m '^ip FORTHE PEOPLE FOR EDVCATION FOR SCIENCE LIBRARY OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY ESTABLISHED 1875. THE ORNITHOLOGIST AND 0() LOG I ST VOL. XIII.. 1SS8. BIRDS: THEIR NESTS AND EGGS. BOSTON, MASS.: FRAN^K B. WEBSTER 1888. //- V/^*^ 'rma^'yc^ ORNITHOLOGIST AND OOLOGIbT. INDEX TO VOL. XIII., 1888. Acanthus liuaria, U Accipiter coopcri, 24, 115 " (Mn)peri, :i serif s of cfCf^s of, SI *' fuscus, 24, 115 " fuscus, a series of epps of, 34 Actiti» maeularia, l,i2, l(i8, 171 . Aetodroiiius nuK'Uluta. l.'I!* .-l-^fliniuplionis (n'cidentalis, 140 .l-^-^aloii niluinbarius, 115 Alielil, 1« Agela'us i)ha?nieeus. 4;i *' tricolor, 75 Aix sponsa, 50, 165 Ajaja ajaja, KiO Albinos, 82, 184 Alliino Knliin, .at Crand Rapids, 118 Anipelis (-(Mlroruiii. 12, 45 " ^arrulus, 11, 73 Anas aniericana, ."jO, 148 " boscas. 111, 50, 140, 14K " caroliiiensis, 50. 148 " cyanoptera, 50, 148 " discors, 50, 148 " obscura, 10, 50, 148 " strepera, ,50 Anser albrifrons panibeli, 105. IGit Antrostonius vociferns, 42 Apheloooina woodbousi, 107 Aquila chrysaetiis canadensis, 139 Ardea candidissinia. 166, 169 '• egretta, 169 " herodias, 45, 166, 169 ** virescens, 42, 109 Arenaria interprcs, 1,56 Aslo accipitrinus, lo, 115 " aniericanus, 115 AstraKalinus psaltria. 73 " tristris, - 73 Asturatricapi)illus, 45 Audubon Monument, 61 Auk, (ireat, sale of an ejjj; of in London, 31 Avocet, American. 167, 170 Aytlija allinis, 51,148,165 " americana, .50, 105 " collaris, 51, 105 " marilla nearctica, ,51,165 " valeisneria, .50. 165 /Egillitis melodia, 1,55 " melodia circumcincta, 172 " montan'a, 171, 181 " seniii)alniata, 155, 171 " vociferus, 42, 1.55, 171, 181 jEgiothus linaria. 73 Baldpate, ,50, 148 Bartr,amia longicauda, 131, 108, ni Birds and their relati. Clangula liyenialis. Cocryziis amcricaiius, *' * erytliroptlialmus. Cock, Sage, Cocothranstes vespertina, Colaptes auratus, auratus mexicanus, Colinus virginianus, 1 Collecting trip to Cresson Springs, Fa., Collecting trip. Winter, Colorado, birds of, 145 Colyinbus auritus, " holbcellii, " nigricollis californicus toniuatus. Communication, Consistency C'ondor, Caiifornian. notes on the, 30 Contopus Itorcalis, 107 " richardsoni, 107 Contopus virens, 43 Coot, American, 167, 170 Cormorant, Double-crested, 50, 148 Corrections, 48 Corresi)ondence, 112, 174, 191 Corvus americana, 11 " corax carnivorus, 107 Corvus frugivorus, 42, 45, 107 Coturniculus i>asserinns perpal- lidus, 74 Cowbird's eggs with sets, 158 Crake, Corn, in Connecticut, 45 Crane, Little Brown, 106, 170 Crane Island, a visit to, 81 Crane, Sand-hill, 140, 167, 170 " Whoo])ing, 166, 170 Creeper, Brown, 28, 72 " Brown, feeds a Chickadee, 138 Crossbill, American, 11,28 " Mexican, 73 " White-winged, 11,73 Crow, 42, 45, 10' 115 26 42 110 11 129 181 45 139 .50, 105 43 43 16, 43, 45, 71 42, 139 45 139, 182 45, 11.5 1.51. 171, 181 1.^4. 171 10.51, 105 43 189 140 169 165, 109 12, 2H, W 100 72 72 45 107 42 74 71 10 42 42 139 11 42,45 115 0, 181 133 94 181 49 140 49, 146 45 1.59 128 , 10." ('row. .American. a timely word in behalf of. " winter roost of, at St. Louis, Crymophilus fulicarius. Cuckoo, and Tent Caterpillar, 1, 28 17 122 188 Cm^koo, Black-billed, 42 ■• Yellow-billed, 42 Yellow-billed, late nest- ing of, 140 Curlew. l;s(|iiiuio, 1.53, 171, 181 " HlidMiniau, 1.53,171 " Long-liilled, 1.5:!, 108, 171, 181 Cyanocitta cristata, 11 *' stelleri macrolepha, 107 Cvpselus saxatilis, 107 Dalila acuta, .50,105 Data Blanks, 25 Dead <'rcck. dav on, 157 Deer Hunter's Assistants, 27 Dendragapus obscurus, 181 Dendnuca lestiva, 43, 45 auduboni, 72 •' discolor, 43 dominica, 16, 43 " graca'a, 72 '• nigrescens, 72 pinus, 43 " tounsendi, 72 Diver, (ireat Northern. 45 Dove, Mourning, 42, 139 Dowitcher, 170 '• Long-billed, 123, 107, 170 Dryobates pubescens, 10 Du'ck, American Scaup, 51, 140, 106 " Black, 10, .50, 148 " Dusky, 45 " Harlequin, 165 ■' Lesser Scaup, .51,148,165 ■■ Little Hlack-heail, 140 King-necked, 51, 165 •' Ruddy. 51, 165 Ruddy, nesting of. 132 " Wood'. 50. 105 Eagle. Bald, nest of, 63 " Bald, nesting habits of, 77 " Caracara, remarkable runt egg of, 99 " (iolden, nest of, im, 172 " Golden, 139 " vs. Fish Hawk, 118 •• (iolden, atrip toSan Ben- ito county after eggs of, 1 19 Editorial, iHi, 110, 12.5. 14.3, 1.59, 174, 190 Eggs, fading of colors of. after they are jirepared for tlie'cabinet, 151 number in a set, 109 " retention of by birds, 89 " some curious sets ()f, 152 Elanoides forflcatus, 24 Embryo, in, 78 Enipidonax acadicus, 43 Einiiidonax pusilUls trailli, 107 Ereunetes jiusillus, 12Vt, 108, 171 Erisniatura ruliida, 51, 165 Exchanges, on making, 54 E.xclianges for 1888, our, 190 K\|iericncc, a day's, 177 Falco sparverius, IS " Peregrine, nesting of, 1.5C Finch, Cassin's I'nrple, 73 '* Lincoln's, 74 " Western Grass, 74 " Western Lark, 74 Five sets of eggs from one bird in one season, 1**2 Flicker, 28, 42, 45, 142 " and Downy Woodpecker, nests of in same stub, 130 " Red-shafted, 115 Food of some Raleigh birds, 10 Four lirotbcrs. Lake Cham- plain, a visit to, 138 Flycatcher, Acadian, 43 " Gre.at-crested, 42 " Olive-sided, 107 •• Traill's, _ 107 Fulica .americana, ""''}!„ Fulix afflnis, }™ " marila, JfO (iadwall, ^ ' 1 Galeosciiptes carolinensis, 16, 43, 45, 71 Gilllinago dclicata, 10, 122, 167, 170 " media wilsoni, ,^ 139 Gallinula galcata, IJo. j'O Gallinule, Flornla, "'i, no (ieoeoccyx californi.anus, 11.) (Jeothlypis macgillivrayi, '- ' (fCotlilviiis triohas, 43 i (ilaiicioiictta I'huijrula ameri- caiia, 1". SI. in5 Ghuu'Umetta islanilica. H'-' 5 •■ Bafriiwii'. ICS (ioUllincli. Aiueriean, II, 10. 2S. 73 *' (Jreeii-liai-kt'd, 73 Goose, AinerH-an white- fronti-il. 1«;. IGO •■ Blue, lt>» '• Canada, leo, 160 '■ Hutchiiis', 166, Kin " Losser Snow, lliS, 160 (Joshawk. AniiM-ican. -'», -lij CTrackle. Hronzed. *-8 Graekle, Rusty, ■'■'' Greenlets, Iowa. 44 Grelje, Amcrican-earcd. 40, 14ii " Anierioan Kecl-neoked, 140 " Holba^ll's, 146 " Horned, 40 •• I'ied-liillPil, 40. 147 Western, 146 (irosbeak, American I'ine. 11, 28, 73 " Blue, 16, 43 " EveninfX, 11- -^ " Rose-lireasted, ".laek" 116 Grouse, Canada, 45, 04 " Canada, in eaptivity, 106 " Common Sharp-tailed, 130 ■' Dnskv, 139, 181 " Gray "Ruffed, 130,181 " Prafrie Sharp-tailed. 1S2 " Ruffed, 16, 27, 45, 04 Grns ameneana, 166, 170 " canadensis. 140, 166, 170 " mexicaua, 167, 170 Guillemot, Black, 45 Guiraca ca-rula, , ',,i Gull, Amerii-an Herring. 1". 4o, 14. " Bonaparte's, 10. 147 " Californian, 147 " Franklin's, 40 " Great Black-liaclced, 44.40 " Iceland, 16 " Laujihing, 147 " Rins-hilled. 10, 49. 147 " Sabine's. 147 Gymnocitta .•vanocepla, 1»7 H;vmat..pns..>traley«s, l.)6 Harpnrlivnius rufns, 43 Hawk, liroad-wiiiKed, Nesting habits of, 10 " liroad-winged, additional notes on, 92 " Broad-winged, nesting of. in Chester Co., Penn., 184 " Cooper's, 24, 28, 115 " Florida Reil-shonlilered, in Texas. 102 " Marsll, 4.5 " Pigeon, ll'> " Pigeon, nesting of. 185 " Red-bellied. '^5 " Red-sliouUlered, 42 " Red-taileil, 25 " Red-tailed, repairing nest in the fall, 47 " Sharp-shinned, 25, 115 " Sparrt>w. 10, 25. 45. 115 " Sparrow, curious nests of, 10(> " Swainson's. 115 " Western lled-tailed, 115 Hen, Prairie, 27, 181 Heron, Black crowned Night, 160 " Green, 42 " Great blue, 45, I6(i " Snowy, . 166 " Yellow-crowned Night. 16(i Himantopus mexicanus, 167 Histrionicus histrionicus, 165 " minutus, 140 Humming-birds at Riverside, Cal , 11*^ Humining-bird, Black-chinned, 107 •■ Broad-t.ailed, 107 " Rnbv-throated. 42 •' Rnfons. 107 Hydroclielidon negra snrina- meiisis. ■'>". 147 Hvlociclda inu^tchna. 43 '" unala-ca- aiulnboui. 70 " nnalasca- jwllasi, 45 " ustulala swainsimi, 70 Ibis, White, in Scmth Carolina, IHO " WIlite-fai'CiKiloBSy, 166 Ibis, Wood. 1(111 Icteria virens. 4:i Icterus spnrins. 43 IctJna sulM-a-rulea. 25 Jaeger. Par.isitic. 147 Pomarine. 40 Jay, Blue, 11. '2.8. 