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ORNITHOLOGIST# AND#OOLOGIST.

“T consider it a Magazine which every true ornithologist, be he “full blooded,” or
only an amateur, should have at hand, and I will endeavor to extend its circulation

among those of my acquaintances inter ested i in the science.’
CHAS. B. WILSON, Colby University, Waterville, Maine.

THE ORNITHOLOGIST AND OOLOGIST.

IDOLSVOMSISOAD) ISN INRVAINIK Js}, WEST IIR,

VOL. X, Commences with January, 1885.

The proprietors of the Gatiioloses and Osa encouraged by the success
which has attended their efforts to obtain a recognized and permanent position for their
Magazine, have decided to increase its size to SIXTEEN pages monthly of

ORIGINAL AND INTERESTING MATTER,

The Ornithologist and Oologist, while continuing to be specially devoted to the
Study of Birds, their Nests and Eggs, will admit into its pages Notes and Observations
on the kindred Study of Entomology.

The Volume for 1885 will contain Twicr as much matter as has been given in any
previous Volume, and will be printed in new brevier type, on heavy tinted paper.

This Magazine, being designed as a means for the interchange of Notes
and Observations on Bird and Insect Life, appeais for its support to all who
are interested in those departments of

= NATURAL HISTORY. ee

PRESS NOTICES, 1884.

A very neatly printed, well arranged Magazine, | The cover is very characteristic as well as ar-
containing much of interest to students and loy- | tistic, the typographical execution good, and the
ers of the subjects treated, The publisher is | matter of decided value to all students of natural
well known as an adept in taxidermy and his col- | history, especially bird lovers. This little
lection of specimens is rated very high in such | monthly of twelve pages has improved greatly in

lists —Pawtuchet Gazette and Chronicle. appearance since its establishment in 1875.— Wor-
It is a really valuable companion for natural | cester Daily Spy.

history students. _ A wide correspondence and in- We cordially wish it success.— The Auk, Janu-

telligent consideration of cognate subjects contri- | ary, 1884.

bute to make it a valuable as well as unique | The aim of the Magazine is to instruct all those

publication. —Syracuse Daily Journal. who are interested in bird life. There is quite a

All interested in birds and birds’ eggs will en- | field for such a periodical among a certain class.
joy this Magazine — The Journal, Jacksonville, Fla. | —Newport Daily Nevos.

Subscription, $1.50 per Annum. Specimen Copies, 15c each.

Subscriptions at the rate of Seven Shillings and Sixpence per annum, will be re-
ceived by Alfred Cliff, 835 Osborne Road, Forest Gate, London, England.

ADDRESS,

The Ornithologist and Oologist, Pawtucket, R.

Boston Orricr, 409 Washington Street.

2 SIVA ILS sN21B) Mausvasy

‘AW lest) et,

Be NITHOLOGIST

AND

COLOGIsS!

BIRDS: THEIR NESTS AND EGGS.

PAWTUCKET, R. I.

FRANK B. WEBSTER,

1ss4.

Tei

CVE ay au

‘A Y

-asss ORNITHOLOGIST AND OOLOGIST.=—._,
CONTENTS OF VOE. 1X—13834

Accipiter coopert.......++.++ 47, 145, Black-capped........ 46, 103 | Fairfax Co., Va., Notes from
Ageleus pheniceus.. -.47, 53, 102 ie Long-tailed............... 81 | Falco sacer, var. gyrfalco........-....55
Alauda arvensis. | Chondestes grammicd,........0e..0. +s 59 | OS ARGU cadoaaccd 9, 23, 90, 147
Albinism, Some phases of..........-- 48 | Chrysomitris tristis...........0-200 20s 47 Finch, Cassin’s Purple
Albino, What is an?..............----22 | Cinclus Mexicdnus......... eee eeeees 39 Oi
American Ornithological inion, 184 | Circus hudsontus ..........2..0++-- 8, 16 @
Ampelis JarrulUs .....--..eeeeeee 40, 120 | Cleaning White Feathers.......... UP OA SS TPT} oonasse0 acd 20000800 58, 90
Co EGA PTA oocion onpencn900e 90, 151 | Coceyzus americanus......-..-. 103, 114 | Flycatcher, Acadian............ 102, 138
Anomalous Nidification.............125 re erythrophthalmus....17, 58, 103 | G3 Black-crested............ 13
Anthus ludovicianus.......20 0 seers es 10 | Colaptes auratus...... ff Great-crested........ 75, 113
Aquila chrysaetus......-..++0++++---.58 “ septentrionalis we Fork-tailed... 48
Ardem pirescens.....-+- ..-.-00--+> 34, 60 Colorado Notes..... --9, 20, 120 | 06 Say’s. 121
Arrivals of Birds in N. J. in’83.......45 | Colymbus torquatus . 23, 76 US “EMH 5 ccosoaocndosaseG ya
a “ at Camden, Ind.,’84..74 | Contopus virens..........-+++...0- 00s | BS Western Yellow-billed. .
MphificialiGhumprceceate eee nee: aesce: Cormorant, Baird’s. 31 | “« Yellow-bellied............ es
Arsenic, How to use. fe TEFEN coos5a600bece0K00 131 | Frogmore, So. Car,, Notes from..... 138
Go ATTRA INN ap onesosgosnops 0050 Coturnix COMMUNTS. 0.00.6 eee e eee eee 2)
astre-Hungary, Migration One (Cowbind= etree eee. 45, 59, 115, 124, 138 | Gastro-odlogical......... -.-.-+-..4-5 57
aia falosoe Bee se eee eee CREME, SAG, .cacossenocsecosocanod “g | Geothlypis trichas......--+++++ssee eee 88
WB WOO IMNG soc seocoen coscadons 94 | Gnatcatcher, Blue-gray.......-.... 34, 61
Bay City, Mich., Notes from.......... 41 Creeper, Black and White .26, 58, 75, 109, | Grackle, Purple ................-. 37, 47
Bird Caught by a Spider... ........... Oh) Coat RRR A MERA TRAD oo eA tate LN ox 113 | 5 DROVE sooo gonodcosannccDce 37
(Bindi Gjmere-----11---1-1---1-1- 128, 140, 152 | Crow, Clarke’s........0002-eeeeecereee 4g | Grand Rapids, Mich., Notes from....62
Bird Nesting on Bird Island, Cal....131 Cuckoo, Yellow-billed.......... 103, 114 Grosbeak, Blue.........-..4-....0ee ee 19
Bird Nomenclature........-......-.-. Og & — Black-billed......... 17, 58, 103 o Cardinal........ 35, 46, 89, 145
Birds, A few noticed in Golden Gate | Cyanocitta cristata... ........24, 36, 114 O) Evening......... 12, 39, 62, 65
Park, San Francisco, May 9, ’84..93 “ stelleri macrolopha. : § TATE o5c006000 10, 32, 40, 41, 46
Blackbird, Brewer’s.......---.- 25, 144 | Cyanospiza versicolor..........0.+.+-- e Rose-breasted, 34, 37, 89, 102,
a Red-wing.......... AT, 53, 102 : | 108, 114
G3 Yellow-headed....... 135, 150 Demuingen cestiva. ProneTucdeogaTcd 60, 99 | Grus canadensis ea:
Bleaching Bones.............. ool) - ce eae oot Guillemot, Brunnich’s, ..48
if Butterflies....... .. 116 > ee 272288 | Guiraca coeruled.........+0eseceee eee 19
Bluebirds........:-.- 115 fa wR eLL 2 eL0SHiGuileefenringseeeeee ee eeeteeeerere 5, 36
inelne thi Geossaacsesaaeaearaceaeanene 114 G See CEES SOP DES cY oY | Gyrfaleom..... 2.2 .eeeeeee cree eeee eee BB
Boston Zoological Society, Quarterly ; CORVREN 2 oo a00 0000 >, 61, 75, 106 |
TOUTE Gea oe a . WESEMUUP Ss o006c0 6000000000000 144 | Haliceetus leucocephalus. 4, 75, 104
British National Collection of Birds... 5) GREED ooo scce%0038200003 1 | Harporhyncus redivivus. -122, 183
Bubo virginianus...........0+-++.0-- = | s Renmsy Lean ical ise: ee ie TUPUS woe cess ence ee 34, 60
Bunting, Bay-winged................. 60 WRU osongaoocs0s99 e000 83, 88 | Hartland, Vt., Notes from.....35, 48, 62
Pa air ac ee eee {99 | Denver, Col., Notes from............ 120 | Hawk, Broad-winged.......... 9, 93, 135
FeeTa di coe 88, 109, 114, 129 Destruction of Birds for Millinery G0 (COGTAES cscanceecossd 47, 145, 151
Gh SSS Ree Sie 117 pure ees aptonincaeaGNcBenesoenne WN rcosooeacboane 9, 23, 90, 147
Bnzzardsubunkeyernir-ae peers cee Oe ers ee TANG) eh ey Weeh Aee | EN accom ddaoeneseoneecasoscc: 58
Fenn tacts | | Diver, Great Northern............ 23, is (oe Red-tailed eeneeerreere 76, 81, 146
‘© pennsylvanicus...........+- 98, 135 | ResHinenied Ser ie Secbaie Be A4T | «¢ Sparrow...---222+-+- lly WA USI
Bain Rie OURCRTBvonencodocdonenoase 34 | DolichonyX ory2ivorus.......00e.- 000s 114 ‘Marsh, andits Eggs........ 8, 16
| Wire, CROTMG! concsoosnpsovooGeoccasee 81 | Hawksin Michigan.................. 66
Californian Notes...........-.-- 136, 143 | Du Bois, Pa., Notes from, arity 24,84 | Helminthophaga chrysopterd......-..- (3
Calypte anna ........-... gaovoensedo Mee AO ence ddea ad do. dacononautonocoad coda 108 “ PINUS. +52. 4.--. 111,138
Campylorhyncus brunneicapillus .....37 | Duck, Ruddy, and its Nests. “ rusieapilla oot}
M390 BO8OROGGRGODO00EO GULEOOACOUE: 136 “Wood, or Summer ) | Heron, Green.........-.-.-
Caprimulqus vociferus.........0. 87, 145 | OO “sib ed apodeclanasocosbbucssouGuOy Herony, A Trip toa
Cardinalis virginianus........... 35545 ea al aimee one ete Hesperiphona vespertina. 39, 62, 65
Carpodacus caswind. cododeacuoucsooun0 21 aera Gee Hirundo erythrogastra , 68
z ec ialee code sc0ccnaHog 120 | Editor’s Notes.. Hummingbird, Ruby-throated
Pr pare coped lame ree 6, 70, 84,95, 110, 122, 134, 146| 9 seeecreeeseceeee es 37,52, 75, 104, 119
= SAIS CEN ei ? Eggs, Large Sets of............ 5, 12, 128 ie Rufous ......--.--..-.91
Cedar Bird, Albino.. | Blanoides foryicatus............. 37, 90 | Hylocichla mustelind....-...-++--++. 101
(CED CS MIRE ob uetoap ence aenatas 2 Empidonax acadicus. Ried 102, ‘138 | i. unalascee audubont....... 21
Centrgphumes lapponicus ALT emi merie ce wee ee 10 | Hylotomus pileatus.............+. 34, 128
ip ornate: ol tt flaviventris .... 2.0.2.1. 50. so |>. =
pictus . 118 Bynes Ga occe jq Ibis, Wood.....--.-..-..++- 115, 127, 128
Ceryle aleyon......... 34 Ti UOAING GE Osrare osbovoooescce 39 | Teteria virens,.....+.-+..+06 103, 115, 145
Chetura pelasgica..... -- | Bmuts Begs . TARE TAN “4a7 | eters Dullocki.....- 222. .ssee ese ees 143
Chameepelia passerind.........+.+..+. 81 Entomological No tea neuaTn Laconia, « galbula....2, 48, 74, 101, 130, 141
Chat, Yellow-breasted...... 103, 115, 145 IN oye Ci a aie 401 | ‘* SPUTTUS... +. eee eee e sees 4, 129
Chester Co., Pa., Notes from......2, 137 Entomology 415 | Indigo Bird.. 88, 109, 114, 129
Chewink, Nest of. -88, 104, 115, 122, 127 | Hremophila, cornuta. . : International Orniiholeeical Congress
Wecyaneppioaiieree faaanponac pales 151 | Erismatura rubida......0-....2++++- 15 Eki Wiebe coo guoqooodes HoodanbConss
Chewinks 9900 G00 0000000 DQ00G5000080 59 | Experiment in Bird Taming.......... 13 | Iowa, Central, Notes from. sogucaoky

BEND WWE oso sagopepboacacon0

24, 36, 114 | One-legged Bird..................---+

CO WOEHOWECl Goacope5500 Hob B606
ONGEO Ngo 0000s need soosdoeooRdS 69
Jewett City, Conn., Notes from..... 100)
Junco caniceps.

a3

hyemalis

“Key to North American Birds,”
COUAET, cosovospoucuDEDG voodon0000 71
Kinglet, Golden-crested.. .59, 60, 62, 116
06 Ruby-crowned .............. 60
Kingbird... --1, 115, 128, 138
Kingfisher. .........

Kite, Swallow-tailed 7, 90
Laconia, N. H., Entomological Notes
from...
Lanius borealis....
* ludovicianus excubitorides, 34, 135
ILAIAESS NONE og odoaccocsconsH0be00 0000 95
Larus argentatus .

11 Robin, Curious Nesting Place of..... 114
Oporornis WGilis......eecsecreeeeeeese 75 Rufous Hummingbird, Breeding Hab-
Oriole, Baltimore. .2, 48, 74, 101, 130, 141 MAN Oia coqgascncosgnogonoocnonnonose 91
“ 2
TEMMIOAK 5 sooascasnabosaonoDe 143 | Sond viper esnotrcd eee 58, 125
DB Ondo coocaacasoac0 74, 103, 129 | <i A
7 | Santa Cruz, Cal., Birds of............ 149
Oriole’s) Neste. eileen iscsi ON ep acy t
| Suiith clogs ado munorcuiets 18 | Sayor nis SQY?... 60... sce ness eae Aono)
| z ase = "77 | Scientists, Photographs of.......... 104
| Ornithology in France,—Elementary —§ |
: Scolecophagus cyanocephalus...9, 25, 144
Study of. DOCK | ey -
SOS CI) soadonpobecbanes b000

me philadelphice ocoac0s0b0a0 onsaKd 5
Locke, Mich., Summer Birds of......43 |
Gy ‘© Winter Birds of........ 31
Lomovia arrd vr unnicht. 0.00. ecer eens 48
Longspur, Chestnut-collared ........ 118
ity IEW ENS Sooccccooousanbad 7
ce WOO, 200 condddessuve 118
03 yen) 6 Soo poongsha6o qo00 118
Lophophanes bicolor.........-+-2..0+ 35
Magpie, History of a.........-....... 76
Manhattan, Kan., Notes from....... 127
Martins srurplevrjyriadepeerteet ia 2, 63, 142
Melanerpes erythrocephalus .......... 34
Melospiza fasctatds........ccceceeeee 109
G8 pM Moscogavacaccoo0o ade 21

Merula migratoria.....2, 10, 54, 105, 151
Michigan, Five additions to the Avi-

THT OR doson0eoadoocedcadans 81, 103
Michigan Notes.............. 4, 66

Migration and Breeding Notes........

Migration in the Mississippi Valley
1, 25, 37, 49, 63, 77, 91, 105, 117,
gonoeenoseoonnooonogbobacande 129, 141
Map and List of Observers....50, 51

Migration Note............... 21, 62, 127

Migration Observations in Austro-
1a TA og6a0 bbb SonbadoegoaoNeDD 26

Migration, Speed of................. 141

Milvulus tyvannus........cccceceecees 48

Mimus polyglottus.... 0... .cee eens 94, 115

Mniotilta varid...... ec. ee 58, 75, 109

Mocking bind sljeptelemetteriicetmee eerie 2)

Mockingbird, Nest of in Conn... .94, 115

Molothrus ater.........005 45, 59, 124, 138

Moths, etc., attacking Skins. ........ 62
Myiadestes townsendi
Myiarchus crinitus......0..0. 2.10.

Mytodioctes mitratus.
ii

PUSTULUB. ose cncwes csv

Nonpareil, Western...........
North Carolina, Notes from.

BED SR OnaUB Ob adoaL Udo SEanbAEe 39, 54
Nutcracker, Clarke’s.:.....:......... 21
Nuthatch, Brown-headed ............ St

IM White-bellied..... 35, 100, 137

Ortyx virginianus .

“Our Birds in their Haunte” | Selasphorus TUSUS..... 2.5.0 eevee ee

Setophaga ruticilla....
ae Great Northern

.35, 39, 48, 62, 108
QOuzels Water. c:fieGiechsrensiat carditis 39 i

o% rh TUL} © Oveetatatat=teteeatelststets 34, 185
Owl, The American Barn in Ohio... .123. Ww ite romped. 1 hei
cl GreatiHorned| | Shrikes, Why do they hang up their
Dra
“ ‘Monkey:faced Food? docdo0006 é 6 . 150
& ircogn Silver City, N. M., Birds of :
“ Short ae ‘a Pe ember, ie Sitta carolinensis...........- 35, 100, 137
y ES «pusilla

Owls (in Michigan,)

Sturus auricapillus.....-....-.-+ 89, 145
Pandion haliaetus carolinensis. 58 OS" “onl obacillaaay seen 103
“Panhandle,” W. Va., Birds of...... Skylark, The English.............-11, 24
sauna yet 34, 46, 59, 74, 88, 102, 114 | Small, Hdgar A., Death of............72
Parula americana. .......... 88, 112, 147 Smithville, Ga., Notes from.......... 53
Parus atricapillus 5 Snowbird, Black, Summer Home of
Gi ce septentrionalis...... S1 | these a ee ee 93
Passer domesticus booqcosbooboD0sco00a 101 | Snowbird, Gray-headed..........-- 9, 81
Passering eyaned........ 88, 109, 114, 1295 Sparrows, English............--. 93, 128
Basseneiic Wace) nj cee «ee cece 22 Sparrow Field Niece aes oe 8s
Pelionetta perspicillata.........2......5 Tales A Ula Ere 2 .. 22
Perissoglossa tigrind ..............-- 117 Intermediate Crown. ..20
Pervisoreus ODSCUTUS...0 2.00. ce cece eee 69 “ Thincoln?s/ eee eee 21
Petrochelidon lunifrons. 100, 107 “ Song 109
Pheasant, English oalat “ Tree. PERE er ey 35
Phainopepla nitens. 13 ve White-crowned........90, 104
Picicorvus columbianus 21 “ White-throated, 75, 90, 104, 108
Lp hotels ES edie Mane ong ae t o ROD Se Specimen January Number
Picoides arcticus............ 5, 41, 62, 132 Spizella agrestis... ........»
| Picus pubescens 35, 132 cs pei teaili. ae
eee Bi 8 OGRE Mooccc 2ca9c00 53000020
po UNOS Pole lel 182, 187 gt. Louis, Mo., List of Birds Collected
Pinicola enucleator...... 10, 32, 40, 41, 46 at 85, 95, 128
Rea Rig yon ce eae U oat ERO REN Caria tie conga ocaang 6° 5, 95,
Pipilo erythrophthalmus..........-.. Sterna fluviatilis ..5, 79, 151
sono UooGGgddoubo0n DOG 59, 88, 135, 151 [Pe tor eterdacee uence eee oma
Plectrophanes nivalis........ 200.0005 UME er oa nent 78, 151
; I Jonosvanvenvcods06s h ue
Plume Bird, Twelve-thread Mo eave 39 “ paradiscea (dougalli.)......79, 151
Pocecetes GVAMINCUS. 6.6.0.1. eee eee ee 60 StranecuBanclowas 23
Polioptila coeruled.............04% 34, 61 Sit slonauiea. ts 123
EEG CRO BE UN CoRR Re = Swallow, Albino Barn,......-...++0 104
Progne subis y ee Bam 37, 63
PYMANGd CCStIVO 02 cw ee sees cons 34 | G Ree, enh
Chimney. <-.-- 25s. 75, 104
“« vubra....34, 37, 75, 88, 103, 108 6 CHR y 400. 107
pondbpoensauapHeac b
Quail; Messinas-jry-rieeiseiisie teenie 2 US White-bellied.............. 101
eecals ee aoa fe ogacpeso0 37, BS | Taftsville, Vt., Notes from, 17, 45, 61, 108
OUSsreow e981 Manager, Scarlet. ..34, 37, 75, 88, 103, 108
1b CHROME 260 osoddadoadsan svancescd 4) Tanning, Receipt for................. 48
Raptores, Our Northern...... -8 Tantalus loculator......... S
Redbird, Cardinal in confinement....
Red-tails, Among the................

Redstart, American
Regulus calendula

U3; CULO coco baonanoeNs ESC; Gy GF THORNS ceoconcoo coos obocess 79, 151
Rehoboth, Mass., Notes from........ | Terns in Nova Scotia............ 78, 151
ROPlONES). oer neces eccene | Thrasher, Gabitonnn sonunopoo08 122, 133
IROXSATES sodvoonne sucwoobKd Thrush, Brown.. 34, 60, 89
IWALERBITGs apres ‘© Golden-' onenmeel: ob - 659, 145
Review of 1884.......... ‘¢ Large-billed Water........... 103
Rhyncophanes maccownt “Rocky Mountain Hermit...... 21
Ridgway Ornithological hee “ Sickle-billed............. 122, 133
Robin, American “© Townsend’s Fly-catching.... 20
English ... GS AW WANEOMS: ososootqdavensnboncen 60
Robins; PAllbinovemeceeeeeactecieeeias OS = AKvOOGl geonsbonod 60, 101, 113, 114 _
Robin’s Eggs Spotted..,,,,...... 76, 109 | Thrush Family (in Michigan).. 66

Thryomanes bewicki spilurus. vesseees8T| Warbler, Audubon’s........2....0.0: 21 | Woodpecker, Banded-backed........ 132

Thryothorus lwdovicianus .......+. 35, 47 «Black and Yellow.....,..75, 90 uy Black-backed, 5, 41, 62, 132
Tinninculus sparverius..-..+ 47, 121, 137 « Black-capped Fly-catching. . Us IDNR yonondosescéoacdd 132
Miflark, American......0.c...«-0- Ws GR ob = Gabdgeswonsconconondadtnd 20, 89 + Golden-winged, 35, 114, 151
TM TAMSEs AEC co panbesnvobnacneods 35 “f Black-throated Blue..... 30, 89 | * ISIN caDooosdc0n ce 132, 137
Trachicineta bicolor..........+-60.00. 101 Oh oe “Green, 83, 88, 113 es Pileated.-........ 128, 132
Tribulations of a Persistent Collector, 42 se Blackburnian ..............- 15 a Red-headed........34, 132
Tringoides macularius..:.......0++ 58 te Blue Golden-winged....75, 113 | 2 Yellow-bellied......... 132
Trinomials ‘«« Blue-winged Yellow...111, 138 | Woodpecker and Owl................ AT
Trochilus colubris.....37, 52. ‘¢ Blue Yellow-backed........... | Woodpeckers) mn s<cctenseeels creases 150
Troglodytes WdON.............000e eee 7 | Wren, Cactus.

sf hyematis. . ‘Canada Fly-catching....... 102 “~ Californian Bewick’s.......... 87

Two Connecticut Rarities... «Cape May... “Carolina... 5, 47
Tyrannus carolinensis... .1, 115, 128, 138 ae Cenuleanyprrsrraectee: | “ House... accel
| AMC Poooseranopb abno gaan 0nns 47

| - AT

Vaeo atricaprlvus. 22. .2..0. 22.22
fe flavifrons
se gilbus .

NXanthocephalus teterocepl alus. .135, 150

* noveboracens Yellow-bird, Summer............. 60, 90
‘© olivaceus........- F Yellow-throat, Maryland.............. 8s

Bree meee .-5) 61, 75, 106 | Zamelodia ludoviciana ...............
te ana eee Reet ; INGO, 184 Ika INGKER TRON. auAS | soacongecnades 34, 37, 89, 102, 13, 114
ce te “CHRON Tenor 111 Waxwing, Bohemian............. 40, 120 Zen ceding, carolinenst A sate 35, 14
Wm Whitereyed:....-2s.e+-+- 58, 145 Whip-poor- Will sd depo cadanpoodtan 89,145 Zonotrichia albicollis. , 90, 104, 108
Pemarelioneintontcdie nen 61, 138 Wildcat Captured at Brookfield Cen- oe gambeli intermedia....... 20
(UNS, COMM. sancaados'coocuscsosoanFoootls Se leucophryS....-...-+. 90, 104

\Wyeciiem, \WENIGiee Denoodesosucobeopeens HOD AWamnitere ir simip ever tceeclersretsicl tetalebetelsiete ls 33) |

digas Orr JR ACI Av Se ©

Page 2 Ist Col. Line 37, for olivaced, read olivaceus.
a 5 2d OG LG 1i, oe coronuta, i coronata.
3 10 Ist We CG 95 ; & ludovicanus, * ce ludovicianus.
a ily 2a a 8 40, G3 Taftville, fe Taftsville.
oe 18 Ist ce cs 14, ce Ornithologist, e Ornithologists.
ES 20 Ist Gs ce 33, U8 townsendii, ue townsendi.
Wb 21 Ist vane ea 46, Y wnalasce, ee unalasce.
cf 35 2d ce GG 51, ae Conn., tf Wit:
bs 36 2d Oe GG 14, a Pigmy Owl, fe Saw-whet Owl.
re 43 2d us ee 23, ef domestica, o domesticus.
se dt 2d Os a 14, ne pelagica, ot pelasgicn.
ce 69 2d Os Os bh w May 4th, # March 4th.
08 96 Ist & OY 49, strike out asterisk.
ce 106 2d ce CG 32, for coronta, Fe coronata.
we 118 2a Gs £6 47, es announeements, “announcements.
Ow 122 Ist sé Ws 21, 9 Schlater, se Sclater.
ce 135 ist bg ee 28, 06 Nidifications, a Nidification.
o% 135 2d ae a 6, Q3 Broad-billed, = Broad-winged.
ue 139 2d a 6G 54, &% miles, % circles.

ct 140 Ist us 0G 29, after “land,” add ‘‘or water left unguarded by their operations.”

SS INDEX LO) CONDE Ul Okt saa

VOLUME 1X—-1884.

Andros, Charles H., Taunton, Mass.......... 147
Andros, F. W., Taunton, Mass.. . 151
A. T. G., Damariscotta, Maine. . “arn 152
(sine, DYE H. A., Locke, Mich. 6, 12 31, 43, 81, 108
Averill, C. K. Jr., Bridgeport, Conn oo, lil
A. W. A., Beaverton, Oregon............. 69, 91

Barnard, Job, Washington, D. C.............-

Blaney, Dwight, Laconia, N. H... Bat cea
Blanchard, W., Highlands, Macon Co. N. Gus
Butler, A. W., Brookville, Ind................ oF
Barrell, H. F., New Providence, N. J..........45
Bailey, Vernon, Elk River, Minn... .. .62, 104, 151
Boies, A. H., Hudson, Mich...........90, 116, 128
Brimley, H.H. & C.S, Raleigh, N. C....127, 145

Cahoons J. (C:, Taunton, Mass. 25. soe...) 188, 151
Castle Wi We, Alshiland& Miasss 5) --eeciesieci
Chandler, R. P., Riverside, Cal............... 228

Clarke & Morgan, Newbern, N.C............ 104
Clark, J. N., Old Saybrook, Conn...........-. 61

Comstock, 8. W., Greenfield, N. H...12, 48, 90, 188
Cooke Brot. Wi issceere oe onic cee eee
1, 25, 37, 49, 63, 77, 91, 105, 111, 117, 129, 141

|

Kline sEloraceyAt Ro lonsllltae merrier 81, 119
| Langille; Rey. J. Hi, Buffalo, N. W.2. 2522.2 ee 78
Lantz, D. E. Tikeniboitiein, ie ate can Tovar eeaye 19, 127
eae VorlP a TElaaiow, Midas aiscdntes 76, 90, 116

Lucas, Frederic A.. Washington, D. C....98, 128
McAdam, Howard H., Oak Bay, N. B.........12

| McCormick, L. M., Washington, D.C........ 138
| Mann We, PotsclamiNe Were creases 40

Cooper, Dr. J. G., Haywards, Cal............. .12
CHORD er a Seen 45, 61, 88, 108, 132 |
ID); JS IEC SHUN, TONS baccoccogdcecwsoneoce 75
Denton, 8. W., Wellesley, Mass...............122
Dexter, S. Frank, Pawtucket, Ri T............ 127
Hddy, N. A., Bay City, Mich................5, 41

Ellis & Webster, Pawtucket, R. I... pooo nla
Emerson, W. O. aagaendls, Cal.87, 93, 133, 136, 143

Brennen, B. W., Camden, Ind.... .. 74
1D Bea) eee emer EbH Eid AS mip aus 7, aa ile
if’ 18(, © Beecrass 9, 33, 48, Oe 112, 126
Flint, William C., San 1 Tahamaleom, Cal.......18) 42 |

G. F., Union, Maine.. 3 Si . 41
GAs, Dee Morris, Tslamavion, Mich Lyatahoceeneaes 66

Goodwin, F. M., Hartland, Vt...........35, 62, 98
Hasbrouck, BH. M., Syracuse, N. Y.......... 24, 32
Hazzard, Dr..T. L., Allegheny, Pa............ 23
Hill, Rev W. E., Fairview, W. Va......

34. 46, 59, rd, 88, 102 meal

Hills, W. Dy ‘Odin, Ty, eee eee

Hoxie, Walter, TROON, © Si Cuteness 116, 138
Hurter , Tieiting; St. Louis, Mo... so ooo sd oewh Ga, Js)
Ingersoll, A. M., Alameda, @al................ 15
Jamison, H. KX., Manayunk, Pa.............. 144

Jencks, Fred. T., Providence, R. I. .11, 61, 103, 115
Jenkins, W. E. Northwood, N. H...........
Johnson, A. De Hydeville, Vt... wisatipecer
Jones, Rev. C. M., Eastford, Co OnN: see 30

Jones, George C., Br ookfield Centre, Conn...36, 76
J. M. W., Norwich, Conn............8, 16, 58, 68
Keyes, Chas. R., Des Moines, Iowa........ 17, 34

Marsh, Charles H., Silver City, N. M.. .72, 75, 126
Morrison, Chas. F., Ft. McKinney, Wyo. Ter.

Sacco aces ea eewereerapeaa 39,54, 121, 124, 150
Ido NG Daly, JEM bbeY. TNE Go 5 6 bGcocsaec 36, 151
Musick, Mrs. Margaret, Mt. Carmel, Mo. .127, 128
Nehrling, H., Fedor, Tex....................09
Nicewaner, E. C., Baltimore, Md..............90
Noe, Fletcher M., Indianapolis, Ind.......... 104
Oberholtzer, Mrs. §. L., Norristown, Pa...... 137
Parkhurst, A. L., San Jose, Cal.............. 150
Parshall, Si Bo Cheshire) IN. Yous. see 138
' Patton, Dr. Minneapolis, Minn...........--- 135
Prior, Chas. E., Jewett City, Conn.........-
Pane tantiereortons conus 94,101, 109, 115, 128
| PSt Wee Southborow Massieeaaeeeeeeeneeeen 33
Ragsdale, George H., Gainesville, Tex...62, 90, 104
| Ranslow, Court. W., Minneapolis, Minn.. .... 128
Rathbun, 8. F:, Auburn, N: Y:--.°.-.--- sooo cts
Saunders, W. E., London, Can..............- 115
Scotty We di. Oftawas Can. seh ee sees hee)
Shepherd, R. T., Monroe, O...........-.---- 123
Sherratt, H. J., Philadelphia, Pa....... 24, 48, 115

Skirm, Joseph, Sinta Gruz, Cal........-.1381, 149

Smith, H. G. Jr., Denver, Col ......-. 76, 95, 120
Stebbins, E. S., Minneapolis, Minn...........- 12
| Steinback, Will., Hollister, Cal................58
SViowoves, 1D); ID, WIE. ING Waaosoococssccas 9, 20, 76
Talbot, H. A., Providence, R. 1.........-- 58, 80
Tappan, G. L., Chicago, Ill.............----- 48
Tozer, R. J., Cleveland, O..........-- 47, 62, 188
Thurber, J. W., Nashua, N.H............--.- 48
| Tracy, C. O., Taftswille, Vt.......:...- 14, 17, 26
Wade, Joseph M., Boston, Mass...........-- 104
We Be eles Smithville ayers isn eeiereiener 53
Wi He iChesten Compass eee eee eee 137
Whiting, J. F., Dorchester, Mass...........--. 61
W.L., San Angelo, Te xs. hel cca Os ee 104

| W. W. W., Shelter Island, N. Y

Wolcott, Robert H., Grand Rapids, Mich... . . .62
Wood, A. H., Painted TPosls ING Woaadancascnes
Wood, Dr.Wm. East Windsor Hill, Conn.10, 29, 89

Woodbury, Allan, Inglewood, Ill...........-- 12
WwW. S. M., Westchester, Pa.................--- 3
Wright, J. A., Boston, Mass. . .116
Wright, W. GS an Bemandino! Cal Reta nico 13
W. V. 185 IONE RONG TEN Sooo oc00 ae ov vO0r 108, 128
W. W. C, Boston, Mass........ ....--- 116, 140

Sodgono2a50000 24

oe. JANUARY, 18984.4>

HOVAMUUNCHAUNUCOAEMUTSUEQOONUAGOEALEQOOAENOEOHOEEAAODEOUONEONNOYEAUENDONUNOGENOEOOCUONUAUOAUNNE

Published by
FRANK B. WEBSTER,

PAWTUCKET, R. I.

Entered at Pawtucket Post Office as Second-class-Matter.

VOT SIS

ADVERTISEMENT OF

THE ORNITHOLOGIST AND OOLOGISE

VOLUME IX—-1884.

Commencing a New Series with the No. for

JAN. 1884.

ENLARGED TO 12 PAGES, COMPOSED, AS HITHERTO, OF

Original Matter,

FURNISHED FOR THE MOST PART BY COLLECTORS AND ORIGINAL
WRITERS ON ORNITHOLOGY.

AS A SPECIAL FEATURE FOR 1884, ATTENTION IS CALLED TO
THE VALUABLE INVESTIGATIONS, UNDER THE DIRECTION OF MR.
W. W. COOKE, ON THE

MISSISSIPPI VALLEY MICRA tiene

A SERIES OF ARTICLES ARE EXPECTED FROM THIS SOURCE
WHICH WILL REPAY CAREFUL PERUSAL BY ALL INTERESTED IN
THE THOROUGH AND SYSTEMATIC OBSERVATION OF BIRD LIFE.

IT IS INTENDED, AS SOON AS THE LIST OF OBSERVERS IS COM-
PLETE, TO PUBLISH A MAP OF THE DISTRICTS EMBRACED IN THE
INQUIRY, WITH REFERENCES TO THE STATIONS WHERE OBSER-
VATIONS ARE BEING MADE. INTENDING OBSERVERS WILL
PLEASE SEND IN THEIR NAMES, AT ONCE, SO AS TO ASSIST MR.
COOKE IN MAKING UP HIS LISTS.

COMMUNICATIONS ARE INVITED CONTAINING ORIGINAL NOTES
AND OBSERVATIONS ON BIRD LIFE. INQUIRIES ON ANY QUES-
TIONS RELATING TO THE SPECIALTIES OF THE MAGAZINE, WILL
RECEIVE CAREFUL ATTENTION AND INVESTIGATION.

TO MAKE THE NEW SERIES SUCCESSFUL, A LARGE INCREASE
IN THE SUSCRIPTION LIST IS A NECESSITY.

SUBSCRIPTION, $1 PER ANNUM.

SUBSCRIPTIONS WILL BE RECEIVED IN ENGLAND AT THE
RATE OF FIVE SHILLINGS PER ANNUM, INCLUDING POSTAGE, BY
ALFRED CLIFF, 35 TEESE ROAD, FOREST GATE, ESSEX.

FRANK B. WEBSTER, Publisher,

PAWTUCKET, R. I.

Pe NITHOLOGIST

NN Da,
$1.00 per FR Bee B. WEBSTER, PUBLISHER. Single Copy
Annum. Established, March, 1875. 10 Cents.
ois — PANT TE UCISET, Ree, eRe wee NO: Te

Migration in the Mississippi Valley. bird thirty-eight days to reach Anna, IIL.
directly north in lat. 3874 dee., or an aver-

Last Spring a number of ornithologists age of ten miles a day. The next day
made observations on the arrival of the found them a degree farther north at St.
birds. By combining their notes, we are Louis. The next degree to Griggsville,
enabled to trace and time the movements | Il, was made in six days, and four days
of the birds from the Gulf of Mexico, | later, on April 28, they had passed to
nearly to British America. It is to be re- Liter, Ill, in lat. 40 deg. In the mean-
eretted that among the thirty to forty ob- while a single strageler had been seen on
servers, so small a number were from the April 10, at Osceola, Ill, lat. 41 deg. ; but
Southern States; and it is hoped that in — the regular migration was much later and
the observations of next Spring, which are _ the birds reached Jefferson, Wis., lat. 43
to include not only the Mississippi Valley, deg., on May 6, and the next day appeared
but the whole United States and Canada, 2+ Hastings, Minn., lat. 45 deg. We see
the South will be ably represented. then that from lat. 32 deg. to 874 deg. the

Notes on over three hundred species ate of migration was 10 miles per day;
were sent me by the different observers, | from 3874 deg. to 40 deg., 16 miles; and
and from them I will select a few to show | from 40 deg. to 45 deg., nearly 40 miles
the character of the work. _per day. This sudden increase of speed

We will begin with the Kixepmp (Z'y- _ may possibly, if not probably, be account-
rannus carolinensis.) This wellknown ©4 for by studying the weather record for
bird almost entirely deserts the United the first few days of May. The Signal
States during the Winter, a few remaining Service Reports show that from April 29
in the Southern States. But although it to May 4, there were almost continuous
scatters in Summer all over the Mississip- W@!™ south winds in the upper part of
pi Valley and far into British America, it the Mississippi Valley, with slight warm
is one\of the late migrants. Mr. T. §. TMs. The records of other birds show
Ward, at Canton, Miss., saw the first one that these same days were days of great
March 10. Farther west, at Waxahachie, 02Ward movements all along the line.
Texas, they did not come until much later. | The stations north of Hastings omitted
It is in general true, as shown by several | the date of arrival of the Kingbird, but
hundred observations, that the migration at the same rate of travel, the foremost
across the plains averages from four days 02° would reach British America about

to a week later than at places in the same May 15.
latitude nearer the Mississippi, and in a It is usually true that migration is most
timbered country. rapid toward the northern part of its

Starting now from Canton, Miss. which course; and we may suppose that this
is in latitude 32 deg., it took the King- | fact is the result of the other fact that the

Copyright, 1884, by Frank B. WEBSTER and Eaton Curr. i

I

2 ORNITHOLOGIST

[Vol. 9-No. 1

advance of the seasons is a little more rap-
id the farther north it extends. It is also
true that the later in the season a bird
migrates, the more regular, and usually
the more rapid, will be its movements.
Among some hundred or more species on
whom special study was expended, the
Bautmorr Ortore (Icterus galbula) was
found to have the most regular and uni-
form record. It is also one of the later
birds to migrate. To pass from lat. 844
deg. to 40 deg. required 14 days or 28
miles per day; from 40 deg. to 43 deg. oc-
cupied 7 days or 30 miles; and the dis-
tance from 43 deg. to 454 deg. was passed
in 5 days, that is 35 miles per day, while
the average per day for the whole dis-
tance of nearly eight hundred miles, was 30
miles. This is a remarkably uniform rec-
ord and would be an impossibility to a
bird like the Porrre Marrin (Progne
subis), which migrates while the weather
is still cold and changeable. Look at its
record. It passed the first 4 deg. at 16
miles per day; the next 24 deg. at 12
miles; the next 44 deg. at 63 miles; and
the last 24 deg. at 10 miles, making an av-
erage of only 18 miles per day. Or still
earlier, take the Rosin, (Merula migrato-
ria,) which was 39 days in passing from
lat. 383 to lat. 454 deg., or 13 miles per
day. According to the notes of last
Spring, the bird of most rapid migration
is the Sorrrary Vireo, which passed from
lat. 384 deg. to lat 451 deg. at the rate of
81 miles per day. The slowest migrant
was the Rep-ryep Vireo, ( Vireo olivacea,)
which performed a journey of nearly 800
miles at about 7 miles a day. It must not
be supposed that the problems of bird mi-
gration present themselves at first in this
simple and plain form. Many things have
to be taken into account. Out of the
mass of notes sent in, some are evidently
mistakes, and for others allowances have
to be made according to the kind of coun-
try and the opportunities of the observer.

We have given these notes here that all

may see the interesting problems which
present themselves to the notice of the
student of migration. But these same
problems cannot be solved by the labors
of any one person. It is only by the
united and persistent efforts of a large
body of observers that a satisfactory solu-
tion can be reached. What we want is
observers. The work the past two years
was confined to the Mississippi Valley, but
the coming Spring the work will be ex-
tended. The new society, the National
Ornithologists Union, has taken up the
work and the observations will be carried
on throughout the whole of the United
States and Canada. To do this, we want
several hundred observers; the more the
better, and it is earnestly desired that all
who can will aid us. Any who are willing
to help in the work, even if they can con.
tribute only their mite, will please send in
their address, and the circular containing
full instructions will be sent them. Those
outside the Mississippi Valley may address
Dr. C. Hart Merriam, Locust Grove, N.
Y. Those in the Mississippi Valley and
Manitoba, will please send their names to
W. W. Cooke, Caddo, Indian Territory.

Notes from Chester Co., Pa.

The nests of the Turkey Buzzard (Ca.
thartes aura) have been taken more fre-
quently this year than ever before in the
oological history of the county. Al
though a common bird, it rarely nests out-
side of the wilds of the “Welsh Moun-
Two nests and eggs were taken
this Spring, by boys, on the Brandywine
Creek, besides one or two found in the
northern part of the county.

A nest of the Messina Quail (Coturnia
communis) has been seen abouta mile north
of West Chester. This bird has been in-
troduced into Chester County from Europe
for game purposes, but the success of the
experiment has hitherto been doubted.

One or two pairs of Mocking Birds have.

tain.”

Jan., 1884.]

been noticed in the county, but I have not
heard of any nests being found. A few
nests of this bird were found here several
years ago, but we can only class them as
casual visitors, until more certain evidence
of their nesting is obtained.

The collectors of the county all com-
plain of having had poor success this sea-
son.— W. S. M. West Chester, Pa.

The Wood or Summer Duck.

This is considered the most beautiful
of the many species of Ducks in the
United States.

It is well known for the brilliant color-
ing and metallic lustre of its feathers, and
abundant wherever there are fresh water
ponds and streams.

The birds are shy, and it is not often
they can be observed very closely. We
once surprised a flock of about twenty-five,
when gunning in New Jersey. Rowing up
the stream, we came, about daylight, to a
sharp bend, where bushes hid our ap-
proach. The flock were on their feeding
grounds, and, though not fifty feet from
our boat, did not appear to notice us.

It was in the Fall of the year, the birds
were mostly young. For several minutes
we watched them washing and pluming,
diving and feeding, and then spmning
around like downy balls on the water, ut-
tering at times their peculiar notes.

The plumage of the birds, old and

AND OOLOGIST. 3

young, was not so brilhant as it would
have been in the Spring, when they are
decked out in their almost gorgeous uni-
form.

It is not often they are caught in this
way. After having watched them suffic-
iently, it took but a second to destroy the
picture, as the two barrels of our gun
rudely startled them.

They come in the Spring, as soon as the
ice is out of the ponds, and commence to
build their nests in April. A hollow tree
is their favorite spot, and well up in the
tree.
appears to be a very small hole in the

They sometimes will enter by what

trunk, and go down, feur, or even six feet
until they find a solid spot to build their
nest upon. They carry some twigs or
erass, and line the nest with a thick felt of
their own down, which becomes so matted
that the eggs can be lifted up in it as if it
was a felt hat. We have never known any
nests except in a hollow tree or stump.
If the first nest is broken up, they will lay
a second, and again, if that is robbed, a
third time.

The largest number of eggs found in a
nest as stated by reliable parties is eight-
Eleven to thirteen is the usual aver-
age, and late nests (second or third) rare-
ly have more than eight or nine.

If the first nest is destroyed, they will
not desert the neighborhood. A friend of
ours found a nest on the Passaic River
and took the eggs, but having pity on the
old birds, he carried back a dozen of com-
mon duck’s eggs as a fair exchange. The
duck continued to sit until some one, see-
ing the nest, carried off the eggs. In a
few days, our friend was invited to see a
brood of young Wood Ducks at a neigh-
bors, who had built them a beautiful house
and was very proud of his prize. Our
friend said little, but smiled a grim smile
as he told his neighbor that it would not
be necessary to pinion the young ducks,
as they would never go far. As they grew
they developed into the most common of

een.

common ducks, of every variety of color.

They will build at a long distance from
the water if they find a suitable tree, and
when they hatch will carry their young
one by one in their bills to the water, until
they have the whole brood there. Former-
ly a Mr. Dickerson collected many eggs
each year and set them under common
barnyard ducks.
with them.
pairs from him.

He was very successful
The writer has bought many

They will lay in confinement if a hollow
log is provided, and sit and hatch as well
as the tame ducks.

Sometimes the owner would exchange
the Wood Duck eggs with a common duck,
but it seldom happened that the Wood
Duck failed to bring out her brood. A
farmer in Ocean County, N. J., found a
nest of eggs and set them under a hen
and was successful in raising several young
ones, which proved to be quite tame. We
have seen them flying around the town
(having been left unpinioned,) and they al-
ways returned to their home. Some were
sold, but a dog destroyed the others.
The young ducks are very pretty, und
when startled they will fairly run on top
of the water, their feet going so fast as to
make the water buzz.

I have known the Wood Duck, when
wounded, to dive and hold on to the grass
at the bottom for what seemed to be five
minutes, until I had moved the boat some
distance and reached down with an oar to
bring up the bird. The circumstance
brought to my mind the Divers (ducks) on
Lake Geneva in Switzerland, which were
quite tame and lived near a bridge where
visitors would throw grain in the water
and they would dive to the bottom and
pick up the grains. The water being per-
fectly clear, allowed every motion of the
duck to be seen, and we were astonished
to see how long they could remain under
water, diving from ten to twenty feet, and
perhaps even deeper.

ing acorns under the trees on the edge of
the water, and, as they hear the acorns
drop in the water they will go for them. I
have heard of gunners snapping pebbles
with their thumbs into the water near trees
to decoy the ducks. In keeping them in
confinement, it is necessary to give them
plenty of green food and gravel.

The Mandarin Duck of China is similar
to the Wood Duck in size and is even
more brilliant in color.
sacred bird.

It is considered a
One hundred dollars and
even more has been paid for a pair of
these birds.

Having in former years kept many
Wood Ducks, the writer learned to admire
them for their extreme shyness. They
would prove a valuable addition to the
poultry yard. They are strictly monaga-
mous in this section of the country.—B. B.

Michigan Notes.

From several well filled pages of my
note book, I take the following, perhaps of
not much interest, but still sufficient, I
hope, to show that a change of base from
Maine to Michigan has not interrupted
my work. 4

Iam surprised to find the Bald Eagle
(HI. leucocephalus) so common in this lo-
eality. At the Tabico Marshes, some
eight miles from here on the Bay shore,
this bird has frequently been observed and
on Oct. 7th, three were seen at one time on
a tall dead pine near the edge of the
marsh. Yesterday a fine adult bird was
noticed hovering high in the air above the
city.

The Carolina Rail (P. carolina) was
very plentiful at these same marshes and
one might almost imagine himself on their
favorite grounds of the Atlantic coast.
By the first week in October, not a bird
was to be seen, the cold weather having
hurried them off on their Southern
journey.

Jan., 1884.]

AND OOLOGIST. 5

The Herring Gull (Z. argentatus smith-
sonianus) is now plentiful on our river.
During the Summer months none are seen ;
but with the annual Fall migration up the
Saginaw River of the perch, bass and
other fish, they appear in large numbers,
together with the Bonaparte Gull (Z.
philadelphice); both of which species as
also the Common Tern (S. flwviatilis,) fre-
quent the sand-bars of the Bay shore at
this season of the year in large numbers;
in fact, often visiting several breeding
places of the Herring Gull and Common
Tern on the Maine coast—I thought there
could be but few birds left. However, I
find myself very much in the wrong.

The numerous lumber piles, with which
the banks of our river for miles are lined,
appear to afford very suitable breeding
places for the Barn Swallow, House Wren,
English Sparrow and Robin, while the
Crow Blackbird and Hairy Woodpecker
consider it a good feeding ground.

In the O. and O. for July, 1882, I cited
the capture of a Black-backed Woodpecker
(P. areticus.) Nov. 17-22, on the Pine
River, in this State. The species has since
been noted Sept. 26 at Bay View on the
Bay shore andI should not be surprised if
we soon learn of its breeding in the south-
ern peninsular. The bird is not so rare
here as is generally supposed.

Tam not aware that the Surf Duck (P.
perspicillata) has ever been given as a bird
of this State. Dr. Morris Gibbs in his
list, pwblished in 1879, does not mention
it, the other two species of this genus be-
ing given as rare. I would therefore add
it to the list of Michigan birds, from a
specimen taken at the mouth of the Sagi-
naw River. The bird was in the posses-
sion of a very small boy with a very large
gun and a very good string of ducks, who
informed me that he took it over decoys at
the place stated. It was at once recog-
nized as the familiar “ Horse-head Coot”
of the Maine coast, in good plumage, with

the local and auricular patches very dis-
tinct. The genus Gidemia are not strictly
maritime ducks, as I have frequently taken
both the Black Scoter and Surf Duck on
the inland waters of Maine, and, contrary
to my experience on the coast, where they
savor strongly of “poggy-chum,” have al-
ways found them excellent eating.

Since writing the above, I have purchased
at one of our markets a pair of ducks, one
of which proves on examination to be a
young female Surf Duck, the other a fe-
male Black Scoter—N. A. Eddy, Bay
City, Mich.

Yettow rump Warerer. On the 15th
of May last, I winged a Yellowrump
Warbler (Dendreca coronuta L.) and, as
it was very slightly wounded, I put it in
a cage, in order to try whether it would
live in captivity. As soon as it got used
to the cage, it seemed quite contented,
hopping incessantly from perch to perch,
and uttering at the same time a harsh,
monotonous “tweet.” I offered it every
kind of food, but the only things it would
eat were hard boiled eggs and cooked beef,
chopped up fine, of both of which, espe-
cially the yolk of the eggs, it was very
fond. It also ate a little canary seed, but
it did not seem to like it, and swallowed it
shell and all. It lived in this way—seem-
ingly in perfect health, and with its wing
healing fast—for two weeks, when one
morning I observed it sitting on its perch
looking dull and stupid, and every now
and then giving a spasmodic shiver. I
took it out of the cage aud held it near a
fire for some minutes, when it seemed
completely restored. That evening, how-
ever, L noticed it put its head under its
wing much earlier than usual, and the next
morning I found it on the bottom of its
cage, dead.— W. L. Scott, Ottawa, Canada.

Lares Sers or Keas. W. D. Hills, Odin,
Tll., writes that he found a Quail’s nest
with thirty eggs and one with twenty-eight.

(op)

THE
ORNITHOLOGIST
OOLOGIST.

A MONTHLY MAGAZINE

NUN UW IRAIG IS0ES WO IRN,

ESPECIALLY DEVOTED TO THE STUDY OF

BIRDS,

THEIR NESTS AND EGGS.

OF

DESIGNED AS A MEANS FOR THE INTERCHANGE OF NOTES
AND OBSERVATIONS ON BIRD LIFE.
FRANK B. WEBSTER, Publisher,

PAWTUCKET, R. I.

The notices which have appeared in the
recent numbers of our magazine, as also
the valedictory address of Mr. Wade,
would prepare our readers for the change
which begins with this number.

Those of them who possess the issue
which heralded the last change, (March
°81,) will find there a complete history of
the early struggles of the magazine.
Since that time, under the careful guid-
ance of Mr. Wade, it has clearly advanced
in position and usefulness. We can only
hope that the present may be another step
in the same direction, and be the com-
mencement of a still more vigorous and
active existence.

We are convinced that there is a field
for a journal such as we hope to make the
Ornithologist, and we think that sufficient
support may be obtained for it to warrant
the enlargement we have now made. In
our efforts to obtain that support, we ask
the co-operation of all who take an inter-
est in Bird-life.

In so far as the magazine is made a
means of bringing together the observa-
tions and experiences of the many stu-
dents of nature scattered widely over our
broad land—is made a chronicle of their
researches, and is able to collect within its
pages their notes for the information of
all—so far does it fulfil the object of its

ORNITHOLOGIST

further, for by the fact that its readers
have within its pages such a means of
spreading abroad what they themselves
have learnt, it will encourage systematic
observation and careful records. Its ed-
itor considers his duty to consist in
“shaping the collected information of oth-
ers,” rather than pretending to supply
anything of his own. For this end, he in-
yites the contributions of all those who
have in the past, through its pages, added
their observations to the ever increasing
knowledge of ornithology—assuring them
that the pages of the Magazine will always
be open to record anything on the subject
of Bird-life, which bears the impress of
eareful observation, and shows an intelli-
gent appreciation of the Science.

In this effort, the editor asks the sup-
port, not only of the present subscribers,
but of all in America or Europe, who con-
sider the systematic observation of nature

a thing to be encouraged and helped for-
ward.

Sandhill Crane (Grws canadensis.)

The Sandhill Crane was first noticed by
me in this township about the 15th of
April, 1842. In this part of the State it
is never common, and I have not met with
it outside of this neighborhood, since the
date above given. I find on looking over
our Michigan Bird Catalogues, that this
Crane is nowhere common within the lim-
its of our State, excepting at Petersburg,
Monroe County (Lat. 42 N.,) where it is
given by Mr. Jerome Trombley, a reliable
and accurate observer, as a common Sum-
mer resident.

A nest was found (the only one I ever
saw) on the 8th of June, 1879, by a friend
of mine living near Wolf Creek Marsh,
about two anda half miles from my resi-
dence. I was not able to visit the place
with him until the 2ist, when we found
that the bird had hatched her chicks and
left the premises, leaving us only the emp-

Jan., 1884.] AND OOLOGIST. 7

ty shells. These were carefully saved. | 22; the remaining one was a trifle smaller.
The one represented here measured 33 The nest was situated in the open

EGG OF SANDHILL CRANE—EXACT SIZE.

marsh above mentioned, and was placed hay to the stack in wet seasons. It was
ona hand rack used by farmers for carrying about 12 feet in length by 24 in width, and

NEST OF SANDHILL CRANE.

1 a 1 | DATES OF ARRIVAL OF SANDHILL CRANE IN LOCKE FOR
was made of poles about 24 inches in eta ere atone et

diameter. A small quantity of hay was | Feb. 19, 1857. Apr. 3, 1866. Mar. 27, 1875.
left on the rack when used the o Mar. 19, 1858. Mar. 25, 1867. Apr. 8, 1876.
e ul us PFeV1OUS | Mar. 16, 1850) Mar. 13, 1868. Mar. 30. 1877.
year, which had settled down to a level | mar. 8, 1860. Mar. 28, 1859. Mar. 15, 1878.
with the top of the instrument, and | AP™ 2% 1861. Mar, 31, 1810. Apr. 9, 1879.

j : Mar. 27, 1862. Mar. 9, 1871. Mar. 30, 1880.
on this platform the eggs were laid. The Mar. 31, 1863. Mar. 28, 1872. Mar. 29, 1881.
rack was lying flat on ‘the surface of the Apr. 12, 1864. Mar. 19, 1873. Mar. 1, 1882.
ae : Mar. 20, 1865. Mar. 20, 1874. Mar. 13, 1883.
I ;

—Dr. H. A. Atkins, Locke, Michigan.

8 ORNITHOLOGIST

[ Vol. 9-No. 1

The Marsh Hawk and Its Eggs.
PART I.

One June morning, while I stood in a
barn-yard by the side of a farmer with a
loaded gun in his hands, watching a pair
of Buteos lazily circling overhead, a Marsh
Hawk came skimming over the wall, and
picking up a chicken, was away with its
quarry before the slow rustic battery could
be brought to bear. It is for such occa-
sional forays that this useful harrier is
shot by the average farmer; the quail-
shooter empties a shell of No. 10 shot at
him when he comes within range, while
the country boys, marking down the nests,
wring the necks of the young Hawks and
get fifteen cents apiece for them from the
town clerk, in accordance with the frequent
votes in town meeting of a bounty on all
“ Crows, Hawks and Owls.” Hence Marsh
Hawks are decreasing in numbers in New
London County, and I know of three
marshy meadows, near by, where they
used to breed yearly, over which no harri-
er's wing has brushed for many a day.
What the Buteos do for us in keeping
down that great nuisance, the red squir-
rel, the Marsh Hawk also accomplishes in
the line of ground rodents and vermin.
And there are some observant farmers who
have seen him on a still hunt, slowly sail-
ing along just over the tops of the huck-
leberry bushes, who appreciate his ser-
vices, as is shown by the local names given
him in Connecticut of “Mouser,” “Mole
Hawk,” and “ Snake Hawk.”

In July, ’74, when crossing a range of
bare upland pastures, I was startled by a
confused shadow of wild wings, and had
barely time to snatch my little tan terrier
which was following me, from the grasp of
a pair of large Marsh Hawks. For many
minutes the baffled Hawks followed us,
swooping down with angry screams near
enough to be struck with a cane. Carry-
ing the dog to a place of safety, I came
back to a brushy marsh in the centre of

the pastures, and found four young Hawks
that never knew how near they came to
having a meal of imported terrier. The
dog weighed nearly four pounds, and that
he could have been carried or dragged in-
to the nest by the old birds, we know from
recorded instances of the power of levita-
tion given by Buteos and Fish Hawks.
The nest, which was a bulky affair, seven
inches high and fifteen inches in horizon-
tal diameter, was taken home and is still
in good condition. Nests of slight pre-
tensions are often met with, and I have
taken eggs from a mere depression in dry
sphagnum moss. In the last case, how-
ever, the over-harried bird sought conceal-
ment for her clutch by making no nest.
The large nests seen, if not built to avoid
submersion by water, are the results of
nesting in the same spot for a series of
years. ‘The account given above, was my
first introduction to a pair of Marsh
Hawks, from which I took several sets of
plain eges, in sets of four and _ five.
Later, from other Hawks of this species, I
took sets of three, four, and five unmarked
eges. The eggs when first laid are green-
ish blue, fading before the clutch is com-
plete to the ‘“ dirty white,” which is given by
closet oologists as the true color of the eggs.
I had often heard inquiry for marked sets
and for sets extreme in point of numbers,
but not till °81 and 82 did I meet with
these desiderata.—J. M. W., Norwich, Ct.

Our Northern Raptores.

March 20, found me in a logging camp
in northern Maine, at the headwaters of
the Magalloway, to spend a season collect-
ing in that vicinity. My special object
was to fill a vacancy of sets of Raptores
in my cabinet.

After a few hours’ search in the camp,
I secured the services of a Canadian
Indian, who informed me he knew of an
Eagle’s nest, and would lead me to it sure;
also knew of several ‘‘ Hoot Birds” nests,
(the name he used for Owls.)

Jan., 1884.]

AND OOLOGIST. 9

I thought myself lucky in securing stich
yaluable services. We began our expedi-
tions the next day, returning to camp each
night, when possible, as the weather was
quite cold.

March 23, found nest of Great-horned
Owl in a thick fir, with top broken off
about twenty feet from the ground. On
this stump was placed the nest, which re-
minded me of a Heron’s in shape and
texture.

It contained two eges, nearly fresh,
which seemed to show these Birds did not
breed quite so early as in the more south-
ern New England States.

March 27, while passing a large birch,
noticed a hole about three feet from the
eround. Examination proved it to con-
tain a Saw-whet Owl, which we let remain.

April 4, took provision for a longer trip
from camp, and after two days hard walk,
discovered the Eagle’s nest. It proved to
be that of a White-headed Hagle, resem-
bling an Osprey’s in size and materials.
It was placed in the crotch of a lightning
scathed hemlock, about thirty feet high.
The nest looked as though it must have
been occupied for many years, as the heap
of chaff at the foot of the tree would tes-
tify. After a great deal of expert climb-
ing on the part of my companion, the set
of three was secured. Even at that early
date, incubation was greatly advanced.

April 6, I again visited the hole where
we had discovered the Saw-whet Owl, and
was agreeably surprised to find it tenanted
as before with the addition of a set of two
eggs; average dimensions 1.05 x 90.

April 10, visited the east side of Mt.
Katahdin ; noticed, while pitching camp, a
pair of Duck Hawks flying around, evi-
dently annoyed at our presence. Thinking
they had a nest in the vicinity, we deter-
mined to spend a while in searching for it.
Jo (my man) came into camp one night
and reported that he had found an Owl’s
nest, and that the Owl was the largest he
had ever seen. Comparing it with skin

of the Great Horned Owl, he said it was
lighter plumaged and had not any horns.
Thinking it might be a Barred Owl, I in-
quired if the eyes were black. ‘“ No, they
were black and yellow.” As the nest con-
tained no eggs, only two young, I did not
take the time to examine, but it has since
been a question with me whether that was
not the nest of the Great Grey Owl.

April 14, found the nest of the Duck
Hawks on an easily accessible ledge on a
bluff on the east side of the Mt., partly
screened by a few low cedars.

April 25, found the nest of a pair of
Goshawks, on top of hemlock with top also
broken off. The four eggs it contained
averaged 2.30 1.85.

May 2, found the nest of a Broad-winged
Hawk in a large birch tree, twenty feet
from ground. It contained four eggs;
nest something like a Crow's in size and
structure.—/. 1. C.

Colorado Notes.

EXTRACTS FROM MY NOTE-BOOK—PART I.

Brewer's Buacksrrp (S. eyanocephalus.)
May 26, found 2 sets, 3 eggs: 1, 4 eggs; 1, 2
eges; fresh. The birds had just begun
laying. Many new nests were found com
pleted, but without eggs. They were in
low pines, about five feet from the ground,
near a house and corrals. Nests quite
large, composed outwardly of small stems
In-
side of this, a thin coating of mud, most-
ly at the bottom, lined with horse hair,
rootlets, ete.

Lene-crestep Jay (C. stelleri macrolo-
pha.) May 26, 1 set four eggs; fresh.
Nest in same position as Brewer's Black-
bird. Composed of fine, soft grasses and
without mud.

GRAY-HEADED SNowBIRD (Juco caniceps.)
June 8, 1 set 4 eggs, fresh. June 22, 5
sets 4 eggs, fresh; 4 sets 4 eggs, large
embryos; 1 set 2 eggs, 2 young birds.
July 4, 3 sets 4 eggs, fresh; 2 sets 4 eggs,

of sage, grasswood and pine twigs.

10

ORNITHOLOGIS

large embryos; 4 nests containing young
birds nearly able to fly. July 6,1 set 4
eggs, fresh; nest placed in a small pine,
three feet from the ground, in a heavy
bunch of timber; July 18, 2 sets 4 eggs,
fresh; 1 set 5 eggs, fresh. This is the
first and only set of 5 eggs of this species
T have ever found.

American TirtarKk (dAnthus ludovica-
June 24, shot a female, with par-
tially developed eggs.

1US.)

July 25, a friend told me he had found
a nest on the ground with four pretty,
dark-colored eggs. He was going to take
them up for me, “but the old bird flut-
tered around and felt so bad,” that he
didn’t. To-day I got him to go with me
to the nest, and, alas! no eggs, but four
chicks instead. As I expected, it was a
Pipit or American Titlark. I took the
nest, substituting a handful of dry grass.
It is entirely of dry grass, lined with fine,
wiry grass. Outer diameter, five inches ;
height, two inches; inner diameter, two
and one-half inches; depth, one and one
quarter inches.

Pine Grosseak (P. enwcleator.) While
on my way to the Pipit’s nest, a pair of
Grosbeaks commenced flying about, utter.
ing their peculiar notes. Not having
time to watch them and the female being
the handier, I shot her and went on. The
guia being unusually puffed out, I ex-
amined it and found it was filled with
berries and small green larvae. Evident-
ly they had young near by. Since then I
have seen a number of pairs ranging along
near timber line.

Rep-sHarreD Fricker (C. auratus Mexi-
canus.) June 27,1 set 5 eges, incubated
eight or ten days.

STRIPED-BACKED ‘THREE TOED WoopPEck-
ER (P. tridactylus dorsalis.) July 10, 5
young birds.

Arotic Biuesrrp (Sialia arctica.)
15, 5 young birds.

Ross (I. migratoria.)
3 eggs, incubated 6 or 7

July

days. Robins

June 27, 1 set |

Although abundant, I have listened in vain
for their “ill ’em, eure em, kill em, cure
vem, physic.”

Western YELLOW-BILLED Fycarcuer (7.
difficilis.) July 4, 1 set 4 eges, fresh.
Nest in bank of railroad at Murphy, two
and one-half miles below here. Ground
color creamy white, with fine dots of
black and lilac, and larger spots of pale
lilac, generally distinct, but in some
places blended together, and tending to
form a ring about the larger end. Aver-
age, .60.70. Nest mainly of moss inter-
woven with rootlets, grass and small
pieces of tow string. On account of its
position it is one-sided. Outer diameter :
longer, five inches; shorter, three and
one-half inches; height, two and one-
half inches. Inner diameter, two inches ;
depth, one and one-eighth inches. July
18, 1 set 3 eggs, eight or nine days incu-
bated. This nest was about half a mile
from where the other was found. It was
about half way up a cut bank of hard
wash, in a small cavity, almost entirely
of roots and strips of bark from roots,
lied with a small quantity of grass.
Outer diameter, three and one-half inches :
height, two inches: inner diameter, one
and three-quarter inches; depth, one inch.
Eggs same as above described. (Dr.
Coues, in his Birds of N. W., gives the
eges as pure white, unmarked. One of
the parents of the first set was very kindly
identified by Mr. R. Ridgway.) D.D. Stone.

Short-eared Owl.

In the August number of the O. and O.
you give Mr. H. A. Kline the credit of
giving the most interesting information
respecting the Short-eared Owl so far
placed on record. You would not have
made that assertion if Wamiliar Science
had not died out when it changed hands.
I had completed an exhaustive history of
all the birds of prey of N. E., a part only
of which was published in that magazine.

., 1884]

full and complete. Some thirty years ago
a nest was found some half mile from my
office among the bogs in our meadows.
The nest was on the top of the bog and
composed of fine grass. It was within a
few rods of the cart path and the bird
could easily be seen as we passed. She
would allow us to approach very near be-
fore rising from her nest, would fly a few
rods and then hop along in the grass
snapping her mandibles. There were four
eges in the nest. She was captured by
placing a snare over the nest attached to
a long cord. When she returned a sud-
den twitch on the line secured the bird.
I took her some half mile from the nest
and let her go. She flew directly back to
her nest. I suppose on her passage north
to breed she was wounded and laid her
clutch of eggs here. She had no mate
and the eggs never hatched. I could not
discover any signs of injury from examin-
ing her, or in her flight.— Wim. Wood.

‘“Brief Notes.’

THe Rimeway Ornrrgotocicat Crus of
Chicago, met Dec. 9th, at the Academy of
Sciences. Donations of skins and books
were received. Mr. B. T. Gault read a pa-
per on “The Titlark Sparrow,” (Passer-
culus anthinus,) describing for the first
time the nests and eggs, illustrated by
specimens, as was also a paper by Mr. H.
K. Coale on “The Genus Zonotrichia,” in-
cluding the record of the recent capture of
Z. querula in Wisconsin.

OnE-LecceD Brrp. Probably every col-
lector who shoots many birds, not unfre-
quently obtains one with but one leg, the
other being lost by some accident and
usually byshot. A very peculiar case came
under my observation. I had a lot of
Kittewake Gulls, and sold one to Mr. T.
Adcock of this city. A few days afterwards
he returned and asked me if I had noticed
that one Gull had but one leg. Upon my
answering in the negative he said he had

It had but one leg and there was nothing
to show that it ever had any portion of
another one.—/red. 7. Jencks, Provi-
dence, R. I.

A fine specimen of the English Pheas-
ant (female) has been handed in to us by
Mr. George Arms of Pawtucket. It was
shot at Seine Pond, Great Yarmouth, Mass.,
on Dee. 25th.

Tue Eneuisn Sxyiark (Alauda arvensis)
appears to have been successfully acclima-
tized on this side of the Atlantic. Highty-
four birds were set free two years ago on
a farm in New Jersey, and may now be
seen apparently at home and quite happy.
With reference to this notice, which ap-
pears in the Scientific American of Sept.
22d, Armin Tenner, writing from Berlin,
Oct. 6th, says:

‘The Skylarks were first brought to America in ’73 by
myself, then Secretary of the Cincinnati Acclimatization
Society, and set free in the Spring of ’74 at Burnet Woods
Park, near Cincinnati. They have since returned, or, at
least, some of them, and every Spring chosen for abode
asummit in the vicinity of the park named. Contrary to
their usual habits in Europe, these Skylarks have selected
hilly ground as their favorite place of abode, whereas in
the old country, the Skylark generally inhabits meadows or
a level country. The Skylark is a migratory bird; only 1n
rare instances small numbers remain over Winter in north-
ern climates.”

Will any of our correspondents in New
Jersey or Ohio report whether they have
seen the English Skylark, and under what
circumstances ?

Tue British Narionan CoLLEcrion oF
Birps was opened at the South Kensing-
ton Natural History Museum, London, on
the 8th of October. It promises to be-
come one of the best ornithological collec-
tions in the world. The bulk has been
brought from the British Museum, but
The
museum authorities have commissioned
agents to hunt up contributors from all
parts of the globe. In the arrangement
of specimens, great alterations have also
been made. Instead of being exhibited in
the old wall cases, the different species of
birds are placed in classes in large alcoves

large additions have been made.

12

[Vol. 9-No. 1

ORNITHOLOGIST

along the hall. Where practicable, the
history of each group is shown by the
nest, eggs, young and sketches of the
birds, being placed along with the speci-
men in full plumage. In the centre of
every alcove stands themost striking rep-
resentative of the family, and, as far as
possible, the popular name of the bird is
added to the scientific. The hall, though
open to the public, is as yet by no means
complete.

A fine specimen of the European Gold
Finch was taken in company with a pair of
our natives at Falmouth, Mass., May 1, ’83,
by &. J.C. Swift.

W. J. B. Williams, Cumbridge, N. Y.,
found on May 27th, a Bluebird’s nest con-
taining seven fresh eggs which are now in
his collection.

Wm. Hyde, Pawtucket, R. I., lately
brought us a set, eight in number, taken
by him in May, ’82. It is now in our pos-

session.
ne ee

Our Former Editor.

We congratulate our predecessor on his
elevation to the position of Editor in Chief
of Cotton, Wool and Iron, and Boston
Journal of Commerce. In its special
sphere this is the leading paper of the
world. Mr. Wade’s many friends among
the readers of the O. and O. will look upon
his prosperity with much satisfaction.

CORRESPONDENCE.

Correspondents making inquiries are requested to be brief
and to the point.

SPECIMEN JANUARY NUMBER.—We have received many
letters from old supporters of the O. and O., and from some
who are just becoming acquainted with the magazine, ex-
pressing the pleasure it has given them to see it in its new
and enlarged form. Their appreciation will be an encour-
agement to usin our efforts to make the magazine all that
its best friends would desire it to be. This issue (which is
sent to every subscriber on our lists) is, for the most part,
the same as the specimen, and must be considered as the
permanent form of the January number. A few of the
specimens, still in the hands of the publisher, will be for-
warded to any address sent.us by Subscribers. We are
pleased to report a large number of new names on our sub-
scription lists—still there is room for more.

In our endeavor not to overlook any person known to be
interested in Ornithology, it has probably happened that
duplicate copies have been sent to many. Such of our
friends as have copies they do not require, will oblige by re-
mailing them to any of their acquaintances interested in
the subjects treated. Our thanks are due to many friends
who haye sent us lists of parties to whom to send the speci-
men number. This is the best means of reaching those in-
terested in our subjects, and will be continued as opportu-
nity may present.

EVENING GRrosBEAKS.—E. S. Stebbins, Minneapolis,
Minn., reports having seen a fiock of about fifty Evening
Grosbeaks, on Noy. 7th. He says: ‘‘This Grosbeak is

“always with us in Winter, often coming within the built up

portion of the city, but I have never seen them so early
before.” :

ALBINOS.—S. W. Comstock (Greenfield, N. H., Society) re-
ports several varieties having been noted at Greenfield. As
Albinos are freaks of nature not uncommon, we think it
well only to place on record such as haye some unusual fea-
ture. ull identification is also advisable.

Large Sets oF Eaes.—Howard H. McAdam, Oak Bay, N.
B., says: ‘Ihave taken the following large sets of eggs:
5 eggs Black Snowbird, 5 Song Sparrow, 6 Carolina Wax-
wing, 6 Goldfinch, I also took a set of White-throated
Sparrow and Traills Flycatcher, rare nests here. Snowbirds
unusually plentiful this season; I have taken thirteen sets.”

CLARKE'S Crow.—Dr. J. G. Coop2r, Haywards, Cal., says :
“The occurrence of Clarke’s Crow at Vermilion, Dak.,
given in O. and O., (VIII, p. 84,) show that they rarely
straggle over 200 miles east of the mountains. This is al-
most the same distance east as I shot two in Oct., ’57, in
Nebraska, as given in Baird, Cassin and Lawrence’s report,
(P. R. R. Rep. IX.) As I saw none between there and Fort
Laramie, I supposed they got lost in the fogs then common.”

C. C. Richards, Norwich, Conn. Does our correspondent
refer to the Ruby-crowned, or the Golden-crested Kinglet ?
Read the descriptions of both given in “‘ New England Bird
Life,” Part I., pp. 71-76.

CLEANING WHITE FEeaTuHers. Mrs. Morse, Franklin,
NV. H., writes: ‘‘I would say, for the benefit of amateurs,
that a Taxidermist of special note in this State taught me
the use of Calcine for cleaning blood from white feathers,
and I have always found it the best of anything so far.
Sprinkle it on and brush with the fingers, sometimes work-
ing it over several times. Such manipulation has always
proved successful for blood stains on the choicest of birds.”

Allan Woodbury, Inglewood, Iil., writes: “ Here is a re-
ceipt I used with good results—Four ounces of white soap
cut fine and dissolved in four pints of hot water, adding a
few drops of Aqua Ammonia. Apply the solution to the
feathers with a soft sponge. afterwards wash with clean hot
water. Dry with Plaster of Paris, keeping the feathers in
motion.”

The above are selected from numerous replies to our
question, for which we thank our correspondents.
—_—
ARTIFICIAL Stump. Boil papier mache to a fine pulp;
adda weak solution of glue and flour; mix well and place
on a sieve to drain. When well drained and about the con-
sistency of dough, it is ready for use. Make base of wood
or other material; give coat of glue and cover with prepa-
ration. For rocks it can be moulded as desired, and when
dry covered with glue and micasand. Stumps should be
painted with burnt umber and decorated with natural moss.
The base can be covered with either Moss, Shell Sand or
Smalts. <A little experience and ingenuity will produce
fine effects.

om 6 Cle PR BRUARY, 1554.4

Established 1875.

svavannvesuoausvszvussaynuunersensesariosssdvessaupepast ntateatvent

Published by
FRANK B. WEBSTER,

PAWTUCKET, R. I.

“T consider it a Magazine which every true ornithologist, be he “full blooded,’ or —

only an amateur, should have at hand, and I will endeavor to extend its circulation

among those of my acquaintances interested im the science.”
CHAS. B. WILSON, Colby University, Waterville, Maine.

THE ORNITEOLOGIST AND OOLOGIST.

Vol. Commenced a New Series, enlarged to twelve pages of
No. |, Jain, 1884. be ORIGINAL MATTER.

= NOMGES FROM THE PRESS: ere

The Ornrrwotocist AND Ooxoarst is the | enough to profit and interest without ex-

title of a magazine published by Frank B. | hausting its subject. The matter is of

Webster, at Pawtucket, R. I., which will | decided value to all students of natural
be of interest to those interested in orni- | history.—Syracuse Daily Journal.

thology. A feature of the numbers for this A very neatly printed, well arranged
year will be an account of the investiga- | magazine, containme much of interest to
tions in the Mississippi Valley migration. | students and lovers of the subjects treat-
—Brooklyn Hagle. ed. The publisher is well known as an

The cover is very characteristic as well | adept in taxidermy and his collection of
‘as artistic, the typographical execution | Specimens is rated very high im such lists.
good, and the matter of decided value to |) —Pawtucket Gazette and Chronicle.
all students of natural history, especially The aim of the magazine is to instruct
bird lovers. This little monthly of twelve | all those who are interested in bird life.
- pages has improved greatly in appearance | There is quite a field for such a periodical
since its establishment, in 1875. The | among a certain class.—Newport Daily
pages of the present number exhibit a | (ews.
very fair engraving on wood of our most All interested in birds and birds’ eggs
lovely swimmer, the wood duck, so famil- | will enjoy this magazine-—The Journal,
iar to Worcester county students as the | Jacksonville, Il.
only duck which perches on trees; and A specimen number was issued about
two of the eggs and nest of the Sandhill | December 20, 1883. and contains the
Crane, known to us only from the further | ysual number of good articles and notes.
side of the Mississippi river, although its | There is doubtless room and need for a
name is frequently misapplied to our large | distinctively amateur journal like this,
Blue Heron.— Worcester Daily Spy. and we cordially wish it success.— Zhe

For eight years this monthly has found | Auk, January, 1884.

eee SUBSCRIPTION, $1 PER ANNUM. m. { SPECIMEN COPIES,

Commencing with Jan. No. THN CENTS.

FRANK B. WEBSTER, Pubhebar Pawtucket, R. I.

Subscriptions at the rate of Five Shillings per annum, will be received by aed
Cliff, 35 Osborne Road, Forest Gate, London, England.

ORNITHOLOGIST

—AND—
OOLOGINST.
ere per ; FRANK B. WEBSTER, PUBLISHER. Biel Gia
Annum. Established, March, 1875. 10 Cents.
VOL. IX. PAWTUCKET, R. I., FEBRUARY, 1884. No. 2.
ates = Beet eet ns ee ee a Se =e =<
An Experiment in Bird-Taming. They fed on many things, and were raised

5 on such food as was given young Mockers.
Tur Buack-cresteD Fry-carcuer, (Phain- | 2 5 young

opepla nitens,) is quite a wild bird, always | This pair was a loving couple. During
keeping at a good distance, and as far as | their baby days they were never long sep-
possible, out of sight. Even when nest. | arated. Whenever alone they worried and
ing and hatching its young it leaves its | called, till allowed to get together, and al-
nest while the visitor is yet at quite a dis- | ways, when at rest, either during the day,
tance. Like most other birds, howeyer, it | or at night, they would snuggle up side-
cannot appear: quite unconcerned, but with ways together as closely as possible, in a
raised crest it flies at a distance, and whis- | most affectionate manner, with little twit-
tles its toot! toot! of alarm, when the | ters of comfort and peace, and never once
egg hunter approaches the nest, but its fear | did they go to sleep in any other way. In
of man is too great to permit it to come | a few months, while they were yet but
near to defend its treasures of smoky eggs, | baby-birds, they began to pick at threads
or callow young. | and fibres, and to move them about in cir-

Till well able to fly, the young birds | cular shape, as if to make a nest. But,
cling fast to the nest in motionless silence, alas! soon the female began to have at-
if disturbed. They clutch hold of the | tacks of nervous fits, starting up with a
fibres of the nest with their claws, and shriek, and becoming stiff for a moment,
stick fast, even though the whole affair be | andat length the fits deepened into spasms
quite inverted, and it requires a good deal | of longer duration, from which she would
of patience to remove them from the nest. | recover with difficulty, and with laborious
Nor do the young ones ever cry out, if re- | gasps and pants, till at length, after such
moyed. From first to last they are perfect | a spasm, she quietly, and without pain, or
heroes and stoies. | motion, died. The survivor still lives. It

Notwithstanding the apparently uncon- | has become so tame and familiar that the
querable wildness of this pretty bird, I de- | instinct of fear is apparently lost. It is
termined to try the effects of persistent | never so happy or contented as when
and uniform gentleness and kindness, and | perched on my shoulder, nibbling my ears,
see if it might be tamed. A nest was | or when standing on my finger, being fed
found with a pretty pair of well-grown | or talked to. In this happy captivity, it
young ones, so large as to nearly fill the | still retains its pretty baby ways of flut-
nest. At that age they looked very much | tering its wings while being fed, and feign-
like the young of the White-rumped | ing inability to help itself to food, although
Shrike, but the triangular, bare spot on | no longer a young bird. But while so
their heads, where the crest-feathers were | gentle and apparently helpless, it is a brave
to grow, was distinct. So nest and young | little hero; its lion heart fears no bird of
ones were taken home. They grew apace. | twice its size, but, facing its enemy with

Copyright, 1884, by FRANK B. WEBSTER and Eaton CLIFF.

14

ORNITHOLOGIST

[Vol. 9-No. 2

admirable bravery, it snaps its little bill at
him. Even the swift Mocker never dares
to touch it.

Still another peculiarity is the childish
persistence with which it insists on going
to rest at night always on the same perch.
Haying free range of the room, it chose
the leather side of a common wall-pocket
as its perch, and now it will not be content
anywhere else, but flies about and cries
till allowed to go to its chosen place, when
it settles down with contented whisper-
ings. After dark it is taken on a finger
and put in its cage in satisfied peace.

Though professedly a warbler, it sings
but very little. In the morning when
coffee is being ground for breakfast, the
music of the coffee-mill always charms it
into song, and at other times it occasion-
ally warbles a little, the notes being always
low and sweet, and sung in a quiet, happy
way, yet as a singer it 1s not conspicuous.
But as a loving little pet, whose perfect
love for its master and mistress has cast
out all fear, and yet whose brave heart
fears no other bird, it is a pronounced suc-
cess.— W. G. Wright, San Bernardino,
Cal.

Traill’s Flycatcher.

(Eimpidonax pusillus Trailli.)

Previous to 1878, when I found its nest,
this bird was unknown to me. JI continued
to find one or two nests yearly up to 1882,
when I found eleven, and in 1883, three,
in all twenty nests. Three was the pre-
vailing number of eggs, but one nest con-
tained four. Several of the nests when
found contained but one or two eggs, so
they were left that the sets might be com-
plete; butit often happened upon a second
visit that one or two, and sometimes all
the eges would be broken. Iam satisfied
that they were broken by the birds them-
selves, as the Flycatcher disposition is well
developed in this species. The ground
color of the eggs is creamy white. The

markings vary much in different sets ,
some have large blotches, spots and mi-
nute dots, others have small spots and mi-
nute dots. The markings are sparingly
scattered, principally at the larger end,
and present many shades of red—brick-
red, reddish-brown, and sometimes a faint
lavender tint.

Three sets measure as follows: .77X
56, .17X.55 ; .70X.56, .75 x .54, .77X.55;
xan, SS<ane, oO dime 161,
1879, is the earliest date I have found a
nest containing eggs, and July 30, 1883,
the latest. The eleven sets obtained in
1882 were taken between June 20th and
July 8th; the three sets obtained in 1883
were taken between July 14th and 30th.

The nests, although lacking the solidity
and durability of those of Hmpidonax
minimus, are very pretty and interesting ;
outwardly composed of dried grasses—
slightly agglutinated to the forked twigs
which support them, bits of cobweb, and
rarely a dried leaf or bit of lint. The
lining of fine dried grass, and rarely a
horse-hair, is very neatly arranged. From
most of the nests there was hanging from
five to twenty spears of dried grass, vary-
ing in length from three to ten inches,
which evidently were left hanging at the
commencement of building. An average
nest measures as follows: Diameter, three
and one-half inches; height, two and one-
half inches ; depth of cavity, one and one-
half inches; diameter, two inches. The
site of the nest was invariably the upright
fork of asmall bush, varying from eighteen
inches to three feet from the ground.
Their favorite nesting localities are low
grounds, usually near a stream. <A notable
exception was a nest found on the top of
a high hill, one and one-half miles from
astream. It was in the centre of a large
tract, covered with a growth of briers,
bushes, and scattering trees. The nests
found one-half mile from a stream in a
hill sheep pasture, differed from the others
in haying an abundant supply of wool

Feb., 1884.]

AND OOLOGIST.

15

mixed with the dried grass. This no
doubt was a local characteristic, as the
pasture was plentifully supphed with briers
to which particles of wool adhered. The
birds are very shy and uneasy. Leaving
the nest at the first approach of an intru-
der, they will secrete themselves in the
nearest covert, where, uttering their un-
musical notes, they give vent to their dis-
pleasure. They spend most of their time
in the coverts of bushes, showing their
presence by frequently uttered notes, or by
being seen darting after some passing in-
sect. After the season of incubation is
over, they become rapidly silent, and, dur-
ing the remainder of their stay, their notes
are heard only at rare intervals. By the
middle of September none of them are to
be seen, as they have left for the South.
Their return in the Spring varies with the
season, but is usually the last of May.—
C. O. Tracy, Taftsville, Vt.

The Ruddy Duck and Its Nests.

