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The Wilson Bulletin

Official Organ of the Wilson Ornithological Club

An niustrated Quarterly Magazine

Devoted to the Study of ^

Birds in the Field

Edited by Lynds Jones

■(1t)

c

Nineteen Hundred and TAventy-one

Old Series. Volume XXXIII New Series, Volume XXVIII

Published by the Club at Oberlin, Ohio

XEST AXI» KCifJS OF KACIIMAXS srARROWS

THE WILSON BULLETIN

A QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF ORNITHOLOGY

VOL. XXXIII MARCH, 1921 NO. 1

OLD SERIES VOL. XXXIII. NEW SERIES VOL. XXVIII

NESTING OF BACHMANS SPARROW

ALBERT F. GAINER

Throughout middle Tennessee, the Bachnians : Spar-
row {PcKcfra (cstivdlis JxichDiaiii) is a fairly common sum-
mer resident, where suitable habitat occurs. The hab-
itat to which it is most partial consists of wooded ])astnre
lands, in which there is a good growth of long grass, or
tree bordered edges of old fields where grass rather than
weeds predominate. Here its song ma}^ be heard from its
arrival early in April until its departure in October. The
surprLsiug sweetness and clearness of its song has brought
forth many published descriptions, among which might be
mentioned one from this section, by Dr. R. M. Strong,
which appeared in The Auk for A})ril, 1918, page 220.

The nest of this sparrow is quite diflticult to locate,
due to the terrestrial habits of the birds and the difficulty
of flushing them while incubating. The nest figured as the
frontispiece of this issue was found by myself on July 20,
1!)1S, when it held four fresh eggs. The lateness of the
date was surprising. It was located in an extensive wooded
pasture, about a mile south of the limits of Nashville, and
the immediate environment is shown by the small photo-
graph. The nest was found by flushing both birds from it.
They flew only a yard and then began to run through the
grass like mice. I walked after one for a distance of 100
feet before it took wing. On returning to my handker-
chief, which I had left behind to mark the si)ot, 1 found
the nest well hidden in the midst of thick grass. It n)uch
resembled a nest of the Meadowlark in that it was arched
over and com]det<'ly hidden from above. The nest was sub-

4 THE WILSON BULLETIN— March, 1921

stantially built of coarse grass and was lined with line
grass and a few long- horse hairs. There was no depression
in the groniid nnder the nest. The half acre adjacent to
the site was low and damp and covered with long grass.
A prolonged drouth had no doubt driven the birds from
their usual habitat on higher ground to this relatively
damp spot. The parent birds did not assert their presence
while the nest was being photographed.

A week later, and within 50 feet of tlie nest site, I
flushed a Bachmans Sparrow which feigned crippledness as
it fluttered off through the grass. A search revealed two
young birds just learning to fly and which were captured.
The one parent bird present remained near and most per-
sistently endeavored to lure me awaj' by fluttering through
the grass, sometimes coming to within five feet of where I
held the young in my hand.
Nashville, Tenn.

COMPAEATIVE 1»ERI0DS OF NESTLING LIFE
OF SOME NORTH AMERICAN NII)IC0L3:

BY FRANK L. BURNS

The term Nidicolae ( Altrices) as defined by Dr. Newton
indicates the species or groups of birds having the young-
bom in a more or less helpless condition, unable to leave
the nest for some time and fed directly by the parent.
Little reliance, however, can be placed upon the mere fact
of direct feeding of the young by the parents as a diag-
nosis of Nidicolfe, since the young of many prtecocial gi'oups
(the Orebes, Loons, Murrelets, Gulls, Terns, Flamingoes
and Cranes) are also heterophagous ; therefore the dis-
tinction is better expressed b}^ Dr. Gadow : in a condition in
which the development of the sense, tegiimentary and lo-
comotory organs are shifted on to the post-embryonic pe-
riod; in distinction to NidifugiP (PriPcoces), in which
the development of the same organs are far advanced,
enabling the young to leave the nesting site almost im-
mediately after birth.

Modern systematists place little reliance on the con-

Comparative Periods of Nestling Life 5

ditiou of the young at birth as a taxoiioinic character,
though in the past, unsuccessful efforts have been made to
produce a satisfactory physiological arrangement of our
birds based upon this peculiar state, grouped in accordance
with external characters such as the shape of the bill and
feet.

In the Water Birds there are some groups of NidicohT
more nearly related in every essential character to the
lower Kidifuga?, though the relatively higher group, the
strictly Land Birds, are nearly all NidicoliB, tlie exceptions
being the Gallinaceous birds.

Nidificate species constructing elaborate nests or labor-
iously tunneling in the earth or wood, are all or nearly all
nidicolous ; while the nidifugous birds are essentially ter-
restrial and frequently deposit their eggs on the bare
ground or rocks, with the exception of the Ducks, which
heavily line their nests with feathers plucked from their
own breasts; at best their nests are little more than
rubbish heaps of earth, leaves or grasses. As a taxonomic
character for groups, there are some inconsistencies; the
Alcidfc, for instance, are not all nidicolous; according to
recent observations the young of the Murrelets (at least
the Ancient, Xantus's, and Craveri's Murrelets, all of
which take to the sea in from one to three or four daj's ) ,
are nidifugous.

The higher types of Nidicoloe (young hatched in a
blind or helpless and naked or semi-naked condition, never
acquiring natal down, or acquiring natal down growing
from the tips of the juvenal plumage) are characteristic of
the higher, more specialized groups.

It has been thoughthiot only that the ancestral type of
our birds was nidifugous but that the protective aboreal
nesting habits led to nidicolous young; a hypothesis not at
all nullified by the fact of so many nidicolous species be-
longing to phylogenetically older groups and to groups
having ground-nesting or near ground-nesting habits; for
these species nest exclusively or almost exclusively in col-
onies and on islands affording protection from their natural
enemies equal if not superior to the elevation of the arbor-

6 THE WILSON BU LLETIN— March, 1921

eal nester ou the iiiainland, and the couditioiis of environ-
ment made further changes imijossible.

The eminent anatomist Pvcroft in his paper entitled
" The !?5igniticauce of the Condition of the Young at Birth,"
(Popular /Science Monthly, l.ii'i, 108 and further elaborated
in "The Infancy of Animals/') , however, considers that
birds were originally arboreal. He states that tlie struct-
ure of the feet of the Archwopteryx (the earliest bird known
to science) would prove it strictly arboreal and suggests
the conclusion that the reptilian stock from which the
Aves are descended was probably also arboreal, and con-
siders that we prol>ably have in tlie arboreal Soutli Amer-
ican Hoactzin ( the young of which scrambles about the
branches in a truly reptilian manner) a direct survival of
the proavian ty^je of nesting; -the uidifugous young dif-
fering from other nidifugous young in the prehensile char-
acter of its wings. He claims that the facts justify the
theory, ( 1 1 that birds were originally arboreal and their
young nidifugous; (2) that the nidicolous habits and!
helplessness of young birds are specialized adaptations to
an arboreal or gregarous mode of life, and ( o ) that the
young of Gallinaceous birds form a link in the chain of
evolution of nidifugous Imbits. The free finger tips and
arrested development of tlie outer quill-feathers point to a
prior arboreal habit, whilst the accelerated develoi)ment of
the inner quill-feathers indicates an a<laptation to enable
the young to escape from enemies surrounding a terrestrial
nursery.

He believes that systematists attacli too much im-
portance to the diverse conditions presented by the young
of different groups of birds at birth and that the signifi-
cance of these conditions has been misunderstood. The
real explanation seems to turn to expediency, designied to
reduce infant mortality: (1) by depositing tlie egg upon
the ground, or (2) curtailing the activity of the young.
"One great disadvantage attendant ou precocious develop-
ment of the young whose nursery is in the tree tops is
obvious — the nestling would be constantly in danger of
falling to the uroniid. and a larue number would indeed

Comparative Periods of Nestling Life 7

meet with this fate . . . those species which, while re-
taining their arboreal nesting habits, have adopted the
method of curtailing the activity of the young. This pro-
cess was accomplished by reducing the food-yolk within the
egg, and thus inducing an earlier hatching period. We
may approximately measure the extent to which this re-
duction has been carried by the degree of helplessness dis-
played by the newly hatched bird, and by the nature and
extent of its clothing. . . . The amount of food-yolk
once reduced, a return to the older fashion of active young
was impossible, and this explains why young of many
species hatched upon the ground are as helpless as those
reared in the topmost boughs of the highest trees."

Young reptiles are always active' at birth, and there
is little doubt that tlie uidifugous or precocious bird is the
most primitive type. It is reasonable to suppose that the
Arcluropterij.r (a possible progenitor of the l*asseres) was
uidifugous, but it cannot be known positively that it was
arboreal as a breeder ; in fact its beak seems poorly adapted
for nest-building, (few, if any of our Passerines employ the
feet to any extent in that capacity) and there are well
known instances of arboricole species of Xorth America
(the Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, Black and White Warbler
and Hermit Thrush, for instance i descending to the ground
to nest.

With accurate knowledge of the condition and early
life history of only a limited number of North American
birds, it is perhaps somewhat presumptuous to offer serious
objection to the Pycroft theories, but my investigations,
however superficial and touching only a small angle of the
subject, would seem to show here and there an invalid
premise or an erroneous conclusion.

Confirmatory evidence of the theory that birds were
originally arboreal, would seem to be lacking in the be-
havior of our birds. In the more than occasional depo-
sition of the eggs of individuals of species normally
ground-nesters (the Herring Gull, some Ducks and Geese)
in nests high up in trees, and the habitual arboreal nesting
of some species of tyi)ical terrestrial-nesting groups of nidi-

8 THE WILSON BULLETIN— March, 1921

fngous birds (the Noddy, AYood Duck and ii^olitary Saud-
piper) the inference might be that these species were re-
turning to a former habit, but it seems more reasonable to
think that they are governed by a stronger impulse, that
of the perpetuation of race in the face of persecution.
Many species of the Nidifugjie have been known to feed their
young directly, and some species of the Gulls, Ducks and
shore birds are cai)able of carrying or conducting tlieir
young safely to the ground. That it is not impossible for
nidifugous young to move about freely in an arboreal
nursery, is shown by Dr. Beebe in his recent study of the
Hoactzin, in which lie i)ictures the downy young climbing
about somewhat in the manner of a quadruped. "We have
little ground for the belief that the elevated nesting habit
is more fatal to nidifugous birds than ground-nesting; in
fact the death rate of the few arboreal Nidifuga? would ap-
pear not conspicuously different from the latter.

On the other hand, brooding birds of species of more or
less typical arboreal habits, when directly from their nests,
will sometimes flush to tlie ground to feign a crippled con-
dition, and in so doing would seem to indicate a former
ground-nesting habit. There are a few ground-nesting
species in many groups of arboreal nesters, and there are
more or less instances where members of various arboreal
species of remote relationship easily form or resume a
ground-nesting habit (the ^[ourning Dove, Osprey, Long-
eared Owl, many species of t^parrows. Brown Tlirasher,
Hob in, and ])ossibly the Flicker) especially where con-
ditions are favorable and molestation at a minimum.
Isolated colonies of some of our Egrets and Herons have
apparently been ground-nesters for ages, Avhile other col-
onies of the same S])ecies nest high in trees. Some groups
as remote as the Sparrows and the Cormorants, I'elicans
and Man-o-war, nest indifferently in bushes or on the
ground.

On tlie whole, a careful study of the nesting habits of
many species of North American birds, would seem at
least to indicate a much more general ground-nesting habit
at some former period and tliat a numl)er of s])ecies later

Comparative Periods of Nestling Life 9

sought an elevated situation to avoid molestation. In the
AJciiur, perhaps several species are in an active state of
evolution from typical Nidifngiie to a condition of nidicol-
ons habits. The great bulk of the Atlantic, California and
Brnunich's Mnrres, and the Kazor-billed Ank, tirst see light
on narrow ledges far above the sea in almost inaccessable
cliffs, positions doubtless chosen ages past by the species
to avoid molestation ; the result is the enforced helpless-
ness of the young for a period of from 25 to 35 or 40 days,
until half grown ; though normally possessed of consider-
able strength and activity when only a few days old.
Macgillivray gives instances of the extraordinary hardi-
hood of some very small, unfledged young of the ^lurre,
which Avere observed swimming about in the vicinity of the
rocks ; chicks that must have had comparatively eas}' access
to the Avater.

There are no data from which to buihl a table of com-
parative values of the yolk in birds' eggs, but my study of
the incubation periods of many North American birds,
convinces me that the eggs of the Nidicolpe do not always
show a relatively earlier hatching period in comparison to
the Nidifugjp. Eggs of some species vary enormously in
size. I have the shells of some eggs laid by a small domes-
tic hen, averaging 2.92 x 2.2f) in inches, comparable to the
measurements of the eggs of some of the Megapodes. Some
typical Nidifugne lay eggs of normal size and it is probable
that the yolk is pro])ortionally as small as many of the Xidi-
colfP. It is possible that the egg of the Hummingbird con-
tains yolk comparable in bulk proportional to that of the
Murre (both species laying eggs of very large size in com-
parison to the bodies of the parents) yet there are none
more naked and lielpless than the newly hatched young of
the former, while the nidifugous young of the latter would
buffet the sea in a few days were they not literally' shelved.

Is a return to nidifugous habits im[)0ssible? AVho can
say in the instance of the Kighthawk and Whip-poor-will,
whose young are enabled to abandon the nesting site on the
ground within a fcAv hours after birth, whether they are
not approaching typical nidifugous habits in the early use

10 THE WILSON BU LLETIN— March, 1921

of their feet in coiijuiiction witli almost iiiiinediate eyesight
and the earh^ development of the nervons s^^stem?

There can be no donbt that nidicoloiis habits are not
only beneficial in many instances to an arboreal or insular
existance, but that they are in time inevital)le to that mode
of life. However, it is not a special adaptation to a gre-
garious habit, since so many birds of nidifugous habits
also nest in colonies.

It seems to me that a more logical conclusion to the
nidicolous habits of so many terrestrial nesters would be
attributal)le to a primitive habit of breeding on islets or
cliffs, or in caves, crevices or burrows; insular or elevated
situations of any kind chosen primarily for seclusion and
found advantageous for the enforced confinement of the
young until they became more robust to withstand the
elements and avoid their enemies; in countless succeeding
generations the temporary disuse of limbs and slower de-
velopment of some of the sense organs would result in one
thing, just as we now observe the beginning of the same
phenomena in the enforced sedentary life of the young
Murros and Auks. The individual or species unable or un-
willing to carry food to their young, would have to conduct
them to the feeding ground, seek a more accessible situa-
tion for their nests where the precocious young could feed
and exercise, or perish. Therefore nearly all sea birds
nesting exclusively on small islands are nidicolous. The
exceptions include the Murrelets, possibly some of the
Longipennes, and the Flamingoes ; probably because of
the situation of their nests in reference to accessibility to
the sea or to a comparatively recent resort to insular breed-
ing. On the other hand, we have documentary proof of the
typically nidicolous Gannet nesting upon a rocky islet for
upward of six or seven hundred years {Cf. Gurncn, The
Gannet, p. //// ) and doubtless it has so nested for untobl
ages, since it has never been known to nest on the main-
land.

Notwithstanding the diagnosis of the Nidicohie and
Nidifugie by Dr. Newton and Dr. (radow, the line of de-
nmrcation in some instances is exceedingh' faint and re-

Comparative Periods of Nestling Life 11

duced, at least as far as the tyro is concerned, to a qnes-
tion of the sealed or open eye-lids of the young- immediate-
ly after it has hatched, and even this may i^rove unreliable
in a few instances. It is well known that in most, if not
all Nidifugjie, the eyelids separate shortly before the bird
is hatched and are wide open almost immediately after
birth. Mr. A. B. Howell informs me that according- to his
observations all sea birds, except the precocial ones, are
hatched with their eyes closed, but that they open within
a day or so; just how long he is unable to state.

The Phavthoiiikhr, Fregatidw, Ardeithe (at least the
smaller species : Least Bittern and Green Heron ) ;
Cathartichv, some of the smaller Buteon'uhv (Marsh, Coop-
er's, Sharp-shinned and Broad-winged Ha^N'ks), Duck Hawk
and Goatsucker, open their eyes wide within a day or t\N'o
after birth. With most nidicolous birds, however, several
days elapse between the separation of the eyelids and when
they become wide open. In several instances, on the fourth
or fifth day after birth, the eyes of the Mourning Dove,
Cuckoo, Horned Lark, Brewer's Blackbird, Hooded Oriole,
most Finches and Sparrows, Cedar Waxing, some Yireos,
Wood Warblers, Mockers, Wrens, Hermit Thrush and Blue-
bird, are wide open. On the sixth or seventh day: Audu-
bon's Caracara, some Hummingbirds, Pewee, Blue Jay, Red-
eyed Vireo, Chickadee and Rol)in ; eighth day, the Gannet,
Belted Kingfisher and Crow ; ninth day, the Purjde Martin ;
tenth day, the Flicker; twelfth day, the Great Horned Owl
and the fourteenth day the Chimney Swift.

Newton affirms that the young of nidicolous birds nest-
ing on or near the ground in exposed situations, remain
in the nest a relatively shorter time than tliose found
nesting in less accessible situations. This in general seems
to apply to our North American birds as far as known and
would seem to infer only an earlier development of the
sense of fear and of bipedal locomotion; for though the
ground nestling may leave the nest at a relatively earlier
age, precocity apparenth' does not extend to the wings
or to the ability to care for itself exceptionally early.
AVith some exceptions, fear develops almost immediately

12 THE WILSON BULLETIN— March, 1921

after birth in our nidifugons young. I'rofessor Herrick has
intimated that the instinct of fear appears with comi)ar-
ative sudclenuess upon certain niatniity of the nervous
system, and while often premature, it is usually timed to
correspond with a sufficiently advanced physical develop-
ment to enable a retreat from threatened danger. It
would seem impossible to discover the precise time of the
acquisition of fear by the nestling, through the bungling
methods, or rather lack of method, of the past ; for fear
may be present and remain latent for hours or days before
an abrupt movement of the observer or tlie extreme nerv-
ousness of the parent lead to its discovery with startling
suddenness, and I believe it is always preceded by the ac-
quisition of sight.

Instinctive fear has been shown on the fourth to the
fifth day by some of the Cuckoos and Sparrows: on the
fifth to the sixth day by the Least Bittern, Mockingbird
and Wren-tit; seventh to eighth day: Green Heron, Long-
eared Owl, some of the Mreos, Wood Warblers and Brown
Thrashers; tenth day: Mourning and Ground Doves, Ked-
shouldered Hawk, Cowbird, Catbird, Chickadee, Wood,
Hermit and Olive-backed Thrushes and Robin ; eleventh
day: Cedar Waxwing and Blue Jay; twelfth day: Marsh
Hawk and Crested Flycatcher ; fourteenth day : Turkey
Vulture, some of the Hummingbirds, Bluebird; sixteenth
day : Sharp-shinned Hawk ; twentieth day : Crow ; twenty-
first day : Anhinga, California Vulture, Duck Hawk and
Magpie; twenty-fifth day: Golden Eagle and Belted Kmg-
fisher; twenty-eighth day: Broad-winged HaAvk. TJie Yel-
low-billed Tropic-Bird, according to the experience of Mr.
Gross, never showed fear at any time.

The production of more than one brood in a season
is rather rare among the ^"idifugie, the Grebes, some of the
Murrelets and Ducks, tlie Bob-whites and Scaled Part-
ridges, being among the few occasionally reproducing the
second brood. With the Nidicohp two or more families a
season are much less uncommon, though perhai)s not so
regular as generally su])])osed ; including, as far as known,
some of our most abundant and widely distributed species;

Comparative Periods of Nestling Life 13

among the Osciiies, only those having an extended and con-
tinuous song period; and apparently only in the southern
part of the breeding range of the Cuckoos and exceptional
colonial species (the northern Cuckoo seldom produces a
second brood though it often makes an attempt). The
most productive species in point of families include the
Tufted Puffin, Cassin's Anklet, Mourning and Ground
Doves, Yellow-billed and Black-billed Cuckoos, Pewee,
Say's and Black Phoebe, Horned Lark, English, Vesper,
Chipping, Field, Song and Grasshopper Sparrow, Slate-
colored Junco, Cardinal, Indigo Bunting, Mockingbird, Cat-
bird, Brown Thrasher, House and Carolina Wrens, Robin
and Bluebird. Apparently it does not occur to any extent
among the lower orders, or the Birds of Prey, A^^oodpeck-
ers. Kingfishers, Swifts or Hummingbirds, nor regularly
in the Passeres among the Crows, Jays, Starlings, Crackles,
Blackbirds, Orioles, Tanagers, Waxwings, Vireos, War-
blers, Wagtails, Creepers, Nuthatches, Titmice or Kinglets.
That some species are more productive than others in
the number of broods in a season, is of course due primarily
to the prolonged duration of sexual instinct, or in other
words, to a continuance of the peculiar physiological con-
dition incident to rei)roduction, perhaps often repressed
in the individual in the united movements of the colonial
species, or more often lost for the season by the less domi-
nant species through lessened vitality after a long period of
waiting upon the young. The Land Birds included in the
above list are birds with the requisite vitality and versa-
tility to adapt themselves to environmental changes inci-
dent to civilization, and are among the most dominant
species. They are all prompt, hardy nesters, therefore res-
ident or only absent during the colder months, with the
possible exception of the Indigo Bunting; all are more or
less independent, especially for the earlier nesting site, of
a camouflage of deciduous vegetation. For example, the
Phcebe with no other advantage over other inornate-nesting
Flycatchers, is enabled to produce two or more broods by
beginning much earlier than other members of its family,
and relining its nest for subsequent broods.

14 THE WILSON BULLETIN— March, 1921

All HHiltiple-brooded species have access to an abun-
dant and nnt'ailing food supply suitable for the young, or
are adaptive to a varied and easily obtainable and season-
able diet. Most all feed upon seeds, insects or fruit as
occasion requires and are consequently unaffected during
seasonal scarcity of any one food. They are all builders of
nests of simple construction.^ I know of no species in the
northern ])art of the United States building an elaborate
nest or tunneling in earth or wood for each clutch, regular-
ly producing more than a snigle brood. They all have the
effective assistance of the male, especially in taking charge
of the offspring out of the first nest until they can shift
for themselves. Finally, they have a brief nesting cycle.
It is improbable that a nidicolous species incapable of con-
fining the total ])eriod of nest building, deposition, incu-
bation and nestling life to very much over six weeks, can
regularly produce more than a single brood in Northern
United States, also the ]iesting season must be brief or the
])arents will not be in a physiological condition to repeat.
Mr. Alfred C. Kedfield carefully measured the work
of a Belted Kingfisher nesting in a quarry at Radnor, I'a.,
April 2-18, 1008, and identified the sex of tlie excavator
once as the female and once as the male.
Here are his notes :

1st day, hole just started

ord day, about 8 inches deep,

5th day, about 15 inches deep.

6th day, 18 inches deep.

7th

day,

23 inches deep.

8th

day,

27 inches deep.

yth

<ij^yj

3G inches deep.

10th

day.

44 inches deep.

11th

t^^y?

471/2 inches deep.

12th

day.

51 inches deep.

13th

f^i^y?

571/^ inches deep.

14th

day,

59 inches deep.

15th

dnjy

59 inches deep.

ICfh

day,

59 inches dee]).

"While there was no increase in depth on the last tliree

Comparative Periods of Nestling Life

15

days, an acciiniiilatiou of dirt made it certain that the
■ birds had been working, probably in enhirging the end of
the hole for the nest. With a nesting cycle of from two
and one-half to three months, this species can hardly be
other than single brooded.

Again to show the fine detailed work of some of our
observers, I have assembled a table exhibiting day by day
the increase in weight (in grams) of some nestlings taken
in 1906 by the late John F. Ferry, Lake Forest, 111. The
Cedar Waxwing study (Aug. 20-28) is incomplete, but the
development and length of nestling life of the Cowbird
(June 11-22), Yellow Warbler (June 21- July 2) and Wood
Thrush (June 11-22), exhibit a relatively slower growth,
considering size, than the Catbird (June 13-21) and the
Brown Thrasher (July 8-lJJ).

1st

2nd

.3rd

4th

5th

6th

7th

8th

9th

lOth

nth

12th

Day

Day

Day

Day

Day

Day

Day

Day

Day

Day

Day

Day

Cowbird

7.7

23.3

24.9

31.1

28.0

**

Cedar Waxwing

2.2

3.0

4.5

8.0

7.7

*

3.0

4.0

6.5

13.5

12.5

15.5

13.0

*

4.0

5.4

8.0

17.0

15.0

20.0

*

3.1

4.9

8.0

17.0

15.5

19.0

16.0

*

Yellow Warbler

7.8

8.0

8.3

8.5

**

6.2

7.2

8.3

7.3

7.7

9.4

**

Catbird

4.6

18.6

23.3

23.3

29.5

31.1

31.1

**

av. 3 young

3.1

6.2

15.5

15.5

15.5

22.0

25.2

27.2

28.5

V*

Brown Thrasher

6.0

7.5

9.0

12.0

17.5

21.2

25.5

40.5

51.5

47.5

49.5

**

8.2

9.5

13.0

17.0

23.5

28.2

35.0

38.0

45.0

39.0

42.5

**

6.5

8.5

11.0

15.5

22.0

27.5

34.0

**

Wood Thrush

3.1

6.2

18.6

24.9

37.3

34.2

**

* Found dead. ** Departed.

[to be continued]

16 THE WILSON BULLETIN— March, 1921

NOTES ON THE HABITS OF THE BKEEDINO

WATER BIRDS OF CHATHAM COUNTY,

GEORGIA

P.Y W. J. ERICHSEN^ SAVANNAH^ GA.

With few exceptions, which are properly noted here-
inafter, these notes are 'based wholly on my observations in
Chatham County, Georgia, dnriug the years 1909-12 and
1914-19, all inclusive. While it is believed that every Avater
bird that breeds or has ever bred in the county is here re-
corded, only those species of which the eggs or young have
been taken are included.

I deem it unnecessary to give in this introduction an
extended account of the physical aspect of the county —
although such would not be out of place here — since tlie
reader will find in the accounts of many species numerous
references to and descriptions of their habitat, which at
least give some idea of the topography of portions of the
county. As the reader will, of course, infer from some of
these accounts, Chatham County is situated on the coast,
being the northernmost coastal county in Georgia. Its
breeding water-bird life is neither greatly varied as to
species nor abundant as to individuals, and on account of
the somewhat inaccessibility of the nesting haunts of most
.species, my knowledge of the life-histories of several spe-
cies is not extensive. In most cases wliei-e my own notes
are lacking, the deficiency has been supplied b}^ Troup D.
Perry of Savannah, a veteran oologist, to whom grateful
acknowledgements are due. Mr. Perry and I have been in-
separable companions in the field for seven years. To G.
R. Rossignol, also of Savannah, I am under obligations for
assistance rendered in securing breeding data, even though
such assistance was given me indirectly. I have accom-
panied Mr. Rossignol on many expeditions to the breeding
haunts of water birds, and many times have enjoyed his
hospitality at his summer home on Wilmington island.

With this brief introduction the author presents to
the reader the following more or less fragmentary notes

Notes on the Habits of the Breeding Water Birds 17

on the habits of the breeding water birds of Cliathara
Count}', Georgia.

Sterna antillarum — Least Tern.

This beantifnl tern formerly nested in great abundance
on the isohited beaches of the larger coast islands, but
since 1891 no eggs have been taken in this county. On my
visits to the islands during the past five years I have noted
Least Terns in increasing numbers, but I have so far failed
to secure evidence that they have reestablished themselves
upon their former breeding grounds. The aspect of most
of the beaches where they once nested remains unchanged,
and hopes are entertained by local bird students that the
birds will continue to increase and return to their old
haunti^. Commencing in late spring and continuiiig
through the summer, numbers of these dainty birds nmj
be seen fishing in the waters of Tybee inlet, but it is my
belief that these individuals have merely wandered here
from their breeding grounds to the north or soutli of this
county. Long before I began the study of ornithology' this
species had ceased to breed in this locality, and for the fol-
lowing notes on its breeding habits I am indebted to T. D.
Perry, whose experience with it is probably more exten-
sive than that of any other Georgia ornithologist. From
1885 to 1890 large numbers of Least Terns annually re-
sorted to the unfrequented beach of Warsaw island to
rear their young. Although the birds were pretty evenly
distributed over the entire five mile beach the most favored
portion was near what is known as the " middle settle-
ment," the name of which is explanatory of its location on
the island. Mr. Peri'}^ tells me that at that time the
beach at this point was wide; large areas of suitable shell-
strewn sand being available for nesting sites. Most of
the birds preferred that portion of the beach between high
water mark and the sand dunes where numerous little tufts
of vegetation were growing, affording protection for the
3'oung not only from the hot mid-day sun but from their nu-
merous enemies as well. The eggs, usually three in number-
were deposited in a slight depression in the bare sand.

18 THE WILSON BULLETIN— March, 1921

Very rarely was there noted any attempt at concealing
the eggs, althongh occasionally a set wonld be fonn<l lying
at the base of a tnft of beach grass and partiall}^ shaded by
it. Laying nsnally commenced the first week in June, and
by the lotli of that month the breeding season Avas at
its height. Tlie first of Mr. Perry's several visits annually
to Warsaw island was never lyade before the lOtli of June,
and he informs me that a nund)er of times he lias secured
fresh eggs late in the month of July. Although he never
fully determined how many broods were raise<l in a
season, he is of the opinion that there was only one. ^lost
authors agree on the subject that unless there is a mishap
to the eggs only one set is laid. Their ground color varies
from i)ale grayish-green to light olivaceous-drab ; often it
is clear bulfy. The spotting consists of <lots an<l splashes
of brown and lilac, and is usually well distributed over
the egg, although it frequently tends to form a wreath
around the large end. In size the eggs average 1.25 x .95.
These birds are very solicitous for the safety of their eggs
and young, greeting tlie intruder with shrill cries and
much circling overliead. The young, like those of all beach
nesting birds, are adepts at hiding, their color blending so
perfectly with their surroundings that once the eye is
taken otf them great difliculty is had in locating them
again, even though the observer marks the spot where they
lie. As soon as they are able to fly, the young, in com])any
with the adults, resort to the sounds and inlets, where, at
this season of the year, they obtain an abundant supply
of food.

Since this species lately began to increase in numbers
in this county, I have been much interested in studying its
feeding habits, and, while it continues as formerly to show
a preference for the larger bodies of water, I often observe
it singly or in pairs fishing in the numerous narrow
creeks and rivers that tliread their way along this coast.
In Tybee inlet there are numerous shoals more or less dis-
connected but togetiier covering a wide area. Many of
these banks are uncovered at low tide, but a nund)er are
perpetually washed l)y tlie breakers rolling in from the

Notes on the Habits of the Breeding Water Birds 19

sea. These waters teem Avitli small tish, besides numerous
other forms of aquatic auimal life, and upon these Least
Terns feed to a large extent. When fishing in these shal-
lows the birds usually fly close to the surface, and their
movements Avhen plunging into the water are quick, and,
although their sj)eed is slightly checked before they reach
the surface, tliere is always much splashing.

About the time that Least Terns were nesting so
abundantly on Warsaw island Mr. Perry also secured a few
sets of eggs on Folly island, one of the numerous small
hammocks having a beach, lying between Tybee and War-
saw islands. Until 11)14, this island, wliich is not easily
accessible, had not been visited by any local ornithologist
in a number of years. With hopes of finding a few ])airs
of birds nesting there Mr. l*erry and I visited it on JNLay 17
of that year. However, its sharply sloping, semicircular
beach was deserted, indeed the only wild life tliat we saw
upon the entire island was a number of young Marsh Rab-
bits {Hi/lvilaf/Ui^ i)(iln.stris).

Rijuchops )ii(/ra — Black Skimmpir,

I have been unable to find the breeding grounds of
this species on the coast of Chatham county. I doubt if it
now breeds here, although it certainly did in consi<lerable
numbers fifteen or twenty years ago. T. D. Perry informs
me that he has taken its eggs on I'elican I'oint, a key lying-
some distance off the south end of Tybee island. LTnfortu-
nately, Mr. Perry's note books containing data on this species
have been misplaced, and he is unable to furnish me with
dates. The tides now daily cover Pelican Point, resulting in
its almost total disappearance. Of interest to me since the
commencement of my study of ornithology on the coast of
Georgia is tlie rapidly changing aspect of the sand banks
tliat stretch in almost unbroken succession from the south
end of Tybee island to Beach hammock in Warsaw sound,
a distance of five miles. The periodical l)uil(ling uj) and
disappearance of these banks undoubtedly accounts for the
scarcity and non-breeding on this coast of this species, as
it is unable to establish itself. Every summer I see a few

20 THE WILSON BU LLETIN — March, 1921

Skiinniers on these banks, but tlioy certainly do not breed
there. Mr. Perry informs me tliat on I'elican I'oint the
eggs were deposited upon the bare sand, the birds often
breeding in close proximity, sometimes only two or three
feet separating some *' nests.'' The eggs were oftenest four
in number, although frequently only three were laid, and
occasionally sets of five were, found. The ground color is
creamy white; occasionally pure white, although this may
be due to fading as this description is taken from specimens
in the collection of Mr. I'erry. Tlie markings vary greatly,
but the average egg is heavily spotted and blotched with
blackish-brown ; the spots are usually of irregular size,
but always quite sharply defined, and are generally well
distributed over the surface. The eggs average 1.75 x 1.35
in size.

These birds are very active during the early morning
hours, feeding in the shallows of Tybee inlet as well as the
larger rivers flowing into it. On May 17, 1!)11, T D.
Perry and I visited Folly island in quest of eggs of the
Least Tern {Stenia (DitilJarum), this trip being referred
to in the account of that species. In order to gain access
to this island it was necessary for us to either go outside
and row a considerable distance through the breakers or
await a high tide and laboriously push our boat through
a long four foot wide canal that had been dug by trappers.
We chose the latter route, and arriving at six ]>. m. of the
16th near the head of this canal we found that we would
be compelled to camp upon a nearby small hammock until
three a. m. when the canal would contain sufficient water
to float a boat. After many ditflculties we Anally gained
the river at the mouth of which lay our destination. The
first gray streaks of dawn were just appearing ir. the east
when the Skimmers made their appearance on the river,
skimming the surface of the water often onh' a few feet
from our boat. With the rising of the sun the birds de-
serted the river and retire(^l to the outlying sand bars, there
to stand and sun themselves for long ])eriods. Although
when resting they strictly confine themselves to the outer
sand banks, at rare intervals I have seen in<lividuals alight

Notes on the Habits of the Breeding Water Birds 21

on the imid flats clo.ser inshore. This species apparently
is becoming more and more uncommon on this coast, and
a few years will no doubt see its total disappearance.

AnJmiga anhinga — Water-Turkey.

Undoubtedly this curious bird once nested in consider-
able numbers in this county. The degree of its abundance
now however can best be expressed by the term " spar-
ingly and locally distributed." The extensive and splendid
system of drainage inaugiirated in the county some years
ago has almost completely obliterated the former haunts
of the Water-Turkey. As it is eminently a fresh water
species, the draining of the ponds and swamps has forced it
to seek nesting places elsewhere. T. D. Perry informs me
that several 3'ears ago a friend of his secured several sets
of eggs near Burroughs, a station on the Atlantic Coast
Line railroad eleven miles southwest of Savannah. The
birds were nesting in willows growing in an abandoned
rice field reservoir.

The nest of the Water-Turkey is usually placed at low
elevations but always over water. The eggs, usually four
in number, are deposited the first week in May. According
to my observations made at other points on the coast of
Georgia, isolated nests are more often found, and even at
localities where the species is abundant, the birds do not
breed in large colonies, six or eight pairs being the most
that I have observed nesting in close proximity. The nest is
composed of sticks and is generally of large size, often meas-
uring eigliteen inches in diameter. The dei^ression, how-
ever, is slight, sometimes imperceptible. Kggs^, bluish
white, covered with a rough chalky' or calcareous dei)osit.
They measure, on an average, 2.20x1.25.

These birds spend much of their time feeding in iso-
lated ponds in which there is an abundant growth of
aquatic vegetation. They prefer such bodies of water that
are surrounded by heavy forests, altliough they frequent
in considerable numbers the almost treeless fresh water
marshes and aban<loned rice fields if containing a good
depth of water. I never saw one seek safety by slculking

22 THE WILSON BULLETIN— March, 1921

in the dense vegetation. They depend, as far as my ob-
servations go, npon their swimming powers, or else take
wing; usnally the latter. They generally swim Avith the
body wholly submerged, only the head and long neck show-
ing above water. They are at all times very shy and re-
tiring, and, occurring as they do only in the wildest and
most thinly settled localities, are every year being pnslie%d
further away from this section by the draining and culti-
vation of their retreats.

Aix spoiisa — Wood Duck.

No more fascinating scenes of natural beauty are to
be found anywhere in the south than those presented to
view at each turn as one travels up or down the sinuous
course of the Ogeechee river from its mouth to the north-
west corner of Chatham county. At many points along this
stretch the river overflows its banks on both sides, the
water reaching far back into the heavy deciduous forests,
forming perpetually flooded swamps, most of which are
impenetrable. Long stretches of the river are bordered by
great trees drooping under their gray burden of tenuous
moss, their foliage dipping into the black water which is
rendered apparently darker by the shadows cast by the
fringe of trees. At numerous points high, sandy blufCs,
almost bare of vegetation take the place of the gloomy
swamps. Here and there along the banks ancient stumps
protrude, and in many places abandoned rice plantations
stretch for miles along either side. The wooded portions
of the swamps bordering this river are the home of the beau-
tiful Wood Duck, which, Avhile it formerly occurred in
large numbers, is now so rare that it is only occasionally
met with. I can say nothing of its habits during the
breeding season from personal observation; fiirtluMinore I
am not aware that its eggs have ever been takiMi in the
county. However, T. D. l*erry tells me that he has «een
young at several localities, both in the nest and following
the parents, although not recently, since the species is now
nearly exterminated. He says the birds always built their
nests in hollows in tall trees growing in or very close to

Notes on the Habits of the Breeding Water Birds 23

water, to wliicli the ol<l birds transported tlie youn<»' in

their bills. He has seen young very early in April bnt a few

days old. After they are hatched the adults lead them to

nearby rice field reservoirs, where they remain until nearly

grown when they return to the heavy timber along the

streams.

Ijcohrychus ejrilis — Least Ritterx.

The data that I liave secured on the nesting habits of
this pecies is very meager. It is a summer resident only, but
on account of its retiring habits the times of its ariival
and departure are not well knoAvn to me, and the fact that
it breeds in the county has only recently been ascertained.
In 1915 I accompanied (i. R. Rossignol and Frank N. Irv-
ing on a visit to Ossabaw island. We landed on the north
end ir the late afternoon of May 10, and the following five
days were devoted to a study of the bird life of the island.
Our attention was directed particularh^ to the long es-
tablished colony of herons in which a nundjer of pairs of
the now rare Egrets {Casiiiero(Iiu>i c(/rett<i) and Snowy
Egrets {Ef/retta caiKlidii^.siiiia caiKUd'n^sinia ) had found
refuge. This rookery is in a large fresh water pond in
which we spent two days full of interesting experiences.

Situated in the middle northern portion of Ossabaw
island, a coast island nine miles long and live miles wide
at its widest point, this pond, created by the flow from
an artesian well, annually furnishes a winter home for
wild fowl and a summer home for many species of water
birds, besides those land birds partial to such an environ-
ment. Its area covers very nearly two acres, although
about one-third of it ap])arently is unsuitable as a nesting
environment for any species of bird except Red-winged
Blackbirds {Af/cJaius phoriiiceiis phooiicciis) which were
present everywhere in tlie pond. This portion is the marg-
inal strip and is about lifty feet wide. Beginning at the
edge of tlie pond and extending toward its center for a
distance of approximately one hundred and fifty feet there
are dense groAvths of cat-tail flags, wampee and pond lilies,
interspersed with small patches of saw grass. Each of
these species of vegetation grows in separate and well de-

24 THE WILSON BULLETIN— March, 1921

fined areas, altlK)iii.»h no one of them is resti'icted to any
particular section of tlie i)on(l. They together cover its
entire area witli the exception of a tew open spaces of deep
water in the center. As tliis is neared the vegetation les-
sens in density, and willows, none over ten feet in height,
and seemingly insecurely rooted in the soft ooze, make
their appearance. In summer tliese frail trees are ta^ed
to their limit to support a hurden of nests of six species of
herons. The surface of all areas of open water is covered
with a species of pond weed pea green in color. At first
glance this greenish growth appears to be that which col-
lects upon the surface of stagnant water, but such is not
the case. An examination failed to disclose any outlet to
this pond. The fact that the water is clear and nowhere
stagnant would seem to indicate that there is an outlet
which we overlooked ; indeed, Avhen it is understood that
a large volume of water from the well dail}' flows into the
pond, it can readily be seen that it is necessary that there be
an outflow, since the water retains some of its original
purity. Immediately surrounding the pond are narrow
fringes of stunted oaks of several species, and a few rods
further back begin coniferous and deciduous forests that
extend for several miles in all directions.

Our first exploration of this pond was made afoot on
May 11, the day after our arrival on the island, in a heavy
downpour that continued throughout the day and night
and well into the following day. We had as companions,
in addition to the birds, swarms of Cotton-mouthed Moc-
casins and a number of alligators, the latter mostly of
small size. We encountered no water over four feet in
depth, and wading in the open pools, while extremely un-
pleasant in the continual downjiour, was not attended by
great difficulty or danger. Our progress through the dense
masses of vegetation, however, was slow and difficult, for
in their recesses lurked many ])oisonous moccasins for
wliicli it was necessary that we be ever on tlie alert. On
the 14th, througli the courtesy of Mr. Sasser, the overseer
of the island, we were enabled to avoid a second exploration
on foot. Mr. Sasser kindlv allowed us the use of his horse

Notes on the Habits of the Breeding Water Birds 25

and wagon to haul a light skirt' to the pond, a distance of
four miles from his house, at which we were staying.
Launching the boat through the dense vegetation, a dis-
tance of over one hundred feet, was exceedingly ditiicult.
The weather however was fine, and every minute of our stay
in the pond was used to advantage. Although our second
visit was unproductive of tiuding nests of species addition-
al to those noted on the 11th, we did secure much further
data on the nesting habits of the herons, some of which
will be given in the sketches of the various species.

Two nests of the Least Bittern Avere found in this
pond ; one on the 11th, containing three heavily incubated
eggs, and one on the 14th containing one egg. These nests
were built in cat-tail flags and were composed of the dead
stalks and blades of the different species of vegetation groAV-
ing in the pond. They were placed only a few inches above
the surface of the water and were well concealed, the tops of
the flags rising two or three feet above the water. They were
simply shallow ])latforms, apparently hastily constructed,
the depression beiug barely noticeable. The set of three
eggs collected is now^ in the collection of G. R. Rossigiiol.
They are pale bluish white and average 1.25x.00. I be-
lieve that Least Bitterns breed in considerable numbers in
this pond, but on account of the rank growth of vegetation
covering nearly its entire area I was unable to explore it
thoroughly and only the two nests mentioned above were
found. I very rarely caught sight of one of the birds, so
successful were they in hiding in the tall reeds.

Only a small percentage of the Least Bitterns that
migrate along this coast remain in this section to bree<l.
In both spring and autumn numbers of them frequent the
salt marshes, becoming very active at night-fall. I doubt
if any of the few pairs that remain here to breed ever nest
in these marshes, but retire to the isolated fresh water
ponds on the larger islands, where they are seldom mo-
lested.

Ardea herodias — Great Blue Heron.

This picturesque bird is moderately common but

26 THE WILSON BULLETIN — March, 1921

breeds only in the heavily forested areas of tlie larger
coast islands. I am informed that it formerly bre<l in some
nnmbers on Little Tybee island. The hnge nests were
placed near the extremity of the toi>most limbs of giant
short leaf pines and most of them were inaccessible. 1
am not aware of the i)resent location of any heionies; in-
deed this species has long since ceased to breed in any
numbers in this vicinity, therefore I am unable to otter
much information concerning its nesting habits. AVith its
behavior in autunui and winter upon its feeding grounds
in the marshes and on the mud flats I am better acquainted,
since it is much more abundant, or ap]>arent]y so. during
the above named seasons. 1 find it to be, as a rule, very
shj^ and ever on the alert, which is really surprising, in
view of the fact that it has so few enemies to contend with.

The greater portion of its food is secured from the
salt marshes and the banks and shallows of the numerous
creeks that win<l tlieir Avay through them. It is often seen
in company of tlie smaller herons, particularly the Little
Blue species. At sucli times it is the first to take Aving at
the approach of danger, and usually is far away before the
intruder has arrived within a liundred yards of tlie s])()t
where it stood. Upon stationing itself in a shallow creek
to secure passing fish, if the latter are scarce the bird will
remain motionless in one spot for a long period of time;
apparently slnggish, and in an indifierent attitude; but
when fish are i)lentiful, it becomes very active, spearing
them right and left in rapid succession.

At sundown, or a little before, numbers of these state-
ly birds can be seen slowly winging their way to\var-d the
forested portions of the islands, there to s])end the night.
They become much attached to these roosting places and
will not desert them as long as their aspect remains un-
changed and the birds are not greatly persecuted.

Cas})icr(>(lius ('(/>■( ft<i — Ecjret.

Of all the herons which nest in this connty this s]»ecies
is the most beautiful and interesting, as it is the least
abundant. The very few ])airs that are left to breed un-

Notes on the Habits of the Breeding Water Birds 27

molested are confined to a fresh water pond on Ossabaw
island, or at least apparently so, as I am not aware that
it is known to nest at any other locality in Chatham eonnty.
The nnmber of pairs which were breeding' in this pond
was not accurately determined during my yisit to Ossabaw
island in May, l!)!."). I saw ten or a dozen birds, and allow-
ing for those which were temporarily absent from tlie
rookery, I believe the number of pairs is vevy close to the
former figure. The nests were built in willows, usually at
a point where several stout limbs converged, and were
bulky platforms of twigs loosely laid together. They were
placed at heights ranging from two to ten feet above the
surface of the Avater. All of the nests which I examined
contained three eggs and the sets which were collected
were rd>out six days incubated. These herons were very
shy, leaving their nests before I had approached to within
two hundred feet of them, and would not return to them so
long as anj'one remained in the pond. However, no dif-
ficulty was experienced in determining which nests be-
longed to this species, as its eggs are unmistakable, being
considerably larger than those of any other heron nesting
in this pond. They are bluish green in color and measure
2.25x1.50.

lufonnation secured from T. 1). Perry, whose collect-
ing activities extend over a period of nearly forty years,
tends to convince me that this species never nested in this
section in large colonies such as fonnerly occurred in
Florida and along the (Inlf coast. The absence of fresh
water reservoirs, to Avhich it was almost exclusively con-
fined during the breeding season, evidently was the main
cause of its comparative scarcity. Its numbers have been
much reduced in recent years, and it is now threatened
with extinction. Because of the rarit}^ of this species an<l
the next it has not been possible for me to determine the
times of their arrivrd and dei)arture. However, they are
summer residents only.

Egretta candidissima candidissiinia — Snowy Egret.

Between eight and twelve pairs of these lovely birds

28 THE WILSON BULLETIN— March, 1921

were nesting' in the pond on Ossabaw island at the time of
my visit there in May, 1915. Because of the similarity
between their eggs and those of some other species of
herons breeding there, it was not possible for me to ac-
curately determine which nests belonged to tliese herons
except by remaining concealed until the birds had settled
on them. This required considerable patience, as, although
they were not as waiy as the larger Egrets, after I had
entered the pond and frightened them from their nests,
long waits in concealment were necessarj'^ before they would
return. All of the nests that were identified were built
in willows in which were placed many nests of the other
species of herons which were breeding in the pond. They
were simply rudely constructed platforms of twigs loosely
arranged in a circular manner. The eggs were three in
number, bluish green in color. They measure about
1.80x1.25.

I made a number of efforts to determine the character
of the food of this species, but the data secured is meager,
due chiefly to the difficulty in approaching the birds close
enough for satisfactoiy observation. Besides this the very
few pairs nesting in the pond distributed themselves, when
feeding, over the large swampy and marshy areas on the
island, and were rarely encountered. The limited notes
secured lead me to believe that a considerable percentage
of their food consists of crawfish, while individuals were
detected on several occasions catching small fish swimming
near the banks of tlie small creeks.

This species does not breed at any other locality, al-
though suitable ponds exist on some of the other large and
isolated islands. During the past ten years this s])ecies
has ra])idly decreased in numbers and it is now rare in
this county.

[to be continued]

An Albinistic Robin 29

AN ALBINISTIC ROBIN

ALVIN R. CAHN

While albinism, or a tendency toward albinism in
birds is common enongli to have supplied most museums
with stutled or mounted specimens showing varying de-
grees of whiteness in many species, it is rare enough to
have escaped the efforts of most of the hunters who have
substituted the camera for the gun. It is for this reason,
and not because albinism is a rarit}-, that the two accom-
panying photgraphs of a strikingly albinistic robin are
offered.

This robin appeared on the campus of the University
of Wisconsin on March 5, 1917, and remained there dur-
ing the entire summer, in spite of the fact that it was
among the very earliest of the robins to return in the
spring. An examination of the photographs will show that
the bird is fully 86% white. Those pigmented feathers
which were present were for the most part normal in color,
though the few brown feathers on the breast were some-
what pale in color, and the bill and legs were nearly white.
The bird was a female and was seen to mate with a normal
male. Two uusucecssful attempts were made to nest. The
first nest contained five eggs, the second four. Both were
deserted for some unknown reason before the incubation
period had expired. A subsequent examination of the
eggs showed three of the second batch fertile, and two of
the first.

Texas A. and M. College,

College Station, Texas.

30

THE WILSON BULLETIN— March, 1921

^ 9"^ *

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THE WILSON BULLETIN

Published at Oberlin, Ohio, by the Wilson Ornithological Club.

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ion 1 jn affil.ation).

Price in the United States, Canada and Mexico, $1 50 a year, 50c a number, post paid.
Price in all countries in the International Union, $2.00 a year, 60c a number. Subscriptions
should be sent to Geo. L. Fordyce, Youngstown, Ohio.

Additional comment on the annual meeting after the reading
of the report of that meeting by the Secretary seems almost super-
fluous. But the writer has followed the course of the Club from its
beginning, and he may, therefore, be permitted to remark that this
meeting left him with the conviction that whatever of uncertainty
there may have been in the past about the continued functioning
of the Club its future is now secure. Such a spirit of good fellow-
ship, mutual understanding of differing points of view, and such
earnestness in the work of accumulating facts relating to our
particular field of endeavor can mean nothing else than increas-
ing value of the results of our work. And let us begin now to
plan to make the next meeting better than our best so far.

The creation of a board of cooperating editors was one of the
most significant and valuable actions of the last meeting. This
first number of the new volume illustrates this point. It not
only lightens the task of editing but insures material of a higher
character to choose from, and adds a more personal touch to our
journal. Each of these cooperating editors would ask for your
cooperation in securing material for publication. This is prob
ably even more true of the Secretary, upon whom falls the task
of preparing the more personal material. You would be doing
him a service of you would not wait for him to ask you for items
of interest, but would keep him informed of trips or journeys
which you have planned, or any such which you know others have
in contemplation. You would also be doing the readers of the
"Wilson Bulletin a service, because everybody wants to know what
is going on in the way of bird study.

It M^as voted to advance the subscription price of the Wilson
Bulletin to $1.50 a year to non-members. All members, whether
Associate or otherwise, receive it free, if their membership dues
are paid up. This action was necessary because the cost of four
numbers exceeds a dollar, and because there is no immediate
prospect of any material reduction in the manufacturing costs in
the printer's trade. It is true that there has been a small decline

32 THE WILSON BULLETIN— March, 1921

in the price of paper, but paper is a small item in the cost of
manufacturing printed matter.

Your special attention is called to the statement of the Com-
mittee on "Ways and Means, in this column. Parallel with this
effort of this committee is that of the Secretary, with his teams
of helpers, in soliciting new members. Upon the response to
these efforts depends to a ,large degree the character of your of-
ficial organ. Present expectations of income make possible a 200
page volume with a few illustrations. A 50% increase would
mean a 300-page volume, with more illustrations, including at
least two colored plates. If every member should get one new
member this would be accomplished. Haven't you some friend
who ought to become a member, and probably would if you asked
him to?

From the Ways and Means Committee.

Your Ways and Means Committee would like to make a
brief statement to the Club on its recent activities. In response
to the circular letter sent out to the membership under date of
January 25 $232.00 has been received to date, from which $13.00
must be deducted for expenses We wish to thank the contrib-
utors for their generous support. In due time the money will
be turned into the treasury of the Club and applied to the ex-
pense of publishing the Bulletin. The fund will be held open for
a while longer, so that those who desire may still send in con-
tributions. The Club is conducting a well organized drive for
increasing the membership. A larger and better illustrated Bulle-
tin will help greatly in this enterprise, and conversely, the larger
membership will support the better periodical. Your contribu-
tion is asked at this time to help bring about this happy equi-
librium.

Those who do not wish to make direc t contributions are
invited to accept classification as active or sustaining members.
If a considerable number of associate members would volunteer
to become active members the increased income from the dues
would make a great difference in the Club's budget. Any asso-
ciate or active member will likewise be welcomed as a sustaining
member. Concerning these changes in classification please notify
the secretary, Mr. A. F. Ganier, 2507 Ashwood Avenue, Nashville,
Tenn., or the treasurer, Mr. Geo. L. Fordyce, Youngstown, Ohio.

Respectfully,

B. R. Bales.

M. H. SWENK.

March 1, 1921. T. C. Stephens.

Field Notes 33

FIELD NOTES

An Albino Goldfinch.

During August, 1915, I observed an albino bird a few miles
west of McCoolc, Neb. By following tbe bird, observing it with
glasses, and observing its flight I identified it as a goldfinch. Hav-
ing never seen the record of an albino goldfinch I consider this
worth while reporting. There seemed to be no color in any of
the plumage.

David C. Hilton.

Notes from North Carolina. — A Tree Sparrow (Spizella m.
monticol(i) came to my feeding station on January 27 and stayed
through January 30. This was following a heavy snowfall for
this region on the night of the 25th. The tree sparrow has been
recorded but rarely from the mountains of North Carolina, and
once from Chapel Hill, near the center of the state. While this
was only a sight record I feel sure of my identification, for I was
perfectly familiar with the bird in northern Ohio, where it was
one of the commonest winter birds, and this specimen was ob-
served on several occasions at less than six feet.

According to Pearson, Brimley and Brimley, " The Birds of
North Carolina" (1919) the Starling (Sturmts vulgaris) has not
yet been recorded from North Carolina, although it has been re-
corded from Newport News, Va. It seems worth while, therefore,
to record the following note. Messrs. R. W. Collett and W. F.
Pate, while hunting near Willard, N. C, about December 19, 1919,
saw a flock of three strange birds and shot into the flock, securing
one specimen, which was brought to me for identification, and
which proved to be a Starling. This specimen is now preserved
in the North Carolina State Museum. "Willard is located about
33 miles due north of Wilmington, N. C.

Z. P. Metcalf.

West Raleigh, N. C.

Do Birds Remigrate? — Living as I do so near the border
land between Northern and Southern bird conditions, I am led
to believe that there is an extensive intermigration among cer-
tain species of birds in winter and early spring, a bridght day
in winter I have often seen 75 to 100 Robins, while after a severe
storm I would not see even one for two or three weeks. The
Bronzed Crackle does not remain here through the winter, but is
very abundant at Nashville, Tenn., only 75 miles south of here.

34 THE WILSON BULLETIN— March, 1921

Ordinarily it appears here in numbers by February 15 to 22, the
earliest record I have being February 8. In the spring of 1920
the grackles were plentiful by February 26, when the coldest
weather of the season came, lasting until March 8. I am strongly
inclined to believe that they remigrated, for in that time only two
or three were seen, and they did not again become common until
March 12.

I have never noticed this .condition about the birds which come
in late March or the early days of April. Regardless of Easter
storms, late snow flurries, or long-continued cloudy, cold weather,
the Chimney Swift and Purple Martin stay, even though I fear
they often approach starvation.

Gordon Wilson.

Bowling Green, Ky.

Freakish Nesting Habits. — ^Of the 45 or 50 birds which are
regular summer residents here four or five have odd habits choos-
ing sites for nesting. While the migration is on I have found a
few Prairie Warblers in several localities in the territory I have
studied, a circle about eight or nine miles in diameter, with
Bowling Green as its center. In nesting time, however, I have
never been able to see the Prairie Warbler outside of a little
side valley opening into the valley of the Big Barren River and
about three miles from town. Many other places around here
have the same general characteristics: shrubby fields, brier and
honeysuckle tangles, with wooded hills in the background, but
no other place seems to please the Prairie Warbler.

The Bachman Sparrow is a little less choice about its nesting
grounds, but I have been unable to find it in the nesting season
except in three places, two of them fairly near each other, but
more than three miles from the other one.

The range of hills overlooking the valley where the Prairie
Warbler nests is the only breeding ground I know of the Kentucky
Warbler, though there are dozens of hills near here very similar
to this range.

Another bird which belongs to this group is the Oven-bird,
which is confined to the range of hills mentioned above, and an-
other, three or four miles from the first and across the river
from it.

This season I intend to investigate this as one of my prob-
lems and hope to arrive at some conclusions concerning this unique
habit among these species.

Bowling Green, Ky. Gordon Wilson.