04 " Canada, 45, 04 Long-crested. 107 Kockv Mountain. 107 Wooilliousc's. 107 .Junco aikeni. 74 annetaeus. 74 " oorniceiis, 74 •• hyemalis. 11. 45 '* .Slate-colored, 11.28 Kentucky Bottoms, twc (lavs in. ss Killdeer,' 4--'. i;{.i. l.V.. 171, isi Kintcliirtl, 4*J. 4') " Western, 107 Kingfisher, 4.'., 11 f) " Texan, egg-s of the, '54 Kings Co., Novii Scotia, brccil- int> (late.s of hinls in , 44 Kinglet, liolilcn-crowncci, 71 Rubv-crowjK'ij. 71 Kite. Mir^sissipiii. lifi Swallow- tailed, ^4 Lagopus leucurus, 181 Lariius borealis, 1*2. 7.'{ La Plata County. Col., a list ol some birds of. with annota- tion, 7(1, 107. II.".. i;}.i Lark, Horned, 1 1 " Meadow, II " We.-'tern Meadow. 7"» Larns argentatus, 10 " argentatus smith -Ionian - as. 4:.. 4:). 147 " atritrilla, 147 californicus. 147 " delawarensis. 10. 4H. 147 " franklini, 4;» leucopteru-^, 10 " inarinns, 44. 4;i " Philadelphia. 147 Limosa I'edoa. bio. u;k. 171 " iKcmastica. b'io, 171 LoI>ipes hyperboreus. 140 Logcock, following the, 40 Lohgspur, Chestnut-collarefl, 28 " Lapland, 28 " Smith's, in Ohio, Do Loon, 4!>, 147 " Red-throated, '.» Loiihophanes l)icolor, 4.'i inornatus, 71 Lophodytes oucuUatus, 50, 148 Loxia ciirvirostra mexioana, 73 *' onrvirostra minor, 11 *' leucoptera, 11, 73 Macrorhamphvis griseus, 122, 170 " scolopaceus, 123. 1G7, 170 Magpie, Black-lnlled, nesting of, 23 "' Black-billed, 107 Mallard, 10. nO. 148 Martin. Purple, 43. 73 Megascops asio, 10 Melaneriic^ crvthrocephalus, 11 " torqiiatus. 108 Meleagris gallopavo amerieana. 13;> gallopavo niexicana, 182 Melnsjiiza fasciata. 45 ■' lincolni. 74 " palnstris. 45 Merula migratoria. 12, 4rj " migratoria i)ropiiH|na. 70 Merganser, American. 45. 5(1, 148 " americanus. 50. 148 " Hooded, 50, 148 " Red-breasted, 5ii, 148 " serrator. 50. 148 Mieropalania himantopus, 'J3. li;7 Migration, Shore-l)ir to the avifauna r»f, and also to that of Raleigh, 187 Xote.s, brief eollecting. 137 ■• brief, from Raleigh, X. ('., 142 •* brief. iM;,lll,l28. 144.ir,o. 175. 1;H estray. '.'2 '• winter, 1 04 '* winter, from Welle-li v. Mass., 104 " winter, from Raleigh. X. ('., 14o Xunicnius borealis, 153. 171 hudsonicus, 153, 171 " longirostris. 1.53. 108, 171 Nutcracker, Clark's, 107 Nuthatch, Brown-headed, 43 " lirown-headed, nesting of, at Raleigh, X.C. iii. 1888, 14.1 " Brown-headed, nesting of, in South Carolina. 21 " Pygmy. 72 Slender-billed. 72 " White-breasted. 12, 28, 43, 57, 1>4 Nyctea nyctea. 10 Xycticoriix nycticorax nn-vius.KiC.ltiSi * '* violaceus, lOfJ Oidemia amerieana. 105 " deglandi. 10 Old Squaw, 10 Olor buccinator, lOii. lOii eolumbianu.-;, Ul*' Onondaga County, a list ol the birds of, >*" Oneida Ct)., Xew York, addi- ti-. 10.28,42 '• Texan Screech, 24 " Western-horned. 115 Oxyecbus vociferu.s, 139 (^y.ster-cateher, Americ-an. 15(J Parula amerieana, ■^-'J Parus atricapillus, 12. 45 " atricapillus septentrionalis, .2 carolinensis, j;^ montanus, '2 Passer (loiue.^tieus, 1 1 Passerculu-^ sandwichensis sa- vanna. , . j:J 131 Passerina cyanea, 1'' Pavoneella "pugnax, Pediocoetes phasianelUis <-ani- pcstris, ^■'''- Pedioecetes phasianellus (tolnm- bianus, ''*'''-VT^ Pelecanus ervthrorhynchos, i>o, 148 Pelican, American White. 50. 148 Perisoreus eanadciisis. 4.t " canadensis rupitalis. 10. Petrochelidon binilrons. l-i. "3 Pewee, Wood, ^■' " Western Wood. I'l. Phainopepias, at Riverside. Cab. 118 Pbalacrocorax dilophus. 50, 148 Ph'ilarope. Xorthern. 122. 140. Kb ■• Red. 1-- ■■ Wilsrm's, bb. 1.0 Ph:ilaropus lobatus. 122. li.. rii;il:ircipus, tr!i'cili>r. KIT, 170 lMiil«i|irl;i iniiHir, 42, 122, 107. 170 rii'iintiiMphic t»niitlioloj;;y, 14 IMiM iii-tii-a hmlsoiiica, ' 107 I'icoiiU's trHl;M-iylus doraalis. 107 ri<'U-. imlicsccn-i. 42 imbesL-eii"; ^iainliHTi. 107 viMo-n-i liarrisi. 107 I'inicola finu^Icamr. 11. 7'S Pintail. 50. icri I'ipilo chldrii-. 74 iiiai-ulatus articu-. "4 " iiKicnIatus iiiL'piItinyx. 74 I'iran^a rubra. IG riet'tri>j)h['nax nivalis. II, 74 Plejraihs jiiiarauna, 10(; ri(»v(»r. Anu'rican (Joldcn. I;54. 171. 1«1 •• Halted ripin;r. 171 ■■ li!ack-hel!i('(l. \r.4. 171. is'l Mountain. 172. ISl Mcmntain. bro^dinp: habits of, 187 ■■ Piping, \r>n " Seniipulniatt'd, Vio. 171 rp'and, bnu'tiin-r ni" on Cape Cod. 1G4 I'odicfp^ Uolbolli. 140 l'odilynibu_> ptulict^p.^. 4;i. 140 ro!ioptila caTuloa. ^ 4.'{ l*o(in;etes nraiiiineus, " 45 " p:raniin''iis confinis. 74 Tolyborus elieriway. a series o(" eSTjrs of. ' 12 IVirz.ma famlina. Ii;7. 170 j iniaic 'u is. 170 I'osition. a di'licatc. S7 Proline subis. t;f. 73 Ptarmigan. Wlute-taHcd. isi Publications received. 48 l*yraui;a 'udnviriana. 7;{ O'uenpu^'dula discors. 140 Killus i'le;iin-. ]i;. 42, 170 [ vir^rinianus. hjt, 170 ' Uail. Itlaek. 170 " Kinj;. H;. 42, 170 Kinp. in l,ra. H;7. 170 " Virginian. Uu, 170 Ratio of tlif minor to the major axis o( an ■• Ideal " ej^fj;, ' loi Raveu, Anu'rii-an. 94, 107 Recurvirostra aniericaiia. Kh. 170 RediioU. 28, T.i Rediiead, '►ii. lOo Redstart, AnuMican. 4.'i. Retrains calendula. 71 satrapa. 71 Rickseeker. ICilnuind. deatli nf. KO Robiu. American, , 12. 4") We tern. 70 Road-runner, 11,') Rope and Irou-;. 150 Ruff. i;jl Runteji'ir-^, 59 Sa'i»iut;teR obsoletu -, 72 Sanderlin^, 12<^( Sandpiper. Ilnird's. ](;7, 171 liaird's. in (tiitario. 9-) Bartrauiiaii. l.'ll, Ki.s " »uff-bri!a^ted. i;i2. 171 " Curlew, 121) •' ivea-^t. 124 *■ Pectora', l2;t. i;ti), i(;7. 171 " Pet^toral. wintering of. ou Monomoy Id.. Mass.. 108 " rurp'e, ■ 123 " Rt*d-ba<-ke on etrii'S, 87 Sliore birds of Cai)e Cod. 121, 12!t. 1.53 ** Iiinl.s (if Cape Cod, addi- tion ; to the li^t of. 180 Shoveller. 5ft, 148 Shrike. Creat Northern, 12. 28, 73 " Creat Northern, Food of, 103, i:S4, 10.3, 188 and his prey. 31 White-rumped. "3 Sialia artica, 7I niexieana, 71 " sialis. 43 Sitta carolinensis, 12, 43 carolinensis acnleata. 72 ■• pusilla, 43 pyjiina'a, 72 *■ j)y^nKea,u Series of ep;t;s of, 173 Siuru-s uiotaeilla. 43 Snipe's e^jis, how a set was saved, 105 Snijie. lled-lireasted, 122 " Wilson's, 10. 122. 13;). 107. 170 Snowbird. Black. 45 Black, remarkable ni-st- inj:" sites of. ]y,\] " (Irey-Iicadrd. 74 I'ink-siilfil. 74 White-winiicd. 74 Snow Flake. 11 Solitaire. Townsend's, 71 Sparrow, Chipping. !'•. I.'!. 45 •• Knj;iish. 135 European Hr)use. ll ■• Field, 4;{ Field. nestinjj:of. at Ral- eijih. \. C.. 142 Field, odd nestinj;c site of, Ijso Remarkable ejiti- ol", 1U4 Savanna, 45 Savanna, notes on, ]0i '• Sou---, 45 Son^. (Jneer actions of a. 2J '■ Swamp, 45 Swami>. nestiu};- of, ,55 *' Tree. 11. 74 " Tree. Albino. ]3 Western Chippinfj. 74 '• White-erowned. 74 Spatula civpeata, 5ii. 14s Species. chan;;es in ndative abundance, 110 Sphyrapicus varius, 45 *'" varius nuchalis. 108 Spinn-i tristris, ] i, u; S]>iteful. 127 S|>izel!a domestica. 43. 45 dnme.-tica arizona*. 74 uioutana. 74 nmnticnla. 11 " pusilla. 43 liusilla arenacea. eti " Whistling-. 100 Swift. 42 Chimnev, a curious habit "f. ■ 104 •■ White-throated. 107 Sylvanianutrata, 10 Svmphemia senn]ialmata. 131, I3i), 108, 171 Tachvcineta ld(;olnr, 45, 73 " thalassina. 73 Tantalus hicuhitor, 100 Tana^rer, Scarlet, HJ Western, 73 Teal, Blue-winixed, 50, 14(I, 148 Cinnamon, , 50, 148 Green-win;rod, 50, 148 Teluiatodytes palustris. 72 Tern, Arctic, ,50 •* BhKdv. 50. 147 " Common. 50, 147 " Forster's, 50. 147 " Least, .50 Thrasher, Brown. 43 Thrasher. Brown, srm^r of. i(t5 " Saue, 71 Thrush, (iolden-(Towned, nest- ing; of, 133 " Hermit. 4.'» Lartie-billeil Water, 43 •' Olive-baeked. 70 Rocky .Mountain Hermit. "0 " Wooil. 43,97 Thryothorus Uulovieianus, 43 Tinnunculus sparverius. 25, 45, 115 sparverius, a scries ol ejiji's of, 75 Titmouse, Carolina. 43 Plain, 71 •* Tufted, 43 '* Tufted, nestinji- of, 01, 142 Totanus flavipes, 130, n;s. 171 nielanoleuc.us. l.ju, los, 171 solitarius, 131. 1i;s. 171 Towhee, (Jreen-tailed, 74 •' (Ireen-tailcd. nesting of. \m Xortliern, 74 " Spurred, 74 Trinjra alpina paciliea, 129, 108 bainlii. 