While collecting at Santa Cruz, Cal., the
past season, I found several nests of the
Ruddy Duck, (Zrismatura rubida.) The
location was a salt lagoon of about forty
acres in extent, encircled with a belt of
tules* from ten to fifty feet in width. The
nests were usually built near the centre of
the tules, and just above the water, which
was two or three feet deep, and were inac-
cessible except by wading, as the tules
were too thick to allow a boat to pass
through them. The nests were all con-
structed of dry tules; those forming the
lining were picked into fine shreds and
slightly mixed with down of the parents.
Nests were from eight to fifteen inches
high, and ten to twelve in diameter. The
cavity varied in size as much as the nests,
but not in proportion to them, as the high-
est and most firmly built of any I saw had
a cavity that was only large enough to

*The word * Tules,” pronounced tu-les, is in common use
in California for a kind of reed found plentifully in ponds
and streams.—Ep.

hold two eggs in the first layer, and so
shallow that the three other eggs it con-
tained were above the level of the nest.
This nest also varied from the others in
having a slight covering of tules over the
eggs. I first visited the lagoon and saw
the Ducks on May 12th, believing they
had their nests there. Not then having
sufficient time to make a thorough search,
I waited until the 26th, and then took a
boat, and for several hours hunted unsuc-
cessfully along the edge and through the
tules where they were thin enough to admit
a boat. However, as the Ruddys were
still there, I made up my mind to wade and
make another search. On carrying out
my plans, a few days later, I was surprised
on arriving at the lagoon to find only five
or six Ruddys im sight. As they were
males, I surmised the females were attend
ing to household cares, so prepared to
make them a call, but only succeeded in
finding one nest. However, as this con-
tained five eggs, the first I had ever found,
I felt quite elated. I removed the eggs
and called again on the 26th of June. LHy-
idently I was expected, for I found the
nest deserted, but on looking around in
the vicinity I found two other nests, with
nineteen eggs in each. I took both sets
and one of the nests, the owner of which
was more generous than the others, as she
constructed another nest on the same site
and laid ten eges forme. J removed them
on the 24th of July. Incubation was then
well advanced; the embryos were about
the same size in each egg, which showed
the bird had changed her mode of incuba-
tion, as the eggs in the first set varied from
afresh one to five that were just on the
point of hatching. The eggs were ar-
ranged three layers thick in each of the
nests containing nineteen; which to me
was a strange arrangement. Considering
the number of eggs and their size, which
in proportion to the birds is quite large,
averaging 2.46X1.83, it seems to be the

16

ORNITHOLOGIST

[ Vol. 9-No. 2

only arrangement by which the birds could
cover them.

The Ruddys were very shy and it was
difficult to see the parents, as on approach-
ing their nest they would quietly slide off
and swim through the tules, without mak-
ing any perceptible noise. They would
not rise from the water, even when a gun
was fired, if there were any tules in which
they could hide themselves. On visiting
the lagoon in August, I surprised several
families away from the tules, in which the
parents invariably sought shelter, leaving
their young to look out for themselves.
They were unable to fly but could swim
and dive well, and it was amusing to see
them attempt to hide behind each other.—
A. M. Ingersoll, Alameda, Cal.

The Marsh Hawk and Its Eggs.

PART II.

Early and authentic mention has been
made of large sets of eggs of Circus hud-
sonius. But the reference on Page 115 of
Brewer's N. Am. Oology (Smithsonian,
1858,) to clutches of eleven, twelve and
thirteen, with their misty data, may now
be dismissed from the record. Some ac-
count of a nest of seven can be found in
the O. and O., Page 14, Vol. VI. Last
year, in his fresh Northwestern field, Capt.
Bendire took a set of seven plain eggs.
The same season, I took an extreme set of
seven covered with showy markings. May
14, 1882, the nest had four eges, and it held
seven fresh eggs when taken, May 21. The
three added eges were bluer than the
others, but the first part of the clutch had
the best markings. These were not the
mere ‘“‘accidental deposits of lymph,” re-
ferred to by the late Dr. Brewer as liable
to appear on all plain eggs. But they pre-
sented a good superficial design and the
cloudy sub-shell coloring seen on average
sets of Red-shouldered Hawks. May 20,
1883, secured another set of five nicely
marked eges from this pair of Hawks. In

May, 1882, I took clutches of Cooper's
Hawk handsomely spotted, and on corres-
ponding dates in 1883, from the same
birds similar sets. This, with other data
at hand, tends to show that the Accipiters
and Marsh Hawks which lay plain sets one
year will lay plain sets the next year, and
that those that lay the prized marked sets
may fairly be counted on to do so in suc

cessive seasons. Though this has been
doubted by some authorities, with whom I:
still have a bone to pick, yet I can show it
to be the rule among the Buteos, by exten

sive yearly series of eggs from the same
localities. Individual shapes will also be
found to obtain among the eggs of our
resident Raptores. Dr. Coues says the
eggs are “not certainly distinguishable ”
from Cooper's, (vide Birds of the North-
west, Page 337.) Yet ina series of both,
Marsh Hawks can be seen to be smaller,
without measurements—only now and then
does a set appear to be as large as Cooper's.
Our Harrier will not allow the liberties we
take with the nests of the Accipiters—no-
tably the Sharp-shinned. If egg No. 1 is
taken the others will be laid elsewhere.
Last season, by my merely looking at her
first egg laid, though never handling it, a
Preston Hawk deserted the nest, and laid
the other four eggs in a remote wooded
part of the marsh, where they were taken
only after long and careful search.

The Marsh Hawk is, perhaps, the most
noiseless of our breeding rapacie. Some
individuals have an intonation of the Fish
Hawk, but in general the cry approaches
more nearly that of the Cooper. To those
who only know the subject of this sketch
as the skimmer of the meadows, floating
and quartering spaniel-like over brushy
lowlands, he will hardly seem like a being
of the upper air. Yet he has his aspira-
tions, as we may see. In the forenoon of
May 9, 1878, (an exceptionally early sea-
son,) I took three sets of eggs of Marsh
Hawk in North Stonington; and in those
wide meadows, where there were no trees

Feb., 1884.]

AND OOLOGIST. 17

or woody glades for the Hawks to steal be-
hind, the females, after being flushed and
shot at, would be joined by the males and
hang for hours far overhead, mere specks
in the sky, seemingly above the loftiest
flights of the Buteos.—J. M. W., Nor-
wich, Conn.

Great-horned Owl in Iowa.

The 17th of February (1883) was cold,
but being clear, we decided, in the after-
noon, to take a short tramp through the
woods north of the city, notwithstanding
the snow was quite deep, rendering walk-
Entering the woods,
' we passed several large sycamore trees,
from one of which flew a large Owl. As
we thought it a little too early for eggs,
we gave it no further consideration, but
crossed the river. An hour later we re-
turned, and stopped beneath the same tree.
On looking up to an opening in the trunk
some forty feet from the ground, we were
ereeted first by a pair of large black horns,
followed by two great yellow eyes. A few
seconds later, away flew the Owl, which we
immediately recognized as a Bubo. The
ascent of the tree occupied but a few min-
utes. When within ten feet of the open-
ing, the female left the tree. The hollow I
found to be about three feet in diameter
and the same in height. It had three en-
trances: One—a small one—facing the
southeast; one at the top; and the third,
the principal one—and the one from which
both birds flew—was a few inches from the
bottom, and about a foot from the nest—
if it could be designated as such, for it was

ing rather laborious.

merely a shallow depression in the soft de-
cayed wood, that formed the floor of the
cavity—containing two pure white eggs.
Blowing showed that incubation had just
commenced.

Scattered about over the bottom of the
cavity were numerous bits of rabbit's fur,
a portion of a cranium of a rabbit, a dozen
or more tail feathers of the Owls, the foot

and leg bones of a large raptorial bird,
and numerous other bones. May 2d, while
passing through the woods several miles
west of the city, we started a Bubo froma
nest on a large limb of a white oak. As-
cending it, two young Bubos fluttered out
of the nest to the ground. These I secured
and carried home, and have them still in
confinement, (Dec. 31, 1888.) About the
middle of June the horns began to appear,
and by the first of August they were fully
developed. Rats, mice, birds and beef
(fresh) form the principal part of their
diet.— Ch. R. Keyes, Des Moines, Lowa.

Notes from Taftsville, Vt.

While out collecting, Aug. 6th, I found
a nest of the Black-billed Cuckoo, which

contained three young and three eggs.

One of the eggs proved to be nearly incu:
bated, one about half and the other fresh.
One week later I visited the place again.
Upon my approaching the nest the young
left it, but Mrs. Cuckoo had deposited
another fresh egg, which was slightly flat-
tened on one side—it was the largest one
of the clutch, its shorter diameter being
89 and .88x1.27 in length; the other
three measuring .86 X 1.19, .86 x 1.12, .86 x
1.11. The largest egg of this species
which I have taken before measured .84 x
1.11. Four feet from the Cuckoo's nest
was a Robin’s nest containing four eggs.
July 26th took a set of seven eggs of the
American Goldfinch, and during the sea-
son several of five and six each. Sept.
6th found a nest of the Goldfinch contain-
ing four young which were just hatched.
In 1882 I found a set of five Robin's eggs,
it being the only set of five that I have
found.—C. O. Tracy, Taftville, Vt.

S. R. Ingersoll (Cleveland, O.) says, in
Forest and Stream, that a specimen of
Wilson’s Snipe was shot there, Dec. 22d,
and three Song Sparrows on Jan. 12th,
both remarkable in view of the severity of
the winter.

18 ORNITHOLOGIST

[Vol. 9-No. 2

ORNITHOLOGIST

—AND—
OOLOGIST.
A MONTHLY MAGAZINE OF
IN AVI OIRA Ie JIS I Oi We,
ESPECIALLY DEVOTED TO THE STUDY OF

BIRDS,

THEIR NESTS AND EGGS.
DESIGNED AS A MEANS FOR THE INTERCHANGE OF NOTES

AND OBSERVATIONS ON BIRD LIFE.
FRANK B. WEBSTER, Publisher,
PAWTUCKET, R. I.

Having always been interested in the
study of ornithology, the writer has taken
more than an ordinary interest in the col-
umns of the O. and O. The benefit to
ornithologists of a publication devoted
exclusively to this branch of natural sci-
ence, is not, we apprehend, fully apprecia-
ted by all engaged in the study. Instead
of thoughtlessly perusing the columns of
a paper like this, year after year, readers
should stop and consider what is necessa-
ry to maintain, and the many advantages
to be derived from such a publication, and
then in his own way each should contrib-
ute to make it a success. Although entire-
ly unacquainted personally with the Edi-
tor of this journal, it is evident to me that
no mercenary motive attends its publica-
tion. Yet it must not be forgotten that
its issuance involves expense, and that no
obligation rests upon the publisher, al-
though financially able to meet this outlay.
We should therefore not be tardy with our
subscriptions or business patronage. But
the most important thing to be remem-
bered is this, that without the assistance
of active workers in the ornithological
field, this paper cannot be made a success.
It is impossible in the nature of things
for any one man alone, to present monthly

an acceptable paper. The theory of its
publication contemplates the aid and co-
operation of all sincere ornithologists and
particularly reliable correspondents in differ-
ent localities throughout the United States.
Without this, its object can never be ac-
complished. By ‘reliable correspondents”
we do not mean youth who think that to
possess a drawer or two of eggs in a fancy
case constitutes a naturalist, or who think
that to have a room ornamented with a
dozen mounted birds with bright plumage
renders them graduated ornithologists,
nor do we mean others engaged in collect-
ing only for the purpose of having a col-
lection ‘‘as large as any in the state.” But
we refer to those who have either a natur-
al or an educated taste for this branch of
Natural History—those who are interest-
ed in the study of ornithology as a science
and who desire to assist in its develop-
ment, and not those engaged in it asa
pastime or play. There are many expe-
rienced and enthusiastic field workers,
who are always silent and seldom heard of,
whose contributions would be of great
interest and value, if they would but de-
vote two hours a month to an item for the
O.and O. If anything new be discovered
let it be known by all—do not be selfish
with knowledge. Some time ago I inci
dentally mentioned a peculiar characteris-
tic of some of the species of Humming
Birds to an esteemed correspondent and
was surprised to have him reply that he
“had supposed that he had a Patent on
that discovery.” Let none of us “ patent”
any of our discoveries—let them be free
to the use of all—conceal nothing new that
may be learned about our feathered friends.
disseminate the knowledge gained by ex-
perience and let all enjoy it and have the
benefit thereof. And now at the com-
mencement of the new year, let each re-
solve to do his part toward entertaining
and encouraging his co-workers. The
O. and O. affords a way in which one may
communicate with ad/. Let us improve

Feb., 1884.]

AND OOLOGIST. » 8

the opportunity by proper and frequent
contributions, and thereby encourage the
paper and benefit each other, and let every-
thing be expressed in “ Plain English.”—
William C. Flint, San Francisco, Cal.
—— oe

The Blue Grosbeak, (Gwiraca cerulea.)

This beautiful bird, although widely dis-
tributed in the United States in the breed-
ing season, 1s nowhere abundant. Perhaps
it is as common as anywhere along the
sparsely wooded streams and ravines in
Central Kansas. Jor the benefit of those
who have not had opportunities to study
its habits in the field, I desire briefly to re-
view my notes of this species made during
the past three years.

Previous to 1881, [ had observed the
Blue Grosbeak only during the Spring mi-
gration, and did not really know that it was
resident here. In June of that year, I
found my first nest of the species. It was
built in a peach tree in an orchard; was
about six feet from the ground and con-
tained two eggs with two Cowbird's eggs.
The four eggs, being alike in size and
shape, but so different in color, presented
a pleasing contrast. When found, the nest
was occupied by the female; but as I was
not familiar with the species I failed to
recognize the bird in the approaching twi-
light. The eggs, except for the size, re-
sembled those pf the Indigo Bunting. As
I was three or four miles from home, I
took the set, hoping to be able to identify
them by my future observations. It did
not take much research to satisfy me fully
as to their identity.

Haying now become satisfied that the
species nested in this locality, I kept a
sharp lookout for their nests in 1882, The
males arrived about the middle of May, but
I saw no females until about the first of
June. On June 12th, I found a nest con-
taining two eggs. It was built almost en-
tirely of bits of newspaper, old letters,
etc., with a few weeds; and had a lining

of grass roots, taken from the surface of
plowed fields. It was built in a small wild
plum bush, about three feet from the
ground. The nest was near a dwelling
house. I left it for the full set ; but upon
visiting it a few days later, I found only
the scattered materials of the nest and a
few bits of scattered egg shells. About
this time a female (I have not yet seen the
male assist in house-building,) built a nest
about twenty feet from a dwelling near
town. ‘This nest was in the lower branches
of a cotton-wood, six feet up. I watched
it for about ten days, but the bird deserted
it without laying. This nest, too, was
built largely of newspapers.

The failure of the previous year made
me still more anxious to succeed in 1883.
My earliest record of the arrival of the
males is on the fourth of May. On June
4th, I saw a female carrying material for
nesting; and after carefully concealing my-
self, I was rewarded by finding the par-
tially built nest, well hidden in tangled
underbrush near the Kansas River. It
was built upon the lower horizontal limb of
a box-alder, two feet from the ground. On
June 8th, the bird laid the first egg, but a
day or two later a tornado wrecked this
nest, with, perhaps, hundreds of others in
its path. On June 15th, found a nest of
three eggs, about half incubated. This
nest was in a ravine in low bushes, and had
escaped the fury of the storm. June 21st,
found a set of four fresh eggs; June 28d,
a set of three; and July 4th, a set of four,
allfresh. About this time three nests were
found by another local collector. Two of
these contained three eggs, and the third,
two of the Grosbeak’s and one of the Cow-
bird’s. I obtained two of these sets by
exchange. It was now too late in the sea-
son to secure other sets; but afterward,
knowing its habits, I found many deserted
nests. Even during the past two months,
in my hunting excursions, I have been
able, from my knowledge of the construc-

20

ORNITHOLOGIST

_ DNelsSNoo2

tion of the nests, to mark many localities
where they may be sought next season.
The Blue Grosbeak is a restless, wide-
awake bird. It feeds and gathers nesting
material far from its nest. This increases
the difficulty of finding its abode. When
disturbed it utters a single scolding note,
sharp and distinct, repeated at short inter-
vals. Only twice have I heard the male
in full song. The notes, except in volume,
are an exact reproduction of those of the
Indigo Bunting, which it so closely resem-
bles.
and, except in the varieties of material used.
are quite characteristic. In the outer part
it seems to select whatever material suits

The nests are rather bulky affairs,

its fancy; paper, weeds, strings, bits of
cotton or wool are often used. One nest
was more than half composed of the cast-
off skins of snakes; several had bits of
the same material. The lining is always
composed of dry grass roots, with some
times a few long horse hairs. The eggs
are of a pale blue color—which fades on
exposure to light. They are about as large
as the eggs of the common Bluebird, but
vary much in length. The ends, too, are
nearly equally rounded.—D. #. L., Man-
hattan, Kan.

Colorado Notes.

EXTRACTS FROM MY NOTE-BOOK—PART II.

Townsenn’s Fry-carcuinc Tuoruso (My-
iadestes townsendii.) June 6, 1 set 4
eggs, fresh. June 22, 1 set 4 eges, 2
sets 3 egos, fresh, 1 set, 4 eggs, large em
bryos. July 1.1 set 4 eggs, very large
embryos. Nest in bank of railroad, near
Alpine Tunnel. July 4, 4 sets 4 eggs,
fresh. July 8, 1 set 4 eggs, incubated 5 or
6 days. Nest on jutting rock in prospect
hole in bank of creek.

INTERMEDIATE Crown Sparrow (Z. gam-
beli intermedia.) June 24, 2 sets 4 eggs,
fresh. July 1, 10 sets 4 eggs, fresh.

I spent considerable time hunting for
their nests on the ground, but without

success. While so engaged, I found one
in a low scrubby spruce about twenty
inches from the ground. At this I changed
my tactics and began searching the scrubs
for them, and with good success. All
were found in these scrubs generally and
in those surrounded by willows, excepting
two on the ground and one in some wil-
lows about ten inches from the ground,
which was put up like many of the Red-
wing Blackbird. The lowest nest was
eight inches and the highest five and one-
half feet. The birds take whatever is
nearest for the construction of their nests.
Some were entirely of dead grass, others
of coarse dry stems of weeds, lined with
fine grass, and others with a foundation of
coarse grass and plant stems, loosely
placed, upon which fine grasses were com-
pactly woven, lined with still finer grass
and horse hair.

A fair example measures, outer diameter
52 inches, height 3? inches, inner diameter
23 inches, depth 24 inches. So far as my
experience extends, their nests are never
placed on a branch, but saddled in a crotch
or more often where the top has been brok-
en out or lopped. The color of the eggs
varies nearly as much as the nests. One
set is of pale bluish green, thickly covered
with reddish brown markings blended, to
gether, giving the entire egg a dark ap-
pearance and entirely covering the larger
end. Measurements 90x64, 91x66, 91x
66, 88x65. Another is of darker bluish
ereen, speckled and dashed with light
umber over the entire surface of two, the
other two lacking the latter color on the
smaller end, while the larger is completely
covered by a large blotch of dark umber.
Measurements 85x65, 9066, 92X67,
95 X 65.

GREEN Buack-cappeD Fiy-catcuine War-
RLER (Myiodioctes pusillus.) July 16, two
young birds, nearly able to fly. Theyshow
the bright yellow on the under parts when
very young. Nest on the ground under
the willows, composed of bark of dead

Feb., 1884.]

AND OOLOGIST. a

roots and grasses, lined with fine grass and
a very few horse hairs. Is a very flimsy
affair. Outer diameter 34 inches, height
12 inches, inner diameter 1# inches, depth
It inches. These beautiful little warblers
abound in the willow thickets, but finding
anest with eges, unless by accident, is next
to impossible.

Aupupon’s Warster (Dendreeca audu-
boni.) July 17, five young birds. Neston
end of a pine bough, 12 feet from the
eround. Watched the parents make sey-
eral trips to the nest, and then climbed ®&
to take a look at the young ones, when they
scrambled out of the nest and fluttered
down to the ground. I took the nest and
descended and caught one of them. At
this the parents began fluttering round
with wings and tail spread, uttering sharp
cries, much after the fashion of a Spotted
Sandpiper. Nest of pieces of twine, soft
outer covering of plants, rootlets and a
very little hair, lined with horsetail and a
few feathers. Outer diameter 4 inches,
height 24 inches, inner diameter 2+ inches,
depth 2 inches.

Crarke’s Nutcracker (P. columbianus.)
July 18, while at St. Louis, I saw for the
first time a small band of these birds, and
obtained a fine pair. During the past two
weeks, I have taken about a dozen more
from a flock of about thirty that have
rounded up at a mine boarding house a
short distance from here. At this place
they are as tame and familiar as Carolina
Doves around a western farm-house. They
have a variety of notes, all of which have
the crow twang.

Lincotn’s Sparrow (WZ. lincolni.) Is a
common bird in the thickets, but they are
seldom seen in the breeding season, as they
are very shy. On being started they in-
stantly seek shelter. I have not found
their nests.

Rocky Mountain Hermit Turusa (H.
unalascee auduboni.) July 15,1 set3 eggs,
incubated 6 or 7 days, Nest in small pine,
five feet from ground, a few feet from edge

of heavy timber. Parent glided off the
nest and out of sight without a note.
Nest, a sight base, and sides of twigs and
coarse grass stems, within a compact wall
# inch thick. of green moss woven in with
fine straw and rootlets. It is the most
solid nest I ever saw, for one made without
mud. Outer diameter 5+ inches, height 34
inches; inner diameter 23 inches, depth 2
inches. Eggs uniform light greenish blue,
.66 X .85, -65 X.83, .66 x .88

Cassin's Purpeite Fincuw (CC. cassini.)
July 28 I noticed for the first time a pair
of adults and four young, hopping about
the street in front of the store. Since then
I have seen them a number of times in
about the same place.—D. D. Stone, Han-
cock, Colorado.

Nore.—The eggs of Brewer’s Blackbird and Long-
crested Jay, referred to in Part I of these notes (IX p. 9)
were taken at Buena Vista. Hancock is about 1,800 feet
higher than Buena Vista and neither of these birds are
found at the former place in the breeding season. Long-
crested Jay ranges higher than Brewer’s Blackbird.—D.
Dd. S.

Bird Migration.

The Committee of the American Orni-
thologists’ Union who have this work in
hand, met in New York on Dec. 17, and
agreed upon a plan of operations, the de-
tails of which are given by the Chairman
of the Committee, Dr. Merriam, in a cir-
cular. He says: “The work will not be
limited to the accumulation of records of
the times of arrival and departure of the
different species, but will embrace the col-
lection of all data that may aid in deter-
mining the causes which influence the
progress of migration from season to sea-
son. For the purpose of rendering the
result of the season’s work as full and
valuable as possible, the Committee ear-
nestly solicits the co-operation of every
ornithologist, field collector, sportsman
and observer of nature in North America.”

For convenience in collecting and ar-
ranging the material which it is expected
will be accumulated by the observers, the

22

ORNITHOLOGIST

_[Vol. 9-No. 2

United States and British North America
have been divided into Thirteen Districts,
to each of which a Superintendent has

been assigned. These Districts are :

Alaska, Supt., John Murdock, Smithsonian Institute,
Washington, D. C.

North-West Territories, Supt., Ernest E. T. Seton, Assin-
aboia yia Carberry, Manitoba.

Newfoundland, Supt., James P. Howley, St. Johns, New-

foundland.

Mississippi Valley and Manitoba, Supt., Prof. W. W.
Cooke, Caddo, Indian Territory.

Canada, Supt., Montague Chamberlain, St. John, New
Brunswick.

New England, Supt., John H. Sage, Portland, Conn.

Atlantic District, Supt., Dr. A. K. Fisher, Sing Sing,
New York.

Middle-Eastern District, Supt., Dr. J. M. Wheaton, Co-
lumbus, Ohio.

Rocky Mountain District, Supt.. Dr. Edgar A. Mearns.

Pacific District, Supt., L. Belding, Stockton, California.
Also British Columbia and Atlantic Seaboard, for which no
Superintendents have yet been appointed.

The Committee earnestly request that
all who are willing to aid in the work, will
immediately communicate with the Super-
intendents of their respective Districts.
Those residing in Districts whose Super-
intendents have not yet been named, may
address the Chairman, Dr. C. Hart
Merriam, Locust Grove, Lewis County,
New York.

Waar ts an Anpino? I am disposed to
ask the above question from certain letters
(three or four) which have lately appeared
in the newspapers calling White Pheasants
Albinos. Some time ago I had an argu-
ment with an eminent naturalist, in a
sporting paper, who questioned the fact of
a White Pheasant being a distinct variety,
because we could not point out its habitat
in foreign parts, Pheasants not being in-
digenous to this country. My reply was,
that though we could not point out the
where, the when, or the how it became a
distinct variety, we can nevertheless prove
conclusively that it is not an Albino, and if
not an Albino, what else can you call it
but a variety? What, then, are the
characteristics of an Albino? It is an an-
imal which drops the invariable or uniform
color of its race and becomes colorless,
with the pecullarity of pink eyes; and as

such occurrences are very rare, they are
called by scientific naturalists “freaks of
nature,” and that is all the light they can
throw on the matter. I have for long had
a notion that if we knew more about the
cause or origin of Albinos, it would ex-
plain much that puzzles us regarding the
varities of color which we find in different
species. On the subject of varieties, let me
propound a puzzle for scientific natural-
ists to explain. I believe in this country
there is not such a thing as a White
Roedeer. At least I only know of one in-
stance, and it was a female, got in our
coverts here many years ago, and I have
it stuffed. It was, of course, an Albino,
with pink eyes. I shall feel much obliged
if any of your readers can point out
another instance of White Roes having
been seen wild in this country. But I am
told that there is a variety of White
Roedeer common in Germany, so we could
easily introduce them here if we pleased.
A White Roe is thus an Albino in this
country and a distinct variety in Germany.
—W. 0. (Dunbartonshire) in “ Land and
Water.”

‘““Brief Notes.’’

Tue Fox Sparrow, (Passerella iliaca,)
is so early a bird in Spring and so late in
its Autumn migration that its occurrence
in New England in Winter is nothing very
strange, yet in view of the fact that the
latest work on New England ornithology,
Coues and Stearns, says that we have no
information of the bird in Winter within
our limits, it may interest the readers of
the O. and O. to know that I took a speci-
men in Bridgeport, Conn., on the 29th of
last December. The week preceding had
been notable for low temperature and
deep snow; but this day was mild and
pleasant, and a warm south wind induced
ine to explore a patch of red cedar trees
by the bank of a salt creek. It was here I
shot the bird, which on dissection proved

Feb., 1884.]

AND OOLOGIST. 23

to bea male. The gizzard contained frag-
ments of seeds which were kindly identi-
fied by Prof. D. C. Eaton of Yale College,
as seeds of the red cedar.—C. A. Averill,
Jr., Bridgeport, Conn.

Tse Great Nortaern Diver or Loon,
(Colymbus torguatus.) One of our well-
Imown writers on ornithology gives this
bird “as known to breed occasionally
within the limits of New England,” “ but
more conspicuous in Winter than Summer.”
Tf this is the case, our section must be one
of those favored places; for with us it isa
common Summer bird and rarely seen in
Winter. It is known to breed regularly at
Bow Pond, Strafford, where numbers of
birds and nests are annually seen. I my-
self possess an egg which was obtained
from there, measuring 342+, and of the
usual color.— W. H. Jenkins, Northwood,
Nf, deh

A SumMMER Home oF THE BLAacK SNOWBIRD.—Here,
where the mercury seldom rises above eighty degrees, al-
though on the 35th parallel, the hardy Junco hyemalis finds
a congenial, and—I judge by the solicitude manifested,
even at this season, if an old nesting place is approached—
a permanent residence. Having always resided in Massa-
chusetts up to the Fall of 1882, I never, until the past Sum-
mer, heard the song of these birds, which consists princi-
pally of along, loud trill, about a medium between that of
the Pine Warbler and the familiar ‘‘ Chippy.” The latter
bird, by the way, is rather scarce here. The Snowbird has
also a very pretty lisping and disconnected warble of its
own, hardly audible at a greater distance than fifteen or
twenty feet, and during the performance will cock its head
on one side and glance at the listener in a very knowing
and pleasing manner. They are very abundant here and
exceedingly tame and trustful, coming, sometimes, right in
to the doorway and building their nests under piles of old
lumber, rails, brush, etc. In the majority of instances,
however, they make a rude nest of fine rootlets and sticks
placed just under the projecting roof formed by the sides of
roads, ditches, and other excavations, where the thin top-
soil, matted together with roots, often projects several
inches beyond the snb-soil. My set of three, in size, equal
or exceed, being longer, those of the Song Sparrow, but in
coloration more resemble the eggs of the lonely Field
Sparrow.—W. Blanchard, Highlands, Macon Co., North Car-
olina, (4,000 feet above the sea.)

Birp CauGut BY A SPIDER—ALBINO ENGLISH SPARROW.
You encourage correspondence, so I will venture to relate a
little incident of last Summer which may not be new to old
ornithologists, but was of interest tome. While endeavor-
ing to adda few skins to my collection, I was attracted to
the border of an open wood, last June, by a great commo-
tion in a tree-top. Cautiously approaching. I found quite an
excited assembly of little birds regarding with great anxi-
ety a little yellow friend, who was fluttering and crying in
great distress. He seemed to me to be hanging in mid air,
but upon climbing the tree, I found that he was entangled

in a spider’s web, from which his most violent struggles as
I approached could not éxtricate him. The spider, one of
those large yellow-bellied fellows, was actively engaged in
winding him deeper and deeper in the meshes. The bird (a
Maryland Yellow-throat) was caught by the legs, head and
one wing. Istayed near by until he was nearly done out,
then broke him loose with a branch, and had the satisfac-
tion of having him sit quite near to me and relieve himself
of the remains of the web, and also observed the discom-
fiture of the spider. Dec. 12th I saw an Albino English
Sparrow. Saw him again several times loafing in front of a
feed store with a dozen or so companions. They did not
seem to regard him as anything of a curiosity. He was per-
fectly white, or as nearly so as a bird could be in this city.
T left instructions at the feed store for his capture, but he
shortly afterward disappeared.—7. L. Hazzard, M. D., Alle-
gheny, Pa.

A SPRANGE Battie. While collecting on the Santa Anna
River a few weeks ago, I noticed a flock of Cinnamon Teal,
flying in my direction. Thinking they might pass within
range, I stepped into a small clump of bushes from which I
witnessed a strange battle, which may interest some of the
readers of the O. and O. Just before the Ducks had reached
my position, I was surprised to see a large Duck Hawk
swoop down into the centre of the flock, scattering them in
every direction, and seize alarge Duck which it carried to
the opposite embankment. When it was about to alight, a
new actor appeared on the scene in the shape of a Marsh
Hawk, which at once commenced swooping down on the
Duck Hawk and endeavoring to snatch the Duck from the
latter, which at once set up aloud cry and tried to beat off
its antagonist with both beak and wings. At length, being
hard pressed, it dropped the Duck. Then commenced a
fight to see which could snatch the Duck from the ground
and get away, each being prevented by the other. How
long this would have continued, or which would have been
victorious, Ido not know, as being anxious to secure the
Hawks for my collection, I stepped out and taking advan-
tage of the Hawks being so intent on fighting for the Duck,
I advanced to within easy range before they discovered me,
when I secured them both. On advancing to the place of
combat, I found the Duck’s head torn entirely off the body
and otherwise mangled by the Hawks in their struggle.—R.
P. Chandler, Tax., Riverside, Cat.

MAGAZINES REGEIV ED:

THE AUK.
No. 1., January, 1884.
ton, Mass.

This is the first number of the New Series of the Quar-
terly Journal for some years published as the ‘‘ Bulletin of
the Nuttall Ornithological Club.” The title, objections to
which the Editor is careful to anticipate, reminds one of
“The Ibis,” the useful organ of the British Ornithologists’
Union, as this is stated to be of the American Ornitholo-
gists’ Union. This first number is an attractive magazine.
It abounds in Notes of various kinds, and many references
which must be of great assistance to every student of Bird
Life. If any fault can be found with the Articles, it will be
that they are rather too technical—to understand several of
them one needs a knowledge, not merely of Ornithology,
but of Latin and Greek. But, as the Editor is good enough
to remind us, this is a professional—as opposed to an ama-
teur—publication—whatever these terms may mean in mat-
ters ornithological. None the less, however, is it a produc-
tion from which even amateurs may learn much and which
will well repay them for careful study.

A quarterly Journal of Ornithology. Vol. I.,
Published by Estes & Lauriat, Bos-

24

ORNITHOLOGIST

THE QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF THE BosToN ZOOLOGICAL
Socrery. Vol. IIJ., No.1, January, 1884. Published for
the Society, Boston, Mass.

This is a magazine devoted to the Study of American
Zoology, especially the Vertebrata and Insecta. The pres-
ent number contains a continuation of Ornithological Notes
from Minnesota, as well as several General Notes on the
occurrence of certain Woodpeckers, rarely found, in Massa-
chusetts. We hope the Society may obtain an adequate
support for their Journal.

THE ACADIAN ScIENTIST. Vol. I., No. 12, December,
1883. Published by A. J. Pineo, Wolfville, N. S.

This publication is devoted to the interests of The Aca-
dian Science Club, which aims to awaken and foster a more
general interest in Scientific Knowledge.

Ranpom Notes oN Naturau History. Vol. I., No. 1,
January, 1884. Published by Southwick & Jencks, Provi-
dence, R. I.

This is a pamphlet devoted to the Distribution of Useful
Knowledge concerning the various Departments of Zoology,
Mineralogy and Botany.

CORRESPONDENCE.

Correspondents making inquiries are requested to be brief
and to the point.

We hope for the future to mail our monthly edition on
the first of every month. Communications should be sent in
as early as possible. Nothing received after the 20th, can be
noticed in the number for the following month.

Correction. In the January number in the article
on “‘ Mississippi Valley Migration,” page 10, the Tree Spar-
row was incorrectly reported to Mr. Cooke as nesting at
station 21, in 1882. The note in the last sentence refers to
the Lark Finch, which frequently nests in trees and has the
local name ‘‘ Tree Sparrow.”—D. E. L.

The article referred to by our correspondent appeared
only in the specimen number.

W. W. W., (Shelter Island, N. Y.,) sends a few extracts
from his note book of the past season :

Jan. 20. Saw a Belted Kingfisher and a Carolina Dove.
Ts it not unusual to see the latter here in mid- Winter?

March1. Saw a Fish Hawk crossing Gardiner’s Bay,
twenty days ahead of their usual time of arriving.

May 17. Shot a Red-bellied Nuthatch, the first one seen
in Spring during six years collecting.

May 23. A nest containing three young Crow Blackbirds,
all of which were albinos, was found by a boy, who saw the
old bird feeding the young, the old bird being in normal
plumage. One of the albinos is mounted in my collection.
The color is a very pale drab, or cream-color.

July 29. Saw six Black Terns, off Ram Island Shoals,
first ones observed alive by me. Shot two in the same lo-
cality a few days later.

Sept. 17. Shot two Forster’s Terns at Ram Island Shoals.
How far north of this do they stray ?

Sept, 18. A Sooty Tern was caught by a fisherman, off
Montauk Point. He informed me that it alighted on the
deck, near a tub of fish, and was easily captured. I consider
it quite a prize.

Brrp NomENCLATURE. Rey. Gregory Smart, Lytha\,
England, asks “whether the English names in America
signify the English bird of the same name.” It is unfortu-
nate that such is very apt not to be the case. Thus the well
known name of Robin is given here to a Thrush which is a
migrant, and has only a reddish brown breast and semi-so-
cial habits to remind one of its English namesake. What-
ever points of identity there may be between the Bird Life

of Europe and America, is not proved by their popular
names, which are frequently the result of a chance or fan-
cied resemblance.

Mr. Smart asks for the address of any naturalist who
publishes a price list (with Latin names) of the Birds’ Eggs
of America. :

THE EnGuisn Sky-Lark. W. J. Sherratt, Philadelphia,
writes that these birds were seen last summer in a wood
just below Winslow, New Jersey, on the Camden and At-
lantic R. R., 22 miles from Camden. ‘The woods consist
mostly of a growth of Scrub Oak, with Lilac and Dogberry
bushes, and a variety of wild flowers, etc., that grow in
such localities. The ground is flat and somewhat marshy.
The birds were seen around there for some time by several
persons who reside in the neighborhood.”

CARDINAL REDBIRD IN CONFINEMENT. . Replying to an
inquiry which appeared in May last, (VIII, 38) as to the
possibility of keeping certain birds in confinement, Frank
Wentworth, Chicago, Iil., writes “I have a Cardinal Red-
bird which was caught last April in the southern part of
Louisiana. He is as healthy and contented as he possibly
can be. His principal food consists of bird-seed and rice.
He also likes any green food and fruits, especially a Cali-
ifornia grape. In the summer time, when flies are numer-
ous, he catches them too, and seems to relish them hugely.
His song consists of three long drawn whistles followed by
three short ones, repeated thrice.”

WHoorine Crane. C. P. Blackly, Manhattan, Kansas,
writes, ‘About the middle of November, there was captured
here, and is now in my possession, a Whooping Crane. Had
been wounded in one wing. Is a fine bird and bears the
weather well, mercury—23°. Is hearty and quite tame al-
ready. Jan. 16, Blue-birds yesterday. Mercury this a.m.
—30”)

Prewees’ Eecs. (Specimen January number p. 12) LZ.
Wheelock, Philadelphia, Pa., suggests that the color of the
eggs collected by Mr. Evermann may have been caused by a
disease of the bird. ;

BuuE Jay, (C. cristata) J. E. Dickinson, Rockford,
Til., says he has on two occasions listened to the song of
this bird, which consisted of four or five syllables repeated
for nearly a minute and a half. The bird sat with ruffled
feathers and bowed head, its notes appearing to be indica-
tive of sorrow.

CO. C. Richards, Norwich, Conn. We hope to receive
communications from you again. The one sent scarcely
seems sufliciently clear or noteworthy for insertion.

SPARROW BUILDING IN AN ORIOLE’S Nest. HE. M. Has-
brouck, Syracuse, N. Y., gives a description of a find he
made a few years since and asks if any one ele has met
with a similar occurrence. He also refers to ‘* A Nonde-
script,” but as Le says the nest and eggs “have disappeared
from all collections” we fear it is too late to find out
whether the bird was ‘‘a species hitherto unobserved” or

not,
Winter Brrp Notzs. We have to ask our correspond-

ent, (Aves, Wawpaca, Wis..) from whom we have received
some Notes, to be good.enough to leave his vommunica-
tions in a condition in which we can send them to the
printer. To re-write articles written in pencil, and not too
legible, is more than we can undertake.

D. E. L. and A. H. Wood. Shall be pleased to insert your
communications whenever »le to do so.

CLEANING WHITE FEATHERS. In one of the early num-
bers of ‘*Science” appeared the following, which I think
would be especially useful in cleaning white feathers:
‘* When obliged to wash birds, collectors will find it an ad-
vantage to use salt and water, instead of plain water. The
salt prevents the solution of the blood-globules and conse-
quent diffusion of the red naema-globin.”—C. W.

ia

“= MARCH, 1884.4

Witt

CTR LULL LOMM LE LLL LOLOMLUL MELE LOO U UO LATAt

ute

Established 1875.

auauerveassesteveapecsernomeeaueensavesnenusertsrseeyes pesens unguETHOe4t44t

Published by
FRANK B. WEBSTER,

PAWTUCKET, R. I.

Entered at Pawtncket Post Office as Second-class Matter.

“T consider it a Magazine which every true ornithologist, be he “full blooded,” ox
only an amateur, should have at hand, and I will endeavor to extend its cireulatio:
among those of my acquaintances interested in the science.” : '

CHAS. B. WILSON, ea See Waterville, Maine.

THE ORNTEOLOGST AND OULOIS

Vol. | Commenced a New Series, enlarged to twelve pages of
No. |, ie bs “884. ORIGINAL MATTER.
ae. NOTICES FROM THE PRESS: ee

The OrnrrHoLocist anp Ooxnoeist is the | enough to profit and interest without ex-
title of a magazine published by Frank B. | hausting its subject. The matter is of
Webster, at Pawtucket, R. I., which will | decided value to all students of natural
be of interest to those interested in orni- | history.—Syracuse Daily Journal.
thology. A feature of the numbers for this | _ A very neatly printed, well arranged
year will be an account of the investiga- | magazine, containing much of interest to |
tions in the Mississippi Valley migration. | students and lovers of the subjects treat-
—Brooklyn Eagle. ed. The publisher is well known as an

The cover is very characteristic as well | adept in taxidermy and his collection of
as artistic, the typographical execution | Specimens is rated very high in such lists.
good, and the matter of decided value to | ~Panitucket Gazette and Chronicle.
all students of natural history, especially The aim of the magazine is to instruct
bird lovers. This little monthly of twelve | all those who are interested in bird life.
pages has improved greatly in appearance | There is quite a field for such a periodical
since its establishment, in 1875. The | among a certain class.—Wewport Daily
pages of the present number exhibit a | Mews.
very fair engraving on wood of our most All interested in birds and birds’ eges
lovely swimmer, the wood duck, so famil- | will enjoy this magazine-— The Journal,
iar to Worcester county students as the | Jacksonville, Til.
only duck which perches on trees; and | A specimen number was issued about
two of the eggs and nest of the Sandhill | December 20, 1883, and contains the
Crane, known to us only from the further | ysual number of good articles and notes.
side of the Mississippi river, although its | There is doubtless room and need for a
name is frequently misapplied to our large distinctively amateur journal like this,
Blue Heron.— Worcester Daily Spy. and we cordially wish it success.— Zhe

For eight years this monthly has found | Auk, January, 1884.

ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION, ya PER ANNUM. am. { SPECIMEN COPTES,

Commencing with Jan. No. THN CENTS.

FRANK B. WEBSTER. Butcher: Pawtucket, R. I.

Subscriptions at the rate of Five Shillings per annum, will be received by Alfred
Cliff, 835 Osborne Road, Forest Gate, London, England.

ORNITHOLOGIST

—AND—

$1.00 per

OOLOGIST.

FRANK B. WEBSTER, PUBLISHER.

Single Copy

Annum. Established, March, 1875. 10 Cents.
No. 3

VOL. IX.

Migration in the Mississippi Valley.

As already announced in the January
number of the O. and O., the observations
on the migration of birds will be contin-
ued for the third year, and there is now
eyery prospect that this spring will see the
accumulation of notes more extended and
important than ever before. In answer to
the request for observers in the January
O. and O., many responses have been re-
ceived, some from those who have had
many year’s experience in the work of ob-
serving. Still there is room for more, es-
pecially in the states of Mississippi, Louis-
iana and Texas; and I would repeat my
request that all who are willing to aid in
the work should send ine their names. |
Before this number reaches you, spring |
migration will have. already commenced.
Indeed, at this place, the birds have already
(Feb. 3,) begun their northward journey. |

In the next number we shall probably be |
able to give the names and numbers of the
stations and observers, and present a map
of the district which is to be studied. If |
possible to collect the notes in time, we will
also give a short account of the first move-
ments of the birds from their winter |
quarters.

To you in the north, whose winters are |
long and cold, and bird life there very
scarce, it may be of interest to know what
the birds do in this land where December
and January are a mixture of late in the
fall and early spring. We have had snow |
only two days, and Feb. 2 showed the first
wild flower in bloom—Claytonia virgini- |

PAWTUCKET, R. I.,

| life.

| and atrata,) sailing

ARCH, 1884.

ca. Bird life has been abundant and va-
ried throughout the winter. Seventy-one
species have been identified as actually
present during cold weather, while a doz-
en or fifteen more undoubtedly occur with-
in twenty miles of here.

Indian Territory as a whole is almost an
unknown land to ornithologists, and this
southeastern part, so far as I can learn,
has neyer before been studied. It has a
queer mixture of several avifaune. The
Harris’s Sparrow, (Z. qgwerula), Smith's
Longspurs, (C. pictus), McCown’s Bunt-
ings, (22. maccowni), Oregon Snowbirds,
(J. oregonus), and Brewer's Blackbirds,
CS. eyanocephalus), the last present in
large flocks all winter, remind one of the
plains and mountains of the west and
north. The Robin and the Eastern Blue-
bird are here as representative and famil-
iar birds of the east, but they are a small
and very insignificant factor of our bird
While the Southern Chickadee, (P.

| carolinensis,) the great Ivory-billed Wood-

pecker, (C. principalis,) the flocks of Tur
key Buzzards and Carrion Crows, (C. aura
all day overhead, and
last fall the large parties of the Texas
Bird of Paradise or Scissor-tail, (AZ. forji-
catus,) show that we approach a southern
fauna. We also have both kinds of Mead-
ow Lark, (Sturnella,) and all three varieties
of the Yellow Hammer, (Colaptes.) Alto-
gether it is a very promising field, and it is
to be hoped that with the spring tide of
migration much valuable material will be
collected.— W. W. Cooke, Caddo, Indian
Territory.

Copyright, 1884, by Frank B. WEBSTER and Eavon CuiFrF.

26 ORNITHOLOGIST

Migration Observations in Austro-
Hungary.

By the kind courtesy of Herr V. Ritter
yon Tschusi zu Schmidhoffen, we have been
favored with a copy of the Cireular of In-
structions issued by the Association having
these observationsin hand. He also sends
us some specimen sheets showing the na-
ture of the individual reports. These ob-
servations were commenced in 1882, under
the auspices of the Austrian Crown Prince,
the Archduke Rudolph, who has taken
deep personal interest in the investiga-
tions. The first year’s Report was con-
tributed to by 46 observers, scattered over
the provinces of Austria and Hungary.
No fewer than 376 observers are expected
to send in their observations for the next
Report. The Circular of Instructions con-
tains sets of questions—

1st. In regard to the species of birds
noticed at each ornithological station;
whether each species increases or dimin-
ishes, their general habits, ete.

2d. The migratory habits of the birds
are to be noticed.

3d. Their habits during the breeding
season; and, finally, biological observa-
tions are asked for, such as remarks on the
changes in their feathers, ete.

As a preliminary, the observations com-
ing in are put together into an annual Re-
port, while a scientific working up of the
whole is to follow in the course of years.

Herr Tschusi also sends us his pamphlet
descriptive of the Birds of the Hallein
Valley, Salzburg.

Black and White Creepers.

(Mniotilta varia.)

This beautiful songster is a common
spring and fall visitant, arriving the first
week in May. A very few remain through
the summer. In the spring they are to be
met with among the shade trees about the
house, in the hedge by the roadside, and
in the depths of the forest, where on the

ground searching among the decaying

leaves, running about the trunks and
branches or among the foliage of trees,
they may be seen—everywhere industrious,
ever and anon lisping their happy song.
Once only, has it been my good fortune to
find its nest and eggs. June 20th, 1883,
accompanied by two companions, I had
been searching a large forest for the nest
of some corn-pulling Crows, but without
success. We were passing by an immense
prostrate hemlock—my companions on one
side, and I the other—when suddenly the
foremost crow-hunter stopped and point-
ing just in front exclaimed “ What's that * i
It was a Black-and-white-Creeper, flutter-
ing, tumbling and chirping—reminding
me of the antics of a Ruffed Grouse (Bon-
asa umbellus), when her young are dis-
turbed. Greatly to my amusement my
companions gave chase, the Creeper keep-
ing just out of their reach. I readily
found the nest. A flat moss covered stone,
seven inches in length by five in breadth,
projected horrizontally from the steep
hillside. Beneath this natural roof—seem-
ingly placed there by the Omnipotent
hand expressly for this purpose—was the
nest and its complement of five fresh
eggs. The nest was placed upon a founda-
tion of rotten fibrous inner baik, bits of
rotten wood, leaves, dry hemlock twigs,
fine roots, and a few quills of the hedge-
hog. Considering the coarseness of most
of the material used, it was neatly inter-
woven, and had a lining of hairs, horse-
hair and hairlike-roots. The eggs are oval
in shape. Their ground color is white
with a slight creamy tint. Points, dots
and splashes of faint lilac, and different
shades of reddish brown, are irregularly
scattered over the entire surface, thickest
near the larger end where they are conflu-
ent, forming a broad ring. On each egg,
over the confluent ring are two or three
irregular, almost microscopic, points and
lines of dark umber. Dimensions of the
set are as follows: .71.55, .70x.45,

March, 1884.]

AND OOLOGIST.

ie)
“J

72X.55, .T1X54, .71X53, respectively.
CO. O. Tracy, Taftsville, Vt.

The Czrulean Warbler.

(Dendreeca ccerulea.)
Ne

The Ceerulean or Blue Warbler, as it is
sometimes called, is perhaps as abundant
in the White Water Valley of Southeastern
Indiana as anywhere within its range. Its
distribution is peculiar, being recorded
from the Atlantic coast westward into
Eastern Kansas, and from the Gulf of
Mexico northward into the Province of
Ontario (Hamilton) and Minnesota. It
appears in greatest numbers, and its range
extends farthest north, in the Mississippi
Valley, and its breeding range may, prac-
tically, be said to be from the Ohio Valley
northward. The Cerulean Warblers reach
this latitude about April 20. They are
found more frequently along the river val-
leys and upon the hillsides than upon the
upland; they prefer the more open wood-
land, especially that in which the prevailing
timber is sugar-maple, elm and_ linden.
They are not gregarious and where found
appear to be evenly distributed. They are
seldom found nearer the ground than
twenty feet, ranging from this height to
the tops of the tallest trees. They are
among the most common of our woodland
birds, equalling in numbers the Redstart
and Golden-crowned Thrush. Their food
includes almost all the insects which fre-
quent the trunks, branches and foliage of
trees, as well as many species of day flying
insects which flit about among the tree-
tops. When high in the trees they may be
easily mistaken for Flycatchers, and when
lower down, among the larger branches,
their habits remind one of the Titmouse
and Creeper.

Upon the arrival of the Cerulean War-
-blers they are in full song, the song re-
minding me somewhat of that of the
Golden-winged Warbler, (Helminthophaga

chrysoptera.) The melody is interrupted,
or broken, and may perhaps best be repre-
sented by zee-zee—zee—zeet, with a gradual
rise in tone from the beginning to the end.
While foraging among the smaller branches
they may frequently be observed to stop
and give utterance to this strange song,
which is also nearly always uttered just
before flyimg from one tree to another. I
do not remember to have heard this sone
while the bird was creeping among the
larger branches or upon the trunk of a
tree; in such instances the note is similar
to that of the female and may be expressed
by tehep-: the sound recalls to my mind
that made by some persons by a peculiar
smacking of the lips. The males arrive
two or three days before the females, and
for the succeeding two weeks outnumbers
the latter by about twenty to one. Occa-
sionally birds of the previous year are
taken, in which the beautiful blue of the
male is subdued or replaced by green,
sometimes quite dark, and the white parts
are tinged with dirty yellow. In from two
to three weeks after their arrival, they begin
love making and soon after they commence
the construction of their nests. The nest
is placed in the fork of a limb at some dis
tance from the body and at from 25 to 50
feet from the ground. I have seen several
nests being built, but have never taken one.
The female does the greater part, if not all,
the work of construction, while her more
gifted mate sings his rattlmg song from
some neighboring maple tree. All through
the Summer, early in the morning and late
in the evening, the song of the ‘Blue’
Warbler is a prominent feature in the syl-
van. choir.

When the young are able to fly, the whole
family forage together and for some time
at least maintain the family group unbro-
ken. I am not prepared to say whether
more than one brood is reared in a year,
but I shall not be surprised to find that to
be, at least occasionally, the case. arly in
August these pleasant little sojourners

,

28

ORNITHOLOGIST

[ Vol. 9-No. 3

leave us for their Winter home, of which
we as yet know very little, as well as of
their lines of migration —A. W. Butler,
Brookville, Ind.

II.

My first acquaintance with this neat and
pretty little Warbler was made one day
in August, at the beginning of the Fall
migration, a number of years ago. In
company with my friend, Mr. F. 8. Wright,
I was collecting a few birds in a small
piece of oak and chestnut woods near
Auburn. He, while looking at the tops of
some of the larger trees, espied a Warbler,
which, on shooting, proved to be a good
male of this species. It was the first that
either of us had ever seen, but we knew
what it was; and very pretty it looked as
he held it in his hand. After duly admir-
ing it, the bird was carefully put away in
my friend's collecting basket. During the
next half hour we shot four more, all of
which were of the same sex as the first;
and when the time arrived for us to go
home, we were more than pleased with our
day’s success. Since then both of us have
very often met with the Blue Warbler; for
it has proved to be a regular Summer resi-
dent in our locality. Arriving from the
South during the second or third week in
May, according to the mildness of the
season, one is quickly aware of its pres-
ence somewhere near by, from hearing its
peculiar song. In order to see the bird,
you need to look near the tops of the largest
trees ; for this species is eminently a tree
Warbler in every sense of the word. Dur-
ing rainy weather it will be found nearer
the ground, following its insect food wher-
ever it goes. But on a bright, pleasant
morning high in the treetops will you hear
it snging. I have found these birds most
abundant in wet woods, where the swamp
ash and elms grow to a good height. Al-
though this seems to be its favorite place,
it may also be found sparingly in the dry
woods with other Warblers.
rarely the case however.

This is more
There is no

doubt that the Blue Warbler breeds with
us, but I have never heard of its nest
being found near here. This is not sur-
prising, for from what we read of its nest-
ing habits—the nest being built well up in
large trees, and generally saddled on a
limb—they must be very hard to find.

On Howland’s Island, in the Seneca
River and about eleven miles distant from
Auburn, you can find this species quite
abundant throughout the breeding season.
Here, as elsewhere, their favorite haunts
seem to be in the tall trees in the swampy
parts of the island, or in the equally as
heavy timber along the river’s sides. And
in the larger trees do they undoubtedly
rear their young. Let one go to this local-
ity on a warm day in May, and almost
everywhere can a male bird be heard sing-
ing. This song once heard can be easily
remembered, for the ending is long drawn
out, and of a buzzing sound. The female
bird is hard to see, and is seldom shot; at
least such seems to be my experience. No
doubt, because it lacks the song of the
male and utters ouly the common chip of
most of our Warblers. I have met with
this bird, wherever I have been in our
County, and at any time from the middle
of May into the Summer. It seems to be
quite evenly distributed in this section,
but will be found more common in such
places as T have named. It remains with
us until about the last of August, and by
the 10th of September all the residents
and migrants seem to have departed, for I
have never seen it after that date. Then
must we patiently await the coming of
another Spring ere it again puts in an ap-
pearance among us.—S. /. Rathbun, Au-
burn, NV. Y.

Doubts still existing in some quarters
(see New England Bird Life, Part I, pp.
129-130,) as to the Blue Warbler haying
been taken in New England, I am induced
to present my own testimony on the sub-
ject. May 22, 1879, was one of those soft,
mild mornings which are so favorable for

March, 1884.]

AND OOLOGIST. 29

fresh arrivals. Throwing aside the quill, I
made a dash for the nearest woods with
those feelings so common to a counting-
room naturalist—“anywhere for anything.”
T soon found myself in what is known as
the Albion Groye—on the outskirts of the
yillage of the same name—some five miles
from Pawtucket. My attention was soon
attracted to the unusual numbers of the
- Blue Yellow-backs, (Parula Americana.)
Eyery tree seemed alive with them. Step-
ping into an opening, a flock of perhaps
twenty came darting past. The tempta-
tion was too much. In the mechanical act
of firme the peculiar appearance of one
was the magnet that attracted its fate.
As I picked it up, the first impression was
that I had the female of the Black-and-
white Warbler, (/niotilta varia,) but close
examination convinced me that I had
something new. Though badly shattered,
I carefully preserved and mounted it. It
is now in my collection marked “ Cerulean
Warbler—male.” Comparing it with some
fine skins that I have received from Messrs.
Rathbun & Wright, I find the markings
are exceptionally well defined, but the
plumage much darker—rather inclined to
slate than blue. Few of our amateur col-
lectors would have saved a bird in the same
condition. In this connection, I would
suggest to the readers of the O. and O.—
save any specimen that attracts attention
as unusual, no matter in what condition.
Tf only the head, wings and feet are pre-
served—they may lead to an identification
that will be of value to all.—_#. B. W.

How to Use Arsenic.

I am frequently asked if I am eyer
troubled with insects in my Natural His-
tory specimens and I only have one answer
—Neyer—and if my directions are followed
no one eyer need be. After skinning, im-
' mediately cover the moist skin with pure
arsenic—be particular to cover every part.
I keep my arsenic in a large box and put

my skins right into the arsenic; pull out
the leg and wing bones as far as possible
so as to introduce the arsenic to the ex-
treme parts; the eye sockets, skull and
mouth should be well covered with the
preservative. I usually, before mounting,
place the specimen in my office cellar, and
let it remain twenty-four or more hours, so
as to get well impregnated with arsenic.
After mounting, brush the bill, legs below
the feathers, feet, and ends of the wings
that cannot be skinned, with a solution of
corrosive sublimate, in alcohol—about a
teaspoonful of the former to one-half pint
of the latter. I have bird skins that I have
designedly left exposed to insects for thir-
ty-five years which to-day are uninjured
and will remain so forever—that is a good
long time, I know, but they are good for
it. I know of several collectors who have
laughed at my ‘useless waste of arsenic,”
thinking a little just as good, or who pre-
fer arsenical soap, or some other preserva-
tives, whose collections are entirely ruined.
I have been in the habit of using from fif-
teen to thirty-five pounds a year for thirty-
seven years in my private collection. It
created some merriment in court where I
was summoned as a witness in a case of
arsenical poisoning, when asked if I was
familiar with arsenic, and I replied that I
had probably used one-half ton of it.
“What!” said the counsel, “given one-half
ton to your patients!” When I receive
dry skins, I pack them very loosely in a
tight large box, leaving space for an iron
kettle, in which is placed live coals. On
these pour sulphur and close the box tight,
leaving it for twenty.four hours or so; and
if there are insects in the skins you will
find them dead. Then subject the skin to
the same arsenical treatment as a fresh
skin.— Wim. Wood, Hast Windsor Hill,
Feb. 12, 1884.

Ss eg

A King Eider, (Somateria spectabilis,) was shot at Nayatt
Point, Bristol Co., about Jan. 1, 1884, by, Mr. Frank Tobey.
It was an adult male. Thisis not the first record for Rhode
Island, Mr. F. B. Webster having a female, which was taken
at same place Novy. 27, 1879.—Random Notes.

[Vol. 9-No. 3

30 ORNITHOLOGIST

ORNITHOLOGIST

—AND—

OOLOGIST.

A MONTHLY MAGAZINE OF

IN| AND UPA My BOS WO IR VW.

ESPECIALLY DEVOTED TO THE STUDY OF

BIRDS,

THEIR NESTS AND EGGS.

DESIGNED AS A MEANS FOR THE INTERCHANGE OF NOTES

AND OBSERVATIONS ON BIRD LIFE.
FRANK B. WEBSTER, Publisher,
PAWTUCKET, R. I.

The Black-throated Blue Warbler
in Connecticut.

On the 6th of June, 1883, I had the
good fortune to find a nest of Dendrceca
ceerulescens, being the fourth which I have
taken in this town (see Nutt. Bull. Vol. 1,
p. 11, and O. and O. Vol. 6, p. 49). It was
by a mere accident that I found it. At the
time I was giving my attention wholly to a
Canada Flycatcher (Myiodioctes canaden-
sis) singing just in the edge of a thickly
wooded swamp, whose mate I felt sure was
brooding near by. I was slowly making
my way toward him through the thick
growth of Laurels, and as I pushed aside
the bushes to open a path, I caught a
glimpse of an object just beneath my hand
which arrested my attention. I carefully
parted the leaves and there lay a nest with
whose appearance I had become somewhat
familiar. It contained four eggs, but the
bird had slipped away. So I sat down on
a stone not more than four or five yards
away and waited to see what I could see.
Presently I heard a low chirp, then another
and soon a bush moved: a few moments
more and there was a slight quiver of the
leaves in another part of the thicket, and
then I discovered the bird cautiously pass-
ing through the leaves. Gradually she ap-
proached nearer, till I could see her dis-

tinctly enough to distinguish the faint
white wing-spot. Her complaints were ut-
tered in a low tone, but her mate evidently
heard them for he very soon made his ap-
pearance and seemed more disturbed than
the female. He kept very close to her,
within a foot or two, changing his position
whenever she moyed, and his showy plu-
mage formed a marked contrast with the
modest garb of the female. Their protes-
tations grew louder as I continued to watch
them, and the female Canada Flycatcher,
whose nest must have been near by, came
to offer her sympathy. But this was not
very graciously received, for the female
cerulescens hustled her off the premises
without ceremony. I then took a position
so as to bring some tall bushes between
me and the nest, when she began gradu-
ally to approach it and soon disappeared
behind them. The male also disappeared
at the same time. I then cautiously ap-
proached and found her settled in her nest
with only her head and tail appearing above
the rim.

This nest was not so near the ground as
were the other three which I have found,
the top being seventeen and one-half inches
high. In general appearance it resembles
them. On the outside is a quantity of
some white, woolly substance, not spread
evenly over the nest, but stuck on in
bunches as if the bird had deposited what
she brought each time, whenever it was
inost convenient, and without any particu-
lar object in view, unless it was for the
looks of the thing.

This bird seems to have a partiality for
wet ground. The nest was not more than
thirty yards from the edge of a wet swamp.
Tt was in large woods, having a thick un-
dergrowth composed principally of Kal-
mias, in one of which it was built. And
a reference to my accounts of the other
nests will show that they were similarly
situated, i. e., in Kalmias. At neither of
the other nests did I see anything of the

——

March, 1884.]

AND OOLOGIST.

| 02
—

male bird. I was therefore particularly
pleased to see him make his appearance on
this occasion, as it removed some unfa-
yorable opinions about them which T had
beeun to entertain.

As I took my first nests of this species
in 1874, their breeding here embraces a
period of nine years at least. And as I
was obliged to capture the first two fe-
males for identification, neither they nor
their offspring could have been the parents
of these last two nests. This would seem
to indicate that it was not entirely acci-
dental that one or even two pairs had
dropped out of the migration and remained
so far south of their usual breeding
grounds, but rather that at least a colony
had been established here for many years.
It would be interesting to know just how
this was first brought about. But it would
be reasonable to suppose that it began
with a single nest. A bird may have been
in some way partially disabled so that she
could not continue her flight, or the neces-
sities of maternity may have checked it,
and making a home where she could, that
would be the home of her offspring as
truly as though it were farther north, and
the place which they would naturally seek
on their return the next season. There is
no reason why the same thing might not
happen to any of the species of small birds
which habitually proceed to the far north
to spend the summer. A more thorough
observation of their migratory and breed-
ing habits will doubtless result in modify-
ing many current opinions respecting them.

It is an interesting question, and de-
serving of careful investigation, whether
there is in any of the more northern sum-
mer residents and particularly the sy/vi-
colidce, a tendency to shift or extend their
breeding range further south? The con-
stant destruction of the northern forests
must produce climatic changes to some ex-
tent, and probably will affect the food sup-
ply. But is this change of such character
and extent as to produce any perceptible

change, as yet, in the summer residence of
these birds? And on the other hand is
there a tendency in any species to push
farther north as the country becomes more
open?—C. M. Jones, Hastford, Conn.

Winter Birds of Locke, Mich.

A list of the Winter birds of Locke,
Michigan, seen in December, 1882, and
January and February, 1883, with dates of
their occurrence or capture.

DECEMBER, 1882.

1. Chickadee, (Parus atricapillus,) 22.

2. White-bellied Nuthatch, (Sitta caro-
linensis,) 5, 21, 22, 24, 25, 29.

3. Butcher Bird, (Zanius borealis,) 8,
16.

4. Lesser Red-poll, (#gisthus linaria,)
6, 10, 16, 17, 18, 22, 23, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29,
30, 31.

5. Yellow Bird, (Chrysomitris tristis,) 5.

6. Snow Bunting, (Plectrophanes ni-
valis,) 20.

7. Tree Sparrow, (Spizella monticola,)
Ty, aKa, ale alte},

8. English Sparrow, (Passer domesti-
cus,) 1, 9, 12, 26, 27.

9. Blue Jay, (Cyanurus cristatus.) 5,
22 QA 2.05 21s

10. Pileated Woodpecker, (4ylotomus
pileatus,) 24, two seen.

11. Hairy Woodpecker, (Picus villo-
sus,) 5, 21, 24, 25, 29.

12. Downy Woodpecker, (Picus pubes-
cens,) 25, 29.

13. Carolina Woodpecker,
carolinus,) 22, 24, 25.

14. Highholder, (Colaptes auratus,) 16.

15. Barred Owl, (Syrnium nebuloswn,)
20.

16. Acadian Owl, (Wyctale acadica,) 13.

17. Mourning Dove, (Zenedura caro-
linensis,) 9, 10, 18.

18. Wild Turkey, (Meleagris gallopa-
vo,) 20.

IG),

(Centurus

Ruffed Grouse, (Bonasa umbellus,)

pooMo4s

32 ORNITHOLOGIST

[Vol. 9-No. 3

20. Quail, (Ortyx virginiana,) 5, 10,
21, 24.
sanuary, 1883.

1. White-bellied Nuthatch, (Sitta caro-
linensis,) 2.

2. Horned Lark, (Hremophila alpes-
tris,) 17, one seen; 18, one.

3. Cedar Bird, (Ampelis cedrorum,) 12,
one seen.

4. Purple Finch, (Carpodacus purpur-
eus,) 17, 18.

5. White-winged Crosbill, (Curvirostra
leucoptera,) 12, one.

6. Lesser Red-poll, (dgiothus linaria,)
Te It, Pil, PB} PAS5 2M

7. Yellow Bird, (Chrysomitris tristis,)
28, one.

8. Snow Bunting, (Plectrophanes ni-
valis,) 11, 22, 24, 25, 27, 28.

9. Snow Bird, (Junco hyemalis, 28, one.

10. Tree Sparrow, (Spizella monticola,)
18, 20, 25, 26, 27, 28.

11. Meadow Lark, (Stenella magna,)
16, one.

12. Blue Jay, (Cyanwrus cristatus,) 4.

13. Pileated Woodpecker, (Zylotomus
pileatus,) 10.

14. Barred Owl, (Syrniwm nebulosum,)
25, one.

15. Mourning Dove, (Zencedura caroli-
nensis,) 12, 13, 20, 24.

16. Ruffed Grouse, (Bonasa umbellus,)
8, 9.

17. Quail, (Ortyx virginiana,) 8, 9.

FEBRUARY, 1883.

1. Robin, (Zurdus
three seen; 19, one; 26, one.

2. Chickadee, (Paras atricapillus,) 28.

3. White bellied Nuthatch, (Sitta caro-
linensis,) 12, 18, 19, 20, 21.

4. Horned Lark, (Hremophila alpes-
tris,) 18, one; 28, one.

migratorius,) T,

5. Purple Finch, (Carpodacus purpur-
eus,) 1.

6. Lesser Red-poll, (2giothus linaria,)
2, 4, Oe I:

7. Song Sparrow, (Melospiza meloda,)
10, one; 13, one.

8. Snow Bunting, (Plectrophanes niva-
lis,) 7.

9. Tree Sparrow, (Spizella monticola,)
i, Ds Bk 2h By GWG Sh Dh sl@, Tht, iA, is}, 144
iby, aly

10. Crow, (Corvus frigivorus,) 17, 19,
20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 28.

11. Blue Jay, (Cyanurus cristatus,) 20.

12. Hairy Woodpecker, (Picus villo-
sws,) 19.

13. Downy Woodpecker, (Picus pubes-
cens,) 18, 19.

14. Carolina Woodpecker,
carolinus,) 19.

15. Marsh Hawk, (Circus eyaneus,) 17,
one; 24, one.

16. Mourning Dove, (Zencedura caroli-
nensis,) 1, 4, 25, 28.

17. Quail, (Ortya virginianus,) 12.

Number of species, 31.

—Dr. H. A. Atkins, Locke, Mich.

(Centurus

The Pine Grosbeak.

(Pinicola Canadensis.)

On Jan. 18th, I first saw a large flock of
these northern birds, and for the following
week they were quite common. They
were very tame, and I obtained as many
good specimens as I wanted. I saw sev-
eral adult males in full red plumage. Is
this common in winter? I observed that
they were always engaged in picking the
seeds from the cones of the Larch-trees,
and a few were generally hopping about on
the ground.

Although always quite tame, these birds
appear to be especially so ina snow storm.
They seem totally unacquainted with the
effect of any missile; as, if a stone is
thrown they never fly until it strikes some-
thing near them. Towards the latter part
of the month, if disturbed while feeding,
they would leave the immediate vicinity,
but when they first arrived they were not
easily driven away from their feeding
Whenever they fly, they make
Do

grounds.
a whistling sound like a Wild Dove.

March, 1884. ]

AND OOLOGIST. Bo

_ they make this with their wings? They
were very fat and most of the specimens
shot were in various stages of moulting.

I saw these birds last winter also, but
in comparatively small numbers, nor were
there any red males among them. Have
you heard of them in any other part of
the country as far south ?

I send you these few facts as I find very
little in ornithological works in reference
to these birds—P. S. W., Southboro,
Worcester Co., Mass.

The Pine Grosbeak appears to have
been uncommonly plentiful throughout
New England this season, probably owing
to the severe winter which has been ex-
perienced in the northern sections. Our
correspondent (Chas. C. Richards, Nor-
wich, Conn.,) reports seeing them in large
flocks, and we have received numerous
letters to the same effect from other
quarters. In severe winters they are occa-
sionally found even as far south as Penn-
sylvania, but we have no report of their
having been seen there so far this season.

We have been a little surprised to notice
that many of our Collectors seem to have
failed to identify these birds. For the in-
formation of any who may yet nave tomake
their acquaintance, we subjoin brief des-
scriptions of specimens taken this month
(February) within a hundred yards of our
office.

Male. Length about 83 inches, rather
thickset. Upper mandible extending over
the lower one andslightly hooked. General
color carmine-red, brightest on head and
base of tail. Wings a brownish-drab with
two white bands. Lower edges of quills
white. Ivishazel. Very similar in appear-
ance to the Purple Finch (Carpodacus
purpureus.) In its summer plumage the
bird is probably far brighter.
Same size asthe male. Color Ashy-brown,
or Drab. Back of head and base of tail
tinted with a yellowish-brown.—_/”. B. W.

—

Female.

€

A pleasant morning was February 2.
Having had no chance previously to find
what this winter was giving us in bird life,
I determined to improve the day. Making
an early start, the first that greeted me
was a group of Chickadees clustered on a
bunch of bayberry bushes, and above
them a Downy Woodpecker thumping
away on an oldbirch stub. A little farther
on, in crossing a piece of stubble, I came
on to a flock of Goldfinches, and with them
I noticed some Golden-crowned Kinglets.
A few Crows flew over, and up from the
swamp came the noisy chatter of Blue Jays.
Passing by a small grove of pines, several
Golden-winged Woodpeckers flit away
from their warm retreat. Just beyond, a
flock of Pine Grosbeaks spring up from
the ground and alight in a large tree—just
what I have been looking for. A handsome
male is conspicuous among his more mod-
estly dressed companions, and I cover him
with the sight of my little cane gun. He
tumbles at the report and I consign him to
the basket.

This is the first male I have seen this
season in the red plumage, the grey and
ereen female and young being much more
common. Half an hour’s walk more and I
arrive at the salt water cove known as
“hundred acres” Nothing is seen at first,
but during lunch three Gulls come sailing
over the cove, and my field-glass tells me
one is a Black backed gull, a rather un-
common winter visitor. About as I turn
to leave, a flock of Long-tail Duck sail over
the top of a projecting bluff and alight
close to the opposite shore. On my return
walk I flush a Ruffed Grouse. He swiftly
whirrs away to the friendly cover of a
cedar thicket—poor fellow, he has escaped
the onslaught of the open season, let him
enjoy his well earned rest.

As I near home I make a detour to go
through an old orchard. Ina large hollow
tree I find the wings and tail feathers of a

34

[Vol. 9-No. 3

ORNITHOLOGIST

Flicker. Ah! this is the work of an Owl.
Guess I will look close. After examining
a few well known holes, I climb to the de-
cayed top of the “summer sweeting” in
which I found a Scops not a week ago.
Sitting in the same place, I find the object
of this search, a Mottled Owl, in the red
plumage. It is now nearly dark and soon
IT reach home, unsling my fish basket, con-
sign the owl to my owlery, and in a few
moments have the Grosbeak, with the ex-
ception of drying, ready for the cabinet of
skins.—_/7. A. C.

Notes from Central Iowa.

Rose-BREASTED GrosBEak, (Zamelodia lu-
doviciana.)
our

One of the most common of

residents. Out of over
seventy-five nests taken near here during
the last three seasons, none were below
eight feet above the ground; the highest
about thirty feet; average between ten and
fifteen feet. The largest number in set,

five; setsof three and four being generally
met with.
GREEN

Sumimer

Heron, (Butorides virescens.)
Most common of our Herons here. Breeds
abundantly along the rivers and about
small swamps. Of four sets taken June
3, 1883, in a small willow swamp, three
contained four eggs each ; the fourth, five.

Kinerisuer, (Ceryle alcyon.) Generally
appears about the third week in April, and
remains sometimes as late as the second
week in November. Eges laid about the
first of June.

Buve-cray Gyarcarcuer, (Polioptila cce-
rulea.) Last week in June (’81) found a
nest with two young, nearly fledged. May
19°(1883) found a nest ready for the recep-
tion of the eggs, but on visiting it a few
days later, for the purpose of securing the
eges, found nest gone.

WuitE RUMPED SurikeE, (Lanius ludovici-
anus excubitorides.) Several nests. One
taken May 2 (81) contained three fresh
eggs. June 14, noticed three young, only
a few days out of the nest.

Quart, (Ortyx virginiana.) Common.
Took one nest with eighteen eggs.

Rep-Heapep Wooprrcker, (Malanerpes
erythrocephalus.) Common Summer resi-
dent. A few, perhaps, spend the Winter
with us. Saw one the second week in Jan-
uary. Have secured two eggs only about
one-fourth the usual size. One was taken
from a nest from which nine eges were se-
cured. The second in a nest with four
others of the usual size.

Brown Turusu. (Harporhynchus rufus).
Found nest with three eggs, one of which
was less than one-third the usual size.

Scarter Tanager, (Pyranga rubra).
Rather common summer residents. Sets
generally contain four eggs. Found one
nest with a Cowbird’s ege embedded in
the bottom. The Cowbird had evidently
laid its egg in the nest, and the Tanager,
not having completed its nest, built over
it. Did not notice the ege until I had
taken the nest down and chanced to turn
it over and discovered the egg in the bot-
tom. The nest contained three Tanager’s
eggs.

Summer Repzirpv, (Pyranga cestivd).
Sets taken by me in this vicinity all con-
tained four eggs, without exception.

Pineatrep Woopprcker, ({ylotomus pi-
leatus). Is occasionally seen during the
winter, in the heavy timber.—C. FR. Heyes,
Des Moines, Towa.

Birds of the ‘‘Panhandle’’ W. Va.

THE JOURNAL OF REY. W. E. HILL FROM JANUARY TO JUNE,

(INCLUSIVE) 1883.

PART I.

PREFATORY Nore. This journal was not only written as
a personal diversion, and in the prosecution of the author’s
own ornithological studies, but with a special reference to
its availability as a private and supplemental means of in-
struction and encouragement to his children in the study of
Bird-life. An afterthought suggested that, aside from its
possible interest to ornithologists as a list of birds of this
vicinity, and as a record of the experiences of an amateur,
with the original descriptions in simple, unscientific terms,
its publication might prove helpful and encouraging to oth-
er children than his own. The proverbial interest that
attaches to a published diary—by reason of its characteris-
tic variety and freshness—commends it as an available
medium for the communication of knowledge. There are

March, 1884.]

AND OOLOGIST. j 30

peculiar advantages in communicating bird knowledge by
such means. Inthe mind of the reader the birds are con-
stantly associated with their respective and proper times
and seasons; the winter records will discover the winter
residents, the summer records the summer residents, the
winter and summer records the permanent residents. The
transient visitors, or migrants will also be sufficiently inai-
cated, the periods of migration and nidification will be dis-
closed by the various dates of entry. Thus the whole are
most apt to be faithfully and permanently fixed in the mind
of the young student. The central point of the anthor’s
observation was the village of Fairview, county-seat of
the (West) Virginia Panhandle, about four miles inland
from the Ohio river.

JAN. Ist. But one bird met my eye, but enough perhaps
for a New Year’s day entry: this wasa Tufted Titmouse,
(Lophophanes bicolor), which, as I drove along an unshel-
tered road, for some distance kept a little in advance of me
by short flights from one fence stake to another. This spe-
cies, in. this locality, is much more numerous than the
Black-capped Titmouse, both of which are commonly
called Chickadees. It is a permanent resident with us, and
its loud, whistling notes—fair-lee, fair-lee, deliberately ut-
tered, or purly, purly, purly, rapidly repeated, may be heard
issuing from our woods almost every month of the year.
Its crest and lead-colored coat will sufficiently distinguish
it to the observer.

Jan. 2. Sawa pair of Cardinal Grosbeaks, or Crested
Red-birds (Cardinalis virginianus) in the midst of a small
thicket against a high bank at the roadside—a favorite
haunt at this season of the year.

Saw several flocks of Snow-birds (Junco hyematlis,) also
Tree Sparrows, (Spizella monticola,) in some instances as-
sociating together. By reason of this habit of joining
company, perhaps it is, the two species are not infrequent-
ly confounded by inexperienced observers, but the Snow-
bird may readily be distinguished from the Sparrow kind
by its uniformly darker coat (slate color,) and, in its flight,
exposing two white feathers in its tail, which are then very
conspicuous. The unmarked breast (save an obscure dusky
spot in the centre) and white wing bars, of the Tree Spar-
tow will distinguish it from the Song Sparrow, which re-
mains with us throughout the year.

Jan. 4th. Observed a flock of about a dozen Turtle
Doves (Zenedura carolinensis,) feeding in a corn field on
the bare spots caused by the removal of several shocks of
unhusked corn, the ground being covered with several
inches of snow. This birdis only partially migratory with
us, and may be seen singly or in small companies through-
out our coldest winters.

Saw some half dozen Cardinal Grosbeaks amid the thick
undergrowth on the banks of a small stream. With this
“ Virginia Nightingale,” I cannot but regard in an ornitho-
logical point of view, this district of country as specially
favored, in this, while it is one of the most beautiful of our
native American birds, and withal a charming and lasting
songster, it is here an abundant species, and remains with
us all the year round.

Jan. 9. There have been but few days this winter I have
not seen one or two White-breasted Black-capped Nut-
hatches, (Sitta carolinensis), moving up or down and
around the larger branches of a row of locust trees in front
of the parsonage on the village street. To-day, from my
study window, I witnessed an interesting performance of
one of these birds—not three yards from me, it its effort to
break a small particle of matter, of the size and shape of a
butter-bean, it had picked up from the ground. Its posi-
tion was on an oblique limb; holding the substance in its
pill it would strike it two or three times against the limb

and then momentarily lodge it, repeating the performance
perhaps a dozen times. The curious thing about it was its
ability to lodge at will, and with such rapidity, that bit of
matter on a limb sloping, perhaps, at an angle of forty-five
degrees, without the aid of its feet and with nothing but a
slight unevenness of bark to hold it. This would require
the steadiest nerve of a man to do, if he could do it at all.

Jan. 25. In the dusk of the evening, while in my saddle,
started up a small flock of Turtle-Doves that were roosting
among the dry grass just inside the fence at the roadside
and near to the edge of a wood. As between my horse
and his rider and those noisy winged birds, the advantage
of the mutual alarm was undoubtedly with the birds.

Jan. 26. This morning found the ground covered with
three or four inches of snow. Three White-bellied Nut-
hatches, a Crested Tit and a Downy Woodpecker, alias the
little ‘‘ Sapsucker,” or small spotted Woodpecker, (Picus
pubescens) all in one company, in a small strip of woods,
met my eye.

Have rarely failed in my drives to see the ubiquitous
Black Snow-bird, which seems about as numerous propor-
tionately in this day as in the days of Alexander Wilson,
who pronounced it to be the most numerous of its tribe.

Jan. 30. This morning is mild and springlike, and while
Iwrite a great Carolina Wren (Lhryothorus ludovicianus)
perched on the top-most branch of an apple tree in full
view of my window, is singing with great animation. This
is the only native song bird with which I am acquainted
that remains in full song throughout the year. In every
month of winter, during the milder and more open weather,
its sprightly notes may be heard. A common local name
I have often heard given to this bird, and also to
the Crested Tit, certain of whose notes are somewhat
similar, is that of Sugar-bird from their habit of
singing throughout the bright days of Maple-sugar
making, or when the sap of the sugar-tree is supposed to
be running. During the early part of this winter, a pair of
these birds found lodgings in my stable, on a bracket-shelf
a few inches below the floor of the mow, in a cosy little re-
treat among the hayseeds, spider-webs and projecting
straws, where they were entirely concealed from view. In
very cold or blustering weather, observed they were wont
to seek the same shelter, where they would remain a large
portion of the day. This bird may be distinguished from
the familiar House Wren by its larger size, and by a rather
conspicuous whitish line over the eye more than inch long.
The back, also, is without the dusky wave lines of the lat-
ter, (being of a uniform reddish-brown) which are com-
mon to both on wings and tail.

Brief Notes.

Notes From HARTLAND, Conn. One afternoon in early
May, (1881,) while going up a steep bank from the river,
(Conn.,) I observed a pair of Great Northern Shrike, (Lani-
us Borealis,) flying about as if they were greatly disturbed
by my presence. Upon looking around, I found their nest
in an old apple tree. It contained four young birds, of
about one week’s growth. This is the only nest to my
knowledge ever found in this locality. It was composed of
twigs and dark colored roots similar to those used by the
King Bird, (7yrannus carolinensis,) in the construction of
its nest. It was lined with hen’s feathers and woodchuck’s
hair.

On the first of June, 1882, while passing an old orchard,
I saw a hole in an apple tree. As I drew near it, a bill stuck
out, then out went an old Yellow-shafted Flicker, (Colaptes
auratus,) into a neighboring tree. I was not long getting
up to the hole, but when I got there I had to whittle away
with my jackknife until I could reach the bottom, where I

36

ORNITHOLOGIST

[Vol. 9-No. 3

found six eggs. I took them; in about a week I passed the
orchard again, and, seeing the bird fly out of the hole, I got
up to it, andfound six more. Then, just for the curiosity
of knowing how many eggs she would lay, I continued to
visit the nest. At last, I suppose she thought I was a little
selfish, and so gave up the nest, leaving me with twenty-
seven eggs.

While driving sheep to pasture on the 12th of June, 1883,
T observed a nest on the side of the road. Upon going to
it, I found it was a Catbird’s, (Galeoscoptes carolinensis,)
containing five eggs. I think this is the only one ever
found containing so many in this locality.

On the 15th of June, I found a nest of Robins, (Purdus
migratorius,) containing five eggs, the only one I ever saw
except the one found by Mr. C. O. Tracy of Taftsville, Vt.—
I, M. Goodwin.

WiLpcat CAPTURED AT BROOKFIELD CENTRE, CONN.
It gives me pleasure to send you information respecting the
Wildcat. I do not suppose he is in any wise remarkable,
but he isa very fine specimen, and his value to me is in-
creased by the fact that he is local. He was captured by a
farmer about two miles above this village. Having missed
his poultry for some time, he impregnated a dead turkey
with strychnine, which the animal devoured. He was evi-
dently very old, as his teeth were very poor, the long canine
teeth being worn down to mere stubs. Had he been better
off in this respect, I think he would have been much heay-
ier. In color he is alight gray with no stripes or bars ex-
cept a brown line down the middle of his back and two
rings round his tail. His fore legs, flanks, and under parts
are, however, thickly mottled with circular brown spots,
which are more faintly evidenced on his sides, resembling
somewhat the Southern form, viz, (Lynx rufus, var. macu-
latus.—Baird.) I have been told of one shot five or six
miles north from here that weighed 35 pounds; also of one
shot in Roxbury, Conn., that weighed 40 pounds, but I can-
not vouch for the truth of it. Date of capture, Feb. 1,
1884; sex, male; length from tip of nose to root of tail, 3319
inches ; length tail to end of vertebrie, 6 inches; elbow to
end of fore claws, 12 inches; girth of muzzle at middle,
8 inches; girth back of shoulders, 22 inches; width be-
tween outer corners of eyes, 314 inches; width between
inner corners of eyes, 11s inches; weight, 271; pounds.
As he stands now in a crouching position his height at the
shoulders is 131s inches. Standing erect, it would be, I
should think, 16 inches.—George C. Jones, Brookyield Centre,
Conn.

Buuk Jays have appeared in great numbers around farm
houses in this vicinity, probably because of a scarcity of
food in the woods. I succeeded in catching one, Jan. 29th,
weakened by long fasting, and have him in captivity now.
His principal food is meat, beechnuts and corn while con-
fined, and he is lively and apparently contented, sometimes
giving vent to one of his shrill screams, or exercising his
powers of imitation, which are admirably developed.—W.
E. Jenkins, Northwood, N. H.

