlock tree partially turned up by the root. I thought that underneath it was a place likely to contain the nest of the Winter Wren, whose eggs I was now anxious to obtain for my collec- tion. Gazing into this cavern I saw a nest a few feet from the entrance, and a mo- ment after a Wren popped onto the ground and then flew out past me. This nest, like all the others, was composed of moss, in the form of a ball, and neatly lined with fine fibrous bark, hair and Hawk feathers. It contained six eggs which I found to have been several days incubated. One was broken in blowing, two I gave to an- other collector and the other three are still in my collection. It would take an expert Oologist to distinguish them from those of the Brown Creeper. WitiraM L. Kgs, Listowel, Ontario. e+e Duck-hunting at Gospel Swamp. It has been so long since | have sat down to write anything outside of business let- ters, that if my wits ever were sharp on the subject Igam afraid they are pretty dull now. Still I thought I would let the read- ers of THe Youne Oo.oeisr know how we can enjoy our spare time out here when we cannot go egg-hunting. It was on the 18th of last December a couple of friends and myself decided to spend the two weeks holidays by taking a grand Duck-hunt. Acting on this we at once began preparations; we were all equipped with guns, ammunition, etc., by the afternoon of the 19th, and having pro- cured a good team and plenty of provisions, we started out for a place renowned for its Duck shooting, called Gospel Swamp, sit- uated about fifty miles from Los Angeles. The swamp part of this name is all right, but I conld never just see where the ‘‘Gos- pel” part of the business comes in, for the country itself, full of dark sloughs and deep bog-holes, is very far from being gos- pel-like. ' Los Angeles. - drive lay among green meadows and eme- were too much for - thought a little fresh fruit would be a good . of fruit. - hunting expedition, and gaining our prom- the golden beauties. FHE YOUNG. OOLOGIST. It is needless to describe our trip from Suffice it to say that our rald orange orchards, whose clusters of golden fruit bore a pleasing contrast to their surrounding masses of dark green folinge. The tempting clusters of fruit me, inasmuch as [| acquisition to our stock of provisions. So I stopped at the next orchard and asked the proprietor for a few dimes’ werth He, seeing we were out for a ise of a brace or two of fine Ducks on our retin, was very generous and presented us witha couple of sacks brimming full of After thanking him properly we proceeded with our journey, and added variety to the monotony of the _ drive by shooting such squirrels and mead- ow larks that were so unfortunate as to cross our path. After a drive of some twenty miles we were overtaken by the approaching dusk, and made our encampment at a spot called “Coyote Hill,” so named on account of the immense numbers of prairie wolves, or - coyotes, found in this vicinity. We at once proceeded to pitch camp and retire, but not to ‘‘blissful dreams.” During the night our sleep was frequently disturbed by the tumultuous howlings of these ‘‘too- familiar - on -short- acquaintance” animals. Indeed, to judge by the sounds, some num- bers of the varmints would approach to within fifty or sixty yards of camp, and as _ if by a given signal previously agreed upon ' set up such a series of yells and barks that a person is reminded of a concert in Pan- -demonium. This was, to speak mildly, somewhat annoying; as I could not see the creatures, 1 would take my gun from under _ my pillow and discharge it in the direction of the animals. . For a time this action would have the de- _ sired effect, i. e., of quieting the uproar, - and I would again attempt to calm my _ troubled feelings in Nod’s reveries. How- ‘ ever, my attempt was fruitless; for as soon as I was comfortably ensconced beneath THE YOUNG OOLOGIST. the covers they would, like Hastings’ Ideal, It is true the animals are — harmless; so are mosquitoes, but neverthe- | less a person unused to their lullaby does | not appreciate it as the efforts on the part — ‘come again.” of the animals probably deserve. Thus I passed a very restless night,when | daylight at length dawned upon us, to my great joy and the apparent discomfiture of | the coyotes, for at the first approach of | dawn I could see them skulking off in pairs | and trios and soon disappear in the recesses of the deep thickets near our camping ground. The creatures were evidently very much disappointed at not finding us more generous with our fresh-killed birds | and squirrels, the scent of which had prob- | ably attracted them to our locality. We at once proceeded to re-pack our camp, and after partaking of a slice of | bread and fried bacon, and above all, the cup of hot black coffee, which cannot be truly appreciated until a person is outon a > hunt on a cold morning, we ‘‘pulled stakes” and departed. After a few turns and crooks we reached our hunting grounds without further mishap, about three o'clock | on the afternoon of the 20th. We at once began to pitch camp. The spot selected was a high, dry knoll on the bank of a lit- tle stream and about fifty yards from a willow thicket which afforded us with a never-failing supply of fuel. things fixed comfortably. and to use the expression, everything was lovely by five o'clock in the evening. It was about this time the Ducks and Geese began to come in from the bays and large lakes and to alight among the small sloughs and grain fields to feed. ber of Ducks in these incoming flights was simply amazing. dred yards in extent would come rushing in and for a short time darken the sky, and these had no sooner passed on and dis- persed when another immense flock num- bering countless thousands would come sweeping along in the same direction. Each of my comrades and myself took favorable stands on the banks of the slough and then commenced a general fusilade | early and at our posts at sunrise. We had | The num- | Flocks of several hun- | 135 Senne beanie which we kept up for about an hour, when it became too dark to participate in the sport further, so all hands repaired to the camp. When we had arrived there and taken an inventory of stock we found that we had bagged one hundred Ducks, mostly Mallard and Pin-tail, with a few scattering Widgeon, Teal and Spoon-bills. As we were somewhat tired we retired early to blissful slumbers, and, | am happy to say, an undisturbed one, for we were not trou- bled by coyotes, as on the previous night. The next morning we were up bright and We did not have long to wait; soon a few strag- gling Ducks come sailing along at an in- viting distance over our heads and we give them a couple of loads for luck and bring down a couple of daring old drake Mal- lards. Then three or four detached flocks come rushing along, all heedless of their impend- ing doom. We get in a couple of good telling shots among these, and then— Mercy! but what is that dark cloud which comes rushing along with a muffled roar’ We do not have long to wait for an an- swer. Soon the Ducks are upon us, like a whirlwind, on their way back to the bays. At their arrival bang! bang! go our fowling pieces, but such is the tumult you could not hear the reports two hundred yards distant. After ten or fifteen minutes the flight has all passed and we proceed to pick up our Ducks, which to say the least made quite a little pile when we reached camp and put them up ina bunch. By this time the ducks are all down in the large bay, so we procure a boat and row out for a little mid-day sport. Our success here was not so great here as inland, however we pro- cured quite a number of Geese on the open water, mostly the White and Grey Brant. After several hours of this sport we again retire to camp and prepare for the evening shoot. After picking our fowls for the teathers and throwing the carcass away we repair to our stands of the previous even- ing. As the weather was a little windy with signs of rain, the Ducks began flying 136 THE: YOUNG “OOL OGIST. early and. came in by. iceeamia’) flight was simply appalling... This ; eyen- The | ing we made another tremendous haul, and thus our. time, passed;, each, day: was a fair repetition of, the pri evious. one;... - ane To.vary the monotony: - one of, my. com- panions. succeeded: i in killing a jar ge White Swan, Ww hich measured. over seven. feet from tip to. tip, and a day or: so.- later. the other companion killed a large wildcat | which he saw prowling along the bank ofa slough, probably looking for achance Duck that might be caught napping. However, the cat will probably postpone his ducking” tour in his present condition. And now, after my two companions had immortalized themselves over the Swan and wildeat,.w as | I to suiler disgrace . by not killing a single noble specimen of theanimal creation? Not — much. The next evening I achieved a feat worthy of fame. As I was walking along | through an open meadow IT spied a beauti- | ful little white and black animal, about the | size of a small badger, skipping playfully along in the path before me. Now, thought | I, was my chance for glory, so I no sooner | saw the little creature than I gave chase. The animal did not seem to be in a hurry (unfortunatety for me) and I soon overtook it. As I came to close quarters it erected its beautiful little tail, and I—I—well, for reasons of my own, stopped short... I will state right here that in my opinion the most generous animal in the world is the skunk. On the slightest acquaintance— without even an informal introduction—he will give youa good rich scent and not charge you a cent for his services either. His generosity is truly commendable. After my first onslaught I recoiled a few steps for obvious reasons and my good health, and gave the charitable animal the full contents of my two gun-barrels. After this adventure I returned to camp a wiser and a scented man. My companions needed no explanations as to the manner of ani- mal which I had encountered. Suffice is to say that for some unaccountable reason they strongly objected to my coming into camp, and advised “a change of clothing. This prescription I complied with, and left | my fone suit a mer distance to the lee- ward.of camp in the willows. After the skunk episode things ran along tranquilly as ever and our luck was always good, Righthere | would like to say that everywhere | would go, among the reeds and sedge-grass, on the banks of the sloughs, and in the shallow water, I found innumerable old nests built close to and on the ground. They were about eight inches in diameter and composed of light mate- rial, as small tules, dried grass, ete. For some time I was puzzled to know their probable identity, but soon noticing the numbers of California Clapper Rails which abounded in every little bunch of grass and sedge, I at once concluded that they were the authors of the old nests. So acting on these pointers I intend to visit the swamp the coming egg season and try my success at egg-collecting in that locality. But .to my subject. After we had camped out for a fortnight and killed Ducks and Geese until killing them ceased to be a novelty and lost its sport, we began to re-pack and turn our faces once more towards home, sweet home, at which place we all arrived on the evening of January 3d. I arrived alive and well and am still so, and only wish for another opportunity to spend a few spare days at Duck shoot- ing, and I don’t think my Eastern friends would object to taking a little hunt with me in the same neighborhood. Well, I hope that some day I may have the pleasure of taking a little pleasure trip with some of my numerous friends who are readers of THE YOUNG OOLOGIsT, so wishing you al a happy New Year (although a little past the season) and good luck the coming egg season, I will regretfully say good-bye to THE YOUNG Oo.oeist and its many read- ers. A M, SHIELDs, Los Angeles, Cal’a. tg A valued correspondent from New York City writes us that among the various pres- ents President-elect Cleveland is fairly del- uged with, isa mammoth egg, from some _ Virginia admirer. What kind of an egg it is, is not mentioned, but he adds that it is probably ‘‘hen fruit.” DHE YOUNG OOLOGIST. Little Screech Owls in Pigeon and Poultry Houses. During the latter part of last March my | | | | pigeon-houses were infested by two pairs | of Little Screech Owls (Scops asio). spent the day among the catalpas and They | bushy oaks that stud the yard of the | Catholic clergyman, across the street; and, every evening, at dusk, appeared in a tall | pecan tree in our poultry-yard, uttered a few cries, and then descended into pigeon-houses. The pigeons were terrified the | at the presence of their unwelcome guests | and left their homes, passing the nights in © the surrounding houses and in trees. One evening, a few minutes after dark- ness had set in, the tenants of our property, adjoining the poultry-yard, hastily sent us | word that thieves were operating in our poultry-house. My brother and I immediately burried to | the poultry-house, he carrying a lantern, and I armed with a pistol., On arriving at the scene of the disturbance, the first live thing we met, was a turkey-gobbler, with his head trust between two banana trees, and trying, with all of his might, to escape between them. After extricating him from | his position, we proceeded to the poultry- house, to dislodge the thieves. Brandishing my pistol, I called to the | intruders to surrender; but no sound greet- ed our ears save that of the poultry trying | to regain the perches from whence they | were disturbed. We then made an examina- tion ofthe building and yard: not a sign of a thief was visible. We found turkeys and chickens about | the yard, in corners, bushes and other favorable hiding places. into the cause of the disturbance ; and, as After driving | them to their perches, we began inquiring | no biped or quadruped of a large size | seemed the malefactor, the question natur- | ally presented itself: What was it? All of our speculations were dissolved, when the Little Screech Owls, who had © taken possession of the pigeons’ dwellings, were mentioned. It seems that the door of a pigeon-house on the side of, and open- | | | 137 ing into the poultry house had_ been left open, and, through it, a pair of the little varlets had entered and, alarming the poultry, produced a stampede among the feathered congregation. After this event we determined to kill the disturbers ; one was shot (April 4th), and another was found in a _ pigeon-nest and destroyed. The other two did not linger long, where their companions were killed, and left not long after. A few weeks later, in cleaning out the pigeon-houses, three Little Screech Owl eges were found in one house, and one egg in another house. They had made no ad- dition to the pigeons’ nests; and, unabashed, laid their spherical white eggs in nests, in which the pigeons had reared their young some time before. Houma, La. B.C. W: sp toab hee NE Ne ieee Prehensile Power of the Peet of the Crow. (CORVUS FRUGIVORUS. ) Apropos of this subject, which has been somewhat discussed lately, my friend Charles W. Beckwith, Esq., of Frederic ton, N. B., has sent me the following note: ‘‘A few months ago, while walking along the bank of the St. John river, which at®™ that point is something over half a mile wide, I observed a Crow coming toward me from the direction of the opposite shore, holding in his claw some large ob- ject, and laboring heavily against the strong wind which was blowing in his face. Reaching the shore, after considerable ef- fort, he alighted on the branch of an elm growing near to where | stood, and in do- ins so dropped its burden. On examina. tion this proved to be a dead kitten, not more than three or four days old, I judged from its appearance, and not at all de- cayed.”” MonvTAGUE CHAMBERLAIN, St. John, N. B. 1) Dae re Ash For every new subscriber you may send us for the YouneG Ooxoaist, we will give a copy of our new Hand-book. 138 THE YOUNG OOLOGIST “EDITED AND PUBLISHED MONTELY FRANK E. LATTIN, GAINES, N. ¥, Printed by poke P. Smiru, 80 State St., Rochester. Godeianvaeice and items of interest to the student of Birds, their Nests and Eggs solicited from all. pos ae Gubeenntion: Single Subscription - - 60 cents per annum. Foreign Countries, - - - 15 = Sample Copies, = - - - The above rates include postage. 6 cents each. Terms of Advertising. Single insertion, 20 cents per line, nonpareil. 1 mo. 3 mo. 6 mo. Deru} Five lines, 1 00 2 50 4 00 6 00 One inch, 2 00 5 00 8 00 12 00 a column, 7 00 17 50 28 00 42 00 . 13 00 32 50 52 00 78 00 one page, 25 00 62 50 100 00 150 00 Advertisements under five lines, charged one line extra. Yearly advertisements payable ita) erly in advance. Special discounts can be given on many advertise- ments. Send copy for estimate. Remittances should be made by draft on New York ; money order or postal note payable at Gaines, N. Y.: ; or by registered letter. Unused U. S. postage stamps of any denomination will be accepted for sums under one dollar. Address all subscriptions and communications to THE YOUNG OOLOGIST, Gaines, Orleans Co., N. Y. fe" Make money orders and drafts ean able to FRANK H. LATTIN. Entered at the Post Office at Gaines ING Win vas Second-class mail matter. JOTTINGS. A friend from Chester Co., Pa., is desir- ous of knowing how far south the nest of the Broad-winged Hawk has been found. Can any of our readers give us information on the subject? Every Naturalist and Curiosity collector in America should subscribe for THE Youne Oo.Locist. We givemore original and valuable reading matter for the money than any like periodical ever published. If you are not interested in ornithology and oology the bergains offered by our advertisers will more than repay the sub- scription price. THE) YOUNG OOLOGIST. We are striving to captivate the hearts and pocket-books of America’s Naturalists, if they, old and young, amateur and _ pro- fessional, will take 60 cents from the latter and send it to us in payment for Tre YouNG Oo.Logist one year. We will take our chances at ‘‘getting around” the former during the ensuing twelve months. This month’s Youne Oo.oeist has a very extensive circulation; should you re- ceive more than one copy, or not care for the copy you do receive, neither throw it away nor return it to us, but hand or send it to some friend whom it might in- terest. Two parties will then thank you for your trouble. Copy for January issue of THE YouNG Oo.LocistT was handed our printer Dec. 28; ample time was given to have them out by January Ist, but, as our friends are doubt- less aware, we did not receive them until the morning of Jan. 14. The afternoon of the same day we received them, our thir- teen hundred subscribers each had a copy in the mail bag started for their home. Our printer may disappoint and delay us once more, but only ence. We will send a copy of Davie’s Egg Check List, the Youna@ OoLoGist one year, and a copy of our new ‘‘ Oologists’ Hand-Book” for only $1.00. We make this offer in order to get our Hand-Book and Davie’s Check List introduced before the coming season. This offer will hold good until March 15th, only. Between 700 and 800 subscriptions expire with the April number. Renew at once, accepting the above offer. Should our friends decide to have the Youne Oo.oeist enlarged on May Ist, the parties now renewing their subscriptions will be owing us 40 cents, but to new subscribers having their sub- scriptions commencing before or with the January number, no extra amount will be charged. Back numbers of THE YouNG OOLOGIstT will be furnished at six cents per copy. — As we go to press, too late for this |, months issue, we receive from Mr. Jose R, | Curtis, of Painted Post, N. Y., a ‘‘grand |ischeme” to organize the collectors of | America interested in the study of birds, | their nests and eggs, into an Association |,similar to the Agassiz, to be known as fica Knights of Audubon.” Full par- Ferg et ticulars next month. : ERRAtTA:—Under Jottings, in January issue, the type setter not only added testi- ‘mony to the large size of the Moa egg, but ity, heretofore undiscovered by the most }}eminent scientists, in saying : ‘“There are but few collectors in this ‘country but what an egg or two of this species would like to obtain.” Our copy read: ‘‘ There are few collec- }| tions in this country that an egg or two of || this species would not obtain.” On January 22d, a bitter cold day ; brisk | west wind ; mercury ator near zero—we recorded our first Horned Lark for 1885. |} Once, twice, thrice we thought we. recog- nized his welcome notes, the last call being too much for us, we started in search of (our early visitant. We soon found the little fellow, only a few rods from our | office door, running and skipping merrily Hover the frozen ground, now and then || picking up a stray seed, apparently, in | spite of the cold, enjoying himself as heartily asif it was a warm, sunny day in | April. On Dec. 1st, 1884, while going to West Kendall, we saw four of these birds; we have observed them every month since ‘last February; can we not soon have them {recorded as an occasional winter resident in Western New York? SHALL WE MAKE THE YOUNG OoLOGIsT [A THIRTY-TWO PAGE MAGAZINE?—For the past few months we have been struggling heroically with the above query, and _to- day are as far from a definite answer as the ‘day when it first confronted us. We have decided to let our readers answer the ques- tion, and upon their answers depends [whether Tak Youre Oonoaist—upon the unconsciously (?) endowed it with a vorac- | THE YOUNG ~OOLOGIST. 