Notes from Lake County. — I am pleased to record an occur-
rence of the Double-crested Cormorant on October 9, 1920. As I

Field Notes 35

mounted the stones of a breakwater at the lake and looked down
on the other side, I was surprised beyond measure to see an im-
mature of the species seated on one of the lower stones just be-
low me. After a sufficient study of the bird I had a difficult time
in driving it far enough out into the lake to have it escape the
shot of the first hunter that happened along, as its perch was not
twenty feet from shore. Looking back afterwards I saw it swim
back and fly up to its original rock. Later on some fishermen
succeeded in driving it far out on the water, and as it could not
be located the next morning, I trust it escaped the fate usually
meted out to any large or strange bird.

On August 10, 1920, while watching the Bronzed Grackles
winging leisurely along to their roost in long extended flocks of
hundreds, and the Cowbirds in swifter, undulating bunches like
bands of galloping outlaws, a bunch of twenty "black birds"
passed by whose short tails, swift flight and perfect unison of
movement of the members of the flock made me at once suspect
them to be Starlings. Visiting the roost itself an evening or so
later a few were seen and readily identified, but I find it difficult
to approach the more easily frightened Starlings among the thou-
sands of Grackles and Cowbirds. Early in October I tried the
expedient of climbing a tree in the roost and looking down upon
the thorn trees as the birds settled in for the night. This was
highly successful and I got excellent views of many of the birds,
now in winter plumage. Towards dusk, when patterns were more
obvious than colors, the Starlings had a striking resemblance to
undersized Flickers. This was also remarked upon later by a
friend who also visited the place. It was impossible to obtain
any exact count of their numbers, but there were surely between
fifty and one hundred; which seems to say that the day is not
far distant when the Starling will be a common Ohio bird.

B. A. DOOLITTLE.

Painesville, Ohio.

Fall Migration in Northwestern Nebraska in 1920.

With a view to continuing the observations on the fall bird
migration begun in September, 1919, in northwestern Nebraska,
Mr. C. E. Mickel and the writer returned to the Monroe Canyon
region of Sioux county, Nebraska, on September 26, 1920, and re-
mained until October 9. During this period sixty-one species were
recorded. Since only sixty-eight species were recorded the preced-
ing year during the more favorable season, September 6-20, we
considered the list rather good. Some of the more interesting ob-
servations follow:

Mountain Plover: On September 27, while crossing a strip

36 THE WILSON BULLETIN— March, 1921

of badlands north of Monroe Canyon our attention was suddenly
arrested by a Mountain Plover standing motionitss on the bare
ground near our pathway. The bird harmonized so remarkably
well with the pallid, buff-colored soil that we congratulated our-
selves upon having discovered it. Doubtless depending instinct-
ively upon its resemblance to its surroundings for protection, the
bird remained absolutely motionless as we approached. Since there
are but a few definite records of this species for Nebraska the
specimen was collected.

Red-naped Sapsucker: A specimen was collected on September
29, and oddly enough, from the identical tree, an old boxelder, that
yielded the state record specimen which was taken the year before
and recorded by Mr. Mickel in the September, 1920. number of The
Wilson Bulletin. A second individual was noted on October 4.

Lewis Woodpecker: It has been the privilege of the writer to
spend from two to three weeks in camp in the Pine Ridge Region
of northwestern Nebraska for several years, namely, 1905, 1908,
1911, 1912, 1913, 1919, and 1920, with the seasons varying from June
15 to October 9. On all of these trips at least a part of the time has
been devoted to bird study, but not until the past season did he
succeed in finding the Lewis Woodpecker. On September 29 a fam-
ily of six or seven birds was observed among the pine trees at the
head of Monroe Canyon. While possibly a common migrant and
winter visitor, the Lewis Woodpecker probably does not nest as
commonly within the state as we have supposed.

Clarke Nutcracker: A single specimen was noted on Octo-
ber 6.

Sparrows: The sparrow migration was both a surprise and a
disappointment, not only because of the small number of species
present but because of the relative scarcity of individuals. The
species noted were as follows: Western Vesper Sparrow, fairly
common; Harris Sparrow, a single specimen seen October 3;
White-crowned Sparrow, one seen September 30; Gambel Sparrow,
the prevailing species, seen nearly every day; Western Chipping
Sparrow, fairly common on the pine-covered bluffs; Clay-colored
Sparrow, noted on four different days, one or two birds at a time —
a striking contrast to the great abundance of this species in the
same locality the preceding year in middle September; Lincoln
Sparrow, two individuals noted, one on the 4th and one on the 5th
of October. Like the sparrows Jtincos were surprisingly scarce, al-
though several species were noted, namely. White-winged, Slate-
colored, Shufeldt and Pink-sided.

Western Tanager: A few Western Tanagers lingered until
October 1, which seemed to us a very late date.

Warblers: Two interesting warblers for a locality so far to

Field Notes 37

the west were noted, the Black-throated Blue on October 6 and the
Black-throated Green on October 8.

Sprague Pipit: This species is regarded as sufficiently un-
common in Nebraska as to make the collection of a specimen on
October 1 seem worthy of note.

Sage Thrasher: A single specimen was seen and collected in
the sage brush a few miles north of the mouth of Monroe Canyon
on September 27. But few definite records of the Sage Thrasher
are at hand for Nebraska, but it is believed to occur regularly in
small numbers in the badlands of Sioux county.

R. W. Dawson.
Lincoln, Nebraska.

The Present Status of the Whooping Crane.

There seem to be no published records of the occurrence of the
Whooping Crane since the note recording the taking of specimens at
Wood Lake, Cherry county, and Grand Island, Hall county, Ne-
braska, was published in The Auk, 1913, page 430, by the writer,
hence the following notes possess considerable interest, especially
as the suspicion has been expressed that possibly the species had
become extinct.

On March 29, 1919, a small flock of Whooping Cranes was seen
near Kearney, Buffalo county, Nebraska, on an island in the Platte
river. In company with Mr. C. A. Black of Kearney, the writer
interviewed the observers, who are wholly to be relied upon, a few
hours after the birds were seen. The "white cranes" (= Whooping
Cranes) were in a large flock of "blue cranes" (= Sandhill Cranes),
but had departed upon our reaching the place late in the same day,
though most of the smaller species remained. In the spring of
1920, Mr. C. A. Black, who is an able and wholly reliable field orni-
thologist, saw two Whooping Cranes in a flock of Sandhill Cranes
flying northward at a considerable height, at Kearney, on April 2,
and on April 14 he saw a flock of 56 Whooping Cranes at the same
locality.

Since the publishing of the 1913 note above referred to, there
have been several Whooping Cranes killed in Nebraska, according
to reports. On March 10, 1915, one was killed at Ogallala, Keith
county, and is now in a private collection at that place, and in the
fall of 1915 two were shot on the Platte River in Hall county, north
of Prosser, but were destroyed by fire in 1917; in the spring of
1917 one was shot near Minden, and is in a collection there, and in
the fall of that year it is reported that three were killed near Kear-
ney (by a hunter who buried the birds through fear of the law)
and another along the Platte, somewhere near its mouth; finally,
in the spring of 1918 six were seen on the Platte river near Kear-
ney, by a very reliable hunter, who, to his credit, abstained from

38 THE WILSON BULLETIN— March, 1S21

killing any of them, while others were reported as seen in the fall
of that year. In the case of birds killed since the approval and
promulgation of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act it has not been
possible to get any reliable information about specimens reported
to have been taken.

Myron H. Swenk.
Lincoln, Nebraska.

Nesting of the Red Crossbill in Nebraska.

On March 28, 1920, Messrs. Miles Greenleaf and William Marsh,
both of Omaha, found a nest of the Red Crossbill in Elmwood Park,
in the western part of Omaha. The nest w^as in the crotch of a
decayed boxelder tree in a well-protected ravine at a height of about
twenty feet from the ground. The female crossbill was on the nest,
evidently brooding, and the male bird was feeding her. The tree
was too badly decayed to permit climbing, but the identification of
the bird was beyond question, inasmuch as Mr. Greenleaf is an ex-
perienced bird observer, and the birds were watched carefully from
a short distance. There were no conifers within 300 yards of the
nest. Mr. Greenleaf notified the writer of his find on March 30
and plans were made to visit the nest, and if possible, to obtain
some photographs of it within the next few days.

But on April 3 an unseasonable blizzard raged over eastern
Nebraska, and it was evident that the trip would need to be post-
poned. Messrs. Greenleaf and Marsh, however, revisited the nest
on Easter Sunday, April 4, and found the storm had wrecked
the nest, leaving about half of it clinging in the crotch of the tree.
As several inches of snow lay on the ground beneath the tree the
fragments of any eggs that might have been in the nest could not
be found, nor were they to be found later, after the snow had
melted. The birds were still in the vicinity after the storm, and
especially around the place where the nest had been, but no re-
building of the nest was subsequently observed.

The disappointment of not having secured any tangible evi-
dence of this nesting, which was the first record of the breeding
of this bird in Nebraska, had scarcely subsided until information
was received (on April 26) concerning another nesting, this time
in a park in the little city of Broken Bow, Custer county, in the
central portion of the state and near the eastern edge of the sand-
hills. This nest was found by a fourteen-year-old boy, Newell F.
Joyner, and his mother, on March 20. This boy is a Boy Scout and
keeps a record of the birds of his locality, so he is positive of the
date. The nest was in a very open and exposed place in the park,
in the crotch of au elm tree, about ten feet above the ground and
directly above a side-walk. There are very few conifer trees in
Broken Bow. The nest was not disturbed, and the female was ob-

Field Notes 39

served sitting upon it for several days before she was picked up
dead by some children. The male had not been seen for several
days before the death of the female.

Master Joyner has written some interesting facts about this
nest. He says: "The female is the worker, building the nest all by
herself, the male seeming to be the protector, flying with but just
a little way off from the female. . . . There were two eggs in the nest,
one of which had a hole in it and broke when it was touched. Due
to the weather the other egg was frozen, but it soon thawed out and
cracked. We saved the pieces."

The crossbills had been noted for some time before their nest-
ing was observed, and on February 15, just after a heavy blizzard,
a dead male crossbill was found. Later another dead male bird
was found by some children, possibly the nesting male, and finally
the nesting female, on the day that the deserted nest and eggs were
collected. No injury was noticeable on the bodies of any of these
birds thus found dead.

It is unfortunate that none of these dead crossbills were pre-
served, for it is yet an open question whether this record concerns
the Eastern Red Crossbill (Loxia ciirvirostra minor) or the Rocky
Mountain Red Crossbill (L. c. bendirci), which, by the way, is an
excellent subspecies and should be recognized as such by the A. 0. U.
Committee. The Rocky Mountain form abounds in the Pine Ridge
of northwestern Nebraska in winter, and may be found there in
some years in the summer also, but has not been found nesting.
During the winter it occurs more or less commonly over the en-
tire state. The Eastern Red Crossbill we have found only in the
late fall, winter and early spring in the eastern part of the state,
though in some seasons very commonly.

The nest, along with the fragments of the egg which was
frozen and broke on thawing, was presented to the Nebraska Orni-
thologists' Union collection by Master Joyner, who is entitled to
credit for his valviable observations and willingness to place his
find where it will be permanently preserved. I am also indebted to
Mrs. Frances C. Morgan, a neighbor of Master Joyner, for having
first acquainted me with the fact of the nest and for corroborating
the above statements and the identification of the birds.

Myron H. Swexk.
Lincoln, Nebraska.

Some Nelson County, Kentucky, Notes, 1920.
Worm-eating Warbler (Helmitheros vcnnivorns) . Several of
our ornithologists state that the song of the worm-eating war-
bler is somewhat similar to that of the chipping sparrow, and
many a time I have hunted out a singing chippie at the edge of some
thicket, or woods, half expecting to find this woodland warbler, but

40 THE WILSON BULLETIN— March, 1921

invariably it proved to be the sparrow, and not the much-sought
warbler. On the morning of July 11 I was rambling in the woods
bordering the Beech Fork river, about three miles southeast of
Bardstown; my course led me up a small stream bordered by deep
thickets that extend along its banks from its confluence with the
river for half a mile toward its source. I was walking slowly, oc-
casionally gazing into the tree tops as I listened to the queer grat-
ing song of the Cerulean warbler. Perceiving an unknown warbler
that was quietly hopping about among the branches of a sycamore
tree, and in easy range of my collecting gun, I fired and brought
it down. It was an adult worm-eating warbler, the first I had ever
found in this locality. Though having taken the bird I was none
the wiser as to its song, but it was A, new species for my local list,
and that was some satisfaction. Charles W. Beckham lists thirty-
four members of the warbler family in his Birds of Nelson County,
but he never found the worm-eating warbler here.

House Wren {Troglodytes aedoii)- Another new species for
this locality is the house wren, which was observed on two occa-
sions in May of this year. On the 8tli of the month I was afield in
one of my favorite stamping grounds about two miles southeast of
town; everywhere birds were singing and all voices were familiar
except one that seemed to come from a brush-heap at the edge of
a cedar thicket. I had little trouble locating the singing bird, but
it was some minutes before I could get a glimpse of it, so well did
it remain concealed in the brush. Finally it hopped to the top of
the pile to deliver its tinkling, bubbling, song and at once I rec-
ognized it as the house wren. Watching it for some time I was
able to get several good views of it, thereby making identification
certain. Four days later, May 12, I again observed a house wren,
in an old rail fence near a house, in the same locality. This one
was not singing, but from the lateness of the season I had some hopes
of its breeding in the neighborhood. However, nothing more was
seen of it and I suppose it was only a very late migrant. For many
years I have looked for this wren, but always my search had been
in vain. Bewick's wren is the species commonly breeding about
town, though a few pairs of the noisy Carolina wren share town
life with them.

Mockingbird (Miinus pohjf/lottof; pnlj/glottos) . Ten years ago
this bird was one of the most common of the summer residents,
a few wintering. In summer every farm had one or several pairs,
and many nested in favorable places about town. For the past sev-
eral years they have been noticeably decreasing in numbers, and
where they were formerly numerous, the past summer they were
scarce or entirely absent. In looking over my field notes for the
past season I find that the mockingbirds seen during the summer
would not have represented more than three or four pairs of nest-

Field Notes 41

ing birds, whereas, ten years ago twelve or fifteen pairs would
have been found in the same territory. Several years ago it was
a common thing to find mockinbgirds that had been taken at an
age when about to fly and confined to a cage as pets. However,
this practice is not so common now, and possibly when it existed
it had but little effect on the number of mockingbirds as a good
many of these birds picked up from the ground undoubtedly would
have been caught by cats, or destroyed in some other way. In
1885 Beckham wrote concerning this bird in this locality: " Ten
years ago they were comparatively rare here, but now there are
few gardens or yards where one or more pairs do not nest." At
present the order of this statement is reversed, and now the status
of the mockingbird for this vicinity should read — Ten years ago
they were common, now they are comparatively scarce.

Ben J. Blincoe.
Bardstown, Ky., October, 1920.

A One-Day List of Birds at East Falls Church, Virginia.

By Ira N. Gabrielson

During the spring of 1917 the writer lived at East Falls
Church, Va., on a small suburban place of one and one-half acres.
This place was covered by a heavy growth of jack pines, with a
small intermixture of persimmon, oak, havnhorne, and other de-
ciduous timber. The lot across the road was grassland and from
it such birds as the meadowlark and grasshopper sparrow came
to our yard. During the spring migration it was an ideal place
to observe the movements of warblers and other small birds. The
height of the migration at this point, at least on the days when
I could be present, was on May 19. During the day, beginning at
daylight, I saw the following birds on this place:

1. Black-crowned Night Heron — Nycticoras n. nacviiis. Fly-
ing over.

2. Bob-white — Colinits v. virginianus.

3. Mourning Dove — Zenaidura m. carolinensis.

4. Turkey Vulture — CatJiartes a. septentrioxalis.

5. Sharp-shinned Hawk — Accipitcr velox.

6. Yellow-billed Cuckoo — Coccijzus a. americanus.

7. Downy Woodpecker — Dryohatcs p. medktniis.

8. Red-headed Woodpecker — Melnuerpcs crytJirocrphalus.

9. Flicker — Colaptes a. auratus.

10. Whip-poor-will — Antrostomtts ^\ vociferus.

11. Nighthawk — Chordcllrs v. virginianus.

12. Chimney Swift — Chactiira pelagica. Flying over.

13. Crested Flycatcher — Myiarclius crinitus.

14. Wood Pewee — Myiochancs vircns.

42 THE WILSON BULLETIN— March, 1921

15. Blue Jay — Cyanociita c. cristafa.

16. Crow — Corvus b. brachyrhynchos.

17. Meadowlark — Sturnclla m. magna.

18. Baltimore Oriole — Icterus galbula.

19. Purple Grackle — Qiiiscalus q. qiiiscula.

20. Purple Finch — Carpodaciis p. purpurcus.

21. Goldfinch — Astragalinus t. tristis.

22. Grasshopper Sparrow — Ammodramus s. australis.

23. White-throated Sparrow — Zonotricha albicollis.

24. Field Sparrow — Spizella p. pusilla.

25. Song Sparrow — Melospiza m. mclodia.

26. Chewink — Pipilo e. ^erythrophthalmus.

27. Cardinal — Cardinalis c. cardhialis.

28. Rose-breasted Grosbeak — Zamelodia ludoviciana.

29. Indigo Bunting — Passerina cyanea.

30. Scarlet Tanager — Piranga erythromclas.

31. Barn Swallow — Hirundo crythrogostra.

32. Tree Swallow — Iridoprocne bicolor.

33. Cedar Waxwing — Bomhy cilia cedrorum.

34. Red-eyed Vireo- — Vircosylva olivacca.

35. Yellow-throated Vireo — Lctn'.verco flavifrons.

36. White-eyed Vireo — Vireo g. griseiis.

37. Black and White Warbler — Mniotilta varia.

38. Nashville Warbler — Vermivora r. rubricapiUa.

39. Tennessee Warbler — Vermivora peregrina.

40. Parula Warbler — Compsothlypis a. americana.

41. Cape May Warbler — Deudroica tigriiia.

42. Yellow Warbler — Dcndroica a. (estiva.

43. Black-throated Blue Warbler — Dcndroica c. ccenilescens.

44. Myrtle Warbler — Dcndroica' coronata.

45. Magnolia Warbler — Dcndroica. magnolia.

46. Chestnut-sided Warbler — Dcndroica pcnsylvanica.

47. Bay-breasted Warbler — Dendroica castanea.

48. Black-poll Warbler — Dcndroica striata.

49. Blackburnian Warbler — Dendroica fusca.

50. Black-throated Green Warbler — Dendroica. vircns.

51. Oven-bird — Seiurus aiirocapillus.

52. Maryland Yellow-throat — Geothlypis t. triclias.

53. Yellow-breasted Chat — Ictcria v. virens.

54. Canada Warbler — WiJsonia canadensis.

55. Redstart — Getopliaga ruticilla.

56. Catbird — Dumetella caroUnensis.

57. Brown Thrasher — Toxostoma rufum.
53. Yellow-breasted Chat — Ictcria. v. virens.

58. Carolina Wren — Thryothorus I. ludovicianus.

59. House Wren — Troglodytes a. aedon.

60. White-breasted Nuthatch— Sf/ff« c. caroUnensis.

Notes — Here and There 43

61. Red-breasted Nuthatch — Sitta canadensis.

62. Tufted Titmouse — Barjioplius iicolor.

63. Carolina Chickadee — PcntJicstes c. carolinensis.

64. Wood Thrush — Hylocichla miistelina.

65. Olive-backed Thrush — HylocichJa u. swainsoni.

66. Robin — Plancsticns m. migrator i us.

NOTES-HERE AND THERE

Conducted by the Secretary.

Mr. Benj. T. Gault is preparing for the Illinois Audubon So-
ciety a " Checklist of the Birds of Illinois." It is planned to have
it ready in time for spring migration.

Mr. Fted M. Dille, one of our pioneer western bird men, is in
charge of the U. S. Biological Surveys' Niobrara Reservation for
Wild Life in northern Nebraska. His postofflce is Valentine.

Hon. R. M. Barnes is piloting the venerable Oologist through
its 38th year and expresses confidence in its future. We regret
that Mr. Barnes missed the Chicago meeting by reason of getting
the dates mixed.

Miss Althea R. Sherman, who in past years has written many
valuable articles for the columns of The Bulletin, has of late been
devoting her time and talents to securing the establishment of a
National Monument park on the Mississippi River, near McGregor,
Iowa.

Prof. Horace Gunthorp, formerly of Topeka, Kans., is now
with the Department of Zoology of the University of Washington
at Seattle. In the May, 1920, issue of School, Science and Mathe-
matics, is published his paper on " Bird Study in the Mississippi
Valley." In this paper is incorporated an analysis of the distribu-
tion of the membership of the three major bird clubs.

Professor Z. P. Metcalf of the North Carolina State College,
has been elected Instructor in Ornithology and Entomology at the
University of Michigan Biological Station, at Douglas Lake, for
the coming session. He will give courses in elementary orni-
thology and direct the research work in ornithology as well.

Mr. Herbert L. Stoddard, formerly with the Field Museum, is
now Curator of Ornithology in the Milwaukee Public Museum. One
of the treats in store for our readers is a very thorough paper by
Mr. Stoddard treating of the life histories of the Great Horned Owl.
Mr. Wm. D. Richardson will furnish some of his excellent photos
from life as illustrations.

Dr. L. Ottley Pindar, who wrote of Kentucky bird-life while

44 THE WILSON BULLETIN— March, 1921

at Hickman, Ky., during the late eighties, is now located at Ver-
sailles, Ky., having recently received his discharge from the Medical
Corps of the A. E. P. Dr. Pindar founded the young Oologists As-
sociation, which was the forerunner of The Wilson Club, and with
our present Editor, our present President, Past President Frank
L. Burns, and others, laid the foundations for our organization.
Dr. Pindar is planning to take upi more actively his long neglected
ornithological work.

The Tennessee Ornithological Society has recently launched
The Middle Tennessee Audubon Society and has entrusted to the
new organization that portion of its work dealing with bird pro-
tection and education.

The Field Museum of Natural History at Chicago will open its
doors to the public on June 1, 1921. The structure, which has been
many years in building, will be one of the handsomest in the
world devoted to museum purposes. We hope to give more details
in a later number.

The Oologist Exchange and Mart, a well conducted little
monthly published in England by Mr. Kenneth Skinner, is hence-
forth to be issued quarterly under the name of The Oologists'
Record.

Our worthy contemporary. The Condor, is traveling the same
stormy financial sea as is The Wilson Bulletin and is going to
make the best of it until prices come back. Dr. Joseph Grinnell
advises that they are succeeding nicely toward raising an endow-
ment fund, the interest of which will go toward maintaining the
publication.

The National Association of Audubon Societies have available
for exhibition some wonderfully fine motion pictures of bird life.
Those taken along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico and in Florida
by Messrs. Flnley and McClintock are probably the finest series
of motion pictures ever taken of wild birds. Mr. Pearson, for
many years secretary of the societies, is now its president, having
succeeded the late William Dutcher.

It is a foregone conclusion that as a feature of our next an-
nual meeting the sessions will be so arranged that our members
may indulge more lengthily in informal interchange of notes and
the making of new acquaintances. When bird students get together
the conversation never drags so " talk tests " galore will be in
order.

The museum of ornithology of Emory University in Atlanta
is now the repository of the fine collections of Rev. Wm. L. La,
Prade of that city. Mr. La Prade, who is Honorary Curator, is an
ardent field worker and is adding new material constantly. A list

Notes — Here and There 45

of the rarer specimens m the museum is being prepared for publi-
cation in The Wilson Bulletin.

Our committee of Ways and Means, composed of Messrs Sweuk,
Stephens and Bales, are reporting good success toward achieving
the results aimed at. There is a strong current of feeling that
The Wilson Club shall go forward.

Quite a lot of interest is being attached to the outcome of the
work of our two membership teams, which are being captained by
Dr. T. C. Stephens of Sioux City, and Dr. Geo. R. Mayfield of Nash-
ville, Tenn. If the members of these teams " acquit themselves
nobly " we shall have something laudatory to say of them in a
future issue. Aside from their actual results there will be much
satisfaction, in knowing that the work of the organization is being
carried on by many willing hands.

Future meeting places for the Wilson Club are now receiving
careful consideration. A most cordial invitation from our Chicago
members has been extended and the Windy City bids fair to land
the next meeting. Whenever the American Association for the Ad-
vancement of Science, with which The Wilson Club is associated,
meets within the middle west it is a distinct advantage for us to
meet with them. The A. A. A. of S. registration at Chicago was
nearly 2500 and many of our members, being connected with other
of the affiliated organizations, are thus able to kill two birds with
one stone. The meeting places for the A. A. A. of S., thus far
chosen, are: 1921, Toronto; 1922, Boston; 1923, Cincinnati; 1924,
Washington; 1925 not yet decided upon, but Nashville, Tenn., will
make a strong bid for the honor.

The draining of the Florida lakes and Everglades goes stead-
ily on and a consequent diminution of the water-bird life is inevit-
able. Such species will not adapt themselves to new breeding
grounds but will die out like the vast number of water-birds which
formerly bred on the western plains. Visitors returning from Flor-
ida are predicting that its east coast will finally outstrip southern
California as a winter resort. If only from a commercial stand-
point, Floridians should conserve their water birds to offset in a
way the glories of California's mountains.

The 1920 report of the U. S. Biological Survey is of much in-
terest to ornithologists, mamologists, and conservationists gener-
ally. We learn therein that among the publications ready to be
issued are three state lists, viz.. Birds of Texas, Birds of New Mex-
ico, and Birds of Alabama. Two hundred and fifty observers filled
out and sent in the standard migration blanks during the year.
Seventy bird reservations are now established, on thirteen of
which wardens are maintained throughout the year. Permits for

46 THE WILSON BULLETIN— March, 1921

collecting were issued to seven hundred and eighty-three individ-
uals, from which figure it is evident that " the army of collectors "
has dwindled to an almost negligible few.

Although it has been generally conceded that the last wild
buffalo had disappeared from the American continent, the Cana-
dian government sent an expedition to investigate the tales told
by Indians of a large herd in the remote north. F. H. Kitto of
the Canadian Department of the Interi(»r, who headed the expe-
dition, located a herd of approximately a thousand and secured
photographs of them. The herd was found in the district south of
Great Slave Lake an^ west of the Slave River. This herd brings
the known number of buffalo in North Amei'ica up to nearly ten
thousand.

At the recent meeting Dr. Bales was drawn into relating some
of his experiences among the tidal marshes of the Virginia coast,
where he is wont to hie himself each June. One day, relates the
Doctor, he left his balky guide in the boat and waded alone, deep
into the quaking morass, In search of a colony of Laughing Gulls.
Like a rainbow questrist he was drawn on and on, zigzagging erst-
while to keep within his depth, until finally he came upon the col-
ony. Until now he had given little thought to his return, and a
downpour had set in, with no more to guide him than the wav-
ing sawgrass, he vainly tried to retrace his steps. His load was
as heavy as his lega were weary and with the tide rising he began
to wonder what Mrs. Bales and the boys at home would do with
his big egg collection. He floundered on and on until his recol-
lection of passing events became very hazy. However, he recalls
that when the guide finally dragged him over the gunwale he sur-
veyed his sorry plight and gurgled out, in words of Mother Goose,
"Lawk a mercy me, can this be I?"

ANNUAL MEETING

The seventh annual meeting of The Wilson Ornithological
Club was held at Chicago, 111., on December 27 and 28, 1920. As
one of the constituent organizations forming The American Asso-
ciation for the Advancement of Science its meetings were held
with the annual meeting of that body at the University of Chi-
cago. The sessions of the various associated and affiliated organi-
zations extended from December 27 to January 1.

The morning session of The Wilson Club began with a con-
ference of the officers, following which the meeting was convened
and the preliminary business taken up. President Strong sketched
over the work of the past year and outlined the needs and possi-
bilities for increasing the Club's activities during 1921. The report

Annual Meeting 47

of Treasurer Forayce was read and developed the fact that, by
careful management j and by reducing the size of the oflficial or-
gan, a balance of about twenty dollars was on hand. Secretary
Gauler reported on his work during 1920 and presented a list of
71 new members. The present membership, excluding those who
are delinquent, was given as approximately 400. He spoke in favor
of an aggressive campaign of activity for new members during
1921 and a larger membership fee to make possible a larger and
more attractive official organ. Letters, from a number of mem-
bers not in attendance, were read in support of this view. Editor
Jones was called upon to outline his ideas. He expressed himself
as wishing to see The Wilson Bulletin put on a good financial foot-
ing in order that at least 64 pages of illustrated matter might be
published in each number. He also suggested and requested that
several associate editors be appointed to assist in gathering suit-
able material.

The president gave the gist of some correspondence which had
developed with a firm specializing in the publication of scientific
periodicals and which had made a tentative proposition for taking
over The Bulletin. A letter was read from Vice-President Ober-
holser favoring its acceptance. Inasmuch as the contract made
necessary a considerable advance in dues and certain changes in
the established editorial policy, the matter was referred to the
Executive Committee, with instruction to report its recommenda-
tions at the afternoon session of the second day.

A committee on nomination of officers for the year 1921 was
appointed and instructed to report at the same time. Upon mo-
tion the Club voted its support to the movement to make a Na-
tional Park of the Sand Dunes of Lake Michigan along the Indiana
shore. A committee consisting of Messrs. Schantz and Coffin and
Miss Catherine Mitchell was instructed to draw up resolutions to
that effect.

After lunch hour on the second day, business was again taken
up. The committee on Indiana Sand Dunes presented their reso-
lution, which was accepted and passed.

Mr. Metcalf brought in, from The Bchological Society of
America, resolutions protesting the use of our National Parks for
water power or other commercial purposes. The Wilson Club
voted its support and ratification of the resolutions.

The committee on nomination of officers reported that their
recommendation was for the reelection of the present officers, viz.,
R. M. Strong, President; H. C. Oberholser, Vice-President; Albert
F. Ganier, Secretary; George 'L. Fordyce, Treasurer.

A committee of three was called upon to report on the
matter of publication. They reported a unanimity of opinion that
the official organ be enlarged to at least 48 pages, but there was

48 THE WILSON BULLETIN— March, 1921

divergence of opinion as to how the means should be secured. It
was brought out by Dr. Swenk that a raise in dues would make
necessary a revision or abrogation of the contract with the Ne-
braska Ornithologist's Union. After considerable discussion, Mr.
Ganier moved that the dues be raised to two dollars for Associate
and three dollars for Active members. Dr. Jones amended, that
the subscription be raised to two dollars. The question of the
legality of such action at this time was raised, and the point be-
ing sustained, it was agreed to defer action until the next annual
meeting, at which time the whole matter of the increase of mem-
bership dues, subscription price of the oflftcial organ, and the pub-
lication procedure of the official organ will be up for action.

It was later voted to advance the subscription price of The
Wilson Bulletin to non-members to $1.50.

The Committee asked for an extension of time in which to
study the proposal from the publishing concern relative to taking
over the management of The Bulletin. The request was granted
and they were instructed to make a definite recommendation at
the next meeting.

A committee of Ways and Means, consisting of Messrs. Swenk,
Stephens and Bales was appointed by the president to canvas the
membership to lay before them in detail the financial needs of
The Club and to receive funds for enlarging The Bulletin. The
Secretary volunteered to organize two competing membership
teams to increase the membership. A vote of thanks was extended
to the Chicago Ornithological Club, through its committee chair-
man, Mr. Coffin, for the many courtesies shown the Wilson Club
during its meeting.

The literary and social features of the Chicago meetings were
particularly successful. A registration of members showed 32
present and nearly as many visitors. Quite a number of those
present had come from a considerable distance and the interchange
of experiences tlius afforded was most profitable to all. A well
selected list of papers was read at the meeting and illustrations
were well above the average. The subject of the President's ad-
dress was " The Problem of Soaring Flight," in which Dr. Strong
gave the result of his observations during the past few summers
on the Great Lakes, and with particular reference to the flight
movements of gulls and terns. Several reels of motion pictures
were secured from the National Association of Audubon Societies,
and were much appreciated.

A motion was made by Dr. Jones, and passed, thanking Mr. T.
Gilbert Pearson for the loan of the motion picture reels.

The evening meeting was a feature, affording as it did oppor-
tunity for informalities and the making of new acquaintances. A
number of paintings, by Mr. Carl Plath, w^ere on exhibition, as

Annual Meeting 49

well as one of the Duck Hawk from the brush of Mr. George M.
Suttou, and loaned by the owner. The evening was concluded with
Mr. Richardson's collection of slides, at which time over 250 ac-
curately tinted and splendidly taken views of birds and wild flow-
ers were thrown on the screen.

When the hour of adjournment arrived, at the close of the sec-
ond day, those who had attended expressed themselves as well re-
paid for their time and not a little loath to wait a year for a repe-
tition of the pleasure.

The complete program was as follows:

Monday, December 27
9:30 A. M. — Conference of Officers.

Business Meeting of the Club.

The New Standard Catalog for Oological Exchange,

B. R. Bales, Circleville, O.
Ornithological Pot-Pourri — Members.
President's Address.
12:30 P. M.— Buffet Luncheon, Men's Cafe, University of Chicago
Campus.
2:00 P. M. — Bird Banding; Purpose, Methods and Results.

(Slides)— S. Prentiss Baldwin, Cleveland, 0.
Bird Banding in the Douglas Lake Region of North-
ern Michigan.

(Slides) — Dayton Stoner, Iowa City, Iowa.
Observations Made on Auto Trips Through the Far
West, Lynds Jones, Oberlin, O.

Bird Notes from Eastern Florida, (Slides),

Gerard Alan Abbott, Gallipolis, 0.
Breeding Warblers About Atlanta, Ga.,

Wm. H. La Prade, Atlanta, Ga.
Monday Evening
6:30 P. M.— Annual Dinner at the City Club, Plymouth Place,

near Van Buren St.
8:30 P. M. — Birds and Seasons in the Chicago Area.

(Slides) — Wm. D. Richardson, Chicago, 111.
Tuesday Morning, December 28
9:00 A. M. — Impressions of a Nature Lover in the Appalachian
Mountains, (Slides),

O. M. Schantz, Cicero, 111.
June Bird Notes from the Great Smoky Mountains
of Tennessee,

Albert F. Ganier, Nashville, Tenn.
Changes in Bird Habitat and Other Notes,

C. W. G. Eifrig, Oak Park, 111.
The Great Horned Owl,

Herbert L. Stoddard, Milwaukee, Wis.

50 THE WILSON BU LLETIN— March, 1921

2:00 P. M. — Reports of Committees and Conclusion of Businesa.
Songs and Call Notes of Warblers,

George R. Mayfield, Nashville, Tenn.

Symposium of Bird Notes from the Nebraska Region,

Myron H. Swenk, Lincoln, Neb.

Notes on Birds of the Cape Fear Regitm of the North

Carolina Coast, (Slides),

Z. P. Metcalf, West Raleigh, N .C.
Seabird Colonies Along the Texas Gulf Coast.

Motion Pictures taken by Wm. H. Finley, for the
National Audubon Societies.
Adjournment.

CORRESPONDENCE

Comments on Migration Records of Eastern Kansis Birds. —
In the Wilson Bulletin of December, 1920, Mr. P. B. Peabody,
Blue Rapids, Kan., seeks more light on the migration records for
Kansas birds; critically reviewing the list published at the Uni-
versity of Kansas, Department of Zoology. Being entirely unac-
quainted with the parties who have of late years worked over these
records in the University I have no disposition to defend them
beyond my personal knowledge of the facts. I happen to know,
however, that the first records had their foundation in work done
many years ago and that they are the result of cumulative pains-
taking observation and effort.

I had the following experiences at the Port Leavenworth Mili-
tary Reservation and vicinity, as may be gathered from my article
in the September number of the Wilson Bulleton. The Whlp-
poorwill (Antrostomus vocifcrus vociferits) is extremely abundant,
and I have flushed them several times in broad daylight almost
from under my feet. As to the Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla) It
was common in pairs that were always found in the same locality
and no doubt nesting, my observations extending up to June 30.

As to the Summer Tanager (Piranga ruhra rubra) it was not
extremely rare. My original record for Kansas of a summer resi-
dent pair of Louisiana Tanagers (Piranga ludoviciana) I fear will
knock some bird men off the Christmas tree, and may merit the
criticism: "This is absurd, enough." However, this pair was seen
several times at close range and in good light. There is no other
bird to my knowledge which could be mistaken for it even with
field observation alone.

I do not believe that the birds care particularly about our
records on Ornithology and they often migrate beyond our lawful
ranges for them. It is possible, of course, to be mistaken in field
observations, but as to observations that were made under proper

Review of Literature 51

conditions and on species that are generally identified with ease
on sight the observer's findings should not be condemned because
the experiences of others have not precisely fallen into the same
category.

I hope that this comment will give some benefit in bird study
for the Kansas records, and I believe that these criticisms are
very much worth while in stimulating interest in the development
of records and helpful in perfecting them.

David C. Hilton.

REVIEW OF LITERATURE

What Bird is That? A Pocket Museum of the Land Birds of
the Eastern United States Arranged According to Season. By
Frank M. Chaprhan, Curator of Birds in the American Museum of
Natural History and Editor of " Bird-Lore." With 301 Birds in
color by Edmund J. Sawyer. D. Appleton and Company. New
York. London. 1920.

In this little book of 144 text pages, and six pages of discus-
sion of " Birds and Seasons," and the 301 colored figures of birds,
which are arranged on eight full page plates, Mr. Chapman has
put within reach of all a handy little volume which should be the
companion of every lover of birds who is not sufficiently familiar
with the common land birds to feel confident of their identity at
sight. One great merit of the colored figures is that all are drawn
to scale on each separate plate. Many of the colored figures are
admirably done as to pose, proportions and color. A very few
would, of course, be of little use for purposes of either field or
laboratory identification, partly because they have no distinctive
features, notably the small flycatchers and some of the sparrows.
We cannot but exclaim over the mechanical accuracy which is
shown in the color plates. One of them contains fifty-five figures,
and yet not one of them is blurred in the copy at hand. The book
is small enough and light enough to be easily carried as a field
companion. It is fully up to the high standard of excellence of
Mr. Chapman's various writings.

A Distributional List of the Birds of Montana. With notes on
the migration and nesting of the better known species. By Aretas
A. Saunders. Pacific Coast Avifauna No. 14. Cooper Ornitholog-
ical Club.

In this list there are 337 species treated, including one extinct
and four introduced species, but not counting 13 treated as hypo-
thetical. The book begins with a discussion of the distributional
areas of Montana, with accompanying map. This discussion is

52 THE WILSON BULLETIN— March, 1920

accompanied by seven half-tone reproductions of phott>graphs illus-
trative of typical landscape features. The text contains 27 half-
tone reproductions of eggs and birds from photographs made in
the field. There are ten pages of bibliography, and a full index
of the species which are treated. The text is concerned with the
occurrence, migration and nesting of the species. The only sug-
gestion which the reviewer would offer is that clarity would have
been enhanced if mention were made of the distributional area in
which each species occurs in addition to giving the political di-
vision. In a state of the size and diversified topography of Montana
it is not easy for the person who is unacquainted with its counties
and cities to trace out the places- in which the species under
discussion occurs when only political divisions are mentioned. We
have seen no distributional list which is superior to this one, and
few its equal.

MEMBERSHIP ROLL OF THE WILSON
ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB

HONORARY MEMBERS

Ballard, H. H., Pittsfleld, Mass.

Nehrling, H., Gotha, Fla.

Ridgway, Prof. R., U. S. Nat. Museum, Washington, D. C.

Widmann, 0., 5105 Enright Ave., St. Louis, Mo.

SUSTAINING MEMBERS
Bales, Dr. B. R., Circleville, Ohio.
Bacon, Brasher C, Madisonville, Ky.
Barnes, Hon. R. M., Lacon, 111.
Bent, Arthur C, Taunton, Mass.

Bums, James Randolph, 645 44th St. Des Moines, Iowa.
Cannon, Gabriel, 140 Otis Blvd., Spartanburg, S. C.
Coffin, Percival Brooks, Room 624-39 S. LaSalle St., Chicago, 111.
Dawson, Prof. Ralph W., 1105 N. 33d St., Lincoln, Neb.
Fordyce, George L., 40 Lincoln Ave., Youngstown, Ohio.
Ganier, Albert F., 2507 Ashwood Ave., Nashville, Tenn.
Goodrich, Mrs. Calvin, 306 Virginia Park, Detroit, Mich.
Gray, D. R., Rockdale, Maury Co., Tenn.
Jones, S. Paul, 207 Washington St., Madison, Wis.
Lyon, W. L., 432 7th St., Moline, 111.
Lyon, William I., 124 Washington St., Waukegan, 111.
Mershon, Wm. B., Saginaw, Mich.

Metcalf, Zeno, P., A. and M. College, West Raleigh, N. C.
Mills, Wier R., Pierson, Iowa.

Morgan, Samuel M., 1301 Ashland Block, Chicago, 111.
Norris, Roy C, 725 North 10th St., Richmond, Ind.
Saunders, Wm. E., 352 Clarence St., London, Ontario, Canada.
Stevens, Dr. J. F., Box 1546 Lincoln, Neb.
Thayer, Hon. John E., Box 98 Lancaster, Mass.
Whitney, Thomas H., Atlantic, Iowa.

ACTIVE MEMBERS
Abbott, Cyrill, 24 S. Liberty St., Elgin, 111.
Abbott, Gerard Alan, 810 Mayo Bldg., Tulsa, Okla.
Abel, \rthur R., 1301 Newton Ave.. Sioux City, Iowa.
Ainsworth, Mrs. A. A., Daytona Beach, Fla.
Anderson, A. J., 410 4th St., Sioux City, Iowa.
Ankeney, Miss Helen, R. F. D. No. 10, Xenia, Ohio.
Armstrong, Edw. E., 207 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, 111.

54 THE WILSON BULLETIN— March, 1921

Bailey, Mrs. Florence M., 1834 Kalorama Road, Washington, D. C.

Bailey, Mrs. Mary, 2109 Nebraska St., Sioux City, Iowa.

Bailey, H. B., Box 112, Newport News, Va.

Bailey, Harold H., P. 0. Box 5, Miami Beach, Fla.

Baird, Robert L., 279 Oak St., Oberlin, Ohio.

Bartch, D. Paul, U. S. Nat. Mus., Washington, D. C.

Barrows, Prof. W. B., East Lansing, Mich.

Beardsley, R. W., N. Wood St., Loudonville, Ohio.

Bennett, Walter W, Laurel, Neb.

Bishop, Dr. Louis B., 356 Orange St., New Haven, Conn.

Blain, Dr. Alex. W., Jr., 727 Jefferson Ave., Detroit, Mich.

Botsford, Elmer F., Plattsburg, N. Y.

Bradbury, W. C, 1440 Race St., Denver, Colo.

Brandt, H. W., 2025 E. 88th St., Cleveland, Ohio.

Bruen, Frank, 69 Prospect St., Bristol, Conn.

Burns, Frank L., Berwyn, Pa.

Burtch, Verdi, Branchport, N. Y.

Butler, Amos W., State House, Indianapolis, Ind.

Cahn, A. R., Agricultural College, College Station, Texas.
Carter, Prof. Charles, Parsons College, Fairfield, Iowa.
Chambers, W. Lee, Eagle Rock, Los Angeles Co., Calif.
Chapman, Frank M., Am. Mus. Nat. History, New York, N. Y.
Childs, John Lewis, Floral Park, N. Y.
Coffin, Mrs. Lucy Baxter, 3282 Ellis Ave., Chicago, 111.
Coryell, Sherman, 1500 Hood Ave., Chicago, 111.
Crosby, Maunsell S., Grasmere, Rhinebeck, N. Y.

Dawson, Rev. W. Leon, R. F. D. No. 3, Santa Barbara, Calif.

Deane, Ruthven, 1222 N. State St., Chicago, 111.

Deane, Walter, 29 Brewster St., Cambridge, Mass.

Dickey, Donald R., San Rafael Heights, Pasadena, Calif.

Durfee, Owen, Box 125, Fall River, Mass.

Dustman, Geo. A., R. P. D. No. 2, Youngstown, Ohio.

Dwight, Dr. Jonathan, 43 W. 70th St., New York, N. Y.

Eastman, F. B., Major 344 Inf., Camp Grant, 111.

Eifrig, Prof. C. W. G., Concordia College, Oak Park, 111.

Elliot. Sarah J., Union Hospital, Terre Haute, Ind,

Erickson, W. J., 2311 Barnard St., Savannah, Ga.

Evans, Frank C, Care F. C. Evans Co., Crawfordsville, Ind.

Fisher, Dr. G. Clyde, Am. Mus. Nat. History, New York, N. Y.

Fleming, J. H., 267 Rusholme Road, Toronto, Canada.

Floyd, Joseph L., 508 New Harter Bank Bldg., Canton, Ohio.

Ford, Edward R., 4741 Beacon St., Chicago, 111.

Fuertes, Louis Agassiz, Cornell Heights, Ithaca, N. Y.

Gabrielson, Ira N., 515 Post Office Bldg., Portland, Ore.

Membership List 55

Gault, Benj. T., 2313 Washington Blvd., Chicago, III.

Gill, Geoffrey. Box 457, Sea Cliff, Long Island. N. Y.

Goetlitz. Walter A., 11 Carthage Rd., Rochester. N. Y.

Grinnell, Dr. Joseph, Museum Vertebrate Zoology, Berkeley. Calif.

Green, Horace O., 114 North Ave., Wakefield, Mass.

Green, Lonzo S., Freeport, Ohio.

Guild, B. L., Conrad, Iowa.

Guthrie, Mrs. Tracy W., Beaver Road, Edgewater, Sewickley, Pa.

Guyon, Geo. Seth, Napoleonville, La.

Hammer, Harold, Seabring, Fla.

Hankinson. Thos. L., N. Y. College of Forestry, Syracuse, N. Y.

Harris, Harry, 18 W. 52nd St., Kansas City, Mo.

Hathaway, Harry S., Box 1466, Providence, R. I.

Hayward, W. J., 2919 Jackson St., Sioux City, Iowa.

Healy, L. E., Red Lake Falls, Minn.

Henderson, Hon. Junius, Boulder, Colo.

Henninger, Rev. W. F., New Bremen, Ohio.

Herrick, F. H., Western Reserve Univ., Cleveland, Ohio.

Himmel, Prof. W. J., Radcliffe, Iowa.

Hine, Prof. James S., Ohio State Univ., Columbus, Ohio.

Hix, George E., 100 W. 91st St., New York, N. Y.

Hollister, Ned, Nat. Zoological Park, Washington, D. C.

Hood, Miss Adah, 1002 Ninth St., Sioux City, Iowa.

Hopkins, Dr. A. W., M.D., 47 McGovern Ave., Ashtabula, Ohio.

Howland, R. H., Upper Montclair, N. J.

Howser, W. D.. State Game Warden, Nashville, Tenn.

Hunt, Chreswell J., 5847 West Superior St., Chicago, 111.

Huntington, H. G., Onawa, Iowa.

Irving, Frank N., 1115 Forest Ave., Kansas City, Mo.

Jacobs, J. Warren, Waynesburg, Pa.

Jackson, Dr. H. H. T., National Museum, Washington, D. C.

Jaques, Harry E., Mt. Pleasant, Iowa.

Jessee, Dr. R. L., Philo, 111.

Johns, Erwin W., Carleton College, Northfield, Minn.

Jones, Lynds, Spear Laboratory, Oberlin, Ohio.

Kahmann, K. W., 2513-15 Lincoln Ave., Chicago, 111.
Kenworthy, E. M., 1202 Delaware Ave., Wilmington, Del.
Kirn, Albert J., Solomon, Kans.

Knickerbocker, C. K., 1214 McCormick Bldg., Chicago, 111.
Kretzmann, Prof. P. E., 3705 Texas Ave., St. Louis, Mo.
Kuser. John Dryden. Faircourt, Bernardsville, N. J.

Ladd, Harry S., 4354 McPherson Ave., St. Louis, Mo.
Laubenfels, Max de, 108 South 5th Ave., LaGrange, 111.
Laughlin, Miss Emma E., 127 Walnut St., Barnesville, Ohio.

56 THE WILSON BULLETIN— March, 1921

Lawson, Ralph, 88 Washington Square, Wakefield, Mass.
Lewy, Dr. Alfred, 6016 Stony Island Ave., Chicago, 111.
McAtee, Waldo Lee, Biological Survey, Washington, D. C.

Marshall, Mrs. F. W., 3405 Garretson Ave., Sioux City, Iowa.

McConnell, Harry B., Cadiz, Ohio.

McGregor, Richard C, Bureau of Science, Manila, P. I.

Martin, De Loach, Marshall, Texas.

Metcalf, Franklin P., U. S. Biological Survey, Washington, D. C.

Miller, Richard F., 2069 E. Tioga St., Philadelphia, Pa.

Mitchell, Catherine Adams, Riverside, 111.

Mitchell, Dr. Walton I., Paonia, Delta Co., Colo.

Monk, Harry Cravi^ford, Avoca Apts., Nashville, Tenn.

Morris, C. H., McConnelsville, Ohio.

Morse, Harry G., Huron, Ohio.

Morton, William C, Jr., 214 S. Main St., Madisonville, Ky.

Moseley, Edward L., State Normal School, Bowling Green, Ohio.

Norris, Joseph Parker, Jr., 2122 Pine St., Philadelphia, Pa.

Norris,, Roy C, 725 N. 10th St., Richmond, Ind.

Northrup, Miss Elizabeth, 124 Willis Ave., Youngstown, Ohio.

Oberholser, Harry C, 2805 18th St., N. W., Washington, D. C.

Ohlendorf, Dr. W. C, 320 Stewart Ave., Park Ridge, 111.

Omer, Richard V., R. F. D. No. 3, Madisonville, Ky.

Orr, Ellison, Waukon, Iowa.

Osgood, Dr. Wilfred H., Field Mus. Nat. Hist., Chicago, 111.

Over, William H., 720 E. Clark St., Vermillion, S. Dak.

Pennington, Leigh H., N. Y. State Col. of Forestry. Syracuse, N. Y.

Pennock, C. J., Kennett Square, Pa.

Phelps, Frank M., 212 East 4th St., Elyria, Ohio.

Praeger, W. E., 421 Douglass Ave., Kalamazoo, Mich.

Prill, Dr. A. C. Scio, Ore.

Ramsden, Chas. T., Apartado 146, Guantanamo, Cuba.
Rathburn, S. F., 304 Marion Bldg., Seattle, Wash.
Read, Alex., 123 E. Maiden St., Washington, Pa.
Read, A. C, Santa Barbara, Isles of Pines, Cuba.
Richardson, Wm. D., 4215 Prairie Ave., Chicago, 111.
Richmond, Chas. W., 1929 Park Road, Washington, D. C.
Riley, Joseph H., U. S. Nat. Museum, Washington, D. C.
Roads, Miss Katie M., 463 Vine St., Hillsboro, Ohio.
Roberts, Dr. Thos. S., Animal Biol. Bldg., Univ. of Minn., Minne-
apolis, Minn.
Rogers, Chas. H., Care Nassau Inn, Princeton, N. J.
Rogers, Wallace, 742 Highland Ave., Atlanta, Ga.
Rush, Mrs. Edward F., 50 Ferry Ave., East. Detroit, Mich.

Sage, John H., Portland, Conn.

Membership List 57

Sanborn, Colin Campbell, Box 97, Rutherford, N. J.
Sarver, Rex, Sidney, Ohio.

Schantz, Orpheus M., 5215 West 24th St., Cicero, 111.
Schantz, Mrs. O. M., 5215 West 24th St., Cicero, 111.
Shearer, Dr. Amon R., Mont Belview, Chambers Co., Texas.
Sheldon, Miss S. G. F., 704 Brady St., Davenport, Iowa.
Sherman, Miss Althea R., National, via McGregor, Iowa.
Skinner, Dr. H. H., 234 Mitchell Bldg., North Yakima, Wash.
Smith, Elbert E., Bdgewood, R. F. D., Bristol, Conn.
Smith, Prof. Frank M., 1005 W. California Ave., Urbana, 111.
Smith, Jesse Lowe, 141 S. 2d St., Highland Park, 111.
Stephens, T. C, Morningside College, Sioux City, Iowa.
Stoddard, Herbert L., Public Museum, Milwaukee, Wis.
Stoner, Dayton, 603 Summit St., Iowa City, Iowa.
Strong, Dr. R. M., 706 S. Lincoln St., Chicago, IlL
Strong, William Abner, 41 Grand Ave., San Jose, Calif.
Sutton, George M., Carnegie Museum, Pittsburgh, Pa
Swales, Bradshaw H., U. S. Nat. Museum, Washington, D. C.
Swenk, Prof. Myron H., 1410 North 37th St., Lincoln, Neb.
Swope, Eugene, College Hill, Cincinnati, Ohio.

Taverner, P. A., Victoria Museum, Ottawa, Canada.

Travis, Miss Florence G., 15606 Clifton Blvd., Lakewood, Ohio.

Taylor, Miss Beryl, 1744 D Ave., Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Taylor, Mrs. H. J., 1711 Douglas St., Sioux City, Iowa.

Taylor, Warner, 219 Clifford Ave., Madison, Wis.

Terrill, Lewis MacL, 44 Stanley Ave., St. Lambert, Quebec, Canada.

Tinker, A. D., 519 Oswego St., Ann Arbor, Mich.

Todd, W. E. Clyde, Carnegie Museum, Pittsburgh, Pa.

Townsend, Rev. Manley B., 188 County St., Attleboro, Mass.

Truesdale, Fred, Paso Robles, Calif.

Tyler, Dr. Winsor M., 522 Massachusetts Ave., Lexington, Mass.

Wallace, Chas. R., 69 Columbus Ave., Delaware, Ohio.

Wallace, James S., No. 12 Wellington St., E. Toronto, Canada.

Walter, Dr. Herbert E., Brown University, Providence, R. I.

Warren, Edward R., 1511 Wood Ave., Colorado Springs, Colo.

Weatherill, Charlotte, 255 Villa St., Elgin, 111.

Weeks, Dr. Leroy Titus, Emmetsburg, Iowa.

West, H. J., Perry, Ohio.

Wetmore, Alex., U. S. Biological Survey, Washington, D. C.

Wharram, S. V., Austinburg, Ohio.

Wheelock, Mrs. Irene G., 1040 Hinman Ave., Evanston, HI.

Wheeler, Rev. Harry Edgar, Conway, Ark.

Wilson, Burtis H., 105 Lincoln St., Joliet, 111.

Woodruff, Frank M., Acad, of Sciences, Lincoln Park, Chicago, 111.

Wright, Albert Hazen, 113 E. Upland Road, Ithaca, N. Y.

Young, John P., 1730 Massachusetts Ave., Washington, D. C.

58 THE WILSON BULLETIN— March, 1921

ASSOCIATE MEMBERS

Adams, Benj., 155 Amity St., Brooklyn, N. Y.

Adams, Mrs. Jolin, Bay Shore, Long Island. N. Y.

Aiken, Miss Beula E., Carroll, Iowa.

Alexander, E. Gordon, 1603 South St., Lexington, Mo.

Allerton, Mrs. Agnes, Lake Geneva, Wis.

Allen, Prof. Arthur A., Ithaca, N. Y.

Allen, A. F., 2224 Pearl St., Sioux City, Iowa.

Andrews, Henry E., Portage, Wis.

Ankeny, Miss Helen, R. F. D. No. 10, Xenia, Ohio.

Arthur, Stanley Clisby, 1109 Henry Clay Ave., New Orleans, La.

Bailey, Alfred M., La. State Museum, New Orleans, La.

Baldwin, S. Prentiss, Williamson Bldg., Cleveland, Ohio.

Baxter, Maria, 44 So. 18th St., Richmond, Ind.

Bennett, Rev. George, Iowa City, Iowa.

Bergtold, Dr. W. H., 1159 Race St., Denver, Colo.

Berlin, Mrs. D., Wimbledon, N. Dak.

Blincoe, Ben. J., Bardstown, Ky.

Bolt, Benj., 1421 Prospect Ave., Kansas City, Mo.

Bond, Harry L., Lakefield, Minn.

Bowen, Norman C, Broadwater, Northampton Co., Va.

Braislin, Dr. Wm. C, 425 Clinton Ave., Brooklyn, N. Y.

Brown, Horad Clark, Geneva, 111.

Brunn, Chas. A., 314 Reliance Bldg., Kansas City, Mo.

Buchner, Mrs. E. M., 3637 Fullerton Ave., Chicago, 111.

Buck, Henry R., 60 Prospect St., Hartfod, Conn.

Bull, Daniel Bernard, Box 158, Route A, San Jose, Calif.

Burgess, F. E., Cushing, Iowa.

Burleigh, Thos. D., 825 North Negley Ave., Pittsburgh, Pa.

Burnett, Miss Bertha, 1201 E. 3rd St., Mishawaka, Ind.

Burrill, A. C, Drawer J, U. S. Ent. Sta., Forest Grove, Ore.

Burton, Rev. Wm. W., Alliance, Ohio.

Caldwell, Mrs. W. J., Rives, Tenn.

Carhart, Miss B., 306 Central Ave., Whiting, Ind.

Chamberlain, C. W., 36 Lincoln St., Boston, Mass.

Chesterman, Miss Ethel, 1706 George St., Sioux City, Iowa.

Clark, Mrs. Ella G., 922 N 3rd St., Burlington, Iowa.

Coale, Henry K., Highland Park, 111.

Compton, James S., Care Eureka Coll., Eureka, 111.

Cook, Orange, Chardon, Ohio.

Coulter, Stanley G., Purdue Univ., Lafayette, Ind.

Craigmile. Miss Mary Agnes, Rantoul, 111.