ELEMENTARY STUDY OF ORNITHOLOGY IN FRANCE. We
have received a copy of an elementary work on the ‘ Utility
of Birds,” by M. F. Lescuyer of St. Dizier, Haute Marne.
It is published by the Society of Literature, Science, etc.,
of that place, and is intended as a School Text-book of Or-
nithology. The plan is by question and answer, and the
author has brought out within his limited space many facts
regarding Birds, a universal knowledge of which would lay
the foundation for future study in those whose interest was
awakened. Its use in public schools must have an excellent
effect in fostering a knowledge and love of one of the most
attractive branches of Natural History.

THE TAILOR BrrD. We have been shown a very curious
nest of this bird, which was brought from Canton River,

China. It is composed of a large leaf of the plaintain
formed into a cup and held in that position by a number of
stiches—some cotton like fibre being used as thread. The
outside of the nest thus formed, the inside is made up of
fine grass and roots.

Nore rrom Cananpaicua, N. Y. We had very deep
snow and intense cold weather throughout the month of
January, still the Common Crows were more abundant than
T have ever known them to be in preyious Winters. Snow
Buntings very rare.— John M. Howey.

Nove FROM GRAVENHURST, ONT. Ihave lived here seven
years but have not been able to obtain a Bittern until last
season, when they were plentiful. I have not until this
Winter obtained a specimen of the Pigmy Owl, but this
Winter have received three. What causes these to be plen-
ty some seasons, and none others ?—R. B.S.

A Purple Finch was taken at Falmouth, Mass., Feb. 8th,
by F. J. C. Swift.

CORRESPONDENCE.

Correspondents making inqwiries wre requested to be brief
and to the point.

We hope for the future to mail our monthly edition on
the first of every month. Communications should be sent in
as carly as possible. Nothing received after the 20th, can be
noticed in the number for the following month.

Our NorTHERN Raprores. (O. and O., Jan., page 8.)
Our correspondent, F. H. C., desires us to state that three
years were spent in collecting the facts he stated there. To
economize space he arranged the dates to appear as one
year—the scientific facts remaining the same.

MIGRATION Notes. (W. W. Gilinan, Stoughton, Wis.)
The abbreviations used are as follows: (21) 3.2 BF, 4.7, 5.14
L, should be read—Observer No. 21 (whose name and local-
ity are given) saw a certain bird for the first time that sea-
son on the 2d of March, saw others on 7th of April, and
saw the last of the season on 14th of May. A little care in
reading them will make the Notes just as intelligible as if
four times as many words were used.

GOLDEN-WINGED WooDPECKER, (High-hole.) J. An-
thony, Jr. Our correspondent’s item is so contrary to the
well-known habits of this bird, that we are inclined to
think he must have mistaken some other bird for it.

HERRING GULL IN ItzrnNors. A. H. Mundt, Fairbury,
Til., sends drawing of head of a bird which he describes as
follows: ‘The bird was shot fiying over a corn field Jan.
21, 1884. Length of head from tip of beak to back of skull
just five inches; from tip to tip of outspread wings, lying
on its back upon the floor, four feet; and from tip of beak
to end of tail, two feet. Plumage, grey and white, spotted ;
legs and feet very small; legs as thin as pipe stems, all uni-
form flesh color; feet webbed like a duck, head very eagle
like, eyes dark, lower beak flattened.” The bird described
seems to be a young Herring, or Silvery Gull, (Larus argen-
tatus.) They are very common on the east coasts.

BoatT-TAILED GRACKLE. (O. and O., Vol. VIII, page 76.)
Edgar A. Small, Hagerstown, Md., asks us to correct his
note as to the breeding of this bird in Kent County, Md.
His informant ouly saw the birds, and does not appear to
have satisfactorily identified their nests.

Notes From Petuam, N. H. We thank Dr. Batchelder
for the notes of arrivals, which we put aside for comparison
some time when we can make them useful.

A Curtous Meat. E. G. Nicewaner, Baltimore, Md.
Amongst the uses of such birds as the Turkey Buzzard is
that of keeping down snakes, which form a yery common
article of their diet.

Established 1875.

veuverersenesesveceonesvesursonsenausanenrasrecranvecoecoeasewevesd Lusversees oath

Published by
FRANK B. WEBSTER,

PAWTUCKET, R. I.

Entered at Pawtneket Post Office as Secopd-Class Matter, ities

sic sere

“T consider it a Magazine which every true ornithologist, be he “full blooded,” or

only an amateur, should have at hand, and I will endeavor to extend its circulation |

among those of my acquaintances interested in the science.”
CHAS. B. WILSON, ees sa ae Waterville, Maine.

THE ORNITHOLOGIST. AND OOLOGISE,

Vol. \
No. lane * 884,

Commenced a New Series, enlarged to twelve pages of

ORIGINAL MATTER.

s—2))

SS NOTICES FROM THE PRESS : =~ =

The OrnrrgoLocist anp Ooxoaisr is the
title of a magazine published by Frank B.
Webster, at Pawtucket, R. I., which will
be of interest to those interested in orni-
thology. A feature of the numbers for this
year will be an account of the investiga-
tions in the Mississippi Valley migration.
—Brooklyn Hagle.

The cover is very characteristic as well
as artistic, the typographical execution
good, and the matter of decided value to

all students of natural history, especially |
This little monthly of twelve |
| There is quite a field for such a periodical

bird lovers.
pages has improved ereatly in appearance
since its establishment, in 1875. The
pages of the present number exhibit a
very fair engraving on wood of our most
lovely swimmer, the wood duck, so famil-
iar to Worcester county students as the

only duck which perches on trees; and |

two of the eges and nest of the Sandhill |

Crane, known to us only from the further
side of the Mississippi river, although its
name is frequently misapplied to our large
Blue Heron.— Worcester Daily Spy.

For eight years this monthly has found |

enough to profit and interest without ex-
hausting its subject. The matter is of
decided value to all students of natural
history.— Syracuse Daily Journal.

A very neatly printed, well arranged
magazine, containing much of interest to
students and lovers of the subjects treat-
ed. The publisher is well known as an
adept in taxidermy and his collection of
specimens is rated very high in such lists.
—Puwtucket Gazette and Chronicle.

The aim of the magazine is to instruct
all those who are interested in bird life.

among a certain class.—Newport Daily
News.

All interested in birds and birds’ eges
will enjoy this magazine.— The Journal,
Jacksonville, Il.

A specimen number was issued about
December 20, 1883. and contaims the

| usual number of good articles and notes.

There is doubtless room and need for a
distinctively amateur journal like this,
and we cordially wish it success.—7he
Auk, January, 1884.

ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION, vs

Commencing with Jan. No.

ECIMEN COPIES,

$1 PER ANNUM. a { SE ee

FRANK B. vce Publisher: Pawtuckel Rear

Subscriptions at the rate of Five Shillings per annum, will be received by Alfred
Cliff, 35 Osborne Road, Forest Gate, London, England.

7... foes

ORNIT

$1.00 per

HOLOGIST

—AND—

OOLOGIST.

FRANK B. WEBSTER, PuBLisHER.

Single Copy

Annum. Established, March, 1875. 10 Cents.
PA No.

VOL. IX.

Migration in the Mississippi Valley. |

When last month it was announced that |
the names of observers would be published |
this month, with a map showing the sta- |
tions, it was expected that the names of
all desiring to aid in the work would, ere
this, have been received. Somewhat to |
our surprise, and greatly to our satisfac-
tion, the names continue to pour in. In |
order, therefore, that as few names as pos-
sible be omitted, it is thought best to defer
the list and map until next month; but
we will give some of the notes that have
been contributed. The stations will be re-
ferred to by name and the latitude also
given in degrees and minutes. We have |
selected March 1 as the central date, and
purpose to give a sketch of the bird life of
the Mississippi Valley as it would have ap- |
peared to one who should have traversed
the length and breadth of it during that |
week.

Beginning in the extreme south, let us
glance over the country. We will find |
everything in the vicinity of Eagle Pass, |
Texas, 28%, dry and parched. No rain has
fallen here since last September. Yet |
among the trees, already in bud, the Rose- |
breasted Grosbeak, (Z. ludoviciana,) ap-
pears, well content to make this his Winter
home; whtle in the mesquite bushes below,
can be found the nearly completed nests
of the Cactus Wren, (C. brunneicapillus.)
On Feb. 29, we might have noted the first
Scarlet Tanager, (P. rubra.)

Passing east along the Gulf coast, to

WTUCKET, R. I., APRIL, 1884.

| ern Winter home.

4.

30°, we will find the birds moving rapidly.
Ducks and Geese nearly all gone; Wood-
cock disappeared, and Wilson’s Snipe fast
leaving. Many Purple Martins (~. swbis,)
—the first having come Feb. 23—are cir-
cling overhead. Indeed, had you visited
some of the more favored spots, you could
have found a few of them all Winter, and
many Parn Swallows, (ZZ. erythrogastra,)
in company with them. The Cactus Wren
of Texas is replaced by the familiar House
Wren, (Z. edon,) which we see is an abun-
dant Winter resident. If you have pa-
tience, perhaps it will be rewarded by the
sight of a Ruby-throated Hummingbird,
(7. colubris,) or glancing upward you may
occasionally behold the stately circling of
a Swallow-tailed Kite, (2 forficatus.)
Swelling buds and opening leaves are on
every side; flies and mosquitoes swarm

| around, and one has difficulty in believing

that at the same time his fellow creatures
in Minnesota and Wisconsin are fighting
against a temperature of twenty degrees

| below zero.

Retracing our steps westward, but veer-

| ing to the north, we find at San Angela,

Texas, 3122, a single Purple Grackle, (@.
purpureus.) He is the first of his species,
and arrived March 3 from his more south-
None spend the Winter
here, while nearer the Mississippi river the
Mississippi Valley variety, the Bronzed
Grackle, (Q. p. eneus,) braves the cold
regularly five hundred miles farther north,
in Southern Illinois, and occasionally even

| nine hundred miles farther in Minnesota.
Abbeville, La., 295%, and Mermenton, La., | Here, too, we will find plenty of Martins,

Copyright, 1884, by FRANK B. WEBSTER and EATON CLIFF.

38

ORNITHOLOGIST

[Vol. 9-No. 4

the first having come Feb. 25. Kulldeer,
(QO. vociferus,) are abundant; the ranks of
Winter residents being already recruited
by large reinforcements from the south.
We look in vain for Geese and Brant;
they, with most of the Ducks, are far on
their northward journey.

When we take our next step, though we
move but a short distance, we are met by
the cold breath of Winter. If we call at
Corinth, Miss., 34°, our only information
will be, “Everything solid; two inches of
snow and not a bird stirring.” His nearest
neighbor, Water Valley, Miss., 34°, deigns
the short rejoinder, ‘“ Purple Martin came
March 1,” while if we return to Gaines-
ville, Texas, 33°6, we fare no better; ‘only
one arrival, the Phoebe, (iS? fwscus,) on
Feb. 27.” Let us again move northward
to Caddo, Indian Territory, 35°% Here
we may discern, in the dry grass, great
numbers of LeConte’s Sparrows, (C. Le-
contei,) lately arrived, Savanna Sparrows,
(P. s. savanna,) by the score, and possibly
a shy Yellow-winged Sparrow, (C. passeri-
nus.) Or,if we approach a swampy thicket
we may catch a glimpse of a Lincoln’s
Finch, (42. Lineolni.) The elm boughs
hang full of blossoms, and several species
of wild flowers are in bloom, but no grass
appears, and on March 2 the flowers were
buried in snow.

Once more we move northward and sud-
denly find ourselves in a region of inuch
activity among the birds. We have reached
St. Louis, Mo., 38°, and find that many
‘‘firsts” have been observed. The hosts
of Fringillidee, which winter all over the
country we have passed, are sending out
their scouts to observe the land and report
on the feasibility of a forward movement.
The Goldfinch, (A. tristis,) White-throated
Sparrow, (Z. albicollis,) Field Sparrow, (8.
pusilla,) Song Sparrow, (JL fasciata,)
Swamp Sparrow, (AZ. palustris,) Fox Spar-
row, (P. éliaca,) and Towhee Bunting, (P.
erythrophthalmus,) have each sent out a
few individuals, but we can imagine their

reports were not very favorable, as the gen-
eral advance has not yet been made. In
addition, much movement has taken place
among the water birds. The first Canada
Geese appeared Jan. 22; Mallards and Pin-
tails, (Y. acuta,) came soon aiter on the
last day of the month; by Feb. 22 they
had become quite numerous all around St.
Louis, and they had been joined by the
Green-winged Teal, Little Blackhead, (7
offinis,) and the Ruddy Duck, (Z. rwbida.)
On Feb. 25, the Kingfisher came and the
same day the first flock of Snow Geese.

This movement of water birds seems to
have been more pronounced along the Miss.
River than anywhere else in our territory.
Passing west to Manhattan, Kan., 3912, we
find a totally different state of affairs. _
Though but a short distance farther north
than St. Louis, near water, and in a good
country for water fowl, a long tramp, taken
by an excellent observer on March 1, failed
to reveal a Duck or a Goose. No White-
throated nor White-crowned Sparrows were
seen, but in their place a few Harris Spar-
rows, (Z. querula.) The presence of Ore-
gon Snowbirds, (J. oregonus,) Red-shafted
Flickers, (C. a. mexicanus,) and Western
Meadow Larks, (8. neglecta,) also show
the western position of the station. Of
the Finches, mentioned as appearing at St.
Louis, only the Goldfinch and Song Spar-
row have been seen at Manhattan. Cer
tainly the difference in latitude will not
account for this great difference in the ar-
rival of the birds.

Upon again moving northward, we find
migration is behind us. The waves of mi-
gration which reached St. Louis, could
have passed but a short distance farther up
the river. Many reports have been received
from more northern points in Ilhnois, Mis-
souri and Iowa, but not one makes men-
tion of any water birds. Almost directly
west of St. Louis, at Glasgow, Mo., 391, a
Robin was seen Feb. 2, and a flock of
Geese Feb. 1, but no further migration for —

amonth. Hast of St. Louis, at Odin, IIL,

April, 1884.]

38%9, Meadow Larks, (8S. magna,) had been
seen Jan. 28, Bluebirds Jan. 31, and Geese
and Ducks on Feb. 2. Certainly these
could not have gone much farther, as at a
point forty miles from Odin, almost due
north, no Ducks nor Geese were seen until
more than a month later, and at St. Lonis
all day long on March 2, flocks of Ducks
were passing southward, driven away by
the guns of the hunters and the refreezing
of the waters.

North of St. Louis, the only migra-
tory birds we will find are the Robin and
Bluebird. Theseappeared at Hillsborough,
Til, 3972, on Feb. 25, and at Griggsville,
Til, 39%, about the Ist of March.

Turning to Iowa, we find no migration
reported, though Coralville, 41, and
Mitchell, 431, were rejoicing over the pres-
ence of flocks of Evening Grosbeaks, (//.
vespertina,) the first ever seen at either
place. Moving to Southern Wisconsin,
we find a few notes at Lake Mills, 43°,
where a single Robin appeared Feb. 16,
but left immediately. A solitary Red-
winged Blackbird also came and was fed
by a kind hearted farmer. When last seen
he had been- staying about the premises
two weeks waiting for Spring and looked
rather forlorn and discouraged.

We are now fairly in the land of ice and
snow. On March 3, at Heron Lake, Minn.,
4348, the mercury fell to twenty-seven de-
grees below zero, and from another point
comes the report ‘‘the ground is frozen to
a depth of four feet four inches.” It will
be vain to seek here for bird movements,
except the quasi-migration of the Shore
Lark, (2. alpestris,) which in the middle
of February spread over all this region,
even to the middle of the State.— W. W.
Cooke, Caddo, Ind. Ter.

THE TWELVE-THREAD PLUME BirD, (Empimachus albus.)
An illustration and description, from Brehm’s Animal Life,
of this remarkable bird appears in the Scientific American
for March 22d. Rosenberg says not a single collection in
Enrope has a perfect specimen. We have seen the speci-
men advertised by Mr. Frank B. Webster in our March
number which certainly appears perfect.

AND OOLOGIST. 39
Notes on Birds of the Northwest

Region.
Warer Ovzen (Cinclus mexicans.)

This is undoubtedly one of the most in-
teresting birds of this region. It is of a
lead color, inclined to brown on the head,
but elsewhere uniform in color. It is an
aquatic bird and feeds on aquatic animal
substances. I have often watched them
for hours as they fed in the waters of
Clear Creek, Wyoming, being perfectly at
home in the water. They delight in moun-
tain streams, where the water rushes over
huge boulders or takes a leap from some
cliff. Here they build their nest, which
is a wonderful structure, dome-shaped and
with quite a large hole in the side for en-
trance. The eges are pure white, elongate
and pointed. There is but one place here
where their nests have been found, a
young naturalist from Chicago tells me,
and that is “in Clear Creek Canyon, where
the water takes a fall of eighty or so feet.
The nest is built under the water, that is,
fastened to the rock and between the rock
and the falling water. The birds in enter-
ing the nest are obliged to pass through
the water and the nest is drenched with
spray.” Their plumage is very compact,
wings stiff, tail square and short, bill
slender.

Great NorrHern Surike (Lanius borea-
lis.) This is another interesting bird and
breeds as abundantly here as the Robin
(Migratoria) does in New England. I
shot one specimen in December, and have
occasionally seen others. Most of them, I
think, migrate south, but many stay
through the winter. The habit these birds
have of impaling their prey on thorns, etc.,
is well known, but for what purpose I
have never found out. I believe it is
only done during the breeding season.
The nest is a bulky affair of twigs and
finished inside with rootlets, generally
placed in dense thickets and not very far
from the ground. I have never found one

40

ORNITHOLOGIST

[Vol. 9-No. 4

over five (5) feet or under two (2); eggs,
from four to six, or even seven; speckled.
They are a reckless bird and I have known
them to fly violently against the wires of
acage containing a Canary and do it re-
peatedly, frightening the poor native of
the Canary Islands almost to death. I
remember once finding a nest near Fort
Laramie, which I could not get at except
by crawling on my hands and knees under
the bushes and reaching up through the
thorns, at the expense of my clothes and
the loss of considerable skin from my
hands. Not satisfied with this, Mr.
Shrike had to attack my hand, actually
breaking one of the eggs as I took it
from the nest. These birds are some-
thing like the Mockingbird, and are often
mistaken for them by the settlers here.
Bouemran Waxwine (Ampelis garrulus.)
Took two (2) specimens yesterday (Jan.
30th) from a flock of seventy or eighty on
Clear Creek. These are the first I have
seen here. These birds agree with Dr.
Elliott Coues’ description, with one excep-
tion, and that is in regard to the white on
the under eyelid as in the Cedar Bird
(A. cedrorwmn.) Yet these birds are un-
doubtedly garrulous. I do not like to
differ from such an ornithologist as the
Doctor, but I will give my description and
can show the specimen. Under tail cov-
erts, chestnut; front and side of head,
orange-brown color; primary wing cov-
erts, tipped with white; wings, with yel-
low and white at outer web; chin, black ;
small black line across forehead and run-
ning through eyes meets on back of head,
just back of the crest ; bill and feet, black ;
tail, tipped with yellow; white on under
eyelid, but none across forehead ; 7.9 in.
long; wing, 4.2 in. This bird generally
retires south, but is occasionally seen dur-
ing an open winter in large flocks. The
prettiest thing about this bird is its curi-
ous appendages on the inner quills of the
wing, which resemble red AL
though not a singer, it has a very pleasant

wax.

note when heard in winter. I have never
yet found signs of insect food in the
stomach of these birds, and I am inclined
to think they feed entirely on berries and
seeds.—Onharles F’. Morrison, It. Me Win-
ney, Wyoming.

The Pine Grosbeak.

(Pinicola enucleator.)

In the March number of your magazine
I notice some statements regarding the
Pine Grosbeak. I have been in Potsdam
as teacher in the State Normal School in
this place since the Fall of ’72, and not
until last Winter did I ever notice or have
my attention called to this bird in this lo-
cality. Last winter I mounted six females
and one male. There seems to be a great
scarcity of the males. A number of my
students shot and mounted specimens, and
I believe not one secured a male.. There
were a number of flocks that seemed to
quarter in and near town nearly all winter.
They, without exception, were always found
about apple trees—crabapples ordinarily—
eating the frozen fruit on trees. This
winter I have only seen one flock, and
have heard of only two. I gota female
this winter; but for a cap being imperfect
I should have had a male. There are usu-
ally about a dozen in a flock, seldom more.
They were very tame and by some of the
citizens of the place taken for Robins.
They seem to be in most excellent condi-
tion, at least all of mine were. When
these birds came here last winter no one
knew them, and many asked me about
them. Getting a shot at them I was more
than pleased to find them a bird that was
entirely new to me, a pleasure which no
one but a person interested appreciates.
My little boy, seven years old, was out
with me this winter one day, and some
birds flying over our heads, he exclaimed,
“Oh! papa, there are some Pine Gros-
beaks; shoot me that pretty red one,” re-
ferring of course to the male. No parent

April, 1884. ]

AND OOLOGIST. 41

it seems to me realizes how much good
comes from making a collection of birds;
not only for their own personal good but
for their children or students. My little
boy above mentioned, can by the song dis-
tinguish almost all of our birds. I wish
in your excellent little paper you would
urge this work upon your subscribers.
Here lies a field of exact knowledge that,
except by specialists, is but little worked.
—W. Mann, Teacher of Science in State
Normal School, Potsdam, N. Y.

Pine Grospeans. We have received sey-
eral further communications respecting
the large numbers of these birds that
have been seen this winter in various
parts of New England, also several in-
stances of their tameness. The large
preponderance of females is also generally
noted.

oo

THE PINE GROSBEAK IN CONFINEMENT.—I have a male
Pine Grosbeak (Pinicola enucleator) in confinement, which
was captured in the winter of ’82. He stood the hot weather
in summer well and is now in fine condition, being fat and
in full plumage. When caught he was of an ashy brown
color, except back of head and rump were tinged with
yellow. In the fall of ’83 he came out in a coat of bright
yellow wings, and tail nearly black, wing bars white. I
suppose he would have been red in place of the yellow if he
had been at liberty. Last month (January) I captured three
more, one male and two females, by slipping over their
heads a slip noose made of horse hair and attached to a
slender pole. So I have now two pair and am in hopes of
vetting a clutch or two of eggs this spring. I feed them on
corn meal mixed with sweet milk, also apple seeds and
beech nuts. They are especially fond of the buds of the
pine and spruce and the seeds that they get from the cones.
They are quite good singers, and both male and female sing.
The former louder and more musical than the latter.

Their song is generally a low warble audible but at a short
distance, though they sometimes sing a louder note which
somewhat resembles that of the Rose-breasted, (Zamelodia
ludoviciana). Yn answer to P. 8. U. would suy the red males
are quite common here in winter.

Tam uncertain about the whistling sound made while fly-
ing, but think it is not made by the wings.—G. F., Union,
Maine.

SS

Nores From Bay City, Micu. If, as you request, I am
to furnish some notes for the April number with so short a
notice, Imust scurry about and from the leayings and pick-
ings concoct as palatable an ornithological hash as possible
under the circumstances, trusting that the more ingredients
there are the better it will be relished. Let us first take up
the birds in and about our city the past winter. The Eng-
lish Sparrow, of course, has been with us all winter as they
drobably will be foreyer, and we must believe in greatly in-

creased numbers, for they are now (March 18th) generally
throughout the city busily constructing their nests. The
Black-capped Chickadee as well as the Downy Woodpecker
and White-bellied Nuthatch have occasionally visited us in
the heart of the city, and on March 1st a small flock of
Horned Larks ventured well in on one of the main streets.
On two occasions a few Bohemian Waxwings were noted.
Snowbirds, (P. nivalis,) have been hardly as plenty as in the
winter of ’82-’83, although frequently seen on the river.
On Noy. 19th the Pine Grosbeaks arrived, remaining until
the 10th of the present month, when I guess we saw them
for the last time this season. In the winter of ’82-’83 this
species remained an unusually long time in the State of
Maine. I first noted them Noy. 4, 1882, in the city of Ban-
gor. They were constantly with us until the first of Feb-
ruary, when I visited this State (Michigan,) and on my re-
turn, the middle of March, they were still there and
remained until the 4th of April, when they were noted for
the last time, just five months from the day of their arrival.
Let us now see what notes we have on the birds of the
pineries. The past few months I have made several trips
to the northern forests, partially for the purpose, if possi-
ble, to add evidence to a statement made by myself some
time ago in this paper, that the Black-backed Woodpecker,
(P. arcticus,) was not an uncommon winter resident of our
pine forests; in this I have been unsuccessful; but will say
that I have notes, other than those now recorded, of its
capture in this State which I am in hopes to give you in
time.

The first week in November I was encamped on the
north branch of the Au Sable, surrounded for miles with
barren Norway plains. We found the locality somewhat
barren of bird-life, although the cedar swamps lining the
shores of the stream, abounded in the Ruffed Grouse and
Spruce Partridge, (7. canadensis,) the latter generally con-
sidered not plenty south of Mackinaw. A few of the
smaller, common species were noted, while an unknown
Owl paid us nightly visits. Frequent trips to the south
branch of the Pine and Rifle rivers have added no new or
rare specimens to my collection; but I haye hardly ever
failed to find the following abundant about the logging-
camps: Hairy, Downy and Pileated Woodpeckers, Black-
capped Chickadees, White-bellied Nuthatch, Brown Creep-
ers, Blue Jays, Canada Jays, Ruffed Grouse, and Barred
Owl, with the Snowy Owl and Raven on one occasion. We
will now go back alittle as to the season and close with
some condensed notes on the Fall migration of the Ducks
in this locality in 1888. At the opening of the shooting
season, Sept. Ist, the Wood Duck was found quite plenty,
probably the larger part raised in the immediate vicinity of
the marshes; they, with the Lesser Scaups, constituted the
bulk, while the Red-breasted Merganser was noted. The
Teels had hardly put in an appearance. On the 23d the
Blue-winged Teel had become plenty, while the Red-heads
had arrived in some numbers. Wood Ducks about the
same as on the Ist. Oct. 7th the Red-heads and Greater
Scaups composed the main body, while on the 14th the Red-
heads were exceedingly abundant; of forty Ducks taken by
one sportsman in about an hour, all were of this species.
Oct. 16th, 20th and 22d,I obtained from different sources
fresh specimens of the Surf Duck, (2%. perspicillata,) as
also on the 22d an American Black Scoter, (@¥. americana.)
The specimen of the Surf Duck procured on the 16th was
given in the January O. and O. as the first for this State,
which Dr. Gibbs since writes me stands good. Buffle-
heads, (B. albeola,) reached us on the 23d of October, and
Jast and least the Ruddy, (£. rwbida,) on the 27th. Asevere
cold snap the fore part of November practically closed the
season, at least, as far as the sportsmen were concerned.—
N. A. Eddy, Bay City, Mich.

ORNITHOLOGIST

[Vol. 9-No. 4

42
j THE
ORNITHOLOGIST

OOLOGIST.

A MONTHLY MAGAZINE OF

IN| EVD ONIN ZN IG ISOES 4 OUR VC ,

ESPECIALLY DEVOTED TO THE STUDY OF

BIRDS,
THEIR NESTS AND EGGS.
DESIGNED AS A MEANS FOR THE INTERCHANGE OF NOTES
AND OBSERVATIONS ON BIRD LIFE.
FRANK B. WEBSTER, Publisher,
PAWTUCKET, R. I.

The Tribulations of a Persistent
Collector.

Accompanied by my friend, Mr. Emer-
son, I left San Francisco on the morning
of January 10th last, on the steamship
“ Orizaba,” intending to spend a time col-
lecting in Southern California, my object-
ive point being San Diego. Before sailing,
we congratulated ourselves that we had
designated a day for our departure, that
brought with it every indication that the
three days’ voyage before us would be
pleasant and the sea smooth; but at the
end of the first hour out, we felt like the
Apache soldier who wanted to ‘‘ go home.”
The angry waves showed us no mercy,
and the fish reaped a harvest sufficient to
comfortably maintain themselves until our
return. On the morning of the third day
San Diego was reached and without mak-
ing any stop we proceeded to Poway Val-
ley, twenty-three miles distant. Here we
tarried one week and accomplished good
work on the field, taking a large number
and a satisfactory variety of birds, includ-
ing Bell's Sparrow (Amphispiza Belli,)
Western Grass Finch (P. gramineus con-
finis,) Western Savannah Sparrow (P.
sandwichensis alaudinus,) Rock Wren
(Salpinectes obsoletus,) Chapparral Cock
(Geococcyx californianus,) etc. We care-

fully placed away the result of our labor,
but upon examining the specimens as we
were about to leave the valley, we were
surprised to discover that they had been
visited by mice and that many had been
destroyed. Profanity is unknown to my
companion—he said simply ‘“‘ Gosh,” and
we determined to make up the loss, if
possible, by more active work. We then

departed for the mountains, about fifty
miles distant, depending upon California
mustangs for locomotion. On the night
of the second day we reached our destina-
tion, and again tarried and have tarried
since and are likely to stay for some time
to come. We had two beautiful days next
after locating here, and then a terrible rain
and wind storm commenced which contin-
ued with unabated fury for five days ; then
followed a lovely day and signs of contin

uing pleasant weather appeared on every
hand, but the storm again set in that night
with increased violence and it has rained
inéessantly since. The fog has been so
dense that we could not prudently ven-
ture 300 yards from the camp. We are
in an altitude of about 6,000 feet, living
in an old adobe hut; no other “ house” in
the mountains; nearest neighbor seven
miles distant, down the mountains;
stormed in and “dieting” on fresh pork
and honey. It is impossible at any time
to ascend the mountains with a team, and
the trail is so steep that descent on horse-
back is also impossible. We spend most
of our time in unsuccessful efforts to keep
dry—our “bunk” is in the dryest spot in
the house, but it is the receptacle of four
streams of water leaking through the roof
and night before last our underclothes
were well washed, because of our failure
to place them under the bed blankets, as
usual, before retiring. Yesterday morn-
ing, upon getting up, the writer found
one of his boots half full of water. Such
are some of the experiences of an unfor-
tunate collector. We are seventy-three
miles from the nearest railroad or tele-

April, 1884.]

AND OOLOGIST.

43

”

graph station and “still we are not happy.
Our tobacco is wet and we cannot get it
dry. Beans, potatoes, milk, butter, etc.,
are luxuries unknown. Our flour is ex-
hausted. An Indian has been occupying
this hut, herding hogs on the mountains.
Fortunately our Winchester is in good
condition, and when we need meat we can
help ourselves. Wild bees are plentiful
here. Trees well stored with honey are
not hard to find; hence our diet of pork
and honey. We will ornament our bill of
fare by adding “bread” thereto, as soon
as the storm sufficiently subsides to enable
us to go to a store for flour. It is a trifle
inconvenient now, but these experiences
are pleasant to think of when they be-
come matters of the past. During the
pleasant days here we had excellent luck
with the gun, securing such rare and inter-
esting birds as Townsend's Solitaire
(Myiadestes Townsendi,) Mountain Chick-
adee (Parus montanus,) Townsend's Spar-
row (Passerella iliaca unalascensis,) Gold-
en-crowned Sparrow (Z. coronota,) Moun-
tain Quail (Oreortyx picta,) ete., ete., but
the specimens have suifered with other
things, and nearly all have been ruined be-
cause of our inability to keep them dry.

Thus has misfortune attended us, but we
“Cheer up and don’t grow weary
And will wait till the clouds roll by.”

Although the storm has been raging for
over two weeks and there is now no indi-
cation of its end being near, we have not
even thought of becoming discouraged
and shall be all the more energetic and
persistent, and we feel that our efforts will
yet be rewarded by a large and satisfacto-
ry ornithological harvest.— William C.
Flint, San Francisco, Cal.

Summer Birds of Locke, Michigan.

A list of the birds seen or captured in
the township of Locke, in June, July and
August, 1883. The asterisk (* ) prefixed
to a species, indicates that it has been
known to breed either in this or previous

annotations have reference

years. The
only to the year and months specified
above. This township is situated twenty

miles east of Lansing, the capital of the
State, lat. 42 deg., 42 min. N.; long. 7
deg., 16 min. W. of Washington.
1 * Robin, (Zurdus migratorius,) abun-
dant.
2 * Wood Thrush, ( Zurdus mustelinus,)
rare.
3 * Catbird, (Wimus carolinensis,) com-
mon.
4 * Brown Thrush, (Harporhyneus ru-
Jus,) rare.
5 * Bluebird, (Sialia sialis,) abundant.
6 Blue-gray Flycatcher, (Polioptila
ccerulea,) rare.
7 * Chickadee,
rare.
8 * White-bellied Nuthatch, (Sittw caro-
linensis,) rather common.
9 * House Wren, (Zroglodytes domesti-
ca,) rather common.
10 * Horned Lark, (Hremophila alpes-
tris,) rather common.
11 * Black-and-white Creeper, (dniotilta
varia,) rare.
12 * Yellow Warbler, (Dendreca cestiva.)
rather common.
13 * Chestnut-sided Warbler, (Dendreeca
pennsylvanicd,) rare.
14 * Golden-crowned Thrush,
auricapillus,) not common.
15 * Large-billed Water Thrush, (Siwrus
motacilla,) vare.
16 * Maryland Yellow throat, ( Geothlypis
trichas,) not common.
17 * Hooded Warbler, (MWZyiodioctes mi-
tratus,) not common.
18 * Redstart, (Setophaga ruticilla,) rare.
19 * Scarlet Tanager, (Pyranga rubra,)
rather common.
20 * Barn Swallow,
rum,) abundant.
21 * White-bellied Swallow, ( Zachycineta
bicolor,) rather common.
22 * Cliff Swallow, (Petrochelidon luni-
Jrons,) rather common.

(Parus atricapillus,)

(Stiurus

(Hirundo horreo-

44 QBN TU EOLO GIST

[ Vol. 9-No. 4

23 * * Puple & Martin, (Progne purpurea,)
rare.

24 * Red-eyed Vireo, (Vireo olivaceus,)
common.

25 * Warbling Vireo, ( Vireo gilvus,) abun-
dant.

26.* Yellow-throated Vireo, (Vireo flavi-
Jrons,) rare.

27 * Yellowbird,
abundant.

28 * Bay-winged Bunting,
gramineus,) abundant.

Chrysomitris tristis
y >
(Pocecetes

29 * Song Sparrow, (Melospiza melodia.)
abundant.

30 * Snow Bird, (Junco hyematis,) rare.

31 * Chipping Sparrow, (Spizella socia-
lis,) abundant.

32 * Field Sparrow,
abundant.

33 * Rose-breasted Grosbeak, (Goniaphea
ludoviciana,) rare.

(Spizella pusilla,)

34 * Indigo Bird, (Cyanospiza cyanea,)
abundant.

35 * Towhee Bunting, (Pipilo erythrop-
thalmus,) common.

36 * Bobolink, (Dolichonyx oryzyvorus,)
common.

37 * Cow Bunting, (Molothrus ater,) com-
mon.

38 * Red-winged Blackbird,
pheeniceus,) abundant.

39 * Meadow Lark, (Steurnella Magna,)
common.

40 * Baltimore Oriole, (Zcterus baltimore,)
rather scarce.

41 * Purple Grackle,

rews,) common.

(A gelwus

(Quiscalus purpu-

42 * Common Crow, (Corvus americanus,)
abundant.

43 * Blue
common.

44 * King Bird, ( Z'yrannus carolinensis)
common.

45 * Great-crested Flycatcher,
chus crinitus,) rare.

46 * Pheebe Bird, (Sayornis fuscus,) abun-
dant.

Jay, (Cyanurus eristats,)

(Myiar-

47 Wood pee (Contopus virens,)
rather common.
48 Acadian Flycatcher, (Himpidonax

acadicus,) rather common.

49 Traill’s Flycatcher, (Hmpidonazx tra-
illi,) not common.

50 * Least Flycatcher, (Hmpidonax min-
imus,) not common.

.51 * Whippoorwill, (Antrostomus vocife-
7us,) common.

52 * Night Hawk, (Chordiles virginia-
nus,) rather common.

53 * Chimney Swallow, (Chetura pela-
gica,) abundant.

54 * Ruby-throated Humming Bird, (7Z’ro-
chilus colubris,) not common.

55 * Kingfisher, (Ceryle alcyon,) rare.

56 * Black-billed Cuckoo, (Coceyzus ery-
throphthalmus,) rare.

57 * Hairy Woodpecker, (Picus villosus,)
rather common.

58 * Downy Woodpecker, (Picus pubes-
cens,) rather common.

59 * Yellow-bellied Woodpecker, (Sphy-
rapicus varius,) rather common.

69 * Red-bellied Woodpecker, (Ceniurus
carolinus,) rare.

61 * Red-headed Woodpecker, (Melaner-
pes erythrocephalus,) rare.

62 * Golden-winged Woodpecker, ( Colap-
tes auratus,) common.

63 Great-horned Owl, (Budo virginia-
nus,) rare.

64 Red Owl, (Scops asio,) rare.

65 * Marsh Hawk, (Circus cyaneus, var
hudsonius, ) rare.

66 * Red-tailed Buzzard, ( Buteo borealis,)
rare.

67 * Red-shouldered Buzzard, (Buteo li-
neutus,) rather common.

68 * Rough-legeed Buzzard, (Archibuteo
lagopus, var sanctijohannis,) rather com-
mon.

69 * Bald Hagle, (Halicetus leucocepha-
Jws,) rare.

70 * Wild Pigeon, Cee migrato-
riws,) rare.

April, 1884]

AND OOLOGIST. 45

71 * Mourning Dove, (Zenceedura caroli-
nensis,) common.

72 * Ruffed Grouse, (Bonasa winbellus,)
not common.

73 * Quail, (Ortyx virginianus,) common.

74 * Killdeer, (Zigialitis vociferus,) not
common.

75 * Spotted Sandpiper, (Zringoides ma-
cularius,) rare.

76 * Great Blue Heron, (Ardea herodias,)
rare.

77 * Stake Driver, (Botaurus lentigino-
sus,) rare.

78 * Sand-hill Crane, (Grus canadensis.)
rare.”

79 Virginia Rail, (Rallus virginianus,)
rare.

80 Wild Goose, (Branta canadensis.)
a small flock passed over my house the last
week in August.—Dr. H. A. Atkins,
Locke, Michigan.

Arrivals of Birds in N. J. in 1883.

It will no doubt be interesting to many
of your yeaders and students in Ornithol-
ogy to have statements similar to the fol-
lowing published from different parts of
the country. I took considerable time last
season in watching the arrival of our birds,
and below is the result for this locality.
Names and numbers according to last
Smithsonian list :

ig AMET CAN PRODIN serie leteiercclereieteteisisieieisiseiere March 3
DiBmeeUTplemGLackle secielevelseieiteeieeiiictetiisseiaie OS) 71)
SiG) TAs 1shl GonsouaouoneuensS dooDdsanC 1) Bs fo 3G
261 Red-wing Blackbird...................... Se
BY \WOOGIWOO)cn5 000000. pod 00eboDaGeEnoGdGG G3 alal
235 Fox-colored Sparrow.............-...---» aie
258 Cowbird Blackbird...............-..-... i)
526@ Wilson’s Snipe...........sesceeeeeeee cere April 3
AOS) INNEDNIY TEIGWOM bo oGq.000000 caeab0 bO00 Goo0dnen oO 5
487 Great Blue Heron.....................-.- @ 6
378 Yellow-shafted Flicker,.................. ce ce
460 Mourning Dove................:0eesseeee renga nice

95 Yellow-rump Warbler. GiGi as i}
211 Chipping Sparrow................. Pate icer anc
312 Great-crested Flycatcher................. se 9
DAKE ING Ryee RO 75009 cooce spay anocddesoaea0 Go i)
155 White-bellied Swallow................... cS
IO GREEE ITO oocoobade0 caseaoeooeses0 0650 Oe te
193a Savannah Sparrow...........-.-- pease 4

5b Hermit Thrush................. a ge ei
113 Red-poll Warbler.. osoe gaa “lbs
-237 Chewink....... aodagadane Beestaine ar 3 BL

74 Black and White Creeper................ April 21

1S) Brown) Thrashers cic cee cele cmnen eles ere 0 03
233 Swamp Sparrow...............-.-- dcx, eh gE
111 Pine-creeping Warbler ............ Os = ©

G3 TOMES WHOM asso ncccgonsb05e0dong0000000 ce 25)
207 Black-throated Green Warbler......-... Oo Oi
141 Blue-headed Vireo...................---- 0-3
557 Spotted Sandpiper.......-...--....-.-.++ Sire as
154 Barn Swallow..... b6 fe
351 Chimney Swift.. “
304 King Bird...... al

1 Wood Thrush 2
115 Golden-crowned Thrush...............-. Os et
139) WrarblimgeVireo\yacye eclenie\eer olei+l+)-\-1~ +1 ay 4
123 Yellow-breasted Chat w 7

8S Blue Yellow-backed Warbler eit
271 Baltimore Oriole SE ie

WW CETElSoacosonose oes Bald
248° Imdigo Bunting. <-..--. 02-0 -26-6-s 0+ -- Stays
270 Orchard Oriole.......-...---..+00-----0+- ce 8

“ce ae
“ce “ce
354 Whip-poor-will .........+----+2++--e-ee- ee FSi 8

94 Black-throated Blue Warbler.......--.-- Rae

93 Summer Yellowbird.........-.........--- OS 9

85 Nashville Warbler.........---- enter pikes
122 Maryland Yellowthroat sf a
128 American Redstart.........-. ee
143 White-eyed Vireo.. se OS
244 Rose-beasted Grosbeak oq) oS sé
116 Small-billed Water Thrush............... Sm

QWs onisp MOTUS eyetateyetslelelelspstetersl-lallalsteisersi= ioe Ai
S26 melbeas tebly catchermenrreeyseeceemerircctt Uist
550) Solitany Matter syccicye circa cisle elastic -l= Sey se
102 Blackburnian Warbler......... catia
127 Canadian Flycatching Warbler... i)
257 Bob-o-link................- 2.0265 sees
494 Green Heron ...... 02... ccccee- seen eecere sos Sa ee
101 Black-poll Warbler..........-.--.----.+..-- OS ali
335 Ruby-throated Hummingbird............. Ox 193

97 Black and Yellow Warbler................ et
388 Black-billed Cuckoo.......... O18}

79 Blue-wing Yellow Warbler... fois
161 Scarlet Tanager..........------.-.-.---.--- aki
125 Green Black-capped Flycatching Warbler “17
135 Red-eyed Vireo..........--.-------.-+0-- 0)
198 Yellow-Winged Sparrow.....-.---.--++--- cS 21h

77 Worm-eating Warbler............--.--.. OG 93
120 Mourning Warbler...........-...-..----- GONE Af
257 Night Hawk Go 3
8387 Yellow-billed Cuckoo..................-. G3 9%)

—H. F. Barrell, New Providence, Union

County, New Jersey.

Notes from Taftsville, Vt.

Dec. 30, 1883, I saw a fine male Cowbird,
(Molothrus ater,) in the stock-yard, eagerly
picking up corn and oats, of which he took
a surprisingly large quantity. He was very
tame, allowing me to approach within three
feet of him. Fortunately for him and
subsequent observations it was Sunday.
The same bird remained about here for a

[Vol. 9-No. 4

_ORNITHOLOGIST

month and was a regular visitor in the
farm-yards of this vicinity, becoming quite
a well known character; the mercury in
the meantime was thirty degrees below
zero several times.

Feb. 5, I saw a Song Sparrow. They
are very rarely seen here in Winter. Pur-
ple Finches, Goldfinches and Pine Linnets
have been very abundant nearly all Win-
ter. Their food has been, principally, the
seeds of the yellow birch, of which there
is an abundant supply here. Pine Gros-
beaks first noted Jan. 11, they soon be-
coming abundant. For three weeks they
were only to be met with in the forests,
where they completely stripped the maple
trees of “keys,” the seeds of which formed
their principal food. Then they suddenly
came to the orchards and partook of what
has in former years been their favorite
food, frozen apple seeds. Males in the red
plumage were quite common. Saw the
last of them Feb. 11. Bird life has been
very abundant here all Winter.—C. O. 7.

Birds of the “Panhandle,” W. Va.

THE JOURNAL OF REY. W. E. HILL FROM JANUARY TO JUNE,
(INCLUSIVE,) 1883.

PART II.

Fes. 3. There, has been a remarkable change in the
weather since yesterday—the thermometer rising from six-
teen deg. to sixty deg. About the middle of the day there
was a heavy shower of rain.

During a two or three miles drive, caught sight of the fol-
lowing birds: A Hawk sailing in wide circles in the air,
which I judged to be the Red-tailed Hawk or Buzzard,
(Buteo borealis), a Ruffed Grouse, or Pheasant, (Bonasa
wmbellus,) which flew across the road not twenty yards in
front of me. near a small wood. three or four Bluebirds,
Sialia sialis) in one company, the first and only ones I have
seen thus far this winter, two Hairy Woodpeckers, (Picus
villosus,) commonly known as the large “Sapsucker,” a
Tufted Titmouse, a Song Sparrow, (Melospiza melodia), two
Cardinal Grosbeaks, and numerous White-bellied Nuthatch-
es ;—eight species during a thirty minutes’ drive along the
public road on a winter’s day, not including the Snow-birds
and Tree Sparrows, which, strange enough, I failed to see!

Fes. 7. At different times during the day two or three
Downy Woodpeckers and as many Nuthatches have made
their appearance among the small trees and grape-vines in
my yard. A day or twoago my company of feathered visi-
tors were two Tufted Titmice and several Nuthatches.
Next to the Snow-birds and Sparrows the White-bellied

Black-capped Nuthatches, (Sitta carolinensis), are far the |

most numerous of our winter birds.
Fes. 8. In passing a small wood on foot saw my first

specimen during the winter of the Black-capped Titmouse
or Chickadee, (Parus atricapillus.) Was much interested
in the activity of its motions while searching for food. Al-
though approximating it in size, color and habits, this
species may readily be distinguished, even by the most in-
experienced observer, from the Nuthatch, by its longer tail
and shorter bill, and in its more restless and active move-
ments. The latter nearly always betrays itself by its quank,
quank, when you will see it perambulating the trunk of a
tree, mostly head downward, in search of the eggs or larvae
of insects. The ordinary note of the former bird is ehick-
a-dee-dee, which gives it its more familiar name.

Fes. 10th. Before entering my study this morning took
a walk into a neighboring wood, and was repaid by seeing
the most interesting group of birds I have met with this
winter—consisting of Nuthatches, Hairy and Downy
Woodpeckers, and Tufted and Black-capped Titmice, from
two to half a dozen or more of each, perhaps a score in
all, allin one loose flock on neighboring trees, or on the
ground (being bare), together with a Golden-wmged Wood-
pecker, (Colaptes auratus), the presence of the latter per-
haps being accidental. During the same brief excursion
saw also a Cardinal-bird, a pair of Song Sparrows and a
Meadow Lark, (Stwrnella magna). The last and the Gold-
en-winged Woodpecker were the first of their respective
species I have seen this winter. The Meadow Lark is for
the most part migratory, the Golden-wing but partially so.
The last named has many aliases, the most familiar of
which are Flicker, High-hole and Yellow-hammer. The
Meadow Lark’s yellow breast and black crescent on it, and
white tail feathers, with his sweet plaintive whistle, if in
song, will sufficiently identify him.

Fes. 12. The whistling notes of the Cardinal Grosbeak
repeatedly caught my ear during the morning from the
thickets of the opposite hill—save that of the Wren, the
first bird song of the season. There is an old saying here
in substance—the Redbird’s song in February is the proph-
ecy of an early Spring, but this I believe to be no unusual
thing.

Fern. 13. Saw a remarkable instance of the domestica-
tion of wild birds in a state of freedom. While making a
call upon a family in the country, a pair of Cardinal Gros-
beaks alighted on the sill of the window at which I was
sitting, seemingly perfectly indifferent to my presence. On
expressing my surprise the people explained that some two
years ago they began the practice of scattering bread crumbs
and a little grain on the window sill to treat and attract the
birds. Among others to discover this gratuitous fare was
the above pair of Red-birds, who soon acquired the habit
of coming regularly morning and eyening for their free
rations, all the time growing less shy and more familiar and
confident. During the last summer they were accustomed
to-perch on the sill of an open window and feed with per-
fect fearlessness, though the room was constantly occupied,
and even though one might be sitting at an arm’s length.
Since their first appe2rance they have never been known to
disappear for a single day from the immediate neighbor-
hood, but may be seen at almost any hour near or about
the house—on the window sill, porch-railing, fence or gar-
den shrubbery. The last season they nested in a honey-
suckle bush in the front yard, scarcely a rod from the house,
and raised one brood. On leaving the house to-day passed
within two or three yards of the male bird without its tak-
ing wing.

Started up a flock of Quail (Ortya virginianus) at the
road-side.

Fes. 15. The feathered ‘‘ harbingers of Spring” were re- —
markably numerous. The day was warm and spring-like
with numerous brief showers. During a short drive saw a
flock of about a dozen noisy crows, (Corvus americanus,)

April, 1884.]

AND OOLOGIST.

which I believe is their first appearance in this vicinity this
season; also numerous Bluebirds in their liveliest song;
also the Song Sparrow warbling its sweetest notes; also a
couple of Meadow Larks, and many other birds hitherto
noted. ‘*The heart of winter is broken.”

Fes. 16. Rarely could there haye been a more spring-
like day than this in the month of February. Clear and
calm throughout, and the thermometer reaching 70°. With-
out going outside of my yard heard the familiar notes or
song of the following early spring birds; the Robin (their
first appearance) the Bluebird, the Song Sparrow, the Cardi-
nal-bird and the Wren. Saw also the Crow and the Mead-
ow Lark. During almost the entire morning the Cardinal,
the Bluebird and Song Sparrow were all in full song. These
three, it is worthy of emphasis, are not only among the
earliest of our singing birds in spring, but also among the
most lasting, all continuing in song throughout the spring
and summer months, and even into the fall. Of the three
the Song Sparrow is the most constant singer, after once
“opening the season,” rarely suspending its song on ac-
count of a cold spell which is sufficient temporarily to si-

‘lence the others.

Fre. 28. Since my last entry the weather for the most
part has been seyerely cold, with numerous light snow falls,
and for several days neither Robin nor Bluebird was to be
seen, but to-day both haye again made their appearance.
Observed a small Hawk flying over an open field, and, in its
course, at the height of about fifty feet, suddenly stop and
poise itself with vibrating wings for full thirty seconds,
possibly reconnoitering the ground below for game. On re-
suming its flight it passed so near me overhead—alighting
on the topmost branch of a tree not far distant—I was en-
abled to fully recognize it as the Sparrow Hawk (Malco
sparverius.)

Mar. 3. Counted sixty odd Crows in one straggling flock
heading in a southeasterly direction.

Saw a flock of about fifty American Goldfinches or Yel-
lowbirds (Chrysomitris tristis), the first to meet my eye
since late fall, although it is common for small flocks of
these birds to remain with us throughout the winter. The
inexperienced observer would scarcely recognize these
birds in their sombre winter dress as the brilliant Yellow-
bird of Summer.

Marcu 5. Saw three separate flocks of Red-winged
Blackbirds (Ageleus pheeniceus), of about fifty each, dur-
ing one drive of a few miles along a valley road, mostly
feeding in the open fields. These flocks seemed to consist
wholly or largely of male birds. In many of them the wing-
patch was somewhat obscure, and rather inclining to yel-
lowish, indicating, perhaps, the young birds of the last year.

Marcu 9. Saw a small flock of Purple Grackles or Crow
Blackbirds, (Quiscalus purpureus.) A few Red-wings were
associated with them in the same flock. Heard the chant
of the Meadow Lark, the cooing of the Dove, the carol of
the Robin and the call of the High-hole. ‘The time of the
singing of birds has come.”

MaxrcuH 16. Saw a winter-wren (Troglodytes hyemalis),
about a brush-heap near a small stream. This may readily
be distinguished from other wrens by its shorter tail which
is always erect. It is also the smallest of the family.

Marcu 18. ‘ Kill-deer, kill-deer,” were the new bird
notes to greet my ear to-day. (.Wgialites vociferus.)
Marcu 19. Caught sight of the Blue Jay, (Cyanocitta

eristata,) three or four in one company. These, although
no uncommon winter residents, have hitherto escaped my
notice. Saw a Passenger Pigeon (Ectopistes migratoria,)
feeding in a corn-field singly and alone, perhaps a straggler
from some passing or neighboring flock.

MaRrcH 27. Rode up to within five or six yards of a Hawk

that was perched on a low limb reaching out oyer the road,
affording me a reasonably fair view. Its back, which was
towards me, was a light brown mottled with grey, and in
size it was about midway between our two most familiar
representatives of the two extremes of the family of Spar-
row and Red-tailed Hawks. I judged this to be Cooper’s
Hawk, alias Chicken Hawk, (Accipiter cooperi.) I only
make this entry for the sake of saying that my list of birds
does not do justice to the Hawk and Owl families, of which
many individuals, especially of the former, have come un-
der my observation since beginning this journal, and only
in a single instance could I place identity beyond a doubt.
A long-ranged gun is mostly necessary to settle the matter.
It is no unusual thing for the Snowbirds to come into song
before leaving us in the spring. Heard numbers of them
to-day warble out some simple but very sweet notes.

Marcu 30. This morning found the ground covered with
four inches of snow, and still falling, nor did it cease be-
fore the middle of the day, when it measured quite six
inches. It was interesting during the morning, amid the
thickest of the falling snow, to hear the Robins warbling
their sweetest lays; the Carolina Wren also’ seemed to be
more than usually animated in his song.

It is worthy of note that as early as the 18th of this
month, having made a pocket memorandum of it at the
time, one or two of the last named birds, (Phryothorus lu-
dovicianus), began building a nest in my stable, occupying a
last year’s Barn Swallow’s nest, attached to a rafter, as the
foundation of their structure, at which they worked with
great dilligence for several successive days, and then appar-
ently abandoned it. To-day I examined this new wren fab-
ric and found it to be a perfectly and most ingeniously
formed nest—the sides being raised and the whole com-
pletely arched over, with a small circular opening at the
side leading to the very bottom of the Swallow’s nest, which
Icould only reach with a six-inch pencil. The materials
consisted of dry grass, leaves, feathers and horse-hair.
Whether this proves more than what Jardine calls a mere
“cock nest,” or possibly temporary roosting quarters, re-
mains to be seen. In other years I have known these birds
to roost, a large part of the winter, in a Barn Swallow’s
nest which they themselves had lined with the fluff feathers
of chickens.

Aprit4, We had to-day the first genuine spring weather
since the opening of the spring months, and during the
morning the air was full of bird music. Within a very brief
time, without going beyond the bounds of my yard, readily
recognized the notes or song of as many as eleven differ-
ent. species. Observed a pair of Turtle-doves building a
nest in an apple tree in my lot—the first nest-builders of the
season.

Brief Notes.

WoopPECKER AND OwL.—Some few years since a friend
of the writer found in the end of a hollow limb, about six
inches thick, a full grown Red-headed Woodpecker, at the
bottom of the cavity. About six inches from the bottom
was a small hole, in which was firmly jixed a Screech Owl
with its claws clinched in the head of the Woodpecker; its
head was also inside the hole, but wings outside. They
were both quite dead when found, the limb having blown
down. Do Screech Owls often attack a bird as large as the
Red-head? I helped to preserve them in the position they
occupied when found. I also once found a Mourning Dove
nesting in an old Robin’s nest. It had young ones in, and
was about seven feet from the ground, on a horizontal limb
of an apple tree. Is it of common occurrence ?—R. J.
Tozer, Cleveland, Ohio,

48

[Vol. 9-No. 4

FORK-TAILED FuycarcHER. Ihave lately received from
a dealer in California curiosities at Santa Monica, Cal., a
fine specimen of the Fork-tailed Flycatcher, (Jfilvulus ty-
rannus,) which was shot near that place in the latter part of
the Summer of 1883. Knowing that this bird is of compar-
atively rare occurrence in the United States and especially
in the western parts (where I haye never seen any record
of it heretofore,) I thought you might consider it worthy of
a note in the O. and O.—G. L. Toppan, Chicago, TU.

AN Ort0LE’s Nest. In 1878 a Baltimore Oriole built its
nest in an elm in front of our house. In 79 it returned and
fixing it a little raised its young. In ’s0 it did the same.
In’81 some White-eyed Vireos carried away part of it and
the Orioles built another. In 82 they patched up the old
one and used it. They did the same in 83, making five
years they have used one nest. It is still hanging, and
whether they will use it again is a question. —J. W. Thio-
ber, Nashua, N. H.

GREAT-HORNED Owts Eees. On the 15th of March three
of us went hunting Owls nests. In a very large pine tree
we saw a nest resembling the Crows. After clubbing the
tree with the climbers, an Owl flew off the nest and as she
did so an egg dropped, and a large young one was seen.
On going up to the nest, one egg and the bones of an ani-
mal were found. The nest was eighty-five feet from the
ground. We saw the Owl three times, and could have easily
shot her. The broken egg was mended and the set is com-
plete.—S. W. Comstock, Greenjield, Mass.

Some PuHaseEs oF ALBINIsM. In looking over my records
of ornithological oddities, I find numerous instances of
Albino Birds, which although of frequent occurrence, yet
are quite interesting. Hoping to hear from other obsery-
ers, I give mine as a commencement. My first Albino was
a Black Spanish chicken, which with an ample pedigree of
bluck ancestors, persisted in showing the white feather,
after the first moult.

The next, a Chipping Sparrow, adorned with white pri-
maries and tail coverts.

A Snow Bird differed from his fellows in Wearing a snow
white breast and crown.

A friend while out hunting shot ata crow flying overhead,
and among the even half dozen of quills, the only result of
his shot, were three pure white in color.

By a singular coincidence a Quail and Woodcock, each
with white wings and breasts, were found in my gamebag,
after a September day’s shooting,

A Robin prided himself on possessing a white head, the
rest of his body being unusually dark, while a Cat Bird
sported a white tail inan equally conspicuousmanner. Such
are afew specimens I have seen. A friend writes me, he
has shot a White Grouse with pink eyes, while another
tells of a White Teal and Kildeer Plover,

These are a few illustrations of Albinistic specimens,
and I must ask some more learned ornithologist to explain
the cause of the appearance of these white patches. I will
give another instance. Wishing to procure a specimen of
the Chimney Swallow, I fired at one witha small charge of
dust shot just as it was about to dive down the chimney. . I
missed, but tore a mass of feathers from its back. The
next season, a swallow was seen witha white patch between
the wings. As they return to the same place to breed I sur-
mised it to be the one I had half plucked the year before.

Therefore Albinism might be produced by hurts received.
There must be a cause. Will some one explain it? It
surely is not a stage of plumage, confined to the period of
old age.—F. H. C.

BRUNNICH’S GUILLEMOT, (Lomvia arra Brunnich Ges
fine specimen of this Guillemot was sent to me to mount

last week; it was shot on Great Bay on the Atlantic coast
about seven miles from Absecom, N. J.—rare in this lati-
tude.—W. J. Sherratt, Philadelphia, Pa.

Our Birps 1n THEIR Haunts. Mr. J. H. Langille writes
us that his book under this title, so long in preparation, is
now coming out.

BULLETIN OF THE NATURAL History OF THE STATE OF
Massacuuserrs. A monthly periodical under the above
title is, we understand, to be shortly issued under the guid-
ance of Mr. W. A. Stearns.

We understand the Linnean Society of New York expect
to issue a second volume of their Transactions in May next.
We can only hope it will be as excellent as the one already
issued.

CORRESPONDENCE.

Correspondents making inquiries are requested to be brief
and to the point.

We hope for the future to mail our monthly edition on
the first of every month. Communications should be sent in
as early as possible. Nothing received after the 20th, can be
noticed in the nwmber for the following month.

Several complaints have reached us of the non-receipt of
the February number. The utmost care has been taken to
mail each number to every subscriber on our list, and any
who write us that they have not received their copies will
be at once supplied with a duplicate. We find it of general
advantage that all subscriptions should begin with the yol-
ume, and therefore we invariably send the numbers from
January to all subscribers. The specimen January number
was a special issue, and subscribers require the regular
January number to complete their series.

Notes FRoM HaRrTLanp, Vr. (O. and O., IX., p. 35.)
We regret that through an oversight the name of this place
was printed Conn. Several correspondents point out to us
the improbability of the Great Northern Shrike, (Lanius
boreatis,) nesting at Hartland. We should be glad to hear
further from Mr. F. M. Goodwin, and to know whether the
birds or eggs are in existence. The fact was unusual and
as such worthy of note, but we see no reason, so far, to
deny the accuracy of our correspondent.

Nove FROM GRAVENHURST, ONT. (0. and O., IX., p. 36.)
Pigmy Owl should read Saw-whet Owl.

A correspondent (Ira W. Shaw,) asks if the Eider Duck
or the Ruffed Grouse have been known to breed in confine-
ment.

S. ALBERT SHaw.
you relate.

J. ANTHONY, JR. Would insert your note as its accuracy
is vouched for, but it has unfortunately been mislaid.

There is nothing uncommon in what

Epwarp C. EvermMAN. We hope you will succeed in
getting the eggs of the Red-tailed Hawk whose nest you
are watching.

Several interesting articles are unavoidably postponed
until next month.

ee

RECEIPT FOR TANNING. For one calf skin, sheep skin
or dog skin: 3¢ pound sulphate of soda, 3 ounces sulphate
of potash, 2 ounces sulphur, 1¢ pound alum, 3 ounces salt,
mixed in 1 quart of water. Spread it on the flesh side of
the skin and fold in middle—flesh side to flesh side. Let it
remain for three or four days, then hang up to dry; it will
be found perfectly tanned, soft and pliable. For a small
hide or robe, double the quantity.

a

Veet tee eee

eter WEE rere Ey,

Established 1875.

: Published by
FRANK B. WEBSTER,
|

PAWTUCKET, R. I.

Entered at Pawtucket Post Officeyas Se¢ond-class Matter.

CONTENTS. =
Vol. 1X., No. 5, May, 1884. E:
Migration in the Mississippi Valley,............... * |
. Map, and list of Stations and Observers........ \ Prot. SUEUR OSes iacario co:
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird, (Zr ochilus colubr 8) K. M. Hasprovn........-..- }
Notes from Smithville, Georgia,.-...:.......... 02.2. a esl Bye [eee se (sh gehen 537
Notes on Birds of the Northwest Region, Part IT...... Cuas. I. Morrison.......... ©
Migration Observations in Austro-Hungary.......... DITOR. 3.7.5 oc cic eee “Fy
Gastro-oolopicall 235 eo te tan aosielece vate wee rome Bhat in \Sairse tema rS Soch oc 57
Notes from Warwick Neck, R..I..................... HE AW PATBOn).<<2 5. eee 58
Golden Eagle, (Aguila chrysaetus,)...............5-. Wit. STEINBECK............ 58
The Lark Finch, (Chondestes grammica, Bonap.).....H. NBHRLING...........-.-- 59 i
Birds of the “ Panhandle,” W. Va., Part TIT.......... Rev. W.. HE: Hina, 22.2252: boy
Brief Notes— Fa
ASAT esBInd hove eeoy aie cpa ane ores mean cae nik J. B.OWHITING. <0. seine 61
2 J. N. Cuark.. =
ihe; Screechi@ wle ven ces ate bree eee eee = Phen: i = iiattepeh ee meeret 61 4
Notes from Taftsville, Vt...................... CeO a Hise ee 62%
The Evening Grosbeak, (H. vespertina,).......... Vernon Bartey..,....-..--- 6.38
Notes from Grand Rapids, Mich................. Rozsr. H. Woucott.......... 62
Tameness of the Golden-crested Kinglet......... AL ELS WOOD. aot ateretcte eters 62
MisrationsNotetscs sates ison ie eee ance G. H. Racspate..... 2.202... 62°
Coues’ Key to North American Birds..........-. EDIvor:= 4.5 fac: se hee
Publications received: 3722) co eos sek ee eee 62
Correspondence: Notes from Hartland, Vt.; The Black-backed Woodpecker; New
York Laws as to Bird Collecting; Bleaching Bones, receipts, &c...........---- 62

‘W. K. KNOWLTON, MINERALOGIST,

DHALER IN

RARE GEMS » FINE MINERALS

Particular Attention Given to the Determination of Precious Stones.
No. 168 TREMONT: STREET,
BOSTON.

INDEX. The Ornithologist and Oologist

MAY BE OBTAINED AT

We have prepared an Index of
Contents and Contributors to Volume | 409 Washington St., Boston, Mass.,

VIII, on the same plan as that for pre-
vious volume. It will be mailed on |

receipt of 12c. Now Ready. FRANK B. WEBSTER,
FRANK B, WEBSTER, Pawtucket, R.I. Sie ee

Where also advertisements will be received.

ORNITHOLOGIST

—AND—

—OOLOGIST

$1.00 per FRANK B. “WEBSTER, UOT,
Annum. Established, March, 1875. “10 Woents
VOL. IX. PES ISOS, R. ds MAY, 1884. No. 5

Migration in the Mississippi Valley.

In this number will be found a list of
the observers, giving the name, address

and latitude in degrees and minutes, and |

“in the left hand column, the number which

- has been assigned to each. A map of the |

Mississippi Valley is also given on which
the stations are indicated by their num-
bers. The numbers 29a, 53b and 538c are
not given on the map, having been received
after it was engraved.

As will be seen by the list, my residence
has been changed, and all reports will
hereafter be sent to me at Red Rock, Ind.
Territory. The extra work necessarily in-

cident to the change has encroached large- |
ly on the time set apart for the preparation |

of the notes for this month’s issue.

A glance at the map will show that of
our hundred and forty observers, the ma-
jority are massed in the four states Illinois,
Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa.
would be correct in judging from this that
these four states contain more amateur
ornithologists than all the rest of the Mis-

sissippi Valley. Indeed the balance in favor | fawna of the middle plains passing east-

of these states is greater than the list of |

observers would indicate, since the observ-
ersin the crowded states were obtained
almost without effort, while those in the
other states are the result of an immense
amount of persistent entreaty. Appeals
for observers were sent to eighty daily and
weekly papers in the states of Mississippi,
Louisiana and Texas. The return for this
expenditure of time and money was one
new observer.

One |

It will be observed that the numbers
progress northward in three lines; from
Mississippi to Wisconsin ; from Louisiana
to Minnesota, and from Texas to Mani-
toba. These three lines of stations cor-
respond approximately with three great

routes of bird migration. In the eastern

| part of our territory will be found a path

of migration extending, in general terms,
from about seventy miles east of the Mis-

| sissippi, to and a little beyond our eastern

border. Migration by this route is some-
what irregular, being influenced by the
vicinity of mountains as we pass farther

| north, being much changed as we approach

the great lakes. Nearly the whole of Wis-
consin seems to belong to this region.
The second line of migration may be called
that of the Mississippi Bottom Land. But
it includes more than the mere bottom
land. It extends east of the Mississippi
from fifty to seventy miles, and west to the
edge of the timber. In Louisiana, Arkan-
sas and Missouri, the belt is rather wide,
but in Iowa it rapidly diminishes, and in
Northern Iowa is quite narrow, the avi-

ward almost to the Mississippi river. In
Minnesota the route for many birds, es-
pecially the water birds, bends to the

| west and passes to the valley of the Red

River of the north; while that of the
smaller insectivores is directly north, or
even northeast to the heavy timber. The
study of the movements of birds around

| the source of the Mississippi, or rather

from Minneapolis, Minn., to Fargo and
[Continued on Page 52. i)

Copyright, 1884, by FRANK B.

WEBSTER and EATON Curr.

<=} LIST OF STATIONS

No. Lat. State. City.
1 30.26 Miss. Moss Point.
2 31.52 ‘* Rodney.
3 32.17 “ Jackson.
4 3217 “ Jackson.
5 32.50 Yazoo City.
6 33.34 ‘* Waverly.
7 34.08 ‘* Water Valley.
8 3455 “ Corinth.
9 36.31 Tenn.Southside.
10 37.30 Tl. Anna.
11 38.35 ‘* West Belleville.
12) °38:39 ‘© Odin.
13 38.55 “ Alton.
14 39.12 “ Hillsborough.
15 39.19 ‘* Carlinville.
16 39.27 ‘' Whitehall.
ily Bee) 9S yer
18 39.41 “ Sullivan
19 39.438 ‘* Griggsville.
20 39.55 “ Quincy.
21 40.08 ‘* Danville.
22 40.08 ‘* Danville.
23 41.09 ‘“* Aledo.
24 41.10 “ Osceola.
25 41.18 “ Grand Ridge.
26 41.28 ‘* Colona.
27 41.34 ‘ Mendota.
28 41.36 ‘* Tampico.
29 4146 ‘* Coleta.
29a41.47 ‘ Hennepin.
30 41.49 “ Batavia.
31 41.51 ‘* Chicago.
32 41.51 ‘* Chicago.
33 41.51 ‘ Chicago.
34 41.51 ‘* Chicago.
35 41.54 “* Wright’s Grove.
36 41.58 ‘* Polo.
37 4205 <“* Dayis.
38 42.16 ‘* Rockford.
39 42.37 “ Delavan.
40 42.47 Wis. Arthor.
41 43 “© Milwaukee.
42 43.01 ‘* Jefferson.
43 43.02 ‘* Madison.
44 43.06 ‘* Lake Mills.
45 43.19 ‘ Richland Center.
46 43.20 ‘* Leeds Center.
47 4330 ‘* North Freedom.
48 43.37 ‘* Merritt’s Landing.
4843.43 ‘* New Cassel.
49 43.45 ‘* La Crosse.
50 43.47 ‘* Ripon.
51 43.59 “ Oshkosh,
52 4422 “ Waupaca.
53 44.26 ‘* West Depere.
53a44.45 “ River Falls.
53b 44.30 ‘' Green Bay.
53c 44.30 ‘¢ Green Bay.
54 47.10 Mich. Hancock.
55 29.30 ‘ Baldwin.
56 29.57 La. Abbeville.
57 35.36 Ark. Newport.
58 36.02 “* Fayetteville.
59 36.56 Mo. Pierce City.
60 37.08 ‘ Reeds.
61 38.40 ‘* St. Louis.
62 38.48 ‘* Sedalia.
63 39.06 ‘* Kansas City.
64 39.09 ‘* Fayette.
65 39.09 ‘* Fayette.

Name.
C. H. Wood.
Gideon Mabbett.
A. G. Gale.
Geo. C. Eyrich.
Judge R. B. Mayes.
Maj. G. V. Yonng.
E. M. Hoke.
Dr. Rawlings Young.
Dr. T. H. Rye.
Cc. W. Butler.
G. C. Bunsen.
W. Ingram.
Wm. McAdams.
Nat. Hist. & Ant. Soci-
ety, A. W. Harris, Pres.
Chas. W. Robertson.
H. L. Kelly.
P. H. Rucker.
A. P. Greene.
T. W. Parker.
W.S. Turner.
G. C. Pearson.
John A. Balmer.
C. W. Carter.
Dr. E. O. Boardman.
E. E. Soule.
Dr. P. R. Sale.
Wm. Jenkins.
H. M. Griswold.
Joseph Anthony, Jr.
P. L. Oug.
John Brady.
Frank H. Wentworth.
J. G. Parker.
H. K. Coale.
J. R. Daley.
John Gall.
H. A. Kline.
FB. E. Kleckner.
J. E. Dickenson.
Gilbert Le Bar.
Wm. Britten.
G. W. F. Smith.
C. J. Porter.
Mrs. H. M. Lewis.
E. H. Stiles.
Dr. W. 8. Burnham.
J. F. Robinson.
Wm. Toole.
R. E. Mitchell.
John Schrooten.
H. E. Willis.
G. T. Cook.
W. E. Ritter.
C. F. Carr.
S. W. Willard.
Prof. F. H. King.
J. N. Ward.
John Byrum.
Rey. F. N. White.
C. A. Bibbins.
W. W. Edwards.
W. A. Monroe.
Prof. F. L. Harvey.
Prof. H. Nehrling.
N. P. Ball.
O. Widmann.
F. A. Sampson.

G. E. Stillwell.
Prof. J. W. Kilpatrick.
M. P. Lientz.

AND OBSERVERS. =}

No. Lat. State.

66
67

IAD
Hoo

we

Haag

a3

a
CDAAT RE w

=I

City.
39.14 Mo. Glasgow.
40.50 Ia. Burlington.

41 «¢ Mt. Pleasant.
41.05 ‘* Morning Sun.
41.14 “ erry.

41.19 “ Knoxville.
41.26 ‘* Richmond.
41.36 ‘* Des Moines.
41.36 “ Des Moines.
41.38 ‘ Towa City.
41.38 ‘ Towa City.
41.40 “* Coralville.
41.42 ‘* Newton.

42 cc Ames.

42.03 ** Boone.

42.18 ‘* La Porte City.
42.27 ‘* Webster City.
42.30 “ Dubuque.
42.37 “ Storm Lake.
43 « Douglas.
43.15 ‘© Wankon.
43.19 ‘* Mitchell.
43.43 Minn. Lanesboro.

43.48 ‘* Heron Lake.
“« Lake City.

‘¢ Red Wing.
“Hastings.
“Pine Bend.
‘¢ Minneapolis.
“© Minneapolis.
‘© Minneapolis.
“Fridley.

5 6 Blk River.
46.33 ¢

Name.

T. B. Smith.
Dr. F. Kuithan.
E. L. Ambler.
W. A. Lester.
F. Evyeland.
G. K. Cherrie.
J. N. Arnold.
U.S. Grant.
Cc. R. Keyes.

H. N. Berry.

E. F. Vincent.
Mrs. V. 8. Williams.
J. W. Preston.
Prof. H. Osborn.
Chas. F. Henning.
G. D. Peck.
Chas, Aldrich.
E. T. Keim.

H. L. Bond.
Miss J. A. McCleery.
E. M. Hancock.

J. W. Lindley.

Dr. J.-C. Hvoslef.
Thos. Miller.
G. H. Selover.
Dr. J. H. Sandberg.
Rey. G. B. Pratt.
R. Linton.
E. S. Stebbins.

H. W. Hamline.
Dr. P. L. Hatch.
Court W. Ranslow.
Vernon Bailey.
Miss G. M. Lewis.
Dr. C. P. Allen.
Walter Negley.
Dr. Thos. W. Scott.
F. Grasst. ;
I. B. Henry.

Wm. Lioyd.

r. S. W. Florer.
. H. Ragsdale.
2. P. Burhaus.

. W. Cooke.
. J. Dove.
O. W. Coggeshall.

drag

4

36.30 I. T. Red Rock, Central Station, W. W.
Cooke, Superintendent.

99 Frazee City.
100 47.04 ‘* White Earth.
101 28.43 Tex. Eagle Pass.
102 29.20 ‘ Del Rio.

103 30 “ Sisterdale.
104 30.43 ‘f Mason.

105 31.22 ‘* San Angela.
106 32.23 ‘* Waxahachie.
107 33.36 “ Gainesville.
108 33.48 ‘* Denison.
109 34.11 I. T. Caddo,

110 34.55 ‘“* Anadarko.
111 35.37 “ Darlington.
Cc

112 37.49 Kan. Cimarron.
113 38.23 ‘* Emporia.
114 38.55 ‘¢ Hillis.

115 39 “Lawrence.
116 39.12 ‘* Manhattan.
117 39.12 ‘* Manhattan.
118 39.50 ‘ Washington.
119 40.47 ‘* Unadilla.
120 40.53 Neb. Alda.

121 41.22 “ Linwood.
122 42.56 Dak. Vermillion.
123 43.34 ‘¢ Sioux Falls.
124 44.15 ‘* Barton.

125 44.21 “ Huron.

126 46 “St. Ansgar.
127 46.30 ‘¢ La Moure.
ius 46.55 ‘ Argusville.
129 46.58 ‘* Menoken.
130 47.52 ‘* Larimore.
121 47.55 ‘ Grand Forks.
182 49.28 Man. Two Rivers.
133 49.30 ‘ Winnipeg.

W. J. Dixon.
Frank Kizer.

Dr. L. Watson.
Prof. F. H. Snow.
Prof. D. E. Lautz.
Dr. C. P. Blachly.
M. L. Penwell.

F. C. Kenyon.

F. W. Vowell.

W. J. Kingsbury.
G. 8. Agersborg.
Percy Edmison.
8. D. Partch.

G. S. Bishop.

T. P. Lindley.

C. B. Strable.

S. M. Edwards.
W. T. Tyler.

T. F. Eastgate.
Fred Twamley.
Percy Criddell.
Manitoba H. & S. Soc’y,
Rey. Geo. Bryce, Pres.

52 ORNITHOLOGIST

[Vol. 9-No. 5

(Continued from Page 49.]

Grand Forks, Dakota, will undoubtedly
reveal many points of interest in regard to
the routes preferred by the several species.

West of the two routes already men-
tioned lies the route of the plains. Our
territory hardly reaches to the high, arid
plains, such as are found in Hastern Colo-
rado. The western parts of Kansas, Ne-
braska and Southwestern Dakota have a
small sprinkling of mountain birds, and
Northwestern Texas a larger proportion,
but for the most part the third route con-
sists of fertile plains, timbered only along
the streams, and traversed by much the
same birds as the other two routes, but in
greatly diminished numbers.

Migration starts first in the middle of
the three routes. In early spring, the
movements of the birds in the eastern
route are perceptible later than those of
the birds in the bottom land, but as the
foliage grows denser this difference disap-
pears, and the waves of migration move
up both routes at practically the same
times

On the western route migration is al-
ways later than on either of the others.
The first movements are from one to three
weeks ; later, and toward the latter end of
the season, the plains are about ten days
behind the middle route.

When our record closed last month on
March Ist, the first wave of migration had
advanced to a little north of lat. 39°.
During the next month the progress of
migration was very marked ; where March
Ist, we sought in vain for spring arrivals,
afew days later, birds were numerous.

By April 1st, the water birds had moved
northward to about the parallel of 46%°.
Here they were met, even at that late date,
by ice and snow. Some of the swiftly
flowing streams welcomed them with open
water, but all lakes still were covered with
ice.

Last year the average speed of the mi-
gration of Ducks for a distance of 500

miles was eleven miles a day. Let us see
how that speed compares with their rate
this spring. After being driven back
twice by cold in their attempts to reach
their summer home, spring at last began
in earnest and brought the Ducks to New-
ton, Ia., 4147, on March 12th. Four days
later they appeared at La Porte City, Ia.,
42'8 or nine miles a day. March 23d,”
found the first flocks settling on Heron
Lake, Minn., 4348, or fifteen miles a day.
The morning of March 26th showed them
to be at both Red Wing, Minn., 44°, and
Fridley, Minn., 45%, and the last day of
the month brought them to Frazee City,
Minn., 46**; this last 200 miles beimg made
at an average rate of twenty-four miles a
day. From Newton to Frazee City, the
average is seventeen miles a day.

The observers in Southern Iowa say that
their spring was late, while those in
Northern Minnesota say the birds came
earlier than usual. In the light of these
statements it will be seen that the higher
average speed was to be expected.

Before the next month rolls round our
advance guard will have penetrated the far
north, and while their southern cousins re-
treat from the scorching heat and partake
of strawberries and ice cream under the
shade of thickly foliaged trees, our most
northern observers, among the snow drifts
and masses of ice, will be hailing the first
harbingers of spring.—W. W. Cooke,
Red Rock, Indian Territory.

The Ruby-throated Hummingbird.

(Trochilus colubris.)

What was to me one of the Inckiest
finds I made last year was the nest and
eges of the Hummingbird.

Thad been collecting in an orchard and
thought I had ransacked it pretty thor-
oughly. While working my way out, a
Hummingbird darted past, inducing me to
follow in the direction it had gone. I had
not proceeded far when I saw the bird

May, 1884.]

AND OOLOGIST. 53

dart from a limb and after a few moments
re-appear and alight on the same limb.
This convinced me that there was a nest
somewhere in the vicinity. Dodging care-
_ fully from tree to tree, I cautiously ap-
proached the bird and had succeeded in
getting quite near, when suddenly catch-
ing sight of me, he darted away. Hastily
getting as near the limb as I thought pru-
dent, I awaited his return. In company
with his mate he was soon back. By the
frantic way in which they darted around
my head, I was conyinced that their treas-
ure was within afew feet of me. Turn-
ing my head, I beheld the prize—so near
that a step to the right would have
Imocked the eges from the nest. There
were two pearly white eggs, my delight in
discovering which may be more easily im-
agined than described. When I had re-
covered my equanimity, I retired a short
distance and sat down to watch the habits
of the birds, as this was the first nest of
the species I had eyer found.

They soon thought I had gone, and the
female returned to the task of incubation.
She would fly along until directly over the
nest and about an inch above it, when
suddenly closing her wings, she would
drop into it and settle herself in position.
The male meanwhile kept watch on an ad-
joing limb. I frightened the female off
her nest several times for the purpose of
watching this manceuvre, which was re-
peated each time. Finally concluding that
I had learned all that I could, I started
forward to take the nest, when I was as-
sailed on both sides by the infuriated

mites, who darted past my face so close’

that I began to be afraid of my eyes.
‘They kept chirping loudly all the time,
which I see is denied by some writers,
who, had they been present, would never
have denied it again. se tetas

The nest was built near the extremity
of an apple bough, and was not more than
five feet from the ground. To describe
the nest, I cannot do better than quote

Nest of Ruby-throated Hummingbird (full size, from nature.)

from my note-book. ‘The nest is an ex-
ceedingly small structure, being not more
than three to three and one-half inches in
circumference, one inch in diameter, and
half an inch deep—inside measurements—
and an inch and a half high. It is com-
posed of thistledown, willowdown, cob-
webs and caterpillar’s silk. It is plas-
tered all over the outside with lichens.
The lining is of the materials named.
One peculiarity of this nest is that a pine
needle of extra length is just caught on to
the side by a few turns of cobwebs as if
for ornament, and projects from each side
about two inches.’.—#. M. Hasbrouk,
Syracuse, NV. Y.

Notes from Smithville, Georgia.

This village is situated in ~ southwest
Georgia, just below the thirty-second par
allel, and to the ornithologist, whether
professional or amateur, the surrounding
country affords an interesting field for
observation and study.

At this date (January) great flocks of
Blackbirds may be seen every morning
flying from northeast to southwest, and
about 4 or 5 o'clock in the afternoon re-
turning on their passage to roost.

Their flight is about 100 feet above the
earth and is rapid and vigorous. In these
daily journeys they move with striking
order and precision, and at no time is this
more noticeable than when pursued by a

54

ORNITHOLOGIST

Hawk. The poor birds, at such times,
seeing their terrible enemy coming with
wines half closed and swift almost as an
arrow from a new-made bow, are fright-
ened beyond describing and put forth all
the power of wing they possess to escape,
if possible, the fatal stroke. They dash
to the right, to the left, sweep to the
ground, then rise as swiftly high in air,
again to move onward with the rush and
roar of a furious wind, but all the while
keeping their ranks solid and unbroken,
until the Hawk actually shoots himself in-
to the flock and seizes his single victim.
And in this connection I will state I have
often observed that one Hawk could strike
more terror and dismay into a flock of
birds, than half a dozen men with as many
shotguns could in the same length of
time.

These birds feed now wherever they
find their food most abundant, whether in
swamp or on hill. During the early part
of this month they can be found frequent-
ing the fresh-sown oat fields, picking up
the stray grains from off the surface.

Our vast pine forests are generally
swept by them in November and Decem-
ber and scarcely a seed of the pine is visi-
ble when they have left for other feeding
grounds.

The Robin will claim attention next.
He still confines himself to the swamp
and wood, where wild berries, etc., are yet
abundant enough to satisfy his demands,
and where he is comparatively safe from
molestation by man with his destructive
breech-loader. But in the course of a few
weeks more, having consumed his forest
supplies, Redbreast will be compelled to
seek his food around the house and gar-
den, where he will meet with death at the
hand of every boy strong enough to shoul-
der a parlor rifle and wanton enough to
touch the trigger; for he is a bird of de-
cided stupidity and the muzzle of the
sportsman’s piece may be easily placed
within a few feet of him before firing.

Here, Robins are nearly as numerous as
the Blackbirds, of which we have spoken.
When they have exhausted everything
else, they visit the China tree (found in all
the cities and towns in this latitude,) and
feed upon the berries which it bears in
superabundance. At these periods the
children often catch them on the ground,
where they have fallen, intoxicated by the
berry aforementioned. Late one after-
noon last spring, I picked up a Robin thus
intoxicated that had dropped from a tree
near by and was fluttering along in a limp
and helpless manner. Having carried the
bird home, I put it in a box for the night
and next morning turned it loose, when it
flew away as easily and soberly as any of
its fellows could have done.

It is not, however, the scope and pur-
pose of this article to go minutely into the
nature of the Robin; and as I have men-
tioned the most conspicuous of his winter
habits, I will now dismiss him.— W. B.
H., Smithville, Ga.

Bird Notes of the Northwest Region.

PART II.