107, 171 " canutus. 123. 171 " ferru}4;inea, I2!i " fuseicolhs, 124. 107. 171 ■• minntilla. 124. 108. 1:1 ■' maeulata. 123. 107, 171 iiiaritima. 123 Trinji'oides macularius. l4o Tryufiites subruticollis, 132. 171 Troehilus alexandri. in7 " coluliris. 42 Trotiiodvtes hvemalis, 12 Turkey, "Mexican. 182 " Wild. 139 Turnstone, 1.50 Tympanuehus americanus. 181 Tyi'annus (carolinensis, 42, 45 verticalis, in; I'rinator indier. lit, 147 ■' lumme, 9 Vireo. Blue-headed, 10, 45 Blue-headed, nesting of, 47 '• Havifrons, U> rtavoviridis, occurrence of, at Riverside, Cal.. IIO tiilva swainsoni, 73 .Mountain Solitary, nest- in-; of. 113 Mountain Solitary, nest and eji^s of, 113 noveborancensis, 43 " olivaceus, 43, 45 " Philaileli'hia. in C9, " Yellow-throated, notes on the nesting; of. AVaxwinj;. lioheinian. 11. " Cedar, Northern, " \Ve think the same," Whippoorwill, Willet, 131, 139, 168, " seven eggs of, laid in one nest. Woodcock. American, 42. 1U2, ir.7, ,v, Woodpecker, Arctic Three-toed, W Woodpecker, Yellow-bellied, in r.u " Cross-liilled, 95 New Haven, Conn., LV) 4a " Downy, 10, 28, 42, W, 141 Wren, Albino Winter. 32 " Uowny and Flicker, nests " Carolina, 43 lUl of, in the same stub, 136 " Carolina, early breeding Woodpeckers, food of, * 141 near Philadeliihia, 03 1(1(1 Woodpecker, Hairy, 28, 94 LonK-billed .Marsh, 72 liK ' Lewis', 108 Rock, 72 12 • Nuttall's, nestinK of, 93 Winter, 12, 28 r.i ' Pileated, 94, 141 Wright, James A.. 80 132 ' Red-hellied, 142 Xema sabinii, 147 42 ' Red-headed, 11, 28, 142 Yellow-legs, 131, 1C8, 171 171 ' Red-naped, 108 " (ireater, 130, l(i«, 171 • Southern Hairv-, 141 ' Striped-liack Three-toed, 108 Yellow-throat, Maryland, 43 189 Zenaidura carolinensis, 42, 139 nil ' Yellow-ljellied, 45, 141 Zonotrichia leucophrys. 74 «10RNITH0L0GIST AND OOLOGISTC>o ORNITHOLOGIST — AND — 0 0 LOG I ST. $1.00 per Annum. Published for tub BRISTOL OUNITHOLOGICAL CLUB. Established, March, 1875. Single Copy 10 Cents. VOL. XIII. BOSTON, MASS., JANUARY, 1888. No. The Parula Warbler- Eggs. -It's Nest and BV •'.!. M. V,-.," NORWICH, CONN. There is 110 coiuiiioner Warbler in Soutliern New Eiiftland during the Sprinjj; migration tlian the old " Blue Yellow-ljack." Then, for about two days, among the cloud of spairows in our j'ards and gardens, we note his frieze jacljet of dusty blue, and his .scarlet waistcoat, when, " presto," he is oft', you say, to his breetlirig grounds in the Maine wilderness, to Umbagog and beyond. But wait a few days, and we will show him to you housekeeping near at hand. As long ago as Brewster and May- nard's Umbagog trip, it was supposed that a few scattered pairs remained to breed, but that the bulk passed further north, .\inong my last letters from Dr. Brewer, was one containing a request for nests and eggs of this species for the Cambridge Museum and his own friends. Even then the eggs were reg:iviied iistlesidenila, but it was beginning to be be understood that the three Southern New England .States were about the centre of its breeding range. It is, then, because the older writers did not send a special leporter to call on the P. nmcr- icaiia in his chosen haunts, that we now inter- view him at home in May, .June and July, under his new A. O. U. alias. Come then with nie on the twentieth of Jlay, three miles from Xor- wicli, across this vile morass and swamp, to the deciduous woods beyond. The young leaves are not so forward but that we can see how miasmatic mists, aided by east wuids and fogs, have draped the outer fringe of trees with rank growths of light green moss. This is the hanging-lichen or usnerj of the bot- anists. Well, here is the true sunnner home of Parula, this the material his house is built of, and this its only hric-a.-hrac. But what is this fine buzzing sound around us like the droning of some great insect? Yes, it is like and yet un- like the cimda- of .\utunin. It is the note of Parula at work, at rest, at play. .\ quick chro- matic rise of one octave is all. It has all the timbre of the locust, and, like it, seems born of the burning sunshine, and part of it. Not like the matins and vespers of thrush and sparrow, but the livelong day, in the hottest of noonday heat, the constant iteration of it everywhere in this colony, makes a general all-pervading humming undertone, to which the songs of otlier birds are the occasional " obligatos." Like all small warblers, the activity of both sexes is incessant. This is realistic, if you can mark the flight of the three males which chase each other by us like a flaunted riband of blae; and see. one alights a single second on this limb in fiont of us with his blazing breast turned onr way. Could ever lover come more gaily clady ( Irarly, all are not paired at this early date. But by outlining each fringed limb in turn against the sky, we find many sus- picious looking bunches, and note the incom- plete nests. Unlike any other pensile bird- homes, these nests are already swung. The builder simply gathers together the lower strands of the usne.a, felting it with the same material, and the nest is done. The limb above is the only dome, and one side ai)erture only is used; yet, at first sight, the nest might indi- cate a greate]- degree of skill than the little architect |>ossesses. Sometimes, a tiny bit of wool is at the bottom of the basket, and it is common to see the big ends of two grass-stalks sticking out near the entrance like a pair of horns. No departures from this style of archi- tecture are seen, and I do not think this war- bler ever attached the upper part of the nest to limb or twig like the orioles and viieos. Never a nest without umiea, but there are many groves of lichened trees without Parula. Probably in those mossy barrens no pair ever settled, as in others, and by family increase gradually colonized the whole grove. Isolated trees with moss in a wood often show a single Copyright, 1888, by F. H. Carpenteb and F. B. Webster. ORNITHOLOGIST [Vol. 13-No. 1 nest, but the tendency is to a good colony with this species. I know a swamp where may be found seventy-five pairs of these summer resi- dents. The tirst time I visited the Preston col- ony on the 31st of May, I took eight sets of four. The first time I visited another large community in this county on June o, on a point of land trending into salt water, I took eleven sets of four. Four is the usual clutch. Five are now and then found. Dr. Brewer reported to me a set of six from Taunton. A still larger set will be re- ferred to below. The eggs are especially fra- gile, and if incubated can hardly be blown without breaking. Addled eggs may instantly be told by the added polish, and by the loss of the rosy suftusion. The nests are built on dead or green trees, and on savins or deciduous trees, at var3'ing heights. I took one from the single filament of moss caught on the green twig of a birch, with- in five inches of the ground, and others close to the trunks of great oaks fifty feet in the air. On the lower swamp, huckleberry brush in the littoral colony is a favorite site. The Parula Warbler escapes the notice of the Cow Bunting. One addled " lazy-bird's" egg 1 did come across, but the side of the nest was torn and Parula had deserted it. Many savins are scattered among the inland colony, and there the Blue Jay often destroj'S the clutch. But again, with the shore race, Icterus spurius, often breeds in the same tree, and in some in- stances on the same branch, in harmony. A new nest will be built at once, if the first is destroyed, and three sets of eggs laid. If not disturbed, only an occasional second brood will be reared. Usnea when detached is perishable. If kept in a cellar or damp place, disintegration sets in, and in a few seasons the nests tall to dust at a touch. Placed in dry air they loose color soon, and eventually