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Hird= Lore

AN ILLUSTRATED BI-MONTHLY MAGAZINE DEVOTED TO
THE STUDY AND PROTECTION OF BIRDS

EDITED BY

FRANK M. CHAPMAN

Official Organ of the Audubon Societies

AUDUBON DEPARTMENT EDITED BY

MABEL OSGOOD WRIGHT

AND

WILLIAM DUTCHER

VOLUME XI—1909

‘a

Nos.
Stiona| Museu

THE MACMILLAN COMPANY

HARRISBURG, PA., AND NEW YORK CITY

CopyRIGHT, 1909

By FRANK M. CHAPMAN

INDEX TO ARTICLES IN VOLUME XI
BY AUTHORS

Abbott, Clinton G., see Latham,
Cowbird’s Nursery, 149.

Ackert, J. E., Christmas Census, 32.

Allen, Mary Pierson, Christmas Census, 26.

Allison, Andrew, Secretary, Report of, 318.

Anderson, H. G., see Pilling, Norman B.

Anderson, Minnie K., Henrietta Horne,
Louise ‘Washington, Clara Armstrong and
Marion Lee, Christmas Census, 36.

Armstrong, Clara., see Anderson, Minnie K.

Armstrong, Edward 1g Christmas Census,

Roy; A

Qi.
Arnold, Clarence M., Christmas Census, 20.
Arnold, W. W., Retribution, 174.

Babcock, Donald, Poem by, 76.

Barrows, Martha W., Our Duty to Our Bird
Tenants, rgt.

Barton, Ethel R., Christmas Census, 16.

Baxter, M., see Coffin, Mr. and Mrs. Per-
cival B.

Beck, Herbert H., and Elmer E. Kantz,
Christmas Census, 28.

Becker, Jas. S., A Martin Colony, 86.

Beckwith, Mabel., see Francis, Sarah.

Beebe, Emma, Christmas Census,-36.

Beebe, R. H., A Bobolink Tragedy, 128.

Beebe, C. William, A Day With the Birds on
a Guiana Savanna, 235.

Bennett, F. M., A Tragedy of Migration, 110.

Bent,A.C.,A Bird Photographer’s Outfit,1orz.

Bernhard, Bess, and Emma van Gilluwe,
Christmas Census, 26.

Betts, N. de W., see Williams, Harry C.

Blake, Francis G., Christmas Census, 16.

Blake, Sidney F., Christmas Census, 19.

Blanchard, Geo. G., and Jas. A. Wing,
Christmas Census, 17.

Blines, Jasper, Boxes for Purple Martins, 87.

Boardman, Elizabeth D., and Lidian E.
Bridge, Christmas Census, 19.

Borgen, Nels, and Frithjof Nace, Christmas
Census, 35.

Bowdish, B. S., Photographs by, 321, 322.

Brainerd, Barron, J. Kittredge and James L.
Peters, Christmas Census, 18; and H. W.
Wright, etc., Christmas Census, 18; and
R. M. Marble, Christmas Census, 18., see
Peters, James; and R. M. Marble and R.
A. Creesy, Christmas Census, 19.

Brewster, William, Eggs of the Flicker Found
in an Odd Place, 73.

Bridge, Edmund and Lidian E., Christmas
Census, 18, 19.

Bridge, Lidian E., see Boardman, Elizabeth
D., Christmas Census, 19; List of Birds
Observed in Massachusetts from January
I, 1908 to January 1, 1909, 169

Brown, Chas. E., Secretary, Bird Bulletins,
Bis Report of, 335

Brown, Frank A. ~The Cardinal in Massachu-
setts, 85; 127.

Bruen, Frank, Christmas Census, 21.

Butler, Jefferson, Christmas Census, 30.

Butler, Jefferson, Secretary, Report of, 316.

Buttrick, P. L., Observations on the Life
History of the Bobolink, 125.

Calhoun, Jas. A., Christmas Census, 29.
Calvert, 7: EF see Scott, Alvin; Christmas
Census, 16.

Los

Cameron, John E., Christmas Census, 33.

Campbell, Helen Gordon, From Ceylon, 92.

Carey, Henry R.., Remarks on the Habits of
the Kingfisher on the New Hampshire-
Seacoast, 161.

Carleton, Warren E., and Linus Murphy,
Christmas Census, 9.

Carson, Alma, Secretary, Report of, 328.

Caskey, R. C., Christmas Census, 26.

Chace, M. E., Christmas Census, 20.

Chamberlain, George N., Mosquito Inlet.
Reservation, 52.

Chapin, James, Christmas Census, 23.

Chapman, C. L., Christmas Census, 30.

Chapman, Frank M., The Feud of the Crows.
and the Owl, 4; Editorials by, 37, 91, 134,
9A, BOR. aris Reviews by, 88, 89, 131, 178,
179, 180, 219, 208, 269; The Bobolink, 137.

Chase, Ethel B. , Mrs. John S. Thomson and
Harriet W. Thomson, Christmas Census,

Cheever, W. H., see Mitchell, Its ING [31

Childs, Helen P. , Secretary, Report of, 309.

Chisholm, Alexander Robert, Some Interest-
ing Reminiscences of Audubon, 262.

Clapp, Mrs. G. F., A Benumbed Evening-
Grosbeak, 267.

Clarke, Cora H., The Cat Question, gg.

Clarke, William Cogswell, Hawks Hunting,

205.

Coan, Mary B., The Evening Grosbeak at.
Rutland, Vt., 85.

Codman, J. 1., The Carolina Wren in Massa-
chusetts, 86.

Coffin, Francis A. and Robert B., Christmas
Census, 32.

Coffin, Lucy V. Baxter, Blue-winged and.
Prairie Warblers near Chicago, 177.

Coffin, Mr. and Mrs. Percival B., M. Baxter,
and Mrs. J. G. Sutton, Christmas Census,

30.

Cooke, W. W., The Migration of Flycatchers,
ne The Migration of Vireos, 78, 118, 1653.
The Migration of North American ‘Spar-
YOWS, 254.

Crane, Robert, Christmas Census, 23.

Creesy, R. L., see Brainerd, Barron.

Crolius, Anne ee Christmas Census, 233.
A Saw-whet Owl in Central Park, 266.
Crosby, Maunsell S., Christmas Census, 2s
A Wintering Ruby-crowned Kinglet and

Cowbird, 85.

Daninhauer, Kale, see Graves, E. W.

Davis, Bessie Scribner, Repdolls and White-.
winged Crossbills in New Hampshire, 122.

Davis, Edwin Russell, Christmas Census, 17..

Davis, M. B., Secretary, News from Texas,
189; Secretary’s Report, 333.

Davis, M. L., Sheltering Wings, 217.

Day, Mary F., City Bird-Life, 215.

Dice, Lee R., Christmas Census, 36.

Dickerson, enue C., Chickadee All the Year
Round,

Dillon, F. Ne and G. F. Hubbard, Christmas
Census, 17.

Dingle, Edward S., Christmas Census, 28.

Drummond, Mary, Secretary, Report of, 312.

Dutcher, William, Editorials by, 48, 98, 141,
187, 229; Review by, 218; Legislation, 98,

William,

I4I.
Dutcher, National Conservation

(iii)

iv Index

Commission, 48; A Reason for Decrease of
Bob-white, 57; A Valuable Experiment,
58; Legislation, 54, 98, 141; A Reason
Why the Trade in Aigrettes Should Be
Suppressed, 187; The Brown-tail Moth,
187; How to Attract Birds, 229; Presi-
dential Address, 281.

Dwight, Jonathan, Jr., Reviews by, 89, 133,
209.

Dykeman, Mrs. C. A., Christmas Census, 21.

Earle, Carlos, Christmas Census, 28.
Eck, Rev. W. I., Christmas Census, 29.
Eigenberger, George H., Christmas Census,

AS

Ekblaw, W. Elmer, Christmas Census, 32.

Eldridge, Elizabeth and Jessie, Christmas
Census, 32.

Elliott, Amanda, Some Nesting Habits of
the Wood Pewee, 154.

Ellison, Emma, Christmas Census, 29.

Ells, F. W., see Mitchell, I. N.

Elson, J. C., Photogragh by, 168.

Eustis, Richard S., Photograph by, 248.

Evans, William B., Christmas Census, 26.

Fair, Wm. W., Christmas Census, 26.

Finley, William L., Law Enforcement in
Oregon, 188; The Bush-Tit, 225; Report
of, 301.

Fisher, E. W., Secretary, Report of, 329.

Fitzpatrick, Miss I. G., Secretary, Report of,

4.

Beane, Wm. M., and Wm. Rochow,
Christmas Census, 28.

Fleischer, Edward, Christmas Census, 24.

Fletcher, Arthur W., and Samuel D. Rob-
bins, Christmas Census, 17.

Forbush, Edward Howe, The Mallard, 40;
The Sharp-shinned Hawk, 94; The Sharp-
shinned Hawk Again, 233; Annual Report,
297; Photograph by, 300.

Fordyce, George L., Christmas Census, 30.

Francis, Sarah, Mabel Beckwith and Me-
dora Hurlbut, Christmas Census, 34.

Gannett, Lewis, and C. S. Leete, Christmas
Census, 22.

Gates, Frank C., and J. G. Sinclair, Christ-
mas Census, 31; and W. L. Partridge,
Christmas Census, 31.

Gillette, Eugenie C., Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Wintering in Wisconsin, 267.

Gilluwe, Emma van, see Bernhard, Bess.

Glover, Helen W., Secretary, Report of, 308.

Goodale, Dora Read, Poem by, 204.

Goodpasture, A. V., Woodpeckers and June-
Bugs, 196.

Graves, Mr. and Mrs. E. W., Christmas
Census, 33.
Graves, E. W., and Kale

Christmas Census, 33.

Graves, Frances M., Christmas Census, 21.

Gray, Mrs. L. H., Christmas Census, 36.

Griffin, George, see Lathan, Roy.

Griscom, Ludlow, and Stanley V. Ladow,
Christmas Census, 23.

Griscom, Ludlow, More Central Park (New
York City) Notes, 130.

Gross, Alfred O.,“Christmas Census, 32.

Daninhauer,

Hall, F. H., and Otto McCreary, Christmas
Census, 22.

Haney, John D., How One School Made
Bird Houses, 223.

Harlow, Richard C., A Redpoll Invasion, 121.

Harper, Francis, see Latham, Roy.

Harriet Bird Club, Christmas Census, 34.

Hartwell, Mrs. Charles S., Christmas Cen-
sus, 24.

Hazard, Sarah, Secretary, Report of, 319.

Heath, Hazel S., and Ada, Christmas Cen-

sus, 29.
R. W., Where Does the Male

Hegner,
Horned Lark Stay at Night?, 75.

Heil, Charles E., Christmas Census, 17; The
Towhee, 158.

Henderson, H. C., Christmas Census, 32.

Hill, J. Irving, Christmas Census, 20.

Hill, Thomas R., Christmas Census, 27.

Hilles, Florence B., Secretary, Report of, 309.

Hix, George E., Christmas Census, 23, 25.

' Hodge, C. F., Photograph by, 77; The Cat

Question, 100.

Hodgman, Edith M., Christmas Census, 20.

Holmes, Georgiana Klingle, Secretary, Re-
port of, 320.

Honywill, Albert W., Jr., Clifford H. Pang-
burn and M. B. Pangburn, Christmas
Census, 21.

Honywill, Albert W., Jr., Nesting of the
Chimney Swift, 266.

Horne, Henrietta, see Anderson, Minnie K.

Horton, L. S., Photograph by, 155

Howe, Carlton D., Christmas Census, 16;
Secretary’s Report, 334.

Howe, Florence A., Secretary, Report of, 312.

Howell, Benj. F., Christmas Census, 25.

Hubbard, G. F., see Dillon, F. N.

Hubbard, Marian E., A Second Season of
Bluebird Tenants, 63.

Hunt, Chandler Robbins, see Robbins,
Samuel Dowse.

Hunter, Francis T., and Ralph White,
Christmas Census, 23.

Hunter, Sam., Christmas Census, 15, 16.

Hurlbut, Medora, see Francis, Sarah.

Jacques, Mary J., Poem by, 113.
Judd, Percy L., Christmas Census, 35.

Kantz, Elmer E., see Beck, Herbert H.

Keiter, Flora, Christmas Census, 30.

Kelsey, Mrs. W. T., Christmas Census, 34.

Keyser, Leander S., Red-wings Going to
Roost, 176. :

Kimball, Jessie E., Secretary, Report of, 315.

Kimes, Edward D., Christmas Census, 29.

Kittredge, J., see Brainerd Barron,18.

Kittredge, J., Jr., and R. M. Marble, Christ-
mas Census, 18.

Knowles, Wilhelmina C., Christmas Cen-
sus, 20.

Ladow, Stanley V., see Griscom, Ludlow.

Larson, Adrian, Christmas Census. 35.

Latham, Harry, Frank and Roy, Christmas
Census, 24; and George Griffin, Christ-
mas Census, 25.

Latham, Roy, Francis Harper, and Clinton
G. Abbott, Christmas Census, 24.

Latham, Roy, Good Results of the Anti-
Spring-Shooting Law in New York, 148.

Lawson, Carl C., Christmas Census, 29.

Leake, Caroline R., The Evening Grosbeak
at Williamstown, Mass., 85.

Lear, George, Christmas Census, 27; The
Starling at Germantown, Pa., :

Lee, Marion, see Anderson, Minnie K.

Lee, Robert M., Christmas Census, 30.

Index Vv

Leete, C. S., see Gannett, Lewis.

Lemmon, Isabel Mc.C., Benumbed Gros-
beaks, 176; Where Are the Swallows?, 267.

Lewis L. Alva, Warden Klamath Lake Res-
ervation, Report of, 188.

Lincoln, Robert Page, Bird Battles, 263.

_Linkletter, Elihu, Christmas Census, 31.

Lippincott, Chas. D., Redpolls in New Jersey,
124.

Livers, H. W., and Dr. S. R. Towne, Christ-
mas Census, 33.

Lockwood, Emma H., Secretary, Report of,

19.

eos, John N., Christmas Census, 34.

Marble, R. M., see Kittredge, J., Jr., see
Brainerd, Barron.

Martin, Jean, A Devoted Parent, 129.

Marrs, Mrs. Kingsmill, Chairman of Execu-
tive Committee, Report of, 309.

Marx, Edward J. F., Christmas Census, 27.

Maynard, C. J., Christmas Census, 18.

McAtee, W. L., Early Arrival of Evening

Grosbeaks in Southern Wisconsin, 267.
McClintock, Norman, A Successful Failure,

198.

McConnell, Harry B., Christmas Census, 28;
and Isabel McConnell, Christmas Census,
28.

McCreary, Otto, see Hall, F. H.

McKinnon, Angus, Tin Cans as Homes for
Bluebirds, 86.

Meister, H. D., cons Census, 36.

Merrill, Chas. A., Christmas Census, 25.

“Miller, "Ansel 3 , Photograph by, 117.

Miller, Eliza F., Christmas Census, 16;
Pine Siskins in Vermont, 124.

Miller, Leslie H., Christmas Census, 15.

Miller, Milo H., Christmas Census, 28.

Miller, Richard F., Christmas Census, 27.

Miller, W. DeW., Christmas Census, 25; A
Plea for the Sharp-shinned Hawk, 190;
Review by, 218.

Mitchell, I. N., F. W. Ells, E. W. Stickney,
and W. H. Cheever, Christmas Census, 34.

Moody, Charles Stuart, An Aérial Gymnast,

252: ;
Morgan, Albert, Two Warbler Photographs,

206.
Morris, Robert T., The Woodcock’s Song,
124.
Mowry, Anna P. C., Christmas Census, 20.
Murdock, Marion, Poem by, 153.
Murphy, Linus, see Carleton, Warren E.
Murphy, Robert C., see Washburn, Ger-
- trude A.
Musselman, T. E. and V. G., Christmas
Census, 31.
Myers, Harriet Williams, The
Home in the Oak Tree, 209.
Myers, Mrs. Harriet W., Secretary, Report
of, 307.

Hanging

Nace, Frithjof, see Borgen, Nels.

Needham, James G., Kinglets Captured by
Burdocks, 261.

Nesbitt, Patience, Christmas Census, 34.

Nichols, John Treadwell, Notes on Pacific
Coast Shore Birds, ro.

Norris, William M., Jr.,
26.

Norton, Arthur H. , Secretary, Report of, 314.

Norwalk Bird Club, Christmas Census, 22.

O’Neal, R. J., A Word for the Cowbird, 214.

Christmas Census,

Pabody, E. F., Jr.,

Christmas Census, 35.
Pacetti, B. J.,

Warden, Mosquito Inlet ’Reser-
vation, 180.

Packward, W. H., and C. S. Van Deusen,
Christmas Census, 32.

Palmer, T.S., Reviews by, 90, 132, 180, 220,
270.

jae William F., Secretary, Report of,

Bates N. L., Christmas Census, 31; See
Gates, Frank

Pangburn, Clifford, H., Christmas Census,
21, see Honywill, Albert W., Jr.; Photo-
graph by, 273.

Pangburn, D. B., Christmas Census, 2r.

Pangburn, M. B., see Honywill, Albert W.,

Jr.

Pearson, T. Gilbert, Nesting of the Red-
Cockaded Woodpecker, 265; The Mock-
ingbird, 274; Annual Report of Secretary,
280; Secretary’s Report, 323.

Pennington, F. A., Christmas Census, 31.

Pennock, C. J. Christmas Census, 27.

Pennock, Winthrop T., Christmas Census,

22.

Perkins, Edward H., see Plimpton, George
L., Christmas Census, 20; The Goshawk
as an Enemy of Poultry, 266.

Perry, J. S., Photograph by, 3

Peters, James L., see Brainerd, Barron; and
Barron Brainerd, Christmas Census, 19,
20; List of Birds Observed in Massachu-
setts from January 1, 1908 to January 1,
1909, 169.

Petry, Loren C., Further Note on Albino
Flickers, 120; Records of Kirtland’s
Warbler, 177.

Petry, Ruth and Loren C., Christmas Cen-
sus, 29.

Philipp, P. B., Photographs by, 280, 286, 287
2809, 296, 324, 325

ces Nellie Seiiees

Pilling, Norman B., and H. G. Anderson,
Christmas Census, 20.

Pingree, Paul P., see Wade, Jesse.

Plimpton, George L., ane E. H. Perkins,
Christmas Census, 16

Poage, J. F., The Color of Male Purple
Martins, 86.

Potter, L. ‘Henry, Christmas Census, 16.

Praeger, Wm. E., Christmas Census, 30.

Putnam, Mrs. E. H., and Grace, Christmas
Census, 32.

Christmas Census,

Rattermann, Katherine, Secretary, Report
of, 325.

Redield> Alfred C., Christmas Census, i9
Pie EN ‘Crow Study, II4.

Rice, James Henry, Jr., Secretary, Report of,
48; Audubon Warden Murdered, 50; Re-
port of, 331

ee Mell, A Young Oriole’s Experience,

Rief, {Sey , secretary, Report of, 335.

Ripley, B. L., Christmas Census, iife

Ripley, Caryl H., Christmas Census, 34.

Ritter, Paula J., Blue Jay Boarders, 212.

Robbins, Samuel Dowse, Christmas Census,
17; Save the Underbrush, 216; See Fletcher,
Arthur W., and C. R. Hunt, Christmas
Census, 17; and Frank C. Seymour, Christ-
mas Census, 19.

Robertson, John McB., Nesting Notes from
California, 130.

vi Index

Rochow, Wm., see Flanagan, Wm. M.

Roe, Frances M. A., The Ways of Bobwhite,
249.

Rogers, Charles H., Christmas Census, 23,

24, see Stackpole, R. E.
Russell, Harold J., Nest Moving, 176.

Sanford, James, Christmas Census, 34.

Saunders, Aretas, A., Christmas Census, 35.
Sawyer, E. J., The Comradeship of Red
polls, 8; A Special Bird-Blind, 71; The

Courtship of Black Ducks, 195.

Schreck, Jno. M., Christmas Census, 35;
Photograph by, 160; Notes on Alberta
Grebes, 241.

Schreimann, Ferdinand, Christmas Census,

Sent, Alvin, Christmas Census, 16; and J. F.
Calvert, Christmas Census, 16.

Scribner, Julia S., Secretary, Report of, 320.

Selleck, George H., A Horned Owl Record,
264.

Seton, Ernest Thompson, The Hollow Tree,
ap

Seymour,
Dowse.

Sharples, R. P., Are the Birds Growing Less
Abundant ?, 263.

Sherman, Althea, Christmas Census, 33;
The English Sparrow and Bird-boxes, 217.

Shiras, George, 3rd., Photograph by, 250.

Sinclair, J. G., see Gates, Frank C.

Sister Superior of St. Gabriel’s School, Birds
a iso St. Gabriel, Peekskill, N. Wee

Frank C., see Robbins, Samuel

Gree: Mrs. W. K., Christmas Census, 32.

Smith, Frank, Christmas Census, 31.

Solem, es and Thomas, Christmas Cen-
sus,

Spurl erabaci’ Christmas Census, 33.

Stackpole, R. E., and C. H. Rogers, Christ-
mas Census, 23.

Stansell, Sidney S. S., Two Interesting Photo-
graphs from Alberta, 1ro8.

Starr, Minna D., Secretary, Report of, 316.

Stickney, E. W., see Mitchell, I. N.

Stone, Witmer, Reviews by, 221.

Styer, Katherine R., and Elizabeth P.,
Christmas Census, 27.

Sutton, Mrs. J. G., see Coffin, Mr. and Mrs.
Percival B.

Taylor, J. W.,

Thayer, Mrs.
36.

Tionias: Edith M., Poem by, 240.

Thomson, Harriet W. ., see Chase, Ethel B.

President, Report of, 317.
May R., Christmas Census,

INDEX. TO
Aigrettes, 187, 231.
Alabama, 305.
Alberta, 108, 160, 241.
Ani, Smooth-billed, 237.
Arizona, 307.

Audubon, Reminiscences of, 263.
Auk, The, reviewed, 89, 133, 219, 269.

Boxes, 57, 223,
269; Ene-
234, 289;
ociety,

Bird Battles, 263; Blind, 71;
229, 231, fig. 231; Calendar,
mies, 58; Legislation, 54, 98, 141,
Lists of Massachusetts Audubon

Thomson, Mrs. John S.,see Chase, Ethel B.

Thornber, Mrs. Harriett B., Secretary,
Report of, 307.

Tippetts, Katherine B., A Heath Hen Quest,

244.

Titus, Gertrude M., The Evening Grosbeck
in Wisconsin, 127.

Towne, Dr. S. R., see Livers, H. W., Secre-
tary’s Report, 318.

Van Densen, C. S., see Packard, W. H.

Van Gilluwe, Emma, see Bernhard, Bess.

Vietor, Kate P. and E. W., Birds Seen in
Prospect Park, Brooklyn, During 1908, 7;
Christmas Census, 24.

Vogt, Anna A., and Frank D., Christmas
Census, 26.

Wade Jesse, Francis C., and Paul P. Pingree
Christmas Census, 18.

Wadhams, Mary, Christmas Census, 22.

Walker, Mrs. E. J., A Persistent Robin, 177.

Wallace, John H., Jr., Game and Fish Com-
missioner, Report of, 305.

Walmsley, H. R.,. Christmas Census, 33;
President’s Report, 50.

Washburn, Gertrude A., and Robert C.
Murphy, Christmas Census, 24.

Washington, Louise, see Anderson, Minnie

Watrous, Fanny S., Stormbound Birds, 129.

Wellman, Gordon Boit, Christmas Census,17.

Welty, E. les Secretary, Report of, 328.

Wheeler, Everett P., II, The Dovekie Near
Buffalo, 174.

White, Ralph, see Hunter, Francis T.

Whiting, Anne H., Evening Grosbeaks in

Massachusetts, 126.
Wilcox, Alice W., Secretary, Report of, 330.
Williams, Harry C., and N. de W. Betts,

Christmas Census, 33.

Wilson, Burtis H., Christmas Census, 32.

Wing, Jas. A., see Blanchard, Geo.

Woodcock, John, Christmas Census, iste

Woodward, Magnolia, Christmas Census, 28.

Wraight, Katherine S. , Secretary, Report of,
314.

Wright, Horace W., Christmas Census, 17;
see Brainerd, Barron.

Wright, Mabel Osgood, How Our Birds "Eee
the Winter, 38; June, the Month of Song
and the Nest, 135; The House Wren, 183;
The Winter- Feeding Agatti "Sides
of the Question, 272.

Zimmerman, Harold A., Christmas Census
18.

CONTENTS

169; Reservations, 52; Study, A Course in,
128.

Birds, How to Attract, 229, 272; Identifi-
cation of, 37; Migration of, 110; Photo-
graphy of, 101; Protection of, 281; Ver-
nacular Names ‘of, 219, 222; Winter Feed-
ing of, 272.

Blackbird, Cow. 264; Little Yellow-headed,
a Red- -winged, 76, 91, 126, 176; Scarlet-
breasted, 235.

Blind, Bird, (pie

Bluebird, 63, 86, 91, 263, 264; figured 64-70.

Index Vil

Bobolink, 113, 125, 128, 137; figured, 128;
facing 137.

Bobwhite, 57; Florida, 249.

Boxes, Bird, 57, 223, 229, 231.

British Columbia, 35. [x8x.

'Bryan’s ‘Some Birds of Molakai’, noticed,

Bush-tit, California, 209, 225; figured, facing
225, 225, 228; nest figured, 209.

Calendar of the Massachusetts Audubon
Society, 269.

California, 36, 130, 147, 175, 192, 209, 307.

Cardinal, 85, 127, 264; figured, 126.

Cats, 58, 99, 100, IgI.

Census, BIRD-LORE’S Tenth Christmas Bird,
253; The Ninth Christmas Bird, 15.

Ceylon, 92.

Chapman’s ‘A Contribution to the Life-His-
tories of the Booby and Man-o’-War Bird,’
noticed, 181; ‘Camps and Cruises of an
Ornithologist,’ reviewed, 132.

Chickadee, 59; figured, 60, 61, 62.

Cole’s ‘The Crow as a Menace to Poultry
Raising,’ noticed, 181.

Colorado, 174.

Condor, The, reveiwed, 90, 132, 180, 220,
270.

Garnccient, ii, QO), Bit, BA, UB, TM), ATS Bors

Conservation, National Commission, 48.

Cormorant, Brazilian, 235; Double-crested,
figured, 286, 287.

Cory’s ‘The Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin,
reviewed, 218.

Cottonbird, 239.

Council, Brrp-Lorr’s Advisory, 83.

Cowbird, 85, 149, 214; figured, 152; eggs of,

figured, 150.
Crossbill, American, 129; White-winged, 122,
130.

Crow, American, 4, 114, 264, figured, 6, 115,
I16.
Crummer’s ‘Mig Robin: His Story,’ reviewed,

179.

Davenport’s ‘Summer Birds of Mt. Mans-
field’, noticed, 181.

Dawson’s ‘The Birds of Washington’, re-
viewed, 268.

Delaware, 309.

District of Columbia, 309.

Dovekie, 174.

Duck, Black, 195; figured, 194; Gray-necked
Tree, 237; Muscovy, 237; Rufous Tree,
237; White-faced Tree, 237.

Ducks, Wild, as Pets, figured, 43; in Relation
to Rice Culture, 44.

Eagle, Golden, 252.
Egret, American, 235.
Enemies, Bird, 58.

Fisher, William Hubbell, In Memoriam, 327.

Flicker, 3, 73, 120.

Florida, 28, 86, 110, 249, 300.

Flycatcher, Arizona Crested, figured, facing,
1, 13; Ash-throated, figured, facing 1, 14;
Crested, figured, facing, 1, 12; Kiskadee,
237; Olivaceous, figured, facing 1, 14;
Pied Ground, 239; Tyrant, 2309.

Goshawk, 266.

Grackle, Purple, 264.

Grebe, Eared, 243; Hobcell’s, 243; Horned
241; figured, 241, 243; Pied-billed, 243;
Western, 243.

Grinnell’s, ‘A Bibliography of California
Ornithology,’ reviewed, 179; ‘The Biota of
the San Bernardino Mountains,’ reviewed
Taha

Grosbeak, Evening, 85, 126, 127, 267; Rose
breasted, 176.

Grouse, Ruffed, figured, 77, 248.

Guiana, 235.

Gull, Herring, 230; Laughing, figured, 321,
322.

Hawk, Broad-winged, 264; Cooper’s, 205;
Cream-headed, 235; Marsh, 205; Red-
shouldered, 204; Red-tailed, 264; Sharp-
shinned, 94, 190, 233; figured, facing 94.

Hen, Heath, 244; figured, 245.

Heron, Black-crowned Night, 7; Cocoi, 236;
Snowy, 187; South American Green, 236.

Hoatzin, figured, 238.

_ Hummingbird, Ruby-throated, 263.

Ibis, Wood, 235.

Idaho, 35, 252.

Identification of Birds, 37.

Illmois; 31,32, 177, 202, 261, 312.
India, 92.

Indiana, 30, 154, 312.

Iowa, 33, 75, 217, 313.

Jabiru, Great, 235.

Jacana, 236, 238.

Jay, Blue, 6, 212; figured, 213.

Job’s ‘The Sport of Bird Study,’ reviewed,
268.

Johns’ ‘Birds in Their Haunts,’ reviewed,

179.

Journal of the Maine Ornithological Society,
reviewed, 221.

Junco, 129.

June, Bird Life of, 135.

Kaeding’s ‘Index to the Bulletin of the
Cooper Ornithological Club and The
Condor,’ reviewed, 179.

Kansas, 33.

Kingbird, 10, 263.

Kingfisher, 161; figured, 163; Great Rufous,

230.

Kinglet, Golden-crowned, 261; Ruby-crown-
eG me Ss, 207.

Knowlton’s ‘Birds of the World,’ reviewed,
ug

Lark, Horned, 75, 129; figured, 75, 76.

Legislation, Bird, 54, 98, 141, 234, 289.

Lists of Massachusetts Audubon Society, 169.

Lodge’s ‘Bird-Hunting Through Wild Eu-
rope,’ reviewed, 268.

- Loon, figured, 3, 108.

Louisiana, 314.

Maine, 16, 230, 234, 314.

Mallard, 40; figured, facing 4o.

Manitoba, 35.

Martin, Gray-breasted, 239; Purple, 86,87,
231; figured, 87.

Maryland, 316.

Massachusetts, 17, 18, 19, 20, 63, 73, 85, 86,
126, 127, 145, 148, 158, 160, 216, 234, 244,

315-
Meadowlark, gt.
Merriam’s ‘Report of the Chief of the Bureau
of Biological Survey for 1908,’ reviewed, 89.
Mexico, 99.
Michigan, 30, 31, 129, 316.

Vili Index

Migration, 110.

Millinery Notes, 232.

Minnesota, 34, 35, 147, 266, 317.
Mississippi, 318.
Missouri, 33, 50, 86, 87,
Mockingbird, 175, 274.
Montana, 35.

Moth, Brown-tail, 187.

TAY, 2th.

Names, Vernacular, of Birds, 2109.

National Association of Audubon Societies,
Fifth Annual Report of, 281.

Nebraska, 33, 318.

New Hampshire, 16,
263, 266, 318.

New Jersey, 4, 25, 26, 124, 176, 267, 319.

New York, 7, 22, 23, 24, 25, 85, 128, 130, 141,
AG, L7As T70s- 177, Obs 2 2ISs 21s BOOS

17, 122, 145, 161, 248,

319. E

New Brunswick, 3

North Carolina, 265, 323.
North Dakota, 136.
Nuthatch, Red-breasted, 130.

Ohio, 28, 29, 30, 120, 176, 177, 325-

Oklahoma, 328.

Ontario, 15.

Oregon, 188, 328.

Oriole, Baltimore, 129; Bullock’s, 174, 175;
nest figured, 174; Yellow, 239.

Osprey, figured, ros.

Owen’s Johns’ ‘Birds
reviewed, 179.

Owl, Barred, 4; Barn, 264; Great Horned,
130, 264; Saw-whet, 266; Screech, 3.

in Their Haunts,’

Parauque, 239.

Pennsylvania, 27, 28, 85, 114, 117, I21, 129,
198, 263, 329.

Pewee, Wood, 154; figured, 1

Pheasant, 230.

Pheebe, 8, 15, 129.

Photography, Bird, ror.

Plover, Wilson’s, figured, 289.

Preble’s ‘A Biological Investigation of the
Athabasca - Mackenzie Region,’ reviewed
88.

Redpoll, 8, 121,
Hoary, 123.

Redstart, 8.

Reed’s ‘ Bird Guide,’ noticed, r8r.

Reservations, Bird, 52.

Rhode Island, 20, 136, 145, 206, 330.

Robin, 129, 177, 217, 263.

122, 124; figured, 9, 273;

Sandpiper, Solitary, young figured,
Western, figured, 11

Saunder’s ‘My Pets: Real Happenings in
My Aviary,’ reviewed, 88.

Seed-eater, 235.

Siskin, Pine, 124, 130.

Snakebird, 235.

South Carolina, 28, Ss 146,

South Dakota, 35, 99-

Sparhawk’s ‘ Boro Brooke’s School Days,’
reviewed, 218;

Sparrow, Brewer’ s, 260; figured, facing 235;
Chipping, 8, 129, 205, 256; figured, facing
235; Clay-colored, 259, fi perme facing 235;
English, 86, 87, 129,174, 217; figured, 174;
Field, 258: figured, facing 235; Fox, 8;

109;

205, 33h

Grasshopper, 264; Song, 91,
Tree, 254; figured, facing 235.
Starling, 85, ot.
Stone’s ‘Methods of Recording and Utilizing
Bird-Migration Data,’ noticed, 181.
Swallow, Barn, 206; Tree, 15, 254, 267.
Swift, Chimney, 266, 267.

129, 205;

Tennessee, 28, 196.

Tern, Black, figured, 160; Great-billed, 238;
Least, figured, 300; Little Eye-browed,
238; Royal, figured, 288, 324, 325.

Texas, 189, 333-

Thoreau’s and others, ‘In American Fields
and Forests,’ reviewed, 131.

Thrasher, Brown, 130.

Thrush, Hermit, 8, 153.

Todirostrum, 239.

Towhee, 158; figured, 159.

Tree, Artificial hollow, r.

Tyrant, White-headed, 239.

Vermont, 16, 85, 124, 144, 234, 334.

Vireo, Bell’s, figured, facing 101; 119. Black-
capped, figured facing 101; "118. Black-
whiskered, figured, facing 593 82; Blue-
headed, figured, 117, facing 14 166;
Cassin’s, 168; Gray, 120; figure ” saree
149; Hutton’s, figured, facing ror; 119;
Least, figured, facing 101; 120; Phila-
delphia, figured, facing 59; 78; Plumbeous,
figured, facing 149; 168; Red-eyed, figured,
facing 59; 80; Warbling, figured, facing
59; 79; Western Warbling, 80; White-eyed,
figured, facing 1o1; 118; Yellow-green,
figured, facing 149; 165; Yellow-throated,
figured, facing 149; 165.

Virginia, 334.

Vulture, Turkey, 8.

Warbler, Black and White, 130; Blackpoll,
130; Black-throated Green, 208; figured,
208; Blue-winged, 177; Cape May, 1303
Chestnut-sided, 149; Figured, x51; 152;
nest of, figured, 150; Kirtland’s, 177;
Parula, 206; figured, 207; Prairie, 177;
Yellow, 112, 176.

Warden, Audubon, Murdered, 50, 51.

Washington, ro, 35, 36, 268, 335.

Water-Thrush, Northern, 8.

Waterton’s ‘Wanderings in South America,
the Northwest of the United States and the
Antilles,’ reviewed, 180.

Watson’s ‘The Behavior of Noddy and Sooty
Terns,’ reviewed, 178.

Wetmore’s ‘ Notes on Some Northern Arizona
Birds,‘ noticed, 181.

Whymper’s‘ Egyptian Birds for the Most Part
Seen in the Nile Valley,’ reveiwed, 269.

Wilson Bulletin, reviewed, 220.

Wisconsin, 34, 127, 147, 267, 335.

Wolcott’s ‘Analysis of Nebraska’s
Fauna,’ noticed, 270.

Woodcock, OI, 124, 216.

Woodpecker, Downy, 1
see Flicker; Red-coc areas
headed, 196, 264.

Wren, Carolina, 15, 86, 264; Guiana House,
239; House, 183, 198; figured, 200, 201,
203; facing 183.

Wright’s ‘ Birds ee a Boston Public Gar-
den,’ reviewed,

Bird

Golden-winged,
265; Red-

AMV AGU BAL Wi BSN S27 42 ASL AL 742452 ww OA BN
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3 ; JANUARY—FEBRUARY, 1909 0c, a Cepy

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BHird= Lore

January - February, 1909

CONTENTS

GENERAL ARTICLES PAGE
FRONTISPIECE IN CoLor. CRESTED, ARIZONA CRESTED, ASH-THROATED AND OLIVA-
CEOUS ‘FLYCATCHERS ‘2. Jc ties cou ete ia es ae eee eee Bruce Horsfall..

THE - HoLttow: TREE. Jiustratedi soo ooo2 eee eee Ernest Thompson Seton. . I

Loon. Illustration. ..... ae - 0d (Se Rey ee

THE FEUD OF THE Guowsr AND THE “Own. Src we ieaae M. Chapman.. 4

Brrps SEEN IN PROSPECT PARK, BROOKLYN, DURING joe Lids gous det eee

Kate P.and E. W. Vietor.. 7

THE COMRADESHIP OF REDPOLLS. Illustrated. .....:-..:........ E. J. Sawyer .. 8

Notes ON Pacrric Coast SHORE Brrps. Illustrated. ..John Treadwell Nichols.. 10
Tur MIGRATION OF FLYCATCHERS. Eighth and concluding paper. Illustrated by

Louis Agassiz Fueries and Bruce Florsjall* 2a. =w ce See ee W.W. Coagke.. 12

THE NINTH CHRISTMAS BIRD CENSUS: 222: 222222 2 sn 0 ee eee 15

EDITORIAD! 2 ooo) oilers Pee ee eee a ee a 37

AUDUBON SOCIETIES—SCHOOL DEPARTMENT............ Mabel Osgood Wright... 38

EDUCATIONAL LEAFLET NO. 36. THe Mattarp, with colored plates by Allen Brooks
Edward Howe Forbush... 40
AUDUBON SOCIETIES—EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT ...........................- 48
NATIONAL CONSERVATION COMMTSSION; STATE AUDUBON REPORTS; AUDUBON
WARDEN MURDERED; THIRD AUDUBON WARDEN MURDERED; MosQuito
INLET RESERVATION; FOREIGN RELATIONS; LEGISLATION; A REASON FOR
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OrriciaAL ORGAN OF THE AUDUBON SOCIETIES

Vol. XI JANUARY— FEBRUARY, 1909 No. 1

The Hollow Tree

By ERNEST THOMPSON SETON

OST naturalists realize at once that a hollow tree in some sort is essen-
M tial to the existence of about one-fifth of our birds and one-fourth of

our beasts; that, therefore, the disappearance of our old forest trees
combined with the well-meant but zodlogically mischievous efforts of the modern
tree-surgeon is actually threatening to exterminate many of our most highly
prized creatures of the woods.

Since I came into possession of Wyndygoul Park, nine years ago, many
old, hollow trees there have fallen in ruins, without any others in sight to promise
an asylum for the tenants.

One day the sinister form of a tree-surgeon appeared at the gates, and, un-
blushingly, he offered for a consideration to complete the work of extermination.
After I had got rid of him and carefully removed all the telltale traces of the affair,
I realized that it was my bounden duty to supply the wood creatures with some
adequate hollow trees. Of course, I could offer, and had for long been supplying
nesting-boxes, which increased experience taught me to make more and more
like natural limbs and knot-holes. But these were for individuals of small species;
they were mere shanties of refuge. I was now ambitious to build a veritable
cathedral—or rather a modern apartment house; a sky scraper; a city in itself.

I began by selecting an island (since I preferred birds and bats to beasts) and
on that reared six forty-foot telegraph poles so as to enclose a seven-foot circle
at the bottom and three-foot circle at the top. Each pole was braced four ways
with heavy chestnut timbers, then the structure buried seven feet deep in stone-
work, and finally covered in with slabs, on which the bark was carefully saved.
A good roof, a series of ladders and stories inside, with many nesting-boxes open-
ing outside, completed the tree.

The advantages of this structure over many scattered boxes are: First, for ob-
servation —I can watch from peep-holes the behavior of every occupant with
little trouble and without my presence being suspected.

Second: I have absolute control. I can remove an obnoxious red squirrel or
rat, and I can easily suppress the curse of box-nesters—the insect vermin. A

THE HOLLOW TREE

(2)

The Hollow Tree 3

little sulphur, etc., in each nest will do that. And, finally, 1 concentrate my mater-
ial in one attractive, secluded, picturesque place.

Many of my friends were skeptical of the result, but already things are happen-
ing, although the tree was finished only in September and I scarcely looked for
returns before June.

A Golden-winged Woodpecker took up his residence there before I was quite
ready for him. The daily record of his food habits has been kept (through help
of the Biological Survey) and some interesting facts obtained.

A Screech Owl dwelling in another box, has contributed two young rats that
he must have got miles away, some grasshoppers, and a pine mouse (M. pine-
torum) a new record for the region.

Nuthatches and deer mice are living in and about the tree at this moment,
and once, at least, a coon found it a harbor of refuge. Thus it is already answer-
ing the ends of its creation and each month is producing some results to justify
the tree.

(Written for Brrp-LoRE by permission of the Editor of ‘Country Life,’ in
which magazine the log of the tree is set forth each month.)

LOON GETTING UNDER WAY. NOTE THE POSITION OF THE FEET
Photographed by J. S. Perry, at Mud Lake, Victoria Co., N. B., August, I908

The Feud of the Crows and the Owl

By FRANK M. CHAPMAN

With photographs by the author

O one who is familiar with both the Crow and the Barred Owl will doubt
for a moment the existence of a long-standing feud between these two
birds. Just why the Crow should cherish so intense an animosity against

the Owl I have never been able to understand, but certain it is that if, when
within hearing of Crows, I give utterance to the Whoo-whoo-whoo, too-whoo, too-
whoo-ah, there is invariably a response. Whatever this call may mean to the
Owl, to the Crows it is evidently a challenge to combat, and before its echoes
have died away one hears the sharp caw-caw, which is unmistakably a rally-call
of the bird in black, and is immediately repeated by every bird that hears it.

A single utterance of the Owl’s note is often sufficient to arouse the Crows,
and in a surprisingly short time one has a throng of eager, inquisitive cawing
birds overhead, which have located the supposed Owl with unerring certainty.

On many occasions, even at mid-day, my imitation of the Owl’s call has
brought an Owl from retirement with most disastrous results. Although these —
birds can see far better in bright light than is generally supposed, they are no
match for the keenvr-eyed, more agile Crows, and my attempts to deceive the
Crows has, I am sorry to say, placed more than one Owl in an exceedingly unpleas-
ant position as he has found himself surrounded on all sides by a black-coated
mob.

Some years ago I decided to take advantage of this universal hatred cf Owls,
in order to secure photographs of Crows, which are usually so wary that they
prove difficult game for the bird photographer. I therefore borrowed from the
American Museum of Natural History, a mounted Barred Owl and placed it
within twenty feet of a hollow chestnut tree. This tree, an old landmark, was a
mere shell some twenty-five feet in circumference with a hollow nearly eight
feet in diameter. On several occasions I have used it as a camp in which to pass
the night, and long before I thought of employing the camera in the study of
birds, it had served admirably as a natural blind from the concealment of which
birds might readily be observed.

The lens of my camera was pointed through a knot-hole, favorably situated on
the side of the tree facing the mounted Owl, and, after having made all necessary
arrangements as to focus, etc., I placed my mouth at another knot-hole and gave
utterance to the call of the Barred Owl. Within a moment or two the expected
response came from a neighboring wood, and very shortly the usual throng of
Crows had gathered at the part of the woods nearest to the tree in which I was
concealed. From this point, however, the birds hesitated to make an advance
into the open, either because their suspicions were aroused, or because they were
not accustomed to find Owls so far from dense cover. For some time, therefore,
they circled overhead in winged reconnaisance, until one of the birds actually

(4)

The Feud of the Crows and the Owl 5

saw the mounted Owl in the tree below. Caution was at once abandoned and,
uttering the battle-cry of his kind, he, with his fellows, advanced to the attack. A
dozen or more of the birds took up positions in or near the tree in which the Owl
sat so calmly, and screamed their notes of defiance almost in his unresponsive

WAITING FOR THE CROWS

face. But in spite of the fact that the dummy bird showed no signs of resentment
or of attempt at defence, there appeared now to be considerable hesitation on the
part of the Crows as to which one should actually strike the first blow. So far as
voice alone was concerned, each one seemed to do his best to call louder than
his fellow, and one could readily imagine that each bird was urging his neighbor
to open the campaign.

This continued for some time until finally one of the Crows mustered suff-
cient courage actually to strike the Owl, and it was exceedingly interesting to

6 Bird - Lore

observe that the fraud was apparently detected in a moment. The calls of the
Crows changed rapidly and, in an instant, every bird left the vicinity, and, cawing
loudly, returned to the woods; nor did I succeed, in spite of the most alluring
hoots, in inducing them to return to the attack.

A comparison of the action of these birds with those of Blue Jays under not
dissimilar circumstances shows that the Crows grasped the situation more quickly.
The Blue Jays returned, repeatedly striking a mounted Screech Owl, even when
after the first onslaught, it hung by wires to the limb on which it had been fast-
ened, the birds evidently not realizing that the Owl was.a dummy. The Crows,
on the other hand, although the first blow did not result in upsetting the Owl,
seemed at once to understand that they had been imposed upon and lost no
time in retreating.

~ - ~ =. -

“SCREAMED THEIR NOTES OF DEFIANCE ALMOST IN
HIS UNRESPONSIVE FACE”

—"

Birds Seen in Prospect Park, Brooklyn, During 1908
By KATE P. and E. W. VIETOR

ve URING 1908 we made 135 visits to Prospect Park in search of birds
D and found ninety-three species. During the summer most of the visits
were made in the early morning; since October 1 they have been made

between 9 and 11.30 A.M. and 2 and 5 P.M.

The birds nesting in the Park numbered twenty-two species. They were
the Black-billed Cuckoo, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Flicker, Downy Woodpecker,
Chimney Swift, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Crested Flycatcher, Wood
Pewee, Crow, Starling, Grackle, Baltimore Oriole, Song Sparrow, Chipping
Sparrow, Scarlet Tanager, Red-eyed Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Yellow Warbler,
Catbird, House Wren, Wood Thrush and Robin.

As winter residents we found the Black-crowned Night Heron, Downy Wood-
pecker, Starling, White-throated Sparrow, Junco, Pine Siskin, Brown Creeper,
Red-breasted Nuthatch and Chickadee; a total of nine species.

We can only claim the Downy Woodpecker and Starling as permanent
residents.

The Song Sparrow and Robin were with us for eleven months, and the Caro-
lina Wren, though heard several times during the winter, did not move into the
park until July 4 with his family; since which time he has remained. The Purple
Finches came into the park January 19, and stayed until May 10; with two
exceptions they were always found feeding in Washington haws. This fall we
saw them in the park from October 29 to November 13.

As migrants we found the Little Green Heron, Woodcock, Spotted Sandpiper,
Solitary Sandpiper, Sparrow Hawk, Pigeon Hawk, Red-shouldered Hawk,
Osprey, Belted Kingfisher, Red-headed Woodpecker, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker,
Kingbird, Phoebe, Rusty Blackbird, Orchard Oriole, Field Sparrow, Fox Spar-
row, Swamp Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Goldfinch, Indigo Bunting,
Rose-breasted Grosbeak, American Crossbill, Towhee, Tree Swallow, Cedar
Waxwing, Blue-headed Vireo, Yellow-throated Vireo, Black-throated Blue
Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler, Blackpoll Warbler, Black and White
Warbler, Blue-winged Warbler, Bay-breasted Warbler, Connecticut Warbler,
Chestnut-sided Warbler, Cape May Warbler, Canadian Warbler, Hooded
Warbler, Louisiana Water Thrush, Myrtle Warbler, Magnolia Warbler, Northern
Water Thrush, Northern Yellow Throat, Ovenbird, Parula Warbler, Prairie
Warbler, Redstart, Wilson’s Warbler, Yellow Palm Warbler, Brown Thrasher,
Winter Wren, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush
Gray-cheeked Thrush, Olive-backed Thrush, Wilson’s Thrush and Bluebird.
Total, fifty-nine species.

The Night Hawk was seen twice during morning hours in the park.

Occasionally during the winter and fall, Herring Gulls were seen flying over
above the tree-tops.

(7)

8 Bird - Lore ;

We have six dates that seem rather late for certain feathered folk to stay:
Phoebe, November 5; Chipping Sparrow, November 13; Redstart, November 22;
Northern Water-Thrush, November 30; Hermit Thrush, December 27, and
Fox Sparrow, December 30.

The birds seen only once were the Rusty Blackbird, April 7; White-crowned
Sparrow, May 12; Orchard Oriole, May 19; Connecticut Warbler, September
4; Red-headed Woodpecker, September 11; and Solitary Sandpiper, September
Iz.

Our first acquaintance with the Screech Owl was December 20 and he seems
willing to stay.

Note—Mr. E. Fleischer of Brooklyn made 169 visits to the park during the year
and reports the birds named above, excepting the White Crowned Sparrow, American
Crossbill and Connecticut Warbler; but adds the Canada Goose, Turkey Vulture,
Sharp-shinned Hawk, Marsh Hawk, Whippoorwill, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Yellow-
bellied Flycatcher, Least Flycatcher, Blue Jay, Barn Swallow, White-eyed Vireo, Nash-

ville Warbler and Pine Warbler. This makes a total of 106 species seen in Prospect
Park during r908.—E. W. V.

The Comradeship of Redpolls

By E. J. SAWYER

Illustrated by the author

HE tamability of the Redpoll seems to be pretty well known, and the
confiding disposition of the bird in nature—one can hardly say, the wild
state—is indeed too characteristic to escape the notice of the ordinary
observer. A flock feeds beside the road just ahead of you, some of the dainty
little fellows moving along in the wheel tracks a few yards away, others feeding
among the tall weeds, all so close that you can not but stop repeatedly to enjoy
their happy twittering and something so near to hand-shaking with a wild bird.
Often I have had these birds perch on a rod I carried. On one occasion four of
them sat on the pole the nearest being only four or five feet from my hands.
Perhaps you have never followed a flock from field to field, morning till sun-
set, day after day, and thus come to have a fellow feeling not otherwise possible.
After such an experience two things will ever be associated in your mind with
the dainty little Redpolls—their confidence in man and their fondness for each
other’s society. I know no other birds which seem quite so much to enjoy a
gregarious life. When part of a flock flies up from the feeding-place the others
at once change their usual notes to the call always given by solitary Redpolls.
The flock then either circles about and returns, or is soon joined by the remaining
birds. When one or two members of a flock are left alone they soon fly to the top
of some nearby tree or tall bush and call pitifully for their mates. If a flock flies
past in sight or hearing they are sure to join it with glad chirps always uttered
on such an occasion.
These solitary birds will seldom stop to feed, but call and search continually

The Comradeship of Redpolls 9

for their companions until these are found, when they again feed contentedly
with the rest of the flock and the call-note is at once forgotten, the communal
chirp taking its place. This may be observed many times in following a flock,
even for a short period. Owing to the restless nature of the birds, and the close-
growing weeds they haunt, one or a few of them very often fail to rise with the
main body of the flock.

The canary-like call-notes of stray Redpolls may be closely imitated by
whistling. I have called a single bird to a tree beside me time after time by
thus imitating the call of a mate. He would fly nearly out of sight across the field,
then circle and return, answering my whistle with a similar note as he twitched
his tail, and peered about in my direction. He sometimes flew down in a low
tree quite near me for a closer look; but he would soon be off again, only to return
as before to the same tree when I| whistled.

MIGRATING SHORE BIRDS

Notes on Pacific Coast Shore Birds

By JOHN TREADWELL NICHOLS
With photographs by the author

URING a part of the fall migration season of 1908, the writer was doing
ID work on and near our northern Pacific coast for the United States

Bureau of Fisheries, and took much pleasure in the shore birds which
were observable there from time to time.

South, from the mouth of the mighty Columbia river, is a stretch of sand
beach which extends to the jutting rocks of Tillamook Head. This beach was
visited July 26. Sandpipers and Plovers were here already, migrating southward
from their northern breeding-grounds, as doubtless were their eastern congen-
ers at the same time, along the shores of old Atlantic.

‘A Sanderling stood out large and pale among Western Sandpipers, which
were gleaning along the beach close to the shifting wave-line. A lone Black-
bellied Plover was in handsome plumage, with black underparts and a little
Ring-neck Plover seemed indeed like a friend from home.

The big timber of the Pacific slope does not extend far to the east. Tall
mountains shut off the moisture of the ocean, on which it is dependent, and
eastern Washington is a dry, treeless country. About August 1, Crab Creek, a
clear, cold trout brook, north of the town of Ritzville, Washington, was visited.
The drive to the creek from Ritzville is across a rolling, dusty grain country,
where one of the many races of Horned Lark was abundant. The rocky slope
from upland down to the creek is cultivated, covered with a scanty mantle of
rank, spicy, sage bush. A band of vegetation, grass, bushes, small trees, etc.,
clings close to the creek. Here was the eastern Kingbird, and at one point some
American Magpies. Nighthawks were common, and frequently seen flying about
in the bright desert sunshine, and Mourning Doves were much in evidence.
Of shore birds, Killdeers were very prominent and noisy, a few Spotted Sand-

(10)

Notes on Pacific Coast Shore Birds Il

_ pipers bobbed along the edge of the brook, and on August 1, a single Solitary
Sandpiper was observed. Doubtless it was of the western race, which is not
readily distinguishable from our eastern bird.

At Seaside, Oregon, a bouldery, pebbly shore curves north from Tillamook
Head to the sand. Weather-beaten trunks of great trees lie strewn and jammed
along the shoreward side of this rocky strip, where they have been tossed by the
waves; and, especially at low tide there is a strip of sand exposed outside the
northern end of the rocks and pebbles. August 30, some Wandering Tattlers
were observed along this pebbly sea-front, quiet, gentle birds, with a lisping
tremulous note, whose plain gray color harmonizes well with the rocks, There
were also some Spotted Sandpipers here.

From September 4 to 12, the writer was again in the dry country east of the
mountains, this time at Ontario, Oregon, on the Snake river, which there makes
the boundary between the states of Oregon and Idaho. Killdeers were abundant,
as they had been a month earlier at Crab Creek. A little flock of Phalaropes was
observed on a slough, and on September 11, a Greater Yellow-legs came near
the State Fish Hatchery, walking at the edge of the river, and wading in shallow
water.

ny}

A LONELY BUT NOT “SOLITARY” SANDPIPER
(Probably Ereuneles mauri)

The Migration of Flycatchers
EIGHTH AND CONCLUDING PAPER*

Compiled by Professor W. W. Cooke, Chiefly from Data
in the Biological Survey

With drawings by Lovurs AGAsstz FuERTES and Bruce HorsFatyi

CRESTED FLYCATCHER
The Crested Flycatcher is one of the slower spring migrants. It winters from
Guatemala to northern South America and though it reaches northern Florida
in late March, it moves northward so slowly that it is the middle of May by the
time it has traversed the thousand miles thence to southern Maine.

SPRING MIGRATION

| Number | aver F
PLACE BE fe leas cae Ao eae ae Bit ae

Wortherakiloridal se ere ts 12 | March 31 March 8, 1907
Southeastern Georgia... 2.) | 3 | © Avprilh3 March 21, 1907
Atlanta. (Gala (HCAi) seca see ene | 13 April 13 April 3, 1894
Charleston, S. C. Ge cae ea ri April 16 April 10, 1882

Raleigh, N. C.. BPE S/a ORAS 16 SS Aipriliens April 9, 1888
Asheville, N. Ce (near)... bet eehriae 5 i, = Aprilk2c April 13, 1890
New, Market; Vat iScot cyte aaa es is | May 1 | April 25, 1897
Wanety: DMills, Vas s.ae. cowie. ements - en | May 1 | April 24, 1892
Hrench : Creek, WoWar,\c) staat ser 2 April 26 April 19, 1891
Washimeton; DACia arena 23 April 30 April 20, 1896
Waynesburg, Pais ss. cee ee eee al April 27 April 26, 1896
Beaver, ‘Pa... coche ex. ae aerce 5 May 1 | April 27, 1891
Berwyn, Bal ee ei sie i ae eis oe ‘03 May 3 April 24, 1893
Morristown, N. Ix sone Pibclsgenee Q May 6 May 3, 1887
New Providence, N. “aia eee yy eel cen Paed ie) May 8 May 4, 1887
Englewood, N32 [inns «het cues weet 9 May 8 May 6, 1905
Southeastern New ior nae secs 6 May 6 May 4, 1888
shelter Usland, Nx Vie: «sore eae 12 May 8 May 1, 1896
Ballston Spa; Nadie sence see 8 May 6 May 2, 1894
Paradox) NLGW che ee eee ee ee 4 May 9 May 8, 1889
Bridgeport, Conte nemcnctar meni 5 May ro May 8, 1905
HadlymeConntienc ost acter cena] 9 May 8 May 4, 1902
Eastern Massachusetts. S00, Specie toes on 12 May 13 May 8, 1896
Dis OMOSDUTy; Vitvemin tes ciniiny sol eae 9 | May 16 May 10, 1gor
Southwestern Maine. ..:..%.......4. 8 | May 17 May 9, 1904
Montreal, "\Canadan.mvasen see tence) 7 May 15 May 10, 1889
New Orleans, Juar scone scactate alae te 12 | March 28 March 12, 1894
southern’ Mussissip pi Geman. see ee 3 April 6 March 30, 1902
Helena, Agile; {0 csnvait+ armies toons / 12 | April 18 | April 12, 1897
Athens;"Ténn..../c.) sameness 7 [S Atprileoes April 9, 1908
Chattatiooga, Ment. ;\s7eee wae oy oe 6 »|- | Apriay April 12, 1903
Eubank, Ky..)t a ha Sree ates ney ies Ko mya oya tli, April 13, 1893
st. Lois; Mio... x9. suis caeueic die eeeemenne 6 April 24 April 21, 1885
Brookville, Ind..i..qyo 4 oie A | Apher April 18, 1888
Bloomington, Ind..\favianccome ons 8h Aprile April 18, 1893
Oberhi, ©). 2.) soya a sees aaaeea tee ee It | April 30 April 25, 1899
Plymouth, Mich.. sub Pe Ruel eben 9 May 2 April 25, 1896
P Petersburg, Mich.. Suse g beatae reel 12 ices 2 April 27,° 1888

*To be followed by a series of similar papers on the Vireos

(12)

te

The Migration of Flycatchers 13

SPRING MIGRATION, continued

Number .