Crawford, Otis 0., 150 Pinckney St., Circleville, Ohio.

Crooks, Miss Minna, 408 No. Walnut St., Lansing, Mich.

Cumings, Miss Mary, 105 Washington St., Painesville, Ohio.

Membership List 59

Curtis, Harold, Towaco, N. J.

Daniels, Edw. S., 3869a Connecticut Ave., St. Louis, Mo.

Danforth, Stuart, 115 North Sixth Ave., New Brunswick, N. J.

Banner, Mrs. Mary S., 1646 Cleveland Ave., N. W., Canton, Ohio.

Davidson, Mrs. F. S., 1302 W., So. Grand Ave., Springfield, III.

Davis, Mrs. Frank V., 2096 Inka Ave., Columbus, Ohio.

Dent, Paul, 6034 Suburban Ave., St. Louis, Mo.

DeLury, Ralph E., Dominion Observatory, Ottawa, Canada.

Devine, J. L., 310-35 No. Dearborn St., Chicago, 111.

Dill, Prof. Homer R., Room 10 New Sci. Bldg., Iowa City, Iowa.

Dille, Fred M., Valentine, Neb.

Dinsmore, E. Howe, Reedsburg, Wis.

Dobson, Dr. N., 407 F. L. & T. Bldg., Sioux City, Iowa.

Dodson, Joseph H., Kankakee, 111.

Doolittle, E. A., Box 444, Painesville, Ohio.

Donnagho, Walter, R. F. D. No. 8, Parkersburg, W. Va.

Doyle, H. B., R. F. D., Poland, Ohio.

Duncan, Mrs. Sanford, 207 Union St., Nashville, Tenn.

Eadie, Guy Livingstone, Berwyn, Pa.

Ekblaw, George E., R. F. D. No. 3, Rantoul, 111.

Ekblaw, W. Elmer, 713 W. Washington Blvd., Urbana, 111.

Ekdahl, Conrad H., 124 N. Stone Ave., LaGrange, 111.

Elliot, Miss Sarah J., Union Hospital, Terry Haute, Ind.

Evans, Wm. B., 205 E. Central Ave., Moorestown, N. J.

Ewers, A. F., 3411 Pestalozzi Ave., St. Louis, Mo.

Fay, Judge Frank S.. P. O. Box 263, Meriden, Conn.
Fenton, Carroll Lane, Walker Museum, Univ. of Chicago, Chi-
cago, 111.
Fisher, Miss E. W., 2222 Spruce St., Philadelphia, Pa.
Ford, F. E., Charlon, Ohio.

Ford, Miss Louise P., Barnwell Ave., Aiken, S. C.
Foft, Samuel F., Waukee, Iowa.

Forbush, Edward H., Room 136, State House, Boston, Mass.
Fortner, Harry C, Univ. of Tennessee, Nashville, Tenn.
Friedrich, G., 3029 Belmont Ave., Chicago, 111.
Funkhouser, W. D., Univ. of Kentucky, Lexington, Ky.

Giehm, Helen, Missouri Valley, Iowa.

Gifford, Paul C, 73 Whittier Ave., Olneyville, R. I.

Gingerich, Mrs. L. 0., Springfield, S. Dak.

Ginther, H. J., 8303 Brookline Ave., Cleveland, Ohio.

Grant, W. W., 600 Castle St., Geneva, N, Y.

Greer, Theodore R., Fox River Acad., Sheridan, 111.

Griffee, Willet E., R. F. D. 3, Box 68, Corvallis, Ore.

Griffin, Bertram S., 22 Currier Ave., Haverhill, Mass.

Groenwoud, Jennie K., 1339 E. 47th St., Chicago, 111.

60 THE WILSON BULLETIN— March, 1921

Gunthrop, Horace, Care Univ. of Washington, Seattle, Wash.

Hadeler, E. W., Painesville, Ohio.

Hamilton, Dr. B. A., Highland Park, 111.

Hanna, Miss Margaret M., 1020 W. Wayne St., Fort Wayne, Ind.

Harlan, Edgar R., Hist. Dept. of Iowa, Des Moines, Iowa.

Harlow, Richard C, Penn. State College, State College, Pa.

Harrison, H. M., 503 Linden St., Camden, N. J.

Hart, W. D., 134 Carondelet St., New Orleans, La.

Hayden, F. J., Nokomis, Manatee County, Fla.

Hempel, Kathleen M., Box 147, Elkader, Iowa.

Hennessey, Frank C, 457 Albert St., Ottawa, Canada.

Herrick, G. F., 118 Spring St., Youngstown, Ohio.

Holland, H. M., Box 515, Galesburg, 111.

Honywill, A. W., Jr., 211 Ridgefield St., Hartford, Conn.

Houghton, Clarence, 353 Washington Ave., Albany, N. Y.

Huey, Lawrence M., Care Frank Stephens, Nat. Hist. Mus., San

Diego, Calif.
Hughes, Mrs. C. B., 716 Rockhill St., Fort Wayne, Ind.
Hulsberg, E. F., 340 S. Catherine Ave., LaGrange, 111.

Jackson, Ralph W., R. D. No. 1, Cambridge, Maryland.
Jenney, C. F., Court House, Boston, Mass.

Johnson Frank Edgar, 16 Amackassin Terrace, Yonkers, N. Y.
Johnson, H. H., Runnymede Farm, Pittsfield, Me.

Kavanagh, Mrs. J. M., 212 South Kerrington Ave., LaGrange, 111.

Kelly, George B., Newton, Iowa.

Kennard, Fred H., Newton Centre, Mass.

Knapp, Mrs. Nell Davis, 105 Fowler Ave., West Lafayette, Ind.

Kohler, Louis S., 47 Wagner Place, Hawthorne, N. J.

La Prade, William H., Jr., 619 Forsyth Bldg., Atlanta, Ga.

Langevin, M.D.V., Elmer, 325 S. Broadway, Crookston, Minn.

Larrabee, Prof. A. P., Yankton College, Yankton, S. Dak.

Law, J. Eugene, 833 1/^ S. Catalina St., Los Angeles Calif.

Laws, Wayne, Norton, Kansas.

Leopold, Nathan J., 4574 Greenwood Ave., Chicago, 111.

Lightner, D. H., Citizens Trust and Savings Bank, Aberdeen, S.

Dak.
Lincoln, Frederick C, Colorado Museum Nat. Hist. Denver, Colo.
Link, Henry A., Waterloo, Ind.

Little, Luther, Calif. Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, Calif.
Lobdell, Richard N., Agricultural College, Miss
Lorrilliere, Paul, Rolling Road, Relay, Md.
Love, Guy, R. F. D. No. 5, Oberlin, Kans.

McBride, John F., 340 South Ritter St., Indianapolis, Ind.
McConnell, Thos., 151 Center St., Emsworth, Pa.

Membership List 61

McMilien, Wheeler, Ada, Ohio.

McNish, Edward L., P. 0. Box 480. Nashville, Tenn.

McNeil, Dr. Chas. A., Ill West 4th St., Sedalia, Mo.

Magee, Michael J., 603 South St., Sault Ste. Marie, Mich.

Mahood, Miss Etta, R. D. No. 1, Rapid City, Mich.

Malin, Mrs. Joda, Wylusing, Wis.

Mallory, W. B., Lennox, S. Dak.

Maltby, Fred, 1412 8th Ave., Seattle, Wish.

Mayfield, Dr. Geo. R., care Vanderbilt Univ., Nashville, Tenn.

Mayfield, Mrs. Geo. R., 1020 Third Ave. S., Nashville, Tenn.

Merritt, Miss Maude, Ottumwa, Iowa.

Miller, Mrs. Frank J., 1222 E. 56th St., Chicago, 111.

Millre, H. C, 1126 Barr St., Fort Wayne, Ind.

Moen, H. R. Onawa, Iowa.

Neff, Johnson A., Marionville, Mo.
Neff, Johnson, Marionville, Mo.

Nfewcomh, C. A., Jr., Newcomb Endicott Co., Woodward Ave., De-
troit, Mich.
IVewton, Thos. D., 5624 Prairie Ave., Chicago, 111.
Nice, Mrs. Margaret M., Norman, Okla.

Palmer, T. S., 1939 Biltmore St., Washington, D. C.

Peabody, Rev. P. B., Blue Rapids, Kans.

Pellett, Frank C, Hamilton, 111.

Pellew, Miss Marion J., 1637 Massachusetts Ave., Washington, D. C.

Philip, P. B., St. Paul Bldg., 220 Broadway, New York, N. Y.

Piepenbrok, Rev. E. A., 113 West Pine St., Albion, Mich.

Pierce, Fred N., Winthrop, Iowa.

Plath, Karl, 2847 Giddings St., Ravenswood Sta., Chicago, 111.

Potter, Julian K., Sixth and Bailey Sts., Camden, N. J.

Price, Arthur E., Grant Park, 111.

Pullen, Henry, Victoria, B. C, Canada.

Rader, S. G., Ashville. Ohio.

Raymond, Mrs. C. E., 21 Third St., Hinsdale, III.

Reed, Miss M. Isabelle, 348 Wilson Ave., Columbus, Ohio.

Rich., Dr. Guy C, 1820 El Cerrito Place, Hollywood, Calif.

Rich, Waldo L., 15 Rock St., Saratoga Springs, N. Y.

Riis, Paul B., 301 Shaw St., Rockford, 111.

Ross, Miss Julia E., 921 Jennings St., Sioux City, Iowa.

Rowe, Paul, Glenwood, Iowa,

Ryder, Mrs. R. 0., 1041 Franklin Ave., Columbus, Ohio.

Schantz, F. A., 43 Schneider Ave., Kitchener, Ontario, Canada.
Scholte, Robt. P., Pella, Iowa.

Schwab, Dr. Em, 2732 Woodburn Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio.
Schwartz, Max D., 1813 Lafayette Ave., St. Louis, Mo

62 THE WILSON BULLETIN — March, 1921

Scott, Mrs. R. T., 603 North Seventh St., Cambridge, Ohio.

Shafer, J. J., li. F. D. No. 2, Port Byron, 111.

Shankland, F. N., Willoughby, Ohio.

Shupee, George C, Box 964, San Antonio, Texas.

Sihler, P. Wm., 518 State Blvd., Fort Wayne, Ind.

Silliman, O. P., 220 Salinas St., Salinas, Calif.

Silloway, P. M., 404 Fredonia Ave., Peoria, 111.

Simonds, Miss Susie L., Hartland, Wis.

Sleichert, Ernest K., Mathias Point, Va.

Smith, Arthur F., Little Rock, Iowa.

Smith, Napier, 46 Cote des Neiges Road, Apt. 21, Montreal, Can.

Snyder, Will Ed'win, 226 Front St., Beaver Dam, Wis.

Sparks, Miss Marion, 1207 West Oregon St., Urbana, 111.

Spiker, Chas. J., New Hampton, Iowa.

Spurrell, John A., R. D. No. 1, Wall Lake, Iowa.

Steele, Henry B., Jr., 4530 Drexel Blvd., Chicago, 111.

Stevens, Dr. J. F., Box 1546, Lincoln, Neb.

Stockbridge, Chas. A., 2323 Webster St., Fort Wayne, Ind.

Stone, Miss Lucy B., 533 Franklin Ave., Columbus, Ohio.

Stoner, Emerson A., Box 444, Benicia, Calif.

Strode, Dr. W. S., Lewiston, 111.

Stuart, F. A., Marshall, Mich.

Swarth, Harry S., Mus. Vert, Zool., Berkeley, Calif.

Swift, Dr. C. H., 5632 Maryland Ave., Hyde Park, Sta., Chicago, 111.

Taylor, L., McDermott, Ohio.

Test, Dr. F. C, 4620 Greenwood Ave., Chicago, 111.

Thomas, W. S., 316 Frick Bldg., Pittsburgh, Pa.

Townsend, C. W., 76 Marlborough St., Boston, Mass.

Tripp, N., Forest. Ontario, Canada.

Turner, Neeley, Neosho, Mo.

Vaughn, Dr. Harry S., Hillsboro Road, Nashville, Tenn.
Vesey, W. G., 120 High St., Painesville, Ohio.
Visher, S. S., 416 South Dunn St., Bloomington, Ind.

Wagner, Millard Van, R. F. D., Saltpoint, N. Y.

Wake, William, New Tazewell, Tenn.

Warner, Willis H., Box 434, Youngstown, Ohio.

Warthin, Aldred Scott, Jr., 1020 Ferdoii Road. Ann Arbor, Mich.

Webb, A. C, 215 Cleveland St., Nashville, Tenn.

West, Chas. Slade, Marianna, Fla.

Wheeler, Earl A., East Randolph, N. Y.

Wheeler, Mearl B., R. F. D. No. 2. Randolph, N. ^.

Whitehead. Mrs. Nellie Shaver, 1816 N. Alabama St., Indianapolis.

Ind.
Whitney, Alvin G., 260 Buckingham Ave., Syracuse, N. Y.
Willard, Oscar T., Jr., 1444 E. 34th St., Chicago, 111.

Membership List

63

Williams, Noel J., Arnolds Park, Iowa.

Wilson, Gordon, 1434 Chestnut St., Bowling Green, Ky.

Wilson, R. A., 1507 McGavock St., Nashville, Tenn.

Winslow, A. M., Mech. Eng. Dept., Univ. of Washington, Seattle,

Wash.
Wolfe, Lieut L. R., 64th Infantry, Camp Meade, Md.
Wolle, William C, Box 53, M. S. Station, Sioux City, Iowa.
Wood, A. A., Coldstream, Ontario.
Wright, Miss Harriet H., 1637 Gratiot Ave., Saginaw, W. S., Mich.

DECEASED
Andrews, Calista
Bailey, B. H.
Barnes, W. E.
Beers, Henry
Bendire, Maj. Charles E.
Benners, Archie
Betts, Norman De Witt
Blain, Merrill W.
Brewster, William
Clark, John W.
Chipperfield, Paul C.
Cocke, Dr. Wells W.
Daggett, Frank S.
Eddy, Newell A.
Ferry, John Farwell
Farquar, Arthur
Field, Irving A.
Flanagan, John H.
Holmes, La Rue Klingle.

MEMBERS

Holmes, Fred W.
Jewell, Susan G.
Judd, Spencer
King, Rev. J. W.
Knight, Ora Willis
McKechnie, Frederick B
Marble, Charles C.
Newbury, F. C.
Peck, H. E.
Purdie, Henry A.
Reinecke, Ottomar
Roper, Kenyon
Sammons, B. C.
Sand, Isabella L.
Trowbridge, Chas.
Wilson, Sidney S.
Wood, J. Claire
Wright, Horace W.

Corrections or changes in these lists should be promptly re-
ported to the Secretary.

64 THE WILSON BULLETIN— March, 1921

MEMBERS OF NEBRASKA ORNITHOLOGISTS' UNION

Mrs. W. F. Baxter, 123 S. 37th Ave., Omaha, Nebraska.

Rev. J. M. Bates, Red Cloud, Nebraska.

Mr. Cyrus A. Black, Kearney, Nebraska.

Mrs. George Blinco, Sec'y Chadron Audubon Society, Chadron, Neb.

Mr. A. M. Brooking, Inland, Nebraska.

Mr. H. F. Bruner, Kola, Nebraska.

Mrs. Lily Ruegg Button, 616 W. 8th St., Fremont, Nebraska.

Mr. Ralph W. Dawson, 1105 N. 33rd St., Lincoln, Nebraska.

Miss Estelle Ducker, County Supt. Schools, Red Cloud, Nebraska.

Miss Blanche Garten, 1213 H St., Lincoln, Nebraska.

Mr. LeRoy M. Gates, Chadron, Nebraska.

Mr. Frederick Haecker, 603 South 26th St., Lincoln, Nebraska.

Dr. H. Hapeman, Minden, Nebraska.

Mrs. Mona C. Hapeman, Minden, Nebraska.

Dr. David C. Hilton, 2832 0 St., Lincoln, Nebraska.

Mrs. H. F. Hole, Public Library, Fairbury, Nebraska.

Mr. L. O. Horsky, Mailing Division, P. O., Omaha, Nebraska.

Mrs. Lulu Kortz Hudson, Simeon, Nebraska.

Mrs. H. C. Johnson, Superior, Nebraska.

Miss Jessie M. Kellogg, Red Cloud, Nebraska.

Mr. Walter G. Landers, Norfolk, Nebraska.

Mrs. G. A. Loveland, 1130 S. 20th St., Lincoln, Nebraska.

Dr. H. B. Lowry. 843 So. 10th St., Lincoln, Nebraska.

Mr. Charles S. Ludlow, Box 137, R. R. No. 4, Red Cloud, Nebraska,

Mrs. Charles W. McCaskill, 1802 P. St., University Place, Nebraska.

Mrs. A. E. McCrystal, 609 S. 14th St., Lincoln, Nebraska.

Miss Jeanette McDonald, 313 S. 27th St., Lincoln, Nebraska.

Mrs. L. H. McKillip, Seward, Nebraska.

Mr. Clarence E. Mickel, Colorado Springs. Colo.

Mr. Edwin Overing, Red Cloud, Nebraska.

Mrs. George H. Payne, W. Dodge St., Omaha, Nebraska.

Mr. Ben Pegg, Red Cloud, Nebraska.

Miss Elizabeth Rooney, 2802 Dodge St., Omaha, Nebraska.

Mr. J. C. Schlater, Oshkosh, Nebraska.

Mr. L. Sessions, Norfolk, Nebraska.

Mrs. A. E. Sheldon, 1319 S. 23rd St., Lincoln. Nebraska.

Miss Caroline Stringer, 2803 Poppleton Ave., Omaha, Nebraska.

Miss Anne Stuart, 1906 D St., Lincoln, Nebraska.

Prof. M. H. Swenk, 1410 North 37th St., Lincoln, Nebraska.

Miss Edith Tobitt, Omaha Public Library, Omaha, Nebraska.

Prof. Wilson Tout, Supt. of Schools, North Platte, Nebraska.

Mr. Lucius H. Watson, Post Office, Lincoln, Nebraska.

Mr. Ewald Witt, Box 3, R. R. No. 1, Scribner, Nebraska.

Mrs. Jennie Woodworth, Ayr, Nebraska.

MIGRANT SHRIKE AT NEST

THE WILSON BULLETIN

A QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF ORNITHOLOGY

VOL. XXXIII JUNE, 1921 NO. 2

OLD SERIES VOL. XXXIII. NEW SERIES VOL. XXVIII

MIGRANT SHRIKE
{Lanins ludovicmnus migratis)

BY IRA N. GABRIELSON

On the 21st of June, 1915, while poking about in a
natural hedge conipovsed of plum, hawthonie, and other like
trees, I happened to glance up just in time to see a Shrike
slipping off through the branches. A little investigation
soon disclosed a nest built of sticks, sections of morning
glorj^ vines, scraps of paper, and shreds of wool and lined
with small roots. Looking into the nest I discovered five
eggs. While this nest was too high in the air to photo-
graph successfully I determined to ftry moving it. On re-
turning July 5th I found five young ones 3 to 5 days old.
This suited me exactly as the feeding instinct seems to
be at its height during the first few days of the nestling
period. Consequently, I cut the branch on which the nest
was built and lowered it six feet. While many others
have used this method successfully, this was the first nest
which I was able to move without disturbing the birds. A
blind was erected, but the following morning it liad been
torn down by cattle. It was replaced and at 5 :00 p. ra.
was entered just long enough .to ,make sure that the old
birds were still caring for the young. On July 8 I entered
the blind at 11:00 a. m. and remained until 4:45 p. m.
watching these birds and taking photographs.

During the seven hours on July 6 and 8 while the nest
was under observation the nestlings were fed 39 times or
at the rate of 5i/^ times per hour. Large gr-asshoppers,
crickets, eater-pillars, larvte of various kinds of beetles, and
spiders made up the recognizable food materials. The

68 THE WILSON BULLETIN— June, 1921

parents foraged largely from a telephone wire jnst above
the nest. From this lookont they conld watch not on]y the
nest bnt also commanded a. view of a considerable area
of grassy hillside. Here they watched for the leathery
grasshoppers which freqnent the roadsides and when one
flew the shrikes were after it instantly. I liave freqnentlj'^
heard people comment on 1"he supposed unerring- accuracj^
with which insectivorous bii'ds capture their prey, but
here at least was one instance where such was not the
case. Fortunately my blind was so located that I could
see both pursuer and pursued and on this date the sJirikes
missed fully 50 per cent of the grasshoppers they attempted
to catch. From personal experience I know how discon-
certing it is to have a gaudy red or yellow winged grass-
hopper flying immediately before one and suddenly fold its
wings and disappear. Apparently it affected the shrikes
in the same manner as they flew aimlessly for a moment
and then returned to their perch. From my vantage
point, of course, it was easy to see the hopper drop beside
a clod, the colors blending perfectly. The shrike, however,
being in close pursuit saw a very conspicuous insect sud-
denly drop from its plane of vision and, as the grasshopper
was motionless on the ground before the shrike could turn,
it had everj'thing in its favor. The fact that one shrike
caught three out of six seemed to me to be striking proof
of keenness of vision and agility on the wing.

Once an English Sparrow came to the nest and peeped
in. Immediately one of the shrikes was after it. They
passed from sight around the blind but for several seconds
I could hear the rustle of the shrike's wings and the cries
of the sparrow. On similar occasions at nests of other
species I have seen the sparrows flee from the irate par-
ents but never with any such panic stricken fear as in
this case. There was no doubt that tlie sparrow had
recognized the deadly nature of tlie bird whose home he
had so rashly inspected.

On ordinary occasions the parents were yeiw quiet
about the nest although twice one of the birds, presumably
the female from the actions, uttered a loud harsh scream

Notes on the Habits of the Breeding Water Birds 69

just before feeding. Both birds utilized the top of the
blind as a j^erch at times and both had a sterot^ped path
of approach to the nest through the branches of the plum
tree. Sanitary measures were of the usual kind, the ex-
creta being carried some distance away and dropped while
the parents were yet flying.

These birds were an exceedingly interesting family and
I have wished to spend more time with them than was
possible in the circumstances under which I was working.

NOTES ON THE HABITS OF THE BREEDING

WATER BIRDS OF CHATHAM COUNTY,

GEORGIA

by w. j. erichsex, savannah, ga.

[continued from last issue]

Eydranassa tricolor ruficollis — Louisiana Heron.

Florida caerulea — Little Blue Heron.

As all of the notes which I have on the nesting of
these herons are based on observations made in a fresh
water pond on Ossabaw island, it seems not out of place
to consider tliem under one heading, as their nesting habits,
as I noted them, are essentially similar. During a visit to
Ossabaw island in May, 1915, I estimated the number of
pairs of Louisiana and Little Blue Herons nesting there to
be between two and three hundred, fully two-thirds of them
being the former s])ecies. Most of the nests were built in
willows, but I noted a few which were placed on the tops
of patches of broken down saw grass wherever they were
of a sufficiently dense growth to support the weight, and I
saw a dozen or more that were built upon the foundations
of old nests. Although many nests contained young, the
majority of them held from three to four eggs. The nest-
lings were in various stages of development; some just
hatched, while others were nearly old enough to leave the
nest. Occasionally one would fall into the water, and if it
had attained a sufficient age to have gained enough

70 THE WILSON BULLETIN— June, 1921

strength, would flounder about until it could secure a foot-
hold on one of the many willow stumps which protruded
from the water. Whether or not these unlucky youngsters
ever succeed in regaining their nests, or a less precarious
position, or are identified and fed by their parents until
old enough to fly, I am unable to state. It is certain that
the very young or weak nestlings which fall overboard are
drowned, or are caught by the huge Cotton-mouthed Moc-
casins which infest the pond. These reptiles also destroy
numbers of eg'gs of the herons.

Throughout the day numbers of these herons can be
seen winging their way from the pond to the marshes and
creeks at the north end of the island where they feed. They
also frequent the swamps in the vicinity of the rookery,
feeding upon frogs, crawfish and other animal matter which
abounds in such places. The communal instinct, so appar-
ent in their habit of breeding only in colonies, is much in
evidence when the birds are feeding, as at this time also
they are usually found in companies of from three to a
dozen individuals.

These gatherings are nearly always made up entirelj'
of one species; only occasionally will mixed companies
be found. Sometimes a solitary individual will be seen
patrolling the mud flats and the banks of creeks, but in my
experience such occurrences are rare. They are not at all
shy, either while feeding or when in the vicinity of their
nests. On several occasions while I was wading in the
pond individuals of both species alighted on the willows
above my head, some even retuniing to their nests. In
connection with their behavior at the nests it may be
noted, however, that while the presence of several persons
in the pond only slightly disturbed the birds, the acts of
breaking a stick within their hearing instantly caused
every one to rise into the air simultaneously.

My experience is that the eggs of the Louisiana Heron
cannot with certainty be distinguished from those of the
Little Blue species, or vice versa, when the two are nesting

Notes on the Habits of the Breeding Water Birds 71

in considerable numbers in close proximity. In measuring
a large number of eggs tliose of the former may average a
fraction of an incli larger, but both, of course, have the
identical tint of bluish green. The same difficulty of i<len-
tification applies to the eggs of the Snowy Egret, as has
been mentioned in the account of that species, and the
problem before the collector of the eggs of these three
hei'ons is one solved only by " watchful waiting."

If either of these herons winters it must be in exceed-
ingly small numbers, and these must be widely scattered
over the immense chain of heavily forested islands and
hammocks along the coast, for I have failed to detect
either of tliem in the county during the months of De-
cember, January and Februar3^ I know of no othei' lo-
cality h\ Chatham county where they breed, but it is
probable that small nundjers nest on some of the isolated
hammocks which abound on this coast.

Butoridcs virescens virescens — Green Heron.

While this heron is really abundant, the localities at
which it breeds are widely separated and most of them
are not easy of access. Although colonies are the rule, now
and then an isolated nest is found, and, while it prefers
localities where there is water, it is often found nesting
in dry woods. In a dense thicket of stunted water oaks
growing close to the margin of the salt marsh a short dis-
tance from the summer home of G. R. Rossignol on Wil-
mington island, large numbers of Green Herons annually
rear their young. On April 18, 1915, nearly ever\^ nest
here held its full complement of eggs. On May 30, 1915, in
a cluster of oaks growing in damp woods near the Herb
river and not far from a much travelled highway, I noted
a single nest, within arms reach, containing three eggs.
These are my earliest and latest dates respectively when
fresh eggs were noted. These birds breed in considerable
numbers on Sylvan's island on the Herb river some three
miles from the tow^n of Tunderbolt, placing their nests in
the extreme tops of tall ])ine saplings. Probably the most
populous colony in the county is near Lazaretto station, on

72 THE WILSON BULLETIN— June, 1921

Tybee island. Here the birds breed lin a jungle of oaks
difficult to penetrate. So numerous are they that every
available nesting site is occupied, many new nests being
built upon the foundations of old ones. In May, 1915, I
found a<few pairs breeding in company with several other
species of herons in a pond on Ossabaw island. This
species prefers oaks in which to place its nest, and as in
thLs pond, willows afford the only tree nesting sites, it
breeds there only in very small numbers. Furthermore, it
is apparently averse to breeding in any great numbers in
company of other species of herons. Its nest is a shabby
affair, being simply a few sticks loosely arranged in a cir-
cular manner. Nearly every one that I have examined
was without the least sign of a depression to prevent the
eggs from rolling out, and I cannot conceive by what mys-
terious force they are held, during high winds, in nests
built in exposed situations. On a number of occasions I
have been in rookeries during wind storms, but none of
the eggs which were left exposed due to my frightening the
birds from them, were blown out. The usual complement
is four, although sets of five are frequently laid. The color
is bluish green, and in size they average 1.40x1.10.

Young Green Herons become active at a sui*prisingly
early age and begin climbing out on the limbs near the
nest many days before they are able to fly. The parents
exhibit much anxiety when the young are disturbed, often
threatening to strike the intruder with their sharp bill.

This species is much given to frequenting the salt
marshes where an abundance of food is always to be ob-
tained. After it has satisfied its hunger, it resorts to near-
by thickets of trees, wher-e it remains concealed and quiet
for long periods. Its food is of mucli the same character
as that of other species of herons.

McQueen's island, between the city of Savannah an<l
Tybee island is a favorite feeding ground for large numbers
of these herons. This island is eight miles long, but
averages only about one mOe Avide, in some places
being but three hundred yards in width. It is al-
most wholly composed of salt marsh ; here and there

Notes on the Habits of the Breeding Water Birds 73

a clump of myrtle bushes or a cluster of stunted live
oaks breaks the monotony of this long stretch of boggy
waste. The Tybee division of the Central of Georgia rail-
road traverses the entire length of the island, and for sev-
eral miles on both sides of the track are to be seen the
" pool tables." These curious formations are several dis-
connected series or groups of shallow depressions in the
hard marsh. Each group consists of six to ten symmetrical
oblong " tables," each measuring about eiglit liy twelve feet
and varying in depth from six to eighteen inches. At each
high tide these tables are flooded, and hence are always
full of water. Each receding tide leaves stranded in these
depressions myriads of minnows and much otlier aquatic
animal matter of various kinds. To these ''tables" num-
bers of Green Herons resort at low tide to secure this
choice food.

With the advent of the first cool weather, which is
usually between the 5th and 15th of October, there begins
a pronounced southward migration which continues well
into November. I have noticed that on foggy or rainy
nights these flights are more noticeable, or perhaps it
should be said more audible, since the passing of the birds
would be unsuspected were it not for their loud squawks.
Their harsh notes can be heard throughout the night, the
more inclement the weather the noisier are the birds. A
few individuals winter, but during that season they are
widely scattered and therefore seldom detected.

Nycticorax nycticorax naevius —

Black-crowned Night Hekon.
This handsome heron must be included among the rare
breeding species. It nests in small numbers in the heron
colony on Ossabaw island, but nowhere else, as far as local
observers have been able to determine. The birds I found
breeding there in May, 1015, were very shy, and as it was
almost impossible to ])Ositively identify their eggs, due to
the great similarity between them and those of the Little
Blue and Louisiana Herons, little nesting data was se-
cured. 1 have not seen above ten or a dozen individuals of

74 THE WILSON BULLETIN— June, 1921

this species in Chatham county during the past ten years,
and am therefore unable to give any notes on its life
history.

Rallus eiegans — King Kail.

This species breeds locally in the county but I have
never found its nest. T. D. Perry has in his collection a
set of ten eggs which was collected by a boy on April 20,
1911, in a small reedy pond along the right of way of the
Atlantic Coast Line railroad near its junction with the
Ogeechee road. I saw no King Rails in the pond on Ossa-
baw island during my visit there in May, 1915, although a
more favorable nesting environment would be difficult to
find.

Fallus crepitans icai/ihei — Wayne's Clapper Rail.

Throughout the day the harsh cackling notes of this
rail can be heard evei'ywhere in the extensive areas of salt
marsh along this coast. It breeds in large numbers, and,
as the range of this form and true crrpittins overlaps in
winter, it] is also found abundantly at that season. It is
a marsh prowler to such a degree that, except of course
while in flight during migration, it never leaves the boggj'^
fastnesses, and, due to the diflSculty of observation, and
progress through its haunts, facts concerning its life history
are acquired only with the greatest difflcultA'. There is some
individual variation in degree of shyness, and also in nest-
ing habits. ]\[any birds that I have encountered during the
breeding season have exhibited a nmnner close to stupidity,
apparently becoming somewhat confused when discovered
upon the nest or even when suddenly come upon in the
marsh. In both cases, when the marshes are flooded, the
bird nearly always takes wing, rising awkwardly and ap-
parently with much effort, uttering two or three syllables
of its cackling note; but at low tide it never resorts to this
means of escape but always skulks away in the marsh
grass. I have only a few times observed it incubating —
in each instance, when the tide was out — and then se-
cured only fleeting glimpses; the bird dropping off the nest
and quickly gliding from view through the dense marsli.

Notes on the Habits of the Breeding Water Birds 75

The almost monotonous sameness of character of this
bird's haunts prohibits it any indulgence in variation in
selecting its nesting sites. Its bulky platform of water-
soaked and decaying marsh grass stems is always placed as
high above the mud as the height of the vegetation will
permit, but in spite of this, many eggs and young fall
victims to spring tides. Besides this menace, this bird has
other enemies to contend with. Fish Crows {Cfyrvus ossi-
fragus), Raccoons (Procyou lotor) and Minks (Mustela
visori lutensis) take heavy toll, and hundredsiare shot every
year by gunners for food. Mortality from all causes, how-
ever, does not thin the ranks of this marsh-dweller. In
fact I believe it is yearly becoming more abundant. Pro-
lificness, and the unchanging aspect of its haunts due to
the fact that they are untit for agricultural or other uses
and are therefore not being reduced in area, are the chief
factors in its increase, rendering its extinction unlikely.

The breeding season commences early in April and is
frequently prolonged through July if repeated mishaps to
the eggs liave occurred. Althougli I have examined many
nests of this rail I have never found one that contained
more than eleven eggs. Seven to ten seems to constitute
the usual complement, as far as my observations go, al-
though I have no doubtl that larger sets are frequently laid.
On April 18, 1915, in an area of short marsh grass on Cab-
bage island that is frequently flooded, I found seven eggs
which had been deposited simply on the soft mud, no evi-
dence of a nest being noted. Although the marsh had not
been flooded since the eggs were deposited, tlie latter were
cold and apparently deserted. No doubt the female was
compelled to lay before she had time to construct a nest.
The eggs of this bird exibit little variation in ground color
or the color and size of the spotting. The former is quite
constant, being a deep buff, while the markings are usually
^~ small, rounded and quite well defined; brown and lilac,
and generally scattered over the entire surface.

This bird is quite an item in the food supply of i)eople
living on the "salts," particularly negro fishermen. Num-
bers of the latter have assured me that tlie eggs also are

76 THE WILSON BULLETIN— June, 1921

very good eating. The negroes seldom, if ever, walk in
the marsh in search of the eggs, but paddle through the
creeks and secure what they can find in the marsh close to
the banks. Consequently the number taken is inconsider-
able as most of the birds build their nests some distance
from the rivers and creeks.

Much is yet to be learned of the behavior of this marsh-
dweller. Large areas of its marshy retreats are inaccess-
ible unless the observer is provided with some means of
progress through them that will eliminate bogging, as the
mud in those areas, which are flooded at high tide, is often
a foot or more deep and very soft and an invasion afoot
is usually impossible.

Gallinula galeata — Florida Gallinule.

I have secured very little data on tlie nesting habits of
this interesting species, and my knowle<lge of its distribu-
tion and abundance in the county is not extensive. It Avas
not until 1915 that it was* added to the list of breeding-
birds of Chatham county. In May of that year G. R. Ros-
signol, Frank N. Irving and the writer visited Ossabaw
island where a number of pairs were found breeding in a
fresh water pond. The data follows : Ma}^ 11, nest contain-
ing seven fresh eggs ; May 11, one nest containing eight
slightly incubated eggs, and one containing five fresh eggs.
On the latter date we also noted a nest containing one egg.
All of these nests were built a foot above T\ater, in tall reeds
and cat-tail flags, and were composed of dead and water-
soaked stalks and leaves of these plants. The first nest
was discovered by Mr. Irving soon after Ave luid entered The
pond. Four feet from this nest was a dense clump of tall
reeds, just within the edge of which I stood motionless for
an hour and a half, in water waist deep while a torrential
rain completed the drenching and added to my discom-
fiture; all in hopes of catching a glimpse of one of these
shy birds. Soon after I took my stand in the reeds 1
heard a gallinule utter its note and splash about in the
water a' few feet from the nest, but I was unable to catch
sight of it through the dense vegetation. Fully an hour

Notes on the Habits of the Breeding Water Birds 77

elapsed during which I heard or saw no gallinules in the
immediate vicinity of the nest which I had under observa-
tion. I was rapidly growing impatient, not through dimin-
ishing interest in the object which had caused me to re-
main motionless in the reeds for so long, but because of my
exceedingly uncomfortable position in the waist-deep water
and driving rainstorm.

I was on the point of deserting my post when a loud
splashing in the open water near the nest announced tlie
close approach of a gallinule, and a moment later I saAV
the bird climb up the runway of broken-down reeds to the
nest. It remained here onh^ a minute, liowever, diving into
the water and disappearing, having possibly caught siglit of
me. The gallinules in this pond apparently were restless,
continually moving hurriedly from place to place even when
undisturbed by us, and were very noisy. Their cackling
notes constantly utttered gave the impression that they were
abundant, but it is doubtful if more than six or eiglit pairs
were nesting in the pond. We occasionally caught sight of
one as it swam across an open space of water. If suddenly
encountered they would either dive or spatter swiftly
away along the surface of the w^ater, usually choosing the
latter method of escape.

The eggs that we collected present little variation, the
ground color being buffy, finely spotted with reddish brown.
They average l.TOx 1.20.

Many eggs and young of this species are, no doubt, de-
stroyed by Cotton-mouthed Moccasins, which abound in this
pond. These ebony denizens of this bird refuge are annually
increasing in numbers as they have few natural enemies
and are seldom molested by man, as the repellant nature of
this rush-grown pond is sufficient to dampen the ardor of
anyone but the most enthusiastic bird student. I secured
some interesting notes on the habits of these reptiles. On
land they are at all times lazy and sluggish, but are ex-
tremely active and wary when in the water, swimming with
ease and great rapidity. While wading in the pond I fre-
quently noted huge fellows coiled about some limb close

78 THE WILSON BULLETIN— June, 1921

to the surface of the water awaiting an opportunity to
make a meal of heron's eggs. At such times a close ap-
proach was impossible, as the reptiles would plunge into
the water below while I still was some distance away.

PhUoheln minor — Woodcock.

This fine bird is rare at all times in the immediate
vicinity of Savannah but probably occurs more numerously
in the less settled sections of the county. On February
8, 1017, , Mr. W. M. Kidwell of Savannah collected a fine
set of four fresh eggs near Pooler. This set is now in the
collection of T. I). Perry. These are the only eggs of this
species that have been taken in the county. On April 8,
1917, while in company with T. 1). I'erry, I flushed an
adult and four nearly grown young from a cover of tall
dried gTass interlaced with low bushes in a tract of wet
woods just east of Big Four Park. Although I saw the
exact spot where two of the birds alighted, I did not again
succeed in flushing them. The locality where I noted these
birds affords ideal nesting sites for this species, and tliere
is no doubt in my mind that this brood was hatched close
to the point where I noted it.

Catoptrophorus semipalmatus semipahnatus — Willet.

The Willet's haunts are sand banks and mud flats ad-
jacent to sounds and inlets, from which, during low tide,
when they are exposed, the birds glean an abundant supply
of food. This species breeds abundantly on most of the
small coastal islands and hammocks between Tybee and
Warsaw islands. Apparently it is absent from Ossabaw
island, for I noted none on the nortli end of that island
during a part of May, 1915. Its center of abundance on
the coast of Chatham county is the southern end of Cabbage
island, where numbers annually resort to breed. It nests
sparingly on Buck Hammock, Svhere I noticed a nest on
June 14, 1914, containing four eggs on the point of hatch-
ing. On July 4, 1915, I flushed an adult from a nest on
Cabbage - island containing four eggs which also were on
the point of hatching. This is my latest breeding record.
In 1917 I again visited Cabbage island, and on May 10

Notes on the Habits of the Breeding Water Birds 79

noted a dozen or more nests containing fonr eggs each, all
far advanced in incubation. This is the earliest date upon
which I have noted full complements of eggs.

The nesting environment of this species is the shell-
strewn and grassy areas well above high water mark. It
is essential that there be an abundance of vegetation as
protection for the eggs and young. The bare wind-swept
sandy areas are never used as nesting sites, as their aspect
is continually changing, due to the absence of vegetation
necessary to bind the saiul to prevent its shifting. When
placed among wild oats and other dense beach vegetation,
Willets' nests are exceedingly hard to find if the birds are
not incubating. The exact location of ninety percent of
the nests 1 have found was made known to me b^^ Hushing
the sitting bird. If the uninitiated bird student desires a
glimpse of their treasures he should never visit tlieir breed-
ing grounds before the sun is well up, as an early morning
hour will generall}^ prove to be an unfortunate and disap-
pointing choice of time. At this time the birds are feed-
ing, and therefore are absent from their nests. Willets,
of course, feed at other times of day, but it is only at a
very^ early hour that a concerted movement of the birds
toward their feeding grounds is observed. Oftentimes this
species makes no nest other than scooping out a shallow
depression in the sand to prevent the eggs from ' rolling.
On many occasions, however, I have found really elaborate
nests of soft fibrous grasses gathered from localities some
distance away. Quite frequently, too, I find eggs de-
posited in grassy spots in which situations the birds use the
growing grass for nest material, simpl.y bending it down
and arranging it in a circular manner. The usual comple-
ment of eggs is four, and provided tlie first laying is hatched
and the young successfully reared, the birds will not lay
again that season. It is usually necessary, however, for a
large percentage of the birds to lay two or three sets of
eggs before they are finally successful in raising a brood.
In addition to those that are collected by ornithologists
and others, numbers of eggs are destroyed by predatory
animals, and unusually high tides wash many away. Being

80 THE WILSON BULLETIN— June, 1921

rather handsome, and exhibiting considerable variation,
they are much in demand by oologists. The ground color
is usually olivaceous-drab, but often is brownish-olive and
sometimes light clay-color. The markings are numerous ;
generally heavy; sometimes evenly distributed over the
entire egg though generally thickest and largest at the
gi'eater end. The color of the markings is umber-brown
of varying shade. Besides this there are numerous [»aler
shell-spots. Average size of eggs, 2.00x1.50.

Willets apf)ear to be greatly concerned when their
breeding grounds are invaded. Whenever I visit Cabbage
island the landing is usually made at a point near the
north-western side, in order to avoid dangerous breakers.
Most of the Willets inhabiting the island breed close to
this point, and a moment after I set foot upon land the air
is filled with gyrating, vociferous birds. As long as a
person remains in the vicinity of their nests, the birds keep
up a continual outcry; circling back and forth overhead,
and often hovering on quivering wings. Frequently they
alight on some nearby mud flat or sand bank, and gather in
groups of three or four.

This species has noticeably decreased in numbers duritig
the past six years. It shows a very strong attachment to
a locality as long as favorable conditions exist there. How-
ever, incessant persecution will finally drive it to other
sections.

Ochthodromus irUsonius — Wilson^s Plovpir.

This dainty bird of the beaches breeds abundantly on
the coast islands. It is, however, absent from many lo-
calities which apparently are suitable. The breeding season
commences in May, my earliest record being May 13, 1015,
when T noted full complements of fresh eggs on Ossabaw
island. Its nesting environment is substantially the same
as that of the Willet, and the two are ordinarily found
breeding in close proximity. It is more abundant on Cab-
bage island than anywhere else in the county, although the
beach area suitable for nesting is of rather small extent.
It makes no nest other than scooping out a shallow hole in

Notes on the Habits of the Breeding Water Birds 81

the bare sand. Three eggs is the full conipleineut. The
ground color is pale buff; occasionally deep buff; several
specimens I have seen were nearly pure white. The mark-
ings are blackish or very dark brown, and are mere dots
and specks, but spread thickly and evenly over the egg.
Very rarely do they tend to congregate about the larger
end, or show a tendency to aggregate into splashes. The
average measurements are 1.45 x 1.05.

Although not wary in the sense that they cannot be
closely approached when absent from their nests, Wilson's
Plovers invariably leave their eggs while the intruder is
yet some distance away. As their eggs harmonize perfect-
ly with the sand and shells among which they are deposi-
ted, they are vei*}- difficult to discover. A method I pur-
sue, which I usually find successful if the air is still and
the sand not settled by rain, is to systematically follow the
birds' tracks which invariably leads me to their nests ; for,
according to my observations, the birds usually, when leav-
ing their eggs, run some distance before taking wing. They
exhibit much solicitude when their breeding grounds are
invaded, following the intruder for long distances and ut-
tering a sharp whistling note consisting of a single syllable.

The young are adepts at hiding among the grass and
shells, and it is difficult for the observer to locate them
even though knowing exactly where to look for them. They
are able to run about immediately after leaving the shell,
as the following occurrence will sliow : On May 31, 1017,
a novel and interesting incident occurred in connection
with my study of the nesting habits of this species. In
company Avith (}. R. Rossigiiol and T. D. Perry, I visited
Cabbage island, where Wilson's Plovers nest in some num-
bers. Mr. Perry, desirous of securing eggs of this species
and the Willet, had collected a few full sets of each, and
a single egg of the Wilson's Plover which he supposed was
addled. Returning in the late forenoon to the summer
home of Mr. Rossignol on Wilmington island where we
were staying, we deposited the collecting basket containing
the eggs in a room, and retired to the front porch of the
house. An interval of about two hours had elapsed when

82 THE WILSON BULLETIN— June, 1921

I heard a faint peeping sound enianatin<i from the room in
which we had left tlie collecting basket. Upon investiga-
tion, I discovered that the Wilson's Plover egg had hatched^
and the downy yonngster was actively running about the
room, seemingly much at home in its strange environment.
The specimen, preserved in alcohol, is now in Mr. Rossig-
nol's collection,

Haematopiis paUiatus — Oyster-catcher.

Although this fine bird nested abundantly on this coast
twenty or twenty-five years ago, as I am informed by T. D.
Perry, it is now soi rare that I have seen but two nests dur-
ing the past ten years. On May 10, 1915. Frank N. Irving,
in whose company I was, found a single egg deposited in a
depression on top of a wall of oyster shells on Raccoon
Key. On the IStli we returned to the Key, but discovered
that during our absence an unusually high tide had washed
the egg otf the wall. During an expedition to Cabbage
island on May 12, 1918, in quest of eggs of McGillivray'S^
Seaside Sparrow {Passerherbulus maritimns nicgiUivritii)^.
T. D. Perry and I located a set of three slightly in-
cubated eggs of the Oyster-catcher. Tliese eggs also
were deposited in a slight depression on top of a
bank of oyster shells which had been thrown up by
the surf. Where nesting sites of this character can be
found, this species always selects them. The eggs are
creamy white or pale butf, thickl}" spotted with very dark
brown. They measure 2.25 x 1.50. This species is very
uncommon and widely scattered in this county during the
breeding season, as well as during the winter months, and
I have had almost no opportunities to observe its habits.
The few individuals that I have encountered were excess-
ively shy, leaving tlie vicinity at my approach.

Bird Banding in Northern Michigan 83

BIRD BANDING IN NORTHERN MICHIGAN
DURING THE SEASON OF 1920

BY DAYTON STONER

Bird banding, as has many another phase of zoological
science, has had its inception in a rather sporadic and ill-
defined manner. And, like most things, it has undergone
a process of evolution during which time various modifica-
tions and vicissitudes have been encountered.

So far as the writer is aware Audubon was the first
person in America to attempt bird banding. He writes as
follows: " I attached light threads to their (young Phcebes
in the nest) legs; these they invariably removed, either
with their bills, or with the assistance of their parents.
I renewed them, however, until I found the little fellows
habituated to them ; and at last, when they were about to
leave the nest, I fixed a light silver thread to the leg of
«ach, loose enough not to hurt the part, but so fastened
that no exertion of theirs could remove it." The next
season, " Having caught several of the birds on the nest,
I had the pleasure of finding that two of them had the
little ring on the leg."*

Since the first attempts at bird banding, considerable
development and progress are to be noted, particularly
since 1908, when the first concentrated movement in this
work was undertaken by the New Haven Bird Club. Pre-
vious to this time some headway had been made in Europe
where banding was indulged in about 1899 and beginning
with 1902 a few individuals in the United States engaged
in this phase of ornithological endeavor in an effort to
throw some light on the travels of birds by means of at-
taching to them inscribed metal bauds.

It was soon found that the efforts of only a few persons
in so large a field would avail little and the matter having
been brought to the attention of the American Ornitholo-
gists' Union in November, 1908, it was considered with fa-

*Audubon, John James, American Ornithological Biography.
II, 1834, 126.

84 THE WILSON BULLETIN— June, 1921

vor and within approximately the next eight months 5,000
bands were issned of which about 1,000 were placed and
from which 30 return records were obtained by December,
1909.

A more definite organization now seemed advisable and
accordingly at a meeting of the American Oraithologists^
Union held in New York City jon December 8, 1909, the
American Bird Banding Association was formed. How-
ever, owing t'o various difficulties, little was accomplished
by this organization and late in 1911 the Linnaean Society
of New York offered to come to the rescue. A committee
of five was appointed to arouse interest and raise funds
both of which were done with gratifying results. Tn the
spring of 1912, 4,173 bands were distributed among forty-
four persons in widely separated parts of the country.
800 of the bands were placed on seventy-three species of
birds.

Since 1912 it again seems that the bird banding work
was continued only by an occasional enthusiast here and
there, but with the announcement of Mr. E. JW. Nelson,
Chief of the United States Biological Survey, in May, 1920,
that that organization would henceforth conduct this work,
banding has taken on a new lease of life. Under the di-
rection and guidance of the Biological Survey definite and
valuable results should soon be fortlicoming. In spite of
the numerous handicaps encountered by the Survey in tak-
ing over this work it has succeeded in interesting to date
about one hundred observers to whom approximately 5,000
bands have been issued.

Since the work of banding is encouraged among all
persons and organizations interested in birds it is desirable
that only a limited number of styles of bands be used in
order to avoid confusion and that the work of distribution
and recording of the bands and returns be done most ef-
fectively by this responsible central organization. Accord-
ingly the experience of earlier investigators has been drawn
upon and this more or less mechanical part of the work
has been elaborated and standardized and a system of
recording has been carefully worked out.

Bird Banding in Northern Michigan 85

The Biological Survey is now considering plans to se-
cure the permanent cooperation of Universities, Colleges
and Agricultural Colleges throughout the country in bird
banding and when these plans have -been developed more
carefully and a larger number of organizations and indi-
viduals have become interested in this effort the volume of
data and results should accumulate rapidly.

Up to this time two principal methods of securing birds
for banding have been followed. First, securing young
birds just before they are ready to leave the nest, and sec-
ond, taking adult birds by means of systematic trapping.
The latter method is a more recent development of the
work although it has been carried on with unusual success
by Baldwin in Ohio and Georgia and valuable results have
already been obtained without in any way injuring the
birds.

Bird banding is not to be construed as offering encour-
agement in the shooting or taking of birds for the express
purpose of recovering the bands but sooner or later many of
these banded birds will fall into human hands. Evei*y field
observer, collector and sportsman should be on the lookout
for banded birds and whenever one is found the number
or, better still, the band itself if the bird is dead, should
be forwarded to the United States Biological Survey,
Washington, D. C, along with any pertinent data concern-
ing the taking of the bird in order that the records may be
kept as complete and up to date as possible.
Procedure to he followed in handing hirds.

Any person or organization expecting to band birds
must first secure, through the offices of the United States
Biological Survey, a Federal permit authorizing the taking
of migrator-y birds for scientific banding purposes only.
The State Game Department concerned is then advised of
the granting of such permit and a State permit is issued.

Tlie proper permits having been secured, application
should then be made to the Biological Survey for an assort-
ment of bands of different sizes. In the writer's experi-
ence the sizes most commonly used are Nos. 1, 1 A, 2 and 4,
while occasionally a few of the large adjustable bands may

86 THE WILSON BULLETIN— June, 1921

be employed to advantage. These bands are of thin pressed
aluminum and each bears a number stamped in the metal.
This number is registered in the files of the Biological
Survey.

When the baud is about to be placed the smallest sized
band that will close around the tarsus of the bird without
binding or chafing should be selected. The band should not
hang loosely, since grasses, twigs or thorns might catch
beneath it and cause inconvenience or even death to the
bird, thereby frustrating the very thing for which the
banding- was done. It is often convenient to lap over the
ends of the band instead of haviug the ends meet. Where
this is done care should be taken to see that the edges of
the lap are smooth and that the band does not pinch or
bind. A pair of small round-nosed pliers or a pair of
heavy tweezers is the best instrument for manipulating
the bands.

Before placing the band the number that it bears should
be carefully noted (do not trust to memory for this) along
with the name of the species banded, tbe localitj'^ in detail,
date, approximate age of the bird, name of the person doing
the banding and any other remarks pertinent to the occas-
ion. These data should be transferred to a book or card
system maintained by the bander and in addition they must
be transferred to ia special sheet or schedule furnished by
the Biological Survey; this should be sent in about every
two to four weeks during the banding season.
Banding at the Michigan Biological station.

One of the most 'feasible means of securing birds for
banding is to detail the young birds, before they are ready
to leave the nest, as bearers of these aluminum legends.
Birds which are just hatched or which are only a few <lays
old should not be banded. In our ex})erience, we found it
much better to wait until the birds were fully fledged.
Although the tarsi of birds in this stage are more or less
fleshy, they do not become larger so that allowance need not
be made for increase in size.

This method of securing birds to be banded was pursued
by the writer at the University of Michigan Biological

Bird Banding in Northern Michigan 87

Station on Douglas Lake during July and a part of August,
1920, at which time he had charge of the work in Ornithol-
ogy at the Biological Station. The Douglas Lake region
offers many favorable habitants for nesting birds. Suit-
able nesting sites are present in great variety, food is
plentiful and the habitations of man are comparatively few.
However, it was surprising to discover the extraordinary
mortality among young birds due to what we may term
natural causes. In all probability our attention should
not have been called to this as well as to many other in-
teresting and instructive facts concerning young birds had
it not been for the intimate contact experienced while band-
ing these birds in the nest. For the students, the banding
seemed to lend added interest and zest to their bird study
work and they were the more easily encouraged to be on the
alert for something new and different. Additional oppor-
tunity was thus given for observation and study on be-
havior, nesting sites, nest materials, etc., all of which
afforded the student a wealth of first-hand knowledge as
well as created interest in the marking of the birds them-
selves.

As a result of our activities which extended over a
period of six weeks, a total of 115 birds belonging to 20
different species were banded. 106 of these represented
nestlings occupying 39 nests; eight others were young
birds which were captured after leaving the nest and the
additional one was an adult bird.

Following is the list of species banded along with the
number of individuals of each species.

Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis ma^ularia (Linn.)) — 4 jiivs.
Black-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzns erythropntJialmus (Wlls.)) — 3
juvs.

Belted Kingfisher (Ccrylc alcyon (Linn.)) — 6 juvs.
Northern Flicker {Cokiptcs miratus luteits Bangs) — 1 juv.
Whip-poor-will (Antrostomus v. vociferus (Wils.)) — 2 juvs.
Nighthawk (Chordeiles v. vlrginianus (Gmel.)) — 1 ad.
Kingbird (Tyronnits iyrannus (Linn.)) — 3 juvs.
Crow (Corvus b. brachyrhynchos Brehm.) — 2 juvs.
Cowbird (Molothrus a. ater (Bodd.)) — 3 juvs.
House Sparrow (Passer d. domesticus (Linn.)) — 4 juvs.

88 THE WILSON BULLETIN— June, 1921

Chipping Sparrow (SpiscUa p. passerina (Bech.)) — 12 juvs.
Slate-colored Jiinco (Junco h. hyemalis (Linn.)) — 9 juvs.
Song Sparrow (Melospiza m. melodia (Wils.)) — 11 juvs.
Cliff Swallow {Petrochclidon I. lunifrons (Say)) — 14 juvs.
Cedar Waxwing (Bombi/cilla cedrorum Vieill.) — 14 juvs.
Red-eyed Vireo (Vireosylva olivacea (Linn.)) — 4 juvs.
Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla (Linn.)) — 1 juv.
House Wren (Troglodytes a. aedon (Vieill.)) — 4 juvs.
Hermit Thrush (Hylocichla guttat-a pallasi (Cab.) — 6 juvs.
Robin (Plancsticus m. migrator'ms (Linn.)) — 11 juvs.

Reasons for banding birds.

It may now be proper to inquire what we may reason-
ably be expected to learn from the banding of birds. A
good deal has been written about this in one place and
another so that a brief resume is all that seems necessary
at this time. In the following paragraphs the writer has
attempted to set forth by a series of questions, followed in
some cases by answers, something of what has been learned
and what may ibe learned from the, as yet comparatively
meager, information which is now at hand.

1. Do birds return to the same nesting area for several
seasons?

An interesting record illustrating this point is given in
a recent number of Bird-Lore (XXII, No. 4, 1920, 219).
At Lake Forest, Illinois, on May 25, 1919, a male Hose-
breasted Grosbeak was banded (No. 49.^10) and then per-
mitted to escape. He mated and assisted in rearing a
brood of young during the summer. On May 2, 1920, No.
49510 returned to the same place and was again taken by
the individual who captured him the preceding summer..

Even with the limited data now at hand similar cases
might be cited with other species of birds.

2. Do birds return to the same area to winter year
after year?

Numerous instances of such retunis might be cited but
one of Baldwin's records will answer tlie question for at
least one White-throated Sparrow. This individual was
banded on February 27, 1915, at Thomasville, Georgia, No.
15053) and was taken in a trap the following March at the
same place. During the interim the bird had presumably

Bird Banding in Northern Michigan 89

spent the winter either in northern United States or in
Canada. With the banding of more birds the likelihood
will be greater of finding out just where in the north these
or other birds nest.

3. Do nesting birds use the same nest and have the
same mates season after season ?

4. Do birds wander far from their nests in search
of food?

5. Do certain birds rear a second brood in the same
nest or in the same region as the first brood?

6. Do young birds return to breed to the spot in which
they were reared?

No. 251, a half-fiedged Robin, was banded at Kingston,
Rhode Island,' August 4, 1908, and was recovered April 9,
1909, at the same place not more than 200 jards from the
orchard in which it was reared.