their shape. But if taken in situ, with the surroundings of leaf, twig and moss, for a while some beautiful examples can be shown. Through the lace-work, the eggs can in most cases be seen above, and should be removed with a small spoon to preserve the en- trance inviolate. In June 10, 188G, I had been wading for hours about the swamp on Groton, Long Point, looking into nests of 1. spuruis. Veery and Parula with indifferent success, noting only pairs and trios, when in despair I crossed to an outstanding hornbeam, hoary with lichen. I saw no birds, heard no feeble •' chit" of alarm, and after out- lining the limbs in succession against the sky without seeing the semblance of a nest, it oc- curred to me to rap on the tree. At the first vigorous pound, a Blue Yellow-back flew away like a shot from a solid bank of moss near the trunk some ten feet high. To scramble up and see the best hidden nest of my life was a mo- momenl's work. A glam^e inside sufficed to catch a glimpse of five eggs. So, carefully de- taching the top fibres from the huge limb above, 1 bent the tips of the nest together, took them in my mouth, and descended carefully. It was not until I had placed the nest on the ground and spread the top wide open, that I realized I had taken the biggest clutch on re- cord— seven fresh eggs. This set, with a good series, will be properly described by Mr. Nor- ris. But aside from them, I have examined a hun- dred sets of these eggs, and could take more of them than of all the other local warblers com- bined, if they were needed for science. I used to think, judging by the two series from com- munities twenty-four miles apart, that family differences could be ti'aced, that the inland lot displayed inherited lil.-icand lavender markings, and the others only the simple reddish annu- lations which is the commoner type. But a few seasons work showed that the eggs were inter- grading continually, and this year's observa- tion clearly proves that no such tlistinction can be maintained. But it is a fact, however, while the Preston race is in full breeding activity by May 31, June 4 is the time to look for full sets at the shore. For nine jears, this ditt'erence in time was held good. Perhaps fogs and cold winds off the water delay oviposition. as they surely retard field and garden vegetation. When blown, the eggs are pure white. Sis sets of fresh-blown Praii'ie Warbler's eggs, placed by the side of Parula sets, disclosed the fact that the eg^s of D. discolor are tinged with green. They are given as wliite by writers, and could only be shown to be otherwise by comparison. The ag- gregation of markings of the Parula's eggs is at the larger end, and no egg dis])lays the diffusion of spots over the entire surface like some ex- amjdes of D. rnficapiUa. On these delicate eggs, instances of heavy blotching are very rare, and the magnificently blotched set given to Mr. Norris by Mr. ¥. H. Carpenter, must be regard- ed as whollj' exceptional. [Few persons are aware, in all prf)l>ability, of the variation in size, color and markings of the Blue Yellow-backed Warbler {Parula aniericana, or according to the nomenclature of the American Ornithologist's Union Conip- an. 188.S.] AND OOLOGIST. 3 aothlypis americana) when seen in a largo series. They are small, ilelicately marked eo;g;s, rarely presenting any brilliant colors, ami tlicy must be closely examined in a strong liglil In -^ec .ill their beauties. Having bcM'ii exceptidiially furl iHiali- In tniiii- ing an unusually tine series, lor wliicli 1 am almost whullv imleliled to the famous I'ollector anil naturalist ".). M.W." (Mr. ('. I.. Hawson) of Xowich, Connectieut, it li.is oci-urrred to me that some deseription of them niigbt be wel- come to the readers of TnK Okmthologist .\Ni> Ool.ociST. With tin- exception of those sets where it is especially noted to the con- trary, they were all collected by ".l. M. W.," and they wi-re selected liy him from a very large series, running tlirongli a luimber of years, with the ol)ject of showing all the vari- ations to which the eggs of this sjiecies are subject. Set I. Juni> 12, ISSl. Xcw London County, Conn. Two eggs, ineubat<'d. Nest in low swamp oak, reached from the ground. Kggs very peculiar, being shaped like those of Ortyx irirgiiiiiina. Creamy white, spotted and speck- led with reddish brow n and lilac, more heavily at the larger ends : .63 x An ; .(ill x .45. .Set II. .June 7, 1S83. Groton Long I'oint, New London County, Conn. Four eggs, fresh. Ne.st twenty feet from ground on hornbeam tree, in wet ground, but away from main sw aiTip. Tree covered w ith lichens. Nest of usnca. Two .straws at entrance. Female .seen; many males in neighborhood. Nest with eggs in next tree, two rods awaj'. Eggs very small. White, speckled (at large? ends only) with reddish brown and faint lilac: .o!tx.4G; .60x.46; .60 x .44; .60 X. 4.5. Set III. June 4, 1886. Groton Long Point, New London County, Conn. Four eggs, fresh. Nest well up in large outstanding swamp oak, heavily draped with usnca. Small eggs, quite pointed. Glossy white, delicately speckled with lilac and dark reddish brown. The mark- ings are almost wholly at the larger ends : .05 X.46; .67X.48; .66x.4"; .65x.47. Set IV. June 4, 1881. Groton Long Point, New London County, Conn. Four eggs, fresh. Nest in ftSHPa-covered swamp, in a huckleberry bush, in a submerged bog. Female watched on nest. Eggs chalky wliite, delicately speck- led with lilac and reddish brow n : .05 x .47 ; .63 X.47; .64X.48; .64x.47. Set v. June 12, 1881. Groton, Long Point, New London County, Conn. Four eggs, fresh. Nest well hidden in usnea, in swamp. On ma- ple tree, at end of lowest limb. Last nest of season. Female seen. Eggs white, wreathed around the larger ends with reddisli brown and lilac specks: .67 x .48 ; .67 x.47: .69x.4!t; .65 x .411. Set VI. June 22, 1880. Side hill opposite Hell Gate, Preston, Conn. Three eggs. Nest in savin. Last set of eggs of this species taken in 1880. Kggs white, w ith a slight gloss, speck- led with dark reddish brown and lilac, chiefly at the Ijirger ends, where the markings form indistinct wreaths: ."Ox. 48; .70x.48; .67 x.46. Set VII. May 28, 1886. Saybrook, Conn. Collected by Hon. John M. Clark. Four eggs, fresh. Light creamy white lightly speckled with rcdilish brown and lilac. In three of the eggs the markings form indistinct wreaths, but in the fourth they .-ire wreathed aroimd the smaller end: .07x.4'.(; .60x.50; .67x.50; .64 x .51. Set VIII. June 4, 1881. (Jroton Long Point, New T/ondon County, <'onn. Three egg.s, fresh. Nest in lichen-draped young oak. Both parents observed. Eggs glossy white, delicately speckled with lilac and reddish brown. The markings are more numerous near the larger ends, where they form indis- tinct wreaths : .67 x.47; .06x.40; .08 x.47. Set IX. June 0, 1881. Groton Long Point, New London County, Conn. Four eggs, fresh. In a scrub oak, outside of swami>. The highest of twelve nests in this colon}-. Two pairs of birds crying, but the other nest was not found, owing to the thickness of the lichen. Eggs light creamy white, beautifully wreathed with light reddish brown and lilac. Quite pointed : .66 x.46; .67 x .45 ; .67x.40; .e7x.45. Set X. June 8, 1880. Hell Gate, Preston, New London County, Conn. Four eggs, fresh. Nest in savin tree — a mass of hanging lichen, six feet from the ground. Eggs blunt and thick in contour. Creamy white, quite glossy. Spottted with light reddish brown and lilac. The markings are thicker near the larger ends: .63x.48; .63x.50; .64x.51; .64x.50. Set XL June 1, 1880. Long Society Swamp, Preston, Conn. Four eggs, fresh. Nest in large black birch. Female on eggs until the nest was touched. Eggs glossy white, speck- led with dark reddish brown and lilac. The markings form wreaths around the larger ends and the remainder of the eggs are almost en- tirely unmarked: .03x.49; .03x.49; .60 x .46 ; .62X.49. Set XII. June 3, 1885. Old Saybrook, Conn. Collected by Hon. John N. Clark. Fou. eggs, fresh. Nest hanging from the branch of a small cedar tree about seven feet from the OENITHOLOGIST [Vol. 13-No. 1 ground in tlio woods. Eggs long, l)ut not pointed. Glossy white, marked near the larger ends with dark reddish brown and lilac spots: .G7X.4G: 70 X. 4(5; .G',lx.4G: .71 x .48. Set XIII. .Iiine 4. 