7 139 first of May next (the initial number of Vol. II,)—shall consist of thirty-two pages, “chuck full” and running over with inter- esting items and articles on Birds, their Nests and Eggs, (this issue is,only one-half of a fair sample of what we would make it,) or whether it shall be issued, as at pre- sent, with only sixteen pages. If we en- large to thirty-two pages, our subscription price will necessarily be increased to $1.00 per annum. But where could the student of birds obtain more information bearing directly on their hobby for $1.00, than in twelve numbers of a_ thirty-two paged Youne OoLoeisr? Let us hear from each and every reader of this article ar ONCE. Write short and to the point. = — Davie’s Egg Check List. Last December we received a letter from our friend, Mr. Oliver Davie of Columbus, O., in which he hinted that in a short time he would place before the oologists of America a work which would be as neces- sary and essential for them to have as ‘‘bread and butter,’ and in fact ‘‘ they couldn’t get along without it.” Knowing Mr. D. to be a man of his word and not | wishing to doubt his statements, we waited | patiently to see ‘‘the elephant.” About | January 1st we received advance or sample | pages of his new work. were pleased would be putting it mildly. To say that we | We were then and are now ready to en- | dorse any of Friend D.’s statements bear- | ing on the value and necessity of his work. | The work stands alone in its chosen field, | and thousands will be sold during the com- ing season. cheapness and beauty, and had Friend D. been one of the ‘‘ Big Bird Doctors” the idea of sending out the work for less than $2.00 would have been absurd; but we are happy to say that, for our good, Friend D. does not belong, as yet, to that fraternity, The book itself is a marvel of . and that he is an oologist from the crown | of his head to the soles of his feet, and | knowing that many of the younger col- lectors can more readily spare 60c. than 42.00, he has concluded to content himself with very small profit, and has placed the price so low that every American collector | will obtain a copy. We trust that the ex- tensive sale of his work will more than re- ward him for his generosity. And we will say to the collectors obtaining a copy from us, we will not only refund their money if not more than satisfied, but will send stamps sufficient to pay the return postage. THE YOUNG OOLOGIST. Let every purchaser write and tell us what they think of the work. WHAT OTHERS SAY. Dr. Jones, author of the ‘‘ Illustrations of the Nests and Eggs of the Birds of Ohio,” says: ‘‘It certainly will take a prominent place in the ornithological liter- ature of the United States. Fifteen years ago What would I not have given for a work like this ?” ete., ete. ‘* Have looked it over, and find it inval- uable to the egg collector. The descrip- tions are accurate and the work meets along felt want. The topography of the work is perfect and the price brings it within reach of all. A. N. FULLER, Lawrence, Kas. DEAR S1r.—Received the ‘‘ Egg Check List.” It is worth ten times the price. Puitie LAURENT, Philadelphia, Pa. oe The Black Snowbird. This bird is common here, building its nest in all suitable places. The nest is placed on the ground, gener- | ally beneath the edge of a rock or tuft of . grass, and is composed of fine straw lined | with horse hair. I once found a nest of this bird built be- | neath an old tin pan, and another on some | hay in the loft of a barn. This bird generally lays four eggs, but I have found two nests containing five. One | of them is now in my collection; the other | was too far advanced to blow. | Out of over twenty nests of the Snow- bird found by me last season one contained | two eggs well advanced, the rest three and | four. | Will some of the readers of THE YOUNG | Oouoaist tell me how many eggs the Red- | eyed Vireo generally lays ? : I have found several nests of this bird | containing two and three eggs each, but | never any more. ‘‘Minot” says they lay four and five. H. H. McApam, e@ Oak Bay, N. B. The Red-eyed Vireo generally lays four eggs in this locality. —[En. Queries Answered. in your letter when writing about other matters. |) J. B. B., Wytheville, Va.—The birds, | hich you call the ‘‘ Mexican Canary” and |/Mexican Goldfinch and. Black Snowbird. G. $., Jackson, Mich.—The difference Goldfinch ‘between the American umbers of the YOUNG OOLOGIST. priately called ‘‘ Yellow Warbler.” H. E. M., Phila., Pa.—In regard to queries about the birds of Lorain Co., Ohio, would say that the ‘‘Butcher-bird’’ of that | locality is the White-rumped Shrike. The |lyellow-throated Vireo doubtless breeds | there. | A. V’L., Coxsackie, N. Y., wants to now if the bird known as the ‘* Hivel” in | his locality is not the Yellow-shafted Flicker. G. G. C., Minneapolis, Minn.—The jfoundin California and South-western U. ter. Their eggs very closely resemble each |jthe larger. Daviesin his new ‘‘Egg Check List” gives their measurements as follows : House Finch, .85 by .65; Crimson House )\Finch, .80 by .60. Both birds were un- lo Langille’s work. mL. P. B., Spring Hill, Tenn.—‘‘ Coues’ (Key to N. A. Birds” is the ‘ standard \;work”’ on the birds of America. fepors is unusual. We have seen thousands “ first ” spotted one. C. R. H.. New London, Conn.—Many 7 jlast season. mJ. W. L., Brandon, Vt.—We are not ac- you mention. Can any of our readers in- tard Kingbird ” and ‘‘ Pump Thunder” ? mish the nests of many birds at the same (price we charge for an egg of the same | Species. icies are worth not less than 10 cts. each. . W.YV.0., Providence, R. I.—You will find the tables classifying the three king- by collectors found white eggs of the Bluebird | : lean with birds having the local names | Nests of the most common spe- | ‘doms, viz: Animal, Vegetable and Min- | ] : jwritten an a postal or slip of paper—never mix them | Michigan Snowbird” are doubtless the | and | Summer Yellowbird has been given in back | The | Jatter named bird is commonly and appro- | ‘Crimson House Finch and House Finchare © S. The former isa sub-species of the lat- [jother, those of the House Finch averaging | nown to Wilson, and are bevond thescope | (| W. E. B., Rochester, N. Y.—The egg of | the American Goldfinch having faint brown of their eggs, but have yet to see our | |form us the correct names for the ‘Cus- | S. W. V., Birmingham, Ct.—We can fur- | THE YOUNG OOLOGIST. _ Queries to be answered in these columns should be | 141 eral, in standard text-books on Zoology, Botany and Geology. Inquire at any lead- ing book-store in your city. THe Youna OoLoaist is sent postage paid to subscrib- ers. THE YOUNG OoLogist will be sent one year to any publisher giving it a good review. (This offer is not open to small amateur sheets.) We cannot furnish raw cotton; doubtless many of our Southern friends can. Many QUERIstTS will find their queries answered in former numbers of THE YouNG OoLoeisr. It is folly for us to an- swer the same questions monthly. The ‘“Tip-up” is a very common name_ in many states for the Spotted Sandpiper. ome A Peacock with Queer Tastes. The writer and a friend while out gun- ning on Staten Island—previous to the now existing law—were caught in a severe storm and drenched. A dangerous cold was the inevitable result of the wetting; so a council of war was held as to the best means of warding it off. ‘A very hot drink” was the verdict. But where could such be.procured’ A saloon was the only place known of So after a squabble as to be it the cold or saloon, we chose the lesser evil. Entering one on the outskirts of Stapleton, we proceeded to a rear room and ordered hot lemonade, with lots of ginger in it—the best preventative against a cold. While awaiting its preparation, our attention was attracted by the peculiar actions of a tine large peacock, of stately mien and brilliant plumage, in the room, who apparently was in a mild state of ex- citement. This excitement greatly in- creased when the waiter appeared with the steaming lemonade. ‘‘ What's the matter with the bird?” we inquisitively queried of that stolid individual, who, clearly to be seen, was a ‘‘ native.” ‘‘He wants to be treated,” answered he, with a grimace. ‘Wants what?” ‘To be treated! Wants a drink.” ‘* You don’t mean to say that the peacock drinks?” ‘“ Yaa! Guzzles like an old toper, sir. Just try him.” Which we did. But being of blue rib- bon principles, ordered ginger ale. On it 142 THE YOUNG UOLOGIST. being set before him, the peacock, with a seemingly;pleased look, thrust his head in | and in a minute the glass was empty. | Another glass being produced, he as quickly,” emptied’ that, and then walked around ina satisfied manner. ‘‘ Walks a little gingerly,’ Tobserved the waiter, and then, after recovering from tho paroxysm | of mingled laughter and stamping, into | which his brilliant glint. of humor had | thrown him, he added that the bird some- | times drank whiskey, but as it invariably — became stupefied after thus indulging, it | was wary of the drink. Ale, lager, sweet | wine, and other beverages, were greatly | relished by it. The saloon proprietor is | coining a small mint out of it. parties pay- ing 25 cents and the cost of the drinks to | see it imbibe. FRANK P. KINGSLEY, New York. | +> Bird Arrivals at College Hill, Hamilten Co., Ohio. Bird arrivals during Spring of ’84 : Bluebird, Feb. 2d. Robin, Feb. 2d. Robins in greater numbers on Feb, dth. | Snipe (species unknown), Feb. 21st, (a | single one). Snipe (species unknown, supposed to be | same one), Jan. Lith. Blackbird (single one), Feb. 22d. Kildeer, Feb. 23d. Chewink (a pair during a snow storm), March 2d. Blackbirds (Purple Grakle), March 2d. Meadow Lark, March 15th. Red-winged Blackbird, March 15th. Cowbird, March 15th. 23d. Green Heron, March 15th. Turtle Dove, March 28th. Chimney Swift (wind from 8S. W.), April 15th. Whip-poor-will (heard a single one), | April 17th. Catbird (arrived before but remained | hidden), April 17th. Red-headed Woodpecker (single), March Barn Swallow, April 25th. Scarlet Tanager (two males), April 25th. Baltimore Oriole, April 27th. Wood Thrush, April 28th. Pewee, April 25th. Kingbird, April 26th. Night Hawk (single), May 1st. Hummingbirds, May 2d. Yellow-breasted Chat, May 6th. Indigo Birds, May 2d. Yellow-bellied Cuckoo, May 14th. The following birds were noticed around the house during the Winter of ’83-4 : White-bellied Nuthatch. Yellow-bellied Woodpecker. Red-bellied Woodpecker. Downy Woodpecker. Brown Creeper. Yellow-bellied Flicker. Woodpecker (species unknown). Winter Wren. Screech Owl. Crow. Blue Jay. Redbird. Eng!ish Sparrow. Snowbirds. Hen Hawk. Black-capped Titmouse. Wi. C. Parsons, 31 Monroe Avenue, Columbus, O. ——- -*>o White-bellied Nut-hatch. Although a very common bird in the Atlantic slope, is, I consider, one of the most interesting of our common birds, | There is something noble and independent about the little creature, that any lover or close observer will admire. Its time is all © taken up in useful employment, looking for insects, etc. I have never, except during the incubation period, saw them sit for any length of time idle; there is considerable of the angry Frenchman about them. Like many other birds the owl is their great enemy. They, with the Blue Jay, Black- capped Chickadee and others, seem to take particular delight in tormenting their enemies. I have shot many an owl by le : looking for their nest during the breed- Lng season. One has very often to exercise | great amount of patience and perseverance \turing the building time, the nest is very | eadily found. The song of the male bird i" CPA YyOuUNG:OOLOGIST. | ‘ that period is peculiar, and therefore the | ore easily remembered. e male bird in the latter part of April, if fou are careful and follow at a distance, it ls a very easy matter to find the nest. He vill follow his silent mate, singing and | :hirping as lustily as he can, or he will verch himself on a limb near the nest and }vatch for intruders, especially a rival, and on case he spies one, he will immediately i. ‘ ‘ive chase. By watching | I was watching a pair last pring and was surprised to see both birds | iarry out instead of ‘nto a hole, fine grass | nd bark. It struck me as being somewhat ingular, so I seated myself on a stump in | 1] view to watch what would follow. hey seemed to be very much concerned ybout something. When they come out of he hole they would select a crack in the ark of the tree near the hole, and begin to ‘ammer the particles of grass and bark ntil it was securely hammered fast. /vould then return for another load. Presently I saw a Red or Pine Squirrel ome out of a hole a few feet below the one jaey were working in; the moment they jaw it, they flew at the intruder, who beat }hasty retreat. They seemed to be very yogry, and kept up a continual chattering; iainking that perhaps the squirrel might ave taken possession of their nest, I ylimbed up/and cut in, and found to my farprise eight magnificent eggs; there had een nine, but one had been broken. I adge, by the squirrel, as there was a hole it about the size of a squirrel’s claw. On yxamination I found the cracks in the bark 2 the tree above and below the hole, filled ith what they had taken from )juirrel s nest, which had been built after ie bird had finished laying; the eggs were wightly advanced. On the same day I und a nest of the same bird with ten eggs This clutch I have in my cabinet. Pit. : E. T. Mack. Nazareth, Pa. suqreaee the | They | 143 jimply observing the actions of these birds | Intelligence of the Blue Jay; A Crow Query. Cyunocitta cristata, The following inci- dent was related to me by a professor in Belmont College, near Cincinati. He said that one day his wife called his attention to a Blue Jay’s actions in their yard, The bird appeared to be ill. He groaned, whimpered and sat unsteadily on the tree. Soon another Jay found him and the two had a consultation. The well bird now examined the sick one and then flew to a cherry tree, procured some of the gum from the bark, flew back and gave it to his patient, who took the dose. This he re- peated until the supply was exhausted. He then flew to a spruce tree and soon came back with remedy No. 2. He then flew away and was gone some time. Finally he returned and administered the third prescription. This the sick bird also took. The professor could not determine what the second ‘‘ dose” was, but the bird soon began to revive and at length flew off with his comrade. (1 couldn’t help wondering if the ‘‘ doctor” charged him 2 a visit ?) The following speaks for itself. A lady was passing under a tree in her garden. Suddenly a Blue Jay flew down and screaming fastened its talons in her hair. The lady, surprised, looked first up to the tree, and saw a nest tilled with fledgelings, then down to her feet and there lay a half fledged Jay who had been crowded out. She had him put back in his home and the mother quited her screams and seemed satisfied. A gentleman in one of Ohio’s inland towns is the happy possessor of a bald head. The other day he stepped out into the yard without his hat, when suddenly a Jay darted down and struck him a blow on his shining pate. He then flew off to his companions who evidently enjoyed the joke very much. Corvus frugivorus. Minot says, that the “rattling sound that crows sometimes make is uttered only in spring. I happened to be near Cincinnati last week and as the 144 THE TYOUNG)OGLEOGiIs® crows were flying to their resting place above the city I heard one make that sound. I have often heard that sound before but never in spring and always in the fal] and winter. I should like to hear the views of some others on this subject. It is very in- teresting to watch them ‘‘ tack” to take advantage of the upper air currents. Wii C. Parsons, Columbus, O. “+e Spotted Robin Eggs. I noticed in the January number of the Youne Oo.oeist, that Mr. John A. Martin of Wallingford, Conn., spoke of finding Spotted Robin eggs. In 1882, in company with a friend while out collecting, we came upon a Robin’s nest with the bird on the nest, and as it was low, I climbed to the top of a wall, (It was over the wall on the branch of a sapling) and reached the eggs. On looking at them I saw they were spot- | ted, there were (3) in the nest which | took. This was the only instance that had come under my observation until I saw a set of five (very unusual, just the number alone, as I never took but one set of that number) which were spotted with blotches as large as a No. 1 shot (the blotches were black). They were found by a little boy, and he sold the set for 15 cents. Hawk Norwich, Conn. Chas. E. Doe, of Providence, R. writes :—Seeing your extract on Spotted Robins eggs, reminds me of a set of four of | same that was collected by a young friend of mine near Providence, and brought to me to see if I could tell what they were. The nest was built in a spruce tree, and | and one | contained three spotted eggs, unspotted; this was during the latter part ot May 1888. W, Swallow of Tyngsboro, Mass., writes in regard to the Spotted Robin egg : ‘*“Would state that I have one. I took it from a nest in an apple tree, May 21, 1884. The nest was about seven feet from the ground, built in the usual manner, and contained four eegs. I did not notice the spots at the time, so could not state whether the other three were spotted or not. After- By wards I noticed the egg was quite thickly covered with small brown spots, more numerous about the large end. The egg is a little smaller than the usual size and lighter colored.” +> ae Hummingbirds Laying ished Nest. eS an. Unies One day last summer, in North Carolina, while out after eggs and birds for speci- mens, my attention was drawn towards a hummingbird which several times flew to a spot on a slender limb of a sweet gum tree I was watching. I saw nothing, but changing my position, I discovered a nest about twelve feet from the ground. I have the nest before me now ; it is made entirely of the soft down of, I think, the mullien, and instead of being thickly covered with lichens, as is usual, it has almost none at: all, and is apparently not finished. From what I could see, the old bird was at work on the nest. There were two eggs in the nest, perfectly fresh. Now here is what I would like to know: Do hummingbirds, or indeed any other birds, ever lay their eggs before their nest is completed ? Ee See New York. 7 > Witeataia Birds. IT noticed with interest the list of Wis- consin birds published in a recent number of THE YounG Oouoerst, and should like to make the following additions : King Rail (Rallus elegans)— Found breed- ing on ‘Lake K oshkanong, Jefferson eounty, by. Mr. Ludwig Kumlien. Louisiana Ta anager (Pyranga ludoviciana) —Found br eeding on Lake Koshkanong by Mr. Theo. Kumlien. Frigate (7achypetes aquilus)—One speci- men shot near here. White-winged Black Tern (Sterna leu- coptera) ¢ yne specimen shot by Mr. Theo. Kumlien at Lake Koshkanong. Franklin's Rosy Gull (Chroicocephalus — trankuint . St. Domingo Duck (Arismaturia domin- icw)—Myr. Theo. Kumlien, Lake Koshha- nong. These birds were all positively identified and a part of them are now in the Milwaukee Public Museum. Tue Youne Ooxoetst is a vedy inter- esting paper, and | think that any one in- terested in Birds cannot well be without it. Cras. A. KEELER, Milwaukee, Wis. THE YOUNG OOLOGIST. Vol.1. No.11. GAINES, N. Y., MARCH, 1885. Nesting of the Bank Swallow. A favorite dwelling place of the Bank Swallow, (Cotile riparia), are the clay banks ot the Genesee River, and during the breed- ing season, these graceful little creatures are constantly seen along that placid stream, skimming over the water, now and then dipping in, and then executing a graceful curve, soar far up into the sky, until only a small speck in the line of vision. Their burrows are somewhat similar in construction to the Kingfisher, only smaller, being about four inches and a half in dia- meter, and about two feet and a half deep. - At the extremity of the burrow is placed . the nest proper, which is usually con- structed of feathers, dry grass or fibers, and lined with down. Sometimes only a few feathers carelessly put together seem to suffice, and | have found the eggs lying on the bare sand and dirt. The eggs are generally about six in number, 68. x 50.; and when fresh, of a delicate pink hue, but, when incubation is advanced, are of a dull white color. In the spring of 1882, I took a trip up this river with Mr. Chas. Merrell of Gen- eseo, an ardent oologist and collector, in search of notes and observations.as well as specimens. I take the following from my field book, written on that occasion. ‘“May 28th, 82. Started out with all par- aphrenalia at four o’clock this morning. We were on the banks of the river by 4:30, and soon came upon a ‘‘colony of holes” in the opposite bank. Being desirous of watching the building or digging of the nests, I adjusted my field glass and discov- ered one of the swallows at work in the dirt near the top of the bank. It was making a circle by picking out the clay (with its beak), which was evidently the § PusLisHED Monruty. ) 60c. Pek Year. _ foundation to work from, for it was soon ) walls. joined by its mate, and together they began digging away the dirt and forming the [ watched them until they had dug _ in about 3 inches and then began to think | of the eggs. There being no boat or bridge near, we decided to resort to the next best mode of | crossing—swimming, and we were soon _ striking out for the opposite bank, with ’ our heads. our collecting boxes and implements over When we landed we lost no time in getting into the nest, and, while _ Mr. Merrell marked the eggs and wrote out _ data blanks, I gathered. | to the next one. / and in the next four, and so on. The first hole 1 explored contained six fresh eggs, which I passed him, and moved There I found two eggs, One hole looked as if it was unoccupied, but I decided to ascertain whether it was or not and standing on a narrow ledge of sod, | ' reached my arm in, when to my great dis- gust, my hand encountered a small snake, and springing back with a sudden impulse, _ there we re-crossed and dressed, I lost my footing and rolled downward into the water. After finishing our work and walk- ed on to the next nesting place. In this _ way we continued through the day, occa- ' sionally going out of our route for other | night, eggs, and when at last we prepared for the our days collection consisted of _ single eggs and sets of the Bank Swallow, ‘Crow, Red-and-buff-shouldered Blackbird, Meadow Lark, Black-billed Cuckoo and Chipping Sparrow.” The result was more | gratifying than was expected. I have found that a very handy tool to carry is a hatchet with the back end made into a pick about five inches long, and very slightly curved, for very often one has to dig away a portion of the bank to obtain these nests. JosE R. CuRTISs. 