7. Do migrating birds stop off" at the same feeding
places eti route year after year?

8. Do certain individual birds come and go over the
same migration route?

Records of the movements of individual birds will give
valuable information concerning some of the general prob-
lems of migration. However, some means must be avaO-
able for positively identifying these 'ndividuals, a means
to be attained only by banding or otherwise marking in
some permanent manner.

9. What is the rate of travel (not flight) of certain
species of birds?

10. What is the rate of geographical extension of a
given species?

11. How long do birds live?

A young Common Tern was banded at St. Clair Flats
Canal, Michigan, August 13, 1909 (No. 4590). The bird
was recovered at Whitebread, Ontario, Canada, August 5,
1912.

A voung bluebird banded at West AUis, Wi^•<"onsin,

90 THE WILSON BULLETIN— June, 1921

July 5, 1909, was killed by a Shrike at Evansville, Illiuois,
April 1, 1912.

All these and a host of other interesting', inviting and
important questions yet remain to be answered more fully.
The opportunities are large; the workers are few; only a
bare beginning has been made.

In conclusion — the results already obtained from bird
banding have justified its practice; bnt the work should
not devolve upon a limited number of |)ersons. It should
be made the duty and the effort of many individuals and
organizations for it is only by carrying on the work in an
extensive way that large and valuable results can be ob-
tained. With the plan now headed by the United States
Biological Survey renewed energy and activity should
greet the efforts of this active and efficient branch of the
Federal Department of Agriculture.

The writer would take tliis final opportunity^ of em-
phasizing to the members of the Wilson Ornithological
Club the desirability of their cooperation in furthering the
work of bird banding and in seeing to it that every banded
bird which is secured shall have a "return" record sent to
the proper authorities.

COMPARATI^'E PERIODS OF ^'ESTL1NG LIFE
OF SOME NORTH AMERICAN NIDICOL.^

BY FRANK L. BURNS
[continued from LAST ISSL^e]

Again to show the fine detailed work of some of oar
observers, I have assembled a table exhibiting day by day
the increase in weight (in grams) of some nestlings taken
in 1906 by the late John F. Ferry, Lake Forest, 111. The
Cedar Waxwing study (Aug. 20-28) is incomplete, but the
development and length of nestling life of the Cowbird
(June 11-22), Yellow Warbler (June 21-July 2) and AVood
Thrush (June 11-22), exhibit a relatively slower growth,
considering size, than the Catbird (June lo-24) and the
Brown Thrasher (July 8-19).

Comparative Periods of Nestling Life

91

Ist

2nd

3rd

4th

5th

6th

7th

8th

9th

10th

11th

12th

Cowbird . .

7.7

23.3

24.9

311

28.0

♦*

Cedar Waxwing

2.2

3.0

4.5

8,0

7.7

«

3.0

40

6.5

13.5

12.5

15.5

13.0

»

4.0

54

8.0

17.0

15.0

20.0

*

3.1

4.9

8.0

17.0

15.5

19.0

16.0

«

YellowWarbler

7.8

8.0

8.3

8.5

•*

6.2

7.2

8.3

7.3

7.7

9.4

*«

Catbird . .

4.6

18.6

23.3

23.3

29.5

31-1

31.1

»♦

ave. 3 yg.

6.2

15.5

15.5

15.5

22.0

25.2

27.2

28.5

**

Brown Thrasher

3.1

75

9.0

12.0

17.5

21.2

25 5

40.5

51.5

47.5

49.5

*«

6.0

9.5

13.0

17.0

23.5

28.2

35.0

38.0

45.0

39.0

42.5

«4

8.2

8.5

11.0

15.5

22.0

27.5

34.0

»«

Wood Thrush

65

3.1

6.2

18.6

24.9

37.3

34.2

««

* Found dead. ** Departed.

There is probably no other incident in the life history of
our American birds in which our ornithologists are more
profoundly ignorant than that of the approximate duration
of nestling cycles. That of the Booby is said to be three
months or more, tliat of the Gannet five or six months and
of the Albatross ten months. Mr. A. C. Bead has returned
a nestling blank showing that the Ground Dove had com-
pleted a nestling cycle in 27 days. Mr. Charles H. Bogers,
in New Jersey, and the writer, in Pennsylvania, found
that of the Mourning Dove to be 30-32 days; a much shorter
period than that of the somewhat nidifugous Whip-poor-
will or Nighthawk, if one bases the completion of tlie cycle
at the flying age. Tlie Phoebe usually requires less than 40
days (Burns Ms., Vickers Ms.) and the Crested Flycatcher
51 days (McKeniion Ms.). Some of our Sparrows, Mock-
ers, and the Bobin have a cycle of 30-35 days (Mss. of
Burns, Ferry, Link, McKennon and Bedfield) being tsvo or
more weeks less than the Baltimore Oriole and I'uiple
Grackle. The House Wren and' Bluebird complete in about
35-45 days, while the Bewick's Wren and Chickadee re-
quire 52-53 days (Wiley Ms., Link Ms.). The Warblers
have a short cycle but as a rule are rather tardy nesters.

I regret that my material is altogether too scanty to
more than suggest a few simple conclusions on the nestling
life periods of our Nidicolse.

First. There seems to be a consistant increase in the
period of nestling development up to and including family
groups, to correspond with the increase in size of the parent
bird, and. this must be taken into consideration in making

92 THE WILSON BULLETIN— June, 1921

further comparisons. Considering size, the Hummingbird
group appears to exceed all other groups, botli in duration
of incubation and the length of time tlie young remain in
the nest : ai)proaching like periods of tlie much larger-
bodied and closely allied Swift.

Second. The normal nestling period of any species equals
or exceeds the period of embryological development; i.e.
when the period of incubation of a species is brief, the time
in which the young occupy the nest is correspondingly
brief and when the incubation of a species is of long dura-
tion the 3'oung are a long time helpless. Fright or rest-
lessness may drive some species prematurely from tlie nest,
especially ground or near ground nestling species like the
Pelican, Cormorant, Ibis, Bittern, Heron, Dove, Vulture,
Marsh Hawk, Short-eared Owl, Cuckoo, Horned Lark, Bob-
olink, Meadowlark, and many of the Sparrows, Warblers,
Mockers and Thi-uslies, but they seldom travel far from the
nest for some time.

Third. Young born naked, never acquiring natal down
(gymnopcedic, or psilopcedic) including the Parrots,
Cuckoos, Woodpeckers, Kingfishers, Hummingbirds and
Swifts, develop slower physically than most nidicolous
birds born with or acquiring a full or scanty clothing of
natal down ; though this is not so apparent in the Ameri-
can Cuckoos, since the early development of the feet of
these birds enables them to clamber about at an early age ;
an important qualification for the perservation of the
young of these large, bush-nesting birds. The European
Cuckoo, however, vacates the nest only a few days before
flight which occurs when about twenty-one days old {Gf.
Taylor, The strand Magazine, xli, pp. 652-656). It is
noteworthy tliat the nestlings of most other species liabitu-
ally breeding in situations affording extraordinary pro-
tection from natural enemies and the weather, or of species
nesting in less protected situations but capable of defend-
ing the young from any ordinary danger, have young that
are rather slow to depart from their nests and their de-
parture signifies the completion of their fledgling, as well
as nestling life. The impulse to vacate is not ordinarily

Comparative Periods of Nestling Life 93

quickened by forces without and is therefore largely de-
pendent upon maturity of fledgling life.

Fourth. Nothing seems more probable than that the
Nidicolae evolved from the Nidifugae, and that if the econ-
omj^ of nature denuinded it, all North American Nidifugte,
with the possible exception of the Anscres, Shore and Galli-
naceous birds would readily yield to nidicolous habits and
conditions.

An interesting writer (Cf. Finn, Bird BcJiavior Psy-
chical and PhtjsioJoijical) regards the Passive or Nestling
(Nidicola^) type as degenerate, and states that with the
exception of the Ospre3% which has variegated down, all
Nidicola? appear self-colored, usually black, white, grey or
buff, when they have down at all ; while the Active or
Chick ,Nidifug;iel type are generally characterized by the
more primitive striped, pied marked or spotted down.

The appended table of periods of nestling life was orig-
inally collated not only from my own notes and the manu-
script of my friends, but from the pages of our leading
American ornithological periodicals and many other
ornithological works, for my own personal use in connec-
tion with bird banding, and though neither remarkable for
the number of volumes searched or ideal for tlie purpose
of comparison, it will at least call attention to the need of
such data. Perhaps an ideal table would include the en-
tire Juvenal life from birth to the acquisition of equilibrium
or wing power.

ALCID^:

Tufted Puffin, remains in nest until fully feathered and able to
take care of itself (Bent quoting Emerson, Life Histories North
American Diving Birds, p. 85.)

Puffin, able to leave burrow in 4 or 5 weeks and follow parents
to sea (Bent, Life Hist. N. A. Diving Bds., 92.)

Homed Puffin, leave nest before able to fly (Bent quoting Tur-
ner, Ibid., 101.)

Rhinoceros Auklet, nearly full grown (Willett, Bird-Lore, xiv,
423); evidently estimated at about 30 days (Bent quoting Heath,
Life Hist. N. A. Diving Bds., 106.)

Cassin's Auklet, fully 21 days, until able to fly (Heath, Con-
dor, xvl, 34; Bent, Life Hist. N. A. Diving Bds., 113.)

94 THE WILSON BULLETIN— June, 1921

Crested Auklet, until able to fly, about the last of August or
later (Bent, lb., 122.)

Whiskered Auklet, until fully fledged (Bent quoting Stejneger,
lb., 125.)

Least Auklet, data seems to indicate 4 or 5 weeks (Bent, lb.,
180.)

Black Guillemot, about 25 days (Bent quoting Walker, lb.,
208); for a long time, until fully fledged or nearly so (Bent, lb.,
159.)

Mandt's Guillemot, develops slowly (Bent, lb., 164.)

Pigeon Guillemot, until fully fledged (Bent quoting Emerson,
lb., 170.)

Dovekie, the young begin hatching about the middle of July
and the first birds come off the nests about the middle of August
(Bent quoting Ekblaw, lb., 218.)

DIOMEDEID^:

Laysan Albatross, 6 months before flying (Fisher, Auk, xxi, 19.)

PORCELLARIID^:

Audubon's Shearwater, large downy young (Plath, Bird-Lore,

XV, 349.)

Storm Petrel, until fully fl^edged and able to fly (Macgilllvray,

History of British Birds, v, 468.)

Leach's Petrel, possibly 60 days or more (Knight, Journal

Maine Ornithological Society, ii, 5.)

Black Petrel, more than 14 days (Van Rossem, Condor, xvii, 77.)
Soccoro Petrel, same as Black Petrel (Van Rossem, lb.)
Fork-tailed Petrel, nearly full gi-own (Willett, Bd.-Lore, xiv,

423.)

PHAETHONTID^:

Yellow-billed Tropic Bird, about 60-62 days (Gross, Auk, xxix,
60; Plath, Wilson Bulletin, No. 95, 50.)

SULID^:

Booby, approximately 3 months from laying of egg to flight
of young (Chapman, Camps and Cruises of an Ornithologist, 217.)

Gannet, appears to remain in the nest for ten weeks, and after
that it stands on its ledge, or even on its old nest, for two or three
weeks more (Gurney Ms.)

ANHINGID^:

Anhinga, bom naked, will jump from the nest to the water,
dive and swim, at a very early age, not over three weeks, but often
stays in the nest or close by for eight or nine weeks, as near as
I have noted (Bayard Ms.)

PHALACROCORACID^:

Cormorant, apparently considerably over a month (Audubon,

Comparative Periods of Nestling Life 9£i

Ornithological Biographies); until more than half grown (Knight,
J. M. O. S., ii, 37.)

Double-crested Cormorant, long period (Palmer, Condor, xviii,
123); on July 9th the young wei-e in the egg or very small, none
were out of the nests; on July 23rd they were full grown and run-
ning after their parents to be fed. Within a day or so a few be-
gan trying their wings and descending to the water 2,00 or 300
feet below, but it was probably considerably later before they had
all flown, later than August 6th (Townsend Ms.)

Florida Cormorant, almost full grown (Phillips, Auk, xxvii,
314); until able to fly, about eight or nine weeks (Baynard Ms.)

Brandt's Cormorant, at least over 25 days (Loomis, Calif. Wa-
ter Birds, No. 1, 219.)

Pelagic Cormorant, nearly full grown (Willett, Bd-Lore, xiv,
428.)

PELECANID^:

American White Pelican, about 42 days before flight (Finley,
Condor, ix, 38); 14 days in nest (Skinner, lb., xix, 181.)

Brown Pelican, 10 weeks before flight (Chapman, Camps and
Cruises of an Ornithologist, 94.)

PLATALEID^:

Roseate Spoonbill, at least 30 days (Chapman, Bd.-Lore, xvi,
217.)

IBIDID^:

White Ibis, 14 days in nest and 42 days before flight (Baynard,
Bluebird, vii. 16.)

Glossy Ibis, same as White Ibis (Baynard, Wils. Bui., No. 84,
103.)

CICONIID^:

Wood Ibis, about 8 or 10 weeks before leaving nesting tree
(Baynard Ms.)

ARDEID^:

American Bittern, about 14 days (Chapman, Bd.-Lore, i, 149;
Tabor, lb., vii, 168; Rockwell, Condor, xiv, 119.)

Least Bittern, about 9 days (Potter, Cassinia, xx, 14) 7 days,
leaving nesting site in 13 days (lb., xxiii, 30.)

Great Blue Heron, about 35 days (Cameron, Auk, xxiii, 256;
Carriger and Pemberton, Condor, x, 81; Huey, lb., xvii, 59.)

Egret, 11 or 12 weeks before independent of parents (Baynard
Ms.)

Green Heron, about 14 days (Wheelock, Auk, xxiii, 432.)

Anthony's Green Heron, more than 15 days (Huey, Condor,
xviii, 59.)

Black-crowned Night Heron, about 20 days (Burns Ms.); less

96 THE WILSON BULLETIN— June, 1921

than 30 days (Vinal, Bd.-Lore, xix, 164); able to leave in 21 days,
stayed 35 days (Rockwell, Condor, xll, 118.)

COLUMBID^:

Band-tailed Pigeon, about 30 days (Bendire quoting Bryant,
Life Hist., I, 127.)

White-crowned Pigeon, approximately about 30 days (Bendire,
lb., 131.)

Passenger Pigeon, about 14 days (Deane quoting Whittaker,
Auk. xiii, 236.)

Mourning Dove, 10-12 days (Burns and Rogers Mss.; Gifford,
Condor, xi, 85, and Bird News, No. 2, 8.)

White-winged Dove, between 21 and 28 days (Wetmore, Condor,
xxii, 141.)

Ground Dove, 10 days (Read Ms.)

CATHARTID^:

California Vulture, over 6 months (Finley, Condor, xii, 5).
Turkey Vulture, about 6 weeks (Jackson, Bd.-Lore, v, 186.)
Black Vulture, flight in 14 weeks (Baynard, Bluebird, vii. 31.)

FALCONID^:

White-tailed Kite, about 30 days (Peyton, Condor, xvii, 230.)

Marsh Hawk, 33-34 days (Saunders, Condor, xv, 103; Peabody,
Bd.-Lore, ii, 49.)

Sharp-shinned Hawk, 22-24 days (Rust, Condor, xvi, 14); 32
days (Willard, Ool., 8, 63.)

Cooper's Hawk, 33 days (Burns Ms.)

American Goshawk, 60 days (Knight, Bds. Me., 225.)

Red-tailed Hawk, about 60 days (Seaton, Auk, ii, 22.)

Red-shouldered Hawk, 25 days (Hegner, Bd. Lore, viii, 151.)

Texas Red-shouldered Hawk, about 30 days (Willett, Auk,
xxxii, 323.)

Swainson's Hawk, 28-35 days (Wheelock, Bds. Calif., 153; Fin-
ley, Auk, XXX, 174; lb., pi. xiii); 28-35 days (Cameron, Auk,
xxviii, 174.)

Broad-winged Hawk, 41 days (Burns, Wils. Bui., No. 76-77, 268,
also lb.. No. 37, 90.)

American Rough-legged Hawk, about 42 days (Bendire, Life
Hist., I, 258.)

Ferruginous Rough-leg, about 54 days (Cameron, Auk, xxxl,
163.)

Golden Eagle, 60-68 days (Finley, Condor, viii, 1; Cameron,
Auk, xxii, 162, and xxv, 251); about 11 weeks (Macpherson, Home
Life of the Golden Eagle.)

Bald Eagle, more than 42 days (Hoxie, Auk, xxvii., 452; Bay-
nard, Wils. Bui., pi. between 122 and 123); about 65 days (Bailey,

Comparative Periods of Nestling Life 97

Bds. Va., 120); probably at least 90 days (Oberholser, U. S. Dept.
Agri. Biol. Survey, bul. 27, 9.)

Black Gyrfalcon, approx. over 60 days (Bendire quoting Tur-
ner, Life Hist, I, 187.)

Duck Hawk, 40-44 days (Allen and Knight, Bd.-Lore, xv, 6;
Dixon, Condor, x, 198; 41 days (Richards, Auk, xxxvi, 350.)

American Sparrovir Hawk, 27-29 days (Sherman, Auk, xxx, 417.)

PANDIONID^:

American Osprey, about 28 days (Chapman, Bd.-Lore, x. 155;
Wheelock, Bds. Calif., 165); 35-45 days (Howe, Auk, xii, 389;
Skinner, Condor, xix, 120); about 42 days (Chapman. Camps and
Cruises of an Ornithologist, 52.)

STRIGID^:

American Bam Owl, 56 days (Finley, Am. Bds., 81.)

BUBONID^:

American Long-eared Owl, about 28 days (Burns Ms.); about
35 days (Wheelock, Bds. Calif., 169.)

Short-eared Owl, 14 days, though only a few feet from the nest
for a month longer (Saunders, Condor, xiv, 120.)

Florida Barred Owl, about 42 days (Bendire quoting Ralph,
Life Hist. I, 342.)

Screech Owl, 30-32 days (Sherman, Auk, xxviii, 166.)
California Screech Owl, about 35 days (Bendire quoting Em-
erson, I, 342.)

Rocky Mountain Screech Owl, at least 30 days (Rockwell, Con-
dor, ix, 144.)

Great Horned Owl, 44-46 days (Keys, Condor, xiii, 1.)
Pacific Horned Owl, 49 days (Dixon, Condor, xvi, 53.)
Western Horned Owl, about 56 days (Cameron, Auk, xxiv, 268.)

PSITTACID^:

Carolina Paroquet, more than 45 days (Nowotny, Auk, xv, 31.)

CUCULID^:

Road-runner, less than 7 days, and in 30 days able to care for
itself (Sutton, Bd.-Lore, xiii, 58, and xv, 324.)

Yellow-billed Cuckoo, 7 days (Herrick, Jour. Exp. Zool., ix, 171;
Pop. Sci. Monthly, 77, 95; Burns Ms.): 9 days (Bayliss, Auk, xxxv,
162.)

California Cuckoo, less than 14 days (Jay, Condor, xiii, 69.)

Black-billed Cuckoo, 6-7 days, climbing until the 15th day
(Saunders, Bd.-Lore x, 205; Shuver, B.M.O.C, ii., 16; Herrick, Pop.
Sci. Monthly, 77, 128.)

ALCEDINID^:

Belted Kingfisher, 24-28 days (Baily, Bd.-Lore, ii, 77; Herrick,

98 THE WILSON BULLETIN— June, 1921

Pop. Sci. Monthly, 77, 133; Wheelock, Auk, xxii, 70; Finley, Am.
Eds., 146.)

PICID^:

Hairy Woodpecker, about 21 days (Bendire, Life Hist., 1, 49.)

Burns Ms.)

Harris's Woodpecker, 21-28 days (Wtieelock, Bds. Calif., 365.)
Cabanis's Woodpecker, nearly 28 days (Wheelock, lb., 367.)
Downy Woodpecker, at least 11 days (Burns Ms.)
Nuttairs Woodpecker, 21-28 days (Wheelock, Bds. Calif., 365.)
White-headed W^oodpecker, nearly 28 days (Wheelock, lb. 367.)
Arctic Three-toed Woodpecker, 28-35 days (Wheelock, lb., 369 )
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. more than 10 days (Bolles, Auk, Ix,

109.)

Red-breasted Sapsucker, 24 days (Wheelock, Bds. Calif., 464.)
Northern Pileated Woodpecker, evidently about 30 days (Car-

riger and Wells, Condor xxi, 155); nearly 42 days (Wheelock, Bds.

Calif., 373.)

Red-headed Woodpecker, about 35 days (Potter, Bd.-Loro, xiv,

216.)

California Woodpecker, about 20-21 days (Myers, Condor, xvii,

183); about 24 days (Wheelock, Bds. Calif., 378.)

Lewis's Woodpecker, about 21 days (Bendire. Life Hist., ii, 120) ;

21-28 days (Wheelock, Bds. Calif., 466.)

Flicker, 26-28 days (Sherman, Wils. Bui. 72-73, 133.)
Red-shafted Flicker, nearly 21 days (Wheelock, Bds. Calif., 190.)

MICROPODIDJE:

Chimney Swift, about 26-31 days, including time spent close by
nest (Bendire quoting Widmann, Life Hist., ii. 179; Honeywell,
Bd.-Lore, xi, 266; Knight, Bds. Me., 302; Burns Ms.)

White-throated Swift, about 21 days (Haima, Condor, xl, 89.)

TROCHILIDiE:

Blue-throated Hummingbird, 18 days (Brewster, Auk, vii, 206.)
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, 22 days (Metcalf, Ool., 28, 163;

Hitchcock, Bd-Lore, xix, 79); 28 days (Smith, Bird-Lore, xxii,

275.)

Costa's Hummingbird, 17 days (Wheelock, Bds. Calif., 422.)
Black-chinned Hummingbird, 16 days (Lacey, Auk, xxviii, 210.)
Anna's Hummingbird. 21 days ( Bowles, Colnor, xii, 127;

Bryan, lb., iv, 35; Wheelock, Bds. Calif., 424.)

CAPRIM.ULGIDyE:

Whip-poor-will, two or more days if undisturbed (Job, The
Sport of Bird Study, 108.)

Nighthawk. a few days (Job, lb., 110); able to fly in 18 days
(Herrick, Home Life of Wild Birds, 81.)

Comparative Periods of Nestling Life 99

TYRANNID^:

Kingbird, 18 days (Woldon, Bd.-Lore, viii, 122; Herriclt, Home

I,ife of Wild Birds, 28.)

Crested Flycatclier, 18-20 days (Knight, Eds. Me., 311; McKin-

non Ms.)

Ash-throated Flycatcher, 16 days (Wheelock, Eds. Calif., 326.)
Phoebe, 15-16 days (Knight, Eds. Me., 313; Vickers Ms.; Mor-

rell. J.M.O.S., iv, 32; Saunders, Condor, xvi, 131); 20 or 21 days

(Clise, Ed. -Lore, xx, 378.)

Say's Phoebe, 16-18 days (Saunders, Condor, xvi, 134.)

Black Phoebe, 16-18 days (Jewett, E.C.O.C, i, 13.)

Olive-sided Flycatcher, about 21 days (Bendire, Life Hist., ii,

285.)

Wood Pewee, 16-18 days (Bendire, lb., ii, 291; Knight, Eds. Me.,

317.)

Traill's Flycatcher, about 14 days (Bendire, Life Hist., ii, 309.)
Aide- Flycatcher, 13 days (Knight, Eds. Me., 320; Stanwood,

J.M.O.S., xii, 5.)

Least Flycatcher. 13-15 days (Knight, Eds. Me., 322; Herrick,

Bd.-Lore, iv, 80.)

Wright's Flycatcher, 14 days (Wheelock, Eds. Calif., 445.)
Vermillion Flycatcher, 16 days (Wheelock, lb., 470.)

ALUDID^:

Prairie Horned Lark, 7 days (Terrill, Wils. Eul., 100, 138;

about 10 days (Judd, Bd.-Lore, x, 129.)

Pallid Horned Lark, 9 days (Wheelock, Eds. Calif., 297.)
Dusky Horned Lark, 6 or 8 days (Kennedy, Condor, xv, 136.)
Streaked Horned Lark, 7-13 days, flying in 19 days (Merrill,

Auk, V. 260.)

(TO BE CONCLUDED IN NEXT ISSUE)

THE WILSON BULLETIN

Publiihed at Oberlin, Ohio, by the Wilson Ornithological Club.

Official Organ of the Wilson Ornithological Club and the Ncbraika Ornithological Un-
ion I jn affiliation I.

Price in the United States, Canada and Mexico, $1.50 a year, 50c a number, pott psid.
Price in all countries in the International Union, $2.00 a year, 60c a number. Subscriptioni
should be sent to Geo. L. Fordyce, Youngstown, Ohio.

The editor will be away from home from June 23 to September
15, but mail will be attended to during that time if addressed to
352 West College Street, Oberlin, Ohio. Requests relating to com-
pletion of your files or for back numbei'S ought to be deferred until
the return of the editor. Much of the information addressed to
the editor can as well be secured from the secretary, A. F. Ganier,
2507 Ashwood Avenue, Nashville, Tenn.

FIELD NOTES

TWO BACHMAN'S SPARROW'S NESTS NEAR BARDSTOWN,
KENTUCKY

Though Bachman's Sparrow {Pcuccea (vstivalis hachmani) is by
no means a rare bird in certain favorable localities near Bards-
town the finding of a nest has, until this year, been one of the
unsolved problems concerning the birdlife of this locality. On
April 26th, 1921, and the two days following, it was my good for-
tune to observe a pair of these sparrows nest building. The loca-
tion was the corner of a wheat field; a clover field adjoined it on
one side, and a narrow strip of pasture land bordered by a thicket
extended along the other. At the time I was busy with team " snak-
ing " out poles from a clearing in the thicket. The sparrows came
to the edge of this clearing for nesting material and apparently
were not at all disturbed by our operations. The male generally
accompanied the female as she carried the nesting material, and,
frequently, he sang while she searched over the ground for the
piece of dead grass suited to her needs. But the song seemed to
come from far out in the wheat field, yet the bird was only ten
yards away. Once the female came within twenty-five feet of the
team to get a piece of grass, and many times we passed ten or
twelve yards distant from the nest while the female sat on the
fence nearby. On May 2nd the first egg was laid, and the following
day there was a second egg and also a Cowbird'e egg. Two days
later the eggs had disappeared and my hopes for a set of Bach-
mn's Sparrows disappeared with them. The nest was five yards
from the wire fence and about three yards back In the wheat. It

Field Notes 101

was very bulky, composed mainly of grass, with some shreds from
corn stalks, and a few horse hairs in the lining. A row of wheat
supported the nest at the rear, the next row was several inches in
front of it; there was no other vegetation about the nest.

The afternoon of May 16th Mr. Albert F. Ganier and myself
were working over a clover and timothy field at my home place in
hopes of locating a nest of the Grasshopper Sparrow. The pro-
verbial barefoot boy appeared on the scene, and when he learned
that we were looking for bird's nests told us of a " ground spar-
row's " nest in an adjoining field, which we decided to investigate.
Arriving at the nest we found one of the parent birds about to
feed the young, and were able to get a good look at it and to sat-
isfy ourselves that it was a Bachman's Sparrow. The nest held
four birds about six days old. The location of the nest was very
different from the first. It was under a piece of brush which had
been thrown in a " gully " to check the action of the rain, on an
old worn out, washed away piece of land. There was little vege-
tation about the nest, only a little grass and some weeds and briers
growing up through the brush; and surrounding this the ground was
almost bare for a space several feet wide. There was a great con-
trast between the situation and surroundings of these two nests
and both are different from the situation in which Mr. Ganier has
found this species nesting at Nashville, Tennessee, as described
and illustrated in the March issue of the Wilson Bulletin.

Ben J. Blincoe.

Bardstown, Ky.

STARLINGS NEST AT HURON. OHIO

During February, 1921, I had had reports that there were some
strange blackbirds staying at Mr. Carl Heimberger's farm about
two miles southwest of town, but it was March 13th before I had
a chance to investigate.

On that day, however, my wife and I walked out that way on
one of our hikes and found eight or ten starlings. They came
from the cupola of the barn one or two at a time and there seemed
to be more inside. The long yellow bill and speckled plumage
identified them at once. Mr. Heimberger stated that this was the
second winter these birds had been around the barn. The winter
before there had been about six or eight, but they had left In the
spring and returned again in the fall at the approach of cold
weather. They had increased in number until in February there
must have been nearly two hundred. They did not stay around in
the daytime, but would leave and return in the evening about four
o'clock, collecting first in some tree and then going to the cupola
of the barn to roost. During the week following our visit all the
starlings but one pair left and these seemed to be Investigating the
hollow stub of a branch on an old apple tree near the barn. On

102 THE WILSON BULLETIN— June, 1921

April 21st Mr. Helmberger reported four pale blue eggs in a nest
about a foot below the opening, and on May 1st I found the nest
with five eggs and the female incubating. She left the nest
at our approach, but was back in the tree when we withdrew and
would not go on the nest as long as we were in sight.
This seems to be the first reported nesting" for Ohio.

H. G. Morse.

Huron, Ohio.

(On May 15 a Starling in full plumage and full voice was noted
on Catawba Island, a few miles east of Port Clinton, Ohio. This
bird was seen by three persons, including the writer, who are fa-
miliar with the species. — Lynds Jones.)

DENVER BIRDS
Since the last list published, of Denver birds, in this Bulletin
(September, 1917), the writer has seen the following species, and
subspecies within the corporate limits of this city:

Pied-billed Grebe (Podilijmbits podiceps) — One appeared in a
small lake in Washington Park April 27, 1920, and remained there-
abouts all summer; another (or the same individual) appeared in
the same place this spring.

Ring-billed Gull {Lams dclau-arcnsis) — One seen in Washington
Park April 24, 1920.

Buffle-head Duck (Charitonetta alheola) — Two males, and two
females were seen in Washington Park October 26, 1919.

Lesser Yellow-legs {Totanus ftavipes) — One seen in Washington
Park April 24, 1920.

Batchelder's Woodpecker (Dnjobates pubesccus homorns)- — One
noted in Cheeseman Park September 29, 1920, and on April 3, 1921.

Olive-sided Flycatcher (NuttaUo7-nis bcrrolis) — One seen in
Cheeseman Park May 13, 1921.

Western Flycatcher {Empidonax difficilis difficilis) — One de-
tected in Cheeseman Park September 3, 1919.

Traill's Flycatcher (Empidonax troilli trailli) — One seen on
September 1 and 2, 1917, and on September 26, 1920, all in Cheese-
man Park.

Clarke's Crow (Nucifraga columbiana). — A pair remained in
the neighborhood of the Country Club and Cheeseman Park from
January 1 to April 30, 1920.

Townsend's Warbler (Dendroica townsendi) — Four were seen
in Cheeseman Park by Dr. A. K. Fisher and the writer on Septem-
ber 23, 1920.

Pileolated Warbler (Wilsonia pusilla piholata) — One seen in
Cheeseman Park September 5, 1917. and on September 14 and 23,
1920, all in Cheesman Park.

Olive-backed Thrush (Hyhicivhla ustiilata sjcainsoui) . All seen
in Cheeseman Park June 2, 1920.

Field Notes 103

These are the first records for Denver, judging by published
records, and the writer's experience; the Denver List, mentioned
above, gave 187 species and subspecies. The present additions swell
the list to 199.

W. H. Bergtold,

1159 Race Street, Denver, Colo.

THE LONG-BILLED MARSH WRENS OF NEBRASKA

Long-billed Marsh Wrens {Telmatodytes palustris subspp) oc-
cur very commonly in suitable localities over practically the whole
of Nebraska, at least as migrants. At Lincoln they arrive in early
to middle April (April 6, 1913; April 14, 1917), become numerous
during latter April and early May, and pass on by the middle of
May (May 12, 1918; May 13, 1917). Early in September they again
appear (Sept. 2, 1919; Sept. 8, 1908), become numerous later in that
month, and then mostly pass on, a few lingering until late October
(Oct. 23, 1909). This status is typical for this species over the
greater part of southern Nebraska, except that in very favorable
localities a pair may now and then remain to nest (cf. Tout, Proc.
N. 0. U., ii, p. 45). In the marshy tracts along the Missouri River
these birds nest more commonly, and have been found occasionally
nesting near Omaha in June and July (vide Samuel Aughey, I. S.
Trostler, L. Skow, etc.). About many of the lakes of the Sand-
hill Region of Nebraska they liow nest abundantly (cf. J. S. Hun-
ter, Proc. N. 0. v., ii, p. 83), and formerly did so much farther to
the eastward, even to Holt County.

When Ridgway described T. p. iliacus, the Prairie Marsh Wren,
in 1903, largely restricting the typical Long-billed Marsh Wren,
T. p. palustris, to the region east of the Alleghenies, our Nebraska
Long-billed Marsh Wrens were, of course, all referred in 1904 to the
newly differentiated form (Prelim. Rev. Birds Nebraska, p. 110).

But as specimens of migrating Long-billed Marsh Wrens were
collected at Lincoln from time to time, it became evident that two
distinct forms were passing through this locality each spring and
fall. The less common of these two forms, apparently present for
only a comparatively short period in April and September (April
20-24; Sept. 12-28), has the sides of the back, rump and upper tail
coverts ochraceous tawny or russet, with the sides and flanks cin-
namon buff, and obviously represents T. p. iliacus Ridgway. But
the more common form has the sides of the back, rump and upper
tail coverts darker and less reddish, about cinnamon brown, and
the sides and flanks deep wood brown, thus agreeing in coloration
with T.p. palustris (Wilson). This form is known to arrive in latter
April and lingers into May, then reappears in early September and
remains until late October or early November (April 29-May 6;
Sept. 8-Oct. 23, or Nov. 2).

However, since Ridgway in 1904 gave the range of T. p. palustris

104

THE WILSON BULLETIN— June, 1921

as " chiefly east of the Allegheny Mountains, west to western New
York and Pennsylvania." and that of T. p. iliams as from western
Indiana westward over the prairies and plains, which distribution
was practically confirmed by the A. O. U. Committee in 1910, it
seemed highly unlikely that our common form of this species could
be palustris, yet obviously they were different from iliacits. To
answer this question a small series of specimens of each form was
sent to Dr. Oberholser for opinion, and he has returned all of the
lighter birds marked " iUacus " and the darker ones marked
" palustris." meaning, no doubt, that under the currently recog-
nized subspecies the Nebraska birds should be thus referred. This
will make T. p. palustris an addition to the list of the birds of the
state.

It must be noted, however, that Nebraska " palustris " have on
the average a slightly longer wing and tail and a distinctly shorter
culmen than typical palustris as defined by Ridgway. and also that
Nebraska " iliacus " have a shorter culmen than the measurements
of iliacus given by Ridgway, though in other measurements they
are practically the same. Thus the supposed slight differences in
size between the two forms pratically disappear so far as Ne-
braska specimens are concerned, as the following table will show:

Depth of
Length Wing Tail Cul. Bill Tar.
1919 c? Ad. 125 53.0 45.0
1919 c? Ad. 122

1916 c? Ad. 119

1917 J' Ad. 126
Nebr. City. Nebr., Nov. 2, 1901 ^ Ad. 120
Lincoln, Nebr., Sept. 8, 1908 c? Ad. 122

" palustris "
Lincoln, Nebr., May
Lincoln. Nebr., Sept.
Lincoln, Nebr., Apr.
Lincoln, Nebr., May

53.0
52.5
52.0
51.0
50.0

42.0
45.5
43.0
39.0
41.0

13.0
13.5
14.2
13.4
12.0
12.0

3.1
3.5
3.4
3.0
3.0
3.0

19.5
20.0
19.V
20.0
18.5
18.5

Average of 6 c? d':

" iliacus "
Havelock, Nebr.. Apr. 20. 1901 c? Ad.
Lincoln, Nebr., Sept. 28. 1901 c^ Ad.
Lincoln. Nebr.. Apr. 24. 1903 (^ Ad.
Lincoln, Nebr., Sept. 12. 1902 c? Ad.

122 51.9 42.6 13.0 3.1 19.0

127
127
120
117

54.0
52.5
52.5
51.5

47.0
465
43.8
42.0

13.1
13.0
13.0
13.0

3.0 19.0

3.0 18.5

3.3 18.5

3.2 18.0

Lincoln, Nebr., Sept. 12, 1902 c^ Ad. 117 51.5 42.0 13.0 3.2 18.0

Average of 5 d* d": 122 52.5 44.3 13.0 3.1 18.5

Measurements of adult c^ c? given by Ridgway:

T. p. palustris

Length Wing Tail Culmen

103-117.5 (110) 48-54 (50.6) 38.5-46.5 (41.4) 14-15.5 (14.7)

T. p. iliacus

110-127.5 (116.1) 49.5-56 (52.3) 40.5-46.5 (43.6) 13-15.5 (14-4)

Measurements of adult Nebraska c? c?:

Nebraska " palustris "

119-126 (122) 50-53 (51.9) 39-45.5 (42.6) 12-14.2 (13.0)

Nebraska " iliacus "

117-127 (122) 51.5-54 (52.5) 42-47 (44.3) 13-13.1 (13.0)

Field Notes 105

It is not known which form Is the local breeder, as unfortu-
nately no specimens of breeding birds are at hand to determine
this point. Very likely some future reviser of the Long-billed
Marsh Wrens may work out more accurately the breeding ranges
of the several subspecies, and may possibly separate our Nebraska
" palustris " from the palustris defined by Ridgway.

Myron H. Swknk.

Lincoln, Nebraska.

THE SUBSPECIES OF NEBRASKA SAVANNAH SPARROWS

Nebraska ornithologists have recognized since 1896 that two
subspecies of the Savannah Sparrow migrated through the state,
but there has been much confusion as to the distribution of the
two subspecies, due largely to faulty identifications.

In 1904 the data at hand was interpreted to indicate that P. s.
savanna was an abundant migrant over eastern Nebraska, west to
about the 99th meridian, arriving in late March or early April,
mostly passing northward to breed, but occasionally to be seen in
the state during the summer and possibly breeding, and again mi-
grating through eastern Nebraska in October; while P. s. alaudinus
was regarded as migrating over the entire state and possibly breed-
ing westwardly, its dates being about the same as those of P. s.
savanna (Prelim. Rev. Birds Nebraska, pp. 85-86).

In 1910, however, Dr. Joseph Grinnell divided the former sub-
species alaudinus, restricting that name to the birds breeding in
" the vast interior of northwestern North America, from Bering
Sea and Kotzebue Sound to the Mackenzie region," while the birds
breeding in the Great Basin he named P. s. nevadensis (Univ. Cal.
Pubs. Zoology, v. pp. 311-318). This subspecies was accepted by
the A. 0. U. Committee in 1912. In 1915 Dr. L. B. Bishop showed
that the birds breeding in North Dakota and wintering in Texas
were also nevadensis (Condor, xvii, pp. 186-187). This led to the
suspicion, which was confirmed by a study of specimens, that prob-
ably the birds we had been calling alaudinus were really nevadensis.

To make the point certain, a series of skins was sent to Dr. H.
C. Oberholser for naming. In this series were sixteen skins from
southeastern Nebraska, mostly from the vicinity of Lincoln, and
of these Dr. Oberholser returned two marked savanna and four-
teen marked nevadensis. In our entire series of twenty-nine speci-
mens from eastern Nebraska, five are savanna and twenty-four
nevadensis. This proportion may be regarded as representing fairly
accurately the relative abundance of these two subspecies during
migrations along the 97th meridian In Nebraska. The dates on
the specimens of nevadensis are March 22, April 5, 19, 20, 21, 23, 24
and 28, May 1, September 10 and 14, October 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, 16 and
19 and November 2, there being two with dates October 10, 16 and
19 and three with the date October 14. The five specimens of

106 THE WILSON BULLETIN— June, 1921

savanna were collected March 19, April 9 and 20 and October 5-
and 19. Savannah Sparrows neither breed nor winter at Lincoln,
but they summer occasionally at Omaha and may breed there. I. S.
Trostler has stated that they breed at Omaha uncommonly, June 1
to 12. Our field data shows them as appearing in the spring at
Lincoln March 17 to 30 becoming abundant April 1 to May 12,
and then scatteringly present until May 27. In the fall they re-
appear September 5 to 30, are abundant October 1 to 20, and then
in declining numbers to November 7. With little doubt these dates
apply chiefly to ncvadcHsis.

Our specimens indicate P. s. savanna as a migrant in eastern
Nebraska west to Lincoln, appearing about as early as nevadensis
(Dunbar, Nebr., March 19). No specimens of savan)ia from west
of Lincoln have been examined. In the irrigated North Platte
valley of western Nebraska P. s. nevadensis summers (Mitchell,
July 7), and probably breeds in the grassy margins of the seepage
ponds there, but no nests have been found.

We must, therefore, revise our previous idea of the distribu-
tion of Nebraska Savannah Sparrows somewhat. P. s. savanna is
evidently a rather uncommon migrant and possible breeder in
eastern Nebraska, occurring west only to about the 97th meridian,
while P. s. nevadensis is an abundant migrant over the state, sum-
mering and pi'obably breeding westwardly.

Myrox H. Swexk.

Lincoln, Nebraska.

NOTESHERE AND THERE

Conducted by the Secretary

The Secretary would appreciate receiving the names of all
those having a complete, or nearly complete file of Wilson Club
publications. Due to the limited circulation of early volumes it is
likely that there are fewer complete sets in existence than of the
A. 0. U. or Cooper Club publications. Our Editor has a small stock
of back numbers on hand which may be ordered from him for
completing files.

The Indiana Audubon Society has put itself into more tangible
form by issuing the first of what is planned to be a series of
bulletins. We understand that credit for this first number, issued
in March, is chiefly due to Mr. Frank C. Evans, the Secretary. Its
24 pages contain a number of articles of merit, appropriately illus-
trated and typographically attractive as well.

Dr. Albert H. Wright of the Cornell Zoological Laboratory, and
co-author, with Mr. Francis Harper, of a paper on the " Birds of
the Offekinoke Swamp," in Georgia, is spending the spring again
in the swamp. He is supplementing his previous studies as a ba-

Notes Here and There 107

sis for papers on other phases of the zoology of the region. Mr.
Harper is also with Dr. Wright.

Dr. Lynds Jones will spend the summer months on another of
his transcontinental bird trips. He leaves Oberlin on June 23,
with a party of sixteen and travels by auto via the Iowa lakes,
through North Dakota and Montana, to and including the Yellow-
stone, from thence by way of Flathead Lake and Glacier Park,
over the Cascade to Ranier Park and the coast. The party will
there disband and Dr. Jones and his son have planned to make a
trip to Alaska following this auto ti'ip. The party will spend its
time studying the ornithology of the regions traversed. Fortunate
indeed are those who are able to go with our Editor on these tours.

The annual meeting of the Nebraska Ornithological Union was
held at Omaha on May 13th and 14th.

The organization of various state ornithological clubs is a most
commendable step toward the encouragement of serious bird study
and the cooperation of such workers in limited areas. Kentucky
has a most promising group of earnest bird students, who have
just formed the Kentucky Ornithological Society. This organiza-
tion limits its members to the few who are doing thorough and
systematic bird study and is entirely distinct from the several local
Audubon Societies now functioning in that state. The officers are
Dr. R. S. Tuttle of Lexington, President; Prof. Gordon Wilson of
Bowling Green, vice-president; Benj. J. Blincoe of Bardstown,
editor and curator; Brasher C. Bacon of Madisonville, secretary-
treasurer.

John Burroughs, with whose writing on birds and popular nat-
ural history our readers are familiar, died on March 29th. Mr.
Burroughs was in his eighty-fourth year and was perhaps the
most widely read of all nature writers.

The Secretary spent the last half of May among the swamps
and lakes of western Tennessee, listing and studying the birds of
that area. Extensive drainage operations have eliminated many
of the marshes and smaller lakes where water birds formerly bred.

The joint spring meeting of the Indiana Academy of Science,
the Indiana Audubon Society and the Nature Study Club of In-
diana, was held at Indianapolis on May 27th and 28th. The two
days were spent afield visiting points near the city of especial in-
terest to the naturalist. A local committee arranged a most at-
tractive program and it is needless to say that the meeting afforded
an opportunity for field study and getting acquainted that was
most commendable.

H. E. Wheeler of Conway, Arkansas, has been specializing this
spring on the nesting habits of the Pileated Woodpecker. He suc-
ceeded in finding six breeding pairs and added to his collection two
nice sets, of four and five eggs respectively.

108 THE WILSON BULLETIN— June, 1921

One of the more interesting and useful tasks undertaken by
the Biological Survey is the determination of our bird population
by means of a considerable number of "bird counts" or censuses.
These are taken by volunteer observers, over restricted areas, dur-
ing the breeding season. Just at this time The Survey is desiring
to extend the scope of this work and our members may perform
a service by cooperating. Full instructions and report blanks may
be secured upon written application.

The Chicago Ornithological Club has secured permanent quar-
ters in one of the session rooms of the Crerar Library. This is
indeed a fortunate selection and the C. O. C. now enjoys a conven-
ient meeting place in the downtown " Loop."

Our membership teams have slowed down a bit in their work,
doubtless due to the pressing call of the outdoors for their leis-
ure time. Prom the results already obtained it is evident that
our next year's list will show a substantial gain, and we hope to
cut the usual "delinquent list" to a minimum. If members will
communicate the names of good membership material to the Sec-
retary it will be doing a good turn for the Club.

Mr. Wm. I. Lyon of Waukeegan, 111., is one of our most enthu-
siastic and successful bird-banders. Last year he banded no less
than 360 birds, most of which were caught in traps. In the ex-
cellent spring number of the Illinois Audubon Bulletin he gives
an outline of the methods he used and some of the results ob-
tained.

Nebraska Ornitholgists' Union 109

MINUTES OF THE TWENTY-SECOND AN-
NUAL MEETING OF THE NEBRASKA
ORNITHOLOGISTS' UNION

The twenty-second annual meeting of the Nebraska Ornitholo-
gists' Union was held at Omaha, Nebraska, Friday and Saturday,
May 13 and 14, 1921. This meeting was held in joint session with
the Nebraska Audubon Society, as was the nineteenth annual meet-
ing on May 10 and 11, 1918, and, as at that meeting, the sessions
were held at the First Unitarian Church, 31st and Harney Streets.

The business meeting was called to order at 6:00 p. m. by
Dr. R. H. Wolcott, in the absence of the President, Dr. H. B. Lowry.
The reports of the officers were received, and the financial report
of the Secretary-Treasurer was referred to a committee composed
of Mr. J. T. Zimmer and Mrs. G. A. Loveland for auditing.

The names of Mrs. Margaret M. Corey of Lincoln, Mr. F. M.
Dille of Valentine, and Mr. C. K. Hart of Prosser, were proposed
for membership, and all were elected.

It was moved and carried that nominations for new officers be
made from the floor. As a result of the nominations made in that
way the following officers were elected for 1921:

President — Dr. H. Hapeman, Minden.

Vice-President — Mrs. H. C. Johnston, Superior.

Secretary-Treasurer — Prof. M. H. Swenk, Lincoln.

A motion was carried authorizing the Secretary-Treasurer to
donate $30.00 of the funds of the Union toward the financial sup-
port of the Wilson Bulletin during the current year, with the un-
derstanding that additional Nebraska material would be published
by the Bulletin as offered.

Eleven members were present at this session of the N. 0. U.,
as follows: Mesdames W. F. Baxter, L. R. Button, Blanche Gar-
ten, H. C. Johnston, G. A. Loveland, L. H. McKillip and Mary St.
Martin and Messrs. L. O. Horsky, M. H. Swenk, R. H. Wolcott and
J. T. Zimmer.

Adjournment of the business session took place at 6:30 p. m.,
shortly after which the members of the N. 0. U. and Nebraska Au-
dubon Society gathered in the Assembly Room of the church for
the joint banquet. About one hundred members of the two so-
cieties were present at the banquet, along with several guests of
the two societies from the neighboring state of Iowa.

Following the banquet Mr. Fitz Roberts, President of the Ne-
braska Audubon Society, introduced Dr. H. Gifford of Omaha, who
spoke on ' Some Random Observations of a Bird Chaser " giving
especially his recent experiences on a trip to British Guiana.
Prof. M. H. Swenk then aimounced the plans for the field day and
introduced Dr. R. H. Wolcott of Lincoln, who spoke briefly on the

110 THE WILSON BULLETIN— June, 1921

" History of Bird-Study Organizations in Nebraska." At the con-
clusion of Dr. Wolcott's remarks the two societies adjourned, at
9:30 p. m.

On Saturday, May 14, the nineteenth annual field day of the
N. O. U. was held in conjunction with the members of the Ne-
braska Audubon Society. There were two principal field parties,
the first entering the Fontenelle Forest along the Missouri River,
south of Omaha, at 7:00 a. m., and the second an hour later.
About seventy-five persons participated in the field day, the various
parties meeting at noon for a picnic lunch, the out-of-town people
as the guests of the Nebraska Audubon Society. The total list of
the day included eighty-seven birds, as follows:

Bluebird, Robin, Olive-backed Thrush, Gray-cheeked Thrush,
Wood Thrush, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Ruby-ci'owned Kinglet, Long-
tailed Chickadee, White-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Long-
billed Marsh Wren, Short-billed Marsh Wren, Western House Wren,
Brown Thrasher, Catbird. Redstart, Yellow-breasted Chat, Mary-
land Yellow-throat, Kentucky Warbler, Louisiana Water-Thrush,
Grinnell Water-Thrush, Oven-bird, Cerulean Warbler, Myrtle Warb-
ler, Yellow Warbler, Tennessee Warbler, Orange-crowned Warbler,
Black and White Warbler, White-eyed Vireo, Yellow-throated Vireo,
Warbling Vireo, Red-eyed "Vireo, Bank Swallow, Tree Swallow,
Barn Swallow, Purple Martin, Scarlet Tanger, Dickcissel, Indigo
Bunting, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Cardinal, Towhee, Swamp Spar-
row, Lincoln Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Field Sparrow, Clay-colored
Sparrow, Chipping Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, Harris Spar-
row, Western Grasshopper Sparrow, Goldfinch, Bronzed Grackle,
Baltimore Oriole, Orchard Oriole, Western Meadowlark, Red-
winged Blackbird, Cowbird, Crow, Blue Jay, Least Flycatcher,
Traill Flycatcher, Wood Pewee, Phcebe, Crested Flycatcher, King-
bird, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Chimney Swift, Yellow-shafted
Flicker, Red-headed Woodpecker, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, North-
ern Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Belted Kingfisher,
Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Broad-winged Hawk, Turkey Vulture, West-
ern Mourning Dove, Spotted Sandpiper, Greater Yellow-legs, Sora,
King Rail, Black-crowned Night Heron, Green Heron, Great Blue
Heron, Blue-winged Teal and Black Tern.

Compared with the list made in exactly the same locality al-
most exactly three years previously, we find that twenty-one birds,
namely the Brown Creeper, Long-billed and Short-billed Marsh
Wrens, Kentucky Warbler, Bank Swallow, Purple Martin. Swamp
and Western Grasshopper Sparrows, Least Flycatcher, Wood Pee-
wee. Hairy Woodpecker, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Chimney Swift,
Turkey Vulture. Spotted Sandpiper, Greater Yellow-legs, Sora, King
Rail, Green Heron, Black-crowned Night Heron and Black Tern,
were noted in 1921, but not in 1918: but that in 1921 fourteen
birds, namely the Carolina Wren, Black-poll. Palm. Golden-winged

Publications Received 111

and Prothonotary Warblers, Bell Vireo, Rough-winged Swallow,
Summer Tanager, Lark Sparrow, Rusty Blackbird, Acadian Fly-
catcher, Arkansas Kingbird, Sparrow Hawk and Killdeer, were not
noted though seen in 1918.

The Blue-gray Gnatcatcher was found just beginning construc-
tion of a nest. At the N. O. U. field day last year a pair with a
completed nest was found.

REPORT OF THE TREASURER, 1920-21
Rkceipts

Cash on hand. May 9, 1919 ,$ 43.59

Annual dues collected 102.00

Interest on investment 10.87

$156.46
Expenditures

Wilson Bulletin $ 58.50

Postage 4.00

Balance on hand. May 13, 1921 93.96

$156.46

PUBLICATIONS REVIEWED

Birds of Swope Park, in the Heart of America
The latest bird book for the middle west has just been issued
by the Mclndoo Publishing Company of Kansas City. It is en-
titled " Birds of Swope Park, in the Heart of America," ' and has
been written by Mr. A. E. Shirling. For some time Kansas City
has been developing a group of active bird students, Including Mr.
Ralph Hoffman, now of California, and Mr. Harry Harris. This
little booklet on the birds of Swope Park now places its author
among the " upper-classmen " of the middle west.

Swope Park, which lies within the city limits of Kansas City,
Missouri, is a tract of 1332 acres in the valley of the Blue River,
and it includes all the variety of topography and vegetation which
is found in the Missouri River valley. It is reported to be an ideal
haunt for seventy-eight species of nesting birds; and this number
includes some not known in the Sioux City region, such as the
Tufted Titmouse, Northern Parula Warbler, Worm-eating Warbler,
Blue-winged Warbler, Prothonotary Warbler, Summer Tanager,
etc. A Blue Grosbeak nested just outside the bounds of the park
in 1918, making a total of seventy-nine for the park and vicinity.

The author's method was to divide the park into seventeen
smaller areas, arbitrarily bounded. He made an early morning

'Birds of Swope Park in the Heart of America, Kansas City,
Missouri. By A. E. Shirling, M.A. 1920. Mclndoo Publishing
Company, Kansas City, Mo.

112 THE WILSON BULLETIN— June, 1921

survey of each of these areas during the breeding season (June),
and counted the male birds by their song. The total of this cen-
sus gave 2030 birds assumed to be nesting males. Assuming that
each of these birds was mated there were, then, 4060 breeding
birds in the park, or a trifle better than three to the acre.

The book also contains an annotated list of all the birds known
to occur within the park, including migrants and winter birds;
and 173 birds are thus listed.

The author gives a chapter on the " morning awakening " song
of the birds, which makes an interesting contribution to this sub-
ject. He also proposes to make it a finable offense to permit the
English Sparrow to nest on one's premises. An exceptionally good
map of Swope Park is attached to the inside of the cover, and
will be of great value to local students, as well as of interest to
the general reader.

By way of adverse criticism attention might be called to the
very many typographical errors in the scientific nomenclature, and
to one or two cases of transposition of the halftone legends. Two
or three arithmetical errors also occur on page 67.

On the other hand the little book is excellently conceived and
will help many a beginner in bird-lore, while being read also, with
enjoyment, by the experienced student. The text Is presented in
a literary style which deserves notice, and which reveals the fact
that the author is thoroughly in love with the woods and wild life.
The most enjoyable writers on birds are usually those whose in-
terest and sympathy are not confined to that one aspect of nature.
The fund of information presented is based upon much labor, and
will make the task easy for those who wish to study birds in the
area treated. T. C. S.

List of North Dakota Birds Found in the Big Coulee, Turtle
Mountain and Devil's Lake Region

There appeared in 1917 a " List of North Dakota Birds " ^ by
Elmer T. Judd. This list contains two hundred and fifty-five
species, which have been observed by the author In th northern
part of that state, particularly in the region of Devil's Lake and
the Turtle Mountains. The work upon which this list is based
was done between the years 1890 and 1896. So far as the reviewer
is aware this list has been distributed only privately. It appears
to have been very carefully prepared, and is no doubt the most
authentic list yet published for the region covered. T. C. S.

' List of North Dakota Birds Found in the Big Coulee, Turtle
Mountains and Devil's Lake Region. Published 1917 by the author,
Elmer T. Judd, Cando, N. D.

THE WILSON BULLETIN

A QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF ORNITHOLOGY

VOL. XXXIII SEPTEMBER, 1921 NO. 3

OLD SERIES VOL. XXXIII. KEW SERIES VOL. XXVIII

THE ROADSIDE CENSUS

BY MARGARET M. NICE AND L. B. NICE
NORMAN^ OKLAHO:\[A

Our discovery of the K();i(lsi<le Census as an aid iit
bird study came by accident. On May 30, ]!)20, we started
to play with our small daughter a new kind oi' " Roadside
Euchre" by counting the Dickcissels tliat were lustily
singing " jig-.1ig-jig '" along each side of a five mile stretch
of road. After a second Dickcissel game tluit same day —
we found they averaged from six to eight a mile — the
little girl suggested we count all the birds we saw on the
rest of the tri]), a distance of fifty miles. At first tliought
this seemed an imi)ossible task for one liurrying along in
an automobile, but, nevertheless, we tried it, and found it
so worthwiiile that by the middle of July we liad tak(Mi
780 miles of Roadside Censuses.

A Roadside Census is a record of the iiund)er of birds
of each kind seen along a particular road, on a ])articular
date, between particular hours; that is, to be complete, it
should tell the time, location and distance covered besides
the temperature and state of the weather. Such a census
has a definite, though limited, value: first, it has a distinct
use in recording the abundance and distribution of certain
birds; and second, it is valuable for comparative purposes,
for revealing effects of different conditions of time, place
and weather. Two things, however, it does not do: it
does not give by any means a complete list of tlie birds of
any region, and it does not enable one to sa}^ positively
that such and sndi birds do not live in a certain district,

114 THE WILSON BULLETIN— September, 1921

altliougli under favorable conditions one eonld be praeti-
callv sure in the case of some birds.