1881. Groton I-ong Point, New London County, Conn. Four eggs, fresh. Nest in large hornbeam tree in salt marsh. Thirty feet from the ground. No bird ou eggs but heard. Nest unmistakable. Eggs ereamy white, quite glossy. Marked with spots and speeks of dark reddish brown and lilac. These are in the form of wreaths around the larger ends, but the remainder of the eggs are almost wholly unmarkivl: .0.5x48; .66x47: .07x.48: .66X.47. Set XIV. June .5, 1885. Monroe County, Penn. Collected by Theodore Roth. Three eggs, fresh. Nest of hanging moss, on oak tree, about thirty feet from the ground. Eggs very small. White, quite heavily spotted with reddish brown and lilac: .61 x .45 ; .61x.44; .60 X .42. Set XV. May 2!), 1886. Hell Gate, Preston, Conn. Four eggs, fresh. Nest in low dead savin, near path in deciduous woods. Female seen. Eggs white, quite heavily spotted with bright reddish brown and lilac. These are principally grouped around the larger ends : .64X.47; .62x.47; .61x.47; .63 x .47. Set XVI. June 12, 1881. Giotou, Long Point, New London County, Conn. Two eggs, fresh. Nest in low swamp oak, reached from ground. Eggs white, marked at large ends with bright reddish brown spots : .68 x .44 ; 64 x .45. Set XVII. June 4, 1881. Groton Long Point, New London County, Conn. Four eggs, fresh. Nest in swamp oak, near trunk, and seven feet from the ground. It was constructed of iisnca. Female on eggs. Male near. Eggs white, spotted and speckled all over with bright red- dish brown and a few lilac ones : .67 x .48 ; .66 X.46; .69x48; .67 x .47. Set XVIII. June 4, 1881. Groton Long Point, Conn. Four eggs, fresh. Nest in swamp maple. Eggs light creamy white speck- led with lilac and dark reddish brown. At the larger ends the specks form indistinct wreaths: .71x.47; .68x.45; .68 x.46; .71 x .45. Set XIX. June 12, 1886. Groton Long Point, near Noank, Conn., on Long Island Sound. Seven eggs, incubation just begun, and equally in the whole clutch. Nest hidden in heavy growth of hanging lichen, about twelve feet from the ground, and near the trunk of out- standing oak. It was betrayed by the female, who was startled from the eggs by jarring the tree. No other nests or birds on tree. Eggs glossy white speckled and spotted with lilac and bright reddish brown. The markings form indistinct wreaths near the larger ends; .68 X ..50; .65 x .51; .66 x .49; .66 x .49; .66X.50; .64X.48; .60x.51. Set XX. May 11, 1887. Iredell County, North Carolina. Collected by P. B. McLaugh- lin. Five eggs, fresh. Nest made almost com- pletely of long gray moss, woven together. Lined with a few feathers and soft materials. Female on nest. Eggs white, speckled and spotted, almost wholly at the larger ends, with lilac and bright reddish brown: .69x.47; .70 x .47; .68X.47; .69x.48; .68 x .46. Set XXI. June 3, 1883. Harvey's Swamp, Preston, New London County, Conn. Three eggs, fresh. Nest on dead limb of green white oak. All made of «.5?ica, no lining. Two other nests building near by. Both male and female seen. Eggs light creamy white, quite blunt, and heavily wreathed with very dark reddish brown and lilac. Thej' bear a remarkable re- semblance to certain undoubted eggs of Den- drceca virens before the writer: .66x.50; .66 x .50; .66X.4!). Set XXII. June 11, 1886. Groton Long Point, New London County, Conn. Three eggs. Nest ill tall swamp — huckleberry bush — usnea over bush and neighboring trees. Birds seen. Eggs white, (juite heavily spotted near the larger ends with reddish brown and lilac: .70 x.46; .68 x .47 ; .66x.47. Set XXII 1. June 4, 1886. Groton Long Point, New Loudon County, Conn. Three eggs, incubation begun. Nest on a large horn- beam tree, low down, and near the trunk. Eggs creauiy white, and glossy, wreathed near the larger ends with light reddish brown and lilac : .68 x .48 ; .69 x .47 ; .66 x .47. Set XXIV. June 11, 1886. Groton Long Point, New Loudon County, Conn. Four eggs, fresh. Nest in oak tree, near trunk, twenty- five feet from ground. Bggs white, beautifully wreathed near the larger ends with bright red- dish brown specks, and also a few lilac ones. The remainder of the surface is almost wholly unnutrked : .67 x .51 ; .66x.50; .66x.48; .65 X.49. Set XXV. June 8, 1886. Hell Gate, East Side, Preston, Conn. Four eggs. Nest on a long savin limb, with foliage. It hung con- spicuously as there was no other bunch of moss on the tree. Four rods from the tree con- taining this nest, there were other nests of this species, containing eggs, both east and west. Eggs light creamy white, quite heavily wreath- ed near the larger ends with light reddish Jan. 1888.] AND OOLOGIST. brown and lilac. The remainder of the surface is almost wholly without markings. Very small: .GOx.47; .61X.46; .62x.47; MSx.il. Set XXVI. June 8. 1886. Hell Gate, East Side. New London County, ("onn. Four eggs, fresh. Nest in green savin, tixncri covered, low down. Other nests in near neighborhood. Many birds in colony. Eggs white and quite glossy. Heavily marked near the larger ends with large spots of bright reddish brown and a few lilac spots. 'I'he markings form wreaths, and the remainder of the eggs are immaculate: .6.5 X .47 ; .(!(i x ..50 : .07 x .47 ; .06 x .49. Set XXVII. .June 11. 1886. Groton, Long Point, Conn. Foor eggs, fresh. Nest in swamp maple, eleven feet from the ground. Female covering eggs. Eggs light creamy white, spotted over most of their surface, but especially near the larger ends, with light red- dish brown and lilac: .65x.47; .07x.47; .06 x .47; .66X.47. SetXXVIII. .Jone 4, 1881. Groton Long Point, Conn. Four eggs. Nest in stunted maple on edge of wooded swamp. Birds near. Eggs glossy, creamy white, unmarked except at the larger ends, where they are l)eautifallv wreathed with light reddish brown and lilac spots: .GOx.48; .64 x .47 : .65x.4S; .65 x .47. Set XXIX.. May 25, 1881. Hell Gate, Pres- ton, Conn. Three eggs, incubation begun. Nest in small dead savin, six feet from the ground. Eggs creamy white, heavily marked near the larger ends with very bright reddish brown and lilac spots: .68x.4n: .6!)x.48: .68 X.46. Set XXX. June 7, 1883. Long Point. Gro- ton, on Fisher's Island Sound (Long Island Sound) Conn. Four eggs, fresh. Nest in large hornbeam tree, outside of swamp. Made of hanging lichen, on lowest limb. Female covering clutch until touched. Eggs glossy, creamy white, heavily marked over most of their surface with light reddish brown and lilac. The markings principally take the form of large spots, closer together near the larger ends in three of them, but in the fourth they are grouped around the smaller end. The markings are unusually heavy for this species: .63X.48; .62 x.46; .61 x .47 ; .56 x .48. Set XXXI. June 1, 1886. Long Society, Preston, Conn. Three eggs. Nest in green birch sprout, about three feet from ground. Female on. Eggs glossy, creamy white. Very heavily blotched with very bright reddish brown and lilac. The blotches arc unusually large and confluent for this species, and are nearly all grouped around the larger end. Re- markably showy eggs: .65x.47: .67x.48; .66 X ..50. Set XXXII. June 4, 1886. Rehoboth, Bris- tol County, Mass. Collected by Frederic H. Carpenter. Five eggs, incubation advanced. Nest the usual pendant structure of uxnea ; nearly globular, and placed on an old moss- covereil apple tree, fifteen