146 THE YOUNG) OGLOGIST: CORRESPONDENCE. ENGLISH SPARROWS. WHAT IS TO BE DONE WITH THE LITTLE TYRANTS ? Editor Young Oologist: DEAR Sir :—I would like to learn your opinion and that of other oologists concern- ing the hostile actions and rapid multipli- cation of the English Sparrow. This little British usurper has made him- self an enemy to the collectors of this local- ity by his unmerciful attacks on the other birds, few which do very often hold out against him. No bird, however large, that he happens to meet with, is he afraid of, and although he does not always come out the victor he is always ready for the next trial. And as a consequence of his open hostil- ity to all his feathered fraternity, it is a fact undisputed that as soon as he takes up his residence in the neighborhood the other birds begin to disappear. Only the stronger birds as the Blue Jay and Woodpecker seem to be able to with- stand his bold sallies. The Robin, Pewee, Oriole and the like all have to retreat before his attacks. I was quite amused by an incident which I happened to witness last fall. It took place near and old willow tree where a number of Sparrows had taken up their abode. A Blue Jay happened to alight on a tree some twenty feet from the willow. He had hardly alighted when up flew one of these little warriors with feathers all ruffed up, in, no doubt, his best fighting trim, darting directly atthe Blue Jay. But his small majesty caught a Tartar this time, for the Blue Jay, lifting his beautiful head, caught young Johnny Bull in his beak and started to fly off with him. There was a fuss, you may be sure, and the Blue- Jay after carrying him about ten yards let him go, and Johnny scampered back to the willow as fast as he came from it. I have seen an English Sparrow attack a Red-headed Woodpecker. The multiplicity of the English Sparrow is wonderful. It lays at least three broods a season, commencing in May, (I have never seen any eggs before this), and lay- ing until late in August, and some have claimed to have found their eggs as late as September 15th. I have frequently found a nest contain- ing youug ones in it, and at the same time a full set of fresh eggs. The parent, after hatching out the first clutch, lays another clutch and thus lets the young ones hatch itout. Probably this mode of hatching is more common with this bird than with any other. They are also extremely hardy. They do not always migrate South at the approach of winter, but live in their old nests which are in deep holes in trees or in cracks in the eaves of houses and barns, etc. Now the question is, what is to be done with these little tyrants? They are cer- tainly doing a great harm by driving off our pretty summer birds from our yards and gardens, and it would give me great pleasure to hear what others may have to say on this subject. Yours truly, E Ottawa, Ill. NOTES FROM KANSAS. Hditor Young Oologist : DEAR S1R :—I notice several errors made by correspondents of your journal, concern- ing the birds of our state. I desire to call attention to them for the benefit of all inter- ested. In the September Number, W. S. 8. notes the arrival of the Stormy Petrel at Richmond, Kan. As the Stormy Petrel has never before been observed in the state, there is undoubtedly an error as to the identity of the bird. In the same issue G. F. B. mentions the absence of shrikes from Marshall county in the breeding season. If he will carefully examine the hedges of his neighborhood for several seasons about April 1st, he will undoubtedly find nests of the White- rumped Shrike. Would like to ask if the identity of the Song Sparrow whose nest was found March 25 was fully established. These Sparrows remain with us until the middle of April, at which time they have not yet paired. I have never found any breeding in this locality, though they undoubtedly breed in the State the early date seems remarkable. As much has been said in your paper about the number of eggs found in a set of the different species, I give a list of the largest sets taken here during the past two seasons: Catbird 5; Bluebird 6; Purple Martin 5; Bank Swallow 6; Chewink 6; Crow 7; Bronzed Grackle 6; Blue-Jay 6; Yellow-shafted Flicker 9; Mourning Dove 3; Long-eared Owl 6 ; Cooper’s Hawk 5 ; Quail 34. Yours, e i Manhattan, Kan. Thanks, Prof. L. We trust our older readers from other sections will as kindly correct any mis-statements their young fol- lowers may unintentionally make in our columns. The ‘‘Song Sparrow’s” nest found by G. F. B. was doubtless that of Shore Lark.—Ep. Fr LT Pee ORNITHOLOGICAL SYNONYMS. ‘MEXICAN CANARY,” ‘‘HIVEL,” ‘“‘THUNDER PUMP.” In looking over ‘‘Queries Answered” in | the February number of the Youne OoxLoarst, I see that information is desired concerning the local names of certain of our birds. and, although I cannot answer all the questions, I may give a pointer or so on this, to me, very interesting subject. | L. B. B. While in Texas, I often heard the Painted Bunting, or Nonpareil (Passer- ina ciris), called the Mexican ‘‘Canary,” and frequently saw the birds offered - for sale by the Mexicans. A. B. L. I have heard the name ‘‘Hivel” applied to the Yellow-shafted Flicker (Colaptes auratus), in Ohio, I think, and, by the way, was ever a_ bird gifted with so many vernacular appellations as this familiar friend. J. W. L's. ‘Pump Thunder’ is evi- dently a transposition of ‘‘Thunder Pump” by which name the American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus) is known in this locality, though the names of ‘‘Stake- driver” and ‘‘Shitepoke” (I give the name as pronounced), are common also. A - directory of ornithological synonyms will be a welcome addition to any bird lover’s library. Dr.° Py Minneapolis,. Minn. SPOTTED ROBIN EGGS. I wish to record a find of a nest of two THE YOUNG OOLOGIST. : 147 = | spotted Robin’s eggs, taken season of °83, | as I see several finds have been recorded in | the YounG Oo.Loeisr. which I always find | time—sometimes when I should be sleep- ing to read through. ie io MS aie TD. , Cortland, N. Y. In your columns I have noticed several | articles about ‘‘Spotted Robin’s Eggs.” | Last season my brother found a nest with two eggs, both of which were spotted just like those in the YounG Oouoaisrt. The eggs were found June 15, 1884. I have shown them to several scientific men and they say they never saw such a thing before. A Bluebird’s nest was also found with snow-white eggs. panier bee Brookside, N. Y. H. H. R., of Westerly, R. I., also records a set of spotted Robin eggs. FROM CALIFORNIA. This season promises to be an unusually early one in this locality. On February 4th I took sets of 4 and 8 Barn Owl; incu- bation advanced. February 8th, took sets | of 5 and 7 of the same. These dates are probably the earliest on record for this species. Yours, J. L., Riverside, Cal. J. S. of Anaheim, Cal,, reports his first finds of the season 1885. February 8th. Found nest of the Cali- fornia Thrasher containing two eggs—quite fresh, in a wild sage bush about a foot and a half above ground. February 11th. Found nest of the Road- runner containing two eggs which were left over for more as they generally lay four. February 13th. Found a nest of the White-rumped Shrike containing one egg ; this was in an orange tree, nine feet above ground. This specios has now fairly begun, as several nests have been found in this locality. NUTTALL’S POOR WILL. In writing to us about the eggs of the above bird which he found, B. L. B., of Emporia, Kansas, says: There were two in the nest. They were found on the side of a slight hill in a hollow in the ground, and the bird was sitting on them. The eggs are greatly like those of turtle doves, pure white and elliptical. The mother bird greatly resembled a Whip-poor-will, but was smaller. I am positive it was a Nut- tall’s Poor-will. MEADOW LARKS IN WINTER. Your catalogue and price list is very neatly gotten up and a great aid to an egg- collector. On December 31st, just after the snow had disappeared from the fields I happened to see four meadow larks which struck me as being a very funny occurrence. Itis the first time 1 can remember of seeing this bird remaining until the last of the year. This fact is worthy of mention in your paper. Shall subscribe for vour paper the com- ing year. Yours, T.MeD)P., Bennington, Vt. FROM WISCONSIN. I noticed in a recent number of the YouNG OOLOGIST, some notes from Durand, Wisconsin. Speaking of the Northern Waxwiug, the writer says they are found there in small flocks nearly every winter. Last winter, during January and February, hardly a day passed when flocks of twenty or more could not be seen about 148 THE YOUNG'VOLDGIST: here. They were found in the city feeding on the berries of the mountain ash, and were exceedingly tame. This winter not one has been seen. Pos- sibly there are fewer berries than usual. Should like to hear from others and see if the bird is equally rare elsewhere. There was a decided increase in the number of birds last winter, and there must have been some reason for it. The Northern Shrike is found here as a trancient visitos only, when it is quite com- mon, The Bonaparte’s Rosy Gull, although considered a trancient visitor here, is often seen in mild winter weather. A short time ago I sent youa list of a few rare birds found in this state. Have since learned that Harris Finch has been captured here twice. Do you want all subscribers who desire to aid the American Ornithologist’s Union on the subject of migration to send their reports to you only or also to the superin- tendent of their section? C. K., Milwaukee, Wis. Send your reports in full to the superin- tendent of your section. Send a condensed report of the most interesting observations to the YounG Oouoetist for publication. We find it would require hundreds of pages monthly to print these reports in full, so we must be satisfied with the ‘‘meat.” JOTTINGS FROM MICHIGAN. Received YOuNG Oo1.0GIsT yesterday and Hand Book and Catalogues some days previous. Just the thing wanted. Many thanks. I have noticed a few things that may be of interest to to the readers of THE Youne OoLocist. Some time in October I noticed a sharp conflict between a pair of Sparrow Hawks and Blue Jays, the Hawks | watching their opponents (about 5 in num- ber) from a dead tree and when they came to attack they woul: be driven back to the swamp, always getting the worst of it, but I noticed. that they always turned over on their backs to receive the Hawk when he attempted to strike them. This lasted for nearly an hour, when they went to far back in the swamp for me to follow. Last summer evenings we amused ourselves quite often by going into a young orchard close to the house for the purpose of listen- ing to a pair of birds which would fly quite near in the dusk of evening, though never to be seen and we would hear the noise without being able to say whether made by the voice or wings of the birds. I will not attempt to describe it, as it would be vain. It was in August and the birds would be apparently near and again at a distance of erhaps one-fourth ofamile. Never heard it before and do not think it is a common bird around here. I am in the habit of making boxes for birds to build in, and one day left an er bird cage out on the stoop, and when | went to it a few days after, found a pair of English Sparrows had taken possession. It is needless to say they remained and reared one or two broods, though close to the door, through which we were continually passing in and out. A Chipping Sparrow also built a nest in a hanging-basket filled with moss, within a foot of the same door. My little friends remained unmolested for some’ time, but finally left for reasons unknown. Respectfully, FO. EH. » Grass Lake, Mich. The pair of birds you mention were doubtless Night Hawks. In regard to the noise you mention, we take the following from Wilson : ‘‘ As soon as incubation commences, the male keeps a most vigilant watch around. Ife is then more frequently seen playing about in the air over the place, even during the day mounting by several quick vibra- tions of the wings, then a few slower, utter- ing all the while a sharp, harsh squeak, till having gained the highest point, he sud- denly precipitates himself headforemost, and with great rapidity, down sixty or eighty feet, wheeling up again as suddenly ; at which instant is heard a loud booming sound, very much resembling that produced by blowing strongly into the bung hole of an empty hogshead.” HUMMINGBIRDS LAYING IN UNFINISH™ ED NESTS. In answer to the above I must say that it is my opinion that when the time arrives for the female to deposit her eggs, she must deposit them whether her nest is complete or not. I found the egg of a Catbird on the ground in a swamp; the egg was per- fectly fresh and not broken or cracked, and I think the bird deposited it there either while flying to the nest or because it had no other place to put it. Hens often drop their eggs while on the roost. All this leads me to think I am correct. La Crosse, Wis. In answer to E. A. T. about unfinished nests, I would say that in the latter part of July, 1884, I noticed a Yellow-billed Cuckoo with a stick in his mouth. I watched it, and found its nest with two eggs, incuba- tion slight, nest about half finished. The female was sitting on the nest when I found it. A OG, Lawrence, Kan. COLLECTING AMONG THE CALAVERAS GROUP OF BIG TREES. In June 1883 two friends—one of them | a resident of Oakland, Cal.; the other a | Smith- | gentleman’ connected with the sonian, a Mr. B. by name—and myself took a trip to the Calaveras group of big trees on a collecting tour. successful. a bird called the Olive-sided Flycatcher. The nest was placed some forty or fifty feet from the ground on the limb of a red- wood tree. _ dirty white color spotted on the large end with brown. Two nests of Oregon Snow- bird next fell a prey to us, then came sev- | eral sets of California Robins, then, and rarest of all, a set of the Dwarf Thrush. The nest was placed in a bush about two feet from the ground, and contained two eggs a little lighter than a robin’s egg, and all one color. _ The Flycatcher’s are either in Mr. B.’s or | The identity of the Flycatcher’s and Thrush’s eggs were proven by shooting the birds. The others we know from frequent contact. The Thrush’s eggs are in my possession. the Smithsonian’s. A THREE-STORY NEST OF THE SUMMER | 1 i . } aC NOR Oakland, Cal. BUTCHER BIRDS. We were quite | The first eggs of any note | _ which we found were owned by It contained three eggs about | the size of an Oregon Thrush’s egg, and a THE }YOUNG OOLOGIST. Will you please name the bird of which | _ this is a description, in the query column: | Above clear ashy-blue growing underneath ; wings and tail black, a little darker blue on top of the head, a black | stripe behind the eye, bill tan color, short and thick. He was about the size of a robin. I saw him February 4th, 1885, on a tree, side of a brook. Could find no bird that answered to this description in Cones’ N. E. Bird Life. Temperature about 20 degrees above. Providence, R. I. Your bird is one of the Shrikes. YELLOW BIRD. Having seen in THE YOUNG OOLOGIST several articles relating the many-storied nests of the Summer Yellowbird, I thought I would add a little experience of my own. One day last year while out collecting I came across an abandoned nest ina clump of blackberry bushes. I was about to pass it by when the unusual length of the nest | attracted my attention. I took it, and pull- lighter | Wind from 8. E. ing it apart a little, discovered, buried | 149 under the top of the nest, an egg of the Cowbird and one of the Summer Yellow- bird. Upon still further examining the nest I discovered another story containing one egg each of the Cowbird and Yellow- bird, thus making three stories in all. Ca Wie Brooklyn, Ohio. FROM ST. CLAIR FLATS. I have had some experience in the bird business this winter. One day I went out on the marsh hunting muskrat, and | found a Marsh Wren on the ice; it went in a bunch of reeds and would not leave. After half an hour’s hard work I caught it. I took it homewith me and put it in the cage with my Canary ; but it was too much for us; went through the cage, got away and doubtless went back to its home on the marsh. I have never before found them here in this locality in winter. At another time I was out shooting Ducks and I shot what the people here said was half Mallard and half Dusky Duck. They called it a ‘‘ Brewer.” The body of the Duck was dark-brown; the head was green with a brown streak down the center. The Duck was larger than the common Mallard. Can you tell me the right name or is the above name correct. Please inform me whether it is common for Marsh Wrens and Rails to stay here in the winter, and do they winter in your State ? Last week. 1 found a nice Rail walking around with my hens at my hen house. HB Algonac, Mich. The Mallard has frequently been known to cross with other Ducks. Marsh Wren and Rails winter in the South. BLACKBIRDS; GOLDEN CROWNED THRUSH. Will you please tell me the difference, if any, between the following Blackbirds : It has a hanging nest about 5 inches deep and larger than an Oriole’s nest and made of much the same material. It was up in the top of our common swamp alders. There were several nests in the same swamp; have not seen any except in that place. The bird about the same as our common Red- and-buff-shouldered Blackbird, and the eggs are about the same color. No. 2. A bird about the same size of Bluebird. Color, light brown back, spotted breast- white and reddish brown. The nests are placed on the ground in or near the woods, and is almost entirely arched over and com- posed of grass and leaves. The eggs are about the size of a Bluebirds, ground color white, spotted more or less all over with 150 reddish brown spots, thickest at the larger end. Now if you would inform me the names of these eggs through the columns of the YounG OoLocisT or otherwise you would greatly oblige me. hp ON 5 Plattsville, Conn. No. 1. Your Blackbird is the Red-and buff-shouldered ; they frequently make their nests in low bushes. 2. The Golden-crowned Thrush—often known as the ‘‘ Oven-bird” on account of its covered nest. “MEXICAN CANARY.” I think that part of the answer to J. B. B.’s question, in the February Number is incorrect, as the Painted Bunting or Non- pariel, commonly goes by the name of Mexican Canary in Texas (where I lived for some years). in different localities. | Dea "ea Sap Richmond, Va. JOTTINGS FROM RHODE ISLAND. Noticing in the last Youne OoLogist an article on the intelligence of the Blue- Jay, I thought I would send you the fol- lowing article on the subject which I clip from the Watchman : ‘‘Near Knoxville, Tenn., recently a Blue Jay was seen to fly anumber of times to a high picket fence to attract a pair of kittens playing on the lawn. The kittens finally mounted the fence and began a cau- tious approach from picket to picket. But it may be otherwise | The Jay let the first get within 18 inches, | then hopped over between the two. over it. back and between. The first kitten approached and the bird hopped back over it, and so kept it up until one kitten got disgusted and left, and the other followed soon after. Once or twice the Jay tried to inveigle the kittens to another frolic, but failed.” Last summer I found about 6 inches below the water, a large bunch of jellylike matter. The outside was covered with minute fresh water ‘algae’ etc. On cut- ting into it with a knife it appeared to be exactly like jelly, and quite transparent. Can you tell me what it is ? Which system of classification in Botany is more universally adopted, that of Lin- neas or that given by Gray in his text-book. on the snbject ? Andalso other systems of classification. About a mile from where I live there is a stream of water which in one part of of its course has become ‘so clogged up with The | second kitten approached, the bird hopped | It turned and the Jay hopped | | | | THE YOUNG OOLOGIST. bushes growing out of the water as to be almost aswamp. It is, however, an easy matter to get through some parts of it, as there are small canals just large enough to admit a small boat. It is a great resort for Red-and-buff-shouldered Blackbirds and Purple Grakles. Last year I found there a nest of the Yellow-billed Cuckoo con- taining 4 eggs nearly hatched ; also a nest of the Swamp Sparrow containing 4 fresh eggs. The latter nest was about 6 inches above the water, in a bush growing out of the water. Both these birds are very rare in this immediate vicinity. January 20th a young man who attends Brown Univer- sity here, shot a single Field Sparrow, and Feburary 10th I saw a Chipping Sparrow. According to the Watchman frogs were peeping on January 12th, in the meadows about Taunton. Yours truly, W.Va Providence, R. I. A QUAIL QUERY. I have noticed during the fall while gun- . ning, that nine-tenths of the Quail that I have killed are females. I have flushed several flocks, killing pretty nearly all in each, and have found this to be the case. In one | shot 17 and there was but one male bird init. In another I killed 14, and there was but two male birds. Out of 78 that I have bagged, I killed but 8 male birds. Is thisacommon thing ? I thought that some of your readers might be inter- ested in it. I was always of the impression that the male predominated. ie Y, Aies Nazareth, Pa. HUMMINGBIRDS. UNFINISHED NESTS—EARLY NESTING. In reply to the query of E. T. A. in the February YouneG Oo.oeist as to whether or not Humming-birds were ever known to lay their complement of eggs before completing the nest, I will say that last year I found a nest of the Humming-bird which, although containing two eggs, was plainly not yet completed. While observ- ing this nest I repeatedly saw the female bring lichens and moss, and arrange them on the nest, thus proving beyond a doubt that the Humming-bird does not in every case finish building its nest before the eggs are deposited. On February 13th of this year I took a set of Anna Humming-bird with incubation far advanced. Whether the beautiful weather that has prevailed in this part of the state during the past month has anything to do with this extraordinarily early breeding I can only ea ae H ‘Alameda, Cal. ia an ‘ THE YOUNG OOLOGIST. Study of Birds. Odd hours may be well spent in watch- ing and studying the habits of birds, es- pecially the most common ones. It may be thought by most persons that there is nothing new to be learned about birds so _ well known as the chipping sparrow or barn swallow, but many an interesting fact can be picked up by anyone giving a little time to their study. Now some city per- son will say, what can you learn about birds in a city? Ihave lived in a city some years, and the bulk of my study of birds and their habits have come while in the city. Amongthe birdsI have noted as being common are the Robin, Catbird, Bluebird, Phoebe, Barn and Cliff Swallows, Kingbird, Night Hawk, Baltimore Oriole, Red-and-buff-shouldered Blackbird, Cow- bird, Crow, House Wren, Song Sparrow, Chipping Sparrow, - Meadow Lark, Brown Creeper and Hum- mingbirds, Many more, both common and rare, are seen in the course of a_ sea- son. All but four or five of the birds I have named nest inside of the city limits, some of them in our door yards. Black Snowbird, © While birds have habits common to all | the individuals of a species, they have also | individual traits or peculiarities, that are | interesting and show some degree of rea- | soning power. The study of general an- | atomy could be profitably carried on with | the study of habits. Don’t think, however, that habits and | formation are all there is to be studied. | When you have a good collection of notes | at your disposal, you are just ready to be- | gin another branch of study, that of col- | lecting and examining the evidences of reasoning power you have collected. Gather together all the parallel cases and form your theory. Then, ever after be on | A few | week’s experience will point out more sug- | the watch for facts to sustain it. gestions than could be easily enumerated. | Let us now look to the means of study. | A gun is very necessary for field work, | but is generally out of the question in 161 cities. The best substitute is a field glass. You can always remember a bird seen clearly through a field glass, and you will notice many odd ways that would have been lost had the bird been shot. After you have all the points of color and par- ticular marking, etc., with the aid of a good text book, you can determine the species. To a beginner birds so near alike as the Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers, might cause some trouble, but in time birds can be distinguished at first sight. In studying color try and be in such a position as_ to give the bird or object a dark back ground. In closing I would say, always keep a re- cord of the notes you take from day to day. Don’t omit a thing, because you have noted it before, but always put it down. Wa Syracuse, N. Y. +. An Intelligent Bird. In front of a window where I worked last summer was a butternut tree. A hum- ming-bird built her nest on a limb that grew near the window, and we had an oppor- tunity to watch her closely, as we could look right into the nest from the window. One day there was a heavy shower coming up and we thought we would see if she covered her young during the storm, but when the first drops fell she came and took in her bill one or two or three large leaves growing ciose to the nest and laid this leaf over so it completely covered the nest ; then she fled away. On looking at the leaf we found a holein it and in the side of the nest was a small stick that the leaf was fastened to, or hooked on. After the storm was over the old bird came back and unhooked the leaf and the nest was _ per- fectly dry.