Onr method of taking- a Eoadside Censns is as follows :
Ave have a small notebook with a pencil attached by a
string, in this at the top of a i)age we write the date, hour,
number of miles, county, jdace of starting and destination,
and also a note as to weather. The temperature we have
obtained later by writing to the local stations of the
Weather liureau. We always began a new census with a
new county although sometimes it was difficult to knovr
the county boun<laries; often it was necessary to calculate
from the nmp the number of miles from a certain town to
the border of the county and turn over a page when the
speedometer showed that we had reached that spot. As
to the birds, we jot them down as they appear, using ap-
proximately the order of the A. O. U. Checklist, so as to
know where to expect the name of e^ch bird, an important
matter when one sees several ditferent species at a time.
The numbers seen are put down after each bird's name and
of course changed when occasion arises. There are usually
a number of birds that have to go down under the caption
^' unknow^n " ; with us the difficulty generally lay in being
sure whether a few individuals were English Sparrows,
Dickcissels or (Grasshopper Sparrows. (In making up the
totals for this paper we divided these '' unknowns *' be-
tween the three species in the same proportion as the
''known" birds; other ''unknowns'' were lelt as such.)
Naturally the person who <lrives the car cannot take a
Koadside Census although he can often see birds on his
side that the census taker misses. AVe find it important
to coi)y our censuses in a permanent notebook each evenijig
when the exi)erience of taking them is fresh in our minds,
for they are naturally difficult to read. That is one reason
why it is better not to take too long a census at one time,
but to start again after twenty or thirty miles because it
is often hard to be sure of figures when so many liave been
written one after another when jolting along.

On our censuses we probably seldom saw more than a
third of the breeding birds of a region ; occasionally the

The Roadside Census 115

proportion was higher, but usually it was lower. There
are certain birds that one can be sure of seeing- if they
are in the vicinity; they are conspicuous, fearless and nest
near the roadside. For the prairies of Oklahoma, these
dependable birds are Dickcissels, Mockingbirds, Mourning
Doves, Meadowlarks, Lark Sparrows, Bluebirds, King-
birds and I'uri^le Martins. Other birds that are uncom-
mon, shy, or i)refer a different environment are only oc-
casionally seen; such as Hawks, Crows, Cardinals, Painted
Buntings, Yellow-breasted Chats, etc.

The following table gives the numbers of birds tliat
were alike and ditferent on three trips that Avere repeate<l
a week later at different times of the dav.

TABLE

I.

Numbei

;-s of Species

; Alike w

hen

Trip was

Repeated

Date

Distance

Time

Number
Alike

Number
Different

Per cent
Alike

June 9

35 miles

11-2 P.

M.

13

9

60

June 16

35 miles

4-6 P.

M.

13

4

76.5

June 9

38 miles

2-5 P.

M.

14

4

77.7

June 16

38 miles

12-4 P.

M.

14

8

63.3

June 9

14 miles

5-6 P.

M.

10

3

78

June 16

14 mi'.es

10-11 A.

M.

10

2

83.3

It will be seen that from 00 to 83 per cent of the species
were alike when the same ground was covered a second
time. The highest proportion was on tlie shortest trip
where there was least chance for variety.

The forty-one censuses which form the basis of this
study were all taken in Oklahoma in the summer of 1920.
The country covered was of two vei*y (liferent types ; most
of it was level prairie, but some, especially in the eastern
part of the State, was wooded and mountainous. The
first two censuses were taken on a trip from Oklahoma
City, which is in the center of tlie State, to Kinglisher
county, fifty miles northwest. All the others occurred on
two camping trips with Norman, twenty miles south of
Oklahoma City, as a starting point. Tlie first trip was to
the Wichita Mountains, about 120 miles to the southwest.
On the second trip we went directly south GO miles to the
Arbuckle Mountains, then east to the Ouachita Mountains;

116 THE WILSON BULLETIN— September, 1921

northeast to Foit Hmitli, Arkansas ; northwest to Cherokee
countv' and from there back to Xormau.

The tirst t^\o censuses occurred May 80th, the others
were taken from June Dth to 10th and from June 26th to
July 15th. We saw, therefore, only summer birds, and,
for the most part, breeding birds. In the beginning the
nuiles were much in evidence singing; a little later there
was less singing but females as well as males were seen
with food for the young; and by July many young were
with the parents, es[»ecially Horned Larks and Mourning
Doves. A few birds had begnn to gatlier in Hocks l)y tlie
middle of Jnly. as Cowbirds. Kcd- winged Blackbirds an<l
Cliff Swallows ; but none of these flocks were large, forty-
two birds being the greatest number seen together.

Our primary object was to obtain data on the dis-
tribution and comparative abundance of birds in the State,
but upon tabulating our results we found otlier relation-
shii>s that Avere of interest, especially the effects of weather
and of the character of the country.

The total number of native birds seen during 780 miles
of Roadside Censuses was 0755, which gives an average
of 4.S birds to a mile. (In all the tables and calculations,
English Sparrows are omitted entirely; they will be
treated separately.)

The effects of weather, time of day, and to a small ex-
tent, the time of year, are shown in Table II.

TABLE II.

Numbers of Native Birds Seen
Showing Effect of Weather, Time of Day and Time of Year

Number
of Censusej

41

Total
Miles

780

Weather

Mostly

_ Average Number of Birds
Time Seen per Mile

All Times 4.8

Pleasant

39

696

Pleasant

All Times

5.2

2

84

Rainy

All Day

1.4

26

395

Pleasant

Early Morning
or Late Afternoon

6.2

13

301

Pleasant

At or Near Noon

3.9

2

50

Pleasant

May 30

10.2

11

228

Pleasant

June 9 -16

3.5

11

196

Pleasant

July 12-15

6.7

The Roadside Census 117

Two aspects of the weather affected the iiiimhers of
birds to be seen : first, the noon heat, and second, rain.
All the censnses bnt two were taken on days whose maxi-
nninj tenii>eratnre ranjjed from 90° F to '.)r)° F. The ex-
ceiitions were one cooler day — May 3Uth, when the maxi-
mum was S>i° F. and one hotter day — July 3rd, when the
thermometer reached 99° P\ All bnt two of the censuses
were taken on snnny days. Thus there were remarkably
uniform weather conditions on thirteen of the sixteen
days on which censuses were taken. The thirteen counts
at or near noon occurred Avlien the weather was unde-
niably Ii(jt and the inactivity of the birds is nmrked, for
only an avera<>e of .').9 birds ]>er mile was seen in con-
trast to the 0.2 birds per mile noted in the cooler parts of
the day. The effect of an all day rain, even though the
temperature rose to 91° F., is even more striking in driving
the birds to cover than the noon heat on sunny days, for
only 1.4 birds were seen per mile instead of the 5.2 ob-
served in pleasant weather.

V^e have very little data on the difference in the num-
ber of birds to be seen at different times of the year, as
there aie only 47 days between our first and last census.
Our results stand as follows : .")() miles of censuses on May
oOtli gave us an average of 10.2 birds a mile; 228 miles
from June 9th to 16th gave 3.5 birds a mile and 196 miles
from July 12t]i to 15th gave 6.7 birds a mile. The distance
travelled in May is so short that it is hardly comparable
to the other two sets of figures. As for the June and
July results, tliey represent the same numl)er of censuses —
eleven — , much the same number of miles, equally pleas-
ant weather with practically the same distance travelled
near noon ■ — 73 and 76 miles, respectively, — and both were
taken entirely in ]»iairie country. Therefore they would
seem as comparable as one could wish with one exception;
they were taken in different parts of the State, the June
censuses in the southwest, in Cleveland, Gradj^ and Com-
anche counties; while the July censuses taken in the east,
in Leiiore, Sequoyah, Muskogee, AVagoner, Creek, Okniul •

lis THE WILSON BU LLETIN— September, 1921

gee and Tulsa counties. The main dill'ei-ence between tliese
regions is one of Imniidity, the eastern counties having an
annual rainfall of o5 to 40 inches and tlie southwestern
about 30. Probably tlie bird life is more abundant at all
times in the more luxuriant vegetation of the east tlian the
west. So our July tigiires doubtless represent the etfects
of two causes of abundance — more favorable environuieut
than the region visite<l in June as well as the actually
greater number of birds to be seen in -Inly. Although we
cannot rely on the proportions as they stand, it is un-
doubtedly true that more birds are to be seen on a Koad-
side Census when the males are in full song and after the
young are raised than while the young are in the nest.

The greatest number of birds seen per mile was 18 and
the least 1.6 with the exception of the rainy (\'dj. The
former record occurred on July 15tii and was swelled by
great numbers of young Mourning Doves and Horned
Larks. The very small number of the other census must
have been due to the unusual heat for it was taken at noon
on the day when the temperature reached 99° F. The four
largest and smallest censuses taken in pleasant weather
are shown in Table III.

TABLE III.
The Largest and Smallest Censuses Taken in Pleasant Weather

Average Num-
Datc Tim.- nf Day Di?lan<p Plare her of birds

Seen per Mile

Julj^ 15 6 - 7 P. M. 11 miles Prairie, Tulsa Co. 18

May 30 4 - 5 P. M. 10 miles Prairie, Kingfisher Co. 13

June 9 11 - 2 P. M. 35 miles Prairie, Grady Co. 2

July 3 12 - 2 P. M. 10 miles Woods, Pushmataha Co. l.G

We saw 72 different species in tlie 41 censuses. The
average number of species seen in an average run of 20
miles was 17, while the shorter tri])s, averaging 7 miles,
gave us 12. The effect of weather and character of coun-
try on the innidx'i- of species seen is sliown in Table IV.

dumber of
Censuses

Cliara,-l,-r

Average Nunilier
of Miles

39

Pleasant Weather

17.8

2

Rainy Weather

42

33

Prairie

27

5

Woods

17

33

10-40 Miles

20

6

4-9 Miles

7

The Roadside Census 119

TABLE IV.
Numbers of Diffnent Species Seen

Showing Effects of Weather, Character of Country
and Length of Trip

Average Number of Species
Seen on Each Census

16.6

14.5

16

22

17

12

These figures are not direct]}- eompai-able as iii Tables
II and II r, tor the average length of tlie ditferent censuses
varies so ninch. However, the depressing effect of the
rain is almost as evident in the lessened niunbers of species
seen as in the total numbers. The greater variety of birds
in a mixed environment over those on tlie prairie alone is
evident from tlie 22 kinds observed on the average trip of
17 miles in woods, in comparison to the 10 seen on the
average trip of 27 miles on the prairies; most of the
•' woods " censuses included some prairie. In this table
the noon census of July ^>rd is omitted because of its un-
usual heat; if it is inchnled, the number of species seen in
woods would be 19 on a trip of 10 miles.

The greatest number of different kinds of birds seen
on any one trip was 'M and the least 4. Both of these were
short trips, entirely through woods; the first was through
more varied country than the second, but most of the blame
for the minimum number can probably 'be laid to the ex-
cessive heat at that time.

TABLE V.

Largest and Smallest Number of Species
Seen on Trips of 10 Miles and Over

Average No.
Date Time of Day Distance I'lace Species seen

each Census

Woods ; Arbuckle Mts. 31

Woods ; Piatt Nat. Park 25

Prairie; Garvin Co. 9

Woods; Pushmataha Co. 4

June

30

9-

12 M.

12

Miles

June

29

12

-3 P.M.

12

Miles

June

26

11

■12 M.

16

Miles

July

3

12

- 2.P. M.

10

Miles

120

THE WILSON BULLETIN— September, 1921

As to the main object of our study, tlie kinds of birds,
their distribution an<l comparative abundance, Table VI
gives some data in regard to the most common ])ir<ls ar-
ranged in order of breadtli of distribution.

TABLE VI.
The Fourteen Most Common Birds in 41 Roadside Censuses

Av. No. Seen No. Can- No. Cen-

on each cen- suses in suses in

sus where which each which each

each occurred bird came 1st bird came 2n(l

10
6
4
3
2
1
0
2

It will be seen that the Mourning Dove and Mocking-
bird were found on practically every single census. The
former were missing on two trips, the tirst at noon in Mc-
Clain County where they were seen a weelc later on re-
peating the trip and the second on the noon census of
July 3rd which has made so nuiny exce])tions. ^Locking-
birds were recorded on all but two censuses; one in the
Wichita Mountains and the other in the Arbuckles. Tliese
two are the most ada]>tabk^ of all our native bii-ds here;
^Mockingbirds are found about farmhouses on tl'.e ])rairies
and cabins in the woods, wliile tlu' Mourning I )ov( is even
more universal in its tastes for it will live in dee]) woods,

No. of Cen-

suses in which

Total

each

Number

occurred

Seen

Western

Mourning Dove

39

478

Mockingbird*

39

275

Dickcissel

33

687

Bluebird

31

202

Lark Sparrow *

29

166

Bob-white

29

71

Kingbird

27

102

Meadowlark=-=

24

213

Read-headed

Woodpecker

23

90

Orchard Oriole

21

64

Horned Lark*

20

168

Scissor-tailed

Flycatcher

20

124

Purple Martin

15

91

Cliff Swallow

5

99

12.2

7

7

5

20.8

17

6.5

6

5.4

:.

2.4

0

3.8

0

9

0

4

0

3

0

8.4

1

6.2

0

6

0

20

2

* In central and western Oklahoma the Mockingbirds and Lark
Sparrows were the western forms but near the Arkansas border
the birds were probably the eastern forms, according to informa-
tion kindly given me by Dr. H. C. Oberholser. The Horned Larkp
were " Desert " in central Oklahoma but may have been "Prairie "
in the east. The Meadowlarks were all eastern except those in
Kingfisher County on the second census which were western.

The Roadside Census 121

ill Open country Avitli few trees, or if there are no trees at
all, nests npon the gronnd. The main variations in the
(listribntion of the otlier birds depended on tlie distinction
in environments — the ]»rairie and tJie woods. T!ie prairies
are tlie homes of the Diclvcissels, Larlc 8]»arrows, Mea(h)w-
Jarks and Horned Larks; S^'is^o]--tailed Flycatcliers. KiiiiM;-
birds and Orchard Orioles like the prairie witli orchards,
bnt Ked-hf^adcd \^'o<>d])eckers and l^lnebirds were most
abundant in woods, especially where there are many girdled
trees. l*nri)le ^lartins depend, of course, on bird houses
and as nearly every dAvelling in southeastern Oklahoma
lias its Martin box, these birds were common there both
in the woods and on the prairies. Cliff Swallows were
seen on only five censuses; they were all in flocks in the
northeastern prairie districts.

In order of total abundance on all 41 censuses, the
Idrds range as follows: Dickcissels, 687; Mourning Doves,
478; Mockingl)irds,.275; Meadowlarks, 213; Bluebirds, 202;
Horned Larks, 1()8; Lark Sparrows, IGG; Scissor-tailed Fly-
catchers, 124; Kingbirds, 102; Cliff Swallows, 99; Purple
Martins, 91; Ked-headed Woodpeckers, 90; Rob-whites, 71;
and Orchard Orioles, (U.

Some birds had a wide distribution yet were nowhere
abundant; the Bob-white was the best instance of this,
as it was seen on 29 trips but only reached a total of 71.
Others in this same class \yeve Kingbirds, I\ed-headed
Woodpeckers and Orchard Orioles. Am)ther class were
limited to a somewhat i-estricted range but were usually
ai)undant where they did occur, as Horned Larks, ^feadow
larks and especially Dickcissels. Only two species were
almost universally distributed and at the same time abun-
dant— the Mockingbird and Mourning Dove.

As to p]nglish Sparrows, they were, unfortunately, rhe
most common bird of all, since we saw 1486 of them — two
and a half times as many as the nu)st abundant native
bird, the Dickcissel. They constituted 28 per cent of all
the birds seen. They were recorded on 33 censuses, some
of the tri])s taken iu woods and those on the Wichita Game
Beserve being almost the onlv ones free from them. Thev

122

THF. WILSON BULLETIN— September, 1921

were the most abniidaiit bird in 1(3 censuses and second
most abundant in 4. They varied from none at all to 350
on one census. Tliis great number was seen July loth,
in Muskogee County, where they apparent!}- liad repaired
with all their broods to feast upon the wheat fields.

Taking- a Roadside Census is a fascinating occupation
and lends fresh interest to an oft-repeated or otlierwise
monotonous journey. Yet to do it Avell requires consider-
able field experience and a fund of persistance, for it must
be done thoroughl}- to be of an}' value. These studies were
made at only one season and over i^ait of one State. It
would be interesting to try this method at other times of
the year, when results would necessarily be much less
uniform than in the summer, and esiiecially in other parts
of the country. Mucli information also as to the increase
and decrease of roadsi<le birds could be gatliered by i-e-
peating such censuses in later years.

Tn conclusion let us give two sam])]e censuses; one over
prairie in central Oklahoma and the other through woods
in southeastern Oklahoma.

PRAIRIE

Kingfisher and Oklahoma Coun-
ties. Barrows to Oli^lahoma
City. 40 miles.*
May 30, 1920. 5:00-7:00 p. m.
Day's Temp. 60° -88°. Sunny

WOODS

Atoka County. From Atoka to

Darwin. 23 miles. Through

Woods.

July 3, 1920. 8:30-12:00 M.

Day's Temp. 76° - 99°. Sunny.

1 Killdeer

2

Bob-whites

68 Western Mourning Doves

8

Western Mourning Doves

2 Yellow-billed Cuckoos

7

Turkey Vultures

11 Howell Nighthawks

1

Hawk (sp?)

28 Scissor-tailed Flycatchers

1

Hairy Woodpecker

13 Kingbirds

4

Pileated Woodpeckers

2 Arkansas Kingbirds

25

Red-headed Woodpeckers

1 Crow

3

Kingbirds

3 Cowbirds

1

Crested Flycatcher

30 Meadowlarks

1

Wood Pewee

(neglecta & magna)

1

Orchard Oriole

16 Orchard Orioles

5

English Sparrows

1 Baltimore Oriole

2

Western Lark Sparrows

5 Bronzed Crackles

1

Chipping Sparrow

40 English Sparrows

1

Field Sparrow

* On May 20, 1921, from 5:00-7:30 p. m. (temperature 67-88) we
repeated this trip, seeing 20 species (4 of them different fioin the
year before) and 453 birds in all.

Land Birds of Sac County. Iowa 123

PRAIRIE WOODS

3 Western Grasshopper Spar- 3 Cardinals

rows 2 Summer Tanagers
26 Western Lark Sparrows 10 Purple Martins
2 Western Blue Grosbeaks 1 Red-eyed Vireo
137 Dickcissels 28 Western Mockingbirds
6 Western Mockingbirds 1 Carolina Wren
1 Brown Thrasher 1 Tufted Titmouse
20 Unknown 1 Plumbeous Chicadee
24 Bluebirds

20 species; 416 in all.

24 species; 135 in all.

AX AXXOTATED LIST OF THE LAND BUiDS
OF SAC COLTNTV, TOWA

r.Y .r. A. MTKRKl.I., OF WAI.I. I.AKK, IOWA
I'ART TI

This paper concludes a local list of the land birds of Sac county,
the first part of which appeared in the Wilson Bulletin, Vol. XXXI,
No. 4 (December, 1919).
Harris Sparrow (Zonolrichia qinrula).

The Harris sparrow is a regular and abundant migrant both
spring and fall. Since its migration range is so restricted, I give
all the migration data I have obtained, in the table below:

Spring MiGR.A.Trox

They were common at an earlier

date, which I failed to record.

I failed to record the missing

date.

I failed to record the missing
dates.
191.5 — 5-2 4 5-7 I failed to record the missing

dates.

Fall Migratiois'^

1908—9-23 5 9-27 10-4 11-8 Last one seen could not fly, as

it had a broken wing.

Y,ar

first N
seen s

o. 1st

Next
seen

Became
Common

Last

seen

1909-
1910-
1911-

-3-29
-5-1

-4-2

1

4
1

4-4

5-6
4-6

5-8
5-12

5 8

5-17
5-24
5-13

1912-

-5-3

3

5-4

5-20

1913-
1914-

-5-1
-3-29

3

o

5-2

5-8

5-22
5-24

1909-

-9-25

10

9-29

10-4

1031

1910-

-10-1

20

10-2

10-8

11-4

1911-

-10-1

20

10-3

10-7

1912-

-9-16

10

10-12

11-10

1913-

-10-2

Field to record last date.

First seen by Mrs. E. B. Hayden.

Failed to secure other dates.

124 THE WILSON BULLETIN— September, 1921

Although the dates of an-ival vary widely, the dates of de-
parture vary but little.

In the fall the dates of both arrival and departure are fairly
close year after year.

The Harris Sparrow frequents groves, thickets, and hedges of
willow trees, delighting in brushy places with plenty of cover. It
spends much of its time scratching on the ground. In the spring
it often perches in the trees from ten to fifteen feet above the
ground to utter its peculiar song, usually singing in the evening.
White-crowned Sparrow (Zoiiotrichia leiicopJirys Icucophrys) .

A tolerably common migrant frequenting groves and brushy
places. My first seen dates cover the period from April 26 to May
10. Mrs. E. B. Hayden reported one seen on July 10, 1913.

Intermediate or Gambel's Sparrow (Zonoirichia Irucupliri/s (jitm-
bcli).
Noted only once. May 1, 1912. On this day I was watching a
sparrow which I took to be a white-crowned sparrow, through the
eight-power binoculars at close range, but I soon saw that it was
not, as the white crown was not large enough, there was no black
line in front of the eye, and the lores were wholly wnite. Its song
was similar to the white-throat's song. The bird stayed about the
grove all day.

White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicoUis).

This species is the most abundant of all the native sparrows
in both spring and fall migrations. It is abundant in every grove
and hedge, and even in the tall weeds along the fences. First seen
dates in spring are from April 18 to May 3. It has a habit of fre-
quenting pine or spruce trees to roost and the first sign of its
arrival is usually its sharp call note, frequently repeated just be-
fore it goes to roost at dusk.

Tree Sparrow (Spizclla montlvida )iioiiticuht) .

An abundant migrant and winter resident. In very severe win-
ters of abundant snowfall it is usually scarce or absent during the
months of January and February. I have seen it first in the fall
from October 24 to November 6. In the spring, last seen dates
vary from March 20 to May 6.
Chipping Sparrow (Spizclla passcrina p(tss<ri)i(t) .

This sparrow is a common migrant and a rare breeder. First
seen dates are from April 16 to May 11. At two different times
in the town of Wall Lake I have seen the young only recently
from the nest and still being fed by the parents.
Clay-colored Sparrow (Spizella pallida).

A common but rather inconspicuous migrant. 1 have not noted
it in the fall. In the spring it frequents groves and sh rubbery
F'irst seen dates are from May 2 to 13.

Land Birds of Sac County, Iowa 125

Field Sparrow (Spizvlla piisiUa pitsiUa).

Mrs. George May reported this species as common in the wil-
lows along the Boyer river in the spring of 1912.

Slate-colored Junco {Junro hi/oiiulis liyemalis) .

A very abundant spring and fall migrant. First seen dates in
spring vary from March 3 to March 20, with the exception of one
seen only on the day of January 6, 1913. Last seen dates in the
spring are from April 9 to 23. In the fall first seen dates are from
September 29 to October 8; last seen dates from November 5 to
17. Mr. Joe Abernathy reported that juncos are to be found in the
timber at Sac City until February 1.

Montana Junco (Junco montauns).

I identified one individual of this species October 17, 1915.
Following is the record entered in my notebook at the time: " I
saw one through the kitchen window while it was sitting only
four feet away in the boxelder tree. I saw the pink sides very
distinctly and its back was more grayish than the ordinary
junco's is."

Song Sparrow {Mvlospiza melodia mclodia).

A common migrant. First seen dates in spring range from
March 29 to April 25.

Lincoln Sparrow {Melospiza lincoltii lincolni).

Another common, but very inconspicuous migrant. First seen
dates vary from May 3 to 10. I have usually seen it creeping about
in the grass under or near trees or shrubbery.
Swamp Sparrow (Melospiza georgiana) .

A common migrant and breeder. I have seen it only in marshes
where there is standing water, or a very tall dense growth of
slough grass. April 18 is my earliest first seen date. During the
nesting season its clear song is a very pleasing feature of the
marshes it frequents.
Fox Sparrow (Passcrrlla iliaca iliaca).

A tolerably common spring and fall migrant. First seen dates
in spring are from March 15 to April 11.
Towhee (Pipilo vrythrophthalmus vrytliropthalmiis) .

A rare and rather irregular migrant at Wall Lake. My first
dates are from March 2l to April 27. I have found the species in
the woods at Sac City throughout the summer. Mr. Joe Aber-
nathy reports it as common and nesting at Sac City.
Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis rardinalis).

I have never seen this species at Wall Lake, but Mr. C. Orville
L<>e and Joe Abernathy b<>th reported it at Sac City. The latter
stated that a pair spent the winter of 1913-1914 in Sac City and
nested there the following summer. They can only be called rare
residents of recent arrival.

126 THE WILSON BU LLETIN— September, 1921

Rose-breasted Grosbeak {Zamelodia hidovickina) .

A common migrant and nesting species. My first seen dates
are from May 1 to 20. Nearly every farm grove has its pair of
grosbeaks, and tliey are also common in the trees of the towns.
Indigo Bunting {Passcrina cjiaiiot).

A rare breeder and migrant. A pair once nested in the town
of Wall Lake. I have found them tolerably common in June and
July along the Raccoon river at Sac City. Mr. Joe Abernathy also
reported seeing four pairs there.
Dickcissel (Spiza (Dnerkana).

An abundant migrant and breeder. First seen dates vary from
May 3 to 27. It usually nests in the hayfields, although somestimes
nesting in the tall grass of pastures or along fence rows. I have
found only one nest placed directly on the ground and that was
on top of a "bog" in a wet pasture. Usually the nests are placed
a few inches up among the grass or weed stems. The nests are
frequently destroyed by the early cutting of clover fields. I have
found many of the eggs while loading hay.
Lark Bunting {Calaiiiospiza mclcnuicort/s) .

I first identified this species May 19, 1908, when I saw three
males in a flock with some cowbirds. They were about the size of
bobolinks and had the white wing patches characteristic of lark
buntings with all the rest of the plumage black. I did not see it
again until May 9, 1914, when I saw one male and heard it sing.
On the 22d I again saw one male; either the same oi" another, I
am not sure which.
Scarlet Tanager (Plranga crythronxhis) .

The scarlet tanager is a rare migrant at Wall Lake. I have
seen it only three times: May 22. 1905, June 9, 1907, and May 18,
1909. Mr. Lee repoi'ts it as a rare nesting species at Sac City.
Mr. Joe Abernathy reported seeing four pairs there.
Purple Martin (Prognc siibis siibis).

A common nesting species in the various towns of the country.
Only in the fall, pi-evious to migi-ation, does it range any distance
over the surroimding country. First seen dates i« spring are from
April 15 to 29.
Cliff Swallow (Prtrochclidon lioii Irons hoiifroiis) .

An abundant migrant and formerly a common breeder. Al-
though I think it still nests in some parts of the county, I do not
know of any definite nesting records in recent years. First seen
dates in spring are from April 29 to May 27. In the fall it is
abundant, flying over low pastures along the streams in company
with barn, bank, and tree swallows.
Barn Swallow (Hinindo crythrogasfra) .

A common migrant and breeder. Nearly every farmer's barn
and most bridges have this swallow's nest in or underneath them.

Land Birds of Sac County, Iowa 127

Two broods are usually reared each summer. First seen dates
are from April 15 to May 11.

Tree Swallow (Iridoprocnc bicolor).

At times, a very abundant migrant, and a rare breeder. I have
found only two nests, one of them in a bird box attached to a
farm building, and the other in an old woodpecker hole in a fence
post along a railroad track. First seen dates vary from April 18
to May 12. In the fall it is often to be found in enormous num-
bers about Wall lake and the " Goosepond."

Bank Swallow (Riparia riparia).

This species is common in some localities. The bank swallow
nests in the high banks along the shores of Wall lake, and at
several other places where there are steep banks or gravel pits
in proximity to water. First seen dates vary from April 26 to
May 15.

Rough-winged Swallow (tStelgidoptcryx srrrip( unis) .

A common breeder along the Raccoon river, but I have never
found it nesting elsewhere except that for a few years two pairs
nested in holes in a cement bridge on my father's farm near Wall
Lake. First seen dates are from Api'il 28 to May 30.

Bohemian Waxwing (BombijciUa (/arritla) .

Specimen in the Smith collection. A very rare or casual spring
migrant. Before I started to keep notes, a flock of about fifteen
visited the orchard in the spring. I can very distinctly remember
the beautiful dull giay of their soft plumage. Following is my
only notebook entry: "May 27, 1909, I saw three Bohemian wax-
wings about 9 a. m.. They stayed in the tops of a couple of apple
trees for a long time, eating apple blossom petals. At times they
uttered a note which sounded like a shrill 'chee" to me."

Cedar Waxwing (BombijcUla cedrorum) .

I have identified it only once, June 3, 1909, when I approached
within ten feet of one which was catching small flying insects. It
was much darker in plumage than the Bohemian waxwings I saw
a few days before. Mrs. H. B. Smith reported cedar waxwings as
common in the spring about a cedar hedge, upon the berries of
which they fed.

Migrant Shrike (Laniiis ludovickiniis migraiis).

A tolerably common breeder. It is not a winter resident ex-
cept in rare instances. 1 have referred all the shrikes to this sub-
species as it is the common form, although I have seen shrikes in
which the rump was white or veiy light colored.

Red-eyed Vireo (Virrosijlva olrvavca).

Reported by Mrs. George May as common in the spring of
1912.

123 THE WILSON BU LLETI N— September, 1921

Warbling Vireo (Vircusyiva gilva gilva).

Reported by Mrs. George May as very common in the spring ol'
1912. My sister, Rubby Sprn'rell, has fii'st dates for this species
from May 3 to 25. Mr. Joe Abernathy reported finding two nests
north of Wall lake. I identified it May 15. 1915, largely by its
song.
Blue-headed Vireo {Lanlvirco solifaiius solitariiis) .

Reported by Mrs. George May as rare. My sister has seen it
on May 8. 1913, and May 15, 1914.
White-eyed Vireo (Vireo grisdis grisciis) .

Reported by Mrs. George May as rare.
Black and White Warbler {MniolUta varia).

A common and regular migrant in spring and fall. As it creeps
about the tree trunks it is quite conspicuous as compared with
many warblers. My first seen dates vary fi'om May 2 to 15.
Blue.v.finged Warbler (Vennivora lyinus).

Mrs. George May reported three seen in tlie spring of 1912.
Nashville Warbler (V(r))iivoia ruhricapiUa ruhricapilla) .

I fii-st identified this species from a dead specimen. It is a
tolerably common migrant when present, but was not observed
five years out of eight. First seen from May 14 to 22.
Orange-crowned Warbler (Vcrmii'ora cclata cclata).

A rare migrant. I first identified it May 23. 1915. It is diffi-
cult to be certain of a sight identification of this species, but I saw
the "orange" on the head of this particular one several times.
Tennessee Warbler {Vcrmivora peregrimi) .

Mrs. George May reported several seen in 1912. I identified it
May 16. 1915. It is a tolerably common migrant.
Northern Parula Warbler {Co^ipsofhlypis (nncrivana iisneae).

This warbler is a rare migrant. I identified it May 13, 1913,
when I obtained an excellent view of one out of a number, thru
the field glasses. They were part of a "wave"' of all kinds of
warblers.
Cape May Warbler {Ihiidroicd iigriiui)-

I first identified it positively May 4, 1915, although I have had
glimpses of it in previous years. My sister has also observed it
in years when I did not see it. It is a rare migrant.
Yellow Warbler (Drndroica acstira acstiva).

An abundant migrant and common breeder. First seen dates
vary from April 30 to May 12. It nests commonly in shrubbery
and the nests often contain cowbird eggs. It has been my ex-
perience that the warbler always deserts its nest if the cowbird's
egg is removed.
Myrtle Warbler (l)r)i(Irnica coranata) .

Ordinarily a common to abundant migrant, but in some years
is almost rare. Fii'st seen dates are from April 15 to May 3.

Land Birds of Sac County, Iowa 129

Magnolia Warbler (D< ndroica magnolia) .

Ordinarily a common to abundant migrant, but it varies much
in numbers from year to year, and was not noted three years out
of eight. First seen dates vary from May 10 to 23.
Cerulean Warb'er (Dcndroica- cerulea) .

I have no recent records, but there is a specimen in the Smith
collection that was taken locally.

Chestnut-sided Warbler (Dcndroica ijcnsylvanica) .

A tolerably common migrant, but very irregular as to occur-
rence, being noted only three years out of eight. First seen dates
are May 22. 1910: May 26, 1913; and May 24, 1915.

Bay-breasted Warb'er (Dcndroica crstanca).

A rare migrant. I identified it May 18, 1909. and my sister
saw one May 13, 1913.

Black-poll Warbler (Dcndroica striata).

A common and fairly i-egular migrant, being observed six years
out of nine years of observation. First seen dates range from
May 10 to 21.

Blackburnian Warb'er (Dcndroica fusca) .

A rare migi-ant. I identified it in life May 14, 1913, when I
saw two males. A few years before this I examined a female
specimen which a neighboi''s cat had caught.

Sycamore Warb'er (Dcndroica doniiiiica alhilora).

Mrs. George May and her mothei', Mrs. E. B. Haydeii, saw one
in Wall Lake May 13. 1913. This was during a great migration
"wave" of warblers and other birds. Mr. Joe Abernathy reported
cne at Sac City.

Black-throated Green Warbler (Dcndroica rirens).

I fiist observed this species August 31, 1912, seeing an adult
female which I observed closely fi-om a short d'stance. In the
spring I saw one May 12, 1913, and my sister saw the species May
15, 1911. and May 22, 1913. It is a rare migrant.

Palm Warbler (Dcndroica palmaruni palmarum) .

A rare migrant. My first identification was May 3, 1911, when
I saw two in Odebolt. I did not record it again until May 2, 1915.

Oven-bird (Sciiinis aiirocapillns) .

A rare migrant. 1 first observed it May 26. 1910, and again
May 12. 1914. My sister saw one May 11. 1914.

Water-Thrush or Grinnell's Water-Thrush (Sciiinis norchoniccnsis
norcboraccnsis and iiorchoraccnsis notabilis) .
As it is impossible to distinguish between these subspecies
without killing the b'rd, I include them both under one heading.
A rare migrant. First identified May 15, 1913, and seen again May
10, 1914.

130 THE WILSON BULLETIN— Septen.ber, 1921

Louisiana Water-Thrush (Seiunis viotociUa).

A rare migrant. I identified it on May 27, 1910, in the old
railroad gravelpit south of Lake View.
Mourning Warbler (Oporornis plilladelphla) .

A rare migrant. I have seen three males, getting close enough
to all of them to see the black throat patch which distinguishes it
from the Connecticut warbler. Dates seen: May 4. 1911: May 26,
1913: May 23, 1915.
Maryland Yellow-throat (Gcuthlypis trichas trichas).

A common regular migrant and a rare breedei-. I have found
the nest built in slough grass in a wet slough. First seen dates
range from May 6 to 19.
Yellow-breasted Chat (Icfcria rireiis rir<)is).

Mrs. E. B. Hayden reported seeing one at Sac City.
Wilson Warbler (Wilsonia pitsiUa pusilla).

A tolerably common and regular migi-ant. Fii-st seen dates
vary from May 10 to 20.
Canada Warbler (Wilsonia canadensis) .

A rare migrant. Seen by my sister on the following dates:
May 20. 1912: May 26, 1913; May 23, 1914.
Redstart (Sctopfiaga ri(ticiUa).

A common and fairly regular migrant, being absent only two
years out of nine. First seen dates are from May 12 to 22.
Pipit or Titlark (AntJnts nibesccns).

A rare and irregular migrant. I have always observed it on
bare or plowed ground, and have never seen a flock of more than
thirty. First seen dates are from May 10 to 15. I have also seen
it in the fall.
Catbird iDitinete-Ua varolinmsis).

A common migrant and breeder. First seen dates covering
twelve years vary from May 2 to 16.
Brown Thrasher (Toxostoma nifion).

A common migrant and a common nesting species. First seen
dates vary from April 19 to May 5.
Western House Wren (Troglodijtcs aedon parkiiiaiii) .

A common migrant and breeder, usually rearing two broods in
a season, and nearly every farmstead has its pair of wrens. First
seen dates range from April 9 and 25 to May 12. The April 9 date
is an exceptionally early record.
Winter Wren (Nannus hiemalis hionalis).

Only one record. I identified one October 18, 1908. in some
willows along a small creek.
Short-billed Marsh Wren (Cistotliorns stcllaris).

A common migrant and also a common breeder in suitable
sloughs. It will nest in sloughs where there is no standing water.

Lard Birds of Sac County, Iowa 131

while the long-billed marsh wren will not. or at least, does not in
this locality. It is very difficult to identify because of its habit
•of constantly bobbing back into the grass. After the first iden-
tification, it is easily told by its actions and song.

Prairie Marsh Wren (Tclmatodytcs palustris iliaciis).

This subspecies of the long-billed marsh wren is a tolerably
common summer resident about Wall lake and its inlet. I have
no migi-ation data for this and the preceding species because I
live too far from their haunts.

Brown Creeper {Certhia faniUiaris amcricana) .

A tolerably common migrant and a rare winter resident. It
usually appears in November and departs in March or April.
White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis r(irolin<'us\s) .

A tolerably common winter resident and possibly a summer
resident in the woods along the Raccoon river.
Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis).

A very rare migrant. One was seen by my sister May 8, 1911.
Black-capped Chickadee (Pcnihcstcs atricapilUts atricaiyillus).

A common winter resident and a rare breeder in the vicinity
-of Wall Lake. I know of two different broods successfully reared
in this vicinity. It is probably more common as a breeder in the
woods.
Golden-crowned Kinglet (Rcgnliis satrapa satrapa).

A rare spring and fall migrant. First seen dates in spring
are: March 23 and April 19; in fall, November 11 and 17.
Ruby-crowned Kinglet {Regulus calendula calendula).

A common spring and fall migrant. First seen dates in spring
are from April 10 to 27. I have frequently seen it flash its ruby
<;rown in spring, and occasionally heard it sing, but never knew it
to do either of these in the fall. Its song is surprisingly loud and
clear for so small a bird.
Wood Thrush (H)/lo<ichl(i. )nitst<iin(i) .

A tolerably common migrant and breedei-. It usually nests in
t)i-chard trees. First seen dates vary from May 6 to 11.
Gray-cheeked Thrush (Hylocichla (ilicicie aliciae).

A common or even abundant migrant the two or three days it
is here in May. Also reported common by Mrs. George May.
Olive-backed Thrush (Hf/lociehla iistulata sivainsoni).

A common to abundant migrant the two or three days it is
here in May. It is found at the same time as the gray-cheeked
rhrush. Also reported common by Mrs. George May.
Robin (Plauestivus migidlorins migratorius) .

An abundant migrant and breeder. In the year 1912 a few
wintered. First seen dates cover the period from February 28 to
JNIarch 29.

132 THE WILSON BULLETIN— September, 1921

Bluebird (sialia sialis sialis).

A rare migrant and breeder in the vicinity of Wall Lake. I
have noted it oftener of late years than fovmerly. Along the Rac-
coon river it is much more common. First seen dates are from
March 5 to April 26. with May 12 and 30 as extra late dates.

NOTES OX THE DISTKIBETION A\I» ^IKtKATIOX
OF XEBKASKA BIKDS

I. TYRANT FLYCATCHERS {Tyrannidur)
BY :myrox II. swp:xk axd r.ili'H w. dawsox

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher Muscivora forficata (Gmelin).

Although this striking bird is a common summer resident aud
breeder from southern Kansas southward, it has always been con-
sidered as of purely accidental occurrence in Nebraska. In fact,
prior to the present year, there are but two known instances of
its having been seen in the state. The first of these was in the
fall of 1872, when L. Bruner observed a single specimen of this
species south of Lincoln. The bird was very clearly seen, and.
as the observer was familiar with the species, no doubt has ever
attached to this record. {Bruner. Some Xotes on Xehrriska Birds.
1896. p. 114.)

The second record of this species for the state was made by
Mr. Charles Armstrong in the spring of 1913. Mr. Armstrong was
at the time a student in the Nebraska School of Agriculture, and
during April of that year, while he was disking in the field on a
farm near Greenwood, Nebraska, he saw and carefully observed
one of these birds, which he had never before seen or even heard
of. On returning to school he gave a very accurate description of
the bird to R. W. Dawson, including the scissor-like tail and scarlet
sides, and when shown the plate of this species which appeared
in Bird-Lore, ix. No. 6, he at once recognized it as representing
the bird he had seen. This second record, heretofore unpub-
lished, has likewise been fully accepted by Nebraska ornitholo-
gists. However, in both the above cases the birds noted were
apparently stragglers.

On May 30, 1921, while Dr. D. C. Hilton of Lincoln, was wait-
ing outside the main entrance gate to Capital Beach he noted a
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, from the plumage evidently a female,
and discovered it had a nest in the last tree of a row of small
elms bordering the driveway after passing through the entrance
gate. He observed the bird long and carefully, and later on in
the same day both Dr. Hilton and M. H. Swenk visited the place
again, this time flushing the flycatcher from her nest, which was

Notos on Nebraska Birds 133

located about filteen feet up in the elm tree, and observing her
snapping her insect prey from the air.

Word of the tind was discreetly passed around, and the bird
■was noted during the week by R. W. Dawson, R. H. Wolcott,
H. B. Lowry and other ornithologists of Lincoln. Only the fe-
male was observed, which remained in the vicinity of the nest
when not on it, and found diversion in chasing English sparrows
away and quarreling in a good natured way with a Western King-
bird. On June 7, R. W. Dawson noted that the bird was paying
but little attention to her nest, though remaining in the general
vicinity. On June 12 he noted that she had begun the construc-
tion of a new nest, in an elm tree in the same row. the seventh
tree to the north from the one in which the oiiginal nest was
located. The original nest had at this time been occupied by
English sparrows. The new nest was barely started on June 12.
By July 3 the new nest had been completed and it, too, was oc-
cupied by English sparrows, while nothing vcas to be seen of the
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, nor has the bird been observed by any-
one since.

The writers are indebted to Dr. D. C. Hilton for the privilege
of placing his remarkable find on record, for this establishes the
species as a breeder, occasionally at least, some hundreds of
miles to the northeast of its previously recorded breeding range.

Kingbird Tyrannus lijrannus (Linnaeus).

The Kingbird is an abundant summer resident and breeder
over the entire state, and in every locality where there are anv
trees whatever to furnish it with nesting sites. It was first re-
corded from Nebraska by Thomas Say, who noted its arrival at
Engineer Cantonment on May 7. 1820. Maxmilian also noted it
along the Btirt Cotmty bank of the Missnttri River on May 6.
1833. In 1877 Aughey stated that it was abundant west to the
middle of the state, but from thence on to the westeiU line of
Nebraska occurred but sparingly. By 1900, however, the King-
bird was almost if not quite as common in suitable places in west-
ern Nebraska as it was farther east, except possibly along the
more heavily wooded eastern Nebraska streams

In eastern Nebraska it arrives in late April or early May, nests
during late May and June, and departs in late August and Sep-
tember. At Lincoln it has been noted as early as April 25, and
is usually common after April 29. It frequently remains until
September 12, and sometimes lingers as late as September 22.
At Omaha it has been recorded from April 20 to September 15,
thus apparently arriving there a little earlier than at Lincoln.
At Neligh it arrives later and departs earlier than at Lincoln or
Omaha, the dates being May 1 to 10 and September 1 to 10.
iCanj, Proc. X. 0. V.. i. p. 25).

1C4 THE WILSON BULLETIN— September, 1921

Western Kingbird Ti/raimus rcrficalis Say.

Over the semi-arid plains and sandhill regions of western and
central Nebraska, from about the 100th meridian westward, and
in the Pine Ridge of northwestern Nebraska, the Western or
"Arkansas " Kingbird is a very common to abundant summer
resident and breeder. Eastwardly over the prairie region it oc-
curs in rapidly declining numbers to the Missiuri River, commonly
as a migrant but uncommonly as a breeder.

Prior to about 1903 this Kingbird was a rather rare migrant
east of the 9Sth meridian. In fact, a few records from Omaha,
Lincoln and West Point, all of migrating birds, constituted
the total information at hand concerning its occurrence in the
eastern portion of Nebraska. Then in 1904 there were four rec-
ords of its having been seen in the more eastern counties, these
occasioning considerable interest. In 1905 it migrated through
eastern Nebraska quite commonly in May, eastward even to the
Missouri River, and this unusual influx was recorded by Swenk
(Auk. xxii. p. 320) with the observation that probably the spe-
cies was extending its line of migration to the eastward. Ap-
parently such was the case, for the Kingbird has since continued
to be a common migrant through eastern Nebraska each May and
September.

This Kingbird arrives somewhat later than the common King-
bird. During the decade 1911-1920 the earliest date recorded at
Lincoln was May 4. At Neligh Gary found it arriving May 5 to
20 (Proc. N. O. U., i, p. 25). In Sioux County it is common by
May 18 (Crauford, Proc. N. 0. V.. ii, p. 77). In Nebraska nesting
takes place in June and July. Departure takes place in Sioux
County by about September 11 (Mickcl and Daicson. Aittca. xxxii,
p. 75). At Neligh the birds linger until September 10 to 20 (Cory,
Proc. \. 0. v.. i, p. 25). They are rarely seen at Lincoln after
the first few days in September.

At about the same time that the Western Kingbird began to
be noted commonly during migrations in eastern Nebraska occa-
sional instances of its nesting in that part of the state began
coming to notice. As early as 1899 Cary had found it a rare
summer resident at Neligh, on the 99th meridian (Pruc. X. 0. U.,
i, p. 25). Then on July 15, 1904, I. S. Trostler found a nest of
this species in the town of Niobrara, also on the 99ih meridian,
and later found three other pairs in that town which were also
with little doubt nesting. Four years later, on July 26, 1908,
R. H. Wolcott found a nest in a planted grove on the south side
of Capital Beach, near Lincoln, and the next season, 1909. foimd
two nesting pairs at the same place. Other instances of the nest-
ing of this Kingbird in eastern Nebraska have come to notice
with increasing frequency in subsequent seasons, and at the

Notes on Nebraska Birds 135

present time the species is an uncommon, but not rare, breeder
east to the Missouri River.

In central and western Nebraslva the Western Kingbird has,
of course, long been a common and characteristic breeder, along
all the wooded streams, both in trees and in brush, and in hack-
berry pockets in the sandhills. In the western village and ro\\n
parks it is very common everywhere.

The first record for the state is that of Aughey, who in 1877
reported it as abundant in southwestern Nebraska, especially
along the Republican River, a status that has not changed dur-
ing the subsequent years.

Cassin Kingbird Tijrannits voviftrans Swainson.

Spreading eastward during the fall migration from its breed-
ing locations in the more elevated mountain valleys of southern
Wyoming, the Cassin Kingbird proved to be a rather common
migrant in the Pine Ridge of noi-thwestern Nebraska during Sep-
tember, 1919. In 1919 Mickel and Dawson collected this species
near Glen on September 6, at the mouth of Monroe Canyon on
September 12, and at Fort Robinson on September 20, the last
specimen from a flock of 8 or 9 birds. {Anted, xxxii, p. 75).

Crested Flycatcher Mijiarrhiis crinitits criiiitus (Linnaeus).

This flycatcher is a common, or locally rather abundant, sum-
mer resident and breeder along the Missouri River and in the
larger timber of its principal tributaries in eastern, and especially
southeastern, Nebraska, ranging up the Elkhorn to West Point,
up the Big Blue to Milford, up the Little Blue to Hastings, up
Salt Creek to Lincoln, etc. At Lincoln it is common from May 3
to August 22 and sometimes lingers until September 8. Nesting
records are in June. It was first recorded for the state by Thomas
Say, who found it at Engineer Cantonment in 1820.

(Myiarchiis cinerascais ci)i< rascnis (Lawrence), the Ash-
throated Flycatcher, occurs commonly in Colorado and has been
taken at Cheyenne, Wyoming, hence may straggle into western
Nebraska.)

Piioebe Haiiornis phorbc (Latham).

An abundant summer resident and breeder over eastern Ne-
braska, west to about the 99th meridian, except in the Niobrara
valley, where it extends to the 100th meridian or a little beyond.

The first state record is that of Thomas Say. who noted its
arrival at Engineer Cantonment on March 22, 1820. Aughey in
1877 recorded this species from Richardson, Lancaster and Da-
kota Counties, and indicated that it was confined rather closely
to the eastern counties. It now extends west commonly at least
to Hastings, Kearney, Neligh, Long Pine and Valentine.

The Phoebe has been recorded at Lincoln as early as March

KG THE WILSON BULLETIN— September, 1921

12, and is iisvmlly common after March 18. It ne.-its in late April
and May and again in July, rearing two broods, and usually de-
parts by October 21, though once recorded on November 2.

Cay Phoebe l^df/orn's soi/us (Bonaparte).

This shy phoebe of the dryer portions of Nebraska is a very
common summer resident and breeder east to a.bout the 100th
meridian, and an increasingly uncommon or rare migrant east to
about the 97th meridian.

In the Pine Ridge it is very common, and nests in the heads
of the canyons, on rocky ledges in the bad lands, and around
buttes on the table lands, as well as in out buildings {Proc. N. 0.
U.. ii, p. 77; iii. p. 73). In Scottsbluff County it is equally com-
mon and often nests in the structures along the irrigation ditches.
At Alliance, Box Butte County, it was noted by Swenk nesting in
the cornice of a building on the main street of the town, and at
Haigler, Dundy County, nesting under the eaves of a railroad
water tank. It nests commonly east to Cherry, Rock and Lincoln
Counties. There are two broods a year, one in early May and
the other in late June and early July. As a migrant it has
been noted at Halsey (Chapman), Comstock (Zimmer), Kearney
(Aughey), Ravenna (Swenk) and Holt County (Bruner) and once
even at Lincoln (Bruner).

Aughey first recorded the Say Phoebe from the state in 1877,
stating that he had observed it only in central and western Ne-
braska, and mostly at Kearney, Buffalo County. It arrives in
early April (Comstock, April 5, 1913), completes nest building
in middle May (Chadron, May 18, 1900) and departs in late Sep-
tember.

Eas'.ern Olive-sided Flycatcher NitftaUo) iii.s honalis horcalis
(Swainson) .

An uncommon or rare migrant over the eastern portion of the
state. Aughey stated that he had " only occasionally met it in
Nebraska." It has been noted several times near Iiiccoln; by
L. Bruner, by H. B. Lowry on May 9, 1903, by SwenJi and Zim-
mer at Roca. September 4, 1909 (Pruc. X. 0. V.. v, p. ?5), by
Dawson September 12, 1915, and by Dawson and Mickel May 19,
1!.20. Bruner has recorded it from West Point and Dickinson
fiom Gresham.

The specimen from Roca, September 4, 1909, is a female and
measures: Length 178, wing 102, tail 68, culmen 15, and tar-'us 14.
It is, therefore, somewhat intermediate between typical bnrcalis
and vrajor'uiufi, but is nearer the formei'.

Reeky Mountain Olive-sided Flycatcher Xnttalh.vnls hornilis imi-
jorinus Ban,2;s «& Penard.
This reoentlv differentiated form occurs in the extreme west-

Notes on Nebraska Birds 137

ern part of the state during early June, but it is not knov n to
breed there, though it may rarely do so. Gary collected a^ speci-
men west of Warbonnet Canyon, Sioux County, June 14, 1901
{Proc. N. O. v.. iii, p. 72) and Mickel one at Kimball, Kimball
County, June 8, 1919 (Aiitca, xxxii, p. 75). Both specimens are
females, and measure, respectively: Length, 177 and 178; wing,
106.5 and 105; tail, 71.5 and 67; culmen, 17 and 16.5; tarsus, 15.

Wood Peewee Mj/iochaiirs vir<'ns (Linnaeus).

A common summer resident and breeder east of the 97th me-
ridian. At Lincoln it arrives about May 19 and remains imtil
September 8. A record from Ashland on May 15, and two froni
Omaha, on May 8 and 14, would seem to indicate that the Wood
Pewee appears first along the more heavily wooded streams of
eastern Nebraska, and then works westwardly to the limits of
its range in the state. At Omaha, Lincoln, Beatrice, Peru, Weep-
ing Water. Nebraska City and other eastern points it is a com-
mon breeder, nesting in June.

The first state record is that of Aughey, who stated in 1877
that there were " a very few of these birds in the timber belts
of eastern Nebraska along the Missouri " and recorded a speci-
men from Dakota City in June, 1869. Evidently since that time
the species has pushed westward along the wooded streams and
increased in abundance so that where it was then rare or absent
it is now common. Occasionally its " prc-a-uee" may now be
heard within the city limits of Lincoln and other cities and towns
of eastern Nebraska.

Western Wood Peewee M i/ioclunics richardHonii riehardsonii
(Swains(tn) .
West of the 100th meridian in Nebraska this species replaces
the eastern M. virens. but the ranges of the two species do not any-
where meet. In the Pine Ridge Region it is a common summer
i-esideiit, having been reported by every bird student working in
that region. In 1900 it arrived at Monroe Canyon in the Pine
Ridge May 24 (Crawford, Proc. N. 0. U., ii, p. 77), and in 1908
Zimmer collected it at the same place on August 19 and 22, thus
indicating migration dates very similar to those of M. virens in
eastern Nebraska. In July, 1910, he found it common at Glen.
Sioux County, and collected specimens. In Scottsbluff County it
is common everywhere in cottonwood groves and was found almost
abundantly in the timber along the North Platte River near Henry,
June 18, 1916, where several pairs were found with nearly or quite
completed nests (^Siccnk. AnWa. xxx, p. 115). Aughey who first
recorded the species from the state, stated in 1877 that it was
" frequently seen wherever there is a woodland or timber-skirted
streams in western Nebraska," and recorded it from Sidney and
from " Wood River," meaning probably the head-waters of that

138 THE WILSON BULLETIN — September, 1921

stream in Custer or Dawson Counties, in June, 1875. Bruner noted
it along the Dismal River in Thomas County, and in 1911 Zimmer
found it in the shrubbery along the Loup River in the same county,
August 21 to 28, collecting a male on the first date (Proc. N. 0. U.,
V, p. 81). The eastern limits of its normal breeding i-ange are not
well fixed.

Yellow-bellied Flycatcher hhttpidoiHi.r t1(iviv< iitrifi (W. M. & S. F.
Baird.

This retiring and self-effacing inhabitant of heavily shaded and
excessively moist woods occurs in Nebraska only as a rare migrant
east of the 97th meridian. In 1877 Aughey stated that this species
occurred " sparingly in eastern Nebraska,"' and that he had known
it " to breed on the skirts of timber belts along the Missouri River."
He also mentions taking a specimen at Dakota City, Nebraska, in
July. 1870. But, as E. flavivcntris is rather strictly a Canadian
zone species, and breeds in situations quite different from the hab-
itat in which Aughey thought he found it nesting, he was probably
in error in his identification of the bii-d. Very likely he found
E. virrsceus instead, especially as he does not mention that species
in his list. One might also fairly assume that his July specimen
from Dakota City was likewise E. vircscens.

L. Bruner has noted E. flavivcntris as a migrant once each at
both Lincoln and West Point, and Zimmer has recorded a speci-
men that was thoroughly identified by himself and R. H. Wolcott
at Roca May 21, 1910 {Proc. N. 0. U., v, p. 35), but no specimens
taken in Nebraska have been examined.

(Empidonax difficilis difficilis Baird, the Western Flycatcher,
which represents E. flavivcntris in the West, and breeds in Wyom-
ing and Colorado from 10,000 feet elevation to the plains, as well
as in the Black Hills region of South Dakota, will very likely be
found t(i occur in northwestern Nebraska during migration.)

Acadian Flycatcher Eynpidona.v vircscens (Vieillot).

Confined during the breeding season to deep and shady wood-,
lands, this flycatcher is to be found nesting only along the Missouri
River and the more heavily wooded portions of the lower Platte.
The record from West Point by Brunei" is probably based on a
highly colored male of E. traillii. At Omaha it is a fairly common
summer resident and breeder, arriving in May, breeding in June
and departing in September (L S. Trostler, L. Skow, etc.).

West of the Missouri River Region there are no records of the
occurrence of this flycatcher, even as a migrant, except that of
Cary who states that he " took an adult male on Pine Ridge, Sioux
County, Nebraska, about fifteen miles from the northwestern cor-
ner of the state, on May 26, 1900" (Auk. xviii, p. 235), which rec-
ord was repeated by Crawford (Proc. N. O. U.. ii, p. 27). Ridgway
accepts this as a probably casual record (Hull. ■')(). U. H. N. M.. iv,

Notes on Nebraska Birds 139

pp. 553 and 555), and it may be valid, but a specimen taken in the
same locality two days later by J. S. Hunter, and said to be the
same as Gary's specimen (which we have not seen), is E. traillii
hrewsteri, as determined by Dr. H. C. Oberholser. It is therefore
altogether probable that Gary's record is based on a misidentifica-
tion.

Traill F\ycatc)rter Empidonax iroiUii traillii (Audubon).

By far our most abundant and widespread species of Empi-
donax. the Traill Flycatcher, or "Alder Flycatcher" of much of the
literature, occurs commonly as a summer resident and breeder and
abundantly as a migrant over the state west to about the 100th
meridian.

The first record of the species for Nebraska is that of Aughey
who in 1877 wrote that he did not distinguish between E. pusilhis
(= b)yicst(ri) and E. traillii, having only occasionally met either
one. Although not definitely saying so, subsequent Nebraska ob-
servers have also largely not discriminated between the two sub-
species of E. traillii.

A series of seven representative specimens taken at Lincoln
May 21 to August 15, including three breeding June birds, have
been examined by Dr. H. G. Oberholser and all pronounced E.
traillii traillii (=i aluoriim) . Nine additional specimens are iden-
tical with this series, and the total series of eleven males and five
females proves that this is both the migratory and breeding form
at Lincoln. At this point the species is common from May 3 until
the end of August and has been noted as late as September 12.