GREAT-HORNED Ow1, (Budo virginianus.)
Rather an abundant bird and breeds plen-
tifully. I found nests at Ft. Laramie in
82, and it is not rare in any part of the
territory where there are timbered streams.
Feb. 22, (84,) saw one specimen but did
not take it as I hope to find its mate and
nest in the vicinity. All my nests of this
bird found in Wyoming have been placed
in the crotch of a tree, generally at top of
trunk, never on branches. I found one in
Nebraska (83) in a hollow tree. These
nests were built by the Bubo itself, but
where they are built on branches they are
invariably old Crow’s or Hawk's nests.
The nest is not much of an affair, being
rude and bulky. I found one nest at Fort
Laramie, Wyo., (82) which was by far the
best specimen I ever saw. It was com-

“May, 1884]

. AND OOLOGIST. 55

posed of thick, heavy sticks and lined in-
side with finer ones and a few feathers.
Whether these feather were put there pur-
posely or not, has always been a question
with me—at any rate this nest did credit
to the bird that built it. It was clean, no
carrion nor decayed flesh of any kind being
about it. As a general thing these birds
are very filthy about their nest even before
the eggs are hatched, after which their
nests will turn a man’s stomach. One nest
found near the above contained six eggs,
fresh, and was the filthiest I ever saw;
the decayed parts of rabbits, moles, etc.,
lying in and on the edges of the nest was
something astonishing. These birds had
not even built a nest of their own, but
took an old Crow’s nest, which was nearly
filled with old leaves and pine needles.
The hollow part was hardly sufficient to
hold the eggs in the nest. I shot both
birds. After going through my hands I
suppose they are much cleaner birds than
when breeding on the banks of the North
Platte river. There is a tame specimen
here, owned bya man in Troop “I” of the
5th U.S. Cavalry. It is kept in the grain
room of the stable. Itis quite an inter-
esting sight to watch. It will sit all day
and night on top of the grain sacks and
watch for mice. There being plenty of
them the bird gets enough to eat. For
catching mice this bird is as good, if not
better, than a cat. I never have known
this one to miss his prey after sighting it.
As regards courage, the Great-horned Owl
stands at the head of all the Owls, and I
have great respect for him on this account
—chiefly because I shall always carry a
scar given me by one of these birds while
taking a nest of their eggs two years ago.
It is next to the Great Grey Owl (Syrnium
lapponicum var. cinereum,) in size, and is
distinguished by its size and large eartufts.
In color it is blackish, with dark and hight
brown, but as it varies so muchin color no
regular description can be given; the gen-
eral mark is a white collar. Eggs pure

white, spherical (near
Length of bird about two feet, generally a
little less; feet completely feathered; wing
15 or 16 inches; tail 9 or 10 inches.

Faleo sacer, var. gyrfaleo. Quite an ex-
citement was recently created here by the
report that an Hagle had been captured
alive and brought to the military post by a
man living on Goose Creek, some forty
miles from here. As nobody seemed to be
able to tell what it really was, and think-
ing it was too small for an Kagle, they
dubbed it Rock Eagle. I visited the place
where it was confined, a stable, and found
it was a Gyrfalcon (/alco sacer,) which
had probably come this far south because
of the severe winter. As the specimen is
alive I could not take measurements, but
judging as near as possible, find as follows :
A little over two feet long, wing about 15
or 16 inches, tail 8 or 9, rather more
than less; tarsus feathered half way down
front, bare strip behind, (in all probability
this is variation Gyrfalco;) bill and claws
dark, crown darker than back, and heavy
moustaches. I tried to buy this specimen
but the owner would not sell. However,
T have not given up all hopes of getting it
yet. It sits undera carriage without being
fastened and is fed on raw beef, holding
the meat by one claw and tearing off small
pieces. Although notan Eagle, it is a much
rarer bird for this region. I do not know
of any having been taken as far south as
this.— Chas. F. Morrison, ’'t. McKinney,
Wyoming.

(Comparing our correspondent’s description of this ‘*‘ Gyr-
falcon” with that in the authorities. leaves us in some de-
gree of doubt as to the precise variety of the specimen
found. In Fauna Boreali Americana, Falco sacer is said
to be the ‘‘immature Gyrfalcon,” and the Gyrfalcon, Falco
Tslandicus, Latham.) Inthe illustration in ‘* Animal King-
dom,” the American Gyrfalcon, F. Greenlandicus, has the
tarsus covered by hock feathers. Perhaps some of our cor-
respondents who have undoubted specimens of each variety
of Gyrfalcon will be able to throw light upon the subject.
Comparing Check Lists, etc., on this matter has brought
forcibly before us the necessity for a uniform and authori-
tative system of nomenclature. “From our correspon-
dent’s description we suppose he identifies the bird as a

specimen of Hierofalco gyrfalco sacer, (Forst.)—412b. of
last Smithsonian Check List.”—Ep1ToR.]

56 ORNITHOLOGIST

[Vol. 9-No. 5

THE
ORNITHOLOGIST

—AND—

OOLOGIST.

A MONTHLY MAGAZINE OF

IN AVIE WU) IRA I el S WO IR VW,

ESPECIALLY DEVOTED TO THE STUDY OF

BIRDS,
THEIR NESTS AND EGGS.

DESIGNED AS A MEANS FOR THE INTERCHANGE OF NOTES
AND OBSERVATIONS ON BIRD LIFE.
FRANK B. WEBSTER, Publisher,
PAWTUCKET, R. I.

Hungary.

Accompanying the First Yearly Report
of the Committee for Ornithological Ob-
servation Stations in Austria and Hungary,
we have received an interesting letter from
Herr V. Ritter von Tschusi zu Schmid-
hoffen. He says: ~- “ Probably you are al-
ready aware that an Ornithological Con-
gress is to be held in April at Vienna, un-
der the protectorate of His Imperial High-
ness, the Crown-prince Rudolf. Represen-
tatives from all parts of Europe have al-
ready announced their intention of being
present, and the meetings promise to be
very interesting.

Included in the programme is a discus-
sion of the greatest possible expansion of
the systematic Observation Stations, also,
the working up of the material coming in
after one plan. If this latter could be ac-
complished, it would much increase the
value of the results. Such, as you can
convince yourself by an inspection of our
report, is the way we are proceeding with
our branch of the work. We arrange the
material received in this form, expecting
that after a number of years the reports
thus accumulated, may be worked up to-
gether and used scientifically. Conclu-
sions founded on a single year’s obserya-

tions are unreliable and of no service to
real knowledge. Correct conclusions can
only be arrived at from the observations
of many years. I therefore think our way
of working is to be recommended, as thus
each observer can himself verify his own
results by those of others, as weil as by
his own as they accumulate from year to
year. When time permits, I will report —
upon our Congress and Exhibition.”

We shall hope to receive and publish the
promised Report of the Congress. It was
opened on the 7th of April by the Arch-
duke Rudolf and, to judge from the tele-
graphic announcement, excited much in-
terest. An ornithological exhibition at
which all known birds were represented,
together with their manner of living, gave
an additional interest to the proceedings
of the Congress.

We are quite unable within the space’at |
our command to do justice to the report
referred to. It has not been got together
hastily—being for the year 1882—and ex-
hibits the thoroughness characteristic of
the German scientist.

Besides the general report from each
district, a “Year's History” of each of the
birds concerning which observations were
received, is given. This occupies the
greater part of the volume, and contains
many details in regard to the more com-
mon varieties. Altogether 347 species are
mentioned, summed up in their various
orders—Rapaces, Cantores, &c.,—the ma-
terial received regarding each order having
been edited by members of the committee
and others accustomed to such work.

We can congratulate our Austro—Hunga-
rian co-loborers upon the completeness
and value of their first ‘‘ Year Book.” It
cannot fail to be an assistance to the
American Committee on Migration in the
working up of the reports they will re-
ceive.

For the second volume—1883—it is an-
nounced that reports have been received
from 378 observers.

ae

May, 1884.]

AND OOLOGIST.

57

Gastro-oological.

~ April 5th, I took a set of fresh Barred
Owl's eggs, and ate them! Well, why
not? Are not eggs eaten by birds, rep-
tiles, quadrupeds, and the quadrumana?
Yes; but Owl's eggs! Ah, well, your
Gallus domesticus eats swill and every de-
scription of barnyard filth, while my Owl
lives largely on the daintiest of game. In
its nests I have seen Quail, Grey Squir-
rels, Ruffed Grouse and Rabbits; indeed,
in this section, my experience shows that
both the Great-horned and Barred Owl
keep their young well supplied with the
common American Hare. Mr. Sam. Wol-
cott, who has a cattle range in south
Texas, informs me that both his cow boys
and himself—Greaser and Yank—freely
eat the eggs of the Teccalotl or Barred
Owl, which breeds abundantly there in
February and March. For choice, the
Mexicans would not accept the products of
your fancy poultry-yards. Capt. Daboll,
with a fishing crew from Noank, kept by
fog over night on Gardiner’s Island, made
an omelet of Fish Hawk's eggs and—
contra Wilson—found it a good addition
to their menu. Mr. Curtis, of the Poland
Springs House, has eaten Hawks’ eggs in
California under like conditions. For
many years I have been in the habit of re-
freshing myself in the field, after a long
tramp, by blowing sets of eggs and swal-
lowing the contents. Barbarous, you say.
Well, try a little savagery yourself. It will
agree with you. If you have no hand-
blower, it is easier and quicker to draw
the contents of large eggs with the mouth
than to labor with the old-fashioned blow-
pipe. On trial, it was shown that I could
empty and rinse six Fish Hawk's eggs
while a friend prepared three with his Ells-
worth blower. In fine, then, it is well to
bear in mind that however thin in flesh
your land birds, and however fishy your
sea fowl, the eggs will uniformly be found
to be edible.

My Easter ‘eggs came promptly to hand
in the shape of two fine sets of Red-tailed
Hawk. Why will new writers follow old
authorities and insist that the typical
elutch of B. borealis is three? (See
Stearns’ N. E. Bird Life, part 2, page 123,
“ ovenerally three in number.’) I always
make a bet with my climber, before he
reaches the nest, that the set will be two,
and win nine times out of ten.

The red squirrel is well recognized, in
the field, as a pest to ege collectors, but
this season a pair entered the attic where
Chas. Richards keeps his collection and de-
voured blown sets of Yellow-headed Black-
bird and Purple Grackle. Seven sets of
White-bellied Swallows, which I took from
stubs in Pachaug Pond and left in afarmer’s
shed, were eaten by rats. St. Patrick's
Day I had a Woodcock for dinner, killed by
the telephone wires in Thamesville. One
week later, a large male, with lower mandi-
ble broken, was picked up under the wires
on the Colchester turn-pike, which stretch
of line has proved destructive in former
years. As the telephonic ‘plant’ increases,
the cordon of danger is drawn tighter
around our Philohela. The injury is
usually to the bill, the base of the bill, and
head. The cranium can be seen to be
enormous, but it is not every epicure that
knows what a large and delicious morsel is
a broiled Woodcock’s brain served in cream.

How many O. and O. readers to-day can
say what is the first bird to arrive in Conn.?
Now, here you are puzzled at the very A. B.
C. of local ornithology. Not the Bluebird
which winters with us in constantly increas-
ing numbers. Not the Robin which can
be found on occasion all winter. Is.it not,
then, our friend the Woodcock which- is
always the last to leave us, wholly disap-
pearing in the hard mid-winter_frosts, and
is here again before the earliest spring=hole
is more than half open and when the water-
eresses begin to show signs of vitality.
This season, during the foggy days in the
middle of Feb., skunk-hunters reported the

ORNITHOLOGIST

[Vol. 9-No. 5

arrival of many Woodcock in most parts of
New London county. The Purple Grackle
is the only other claimant to first place and
is usually a good second on the list of ar-
rivals. Feb. 22nd, dusky scouting parties
were seen at the city reservoir, Norwich,
and in the village of Killingly, Windham
county.—J. M. W., Norwich, Conn.

Notes from Warwick Neck, R. I.

Tur Buack-anp WHITE CREEPER, (J/niotil-
ta varia.) In the summer of ’82 I was so
fortunate as to find a nest containing five
eges and two Cowbirds, and afterwards
caught the bird itself. They are quite
common in the dense woods, running over
the trees in search of food.

Wuite-ryep Virxo, ( Vireo noveboracen-
sts.) Very common. I have taken over a
dozen nests in the last two years. They
build a beautiful nest, and I have observed
they most always choose a sweet-smelling
tree or young oak. The complete set of
eges is four.

Pourpie Fincu, (Carpodacus purpureus.)
The largest set of
eggs I have taken was six. They have a
decided preference for pear trees, and can
be seen at almost any time in the day pour-
ing forth their gay songs. The nest and
eggs are the same as the familiar Chippy,
on a larger scale.

Also very common.

Buack-pintep Cuckoo, (Coceyzus ery-
throphthalmus.) Quite rare. Its com-
panion, the ‘“‘ Yellow-billed,” has never been
observed here, while this Cuckoo may be
seen (or rather heard, as he is very shy
and not easy to approach,) in the woods or
among the dense pine tracts. The nest is
simply a few sticks, made like that of the
Mourning Dove, and through which you
can easily discern the eggs.

Fish Haws, (Pandion halictus caroli-
nensis.) Abundant during the fishing
season. The nest of this bird resembles
more an Hagle’s abode, as it is a huge,
bulky affair, made of earth, limbs, sea-

weed, ete. The eggs, usually three, are
sometimes very beautiful; a dark brown
or chocolate on a buff ground.

Sporrep Sanpprper, (Zringoides macu-
larius.) Everywhere abundant. -It is the
only species, except the Killdeer, which
nests in great numbers along these shores.
The eggs are not easy to find, resembling
the earth on which they are laid, and the
bird must first be flushed to surely find
the spot. April 19th—I obtained a set of
six Crow's eggs, on 12th, and yesterday, a
set of five, far advanced in incubation. Is
not this quite early? No Bluebird’s eggs,
or even nests, yet—H. A. VYalbot, Jack-
son Bank, Providence, R. I.

Tur Goupen Haare (Aquila chrysaetus.)
San Benito Valley, situated at the southern
extremity of Santa Clara Valley, seems to
be a favored spot for Golden Kagles. It
is no uncommon occurrence to see eight
or ten at one time. Their nests are also
frequently found, while it seems impossi-
ble to force the birds to leave the locality.
Last year I took a set of eggs from one
nest and killed the old bird (feinale, meas-
uring 83 inches.) This year the male had

found a new mate and I was favored with

a new set. The eggs measure 2.95 x 2.20
and 2.90x2.24. The nest was composed
cf branches, some of which measure two
and one-half inches in diameter. The lin-
ing was of oat straw. Nest measured
sixty inches, outside measurement. The
bird remained on the nest until I was al-
most up to it. Date, March 16, 1884.
Another set was taken the next day and
was obtained within three miles from town.
The nest was somewhat smaller than the
first; lining the same. The eggs are al-
most pure white and measure 2.80 x 2.15
and 2.86 2.20. I would lke to hear
from some one about the statement
that Eagles lay their eggs at intervals
of two or three weeks. My experience
has not been so with them.— Will Stein-
beck, Hollister, Cal.

— a

part of September.

May, 1884.]

AND OOLOGIST.

59

Tue Lark Finca (Chondestes grammica,
Bonap.) A very common species on the
West Yegua is the Lark Finch, and I ob-
served it to be in this neighborhood even
more numerous than the Song Sparrow in
Wisconsin and Northern Illinois. It
seems to me that these birds are for this
locality in every respect the representa-
tives of the familiar Song Sparrow of the
Northern States. Near houses, in gar-
dens and fields, on the edges of woods, in
thickets, on the prairies and along rail
fences and other similar situations this is
an abundant bird. It arrives from the
South early in April and departs in large
numbers for its winter quarters in the last
Nestbuilding takes
place from the beginning of May and con-
tinues to the middle and latter part of
June. Two broods are raised every year.
The nest is built on trees, in the corners
of rail fences, on the ground and some-
times in bushes. One nest I found in the
cavity of an old tree. The Lark Finch,
like Welospiza meloda, Baird, prefers to
nest in close proximity to human dwell-
ings and especially they like to construct
their nests on a horizontal branch of a
mulberry tree. The nests I found on trees
and in the corners of fences were built
exteriorly of the sticks of the downy
Gossypianthus tomentosus, some other
plant stems and dry grasses, and are lined
with horsehairs. All these nests have the
appearance of Song Sparrow nests. The
nests built on the gound are very different
from those just described. They are built
in a slight depression of the ground from
grasses and a few slender weed-stalks, and
are lined with fine rootlets and a few
horsehairs. If the nest is on the ground,
cotton or cornfields are commonly chosen
for the site of the same. The latter nests
have very thin walls, whilst those in trees,
etc., are very strong and bulky. The
eges, usually five in number, have a beau-
tiful crystalline white ground color and
are curiously streaked with zigzag lines

and some blotches and spots of dark
brown on the larger end. Some spots are
to be found on the entire ege. These
heavy brown markings are easily to be
rubbed off with water, so that only a light
reddish-brown color remains. The song
of this bird is varied, continuous and very
sweet, yet not clear and thoroughly fine as
the shorter song of the Song Sparrow or
the very sweet song of the White-throated
Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis, Bonap.)
and the Fox-colored Sparrow (Passerella
iliaca.)\—H. Nehrling, Fedor, LIxe Oo.,
Texas.

Birds of the ‘‘Panhandle,’’ W. Va.

THE JOURNAL OF REY. W. E. HILL FROM JANUARY TO JUNE,
(INCLUSIVE,) 1883.

PART III.

Aprit5. Among the new comersI can add to-day the
Chipping Sparrow, (Spizella socialis), and the Pewit Fly-
catcher, or Pheebe-bird, (Sayornis fuscus,) also the Ruby-
crowned Kinglet, (Regulus calendula.) Observed two or
three of the last busily gleaning among the branches of a
Maple tree at the road side in the neighborhood of the
Spruce.

APRILY. Gave an hour this morning to the birds with
the following gratifying results: Among the new arrivals
saw several small parties of Cow-blackbirds, (Molothrus
pecoris), each consisting of two or three females and one
male. It has often occurred to me there is a singular and
striking resemblance between certain habits of this bird
and our domestic poultry in this—there is no pairing among
them, they live during the breeding season in small parties
or flocks, a sort of “ promiscuous concubinage” manifestly
pervading the whole tribe; and certainly again they are not
unlike many of our breeds of poultry in their remarkable
habit of depositing their eggs in ready-made nests, but
never incubating or rearing their own young. I have also
observed the male bird strut and spread his wing and as-
sume bewitching attitudes in the presence of the females—
counterparting the very manners of the Bantam Cock.
Saw also several pairs of Towhee Buntings, or Chewinks,
(Pipilo erythrophthalmus), invariably about thickets op
brier patches. While observing these birds one of them
mounted to the top of a small tree, and for about five min-
utes, at short intervals, uttered a series of not unmusical
notes resembling the syllables pét-ér, che-che-che. These
birds may at once be recognized by their cry of té-wée fre-
quently uttered, especially when disturbed. The following
features will identify them ‘in the bush”: The head,
throat and back are black, the sides below the wing, bay;
there is a touch or two of white on either wing, also on the
outer edge of the tail; in flying the white feathers are es-
pecially prominent. Audubon remarks that in the spring
migration the male precedes the female two weeks ii point
of time, but both seem to have appeared here simultaneous-
ly, and both a little earlier than he announces for the males.

While seated on a log, a company of nine or ten Golden-
crested Kinglets, (Regulus satrapa), made their appearance
—flitting among the branches of the trees-all around me,

60 ORNITHOLOGIST

[Vol. 9-No. 5

some coming s0 close as to enable me plainly to distinguish
the markings of the head, even the ‘‘ central bed of flame
color.” These dainty little birds are but transient visitors
on their way to the breeding grounds of the North.

Saw also several individuals of the Red-headed Wood-
pecker, (Melanerpes erythrocephalus.) This, in other years,
has been a common Winter resident here, but this past
Winter was exceedingly rare.

Aprit 10. The first appearance of the Purple Martins,
(Progne puryurea,)—about a week behind their usual date
‘The Robins are nesting.

Aprit 12. A new spring arrival is the Brown Thrush or
Thrasher (Harporhynchus rufus); the first one to come
under my observation alighted on a Plum tree in my yard
this evening. If one has an acquaintance with but a dozen
of ‘four own birds,” his list ought to include this accom-
plished songster. It is a bird of marked individuality, that
once known, can be identified at sight. Its distinguishing
characters are its large size—being the largest of the
Thrushes; its rich brown or rust-red dress, its spotted
breast, and very long brown tail. A closer view will reveal
two bars of dull white across the wing. This bird is fre-
quently seen about brier and bramble bushes, along fences,
but is wont to mount to the top of a tree when he sings.

APRIL 13.. Saw a pair of Green Herons, (Ardea virescens)
coursing along one of our small streams. The universally
written and familiar book name of this bird in a hundred
years has not supplanted the vulgar traditional name which
it to-day receives from the Atlantic to the Mississippi.

Aprit 14. The Catbirds, (Mimus carolinensis,) are here.
The Snowbirds have not all left us yet. A small flock
alighted in my lot to-day.

An interesting early spring concert this evening was one
in which the Robin, the Catbird and Brown Thrasher were
the principal performers, to which we were treated by going
no farther than the kitchen yard.

Aprit 18. It was my privilege this morning to hear the
song of the Ruby-crowned Kinglet, (Regulus calendula),
which Wilson seems never to have recognized and entirely
passes over. It is a sweet little melody warbled out at odd
intervals, and consists of about a dozen notes very rapidly
uttered, and bearing a remarkable resemblance to the song
of the Warbling Vireo, or the Orchard Oriole, in miniature.
These birds are unusually abundant in this locality this
spring. Discovered a Turtle-dove’s nest on the top of a
decayed stump but two feet high, which stood out in the
open field,on a steep slope. The nest consisted of no other
material than a few blades of dried grass within a slight
concavity, and contained two white eggs—the full comple-
ment—in an advanced stage of incubation. Recognized
the Bay-winged Bunting, (Powcetes gramineus.) This be-
longs to the Sparrow family; is a fine songster, and.its habit
of singing in the evening has suggested the name of “ Ves-
per-bird” which some are pleased to giveit. The chestnut
patch on the shoulder of the wing, and the white lateral
tail feathers, will separate this species fromits kind. A
moderately close view will reveal the former, and the bird’s
flight will always expose the latter.

' The song of the Whip-poor-will, (Antrostomus vociferus),
is heard in the land: * *

: APRIL ‘19.-” The Sumiimer® Yellowbird, (Dendreeca cestiva);
is here aiong ‘the “pranclies of the: apple tree singing his
monotonous sé-se-se-Ges-si-weét. ‘This is by some confound-
ed with our American Goldfinch, which, however, it but
little resembles. The former’s uniformly yellowish dress,
longer bill and more direct flight, and the latter’s short
thick bill, black crown, wing and tail (of the male) and un-
dulating. flight, ought to separate themin the eyes of the
most inexperienced.

or arrival.

Apri 26. From the 4th to the 2ist of this month the
weather was uniformly mild and spring-like; on the 22d—
day and night—rain fell withont cessation, changing to
snow on the 23d, falling to the depth of three or four inches;
froze on that and the two succeeding nights, snow not all
disappearing until this morning.

Three Robins’ nests were completed within the bounds of
my yards and apple orchard, with one, two and four eggs
respectively in each; also a Doye’s nest. For thirty or
forty hours these nests were covered with several inches of
snow. Only one—the Robin’s nest with four eggs has since
been re-occupied by the owner; all the others are wholly
abandoned. To-day I examined the above mentioned
Dove’s nest. This was located in an apple tree, about fif-
teen feet from the ground, and was founded on a last year’s
Robin’s nest, consisting of a few additional loose twigs
and dried grasses, forming a nearly level bed, and held two
eggs. Breaking these revealed two dead embryos appar-
ently fully incubated.

Aprin 27. With the aid of a boy’s “pocket catapult ”
and a few heavy shot, secured for my cabinet a fine speci-
men—a male—of the Ruby-crowned Kinglet, which was
gleaning among the branches of the apple tree in my or-
chard in company with one or two others. It had buta
moment before warbled out the sweet little song peculiar to
this bird, which I described a few days since, but one in
which, ornithologists tell us, it rarely indulges this side of
its northern breeding grounds. The Kinglets may readily
be recognized by their small size, being but little larger than
Hummingbirds. Between the Gold-crest and Ruby-crown
the former may be distinguished by the markings of the
head, the crown being a golden yellow with a narrow bor-
dering of deep black; the bed of yellow being opened a
little exposes a bright flame color. The under parts are
lighter than in the Ruby-crown. The ruby of the latter is
only seen when the feathers are parted.

“The Swallows have come.” Observed a pair of Barn
Swallows, (Hirundo erythrogastra) fly into my stable this
evening.

A single Snowbird appeared in my orchard to-day. An
unusually late occurrence for this bird in this locality.

May. My observations this morning were made with
the aid of ashot gun. This is the one disagreeable feature
in the pursuit of the science of ornithology—the occasional
necessity of taking life at once so innocent, so happy and
so beautiful. One dead bird, however, of any one species,
as arule, ought to suflice the amateur for a merely critical
examination. In respect of the Warbler family the birds
are themselves so small, and frequenting, as they do, dur-
ing their short stay with us, the higher branches of our
forest trees, the mere discrimination of species becomes
impossible without a resort to the gun, and is, therefore,
no less necessary to perfect local lists than to complete cab-
inet collections. Resident birds, even the smallest, will ad-
mit of a sufliciently close approach during the breeding
Season as to render identification possible without taking
life.

Secured four interesting specimens, viz., the Hermit
Thrush, (Turdus pallasi,) the Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, (Poli-
optila ceerulea,) the Yellow-rumped Warbler, (Dendraca
coronata,) and the Yellow-throated Vireo, (Vireo flavifrons,)
all within the bounds of one small tract of broken wood-
land, the: first two in a watered ravine, the others on the
summit of the hill.

There is one group or sub-genus of the Thrush family
that is quite puzzling to inexperienced observers because of
the remarkable likeness existing between the different spe-
cies. This group embraces the Thrush named above, the
Wood Thrush, the Olive-backed Thrush and Wilson’s
Thrush or Veery. The following are the most important

j

61

May, 1884.]

AND OOLOGIST”

specific characters: In the Wood Thrush the head and
upper parts are a bright rufus or reddish-brown and the
Trump and tail are olivaceous. In the Hermit the reverse
obtains—the head and upper parts being olivaceous and the
tail coverts and tail a reddish-brown. In the other two spe-
cies there are no contrasting colors—in the Olive-back the
whole upper parts being olivaceous, and in Wilson’s red-
dish-brown. Other discriminating marks are thus noted by
Burroughs: ‘The Wood Thrush has yery clear, distinct
oval spots on a white ground and very generally dispersed ;

_ in the Hermit the spots are more circumscribed and ona

ground of yellowish-white. In Wilson’s Thrush or Veery
the spots are still fewer and smaller, and at a little distance
the breast presents the appearance of a uniform dull white.”
Of the above the Wood Thrushis the only Summer resident
here. The others go farther north to breed.

The Blue-gray Gnatcatcher is, in body, even smaller than
the Kinglets but has a longer tail; but for the last feature
it would rank next to the Humming-bird in diminntiveness.
Its blue-gray dress and long, black tail will sufliciently
identify it. The one I shot (which was a male, being
marked by a black line across the forehead,) was evidently
nest-building, having a bit of wild cotton in its mouth when
taking it up.

The Yellow-rumped Warbler is but a passenger through
this State to the more northern districts where it breeds.
This is a beautiful bird, and one so peculiarly marked that
a reasonably close view could not fail of recognition. The
upper parts are bluish-ash, or slate color, streaked with
black, and the crown, sides of breast and rump are marked
with rich yellow. Thereis a Western representative of this
species known as Audubon’s Warbler that mainly differs
from it in haying a (fifth) patch of yellow on the throat,
where in this species it is white.

The Yellow-throated Vireo I shot out of the highest
branches of one of the tallest trees. This is no mean song-
ster. The one I secured repeatedly, as I observed it, war-
bled out some very loud but very sweet notes, which I rep-
resented on a slip of paper at the time as follows:

See ée
and then reversed : ;

ée
see

sd 14,
and so on with other interesting modulations. The Vireos
are an interesting family of small birds, both on account of
their beautiful pensile nests, and their rich and varied song.
The other leading species are the Red-eyed, the White-eyed
and the Warbling Vireos. The one now before me is much
the handsomest, with its rich yellow throat and breast.
Olive-green is the prevailing color above in all of the family,
hence the name of ‘ Greenlets” which is sometimes given
them. -

Brief Notes.

A Rare Brrp.—While collecting in Williamsport, Md.,
the past winter, I was fortunate enough to secure a fine
partial Albino Cedar Bird. A description of the bird may
be of interest to some of the readers of the O. and O. Back,
white streaked with blackish brown; head and breast, a
mixture of reddish brown and white ; throat, white ; breast,
light reddish brown, running into yellow on the abdomen;
wings, white with a blackish bar running diagonal-
ly across and haying the wax tips; tail, white with the
usual yellow tips; feet and bill, several shades lighter than
those of a normally colored specimen. These colors and
mixtures combined to form one of the most beautiful birds

that I ever had the pleasure to look upon.—J. F’. Whiting,
Dorchester, Mass.

THE ScrREECH OwL.—Noticing the item in April O. and
O. by R. J. Tozer, ‘‘ Woodpecker and Owl” and his query:
“ Do Screech Owls often attack a bird as large as the Red-
headed Woodpecker? ” reminds me of a little circum-
stance occurring to one of my neighbors—he is a reliable
and very observing man, especially of birds. He found
one of his hens under the roosting place one morning dead,
killed by a mink he thought, but was unable to make any
discoveries pointing to the detection of the depredator. The
following night, just at dusk, his attention was attracted by
a great commotion among his fowls in the roost. Hasten-
ing there he found one of the hens on the floor apparently
in adeath struggle. He perceived something attached to
her neck which he supposed to be a weazel, the light being
too indistinct to distinguish. In desperation he seized the
thing in his hands and found it to be a small Screech Owl
with its claws firmly fixed in the neck of the hen just back of
the head,so firmly that he had considerable difficulty in disen-
gaging them. In a moment the owl lay beside the dead
hen, and the contrast was so remarkable that scales were
brought into requisition and weights determined. The hen
was a great fat five pounder—but the owl was a poor little
attenuated starveling and only weighed four ounces.

If any one imagines a Screech Owl destitute of muscle
let him try a ‘grip ” with one—I think once will suffice for
the most skeptical—I have had experience. I once observed
a Golden-winged Woodpecker making an excavation in a
decayed oak near me—watched its completion—assisted
the entrance a little with my knife and secured the eggs.
Passing the spot the succeeding spring I put my hand in the
nest, and finding a lot of feathers, I was about to remove
them when something with points like a needle and power
like a vice closed on one of my fingers, the two points
seemed to go from opposite sides of that finger till they
met in the middle with a power and rapidity too great to
describe. I let go of that fellow quicker than he was wil-
ling to let go of me, and hayen’t cared to try another grip
with an owlsince.—J. N. Clark, Old Saybrook, Conn.

In answer to the query by R. J. Tozer in April O. and O.
would say that Ihave repeatedly found portions of Flickers
in the holes frequented by Screech Owls and presumed it
to be their work. Is it not for this reason that the Pigeon
Woodpecker often chooses a tree that has two holes leading
into the cavity? I have more than once discovered a
Flicker in a hole and had him escape by going out through
another. A Screech Owl once ate the heads off three
Quails (dead ones) devouring all, even to the bills, which I
found by dissection. I also found the remains of a Jay in
a cavity in atree. The Screech Owl is a powerful little owl
and doubtless can make it uncomfortable for larger birds
than Flickers and Red-heads.—/’. 7. Jencks.

Notes FRoM TAFTSVILLE, Vr.—April 16th found me in
the woods for one half hour. Seated upon astump to
watch the Blue Snowbirds, (Junco hyemalis,) which were
very numerous, I heard what at first I mistook for the song
of the Ruby-crowned Kinglet, (Regulus calendula), but
soon the little songster came within ten feet of me, when
with much pleasure I saw it was the Golden-crowned King-
let, (Regulus satrapa,) this being the first time I have posi-
tively identified its song, which, though lacking the power,
resembles the beautiful song of the Ruby-crowned. A flock
of about thirty White-winged Crossbills, (Loxia leucoptera),
settled upon the ground near me, but were soon startled by
the drumming of a Ruffed Grouse. A Brown Creeper,
(Certhia familiaris rufa,) was eagerly searching the trunk
of a large tree near me, Pine and American Goldfinches,
(Chrysomitris pinus, and Astragalinus tristis)—the latter

62 ORNITHOLOGIST

[Vol. 9-No. 5

species stillin winter plumage—were, as they have been for
many weeks, very abundant. Chickadees, Robins, Song
and Tree Sparrows, Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers, were
among the lively throng. Crows were lazily passing high
overhead, while at frequent intervals the loud notes of a
Pileated Woodpecker, (Hylotomus pileatus), although ut-
tered nearly one half mile away, were distinctly heard.—
¢. 0. 2.

THE EVENING GROSBEAK, (H. vespertina,) seems to be a
regular winter visitor here, but it is not plentiful. Last
winter I saw one and this winter I took three from a flock
of five. Jan. 22, I was standing in a door-yard in which
there was a Boxelder tree full of seeds, when I hearda
queer chirping overhead, and looking up saw five birds
coming down ‘in circles, all the while uttering their queer
note. Alighting on the Boxelder tree they began to pick
and shell the seeds. As two males came in range I killed
them both. At the report of the gun the others flew off a
little way and then came back to the same tree, whenI
killed a female, then the others left. What I took were
fine specimens and beauties, with their great beaks and
combination of colors. Their food here seems to be entire-
ly the seed of the Boxelder. I never dissected one that con-
tained anything else.—Vernon Bailey, Elk River, Minn.

Nore FROM GRAND Rapips, Micu.—We have had an ex-
ceptionally pleasant spring and now the woods are alive
with birds, all the Sparrows, Pewees, Blackbirds and Chip-
ping birds contributing to make as much noise as possible.
Ihave seen but one Warbler, of what species I could not
tell. I saw the first Robins March 18, Meadow Larks March
20, Phoebe March 25, Blackbird March 21.—Robt. H. Wolcott.

TAMENESS OF THE GOLDEN-CRESTED KINGLET, (Regulus
satrapa). During the last days of September, while pass-
ing through the straits of Mackinaw, on a steamboat on
my annual collecting trip to the upper peninsula of Michi-
gan, I was struck with the utter disregard manifested by
the Golden-crested Kinglet for the presence of man. One
morning we found our boat invaded by eight or ten of these
birds. It was not long before they found their way into the
cabin, attracted there by the large number of flies, and at
dinner time they caused no little amusement and some an-
noyance by perching on the heads of the passengers and on
the various dishes which covered the table. I caught flies,
which they would readily take from my hand with a quick
flutter. I caught several, and even when in my hand, they
manifested no fear, but lay quiet and passive. By next
morning they had taken their departure.—A. H. Wood,
Painted Post, N. Y.

Migration Nore. Eastward trend in migration of
Rose-breasted Grosbeak and Scarlet Tanager through Tex-
as. J was interested in reading in April number of O. and
O. that the Rose-breasted Grosbeak and Scarlet Tanager oc-
cur at Eagle Pass, Texas, During several years of ornitho-
logical observation I have never seen either of those birds
at Gainesville, Texas, which is on the north boundary of
the State and probably 300 miles east of Eagle Pass.—G. H.
Ragsdale, Gainesville, Cook Co., Texas.

CouEs’ Key to NortH AMERICAN Birps.—Our readers
will be pleased to hear that the long promised New Edition
of this work, is now advertised to be published this month.

——-->-.

Publications Received.

Orrawa FieLtp Naturatists’ CLus, TRANSACTIONS
No. 4. Ottawa, Canada, 1883.

Psycue. A journal of Entomology, No. 117—118, Janua-
ry, February, ’84, published by the Cambridge Entomologi-
cal Club. Cambridge, Mass.

THE NATURALISTS’ JouRNAL, Vol. I, No. 2, ’84, published
at Frankford, Philadelphia, Pa.

Tue Auk. A quarterly journal of Ornithology, published
for the American Ornithologists’ Union by Estes & Lauriat,
Boston, Mass. Vol. I, No. 2, April, ’84.

Ranvom Notes oN NATURAL History.
Jencks, Providence, R. I.

Southwick &

Tue InDusTRIAL News. Published by The Inventors?
Institute, New York, N. Y.

PEASE’s FEATHERED WoRLD. Published by George C.
Pease, Reading, Pa,

THE SouTHERN PoutrRy GuipE. Published by E. H.
McArthur & Co., Meridian, Miss. :

Forest AND STREAM, New York, N. Y. .

ScreNTIFIC AMERICAN. New York, N. Y.

CooLEy’s WEEKLY, Norwich, Conn.

Nrwrport News, Newport, R. I.

CORRESPONDENCE.

Nores From Harrianp, Vr. (0. and 0., 1X, pp. 35
and4s,) Mr. F. M. Goodwin writes as follows:

“T saw in the last issue of the O. and O. some were in
doubt as to the Great Northern Shrike (Lanius borealis)
nesting in Hartland, Vt.,and asked if I had the eggs or
birds. The eggs were hatched and so I did not take the
birds. I examined them thoroughly and then showed them
to Mr. C. O. Tracy, of Taftsville, Vt., and he called them
the same beyond a doubt. There cannot be any question
against our identification. The case was a rare one truly,
but it was an actual occurrence.”

THE BLACK-BACKED WooDPECKER. A. H. Wood, Paint-
ed Post, N. Y., says: “In regard to the statement of N. A.
Eddy, you may say that the Black-backed Woodpecker is
not a very rare bird thirty miles north of Mackinaw on the
upper peninsular of Michigan. It makes its appearance
there about Noy. 1st.”

New York Laws as To Brrp CoLtEctTiIne. A corres-
pondent asks how permission can be obtained to collect
Birds in New York. We forwarded his inquiry to a legal
friend in New York city (Mr. W. B. Carpenter,) who in re-
ply recites 74 12 and 13 of New York Revised Statutes (L.
1879, Chap. 534,) which prescribe penalties for killing or
selling Birds. He points out that the succeeding Section
(14) says: The last two sections shall not apply to any per-
son who shall kill any bird for the purpose of studying its hab-
its or history or having the same stuffed and set up as a
specimen, or to any person who shail kill on his own prem-
ises any Robins in the act of destroying fruit or grapes.

BLEACHING Bones. D. D. Stone asks us for some good
preparation for bleaching skeletons, ‘one that will not in-
jure the smooth surface of the bones.” The following from
an old note-book may answer his purpose:

“Expose to the light under the surface of spirits of tur-
pentine, taking care that the article does not touch the bot-
tom of the vessel. Time four days.”

Our correspondent also asks for an Al receipt for making
Bird Lime.

Regarding moths, ete., attacking skins, Mr. R. J. Tozer
says: ‘“Tuse no arsenic whatever, preferring a strong solu-
tion (in alcohol) of corrosive sublimate with a little glycer-
ine added to keep the skins pliable. I cannot say they have
kept thirty-five years, as that’s before my time. But some
specimens have been left lying about in all sorts of places
for ten or twelve years, intact.”

an pes feo

ORNITHOLOGIST

—AND—

— OOLOGIST,

FRANK B. WEBSTER, PuBiisuEr.

$1.00 per Single Copy
Annum. Established, March, 1875. 10 Cents.
WO IX. BENOUS Re Te: ONE ae

- Migration in the nitesiasito i Valley.

Since the list and map were published
last month many recruits haye joined our
ranks, raising the totalnumber of observers
to one hundred and forty-eight. A supple-
mentary list of observers and stations will
be published next month.

We have chosen for the central date of
the notes this month the fifth of April, but
like many ministers, we shall be careful not
to stick to our text.

We will, as before, begin at the south
and work northward. At Mason, Texas,
30, we find the whole face of the country
a mass of bloom. Peaches have set and
are beginning to grow. Among the blos-
soms are numbers of Hummingbirds which
arrived March 28, but no Robins are seen,

as the last one left March 27. A little
farther north at San Angela, Texas, we
ran across one of the unexpected habits of
birds. The Carrion Crow, (C. atrata), is
given as never wintering there, and the
first arrival on March 19, while at Caddo,
I. T., 34", two hundred miles farther north,
they were numerous all winter. The Biue-
gray Gnateatcher is also marked as. “April
6, first arrival,” after having been common
at Caddo for over two weeks. We cannot
explain such irregularities by supposing a
mistake in the notes, for Mr. Lloyd is a
keen-eyed and reliable observer. It is more

reasonable to suppose that the high arid |

plains of Western Texas, do not furnish
food in the winter time for many species
which find a congenial winter home in the
same latitude further east, and that having

Repea farther south for the cold season,
they are naturally later in their spring
journey.

In Mississippi we find ourselves in the
land of flowers. At Yazoo City 325°, roses
and honey-suckles were in full bloom April
6, and apple trees hung full of fragrance
two weeks earlier. Hummingbirds are
here~also, arriving April 4, preceded on
March 31 by the Whippoorwill. Judge
Mayes tells us that for many years he and
his family have listened closely for the first
ery of the Whippoorwill and only once has
it varied more than twenty-four hours from
April 1.

From the many stations through which
the Clay-colored Sparrow (S. pallida) has
passed and will pass, but few notes of his
appearance will be sent. At Gainsville,
Texas, 33°°, he was seen March 29 in com-
pany with the first Bullock’s Orioles. We
may also with a tolerable degree of cer-
tainty expect notes on it from two more
stations, but its written record is sure to
be short.

As we pass northward we find a few ar-
rivals at Reeds, Mo., 378, where the King-
bird (7° carolinensis) arrived April 8, and
the Barn Swallow, (ZZ. horreorurn), on
the 4th. These Barn Swallows had ap-
peared in large flocks at Abbeville, La.,
29°", on March 27, so that to fill the ap-
pointment at Reeds they must have traveled
sixty miles a day,—a short hour’s work for
them, however, so they do not need our
pity.

During the last days of March and the
Hs st oye of April, hte Purple Martin

Copyright, 1884, by FRaNK B.

Ww EBSTER and. Eaton CLIFF.

64

ORNITHOLOGIST

[Vol. 9-No. 6

(P. subis) has been writing parts of his life
history over all the southern half of our
territory. By April 3, his appearance had
gladdened the hearts of the watchers all
the way from the Gulf to southern Minn.
But how different his surroundings! On
March 25 he is resting at Abbeville La.,
29°7, where the air is fairly alive with his
winged food. About ten days later one of
his cousins invades, single-handed, the icy
north and appears at Lanesboro, Minn.,
43%, braving a temperature of “many de-
grees below freezing,’ whence he must re-
treat or perish. Whichever alternative he
accepted, certain it is that none of his
kind were again seen until the weather
moderated.

Probably at no place in the broad Mis-
sissippi are the Martins so closely and
intelligently studied as at Mr. Widmann’s
in St. Louis. In his back yard are a great
many comfortable bird houses each num-
bered and standing on a separate pole. The
whole family unite in watching the birds
and a full and exact record is kept of the
inmates of each box. The record reads
like a fragment of one of nature’s love
stories. Here is part of it:

“March 24.
at 4.45 p. m., being three birds southeast
of us above the Mississippi. They disap-
peared without coming nearer. March 25.
At 4.45 p. m., the first of ow Martins ar-
rives. It was an old male and descending
with a cheerful cry of recognition, it
alighted on a box, rested a few minutes,
looked into several boxes and left again.
At 5.45 it returned and remained within
sight until 6.20, when he retired to spend
the first night in one of our boxes.
March 28. In the morning the sec-
ond male arrived. March 29. At 2.30
another male visits ours, rests a little and
disappears in the north. Therefore we mark
him as the first transient visitor this spring.
March 30. Our two Martins remained in
their boxes most of the cool, bright morn-
ing, when at 10.30 the first female arrived.

The first arrivals were seen

She was greeted with excited, continued
carols, and did not at first know what to
do. She visited alternately their boxes,
Nos. 2 and 5, which they had selected for
their homes, until she decided for No. 2
and retiring with him, has remained with
At 11.45 another male
visits us but soon leaves again. At 6.30
p- m., a party of six males and females go
straight north. March 31. There is an
increase during the day. At one time, 6
p. m., ten Martins were in the air. No. 5
captures a female and brings her home in
the evening. Another male which had ar-
rived during the day was less fortunate; he
comes home in the evening accompanied
by a female. She alights on the box which
he enters with melodious strains of invita-

him ever since.

tion and persuasion, reappearing imme-
diately to see why she does not follow him.
But when he found she had already left,
his astonishment and chagrin were plainly
visible. He is a bachelor to this day, re-
turning alone to his box, No. 17. It will
be interesting to note whether or not he re-
mains a bachelor all summer as the one
did last year. April 3. Another male ar-
rives and takes lodgings in No. 1. Up to
April 6 the same numbers remain; that is,
two pairs and two single males. There
are hardly twenty birds in the whole south-
ern part of the city, in a district where two
months hence there will be two hundred;
hence we say that ten per cent have
arrived.”

At the end of the season it will be worth
our while to read of the courtships and

| varied domestic life of these same Martins;

of their wonderful diligence in bringing
food to the young and the curious haps and
mishaps which befall them.

But all this time birds have been moving
northward, and we must hasten and over-
take them. Put on your overcoat for you
will soon need it. A second winter visited
northern Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin and
Minnesota during the first week in April,
and proved a decided though temporary -

June, 1884.]

AND OOLOGIST.

check to migration. The stations in north-
ern Dakota report the commencement of
the storm April 2d and 3d. Then come
reports all along the line until the southern
limit of snow is reached approximately at
Grand Ridge, Ill., 41'8, which reports
“April 8, four inches of snow fell last
night.”

The northward bending of the isothermal
lines as we go northwest is clearly shown
by the record of the grass. At River
Falls, Wis., 44, on April 8 the record
reads “the grass shows little or no green as
yet; snow still on north side of hills.”
Frazee City, Minn., 46**, on April 3 reports
“ace on lakes still solid,’ while far to the
west at Menoken, Dak., 46°8, the grass had
started and was growing finely in the last
part of March. In these latter places, they
tell us the first spring birds have just ar-
rived at Frazee City, the first Robin came
April 3 and at Larimore, Dak., 47°, the first
Ducks were seen April 2.

Apropos to the note from Lanesboro,
Minn., appearance and immediate disap-
pearance of the first Martin, it is hard to
refrain from a brief sermon on the fickle-
ness of birds and the unreliability of those
notes which do not take this fickleness into
account. But these remarks like all good
sermons, must be taken as entirely imper-
sonal. It is not always safe to mark as
“first,” the first bird of a species which is
seen. Many birds wander far ahead of
their fellows and put in an appearance
which is as purely accidental as if they had
come months before in the depth of winter.
For this reason instructions were issued,
“note the first bird of each species seen
and then for the next few days watch
closely to see whether this is an accidental
occurrence or the normal first of the migra-
tion of the main body.” It is better to
make the “IF” indicate the first bird of the
regular movement of the species as a whole,
then the notes can be used intelligently and
accurately.

To determine whether the first appear-

ance is normal or accidental takes more
time than most of the observers can spare,
and from those who have both the ability
and the opportunity, it has been well nigh
impossible to get any accurate information
on this particular point. Moral—if a ser-
mon is allowed to have a moral—Don't fail
to send in whatever notes you do make,
and next year we will all do better.

What a rambling discouse this is getting
tobe. Wehad better return to birds before
we completely lose sight of the subject in
hand.

Heron Lake, Minn., 4348, informs us that
Canada Geese were laying April 12, and
Mallards in pairs everywhere, while the Jaw
allows water fowl shooting until May 15.
A good chance for missionary work. Itis a
pity some of the Solons are not orni
thologists.

This spring has been a remarkable one
for the Evening Grosbeaks (ZZ. vespertina.)
Along the whole line of the Mississippi
in Minnesota, they have been abundant.
For years they have been known as one
of the most regular winter visitants to the
vicinity of Minneapolis, but: this spring
they have wandered to Southern Minneso-
ta and Northern Iowa. At Lanesboro,
Minn., 43, they came early and stayed
late. Indeed, on April Ist, they were
among the most common birds for some
miles down the valley of the Root River.

In conclusion, it may be well to insert a
copy of a circular which will soon be sent
to each observer.

“Our labors this spring are drawing to a
close; the northward migration is ended
and but little remains to be chronicled.

Please send as soon as possible what-
ever notes have not been forwarded, and
accompany them with the foilowing pa-
pers, unless the information has already
been furnished :

1. A list of all the birds that have
ever been known to breed in your vicinity,
marking with a cross those which are
known to be breeding this summer. Any

66 ORNITHOLOGIST

[ Vol. 9-No. 6

observations on the nesting of the rarer
kinds will be gladly received.

2. A list of those birds which have
never been known to breed, but which
have been seen during the breeding sea-
son, giving, if possible, an approximation
of the date of observation.

3. A brief description of the charac-
ter of the country in which the observa-
tions were made, in regard to altitude,
water, prairie, character of timber, etc.

4. A summary of the opportunities
the observer has had for watching the
birds, and the use that has been made of
these opportunities.”

In order that the semi-annual report
may be made in season, it is highly desir-
able that all further notes be forwarded at
once.— W. W. Cooke, Red Rock, Ind. Ty.

Michigan Notes.

Having never written for the O. and O. it
is with some trepidation that I take up my
pen. Iam led to do so from a feeling of
exultation in the recent efforts of two of
our Michigan orinthologists in sending to
your paper the very interesting notes which
have lately appeared. Dr. Atkins of Locke
has penned some able notes of late regard-
ing our favorite study, and Mr. N. A.
Eddy’s notes from Bay City are extremely

interesting. The New England States lost

a competent observer when Mr. Hddy left
the coast of Maine, but the change is im-
measurably our gain.

Michigan has gained new recruits within
the last few years, and with the present
corps of efficient workers, a constantly in-
creasing list of birds clearly proves that
valuable service is rendered each season.
There are now, on a compiled list before
me, 340 species and races known to the va-
rious collectors of the state, and it is rea-
sonable to believe that within a few sea-
sons we can fairly boast of a more com-
plete and varied catalogue than is now pos-
sessed by any adjacent state. The list isa
compilation of the catalogues and obserya-

tions of over twenty students of our avian
fauna. The first list, by Professor Sager
was published in 1839 and contained only
163 species, while a list published in 1879
gives 310 species and races, and indicates
the advancement made in this line. We
have now twelve competent observers, and
the present season gives promise of much
desirable information.

A few random notes are incidentally tak-
en from seventeen years’ observations.

The following species of the Thrush
family are well known to most of, our
ornithologists: Robin, Catbirds, Wood,
Hermit, Swainson’s, Wilson’s and Brown
Thrush. I have the eggs of all in my col-
lection, and have found all to breed South
of 44° north latitude. Dr. Atkins informs
me, however, that the Alice’s Thrush is
found in the State. The Forest and
Stream Bird Notes, by Mr. Bailey, men-
tions the species also, as a Michigan bird,
as given some years ago by Mr. G. A.
Stockwell, known to the readers of the F.
and S. as “Archer.” Mr. Stockwell gives
our state credit for at least nine species of
birds that are not known to the other col-
lectors, and mentions as common, many
species not generally considered so.
Among others, he embraces the Fish Crow
and Stone Chat. Will any one acquainted
with Mr. 8. kindly send his address?

Twelve species of Hawks are known
in this county, of which the breeding
habits are known of six. The rarest
Hawk found breeding here is the Broad-
winged. The nest found by myself on
May 25th, 1875, being the only example
thas far. The eggs, two in number and
fresh, were taken from a large Black Ash
over six feet in circumference, and quite
ninety feet from the ground. The nearest
limb was all of sixty feet from the ground
and in securing the eggs I had the hardest
climb that I have ever undertaken. Both
old birds were secured. The Red-tailed
Hawk is very common and breeds in
abundance. The eggs are generally laid ~

—

67

eges are found in March. A set that I
secured the 18th of April was just ready to
hatch. The eggs are usually two in num-
ber, occasionally three and rarely only one.
The nest, a bulky structure.is usually built
well up in an oak tree, and I have seen
them all of ninety feet from the ground.
Occasionally a nest is not more than thirty
feet from the ground, but as a rule the
average may be placed at sixty feet. One
hard climb that I had, occurred on a bright
Sunday morning, 1877, and came near be-
ing my last one. The Buzzards had built
quite seventy feet from the level and on a
large branch of a black oak fifteen feet from
the trunk. In ascending the tree the
climb was laborious, and a small limb about
thirty feet up gave me a good rest and an
opportuntity to make my plans for the rest
of the undertaking. After securing the
eggs I returned very quickly on the under-
side of the limb to the trunk, but failed to
observe the extra thickening of the tree on
the side where the large limb joined the
body, and in which part the girth of the
fork was all of eight feet. Hanging in the
ridiculous position, with both legs dangling
in the air vainly scrambling for a foothold,
and unable to go up the large limb, quite
fifteen inches through, I had an excellent
opportunity to repent of the evils of birds’
nesting on the Sabbath. But the eges
reached the collecting box in due time with-
outa crack, although, as usual, when climbs
are made without climbers my garments
showed wear, and sundry deep scratches on
the shins, proved conclusively, that the
hard bark of the tree had been tightly
hugged in my descent.

The Red-shouldered Hawk is not so com-
mon or at least its nest is not nearly so of-
ten found. The nests are generally built
in lower lands, nearer river bottoms. The
nests are rarely found in oak trees; never,
in my experience. The eggs, usually three
in number, rarely two and sometimes four,
are a little smaller than the eggs of the

sets, but many eggs are larger than small
Red-tails.

Of the two common species of Buzzard
here, Messrs. Syke and Chapin have
secured at least forty sets of eggs.

The Marsh Hawk breeds here in a few
isolated marshes. Five eggs are usually
laid, on the ground or in a rude nest in a
marsh. The Cooper's Hawk and Sparrow
Hawk also breed here each year, but the
egos of the latter are rarely taken owing
to the fact that the nest is always
placed in a decayed stub and dangerous to
secure.

Three species of Owls have been found
breeding here. A nest of the Long-eared
Owl taken April 27th, 1878, contained six
fresh egos. It was built in a Tamarack
forty feet from the ground and was a large
compactly built structure. composed of
dead twigs and plentifully lined with
feathers. All of eighteen mches in dia-
meter this nest was deeply hollowed, and
so large for the size of the bird that she
could not be seen from below while sitting.
Another nest of this owl was built on the
top of a stub twenty feet from the ground.
The five young, two-thirds grown, were
secured May 22d, 1878.

A nest of a Screech Owl containing five
fresh eggs, was discovered nine feet from
the ground in a dead stub twenty feet high,
in the early part of May, 1878.

The first egg taken of the Great Horned
Owl, was in 1874, and occupied the nest
with a young owl. Up to 1879, this ege,
in my collection, was the only example
taken in the county, but during the last
few years a number of sets of * Hoots’
have been taken by various collectors. The
earliest record of two eggs in a nest, is
Feb. 12. The nests are found in greater
numbers in the latter part of February.
Messrs. Syke, Chapin and Nolan who have
thoroughly canvassed the country for nests
of this species, have succeeded in securing
about twelye complete sets of eggs. In

68 CLINE O LOGS

[ Vol. 9-No. 6

most ‘of the nests were founal two eggs,
while in one or two cases only one egg was
found. This single egg was partially ineu-
bated however, showing that no more were
to be laid. The nests are more frequently
built in the hollows of trees, and the Elm,
Oak, Beech and Maple are those usually
selected.
found in large forks of trees, and as these
same nests are known frequently to have
been occupied by Red-tailed or Red-shoul
dered Hawks previous years, it is fair to
suppose that when Owls do not build in
hollow trees, they select old Hawk's nests.
One nest containing eggs was found as late
as April but generally by the 15th of that
month the young may be observed flying
about. One season Mr. Syke make his col-
lection walking over three feet of snow on

However, nests are frequently

snow-shoes, carrying his climbers in his
hand until a favorable tree was reached.
In a day's tramp over miles of snow bound
country, with a chilly wind blowing, the en-
thusiasm of a collector is thoroughly tested.

One nest that I visited was in the hollow
of a dead maple. In attempting to scale
the shaky hulk Mr. Syke lost his hold in the
rotten wood and fell some distance, but
fortunately caught in a live Beech.

Mr. Syke is a most intrepid climber and
the boast made by many that he can climb
any tree in the country is undoubtedly not
at all vain. I have repeatedly seen him
climb trees nine feet in circumference, and
he makes a sinall matter of walking up the
smooth barked sycamores to the Great-
blue Heron’s nests.—MWorris Gibbs, Kala-
mazoo0, Mich.

nl

Migration and Breeding Notes.

Will the difference in food in part ac-
count for the arrival of the House Phcebe
a full month before any other Flycatcher ?
And, relatively, does the food supply also
explain why the Robin and Phebe are
silent, save short notes of alarm, when
they first arrive, while the Oriole and the
Vireos are as jocund and jolly on the day

of hei wea as after they have been
here a month? The Phebe came this
year in March, close on the heels of the
Three Blackbirds, and except the Swift and
Swallows there wasn’t an arrival of note
till May. But, (Mayday) Chebecs, Chew-
inks, Catbirds, Thrashers, Wrens and Yel-
low Warblers came, and were all abundant
on the 4th. On the 4th, Kingbirds, Balti-
more and Orchard Orioles appeared spar-
ingly, and were commonly seen as usual
on the 6th and 7th. Not over a dozen
pairs of Orchard Orioles nest in this
neighborhood, and the bird is little known
here, popularly speaking. Male Tanagers
and Hummers were on hand May 8th, and
the very first Bobolink. This dusty miller
gets to Northampton, Mass., May 1dth.
May 9th, Warbling Vireos and Wood
Thrushes began their music, and scores of
Blue Yellow-backs were singing in their
breeding haunts, where I have taken their
eggs some seasons May 20th. Look for
Orioles when cherry blossoms are open-
ing, for Hummers when your Missouri
currant begins to flower, and for Tanagers
when an emerald film can be seen against
the sky in the chestnut woods. Sunday,
May 11th, Bob White and the Whip-poor-
will began to indulge in their vocal per-
sonalities, From Plain Hill, Norwich,
seventeen miles inland, April 17th, were
seen twenty-one strings of Geese, jour-
neying due north.

At this same early date, I found four
Crows’ nests with full complements of
eggs. May 13th, I pounded on the trunks
of fourteen trees and fourteen Crows fiew
from their clutches. Often sitting Crows
are betrayed by their tails, but many
times the birds are wholly hidden in the
hollow of the nests. May 15th, found
numbers of Jays with full and incomplete
clutches, all of which argues plenty of
Corvine society this season.

That a sitting game bird throws out lit
tle or no effluvium is generally believed,
but last sprmg my dog stood on a Wood-

June, 1884.]

cock with a fresh clutch of eggs and on
one hovering newly hatched young. This
spring he pointed two nesting females,
one on a badly incubated set as early as
April 7th. Still, the notion of ‘no scent’
may be truer of Grouse and Quail than of
Snipe. An old darkey, who had once
catered to delicate palates in Dixie, or who
had read the O. and O. article on egg gas-
tronomy, brought me May 8th, a basket
of eges of Ruffed Grouse, saying he could
swear they were fresh, because they were
but eleven eges the day before and twelve
the day he brought them. I told him it
was $50 fine for every Partridge’s egg
taken or destroyed, and if he didn’t put
the eges back at once, I'd prosecute him.
Badly seared, he swore he would have the
eges back in the nest in twenty minutes,
and I trust the clutch was not forsaken.
Collecting Hawks’ eggs May 9th and May
11th, I flushed Ruffed Grouse from clutch-
es of fifteen and sixteen eggs, which indi-
cates continued abundance of this favorite
game bird. A cold storm late in May,
though, is often very destructive to the
young Grouse. It is queer how very diffi-
cult it is to find a Quail in March or
April, but as soon as the farmer begins to
plant his corn they seem to spring up in
every field in pairs, trios and bunches,
and at every half-mile on the country
turn-pike can be heard an old whistling cock.

As I close these notes on the 15th of
May, a Cooper's Hawk made a bold dash
into our garden in the heart of the city to
the consternation of the Sparrows. Indi-
goes, Chats and Grosbeaks were noted to-
day. Other observers doubtless
agree that the bulk of arrivals was in the
first half of May. From our wild orches-
tra no instrument is now missing but the
tomtom of the Cuckoo; and whatever
doubt there may be about first position,
there can be no question as to the right
of Master Cuculus to the extreme rear of
the army of migration.—J. MZ. W., Nor-
wich, Conn.

will

AND OOLOGIST. 69

The Oregon Jay.
(Perisoreus obscurus.)

On May 4th, I noticed an Oregon Jay
building. When discovered, it was cling-
ing to the trunk of a tree like a Wood-
pecker, pulling out bunches of moss and
dropping them. After dropping several _
he seemed to find one that suited and flew
off with it. I watched and saw him dis
appear in a tree at a little distance. I
could see nothing of the nest, but as both
birds were flying in and out with sticks.
moss, etc., | was sure there was one being
built there.

I visited the locality on the 16th, and
on the 21st, this time climbing up to the
nest. I found it completed, but no eggs,
and I saw nothing of the birds.

On the 31st, I again climbed up, and
was rewarded by finding five eggs; incu-
bation just begun. The bird sat on the
nest until I almost had my hand on her,
then flew off with alow whistle and dis-
appeared, but returned in a few minutes
and began flying around, uttering low,
worried whistles. I promptly shot her.

The male did not put in an appearance.
The nest was in a fir, about eighty-five
feet from the ground and about ten feet
from the top of the tree. It was built
close against the trunk and was composed
of sticks, twigs and moss, rather loosely
put together, and lined with cow hair, a
few bunches of wool and one or two
feathers of Bonasa U. sabinet. It meas-
ured: Inside diameter, 34 inches; depth,
2% inches; outside diameter, 7}? inches;
depth, 5 inches.

The eggs were five in number, very
light blue with a very slight greenish
wash. They were thickly covered with
spots of two shades of brown, one dark
and the other very light, collected mostly
on the larger end, and in one specimen a
few black hair-like lines over the large end.
They measured 1.15 x.80 ; 1.15.82 ; 1.10
x.82; 1.15x.85; 1.12x.80—A. W. A.,
Beaverton, Oregon.

70 ORNITHOLOGIST

[ Vol. 9-No. 6

THE
ORNITHOLOGIST

—AND—

OOLOGIST.

A MONTHLY MAGAZINE OF

IN AVA OUSUAVIE; ISU UO IR W ,

ESPECIALLY DEVOTED TO THE STUDY OF

BIRDS,
THEIR NESTS AND EGGS.

DESIGNED AS A MEANS FOR THE INTERCHANGE OF NOTES

AND OBSERVATIONS ON BIRD LIFE.
FRANK B. WEBSTER, Publisher,

PAWTUCKET, R. I.

Editor’s Notes.

Dr. Elliott Coues sailed for England,
May 24th, partly for the purpose of con-
sulting foreign libraries in furtherance of
his great work, the
Ornithology.”

“Biography of

“ Under which King, Bezonian?” If we
must choose, we would call this the Coues-
ian period. Professor Baird belongs to
Natural History in general—Dr. Coues to
Ornithology.

We notice with pleasure the unusual
number of articles which have appeared in
the magazines during the last few months
on matters Ornithological, showing an in-
creasing popular interest in Bird Life.
Among many, we refer especially to “Na-
ture’s Serial Story” which is appearing in
Harper's Monthly, illustrated by many ex-
cellent engravings.

Among the signs of the times are to be
noted the increased number of periodicals
which have cropped up of late on Orni-
thology and its associates. These appear
to be mostly advertising enterprises of a
more or less ephemeral character. They
will probably prove a disappointment to
their promoters, but in the meantime they
assist in frittering away the support to

which established magazines are fairly
entitled.

A very excellent panel photograph of
the founders and officers of the American
Ornithologists’ Union has been sent to us
by A. Bogardus’ & Co., of New York.
The heads, twenty-five in number, are
grouped artistically, and all appear to be
satisfactory photographs. The general ef-
fect 1s quite equal to anything of the kind
usually seen, and the size of the composi-
tion is sufficiently large for the purpose
intended.

In reference to the much agitated sub-
ject of Trinomials, Dr. Coues says:
“ The definite principle and rule of action
is, that the third term of the technical
name is given to climatic or geographical
races, varying according to known condi-
tions, as latitude, elevation, temperature,
moisture and conditions of all sorts. The
practice, therefore, has a logical basis, a
consistent possibility of strict scientific
application. It appears to me to be a
simple, natural and easy way of disposing
of alarge number of intermediate forms
which have not become specifically dis-
tinct from their respective allies.”

Several correspondents of the “ Horest
and Stream” refer to the wholesale de-
struction of the Baltimore Oriole and
other bright-plumaged songsters for milli-
nery purposes. However large the de-
mand may be, there seems to be no imme-
diate fear that any of our summer visit-
ants will be exterminated. While we
sympathize to a great extent with the in-
dignation excited, it must be borne in
mind that the grievance is purely senti-
mental. It has often been pointed out
that the birds of prey are far more de-
structive than either collectors or profes-
sional taxidermists. And in the nature of
things, so long as ornaments are required,
a supply will be found. If animals may
legitimately be slaughtered for their furs,
why not birds for their feathers?

June, 1884.]

AND OOLOGIST. — _

Key to North American Birds.

At no previous period in the history of
Ornithology have its students been so
numerous or enthusiastic as at present.
Various circumstances have lately brought
the study of Birds on both sides of the
Atlantic prominently before the general
public. The interest thus excited, if not
deeply rooted, is an encouragement to
those who have made the study their life
work, and have brought to it a scientific
temperament which has worthily gained
for them the position of leaders and
guides to their more humble followers.
Among these, primus inter pares, stands
Dr. Elhott Coues, whose numerous and
thoroughly reliable works have gained
him the enviable position he now holds.

The re-publication of his “ Key,’* if
long delayed, has come at an “opportune
moment, and serves to emphasize an era
in the history of North American Orni-
thology. It is, unfortunately, only possi-
ble within the limits at our disposal, to
give our readers a very inadequate idea of
the contents of this volume.

The “ Key” retains little of the former
edition except the name and purpose. It
has been entirely re-written, and contains
a much larger number of illustrations—
some original, and others from various
acknowledged sources.

We notice especially the conscientious
care of the author to make his descrip-
tions perfectly clear and precise, and to
leave no loophole for a misunderstanding
of his meaning. Not only are the Latin
and Greek words exactly translated, but

*Key To NortH AMERICAN Birps. Containing a con-
cise account of every species of Living and Fossil Bird at
present known from the Continent north of the Mexican
and United States boundary, inclusive of Greenland. Sec-
ond edition, revised to date and entirely re-written, with
which are incorporated GENERAL ORNITHOLOGY: An out-
line of the structure and classification of Birds ; F1ELD
ORNITHOLOGY : Amanual of collecting, preparing and pre-
serving Birds. By Elliott Coues, M. A., M.D., Ph. D.,
Member of the National Academy of Sciences, etc., etc.
Profusely illustrated. Boston: Estes & Lauriat, 1854, pp.
XXX—863.

Greek origin are clearly explained.

As the necessity for this has been fre-
quently pointed out in this magazine, we
refer to the matter with much pleasure,
being convinced that the popularity of the
work is enhanced thereby.

The book is divided into four parts.
Part I, pp. 1—58, consists of the author's
“Field Ornithology,” originally published
as a separate treatise in 1874. It is re-
printed nearly verbatim, but with some
little amplification towards its end.

Part II, pp. 59—236, consists of the in-
troductory matter of the old “Key” very
greatly amplified. It is a sort of ‘“ Closet
Ornithology” as distinguished from a
“Wield Ornithology,’ teaching the princi-
ples of the science and illustrating their
application.

Part III, pp. 237—820, being the main
body of the work, describes all the spe-

cies and sub-species of North American

Birds known to the author, defines the
genera, and characterizes the families and
higher groups. The descriptions are
much more elaborate than those of the old
“Key”—the purpose kept steadily in
view being the ready identification of
specimens. Geographical distribution is
also more fully treated, and more atten-
tion has been paid to the descriptions of
the piumages of females and young birds.

Part IV, pp. 821—830, consists of a
synopsis of the Fossil Birds of North
America, and has, as before, been revised
by Professor O. C. March.

That the author has availed himself of
the many treatises which have appeared
since the former ‘‘ Key” was written, and
of the researches of numerous workers in
the interval, goes without saying.

In the present condition of scientific
research, when so many monographs are
published both in the magazines and as
separate volumes, it is always well periodi-
cally to look over the field as a whole, to
see where we are and what real work has

72

been accomplished. For this survey in
the Ornithological field, talents of no or-
dinary character are required, but such
talents we venture to think Dr. Coues
possesses in no ordinary degree. Criti-
cism may lay hold of some detail of his
work, but must be silent when it is con-
sidered as a whole. To the Ornithologist,
Dr. Coues’ “Key” will be a dictionary
with of the usefulness of an
encyclopeedia.

The Death of Edgar A. Small

Took place at Hagerstown, Maryland,
April 28, 1884, in the twentieth year of his
He was the son of Albert Small, a
prominent Maryland lawyer. He early
formed a great love for Natural Science,
which intensified through the few years of
his life. About eight years ago a spinal
disease, resulting from a slight injury,
He bore frequent

much

age.

fastened upon him.
operations with characteristic patience, but
its course resisted all the efforts of medi-
eal skill and finally resulted in his too ear-
ly death.

Edgar Small, though but a boy in body,
was a man in mind. He was a thorough
student of Nature, and his progress was
wonderful, in spite of the obstacles result-
ing from his illness. In his maturer
years it was seldom that he got into his
favorite woods and fields except by car-
riage, but his thirst for knowledge was so
intense that such brief excursions showed
him more than could be seen by ordinary
people. When unable to do even this, he
would lie on his back and paint the ob-
jects he was unable to visit in their native
groves. We have in our possession a fine
oil painting of a Sparrow Hawk made in
this way. He had mounted the bird on a
piece of New England white birch previ-
ous to painting. This and other matters
in our possession showed a genius promis-
ing a valuable life we can ill spare from
among us. We found him a reserved,
cautious boy, a careful student of Nature’s

ORNITHOLOGIST

[Vol. 9-No. 6

ways, with an intuitive knowledge which
enabled him to see with the mind what
others failed to see with the eye. His
statements were made in a plain, unas-
suming manner, and errors were promptly
and cheerfully acknowledged. His early
death, if a loss to the science he loved, is
to him a blessed relief from. a life that
must have been one of continuous
suffering.

To his parents, bereaved of the object
of their love and solicitude, we tender the
sincere sympathy of the Ornithologists of
the United States, many of whom had
learned to appreciate his worth and the
value of the labors promised, had his
life been lengthened.

Birds of Silver City, New Mexico.

The latter part of November found me
located in Silver City, a thriving mining
town, situated among the foot-hills of the
Rocky Mountains, in the southwestern
portion of New Mexico, some sixty miles
from the Mexican boundary. The coun’
try in the immediate vicinity is broken
and rolling; to the north and west foot-
hills and mountain peaks, and to the west
and south the prairie. Pine, Pinon, Cedar,
Scrub Oak, short Gram grass and a variety
of Cacti are the principal forms of vegeta-
tion, while of water there is none, except
afew scanty streams far back among the
mountains. Other matters interfered with
my observations of the bird life until Jan-
uary, and doubtless many additions could
have been made to the subjoined list the
greater portion of which were taken with-

in a few miles of the town:
NOVEMBER, 1833
1 Californian Bluebird, (Sialia mexicana,) 2%, 23, 29.
2 Rocky Mountain Bluebird, (Stalia arctica,) 23, 29.
3 Townsend’s Solitaire, (Myiadestes townsend?,) 29.
4 Wollweber’s Titmouse, (Lophophanes wollweberi,) 29.
5 Lead-colored Titmouse, (Psaltriparus plumbeus,) 29.
6 White-rumped Shrike, (Lanius ludovicianus excubito-
vides,) 22.
7 House Finch, (Carpodacus frontalis,) 23, 29.
8 Oregon Snowbird, (Junco oregonus,) 22, 23, 29.
9 Pink-sided Snowbird, (Junco annectens,) 2,3, 29.
10 Gray-headed Snowbird, (Junco caniceps,) 13, 29.
11 Canon Towhee, (Pipilo fuscus mesoleucus,) 22, 23, 29.

(Se)

AND OOLOGIST. 7

12 Red-winged Blackbird, (A geleus pheeniceus,) 29.

13 Western Meadow Lark, (Sturnella neglecta,) 23.

14 Brewer’s Blackbird, (Scolecophagus cyanocephalus,)
daily seen in the streets.

15 Pinon Jay, (Gymnocitta cyanocephala,) 29.

16 Mexican Shore Lark, (Eremoplila alpestris chrysolama)
2¥, 23, 29.

17 Red-shafted Flicker, (Colaptes auratus mexicanus,) 29.

18 Red-tailed Hawk, (Bwteo borealis,) 29.

19 Mourning Dove, (Zenaidura carolinensis,) 22, 23, 29.

20 Mexican Turkey, (Meleagris gallopavo,) 30.

21 Gambel’s Quail, (Lophortya gambeli,) 19, 29.

22 Blue Qui, (Callipepla squamata,) 29.

23 Massena Quail, (Cyrtonyx massena,) 16.

DECEMBER, 1883.

1 Western Robin, (Merula migratoria propinqua,) 31.
2 Californian Bluebird, (Sialia mexicana,) 20, 25, 27, 31.
3 Rocky Mountain Bluebird, (Sialia arctica,) 20, 25, 27, 31.
4 Townsend’s Solitaire, (Myiadestes townsendi,) 20.
5 Woliweber’s Titmouse, (Lophophanes wollweberi,) 27.
6 Lead-colored Titmouse, (Psaltriparus plumbeus,) 27, 31.
7 Texan Bewick’s Wren, (Lhryomanes Bewicki leucogas-
ter,) 25, 27.
8 House Finch, (Carpodacus fi ontalis,) 25, 31.
9 Intermediate White-crowned Sparrow. (Zonotrichia
gambe% intermedia,) 20, 27.
10 Oregon Snowbird, (Junco oregonus,) 20, 25, 27.
11 Pink-sided Snowbird, (Junco annectens,) 20, 25, 27.
12 Gray-headed Snowbird, (Junco caniceps,) 27.
13 Canon Towhee, (Pipilo fuscus mesoleucus,) 20, 25, 27, 31.
14 Brewer’s Blackbird, (Scolecophagus cyanocephalus,)—
daily.
15 Woodhousé’s Jay, (Aphelocoma woodhousei,) 20, 25.
16 Red-shafted Flicker, (Colaptes auratus mexicanus,) 27.
17 Massena Quail, (Cyrtonyx massena,) 27,
JANUARY, 1834.
1 Western Robin, (Merula migratoria propingua,) 26.
2 Mockingbird, (Mimus polyglottus,) 26
3 Californian Bluebird, (Sialza mexicana,) 1, 3, 5, 11, 17,
23, 16, 30.
4 Rocky Mountain Bluebird, (Siadia arctica,) 1, 3,5, 11,
1T, 23, 26, 30.
5 Townsend’s Solitaire, (Myiadestes townsendi,) 1, 3, 7, 11,
97, 31.
6 Gray Titmouse, (Lophophanes inornatus griseus,) 11.
7 Wollweber’s Titmonse, (Lophophanes wollweberi,) 1, 3, 30
8 Lead-colored Titmouse, (Psaltriparus plumbeus,) 1, 11,26.
9 Black-eared Titmouse, (Psaltriparus melanotis,) 1.
10 Texan Bewick’s Wren, (Thryomanes Bewicki leucogas-
ter), 30.
11 White-rumped Shrike, (Lanius ludovicianus excubitor-
ides,) 11, 30.
12 House Finch, (Carpodacus frontalis,) 1, 5, 11, 26.
13 Pine Goldfinch, (Chrysomitris pinus,) 3.
14 McCown’s Longspur, (Rhynchophanes maccowni,) 26.
15 Intermediate White-crowned Sparrow, (Zonotrichia
gambeli intermedia,) 5.
16 Oregon Snowbird, (Junco oregonus,) 1, 3, 11, 17, 26, 39.
17 Pink-sided Snowbird, (Junco annectens,) 1,3, 11, 17. 26, 30
18 Gray-headed Snowbird, (Junco caniceps,) 11, 26, 30.
19 Spurred Towhee, (Pipilo maculatus megalonyx,) 1,17, 31.
20 Canon Towhee, (P. fuscus mesolzucus,) 1, 3, 11, 17, 26.
21 Western Meadow Lark, (Sturnella nreglecta,) 1T.
22 Brewer’s Blackbird, (Scolecophagus cyanocephalws,)
daily.
23 Pinon Jay, (Gymnocitta cyanocephala,) 26.
24 Woodhouse’s Jay, (Aphelocoma woodhouse?,) 3, 5, 26, 30.
25 Mexican Shore Lark, (E£. alpestris chrysolama,) 26.
_ 26 Red-shafted Flicker, (Colaptes auratus mexicanus,) 26.

27 Road-runner, (Geococcyx californicus,) 22.
28 American Long-eared Owl, (Asio wmericanus,) 3, 11, 17.
29 Red-tailed Hawk, (Buteo borealis,) 5, 23.
30 Gambel’s Quail, (Lophortyx gambeli,) 3, 17. 23.
3L Blue Quail, (Callipepla squamata,) 3, 31.
FEBRUARY, 1894.
1 Western Robin, (Merula migratoria propingua,) 2, 1€,
21, 23.
2 Rufous-vented Thrasher, (Harporhynchus crissalis,) 9,
12, 26.
8 Californian Bluebird, (Siatia mexicana,) 2, 7, 12, 14, 16,
19, 23, 26, 29.
4 Rocky Mountain Bluebird, (Sialia arctica.) 7, 12, 14, 16,
19, 23, 26, 29.
5 Townsend’s Solitaire, (Myiadestes townsendi,) 9, 14.
6 Ruby-crowned Kinglet, (Regulus ealendula,) 6, 12.
7 Gray Titmouse, (Lophophanes inornatus griseus,) 2, T, 12,
8 Wollweber’s Titmouse, (Lophophanes wollweberi,) 2, 23.
9 Lead-colored Titmouse, (Psaltriparus plumbeus,) 2, 16.
10 Black-eared Titmouse, (Psaltriparus melanotis,) 16.
11 Texan Bewick’s Wren, (Thryomanes Bewicki leucogaster,)
9, 23.
12 White-rumped Shrike, (Lanius lodovicianus excubitor-
ides,) 16, 29.
13 House Finch, (Carpodacus frontalis,) 9, 12, 21, 23, 26, 29.
14 Pine Goldfinch, (Chrysomitris pinus) 23, 26,
15 Chestnut-collared Longspur, (Centrophanes ornatus,) 23,
29, 29.
16 Intermediate White-crowned Sparrow, (Zonotrichia gam-
belt intermedia,) 14.
17 Oregon Snowbird, (Junco oregonus,) 7, 14, 15, 19, 23, 26.
18 Pink-sided Snowbird, (Junco annectens,) T, 12, 19, 23, 26.
19 Gray-headed Snowbird, (Junco caniceps,) 7, 12, 23, 26.
20 Spurred Towhee, (Pipilo maculatus megalonyx,) 2, 23.
21 Canon Towhee, (Pipilo fuscus mesoleucus,) 2, 7, 14, 16,
19, 23, 26, 29.
22 Western Meadow Lark, (Sturnella neglecta,) 12, 29.
23 Brewer’s Blackbird, (Scolecophagus cyanocephalus,) daily.
24 White-necked Raven, (Corvus cryptoleucus,) 2, 16,
25 Pinon Jay, (Gymnocitta cyanocephala,) 2, 7, 23. 26.
26 Woodhouse’s Jay, (Aphelocoma woodhousei,) 2, 7, 9, 12,
14, 16, 23, 26.
27 Mexican Shore Lark, (Eremophila alpestris chrysole-
ma,) 14, 29.
28 Harris’s Woodpecker, (Picus villosus harrisi,) 2, T.
29 Texan Sapsucker, (Picus scalaris,) 23, 26.
30 Red-naped Woodpecker, (Sphyrapicus varius nuchatis,) T
31 Red-shafted Flicker, (Colaptes auratus mexicanus,) 2,
7, 13, 26.
32 Burrowing Owl, (Speotyto cunicularia hypogeea,) 29.
83 Cooper’s Hawk, ( Accipiter cooperi,) T.
34 Gambel’s Quail, (Lophortyx gambeli,) 7, 26.
35 Blue Quail, (Callipepla squamata,) 2, 21.
MARCH, 1884.
Western Robin, (JL. migratoria propinqua,) 22, 24,25, 28.
Sage Thrasher, (Oreoscoptes montanus,) 22.
Rufous-vented Thrasher, (H. crissalis,) 12, 17, 24.
California Bluebird, (Sialia mexicana,) 13, 18, 24, 28.
Rocky Mountain Bluebird, (Sialia arctica,) 8, 11, 13, 17,
25, 28.
6 Townsend’s Soltaire, (IMyiadestes townsendi,) 24.
7 Lead-colored Titmouse, (Psaltriparus piumbeus,) 17, 18,
22, 24.
Rock Wren, (Salpinctes obsoletus,) 11, 13, 17, 28.

oR wre

wo

9 Texan Bewick’s Wren, (Thryomanes Bewicki leucogas-
ter,) 12.

10 White-rumped Shrike, (Lanius ludovicianus eacubitor.
ides,) 28.

11 House Finch, (Carpodacus frontalis,) 18, 19, 25.

74

ORNITHOLOGIST

[Vol. 9-No. 6

12 Chestnut-collared Longspur, (Centrophanes ornatus,) 8,
11, 13.

13 Western Grass Finch, (Poccetes gramineus conjinis,)
13, 25, 28.

14 Intermediate White-crowned Sparrow,
gambeli intermedia,) 8, 11, 17, 19.

15 Western Chipping Sparrow, (Spizel/a domestica arizone,)
8, 11, 18, 17, 18, 19, 25, 28.

16 Oregon Snowbird, (Junco oregonus,) 8, 12.

17 Pink-sided Snowbird, (Junco annectens,) 8, 11, 25.

18 Gray headed Snowbird, (Junco caniceps,) 18, 25.

19 Black-throated Sparrow, (Amphispiza bilineata,) 11, 18.

20 Spurred Towhee, (Pipilo maculatus megalonya,) 12, 22,
24,

21 Canon Towhee, (Pipilo fuscus mesolceucus,) 11, 17, 18, 19,
22, 25, 28.

22 Brewer’s Blackbird,
daily.

23 White-necked Raven, (Corvus eryptoleucus,) 24, 25.

24 Pinon Jay, (Gynunocitta cyanocephala,) 12, 14, 15, 17, 19,
25, 26.

25 Woodhouse'’s Jay, (Aphelocoma woodhouse?,) 12, 18, 19,
22, 24, 25, 26.

26 Mexican Shore Lark, (Eremophila alpestris chrysolam«a,)
11, 28.

27 Say’s Pewee, (Sayornis say7,) 8, 17, 18, 19, 22, 25, 28.

28 Texan Sapsucker, (Picus scalaris,) 22.

29 Red-naped Woodpecker, (Sphyrapicus varius nuchalis,)
19, 25.

30 Red-shafted Flicker, (Colaptes awratus mexicanus,) 8, 11,
12, 19, 24, 25, 26, 28.

81 Road-runner. (Geococcyx californicus,) 15.

32 Western Horned Owl, (Bubo virginianus subarticus,) 19.

33 Red-tailed Hawk, (Buteo borealis,) 22.

34 Mexican Turkey, (Meleagris gallopavo,) 28.

85 Gambel’s Quail, (Lophortya: gainbeli, 14.

35 Scaled Quail, (Callipepla squamata,) 22.

—Charles H. Marsh, Silver City, N. MW.

Arrivals of Birds at Camden, Ind., ’84.

(Zonotrichia

(Scolecophagus cyanocephalus,)

As far as observed, the spring migrants
that have, up to April 8th, returned from

the South are as follows:

February 5, Robin, (Merula migratoria )

February 12, Bluebird, (Stalia sialis.)

February 12, Red-winged Blackbird, (A gela@us phoniceus.)
Another large flock seen February 19, near Bringhurst.

February 13, Fish Duck, (Mergus merganser.)

March 15, Killdeer, (Oxyechws vociferus.)

March 15, Crow Blackbird, (Quiscalus purpureus.)

March 15, Meadow Lark, (Stwrnella magna.) A few re-
mained all winter.

March 16, Turtle Dove, (Zenaidura carolinensis )
remained in favored places all winter.

March 16, Turkey Buzzard, (Cathartes awra.)

March 17, Pewee, (Sayornus fuscus.)

March 19, Chewink, (Pipilo erythrophthalmus.)

March 25, Sparrow Hawk, (Zinnuneulus sparverius )

March 27, Chipping Sparrow, (Spizella domestica.)

March 28, Purple Martin, (Progne subis.)

March 30, Hermit Thrush, (Hylocichla unalasce pallasi )

March 30, Grass Finch, (Poecetes gramineus.)

March 39, White-crowned Sparrow, (Zonotrichia leu-
cophrys.)

March 31, Cowbird, (Molothrus ater.)

April 3, Brown Thrasher, (Haporhynchus rufus.)

A few

April 6, Bank Swallow, (Cotile riparia,)
April 8, Great Blue Heron, (Ardea herodias.)

These are the dates upon which the
species were first observed, and indicate,
in most cases, the time of arrival. While
the first arrivals were seen on those dates,
as a rule the species did not become com-
mon until a few days later.—B. W.
Hverman.