— American Sportsman. a as Pe SE od Se em The International Stamp Company, of West Gardner, Mass., writes : ‘‘Continue advertisement in Youne Oouoeist. QO. K. paper to advertise in. ‘A No. 1’ with us.” This is only a fair sample of many un- solicited testimonials we are receiving. 162 Notes on the Great Horned Ow! from Virginia. Great Horned Owls are very common in this locality, and are ceasily decoyed by careful imitation of their deep voiced groaning. They are very careless and bold, and will enter almost any kind of trap. I have caught, stuffed and mounted ten this winter, the largest being a little less than five feet in alar expanse. They are very savage in the defense of their nest and mates, of which latter fact I was made painfully aware of one night, the 20th of January last. The night preceding I had captured a fine male specimen which I placed in the corn house for safe keeping. As soon as it was dark he began to hoot, | and soon called up his mate; then for a couple of hours held a free ticket concert ; one in the corn house, the other on _ the barn near by. Quietly creeping up behind the corn house and peeping between it and another building I saw the owl perched :on the | barn. Three times she uttered her deep call and each time the prisoner gave answer. Then she espied my head as I was peering around the corner of the building, about fifteen yards from where she sat on the barn. a few moments, she dropped down out of my sight in the deep shadow of the barn, having been boldly outlined against the | clear sky ; to fly away though I ; not so. The next instant a dark object came sailing on swift wings between the buildings, struck me a blow on the forehead which nearly knocked me to the ground, passed | on leaving me very much bewildered by | the suddenness and force of the attack. The owl meanwhile hovering near and seemingly inclined to renew the assault. After a mutual study of each other | Then reperching on the barn hooted de- | fiance and ridicule at me. I then gave up the contest and returned to the house to repair my lacerated scalp, which was bleeding freely from two THE YOUNG’ OOLOGIST. wounds, one in the middle of my forehead, an inch and a quarter long, and a deep puncture in my left eyebrow. A few nights after I caught the same owl and found her the most troublesome and savage of any I ever handled. On the 9th of January last while hunting in a large forest near the James River, I was shown a large nest by a flock of crows. They would circle around them, alight in the top of the tree over the nest and look- ing down at it would keep up the greatest string of crow talk 1 ever heard. Knowing that something, possibly an owl’s nest, I emptied one barre] of my gun intoit. It being about forty feet from the ground, to my delight a very large bird of some kind flew heavily out. It only flew about ten feet from the nest before coming to earth, in response to the summons of a load of No. 4 shot. It proved to be a very fine Great Horned Owl. I wished very much to climb the tree for eggs, but not having my spurs with me I lost them. Dissection showed she had deposited them and was sitting. JOsEPH B. UNDERHILL, Fork Union, Va. ai Al Nest of the Yellow-billed Cuckoo. (Coccygus amercanus. ) On the 20th of last July I was out in a piece of swampy woods on my farm, Wild- wood, and hearing the notes of a small bird—strange to me in a thicket of willow, and other smal! timber—I penetrated in or- der to interview the author. AsI did so the sound seemed to move further off, and I followed it. Suddenly bursting through the thick brushwood into a spot more open, I saw just before me, and within reach, a nest of bramble with the bird seated upon it. Gazing at the bird a few moments, I identified her as the Yellow-billed Cuckoo. As this was the first nest of this species that I had discovered I eagerly approached, and tound as the bird flew off that it con- tained two eggs of a light greenish hue, about as long, but more oval than those of much similar. ‘papers. THE YOUNG OOLOGIST. the Robin. while one was almost fresh, the other had been several days incubated, and though they were probably her full sei, they were, doubtless, her second clutch. The nest it- self, placed on a kind of fork of a small swamp elm, was a mere platform of small sticks, having the space between filled in with the downy catkins of the willows, it was so shallow that it seemed wonderful that the eggs did not roll off. In size the eggs are considerably larger than those of the black-billed species, and I think the bird itself is also larger, though the plumage | and general habits, as well as notes, are And whereas the black- billed species is often seen in orchards and shrubberies near to human residences, and nests in such places, yet its yellow-billed | congener appears to be more of a swamp. or woodland bird, and chooses such places for nesting purposes. W. L. Kets, Listowel, Ontario. a hts GE ale Queries Answered. Queries to be answered in these columns should be | written an a postal or slip of paper—never mix them in your letter when writing about other matters. H. C. L., Cala,, and others, many thanks for the clippings from your local We are always pleased to obtain anything new in the ‘‘bird line,” even if it is ‘‘clipped.” G. D. P., Estes Park, Colorado. <‘‘ Jor- dan’s Manual of Vertebrates” is of but lit- tle value to a field collector or an ormith- ologist. ’ : L. D., Petersburg, Va. The bird called ‘‘Marten,” nesting in the steeple of an old church is the Black Martin. G. B, H., Fernwood, lll. The Bohemian and ‘‘Northern” Waxwing are the same. M. W., Baltimore, Md. We furnish climbing irons suitable for large or small persons. ; C. H., New London, Conn. ‘‘Wilson’s” and Common Tern are the same. G. F., Elk Point, D. T.- ‘-Manton’s In- sect’s,” price 50 cents, will tell you how to preserve moths, butterflies, etc. A. C. S., Fort Madison, Ia., and others. No. 1 of the ‘‘Y. O” was printed on news, and Nos. 2 and 8 on light book paper. These I took, and found that 153 W.H.R., Burlington, Vt. Eggs of the Phoebe often have a few reddish brown dots near the larger end. H. 8. B., Roxbury, Mass. The American Goldflinch is often called ‘‘Wild Canary.” C. C. R., Norwich, Conn. The plumage of the male and female Cedar Waxwing is the same. The horny substance resembling red sealing-wax which you found at the termination of some of the wing feathers is from what they derive the ‘‘waxwing”’ part of their name. The ‘‘wax” is found more or less on many specimens, while on others itisabsent. A setof five eggs, one of which was taken from the ovary of the bird, should be recorded as a set of four eggs, and on the data you should make a note of the taking of the fifth egg from the ovary. F. L. D.. Laurel, Md. Hawks generally nest in high trees. Turkey Buzzards on the ground or in stumps or hollow logs near the ground. You can look for nests of these birds from the middle of March until May 1st. J.J. U., Lancaster, Pa. lay light blue eggs. H. H. R.; Westerly, R: ‘1. . The small nest somewhat resembling that of the Bal- timore Oriole, made mostly of moss and sea weed, which you found was. doubtless. that of the Blue Yellow backed Warbler. C. M.. Frankfort, Ind. The Hawk’s nest which you found last May containing four dirty bluish-white eggs, measuring about 2 by 13 inch, was that of the Cooper’s Hawk. J. A., Towanda, Pa. Warblers Vireos are both found in your locality. G. P. E., Mercer, Pa. If cellecting from a scientific standpoint, collect sets, if otherwise, sparingly of pairs or single eggs. H. G., Seneca Falls, N. Y., and others. The only standard work on ornithology describing the birds of North America in full is ‘‘Cones’ Key.” Price prepaid, $10.00. F. M. P., Fort Madison, Ia. The Caro- lina Wren is an eastern and southern bird. aE idl The Gridley (Cal.) Herald says : ‘‘A flock of sheep feeding on stubble several miles west of town were attacked by a large band of ravens. Spectators say they were not less than 300 birds in the band. They would fly down at the sheep and alight on the mutton, eagle style. Many of the birds got their talons fastened in the wool, so that they could not tly away, and eighteen were thus captured alive ” All Herons and 154 Gambel’s Quail. (Loportyx Gambelii.) I take the following description from a head and a number of eggs furnished me by a gentleman of Arizona Territory. The bird is altogether unknown to me, being confined principally to that territory | and the northwest. They are said to be very common there and are killed in large quantities for game. teenths of an inch long and five sixteenths deep. It is of a pure black. color, and curves somewhat down. The bill is nine-six- | The head is | } } | | crested with six black feathers about one | and one-half inches long, which form into a solid bunch, narrowed at the base and | widening toward the top. Top of head chestnut brown. Forehead and _ frontal feathers bright black, crossed near the upper part with a band of white, which extends from eye to eye, thence passing along the side of the head nearly to the | back. Cheeks and lores bright black. Jug. | ulum black. Throat and neck light grayish | with a tinge of blue, the ends of the feath- ers lightly tipped with darker. A white streak extends in a curved line from very near the eye toa point about a half an inch from the same. A spot lying under the upper white band and back of the ear, is faint grayish brown, triangular in shape. | Back of neck and head gray with a tinge | ot blue. All feathers are plainly edged with slate color. In regard to its nesting habits [ am unacquainted ; but the Prina Indians who procured the eggs, say the nest was nothing more than a hole scraped in the sand. The eggs were collected near Loca- ton, Pinal county. many there were in the clutch. As they were collected on May 25th, 1885, I should judge nidification begins near the Ist or 10th of May. Few eggs of the same species show such a variation in color and mark- ings. The ground color in the main is creamy brown, being darker in some and lighter in others. It is spotted, specked and blotched all over, principally at the larger end, with reddish brown, chestnut and rufous. In some the blotches do not Ido not know how | THE’ YOUNG OOLEOGIS EF. occur, and the whole egg is specked pro- fusely. Some are more thickly spotted than others. around the small end. The size varies greatly as the dimensions of the following eggs will show : 1.34 x .96 1.22x .96 125 x00 3 1.22 x .96 1.25x .96° 1.25 =x +196 1.22 x .96 1.09x .96 1.09 x .96 1,31 296 1.3b:x 1,00 1.28 x 1.00 The eggs in shape resemble those of others of the family, being pointed at the small end and nearly flat at large one. WARREN CARTER, Wallingford, Pa. SSS es Notes from Nerwich, C2nn. ‘ On May 20, ’82 I found an unusual set of four American Osprey, Fish Hawk (Pan- dion haliaetus carolinensis) on Plum Island. The eggs were fresh and have a very beautiful rich brown color and are by far the handsomest set I have seen, and I have taken over fifty sets and seen as many more sets of eggs in the nests. I also found a set of three, avery odd set. The first egg is clear white, the second nearly white except a few very faint lilac spots hardly observable, and the third is like the average eggs of this species. Catbird (Galeoccoptes carolinensis). On June 23, ’82 I found aset of five. Let us hear from some of the collectors who have found sets of five through THE YounGe OoLoGIsT Robin (Merula migratoria). 1882, found a set of five eggs. American Goldfinch (Astragalinus tris- tis). On July 30, 84, found a set of four pure white eggs of this species. Henslow’s Sparrow (Coturniculus hen- sloni). On July 3, ’82, found the third set ever found in New London County. The first two were found by Mr. Junius A. Brand of this city, who identified mine for me. They were found at Gardner’s Lake, Bozrah, Conn., eight miies from here in a dry pasture within two hundred yards of a heavy piece of woods. Nest made like a Song Sparrow’s on the ground, On May 4, One has a semi-circle of dots + THE YOUNG Chewink (Pipilo erythrophthalmus). | Found a set of five (large set). I never have seen a set of five except this one, and al- | ways thought four was the common num- ber until I saw given in THE YOUNG Ooxoeist four or five. Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Zamelodia lu- doviciana.) Founda set of 4 June 6, ’84. The Rose-breasted Grosbeak is a rare bird in this county. A new way to capture a Kingfisher. June 138, 1884, I went out to Gardner’s Lake collecting, and one of the first nests I found was a Belted Kingfisher (Ceryle alcyon). the sand bank where it was. assisted by a farmer’s son. After digging about half an hour I saw seven eggs. I immediately pushed my hand in after them, and what was my surprise when all at once a bill closed together like a steel trap and I at | once pulled my hand out a little faster than I putitin. I pulled my hand so sud- denly that Mrs. Kingfisher came out very fast on my finger), and struck my com- _ panion a little below the chest. He at once clapped his hand where Mrs. Kingfisher struck and was our prize. I should not care to try catching Kingfishers by this method again. Hawk. > Intelligence of the Oriole. On the western side of Central Park, very near 108d street and Eighth avenue, stands a row of elm trees, difficult to ap- Tat once commenced digging in | | | | proach on account of a heavy growth of | syringa bushes around them. Ona branch | of one of the trees, about sixteen feet from | the ground, a pair of Baltimore Orioles set to building a nest a few weeks ago. They chose the extreme end of the bough, with evident intention of making it a hazardous experiment for any bird nester to attempt to molest them. caution they appeared not to observe what the few persons whose eyes were keen | enough to see the first labors of the little architects saw—that the branch was much too slender to support so large a nest as an oriole builds, But in their excess of | | \ OOLOGIST. 156 When the nest was about two thirds fin- ished the birds saw their mistake. The branch had bent so low that it was getting perilously near the grass. Work was at once stopped, and the™ builders sat close together for a long time, und seemed to be discussing the situation. Finally, they flew side by side to a bough about fifteen inches over the one on which their nest was, and, leaning over, inspected the distance. They seemed to be satisfied, and, though it was growing rapidly dusk, the birds flew away in opposite directions. In the morning it was found that they had firmly secured their habitation, and pre-— vented the branch from bending lower, by passing a piece of white string, which they had found somewhere in the park, over the upper bough, and fastening both ends of it securely to the edges of the nest. The building then went rapidly on, and the orioles are now engaged in hatching their eggs. Very few persons have seen the nest, and there is a fair prospect that their skill and ingenuity will be soon rewarded by a brood of young orioles. The Baltimore Oriole is a very intelligent bird, buta New York ornithologist, who saw the nest, said he had never seen an achievement quite equal to this one before. He says the art of knitting fibers or strings together is well known to many birds. The weaver bird of India builds its nest out of a large, strong leaf, which it stitches to- gether at the edges, making a compact and closely adhering funnel.— New York Sun. gyal ess Yellow-breast Chat. (Icteria virens.) This beautiful and handsome species has nothing but its rich plumage to recommend itself to our notice, having no sweet song to cheer you with while rambling through the woods. But for all that they are an attractive species, and I for one would sadly miss them if they should fail to pay their annual visit. They are migratory, arriving from farther south where they winter, about the 10th of April and I can assure you they generally make there arrival 156 THE: YOUNG -OOLOGiIs. known by their constant chattering which they keep up all day long and often far into the night. They commence to build about the 25th of April, as I have found their nest with eggs as early as May 9th. Incubation advanced. They build a com- pact nest (seldom more than four feet from the ground), composed outwardly of grass and bark from the grape vine, lined with fine roots dnd dry grass. Lay four white eggs speckled with reddish brown spots. For three consecutive years I have found a nest of this species in the same spot and on the same day of the month and same number of eggs, three, in it. They seem to prefer the the myrtle bushes to others to build in, at least I have found it so, as I have found them oftener in them than in any others. They are a very jealous bird, hating for any one to intrude on their haunts, chattering and scolding as long as you are in sight. I I know they raise two, if not three; broods during the season, as I have found their nests as late as July 17th with fresh eggs. a) JP Savannah, Ga. ee The Maryland Yellow-throat. (Geothlypis trichas.) This beautiful little warbler, is a com- mon summer resident of Massachusetts, appearing from the south from the Ist to the 15th of May. When it first arrives it usually frequents low swampy thichets. You may see one of these birds perched on the topmost branch of a bush warbling its | beautiful song. The instant he observes an intruder he darts down into the under | If you stand still for a while, vou | brush. may see him hop up into the bush again, first from one twig to another, until he has reached the upmost twig again, and if he does not see any suspicious movements he will resume his interrupted song. Maryland Yellow-throat usually commen- ces building their nest in the latter part of May. cality. Their nest is usually placed on the ground, but [have found them over two feet ° : : oer | from the ground in a bush. Their nest is They usually select a swampy lo- | The | | a large bulky affair, usually composed of dead grass, leaves, feathers, grape-vine bark, dead ferns, or most. anything that will make a fit receptacle for their eggs. A nest that I found in a fresh meadow was composed externally of wide blades of fresh grass, and lined with moss. They lay four or five eggs usually, the eggs varying a great deal both in size and mark- ings. They are creamy white in color with numerous spots of dark brown and obscure spots of lilac at the greater end of the egg. I have one set of four eggs that are pure white in color with faint dots of light red- dish brown at the largeend. One egg has but a single spot, and that is hardly large enough to be noticed. Average dimen- sions of several specimens, .70x.52 inch. The birds rear two broods in a season in Massachusets. I found a set perfectly fresh July 7, 88. The Maryland Yellow- throat departs for the south by the middle — of September. CHARLES 8S. PHILLIPS, Dighton, Mass. a A White-bellied Nuthatch. On the 22nd of May, 1882, I found a nest of this bird in a hole in an apple tree, inan orchard, about 54 feet from the ground, which contained five young birds about a week old and one unincubated egg. I discovered the nest by seeing the parent bird carrying food to her brood. On tho 27th of April, 1883, being near the place whcre the above was found I thought I would see if the birds were about. As 1 neared the locality I sud- — denly saw the bird on the tree near the hole where the nest was. On examination I was very much surprised to find six as handsome eggs as anyone would wish to see, I examined one, and as the incuba- tion had begun I secured them. The nest is quite bulky, made of root- lets and fine bark, lined with hair. The eggs are a beautiful roseate-white, spotted quite thickly with reddish brown, chiefly at the larger end. CHARLES E. DOE, Providence, R. I. THE YOUNG OOLOGIST. White-rumped Shrike. One of the most interesting of the Pa- cific Coast birds is the White-rumped Shrike (Collyria excubitor—Baird), which is found in considerable numbers in the southern half of the Pacific States. I do not remember to have met with it north of the latitude of San Francisco, but proceed- ing south from that line, the Shrike, or _ Butcher-Bird, as it is here called, is often seen, and in most cases regarded as a wel- come friend. The familiar name ‘‘Butcher bird” is often applied to other members of the Lande, and especially to ‘‘C. Borealis,” but the name seems to be more appropriate for the White rumped Shrike, owing to the exercise of that peculiar characteristic, which so long since suggested the name. The Butcher bird, as described by Baird seems to be different from the one found here in size somewhat, but the difference does not give room for other classification. The description given by a prominent. na- turalist, of it having ‘‘the power of imitat- ing the sounds of other birds, especially of those indicating distress,” I do not find true here, although | may be in error in this particular ; but the one habit which distinguishes them so pre-eminently from all others cannot be mistaken. Through the summer and autumn almost every bush and stalk presents to the observing eye evidences of its industrial trait. Small birds suffer somewhat, but the principal victims are fieid mice, crickets and grass- _ hoppers. for their victims. | Only two days since I counted twenty-three dead animals, prin- cipally mice and grasshoppers, impaled on the barbs, in walking a distance of only forty-rods along a wire fence. Different theories have been advanced as to object of this piece of procedure, but at last the ‘“‘object is not well understood.” Perhaps it is the same trait, developed in a lesser degree, which causes the Canide to bury bones and other food as providence for future want. By many the Butcher bird is considered The barbed wire fences of the plains furnish a favorite place of deposit 157 a friend to the interests of the gardener and horticulturist, as a means of getting rid of the many pests which it destroys, but it is yet to be demonstrated whether or not this has foundation in fact. CyriL MARR, Borden, Cal. American Redstart. (Setophaga ruticilia.) Although this bird is not rare in this lo- cality, its nest is seldom taken, as far as I can learn, being rather hard to find. Early on the morning of May 18, 1883, I took a walk out to the woods to secure a nest of a Wood Thrush, which I had found the day before. While at this nest, which was about ten feet up ina beech tree, my attention was called to a Redstart which was flying about in the top of the tree and seemingly much annoyed. Climbing up I looked about, but not see- ing any nest I began to descend when my eye suddenly fell on the little nest which was placed in the fork of a small branch, about three feet from the trunk. Since that time I have taken many rare eggs, but no discovery has given me greater plea- sure than the finding of this nest. I called to my companion that I had found it, and in a moment announced that it held four eggs, three of the owner’s and one Cow- bird’s, which proved to be perfectly fresh. The nest was saddled in the fork, about eighteen feet from the ground, higher than this bird usually nests. It was composed of cottony substances outside, lined with horsehair, and was neatly and compactly built. Of the three eggs, two measured each 66x49, the other 69x48 inches. When blown they were pure white with a broad ring of light brown and obscure purple spots around the larger end. | s OG aah a Philadelphia, Pa. ——— Oo Back numbers of THE Youn@e OoLogist will be furnished at six cents per copy. 57 Maryland Yellow Throat (122). 