At Omaha, Nebraska Gity, Union, Peru and other points along
the Missouri River this bird has been found to be a common sum-
mer resident and breeder. M. A. Garriker, Jr., has given a good
account of its habits in that region (Proc. N. 0. U.. ii, pp. 44-46).
Specimens examined from Peru, Union and South Bend are indis-
tinguishable from the series of Lincoln specimens, though Zim-
mer has recorded an unusually bi'ightly colored male specimen
from Lincoln (May 20, 1909) and a large-billed female specimen
from Union (July 23, 1910) as E. t. (iluoru))!. under the impression
that the western form previously known as E. t. traillii (now E. t.
breu'strri) was the prevailing form in these localities (Proc. X.
0. U., V, p. 35).

West of the 97th meridian this flycatcher is found in plum thick-
ets and other brush, especially along the rivers and creeks, to at
least the 98th meridian. At Neligh Gary found it a common mi-
grant and probably a summer resident, arriving May 5 to 20 and
departing August 10 to September 1 (Proc. N. 0. U., i, p. 25).
From west of the 98th meridian there are no records, and west
of the 100th meridian it is apparently replacer" bv the following
subspecies.

140 THE WILSON BULLETIN— September, 1921

There are many nesting records of the Traill Flycatcher in east-
ern Nebraska, practically all of them in June.
Western Traill Flycatcher Enipidonax irailli hr(nrstrri Oberholser.

This is the prevailing form of E. traillii in the Pine Ridge of
northwestern Nebraska where it is a common summer resident,
and it also occurs as a migrant and occasional breeder over west-
ern Nebraska, probably from about the 100th meridian westward.

A University collecting party, working in Sioux County from
May 18 to June 1. 1900, noted this bird repeatedly during that
period (Cm ic ford. Proc. N. 0. U.. ii, p. 77), and a specimen col-
lected in Monroe Canyon on May 28 has been pronounced brcicsteri
by Dr. H. C. Obeiholser. During the summer of 1901 the "Alder
Flycatcher " was observed all through the summer by Cary and
Cariiker, who, though they found no nests, regarded it as prob-
ably breeding (Cary, Proc. N. 0. U.. iii, p. 73). L. M. Gates col-
lected a specimen of brcwsteri (Det. Oberholser) on May 21, 1914,
at Haigler. Nebraska, in the extreme southeastern part of the
state. Zimmer found the Traill Flycatcher in the brush along
the Loup River at Halsey from May 15 to August 31, in 1911 and
1912 (Proc. X. 0. v.. v, p. 81), and collected three specimens on
August 21 and 31. 1911. Unfortunately, these specimens are juve-
niles, but they have the more brownish color of hreicstcrl.

Least Flycatcher Eiiipidonax minimus (W. M. & S. F. Baird).

East of about the 98th meridian this, our smallest flycatcher, is
a more or less common migrant, and in the northeastern part of
the state, along the Missouri River, it is an uncommon summer
resident and breeder. Possibly it may occur as a rare migrant
farther west, but has not so been recorded as yet.

It arrives in early May. At Falls City in 1904 Swenk collected
a male on May 2. At Lincoln in 1903 he collected a pair on May
9, a date considerably earlier than the other Lincoln dates, which
are May 13 to 21. In the fall it is very uncommon at Lincoln, the
only date being September 20, 1920 (C. E. Mickel). Apparently it
usually migrates a little later than does E. trailli from which it
is best distinguished in the field by its sharp, snappy "chc-bcc"
note, very different from the shrill, jerky " icec-zee-up " of the
Traill Flycatcher. Cary found it a rather common spring migrant
at Neligh May 10 to 20. but did not note it in the fall (Proc. N.
0. U., i, p. 25). L. Bruner has found it migrating at West Point.

In 1877 Aughey first recorded this species from Nebraska, stat-
ing that it was rather common and occasionally bred in the north-
eastern portion of the state, and recording the taking of specimens
at Dakota City in May, June and July of 1865 and 1866. Dr. T. C.
Stephens informs us that it nests in that locality at the present
time. It also occasionally summers and breeds as far south along

Notes on Nebraska Birds 141

The Missouri River as Omaha, according to L. Skew, I. S. Trostler
and others.

Hammond F\ycatcher E)upi(Ionax hammondii (Xantus).

The only state recoi-d of this bird, previously unpublished, is.
that of a specimen collected at Crawford, Nebraska, September 17,
1911, by J. T. Zimmer, and now No. 531 of his collection. It is a
male, and clearly shows the characters of the species — chest dark,
throat grayish, outer primary slightly longer than fifth primary,
emarginate tail with outer web of outer rectrix whitish, etc.. while
the bill is conspicuously shorter and narrower than in trailUi or
»nni)niis. It is probable that this species occurs more or less reg-
ularly, though in small numbers, in northwestern Nebraska during
migrations, as the species nests in the mountains of Wyoming and
Colorado, from the plains up to 8,000 feet elevation.

(Empidouax urightii Baird. Wright Flycatcher. In 1901 Mer-
ritt Cary .-ecorded what he called the Traill Flycatcher {E. traiUii)
as frequently seen around the rim rock in the rocky heads of can-
yons among the " wait-a-bit " brush of the western slopes of the
Elk Mountain region of South Dakota, southeast of Newcastle. Wy-
oming, uttering at short intervals Its sharp " kr-uick\ ke-wick "
(Auk, xviii, p. 233). However, a male specimen collected by Cary
at Elk Mountain, June 10, 1900, proves to be E. urightii as deter-
mined by Dr. H. C. Oberholser and there is also a female ivrigJitii,
collected by Cary at the same place three days earlier, before us.
His description of the note of the bird agrees with the note of
ivrightii and not of traillii. E. nriglitii has also been taken at
Cheyenne, Wyoming, and almost without question will eventually
be found migrating through the Pine Ridge of northwestern Ne-
braska.)

THE WILSON BULLETIN

Published at Oberlin, Ohio, by the Wilson Ornithological Club.

Official Organ of the Wilson Ornithological Club ard the Nebraska Ornithological Un-
ion (in affiliation).

Price in the United States, Canada and Mexico, $1.50 a year, 50c a number, post paid.
Price in all countries in the International Union, J2.00 a year, 60c a number. Subscriptions
should be sent to Geo. L. Fordyce, Youngstown, Ohio.

EDITORIAL

The brightest spof in the whole summer trip, which the editor
was privileged to make last summer, was the stay of his party at
the Lake Okoboji McBride I^ake Laboratory. It was not merely a
haven of rest, after the four days of wallowing in the mud of the
incomparably rich soil of Iowa, but as well a liaven for study.
Dr. Wylie, the Director, and Dr. Stephens, one of our ex-presideuts.
made our stay of three days the best three days of the whole trip.
They were ably seconded by the other members of the staff of the
Laboratoiy.

The short trip to Alaska, after the close of tlie automobile trip,
through the Inside Passage to Skagway, and from there over the
White Pass and Yukon railway to White Horse, Yukon Territory,
by boat through the chain of Atlin lakes in nortliern British Colum-
bia, was a fitting climax to the summer wanderings. The most
notable birds seen on this trip were the swarms of short-billed
gulls along the Inside Passage, and the Hudsoniau chickadees and
and Townsend's solitaire in the lodge-pole pine forests at White
Horse. There was some evidence of a small nesting colony of her-
ring gulls at the north end of lake Bennett. We were there be-
tween the visitations of the mosquitoes and the " noseeums," there-
fore our stay was a pleasant one. If there were migrations in
progress no evidence of such could be seen. The weather was cool.

Never in the history of the Wilson Ornithological Club has
such a wealth of good material been offered for publication. To
the editor it is becoming not only clear but imperative that some
plan should be devised immediately whereby more of these papers
can be published. The most obvious plan would be to increase
the number of pages to 64 per issue, and for this increase in value
charge larger membership fees and subscription rates. There is no
likelihood that publication prices will ever reach the pre-war rates,
or even approach them, at least for some years to come. Reduction
of the size of the Wilson Bulletin with membership dues and sub-
scription rates remaining the same would be suicidal. Members
should plan to be present at the next annual meeting and be pre-
pared to reach a solution of this problem. It is vital.

Communications 143

COMMUNICATIONS

THE WORK OF THE WILSON CLUB

The question is frequently asked of me by our new members
to define, in my capacity as Secretary, just what is the definite
work and aim of the Club. As the i-ecipient of a considerable vol-
ume of correspondence from our membership, perhaps I may be
pardoned for this communication and the ideas set forth.

Among our membership are all sorts and kinds of students of
bird life, ranging from those who are interested in the so-called
"popular" side of bird study to those who have attained distinc-
tion in technical and taxonomic work. Assuming that the major
trend of our \vork should conform to the interests of that large
and substantial body of members who have supported the Club
through the " lean years " of its existence, it would seem that our
ideal work is the detailed, serious and accurate study of our na-
tive birds. True as it is that many volumes have been written on
the subject and that the several ornithological magazines have
published thousands of pages of valuable contributions on the
habits of birds, yet none but the misinformed would say that the
subject had been exhausted. The formulating of an accurate local
list should be the backbone of the woi-k of every observer and this
task will requii'e constant revisions and additions as years go by.
The annotations to such a list represent the cream of the ornitholo-
gist's W'Ork and should contain only accurate and substantiated facts
as to the breeding oi' other occurrence of the species at all sea
sons. Such a list should not be rushed into print for obvious rea-
sons. Supplementing this work it has well been recommended that
the observer should specialize on some particular phase of bird
study. This may be migration, nesting habits, distribution, bird
banding, research, economic investigation or detailed studies of
the life histories of certain species. Almost without exception we
are hampered by lack of time in our pursuit of bird study. With
most of us only recreation hours from our bread and butter strug-
gle are available. For this reason it is well to specialize in order
that whatever phase of bird study we undertake may be well done.
Most commendable indeed is the observer who balks at no hard-
ships in his efforts to secure accurate and complete information
and who possesses the energy and ability to put the result of his
work into print where it will be readily available for the use of
others. I have known of men who have spent the better part of
a lifetime afield and who have built up wonderfully complete orni-
thological collections, including much rare material; yet these men
are practically unheard of. They contributed but little to our
fund of information on bird life either because they kept no sys-

144 THE WILSON BULLETIN — September, 1921

tematic notes or because of their procrastination about putting
them into printer's ink. The writer does not decry the formation
of collections of birds, nests and eggs, but rather advocates them
as a means of acquiring knowledge and substantiating ornitholog-
ical information. (The cats in one suburban block will destroy more
song birds in a season than most ornithologists would care to
collect in a lifetime.) If, however, one finds that in making such
a collection he is merely prompted by a desire for accumulation,
or if it is robbing him of time needed for the keeping of system-
atic notes and for their preparation for publication, then he had
best desist in his collecting.

Finally, I would call attention to the work of tiie U. S. Biolog-
ical Survey at Washington and the desirability of our cooperating
with this Bureau. Migration notes are solicited isy the organiza-
tion and blanks are cheerfully furnished for the purpt>se. Volun-
teers are needed in every section for making bird counts and to
assist with bird banding. Local lists are also desired and are
needed for those whose duty it is to prepare distributional papers.
Preliminary local lists, not yet sufficiently complete to offer for
publication, should be put in the hands of the Biological Survey
and revised from time to time. There are many other ways in
which active field workers can render valuable service to The Sur-
vey and in turn secure from it much desirable assistance.

I trust that in this rather rambling communication I have
clearly given my ideas of the answer to the question mentioned in
the first paragraph and that our new members at least will find
in it some suggestion for properly directing their activities in the
absorbing study of ornithology.

Albert F. Gaxiek.
Secretary W. 0. C.

Nashville, Tenn., May 25, 1921.

Field Notes

145

FIELD NOTES

PHOTOGRAPHING A KILDEER

The extreme wariness of the Kildeer about its eggs is well
known and many an account has been written of the tricks em-
ployed by the would-be nest finder to remain in the premises in

order to watch the owner settle upon her real nest and eggs. Be-
fore the April snows had entirely left the ground, Mr. Howard T.
Middleton happened upon the nest shown in the above picture and
laid plans to secure a series of pictures of the bird at her nest. The
field was being ploughed at the time and a spadeful of turf, con-
taining the nest, was shifted a few feet to freshly ploughed soil.
By means of light cord and small pulleys a contrivance was rigged
up by which the parent would snap the shutter when she settled
upon her eggs. The feature of this mechanism was a small "snap"
mouse trap which the bird could spring with a light pressure on
the cord and which in turn exerted a strong pull on the shutter.
Through the courtesy of Kodakery we are enabled to reproduce
one of the series of five pictures printed in its August number.

A. F. G.
A WHITE COWBIRD
(Molothrus (iter ater)
On April 15, 1921, Mrs. A. J. Williams of Norman, Oklahoma,
called me up, saying there was a " white Cow-blackbird " near her
house. On going over there I saw it among a large flock of ordi-
nary Cowbirds and watched it for twenty minutes through field
glasses, seeing it in various positions and being able to approach
it closely. One foot seemed to be crippled so that it did not walk,
but had to hop on the other foot. Its feathers looked somewhat
ruffled. Above it appeared to be pure white; but underneath, its

146 THE WILSON BULLETIN— September, 1921

tail was slightly pinkish and there were faint dark stripes on its
breast. It was strikingly conspicuous in contrast with the other
birds both in flight and on the ground.

Margaret M. Nice.
Norman, Okla.

COWBIRD LAYS IN PROTHONOTARY'S NEST
The writer does not remember having read of tne Prothonotary
Warbler (Protonotaria citrea) as being among the list of birds
imposed upon by the Cowbird (Molothrns atrr). While collecting
on May 22 of this year at Horn Lake, in the southwest corner of
Tennessee, the writer found several incomplete nests of this war-
bler as well as one containing three fresh eggs. On the following
day the set was collected, and in the meantime another egg of the
Prothonotary and one of the Cowbird had been deposited. The
nest was built in a willow stub in a submerged willow woods and
was several hundred feet from the shore. An old woodpecker's
hole had been used, the eggs being about six inches below the
hole. The Cowbird is not a common breeding bird in the lower
Mississippi valley. Further south, at Vicksburg, Miss., years ago,
of hundreds of nests examined only in one instance was a Cow-
bird egg found. At Nashville, Tenn.. less than one per cent of
small nests found hold the eggs of the species.

Albert F. Gaxier.
Nashville, Tenn.

NOTES FROM ASHTABULA COUNTY, OHIO

White-winged Crossbill. During the winter of 1919-20 I added
this species to my list of the birds of this county. Late in Novem-
ber a large flock began to arrive, and remained until the first of
March.

Bohemian Waxwing: On December 22 a flock of 32 settled in
an apple tree in front of the house. Small flocks were seen until
February 18, 1920.

Red Crossbill: On January 20, 1920, a flock of 20 settled in an
open field near where I was at work and remained in the neigh-
borhood until the 30th.

Evening Grosbeak: On January 17, 1920, I found one in a
small willow tree on the border of a creek, and on the 19th there
•were two in a thorn bush near the same place. Others were seen
at different times until February 15.

Orange-crowned Warbler: On April 29 I found three in a small
thicket of swamp white oaks. They remained in the neighborhood
until May 9.

Olive-sided Flycatcher: On May 15 I found this species, the
first time for the county.

Blue Grosbeak: While looking for birds, on May 21, attention

Field Notes 147

was attracted to a bird in a thicket of wild crabapples, which I
at first sight took to be an Indigo Bunting, but it seemed too large,
and of a darker hue, with the distinct wing markings of the Blue
Grosbeak. The bird remained very quiet and in full view for at
least ten minutes, during which time it was not over twenty-five
feet from me.

All of the species are additions to my list of the birds of Ash-
tabula county.

S. V. Wh.\rram.

Austinburg, Ohio.

TUFTED TITMOUSE IN MINNESOTA
The recording of a Tufted Timouse (Baeoloplius b. bicolor) in
Minnesota is quite unusual, hence the following should be of in-
terest. A single bird of this species was first noted shorted be-
fore Christmas, 1920, with a flock of Chickadees, in whose com-
pany it remained throughout the winter. The flock spent most of
the time among the evergreens of a cemetery, near Northfield, and
the Titmouse could be seen almost any day. Toward the latter
part of March the Chickadees had paired off and on the twenty-
third the Titmouse was found deserted. Fearing that it too would
leave the vicinity, and wishing the specimen, I secured it on that
day. It proved to be a female, and according to Dr. T. S. Roberts
is, so far as he is aware, the first specimen that has been taken
within the state. There are seven published records of its occur-
rence here, of which I have knowledge, and I have word that two
or three others have been noted in the state the past winter.

A Myrtle Warbler was noted here on April 10th, which is very
early for southeastern Minnesota. The past winter was milder
than usual and Juncos, Crows and Brown Creepers were present.
A Mourning Dove was noted December 25th at Kingsley, in the
northern part of Iowa.

E. W. Johns.
Northfield, Minn.

ROOF-NESTING NIGHTHAWKS
The Nighthawk {Chorclciles virginianiis Virginian us) gets its
first name from two Greek words that mean " Sounder of the
Evening Lyre." People of Nashville, Tennessee, will readily admit
that part of this title is well selected, though they would be slow
to find very much music in his calls. In recent years these birds
have taken over the gravel roofs of certain buildings right in the
heart of the city, presumably to see that their offspring got a place
in the sun quite early in their careers. Late in the afternoon and
far into the night one can hear the shrill far-sounding " B-e-e-r-b."
Ofttimes they swoop down near the ground and their voices sound

148

THE WILSON BULLETIN— September, 1921

above the roar of traffic and the din of auto engines. It is ex-
tremely rare that one hears their " B-o-o-m " in the city, but their
country cousins are as versatile in these death-defying nose dives
as a tramp aviator at a county fair.

A pair of them has taken to " Culture " with a vengeance, hav-

ing for two summers made their home on the roof of the " Home
Economics Building " on the campus of " George Peabody College
for Teachers." Like many intellectual families the number of off-
spring is limited and the accompanying picture will show how
Mother Chordeiles accepted the social call paid her on a recent
morning in mid-July.

George R. Mayfield.
Nashville, Tenn.

WOODCOCK INCREASING
The Woodcock {philohela minor) has for a good many years
been looked upon the country over as a rare bird and one which
has been losing ground to the extent that its extinction has been
freely predicted. It has therefore been the source of much grati-
fication to the writer to note the gradual increase of these birds,
in the vicinity of Nashville, Tenn.. during the past few years. Eight
or ten years ago the hunting season for Bob-white was curtailed
so that it expired January 1st instead of March 1st. The measure
helped materially to restore this species to a semblance of their
former abundance, but in a far more marked degree did it give suc-
cor to the hard pressed Woodcock. When the " quail " hunters go
afield on November 1st most of our Woodcock have migrated fur-
ther south and few are killed during the two months of the open
season. As is well known, the Woodcock is an early breeder and,
in this locality, lays its eggs before March 1st. During the former
extended hunting season they returned to their favorite nesting
grounds while the gunners were still afield and fell easy victims.

Field Notes 149

The shortened season, however, has practically given them immu-
nity from hunters except of course from a lawless few. Without
making any particular search for them, the writer has located not
less than a dozen breeding pair, close to town, including three pair
almost within the city limits. Considering the relatively small
amount of ground covered in my field work it can readily be seen
that the Woodcock population must by now be considerable.

Having thus attested to the fruits which have been reaped
through protection it becomes my painful duty to record that our
local legislators have recently passed a measure, again extending
the season on Bob-white to March 1st, within the limits of this
county. The bill was " slipped over " during the last few days of
the legislative session and passed due to the fact that a self-seeking
Game and Fish Commissioner failed to apprise local conservation-
ists t)f the new law. The very fact that " quail " hunters will be
abroad until March 1st, until the law can be repealed, means a
backset to our local Woodcock that is disheartening, since few heed,
or know of the Federal protection afforded them after January 1st.
Bob-white, being neither classified as song or migratory game bird,
is subject to no Federal protection at present, but if, by national
statute, its pursuit could be eliminated after February 1st, the
Woodcock throughout the country would profit thereby and hold
their own at least.

Albert F. Gaxier.

Nashville, Tenn.

"REMIGRATION OF BIRDS"

Instances of the " remigration "' of birds, which formed the sub-
ject of your recent communication from Gordon Wilson, of Bowl-
ing Green, Ky., have been repeatedly noted here. During such spells
of very warm weather as were frequently experienced all over the
country this winter just passed, our thousands of visiting water-
fowl would disappear so completely that hardly a duck or goose
would be sighted by hunters for weeks at a time: but the first hint
of a coming norther refilled the marshes with the hordes, whose
overhead cries can be heard locally any still day or night from
September till about the middle of March.

The same holds with regard to perching birds; in very cold
snaps even such species as robins, blviebirds, fiickers, and many
others that do not ordinarily come as far down as the coastal low-
lands, with our total lack of trees, are seen in small companies that
vanish coincidently with the dying out of the high winds that fol-
low immediately upon their appearance.

Last year, for the first time within my experience, and this
extends over a space of eighteen migratory seasons, the first of
our martins to appear turned back, after trying to tough out a
rather prolonged late cold snap for two days, and did not reappear
for more than a week.

150 THE WILSON BULLETIN— September, 1921

Among the birds of apparently limited migration that spent the
cold months here are many of our own kinds; they join their south-
ern relatives for varying periods of time, mostly in immense flocks,
like the five or six representatives of the blackbird family; or the
droves of English sparrows that arrive in flocks early in Septem-
ber; and seek out the rice fields and wild grass stretches of the
open prairies.

Catbirds, shrikes, mockingbirds, aiid their immediate kin, ap-
pear and disappear with the shifts in the weather; usually in twos
or threes of their own kind, although the three named seem fond
of traveling in each other's company.

I have in. my miniature aviary a female mockingbird which flew
against the screened porch where I had a crippled male until I was
afraid a cat would certainly get her; so finally opened the door and
let her in with my other birds, where she is perfectly satisfied.

She is a little smaller and darker than our large boldly marked
East Texas-West Louisiana mockingbirds, and instead of their so-
phisticated cold grey eyes hers are of a warm amber. Presumably
she is from one of the states north of Texas and Louisiana; but
in size and the dullness of her markings she reminds me of the
mockingbirds found in the exti'eme west and northwest of this
state, also in upper Mexico and New Mexico.

And since a Gi'oove-billed Ani, whose range is so very far west
and south of this section, was shot within a few miles of town
last year I have wondered if she might not also have been forced
beyond the borders of her natural limits by some such untoward
circumstance as brought the ani here.

Also, in other years, several other wanderers from the habitual
migratory trails of their kind.

Mk.s. Bkuce Reid.

Grulf Refinery, Port Arthur. Texas.

A CROW SUICIDE

A friend has told me the following interesting ntory of a cro^^
committing suicide:

On the afternoon of May 29, 1921, while returning from a swiro
in Buffalo Creek with .several other boys, my friend says the\
found a crow that was apparently sick or crippled in some wa>.
for it was able to walk but could not fly. Thinking to have some
fun, they caught the unfortunate bird and tossed him into a nearby
pond (certainly a very disrespectful way to treat a fellow citizen).
The pond was very shallow, according to his account, and the
crow could have easily waded out had he been so inclined, but
instead, thinking perhaps that death awaited him at the shore,
he deliberately put his head under water and soon drowned.
Whether the pond u'lr/s shallow may be open to question, but if
all details are correct it was surely a pure case of suicide.

Field Notes 151

In Bird-Lore for Nov.-Dec. 1915 (page 479) Mr. Forbush tells
(quoted by Pearson) of wounded Surf Scoters diving and holding
to water plants until they drown in order to escape hunters, but
other than this and the instance cited above, as far as my recol-
lection goes, 1 know of no cases where birds have actually taken
their own lives. Perhaps some of our readers can furnish addi-
tional information on this subject.

FUED J. PlEPvCE.

Winthrop, Iowa.

WOODCOCK AND OTHER NOTES FROM ARKANSAS

In March, 1920, the writer saw an American Woodcock in a
thickly wooded pasture near Fayetteville, Arkansas. This species
formerly nested in this region but has not been observed for many
years in any of its former summer haunts. While recently in Dar-
danelle, and the guest of my keen-eyed and accurate sportsman
friend, Mr. G. E. Pilquist, I got the following facts about the nest-
ing of a pair of Woodcock this season in that vicinity.

Dardanelle is on the right branch of the Arkansas River near
the famous Dardanelle Rock, around which cluster many Indian
legends. Nearby is Mount Nebo, a beautiful isolated peak of the
Ozarkian uplift, rivalling Mount Magazine in beauty but not quite
attaining its elevation of more than 2800 feet. The swamps and
woodlands in this region are particularly inviting to the birds and
the streams abound in fish. Considerable game still exists and
pearlers and trappers find it still more or less profitable to ex-
plore the rivers for their treasures.

About the sixteenth of March a report was brought to Mr.
Pilquist of the nesting of a pair of Woodcock about six miles
southwest of Dardanelle and some three and one-half miles south
of Mt. Nebo. The locality was fully five miles from the Arkansas
River. He immediately made an effort to visit the nest. Competent
eyewitnesses identified the species, and on the thirtieth of March
Mr. Pilquist himself visited the nest, which was placed in a stub-
ble of burned sedge grass, the clump being surrounded with water
at the time the bird was seen. The nest was typical in eveiy re-
spect and not more than one hundred yards from a small creek.
On the 31st of March the four eggs hatched.

It may be well for the writer to submit here without comment,
a list of birds already observed as nesting in this region, specify-
ing those of which eggs have been actually collected with a star.
It is possible, of course, to greatly extend this list, and we fully
hope to do this as opportunity will permit:

Wood Duck. Great Blue Heron, Green Heron, King Rail?, Amer-
ican Woodcock, *Bob-white, Wild Turkey (nest in adjoining county
visited in 1920), *Mourning Dove, *Turkey Vulture (1921), *Coop-
er's Hawk, *Red-shouldered Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk. American

152 THE WILSON BULLETIN— September, 1921

Sparrow Hawk, American Barn Owl, Great Horned Owl, Barred
Owl?, *Screech Owl, Yellow-billed Cuckoo. Belted Kingfisher, Hairy
Woodpecker, ^Southern Downy Woodpecker, *Pileated Woodpecker
(six nests have been located this season; two sets of eggs have been
taken, one clutch of four and one of five), *Red-bellied Woodpecker,
*Red-headed Woodpecker, ^Northern Flicker, Chuck-will's-widow,
*Chimney Swift, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Kingbird, Crested
Flycatcher, Phoebe, Wood Pewee, *Blue Jay, ^''American Crow.
*Cowbird, Red-winged Blackbird, *Bronzed Grackle, * Southern
Meadowlark. Baltimore Oriole, ^Orchard Oriole, Grasshopper Spar-
row, *Field Sparrow. *Lark Sparrow, Chipping Sparrow, *Cardinal,
Blue Grossbeak, *Indigo Bunting, *Summer Tanager, *Purple Mar-
tin, Rough-winged Swallow, Migrant Shrike, White-eyed Vireo,
Prothonotary Warbler, Maryland Yellow-throat, *Yellow-breasted
Chat, Oven bird?, ^Mockingbird, *Catbird, *Brown Thrasher, *Be-
wick Wren, *Tufted Titmouse, ^Chickadee, *Wood Thrush, *South-
ern Robin, *Bluebird.

H. E. Wheeler.
Conway, Ark.

THE PRAIRIE WARBLER

In ten or twelve years of bird study it had never been my
privilege to see a Prairie Warbler. On August 13, 1917, while spend-
ing the day at Sulphur Lick Springs, Ross County. Ohio, a friend
and I were looking for birds as usual, when we suddenly came
upon what v/e recognized at first glance to be a male Prairie
Warbler. He was not shy and tve succeeded in getting near
enough to see that be did not have the salmon patch on the back,
but upon looking it up found that Prairies do not always show
that color in the early fall. As "Birds of Ohio" by Dawson says
"not known to breed in Ohio" and also an early fall migrant, we
were not sure but it might be a migrant at this date.

On June 11, 1919, two other men and I were walking over the
hills of Ross county, Ohio, near Bainbridge, probably then ten
miles from Sulphur Lick Springs where we had previously seen
the Prairie Warbler, when I heard a new song which I knew at
once to be the song of a Warbler, but a new one to m.e. It
sounded but a short distance away and I excused myself and
started in the direction of the song. To my delight it flew
toward me and alighted in a bush not more than tAventy feet
away. Behold! a male Prairie Warbler in all his beauty, threw
back his head and sang! A song reminding me very much of
the Blue-wing a little more musical and having more volume.
In walking probably a mile on that hillside, I heard the song of as
many as ten or twelve.

There being so many in one place and at that date, I knew

Field Nctes 153

that I had disccvered the nesting place of the Prairie Warbler iri
Ohio.

But not content without further facts, on July 6 Mrs. Hender-
son, Ted and I started for the hills of Ross County, a distance of
some forty miles of very hilly roads. We arrived about noon
at this farm, and after climbing the high hill or near mountain,
and reaching the far sid.e of the hill we v/ere almost exhausted,
for it was excessively hot. The hillside was steep, facing the
direct rays of the sun and the undergi'owth was not large enough
to provide shade so we had to grin and bear it as long as we
could. Reaching the vicinity of the former visit, we heard the
song and soon located a male Prairie. At this place the timber
and undergrowth was too thick to follow so we went farther,
hearing the song frequently.

On a large hillside, which had been cleared of timber several
years before and allowed to grow up again in blackberry bushes
and undergrowth of from three to ten feet high, was an excellent
place for nesting and they evidently like a warm place. It was
here that we heard them most. Hearing one near us we located
him in a bush fifteen feet away about two feet from the ground
with a worm in his mouth. We were so delighted, for certainly
we were going to find a nest with young. He sang with the v/orm
in his mouth just the same. He disappeared in a clump of bushes
near by and in a tew seconds came out without the worm and flew
away. As we approached the bush we saw another Warbler not
so highly colored as the male, that flew away in the direction of
the male, and we felt sure from the color and the mode of
flight and actions it must be a nearly full fledged young. We were
unable to find any trace of a nest so we concluded that the male
was feeding this youngster.

As we had spent so much time on this hillside in the boiling
hot sun, without water, we felt we could stand it no longer and
left, without actually seeing the nest, but certainly convinced
we had definitely located the nesting place of the Prairie Warbler
in Ohio. We now have no doubt that the first one we had seen at
Sulphur Lick Springs two years before was a summer resident.

Again on May 30, 1920, we were at Fort Hill, Highland County,
this State, probably ten miles from the places mentioned above
but in the same range of hills. We were on the lookout for
strangers in our local ornithology. We had earlier heard notes
in this section that had puzzled us but failed to locate the
author on this trip. We made the second trip on June 13. While
hunting on a hillside near the fort we heard a Prairie singing.
We wenr in the direction of the song and soon foimd ourselves
in the midst of dozens of them, singing everywhere, males and
females. Evidently they were not nesting yet as we could not
locate a single nest, but there they were, perfectly at home in

154 THE WILSON BULLETIN— September, 1921

practically the same surroundings we liad found tliem in before,
an open hillside of briars and second growth, ground that had been
cleared years before and allowed to grow up again, facing the
south.

We moved on probably two miles in the same range of hill^
and stopped along the road in a cool shady place for lunch. In
the trees and bushes all around us were singing Prairie Warblers,
dozens of them, on the same kind of a hillside, except probably
a few larger trees. Prairie Warblers, instead of being strangers
in this part of thei state suddenly became common. But no where
else have we ever seen the Prairie Warbler. If any of the readers
of this magazine should know of their nesting in Ohio we would
be pleased to know of it.

H. N. Hkndehson.

Wilmington, Ohio.

THE MEADOWLARK AS A CONVERSATIONALIST
The first thing one usually notices about a. hard is its notes,
plumage or a peculiar habit. These things take first place in
memory. A bird's song is frequently its most prominent and
pleasing characteristic, and were it not for it a gi'eat many birds
would never be noticed by the majority of people.

Much has been written in praise of America's bird singers;
some poets and authors praise one bird, while others laud another.
In my estimation the Meadowlark and certain members of the
Thrasher family rank very near first as singers, but I am unable
to say which is really the best. However, I believe the Meadow-
lark's song is the most appreciated, for he comes early in the
spring", when there are few birds with us, and it is very doubtful
whether any of the later birds can equal his song in either
quality or variety.

A study of the Meadowlark"s musical vocabulary is a very
fascinating one and does not require a great deal of effort, pro
viding. of course, one lives near a region of prairie land within
the Meadowlark's range. In the spring months go to a sizable
meadow, or better, to a slough where slough grass and other
vegetation grow in rank profusion. It is here the Meadowlark
is found. If you are a farmer and your work lies nearby, you are
indeed fortunate, for several weeks may be profitably spent in
such a location before all of the Meadowlarks' songs will be
heard.

The Meadowlark is a great conversationalist. He talks to
you from morning till night; it matters not what the weather —
storm and sunshine are the same. He sings from tree, ground,
or in the air, but a fence post, when available, seems to be his
favorite perch. Except in infrequent cases, eveiy Meadowlark

Field Notes 155

seems to have but one song (at least for on*^ day), which he
repeats at short intervals thro.ughout the spring months. How-
ever, in a large neld one can hear a dozen Larks all singing
a different tune at the same time.

Now if we were to take these songs, put them together, and
assume that they were given by one bird we would have quite an
interesting one-sided conversation. It would run something like
this: We see the Meadowlark standing on a post repeating, "0/(.
yes, I am- a lyretttj-little-bird " (the " prcity-little-bird" winds up
with a trill). In a moment he says, '' Fm-going to-cat pretty-soon."
Then, suiting the action to the word, he drops out of sight into
the grass, and presently we hear him say, "7 cut 'im clean off. I
cut 'im clean off'' (this is often followed by " Yui)"). He flies back
to his perch with a bug in his bill, and when he has deliberately
eaten it, he — in a fast, sing-song and unmusical voice — says, " It
makes me feel very good.'' From another portion of the field a
voice calls. "Hey. come here, you rcd-lieadcd Coolie!" It is prob-
ably the irate "Mrs." After hastily cautioning us, "You needn't
shoot my brother Bill." the hen-pecked (we imagine) husband flies
away with a sputtering note, leaving us with a good opinion of his
work as a bug destroyer and musician.*

The average bird's song is given so rapidly and is of such a
bird-like quality that an attempt to put it into words is quite im-
possible if the writer would have his- readers understand them as
he writes them. With the Meadowlark it is different; the notes
are given plainly and with about the same speed as the human
voice talks, so are easily put into words.

Frkd J. Pierce.

Winthrop, Iowa.

AllE BIRDS WEATHER PROPHETS?

In looking Through an old record book, I found a curious note
about birds oiling their feathers before a storm. It is of an
interrogative nature, and I pass it on to the reader with the hope
that it will at least be of interest, even though no conclusions
are reached.

It seems I had heard some one say that birds were endowed
with remarkable powers of observation, could tell when a stornj
was approaching, and had forethought enough to use their secre-
tion of oil on their feathers to make them more waterproof. This
wierd and, as perhaps I should say, unreasonable story, interested
me. One lady told me that she had watched Mourning Doves
industriously oil their coats before a mid-summer rain, but further

* Manv other phrases a.re in common use with Meadow'arks,
but the one^ given above are th3 ones most frequently heard and
easily understood.

156 THE WILSON BULLETIN— September, 1921

than this I could get no information, and after making a note ot
it the subject was forgotten.

Birds would be as liliely to preen their feathers before a storm
as at any othei' time, and it might be easy to imagine a connection
in this respect, while a definite answer v.rould be very difficult
to obtain. If any reader has ready information on this subject,
I should be very grateful if he would impart it.

Vreu J. Pierce.

Winthrop, Iowa.

CARDINALS AT WAYALUSING, WISCONSIN
Mr. Howard Clark Brown's notes on the Cardinal lead me to
offer my experiences with the species here. While I was making
a bird count in the woods in summer I found fully as many car-
dinals as we find here in winter. They were about their nesting
activities, and of course secretive and not easy to find. In the win-
ter they find the food easier to get and more abundant at the lunch
counters than in the woods, therefore one finds them plentiful in
places where they are easily seen. They break up the big kernels
of corn with a sort of churning movement of their bills. I ouce
saw a male cardinal feed his mate while she was sitting on the
nest. He broke the kernels of corn up and then fed the pieces one
by one to the female, putting them into her bill. In the winter
one is sure to find cardinals about corn cribs where the corn can
be gotten at. Cardinals also like nut meats and squash and pump-
kin seeds. Like many of our native birds- they are tormented by
the English sparrow. A pair tried to nest in the vines on my
neighbor's porch. Three eggs were laid before the sparrows found
the nest. Then the sparrows broke one of the eggs. The car-
dinals succeeded in hatching one young, but the sparrows killed
it and tore the nest to pieces. Another pair of cardinals tried to
build a nest in some grape vines near the house, but as fast as the
cardinals would build it the sparrows tore it down. The cardinals
finally got discouraged and went away. Three pairs of cardinals
nested near my house last summer. Senator Robert Glenn found
the first cardinal here in 1906. Now there are dozens of them.

MUS. JODA M.\ox.

Wayalusing, Wis.

Notes — Here and There 157

NOTES=HERE AND THERE

Conducted by the Secretary

At its last annual meeting The Wilson Club passed resolutions
supporting national legislation designed to prohibit the construc-
tion of dams and water power plants in our National Parks. It is
good news to know that this amendment passed and now no such
development can be carried out without special act of Congress.
By the former law such permission could be granted by the Fed-
eral Power Commission.

Dr. R. M. Strong, our President, spent his vacation as usual on
the Great Lakes, where at one time or another he has visited prac-
tically all of the breeding colonies of gvills and terns. During the
" indoor season "' Dr. Strong spends his spare time delving into the
little worked field of avian anatomy.

Our worthy contemporary, The Auk, finds itself a victim of the
printer's strike and its July luimber is something like two months
behind.

The annual meeting of the American Ornithologist Union will
be held in Philadelphia during the week of November 14th, 1921.

Additional volumes of the Life Histories of North American
Birds are being looked forward to with keen anticipation. Mr. A.
C. Bent's first volume, on The Diving Birds, is to be followed by
one on The Gulls and Terns, which is now set up in type. The
manuscript for the third volume, covering Pelicans and Petrels, is
complete and the author is at work on a fourth volume, which will
treat of the Ducks and Geese. When the species not covered by
Bendire have been disposed of, it is to be hoped that the way will
be made clear for the republication of the Bendire volumes, revised
to date and unifoi'm in size with those now being issued.

Bird banding has received a most remarkable impetus during
the past few years and to complete the " chain of evidence " a vig-
orous campaign of winter trapping is desirable. This is particu-
larly needed from southei'n localities and offers a fertile suggestion
to our southern members. Full instruction and explanation of the
work is embodied in Department Bulletin, " Instructions for Bird
Banding," by F. C. Lincoln, and copies may be secured gratis by
addressing The Biological Survey in Washington.

Perhaps no one item is so useful for attracting and retaining
winter birds about the premises as a brush pile constructed in a
thicket. The writer has a copse near his home in which he con-
structed a brush pile of considerable size and no less than five spe-
cies of winter birds used it as a refuge and roosting place through-
out the past winter. The higher the pile the more acceptable it is.

158 THE WILSON BU LLETIN— September, 1921

Dr. Lynds Jones has returned from his usual summer " over-
land " trip to the Pacific coast. The party of biological students,
whose studies and observations he directed en route, closed their
notebooks at Tacoma and. scattering, left our editor to pursue his
way homeward according to his own whim.

Perhaps none of our birds have benefited as greatly, through fed-
eral legislation, as has the robin. It is now an abundant summer
bird in latitudes where it was formerly known only as a migrant
and in the south, in late winter, is present at times in incredible
numbers. The Biological Survey is finding itself in the difficult
position of having to give relief to northern orchardists and at the
same time to uphold the import of the law. Six northern states
have been allowed to issue permits for the shooting of Robins be-
tween May 15th and July 15th, where they are found to be injur-
ing cheiTies and other crops. Such permits will no doubt be often
abused but, all things considered, any other course than the one
pursued would cause an undesirable reaction in the real cause of
bird protection.

Particular attention is called to the paper by Mr. Frank L.
Bui-ns, now running in The Bulletin, as being one of the most val-
uable contributions to ornithology which has appeared in late
years. Mr. Burns' paper in the March, 1915, Bulletin, on the in-
cubation period of our native birds, was a fitting prelude to the
pi'esent articles.

Reports are coming in fi'om our memlx^rs that " the woods are
full of 'em." Not some rara avis, if you please, but the illicit rum
still, which vies with Bubo and the Pileated Woodpecker in seek-
ing out the dark and unfrequented corners of our woodland fast-
nesses. The writer has himself artlessly sidestepped more than
one of them during the season just passed.

Dr. Alexander T. Wetmore has recently returned from a year's
stay in Argentine, Paraguay and Uruguay, where he was sent by
the Biological Survey to investigate the status of those of our mi-
gratory birds which spend the winter there. It is to be hoped that
the information gained will help to clarify some of the questions
which have heretofore been the subject of conjecture; for instance,
we should be glad to learn if our wintering chimney swifts were to
be found and if so in what numbers. Dr. Wetmore's chief mission
was to gain accuiate information on which to base a migratory bird
treaty with South Ameiican countries.

Members should keep in mind the fact that our annual meeting
will be held in Chicago during the week following Christmas, and
plan to be on hand. Further particulars will be given in our De-
cember issue.

Publications Reviewed 159

PUBLICATIONS REVIEWED

BIOLOGICAL SURVEY OF LAKE MAXINKUCKEE. IND., BY
EVERMAN AND CLARK*

Residents of the middle west, particularly those of Indiana, will
find in this work a large fund of information on the fauna common
to the region. That portion of the two volumes devoted to a list
of the birds is relatively small, covering 100 of the 1170 pages and
recording 175 species. The list has been presented in annotated
form and no space has been consumed with descriptions, range,
etc., which in the present case seems commendable. A consider-
able lot of original information is contained in the notes and where
species aie rare the author has given definite dates and records in-
stead of indulging in generalities. This practice could well be fol-
lowed by other authors since the day is past when we are content
to take an author's statement, regarding an unusual species, that
" it is still to be found," without giving supporting data. The wa-
ter birds have been most partially noted, as might be expected, and
the author has shown particular interest in the nidification of the
summer residents. Professor Barton Warren Everman is the au-
thor of this section of the work.

Other chapters deal more or less exhaustively with the mam-
mals, reptiles, amphibians, fish, mollusks. crustaceans, insects, etc.,
etc., and serve well to call our attention to the fact that there is
much of interest in nature aside from ornithology. The Indiana
Department of Conservation under the interested direction of Mr.
Richard Lieber is to be commended for its part in getting this
work " through the mill " and before the public.

A. F. G.

*Lake Maxinkuckee. a physical and biological survey. By
Barton Warren Everman and Howard Walton Clark. Pub. by
The Dept. of Conservation, State of Indiana, 1920. Vols. I and II,
660+512 pp., 91 illustrations.

KEY TO PLATP:.

Fig. 1 — Gibralta Rock from the south, Columbia
County, Wis.

Fig 2 — Young Duck Hawks, removed from nest.

Fig. 3 — Nesting ledge of Duck Hawk in Sauk
County, Wis.

Fig. 4 — Gibralta Rock, showing commanding point
in center of picture, where Duck Hawk invariably alighted
on thir trips to and from the nest.

162 THE WILSON BULLETIN— December, 1921

(Birds of Wisconsin, p. 66) give the following- informa-
tion : "• Formerly bred at Racine, and has been known to
remain at Lake Koshkonong throngh the snmmer. . . . We
have seen it in summer along the south shore of Lake
Superior, where it appeared to be nesting on the rocky
ledges."

My OAvn field work has fortunateh^ included some in-
teresting experiences with the Duck Hawk in Wisconsin
and the following notes are offered :

On May 20, 1911, an adult female, one addled egg and
one doTNTiy young, were collected about eight miles below
Prairie du Sac, on the Sauk county side of the Wisconsin
Kiver, by Mr, Bert Laws and the writer (see Auk, Jan.
1917, p. 61-65). Here for over a mile the sandstone bluff's,
forming the western boundarA- of Saidc Prairie, abut on the
river, the perpendicular, beautifully modeled rock faces fur-
nishing an ideal nesting environment for this species. Mr.
Laws states that they have nested on one or another of these
cliffs for over twent\^-fivo years to his knowledge. Early
tMs spring (1921) he noted a pair frequenting the most
easterly of these cliff's, known as Ferry Bluff, almost di-
rectly across the river from his home. On April loth, in
a pouring rain, we succeeded in locating their three eggs
on a ledge having a northeast exposure, overlooking a big
slough and miles of heavy river timber. The fenuile sat
very closely, only betraying the location of her treasures
when a stone thrown from below, landed on the ledge be-
side her. A well " white-washed " hole near tlie top of the
cliff, a short distance from the nesting ledge, was the reg-
ular roost of the male, and here he sat. framed by tlie cir-
cular opening, when we first approache<l.

As may be seen by the accompanying photograph (Fig.
1), the ledge was perfectly protected from predatory ani-
mals, and we ourselves could only reach it with the aid of
ropes from above. Fortunately, however, we could see the
eggs from the top of a tall basswood tree that grew out
from a loam-covered rock mass well up the cliff.

This pair were quite undemonstrative, though the male
would occasionally dart bj^ at tremendous speed while one

The Nesting of the Duck Hawk 163

was on the nesting ledge. Both birds circled nearby, keep-
ing up their harsh, rasping call, somewhat like the alarm
" quaek " of a mallard hen, many times magnified. On
May 15th, after Mr. W. D. Richardson of Chicago, was
through photographing them, the one addled egg and two
newly hatched young (one of which had been crushed, prob-
ably by the parent) were collected, as well as the adult
male, the female being purposely spared in liopes slie would
again nest in the neighborhood. As is usually the case slie
was a great deal larger, and appeared to be somewhat
slower than her trim, equally handsome nmte. The fre-
quency witli which addled eggs occur and tlie mortality of
the young, seem to be important factors in preventing an
undue increase of this rapacious species.

Assuming that incnbation had just begnn when tlie eggs
were found, A])ril 13th, they were incubated at least
thirty-one days.

Remains of tlie following species of birds were found
from time to time on the nesting ledge, or in expelled pel-
lets beneath. Kingfisher (whole head), Domestic Pigeon,
Woodcock (hind quarters and bill), Meadowlark, Red-
winged Blackbird (numerous), Robin, Bronzed (Irackle,
Flicker and young chickens.

On May ?>lst Mr. Albert Gastrow and the writer found
another pair nesting in a great cliff, appropriately named
Gibralter Rock, near the town of Okee, in Columbia
County, about seventeen miles as the crow flies from the
Sauk Count}^ locations. Situated in a rich fanning coun-
try, this im])ressi\e bluff rises over four hundred feet above
the marsli at its base. The south side has a sheer drop of
one hundred and twenty-five feet from the top, crowned
with a beautiful grove of pine and cedar, to the steep rock-
strewn slope below, wliich is covered with pine and de-
ciduous trees. Lake Wisconsin lays a mile tO' the north,
with bays cutting in still closer on the east and west, form-
ing the desirable combination of precipice and water.

Here on a short ledge, protected by a shelving rock,
were three husky young Duck Hawks, nearly as heavy as
their parents, with wing and tail quills just appearing

164 THE WILSON BULLETIN— December, 1921

through their coats of white down. The condition of the
young and the nesting site being ideal for our proposed
group for the Milwaukee Public Museum, a return trip was
made next day, with Mr. George Shrosbree, Chief Taxider-
mist of the institution, and Mr. E. D. Ochsner of Prairie
du Sac, well equipped with ropes and other paraphernalia.
Our first move called for the collection of the feinale, and
this pair, whose existence depended on eternal vigilance,
were extremely wary and would not come near if they sus-
pected any one was present. They invariably perched upon
a commanding point of rocli, however, on their trips to
and from the nesting ledge. Covering this favored spot
with the shotgun, I remained concealed for four hours un-
der a pile of juniper limbs on a nearby ledge before tlie
magnificent bird finally returned and was secured. P.y
this time night was fast approaching so the comparatively
easy descent was made to the nesting ledge and the young
collected. This spot, so offensive to the nose, pleased the
eye, both on account of the beautiful panorama spread be-
low, and the immediate environment. Clumps of flowering
Columbine grew on little used parts of the ledge and in
nearby crevices, as well as Alumroot, (lolden Kagwort and
Broad-leafed Panic Grass. Scattered about were remains
of Mourning Doves, Blue Jays, Green Heron (whole head
and neck) and others. For a time nearly a pint of corn
and ground feed proved mystifying, till I happened to
think of the crops of domestic poultry! Tlie stomach of
the female, later examined, contained the remains of three
young chickens.

The eyrie was about twenty-five feet from the (op and
a hundred from the bottom. These young falcons Avere
without exception the most savage youngsters I ever en-
countered, biting and clawing at every opportunity, and
their harsh screams, similar to those of the adult, were
deafening at such close quarters. It is interesting to note,
however, that they kept perfectly quiet for hours at a time
while their parents were absent on hunting forays, but de-
tected their approach at a great distance and screamed
lustily.

Summer Birds Near Lake Caddo 165

On returning- a few days later to show the site to
Messrs. S. Paul Jones and Warner Taylor, Wilson Clnb
members from Madison, we were surprised and delighted
to see the male circling over the Hock in company of an-
other mate, perhaps the widow from Ferry Bluff! Though
jDirates, and pests to the neighboring farmers without
doubt, Ave could not help hoping that these birds, so in-
spiring to observe, would nest again on picturesque Gib-
raltar, probably their home for ages.

No op]>ortunity presented itself to investigate a report
that Duck Hawks nested in the Devil's Lake region, a
scant five miles to tlie north, where the necessary combi-
nation of precipice and water also occurs.
ilfiliraiilcre, Wis

SUMMER BIRDS IX THE VICINITY OF

LAKE CADDO, HARRISON COUNTY,

TEXAS

BY ALVIN R. CAHN

Probably few states in the union can compare with
Texas from the point of view of topographic diversity
and climatic variations. From tlie swampy marshes on
the gulf coast to the heavily timbered regions, and from
the great open, semi-arid plains to the mountainous re-
gions of the trans-I'ecos country, there extends practically
every possible type of environment one could hope to find
within any single state. Such diversity of conditions
would lead even the uninitiated to sus])ect a large biota in
point of number of species, and such a suspicion is most
certainly verified in fact. Coupled with this environmental
diversity is the fact that Texas lies at the focal point of
many of the routes taken by our migratory birds, so that
it is not surprising that this state should head the avi-
faunal list Avith 54G species within its borders. Within
this area of 265,780 square miles the species of the east
meet many of those of the west, and a certain amount of
over-lapping occurs.

166

THE WILSON BULLETIN— December, 1921

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Summer Birds Near Lake Caddo 167

From the onuthological point of view Texas is still
virgin ter^itor3^ Certain regions, snch as the Waco dis-
trict, have been worked up and lists published, yet some
of these lists, coming from near the same localities, do
not always agree as to the abundaaice — or even the
species — of birds in the region. This divergence is due
largely to yearly variations in migratory movements as
dependent upon climatic conditions, and to the very defi-
nite restriction of paths of migration due to topographic
conditions — a restriction drawn much more closely in
Texas than in any other region I have seen — as I hope
to show in a later paper. By far the largest portion of
the state is still untouched in so far as detailed avifaunal
studies are concerned, and until these studies are made,
nothing will be definitely known as to the exact limit of
the ranges of the various species found within this great
state. To say that a species " occurs in Texas " is about
as vague and valueless as to say another '' occurs in
Europe." In order to help further the work already done
along the lines of investigation of specific regions, the
present writer has undertaken avifaunal studies in vari-
ous parts of the state, the first of which is offered here-
with.

In all the ornithological literature which the writer
has examined, there has been found not one reference to
Lake Caddo. This lake, one of the largest (if not the
largest) in the south, is, roughly speaking, wish1)one
shaped, the neck and shoulder of the northern wing lying
in Louisiana, the whole of the southern wing and the tip of
the northern wing in Texas. It is with this southern
wing, some 20 miles in length, separating Marion and
Harrison counties, that this paper deals. So far as the
writer knows, there is no map published of the region
under discussion that even approaches accuracy. To give
future workers some idea of the regions investigated by
the writer, the accompanying sketch map is offered. Be
it understood, however, that the actual conditions are
far more complicated than the map seems to indicate I

Lake Caddo lies in a shallow basin, hemmed in by an

168 THE WILSON BULLETIN— December, 1921

almost impenetrable cypress swamp, making the exact out-
line of the lake somewhat indefinite at best. The shores
are so low that any slight rise in the level of the water
tends to change entirely the outline of parts of the lake.
During the writer's stay in May and June (1920) the
heavy rains up country had raised the water so that in
many places trees for hundreds of feet beyond the ordinary
boundary of the lake stood two feet or more in water.
From this it will be seen that a map of the region this
week may prove entirely incorrect next month! In many
places the lake is shallow, and studded with knotty cy-
presses (Taxodium distichum) . Islands are abundant —
though the}^ may often be under water — and furnish
ideal breeding grounds for herons, water-turkeys, ibis and
other seclusion-loving species. Spanish moss (Dendro-
pogon usneoidefi) drapes everything, and the semi-tropical
aspect is carried further by the abundance of water moc-
casins (Ankistrodon piscivorous) and alligators ( Alli-
gator mississippiensis). The characteristic trees of the
highlands surrounding the swamp itself are the oaks, with
the white (Qucrcus aiha), red {Q. rubra). Black Jack (Q.
marylandica) and liv^e (Q. inrginia) predominating. On
many of the ridges the sliort-leaved pine (Pinus echinata)
is common.

The Caddo lake region is to-day a bird paradise, and
one of the very few spots in all Texas that is suitable as
a game refuge. Within its bounds the last remnants of
nearly extinct species still cling to existence. If this
region could be set aside, it is well witliin tlie realm of
possibility' that such species might still, under aileqnate
protection, be saved for future generations. Unfortunate-
ly, however, the concept of conservation in Texas is still
beyond the grasp of the jniblic mind, and the sentiment for
protection of wild life is almost lacking. It would seem as
if every state must learn the lesson of conservation for
itself, for it is rare that one state profits by the experience
of its neighbors, costly as it nmy have been. In spite of its
great area, the wild life of Texas is going — not rapidly,
but steadilv.

Summer Birds Near Lake Caddo 169

The writer wislies to expres^s liis sincere appreciation
to the following people who made possible his visit to
Lake Caddo: Mr. and Mrs. W. C. and Dr. and Mrs. J. F,
Kosborough of Marshall, Texas, and to Mr. C. J. Ros-
borongh, Jr., who accompanied the writer to the lake,
where their knowledge of the region made movement
possible.

A list of the summer birds of the region follows :

1. Pied-billed Grebe. Podilymbus podiceps (Linn.).

Three seen near Star ranch, and two at Eagle Nest Island and
Baldwin, the latter accompanied by two young.

2. Laughing Gull. Lams atricilla Linn.

The one seen over Eagle Nest Island was most likely a strag-
gler from the coastal breeding grounds, having possibly followed
up the course of the Sabine or Red river.

3. Forster's Tern. Sterna forsteri Nutt.

Two seen near Marshall, and several observed over the lake.
Probably either stragglers from the coast, or late (non-breeding)
migrants.

4. Common Tern. Sterna Mrundo Linn.

Seen over the lake, and on one occasion observed carrying a
small fish, indicating that the species may breed in the vicinity of
Star ranch.

5. Anhinga. Anhinga anhinga (Linn.).

A colony composed of between seventy-five and one hundred
pairs found breeding on Engle Nest. On June 8 this rookery con-
tained eggs nearly ready to hatch, and young birds about two weeks
out of the eggs. Seen commonly at all points of the lake.

6. Mexican Cormorant. Plialacrocorax vigua mcxicanus (Brandt).
Two seen near Eagle Nest Island, but there is no evidence of

breeding.

7. Hooded Merganser. Lophodytes cuctiUatus (Linn.).

Several individuals of both sexes seen at various points on the
lake. It is not unlikely that they breed in the vicinity.

8. Mallard. Anas platyrhynclios Linn.

Three mallards were seen on the lake. These birds may well
have been "cripples" from the preceding winter, as the species does
not belong here in the breeding season.

9. Mottled Duck. Anas fulvigula maculosa (Senn.).

A single pair, flushed in Goose Prairie, is the only evidence at
hand concerning this species, which must be considered rare in
this section of the state.
10. Blue-winged Teal. Qucrquedula discors (Linn.).

About a dozen birds were flushed in various bayous about the

170 THE WILSON BULLETIN— December, 1921

lake and, as both sexes were seen, it is not unlikely that they breed
here. These birds were not cripples.

11. Wood Duck. Aix sponsa (Linn.).

To one familiar with the scarcity of this duck in the northern
states, its abundance in Lake Caddo was a revelation. From twelve
to over fifty birds were seen daily. Breeds commonly throughout
the region, and the general opinion seems to be that, while greatly
decreased in numbers over former years, the wood duck is at the
present time doing a little better than holding its own. However,
large numbers are undoubtedly killed during the hunting seasons
in the general duck slaughter which takes place on the lake.

12. Wood Ibis. Mycteria americana Linn.

A single individual was found in the tangle of cypress and
moss of Eagle Nest Island. Very rare in this part of the state.

13. American Bittern. Botaurus lentiginosus (Montag.).

Two bitterns were found in Goose Prairie, and three near
Baldwin.

14. Least Bittern. Ixobrychus exilis (Gmel.).

Breeding in considerable numbers where suitable rushes afford
a nesting site. More common in bays and pockets than along the
lake proper.