PLACE cage eee gta | Peers ate of
Bieiripert MOMMA Srey sncte cats solic, whe so iA the eet 13 May 4 April 27, 1892
Southwestern Ontario............... 22 May 4 May 1, 1900
Ovitticayraig Qa as See eon Pn ee eae 18 May 13 May 5, 1902
HMMS ORO Mae). se stl. he ete eh eogite eye ele 5 April 26 April 20, 1896
Mime aol Ar War Merce sod os. itn Sheetal a 5 April 29 April 27, 1902
RO eratigel Mowers) sais 2 80 Se ake acne « 12 May 4 April 26, 1906
Minneapolis, Minn. (near). . Seid yay ieen i eee 7 May 17 May 11, 1889
Popeater ean ies tea gms aianlees March 19, 1880
Refugio Woumnityes Nexen spiny snes ne tant March 13, 1899
MGraimesville Mex. 22 n 4s No ee 5 April 12 April 9, 1885
Minniattans Kams.. io 52s wes le 3 April 27 April 25, 1891
Oia apse el ee alee siceti ie ib lee 15 May 3 April 27, 1892
Southeastern Nebraska.............. 7 May g May 2, 1900
Penne w NEAT cle gs abe Pape eee ls | May 24, 1006

FALL MIGRATION

The Crested Flycatcher breeds in the Gulf States, so that there are no records
of the commencement of fall migration. It has been noted as arriving at Truxillo,
Honduras, September 19, 1887; Bluefields, Nicaragua, October 5, 1905; Bonda,
Columbia, November 1, 1899.

FALL MIGRATION

| Number
PLACE miter omens ne |e Tales date ot Be

|

|
PASVICTNE ON UATs a's fig c.ce siete fe se tans | September 11, 1906
Montreal, Canadas... 0.06. oo: September 4, 1893
Olitawwar Ot.) yc 2. wel ar oe | 4 August 26 September ro, 1893
Soutmwestern Ontario..........+..:.!| 4 August 31 October 4, 1903
(CHI zee TIN attest ae ne ee 4 September 6 September 18, 1900
REO aM eas ee ae cn ni in edn AS 6 September 13 | September 17, 1901
PORTA Ne COATS 8 lic se vn ve | October 2, 1891
Wlnerlimey Ore ie rs rte ee kul ih og 4 September 11 | September 14, 1899
RN DUISE OMI O ccie ieee e ra aks Scab ewe 6 September 26 | October 2, 1894

Mewakaven, Conn. .2.s..555 0656.4 September 17, 1907

New Providence, N. a SERS Tear Meet ea 5 September 13 | September 15, 1887
Berwyn, Pa.. Meal Cent ab roe ee ceG ANE | 3 September 16 | September 18, 1899
Washington, iD) Ce Ie et a 6 September 18 | September 29, 1907
Raleigh, N. C.. Se eblope Suelite ay. 5 September 21 | October 16, 1891

Sts Mary’s, Ce a cd ‘| September 11, 1905
piallahassee Mao ek el ek en September 19, 1887
per sd. are ee hee September 30, 1905
JANTFIGIL, JIM DIGISY oi eeneg eg aes eee ann eg eOctober’ 15, 1897

ARIZONA CRESTED FLYCATCHER

Both this form and its subspecies the Mexican Crested Flycatcher, winter
in Mexico, and a few individuals of each form come into the southern United
States to breed. The Mexican Crested Flycatcher is found in summer in the

14 Bird - Lore

valley of the lower Rio Grande in Texas where its arrival has been noted. April
1, 1877; April 28, 1878; April 22, 1880; March 26, 1894. It remains until late
September.

The Arizona Crested Flycatcher has been recorded as arriving in southern
Arizona April 20, and remaining until September.

ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER

This species is confined to the western United States, coming east only to
Colorado and to southern Texas. It winters in Mexico and Guatemala.

SPRING MIGRATION

Number

’ ver date of i °
PLACE of years petal peck mia
SanWANTONIO’N excita ies ate wha Gir IO March 20 March fro, 1904
Huachuca Mountains, Ariz.......... April 9, 1903
Pariuble; New: Mer... 5 oie y ees April 16, 1890
PUEIO, COLO, i nous aries ats een ees | May 12, 1894
Southern Calitormmiae .n20 che cae ee 9 | April 12 March ro

FALL MIGRATION

The last is reported from Los Angeles County, Cal., September 14, 1895;
Bonham, Texas, October 17, 1885; and Silver City, New Mexico, November
20, 1883.

OLIVACEOUS FLYCATCHER

After spending the winter in Mexico, a few of this species come north and
spend the summer in the mountains of southern Arizona. They arrived in the
Huachucas, April 6, 1902 and remained until later than September 3. A straggler
was taken, May 11, 1883, at Fort Lyon, Colorado.

Bird-Lore’s Advisory Council

The demands made upon our space by the exceptionally large census returns
compel us to defer the publication, for the ninth successive year, of the names
and addresses of the ornithologists who, constituting Brrp-LoRrE’s Advisory
Council, have consented to aid less experienced workers.

The Ninth Christmas Bird Census

HE present winter appears to be an exceptionally favorable one for birds.

We may attribute the presence of several species north of their usual

winter range to the mild weather and comparatively light snow-fall;
but this same reason makes it difficult to explain the abundance of certain boreal
birds.

A winter Phoebe at New Haven is possibly more surprising than the two
Tree Swallows on Gardiner’s Island, where the unlimited supply of bayberries
no doubt furnished the two birds observed with food.

From this remarkable island, also, we have a record of the Ruby-crowned
Kinglet, which Mr. Roy Latham writes was satisfactorily identified. An indi-
vidual of this bird was also seen at Orient, L. I., where, Mr. Latham writes, a
Ruby-crown stayed throughout the winter of 1907-8, and he adds that he has
December records of this species during the past four years at Orient.

The Carolina Wren appears in an unusually large number of northern lists
in this census. Evidently this species has extended its range northward in recent
years, and it is now permanently resident as far north as southern Connecticut
and Rhode Island; while, northward to the vicinity of Boston, it is of not infre-
quent occurrence.

A correspondent asks how it is possible to state with accuracy the number
of individuals of a species seen. Where the number is small, no difficulty should
arise here, provided one’s route does not bring the same birds under observation
more than once; but where birds are abundant, it is not to be expected that one
can ascertain their evact numbers. An estimate, however, conveys a much more
definite idea than the terms “Common,” “ Abundant,” etc.

It is also asked whether, when censuses are signed by more than one person,
the observers worked together, all seeing practically the same birds, or whether
they worked independently of one another, the census being their combined
records? We assume in cases of this kind that the observers are more or less
closely associated; but in the future it would be well to have an understanding
in regard to this matter, so that when observers take different routes, the results
will not be combined in one census, when, in fact, two or more censuses have
been made.—Ep.

Milliken, Ontario.—Dec. 25; 10.25 to 11.50 A.M. Cloudy; wind west and moderately
strong; about three inches of snow on ground; temp., about 40°. Downy Woodpecker, 2;
Crow, 2; White-breasted Nuthatch, 2; Golden-crowned Kinglet, 1. Total, 4 species,
7 individuals. Flocks of Pine Grosbeaks have been seen occasionally this month. We
have been twice visited by flocks of White-winged Crossbills. Redpolls are abundant
and Snowflakes are quite common.—LEsiLiec H. MILLER.

Millbrook, Ontario.—Dec. 25; 9 A.M. to 12 M. Thawing; half a foot of snow on
ground; wind southwest. Great Blue Heron, 1; Ruffed Grouse, 1; Downy Woodpecker,
1; Blue Jay, 16; White-winged Crossbill, 45; Redpoll, 12; Chickadee, 20; Robin, r.
Total, 8 species, 97 individuals.—SAm. HUNTER. 2

(15)

i6 Bird - Lore

Melville Cross, Ontario.—Dec. 22; 9 A.M. to 12 M.; 2to 3 P.M. Wind west, light; temp.,
17° to 20°. Goshawk, 1; Downy Woodpecker, 1; Blue Jay, 5; Crow, 2; Pine Grosbeak,
8; American Crossbill, 30; White-winged Crossbill, 5; Pine Siskin, 3; White-breasted
Nuthatch, 1; Red-breasted Nuthatch, 2; Chickadee, 2. Total, 11 species, 62 indivi-
duals.—ALvIN Scort.

Orangeville, Ontario.—Dec. 24; 10 A.M. to 3.30 P.M. Wind south, light; temp.,
30° to 35°. Hairy Woodpecker, 1; Downy Woodpecker, 4; Blue Jay, 7; Crow, 1; Pine
Grosbeak, 2; Snowflake, 100; White-breasted Nuthatch, 2; Chickadee, 2. Total, 8
species, 119 individuals.—ALVIN Scott and J. F. CALVERT.

Reaboro, Ontario.—Dec. 25; 7.25 A.M. to 1.20 P.M.; 1.45 to 5.50 P.M. Sky dull in
morning, clear in afternoon; about seven inches of snow; wind southwest, light; temp.,
34° to 37°. Hawk (species unknown), 1; Hairy Woodpecker, 3; Blue Jay, 8; White-
winged Crossbill, 40; Pine Grosbeak, 2; Redpoll, 95; Snowflake, 250; Junco, 1; Northern
Shrike, 1; Red-breasted Nuthatch, 4; White-breasted Nuthatch, 9; Chickadee, 33. Total,
12 species, 447 individuals. Crow was seen on December 24, a Tree Sparrow on Decem-
ber 17, and a Song Sparrow on December 15.—E. W. CALVERT.

Toronto, Ontario,—Lakeshore.—Dec. 24; Thawing; one inch of snow on ground;
wind southerly. Herring Gull, 50; American Golden-eye Duck, 40; Old Squaw, 60;
Flicker, 1; Horned Lark, 8; Crow, 5; Meadowlark, 1; Redpoll, 20; Golden-crowned
Kinglet, 1; Robin, 3. Total, ro species, 189 individuals.—SAmM HUNTER.

Blanchard, Me.—Dec. 24; 9.30 A.M. to 12 M.; 2 to 4.30 P.M. Cloudy; ten inches
snow; wind north, light; temp., 10°. Downy Woodpecker, 2; Arctic Three-toed Wood-
pecker, 1; Pileated Woodpecker, 1; Canada Jay, 3; Pine Siskin, 5; Brown Creeper, 2;
Red-breasted Nuthatch, 1; Chickadee, 18; Hudsonian Chickadee, 1. Total, 9 species,
34 individuals.—FRANcIS G. BLAKE.

Bethel, Vermont.—Dec. 23; 2 to 3.50 P.M. Clear; about a foot of snow; light, north-
east wind; temp., 16° to 19°. Pine Siskin, 25; Chickadee, 2; Tree Sparrow, 1. Total,
3 species, 28 individuals. Saw a Song Sparrow a few days ago, and heard his call-note
on Christmas day.—Exiza F. MILLER.

Clarendon, Vt.—Dec. 25; 9.15 A.M. to 5 P.M. Sky cloudy, with occasional flakes of
snow; wind northwest, very light; temp., 31°. Ruffed Grouse, 2; Short-eared Owl, 1;
Downy Woodpecker, 1; Blue Jay, 5; American Crossbill, 3; White-winged Crossbill, 30;
Redpoll, 150; Snowflake, 12; Field Sparrow, 1; Northern Shrike, 1; White-breasted
Nuthatch, 2; Red-breasted Nuthatch, 1; Chickadee, 3; Golden-crowned Kinglet, 1.
Total, 15 species, 214 individuals.—L. HENRY POTTER.

Essex Junction, Vt.—Dec. 23; 1 to 5 p.m. Clear; six inches of snow; wind northeast,
light; temp., 10°. English Pheasant (wild), 1; Downy Woodpecker, 1; Blue Jay, 2;.
Crow, 79; Goldfinch, 12; Snowflake, 27; Chickadee, 4. Total, 7 species, 126 individuals.
—Cariton D. Howe.

Cornish, N. H.—Dec. 22; 10.15 A.M. to 12 M.; 2.05 to 3.45 P.M. Clear; ground cov-
ered with several inches of snow; wind light; temp., 16°. Hairy Woodpecker, 1; Downy
Woodpecker, 2; Blue Jay, 7; Goldfinch, 1; Snowflake, about 90; Brown Creeper, 1;
White-breasted Nuthatch, 2; Red-breasted Nuthatch, 3; Chickadee, 22. Total, 9 species,
129 individuals. —ETHEL R. BARTON.

Tilton, N. H.—Dec. 25; 10.40 A.M. to 3.20 p.M. Cloudy, with a little snow; about
one foot of snow on ground; wind northwest, very light; temp., 28°. American Mer-
ganser, 4; American Golden-eye, 32; Downy Woodpecker, 4; Blue Jay, 3; Redpoll, 7;
White-breasted Nuthatch, 2; Chickadee, 9. Total, 7 species, 61 individuals.—-GEORGE
L. PLimpton and Epwarp H. PERKINS.

Wilton, N. H.—Dec. 25; 8 A.M. to 12.15 Pp. M. Clear till ro A.M; cloudy after; four
to five inches snow; no wind; temp., 35° to 45°. Ruffed Grouse, 2; Hairy Woodpecker,
2; Downy Woodpecker, 1; Blue Jay, 9; Crow, 2; Redpoll, 325; Tree Sparrow, 12; Junco,

Ninth Christmas Bird Census 17

4; Brown Creeper, 1; Chickadee, 10; Golden-crowned Kinglet, 2. Total, 11 species, 370
individuals. —Gro. G. BLANCHARD and JAs. A. WING.

Randolph, N. H.—Dec. 25; 8 A. M. to 12.30 P. M. Clear; snow twenty inches deep;
wind west, light; temp., 30°. Hairy Woodpecker, 1; Canada Jay, 1; Redpoll, 24; Siskin,
2; Chickadee, 4; Golden-crowned Kinglet, 2. Total, 6 species, 34 individuals.—GoRDON
Boit WELLMAN.

Leominster, Mass.—Dec. 27; 7.30 A.M. to 3.30 P.M. Clear first part of day, cloudy
during middle, and clear in the late part of the afternoon; considerable bare ground in
the open; three inches of snow in the woods; wind southwest, light; temp., 40°. Part-.
ridge, 2; Downy Woodpecker, 1; Flicker, 6; Blue Jay, 2; Crow, 8; Redpoll, 50; Gold-
finch, 25; Tree Sparrow, 8; White-breasted Nuthatch, 3; Chickadee, 7. Total, ro species,
112 individuals.—EDWIN RUSSELL DAVIS.

Fitchburg, Mass.—Dec. 28; 11 A.M. to 2 P.M. Clear; two to three inches of snow;
wind light, southwest; temp., 34°. Ruffed Grouse, 1; Blue Jay, 7; Crossbills, 6; Gold-
finch, 24; Brown Creeper, 2; Red-breasted Nuthatch, 5; Chickadee, 7; Golden-crowned
Kinglet, 2. Total, 8 species, 54 individuals.—F. N. DILLon and G. F. HUBBARD.

Needham, Mass.—Dec. 22; 9 A.M. to 12 M. Dull sunlight; ground mostly covered
with snow; wind north to northwest, light; temp., 22°. Downy Woodpecker, 1; Flicker,
1; Blue Jay, 4; Crow, 5; Redpoll, 75; Tree Sparrow, 14; Junco, 3; Brown Creeper, 1;
Chickadee, 11. Total, 9 species, 115 individuals, CHARLES E. HEIL.

Waltham, Mass.—Dec. 25; 10 A.M. to 1 P.M. Clear; ground partly covered with
snow; wind southwest, mild; temp., 44°. Crow, 8; Blue Jay, 2; Chickadee, 5; Downy
Woodpecker, 2; Goldfinch, 7; Northern Shrike, 1; Red-breasted Nuthatch, 2; Total,
7 species, 27 individuals.—B. L. RIpLEy.

West Roxbury, Mass.—Dec. 21; 10 A.M. to 2 P.M. Fair; ground mostly covered with
snow; light, southwest wind, becoming brisk; temp., 34°. Downy Woodpecker, 1;
Flicker, 8; Blue Jay, 6; Crow, 18; Meadowlark, 27; Tree Sparrow, 7; Junco, 15; Song
Sparrow, 3; Northern Shrike, 1; Chickadee, 11. Total, 10 species 97 individuals.—
CHARLES E. HEIL.

Belmont, Mass.—Dec. 24; 9 to 10.30 a. M. Partly cloudy; ground covered with
snow; wind not noticeable; temp., 10°. Downy. Woodpecker, 1; Blue Jay, 3; Crow, 4;
American Crossbill, 6; Pine Siskin, 9; Junco, 12; Fox Sparrow, 1; White-breasted Nut-
hatch, 1. Total, 8 species, 37 individuals.—SAMUEL DoWSE ROBBINS.

Belmont and Arlington, Mass.—Dec. 28; 9.30 A.M. to 12.15 P.M. Clear; patches of
snow on ground; strong northwest wind; temp., 40°. Downy Woodpecker, 2; Flicker, 1;
Blue Jay, heard one flock; Crow, 8; American Crossbill, heard two flocks; Tree Spar-
row, heard one flock; Junco, 23; Brown Creeper, 1; White-breasted Nuthatch, 3; Chicka-
dee, 6; Golden-crowned Kinglet, 2. Total, 11 species, over 60 individuals.—ARTHUR
W. FLETCHER and SAMUEL DOWSE ROBBINS.

Belmont, Arlington Heights, and Lexington (Rocked Meadow), Mass.—Dec. 27;
2to 5p. M. Cloudy; patches of snow on ground; light, west breeze; temp., 38°. White-
winged Crossbill, 8; Tree Sparrow, 90; Song Sparrow, 5; White-breasted Nuthatch, 1;
Chickadee, 10; Golden-crowned Kinglet, 8. Total, 6 species, 122 individuals.—SAMUEL
DowsE RoBBINS and CHANDLER ROBBINS HUNT.

Cambridge, Mass. (Fresh Pond Park and Marshes).—Dec. 21; 9.30 A.M. to I. P.M.
Clear; one inch of snow on ground; wind southwest, light; temp., 34° to 44°. Herring
Gull, 30; Ring-necked Pheasant, 3; Sparrow Hawk, 1; Long-eared Owl, 1; Northern
Flicker, 4; Blue Jay, 2; Crow, 6; Red-winged Blackbird, 1; Meadowlark, 3; Purple
Finch, 1; Redpoll, 75; Goldfinch, 15; Pine Siskin, 40; White-throated Sparrow, 1; Tree
Sparrow, 12; Junco, 5; Song Sparrow, 10; Swamp Sparrow, 3; Northern Shrike, 1;
Chickadee, 2; Golden-crowned Kinglet, 5. Total, 21 species, 221 individuals.—HORACE
W. WRIGHT.

18 Bird- Lore

Cambridge, Mass. (Fresh Pond Reservation, Maple Swamp and Pout Pond Swamp).
—Dec. 26; ro to 11.30 A.M. Partly cloudy; wind west, brisk; temp., 25°. Great Black-
backed Gull, 1; Herring Gull, 700; Black Duck, 10; American Golden-eye, 35; Ring-
necked Pheasant, 1; Red-shouldered Hawk, 1; Sparrow Hawk, 1; Flicker, 3; Crow, 3;
Redpoll, 20; Goldfinch, 5; Pine Siskin, 25; White-throated Sparrow, 1; Tree Sparrow,
12; Song Sparrow, 2; Red-breasted Nuthatch, 1; Chickadee, 4; Golden-crowned King-
let, 3. Total, 18 species, 828 individuals.—BARRON BRAINERD, J. KITTREDGE and
JAMES L. PETERS.

Brookline, Mass. (Arboretum, Jamaica Pond).—Dec. 23; 8.30 A.M. to 12.15 P.M.
Cloudy; ground covered with patches of snow; wind northeast, strong; temp., 15°.
American Merganser, 1; Mallard, 1; Black Duck, 30; American Widgeon, 1; Lesser
Scaup Duck, 7; American Golden-eye, 1; American Coot, 1; Downy Woodpecker, 1;
Flicker, 8; Blue Jay, 1; Crow, 42; Pine Siskin, 153; White-throated Sparrow, 3; Tree
Sparrow, 2; Junco, 15; Song Sparrow, 2; White-breasted Nuthatch, 1; Chickadee, 3;
Golden-crowned Kinglet, 1; Hermit Thrush, 1; Robin, 1. Total, 21 species, 276 indi-
viduals.—J. KitTREDGE, Jr., and R. M. MARBLE.

Boston, Mass. (Brookline Fenway, Olmsted and Riverway Parks, Jamaica Pond,
Arnold Arboretum to Forest Hills, Squantum and Moon Island).—Dec. 19; 9 A.M. to
12.15 P. M.; 1.55 to 3.55 P. M. Clear; one inch of snow; wind west, light; temp., 20° to 30°.
Herring Gull, 296; Red-breasted Merganser, 8; Mallard, 1; Black Duck, 85; American
Widgeon, 1; Scaup Duck, 450; Lesser Scaup Duck, 6; American Golden-eye, 52;
Bufflehead, 21; Old Squaw, 7; Ruddy Duck, 3; American Coot, 2; Bob-white, 11;
Sparrow Hawk, 1; Downy Woodpecker, 3; Northern Flicker, 8; Blue Jay, 6; Crow,
110; Meadowlark, 4; Redpoll, 2; Goldfinch, 1; Pine Siskin, 24; White-throated Spar-
row, 11; Tree Sparrow, 1; Song Sparrow, 5; Northern Shrike, 1; Myrtle Warbler, 1;
White-breasted Nuthatch, 1; Chickadee, 13; Golden-crowned Kinglet, 4; Robin, 5.
Total, 32 species, 1,145 individuals.—BARRON BRAINERD with H. W. Wricut and Dr.
BRAINERD in the A.M.; with C. J. MAYNARD in P.M.

Wyoming, through Middlesex Fells to West Medford, Mass.—Dec. 27; 9.15 A.M.
to 1 p.M. Fair; ground partly covered with snow; wind southwest, light, temp., 35°.
Herring Gull, 1; Ruffed Grouse, 1; Downy Woodpecker, 1; Blue Jay, 7; Crow, 13;
American Crossbill, 2; Redpoll, 55; Pine Siskin, 27; Junco, 5; Brown Creeper, 3; White-
breasted Nuthatch, 2; Chickadee, 12. Total, 12 species, 129 individuals. December
24, there was one Screech Owl, one Northern Shrike and one Song Sparrow on our place
in West Medford.—Epmunp and Lip1AN E. BRIDGE.

Chestnut Hill Reservoir and vicinity, Jamaica Pond and Arnold Arboretum, Mass.—
Dec. 20; 9.40 to 10.20 A.M. Clear; less than an inch of snow; wind west, brisk; temp.,
34°. Great Black-backed Gull, 2; Herring Gull, 80; American Merganser, 39; Mallard,
1; Black Duck, 85; American Widgeon, 1; Wood Duck, 1; Lesser Scaup Duck, 1;
American Golden-eye, 2; Ruddy Duck, 3; American Coot, 1; Northern Flicker, 3; Blue
Jay, 2; Crow, 6; Redpoll, 2; Goldfinch, 1; Pine Siskin, 17; White-throated Sparrow, 5;
Junco, 7; Song Sparrow, 1; Northern Shrike, 1; Myrtle Warbler, 1; Chickadee, 18;
Golden-crowned Kinglet, 1. Total, 24 species, 281 individuals.—R. M. MARBLE and
BARRON BRAINERD.

Jamaica Pond and Arnold Arboretum, Mass.—Dec. 25; 9 to 11 A.M. Clear; ground
partially covered with snow; wind southwest, light; temp., 40°. Mallard, 50; Black
Duck, 30; Scaup Duck, 2; Canada Goose, 6; Blue Jay, 6; Crow, 8; White-throated
Sparrow, 5; Song Sparrow, 2; Fox Sparrow, 2; Brown Creeper, 2; Red-breasted Nut-
hatch, 3; Chickadee, 4. Total, 12 species, 120 individuals. American Coot, Ruddy Duck,
Herring Gull, Baldpate and Robin seen this winter (2 weeks ago).—HAROLD A. ZIM-
MERMAN.

Ipswich, Mass.—Dec. 26; 10.30 A.M. to 4.30 P.M. Clear; ground snow-covered;

Ninth Christmas Bird Census 19

wind southwest, light; temp., 38°. Herring Gull, 50; Partridge, 1; Pheasant, 1; Hawk,
1; Flicker, 1; Horned Lark, 8; Blue Jay, 1; Crow, 100; Junco, 30; Nuthatch, 2; Chicka-
dee, 19. Total, 11 species, 214 individuals.—JrssE WADE, Francis C. WADE and PAUL
_P. PINGREE.

Rockport, Mass.—Dec. 28; 9.45 A.M. tor Pp. M. Clear; wind west; temp., 40°. Horned
Grebe, 2; Northern Loon, 2; Black Guillemot, 5; Razor-billed Auk, 1; Kittiwake, 1;
Black-backed Gull, 4; Herring Gull, 25; Red-breasted Merganser, 19; Old Squaw, 4;
Northern Flicker, 4; Crow, 15; American Crossbill, 3; Snow Bunting, 3; Song Sparrow,
3; Myrtle Warbler, 70; Chickadee, 5; Golden-crowned Kinglet, 1; Robin, 1. Total, 18
species, 168 individuals.—J. L. PETERS and BARRON BRAINERD.

Rockport, Mass.—Dec. 21; 11 A.M. to 2 P. M. Clear; ground lightly covered with
snow; wind southwest, light; temp., 38°. Horned Grebe, 4; Loon, 1; Dovekie, 2; Her-
ring Gull, 200; Red-breasted Merganser, 3; American Golden-eye, 2; Old Squaw, 5;
Northern Flicker, 3; Shore Lark, 12; Crow, 7; Snowflake, 13; Northern Shrike, 1;
Myrtle Warbler, 23. Total, 13 species, 276 individuals.—ELizABETH D. BOARDMAN
and Lipian E. BRIDGE.

Nahant, Mass.—Dec. 22; 9.30 A. M. to 12.30 P.M. Somewhat cloudy; ground partly
covered with snow and ice; wind northwest, moderate; temp., 24°. Horned Grebe, 1;
Razor-billed Auk, 1; Loon, 1; Herring Gull, 125; American Golden-eye, 37; Bufflehead,
16; Old Squaw, 28; White-winged Scoter, 5; Horned Lark, 13; Crow, 53; Redpoll, 3;
Pine Siskin, 1; Snowflake, 14. Total, 13 species, 298 individuals.—LipIAN E. BRIDGE.
’ Marblehead Neck, Mass.—Dec. 26; 12 M. to 2.30 P.M. Cloudy; ground almost bare;
wind southwest, light; temp., 43°. Horned Grebe, 19; Great Black-backed Gull, 1;
Herring Gull, 31; Red-breasted Merganser, 5; American Golden-eye, 46; Old Squaw,
12; Northern Flicker, 1; Song Sparrow, 3; Fox Sparrow, 1. Total, 9 species, 123 indi-
viduals.—EDMUND and Lip1An E. BRIDGE.

Lynn, Nahant Beach, Little Nahant, Big Nahant to Eastern Point and return.—
Dec. 24; 10 A.M. to 3.15 P.M. Partly cloudy; light to brisk southwest wind; the day after
a sixty mile northeast storm; temp., 16° to 26°. Horned Grebe, 1; Loon, 2; Red-throated
Loon, 1; Black Guillemot, 1; Brunnich’s Murre, 1; Razor-billed Auk, 2; Great Black-
backed Gull, 11; Herring Gull, 998; Red-breasted Merganser, 11; Scaup Duck, 33;
American Golden-eye,6; Bufflehead, 25; Old Squaw, 66; White-winged Scoter, 1; Surf
Scoter, 4; American Sparrow Hawk, 1; Horned Lark, 36; Crow, 43; Snowflake, 4.
Total, 19 species, 1,238 individuals —BARRON BRAINERD, R. M. MarBteE and R. L.
CREESY.

Atlantic, Squantum and Moon Island, Mass.—Dec. 26; 10 A.M. to 2 P.M. Partly
cloudy; patches of snow on ground; strong, west wind; temp., 40°. Great Black-backed
Gull, 1; Herring Gull, 100; Red-breasted Merganser, 2; Scaup Duck, 8; American
Golden-eye, 100; Old Squaw, 1; Sparrow Hawk, 1; Flicker, 2; Horned Lark, 10; Crow,
100; Meadowlark, 1. Total, 11 species, 326 individuals.—SAMUEL DOWSE ROBBINS
and FRANK C. SEYMOUR.

Plymouth, Mass.—Dec. 22. Cloudy; ground bare; light wind; temp., about 28°.
Downy Woodpecker, 1; Flicker, 3; Blue Jay, 3; Crow, 3; Redpoll, 5; White-throated
Sparrow, 2; Tree Sparrow, 2; Junco, 9; Song Sparrow, 1; Cedarbird, 7; Myrtle Warbler,
35; Brown Creeper, 4; Red-breasted Nuthatch, 1; Chickadee, 12; Golden-crowned
Kinglet, 9. Total, 15 species, 97 individuals.—S1pNEy F. BLAKE.

Plymouth, Mass.—Dec. 24; 10 A.M. to 2 P.M. Clear and cold; four inches ice on
ponds; ground icy in places; temp., 32°. Downy Woodpecker, 3; Blue Jay, 4; Crow, 11;
Tree Sparrow, 13; Junco, 27; Song Sparrow, 1; Myrtle Marbler, 4; Brown Creeper, 5;
Chickadee, 125. Total, 9 species, 193 individuals. —WARREN E. CARLETON and LINUS
MurpHy.

Sandy Neck and East Sandwich, Mass.—Dec. 27; 6 A.M. to 6 P.M. Clear; ground

20 Bird - Lore

bare; wind moderate, southwest; temp., 27° at start. Country traversed, salt marsh,
sand hills, beach, pasture and pine woods. Horned Grebe, 25; Loon, 15; Red-throated
Loon, 3; Black-backed Gull, 8; Herring Gull, 500; Red-breasted Merganser, 6; Black
Duck, 6; Greater Scaup Duck, 1; Golden-eye, 25; Old Squaw, 20; White-winged Scoter,
25; Downy Woodpecker, 2; Flicker, 2; Horned Lark, 10; Crow, 25; Meadowlark, 3; Gold-
finch, 5; Pine Siskin, 25; Tree Sparrow, 35; Field Sparrow, 2; Song Sparrow, 15; Myrtle
Warbler, 50; Chickadee, 10; Robin, 15; Bluebird, 4. Total, 25 species, about 837 indi-
viduals.—ALFRED C. REDFIELD.

Taunton, Mass.—Dec. 21; 11 A.M. to 12.10 P.M. Clear; ground bare; wind west,
strong; temp., 4o°. Blue Jay, 2; Junco, 33; Song Sparrow, 1; White-breasted Nuthatch,
1; Red-breasted Nuthatch, 4; Chickadee, 8. Total, 6 species, 49 individuals.—M. E.
CHACE.

Taunton, Mass.—Dec. 26; 9.45 to 11.45 A.M. Clear; ground bare; wind, west, light;
temp., 35°. Crow, 4; Goldfinch, 107; Pine Siskin, 7; Junco, 35; Song Sparrow, 4; Myrtle
Warbler, 1; Red-breasted Nuthatch, 3; Chickadee, 16. Total, 8 species, 177 individuals.
—EpitrH M. HopcGMan.

Edgartown, Mass.—Dec. 30; 6.30 A.M. to 4.30 P.M. Cloudy; wind east to northeast;
temp., 40°. Horned Grebe, 4; Loon, 1; Red-throated Loon, 1; Herring Gull, 30; Great
Black-backed Gull, 7; American Merganser, 8; Red-breasted Merganser, 1; Black
Duck, 2; Canvasback, 1; Red-head, 234; Scaup Duck, 722; American Golden-eye, 84;
Bufflehead, 12; White-winged Scoter, 24; Surf Scoter, 2; Canada Goose, 1; Heath Hen,
95; Marsh Hawk, 1; American Rough-legged Hawk, 5; Bald Eagle, 1; Hairy Wood-
pecker, 1; Flicker, 3; Horned Lark, 87; Crow, 44; Meadowlark, 12; Pine Siskin, 2;
Snow Bunting,6; Ipswich Sparrow, 43; Savanna Sparrow, 3; Tree Sparrow, 16; Song
Sparrow, 3; Myrtle Warbler, 4; Chickadee, 9; Golden-crowned Kinglet, 4. Total, 34
species, 1,474 individuals.—J. L. PETERS and BARRON BRAINERD.

Glocester, R. I.—Dec. 25; 7.30 to 11.30 A.M. Clear; snow in patches; wind south-
west, light; temp., 35°. Ruffed Grouse, 3; Hairy Woodpecker, 1; Downy Woodpecker,
4; Flicker, 1; Blue Jay, 4; Crow, 10; Redpoll, 40; Goldfinch, 5; Tree Sparrow, 7; Myrtle
Warbler, 7; Chickadee, ro. Total, 11 species, 92 individuals.—J. Irvine HILt.

Woonsocket, R. I. Dec. 25; 9.15 A.M. to 12.15 P.M. Clear; ground bare, except in
spots in the woods; wind southwest, light; temp., 38° to 45°. Blue Jay, 15; Crow, 20;
Pine Siskin, ro; Goldfinch, 6; Tree Sparrow, 75; Junco, 50; Brown Creeper, 1; Chicka-
dee, 9; Bluebird, 3. Total, 9 species, 189 individuals. -CLARENCE M. ARNOLD.

Manville, R. I.—Dec. 26; 10.45 A.M. to 4 P.M. Sky overcast, sun frequently appear-
ing in the warm bursts and as frequently obscured by clouds; ground bare; wind west,
changing to north, very brisk; temp., 40° to 42 °. Blue Jay, 2; Crow, 12; Redpoll, 4;
Junco, 4; Tree Sparrow, 4; Brown Creeper, 2; Red-breasted Nuthatch, 1; Chickadee,
1. Total, 8 species, 30 individuals. —ANNA P. C. Mowry.

Middletown, Conn.—Dec. 20; 1.30 to 5.30 p.M. Cloudy; about two inches of snow on
ground; wind north, light; temp., 28°. Downy Woodpecker, 2; Blue Jay, 2; Crow, 4;
Cowbird, 3; Tree Sparrow, 36; Junco, 4; White-breasted Nuthatch, 4; Chickadee, 15;
Golden-crowned Kinglet, 4. Total, 9 species, 74 individuals. Herring Gulls, Song
Sparrows, Purple Finches, Redpolls, Flickers and Meadowlarks are also present, but
were not seen this walk.—EpWarpD H. PERKINS.

Waterbury, Conn., to Waterville and Brown’s Farm.—Dec. 26; 7.25 to 8.10 A.M.;
9.45 A.M. to 12.10 P.M. Clear till noon; ground bare in some sunny places; wind north-
west; temp., 29° to 37°. Downy Woodpecker, 1; Blue Jay, 4; Crow, 9; Goldfinch (heard);
Pine Siskin, 1; Tree Sparrow, 1; Junco, 20; White-breasted Nuthatch, 1; Chickadee,
6; Bluebird, 6. Total, 10 species, 50 individuals.—NorMANn B. PrttinG and H. G.
ANDERSON.

Washington, Conn.—Dec. 27; 9 to 9.30 A.M. Fair; ground covered with light snow;

Ninth Christmas Bird Census mi

no wind; temp., 34°. Brown Creeper, 1; White-breasted Nuthatch, 2; Chickadee, 4;
Golden-crowned Kinglet. While riding on the trolley, between New Haven and Bridge-
port, on December 26, saw two Herring Gulls, five Meadowlarks and one Crow.—
WILHELMINA C. KNOWLES.

Westville, Conn.—Dec. 25; forenoon. Clear to cloudy; ground partly snow-covered;
wind southwest, light. Hawk, 1; Downy Woodpecker, 3; Blue Jay, 7; Crow, 4; English
Starling, 5; Purple Finch, 5; Goldfinch, 9; Tree Sparrow, 4; Junco, 40; Song Sparrow, 4;
Fox Sparrow, 8; Brown Creeper, 1; White-breasted Nuthatch, 3; Chickadee, 11. Total,
14 species, 105 individuals.—Mrs. C. A. DYKEMAN.

New London, Conn.—Dec. 26; 9.30 A.M. to 2.20 P.M. Light, west breeze; temp., 55°.
Horned Grebe, 18; Herring Gull, 148; American Golden-eye, 80; Flicker, 1; Shore Lark,
8; Crow, 22; Meadowlark, 24; Goldfinch, 1; Pine Siskin, 13; White-throated Sparrow,
1; Song Sparrow, 3; Brown Creeper, 3; Chickadee, 3. Robin, 2; Bluebird, 4. Total, 15
species, 331 individuals.—FRANCES M. GRAVES.

Bristol, Conn.—Dec. 25; 9 A.M. to 12.15 P.M. Light clouds, increasing to shower of
rain and sleet at 12 M.; three inches snow; wind southwest to south, very light at noon;
temp., 32° to 48° at noon. Hairy Woodpecker, 1; Downy Woodpecker, 1; Blue Jay, 11;
Crow, 6; Redpoll, 175; Goldfinch, 3; Tree Sparrow, 75 Junco, 46; Song Sparrow, 1;
White-breasted Nuthatch, 2; Chickadee, 5; Bluebird, 1. Total, 12 species, 327 indi-
viduals. December 23, twenty-five to thirty White-winged Crossbills, mostly males.—
FRANK BRUEN.

New Haven, Conn., Edgewood Park and Mitchell’s Hill.—Dec. 21; 10.30 a.m. to
12.30 P.M. Clear; three inches snow, with light crust; wind west, light; temp., 40°. Red-
shouldered Hawk, 1; Downy Woodpecker, 3; Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, 1; Blue Jay, 11;
Crow, 19; English Starling, 33; Goldfinch, 4; Pine Siskin, 44; White-throated Sparrow,
11; Tree Sparrow, 55; Junco, 60; Song Sparrow, 3; Myrtle Warbler, 3; Brown Creeper,
3; White-breasted Nuthatch, 3; Chickadee, 22; Golden-crowned Kinglet, 3; Robin, tr.
Total, 18 species, 280 individuals.—CLiIrForRD H. PANGBURN. ;

New Haven, Conn., Momauguin to Lighthouse Point.—Dec. 22; 9.30 A.M. to 3 P.M.
Cloudy; two inches of snow; wind light, northeast; temp., 29°. Horned Grebe, 3; Her-
ring Gull, 42; Golden-eye, 2; White-winged Scoter, 7; Red-tailed Hawk, 1; Red-should-
ered Hawk, 2; Blue Jay, 2; Crow, 14; Starling, 7; Red-winged Blackbird, 2; Meadow-
lark, 28; White-winged Crossbill, 25; Goldfinch, 14; Junco, 1; Tree Sparrow, 38; Song
Sparrow, 17; Fox Sparrow, 1; Chickadee, 3; Robin, 2. Total, 19 species, 210 indi-
viduals.—ALBERT W. HonyYWILL, JRr., CLIFFoRD H. PANGBURN and M. B. PANGBURN.

New Haven, Conn., Lake Saltonstall, Saltonstall Ridge and Foxon.—Dec. 25; 9.45
A.M. to 2 P.M. Clear to cloudy; two inches of snow; wind brisk, southwest; temp., 34°.
Herring Gull, 1; Black Duck, 69; Golden-eye, 2; Hairy Woodpecker, 2; Downy Wood-
pecker, 4; Blue Jay, 8; Crow, 29; Starling, 6; White-winged Crossbill, 12; Goldfinch, 4;
Pine Siskin, 110; Tree Sparrow, 11; Junco, 9; Song Sparrow, 4; White-breasted Nut-
hatch, 5; Red-breasted Nuthatch, 4; Brown Creeper, 2; Chickadee, 4; Golden-crowned
Kinglet, 12; Bluebird, 1. Total, 20 species, 299 individuals.—CLirrorD H. PANGBURN.

New Haven, Conn., Forest Street and West Shore from Sandy Point to Oyster River.—
Dec. 25; 9 A.M. to 1.30 P.M. Mostly cloudy; two inches of snow; wind brisk, southwest;
distance covered fifteen miles. Horned Grebe, 1; Herring Gull, 127; Black Duck, 5;
'Golden-eye, 1; Bufflehead, 1; Old Squaw, 15; White-winged Scoter, 20; Sharp-shinned
Hawk, 1; Downy Woodpecker, 2; Horned Lark, 5; Blue Jay, 4; Crow, 17; Starling, 11;
Meadowlark, 2; Goldfinch, 15; Pine Siskin, 12; White-throated Sparrow, 3; Tree Spar-
TOW, 33; Slate-colored Junco, 2; Song Sparrow, 15; Myrtle Warbler, 2; White-breasted
Nuthatch, 3; Chickadee, 25; Robin, 1. Total, 24 species, 323 individuals.—D. B.
PANGBURN.

New Haven, Conn., Edgewood Park to Mitchell’s Hill.—Dec. 25; 9.30 A.M. to 12.15

22 Bird- Lore

p.M. Clear to cloudy; ground partly snow-covered; wind southwest, light; temp., 35°-
Sparrow Hawk, 1; Downy Woodpecker, 5; Blue Jay, 8; Crow, 12; Starling, 32; Purple
Finch, 1; Goldfinch, 8; Pine Siskin, 8; White-throated Sparrow, 13; Tree Sparrow, 5;
Junco, 7; Song Sparrow, 3; Myrtle Warbler, 5; Carolina Wren, 1; Brown Creeper, 1;
Chickadee, 7; Hermit Thrush, 1; Bluebird, 6. Total, 19 species, 130 individuals. The
Carolina Wren sang several times, and once it came within six or eight feet of me, and
scolded for a minute or two. The next morning D. B. and C. H. Pangburn went over
the same ground with me and we added the Red-shouldered Hawk, Phoebe, Rusty
Blackbird, Chewink, Northern Shrike, Winter Wren and Golden-crowned Kinglet.
We saw the Hermit Thrush again, but could not find the Carolina Wren. These addi-
tions make a list of 25 kinds for two days for this territory. Our combined lists show
that there were 41 different species in the vicinity of New Haven between December
21 and 26, 1908.—A. W. HONYWILL, JR.

South Norwalk, Conn.—Dec. 25; all day. Partly cloudy; four inches snow, light
wind; temp., 30° at 7 A.M. Northern Loon, 1; Horned Grebe, 7; Pied-billed Grebe, 2;
Herring Gull, 60; American Scaup Duck, 100; Merganser, 6; Golden-eye, 6; Black
Duck, 3; Old Squaw, 50; Hungarian Partridge(introduced last May), 13; Red-should-
ered Hawk, 1; Kingfisher, 2; Red-headed Woodpecker, 2; Downy Woodpecker, 6;
Flicker, 2; Horned Lark, 10; Blue Jay, 8; Crow, 30; Starling, 200; Meadowlark, 8;
White-throated Sparrow, 2; Tree Sparrow, 30; Junco, 24; Song Sparrow, ro; Titlark, 1;
Carolina Wren, 1; Winter Wren, 1; White-breasted Nuthatch, rr; Chickadee, 26; Robin,
2; Bluebird, 1. Total, 32 species, 626 individuals. Red and White-winged Crossbills
have been here. Three Red-headed Woodpeckers are wintering here.-—NORWALK
BirD CLUB.

Pittsford, N. Y.—Dec, 25; 10.30 A.M. to 12.30 p.M. Cloudy; ground bare; wind
south; temp., 38°. Downy Woodpecker, 5; Crow, 5; White-breasted Nuthatch, 1;
Chickadee, 1; Junco, 6. Total, 5 species, 18 individuals.—MaAry WADHAMS.

Rochester, N. Y.—Dec. 27; 9 to 11 A.M. Cloudy; ground partly bare; wind south-
east, brisk; temp., 32°. Downy Woodpecker, 4; Flicker, 1; Crow, 10; Redpoll, 3; Brown
Creeper, 2; White-breasted Nuthatch, 1. Total, 6 species, 21 individuals.—NETTIE
SELLINGER PIERCE.

Rochester, N. Y., Bushnell’s Basin and thereabouts to Despatch.—Dec. 28; 2 to 6
p.M. Weather fair; temp., 32°. Pheasant, 3; Red-tailed Hawk, 1; Downy Woodpecker,
1; Kingfisher, 1; Crow, 10; Snowflake, 2; Tree Sparrow, 12; Junco, 15; White-breasted
Nuthatch, 1; Chickadee, 15. Total, 10 species, 61 individuals.—LEWIS GANNETT and
C. S. LEETE.

Geneva, N. Y.—Dec. 25; 8 A.M. to 5 p.M. Cloudy, with trace of rain; about one inch
of snow on the ground; temp., 35° to 42°. Horned Grebe, 20; Black Duck, 7; Canvas-
back, 15; Scaup Duck, 500; American Golden-eye, 100; Old Squaw, 12; Ruffed Grouse,
1; Ring-neck Pheasant, 8; Screech Owl, 1; Hairy Woodpecker, 2; Downy Woodpecker,
7; Prairie Horned Lark, 1; Crow, 300; Rusty Blackbird, 1; Redpoll, 150; Pine Siskin, 6;
Tree Sparrow, 24; Junco, 3; Song Sparrow, 3; Cedar Waxwing, 2; Brown Creeper, 4;
White-breasted Nuthatch, 11; Chickadee, 8; Golden-crowned Kinglet, 6. Total, 24
species, 1,200 individuals.—F. H. Hatt and OTto McCreary.

Syracuse, N. Y.—Dec. 24; 10 A.M. to 12 M. Cloudy; ground partly covered with
snow; south wind; temp., 40°. Goldfinch, 1; Robin, 1. Total, 2 species, 2 individuals.—
WinTHROP T. PENNOCK.

Rhinebeck, N. Y.—Dec. 25; 9.30 A.M. to 12.30 P.M. Cloudy; ground snow-covered;
wind south, moderate; temp., 33° to 39°. Ruffed Grouse, 1; Red-shouldered Hawk, 1;
Barred Owl, 1; Hairy Woodpecker, 1; Downy Woodpecker, 4; Flicker, 3; Blue Jay, 16;
Crow, 20; Goldfinch, 12; Tree Sparrow, 15; Brown Creeper, 1; White-breasted Nut-
hatch, 8; Chickadee, 20. Total, 13 species, 103 individuals. On December 24, Sparrow

Ninth Christmas Bird Census 23

Hawk, 1; Pine Siskin, 50; Bluebird, 2; December 26, Song Sparrow, 2. December 27,
Robin, 1.—MAUNSELL S. CROSBY.

New Rochelle, N. Y.—Dec. 24; 9 A.M. to 4 P.M. Overcast, threatening snow; two
inches snow on ground; no wind; temp., 20° at start. Herring Gull, roo; Ducks (could
not distinguish kind), 15; Red-shouldered Hawk, 1; Cooper’s Hawk, 2; Pigeon Hawk,
1; Barred Owl, 1; Screech Owl, 1; Kingfisher, 1; Downy Woodpecker, 3; Flicker, 2;
Blue Jay, 6; Crow, 30; Purple Grackle, 12; Starling, 50; Meadowlark, ro; Goldfinch,
9g; Purple Finch, 20; White-throated Sparrow, 4; Tree Sparrow, 5; Junco, 16; Song
Sparrow, 3; Fox Sparrow, 5; Brown Creeper, 3; White-breasted Nuthatch, 4; Chickadee,
12; Winter Wren, 1; Golden-crowned Kinglet, 4; Robin, 2; Bluebird, rt. Total, 29
species, 324 individuals. Ground traversed, Long Island Sound, beach, salt marshes,
fresh marshes, cedar groves, hilly and level ground, orchards, plowed fields, first-growth
woods, underbush borders and pastures.—FRANCIS T. HUNTER and RALPH WHITE.

Pelham Manor, N. Y.—Dec. 25; 10 A.M. to 12 M. Cloudy; about one inch of snow
on ground; no wind; temp., at 9 A.M. 38°. Downy Woodpecker, 1; Blue Jay, 3; Crow,
15; Starling, 10; Cowbird, 1; Goldfinch, 15; White-throated Sparrow, 1; Tree Sparrow,
1; Golden-crowned Kinglet, 1. Total, 9 species, 48 individuals:—ROBERT CRANE.

Bronx Park, through the Hemlock Grove, New York City.—Dec. 28; ro a.m. to
12 M. Clear; a little snow on the ground; wind light and westerly; temp., 35°. King-
fisher, r; Downy Woodpecker, 5; Blue Jay, 6; Crow, 3; Starling, 50; American Crossbill,
5; Pine Siskin, 2; Goldfinch, 5; White-throated Sparrow, 10; Junco, 10; Carolina Wren,
1; Brown Creeper, 5; White-breasted Nuthatch, 2; Golden-crowned Kinglet,.1. Total,
I4 species, 106 individuals. On December 24, a Barred Owl and a Bob-white, and on
December 24, a Barred Owl were seen.—LUDLOW GrRiscom and STANLEY V. Lapow.

Central Park, New York City.—Dec. 24; 9.45 A.M. to 12.15 P.M. Cloudy; wind south-
east, light; ground snow-covered; temp., 25° to 30°. Herring Gull, 20; Red-shouldered
Hawk, 1; Downy Woodpecker, 4; Crow, 1; Starling, 50; Goldfinch, 4; White-throated
Sparrow, 40; Junco, 5; Song Sparrow, g; Fox Sparrow, 4; Towhee, 1; Cardinal, 5; Caro-
lina Wren, 2; Brown Creeper, 2; Golden-crowned Kinglet, 6; Hermit Thrush, 2. Total,
16 species, 156 individuals.—ANNE A. CROLIUS.

Central Park, New York City.—Dec. 25; 8.35 to 10.35 A.M. Mostly cloudy; ground
partly snow-covered, slushy; wind southwest, moderate; temp., 40°. Herring Gull, 300
(estimated); Downy Woodpecker, 2; Starling, 9; White-throated Sparrow, ro; Junco, 3;
Song Sparrow, 3; Fox Sparrow, 1; Cardinal, 1; Carolina Wren, 2; Golden-crowned
Kinglet, 11; Hermit Thrush, 3. Total, 11 species, 345 individuals.—GrorGE E. HIx.

Central Park, New York City.—Dec. 26; 1.45 to 4.25 p.m. Weather partly cloudy;
light, westerly winds; ground partly covered with snow; temp., 38° to 41°. Herring Gull,
7; Starling, 6; Goldfinch, 2; White-throated Sparrow, 16; Junco, 2; Song Sparrow, 3;
Fox Sparrow, 2; Cardinal, 2; Golden-crowned Kinglet, 1; Hermit Thrush, 1. Total,
IO species, 42 individuals.—CHARLES H. ROGERS.

Battery, New York City, to and at the Farms (10 4.m.off Seabright, N. J.) and back.—
Dec. 27; 8.30 A.M. to 4.30 P.M. Weather partly cloudy; brisk, southwest wind, temp.,
33° to 37°. Brunnich’s Murre, 10; Kittiwake, 15; Herring Gull, 4,000; Ring-billed
Gull, 1; Bonaparte Guil, 500; Gannet, 1; American Scoter, 25; White-winged Scoter,
5 or 6; Crow, 8; Pine Siskin (?), 1. Total, ro species, about 4,67¢ individuals.—R. E.
STACKPOLE and C. H. RoceErs.

From the Battery to Staten Island, and New Dorp to Princes Bay, Staten Island, N. Y.—
Dec. 25; 9 A.M. to 5.20 P.M. Mild, partly cloudy; about two inches of snow on the ground.
Brunnich’s (?) Murre, 1; Herring Gull, 325; Bonaparte’s Gull, 115; Old Squaw, 32;
Sparrow Hawk, 1; Barred Owl, 2; Downy Woodpecker, 2; Flicker, 2; Crow, 40; Euro-
pean Starling, 44; Meadowlark, 18; Am. Crossbill, 5; Goldfinch, 2; Pine Siskin, 31; Ipswich,
Sparrow, 1; Savanna Sparrow, 2; White-throated Sparrow, 5; Tree Sparrow, 6; Junco,

24 Bird - Lore

38; Song Sparrow, 9; Swamp Sparrow, 5; Fox Sparrow, 1; Cardinal, 1; White-breasted
Nuthatch, 1; Tufted Titmouse, 8; Chickadee (P. atricapillus), 4. Total, 26 species,
691 individuals.—JAMES CHAPIN.

Prospect Park, Brooklyn, N. Y.—Dec. 21; 11.30 A.M. to 3 P.M. Sunshine; ground
partially covered with snow; thin ice on parts of the shallow ponds; wind west, light,
increasing to brisk; temp., 40°. Hawk, 1; Redpoll, 1; Pine Siskin, 7; White-throated
Sparrow, 5; Song Sparrow, 1; Hermit Thrush, 1. Total, 5 species, 15 individuals.—
Mrs. CHARLES S. HARTWELL.

Brooklyn, N. Y. (Prospect Park).—Dec. 25; 8 to 11 A.M.; 1.30 to 4.30 P.M. Partly
cloudy, clear between 10 and 11 A.M.; two inches of snow; wind south, light; temp. 35°
to 45°. Black-crowned Night Heron, 3; Downy Woodpecker, 5; Starling, 82; Purple
Finch, 1; Pine Siskin, 11; White-throated Sparrow, 27 (some singing); Song Sparrow,
3; Fox Sparrow, 1; Carolina Wren, 1; Brown Creeper, 2; Golden-crowned Kinglet, 6;
Hermit Thrush, 1; Robin, 1. Total, 13 species, 144 individuals. EDWARD FLEISCHER.

Prospect Park, Brooklyn, N. Y.—Dec. 25; 9 to 11.30 A.M. Partially overcast; light
covering of snow; wind southwest, light; temp., 35°. Black-crowned Night Heron, 3;
Pigeon Hawk, 1; Screech Owl, 1; Downy Woodpecker, 3; Crow, 1; Starling, 24; Pine
Siskin, 8; White-throated Sparrow, 30; (5 singing) Junco, 3; Song Sparrow, 2; Fox
Sparrow, 3; Brown Creeper, 1; Golden-crowned Kinglet, 2; Hermit Thrush, 1; Robin,
2. Total, 15 species, 85 individuals. December 26, Carolina Wren, 1.—KaTE P. and
E. W. VIETOR.

Rockaway Park to Point and back, New York City.—Dec. 28; 9.10 A.M. to 4.10 P.M.
Weather fine; brisk to light southwest wind; ground mostly bare of snow; temp., 35° to
40°. Horned Grebe, 70; Loon, 1; Herring Gull, 300; Old Squaw, 100; White-winged
Scoter, 20; Horned Lark, 16; Crow, 20; Pine Siskin, 500. Total, 8 species, about 1,025
individuals.—CHARLES H. ROGERS.

Mt. Sinai, Long Island, N. Y.—Dec. 26; all day. Clear; heavy cumulus clouds;
one inch of snow on ground; rather strong northwest wind; temp., 33° to 40°. Horned
Grebe, 6; Loon, 2; Kittiwake Gull, g; Great Black-backed Gull, 1; Herring Gull, 300;
Black Duck, 6; Old Squaw, 8; White-winged Scoter, 40; Bob-white, 2; Ring-neck
Pheasant, 1; Red-shouldered Hawk, 1; Horned Lark, 15; Blue Jay, 2; Crow, 30;
Meadowlark, 10; Purple Finch, 9; Goldfinch, 4; Junco, 60; Song Sparrow, 14; Winter
Wren, 4; Chickadee, 25. Total, 21 species, 548 individuals. Country visited, Sound beach,
harbor shores, and woods along streams.—GERTRUDE ANNA WASHBURN and ROBERT
CUSHMAN MurRpPBY.

Western shore of Shelter Island, N. Y.—Dec. 27; 8.40 A.M. to 4.45 P.M. Sunny in
morning, overcast in afternoon; ground bare, except for snow-patches in sheltered spots;
wind west, brisk; temp., at start 27°. Horned Grebe, 8; Loon, 2; Great Black-backed
Gull, 2; Herring Gull, 200; Red-breasted Merganser, 5; Black Duck, 30; Greater Scaup
Duck, 300; American Golden-eye, 12; Old Squaw, 300; American Scoter, 12; White-
winged Scoter, 200; Surf Scoter, 15; Bob-white, 6; Marsh Hawk, 1; Red-tailed Hawk,
1; Kingfisher, 4; Downy Woodpecker, 4; Flicker, 5; Horned Lark, 10; Prairie Horned
Lark, 2; Crow, 25; Starling, 2; Meadowlark, 3; Am. Crossbill, 2; Redpoll, 3; Goldfinch, 10;
Pine Siskin, 2; White-throated Sparrow, 7; Tree Sparrow, 50; Song Sparrow, 20; Myrtle
Warbler, 50; Brown Creeper, 1; Chickadee, 25; Golden-crowned Kinglet, 2; Hermit
Thrush, 3; Robin, 12; Bluebird, to. Total, 37 species, 1,346 individuals—Roy LATHAM,
FRANCIS HARPER and CLINTON G. ABBOTT.

Orient, Long Island.—Dec. 20; 8 A.M. to 4.30 p.M. Clear; wind west, very strong;
ground bare; temp., 30° to 35°. Horned Grebe, 37; Loon, 13; Red-throated Loon, 2;
Black-backed Gull, 1; Herring Gull, 461; Red-breasted Merganser, 89; Mallard, 1;
Black Duck and Red-legged Black Duck, 42; Greater Scaup Duck, 220; American
Golden-eye, 5; Bufflehead, 8; Old Squaw, 609; American Scoter, 5; White-winged

Ninth Christmas Bird Census 25

‘Scoter, 179; Surf Scoter, 18; Bittern, 1; Wilson’s Snipe, 1; Bob-white, 30; Sharp-shinned
Hawk, 1; Cooper’s Hawk, 1; Sparrow Hawk, 1; Screech Owl, 2; Downy Woodpecker,
1; Flicker, 16; Horned Lark, 551; Crow, 306; Fish Crow, g; Starling, 27; Meadowlark,
157; Goldfinch, 17; Pine Siskin, 70; Snowflake, 19; Lapland Longspur, 1; Tree Spar-
row, 64; Junco, 25; Song Sparrow, 42; Swamp Sparrow, 1; Fox Sparrow, 1; Northern
Shrike, 1; Myrtle Warbler, 32; American Pipit, 55; Carolina Wren, 2; Winter Wren, 2;
Chickadee, 61; Golden-crowned Kinglet, 23; Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 1; Hermit Thrush,
rt; Robin, 22. Total, 50 species, 3,110 individuals. There has been an unusual occur-
ance of Pipits this winter. Myrtle Warblers are less common than in many winters.—
Harry, FRANK and Roy LATHAM.