58 Macgillivray’s Warbler (x21). For the Young Oologist. 59 Grace’s Warbler (104). The following is a list of the Land Birds of the | 60 Green Black-cap Warbler (125). Pacific Coast, from Alaska to Mexico. (The numbers | 61 Long-tailed Chat (123@). in parentheses correspond to Ridgeway’s Nomencla- | 62 Barn Swallow (154). ture.) 63 Cliff Swallow (153). rt Dwarf Thrush (s). 64 White-bellied Swallow (155). 2 Russet-backed or Oregon Thrush (4). 65 Violet-green Swallow (156). 3 Olive Thrush (4a). | 67 Bank Swallow (157). 4 Robin (7). | 68 Rough-winged Swallow (158). 5 Cape Robin (8). | 69 Purple Martin (152). 6 Varied Thrush, Western Robin (9). 7o Swainson’s Warbling Greenlet (1392). 7 Mountain Mocking-bird (x0). | 71 Blue-headed Flycatcher (139). 8 Sickle-bill Thr.sh (16). 72 Lead-colored Greenlet (147)° g Leconte’s Thrush (16a), 73 Black-headed Greenlet (141). xo Henry’s Thrush (17). | 74 Hutton’s Greenlet (144) xx Ashy Thrush (14). | 75 Bell’s Vireo (145). 12 Mocking~—bird (11), | 76 Gray Greenlet (147). 13, Cat-bird (12), | 77 Wax-wing, The Bohemian Chatterer (150). 14 American Dipper, Water Ouzel (19). 78 Cedar Bird (151). 15 Western Bluebird (23). | 79 Black Flycatcher (317). © 16 Rocky Mountain Bluebird (24). | 80 Townsend’s Flycatcher (3252). 17 Golden-crested Wren (232). | 8x Northern Shrike (148). 18 Ruby-crowned Wren (30). 82 White-rumped Shrike (1494). 19 Blue-gray Flycatcher (27). | 83 White-winged Shrike (1494). 20 Black-tailed Flycatcher (29). | g4 Cooper’s Tanager (1642). 21 Lead colored Flycatcher (28). 85 Silver-colored Tanager (163). 22 Ground Wren (35). | 86 Louisiana Tanager (162). 23 Plain-crested Titmouse. 87 Red Crossbill (172). 24 Black-crested Titmouse (37). 88 White-winged Crossbill (173). 25 Wollwebers Titmouse (39). | 89 Pine Grosbeak (166). 26 Western Titmouse (410). go Western Purple Finch (168a@). 27 Mountain Titmouse (40). gi Cassin’s Purple Finch (169). 28 Chestnut-backed Titmouse (46). ° | g2 House Finch (170). 29 Least Titmouse (47). | 93 Lesser Redpoll (179). 30 Plumbeous Titmouse (48). 94 Gray-eared Finch (174). 31 Yellow-headed Titmouse (50). 95 Hepburn’s Finch (1752). 32 Western Nuthatch (5124). 96 Gray-checked Finch (t77). 33 Red-bellied Nuthatch (52). 97 Gray-crowned Finch (175). 34 California Nuthatch (54). o8 Siberian Finch * 35 Western Creeper (552). 99 Thistle Bird (181). 36%California Cactus-Wren (56). | roo Arkansas Finch (182). 37 Cape Cactus Wren (57). ror Mexican Goldfinch (18264). 38 Rock Wren (58). 10z Lawrence’s Goldfinch (183). 39 White-throated Wren (59). | 103 Pine Finch (185). 40 Western Mocking-Wren (61a). 104 Evening Grssbeak (165). 41 Parkmann’s House-Wren (632). | 105 Snow Bunting (186). 42 Winter Wren (6s). 106 Lapland Longspur (187). 43 Long-billed Marsh-Wren (67). | 107 Nonalaska Sparrow (193). 44 JTit-lark (71). | 108 Skylark Sparrow (1434). 45 Sprague’s Lark (73). 1og Titlark Sparrow (194). 46 Nashville Warbler (85) 47 Orange-crowned Warbler (86). 48 Lucy’s Warbler (83). 110 Sea-shore Sparrow (196). St. Lucas Thrush (195). 112 Grass Finch, Bay-winged Bunting (1972). Lal - taal 49 Virginia’s Warbler (84) 113 Yellow-winged Sparrow (198). so Yellow Warbler (93). 114 Lark Finch (2042). 51 Audubon’s Warbler (96). r15 Western White-crowned F inch (207). 52 Yellow-crowned Warbler (95). | 116 White-crowned Sparrow (2072). 53 Black-throated Gray Warbler (105). 117 Golden-crowned Sparrow (208) 54 Townsend’s Warbler (108). 55 Western Warbler (109). * Occasional visitor to North America, THE YOUNG OOLOGIST. 118 Oregon Snow-bird (218). 119 Gray-headed Snow-bird (220). 120 121 122 123 124 Chipping Sparrow (ar1a). Brewer’s Sparrow (213). Black-chifned Spariow (215). 125 126 127 128 129 154 Red-shouldered Blackbird (261a). 155 Red and White-shouldered Blackbird (262). 156 Yellow-headed Blackbird (260). | 157 Western Lark (264). Rusty Song Sparrow (231¢). Mountain Song Sparrow (2314). 130 Lincoln’s Finch (234), 13t Red-capped Finch (230). 132 Cassin’s Finch (228). 133 Townsend’s Sparrow (2354) 134 Large-beaked Sparrow (2354). 135 White-shouldered Blackbird (256). | 136 Black-headed Grosbeak (245). 137 Blue Grosbeak (246). 138 Blue Linnet (240). 139 Western Nonpareil (250). 140 Texas Cardinal (243). 141 Cape Cardinal (242a). 142 Oregon Ground Robin (2386. 143 California Ground Robin (238a). 144 Abert’s Finch (241). 145 Brown Finch (2408). 146 Canon Finch (240) 147 White-throated Towhee (2402). 148 Green Finch (239). 149 Horned Lark (300). 150 Bobolink, Rice-bird (257). 151 Cow-bird (258). 152 Dwarf Cow-bird (2582). 153 Swamp Blackbird ; Pink-sided Snow-bird (219). Black-throated Sparrow (224). Bell’s Finch (225). Mountain or Tree Sparrow (210). California Song Sparrow (231c). 4 The Red-wing Black- bird (261). 158 Western Oriole (272), 159 Hooded Oriole (269). 160 Scott’s Oriole (268). 161 Brewer’s Blackbird (274). 162 American Raven (250). 163 White-necked Crow (281). 164 Western Crow (2826). 165 Clarke’s Crow (284). 167 Yellow-billed Magpie (287). 168 American Magpie (286) 169 Steller’s Jay (290). 170 Long-crested Jay (290c). 171 California Jay (293). 172 Woodhouse’s Jay (292). 173 Sieber’s Jay (295). 174 Canada Jay (297). 175 Western King-bird (304) 176 Arkansas Flycatcher (306). 177 Cassin’s Flycatcher (307). x78 Ash-throated Flycatcher (313). «79 Black Flycatcher (817). | 166 Maximilian’s Jay (285). 181 182 183 184 185 186 187 188 189 180 159 Say’s Flycatcher (316). Olive-sided Flycatcher. (315). Coues’ Flycatcher (319). Short-Legged Pewee (321). Traill’s Flycatcher (322). Yellow-Bellied Flycatcher. (323). Grayish Flycatcher (328). Hammond’s Flycatcher. Red Flycatcher (330) Buff-Breasted Flycatcher (8292). Belted Kingfisher (382). Texas Kingfisher (383). Nuttall’s Whipoorwill (355) Night-hawk ; Bull-bat (857). Texas Night-hawk (3.8). White-throated Swift (349). Northern Swift )352). Oregon Swift (352). Black-Chinned Humming-Bird (336). Red-Backed Humming-Bird (340). Broad-tailed Humming- Bird (359). Anna Humming-Bird (338). Costa’s Humming-Bird (337). Heloise’s Humming-Bird (342). Calliope Humming-Bird. Xantus’s Humming-Bird (347). Paisano; The Road-runner ; The Chapparal Cock (385). Yellow-Billed Cuckoo (387). Harris’ Woodpecker (3604). Gairdner’s Woodpecker (3612) Nuttall’s Woodpecker (364). Arizona Woodpecker, (363). 2 Cape Woodpecker (3622). White-headed Woodpecker (366). Arctic Three-toed Woodpecker (367). Striped Three-toed Woodpeckes (367). Red-necked Woodpecker (369a). Red-Breasted Woodpecker (3694). Williamson’s Woodpecker (369). Round-headed Woodpecker (370). Black Woodcock ; The Log-cock (371). Yellow-bellied Woodpecker (373). Gila Woodpecker (374). Red-headed Woodpecker (375). California Woodpecker (377). Narrow-Frouted Woodpecker (3772). Lewis’s Woodpecker (376). Red-shafted Flicker (378d). Malherbe’s Flicker (379). Bain Owl (394). Great Horned Owl. (405). Mottled Screech-Owl (402). Flamulated Owlet (404). Kennicott’s Owl (4026). Long-eared Owl (396). Short-eared Owl (396). Western Barred Owl (398). Barred Owl (397). Great Gray Owl (399). Kirtland’s Owl (400). Acadian Owl (401). Burrowing Owl (408). Whitney’s Owl (411). California Pygmy Owl (409). Snowy Owl; The White Owl (406). Hawk Owl; Day Owl (407). Golden Eagle (449). White-headed Eagle (451). Fish-hawk (425). Duck-hawk (414). | Western Duck-hawk (414). Prairie Hawk (413). Pigeon Hawk (417). 253 Arizona Hawk (4172) 254 Sparrow-hawk (420). 255 Cooper’s Hawk (431). 256 Mexican Hawk (4332). 257 Sharp-shinned Hawk (432). 258 American Goshawk (433). 259 Western Red-tailed Hawk (436a). 260 Red-tailed Black Hawk (5368) 261 California Hawk (437). Harlan’s Hawk (438). | Brown Hawk (441). Swainson’s Hawk (442). Elegant Hawk (4392). Band-tailed Black Hawk (440). | Sharp-winged Hawk (437). Rusty Squirrel-hawk (448). Rough-legged Hawk (447). St John’s Black Hawk (444). Gray Hawk (445). Black-Shouldered Hawk (427). | Marsh Hawk (430). | Caracara Eagle (423). Harris’ Buzzard (434). | California Condor (453). | Turkey Buzzard (454) Band-tail Pigeon (456). Red Dove (457). | Passenger Pigeon (4509). Carolina or Common Dove (460). White-winged Dove (464). Ground Dove (46s). Cape Ground Dove (466). | Mexican Turkey (470). Dusky Grouse (471). Richardson’s Grouse (4714). Franklin’s Grouse (472a@) Sharp-tailed Grouse (4782) Sage-cock (479). Oregon Grouse (4736) 262 263 264 265 266 267 268 269 270 271 272 273 274 275 276 277 278 279 280 281 282 283 284 285 286 287 288 289 290 2Q1 292 293 204 295 206 White-tailed Ptarmigan (476). Mountain Quail (481). California Quail (482) Gambel’s Quail (483). Sealed or Blue Partridge (484). 297 Massena Quail (485). Epwarp H. Fiske, Berkely, California. sree. MME ES For every new subscriber you may send | us for the YOUNG OOLOGIST, we will give | a copy of our new Hand-book. | THE YOUNG OOLOGIST. | A Few Words for the Egg Collector. The following extract taken from an ar- ticle by J. M. W., of Norwich, in an old “Ornithologist and Oologist” will answer the queries of many correspondents: Why do you collect eggs? Do you live in the heart of one of our great cities, with few chances afield, and collect through the mails by purchase and exchange? Do you heap eggs together as curiosities or orna- ments to show to friends, or to equal and eclipse the collections of A and B? Ifyou are influenced by these motives, or situated as above indicated, stop where you are! Trouble the birds no longer and turn your attention to bric-a-brac. You are on a lowcr plane than the crows, grackles and jays who destroy eggs through inherited — instinct and appetite. But if you take the field yourself, in search of ruddy health, with a passionate love for your pursuit, — with no love of notoriety, and without ever | a thought of rivalry, then we may notcon- | demn you. Furthermore, if you, hope by — comparison of sets and by observations on | obscure breeding habits to add a few grains of information to our humble science, go: on, yours is no unholy work. io Parasites, What Are They? \ Can any of the readers of THe Youne } OoLocist who have studied the subject, | give me some information on these bird parasites which I have found in various — parts of the bodies of birds, notably in owls. The first case which came under my notice was that of a Rosy Finch ; on open- ing body to examine the stomach I discov- ered on the side of the heart a peculiar mark, thinking it a mere wrinkle of the pericardium, but on closer examination found it to be a small white worm buried in the tissue of the heart, in an 8 shaped trench. It was about four-tenths of an inch in length. . During the present winter I have found them on several occasions in the heads of. owls, being embeded between the eyeball ¥ ; ‘an || The largest were nearly an inch in length and about one-twentieth of an inch in dia- |} meter ; white and semi-transparent, very Y slow motioned. In one case I found over ' two dozen behind the left eye, a portion of ae had collected in a bunch the size of / two buckshot. The flesh and tissues sur- no way inflamed or irritated. ply Jarval or intermediate stages of some other form of parasite? IJ had kept the | owls alive several days and they ate freely, f could see well and appeared perfectly t healthy. i J. B. U., Fork Union, Va. -@ The Red-tailed Hawk. (Buteo borealis.) This bird is rather common throughout | the northwest. It arrives in this locality } (44 degrees N. lat.), about the middle of / arrival. fifty feet from the ground. | built in sight of houses and fields, the top | of a hill or bluff being a most desirable ‘place. The nest itself is a large affair, about three feet by two, or even larger, , lined with birch bark and leaves. The | birds are rather sociable, the farmer espec- i | young chickens. I found one nest within three hundred feet of a much traveled road. I identified the first set I took by 4 seeing the color of the tail when the bird ) flew between me and the sun. | dirty white, spotted with reddish brown about 2.20; by nearly 2.00 inches, about the ; Same at both ends. | face of a cliff over one hundred feet in height. They leave generally about the | last of September or the first of October, but this year remained with us until the middle of October. Gro. H. SELOVER, Lake City, Minnesota. rounding the parasites appeared to be in | \ April, and begins to nest soon after its | They generally select an oak tree | \ and place their nest from twenty to over | It is generally | || mostly at the larger end. They measure | THE YOUNG OOLOGIST. d the bony processes surrounding it, and | | always onthe side contiguous tothe nostrils. | Query? Were these adult forms, or sim- | jally thinking so when he is minus some | aA The eggs / are generally if not always two in number, | They generally build | in a tree, but I have found one nest on the. 161 The Marsh Hawk. (CIRCUS HUDSONIUS. ) I have seen from time to time inquiries as to the nature of the Marsh Hawk, in the Youne Oo.oerstr. For the benefit of those who are unacquainted with this interesting bird, I will give a description. It is about twenty inches in length, and an adult bird will measure about three feet from tip to tip. During the spring and summer they may often be seen flying low over the meadows in search of small rodents, and while flying thus, the white upper. tail- coverts, which distinguish this Hawk from others, may be seen from a considerable distance. They build their nest about the first week in May, in the middle of a large marsh, or what might be more appropri- ately termed, an open swamp, where spruce trees and huckleberries grow, though they always choose a spot which is free from the larger trees and shrubs, with only the low swamp laurel, and a bed of moss to separate the nest from the water. The nest is sometimes only a mere collection of straws and twigs, but is sometimes six or eight inches high, and a foot across. The eggs are 4 or 5 in number, and when fresh are a light bluish cast, slightly marked with blotches of reddish brown near the small end, They measure about 14 to 12 inches. When flushed from the nest, the old Hawk rises perpendicularly with a piercing cry. FRED. 8. ODLE. Lapeer, Mich. oi FATHER’S ADVICE TO HIS Son.—‘‘ My son, I have heretofore presented you with a copy of the Holy Bible. If you study only one book let that be the book, as the truths it contains ‘are able to make you wise unto salvation.’ I herewith present you witha copy of the recent edition of Webster's Unabridged Dictionary. If you study only two books let this be the other, as it is not only a dictionary unsurpassed in the spelling, pro- nunciation and defination of words, but is also an encyclopedia of information in its Vocabularies of persons and places noted in Fiction, Scripture, Greek, Latin, and Geographical Names, Biographical Diction- ary, Quotations, Pictorial Illustrations, &c., making it a book to which you will have occasion frequently to refer during life.” —President, Marion Female College. 162 THE YOUNG OOLOGIST. THE YOUNG OOLOGIST EDITED AND PUBLISHED MONTHLY PRANK ee LATTIN, _ GAINES, 1 Figs 4p Printed xe Jous P. SmirH, 80 State St., Rochester. Pa ene and items of interest to the student of Birds, their Nests and Eggs solicited from all. Terms of Subscription. 60 cents per annum. zs 15 Lay oe 6 cents each. Single Subscription - - Foreign Countries, - = Sample Copies, - = = The above rates include postage. Terms of Advertising. Single insertion, 20 cents per line, nonpareil. 1 mo. 3 mo. 6 mo. Vivre Five lines, 1 00 2 50 4 00 6 00 One inch, 2 00 5 00 8 00 12 00 1-2column, 7 00 17 50 28 00 42 00 1 es 13 00 32 50 52 00 78 00 One page, 25 00 62 50 100 00 150 00 Advertisements under five lines, charged one line extra. Yearly advertisements payable quarterly in advance. Special discounts can be given on many advertise- ments. Send copy for estimate. Remittances should be made by draft on New York ; money order or postal note payable at Gaines, N. Y:: ; or by registered letter. Unused U. S. postage stamps of any denomination will be accepted for sums under one dollar. Address all subscriptions and communications to THE YOUNG OOLOGIST, GAINEs, Orleans ‘ o., N. Y {28" Make money orders and drafts payable to FRANK H.LATTIN. Entered at the Post Office at Ay eed, IN@yeauas Second-class mail matter. JOTTINGS. . We intend to make the thirty-two paged initial number of Vol. II (May issue), one of the most valuable and interesting maga- zines ever placed before the ornithologists and oologists of America. Will our older readers favor us with a few interesting ar- ticles? We must have their co-operation to carry out our intentions. This issue contains considerable unin- teresting matter, and while trespassing on the good will of onrreaders with so much ‘‘trash,” we trust they will remember that weshall send them in March and April issues eight pages more than we promised. ‘SPECIAL “NOTICE. “Rack Number of Vol. II. of THE YOUNG OOLOGIST Subscriptions will contain 32 Pages. and renewals will be received until April 2oth, 1855, at 75 Cents. subscriptions beginning with January Number will be accepted at 60 Cents. Renew or subscribe at once. New This issue of THE Youne Oo.oerst, al though dated March, is in reality the March and April numbers. The April issue will consist of only 8 pages, including index to Vol. Il. Copy of advertisements for this issue must reach us on or before March 20th. The issuing of the last two numbers of Vol. lin thisform is for our own ac- comodation, and as they will contain 40 pages of white paper instead of 32 wetrust our readers will not complain. We will send a copy of Davie’s Egg Check List, the YOuNG OOLOGIST one year, and a copy of our new ‘“‘ Oologists’ Hand-Book” for only $1.00. We make this offer in order to get our Hand-Book and Davie’s Check List introduced before the coming season. T'his offer will hold good until March 15th, only. Between 700 and 800 subscriptions expire with the April number. Renew at once, accepting the above offer. As our friends have decided to have the Young Oo.woaist enlarged on May 1st, the parties who now renew ac- cepting this offer will enclose 25 cents ad- ditional. Our friends who sent their re- | newals prior to reading this notice will 4 please remit 25 cents to balance the amount due on their subscription for Vol. II. New subscribers having their — sub- scriptions commencing before or with the January number, no extra amount will be charged. Competition for February prizes has — been very light. We can almost positively — say that only one or two sent by the prize-winners will exceed five names. Do not let the prizes offered for the March competition be captured so easily. The Knights of Audubon. During the past few years hundreds of societies have been formed by the young | collectors of America, and during the past | few months our correspondents have writ- ten us about at least twenty of these so- | THE YOUNG OOLOGIST. cieties, working under as many different | names, among which might be mentioned | “Ridgway Clubs,” — ‘‘Audubon Clubs.” “Baird Clubs,” ‘‘The Young Oologists,” ‘Natural History Societies,” etc., etc. In order to make these various societies a success, and that the result of their labors may be of use and value to other collec- tors we have decided, at the earnest solici- | tation of many of our patrons, to start an association to be known as THE KNIGHTS — OF AUDUBON. The association of Knights | of Audubon, until we are able to meet and draw up a constitution of our own will be | controlled by one similar to that of the Agassiz Association, whose success and | high standing we hardly dare hope to at- | This constitution, and also instruc- | tain. tions for organizing legions, etc., we take from the *‘‘Hand-Book of the Agassiz As- sociation ;” of course remodeling so as to | be adapted to the wants of our association. CONSTITUTION. Article 1. shall be THE KniGHTs oF AUDUBON. Art. 2. Association to collect, study and preserve The name of this Society | It shall be the object of this | natural objects relating to birds, their nests | and eggs. Art. 3. The officer of this Association shall be a Chief Secretary, who shall per- form the customary duties of such officer. This officer is to be appointed by the Pub-_ lisher of Toe Youna OoLoeist. Art. 4. New Legions may be added with the consent of the Chief Secretary, provided that no such Legion shall con- sist of less than three members. Legions shall be named from the towns in which they exist, and if there be more than one Legion in a town they shall be | further distinguished by the letters of the | alphabet. * A valuable little hand-book by Professor Harlan H. Ballard, of Lennox Academy, Lennox, Mass. Sent by mail, post paid for 54 cents. We trust every Legion of the Knights of Audubon will obtain a copy, as our society being similar the instructions, etc., given therein will prove exceedingly valuable. 163 Art. 5. Each Legion may choose its own officers and make its own by-laws. Art. 6. This Constitution may be amended by a three-fourths vote of the Association or its representatives. Art. 7. THE Youne Oowoctst shall be the official organ of communication between members and Legions of this Association. HOW TO ORGANIZE A LEGION AND CONDUCT A MEKTING. PARLIAMENTARY LAW. BY-LAWS. We will proceed to answer the most im- portant and constant questions that come to us from day to day. Naturally the first inquiry is, ‘““How can I form a Legion of the K. of A ?’ As three is the smallest number of mem- bers recognized as a ‘‘ Legion,” the first thing to do is to find at least two persons besides yourself who are interested in the plan. Call a meeting and appoint a temporary chairman. Explain to your friends the purpose for which you have called them together, and make a motion to the effect that a legion of K. of A. be organized. If this motion prevails, it will be well to have a committee appointed to draft your by- laws; or the rules by which your legion is to be guided. After choosing this com- mittee you may adjourn. At the next meeting, hear and act upon the report of your committee, and elect your permanent officers. It will prove of great service to you to conduct your meet- ings as far as may be, in accordance with parliamentary law. Your by-laws should contain an article stating what authority shall control you in this regard. You will find either Fish’s or Roberts’ Rules of Order an excellent and intelligible guide. BY-LAWS. Very much of the comfort and harmony of your meetings will depend upon the wisdom of your by-laws. They should be simple, short and comprehensive, and should cover such points as what officers you will have, how long they shall hold office, what initiation fee you will require, how many members you will admit, what fines you will impose for absence, what duties shall devolve upon your offi- cers and members, and what order of exer- cises you may follow in your meetiugs. The following schedule may prove valu- able as a suggestion : The name of this society shall be, etc. The officers shall be —. The entrance fee shall be —. The regular dues shall be —. Se eal 164 d. The.order of exercises at our regular meetings shall be: a. Roll call; 6. Min- utes of the last meeting; c. Treasurer’s report ; d. Report of corresponding secre- | tary ; ¢. Reports of members on specimens, etc. ; f. Miscellaneous business; g. Ad- journment, 6. New members may be elected at any regular meeting of the society, by ballot, and -— adverse ballots shall exclude. 7. The meetings of this society shall be conducted in accordance with ——., ete. The second article should contain a clause limiting the time during which the various offices shall be held ; but consider- ing the fact that the addresses of your President and Secretary are to be publish- ed in THE YounGe Oo.oetst, for the bene- fit of other legions, those officers should be elected once for all, if possible. In any case you should take a P. O. Box, which may remain as the permanent address of your legion through whatever official changes may occur. In societies where members are of nearly the same age, the decision of the majority should be regarded as absolute, and be cheerfully agreed to by the minority. In family legions, and those under the direc- tion of a teacher, it is well to have a by-law giving the President the power to veto, and making a three-fourths vote necessary to pass a motion over his veto. Such branches may, if they choose, constitute simple classes and remain entirely subject to the control of parent or teacher. The Constitution leaves each branch entirely | free in these matters. The first duty of your secretary, after having recorded the minutes of your meet- ing for organization, will be to send to the Chief Secretary of the Association an ac- count of the formation of the legion. Once in one month thereafter, a report of your progress will be expected. Should you from any cause, disband, immediate notice should be sent to the Chief Secretary so that other chapters may not address you in vain. Each Legion must subscribe for the of- ficial organ, THE Youne Oouoeist. These subscriptions are to be sent to the Chief Sec- retary immediately after you have organized your Legion. Onehalf the amount re- ceieved from the Legions for THz Youne OOLOGIST will be used by the Chief Secre- tary to pay the actual expenses of the asso- ciation, and the remaining one-half will be forwarded by the Chief Secretary to the publisher of THk Youn@ Oo.oaist. Owing to the valuable aid, suggestions re- THE YOUNG OOLOGIST, ceived, and interest manifested in our work we have requested Mr. Jose R. Curtis, of Painted Post, Steuben County, N. Y., to act as Chief Secretary of the Knights of Audubon. Mr. Curtis has kindly accepted the appointment, and in future all com- munications should be sent to his address. The following is a short extract from what the Chief Secretary has to say : ‘“The publishers of Tok Youne Oo.o- Gist have decided to start in their paper a society or association, to be called the ‘Knights of Audubon” (in honor of that great scholar and traveller), to which any person can belong, regardless of sex. This will enable the most obscure naturalists to exchange specimens, notes, etc., and place themselves on an equal basis with other collectors, using this magazine as the of- ficial organ. A department will be devoted to this subject, which will be, ‘‘Birds, their nests, and eggs,” containing communications from the different members of the frater- nity, with name of writer, etc. These let- ters must be concise and with more atten- tion to actual facts and observations. The success of the association depends entirely upon the efforts of the oologists, and others interested in birds, and it will require no great exertion on their part to make it a monument of the Audobonites, and an honor to the memory of the great natural- ist after whom it is named. Organize legions at once.”’ hy A gee Sea ek The attention of our readers is especially called to the notices of our advertising patrons which occur in this issue. Many of the advertisements are those of old and reliable firms, and as this is the class of ad- vertising we desire to encourage, we trust our readers will draw the attention of their friends, whom they think might be inter- ested, to our advertisements. As the readers, as well as the publisher, is de- sirous of informing the public of the value of THE YOUNG OOLOGIST as an advertis- ing medium, it is, doubtless, needless to add—always mention THE YouNG OOOLo- GIST when answering advertisements ap- pearing in its columns. THE YOUNG OOLOGIST. THE VERDICT. Our Friends have decided to ‘‘ Make the Young Oologist a 32-page Magazine” — What They Say. CALIPORNIA. ‘* By all means make a 32-page paper of the Y. O.”’ —G. E. H., Woodland, Cal. ‘* Hope you will enlarge the Y O,. as proposed. I think it will pay you.’’—S. L. E., Riverside, Cal. ‘* [ have received three natural history papers and I think the Y. O° is the Jest.’’—F. C., Petaluma, Cal. ‘*T should like it.”,—H. C. L., Hanford, Cal. ‘“T am decidedly in favor of having the Y. O. en- larged.”—N. B. L., Oakland, Cal ‘‘T am in favor of making the Y. O. a 32-page paper, and am willing to pay the 4o cents extra when I renew.’‘—C. W. K., Oakland ‘Cal. _ “Tam willing to pay $1.00 a year for your paper if it is enlarged ’’—E. H. F., Berkely. _** Would be in favor of the proposed change in the size of paper.’’—H. R. T., Alameda. “I am decidedly in favor or making the Y. O. a 32- page magazine, if you can do it, and I shall surely continue my Subscripton.’’—T. L., Oakland. COLORADO. ** My paper received to-night, and I have to say this: whenever you are ready to enlarge the Y. O.and advance the price, I am ready to pay more, and I say _YES.”—F. M. D., Estes Park. CONNECTICUT. ‘‘ Enlarge the Y° O. by all means, if possible.’’—H. 1. C., Wallingford. ‘**T think the enlargement of the Y. Q. an excellent plan.”’—F. V. H., Norwalk. ‘““T think that the proposed enlargement of the Y. O. will be a big improvement.’’—V. S. S., Norwalk. **T am in favor of your enlargement and so are all my brother collectors in Wallingford ’’—H. F Wallingford. ““ Nothing would please me more than to have the Y. O. enlarged to 64 pages if you could cover the 64 pages with the same class of reading matter as you do your present 16 pages, but of course that is out of the question at present ; but by all means enlarge it to 32 1f you can, and [ think there are but few but would gladly pay double for it.”"—E. W. J., Woodbridge. ** We say enlarge the Y. O. and if necessary publish it weekly, We'll engage to subscribe.’—F. & T., Plymouth, ll ; “Tam very much pleased with the idea of increas- ing It’s size.”"— J, A. M., Wallingford. ** I sincerely hope you will enlarge the Y. O. to a thirty-two page magazine. I will be glad to continue my subscription at the advanced price.’’—S. F. R. New Haven. bili ; ‘* Am In favor of making it a 32 page monthly ; it is the best paper out as it is, and I am much pleased with it.",—W. H. L., West Stratford. DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. ‘“ I would willingly pay the difference in price in order to have the Y. O. increased in size.’’—T. W. R —Washington. LF | GEORGIA. ““In regard to making the Y. O. 32 pages and charging $1.00, I say yes, by all means. Wishing you good luck in your undertaking, I am as ever, 1. D. P., Savannah. ’ | have a 32 page magazine. 165 ‘*[ will support it with my subscription, whatever price it is.’’—W. B. S., Atlanta. ILLINOIS. ‘‘T received February Number of the Y. O. last night, and before the evening was gone I decided ,to take it, and I would be perfectly willing to give the other 4o cents the day that you decide to increase the size of it.. In fact J would be willing to give $1.00 for zt gust as it zs.’—P. L. O., Hennepin. ‘*T would gladly pay an extra 40 cents for 16 pages of Y. O.”’—G. B. H., Fernwood. ‘* In regare to enlargeing the Y. O., I should think it a good idea, no matter as to the price ; it is worth that price now to collectors.’’—W. 5S C., Peoria. ‘*T would prefer to have it enlarged, as it is, I think one of the best of its kind.’”’-—J. G. W., Waukegon. ‘“I am willing to pay my proportion to have the paper enlarged.’’—A. K., L., Spring Valley. ‘‘'The Y. O. is very instructive and entertaining ; make it thirty-two pages.’’-—H.S. W., Normal. ‘* By all means let us have a thirty-two page Y. O.’ —H, G. W., Chicago. 5] INDIANA. ‘** T will be one of those who take it at that price. | am very much pleased with it, and hope to get you several new subscribers.’’—J. F. C., Michigan City, ‘“-T am in favor of enlarging the Y. O.’’—C. M.., Frankfort. KANSAS. ‘**T think it would be a good plan to enlarge the Y. O.”—A. T. J., Hiawatha. ‘*T will have to see the May Number before I can decide positively about taking the Y. O. next year or not. I will probably, if my chink don’t give out.’’— A. O. G., Lawrence. MAINE. ‘Am much pleased with it and am in favor of having it enlarged.’’—A. H. B., Orona. ‘*T should be willing to pay the extra price if the Y. O. was enlarged as you propose in the February number of your paper. I think a series of Jectures on Popular Ornithology and Oology would prove a great attraction.’’—V. E. P., Rockland. ‘* Make the Y. O. a 32-page paper if possible. I[ will take it next May if you do.’’—C. H. C.,, Portland. ‘““Tam in favor of having the Y. O. made a thirty- two page magazine.’’—J. T. P., South Paris. “The Y. O. is a succdss. Asa 32-page magazine it will excel itself. Will renew my own subscription soon.’’—C. A., Rockland. —— MARYLAND. ‘*T hope you will make the change in the Y. O."’— M. W.., Baltimore. MASSACHUSETTS. ‘*T think it is the best of the kind published now at the price. If you make the price higher you will have to compete with other very good papers, and perhaps lose some of your young subscribers. But if you can still keep it the best of the kind for the money, go ahead.’’—C. W. S, Tyngsboro. ““Tf it would be possible to double the size of the Y.O.and preserve both its merits and the rank it holds among the oological papers of the day—that is among the very first, I for one should most assuredly say yes. Yours, F* W., Malden. ““T for one am willing to pay 40 cents extra and *— J.B. R., Fall River. 166 ‘*T for one shall be very glad if it is done, and I think a great many others will like it also.’’—F. H. P., North Beverly. | | | | | “**T like the paper very much; hope you will en- | large.’’—J. F. D,, Springfield, ‘*T vote that you enlarge the Y. O. It’s value will be greater than the price.’’—W. H. F., Pittsfield, MICHIGAN. ‘* Increase your size by all means. world.”’—G. W. T., Adrian. ‘* 1 would favor the enlargement,.’’—B. L., Leslie. ‘* 1 am greatly in favor of having the present size of | the Y. O. doubled, and trust you will find it practic- able to carry out your idea.’’-—J. B, R., Detroit. ‘* [ think it would be a good plan. my copy each month, I[ read it through and always wish for more,’’—L. S. M. M., Marshall. ‘I for one should be glad to see the Y. O. enlarged. l think the paper splendid and wouldn’t be without it.’’—F. O. H., Grass L ke. ‘*] cast my vote in favor of enlarging your most interesting paper and will send the balance of sub- scription if you conclude to do so.”’—W. A. J., Detroit. MINNESOTA. ‘1 say to enlarge it by all means, as it will give more space for correspondents and therefore make it more interesting.’’-—R. L., Minneapolis. ‘*T would like very much to see the Y. O. increased in size.’’—B, M., Faribault. ‘* Would most emphatically say to enlarge it.’’C. T. M., Minneapolis. ‘** T vote to have the Y. O. a 32-page monthly.’’ —G. G. C., Minneapolis. ‘*T for one say yes, by all means make it 32 pages. | am very much pleased with the Y. O. and would be perfectly willing to pay the additional subscription for the extra pages, feeling certain you will do your bast to make it 32 pages and keep it as interestiug as | now.’’—A. G., Lake City. ‘We, the undersigned are in favor of enlarging the V.O.V=6) Si) Eo Wek Gee PL ake City) MISSISSIPPI. *‘ I for one say make the Y. O. a32-page magazine.”’ —J. T. M., Oxford. NEW HAMPSHIRE. ‘‘T think changing your magazine to 32 pages would be a great improvement, as the quantity is the only thing any one can find fault with now.”—A Exeter. ‘“T for one would be very glad to see the Y. O. changed to a 32-page monthly and will do what I can sto help support it.”’—-A. L..S., Claremont mn NEW JERSEY. When I receive | Best paper inthe | ‘* ] should say by all means make the Y. O.a thirty- | two page magazine.’’—G. S. P., Princeton. ‘©? enclose a one dollar bill for those items men- tioned in the February number of the Y. O. I will send slip from the paper. I think that your paper is very useful and that every egg-collector should take it. I will do what I can to enlarge its circulation. I think that it would be a great deal better to enlarge it, and I hope that it will be.’’ Yours Resp., O. §., Montclair. ‘“T am in favor of having the Y. O. enlarged.’’—J. H. W., Princeton. With it. ‘*] am very much pleased with tne Y. O. No live collector can very well get along without it. I am in favor of enlarging it.’’—H. C. G., Port Byron. _ ‘““Tapprove of the plan of enlarging the Y. O., and increasing the price.’’+-C. W. C., Woodside. ‘*T have been so well pleased with the Y. O. that I am heartily in favor of haviug it enlarged. I have never seen a magazine that contained so much inform- ation, particularly in as small a space.’’—E. M. C., Buffalo. ‘*T would be glad 30 have the Y. O. enlarged.” —H. G., Seneca Falls, ** Make your magazine a 32-page one ; it is a success now but would be better if larger.’,-—R. W. W., Syra- cuse. ‘‘T would be very glad to pay $1.00 for a years sub- scription to a 32-page Y. find it a very valuable paper in many ways.’’—L. L., New York City. ‘* Under the pressure of the present hard times, I would not enlarge the Y. O.; am more than pleased It is first class as it is.”’—A. N. A., Tru- mansburg. ‘*T would be willing to pay one dollar for it if you make it a 32-page magazine.’’—F. B., Rochester. ‘IT for one say by all means have it a 32-page mag— azine’’’—J. W. R., Sag Harbor. “I think it will be a good thing, as it looks small now.’’—H. H. Y,, Rochester. ‘*] think that the enlargement of the Y. O. would be of great benefit to collectors, and I for one vote for the enlargement.’’—L. G. S., Schuyler’s Lake. ** Would willingly subscribe another year for it at that price. Will you not put in some articlesf on tax- idermy? I think others beside myself would like it.”’— F. B. W., Rochester. ‘*T think it would be a great improvement.’’—E. G., Troy. ‘*] most heartily endorse your plan for enlarging the Y. O., and in fact it seems most necessay to ac- : y commodate the extensive and numerous contributions sent.’’—J R.C., Painted Post. ‘“T would say that I would be very much pleased to have the magazine enlarged.’*—H. S. B., Rochester. ‘* Enlarge the Y. O. by all means; it will be more than worth $1.00 to every collector.”—G. D. G., Brooklyn. ‘‘T am very much pleased with your paper and would not take the price I paid for it after I have read it all through. I would gladly pay 4c cents extra and have it enlarged.”’—C. V. A., Chatham Centre. NORTH CAROLINA. ‘*T am in favor of changing the Y. O.”—J. H. F., Tarboro. OHIO. ‘‘ Make the Y. O. #32-page peper by all means, if possible. I am ready to plank down 40 cents extra, and I am sure all the rest of your subscribers will do the same.’’—W. D., Cleveland. ‘‘T heartily approve of having that magazine en- larged.’’—R. G. T., Brooklyn. ‘“T am highly in favor of it."” —E. W. V., Canton. ‘“ It would please me very much to have 1t larger.”’ —J.S., Cleveland. ‘I am greatly in favor of enlarging the Y. O.’’—F. C. W., Hudson. ‘Let the Y, O. be enlarged, I for one am willing to pay the extra tax.” —G. L. S., Martin’s Ferry. ‘“Tam heartily in favor of making this valuable paper contain 32 pape’ and will try and do my part to support it.”’— J. C. W., Granville. THE YOUNG OOLOGIST. ** We would like very much to have you change the size of the Y. O.’’—D. B. W., Perry. ‘*T am in favor of it and will be glad to pay the dif- ference.’’—B. B. T., Dayton. PENNSYLVANIA. ‘* Enlarge the Y. O. by all means. The difference in price will be naught compared to to the information we know we will receive in the additional pages.’’— G. H. H., Reading, Pa. ‘* Keep the Y. O. the size it is. The price will be an objection. There are so many more will take it at what it now is. i in i folks one month.’’—]. S. K., Fremont. “*T hope the Y. O. will be enlarged—and will be willing to pay $1.00 per year.”’—T. D. A., Meadville. ‘**T would very much like to have the Y. O. enlarg- | ed to thirty-two pages. I find the paper quite invaluable to me.’’—J. mantown. It would be fully worth $1.0 . P., Ger- ‘*T am very much in favor of enlarging the Y. O. to | ae : a 32-page magazine. | think it is the best paper on eggs that could be found.’’—C. T. L., Philadelphia. W.C., Wallingford. “Your little Y. O. is better with every number, | send you on postal card my desire to see it increased | to 32 or 64 pages, the expense to subscribers should be no consideration ; it is an energetic, interesting little treasure, and I predict for the Y. O. that inside of five years it will find its proper place among our larger and older literary and art magazines.’’—H. G. P., Chester. ““T think it would be invaluable both for instruction and information, therefore I say 32 pages.’’-—R. L, M., Germantown. ‘**T agree.”’—B. R., Shoemakertown. _ ** 1 am pleased to hear that you think of enlarging the Y. O.’’—C. K., Athens. ““ I was very sorry to hear in the February number that you might change it to $1.00. to I can not take it’ I would be very sorry if you change ; if you do not I will take it. next number.’’—T. R., Philadelphia. ‘“*T am in favor of enlarging your paper, and hope that the answer in the March number will be favor- able.”’—F. Z. G , McKeesport. **T think the plan an excellent one and worthy the support and approbation of every collector in the coun- try.’’—G. P. E., Mercer. ““ Am favorable to the enlargement or that daisy— | the Y. O.”"—R. H. I., Reading. “Hope you will get enough support to enable you | ica : } ' scription one dollar instead of sixty cents as formerly.”’ to enlarge it.’”’—H. K. J., Manayunk. RHODE ISLAND. ‘“You_ have my vote [to enlarge]; I hope many others will think the same as I.’,—H. H. R.; Westerly. ““T think it would be a good plan.’’—J. M. S., Newport. “ Have the Y. O, a thirty-two page monthly by all means. year and longer.”’—H.S. H., Providence. SOUTH CAROLINA, “T will pay the difference, 40 cents and be glad if | you enlarge. .J.D., Anderson. TENNESSEE. “IT vote to enlarge the Y. O.’’—W. H., Shelbyville. | very good one. There is plenty in it to do young | If yo e going | - canal : : i Sls ae ae Sy intend to renew my subscription at any price.’’—F. I will see in the | I will willingly pay my $1.00 for another | 167 VERMONT. ‘*It would please me very much to see the Y. O. a thirty-two page magazine. I wish it all success, and will try to find time to contribute to it’s columns,’’— ©; Oct Cartsyille: ‘*T think your proposition to enlarge the Y. O. a Am willing and glad to pay one dol- lar a year for enlarged copy.’’—C. H., Bennington. “T take the Y. O. and like it very much. [ think perhaps it would be well to enlarge it to thirty-two pages.’’—J. W. L., Brandon. VIRGINIA. ‘* Your proposition to enlarge the Y. O, is an excel- lent one, and I willbe glad to see it out in it’s new form, Why notillustrate it ?”’—J. B. U., Fork Union. ‘For one I am glad to advance my subscription | go cents and enlarge the VY. O. Let us have a thirty- two page magazine on May the first.””"—L. B. F., Richmond. ‘‘ Tam in favor of the Y. O. being enlarged, and will try and get some subscribers.’’—W. D. R., Fredricks- | burg. **Put my name down by all means as one greatly in | favor of of it and willing to pay the extra amount.”— | “IT think I will take the Y. O. this year whether you double the number of pages or not. Iam a con- | Stant reader of it.”,—H. D. W., Richmond. WISCONSIN. ““It is my opinion that it would please every sub- scriber to have it enlarged to 64 pages or still larger or a good plan would be to let it be just as it isand make itsemi-monthly. I will do all Icanto support it.’’— W, F., La Crosse. ‘*T am in favor of having Vol. 2 of the Y. O.a thirty-two page magazine.’’—M. C., Eau Claire. ‘Tam in favor of making it 32 pages.’”-—H. B. W.., Clinton. ‘** Hope you will enlarge your paper as contemplat- ed, I think it ts well worth a dollar as it is, and M. S., Milwaukee. ‘** I think one dollar cheap for such a paper and am willing to pay it. Will renew my subscription when you decide.’’—C, H. D., Sharon. ‘*T for one am willing to pay extra if the Y. O. is enlarged to a 32-page paper ; as it now it, it is invalu— able to the collector.’’—E. B. C., Rubicon. CANADA. ‘““T for one will be most happy to make my sub- H., Galt. ‘“*T would very much like to see the Y. O. enlarged - aS itis a capital paper for amatears, and even older | collectors find many records of interesting observa- tions in it.”,.—W. D.S., Montreal. KIND WORDS For The Young Oologist, Hand-Book, &c. ‘*The data blanks you sent me are first-rate, the | best I ever saw ; the paper is good and does not blot | through as was the case of those I formerly received of The caliper, after experience and practice is al| | right for small eggs—cannot expect anything more perfect for the price.’’