15. Ward Heron. Ardea hcrodias ivardi Ridgway.

Seventeen nests were found on Eagle Nest Island. The nests
were placed in the tops of cypress trees, the lower branches being
occupied by the anhinga nests. The nests all contained young al-
most ready to fly. These birds were typically wardi. Other great
blue herons seen around the lake lead the writer to believe that
Ardea herodias hcrodias also occurs in the neighborhood, but he
is unable at the present time to offer any data.

16. American Egret. Hcrodias egretta Gmelin.

At the edge of this same herony, which contained ward herons
and anhingas, two nests of this species were found — the last rem-
nant of a colony. Once abundant about Caddo, this species is prac-
tically gone from this region. It is highly possible that in other,
more inaccessible sections of the vast cypress swamp surrounding
the lake there are other isolated remnants, and perhaps also some
Egretta canididissma, and it might be possible, by jealous guarding
of this area, to bring back these nearly exterminated species to
the avifaima of Texas.

17. Louisiana Heron. Hydranassa tricolor ruficollis (Gosse).
Common in all parts of the lake visited. Breeds on Eagle Nest

Island.

18. Little Blue Heron. Florida caerulea Linn.

A small colony breeds on Eagle Nest Island. When this herony
was visited the young were for the most part out of the nest. Both
adults and young were often seen about the lake.

Summer Birds Near Lake Caddo 171

19. Green Heron. Butorides virescens virescens Linn.

A common breeding species, seen practically every day.

20. Black-crowned Night Heron. Nycticorax nycticorax naevius

(Bodd.).
Several seen near Fort Caddo and Baldwin, and probably a
breeding species.

21. Yellow-crowned Niglit Heron, Nyctanassa violacea (Linn.).
A single individual seen on Goose Prairie is the only bird of

this species seen.

22. King Rail. Rallus elegans Aud.

Seen only once, on Goose Prairie, but heard several times about
Baldwin. Probably breeding.

23. Florida Gallinule. Gallinula galeata (Licht.).

Five birds seen on Goose Prairie, where they probably breed.

24. American Coot. Fulica americana Gmel.

Seen in small numbers when rushy or reedy shores were found,
and where the species breeds.

25. Woodcock. PhiloJiela minor (Gmel.).

Of rather rare occurrence about Lake Caddo, but more common
about Marshall. The center of distribution seems to be the " Big
Thicket " of San Augustine county to the south, and the birds prob-
ably come up through the tangle of the Sabine river bottom.

26. Wilson's Snipe. Gallinago delicata (Ord.).

One flushed from a field about five miles east of Marshall on
May 31. Probably a late straggler, as the birds are not known to
occur during the summer, though abundant in the spring and fall.

27. Upland Plover. Bartramia longicauda (Bechst.).

Two seen near Marshall on May 31. Probably late migrants.

28. Spotted Sandpiper. Actitis macWlaria (Linn.).

Only one seen. What it was doing so far south on May 30 is a
question.

29. Killdeer. Oxyechus vociferus (Linn.).

Common summer resident and breeding species. Abundant
about Marshall and in the fields beyond the swamps in the vicinity
of the lake. Eggs about to hatch on June 1.

30. Quail. Colimis virginianus virginianus (Linn.).

Abundant in all suitable localities. The quail is still abundant
in eastern Texas, but let the slaughter go on as it now is, and east-
ern Texas will soon find itself in the same predicament as the north-
ern and eastern states regarding this most valuable bird. No one
pays the slightest attention to the fact that it feeds on the cotton
boll weavil (Anthonomus grandis).

31. Attwater Prairie Chicken, Tympanuchus americanus attwa-

teri (Bend.)
Rare breeding species. Formerly abundant, now nearly gone
from this region. One small flock of three was seen near Marshall.

172 THE WILSON BULLETIN— December, 1921

32. Wild Turkey. Melcayris galloparo silvestris Vieillot.

Still found some numbers in northeastern Harrison county by
those who know its haunts. Mr. W. J. Rosborough of Marshall,
got an eighteen pound gobbler during the hunting season of 1919,
in the heavily wooded hills about Lake Caddo, and he assures the
writer that there are more where this one came from. Resident
breeding species.

33. Mourning Dove. Zcnaidura macroura carolinensis (Linn.).
Abundant resident and breeding species throughout the county.

Being classed as a game bird, great numbers are killed yearly dur-
ing the three and a half months' open season. With the increase
which occurs yearly in the number of hunters, the present abun-
dance of the mourning dove can not long continue.

34. Turkey Vulture. Cathartes aura scptcntrionalis (Linn.).

The common vulture of the region. Seen daily in all regions
visited. Breeds on the ground under brush and tangled vines.

35. Black Vulture. Catharista urubu (Vieill.).

Much less common than the above vulture, only two birds of
this species being seen, both near Port Caddo. Resident breeder.

36. Swallow-tailed Kite. Elanoides forflcatus (Linn.).

Rare. Two seen flying low over camp at Baldwin on June 11.

37. Red-tailed Hawk. Buteo borealis borealis (Gmel.).

Seen and heard daily in all parts of the county visited. Seen
carrying food on June 3, indicating possible breeding in the vicin-
ity of Lake Caddo.

38. Cooper's Hawk. Accipiter cooperi (Bonap.).

Known locally as the " blue darter." Abundant breeding
species.

39. Florida Red-shouldered Hawk. Buteo lineatus alleniRidgvf a,y.
Several seen about Port Caddo, Baldwin, and Star Ranch.

40. Sparrow Hawk. Falco sparvcritis sparverius Linn.
Abundant breeding resident. Found more commonly about the

edges of the woods and near open fields than elsewhere.

41. Osprey. Pandion haliaetus carolinensis (Gmel.).
Considering the wonderful food supply available for this bird,

and the abundant nesting sites, it is surprisingly uncommon. Only
four fish hawks were seen — three at Baldwin, and one at Eagle
Nest Island.

42. Florida Barred Owl. Strix varia allcni Ridgway.

Heard a number of times about Goose Prairie and elsewhere,
but seen only once, near Port Caddo. Common breeding species.

43. Screech Owl. Otus asio asio (Linn.).

Not seen, but heard at Star Ranch and Port Caddo. Said to be
common, and undoubtedly breeds throughout the region.

44. Great Horned Owl. Bubo virginianus virginiamis (Gmelin).
Common breeding species about the heavy timber, especially

about Baldwin and Port Caddo.

Summer Birds Near Lake Caddo 173

45. Yellow-billed Cuckoo. Cocci/zus americcmus amcricanus (Linn.).
The only species of cuckoo seen. Fairly common about Mar-
shall; two near Star Ranch, and heard in numerous places. Old
cuckoo nest found near Baldwin.

46. Kingfisher. Ceryl alcijon (Linn.).

Common in some places about the lake, but not as abundant as
might be expected considering the abundance of food. However,
there are but few available nesting sites near the lake, which may
account for the few seen during the breeding season.

47. Southern Hairy Woodpecker. Dryobatcs villosus auduboni

(Swain.)
Common breeding species, seen many times.

48. Southern Downy Woodpecker. Bryobates piibesccns pubes-

cens (Linn.).
Several seen near Marshall, and two near Star Ranch. Fairly
common breeding species.

49. Pileated Woodpecker. Phloeotomus pileatus pilcatus (Linn.).
Still found in some numbers about the lake, but is still on the

decline in other localities in the county. The heavy timber about
the lake offers a good protection to the species, and it is safe here
for some time to come.

50. Red-headed Woodpecker. Melanerpes erythrocepJialus (Linn.).
A common breeding species about the woodlots; not common

about the lake.

51. Red-bellied Woodpecker. Centurus carolinus (Linn.).
Two seen near Marshall, and none about the lake.

52. Flicker. Colaptes auratus auratus (Linn.)

Common breeding species near Marshall, and seen several times
at Star Ranch.

53. Chuck-will's-widow. Antrostomus carolmensis (Gmel.).
Never seen, but heard night after night at all points on the

lake. A common breeding species.

54. Whip-poor-will. Antrostomus vociferus vociferus (Wils.).
One seen at Star Ranch, but the species was heard calling

nightly at all points on the lake visited. The preceding species
was heard more commonly about Port Caddo, while the whip-poor-
will predominated at Star Ranch and Baldwin.

55. Nighthawk. Chordeilcs virg'mianns (Gmel.).

The writer is unable to say whether this nighthawk, seen sev-
eral times over Marshall and quite frequently about Port Caddo,
is C. virginiamts virginiamis or C. virginianus chapmani, as he
was unable to collect any specimens for identification.

56. Chimney Swift. CJuetitra pelagica (Linn.).

Abundant about Marshall, and about the negro cabins through-
out the region. Breeding in the chimney of the ranch house at
Star Ranch.

174 THE WILSON BULLETIN— December, 1921

57. Ruby-throated Hummingbird. Archilocus colubris (Linn.).
Seen several times about the flower gardens in Marshall, and

once at Port Caddo.

58. Kingbird. Tyrannus tyrannus (Linn.).

Common about Marshall; less so near the lake. Nest and eggs
found at Star Ranch.

59. Crested Flycatcher. Myiarchus crinitus (Linn.).

One seen at Jefferson (Marion county), just over the Harrison
county line, at the northwest end of the lake.

60. Phoebe. Sayornis phoe'be (Lath.).

Common breeding species about Marshall and the cabins in
that vicinity. Nesting near Star Ranch.

61. Wood Pewee. MyiocJianes virens (Linn.).

Found breeding in the open woods near Star Ranch. More com-
mon in the woodlots about Marshall.

62. Blue Jay. Cyanocitta cristata cristata (Linn.).

An abundant — and noisy — breeding species throughout the re-
gion, though less common about the lake than elsewhere.

63. Crow. Corvns irachyrhyncJios bracfiyrJiynchos Brehm.
Common breeding species throughout the region.

64. Cowbird. Molotlirus atcr (iter (Bodd.).

Rather common breeding species, eggs having been found in
one case in the nest of the Prothonotary warbler.

65. Red-winged Blackbird. Agclaiiis phocnicciis phocniccus {Ijinn.) .
Common breeder, though apparently rather local in distribu-
tion. Lack of good breeding grounds explains the scarcity to a
considerable extent. Nesting on Tow-head Island.

66. Meadowlark. Sturnella viagna magna (Linn.).

Rather common about Marshall, but wanting from the imme-
diate vicinity of the lake. The w^riter could get no evidence of
any subspecies in the vicinity, though he believes ii possible that
8. neglccta may also occur in the region. A breeding species.

67. Orchard Oriole. Icterus spurius (Linn.).

Seen in numbers about Marshall. At Star Ranch a nest con-
taining eggs was found in a young cypress tree, fully three hun-
dred yards from the nearest shore.

68. Baltimore Oriole. Icterus gallula (Linn.).

Apparently not common. An old nest was found at the out-
skirts of Marshall, but no birds were seen.

69. Bronzed Crackle. Qniscalus quiscula aniens (Ridg\v.).
Common about the smaller towns and in the outskirts of Mar-
shall. Not seen at the lake. Breeding in oak trees.

70. English Sparrow. Passer domesticus (Linn.).
Abundant everywhere about the towns and negro houses.

71. Lark Sparrow. CJwndrstcs grammacus grammacus (Say.).
Rather common about Marshall, but not seen about the lake.

Nest and eggs found near Marshall June 2.

Summer Birds Near Lake Caddo 175

72. Chipping Sparrow. SpizeUo.imsserina jiasserina (Bechsteiu).
Several seen at Marshall and Star Ranch, where a nest with

young was found. Breeds in high bushes.

73. Field Sparrow. Spizella pusilla pusilla (Wilson).

In song in the fields about Marshall and near — but not along —
the lake; not very common, though breeding.

74. Cardinal. Cardinalis carclinalis cardinalis (Linn.).
Abundant breeding species throughout the region.

75. Indigo Bunting. Cyanospiza cyanea (Linn.)

Fairly common throughout the lake region. Nesting on the
main land near Eagle Nest Island.

76. Scarlet Tanager. P'ranga crythromelas Vieill.

A snigle male seen at Marshall June 2; may have been a strag-
gler or late migrant.

77. Summer Tanager. Piranga rubra rubra (Linn.).

A pair nesting in the woods at Star Ranch is the only evidence
at hand of the presence of these birds.

78. Purple Martin. Progne suMs siiMs (Linn.).

Common breeding species throughout the region. Nests near
the lake in houses put out by the uegros.

79. Bank Swallow. Riparia riparia (Linn.).

Several colonies found near Marshall. Common where condi-
tions are favorable.

80. White-rumped Shrike. Lanius ludovicianus cxcuhitor'ides Swains.
Three seen near Marshall. Grasshoppers stuck on barbed wire

fences gave ample evidence of the presence of these birds.

81. Red-eyed Vireo. Vireosylva olivacea (Linn.).

Seen only occasionally, but heard constantly at Star Ranch.
Nest and young found June 9.

82. Warbling Vireo. Vireosylva gilva gilva (Vieill.).

Less common than the preceding species, but seen and heard
several times at Star Ranch and Baldwin.

83. White-eyed Vireo, Vireo griseus griseus (Bodd.).

Seen twice at Port Caddo. In song, and probably breeding.

84. Black and White Warbler. Mniotilta varia (Linn.).

Seen at Baldwin, carrying a caterpillar, but no nest was found.

85. Prothonotary Warbler Protonotaria citrea (Bodd.).
Abundant in the extreme everywhere about the lake. Nesting

in holes in trees and rotten stumps. Three nests containing five
eggs were found, though the normal number was but four. Prob-
ably several hundred individuals of this glorious warbler were
seen or heard.

86. Parula Warbler. Compsothlypis americmia xisnece Brewster.
Common all about the lake, where it was probably nesting,

though not nearly as abundant as the Prothonotary warbler.

87. Pine Warbler. Dendroica vigorsi (Aud.).

176 THE WILSON BULLETIN— December, 1921

Seeu several times about Marshall in a good stand of young
pines. No sign of its presence in cypress about the lake.

88. Yellow-breasted Chat. Icteria virens virens (Linn.).
Common breeding species near Marshall and Port Caddo.

89. Mockingbird. Mimas polijglottos polyglottos (Linn.).
Abundant everywhere except in the immediate vicinity of the

lake. First brood of young out of nest before May 28, as young
birds out of the nest were frequently seen about Marshall.

90. Catbird. Dumetella caroJinensis (Linn.).

Several seen near Jefferson at the north end of the lake, but
there was no evidence of breeding.

91. Brown Thrasher. Toxostoma mfum (Linn.).

Several seen and heard in full song near Port Caddo and Bald-
win, and quite common about Marshall. No breeding evidence.

92. Carolina Wren. Thryothorus ludovicianus ludoviciaims (J-iSith.).
Seen about Jefferson and Marshall; one specimen at each place.

93. Bewick's Wren. TJiryomanes hewicki bewicki (And.).
A single bird of this species from Port Caddo.

94. White-breasted Nuthatch. Sifta carolinensis carolinensis Lath.
Several seen, both about Marshall and near the lake. Probably

more common in the pine woods than in cypress territory.

95. Tufted Titmouse. Ba-olophus 'bicolor (Linn.).

Not uncommon as a breeding species near Marshall and about
the lake. Nesting in holes in dead stubs, and often driving out
bluebirds and chickadees which had previous possession.

96. Plumbeous Chickadee. Penthestcs caroJinensis agilis Senn.

A common breeding species throughout the region. Nesting
near Star Ranch and Port Caddo.

97. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. PoUoptila cccrulea cwrulea (Linn.).
Several seen and, near Jefferson, a pair was found working on

a nest.

98. Wood Thrush. Hylocichla mustclina (Gmel.)

Seen only once near Baldwin, but the song was heard repeat-
edly at points along the lake.

99. Robin. Planesticus migratorius migratorius (Linn.).

Rare in summer in this region, though occasionally a breeding
species. Two old nests were seen at Marshall.

100. Bluebird. 8ialia sialis sialis (Linn.).

A common breeding species about the towns and fields, but not
common about the lake. One nest in a cypress, 150 yards from
shore.

Department of Biology,

Texas Agricultural and Mechanical College,

College Station, Texas.

November 10, 1920.

Comparative Periods of Nestling Life 177

COMI»ARATTVE PERIODS OF NESTLING LIFE
OF SOME NORTH AMERICAN NIDICOL.F]

BY FRANK L. P.T'RXS

[coNTixrED FRo:s[ jrxE issue]

C0RVID.5]:

American Magpie, 22 days (Wheelock, Bds. Calif., 387.)
Blue Jay, 20-21 days (Burns Ms.; Knight, Bds. Me., 387.)
California Jay, 18 days (Bendire, Life Hist., ii, 376.)
Canada Jay, about 15 days (Warren, Auk, xvi, 19.)
American Raven, about 28-30 days (Wheelock, Bds. Calif., 407;

Bendire, Life Hist., ii, 399.)

Northern Raven, about 30-35 days (Harlow, Cassinia, xiv, 11;

Eifrir, Auk, xxil, 312.)

American Crow, about 28 days (Redfield, Bd.-Lore, xi, 115;

Knight, Bds. Me., 335; Redfield Ms.)

California Crow, 25 days (Wheelock, Bds. Calif., 410.)
Fish Crow, about 21 days (Bendire, Life Hist., ii, 418.)
Clark's Nutcracker, about 18 days (Bendire, lb., 423); 17-21

days (Bradbury, Condor, xix, 150); 28 days (Skinner, lb., xviii,

64.)

Pinon Jay, 21-22 days (Bendire. Life Hist., ii, 326; Wheelock,

Bds. Calif., 495.)

STURNID^:

Starling, at least 15 days (Allen, Bd.-Lore, xiv, 112); 21 to 22
days (Brock, Zoologist, 1910, 117.)

ICTERID^:

Bobolink, 8 days (Otto, Bd.-Lore, xxi, 179-180); 10-14 days
Eaton, Bds. N. Y., 2, 224.)

Cowbird, 10-12 days (Knight, Bds. Me., 343; Ferry Ms.; Abbott,
Bd.-Lore, xi, 149; Pierson, lb., xviii, 128.)

Yellow-headed Blackbird, about 12 days (Roberts, Bd.-Lore, xiv,
252.)

Red-winged Blackbird, 11 and 14 days (Herrick, Home Life of
Wild Birds, 12 and 21.)

San Diego Red-winged Blackbird, more than 12 days (Wheelock,
Bds. Calif., 480.)

Meadowlark, 10-12 days (Knight. Bds. Me.. 349; Wheelock,
Nestlings of Forest and Marsh, 25.)

Western Meadowlark. 10-12 days (Saunders. Condor, xvi. 136;
Wheelock, Bds. Calif., 513.)

Arizona Hooded Oriole. 14 days (Wheelock. lb., 519.)

Baltimore Oriole, 15-18 days (Knight, Bds. Me., 353.)

178 THE WILSON BULLETIN— December, 1921

Bullock's Oriole, 15 days (Knight, Bds. Me., 354.)

Rusty Blackbird, 16 days (Bendire, Life Hist., ii, 492); 11 days,

flying 13 days (Kinnard, Auk, xxxvii, 421.)

Brewer's Blackbird, 16 days (Bendire, lb., 496.)

Purple Grackle, 18 days (Bendire, lb., 499); about 11 or 12 days

(Clise, Bd-Lore, xx, 378.)

Bronzed Grackle, about 34 days (Cameron, Auk, xxiv, 401.)

FRINGILLID^:

Evening Grosbeak, more than 16 days (Fleming, Auk, xx, 214.)
Western Evening Grosbeak, 15 days (Wheelock, Bds. Calif.,

525.)

Pine Grosbeak, 20 days (Knight, Bds. Me., 368.)

Purple Finch, 14 days (Knight, lb., 375.)

House Finch, 14 days (Keeler, Zoe, i, 176; Bergtold, Auk, xxx,

58; Osterhout, Ool., xxxv, 57.)

Gray-crowned Rosy Finch, 21 days (Wheelock, Bds. Calif., 211.)
American Goldfinch, 15-16 days (Norton. J.M.O.C, v. 46; Knight,

Bds. Me., 388; Bruce, Auk, xv, 243); about 18 days (Beebe, Bd.-

Lore, vii, 190.)

California Goldfinch, nearly 21 days (Cookman, Ool., 28.)
Snow Bunting, less than 14 days (Ekblaw, Wils. Bui., 107, 43.)
English Sparrow, 13-16 days (Knight, Bds. Me., 393); about 7

days (Chapman, Bds. E. N. A., rev. ed., 68.)

Redpoll, about 11 days (Dice, Condor, xx, 131.)

Vesper Sparrow, 13-16 days (Knight, Bds. Me., 401); 8 days

(Perry, Auk, xxxv, 316.)

Western Vesper Sparrow, 8-10 days (Wheelock, Bds. Calif., 214.)
Savannah Sparrow, 14 days (Knight, Bds. Me., 407.)
Bryant's Sparrow, 10 days (Wheelock, Bds. Calif., 217.)
Lark Sparrow, 10 days (Wheelock, lb., 222.)
White-throated Sparrow, 14 days (Knight, Bds. Me., 418.)
Chipping Sparrow, 10-12 days (Knight, lb.; Burns Ms.)
Field Sparrow, 10-11 days (Burns Ms.)
Slate-colored Junco. 12 days (Eliot, Jr., Ms.)
Pink-sided Junco, about 14 days (Skinner, Condor, xxii, 168.)
Song Sparrow, 11 days (Link Ms.; Kuser, Bd.-Lore, xiv, 350.)
Merrill's Song Sparrow, 14 to 16 days (Rust. Condor, xxi, 148.)
Swamp Sparrow, 13 or 14 days (Knight. Bds. Me., 434.)
Towhee, 9 or 10 days (Hell, Bd.-Lore, xi, 158.)
Green-tailed Towhee, 10-12 days (Wheelock, Bds. Calif., 252.)
Cardinal, 8 days (Burns Ms.; Eaton, Auk, xx, 56); 9 days
(Hai-vey. lb., xx, 56); about 10 days (Steele, Bd.-Lore. xvili, 292.)
Western Blue Grosbeak, more than 10 days (Wheelock, Bds.

Calif., 498.)

Rose-breasted Grosbeak, 9 days (Allen, Auk, xxxiii, 53); about
12 days (Davidson, lb., vi, 191.)

Comparative Periods of Nestling Life 179

Black-headed Grosbeak, less than 14 days (Wheelock, Bds.
Calif., 255.)

Indigo Bunting, 9 days (Cleveland, Bd-Lore, v, 87; Burns Ms.)
Lazuli Bunting, 10 days (Finley, Condor, viii, 10.)
Dickcissel, 9 or 10 days (Gross, Auk, xxxviii, 19.)

TANAGRID^:

Louisiana Tanager, 9 days (Head, Am. Orn., Bd. Mag., 3, 13.)

HIRUNDIND^:

Purple Martin, 24-28 days (Jacobs, The Story of a Martin Col-
ony, 15.)

Cliff Swallow, 16 or 17 days (Knight, Bds. Me., 454); about 18
days (Wentworth, Ool., xvi, 66); 21-24 days (Vietor, Bd-Lore,
xiv, 152.)

Barn Swallow, 14 days (Wheelock, Bds. Calif., 502; Burns Ms.;
Kouwenhoven, Bd.-Lore, xvi, 463.)

Tree Swallow, about 16-17 days (Knight, Bds. Me., 459; Hunt,
Bd.-Lore, vi, 93.)

BOMBYCILLID^:

Cedar Waxwing, 12-14 days (Her rick. Pop. Sci. Mo., 77, 28;
also Home Life of Wild Birds, 18); 16-18 days (Knight, Bds. Me.,
467; Saunders, Auk, xxviii, 327; 12 days (Ferry Ms.)

Phainopepla, 20 days (Myers, Condor, x, 72.)

LANIID^:

Loggerhead Shrike, 14-15 days (McKennon, Ms.)
Migrant Shrike, 18-20 days (Knight, Bds. Me., 472.)

VIRIONID^:

Red-eyed Vireo, 12 days (Burns Ms.); 11-13 days (Herrick, Bd.-
Lore, vi, 113; Perkins, lb., xil, 206; Stephens, Bui. Labr. Nat. Hist.
State Uni. Iowa, vii, 3, 25.)

Philadelphia Vireo, 13 days (Lewis, Auk, xxxviii, 192.)
Western Warbling Vireo, 15 days (Rust, Condor, xxii, 94.)
Yellow-throated Vireo, 11 days (Herrick, Home Life of Wild
Birds, 69); about 12 or 14 days (Hutchins, Bd.-Lore, iv, 120.)
Hutton's Vireo, 16 days (Van Fleet, Condor, xxi, 164.)

MNIOTILTID^:

Black and White Warbler, 8 days (Stanwood, J. M. 0. S., xiii,
63); 10 days (Johnson, lb., vii, 41); 11 days (Bartsch, Osprey, v,
90); about 11-12 days (Williams, Bd.-Lore, vii, 172.)

Worm-eating Warbler, 10 days (Burns, Wils. Bui., 37, 96, and
Bd.-Lore, vii, 139.)

Blue-winged Warbler, 8 days (Burns, in Chapman's Warblers
of N. A., 69); 9 days (Wright, Auk, xxvl, 345.)

Brewster's Warbler, 8-9 days (Faxon, Auk, xxxiv, 482, and Me-
moirs of the Mus. Comp. Zool., xl, 2, 60.)

180 THE WILSON BULLETIN— December, 1921

Golden-winged "VVarbler, 9 days (Crosby, Bd.-Lore, xiv, 146); 10
days (Jacobs, Gleanings, iii, 22.)

Nashville Warbler, 10-11 days (Stanwood, J. M. O. S., xii, 29,
also Bluebird, vl, 244; Knight. J. M. O. S., viii, 10, and Eds. Me.,
493.)

Yellow Warbler, 9 days (Bigglestone, Wils. Bui., 83, 49); 11-15
days (Knight, Bds. Me., 503.)

Myrtle Warbler, 8 days (Chamberlain quoting Banks, B. N. 0. C,
viii, 121); 12-14 days (Knight, Bds. Me., 510.

Audubon's Warbler, 14 days (Wheelock, Bds. Calif., 540.)

Magnolia Warbler, 10 days (Stanwood, Auk, xxvii, 389.)

Chestnut-sided Warbler, 10-11 days (Steirle, Ool.) 12 days (Wil-
lard, Ool., xxviii, 91.)

Bay-breasted Warbler, 11-12 days (Stanwood, J. M. O. S., xi,
107.)

Black-throated Green Warbler, 10 days (Stanwood, Auk, xxvii,
289.)

Kirtland's Warbler, 12 or 13 days (Wood in Chapman's Warb-
lers of N. A., 207.)

Yellow Palm Warbler, about 12 days (Knight, Bds. Me., 542.)

Prairie Warbler, about 10 days (Daniel, Osprey, v, 118.)

Oven-bird. 8 days (Stanwood. J. M. 0. S., xiii, 19); 12 days
(Burns Ms.)

. Kentucky Warbler. 8 days (Burns in Chapman's Warblers of
N. A., 238.)

Mourning Warbler, more than 7 days (Faxon, » Auk, vi, 104.)

MacGillivray's Warbler, 9 days (Wyte, Condor, xviii, 123;
Wheelock, Bds. Calif., 546.)

Maryland Yellow-throat, 9 or 10 days (Redfield, Bd.-Lore. xiii,
195.)

Yellow-breasted Chat, not more than 11 days (Hitchcock, Bd.-
Lore, xiv, 355.)

Long-tailed Chat, more than 8 days (Wheelock, Bds. Calif.,
551.)

American Redstart, 12-14 days (Knight, Bds. Me., 575; Kohler,
Ool., 27, 128.)

MIMID^:

Mockingbird, 8 days (Finklea and Morris, Bd.-Lore, xv, 308);
9 and 10 days (MacKennon Ms.); 10 days (Daniel, Wils. Bui., 39,
71); 10-12 days (Baldwin, Bd.-Lore, iii, 191.)

Catbird, 9-10 days ( Herri ck. Home Life, 77 and 79; Verrill,
Auk, X, 304); 10 days (Bartsch, Osprey, iv, 149; Shufeldt, Auk,
X, 304; Redfield Ms.); about 12 days (Gabrielson, Wils. Bui., 79,
65.)

Brown Thrasher, 10 days (Wheelock, Nestlings Forest and
Marsh, 232); 11 days (Gabrielson, Wils. Bui., 79, 85; Ferry Ms.);

Comparative Periods of Nestling Life 181

10-12 days (Heil, Bd.-Lore, x, 103.)

Curve-billed Thrasher, 12 days (Clark, Auk, xxi, 216.)
California Thrasher, 12-14 days (Wheelock. Bds. Calif., 271.)
Crissal Thrasher, 11-12 days (Wheelock, lb., 276.)

TROGLODYTID^:

Carolina Wren, at least 10 days (Van Gilluwee, Bd.-Lore, xil,

150.)

Bewick's Wren, 14 days (Wiley Ms.)

House Wren, 14 days (Knight, Bds. Me., 588; Bayles, Auk,

xxxiv, 90); 15 days (Burns Ms.); 17 days (Sherman, Wils. Bui.,

95, 94.)

Western House Wren 16 days (Wheelock, Bds. Calif., 287.)
Alaska Wren, 22 days (Heath, Condor, xxii, 55.)
Tule Wren, 12 days (Wheelock, Bds., Calif., 292.)

CERTHIID^:

Brown Creeper, 13 or 14 days (Tyler, Auk, xxxi, 50.)
Sierra Creeper, 15 days (Wheelock, Bds. Calif., 296)

SITTID^:

Red-breasted Nuthatch, 14 days (Moore, Ool., 23, 154); more
than 14 days (Shaw, Bd.-Lore, xviii, 166.)

Rocky Mountain Nuthatch, more than 11 days (Richards, Con-
dor, X, 194.)

PARID^:

Plain Titmouse, 16 days (Wheelock, Bds. Calif., 350.)

Chickadee, 13-14 days (Knight, Bds. Me., 607; Redfield Ms.;
Forbush, Bd.-Lore, xiv, 373); 14-15 days (Stanwood, J. M. 0. S.,
xiii, 28); 18 days (Link Ms.)

Mountain Chickadee, nearly 21 days (Wheelock, Bds. Calif., 353.)

Verdin, 21 days (Wheelock, lb., 557.)

CHAMAEID^:

Wren-tit, 16 days (Newberry, Condor, xviii, 65.)

SILVIID^:

Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 8 days (Head, Bd.-Lore, v, 53.)
Western Gnatcatcher, at least 9 days (Merriam, Auk, xiii, 124.)

TURDID^:

Wood Thrush, 10 days (Ferry Ms.; Johnson, Osprey, iv, 18);

13 days (Pierson Ms.; Burns Ms.); 14 days (Judson, Bd-Lore,

xviii, 213.)

Wilson's Thrush, 10 days (Herrick, Home Life, 12.)
Russet-backed Thrush, about 14 days (Atkinson, Ool., xvi, 180.)
Olive-backed Thrush, 10-12 days (Stanwood, Wils. Bui, 83, 448,

and 84, 121.)

Hermit Thrush, 10 days (McClintock, Auk, xxvii, 417); 10-12

182 THE WILSON BULLETIN— December, 1921

days (Stanwood, Wils. Bui., 95, 64, also Bd.-Lore, xii, 103, and Auk,
xxvii, 418); 12 days (Perry, Auk, xxxv, 321.)

American Robin, 11-12 days (Herrick, Home Life, 40 and 47);
12 days (Redfield Ms.; Stanwood, Home Progress, 5, 310); 12-13
days (Tyler, Auk, xxx, 395 and 398); 13 days (cullette, Bd.-Lore,
vlii, 129; Judson, lb., xvii, 213); 14 days (Howe, Auk, xv, 165;
Chapman, Eds. E. N. A., rev. ed., 68.)

Western Robin, 10-11 days (Saunders, Condor, xvi, 143.)

Bluebird, 15 days (Knight, Bds. Me., 643); Id days (Hodge,
Bd.-Lore, vi, 44; Hubbard, lb., xi, 66; Boulton, lb., xviii, 125); 18
days (McKinnon Ms.)

Mountain Bluebird, more than 12 aays (Wheelock, Bds. Calif.,
508.)

^ Some twelve years ago, in collaboration with Dr. Lynds Jones,
printed forms were circulated among the members of the Wilson
Ornithological Club for a cooperative study along certain lines of
the nesting habits of our birds and a number of original observa-
tions were received by the writer from Dr. G. C. Fisher while at
DeFuniak Springs, Fla.; Cold Spring Harbor, Long Island; But-
ler, Logan and Miami Cos., Ohio; Messrs. T. A. Elliot, Jr., North
East Harbor, Maine; J. F. Ferry, Lake Forest, 111.; H. E. Haughey,
Bangs, Ohio; Henry Link, Waterloo, Ind.; R. F. Miller, Frankford,
Pa.; Angus McKennon, DeFuniak Springs, Fla.; 1^. S. Pierson,
Valley Forge and Wayne, Pa.; A. C. Redfield, Wayne, Pa., and
Barnstable, Mass.; A. C. Read, Isle of Pine,» Cuba; C. H. Rogers,
Princeton, N. J.; E. W. Vickers, Elsworth. Ohio; Mesdames G. K.
Holmes, Summit, N. J.; O. M. Schantz, Morton Park, 111, and
Farida Wiley, Sidney, Ohio; before the project was abandoned.
This paper is wi'itten in order to keep faith with tlie observers
who contributed some very full reports. I am also indebted to
Dr. C. W. Townsend, Messrs, 0. E. Baynard, A. B. Howell, G.
Willett, and J. H. Gurney (of Norwich, England) for information.

Ten Spring Bird Lists 183

TEN SPKING BIRD LISTS MADE NEAR AVASH-
INGTON, D. C*

BY W. L. MCATEE

Nearly every year since 1007. Edward A. Preble and
the writer, sometimes in company with others, have nia<le
at least one trip during the height of migration, on which
an effort was made to list as many species of birds as pos-
sible. Notes on some of these trips have been mislaid, but
those for ten out of the fifteen years, are in j^resentable
condition.

Before reproducing the lists it may be Avell to state the
conditions under wliich tliey have been made. I*reble and
McAtee have consistently followed a definite set of rules in
making their bird lists, in wliich most of their companions
on these trips have acquiesced. All birds listed (with the
single exception of the wlii])-i)oor-wiir) have been seen, by
all members of the party t if possible, and s])ecies rare or
difficult to identify have l)een collected. Sub-species have
not been considered ; these are scarcely a subject for fiehl
observation, and moreover, add nothing to a list of bird
species. Observations have extended from daybreak to
dark, and the standard (rarely deviated from) has been a
continuous walking trip. Bird lists made under such

* The writer is obliged to E. A. Preble, Alex. Wetmore and W.
R. Maxon for reading this paper in part or wholly and making
useful suggestions.

tWitmer Stone (The Auk, Vol. 37, No. 3, July 1920. pp. 485-6)
has stated that: "The plan practiced by certain cai'eful observers
of never recording a bird that both have not seen and satisfactorily
identified is excellent. . . . Confirmation of other observers is an
excellent feature and tho person who always works alone and
always sees the largest number of species can not help but arouse
a doubt as to whether his enthusiasm has not carried him away."
The writer would add that the spirit of competition in making
bird lists, and the desire to record the largest number of species,
does not appear to be for the best interests of ornithology. The
participants in the trips here described have found their greatest
satisfaction in searching for the best route in their vicinity for
an all-day bird tramp, and in comparing its yield from year to
year.

184 THE WILSON BU LLETIN— December, 1921

rules are far more comparable for different years and lo-
calities, than those iii wliich other means of transporta-
tion are used. Skipping about from one faunula or life-
zone to another by rapid transit ma^- yield longer lists of
species, but it introduces also elements which make for
lessened reliability of records and puts standardization,
and therefore comparability of lists, out of the question.
Witlial it is hopeless, whatever the equipment, to see all of
the birds present in any region at a given time.

If there is one point more than another in these rules
for making a bird list, that the writer wouhl empliasize, it
is seeing (or in case of doubt, collecting) tlie birds. Ke-
cording species on tlie basis of calls and songs alone cer-
tainly is unsafe. Few have ears keen and practiced enough
to discriminate all of the multitude of avian chirpings
and carollings and fewer still have an auditory memory
reliable enough to name notes heard only a few times each
year- or perhaps in several seasons.

Tlie risks taken in making sound records may l>e thor-
oughly illustrated without seeking exam])les outside the
local avifauna. First Ave have several couples or other
groups of birds that habitually utter one or more very sim-
ilar notes. Among gToii])S having similar aii<l easily con-
fused call -notes are the brown creejier and tlie kinglets;
tufted titmouse and chickadee: and tlie robin ("seep" note)
and cedarliird. The blue ja^^ has a note that is an almost
exact du])licate of the most common utterance of the
red-shouldered hawk. Similarities among true songs are
marked in the following groups : cardinal, Carolina wren
and tufted titmouse; junco, cliii)ping s]>arrow and pine
warbler; i)uri>le finch and warbling vireo; and so far as
fragmentary or typical songs are concerned the following
also mnst be named: Baltimore oriole and rose-breaste<l
grosbeak: and the redstart, yellow and chestnnf-si;le:l
wai-blers.

Then there are the singers of medleys, as tlu^ catbir<l,
l)rown thrasher and mockingbird, detached ])hrases of
whose songs might be mistaken for those of varions other
species. Finally we have a number of actual, and some-

Ten Spring Bird Lists 185

times very close imitations of notes by varions birds. The
mockingbird, its name gives evidence, is especially notable
in this respect. Two of its common and nearly perfe(^t imi-
tations in this region are the ordinary calls of the l)ob-
white and killdeer. Dr. A. K. Fisher tells of hearing a
mocker give iii quick succession reproductions of calls or
songs of the Carolina wren, tufted titmouse, flicker, robin
and meadowlark. The mockingbird's congeners, the brown
thrasher and catbird, also, are by no means lacking in
imitative ability.

A species noted as a mocker in Europe and which since
its introduction has become common here, namely, the
starling, has as yet, in the United States, received little
recognition for its powers as a mimic. However, it copies
notes of the bluebird and wood pewee to perfection. I have
on a number of occasions heard the call of the lasl -named
species closely imitated also by the white-eyed vireo.*

Further illustration of the difficulties in identifying
notes is to be found in the fact that some birds vocalize
in dual roles (this includes all having flight songs), and
rarely a species may sing entirely out of character. The
grassliopper sparrow, and the Maryland yellow-tliroat are
examples of species eacli having two utterly diiferent
types of songs. On the spring-bird trip of 1021 a song
was heard from a bird perched on a wire along an open
field with scattered bushes and small trees. The song
seemed to be that of Bachman's spai*row, a steady trill
followed by three distinct louder notes, and the habitat
confirmed the impression. Before a good view was ob-
tained the bird flew down to a small pine, and we
cautiously approached, confidently expecting to add this
rather rare finch to our list^ but to our amazement the
bird proved to be an ovcii-hird. It was in an entirely ab-

*Witmer Stone (The Auk, Vol. 38, No. 2, April 1921, p. 290)
expressed doubt that such mimicry is very frequent among our
birds, but the number of examples cited for one area indicates that
for the United States a considerable showing of the phenomenon
could be made.

186 THE WILSON BULLETIN— December, 1921

uonnal envii'onnient and we watched it for some time as
it repeated a song none of us had ever even dreamed an
oven-bird could sing. Cases are on record of redstarts
singing so abnormal!}' as to canse collectors to piirsne
these individuals for a long- time and even then find
it necessary to collect them to detennine the species.

Notes are of the utmost service, of course, in locating
birds, and in some cases are a great help in making field
identifications, as in the case of red-tailed and red-shoul-
dered hawks, or almost a necessit}^, as in the case of the
fish crow and common crow, and the species of Empidonaic.
Nevertheless, as a, policy it is safer and surely it is a much
greater pleasure and satisfaction to actually see eveiy spe-
cies. Finally, to show, by anecdote, the possibilities of
blundering, in identifying notes, 1 may relate an experience
of certain members of the AVashington Biologists' Field
Club. "While seated on the porch of their house on Plum-
mers Island, Md., one wai-m summer evening, they heard
a sound from the direction of the canal back of them and
distant some 300 yards, (xuesses as to the source of the
sound by various naturalists in the company, named the
following animals: bullfrog, night-heron, and cow. Notes
of the tree-toad also have frequently been mistaken for
those of the red-bellied woodpecker. Is not the moral ob-
vious ? To be sure, see your bird !

The equipment found most useful on the bird trips
here described has been S-power prism binoculars, with
a 30-power telescope in reserve for " long-shots," particu-
larly at water-birds. One or moi-e collecting pistols have
always been accessible. Concluding the remarks on the
manner in which these excursions have been conducted,
we present, in tabular form, statements of the route of
each trip, names of the observers, and the number of and
names of species seen.

1907, May 15. Cleveland Park. Piney Branch, Rock Creek,
Chevy Chase Circle, D. C. Glen Echo, Md., Georgetown, D. C,
Roslyn and Four-mile Run Hill, Va., E. A. Preble, W. L. McAtee.
Number of species seen, 83.

1908, May 14. Piney Branch, Rock Creek, by street car to
Benning, by boat Eastern Branch, to Licking Banks. D. C, Bladens-
burg. Md.. then on foot to hills to eastwai'd and return to Benning,

Ten Spring Bird Lists 187

D. C. H. C. Oberholser, W. L. McAtee. Number of species seen, 96.
1909, May 10. About same route as in 1907. E. A. Preble, W.
L. McAtee. Number of species seen, 71, my own list only; my
notebook states that Preble saw 7 others.

1912, May 9. Mouth of Four-mile Run to Munson Hill and
Upton, Va. A. K. Fisher, E. A. Preble, W. L. McAtee. Number
of species seen 85.

1913, May 12. Elkins, Mouth of Difhcult Run, Mouth of Dead
Run, upper Turkey Run, Langley, and Chain Bridge, Va., and D. C,
by car to Foxhall Road, thence along Foundry Run to Observatory
Heights, D. C. E. A. Preble, W. L. McAtee. Number of species
seen 73.

1917, May 17. Mt. Vernon, Dogue Creek, Little Hunting Creek
and Dyke, Va. Alex. Wetmore, W. L. McAtee. Number of species
seen 95.

1918, May 11. Woodlawn, Dogue Creek, Dyke and New Alex-
andria, Va. Clarence Shoemaker. Alex Wetmore, W. L. McAtee.
Number of species seen 101.

1919, May 13. Woodlawn, Dogue Creek, Little Hunting Creek
and Dyke, Va. A. K. Fisher, E. A. Preble. W. L. McAtee. Number
of species seen 100.

1920, May 11. Same route as 1919. Alex. Wetmore, E. A.
Preble, W. L. McAtee. Number of species seen 98.

1921, May 18. Woodlawn, Dogue Creek, Gum Spring, and
Dyke, Va. Remington Kellogg, E. A. Preble, W. L. McAtee. Num-
ber of species seen 88.

Commenting- on tliese trips, it is at once apparent that
they are sliarply marlved off in two five-year gronj's. The
average number of species seen on tlie lirst five trips was
81.0 and on tlie second 96.4. Tlie explanation for this
striking divergence may well be stated at once, leaving
detailed comment to follow. It is that the excnrsions for
the first half of the decade were mainly np-river from
Washington, in less varied country, v^rhile the last five
were distinctly down-river, bringing the observers through
not only much territory like that up-stream, but also
along the broad expanses and more extensive marshes of
the lower river. Naturally, therefore, the most striking
difference in the character of the bird lists for the two
groups of trips is the greater prevalence of water-birds in
the second set. Down the Potomac seems a better place
to see also the marsh hawk, bald eagle, osprey, red-bellied
woodpecker, bobolink, yellow-throated warbler, mockingbird
and marsh wren, Tlie presence of the starling in none of

188 THE WILSON BULLETIN — December, 1921

Species Seen o.\ Tex Spiuxg Bird Trips Near Washington, D. C.

Date of Trip

|ii|i

05 ij

(N

l-

iH

M

^

'"'fC

'-'t-

"-I 00

'-'05

'-'<->

IS""

Horned grebe

Pied-l)illecl grebe

Herring gull

Bonaparte's gull

Black Tern

American merganser

Mallard

Black duck

Scaup duck

Ruddy duck

Bittern

Least bittern

Great blue heron

Green heron

Black-crowned night heron.

Virginia rail

Coot

Woodcock

Least sandpiper

Semipalmated sandpiper . .

Lesser yellow-legs

Solitary sandpiper

Spotted sandpiper

Killdeer

Semipalmated plover

Bob-white

Mourning dove

Turkey vulture

Marsh hawk

Sharp-shinned hawk

Cooper's hawk

Red-tailed hawk

Red-shouldered hawk

Broad-winged hawk

Bald eagle

Sparrow hawk

Osprey

Barred owl

Yellow-liilled cuckoo

Black-billed cuckoo

Kingfisher

Hairy woodpecker

Downy woodpecker

Yellow-1)ellied sapsucker . .
Red-headed woodpecker . . .
Red-ljellied woodpecker . . . ,

Flicker

Whippoorwill

Nighthawk

Chimney swift

Hummingbird

Kingbird

Crested flycatcher. .

Phoebe

Olive-sided flycatcher

Wood pewee

Acadian flycatcher

Least flycatcher

Blue jay

Crow

Fish crow

Starling

Bobolink

('owl)ird

Ued-winged Ijlackbird

Meadowlark

Orchard oriole

Baltimore oriole

Purple grackle

Purple finch

English Sparrow

X I

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X
X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

Ten Spring Bird Lists

189

Date of Trip

*rt

535

= 5

5^

^•c: , pes

Goldfinch

Vesper sparrow

Savannah sparrow

Grasshopper sparrow

Ilenslow's sparrow

White-crowned sparrow

White-throated sparrow

( 'hijjping sparrow

Field sparrow

Song sparrow

Swamp sparrow

Chewink

Cardinal

Kose-breasted grosbeak

Blue grosl)eak

Indigo bunting

Scarlet tanager

Summer tanager

Purple martin

Cliff swallow

Barn s'vallow

Tree swallow

Bank swallow

Kough-wlnged swallow

Cedar waxwing

^ligrant shrike

Ked-eyed vireo

Yellow-throated Vireo

White-cycil Vireo

Black and white warldei-

Worm-eating warlilcr

Blue-winged warbler

Golden-winged warbler

I'arula Warbler

Cape May Warbler

Yellow warbler

Blaek-throated blue warbler...

Myrtle warbler

Magnolia warbler

Cliestnut-sided warbler

Bay-breasted warbler

Black-poll warbler

Blackliurnian warbler

1 ellow-throated warbler

Black-throated green warbler.

Pine warbler

Prairie warbler

Oven-bird

Water-thrush

Louisiana watei' thiMish

Kentucky warl)ler ,

]SIouriiing warbler

Marylaiui yellow-throat

Yellow-breasted chat

Hooded warliler

Wilson's warbler

Canada warl)ler

Redstart

Mockingbird

Catliird

Brown thrasher

Carolina wren

House wren

I.ong-billed marsh wren

White-breasted nuthatch

Tufted titmouse

Carolina chickadee

Uuby-crowned kingl<'t

Blue-gray gnatcalcher

Wood thrush

Wilson's thrush

Gray-cheeked thrush

Olive-liacked thrush

Itobin

Bluel)ird

.1 X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X
X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X
X

X

X
X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X
X

X

X

X
X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X
X

X
X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X
X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X
X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

Total Species Seen

I 83 I 96 I 71 I 85 | 73 I 95 I 101 I 100

190 THE WILSON BULLETIN— December, 1921

tlie first but in all of the second five lists is a phenomenon of
time rather than of locality. The np-stream conntrv seems
to have liar<lly a point (other than that already mentioned)
of siiperiorit}^ over the lower, althongh from general ex-
perience it max be said that at least the worm -eating
warbler is more often seen there.

Of the birds seen on onh^ one of the ten ti-ii)s, it nmy
be said that the grebes and dncks, the coot and strictly
migrant sliorebirds are of decidedly irregnlar occurrence at
the season in point; the bitterns are elusive; and the Avood-
cock and hawks locally restricted si)ecies in this their
breeding season ; the black-billed cnckoo, vesper s])arrow
and bine grosbeak are not only local bnt rare breeders ;
the purple finch and ruby-crowned kinglet are near the
end of their si)ring stay; and the mourning warbler is a
rare migrant, one certainly not apt to be seen more than
once in ten trips.

As to species not seen, but which reasonably might
have been expected, the following may be mentioned : ring-
billed gull, wood duck, rufTed grouse, screech owl, great
horned owl, yellow-bellied fIjTatcher, warl)ling vireo, and
the Tennessee warbler. In addition to these the red cross-
bill, siskin, junco, Bachman's sparrow, Lincoln's sparrow,
solitary vireo, yellow palm warbler and red-breasted nut-
hatch certainlj^ are possibilities. The composite list of
birds actually seen on the ten trips is 146 species; 8 prob-
abilities and 9 i)ossibilities (great rarities absolutely ex-
cluded )have just been mentioned, so it may be seen that
on a day in the very height of migration in a good year,
with all luck attending, an exceedingly good bird list
might be compiled.

But luck in all directions never does occur simultane-
ously. At the end of a long day's ti-ami> it g-enerally is
true that some more or less common birds have not been
seen; the list is poor in woodpeckers, or liawks or water-
birds, or thrushes; conditions are seldom right for all
groups of birds on one day. Some fairly common species
even are elusive, esi)ecially those breeding at this season.
Pairs are scattered here and there at their nesting sites,
and one must actuallv enter their domain to find them.

Ten Spring Bird Lists 191

Examples are the liaAvks, Henslow's sparrow, the butcher-
bird and the white-breasted nntliatch. However, the local-
izing of birds has its advautages when the observers have
become well acquainted with the couutiy. They are able
to call upon certain birds, as it were, and the regularity
with which representatives of the species are found in a
given area, year after year, is remarkable.

In the earlier years, it was In' no means the easiest
thing in the world, to get a robin or crow blackbird on the
list of birds seen. But since that time these species have
become decidedly more common ; other breeding birds
which have shared this tendency to a greater or less de-
gree, are: the orcliard oriole, migrant shrike, and mocking-
bird. Among strict migrants the Caj^e May and Tennessee
warblers have been seen more frequently in recent seasons
than they were ten to fifteen years ago. The European
starling has been steadily increasing in numbers since its
first appearance in our region in 191o. Decrease in num-
bers within the period of the lists here presented, can
hardly be ascribed to any species except the English spar-
row; although in a period of about twice as long, hawks
and owls in general are known to have become much
scarcer.

Consideration of the bird lists here presented brings
up the question among others as to what evidence they
give as to the height of migration in the District of Co-
lumbia region. The ten annual excursions here cited rep-
resent every date from May 9 to 18 except tlie 16th. The
days on which more than the average number of sjiecies
were seen were 11, 11, 13, 14 and 17. The longest two lists
were obtained on 11 and 13. These data confirm the usual
impression among bird students here that the height of
migration is apt to occur from May 10 to 15.

The peak of migTation then occurs at a period when
some of the later migrants normally are just beginning to
arrive, as the least bittern, yellow-bellied and alder fly-
catchers, Connecticut and mourning warblers and the gray-
cheeked thrush. In the average season, therefore, most of
these species are not likely to be seen on a trip taken dur-
ing tlie actual height of migration. If the date is post-

192 THE WILSON BULLETIN— December, 1921

poned until these birds are in full niiuration uuinerous
earlier migrauts will have ])asse(l through or will be rep-
resented merely by stragglers. Occasionally migration is
delayed in such a way that ordinarj^ migrants are here in
numbers at the same time as the later ones. Theoretically,
such conditions afford the greatest opportunity for a long
bird list. The writer has made only one trip at such a
time, and not realizing the opportunity in advance, the
route taken was entirely in one type of country v/here
there was little chance of seeing marsh and aquatic birds.
This was ou the 30th of May, 1017 (valley of Patuxent,
above Laurel, Md., in company with Alex. Wetmore and
Douglas C. Mabbott) and 78 species of birds were seen.
Among them were four species not recorded in any of the
lists here discussed, namely, Lincoln's sparrow, tlie Ten-
nessee warbler, Philadelphia vireo, and yellow-bellied fly-
catcher. The last-named was actually common. 17 individ-
uals being seen. On the annual spring excursions here
analyzed only one mourning warbler had been observed,
but on this da}' we saw six. Specimens of this species,
the yellow-bellied flj^catcher and Philadelphia vireo were
collected. A ver\^ good list (20 species) of warblers Avas
made, the records being very late for the Cape May,
black-throated blue, myrtle, magnolia, chestnut-sided, bay-
breasted, and Tanada warblers, and the olise-backed and
and gray-cheeked thrushes. Taking advantage of the reve-
lations of this day various observers made bird trips in the
next few days, with the result that the year 1!)17 furnished
a larger number of latest dates for migrants than any otlier.
With a delayed (and therefore condensed) migration real-
ized, an all-day trip made over tlie best route in the region
shouhl give most gratifying results. What an op])ortunity
there was, for instance, during the " tidal wave " of birds
as described by Cones and Prentiss * for the second and
tliird Aveeks of May, 1SS2, when even the trees in the city
l)aiks and streets were swarming with warblers and otlier
brightly colored migrants. If such a ])henomenon occurs
again let us hope tliat Washington observers make tlie
most of it.

* Avifauna Columbiana, 1883, pp. 31-32.

THE WILSON BULLETIN

Published at Oberlin, Ohio, by the Wilson Ornithological Club.

Official Organ of the Wilson Ornithological Club and the Nebraska Ornithological Un-
ion lip affiliation I.

Price in the United States, Canada and Mexico, $1 50 a year, 50c a number, post paid.
Price in all countries in the International Union, $2.00 a year, 60c a number. Subscriptions
should be sent to Geo. L. Fordyce, Youngstown, Ohio.

EDITORIAL

Your editor wishes to stress the importance of the Annual
Meeting, which is to be held, this year, on December 26th and
27th at the Field Columbian Museum, in Chicago. Matters of pol-
icy of the utmost importance to every member will be discussed,
upon which decisions must be made. Your participation in the
discussions and your vote in the final action to be taken are
urgently needed. The program of papers and discussions of them
will be well worth your while, and the opportunity to meet others
who are working and thinking along the lines of your activities
will be an inspiration and a help for the months that follow. If
you cannot be present on the 26th come on the 27th. It is likely
that the meetings will run over to the 28th.

Bird banding as a means of determining the movements of
birds has been practiced for many years, but not until Mr. S.
Prentiss Baldwin, of Cleveland, Ohio, opened the field by com-
bining banding with systematic trapping, had the results obtained
anywhere near paid for the outlay in money and time. Mr. Bald-
win's results clearly show that here is a m_eans within the reach
of any persons who can secure a permit to trap birds for this
purpose, and who have sufficient knowledge of bird species to
handle them intelligently, of adding facts of the greatest import-
ance "to our knowledge of the movements of the birds, and a'.so
to shed great light upon the breeding habits of such birds as per-
mit handling during their breeding activities. Since the method
approaches exactness it is far superior to bird watching in re-
vealing certain habits which are connected with the breeding
activities. While any one person will be able to learn many
things worth while there are many other things that can be
learned only by cooperation over a wide area. The U. S. Biolog-
ical Survey furnishes the bands and the instructions that are
necessary for the work, and is the clearing house to which all
records are sent, both bands placed and bands found upon birds
that have been caught. If you are interested in this line of work
you would do well to wi'ite to the Chief of the Biological Survey,
Washington, D. C, for information, which will be sent to you
promptly.

194 THE WILSON BULLETIN— December, 1921

FIELD NOTES

THE ROADSIDE CENSUS IN MASSACHUSETTS
In western Massachusetts we found roadside censuses were not
as easy to take as in Oklahoma; first, because of the good roads,
automobiling is apt to be too rapid for bird identification; second,
the birds are less in evidence since they are not largely dependent
on fence and telephone wires for perches; and. lastly, there are
various kinds of sparrows and swallows that cannot readily be
distinguished. Nevertheless, the results of ten censuses — 154
miles — taken in Hampshire. Hampden and Franklin counties be-
tween June 7 and July 13. 1921, are interesting for comparison with
our findings in Oklahoma.*

As to the kinds of birds, Kingbirds, Bluebirds and Cliff Swal-
lows were almost the only native birds seen in both States; the
former averaged nearly the same number of individuals seen per
census in both localities — 3.8 in Oklahoma and 3.3 in Massachu-
setts, — but Bluebirds were much less common in the East, aver-
aging only 1.6 per census in contrast to the 6.5 in the West. (As
the 1920 censuses average 20 miles apiece and those in 1921 15 the
advantage of Oklahoma is even greater than first appears). It
was a relief to find English Sparrows comprising only 11 per cent
of the total number of birds seen, instead of 28. Robins were by
far the most abundant bird recorded. 28 per cent of the 587 native
birds belonging to this species.

In regard to the number of birds seen per mile, the average
for all censuses was lower in Massachusetts than in Oklahoma —
3.8 in contrast to 4.8; and when we consider that all the eastern
censuses were taken in pleasant weather, and compare this 3.8
with the 5.2 in Oklahoma, we have fewer birds than ever. How-
ever these censuses are not directly comparable, for in Massachu-
setts two-thirds of them were taken in the heat of the day and in
Oklahoma only three-sevenths occurred at this period. The cen-
suses in the cool of the day are astonishingly alike in both States:
6.1 birds per mile in Massachusetts and 6.2 in Oklahoma. But
the five counts taken during the heat i>f the day — 101 miles —
show somewhat fewer birds in the East: 2.6 in comparison to 3.9
in the West. (The maximum temperature ranged from 79° on
three days to 88° on one day and 93° on another, which was less,
of course, than the average maxima on the Oklahoma censuses of
90° to 95°, not to mention the exceptional one of 99°). It may
be that New England birds dislike excessive heat more than the
prairie birds do. or it may simply be that fewer were setni because
of the greater accessibility of cover in this region.