Gardiner’s Island, N. Y.—Dec. 25; 8 A.M. to 4.30 P.M. Cloudy; wind northwest,
fresh to brisk, ground bare and free from frost; temp., 33° to 40°. Horned Grebe, 7;
Loon, 16; Red-throated Loon, 1; Brunnick’s Murre, 1; Kittiwake, 1; Great Black-backed
Gull, 1; Herring Gull, 30; Red-breasted Merganser, 116; Hooded Merganser, 3; Mal-
lard, 26; Black Duck and Red-legged Black Duck, 672; Redhead, 2; Greater Scaup
Duck, 1,500; American Golden-eye, 50; Bufflehead, 3; Old Squaw, 160; American
Scoter, 8; White-winged Scoter, 115; Surf Scoter, 158; Great Blue Heron, 1; Bob-white,
35; Pheasant, 55; Marsh Hawk, 10; Cooper’s Hawk, 1; Goshawk, 2; Red-tailed Hawk,
5; Red-shouldered Hawk, 4; Rough-legged Hawk, 3; Bald Eagle, 1; Duck Hawk, 1;
Long-eared Owl, 2; Downy Woodpecker, 5; Flicker, 18; Horned Lark, 32; Crow, 235;
Fish Crow, 8; European Starling, 8; Meadowlark, 40; Pine Grosbeak, 1; White-winged
Crossbill, 1; Goldfinch, 4; Pine Siskin, 32; White-throated Sparrow, 2; Tree Sparrow,
18; Junco, 5; Song Sparrow, 11; Tree Swallow, 2 (a genuine surprise); Myrtle Warbler,
7; Carolina Wren, 15; Winter Wren, 1; White-breasted Nuthatch, 20; Chickadee, 55;
Golden-crowned Kinglet, 18; Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 1; Robin, 2. Total, 56 species,
3,583 individuals.—Roy, Harry and FRANK LATHAM and GEORGE GRIFFIN.

West One Hundred and Thirtieth Street Ferry, Edgewater, Palisade Park, Leonia
and Nordhoff, N. J.—Dec. 26; 1.45 to 5 p.m. Fine, occasionally cloudy; ground muddy,
partly snow-covered; wind west, very strong; temp., 45°. Herring Gull, 100; Red-tailed
Hawk, 3; Downy Woodpecker, 1; Starling, 3; White-throated Sparrow, 25; Tree Spar-
row, 7; Junco, 8; Song Sparrow, 10; Golden-crowned Kinglet, 2. Total, 9 species, 159
individuals.—GEorGE E. Hix.

Bloomfield and Newark, N. J.—Dec. 25, 10 A.M. to 2 p.m. Cloudy; ground covered
with snow; wind southwest, light; temp., 30° to 50°. Marsh Hawk, 1; Crow, 4; Downy
Woodpecker, 1; Starling, 119; White-throated Sparrow, 4; Junco, 1; Song Sparrow, 3;
Brown Creeper, 1; Golden-crowned Kinglet, 2; Hermit Thrush, 1; Robin, 5. Total, rr
species, 142 individuals.—Lovuis S. KOHLER.

Newark, N. J. (Branch Brook Park).—Dec. 25; 11 A.M. to 2 P.M. Partly cloudy;
wind southwest, fresh; ground covered with snow, except in exposed places; temp.,
40° to 45 °. Sharp-shinned Hawk, 1; Blue Jay, 1; Crow, 1; Starling, 20; Goldfinch, 1;
Pine Siskin, 3; White-throated Sparrow, 6; Tree Sparrow, 2; Junco, 4; Song Sparrow,
3; Brown Creeper, 2; Chickadee, 1; Golden-crowned Kinglet, 1; Robin, 1. Total, 14
species, 47 individuals.—Cuas. A. MERRILL.

Troy Hills, N. J.—Dec. 28; 7.30 A.M. to 12.30 P.M. Clear, ground partly covered
with snow; wind west, light; temp., 32° to 50°. Marsh Hawk, 3; Red-tailed Hawk, 1;
Red-shouldered Hawk, 2; Downy Woodpecker, 2; Red-headed Woodpecker, 2; Northern:
Flicker, 2; Blue Jay, 13; Crow, 40; Starling, 3; Meadowlark, 15; Goldfinch, 3; White-
throated Sparrow, 12; Tree Sparrow, 75; Song Sparrow, 11; Slate-colored Junco, 1;
Winter Wren, 2; White-breasted Nuthatch, 3; Tufted Titmouse, 2; Black-capped
Chickadee, 8; A Kingfisher was seen on December 26. Total, 19 species, 200 indi-
viduals.—BeEnyj. F. HOWELL.

Plainfield, N. J.—Dec. 25; 9.30 A.M. to 6 p.m. Weather mild, partly cloudy; about

26 Bird - Lore

two inches of snow on ground. Sharp-shinned Hawk, 1; Red-tailed Hawk, 2; Sparrow
Hawk, 1; Barred Owl, 1; Downy Woodpecker, 10; Flicker, 3; Blue Jay, 17; Crow, 50;
Fish Crow, 2; European Starling, 50; Meadowlark, 16; Bronzed (?) Grackle, 1; Purple
Finch, 2; Am. Crossbill, 9; Goldfinch, 9; Pine Siskin, g0; White-throated Sparrow, 15;
Tree Sparrow, 12; Junco, 80; Song Sparrow, 12; Swamp Sparrow, 2; Fox Sparrow, 1;
Winter Wren, 1; Brown Creeper, 2; White-breasted Nuthatch, 6; Tufted Titmouse, 5;
Chickadee (P. atricapillus), 13; Hermit Thrush, 2; Robin, 1. Total, 29 species, 416 indi-
viduals. Before this winter the Fox Sparrow had never been seen near Plainfield between
December 2 and March 1.—W. DEW. -MILLER.

Morristown, N. J.—Dec. 25; 8.45 to 11 A.m. Partly cloudy; wind southwest, light;
ground partly covered with snow; temp., 38°. Red-shouldered Hawk, 1; Kingfisher, 1;
Downy Woodpecker, 6; Red-headed Woodpecker, 1; Blue Jay, 35; Crow, 50; Starling,
2; Meadowlark, 4; Purple Finch, 7; Goldfinch, 9; Pine Siskin, 6; White-throated Spar-
row, 13; Tree Sparrow, 15; Junco, 17; Song Sparrow, 4; Carolina Wren, 1; White-
breasted Nuthatch, 6; Tufted Titmouse, 2; Chickadee, 9; Golden-crowned Kinglet, 5;
Bluebird, 2. Total, 21 species, 196 individuals.—R. C. CASKEy.

Morristown, N. J.—Dec. 25; to A.M. to 12 M. Partly cloudy; ground covered with
light snow; wind southwest, light; temp., 38°. Red-shouldered Hawk, 1; Crow, 11;
Blue Jay, 20; Purple Grackle, 5; Red-headed Woodpecker, 1; Downy Woodpecker, 3;
Junco, 47; White-breasted Nuthatch, 2; Red-breasted Nuthatch, 1; Song Sparrow, 1;
Fox Sparrow, 1; Chickadee, 1; White-throated Sparrow, 5. Total, 14 species, 99 indi-
viduals.—ANNA A. and FRANK D. Vocrt.

Princeton, N. J.—Dec. 25; 9.15 A.M. to 1.30 P.M.; 3 to 5 P.M. Clear to cloudy; wind
northwest, light; ground snow-covered, average depth, four or five inches; temp., 28°.
Red-tailed Hawk, 1; Red-shouldered Hawk, 2; American Sparrow Hawk, 1; Hairy
Woodpecker, 1; Downy Woodpecker, 5; Flicker, 1; Horned Lark, 1; Blue Jay, 13; Crow,
500; Purple Finch, 46; Goldfinch, 37; White-throated Sparrow, 1; Tree Sparrow, 225;
Junco, 200; Song Sparrow, 50; Cardinal, 18; Carolina Wren, 1; Brown Creeper, 2; White-
breasted Nuthatch, 2; Tufted Titmouse, 16; Chickadee, 7; Golden-crowned Kinglet,
2. Total, 22 species, 1,132 individuals.—WiILL1AmM M. Norris, JR.

Asbury Park, N. J. (Around Deal Lake).— Dec. 26; 9 to 11.45 A.M. Clear; ground
snow-covered (not deep); wind west, moderately strong; temp., 42°. Herring Gull, 25;
Downy Woodpecker, 3; Crow, 7; Tree Sparrow, 1; Song Sparrow, 3; Junco, 2; Carolina
Wren, 1; Brown Creeper, 1; Tufted Titmouse, 2; Chickadee (heard). Total 1o species,
about 46 individuals.—Brss BERNHARD and EMMA VAN GILLUWE.

Hackettstown, N. J.—Dec. 27; 8.45 to 11.30 A.M. Cloudy; ground covered with
crust of snow; wind south; temp., 30°. Downy Woodpecker, 2; Flicker, 1; Blue Jay, 1;
Crow, 3; Purple Finch, 3; Goldfinch, 43; Tree Sparrow, 8; Junco, 10; Song Sparrow,
9g; Myrtle Warbler, 1; White-breasted Nuthatch, 1; Chickadee, 2; Golden-crowned King-
let, 1; Robin, 1. Total, 14 species, 86 individuals.—Mary PIERSON ALLEN.

Newfield, N. J.—Dec. 25; 9.30 A.M. to 2.50 P.M. Cloudy; light rain in afternoon;
wind south, very light; ground covered with six to fifteen inches of snow; temp., 40°.
Cooper’s Hawk (?), 1; Red-shouldered Hawk’'(?), 1; Downy Woodpecker, 6; Crow, 6;
Blue Jay, 4; Meadowlark, 3; Goldfinch, 3; Tree Sparrow, 30; Junco, 100; Song Sparrow,
10; Robin, 1; Chickadee, 8; Bluebird, 5. Total, 12 species, 180 individuals.—Wm. W.
Farr.

Moorestown, N. J.—Dec. 28; 6.33 to 7.40 A.M.; 8.05 A.M. to 12.45 P.M.; 1.30 to 6.30
p.M. Cloudy, becoming clear; ground generally snow-covered; wind west, light; temp.,
32°. Turkey Vulture, 1; Marsh Hawk, 1; Red-tailed Hawk, 4; Red-shouldered Hawk, 1;
Sparrow Hawk, 6; Hairy Woodpecker, 3; Downy Woodpecker, 6; Flicker, 1; Horned
Lark, 20; Crew, 92; Meadowlark, 29; Purple Finch, 2; Goldfinch, 22; White-throated
Sparrow, 13; Tree Sparrow, 30; Snowbird, to4; Song Sparrow, 39; Cardinal, 8; Winter,

Ninth Christmas Bird Census 27

Wren, 4; Brown Creeper, 3; White-breasted Nuthatch, 1; Tufted Titmouse, 7; Chicka-
dee, 2; Catbird, 1. Total, 24 species, 400 individuals.—WILLIAM B. Evans.

Easton, Pa.—Dec. 25; 8.30 A.M. to 12.15 P.M. To 1o A.m. cloudy, then clear; wind
northwest, light, ground covered with snow, some of the more exposed places bare;
temp., 35° at start, 41° at return. Downy Woodpecker, 1; Crow, 4; Purple Finch, 1;
Goldfinch, 2; Tree Sparrow, 16; White-throated Sparrow, 2; Junco, 18; Song Sparrow,
19; Cardinal, 1; Winter Wren, 1; White-breasted Nuthatch, 1; Robin, 1. Total, 12
species, 67 individuals.—EpDWarpD J. F. Marx.

Chestnut Hill, Pa.(along the Cresheim Creek).—Dec. 26; 1.40 to 4.40 p.m. Cloudy;
ground covered with snow; strong wind from the northwest; temp., 40°. Red-shouldered
Hawk, 1; Flicker, 6; Downy Woodpecker, 5; Cardinal, 7; Junco, 30; Goldfinch, 4;
White-throated Sparrow, 17; Tree Sparrow, 25; Song Sparrow, 6; Myrtle Warbler, 5;
Carolina Wren, (one in song), 4; Winter Wren, 2; Chickadee, 7; Golden-crowned King-
let, 1; Bluebird, 2. Total, 15 species, 122 individuals. Recently I saw a flock of about
fifteen English Starlings in the neighborhood of Germantown.—GEorcE LEAR.

Philadelphia, Pa., Woodlands Cemetery (City ornithology).—Dec. 26; 2.30 to 4 P.M.
Cloudy; ground covered with light snow; high, northwest wind; temp., 36°. Downy
Woodpecker, 2; Crow, 4; Goldfinch, 1; White-throated Sparrow, 40; Junco, 25; Song
Sparrow, 14, Winter Wren, 1; Robin, 1. Total, 8 species, 84 individuals.—TuHomas R.
Hitt.

Philadelphia, Pa., Delaware River Meadows, Bridesburg and Frankford.—Dec. 25;
9.17 A.M. to 1.25 P.M. Overcast at start, afterward clear, sun occasionally obscured by
dull clouds; five inches of soft snow; wind south, calm, barely perceptible; temp., 40°.
Herring Gull, 3; Red-tailed Hawk, 1; Red-shouldered Hawk, 1; Rough-legged Hawk, 1;
Hairy Woodpecker, 1; Downy Woodpecker, 2; Crow, 51; Fish Crow, 2; Meadowlark,
10 (flock); Rusty Grackle, 4; Purple Grackle, 1; Purple Finch, 4; Goldfinch, 7; Pine
Siskin, 3; White-throated Sparrow, 18; Tree Sparrow, 14; Field Sparrow, 3; Junco, 34;
Song Sparrow, 35; Swamp Sparrow, 1; Fox Sparrow, 1; Towhee, 1; Cardinal, 1; Titlark,
iI (flock); Carolina Wren, pair; Winter Wren, 2; Tufted Titmouse, 5; Chickadee, 2;
Brown Creeper, 2; Golden-crowned Kinglet, 4. Total, 30 species, 227 individuals. The
Purple Grackle and Towhee were not wounded individuals left behind in the migrations
for they both were capable of extended flight.—RIcHARD F. MILLER.

Kennett Square, Pa.—Dec. 25; 9 A.M. to 4 P.M. Slightly clouded yet sunny; ground
covered with two to five inches of snow; wind very slight, southwest; temp., 44°. Red-
tailed Hawk, 4; Turkey Buzzard, 1; Downy Woodpecker, 12; Flicker, 1; Crow, 1,000;
Meadowlark, 1; Goldfinch, 5; Tree Sparrow, 50; Junco, 30; Song Sparrow, 15; Cardi-
nal, 3; Carolina Wren, 1; Winter Wren, 1; White-breasted Nuthatch, 1; Chickadee, 15;
Golden-crowned Kinglet, 20. Total, 16 species, 1,173 individuals.—HoRAcE J. GRUBB.

Kennett Square, Pa.—Dec. 25; 1 to 5 p.M. Cloudy; temp., 42°. Turkey Buzzard, 3;
Marsh Hawk, 2; Cooper’s Hawk, 1; Red-tailed Hawk, 1; Downy Woodpecker, 1;
Flicker, 1; Blue Jay, 1; Crow, 27; Meadowlark, 16; Tree Sparrow, 55; Junco, 41; Song
Sparrow, 11; Cardinal, 1; Winter Wren, 3; White-breasted Nuthatch, 2; Tufted Tit-
mouse, 1; Chickadee, 1. Total, 17 species, 168 individuals.—C. J. PENNOCK.

Radnor Township, Delaware Co., Pa.—Dec. 21; 9.15 A.M. to 2.30 P.M. Clear; ground
bare; wind northwest, temp., 30° at start. Red-tailed Hawk, 1; Red-shouldered Hawk, 1;
Sparrow Hawk, 1; Hairy Woodpecker, 2; Downy Woodpecker, 4; Flicker, (heard);
Blue Jay, 2; Crow, 15; Meadowlark, 2; Purple Finch, 2; Goldfinch, 2; Vesper Sparrow.
6; White-throated Sparrow, 1; Tree Sparrow, 35; Junco, 75; Song Sparrow, 15; Cardinal,
4; Carolina Wren, 5; Winter Wren, 4; Brown Creeper, 2; White-breasted Nuthatch,
4; Black-capped Chickadee, 1; Golden-crowned Kinglet, 1. Total, 23 species, 180 indi-
viduals.—ALFRED C. REDFIELD.

Concordville, Pa.—Dec. 28; 1 to 4 p.m. Clear; ground covered with snow; slight

28 Bird - Lore

west wind; temp., 50°. Mourning Dove, 2; Marsh Hawk, 2; Sparrow Hawk, 2; Turkey
Vulture, 3; Screech Owl, 3; Downy Woodpecker, 2; Flicker, 1; Meadowlark, 15; Crow,
20; Blue Jay, 1; Goldfinch, 27; Pine Finch, 20; Vesper Sparrow, 1; White-throated
Sparrow, 12; Tree Sparrow, 30; Junco, 40; Song Sparrow, 25; Cardinal, 2; Carolina
Wren, 2; Brown Creeper, 1; White-breasted Nuthatch, 2; Tufted Titmouse, 1; Chicka-
dee, 2; Golden-crowned Kinglet, 4. Total, 24 species, 218 inidviduals.—KATHARINE
R. STYER and ELizABETH P. STYER.

Lititz, Pa. (northern Lancaster Co., and valley of Hammer Creek).—Dec. 27; 8
A.M. to 5 p.M. Clear; ground snow-covered; no wind; temp., 26° to 35°. Ruffed Grouse,
1; Turkey Buzzard, 3; Cooper’s Hawk, 1; Red-tailed Hawk, 1; Sparrow Hawk, 2;
Screech Owl, 1; Kingfisher, 1; Hairy Woodpecker, 2; Downy Woodpecker, 10; Flicker,
1; Horned Lark, 30; Blue Jay, 15; Crow, 2,500; Meadowlark, 35; Goldfinch, 8; Tree
Sparrow, 215; Junco, 140; Song Sparrow, 3; Cardinal, 18; Northern Shrike, 3; Winter
Wren, 2; Brown Creeper, 1; White-breasted Nuthatch, 7; Black-capped Chickadee, 21;
Golden-crowned Kinglet, 7. Total, 25 species, 3,028 individuals —HERBERT H. BECK
and ELMER E. KANTz.

Columbia, Pa.—Dec? 25; 9 A.M. to 12 M. Cloudy; snow on ground; temp., 40°.
Sparrow Hawk, 1; Downy Woodpecker, 1; Blue Jay, 1; Crow, 100; Song Sparrow, 20.
Total, 5 species, 123 individuals.—Wm. M. FLANAGAN and Wo. RocHow.

Pittsburgh, Pa., McKinley Park.—Dec. 25; 11.30 A.M. to 1.30 P.M. Clear; ground
bare; wind southwest, strong; temp., 40°. Downy Woodpecker, 1; Junco, 4; Song Spar-
row, 3; Cardinal, 2. Total, 4 species, 10 individuals.—MiILo H. MILLER.

Summerton, S. C.—Dec. 24; 10.15 A.M. to 1.30 P.M. Clear at start, but cloudy at
return; ground bare; temp., 46°. Killdeer, 8; Turkey Vulture, 2; Red-tailed Hawk, 1;
Red-cockaded Woodpecker, 2; Flicker, 4; Phoebe, 1; Blue Jay, 22; Crow, 6; Red-winged
Blackbird, 1; Vesper Sparrow, 11; White-throated Sparrow, 23; Junco, 5; Song Sparrow,
50; Towhee, 12; Cardinal, 9; Loggerhead Shrike, 1; Myrtle Warbler, 8; American Pipit,
51; Mockingbird, 5; Brown Thrasher, 4; Carolina Wren, 11; Brown-headed Nut-
hatch, 1; Tufted Titmouse, 1; Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 13; Hermit Thrush, 6; Bluebird,
5. Total, 26 species, 263 individuals—EpwWarpD S. DINGLE.

Palma Sola, Fla.—Dec. 25; all day. Loon, 2; Laughing Gull, 4; Royal Tern, 1;
Black Skimmer, 14; Florida Cormorant, 20; Brown Pelican, 40; Red-breasted Mer-
ganser, 16; Wood Ibis, 1; Florida Great Blue Heron, 5; Louisiana Heron, 12; Little
Blue Heron, 7; Semipalmated Sandpiper, 5; Killdeer, to; Black-bellied Plover, 2;
Florida Bob-white, 15; Ground Dove, 1; Turkey Vulture, 13; Black Vulture, 12; Bald
Eagle, 2; Belted Kingfisher, 2; Red-bellied Woodpecker, 3; Phoebe, 1; Florida Jay, 1;
Loggerhead Shrike, 2; Palm Warbler, 30; Maryland Yellow-throat, 1; Marian’s Marsh
Wren, 2; Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher, 14; Mockingbird, 3. Total, 29 species, 241 indivi-
duals.—CaAriLos EARLE.

Knoxville, Tenn.—Dec. 26; 7 to 10 A.M. Clouds and sunshine; ground covered
with light snow; wind northwest, rather heavy; temp., 33°. Crow, 5; Junco, 4; Song
Sparrow, 1; Cardinal, 3; Chickadee, 3; Carolina Wren, 1; Bluebird, 4. Total, 7 species,
21 individuals. —MAGNOLIA WOODWARD.

Cadiz, Ohio.—Dec. 25; 8.20 A.M. to 12.20 P.M.; 2.25 to 4.15 P.M. Partly cloudy;
ground bare; wind south, light; mean temp., 42°. Walked twelve miles, rode bicycle
eight miles. Bob-white, 27; Red-tailed Hawk, 3; Hairy Woodpecker, 3; Downy Wood-
pecker, 12; Red-headed Woodpecker, 4; Red-bellied Woodpecker, 10; Flicker, 2; Prairie
Horned Lark, 2; Blue Jay, 3; Crow, 3; Goldfinch, 2; Tree Sparrow, 110; Junco, 18;
Song Sparrow, 23; Cardinal, 9; Carolina Wren, 16; White-breasted Nuthatch, 14;
Tufted Titmouse, 13; Chickadee, 18; Bluebird, 8. Total, 20 species, about 300 indi-
viduals. —Harry B. MCCONNELL.

Cadiz, Ohio.—Dec. 27; 3.15 to 4.15 P.M. Clear; ground bare; wind west, rather

Ninth Christmas Bird Census 29)

strong; temp., 43°. Red-tailed Hawk, 1; Hairy Woodpecker, 1; Downy Woodpecker,
2; Tree Sparrow, 10; Song Sparrow, 15; Cardinal, 5; Robin, 1. Total, 7 species, 35
‘individuals. —Harry B. McConneELL and Miss IsaBeL MCCONNELL.

Cadiz, Ohio.—Dec. 25; 9 to 10 A.M. Partly cloudy; ground bare, wind south, light;
temp., 40°. Hairy Woodpecker, 1; Downy Woodpecker, 3; Red-headed Woodpecker,
8; Crow, 1; Tree Sparrow, 12; Song Sparrow, g; Cardinal, 2; White-breasted Nuthatch,
4; Chickadee, 3; Bewick’s Wren, 1. Total, 10 species, 44 individuals. On December
24, a Robin sang for ten minutes near my home.—Emma ELLISON.

Canton, Ohio.—Dec. 25; 8 A.M. to 3 P.M. Morning clear, afternoon growing cloudy;
ground bare; wind southwest, light; temp., 38°. Belted Kingfisher, 1; Hairy Wood-
pecker, 1; Downy Woodpecker, 8; Flicker, 1; Blue Jay, 3; Goldfinch, 3; Tree Sparrow,
355; Slate-colored Junco, 140; Song Sparrow, 16; Cardinal, 18; Brown Creeper, 3;
White-breasted Nuthatch, 14; Tufted Titmouse, 27; Black-capped Chickadee, 1. Total,
14 species, 591 individuals.—EDWARD D. KIMEs.

Canton, Ohio.—Dec. 25; 8.30 a.m. to 12 M. Clear and bright after an all-night
rain; ground bare; wind light to moderate, from southwest. Red-tailed Hawk, 1; Hairy
Woodpecker, 3; Blue Jay, 5; Tree Sparrow, go; Slate-colored Junco, 200; Song Sparrow,
12; White-breasted Nuthatch, 7; Chickadee, 4; Golden-crowned Kinglet, ro; Bluebird,
1. Total, 12 species, 336 individuals.—Jas. A. CALHOUN.

Madison, Lake Co., Ohio.—Dec. 27; 10 A.M. to 12.30 P.M.; 2 to 4 P.M. Village to
Grand River and return; distance about four miles. Strong, west wind; partly cloudy;
snow and ground thawing; some ice on river; temp., 39° to 42°. Sharp-shinned Hawk,
1; Red-tailed Hawk, 1; American Sparrow Hawk, 1; Downy Woodpecker, 3; Tree
Sparrow, 54; Junco, 45; White-breasted Nuthatch, 4. Total, 7 species, tog individuals.
On December 13, saw a Red-bellied Woodpecker; December 20, a flock of fourteen
Cowbirds stayed in vicinity several hours; December 21, saw one Brown Creeper.—
Cart C. Lawson.

Madison, Lake Co., Ohio.—Dec. 25; 9.30 to 11.45 A.M. Brisk, west to northwest
wind; cloudy till ten o’clock; ground bare and wet; temp., 36° to 40°. American Spar-
row Hawk, 1; Hairy Woodpecker, 2; Downy Woodpecker, 2; Northern Flicker, 2;
Blue Jay, 1; Tree Sparrow, 15; Junco, 20; Song Sparrow, 6; White-breasted Nuthatch,
5; Chickadee, 2. Total, ro species, 55 individuals.—Cart C. Lawson.

Madison, Lake Co., Ohio.—Dec. 26; 9 A.M. to 4 P.M. From village, north to Lake
Erie, and return. Distance covered about twelve miles. Ground lightly covered with
snow, and snow flurries all day; brisk, northwest wind; lake clear of ice; temp., 30°.
Herring Gull, 4; Downy Woodpecker, 5; Blue Jay, 1; Meadowlark, 3; Purple Finch,
1; Goldfinch, 75; Junco, 25; Song Sparrow, 4; Migrant Shrike, 1; White-breasted Nut-
hatch, 4; Tufted Titmouse, 2; Chickadee, 6. Total, 12 species, 131 individuals.—
Cari C. Lawson.

Miamisburg, Ohio.—Dec. 25; 8 to 10 a.m. Light fog; ground bare; wind west,
light; temp., 30°. Bob-white, 10; Sharp-shinned Hawk, 2; Red-shouldered Hawk, 1;
Sparrow Hawk, 4; Screech Owl, 1; Hairy Woodpecker, 10; Downy Woodpecker, 7;
Flicker, 9; Prairie Horned Lark, 57; Blue Jay, 8; Crow, 26; White-crowned Sparrow,
3; Tree Sparrow, 75; Slate-colored Junco, 63; Song Sparrow, 34; Cardinal, 15; Carolina
Wren, 7; Tufted Titmouse, 8; Chickadee, 48. Total, 19 species, 388 individuals.—
Rey. W. 1. Eck.

New Paris, Ohio.—Dec. 27; 3 to 5 p.M. Clear; ground bare; wind west, strong;
temp., 40°. Hairy Woodpecker, 1; Downy Woodpecker, 1; Crow, 200; Blue Jay, 1;
Junco, 5; Song Sparrow, 3; Cardinal, 2; Chickadee, 2; Golden-crowned Kinglet, 2.
Total, 9 species, 217 individuals.—HazeE S. and ADA HEATH.

New Paris, Ohio.—Dec. 27; 9.30 to 10.30 a.m. Clear; ground bare; wind west,
strong; temp., 40°. Mourning Dove, 1; Red-shouldered Hawk, 1; Screech Owl, 1;

30 Bird - Lore

Hairy Woodpecker, 1; Downy Woodpecker, 1; Flicker, 2; Crow, 13; Tree Sparrow, 6;
Junco, 36; Song Sparrow, 4; Cardinal, 6; White-breasted Nuthatch, 1; Tufted Tit-
mouse, 2; Chickadee, 2. Total, 14 species, 77 individuals.—RutTH and LoREN C.
PETRY.

Rinard’s Mills, Ohio.—Dec. 23; 9 A.M. to r P.M. Clear and warm; wind southwest;
temp., 40°. Bob-white (10 coveys), 153; Ruffed Grouse, 4; Red-tailed Hawk, 2; Screech
Owl, 1; Hairy Woodpecker, 2; Downy Woodpecker, 3; Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, 1;
Pileated Woodpecker, 1; Goldfinch, 8; Field Sparrow, 3; Slate-colored Junco, 5; Song
Sparrow, 8; Towhee, 2; Cardinal, 38; Carolina Wren, 5; Winter Wren, 4; White-breasted
Nuthatch, 2; Tufted Titmouse, 15; Chickadee, 13; Bluebird, 11. Total, 20 species,
281 individuals.—RoBeErRT M. LEE.

Winchester, Adams Co., Ohio.—Dec. 25; 7 A.M. to 12 M.; 3.30 to 4.30 P.M. Partly
clear; ground bare; wind southwest, light; temp., forenoon, 36° to 43°. Mourning Dove,
35; Sharp-shinned Hawk, 2; Cooper’s Hawk, 3; American Sparrow Hawk, 1; Northern
Hairy Woodpecker, 1; Downy Woodpecker, 4; Red-bellied Woodpecker, 6; Flicker, 8;
Blue Jay, 2; Crow, 14; Cowbird, 30; Goldfinch, 7; Tree Sparrow, 60; Slate-colored
Junco, 60; Song Sparrow, 24; Towhee, 2; Cardinal, 15; Carolina Wren, 15; White-
breasted Nuthatch, 2; Tufted Titmouse, 5; Carolina Chickadee, 13; Bluebird, 9. Total,
22 species, 368 individuals. I saw the Mockingbird in this latitude every month of the
year 1907. They are on the increase here. Saw one yesterday.—C. L. CHAPMAN.

Youngstown, Ohio.—Dec. 25; 7.30 A.M. to 3.30 P.M. Clear; ground bare; wind
west; temp., 38° to 40°. Distance walked seventeen miles. Ruffled Grouse, 1; Red-
tailed Hawk, 2; Red-shouldered Hawk, 1; Barred Owl, 1; Great-horned Owl, 3; Hairy
Woodpecker, 2; Downy Woodpecker, 3; Pileated Woodpecker, 1; Red-bellied Wood-
pecker, 2; Blue Jay, 18; Goldfinch, 4; Tree Sparrow, 150; Junco, 15; Song Sparrow,
9g; Cardinal, 8; Carolina Wren, 4; Brown Creeper, 1; White-breasted Nuthatch, 19;
Tufted Titmouse, 6; Black-capped Chickadee, 17; Golden-crowned Kinglet, 3; Total,
21 species, 270 inidviduals.—GerorGE L. FORDYCE.

Xenia, Ohio.—Dec. 25; 9 to 10.30 A.M. Clear; ground bare; wind west, light; temp.,
36°. Bob-white, 10; Downy Woodpecker, 2; Red-bellied Woodpecker, 1; Blue Jay, 2;
Crow, 3; Tree Sparrow, 25; Slate-colored Junco, 30; Song Sparrow, 8; Cardinal, 2;
Bewick’s Wren, 2; Tufted Titmouse, 1; Black-capped Chickadee, 1. Total, 12 species,
87 individuals.—FLORA KEITER.

White Water River Gorge, Richmond, Ind.—Dec. 25; 9 A.M. to 1 P.M. Cloudy;
wind southwest, light; ground bare; temp., 28°. Red-shouldered Hawk, 1; Kingfisher,
4; Hairy Woodpecker, 1; Downy Woodpecker, 2; Red-bellied Woodpecker, 1; Blue
Jay, 10; Crow, 30; Goldfinch, 6; Tree Sparrow, 50; Junco, 6; Song Sparrow, 16; Che-
wink (male), 1; Cardinal, 4; Brown Creeper, 3; White-breasted Nuthatch, 1; Titmouse,

6; Black-capped Chickadee, 8; Golden-crowned Kinglet, 2; Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 1; —

Total, 19 species, 147 individuals.—Mr and Mrs. PEercivaL Brooxs Corrin, M.
BAXTER and Mrs. J. G. SuTTON.

Detroit, Mich., at Palmer Park.—Dec. 25; 10 A.M. to 12 M. Cloudy, misty, threaten-
ing snow; three inches of snow on ground; wind north; about ten miles; temp., 33°.
Junco, 4; Tree Sparrow, 3. Belle Isle Park.—Dec. 27. Conditions much the same as
above, except wind blowing twenty miles. Herring Gull, 15; Red-headed Woodpecker,
1; Hairy Woodpecker, 1; Crow, 6; Blue Jay, 1; White-breasted Nuthatch, 4; Tufted
Titmouse, 1; Chickadee, 1. Total, for two days, ro species, 37 individuals. —]EFFERSON
BUTLER.

Kalamazoo, Mich.—Dec. 25; 11 A.M. to 1 P.M. Cloudy; light snow; ground partly
bare; wind northwest, moderate; temp., 30°. Blue Jay, 2; Crow, 40; Lapland Long-
spur, 75; White-breasted Nuthatch, 1. Total, 4 species, 118 individuals.—Wwmn. E.
PRAEGER.

Ninth Christmas Bird Census 31

Port Sanilac, Mich.—Dec. 28; 10.30 A.M. to 1 P.M. Bright sunshine; two to fourteen
inches snow, crusted; wind west and light, changing to south and stronger; temp.,
28° to 36°. Herring Gull, 2; American Merganser, 7; Downy Woodpecker, 2; Crossbill
(sp.), 10; Junco, 75; Song Sparrow, 4; Chickadee, 25. Total, 7 species, 125 individuals.—
ETHEL B. CHasr, Mrs. Joun S. THOMSON and HARRIET W. THOMSON.

Benzonia, Benzie Co., Mich.—Dec. 28; 9 A.M. to 12 M. Snowing slightly, increasing
later; wind northwest, snow ten inches deep; temp., 28°. Herring Gull, flock of 48;
Bob-white, flock of 10; Hairy Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Blue Jay, Redpoll,
White-breasted Nuthatch, Chickadee. On the evening of December 27, I heard four
Horned Owls.—ELinv LINKLETTER.

Chicago, Ill. (Jackson Park and Lake Front).—Dec. 25; 11 A.M. to 1 P.M. Partly
cloudy; ground bare; wind northwest, strong; temp., 28°. Herring Gull, 50; Ring-billed
‘Gull, 15; Bonaparte’s Gull, 8; Red-breasted Merganser, 5; Blue Jay, 2; Tree Sparrow,
25. Total, 6 species, 105 individuals.—Epw. E. ARMSTRONG.

Jackson Park and vicinity, Chicago, Ill—Dec. 25; 1 to 4 p.m. Cloudy; ground
bare; wind west to northwest, very strong; temp., 32°. Herring Gull, 35; American
Golden-eye, 3; Downy Woodpecker, 1. Total, 3 species, 39 individuals. Redpolls were
seen December 20; Tree Sparrows and Juncos, December 26.—F. A. PENNINGTON.

Riverside, Ill—Dec. 24; 10 A.M. to 1.20 P.M. Cloudy; ground bare; wind brisk,
southwest; temp., 36° to 42°. Herring Gull, 11; Ring-billed Gull, 3; Kingfisher, 1; Hairy
Woodpecker, 1; Downy Woodpecker, 5; Blue Jay, 12; Purple Finch, 9; Redpoll, 10;
‘Tree Sparrow, 9; Junco, 3; Cardinal, 4; Brown Creeper, 4; White-breasted Nuthatch,
3; Tufted Titmouse, 4. Total, 14 species, 79 individuals.—N. L. PARTRIDGE.

Desplains River, from Desplains to Aptakisic, across country to Highwood, Ill.—
Dec. 24; 6.25 A.M. to 6 p.m. Generally cloudy; ground bare; brisk, southwest wind;
temp., 38° to 47°. Distance twenty-five miles. Herring Gull, 3; Ring-billed Gull, 4;
Sharp-shinned Hawk, 1; Rough-legged Hawk, 1; Hairy Woodpecker, 5; Downy Wood-
pecker, 15; Prairie Horned Lark, 1; Blue Jay, 15; Crow, 78; Redpoll, 155; Goldfinch,
15; Siskin, 4; Tree Sparrow, 104; Junco, 5; Song Sparrow, 4; Cardinal, 2; Brown
Creeper, 8; Nuthatch, 11; Chickadee, 77; Golden-crowned Kinglet, 4. Total, 20 species,
512 individuals.—FRANK C. GATES and J. G. SINCLAIR.

Lake Co., Ill., Beach through Waukegan to Fort Sheridan and Graceland Cemetery,
Chicago, Ill.—Dec. 25; 5.30 a.m. to 4 P.M. Cloudy; ground bare; wind west to north-
west, rather brisk; temp., 26° to 29°. Herring Gull, 164; Ring-billed Gull, 3; American
Merganser, 120; Red-breasted Merganser, 770; Pintail, 4; Lesser Scaup Duck, 40;
American Golden-eye, 9; Old Squaw, 2; Scoter, 4; Canada Goose, 40; Downy Wood-
pecker, 1; Prairie Horned Lark, 2; Blue Jay, 16; Crow, 26; Purple Finch, 32; Pine
Grosbeak, 11; Redpoll, 1; Tree Sparrow, 31; Junco, 8; Song Sparrow, 2; Cardinal, 1;
Brown Creeper, 4; White-breasted Nuthatch, 2; Red-breasted Nuthatch, 1; Golden-
crowned Kinglet, rr; Robin, 4. Total, 26 species, 1,309 individuals.—FRANK C. GATES
and N. L. PARTRIDGE.

Quincy, Adams Co., Ill.—Dec. 25; three hours in the forenoon. Cloudy; wind
northwest; temp., 32°. Screech Owl, 1; Hairy Woodpecker, 3; Downy Woodpecker,
2; Red-bellied Woodpecker, 2; Prairie Horned Lark, 1; Blue Jay, 6; Crow, 1,500; Tree
Sparrow, 50; Smith’s Longspur, 1; Junco, 150; Song Sparrow, 2; Towhee, 1; Cardinal,
12; Brown Creeper, 7; White-breasted Nuthatch, 1; Tufted Titmouse, 18; Chickadee,
28; Golden-crowned Kinglet, 12. Total, 18 species, 1,797 individuals.—T. E. MusseEL-
MAN and V. G. MUSSELMAN.

Urbana, Ill.—Dec. 25; 7 to 11.30 A.M. Partly cloudy; ground bare; wind west,
strong; temp., 25° to 30 °. Sparrow Hawk, 1; Red-bellied Woodpecker, 1; Flicker, 2;
Blue Jay, 2; Crow, 12; Tree Sparrow, 1; Brown Creeper, 1. Total, 7 species, 20 indi-
viduals.—F RANK SMITH.

32 Bird - Lore

Peoria, Ill.—Dec. 25; 10 A.M. to 12 M. Wind strong, northwest; cloudy; ground
bare; temp., 28°. Herring Gull, 2; Hairy Woodpecker, 2; Downy Woodpecker, 2; Blue
Jay, 5; Goldfinch, 2; Tree Sparrow, 75; Junco, 100; Cardinal, 12; White-breasted Nut-
hatch, 2; Chickadee, 11; Tufted Titmouse, 3. Total, 11 species, 216 individuals.—
W. H. Packarp and C.S. VAN DENSEN.

Milford, Ill.—Dec. 25; 10 A.M. to 1 p.m. Cloudy; ground bare; wind west, strong;
temp., 30°. Bob-white, 12; Marsh Hawk, 1; Red-tailed Hawk, 2; Belted Kingfisher, 1;
Hairy Woodpecker, 3; Downy Woodpecker, 11; Red-bellied Woodpecker, 5; Flicker, 7;
Prairie Horned Lark, 3; Blue Jay, 53; Crow, 83; Purple Finch, 7; Goldfinch, 2; Tree
Sparrow, 135; Slate-colored Junco, 30; Song Sparrow, 2; Cardinal, 17; Carolina Wren,
4; Winter Wren, 1; Brown Creeper, 8; White-breasted Nuthatch, 9; Tufted Titmouse,
31; Chickadee, 10; Golden-crowned Kinglet, 6; Robin, 1. Total, 25 species, 444 indi-
viduals.—H. C. HENDERSON.

Atwood, Ill.—Dec. 25; 8 A.M. to 12.30 P.M. Clear; ground bare; wind south, strong;
temp., 30°. Rough-legged Hawk, 2; Red-shouldered Hawk, 1; Downy Woodpecker,
7; Red-bellied Woodpecker, 4; Blue Jay, 18; Crow, 50; Tree Sparrow, 28; Junco, 9;
Song Sparrow, 1; Cardinal, 1; Brown Creeper, 2; Tufted Titmouse, 24; Black-capped
Chickadee, 21. Total, 13 species, 168 individuals.—ALFRED O. GRoss.

Dixon, Ill.—Dec. 25; 10 A.M. to r P.M. Clear; ground bare; northwest wind; temp.,
27°. Long-eared Owl, 1; Short-eared Owl, 1; Screech Owl, 2; Hairy Woodpecker, 1;
Downy Woodpecker, 3; Blue Jay, 5; Crow, 28; Tree Sparrow, 4; Black-capped Chicka-
dee, 2. Total, 9 species, 47 individuals.—J. E. ACKERT.

Wheatland, Will Co., Ill.—Dec. 26; 8.30 to 10.30 A.M. Cloudy; ground bare; wind
southwest; temp., 20°. Through upland fields. Pinnated Grouse, 1; Marsh Hawk, 1;
Screech Owl, 1; Downy Woodpecker, 1; Prairie Horned Lark, 3; Blue Jay, 3; Tree
Sparrow, 28; Slate-colored Junco, 1. Total, 8 species, 39 individuals.—ELIZABETH
and JESSIE ELDRIDGE.

Rantoul, Ill.—Dec. 25; 8 A.M. to 4 p.m. Cloudy; ground bare; wind west to north-
west; temp., 30° to 33°. Bob-white, 17; Prairie Hen, 4; Mourning Dove, 1; Marsh
Hawk, 2; Red-tailed Hawk, 3; Barred Owl, 1; Screech Owl, 1; Hairy Woodpecker, 2;
Downy Woodpecker, 7; Northern Flicker, 3; Prairie Horned Lark, 67; Blue Jay, 19;
Crow, 43; Tree Sparrow, 80; Slate-colored Junco, 100; Song Sparrow, 1; Cardinal, 11;
Brown Creeper, 3; White-breasted Nuthatch, 3; Red-breasted Nuthatch, 1; Tufted
Titmouse, 4; Chickadee, 2. Total, 22 species, 375 individuals—W. ELMER EKBLAW.

Salem, Ill.—Dec. 25; 8 a.m. to 12 M. Cloudy; strong, cold west wind; no snow;
temp., 30°. Bob-white, 1; Sparrow Hawk, 1; Hairy Woodpecker, 1; Downy Woodpecker,
1; Red-bellied Woodpecker, 3; Flicker, 1; Blue Jay, 6; Crow, 2; Tree Sparrow, 6; Junco,
5; Cardinal, 8; Tufted Titmouse, 5; Chickadee, 2. Total, 13 species, 42 individuals.—
Francis A. and ROBERT B. COFFIN.

Rock Island, Ill.—Dec. 25; 9.30 to 11.30 A.M. Dull, cloudy; ground bare and
frozen; strong, northwest wind; temp., 30°. Bob-white, 65; English Pheasant (lately
introduced), 1; American Rough-legged Hawk, 2; Hairy Woodpecker, 2; Downy Wood-
pecker, 4; Crow, 2; Tree Sparrow, 3; Junco, 2; Cardinal, 2; White-breasted Nuthatch,
3; Chickadee, 13. Total, 11 species, 99 individuals.—Burtis H. WIson.

Moline, Ill., Riverside Cemetery and Arsenal Island.—Dec. 23; 10 A.M. to 1.30 P.M.
Very cloudy; ground bare; wind southeast, light; temp., 31°. Bob-white, 50; Golden
Pheasant (introduced on Government Island by Game Commission), 5; Rough-legged
Hawk, 1; Hairy Woodpecker, 4; Downy Woodpecker, 6; Blue Jay, 3; Crow, 6; Gold-
finch, 4; Pine Siskin, 2; Tree Sparrow, 60; Junco, 6; Cardinal, 3; Brown Creeper, 5;
White-breasted Nuthatch, 3; Red-breasted Nuthatch, 1; Tufted Titmouse, 2; Chick-
adee, 25. Total, 17 species, 186 individuals.—Mrs. W. K. SLOAN.

Moline, Ill.—Dec. 22; 10 A.M: to 12 M.; 1 to 3 P.M. at Prospect Park, Riverside

Ninth Christmas Bird Census 33

Cemetery and Arsenal Island. Clear; ground bare; wind southwest, light; temp., 42°.
Bob-white, 2; Golden Pheasant, 1; two were recently released on the Island) Hairy
Woodpecker, 4; Downy Woodpecker, 7; Red-headed Woodpecker, 6; Blue Jay, 14;
‘Crow, 2; Crossbill, 12; Tree Sparrow, 3; Field Sparrow, 1; Junco, 45; Cardinal, 3;
Brown Creeper, 2; White-breasted Nuthatch, 2; Red-breasted Nuthatch, 1; Chickadee.
13; Golden-crowned Kinglet, 2. Total, 17 species, 120 individuals.—Mrs. E. H. Pur-
NAM and GRACE PUTNAM.

Pelican Bar, Missouri River, 20 miles north of St. Louis, Mo.—Dec. 26; 7 A.M. to
5 P.M. Clear; ground bare; wind west, light; temp., 27° to 45°. Canada Goose, 1; Red-
tailed Hawk, 1; Downy Woodpecker, 5; Red-bellied Woodpecker, 2; Flicker, 4; Crow,
100,000; Red-winged Blackbird, over 100,000; Goldfinch, 2; Tree Sparrow, 12; Junco,
30; Cardinal, 30; Myrtle Warbler, 36; Carolina Wren, 2; Tufted Titmouse, 4; Chickadee,
2; Robin, 1; Bluebird, 2. Total, 17 species, 118 individuals, without Crows or Black-
birds.—Harry C. WILLiAMs and N. bE W. BETTS.

Kansas City, Mo. (Swope Park).—Dec. 25; 9.30 A.M. to 12.30 P.M. Clear; ground
bare; wind northwest, thirty-six miles; temp., 38°. Sparrow Hawk, 1; Downy Wood-
pecker, 1; Red-bellied Woodpecker, 1; Blue Jay, 1; Crow, 11; Song Sparrow, 2; Tree
Sparrow, 200; Junco, 70; Cardinal, 22; Brown Creeper, 1; Carolina Wren, 6; White-
breasted Nuthatch, 5; Black-capped Chickadee, 14. Total, 13 species, 335 individuals.—
Hi. R. WALMSLEY.

Kansas City, Mo. (South of City).—Dec. 25; 8.30 to 11.30 A.M. Clear; ground bare;
high northwest wind; four miles; temp., 38°. Hairy Woodpecker, 5; Downy Wood-
pecker, 8; Red-bellied Woodpecker, 1; Blue Jay, 7; Crow, 11; Purple Finch, 44; Gold-
finch, 2; Tree Sparrow, 125; Junco, 150; Cardinal, 56; Carolina Wren, 4; White-breasted
Nuthatch, 10; Tufted Titmouse, 18; Chickadee, 40; Total, 14 species, 481 individuals.—
Joun E. CAMERON.

Concordia, Mo.—Dec. 25; 1 to 2.30 P.M. Clear; wind northwest, high; ground bare;
temp., 31°. Blue Jay, 2; Goldfinch, 1; Junco, 100; Tree Sparrow, 46; Cardinal, 3;
Tufted Titmouse, 3; White-breasted Nuthatch, 2; Chickadee, 3. Total, 8 species, 160
individuals.—FERDINAND SCHREIMANN.

Clay Center, Kans.—Dec. 31; 9 to 11.50 A.M.; 12.30 to 1.30 P.M. Cloudy; ground
bare; wind east, light; temp., 20°. Red-tailed Hawk, 1; Rough-legged Hawk, 2; Hairy
Woodpecker, 1; Downy Woodpecker, 1; Flicker, 1; Prairie Horned Lark, 5; Blue Jay,
1; Crow, 12; Tree Sparrow, 186; Junco, 13; Harris’s Sparrow, 65; Cardinal, 4; Chicka-
dee, 1. Total, 13 species, 293 individuals.—E. W. Graves and KALE DANINHAUER.

Lincoln, Neb.—Dec. 27; 3.30 to 5.25 p.m. Clear, except light cirrus clouds; ground
bare; wind southwest, light. Downy Woodpecker, 2; Prairie Horned Lark, 40; Tree
Sparrow, 3; Junco, ro; Chickadee, 2. Total, 5 species, 57 individuals.—Mr. and Mrs.
E. W. GRAVES.

Omaha, Neb.—Dec. 26; 7 to 10.30 A.M. Clear and dry, no snow; slight southwest
wind; temp., 30°, increasing to 45°. Bob-white, 9; Hairy Woodpecker, 1; Downy Wood.
pecker, 6; Yellow-shafted Flicker, 2; Blue Jay, 1; Crow, 52; Redpoll, 4; Goldfinch, 3
Pine Siskin, 7; Tree Sparrow, 7; Slate-colored Junco, 44; Cardinal, 2; Brown Creeper,
5; White-bellied Nuthatch, 5; Long-tailed Chickadee, 21; Golden-crowned Kinglet,
3. Total, 16 species, 172 individuals —H. W. Livers and Dr. S. R. TOWNE.

National, Iowa.—Dec. 29; 8.30 to 11.30 A.M. Clear; ground partly bare; wind
southeast, light; temp., 36°. Downy Woodpecker, 1; Crow, 2; Blue Jay, 2; Redpoll,
35; Tree Sparrow, 2; Bohemian Waxwing, 6; White-breasted Nuthatch, 4; Chickadee,
9. Total, 8 species, 61 individuals.—ALTHEA R. SHERMAN.

Wall Lake, lowa.—Dec. 26; 9.15 A.M. to 1.30 P.M.; 2.30 to 5 P.M. Generally clear;
ground bare; wind northwest, brisk; temp., 32°. Prairie Hen, 1; Marsh Hawk, 1, Short-
eared Owl, 3; Screech Owl, 1; Hairy Woodpecker, 1. -Dec. 21, Downy Woodpecker, tr.

“YI Bird - Lore

Dec. 24, Flicker, 1; Horned Lark, 20; Blue Jay, 3; Crow, 6; Bronzed Grackle, 3; Gold-
finch, 16; Tree Sparrow, 16 (some singing); Chickadee, 4; Golden-crowned Kinglet, r-
Artifical groves cultivated, prairie and marsh land traversed. In order to make this list a
reasonably complete list of birds to be found here now, I have included some seen on
previous days.—JOoHN A. SPURRELL.

Milwaukee, Wis.—Dec. 26; 9 A.M. to 2 p.M. Clear; ground mainly bare; snow im
woods; wind southwest, light; temp., 20°. Herring Gull, 120; Scaup, 45; Golden-eye,
30; Downy Woodpecker, 2; Blue Jay, 1; Crow, 2; Tree Sparrow, 300; Junco, 200;
Chickadee, 3. Total, 9 species, 603 individuals.—I. N. MircHe.r, F. W. Etts, E. W.
STICKNEY and W. H. CHEEVER.

Branch, Wis.—Dec. 25; Herring Gull, 100; Downy Woodpecker, 2; Blue Jay, 1;
Snowflake, 75; Goldfinch, 12; Chickadee, 8. Total, 6 species, 198 individuals. —GEORGE
H. EIGENBERGER.

Elkhorn, Wis.—Dec. 26; 8.45 A.M. to 12.30 P.M. Cloudy; wind southwest, high;
snow in places; temp., 20°. Hairy Woodpecker, 1; Downy Woodpecker, 2; Blue Jay, 5;
Crow, 22; Tree Sparrow, 1; Slate-colored Junco, 25; Brown Creeper, 1; White-breasted
Nuthatch, 2. Total, 8 species, 59 individuals.—SARAH FRANCIS, MABEL BECKWITH
and Mrepora HuRLBUT.

Elkhorn, Wis.—Dec. 22; 2 to 4.30 p.m. Clear; snow patches on ground; no wind;
temp., 50°. Hairy Woodpecker, 2; Downy Woodpecker, 2; Blue Jay, 10; Crow, 6;
Evening Grosbeak, 2; Tree Sparrow, 5; Slate-colored Junco, 12; White-breasted Nut-
hatch, 2; Red-breasted Nuthatch, 2. Total, 9 species, 43 individuals.—SARAH FRANCIS,
MABEL BECKWITH and MEDORA HURLBUT.

Baraboo, Wis.—Dec. 25; 9 A.M. to 12 M.; 3 to 5 P.M. Cloudy; northwest wind;
temp., 24° to 30°. Bob-white, 12; Blue Jay, 6; Crow, 3; Junco, 14. Dec. 26; 3 to §.30
p.M. Clear; wind northwest; temp., 32°. Bob-white, 1; Screech Owl, 1; White-breasted
Nuthatch, 1; Chickadee, 1. Dec. 27; 9.30 to 11.30 A.M. Fair; temp., 30°. Downy Wood-
pecker, 1; Blue Jay, 6; Goldfinch, 5; Tree Sparrow, 12; White-breasted Nuthatch, 1;
Chickadee, 6.—Mrs. W. T. KELSEY.

Princeton, Wis.—Dec. 25; 8 A.M. to 4 P.M. Somewhat cloudy; nine inches of snow;
wind south, light; temp., 39°. Bob-white, 45; Red-tailed Hawk, 1; Downy Woodpecker,
2; Blue Jay, 7; Crow, 3; Goldfinch, 6; Junco, 25; Brown Creeper, 2; White-breasted
Nuthatch, 3; Red-breasted Nuthatch, 3. Total, ro species, 99 individuals.—Joun N.
LOSHINSKI

Sheboygan Falls, Weedens Station and Sheboygan, Wis.—Dec. 26; 10 A.M. to 5.45
p.M. Cloudy; ground covered with about eight inches of snow; wind south, strong;
temp., 20° to 25°. Herring Gull, 6; Ring-billed Gull, 2; Old Squaw, 50; Lesser Scaup
Duck, 6; American Merganser, 25; Red-breasted Merganser, 4; American Golden-eye,
10; Ruffed Grouse, 1; Downy Woodpecker, 6; Hairy Woodpecker, 2; Crow, 50; Blue
Jay, 2; Pine Siskin, 12; Brown Creeper, 1; Red-breasted Nuthatch, 1; White-breasted
Nuthatch, 3; Chickadee, 20. Total, 17 species, 201 individuals.—JAMES SANFORD.

Walworth, Wis.—Dec. 25; 9 A.M. to 1.30 P.M. Cloudy; ground nearly bare; wind
west, strong; temp., 26°. Canada Goose, 42; Downy Woodpecker, 2; Red-headed Wood-
pecker, 2; Blue Jay, 12; Crow, 26; Redpoll, 8; Tree Sparrow, 30; Junco, 2; Brown
Creeper, 1; White-breasted Nuthatch, 2; Chickadee, ro. Total, 11 species, 137 indi-
viduals.—Caryt H. RIPLey.

Westfield, Wis.—Dec. 22; 10 A.M. to 4 P.M. Clear; ground deeply snow-covered;
wind very light, westerly; temp., 14° at 9.30 A.M. Quail, 50; Hairy Woodpecker, 3;
Downy Woodpecker, 1; Red-headed Woodpecker, 4; Blue Jay, 15; Redpoll, 30; Gold-
finch, 6; Tree Sparrow, 4; Junco, 12; White-breasted Nuthatch, 2; Chickadee, 18. Total,
11 species, 146 individuals.—PATIENCE NESBITT.

Minneapolis, Minn.—Dec. 21; 9 A.M. to 4 P.M. Fair; light, southwest wind; about

Ninth Christmas Bird Census 35

a foot of snow; temp., 10° to 23°. Bob-white, ro; Downy Woodpecker, 3; Blue Jay, 14;
Snowflake, 5; Brown Creeper, 1; White-breasted Nuthatch, 4; Chickadee, 5; Robin, r.
Total, 8 species, 43 individuals—HARRIET BIRD CLUB.

Red Wing, Minn.—Dec. 25; 1.30 to 4.30 P.M. Clear; northwest wind; six inches of
snow; temp., 20°. Barred Owl, 1; Redpoll, (a small flock); Goldfinch, 6; Tree Sparrow,
150; Brown Creeper, 4; White-breasted Nuthatch, 4; Chickadee, 3. Total, 7 species,
175 individuals (estimated).—Nerts BoRGEN and FrRiTHJOF NACE.

Lake Minnetonka, Minn.—Dec. 26; 10 A.M. to 12 M.; 1 to 3 P.M. Partly cloudy;
about eight inches of snow; fresh west wind; temp., 32°. Eleven mile trip, woods, fields
and country roads. Downy Woodpecker, 1; Brown Creeper, 1; White-breasted Nut-
hatch, 1; Chickadee, 3. Total, 4 species, 6 individuals.—E. F. PABopy, JR.

Spink, Union Co., S. Dakota.—Dec. 24; 10.30 A.M. to 1 P.M. Clear; one inch of
snow on ground; wind northwest; temp., 24°. Mallard, 1: Quail, 10; Mourning Dove,
3; Barred, or Cat Owl, 3; Downy Woodpecker, 3; Crow, 11; Goldfinch, 50; Tree Spar-
row, about 200; Chickadee, 23. Total, 9 species, about 304 individuals.—ANDREW
and THOMAS SOLEM.

Sioux Falls, S. D.—Dec. 25; 11 A.M. to 5.30 P.M. Clear, ground mostly snow-cov-
ered; wind northwest, medium; temp., 23°. Bob-white, (fresh tracks); Prairie Chicken,
1; Downy Woodpecker, 1; Crow, 4; Redpoll, roo; Lapland Longspur, 1; Tree Sparrow,
7; Northern Shrike, 1; Brown Creeper, 1; White-breasted Nuthatch, 1; Chickadee, 3;
Total, rz species, 120 individuals.—ADRIAN LARSON.

Minnedosa, Manitoba.—Dec. 25; 10 A.M. to 12 M.; 3 to 5 P.M. Snowy in morning
for a while, then bright and sunny; wind light, south; eight inches snow on ground, ex-
cept on wind-swept fields; temp., 14° to 20°. Sharp-tailed Grouse, 25; Horned Owl, 1;
Hairy Woodpecker, 1; Downy Woodpecker, 2; Blue Jay, 3; Pine Grosbeak, 8; Redpoll,
16; Snowflake, 2; White-breasted Nuthatch, 1; Chickadee, ro. Total, ro species, 69
individuals. Six Ruffed Grouse were seen on Dec. 25; one Saw-whet Owl, Dec. 18;
three American Ravens, Dec. 13; one Northern Shrike, Dec. 20; one Snowy Owl, Dec.
24.—JOHN WOODCOCK.

Bozeman Creek Canyon, Gallatin National Forest, Mont.—Dec. 21; 9 A.M. to 4 P.M.
Partly cloudy; ground snow-covered, two to fifteen inches; wind west, medium; temp.,
15°; elevation 4,800 to 6,500 feet. Canadian Ruffed Grouse, 1; Alpine Three-toed Wood-
‘pecker, 1; Desert Horned Lark, 4; Magpie, 12; Clark’s Nutcracker, 2; Alaskan Pine
Grosbeak, 32; Redpoll 65; Western Tree Sparrow, 2; Mountain Song Sparrow, 1;
American Dipper, 4; Long-tailed Chickadee, 2; Mountain Chickadee, 18. Total, 12
species, 144 individuals.—AreEtTAs A. SAUNDERS.

Bozeman, Mont.—g9.30 A.M. to 1.15 P.M. Clear; ground covered with one inch of
snow; wind southwest, light; temp., 34°. Elevation, 4,800 feet. Magpie, 120; Crow, 7;
Redpoll, 15; Western Tree Sparrow, 27; Mountain Song Sparrow, 2; Bohemian Wax-
wing, 21; Northern Shrike, 2; Long-tailed Chickadee, 14. Total, 8 species, 208 indi-
viduals. A Short-eared Owl was brought to me, which was shot in this vicinity on the
evening of December 23.—ARETAS A. SAUNDERS.