feet from the ground. Words fail to describe this exceedingly brill- iantly colored set, which were generously i>re- sented to the writer by Mr. Carpenter. The ground color is pure white, unsullied by the slightest stain. The markings are chiefly con- fined to the larger ends, and consist of large spots of the most brilliant verniillion red. No coloration on any other eggs of this species ever seen by the writer approaches it in bright- ness, and the contrast of the very bright red with the pure white makes a very beautiful appearance: .65 x .46; .03 x .44; .66 x .47; .05 x .45 ; .67 x .46. Set XXXIII. May 31, 1887. Hell Gate, Pres- tcm, <;oiui. Five eggs, fresh. Nest in only bunch of vnnca on dead juniper, five feet from ground. Conspicuous froiu its position mid- way on long, clean horizontal branch. Female seen many times; both parents observed when set was taken. Eggs pure white, and very glossy for this species. Speckled and spotted with dark reddish brown and lilac. The mark- ings form wreaths near the larger ends, and are not perceptible on any other parts of the eggs. One of them has the markings entirely of a light lavender wreath, composed of specks of that color : .61 x .49 : .59 x .40 ; .59 x .48 ; .63 x .48. Set XXXIV. June 1, 1884. Standish, Maine. Collected by L. C. Holmes. Five eggs, fresh. In low evergreen, nine feet from the ground. Eggs creamy white, quite glossy ; speckled and spotted with dark reddish brown and lilac. The markings form indistinct wreaths near the larger ends ; very long and pointed : .72 x .49 ; .71 X .48 ; .71 x .48 ; .71 x .48 ; .09 x .47.— J. P. N.] The Shore-bird Migration at Mono- moy Island, Cape Cod, Mass., Fall of 1887. liV JOHN C. CAHOON, TAUNTON, MASS. {Report of the Cape Cod Migration Station of the Bristol Ornithological Chtb.) Arrived on the Island Aug. 8th, but was so busy until Sept. 10th that my observations were not as full as I should desire at that period. ORNITHOLOGIST [Vol. 13-No. 1 Aug. Sth, wind north-east, weatliei- fair. Seinipalmatei] I'lovor and Sand|>i|xM-,s (ad.) abundant, 't'criis iif two species, Coinnion and Roseate, aljuiidant. Large Gulls, pn^sunialjly the Herring, coninion. A few Blaek-I)ellied Plover and Kobiu Snipe seen in adult plumage. Heard several Greater Yellow-legs and saw three Piping Plover in young of year plumage. Aug. ittli. wind south-west, weather fair. Birds same as previous day. Aug. 10th, wind south-west, wcallier fair. New arrivals noted; two Hudsonian Curlew and several small flocks ot adult .Sandeilings. Aug. 12th, wind south-we.st, weather fair. Birds same as two previous days. Saw gun- ners that had in their possession several Ked- hreasted Snipe, young plumage, one Greater Yellow-legs and several Piping Plover, young plumage. They informed me that they had shot a large Sandpiper witli long legs, and from the discriptioii I ile<-i(led it to be a Still Sandpi- per. Aug. 23rd, wind south-west to south-east, moderate with light fog. Several large Hocks of Plover seen flying over the Island, one of Golden and the others Black-bellied. Saw quite a number of Red-breasted Snipe and Sanderlings, a small number of (Jreatei- Yel- low-legs seen. Aug. 24th, wind south-west and north-east to south-east, weather stormy. Large flocks of Plover, mostly Black-bellied, seen flying about the Island and a large number seen on the beach at high tide, one Carolina liail seen on the meadow, two flocks, one of six Black Ducks and the other a small one of Scoters, flew over the house. Aug. 2oth, wind north-east to nortli-uest, weather stormy- The stormy, foggy weather of yesterday and to-day increased the numbers of birds. Black-bellied Plover seen in large flocks passing over but only a few stopping. Semipalmated J^andpipers abundant, some doz- en or more Black Tern (young) seen for ths first time to-day. Sept. 4tti, wind north-east, fresh, weather fair. Increase noticed in Greater Ycllow-iegs, several Sheldrakes seen in the ba}'. Sept. .5th, wind north-east to soutli, weather fair. No increase in shore birds. Sheldrakes and Scoters on the increase. Sept. 6th, wind south-west, very fresh, weather fair. An adult Red-breasted Sandpi- per or Robin Snipe seen ; watci' fowl in- creasing. Sep. 7t,h, wind west, very fresh, weather fair. A bunch of ten Yellow-legs seen on the mead- ows and four shot by Mr. \V. Several Hudso- nian Curlew and (ireater Yellow-legs came to- day. Sept. Stb. wind north-west to north-east, moderate, weather fair. Mr. Whiting took sev- eral Hudsonian Curlews and Turnstones (adult) several of Greater Yellow-legs, Yellow-legs and Golden Plover- noticed. Sept. 11th, wind north-east to east, moderate, weather fair. Several large flocks of Black- bellied Plover arrived. Collected some fine specimens of Hudsonian Curlew .-lud adult Turnstones. Sept. lOlh, wind south to south-west, stormy. Nine Hudsonian Curlews seen to-day. Mr. Whiting took a rtnc adull Eskimo Curlew. T'hese birds are now scarce, where five years ago they were abundant. First Pectoral Sand- piper of the season taken to-day. I collected young Tui'ustone, Piping PIovcm-, Sanderling and Semipalmated Plover. .Sanderlings on the increase; Hicbaidson"s .Taeger common and on the increase. Sept. 11th, wind north-east to east, moderate, weather fair. Several Hed-breasted Snipe, (young) seen, .\mong birds shot to-day was a Black-bellied Plover in nearly adult plumage. Sept. 12tb, wind south-east, fresh, weather stormy. Two bum-hes of Eskimo Curlew, one of twenty and the other of fifteen seen. Sand- erlings inci'easing; first Red-breasted Sandpi- pers seen and shot to-day. Sept. l.'ith, wind east, weather fair. The heavy wind and storm of yesterday brought along a small flight of birds. Sanderlings (young) much increased; Black-bellied Plover increased, a large number seen on the flats. Several small bunches of Red-breasted Sandpi- pers (young) seen ; four Golden I'lover seen on the meadow by myself and afterwards seen by Mr. W., who shot one in young plumage. Greater Yellow-legs increased. Sept. 14th, wind east to south-west, moderate, weather foggy. Pectoral Sandpipers increased and ten shot on salt meadows; no other in- crease noted. Sept. loth, wind north, very light, weather fair, birds about the same as previous day; slight increase in Red-breasted Sandpipers and Black-bellied Plover in plumage; Scoters abundant out in bay. Sept. 16th, wind north, very fresh, weather fair; several large flocks of Black-breasts seen. Sept. 17th, wind north, fresh, weather fair, Sanderlings increased. Out of thirty-five shot, all were in youg plum.age. A bunch of six Golden Plover still remain on the meadow. A Jan. 1888.] AXD OOLOGIST. flight of Iniul birds occurred. (O. & O., Nov. 1887, pa<;p ISlj. -Sept. 18, wind north to ^outh-\vc>t, nioilcratc, fresh, weather fair; greater Yellow-legs on the increase; otlier birds remain the saiiic. Sept. llilli, winil south-west, viry fresh, weather fair; birds al)out the same: oiie lilacl; Tern shot; very late migrant. Sept. 2Uth, wind norlli to norlli-east, weather fair; noticeal)le decrease in birds; one decrease particularly noticed was .Sanderlings ; a flock of twenty (young males). Ked-breasts seen. Semiplaniated Plover and Sandpijiers. One Pectoral shot on meadow; only one seen. Kichardson's J;egcrs, Common Terns on the de- crease. Saw several large flocks of Night Herons flying South just at dark. Sept. 21st. wind south-west, very fresh, weather a little foggy ; birds remain the same. On higli beach at high tide saw very few birds. On the Hats just at dark. 1 saw several small flocks of Black-bellied I'lover and Sanderlings. Sept. 22nd, witid south-west, very fresh, weather liglit rains ; birds remain the same. Sept. 2:Jrd, wind north-east, moiierate, f lesh ; slight increase in Black-bellied Plover and Sanderlings. Sept. 