Birds of the ‘‘Panhandle,’’ W. Va.
THE JOURNAL OF REY. W. E. HILL FROM JANUARY TO JUNE,
(INCLUSIVE) 1883.

PART IV.

May 2. Two new arrivals that have come to stay are the
Orchard Oriole, (Icterus spurius,) and the Warbling Vireo,
(Vireo gilvus.) Noted both in my apple orchard to-day.
The former was a fine bird in its perfect or third year’s
plumage. According to Wilson the males of these birds
undergo three changes of plumage according to age. The
student can only become familiar with these by an examina-
tion of his, or similar, plates. The perfectly plumaged bird
may readily be distinguished from the Baltimore Oriole in
its practically two solid colors of black and chestnut—black
above and chestnut below—blending into each other, thus
wanting the orange markings of the latter. Their song,
too, is quite different ; the notes of the former are uttered
with much more rapidity. Under date of April 18th, I re-
marked there was a remarkable resemblance between the
songs of the Ruby-crowned Kinglet, the Warbling Vireo,
andthe Orchard Oriole, i. e., in the modulation of their
notes and manner of utterance. Haying on two different
occasions heard the song of the first this season, and the
songs of both of the others to-day, I repeat, the difference
between them respectively is chiefly one of degree in the
strength or volume of their notes, corresponding, it may be
said, to the size of the birds, and I am surprised that orni-
thologists have never, to my knowledge, called attention to
the fact. Indeed, I believe the birds themselves are some-
times deceived by each other’s song. To-day I saw the
Orchard Oriole twice fly into the same tree—after gutting
the premises—immediately upon the Warbling Vireo re-
suming its song, and at once warbled out its louder notes,
as if by way of imitation and rivalry, or a challenge to an-
other of his kind. The Vireo’s song is perhaps pitched on a
little higher key. The Oriole hasa habit of giving us but
“snatches” of its full song, or, of abruptly cutting it off
before completed. Tha Vireo rarely fails to finish its strain
of melody.

The Warbling Vireo is clad in a sober dress of ashy green
above and yellowish white below. It much resembles an-
other of this genus, the Red-eye, but is smaller, and at
least, can always be recognized by its song—its notes rap-
idly flowing into each, forming one continuous strain, while
the notes of the Red-eye are more or less abrupt and jerky,
and mostly slurred in twos or threes, with a brief pause be-
tween the slurred notes. A light line over the eye will serve
to distinguish the latter bird.

May 3. An hour or two spent in-my orchard this morn-
ing enabled me to note three more fresh arrivals. First, the
Baltimore Oriole, (Jcterus galbula.) Saw three or four
males and one ortwo females at one time. Occasionally
one of the former would burst out into full song, the notes
of which I represented as follows: who’t ée, hoi toi hoi toi

el al

a ‘
|
June, 1884]

AND OOLOGIST. 75

who’t Ge. This is its complete strain, consisting of eight
notes uttered in pairs, which, however, it rarely gives us,
having a habit of cutting it short, or uttering, in a languid
manner, but one or two of these double notes at a time.

Another was the Great-crested Flycatcher, (Myiarchus
crinitus.) This is about the size of our Catbird, with a
brownish back and light yellow abdomen; is a summer res-
ident here and builds its nest in hollows in trees.

The third was a Black and Yellow Warbler, (Dendraca
maculosa.) This was altogether the most familiar little bird
T ever met with; as it frequented the lower limbs I could
readily approach to within a few feet of it, and once it di-
rected its flight right towards me, and when within twelve
or jifteen inches of my head, poised itself on wing for a mo-
ment asif no less curious to determine my identity than I
was to determine his. This little warbler was a stranger to
me, and to place the matter of its identity beyond a doubt,
I was obliged to take its life. The upper parts are black,
the lower yellow; breast and sides streaked with black
spots; sides of head black, rump yellow.

May 4. Secured three specimens this morning in a neigh-
boring wood, viz. the Blackburnian Warbler, (Dendraca
blackburnie,) the Black and White Creeping Warbler,
(Mniotilta varia,) and the Yellow-rumped Warbler, (Den-
dreca coronata,)—my second specimen of the last. Also
identified in my orchard the Blue Golden-winged Warbler,
(Helminthrophaga chrysoptera), and the Black and Yellow
Warbler.

The Blackburnian Warbler is certainly one of the most
beautiful of this beautiful family, with its finely contrast-
ing colors of jetty black and brilliant orange about the
head and neck, and handsomely marked black and white
wings.

The Black and White Creeping Warbler, as its name im-
plies, has something of the habits of the Creeper (and Nut-
hatch) being mostly employed in running up and down and
around the trunk and larger branches, searching for insects.
This bird, above and below, is streaked with black and
white, belly excepted, which is clear white; the wing is
marked with two white bars.

The Golden-winged Warbler suffered a sufficiently close
approach to enable me plainly to perceive every important
characteristic feature without resorting to the gun in hand.
These are the yellow-crown, black-throat, black patch
through the eye bordered with white, and wide yellow stripe
across the slate-colored wing. This little bird is not a pre-
eminent vocalist, though the bird itself doubtless has a bet-
ter opinion of its abilities. Was amused at its ambitious
efforts in the warbling line. It would swell its throat, gap
its mouth and cock its head asif it were going to fill the
universe with its song, but the only notes that escaped it
were tsee, tsee, tsee, and so faint as scarcely to reach my
ear at a distance of ten feet.

The Black and Yellow Warbler I found the same familiar
little creature as of yesterday, from which I infer this to be
a characteristic of this species, as of the Kinglets.

Of the aboye, the Black and White Creeper remains with
us during the summer, the others pass on to the north.

The first Scarlet Tanager, (Pyranga rubra,) of the season
could not escape my observation. This, doubtless, is the
most ‘‘showy” bird in all our woods, and although much
less abundant than many other species, has, because of the
striking briliiancy of his dress, attracted the notice of every
observer of birds, even the most indifferent, by whom it is
commonly known as the “ Black-winged Red-bird.” Its
scarlet dress, black wings and tail are its prominent distin-
guishing characters.

Also caught sight of the King-bird, (Tyrannus carolinen-
sis,) which everybody knows.

Also observed this evening a company of at least four
White-throated Sparrows, (Zonotrichia albicollis,) following
the bushes along the roadside. These birds appear here
regularly during the spring migrations, but generally leave
us by the middle of thismonth. They are the largest and
handsomest of the Sparrow family. The white throat and
longitudinal white head lines will sufficiently identify them.

May 5. The Ruby-throated Humingbird, (Vrochilus colu-
bris,) and the Chimney Swallow or Swift, (Chatura pel-
asgica,) are new names I can add to-day. The latter may be
distinguished in air from the Swallow kind by its short tail,
and the quick and slight vibrations of the wings.

Observed the Catbird and Summer Yellowbird nest build-
ing in my orchard.

Brief Notes.

ConneEcTicuT WARBLER. Is it a settled fact that Oporo-
nis agilis is as rare as it is said to be by many ornithologists
of Massachusetts? Last spring I collected two and on the
17th (Saturday last) got two, the 19th one, and yesterday
one. I found them all near one locality, and amongst a
mixture of scrub oak and birches, in bottom land nearly
surrounded by marsh. Those collected last spring were in
ground of the same character. W. W. Castle, Ashland,
Mass., May 23.

Tue Rosin has been 2 popular favorite for a period which
must. be reckoned by centuries, but it has been reserved
for a modern naturalist to observe a domestic habit which,
as far as we know, is unique. A pet robin built its nest
over a pier-glass where the male and female birds brought
into the world four young ones. ‘But now,” as our corre-
spondent truly says, “‘was the most curious occurrence.
After a day or two, the parents of these little hopefuls in-
troduced a third robin, who proceeded immediately to help
the other two in their parental duties, even to instructing
the little ones in their first infantile flight.” It is impossi-
ble to discover whether this was some unfortunate, widowed
by thoughtless boys of mate and nest, or whether it was an
initiation of some youthful robin into the mysteries of
baby-feeding, but, be that as it may, we can sympathize
with Mr. Schultess-Young when he adds, ‘* I would respect-
fully suggest that a systematic gentle study of the inner
life of these beings who breathe with us the common air,
may reveal natural depths of knowledge, of which the sci-
entist in his merciless but barren search for the principle
that directs this being can neyer dream.” The London
Graphie.

THE Baty Hace. I see ina letter from N. A. Eddy, of
Bay City, Mich., that he was surprised to find the Bald
Eagle so common in that locality. In the year 1879 I passed
the summer on the Manitoulin Island, Lake Huron, Cana-
da, where I met with large numbers of Bald Eagles, and I
found seyeral nests with young in them. In September I
cut down a large pine stub with a nest on the top, but the
birds being unable to fly, both were killed. I also found
one or two Spruce Gronse, (Tetrao canadensis,) also every
species of duck known to fresh water. D. A. K., Sturgis,
Michigan.

Monkey Facep Owns. The photograph of the ‘‘Mon-
key-faced Owls” in a recent number of the O. and O. calls
to mind the fact that in the summer of 1882 a friend of
mine told me of a ‘Monkey Owl” he had recently seen at
Socorro, N. M., which was caught alive near that place. It
was entirely different from anything I had, he said, and
from his description I was at a loss to know what it was.

76

ORNITHOLOGIST

I attempted to obtain possession of it, but it had been sent
to the Denver Exposition and I was unable to learn any-
thing further in regard to it. Could it have been the same
species as those described? Charles H. Marsh, Silver City,
New Meaico,

GREAT NorTHERN DIVER oR Loon, (Colyinbus torquatus).
A fine specimen was brought to me alive to be stuffed, It
was captured in a somewhat curious manner on Lake Wau-
ramaug, Litchfield Co., Conn. Some fishermen observing
him upon the lake, gave chase ina sail boat, and after some
time they succeeded in coming up with him and taking him
alive. He was brought to me from New Milford, a distance
of nine miles, in the back end of an open buggy, untram-
meled in any way, making no effort to escape. When taken
from the wagon he gave utterance to two or three long,
mournful cries, as if singing his own requiem. I could not
discover that he was injured in any way, and am at aloss to
account for his passive condition. Geo. C. Jones, Brookjield
Center, Conn.

History or A Macriz.—About the middle of June, 1880,
I slightly wounded a young black-billed magpie. I brought
him home and placed him in a cage, feeding him on fresh
meat, which had to be cut in small pieces, and fed to him by
hand.

In a short time he learned to pick a bone, but always pre-
ferred being fed in the former manner.

When he had eaten all he wanted, he had the habit of fill-
ing his throat full of meat and hiding it in the corners of his
cage. He would do this as long as one would persist in
feeding him.

We kept him in this manner until the Spring of 1881, when
we let him out to forage for himself. When he had been
loose for about a month and had finished his moult he was
as fine a bird as one would wish to see. His wings and tail
shone in rich purple, green and bronze.

He was a very knowing fellow, following one about every-
where. When weeding in the garden he would accompany
me picking up insects and their larvae and pulling weeds
himself.

He was a deadly enemy to all the Summer birds, pursuing
the first blue-birds, and having scrimmages with the tame
pigeons.

At that time I had some Red Polls in a cage, which I had
captured during the Winter. He persisted in lighting upon
the cage and trying to strike them, as they fluttered about.

In Summer he always roosted on top of the screen door
under the porch. In Winter going into the barn and taking
possession of the horse’s back.

He would eat out of the same dish with the dogs and cats,
very often driving them away by pulling their tails, or ovher
cunning tricks which they did not know how to account for.
He never would stand imposition from any body. As an
example I may mention the following: One day a bare-
footed boy came into the yard to look at him. During his
inspection he picked up a stick and began to tease him.
Pretty soon Jack began to scold in his peculiar manner and
darted at the boy’s bare-feet. That boy cleared the fence,
the bird picking at him at every jump.

He had a particular tree near the pigeon boxes where he
used to sit, chattering and whistling in his peculiar manner.
The harder the wind blew the better he seemed to like it,
and the louder he would whistle.

After a while he got into the habit of going into the hen-
house and eating the eggs, but he was so sharp that if was a
long time before we detected him in the act.

On this account we were obliged to give him away ae cold
weather was approaching and we did not wish to keep him
in the house another Winter.

We did not hear of him again until the Summer of 1583,
when he suddenly appeared while I was weeding onions,
and commenced his old trick of pulling weeds, not without
pulling the onions also, for which he received a cuff.

At this he flew away and we haye never seen him since.

Poor Jack! he was a fine pet, but was always in some
mischief, hiding anything that was laid where it would catch
his eye.—H. G. Smith, Jr., Denver, Colorado.

ALBINO Rorins. Howard Buchane, Glasco, N. Y., writes:
“To-day I saw an Albino-Robin. For three seasons back
this same Robin, (I suppose it to be the same) has been
with us.” A lady friend recently mentioned to us that she
had noticed when visiting at New London, Conn., an Albi-
no Robin, which had an Albino mate—the latter not so
white as the other. It would be very interesting to know
whether their progeny show white feathers also.

GREAT GREY Own. FE. S. Bowler, Bangor, Me., says he
received from Katahdin Iron Works a perfect specimen.
Length 2515; wing 171¢; tail12. Extent 55 inches.

Sporrep Ropin’s Eees. I recently found a robin’s nest
containing four eggs. Each egg was spotted with fine, pale
brown spots, some of the largest the size of a pin’s head.
I have been collecting nine years and have never seen any
robin’s eggs before that were spotted. F. A. Lovejoy, Hollis,
NV. H.

CORRESPONDENCE.

Rep-TAILED Hawk. (0. and O. IX. P 57), D. D. Stone,
Oswego, N. Y., writes: ‘‘*My experience differs from that
of J. M. W. Ihave taken a good many sets of Red-tailed
Hawks, and, except when the first set had been taken, have
never found a set of two eggs that were at all advanced in
incubation, and three has been the number with me, and in
one case four.” See Dr. Gibbs, p 67 of this number.

Nest To BE IDENTIFIED. Albert H. Hawley, Garden
City, N. Y., writes: ‘ While out after Crow’s Eggs, we dis-
covered a large nest about thirty feet from the ground. My
friend went up and pronounced it an old crow’s nest, but
soon found an opening, and supposing it to be a squirrel’s
nest, he removed from the top a pile of leaves and bark,
finding at the bottom a white egg about the size of a hen’s,
or alittle smaller, and the same shape. It was fresh. The
nest looked like an old Crow’s, inhabited by Flying Squir-
rel’s. Can any one tell me what it is?”

Moss Birp. D. D. Stone, asks: ‘‘Can you or some of
the readers tell me the name of a small bird known, in the
Carolinas and Ga., as the Moss Bird—a local name ? ”

Lick amone Eaes. ‘Hell-diver.” “W. W. Gilman,
Stoughton, Wis., asks: what is best to do when little brown
lice get among eggs?” Naphtha would probably extermin-
ate them. Blake’s Cones we have found a good preventive.
He also asks ‘the scientific name of what is commonly

called the ‘ Hell-diver’ round here.”

New York Laws As To Brrp COLLECTING. S. H, Loom-
is, Geneva, N. Y., asks whether it is possible for him to
obtain papers authorizing him to collect birds and eggs
without being liable to the law.” Weare unable to add
anything to the note in May O. and O, (p 62). Perhaps
some N. Y. collector will give the information our corre-
spondeunt asks for.

J. P. Loose, College of St..James, Md., sends us an account
of his finding a nest of the Tufted Titmouse, (Lophophanes
bicolor). We are sorry we cannot und room for his letter.

Notes from Julius Hurter, Ira W. Shaw, A. M. Drum- _

mond, H. A. Talbot, and C. 8. Phillips.

[Vol. 9-No. 6:

ea

“ORNITHOLOGIST

Su

—OOLOGIST.

$1.00 per "PRANK B. WEBSTER, PUBLISHER. Single Copy
Annum. Established, March, 1875. - 10 Cents.
VOL. IX. EEN OSB Be IR5 Ms HES

Miron ii in the Pivicsiccinpt yoiten

492 43.45 Wis. La Crosse. Charles H. Stoddard.

62a 38.45 Mo. Mt. Carmel. Mrs. M. Musick.

66a 40.20 Ia. Keokuk. Wm. E. Praeger.
67a 40.50 Burlington. Prof. C. J. Reed.
76a 41.38 ‘ Iowa City. J. W. Preston.
79a 42.01 § Grand Junction. Tenny Smith.

84a 42.55 ‘* Williamstown. F. George.

STa 43.38 Minn. Fairmont. B. E. St. John,
106a 33.11 Tex. Decatur. Mrs. F. M. Houts.
118a 38.45 Kan. Ellsworth. James McMaster.
11Sa 40.21 Neb. Davenport. J. Nelson, Jr.

134 50.30 Man. Oak Point. A. T. Small.

Above will be found the names of ob-
servers that have been received since the
publication of the map and list. The total
number of observers to date is 151, repre-
senting thirteen States, two Territories
and Manitoba. Unavoidable circumstances
have absolutely forbidden the preparation
of any article for this number, but we
think we are safe in promising full notes
for the rest of the year. There certainly
is plenty of material to draw from. Let
us take a short account of stock on hand.
There have been received to date about
550 letters and there are about 100 yet to
come. They will average not less than
twenty notes to the letter, dozens of
them running over fifty notes apiece, and
one, from a lady, occupies sixteen foolscap
pages and contains 174 observations. At
twenty notes each we have a grand total
of 13,000 items of interest in the life his-
tory of our birds which the observers of
the Mississippi valley have recorded the
past spring and summer. Were we to oc-

cupy every page of the O. and O. for the |

rest of the year, but a small part of the
notes could be used, and much more than

pee

half of ike 495 species would have to be
slighted, while our stock of letters, which
now stands oyer three feet high, would not
be greatly diminished. Nor has the work
been all on the part of the observers. My
letter-book contains the record, since the
Ist of January, of 525 letters and postals,
and of the distribution of 470 circulars.

The work so far has been the study of
spring migration, but however extended
and thorough this may be, our task is not
completed until we have learned just as
much of that more difficult subject, fall
migration. Probably few of the observers,
who for years have been noting spring ar-
rivals, have ever made a fall note, and for
this reason I make the following request :

I would like to have all of the observers
pay some attention to the return and de-
parture of the birds next fall; not for the
sake of the notes that will be collected,
but for the sake of the discipline. The
conditions of the return movement are so
different from those of the advance that
few will be able to make a successful
study of it upon first trial; but after one
fall of apprenticeship the observers will
be ready to do good work next year.

I should be glad to receive a copy of
whatever notes are made, especially of the
movements of those birds which spend
the winter in the vicinity of the station;
that is, I would like to have the birds
traced to their winter homes and their
habits studied all through the cold season.

Before fall migration begins more ex-
plicit directions will be issued.— JW. W.
Cooke, Red Rock, Indian Territory.

Copyright, 1884, by Frank B.

WEBSTER and Eaton CLIFF.

neo

78 ORNITHOLOGIST

[Vol. 9-No. 7

The Terns in Nova Scotia.

[FROM ADVANCE SHEETS OF “OUR BIRDS IN

THEIR HAUNTS,” BY J. H. LANGILLE. |

Outside of Mahone Bay on the south
shore of Nova Scotia, are several islands of
interest in respect to Ornithology. Flat
Island, near Tancook, is a grand resort for
several species of Terns. It comprises
about a hundred acres, is clear of trees, and,
as its name implies, is comparatively level.
Ledges of slate crop out here and there,
however, forming low ridges with marshy
patches intervening. As one approaches
the rocky shores, large numbers of Terns
are seen scouring the surface of the water
for food. Of all the birds of our northern
seas, these are the most elegant and grace-
ful. Mackerel Gulls, the fishermen call
them, but, though nearly related, they are
no Gulls at all. Bearing a resemblance in
almost every point to these larger and more
bulky birds, they are of a much more slen-
der and delicate mould. Small and light-
bodied, fork-tailed, with slender, pointed
bill, long, pointed wings, and small, webbed
feet, they are the very ideal of a swimming
bird of flight. In no respect are they
divers, but birds of the air which delight to
The
soft silvery grey of the upper parts harmo-
nize finely with the sea and sky; the lighter
tint or white of the under parts, is pure as
the snowy crests of foam, while the crowns
of glossy black, and the bills and feet of
coral-red are points of bright and pleasing
contrast. What a powerful leverage in
that ethereal element, the air, have those
long pointed wings, raising the light body
several inches at every stroke, and serving
it as a well trimmed sail before the wind.
How lightly this bird drops upon the water
for its food of tiny fishes, too light and

sport on the surface of the waters.

airy to dive out of sight, and often carrying
its prey like a toy for some time, as if it
fished for sport rather than from hunger.
Occasionally a group of Terns will play

together with a little fish, one seizing it in —
the air as another drops it, and so passing —
it from bill to bill apparently for the mere —
sport of catching it. As the Tern flies low ©
over the water, its downward pointing bill
moving this way and that, it seems to be —
fishing in earnest; and again it gyrate;
high in the air, light, agile and airy as
swallow, and so suggests the propriety o
one of its names—the Sea Swallow.

It is on their breeding grounds, hoy
ever, that the Terns may be studied to tk —
best advantage. As one lands on Flat I
land, the air in every direction seems ali
with them. They rise beyond gun-shc
the great mass interjecting their snoy
circles against the sky and the aggrega
of their hoarse ter-r-r+-r, ter-r-r1-1-r, |
coming almost deafening. As one approacl
the resting places, which are here a_ ;
there all over the island, some will di’
down and hover noisily only a few yards
above one’s head. There it is that the pure
underparts, the gracefully spread tail, the
bright eyes, and the bills and feet of bright
carmine, appear to the best advantage. In
all their varyine attitudes, this moving
cloud of lithe and elegant creatures is a
most pleasing and animating sight.

In this dense, moving mass, the species
far the most numerous is the Arctic Tern
(Sterna macrura). Length, 14.00-17.00;
extent, 28.00-30.00; tail, 5.00-8.00 ; bill,
1.20-1.40; tarsus, .50-.67; this kind is a
little more bulky than the Wilson. It is
also generally distinguishable by its darker
underparts and its bill of clear carmine,
but is invariably so by its short tarsus,
only a half inch or a little more. In winter,
and during the second summers the fore-
part of the crown is white, as also in the
young of the year in its mottled plumage
of grey and brown and which was once
called the Portland Tern. The young have
the bill and feet black and the underparts
white even into the second summer. Habi-
tat, Europe, Asia, Africa, North America
generally, south to the Middle States, and

July, 1884.]

AND OOLOGIST. (2

on the Pacific to California.
Massachusetts northward.

Next in numbers, but few in comparison
with the former, as is also the case in all
the breeding places of the Terns visited on
the coast of the province is Wilson’s or the
Common Tern, (Sterna hirundo) Length,
some 14.00; extent about 30.00; tarsus,
.66-.87, and so noticeably larger than that
of the Arctic. Except in the points noted,
the two species are very similar, even to the
voice. In habitat, however, the Wilson be-
longs to the whole Atlantic coast, breeding
more or less throughout its range. In New
England it breeds the most commonly of
all its family. The black cap is retained
during the winter, but is more or less im-
perfect in the young, which are beautifully
mottled with grey and light brown, with
more or less dusky on the wing-coverts and
tail. Asin the young of the former, the
underparts are white, but the base of the
bill and the feet are yellowish. I found
this species breeding in large numbers on
one of the Western Islands in Georgian
Bay, and a few laying their eggs on the
muskrat-houses on St. Clair Flats. I think
they breed in the higher regions of the
Great Lakes generally.

Among the flocks of Terns on Flat Island,
I was not a little surprised to find a few of
the Roseate Terns, (Sterna paradisea).
From what I had learned in the books, I
should have scarcely expected to find this
species as far north as Portland, Maine.
Even on the wing it was readily distin-
euishable from the rest of its kind. Some
12.00-16.00 in length, and so a little less
than Wilson’s Tern, its tail is at least an
inch longer, and its entire form is more
slender and graceful, so much so as to be
noticeable even at a distance.

Other Terns appear almost clumsy in
comparison with it. The bill is black ex-
cept, perhaps, a slight patch of orange at
the base below; the silvery curtain above
is lighter and more exquisitely delicate even
_ than in the rest of the Terns, the black cap

Breeds from

extends well down the nape, the feet are
dark orange, and the underparts are white-
tinted throughout, even including the tail
coverts, with a delicate rose, the texture
and the color of the plumage being such as
searcely to be rivalled by the most ex-
quisite rose-tinted satin. The newly shot
specimen is simply charming, but the
brightness of the plumage is not retained
after death. Indeed all the Terns seem to
lose their highest beauty when cold, their ex-
treme delicacy of color being consistent
only with the warm glow of life. A bird is
a highly specialized and beautiful object,
especially the more chastely colored birds
of the sea; but what on the whole Atlantic
can equal the graceful form, bill and crown
of ebony, back of burnished silver, hoary,
dark-tipped wings and breast of blushing
rose, of this Roseate Tern! The more gor-
geous birds of the tropics compare with it,
as the dahlia and the peony, with the rose
and the water-nymph. In motion it is no
less charming, its flight being peculiarly
airy and dashing, the slender pointed wing's
and long forked tail being the most grace-
ful possible.

The note of this Tern always advised me
of its presence. I could not make out the
“hew-it repeated at frequent intervals,” but
essentially the same ter-r-rrr, ter-1-r-1-7,
as given by the other Terns, only on ¢
lower key and in a rougher, hoarser tone,
as if aspiring to a fine falsetto.

Muskegat Island, near Nantucket, seems
to be the principal breeding place of this
species.

T did not see Forster's Tern, (Sterna fors-
teri,) in Nova Scotia. New England orni.-
thologists testify to its rarity on their coast.
Its place of breeding is believed to be in
the upper regions of the Great Lakes.
Only a few nest, like the Wilson’s Tern,
on the muskrat houses of St. Clair Flats.
Mr. Maynard informs me that they breed in
large numbers on Cobb's Island off the
coast of Virginia. About the size and form
of Wilson’s Tern, this species seem to be

[Vol. 9-No. 7

80

ORNITHOLOGIST

the counterpart of that, the underparts be-
ing pure white instead of drab and the tail
silvery instead of white, the outer vanes of
the long outer feathers white and the inner
darker than the rest of the tail. In winter
plumage it is distinguishable from the dis-
appearing of the black crown except a black
stripe on each side of the head. Its note
is similar to that of the Common Tern but
noticeably on a lower key. ;

The nesting of the four species of Terns
above given is quite similar, and under cer-
tain circumstances quite variable.

Commonly the nest is a depression in
the ground with a slight arrangement of
dried grasses. If the nest is in the grass, it
may be quite well built up; if on the shore,
it may be only a shght hollow in the sand;
or, fine pebbles on bits of slate may be cir-
cularly arranged after the manner of the
Kalldeer; or the egg or eges may be laid
directly on the green-sward. The com-
plete number of eggs is most commonly
two, often one, sometimes three. About
1.741.138 and regularly ovate, they are
some shade of ight green or light brown,
variously specked, spotted, and blotched
with dark brown and neutral, the markings
predominating at the larger end.

In some breeding places near the south-
west end of the province I could identify
none but the Arctic Terns, and so could feel
very well assured that I was examining
nothing but Arctic Tern’s nests, but where
several of the above species of Terns breed
in community, I do not see how the eges
and nests can be specifically determined—
their similarity is so great, and the birds
invariably leave the nests before one comes
near them. From eggs well identified, I
should think that possibly the ground
color of the eggs of the Arctic tends
rather to green, and that of the Wilson to
brown. More than that I could not affirm
as to any appreciable difference in the eges
of these two species.

ee se ovine

A Trip to a Heronry.

June 7, I visited, in company with a
friend, a tract of land inhabited by Night
Herons, in the southern part of Rhode
Island. Even at that comparatively early
date, most of the nests contained young
birds, and those too, nearly full grown.
As our visit was limited to the short space
of an hour, we were content to obtain a
few eggs and birds, and not to explore the
whole place, which probably covered sev-
eral acres of land. The entrance to the
swamp was a narrow cow-path, on each
side of which the briars were so closely in-
terwoven that one was hardly able to pene-
trate.

As we came towards the heronry, nu-
merous cries of “quack,” “quack,” were
heard, and the birds immediately left the
nests and hovered over the place. On
glancing at the trees within, we could see
numerous nests, with young birds stretch-
ing their long necks over the sides. The
trees mostly chosen were maples, and every
tree contained from six to twelve nests.
At the foot of the trees, egg shells, dead
fish, and here and there dead birds were
to be seen. The lower parts of the tree
and the ground below, were covered with
the incessant droppings, and the whole
place seemed to have been whitewashed.

I first climbed one of the trees and soon
was down with several sets of four eggs.
We found this to be the usual number; of
ten there were but three. A look at us two
creatures on coming down from the trees
would have made the most sober person
laugh. I appeared to have been painted
white from head to foot, while my com-
panion was as bad. However, as we were
“vigged out’ for the occasion, we soon
were used to the sight and smell. We ob-
tained one beautiful specimen of a male
Heron, and admired the neat plumage of
this otherwise disgusting bird.

To give some idea as to the number of
the nests and eggs, I would say that I

‘July, 1884.]

AND OOLOGIST. 81

could frequently reach from one tree to
another and take two or three sets of eggs.
The young Herons were exceedingly vicious,
and upon our appearing at the nests, they
would dart their huge bills towards our
faces and make queer noises.

Several Snowy Herons were seen but
we could get no shot at them. Arriving
home, on counting the eggs, my share came
to just eighty, thirteen of which were sets
of four, the rest sets of three and single
eggs. A correct estimate of the number of
the nests in the place could not be made,
but it certainly went into the thousands.—
HI, A. Talbot, Providence, R. I.

Five Additions to the Avi-fauna of
; Michigan.

1. Lone-ramerp CutcKaner, (Parus atri-
capillus septentrionalis).—Captured May
29, 1874. The plumage of this specimen
was very much bleached and faded, the
tail was a trifle less than three inches, the
size of tarsus and foot excessively large for
so small a bird. One specimen has been
taken since the above date.

2. Brown-Heapep Nvruarcu, (Sitta
pusilla).—Taken May 12,1875. This bird
was sent in the flesh to Mr. W. H. Collins
of Detroit, to be mounted, but on account
of the warm weather, it spoiled before
reaching hin.

3. Gray-HEADED Snow Birp, (J22co cin-
ereus caniceps).—This bird was taken alive
from a small bunch of Tory weeds, among
the burrs of which it had become acci-
dentally entangled. It was placed under
a sieve in the chamber of my barn until I
could give it better quarters, but while
feeding it, the next morning, it succeeded in
getting away from me.

4. Western NonpareIn,
versicolor).—I shot this specimen, which
proved to be a male in full plumage, May
18, 1874. At the request of Prof. Baird
the mounted bird was sent to Mr. Ridgway,
of the Smithsonian, for identification, who

( Cyanospiza

wrote me as follows: “The specimen sent
for examination is unquestionably C. versi-
color.” This is believed to be the first
occurrence or capture of the Western
Nonpareil within the limits of the United
States. The specimen is in the collection
of Prof. J. M. B. Sill, of Detroit.

5. Grounp Dovn, (Chamcepelia pass-
erina).—I met with a pair of Ground Doves
in the township of Brighton, Livingston
Co., in the summer of 1843. They were
so tame that I walked up within 25 or 30
feet of them, where my opportunity to
identify them was nearly as good as if I
had them in my hand. I watched them
for a long time, greatly pleased with their
tender cooing notes and innocent ways.—
Dr. H. A. Atkins, Locke, Michigan.

Among the Red-tails.

One of the commonest birds of prey to
be found in Northern Illinois, is the Red-
tailed Hawk (Buteo borealis.) A person
will meet with them in all sorts of places,
but they are most common in the vicinity
of heavy timber. In driving through the
country one will see them perched upon
rail fences, trees by the wayside, sitting
on the ground in stubble or pasture fields,
or soaring over fields in search of their
prey. When on one of his foraging ex-
peditions the Red-tail, on sighting his
prey, will remain at the same place in the
air by a continual flapping of the wings,
when at the proper time he will dive
swiftly and silently upon it. Their food
consists chiefly of small animals, the
striped gopher and ground mole being his
favorites. Small snakes are also very often
eaten by them ; indeed, during the months
of July and August it is pretty hard to
find one that does not contain one or
more of these reptiles along with their
other food. For several years I have tried
in yain to procure some good sets of their
eggs, but found I was almost always too
late, as the eggs would be too far ad-
vanced in incubation or would be hatched.

82 _ ORNITHOLOGIST

[Vol. 9-No. 7

This spring (1884) I determined to be on
the war-path in time. arly in March, I
had occasion to pass several times a week
near a heavy timber, about four miles
from town. My attention was often at-
tracted by about a dozen Crows, near the
edge of the timber, making a great outcry
over something they evidently did not
fancy. Thinking there might be a Great-
horned Owl’s nest in that timber, I visited
it on March 21st, and discovered a very
large nest in the forks of a Poplar tree,
about sixty feet from the ground, on
which a large Red-tail was seated, appar-
ently taking the world easily in spite of
the noise made by the clamorous Crows.
Not having my climbing-irons, I was
obliged to leave them until March 24th,
when I took a beautiful set of two eggs.
The ground color was a dull white, beauti-
fully marked with obscure lilac and brick-
red; one of them had a zone of brick-red
blotches extending around the smaller
end, and the rest of the surface was en-
tirely covered with obscure lilac. The
nest was a bulky affair, consisting chiefly
of large sticks, some of which were two
feet long and three-fourths of an inch
thick. Being placed in the forks of a tree,
they were obliged to build to a height of
two feet before the nest was of the re
quired diameter, which was about thirty
inches.
deep and was lined with corn husks, strips
of bark, etc. This had the appearance of
an entirely new nest. This pair of birds
lingered around the nest for two weeks
and then went half a mile north, amongst
large white oaks, and commenced to build
a second nest, which they completed in
about ten days. April 22d, by the aid of
chmbing-irons, I secured the second: set
of three from a nest very similar to the
first in a large white oak, forty-five feet
from the ground. This set was blotched
with obscure lilac like the first, the only
difference in general markings being the

lighter color, and the brickred was

The cavity was about four inches.

changed to a very light brown. After re-
maining near this nest for a week they
went two miles southeast and commenced
to build a third nest, and to avoid further
depredations from mankind they placed
this nest in an almost inaccessible place in
a large Cottonwood tree, which stood in a
pasture field, ten rods from the main body
of the woods.
completed when it was partially destroyed
by a storm, but they immediately begun
to set to work to repair damages and in a
short time had it ready for their third set.
I was now pretty sure of securing the
third set, but was doomed to disappoint-
ment; for on visiting the place, May 15th,
I found the nest destroyed and one of the
birds nailed to the tree with outstretched
wings. I am sure these three nests were
all built by the same birds; for one of
them had several feathers missing from
one wing, which afforded a sure mark. A
few days after getting my first set, I was
showing them to a young man attending
my school, and he told me of a nest forty
rods from his home, where he said a pair
had reared their young for a number of
years. His home being my boarding place
for five days each week, I had a fine op-
portunity of observing them. On March
27th, they commenced repairing their nest,
which was on a lofty Basswood tree,
eighty feet from the ground on a steep
hillside. One of the topmost branches
had broken off and fallen across a horizon-
tal one a short distance from where it
forked and formed quite an extensive plat-
form on which the nest was built. This,
like the former nests, was built of large
sticks and lined with bark, corn husks, ete.
Having a good field telescope, I could see
the movements of the birds very plainly
from my window, and it was very interest-
ing to watch their movements as they la-
bored to get the nest in trim. Morning
seemed to be their busiest part of the day.
IT am afraid if they knew my intentions
they would have abandoned that particu-

The nest was very nearly ©

———

July, 1884.]

AND OOLOGIST.

83

lar part of the world entirely and gone to
some place where egg collectors are as
scarce as Red-tailed Hawks are in others.
By April 3d, their work on the nest was
done and after a very laborious climb
April 7th, I was rewarded with a fine set
of three eggs, pure white. I then visited
a Cooper's Hawk's nest and returned half
an hour later and found the female sitting
on the empty nest. They visited the nest
daily for several weeks and sometimes the
female would sit for several hours upon it,
but I am certain they did not lay again ;
for I climbed to it April 28th and found
it empty. They have not built a second
nest, but have remained very close to the
old one up to this time (June 4th). . At
any hour of the day you can find both
birds very close to the tree containing

the nest. Will they use this nest again
next spring? ‘Time will tell. Another
question: Why do they stay so close

to their nest all this time without lay-
ing when the other pair were so per-
sistent as to construct three different
nests? On April 12th, I found two more
nests, both of which were occupied by
birds, and also another on April 19th, all
of which were in places not to be reached
without endangering life or limb. My
time was very limited at this season of the
year for collecting, or I doubtless could
haye taken more. May 26th, a friend who
has been trying to raise them by hatching
the eggs under a hen, sawed off a horizon-
tal limb of an oak, forty-five feet from the
ground, on which was placed a nest con-
taining three young, about half grown.
The young were all killed by the fall.
Nests contaming two young or two eggs
are very rare in this locality. Three is the
usual number, and in one instance I found
four. A few years ago there was a poultry
show here, and among other things on ex-
hibition was a beautiful pair of these
birds. A gentleman had brought them in
from the country. On questioning him as
to the mode of capture, he informed me

that he had taken them both in steel
traps, by placing the trap on the ground
in a meadow and partially covering it with
grass and placing a piece of rabbit fur on
top. He said on seeing it they would make
aswoop and get caught. They appear very
contented while in captivity and, if young,
will soon take food from the hand. <A gen-
tleman near here has one in the same cage
with a Bald Eagle and they are very con-
tented. I am going to capture one this
fall and put it in the cage with my Great-
horned Owl to see how they will get along
together. October and November are the
best months to collect cabinet specimens,
as the birds are then in their best plum-
age.—Horace A. Kline, Polo, Ill.

Black-throated Green Warbler.

June 14th, I found a nest of this species
containing three young, less than a week
old. The nest was ten feet from the
ground, saddled upon a maple limb and
held in place by several twigs, the leaves of
which made a complete covering over it.
Fine strips of. birch bark, cobwebs, dry
hemlock twigs, hairs, and fibrous barks,
closely interwoven, formed the exterior,
fine dry grass and fibrous barks, with an
abundant lining of hair, the interior; the
whole forming a neat and compact piece of
bird architecture. Measurements, outside
diameter, 3. 2.75 inches; height 2 inches;
inside diameter 1.75 1.50 inches; depth
1.55 inches.

When first disturbed the female bird.
fluttered from the nest, alighting on the
ground almost at my feet, and remained so
for several minutes, showing no signs of
fear, but giving me an excellent oppor-
tunity of observing her.

Upon a subsequent visit, however, she
was very shy and wary, retirmg to the
thick foliage, where she frequently uttered
a “chip” not unlike that of the chipping
sparrow. This Warbler occurs here com-
monly as a migrant, and rarely during the
breeding season.—C. O. T., Vaftsville, Vt.

84 a ORNITHOLOGIST
ISOS;
ORNITHOLOGIST

OOLOGIST.

A MONTHLY MAGAZINE OF

INE AN IRIAN IG, IBUIUS WT QIK,

ESPECIALLY DEVOTED TO THE STUDY OF

BIRDS,

THEIR NESTS AND EGGS.

DESIGNED AS A MEANS FOR THE INTERCHANGE OF NOTES

AND OBSERVATIONS ON BIRD LIFE.

FRANK B. WEBSTER, Publisher,

PAWTUCKET, R. I.

Editor’s Notes.

The new series of our Magazine has
now passed safely its first half-year, and
we take the opportunity which this con-
sideration suggests, to thank our contribu-
tors for the zeal and earnestness with
which they have seconded the efforts of
the Editor to sustain its position, and to
carry out the objects it was designed to
accomplish.

The Editor has been much encouraged
by numerous testimonies from unexpected
sources in appreciation of the Magazine,
and desires to acknowledge in this manner
many communications which it has been
impossible to reply to more directly.

The Publisher would add_ his
acknowledgement of support, but regrets

also

it must be accompanied by the announce-
ment that the subscription list is not yet
long enough to cover the year’s expenses,
which are heavier than were at first con-
templated.

For some reason at present unknown to
us the Smithsonian Check List cannot be
obtained from the Institute. We hope
another edition is being printed or will be
shortly. There is a constant demand for

[Vol. 9-No. 7

the work, which the-Smithsonian authori-
ties should find means to supply—at any
rate “until its successor arrives.”

Amongst the publications announced as
soon to be issued is “ Our Birds in their
Haunts,” by the Rev. J. H. Langille, of
Buffalo. To judge from the extracts that
have come under our observation, the work
is written in a popular and entertaming
style. Itis also written “almost entirely
from personal observation,” a fact which
must commend it to all seeking additional
knowledge of our Birds.

International Ornithological Con-

gress at Vienna.

Herr Tschusi sends us a copy of the
resolutions at the Congress, of which we
give a translation.

“The First International Ornithological
Congress assembled at Vienna resolves:

1. To elect a standing International
Committee for the appointment of Bird-
observing stations, of which the Crown-
Prince is asked to take the Protectorate.

2. To ask the Austro-Hungarian Govy-
ernment to make representations to all
those countries not represented in this
Congress with a view to their arranging
for Ornithological Observation Stations,
and to their notifying the President of
this Committee of proper persons inter-
ested in the matter.

3. To request the delegates of the
States here represented to suggest to their
respective governments as follows:

a. The arrangement, so far as may be
possible, of Ornithological Observation
Stations.

db. The granting of money to carry on
the business of the Stations and for the
publication of the annual record of their
observations of birds; also to appoint
local committees in their various States to
be under the general direction of the
President of the International Committee.

SECU

July, 1884.]

AND OOLOGIST. 85

4. To request the Committees to work
after a common plan as follows ;

a. The Ornithological observations will
be spread over the entire inhabited globe,
but in their first lines (in erster linie) will
be attempted in Europe.

6. The observations will be made so
far as possible on one plan, for which the
Austro Hungarian and German will serve
as a basis.

e. Upon this basis (see the German
and Austro-Hungarian reports) the com-
munications coming in from the different
States are to be worked up and systemati-
cally arranged, if possible, with the same
system of nomenclature, and always with
the same scientific names.

d. A check list of the native Birds of
each country is to be kept after the plan
of that made for Austro-Hungary by E.
yon Homeyer and von Tschusi—the par-
ticular local names being added.

e. Every effort should be made to en-
list the interest in the observations of
Academies, Natural History Museums,
Societies, ete.; also Consulates, Catholic
and Protestant Missions, Meteorological
Stations, Journals of Natural Science,
Teachers, Foresters, Inspectors of Light-
houses, ete.

fj. If skilful observers are at hand,
drawings should be made of all species of
birds. Where this cannot be done, it is
to be left to the discretion of the commit-
tees to name some species well known to
all friends of nature, for special exami-
nation.

g. It would be desirable at the same
time to note anything unusual in the
Animal and Vegetable Kingdoms; also
the Meteorological phenomena.

5. In the International Committee each
country is to be represented by one or
more delegates, according to its size and
importance. The Committee has the right
to appoint representatives to serve for
those countries not represented in this
Congress.”

List of Birds
COLLECTED IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF ST. LOUIS, MO., BY
JULIUS HURTER, 2,346 S. 10th STREET, ST. LOUIS.

The extent of observations and collec-
tions takes in a circle with a radius of
eight to ten miles from the court house of
St. Louis as a centre. Thinking that it
would be entirely wrong to make a politi-
cal barrier for our birds, I extended my
observations also to the opposite side of
the Mississippi river into Illinois, as there
is a real paradise of water birds.

The nest was found of those birds that are marked”
1* Hylocichla mustelina, (Gmel.) Baird. Wood Thrush.
Summer resident ; common.
2 H. fuscescens, (Steph.) Baird.
gratory; rare. May 3.
3 H. aliciw, Baird. Gray-cheeked Thrush.
rare.
4 H. ustulata swainsoni, (Caban.) Ridgw.
Thrush. Migratory; May 17.
5 H. unalasce pallasi, (Caban.) Ridgw. Hermit Thrush.
Migratory Spring and Fall; abundant.
6* Merula migratoria, (Linn.) Sw. & Rich.
Robin. Summer resident; common.
T Mimus polyglottus, (Linn.) Boie. Mockingbird.
mer resident ; abundant.
8* Galeoscoptes carolinensis, (Linn.) Caban.
Summer resident : common.
9* Harporhynchus rufus, (Linn.) Caban.
er. Summer resident; abundant.
10* Sialia sialis, (Linn.) Haldem. Bluebird.
resident; abundant.
11* Polioptila cerulea, (Linn.) Scl. Blue-gray Gnatcatch-
er. Summer resident; abundant.
12 Regulus calendula, (Linn.) Licht. Ruby-crowned
Kinglet. Migrant, April and Oct.; abundant.
13 R. satrapa, Licht. Golden-crowned Kinglet.
tory, Spring and Fall. Abundant.
14* Lophophanes bicolor, (Linn.) Bp.
Resident and common.
15* Parus atricapillus, (Linn.) Black-capped Chickadee.
Resident; not quite as common.
16 P. carolinensis, Aud. Carolina Chickadee.
17* Sitta carolinensis, (Gmel.) White-bellied Nuthatch.
Common ; resident.
18 S. canadensis, Linn.
tory; rare; Sept. 11.
19 Certhia familiaris rufa, (Bartr.) Ridgw.
Creeper. Transient; Jan. 16.
20* Thryothorus ludovicianus, (Gm.) Bp.
Resident; not uncommon.
21* Thryomanes bewicki, (Aud.) Baird.
Summer sojourner ; March 27.
22* Troglodytes aedon, (Vieill.) House Wren.
sojourner; abundant.
23 Anorthura troglodytes hyematis, (Vieill.) Coues.
ter Wren. Transient ; Oct. 5, Feb. 7.
24 Telmatodytes palustris, (Wils.) Baird. Long-billed
Marsh Wren. Migratory ; common in suitable places
Sept. 21.
Cistothorus stellaris, (Licht.) Caban. Short-billed
Marsh Wren. Migratory; not as common as the
preceding one; Sept. 21, April 27.

Wilson’s Thrush. Mi-
Migratory ;

Olive-backed

American
Sum-
Catbird.
Brown Thrash-

Summer

Migra-

Tufted Titmouse.

Red-bellied Nuthatch. Migra-
Brown
Carolina Wren.
Bewick’s Wren.
Summer

Win-

no
oO

86

26
27"
2S*
29*
30*
31
32
33

34

45

Lark. Migratory; Oct. 23; a flock of about thirty
remained for three weeks.

Mniotilta varia, (Linn.) Vieill.
Creeper. Summer sojourner.

Protonotaria citrea, (Bodd.) Baird. Prothonotary
Warbler. Summer sojourner; abundant; April 27.

Helminthotherus vermivorus, (Gmel.) Saly. & Godm.
Worm-eating Warbler. Summer sojourner; rare.

Helminthophaga pinus, (Linn.) Baird. Blue-winged
Yellow Warbler. Summer sojourner.

H. chrysoptera, (Linn.) Baird. Golden-winged War-
bler. Summer sojourner; May 6.

H. rujicapilla, (Wils.) Baird.
Transient ; May 2; Sept. 15.

H. celata, (Say.) Baird. Orange-crowned Warbler.
Transient; rare; April 20.

H. peregrina, (Wils.) Baird. Tennessee Warbler.
Transient; the most common of the Helminthopha-
ge; May 10, Sept. 24.

Parula americana, (Linn.) Bp. Blue Yellow-backed
Warbler; Summer sojourner, April 14.
Perissoglossa tigrina, (Gmel.) ~ Baird.
Warbler. Transient; rare; May 2.
Dendreeca cstiva, (Gmel.) Baird.
Bird. Abundant. :
D. cerulescens, (Linn.) Baird. Black-throated Blue

Warbier. Transient, rare; Sept. 24.

D. coronata, (Linn.) Gray Yellow-rump Warbler. Mi-
gratory ; abundant.

D. maculosa, (Gmel.) Baird. Black and Yellow War-
bler. Migratory; May 3—15.

D. cerula, (Wils.) Baird. Cerulean Warbler.
mer sojourner.

D. pennsylwanica, (Linn.) Baird. Chestnut-sided War-
bler. Transient; May 10, Sept. 13.

D. castanea, (Wils.) Baird. Bay-breasted Warbler.
Transient ; May 11.

D. striata, (Forst.) Baird. Black-poll Warbler. Tran-
sient; May 5.

D. blackburnic, (Gm.) Baird. Blackburnian Warbler.
Transient; May 16, Sept. 13.

D. dominica, (Linn.) Baird. Yellow-throated Warbler.
Transient ; rare; April 24.

D. virens, (Gmel.) Baird. Black-throated Green
Warbler, Transient; May 16, Oct. 5.

D. pinus, (Wils.) Baird. Pine-creeping
April 30.

D. palmarum (Gmel.) Baird. Red-poll Warbler. Tran-
sient. April 23.

D. discolor, (Vieill.) Baird. Prairie Warbler.
sojourner.

Siurus wwricapillus, (Linn.) Swains.
Thrush. Summer sojourner.

S. neevius, (Bodd.) Coues. Small-billed Water Thrush.
Transient ; May 17.

S. motacilla, (Vieill.) Coues. Large-billed
Thrush. Summer sojourner; April 17.
Oporornis agilis (Wils.) Baird. Connecticut Warbler.
Transient ; May 23.

Black and White

Nashville Warbler.

Cape May

Summer Yellow

Sum-

Warbler.

Summer

Golden-crowned

Water

O. formosa, (Wils.) Baird. Kentucky Warbler. Sum-
mer sojourner; May 14; abundant.
Geothlypis philadelphia, (Wils.) Baird. Mourning

Warbler. Transient; May 19; rare.

G. trichas, (Linn.) Caban. Maryland Yellow-throat.
Summer sojourner ; April 27; abundant.

Icteria virens, (Linn.) Baird. Yellow-breasted Chat.
Summer sojourner; April 28.
Myiodioctes mitratus, (Gmel.) Aud.
Summer sojourner.

Hooded Warbler.

60

61

68*

69*

M. pusillus, (Wils.) Bp. Black-capped Yellow War-
bler. Transient ; May 9, Sept. 6.

M. canadensis, (Linn.) Aud. Canadian Fly-catching
Warbler. Transient; May 10, Sept. 3.
Setophaga ruticilla, (Linn.) Swains.
Summer sojourner ; May 1.
Vireosylvia olivacea, (Linn.) Bp. Red-eyed Vireo.
Summer sojourner ; abundant; April 28.

Am. Redstart.

V. philadelphica, Cass. Philadelphia Vireo. Tran-
sient ; rare; May 22.
V. gilva, (Vieill.) Cass. Warbling Vireo. Summer

sojourner ; May 12.

Lanivireo flavifrons, (Vieill.) Baird. Yellow-throated
Vireo. Summer sojourner.

L. solitarius, (Vieill.) Baird. Blue-headed Vireo. Tran-
sient; April 30.
Vireo noveboracensis, (Gmel.) Bp.
Summer sojourner; May 10.
V. belli, Aud. Bell’s Vireo. Summer sojourner ; May 1.
Lanius borealis, Vieill. Great Northern Shirke. Win-
ter visitor ; rare; Jan. 3.

DL. ludovicianus, Linn. Loggerhead Shrike.
resident ; abundant.

Ampelis cedrorum, (Vieill.) Baird. Cedar Wax-wing.
Resident ; Feb. 3.

Progne subis, (Linn.) Baird. Purple Martin. Summer
sojourner; March 30.
Petrochelidon lunifrons, (Say) Lawr.
Summer sojourner ; April 14.
Hirundo erythrogastra, Bodd. Barn Swallow.
mer sojourner; April 15.

Tachycincta bicolor, (Vieill.) Caban. White-bellied
Swallow. Summer sojourner; April. 16.
Cotile riparia, (Linn.) Boie. Bank Swallow. Summer
sojourner; May 1.

White-eyed Vireo.

Summer

Clif— Swallow.

Sum-

serripennis, (Aud.) Baird. Rough-
Summer sojourner ; April 15.
Scarlet Tanager. Sum-

Stelgidopteryx
winged Swallow.

Pyranga rubra, (Linn.) Vieill.
mer sojourner; April 30.

P. cestiva, (Linn.) Vieill.
sojourner ; April 30.
Carpodacus purpureus, (Gm.) Baird. Purple Finch.
Winter visitor; Oct. 28.

Aegiothus linaria, (Linn.) Caban.
Winter Visitor; rare; Feb. 12.

Astragalinus tristis, (Linn.) Cab. Am. Goldfinch.
Summer resident ; a few seen in Winter ; common.
Chrysomitris pinus, (Wils.) Bp. Pine Goldfinch. Win-
ter visitor ; rare; Oct. 28.
Centrophanes lapponicus,
Longspur. Winter visitor;
March 9.

C. pictus, (Swains.) Caban.
tory ; rare; May 3.
Poeecetes gramineus, (Gm.) Baird, Grass Finch. Sum-
mer sojourner ; not common; April 12.

Passerculus sandwichensis savanna, (Wils.) Ridgw.
Savannah Sparrow. April 25; rare ; transient.
Coturniculus passerinus, (Wils.) Bp. Yellow-winged
Sparrow. Not often seen; April 26; Summer so-
journer.

Ammodromus caudacutus, (Gm.) Swains. Sharp-tailed
Finch. Noy. 10; Winter visitor; only once met.
Chondestes grammica, (Say) Bp. Lark Finch. Sum-
mer sojourner; abundant ; April 15.

Zonotrichia leucophrys, (Forst.) Swains.
crowned Sparrow. Winter sojourner.

Z. albicollis, (Gm.) Bp. White-throated Sparrow.
Winter sojourner ; common.

Summer Redbird. Summer

Common Redpoll.

(Linn.) Caban.
abundant 3

Lapland
Dec. 20,

Smith’s Longspur. Migra-

White-

[Vol. 9-No. 7

87

July, 1884]

94 Spizella montana, (Forst.) Ridgw. Tree Sparrow.
Winter visitor; common.
95* S. domestica, (Bartr.) Coues. “Chipping Sparrow. Sum-
mer sojourner; April 12; common.
96 S. pallida, (Sw.) Bp. Clay-colored Sparrow. Migra-
tory, April 28, Sept. 24; rare.
97* S. pusilla, (Wils.) Bp. Field Sparrow.
journer ; abundant.
98 Junco hyematis, (Linn.) Scl.
visitor ; very common.
99 Melospiza fasciata, (Gmel.) Scott.
Winter visitor.
M. palustris, (Wils.) Baird.
and transient visitor.
M. lincolni, (Aud.) Baird. Lincoln’s Finch. Rare; May 3.
Passerella iliaca, (Merrem) Sw. Fox-colored Sparrow.
Transient; Feb. 14.
103* Pipilo erythrophthalmus, (Linn.) Vieill. Chewink.
Summer resident ; some remain over winter.
Cardinalis virginianus, (Briss.) Bp. Cardinal Gros-
beak. Resident ; abundant.
105* Zamelodia ludoviciana, (Linn.) Coues.
ed Grosbeak. Summer sojourner.
106* Passerina cyanea, (Linn.) Gray.
Summer sojourner; April 25.
107* Spiza americana, (Gm.) Bp. Black-throated Bunting.
Snmmer sojourner. Abundant.

Summer so-
Black Snowbird. Winter
Song Sparrow.

Swamp Sparrow. Winter

Rose-breast-

Indigo Bunting.

108 Dolichonyx oryzivorus, (Linn,) Sw. Bobolink. Tran-
sient ; May 2 to 10.

109* Mo’othrus ater, (Bodd.) Gray. Cowbird. Summer
sojourner; March 1.

110 NXanthocephalus icterocephalus, (Bonap.) Bd. Yellow

headed Blackbird. Transient; rare; May 4.
111* Ageleus pheniceus, (Linn.) Vieill. Red-and-buff-
shouldered Blackbird. Common; summer sojourner.
112* Sturnella magna, (Linn.) Sw. Meadow Lark. Sum-
mer sojourner.
113* Icterus spurius, (Linn.) Bp.
mer sojourner.
Scolecophagus ferrugineus, (Gm.) Sw.
bird. Transient; winter.
Quiscalus purpureus eneus, (Ridgw.) Bronzed Grack-
le. Summer sojourner; abundant.
Corvus frugivorus, (Bartr.) Common Crow. Resident.
Cyanocitta cristata, (Linn.) Strickl. Blue Jay. Resident.
Shore Lark.

Orchard Oriole. Sum-

115 Rusty Black-

116*

117*
118*
119* Eremophila alpestris, (Eorst.) Boie.
Resident.
Tyrannus carolinensis, (Linn.) Temm.
Summer sojourner; April 24.

[To be Continued.]

120* Kingbird.

Californian Bewick’s Wren.

(Thryomanes bewicki spilurus.)

On April 28th a nest of four eggs was
taken, with the raspberry basket it was in.
It was placed in one of the drawers, that
are used to hold the baskets, and on the
top of a fruit chest they are shipped in,
about eleven feet from doors opening on
the street. Mrs. Bewick made her nest in
the open basket, laid her eggs, and went to
sitting, as unconcerned at the people pass-
ing in and out every day, and the cat hunt-

OOLOGIST.

ing around for mice, as though she was in
one of the safest brush heaps on the creek.
The size of basket is 4x34 inches, 2 in
depth, and square shaped. Nest composed
of a lot of straws in the bottom, then a
thick layer of wool, cow’s hair, cat's fur,
and a few spider's nests put in here and
there. Nest is lined with black and white
horse hair, with a lot of chickens feathers,
depth inside of nest 13, across top 2x25.
The eges were about seven days incubated,
three of them measure 0.67x0.50, the other
a trifle larger in breadth 0.67x0.55, color of
eges, a pearly white, marked with fine
specks of a dull red or cinnamon color,
forming a ring around the larger end; a few
dots are sprinkled all over the egg, and
shell markings can be seen of a lght
neutral tint underlying the red.

After the nest had been taken, they came
up to the house, and took up quarters be-
hind the lattice of the front porch, where
they commenced to build their second nest
with a lot of dead leaves, some weed stems
and fine rootlets. On these the walls were
put up of fine grass and spider's nests, lined
thick with cat’s fur, bits of cotton, a few
horse hairs, several feathers from the wing
of a Red-shafted Flicker, chicken’s feathers,
and a piece of snake skin, put in perhaps
as a kind of charm, though I have always
found the same in all of the Western house
Wren’s nests. The first egg was laid May
7th, then they. left for some reason, per-
haps on account of a litter of kittens the
cat had under there. I noticed the Wrens
scolding away at the cat, as she came out,
though they took no notice of her when she
was around the barn. A few days after
their leaving this nest, I found a pair had
started nest building in a wood-pile, not
four feet from the back kitchen window. I
doubt if this was the same pair. They had
taken in a lot of dry weeds, leaves and grass
and commenced the lining of cotton and
feathers; then gaveit up. On May 20th,
while on the creek under a bridge, I saw a
Bewick’s Wren go into a bunch of young

88

ORNITHOLOGIST

maple sprouts, growing out of the side of
the tree, as it leaned against the outside
stringer of the bridge almost on a level
with the road running on the bridge. After
the wren flew out I went up, parted the
sprouts and leaves, and found the nest in a
kind of hollow formed in the tree. In a very
small space were a few skeleton leaves,
rootlets and grass, lined with spider's nests,
rabbit's fur, a few horse hairs and chicken’s
feathers, with a piece of gopher snake skin.
The whole nest would lie on my hand. I
found three eggs in it on the 12th of May,
and on going to it on the 20th, took out
seven fresh eggs, which are now before me.
They are not so heavily marked as the set
of four, being much lighter, one hardly at
all—merely pin points; two of them measure
0.67x0.52, one 0.67x0.50, two 0.62x50, two
0.50x0.40. I have seen full fledged young
flying by May 1st. A nest was brought me
two years ago that had been built on a
cross-sill in a summer kitchen, where the
people were at work all day. Unfortu-
nately the eggs were all broken before the
nest reached me. It was made almost
wholly of chicken’s feathers and human
hair. This jovial little songster is with us
all the year round.— W. Otto Hmerson,
Haywards, Cat.

Mr. Emerson sends us a very beautifal drawing of the
nest first mentioned.—Ep.

Birds of the ‘‘Panhandle,’’ W. Va.

THE JOURNAL OF REY. W. E. HILL FROM JANUARY TO JUNE,
(INCLUSIVE) 1883.
PART V.

May 7. Secured specimens, one of each, of the follow-
ing Warblers: Black-throated Green, (Dendraca Virens,)
Blue Yellow-backed, (Parula Americana,) Yellow-rumped,
—my third specimen, a female, and a Nashville, (Helmin-
thophaga rujicapilla.)

The Black-throated Green has the back, hind head and
crown yellowish green, and the throat black; the sides of
the head are yellow, and the wing is blackish and crossed
with two heavy bars of white.

The Blue Yellow-backed is one of the smallest of this
family of small birds and one of the most beautiful. The
whole upper parts are a Prussian blue except a spot in the
middle of the back which is yellow; the wings are black
and crossed with two bars of white; the throat and breast
are rich yellow and orange with a curved line of black near

[ Vol. 9-No.7_

the jugulum. These two, with the Yellow-rump, I took in
high woodland. The Nashville I shot in my orchard. For
two or three days past had seen the last named very active
little bird gleaning among the apple blossoms without be-
ing able to fully identify it. The upper parts are greenish
yellow; the top and sides of the head ash; crown marked
with slight touches of chestnut; the whole under parts yel-
low. The superficial observer might readily mistake this
bird for the Summer Yellow-bird. All of the above are en
route—so far as known, never stopping here to breed.

Noted the first Wood Pewitt Flycatcher, (Contopus vi-
rens,) of the season. This bird, which much resembles the
Pheebe, frequents the wood lands and builds its nest in
trees, and may, at least, be recognized by its plaintive,
long-drawn-out note of pe-to-wee, with sometimes a rising
and sometimes a falling inflection on the last syllable.

Saw seven or eight Scarlet Tanagers, both male and fe-
male, all within limited bounds. One or two of the former
repeatedly, as I observed them, warbled out a strain of song,
consisting of four or five double slurred notes, not unlike
that of the Robin, but not, however, nearly so mellow or
musical. The Baltimore Orioles, since their first appear-
ance three or four days ago, haye become remarkably abun-
dant. The Wood Thrushes are very generally dispersed
throughout all our woods.

May 8. My Warbler game this morning included a fe-
male Blackburnian, a Nashville, a Black-and-White Creeper
and a Yellow-rump ; no new specimens. Every one of my
four little shooting excursions has included the last named
species, from which I infer it is among the most numerous
of our Warblers, at least during the Spring migrations. My —
gun, strangely enough, failed to bring down several rare (?)
and interesting (?) specimens.

Wherever there was a brier patch near to the border of a
wood I was almost sure to meet with the Maryland Yellow-
throat, (Geothlypis trichas.) This little bird never fails to
capture the affections of every one who makes his acquain-
tance—being modest in manner, confiding in spirit, tidy in
dress and sprightly in song. His olive-green dress, bright
yellow throat, and jet black stripe through the eye, reach-
ing from one side of the face to the other, are enough to
identify him.

The little Field Sparrow, (Spizel’a agrestis,) whichis com-
monly with us the first week in April, but whose arrival I
unwittingly failed to note, is very liberally distributed
throughout all our upland pasture fields, singing his sweet
little ditty, so easily distinguished from the song of all the
other Sparrows. This bird’s unmarked under parts and
whitish wing-bars and redish bill will enable one to separate
it from other Sparrows that frequent the fields.

Started a female Towhee Bunting from her nest almost
at my feet. This was near the edge of a wood, among the
grass, about ten feet from the foot of a tree, and un-
marked by stump, stone or shrub. It was sunk below the
surface of the ground, and consisted of two layers of
different materials, the first or outside being dead leaves,
the second or inside dried grasses, and the whole was par-
tially covered over with green or dried grass stems. It con-
tained four eggs—two of the owner’s and two of the Cow-
bird’s.

The following species not heretofore named, came under

my observation: The Eave’s Swallow, (Petrochelidon luni-

frons) ; the Red-eyed Vireo, (Vireo olivaceus); the Indigo

bird, (Passerinw eyanea,) and the American Titlark, (An-
thus ludovicianus.)

The Indigo-bird.is about the size of a Sparrow, and of a
general bluish color, with blackish wings and tail. It fre-
quents the borders of woods, also the roadside, perching

on fences.
Of the Titlarks, saw three or four in one company along

July, 1884]

AND OOLOGIST. 89

the roadside. This bird is but little larger than a Sparrow ;
the upper parts are dusky brown, lower faint yellowish
brown, breast spotted with black. It always walks or runs
but never hops. This is but a Spring passenger through
this district to the far north.

May 12. My observations to-day included that elegant
and rare bird, the Rose-breasted Grosbeak, (Zamelodia lu-
doviciana). Several days since I suspected seeing this bird
but only to-day was enabled to satisfy myself as toits iden-
tity. Met with two or three males and a female, all in a
small timbered and watered ravine. For a full hour I spent
in this locality, one of these birds never ceased to pour out
its voice in melody, only pausing long enough to fly from
one tree-top to another, often taking up its position in a
tree standing out in the open field. I was specially pleased
with its song, and if this be a specimen singer, do not hesi-
tate to rank this bird among the most delightful and accom-
plished songsters in all our woods. The whole head and
upper parts are black, save a white spot on the rump and
another on the wing ; the lower parts are white: a patch
of beautiful rose color on the breast is a prominent charac-
teristic. It is but a few years since these birds first made
their appearance in this district, but every year seem to be
growing more numerous.

Discovered the nests of the Brown Thrasher and the
Cardinal Grosbeak. The former was located in a thorn-
bush on the steep hill-side of a pasture field near to a
wood. It was an extremely homely piece of bird fabric,
consisting for the most part of course dead sticks of a uni-
form sooty-black color, with a few dried grasses for a lin-
ing. It contained three speckled eggs. The female seemed
to be brooding, and only left the nest when within arm’s
reach.

The nest of the Cardinal was built in a crab-apple tree,
in asheltered hollow, six feet from the ground, and was
composed of dried weed stalks and grasses—fine fibres of
the latter forming the lining—the whole rather loosely put
together. It contained two freshly laid eggs, one of which
I suspected of being the Cow bird’s.

May 16. An hour’s shooting at sunrising resulted in the
capture of the following: A Red-eyed Vireo (the victim of
mistaken identity), a Golden-crowned Thrush, (Siwrus auri-
capillus,) a Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, (Empidonax flaviven-
tris,) a Chestnut-sided Warbler, (Dendraca pennsylvanica,)
and two Black-throated Blue Warblers, (Dendreca cwrules-

cens,)—a male and a female.

The Golden-crown Thrush was perched on a small sap-
ling, about ten feet from the ground, uttering a series of
annimated and monotonous chirps which may be repre-
sented by the sylables, chippy, chippy, chippy, &e. This
bird is credited with remarkable capabilities as a songster,
but its song is about as rare as the flower of the century
plant. In ahundred years, so far as I can nnderstand, it
has been given to but one man to hear it. The following
will serve to identify it: In size it is no larger than the ay-
erage sparrow; the whole upper parts are a beautiful olive-
green; the lower parts are snow white; the breast is
thickly spotted with black; the head on the top is marked
by two black stripes, between which is a bed of golden
yellow. It builds an oven-shaped nest on the ground,
hence the name of Oven-bird, which is sometimes given it.

The Yellow-bellied Flycatcher I shot in a thicket of crab-
apple trees and thorn bushes. This bird is olive-green
above and pure yellow below, with two yellow wing bars.
The uniform clear yellow under parts, and the more con-
spicuous wing-bars will distinguish the species from several
others of nearly the same size and markings.

The Chestnut-sided Warbler wears a motley-colored
dress ; the upper parts are marked with black, yellow and
gray; below the wing isaline of chestnut, and the rest of

the under parts are white; there is a patch of yellow on
the top of the head. This bird I secured in a crab-apple
thicket.

The two Black-throated Blue Warblers I shot in different
localities in high woodland. The male isa handsome bird
of auniform slaty-blue above, and pure white below; the
sides of the head and the whole throat are jet black. I had
no little difficulty in identifying the female of this species,
so strangely different from the male in coloring and mark-
ings. The white spot on the wing at the base of the prima-
ries, common to both sexes, was the one clue to lead me
to its full recognition.

Started up a Whip-poor-will, (Antrostomus vociferus,) al-
most at my feet, and without trouble found its pair of eggs
on which it was brooding. This was a “rare find ”—one
which but rarely happens, even to the most industrious
nest-hunters, and those eggs would fill a “long felt want ”
in my cabinet. It is well known that this bird makes no
nest, but lays its eggs on the ground in woodland; in this
instance they were placed on a broad leaf with the least
perceptible depression towards the centre—enough to hold
them in place.

May 17. My apple orchard this morning seemed to be a
general rendezvous of the Warblers. At no time and no
where haye I seen them so numerous and in such variety
in the same bounds. Among others identified the Nash-
ville, the Black and yellow, the Chestnut-side, the Yellow-
wing and the Green Black-capped Warbler, (Wilsonia pu-
silla). Took a beautiful specimen of the latter. Wilson
says this bird has no song; others pass it over. Let jus-
tice be done. This, as well as the Chestnut-side, with which
it seems to be associated during the morning, has each its
own strain of song as characteristic and well defined, and,
at least, as sharp and energetic as that of the Summer Yel-
low-bird, so familiar to all, that of the Black-cap being
more prolonged than either of the others. Had the oppor-
tunity of hearing the musical performances of different in-
dividuals of each of the above species. During the hour or
two they remained they kept up a continual twittering and
chattering and warbling, their united yoices forming a most
interesting and, to my ear, most pleasing medley of bird-
song. The Black-cap is another © Yellow-bird” but may
be readily distinguished by its uniform Yellowish dress
(tinged with green above) and the glossy black patch coy-
ering the whole top of the head.

Brief Notes.

QuEsTIONS ANSWERED. NEST TO BEIDENTIFIED. HELL
Diver.—The solution to Albert H. Hawley’s question in
the O. and O. for June is easily given. If the measure-
ments of the egg had been noted the exact bird might have
been told, but as it is, there is little doubt of its being an
owl’s egg. All owls lay white eggs, nearly oval, varying in
size according to the bird. Several of our nocturnal Rapa-
cive nest in old Crow’s or Hawk’s nests. This is very com-
monly the case with the Great-horned Owl, (Bubo virgin-
tanus,) the Long-eared Owl, (Otus vulgaris,) and occasion-
ally the Barred Owl, (Syrnitwm nebulosum). In the find of
Mr. Hawley, the owl laid an egg, and before returning to
deposit the second egg, a pair of squirrels appropriated the
nest to raise their young, and arched it over with sticks
and leaves, thus excluding the former occupant. Squirrels
very commpnly roof over old nests which affords a protec-
tion for their young from cold, storms, and from being de-
voured by birds of prey. If the egg found by Mr. H. is
considerably oblong, there is a possibility of its belonging
toa Hawk. I have a clutch of four eggs of the Red-shoul-
dered Hawk, (Buteo lineatus,) in which are two white, or
rather cream-colored eggs, and two blotched ones.

90 ORNITHOLOGIST

[Vol. 9-No. 7

P
2

W. W. Gilman asks, June O. and O. ‘‘ the scientific name
of what is called the Hell-diver round here.” In this sec-
tion that name is given to the Dabchick—Bodilymbus podiceps
—Linn. Podiceps carolinensis—Lath.—Wm. Wood, East
Windsor Hill, Conn.

Duck Hawxz’s Nest.—S. W. Comstock, Greenfield, Mass.,
sends us a graphic description of two visits by members of
the Greenfield Natural History Society to Mt. Sugarloaf,
when they were fortunate enough to secure two sets of
Eggs of the Duck Hawk. He says:

“‘Mhis site has been used many years by the Hawks, two
nests of young having been taken, and one of two eggs
besides those of ours, and all but one have been taken from
the same shelf. This shelf was a slightly curved rock,
slanting downwards, with but a few feathers and nothing
else.

The eggs, two in number, were of a reddish brown color
with finely spattered spots of darkershades of the same.

The only places in Massachusetts tomy knowledge, where
these hawks breed, are Mt. Tom, Mt. Holyoke, and Mt.
Sugarloaf. In Connecticut, only Talcott Mountain.”

NEsT OF THE SWALLOW-TAIL Kite.—Some years since I
was informed that Swallow-tailed Kites nested on Indian
Creek in the lower cross-timbers, about seven miles east of
Gainsville, Texas.

During a recent visit (June 2d) to a friend in that locality,
I was informed where I could see a nest which had been oc-
cupied this season. It was in the extreme top of a large
Cottonwood tree, the stem supporting the twigs on which
the nest rested being only two or three inches in diameter.
The nest was quite small and shallow, reminding one of
that of the Green Heron. I could not ascertain definitely
that a brood had been raised there this season, but my
friend was under the impression that it had, but this is
doubtful as one of the birds had been shot. None were to be
seen about the nest on June 2.—G. H. Ragsdale, Gainsville,
Cook Co., Texas.

ANOTHER NEST FOR IDENTIFICATION.—E. C. Nicewaner,
Baltimore, Md., sends us a drawing of a nest which he des-
scribes: ‘The nest was exactly six feet from the ground
situated in a horizontal fork of a species of maple, was com-
posed entirely of the bark of some weed, had lining of the
same sort, only finer, it had about 30 or 40 long strings
hanging from the nest and there was quite a lot beneath it
on the ground, nest was slightly pendulous, much like a
Vireo’s, but lacked the compactness of this bird’s and was
not woven so nicely ; when I approached nearer the bird
flew off and darted toward me frequently, uttering a sharp
cry. She was about the size of a Wood Pewee, was olive
colored on back, black eyes, (very large) white belly, had
two white bars on shoulders, was slightly yellow just under
the wings. The eggs, three in number, were of a creamy
white ground, with foxy-red blotches around the larger end.
They measured .74x.54, .74x.55, .73X55.”

Our correspondent thinks it possibly Traill’s Flycatcher,
but it differed somewhat from the descriptions of the nest
of that bird given by Mr. Tracy in February O. and O. Balti-
more also seems too far south for it.

A SumMMER YELLOW-BIRD FEEDS A YouNG Ropin.—To-
day I saw a summer Yellow-bird flitting among some locust
trees, with a large worm in his beak. I followed him up
until I saw him go to a Jocust tree where a young Robin was
perched. He fed it just the same as its mother would, and
went after another worm. He fed it quite a good while, and
then sat on the same limb the young Robin was on. When
he caught an insect he would always feed the robin. I do
not see how the Robin could eat so much. I watched them
quite a good while, until I got tired, and left them both
perched on the same limb.—J. P. Loose, Hagerstown, Md.

CEDAR Birp in Iowa.—J. W. Preston says he found on

June 12, near Iowa City, a set of Ampelis cedrorum, ‘the —
first set recorded from this locality.”

Srray Nores.—I am often very greatly amused at the —
way many people have of expressing themselyes. I noticed
in No. 6 of the O. &. O. a paragraph from D. A. K., Sturgis,
Mich., in which he speaks of an island in Lake Huron, as
abounding with ‘‘eyery species of fresh water duck known.”
Ye Gods! I thought to myself, what a spot for a collector,
hag anybody else ever been there? I am pleased to hear
from Ornithological friends, Dr’s. Atkins and Gibbs,
through the O. & O.; hope they will continue to enlighten us,

This spring I shot a male Meadow Lark with a peculiar
shaped bill, the upper mandible being as much curved at the
end asa Commorants. Did any of you ever see the like?

Lalso discovered a Warbling Vireo’s nest which contained
three Cow Blackbirds’ eggs, and one Vireo. The query is
“did the same Blackbird lay the three eggs, or were they
laid by separate birds?” So far as my observation has
been the Cowbird never lays but one egg in nest, that is, I
never found more than one in a nest, and my opinion is that
they were laid by separate birds. 4

I wish the Black-and-Yellow Warbler was as easy to ap-
proach in this section as they are where the Rey. W. E. Hill
resides. I have had great difficulty in securing a few, and
always shot them from the tops of the tall trees, and obsery=
ing that they were exceedingly restless little fellows.—A. H.
Boies, Hudson, Mich.

————

Correspondence.

PurPLE Fincu.—(Carpodacus perpureus), C. E. Prior
asks us why the Purple Finch is so called. The origin of
the misnomer is probably correctly given by Stearns, (New
England Bird Life, part 1, p. 216). “There is little, if any
“purple” tinge, the name ‘‘Purple” Finch, and the use of
the word in old descriptions, haying been due to the very
faulty coloring of Catesby’s plate.”

WHITE-THROATED AND WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS.—
Tra B. Henry, Mason, Texas, writes: ‘‘ Prof. W. W. Cooke
speaks of the White-throated and White-crowned Sparrows,
(Z. leucophrys and Z. albicollis), as wintering ‘from the
northern part of the Southern States to southern Illinois.”
Both these birds are abundant in winter, in this locality,
which is nearly as far south as New Orleans, pretty well to
the southern part of the Southern States. Perhaps it is
different farther east, as this is a hilly country, and subject
to severe northers.” The other matter referred to by our
correspondent was corrected in the regular edition of the
January number.

Srporrep Rogin’s Eees.—Robert Linton, Pine Bend,
Minn., and J. P. Loose, Hagerstown, Md , write us that they
haye found sets of Spotted Robin’s Eggs.

Opp SHarep Eces.—Delos Hatch, Oak Centre, Wis.,
writes us that he has this season taken a set of L. B. M.
Wren measuring about .75x.50 and another of F. Galinules
2.x1.06 and 1.95x1.25. He finds sets of eggs have generally
averaged smaller this year.

Foop For ScREECH Ow1s.—J. P. Loose says he is keep-
ing three young Screech Owls in confinement, and asks
what is the best food for them.

W. O. Emerson writes to say that Myiodioctes Pusillus
(O and O VI, p. 62) should be M. p. pileolatus, the Pacific
coast form, also that his Scops asio eggs are variety
Bendiret.

The following communications haye been received:

“Notes” from W. Otto Emerson; ‘*The Shore Lark”
from H. G. Smith, Jr.; “The Brown Thrush” from A. M.
Drummond; “ Broad-winged Hawk,” by F. M. Goodwin;
“ Arrivals for Spring of *84,” by S. R. Ingersoll; *‘ Notes
from Jewett City,” Conn., by Chas. Edwd. Prior.

Cr Ners

ORNITHOLOGIST

—AND—
es eS ma a ~TERARIE Th, 0 W. FRET, Euan a ater Gna. Gem
Annum. Established, March, 1875. 10 Cents.
VOL. IX. PAWTUCKET, R. I., AE) ST, ome: No. 8.

Migration in the Mississippi Welllerp. trail of ine) tree. It was in pian sight,
eee but so closely did it resemble the dozens

Our readers will miss our usual article | of other little bunches of moss in the tree,
on this subject—the absence of which is | that it was almost an accident that I found
explained by Prof. Cooke as follows: it. It was composed of the “cotton” from
“Before my last letter reached you, Iwas | the willow and thistle, plastered with lich-
in bed and there I stayed until a day or | eng fastened on with spider’s silk together
two ago, and now I can only work afew | with the saliva of the bird. It contained

minutes at a time. AsI laythereI planned | two fresh eggs, having a beautiful “pink
out the whole of the article for the Aug. | ish” cast before being blown, but clear,

number, but my strength never came back pearly white afterwards. While I was
so that I could write it out. Iam very | blowing them the female came around but
sorry that I should have had such poor | was very timid, keeping well out of the
Tuck in fulfilling my promise to give you | way; the only hint I had of her presence
an article each month, but if you had been | wags the low hum of her wings.

in my place youcould have done no better.
I hope for September, but have given up
making promises, as I am afraid this sick-
ness. will hang about me until cold weather
comes. In the meantime you have my
best wishes and my hearty congratulations
on the rapid progress you are making in

On May 4th, I visited a railroad cut
about two miles below here where I ex-
pected to find some nests of Jwnco ore-
gonus. The cut was overhung with vines,
and in several places the roots of immense
firs projected over the bank so as to form
quite a roof. While examining one of
establishing the O. and O. as a man’s | these a Hummer started out and away, but
paper instead of a boy's, and in getting it | yeturned in a few seconds with another
recognized as a paper of scientific value.” | female. I was sure there was a nest there,

We sincerely hope our kind correspon- | and on parting the vines discovered it. It
dent may be able to send his usual com- | was a beauty, one of the best formed I

munication for September. ever saw, being long and pointed at the
—_>—__—_

Breeding Habits of the Rufous Hum- bottom. ts was hung on three or four
ming Bird, (Selasphorus rufus.) | small wire-like roots, very well hidden by
the thick screen of vines in front, and con-
This bird is rather common here, and | tained two young about two days old.
either their nests are not very hard to find | This nest, like the first, was composed of
or I was very lucky this season, as I found | “cotton,” ete., and covered with light
nine in all. The first nest taken was on | colored lichens, which showed very plainly
May 1st. It was in a small oak about | in contrast with the dark brown roots and
seven feet from the ground, near the end | earthy background. While I was examin-
of the limb, and about two feet from the | ing it there were two and sometimes three

Copyright, 1884, by FRANK B. WEBSTER and EATON CLIFF.

92 ORNITHOLOGIST

,

[Vol. 9-No. 8

female Hummers buzzing around and utter
ing angry chirps:'+ Seeing so many, I
thought a more thorough examination of
the surrounding vines would pay. Ina
few minutes I had discovered another nest
built on the root of what is called here
“Oregon Grape.” The bird was incubat-
ing, but the instant my eye fell on her she
darted off, but, like the first, soon returned
with her companions and began giving me
her opinion of the case. This nest was
out in plain sight, but closely resembled
the surroundings. It was composed like
the others and contained two eges on the
point of hatching.

A third nest was discovered about forty
feet further on in an overhanging black-
berry vine. This nest was to me some-
thing new. It was built on the top of an
old one, and the two so neatly blended to-
gether that I did not discover the old nest
It had a few bits
of green moss woyen into the white cotton

until after I got home.

on the rim, and contained one fresh ege.

On May 14th, I discovered another nest
ona smal] oak about six feet and a half
from the ground. It was composed like
the others and had a few pieces of green
moss among the light colored lichens ; it
contained two fresh eges.

On June 8th, I again visited the railroad
cut and found two more nests, both in
blackberry vines. One contained two young
just hatched, the other two fresh eggs.
These five nests were not over forty feet
apart, and I think if I had looked more
carefully I could have found more.

On June 11th, I was following a pair of
Pyranga ludoviciana, and while passing
through a thick patch of ferns about four
feet deep, a female Hummer darted out
close in front of me. Knowing that she
had a nest near by I began to look for it,
expecting to find it in some of the low
bushes. But on parting a very thick bunch
of ferns, I was very much surprised to see
it on one of the large broad leaves. The
leaf was bent over and the nest built near

the end, about two feet from the ground,
so overhung by ferns and tall grass that it
was the prettiest and at the same time the
strangest place for a Hummingbird’s nest
Tever saw. It was composed as usual of
“cotton” covered with light colored lich-
ens, and to all appearances fastened to the
fern by spider's silk alone; it contained
two eggs, incubation just begun.

My last nest was discovered on June
16th. While walking through a grove of
small oaks a Hummingbird flew past me
and acted in a way that led me to believe
she had a nest near by. A few minute's
search discovered it in an oak about seven
feet from the ground in plain sight. As
I wished to see how the habits of this bird
compared with those of the Ruby-throat,
I withdrew about twenty feet and sat
down to watch. The bird returned in a
few minutes, but seeing me still there, be-
gan to fly around me at a distance of about
twenty-five feet, alighting on every tree,
eyeing me an instant, then darting away
After about five minutes of this
manceuvreing she flew up to the tree con-
taining the nest, paused just in front of it
an instant, then darted away again. This
was repeated several times, but at last she
approached from the opposite side and
settled down on the nest. Her manner of
alighting was very much lke that of the
Ruby-throat described by “HE. M. H.” in
O. and O. for May. She flew up until di-
rectly over the nest, paused an instant,
then suddenly closing her wings, dropped
into it, then after eyemg me a moment,
she began to settle herself into position.
I put her off several times and each time

again.

the manceuyre was repeated in very much
the same way. Once I think she just
touched the rim of the nest with her feet,
and then dropped down and into position.
When she was incubating, her tail and bill
were pointed straight up, and they were so
close together that they almost touched.
The nest was composed as usual and con-
tained two fresh eggs. I shot this bird, ©

raised one brood at least this season. I
have looked very carefully for the male
bird whenever I took a nest, but have
never been able to see him. Very often
there were two or more females buzz-
ing around, but the males kept well out
of the way. The nests I have taken have
all been composed of the same material,
“cotton, from the willow and thistle, and
in some cases a few bits of green moss.
They were very much the same shape.
Those taken from the vines were a little
deeper than those from the trees, however.
They measured about as follows: # of an
inch in diameter by ? inch deep, inside
measurements; outside diameters 13 to 14
inches by 14 deep; one specimen meas-
ured 2 inches deep, but it was an unsually
large one.—A. W. A., Beaverton, Oregon.

A Few Birds Noticed in Golden Gate
Park, San Francisco, May g, ’84.