Rathdrum, Idaho.—Dec. 25; 9.45 A.M. Cloudy; wind south, brisk; temp., 40° at
start, 42° at return. White-winged Crossbill, 8; Song Sparrow, 2; Red-breasted Nut-
hatch, 9; Chickadee, 1. Total, 4 species, 20 individuals.—Prrcy L. Jupp.

Naramata, B. C.—Dec. 21; 1 to 4.30 P.M. Very cloudy; cold, south wind; six to ten
miles; ground bare; temp., 25°. Gull (unknown), 1; American Golden-eye, 4; Buffle-
head, 2; American Coot(estimated), 300; Downy Woodpecker, 3; Red-shafted Flicker(?),
1; Steller’s Jay, 1; Clarke’s Nutcracker, 9; Magpie, 6; Water Ouzel, 1; Rocky Moun-
tain Creeper, 2; Red-breasted Nuthatch, 40; Chickadee, 80. Total, 14 species, 450 indi-
viduals.—JNno. M. ScHRECK.

Olympia, Wash.—Dec. 29; 9.30 A.M. to 12.30 P.M. Cloudy; no wind; temp., 35°-

36 Bird - Lore

Red-shafted Flicker, 8; Steller’s Jay, 1; Crow, 14; Western Meadowlark, 2; Western
Evening Grosbeak, 5; Purple Finch, 2; Junco, 32; Rusty Song Sparrow, 19; Oregon
Towhee, 8; Western Winter Wren, 5; Oregon Chickadee, 6; Chestnut-backed Chicka-
dee, 13; Mountain Chickadee, 4; Golden-crowned Kinglet, 13; Ruby-crowned Kinglet,
7; Western Robin, 2; Varied Thrush, 26. Total, 17 species, 167 individuals.—MkrRs.
May R. THAYER.

Prescott, Wash.— Dec. 25; 10 A.M. to 12 M.; 2.30 to 3 P.M. Cloudy; ground with one
inch of snow; wind light, southwest; temp., 34°. Mallard, 5; Green-winged Teal, 5;
Great Blue Heron, 1; Killdeer, 1; Bob-white, 20; Mourning Dove, 5; American Gos-
hawk, 1; Rocky Mountain Hairy Woodpecker, 2; Red-shafted Flicker, 6; American
Magpie, 15; Western Meadowlark, 5; Western Goldfinch, 60; Oregon Junco, 115;
Merrill Song Sparrow, 31; Bohemian Waxwing, 150; Rocky Mountain Creeper, 4;
Oregon Chickadee, 11. Total, 17 species, 437 individuals.—LEr R. DIcE.

Seattle, Wash.—Dec. 20 9 A.M. to 3 P.M. Clear; ground bare; wind southeast, light;
temp., 35°. Northwest Flicker, 1; Gray Jay, 1; Sooty Song Sparrow, 1; Oregon Junco,
8; Oregon Towhee, 2; Golden-crowned Kinglet, 1; ‘Seattle’ Wren, 1; Varied Thrush,
3; Western Robin, 24. Total, ro species, 53 individuals. Visitors to my garden and
bird’s table.—Mrs. L. H. Gray.

San Rafael, Cal.—Dec. 25; 2 to 4.30 p.m. Partly cloudy; light, south wind; temp.,
43°. Valley Quail, 10; Western Red-tailed Hawk, 8; California Woodpecker, 1; Red-
shafted Flicker; California Jay, 6; Oregon Jay, 2; Bullock’s Oriole, 2; Western Meadow-
lark, 3; Brewer’s Blackbird, 20; Willow Goldfinch, 20; Bryant’s Marsh Sparrow, 6;
White-crowned Sparrow, 15; Oregon Junco, 20; Spurred Towhee; Pacific Yellow-
throat, 1; Plain Titmouse, 3; Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 10; Western Golden-crowned
Kinglet, 1; Western Robin, 30; Hermit Thrush, 8; Western Bluebird. Total, 21 species,
174 individuals..—EMMA BEEBE.

LaCanada, Los Angeles Co., Cal.—Dec. 24; 8 to g A.M.; Dec. 25; 10 to 12 A.M. 2 to 4
p.M. Clear; wind light; temp., 62° to 81°. Valley Quail, 1; Mourning Dove, 2; Pigeon
Hawk, 3; Red-breasted Sapsucker, 2; Red-shafted Flicker, 20; Anna’s Hummingbird,
4; Rufous Hummingbird, 1; Black Phoebe, 1; Western Meadowlark, 23; Brewer’s Black-
bird, 50; House Finch, 154; Arkansas Goldfinch, large flocks; Gambel’s Sparrow,
large flocks; Golden-crowned Sparrow, large flocks; Thurber’s Junco, large flocks;
California Towhee, 261; White-rumped Shrike, 3; Audubon Warbler, large flocks;
Western Mockingbird, 50; Pasadena Thrasher, 4; Vigor’s Wren, 2; Western Winter
Wren, 1; Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 10; Western Gnatcatcher, 14; Russet-backed Thrush,
1; Western Robin, 100; Western Bluebird, 15. Total, 27 species, 722 individuals.—
MINNIE K. ANDERSON, HENRIETTA HORNE, LOUISE WASHINGTON, CLARA ARMSTRONG
and MArRion LEE.

San Diego, Cal.—Dec. 25; 8 to 10.30 A.M.; 4.30 to 5.30 P.M. Forenoon fair, showers
from 1 to 4 P.M.; wind north, light; temp., 60° to 75°. Valley Partridge, 350; Western
Red-tailed Hawk, 1; Red-shafted Flicker, 8; Anna’s Hummingbird, 7; Cassin’s King-
bird, 3; Say’s Phoebe, 2; Horned Lark, 3; California Jay, 2; Red-wing Blackbird, ro;
Western Meadowlark, 115; Brewer’s Blackbird, 65; California Purple Finch, 60;
Arkansas Goldfinch, 36; Lawrence’s Goldfinch, 2; Western Grasshopper Sparrow, 1;
Intermediate White-crowned Sparrow, 1,000; Bell’s Sparrow, 2; Rufus-crowned Spar-
row, 5; California Towhee, 35; California Shrike, 2; Audubon’s Warbler, 150; Town-
send Warbler, 1; Sage Thrasher, 1; Mockingbird, 6; California Thrasher, 8; Parkman’s
Wren, 6; Dwarf Hermit Thrush, 5; Bluebird, 32. Total, 28 species, 1,918 individuals.
Species last year 27, individuals 790 in same territory. Number species seen this year and
not last, 9. Species seen last year and not this, 8. Observations in 1400 acre City Park,
San Diego, Cal.—H. D. MEISTER.

Editorial an

Bird- Lore

A Bi-monthly Magazine
Devoted to the Study and Protection of Birds
OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE AUDUBON SOCIETIES

Edited by FRANK M. CHAPMAN
Published by THE MACMILLAN COMPANY

Vol. XI No. 1

Published February 1, 1909

SUBSCRIPTION RATES
Price in the United States, Canada and Mexico
twenty cents a number, one dollar a year, post-
age paid.

COPYRIGHTED, 1909, BY FRANK M. CHAPMAN

Bird-Lore’s Motto:
A Bird in the Bush ts Worth Two in the Hand

For the ornithologist the beginning of
the new year is in reality marked by the
arrival of the first bird from the South.
What an eloquent message of new life
it brings! Autumn passes imperceptibly
into winter; winter birds come before
autumn birds go, and the species of the
two seasons join and separate as gradu-
ally as do the seasons themselves. How
much less significance is attached to the
appearance of Junco or Creeper in Sep-
tember than to the arrival of the Robin
or Grackle in March! Yet the one as
surely indicates the death of the old year
as does the other the birth of the new.

Envy as we may the dweller south of
temperate climes, where the rigors of
winter and the comparative scantiness
of its feathered kind are unknown, he
misses much who has not suffered the
famine of winter to prepare him for the
feast of spring. For him no Robin chants
its lay of hope and good cheer; no swelling
Blackbird chorus oozes from the earth,
like the very essence of perpetual youth.

WirtH the coming of the birds, the com-
plexities of the ever-present problem of
their identification with field- or opera-
glass increases; and it is presented to the
editor of the natural history magazine in
a far more complicated form than to the
student. Let us state the difficulties of
our position and seek the forbearance
of our contributors. The news of the
presence of a bird beyond the normal
limits of its range becomes, when pub-
lished, what is termed a ‘record of occur-

rence.’ Such a record becomes a part of
the history of that species, always to be
included in its biography or in any com--
prehensive statement of its range.

A number of species owe their place in
our ‘Check-List’ of North American
birds on just such a record of occurrence;
while birds of, the Pacific coast have
found a place in the list of east coast birds,
or vice versa, on a single record of this.
kind. Such a record, then, becomes a
contribution, to our knowledge of the
distribution, even if exceptional, of that
species, in other words, a contribution to:
the science of ornithology. Now as an
acceptable contribution to science it
must have a scientific foundation. There-
must be no question as to the identity of
the bird in question; the evidence on
which the record is based must be of-
such a nature that it can be submitted’
to others when occasion requires. Such
occasion may arise during the lifetime of |
the recorder, or not until after his death;
but it can be met satisfactorily only by
the production of the specimen on which
the record was based.

The literature of ornithology is filled’
with fruitless discussions of the local
status of some species whose presence
here or there has been recorded on
insufficient evidence. To our mind noth-
ing is to be gained by the publication of
records of this kind. As the circumstances-
surrounding them become with time more
and more difficult to verify, so the records-
themselves become increasingly open
to question.

The field-glass student should not be
discouraged by this view of the case, but
should frankly accept the limitations of
his methods of study . There are two kinds
of ornithological research; one is based on
the study of specimens; the other on the
study of the living bird. The first requires
the use of the gun; the second, of the
glass; but in North America, at least,
there is far more to be learned with the
latter than with the former. It is of much
greater importance to add a new fact to
the biography of a species than an acci-
dental record of occurrence to its range.

The Audubon Docieties

SCHOOL DEPARTMENT

Edited by MABEL OSGOOD WRIGHT

Address all communications to the Editor of the School Department, National
Association of Audubon Societies, 141 Broadway, New York City

How Our Birds Spend the Winter

N the bird world there is supposed to be no class distinction, no rich, no

poor; all are equipped alike for the battle of life by instinct. Yet those of

us who have followed the lives of even a score of the most familiar birds
throughout the year must confess that they are made either hard or pleasant
by circumstances of birth very much like our own.

From our viewpoint in the middle and New England states, birds classify
themselves roughly in two groups,—the summer, and the permanent residents.
Pick half a dozen birds from each of these groups, consider their comings and
goings. You will presently see that neither among birds nor among men are all
born free and equal, and that the traveler on the wing is as much linked to law
and the potency of heredity as the wearer of shoes.

The birds that we know as summer residents, such as the Baltimore Oriole,
Scarlet Tanager, Bobolink, Barn Swallow, Wood Thrush and_ Rose-breasted
Grosbeak, really enjoy two summers, the same as they wear two changes of
clothing during the year.

When the spring impulse, let loose by melting snow, steals over the northern
hemisphere, it finds the birds that come to us for their home-making within
our borders, because it is the homestead of their tribe, already on the wing.
There are perils by land and sea in this journey, long flights and fastings
and buffetings; but when at last they arrive it is usually to find good mar-
keting and a roof-tree waiting.

Of course, there are sometimes ill-timed journeys, when winter has given
a false alarm of retreat and, coming back, locks up the larder, and the tired
wayfarers perish by the way,—but this is the exception, not the rule. Arriving
in their summer haunts, these birds have a period of ecstatic song and courtship
before settling down to the real labors of raising one, two, or sometimes, as
with the House Wrens, three broods.

After the breeding season comes a period of enforced rest, called the molting
time. While the nest-worn feathers are being changed, the birds at this season
are enervated and lacking the strength for long flight they mope and gossip (yes,
I’ve heard them, of this I’m positive) in well-leafed shade, all the while eating
well of the plenty of late summer; for August, the lazy month, is the time that
Nature has set apart for the feather-changing process.

(38)

i)

The Audubon Societies 39

Then follows two months or more of the social and community life, with the
excitement of flocking and the southward journey; and, when winter comes to us,
these summer birds are entering upon a second and tropical summer—a vaca-
tion season without care or responsibility, from which they will finally emerge
refreshed and provided with new spring garments for the return flight.

But what of the other birds, winter residents with us or wandering visitors
alike? Their summer cares are the same as those that fly before the frost that
they must face, compelled by a force outside of the region of their own will.

Take, for example, the Tree Sparrow, Downy Woodpecker, American
Goldfinch, the slender-billed Brown Creeper, the dainty Redpoll, and a score of
others, including the Ruffed Grouse and cheerful Bob-white. What is their
vacation season, and how is it spent? In what, if a similar condition existed
among human beings, would be considered a time of pinching economy akin to
famine, and the enduring of which not only patiently but cheerfully by men would
be called heroism. But as birds do not push trembling hands in our faces and
clamor for charity, we forget their needs, and they too often disappear, deprived
of natural food and shelter by the very march of the civilization of which we
are proud.

If they cannot speak for themselves, their friends should never cease to do it
for them in the same old words, winter after winter. “Do not clear away the
wild hedges—leave some shocks of corn in your field, scatter grain sweepings in
likely places, fasten suet to your orchard tree, and spread a lunch-counter under
your window out of the reach of cats! Do not use that irresponsible argument,
“There are never any birds in winter where I live;”’ for if there are none the
responsibility is yours for not aiding them to be there. For we are all keepers
of our brother, in one sense or another, and the larger brotherhood includes all
forms of sensate life. When we deliberately shirk responsibility we have ceased
to live in the best sense.

Remember, my friend, in February lies the stress of winter. It is not too
late, begin now, feed the hungry birds, and as you do it study the mystery of
their winter lives; for, as the bird song, of all music, sinks the deepest into the
heart of memory, even as the bird’s air-cleaving wing bears it the farthest
through that which to us is the unfathomable.—M. O. W.

THE MALLARD

By EDWARD HOWE FORBUSH

Che Mational Association of Audubon Societies
EDUCATIONAL LEAFLET NO. 36
(Issued also as Special Leaflet No. 19)

The Mallard is the wild duck par excellence. It is the progenitor of many
varieties of domesticated ducks, and probably exceeds in numbers of individuals.
any other species of duck, besides being one of the largest and handsomest of the
duck family. It is one of the best of all ducks on the table, and considering its.
numbers and quality it is regarded as of greater economic value than any other of
the wild ducks.

In North America the Mallard breeds normally over the-

Its Range northern half of the United States, west of Pennsylvania, includ--

ing Alaska, and in all the British Provinces west of the longitude

of Hudson Bay; also in Greenland. East of Hudson Bay and throughout New

England and the Middle Atlantic States its place is taken largely by the Black.

Duck. It breeds very rarely, if at all, in this region; but its breeding range in.
the far West extends south to New Mexico and lower California. ;

The Mallard remains in the North until the ponds and rivers freeze, when it.
begins its southward journey. It migrates mainly north and south. The vast ma-.
jority of the Mallards spend the winter in the Gulf States, in northern Mexico:
and along the Pacific coast. But some go southeast in autumn, reaching southern:
New England and the Atlantic seaboard.

The Mallard requires special protection, for it is not usually
so prolific nor so sagacious in keeping out of danger as is its.
eastern prototype, the Black Duck. Its nest is usually placed on
the ground near a marsh or in a tussock of grass, and more rarely among the:
bushes on some near-by hillside. It is composed mainly of coarse grasses and.
weeds and often lined with down from the mother’s breast. The large, smooth
eggs are dirty greenish white, bluish white, pale cream, buff, yellowish drab, “or
some similar dingy color,” and vary ordinarily from six to ten in number (Hatch
states that in Minnesota the Mallard deposits from ten to twelve eggs). The:
young when hatched soon take to the water where they are watched over and.
defended by the female.

Its Nest and
Eggs

ina Wood and Like all fresh-water ducks the Mallard is largely a vegetarian,.
Economic but it prefers soft, succulent vegetable matter when such is to be
Value found, and probably cannot thrive without a considerable ration

of animal food as well, of which all our wild ducks are fond. This bird becomes of
considerable economic value to the farmer at times because of the nature of its food.
It sometimes attacks sprouting or ripened grain, but like most fresh-water fowl
it is undoubtedly of service in destroying such insects as the locusts and army

(40)

Gian Brooks -

MALLARD

Family — ANATIDA
Species—BoscuHas

Order —ANSERES

Genus—Anas

a‘ Te Oe A ge eee ae ee

. + sath a apni Ms \ ie a aS

c

*
-
t

4 Vw ise

‘ ete ya]
: ctr ative, oot Ree *
Hh bas 96) # y
; ' Lot AB ee
| sug a
nich Ae
Use that. VE nh vance ;
i pt ies Hhshs tage lotr * eda
7 + ti Lae digecadt ledghal Shinty ae
aieddeitenn TMi pyut-tiped serail We iw iT sels te 5
Oa vith! rec eee me brig
ei co dene reroll
“e nomial Te
sai : : ‘hitless mon Tyre ey ae
! ’ (rete. hy Ayes 5 )
(i f i iver? tages fot “ny eett toot
4 ; aad, Tae ‘bets Mared SEE
* rived CT i me St28 vichacr Sn e* jos ao
isthe hg rl We niyenle) 00 es clase 0h tee
new le cael mowteg lly ccabty wlan of aiutay rea
ears 300 tall hokey oe hae Ps mp 4
bo fons Crm eat? Sh aehy alana y highest tt at
+ aur} wnkS ud yigcaiins hoe le
|

-

The Mallard 41

~worms which sometimes become serious pests. Professor Aughey found in the stom-
-achs of ten Mallards, taken in Nebraska, 244 locusts and 260 other insects, besides

mollusks and other aquatic food. Examination of 126 stomachs of the Mallard
made at the Biological Survey revealed 17 per cent animal-matter food and 83
per cent vegetable. The most important items of the animal food found were
-dragon-fly nymphs, fly larve, grasshoppers, aquatic beetles, and hemiptera.
Bivalve and univalve mollusks are consumed in numbers, and earth-worms and

crustaceans also are devoured. The principal elements of the vegetable food are

‘seeds of smartweeds (Polygonum), seeds and tubers of pondweed (Potamogeton)

.and of sedges. Other items of importance are the seeds of wild rice (Zizania)

.and other grasses, of burhead (Sparganium), hornwort (Ceratophyllum), water
lily (Brasenia), and widgeon grass (Ruppia). A great many vegetable sub-
stances of less importance are included in the Mallard’s diet, of which the follow-
ing are worthy of note: Wild celery, alge, roots of arrowhead (Sagittaria),
fruits, such as grapes, dogwood, sour gum, and bayberries, and the seeds of such
‘small aquatic plants as millweed (Myriophyllum), horned pondweed (Zannt-

-chellia) and mermaid-weed (Proserpinaca).

Mallards and other wild ducks are of much service to the rice planters of the
south, for they feed largely on the crayfish, which injure the dikes and levees, and

-on the volunteer or red rice which they glean in the fields after the harvest, and

which if left to grow produces the red rice so deleterious to the crop. The Mallard
is of great value to the country as a means of food supply alone. Undoubtedly
the annual sum received for Mallards in the markets of the United States would
Tun into very large figures.

The Mallard was found in such numbers during the early
settlement of the West that a skilled gunner equipped with modern
weapons might have killed hundreds in a day. It bred with other
wild ducks about all the prairie sloughs of the north, and its eggs and flesh formed
a considerable part of the food of Indians, half-breeds and settlers. It was abund-
ant as a breeding bird in the early days through a large part of the Middle West
and in all the Western Canadian Provinces.

Within the past forty years there has been a tremendous decrease in the annual
flight of Mallards and other fresh-water ducks that winter in the south.

Reports from various localities indicate that the numbers of

Its Decrease birds have decreased from 50 to go per cent; but large flights of

wild fowl from the vast regions of the north still crowd into the

unfrozen waters of the Gulf and South Atlantic States in winter. Therefore, the

decrease there is not so noticeable as it is on the breeding range in the north.

Mr. Henry Oldys, of the Bureau of Biological Survey, says that wild fowl are now

becoming so scarce along the west coast of Hudson Bay where there are no moose,

caribou are few and the fishing is poor, that the few people living there who

have always depended largely on the birds they could pack away in the fall
find it difficult to get food enough to carry them through the winter.

Its Former
Abundance

42 Bird - Lore

When the Mallard begins to decrease preceptibly on the northern breeding
grounds it is time to inquire the cause of such depletion.

Prof. W. W. Cooke of the Biological Survey gives as the
principal causes of the diminished numbers of water-fowl, market
hunting, spring shooting, and the destruction of the breeding
grounds for farming purposes. The great prairies of the West and Northwest,
where the Mallard formerly bred in immense numbers, have been settled and put
under the plow. Marshes and sloughs have been drained and used as pastures.

Causes of
Depletion

This agricultural occupation and improvement of the land, which has broken
up the breeding grounds from Arkansas to Athabaska, has been accompanied
by unlimited destruction of the birds for food and other purposes. Thus hunting,
particularly the spring shooting, has driven the birds out of the United States and
away from settled lands to the far north, greatly reducing their breeding area
and their opportunities for reproduction. Looked at from the standpoint of the
present day, the waste of bird life in the last century was appalling. Hundreds
of tons of ducks were killed in the South and West for their feathers by negroes,
Indians, half-breeds and whites and the bodies thrown away.

Unrestricted market hunting was carried on also for many years and is still
continued in some regions. Prof. W. W. Cooke, of the Biological Survey, avers that
even as late as the winter of 1893-94 a single gunner at Big Lake, Arkansas, sold
8,000 Mallards, and 120,c00 were sent to market during that season, from that
place alone. Sportsmen deceived by the apparently inexhaustible numbers of
wild fowl destroyed great numbers.

Mr. W. L. Finley who has recently (1908) explored Malheur Lake, Oregon,
says that formerly, when the wild fowl were very numerous there, a party of
hunters could easily secure a wagon-load in a short time. On their return to town
the wagon was generally stopped on the corner of some street and passers-by
were allowed to help themselves as long as the supply lasted. One sportsman in
Minnesota boasted of having killed upward of 1,000 Mallards in a single fall.

Notwithstanding the decrease of the birds, modern guns and methods now
render the gunner more destructive than ever before. In 1900 I visited a gunning
preserve in Florida where northern sportsmen were shooting ducks by the hun-
dred and giving them away to their friends and to settlers.

One of these gentlemen armed with repeating guns and supplied with a man
to load and others to drive the birds to his decoys is said to have killed on a wager
over one hundred ducks in less than two hours. Even within the last two years
reports of reliable observers on the Gulf coast aver that market hunters there
have been killing too birds each per day.

The Houston (Texas) Post of January 29, 1908, asserted that during the previ-,
ous week five citizens while hunting came upon a small lake into which the fowl
were flocking in great numbers. Using their repeating guns and acting by a
praerranged signal they flushed the game, emptied their guns and gathered 107
killed, not counting the wounded and missing. The birds were mainly Mallards.

—— ee ne ee ee

ee eS ee ee ee ee ee eee ee ec ee

The Mallard 43

These recent instances will serve to show the danger that now menaces
American wild fowl by reason of the vast and increasing number of hunters and
the improvements in ammunition and firearms.

If spring shooting, market hunting, cold storage and the

The Remedy breaking up of the breeding grounds have so greatly decreased
the numbers of ducks in the last forty years what will be the result

at the end of the next half century if with our improved firearms and means of
transportation the past policy is continued? In that case certainly, in fifty years
more there will be practically no wild ducks left in North America. The settle-
ment of the land and the extension of agricultural enterprises—including the

WILD AS PETS
Photographed on Lake Worth, Fla.

draining of marshes and sloughs—will go on; it cannot be stopped. Experience
shows that the number of hunters will continue to increase with the increase of
population. How then can the extermination of the birds be checked? Market
hunting can be stopped by prohibiting the sale of the birds. Let duck shooting be
limited by law to the fall months, and the month of December. Every reason that
can be given for prohibiting the killing of upland game-birds after January 1
will apply to wild fowl as well. With such laws well enforced, and with spring
shooting stopped, the birds will come back to breed in every favorable spot,
as they have done in states where spring shooting and sale are now pro-
hibited. Even a single limited locality soon feels the benefit of the prohibition
of shooting. At Titusville, Florida, where no shooting is allowed near the hotel
and wharves the wild ducks from the river become so tame that they swim

44 Bird - Lore

-about among the boats like domesticated fowl, and will even come out on the
lawn near the hotel. These same ducks when out on the river beyond the “dead
line’? are as wild as the wildest. At Lake Worth, Florida, the same conditions
prevail, and the Scaup ducks swimming in the lake become so confiding that they
may be fed from the hand. In the ponds of the Middlesex Fells Reservation near
Boston, Mass., where gunning is prohibited, the Black Ducks have greatly in-
-creased and some now nest in the vicinity of Boston. When the state of New York
first prohibited spring shooting, breeding Black Ducks were rare on Fisher’s
Island. A few years later there was good shooting on the island each fall because

-of the ducks that were reared there. Dr. Shaw, who was rearing wild ducks near
New Bedford, Mass., asked the farmers near his place to post their land and pre-
vent shooting as a means of protecting his ducks from poachers. This was done,

_and within two years wild black ducks began breeding on the farms all about.

When spring shooting is prohibited by law in any state, and this provision

-enforced, ducks that were formerly driven to Canada to breed soon begin to

-come back and occupy their old breeding grounds. This has occurred in New
York, Connecticut, Minnesota and other states. If all the states will enact laws
prohibiting late winter and spring shooting the wild fowl now driven out from
their greater breeding grounds by the occupation of the land will find smaller
nesting places scattered all over the northern part of the country and the
perpetuation of all species will be assured.

Wild Ducks in Relation to Rice Culture

It is now proposed by certain people in Texas to remove the legal restrictions to
the killing of wild fowl that the extermination of the birds may proceed unham-
pered: The reason given is that the wild ducks are destroying the rice crops. Let
us consider this proposition from the standpoint of dollars and cents. To begin
with, as the matter now stands and under the present statutory restrictions, there is
no doubt that the wild fowl now killed in the great state of Texas represent a food
product worth a very large sum to her people annually. If any one doubts this
let him scan the statements so often published in the press of Texas regarding
the numbers of ducks killed in one day by single individuals or by parties of
gunners. It is a well-known fact that, at points along the southern coast, certain
market hunters have been killing, on an average, one hundred ducks per day each.
It is impossible to get exact figures regarding the numbers of ducks and geese
killed in any state, but we now have a means of closely approximating the number
of hunters. In those states that have hunting license laws for residents we find
that, on the average, 3 per cent of the population take out hunting licenses. This

does not include the entire hunting population as the farmer hunting on his own
land is exempted. By the census of 1900 the population of Texas is given at
1,578,900. Assuming that only 3 per cent of these are hunters we have 43,367

;
.

Wild Ducks in Relation to Rice Culture 45

hunters in the state in the year 1900 and there has been a large increase in popu-
lation since that year. If these hunters should each kill but ten ducks or geese
in a year, 473,070 ducks and geese would be killed annually, and when we con-
sider that there are hunters who kill thousands of birds each in a year the value
of this natural resource—this food supply—to the state can hardly be estimated.
Do the farmers of Texas purpose to exterminate birds that are bringing in
such an annual revenue to the state, merely because the birds have eaten a few
thousand dollars worth of rice left neglected in shocks in the fields? Let the birds
be once exterminated and the farmers will begin breeding domesticated ducks
for food. Will they kill those ducks because they are obliged to feed them grain ?
Moreover it is evident, when the situation is understood, that the damage to
crops is only partially due to birds. The Texas Press of January, 1908, contains
many references to the injury done by wild fowl to the crop in the rice-belt and
there seems to be a disposition now to attribute to the birds all the loss sustained
by the planters. It seems to have been forgotten that the main injury to the rice
crop of 1907 was not due to birds but to the heavy rains which, early in the season,
beat upon the unstacked rice left in the flooded fields, prevented early harvesting
and destroyed a great part of the crop. In ‘Rice Industry”? for November 1,
1907, we find it stated editorially that the continued spell of rainy and damp
weather which had at that time lasted almost continually since about the middle
of September materially interfered with the harvesting of the rice crop over a
large section. Again on another page in the same issue, it is stated that the prin-
cipal damage is done to rice in shocks lying in the fields, and that the warm moist
weather had caused much of this to sprout. In the December (1907) number of the
same journal the Secretary of the Texas Rice Farmers’ Association says ‘‘ weather
conditions are such that 50 per cent of the rice yet to thresh will be almost a total
loss,”’ and that all of it is in such bad condition that it will not keep in sacks.
On another page a letter from New Orleans dated November 22, states that,
owing to heavy rains throughout the rice-belt, rice in shocks is in a deplorable
condition, rotten and floating. Similar returns coming from a large part of the
rice-belt prove conclusively that the ducks were not the primary cause of injury.
No doubt great numbers of ducks were attracted to the rice fields near the coast
by the unusual quantity of damaged rice remaining in the fields—some of it
already abandoned—and undoubtedly they helped to complete the ruin of this
part of the crop; but under ordinary conditions, when the rice is early harvested
and properly cared for, the ducks will do very little injury to the crop, and under
such conditions they may be counted among the best friends of the rice-planter.

WILD DUCKS THE FRIENDS OF THE FARMER

In ordinary seasons any farmer who has not sown more rice than he can take
care of can get it harvested and properly stacked in good weather early in the
season. It is then practically safe from rain and birds. Rice, even if left in shocks

46 Bird -Lore

in the fields, is fairly safe from the ducks until the Mallards and Sprig-tails begin
to come in numbers in November and December.

When the rice farmers shall have secured better drainage for their fields,
their crops will be larger and the fields will be in much better condition for har-
vesting during a wet season. Prominent growers are advocating stacking rice
as a means of protection. Mr. S. Locke Breaux writes to “Rice Industry” on
December 20, 1907, “ When you have the conditions of weather that have existed

a man will have to stack his stuff, and, if it is properly stacked the weather
is not going to hurt it much and certainly the birds and hogs won’t hurt it at all.”

en

A WILD DUCK PRESERVE

Messrs. Frank Bond and George H. Keeney, irrigation experts, state in Bul-
letin No. 113 of the United States Department of Agriculture that observant
rice-growers who have watched the wild fowl and measured the extent of their
depredations state that good rice farming and intelligent handling of the crops
after reaping will place the birds wholly on the beneficial list.

Wild ducks are the most useful of all birds to the rice farmers because they
are the most industrious gleaners of the volunteer red rice which otherwise seeds
down the fields to the great injury of the coming rice crop. Rice that scatters
from the heads during harvesting is believed by many persons to produce red
rice, but the Louisiana station has proved that the red rice is a distinct variety.
There is usually more or less of this red rice in the field, the grain shatters out
readily and where there are not birds enough to clean it up, large quantities
spring up and grow. Where this is the case, this worthless grain may take such

Wild Ducks in Relation to Rice Culture 47

a hold on the ground as to require the burning of whole fields to eradicate it.
In any case the amount of red rice that is found mixed with the rest after thresh-
ing has a great deal to do with the price received, hence the services of the ducks
are worth many thousands of dollars annually to the rice farmers.

Wild ducks, particularly Mallards, are also useful to the planter by destroying
crayfish and the young of snakes, both of which, particularly the crayfish, burrow
in and thus injure the levees making continual repairs necessary.

Mr. Brewster, of the Bureau of the Biological Survey, United States Depart-
ment of Agriculture writes that in ordinary years the rice crop is harvested and
out of the way before the water-fowl arrive there in the fall. Occasionally a back-
ward season delays harvesting and allows the wild fowl to arrive before it is com-
plete; but the good they do in other years by destroying the red rice far more than
compensates for the harm done in the exceptional years.

He states that men who have been engaged in market hunting near High
Island, Texas, for fifteen years assure him that the number of ducks of all varie-
ties, except perhaps the teal, have decreased fully 50 per cent. Where ducks
have decreased so markedly in numbers in such a brief period the present laws
particularly the bag limit should be kept on the statute books and the law should
be rigidly enforced.

The game laws of Texas do not yet give wild fowl adequate protection. Spring
shooting, now forbidden by law in many states is not prohibited here. The annul-
ment of the present bag limit and the restrictions on the sale of game would result
in the ultimate destruction of this bounteous annual food supply—this natural
asset of the great state of Texas.

CRAYFISH. INJURES DIKES AND LEVEES.
Eaten freely by Wild Ducks

The Audubon Hocicties
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT

Edited by WILLIAM DUTCHER

Address all correspondence, and send all remittances for dues and contributions. to
the National Association of Audubon Societies, 141 Broadway, New York City

National Conservation Commission

One of the most important meetings
ever this
called by President Roosevelt last spring,

held in was the one

country
when he invited the governors of the sev-
eral states to meet in Washington to con-
sider the best methods of conserving the
natural resources of the country.

The outgrowth of the meeting was the
of the National Conservation
Commission, under the leadership of Mr.
Gifford Pinchot, Chief Forester of the
United States.

Recently Mr. Pinchot asked the Na-

formation

tional Association to appoint a committee
of five of its members to take charge of
wild bird and animal protection in the
United States as a sub-committee to co-
operate with the Commission.

The Committee is as follows: Edward
Howe Forbush, Chairman; Dr. Theodore
S. Palmer, Frank Chapman, William
Dutcher, T. Gilbert Pearson, Secretary.

The first work proposed by the sub-
committee will be to prepare a report blank
to send broadcast throughout the United
States, in order to get an approximate
census of the birds of the country, especi-
ally game birds, and a second line of in-
vestigation will be to discover the number
of game birds and animals killed each
year by sportsmen.

When the Committee is prepared to
make a preliminary report on these two
subjects, the matter of bird and game
protection can be placed upon a much
more scientific basis than the present
knowledge of the subject permits.

The
of every member of the Association, as
well as every reader of Birp-Lorg, all

Committee will welcome the aid

the sportsmen of the United States, and

all others interested in wild birds and

animals.

State Audubon Reports

SoutH CArRroLtInA.—The Audubon So-
ciety, of South Carolina, was chartered by
the General Assembly, 1907. Organized
with election of the following officers:
B. F. Taylor, Columbia, S. C., president;
James Henry Rice, Jr., Spartanburg,
secretary, and a full board of directors.
The treasurer, A. R. Heyward, Jr., Colum-
bia, was appointed by the governor.

Work began on April 23, when the sec-
retary went on the road to secure mem-
bers and to work up interest among the
people. The year 1907 closed with fairly
satisfactory results, but no action
taken on the society’s bills, introduced
into the General Assembly which con-
vened in January.

The society had no means of raising
revenue except from membership fees,
save a small amount, about two thousand
dollars, that was realized from a non-

was

resident license.

During the year, however, the work has
been pushed with vigor and determination,
the secretary having spent the entire year
in the field. One hundred and six wardens
are now working, most of them doing satis-
factory work.

The secretary
in every quarter of the state, and has
aroused acute interest in the subject of
He is also an

has. delivered lectures

bird and game protection.
active warden, and has made many arrests
and secured a number of convictions.
At the same time President Taylor, who
is a business man, with headquarters at
Columbia, devoted a great deal of his
time to spreading the propaganda of bird

(48)

es

The Audubon Societies 49

protection. He prepared and had pub-
lished the laws of the state, and has fur-
nished many articles to the press on the
subject of birds, game and fish; for the
General Assembly has added to the usual
burden by giving control of non-migra-
tory fish to the Audubon Society.

From the beginning of the year, the
secretary has kept up a series of articles
in the daily and weekly newspapers of the
state, treating at length almost every
phase of the question, and educating the
people to a higher knowledge of the value
of bird life. This campaign is still being
kept up.

The society has now a regular member-
ship. of 500, and is growing fast.

GENERAL CONDITION

When the Audubon Society took charge,
there had never been any concerted at-
tempt to enforce the game and fish laws,
although two years before (1905) the
American Ornithologists Union law had
been adopted.

Up to a few years ago the state was com-
posed of large plantations, and this is
still the rule over much of its area. The
state has an area of some 30,000 square
miles, or a little less than 20,000,000 acres.
Of this, probably not exceding 5,000,000
acres are under cultivation, the rest being
wild land, acres
Tiver swamp.

From early days South Carolina has had
a variety and an abundance of birds, game
and fish, natural fastness preventing their
extermination. Within recent years, with
the introduction of rapid-fire guns, and
the propensity of the negro to slaughter
anything with fur or feathers on it, vast
inroads have been made on the game and
on the birds. This condition accentuates
the need for protection.

Deer exist only in a few counties and
on the private preserves or in a few large
swamps; same of bear. Doves have been
slaughtered ruthlessly by northern visi-
tors to Aiken and Camden, and by native
gunners; sometimes several thousand are
bagged in a day by one party of gunners.

The Dove now has no protection, being

several million being

listed as a game bird but having no closed
season. Turkeys have been increasing,
owing to the disappearance of their chief
enemy, the wild cat, but the disastrous
freshet of the present summer decimated
young turkeys. Deer also suffered by
being out on the uplands, where they fell
easy victims to prowlers with shotguns.
A case is authentic where a fifteen-year
old boy killed thirteen deer in a day, on an
island in one of the rivers where the ani-
mals had taken refuge from high water.
Up to last winter the sale of game birds
went on without check in every part of the
state, more than ten thousand (10,000)
Partridges (Quail) being found in cold
storage at three hotels, in Aiken county,
within ten days. This has now been
stopped, and the sale of game birds.is rare
and always done under cover.
Nonpareils, Cardinals, Bluebirds, and
other non-game birds have been shipped
out of the state in quantities; but this has
also been stopped. The Southern Express
Company, and the various railroads, have
lent assistance in stopping the traffic in
game and in non-game birds.
Reports from over fifty (50) wardens
show a decided improvement in all lines.
At least two rookeries of Snowy Herons
have been located and reported.
Without being able to give a full de-
tailed report of convictions, several hun-
dred have been secured. The offenses
were (a) violation of fish laws, and these
were most numerous; (0) violations of
laws for protection of non-game birds;
(c) violations of game laws.

ANNUAL MEETING AND RECOMMENDATIONS

The society held its annual meeting
in Columbia, in the chapel of the Univer-
sity of South Carolina, on October 28.
All the old officers were reélected but a new
board of directors was chosen.

The society passed a resolution favoring
the naming of a state fish and game
commissioner, to have active charge of
wardens and to relieve the society of this
burden. The society also favored a resi-
dent hunter’s license of one dollar.

The work is being actively maintained,

50

and the full annual report will be issued
about December 15, and may be had from
the secretary.— JAMES HENRY RICE, JR.,
Secretary, 336 Pine Street, Spartanburg,
ee
Missouri.—Again Missouri is com-
pelled to report little achievement, but
much encouragement. Missouri has re-
sponded very faintly to all efforts to arouse
a sentiment for protecting her wild life,
owing to her unfortunate position of having
departments
effort
We

have endeavored to arouse interest, but

legislative and _ executive

completely antagonistical to all

toward protection or conservation.

have succeeded only in getting the press
interested. This will no doubt be a wonder-
ful help in the future, as the entire press
of the state is now advocating new and
But we feel that Missouri
will soon be able to report more progress

proper laws.

for the Audubon movement than any other
state.

We have just elected as governor Mr.
Herbert S. Hadley, and he is an ardent
advocate of protection to wild life and the
natural
It is the first time in her history that Mis-
souri has had at her helm an educated,

conservation of our resources.

liberal-minded statesman, who recognizes
the needs of the state and her people. With
the aid of Governor Hadley and the press,
we shall probably induce our new legis-
lature to pass a new and much-needed
law, thus wiping out the shameful legacy
of our last administration.

the Park Board of
Kansas City to issue an order that all

We have gotten

their employees, including policemen and
street sweepers, must be able to pass
an examination on the subject of birds
and their relation to man and agricul-
ture.

We have agreed to furnish free to
the park board a sufficient number of
bound volumes to enable them to teach
this subject to their employees. We
intend to bind up pamphlets of the De-
partment of Agriculture and National
Association in book form.—H. R.
WALMSLEY, President.

Bird - Lore

Audubon Warden Murdered

L. P. Reeves, who was a faithful em-
ployee of the South Carolina Audubon
Society, was brutally murdered about
the middle of September.

He was shot from ambush by an assas-
sin concealed by the roadside only a few
feet away. It was just after dark, and
Reeves, who was a young and prosperous
farmer, was returning home from carry-*
ing hands from the fields to their houses.
He was shot with a full charge of buck-
shot, both wads and shot being found in
and on the body, which was carried by
his mules to Reeves’ premises, where he
was later discovered.

The assassin had gone down a small
branch of about fifty yards, mounted a
mule and rode away. Bloodhounds were
sent down at once from Columbia, but
would not trail the mule and thus the trail
was lost in the public highway.

The morning of the same day Reeves
was shot, two men bought buckshot shells
at St. George, about seven miles away;
they had repeatedly made threats against
Reeves, and this can be proved. Both are
notorious fish-pirates.

These men had been warned by Reeves
and threatened with prosecution, and they
had resented it bitterly.

Governor Ansel has offered a reward’
of $500, but he has not employed a detec--
tive. This should be done, and it would
be done, but we have no funds at present
for such a purpose and are staggering
under the burden of enforcing the laws.

The situation has been placed before
the governor strongly, and he has been
advised to use certain men in ferreting
out this crime; this should be done for
the honor of the state.

The Audubon people are very much
stirred over this murder, and if the assassin
is caught he will be hanged.

The whole case is known to several
people, and if a detective went in there,
he would find out enough in short order
to hang somebody. Branchville has long
been headquarters for a nest of criminals—
about eight in all. They have committed

a a eS

The Audubon Societies 51

several murders, have robbed trains and
otherwise made a reign of terror in that
locality. The people of the community
lack courage to take the initiative in wiping
them out. That is about all we know at
present, but we may know more later.—
James Henry RIcE, Jr., Secretary.

Third Audubon Warden Murdered

Mr. Columbus G. McLeod, of Placida,
Florida, who had charge of the birds

case has been secured, as the body has
not been found. The Association boat
was discovered sunk, and to keep it down
two heavy sacks of sand had been fastened
under the thwarts. In the boat was dis-
covered the warden’s hat with two long
gashes in the crown, which had evidently
been cut with an axe. In the cuts were
bits of hair and considerable blood,
and there was also blood found in the
boat. It is supposed that the body of the
warden was sunk in the boat, but after-

HOME OF WARDEN McLEOD, NO
breeding at the north end of Charlotte
Harbor, and especially the large colony
on Devil Fish Key, is supposed to have
been murdered on November 30. Mr.
McLeod was a man nearly sixty years of
age, a bachelor, who had long been a
resident of the locality in which he lived,
and was, from all accounts, deeply inter-
ested in birds, in addition to his being
one of our most reliable wardens. The
Association had furnished him with Patrol
Boat No. 5.

Very littl information regarding this

RTH END CHARLOTTE HARBOR, FLA.

ward floated out and carried to sea by
the tides, which are very strong in that
part of Charlotte Harbor, and it is un-
likely that his body will ever be found,
as it is probable that it was devoured by
sharks and other flesh-eating fish.

It is not known certainly whether the
warden was killed because of his bird-
protection work, or for some other reason,
although it is surmised that robbery was
not the cause, as the contents of his house
were not disturbed.

This Association has spent thousands

wn
nN

of dollars in trying to preserve the birds of
Florida without any seeming result, as
there are far less plume birds in the state
than there were when warden Guy Brad-
ley was appointed. As we have already

lost two wardens by violent deaths, it

does not seem as though the Association
were warranted in appointing any further
wardens, especially on the west coast,
for the present at least; certainly not until

the citizens of Florida awake to the value

Bird- Lore

“In view of the limited time since the
establishment of the reservation, bird-life
within its confines appears to have had a
remarkable increase; Pelicans and Gulls
are more numerous than for many years
and the increase in-numbers of the Blue
and Louisiana Heron is already apparent.
There are also many large birds which
Mr. Pacetti calls the Wood Ibis. The
usual fall shooting about the inlet which
has been indulged in for years by guests

WARDEN
of birds as an asset of the state, and estab-
lish a Game Commission in order to see
that the bird and game laws are enforced.

Mosquito Inlet Reservation

“J have just returned from a trip over
the reservation made with Captain Pacetti,
and

am much gratified with conditions

prevailing there. Very good order exists,
there being practically no shooting, and
the fact that the Government is in control
calls forth the respect of people generally.

COLUMBUS G.

McLEOD

of the hotels was entirely discontinued
this year, the guests devoting themselves
to fishing or going south to Mosquito
This has saved a great many
birds throughout the reservation, due to

Lagoon.

warnings and watchfulness of Warden
Pacetti.
“On our trip down in the launch,

Monday, three of the large signs were
placed, one on the high sand-bar near
the inlet, the next at a bend in the Hills-
brough River nearly opposite Mr. Sams’
Hotel, New Smyrna, and one at the south-

EE EE

The Audubon Societies 53

Bie oe
WE Waist BA Qe Bae eK
§ YEAS \\ WASSS Se
mw 8 J PACETTI

ern limit near Hawks Park. This sign
is On an oyster bar near a heavy growth
of mangrove brushes (now nearly trees),
beyond which is an immense area of
marsh grass subject to tidal overflow.
The mangroves were alive with aquatic
birds, principally Great Blue and other
Herons, which arose with alarming cries
at our intrusion. This sign is close to the
main channel and easily seen by any one
passing up or down the river, which is
here very tortuous and requires an ex-
perienced pilot. The large sign set on the
Inner shoal about 1,000 feet inside and
west of the ocean last spring, by Captain
Pacetti and myself, was carried away in
October by a gale and heavy seas with
cross tide, which at this point runs like a
mill-race. It was set on a heavy yellow
pine upright, 6 x 6, painted white and set
into the sand to a depth of four feet, but
was completely undermined. Two of the
large new signs were set on Monday; one
at Live Oak Point and the other at Little
Pelican Island, the northern limit of the
reservation.’”’—GEORGE N. CHAMBERLIN.

Foreign Relations

The president of the Association atten-
ded the International Fisheries Congress,

RESERVATION
DEPARTMENT OF AGRIGULTURE
ESTABLISHED BY EXECUTIVE ORDER

Javadi Porallea ce Ve Roos YAMON,

Risens Gang, Yo Awad anat

ne Wardo an shag

JAMES WILSON.

Sey af dlyouilins

WARDEN B. T. PACETTI AT LEFT OF PICTURE

“WASHINGTON, 0

lately held in Washington, D. C., and while
there met many delegates from foreign
countries and took the occasion to present
to them the subject of bird protection,
with the ultimate view of forming an
International Bird Protection Society, an
organization that is much needed at the
present time in order to encourage co-
operation between the great world poweis
and an agreement to prohibit the export or
import of the plumage of wild birds from
one country to another.

Among the delegates present who be-
came very much interested in the subject
were those from China and Japan. Dr.
Yen, one of the delegates from China,
asked for all of our ‘literature, in order that
it might be forwarded to his home govern-
ment.

Imperial Chinese Legation

Washington, October 16, 1go8.
“William Dutcher, Esq., President,
National Association of Audubon So-

cieties, 141 Broadway, New York.
“My DrEaR Dr. DutcHer: I
you for your courtesy in sending me a
complete set of your educational leaflets
together with your last annual report and

thank

a copy of your organ, Birp-LoRE, the
perusal of all of which has afforded me

54 Bird- Lore

I have forwarded all
the leaflets and pamphlets in question
to our Ministry of Agriculture, Works and
Commerce, in Peking, and I have no
doubt it will take into consideration
the numerous questions relating to the
protection of wild birds and animals so
thoroughly discussed in them.

“Assuring you of my sympathy in the
work of your association.

great satisfaction.

Very truly yours,
WEICHING W. YEN.”

Japan

The educational and other publications
of the Association were also sent, at the
request of the Japanese delegates, to Dr.
I. Ijima, Sci. Coll. Imp. Univ., Tokyo.

Tokyo, November 10, 1908.
“My Dear Sir: I beg to acknowledge
the receipt of the publications of the
. National Association of Audubon Societies.
Please accept my best thanks for them.
I dare say the issuing of such useful papers
should be imitated in this country. I
expect they will be of great use to me in
many respects, and shall be exceedingly
obliged if you will favor we with further
donation in case you happen to issue papers
of the kind in the future. I am,
Yours respectfully,
Dr. I. Ijima.
Sci. Coll. Imp. Univ. Tokyo.”

Recently four Japanese plume-hunters
were found upon one of the American
Pacific Islands, contrary to the agreement
made by Japan with the United States,
details of which may be found in Brrp-
Lore. (Vol. 7, pp.301-303.)

The schooner Kioko Maru, which left
the plume hunters upon Lee Hermes
Island, about eighty miles southeast of
Midway Island, was never heard of after
her departure, and it is supposed that
during one of the terrific Pacific storms
she foundered. During this same storm,
huge seas swept over the island, which is
a very low one, and the provisions and
supplies left to the marooned men were
lost. The hunters subsisted, while on the
island, on such fish and sea birds as they

could capture, although one of them,
Fukumatsu Sujiyama, succumbed as a
result of exposure. The three survivors
were taken off by the United States
steamer Flaurence Ward and were carried
to Honolulu.

This violation of the agreement regard-
ing the American Bird Islands in the
Pacific has been reported by our Honolulu
representative, Mr. William Alanson
Bryan, to the State Department at Wash-
ington, who will probably call the atten-
tion of the Japanese Government to the
matter.

Recently the secretary of the Washing-
ton Audubon Society, Mr. Rief, discovered
in Seattle birds partially prepared for
millinery ornaments. These were all
seized, and on investigation, were found to
have come from Japan. The birds were
species of Thrushes, Finches, Bulbulls and
Wagtails, with some few shore-birds.

This matter has been called to the atten-
tion of Baron Takahira, Imperial Japanese
Embassador, who has asked for a full
report upon the matter, in order that he
might present same to his home govern-
ment, with the suggestion that such birds
were of vastly more value to Japan while
they were alive than the pittance that
might be received for them after they were
dead and were converted into millinery
ornaments.

Legislation

It is gratifying to be able to announce
that the Hon. John W. Weeks, of Massa-
chusetts, introduced, on December §8,
in the House of Representatives, bill
known as ‘‘H. R. 22888’, which reads as
follows:

“A Britt to protect migratory game
birds of the United States.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House
of Representatives of the United States
of America in Congress assembled, that
all wild geese, wild swans, brant, wild
ducks, snipe, plover, woodcock, rail, wild
pigeons, and all other migratory game
birds which, in their northern and southern
migrations, pass through or do not remain

uvdef Jo sjsoioJUy [eIn}[NoWsy 24) 01 sso[ Y
NOLONIHSVM ‘ATLLVaAS NI LNAWNHSITAVLSA AYMANITTIIN V NI CaZzius

56 Bird - Lore

permanently the entire year within the
borders of any state or territory, shall
within the
custody and protection of the government
of the United States,
destroyed or taken contrary to regulations

hereafter be deemed to be

and shall not be

hereinafter provided for.

“Sec. 2. That the Department of-Agri-
culture is hereby authorized to adopt suit-
effect to the

previous section by prescribing and fixing

able regulations to give
closed seasons, having due regard to the
zones of temperature, breeding habits, and
times and line of migratory flight, thereby
enabling the department to select and
designate suitable districts for different
portions of the country, within which said
closed seasons it shall not be lawful to
shoot or by any device kill or seize and
capture migratory birds within the pro-
tection of this law, and by declaring penal-
ties by fine or imprisonment, or both, for
violations of such regulations.

“Sec. 3. That the Department of Agri-
culture, after the preparation of said regu-
lations, shall cause the same to be made
public, and shall allow a period of three
months in which said regulations may
be examined and considered before final
adoption, permitting, when deemed proper
public hearings thereon, and after final
adoption to cause same to be engrossed
and submitted to the President of the
United States for approval: Provided,
however, That nothing herein contained
shall be deemed to affect or interfere with
the local laws of the states and territories
for the protection of game _ localized
within their borders, nor to prevent the
states and territories from enacting laws
and regulations to promote and render
efficient the regulations of the Depart-
ment of Agriculture provided under this
statute.”

As soon as this bill was brought to the
attention of the Association, Representa-
tive Weeks was written to and asked to
have the bill amended by striking out the

oe

word “‘game” between the words

’

migra-

tory” and “birds,” in order that a// migra-

tory birds should be placed in charge of
the Department of Agriculture. A reply
was promptly received from him as fol-
lows:

“T am inclined to think that you are
right in your judgment that other migra-
tory birds than game birds should be in-
cluded in the provisions of the bill which
I have introduced, and, if I can get the
bill up in Committee at this session of
Congress, I will ask to have that change
made. My own limited experience in the
South confirms your statement that Robins

are killed in great numbers.”

The experience of this Association has
been that it is almost impossible to obtain
uniform legislation for wild birds from the
several legislatures in the United States.
There are so many diverse interests that
place obstacles in the way of such legis-
lation that the ordinary legislator has his
judgment warped by local interests. It
seems almost farcical that on one side of
an imaginary line birds are protected
against spring shooting and on the other
side of the line they receive no protection
whatever. Should this bill become a law
after the desired amendment, all migratory
birds would then receive uniform treat-
ment at the hands of the experts of the
Department of Agriculture. In addition,
it would relieve this Association of an
enormous amount of legislative work, as.
it would not be necessary for us to initiate
new legislation in any part of the country
except for the few resident birds which
are ordinarily well cared for, besides.
which the continudl watching of state
legislatures would be done away with.
The time and expense now devoted to
legislative work could be devoted to the
more pleasant and profitable work of
education.

The members of the National Associa-
tion and all the readers of Brrp-Lore and
other people interested in birds are asked
to communicate with their senators and
representatives in Congress, urging them
to act favorably and speedily upon House
Bill 22888,—W. D.

The Audubon Societies 57

A Reason for Decrease of Bob-white

Some investigations were made by the
‘Executive of the Association
regarding the sale of Bob-white in New
‘York City during the recent open season.
These investigations were made, because
under Section 92 of the New York State
Jaw, Quail shot in the state cannot be sold.
The section further provides that Quail
taken outside of New York State may be
held for sale. Inasmuch as every common-
wealth in the United States prohibits the
export of Quail, it is evident that all of the
birds sold in New York State are birds
illegally shipped. This fact must be
known to the dealers, because during the
investigation a number of boxes of Quail
found in the markets were stamped on the
outside with a stencil, “pigeons.” ‘This
false statement was a direct evasion of the
law and could have been done only for the
purpose of deceiving the transportation
companies and the authorities of the state
from which the birds were shipped.

The investigation necessarily was very
superficial, but enough evidence was found
to show that the hotels and restaurants in
the city must use an enormous number of
Bob-white during the season when these
birds can be sold in New York. An order
-of two hundred dozen for one day was
placed by a hotel, and orders for almost
twenty thousand birds were given by the
prominent hotels and restaurants for the
New Year’s Eve trade.

Section 92 of the New York law should
be repealed, as it places New York in the
position of being a “‘fence”’ for the sale of
illegal goods.—W. D.

National

Bird Bulletins

Through the courtesy of the State His-
torical Society of Wisconsin, the Wisconsin
Audubon Society has been permitted to
place in the halls of the State Historical
Museum, at Madison, a number of pic-
ture bulletins explaining its own labors and
those of the National Association in en-
couraging the protection of wild birds
and animals. Several such bulletins are

now on display. Each consists of from
ten to fifteen or more carefully selected
photographs or prints. These are tacked,
or otherwise fastened to burlap-covered,
upright wooden screens, and are accom-
panied by a centrally posted explanatory
label. One of the two bulletins on exhibi-
tion at present is devoted to a considera-
tion of “Bird Reservations;’’ the other
to “‘the Ostrich Farm and Feather In-
dustry.”” The photographs employed in
illustrating the last are kindly furnished
by the Cawston Ostrich Farm of South
Pasadena, California. The State Histori-
cal Museum is visited each year by thou-
sands of educators and visitors from all
parts of Wisconsin
states.

and surrounding
By means of these picture bulle-
tins and brief explanatory labels, their
attention is attracted to the Audubon
movement, and thus many friends are
gained for the cause. These bulletins are
now attracting such attention that prepa-
rations are being made to circulate sev-
eral among the libraries and smaller
museums of the state, where they will be
posted for short periods. Their availa-
bility for this purpose is being made
known through the Wisconsin Library
Bulletin.—CuHas. E.. Brown,
Wisconsin Audubon Society.

Secretary,

Bird-boxes

There has been an unexpectedly large
demand for the volume ‘“‘ How to Attract
and Protect Wild Birds.” The subject
of attracting birds around one’s home by
the use of bird-boxes and feeding appara-
tus is growing more and more popular.

Unfortunately, there is no place in the
United States where the suggested boxes
for Woodpeckers can be secured. The
Association has been making efforts to find
a manufacturer who could furnish these
boxes at a price approximately as low as
they are sold in Germany, but so far it
has been unable to secure a manufacturer.
As soon as arrangements can be made,
undoubtedly there will be a large call for
the boxes, as the
received an order for thirty of the Wood-

Association recently

58 Bird - Lore

pecker and Owl cavities, which could not
be filled without importing them from
Germany.

The Executive Officers of the Associa-
tion will be very glad to receive data
giving the results of experiments with

similar to the enclosed
received from Massachu-

nesting-boxes,
report just
setts.

“T have a small place of about eighty-
five acres in Massachusetts, and, after
reading your book, I went to work to see
what I could do myself. I made a large
number of boxes for the birds, and was
rewarded from the first day I put them up
by seeing a pair of Bluebirds take posses-
sion of one, and nearly all the boxes were
occupied this summer. I got into a row
over it because I killed my neighbor’s cat,
and nothing I could say or do about the
birds would ever recompense her for that.
She has another kitten about now, but I
shall dispose of it very carefully if it makes
any trouble for the birds. I am going to
experiment further this coming spring, and
I hope to be quite successful.”

Cats

The Association is very anxious to
secure all the reliable data it can regard-
ing damage done to birds by the house cat.
The following is a good example of the
details desired:

“My neighbor’s cats this past summer
(1908) killed all of my lovely Warblers but
one, eighteen in all, and two Wrens I know
of, two Red-headed Woodpeckers, several
other birds whose names I do not know;
you will understand my feeling of anti-
pathy for cats. Our Society will not be
doing its full duty toward the defense-
less birds until it in some manner cur-
tails the liberty of those blood -thirsty
creatures.”

A Valuable Experiment

Mr. Beebe, curator of birds at the New
York Zodlogical Park, is conducting some
valuable experiments with Mockingbirds
with a view of establishing this beautiful

singer in this vicinity. Mockingbirds are
raised in captivity at the Zodlogical Park,.
and are liberated, hoping that they may’
become established.

That there may be no check on the
experiment by collectors, it is urged thati
persons who hold permits for scientific
collecting will not kill any Mockingbirds,
certainly within a fifty-mile radius of the-
city of New York.—WILLIAM DUTCHER..