2Hh, winii nuith-ea-l. mmv fresh, weather light rains; liirds much decreased. One small liuncli of Blai'k-bellied I'lover, one .Sand- I'rling. and one Ked-breasted Sandpiper, are Ibe birds that were rii'nn on the tlats to-day. In- crease in large gulls. Seveial large M(jck< of Sheldrakes and three Black Ducks seen. .Sept. 2(!th, wind west to south-west, fresh, weather foggy; Red-backed Satidpijiers arrived in small flocks. Two small flocks of lied- breasted Sandpipers were found on the flats. .Sept. 27th, wind north, moderate, weather fair; increase in Black-bellied Plover and .Sand- erlings. Bonaparte's .Saiulpipeis rjoticed for the first time to-day, and some dozen or more seen in company with Sanderlings. Saw a flock of Six Golden Plover flying about, and I think they were the same that were seen a lew days ago. Sept. 28, wind southwest, moderate, weather fair; birds remain the same. Pound a Duck Hawk (Ml the high beach near the surf engaged in eating a Sanilerling. Shot at it twice, and although badly wounded, it retained life enough to get out beyond the surf before fall- ing. Sept. 29th, wind suutli-west to south-east, moderate, weather foggy; Shore birds remain about the same. Large flock of Scoters seen out in the bay. Sept. .30th, wind n(uth-east to east, moderate, weather foggy ; decrease in birds. .Several Ped- breasted .Sandpipers t.iken on the high lieach. Oct. 1st, wind east, north-east and south-east, weather heavy rains. The number of Sander- lings and Red-backed Sandpipers much in- creased. All of Sanderlings ami nearly all of Red-backed Sandpiper being in young plumage. A (young male) Duck Hawk shot while in the act of catching a Ke(i-I)acked Sandpiper out of a large flock on the lieacb. Several others seen. Saw a Belted Kingflsber and Fish Hawk near the house. Oct. .Srd, wind southwest to south, moderate, weather rainy ; great increase in Sanderlings and Red-backed Sandpipers. Saw large flocks of both. No Roseate Terns seen for about a week, they having departed for the .South. Other terns uuich decreased, and the remaining ones being young. Three Golden l^lover found on the meadow and one (in yg. of ye.-ir plumage) shot. Noticeable increase in large gulls. Sev- eral large flocks of Great Blue Herring seen. Red-headed Woodpecker (young male), shot flying over- the island. Oct. 4(h, wind north-west in morning, light, changing with fog, to south-west, moderately fresh. Increase in .Sanderlings and Red-backed Sandpipers. Decrease in terns. .V Roseate Tern shot u itb a number of common Terns. A flock of twenty Great Blue Herons seen on the high beach at high tide. No J;egers seen. Saw two Duck Hawks on the high beach at a cut through where the water on the east or ocean side of the island makes a break through the beach into the bay on the west side of the island. The buwk was after some sand- erlings that congregate near the cut through at high tide, and although it made several dives into a flock that was foUowirrg, I did not see it catch one, as I was on th" opposite side of the cut through, and the tiile ran so swiftly that 1 could not cross in my boat. 1 was obliged to let the hawk continue his raid. The second one 1 saw w as trying to catch a sander- ling that was running along on the beach, but the sauderling was quick enough to elude the swoops of the hawk, who at, my approach flew •■uvay a short distance and alighted on the beach. Soon after 1 shot into a flock of sand- erlings, and several fell out "u the water about twenty-five yai-ds from the shore. The hawk, which had started up at the report of my gun, saw the sanderlings drop and came flying over me and swooped down close to one of the sand- erlings in the water. It seemed afraid to take the sanderling from the water, but would rise ORNITHOLOGIST [Vol. 13-No. 1 up a short distance abov" the sanderling and make a dive down to witliin a few feet of it, and liang there for a minute or two. My shells were all loaded with fine shot, and 1 shot sev- eral times at the hawk before he would leave his prey. He flew quite a distance up the beach and alighted on the sand near the surf, but be- fore I bad got out of sight I saw him back where I had left the sande'-'iug. Oct. Gth, wind north-west to south-west, weather fair; small increase in Black-bellied Plover. Only a few terns seen. Small increase in Greater Yellow-legs. Shot Red-breasted Sandpii)er in adult plumage out of a flock of Black-bellied Plover. Saw several large flocks of Night Herons just al dark. Bonaparte's Sandpipers seen in small numbers. Oct. 7th, wind south-west, very fresh; small decrease in birds. Two small flocks of Black- bellied Plover seen. Collected one out of four Golden Plover found on the meadow; also a Semiplamated Sandpiper, which is very late for this last bird to be found about here. Titlarks come about the edges of the meadows. Belted Kingfisher seen on sand bluff. Oct. 10th, wind south-east, light, weather fair; small decrease in birds. All of sander- lings collected in changing plumage. Saw sev- eral flocks of Blark-bellied Plover. Oct. 11th, wiiul north to north-eiist, very fresh, weather rainy. Increase of Greater Yel- low-legs. Several flocks of Black Ducks flying about. Oct. 12th. wind north-west, fresh, weather fair. Increase in Greater Yellow-legs. Two Carolina Rails shot on the meadows. A bunch of six tern seen out in the bay. Oct 13th, wind uorth-west, very fresh, weath- er fair. Increase in Black Ducks. One Golden Plover taken on the meadow. Several small bunches of Black-bellied Plover and Greater Yellow-legs seen. From Oct. 13th to Oct. 25th, I was away from the Island, and no notes were taken during that time. Oct 25th, wind north-west to south-west, light. Water fowl nmch increased, and saw large flocks of scoters, sheldrake and ducks. Several small flocks of sanderliiigs and Black- bellied Plover remain. Greater Yellow-legs and Red-backed Sandpipers. Oct. 25tli, wind north-east to east, fresh, weather cloudy. Shore birds the same as previous day. Yellow-rumped Warblers and Black Snowbirds come. Saw a flock of seven Horned Grebe and two Long-tailed Ducks out in the bay. Oct. 27th, wind north-east, fresh, weather cloudy. Small increase in Greater Yellow-legs. Saw several hundred of Bonaparte's Gulls on the bars. Three taken were in young plu- mage. Oct. 28th, wind east, moderate, weather fair. Saw large numbers of Bonaparte's Gulls. Out of twenty taken, three were in adult plumage. Twelve or more Great Black-backed Gulls seen. Long-tailed Ducks, one Red-breasted Sandi)iper and one Tern noticed. Oct. 29th, wind south-east, light, weather fair. Shore Birds greatly decreased. Two Horned Grebe seen out in the bay. Oct. 30th, wind north-east to north, weather fair and cold. Large numbers of Titlarks fly- ing about. Five Pectoral Sandpipers and four Snow Buntings found on the meadows. One Ipswich Sparrow taken at the edge of the meadows. Oct. 31st, wind north-east, moderate. Three flocks of Sandcrlings and Red-backed Sandpi- pers seen, also several small bunches of Black- bellied Plover. A large flock of Bonaparte's Gulls on the bars. Out of twenty-two taken, six were in adult plumage. Three Pectoral Sandpipers slill remain on the meadows. Nov. 1st, wind north-east, blowing a gale, with rain, hail and snow. Large number of Black Duck seen. Found one Golden Plover and several Pectoral Sandpipers on the mead- ows, and shot the former. Otber Shore Birds seen were six young Black-bellied Plover, two Greater Yellow-legs, several Sanderlings, and a small bunch of Red-backed Sandpipers. Sev- eral Shore Larks noticed. On Nov. 2ud, wind north-east to uorth-west, fresh, weather fair. A few scattering Sander- lings seen on the beach at high tide. Bona- paile's Gull remains the same. Out of nineteen taken, about half were in adult plumnge. Nov. 3rd, wind north-east, light, weather fair. A bunch of twelve Black-bellied Plover and a few Sanderlings on the beach at high tide. Saw one Kittiwake Gull flying over. Nov. 4th, wind south, very fiesh, weather fair. Sanderlings seen on the flats at low tide. Two Black-bellied Plover seen on the meadow and one on the flats. One Greater Yellow-legs on meadow. Large flocks of Long- tailed Ducks flying about. Two flocks of Brant, one of twenty and the other of six, seen near the cut through in the shoal water on the flats. Shore larks common. Several Snow Buntings and a Robin seen near the house. Large flocks of scoters, large gulls, sheldrakes, and Eider duck seen on the water outside of the Jan. 1888.] AJ^^D OOLOGIST. surf. Saw a large seal swimming outside of the breakers. Nov. .5th, wiiiii northwest, very fresh, weath- er fair anil cold. .