In a walk over a part of the Park that
has not yet been improved, I found inore
bird life than one would expect to see
where the trade winds sweep over the sand
downs one half of the year. Russet-back
Thrushes were heard singing in the thick
low Serub Oak where they breed and are
common, also the little P. minimus. The
Ground Tit’s whistling is heard in the
dark thickets. If disturbed it will come
out to take a peep at you with a few pur-
ring notes, bob his tail, as much as to say,
“Tt is no use, you can’t find my wife's
nest,’ then hop back into the thicket. I
found a nest of half fledged young. W.
House Wren and California Bewicks are
not uncommon, House Finch, American
Goldfinch and Green-back breed, and are
very common. Lazuli Bunting not very
common. The Spurred and California
Towhee breeds, I took sets of fresh eggs.
Iwas within six feet of aGreen-tailed Tow-
hee, (P. chlorurus,) the first I have seen or
heard of near San Francisco or Hayward’s.

the low dark Scrub Oaks, along with the
California Song Sparrow. I saw one West-
ern Savannah Sparrow. Anna’s Humming
Bird is quite common, as there are lots of
flowers in the Park gardens where it breeds.
A Cooper Hawk flew over and put all the
small birds to wing. On June 2, 1881,
saw two ravens fly off over the sand hills.
Twenty or more Gambel’s Quails were let
loose in the Park in October of 1881 by
Henry Chapman, naturalist and taxider-
mist, of San Francisco, now dead. They
were seen for some time during the follow-
ing spring, then seemed to disappear, and
it is supposed they were driven off by the
California Quail, as they are the boss of
the Park lawns. At dusk hundreds can be
seen feeding on the grass. The spring of
1882 two dozen Gambel’s Quail were
brought up from Arizona and turned out at
Hayward’s. I saw them along the creeks.
They seemed much tamer than the Califor-
nia. None have been found breeding. No
doubt they have been shot by the pot
hunters that come out from the city. They
are easily distinguished from the California
variety by the black patch on the belly
and chestnut head. The “Johnnie Bull
Sparrows” have found their way into the
Park.— W. O. Himerson.

Broad-winged Hawk.

(Buteo pennsylvanicus.)

Accompanied by my friends, A. H. Bur-
rington and R. C. Ashworth, I started out
April 14 for a walk. Thinking there might
be a new bird in the undergrowth we made
off in that direction. Just before we came
to the thicket we had to pass through a
piece of hard and soft wood timber, so we
looked about to see if there were any nests
of the common Crow, (Corvus america-
nus), i progress of building. We had
nearly reached the thicket when I espied a
nest in a hemlock, and as it looked fresh
told my companions I would go up to it.

ORNITHOLOGIST

[Vol. 9-No. 8 |

I started up the tree, but had not rapped
it many times when I caught sight of a
Hawk flying from it. Just then a ringing
hurrah came from the foot of the tree
where my friends had seated themselves
to await my return. I got up to the nest
as soon as possible and to my delight
found three eggs. Now the next thing was
how to get them safely down. I finally
tied them up in my handkerchief and
started down the tree. I got down safely
and then we hid behind trees to watch the
parent birds, which were soaring about
high in the air. At last one of them came
down from its lofty watching place and
alighted on a tree near the nest, then the
other perched itself near its mate, offering
a fine view to us.

The nest was composed of sticks of a
little larger size than those used by the
common crow, lined with the bark of grape
vines and moss; it was but slightly hol-
lowed. Height about forty feet from the
ground. The eggs are of a dirty white
color, marked with spots and blotches of
lilac—/”. M. Goodwin, Hartland, Vt.

Nest of the Mocking Bird in Con-
necticut.

About the 20th of June the young man
who carries the United States mail be-
tween Jewett City and Voluntown reported
that he had found a bird’s nest containing
five eges quite unlike any he had ever seen.

He described both the bird and the eggs
as well as he could, and succeeded in
arousing my curiosity. I asked him to
bring me an egg, hoping thereby to deter-
mine the species. A few days later he in-
formed me that the eggs had all been
taken. Fortunately the bird was not easily
discouraged, and very soon she commenced
to lay a second set of eggs in the same
nest. Saturday morning, June 28th, Uncle
Sam’s man found three eggs and brought
me one. In color and markings it resem-
bled the eggs of the Scarlet Tanager and

the Rose-breasted Grosbeak, but could
hardly have been mistaken for either. Af
ter examining the egg I was exceedingly
anxious to see the bird. As luck would
haye it I could not leave to visit the nest
that day, so I notified my friend and sym-
pathizer, Dr. Geo. H. Jennings, and he
promptly sallied forth to make a “ diagno-
sis” of the case and report. He found the
nest in a blue-berry bush by the side of a
railfence that separated the barren fields
from the highway across “ Pachaug Plains.” |
It was composed outwardly of twigs and
the dried stalks of field plants, and was
very neatly lined with fine fibrous roots
and horse hairs. The Doctor brought
home one egg and gave a good description
of the female bird. The male was nowhere
to be seen. The intelligence gained from
this reliable source made me still more
anxious to see the bird for myself, but as
her eggs had all been taken but one, I
feared she would desert the nest and the
locality before I could get time to go and
see her. Monday, June 30th, the Doctor
and I visited the nest together, and were
pleased to find that she had laid another
ege. She flew from the nest as we ap-
proached, and in order to get a good view ~
of her we had to crawl on our hands and
knees for quite a distance behind the walls
and fences. She was very shy. and the
male bird did not appear.

Feeling that we had before us a rare
specimen, we went back to Pachaug and
borrowed a gun with which we secured the
bird. We also took the bush containing
the nest and the two eggs.

After examining the bird carefully I felt
quite certain that it was a Mockingbird.
We found a brief description of MWimus
polyglottus in “ Minot’s Land and Game
Birds of New England,” and as our speci
men just filled the bill we entertained no
further doubts.

This bird seemed much more beautiful
when flying than any caged specimen that
I have ever seen, her white wing-patches -

Aug. 1884.]

AND OOLOGIST. 95

and tail-feathers showing to excellent ad-
vantage. She had a curious way of tossing
herself into the air when about to fly, and
she would bound over the fields much like
the Golden winged Woodpecker. The only
note we heard was between a squeal and
a grunt, and cannot well be described.

Fearing that some expert ornithologist
may think this acase of “mistaken iden-
tity,’ I will add that the bird was shown
to a lady who has spent many seasons in
Florida and she unhesitatingly pronounced
it a Mockingbird.

July 3, I received from a friend in De-
Land, Florida, an ege of this species which
_was almost exactly like those that I col-
lected. I experienced a great degree of
satisfaction in writing to him that I had
just taken a set of Mockingbird’s eggs
within four miles of my door. I would
like to know if the Mockingbird has ever
been known to breed in Connecticut be-
fore—Chas. Edw. Prior, Jewett City,
Connecticut.

The Shore Lark, (Hremophila cornuta.)

The Shore Lark is one of our commonest
birds, remaining with us the year round.
Tt is rarely that a female Shore Lark is
seen in winter, according to my observa-
tions; the flocks consisting of males,
which are gregarious at that season. The
females arrive in March.

They commence nesting about the 1st of
April. A nest found April 12th contained
three eggs, which were advanced in incu-
bation. One found May Ist was nearly
finished. During the night two or three
inches of snow had fallen, but the bird was
undaunted and went on with her work,
gathering nesting materials in places where
the snow had been cleared away. Another
nest found on the same day contained four
eges; incubation commenced. In every
case the bird flew from her nest without a
note and commenced feeding in an uncon-
cerned manner.

I made the following notes after watch-

ing a pair for some time. The male bird
flew up to where I was sitting on the fence
and began to scold as if to drive me away.
Finding that did not succeed, he flew away
to a distant part of the fence and began to
sing as if to attract my attention in that
way, but I kept my eye on the female.
Soon she became restless and began to
move about, every little while sitting down
in a hollow between the tufts of grass as if
there was a nest there, but I was not de-
ceived by her manceuvres.

During this time the male came and
scolded at me several times. At last I left
them to enjoy their happiness in peace.

The Shore Lark is strictly a ground
bird, never perching on trees. Perched
upon a fence or on an ant hill on the
prairie he warbles forth his song. Like
the European Skylark he sings while in the
air. I have seen them fly upward in a
spiral direction until almost out of sight,
ever and anon checking their flight and
with vibrating wings. warble forth their
melody. One will remain in the air gener-
ally about a minute and then descend with
partially closed wings, checking his descent
several times before reaching the ground.

The nest is built in a hollow scooped out
by the bird and lined with prairie grasses;
inside thisisa finer lining of feathers, thistle
down and the outside skin of grasses. The
eges are generally three or four, of a dirty
white ground color, covered all over with
buff and light brown spots.—ZZ. G. Smith,
Jr., Denver, Colorado.

List of Birds

COLLECTED IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF ST. LOUIS, MO., BY
JULIUS HURTER, 2,346 s. 10th sT., ST. LOUIS.
(Concluded from Page 87.)

The nest was found of those birds that are marked*

121" Myiarchus crinitus, (Linn.) Caban. Great-crested
Flycatcher. Summer sojourner.

122" Sayornis fuscus, (Gmel.) Baird.
sojourner ; abundant; March 24.

123 Contopus borealis, (Sw.) Baird. Olive-sided Flycatch-
er. Transient; rare; May 22.

124 Contopus virens, (Linn.) Caban.
mer sojourner.

125 Empidonax flaviventris, (Baird.)
catcher; transient; May 20.

Pewee. Summer

Wood Pewee. Sum-

Yellow-bellied Fly-

96

q

[Vol. 9-No, 8

Summer sojourner.
E. pusillus trailli, (Aad.) Baird.
Summer sojourner ; common.
FE. minimus, (Baird.) Least Flycatcher.

May 19.
Trochilus colubris, Linn. Ruby-throated Humming

bird ; summer sojourner ; May 15.

Traill’s Flycatcher.

Transient ;

Chetura pelasgica, (Linn.) Baird. Chimney Swift.
Summer sojourner; abundant.

Caprimulgus vociferus. Wils. Whip-poor-will, Sum-
mer sojourner; May 14.

Chordeiles popetue, (Vieill.) Baird. Night Hawk. Sum-

mer sojourner. May 12.

Picus villosus, (Linn.) Hairy Woodpecker. Resident.
P. pubescens, (Linn.) Downy Woodpecker. Resident.
Sphyrapicus varius, (Linn.) Baird. Yellow-bellied
Woodpecker. Summer sojourner.

Hylotomus pileatus, (Linn) Baird. Pileated Wood-

pecker. Resident; rare.
Centurus carolinus, (L.) Bp. Red-bellied Wood-
pecker. Resident.

Melanerpes erythrocephalus, (Linn,) Sw. Red-headed
Woodpecker. Summer resident. Common; some
in winter.

Colaptes auratus, (Linn.) Sw. Yellow-shafted Flicker.
Resident.

Ceryle aleyon, (Linn.) Boie, Belted Kingfisher. Sum-
mer sojourner; April 6.

Coceyzus americanus, (Linn,) Bp.
Cuckoo. Summer sojourner; May 15.
C. erythrophthalmus, (Wils.) Baird.
Cuckoo. Summer sojourner; May 16.
Aluco flammeus americanus, (Aud.) Ridgw. Ameri-
can Barn Owl. Transient; April 13.

Asio americanus (Steph.) Sharpe. American Long-
eared Owl. Transient; Jan. 30, a flock of thirty in
one tree.

A. accipitrinus, (Pall) Newton. Short-eared Owl;
April 1, Jan. 17.

Strix nebulosa.
common.

Nyctale acadica, Gmi.) Bp. Saw Whet Owl, Tran-
sient. Very rare; Nov. 25, caught in a Martin box.

Scops asio, (Linn.) Bp. Little Screech Owl. Resi-
dent ; common.

Bubo virginianus, (Gm.) (Bp.) Great Horned Owl.
Resident ; rare.

Nyctea scandiaca, (Linn.) Newt. Snowy Owl. Winter
visitor, Dec. 29, 1875, rare.

Huleo peregrinus nevius, (Gm ) Ridgw. Duck Hawk.
Migratory spring and fall, Oct. 4.

Esalon columbarius, (Linn.) Kaup. Pigeon Hawk.
Migratory, April 25, Oct. 23.

Tinnunculus sparverius, (Linn.)
Hawk. Migratory; common.

Pandion halitus carolinensis, (Gm.) Ridgw. Fish
Hawk. Migratory; not common. April 23, Sept. 29.

Elanoides forficatus, (Linn.) Ridgw. Swallow-tailed
Kite. Rare summer visitor. Aug. 7th saw about forty
ina flock. They stayed over a week.

Ietinia subecrulea, (Bartr.) Coues. Mississippi Kite.
Summer sojourner; observed by Otto Widman.
Circus hudsonius, (Linn.) Vieill. Marsh Hawk. Mi-
gratory, common; Jan. 9, Sept. 25, Noy. 17,

Accipiter cooper’, (Bonap.) Cooper’s Hawk. Migra-
tory; Sept. 24, Oct. 19,

A. fuscus, (Gmel.) Bp. Sharp-shinned Hawk. Migra-
tory; abundant.

Buteo borealis, (Gm.), Vieill. Red-tailed Hawk. Resi-
dent.

Yellow-billed

Black-billed

(Forst.) Barred Owl. Resident ;

Vieill. Sparrow

161

162

163

B. lineatus, (Gm.) Sard.
Migratory ; Oct. 14, Noy. 20.

B. pennsylvanicus, (Wils.) Bp. Broad-winged Hawk.
Abundant. Migratory; Sept. 21.

Archibutus Lagopus St. Johannis, (Gmel) Ridgw.
American Rough-Legged Hawk. Winter visitor, rare ;
Jan. 20, z

Aquila chrysetus canadensis, (Linn.) Ridgw. Golden
Eagle. Rare. Winter visitor; Noy. 5, Jan. 18.
Halicetus leucocephalus, (Linn) Savig. Bald Eagle.
Winter sojourner, not uncommon; Jan. 8, May 8.
Cathartes aura, (Linn.) lig. Turkey Buzzard. Sum-
mer sojourner; abundant.

Catharista atrata, (Wils.) Less. Black Vulture. Sum-
mer visitor, rare ; obseryed by Capt. C. Shaler Smith.

Ectopistes migratoria, (Linn.) Sw. Passenger Pigeon.
Migratory spring and fall; not as abundant as for-
merly.

Zenaidura carolinensis, (Linn.) Bp. Mourning Dove.
Summer resident; common.

Meleagris gallopavo americana, (Bart.) Coues.
Turkey. Resident; rare in this neighborhood.
Bonasa umbellus, (Linn.) Steph. Ruffed Grouse. Resi-
dent ; rare.

Cupidonia cupido, (Linn.) Baird. Prairie Hen.
dent ; rare in the neighborhood of the city.

Ortyx virginiana, (L.) Bp. Bob White. Quail.
dent ; abundant.

Ardea herodias, (Linn.) Great Blue Heron.
sojourner, April 5, Occ. 6.

Herodias alba egretta, (Gmel.) Rigw. Am. Egret. Mi-
gratory. Spring and fall the most common.

Garzetta candidissima (Gmel.) Bp. Snowy Heron.
Migratory. Spring and fall, rare; Aug. 17.

Baird. Little Blue Heron.

Red-shouldered Hawk.

Wild

Resi-

Resi-

Summer

Florida eeerulea, (Linn.)
rare; April 17.
Butorides virescens, (Linn.) Bp. Green Heron. Sum-
mer ; quite common.
Nyctiardea grisea neevia, (Bodd.) Allen.
crowned Night Heron. Summer sojourner.
Nyctherodius violaceus, (Linn.) Reich. White-crowned
Night Heron. Summer sojourner, rare; arrives Apr.
10; young, July 12.
Botaurus centiginosus, (Montag.) Steph. Am. Bittern.
Summer sojourner ; April 14.
Ardetta exilis (Gml.) Gray. Least Bittern.
sojourner; May 13.
Tantalus luculator, (Linn.) Wood Ibis.
mer visitor, Aug. 24. k
Plegadis faleinellus (Linn.) Kaup. Glossy Ibis. Very
rare; Feb. 27.
Squatarola helvetica, (Linn.) Cuy. Black-bellied Plo-
ver. Rare. Migratory; Oct, 11. ;
Charadrius dominicus, (Mill.) Am. Golden Plover.
Migratory. Abundant; March 23.
Oxyechus vociferus, (Linn.) Reich. Killdeer.
mer sojourner ; March 19.
Argialites semipalmatus, (Bonap.) Semipalmated Plo-
ver. Migratory; Apr. 25, Sept. 3.
Philohela minor, (Gmel) Gray. Am. Woodcock. Sum-
mer resident ; March 31.
Gallinago media Wilsoni, (Temm.) Ridgw.
Snipe. Migratory. Abundant; April 10.
Macrorhamphus griseus, (Gmel) Leach. Red-breasted
Snipe ; Grey Snipe in fall. Migratory, April17, Oct. 28.
Micropalama himantopus, (Bp.) Baird. Stilt Sand-
piper. Migratory ; Sept. 12; rare.
Actodromas maculata, (Vieill) Cones. Pectoral Sand-
piper. Jack Snipe. Migratory. Abundant; Mar. 2,
A. minutilla, (Vieill.) Bp. Least Sandpiper. Migra-
tory.

Black-

Summer

Rare Sum-

Sum-

Wilsons’

Aug. 1884.]

AND OOLOGIST.

195

196

197

198

199

200

201

202

203

204

224

225

226

227

228

229

Pelidna alpina americana, (Cass.) Red-backed Sand-
piper. Migratory; Oct.7; rare.
Ereunetes pisillus, (Linn) Cass.
Sandpiper. Migratory; rare; Oct. 17.
Calidris arenaria, (Linn.) Wig. Sanderling. Migra-
tory; rare; Sept. 28.

Limosa feeda, (Linn.) Ord. Marbled Godwit. Migra-
tory; April 13.

DL. heemastica, (Lin.) Coues. Hudsonian Godwit. Mi-
gratory; rare; April 19.

Totanus melanoleucus, (Gmel.) Vieill.
low Legs. Migratory; March 24.

Semipalmated

Greater Yel-

T. flavipes, (Gmel.) Vieill. Yellow-legs. Migratory ;
Spring and fall; March 20, Sept. 8.
Rhyacophilus solitarius, (Wils.) Cass. Solitary Sand-

piper. Migratory; April 16.

Symphemia semipalmata, (Gmel.) Hartl. Willet. Mi-
gratory ; rare; April 27.

Bartramia longicauda, (Bechst.) Bp. Bartram’s
Sandpiper. Upland Plover. Migratory, April 3.
Tringoides macularius, (Linn.) Grey. Spotted Sand-
piper. Summer sojourner.
Numenius longirostris, (Wils.)
Migratory; April 2.

J. borealis, (Forst.) Lath. Eskimo Curlew. Migra-
tory ; April 10.

Lobipes hyperboreus, (Linn.) Cuy. Northern Phalarope.
Migratory ; rare; Oct. 9.
Steganopus Wilsoni, (Sab.) Coues.
rope. Rare; Apr. 22, Aug. 5.
Recurvirostra americana, (Gmel.) Am.
gratory; very rare; Oct. 28.

Rallus elegans, (Aud.) Red-breasted Rail. Summer
sojourner; April 9; abundant.

R. virginianus, (Linn.) Virginian Rail. Rare; April 1.
Porzana carolina, (Linn.) Baird. Sora Rail. Summer
sojourner. Abundant; April 1.

P. noveboracensis, (Gmel.) Baird. Little Yellow Rail.
Rare. March 27: migratory.

Tonornis martinica, (Linn.) Reich. Purple Gallinule.
Summer visitor. Rare; April 18.

Long-billed Curlew.

Wilson’s Phala-

Avocet. Mi-

Gallinula galeata, (Licht.) Bp. Florida Gallinule.
Summer sojourner. Common; May 16.
Fulica americana, (Gmel.) Am. Coot. Migratory.

Abundant ; April 12.

Grus americana, (Linn.) Temm.
Rare. Migratory.

G. canadensis. (Linn.) Temm. Sandhill Crane.
gratory, March 1.

Olor americanus, (Sharpless.) Bp. Whistling Swan.
Migratory; March 16.

O. buceinator, (Rich.) Wagl.
gratory ; Feb. 14.

Chen eerulescens, (Linn.) Ridgw. Blue-winged Goose.
Migratory; spring and fall.

C. hyperboreus albatus, (Cass.) Ridgw. Lesser Snow
Goose. Migratory; Feb. and Oct.

Anser albifrons Gambeli, (Hartl.) Coues. American
white-fronted Goose. Migratory. Spring and fall.
Abundant; March 8.

Bernicla canadensis, (Linn.) Boie.
Migratory; spring and fall.

B. canadensis hutchinsi (Sw. and Rich.)
Hutchin’s Goose. Migratory; spring.

Anas boscas, (Linn) Mallard. Migratory. Spring and
fall; abundant.

A. obscura, (Gmel) Black Mallard. Migratory. Spring
and fall ; rare ; Oct. 13.

Chaulelasmus streperus, (Linn.) Gray. Gadwall. Mi-
gratory; spring and fall; abundant.

Whooping Crane.

Mi-

Trumpeter Swan. Mi-

Canada Goose.

Ridgw.

230
231

232
233

Dajila acuta, (Linn.) Bp. Pintail. Migratory.
Mareca americana, (Gmel.) Steph. Baldpate. Migra-
tory.

Spatula clypeata, (Linn.) Boie. Shoveller. Migratory.
Querquedula discors, (Linn.) Steph. Blue-winged Teal ;
migratory.

Nettion carolinensis,
Teal; migratory.
Aix sponsa, (Linn.) Boie.
Summer sojourner.

Fulix marila, (Linn.) Baird.
tory; rare; April 1, May 18.
F. afinus, (Eyt.) Baird. Little Blackhead. Migratory.
F. collaris (Donoy.) Baird. Ring-billed Blackhead.
Migratory; very abundant.

Athyia vallisneria, (Wils.) Boie. Canyas-back. Mi-
gratory ; spring and fall.
A. americana, (Eyt.)
Spring and fall.
Clangula glaucium americana, (Bp.) Ridgw. Ameri-
can Golden Eye. Migratory; Feb. 1; rare.

(Gmel.) Baird. Green-winged

Wood or Summer Duck.

Scaup Duck. Migra-

Bp. Redhead. Migratory.

C. albeola, (Linn.) Steph. Butterball. Migratory.
Spring and fall; March 1.
Historionicus minutus, (Linn.) Dresser. Harlequin

Duck. Migratory; rare; Oct. 29.
Harelda glacialis, (Linn.) Leach. Long-tailed Duck.
Migratory. Young birds often met with; old birds
rare; April 1, Noy. 20, March 14.
Oedemia americana, (Sw. and Rich.) Am. Scoter.
Migratory; rare; Noy. 23, Oct. 18.
Pelionetta perspicillata, (Linn.) Kaup. Surf Duck.
Migratory; rare; May 3.
Erismatura rubida, (Wils.) Bp. Ruddy Duck. Migra-
tory ; April 25, Oct. 10.
Mergus merganser americanus, (Cass.) Ridgw. Am.
Sheldrake. Winter sojourner; common.
Lophodytes cucullatus, (Linn.) Reich. Hooded Shel-
drake. Wintersojourner; common.
Pelecanus erythrorhynchus, (Gmel.) Am. White Peli-
can. Migratory; spring and fall; April 19, Oct. 5.
Phalacrocorax dilophus, (Sw. and Reich.) Nutt.
Double-crested Cormorant. Migratory; spring and
fall; April 10, Nov. 3.
P. dilophus floridanus (And.) Ridgw.
morant ; summer visitor.
Larus argentatus smithsonianus, (Coues.) Am. Her-
ting Gull. Migratory; spring and fall; Jan. 20.
L. delawarensis, (Ord.) Ring-billed Gull. Migratory.
Spring and fall; April 5; Oct. 30.
L. franklint, (Sw. and Rich.) Franklin’s Gull. Migra-
tory; spring and fall; Oct. 1S; rare.
L. philadelphiw, (Ord.) Gray. Bonaparte’s Gull. Mi-
gratory ; Oct. 23; rare.
Sterna fosteri, (Nutt.) Foster’s Fern.
spring and fall; May 4; Sept. 26.
S. antillarum, (Linn.) Coues. Least Tern.
tory ; spring and fall; July 24.
Hydrochelidon lariformis surinamensis, (Gme!.) Rw.
Black Tern; May 13; common.
Dytes auritus, (Linn.) Ridgw. Horned Grebe. Migra-
tory, spring and fall; April 13, Nov. 3.
D. nigricollis, (Sund.) Ridgw. Eared Grebe. Migra-
tory; May 3, Nov. 2.
Podilymbus podiceps, (Linn.) Lawr. Thick-billed Grebe.
Summer sojourner ; abundant.
Colymbus torquatus, (Brunn.) Lonn.

APPENDIX.
Pyrgitta domestica, (Cuy.) English Sparrow.
Passer montanus, (Linn.) Steph. European Tree-
sparrow.

Florida Cor-

Migratory ;

Migra-

98 ORNITHOLOGIST

[Vol. 9-No. 8

THE
ORNITHOLOGIST

—AND—

OOLOGIST.

A MONTHLY MAGAZINE OF

INP ACI OU IRINIE, IOS WO IR WV,

ESPECIALLY DEVOTED TO THE STUDY OF

BIRDS,

THEIR NESTS AND EGGS.

DESIGNED AS A MEANS FOR THE INTERCHANGE OF NOTES

AND OBSERVATIONS ON BIRD LIFE.

FRANK B. WEBSTER, Publisher,
PAWTUCKET, R. I.

Editor’s Notes.

In accordance with the desire of several
of our subscribers who are interested in
Entomology, we have determined to add a
few notes every month on that science,
with the expectation that an interest may
thereby be awakened in it for all our read-
ers. We hope none of our friends will
consider this an unwelcome departure from
our recognized specialty. We have given
every nonth since we took charge of the
magazine, a larger amount of matter than
our readers were promised, and therefore
think that any of them who can take no
interest in Entomology, ought not to ob-
ject to its being afforded a part of the
surplus space.

To give a practical interest to our new
subject, we suggest to our Entomological
friends the study of the “Buffalo Moth.”
This moth is adding a new terror to house-
keepers in Rhode Island, by its wholesale
depredations. Such information as any of
our correspondents may give as to its ori-
gin and nature, also the best means of de-
stroying it, will be both interesting and
useful to many.

We give space to Mr. Frederic A. Lucas
for a criticism of our remarks on the De-

struction of Birds for millinery purposes.
The subject is one of very general inter-
est, and his remarks may elicit further ex-
pressions of opinions. With this view,
we postpone what we may have to say
further, merely remarking at present that
the “nicely adjusted machinery of nature”
is subjected to other trials besides the de-
struction of insectivorous birds. In New
England, we hazard little in saying that
the present annual “hatch” of English
Sparrows, is equal to a season’s destruction
of birds for the purpose referred to.
These must have an effect of a very marked
character. On the other hand, the increase
of population tends naturally to develop
and increase many forms of insect life.

The Destruction of Birds for Millin-
ery Purposes.

Editor of the Oologist. Sir :—Will you
kindly excuse me if I take exception to
the remarks of yours in the June number
where in speaking of the destruction of
birds for millinery purposes, you say that
“the grievance is purely sentimental” and
that “birds of prey are far more destruc-
tive than either collectors or professional
taxidermists.” The grievance is something
more than sentimental, since the Oriole
and the greater number of our bright
plumaged birds not only feed their young
on insects, but are insectivorous them-
selves, and if the birds are lessened the
insects increase. Now it must be borne in
mind that wherean insect escapes it means
not merely one insect the more to contend
with, but that insect plus all its progeny,
a fact of considerable importance consid-
ering the number of young which each
pair of insects naturally produces. More-
over the machinery of nature is so nicely
adjusted that any interference with it is
apt to produce wider reaching results than
are at first suspected. When the natural
checks on any animal are removed, that
animal is given an advantage which it is
not slow in following up.

Aug. 1884.]

AND OOLOGIST. 99

As to the second statement, it is evident
that not only are brilhant birds most
sought after for ornamental purposes, but
that their very brilliancy renders them
more conspicuous and all the more easy to
lil. The fact that they are in their
brightest plumage, and are also most
abundant during the nuptial season causes
the greatest destruction at the very time
when the killing of birds is of the great-
est import. Again, even after the birds
have begun to breed, their nests are de-
stroyed not only by the scientific collector,
but by every boy who wishes a “ collec-
tion,” or who desires to combine the pleas-
ure of bird nesting with the profit of sale
to some dealer. And in the above men-
tioned ways I unhesitatingly affirm that
man does destroy far more birds than
do the birds of prey. The statements
that “so iong as ornaments are re-
quired they will be found” and _ that
“if animals (mammals?) may be slaugh-
tered for their fur, why not birds for their
feathers ?” are undeniable. I would merely
say that the manner in which small birds
are generally prepared and worn makes
them anything but ornamental to a eriti-
cal eye, and that the handsomest feathers
come from the Ostrich and Pheasants,
birds which are at least capable of being
partially domesticated.— Frederic A. Lu-
eas, U. S. National Museum, Washing-
ton, D. C.

Notes from Rehoboth, Mass.

PART I.—RAPTORES.

In lieu of my departed “strain” of
Great-horned Owls I was obliged to wait
until the blustermg winds of March had
given place to the showers of April, ere
Icould yenture forth with confidence to
reap the harvest of the next breeder, the
Barred Owl.

April 7th I took my trip to the usual
haunts of these “Hooters” and first in-
spected Long Hill Woods, where, since the

spring of 1878, I had annually secured a
set of their eggs from one of the old
Hawk's nests. <A pair of screaming “ Red
Shoulders” prospecting for a situation for
their domicile, greeted me with assurances
of success for a future visit. I diligently
thumped every tree that contained a nest
and ascended to the most likely looking
ones but no Barred Owl oreggs were found.

I next went to the pine woods some two
miles distant, where I also annually se-
cured sets. Here I carefully searched for
Strix but found nothing.

Matters were growing serious. My dis-
appointment was about all that I could
bear. My last resource was Oak Swamp.
Surely in that secluded retreat they must
be found.

I secured the services of a friend and we
thoroughly hunted the swamp, looking in
every hollow stump until we found the ob-
ject of our search.

In a decayed open cavity in a walnut
tree was a Barred Owl sitting in full view.
The nest was not more than ten feet up in
the tree. The Owl did not leave until the
tree was thumped ; then only flew into the
next tree. The set of these eggs was se-
cured without trouble ; incubation slight.
Whether the Owls in the other localities
will return next season is a question of
much anxiety with me, for I had promised
several friends sets of their eggs, and it
was a matter of much chagrin to only re-
cord one chick.

The Short-eared Owl played the same
game as the Barred. Jor years past they
have bred in a small patch of rank ‘“has-
sock grass” in a corner of a salt meadow.
This year a friend desiring their eggs I di-
rected him to the locality. As the result
of several hours’ patient search he reported
nothing. A few weeks later a gunner,
spring shooting for Plover, found their
nest and young at the side of the marsh.
There must be some reason for such a
general change of breeding resorts which
remains to be determined.

100

ORNITHOLOGIST

[Vol. 9-No. 8

Of the Red-shouldered Hawk I ain able
to chronicle fourteen sets taken this sea-
son, eight sets of four eggs, the remaining
sets three each. Of the Red-tail I found
four sets, all of two eges only. I find the
Buteos to breed in open woods, that is,
large trees some distance apart, with but
little or no undergrowth. All the sets were
taken between April 22 and May 1, with
nearly every egg slightly advanced in in-
cubation.

Two Sparrow Hawks’ nests were found
May 13, each aset of four. One of the
nests was in an old Flicker’s hole in an ap-
ple tree just a few rods back of a farmer's
barn. Cooper's Hawk are very common.
Especially worthy of mention were a set
of six eggs May 9, and a set of four
sprinkled with reddish brown spots the size
of a pin head.

Two nests of Marsh Hawk found May
12, contained five eggs each. One nest was
placed in a thick clump of wild rose bushes
and briars, some two feet from the ground
or rather water, as it was in an overflowed
cranberry bog.

May 27, in a clump of Maples in a
swamp of dense undergrowth found the
nest of the Sharp Shinned Hawk. It con-
tained four eggs advanced in incubation,
which proves that these little Accipitres do
not always wait until June ere they begin
housekeeping.

The Fish Hawk colony on Palmer River
number about forty nests. After visiting
nearly half of them I got a set of four
from the same nest which yielded a like
number in ’82.

T have ascended to their nests in July
and found three nearly fledged young sit-
ting on an extended platform of sticks, and
also three eggs in the nest proper.

That the Osprey repairs or adds to his
nest in autumn is a fact, one pair building
anest in the month of September on a
crotch higher up on the same tree with the
old nest, to avoid the persecution of boys.
They occupied this nest the next spring,

Srons.)

but unfortunately they had trusted their
hopes to a slender foundation, and a sum-
mer gale hurled it to the ground with two
young. They repaired the old nest before
leaving in the fall, and this spring’s return
brought thesame pair to their old home.—
Lf. H. C.

Notes from Jewett City, Conn.

Wurrr-betiiep Nutraarce. On Monday,
May 19th, one of my young friends, a
farmer's boy, who is somewhat interested
in odlogy, asked me if I knew what kind
of a “ Woodpecker” laid speckled eggs?
I told him that I had never known a
Woodpecker to so far depart from the es-
tablished customs of its family as to lay
other than pure white eggs.

He said he had found a nest in a hole in
an apple tree containing nine eggs. They
were white with reddish spots, and accord-
ing to his notion, incubation was pretty
well advanced, for he admitted that he had
broken three while trying to blow them,
and declared that they could not be blown.
From his description of the birds and eggs
I felt certain that he had found a nest of
the White-bellied Nuthatch, (Sitéa earoli-
nensis,) so I went with him and he gener-
ously gave me three of the eggs. There
were no doubts in my mind, after seeing
the eggs, as to what species laid them. I
experienced yery little trouble in blowing
them, although they were somewhat incu-
bated. This was the first nest of the
White-bellied Nuthatch that I had ever
heard of in this part of the state, and I
learned with regret that both of the parent
birds were shot “for the purpose of iden-
tification.” Within two weeks after learn-
ing of this nest I was informed of two
others that had been found. Hach con-
tained nine eggs.

Curr Swattow, (Petrochelidon luni-
May 26th I visited a “colony” of
Cliff Swallows, accompanied by my friend
George H. Jennings, M. D., who is an en-
thusiastic ornithological student.

Aug. 1884.] AND

OOLOGIST,

101

About one mile from Griswold P. O.,
there is a barn that has for several years
attracted large numbers of these swallows.
Their nests are placed under the barn, up-
on the sides of the chestnut timbers that
support the floor, and are composed of
mud which the birds bring from a swamp
near by.

As the Doctor and I stepped under the
barn the occupants of the forty-seven
nests eyed us curiously for a few seconds,
and then with a musical “tweet” flew out.
The chestnut patch on the forehead of the
Cliff Swallow is very noticeable as their
heads protrude from the “nose” of their
bottle-shaped mud nests.

The swallows find a protector in the
person of Mr. Ezri Reynolds, who warmly
appreciates the honor which they confer
upon him by returning every spring to his
barn, and to his alone. As they rear two
broods a season and feed their young upon
insects, the number destroyed by them
must be incalculable. Any person mo-
lesting the swallows in any way would be
apt to arouse the ire of the kind hearted
farmer, who rightly considers them his
friends.

Woop Turusu. May 27, I found a nest
of the Wood Thrush, (/ylocichla muste-
lina,) containing six eggs, three of them
Cowbird’s. The nest was perhaps four
feet from the ground in a little stub of a
tree, and only a few rods from where I
have found a nest of the same species for
two years preceding. I approached to
within a few feet of the bird before she
flew, and eyed her for some minutes with
much satisfaction. After leaving the nest
she flew at me fiercely, and her ery of
“whit-a whit” was so loud and animated as
her wings fanned my face, that it will long
remain fresh in my memory. I have never
found any bird so brave in the defense of
its nest as the Wood Thrush, and I know
of no bird that can more forcibly express
its indignation at an intrusion.

BaxrioreE Ortoie, (Lcterus galbula.) 1

know of a dozen families in this vicinity
who call this bird “Switch him.” There
is perhaps little satisfaction in trying to
express bird-notes in syllables, yet the fol-
lowing can be made to sound very much
like the Oriole’s song note: “Switch ‘im,
switch ‘im, pei-pum per pei-up, ped-up,”
with the “pei up” sometimes repeated sev-
eral times.

I should really enjoy hearing some of
the readers of the “O. and O.” practice
this exercise. It won't sound familiar un-
less you throw as much energy into its
expression as the bird does.

WHITE-BELLIED Swattow, (Zrachycineta
bicolor.) IT have noticed for several years
that this charming bird prefers white
feathers for the lining of its nest, and it
will almost always manage to find enough
to supply its wants. A prettier sight than
six white eges in a neat nest of white
feathers can hardly be imagined.

Passer Domesticus. May 23, I saw a
nest of the English Sparrow between a
window sash and the blind. It was in the
window of a chamber that was not used
and the birds had entered through the
shutters, made their bulky nest, and reared
their young unmolested.—Chas. Hdward
Prior.

Entomological Notes from Laco-

Miaee Niele

Butterflies seem to be very abundant in
this part of the country and during the
short time I have been here I have captured
the following species, a list of which may
prove of interest to those collecting insects.

Papilio turnus
Pontia rape.
Colias philodice.
Danais archippus.
Argynnis idalia
ee cymbele.
ce atlantis.
a bellona.
“

aphrodite.

WS myrind.

Vanessa comma.
GG progne.
“ faunus.
“ antiopa.

ORNITHOLOGIST

[ Vol. 9-No. 8

Meliteea pharos.
Nymphalis arthenis.
Hipparchia alope.

ce boisduralia.

&® nephele.
Polyommatus lucia.
Lycena americana.
Thecla humuli.

I have seen the following species but as
yet have been unable to capture them:

Cynthia cardui.
“¢ huntera.
Nymyhalis ephestion,

Last year I obtained the Vunessa J.
album and the Hipparchia portlandia,
but I have not seen them as yet this year.
The Vanessa J. album, faunus and pro-
gne, I usually obtain along the dusty roads
in the thick woods where I also catch the
most of my Mymphalis arthenis. The
Argynnis atlantis I get in the open
meadows about the first week in July, and
the Hipparchia alope and nephele in
rocky pastures on high land.

I am raising quite a number of the larvee
of the Vanessa milberti, a very handsome
butterfly which is rather rare in Massachu-
setts but more common here. I have not
obtained any of the Butterflies themselves
as yet. I have also obtained several of the
larvee of the Cynthia cardui and Va-
nessa antiopa, and one of the Saturnia
maia, a very rare moth.—Dwight Blaney.

Birds of the ‘‘Panhandle,’’ W. Va.

THE JOURNAL OF REY. W. E. HILL FROM JANUARY TO JUNE,

(INCLUSIVE) 1883.

PART VI.

May 18. My first observation of the American Redstart,
(Setophaga ruticilla). This was pursuing its vocation of
fly-catching, making a fence or low sapling at the roadside
on the border of a wood its centre of operations. This
beautiful bird is one of the few of the family of small birds
to which it belongs (the Warblers) that will admit of unfail-
ing recognition, against a green or shaded background, at
almost any distance. The whole head, throat and back are
a lustrous black, belly white, sides of the breast, spot on
the wing and the base of the tail feathers, brilliant orange.
This is a summer resident and breeds here, but is not
abundant.

May 19. A bird usually abundant here in the spring
migration, but which has escaped my observation this sea-
son until to-day, is the Canada Flycatching Warbler, (Myi-
odioctes canadensis.) Identified two or three of them glean-
ing among the blossoms of the Crab-apple tree. The upper

parts of this bird are a uniform bluish ash, save a few
touches of black on the forehead; the under parts are yel-
lowish; there is a black line under the eye extending down
the sides of the neck and merging in black streaks across
the breast, enclosing a patch of brilliant yellow on the
throat. This bird, viewed from beneath, resembles the
Black and Yellow Warbler, but may at once be distinguished
from it by its not haying any wing markings.

May 24. Three or four hours among the birds this
morning were quite fruitful of results. Iam enabled to add
the following new names: the Olive-backed Thrush, (Zwr-
dus olivaceus,) the Large-billed Water Thrush, (Siurws mo-
tacilla,) and the Acadian Flycatcher, (Empidonax acadicus.)
For a description of the first named see under May Ist.
Each species of this group of Thrushes possesses suffi-
ciently strong characteristics of its own to render identifi-
cation “in the hand” quite an easy matter, but ‘‘in the
bush” it is not always so easy.

The Large-billed Water Thrush is one of a group of three
that possess many strong characters in common, and which
are placed in the same genus; the other two are the Golden-
crowned Thrush (see May 17th) and the Water Thrush or
Water Wastail. These birds are all smaller than those of
the last named group, and are properly assigned to the War-
bler family. The following is a description of the bird now
before me: the upper parts are of a uniform olive brown;
under parts whitish; breast spotted with pale brown; head
marked with two prominent white lines, one over either
eye. There is a specially close resemblance between this
species and the Water Wagtail. The former isa trifle larger
and has a longer bill, the head lines are white and more
conspicuous, and the throat is unmarked. In the latter the
spots on the breast are more clear and distinct, and the
throat dimly spotted. The above bird I shot in a wooded
ravine through which ran a small stream of water. It was
perched in a sapling about twenty feet above the water
singing with great animation and in very loud notes a strain
of song, which to my ear, is exactly represented by the
following syllables: See see see whit-i-te whit-i-te whit.

Of the Acadian Flycatchers I shot two in the midst of a
thick wood on a steep slope above said ravine. Both
seemed to confine themselves to the lower branches. One
of them at odd intervals uttered something like the sylla-
bles sic-see-la. I was obliged to subject these birds to the
most critical tests to fully satisfy myself as to identity. A
very general description is as follows: The entire upper
parts are olive green ; below whitish; wings and tail dusky,
the former crossed with two yellowish bars.

The migrating Warblers have evidently nearly all left us.
The few I met with were all Canada Flycatchers. Took
one of these as a specimen. I before observed of this
family of birds that, with few exceptions, each has its own
little song peculhar to itself. That of the present species is
a little more varied, and at times a little more prolonged
than most others, as I had repeated opportunity of obsery-
ing to-day.

In all of my recent observations have never failed to see
the Rose-breasted Grosbeak or hear his song. Since their
first appearance they have been very largely on the in-
crease. ‘This bird has a fondness for perching in the top of
a tree out in the open field, not far from the edge of a wood,
and pouring out his voice in song. He is a most persever-
ing singer, singing at all hours of the day, and especially
at noonday when other birds are silent, his song is almost
sure to be heard.

Examined the nest of the Red-winged Blackbird. This
was lodged in the fork of an elder bush among some low
willows near a water course in a pasture-field, and was
composed chiefly of strips of the thin covering of dried

—— =

Aug. 1884.]

AND OOLOGIST.

103

weed stalks, and lined with fine dried grasses and weed
stems. It contained two fresh eggs tinged with light blue
and blotched with black or brown. This bird is very
abundant.

Discovered in a small retired wood the nest of a Scarlet
Tanager. This was placed in the top of a dead Crab-apple
tree covered with the wild grape-vine, about twenty feet
from the ground. Was enabled to reach it by climbing an
adjoining sapling. It was loosely constructed of light,
dried weed-stalks, with a few dried thorn-blossom stems
and horse-hair for a lining. It contained four eggs—two
being the owners, and two the Cow Blackbird’s. The form-
er’s eggs are somewhat elongated and of a light blue color,
spotted with reddish brown. Observed the male of the
above bird repeatedly give chase to the Blue Jay until he
had entirely driven him from the premises.

Numerous nests of the Wood Thrush, also of the Balti-
more Oriole and seyeral of the Summer Yellow-bird came
under my observation.

May 25. In my saddle this evening I heard issuing from
the thicket at the side of the road a single whistling bird
note at short intervals, and one I had not before heard this
spring. I suspected the author of it but was resolved to get
sight of him. I dismounted and went in pursuit. The odd
note sounded at a little distance among some briers; while
nearing the spot the same note was suddenly transferred
to another part of the thicket. Thither I bent my course,
and now when just upon him (as I imagined) again that
same strange note fell on my ear, and this time directly
from behind me, and as far away as before. At length—
after we had kept up this hide and seek game for at least a
quarter of an hour—he blew his whistle from some low
briers out in the open field, when, by a near approach, I
succeeded in sighting and recognizing his oddity the Yel-
low-breasted Chat, (Icteria virens.) This bird is about the
size of the Catbird, has a bright yellow throat and breast ;
the upper parts are a uniform olive green. He lives in the
midst of thickets and down among the briers, and because
of his skulking habits, although not uncommon, is rarely
seen. During the breeding season his many odd notes and
singular ways have made him quite famous.

May 27. During a drive along the creek-road this even-
ing saw a pair of Belted Kingfishers, (Ceryle aleyon) also a
pair of Spotted Sandpipers, (Tringoides macularius), better
known perhaps as the Tip-up or Teeter-tail. Both of these
birds are common summer residents along our streams.
The prevailing color of the Kingfisher is dull blue; there is
a white band around the neck, and a band of blue across
the breast, and in the female a belly-band of chestnut. The
head is quite large and crested. The Spotted Sandpiper is
quite a small bird of a ‘‘ Quaker” color. Themore common
names describe a curious habit which sufficiently distin-
guishes the bird to most persons.

JuNE 1. A morning’s stroll along the banks of ‘ Tum-
bleson’s Run”—but sparsely timbered, but in many places
covered with a thick undergrowth, resulted in the finding of
many nests. One was that of the Wood Thrush—fixed as
usual in a low bush—which contained two eggs of the Cow-
Blackbird and but one of the Thrush, all in an advanced
state of incubation. At one time it was supposed the
Cow-blackbird laid her eggs only in the nests of a few elect
birds, and those smaller than herself. My observations
this season satisfy me they are almost wholly indifferent to
the matter, having found their eggs alike in nests of the
Summer Yellowbird and Cardinal Grosbeak, the Phcebe-
bird, the Scarlet Tanager and Towhee Bunting, and in nests
in the tree-top, in the bush and onthe ground. Having in
view returning to the above nest hereafter, I removed the

Thrush’s eggs, being curious to know what measure of de-

yotion these birds will giye to raising Cow-blackbirds.

Another nest was the Scarlet Tanager’s. This was near
the end of a horizontal limb of the Spruce, about fifteen
feet from the ground. This seemed to be even a more
flimsy affair than the nest of this bird prevyionsly described,
being almost as transparent as a coarse sieve.

Another was that of the Black-capped Titmouse or Chick-
adee. This was in a hole in a rotten llmb of an old decayed

- and fallen tree, about three feet from the ground. By

breaking off a few bits of the rotten wood with my hand
was enabled to see into the nest and to discover two well
fledged young birds. The nest consisted of a soft material
of both animal and vegetable matter. In a bit I tore off,
detected a number of hairs of the grey squirrel. These
birds are not numerous here and their nests very rarely met
with. -

Another nest I was much gratified in finding was that of
the Rose-breasted Grosbeak. This was placed in the top
of athorn-bush about eight feet high on the bank of said
stream, on the edge of a thicket and in the neighborhood of
a few tall trees. It much resembled that of the Cardinal
Grosbeak, being a light, thin structure, and composed exte-
riorly chiefly of dried weed stalks loosely put together; the
inside material—forming a good half of the whcle—consist-
ed exclusively of fine dried stems of the Spruce-pine. It
contained three fresh eggs.

Secured a beautiful specimen of the Cerulean Warbler,
(Dendr aca cerulea,) which I shot out of the topmost bran-
ches of a massive oak, firing three times before bringing it
down. This bird discovered itself to me by its song, the
notes of which—forming asingle brief strain oft repeated—
were very loud and-animated for so small a bird. The fol-
lowing will serve for adescription : above, a beantiful azure
blue streaked with black; below white, streaked on the
breasts and sides with black ; wings crossed with two bars
of white.

Shot an Orchard Oriole for identification failing to recog-
nize its song. This was a bird of the last-year and of imper-
fect coloring. Under date of May 2, I said there was a striking
similarity between the song of this bird and the Warbling
Vireo. In many instances this is true, but I find, after
more extended observation, the former’s song is not always
identical, not even in the same individual, as it always is
with the Vireo.

Saw the Black-billed Cuckoo, (Coccyzus erythrophthalmus),
for the first time this season. The strange, low, guttural
notes of several of these birds fell on my ear during the
morning. There are two species of the American Cuckoo,
the other being called the Yellow-billed. These are long,
slender birds—the tail itself measuring at least six inches.
The coloring in both is about the same, being a uniform
olive-green aboye and white below. The eye lids of the
Black-billed are a bright red and the tail feathers but slight-
ly tipped with white. In the Yellow-billed the lateral tail
feathers are black and all have large white tips. This last
feature will enable one at once to separate the two species
with a view from beneath. The yellow bill is also readily
detected.

Brief Notes.

FIvE ADDITIONS TO THE AVI-FAUNA O¥ MICHIGAN, (O.
and O. IX p. $1). Dr. Atkins desires us to add the date of
capture of the Gray-headed Snow Bird, which was accident-
ally omitted. It was October 22d, 1878.

THE OREGON Jay. (O. and O. IX p 69) “May 4th” in
this article should read ‘‘ March 4th.”

A Trip To A HERoNRY. (O. and O. IX p 30.) I notice
in O. and O. for July a piece entitled ‘‘ A Trip to a Heron-
ry,” by H. A. Talbot, of this city. He says: ‘Several

104

ORNITHOLOGIST

[Vol. 9-No. 8

Snowy Herons were seen, but we could not get a shot at
them.” The study of R. I. birds has been one of consid-
erable interest to me for twelve years, and I know of no
authenticated instance of the capture of the Snowy Her-
on during this period. Still it is not improbable that they
may occur. During the past eight years two young little
Blue Herons haye been shot and sent to me, and at the
time of the capture of the latter more were seen. These
birds look precisely like the Snowy Heron and especially at
adistance, The distinguishing marks are slight bluish tips
to the wings. Last year (’83) there was quite a flight of
American Egrets. These two species appeared in summer,
July and August. As Mr. Talbot did not succeed in ob-
taining a Snowy Heron, which with a limited experience
might easily be confounded with the other two mentioned,
I think his occurrence must be annulled as a R. I. record.
—Fred T. Jencks, Providence, R. I.

THE Bap EAGLE. We have had sent to us for mount-
ing a fine specimen of the Bald Eagle. The bird was
hatched last spring (1884) on Cape Hatteras in this state,
and taken from the nest by a party of fishermen and
brought here and sold to a gentleman of this place who
tried to tame it. It grew very fast but resisted all efforts to
tame it, and would fight fiercely if molested. It finally
pounced on the gentleman himself so fiercely that he had to
kill it in self defense. The bird measures 35%% inches in
length with a spread of wing measuring 7 feet 41 inches
from tip to tip, and weighed 12 lbs. 3 oz. It is by far the
largest bird of its age we ever saw. The men who took it
say the old ones would measure twelve feet, and that they
have been nesting on the Cape for a number of years, and
have been known to carry off young pigs and sheep of
quite large size. There is a superstition among the ignor-
ant bankers which prevents the killing of these birds—but
we hope to get one or both of them ere long.—Clarke &
Morgan, New Berne, N. C.

CHIMNEY SwaLLows. The janitor of the block in which
my Office is located, yesterday brought me a fine pair of
Chimney Swallows, which he captured in the * dust box” in
the basement of the building. The place where they were
found is 160 feet from the top of the chimney—and the

birds must have been there some time, as they were very |

weak and made no resistance when captured. They are
very tame, and although I have placed them on the window
sill several times, they have come back into the building,
and seem perfectly satisfied to remain.—Fleteher M. Noe, In-
dianapolis, Ind.

ALBINO BARN SwaLtow. July 2, I had the good luck to
shoot an Albino Barn Swallow that was evidently not long
out of the nest, but still was in good plumage. It wasa
creamy white on belly, the buck of a lighter shade, and
contrary to most Albinos, did not have pink eyes. I need
not say I gladly welcomed it to my collection.—A. J. John-
son, Hydeville, Vt.

THE RUBY-THROATED HumMMING Birp. I took the nest
of the Ruby-throated Hummingbird June 17. There were
{wo eggs slightly incubated. They were larger than I ex-
pected. It seems to me they are large for the size of the
bird. The nest was on an elm tree about thirty-five feet
from the ground. On July 9th, I found another nest about
six rods from this—probably of the same bird’s. When
found it had one bird just hatched, and one egg which
hatched the next day. The young were almost black and
are yet (July 14,) except a strip of down on their backs
which is light brown. I have not seen the male yet, though
I have watched closely for him. The old bird is rather shy
and will not come very close to me, but buzzes around
through the tree-top uttering almost constantly a low chirp
which sounds much like the squeak of a young mouse. I

did not hear her make any sound while perched.— Vernon
Bailey, Elk River, Minn.

BLACK-CAPPED VIREO. I succeeded to-day in obtaining
Vireo atricapillus, male and female, and saw two other
specimens of the male. The Vireos were found in dense,
swampy undergrowth of Pecans and Scrub Oak, and no
doubt breed here—although I have searched diligently I
have failed to find either their nests or that of the L. T.
Chat, (Icteria longicauda), which is abundant in same locali-
ty.—W. L., San Angelo, Texas.

WHITE-THROAT AND WHITE-CROWN SPARROWS MIGRA-
TORY IN Nort Texas. Noticing the note in July O. and
O., (current Vol) concerning the above species being a
winter resident in Mason Co., Tex., caused me to examine
my date chart for January notes, but I have found none.
My chart gives dates as follows: Zonotrichia albicolis—
March 16, 1876, Dec. 6, 1876, Dec. 18, 1878, March 11, 1879,
Feb. 27, 1884. Z. leucophrys—March 16, 1877, May 11, 1877,
Oct. 23, 1877, April 24, 1878, Dec. 18, 1878, March 11, 1879,
May 2, 1879, Oct. 21, 1879.—G. H. Ragsdale, Gainesville,
Cook County, Tex.

CORRESPONDENCE.

Correspondents making inquiries are requested to be brief
and to the point.

Jn explanation of our not responding to requests sent us
from time to time, to insert Ornithological Notes which
have appeared in other papers, we wish to say that we have
made ita rule not to reprint from any but Foreign papers,
and from these only to a very limited extent. We consider
any other course unfair to our readers in general, and quite
unnecessary as we always have an abundance of material
to choose from.

PHoroGRaPuHs oF Screnvists. As there are ornitholo-
gists who are desirous of securing photographs of promi-
nent fellow workers, which if published might prove an
aid to that end, I would add that Mr. Gutekunst has the
best negative of the late Dr. Brewer ever taken. Whether
he is permitted to supply prints to the public I am not pre-
pared to say. Dr. Brewer had a very large collection of
photographs of the most prominent ornithologists, which
I fear were not named at the time of his death and so are
probably lost. Respectfully yours, JOS. M. WADE.

PHILADELPHIA, May 28, 1879.
Mr. Jos. M. Wade. Referring to your inquiry as to pic-
tures of prominent naturalists, I have pictures of Water-
house Hawkins, Dr. Jos. Leidy—and perhaps some others—
and I am this morning in receipt of a kind letter from Dr.
Brewer offering me the privilege of copying any of a list of
names which he furnishes—of distinguished scientists of
Europe. Should you wish copies of any of these I will be

pleased to hear from you. F. Gurexunst.

We insert the above with pleasure, and shall be pleased
to hear from photographers who have portraits of promi-
nent ornithologists which are accessible to the public.

C. H. Wilder, Canandaigua, N. H. The note to which
you refer was from the London Graphic, regarding the Eng-
lish Robin.

NEsT OF THE CHEWINKE. Job. Barnard, Washington, D.
C., writes us that he has found a nest of the Chewink ona
small Cedar about one foot from the ground, and asks
whether any of our readers have seen its nest otherwise
than on the ground, in accordance with the authorities.
Also if it is more disposed than other birds to abandon its
nest if disturbed.

Notes received from Chas. Fwd. Prior and R. B. Scriven.

ORNITHOLOGIST

ee
$1.00 per FRANK B. WEBSTER, PuBLIsHER. Single Copy
Annum, Established, March, 1875. 10 Cents.

VOL. IX. PAWTUCKET, R. I., SEPTEMBER, 1884. No. 9.

actually did put it through till spring with
| the same flock of Grosbeaks.”

The distribution of the Robin in its
winter home depends entirely on the food

Migration in the Mississippi Valley.
American Rosin, (Merula migratoria).
Judging from the notes, this is the com-
monest and best known bird in the district, | Stpply; where food is plenty, there are the
there being half as many more notes on | Robins, though people a few miles away
this than on any other species. We should | ™ay not see one all winter. At Manhattan,
therefore be able to determine its move- | Kan., 391”. there is an abundance of berries,
ments with great accuracy. We find that | 2nd last winter as in previous years, large
it did not reach its winter quarters until flocks of five hundred or more, were con
after January Ist. All through December | stantly seen, while other stations, but a
it was found: in abundance throughout short distance away, report no Robins from
southern Illinois, Missouri and Kansas, but | December until February; Manhattan is
the extreme cold of the first week in Janu. | 2!so the most northern station at which
ary drove it farther south into its real | flocks of Robins remained during’ the
winter house. During the larger part of winter. So far as can be learned few
the month of January the bulk of the | Robins winter in Indian Territory, nor does
Robins, and probably aan ninety-five to Northern Texas fare much better, but from
ninety-seven per cent, were south of the southwestern Texas comes the report that
parallel of 37°. This is south of the the Canon of the Neuces River for three
usual limit, the northern boundary for or- hundred miles is the winter home of count:
less myriads. From all the Southern
States comes the report that one station
finds them abundant and another rare.

dinary winters being 39°. We must not
think that no Robin ever spends the winter
north-of these places. The fact has been
repeatedly demonstrated that nature has The most curious and interesting feature
bestowed on them a strong constitution, so | of their doings last winter, was their crowd-
that given plenty of food, they can stand ing together in immense numbers at a
almost any degree of cold. Every year ré- | “Robin Roost” near Harrisburg, N. C.
ports come in of Robins found wintering | From an account in the Charlotte (N. C.)
far north, and last season was no exception. | Observer we gather that the roost was in a
One was seen on New Year's day in north- | great canebreak, extending for a mile or
western Indiana; at Vermillion, Dak., 425° | more on each side of a small creek.
on January 11, and finally at Hastings, | Thither, between five o'clock in the after
Minn., 444°, five hundred miles from his | noon and dark, went great flocks of Robins,
brethren “one was seen December 28 with | until the whole canebrake was alive with
a flock of Pine Grosbeaks, P. enucleator, | them. Every night for several weeks in
apparently at home, and bound to spend | January and February, parties of men and
the winter. It was seen repeatedly and | boys, armed with short sticks, killed hun-

Copyright, 1884, by FRANK B. WEBSTER and Eaton CulFr.

ORNITH

OLOGIST

[Vol. 9-No. 9

dreds and thousands of them, but there was
no perceptible diminution in their numbers.
A count on one night showed that two
thousand one hundred and ten birds had
fallen before the deadly sticks, and on
other nights the total was much higher.
The birds came from all directions and
many from great distances.

As if disliking their winter quarters, the
Robins pushed north at the first breath of
warm weather. Regardless of the certainty
of being overtaken by late spells of cold,
they hurried on, from January 31 to Feb-
ruary 3, and occupied all the country from
which they had been driven the first of the
year. This movement was of course con-
fined to comparatively few individuals, and
while the scouts had advanced to 39° or
even a little farther north—single birds be-
ing seen at Burlington, Ia., 40°, and at
Lake Mills, 43°°,_the main body still re-
mained in camp three or four hundred miles
to the south. Then occurred a whole
month of waiting, during which adventur-
ous birds pressed northward only to be
driven back by snow and ice; nor was the
real advance commenced until March 9.
From that date until they had passed over
our northern boundary their advance was
constant and more or less uniform. The
regular advance of the van appears to have
been as follows: From March 9 to March
15, they spread over Illinois and Eastern
Nebraska to latitude 41°!; on the 16th a
slight advance in Iowa; 17th and 18th no
record; 19th and 20th an advance in Iowa,
Illinois and Wisconsin, but not in Ne-
braska, to latitude 43°; 21st a sudden
spreading over Wisconsin to latitude 45°.
By March 24, the rest of the stations in
Wisconsin had reported and an equal ad-
vance had taken place in Minnesota, so
that by this date the van was at 45° all
along the line. North of here all the
stations are in the valley of the Red River
of the north. In this part the first arrivals
reached latitude 47° on April 3, and just
one week later appeared at Oak Point,
Manitoba, 502°,

The fact that spring migration on the
western plains is several days behind mi-
gration in the same latitude farther east, is
clearly shown by the record of the Robin.
At Ellis, Kan., 38°5, the first one came
March 21; in Illinois it reached that lati-
tude six weeks earlier; at Menoken, Dak.,
46°5, on April 29, east of there at Frazee
City, Minn., 46*°, came on April 3. While
at Larimore, Dak., 47°2, high bleak situa-
tion answers to a western position and the
Robins did not come until April 21.

The bulk of the species travelled inuch
behind these advance guards in the lower
part of the course, but moving faster than
the scouts, by the time the end of the
march was reached it was but a few days in
the rear. It reached 39° from March 12
to 17, then moved to 43° on March 23 and
24; to 45°9 by March 27 and 28, and to
47° on April 5.

From the few scattered notes on the
subject, we may guess that the bulk left
35° on March 7; 37° 7on March 25; 39°
on March 31, and 41° on April 10. By
the middle of April in all the country
south of 43°, all Robins had left those
places where they did not intend to breed
and at the other places, had settled down
to summer members.

YELLOW-RUMPED Warsier, (Dendrceca
coronta). The hardiest Warbler of all is
the Yellow-rump ; it stands a temperature
of twenty degrees below zero with no ap-
parent inconvenience; give it plenty of
Poison Ivy berries to eat and it does not
care how the mercury stands. Along lati-
tude 39°, it usually winters almost every
where, but the unusually severe weather of
the first week in January, drove it south-
ward from all but the most favorable
localities. About twenty birds remained
through January at St. Louis, and not
quite so many at Manhattan, Kan. It was
not until the middle of March that the
northward movement commenced; this was _
marked at Caddo, Ind. Ter., by the return
of the birds from the bottom lands whither

Sept. 1884.]

AND OOLOGIST.

107

they had been driven by the cold, to the
borders of the prairie. There was scarcely
any increase of numbers until April 1. At
more northern localities the first wave was
marked by the arrival of more birds. This
wave reached 39° the last week in March,
but was stopped by the heavy snowstorms
of the first week in April and made no
moye until the middle of the month. Out
of the nineteen records of arrivals at
stations between 39° and 45°, only two
mention any Yellow-rumps before April 16,
but on that day and the two following,
they appeared in large numbers over the
whole of this two hundred thousand square
miles. What an incredible number of
Yellowrumps must have been moving on
these three days! The same wave brought
the bulk to the region south of 39° and
another two weeks carried them up to 45°,
making them for the time one of the most
numerous birds of the upper Mississippi
Valley. Having now passed over the land
of spring time and reached a country still
ruled by winter, they checked the hurried-
ness of their flight and did not reach 47°
until the second week in May. A few
breed a short distance north of this, but
the bulk pass on to British America.
A curious incident occurred in the mi-
“ gration of this species at Heron Lake, in
southwestern Minnesota. On March 18
there arrived an immense flight of Ducks,
all coming from the west, as if from the
Missouri Valley. Together with them, or
at least on the same day, came great flocks
of Blackbirds and “a large flight of Yellow-
rumps in fine feather and song.” Where
they came from is a mystery. A compe-
tent observer, southwest of there on the
Missouri River, did not find the species
common until nearly two months later, and
no station south or southeast reports them
at all until three weeks later, nor at Heron
Lake was the arrival of the bulk noted
until thirty-three days afterward. It would
seem to be a case of a flock caught by
some upper air current and carried farther

than they intended. While most of the
birds left Central Illinois the first week in
May, some very late migrants were seen at
Whitehall, 397, on May 21.

Curr Swatrow, (Petrochelidon
JSrons). He who would see these birds in
their glory should visit some of the great
rivers of the western plains. Prof. Aughey
says that he counted in one place two
thousand one hundred nests. All over the
northern part of the Mississippi Valley itis
an abundant breeder. Leaving the United
States in winter, it does not reappear as
soon as the White-bellied nor the Purple
Martin, but about the middle of March
they begin to return. They were very
plentiful at Hagle Pass, Texas, 25, on
March 27, advanced very rapidly to about
latitude 40°, and then czme to a halt.
One was seen at St. Louis on April 15, and
the species had already been noted from
Burlington, Ia.,on April 10. There is some-
thine singular about these Swallow records
at Burlington and St. Louis; on three
species of Swallows the record at Burling-
ton, though a hundred and fifty miles
farther north, is some days ahead of St.
Louis. The White-bellied was seen at
Burlington, March 10; at St. Louis, March
24. Barn Swallow at Burlington, April 10,
at St. Louis, April 16. Cliff Swallow at
Burlington, April 10, at St. Louis, April 15.
Knowing the diligence with which Mr.
Widmann sought out new arrivals, these
occurrences are unexplainable.

To return to the Cliff Swallow. After
reaching St. Louis and Burlington there is
a pause until April 25. Starting then by
May 1, they were all over the country south
of 45° and reached Oak Point, Manitoba,
5039, on May 22. There seems to have
been much movement April 27. On this
day it appeared throughout most of West-
ern Missouri, Eastern Kansas and South-
eastern Nebraska. At Caddo, Ind. Ter., it
was abundant in fall migration, the last
leaving October 9, but none had returned
by April 7, though the Purple Martin had
been there about a month.

luni-

[Vol. 9-No. 9

108

The Cliff Swallow is not known to breed
in the southern portion of its United
States range. Nests south of the par-
allel of 38° are very rare. The following
note from Waverly, Miss., 33*4, is therefore
the more interesting: On April 10, a pair
of these Swallows appeared and soon
commenced house-building. Two broods
were raised and the nest, which was a
great curiosity in that country, is still pre-
served. Had one seen the thousands and
thousands of these Swallows, which one
evening in the last of July were nesting
on a marsh near Red Rock, Indian Terri-
tory, he would have been tempted to be.
lieve that Prof. Aughey’s two thousand
nests had emptied their entire contents on
this particular place.

Notes from DuBois, Pa., July 24, 1884.

The spring migration in this locality was
exceedingly unsatisfactory, chiefly owing
to the cold and windy weather which pre-
vailed almost without intermission at the
height of the migrating season. This im-
mediate neighborhood is covered with
dense pine and hemlock forests, and even
in the most favorable weather it is no easy
matter to identify the rarer species of War-
blers and other small birds at an elevation
of from thirty to seventy-five feet, and
when seen against a leaden sky with an
accompaniment of moaning wind and creak
ing branches that effectually drown their
characteristic notes, it becomes impossible
to collect the more desirable birds without
a creat slaughter of the common species.
Owing to the meagre results of my collect-
ing trips I have but little of interest to
present. ‘There seemed an unusual abun-
dance of Scarlet Tanagers in the imperfect
or mottled plumage, caused no doubt by
retarded moulting on account of the late
spring. One male specimen taken May 20
is of a light orange color and was mistaken
for an Oriole on an imperfect view. It
showed marks of age, and is probably

several seasons old. The backward season

ORNITHOLOGIST

accounts for the great number of northern
species which seem to be breeding here.
The Snowbird, (Junco hyemalis), Winter °
Wren, (Zroglodytes hyemalis), Red Cross-
bills, (Zoxia curvirostra), can now be seen
and heard daily, and such Warblers as the
Blue Yellow-back, Black and White Creeper,
Chestnut-sided, Blackburnian, Black-
throated Green, Black-throated Blue,
Canadian Flycatcher, (Myiodioctes cana-
densis), and Black and Yellow Warbler
seem to be much more numerous than I
have ever observed them before, at this
writing. An experienced odlogist would
undoubtedly find a rich reward for a season
spent here. I have observed the females
of many of the above species show wnmis-
takably by their manner and appearance
that they were nesting, but I have never
had the time or inclination to search for
their nests. DuBois is about 1500 feet
above the sea level, is nearly surrounded by
primitive forests. The summers are short
and cool and often interspersed by frosts.
It is therefore a congenial summer home
to none but the most boreal birds. During
a drive about a week ago in the vicinity of
Watsontown, Northumberland Co., (amuch
warmer place) I saw a pair of Shrikes, pre-
sumably, (Zanius borealis), flittmg about a
wheat field and capturing grasshoppers. I
have never found Shrikes before in this
State except in winter.— W. V. £.

Notes from Taftsville, Vt.

June 21st, I found a nest of the White-
throated Sparrow, (Zonotrichia albicollis),
containing four fresh eggs, and July 3d,
another containing three. Both nests were
constructed of dried leaves, weeds and
grasses, lined with finer grass, and both
were placed on the ground in slight de
pressions. They are alittle larger than the
nests of the Song Sparrow, (JJelospiza
Fasciata), but closely resemble some of the
latter. The eggs are greyish white |
marked with confluent blotches and spots of
different shades of brown and lilac. The

Sept. 1884.]

AND OOLOGIST.

largest of the seven measures .89 X.73, the
smallest .83 x .73.

It is probable that both nests belonged
to the same pair of birds.

Several correspondents of the O. and O.
mention that they have found spotted
Robins’ eggs. These statements remind
me that twelve or fourteen years ago I
found a Robin’s nest containing four ege's
marked with fine brown spots. In those
youthful days the art of blowing eggs and
keeping them in sets was unknown to me.
The single egg which I took is now extant
and shows the markings distinctly.

This season I have taken two sets of
Indigo Bunting’s, (Passerina cyanea),
eggs, one of three, the other of four, in
each of which two eggs are marked with
pale brown and lavender spots.

I recently shot a Song Sparrow, (Jelos-
piza fasciata), of which the following is a
description: Male.—Underneath, dirty
white; breast streaked with buff. Other
parts buff; back, shoulders and cheeks
streaked, and wings and coverts edged
with light chestnut. Crown with a few
chestnut feathers. Tail buff below, above
light chestnut, darkest on outer edges ;
with obsolete transverse bars of same. Bill
and feet ight brown tinged with pink; iris
light hazel—C. O. Tracy.

The Black and White Creeper.
(Mniotilta varia.)

June 16th, I found a nest of the Black
and White Creeper containing five young
birds, one of them evidently a Cowbird. I
was in the woods the day previous with
my little son who is very fond of birds,
and after showing him several nests of
Vireos, Redstarts and Golden-crowned
Thrushes, I heard a loud, energetic alarm
note repeated over and overagain. I soon
discovered a pair of Creepers in a very ex-
cited frame of mind. I watched them for
a few minutes and as it was growing dark
I resolved to visit that particular locality
the next morning, feeling sure that they

109

had a nest there, and that I could find it.
Seven o'clock the following morning found
me in the woods again, and the birds were
also there, apparently as deeply interested
in my movements as I was in theirs. I
hunted around for an hour or so without
success and then retired from the scene of
action and waited awhile, hoping the female
would return to her nest and that I should
be successful in flushing her later.

They were evidently bound not to be
caught napping, for upon my return they
were scolding away as earnestly as ever.
As I was about to leave them to their
chosen solitude, feeling that they had out-
witted me, I saw a small dead bird lying
upon the ground, ‘and as I stooped to ex-
amine it, I discovered the long looked for
nest. It was placed near the top of a
gently sloping hill, by the side of the trunk
of a young oak, and was quite well con-
cealed. It was composed almost wholly of
dried grasses and was not a bit too large.
The five occupants completely filled it, and
the young Cowbird realizing (apparently)
that he was an intruder and feeling ashamed
of being caught imposing upon such small
fry, gave a bound and a lusty chirp, and
walked off. The little Creepers followed
the example of their big foster-brother, and
soon all was confusion. The parent birds
hearing the cries of their young were at my
side in an instant, chirping piteously and
‘trailing their beautiful wings as if trying to
induce me to reach for them. They were
within my reach several times, and by their
excited actions and droll performances they
seemed to say as plainly as if by words,
“Please don’t hurt our babies. Take us.”

In all my bird’s nesting experience, I
have never witnessed a more tender and
beautiful exhibition of the love of parent
birds for their helpless young.

Although my collection of eggs was not
enriched by this find, yet the experience
was one that will always be pleasantly re-
membered.—Chas. dw. Sewett
City, Conn.

Prior,

lees
‘THE
ORNITHOLOGIST

OOLOGIST.

A MONTHLY MAGAZINE OF

NAIC AIL, JEUICS TOUR VW,

ESPECIALLY DEVOTED TO THE STUDY OF

BIRDS,

THEIR NESTS AND EGGS.

DESIGNED AS A MEANS FOR THE INTERCHANGE OF NOTES

AND OBSERVATIONS ON BIRD LIFE.

FRANK B. WEBSTER, Publisher,
PAWTUCKET, R. I.

Editor’s Notes.

At the time of writing (August 23d,)
the second volume of the Transactions of
the Linnean Society of New York—an-
nounced for publication on the 15th—has
not reached us.

An interesting monograph on the Spar-
row Hawk by Dr. W. Van Fleet appears
in the Continent Magazine for July 2d.
We are pleased to welcome Dr. Van Fleet
among our subscribers and contributors.

We give this month the concluding por-
tion of the Rev. W. E. Hill's journal,
“Birds of the Panhandle, W. Va.” His
notes contain a mass of facts regarding
the birds of his locality, all of which bear
the impress of close personal observation.
We are much indebted to Mr. Hill for
the labor he has expended upon their pre-
paration for the press.

We announce thus early our programme
for the coming year. We propose to give
16 pp. each month, exclusive of advyertise-
ment sheets. While preserving the pres-
ent size and general appearance, we will,
by using other type, obtain space for one-
half more matter on each page. Thus we

ORNITHOLOGIST

WOE fo, °

will give what will be equal to 24 of our
present pages monthly—exactly double
what we have been giving. Our subscrip-
tion will not be doubled, but we propose
increasing it to a dollar and a half. We
hope by this means to establish our Maga-
zine on a permanent basis, which with the
support of our contributors and subseri-
bers it may long maintain.

Our Birds in Their Haunts.

This is the well chosen title of a book*
which deserves notice and a place in the
library of all interested in Bird Life. Its
special aim is described in its title. Mr.
Langille does not take for his description
a dead specimen on the dissecting table,
but the Bird as it appears in the freedom
of its native fields and woods; hence we
do not have a scientific description show-
ing why the names are given and what
points in the Bird’s appearance or charac-
ter justified them. We are introduced to
him as he appears to those who seek his
acquaintance to know his habits and life—
not to obtain specimens of more or less
rarity for their collections.

In saying this we do not mean that the
book is destitute of scientific descriptions,
but that these are subsidiary to the main
object, which is “'To popularize the sci
ence of Ornithology for Eastern North
America.”

The book contains descriptions of all
the Birds commonly found east of the
Mississippi. These are referred to appar-
ently as occasion offered ; not classified in
any way that we can perceive. An index,
however, prevents this being objectiona-
ble. The author's style is readable, and
his book needs no special training in the
science of Ornithology to make it thor-
oughly interesting.

*“ Our Birds in Their Haunts :” A popular treatise on
the Birds of Eastern North America; by Rey. J. H.
Langille, M. A.; pp. 624. Boston: 1884. S. E. Cassino
& Company.

AND OOLOGIST.

et

Sept. 1884.]

Curious Nest of the Warbling Vireo.

All Oologists are acquainted with the or-
dinary form of this Vireo’s nest. It is in-
teresting to know that the bird sometimes
departs from the usual manner of build-
ing, and, incited probably by the spirit of
progress, puts a roof on its house. The
fact that there was sucha nest in existence
comine to my knowledge, I wrote to the
possessor, Mr. H. M. Griswold of Tam-
pico, Ill., and received the following reply:
“T found the nest about two years ago
while looking for Indigo Birds. As I
passed along a row of soft Maples, I was
attracted by the harsh, rasping sound,
which the Warbling Vireo gives when dis-
turbed. After looking about for some
time, I saw a large bul] snake, about three
feet long, twined around a limb, some ten
feet from the ground. A charge of shot
brought down the snake with a live bird
in its mouth. which it released as it fell.
As the bird was strong and nearly full
grown, I climbed to where I could reach
the nest, which was hanging from the ex-
treme end of a long limb, and replaced it.
After the bird had flown, I took the nest,
which I send you by to-day’s mail.”

The description of the nest is as fol-
lows: Outside diameter, three and one-
quarter inches by two and one-half inches
deep ; cavity inside, two inches by one
and one-half inches deep. The materials
are of the ordinary sort, but very strongly
put together. The nest is joined to a
limb three-fourths of an inch in diameter
by two sets of threads, and to a very
small branch along its rim, being thus
suspended in the crotch of the imb and
the branch. At the end of the little
branch, which is not quite three inches
long, the fibres that twist in and out to
form the rim of the nest are gathered to-
gether, given a half turn, and then spread
out like a fan, the intervening space being
filled in closely with fine threads, making
a cover just the size of the nest. This

cover is hollowed upward about an inch,
so as to be like a shallow cup inverted
over the nest. The connecting threads
act like a hinge and join the cover to the
nest on the side away from the larger
limb. <A bird standing on the limb could
lift the cover and it would fall again of its
own weight as soon as the bird had passed
under. Such a cover would screen the
contained birds or eggs from the sight of
passing birds of prey and furnish a very
thorough protection from wind and rain.
The query is, had the snake ever been up
there before, as would seem to be indi-
ted by there being but one young bird,
and was the cover intended as a defense
against him ?— W. W. Cooke.

—————

Two Connecticut Rarities.

Although I have been in the fields but
little this season, I have been fortunate
enough to come across two birds’ nests
that I had never found before, although
the birds were old acquaintances. I think
them rare enough to be worth notice.

The first find was on June 15th, when,
seated on a fence at the edge of a piece
of swampy woods, a friend and I were
watching a pair of Chestnut-sided War-
blers that were flitting about in a tree
overhead, in hopes that they would betray
their nest. Suddenly we heard a sharp
“chip” close by, and on looking around
saw a little bird hopping along a twig of a
barberry bush with an insect in its mouth.
The Chestnut-sides were at once forgot-
ten; for within a rod of us was a Blue-
winged Yellow Warbler, (/Zelminthophaga
pinus. Its mate was close by, and both
being uneasy at our presence, kept up
their single note of alarm.

For some time we sat motionless, look-
ing at them, and they uneasily moving
from bush to bush, not daring to go to the
nest while two such suspicious looking
characters were near. It was a trial of
patience and the birds were beaten. The
female (distinguished only by the insect

112

ORNITHOLOGIST

[ Vol. 9-No. 9

in her bill) finally began to move off in a
new direction, working gradually through
the shrubs to an open place where stood a
Butternut tree, whose leaves hung black
and dry from the effects of the sharp frost
of May 30th. Suddenly she disappeared
in the grass at the foot of the tree, where
we found the nest on the ground, close to
the trunk. The female left at our ap-
proach, half running and half flying along
the ground. The nest was built—outside
of dead beech leaves, inside of grapevine
bark. Except a single horse-hair there
were no other materials in it. It was not
concealed well and contained five young
birds that must have left the egos about
five days before.

T then took up a position on a rock, about
fifteen feet from the nest, and the bird
soon became sufficiently accustomed to my
presence to make several trips toit. The
identification was as good as if I had shot
the bird. As I have not been able to visit
the spot since, I know nothing further of
the history of this rare and interesting
family. I trust they will have such pleas-
ant memories of this moist, malarial spot,
that they will visit it again next breeding
season, although there may be a spark of
selfishness in the wish. This is near the
northern limit of the breeding place of
LHelminthophaga pinus. The other rarity
was taken not over a mile from the first.

I happened to be in the country on the
Fourth of July, when a lady said to me
that she had a very beautiful bird’s nest
she would lke me to see, and to my sur-
prise brought out a nest I had never seen
before, but had heard much about, one
which in material and form stands apart
from any of our birds’ nests. A few
pieces of the hanging gray lichen, found
so abundantly on dead trees in damp
places, were fastened at the upper end to
a twig so as to hang closely together, the
whole forming a mass about seventeen
inches in length and about four in greatest
thickness at the top and tapermg to a

point at the bottom. The whole shape
suggests a long tapering beard of some
venerable specimen of the genus Homo. —
At or near the top the fibres were woven
to form a pouch-shaped cavity in which
was an egg of the Cowbird, which, by the
way, often gets its ege in before the own-
er of the nest. The cavity was hardly
over an inch in diameter and about two
and one-half in depth.

I was much disappointed not to see the
eges, but the nest was a thing of beauty
and the lady generously gave it up in the
cause of science. It was found about the
1st of July ina hemlock tree on the bank
of the Housatonic River, hanging from a
low limb.

Brewer, Minot and Ingersoll have writ-
ten interesting descriptions of this nest,
which is that of the Blue Yellow-backed
Warbler (Parula americana.)\—C. KK.
Averill, Jr., Stratford, Fairfield Co., Ct.

Notes from Rehoboth, Mass.

PART II. PASSERES.

Of the smaller breeders new phases
have been opened up. Several varieties
have been found breeding quite plentiful-
ly which have been considered rare in past
seasons, while many common breeders
have been quite scarce. Of the latter no-
ticeably are the Blue Jay and Golden-
winged Woodpecker, only one set of each
being found, while for 83 were recorded
twelve sets of the blue thief and fourteen
of the “Flicker.” The Scarlet Tanager
while being by no means rare in former
seasons, were common; nine nests being
found bya friend and myself in a day’s
tramp, June 2. They were all in hike sit-
uations, in small, slender Oak trees, over
twenty-five feet up. The nests were slight
structures of rootlets, through which the
eggs could be seen, and uniform in ap-
pearance, as though composed of the same
batch of rootlets as it was—and of a
light drab in color lined with a few spears
of soft grass. The Black-billed Cuckoos

Sept. 1884] _

commonly Brera in the Briar ingae Aa
no set over two in number was found
which contained eges in some stage of in-
cubation. Black-capped Chickadees are
common breeders, but especially plentiful
this season. One nest found May 30 was
placed in a birch stub and composed en-
tirely of Woodcock feathers. It held eight
eges. Downy Woodpeckers plentiful, no
set found larger than five eggs, while the
“Flickers” found May 24, contained nine
fresh eges. The Red-eyed Vireo, usually
plentiful, seemed to have retired to other
localities, or else I did not have my usual
luck in finding them, as only two nests
were found to offset thirteen for 83. On
the other hand the White-eyed and War-
bling Vireo were much more common than
usual. The Brown Thrush and Chewink
were also “oft” this year, though plentiful
in early May. A pair of Wood Thrushes
forsook their usual retirement and built
their nest in a clump of lilac bushes near
the house. This structure met with an
untimely end. Passing the nest one day
T noticed a cat in close proximity to it,
greatly to the consternation of the parent
birds. Picking up a stone I hurled it at
the intruder. By a mischance it struck
the nest, completely demolishing it. The
feline, more scared than hurt, fled for the
nearest wood with my setter at her heels.
But it is the number of sets obtained from
species new to this locality that is the
A friend found
and gave me a set of Yellow-billed Cuck-
oos, taken June 3, three eggs, with the
bird shot for identification. Another gave
me a set of Blue Golden-winged Warbler,
four eggs, also with the female. The nest
was bulky for the size of the bird, and
composed of grape-vine bark lined with
black horse hairs and placed on the ground

most worthy of mention.

in small, low bushes at the edge of an
open pasture. I found a nest of the
Black-throated Green Warbler June 17.
It was placed in the crotch of a white

oe COee SL.

—_

birch in a cedar pasture and contained four
fresh eggs. The bird never left the tree
when I despoiled her of her treasures,
simply flying to the top branches and re-
maining silent. These warblers are com-
monly heard in summer in our pineries,
but this is the first local nest I have found.
July 4, found the nest of the Nashville
Warbler with three young at the base of a
tree in a groye of oaks, and noticed that
the femaie would often dart in the air after
the manner of Flycatchers and carry the
result to her young, showing she was suc-
cessful in her efforts.

Chestnut-sided Warblers common ; nest
found June 17, with four eggs, slightly in-
cubated. This nest was placed in a clump
of wild rose bushes. Two nests of the
Blue Yellow-back Warbler were found
July 4, each with four fresh eges, and both
nests in the same moss covered juniper.
B. and W. Creeping Warblers were no-
ticed as common, yet no nests have been
found. Redstarts are not observed com-
monly, but their nests are frequently found,
no less than seven haying been taken this
year. A pair of Yellow-breasted Chats
resort to the same ‘“briar corner” in a
small pasture for the past few seasons.
This year a Cowbird’s egg was found with
three of the Chat’s in an old nest repaired
with strips of cloth.

Another new find was made by a friend
of a Great-crested Flycatcher in a hollow
apple tree limb. The nest contaimed, June
27, a set of four fresh eggs; the bird was
taken, so no mistake was possible, yet the
nest did not contain the traditional snake
skin. In a not far distant meadow a colo-
ny of L. B. Marsh Wrens are growing
beautifully less each year. Half a dozen
pairs remain in place of fully a hundred
ten years ago. Have found sets of eight
ege's as a common rule, but have not dis-
turbed them this year. -The hand of fate
seems to be against them, or else they
have betaken themselves to fairer fields
and greener pastures.—/”. HZ. C.

114

ORNITHOLOGIST

[Vol. 9-No. 9

Birds of the ‘‘Panhandle,’ W. Va.
THE JOURNAL OF REY. W- E. HILL FROM JANUARY TO JUNE,
(INCLUSIVE) 1883.

PART VII.—CONCLUSION.