Willow Island Fund

As noted in Brrp-Lore, this Associa~
tion has taken a five years’ lease of Willow.
Island, in the Connecticut River, with the
privilege of purchasing the same and’
making it a perpetual bird refuge. It is
hoped that the citizens of Connecticut will!
start a popular subscription for the pur-
pose.

One bright school girl in Stamford,.
Connecticut, on reading the note in Brrp-
Lore, sent to the Association fifty cents.
with the following letter:

“‘T have seen in Brrp-LorgE the notice of
your desire to purchase Willow Island.
in bird interests. I want to contribute fifty
cents to the fund and enclose herewith
that amount.—PEARL AGNES BIGELOW.’”

It is hoped that hundreds of Connecticut.
school children, as well at their parents,
will follow the example of this ardent
young bird protector.

All contributions to the Willow Island’

fund will be acknowledged in BirD-
LORE.
Mrs. Phillips, through Pearl Agnes.

Bigelow, $0.50.

The Agassiz Association

Our advertising pages call attention to-
the good fortune which has befallen Mr.
E. F. Bigelow, whose advancement of
nature work, both through the pages of St.
Nicholas and as President of the Agassiz:
Association, is an assurance that the in-
creased opportunities for study and exper-
iment afforded by his new plant will be:
utilized for the benefit of all concerned.

The Foremost Recent Book on Animals

By ERNEST INGERSOLL

LIFE OF ANIMALS: The

Mammals

Second Edition, Enlarged. 555 Pages, Octavo. Decorated Cloth
250 Illustrations. $2 net; By Mail, $2.24.

HE idea of the book is to interest the reader in the life of the four-footed
animals, not in their anatomy, nor in their imaginary sentiments; but in the
part they daily play in the world around them, rather than in their posi-

tion in a museum or a scheme of classification. This presentation of the theme has
met with general approval. The critic of The Independent believes that it ‘‘contains
just the information about living and extinct species of mammals, especially those
most familiar, which the general non-zodlogical reader demands.’’ Putnam’s Monthly:
has declared it “‘the best book of its kind which has appeared up to the present
time.’’ Says the Chicago Post: ‘‘Ernest Ingersoll has for a long while been doing fine
work . . . ‘The Life of Animals’ is just the book one wishes might be in every
home where there are children and young people. Mr. Ingersoll has in excellent.
degree the knack of presenting in clear, sympathetic and attractive manner scien-
tific information, zodlogical and geological, and with it a free mingling of the his-
torical, the romantic and the adventurous. There is, however, a commendable
absence of the . . . exaggeration of the human-like qualities in animals.’’

Along with this popularity the scientific accuracy of the book is well recognized,
and it has been adopted as a book of instruction in colleges. Nowhere else is so
intelligently traced the relation between the past (fossil history) and the present of
the families in this most important of all animal tribes; nowhere else will be found
explained many curious customs, such as the origin of the habit of storing winter
food, how the opossum came to ‘‘play ’possum,”’ etc.

By the same author

WILD NEIGHBORS: Outdoor Studies in
the United States

With numerous photographic illustrations. Cloth, $1.50

““Such pleasant books as this of Mr. Ingersoll’s are delightful to both old and
young, and ought to be put into the hands of every lad on the farm.’’—Detroit
Free Press.

THE MACMILLAN COMPANY, PUBLISHERS
NEW YORK

Among Other Issues in the Two Series of

THE AMERICAN SPORTSMAN’S LIBRARY

EDITED BY CASPAR WHITNEY

“No books have ever come before us that so completely fill the want of Sportsmen and
delight the general reader as the volumes in the American Sportsman's Library."

— SHOOTING AND FISHING
THE DEER FAMILY
By the Hon. THEODORE ROOSEVELT, T. E. VAN DYKE, D.G ELLIOTT
and A J. STONE
Illustrated by Carl Rungius and others. With Maps by Dr. C. Hart Merriam

SALMON AND TROUT
By DEAN SAGE, W. C. HARRIS, H. M. SMITH and C. H. TOWNSEND
Illustrated by A. B, Frost, Tappan Adney, Martin Justice and others

UPLAND GAME BIRDS
By EDWYN SANDYS and T. S. VAN DYKE
Illustrated by Louis Agassiz Fuertes, A. B. Frost, J. O. Nugent and C. L, Bull

THE WATER-FOWL FAMILY
By L. C. SANFORD, L. B. BISHOP and T. S. VAN DYKE
Illustrated by L A. Fuertes, A. B. Frost and C. L. Bull

BASS, PIKE, PERCH, AND OTHERS
By JAMES A. HENSHALL, M.D.
Illustrated by Martin Justice and Charles F. W. Mielatz

THE BIG GAME FISHES OF THE UNITED STATES
By CHARLES F. HOLDER
Illustrated by Charles F. W. Mielatz and others

MUSK-OX, BISON, SHEEP AND GOAT
By CASPAR WHITNEY, GEORGE BIRD GRINNELL and OWEN WISTER
Illustrated by Carl Rungius and others

GUNS, AMMUNITION AND TACKLE

THE SHOTGUN, by CAPTAIN A. W. MONEY; THE HUNTING RIFLE,
by HORACE KEPHART; THE THEORY OF RIFLE SHOOTING,
by W. E. CARLIN; THE PISTOL AND REVOLVER, by A. L. A. HIM-
MELWRIGHT, and THE ARTIFICIAL FLY, by JOHN HARRING-
TON KEENE

THE SPORTING DOG
By JOSEPH A. GRAHAM. Fully illustrated

PHOTOGRAPHY FOR THE SPORTSMAN NATURALIST
By L. W. BROWNELL. Fully illustrated from photographs by the author

IN PREPARATION

THE BEAR FAMILY
By DR. C. HART MERRIAM. With many illustrations

COUGAR, WILD CAT, WOLF AND FOX

With many illustrations

Cloth, cr. 8vo, gilt top and cover design. Each, $2 net. Postage, 15c.

THE MACMILLAN COMPANY, Publishers, New York

“If I could give a child but one book this year, it would be this,”
was said of

MABEL OSGOOD WRIGHT’S
(GRAY LADY AND THE BIRDS

STORIES OF THE The book will be welcomed by adults
BIRD YEAR almost as heartily as by younger readers.
FOR SCHOOL For teachers and parents and all who

believe in bird protection, it provides a
means of sharing their pleasure in bird life
with the children just when they will most
gladly receive it.

AND HOME

With thirty-six plates in
half-tone, and twelve
It is accurate and, on the scientific side,
dependable, but it is far more than that;
it is a fascinating book of stories, a glimpse

in colors, from studies
made for the National

Audubon Association into the riches of poetry and fancy asso-
under the supervision ciated with feathered things.

of its President, Decorated cloth, xx + 437 pages

Mr. William Dutcher $1.75 net; by mail, $1.90

By MABEL OSGOOD WRIGHT, author of
BIRDCRAFT A Field Book of Two Hundred Song, Game

and Water Birds. With 80 full-page plates
by Louis AGASSIZ FUERTES.

Eleventh Edition, xii + 317 pages,
flexible cloth, rounded corners, $2 net

and, with Dr. ELLIOTT COUES
CITIZEN BIRD SCENES FROM BIRD- LIFE IN PLAIN

ENGLISH FOR BEGINNERS. Profusely
Illustrated by LOUIS AGASSIZ FUERTES.

Cr., 8 vo. $1.50 net, postage 17 cents
This was described by C. H. M., in Science, as “by far the best bird book for

boys and girls yet published in America,” and the statement has remained undisputed
up to the publication of ‘Gray Lady and the Birds,” which is by one of its authors.

THE MACMILLAN COMPANY, Publishers, New York

J. HORACE MCFARLAND CO , MT. PLEASANT PRESS, HARRISBURG, PAs

A New Book by “Barbara”

(MABEL OSGOOD WRIGHT)

THE OPEN WINDOW

Tales of the Months Told by Barbara

Cloth, 12mo, with frontispiece, $1.50

THE OTHER DELIGHTFUL BOOKS BY ‘‘BARBARA”’:

The Garden of a Commuter’s Wife. tlustrated from photographs

‘* Reading it is like having the entry into a home of the class that is the
proudest product of our land, a home where love of books and love of nature go
hand in hand with hearty simple love of ‘folks.’ . . . It is a charming
book.’’—The Interior.

The People of the Whirlpool Illustrated

‘*The whole book is delicious, with its wise and kindly humor, its just
perspective of the true values of things, its clever pen pictures of people and
customs, and its healthy optimism for the great world in general.’’—Phila-
delphia Evening Telegraph.

The Woman Errant

‘* The book is worth reading. It will cause discussion. It is an interesting,
fictional presentation of an important modern question, treated with fascinating
feminine adroitness.’’—MIss JEANETTE GILDER in The Chicago Tribune.

At the Sign of the Fox

‘*Her little pictures of country life are fragrant with a genuine love of nature,
and there is fun as genuine in her notes on rural character. A traveling pieman
is one of her most lovable personages; another is Tatters, a dog, who is humanly
winsome and wise, and will not soon be forgotten by the reader of this very
entertaining book.’’—The New York Tribune.

The Garden, You and I

‘* This volume is simply the best she has yet put forth, and quite too deli-
ciously torturing to the reviewer, whose only garden is in Spain. . . . The
delightful humor which pervaded the earlier books, and without which
Barbara would not be Barbara, has lost nothing of its poignancy, and would
make The Garden, You and I pleasant reading even to the man who
doesn’t know a pink from a phlox or a Daphne cneorum from a Cherokee
rose.’’—Congregationalist.

Each, in decorated cloth binding, $1.50

THE MACMILLAN COMPANY, Publishers

64-66 FIFTH AVENUE, NEW YORK

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MARCH—APRIL, 1909

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EDITED EY

FRANK M. CHAPMAN

PUBLISHED FOR THE AUDUEON SOCIETYES *

The Macmillan pe. |

HARRISBURG, PA.

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COPYRIGHT, 1902, BY FRANK M. CHAPMAN

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$1 a Year
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Bird= Lore

March - April, 1909

CONTENTS

GENERAL ARTICLES PAGE
FRONTISPIECE IN CoLor. PHILADELPHIA, WARBLING, RED-EYED, AND BLACK-
W.RISEERED. VIREOS 220. Soo Soba s cece an eee Louis Agassiz Fuertes..

CHICKADEE ALL THE YEAR ROuND. IIlustrated............ Mary C. Dickerson... 60

A SEcoND SEASON OF BLUEBIRD TENANTS. Illustrated....../ Marian E. Hubbard... 63

A SPECIAL BrrD-BLIND. Illustrated ....2 225... osc yee ee ee ee ae 52 le Le UO ere

EcGs or A FLICKER FOUND IN A STRANGE PLACE cota eeyegaiek 2 William Brewster... 73

Where Doers THE MALE HoRNED LARK Stay AT NicurT?. Illus...R: W. Hegner.. 75

THE ‘REN-WINGED “BLACKBIRD. @ VEESe. 52st e oa ae ee oe Donald Babcock... 76
DRUMMING RuFFED Grouse. Illustration. ..... ae CG, PEG d oe

THe MIGRATION OF VIREOS. First paper. mrasteatee pa frum Agassis Fuertes..

. W. Cooke... 78
BIRD-LORE’S ADVISORY COUNCIL.

NOTES FROM FIELD ‘AND STUDY) =)... .22- 2-0 ee SS eee 85
EVENING GROSBEAK AT WILLIAMSTOWN, MAss., Caroline R. Leake; EVENING Gros-
BEAK AT RUTLAND, Vt., Mary B. Coan; A WINTERING RUBY-CROWNED KING-
LET AND CowpsirRD, Maunsell S. Crosby; THE STARLING AT GERMANTOWN,
Pa., George Lear; THE CAROLINA WREN IN MASSACHUSETTS, Frank A.
Brown; THE Cotor oF MALE PuRPLE Martins, J. F. Poage; A MARTIN
Cotony, Jas. S. Becker; BOXES FOR PURPLE MaArTINS, Jasper Blines ; TIN
Cans AS HoMEs FoR BLUEBIRDS, Angus McKinnon.
BOOK NEWS AND REVIEWS. : 88
PREBLE’S BIOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION OF THE. ATHABASKA- MACKENZIE REGION :
SAUNDER’S ‘My Pets’; CHAPMAN’S CAMPS AND CRUISES; THE ORNITHOLOGI-
CAL MAGAZINES.

EDITORIAL. 32.2200 cs oc he ac Ee clas Sa eae oo He I Oe Or gt
AUDUBON SOCIETIES—SCHOOL DEPARTMENT. .................-...--.---..--- 92
EDUCATIONAL LEAFLET NO. 37. SHARP-SHINNED HAWK. with colored plate by Bruce

TM Ors [alles OS oh va ths Ae os COE a ae ee Edward Howe Forbush... 94
AUDUBON SOCIETIES—EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT .........................--- 98

LEGISLATION ; THE CAT QueEsTION ; A CORRECTION.

Par *, Manuscripts intended for publication, books, etc., for review and exchanges, should be
sent 10 ‘the Editor, at the American Museum of Natural History, 77th Street and 8th Avenue,
New York City, IN... PA

Notices of changes of addresses, renewals and subscriptions should be sent to
BIRD-LORE, HARRISBURG, PA.

Subscribers whose subscription has expired will find a renewal
blank enclosed in the present number of the magazine.

To those whose subscription expired
with the February, 1909, issue, and
who have not notified us to discontinue
their magazine, the present number is
sent in the belief that the matter of re-
newal has been overlooked.

On receipt of your renewal, we will
send you the Sawyer Grouse picture,
which should be considered due notifi-
Reduced facsimile of a painting from cation of the entry of your subscription.

nature of a Drumming Ruffed Grouse,
by E. J. Sawyer. The original measur-

ing tox 12 inches, is reproduced by If you do not care to renew, will you
photogravure and presented to all sub- ;
scribers to Brrp-Lore for 1909. please notify us ?

Entered as second-class mail matter in the Post Office at Harrisburg, Pa.

The Warblers Are Coming!

And no book will be of greater assistance
to you in your study of these fascinating
birds than

The Warblers of North America

By FRANK M. CHAPMAN
AND OTHER ORNITHOLOGISTS

The book contains colored figures of the
male, female and young of every species,
photographs of nests and eggs, detailed
migration tables, and full biographies.

Large 8vo, 320 pages, cloth : : $3, postage 20 cents

D. APPLETON & COMPANY, NEW YORK CITY

Back Numbers of Bird-Lore

WE can no longer furnish complete sets of
BIRD-LORE, but we still have on hand
odd numbers, which, while they are lacking in
value from the librarian’s point of view, to the
bird student are just as useful and just as inter-
esting as they were on the day of publication.
These numbers are offered at a discount of
50 per cent, that is, ten cents per number, to
purchasers of ten or more numbers. To those
wishing to complete their sets of BIRD-LORE,
we offer the free use of our advertising columns.

BIRD-LORE, Harrisburg, Pa.

NATURALIST —
GRAFLEX

All the features that make the Graflex Camera
indispensable to the outdoor photographer are found
in the Naturalist Graflex.

The image can be seen full size of negative,
up to the instant of exposure.

Equipped with focal-plane shutter giving exposure
from time to 1/1000 of a second.

Extra-long draw of bellows for use with Tele-
photo and other long-focus lenses, in photographing
distant objects.

The special construction of the Naturalist Graflex,
allows the operator to remain concealed while focus-
ing and making exposure.

Mr. Frank M. Chapman uses and recommends
the Graflex Camera.

Graflex & Graphic Catalog at your dealer’s or,

FOLMER 6&6 SCHWING DIVISION
Eastman Kedak Company
ROCHESTER, N. Y.

JUST ISSUED

In the American Nature Series
BIRDS OF THE WORLD

By FRANK H. KNOWLTON, of the United States National Museum,
with chapter on the Anatomy of Birds by FREDERICK A. LUCAS, Chief
Curator, Brooklyn Academy of Arts and Sciences, and edited by ROBERT
RIDGWAY, Curator of Birds, United States National Museum. Large
8vo. Illustrated with 16 colored plates, and several hundred text cuts,
873 pp , boxed. $7 net, carriage 40 cents extra.

The most comprehensive one-volume work on birds. A modern popular
account.

Following several preliminary chapters on the general appearance and
structure of birds, their migrations, distribution, classification, etc., every
known family, both fossil and living, has been passed in review and accorded
approximately equal and even treatment. In many cases this amounts to a
mention of all the known species of a family, but in the larger families it has,
of course, been possible to include only the more important or more interesting
forms, though enough have been included to convey a fairly complete picture.

The treatment of game birds has purposely been made very full.

Technical language has been omitted so far as possible, and the main
attention given to the birds as they appear in their homes, that is—their plum-
age, habits, songs, nests, eggs and food.

The illustrations, many of which have been specially prepared for this
work, are abundant.

PREVIOUSLY ISSUED
THE BIRD: Its Form and Function

By C. WILLIAM BEZBE, Author of “Two Bird Lovers in Mexico,”
Curator of Birds in the New York Zoological Park. With frontispiece in
color and 370 illustrations from photographs. 496 pp., square 8vo, boxed,
$3.50 net, by mail $3.80.

The story of the evolution of birds, unlocked from technical language.
The treatment is popular, and the volume is intended for all nature-lovers and
students, and as an accompaniment to the identification book.

‘Handsome and beautifully illustrated . . . charming and interesting
. asthe general reader or the unscientific bird-lover can desire
will take and hold a distinct place in the literature of the subject, for it is
quite original and stands alone. Not only is it a most readable and interest-
ing book, but a valuable one to teachers . . . of world wide interest.’’
—Nature (London).

Other volumes published in the American Nature Series
Vv. L. Kellogg’s American Insects. N. L. Britton’s North American Trees.

$5.00 net.* $7 net.*
V. meg ee s Insect Stories. $1.50 Ds itordawsuMichess se ner
Eggeling and Ehrenberg’s The Fresh _ C. F. Holder and D. S. Jordan’s Fish
Water Aquarium and Its Inhab- Stories. $1.75 net.

itants. $2.00 net.*
Dr. Curtis’s Nature and Health. $1.25 C.H. Sternberg’s The Life of a Fossil
net.* Hunter. $1.60 net.
*Add 8% of price for carriage

For volumes in preparation and details send for prospectus

HENRY HOLT & COMPANY ‘ew york

ALL BIRD LOVERS SHOULD READ THE

National Geographic Magazine

F course you know George Shiras 3d! At all events if you love birds you know him
() by reputation, for he is the pioneer photographer of wild birds in their natural sur-
roundings, the man who has shown the world that the greatest sportsman is he who
shoots with the shutter.
The National Geographic Magazine publishes articles from the pen of Mr. Shiras,
Dr. Frank M. Chapman, Dr. C. Hart Merriam and others, who make birds and wild
creatures a life study ; in fact, we have two entire numbers devoted to Mr. Shiras’ wonder-
ful pictures, showing wild birds and game in their homes, from Canada to Cuba.

yea re
Mes Pi °

*

‘

a ee

. 4
’ SS nn le de

To readers of BirpD-LoreE subscribing now for the National Geographic Magazine we
will send besides the twelve numbers for 1909, the two numbers containing Mr. Shiras’
140 splendid photographs, as follows :

‘*Photographing Wild Game with Flashlight and Camera’”’
‘“*One Season’s Game-Bag with the Camera’’

Fill out this blank and mail with remittance. Subscription anywhere in United.

States, $2.50; Canada, $3, money order or draft.

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MaGazine, Washington, D. C.

Please enter my subscription to begin January, ’o9, sending also the two num-
bers containing Mr. Shiras’ photographs. I remit herewith $ : af

Name
Street __ Jo NE eee

BLL. City_ + 3S

~
ia gene. aes

1. WARBLING VIREO 3. RED-EYED V!REO
2. PHILADELPHIA VIREO 4. BLACK-WHISKERED VIREO

(ONE-HALF NATURAL SIZE)

Bird=Lore

A BI-MONTHLY MAGAZINE
DEVOTED TO THE STUDY AND PROTECTION OF BIRDS

OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE AUDUBON SOCIETIES

Vol. XI MARCH—APRIL, 1909 No. 2

Chickadee All the Year Round

By MARY C. DICKERSON
With photographs by the author

E was only a small gray Chickadee who had found a grain of corn, but
H had dropped it in the snow as he was flying on his way to the woods.

He stopped, hovered in air, then settled lightly beside the hole in the
snow where the corn had disappeared. He looked down into the hole and thrust
in his bill. But his efforts to get the corn only pushed it deeper in; at least, down
Chickadee slowly went—snow over head, shoulders, back and wings—till he
was standing on his head, his tail alone showing and that pointing directly to the
sky. Then he appeared again vigorously scattering the snow and shaking his
feathers. He had the corn! and with a flutter of wings, a rise and a dip, he was
off to the woods in an oblique course against the wind.

Chickadee is a very little fellow! He looks small beside all the other winter
birds, except the Kinglets; and the fact is, he is smaller than he looks, a tiny
body hidden in fluffed gray feathers. You could close your hand over him and
leave only his tail extending—except that he would hammer and bite with the
same vigor that he shows in everything he does. The downy feathers on his
breast are more than half an inch long, while the equally downy ones on his
sides and back lack little of an inch. Besides, the colder the day, the more Chicka-
dee fluffs his feathers till he looks like an animated bundle of down, very round,
with the tail dropping off behind.

Sometimes his “chick-a-dee-dee”? sounds with an anxious ring when the
snow is falling and the dusk has come. Facing the wind and with tail straight
out in air, he hammers his small black bill into a decaying branch. See the chips
fly and hear the “‘rat-tat-tat-at-at.”’ At last he drags out some small morsel
from the hole he has made. In these difficult days he is glad to examine even the
hickory-nut shells left on the stone wall by some red squirrel. He holds each
shell down with his feet while he pounds his bill into its crevices searching out
tasty fragments. Sometimes for several winter days together he can find no water
and must eat snow instead. Again, even the snow has a hard crust and he must

_do much hammering to get small bits of ice.

:

60 Bird - Lore

When there come days of rain and thaw, life is not so hard. Whole troops
of Chickadees hunt the wet twigs, head down as often as head up. They drop
to the ground, bird after bird, to search for insects and partridge berries among

the wet leaves and the moss.

On rainy days, in winter and
_ spring, Chickadee sings a theme

so unchickadee-like that one is
slow to attribute it to the right
source. Near at hand, it sounds
somewhat like a Warbler’s song
though much too forceful and
throaty; at a distance, the two
emphatic notes in it (though re-
versed in order) faintly suggest
the call of the Phoebe. The
theme consists, in the main, of
a slurred rise of a third fol-
lowed by a drop of a fifth (with
strong emphasis on the last
note), and it may be repeated
with the persistency of the
Chebec.

Neither this nor the familiar
“ chick-a-dee-dee”’ gives any
hint of the two sustained flute-

THE COLDER IT IS THE MORE THE FEATH. __ like tones (the first higher than

OF THE NON-CONDUCTING LAYERS OF AIR.

the woods in spring and less
frequently at other times of the year. The first two calls are cheery and more
or less musical, but nasal or throaty and relatively commonplace; the third is
worthy a musical genius. It varies in pitch, alternating high and low, apparently
bird answering bird. Sometimes the songs sound at short intervals with
answers almost blending, in an effect of harmony.

It is the first week in June; no flocks of Chickadees have been seen since
April, and in the woods where they hunted and sang tall growths of fern replace
the carpet of snow and dead leaves.

Approach the woods by way of the meadow adjacent, where the lance-leaved —

.
<

white violet is still common and where the runways of the meadow mouse thread ~
the grass. Yonder a young woodchuck suddenly rises, looking like a ridiculous —
little bear at this distance, then drops into the long grass, only to rise for a second .
observation before he scuttles under the stones of the tumble-down wall. Now —

a chipmunk sits humped over and looks at you, then scampers under the stones.
At the edge of the woods, where tall pink azaleas are in blossom among taller

Chickadee All the Year Round 61

leaning gray birches, Robins and Flickers are making a great outcry. And no
wonder! An enormous black snake is under the birches and now departs in
haste, the Robins and Flickers following.

“ Chick-a-dee-dee-dee!”? Only three feet away on the branch of the birch
is an agitated Chickadee with a caterpillar dangling in his bill. It seems he had
a special reason to be anxious for his nest is in a cavity of one of the decayed
birch trunks, the doorway only a foot and a half from the ground.

However, it would be difficult to find the cavity in the birch, for the space
is filled up to the door with birds and bedding; six young Chickadees—all well

ey

CONDITION OF FEATHERS ON A WARM DAY

and very sleepy—on what seems an unnecessarily warm bed for June. The thick
gray felt that lines the nest is made up of fur from the coats of cotton-tailed rabbit
and varying hare, and has some moss mixed with it. It is hard to see how all
six of the birds can get their heads uppermost. Besides, it is impossible to under-
stand how they endure the heat from the crowding of their bodies, from their
feathers and their fur blankets. But they seem contented and show eager eyes
between-times, as well as when the old birds come to feed them. They have
only one strong interest in life. They may put in much time preening their feath-
ers; they may climb over their brothers while stretching out one foot and one
wing. But they are all of the time merely waiting, listening for a familiar flutter
of wings or for a tender “tsip, tsip;”? and they respond when they hear it with an
amusing chorus of throaty “chick-a-dee-dees.”’

July passes and August comes. Blackberries are ripe, and winds from the
fields bring odors of cut grass and ferns. It is now that families of Chickadees
leave the woods to travel along the roadways. They follow one another in undu-

62 Bird - Lore

“a / ae
HE STRETCHES WHILE AN ENTHUSIASTIC RESPONSE TO THE
WAITING APPEARANCE OF FOOD

lating flight from tree to tree; they call cheerily, scoldingly, sweetly—it sometimes
sounds as though half-a-dozen birds were saying “dee-dee-dee”’ together.
This is their leisure time of the year.

Again, in October, when the woods are daily growing in autumnal coloring
and the air is vibrant with the calls of insects, the voices of Chickadees come from
the roadways. But they sound also from the river margins, the hills and the
woods; Chickadees are everywhere. It is still the leisure of the year for them.

But the cold increases and food gets scarce. Group by group birds have
journeyed south, but Chickadees remain. Families have united into flocks,
which have been still augmented by migrating Chickadees from farther north;
winter conditions have returned.

Flexible pine branches droop with snow; every last shrub and weed has its
burden; there is no spot where any bird can set his foot, except in snow. It
seems incredible that Chickadees who were contented in fur blankets in June
can now keep warm without bedding of any sort. For although a few Chickadees
sleep in Woodpecker’s holes and there is evidence that during storms small birds

THEY KNOW WHENCE COMES THEIR MOTHER’S CALL

A Second Season of Bluebird Tenants 63

of some sort, probably Chickadees, creep into deserted red squirrels’ nests for
shelter, many Chickadees make their beds in evergreen trees, tucking their heads
under their wings on an open roost. It is well that they are wearing thick winter

coats of down, and that, among birds, the body temperature is unusually high.
Even now the dusk is approaching the gray of the sunset, brightening to a
faint afterglow. A slight wind brings sound to the tops of the pines, and causes
here and there a faint thud from falling snow. Suddenly there is a lisping call
and a tiny gray bird circles to the pine. Another follows and another, and still
others. Chickadee has gone to bed.

A Second Season of Bluebird Tenants

By MARIAN E. HUBBARD, Wellesley College
With photographs by the author

, \HE nesting of a pair of Bluebirds on a window-shelf, during the season
of 1906, has been described in a former number of Brrp-LoreE.*

The same pair of birds returned in the following spring and placed
their nest again on a window-shelf in the same apartment-house. That they
were the same birds was evident, not only from the ‘at home’ air with which
they took possession of the shelf, but especially from the way in which, immedi-
ately upon their arrival, they began pecking in the dishes of corn-meal, which
contained meal-worms. Their meal-worms had been served in this fashion
during the preceding season, and the association had been so firmly made that
the familiar sight of the yellow grain stirred at once within their minds memo-
ries of those savory hidden morsels.

The new tenement, made, like the old, from an apple-tree bough, but improved
by a hinged lid, was on the southeast side of the building. Everything was ready
for the tenants on March 20. Bluebirds were seen on the 17th, but it was not
until the 24th that they came to inspect the house. Early in the morning of that
day the jubilate of the male—that fervent burst of gurgling, purling notes which
seems to constitute the wooing song—rang out beneath the window, and a
furtive glance through the curtain revealed the female on the nest-porch, peer-
ing inquiringly in. It was always she, during these first few days, who each morn-
ing examined the apartment to be let, while her escort directed his attention
to the café near at hand. From this fact it would appear that she was the one
who determined the nesting-site.

The furnishing of the house began on Sunday, April 14, when early in the
day both birds came, carrying grasses. Except for this encouragement on the
first morning, and for one trip on the last day, the male took no direct share in
the construction of the nest. It was the female who toiled to make this ready,
bringing her loads at intervals of from three to five minutes. So busy was she

* Birp-Lore, Vol. IX, pp. 11-15, 1907

64 Bird - Lore

that only once or twice during eight or ten trips did she stop to take a worm
before she flew away, and the short decisive chep which she uttered frequently
on leaving seemed indicative of a mind intent on business.

The male during this time was no mere drone. There was the nest to guard
and his mate to feed, and he did both gallantly. There was never a knight more

FEMALE BLUEBIRD ON THE HAND, MALE ON THE PORCH. MAY ar

chivalrous than this Bluebird in his devotion to his mate. Seldom did he help
himself to a worm without carrying one to her. If she were arranging grasses
in the nest, he would either take the worm inside, or with craning neck wait
on the shelf-rim below the porch until she reappeared. There was one ludicrous
occasion when, seized with a sudden nervous fear of being pecked, he ducked
with the worm just as she bent to take it, and three times he withdrew it from
her reach before he could muster courage to keep still while she took it from
his beak.

After four days of labor the nest was finished on Wednesday, April 17. Then
came an interval of two days, during which the birds visited the window little
except when they came for food.

On Saturday, April 20, the first egg was laid, and on each day following
another appeared, until there were five in all.

Incubation began on April 25, the day after the last egg was laid. The inter-
vals of brooding and not-brooding might well have been described in Finnigan’s
laconic message, “Off again, on again, gone again.’’? Several careful watches
showed that the mother-bird was on the eggs in the early days of incubation
two-thirds, in the later days one-half of the time. It would be of interest to com-
pare these intervals of sitting with those of birds which build open nests, and

A Second Season of Bluebird Tenants 65

also to obtain the proportion of time for the first and second broods, in order
to discover whether there is any adaptation of sitting periods to temperature.

In this case, at least, the eggs were kept quite warm enough, and they hatched
at the end of two weeks, on Thursday, May 9.

It had been six weeks now since the Bluebirds had first come to the shelf,
and, on the basis of the acquaintance with human neighbors which had been
gained the year before, there grew up an increasing familiarity with the back-
ground of a living-room and its human occupant. Their interest in this side of
their environment was, it must be confessed, purely a practical one,—it repre-
sented to them a commissary department with its dispensing quarter-master,
a source of supplies most welcome through a late, inclement spring. They
quickly learned the times at which they might look for an issuance of rations,
and so weather-wise did they become in signs that the raising of the sash or even
the stirring of the curtain drew them quickly to the shelf in eager expectation.

As soon as there were seven mouths to feed, instead of two, there entered
in a more compelling force than hunger to overcome their fear. Before the little
ones were a week old, both birds, though still a little nervous, were feeding
from my hand at the open window, and during the second week they grew quite
fearless. If the worms were missing on the shelf, they spied the dishes in the
room, and soon they established a regular habit of flying in to help themselves.

During the preceding season the mother-bird had seemed to bear the chief
burden of providing food and keeping the nest clean, but this year several watches
confirmed the impression that the male was equally active. The removal of
the excretal sacs was performed apparently with no regularity. During an hour’s
watching, on one particular day, not a single sac was carried out. On the next
day, during a period of equal length, each parent once removed one. In another

66 Bird - Lore

period of thirty-eight minutes the male carried out one sac, the female two.
The irregularity with which this function was seemingly performed raises the
question of whether the sacs are ever eaten by the parents, a question which
might easily be answered if the nest-house were made with a window in one
side.

As early as the third day after the little birds were hatched, they began to
give their nestling-notes, a series of syllables like chée-ee-ee-ee, chée-ee-ee-ee,
chée-ee-ee-ee, repeated as often as the old birds came with food. These notes
were faint at first, but grew louder every day, and they were the only ones until
the time drew near for flight. On the afternoon of the day before their début,
a faint sound of ¢##rwee was once heard within the nest, and twice a little head

FEMALE BLUEBIRD AT THE LEFT, YOUNG BIRD IN THE CENTER, MALE AT THE
RIGHT ‘TWINKLING’ HIS WING. JUNE 4

appeared at the nest-hole. This confirmed the observation of the year before,

that the signal-note in the young birds heralds their approaching flight. Another

indication of the exit, near at hand, lay in the sound of whirring wings, which

began three days before they left the nest.

Friday, May 24, which was the sixteenth day after hatching, was the ‘coming-
out’ time for the young Bluebirds, and excitement ran high. The nestlings were
still in the nest at noon, and the parents were busy feeding, flying into and out
of the room. Occasionally a little one scrambled up to the nest-hole for a moment,
or clung there for a time, gazing out upon the world and calling ¢#rrit to its parents,
who answered from the trees. Once, as the mother flew in for worms, she spied
on the table near the dish a long cedar lead-pencil. It was motionless, it was
true, and very large, but it had many of the points of a meal-worm—it was long
and rounded, it was firm and smooth and brown—and what a find for a parent
with five clamorous mouths to fill! Whatever may have been the mental pro-

A Second Season of Bluebird Tenants 67

cesses which the sight provoked in our Bluebird’s mind, the reaction was prompt,
and after one unsuccessful attempt she went sailing out of the window with the
pencil in her bill. At first thought this might seem a stupid act, but it must be
remembered that lead-pencils are by no means so familiar to Bluebirds as they

are to us, and the occasion was hardly one to call for abstract reasoning. It
was a case of getting food, and the trial-and-error method which the bird employed
we should probably have used in a similar situation.

It was an exciting moment for the parents when the first nestling tumbled
out on to the nest-porch and then down to the shelf below. They hovered about,
scolding loudly, but soon they were feeding both it and the young still in the nest.
Number one stayed for some time about the window before it was joined by

MALE BLUEBIRD AT THE DISH, THREE YOUNG ON THE SHELF-RIM. JUNE to

number two. Once it wiped its bill deliberately on the shelf-rim. Once it fell
into the room, and showed some fear as I hastened to pick it up.

Within the nest, the reaction of the young to the arrival of the parents had
been tuned to the stimulus of sound or of mechanical vibrations, and it was
curious to notice now their failure to respond to the stimulus of sight. The
mother-bird’s mind could not explain their frequent refusal to open their mouths
as she came with food, and she continued to go through the movements of feed-
ing, striking at their heads with the worm still in her bill. Sometimes they reacted
after several blows had been rained upon their heads, but frequently they remained
unmoved.

Number two had no sooner left the shelf than number three appeared at
the nest-hole. Calling twrwee, but getting no response from its parents, it dropped
back to the nest. A little later it scrambled up again, and sat halfway out on the

68 Bird - Lore

nest-porch, so that its body filled the hole. Just at this point the father-bird
came with a worm, which was evidently intended for the young inside, but when
he alighted on the porch, behold, the familiar opening had disappeared. Here
was a new and puzzling situation or the Bluebird mind. A rational being
would have sought to explain the no-hole predicament by reflection upon the
relationships existing between the elements of the old and the new occasions.
It would have perceived the connection between the hole, the young bird, and
the disappearance of the hole in the two situations, and it would then have
applied this knowledge to the solution of the difficulty.* That no such reasoning
took place was evident, for the bird poked here and there at the bark and finally
tried to push the worm into a crevice at the side. Failing, he gave it up and flew
away.

It was a long time before number three felt irresistibly the call to spread its
wings in flight, and it was only when urged by number four behind that it finally
came out on the porch and tumbled down to the shelf below. Number four
came tumbling after, and a minute later number five stuck its head out of the
nest-hole. Three minutes more and they were gone, and the curtain rolled
down upon this strenuous and exciting scene.

At this point, in the preceding year, there had been an interval of two weeks,
during which time neither old birds nor young had come to the shelf. Not so
this year. The next morning found the old birds at the window, feeding as usual
and then loading up for their scattered brood. So dependent did they become
on these supplies that if the sash were down they begged at the window to be
let in.

After the first week, the young drew closer to the house, and then their in-
cessant churring notes, as they clamored to be fed, furnished a constant clue
to their whereabouts. Nine days after the exodus from the nest, one of the young
birds flew up to the shelf and sat there while its parents fed it. It showed no
fear, not stirring when the window-sash was raised. After this the rest learned
the way. One day I offered one a worm, touching its head and bill, but it made
no response except to back away. It was different, however, when the worm
was laid in front of it. Even now, as may be seen from this, the stimuli were few
which could provoke the feeding reaction.

On the tenth day, one of the young birds flew to the shelf and helped itself
to a large piece of yolk of egg. Two days later, wi hout waiting to be fed, one of
them suddenly plumped down on my hand, beside its mother, and after pick-
ing up a worm that had slipped off to the dish, opened its mouth for more. The —
mother gathered up a bunch of worms, stuffed them down the expectant throat,
and so kept on till all were gone. After that the young birds frequently came —
to my hand, in a confiding way that outdid the trustfulness of their parents.

On June 8, the family still gathered together at night, and the parents con-
tinued to feed the young. Though still more familiar than the old birds, these

*Cf. Morgan, C. Lloyd, Animal Behaviour, pp. 50, 138, 140

A Second Season of Bluebird Tenants 69

FEMALE BLUEBIRD AT THE LEFT, MALE AT THE RIGHT; YOUNG ON THE SHELF-

RIM CLAMORING TO BE FED. JUNE 11
began now to imitate their parents in flying off more easily at a stir, in sometimes
hesitating before coming to my hand. That this was an instinctive imitation,
and not intelligent, was clear from the fact that there was nothing in their experi-
ence to make them timid. Altogether, the instinct of fear in these young Bluebirds
was never strong, as it is in shyer species, and when first developed, at the time
of flight, showed itself only under the stimulus of sudden sounds or quickly
moving objects. The fear normal to the species grew slowly, beginning with
the development of independence, and increasing through instinctive imitation
of the parents.*

There were no signs of a second nest upon the shelf, but to eyes unblinded
by hope there would have been indications that something was going on some-
where else. In the photographs, taken after June 8, it appears that though the
mother-bird still came to the shelf for food, it was the father who was most active
in feeding the young. On June 16, the old birds were observed pairing, and the
male began to sing his wooing song again. On the next day the father-bird
refused to feed his begging offspring, and drove them savagely from the shelf.
This sudden change of front rather staggered the little ones, and it took them
five days to learn that they were no longer wanted at the old home. Meanwhile
the male was feeding his mate once more.

Though the male retained his title to the shelf, both birds, as the days went
on, were less constantly at the window, and the female’s visits grew more rare
and brief. Doubt grew into certainty that her heart was somewhere else, and
a little watching of her flight revealed the probable location of her treasure,
in an apple-tree not far away. There the nest was found, on July 2, and in

* Cf. Morgan, C. Lloyd, Habit and Instinct, p. 182

70 Bird - Lore

it two eggs and two young birds. Reckoning back from that date, it will be
seen that the intervals for the second brood were as for the first,—that the
nest must have been begun about June 8, and the eggs laid between the 14th
and the 17th. At this time pairing was observed, and the reversal occurred
of the instincts of the male toward the young of the first brood.

It was apparently the mother-bird who decided to make the move. It was
all very well to feed her young in a public place,—that was a necessity,—but
it was going a little too far to expect her to violate all her instincts for retire-
ment when it came to the selection of a spot in which to lay and brood her eggs.

From July 2 until the r9th I was away. On the 23rd there were Bluebird
notes outside the window, and as soon as meal-worms were put out both male
and female came, the male a moment later feeding from my hand. Three days
afterward the young birds were heard churring in the yard below, and by the
30th they had learned the way to the shelf. They now came each day until the
middle of August. Then meal-worms grew scarce, and hard-boiled egg proved
less attractive than fresh insects, which they could then get for themselves.

From August 1g until September 27, the shelf was bare again. On the 27th
some peanuts were put out as a lure for Chickadees. A male Bluebird came to
the shelf, clung to the edge a moment as he looked at me inside the room, gave

a single note, then flew away. Again on October 12, early in the morning, a male
Bluebird appeared, looked in to the dish of nuis, called chep and went away.
It is not difficult to believe that, if meal-worms had been served continuously,
the whole family might have been fed at the window until November.

When the next spring came, two tenements were for rent, the old one on the
east window, a brand-new one in the old place. But no tenants came.

FEMALE BLUEBIRD ON THE HAND, MALE ON THE SHELF-RIM; YOUNG BLUEBIRD
ON THE SHELF-RIM CLAMORING TO BE FED. JUNE 11

A Special Bird-Blind
By E. J, SAWYER

N closely observing certain shy birds, such as Grouse and Wild Ducks,
| it is not only necessary for the observer to be himself concealed, but he
should, as far as may be, conceal his concealment.

Since it is of prime importance that movement of the observer be not seen by
the wary bird, provision must be made for spending from two hours to a whole
day or night in the blind. This consists in space for reclining on the ground,
or at least for sitting upright on a stool,—a necessity to prevent cramping of the
limbs and a lame back. According to your intention, there should be ample room
to take notes, sketch or paint, or operate a camera or a moving-picture machine,
but no useless space; for the blind must offer, especially in front, the minimum
of exposed surface. It should be strong enough to support dead grass, leaves
or even sticks. That is, lastly, the structure must be converted into a “blind”’
indeed.

These provisions are considered in the blind illustrated by the diagram.
This is a semi-homemade blind. The portable part consists of the cloth cover-
ing and four little wooden blocks.

The Covering.—The kind and color of cloth for the covering will depend
somewhat on the nature of the site. It would not be expensive to have on hand
two or three covers, one leaf-color, one tree-trunk color, and one, say, dead-
grass color. Thus far I have had occasion to use only a green cover, with spruce
and cedar tips, for concealment. The loose edges may be tied to the frame with
pieces of tape sewed at proper intervals on sides, front and back. The top and
bottom of the front and back pieces are hemmed to take a stick. (See cut.) The
sides are permanently attached to the top. The front might also be attached
to this piece, tent-like, if desired; this would necessitate very careful calculation
in fitting the frame to the cover.

The Corner Blocks ——The ends of the sticks which form the frame fit into
four blocks bored with a half-inch auger to receive them. There are two pairs
of blocks, one pair for the front and one for the back; these differ in that the rear
pair have the hole for the upright sticks bored at a gentle angle. To allow for
the spread, downward, of the blind, care should be taken to bore the side holes
at a proper and uniform angle. A deficiency in the slant of the holes can be
corrected in whittling down the sticks to fit them.

The Frame.—This consists, aside from the blocks just described, of eight
sticks: Two, three feet, nine inches; two, two feet; two, four feet, four inches;
two, four feet, ten inches. Add from two to four inches to the last four, to allow
for sinking them in the ground. Besides these supports, cut two sticks about
three feet, eight inches long to fit in the hems in the bottom of front and back.
The ends of these are braced against the corner stakes and secured in the middle
with a forked stick, as shown. The best sticks may readily be found and cut in
the field.

(71)

: REAR BLOCK
(oa HAND, AS

S€EN FROM FRONT,

! 7 7, 4 17), yen
fen f(A VATU Vf ‘ wren hea.
( fal / a 7

ay “ (Ge
TO SECURE FRONT OR BACK TO GROUND

fy

Waa Sa cae ((
PLAN OF A
Me SPECIAL ©
ar yl fiver BIRD

rig

er

DETAILS OF A BIRD-BLIND DESIGNED BY E. J. SAWYER
(Scale: One-half inch = one foot.

Eggs of the Flicker Found in an Odd Place 73

A slot five inches long, horizontally, and three-eighths of an inch wide, affords
a good view from the inside and offers little exposure from without. This slot
should be cut in the front, about six inches from the top; no other opening should
be made unless a camera is to be used. For the latter purpose, a circular hole
ten inches below the “slot” is enough, a two-inch opening for a 4 x 5 camera.

A blind like this may be made very inconspicuous, converted into a tussock
of marsh grass or a hollow brush-heap; it is large enough for every purpose,
and even for a blind, comfortable; yet all the permanent parts can be easily
put into two coat pockets.

Eggs of the Flicker (Colaptes auratus luteus) Found
in an Odd Place

By WILLIAM BREWSTER

T is known, of course, that the Flickers which inhabit treeless plains in
I the far West occasionally breed in the faces of earthy banks, somewhat

after the manner of Kingfishers and Sand Swallows, and that those found
on Cape Cod—where the trees, although abundant, are ordinarily too stunted
to afford hollow or decayed trunks of any size—often drill nesting-holes in gate-
posts and in the walls of sheds, ice-houses, and other buildings. These departures
from the practice of nesting in tree-trunks—usually adopted by the Flicker and
almost, if not quite, invariably followed by all other Woodpeckers—are suffi-
ciently interesting and, indeed, surprising. But that the Flicker may occasionally
depart even more widely from the normal habit of its kind in respect to its choice
of a nesting-place is suggested by an experience which befell Miss Bertha M.
Saltmarsh and Miss Helen Farnsworth in 1906. These ladies were spending
the summer of that year at West Yarmouth, where, not far from a tidal creek
that almost separates the promontory known as Great Island from the mainland
of Cape Cod, some cottages and a small summer hotel had been built a year or
two before. From this little settlement a straight and wide but neglected road
(used, indeed, only in summer, when the hotel and cottages are occupied, and
then but seldom, for it is very sandy) leads toward Hyannis through wooded
uninhabited country. In one of its stretches, fully a quarter of a mile from the
nearest house and bordered on both sides by dense woods of pitch pines, the
ladies found five eggs of the Flicker lying together in a hollow in the ground
within a few feet of the deeply rutted wagon track. This happened on July 14.
As the eggs were evidently deserted, the ladies took two of them at that time.
The remaining three were taken four days later, when my friends Mr. and Mrs.
William Stone: were shown this curious nest (?). I visited it in company with
the Stones and Miss Saltmarsh on the 26th of the month. It was a circular,
saucer-shaped depression, measuring 21} inches across the top, by 3 inches
in depth. Dry yellowish sand mixed with fine gravel and wholly free from vegeta-

74 Bird - Lore

tion of any kind, living or dead, formed its bottom and the gently sloping sides,
as well as the surface of the level ground about it for two or three yards in every
direction, but a little further back there were weeds and grasses growing sparingly,
in slightly richer soil. The pines cast their shade over it at morning and evening,
but through the middle of the day it lay in full sunlight. I could see no tracks of
bird or beast about it, and my companions had noticed none during their previous
visits. Yet it certainly was not a natural hollow, nor did it look like one scooped
out by the wind, for it had a well-marked rim, elevated above the surrounding
surface, and formed of sand that had been thrown up from within and very
evenly disposed on every side, as would hardly have been the case had the wind
had anything to do with its formation. It is possible that it had been dug by boys,
who may also have placed the eggs in it, perhaps for the purpose of playing
a practical joke on someone interested in birds. If so, the work was skillfully
done and all traces of its origin were carefully obliterated. To my mind, however,
it is easier to believe that the eggs were laid by the bird in the hollow where
the ladies found them. She may have chosen it deliberately as a nesting-place—
which seems unlikely—or resorted to it without premeditation when about to
begin laying, and after having been driven from some tree or building, as is per-
haps more probable. If she dug the hollow,—which I doubt—it is difficult to
comprehend why she should have made it so very wide, unless, indeed, this was
necessary to secure and maintain the requisite depth, because of the loose char-
acter of the soil.

That the eggs found in this singular nest (?) originally belonged to a Flicker
is beyond question, for typical eggs of this species cannot be mistaken for those
of any other bird that breeds in New England, and these specimens were per-
fectly typical. Two of them were given to me by Mr. Stone and a third by Miss
Saltmarsh. In all three, as I found when I blew them on August 2, the contents,
although still liquid and smelling abominably, had so shrunk in volume as to
fill barely one-half the space within the shell. From this I concluded that they
must have been laid a month or more earlier than the date on which they were
found, for neither yolk nor albumen will evaporate rapidly through the shells
of small bird eggs, even when they are fully exposed to the sun and wind in
dry summer weather.

Where Does the Male Horned Lark Stay at Night?

By R. W. HEGNER

OR a long time I have endeavored to learn where, while nesting, the

male Horned Lark passes the night. The sum total of the results is pre-

sented in the accompanying photographs. All this happened in 1901,
near Decorah, Iowa. The Lark’s nest selected for the experiments contained
four young three days out of shell. Their mother was exceedingly solicitous of
her progeny’s welfare, which made her an easy subject for the photographer.
No difficulty was experienced in obtaining good views of both mother and father,
as they came to feed their young. However, both birds, apparently, never came
to the nest at the same time. This was unfortunate, since a family group was
very much desired. An attempt was made to procure such a portrait by waiting

7

MALE HORNED LARK INSPECTING

(75)

76 Bird - Lore

until nightfall, when all the members would be gathered about the snug little
nest which they called home. Subsequent developments proved that such an
evening picture could not be secured because of the absence of a prominent
member of the group.

A flash-lamp which could be set off by pulling a string was placed a few feet
from the nest; then the camera was put in the proper position and everything
was left in readiness for future experiments. At ro P.M that evening, I cautiously
crept to the end of the string which operated the shutter of the camera. One
pull opened the shutter. A pull on the other string resulted in discharging the
flash-lamp. The negative obtained shows the mother sitting on the nest, shield-
ing her young from the chilly night air. But where is father Lark? Why is he
not at the side of his faithful spouse, doing his duty as a protector to his better-
half and children? This question has not yet been satisfactorily answered, and
to this day no one knows where the father Lark spends his evenings.

/

FLASHLIGHT OF THE FEMALE

HORNED LARK, TAKEN AT 10 P.M. SHE IS BROOD
ING YOUNG

THE RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD

Near the icy, bubbling springs Scarlet-shouldered, flashing out
By the willow tree, Careless-hearted, free,
Boisterously the blackbird sings,— Suddenly he stops to shout
“ Oak-a-lee!”’ “ Mar-go-lee!”’

When the tide of spring up-flows,
Helpless in his glee,
Inarticulate he grows,—
‘“ Gurgle-ee!”’
i —DonaALD BABCOCK

DRUMMING RUFFED GROUSE
Photographed from life by C. F. Hodge

[This photograph, by Professor Hodge, of a bird raised by him from the egg, is of interest to com-
pare with Mr. Sawyer’s photographs and drawing from nature of Grouse engaged in the same act. Ep.]

The Migration of Vireos

FIRST PAPER
Compiled by Professor W. W. Cooke, Chiefly from Data

in the Biological Survey
With drawings by Louis AGAssiIz FUERTES

PHILADELPHIA VIREO
This is one of the rarest Vireos in North America, and though not many
notes have been received on its movements, yet the data at hand seem to indicate

that from its winter home it enters the United States much later than most species,
and in its passage thence to its summer home is one of the most rapid migrants.

SPRING MIGRATION

Number heer :
PLACE of years’ | “Tees arivel, | aoa

PlmGrove; WitWVayecc cit tate te eer kerar= May 16, 1899
bape ide 1B ers Riera ese hy sea earl May 12, 1907
Erie,-Pd@.. SPER Ar Doe Ie ; May 14, 1900
Troy, N. Sa a SR Gand pera ee May 15, 1879
Portland ConnssG aia bcc. ok eee May 19, 1888
HolisssIN re Soe sows. ssc tre eer eee May 26, 1876
Waterville Mes 25-48 oot es | May 21, 1863
St. Louis Moss socvm frees ow sn ocis eee 4 May 7 May 5, 1888

Carlinville, Ill.. So eoh Suara toast ain he May 6, 1886

Tif HOR eee. ot uate eine Geran May 9, 1903

Sotithemn Michigan :t:).c. cnet 2 4 May 14 May 10, 1906
Siowxs Citys Ma caretar acerca eteieitecs May 11, 1903
Lanesboro, Mitninke ast vuete es pte ee May 20, 1884
Aweme;nVlants ooo) a trersoiaacre tess oes May 22, 1907
Chippewyan, Po Whore ice ccna Mere aoe Oe May 23, Igor

FALL MIGRATION

The average date of arrival in the fall at Chicago, IIl., is September 3, and
the earliest date August 21, 1895; the average at Washington, D. C., is September
13, and the earliest, September 8, 1896. Some other dates of fall arrivals are:
Lanesboro, Minn., August 18, 1888; Forest City, Ia., August 31, 1901; Guelph,
Ont., August 27, 1903; Erie, Pa., September 6, 1900; Cambridge, Mass., Septem-
ber 7, 1875; St. Louis, Mo., September 13, r901. An unusually early migrant
was seen August 2, 1893, at Hester, La.

FALL MIGRATION

Number
PLACE of years’ | die last one-scen |. iaaeegeiaans
|
Dublin, Ne Bs ps. «A. sews dente ashe | September 29, 1897
Erie, Pa.. Sb oe en Seep 3 September 25, 1900
Washington, TY Cas seer, eae 3 September 21 | September 22, 1889
Chicago Ill. SM, CARE oF 3 September 26 | September 27, 1894
Dunklin County, Mod hs eee ! October 4, 1895
New Orleans, La.................++.| October 10, 1896

The Migration of Vireos 79

WARBLING VIREO

The Warbling Vireo winters almost exclusively in southern Mexico, from
which winter home those individuals that are to nest in New England migrate
across the Gulf of Mexico and apparently use the mountains as their line of
travel; for the species is practically unknown outside of the mountains in the
southeastern United States, south of Virginia.

The Western Warbling Vireo is the name given to the form inhabiting the
region from the western plains to the Pacific.

SPRING MIGRATION

Number Avera ate of i

PLACE gies Mee eee paee ee
White Sulphur Springs, W. Va........ 6 April 28 April 21, 1891
Wyashumetomiy DY Cie i eine ets ei ee April 30 April 21, 1895
“IBISEIGIE; JPG vel acct ce nearer a anne 7 April 25 April 19, 1889
JASITEGGL TN WN Ee ee oe 9 May 3 April 30, 1899
sBallstonmspacuNe Vert. Sov sss. II May 4 May 1, 1896
anil. COMM. eps. esis t se) feuds viele 7 May 2 April 29, 1888
NewettnCitysConme 32 ets te: 12 May 2 April 20, 1898
iWiest Roxbury, Mass... 2.00... 20. see 7 May 5 May 3, 1890
NaC Olp He Vitesse. lew ov ce wees cess Se sals 7 May 5 May 3, 1890
DS ieMOMMsbUiyAy Vis cs segs ts uy ualele 8 May 8 May 5, 1904
@hanlestowmy Ne Ee 6k ce se ee 5 May 5 May 1, 1899
Westone Wes ieee ene eee ee ace 5 May 10 May 7, 1899
Mews Onleans Wa. (Near) sie. cs. sc. 6 April 5 March 27, 1897
PEM etic Aue Renagste(ss ose) Sa eels teers cone 12 April 11 March 31, 1897
PMU TSHR IU Men patcees Arancisie (ois lossy aie ece © elles 5 April 25 April 21, 1902
exe OUgMeye rosso) Shs. soe eva es 4 April 22 April 19, 1906
SE, TOUS IN Son eee eee a ge 7 April 19 April 6, 1893
Ploominetony Md. 2.2 6s. 62. cs es 4 April 25 April 21, 1885
Semomlevillc: Ind. cece ee ee es 7 April 21 April 15, 1887
WViternloo lads ear) oc... 6 esc eae ls I4 April 26 April 17, 1896
“GS TINGI <0 ee a eer I2 April 26 April 17, 1896
et eresio trom VELCH = 7... /cpe.3 cc cas ele aie II April 30 April 21, 1889
Pedi OtUb IN Class es 6 2 ih5) are sca eee reat April 29 April 25, 1896
~ Sieezialonecong, MOY alles eee ee aaa eae ein ere er rae Io May 4 April 30, 1899
Wyitanyvrelse OMe oo este yc ers ss oe aoe cles : 4 May 14 May 6, 1906
\Ciniga eo). I ies SAleae ken seaiar sence eine 9 May 8 May 1, 1896
EN O1 RIK, U2) os es ce Bee een 12 April 29 April 19, 1896
WartesOrOm NIN. ..!. so. e Saseels so s 6 May 8 May 6, 1887
Me mmbiattamemieanse i. a. se gles ees 9 April 25 April 18, 1896
MOU OR MRCA TIS ric osc e ils df os ws grace bie a ous I4 April 27 April 21, 1891
psoutheastern Nebraska.............. 6 May 3 April 27, 1900
Pampeles ViamitOba... 0 se se So 5 May 20 May 15, 1906
Swieosemetiat, Alberta \.....s). 0.0... May 18, 1894

80 Bird - Lore

FALL MIGRATION

Number |

ae +2)

PLACE or veary | Avquge dete of | «laud aie
Aweme, Manitoba seis anc ve rae cides 6 | August 28 September 2, 1907
Eanesboro, Mini soo aoe ete eee 5 September 9 September 15, 1888
Keokuk Ga ence cae ak «teas airy ore se) September 11 | September 15, 1895
Onaras Kans a a erect chee ae te nate hake 7 | September 8 September 13, 1900
Southwesfern Ontario........:...:.. 5 September 15 | September 20, 1903
Oberlin OF sets. 2 ee eae 7 September 11 | September 17, 1906
St.Louis, Mow 2... 2 pce ae September 27, 1891
Helenas( Ark 125.6) scseitet a eens sore | October 5, 1896
Hartiord, ‘Contes. 3c s. bees ee es 5 October 13 October 15, 1906
Germantown; 2a... <iincsth or sem a eye 3 | August 22 October 18, 1890
WashingtanssD!C. oat ice / September 12, 1903
Southern British Columbia........... 2 | September 3 September 5, 1905
Los Angeles, "Cali ytrodi cine set one) | October 2, 1895

WESTERN WARBLING VIREO

SPRING MIGRATION

eae

Number :
PLACE cf year | Avetase date of | ita
ass |

BS Ata Goo a Ca ey SA rset ros me ag March 12, rgo2
Bos Angeles; Calvren cis «asec ete. ester 3 March 25 | March 23, 1895
Berkeley, Call (nearness pate 5 ahsees 4 April 1 | March 28, 1886
Southern British Columbia........... 5 May 8 April 26, 1889
Columibia# Vallis iiontier ccs eos 3 3 May 16 May 14, 1895
Banity Aeneas te oie crete tye May 16, 1891
Red Deer, Albertar ont yok. sees oo le May 16, 1893
Fort Simpson, Mackenzie............ | May 22, 1860

RED-EYED VIREO

This Vireo withdraws entirely from the United States during the winter and
returns in late March. It is worthy of note that the date of arrival in southern
Texas, near San Antonio, is about three weeks later than in the corresponding
latitude of southern Louisiana. This is an extreme example of what is also
noted in several other species, that the individuals flying across the Gulf of
Mexico to Louisiana arrive earlier than those that make a shorter flight along the ~
eastern coast of Mexico or go entirely by land to Texas.