—E. R., Nazareth, Pa. We have received from the publisher a copy of the Ootocrst’s Hanp-Boox. This is one of the most 168 THE YOUNG OOLOGIST. convenient and useful condensed reference books for the ornithologist or oologist we have yet seen, giving the numbers from Ridgeway’s, Baird’s and Coues’ check-lists. One chapter which will be found very useful to the collector of eggs is that giving the num- | ber of eggs in aclutch of the North American birds. Also ‘tHow to blow and prepare Bira's Eggs,’’ and “To Pack Eggs for Transportation.” least no collector should be without a copy, and we guarantee that you cannot invest twenty-five cents more profitably.— 77dings from Nature. ‘‘Specimens came to hand in good condition and like all the other goods I ever purchased of you, gave more than satisfaction.’’- H, K. T., Alameda. ‘© From the two insertions of my exchange notice I, received some 200 answers, and run out of duplicates long before I had received all.’”’—A. L. S., Claremont, New Hampshire. ‘* Please accept my thanks for the copy of the OoL- ocists’ Hanp-Boox I received this morntng. I think that it is just the thing that every one interested in collecting eggs should have. I think that 25 cents is very cheap fora book like that.”,—W. M., La Crosse, Wisconsin. ‘‘ I received the egg drill and egg in good condition. I feel more pleased each time I send for anything from you, because you fill orders quickly and satis- factorily. I got the worth of that thirty-five cents and more too, for you sent mea twenty-cent egg for fifteen cents. The collecting season is approaching and I expect to send for more instruments.’’—H. D. W., Richmond, Va. ‘Please discontinne my exchange notice in your paper. stantly receiving more. I am also running short of eggs.’ —T. L., Oakland, Cal. I have received about 60 letters and am con- ‘*Eggs to hand safely. —W.L.S., Ottawa, Canada. Perfectly satisfactory.”’ ‘Yours of 22nd, together with egg, came duly to hand, allin A lorder. Allow me to thank you for your attention to my wants and when I want anything in your line you will have my orders.’’,—J. A. M., Wallingford, Conn. ‘‘T am well pleased with the way you have tran- | sactcd business with me, and J can promise that any- thing I desire in your line I will get from you.’’—H. K, J., Manayunk, Pa. ‘Your package received per express; all correct, no breakage ; you will hear from me again soon,’’—H. I. C., Wallingford, Conn. ‘“* Catalogue received. My verdict is that it a daisy —way ahead of anything in that line I have ever seen,’’—T. H. W., Wheaton, Ill. ‘* T have received your new Hand-Book and Cata- logue, and ama much pleased with its style and con- venience for use; I congratulate you on the success of your little paper.—E. C. P., Springfield, Mass. To say the | **Many thanks for the ‘‘Hand-Book’’ which I think is almost invaluable.’’—W. C. P., Columbus, O. ‘‘l received the egg which you sent me and was much pleased with the way it was packed. If I had thrown it as far as I could there would have been no chance for it to break.’”’—W. A. G., Westfield, Mass. ‘**Received Hand-Book, and am very much pleased with it.”’—A. G., Lawrence, Kansas ‘Your little monthly and your Hand-Book have become indispensable to my household, and are a fitting monument to your industry, enterprise, and go-aheadativeness.’’—H. G. P., Chester, Pa. “I receiced your catalogue, how to pack birds’ eggs, etc., and am very much obliged to you for send- ing it. It is the best of the kind in the United States.”-—E. G. H., Lynn, Mass. ‘Thanks for the copy of your Hand-Book I re- ceived from you. It iscomplete, and ina very con- venient size.’,-—A. L. S., Claremont, N. H. ‘*T like your catalogue better than any I have ever seen.’’—R. S. G., Purvis, Miss. “I received your Hand Book, and find it is what every collector of birds’ eggs need, and one who is trying to be a good collector should never be without it.”’—H. M., Melville, N. J. “To THE Epitor of THE YounG Ootocist: Dear Sir : I suppose a few words of praise is in order. In regard to THE YounG Oo.oGist—a work which I find one of the most complete and valuable ever pub- jished in pamphlet form for young oologist. I am a subscriber to five other works on ornithology and oology, but prefer this to all the others, and certainly in price it is superior to all other works, and a work that all collectors, either large or small, should sub- scribe for. I anxiously await each edition, and when it does not reach me by the fith of the month I feel very much disappointed. It is a work that I prize very highly, and as long as there is an edition you will find me a life long subs-riber. I very much regret that the first three editions were not printed on as good a quality of paper as they now are, and no doubt a great many of the subscribers wish the same for binding purposes. _I sincerely wish it and its editor success. Yours respectively, M. F. K:, Wal- lingfard, Conn. i eee Read our special offers for new sub- scribers on the following page, and reach for the first prize yourself. You do not know how easy it is to interest your friends in this subject until you give it a trial. ee RENEW AT ONCE! Vol. IT will contain nearly 400 pages, and will be sent you post- paid for only 75 cents, providing you re- new or subscribe before April 20th. THE YOUNG OOLOGIST. MARCH COMPETITION. During 1885 we have decided to give a_ prize each month, in addition to theregular commission allowed, to the ten sub- scribers sending us the largest number of new subscribers for the YOUNG OoLoGIsT. For the March competition, we will give first prize, $5.00 in Gold. Second prize: One copy of Langille’s, ‘‘Our Birds in their Haunts,” worth $3.00 Third: $2.00 worth of anything we advertise. Fourth: $1.00 worth of anything we advertise. Fifth and Sixth each, ‘“* Davie’s Egg Check List. _ one copy of Seventh to Tenth each, one copy of ‘‘The | Oologists’ Hand-Book, bound in cloth.” Subscriptions must be mailed from your office during the month of March, not later than March 31st. Subscriptions mailed on the 3ist will count. Premiums will be forwarded to the lucky winners on the 10th of April, and their names pub- lished in the May Youne Oovoeisr. Should two or more parties send the same number of subscribers, the highest prize will be awarded to the party whose list was sent earliest in the month. Dont delay, but commence work at once. Address, THE YOUNG OOLOGIST. Gaines, Orleans Co., N. Y. Bae Our Premium List in a Nut Shell. For every ew subscriber, one of our ~ OOLOGICAL INSTRUMENTS, ae, PRICES FOR 1885. EGG DRILLS: No. 1, short handle, 8-100, good for all fresh eggs. $0 10 No. 2, 12-100, . “* ; 12 No.3) -*: ‘** 18-100, ‘ “ f 15 Nora: ** “121-100, “Rr” ; 20 No. 0, medium handle, 3. 32 in. burr ee aetae th cthtt 20 No. 1, 4.32 25 | No:, 2: me Ce aS BOG ah Syd sreiga wisie,e 35 Pe tee re let Ae ree 50 Ne: de. cx % BBR Maden ssasese 16 No. 1, long handle, 3.32 in, burreseeeeeeeeeeee es 25 No. 2, Bh Te ime de tae J 35 No. 3, “ re er cia eae. 50 No. 4, 5 Ce el SO ee ee 75 No. 5, x 1D OP ta Wee dctetare nls catde whre' 100 No. 6, - 16.82 ‘ coosscesces- +s 150 No. 7, ~ of improved aes 1-2 inch in diameter, cut coarse for thick-shelled eggs, ore for thinzshelled i750. .me sss eases 150 BIO WAREPE:S = INO. 16: braSSnrcn esis ainainic/o\ oie ele nin 15 33 a3 No 8, nickel-plated........... 35 EMBRYO HOOKS: No. 1, long handles, blued steel ; three sizes, fine, medium and large, price SSO ony 4 Ts Ray ee Be ee 30 No. 3, best made, screws into a finely engraved nickled handle. Handles, each.......... 25 HipoksS (CHECE SIZES > GACH» «cts viz binieis olan os wie ie aisa'e! = 20 PiciaGle Amd LOO Kine< alesse ol- ccs wera oarsard wis we Sia ee 2 40 Handle, with three hooks (assorted sizes)....... 75 EMBRYO SCISSORS: No. 1, cheap.......... 25 a be WNoz;2> extra... .seesra's 50 CALIPER RULES: For taking the m@sure- ments of birds, ergs: ete. v.00 sss. cccece. 35 resent subscribers may send us, we will | Pp give twenty-five cents worth of anything we advertise, or offer for salein THE YOUNG OoLoaistT, our Catalogue, or any circular we may send out. will obtain for us as many new subscribers as possible. We consider our premium list one of the largest and most varied ever sent out by any publisher in America. Parties desiring to obtain a costly premium ean send in their names, as fast as obtained, and we will give them a check good for 25 cents, in trade, when the required num- ber of checks are obtained they may be | sent to us and we will send the premium | desired. Parties prefering cash in place | We trust our friends | of the above will be allowed 15 cents on | each subscription. CALIPER RULES: Ivory, trimmed in nickle, 1 00 3 in. steel rules, marked hundreds ......-....... 50 oe cs Ps Eset Db acts scnsratelsieate'a 75 LEAD PENCILS: Soft, for marking eggs ..... 10 DATA BLANKS: Best out, printed on white or tinted paper, red or black ink, see samples, PICEMIOZEIN a oa oats are Semen tlabeiciels r/c icnrele is 3 to 10 era AGRON Vevejciafeis « n:cen sth antse eal tytals sa08la! sa 15 to 45 GTP OUSATG vate 5 « 2.aiveiSo <1 ear sutte! do arte n) oe 100 to 3 50 TASIDERMISTS EW EEZERS! «ccf. BE Ii Shi Gore aRGINIE Aic TI5 Goldfinch,’ American. ..2 0.25.2... ccc ce wens need ee 105 Goldfinch, Arkansas........- B cians el esayavstctemetstctste att 87 Goldfinch, Lawrence’s..-. 52 i202) 2 cue ese cesnes 87 Grakle, Bronzed....--.-2s.seeces eee eeee ee nes 28, 97 Great Auk, Value of Eggs........-.--..s0000... 28 Great Blue Heron... 2.2... ..e cence eens Pah nas Great-crested’ Flycatcher: ..- 5... 6... cence sees 7s SUT! GoPEUTLEES bes oi care ect h say tassels iseairels eiaphams vaste ras 53 Grosbeak, Catiinals, ). s/s: 2 shee meen meee 57, 122 Grosbeak! Tvening. «iiss .s Ge csssiccen pace ces 8 Grosbeak, Blue... 05063 cise s cme nine, 44, I00, 107, 123 Grosbeak Pinte 3: \ic' se on a pipewen nae binant 119 Grosbeak, Rose-breasted.........0...0...0005. TOMES Grotnd MOVER ste erates Gis angen pkeinrers ore TOs GOvuOr Gull, Bonaparte’s Rosy --- +... -'.,)0 0. ees merees se 148 Gail Galitorana cal cee on eel ae eerie p a ceisler 73 Gali ieate nime a) ecient orem eee ret alate aes 84 Gun, How to Handle..... 0.0.2... cece eee ene 130 Hamilton (Go. Olio’ -Arrivalssis:icr sate epaiere chapwessnyrierele ae 87, 88, 103, 116 Least) Ply cateher.\J)/5)5-t/eretelseise=ie els take Pete eee 37 Least, “Dits. San cerket el Saab ee eels iec ett enn 100 Lettuce Birdiy-\:/.\: ste co cusye aces CSE tae 100 GF bits ENA OMS AABE GOMOD AB MAGS niecc, aot: 76 Little Bird and the Worm.......... ia(ajeh ele eee 120 TeagGOCK:, os. bias = » @amyegey siclsinis y=, elelulebateteis telat 72 TQ OM so) sho: chee cl ays arese. ms ollol panies lete ep level ti Siena le ene ee 25 Mite pies. cere cys = +ls/ele eirclsie/e iv) ) neonates Otte amet 77 Mark: Packacess oy. scieyeleveueteyesrievee ate ieisied et ein marae 25 Maryland Yellow-throat............ 3), biel tie eeetees 156 Mending Eggs... 65 elapse eine pe + pee 72 Mexican (Canary. -/2) seiaieys)abeebiers oleic tetatenere 147, 150 Michigan, Notes... 05 2/2/05 0s195 ¥\0/esin sale ostaiioies 148, 149 Mineral Tablesisccic jopssy-yejsite sine oiusisiatelereiaete Pita Mba or Dinornis, Salevof Biep. j. 0 yoy. -iita ene 132 Moa, Value of Eggs, etc......--+seeeeeee 28, 126, 138 Mockimebirdts <4 j-=-/-1-:5 5 +seeisia' yin arene tetelaiein 75, ni2a Montreal, bist of Bitds.i\s5a0-es4 590 0a enna 27 Mourning Dove......--eeeeesee eee eee e eee eeees 28 Nashville Warbler... ceca ss een: os cee enone 26 Naturalists’ Manually’. 6.4 sae sic thistos Mee hottie bite TI4 Nebraska... esse cere eee e ee eine eicinnmieiieiwcininie ele mia 28 red ER Cruelty.swsciincch eed om iach oe eee 120 Nest. Ege; Wooden .)..0.0.0.6 4) <0s.0:: 5 «sis elem eae 71 Nests of Many Stories. :\%. 22+. sercenes 30, 53, 54, 107 Nesting of the Winter, Wren........:s.0.--5s56- 133 Nicht Hawk. .-)-)-0-+ > cope eerereere 28, 69, 75, 148 Night Hawk Asleep......s.s0.-2.-ecereeeeecees 41 Nj KuSystem of Arrangement...) 0.0- ss saseeee 12 Nomenclature of N A. Birds...........-....52. 7 Nanparielsc in ey. scck sees igean tenes 21, 147, 150 Nuthatch, White-bellied................. 30, 142, 156 Old “Put,” and the Bird’s Nest.)..39-c-aeeee QI, 101% Odlogical Surprise... ..05> - pope es bree eee REE 87 Organize Knights of Audubon.................. 163 Oriole’ Baltimore: . sche. apes ce wr ener sibie lata 055 Oriole) Orchard. « ice'-% oibys cre tre iay- jon eke oho elie anes 38, 119 ‘ met gy aE eg tl a eA AT mst eA ARNT N NT NRT ye Tier YOUNG (OOLOGIST: Page. Prades, Tittelliscnce of. 1.2... ca ptilse. odes 26, 155 Ornithology of the Island of Montreal.......... 27 IMC RES Sih va kis ars bike's « winknildcwtnes o cig) 99, 154 Otsego Co., N. Y., Notes from............s0000- 38 Ottawa F. N.C., Transactions of....... ove ere fe II5 i; Our Birds in Their Haunts.................-- 88, 117 We Mite eS nce ad woes Chace Ocebs. aeovet 92 DPW DIE TT OWENS 5 too .\-c avs we poche hoe) «toed. 75 Owl, Barn, in Southern California............ 125, 147 way California, Moattled.......00500000..0. 00081: 23 Owit\ Great Horned..:. 255.6... 65080....! Samte5 52 PUI MB SMES NAVE bey irciscce ss ' cae Epcaees «ethos 38 Owais Mombkey-facedn cies eleteevece cs eckee 74 DUMP EEMEIGM cud ac sued dadcsseiatlas izes lan 40, 72 DIV PDCEIEOM, yess e522 saiss m ombheiele ein es =: «tee, 51, 137 UL, SSeS TEP PEEP Eee Ree ee ee od Xo. i EN OSES, 6 a 7 }} Packing Eggs for Transportation................ 19 Pacific Coast, List of Land Birds................ 158 er alnWed, Biting. © esos. coe nse 21, 23, 147, 150 yi: BGS ge Sy Sr ee ae Bd 160 OS DT p So RS Me 7, 72 Peacock with Queer Tastes..................... 141 NEMA wre tacn ee Vics.tse eee. See et we 115 PCWenmGVOVEREE Scere cc aeteet yt. ue EY, 73 Peart, Eb Notes from... 6....... 0202.60.05 0.. 43 Petrel, fesen’ SOS SH RAIA RAD SRA eA sees Se Ape lia 84 SSUES OE ee eae 22,70, 72 SU SA rel gk Se Sa ge 22 mr ewe, Dotted Eges of; .:. 25.6 ecb sc ec cee cccc ce. 23 EW WIVGGHISTA wc ret cakes sldi eis eho. tek 2 22 Merehemmtie Shtsxruland.://25:.0)27:582. 1.0057.) 87 SUPOMMUIAA@E eee stes cto. geeanee At, VN ee 21 edie Willy Mute: i25603.0 2:0 147 BOMMODEO cere eiacysabaitss) Peele 161 SmeMIMCAMSANIES 34 22120 S02 33652 Uaioe coe, gfy. 8 25 Prehensile Power of the Heet offthe Crows... - 5. 137 erepating ‘Skeletons... 0.0002. 0.0.0 00.0.0 0.06. BICPUNV MIRGISS S005 te 02234 utee lee 89 1 1 BS SA OES Ee enn ene ee 88 i Pua) California. .14/56 020. 25022892220 0 Oo 75 )} Quail, Gambel’s....... Amos Mama Se Lee c8 2 Heart | Briain Citecyrs se scisss ese sceseeces YAU ee.) ut 150 are Mensa sis cist hd ae MONLY, on 123 /QUERIES ANSWERED: 1 Alligator, Begs... ..... <2 Cte eee 30 Eeeebey ut Arist gaa kw. . aa out ha sia: 59 Blaeshed. Crewe. os. 55. easels. 9,29, 30 ar eribeR Wiektaly..! .... JE LL 58 Blackbird, Red-and-black shouldered...... 30 Blackbird, Red-and-buff- ‘* 30, 58, 104, 116 Blackbird, Red-winged................... 58 BEE. SWARMED so. Ka hoda eee! oe 58 Blowpipess Voc Glean: 99 fA 2 30 Bluebird, White Eggs................. 105, 141 PRE DAM iamgsre anal: . ile CRON 2 245 29 ee CEE E ROBY CORE ty Cae Re 43 ORGNGEBIMOs 2248s. sls. 1 ykB TY a2, 30, 14] Buzzards: Turkey... +365 fss0 i132... 153 Rem CRS. , dts ese, 43, 104 se ok eS Sie Ss CAAA): ABE OT aaa 29 Page. Canary: Wild, .:326557 cases tages ite. 58, 86, 153 Chewrolerss sit saz ssesieers23i 2 Bs dare oss 105 Ghimmey: Sweep: s:2:3 siete se iiev ee. 29 Gltantey' Swifts. sg sites. s seal 29 BMPS sie is essdece sills Bat 59 TA ot ately a Ba 2 Rae eh ed 85 Climbing Troms. 4:22: i%421223.20F. 0.02700, 153 ippiige is. o.22022245 bein ees cee 153 Goncibwrors «125.10 Wedel 43 Gaot, American : 2.24 0d000 Meee’. 2522 86 Gomes! Wey, 125.15. cathe seed se ees. U! 141, 153 WOWRMA Lk wes vee tee taeeehe 42, 58, 85, 104 Cowbivds Bronzedis.23. 0202150020525. 43 Gownwd, Dwarkss232d00piec9dee is. 42 Graneiiaisccss! BEDS 3G ESE OR Ret Ae wiser 86 Crame; Blaets. 12:5: is2sahm eens 86 CADW Ree ewinh ves ba ace nes Awl, 9, 105 Gtow yr Fishy 442 4292083244 Ne ehee fe 87 CUR oi eee ied | baer: 58 Cuckoo, Yellow-billed.................... 85 WPevosbiamies 353.0 cee ke eee oe 104 DIALER Belen s/s: ote ie alates rod dre eat tet ts Dove, Carolina..... EP Sheri Lary eee eek ae 116 Dome, Grocnd 24042 icssssas seas tenn hel ye 30 Dove, Mourning: ..4022235.0652.2; --30, 59, 116 Dovey Turtles.04 55.293. ea ee 30. 116 Barbe Malt yids IAIAg oboe oso ae geeee 29 Egg. from an Ovary... isp descaeben.. 153 Eggs; How Markedit..ct 5 Sov. ekg 30 Beeson Cards .r.aareee nei, ohkc.24 hoe 30 Eggs, Taking from Nest.................. 30 Eggs; to.Returm Colors, 4+ 5200/0... 10%. 42 Bess, Do Keep. rate alee! ee ee 43 Eggs, Variation in Color.................. 104 Bees, We Can Furnish... 3.) 222. 005 116 Ernbiyo Gookss..0u.5 2: ieee, i) 43 PRM OMaLA Nie). Onn rind gece Rhee 29 BUMO MS GRAB: WALA. ALLe need Che 86 Bach TEDISS 55 4 An ae $y, Une 141 Finch, Crimson House.................... 141 Higetin Parples. 102 09 ene ee ed 105 Js te: CASO a eS eA 0 104 Meine, Bers... k nin a eee se 30 Flicker, Yellow-shafted......... 29, 30, 116, 141 Flycatcher, Blue-gray...00.oc0cc00.-.... 105 Flycatcher, Great-cresged...!........ ..59, 85 Flycatcher, Yellow-bellied................ 87 Flycatcher, Western Yellow-bellied........ 87 BA SAM 4 nce eee os Oe eM 105 rallimule,: Mloridars.: 551.1416 eel le): 59 Gnat-catcher, Blue-gray.................. 42 Goldfinch, American........... 58, 86, 141, 153 Goldfinch, Lawrence’s........:........... 86 Grakle, Boat-taileds. 4... 902.2... 30,85, 86 Grakie; (Bromzed’..i i. kent... 2... 9, 30 Graide: Purple 45 «24 S20 abc5e0.'02: 9, 29, 30, 104 Grosbeak, Blue. iviyidsioiss 58 fo) 85 Grosbeak, Candwnalss4:52222:2.000 8 58, 104 Grosbeak, Rose-bre sted.................. 30 ule Ey eee yee ne 29 Ratitlemint® Boasts: 2) Foy OP a Cotsaal 104 CU A GAMIGMENaS 2G TG ae 116 THE YOUNG Page Gonil, | Pierentio snc. aa anne teManteenen 116 Gull, Western, 6) )n0.\00 sanaliaee amen eevee 116 Mane-bird: ..52-2\<5-) 0p R sehr hone eerie 59 Hawkins oniiee esos ee ane oases 9, 30, 105, 153 Hawise ‘Chicken <) |... .5.\sm-n seen eae 29 Hawk, (Cooper Sirciseriwaeere esc tnn 29,105, 153 © Plawke lems ejects «siciescieles'<\-ialeip nine) oloustee totter 30 | Hawise Marsh er aeiicisisietelsremisierisiaseiinet 86, 105 Hawk, Red-shouldered................... 30 | Hawk, Red-taned’s.....6.-8eenenese einer 105 Meron BM eoGaceesch= cstesliantcinp eel ena 153 | Heron. Green. :. 5... ck aawate cae thera 85 Heron*Great | Bluevs \-n.ceretie ee tetaieiee 59, 86 Heron, (Night, .'.':%). 5.5 s,qakpastetade bs beh Sale 104 High holdetie. ia-% cu a.5 Jomle esis Sonus s ale ste 30 PLAvelinc sac sacs cis eicle ce icra rerctatatorese 116, 141 | TdentificatiGh screw. sce selesiee ne isa make 29, 42, Indigo Bunting... ... 10 -s nels. ssn se ene nn 104 | Ingersoll’s Birds’ Nesting............+-0++ 9 Insects: wanton Ss.jsce sc tiiatin cineitlse eit iat 153 Jackdaw <: <)c. ss.ed nemgan eaeeae fant hanes 85 JES EIS. asa o6 AddapdagesedosAsanaa6dns 29, 104 Sordant’s’ Manmall’,,.0 oon eeeienhinacinh Git 153 Kinebirds.. .Gcless ep ciecie peice eee kee 29 | Kingbird, Custard. .,. 5 )i pseieee eee 141 Sparrows Chippinp-.cn.e ee sae eeee 29,59, 85 Sparrow, English.) eo cen pees Peete 42, 58 Sparrow, “Pieldic ic cac. atuee ar ea ee 85 Sparrow, Scarlet? jesse oh See eee 87 Sparrow, Swamp.) 59. sce oes eee 58 Standard Work: sien cee UO Be 153 Stoné Chat . 2024 Saree ae ee 29 Swallow, Bank: ico. .+;.c0k see 29, 58, 105 Swallow, Barn....... 7a. te cage ee 25a eee 59 Swallow, Bridge... 950... \/. fe\. otieereee 29 Swallow, Chimneys:.2.:.... Ss -seee eee 29 Swallow, Cliff, 0. snes se eee eee 9,21, 59 Swallow, Bave.ii).desiisne ech einen eet 9 Swallow, White-bellied... .............0 104 Tanager, Scarlet 149 Rail, Clapper. .....-.--se25 ceee eee eeeeeee cranes 11 Rail, Sora....-..see ee ceee cr eeeeeeeeeeecees eID, 28 Rail, Virginia. ........--. ++ cesses cece rece eeeeee Il Reara Avis. 0.2 ccc cc cecc vec cas ace cece ngeeacescs 74 TR AOEHS ewes ins oc ie 've wacsne vaeecnecsweve ane sim ae 153 Ravi iil. Se Bees be pees Bepbae COCOOU CURSED oe 23, 117 Redbird, Summer........---+e2eeeeee ee cece eens 117 Redstart, American.........--+seee eee eeees 119, 157 Restoring an Egg’s Transparency.........+++--- 36 Rhode Island Notes.......--.eesceeseeececees 5, 150 Riel IEE, sbn ly fae es ca asc ese ve souse seine. 76, 147 ERGs Epc ereretttetetefe itis sintah a -tnlcleia''s @ierd iets 0, cre1ein,5)ersr0/ 72, 83, 102 MERE ONCE owed tela a's cnln ae ene kcene reece cae aaies 24 Robin, Eggs Spotted........:...eseeeeee Eats 04 4e0 047 Robin, Nests “‘ Siamese”’......... see eceeeeees 119 Robin, White Eggs.....- ale Oooot canieonchncencde 103 Rete GCOS ec oiciaiclels sicis\e=\ale he's elsieicinle olsie\ivere'e 7, 24 eI MES ota iach is 6 << alates sla gine einlein'a ns oe 'aaien 35, 114 aaa CIC Tee eee iele @ ainsi v 6/401 Min'P's'i\a) visio « eisinaae s+ 0 76 SHIR iro cas ooccubecsa FyMOOCRBOOCOGe 7, 30, 116, 123 ernle (MHA Seas eve oo) ole) cralels = = vais wos o10'6.$.0'« 6 BoM NAGS sine aigia spit aon a Acie esse ens 139 Stasi INGE Co dae cod0eb de Bee ennY COE OeC DeaCOR car 6 OURS | SUE cae AE ee ee ee er Bey E37 Screech Owls in Poultry House............. «.- 137 Sea Birds of Maine, A Day Among Them....... 84 SR PNURNNE EXEED Hart oo) « Weel opin ays\cla sia’ 106 ws. ¥ dle vn) «0 74 Ce ESOT So hide CS I er ee ees 70, 147 RA UICES aie Hee aise edioreneicss Sele ie minratariats a-elaves 8, 22, 149 MAS GG POL NC AG cy felt e's adnc se apn wie ais ec d cie'cenicl 22 RR ee eH MIGEE OEM 26 PUMA lie ial acs tins lola snes Siti o's a g'apla'e, w.c'd's: o:e:aas ks 39 Smallest Winter Priend. 66.0 see ced ove ceaw ee 131 BA Rae tales diuis se’ wale siecle. adm lbs sresehare 54, 113 Snare, Novel Bird..... Batis Sein eterahanaie Sihsia: cue alates 118 RIMCSOTIEEI DEVIL Me sicie c.s'sic « os ving snSiyieeis «dine co'e c 140 Sparrow, Chipping, Eggs... j.cecsasesess 70,107, 148 SHORING. LISIER SS Gils REGROUCS CACOOC Aage HEC ArE 22 SARTO DEEMBIOW Shere = os ncin tn clacawwedvelees eao7 be EM OME a cia. g'aa 2 ih nia dle Sisinaidw, iia x} 9 64% 37 SPST EOWS,) ES NISE «303 2)5<. caine .c)01s esr oie ete chee ciateisio ate retale aio» 44 AMEN OLS MEIL CET c)< s'clove occ cr awretalwreernu as aelarelres 44 MOmtiGoserccie'ss Dj s\aidiwie areolar etete ra etente are eretehel ha fart 44 P ME OWNEE, SDUPTCO sos sa seen ease wie asa ASC OOET 100- | Trees Injured by Sapsuckers.............--. 116, 123 Wit WER Z ANG <0 sisal yw niente safes creases « 75 MurkeyeBuzzarG SSS Of steele lelsin's aniciaegiarcte 37 Nar eNE Fes OV e e (eiavcieteveie cya aioe caee claves ae ee tam ths 103 TRV p itd Kod BXCK Coeur Off oe Re Cis OSE Ae eer eA 54 PInMEt embetter sted cas oe sie ayeiria tate meiaieinictaine we oaks 71 Unfinished Nests, Hummingbirds Laying in..... UES Se Sy RN RE go a 144, 148, 150 Unspotted Eggs of Chipping Sparrow........... 