\ walk out on the .sand hills and mt-adows was taken in the forenoon. Found H large number of Shore Larks but no Titlarks. Meadow Larks abundant. Went over on to the beach at high tide in the afternoon. Shore Birds seen weio four Ulack-bellied I'lovcr, three Sanderlings, and fifteen Hed-backed Sand- pipers. One Red-poll Warbler taken in the bushes near this house. Nov. 6th, wind west to southwest, very fresh, weather fair. Snow Buntings very common. Saw flocks of ten to forty flying about and several pairs feeding on the beach, on seeds washed ashore from the sage grass. Several Ipswich Sparrows and one Field Sparrow seen on the sand blurt's. Nov. 7th, wind south-west, very fresh, weath- er fair. Shoie biids remain the same. Large number of shore larks distributed over the is- land. Nov. 8th, wind south-west, fresh, weather fair. A flock of sixty Brant seen on the flats, and H bunch of eight geese out in the bay. Several Horned (jrebe seen near the Island. Nov. 10th, wind south to south-east, moder- ate, fresh, weather fair. Three Black-bellied Plover the only shore birds seen to-day. Nov. 11th, wind west, very fresh. Only birds noticed on the isl.-.nd were Shore Larks, Snow Buntings, and Meadow Larks. A flock of twenty geese flew over the house. Nov. 12th, wind north-west, verv fresh, weather fair. Saw one Greater Yellow-legs. A flock of BufHe-headed Ducks seen and a few shot. Nov. 18tli, wind north, moderate, weatlier fair. No shore birds seen. Shore larks and water fowl flying about in large numbers. Nov. 14th, wind south-west, moderate, weath- er fair. The wind being light and the weather pleasant, I improved the opportunity by CI uising about in my boat nearly all day. Found a large flock of Bonaparte's Gulls in the bars. One Kittiwake Gull and a young of Wilson's Tern taken, and were the only ones seen. A flock of twenty Brant, and a bunch of four and six Eider Ducks, observed in the channels between the flats. On the beach at high tide found a flock of fifteen, and four Black-bellied Plover, and several small bunches of Red-backed Sandpipers and Sanderlings. Over one-half of Bonaparte's Gulls now seen in adult plumage. Nov. 15th, wind south-east, very fresh, weather rainy. Black Ducks seen in small numbers on the meadows which were over- flowed, also started three geese oft' of the mead- ows. No shore birds seen. Nov. IGth. wind north-west, weather fair. Large flocks of water fowl flying about. No shore birds seen. In the Fall migration, shore birds have not been as plentiful as usual this season, and, in fact, several have been scarce. There were no flights of Pectoral Sandpipers that we have in September, and only a few' Yellow-legs w-ere seen. It may be that that these birds did not stop with us on account of the meadows not be- ing mowed, so that they could not feed in those places. The Gieatei- ^'ellovv-legs were far short of their usual number. Terns did not stop as late as last season. Notes on Some Winter Birds of Mil- waukee County, XA/'isconsin. BY CHARLES A. KEELEK, BERKLEY, CAL. Milwaukee County lies in about the forty- third degree of latitude and borders Lake Michigan. On the west it is unprotected by hills or mountains and the cold winds from the north-west have an unobstructed path, making the winter climate cold and liable to sudden changes. Milwaukee Harbor is generally filled with ice fields, thus adding to the severity of the weather. For this reason the number and variety of our winter birds is small and we have hardly any which may be properly called residents. Most of the winter .Vvian lite con- sists of "fair weather birds," who pay short visits but are ready to retreat as soon as the weather grows colder. In fact 1 think the oidy perfectly resident bird we have is the de- testable English Sparrow. The White-bellied Nuthatch, for instance, breeds about here and in winter its note is frequently heard as it hops about the tree-trunks in quest of insects, yet the winter representatives are not the ones which breed with us. The latter left long be- fore and these are their more hardy brethren from the north. The following is a list of those birds which have been seen here between the months of November and February inclusive: Red-throated Loon, Urinator lumme. During the winters of 1884-'85 Milwaukee Harbor was covered with ice for several months and the Loons were quite conunon. Many were shot by local sportsmen and a few were caught 10 OKNITHOLOGIST [Vol. 13-No. 1 alive. When .alighted on the ice. as they fre- quently are, it appears very diffieult for them to rise, probably owing to the position of their feet, anil at snoh times may be caught with lit- tle (liflii-ulty. A number were caught by a hunter and in time became so tame that they would not leave, but when warm weather came they all died. The bird is not common as a rule, but during severe seasons usiuilly visits us. Iceland Gull, Larus leucopterus. Very rare. The)' are sometimes taken along the lake shore. American Herring Gull, Lams argentatns .imitlisoniaiisis. Common all winter. More numerous than any other water bird. Flocks of hundreds are often seen svvinuning aliout in the lake. Ring-billed (Jull. Lnnis dflawarensit:. Kare. They are occasionally taken in the harbor. Bonapai'te's Gull, Larus phlladcljiliia. More common as a migi'ant than as a winter resident. Young birds are sometimes taken in November and I have seen them a mouth later. Mallard, Anas bnscus. A female was shot in December 1887 by \V. B. Hull but they are quite uncommon until (^arly spring. Black Duck. Anas nbscura. Less common than the preceding and often confounded with thf female Mallard. American (Jolden-e.ye, (ilaitcctjiirtid clomriiht. Common along the lake shore all winter. The snow and lite often become piled up on the shore and hunters take advantage of it for con- cealment. 'I'hey anchor their decoys in the open water Just beyond, and tying a white cloth over the head are very inconspicuous crouched beliintl the irregular mass of snow. Large bags of Golden-eye and Butter-ball are fre(iuently made in this way. HufHe-head, Chnritiiiietta alhi-ohi. Counnon Ihroughout the winter, the male being more numerous than the female. Thev are only found in the lake until Ajiril when Ihey take to the river. Old Squaw, ('lamjnhi, liyemalis. (^uite erratic in their visits. During severe seasons they are quite common. During the winter of 1884-'85, tlie maikets were flooded with theui, anil as they are very poor eating they sold very cheap- ly. They appeared to be starved as they were very lean and thin. White-winged Scoter. Oidcmia dnjlandi . Large flocks are sometimes seen in the bay when the ice has drifted out. Wilson's Snipe, Giillinui/o didicatn. This is not properly a winter bird with us but has been recorded in exceptional cases. Last winter (1886 and 7) they were taken by W. B. Hull as late as the ndddle of Decendjcr. A warm arte- sion well flows into the Menomine Eiver keep- ing it free fi