The Migration of Vireos 81

SPRING MIGRATION

Number

> | Aver Earlie

PLACE Se ecareetyev We) epee atival.
RNAI TE NLOTUG Ai. 0). 9.)%) «6 5! Ges iesaonce ey out 4 March 21 March 19, 1903
patitneastern, Georgia. a)... fo. 2 =e 4 March 24 March 19, 1905
Atlanta, Ga. (near). . Sea PerhcnaiRe 12 April 9 April 3, 1902
Charleston, S. C. (near). eek 5 April ro March 29, 1891
Raleigh, Nee. Sree ta 18 April 16 April 6, 1888
Asheville, N. C. “(near).. prayer 5 April 26 April 12, 1899
French Creek, NINE NVC TSRG a reat re oy, mre 5 April 13 April 7, 1892
Washington, D. (Ci OEE Dee malice ny Lae I9 April 27 April 21, 1895
SGA WCINE a ceeah tee sae te eva ohe tee she aie suave wiles 4 May 1 April 22, 1889
IB etayvayiieaile alse kevanetehe bs siiep aye oe tauait Nae aon I5 May 3 April 21, 1893
Ice OOGMAIN Ie ge) LUNs eae Seas ae) May 8 May 3, 1905
INevietrovidence: IN: Jt. 22 yee. 7 May 9 May 5, 1886
Southeastern New York............. 6 May 8 May 2, 1892
BietvetrmlstaadsN Yon. ve tls ties 8 May 14 May 11, 1897
Wewetta Citys Commis ass. Sane ae T4 May 7 May 3, 1900
IB layettiioneGls (COnmtnl aye emectccetm tea Ge ehaaos ieee 15 May to May 5, 1887
Eastern Massachusetts.............. 20 May 9 May 4, 1888
Southern New Hampshire........... 7 May 15 May 8, 1899
Noubtawestecn) Maines. .2 20.2 s.. - 13 May 17 May 11, 1905
Montreal, Canada.. Lares nage 8 May 15 May 11, 1887
Chatham, New Brunswick. . Stenting 5 May 20 May 14, 1894
Scotch Lake, New Brunswick........ 6 May 20 May 12, 1904
North River, Prince Ed. Island....... 4 May 25 May 18, 1887
New Orleans, La.. ee Neate II March 23 March 18, 1894
RHI BNTE Sieh cs cee) iefere yr tek. sie ape e nec « 9 April 12 March 30, 1897
ANineinS., ANSI Os ae ence anaemia ae 5 April 6 April 1, 1904
ENUM VIM Vers atiyte decile eiuae eis wh apecgalle Wee 7 April 14 April 5, 1892
SPMIEOUIS HMO ck ee are eile eas 8 April 23 April 16, 1896
Bloominetony Ind... tl. s. eso 7 April 24 April 19, 1903
Wiatenloowlnds (med) ia... cee ae I4 April 29 April 21, 1896
NVAISCOMY Osiris eee eee ees II April 28 April 23, 1890
(Olloerellival,(O)s8 a8 yee serene Saree aera Ee 13 April 30 April 27, 1908
etersbuney Michi. ic. os shoe ed) 8 May 4 | April 28, 1888
TElksyaaxonuitelnys dM biel alee oe icone arcane arias cue 7 May 5 May 2, 1894
Southwestern Ontario............... 18 May 7 May 2, 1898
MO) traci OVM SS aucrsyajsc eielie os dus s theteuesen 6 utiein I5 May 16 May 6, 1905
(Clawtverz ex oy ih) UU 2/ ates egies ee a aT age ieee cera 7 May 9 May 1, 1899
ASO att ene ARR pe ties och viol sidncesspeveusse goa wee T4 May 2 April 20, 1896
WDlenwaitit Masia de steacseetans oh od sloeny cys ava 3 14 May 1 April 24, 1888
WamesborowNiint sles ds es ek oes es 6 May 10 May 7, 1888
WonpuspGhnistt,. Mex oc. oe .) . aeets April 3, 1891
SameAmtonio hex. (Mean) s...--.-.-.- 9 April 13 April 9, 1907
Miamina tian Kans css. csc bas ct es 5 April 28 April 25, 1891
Dieta IANS aie) oe aioe aieieie sub ce 2 es 15 May 1 April 24, 1901
Southeastern Nebraska.............. 7 * May 3 April 29, 1906
TRevroncel (Comes 7S) D are ee er en 3 May 10 May 7, 1905
JANSRTG TONS): JAY NTs a ee eR do IO May 18 May 13, 1898
Northwestern Montana....... Laika Hoge 4 | May 24 May 19, 1896
Southern British Columbia......... ay; 3 May 27 May 25, 1906
Cascade Rapids, Makenzie........... May 28, 1903

FALL MIGRATION
_ Migrants begin to appear in Florida, the latter part of August, and, after
taking the long flight across the Gulf of Mexico, they have been noted in south-
eastern Nicaragua, September 10, 1892, and at San José, Costa Rica, October
9, 1889.

82 Bird - Lore

FALL MIGRATION

Naiiies

v
PLACE ees ARS iert one megae

Okanagan dan ding, BGs2. eictrcat:. +o September 3, 1905
Aweme,: Manitoba... s-..s;.dcienee nm 0%: 3 : 9 September 11 September 25, 1897
Southwestern: Ontario. .<..<.0.26 a2 3 5 September 21 September 24, 1898
Grinnell platessa ane Soe ee 5 September 14 September 23, 1889
ObenlintO oe sa ecisasp patie teers 7 September 25 October 1, 1906
CHIC POM EN. rae ct sve ened: eaacenors ee ieeetonte 6 September 30 | October 6, 1906
ATHENS = eT sy hs sees eee eee ae 4 October 6 October 11, 1903
New Orleans, La.. Mie aie 2 October to October 16, 1895

North River, Prince Ed. Island....... September 17, 1887
Scotch Lake, New Brunswick........ September 21, 1906
Montreal, Canddal. scx.) ial 2 5 September 6 September 7, 1898
Southwestern Maine.) a. ee eer 6 September 13 | October 7, 1902
Parton, Coane. 220. ae ae eet 7 October 13 | October 25, 1900
Southeastern New York......2:7.... 8 October r4 | November 3, 1890
Berwyn, Pa.. LeRoy peeve eeb efor 12 October 11 | October 26, 1900
Washington, DCu yn ake 4 October 17 | November 11, 1888
Seen ted ots lol Ot cinione Perec tocee od Op RE 9 October 8 | October 14, 1891
Southern: Flonidh. ois. cnepe meses 3 October 12. | October 16, 1885

BLACK-WHISKERED VIREO

This is one of the very few species that breed in Cuba and do not winter
there. The northward migration begins in late February, most of the individuals
arrive in March, and by April 20, the species has reached its normal northern
limit in the northern Bahamas. A few spend the summer in southern Florida
and extend on the Gulf coast as far north as Anclote Keys.

ae

Bird-Lore’s Advisory Council

ITH some slight alterations and additions, we reprint below the
\ \) names and addresses of the ornithologists forming BirD-LORE’s
‘Advisory Council,’ which were first published in Brrp-Lore for

February, 1900.

To those of our readers who are not familiar with the objects of the Council,
we may state that it was formed for the purpose of placing students in direct
communication with an authority on the bird-life of the region in which they
live, to whom they might appeal for information and advice in the many diffi-
culties which beset the isolated worker.

The success of the plan during the eight years that it has been in operation
fully equals our expectations; and from both students and members of the Council
we have had very gratifying assurances of the happy results attending our efforts
to bring the specialist in touch with those who appreciate the opportunity to
avail themselves of his wider experience.

It is requested that all letters of inquiry sent to members of the Council
be accompanied by a stamped and addressed envelope for use in replying.

NAMES AND ADDRESSES OF MEMBERS OF THE ADVISORY COUNCIL
UNITED STATES AND TERRITORIES

AtasKA.—Dr. C. Hart Merriam, Biological Survey, Dept. of Agr., Washington, D. C.
ARIZONA.—Herbert Brown, Tucson, Ariz.

CALIFORNIA.—Charles A. Keeler, Cal. Acad. Sciences, San Francisco, Cal.
CALIFORNIA.— Walter K. Fisher, Palo Alto, Cal.

CoLorapo.—Dr. W. H. Bergtold, 1460 Clayton Ave., Denver, Col.

ConNEcTICcUT.—J. H. Sage, Portland, Conn.

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

District of CoLtumBiA.—Dr. C. W. Richmond, U. S. Nat’l. Mus., Washington, D. C.
FLORIDA.—Frank M. Chapman, American Museum Natural History, New York City.
FLORIDA, Western.—R. W. Williams, Jr., Dept. of Agriculture, Washington, D. C.
Grorcia.—Dr. Eugene Murphy, Augusta, Ga.

ILt1nots, Northern.—B. T. Gault, Glen Ellyn, Ill.

ILLINOIS, Southern.—Robert Ridgway, U. S. National Museum, Washington, D. C.
InpIANA.—A. W. Butler, State House, Indianapolis, Ind.

INDIAN TERRITORY.—Prof. W. W. Cooke, Biological Survey, Dept. of Agr., Wash-
Iowa.—C. R. Keyes, Mt. Vernon, Ia. [ington, D. C.
KansAs.—University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kan.

Lovis1ANA.—Prof. George E. Beyer, Tulane University, New Orleans, La.
MaIne.—O. W. Knight, Bangor, Me.

MASSACHUSETTS.—William Brewster, Cambridge, Mass.

Micuican.—Prof. W. B. Barrows, Agricultural College, Mich.

MinneEsota.—Dr. T. S. Roberts, 1603 Fourth Avenue South, Minneapolis, Minn.
Mississippi—Andrew Allison, Ellisville, Miss.

Missourt.—O. Widmann, 5105 Morgan St., St. Louis, Mo.

Montana.—Prof. J. M. Elrod, University of Montana, Missoula, Mont.
NEBRASKA.—Dr. R. H. Walcott, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Neb.

(83)

84 Bird- Lore

Nevapa.—Dr. A. K. Fisher, Biological Survey, Dept. of Agr., Washington, D. C.

NEw HAmpsHIRE.—Dr. G. M. Allen, Boston Soc. Nat. Hist., Boston.

NEw Jersey, Northern.—Frank M. Chapman, Am. Mus. Nat. History, New York City.
NEw JERSEY, Southern.—Witmer Stone, Academy Natural Science, Philadelphia, Pa.
New Mexico.—Dr. A. K. Fisher, Biological Survey, Dept. of Agr., Washington, D. C.
NEw York, Eastern.—Dr. A. K. Fisher, Biological Survey, Dept. of Agr., Washington,
New York, Northern.—Egbert Bagg, 191 Genesee Street, Utica, N. Y. [DRG
NEw York, Western.—E. H. Eaton, Canandaigua, N. Y.

New York, Long Island.—Wiliam Dutcher, 141 Broadway, New York City.

NortH Daxorta.—Prof. O. G. Libby, University, N. D.

NortH CARoLINA,—Prof. T. G. Pearson, Greensboro, N. C.

Oxuto.—Prof. Lynds Jones, Oberlin College, Oberlin, Ohio.

OKLAHOMA.—Dr. A. K. Fisher, Biological Survey, Dept. of Agr., Washington, D. C.
OrREGON.—W. L. Finley, Milwaukee, Ore.

PENNSYLVANIA, Eastern.—Witmer Stone, Acad. Nat. Science, Philadelphia, Pa.
PENNSYLVANIA, Western.—W. Clyde Todd, Carnegie Museum, Pittsburg, Pa.

RHODE IsLAND.—H. S. Hathaway, Box 498, Providence, R. I.

SoutH CAROLINA.—Dr. Eugene Murphy, Augusta, Ga.

TExaAs.—H. P. Attwater, Houston, Tex.

Utau.—Prof. Marcus E. Jones, Salt Lake City, Utah.

VERMONT.—Prof. G. H. Perkins, Burlington, Vt.

VirGINIA.—Dr. W. C. Rives, 1723 I Street, Washington, D. C.

WASHINGTON.—Samuel F. Rathburn, Seattle, Wash.

WEsT VIRGINIA.—Dr. W. C. Rives, 1723 I Street, Washington, D. C.

Wisconsin.—H. L. Ward, Public Museum, Milwaukee, Wis.

CANADA

ALBERTA.—G. F. Dippie, Calgary, Alta.

British CoLuMBIA, Western.—Francis Kermode, Provincial Museum, Victoria, B. C.
BritisH CoLtumBiA, Eastern.—Allan Brooks, Okanagan Landing, B. C.
Maniropa.—Ernest Thompson Seton, Cos Cob, Conn.

NEw Brunswicx.—Montague Chamberlain, 45 Milk Street, Boston, Mass.

Nova Scortrta.—Harry Piers, Provincial Museum, Halifax, N. S.

OnrTARIO, Eastern.—James H. Fleming, 267 Rusholme Road, Toronto, Ont.

ONTARIO, Western.—E. W. Saunders, London, Ont.

QueEBEc.—E. D. Wintle, 189 St. James Street, Montreal, Can.

MEXICO
E. W. Nelson, Biological Survey, Department of Agriculture, Washington, D. C.

WEST INDIES
C. B. Cory, Field Museum, Chicago, Ill.

GREAT BRITAIN
Clinton G. Abbott, 153 West 73d St., New York City, N. Y.

HPNotes from Field and Sturp

The Evening Grosbeak at Williams-
town, Mass.

On January 26, I saw three Evening
Grosbeaks, one male and two females,
under an elm tree in my yard.

There were patches of snow and ice on
the lawn, but the birds had, of course,
Selected a grassy spot where they seemed
to be busily feeding. They were not at
all timid, and afterwards flew into an ad-
joining tree where I had a different and
quite near view of them.—CarRoOLINE R.
LEAKE, Williamstown, Mass.

The Evening Grosbeak at Rutland, Vt.

On Friday, February 12, a female
Evening Grosbeak came into a box elder
tree a few feet from my window, and both
my husband and myself had an excellent
view of her. On Sunday afternoon, Feb-
Tuary 21, two males came into the same
tree. They were scarcely ten feet away,
and remained for more than ten minutes,
feeding on the seeds left on the tree. My
husband and I each had a good glass,
though the birds were so near we did not
really need one, and we were able to
identify every feather according to de-
scriptions and a colored plate.

After the birds flew away, knowing that
I had seen a rare species for this part of
the country, I telephoned to two members
of the Vermont Bird Club, one of whom,
Mr. George W. Kirk, came out and suc-
ceeded in finding the birds in a maple tree
a very short distance from where we had
seen them, and he fully corroborated my
statement.—Mary B. Coan. Rutland, Vt.

A Wintering Ruby-crowned Kinglet and
Cowbird

I notice that in Birp-LoreE’s Ninth
Christmas Census, you comment on the
occurrence of the Ruby-crowned Kinglet
on Long Island as being noteworthy. It
may, therefore, interest you to know that

I positively identified one in the little ham-
let of Livingston, Columbia county, over
a hundred miles north of New York City,
on January 3, of this year. It was quite
alone in an apple tree, but flew away be-
fore Mr. Clinton Abbott, who was with
me, could arrive on the scene. I have no
doubt whatever as to the identification, as
I was within six feet of the bird with the
light in my favor.

Another note of interest is that a per-
fectly healthy male Cowbird spent the win-
ter of 1907-08 flying around as a boon
companion to a flock of a hundred or more
English Sparrows at my barn at Rhine-
beck, Dutchess county.—MAUNSELL S.
CrosBy, Rhinebeck, N.Y.

[A Ruby-crowned Kinglet is also reported
from Hackettstown, N. J., on January 4,
1909, by Mary Pierson Allen.—ED.]

The Starling at Germantown, Pa.

Recently I saw a flock of about fifteen
English Starlings in the neighborhood of
Germantown. They were flying fast and
rather high, but, from my short acquaint-
ance with them in New York state, I was
able to identify them. I have been hoping
for them ever since I knew them in 1906,
for to me they are far preferable to the
nefandum English Sparrow, whose one
thought is “‘battle, murder and sudden
death.”’—GEoORGE LEAR, Germantown,Pa.

The Cardinal in Massachusetts

Last week (February 1, 1909) a friend
of mine at Ipswich wrote me that for the
past two or three weeks there had been a
beautiful strange bird which had been
coming into his dooryard for food. The
one that he described was practically red
all over with a very bright crest on his
head. At my earliest opportunity I visited
the farm, to find that when the bird came
at noon he was a beautiful Cardinal. He
has been there about a month up to the
present writing, and comes regularly to

(85)

86

the dooryard for seeds and bread crumbs,
which are put out for the birds each day.
He keeps very close to the house, practi-
cally the entire time living in some very
thick clumps of spruce trees not far away.
He has gradually become very tame, so
that he will come to within some few feet
of the people who are feeding him. On
the coldest mornings, when the thermom-
eter has registered in the vicinity of zero,
his disposition has been of the most cheer-
ful, seeming to mind the cold not in the
least, and jumping about very actively,
even coming to the window and calling for
the food if it has not been put out in time
for him.

There are a number of Myrtle Warblers,
a few Song Sparrows and Chickadees
nearby, which occasionally alight in the
trees which he seems to consider as his
especial property. This, apparently, trou-
bles him not a little, and he usually
drives the intruders away, after watching
them for a minute or two.

I thought this item might be of interest
to you, as in the course of twenty years of
bird study in this vicinity I have never had
fortune to meet with the Cardinal before.
—FRrank A. Brown, Beverly, Mass.

The Carolina Wren in Massachusetts

I wish to report the appearance of a
Carolina Wren in West Roxbury, Mass.,
near Boston, on November 8, 1908. The
bird was seen on and about a wood-pile,
and its rufous back and white superciliary
line were very conspicuous.—J. I. Cop-
MAN, West Roxbury, Mass.

The Color of Male Purple Martins

The male of the Purple Martin is
described as a shining blue-black in color.
Thirty years ago this was the case. At
this time about one out of every seven
males is black, and the remaining six are
hard to distinguish from the females,

Last year I built houses for eight pairs,
and they were all occupied. Seven of the
males were gray and one was black.
Hundreds of them are here in the sum-

Bird - Lore

mer, perched on the wires, and it can be

seen that about seven or eight per cent of

them are black.

Thirty years ago there were no English
Sparrows in this vicinity. Can it be
possible that the annoying Sparrows have
prevented Martins from reaching matur-
ity ?>—J. F. PoacE, Kirksville, Mo.

Tin Cans as Homes for Bluebirds

Having been told by an old farmer
that Bluebirds would readily nest in tin
cans placed upon poles, I decided to try
the plan. So, early in the spring of 1906,
I procured sixteen large tomato cans, and
nailed them crosswise upon the tops of
poles about twelve or fifteen feet long, and
placed them around a two-acre lot. As
the field was then being plowed, the Blue-
birds (which were very abundant) were
always flying around to get the worms
which the plow turned up.

The third morning after putting up the
cans, I noticed some straw in one of them,
and, later on in the day, I found that a
pair of Bluebirds had begun a nest. The
next day two more of the cans were oc-
cupied,—one by Bluebirds and the other
by English Sparrows. So numerous were
the Bluebirds that at the end of ten days.
the remaining thirteen cans were taken
by them, making fifteen Bluebirds’ nests
and one English Sparrow’s nest in the

sixteen tomato cans.—ANGUS MCKINNON, «

De Funiak Springs, Florida.

A Martin Colony

I am sending a snap-shot of a colony of
Purple Martins which I took last May.
This colony of Martins started from one
pair, three years ago, and the second year
had grown to three pairs. Last year there
were nine pairs, the six-compartment
cote shown in the picture being full, be-
sides another three-compartment cote.

The Martins arrived on April 15, 1908,
which was the earliest I have ever seen
them in this section. They usually reach
here about May. The cote was situated

on a fifteen-foot pole, which made it a

Notes from Field and Study

rather difficult task to get a good picture.
By placing another pole six feet from the
other with a box containing the camera, I
finally got the picture enclosed, after sev-
eral attempts. The arrangement of com-
partments in this cote is the result of con-
siderable experimenting. This arrange-
ment allows a pair to build in each com-
partment without interference. Their
nesting material consists of straw and
sticks, with green leaves picked from
the tree-tops for lining. During incuba-
tion, the male and the female take turns
in sitting, and also in feeding the young.
The young left their nests during the third
week in July, the number ranging from
three to five from each nest, they being
nearly as large as the parent birds and
capable of flying well. They all remained
in this locality until the middle of Septem-
ber, when they disappeared.—Jas. S.
BECKER, Clyde, Ohio.

Boxes for Purple Martins

From my boyhood I have been an ad-
mirer of these beautiful birds, and have
learned much of their nature and fancies.
Purple Martins delight in the companion-

87

ship of man, and especially are they at
home on the farm.

Like the Wren and the Bluebird, Mar-
tins will use any kind of a nesting-place
which gives them protection. I have
known them to select the forsaken homes
made by Woodpeckers in tall trees. The
box which I have used measures 12 by 12
inches, its height is seven inches, the
width of the doorway is two inches. A
resting-porch two or three inches in width
is a great convenience. The box is
mounted upon a pole thirteen feet above
the earth. A scientific fancier of the Pur-
ple Martin says that he found by years of
experimenting with their wants, that the
Martins prefer that height for the home.
I keep the boxes in seclusion until the
Martins appear, which, in this latitide, is
in early April, and this practise is to aid
them against that pest, the House Spar-
row. Even then I have to maintain a con-
stant war against Passer domesticus by tear-
ing out their immense nests which may be
built in one day’s absence of the Martins.

Some use boxes large enough for several
families of these happy birds, but I judge
that each pair prefers its own house exclus-
ively.—JASPER BLINES, Alexander, Mo.

A MARTIN COLONY

Book News and Reviews

A BroLocicAL INVESTIGATION OF THE
ATHABASKA-MACKENZIE REGION. By
EDWARD A. PREBLE, Assistant, Biolog-
ical Survey. North American Fauna
No. 29, Washington, 1908. 574 pages,
25 plates, 16 text cuts.

This is easily one of the most important
contributions to faunal literature of recent
years. It treats of the vertebrates, the
trees ‘and shrubs of that vast area lying
west of Hudson Bay and east of the Rocky
Mountains, and from about latitude 54°
northward to the Arctic ocean.

For eighty years the ‘Fauna Boreali-
Americana’ has been the standard work
of reference on the mammal and bird life
of this region. Since the publication of
that great work, it has been the scene of
much direct or indirect natural history
work, either by expeditions sent into it
especially to make collections, or by the
naturalists of the numerous exploring
parties which have visited it; but it has
remained for Mr. Preble to summarize the
results of their labors, and adding the out-
-come of his own, bring into one volume
all existing information in regard to the
-distribution of mammals and birds of the
Athabaska—Mackenzie region. With the
the publication of his work, Fauna No. 27
replaces the Fauna Boreali-Americana
-as the standard book of reference on the
Fauna of the region in question.

Mr. Preble was twice sent by the Bio-
logical Survey into this field, and on the
second occasion remained during the win-
ter. The Survey has also been represented
here by Alfred E. Preble, Merritt Cary,
and J. Alder Loring, and the routes pur-
sued by these investigators are outlined
by Mr. Preble on pages 11-13, 85-125,
of his report.

Pages 16-46 are devoted to a description
-of the ‘Physical Geography and Clima-
tology of the Mackenzie Basin;’ on pages
49-52 the ‘Life Zones of the Athabaska—
Mackenzie Region’ are defined, and on
pages 54-74 we have an excellent résumé
-of the ‘Previous Explorations and Col-

lections’ which have been made in this
part of the North.

Pages 251-500 are devoted to the birds,
of which 296 species and subspecies are
treated. From the standpoint of distri-
bution, the region is of exceptional im-
portance. In it some eastern birds find
their western limits, and some western
birds their eastern limits; while birds of
southern origin here reach their northern
limits, and Arctic species, their southern
limits.

The result is a most interesting mix-
ture of eastern and western, northern and
southern species, but an abundance of
specimens has enabled Mr. Preble to
deal satisfactorily with the question of
the identity of representative forms, while
his prolonged stay, on his second trip,
gave him an opportunity to secure many
data in regard to migration.

It is not possible to speak in detail of
Mr. Preble’s copious notes on birds, which
sometimes cover two or three pages ona
single species, and we close this inadequate
notice by heartily congratulating him on
the success with which he has prosecuted
his explorations and the no less admirable
manner in which he has presented their
results.—F. M. C.

My Pets: RrEAL HAPPENINGS IN My
AVIARY. By MARSHALL SAUNDERS.
The Griffith and Rowland Press, Phila-
delphia. 12mo.; 6 colored plates; 28
text cuts, 283 pages.

The aviary, to whose inhabitants this
book is devoted, has evidently been an
asylum in which various stray birds have
found a retuge for a time, while the author
administered to their wants and studied
their ways. Even such unusual “pets”
as the Purple Gallinule, and Mother
Carey’s Chicken, or Petrel, have partaken
of her bounty.

Pets these pensioners have been in the
best sense of the word. Their hostess has not
been their keeper, but a friend, who has
found the pleasure of their companionship

(88)

Book News

more than sufficient return for the care,
food, and shelter which, properly furnished
to creatures wholly dependent upon us,
means the expenditure of much thought
and time on our part.—F. M. C.

REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF THE BUREAU
OF BIOLOGICAL SURVEY FOR 1908. By
C. Hart Merriam, Chief. From the
Annual Reports of the Department of
Agriculture, pp. 1-22.

An adequate review of this summary
of the activities of the Biological Survey
for 1908 would practically entail its repro-
duction entire, but a mere statement of
its major headings will at least convey an
idea of the increase in scope and impor-
tance of the Survey’s investigations.

Under ‘Economic Ornithology
Mammalogy’ we have the results of
studies of the economic relations of
‘Wolves and Coyotes,’ ‘Field Mice,’
‘House Rats,’ ‘Deer Farming,’ ‘Fox
Farming,’ ‘Relation of Birds to the Cotton
Boll Weevil,’ ‘California Birds in Relation
to Fruit Industry,’ ‘Food of Wild Ducks,’
' “Food of Woodpeckers,’ ‘Mosquito-eating
Birds,’ Birds in Relation to the Codling
Moth,’ ‘Grosbeaks,’ ‘Spread of the Eng-
lish Sparrow in Southern California,’
‘Means of Attracting Birds.’

This splendid showing is followed by
a synopsis of the work of the year on ‘Geo-
graphic Distribution,’ and on ‘Game
Protection.’ The field covered by the
Survey’s Department of Game Protection
widens annually and its influence, in a
variety of ways, is manifested throughout
the country. For example, we have here
brief reports on the general subject of
‘Game Protection,’ on the ‘Importation
of Foreign Mammals and Birds,’ ‘Bird
Reservations,’ ‘Protection of Game in
Alaska,’ ‘Stocking Covers,’ ‘Quail Dis-
ease,’ ‘Codperative Work,’ etc.

The publications of the Survey for the
year include five Bulletins, one Farmers’
Bulletin, four Yearbook Articles, four
Circulars, the Report of the Chief for
1907, and the reprint of former publica-
tions.

The Outline of Work for 1909 shows
no decrease in the energy and foresight
with which the work of this distinctively

and

and Reviews 89
American ‘Bureau’ of scientific investi-
gation will be prosecuted.—F. M. C.

The Ornithological Magazines

Tue AuxK.—The January number con-
tains an unusual amount of information
relative to the habits of various species ‘of
birds, and an article on the ‘Nesting of the
Bohemian Waxwing (Bombycilla garrula),’
by Mr. R. M. Anderson is the one possessed
of most novelty. Very few North American
nests of this bird have previously been
taken, largely on account of its far north-
ern distribution and the careful conceal-
ment of its nest. It will be noted that the
Waxwings, by a new shuffle of the nomen-
clature cards, lose the long-familiar generic
name Ampelis.

Dr. C. W. Townsend portrays ‘Some
Habits of the English Sparrow (Passer
domesticus)’, as seen in the city streets
where the birds merely participate in the
rudeness, noise and aggressiveness of
modern urban life. At page 78 figures
are presented in evidence to show that the
struggle for existence produces larger bills.
If Dr. Townsend had said larger mouths
we would easily believe it judging by the
vocal rows we have all listenedto. Quieter
residents are ‘The Virginia and Sora Rails
nesting in New York,’ of which Mr. J. A.
Weber writes, and they afford still an-
other illustration of how a species will
cling to its ancestral nesting-site at long as
it remains possible for it to do so. Adapta-
tion or extermination are the alternatives
birds have to face, and Mr. Wm. Palmer
touches upon this in his paper on ‘In-
stinctive Stillness in Birds.’

Mr. N. A. Wood has ‘Notes on the
Occurrence of the Yellow Rail in Michi-
gan’; L. J. Cole tells of ‘The Destruction
of Birds at Niagara Falls;’ Mr. G. Eifig
contributes ‘Winter Birds of New Ontario
and Other Notes on Northern Birds,’ and
there are brief lists by S. G. Jewett on
‘Some Birds of Baker County, Oregon;’
by A. Brooks on ‘Some Notes on the Birds
Okanagan, British Columbia;’ and by
C. Sheldon who gives a ‘List of Birds
Observed on the Upper Toklat River near
Mt. McKinley, Alaska, 1907-1908.’

90

It is to be regretted that Dr. C. W.
Richmond’s ‘A Reprint of the Ornitho-
logical Writings of C. T. Rafinesque’ was
not reproduced by photography from the
original. If such reprints are worth doing,
they ought to face the camera and thereby
escape possible errors.

Last but not least, we find a brief ac-
count of the ‘Twenty-sixth Stated Meet-
ing of the A. O. U.’ prepared by the Sec-
retary. Valuable contributions to the
present number of ‘The Auk’ are the nu-
merous reviews from the indefatigable pen
of Dr. Allen, our able editor. He does not
receive from members of the A. O. U.
one-half of the co6peration he deserves,
and it is no fault of his that illustrations
are lacking from the pages before us. Let
bird students take the hint and help with
pens and cameras.—J. D., Jr.

THE Conpor.—The number for No-
vember, 1908, which completes the tenth
volume of ‘The Condor,’ opens very ap-
propriately with a paper entitled ‘Retro-
spective.’ In this article, Kaeding reviews
not only the history of the magazine dur-
ing the decade of its existence, but also
the history of the Cooper Ornithological
Club, founded in 1893, which first had
for its organ ‘The Nidologist,’ and later
“The Condor.’ The importance of this
journal to ornithological work in Cali-
fornia can scarcely be overestimated, for
besides the special publications of the
Cooper Ornithological Club, the reports
of the Fish Commission, and perhaps a
dozen other articles, ‘The Condor’ con-
tains “practically all that has been pub-
lished on the Pacific Coast” on ornithology
since 1898.

The present number is conspicuous by
the absence of the usual local lists, but
contains two faunal articles on widely
separated regions. ‘From Big Creek to
Big Basin’ is an interesting account of
the characteristic birds found by Ray and
Heinemann in the redwood belt of Santa
Cruz county, California, in June, 1908;
and ‘A Month’s Bird Collecting in Vene-
zuela,’ is an entertaining narrative of the
experiences of Ferry and Dearborn, while

Bird - Lore

collecting for the Field Museum of Natu-
ral History in April, rgo8. Incidentally
it may be noted that the Redstart, the
Water- Thrush (Seiurus mnoveboracensis
subsp.), and the Lesser Yellowlegs, were
found in the vicinity of Caracas.

‘The Arrangement of an OGlogical Col-
lection’ is discussed by Massey; Willard
describes the nesting habits of the Plum-
beous, Stephen’s, and Western Warbling
Vireos in the Huachuca Mountains, Ari-
and Anderson contributes some
observations on the ‘Nesting of the Pine
Siskin at Great Slave Lake.’ Prof. Ritter
discusses briefly ‘Mr. Rockwell’s Sugges-
dion of Coéperation in Ornithogical
Studies.’

Among the brief notes may be men-
tioned the capture of a specimen of the
Louisiana Water-Thrush (Seiurus mota-
cilla) at Mecca, California on August 17,
1908, by L. H. Miller. This is the first
record of the species for the state. Cham-
bers states that the Least Tern ‘‘seems to
be on the increase at nearly all of the

zona;

breeding-grounds in Southern California.”
Grinnell, who has recently examined the
specimen of the alleged ‘Cape Robin’
taken at Haywards, in 1882, concludes that
it is a ‘‘pale extreme of the Western
Robin.”

The volumes of ‘The Condor’ have
gradually increased in size from 148 to
252 pages, the tenth volume containing
40 pages more than any previous one in
the) series: — ens. tes

Book News

Second editions of Mr. Edward Howe
Forbush’s important papers, ‘Two Years
with the Birds on a Farm’ and ‘Decrease
of Certain Birds, and Its Causes with
Suggestions for Bird Protection,’ and a
third edition of his ‘Birds as Protectors
of Orchards’ have been issued by the
Massachusetts State Board of Agriculture.

In response to an unexpectedly large
demand D. Appleton Company, publish-
ers of Chapman’s ‘Camps and Cruises
of an Ornithologist’ are printing a special
edition of that book for the English trade.

Editorial 91

BHird-Lore

A Bi-monthly Magazine
Devoted to the Study and Protection of Birds
OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE AUDUBON SOCIETIES

Edited by FRANK M. CHAPMAN
Published by THE MACMILLAN COMPANY

Vol. XI Published Apri! 1, 1909 No. 2

SUBSCRIPTION RATES

Price in the United States, Canada and Mexico twenty cents
a number, one dollar a year, postage paid.

——

COPYRIGHTED, 19090, BY FRANK M. CHAPMAN

Bird-Lore’s Motto:
A Bird in the Bush 1s Worth Two in the Hand

FROM every side come exceptionally
early records of the return of the birds.
At Englewood, N. J., on February 22,
Red-winged Blackbirds, Meadowlarks,
Song Sparrows, and Bluebirds were sing-
ing freely; and on the same date, at Plain-
field, N. J., Mr. W. DeWitt Miller reports
hearing two Woodcocks singing!

The effects of the high temperature
which, so to speak, has started the birds
growing, is also visible in the plant world,
skunk cabbages, hepatica, alder, and
willow, all being found in bloom in Feb-
ruary.

About New York the European Star-
ling’s voice has now become a character-
istic part of the spring chorus, and one
half resents the intrusion of its strange
notes among those which association has
made particularly dear to us. The Star-
ling’s occasional habit of mimicry intro-
duces a new element in the identification
problem. A few days since we were not a
little surprised to hear one give a capital
imitation of a Wood Pewee—surely an
unusual bird song for February.

REPLYING to our editorial in the last
issue of Brrp-Lore, the field student
asks “‘What do you consider constitutes
Satisfactory identification of the bird
in nature ?”’

We have before answered this question
at some length (Birp-Lore IV, 1902,
p. 166), numbering among the require-
ments of adequate field identification:
| “(1) Experience in naming birds in nature,

and familiarity at least with the local
fauna. (2) A good field- or opera-glass.
(3) Opportunity to observe the bird
closely and repeatedly with the light at
one’s back. (4) A detailed description
of the plumage, appearance, actions and
notes (if any) of the bird, written while it
is under observation. (5) Examination
of a specimen of the supposed species to
confirm one’s identification.”

The fifth requirement cannot, of course,
be always complied with, nor is it essen-
tial. Indeed, the actual identification of
the bird seen may be left to some one else
to whom the field description, or, what is
far better, the field sketch may be submitted.

We may claim a somewhat extended
experience in identifying, or attempting to
identify, descriptions of ‘‘strange birds,”
and among the hundreds received none is
so satisfactory as the sketch in colored
crayons or water-color. It may be the
crudest outline and in ridiculous pose,
but at least it is definite. There is no
possibility of error through the wrong
use of terms, the observer draws or charts
what he sees. Neither art nor skill is re-
required. Any one can learn to make the
outline of the normal bird figure as readily
as he can learn to make the letters of the
alphabet, and.a little practice will enable
one to give the characteristic shape of
bill, wings or tail. Typical passerine out-
line figures may be made in advance in
one’s note-book, and the shape of bill
and color may be added while the bird
is under observation. If the sketch cannot
be completed, if essential features are
lacking, it is obvious that the subject has
not been seen with that definiteness upon
which satisfactory field identification
should rest.

So, in reply to our field-student’s query,
we say, purchase a box of colored crayons
and a sketch-kook, and, before the waves
of north-bound migrants reach you, learn
to make and color simple bird outlines.
You will be surprised at the ease with which
this can be done, and your growing collec-
tion of bird maps or diagrams will possess
for you far greater interest than the most
carefully worded descriptions.

The Audubon Docieties

SCHOOL DEPARTMENT

Edited by MABEL OSGOOD WRIGHT

Address all communications to the Editor of the School Department, National
Association of Audubon Societies, 141 Broadway, New York City

From Ceylon

[The following letter from one of the younger members of the National Association
from Ceylon will be of great interest to the readers of Birp-LoreE. It is especially
interesting from the fact that it shows what a bright, observant child can do in the way
of field observation.—W. D.]

I stepped out on the lawn one beautiful morning when I heard a dear little
Honeysucker singing in the camelia tree. He seemed very tame. He stood on a
limb about six feet above me. In a minute I saw another, and then a third.
They flew around in the camelia tree and snatched little insects from the leaves.
Then they flew on to the gutter of the bungalow, which was a few feet away.
They disappeared down in the gutter, and, in a second, all that one could see
was the splashing of water. They sat on the edge and preened their feathers
and repeated this for at least a dozen times. The Honeysucker is a smart-
looking little bird; male, back olive-green, head chestnut-brown, white ring around
eye, throat pale yellow, no wing-bars, bill black, nearly half an inch long; female
resembles male, but without yellow, and darker gray on the sides. There are a
great many beautiful birds in Ceylon, but many of them live at a high altitude.
One sees very few birds in Colombo, the chief port of Ceylon.

Although these birds are very brilliant, they are not so fine as the Warblers,
Finches, etc., in America. A great many small birds on the island are destroyed
by a quantity of large birds, such as Hawks, Eagles, and Kestrels. I have taken
notes of several birds, but I am not able to give their names, as there is no book
I know of on birds, except one (Legge’s), which is out of print. One little bird
that I caught sight of flew on to a nearby bush. It paused there just long enough
for me to see that his back was dark plum-color, neck black, breast yellow,
belly white. This is another kind of Honeysucker. The Ceylon Robin is a sym-
phony in black and white—somewhat like the Towhee in size and form, male
and female alike—back glossy black, neck black, breast white, also belly; two
white wing-bars. One sees them more in Colombo.

The Ceylon Kingfishers are beautiful birds. The back is a turquoise-blue,
head maroon. I have not seen them very closely, as they are generally down in the
paddy (rice) fields. They have beautiful Woodpeckers on the island. They are
all bright green, except the head, which is brown and yellow. One of the very
common birds is the Wagtail. They are about the size of the Catbird. They
have a way of walking along jerking their tail. Male, back dark gray, breast
yellow, wings mixed with white. Female, the same, but with white breast. They

(92)

The Audubon Societies 93

have what they call a Golden Oriole, which is very much like the Baltimore

Oriole. One sees it only in the jungle. The place where I took these notes is.

4,150 feet above sea-level, 6° north, on a tea estate in the province of Uva.
HELEN GORDON CAMPBELL.

A Foster-mother

Little Frances Mulholland, of Cleveland, New York, last spring found in
her father’s garden a young bird which had either been lost or abandoned by
its parents. She could not see it suffer, so she became its foster-mother and care-
fully reared it, and still has the bird in her possession, having received special
permission from the Game Commissioner of the state to keep it. The bird proved
to be a Robin, and when it acquired its full plumage, it was pure white, instead
of the ordinary red and brown of a Robin; the bird also has pink eyes.

Frances writes: “I send you a picture of myself, taken with my White Robin.
It is now very tame and quite a large bird. Papa says that if you can find a better
home for the Robin than
it has here, we will be
pleased to let it go, for, if.
it should die, we would
think we were to blame.”’

WD.

A Junior Member

| Please =. find* - en-
closed draft for five dol-
lars. I wish to join the
National Association of
Audubon Societies. I
have wished to join for
nearly two years, but
have not had the money.

Iam eleven years of
age, and am very much
interested in the work the
Association is doing. I
learned of the Associa-
tion from Brrp - Lore,
which I have taken for
two years. We have very
many species of birds in
Wisconsin.” (Signed)
Matcorm Pitman SHarp. A FOSTER-MOTHER

THE SHARP-SHINNED HAWK

By EDWARD HOWE FORBUSH

Che Mational Association of Audubon Societies

EDUCATIONAL LEAFLET NO. 37

We can say much in favor of most land birds, but the Sharp-shinned Hawk
is an exception to the rule. From the standpoint of the utilitarian, it must be
regarded as bad, and even vicious. It is a bold marauder, and, judged by the
standard of the poultryman, the game-keeper, the sportsman, or the bird-pro-
tectionist, it is a convicted felon. Its trade is battle, murder and sudden death,
and, unfortunately, the greater number of its victims are the weak and defenceless
young of game birds and poultry, and the beautiful and useful songsters of field,
farm, grove, orchard and forest.

This small bird is one of a group of “ignoble” Hawks,—
Kindred the Accipiters—which may be distinguished from the Sparrow-
Hawk, Pigeon-Hawk and other Falcons by their comparatively
short, rounded wings and their long tails. The Falcons have a slightly shorter
tail and long, pointed wings. The Buteos, or Buzzards, have long, broad wings
and a broad tail, and often soar in circles; but the Accipiters move across the
country by alternately flapping and sailing. The Sharp-shinned Hawk is the
smallest of the Accipiters, and is sometimes wrongly called the Sparrow-Hawk
or Pigeon-Hawk. In general appearance and habits, it resembles two larger
species, Cooper’s Hawk and the American Goshawk. Cooper’s Hawk is next
in size to the Sharp-shinned Hawk, and the two are much alike in appearance.
The adults of each species in some parts of the country are known as ‘Blue Dart-
ers.’ These three species, because of their numbers, wide distribution, and great
rapacity, probably commit greater and more widespread havoc among birds and
game than any other Hawks in North America. The larger pernicious Falcons
are generally far less common than the Accipiters, and the Buzzard Hawks
and Marsh Hawks are generally more useful than injurious to man.

The Sharp-shinned Hawk is larger than either the Sparrow Hawk or the
Pigeon-Hawk, and is rather longer and slimmer. Specimens average a little
over a foot in length. The largest specimens are about two inches smaller than —
the smallest specimens of the Cooper’s Hawk. The plumage at full maturity
is usually slaty or bluish gray above; the under parts are whitish, barred and
marked with reddish. Immature birds are brown above and streaked with dark —
brown or reddish brown below. The tail is square-tipped and somewhat heavily —
barred. | ‘

The distribution of this Hawk is nearly co-extensive with the

Range continent of North America. It breeds throughout most of the
United States and Canada, and winters from the latitude of Massa- |

chusetts to Central America. In September, numbers of these Hawks may be —

(94)

SHARP-SHINNED HAWK
(RicHT Hanpb Ficure, IMMATURE FEMALE; Lerr Hanp Ficure, ADULT MALE)

Order—RAPTORES Family—FALconIDA
. Genus—ACcCcIPITER Species—V ELOx

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The Sharp-Shinned Hawk 95

seen high in air, migrating southward in a leisurely manner, and so they follow
the southern flight of the smaller birds on which they prey.

From April until early June, according to the latitude, the
wooing of the Hawks begins. Perched in an exposed position,
the male issues his shrillest call notes, moving about from
place to place until a female responds. The ardent courtship is soon over
and then the happy pair fly away in company to select a suitable nesting-site.
Nest-building occupies about one week. The nest is usually placed rather high
in an evergreen tree, in some sequestered locality. More rarely, it is located
in a deciduous tree, in a hollow tree, or on some lofty ledge or cliff. Sometimes
an old Crow’s nest or a squirrel’s nest is utilized as a basis upon which to construct
the home. In this case the nest is a large, conspicuous structure; but, ordinarily,
it is not very noticeable, and, in some cases, it is well concealed by the foliage.
It usually consists of a platform of sticks, resting on a whorl of branches and
fixed against the trunk of the tree. Dry grasses and strips of bark are usually
placed upon this foundation and interwoven to form the nest lining. Some nests
are less skilfully formed and are unlined.

The eggs vary in number from three to five, and are pale white, greenish or
bluish white, very heavily blotched, spotted and marked with light brown, dark
brown, drab, fawn and lavender. These markings often form a ring about some
part of the egg. Both sexes join in incubation, and in the care of the young, which,
when first hatched, are covered with soft white down.

The young are confined to the nest for about four weeks. Then they begin to
climb and flutter about among the branches; but, if undisturbed, they remain
in the vicinity of the nest for several weeks longer, where they are still fed by the
parents. The woods now resound with their shrill, squealing cries. Having finally
strengthened their wings by exercise among the tree-tops, they attempt longer
flights, and soon leave their home forever.
ee This bird is a model of activity and courage. Probably none
Food of the raptorial birds is proportionately its superior in prowess.

Its every movement is marked by nervous haste. It is fierce,
swift, impetuous—the embodiment of ferocity and rapacity. It does not hesitate
to attack birds much larger than itself. Mr. C. J. Maynard tells of one that struck
a Night Heron in mid-air, dashing it to the ground. Not seldom it strikes and
kills other birds or mammals so large that it cannot carry them away. It has been
known to kill and carry off a young pullet so heavy that its toes dragged on the
ground. I saw a clamorous Crow follow one of these Hawks and attack it, but
the little bird turned on the sable tormentor and drove it ignominously from
the field. Indeed, the Crow was fortunate to escape with its life, so fast and
furious was the onslaught of its small, but spirited antagonist. Occasionally a
mob of Bluejays will follow and malign one of these Hawks until it becomes
enraged and dashes to earth one of the screaming crew, all of whom hasten to
escape, leaving their comrade to its fate.

Nest, Eggs
and Young

96 Bird - Lore

This Hawk hunts forest, orchard, field and meadow. In wooded regions it
is very destructive to young poultry. Being small and inconspicuous, it can glide
quietly into a tree near the poultry-yard, and, watching its chance, dash down
diagonally at breathless speed, seize a chicken, and get away before the startled
mother hen can come to the rescue. I have even seen the villain sitting impudently
upon the gate-post of a chicken-yard, awaiting its chance; but more often it comes
lew over the ground, just clearing the fence-tops, and is gone with its prey in a
moment. A single pair of these Hawks has been known to get twenty or thirty
chickens before the owner realized the cause of his loss. Mr. Ora W. Knight
writes that a pair of these birds took ten or twelve chickens daily from a farm-
yard for some time before they were shot. Like others of its genus, the Sharp-
shin moves ordinarily at a moderate height, alternately sailing and flapping,
and always on the lookout for game. As it crosses a river and sails over the
meadow, an officious Blackbird rises from its nest in a tussock of reeds, and
advances to the attack. The unhappy bird soon realizes its mistake, and,
turning, makes for the shelter for the wood, but the Hawk rows the air
rapidly with its wings, gaining on the poor Blackbird each second. It
follows its quarry through wood and thicket, matching every twist and turn;
swift, inexorable and relentless as fate. It can overtake and slay a Bob-
White in full flight. It sweeps quietly along a wood path and rises to a dead
branch, where it stands almost motionless, scanning all the ground and every
tree and thicket, but the little Warblers of the wood have been warned of
its approach and, crouching in terror, they will not leave their hiding-places.
Impatiently the Hawk leaps forward on the air and soars off to take some heedless
songster unawares. The individual Sharp-shins that spend the winter in the
North are the hardiest of their species, and their boldness at this season is unsur-
passed. More than once this Hawk has dashed into or through a window in
winter to strike down a caged Canary. On a cold and snowy day in January
one bore down a Bluejay within a few feet of my dog. Doctor Hatch records that
while he was riding across the prairies of Minnesota in winter during a furious
wind, with the mercury 46° below zero, one of these Hawks passed with incon-
ceivable velocity, close to the ground and seized and bore off a Snow Bunting
directly in his path. Sometimes, in such instances, the victim appears to be
paralyzed with fright. One winter, one of these Hawks swept into our yard,
darted into a flock of Juncoes feeding there and seized one that remained crouched
on the ground and seemed unable to move until the Hawk struck, while its com-
panions made their escape to the thicket.

Some writers have given the impression that it is impossible for any bird to
avoid the sudden and swift attack of this Hawk. Nevertheless it sometimes
misses, and loses its prey. A Phoebe, sitting on a low branch near the barn cellar,
which contained its nest, dove from the limb, escaped the Hawk‘s talons, turned
the corner of the barn and entered the cellar so quickly that the confused Hawk
flew away disappointed. A flock of Least Sandpipers or ‘Peeps’ scattered so

The Sharp-Shinned Hawk 97

deftly on the onslaught of this Hawk that all escaped unharmed; but perhaps
such a happy consummation is the exception, and not the rule.

Evidently the Sharp-shinned Hawk delights in the chase, and prefers birds
to any other food. Dr. A. K. Fisher, of the Biological Survey, reports as follows
on the contents of one hundred and seven stomachs of this Hawk that contained
food. Six had poultry or game birds, ninety-nine contained other birds, eight
contained mice, and five had eaten insects. Dr. B. H. Warren examined nineteen
stomachs of this bird, seventeen of which were found to contain remains of
poultry or game birds.

This Hawk undoubtedly eats nearly if not quite all the smaller useful species
of land birds, and it feeds to some extent on mice, shrews, frogs, lizards and in-
sects.

Its destructiveness is emphasized, but the folly of classing all Hawks and
Owls together as injurious is shown, by an experience at my home at Wareham,
Mass. In 1906, a pair of Screech Owls built their nest and reared their young in a
box that we put up for them in a pine grove. This grove was a noted Robin
roost and many birds nested in the vicinity. During the season the Owls killed
one Robin, a Red-winged Blackbird and several Bluejays, but they subsisted
chiefly on mice, and fed their young mainly with mice. The smaller birds increased
in numbers during the Owl’s stay (possibly on account of the consequent
reduction in mice and Jays). All the smaller birds seemed to have entered on an
era of prosperity, and they were more numerous on the farm in 1907 than in
1906. In 1908 we were away until July. The Owls had disappeared, and a pair
of Sharp-shinned Hawks had a nestful of young in the grove. During July
and August these Hawks so harried and destroyed the birds of the neighborhood
that practically all were killed or driven away, except two pairs of Song Sparrows
and a pair of Robins near the house. For the first time in our experience, the
Robin roost, which was formerly haunted by hundreds if not thousands of Robins
in summer, was now deserted, and the cries of the Hawks were about the only
bird notes heard in the grove. The contrast between the effect produced by
these Owls and that caused by the Hawks was so marked as to leave no room
for doubt regarding the utility of the Screech Owl and the harmfulness of the
Sharp-shinned Hawk.

With the increase of game preserves,-in this country, and the increased
destruction of vermin, the Sharp-shinned Hawk must gradually disappear, for
the game-keeper is this Hawk’s inveterate enemy. Let us hope that the useful
and comparatively harmless Hawks and Owls may not suffer from the game-
keeper's activity, or for the faults of the three species of true bird hawks, but
that such discrimination may be used by the game-keeper, the farmer, and the
sportsman, that the real culprits will be the only sufferers.

Che Audubon Societies
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT

Edited by WILLIAM DUTCHER

Address all correspondence, and send all remittances for dues and contributions, to
the National Association of Audubon Societies, 141 Broadway, New York City

Legislation

FEDERAL.—The Weeks bill in Con-
gress, referred to in the February number
of Birp-Lorg, did not get out of commit-
tee before the conclusion of the Sixtieth
Congress, and, therefore, it must and will
be re-introduced at the commencement
of the Sixty-first Congress in December
next.

The members of the National Asso-
ciation and the readers of Brirp-LORE
throughout the country can do a great
deal of excellent missionary work in the
interim if they will see their Senators and
Representatives while they are at their
homes during the summer months, and
urge the passage of the Weeks bill.

If all the migratory birds can be placed
in charge of the United States Department
of Agriculture, it will be a decided gain
in many ways, because uniform regula-
tions for their protection will be estab-
lished by the Federal authorities.

After years of effort by the National
Association, it is found practically im-
possible to obtain uniform legislation
from state legislatures, and the only
practical way to get uniformity is through
a Federal statute. It is hoped, therefore,
that this matter will be taken up actively
during the summer months by all of the
readers of Birp-LorrE. In addition to
getting uniform legislation and protection
for the migratory birds through the pas-
sage of the Weeks bill, it will relieve the
National Association of an enormous
amount of expenditure of money and
labor, and permit the Association to follow
more closely its legitimate line of work,
namely, education of the public regarding
the value of birds.

The Association introduced on the first
day of the legislative session in New York

state, a bill in the Assembly by the Hon-
orable James A. Francis. The object of
the bill is to amend Sections 98 and 241
of the Forest, Fish and Game Law of New
York state, by making them cover the
plumage of wild birds “irrespective of
where the said plumage comes from.”

This is, undoubtedly, the most important

piece of legislation ever attempted by the
National Association in the state of New
York, and it is very desirable; in fact, it is
absolutely necessary in order that ade-
quate protection may be given to the non-
game birds of the state. The present law
only covers birds killed within the state
of New York, and a successful suit cannot
be maintained against the plumage of
wild birds brought into the state from
other places.
A few years ago, the same condition
obtained in respect to the flesh of game
birds and animals, and the state authori-
ties found it impossible to give proper
protection to local game birds and ani-
mals while game could be brought in
from other states and countries. The state
law was corrected in this respect, and since
the passage of the amendment there has
been no difficulty in giving complete pro-
tection to game. The constitutionality of
this question has been absolutely settled,
not only by the Court of Appeals of the
state of New York, but by the Supreme
Court of the United States.

The National Association and the sub-
committee on birds of the National Con-
servation Commission are simply asking
the Legislature of the state of New York,
through Assembly bill No. 65, to place
plumage in the same advantageous po-
sition that the flesh of game birds and
animals now occupies. Until this weakness
in the New York law is corrected, it will
be impossible for satisfactory protection

(98)

$2. is

~~

ary

The Audubon Societies 99

to be given to the non-game birds of the
state.

In view of this fact, the readers of BiRD-
Lore who are resident in the state of New
York are very earnestly requested to take
every proper means in their power to in-
fluence their Senators and Assemblymen
to favorably consider Assembly Bill No.
65. This can be done by letters, but it is
far better to do it by personal interviews
with their representatives.—W. D.

SoutH DAKoTa.—At our recent session
of the Legislature, we secured the enact-
ment of a general game law, providing for
a salaried state warden at $1,500 a year,
and a warden for every county at $50 a
month. We put a tax of $1 on every gun,
and declared all dogs, guns, boats, and
equipment illegally used to be contra-
band. We made a closed season for Prairie
Chicken, Grouse and Woodcock for two
years, and decreased the size of the bag
wher shooting is again permitted.

The open season, two years hence, will
be ten days later than heretofore, and
spring shooting of aquatic fowl is practi-
cally prohibited. We have even compelled
owners of hunting dogs to keep them in
during the spring time.

Altogether, we are pleased with the
measure, aS we now have the means for
the enforcement of a very satisfactory
law.—CHARLES E. Hotmes, President
State Audubon Society.

Mexico.—I went to Little Rock, Ark.,
where I drafted a bill for the establish-
ment of a State Game Commission, had
conferences with members of the State
Game Protective Association, addressed
a joint session of the Legislature, and
gathered much information regarding
game conditions in the state. I then went
to Austin, Texas, and was associated there
two days with Captain Davis, Secretary
of the Texas Audubon Society, meeting
the officers of the State Fish and Game
Commission, as well as many other per-
sons, and I gave a stereoptican lecture in
the chapel of the State University. At
San Antonio, I attended a dinner given

by the Scientific Society of that city, and
also gave a night lecture. Through friends
of Captain Davis, I got letters of intro-
duction to people in Mexico City, and,
learning something of the terrific slaughter
of game in that republic, and becoming
acquainted with the fact that there were
no restrictive measures whatever on the
killing of wild birds and animals, I felt
that it was not wise to miss the opportunity
of seeing if something could be done for
game protection there.

I visited Monterey and Mexico City.
In the latter place, after some days delay,
I secured an interview with President
Diaz, and laid before him a plan for organ-
izing a national movement for game pro-
tection in Mexico, this to be followed up
with restrictive measures on the killing
of birds and game, the work to be sup-
ported by a hunters’ license. President
Diaz expressed himself as much interested
in the project, and named his own son,
Porfirio Diaz, Ejo. (Jr.), to organize the
work in Mexico. Porfirio Diaz is about
thirty-six years old, and a man of wide
political, financial and personal influence
in the Republic. He is also a sportsman
on an elaborate scale, and all the people
with whom I talked said he was the best
possible man in the Republic to take up
this work. The American tourists and
American residents of Mexico whom I
met all congratulated me heartily on the
encouragement which I received from the
President and his son.

I was the recipient of a number of
courtesies from Porfirio Diaz, Ejo. (Jr).
The President asked me to at once pre-
pare a suggested outline for work in
Mexico, to send copies of by-laws for
National Bird and Game Protective
Societies, all the available literature on
the importance of birds to agriculture, and
such other information as would be of
value to him in the movement. This I
am now preparing.—T. G. P.

The Cat Question

Epitors oF Brirp-Lore:—In Brirp-
Lore for January-February, 1909, I have

100

just read two letters which treat of the
‘Cat versus Bird’ question, and I notice
that the person who seems to have suf-
fered most from the depredations of puss
is the least vindictive against cats; for,
although the letter them ‘blood-
thirsty creatures,’ it only advises “‘in some

calls

way curtailing their liberty;” while the
previous writer is surprised because noth-
ing he could say or do about his Bluebirds
would console his neighbor for her cat,
murdered in their behalf. May not the
cat have been, for a long time, the pet of
its owner, and, without being unreason-
able, might not she well consider that its
constant companionship, and
winter, for years, made it of more value
than the pets of a season?

Do not think I am advocating letting
stray cats, owned by no one, forage on
birds; but I do think that bird-protectors
should be careful not to kill pet cats, un-
less, in extreme cases, where the owners
are warned of the harm they do and yet
take no pains to restrain them.

In favor of puss, may I cite the case of
our cat, a handsome, black animal, whose
beauty and intelligence have made him
the delight of our household for years?
In part, on account of the birds, we have
feared to take him to our summer home,
and left him in the city with the caretaker;
but, last year, he was at Magnolia from
the end of June to the end of October,
walking out every day among the bushes
and trees. Once only was he seen with a
bird, and there is no reason to believe
that he caught that; it may have died
from eating poisoned berries, for the whole
place was heavily sprayed with arsenate
of lead. Kitty’s persistence in bringing
this bird into the house convinced us that
had he caught others, we should have
seen them.—Cora H. CLARKE. Boston,
Mass.

summer

Clarke University, Worcester, Mass.
February 10, 1909.

Epirors oF Brrp-Lore:
to your request for data regarding de-
struction of birds by cats in last Brirp-

In response

Lore, I beg to place on record the fol-

Bird - Lore

asked
with

lowing. The question is often
cats seriously interfere

game birds.

whether

Before moving to my new place last
spring (but while the birds were in charge
of a good man who did live on the place),
I had four Ruffed Grouse and six Bob-
whites killed by cats. This was all done
by the cats reaching through inch-mesh
poultry wire. The birds were frightened
against the wire and generally the head
was pulled off. As soon as the trouble
began, numerous traps were set, and,
thinking it the work of Owls, a number
were placed on perches and on the corners
of the cages. Nothing but cats were caught
and with their disappearance all distur-
bance ceased.