* Nice. M. M. & Nice, L. B. This Journal. XXXIII, 3. 1921.
p. 113-123.

Field Notes 195

Three later censuses — 42 miles — from August 3 to 9, gave an
average of 8 birds per mile; in these the effect of the flocking of
Cliff and Barn Swallows is seen, for more than half of the native
birds recorded — 125 out of 330 — belonged to these species.

This further experience has convinced us that the chief value
of the roadside census for comparative purposes lies during the
bi'eeding season, partly because birds are easier to identify then,
but largely because of the stability of the avian population.
Norman, Okla. Margaret M. Nice and L. B. Nice.

SPRAGUE'S FIPIT—ANTHUS 8PRAGUEI—IN FLORIDA

On February 23rd, 1921. while investigating a colony of Florida
Burrowing Owl {Speotyto floridaua floridana) in De Sota County
— now Charlotte County — about eight miles northwest of Punta
Gorda. I noticed two small birds fly up from the very open, sandy
" prairie " and go off quite wild in rather erratic flight. A general
grayish color and decidedly white on the outer tail feathers indi-
cated a stranger to me. One of the birds went off entirely out of
sight eastward while the other lit on the summit of an excavation
on the border of a large drainage canal and was there shot and
later found to be a female in normal winter plumage.

So far as I can determine this is the first record for this bird
in Florida.

On March 7th. following, while crossing the same " prairie "
about one and one-half miles farther east another bird of this
species was observed and twice flushed at long range and finally
disappeared. I judged it might be the number two bird seen Feb-
ruary 23rd.

C. J. Pennock,

Kennett Square, Pa.

WILD BIRDS AND GAME FOWL ARE INCREASING
Notable increases in migratory birds, through special protec-
tion afforded them under Federal laws, are reported by George A.
Lawyer, Chief U. S. Game Warden of the Bureau of Biological Sur-
vey, United States Department of Agriculture, as a feature of his
recent inspection of the various districts scattered throughout the
country. Mr. Lawyer's trip took him practically around the borders
and coasts of the entire country, giving him opportunity to ob-
serve the condition of the birds in all important wintering sections
of the United States.

Wild ducks and geese were found in great abundance, show-
ing the most notable increase of any of the migratory birds.
Greater numbers of upland plover, sandhill cranes, and Wilson snipe
or jacksnipe, were also especially noted. The welfare of the birds
was found to be generally satisfactory and promising, although the

196 THE WILSON BULLETIN— December. 1921

draining of marsh lands in many places has driven them from some
of their old feeding and breeding haunts.

Greater need is evidenced for the Government purchase and main-
tenance of large tracts of marsh lands, vv^here the birds would be
secure from molestation. Such natural asylums, it is said, are be-
coming fevi^er and consequently are affording less protection each
year, due chiefly to the large areas being reclaimed for commercial
purposes. The birds are quick to discover when they are in places
where they are safe from hunters.

NOTES ON SOME FLYCATCHERS OBSERVED NEAR
MINDEN, NEBRASKA
After reading the article on the distribution and migration of
the flycatchers of Nebraska in the September, 1921, number of
the Wilson Bulletin, it seems desirable to place on record the
fact that in company with two other observers I noted a scissor-
tailed flycatcher here at Minden, Kearney County, in the spring
of 1917. I also found the crested flycatcher here in the spring of
1919, and the least flycatcher is a common migrant here both in
the spring and fall. The fall migration this year is much less
than I have observed it to be for many years. Mr. Mortenson
and myself saw a mockingbird October 28, 1921, which is much
later than I have known one to be here before. — II. Hapeman,
Minden, Nebraska.

AN UNUSUAL EASTWARD MOVEMENT OF THE MAGPIE
IN NEBRASKA
Ordinarily the magpie does not move eastward in the fall be-
yond the 100th meridians, except along the northern border of
Nebraska, and records of its occurrence east of the 98th me-
ridian are few, usually not more than once every few years. The
present fall of 1921, however, has brought these birds in unusual
numbers into eastern, and even southeastern Nebraska. The first
report of the occurrence of the magpie in southeastern Nebraska
this year came from the rather heavily wooded Salt Creek bot-
toms in southern Lancaster County, south of Lincoln, during the
first week in October. Numerous Lincoln observers reported the
magpie from that region during October, usually but one bird seen,
except that Mi's. George O. Smith noted two birds on October 9.
The last date on which the magpie was noted in that region was
on October 23, when one bird was seen by Mr. N. F. Peterson.
On October 11 the magpie was noted by Mrs. John Loder on her
farm near Waverly in northeastern Lancaster County, and the
bird was present there until at least October 30, when it was last
noted. On October 23 Mr. L. W. Dawson of Lincoln, saw three
magpies near Weeping Water, Cass County, within a few miles
of the Missouri river. About October 29 a flock of five magpies

Field Notes 197

appeared near Fairbury, Jefferson County, making their head-
quarters about a slaughter house and refuse dump two miles from
town, and were still there on' November 12, on the authority of
Mrs. H. F. Hole of Fairbury. No doubt there are other records
from other localities in southeastern Nebraska that have not come
to our attention, but the above is sufficient to indicate a movement
of magpies into southeastern Nebraska greater than has taken
place for at least the past twenty-five years, during the present
fall. — Myron H. Swenk and Ralph W. Dawson, Lincoln, Nebraska.

BIRD COLLECTIONS OF THE MILWAUKEE MUSEUM

Many bird lovers and ornithologists of the middle west are
perhaps unaware that the Public Museum of the city of Milwau-
kee has one of the finest exhibition collections of birds to be seen
in this country.

The excellence of the Taxidermy and attractive installation,
particularly of the North American collection, is largely due to
the efforts of Mr. George Shrosbree, for twenty-two years Chief
Taxidermist of the institution. All specimens in the systematic
collections are on limbs, twigs, artifi.cial rockwork, etc., attached
directly to the backs of cases, doing away with the unsightly
rows of polished stands and bases.

The North American systematic collection contains about 1370
specimens, representing 720 species and sub-species. Over forty
small groups of "Wisconsin birds with nestlings are shown and
two especially attractive large groups. A unique feature of the
collection is the large number of very young, unfledged nestlings
shown. There are a number of other birds groups, both foreign
and North American. The foreign systematic collection contains
about 1300 mounted specimens.

" Milwaukee Region " collections containing 210 species of birds
that regularly visit the locality, is especially interesting to local
students. A bird's position in the case indicates whether it is
north of, south of, or in the area, the specimens being changed
frequently during the migrations.

The oologist will be delighted with the fine R. F. Goss collec-
tion of North American bird eggs containing, among many other
rarities, the eggs of the Trumpeter Swan.

A beautifully prepared Pigeon Exhibit shows thirty-four of the
more striking domestic breeds and the Rock Pigeon from which
they were derived. Bird skeletons, a synoptic collection, and the
study skins are there for those who desire to use them.

Plans have been made for, and considerable preliminary work
already done on a series of large North American bird groups to
be constructed in the near future.

Milwaukee, Wis. Herbert L. Stoddard.

198 THE WILSON BULLETIN— December, 1921

BURROWING OWL LAYS EGG IN CAPTIVITY
Last season, on April 20th. 1920, while digging out a burrowing
owl hole in a wheat field in Benicia I captured the female owl in
the nest cavity. One egg had been laid in the enlarged chamber,
six feet from the entrance, with no nest except dried horse dung,
which carpeted the burrow from the entrance. I took the owl home
and improvised a cage for her. On the morning of the second day
after her capture, when we arose in the morning, we found an egg
on the board floor of the box in which we had confined her. I
thought she might lay some more as this was but her second one,
and one's natural impression would be that eggs in process of forma-
tion would necessarily have to develop and be deposited; however,
birds apparently have remarkable control over this function, as.
for instance, is evidenced by the fact that a complete new set of
eggs can be brought into existence within a comparatively few days
after the destruction of a previous set. It also appears that they
can stop laying if they so desire, and this she did, as, although I
kept her five days longer, she would lay no more. As I had no ac-
cess to mice or other rodents I shot some sparrows, one or two a
day, though no doubt she could have taken care of more. These
she ate entirely, leaving no sign of flesh, feathers, or claws, though
she would not eat if she was aware that anyone was watching her.
When anyone appeared suddenly in front of her cage she would
assume an attitude of willingness to take either offensive or defen-
sive, at the same time uttering a long scream and glaring at the
intruder until she got accustomed to his presence, then she would
settle down, continuing to glare at him. If our cat showed him-
self there was a continual screaming until the animal disappeared.
After our interesting little visitor had spent her seventh day with
us we took her back to the same field and released her.

Benicia, Solano County, Calif. Emer.son A. Stoxer.

THE CHICAGO ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY
Dr. R. M. Strong, with twenty-two students of ornithology in
the University of Chicago, founded the Chicago Ornithological
Society in December, 1912. The purpose of the Society being to
stimulate interest in the study of Bird Life, especially our local
birds, by the collection of data and comparison of field notes on
the birds of the Chicago area.

The meetings were at first held in the buildings of the Uni-
versity, but as the membership of the Society grev/, with mem-
bers residing in all parts of the city, a central meeting place be-
came desirable, and since 1915 the Society has held monthly meet-
ings in the Loop District. A number of our members were kind
enough to tender the use of their downtown offices for this pur-
pose and those of us who have attended these meetings during

Field Notes 199

the past five years will recall many pleasant and profitable even-
ings, when we gathered in the reception room of Dr. Groenewoud
or Dr. Test or Dr. I.ewy. For over a year past the meetings were
held in the rooms of the Cook Coimty Forest Preserve in the
County Building, then the Crerar Library gave the use of the
Class Room in their new building at Michigan Boulevard and Ran-
dolph Street, where meetings have been held since March, 1921.

From a small beginning, with but a handful in attendance, the
Society has grown until today the meetings are well attended. It
has encouraged the scientific side of ornithology and has gathered
together a group of students who are doing valuable work and
who obtain both instruction and enjoyment in the informal Round
Table talks, when notes and experiences are read, compared and
discussed. One or two field trips are held each year. A commit-
tee has under its care the recording of migration and nesting
data of the birds of the Chicago area. Some members travel
about over the country and return with a message for us on the
birds of distant States, while stay-at-home members bring us the
message gleaned from an intimate study of one or more of our
own local birds. But after all it is the enthusiasm, mutual help
and good fellowship these meetings inspire that assures the Chi-
cago Ornithological Society a bright and lasting future.

Chicago, 111. Chreswell J. Hunt.

200 THE WILSON BULLETIN— December, 1921

NOTES-HERE AND THERE

Conducted by the Secretary
Dr. T. C. Stephens of Sioux City, spent a goodly part of the
summer preparing data and manuscript on the summer birds of
the Lalte Ol<:oboji region in Iowa.

Perhaps the finest ornithoolgical library in the middle went is
that of the Crerar Library in Chicago. In a.ddition to the splendid
collection of books, here may also be found complete files of most
of the bird magazines of consequence which have been published
in this and other countries. The Library has recently removed to
permanent quarters in the Marshall Field Building on Wabash
avenue.

Dr. Wilfred H. Osgood is now Curator of Zoology at the Field
Museum of Natural History, Chicago. Dr. Osgood will take over
the ornithoolgical work of the late Dr. Charles B Cory of that
institution.

Prof. Thos. L. Hankinson, one of our former Secretaries, has
accepted the chair of Biology at the State Normal School at
Ypsllanti, Mich. Professor Hankinson had been with the New
York School of Forestry at Syracuse.

Some years ago, when the present Secretary took up his new
duties, friend Bales of Circlevllle, Ohio, wrote him that " the
Club has a lot of mighty fine fellows in it." The truth of this
remark has become more and more apparent as time goes on
and the writer would amplify it only to include the ladies.

Mr. George M. Sutton of the Carnegie Museum in Pittsburg,
is preparing the colored plates for H. H. Bailey's forthcoming
book on the birds of Florida. Mr. Sutton's work has attracted
well deserved attention and he birds fair to rank high among our
bird artists.

A method of securing copies of pages from rare books, or of
illustrations, manuscripts, etc., is afforded by the use of the Pho-
tostat, with which most of our larger libraries are now equipped.
To ornithologists, engaged in research work or in getting together
literature pertaining to any particular area, this photographic
process permits securing facsimile copies of the originals und at
a smaller cost than for typewritten copies. The New York Public
lie Library filled over 5,000 orders during 1920 at a cost of about
13 cents per page. The Crerar Library of Chicago and the Chi-
cago Public Library are among the western institutions which
render Photostatic or similar service.

Mr. C. J. Pennock of Kennett Square, Pa., with whose Florida
writings our readers are quite familiar, is sp'^nding the winter
again in southwestern Florida, at Punta Gordo.

Nottes Here and There 201

The splendid oological collection of the late John Lewis Childs
of Floral Park, N. Y., is being' disposed of to the public. Half
" Lattin's rates " is said to apply throughout

Dr. and Mrs. George R. Mayfield of Nashville, spent the month
of September in and about Chicago, getting acquainted with the
birds of that area. Dr. Mayfield's specialty is the call notes and
songs of the warblers.

The John Burroughs Memorial Association has been launched
for the purpose of acquiring and maintaining, for permanent me-
morials to the famous author, the properties upon which he spent
most of the eighty-four years of his life.

Mr. Richard C. Harlow of State College, Pa., spent six inter-
esting weeks in southern Canada the past summer. He reports
good success in collecting, including the finding of some nice sets
of the rarer Avarblers.

By proclamation, the governor of Kentucky has recently set
aside " The Old Kentucky Home," at BarstoAvn, Ky., as a perma-
nent sanctuary for bird life. It is a finely wooded tract in which
is situated the old colonial mansion in which was written the fa-
mous song, " My Old Kentucky Home."

Mr. Herbert L. Stoddard of the Milwaukee Museum, did some
intensive field work and collecting in southern Wisconsin during
May and June last. A vacation, which came in December, found
Mr. Stoddard back in his old tramping grounds among the Indiana
Land Dunes of Lake Michigan, where he has made many valuable
records in the past.

In mailing out the usual annual circular letter it has been found
that, largely due to the good work of our membership teams, the
Club membership now lacks but a few names of reaching the 600
mark. The distribution, by states, territories, etc., is as follows;
Ala. 2, Alaska 1, Ark. 1, Calif. 19, Canada 14, Colo. 6. Conn. 9,
Cuba 2, De) 1, Dist. of Col. 17, Fla. 6, Georgia 7, Idaho 1, 111. 70,
Ind. 21, Iowa 51, Kans. 5, Kentucky 8, La. 6, Maine 3, Mass. 18,
Md. 6, Mich. 16, Minn. 9, Miss. 3, Mo. 18, Nebr. (Nebr. Orn. Union)
53, N. Ver. 14, N. York 31, N. Car. 1, N. Dak. 3, Ohio 69, Okla. 2,
Ore. 5, Penna. 18, Porto Rico 1, P. I. 1, R. Island 3, S. Car. 3,
S. Dak. 7, Tenn. 18, Porto Rico 1, P. I. 1, R. Island 3, S. Car. 3,
Wis. 21, Foreign 5. The Bulletin also has a list of subscribers
which includes most of the important libraries and museums in
the country.

The Secretary is interested in keeping our mailing list correct
in every way. If your name is misspelled, or your address incom-
plete, write him promptly regarding it.

One of the finest collections of Japanese and Oriental bird skins

202 THE WILSON BULLETIN— December, 1921

in this country is ttiat of Mr. Henry K. Coale of Highland Park,
111. Mr Coale has for years enjoyed the friendsliip and exchange
agreements with some of Japan's best ornithologists. In looking
over a part of this collection, the writer noted the firmness of the
filling used in these skins and also the brown paper band circling
each bird at the breast. The latter one he has put into practice
in his own collection and finds it most effective in keeping the
wings of large birds close against the body.

The annual meeting of the Wilson Club will be held at Chi-
cago on December 26th and 27th, a cii'cular letter to this effect
having been recently sent to all members. We have been accorded
the privilege of meeting in the new Field Museum of Natural His-
tory and the opening session of the first day has been set at 10
a. m. A committee of our Chicago members have our program
in hand and a pleasant and profitable time may be expected.
Many matters of importance will be brought up and a large at-
tendance is desired.

The matter of enlarging and improving The Wilson Bulletin
will be finally disposed of at the coming meeting. A year ago
we stepped up from 32 pages to 48, with illustra.tions. The ex-
pansion has proven entirely inadequate to the care of the meri-
torious material offered for publication and it is desired that we
print 64 pages per issue. Associate members have received for
their dollar dues, a book of 200 pages, filled with articles of im-
portance and current items of interest. This may be properly
compared with current scientific books of limited circulation, for
which a price of five dollars and more is being asked. All dues
go into printing and postage; the considerable amount of time
devoted to the work by the officers is done gratuitously and with
pleasure, for the advancement of ornithology.

Publications Reviewed

PUBLICATIONS REVIEWED

LIFE HISTORIES OF N. A. GULLS AND TERNS

BY A. C. BEXT

The same painstaking care exercised in the preparation of the
volume on the Alcidae by the same author is evident in this volume
too. If one has Ridgway's Birds of North and Middle America
for the purely technical matter and Benfs Life Histories in his
library he has indeed all that is necessary to gain a complete knowl-
edge of N. A. birds.

"We are glad that the author is courageous and independent
enough to voice his own personal opinions, whenever they differ
from those of the A. 0. U. Committee, based of course on weighty
evidence and accurate comparison. Such cases for instance are his
treatment of Larus vegae, which certainly is not a good species,
perhaps not even a sub-species, of Larus nelsoni and Larus bar-
rovlanus. We have stated elsewhere years ago that the question
is not always whether some of these alleged differences exist but
whether they are worthy of recognition in 7iomenclature. Mr.
Bent's views on the status of Larus brachyrhynchus have proven
true, as the species has subsequently been shown to be only
subspecifically distinct from Larus canus. His remarks on Cathar-
acta chilensis and Larus fuscus ofTiuis are likewise sound.

The photos are fine — the only disappointing one being that of
the nest of the Ivory Gull, but perhaps it was the only one to be
had. The colored plates are excellent. Altogether Mr. Bent's
work is a mine of information and "a joy forever." He richly
deserves the gratitude of all working ornithologists and more liberal
treatment at the hands of the government in the way of paper
stock and cover. W. F. H.

BIRD BANDING BY MEANS OF SYSTEMATIC TRAPPING*

BY S. PRENTISS BALDWIN

Until Mr. Baldwin made his first report of progress at one of
the A. O. U meetings upon the work that he was doing in trapping
and banding, some of us were becoming skeptical about whether the
small returns from bird banding as it had been practiced up to that
time was worth the cost in time and money. But here was a
method which brought results. It opened a field for research
which promised large returns, even if pursued independently,
but pursued in cooperation with others promised results of ines-
timable value in the study not only of migration but also of fea-
tures of the life history of the birds. Mr. Baldwin's banding
operations occupied the summer and autumn months at Gates
Mill, Ohio, and the late winter months at Thomasville, Georgia,
for the years 1914 to 1918; but he is continuing this work at
both places since this report was published. The writer has had

204 THE WILSON BULLETIN— Detember, 1921

the pleasure of visiting the scene of operation at Gates Mill, Ohio,
and studying with Mr. Baldwin the actual operations. There is
no secret about it. Now that Mr. Baldwin has pointed the way
anyone with a fair knowledge of the bird species and an interest
in the work sufficient to continue it even when it may cause
some inconvenience, can do it and obtain fascinating results.
Even one trap is worth operating, but two or three will bring
more results. The traps are not expensive, and they will last your
lifetime if they are given reasonable care. The writer would like
to have north and south lines of bird banders established across
Ohio. One natural route would be the Cuyahoga and Muskingum
rivers line, another the Sandusky-Scioto rivers line, and still an-
other the Maumee-Miami rivers line. Then there ought also vo
be lines between these so that any lateral movements could be
detected. It is probably true that the largest returns would be
wholly local, but there would probably also be satisfactory re-
turns from other trapping and band operations in each line. Anv
persons who are intere.sted in this kind of work will find Mr.
Baldwin entirely willing to give such advice and directions as
will help the campaign along. Write him at the Wilhamson
Building, Cleveland, Ohio. L. J.

*Abstract of the Proceedings of the Lincoln Society of New
York. For the year ending March 11, 1919. No. 31. 1918-1919. Is-
sued Dec. 23, 1919.

INDEX

Accipiter cooperi, 172.

velox, 41.
Actitis macularia. 87, 171.
Agelaius phceniceus phoeiiiceus,

23, 174.
Aix sponsa, 22, 170.
Albatross, Laysan, 94.
Ammodramus savannarun. aus-

tralis, 42.
Anas fulvigiila maculosa 169.

platyrhynchos. 169.
Anhinga, 12, 94, 169.
Anhinga anhinga, 21, 169.
Ani, Groove-billed, 150.
Antrostomus carolinensis. 173.
vociferus vociferus. 41, 50,
87. 173.
Anthus rubescens, 130.

spraguei, 194.
Archseopteryx, 6, 7.
Archilochus colubris, 174.
Ardea herodias herodias, 25.

wardi, 170.
Astragalinus tristis trlstis, 42.
Auklet, Cassin, 13. 93.
Crested, 94.
Least, 94.
Rhinoceros, 93.
Whiskered. 94.
Bseolophus bicolor bicolor. 43,

147, 176.
Bartramia longicauda, 171.
Bittern, 95, 170. 188.

Least, 12, 23, 25, 95, 170,
188, 191.
Blackbird, Brewer's. 11.

Red-winged, 23, 110, 116. 152,

163, 174, 177. 188.
Rusty, 111, 178.
San Diego Red-winged. 177.
Yellow-headed, 177.
Bluebird, 11, 12, 13. 91, 110, 115,
120, 121, 123, 152, 176. 182,
189. 194.

Mountain, 181.
Bobolink, 92, 177. 188.
Bob-white, 12, 120, 121, 122. 148,

149, 171, 188.
Bombycilla cedrorum. 42, 88,
127.

garrula. 127.
Booby, 91, 94.

Botaurus lentiginosus, 170.
Bubo virginianus virginianus,

171.
Bunting, Indigo, 13, 42, 110. 126,
147, 152, 175, 179, 189.
Lark, 126.
Lazuli, 179.
Painted, 115.
Snow. 178.
Buteo borealis borealis, 172.

lineatus alleni, 172.
Butorides virescens virescens, 71.
Calamospiza melanocorys, 126.
Caracara, Audubon's, 11.
Cardinal, 13. 42, 110, 115. 123,

125, 152, 156, 175, 178, 189.
Cardinalis cardinalis cardinalis,

42, 125. 175.
Carpodacus purpureus purpur-

eus, 42.
Casmerodias egretta, 23, 26.
Catbird, 12, 13, 15, 42, 90, 91, 110,

139, 150, 152, 176, 180, 189.
Catharista urubu, 172.
Cathartes aura septentrlonalis,

41, 172.
Catoptrophorus semipalmatus

semipalmatus, 78.
Centurus carolinus, 173.
Certhia familiaris americana,

131.
Ceryle alcyon alcyon. 87, 173.
Chaetura pelagica, 41, 173.
Charitonetta albeola, 102.
Chat. Long-tailed, 80.

Yellow-breasted. 42, 110, 115,
130, 152, 176, 180, 189.
Chewink, 42, 189.
Chickadee, 11, 12, 91, 110, 131,
147, 152, 181.

Carolina, 43, 189.
Mountain, 181.
Plumbeous, 123, 176.
Chicken, Attwater's Prairie, 171,
Chondestes grammacus gramma-

cus, 172.
Chordeiles virginianus chap-
mani, 173.

virginianus, 41,
87, 147, 173.
Chuck-wills-widow, 152, 173.
Cistothorus stellaris, 130.

206

THE WILSON BULLETIN— December, 1921

Coccyziis americanus amorica-
nus. 41. 173.

erythrophthalmus. 87.
Colaptes auratiis auratus, 41, 173.

luteus, 87.
Colinus virginiaiius virgiiiianus,

171.
Compsothlypis americana amerl-
cana. 42.

nsnsea, 128,
175.
Coot. 171, 188, 190.
Cormorant, 94.

Double-crested. 34, 95.
Florida, 95.
Mexican, 169.
Pelagic, 95.
Corvus brachyrhynchos bracby-
• rbynchos. 42. 87. 174.
Cowbird. 12, 15. 35, 87, 90, 91,
110. 116, 121, 146, 152, 174,
177. 188.
Crane, Sandhill. 195.

Whooping, 37.
Creeper. Brown, 110, 137, 147,

181.
Crossbill. Eastern Red, 39.
Mountain, 39.
Red, 38. 146, 190.
White-winged, 146.
Crow, 11, 12, 42, 87, 90, 91, 110,
115, 121, 145, 147, 150, 152,
174, 177. 186. 188.
Clark's. 102.
Fish, 75, 177, 186, 188.
Cuckoo. Black-billed, 87, 97, 188,
190.

California, 97.

Yellow-billed, 13. 41, 97, 110,
121. 152, 173. 188.
Cyanocitta cristata cristata, 42,

"l74.
Dendroica sestiva sestiva, 42, 128.
castanea, 42. 129.
cserulescens cserulescens, 42.
cerulea, 129.

coronata coronata, 42, 128.
dominica albilora, 129.
fusca. 42, 129.
magnolia, 42. 129.
palmarum palmarum. 129.
pensylvanica, 42, 129.
striata, 42, 129.
tigrina, 42, 128.
townsendi, 102.
vigorsi, 175.
virens, 42. 129.

Dickcissel. 110, 113, 115, 120, 121,

123, 126, 179.

Dove, Ground, 12, 13, 91, 96, 164.

Mourning. 11, 12. 13, 41, 91,

96, 115, 116. 118, 121, 147.

151, 172, 188.

Western Mourning. 110, 120,

122.
White-winged, 96.
Dovekie. 94.

Dryobates pubescens homorus,
102.

medianus, 41
pubescens, 173.
villosus audoboni. 173.
Duck, Black, 188.
Bufflehead. 102.
Mottled, 169.
Ruddy, 188.
Scaup, 188.

Wood, 8. 22, 151, 170, 190.
Dumetella carolinensis, 42, 130,

176.
Eagle, Bald, 96, 188.

Golden, 12. 96.
Egret, 23, 26, 95. 170.
Snowy. 23, 27, 71.
Egretta candidissima candidis-

sima. 23, 27. 70.
Elanoides forficatus, 171.
Empidonax difficilis difRcilis,
102, 138.

hammondi. 141.
minimus. 140.
trailli alnorum. 139.
brewsteri, 139. 140.
trailli, 102, 139.
virescens, 138.
wrightii. 141.
Falco peregrinus anatum, 161.
sparverius sparverius, 172.
Finch. Gray-crowned Rosy, 178.
House, 178.
Purple, 42, 178, 190.
Flicker. 8, 11, 35, 41, 98 110,
163. 173, 188.

Northern. 87, 152.
Red-shafted, 98.
Florida cserulea, 69, 170.
Flycatcher, Acadian, 111, 138,
188.

Alder, 99. 191.
Ash-throated, 99.
Crested, 12. 41, 91, 99, 110,
122, 135. 152. 174, 188, 197.
Eastern Olive-sided, 136.
Hammond. 141.

Index

207

Least, 99, 110, 140, 188, 197.

Olive-sided, 99, 102, 146, 187.

Rocky Mountain Olive-sided,
136.

Scissor-tailed, 120, 121, 122,
132. 196.

Traill's, 99, 102. 110, 139.

Vermillion, 99.

Western, 102.

Western Traill's, 140.

Wright's, 99, 141.

Yellow-bellied, 7, 138, 190,
191, 192.
Fulica americana, 171.
Gallinula galeata, 76, 172.
Gallinule, Florida. 76, 172.
Gannet. 10, 11, 91. 94.
Geothlypis trichas trichas, 42,

130.
Gnat"atcher, Blue-gray, 110, 111,
176. 189.

Western. 181.
Goldfincli, 33. 42, 110, 178, 189.

California, 178.
Goshawk, 96.

Grackle. Bronzed, 33. 35, 110,
122, 152, 163, 174. 178.

Purple, 42, 91, 178, 188, 191.
Grebe, Horned, 188.

Pied-billed, 102, 169, 188.
Grosbeak, Black-headed, 179.

Blue, 111, 146, 147. 152, 189,
190.

Evening. 146, 178.

Pine, 178.

Rose-breasted. 42. 88, 110,
126, 178, 189.

Western Blue, 123. 178.

Western Evening, 178.
Grouse, Ruffed. 190.
Guillemot. Black, 94.

Mandf s, 94.

Pigeon. 94.
Gull. Bonaparte's, 188.

Herring, 7, 188.

Ivory.

Laughing. 169.

Ring-billed. 102, 190.
Gyrfalcon. Black, 97.
Hsematopus palliatus, 82.
Hawk, Broad-winged, 11, 12, 96,
110. 188.

Coaper's, 11, 96, 151, 172,
188

Duck, 11. 12, 97, 161, 163,
165.

Ferruginous Rough-leg, 96.

Florida Red-shouldered, 172.

Marsh, 11, 12. 92, 96, 188.

Red-shouldered, 12, 96. 151,
186. 188.

Red-tailed, 96, 151. 172, 181,
188.

Rough-legged, 96.

Sharp-shinned. 11. 12, 41, 96,
188.

Sparrow, 97, 111. 152, 172.

Swainson's, 96.

Texas Red-shouldered, 96.
Helmitherus vermivorus, 39.
Herodias egretta. 170.
Heron. Anthony Green, 95.

Black-crowned Night, 41, 73,
95, 110, 172. 188.

Great Blue, 25, 95, 110, 151,
188.

Green, 12, 71, 72. 73. 95, 110,
151, 164, 172, 188.

Little Blue. 69, 170.

Louisiana. 69. 70. 170.

Ward's, 170.

Yellow-crowned Night, 172.
Hirundo erythrogastra, 42, 126.
Hummingbird, Anna's, 98.

Black-chinned, 98.

Blue-throated, 98.

Costa's, 98.

Ruby-throated, 98, 110, 152,
174, 188.
Hydranassa tricolor ruficoUis,

69. 170.
Hylocichla alicise alicipe, 131.

guttata pallasi, 88.

mustelina, 43, 131. 176.

ustulata swainsoni, 43, 102,
131.
Ibis. Glossy. 95.

White, 95.

Wood, 95, 170.
Icteria virens virens, 42, 130, 176.
Icterus galbula, 42, 174.

spurius, 174.
Iridoprocne bicolor, 42, 127.
Ixobrychus exilis. 23, 170.
Jay. Blue, 11. 12, 42, 110, 152,
164, 174, 177, 188.

California, 177.

Canada, 177.

Pinon, 177.
Junco hyemalis hyemalis, 88, 125.

montanus, 125.
Junco, Montana, 125.

Pink-sided. 36, 178.

208i

THE WILSON BULLETIN— December, 1921

Slate-coli>red. 13, 36. 88, 125,

147, 178, 190.
Shufeldfs, 36.
White-winged, 36.
Killdeer, 111. 122. 145. 171.
Kingfisher, Belted, 11. 12, 14, 87,

97, 110, 152, 163, 173, 188.
Kingbird, 87. 99. 110, 115. 120,
121, 122. 133, 152,174,188,194.
Arkansas. Ill, 122.
Western, 134.
Kinglet. Golden-crowned, 131.
Rnby-crowned. 110, 131, 181,
188, 190.
Kite, Swallow-tailed. 172.

White-tailed, 96.
Lanius ludovicianns excubitor-
ides, 175.

migrans. 67, 127.
Lanivireo flavifrons, 42.

solitarius solitarius, 128.
Lark, Desert Horned. 116, 118,
120, 121.

Dusky Horned, 99.
Horned, 11, 13. 92.
Pallid Horned. 99.
Prairie Horned, 99.
Streaked Horned. 99.
Lophodytes cucullatns. 169.
Loxia curvirostra bendirei, 39.

minor, 39.
Magpie, 12, 177, 196.
Mallard. 169, 188.
Man 'o War-bird, 8.
Martin. Purple, 11, 34. 110, 115,
120. 121, 122, 123, 126, 152,
179, 189.
Meadowlark, 42, 92, 115, 120, 121,
122. 154, 155, 163, 174, 177, 188.
Southern, 152.
Western, 110, 177.
Melanerpes erythrocephalus, 41,

172.
Meleagris gallopavo silvestris.

172.
Melospiza georgiana, 125.
lincolni lincolni. 125.
melodia melodia, 42, 88. 125.
Merganser, 188.

Hooded. 169.
Mimus polyglottos polyglottos,

40, 176.
Mniotilta varia. 42. 128, 175.
Mockingbird, 12, 13. 40, 115. 120,
121, 122. 150. 152, 176, 180,
189. 197.

Western, 120, 123.

Molothrus ater ater, 87, 145, 146,

174.
Muscivora forficata, 132.
Mycteria americana, 170.
Myiarchus crinitus cinerascens,
135.

crinitus, 41. 135,
174.
Myiochanes richardsoni richard-
soni, 137.

virens, 41, 137. 174.
Nannus hiemalis hiemalis, 130.
Nighthawk, 9. 41, 87, 91, 147,
173, 188.

Howell's, 122.
Noddy, 8.

Nucifi'aga columbiana. 102.
Nutcracker, Clarke's. 36.
Nuthatch. Red-breasted, 43, 131,
181, 190.

Rocky Mountain, 181.
White-breasted, 42. 110, 131,
175. 189, 191.
Nuttalornis borealis borealis,
102, 136.

majorinus. 136.
Nyctanassa violacea, 171.
Nycticorax nycticorax nsevius. 41,

73.
Ochthodronius wilsonianus. 80.
Oporornis Philadelphia, 130.
Oriole, Baltimore. 42, 91, 110,
122, 152, 174. 188.

Orchard, 110, 120, 121, 152,

174, 188. 191.
Hooded, 11.
Osprey. 8. 93. 97. 172, 188.
Otus asio asio, 172.
Oven-bird. 34, 42, 110, 129, 152,

180, 186, 189.
Owl, Barn. 47, 183.
Barred. 152, 188.
California Screech. 97.
Florida Barred. 97, 172.
Florida Burrowing.
Great Horned, 11, 97. 152,

172, 190.
Long-oared, 8. 12, 97.
Pacific Horned, 97.
Rocky Mountain Screech. 97.
Screech. 97, 152, 172, 190.
Short-eared. 92, 97.
Western Horned. 97.
Oxyechus vociferus, 171.
Oystercatcher, 82.
Pandion haliaetus carolinensis,
172.

index

209

Paroquet, Carolina, 97.
Partridge. Scaled, 12.
Passer domesticus. 87, 174.
Passerculus sandwlcheiisis alau-
dinus. 105.

nevadensis, 105*

106.
savanna, 105, 106
Passerella iliaca iliaca, 125.
Passerina cyanea, 42, 126.
Pelican. Brown, 95.

White, 95.
Penthestes atricapillus atricapil-
lus. 131.

carolinensis agilis. 176.
carolinensis. 43.
Petrel, Black, 94.
Fork-tailed, 94.
Leach's, 94.
Socorro, 94.
Storm, 94.
Petrochelidon Iimifrons, 88. 126.
Peucsea aestivalis bachmani, 3,

100.
Pewee. Western Wood, 137.

Wood, 11, 13. 41, 99, 110,122,
137. 152. 174, 188.
Phainopepla, 179.
Phalacrocorax vigua mexicanus,

169.
Philohela minor. 78, 148, 171.
Phlceotomus pileatus pileatus,

173.
Phoebe. 13, 83, 91, 110, 135. 152,
174, 188.

Black, 13, 99.
Say's. 13, 99, 136.
Pigeon. Band-tailed. 96.
Passenger, 96.
Rock. 197.
White-crowned, 96.
Pipilo erythrophthalmus ery-

throphthalmus, 42. 125.
Pipit, 130.

Sprague's, 37, 195.
Piranga erythromelas, 42, 126.
175.

rubra rubra. 50, 175.
Planesticus migratorius migra-

torius. 43. 88, 131. 176.
Plover, Mountain. 35, 36.
Semipalmated, 188.
Upland. 171, 195.
Wilson's, 80, 81. 82.
Podilymbus podiceps podiceps.

102, 169.
Progne subis subis, 126, 175.

Protonotaria citrea, 146, 176.
Puffin, Horned, 93.

Tufted, 13. 93.
Querquedula discors, 169.
Quail. 171.
Quiscalus quiscula aeneus, 174.

quiscula, 42.
Rail, King, 74, 110, 151, 171.

Sora, 110.

Virginia, IS".

Wayne's Creeper, 75.-
Rallus crepitans waynei. 75.

elegans, 74, 171.
Redpoll, 178.
Redstart, 42, 50, 88, 110, 130,

180, 189.
Regulus calendula calendula, 130.

satrapa, 130.
Rhynchops nigra, 19.
Riparia riparia. 127, 175.
Ruadrunner. 97.

Robin, 8, 11, 12, 13, 29, 33, 43,
88. 89, 91, 100, 131, 163, 176,
182, 189, 191, 193.

Southern, 152.

Western, 182.
Sandpiper, Least, 188.

Semipalmated, 188.

Solitary, 8. 188.

Spotted, 87, 110, 171, 188.
Sapsucker, Red-breasted, 98.

Red-naped, 36.

Yellow-bellied, 98, 110, 188.
Sayornis phoebe, 135, 174.

sayus, 136.
Seiurus aurocapillus, 129.

motacilla, 130.

noveboracensis noveboracen-
sis, 129.
notabilis. 129.
Setophaga ruticilla, 42, 50, 88,

130.
Shearwater, Audubon's, 94.
Shrike, Loggerhead, 179.

Migrant. 66, 67. 127, 152,
179, 189, 191.

White-rumped, 175.
Sialia sialis sialis, 132, 176.
Siskin, 190.
Sitta canadensis, 43, 131.

carolinensis carolinensis, 42
131. 176.
Skimmer, Black, 19. 20.
Snipe, Wilson's, 171, 195.
Sora. 110.

Sparrow, Bachman's, 3, 4, 100,
101, 185, 190.

210

THE WILSON BULLETIN— December, 1921

Bryant's, 177.

Chipping, 13. 88, 110, 122,

124. 152, 175, 189.
Clay-colored, 36, 110, 124.
English, 13. 68, 88, 112, 122,

156, 174, 178, 188. 191.
Field, 13, 42, 110, 122, 125,

152, 175. 177, 189.
Fox. 125.
Gambel's, 36, 124.
Grasshopper, 13, 42, 152. 189.
Harris', 36, 110, 123. 124.
Henslow's, 189, 191.
Intermediate, 124.
Lark, 111, 120, 121, 152, 174,

177.
Lincoln's, 36, 110, 125, 190.
Merrill's Song, 177.
Savanna. 105. 106, 177, 189.
Song, 13. 42, 87, 110, 125,

177, 189.
Swamp. 110, 125, 171. 189.
Tree, 33, 124.
Vesper, 13, 177, 189. 190.
Western Chipping, 36.
Western Grasshopper, 110,

123.
Western Lark. 122, 123.
Western Vesper, 36, 177.
White-crowned, 36, 124, 189.
White-throated. 49, 88, 110,
124, 177, 189.
Spiza americana, 126.
Spizella monticola monticola, 33,
124.

passerina passerina, 88, 124,

175.
pallida, 124.

pnsilla pusilla. 42, 125, 175.
Spoonbill. Roseate, 95.
Starling. 33, 35, 100. 188, 191.
Stelgidopteryx serripennis, 127.
Sterna antillarum antillarum,
17, 20.

forsteri, 169.
hirundo. 169.
Strix varia alleni, 172.
Sturnella magna magna, 42. 174.

neglecta, 174.
Sturnus vulgaris. 33.
Swan, Trumpeter. 198.
Swallow, Bank, 110. 127, 174,
189

Barn, 42. 110, 126, 178, 188,

194.
Cliff, 88. 116. 120, 121, 126.
179, 189, 194, 195.

Rough-winged, 111, 127, 152,

189.
Tree, 42. 110, 127, 179, 189.
Swift. Chimney, 11, 34, 41, 98,
110, 152, 173, 188.
White-throated, 98.
Tanager, Louisiana, 179.

Scarlet, 41, 110, 126, 175,

189.
Summer, 50, 111, 123, 152,
175, 189.
Western, 36.
Teal. Blue-winged, 110, 169.
Telmatodytes palustris iliacus,
103, 104.

palustris, 103,
104, 105.
Tern. Black. 110, 188.
Common, 169.
Forster's, 169.
Least. 17, 19, 20.
Thrasher, Brown, 8, 12, 13, 15,
42. 90. 91, 110, 123, 130, 152,
174. 180, 189.
California, 181.
Crissal. 181.
Curved-billed, 181.
Sage, 37.
Thrush, Gray-cheeked, 110, 131,
189, 192.

Hermit. 7. 11. 12, 88. 181.
Olive-backed, 12. 43, 102,

110, 131, 181, 189, 192.
Russett-backed, 181.
Wilson's. 181, 189.
Wood. 12. 15. 43, 90, 91. 110,
131, 152, 176, 181, 189.
Thryomanes bewickii bewickii,

176.
Thryothorus ludovicianus ludo-

vicianus, 42, 176.
Titmouse. Plain. 181.

Tufted. 43, 111, 123. 147. 152,
176, 189.
Totanus flavipes, 102.
Towhee, 110, 125, 178.

Green-tailed, 178.
Toxostoma rufum, 42. 176.
Troglodytes aedon aedon. 40. 42,
88.

parkmani, 130.
Tropic-bird. Yellow-billed, 12, 94.
Turkey, Wild. 151. 172.
Tympanuchus americanus att-

wateri, 171.
Tyrannus tyrannus, 87, 133, 174.
verticalis. 134.

Index

211

vociferans, 135.
Veery, 181.
Verdin, 181.
Vermivora celata celata, 128.

peregrina, 42, 128.

pinus, 128.

rubricapilla rubricapilla, 32,
128.
Vireo griseus griseus, 42, 128,

175.
Vii-eo. Bell's. 111.

Blue-headed, 128, 190.

Huttou's, 179.

Philadelphia, 179, 192.

Red-eyed, 11, 42, 88, 110, 123,

127, 175, 179. 189.
Solitary, 190.

Warbling, 110, 129, 175, 179,

190.
Western Warbling, 179.
White-eyed, 42, 110, 128, 152,

175. 189.
Yellow-throated, 42, 110, 179,

189.
Vireosylva gilva gilva, 128, 174.

olivacea, 42, 88. 127, 175.
Vulture, Black, 96, 172.
California, 12, 96.
Turkey, 12, 41, 96, 110, 122,

151. 172, 188.
Warbler. Audubon's, 180.

Black and White, 7. 42, 110,

128, 175, 179, 189.
Blackburnian, 42, 129, 189.
Black-poll, 42. 110, 129. 189,
Black-throated Blue, 37. 42,

189, 192.
Black-throated Green, 37, 42,

129, 180, 189.
Blue-winged, 111, 128, 179,

189.
Brewster's, 179.
Canada. 42, 130, 189, 192.
Cape May, 42, 128, 189, 191,

192.
Cerulean. 40, 110, 129.
Chestnut-sided, 42, 129, 180,

189, 192.
Connecticut, 191.
Golden-winged, 110, 180, 189.
Hooded, 188.

Kentucky, 34, 110, 180. 189.
Kirtland's, 180.
Macgillivray's, 180.
Magnolia, 42, 129, 180, 189.
Mourning, 130. 180, 189, 191,

192.

Myrtle, 42, 110, 128, 147, 180,

189, 192.
Nashville, 42, 128. 180.
Northern Parula, 11, 128.
Orange-crowned. 110, 128

146.
Palm, 110, 129.
Parula, 42, 175, 189.
Pileolated, 102.
Pine. 175, 189.
Prairie, 34, 152, 153, 154, 180,

189.
Prothonotary, 111, 146, 152,

175.
Sycamore, 129.
Tennessee, 42, 110, 128. 190,

191.
Townsend's, 102.
Wilson's, 130, 189.
Worm-eating, 39. Ill, 179,

189, 190.
Yellow, 15, 42. 90. 91, 110,

128, 180, 189.
Yellow Palm, 179, 190.
Yellow-throated, 189.
Water-Thrush, 189.

Grinnell's, 110, 129.
Louisiana, 110, 130, 189.
Water-Turkey, 21, 129.
Waxwing, Bohemian, 127.

Cedar, 11, 12, 15, 42, 88, 90,

91, 127, 178, 189.
Whippoorwill. 9, 41, 50. 87, 91,

98, 173, 188.
Willet, 78, 79, 80, 81.
Wilsonia canadensis, 42.
pusilla pileolata, 102.
Woodcock, 78. 148, 149, 151, 163,

171, 190.
Woodpecker, Arctic Three-toed,
98.

Batchelder's, 102.
Cabanis', 98.
California, 98.
Downy, 41, 98, 188.
Hairy, 98, 110, 122, 152, 188.
Harris', 98.
Lewis', 38, 98.
Northern Downy, 110.
Northern Pileated, 98.
Nuttall's, 98.
Pileated, 122, 152, 173.
Red-bellied, 152, 173, 186,

188.
Red-headed, 41, 98, 110. 120,

121, 122, 152, 173, 188.

212 THE WILSON BULLETIN— December, 1921

Southern Downy, 152, 173. Western House, 110, 130, 181.

Southern Hairy, 173. Winter. 130.

White-headed, 98. Wren-Tit, 12, 181.

Wren, Alaska. 181. Yellow-legs. 102, 188.

Bewick's, 91, 152, 176, 181. Greater, 110.

Carolina, 13, 42, 110, 123, Yellow-throat, Maryland, 42. 110,

176, 181, 189. ■ 130, 152, 180, 189.

House, 13, 40, 42, 88, 91, Zamelodia ludoviciana, 42. 126.

181. 189. Zenaidura macroura carolinen-

Long-billed Marsh, 103, 110, sis, 41, 172.

189. Zonotrichia albicolHs. 42, 124.

Prairie Marsh, 103, 131. leucophrys gambeli, 124.

Short-billed Marsh, 110, 130. leucophrys, 124.

Tule, 180. querula, 123.

Vol. XXXIII. No. 1

March, 1921

X>«r* — «->-■■- ........... .....K

Tlnll

l:

y^liiliiV

OFFICIAL ORGAN OF

The Wilson Ornithological Club and The
Nebraska Ornithologists Union

x««— .*>«»— ——»■" ...,.....x

Entered as Second-class Matter, July 13, 1916, at the Post Office at Ober-
lin, Ohio, under Act of March 3, 1879.

CONTENTS

Nesting of Bachsiaxs Sparrow By Albert F. Gainer , 3

CoMPARATI^-E Periods of NESTLI^"G Life By Frank L. Burns 4-15

Habits of Breeding Water Birds By W. J. Erichson 16-28

An Albinistic Robin By Alvin R. Cahn 29

Editorial 31-32

Field Notes 33-42

Notes — Here and There 43-46

Annual Meeting 46-50

Correspondence 50-51

Review of Literature 51-52

Membership Roll 53-64

THE WILSON BULLETIN

Published quarterly, March, June, September and December, as the offi-
cial organ of the Wilson Ornithological Club and the Nebraska Ornithologists'
Union, and edited by Dr. Lynds Jones, assisted by a board of five members.

All articles and communications intended for publication and all books
and publications for notice, should be sent to Dr. Lynds Jones, Spear Labora-
tory, Oberlin, Ohio.

The subscription price is $1.50 a year, including postage, strictly in ad-
vance. Single numbers, 50 cents. Free to all members not in arrears for
dues.

Subscriptions should be addressed to the Treasurer, and applications for
membership to the Secretary.

The officers of the Wilson Club for the year 1921 are:
President — Dr. R. M. Strong, Loyola University, Chicago, 111.
Vice-President — Dr. H. C. Oberholser, Washington, D. C.
Secretary — Albert F. Ganier, 2507 Ashwood Ave., Nashville, Tenn.
Treasurer — George L. Fordyce, Youngstown, Ohio.

EDITORIAL BOARD

Lynds Jones, Editor-in-Chief
Oberlin, Ohio

G. L. Fordyce, Youngstown, Ohio; A. F. Ganier, Nashville, Tenn.; T. C.

Stephens, Sioux City, Iowa; Dayton Stoner, Iowa City, Iowa

M. H. Swenk, Lincoln, Neb.

Published Quarterly at Obei-lin, Ohio

The "Blue Bird"

Is now published monthly, the year 'round, with new and in-
teresting departments, features and contests, and AT NO ADDI-
TIONAL COST TO SUBSCRIBERS.

Official organ of The Cleveland Bird Lovers' Association.

SEND 20c FOR SAMPLE COPY

Annual Subscripton |2.00 Agents Wanted Everywhere

THE BLUE BIRD
1010 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, Ohio

Tl)e Oologist

Birds " Eggs - Nests - Taxidermy

The Oologist is the lonly magazine published in America de-
voted to the interests of those making collections of Birds, their
Nests and Eggs. For thirty-seven years it has been the recognized
medium for the exchange of ideas along these lines and its columns
teem with advertisements of this character, solely for exchange.
It is the second oldest bird journal in America and indlspenasble
to thos€> engaged in either the amateur or scientific study of birds.

Subscription, fifty cents per year, with a free exchange notice.
Sample copy free. Address The Oologist, Lacon, HI.

Vol. XXXIII. No. 2

June, 1921

X--.

«»«---,«, — ,»,.«,«X

ITIrO

mm

OFFICIAL ORGAN OF

The Wilson Ornithological Club and The
Nebraska Ornithologists Union

X ^ M

Entered as Second-class Matter, July 13, 1916, at the Post Office at Ober-
lin, Ohio, under Act of March 3, 1879.

CONTENTS

Migrant Shrike By Ira N. Gabrielson 67-69

Habits OF Breeding Water Birds By W. J. Erichsen 69-82

Bird Banding in Northern Michigan By Dayton Stoner 83-90

Comparative Periods of Nestling Life By Prank L. Burns 90-99

Field Notes 100-106

Notes Here and There 106-108

Annual Meeting of Nebraska Union 109-111

Publications Reviewed 111-112

THE WILSON BULLETIN

Published quarterly, March, June, September and December, as the offi-
cial organ of the Wilson Ornithological Club and the Nebraska Ornithologists'
Union, and edited by Dr. Lynds Jones, assisted by a board of five members.

All articles and communications intended for publication and all books
and publications for notice, should be sent to Dr. Lynds Jones, Spear Labora-
tory, Oberlin, Ohio.

The subscription price is $1.50 a year, including postage, strictly in ad-
vance. Single numbers, 50 cents. Free to all members not in arrears for
dues.

Subscriptions should be addressed to the Treasurer, and applications for
membership to the Secretary.

The officers of the Wilson Club for the year 1921 are:

President — Dr. R. M. Strong, Loyola University, Chicago, 111.
Vice-President — Dr. H. C. Oberholser, Washington, D. C.
Secretary — Albert F. Gfinier, 2507 Ashwood Ave., Nashville, Tenn.
Treasurer — George L. Fordyce, Youngstown, Ohio.

EDITORIAL BOARD

Lynds Jones, Editor-in-Chief
Oberlin, Ohio

G. L. Fordyce, Youngstown, Ohio; A. F. Ganler, Nashville, Tenn.; T. C.

Stephens, Sioux City, Iowa; Dayton Stoner, Iowa City, Iowa

M. H. Swenk, Lincoln, Neb.

Published Quarterly at Oberlin, Ohio

The "Blue Bird"

Is now published monthly, the year 'round, with new and in-
teresting departments, features and contests, and AT NO ADDI-
TIONAL COST TO .SUBSCRIBERS.

Official organ of The Cleveland Bird Lovers' Association.

SEND 20c FOR SAMPLE COPY

Annual Subscripton $2.00 Agents Wanted Everywhere

THE BLUE BIRD
1010 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, Ohio

T\)e Oologist

Birds - Eggs - Nests - Taxidermy

The Oologist is the lonly magazine published in America de-
voted to the interests of those making collections of Birds, their
Nests and Eggs. For thirty-seven years it has been the recognized
medium for the exchange of ideas along these lines and its columns
teem with advertisements of this character, solely for exchange.
It is the second oldest bird journal in America and indispenasble
to those engaged in either the amateur or scientific study of birds.

Subscription, fifty cents per year, with a free exchange notice.
Sample copy free. Address The Oologist, Lacon, 111.

Vol. XXXIII. No. 3

September, 1921

X-- - ..X

Tlnlll

mm

"^^

flJEll

OFFICIAL ORGAN OF

The Wilson Ornithological Club and The
Nebraska Ornithologists Union

X^i>— ««*>-—»- — "- — ■ — ■-- — ......K

Entered as Second-class Matter, July 13, 1916, at the Post OfBce at Ober-
lin, Ohio, under Act of March 3, 1879.

CONTENTS

The Roadsh)e Census By Margaret M. Nice aud L. B. Nice 113

Land Birds of Sac County, Iowa By J. A. Spurrell 123

Notes on Nebraska Birds By Myron H. Swenk and Ralpli "W. Dawson 132

Editobiai. ' 142

Communications 145

Field Notes 145

Notes — Here and There 157

PuBUCATioNs Reviewed 159

THE WILSON BULLETIN

Published quarterly, March, June, September and December, as the oflft-
cial organ of the Wilson Ornithological Club and the Nebraska Ornithologists'
Union, and edited by Dr. Lynds Jones, assisted by a board of five members.

All articles and communications intended for publication and all books
and publications for notice, should be sent to Dr. Lynds Jones, Spear Labora-
tory, Oberlln, Ohio.

The subscription price is $1.50 a year, including postage, strictly in ad-
vance. Single numbers, 50 cents. Free to all members not in arrears for
dues.

Subscriptions should be addressed to the Treasurer, and applications for
membership to the Secretary.

The oflBcers of the Wilson Club for the year 1921 are:
President — Dr. R. M. Strong, Loyola University, Chicago, 111.
Vice-President — Dr. H. C. Oberholser, Washington, D. C.
Secretary— Albert F. Ganier, 2507 Ashwood Ave., Nashville, Tenn.
Treasurer — George L. Fordyce, Youngstown, Ohio.

EDITORIAL BOARD

Lynds Jones, Editor-in-Chief
Oberlln, Ohio

G. L. Fordyce, Youngstown, Ohio; A. F. Ganier, Nashville, Tenn.; T. C.

Stephens, Sioux City, Iowa; Dayton Stoner, Iowa City, Iowa

M. H. Swenk, Lincoln, Neb.

Published Quarterly at Oberlln, Ohio

The "Blue Bird

55

Is now published monthly, the year 'round, with new and In-
teresting departments, features and contests, and AT NO ADDI-
TIONAL COST TO SUBSCRIBERS.

Official organ of The Cleveland Bird Lovers' Association.
SEND 20c FOR SAMPLE COPY

Annual Subscripton |2.00

Agents Wanted Everywhere

THE BLUE BIRD
1010 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, Ohio

T\)e Oologist

Birds - Eggs - Nests - Taxidermy

The Oologist is the only magazine published in America de-
voted to the Interests of those making collections of Birds, their
Nests and Eggs. For thirty-seven years it has been the recognized
medium for the exchange of ideas along these lines and its columns
teem with advertisements of this character, solely for exchange.
It Is the second oldest bird journal in America and indispenasble
to those engaged in either the amateur or scientific study of birds.

Subscription, fifty cents per year, with a free exchange notice.
Sample copy free. Address The Oologist, Lacon, 111.

Vol. XXXIII. No. 4

December, 1921

K— H

OFFICIAL ORGAN OF

The Wilson Ornithological Club and The
Nebraska Ornithologists Union

X- ...... .K

Entered as Second-class Matter, July 13, 1916, at the Post Office at Ober-
lln, Ohio, under Act of March 3, 1879.

CONTENTS

The Nesting of the Duck Hawk

Summer Birds Near Lu\ke Caddo

Comparative Periods of Nestling Life

Two Spring Bird Lists

Editorial

Field Notes

Notes — Here and There

Publications RE\aEWED

Index

By H. L. Stoddard 161

By Alvin R. Cahn 165

By Frank L. Burns 177

By W. L. McAtee 183

193

194

200

203

205

THE WILSON BULLETIN

Published quarterly, March, June, September and December, as the offi-
cial organ of the Wilson Ornithological Club and the Nebraska Ornithologists'
Union, and edited by Dr. Lynds Jones, assisted by a board of five members.

All articles and communications intended for publication and all books
and publications for notice, should be sent to Dr. Lynds Jones, Spear Labora-
tory, Oberlin, Ohio,

The subscription price is $1.50 a year, including postage, strictly in ad-
vance. Single numbers, 50 cents. Fi'ee to all members not in arrears for
dues.

Subscriptions should be addressed to the Treasurer, and applications for
membership to the Secretary.

The officers of the Wilson Club for the year 1921 are:

President — Dr. R. M. Strong, Loyola University, Chicago, 111.
Vice-President — Dr. H. C. Oberholser, Washington, D. C.
Secretary — Albert F. Ganier, 2507 Ashwood Ave., Nashville, Tenn.
Treasurer — George L. Fordyce, Youngstown, Ohio.

EDITORIAL BOARD

Lynds Jones, Editor-in-Chlef
Oberlin, Ohio

G. L. Fordyce, Youngstown, Ohio; A. F. Ganier, Nashville, Tenn.;
Stephens, Sioux City, Iowa; Dayton Stoner, Iowa City, Iowa
M. H. Swenk, Lincoln, Neb.

Published Quarterly at Oberlin, Ohio

T. C.