June 6. During an early morning walk observed the
Robin, the Catbird, the Rose-breasted Grosbeak and many
other birds feeding on the Seventeen Year Locusts which
have recently appeared in this locality in great abundance,
in many cases taking them on the wing. My walk took me
by the way of the nest of the Rosebreast, (Zamelodia ludo-
viciana), previously noted, and I was interested in finding
the male gallantly relieving his mate in the monotonous
duties of incubation, nor did he prove unfaithful to his
trust, never quitting the nest, although I approached to the
very foot of the bush holding it.

Identified the Yellow-billed Cuckoo, (Coccyzus ameri-
canus), anew addition to my list. See previous entry for
description.

The High-hole, another name for the Golden-winged
Woodpeckers, was doubtless first so called from an idea
that it always located its nesting-holes high up ina tree. I
came across one of these to-day containing young, ina
stump not six feet high or more than eight inches in diam-
eter, and only about twenty inches from the ground,

There are no nests in all our woods so numerous as those
of the Wood Thrush. I counted to-day as many as half a
dozen within a limited bound, all containing eggs or
young.

There is a no more eccentric bird than the Robin in its
choice of a nesting-site. I observed a nest to-day that
was located on the top rail of a fence by the roadside, and
only partially sheltered by a “lock” rail. Another, I re-
cently saw, was saddled to a limb no thicker than a man’s
wrist, and fully forty feet from the ground. Another was
placed in the crotch of an apple tree in my orchard but two
feet from the ground. Still another in the early spring was
built squarely on the sill of a second story window of; my
house, but slightly protected by a grape-vine.

This evening noted a pair of Cedar-birds or Cherry-birds,
(Ampelis cedrorum), in my orchard. Shot the male fora
specimen before I observed they had begun to build a nest
in an apple tree.

JUNE 7. During a hasty drive, along the (Ohio) river-
road opposite to the town of East Liverpool, O., near to
the foot of the ‘‘ Virginia hills,” very steep and heavily
timbered, the most abundant bird I met with was the Rose-
breasted Grosbeak; was surprised to find them in such
numbers. At least two of their nests came under my ob-
servation. Saw also several individuals of the American
Redstart and one nest. This nest was placed in a naked,
outstretching limb, almost barren of leaves, some thirty
feet from the ground. It seemed to be a small and com-
pact structure, the whole head and tail of the female, occu-
pying the nest, projecting from its edge.

JunE 12. Found a nest of the Indigo-bird. This was
placed inthe fork of a maple sprout no thicker than a man’s
finger, about five feet from the ground, and which in a light
wind that was prevailing was swayed almost to the ground.
Most writers represent the nest of this bird as a little loose-
ly and slovenly constructed; but this particular nest was
certainly not an inferior piece of bird-architecture. It was
a little bulky for so small a bird, but neat!y and compactly
put together, and with certain ornamental features of its
own. The outer materials consisted chiefly of dried leaves
and light dried weed and grass stalks. There was a thick
inner lining of very fine dried grasses with a few white
horse hairs. The outside walls were stuccoed with numer-
ous bits of wool, which doubtless met the bird’s ideas of

ornamentation. The nest contained two freshly laid eggs,
white in color and unmarked.

I visited the Wood Thrush’s nest, to which reference was
made under date of June 1, as containing two eggs of the
Cow-blackbird. It held one young Cowbird, apparently
about a week old, which the Thrushes were tending with
all the devotion and solicitude, as if it were flesh of their
flesh and bone of their bone, and doubtless they never knew
any better. Upon approaching the nest, the young bird
threw itself out falling like a stone. Endeayored to replace
it but it would as often scramble out again, the old birds
all the time manifesting all the concern possible for parent
birds. From the above facts I arrive at the conclusion
that many a Cow-blackbird has been raised by the Thrush,
no less than by the Red-eyed Vireo, the Maryland Yellow-
throat and the other smaller birds that were long supposed
to be the only responsible foster-parents of the Cowbird.

JuNE 14. In making a call upon a friend in the country
the nest of the Blue Jay was pointed out by him in a large
sugar maple not a hundred feet from the house, placed in
the fork of two large limbs fifty feet from the ground. By
the aid of a tall ladder I was enabled to reach the lower
limbs, when the tree offered no further obstructions to my
ascent, but the birds did. They fought me at every step,
repeatedly striking my hat with their wings, and finally
knocked it from my head. It was not without difficulty I
could succeed in parrying their blows aimed at my head
and face. Before reaching the nest the young birds, three
in number, had all scrambled out, their inexperienced
wings carrying them to the ground in safety. The outer
walls of the nest, (now before me) are built of coarse sticks
and weed stalks, with a layer of mud, giving it solidity and
firmness, and the whole lined with fine tortuous stems and
rootlets, forming almost a flat bed.

The nest of the House Wren was also pointed out to me,
built in the wooden stirrup of an old saddle hanging against
the inside wall of a stall. It contained four young birds
about ready to leave the nest.

A pair of Bobolinks, (Dolichonyx oryzivorus), came un-
der my observation in a large meadow at the side of the
road. While these birds are very abundant in some por-
tions of the country, they are rarely seen in this section,
and more rarely known to breed, as they seem to have done
in this instance. The breeding plumage of the male is
black and white. The female, and the male in the fall are a
yellowish brown, streaked with black, when they are known
as Reedbirds or Ricebirds.

JUNE 15. Observed five Owls all perched in one small
Spruce tree in a densely wooded rayine. Shot one of these
which proved to be a young, but full grown Screech Owl,
(Scops asio.)

Shot a Hooded Warbler, (Myiodioctes mitratus), in this
same locality. A pair of these birds manifested great alarm
at my presence, indicating that they had a nest near by,
but a very thick growth of Rhododendron on the steep
hillside rendered a search for it impracticable. After shoot-
ing the male another made its appearance and joined the
widowed female in her cry for a few moments and then
disappeared, Thus I had pretty good evidence of at least
two pairs of these elegant birds breeding in that locality.
The following is a description : above, yellow olive; below,
pure yellow; top of the head, neck and throat, jet black ;
forehead and sides of the head, bright yellow. The black
coloring is quite suggestive of a hood, hence its name.

JuNE 19. The nest of the Yellow-billed Cuckoo came
under my observation. This was built in a White Oak sap-
lng, in a small hillside wood near the public road, ona
horizontal limb about fifteen feet high, and supported by a
cluster of small twigs. It was composed mainly of dead
sticks and twigs, with a thin lining of the strips of the
outer covering together with the blossoms of certain plants;

Sept. 1884.]

the whole loosely constructed and quite shallow. It con-
tained three eggs, nearly globular in shape, and light green
in color, with blotches of a darker shade. The female
seemed to be brooding, being slow to quit the nest.

JuNE 2%. Another nest of the Yellow-billed Cuckoo met
my eye. This was placed near to the top of a Spruce tree
twenty feet high.

Examined the nest of the Kingbird. This was placed at
the fork of an out-reaching limb of a Locust tree in a pas-
ture field, about twenty feet from the ground. It wasa
very neat and compact structure, composed of rootlets
and grasses, and lined with black and white horse hairs.
It contained four young birds. Although there is no bird
more courageous, and more determined and impetuous in
defending its nest and young against the assaults and in-
trusions of other birds, yet on the approach of any other
living object it becomes one of the most cowardly and
skulking of birds, always keeping at a good distance, and
scarcely daring to utter a chirp.

Observed the Tufted Titmouse carrying food to its young
in the hole of a dead tree, about ten feet from the ground,
jn a small retired wood.

A nest I was interested in finding was that of the Yellow-
breasted Chat. It was securely fixed to two or three upright
blackberry stalks in the midst of a blackberry and elder
thicket, near to a wood. The first or outside materials
were dried weed stalks and stems, then a layer of dead
leaves, then another of grapevine strips, with a lining of
dried grasses. It contained four very pretty eggs with
reddish brown specks on a white ground, thicker and heay-
ier on the greater end. This bird is rather abundant
throughout this district, and its strange, varied notes may
be heard issuing from almost every thicket.

JUNE 23. Anest I came across in a piece of woods was
that of the Red-eyed Vireo, which was suspended from a
forked twig near the end of a drooping limb of a Hickory
tree, about eight feet from the ground. An examination
revealed two newly hatched living birds, one dead one, and
one egg. One of the two living birds was a Cowbird, much
larger than the Vireo, and seemed to bea trifle older. It
was undoubtedly the occasion of the death of one young
Vireo in the nest, and was just about ready to crowd the
other out of it. The single egg remaining was also the
Cowbird’s.

Under date June 12, I noted the finding of an Indigo
bird’s nest. I did not state, however, that I killed in the
same locality, a few moments later, the female owner, as
it proved to be, mistaking her in the dusk of the evening
for a strange species of Sparrow. She had laid two eggs,
one of which I had removed, leaving one. Passing in the
vicinity of this nest to-day I made an examinatlon and
found in it three Cowbird’s eggs, the single Indigo bird’s
ezg having disappeared. I have never known the Cowbird
to be so numerous in any one locality as they have been
here this season, and it has been the exception to finda
nest of the smaller birds that did not contain one or more
of the former’s eggs.

JUNE 30. Within the past few days a pair of Cardinal
Redbirds built a nest in a grapevine in my back yard, laid
but two eggs and the female is now brooding. This is un-
usual familiarity for this bird to come and nest, as in this
instance, within the precincts of a thickly populated village.

——

Brief Notes.

Nest oF THE MOCKINGBIRD IN CONNECTICUT. Since
writing abéut the Mockingbird’s nest, I have learned that
there are several other nests in the same locality, and that
the birds were seen by many. A farmer’s boy showed me
two eggs that he collected, and he reported having seen

115

young birds. He showed me one of the nests, which was
exactly like the one taken by Dr. Jennings and myself.
Perhaps they will all come back to this region next season.
—C. E. Prior.

A QUEER NeEsTING PLace. A few days ago, while look-
ing over the new Slater Library building now in process of
construction in this place, the foreman called my attention
toa Bluebird’s nest that had been placed between a win-
dow-frame and the casing. It was just out of reach, and
was very near the main entrance where the workmen were
going in and out, carrying brick, stone and mortar from
morning till night. The female bird rarely left the nest,
and then only for a short time. The nest had no covering
and the bird could be plainly seen from the street. She wes
as confiding a specimen as I ever saw, and her confidence
was not misplaced, for the workmen were very proud of
their feathered protégée, and championed her cause from the
first. At the date of this writing she has hatched her young
and is busily engaged feeding them.

Ava. 20. T want to say that the Bluebirds of which I wrote
you recently, were birds of rare firmness and pluck. As the
Library building progressed, it became necessary to moye
the nest containing the unfledged birds, so the foreman
found a small box and placed the nest and young in it,
leaving it in a conspicuous place. The old birds seemed to
understand the proceedings and governed themselves ac-
cordingly, finishing their labor of love and sending out into
the world a family of birds that will no doubt reflect credit
upon their parents.—Chas. Edw. Prior, Jewett City.

Woop Inis, (Tantalus loculator). There were shot about
ten days ago and sent here to be mounted, three fine speci-
mens of the Wood Ibis. They were shot in the neighbor-
hood of Elizabethtown, Lancaster Co., this state, between
eighty and eighty-five miles from here. The occurrence is
so rare that I thought it would be worthy of note.—H. J.
Sherratt, Philadelphia, Pa., July 20.

Nest oF CHEWINK. In reply to yuery by Job Barnard, Au-
gust O. and O. In May, 1879, Isaw a nest of this bird hid in
a hazel thicket about three feet from the ground, with four
fresh eggs. The only nest I ever left for more eggs was at
once forsaken by the parents. It is a favorite Cowbird’s
nest here, three sets being composed of one Chewink’s and
three Cowbird’s, two and three Cowbird’s and three and
two Cowbird’s. These marauders are probably as abund-
ant here in the breeding season, as anywhere on the conti-
nent, and there are nests in which it is the exception to
find none of their eggs.—W. E. Saunders, London, Can.

Ihave known of two Chewink’s nests being built above
the ground. One in August at Coldbrook Springs, Mass.,
in a pine six feet from the ground; the other found by my
friend, Mr. E. W. Nelson, on Fox Prairie, Ill., was in a
tangle of bushes about three feet above the ground.—F’red.
T. Jencks, Providence, R I.

EntomoLtogy. I would like to ask my fellow entomolo-
gists throughout the country, if they notice an unusual
scarcity of summer Lepidoptera this year as compared with
others, and if so, what is the cause? There are but very
few in this section of those that were plentiful last sum-
mer. The spring flies, such as Colyomatus eseudargiolus, P.
Lucia, P. Comyntas, Vanessa, d:c., were abundant, but the
later ones as Asterias, Troilus, Idalia, Aphrodite, Cybele,
Atalanta, d:c., are quite rare. The same remark applies to
moths, with the exception of Sesia pelasgus and Micro-
Lepidoptera. On the 17th of June, near South Braintree,
Mass., I took a number of fine specimens of Militae
chaeton (always a rare fly from the fact of its being
extremely local.) Coleoptera seem to have shared the same
fate as Lepidoptera. Some of my friends attribute the
scarcity to the cold winter and wet spring, but I maintain
that the fatality was last fall. I base my opinion on the

[Vol. 9-No. 9

ORNITHOLOGIST

great scarcity of chrysalides. As I am only an amateur, I
should be pleased to hear from more experienced collectors
on this subject. Iam glad to see that yon have added an
Entomological Department to your already valuable publi-
cation as it will materially assist us in getting acquainted
and making exchanges.—J. A. Wright, 73 Hanover St., Bos-
ton, Mass.

I take pleasure in stating for the benefit of those engaged
in Entomology, that T have taken (last July,) a fine specimen
of Iphiclides ajax, of the form Marcellus. I never before
heard of one being seen so far north. I have taken many
fine ones in Florida, but none finer than the one taken
here in Michigan. I saw a number of them about here in
March and April of the form Walshi/; and although I have
collected for twenty years, I never met with them before
until this season.—A. H. Boies, Hudson, Mich.

BLEACHING BUTTERFLIES, &cC. I use two basins of wa-
ter, one containing weak chloride of lime and the other, one
or two drops of sulphuric acid for bleaching white skins,
grasses, feathers and butterflies. Butterflies prepared by
this process make exquisite subjects for the stereopticon.—
Walter Hoxie, Frogmore, S. C.

CORRESPONDENCE.

Tur DESTRUCTION OF BIRDS FOR MILLINERY PURPOSES.
A REQUEsT FoR Facts. Editor of the Ornithologist:—
Sir: Ihave been much interested for the past year or two
in realing the sentimental effusions that from time to time
have been published in the different papers and periodicals,
lugnbriously lamenting the destruction of birds by taxider-
mists and collectors. The perusal of these various articles
has excited my risibilities not a little, and enlisted my sym-
pathies for the—writers, at the exhibition of their utter
ignorance of the subject they were expending so much sen-
timent and so few facts upon. I had about brought myself
to believe that the sum and substance of the eraze, for I can
call it nothing else, was that the writers thought it to be
“quite the thing” to launch out in print and defend the
“dear, sweet little songsters” that those horrid taxider-
mists, and awful boys were killing in such vast numbers.
They hoped thereby to gain an approving recognition from
some fair damsel or maiden aunt as great benefactors of
the public, sure to take high rank as newspaper correspond-
ents; possibly doing as one genius did that I know of, who
bought a large number of the papers containing his volum-
inous contribution of sweet sentiment, and by aid of the
mail scattered them broadcast, the articles scored with car-
mine ink and marginal note of “a few ideas jotted down in
haste.” These gentle idiots we could tolerate in silence,
but when we are awakened to the dread reality that a new
champion, backed by the formidable label, ‘‘U. S. National
Museum, Washington, D. C.,” arises, we really feel quite
“shaky,” fearful that now the whole matter will be settled,
for the U. S. National Museum speaks. But our fears are
groundless, we find after perusing the article, for the gist of
the whole matter lies in the author's declaration, ‘I nnhesi-
tatingly affirm that man does destroy far more birds than do
the birds of prey.” Well now, Mr. Editor, that aftirma-
tion, unhesitatingly made, as it may be, is not backed up
by anything in the article to show why such a declaration is
Correct, unless it be that the writer, being a taxidermist in
the U. S. National Museum, ought to know and, ergo, does
know that the statement he makes is correct. Is he cor-
rect? I shall not ‘‘unhesitatingly affirm” that he is not,
but I want him to give something more than his simple as-
sertion before I can believe it. Come, Mr. Lucas, tell
us what insectivorous birds are so largely used for
millinery purposes, and something of the* number, ap-
proximate of course, if you can. Tell us about those boys

who are anxious to have a collection of eggs, and about
what damage they do in getting them; in fine tell us all
about this matter. But do not, I beg of you, fall into the
error of enumerating the insects ‘plus their progeny,” for
while it may be ‘a fact of importance,” remember the
great poet says:

“Little fleas haye lesser fleas, and so ad infinitum.”

That portion of the subject might get distracting in the
computation, like some of Col. Sellers’ imaginations.
While there might be ‘millions it it,” we can afford to let
it pass and confine ourselves to the main question.

Tell us, also, why it-is that this “machinery of nature”
does not get out of balance if so “nicely adjusted,” when
so great a destruction has taken place, not for the past few
years but from the most remote time in history; for
feathers have been used from time immemorial, the beauti-
ful feather shawls, wraps, and head dresses of the Mexicans
and Peruvians for example. Give us all the light by way of
Facts, or conclusions arrived at from certain facts well
established, and it may be you can convince some of us
sceptics that we are wroitg. At any rate, it may open a
door for us to show that you wre mistaken, but don’t I pray
you, jar our nerves by the thought that an annex to the
Smithsonian has entered the lists against us and demands
that we must receive its ‘ unhesitatIng affirmation,” as the
law and the gospel, and not be permitted to take it cwm
grano satis. I am sure the readers of O. and O., will join
with me when I make the assertion that no good naturalist
will destroy life wantonly, but those who are studying na-
ture, and following her through many and devious paths in
search of a more intimate knowledge of her workings, do
not wish to be trammelled by unnecessary or unjust laws
passed by law makers who have only heard the whine of
many whose only enjoyment in life is carping at others,
and posing as great public benefactors, when the truth is,
they are notorious humbugs who only take the position
they do because of its bringing them a little cheap notorie-
ty. No one deprecates more than I the killing of our birds
for millinery purposes, but the truth is, I think, when the
matter is fully investigated that there is “a great cry over a
very little wool,” and if naturalists would combine and pre-
sent the true facts to the law makers, different laws from
those now on the statute books would be the result, afford-
ing better protection to the birds, and more freedom to the
ardent naturalist. Tt is not to be wondered at that our
legislators, knowing hut little of the true facts, and con-
fronted by these many self-sufficient, unsubstantiated af-
firmations on the one side, and an indifference upon the
other, have been led into making unwise laws. It is to be
hoped that in the near future the laws may be so amended
that the enthusiastic naturalist may be protected in his
work and the birds fully protected also. If I have not ex-
hausted all of your patience, when Mr. Lucas gives us the
light I have asked for, I will try and show the fallacy of his
statements. W. W. C., Boston, Mass.

GOLDEN-CROWNED KiINnGLET. J. P. Loose, Hagerstown,
Md., writes that he found a female Golden-crown on July
22, and asks if this is not very rare.

W. E. Fowler, Spartanburg, S. C. The nest and eggs you
send us for identification belong to the Black-throated
Bunting, (Spiza americana).

Itirinots Laws Azour Birp CoLLEctINe. W. Ingram,
Odin, Til., asks what are the laws of Illinois about bird-
collecting. Wiil some of our correspondents answer his
question?

Walter Howie, W. E. Saunders. We shall be glad to re-
ceive articles that you may think suitable.

Received.—Court W. Ranslow; S. R. Ingersoll.

Nos. 1 and 2 of ‘The Young Mineralogist,” received.

ORNITHOLOGIST

—AND—

OOLOGIST.

$1.00 per

Single Copy

No. 10.

FRANK B. WEBSTER, PUBLISHER.
Annum. Established, March, 1875. 10 Cents.
VOL. IX PAWTUCKET, R. I., OCTOBER, 1884.

Migration in the Mississippi Valley. |

Carr May Warpter, (Perissoglossa ti-
grina).—Hast of the Mississippi is the
home of the Cape May, and any record
west of there used to be considered as cer-
tainly accidental As more than two-
thirds of the notes of last spring on this
species came from the western side, the
query arises, is the species moving west-
ward. Throughout most of the Hast it is
rather rare, but in central Wisconsin it has
been found in great numbers, hundreds
seen in a day; and in Minnesota it is given
as very common in migration. It both

breeds and winters beyond our borders. |

The most southwestern of the records is
that at Pierce City, Mo., 36°°, where it was
found April 27.
5. On May 11 it was taken at West De-
pere, Wis., 447°, and by the 23rd it had ar-
rived at Elk River, Minn, 45%; a female
was taken at Lanesboro, Minn., 43%, on
May 21. It was also taken in Iowa, but

rence in Nebraska.
at Alda, 40°3, on May 12, 1883, he took an
old male in good plumage, and a few days
later three more were probably seen.

Snow Bunrine, (Plectrophanes nivalis).
From their breeding places within the
Arctic circle, these warm-blooded Snow-
flakes come in countless thousands and
many a dreary landscape do they beautify
and enliven with the quick fiashing of their
wings and their cheery chatter. They in-
vade all of our district north of 39° and
less often to 35°, being replaced there by

It reached 42° on May |

fl

the Lapland Longspur. At St. Louis they
have never been seen. At Whitehall, D1.,
they stayed until March 24th. A little
farther north, around 42° and 43°, they

| were seen as late as April 17th, though the

bulk left the first week in April. At 45°
the bulk left about the same time, but it
was nearly May Ist before the last one de-
parted; while at Portage La Prairie, Mani-
toba, 50°, they did not depart until May
25th, and on previous years have been seen
as late as June 22d when the weather was
very hot.

Laptanp Lonespur, (Centrophanes lap-
ponicus). As has already been stated, the
Mississippi Valley below the range of the
Snow Bunting is occupied by the Long-
spur. The limit of the known southern
range of this species has been carried far-
ther south until we now know that it pene-
trates to Texas, where it has been found at
Gainesville, leaving there last Spring about
March 1st. Their mode of occurrence last

winter at Caddo, Indian Territory, may be
the most interesting record is its occur- |

Mr. Powell writes that |

taken as a fair sample of the way these
rovers come and go at their own pleasure.
None were seen there until a sudden cold
snap in February covered everything with
frozen rain. Horned Larks, Smith’s Long-
spurs, Chestnut-collared Buntings became
abundant, and on February 13th three
Lapland Longspurs were seen. Starting
out the next day to secure some of their
skins, I suddenly found myself surrounded
by hundreds and hundreds of them. They

, swarmed around us for a week until on the

night of the 19th, taking advantage of a

| clear sky.and a south wind, they, in com-

Copyright, 1884, by FRANK B. WEBSTER and EaToON CLIFF.

118

ORNITHOLOGIST

[ Vol. 9-No. 10

pany with all their long-clawed brethren
disappeared as suddenly as they had come.
In Kansas they were very numerous about
the same time, and a month later Nebraska
was the scene of action for the evolutions
of their mighty armies. In northern Min-
nesota, they disappear during the winter
to give place to the Snow Buntings, and
the first ones returned to Frazee City, on
March 9th. The last one left Manhattan,
Kan., the 22d of March, while as late as
April 19th, thousands were seen at Chica-
go, but left almost immediately.

Smrru’s Lonaspur, (Centrophanes pictus).
This is another Longspur whose winter
journeyings have been lately discovered to
extend to Texas. Mr. Ragsdale has found
them to be present at Gainesville, Tex.,
during several winters. Last Spring the
bulk left March 5th, and one was seen
April Ist. <A little to the northeast of this,
at Caddo, Indian Territory, they weré
found to be an abundant and apparently
regular winter visitor. Two flocks and
many scattered ones were seen November
17th, before there was hardly a sign of ap-
proaching winter, the leaves not all fallen
from the trees; and they stayed through
hot and cold; ice, snow and rain, until the
balk left February 19th, and the last one
on the 26th. East of the Mississippi it
extends in winter to the prairie regions of
southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois,
but its true home is the extensive plains
of the west and northwest. It does not
breed within our limits. At Caddo a fine
male was shot while sitting on a tree, the
only one that was ever seen to alight else-
where than on the ground.

( Centro-
phanes ornatus). This is one of the most
abundant birds of the western plains,
found resident in Kansas and Nebraska,

CHESTNUT-COLLARED Lonasrur,

breeding north to high latitudes in sum-
mer and wandering to southeastern Texas
and Old Mexico in winter. The most
southeastern record is probably Caddo,

Indian Territory, where it was seen the
middle of last February in company with
C. pictus and lapponicus. A question of
the use and meaning of ornithological
terms arises in connections with this and
the following species. Mr. N. C. Brown
in his “Reconnoissance in Southwestern
Texas,” (Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club VII. 1882,
pp. 37 and 38,) says that these two species
C. ornatus and R. maccowni, do not win-
ter there, because not found until Febru-
ary, and that the latter species is an “un-
common migrant, taken between February
11th and 21st.” In our Mississippi Valley
work we would call both of these species,
“winter visitants,” restricting the term
“migrant” or “transient,” which two terms
we use as synonymous, to those birds
which are found only as they pass through
from a more southern to a more northern
dwelling place, or vice versa.

At Gainesville, Tex., the bulk of the
Chestnut-collared began to leave March
12th, and the last was seen April 24th.

McCown’s Lonesrur, (hyncophanes
maccowni). This Longspur is more em-
phatically a bird of the western plains than
any of the preceding. There is only one
record of occurrence east of the Mississip-
pi; it having been found accidentally at
Champaign, Ill. The ordinary eastern
limit is western Kansas, Nebraska and Tex-
as. Nor does it proceed so far north; the
Black Hills are about the northern limit.
It was found the past winter at Caddo,
Indian Territory, on January 19th, and at
Gainesville, Tex., is marked, winter resi-
dent, leaving March 12th. A small flock
was also seen on the 26th, an unusually
late date for this species. At Ellis, Kan.,
they were found as a winter resident and
abundant in migration, but whether they
breed has not yet been decided.— W. W.
Cooke, Caddo, Ind., Ter.

ESAT Ce

The attention of our readers is called to
the publisher's announeements which ap
pear in our advertising pages.

OOLOGIST.

(Trochilus colubris.)

One warm afternoon, (16th of June,
1874), I was collecting insects in Buffalo
eroye near this place, and becoming tired,
had lain down to rest in the cool shade of
a large oak. While lounging there, half
asleep, my attention was suddenly attract-
ed by a loud humming noise which I
thought to come from a large beetle. In
a moment I was on the alert, but could see
nothing, and the noise quickly ceased, but
in amoment it was repeated, and contin-
ued for about fifteen seconds. In this way
the noise alternated for some time. At
times it would appear very close, then some
rods away. Finally Madam Ruby-throat,
for it was she, came within a few feet of
my face and darted away to a large But-
ternut, settling on what appeared to be a
knot on a dead limb about fifteen feet from
the trunk of the tree. She only remained
there a few seconds, when she returned to
me and darted at my face several times,
and then returned to her seat on the dead
limb. This was done four different times,
and then I began to get the idea that that
knot on the dead limb was a nest I had so
often longed to see, and which I had spent
many long hours searching for. It was
but the work of an instant to climb some
distance above so that the inside of the
nest could be plainly seen. There on their
snow white bed were two beautiful white
eggs, which I have since shown to many
admiring friends with pleasure.

To get them safely to the ground was
going to be a very difficult task, as the
nest was fully twenty feet from the ground
and the limb a slender one. The task,
however, was accomplished by the aid of
two long ladders tied together at the top.
By standing on the top rung the nest
could just be reached, and by making three
trips the nest and eggs were brought safe-
ly to the ground. Incubation had just
commenced. The nest was such a one as

119
only the Hummingbird can make, being
composed of the soft down of the cotton-
wood seed and covered with lichens, after
the manner of the Wood Pewee. All the
time we were around or near the nest, the
female was ready at all times to show her
pugilistic qualities by darting at our eyes
and elfirping, loudly for so small a thing.
It seemed mean to rob the poor little thing
of her treasures after she had defended
them so bravely, and can only offer the
old exeuse—* The ends of science.”

Three years later another nest was found
in a ravine in a yery remote part of the
woods. At this particular place Hum-
mingbirds had been yery plentiful since
their arrival in May; so early in the morn-
ing of June 18th, I set out to find a nest
if possible. The banks of the ravine were
very steep and thickly wooded. A stream
at one time had found its way through the
bottom. Dead trees were numerous—a
more desolate place would be hard to find.

As I was passing along. a Hummingbird
came buzzing about my head a moment
and then darted away. Thinking she
would return, I sat down on a large stone,
and had scarcely waited a minute, when
she returned and flew at me a few times,
and left as before. This time by close
watching I saw her fly into the top of a
dead Oak which I went to, and easily found
the nest. It was placed on the upper side
of a small limb where it forked, and was
about thirty feet from the ground. After
climbing to the nest, I sat on a large limb
two feet from it. While in this posi
tion, the bird would fly very close to my
head, remaining at the same place in the
air for several seconds, chirping loudly all
the time. Her notes consisted of one syl-
lable, sometimes uttered two or three times
in quick succession—something like tweet,
tweet. She would even alight on her nest
when it was within easy reach of me, and
remain there until my hand was within four
inches of her, when she would leave the

nest quickly. This nest was built of down

120

ORNITHOLOGIST

[ Vol. 9-No. 10

of cotton-wood and covered with lichens.
My facilities for observing these birds
have been limited until the present season
(1884.) This year I saw the first pair on
May 12th. They were seen early in the
morning and remained about the yard
every day. Their number constantly in-
creased until May 20, when the bulk had
arrived. During the month of June, I
passed daily through a piece of woods for
a distance of eighty rods. On the morn-
ing of June 11th, on throwing a stick to
flush a Wood Pewee from her nest, a loud
hum was heard, and after a search of ten
minutes, the nest of the Ruby-throat was
found on the extreme end of a dead limb,
thirty feet from the ground. To get this
set I sawed off the limb, which was fifteen
feet long, but the weight was too great,
and both eggs fell out and were broken.
The next morning, June 12th, found me
a few rods from the same place on my
morning's hunt as usual. My attention
was attracted by a pair of these birds en-
gaged in mortal combat with a Red-eyed
Vireo in the top of one of the loftiest trees.
Their tweet, tweet, could be plainly heard
as they darted to and fro at the Vireo. The
fight was a very interesting one, for what
the one lacked in size and strength was
more than made up in activity. At times
the Vireo would utter loud cries and fly at
his assailants, but it was of no avail—he
was forced by his dwarfish enemies to va-
cate that particular part of the woods.
Being satisfied that a nest was not far off
I searched carefully for an hour but could
not find it. Next morning I visited the
place again and found all quiet except
several noisy Rose-breasted Grosbeaks
hard by, and a Wood Thrush farther down
the glen. After waiting and watching
closely for fifteen minutes the noises of the
day before were heard in the same tree, and
on looking both Hummers were again giy-
ing the Vireo to understand that they had
homesteaded there, and it was no use for
him to try and “jump their claim.” The

fight lasted about a minute, with the same
results as before. I easily found the nest,
near the trunk of the tree, fully forty-five
feet from the ground, and placed 34 feet
from the trunk on a very slender twig. It
was nicely shaded by a cluster of oak
leaves and could not possibly have been
seen from the ground. It contained two
fresh eggs, and was the most beautiful-of
any of the nests I had yet found. The
nest was placed where the twig forked
and looked as if it had been completed and
the twigs pushed through the bottom part
to sustain it. The walls were very thin,
and on the outside the lichens were so
nicely fitted together that the surface was
smooth as paper. The birds acted very
much as did the others. I showed a friend
who thought he was pretty good ‘at find-
ing nests, the tree on which the third nest
was placed, and after a search of ten min-
utes he gave it up, which goes to show
how hard the nests are to see. The right
way is to look for the birds and watch
them. A braver bird to defend her nest
would be hard to find than the little Ruby-
throated Humming Bird. — Horace A.
Kline, Polo, Iii.

Notes from Denver, Colorado.

Bouemian Waxwine, (Ampelis garrulus.)
I have never noticed the Bohemian Wax-
wing in this locality until the 22d of
March of this year. A small flock contaim-
ing ten individuals was seen on the Platte
River, eight of which were shot. They

were feeding on the seeds of the wild
Rose.

Hovusz Finen, (Carpodacus frontalis.)
During the past winter the House Finches
were abundant on the Platte River, where
they enlivened the bare woods with their
Towards spring, however, they
nearly all disappeared, and I have hardly
seen an individual the summer through,

song.

although they were quite common during
the summer of ’83, at which season I found

several nests. ‘The eggs are three or four

Oct. 1884.]

121

AND OOLOGIST.

in number, of a bluish green ground color,
some specimens having a few black spots
near the larger end, while others have a
number of blotches and spots of a light
and dark brown color.

Say’s Frycarcuer,( Sayornis sayi.) This
bird is not much seen except by those in-
terested in bird life. It is a rather solitary
species, generally seen about old walls,
fields and fences. In all my observations
I have never seen one frequenting wood-
land. Say’s Flycatcher is one of our early
arrivals in the spring, appearing about the
10th of April. It has a very mournful
note, which it utters at intervals through-
out the day. I have seen them eject pel-
lets from their throats in the same man-
ner as do the owls. I have never found it
breeding before the past season, when a
single nest was found on a beam of an old
building near the city. I had seen a bird
in the vicinity a few days before and mis-
trusted that there was a nest near the
place. On the 17th of June, I sallied forth
and after about an hour’s watching dis-
covered the nest in the place mentioned.
The nest was flattened on one side where
it came in contact with the side of the
building, otherwise it was in the shape of
a sugar-loaf, with a cavity in the top for
the eggs. The body of the nest was com-
posed of grass-roots, thread and bits of
hemp, the inside of cotton-wood feathers,
the outside skin of grasses and a few
horse hairs. Outside measurements—long
diam. 7 ins., short diam. 4 ins., height 24
ins. Inside measurements—diam. 2# ins.,
depth 12 ins.

The eggs were five in number, pure
white. Incubation +. Both birds took
part in incubation.—H. G. Smith, Jr.,
Denver, Colorado.

The Sparrow Hawk.
(Tinnuneulus sparverius.)

This handsome httle Hawk is abundant
and breeds plentifully in old decayed
stumps and trunks of trees, generally in

some deserted Flicker’s hole. I have taken
a large number of their eggs this year.
From one nest I obtained seven eges at
different times, although the complete
clutch consists as a rule of four. On May
29th I found the above mentioned nest in
the decayed trunk of a cottonwood tree so
badly decayed that I could not trust to
climbing, so I pushed it over, letting it
fall against a clump of birches where it
remained standing at an angle of forty de-
erees from its original position, where I
could easily reach the nest. The eggs, of
which there were three, were laid in the
hole of a Red-shafted Flicker, (Colaptes
auratus mexicanus), wpon the chips left
by the former occupant. I took these eggs
and on the Ist of June visited the nest
again and found another egg, which I took.
On June 7th, finding the birds were still
in the vicinity, I climbed to the nest once
more and to my surprise found the female
on, nor would she move for me, but kept
her head buried in her breast. Being
greatly surprised and somewhat taken
aback by such actions, I wrapped my
handkerchief about my hand, and after
turning her over in the nest, pulled her
legs through and transferred the handker-
chief to the legs of the bird, tying it in a
knot, then I drew her through and found
three more eges. On reaching the ground
I examined my bird and, sorry to relate, I
had broken the eighth egg in the bird,
which of course accounted for her staying
on the nest so long. The eggs of this bird
vary greatly both in color and shape. In
most specimens the ground color seems to
be white, more or less spotted and blotched
with burnt umber, this color completely
covering one end, but it seems immaterial
to the bird which end. In other specimens
the burnt umber entirely covers the ground
color. Even the eggs of the same clutch
show a great difference in markings. Some
eges are nearly spherical, others are elon-
gated and pointed.—Chas. 7. Morrison,
Fort McKinney, Wyo. Ter.

122 ORNITHOLOGIST [ Vol. 9-No. 10

THE South, North and East; from the moun-

tains of Nevada to the lakes, rivers and

ORNITHOLOGI Sat plains of Oregon and Washington Terri-
—AND—

OOLOGIST.

A MONTHLY MAGAZINE OF

INCA SOIR AIL IGOIUS WO IRS,

ESPECIALLY DEVOTED TO THE STUDY OF

BIRDS,
THEIR NESTS AND EGGS.

DESIGNED AS A MEANS FOR THE INTERCHANGE OF NOTES

AND OBSERVATIONS ON BIRD LIFE.

FRANK B. WEBSTER, Publisher,
PAWTUCKET, R. I.

Editor’s Notes.

Dr. Elliott Coues has returned from his
visit to Europe. He reports having had a
pleasant and successful trip.

Among the prominent scientists who
have crossed the Atlantic this year to at-
tend the meeting of the British Associa-
tion at Montreal, is Dr. P. L. Schlater,
Seeretary of the London Zoological So-
ciety, and for many years editor of the
Ornithological Journal, the Ibis.

An inquiry in our August number re-
specting thefnest of the Chewink has elic-
ited a number of replies from which it ap-
pears safe to come to the conclusion of
Mr. D. E. Lantz, (page 127) that while
the early nests are almost invariably on
the ground, the second nests are as com-
monly in low bushes. This probably arises
from the thickening of the foliage as the
summer advances.

A correspondent asks us whether we
cannot stir up some of the old contribu-
tors to the O. and O. whose contributions
used so frequently to find a place in its
columns. He thinks we should also have
“a paper now and then” from a well known
Pacific coast collector, ‘‘on the wonderful

collecting tours he has made in California,

tory.” We can only say it will be a pleas-
ure to us to insert such communications.

One of the most complete Ornithologi-
cal collections in the world is that made
by the late Greene Sinith of Peterboro, N.
Y. Among the Hummingbirds are speci-
mens said to be in no other collection in
the world. This portion alone is valued
at $75,000. The whole was offered to
New York City four years ago and refused
by the Park Commissioners in their igno-
rance of its value. Now they are anxious
to have it and the family decline to give it
up to them.

Sickle-billed Thrush, or California
Thrasher.
Harporhynchus redivivus (Gamb.)

I first saw this bird in the coast range of
mountains back of Menlo Park, California,
in August and September of 1880. It was
quite abundant and I shot several, but all
were in poor plumage at that time. It was
only to be seen in the dense undergrowth
that fringed the banks of the streams a
few miles south of San Francisco. Mr. In-
gersoll says in his work “Nests and Hges
of North American Birds,” page 29, “ The
music of this bird is confined to the coast
region of Southern California where it re-
sides the year round.” But its range ex-
tends as far north as Menlo Park on San
Francisco Bay and perhaps farther. I be-
lieve it is confined to the coast range, as I
have never seen it in the Sierra Nevada or
the central part of the State, and Mr. Em-
erson of Haywards informs me that it is
not found on the eastern side of the same
bay. In my opinion this bird is resident
for a considerable part of the year in the
neighborhood of San Jose, for on my sec-
ond visit to California in May, 1881, when
within a few miles of the city, I saw anum-
ber and had the good fortune to find one

Oct. 1884.]

about two and one-half feet from the
ground. I saw the parent bird slip noise-
lessly from the nest as I approached it,
and she at once took herself into some
thick bushes on the other side of a small
stream near which the nest was placed. I
stood back and waited her return; but
while I remained in sight she did not come
and it was not till I had gone some dis-
tance up the stream and returned an hour
or so afterwards, that I again saw her
leave the nest in the same noiseless man-
ner. The outer portion of the nest was
composed of large sticks and roots loosely
placed and lined with fine rootlets. It
measured 6 inches outside, 3 inside, 24
deep. There were three eggs which are
now in my cabinet, measuring as follows :
No. 1 is 1 2-16 in.x14-16 in. No. 2 is
1316 in.x1416in. No. 3is 1 416 in.
x14,16 in. They are of a light bluish
green, with faint reddish brown specks
scattered pretty well over the surface but
thickest near the larger end. The eggs re-
semble those of the Steller’s Jay, but are
smaller.—S. W. Denton, Wellesley, Mass.

The American Barn Owl in Ohio.

The Barn Owl has been heretofore con-
sidered an extremely rare visitor in Ohio.
Many excellent ornithological collections
of Ohio birds, have been made within the
limits of the State, but few indeed are those
who are so fortunate as to include in their
series of Owls an Ohio specimen of Strix
flammea.

In Dr. Wheaton’s exceedingly valuable
report of the ‘* Birds of Ohio,” incorpo-
rated in Volume IV of the Geological
Survey of Ohio, he says: “ Rare visitor.”
“Not over half a dozen individuals record-
ed.” The year 1861 marks its first known
positive occurrence and capture, although it
was supposed before this that it was an oc-
casional straggling visitor in Ohio. Mr.
Chas. Dury records the capture of two

cinnati. This, Mr. Dury remarks, is the
only record, extending over a period of
more than seventeen years, that we have of
their occurrence in southern Ohio.

In the summer of 1879, a friend informed
me that he had a few days before shot a
strange Owl. From his description of the
bird I knew at once that it did not answer
to the size, coloration and markings of our
common Owls. I lost no time in going to
see it, and after fishing it out of the creek
where it had been thrown, I was delighted
to find it to be a fine specimen of this rare
Owl. Warm weather and flies had done
their work well, but notwithstanding its
“ripeness” it was after much patience and
care converted into a passable skin. In
1880, Mr. Markley took an adult male at
Foster’s Landing, on the Ohio River, thir-
ty-six miles above Cincinnati. From the
interior of the State but two are recorded.
One near Columbus, in 1878, and the other
at Circleville, in the summer of 1873. This,
I think, completes the list, and gives a to-
tal of seven individuals, taken in a period
of twenty-two years within the entire lim-
its of the state.

But whatever degree of rarity may have
marked its occurrence heretofore, the past
year has made full and ample reparation,
especially as far as southern Ohio is
concerned. Here is the list. On October
18, '83, a fine specimen of Strix flammea
was brought to me by a farmer. This in-
dividual was taken im an apple orchard
near some grain sheds. The 15th of De-
cember another was killed. This one I did
not secure, as it was utilized for millinery
purposes by one of our rural belles. Two
more were added to the list on December
22d, a third one escaping. A deep snow cov-
ered the ground at this time. These were
taken near the Miamiriver. The day before
Christmas the fifth was killed in an open
grain shed. Another was added to my
collection January 12th, and the seventh
and last on January 22d, 1884. Here then

[ Vol. 9-No. 10

ORNITHOLOGIST

in a period of a little over three months,
I was so fortunate as to secure as many in-
dividuals of this species as had been taken
in the previous twenty-two years. The
seven, too, were taken within a mile and a
half of here. Of the two taken on Decem-
ber 22d, one was but slightly wounded.
This I placed in a small room of the house.
I had here an excellent opportunity of ob-
serving it, and was much amused at its
comical attitudes. Each. time the door
was opened for a peep at his owlship, he
would lower his head until it almost
reached the floor, move it slowly and con-
stantly from side to side, roll up his dark
brown deep sunk shining eyes in the most
solemn manner. This performance was
repeated each time the door was opened. I
handled him frequently before sacrificing
him to science, and at no time did he offer
resistance with his talons after the manner
of Raptatorial birds, (and I assure you his
talons were formidable enough,) but con-
fined his line of defense to his bill alone.

The Barn Owl is undoubtedly a very
useful bird to the farmer, having as it has
an almost unlimited penchant for rats and
mice. Two or three pairs of these birds
would in the course of a year destroy
many hundreds of these pests that infest
our barns and grain sheds. I quote the
following from Mr. Dury’s article on the
Barn, Owl in the Cincinnati Natural Histo-
ry Journal. ‘On going up into the tower
of the ‘Town Hall’ of the village of Glen-
dale,” (where several of these owls were
secured the past year,) “I was astonished
at the sight presented. The floor and
ledges were covered with the cast up pel-
lets of the birds. There were hundreds
of these pellets, and must have contained
the debris of several thousand rats and
mice.’ This is certainly evidence of the
economic value of these birds. Mr. Dury
also states that he found them living in
harmony with several pairs of tame pig-
eons which had their quarters in the tower.
—R. T. Shepherd, Monroe, Ohio.

Yellow Warbler-vs. Cowbird.

In the O. and O. of March, (Vol. ix,

‘page 34,) Mr. C. R. Keyes mentions hay-

ing found a Scarlet Tanager’s (P. rubra)
nest with a Cowbird’s (AZ Pecoris) egg
embedded in the bottom. This recalls to
mind a Yellow Warbler’s (D. cestiva) nest
found by me at Fort Laramie in 1880,
which shows how persistent these birds
are sometimes in trying to evade hatching
the eges of the Cowbird; but in this case
the pecoris got the better of the estiva in
the end. The nest was placed in a rose-
bush, when, after laying one egg, two Cow-
bird’s eggs were deposited in it. The ws-
tiva immediately went to work and built
another nest on the top of these eggs ; but
after laying two eggs another ege of the
Cowbird was left in her care. Still being
determined not to be the foster mother to
these strangers, she added another story
to her already large nest. After laying
three eges her nest was again visited by
the Cowbird and two eggs left there. Her
little heart failed her this time and she
submitted to what seemed to her to be in-
evitable and commenced incubation. I
had not the heart to take her nest at this
time. In due course the young were
hatched and to my surprise the Cowbirds
were the first to see light, and they formed
quite a nest full of themselves. But when
the young warblers were hatched, I un-
ceremoniously tumbled the Cowbirds out.
The old birds did not seem much pleased
with my actions. Still as I from a child
always took the part of the weak side I
felt as if I had done my duty. When the
young had flown I secured the nest to-
gether with the eggs in the two lower
stories of this queer house, and it is now
in my possession. These eges were stillas
fresh as if just laid. A friend of mine took
a nest of the same bird in Worcester,
Mass., in 1872, of two stories.— Chas. 7.
Morrison, Fort McKinney, Wyoming
Territory.

Oct. 1884.] AND

OOLOGIST. 125

Notes from Rehoboth, Mass.

PART III. WATER BIRDS.

This season’s observations among the
few varieties of “Water Birds” which may
be found in this vicinity, developed no un-
usual facts of interest, no new species be-
ing noticed, and the regular frequenters
pursuing, so, far as observed, the same
methods of housekeeping as in former
seasons.

May 2d, while Perch fishing on Palmer's
river, I found two nests of the Wood Duck,
both in hollow “Buttonwoods’ with a sur-
prisingly small entrance for the size of the
Duck. These same trees have been occu-
pied by this species of Duck ever since my
acquaintance with the locality, some five
years or more. The sets numbered eleven
and nine respectively, the contents of the
nest being easily seen, as there were two
holes in each near the bottom of the cavi-
ty, as though worn through by long usage.

A nest of twelve eggs of this Duck was
taken April 23, 1880. Incubation unknown.
They were set under a domestic Pekin Duck.
May 14th, nine little ducklings rewarded me
for my pains, and very proud was I of my
success. Having kept the old Duck in con-
finement, I turned the little brood over to
her care, and was surprised and gratified
to see her take kindly to them.

I tethered the mother with a liberal cord
and showed my quaint looking youngsters
to admiring friends. For about a week
matters thus proceeded, when I awoke one
morning to find that Mrs. Duck had sey-
ered the string which held her foot, and
together with her little family, had swam
peacefully down Rocky-brook—to her fate
—for as I afterwards learned, as_ they
passed under the highway bridge, in the
eray dawn, a sportsman (?) shot the parent
bird, and left the ducklings to the more
merciful mink and turtle.

The Dusky Duck breeds sparingly. A
nest was found April30. It was hollowed
out at the foot of an old haystack, and

extended in twenty-seven inches, being
completely hidden by a curtain of hay
hanging over the entrance. It contained
ten eggs; incubation slight. The nest
would not have been found had it not been
for the old bird hissing like a snake as I
passed by it. A farmer found a set of
thirteen eges of this Duck and hatched
them all under a common hen, and at latest
information all were living, awaiting the
ignoble end of perishing at the block.

The familiar notes of the Spotted Sand-
piper are heard throughout the season.
Their nests are simple structures of root-
lets, with the eges lying with small ends
together. Their nests are usually found
in some old cultivated field, independent
of its proximity to water.

Only one nest of the Killdeer have I
ever found, although the birds are plen-
tiful in August in ponds and water courses.
The nest was among the rocks just above
high water mark, and contained, May 30,
four eges, just on the point of hatching.

In a small cedar swamp a colony of
Night Herons hold undisputed possession.
Only once did the spirit of investigation
prompt me to intrude upon their domains.
That I was uninvited company was evident
at once. Their clamor was such as my
companion expressed it, “that he couldn't
hear himself think.” Our climbing irons
were at home, and after several futile en-
deavors to “shin” the slimy smooth trees,
we withdrew with the “Fable of the Fox
and sour grapes,” in mind. The following
varieties of the Heron family have been
taken in this vicinity: Great-blue Heron;
Green Heron; Black-crown Night Heron;
American Bittern and Least Bittern.

* During the spring and fall migration the
number of shore birds is greatly aug-
mented. Prominent among the list of
these visitors are the Black-bellied Plover,
Golden Plover, “Yellow Legs” and Pec-
toral Sandpiper, while the Ducks are rep-
resented by the Teals, (both varieties, but
principally the Blue-wing), and the Scaup.

_[Vol. 9-No. 10

included observations along the coast, of
which this county has considerable, but
these notes have been confined to inland
districts. Thus ends my record for the
season of ’84, but even at this early date
I draw comfort from the thought that in
about seven months, tramps for Owl's
nests will again be in order. Only a few
days ago I spent, together with a friend,
a very happy hour sharpening the spurs of
our climbers with a file, and making them
ready for '85.—/. H. @.

Birds of Silver City, New Mexico.

(Continued from O. & O., EX, p. 72). The numbers pre-
fixed are from the last Smithsonian Check List.
APRIL, 1884.
Ta Western Robin, (Merula migratoria propinqua,) 26.
17 Rufous-vented Thrasher, (Harporhynchus crissalis,) 9.
23 Californian Bluebird, (Sialia mexicana,) 1.
24 Rocky Mountain Bluebird, (Sialia arctica,) 1, 26.
27 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, (Polioptila ceerulea,) 22.
30 Ruby-crowned Kinglet, (Regulus calendula,) 9.
39 Wollweber’s Titmouse, (Lophophanes wollweber7,) 26.
48 Lead-colored Tit, (Psaltriparus plumbeus,) 17.
58 Rock Wren, (Salpinctes obsoletus,) 7, 18, 24, 29.
61b Texan Bewick’s Wren, (Vhryomanes bewteki
gaster,) 7, 22, 26.
104 Grace’s Warbler,) Dendraca gracic,) 24.
105 Black-throated Gray Warbler, (Dendraca nigrescens,)
%, 26.
125 Pileolated Warbler, (Myiodioctes pusillus pileolatus,) 22.
149a White-rumped Shrike, (Lanius ludovicianus eacubitor-
ides,) 1, 9, 21, 24, 26, 29.
158 Cliff Swallow, (Petrochelidon lunifrons,) 21, 23, 29.
154 Barn Swallow, (Hirundo erythrogastra,) 7, 21, 23, 24,
26, 29.
155 Violet-green Swallow, (Tachycineta thalassina,) 26.
170 House Finch, (Carpodacus frontalis,) 7, 9, 18, 23, 26, 29.
197a Western Grass Finch, (Pomcetes gramineus confinis,)
1, 7, 26, 29.
204a Western Lark Finch, (Chondestes grammica strigate,)
24, 26.
207a Intermediate White-crowned Sparrow,
gambeli intermedia,) 18.
211a Western Chipping Sparrow, (Spizella Domestica ari-
zone,) 1, 7, 8, 9, 18, 21, 22, 24, 26.
224 Black-throated Sparrow, (Amphispiza bilineata,) 1, 7,
9, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 29.
238a Spurred Towhee, (Pipilo maculatus megalonyx,) 9, 18,
29, 23, 24, 26, 29.
239 Green-Tailed Towhee, (Pipilo chlorurus,) 23.
240 Canon Towhee, (Pipilo fuscus mesoleucus,) 1, T, 9, 18,
21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 29.
260 Yellow-headed Blackbird,
phalus,) 29.

leuco-

(Zonotrichia

(Yanthocephalus icteroce-

264 Western Meadow Lark, (Sturnella neglecta,) 26.

274 Brewer’s Blackbird, (Scolecophagus eyanocephalus,),
daily.

281 White-necked Raven, (Corvus cryptoleucus, 1, 21.

992 Woodhouse’s Jay, (Aphelocoma woodhousei, 1, 9, 18, 23,
24, 26.

307 Cassin’s Kingbird, (Tyrannus vociferans,) 26, 26.

316 Say’s Pewee, (Sayornis sayi,) 7, 18, 21, 22, 23, 24, 29.

328 Wright’s Flycatcher, (Empidonax obscurus,) 22, 23, 24.

329a Buff-breasted Flycatcher, (Empidonax fulvifrons pal-
lescens,) 26.

363 Texan Sapsucker, (Picus scalaris,) 9.

878b Red-shafted Flicker, (Colaptes auratus mexicanus,) 1, 2°.

420 Sparrow Hawk, (Vinnunculus sparverius,) 9.

431 Cooper’s Hawk, (Accipiter cooperi,) 26.

436 Red-tailed Hawk, (Buteo borealis,) 1.

451 Bald Eagle, (Halicetus lewcocephalus,) 1.

460 Mourning Dove, (Zenaidura carolinensis, T, 24, 26, 29.

MAY.

5 Dwarf Thrush, (Hylocichla unalase,) 1%.
11 Mockingbird, (Mimus polyglottus,) 7, 9, 15, 17, 19, 20,
27, 29, 30.
15 Curye-billed Thrasher, (Harporhynchus curvirostris,
38, 20, 30.
27 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, (Polioptila cerulea,) 1, 2.
33 Golden Kinglet, (Regulus satrapa,) 3.
48 Lead-colored Tit, (Psattriparus plumbeus,) 17, 27.
58 Rock Wren, (Salpinctes obsoletus,) 3, 7, 12, 19.
96 Audubon’s Warbler, (Dendrwa auduboni,) 1, 15, 27.
105 Black-throated Gray Warbler, (Dendraca nigrescens,)
3, 7, 12.
121 Macgillivray’s Warbler, (Geothlypis macgillivray?,) 3,
12, 20, 27.
125a Pileolated Warbler, (Myiodioctes pusillus pileolatus,) 3,
19, 20, 27.
139 Warbling Vireo, (Vireosylvia gilva,) 19.
141 Blue-headed Vireo, (Lanivireo solitarius,) 13, 17.
147 Gray Vireo, (Vireo vicinior,) 9, 15, 27.
149a White-rumped Shrike, (Lanius ludovicianus excubitor-
ides,) 1, 3.
153 Cliff Swallow, (Petrochelidon lwnifrons,) daily.
254 Barn Swallow, (Hirwndo erythrogastra,) daily.
156 Violet-Green Swallow, (Lachycineta thalassina,) 15,
17, 19.
162 Western Tanager, (Pyranga ludoviciana,) 15, 1%.
170 House Finch, (Carpodacus frontalis,) daily.
185 Pine Goldfinch, (Chrpsomitris pinus,) 7, 12.
224a Western Lark Finch, (Chondestes granumica strigata,)
12, 15, 17, 27, 29.
20Ta Intermediate White-crowned Sparrow, (Zonotrichia
yambeli intermedia,) 20.
21a Western Chipping Swarrow, (Spizella domestica ari
zone,) 1, 3, 7, 12.
213 Brewer’s Sparrow, (Spizella breweri,) 12.
215 Black-chinned Sparrow, (Spizella atrigularis, 27.
221 Red-backed Snowbird, (Junco dorsalis,) 9, 20.
224 Black-throated Sparrow, (Amphispiza bilineata, 1, 3, 9;
12, 15, 20.
230b Rock Sparrow, (Peuceea rusiceps eremeeca,) 12, 27.
23°a Spurred Towhee, (Pipilo maculatus megalonys,) 1, 3, 9
9, 15, 17, 19, 20, 27. {
239 Green-tailed Towhee, (Pipilo chlorwrus,) 9, 20.
240 Canon Towheg, (Pipilo fuscus mesoleucus,) 1, 3, 7, 9, 12,
15, 17, 19, 20, 27, 30.
245 Black-headed Grosbeak, (Zamelodia melanocephala,) 20.
258a Dwarf Cowbird, (Molothrus ater obscurus,) 12, 15,
19, 29.
260 Yellow-headed Blackbird, (Xanthocephalus icteroceph-
alus,) 1, 7, 29.
274 Brewer’s Blackbird, (Scolecophagus cyanocephatus,) 1,
8, 7, 9, 15.
281 White-necked Raven, (Corvus cryptoleucus,) 27, 30.
265 Pinon Jay, (Gymnocitta cyanocephala,) 27.

Oct. 1884]

292 Woodhouse’s Jay, (Aphelocoma woodhousei,) 7, 12, 17,
19, 20.
3000 Mexican Shore Lark, (Hremophila alpestris leucolcema,)
15, 29.
307 Cassin’s Kingbird, (Tyrannus vociferans,) 3, 7, 9, 12,
15, 19, 29.
313 Ash-throated Flycatcher, (Myiarchus cinerascens,) 7, 12,
17, 30.
316 Say’s Pewee, (Sayornis sayi,) 1, 7, 9, 12, 15, 17, 19, 29.
318 Olive-sided Flycatcher, (Contopus borealis,) 20, 27, 29.
321 Western Wood Pewee, (Contopus richordsoni,) 30.
328 Wright’s Flycatcher, (Empidonax obscwrus,) 9, 15, 17,
19, 20, 30.
355 Poor-will, (Phalenoptilus nuttalli,) 3, 9, 27, 29, 30.
357a Western Nighthawk, (Chordeiles popetue henry?,) 30.
360b Harris’s Woodpecker, (Picus villosus harrisi,) 19.
375 Red-headed Woodpecker, (Melanerpes erythrocepha-
lus,) 15.
378b Red-shafted Flicker, (Colaptes auratus mexicanus,) 27.
420° Sparrow-hawk, (Vinnwneulus sparverius,) 19.
431 Cooper’s Hawk, (Accipiter cooperi,) 1.
436 Red-tailed Hawk, (Buteo borealis,) 27.
460 Mourning Dove, (Zenaidwra Carolinensis,) 1, 7, 9, 12,
15, 17, 19, 20, 27, 29, 30.
483 Gambel’s Quail, (Lophortyx gambeli,) 20.
JUNE.
11 Mockingbird, (Mimus polyglottus,) 2, 9, 10, 11, 13, 16,
18, 19, 20, 24, 25.
15 Curve-billed Thrasher, (H. eurvirostris,) 2, 3. 13.
17 Rufous-vented Thrasher, (Harporhynchus crissalis,) 3.
58 Rock Wren, (Salpinctes obsoletus,) 17, 19, 20, 24.
147 Gray Vireo, (Vireo vicinior,) 9, 11, 17.
149a White-rumped Shrike, (Lanius ludovicianus excubi-
torides,) 3, 4, 16.
163 Hepatic Tanager, (Pyranga hepatica,) 25.
170 House Finch, (Carpodacus frontals,) daily.
204a Western Lark Finch, (Chondestes granuinica strigata,)
4, 9, 13, 16, 19, 20. :
214 Field Sparrow, (Spizella pusilla.) 16.
224 Black-throated Sparrow, (Amphispiza bilineata,) 2, 3,
11, 13, 16, 20.
230b Rock Sparrow, (Peuceea ruficeps eremeca,) 2. ~
238a Spurred Towhee, (Pipilo maculatus megalonyx,) 2, 6, 9,
10, 11, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25.
240 Canon Towhee, (Pipilo fuscus mesoleucus,) 2, 3, 4, 6, 9,
10, 11, 13, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 24, 25.
245 Black-headed Grosbeak, (Z.melanocephala,) 4, 13.
246 Blue Grosbeak, (Guwiraca ccerulea,) 16.
258a Dwarf Cowbird, (Molothrus ater obscurus,) 13, 16.
285 Pinon Jay, (Gymnocitta cyanocephala,) 4, 13.
292 Woodhouse’s Jay, (A phelocoma woodhousei,) 2, 4, 6, 10,
13, 20, 25.
307 Cassin’s Kingbird, (7. vociferans,) 4, 13, 16, 17, 18, 20.
313 Ash-throated Flycatcher, (Myiarchus cinerascens,) 3, 9,
11, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20.
316 Say’s Pewee, (Sayornis sayi,) 2, 4, 6, 9, 11, 13, 25.
321 Western Wood Pewee, (Contopus richardsoni,) 2, 4,9,
18, 17, 20, 25.
328 Wright’s Flycatcher, (Himpidonax obscwrus,) 4, 6.
339 Broad-tailed Hummingbird, (Selasphorus platycercus,)
4, 13.
355 Poor-will, (Phalenoptilus nuttalli,) 19.
35Ta Western Nighthawk, (Chordetles popetue henry?,) 10, 11,
17, 18, 19, 20, 24.
361a Gairdner’s Woodpecker, (Picus pubescens gairdneri,) 10.
436 Red-tailed Hawk, (Buteo borealis,) 2, 4, 16, 17.
460 Mourning Dove, (Zenaidwra carolinensis,) 2, 3, 4, 6, 9,
10, 11, 18, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 24, 25.
483 Gambel’s Quail, (Lophortyx gambeli,) 2, 4, 9, 13, 19,
20, 25,
2 —Charles H. Marsh, Silver City, New Mexico.

AND OOLOGIST.

ight.

Brief Notes.

Norges From MANHATTAN, Kan.—Mr. Blood, proprietor
of the Cottage Hotel, hasin confinement three Great-horned
Owls which he has kept for several years. One of the fe-
males has laid two sets of eggs,—one in February, 1883, and
the other in March, 1884. The bird was allowed to sit
upon them for several weeks, but they failed to hatch.

A pair of Barn Owls were captured last Spring in Clay
County, about thirty-five miles northwest of this place.
They had taken possession of an unused hen-house and had
made their nest in acorner of tit. The number of eggs was
not stated by my informant. This species is exceedingly
rare in this part of Kansas.

In reply to Mr. Barnard’s juestion about the Chewink
(September O. and O., p. 104), I will say that with us the
early nests are almost always wpon the ground. I remem-
ber finding one in a gooseberry bush about a foot up. But
at the second nesting they almost invariably build in bushes
from two to seven feet from the ground.

The nest described by, Mr. E. C. Nicewaner, in O. and O,
for July, (p. 90) was probably that of the Acadian Flycatch-
er. All the nests of this species that I have seen agree with
his description. To-day, Sept. 2d, I saw young Chipping
Sparrows just from the nest. Baltimore Orioles and Purple
Martins still here, the latter in large numbers.—D. #.
Lantz.

Mreration Nore. SHORE Brrps. Ava. 29,1883. Wind
N. E., blowing very hard and rainy in a. m. Golden Plover
and Eskimo Curlew flying in large flocks. Saw one flock of
Curlew of several thousands. Rain ceased about 9a. m.,
clouds raised and sky lighter. The flights were much high-
er, Flock after flock went by, at times five could be seen
at once. This continued until noon ; in the afternoon the
numbers were much less.

Avg@. 30, 1884. Weather cloudy, foggy. Wind S. E. and
Curlew and Plover commenced flying but not in very
large numbers; an occasional flock was to be seen during
the day. The next day the weather was the same and the
flights as before.—Chatham, Mass., S. Mrank Dexter.

Nest oF THE CHEWINK. In answer to the inquiry of Mr.
Barnard :—I have this summer, found two nests of the
Chewink in bushes; one in a crabapple bush, two feet from
the ground, constructed of dried leaves and coarse grass
with a lining of fine grass, and containing, when discovered,
three young birds. The other was made of the same kind
of materials—in a brushy rose bush, one foot from the
ground, and contained three white and red speckled eggs.
I found both nests on the third day of August. Those
found early in the season, some five or six in number, were
all placed on the ground, I have not noticed that the
Chewink abandons its nest more readily than other small
birds, but I am careful not to disturb any of them.—Mrs.
Margaret Musick, Mount Carmel, Mo.

Novres From Mippuz, N. C.—Whilst out collecting on
July 15, we had the good fortune to secure a fine female
specimen of Great White Egret of the following dimensions :
L. 40, W. 16, T. 63s, B. 449. Besides the above, the follow-
ing birds, rare to our knowledge, have been through our
hands lately: Pileated Woodpecker, (Hylotomus ptleatus,)
Sooty Tern, (Hydrochelidon lariformis,) Little Blue Heron,
(Florida ceerulea,) Red-breasted Snipe, (Macrorhamphus
griseus,).

We had brought to us for mounting, on Sept. 2, a skin of
the Wood Ibis, (Lantalus loculator). It was killed early in
July, about five miles south of here, with a .44-calibre Win-
chester, at long range, and, being skinned by unskilled
hands and cured roughly, came to hand in bad fix. This is
the first specimen of this beautiful bird that has come un-

[Vol. 9-No. 10

ORNITHOLOGIST

der our observation in an experience extending over nearly
four years, and we would be glad if any of your corres-
pondents could inform us as to its range east of the Alle-
ghanies, and to the frequency of its occurrence in this State.
—H. H. &: CLS. Brimley, Raleigh, N. C.

PILEATED WooprEcKeER. I had, some years since, an
opportunity to observe the habits of a pair of Pileated
Woodpeckers, (Hylotomus pileatus,) that made their nests
in a dead elm in an old clearing, in an excavation in the
main trunk, about forty feet from the ground. One day,
after the young birds were hatched, one of the parent birds
arrived with a large grub, and alighting on the bare, smooth
trunk about fifteen feet below the nest as usual, commenced
to ascend after the manner of the Pici, when a pair of Red-
headed Woodpeckers attacked it, flying up from below.
The Pileatus defended itself courageously by striking wp-
ward against the air with its wings, and striking its assail-
ants with the points of its vectrices, and actually thus beat
them nearly to the ground, before one of them dexterously
seized the prize and made off to its own nest. I would like
to know if similar rencounters have been observed by your-
self or correspondents.—IMrs. Margaret Musick, Mount
Carmel, Mo.

TuE Woop Irs. Noticing in the current O. and O., that
specimens of the Wood Ibis, (Lantalus loculator) had been
recently taken in Lancaster County, Pa., I recall the cir-
cumstance of preparing the skin of a fine large male Wood
This at Williamsport, Lycoming County,,Pa., in June, 1876.

The bird in question was run over and disabled by a mar-
ket wagon in the dusk of early morning, among the hills
some six miles north of Williamsport. The driver stuted
that there seemed to be about a dozen sitting down im the
roadway. They were not observed until they rose all about
the wagon with loud outcries, frightening the horse badly.
On lighting the lantern the injured one was discovered try-
ing to escape through the roadside fence. Another speci-
men was shot a few days later in a wet cornfield and shared
the fate of most large birds killed in country districts. He
formed a conspicuous ornament on a farmer’s barn for
several seasons. The specimen preserved is now in the
fine collection of Mr. Aug. Koch of Williamsport.—W. V. F.
Du Bois, Pa.

Kine Birps. I notice in the September Number of the
0. and O., the Rey. W. E. Hill, in his diary, speaks of the
King Bird being cowardly except towards other birds.
While this is the case in general, two exceptions have come
under my notice. In 1882 a pair of King Birds built a nest
in asumac bush which stood in a strip of unbroken land
that extended across my cornfield. Ag I passed near on my
way to work, I usually stopped to look at the nest and
see how it was getting along, and after the young birds were
hatched the parents never failed to object to my approach-
ing the nest; flying around in circles, dashing at my head,
scolding all the time, and showing undoubted courage.

The second case was this year. A pair built in a scrub
oak near my house (at Fridley, Minn.) and they acted very
much as the first.

We allow no one to molest birds on our place and per-
haps that made them more courageous.—Court. W. Rans-
low, Minneapolis, Minn.

Eneuish Sparrows BuILpING IN TREES, &c.—During
the past season the English Sparrows in this vicinity have
built in trees to a limited extent. I saw two very bulky
nests in the upper branches of a young elm, and while out
early one morning in June watching a pair of these birds
as they were constgucting their nest, I was accosted bya
good-natured Irishman, who, after he had learned what I
was about, said: “Do ye know where the Jabbers build?”
Twas puzzled to know what he meant by “ Jabbers,” and

so intimated. He explained by saying, ‘‘ Did ye niver mind
the birds with the long bakes (beaks) that they be all the
time jabbiw into the trees?” I suggested that he might
have seen a Woodpecker, and he said, ‘Is that the name
of em? Tcall’em the Jabbers.” I think we could forgive
the ‘‘Jabbers” if they would jab their beaks into a few Eng-
lish Sparrows, just for diversion. This last word reminds
me of a remark recently made in my presence by an old
lady who lives on a farm not many miles away. While
scolding about a reckless son, she said, “I can’t get him to
shoot the pesky Hen Hawks, but he’ll go out any time and
shoot Chimney Swallows for devotion.”—C. E. P.

Cowxsrrp Living wire ENciisn SparRrows.—I have to
report a Cowbird as living and accompanying a flock of
English Sparrows, which no doubt had hatched and raised
it. It is only noticeable by its larger size and walk, which
is not a hop, as is the Sparrow, its color is the same as the
female Sparrow.—A. H. Boies, Hudson, Mich.

LARGE SEts or Eaa@s.—This season I have taken a set of
6 Song Sparrows, 6 American Gold Finches, 6 Baltimore
Orioles, and 2 sets of 5 each Yellow-bill Cuckoos.—C. E.
Lincoln, Gildersleeve, Conn.

CORRESPONDENEGE:

Correspondents making inquiries are requested to be brief
and to the point.

List oF Brrps COLLECTED aT Sr. Louis, Mo. A cor-
respondent (W. O. E.) having called attention to the Snowy
Owl and Wild Turkey appearing in Mr. Hurter’s List as
“nesting,” we requested him to give further particulars.
Mr. Hurter writes us “I have to state, that the asterisk
prefixed to V. Scandiaca is a mistake and did not think it
necessary to correct it as any ornithologist would know
better. In regard to M. Gallipavo, I can only state that
the bird is now very rare in this neighborhood. I know of
only one bird that was killed within five miles of the city
by a friend of mine, Regarding the breeding, I put the as-
terisk on the strength of receiving from an old settler a bird
in down, which he said was from a wild bird, and knowing
the party very well I took it for granted—but as to the nest
itself I cannot say anything.”

TuE DESTRUCTION OF BIRDS FOR MILLrNERY Pur-
PosEs. Yo the Editor of the Ornithologist and Oologist—
Sir: When W. W. C. has learned that abuse is not argu-
ment nor sarcasm fact, it will be time to furnish him with
some of the information he so politely requests. Until he
can bring himself to use ordinary courtesy I must decline
to continue the discussion. Freperic A. Lucas.

As we go to press, a lengthy reply to ‘“ W. W. C.” reaches
us from Mr. L. M. McCormick, for which we shall endeavor
to find room next month.

Birp Lime. H. G. Smith, Jr., asks for a good receipt for
making bird-lime. A similar inquiry in our May number
did not receive any response. Perhaps some of our read-
ers who use the article will give us their receipt.

WHERE ARE THE Paciric Coast MIGRATION OBSER-
vers? How is it that none of the West coast collectors
seem interested in the spring and fall migration of our
birds? If each would keep watch upon the migrations in
such a climate as California, I am sure much valuable in-
formation might be obtained. Look at the ground gone
over by the observers in the Middle States. Is the Pacific
Coast to drop out of the migration field? Many links go to
make the chain of observations complete, so let us see
what a show we can make.—A (California) Reader of the
0. and O.

Law Lad

ORNITHOLOGIST.

ee
$1.00 per FRANK B. WEBSTER, PUBLISHER. Single Copy
Annum. Established, March, 1875. 10 Cents.

VOL. IX. PAWTUCKET, R. I.,. NOVEMBER, 1884. No. Ir.

|

Migration in the Mississippi Valley. | and two days later at Glasgow, Mo., 39",
——— | while on the same day it was seen at Man-

Barrp’s Bunrine, (Centronyx bairdi). | hattan, Kansas, 39!%. This fixes its’ pres-
By what route does Baird's Bunting go | ence very accurately at this date, but for
south? That is the question. Dr. Coues | the next two weeks the records are so much
writing ten years ago, says that it is ex- | at variance that it is probably the merest
tremely abundant in Dakota, almost to the | approximation to say that on May 10th,
Red River of the north, and that all left in | the normal van was in Northern Illinois
September. Where did they go? The | and Northern Iowa. On the 15th, it is re-
species is not known to occur in Kansas, | ported from Lake City and Pine Bend,
and if there is any Nebraska record, I have | Minn.; the 23d, fronr Minneapolis, while
failed to find it. Nevertheless we are | from Elk River not until June 2d. Elk
bound to believe that it does occur in both | River, Minn., is very near the northern
these states. Mr. G. H. Ragsdale shot | limit of the species. In three years’ resi-
one at Gainesville, Tex., on the 24th of | dence at 47° in Minnesota it was not seen.
last April, and if it occurs in central Texas It may not be out of place here to give
and eastern Dakota, it must perforce occur | the full record from St. Louis, as showing
in the intervening country. At Caddo, | how many changes there are in the make-
Indian Territory, it was not found, though | up of the individuals present at different
I shot upwards of fifty Savanna Sparrows | times. April 28th, first one, a male in
in the vain hope that some of them would | song; April 29th, an increase, a small flock
resolve themselves into the wished for | of males; April 30th, males in song in a
Baird’s. On March 31st, among a lot of | few places; May 5th, the bulk of males
Savannas I heard one singing with the final | arrive and the first female; May 6th,
trill which Dr. Coues says is the note of | males everywhere in noisy flocks and many
this species, but I was not able to find the | transients; these two days, May 5th and
bird. The range of this species is from | 6th, were the height of the season for
New Mexico to British America and it | males; May 9th, the bulk of young males
breeds abundantly in Dakota. and the bulk of females arrive; mating ;
Inpico Bunrina (Passerina cyanea). | May 21st, nest building; May 31st, they
The Indigo is found all over the Missis- | are one of our most industrious songsters.
sippi Valley, and, though it usually leaves | Onrcuarp Ortoie (Lcterus spurius). The
the United States in winter, Mr. Bibbins | Orchard Oriole is one of the birds whose
says that he has seen it as an occasional | migration is steady and uniform, advancing
winter visitant at Mermenton, La. By | northward on both sides of the Missis-
April 29th, it has advanced up the Valley | sippi and even on the plains at the same
to Pierce City and St. Louis, Mo. The 3d | time. Moreover, it is so conspicuous a
of May it was seen at Carlinville, Ill, 391°, | bird that it is easily noted. Wintering be-

Copyright, 1884, by FRANK B. WeEzstTER and EATON CLIFF.

ORNITHOLOGIST

[Vol. 9-No. 11

yond the United States, it passed over our
border about the last of March, the male
arriving at San Angela, Texas, 31”, on
April 18th, and the female three days later.
At Gainesville, Texas, 33%°, the first came
April 14th, and the second day after, they
appeared at Abbeville, La., 29°. Hast of
the Mississippi they came earlier, being
seen at Rodney, Miss., 3152, on March
31st, and the first female April 9th.

The 27th of April saw them at Griggs-
ville and Danville, Ill, and the next day
three old males were seen at St. Louis.
On the 29th, they were seen at Fayette,
Mo., 39%, the 30th saw them at Manhat-
tan, Kansas, 39!, and by May 10th they
had advanced to 41°3in Illinois, 4149 in
Iowa and 40°° in Nebraska, though the
probability seems to be that the advance
was made simultaneously to all places on
the 7th. May 12th, they came to Porte
City and Waukon, Ia., 43', with one a lit-
tle behindhand at Milwaukee, Wis., 43°, on
the 17th. At Lanesboro, Minn., 431%, they
were seen May 23d, three days after they
had been seen at Elk River, Minn., 455.
Elk River is near the northern limit of the
species. A few have been seen in Central
Dakota, and it has been seen in Minne-
sota at White Harth, 47°; north of this
there appears to be no record. The bulk
moves closely behind the first, within two
or three days of it.

Battimore Orrote (Leterws galbula).
The first record we have of this species is
April 7th, when it appeared at Rodney,
Miss., 31°?, and the last, May 25th, at Oak
Point, Manitoba, 50*°.
an average speed of twenty-seven miles a
day. As we found last year that this was
a bird of quite uniform speed, let us trace

This would make

the record this year and see how it agrees.
St. Louis, Mo. is reached April 26th,
which would be at the rate of twenty-five
miles a day; but if we go directly north
from Rodney, we find a record on the 25th
at Hillsborough, Ill, 39%, which would
make a speed of just twenty-seven miles a

day. About April 29th and 30th there
seems to have been much movement of
this species, not so much advance of the
van, as the filling up of the country al
ready traversed, bringing the bulk to the
country from 39°° southward and the van —
to 41° and in the west to Manhattan,
Kansas, 39! At twenty-seven miles a
day, they should have advanced by May
6th to about 43°°, nor do we have to hunt
far for records of this advance. May 5th
and 6th are days of especial movement in
Iowa, Minnesota, Illinois and Wisconsin.
During these days there are records all
over Northern Illinois and Southern Wis-
consin to 43°%, with a stray one at 44%, and
Minnesota shows good records to 43%,
with an extra advance along the Missis-
sippi River to 44°". May 12th should
have found them at 46°, and we are fur-
nished the record of its appearance that
day at 455 and 46° in Minnesota; so that
although as would be expected, there are
slight variations in speed, the species
shows a quite remarkable uniformity in
its rate of migration through this long
distance. There is, however, no trace of
the increase of speed from the south north-
ward, which was noticed last year, the
highest rate being in the middle districts
the first week in May. In the prairie re-
gion the records are somewhat later, the
birds reaching 391%, Kansas, April 30th;
4053, Nebraska, May 9th, and 4471, Dakota,
on May 22d. Farther west and almost at
the extreme limit of its western disper-
sion, it was observed at Gainesville, Texas,
and Ellis, Kansas.

The full record at St. Louisis: April
26th, first, three males at stands calling ;
April 28th, bulk of males arrive—the bulk
of the species averages in all the notes
about four days behind the first; May 3d,
first females—the average for females is
about seven days behind the first, and as
the arrivals of bulk may be separated into
two series, one of about two or three days
in the rear, and the other of seven or eight,

Noy. 1884.]__

it is evident that the first series indicates
the arrival of the bulk of the males, while
the second indicates the increase of the
species as a whole, caused by the arrival of
the females; May 5th, bulk of females ar-
rive and many transients, making this day
the height of the season—as has already
been stated, this day and the next are the
days of movement for this species, and
this seems to be true over an immense
country, stretching from 34° to 44°; May
10th, first male of last year; May 11th,
species very much excited and transient
birds of last year present; May 31st, set
found of six incubated eggs.— W. W.
Cooke.

=e

Bird Nesting on ‘“‘Bird Island,” Cal.

The undersigned, in company with Mr.
A. M. Ingersoll, started on the 28th of May
for “Bird Island,” an island situated near
the end of Tomales Point, Marin Co. This
island is about one hundred and twenty-
five yards from the mainland; itisa barren
rock entirely destitute of vegetation, and I
should judge from my observation of it,
that it is about an acre and a half in area,
although it may be less, and its highest
point is about fifty feet above the sea level.
As we viewed the island from the shore it
appeared to be one mass of birds, princi-
pally Cormorants and Gulls. As we
approached, the Gulls and Oyster-catch-
ers uttered their shrill notes, and by
the time we had reached the island it was
in commotion, the birds flying over our
heads in every imaginable direction, the
majority, however, soon returned and lit
on the water about a hundred and fifty
yards from the island, but quite a lot of
them kept continually flying over our
heads.

The sight on the island is one that I
shall never forget, and to any person who
has never before witnessed such a sight, it
is truly wonderful.

The birds that were breeding on this
island consisted of the following kinds,

AND OOLOGIST. 131

Ses aid Baird’s Cormorants, Western
Gulls and about twenty pair of Tufted
Puffin were breeding in the burrows which
were situated on the banks that surrounded
some parts of the island. The burrows
extended into a depth of about four feet,
at the end of which they deposit a single
ege@ on the bare earth. We only obtained
eight of their eggs, as our time on the
island was limited, and it generally takes
from five to ten minutes to obtain one of
them. The burrows never run straight,
but nearly always curve just before the
nest (if such it can be called) is reached.
The two svecies of Cormorants each in-
habited different parts of the island, the
Brant’s occupying the eastern side and the
Baird's the western side thereof. The
Brant’s greatly outnumbering the Baird's.
Phe nests were situated about eighteen
inches apart and in straight rows of about
thirty feet long, but I presume that as the
season advanced they would greatly in-
crease in length, as a great many of the
Brant’s had just commenced to form their
nests. The Baird’s I think are about a
week earlier in their breeding habits than
the Brant’s, as nearly all the nests of the
Baird’s had full sets, while with the Brant’s
such was not the case. The usual comple-
ment of eggs consisted of from three to
four. We only obtained two sets of five
I believe, one of Brant’s and one of Baird's.
The nests were composed principally of
seaweed and lined with sea grass. The
egos of these two species are indistinguish-
able from each other in regard to size and
color, the only way therefore to be posi-
tive of their identity is to shoot the birds.

We obtained about two hundred eggs of
the Brant’s Cormorant and about one hun-
dred and thirty of the Baird's.

The Western Gulls, (the only kind that
were breeding on the island), were not so
regular in their breeding habits, their nests
being scattered promiscuously over the
whole islands. The majority of the eggs
were well advanced in incubation, and I

ORNITHOLOGIST

[Vol. 9-No. 11

— = - a

can assure the readers of the O. & O., that
it was not a very pleasant task to prepare
their eggs.

The nests were similar to those of the
Comorants, the only perceptible difference
being in their size. They lay from two to
three eggs, usually three. We obtained
about two hundred eggs.

The nests of the Oyster-catcher we were
unable to find.—Joseph Skirm, Santa
Cruz, Cal.

Picidae.

The following species of Woodpeckers
are found in the vicinity of Taftsville, Vt.

Hairy Woodpecker, (Picus villosus).
Common. Resident. Breeds, nesting in
May. More common in early winter than
at other times, and of more retiring habits
than the next named species.

Downy Woodpecker, (P. pubescens).
Common. Resident. Breeds. This, the
smallest of our Woodpeckers, finds its fa-
vorite breeding places in old neglected
orchards. Lays from four to six pure
white eggs the last of May or first of June.
In the autumn of 1876 a friend, who reports
to me many interesting observations in
bird life, called my attention to a hole
which had just been made by a Downy, in
It was as
spacious and complete as though designed
The nest
of the Downy excels in neatness and per-
fection of work, that of any other Wood-
pecker breeding in this locality, the hole at
the entrance often being as round and
perfect as though bored with an auger. I
have found this to be the most industrious
of our Woodpeckers. In the autumn of
1883 I saw two males, an adult and a
young, busily engaged in a small cherry
tree, searching the black knots with which
the tree was thickly infested. In a short
time they obtained from the black knot
over a hundred larvee, all of them being de-
voured by the young bird. When the
adult bird found a larva he gaye an almost

a solid, dry oak gate post.

for a nest, but was never used.

inaudible cluck, which-instantly called the

young to receive the tempting food.
Black-backed Woodpecker, ( Picoides are-

ticus). Rare. Winter visitor. Birds of

this species are oftener met with than of

the following.

Banded-backed Woodpecker, (P. tridac-
tylus americanus). Rare. Winter visitor.

Yellow-bellied Woodpecker, (Sphyrapi-
cus varius). Common. Summer resident.
Breeds. Arrives in April. Some often re-
main until late autumn. I have had abun-
dant opportunities to study the breeding
habits of this species and with rare excep-
tions, have found them to select a live tree
in which to make their nest.

One hole, from which I took a clutch of
five eggs, was twenty feet up in a live,
sound looking beech tree, and went four
inches horizontally through sound green
wood, to the defective heart, in which it
went down eight or nine inches.

In a large butternut tree near my home
are four holes, in a nearly perpendicular
row, about ten inches apart, made by this
species (probably the same ‘pair) in four
successive season, (the last one bemg made
this season), in each of which a family of
young have been reared. The Yellow-
billed, Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers are
most unjustly persecuted. The three
species are called Red-headed Woodpeckers
or Sapsuckers, and are shot whenever there
is an opportunity.

Pileated Woodpecker, (ylotomus pilea-
tus). Not common. Resident. Breeds.
This is the largest and most shy of the
Woodpeckers found here. Confined to
the thickly timbered
They are closely persued by gunners.

Red-headed Woodpecker, (Melanerpes
erythrocephalus). Rare. Summer visitor. I
have noted it but twice, May 11th, and
July 17, 1883.

Yellow-shafted Flicker, (Colaptes aura-
tus). Abundant. Summer resident. Breeds.
Arrives in April. A few remian until Oct.
In this region they are often called Grass-

more districts.

is
rey ate

Nov. 1884.]

AND OOLOGIST. 135

hopper Woodpeckers, from their well-

known habit of congregating in open fields,

where grasshoppers abound, before the
autumn migration. I once saw two female
Flickers, each of them trying to gain the
attentions of a male, who seemed com-
pletely overwhelmed by such an outpour-
ing of caresses. If he attempted to notice
one, the other immediately interfered. I
watched them for an hour, and left them
with their interesting and ludicrous cere-
mony still progressing.—C. O. 7.