Later in the summer, a Bobwhite cock
began brooding a nest of sixteen eggs.
The nest was well concealed, and about
three feet from the side of a cage forty
feet square. Cats frightened him off four
times, and each time I took the eggs and
slipped them under a brooding bantam
hen before they had time to chill. He
finally brought off fifteen chicks. When
the cock and his mate had reared the
brood to about three weeks of age, the dog
I keep, mainly for the purpose of warning
cats from the premises, took a vacation
for a few days. During this time a cat
disturbed the brood on a cold night, and
only three of the chicks were found alive
next morning. The brood was in a cage
6x 12 feet, inch-mesh wire, with a strip
of cloth 18 inches wide around the bottom,
and they were concealed under a dense
pile of green spruce boughs.

The above is only a fraction of my ex-
perience the past season. We do not
need to look beyond the uncontrolled
cat to account for widespread extermina-
tion of game birds.

C. F. Hopcr, Worcester, Mass.

Correction

In the February number of Brrp-LoRE,
it was stated that the contribution to the
Willow Island fund from Mrs. Phillips
was 50 cents; it should have been $5.

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The Condor

A MAGAZINE OF WESTERN
ORNITHOLOGY

Edited by J. Grinnell

Associate Editors:

William L. Finley, Robert B. Rockwell

Official Organ of Ge cae a Ornithological
: 7

Vol. XI, 1909

will contain the usual interesting ar-
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and will be illustrated by the highest
class of half-tones. You cannot
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Published bi-monthly at Holly-
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Among Other Issues in the Two Series of

THE AMERICAN SPORTSMAN’S LIBRARY

EDITED BY CASPAR WHITNEY

‘No books have ever come before us that so completely fill the want of Sportsmen and
delight the general reader as the volumes in the American Sportsman's Library."

— SHOOTING AND FISHING
THE DEER FAMILY
By the Hon. THEODORE ROOSEVELT, T. E. VAN DYKE, D. G ELLIOTT
and A J. STONE
Illustrated by Carl Rungius and others. With Maps by Dr. C. Hart Merriam

SALMON AND TROUT
By DEAN SAGE, W. C. HARRIS, H. M. SMITH and C. H. TOWNSEND
Illustrated by A. B. Frost, Tappan Adney, Martin Justice and others

UPLAND GAME BIRDS
By EDWYN SANDYS and T. S. VAN DYKE
Illustrated by Louis Agassiz Fuertes, A. B. Frost, J. O. Nugent and C. L, Bull

THE WATER-FOWL FAMILY
By L C SANFORD, L. B. BISHOP and T. S. VAN DYKE
Illustrated by L A. Fuertes, A. B. Frost and C. L. Bull

BASS, PIKE, PERCH, AND OTHERS
By JAMES A. HENSHALL, M.D.
Illustrated by Martin Justice and Charles F. W Mielatz

THE BIG GAME FISHES OF THE UNITED STATES
By CHARLES F. HOLDER
Illustrated by Charles F, W. Mielatz and others

MUSK-OX, BISON, SHEEP AND GOAT
By CASPAR WHITNEY, GEORGE BIRkD GRINNELL and OWEN WISTER
Illustrated by Carl Rungius and others

GUNS, AMMUNITION AND TACKLE

THE SHOTGUN, by CAPTAIN A W. MONEY; THE HUNTING RIFLE,
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Mr. William Dutcher $1.75 net; by mail, $1.90

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This was described by C. H. M., in Science, as “by far the best bird book for

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THE MACMILLAN COMPANY, Publishers, New York

J. HCRACE MCFARLAND CO., MT. PLEASANT FRESS, HARRISBURG, PA«

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(MABEL OSGOOD WRIGHT)

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The People of the Whirlpool Illustrated

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‘* The book is worth reading. It will cause discussion. It is an interesting,
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64-66 FIFTH AVENUE, NEW YORK

WA

MAY—JUNE, 1909
ges

EDITED BY

FRANK M. CHAPMAN

PUBLISHED FOR THE AUDUBON SOCIETIES

The Macmillan Company

HARRISBURG, PA.
NEW YORK LONDON

COPYRIGHT, 1909, BY FRANK M. CHAPMAN

$1 a Year
20c. a Ccpy

BHird=- Lore

May-June, 1909

CONTENTS

GENERAL ARTICLES PAGE
FRONTISPIECE IN Color. BLACK-CAPPED, HuTTON’sS, WHITE-EYED, LEAST, AND
BELI’S VIREOS*! oo oSsci.c cone e cle er tie cuca Garcia lots ue ED IGE DR a

A Brirp PHOTOGRAPHER’S OvutTrFiT. Illustrated....................A. C. Beni.. 101

Two INTERESTING PHOTOGRAPHS FROM ALBERTA..........Sidney S. S. Stansell... 108

A TRAGEDY OF MIGRATION,=. ~. <2 ssc.cl- F. M. Bennett, Commander U. S. Navy.. r1ro

BOBOLINE :: His PRELUDE. Verse £202.02 --~ 2 - 2225 02 «ici 2 me OTS J ee

A} Crow STtupy io Dinstraved tsa macheete ote cine toe eneeene Alfred C. Redfield.. 114

BLUE-HEADED VIREO ON NEST. Illustration ................-- Ansel B. Miller... 117

THE MIGRATION OF ViIREOS. Second paper. Illustrated by Louis Agassiz Fuertes..
W. W. Cooke.. 118

Furruer: Note) ON- ALBINO JBLICKERS 2 jet ae eee] eileen ee Loren C. Petry.. 120

NOTES FROM FIELD AND STUDY <2 : 22) 522 52.md oe hate ae eee 121
A REDPOLL INVASION, Richard C. Harlow; REDPOLLS AND WHITE-WINGED CROSS-
BILLS IN NEW HAMPSHIRE, Bessie Scribner Davis ; REDPOLLS IN NEW JERSEY,
Chas. D. Lippincott; PINE SISKINS IN VERMONT, £. F. Miller; THE Woop-
cocKk’s Sonc, Robert T. Morris ; OBSERVATIONS ON THE LIFE HISTORY OF THE
BoBoLinkK, P. L. Butterick ; EVENING GROSBEAKS IN MASSACHUSETTS, Anne H.
Whiting, THE EVENING GROSBEAK IN WISCONSIN, Gerirude M. Titus; THE
IpswicH CARDINAL, illustrated, Frank A. Brown; A BOBOLINK TRAGEDY, illus-
trated, R. H. Beebe; A CouRSE IN BiRD Study; A DEVOTED PARENT, Jean
Martin; STORMBOUND Brrps, Fanny S. Watrous ; MORE CENTRAL PARK (New
York City) Notes, Ludlow Griscom; NESTING NOTES FROM CALIFORNIA, John
McB. Robertson.
BOOK NEWS AND REVIEWS... =: . 22 5 2e0—.-5 o< sesh eee 2 bee - ee eee 131
‘In AMERICAN FIELDS AND FORESTS;’ GRINNELL’S ‘ THE BIOTA OF THE SAN BER-
ARDINO MOUNTAINS;’ KNOWLTON’S ‘BIRDS OF THE WORLD;’ CHAPMAN’S
“CAMPS AND CRUISES;’ THE ORNITHOLOGICAL MAGAZINES.

EDITORIAL! <.32 cc2 Sh tea = nee Heo ge Ce «he ele ein oe 134
AUDUBON SOCIETIES—SCHOOL DEPARTMENT. ......................-.--...-. 135
EDUCATIONAL LEAFLET No. 38. THE BOBOLINK, with colored plate by Bruce

DR Ay 1) SRI ue SR Ce Heater = eam = ens aris, Frank M. Chapman
AUDUBON SOCIETIES—EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT ............................ 141

LEGISLATION; Goop RESULTS OF ANTI-SPRING SHOOTING IN NEW YORK ; SECOND
ANNUAL REPORT FROM FOREST AND FIELD CLUB OF BELMONT, MAsSs.

Manuscripts intended for publication, books, etc., for review and exchanges, should be

sent to the Editor, at the American Museum of Natural History, 77th Street and 8th Avenue

New York City, N. Y

Notices of changes of addresses, renewals and subscriptions should be sent to
BIRD-LORE, HARRISBURG, PA.

Subscribers whose subscription has
' expired will find arenewal blank enclosed
_ in the present number of the magazine.

To those whose subscription expired
with the April, 1909, issue, and who
have not notified us to discontinue
their magazine, the present number is
sent in the belief that the matter of re-
newal has been overlooked.

On receipt of your renewal, we will
send you the Sawyer Grouse picture,

Reduced facsimile of a painting from Which should be considered due notifi- —

Oe ee ait mes: cation of the entry of your subscriptions

ing Io x 12 inches, is reproduced by If you do not care to renew, will you
photogravure and presented to all sub- Z 5
scribers to B1rD-LoRE for 1909. please notify us:

Entered as second-class mail matter in the Post Office at Harrisburg, Pa.

,
|

A NEW BOOK FOR BIRD LOVERS

Birds of the
Boston Public Garden

A STUDY IN MIGRATION
By Horace W. Wright

An interesting book for the amateur bird student
and a genuine contribution to the study of migration
problems.

*‘Valuable as a textbook in local ornithology or as a guide in morning rambles.
: It is a new idea to most of us that extensive ornithological study is possible
right within the sights and sounds of the city’s busiest life and its greatest business
congestion, but this little book seems to afford the demonstration not only in its
general statements but even more conclusively in the author’s annotated list of the
birds of the Public Garden, and incidentally “of those of the Common.”’
— Boston Transcript.
Mr. William Brewster writes:
“Although you told me that your chief aim had been to write a book of popular
interest for popular use, I am greatly mistaken if you have not really produced one
which has considerable scientific value and usefulness also.’

$1.00 net; postpaid, $1.10

Boston HOUGHTON MIFFLIN CO. Mass.

LL eee momen
i
PMY :
eg
|S

The Guide to Nature

Edited by EDWARD F. BIGELOW

A Profusely Illustrated Monthly Magazine for Adults Devoted to Com-
monplace Nature with Uncommon Interest

EDUCATION AND RECREATION

For all students and lovers of nature.

For people who see and think.

For those who enjoy life in the country or suburbs.

For growers of plants and pets.

For amateur astronomers and all who “look up to the stars.’

For users of the microscope, peering into the wonders of ees life.
For portrayers of nature interests and beauties on the sensitive plate.
For members of The Agassiz Association.

For readers of the best nature literature.

Not emotional and sentimental, but thoroughly imformational and practical.
Definite guidance for those who wish to know

SINGLE COPY, 10 CENTS - SUBSCRIPTION, $1 PER YEAR
Less than one year at single copy rates

Published by

HOHE AGASSIZ ASSOCIATION

PeeerACD AT. SO UND) (BE A.C rH. CONNECTICUT

NATURALIST
GRAFLEX

All the features that make the Graflex Camera
indispensable to the outdoor photographer are found
in the Naturalist Graflex.

The image can be seen full size of negative,
up to the instant of exposure.

Equipped with focal-plane shutter giving exposure
from time to 1/1000 of a second.

Extra-long draw of bellows for use with Tele-
photo and other long-focus lenses, in photographing
distant objects.

The special construction of the Naturalist Graflex,
allows the operator to remain concealed while focus-
ing and making exposure.

Mr. Frank M. Chapman uses and recommends
the Graflex Camera.

Graflex & Graphic Catalog at your dealer’s or,

FOLMER G&G SCHWING DIVISION
Eastman Kedak Company
ROCHESTER, N. Y.

THE OOLOGIST

Tias been purchased and is
now published by

R. MAGOON BARNES, Lacon, Ill.

New Methods ; New Blood.
An illustrated monthly, de-
voted to Birds, Nests, Eggs.
The only medium of ex-
change between those inter-
ested in these.

NOW IN ITS TWENTY-SIXTH YEAR
SUBSCRIPTION, 50 CENTS PER YEAR

Bird-Lores Wanted

Vol. VII, No. 4; will exchange
for, Vol. Vill, Nos. 1 or 2, or
pay cash. Lewis W. Rosinson,
Cresskill, N. J.

Vols. I to IX, inclusive; also Vol.
X, Nos. 1 and 2. L. HENRY
Porter, West Rutland, Vt.

WOE Nor 2; Vol: Til Nos. i
amde2Vol. VII. No. 13H. Y-.
Hucues, Tazewell, Tenn.

ole tl, Noy 2; Vol TL, No. 2.
HELEN Bowne, 136 North
Dewey street, Philadelphia, Pa.

Vol. X, No. 2. Mrs. B. LirscH-
ING, Rochester, N. Y.

Vol. X, No. 2. JoHN A. SPURRELL,
RFD. No. 1, Wall Lake, Ia.

Wolk VIL, No. 1; Vol. X, No. 2. E.
M. ScHMIDT, 529 Church street,
New Britain, Conn.

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The Compound Shutter is ac-
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Send for descriptive circular.

New ‘‘Anastigmatics’’ free on
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Prism is our little lens exposi-
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Our Name on a Photographic Lens,
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Bausch £9 Jomb Optical ©.

[NEW YORK WASHINCTON CHICAG SAN FRANCISCO

LONDON ROCHESTER, NY. FRANKFORT

ALL BIRD LOVERS SHOULD READ THE

National Geographic Magazine

F course you know George Shiras 3d! At all events if you love birds you know him
() by reputation, for he is the pioneer photographer of wild animals and birds in their
natural surroundings, the man who has shown the world that the greatest sportsman

is he who shoots with the shutter.

The National Geographic Magazine publishes articles from the pen of Mr. Shiras,
Dr. Frank M. Chapman, Dr. C. Hart Merriam and others, who make birds and wild
creatures a life study ; in fact, we have two entire numbers devoted to Mr. Shiras’ wonder-
ful pictures, showing wild birds and game in their homes, from Canada to Cuba.

i
ae:

To readers of Birp-Lore subscribing now for the National Geographic Magazine we
will send besides the twelve numbers for 1909, the two numbers containing Mr. Shiras’
140 splendid photographs of bull moose, caribou, deer, coons, porcupine, as follows :

‘Photographing Wild Game with Flashlight and Camera’’
**One Season’s Game-Bag with the Camera’”’

Fill out this blank and mail with remittance. Subscription anywhere in United
States, $2.50; Canada, $3, money order or draft.

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MaGAzINE, Washington, D. C.

Please enter my subscription to begin January, ’o9, sending also the two num-
bers containing Mr. Shiras’ photographs. I remit herewith $

Name

Street__

City

BROODING EGRET—THE DORSAL TRAIN OF NUPTIAL PLUMES ARE
HANGING OVER THE TAIL FEATHERS
Photographed by A. H. E. Mattingley

THE HORRORS OF THE PLUME TRADE

By WILLIAM DUTCHER

Che ational Association of Audubon Societies

SPECIAL LEAFLET NO. 21

Ignoring the economic value of wild birds, which alone should be a suf-
ficient reason for their preservation, there is another reason why none should be
killed for,millinery ornaments. The horrors attending the collection of plumes
of Herons is beyond the powers of language to decribe, and can best be shown
pictorially. Much has been written on the subject in the past, and it seems
almost impossible that any woman who reads current bird literature or the
public press can fail to know the extreme cruelty attending the traffic in wild-
bird plumage. The American women who are still willing to wear the plumes
of the white Herons sometimes offer as an excuse that they are not taken from
native Herons; but it is immaterial whether the birds were killed in America or
in some other part of the world. The same cruelty is practiced in the Eastern
Hemisphere as in the Western. The paltry price in money that is paid for the
plumes is not to be compared to the price paid in blood and suffering.

- Women must remember:
That White Herons wear the coveted plumes only during the breeding season.

(r)

2 The Horrors of the Plume Trade

That the parent birds must be shot in order to obtain the plumes.

That the young birds in the nests must starve, in consequence of the death
of the parents.

That all statements that the plumes are manufactured or are gathered after
being molted by the adult birds are false. Human skill cannot reproduce a feather,

and, after the breeding season, all Herons’ plumes are worn and ragged, and are,
therefore, unfit for use.

Ya

Ne DIVAS

= .
*\ iz

:

ne

THE COST OF A PLUME. THE PICTURE TELLS ITS OWN TALE
Photographed by A. H. E. Mattingley

Mr. A. H. E. Mattingley, of Melbourne, graphically describes the horrors
he witnessed at a Heron rookery, in New South Wales, which had been raided
by plume-hunters, and verified his statements by the camera.*

“Notwithstanding the extreme heat and the myriads of mosquitos, I deter-
mined to revisit the locality during my Christmas holidays, in order to obtain
one picture only,—namely, that of a White Crane, or Egret, feeding its young.
When near the place, I could see some large patches of white, either floating in
the water, or reclining on the fallen trees in the vicinity of the Egret’s rookery.

* Reprinted, by permission, from ‘ The Emu,’ the official organ of the Australasian Ornitholo-

gists’ Union.

The Horrors of the Plume Trade 2

This set me speculating as to the cause of this unusual sight. As I drew nearer,
what a spectacle met my gaze,—a sight that made my blood fairly boil with
indignation. There, strewn on the floating water-weed, and also on adjacent
logs, were at least fifty carcasses of large White and smaller Plumed Egrets,—
nearly one-third of the rookery, perhaps more,—the birds having been shot
off their nests containing young. What a holocaust! Plundered for their plumes.
What a monument of human callousness! There were fifty birds ruthlessly

¥ » i ” al & as :
Z\: fg. oo “4 . 2 : a “\ af f 7 ge :

a

FATHERLESS AND MOTHERLESS—NO ONE TO FEED THEM—GROWING
WEAKER—ONE ALREADY DEAD FROM STARVATION AND EXPOSURE
Photographed by A. H. E. Mattingley

destroyed, besides their young (about 200) left to die of starvation! This last
fact was betokened by at least seventy carcasses of the nestlings, which had
become so weak that their legs had refused to support them, and they had fallen
from the nests into the water below, and had been miserably drowned; while,
in the trees above, the remainder of the parentless young ones could be seen
staggering in the nests, some of them falling with a splash into the water, as their
waning strength left them too exhausted to hold up any longer, while others
simply stretched themselves out on the nest and so expired. Others, again,
Were seen trying in vain to attract the attention of passing Egrets, which were

4 The Horrors of the Plume Trade

flying with food in their bills to feed their own young, and it was a pitiful sight
indeed to see these starvelings with outstretched necks and gaping bills implor-
ing the passing birds to feed them. What a sickening sight! How my heart
ached for them! How could any one but a cold-blooded, callous monster destroy
in this wholesale manner such beautiful birds,—the embodiment of all that is
pure, graceful and good?

“Tn one tree at the Heronry the nests of the Plumed Egret (Wesophoyx plumi-
jera) and Egret (Herodias timoriensis) were seen. In another large tree a photo
was taken of two young Plumed Egrets and one young Large Egret together in
the same nest. These three birds were the sole survivors of several broods of
both species which had nested together in the same tree. They had evidently
sought one another’s company, because all the balance of the nestlings had
expired through lack of nourishment, their parents having been shot by the
plume-hunters, or, rather, ‘ plume-plunderers.’”

A like gruesome story is given by Mr. William L. Finley, Northwest Field
Agent of the National Association of Audubon Societies, after he had explored °
the region about Lake Malheur, Oregon, where formerly thousands of White
Herons bred, but now none are to be found,—all absolutely exterminated by
plume-hunters.

Every aigrette we see, whether adorning (spare the mark) a woman’s head,
or for sale in the shops, has been torn from the body of a dead Heron. This
vandalism will not cease while the reward of gold lasts, unless the heart of fashion
changes or drastic laws are enacted forbidding the sale of Herons’ plumes irre-
spective of from what part of the world the plumes are taken.

This unholy trade must be stamped out.

AWAITING THE END—TOO WEAK TO STAND OR CRY FOR FOOD—
DEATH WILL BE A HAPPY RELEASE
Photographed by A. H. E. Mattingley

1. BLACK-CAPPED VIREO 3. WHITE-EYED VIREO
2. HuTron’s VIREO 4. LEAST VIREO
5. BgELi’s VIREO

(ONE-HALF NATURAL SIZE)

Bird= Lore

A BI-MONTHLY MAGAZINE
DEVOTED TO THE STUDY AND PROTECTION OF BIRDS

OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE AUDUBON SOCIETIES

Vol. XI MAY—JUNE, 1909 No. 3

A Bird Photographer’s Outfit

By A. C. BENT
With photographs by the author

HERE can be no doubt that the modern sport of camera-hunting is rapidly
increasing in favor and gradually replacing the more destructive, though
no more exciting, sport of killing game with rifle or gun. A glance at
the pages of any up-to-date magazine, devoted to outdoor amusements, will
show that bird and animal photography has taken a prominent place among
the field sports of the day. Though my early training and my field experience
in the best shooting-grounds in the country have made me an ardent sportsman,
I shall in future leave the killing of game to others,—to those who have not
tasted of the pleasures of bird photography. It is my cameras now that absorb
my attention; there are seven in the family at present—all different—and a
very interesting family they are.

But no such formidable battery as this is necessary or even desirable, nor
is any very expensive outfit required to begin work as a bird photographer.
The cost of the modern high-speed lenses and of some of the modern types of
cameras is prohibitive to the average man, and many are discouraged on the
score of expense alone. Naturally, as one progresses and grows more ambitious
to achieve marvelous results, there is a constant temptation to spend money
on improved apparatus; but this is true of any sport or hobby, and the enthusi-
ast should always regard money spent on his hobby as an investment rather
than an expenditure.

I began twelve years ago with an investment of $25 (or so) in a Cycle Poco
camera, with which I was able to do some very satisfactory work, and which
is still the most important camera in my outfit. Since then I have taken many
interesting trips, have learned the use of more improved apparatus, and have
studied the interesting problems of photographing the wildest birds in their
native haunts,—a rich field of fascinating possibilities.

While I do not claim to own an ideal outfit, experience has taught me some-
thing in regard to it which may be of use to beginners. A fairly complete outfit,
which should equip the bird photographer for nearly all classes of work, should

102 Bird - Lore

consist of three cameras, which I shall attempt to describe. All three should be
of the 4x5 size, which gives satisfactory pictures, well adapted for enlarging
or reducing to lantern slides. Any attempt to use the larger sizes for field work
will but lead to labor and sorrow; for, unless the photographer is endowed
with the strength of a Hercules, he will find it a discouraging handicap to load
himself down with large cameras and a supply of heavy plates. His strength

METHOD OF ATTACHING A SMALL CAMERA TO A LIMB

will be taxed to the utmost, anyway, while struggling through the tangles of a
tropical forest, wading through almost impassable morasses or tramping for
miles over hot, yielding sands, where every additional pound will count.

The first camera to buy, which will probably prove the most useful of all,
and which I should unhesitatingly select if I could have but one, should be a
small, light camera of the compact, folding type; but it should have sufficient
length of bellows to use the single combinations of a convertible lens,—at least
seventeen inches. The Telephoto ‘Cycle Poco,’ the ‘Pony Premo,’ the ‘Cycle
Graphic,’ and the ‘Century Grand,’ are good examples of this type, but there
are many others just as good. It should be equipped with as good a lens as the
buyer’s purse will allow; though the regular long focus symmetrical lenses that
come with these cameras are good enough for any ordinary work. The shutter
should be as noiseless as possible,—though none of them are absolutely so,—
and should have a finger release, as well as a bulb release. An automatic shutter
is worse than useless for bird photography, as it is often necessary to release

A Bird Photographer’s Outfit 103

the shutter by means of a long thread from a distant point. Neither a thread
nor a bulb and tube will work with certainty at long range, and it is impossible
to tell whether an automatic shutter has been released or not.

If this is to be the only camera used, it should be fitted with a focal-plane shutter
also, which is an absolute necessity for photographing flying birds, as this requires
an exposure of from one four-hundredth to one eight-hundredth of a second,
according to the speed at which the bird’s wings are moving. More fully ex-
posed plates can be obtained at high speed with the focal-plane shutter than
with any other, because the lens is always wide open, no time being lost in
opening and closing the shutter, and because the adjustable slit in the curtain
traverses from top to bottom of the plate, exposing all portions of the plate
uniformly. In order to use this camera for tree work, special apparatus is needed
for attaching the camera to the trunk or branches. I have a little device con-
sisting of a brass base which can be fastened to the tree by an ordinary shawl-

SHORT-FOCUS, REFLECTING, AND LONG-FOCUS CAMERAS
strap; the camera is then secured to the base by a double ball-and-socket joint,
also of brass, one member of which screws into the base and one into the camera,
thus enabling the camera to be pointed in any direction. This ball-and-socket
joint can also be used conveniently in the tripod top for pointing the camera
downward or upward without adjusting the legs. The whole apparatus folds
up compactly with the tripod, the shawl-strap serving as a handle. Another

104 Bird - Lore

tree apparatus, which some photographers prefer, consist of an L-shaped piece
of iron with a gimlet point at one end, which is screwed into the tree, the camera
being attached to the other end by a ball-and-socket bicycle clamp. This has
the advantage of being somewhat firmer, but it is not so good for use on small
branches or bushes.

When supplied with such a camera as this, the beginner would be fairly
well equipped for all-round work at bird photography, and he could start out
with reasonable assurance of success in all but special cases. The long bellows
would enable him to take fairly large pictures of distant birds by using the single
combinations of his lens, and the focal-plane shutter would equip him for
flight pictures. But, if the bird photographer can afford more than one camera,
it would be better to omit the focal-plane shutter in this case and take his flight
pictures with another camera. The aim in this little camera should be to com-
bine lightness, compactness and simplicity, for convenience in carrying and
working in difficult situations; all unnecessary complications and machinery
should be left off, as they are liable to get out of order or lead to disastrous errors.
The experienced or professional bird photographer would find this little camera
the most useful instrument in his outfit. Its small size and light weight make
it convenient and easy to carry on long, hard trips on foot; it can be strapped on
the frame of a bicycle between the rider’s knees, or carried in a hunting-coat
pocket while climbing lofty trees. I have climbed the tallest and most difficult
trees with my little ‘Poco’ camera in my pocket, while my companion, who
was lugging a long-focus ‘Premo’ had to be contented with pictures from the
ground, not daring to make the climb with his bulky instrument.

The bird photographer’s outfit cannot be considered complete without a
reflecting hand camera, for quick snapshots at flying birds, and for use in the
many difficult situations where no other type of camera can be used. The ‘ Gra-
flex’ is probably the finest and best-made camera of this class on the market,
but the high price at which it is sold puts it beyond the reach of the average
man’s pocketbook, and its great weight makes it impracticable for field use
except under the most favorable circumstances. I consider the ‘ Reflex,’ which
is more reasonable in price, the most practical camera of this class, and a most
valuable instrument for bird photography. The focal-plane shutter, with adjust-
able slit, gives it a wide range of speeds up to one one-thousandth of a second,
adapting it for use on the swiftest-flying birds, as well as for slow snapshots
at stationary objects. By looking into the hood, the image can be clearly seen
reflected on the ground glass, full size and right side up, enabling the photographer
to find and focus sharply upon the moving object up to the instant of exposure,
thus insuring accurate results. The ease and rapidity with which the Reflex
camera can be operated enables the photographer to take advantage of fleeting
opportunities, which would be lost without it. I have seen a fine series of pictures —
taken of some shy bird brooding or hovering for an instant over its young, alight-—
ing temporarily on a nearby perch, moving restlessly about at short range, or

A Bird Photographer’s Outfit 105

flying past unexpectedly near, when not a single photograph could have been
taken with an ordinary camera. It is often useful, too, in photographing nests
and young in shaky tree tops, where there is no opportunity to attach and focus
an ordinary camera. Most of our best work on the precipitous cliffs of Bird
Rock was done with Reflex cameras, while dangling in the crate at the end of
a long rope, or climbing the ladders. The long, narrow picture of Kittiwake
on their nests, in my recent paper in Birp-LORE, was taken from one of the
ladders, and is especially interesting as being the last one ever taken with this

TWO PHOTOGRAPHS OF AN OSPREY AND ITS NEST FROM A DISTANCE OF
THIRTY FEET
The smalier with a 6-inch focus lens; the larger with a 26-inch focus lens

Pa FA he ge

unlucky camera; for a few moments afterward the strap broke, and down
went the camera, bounding over the rocks. I picked it up at the base of the
cliff, one hundred feet below, a hopeless wreck. For a wonder, the valuable
8 x to lens was picked up twenty feet away uninjured, and, what was still more
remarkable, this plate was still in the holder, and not even cracked. Fortunately,
I had two cameras left, so that I could continue my work.

The Reflex camera should have two lenses fitted to interchangeable sockets,—
one small lens, adapted to the size of the camera, for general views, and one
large lens, of as long focus as it will take, for bird pictures. It should be of the
long-focus type, if possible, so that the single combination of a long lens can be
used; but, unfortunately, the 4 x 5 size is not made in the long-focus type. The

106 Bird - Lore

5 x7 Reflex is so bulky and heavy that it is a burden to carry it on long, hard
tramps, so that I prefer to carry a 4.x 5 Reflex, using the doublet of an 8 x 10
lens in it. This is a handy instrument to carry, but, of course, some of the pic-
tures have to be enlarged. Even the long-focus 5x7 Reflex has not bellows
enough to use the single combination of an 8x10 lens. Moreover, pictures
taken at anything faster than one five-hundredth of a second with the single
combination are sure to be under-exposed; therefore, I prefer to use the doublet
and enlarge the negative.

When I want to obtain large images of birds at a distance, I prefer to use
a long-focus 4x 5 Premo camera. It is rather a bulky instrument, but it has
the longest bellows of any camera of its size; mine has twenty-eight inches,
and I frequently need the whole of it when working with the single combina-
tion of an 8x10 lens. The two Osprey pictures—both contact prints—serve
to illustrate the advantage of this camera. Both pictures were taken from the
same point, the smaller one with a 4 x 5 Poco, and the larger with the long-focus
Premo and the front combination of the large lens, the exposure being one four-
hundredth of a second.

This camera is equipped with a Thornton-Pickhard focal-plane shutter
and has all the modern improvements, but its use is restricted to short trips
or places where it can be carried in a boat or a wagon. Even then, it has so
much complicated machinery about it that I have to handle it very carefully,
and am very liable to make mistakes. I have done some good work with it, and
have also made some discouraging failures.

But the bird photographer must expect many failures—more failures than
successes at first. On my second trip to Florida, every picture I took with this
camera was hopelessly fogged, because the camera-maker failed to fit the focal-
plane shutter properly; I had the work done by a reliable firm, but did not have
time to test it before I started. It was a costly but impressive lesson.

So far, I have not said much about lenses, and perhaps I had better not, as
most photographers will not agree with me. I am not a strong believer in the
value, to the bird photographer at least, of the high-priced, much-advertised,
and, so-called, high-speed lenses. The regular lenses that come with the cameras,
or, at most, the medium-grade lenses, are good enough and fast enough for the
bird photographer’s requirements. The high-priced lenses may be a shade
quicker or work at a little larger aperture, but they are not worth the difference
in price. The small camera should have a 4 x 5 lens for working at short range,
but the other cameras should have as large lenses as they will take. The tele-
photo attachments, or telescope lenses, are not worth bothering with, as they
will not work satisfactorily except with the highest grade lenses,—and even then
it is a very difficult matter to focus them properly. If there is the slightest vibra-
tion from wind or other cause, the results are disastrous; moreover, it is very
seldom that a bird will wait long enough to set one up and focus it. I prefer
to take my negatives in some other way and enlarge them.

ij

A Bird Photographer’s Outfit 107

There should be a plentiful supply of plate-holders, as many as can be car-
ried. I carry twenty-six double holders, so that I can expose fifty-two plates
without reloading; I have seldom had occasion to expose as many plates as this
in one day, though it is easy to do so in any of the great breeding colonies, such
as Bird Rock, Pelican Island, or the Florida rookeries, where a hundred plates
would be none too many, and where birds are flying by in a steady stream or
constantly offering tempting opportunities. It would be well to have all the
plate-holders interchangeable among the three cameras, for obvious reasons,
and, as the Premo plate-holders will also fit the Reflex cameras, the cameras
might be selected with this end in view.

The choice of plates deserves some consideration, though any good brand
of rapid plate will do. The isochromatic or orthochromatic brands are prefer-
able, as they give true color values and bring out the fine markings in the bird’s
plumage. I have adopted, and can strongly recommend, the Kodoid plates,
made by the Eastman Company. They possess four very decided advantages
not combined in any glass plate: (1) They are light and easy to carry in a trunk
or in the field. (2) They are practically unbreakable, thus saving many hours
of trouble and worry. (3) They are orthochromatic, even without a color screen.
(4) They are non-halation, a useful quality not usually possessed by fast plates.
They are said to be slower than the rapid glass plates, but I have found them
fully equal to the fastest work.

The latest addition to my camera outfit, and a very important one, is a camera
trunk. It is a stout box, about the size and shape of a steamer trunk, made of
pine, reinforced with strips of ash, and bound at the corners with steel. Inter-
nally, it has six padded compartments, one for each of the three cameras, des-
cribed above, one for plate holders, and two for plates and small paraphernalia.
Everything in it fits accurately into its proper place, and everything is ready for
instant use. Its advantages are obvious, and it is certainly a great improvement
over the ordinary trunk, where apparatus cannot be properly packed, and where
everything is in chaos before the end of a three-weeks’ cruise. The value of this
trunk was strongly emphasized on our trip to Bird Rock inan open boat. While
landing in the surf, the sea broke over the stern, filling the boat half-full of water
and hopelessly drenching our luggage; my companions’ apparatus barely escaped
utter ruin, and many of his plate-holders were rendered useless, while not a drop
of water reached the contents of my trunk.

So much for the outfit; the rest depends upon the photographer, and, if he
would succeed, he must be well supplied with unlimited patience and perse-
verance. He must have plenty of energy, and be endowed with a good constitu-
tion to withstand hardship and exposure, for photographing birds in their native
wilderness is not child’s play. And, above all, he must be well supplied with
plates, and use them freely. One seldom regrets having made an exposure, but
often wishes he had taken just a few more. The cost of a few plates is not to be
compared with the value of the golden opportunity, which may never occur again.

Two Interesting Photographs from Alberta

By SIDNEY S. S. STANSELL, Stony Plain, Alberta

N June 19, 1908, I started on a short tramp through the deep woods
to a small lake where I had been told that a pair of Loons were breed-
ing. This particular lake has a hard bottom, which is something for

a lake to boast of in this locality, as the mud and muck are usually much deeper
than the water. Being skirted with willows, poplars and spruce, it made an
ideal nesting-place for the bird of my quest.

On the western bank, under some outspreading willows, the nest was found
in about a foot of water, and close against a small tree that had fallen into the
lake. It was composed of grasses, sticks and decayed vegetation, and lined, or
partially so, with strips of spruce bark. The structure was quite flat, and con-
tained two large, dark-colored eggs with blackish spots on them.

Just as I was about to photograph the nest and eggs, it began to rain, so I
retired to the shelter of a large spruce tree nearby. In a short time, the shower
was over, and I proceeded to photograph the nest and eggs. This done, I con-
structed a blind of some of the willows and saskatoon bushes, and placed my
camera in it, set the diaphragm at 6.8, the shutter at one-half second, attached
a stout linen thread to the shutter, ran it back about thirty feet, then placed
my plate-holder in position, drew the slide, covered the camera with the focusing
cloth, then started around the lake to the place where a friend was erecting a
cabin. On the way, I observed six or seven old nests, but not a single new one,

LOON ON NEST
(108 )

Two Interesting Photographs from Alberta 109

THREE YOUNG AND ONE EGG OF THE SOLITARY SANDPIPER IN THE
NEST OF A ROBIN

and began to think that I was not to find any more birds to photograph that day.
Finally, I reached the cabin, and was sitting on a fallen tree, resting a few mo-
ments, when I heard a peculiar noise in a birch tree at the edge of the lake nearby.
On going down to the tree, I could see nothing of the bird that was making the
noise; so I tossed a small stick up into the branches, and out flew—what do you
suppose? A Solitary Sandpiper (Helodromas solitarius). My heart nearly leaped
out of my mouth. I had certainly found the Solitary’s nest at last. It seemed
to me as though I should never get up that thirty-five feet; never did climbing
seem so slow, although I had good limbs to hang on to. At last, after much slip-
ping and puffing, I reached the nest, a somewhat dilapidated Robin’s nest, and
there found three newly hatched Sandpipers, and one partly broken, addled egg.

Returning for my camera, I found the Loon sitting very quietly on her two
eggs, and spread out enough to cover a dozen. I advanced very cautiously to
where my thread was fastened, and gave it a steady pull, then started down to
the blind for the camera. When about half way down, the Loon spied me and
struck for the water with breakneck speed, its wings flopping and feet paddling.

I placed the slide in its proper place, folded up the camera, and started
back to my last find. After much discussion, we decided that, as the young
Sandpipers were ready to leave the nest, it would be best to bring it down to
photograph it. Indeed, one bird had already gone, but was found close by.

After securing our photograph, we placed the nest on the ground, and the
mother bird came and called the young to her.

A Tragedy of Migration

By F. M. BENNETT, Commander, United States Navy

HE night of April 14, 1909, the region of the Florida Keys was the scene

of a violent thunderstorm of several hours’ duration, with lightning,

heavy rain, and high winds, blowing in squalls from the southwest.

The morning brought fine weather, and I observed at Key West that the town

was full of birds of several species, to be referred to by name a little later. The

visitation attracted the attention of every one, not only because of the great

numbers and brilliant plumage of the refugees, but, also, because land birds,

even during the migration seasons, are rare in Key West; even the persistent
English Sparrow has not yet found the place.

April 20, six days after the storm, I left Key West to inspect some lighthouses,
going first to Sand Key, the big reef light only a few miles from Key West, and
then sixty miles to the westward to Tortugas. At Sand Key the light-keepers
told me of many birds killed by striking their light the night of the storm, and
I saw the bodies of a few that they had not disposed of; but it was not until I
arrived at Tortugas that I realized fully the magnitude of the migration wave
that had been broken by the force of the storm. The main light there, known as
Dry Tortugas, stands on Loggerhead Key and is 150 feet high, visible eighteen
miles from a ship; but to birds higher in the air than the height of the eye on
shipboard it must be visible much farther, and this great light had acted as a
magnet and drawn to itself countless thousands of birds of many kinds, over-
powered by the storm and forced to seek asylum. The keeper of that light
has been more than twenty years in the lighthouse service, and for several years,
when stationed on Alligator Reef, he collected bird data for the United States
Biological Survey; he is therefore familiar with the subject.

Nevertheless, as soon as I landed on Loggerhead Key this keeper began
talking about the birds that had been on his island, saying over and over again
that he had never seen or heard of anything like it, and, after investigation,
I believe that he was right. Very few persons can possibly ever have seen any-
thing like what happened on that little islet the night of the storm and the few
days following. The bad weather, with wind and rain, began soon after sunset;
but at ro Pp. M., when the keeper went on watch, there had not been a bird seen ©
about the light. By midnight, a few had struck the plate-glass panes of the lan-
tern, and at 2 A.M., when an assistant relieved the keeper, they had become ~
numerous. This assistant told me that from 2 o’clock until dawn they came
in such masses that he actually could not see out through the glass panes! He —
said that they were all on the lee side of the lantern, away from the wind, and —
did not fly against the glass at full speed, but rather fluttered and beat against —
it, bruising and wounding themselves and each other, and thus causing death —
to many. Occasionally, one coming at higher speed would strike hard enough —
to kill itself on the spot. ;

/

“a

(110)

SSA neta

A Tragedy of Migration eit

With the first light of morning, they forsook the lighthouse and took to the
ground, bushes and trees. At that time, the ground at the base of the tower
was thickly strewn with dead birds, as were also the balconies around the lan-
tern and watch-room at the top of the tower. The keeper said that they collected
thousands and threw them into the sea, but, by close questioning, I got the
estimates so much reduced that I hope hundreds may be substituted for thou-
sands; though the loss of life evidently had been great, and, at the time of my
visit, there were still numbers of the dead scattered all over the island. These
probably had died after the storm was over, unable to recover from exhaustion
or from injuries received.

If the great number of dead birds presented a notable sight, what may be
said of the living? The lighthouse keeper said that there were millions of them.
I compared his narrative with those of the assistant keepers, and, aided by my
own observation of the great numbers still there six days after the disaster,
I feel sure that they may truly be measured in units of tens of thousands. The
keepers agreed that they were so numerous that it was difficult to walk anywhere
outdoors without stepping upon them, and that they were so tame that the
children caught them by simply picking them up off the ground. Exhaustion
and bewilderment, of course, played a part in this tameness, but those still there
displayed an absence of fear that did not seem possible. When it is considered
that this great multitude included several of the most brightly colored species
of North America, and that they were all in their fresh spring plumage, it may
be imagined what a wonderful and glorious spectacle they presented.

The lightkeeper told me that nearly all had left, but when I saw what remained
I was fairly astonished, for they were so numerous that they would have excited
surprise anywhere. The same species that I had seen in Key West were here
present in much greater numbers, and there were several species here that I
had not seen in Key West. In order of numbers, I would list them about as
follows: Summer Tanager, Indigo Bunting, Ovenbird, Orchard Oriole, Scarlet
Tanager, Black-throated Blue Warbler, Hooded Warbler, Ruby-throated
Humming-bird, Painted Bunting or Nonpareil, Northern Yellow-throat, King-
_ bird, Cape May Warbler, Blue Grosbeak, Warbling Vireo, and Worm-eating
Warbler. The five species first named, although only remnants of great flocks
were present in hundreds; the others in dozens, and all very fearless except the
Blue Grosbeaks, which, for some unaccountable reason, would fly if they saw
my glasses leveled at them even a hundred feet or more away.

In this instance, birds of a feather did not make a point of flocking together,
common misfortune having apparently united them into a harmonious community,
and it was a beautiful sight to see such numbers of differently colored birds
mixed closely together. They were well scattered over the island, which is about
three-fourths of a mile long, but were most numerous near the dwelling-houses
of the light-keepers, where I approached the multi-colored groups closely without
causing alarm; the Ovenbirds were particularly tame, walking all about me in

112 Bird-Lore ~-

their dainty way as unconcerned as young chickens in a barnyard. The Warblers
were not associated so much with the larger birds, but kept more to themselves,
separated perhaps by their habit of feeding mostly in trees. They were most
numerous on Garden Key, about three miles from Loggerhead, where inside
Fort Jefferson there are more and larger trees than Loggerhead affords. The
gathering of birds at Fort Jefferson had been similar to that already described;
but, as the light there is of the fourth order, and not very high, above the bastion
of the fort, it had not attracted so many. The great first-order light on Logger-
head had evidently caught the attention of the flying multitudes and beckoned
them to a landing-spot, when trouble overtook them.

Males and females were in about equal numbers among them, the Indigo
Buntings furnishing the only exception. Hundreds of the brightly plumaged
males of this species were present, but I saw only three females. With the excep-
tion of the Orchard Orioles, there was no singing on the part of these birds.
The male Orioles were joyously vocal, and, from the additional circumstance
that they were fighting among themselves, I suspect that mating was in progress.
There were among them a considerable number of young males of a general
yellowish hue, with black throats, and against these the animosity of the older
males seemed to be particularly directed. Some of these young males had the
plumage more matured, black on neck and shoulders, and brick red underneath
being noticeably developed.

Nearly all the birds observed were active and strong, and it was not apparent
why they had not resumed their journey; some, however, moved about pain-
fully, showing that they had not recovered from their rough experience, and a
good many had feathers missing or badly awry. Among the Indigo Birds, espe-
cially, I noticed a number—at least two dozen—that had lost all their tail
feathers and could fly only short distances, like young birds. The keeper told me
that the watch-room had been recently painted and was not thoroughly dry on
the outside, and that the morning after the storm it was literally plastered over
with feathers of all colors.

The birds already mentioned are those that were sufficiently numerous to
prove that large numbers of their species were on the wing that night, and were
caught in the storm. Among the few dead remaining at Sand Key when I went
there, I identified a single specimen each of the Purple Gallinule, Blackpoll
Warbler and Prairie Warbler, which shows that at least some members of these
species were also abroad at that unfortunate time. I saw one living Prairie
Warbler at Tortugas, and three Yellow-billed Cuckoos at the same place. At
Key West, April 16, I identified positively a single male Yellow Warbler (Summer
Yellowbird), an unusual observation, as I believe the bird is rarely seen in
Florida. Several Palm Warblers and Black and White Warblers were seen
with the delayed migrants at both Key West and Tortugas, but I do not believe
they came with them, because I saw none dead or injured, and because I had
seen them in small numbers at both places at intervals before. A few Palm

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A Tragedy of Migration TZ

Warblers were seen at Key West frequently all during the winter and spring,
and these completely disappeared with the last of the refugees, which was about
April 2t.

Conclusions in review of the foregoing are that on the night of April 14, 1909,
there was an enormous flight of birds of the species above named, making pas-
sage from Cuba or Yucatan toward the coast of Florida; that a sudden storm
checked their advance and forced them to seek sanctuary, which they did by
converging upon such lights as they could see; that hundreds, and, possibly,
thousands, met death from exhaustion, or from injuries received in landing at
each place where they sought shelter, and that the total number thus destroyed
was small compared with the numbers that survived and continued their journey
later. Of the whole membership of that great wave of migration on a single
night it is impossible to form an opinion; but, from what I saw and heard at
Key West, Sand Key and Tortugas, it is not extravagant to say that the air
in this region must have been full of birds, and that their numbers.may fairly be
counted in tens of thousands.

At American Shoal lighthouse, seventeen miles eastward from Key West,
not a bird was seen the night of the storm or the day after. The “bird belt,”
therefore, must have extended in width from near Key West sixty miles to the
westward to Tortugas, and an unknown distance into the unlighted Gulf of
Mexico beyond. As to what happened to those too far west to sight the Dry
Tortugas light, we can only conjecture, but, as the wind was behind them,
driving them onward in their appointed direction, it is to be hoped that they
were able to keep themselves in the air, and eventually reached the Florida
mainland, not more than 300 miles distant. Once, in a heavy northwest gale in
the Atlantic Ocean, I saw four species of land birds arrive on board a ship when
the nearest land, the coast of Nova Scotia, was more than 600 miles away, directly
to windward.

Bobolink; His Prelude

Ah! you tried to drown it in the rush
Of that bubbling stream of melodious glee,
But I heard it, and it will not hush,
Like the wraith of Spring it follows me.
’Tis her “vale, vale,” lingering so
In those wild-sweet notes when you begin,
Like the upward creep of an elfin bow
On the strings of a fairy violin.
—Mary J. Jacques.

A Crow Study

By ALFRED C. REDFIELD, Wayne, Pa.
With photographs by the author

breeding birds. So it was with a feeling not unlike shame that I realized

I had never seen the eggs in a Crow’s nest. During the last of March,
1909, I set to work to remedy this, and especially to find a nest well adapted to
photography. Nearly every patch of woods harbored one or more pairs of Crows,
so I had no trouble in finding several dozen nests. They did not seem at all par-
ticular about the kind of tree selected. Chestnut and beech, the prevailing
woodland trees, were used most, but
nests were also found in hickory, elm,
cherry, and sweet birch. One nest
was placed in the branches of an
elm tree well out in the middle of
open fields. The height varied from
twenty to fifty or sixty feet, thirty-
five feet being the average.

March 29, I found the nest I
was looking for. A small patch of
swampy woodland was separated
from a large wood by a much-used
road. Here in the solid crotch of a
good-sized beech, was a nest. It was
only twenty-five feet from the
ground, a cinch to climb and within
easy reach of home; but, better yet,
the tree branched just below the
nest, giving a substantial limb from
which to photograph. As the nest was not quite finished, I could watch things
from the start.

April 3, I was back again. The nest now held two eggs. The bird would not
leave until I knocked on the base of the tree with a stick. The nest was made
up of small twigs, mostly of beech, and a little green moss. It formed a bulky
basket, fifteen inches across and half as deep. The well-formed hollow in which

ERE, in southeastern Pennsylvania, the Crow is one of our commonest

PLACING THE DUMMY CAMERA

the eggs lay, was lined with strips of bark and some very coarse hair. It was
seven inches in diameter and five inches deep. An egg was now added daily
until April 6, when the set of five was complete. The eggs were somewhat smaller
than a hen’s. The ground color was greenish white, heavily spotted with lilac.

On April 14, I photographed the nest and eggs. A small stick was nailed
to a convenient limb and to this the camera was clamped. With an eight-inch
lens and 4 x 5 camera, I was able to get an image of the desired size. Removing

(114)

A Crow Study 115

the camera, I nailed up a small wooden box in its place, wrapping it with
burlap sacking. This dummy camera I left for the birds to become ac-
customed to.

A week later I returned, substituted a real camera for the dummy, covered
it with the burlap, and attached to the shutter a thread leading off for fifty yards
to some trees, behind which I hid. The Crows returned, but, seeing me,would
not go near the nest. So, after waiting for half an hour, I left the thread and hid
under a bridge some distance off. Soon the Crows were back again, and before
I had been hidden fifteen minutes, one of them disappeared where I knew the

CROW ON NEST

nest must be. Waiting another quarter-hour for her to get well settled, I walked
slowly up to the end of the thread and pulled. The Crow flew off at the click
of the shutter, so I knew I had my picture. The green afternoon light was too
far gone for further attempts, but development showed that they were not neces-
sary.

It was four days before I visited my Crows again. On April 25, I found
that the eggs had hatched, after an incubation of sixteen or eighteen days. One
egg had disappeared and four little Crows lay in the nest, an ugly, confused
mass of bare, pink flesh, covered only with a little down on head, back, and

116 Bird - Lore

wings. A slender neck raised a heavy, blind head upward, the fleshy bill opened
and the Crow became a gaping mouth, begging for food.

A week later, I found only two young birds in the nest. But these made up
for their lost brothers. They had nearly doubled in size, and everywhere dark

+
}
%

CROWS TEN DAYS’ OLD

pin-feathers were appearing under the skin. The skin had now become an ugly,
dark brownish gray color. The eyes had opened. The only noise they made,
as they lay huddled in the bottom of the nest, was a hoarse croak. I removed
a small worm from the ear of one. Whether it was a natural parasite or had
merely taken refuge there I do not know. Three days later, when I photographed
them, the only change was a lengthening of the pin-feathers.

By May 12, at the age of about twenty days, the young birds looked more
like Crows. The pin-feathers had grown and the enveloping sheaths had burst
at the end, causing the birds to be covered with dull black feathers. Only on
the large flight-feathers and tail did the sheaths show. The day was hot and the
sun shone down through the thin spring foliage on the unprotected backs of the
Crows. They lay quietly in their nest, necks stretched out, mouths open, breath-
ing heavily.

After four days more, I found that another change had taken place. The

A Crow Study 17

feathers had opened more, white particles of the sheaths lying untidily on their
black feathers. But it was their actions when handled that were changed. At
first they had lain quietly, allowing me to handle them without resistance. Now
all was changed, and they plainly showed their resentment.

May 22, I made my last visit to the nest. As I approached, the old birds
flew about, cawing. As I climbed the tree, I could see the young birds standing
on the edge of the nest, looking over at me. ‘They were sleek, well-feathered
fellows that might have passed for adult birds, had it not been for the undersized
wings and tail, and the blue-gray eyes. When I reached the nest, the birds
backed off onto a convenient limb, glancing at me and the ground in turn, as
if trying to decide which was the lesser of two evils. Finally, the bolder decided
in favor of flight. The other waited, and I was in hopes of getting his picture,
but before I was ready he fluttered down. Once on the ground, he proceeded,
with stately tread, to wander off through the bushes. Thus it was, after four
weeks of life in their nest, that the young Crows set out on their first expedition
into the world.

BLUE-HEADED VIREO ON NEST be
Photographed by Ansel B. Miller, at Springs, Pa., June 16, I908

The Migration of Vireos
SECOND PAPER

Compiled by Professor W. W. Cooke, Chiefly from Data
in the Biological Survey
With drawings by Louis AGASsIz FUERTES

BLACK-CAPPED VIREO

Texas is the principal summer home of the Black-capped Vireo, whence
it ranges north, occasionally to southwestern Kansas. Six years’ records at
Kerrville, Texas, show an average date of arrival of March 23, with the earliest
March 19, 1901. The first was seen at San Angelo, Texas, April 6, 1885; at
Gainesville, Texas, April 17, 1885; at Comstock, Texas, April 23, 1901; and at
Winfield, Kansas, April 22, 1902. The last one seen at San Angelo, Texas, in
1884, was on Septemper 25, and in 1885, on September 16. The first was seen
on the volcano of Toluca, Mexico, September 11, 1893.

WHITE-EYED VIREO

Three forms of the White-eyed Vireo are at present recognized in the United
States. One of them includes the non-migratory birds of southern Florida,
a second the non-migratory birds in the valley of the lower Rio Grande of Texas,
while all the migratory White-eyed Vireos belong to the third form. All the
dates in the following tables apply to the migratory form, but it is not possible
to trace or time the movements until the individuals have passed to the north
of the regions occupied by the non-migratory forms.

SPRING MIGRATION

Number | aver, iest date of
PLACE of years’ | SOaee arrival |) sya eet
Atlanta, Goals (Mean) sea ane eae 9 April 7 March 31, 1893
RaleighieN: iC ore oe acuane ceases 21 April 2 March 24, 1899
Asheville SNe @-s (mean) an te eke: 5 April 15 April 9, 1893
Washington. Gi, he eon 22 April 23 April 18, 1896
Berwyn aeae..2 fax-a tee ede se ee eee 4 May 7 May 5, 1892
Englewood anion. os cence se) May 7 May 3, 1902
New .Providence.: Nig]i cie-p tan ores = 8 May 7 April 30, 1890
sheltersIslandeeNgne 7g eee 7 May 5 May 1, 1891
Southern, Connecticut. .... see oe 12 May 7 May 4, 1902
Pasterm Massachusetts. tna ane: 8 May g May 4, 1887
Kerrville: “Dex: or apo <5. to eee 5 March 21 March 9g, 1907
Gainesville sexy et teen eee 5 March 25 March 16, 1889
Helena AWK S io. 54) ec ue-die asa tote II April 6 March 31, 1897
Chattanoova. Tenni> «onc. anon eee 6 April 10 April 5, 1907
Athens, “Lenn. .6 orn ee ener 4 April 12 March 24, 1907
Babak. KR sista eaten 5 > sae ee eee 7 April ro April 7, 1890
St. Ouis,) Who...) s/n han re ere ee 7 April 16 April 11, 1896
Ominoy; PISS Menken oo tua. eek eR 3 April 28 April 25, 1883
Bloomington, Under... tte aes ete 7 April 25 April 21, 1900
Brookville; Ind: capes oer arene oer April 25 April 23, 1889
Waterloo, Sinds(nearyG-c-.6-.-1ash han: 5 April 30 April 25, 1902
COMIC: MUA i « bartotens oo Masten anne ene 7 May 6 May 4, 1902
SOULNELN MR ANSAS) 127 eg Pe mete hye 5 May 6 May 4, 1906
Laticoln,: Mebincinacte cutest iek ieee. wx _ May 12, 1900

Pes! hee

j

The Migration of Vireos 119

FALL MIGRATION

Number

PLACE cee | ARG RU | te
Waterloo; mdi (Mean) ss. scesse a 4 September 24 | October 1, 1903
Full apa SIGs 0298 siege oaks shdio seeks ake anes 4 September 26 | October 1, 1891
ANiln@ing; ICMR; Beceem 6 Heo uo ee eae 4 October I October 5, 1905
Stele OuistuNLOR se s.sceis shuau erie ote ae October 14, 1885
Slnllieie ellen INS Meee es cae as anos September 30, 1901
CentraleiNew Jierseyarcs 22 cs ote cs 4 September 19 | October 15, 1905
Philadelphia, Pa. (near)............. 3 September 23 | October 15, 1888
\WWaglanneoins ID). (Cece s dite wom aoe Blatne = 4 October 8 October 19, 1890
TRBIICHSI NIN Nore © Seale ete re ern Pee aN ee tere 6 September 21 | October 14, 1892

HUTTON’S VIREO

The several forms of this species range in the western United States from
western Texas to California and north along the Pacific slope to southern British
Columbia. Their short migration in southern Arizona must be performed very
early in the season, for, by the middle of March, they had already reached their
breeding-grounds in the Huachuca mountains, at 5,000 feet altitude. The
birds of the Pacific region are slightly migratory, but many remain throughout
the winter so near the northern limit of the range, that no definite data are avail-
able as to the times of migration.

BELL’S VIREO

This species winters in Mexico, and breeds from northeastern Mexico north
to Nebraska. It is one of the slower migrants, for the dates given below show
that it occupies five weeks in the journey from San Antonio, Texas, to Onaga,
Kansas,—an average speed of less than twenty miles a day.

SPRING MIGRATION

“Number :

PLACE Se er
SAM AMNLOMIOM IN OX.) css eee) s ye se ee tye 6 March 31 March 19, 1904
AN Wusitrlin «TINGS ea 5 ina zac eae B April 12 March 30, 1893
IB@inmel wal 1 Bese ae Wis etna eee c eed oeaee 3 April 21 April 19, 1889
Siplbomis MIO! ti os Asie aye eee es 5 April 27 April 25, 1883
JE GOES CTs lc Nt eae ee Ta 8 May 6. April 30, 1895
(Cnrgiranre lela je hs cakes Seana Gees wes yi 5 May to May 5, 1886
‘S@)GTiNIE, We hS ene cen tae Sea ae eer Seater May to, 1897
Miamibattan mans. = hs eee Shas 6 April 30 April 24, 1891
Oncaea ric) 8s ba ee Pgs Riese 16 May 5 April 30, 1895
ILinaC@Mioy,, INC oy caer Bleeeoic sical eeee coaster May 13, 1900

FALL MIGRATION

The average of the last seen for five years at Grinnell, Ia., is September,
and the latest September 12, 1886; at Onaga, Kans., for thirteen years, is Sep-
tember 11, latest September 27, 1905. The latest date at Jasper, Mo., is Sep-
tember 20, 1902, and at St. Louis, Mo., September 22, 1905.

120 Bird - Lore

LEAST VIREO

The Least Vireo winters in Mexico, and comes north in summer to south-
eastern Arizona, southern Nevada, and to Sacramento, Cal. Some dates of spring
arrival are: San Felipe Cafion, Cal., March 23, 1895; Pasadena, Cal., March
26, 1896; San Diego, Cal., April 2, 1885; Agua Caliente, Cal., April 1, 1886;
San Buenaventura, Cal., March 26, 1872. The first reach the northern limit of
the range by the middle of April, and depart south early in September.

GRAY VIREO

From its winter home in Mexico, this Vireo comes north in summer to northern
New Mexico, southern Nevada, and southern California. A few dates of arrival
are: Santa Catalina Mountains, Arizona, April 1, 1885; Campo, Cal., March
24, 1876; a late fall record is September 14, 1889, at the Grand Cafion of the
Colorado, Arizona.

Further Note on Albino Flickers

In the spring of 1908, a Flicker’s nest, containing two albino birds, was
found near New Paris, Ohio. An account of these birds, together with a pho-
tograph of them, was published in the May-June, 1908, number of Brrp-Lore.