108 WS Zeb Vel 25 AA AC OL CRG SOR OC OCODE A at SOA Ge One Peer ers 165 WO ERE LLU Siete) 1ota re nicl cis ertere icin ote ro teleewia Shane: oce re aoe 54, 123 Wareo IREG-EV OC's aipctc oe eicle sjacie'clsisieisia side arwe 54, 70. 140 VATE 5s NW set LUNN Dol ote ai a7e| chat atel<\eloletaratnye/elere:eintntel are ein c= 713 Warbler, Black-throated Green......-........--. re Wan bler sa OGGed i Jcis.c ena: re lat Seine aac oto crers a 26 Warblers Miagtioliats Scand 119, 147 WAOCCOG eter ratiee oie sia eneiy sie cla) sista nielalese Gin « erdc bier lll Woods Beweeircrters «science slainsis) siete cpisicisieta.cihse6s cic at (DO Wood peckersMOwn warticctsisideltesice seca clea cree 112 Woodpecker, Golden- winged .............2.--22, 26 Woodpecker. Pileated:.% .o25-.ccce + sedesedecacas 72 WE GGG OE SE OE IR CON ie cis's e—____ Our Premium List in a Nut Shell. For every new subscriber, one of our present subscribers may send us, we will give twenty-five cents worth of anythin g we advertise, or offer for sale in THz Youne | OoLoaist, our Catalogue, or any circular | we may send out. We trust our friends will obtain for us as many new subscribers as possible. We consider our premium list one of the largest and most varied ever sent out by any publisher in America. Parties desiring to obtain a costly premium can send in their names, as fast as obtained, and we will give them a check good for 25 cents, in trade, when the required num- ber of checks are obtained they may be sent to us and we will send the premium desired. Parties prefering cash in place of the above will be allowed 15 cents on each subscription. THE YOUNG’ :-OQGLOGIST, IN ORDER: TOGREDUCE. LHe LARGEST STOCK of BIRDS’ EGGS in AMERIC before our removal to Albion, we have concluded to offer our patrons Kirst CLASS SPECIMENS at the followin LOW PRICES until APRIL 25th, 1885. After that date all orders will be filled at regular rates only. Sadzs Saction guaranteed or money refunded, All orders will be filled promptly, and forwarded by return mail or express, AT MY RISK, POSTAGE OR EX PRESS CHARGES PREPAID. Remit at once by draft on N. Y,, money order or postal note on Gaines, N. Y. , registered letter, or stamps Boys you have less than 30 days to order of ‘ Lattin’ at GAINES. He has’ given you low prices. Senc him at least one small order during that time. Give our little postoffice such a boom that it will eriiele bot our postmaster and “‘ Lattin.’”? You run xo x7s%, as he guarantees satisfaction. OUR SPECIAL RATES, GOOD UNTIL APRIL 25TH. Collectors sending $ .50 can select from the following list eggs to the amount of $ .65. 1.00 re 1.40. ee oe 2.00 ae ae ae ras 3.00. : ia is 5.00 4a a3 46 ae 8.00. oe ae 10.00 ve 6 oe ae 17.00. i 25.00 a ry A " 45.00. oe oe 50.00 ay 4. oe A 00.00. ’ Dealers will do well to accept either of the two last offers. Small orders unde: fifty cents will be filled a prices named. | Red-headed Woodpecker - 12; Centurus Albifrons, White- FIRST CLASS EGGS. Californian Woodpecker - 40 Bente, Woodpecker a 10 are ae Meare a oz | Yellow-shafted Flicker = 05 | Turdus Grayi, Gray’s rus Ae Sane tae nee . 4 es | Road-runner, Chaparral Cock 50 | Mimus_ Gracilis, Long-tailed Mockingbird é r iy 10 ri he ee erote pages 3 00 . ee = - 2 r = Aine merican Karn Owl - - 75 olioptila albiloris - - aaah T acter MES ic American Long-eared Ow! - 75 | Thryothorus albinucha - — - Biliebied f - 03 Little Screech Ow] = — 60 | Euphonia affinis, Euphonia Basilrailed Giikle d is oo | Vreat Horned Owl = - 175 | Saltator atriceps - - - Cactus Wten i. & yi 59 | Burrowing Owl = , - 60 | Icterus gularis - Houce Wien 5 © - 08 Sparrow Hawk - = # 40 | Icturus auratus, Golden-winued Western House Wren - 16 | Cooper's Hawk: =i > =. Oriole + So Black-and-yellow Warbler - 80 Red-tailed Hawk = - 75 | Lampropsar divas - — - - Black-poll Warbler - i 75 | Red-bellied Hawk = - 150 | Tyraunas satrapa, Golden- . Vellow-breasted Chat : 1g | Swainson’s Hawk _ - abe 1 50 crowned Flycatcher F Loggerhead Shrike hs Lamar Black Vulture, CG arrion Crow 1 00 SECOND CLASS EGGS. White-rumped Shrike - 25 | Mourning Dove - im 7 10 Cedar Wax-wing - y _ jo | White Fronted Dove - = 65 |) RB aGin a S is Purple Martin. - - - 29} White-winged Dove - - 50 | Mogk inated = Fea ie ee Cliff Swallow - . = .9§.| Ground Dove fie 8) BO") (Cainer 2, Barn Swallow a = = 05 | Sage Cock - = 7 75 | Brown Thrasher z = ~ Gummer!Redbird.. . E ae | Bob-white, American Onail 12 | Bluebird “ Ss eo English Sparrow -- dang. | Lexan Quail .7 7 7 20 | White-rumped Shite 44! ae Crimson House Finch = - . jg , Califormian Quail - i - 20 | Purple Martin - 2 = American Goldfinch - at 03 | Snowy Heson = = - 20 | Cliff Swallow = = = Green-back Goldfinch - - 30 | Louisiana Heron - 5 - 20 | Bank Swallow - - - Lawrence’s Goldfinch = 390 | Little Blue Heron = = 20 | Crimson House Finch - - Grass Finch - - - - 08 | Green Heron a aE 15 | American Goldfinch - = ~- Yellow-winged Sparrow - 30 | Lapwing - 3 - - 30 Chipping Sparrow - - = Lark: Finch -° =. =» = 20 | Milson’s Plover, - - = - 50°) WicitSpamrow | ee Western Lark Finch - - 35 | Whimbrel — - s rs - 99 | Song Sparrow - = Chipping Sparrow - 4 ~ 03 | American Coot - - - 16 | Cardinal Gréabeeie a Ys 2 Field Sparrow - = = 0g Mallard = - ; F ra - 25 | Blue Grosbeak - = Black Snowbird - - - 45 | Redhead - - - - 40 | Yellow-headed Blackbird - Song Sparrow ~ - - 03 American Eider E , - 30 | Red-and-buff-shouldered Californian Song Sparrow - 29 | Ruddy Duck - = - 150 Blackbird = - E Texas Spacrow - 2 - 100 Double-crested Cormorant - 35 | Red-and-white-shouldered Californian Brown Towhee 25 Great Black-backed Gull - 80 | Blackbird - tm 1 tie ae Cardinal Grosbeak Ps ¥ 15 American Herring Gull - - 25 | Blue Jay 4 re £ E Rose-breasted Grosbeak - 29 , Ring-billed Gull & 7 80 Pewee - Black-headed Grosbeak - 85 | Laughing Gull zs 3 - 25 Red-headed w oodpecker dot Blue Grosbeak - - - 60 Forster's Tern - - - 30 | Yellow-shafted Flicker - Painted Bunting, Nonpareil 29 , Common Tern . i - 10 Burrowing Owl - Black-throated Bunting - 45 4 Arctic Tern = . s 15 | Mourning Dove - - - Cowbird ie 5 i 4 05 Roseate Tern = = - 15 | Ground Dove Z be iz Bronzed Cowbird = 1 25 Razor-billed Auk =, a 40 | American Quail - - - Yellow-headed Bize birds = 15 | Common Puffin 7 i - 40 | California Quail - - - Red-and-buff-shouldered Common Guillemot - - 30 | Florida Gallinule - - - Blackbird fi ZL A 03 Californian Guillemot = ~ 35 | American Coot - ci 5 Wagler’s Oriole - 2 1 00 Alligator = = = = 30 | Mallard - = ~ > - Hooded Oriole - = = 75 Guinea Fowl - z ow - 12 | Redhead 4 = = - Brewer’s Blackbird = - 1g | Domestic Pigeon 7 a 05 | American Eider = = - Great-tailed Grackle - x 60 | Ruddy Duck _ - - - Bronzed Grackle - = =! 110 CENTRAL AMERICAN EGGS. American Herring Gull = Scissor-tailed Flycatcher - 25 | Common Tern = - - eget te Martin - 05 | Meleagris ocellata, Ocellated | ne ase. - - = oebe bird, Pewee - 05 Turke = = - 3 00 veast Tern = “ = = Western Yellow ellied Fly- Ortyx aidvdialaris - - 100 . Leach’s Petrel z Ff i catcher ~ 40 | Geococeyx affinis, Mexican Common Guillemot -~— - Paraugue Géatsuclacs = 4 00 Paisano = = - 2 00 | English Sparrow” - = - Address, FRANK H. LATTIN, Gaines, Orleans Co., N. Y. THE YOUNG UBBER een Novelty lectors. make Big Pay selling our STAM goods. Circulars and terms FREE. 144 Page Catalogue mailed for 15c. Cc. J. CONOLLY & CO., Rochester, N. Y. Ee en SSP ewe ee ae) have a copy of the ‘Collectors Directory,’’ which contains the addresses of Collectors of Birds Eggs, who wish to exchange eggs with others, and addresses of reliable dealers, &c. Price 10c. CHAS. KING, Oberlin, FOR SATE, A fine collection of woods, minerals, and fifty-three bird’s eggs, also a three drawer black walnut cabinet, Ohio. Box 9138. Re Ch SNL TEL, P. O. Box 39. Englewood, Ml. FASTER NOVELTIES. eae and Girl in Ege Shell drawn by Swans; Boy and Girl breaking Egg. Both of these beautiful novelties send for r2 cts. A. G. BASSETT, Rochester, DON’T READ THIS. Boys, if you want to get a Fee eee bargain for your friends, as well as for yourself, send for one of our unexcelled sheets of stamps, on approval. ‘Twenty- five per cent commission. Amateur papers please insert for three months, and send bill. Mention this paper. INTERNATIONAL STAMP Co., No. g Central St., West Gardner, Mass. PHONETIC SHORTHAND. galore be Send stamp for specimen pages, &c. W. W. OsGoopsy, St. Rochester, N¥ ONGOODBY’S ‘METHOD. HOT SPRINGS. All kinds of Mine pees specimens found in this lo- cality, securely packed and sent at the very lowest prices. Crystalized Quartz, Loadstone, Wavellite and deposits from the hot water are my specialties. Send ten Cents and two letter stamps for sample of Quartz or Loadstone. INE OY: RG) ALEEN: P. O. Box 475, Hot Springs ; Ark. OUR SPECIALTY ——Is—— Low Prices and Good Work. We do all kinds of Job Printing, in the latest and best styles, at bottom prices. Data Blanks, Naturalists’ Labels, Cards, Note Heads, Envelopes, Tags, Price Lists, &c. Printed to order with Neatness and dispatch. Send us copy, or write us what you want, and get « our prices before giving orders elsewhere. We will save you money. Address A. M. EDDY, West Kendall, N. Y. Dealers and Col- ' cents each ; Scorpions, 10 cents ; OOLOGIST. EVERY OOLOGIST must have, to be rully equipped tor the coming col- lecting season, 1 Brass B lowpipe, 15C.; Ife Drill, r5c. roo Data B lanks, 25c., Lattin’s Hand-book, 2s5c. Davie’s Egg Check List, 6oc. The above articles (and the YouNG Oo.oaist, which we suppose you already have) are indispensible to the wide-awake collector. Until April rst we will send the five articles priced above, post-paid, upon receipt of Saianaineat) Yabo ciao FRANK H. LATTIN, Gaines, N. We TEXAS SPECIMENS. Address Bird Skins, Nos, , 263, 289, 372, 460, 480b, 25 cents each. 362, 50 cents. Minerals, Selenite, (very fine,) Fossiliferous, Cretaceous Rock, Fossil Wood, Silicified Wood, Flint, 2x2 inch specimens, 10 Centipedes, 25 to 50 cents, according to size; Florida Moss, package 10 cents, pound 30 cents; Land and Fresh Water Shells, labeled with scientific name, eight species, twenty specimens, 30 cents; Fragments Indian Pottery, 5 cents; Flint Arrowheads, 0, 20 and 25 eae Javelin Points, 50 cents ; all by mail, post-paid. Remit by Postal Order, Note, Registered Letter or two-cent stamps. Orders of One Dollar, or over, will be.packed in Florida Moss. Address . Ay SS INGLEY, Giddings, Lee Co., Texas. Refer to Publisher YounG Oo.LoaisrT. N. B.—I neither have, nor will have, 242, 3irds’ Eggs | for Sale or Bechanee: Oldroyd’ S ‘National Inks These inks have been sent to over twenty States in this Union, besides Canada, India and Asia. Rev. _ Samuel G. McFarland, Superintendent of Government | rency, &c., Schools in Siam, Asia, says he has used them a great while, and likes them better than any he has ever tried. A. I. Root, of Medina, Ohio, editor and pub- lisher of Gleanings in ‘t Bee Culture,” tested and sold thousands of bottles of Olroyd’s inks, and has sold thousands of bottles of others, but Old- They are says he has royd’s excell all others as a writing ink. not injured by freezing, and will not corrode a pen. A package in powders, sufficient for one pint of either black, blue, violet, green or red, sent free to any part of the United States upon receipt of fifteen cents. EIGHT PACKAGES, ~ - $1.00 FIVE DOZ. PACKAGES, $5.00 {=> Simply add one pint of pure rain water. If too thick at any time, reduce with water. Address WM. OLDROYD, Columbus, Ohio. ‘COINS! STAMPS!! My 24 Page Illustrated Catalogue, contain- ing prices of thousands of Coins, Stamps, Cur- sent free, with two Silver Plated Medals, for toc. For sale only by VN. F. GREANY, $27 Brannan St., San Francisco, Cal, THE YOUNG OOLOGIST. Exchanges and Wants. Brief special announcements. ‘*Wants,’’ ‘‘Ex- changes,” inserted in this department for 25 cents per 25 words. Notices over 25 words charged at the rate of one-half cent per word. No notice inserted for less than 25 cents. Notices which are merely indirect methods of soliciting cash purchasers cannot be ad- mitted to these columns under any circumstances. Terms, cash with order. I have a fine lot of U. S. cents and half cents, some uncirculated ; also colonial hardtimes tokens, War tokens, store cards, foreign coins, and silver. Corres- pondence solicited. Address R. R. GAY, 36 Marietta St., Rochester, N. Y To ExcHANGE.—Minerals, fossils and eggs for the ane E. D. Droun, Weldon, Montgomery County, EY WanTED—U. S. Cents of the following dates: 1840, 50, 52, 54,56, and 1877. Will pay cash for same. Write for prices to A. T. JOHNSON, Hiawatha, Kan. Wanrep.—To Exchange a fine pair of Roller Skates, (No. 7») cost $4.00, for a pair of Climbing Irons, or the best offer of Birds’ Eggs. Address Drawer B, Crystal Springs, Copiah Co., Miss. To ExcHanGe.—Fine collection of Eggs, about two hundred different kinds, 350 in all, also scroll saw, lathe, emery wheel, circular saw and drill, double barreled shot gun, with fixtures, Smiles’ Works (4), also pair of Barney & Berry club skates. The above property is in good shape. Will sell or exchange for other desirable property. Watch wanted. Further particulars from F. O. HELLIER, Grass Lake, Jack- son Co., Mich. For ExcHance.—Star Fish, and Eggs of the Skate, ur Sand Shark, for Birds’ Eggs, in sets, or stal- actites. OHN M. SWAN, Jr., 14 Central Ct., Newpor’. k. I. MountTt» Birps.—I will exchange for collections of Eggs, (two of each kind,) and no less than sixty different kinds of medium and large ones, and one hundred small ones, the following Mounted Birds, all dated and labeled by me. 1 Baltimore Oriole; 1 Car- olina Rail; 1 Chestnut-sided Warbler; 1 Red Wing Starling; 1 Black and White Creeper; 1 Red Start; 1 Gold Finch; 1 Blue Bird; 1 Black Capt. Titmouse. ‘These birds are all mounted on collection stands, by | me, and are some of my best work, and are all labeled, when shot, and by myself. Address JOHN T. JONES, Professional Taxidermist, Malden, Mass. WANTED.—To exchange Foreign and United States Stamps, for full clutches of well identified Birds’ Eggs, with data blanks. Also well preserved bird skins, with data blanks. Also any books, in good con- dition, on Ornithology or Oology. Be sure and write explicitly the first time. to avoid useless correspon- dence. Give each article you have for exchange what you value it at. Also give full list of all the stamps you want, and their price as stated in any reliable catalogue. Avenue, Detroit, Mich. DEALERS.—We can furnish you anything obtainable in the line of Oological specimens, supplies and instru- ments, at lowest wireless rates. We can also furnish you with one of the best price-lists out, for less money than you can obtain them of any printer in America. For full particulars address the publisher of THE YounG Qoo.ocist. Address W. A. JOHNSON, 526 Fourth MARINE CURIOS. 7 fine Starfish or sea urchins, or 4 shark eggs for 25 cts. The lot for 60 cents. Starfish and sea urchins 5 ~ cts up; 12 fine sea curios, 25 cts; club rates given. Address, E. H. HARLOW, ‘Lynn, Mass CONFEDERATE BILLS—Set containing $1, $2, $3; Post-paid, only 15c. Address, R. R. GAY, 36 Marietta St., Rochester, N. Y. TIGER COWRY, (CYPRAA4 TIGRIS.) From the East Indies, is one of the handsomest and most durable shells in the market. Size 2x2x3 in., usual retail price 25c., but owing to our large stock will send a sample by mail, post-paid, for only 12c. One dozen by Express for 60c.; fifty by Express for $2.00. FRANK H. LATTIN, Gaines, N. Y. Send 10c. for the largest pack of advertising cards ever offered. Agents wanted tc sell Foreign | Stamps on commission. 25 stamps and terms free. A. C.. PHILLIPS; Sinclairville, N, Y. Established 1823. WM. H. WARNER & BRO., MEDALISTS, 1123 Chestnut St., PHILADELPHIA, PA. Washington National Monument Medal. Obverse —bust of George Washington. Reverse—Washington National Monument, dedicated Feb. 21, 1885. Size 21, White Metal, fine proof. The above Medal will be forwarded to any address on receipt of price ldc. Circulars of several of our late publications of fine Medals forwarded to any address Free. ME as. fee Pacific Coast Birds’ Eegs & Skins, FoR SALE CzIEALP. ——-LISTS FOR STAMP.—— Your correspondence for mutual benefit is kindly solicited. W. F. GREANY, 827 Brannan St., SAN Francisco, CAL. Minerals and Cut Gems. I can furnish collectors with fine’ specimens of the rarer species, including choice Minerals, Semi-precious Stones, and Gems. —Crocido- lites (polished african tigers-eye) English fluors of every hue, Baryta, Columbite, Wavellite, Rhodonite, crys. Chalcopysite, green Garnets, (Ouraravite) green Tourmalines, with pinl» centre, etc. W. S. BEEKMAN, POBox 16k West Medford, Mass. THE YOUNG OOLOGIST. BIRDS’ teed as represented. marked ‘* by express.’ BIRDS’ EGGS.—First Ciass AMERICAN. Lot 1—Nos. 1, 11, 12, 18, 221, 98, 56, 157, 164, 181, 170a, 1494, 128, ES. 231, 237, 254, 260, 261, 270, 274, 282, 304, 306, 315, 375, 388, 460, B86, age ee se hae ee =e Ser e's) v) 0) a) & ay 9) edie, we wl @ 0). « 40) Galle Giiu,d! 10 Oe ekene, ‘es (eye 60 € 6. 6 9 Lot ee express—664, 2-762, 2-7638a, 641, 743, 2-580, 6-686, 3 G. F., 3 688, OTN oa el eae ae Lot 4431, 580, ‘686, 282, 688. 68, B74, 375, 244, 306, 388, 460, 261, ee te yer. We ii es... cs Lot 6—325, 261a, 375, 122, 152, 248, 193a, 41, 170a, 198, t 211, 2 42. 153, 154, 181 Lot 7—431, 164, 321, 299, 580, 686, 460, 688, 304, 11, 351, 13, 261, 375, ater by amu Mees, Bie © ....... Lot 8—Sets with data of, 5-282, 5-315, Gee: aie soon. Oe Lot 9—30-686, 15-261............... Lot 10—763a, 748, 686, 580, 688, 274, 268, 258, 315, 211, 99. 193a, 170a, 68, 163, 157, 181: 149a, 18, 12, a. Lot 11—56, 19a, 321, 135, 164, 67, 580, 686, 460, 688, 282, 2638, 7, 22, 149a, 375, 12, 261a, 261, 272, 306, 304, 274, 254, 258, 1, 157, 13, 315, 231, 170a, 154, 68, 211, 181, 158, 254, Lot 12— -Express—5-763, 5-768a, 25- 686, Lot 13-—2-580, 2-375, 261, 261a, 154, Lota Bit, oo, ‘Oo, O74, 263, 130, and sets with data ofi5- 982 and 5- Lot 14—Two each of 688, “460, 375, 686, 1, 7, 13, 274, 304, 306, 258, 261, 157, Lot 15—56, 164, 274, 321, 7, 18, 12, 1 2638, 306, 258, 231, 22, 261, > 204, 211, 170r, 63, 154, 41, 157, 304, 275, E.S. 2 Lot 16—663, 664,and sets with data OF O40 ANG NA-20e. toe oe eee nes é Lot 17—580, 149a, 164, 170a, 138, 2- 686, 2-688, G. D. and sets with data of 4-1, 4-211, 6-E.S., 4.261, 2-460. . Lot 18—580, 2, 56, 274, 3'75, 306, 272, and sets with data of, 3-686, 3-688, cl C1 Cs Se ae a ie Lot 19—Express—4.763a, 4-763, 10- Gane 10-666, 2-Ga Fk. cose eee. Lot 20-41—Each contains first class side blown eggs of the following species to the amount of 50c. at aie! PAs etete | os laud re 6 6 wie 4 BOGOR, COLON. cle aks s be eiee ks t 231, 211, 63, 181, 170a, E. 8... % CLOSING SALE oF EGGS AND MINERALS. Having disposed of my trade and most of my stock, I offer thetremainderZas }follows. All securely packed and sent prepaid, regular prices. Sent postpaid for.. 1, 7, 1s, 22, 56, 68, 154, 157, 170a, 231, 258, 261, 272, 306, 321, 325, 460, 586, 688, E. 8. C. Lot 41—Express—10-763, 19 G. F., 7-580, 3-306, 127, 40-261, 20-E. 8... ENGLISH. Lot 42-44—199, 294, 58, 53, 52, 512, Sh eee. LAB BO 2 erste ele «6 | Lot 45—58, 58, 52, 82, 187, 148, 89... _ Lot 46-53—Each contain 50c. worth | Lot 60-—2x2 of first class English “eggs. No duplicates in a¥ package. “Postpaid Lot 54—4-294, 512, 2-52, 2-82, Re 2- 148, 142.. : Siete SECOND CLASS. Lot 55—525, 246, 557, 68a, 63, 2-289, val 8 BO) eae 388, 8.378, 5-460, 3.7, 278, 261a, 5-E. S., 5 304, 164, 151...... Lot 56—390, 270, 278, 271, D. P., 6- 378, 289, 2-460,£2-7, 2-18, 1s, ard 22, 211, 154, 281. C., 258, 158, 4S) ae Tate aie GEM Ak Leet Rs A Lot 57—482, 312, 2.289, 388, 170, 68a, 63, 181, 515, 270, 231, 164. 272, 211, 375, 8.378, 351, 158, 154, cs 22 PB ii 13, 7, 258, 6-306, oa) ae te Common and Roseate Tern—Having quite a number of these left I will as long as the supply lasts sens, them by express in lots to suit py_"- chasers, at 6c. each. One dozen bh” MINERALS.—Al Minerals by Rep Lot 58—85 varieties rrom 1 to 23 inches square, including Amazon stone, malachite, dog tooth shan, rose quartz, Cie Relies Ms abu e 0 df Lot 59—8xs specimens of Chalcedony, Pyrites, Sphalerite, pearl spar, tufa, smoky quartz, pet palm, cannel coal, jasper and porphyry specimens of feldshan, mica, porphyry, tale. jasper, agat- ized wood, iolite, gypsum, argent, awhile «te eles Lot 61-66—Each package contains from 15 to 35 specimens of the fol- lowing minerals, ranging in size from 4x4 to 24x24. Each lot weighs from 2} to 4 pounds and contains many very fine specimens, including Williamsite, Seelik, lava, Amazon stone, epidote, sphalerite, pyromorphite, wad, pet palm, jas- per, porphyry, moss agate, apatite, prehrute, stilbite, &c., Wc........ Everything guaran- In ordering name several lots you would as soon have, as the first one ordered may be sold. Send at onee if there is anything in the list you want. Remit by postal note or registered letter, if not 28 1 35 2 00 sf ) Press. L 00 1 00 60 T. H. SPAULDING, ALBION, N. Y. THE, YOUNG: @OLOGIST, J. ALDEN SMITH, [LATE STATE GEOLOGIST, | Mining Engineer, Metallurgist and Assayer BOULDER, BOULDER CoO., COL. Wee my full page adv. on last cover Pa of March ‘‘ Won nario JOB. FRINTING First-class Work — and luow Prices. GSOMMEENEE Zit ae Catalogues, Circulars, Price-lists, Exchange-lists, Dodgers, Note Heads, Bill Heads, Envelopes, Statements,’ Data Blanks, Labels, Postal Cards, Business Cards, Visiting Cards, Tags, &c. Printed in, “thee best style’! Work ;blocked “if gilesired’ Send copy, Write for Prices. Address. or write us just what you want, and get our estimate. AL STEV Bi P.O. Box 242: B! ck Hills Cabinet Minerals. WHOLESALE AND RETAIL. 4,000 lbs. constantly on hand. 30 varieties ; any size, some of them are ‘Tin Ore, Mica, Selenite, Dendrite, Needle Crystals of ‘Tourmaline, Dog ‘Tooth Spax, Garnet Slate, very black. Biolite, Fossils, Baccu- lites, Nautilus, Ammonites. See advertisement in YounG Ooroaist. Write for price-list. January and February GeWe o LIBRE WEIGEL. Deadwood, D. TI. pith * SONG Wouse? Sd, ety Row, Wr 3 f ! ‘witt PAY ITS|6O. SUMAN NAD Days ey 3 Wey rf oe 2 Tare pall TWO MACHIN: S PENNOCK & SONS CO. KENNETT SQUARE, PA., AND FORT WAYNE, EN a\.SO SOLE MANUFACTURERS OF THE MATCHLESS SeL= LOAbiNa, SELF-DUMPING SCRAPER —— + re Claremont, N. H. ASTER EGG DYES*#9 de ots Red, “iis Yel- low, Violet and Green. Enough to color five dozen eggs. All the 5 colors for only ro cents. A. Gi, BASSEZE Rochester, N. Y. Cards with name, toc. amole ode ante list 6c. STEMPEL Bros., Ft. Madison, Lowa. BIRDS EGGS. For Sale Cheap; also eggs to exchange. Send Correspondence solicited. A. M. SHIELDS. Los Angelos, Cala. stamp for list. 330 So. Main Sti; CORALS! CORALS!! Just received a Job Lot of small specimens, assorted species, just the thing fora retail or exchange trade. Owing to our large stock, can send them by express at the following rem: arkably low rates. lb. 30c.; 5lbs. $1.35 ; 10 Ibs. $2.50; 100 lbs. $20 00. FRANK H. LATTIN, Gaines, N. Y. ry agit “hy aaa o ere NS Ried «1 in a 7 . rim p