Californian Thrasher.

(Harporhynchus redivivus).

I see by Mr. Denton’s article on the
above Thrasher he mentions that I have
not found it on the eastern side of the bay.
I have since then added it to my record
list of Birds taken here in the last four
years. The specimen taken was a female,
caught ina quail trap, set in some thick
brush in one of the many gullies near the
This is the first instance of its be-
ing found here. J. G. Cooper told me he
had observed them the past season—July,
I believe—about eight or ten miles from
here, where a belt of chaparral runs along
the canyon’s side. This is a favorite home
of this Thrasher and it no doubt breeds
there. I found them quite common in the
Santa Cruz mountains; altitude, 3,000
feet. My first experience with this fine
singer was there in October, 1883; also
at the same time this year. I heard a call
note, rather low but very clear, one after-
noon near camp, and not being familiar
with it, I took out my gun to see what I
could get out of a wild coffee bush, where
the notes seemed to come. I gave the call
note as near as I could three or four times
and pretty soon I heard it coming near to
the road. The bird flew to the low fence,
where I shot it, and found it to be a male.
The crop was full of berries, which these
birds seemed to like, as I found them every
morning there while at camp in this part

town.

of, the mountains. A great variety of
birds feed on this bush and the alderberry
trees at this time of the year.

One afternoon, while watching some
Chickadees (P. rufescens neglectus), I no-
ticed a number of holes in the dead leaves,
as though made by a large, blunt stick. I
could not for some time make out what it
was; but on hearing one of the Califor-
nian Thrashers in the thick bushes, [ came
to the conclusion it must be this bird’s
work. I went a short distance, giving the
call note, and as I stopped, one of the
Thrashers hopped out from under the
bushes and began to scratch with its long
curved bill under the dry leaves. It
seemed to make no use of its feet in its
hunting after worms and insects among
the leaves. All the work was done by the
bill, which seemed to be made especially
for the purpose. Mr. Denton has not
seen it back from the coast range, he says.
L. Belding, List of the Birds of Central
California (U. S. National Museum Pro
ceedings, Vol. I), found it breeding at
Murphy’s, Calaveras County, latitude, 35°,
altitude, about 2,400 feet; situated at
the line of junction of the chaparral
belt and pine region, about 150 miles east
of here. It is a resident of Marysville,
Yuba County, altitude about 150 feet, and
is found rarely at Stockton. At Newcas-
tle, Placer County, it breeds, and is called
by the miners California Mocker. I found
it three miles back of Sonoma, north of
here fifty miles; altitude, 300 feet. It is
not uncommon through San Diego County
to the Vulcan Mountains, eighty miles
from the coast; altitude, some 5,000 feet.
T heard it singing there March 9, 1884.
No doubt it breeds on the mountains.—
W. O. Emerson.

=

We call our readers attention to the List of
Magazines given this week, for which we shall
be pleased to receive subscriptions. As the time
is now approaching when renewals ought to be
made, perhaps our subscribers will consider
whether it would not be for their advantage to
avail themselves of the opportunity thus afforded.

e

134 ORNITHOLOGIST [Vol. 9-No. 11

THE ous diminution from the ravages of feather

hunters would be deeply regretted by all.

ORNITH OLOGIST But on this point the evidence is not con-
—AND—

OOLOGIST.

A MONTHLY MAGAZINE OF

NPAC IE ORIG, JEUICS WOR Ve,

ESPECIALLY DEVOTED TO THE STUDY OF

BIRDS,
THEIR NESTS AND EGGS.

DESIGNED AS A MEANS FOR THE INTERCHANGE OF NOTES
AND OBSERVATIONS ON BIRD LIFE.

FRANK B. WEBSTER, Publisher,
PAWTUCKET, R. I.

Editor’s Notes.

In our advertising Columns will be found
a notice of the remarkably interesting and
valuable collection of Eggs belonging to
Dr. E. Baldamus of Coburg. It is much
to be desired that so unique a Collection
could be secured for some one of the many
Museums in this country.

At the risk of being considered intract-
able, we venture to plead for an arrest of
judgment on the English Sparrow. The
charges brought against him are neither
new, nor unknown in the land from which
he comes. With all due respect to the
Committee of the Union who have reported
against him, we venture to submit that the
Sparrow, even if oceasionally graminivor-
ous, yet helps us to control many trouble-
some and destructive insects. Is he not
usually found in towns where the damage
to “crops” is not an item of much import-
ance? As to exterminating song birds, he
does not seem to have done it in the land
of his ancestors, and if the charge is valid
here, which seems at any rate doubtful, the
process is a very slow one.

We spare considerable space this month
to a discussion on the destruction of birds

for millinery purposes. That our song

and plumage birds should suffer any seri- |

clusive. It is not sufficient to point to the
large trade demand, nor even to show that
in certain localities a summer visitor once
numerous is now rarely seen. The former
may be supplied from the annual large
excess of bird life, and the latter from
causes that have no connection, or only a
remote one, with the subject under con-
sideration. We know of no common bird
that is now rare. The notes that we print
from month to month from widely sepa-
rated localities show a teeming bird life,
which neither natural enemies nor feather-
hunting has yet made much impression
upon. The demand is subject to the ca-
price of fashion and may soon drop off as
quickly as it has arisen. In the meantime
the friends of the birds will watch the re-
sult and will not be backward in coming to
their protection if the necessity shall arise.
Our ever increasing population will drive
some species to more quiet places, but it is
doubtful whether the destruction of Hawks
and similar predatory birds, does not re-
sult in an increase of the security of the
smaller birds, fully equal to the direct de-
struction for trade purposes.

American Ornithologists’ Union.

The Second Annual Meeting of the Amer-
ican Ornithologists’ Union, was held in New
York Sept. 30, and Oct. 1 and 2, 1884, un-
der the presidency of Mr. J. A. Allen. Dr.
Merriam, the Secretary, presented his re-
port by which it appeared the present
membership was: Active, 44; F oreign, 20;
Corresponding, 16; Associate, 63. An ex-
tensive addition was made to the member-
ship on the recommendation of the Council.

Reports were presented from the various
Committees of the Union, as under:

Dr. Coues read the report on “Provi-
sion of Nomenclature and Classification of
American Birds” of which more will prob-
ably be heard shortly.

Nov. 1884.]

AND OOLOGIST.

135

Dr. J. B. Holder presented a report “on
the Eligibility or Ineligibility of the Euro-
pean House Sparrow in America” which
was emphatically against the Sparrow.

Mr. J. A. Allen presented the report of
the committee “on Faunal Areas” show-
ing the work that was being done in their
branch of investigation.

A committee was appointed for the pro-
tection of North American Birds and their
eges against wanton and indiscriminate
destruction.

The Committee on “ Bird Migration” re-

ported that the returns received from ob-
servers were exceedingly voluminous and
valuable. Some of them have been tabu-
lated by Dr. J. M. Wheaton and Dr. A. K.
Fisher. It was determined to amalgamate
this committee with the one on “Faunal
_Areas” under the title of “Committee on
the Migration and Geographical Distribu-
tion of North American Birds.” Interest
was added to the meeting by the presence
of several eminent British ornithologists.
The officers of the Union were re-elected—
bringing a very successful meeting to a
close.

———

Anomalous Nidifications.

Under this somewhat breezy title, I will
present a few notes on curious nesting,
taken from my journal of ’84, which I hope
may call forth the experiences of others,
as the subject is one that is full of interest
to us all.

Beginning with May 11th, the first genu-
ine surprise of the season was the starting
of a White-rrumped Shrike, (2. ludovicia-
nus excubitorides), from an old Grackle’s
nest, in an oak, fully twenty-five feet from
the ground. Last year I took aclutch of
Grackle’s eggs from the same nest, and
thinking it would be just as well to pass it
again while making a cut across the fields,
in the hope of securing a set this season, I
was astonished to find this strange tenant
had added a few straws and feathers to the
lining and gone to housekeeping under

rather remarkable circumstances. A clutch
of six eggs rewarded my climb through
the tangled branches.

On the 20th of May, I had the good for-
tune to secure a set of three fine eggs of
the Broad-billed Hawk, (Buteo pennsyl-
vanicus), in a deserted nest of the Com-
mon Crow, from which I had removed a
clutch of eggs on the 28th of April. I find
it to be such a common practice of the
raptores—this appropriating abandoned
Crow's nests—that I suspect in many in-
stances where a certain Hawk's nest is de
scribed as resembling that of a Crow, the
work may be safely attributed to the latter
architect and builder. I also took two sets
of the Cooper’s Hawk, (A. cooperi,) from
unequivocal Crow's nests, in the same
piece of woods.

May 26th, a remarkable nest of the
Yellow-headed Blackbird, (Xanthocephalus
icterocephalus), is to be noted, in which
the usual basket-like structure of rush
leaves was protected from the vicissitudes
of the weather by the building of another .
affair, resembling the foundation of one of
their nests, directly over it. In the lower,
or true nest, access to which was obtained
by a neat entrance on one side, were four
egos.

Speaking of Chewink’s nests and their
height from the ground, I can tell of one
that lowers, or rather raises any record
that I have seen, considerably. While
strolling along the bottoms of a small
creek near Lake City, Minn., one day about
the middle of last July, the path led my
two companions and me under a tangled
mass of shrubbery caused by a grape vine
matting the tops of a number of oak sap-
lings together in a compact sort of leafy
table, which resembled pictures we have
seen of the banyan tree, as much-as any-
thing I can recall to mind, with its flat top
and many trunks. Suddenly a rustling
overhead attracted our attention and I, be-
ing in the advance, looked up just in time
to see a Chewink, (P. erythrophthalmus,)

13 ORNITHOLOGIST

[Vol. 9=No. 11

and fly into the wood. Wondering what
the bird could be doing in this unusual
situation, we determined to inspect the
surroundings closely, at last discovering
what appeared to be a nest; near the further
end of the mass of foliage. I suggested
“an old nest,” but my cousin, a boy of six-
teen, who could be relied upon to detect a
misplaced leaf in that locality, said, “No,
there was nothing there a week ago.” This
certainly demanded an investigation, but
how? The tops of the trees were certainly
far out of our reach and would not bear
one’s weight; we dared not attempt to
draw them down by means of the vine as
that would certainly overturn the nest and
contents, if it had any. Finally an acro-
batic expedient was hit upon and by having
my cousin stand upon my shoulders, he
was just able to reach the nest and take
from it a single Chewink’s egg, which was
inspected and immediately returned. A
week later the bird was on the nest, but
the clutch of one had not been added to.
An exact measurement proved the nest to
be eleven feet four inches, (11 ft. 4 in),
from the ground. It was a bulky affair,
consisting of a foundation of oak leaves,
which formed the greater part of the struc-
ture, a lining made up of grape vine bark,
and grass.

Whether our Minnesota birds are par-
ticularly lofty in their aspirations—as these
notes would make them out—or not, I
would not attempt to say; but it is worthy
of remark, that, while the Great Blue
Heron, (A. herodias), and Double-crested
Comorant, (P. dilophus,) even nest on the
ground in some localities, their eggs be-
come peculiarly valuable to us, after a
climb of from seventy to ninety feet, at the
risk of one’s neck, up the trunks of elms
that are limbless, for the first: fifty feet at
least. Sometime I may try to relate my
first experience in that herony; so far, it
has been my last.—Dr. Patton, Minneap-
olis, Minn.

Californian Notes.

Poway Valley, twenty-two miles from San
Diego City.

Jan. 15, 1884. Russet-backed Thrush
(Hylocichla ustulata); Dwarf Thrush (HZ.
unalascce); Western Robin (Merula mi
gratoria propingua), are not common

birds ; Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottus) —~

can be heard singing during the day and
night in breeding season.

Californian Thrasher (Harporhynchus
redivivus) are not very common.

Californian Bluebird (Sialia mexicana)
has been common this winter. They feed
on the berries of the pepper tree.

Rocky Mountain Bluebird (S. arctica)
has also been common this month, I am
told, for the first time in this valley.

Blue-gray Gnateatcher (Polioptila ceeru-
Zea) have been shot, but are rare.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Regulus calen-
dula). A male was seen in the pepper
trees April 27th.

Least Tit (Psaltriparus minimus). 1
found a nest ready for eggs April 13th.

Cactus Wren (Campylorhynchus brun-
neicapillus) is common and was seen and
heard singing April 9th. I found my first
nest on the 18th. It contained five fresh
eges and was placed on a cactus leaf, five
feet from the ground. It was composed
of grass of various kinds, the walls being
very thick and lined with feathers. The
nest is large for the size of the bird, bemg
10 inches long, 8 broad and 7 high, of a
flat oval form. There was an opening fac
ing the west in one end, an arrangement
probably designed to keep out the wet,
the rains usually coming from the south.

Rock Wren (Sulpinctes obsoletus) were
not uncommon on the rocky hillsides and
ridges during January.

Californian Bewick’s Wren ( Zhryomanes
bewicki spilurus) was noticed April 15th.

Western House Wren (Z7oglodytes

aedon parkmanni), April 15th, breeds.

American Titlark (Anthus ludovicianus)
was noticed April 6th.

Nov. 1884.] AND O

OLOGIST.

137

Summer Yellow (Dendrceca cestiva) was
seen on April 8th.

Audubon’s Warbler (D. auduboni) was
common all winter.

Maryland Yellow throat (Geothlypis tri-
chas), one was seen April 11th.

Pileolated Warbler (Myiodioctes pusil-
lus pileolatus) was seen feeding on the
sage April 5th.

Western Warbling Vireo ( Vireosylvia
gilva swainsoni), one was seen, April 10th.
> Cliff Swallow (Petrochelidon lunifrons).
Numbers were seen building April 6th.

Crimson House Finch (Carpodacus
Srontalis rhodocolpus) were found with
young April 15th.

Whiterumped Shrike (Lanius ludovi-
cianus excubitorides), also with young,
April 9th.

Green-backed Goldfinch (Astragalinius
psaltria), one pair was seen January 16th.

Lawrence's Goldfinch (A. lawrence?) is
not uncommon. I found a nest with
young and also one with fresh eggs on
April 23d.

Western Savannah Sparrow (Passercu-
lus sandwichensis alaudinus) were found
in flocks feeding with House Finches,
Shore Larks and W. Lark Finches (Chon-
destes granunica strigata). 'The last were
common. I found nests with eggs April
20th, on the ground and in the cacti.

W. Grass Finch (Poecetes gramineus
confinis) was not uncommon during
January. 5

Gambel’s White-crowned Swarrow (Zo-
notrichia gambel2) ; not uncommon.
ticed them as late as April 27th.

Bell's Sparrow (Amphispiza belli), one
was seen April 18th. I was shown a set
of eggs taken last season.

Californian Brown Towhee (Pipilo fus-
cus crissalis) was seen with young April
18th.

Black-headed Grosbeak (Zamelodia me-
lanocephala) was seen singing April 10th.

Lazuli Bunting (Passerina amcena) was
noticed on April 18th.

I no-

Yellow-headed Blackbird (XY. ictero-
cephalus) was first noticed April 8th, com-
mon during the month.

Red-and black-shouldered Blackbird (A.
pheniceus gubernator). A flock flew by
April 12th, and of A. tricolor three males
were shot out of four. April 23d, a flock
of forty or more flew by.

Mexican Shore Lark (Hremophila al
pestris chrysolema), common; first set
was taken April 20th.

Western Meadow Lark (Sturnella neg-
lecta), common all winter; breeds.

Hooded Oriole (Zeterus cucullatus), first
seen April 5th; nests ready for eggs
on the 27th; quite common.— W. O. Hm-

erson.
(To be Continued.)

Brief Notes.

Emu’s Eess. There is perhaps no egg as distinctive in
appearance as that of the Emu (Dromeus novae holland).
Ihave recently received, direct by mail from Tasmania, a
pair of the beautiful dark treasures, which I wish every
ornithologist could see. The eggs are fresh, having been
procured and prepared by the friend who kindly donated
them, during the past season. Tney are of the usnal egg
form, differing slightly in size: the larger one measuring
14 inches in oblong circumference and 12 inches around the
bulge. The shell of the egg is thick and of a deep green
color, in texture and shade resembling closely heavy green
morocco. The eggs are blown with one ho’e and in a per-
fect condition. They were shipped separately, packed in
cotton, in secure wooden boxes. The boxes were con-
structed with great care, dovetailed and screwed together in
such a manner that it required some ingenuity to open
them. The prepaid postage on them amounted to almost
$3.00 in our money.

The Emu is growing rather scarce in its native Austra-
lian territory and before the round of another century it
will probably be a bird of the past. The flesh and eggs are
esteemed fine food in the colonies.

The eggs of the Black Swan, which are very abundant, are
however amore regular diet.—Jurs.S. L. Oberholtzer, Norris-
town, Pa.

Novres FRomM CHESTER County, Pa.” White-Bellied Nut-
hatch (Sitta Carolinensis). While passing through a wood
April 16, I noticed a pair of these birds on a small chestnut.
Presently the female entered a knothole, and thinking there
must be a nest, I ascended for investigation. I found the
nest containing eight fresh eggs; whichI took. On return-
Ing the next day for the nest, I was agreeably surprised on
finding another egg, making a set of nine.

Sparrow Hawk, (Tinnunculus Sparverius). April 29,
A friend of mine took a fine set of the eggs of this bird,
from an easily accessible gum tree. I obtained three of the
eggs, and thought myself very lucky, as they are rather
scarce in this neighborhood.

May 9. Took a fine set of Hairy Woodpeckers eggs
(Picus villosus) from an old beech abont forty feet from the
ground. The eggs four in number, are a beautiful crystal-
ine white.

[Vol. 9-No. 11

158

ORNITHOLOGIST

While ona morning ramble June 2, I noticed a pair of
Kentucky Warblers (Oporornis formosa), making a ‘fuss’;
and thinking there must be a nest near, I sat down to watch
them. I did not have to wait longer than fifteen minutes,
before the female retired to her nest; and I was rewarded
by finding the same containing five fresh eggs.

On returning from a day’s journey, June 4, my brother
came to me with a set of eggs he thought to be Grass
Finches (Pooecetes gramineus). But examination proved
them to be the eggs of the Yellow-Winged Sparrow (Co-
turniculus passerinus). The eggs four in number are a
beautiful white back-ground with red spots on the larger
end. Incubation was advanced about four days in three,
and the fourth was as fresh as though just lain.

JuNE 5,1 took a very pretty set of Green-Crested Fly-
catchers eggs (Empidonaz acadicus), also four other sets
a week later. All these nests were placed on the low hori-
zontal limbs of the beech; generally along a stream of wa-
ter.

Juty 2, I found a nest of the Yellow-Throated Vireo,
(Vireo flavifrons), in a tall ash about fifty feet from the
The nest which I have before me is a beautiful
structure. It resembles the Red-Eyedin shape, but not in
materials used. It is lined with dead grass, no grapevine
bark, which is invaribly present in the lining of the Red-
Eyed’s nest. The outside however is composed entirely of
lichens from the bark of trees, anda kind of white silky
web. The nest contained but two eggs, one Yellow-Throats’
and one Cowbirds’. Incubation advanced about six days.

Juty 1. My friend handed meanest and four eggs, of
the Blue-Winged Ye!low Warbler, (Helminthophaga pinus).
The eggs are somewhat smaller than the Maryland Yellow
Throats; of a pure white background, with a few brown
spots and lines around the larger end. The nest resembles
that of the above mentioned species, except the lining
which is entirely of grapevine bark, the ends of which stick
up all around the inner edge of the nest.

T found a nest of the Maryland Yellow Throat this sum-
mer, situated about three feet from the ground ; in a very
thick bush. It contained one young Maryland Yellow
Throat, one egg and one Cowbird, the Cowbird was as large
as both the old Maryland Yellow Throats put together.
Have any of the readers of the O. & O. found a nest of this
bird in like situation ?—W. H.

Norrs From FrRoGMoRE, SoutH CarRoLIna. I have
often observed the peculiar beak on the upper mandible of
the Meadow Lark, think it occurs in very old individuals.
Those which are resident here are very dark, almost- melan-
tic and usually have the hooked bill.

Fifteen or twenty years ago the Cat bird was very scarce.
I only shot two in three yeurs of steady collecting. Last
spring they were not uncommon and this fall are very nu-
merous, a change no doubt in the route of migration.

Inever detected the Tufted Tit until last spring. This
summer I found them breeding and now they are a com-
mon bird. The same may be said of the Yellow-breasted
Chat. Possibly a change of habitat.

The Red Start is migrating through the Island this fall for
the first time in my memory.

Among the rare birds which I have taken this year are
the Bachman’s Finch, Swainson’s Warbler, Orange-crowned
Warbler.

The Kildeer seems to have forsaken this as a breeding lo-
cality, but one individual was seen from the second week
in March until this week. Heretofore they have always
bred plentifully in all the old cotton fields.

I procured an Ibis this summer which I cannot identify.
The plumage is that of an immature bird. White beneath
and on the rump and chocolate above. When fresh the whole

ground.

upper plumage was suffused with a dull red flush which
disappeared very quickly—as soon in fact as the bird was
cold; bill dull flesh color; legs and feet grey; length 2634 ;
wing 12.—Walter Howie.

THE Cowgrrp Nuisance. There has been some talk
here of exterminating the English sparrow from the coun-
try, but I think they might better exterminate the common
Cowbird. It is almost impossible for a Chipping bird or
a Yellow Warbler to build their nest here without having
one or more Cowbird’s eggs deposited in it. Last spring I
took an Oriole’s nest that had been deserted by the old ones,
I found in it three Oriole’s and three Cowbird’s eggs, and
under these covered up were also three more Cowbird’s
eggs, making nine eggs in the nest. I did not wonder then
that they left the nest. I also found an Eaves swallow’s
nest with four English sparrow’s eggs in it, the first I have
found of either of these nests being occupied or molested by
other birds.—S. FE. Parshall, Cheshire, N. Y.

ScreEcu Owns. There seem to be a great many Screech
Owls, in this city this season. The ‘‘ Herald” reported one
caught on the Public Square, and remarked that they
seemed plentiful. A young man caught one on my yard
fence and a boy shot another witha sling shot, close by here ;
the two latter I have mounted. I saw one sitting on the
cross bar of a telegraph pole and I was told of another, to-
day, which a Bohemain mounted a ladder to catch, but his
pluck failed him, and instead of making the fatal grab, he
slid down the ladder double quick, leaving the owl alone in
his glory. The specimens I have differ in color, one being
ruddy and the other grey. Last May a Whippoorwill was
caught in a shoe store, having flown in as soon as the store
was opened in the morning. A friend of mine shot a pure
white Robin a few weeks since, near Oberlin, O.—R. J.
Tozer, Cleveland, O.

A Krnegirp’s REVENGE. Of the courage and deeds of
daring of the Kingbird, (Tyrannus carolinensis), all ob-
servers of bird life are aware, and yet but few persons I
think realize the power and extent of warfare carried on by
this spirited bird. A young collector related to me a little
incident a few days ago concerning the Kingbird which I
think is worthy of mention in the 0. & O. He said that he
was crossing a field one day, when his attention was at-
tracted by two Kingbirds that were pursuing a crow, which
most likely had robbed their nest. The crow tried to dodge
one of the birds, when the other dashed down on him like
atlash. With a yell of pain the crow fluttered to the ground
into a bunch of bushes as if shot. My friend walked up to
the bushes, looked in, and saw the crow staggering around
as if blind. He secured the crow, and upon examining saw
a small hole in the right eye from which the blood was
slowly oozing. The Kingbirds as if elated at their victory
were screaming overhead.—J. C. "Cahoon, Taunton, Mass.

The Greenfield Natural History Society was presented
with another White Grey squirrel shot near here. This
making the second that we have, a male and female. I saw
a White English sparrow a few days ago, but could not get
it. The squirrel which I have just spoken of has been seen
three seasons in the same woods.—S. W. Comstock, Vice-
President.

CORRESPONDENCE.

THE DESTRUCTION OF BIRDS FOR MILLINERY PURPOSES.

Epitor OF THE ORNITHOLOGIST—Sir ; I too, have been
much interested, for a longer time however than the past
year or two, in reading the statements of the friends of
birds and others, regarding the protection of our feathered
«friends. Ihave, however, been differently affected by them
than your Boston correspondent seems to haye been ; pos-

ae a

Nov. 1884]

AND OOLOGIST. 139

sibly, because I have not had the benefit of the xsthetic
teaching of John Sullivan, so apparent in ‘‘W. W. C.’s”
style; or more probably, for the reason that they put no
‘pease in my shoes.”

Fearing that Mr. Lucas will not follow to reply to a writer
who, after dodging responsibility behind initials, descends
to substituting abusive sarcasm for arguments, yet offen-
sively ‘‘requires facts” in order that he may “show the
fallacy of his” (Mr. Lucas’) ‘‘ statements,” thus forfeiting
all rights to a reply ; my “sympathies for the writer at the
exhibition of his utter ignorance” (or worse,) are so aroused
that I will try and refer him to some few of the “facts in
the case.”

Passing his tirade against the ‘“ gentle idiots whose volu-
minous contributions of sweet sentiment,” written to gain
the ‘‘ approving recognition of some fair damsel or maiden
aunt,” with the reminder that such writers as Longfellow,
Beecher, Kingsley, Waterton, Thomas, and others,
must share his delicate epithets, it must be admit-
ted that even the fear he expresses at the simple P. O.,
address given by Mr. Lucas, hardly justifies the conclusions
he records as facts. Mr. Lucas is not the ‘‘taxidermist of the
U. S. National Museum,” and so lays no claims to the
“Therefore ought and ergo does know,” so kindly supplied
by “W. W. C.”

But in denying the right of Mr. Lucas to speak with au-
thority on that basis, ‘‘ W. W. C.” is franker than in other
portions of his letter. It is true that only a small propor-
tion of the birds sacrificed in the name of science and taxi-
dermy, are legitimately so used. No taxidermist or sci-
entist advertises for an unlimited number of one or two
species of birds, or receives hundreds of birds a day for
“« scientific purposes.”

The skin and egg collectors have too long hidden their
operations under the scientific cloak; why is ‘* W. W. C.”
“ shakey” lest the matter should be settled?

For a few figures that will interest our questioner, I will
respectfully refer him to an editorial in Forest and Stream,
for August 7, too long to quote, but not by any means ex-
hausting the subject. Ellis and Webster advertised in the
spring for Purple Grackles, Blue Jays, and other bright
colored birds. Perhaps they can furnish some light on the
subject by telling us the result in bird skins received.

Has ‘ W. W. C.” never been among village boys, that he
questions the damage they do? I thought it was an ac-
knowledged evil, coming as periodically as the spring-time,
and affecting a new set of boys each year. In this section
it generally strikes the boys when about ten or twelve years
old, and may be compared in its effect to the
postage stamp rage with boys of larger places; but
unfortunately birds are more valuable than old envelopes
and so the damage to the community is greater. It may
start with one boy in a village as the nrst indication of a
coming naturalist. It quickly spreads to all his p!aymates
as simply a competitive craze to get the greatest num-
bers and variety, stimulated perhaps by seeing a cash value
affixed in some dealer’s catalogue. From the scattered na-
ture of this collecting, it is not possible for me to speak
with exactness as to the damage done any more than it
would be possible to be exact in an estimate of the damage
done by the birds of prey. In the two or three places
where I haye been able to observe, I should say the boys
had much more to answer for than the Hawks and Owls.

“w. W. C.” begs off on the “error of enumerating the
insects plus their progeny—while there might be millions in
it, we can afford to let it pass, and confine ourselves to the
main question.” We will let him off when we have re-
minded him that in 1875 one county in Missouri (Jackson,)
paid a tax to this error of $2,500,000, three others $2,000,000
each, an aggregate of $15,000,000 for twenty-six counties.

That a few newly settled and comparatively sparsely popu-
lated states and territories lost about $200,000,000 in four
years from the same causes, ‘might get distracting.”

When “W. W. C.” asks us to ‘remember the great poet
says ‘little fleas,” etc., would he as a naturalist, advise us to
try and rid a kennel of vermin by letting the job out to the
“lesser fleas and so ad injinitwm ?”

Harris estimates 4,800 species of insects in Massachusetts.
Can you show a list of 240 (one to twenty) birds? And
you cannot tell the effect of removing the check which na-
ture has put on one of the 4,800. Out from under the good
dame’s restraint, it may develop unthonght of possibilities.
Instance the potato beetle. In 1863 it was a haess in-rlm
sect, feeding on a weedin Nebraska. Civilization advancing
westward paves a broad road with better food for our
friend, and graded it by shipping east by the carload the
grouse and quail of the country. About twenty years ago
the potato came within reach of the bug, and presto! the
manufacture of Paris green is a great business in the land !
Maine alone paid $50,000 for her 100 tons this last season.

Flag alludes to forest tracts in Virginia and Carolina in
which hundreds ‘of acres were stripped by the larva of a
species of borer beetles, when alocal persecution had driven
off the Wood Peckers, charged with injuring the trees.

Dodge says that in 1798 the forests of Brandenburg and
Saxony, were almost destroyed by the larvae’ of moths,
which found lodgments in the branches and fed upon the
tender wood. Examination by naturalists showed that the
disappearance of several species of Wood Peckers and Tit-
mice was the cause.

Buffon tells of the subjugation of Locusts that had been
accidentally introduced in the Isle of Bourbon, by import-
ing Indian Grackles also.

In Europe, whenever the Sparrow has been declared con-
traband, and measures for its extermination taken, the in-
crease of insects has compelled the revocal of such laws.

Prof. Aughey says that the settlers of Nebraska destroy-
ed vast numbers of birds, Black Birds especially, by poison-
ing. He estimated for Dakota county alone 38,000, in a
single autumn. The birds visited the corn fields and
stripped the end of the ears to get at a grub that infested
the corn. The farmers thought that they were destroying
the corn, and after soaking grain in strychnine, piled up the
dead birds in heaps three or four feet high. A few years
later a government report printed extracts from letters from
fifty counties, (four states,) in which the farmers testify to
the good offices of the birds ‘especially Black Birds” in
destroying the Locusts.

In Massachusetts Prof. Jenks tells how on election day
at Bridgewater, about sixty years ago, birds were killed at
a shooting match in such numbers that they were sold to
the farmers for fertilizer. As a result of the scarcity of
birds that followed, ‘‘ tufts of withered grass appeared and
widened into miles sere and scorched, destroyed by the
larve of insects.” These are but a few of the many in-
stances that could be cited to prove that the legend of
‘The Birds of Killingworth” is not overdrawn.

I think that ‘‘ W. W. C.” will admit that they are quite as
valuable in proving the nicety of the adjustment of the
balance of nature, as even the statistics from the ‘‘ time
immemorial” of Mexico and Peru would be if they could be
procured. ‘The few hundred birds, taken in a tropical
climate, with the rude instruments of savages, to be worn
as cloaks and head-dresses by savage chiefs, would bear
about the same ratio to the numbers slaughtered for the
adornment of civilized millinery, as the gold used by the
same chief's as bracelets, and nose rings, would to that car-
ried as watches and jewelery by his brothers of the Hub.

[Vol. 9-No. 11

140

ORNITHOLOGIST

Even with a tropical climate, in which to propagate her
birds, Trinidad could not supply the continued drain upon
her birds for feathers, and Kingsley mourns the rapid ap-
proach of the extermination which threatened the birds of
that island at the time of his visit. From time immemo-
rial also birds have been protected by popular superstition ;
a deserted Stork’s nest or rookery meant bad luck to the
premises. If a Robin died in a hand, the hand would ever
after shake; or if a bird’s nest were wilfully destroyed the
wood spirits and fays would avenge them. Of course the
‘¢New England school marm” has driven all such nonsense
out of the boy’s heads, but what has she given to replace it ?
Civilization is the great disturber of nature; but we have
seen that nature can be well avenged. when the disturber
turns destroyerand fails to replace. ‘* Even exchange is no
robbery,” but what exchange does the destroyer of our
“mounted police’—of the insects, offer for hisspoils? Il-
linois has, by the careful estimate of three of her ornitho-
logists an average bird life of three per acre. Is Long
Island so much richer that she can spare 70,000 from one
village? Is it not true that Swallows haye become very
scarce there?

Shall the naturalist of the country wait to protest against
the killing of birds for millinery purposes until it is proved
that the results to the farmer will be the same as if they
were killed from a misunderstanding of their habits?
Here the birds are in danger, not from thoughtlessness or
misunderstanding, but from a business carried on by men
who have no interest in the fate of the land—a business whose
profits of 200 or 300 per cent all round gives promise of rap-
id growth, in spite of, the fact that it is carried on in defi-
ance of existing laws.

While fully subscribing to the axiom that ‘f No good nat-
uralist will destroy life wantonly” which ‘t W. W. C.” ‘+ as-
serts” so manfully, I will suggest that if ‘‘ those who are
studying nature,” etc., would clear their skirts of the pro-
fessional collectors, ‘*stand in” with the law makers, in-
stead of the law breakers, and help to expose those who
under the name of science slaughter the birds for other
purposes, they would find little or no difficulty in convinc-
ing those in authority of their own right to protection in
their studies. This might be hard on the hypocritical hum-
bugs who rail against the promoters of protection for
birds, only because they wish to throw dust in the eyes of
the public, and pose as much abused students, when the
truth is, they only take the position they do, to bluff off too
close examination of their very questionable transactions:
who allow ‘no one to deprecate more than I the killing of
birds for millinery purposes,” but would have us believe
that there is “ A great cry over a very little wool.”

It is not to be wondered at that our law enforcers, con-
fused by the blatent cry of “science” from one side, and
silent indifference from the true student, should lose pa-
tience and make all show their proofs. I think that our
laws are liberal enough: the only improvement that is
needed being some specifications as to the kind of proof to
be furnished by the student who wishes to avail himself of
the clause ‘Except for scientific purposes.”—L. M. Mc-
Cormick, Washington, D. C.

Eprtor O. anv O.—Sir: I don’t know but that you may
think it presumptuous for me to take up any of your space
in replying to the communication of Mr. Lucas in the Octo-
ber number in which he charges me with abuse, sarcasm
and lack of courtesy. I was in hopes Mr. L. would have
made answer to my communication as he was so ready in
reply to the article of your’s, and I sincerely hope he is not
“‘ backing out,” for he made such positive, italicised asser-
tions that I was sure he had unquestionable facts as a basis,
To charge an antagonist with abuse and discourtesy is an

old dodge in newspaper warfare, and makes the way easy
to get out of an untenantable position. I suppose such are
meant when the poet speaks of

oso9 090009405000 “Men, like horses hot at hand
Make gallant show and promise of their mettle;
But when they should endure the bloody spur
They fall their crests, and, like deceitful jades,
Sink in the trial.”

Tf he is afraid his facts won’t bear out his onhesitating
affirmations, why, then I don’t know that he is to be
blamed for getting out as best he can, and look upon pleas-
antry as abuse or discourtesy. As to sarcasm, it does seem
as though his habitation is too well glazed for him to cast
stones, forin his article in reply to that of the O. and O. he
steps out of his way, leaves the subject altogether to ‘‘ pick
up” a fancied error of the Editor, by parenthetically adding
(mammals?) to that portion speaking of the fur of ani-
mals—and to my mind his correction(?) was somewhat
strained, viewed logically. I agree with him fully that ‘* sar-
casm is not fact,” and will go further and say neither are
unsupported affirmations conclusive even though backed
up by emp!oyment in the U. 8. National Museum.

I am sorry he thinks my article was abusive or discour-
teous. I certainly did not intend it snould be anything of
the kind. My object in answering his letter was to make
sure if possible of a reply and get what I have for along
time tried vainly to obtain, a square edged presentment of
facts upon the destruction of song and insectivorous birds
for commercial purposes, taken from the position.

Generalities, sentiment and gush I have found ad nauseam,
but nothing else, and I have tried ineffectually so long, that
Iam about discouraged. I am egotistical enough to think
that I know why there is nothing else to be had; at any rate
about every one who enters the lists to champion the cause
seems to meet an unsurmountable obstacle when called
upon to drop gush and poetical license and take ‘frozen
facts” fora basis. I have interested myself not a little in
looking into this matter, haye tried to study both sides of
the case impartially and without prejudice, and I have con-
vinced myself. When those who take the position that our
birds, song and insectivorous, are decreasing in numbers by
reason of their being killed for commercial purposes, will
produce some reasons why they think so, then I think I can
show them their error, but to undertake to confront sweep-
ing generalities, unsupported affirmations, or the sweet
sentimental gush that appears spasmodically in print, is
simply impossible. There is no starting point. Mr. Lucas
“unhesitatingly affirms” that he knows. Tell us how you
know! What facts are you in possession of? We said
you might convince us we were wrong, but rest assured
you will not until you establish the fact that you are right
in your deductions as drawn from what is indisputable. I
am very sorry that Mr. Lucas should look upon my article
as he does. There was no intentional discourtesy, but I
see there is to be a lengthy reply from Mr. McCormick in
your next. and by the way does he not hail from the U. 8S.
National Museum? I hope Mr. Lucas is not answering by
proxy. Iam glad to see an interest awakened in this mat-
ter. It may be productive of great good ere the end
comes.—W. W. C.

Maxine Brrp Lime. Several correspondents say that
they make it by boiling down Linseed Oil to about one-third
the quantity. This should be done in the open air to avoid
the annoying smell, and it is well also to set the oil on fire
in the kettle with lighted sticks. When thick and stringy,
the fire must be smothered ont.

Walter Hoxie. We shall be pleased to receive notes from
your locality.

ORNITHOLOGIST

= VOLOGIST.
$1.00 per, FRANK B. WEBSTER, PuBLIsHER. ards ce
Annum. Established, March, 1875. 10 Cents.
VOL. IX. PAWTUCKET, R. I., DECEMBER, 1884. No. 12.

Migration in the Mississippi Valley. | are.of value only in showing the relative
speed of migration of the different species.
For our purposes the speed of migration
is calculated as follows: the most southern
reliable record is selected to be compared
with the most northern record which can
be relied upon; the distance in miles be-
tween these two stations is divided by the
number of days elapsing from the time the
bird made its appearance at the southern
station, to the date at which it was seen
by the northern observer; the result being
the average rate of migration in miles per
day. To take a concrete example: The
Baltimore Oriole (J. galbula,) was seen at
Rodney, Miss., lat. 31°?, on April 7th. It
was not seen at Oak Point, Manitoba, lat.
50°°, until May 25th. It was therefore
forty-eight days in passing over the twelve
| hundred and ninety-eight miles between
the two stations, or an average rate of
twenty seven miles a day. We will treat
the subject as thoroughly as possible, since
it has received little or no attention; in-
deed there were no data in existence for
its study until the notes were collected
last year.

SPEED OF MIGRATION.

When we come to study the speed at
which the birds proceed northward in their
migrations, we are beset by many difficul-
ties. To determine the comparative speed
of the several species is easy enough, now
that we have the requisite data in hand,
but to determine the absolute rate, the
definite number of miles which a given

species makes during one days journey,
this is beyond our power, and from the
nature of the case, so it will ever remain.
If migration were a steady movement
northward, with the same individuals al-
ways in the van, we might by careful ob-
servation, arrive at an approximation. In-
stead of this, the movement in migration
somewhat resembles that of a game of leap-
frog. In the fall migration the younger
birds lead, but in the spring they loiter far
behind, and it is the old birds, those in
whom we may suppose the love of home
and the desire for procreation are strongest,
that press forward so largely. Moreover,
of these old birds those which arrive first
a : Sra Dee Bae a ee bids pie. The first records ever published on the
lived there the previous summer and which : : i 5

will remain there to breed. Thus the yan- | Bubiect ae this COMMELIEY ane notes) onl six
guard is constantly arresting itself and the icons wiate eygjaezuess! ta ile ©) ciadl O,
forward moyement must wait the arrival for January, 1884, pp land) 2. These
of the next corps, which may be near at | records were based on the observations
hand or far behind. ‘The movement of | Sent in for the spring of 1883, and though
migration then, is a constant series of over- the notes for 1884, are many fold more nu-
lappings and the real speed is evidently | merous, they do not give us grounds for a
much more than the apparent. Of this | change in the general laws of speed as set
real speed of transit, we can take no ac- | forth in that article. It must however be
count, and our caleulated rates therefore | kept steadily in mind, that no complete

142
and scientific study of the subject is as yet
possible, and the present records are given
as being the best that can now be obtained,
and as furnishing some material for the
use of the future student. The records of
fifty eight species for the spring of 1883,
give an average speed of twenty-three
miles a day for an average distance of four
hundred and twenty miles. A_ slghtly
smaller number of species for the spring
of 1884, give exactly the same average
speed over an average distance of eight
hundred and sixty-one miles. This coinci-
dence, notwithstanding the very different
meteorological conditions of the two
springs, make it probable that future re-
cords will not materially change this rate.

A study of last year’s records led to the
statement that birds migrate more rapidly
in the northern portion of their route than
in the southern. As this was based on the
notes of only one year, it became a matter
of much interest to know whether this
would hold good as a general law, or
whether it had been the result of specially
favorable conditions in the latter part of
the season. Accordingly this year, twenty-
five species of well known birds were se-
lected, that had full records, and a careful
study reveals the fact that they bear out
last year’s statement. The distance tray-
elled was divided as nearly as possible into
two equal portions, and the speed calcu-
jated for each. Some of the records do
not admit of division, others show an equal
speed throughout, while six of them show
an increase of seventy-seven per cent in
speed for the northern half, and three show
an increase of forty-seven per cent. It
will thus be seen that the record is strongly
in favor of the increase. We can arrive at
the same result by calculating the average
speed of these twenty-five species for the
different months. We get the following
results: the average speed for March is
nineteen miles: for April, twenty-three
miles, and for May twenty-six miles per
day. This year’s record also bears out the

ORNITHOLOGIST

[Vol. 9-No. 12
statement that the later im the season a
bird migrates, the higher average speed it
will attain. This would naturally be sup
posed from the preceding statements.

These calculations are average and give
us the rate that the bird would travel, pro-
vided it moved regularly each day. But
we know that many pauses occur, that on
many days there is no advance, hence on
the days of movement, the speed must be
much higher than that calculated. This is
clearly seen in the case of the Purple Mar-
tin (P. subis.) From 38" to 46° its aver-
age rate is but thirteen miles a day. But
we have good reason to believe that there
was a pause from April 3d to April 18th,
and another from April 18th to May 3d.
Taking out the first of these pauses, it
raises the rate from 38*° to 48% to thirty-
five miles a day, and not counting the sec-
ond pause, the rate for the rest of the dis-
tance is twenty-eight miles.

We must also take into consideration
the fact that in all probability the same
bird seldom migrates for seyeral nights in
suecession, but after a flight of a night or
two stops to rest for several days. So that
the birds migrating one night are not the
same individuals that were moving the
night before.

We have said that the average rate for
April is greater than that for March, and
is exceeded by that for May, but we cannot
say that the actual number of miles per-
formed in a night’s journey is therefore
greater. It may be so, and probably is,
but the known facts would be sufficiently
explained if we remember that the later in
the season a species moyes, the less hind
rance it will meet from the elements, and
the less number of enforced pauses there
will be in its journey. During the month
of May there are few if any nights that
migration does not take place, while a bird
that migrates in March must expect for at
least one week out of the four, to be
stopped by storms.

Dec. 1884.]

In regard to the relative speed of the
diferent species, all we can at present say
is that those which migrate latest have, as
a rule, the highest speed. Thus the aver-
age speed of the Robin, Martin, Cowbird,
and Golden-shafted Flicker is about twelve
miles per day, while the average of the
Summer Redbird, Baltimore Oriole, Ruby-
throated Hummer, and Nighthawk is twen-
ty-eight miles. If we try to calculate the
relative speed of the different families, we
find that some of the species, in a family,
migrate early and slowly, others late and
rapidly, bringing the average of most of
the families very close to the general aver-
age of all,—to twenty-three miles a day.

Birds have seldom been seen while on
their way at night in wdisturbed migra
tion. The observations given by Mr.
Scott (Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, VI, April,
1881, p. 97) are the most important, and
in these he has not told us at what speed
he supposes the birds were moving. We
know that birds do not move rapidly when
migrating in the daytime, but from the
meagre material at hand, we should judge
that the speed at night is considerably
greater. During day migration the small
er land birds seldom fly faster than fif-
teen miles an hour, though the larger birds,
such as Cranes, Geese, Ducks, etc., move
much more rapidly. During the days
from August 25th to September 5th, this
fall, the Chiff Swallows and Nighthawks
haye been conspicuous every morning and
evening, slowly drifting south and south-
west in their fall migration. For an hour
and a half, the parties of birds would pass
by in almost unbroken succession. Many
hundred Nighthawks have been seen dur-
ing a single evening, and they were far ex-
ceeded in numbers by the Swallows. The
result of timing them on several occasions
gave a rate of about ten to fourteen miles
an hour, the former being the more com-
mou speed. This slow rate was caused by
the irregularity of the flight, as the birds
captured their supper and breakfast on

AND OOLOGIST.

143

the wing. The morning flight lasted only
an hour and was at about the same speed.
This would give a distance of about thirty
miles traveled by each individual during
the morning and eyening together, but no
one can say how much farther, if any, they
traveled during the night. The advance
of the hosts of the Warblers, as they move
incessantly forward from treetop to tree-
top, is still slower, being probably but a
few miles during a: whole day. We know
that Geese in their northward flight along
the Atlantic coast travel great distances—
from 300 to 600 miles at a single journey,
and we cannot say positively that the
larger birds do not do the same over the
land, but the records so far made seem to
indicate that the smadler land birds, such
as Warblers, Finches, etc., do not perform
long journeys at one time when over land,
but their voyages over the Gulf of Mexico
prove that even these small birds are pos-
sessed of great power of flight.

The preceding discussion shows rather
our lack of knowledge than our knowledge,
and that we are almost entirely wanting
in exact information. For some time to
come all we can do is to gather material.
In this matter the lighthouses have a large
field of usefulness and we shall look with
a good deal of interest for the compilation

of their last spring’s observations.— W.
W. Cooke.

Californian Notes.
Poway Valley, twenty-two miles from

San Diego City.

(Continued from page 137.)

Bullock’s Oriole (Zeterus bullocki), very
common; nests ready about the same time
as the Hooded. Itis a pretty sight to see
the males of the Hooded courting the fe-
males. They will hop up and down a
branch, following one another backward
and forward, drawing themselves out to
their full length and giving their long,
slender tails a short jerk from side to

144

time, but no feather pulling like the fe-
males when after one another.

Brewer's Blackbird (Scolecophagus cya-
nocephalus), very common ; a set of seven
eggs was taken April 6th, the largest set
I have seen.

Western Kingbird, (Zyrannus verti-
calis), common, nests ready to receive eggs
Apvil 27th.

Cassin’s Kingbird, (7. vociferans) was
first seen Jan. 16th. I am pretty sure they
breed, but birds would have to be shot
with nest to make sure of identification.

Ash-throated Flycatcher, (Myiarchus
cinerascens). One was seen April 15th.

Say’s Pewee, (Sayornis sayi) was first
noticed Jan. 18th, and nigricans is resi-
dent and breeds.
taken April 27th.

Western Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, (Zm-
pidonax difficilis), first seen April 27th.

Black-chinned Hummingbird, ( 77ochilus
alexandri) seems to be more common
than any other species. April 23d, a nest
was found with young half fledged, and
another with fresh eggs.

Anna's Hummingbird, (Calypte anne),
April 23d, nest with young just hatched.

_ Poor-will, (Phalenoptilus nuttalli), one
was seen at dusk along a small creek.

Red-shafted Flicker, (Colaptes auratus
mexicanus), breeds.

Texan Kingfisher, (Ceryle americana
cabanisi), one was seen sitting on a dam of
a water storage pond.

Chaparral Cock, ( Geococeyx californian-
ws), Was seen in the cacti, where it breeds.

Western Horned Owl, (Budo virginian
us subarcticus,) was heard, breeds.

Burrowing Owl. (Speotyto cunicularia
Aypogeea,) is not uncommon. I took a set
of eges April 23d.

Cuban Sparrow Hawk, (Vinnwneulus
sparverioides), is not uncommon, breeds.

Western Red-tail, (Buteo borealis calur-
us), breeds. I noticed one carrying sticks
to build in a high Sycamore, April 27th.

A set of five eggs was

[ Vol. 9-No. 12

seen every day.

Mourning Doye, (Zenaidura carolinen-
sis), was seen all winter, breeds.

Californian Quail, (Lophortyx californ-
ica), 18 very common, breeds all over the
hills in the cacti.

Kalldeer, (Oxyechus vociferus), is not
uncommon and breeds.— W. Otto Mmer-
son, Haywards, Cal.

Notes from Fairfax Co., Va.

Prarrie Warsier, (Dendroeca discolor,)
May 13, while pushing through a lot of
scrubby, young oaks, discovered a small
neatly made nest, containing four eggs,
an oak sprout, about three feet from the
ground. Stepping back two or three
yards, I waited a few minutes when a
small bird, which I recognized as the
Prairie Warbler, flew to the nest and set-
tled down until nothing but its bill and
the tip of its tail were to. be seen. On
my approaching it flew a short distance,
uttering the single note teep, at short in-
tervals, It flew about among the bushes
picking at insects, until I moved off, when
it returned to the nest. Very much
pleased with my find, I left the nest until
the following day, when, as it still con-

tained but four eges, I secured it and
found the eggs to be quite fresh. During
the next week, I discovered eight more
nests, from each of which I obtained a set,
and noticed several birds who acted as
though they had nests in the vicinity, but
Iwas unable to find them. The nests
were beautifully woven structures, com-
posed of fine plant fibers and cottony sub-
stances outside, and lined with downy
feathers and horse-hair; they were placed
from two to seven feet from the ground in
a variety of positions—three being in
young pines, one in a maple sprout, an-
other in a huckleberry bush, the sixth in a
blackberry bush, etc., and as many were
found in elevated situations, as in the low-
lands, but scrubby, lightly-timbered sites

Len a

Dec. 1884.]

were always chosen. The egos were about
the size of those of the Blue Yellow-back,
(Parula americana,) but were more oval
in form, and marked with darker spots.
One set contained three eggs; three had
five eggs each; and the other five were
each composed of four eggs.

GoLpEN-CROWNED THrusu, (Sivrws aurica-
pillus,) May 21, a bird of this species sud-
denly appeared in front of me, as I was
walking along a brook. A close search
revealed her leaf-thatched nest, which con-
tained five partially incubated eggs, closely
resembling those of the Yellow breasted
Chat, (Ieferia virens,) in appearance.

YELLOW-BREASTED Cuat, (Jcteria virens,)
First of May the Chats arrived, and two
weeks later, their nests were to be found
in almost every patch of blackberry bushes.
The nest was composed of dry leaves,
plant-stalks, and grasses, neatly put to-
gether; many of them contained only,
three eges, but the majority held. four.

Wuitr-rYeD VrrREo, (Vireo noveboracen-
sis,) May 28, obtained a set of four fresh
eges. The nest, which was composed of
fine strips of mner-bark, bits of leaves,
spiders’ webs, and tree-moss outside, lined
with fine grasses, was hanging in the fork
of an alder bush, about two and a half
feet from the ground.

CarpinaL GrospraK,( Cardinalis virgini-
anus.) This bird was very abundant; the
nests were usually placed m a young cedar
or pine. The number of eggs in a set
never exceeded three and in several nests
only two were deposited. First set was
taken May 10.

Common Crow, (Corvus frugivorus,) Ob-
tained my first set April 9; ten days later
discovered a nest containing four young,
just hatched, and two eggs. Every nest
found was in a pine.

WHIp-POOR-WILL,
rus,) May 14, as I was passing through a
young pine wood, a Whip-poor-will started
up almost at my feet, and flying a few
yards lay on the ground fluttering its out-

(Caprimulgus vocife-

AND OOLOGIST.

145
spread wings. The two white eggs, spot-
ted with brown and lilac, were soon dis-
covered and incubation was found to have
begun. June 1, found a nest with one
young a few days old, and a stale ego and
the next day discovered another with the
same contents. June 5, an old bird start-
ed up a few feet ahead of me, but the two
little brown birds so resembled the leaves
on which they lay, that I had to make a
close search on my knees to find them.
The four nests found were each in a clump
of young trees, and were composed of old,
dry leaves, just as they had fallen from
the trees. Does it often happen that one
ege is barren ?

Cooprr’s Haws, (Accipiter cooperi,) May
5, discovered a nest containing four eggs,
incubation advanced, and two days later
another containing three eggs, incubated a
few days. Hach nest was a bulky affair
and was placed in the top of a pine.

TURKEY ( Cathartes
April 29, flushed an old bird from her nest
under a rock, in the Bull Run ravine, and
secured the two eggs, which contained
large embryos. The eggs were laid on the
bare ground, and the place was not filthy
as I expected to find it. June 5, ina large
oak wood, saw a bird fly froma hole nnder
a tree and obtained the one bad egg. The
bird flew to a high tree where it perched
and made a hissing noise, similar to that
of the Goose.—H. W. Jamison, Mana-
yunk, Penna.

Buzzarp, QUI, )

Notes FRoM MippLe NortH Carouina.—On Oct. 15,
while out collecting, we secured a specimen of the Con-
necticut Warbler, (Oporornis agilis), in fall plumage. When
shot it was hopping about in some alder bushes in the low-
grounds. This is the first we know of from this
State and on account of its rarity we have preserved the
Specimen, although somewhat damaged by the shot.

A Lark, (Sturnella mayna), haying its tail, the primaries
on both wings, and half the secondaries on the right wing
pure white, was shot on the exposition grounds on October
3ist. It had also many stray white feathers in its plumage,
which was much paler than usual; the Lark was also an
unusually large one. During last summer we shot several
specimens of the Rough-winged Sparrow, (Stelgidopteryx
serripennis), which is said by Jordan’s Vertebrates to be
rare eastward, but it seems common around here in the
summer.—H, H. d: C. 8. Brimley, Raleigh, N. C.

146 ORNITHOLOGIST [Vol. 9-No. 12
: Ve “THE a ay the Birds of leaner County, Michigan,
the first instalment of which will appear in
ORNITHOLOGI ST our January number.
—AND—

OOLOGIST.
A MONTHLY MAGAZINE OF

IN NSE OG IRYA IG, JEU S WORN,

ESPECIALLY DEVOTED TO THE STUDY OF

BIRDS,

THEIR NESTS AND EGGS.

DESIGNED AS A MEANS FOR THE INTERCHANGE OF NOTES

AND OBSERVATIONS ON BIRD LIFE.

FRANK B. WEBSTER, Publisher,
PAWTUCKET, R. I.

Editor’s Notes.

With this number, the first volume of
O. and O. under our management is com-
pleted. We thank our. contributors very
cordially for their assistance which has en-
abled us to carry out the programme with
which we commenced with a degree of suc-
cess, of which our readers must be the
judges. The preparation of the monthly
number has not been unattended with
difficulty, and has involved an expenditure
of time which exceeded our first expecta-
tions. But this we do not regret, for the
interest has upon
naturally feel pride in the success of our
undertaking. With increased space for
their contributions, we expect our next
year's volume to be more attractive to our
writers and instructive to our readers than
the Magazine has ever been before.

grown us and we

We expect to continue next year the
communications of Prof. W. W. Cooke on
the Mississippi Valley Migrations. He
writes us that he has a vast mass of notes
upon which to base his deductions. The
subject is almost exhaustless, and has been
presented by Prof. Cooke in an attractive
form which has made his papers interest-
ing as they are valuable. Dr. Morris Gibbs
promises us an annotated Catalogue of

The subject of our subscription list is
not one that we care to say much about,
but our Publisher naturally considers it of
It may not
be out of place for us here to ask our
Subscribers to renew their subscriptions
promptly and to assist us as opportunities
may offer, in bringing our Magazine to the
notice of their friends who are interested in
its objects. Our circulation is not large—
our constituency is necessarily limited—
hence the necessity for the increased price
of which notice has been given.

the very greatest importance.

With the October number, the ‘ Auk”
completed its first volume. The number
contains as usual many valuable articles
and notes. This ornithological quarterly
is a thoroughly satisfactory publication,
and a credit to the names identified with it.

—

Review of 1884.

BOSTON AND EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS.

Early in April there seems to have been
a very large flight of Red-tailed Hawks.
Many were taken in traps. At one market
stall in the city over a hundred were dis-
played at one time.

The list of Albinos included a Cedar-
bird (already described by Mr. Whiting),
an English Sparrow shot within city limits,
and a creamy white Crow from near Lex-
ington. From the number of gunners
who describe ‘“‘ White Cranes” they have
seen, we feel quite confident that Snowy
Herons have not all been confined to the
South this season. Perhaps Mr. Talbot
may another season prove to his profess-
ional friends that he was not mistaken.

The Taxidermist’s business has been re-
ported unusually dull. In August a few
Terns were sacrificed on’ the altar of
fashion. The plump Esquimaux Curlew
did not fail to form the centre of

Dec. 1884. ]
attraction in many a fine bunch of Ploy-
er whose fall migration was
moniously terminated. On several occa-
sions when we were called upon to remove
the ‘jackets,’ the request to return the
meat indicated the esteem of the epicurean.

Our first prize was a fine specimen of the
Red-throated Diver, ( Colymbus septentrion-
alis), with the Red (?) patch, taken Oct.
6th. Although the bird is very common
at this season—at least in Rhode Island
waters—we never saw one taken in this
plumage and believe it to be rare.

In the early part of October, several
Duck Hawks, (falco peregrinus), proved
unwary, but as they are not songsters, we
suppose no one will mourn their loss.

A representative of our national bird in
the Pine-tree State settled down to its not
uncommon banquet of “dead useful.” How
large and strong it seemed as it tipped the
scales at 12 pounds! !

A few Wood Ducks cause us to carefully
watch the Ducks now coming in, led by
Black, Ruddy and Young Mallards.

We should judge that an unusual num-
ber of Pheasants have been imported this
season “for millinery purposes’—somewhat
lowering the prices. Comparatively few
of them are fit for the Cabinet and another
season may find still fewer. Looking over
a large lot, we found two Reeye’s Pheas-
ants remarkable for length of tail. In the
large millinery establishments, we notice a
few stuffed birds, but the prevailing
fashions demand that they should be
thoroughly dissected. A new feature is
the bronzing in Silver, Gold or Copper of
the bill, feet and quills of the wing and
tail feathers.

The annual Bird Show closed Oct. 12th,
after a short season. Many rare and
curious strangers were present. ‘Poll’ in

uncere-

every variety of size, plumage and disposi-

tion, Eagles, Hawks. Owls, Pelican, ete.
Two exhibits were especially attractive—a
Whidah Bird in full plumage, and one of
our little Ruby-throats, which regardless of

AND OOLOGIST.

147

our presence, sipped its sugar and water
with evident relish. These birds being all
alive and well would no doubt have been
far more pleasing to Mr. F. A. L. than the
exhibit under the auspices of the Am. Soc.
of Taxidermists held in the same room two
winters ago.

A novel and not uninteresting business
is a Natural History establishment in a
large seaport. A sea captain with 60 feet
of dead snake which the trip from Africa
proved fatal to, Seals from the dime
museum, Alligators unclaimed at the ex-
press office, Albatross fresh from Cape
Town, Travellers from South America with
small lots of bright birds that are in such
demand that we scarcely take the trouble
to identify them. Moths with 10 inch ex-
tent of wing. Beetles for a life size sketch
of a pair of which a page of the O. & O.
would scarcely afford room. Curious
specimens of Dried Fish, Shells, ete. Such
have been our actual, every day experience.

Our friend J. M. Wade will forgive us if
we mention him as one of the attractions.
Were his visits as protrated as those of
some of the birds upon our top shelves
they would insure us a call from any old
subscribers who visit the city. Had the
A. O. U. consulted him they would not
have required to ‘“ circular” the country
to decide that the English Sparrow must
go.—F’. B. W., Boston.

The Blue ‘Taiko becketl Warbler.

(Parula americana.)

This beautiful but retired species of our
American Warblers has but till lately been
well known to the science of Ornithology.
Therefore, I take the liberty to pen a few
notes and observations taken by myself
during the last four years. This is one of
the handsomest, if not the handsomest, of
our Warblers. It arrives about the 10th
of May, but I am not sure about the date
of departure. Soon after their arrival the

males may be seen hanging head down-
wards or flying from one old mossy limb
to another, swinging, turning and twisting
in their merriment at once more being
among their nesting haunts.

Soon after their arrival the females
come, and the mating at once takes place.
No jealousy is displayed and the ceremony
goes on quietly. The building process
takes place about the 20th of May and the
nest is finished in about a week, though I
have known instances when the second
nest was built and two eggs deposited: in
a week. The second nest is never (?) as
compact and neat as the first. It is al-
most entirely composed of the hanging
Spanish moss with perhaps a few horse
hairs or a little downy substance to serve
as a lining. Three to five eggs are then
deposited and incubation (in which the
male participates) commences. Some col-
lectors think the nest hard to find. I gen-
erally discover mine by the round, globu-
lar shape of the bottom of the mossy
bunch from which it is seldom any shreds
of moss hang. It is easy to be distin-
guished when the moss of the tree is not
too thick. After the young are hatched
the parent birds are busily engaged in
feeding the wide, open-mouthed youngsters
with tiny larvee from under the bark of old
trees. The Blue Yellow-backed Warbler,
though owning a rather large name, fully
merits it. I have but a few times been
able to see a lively bird in motion, so that
I could study its habits and actions.

In June, 1883, I came across a mossy
orchard from which I had before collected
eges, and my first find was a nest contain-
ing one fresh egg; the next, a nest con-
tained four downy young, for whom the
parents pleaded in their best words ; and
the last, but by no means the least, a full
fresh set (four eggs.) As I ascended, the
bird (a male) put its head and shoulders
just out of the tiny door, peered about for
a moment and then left the nest, just as I

ORNITHOLOGIST

[Vol. 9-No. 12

was about to put my hand over the en-
trance and make it a prisoner. My fingers
dashed loosely through the outstretched
primaries and the bird was flown. My
next object was to secure the set and nest
and transfer them safely to the ground.
In doimg this I was obliged to spoil the
nest, as is too often the case when the
nest is far from the ground, and especially
if the branch or limb is of a stout oak.
The thickly entwimed and matted moss
was no easy thing to tear, and the branch
being a stout one, it was of no use trying
to break or eut it, as any jostling would
have a tendency to roll the eggs together
and possibly crack one or more, as I once
found to my own cost. The hole was too
small to admit more than the forefinger ;
so whipping my knife from my pocket, I
quickly slashed the moss in twain and
putting the hanging ends between my
teeth, I descended with my beauties with-
out the least injury. There are other
experiences I might relate but for want of
space.

Another thing which I would like to
speak about this bird is its perseverance.
In about twenty days I got three sets, all
out of one tree. The second, if not the
third, was laid by the same bird. One
nest I found was about three feet from the
ground.

In 1881 I collected two sets of this ex-
quisite little Warbler ; in 1882 the list was
increased to five sets; in 1883 I collected
four sets, besides some single eggs; and
in 1884 but four sets were taken. Ishould
probably have taken more last season but
for my limited time. The eggs are of a
pure white ground, sprinkled chiefly.about
the larger end by small, reddish dots and
a few blotches, One set before me is coy-
ered from apex to base with small dots.

Tn conclusion I would say that I should
be most happy to hear from others on the
habits and nesting of the Blue Yellow-
backed Warbler.—Charles H. Andros,

Taunton, Mass.

Dee. 1884.]

AND OOLOGIST.

149

List of Birds of Santa Cruz, Cal.

OBSERVED BY JOSEPH SKIRM.

*{ Rnsset-backed Thrush (Hylocichla ustulata), common.
2 Dwart Thrush, (Hylocichla wnalasce,) common in fall
and winter months.
3 Western Robin, (Merula migratoria propinqua,) com-
mon from December to middle of March.
“4 Californian Thrasher, (Harporhynchus redivirvus,) com-
mon.
5 American Water Ouzel, (Cinclus mexicanus,) quite com-
mon.
6 Californian Bluebird, (Sialia mexicana.) common.
7 Ground Tit, (Chamea fasciata,) quite common.
S California Cnicadee, (Parus rufescens neglectus,) very
common but nests are extremely hard to find.
SaLeast Tit, (Psaltriparus minimus,)
9 Pigmy Nuthatch, (Sitta pygmea,) quite common.
10 Californian Creeper, (Certhia familiaris occidentalis,)
rare,
“11 Californian Bewick’s Wren, (Thryomanes bewicki spilu-
7Tus,) common.
“12 Western House Wren, (Zroglodytes aedon parkmanni,)
common.
13 Western Winter Wren, (Anorthwra troglodytes pacifi-
cus,) rare.
14 Tule Wren, (Velmatodytes palustris paludicola,) quite
common.
“15 Lutescent Warbler, (Helminthophaga celata lutescens,)
quite common. :
*15aLong-tailed Chat, (Icteria virens longicauda,)
“16 Pileated Warbler, (Myiodioctes pusillus pileolatus,) quite
common.
17 Summer Yellowbird, (Dendraca estiva),) common.
“18 Western Warbling Vireo, (Vireosylvia gilva swainsoni,)
common.
19 Hutton’s Vireo, (Vireo huttoni,) quite rare.
20 Purple Martin, (Progne suwbis,) common.
21 White-rumped Shrike, (Lanius ludovicianus eacubito-
rides,) common.
*22 Cliff Swallow, (Petrochelidon lunifrons,) common.
*23 Barn Swallow, (Hirundo erythrogastra,) common.
24 White-bellied Swallow, (Tachycineta bicolor,) common.
25 Violet-green Swallow, (Tachycineta thalassina,) common
“26 Bank Swallow, (Cotile riparia,) common.
27 Rough-winged Swallow, (Stelgidoptoryx
quite common.
“28 Californian Purple Finch, (Carpodacus purpureus cali-
Jfornicus, common.
“29 Crimson House Finch, (Carpodacus frontalis rhadotol-
pus,) very common.
*30 American Goldfinch, (A stragalinus tristis,) common.
“31 Green-backed Goldfinch, (Astragalinus psaltria,) com-
mon,
“32 Lawrence’s Goldfinch, (Astragalinus lawrence?,) com-
mon.
33 Pine Finch, (Chrysomitris pinus,) common.
*34 Western Savannah Sparrow, (Passerculus sandwichensis
alaudinus,) common.
“35 Western Lark Finch, (Chondestes grammica strigata,)
rare.
*36 Gambel’s White-crowned Sparrow, (Zonotrichia gam-
beli,) common.
“37 Western Chipping Sparrow, (Spizella domestica arizone)
common.
*38 Oregon Snowbird, (Junco oregonus,) common.
39 Golden-crowned Sparrow, (Zonotrichia coronata,) com-
mon from the middle of October to the middle of
March.

serripennis,)

*40 Californian Song Sparrow, (Melospiza fasciata samuelis,)
very common.

*41 Spurred Towhee, (Pipilo maculatus megaiony,) clutch
usually four eggs; common; their first clutch is laid
in the latter part of April on the ground; their sec-
ond clutch invariably in bushes from six inches to
three feet from the ground.

*49 Californian Brown Towhee, (Pipilo fuscus erissalis,)

common.
*43 Black-headed Grosbeak, (Zamelodia melanocephala,)
common.

“44 Lazuli Bunting, (Passerina ameend,) common.
*45 Red-and-Black-shouldered Blackbird, (Agelwus phani-
ceus gubernator.) common.

“46 Red-and-white-shouldered Blackbird, (Agel@us tricolor.)
common.

*47 Western Lark, (Stwnelia neglecta,, very common.

*48 Bullock’s Oriole, (Icterus bullocki,) common.

*49 Brewer’s Blackbird, (Scolecophagus cyanocephalus,) very
common.

50 Common Crow, (Corvus frugivorus,) rare.

51 American Raven, (Corvus corax carnivorus,) rare.

*52 Blue-fronted Jay, (Cyanocitt« stelleri frontalis),) com-
mon.

*53 California Jay, (Aphelocoma californica,) common.

%54 Ruddy Horned Lark, (Otocorys alpestris 1wbus,) com-
mon.

*55 Western Kingbird, (Vyrannus verticalis,) common.

*56 Ash-throated Flycatcher, (Myiarchus cinerascens,) com-
mon from May to September.

57 Say’s Pewee, (Sayornis sayi,) quite common in fall and
winter months.

58 Olive-sided Pewee, (Contopus borealis,) rare.

59 Western Wood Pewee, (Contopus richardsoni), rare.

*60 Western Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, (Himpidonaax difi-
cilis,) common.

*61 Anna’s Hummingbird, (Calypte anne,) common.

*62 Allen’s Hummingbird, (Se’asphorus alleni,) common.

683 Poor-will; (Phalceenoptilus nuttalli,) rare, nest found by
Mr. A. M. Ingersoll in season of ‘$3 on the ground ;
eggs two; pure white.

“64 Harris Woodpecker, (Picus villosus harrisi,) quite com-
mon.

“65 Gairdner’s Woodpecker, (Picus pubescens gairdnert,)
quite common.

*66 Californian Woodpecker,
bairdi,) common.

*67 Red-shafted Woodpecker,? (Colaptes auratus mexican-
ws,) very common.

68 Belted Kingfisher, (Ceryle aleyon,) rare.

*69 American Barn Owl, (Aluco jlammeus anericanus,)
common.

“7 California Mottled Owl, (Scops asiv bendirez,) quite
common.

71 Western Great-horned Owl, (Bubo virginianus subarcti-
cus,) rare.

*72 Burrowing Owl, (Speotyto cunicularia hypogeed,) com-
mon.

73 Short-eared Owl, (Asio accipitrinus,) rare.

“74 Sparrow Hawk, (Vinnunculus sparverius,) common.

75 Osprey, (Pandion haliaetus carolinensis,) rare.

76 Cooper’s Hawk, (Accipiter cooper?,) rare.

*TT Western Red-tail, (Buteo borealis calwrus,) common.

78 Golden Eagle, (Aquila chrysaetus canadensis,) common.
In season of 1881 found a nest containing two young
full fledged.

79 Bald Eagle, (Halicetus leucocephalus,) rare.

80 Californian Condor, (Pseudogryphus californianus,)
common.

(Melanerpes formicivorus

150 O

81 Turkey Buzzard, (Cathartes wura,) common.

82 Band-tailed Pigeon, (Colwmba fasciata,) common from
15th of September to middie of March.

*§883 Mourning Dove, (Zenaidwra carolinensis,) common.

*84 Californian Quail, (Lophortya californica,) common.

85 Great Blue Heron, (Ardea herodias,) common.

86 American Bittern, (Botawrus lentiginosus,) quite com-

mon.

7 Killdeer, (Ovycchus vociferus,) common.

TaSnowy Plover, (.Aigialites cantianus nivosus,) saw two

young in season of ’84.

88 English Snipe, (Gallinago media,) common from No-
vember Ist to middle of March.

89 Virginian Rail, (Rallus virginianus,) rare.

*90 American Coot, (Fulica americanm,) common.

“91 Mallard, (Anas boseas,) common.

*92 Ruddy Duck, (Zrismatura rubida,) common in winter ;
about a dozen pair remain here the whole year at
Corcoran’s Lagoon.

*93 Brandt’s Cormorant, (Phalacrocorax pentcillatus,) com-

*8

mon.

“94 Baird’s Cormorant, (Phalacrocorax violaceus vesplen-
dens,) common.

95 Royal Tern, (Sterna regia,) very rare; shot two the 19th
of March, 1884.

*96 Pigeon Guillemot, (Uria colwnba,) common.

IT have personally collected the eggs of
those marked with an asterisk. There are
a great many water birds here of various
kinds, that I am not at all familiar with,
never having made a study of them. Iam
positive of the identity of all the birds
above named. The remarks upon them
are from my own observations.—Joseph

Skirm.

Why do Shrikes Hang Up their Food?

T have often seen lizzards, grasshoppers,
ete., impaled on thorns or securely wedged
in the forks of some twig, by Shrikes; but
as far as I am aware, no one has satisfac-
torily explained why this is done.

The Shrikes are rather dainty in eating
and never, I believe, bolt their food entire.
Even grasshoppers and other small prey
are lodged in forks of limbs and torn into
pieces before being eaten.

Now in eating a bird or mouse, the
Shrike cannot use its weak lees to secure
the prey, while tearing it to pieces with the
powerful beak, after the manner of Hawks:
and so it must resort to some artificial
means of holding its prey. I once kept a
Shrike in confinement. On the bottom of
the cage I placed a few small limbs for a

perch.
birds as fast as I skinned them.

‘When
one was placed in the cage, the Shrike
would take it in its bill, carry it to the
limbs and placing it securely in a forked
branch would brace itself with its feet on
one of the limbs and tear off small bits and
eat them; thus showing that the object in
placing the prey in the fork was to secure
it in a steady position.—A. LZ. Parkhurst.
San Jose, Cal.

YELLow-HEADED Buackeirp, (Vanthocep-
halus icterocephalus).—An abundant bird
in some portions of the Territory, inhabit-
ing marshes and wet prairies. At Fort
Laramie I found a breeding place and se-
cured fifteen nest complements of eggs and
a few nests. The nests were built in the
tall rushes of a slough and formed of rush
leaves of the year before, very nicely
woven together and lined with the same
material in fine pieces. They were firmly
attached to three or four rushes and built
very close to the water among a colony of
Red-wings, (Agelweus phceniceus). The
male is a very handsome bird. Black;
head (excepting lores) neck and the upper
part of breast yellow, large white patch on
wings, length 11 inches, wing 54, tail 44,
female brownish-black, no white on wing,
considerably smaller than the male; length
9 inches or a little more. Have never
seen the young, but they are said to be
“much like the female,” (Cowes). The
male sometimes has slight touches of yel-
low on belly and legs. It is the hand-
somest of all black-birds, and almost
entirely a western bird. It has been
quoted from Greenland; Reinhart.— Chas.
T. Morrison, Fort McKinney, Wyo. Ter.

WoopprcKkrers.—Our smaller Woodpeck-
ers are sometimes accused of injuring the
apple and other fruit trees, but the depre-
dator is probably the larger and rarer yel-
low-bellied species. In the fall I caught
one of these in the act of sinking long
rows of his little wells in the limb of an

Dec. 1884.]

apple tree. There were series of rings of
them, one above another, quite around the
stem, some of them the third of an inch
across. They are evidently made to get at
the tender, juicy bark, or cambium layer,
next to the hard wood of the tree. The
health and vitality of the branch are so
seriously impaired by them it often dies.
When the woodpecker is searching for
food, or laying seige to some hidden grub,
the sound of his hammer is dead or muf-
fled, and is heard but afew yards. It is
only upon dry, seasoned timber, freed of
its bark, that he beats his reveille to spring
and woos his mate.

Wilson was evidently familiar with this
vernal drumming of the woodpeckers, but
quite misinterprets it. Speaking of the
Red-bellied species, he says: “It rattles
like the rest of the tribe on the dead limbs,
and with such violence as to be heard in
still weather more than a half mile off: and
listens to hear the insects it has alarmed.”
He listens to hear the drum of his rival or

the brief and coy response of the female,
for there are no insects in these dry limbs.

On one occasion I saw downy at his
drum when a female flew quickly through
the tree and alighted a few yards beyond
him. The male watched her for a few mo-
ments, and convinced perhaps that she
meant business, struck up his liveliest
tune, then listened for the response. As
it cante back timidly but promptly, he left
his perch and sought a nearer acquaint-
ance with the prudent female.—John Bur-
roughs, in “ The Century.”

Brief Notes.

THE TERNS IN Nova Scotra.—Looking over some
back numbers of the O. & O., I notice in No. 7,
July, 1884, under the heading of ‘* Terns in Noya Scotia,”
by J. H. Langille, the statement that the complete
number, of eggs of the four species of Terns, Arctic, Wil-
son’s Roseatefand Forster’s is ‘‘ most commonly two, often
one, sometimes three.” I have collected and examined a
large number of sets of the three Terns, Arctic, (macrura),
Wilson’s, (hirwndo), and Roseate, (dowgalli), during the
past two seasons on the Massachusetts coast, and I find the
complete number of eggs is most commonly three, often
four, sometimes flye. There are several notes I made dur-

AND OOLOGIST.

Foliatum.

ing the past season worthy of mention. I found after dis-
secting quite a large number of Roseate Terns, that the
female has a much brighter shade of pink on the breast in
the breeding season than the male. The Arctic Terns leave
their breeding ground in the fall fully two months before
the Roseate or Common. I did not see nor take any after
Aug. 12, and could not learn of any being seen.

Black Tern, (Hydrochelidon lariformis), is given in N. E.
Bird Life as a rare but regular migrant in spring and fall,
I found them common at Muskeget and Tuckernuck islands
during August and the first week in September, 1884. I
know of as many as seven being taken in one day. I saw
quite a number in bunches of from three to six flying
around and over Muskeget, where they roost with the other
Terns. Most of the specimens taken were young.—J/. C.
Cahoon, Taunton, Mass.

NESTING OF CHEWINK OR TOWHEE BuNTING, (Pipilo ery-
throphthalmus).—As regards the experience of several
given in late issues of O. & O., concerning the nesting of
this interesting bird, I would add that such notes are not
always applicable to every locality. Five or six years ago,
I found a nest over six feet high, during the month of Au-
gust, upon the broken limb of a Linden, surrounded by
young branches. It contained three fledged young, which
left their nest upon my approach.

In May, 1881, I found a nest containing two fresh eggs
about a foot from the ground within a crippled hawthorne
bush, recent rains had flooded the ground for some time
previous. Upon crossing the creek I found myself on a
thickly wooded elevation where I found a nest upon the
ground, surrounded by a thick cluster of Viriostiwm per-
Within the nest I found one egg with a half in-
cubated dead embryo, outside the nest lay afresh egg cold
and wet, as was the whole nest—although the bird flew
from it—the rains had been heavy, cold and long.

In July I found within these same woods one nest about
five feet from the ground in a bush, and two others a few
rods distant upon the ground, one surrounded by a tuft of
grass, the other by a tall open wild Aster, the first held four
young fledgfings, the others three and four each, all nearly
of the same age.—A. H. Mundt, Fairbury, Ill.

Curtous NestinG.—May 6, while out collecting with a
companion, we stopped at a spring for a refreshing drink,
for the day was very warm. All at once we were attracted
by a rustling overhead and imagine our surprise to see a
Robin, (M migratoria), flying out of a large knot hole in an
oak tree which was near at hand. Hastily climbing we
found a nest in the hole, loosely put together, which con-
tained four fresh eggs. ;

The day following while hunting for Hawks eggs, a
Cooper’s Hawk, (A, cooperi), flew across my path and lit on
an adjoining tree. After examining five nests without suc-
cess I finally climbed up to an old Squirrel’s nest and found
the eggs (4) which were secured.

May 20—I found a remarkably low nest of the Yellow-
shafted Flicker, (Colaptes auratus), in a maple stump. The
hole was less than three feet from the ground and the
bottom of the nest measured one foot eleyen inches from
the entrance. It contained ten eggs.

But one of the most curious finds I have had this season
is noted on the 18th of June, a newly constructed
nest of a Cedar Bird, (A. cedrorwm), in an orchard tree
about seven féet from the ground which contained one egg.
Passing that way on the 23d, imagine my surprise to see a
Robin sitting upon the nest and the Cherry Bird upon a
limb near. The Robin did not move until I had nearly got
her in my hand when she flew off and disclosed to view
four eggs of the Cherry Bird’s and one Robin’s egg. They
were all fresh. Whether the Robin had been robbed before

ORNITHOLOGIST

[ Vol. 9-No. 12

she had laid her complement of eggs or whether she lacked
forethought in providing a receptacle for them is for the
readers of the O. & O. to judge. Should like to hear from
others on this question.—/”. W. Andros, Taunton, Mass.

Tue Barn Owxr.—Is the Barn Owl often found as far
north as this? I haye one that I killed two years ago, it
was hunting for mice on a marsh when I found it and
though it was a bright, sunshiny day, it seemed to be per-
fectly at home.—Vernon Bailey, Elk River, Maun.

Brrp Lime.—The best Bird Lime I know of is made of
raw Linseed oil. Boil the oil down to proper consistency,
which is when it will adhere to the finger with the most
slight and quick touch. Try it as it boils by taking a little
out on a stick and let it cool in the air and touch as above
stated. Keep in a small stone jar with water on it to pre-
vent drying. Always make this Lime out of doors over a
slow fire, otherwise it is liable to burn up.—S. Rader.

CORRESPONDENCE.

The Destruction of Birds for Millin-
ery Purposes.

To THE EDITOR OF ORNITHQLOGIST AND OoLoGisT: Sir,
—I notice in the November number of your magazine, a
lengthy note from L. M. McCormick, of Washington, D.C.,
in regard to the destruction of small birds for millinery pur-
poses which interested me very much. While I agree with
him on some points, I am not satisfied that he is attacking
the worst enemy of our feathered friends.

Tlive ina small country village and in a community that
almost ignores the laws in regard to the destruction of birds
both small and large. I have always since I could sight a
gun, owned one and a dog, and haye always been consid-
ered a fair shot and a good hunter for this section. I am
perfectly familiar with the woods for ten miles in any di-
rection from this village. I haye for the last ten years
camped out from one to three weeks each year, and these
trips have been at different seasons, from the first of April
to the first of December. So much for my chances of ob-
servation in that direction. I haye never shot a bird or
animal unless I had a use for it. My business has been in
the centre of the village for the last eight years, and I have
had dealings with every person within three miles, and
therefore have had a good chance to observe how many
birds were used on hats in this section, which will not aver-
age more than one bird for five ladies, and one-half of them
at least, are tropical birds which never visit the New Eng-
land States. Many of these birds are fixed up and made to
serve two and even three years. It will be seen that the
destruction of birds for this purpose is very small in com-
parison with the greater pest of which I propose to write.

We thus arrive at an average of not more than one bird
for each family, and may admit that half of these are not
our visitors. In regard to the remaining half, Blue Jays
are the kind used most, next the Yellow Hammer, next
small Hawks, and but very few Yellow Birds. The first
every one admits is a decided enemy to all kinds of small
birds, their eggs and young. The second lives principally
on ants, which insect is not considered to be a pest, and
the third is a well-known enemy of all small birds in every
way. I state these facts in regard to the kind worn, also
the amount from acttial memoranda which I have kept for
the last six months, The real enemy of the small birds and
game,—of which I became convinced upwards of fifteen
years ago and have not seen cause to change my opinion
since, but on the contrary each year confirms my belief that
Tam right—is the farmer’s favorite cat.

Ihave known one cat in an adjoining town to kill and
bring into the house more Ruffed Grouse in the month of
August than all the gunners in the town killed in the sea-
son. This is from personal knowledge, and no doubt it
might be added to this that the same pet killed many hun-
dreds of smaller birds in the course of the year—birds, each
one of them would have done the farmer more good in one
year than the cat had eyer done, On the average there is
one of these pets for each family in this county.

During the week I camped out this fall, I shot and killed
not less than seven in the woods. Now what is needed is
that all lovers of small birds should unite in this matter
and get some law passed or tax put upon cats that will rid
the country of these marauders. It make no differ-
ence how well they are fed, I have not seen the cat yet that
would not make her daily or nightly hunt for small birds if
she had liberty to do so,

The next enemy in comparison is the common red squir-
rel of our Maine woods, from which no smull bird’s nest is
safe, not even the Baltimore Oriole is ont of their reach. I
have been an eye witness to the destruction of quite anum- .
ber of different kinds of young birds in the nests, some of
them my pets.

These squirrels are four times more numerous in the three
northern New England States than any other, and they de-
stroy untold numbers of little birds.—4. 7. G., Damaris-
cotta, Maine.

Epitonr oF O. & O.—Sir: We notice in the communica-
tion of L. M. McCormick, that he states that we advertised
for Grack!e, Jays and other bright birds, and asks for in-
formation. We made no general advertisement. In Janu-
ary we sent out about 300 circulars, to customers only, offer-
ing 25c for Blue Jays and Woodpeckers, and received about
as follows :

250 Red wings,
150 Blue Jays, —
75 Woodpeckers,
20 Hawks,

About one-half were too poor for any use except millin-
ery. During the past season there has been very little call
for bright native birds for that purpose. The largest lot
that we had offered to us by any one party were contained
in a box of about 100, the origin of which, judging from the
tags, we think Mr. McCormick might find by making a local
investigation, and thus discover that the opportunity to un-
load poor skins, without regard to the use to be made of
them, is not altogether confined to taxidermists and dealers.
As dealers we would do our best to fill any order legitimate-
ly, but we do not apprehend that we shall ever see the day
that our common insectivorous birds will suffer for manu-
facturing purposes.

We are not frightened when we see young game birds ad-
vertised for sale by champion protectionists, into believing
that the slight encroachment on the game law is to be dis-
astrous, nor that all birds in time will be prematurely
hatched by the blow pipe.—E/lis & Webster.

eae

Witt APPEAR IN JANUARY NumBer.—“ List of Birds
seen or captured in Locke, Mich., June—August, ’S4,” by
Dr. H. A. Atkins; ‘‘Some Californian Raptores,” by A. L.
Parkhurst; ‘‘ Notes on Birds of the Sea Islands, So. Car.,”
by Walter Hoxie; “Florida Bird Life,” by E. M. Has-
brouck.

30 Warblers,
100 Various dull skins,
6 Orioles.

Index to Volume IX.

The Index to Volume IX is issued to subscribers along
with this number. We haye endeayored to make it much
more complete and useful for reference than that of former
yolumes.

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