About June 15, 1908, this nesting-site was visited, and the nest was found to
be occupied by four young Flickers, one of which was an albino, the others
being normal in color. The albino was in every respect similar to those of the
previous year. Close examination showed a faint shadow of the normal mark-
ings on the plumage. Thus the black band on the breast could be seen by
careful examination. A close inspection of the specimen which had been secured
the year before showed a similar shadow of the normal markings.

In order to determine whether the parent birds were normal in color, I
watched the nest until both were seen. Neither showed any perceptible depart-
ure from the normal markings.

The young birds left the nest about one week after my visit to it. The white
one was seen but once, about three weeks later. It displayed the same tendency
to circle, when flying, that was remarked of one of the albinos of the previous
brood.

One of this pair of Flickers apparently possesses an inherent tendency to
produce albinism, and is therefore of unusual interest. The developments of the
coming season, if the pair returns, will be carefully observed.—LoREN C. PETRY,
Urbana, Ohio.

HPotes trom Field and Stuap

A Redpoll Invasion

Upon my arrival at State College, in
the very center of Pennsylvania, I fondly
cherished hopes of seeing Redpolls, but
these were soon dispelled by the reports
of the various bird students that they
were not found in the vicinity. It was,
therefore, with an exultant thrill that I
shortly discovered that the winter of r908—
1909 was one to be long remembered by
the legions of Redpolls which cheered the
heart of the ornithologist on all his winter
walks.

It was on December 12, 1908, that the
forerunners of the hosts which were to
come were first observed. We were return-
ing from a vain search for Ducks, and,
while beating our way across the fields,
against a blinding snowstorm, suddenly
a flock of small Finches flew rapidly
by and settled on the drifting snow. In a
moment I recognized the note of the Red-
poll, and, all aglow, I hurried forward
and watched them as they flitted ner-
vously about over the surface of the snow,
frequently feeding on the low weed-
stalks which everywhere rose above the
rapidly deepening mantle. But, surely,
they could not all be Redpolls! No, for
there, as they scurried about, we fre-
quently caught sight of pale yellowish
wing-bars among the plainer pinions of
the mass. And there, scattered amid the
flock of perhaps thirty Redpolls, were
probably twelve Pine Siskins. Well con-
tent, we left them, and, as we hurried
home in the twilight, several other flocks
took wing at our near approach. Evi-
dently, the Redpolls were here after all!

But these were only the smallest frac-
tion of what was to come. All during the
winter months, they were found in legions
throughout the Nittany Valley. Not only
in the fields, but, also, in the orchards,
in the town, and even on the college cam-
pus did we hear their cheerful notes.
As March drew near, every day I looked
for their departure, yet they showed no

signs of leaving. Not until the last of the
month did they grow scarce, and the last
stragglers lingered until April 10,—days
after the arbutus and hepatica had burst
their swelling buds.

What impressed me most was their
tameness. Repeatedly have I approached
to within a few feet of a feeding flock, and
they evinced no alarm. When they did
fly, it was only to make a few undulating
circles, and then return to the vicinity of
their former feeding-place. Frequently,
part of the flock would arise, and indi-
viduals would continue their search for
seeds, totally unconcerned over their
departing comrades. On near approach,
the males could be easily distinguished
from the females by their bright rosy
breasts, varying in intensity of coloration
as the ages of the birds.

They fed indifferently on the snow or
perched upon the weed-stalks, those below
picking up the seeds shaken down by the
more industrious gleaners. Many a field
have I seen literally covered with a net-
work of their dainty tracks in the new-
fallen snow; yet not all obtain their sus-
tenance in this manner, for on several
occasions, I have noticed them picking
vigorously at the buds of the maples in
early spring.

Unceasingly, as they flew in undulating
circles overhead, or fed companionably
on the ground, we heard them call—a
clear per-chee varying to a sharp clee-e—
somewhat resembling the similar notes
of the Goldfinch, yet distinct. But in
early March the males began to sing, and
I was privileged to add a new bird con-
cert to my category. A vigorous, wild,
Goldfinch-like melody it was, somehow
bringing to me pictures of the cold, wind-
swept barrens of northern Labrador,
where these tireless bits of bird life would
soon nest. Inspect, as I did at near view,
thousands of Redpolls, yet not one was
referable to any form other than Acanthis
linaria.

The Redpolls have gone, yet vividly,

(121)

122

in my mind’s eye, I see the flocks feeding
before me in the bleak fields or hear them
go calling overhead. And when the snow
once more steals softly down and the winds
bring cold blasts from the frigid north,
I shall wait patiently to catch the first
glimpse of my sociable winter companions.
—the Redpolls.—RicHarp C. Hartow,
Pennsylvania State College.

Redpolls and White-winged Crossbills in
New Hampshire

Were Redpolls abundant
everywhere this year, or were we remarka-
bly favored? Two amateurs in the Winni-
pesaukee region have been watching these
birds for five months, beginning with two
on November 24, 1908, and reaching a
climax of hundreds upon hundreds in the
last days of March and the first of April,
190g. One seldom sees a thousand birds
together in New Hampshire, even in
migration periods, but there must have
been that number of Redpolls in Folsom
Wood on March 31. It was easy to esti-
mate the little groups upon the ground
within sight of the old quarry hillside where
we stood to watch, but the trees above and
back of us were full, and as many more of

unusually

changing groups formed and reformed in
dissolving views as far as eye could reach.
When I left my friend at this station and
allowed my snowshoes to carry me some
distance from the road which we had
traveled to the quarry, I found as many
hundreds circling through the deeper
woods, while her number suffered no
decrease. If individuals broke away from
any special group, as they evidently did
in all the rapid whirls from ground to trees
and back again, others took the places left
till the ranks were generally more than
full. Did every Redpoll wintering south
of Laconia in New Hampshire start north
in time to reach the shore of Winnisquam
as early as this morning of March 31?
Our first glimpse of Redpolls this win-
ter, and only the second or third in a life-
time up to that November 24, was while
we walked at the twilight hour in the
pasture skirting our lake between the city

Bird - Lore

streets and the Folsom Wood already
mentioned. Guided by a rather plaintive
call, we found two birds on birches just
above our heads; but identification was
impossible in that gray light. Siskin or
Goldfinch was considered probable at
first. Then we saw they were not streaked
enough for Siskins, and the black spot
under the chin proved they were not Gold-
finches, in spite of the caps we called black.
My note-book records as the result of
this twilight observation: ‘Two strange
birds unidentified; white wing-bar the
most prominent feature; some streaks on
the flanks, breasts otherwise clear; dark
heads suggest black caps.’’ Redpolls were
not thought of. Ae did not know then how
black the crimson crowns can look when
not in strong light, and we had seen only
two March flocks before, so were no ex-
pecting them to visit our region in Novem-
ber. Three days later our birds were
heard again, and followed till they perched
to feed contentedly on birch catkins, so
near our eyes that red caps and blackish
throats were studied without glasses as
well as with them.

After this experience, all of Thoreau’s
notes on Redpolls were collected by my
friend, and proved most interesting read-
ing, as well as the descriptions in our bird
books. Two things in our reading caused
surprise. Our helpful Hoffmann and Chap-
man did not mention the white wing-bar
we had called our most prominent feature,
but Thoreau confirmed our observation,
for his careful notes on first sight of a
flock, November 13, 1852, mention “‘dis-
tinct white bar on wings.’’ Thoreau, on
the other hand, never seemed to see the
black we marked upon the throats, and
his many puzzled guesses at identification
made us quite puffed up with knowledge,
thanks to our superior handbooks.

In December, our two Redpolls in-
creased to dozens and fifties, till the
“‘mewing” call, as Thoreau termed it,
no longer gave surprise when the flocks
wavered through the air above us or settled
for a few minutes to feed on birch and
alder catkins near our snowshoe path.
Not until the last of January did they

Notes from Field and Study

come very near our houses, and seldom
then where they could be watched from
windows. We could have made little
study of them through the winter if we
had not used our snowshoes, but with these
we went out in all kinds of weather and
walking, as our blackened shoes now
testify. To own snowshoes merely for the
sport would make them almost valueless
to me. I am not strong enough to climb
winter mountains or take cross-country
tramps of many miles, even when snow-
shoeing is ideal. Yet, on almost any day,
it is a wonderful experience to leave the
city streets and walk out into the broad
white expanse of such a pasture as ours
beside the lake, to thread the narrow
paths of the birch thickets, or follow
broader avenues beneath majestic ever-
greens. No tree laden with Christmas
trinkets was ever so beautiful as these
when clothed in glittering ice or feathery
snow piled high on every branch and twig.

When the last ice-storm continued
three whole days, we began to be afraid
our Redpolls must be suffering from hun-
ger. A walk in the pasture quickly reas-
sured us. There were the Redpolls cling-
ing to the catkins as merrily as ever; so
I suppose they found the under side un-
sheeted by the ice, or liked to eat them
ice and all.

My notes for January 22 record that
we came upon our bands of fifties gathered
into hundreds. The day was very windy
and they were in a rather sheltered dell.
We saw one Chickadee among them, a
friend whose absence we had spoken of
with mourning all the winter. For two
years before the Chickadees made almost
daily visits to the basket of crumbs hang-
ing on my side porch. We have been told
that the Red-breasted Nuthatches drove
the Chickadees from Bear Island a few
winters ago. So we have sometimes
questioned whether it was not the Redpoll
hordes that urged our own familiar friends
from their accustomed haunts this year.
Toward spring, we found the Chickadees
quite numerous again, however, and often
right among both Redpolls and Nuthatches
in apparent peace and happiness.

123

On three or four occasions, we were
delighted by discovering Crossbills where
we usually saw only Redpolls. The
Americans we welcomed as our own small
flock, because they were just like the
family raised in our neighborhood, judging
from our first sight of a single pair in May
and then a group of six or seven birds
appearing in late summer. To be sure,
though, there is memory of an undue
number of red birds in the summer flock
against the theory of family with offspring
of our pair so young, but the numbers
were about the same in January as in
August, and apparently in the same pro-
portion. On March 13, a friend who
joined our walk to see the Redpolls we
had so often mentioned did not behold or
hear a single one that day, but was granted
a sight to us much rarer. We were at first
deceived by the call-notes and simul-
taneous twitter so much like the Red-
polls’, when a flock of more than twenty
birds burst from the evergreens and
settled on the quarry hillside. Two brilli-
ant males of rose-red hue and flashing
white on wings solved a puzzle that would
have been much harder for us if we had
continued to gaze only on the backs of
immature and females. None of us can
ever have a better chance to study White-
winged Crossbills.

These experiences made us_ search
most carefully for other birds among the
Redpolls, when we began to hear new
trills, in addition to the familiar twitter
of four months. As spring was fairly here
when the jingle changed, and no more
discoveries were made, however long we
watched, we finally accepted the new song
as due to springtime joys in the breasts of
our friends of the crimson crown.

To distinguish Greater Redpolls from
Lesser is certainly beyond the power of
amateurs. However, two birds found on
April 2, away from all the rest of the flock,
as it happened, were so very white, so
different from hundreds of others studied
with equal care, that we think we cannot
be mistaken in naming these as “‘ Hoary
Redpolls. My friend, who had never
heard of such a kind, was the first to point

124

out the white effect. The birds were re-
markably quiet for a long time, as if they
were willing to show off their unusual
markings. To call it absence of markings
might be the better way to describe the
difference, as the streaks were so very
faint, the V above the tail so clear and
white, and even the caps were pale.

Our April weather has been too wet
and windy to allow determining the exact
date of the departure of the Redpolls for
the north. The great numbers disappeared
gradually, after coming around our houses
in swarms on April 4 and 5. The last I
saw for perfect identification were in a
thicket near our avenue, on April 12.—
BESSIE SCRIBNER DAVIS.

Redpolls in New Jersey

On February 2, 1909, I observed in the
central part of Gloucester county, New
Jersey, perhaps one hundred (I think
there were more) Redpolls, searching,
with their characteristic enterprise, the
dead grass and weed heads. I encountered
them in two different localities, perhaps
four miles apart. I have never seen them

so far south as this before.—CuHas. D.

Lippincott, Swedesboro, N. J.

Pine Siskins in Vermont

We have been favored with the presence
of large numbers of Pine Siskins this fall
and winter. In the fall they, at times,
seemed fearless, alighting on the trees and
on the ground near the house, and feeding
on the aphides that were very plenty last
year. Always they were in full flow of
conversation, and we had great oppor-
tunities to learn their notes and _ their
marks. Why do none of the bird books
(that I have seen) mention the peculiar
note that sounds like whizz? It is the first
thing that called my attention to the birds.
I heard it long before I knew its source,
and it seems a strong distinguishing point.
When the whole flock whizzes, who can
but notice the sound? Sometimes, when
they alight, they have notes that sound
like the peeping of frogs in spring. Often

Bird- Lore

there is the call like a Goldfinch, and as
they fly, a note like the English Sparrow’s
call is given.

All of our cone-bearing trees were full
of cones this past winter, especially hem-
locks, which were really brown with them;
and the yellow birches are loaded with
their large catkins. Bits of the cones and
catkins cover the ground beneath the
trees. Does this abundance account for
the presence of the Pine Siskins?—E. F.
Mitrer, Bethel, Vermont.

The Woodcock’s Song

Dear Editor of Bird-Lore:

Please why that exclamation point after
the note about two Woodcock singing,
on the editorial page of March-April
BIRD-LORE ?*

To me, the Woodcock’s song is charm-
ing, because of its fitness to the character
of the bird, and to the surroundings.

When low-flying clouds, all tattered and
torn, go drifting along the sky, and
fZolus picks threnodies away up aloft
among the clashing branches of mighty
oaks, one who is braving the storm loves
to see the great Eagle launch from a cliff
and hurl himself against the onset of the
blast, screaming a defiance that must
arouse the admiration of his queen upon
the eyrie.

When the fret of spring fever takes us
out to the warm brush-lot, in a spirit of
unrest and of disharmony, the Yellow-
Chested Chat promptly joins us in mood,—
turning somersaults, mocking at every-
thing, and singing a clown song that almost
anybody can see is meant for nothing.
more than to make the visitor laugh. Is
it possible that his mate is enamored by
such jesting? ‘‘As the husband is, the
wife is,” according to the fine old poetry
of a former day, and perhaps she is
watching from a witch-hazel bush and
giggling away at his antics.

After a while, June gets to be surely
June, and the Bobolink, bursting open

.
*Our exclamation point referred not to the
character of the birds’ song, but to the early date
at which they sang it.— Ep.

Notes from Field and Study

his safety-valves of joy, sets us to vibrat-
ing in tune with his song.

If one feels particularly companionable,
what delight there is in the blithesome
camaraderie of Red Crossbills, as they
cheerily and merrily assure each other
of good fellowship while traveling along
through their airy roads among the tops
of the pointed firs, in a spirit that belongs
to no lower levels.

The day’s work is done. Evening calm
settles over forest and field. Hear the
White-throated Sparrows say to each
other that peace reigns in the village and
all is well until the morrow. Then comes
the spiritual rhapsody of the Hermit
Thrush, in the harmony that inspires one
who, far from the crowd, is all alone with
his better self.

Among all bird songs appropriate to
the environment, what can be more de-
lightful than the song of the Woodcock?
It is the song of the tenderest of lovers,
and it strikes the very note that poets have
sought in their ideals of love in a cottage,
or of a secluded spot in some far wilder-
ness. The song of the Woodcock is the
dearest song in the world. Would that
some one might sing to me such a lullaby.
All is quiet in the valley. Moonlight is
transmuting spring mist into gold. The
jingle of silver bells of the Hyla chorus
sounds faintly from the distant marsh.
Then it is that the Woodcock looks at his
beautiful bride upon the nest among warm,
loose leaves, and, springing aloft with
twittering wing, stills the wing note, and
warbles so softly and sweetly to his true
love that it seems almost sacrilege to
listen. It is not to the multitude that he
sings. Oh, no indeed! “‘It is just for you
and me, Betty. Not for the world would
we disturb any one with our affection, but

we love each other, and our happiness is

complete.” 3

I wish the Woodcock would not give
his absurd little bleat before springing on
wing for his song, but it is only a manner-
ism, and we have to allow all sorts of
mannerisms in our friends, because Lord
knows how many we have ourselves.—
RoBert T. Morris, New York City.

125

Observations on the Life History of the
Bobolink

Early in the afternoon of June 16, 1908,
I was going through a hay field near
Woodmont, Conn., in search of a Meadow-
lark’s nest. The field was about three
acres in extent, bordered on three sides”
by roads, and on the fourth by a fresh
marsh. The grass was about eighteen
inches high, and ready to be cut.

In the course of the search, three Bobo-
links—a male and two females—were
seen. When I reached a certain spot in the
field, it was evident from the action of
one of the females, who carried a grub in
her bill, that I was in the immediate
vicinity of the nest.

I sat down and awaited developments.
The female nearest me continued to fly
about, alighting often on the tops of dock
stalks standing above the general level of
the grass. Meanwhile, female No. 2 was
flying about some distance off, also with
grubs in her bill. The male consorted
with both; now caressing (or chasing) one,
now the other. He manifested much
alarm over my presence when with the
female nearest me.

After some twenty minutes’ delay,
female No. 1 dropped into the grass
within a dozen feet of me. I could hear
the buzz of the young as she fed them.
After a few minutes’ careful search on
hands and knees, the nest was found.
It contained five young, about half-grown.
The nest itself did not amount to much,
being nothing but a depression in the
ground, lined with grasses.

About this time the male disappeared,
and did not figure in subsequent proceed-
ings that day. After locating the first
nest so as to be able to find it again, I
retired to the top of a rail-fence across
the road, hoping to find the second nest.
Long before female No. 2 flew to her nest,
female No. 1 was feeding her young at
nearly regular five-minute intervals. Fe-
male No. 2 was very shy, and it took over
an hour to find her nest. She would fly
into the grass at various points and appar-
ently walk to the nest. At length I found

126 Bird- Lore

it by hearing the young complain. It
contained five young in the same stage as
those in the first nest. It was also exactly
like it in structure.

The next day I visited the nest again,
and took an accurate measurement of
the distance between them. It was a trifle
less than fifty-five feet.

To my surprise, the first nest contained
but one bird,—a dead one. Both females
however, were still in the neighborhood;
but the male was heard singing only
once, at a considerable distance away.

Female No. 2 began, shortly after I
left her nest, to feed her young, without
any very great fuss. Female No. 1 was
flying about, but her actions were not
those of a bereaved bird; rather, those of
one having a nest nearby; moreover, she
carried grubs in her mouth.

I retired to the top of the rail-fence
across the road and awaited developments.
It soon became evident that female No.
1 still had young somewhere in that
meadow. She would fly up to a spot
almost in front of me, and much nearer
the road than either of the nests. Here
she would sit on the tops of dock stalks
and scold, occasionally disappearing into
the grass, where I fancied that once or
twice I heard the buzz of the young;
after this she would fly directly away,
shortly to return with another grub.

Lack of time prevented my searching
for the young, which I feel sure were
hidden in the grass.

On the afternoon of June 19 (two days
later), I visited the nests again. Nest
No. 2 was deserted. The two females and
the single male were flying about a short
way off.

June 24, I passed near a grass field
across the marsh before mentioned. This
field was some two or three hundred yards
from the site of the nests.

Two females and a single male Bobo-
link were seen flying about, the females
with grubs in their beaks. The field con-
taining the nests was deserted and had
been since the z2oth, at the time I was
first observing the Bobolinks. I passed
by and through this field daily, and

feel confident that no Bobolinks nested
there.

June 25 (next day), I spent some time
beating about in this field, and started
five young Bobolinks, just able to fly.
The two females, and, part of the time, the
male, were close by, and manifested much
concern. Both the former had grubs in
their bills. Probably more young birds
were in the grass than I flushed.

These facts, I think, give very good
evidence that the Bobolink is at times
polygamous. For at no time did I see
more than one male, and to the best of
my knowledge, there was not another
pair of Bobolinks nesting within half a
mile of the place, although the country
was favorable.

They prove, it seems to me, that the
young leave the nest before they are able
to fly, and are cared for by the females
(I never once saw the male with a bit of
food of any kind in his bill) for at least
a week after they leave the nest. These
facts may have been recorded before,
but not to my knowledge.

While watching the Bobolinks, I noticed
a somewhat similar condition of affairs
among a colony of Red-winged Black-
birds nesting in the alders in the swamp
between the two fields. There were only
two or three males to a dozen or so females.
The old birds tended the young after
they had left the nest, and were hidden in
the high grass with the young Bobolinks.
The male Red-Wings, however, took
no part in the care of the young.—P. L.
Buttrick, New Haven, Conn.

Evening Grosbeaks in Massachusetts

I wonder if many other readers of Brrp-
Lore have been seeing Evening Gros-
beaks this past winter or early spring?
March 7, I saw a flock of seven adult
males and between ten and twenty females
and immature males. March 20, I saw a
flock in the same place with the same,
or nearly the same number of species.
I think that most of the gray individuals
with yellow tinges on the head and rump,
must be immature males, because they

ead

Notes from Field and Study

called more and sometimes warbled
quietly. I have seen them often since, the
last time being March 28, and, lately,
I found the flock divided into all gray
in one part, and adult males with three
or four gray ones in the other, the two
divisions feeding a quarter of a mile or
so apart in the same wood. In the after-
noons I could only find the gray ones.
March 27 and 28, I found only the division
of adult males and the three or four
gray ones, and, the weather being mild,
they called loudly, but did not sing. Their
food, as far as I could see, consisted of
maple seeds and larch tree buds.

This March, I also have seen several
White-winged Crossbills, and I found
them tamer than the Evening Grosbeaks.
—ANNE H. Wautinc, Lanesborough,
Mass.

The Evening Grosbeak in Wisconsin

While the Rose-breasted Grosbeak is
well and favorably known to most bird-
lovers, its Canadian cousin, the Evening
Grosbeak, is a comparative stranger to
Many, even in the northern part of the
United States.

Such, at least, had been my experience
until the last winter, when a flock of more
than one hundred of these splendid
creatures visited our city. To what dis-
turbances in their northern home we were
indebted for their presence, I cannot
tell, but certain it is they arrived early
in February and prolonged their stay past
the middle of March. For a few weeks
after their arrival, the Grosbeaks traveled
about the city together, sometimes filling
an entire bare tree with their brilliant
colors.

My first view of the visitors was ob-
‘tained one bright day during the last
week in February. And such a view it has
rarely been my privilege to have! Opening
an outside door, my attention was arrested
by a distinct munching sound. It came
from a small box-elder tree, some sixty
feet from the house. There, perched on
the limbs, and hopping on the ground
below, were the Grosbeaks, industriously

127

gleaning their noonday meal from the
dry seed-pods hanging on the tree.

I strolled out under the tree, no attention
being paid to my presence, and I had
unlimited opportunity to study the
strangers at close range.

Finally, one flew away to a large tree
across the street, and, after I had examined
it for a minute or two, gave a clear chirp.
At once the entire flock took wing and
joined him, to finish their meal on maple
seeds.

They seemed to feel little fear of man,
and were reported as feeding with Pigeons
and chickens on very sociable terms.

The children in our school were en-
couraged to feed them, and their interest
may have helped to prolong their stay.

Whenever the Evening Grosbeaks
choose again to include Wisconsin in
their itinerary, they may be sure of an
enthusiastic welcome in our city, from
all who made their acquaintance.—GER-
TRUDE M. Titus, Fond du Lac, Wis.

CARDINAL

The Ipswich Cardinal

The Cardinal, of which mention was
made in the March number of BIrD-LORE
as being in Ipswich in January is still
at the same farm, and has been a constant
resident there. As the warmer days ap-
proach, he is beginning to sing a little, and
is making trips of a day or two duration
away from the clump of spruce trees to
which he has constantly held fast through
the winter. The accompanying photo-
graph was taken of him at his feeding-

128

dish, to which he still comes regularly
three or four times a day, except during
The attracted
much attention in the local press, and a

his excursions. bird has
number of bird students in the radius of
thirty or forty miles have been, at various
times, to see him. It is a curious fact that
a Carolina Wren has also been living in
some low Rocky Mountain spruces within
a few hundred feet of the Cardinal, during
the months of February and March,
making two rare birds well to the north-

FRANK A. Brown,

ward of their range.
Beverly, Mass.

A BOBOLINK TRAGEDY
Photographed by R. H. Beebe

A Bobolink Tragedy

I am enclosing a photograph of a Bobo-
link which had evidently hung itself. I
happened to discover the subject of this

picture while driving along a country

Bird - Lore

road. The bird had undoubtedly slipped
its head
caught in the crotch of the limb. The
photograph shows the bird exactly as
I found it, with the exception that I had
to lower the limb, as it was about ten
feet from the ground. In doing this, I in
no way touched or disturbed the bird.—
R. H. BEEBE, Arcade, N.Y.

or in some other manner got

A Course in Bird Study

For the last three summers, there has
been given a course in bird study at the
Biological Laboratory of the Brooklyn
Institute of Arts and Sciences, of which
Dr. Charles B. Davenport is Director.
The Laboratory is located at Cold Spring
Harbor, Long Island, New York. It is
thirty miles east of New York City, on
the north side of Long Island, within
miles of ex-President Roosevelt’s
home. In the immediate vicinity are
four fresh-water lakes, sphagnum bogs,
pine barrens, forest-clad hills, salt marshes,
and an arm of Long Island sound. This
variety of habitat is conducive to a variety
of birds. The Little Green Heron, the
Black-crowned Night Heron, and the
Spotted Sandpiper nest in the vicinity;
and, besides these, a great many land
birds. Last summer, more than two hun-
dred nests, either in use or abandoned,
were located and identified.

The course, which consists of twenty
lectures and daily excursions for field
identification, is in charge of Mrs. Alice
Hall Walter, co-author of ‘Wild Birds
in City Parks.’ In addition to the regular
course, special problems for individual
study, relating to the food and habits of
birds, are given. During the six weeks, a
beginner can get an introduction into
ornithology, and can become more or less
familiar with some sixty species of nesting
birds.

The subjects of the lectures given last
summer are as follows: (1) Nesting Birds
of Cold Spring Harbor; (2)* Skeleton;
(3) Study of a Bird Family—Warblers
(4) *Anatomy; (5) Study of a Bird
Family—Sparrows; (6) *Feathers and

three

Notes from Field and Study

Molt; (7) Other Passeriform Families;
(8) Water and Shore Birds; (9g) *The
History of Bird Classification; (10) The
Facts of Migration; (11) *Theories of
Migration; (12) The Ancestry of Birds;
(23) Distribution; (14) Distribution in
America; (15) *The Bird’s Place in Nature:
(16) *The Economic Value of Birds; (17)
Enemies and Protection of Birds; (18)
Methods of Study in Schools; (19) *Gen-
eral Methods; (20) Literature. The lec-
tures marked with an asterisk were given
by Dr. H. E. Walter, Professor of Com-
parative Anatomy in Brown University.
Prompted by the growing interest in
this course, the management of the
Laboratory has announced that it will
be given again during the summer of 1909.

A Devoted Parent

For several summers, a pair of Balti-
more Orioles had nested in an apple tree
near my study window.

Last summer, when the nest was full
of young ones, the mother bird was killed,
and the father bird had a broken wing.
When I discovered this tragedy, the
father was carrying food to his family.

There was a grape-vine growing under
the tree, untrimmed and lawless. Some
wayward branches had caught hold of
the lowest apple boughs, and a pole,
leaning against the trellis, formed a con-
tinuous roadway from nest to ground.
Down this road the poor bird would
hop, and forage for food. He never went
far from the grape-vine, and kept a sharp
lookout for enemies. After filling his
mouth with food, he would commence his
tedious journey up the grape-vine, one
hop at a time,—and thus cared for his
family until they reached the flying age
and were able to care for themselves.—
JEAN Martin, Hillsdale, Mich.

Stormbound Birds

On the morning of April, 29, there was
ten inches of snow on the ground at seven
o'clock, a strong southerly wind was
blowing, and snow was still falling steadily.

129

Icicles formed at all points where water
dripped, and the air was piercingly chilly.
We were on the lookout for hungry birds,
and before noon found the bewildered
creatures flocking about house and stables,
eager for crumbs and seeds. About this
time, a fierce thunder-shower drove them
to every sheltered spot about the place.
Chippies hopped at our feet on the porches
and picked up the crumbs. Robins were
less friendly, but readily came to the
window-sills for food as soon as we went
indoors. The gentle Chippies disputed
with English Sparrows for crumbs; and
I saw one fly fiercely at a Sparrow and
eventually drive off the aggressive foreigner
with apparent ease. Juncos, Phcebes,
Song Sparrows and Chippies swarmed
into the opened stable doors and helped
themselves freely to seeds, the Juncos
alighting on outstretched fingers in their
eagerness for luncheon.

It was amusing to note the difference
between the sleek, trim Juncos, literally
tripping over the snow, and the tumbling
ruffled Robins, flapping and fluttering
clumsily and-helplessly about. All day we
doled the crumbs and seeds, fearing night
would still find some visitor unsatisfied,
as well as bedless. A Robin had eggs in a
nest on our back porch, but she never
went near them during the day, and did
not spend the night there. The country
has been full of Bluebirds all the spring,
but since the storm none have appeared,
so far as I know.

Next morning, two Horned Larks were
hopping about in the street in front of our
house, searching for breakfast. They took
wing as I approached, but wheeled and
returned, uttering their peculiar flight-
notes as they came. Their babies in the
soft cradle were doubtless under the snow
on some high, windy hill not far away.

A male American Crossbill flew against
a window and was found dead on a porch
floor. A female was discovered, and fed,
becoming so interested in prying into a
pine cone that was offered that I easily
picked her up and held her while she took
some crumbs. She seemed perfectly
fearless, and flew from the hand only when

130

her hunger was fully satisfied. A flock of
American Crossbills a few White-
winged ones have spent two months or

and

more in some pines in our town, and a pair
of Red-breasted Nuthatches have fed
from a tree close to the window in the
same grounds with the pines. Downy
Woodpeckers have also shared the suet
with them, both unmindful

of eyes and glasses that were prying into

seemingly

their affairs, on most occasions when they
came for meals.

By the first of May, a very green world
emerged from its white blanket, and there
was a busy horde of Robins hard at work
on our lawn when I looked out early in
the morning, and today the business of
reconstructing nests seems to be in prog-
ress.—FANNY S. WatrRoUS, Wellsboro,
Tioga county, Pa.

More Central Park (New York City ) Notes

See, also, Brrp-Lore for December, rq08

Great Horned Owl.—I should like to
record a Great Horned Owl which my
brother and I saw on the afternoon of
December 10, 1908, in the Ramble.
It was completely dazed, and permitted
a very close approach. We flushed it from
a dense thicket of creepers near the ground.
This is the first time that this Owl has been
seen in Central Park, to my knowledge.

Cape May Warbler.—In addition to the
individuals recorded in the December
(1908) number of this magazine, I should
like to record another seen on October 11.
It was a male.

Black and White Warbler.—An_indi-
vidual of this species was seen for several
days in the Ramble in November, disap-
pearing after the fourteenth of the month.
I did not see it, but several other observers
noticed it. This is, of course, a very late
date.

Blackpoll Warbler.—This Warbler was
excessively abundant this autumn. It
arrived August 21, and I saw it last on
October 22. This date is two weeks later

Bird -

Lore

than that given in ‘The Warblers of North
America.’

Brown Thrasher.—I have three records
of this bird in November,—one on the
sixth, two on the ninth, and one on the
thirteenth.

Pine Siskin.—Mr. Stanley V. Ladow
and I saw a flock of these birds on October
17. This bird has always been rare in the
park. The date is also an early one.

It might also be of interest to add that
I have seen 104 species in the park during
1908. I also know of sixteen other species
seen by other observers, making a grand
total of 120 species. It has been a very
good year and four birds have been added
to the park list, which now contains over
160 species.—LupLow Griscom, New
York City.

Nesting Notes from California

On May 28, 1908, I found a triple nest
of the San Diego Red-winged Blackbird
in a clump of weeds and tulés on Coyote
creek. The nests were built one directly
above the other, and so close together that
the two lower ones could not be entered
by a bird. All the nests were apparently
complete, although none of them contained
eggs. I could not discover any cause for
the building of this triple nest.

On June 6, 1908, I found a Mourning
Dove’s nest containing four eggs. The
nest was in a eucalpytus tree about eight
feet from the ground, and was the usual
platform of sticks, except that it was
placed on the remnant of an old California
Shrike nest. When discovered, two of the
eggs were well incubated, while the other
two were fresh. On June 14, the first two
eggs had hatched, and on the 21st the
birds left the nest. Meanwhile, one of the
other two eggs disappeared, while the
other egg hatched, but the bird died in
the nest. I do not know whether both
sets of eggs were laid by the same bird or
not.—JOoHN McB. RoBeErtTson, Buena
Park, Orange county, Cal.

Book News and Reviews

In AMERICAN FIELDS AND ForRESTS. By
HENRY D. THOREAU, JOHN BURROUGHS,
JouHN Muir, BRADFORD TORREY, DAL-
LAS LoRE SHARP, and OLIVE THORNE
Mitier. With illustrations from photo-
graphs by Herbert W. Gleason. Hough-
ton, Mifflin & Co. r2mo. Pages ix+378.
Seven full-page plates. $1.50, net.

This volume contains selections from
the writings of the distinguished group of
literary naturalists whose works are pub-
lished by Houghton, Mifflin & Co. To
have them all represented in a single
volume emphasizes, possibly, the differ-
ences in mental attitude toward their
subject, as well as their methods of
presenting what they have to say about it.
Thus, by turning a page or two, we may
compare Thoreau with Muir, or Torrey
with Burroughs, discovering, for example,
how Thoreau in writing of ‘Wild Apples,’
or Muir of ‘The Sequoia,’ reveal as much
of themselves as of their themes.—F. M.C.

THE BIOTA OF THE SAN BERNARDINO
Mountains. By JOSEPH GRINNELL.
University of California Publications in
Zodlogy. Vol. v, No. 1, 8vo. Pages
1-170. Plates 1-24. Dec. 31, 1908.

Doctor Grinnell presents here the results
of three seasons’ work in a region of great
biologic interest. He devoted his attention
not alone to birds, but, also, to mammals,
reptiles and plants, having made, in fact,
a biologic survey of the area under con-
sideration. Pages 50-134 are devoted to
the annotated list of the 139 species of
birds observed, the often extended remarks

on habits or critical comments on relation-

ships bearing witness to the author’s
powers of observation in the field, as well
as to the keenness of his discrimination
in the study. There is, also, an important
introductory chapter on ‘Bird Population
and Its Modifying Influences.’

We have not space to review this paper
in detail, but we heartily commend it to
ambitious young bird students as a first-
class exposition of modern methods in
faunal research.—F. M. C.

BIRDS OF THE WORLD: A POPULAR AC-
COUNT. By FRANK H. KNOWLTON;
with a chapter on the Anatomy of Birds,
by FREDERIC A. Lucas; the whole
edited by ROBERT RiIpDGWAy. New
York. Henry Holt & Co. 1909. Roy.
8vo. XIv-++873 pages; 16 colored plates;
236 half-tones and line cuts.

Since the appearance of the Standard
Natural History in 1885, no general
work on the birds of the world has been
published in America. Several volumes
(e. g., the volume on birds in the Royal
Natural History, and Evans’ ‘ Birds’)
have been placed on sale in this country,
but they were not prepared with an Ameri-
can audience in mind. There was, there-
fore, abundant room for a work of this
character.

Doctor Knowlton has, in our opinion,
wisely devoted his attention chiefly to the
biographies of the species treated. ‘Those
who are interested in the structure and
classification of birds prefer, as a rule, to
get their information from _ original
sources, where it is presented with a detail
not possible in a work of this kind.

We have, therefore, an introduction
dealing with the general characters of
birds, their molting, nesting, distribution
and migration, together with a chapter
on their anatomy by F. A. Lucas. Follow-
ing this introductory matter (pages 1-44),
and adapting essentially the classification
of Gadow, the orders, families and repre-
sentative species of the birds of the world
are treated serially. ‘The ever-present
necessity for condensation keeps constantly
before the author of a volume of this nature
the matter of selection and rejection, both
as regards the species to be included and
what is said concerning them, but Doctor
Knowlton has here shown excellent judg-
ment, although he does not appear always
to have availed himself of the latest
sources of information, and his painstaking
labors have given to us one of the best
general works on biographical ornithology
with which we are familiar.

The black-and-white illustrations are

(131)

132

borrowed from various duly acknowledged
sources, though we think it would have
well to state that those accredited
to the Natural
History are from groups in that institution.

been
American Museum of
The sixteen colored plates were prepared
especially for this work. They exhibit a
high order of artistic excellence without,
however, revealing that talent for bird
portraiture which distinguishes, for ex-
ample, the work of Fuertes.—F. M. C.

CAMPS AND CRUISES OF AN ORNITHOLO-
Gist. By FrRanK M. CHAPMAN. D.
Appleton and Co., New York. 1908.
8vo. 432 pages, two colored plates and
250 photographs. $3, postpaid.

One of the most interesting popular
works on birds recently published is
Chapman’s ‘Camps and Cruises of an
Ornithologist.’ It is ostensibly a record
of the field work undertaken by the author
during the last seven years, while collect-
ing material for the ‘Habitat Groups’ of
North American birds for the American
Museum of Natural History. These
groups are designed to illustrate not only
the habits and haunts of the birds shown,
but also the country in which they live.
The arrangement of the book is geographi-
cal rather than strictly chronological, and
the narrative is accompanied by a wealth
of illustrations which renders the scenes
described more realistic than would
otherwise be possible.

The book is divided into eight parts,
each devoted to a definite region. Begin-
ning with ‘Travels About Home,’ the
reader is given an insight into the habits
of Jays, Meadowlarks, Nighthawks and
other birds which are common in southern
New York and northern New Jersey, and
in the next three parts is introduced to a
series of typical bird colonies along the
Atlantic coast, from Long Island to the
Bahamas. Here the author is at his best,
for, in connection with his studies of the
habits of the Fish Hawk, the Brown
Pelican and the Flamingo, he has made
some of his most notable contributions
to the life histories of birds. Part V con-
tains accounts of special trips in 1906 to

Bird - Lore

Nebraska in search of the Prairie Hen, to
Wyoming for material for illustrating the
nesting habits of the Golden Eagle, and
to southern Arizona to study the bird
life of a cactus desert. ‘Bird Studies in
California’ (Part VI), are based on two
visits, one in 1903, with a party of the
American Ornithologists’ Union, and the
other in 1906. In Part VII is given an
account of ‘Bird Life in Western Canada,’
and in Part VIII will be found the author’s
‘Impressions of English Bird Life,’ es-
pecially at Selborne, the New Forest, the
Farne Islands and Bass Rock.

The illustrations, which include 250
photographs from nature by the author,
form one of the most attractive and valu-
able features of the book. Those of the
Fish Hawks, Skimmers, Pelicans and
Flamingos easily rank among the best ever
made of these birds, while several of those
of other birds illustrate habits not generally
known.

It may seem ungracious to criticize a
book of this kind on account of its omis-
sions, but it is certainly to be regretted
that the scope of the volume was not
extended to include the author’s trips to
other parts of the United States and
Canada, and to Mexico and Trinidad,
instead of confining it to the trips made
during the last seven years.

Certain evidences of haste in the make-
up of the volume appear in the form of
typographical errors and discrepancies in
dates, which detract somewhat from the
high standard otherwise maintained.
These defects, however, are easily cor-
rected, and will probably be eliminated
in the next edition. But, after all is said,
the author is to be congratulated on having
brought together a multitude of interesting
observations, and on having made an
important contribution to the small list
of books of travel by American naturalists.
—T..S;P.

The Ornithological Magazines

THE Conpor.—The January number
of ‘The Condor’ contains several papers
on the birds of widely separated regions.

Book News

Only two are devoted to the birds of Cali-
fornia, while two treat of the birds of
Lower California, two of those of Colo-
rado, and one treats of those of Australia.
In the opening article, Dr. T. W. Richards,
United States Navy, gives some ‘Notes on
Albatrosses and Other Pelagic Birds in
Australian Waters.’ The notes cover four
species of Albatrosses and one Petrel
observed between Melbourne, Victoria,
and Albany, Western Australia, from the
battleship ‘Kansas,’ during the recent
cruise of the fleet around the world.

The ‘Nesting of the Xantus Murrelet,
as Observed on Los Coronados Islands,
Lower California,’ is described by Chester
Lamb, who notes that the bird usually
nests from April 1 to June 15, lays two
eggs nearly as often as one, and deposits
its eggs in the dark corner of a cave instead
of in a burrow or hole in the ground.
Under the title, ‘Some Rare Birds and
Sets of Eggs from the Cape Region of
Lower California,’ John E. Thayer con-
tributes brief accounts of the eggs of the
Mangrove Warbler (Dendroica bryanti
castaneiceps), the St. Lucas Swallow
(Lachycineta thalassina brachyptera), and
the Belding Rail (Rallus beldingi).

The papers on California birds are:
‘Birds of the Big Basin,’ by M. S. Ray,
illustrated with several text figures,—
one of them a remarkably beautiful view
of Berry Creek Falls,—and ‘Notes on the
Habits of Phainopepla nitens,’ by Harriet
Williams Myers.

The two most important articles in this
number are the contributions to the
ornithology of Colorado, one by Edward
R. Warren, containing ‘Notes on the
Birds of Southwestern Montrose County’
(114 species observed in April, 1906 and
1908); and the other by R. B. Rockwell,
on ‘The History of Colorado Ornithology,’
from 1806 to 1908. The latter paper
mentions all the important publications
on Colorado birds, and is illustrated by
two maps,—one showing the routes of the
various expeditions and the other the
localities in which ornithological investi-
gations of more or less importance have
been carried on.—T. S. P.

and Reviews alge

THE Avuxk.—The April number begins
with a paper on ‘The Position of Birds’
Feet in Flight,’ by Dr. Chas. W. Town-
send, and many readers will be surprised
to learn that the perching birds alone,—
Sparrows, Warblers, Jays, Thrushes,
Swallows, etc.,—carry their feet flexed or
drawn up against their bodies. All others,
such as the water-fowl, the game birds
and the birds of prey, stretch out their
legs and feet behind them. It is a timely
subject and one that should spur every
field student to closer observation. Under
a title ‘The Tagging of Wild Birds as a
Means of Studying Their Movements,’
Mr. Leon J. Cole asks codperation in a
plan of affixing aluminum bands to the
legs of nestlings so that they may be
recognized if captured another season
or at another place.

Four fine half-tone plates illustrate Dr.
J. A. Allen’s description of ‘The Habitat
Groups of North American Birds in the
American Museum of Natural History,’

_and show the great advances that have been
made in preparing and arranging birds in
museums for exhibition purposes. Among
several more or less extensive local lists
are ‘Notes on the Summer Birds of
Northern Georgia,’ by Mr. A. H. Howell;
‘A List of the Birds of Western South
Dakota,’ by Mr. S. S. Visher, and ‘New
Records and Important Range Extensions
of Colorado Birds,’ by Mr. Merritt Cary.
Of like value are brief notes on the birds
of Washington and of Labrador by- Mr.
J. H. Bowles and Dr. C. W. Townsend.
Mr. B. S. Bowdish presents ‘ Ornithologi-
cal Miscellany from Audubon Wardens.”

Mr. Wm. Brewster, with his old-time
activity, contributes several notes and
two extended papers. In the one on
‘Barrow’s Golden-eye in Massachusetts,”
it is made evident that the female Ameri-
can Golden-eye is not always distinguish-
able from Barrow’s, although the males
of the two species are quite different. In
the one on ‘Something More about Black
Ducks,’ we have another of those shiftings
about of names that Mr. Brewster felici-
tously calls
==Jfa IDe5 ike

“nomenclatural tragedies.”

134

BHird- Lore

A Bi-monthly Magazine

Devoted to the Study and Protection of Birds
OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE AUDUBON SOCIETIES

Edited by FRANK M. CHAPMAN
Published by THE MACMILLAN COMPANY

Vol. XI Published June 1, 1909 No. 3

SUBSCRIPTION RATES
Price in the United States, Canada and Mexico twenty cents
a number, one dollar a year, postage paid.

COPYRIGHTED, 1909, BY FRANK M. CHAPMAN

Bird-Lore’s Motto:

MicRaATING birds have doubtless been
sadly puzzled this spring by weather
phenomena which has evidently been the
cause of high mortality in their ranks.
After an exceptionally early season, which
brought many species to us before their
average due date, and, indeed, established
not a few ‘earliest records,’ the storm of
April 29, and the cold weather that fol-
lowed, placed a check on the northward
movement, deferring the arrival of those
species which usually reach us during the
first week in May. Then came the warm
weather of May 12-16, and with it a wave
of birds which fairly flooded the woods.

COMMANDER BENNETT’S graphic ac-
count of the disaster which befell the birds
migrating over the western Florida Keys on
April 14, shows to what perils they are
exposed when crossing bodies of water.

THE first young birds seen on the wing
this year, near New York City, were Euro-
pean Starlings, which, on May 16, were
heard uttering their harsh churring food-
call and seen begging their parents for
food. This species appears to be increas-
ing in numbers even near New York City,
where it has been long established, and
is also rapidly extending its range. We
hope that those of our readers within
whose territory the Starling appears this
year will send us a note of its occurrence
in order that its rate of dispersal may
become a matter of record.

Bird -

Lore

'!,THE Editor will also be glad to receive
information concerning the nesting of
the Marsh Hawk and American Bittern
within fifty miles of New York City.

WE, unfortunately, have no means of
communicating with future subscribers
to Brrp-LoreE, but we can, at least, warn
all present subscribers to beware of an
alleged subscription agent who. signs
himself ‘‘ Joseph Cooley.’ This individ-
ual has been operating extensively in New
England, where he has obtained numer-
ous subscriptions to Brrp-LorRE; but, as
he uniformly fails to forward them to
our publication office, we do not hear of
the transaction until complaint is made by
the person imposed upon. To avoid the
possibility of being defrauded. we suggest
that renewals be made directly to the
Macmillan Company at New York or
Harrisburg, or through a reliable agency.

THE record of legislative activity, which
Mr. Dutcher presents in this issue of
Birp-LorRE, reveals how wide a field the
Audubon Societies must cover merely in
preventing the passage of undesirable
legislative measures without making an
attempt to add to the ground already won.
The success of the millinery interests in
defeating the bills introduced at Albany,
by Mr. Francis, in behalf of the New
York State Audubon Society, was a
disappointing exhibition on the _ part
of the opposing legislators to comprehend
that, in the final analysis, their own inter-
ests are the same as those of their constitu-
ents. Just why representatives from
agricultural districts should side with
feather-dealers, with whom they appar-
ently can have little in sympathy, rather
than with the farmers who helped to
elect them, it is difficult to comprehend.
However, they doubtless will be given
another opportunity to place themselves
on record on this subject, and in the mean-
time it is obviously the duty of their con-
stituents to state with emphasis whether
they prefer birds as useless attachments to
bonnets or as the protectors of our
farms and orchards.

The Audubon Docieties

SCHOOL DEPARTMENT

Edited by MABEL OSGOOD WRIGHT

Address all communications to the Editor of the School Department, National
Association of Audubon Societies, 141 Broadway, New York City

June; the Month of Song and the Nest

PRIL and May are the months of promise; with June comes fulfilment.

aN In April and May we are watching for the return of the birds,—those

that we know already and those that we hope to meet,—but when June

comes, and the last migrant Blackpoll Warbler has passed on, expectation

ceases and we come to the actual, the two very real things at this time in the
bird world being the song and the nest.

Of the many things in which the feathered brothers may serve as examples
to their human kin, nothing is more notable than the fact that the home is built
to the sound of music, and that the emotional is not checked by the practical.
However, many more people know our familiar birds as singers than as home-
builders, and there is a general feeling, even among those who know some-
thing of bird-life, that their existence is a mere pastime, wholly free from care.

A little country girl recently voiced this feeling to me. Vexed at being obliged
to help in the annual house-cleaning when she wished to go to the woods for
arbutus, she stood pouting, as she gazed longingly out of the door, up the road,
where her friends were fast disappearing, and her eyes fell upon a pair of early
Robins, apparently playing aérial tag among the apple trees.

“T wish I could change into a bird,” she said, “they don’t have one bit of
trouble housekeeping or cleaning—just fly about and sing and eat, and when
they need a home, they gather up some old grass and sticks and sit right down
and don’t bother.”

“Ah,” I said, “but that is not all, and they do bother a great deal. They not
only choose a site and build their home carefully, each according to the tra-
ditions of its family, but they keep them as free as possible from dirt, as a care-
ful mother would her child’s nursery. Suppose, instead of standing there growl-
ing, you finish your work as quickly as possible, and so earn time this spring
to watch a few birds at their house-building.

“Then, when they are through with their homes, you can perhaps handle
them and understand how much labor it has taken to make them. Four or
five such nests will give you a key to them all, and if you are quiet and watch-
ful, you can find them all here on the farm.

“For a composition nest of glue and sticks bracketed against the wall, crawl
into the smokehouse fireplace and look up the wide chimney at the Swifts build-
ing there. For pure masonry, you have only to watch the Barn Swallows at work

(135)

136 Bird-Lore

among the rafters. For a woven nest, knitted in a way to rival grandma’s stock-
ing heel, and sway from the branches as the stocking hangs between the needles,
there is the Oriole’s home on the tip end of the longest elm branch, or the pocket-
nest of the Red-eyed Vireo on the apple branch. For a dainty bit of fancy work,
the Hummingbird’s circle of fern wool thatched with lichen, takes the palm.
For carpentry, listen to the Flicker—the big Woodpecker of golden wing linings,
black throat crescent and red neck band—as he chisels a hole in a branch he
knows to be hollow, and safely beds his family upon the chips inside.

“Then, there is the Chippy, who provides a horse-hair mattress, and many
other birds supply their young with feather-beds, while the Robin uses both
clay and grass. You will soon find that the birds not only take a great deal of
trouble in both housebuilding and housekeeping, but they never complain; though ~
perhaps that is because all bird husbands who have voices never forget to sing
to them. Then the little girl promised to look and see for herself; won’t you?”
—M. O. W.

Good Work in Schools

RuHOopDE IsLAND.—As soon as our education work is sufficiently organized
our committee will plan to order certain lantern slides from your list. Mean-
time, we are arranging a conference for the teachers of this state, the State super-
intendents and our own local secretaries, the object being to bring our schools
and our society into touch with each other, and to demonstrate practical nature-
study equipment, show samples of the latest and most scientific literature and
to encourage a discussion of the entire field of teaching nature study.

The conference will be held May 8th, and we hope to arouse real enthusiasm,
having good speakers promised for the occasion.

May I ask whether you can send us sample copies of your bulletins or other
literature which we can show to teachers at that time? By next year we hope
to create sufficient interest to make it possible to place a complete set of your
bulletins in every school building and free public library of this state, but at present
we have not sufficient money. It may be possible, however, to raise the needed
sum in other ways, at least we are making an earnest effort to help the schools.—
ALIceE HALL WALTER, Chairman of Educational Committee, Audubon Society
0} Rhode Island.

NortH Daxora.—I wish to increase interest and information among the
two hundred teachers and several thousand school children of Richland county
in the many varieties of birds which frequent this locality, and the many others
which pass through it. You will greatly oblige me if you will send your Educa-
tional Leaflets to my address. I will appreciate very highly any further sugges-
tions which vou may make.—F. R. BARNES, Superintendent oj Schools, Rich-
land county.

BOBOLINK

Lower FiGurRE, FEMALE)

(Upper Ficure, MALE;

Family—IcTrERID&

Order—PassERES

Species— Oryzivorus

Genus—Do .icHonyx

THE BOBOLINK

By FRANK M. CHAPMAN

Che Pational Association of Audubon Societies

EDUCATIONAL LEAFLET NO. 38

Often at night, during August and September, and also, but less commonly,
in May, we may hear the watchword of the Bobolink as high in the air he flies
through the darkness on his journey to or from his winter home. It is only
a simple note, repeated at intervals—tink, tink—but so unlike the call of any
other bird that we can name its author as certainly as though he were singing
his inimitable song. :

Let us first learn where Bobolink spends the summer, and then follow him
on his journey to his winter quarters. Although a bird of eastern rather than
of western North America, Bobolink appears to have followed man westward,
as grain fields have appeared on the prairies and plains. Today, therefore,
Bobolinks are found during the summer from northern New Jersey northward
to Nova Scotia and west between the fortieth and fiftieth parallels of latitude to
the Rocky mountains; thence, in much smaller numbers, they have been re-
corded from Wyoming, Nevada, Utah, Idaho, and British Columbia, west, as
well as east, of the Cascade mountains.

Where, now, does Bobolink winter? Not with the Red-winged Blackbirds
in the South Atlantic and Gulf states, or even in the West Indies or Central
America, nor yet in northern South America, but far south of the Amazon in
the great campos or prairies of southwestern Brazil and the marshes of La
Plata. From British Columbia to Argentina, 6,800 miles in as straight a line
as one can lay a ruler on the chart. But, however, it may be with the Crow, ‘‘as
the Bobolink flies” is not always the straightest line. Let us see, therefore, what
route or routes the Bobolink follows.

At once we make an interesting discovery. Whether a Bobolink spends his
summer in Massachusetts or British Columbia, he leaves the United States
through Florida. If Bobolinks are found in Texas or Mexico, they are merely
birds which have lost their way. The port of departure as well as of entry is the
Florida peninsula, or, at least, the waters that bound it.

But it may well be asked, why do not the Bobolinks of the western United
States migrate southward with other western birds into Mexico over the all-
land route?

To which it may be answered, that the Bobolink is not truly a western bird.
We have seen that he probably has settled in the far West in only recent years.
So, in returning to his winter quarters, he retraces his steps, as it were, going
back over the same country through which his ancestors gradually extended

(137)

138 Bird - Lore

their range westward. Thus the Bobolink gives us an indication of how birds
learn to travel regularly, season after season, between their winter and summer
resorts. The route is learned little by little, as the birds gradually widen their
range, and the birds go back by the way they came. This habit appears to be
inherited, to be passed on from generation to generation, and when we remember
that birds have been migrating for thousands of years, it gives us some clue to
the manner in which such a great journey as the Bobolink’s may have been
developed.

After leaving Florida, the Bobolink Grand Trunk Line appears to have
three branches. One leads to Yucatan and thence southward along the eastern
coast of Central America; one crosses over Cuba to Jamaica, and one goes east-
ward to Porto Rico and thence southward through the Lesser Antilles.

The Jamaica route is apparently the most popular. Gosse, in his ‘ Birds
of Jamaica,’ tells us that vast numbers of Bobolinks arrive in that island in
October and remain until early November. Fresh from the rice fields of our
southern states, they are extremely fat and are known as ‘ Butter-birds,’ many
being killed for food.

From Jamaica, Bobolink must cross 400 miles of open sea to reach northern
South America,—a journey which he doubtless makes in one night’s flight;
and, having reached the mainland, he probably follows along the eastern slope
of the Andes to the treeless region toward which he has been traveling for at
least three months.

Here Bobolink passes the next five months, with no family cares and nothing
to do but eat and be merry. He spends, therefore, almost twice as much time
in his winter home as in his summer one.

Just when the northward journey is begun, no one seems to know. Probably
late in March, for Gosse writes that Bobolinks reach Jamaica in April; about
the 26th of that month they arrive in northern Florida, and, during the first week
in May, reach their particular meadow or pasture in the Middle and New Eng-
land states, with as much regularity as though they had traveled eight instead
of eight thousand miles since leaving it.

Before we speak of the nest Bobolink has come so far to make, let us learn
something of his traveling suits.

When Bobolink comes to us in May, he is wearing his wedding dress of black
and buff, and very attractive it is. His wife, however, is quite differently attired
in a streaked, sparrow-like costume, as our portrait in colors clearly shows.

After family cares are over, in common with all birds, both Bobolink and
his wife shed their now worn plumage, and an entirely new one is grown. With
Mrs. Bobolink, this is not unlike the one she has just molted; but Bob himself,
in making his change of dress adopts the costume of his wife. Thereafter,
they both are known merely as Reedbirds or Ricebirds as they journey south-
ward, or Butterbirds, as we have seen, in Jamaica; and no one may say by dress
alone which is Mrs. or which is Mr. Bobolink.

The Bobolink 139

They continue thus to look alike until the following February, when again
all the old feathers are shed and new ones grown. Styles do not change in the
Bobolink world, and Mrs. Bobolink again takes the streaked dress which she
and her ancestors have worn as long as any one knows; but Bob prepares for
the season of courtship by donning his suit of black and buff, not ac yet, however,
fully displayed, but partly concealed, as it were, by a vellowish cloak, which we
find is composed of tips to the black feathers. As the summer home is approached,
these yellow tips drop off, and, in due time, reveal the jaunty garment below.

The young Bobolinks, whether male or female, wear a plumage resembling
that of their mother on leaving the nest, and the males acquire the black and
buff plumage the following spring.

Bobolink, however, does not rely only on the charms of his plumage to win
him a mate, but woos her also with voice; and such a voice! What Bobolink
could resist it? Did there ever issue from throat of bird so eloquent an expres-
sion of the season’s joys? Lowell must have felt this when he wrote

“The Bobolink has come, and like the soul
Of a sweet season, vocal in a bird,
Gurgles in ecstasy we know not what
Save June! Dear June! Now God be praised for June.”

But if this be said of the song of one Bobolink, what shall we say when
hundreds sing together, as they do in the South in the spring, clustering in the
trees like Red-winged Blackbirds in March, and producing a chorus to which
even the poets could not do justice.

Soon after arriving, nest-building begins. The nest is a simple affair of grasses
placed on the ground in a slight depression where the rim is even with the sur-
rounding surface. The four to seven eggs are grayish, with numerous irregu-
lar spots and blotches of brown. The birds are careful not to betray the location
of their home. The male does not sing too near it, and the female does not
leave or return to it directly, but goes a short distance through the grass.

At this season of the year, the Bobolink is a most desirable citizen from every
point of view. He pleases the eye, charms the ear, and wins our approval through
his destruction of noxious insects. Grasshoppers, caterpillars, army worms,
weevils, are all on the Bobolink’s bill-of-fare while nesting; and, if our estimate
of the bird’s economic value were to be based on its food habits of this season
alone, one might declare the Bobolink to be as useful as he is beautiful. But,
unfortunately, there is a debit side to his account with man, which is said to
overbalance the items to his credit.

Whatever may have been his habits before man appeared, certain it is that
now, with unfailing regularity, as a Ricebird, he visits in vast numbers the
rice fields of our southern states in late August and September. The rice is
now in the milky stage and the birds devour great quantities of it. So great, in-

140 Bird - Lore

deed, is the damage done that it more than offsets the good accomplished by
the bird during the summer.

Possibly. therefore, on broad, economic principles, the Bobolink should be
condemned on the ground that it is more injurious than beneficial to the mate-
rial interests of man. The rice-growers of our southern states would no doubt
welcome this verdict with enthusiasm, but we imagine that, if sentence should
actually be passed, Bobolink’s friends at the North would gladly raise a suffi-
cient sum to purchase the freedom of this minstrel of our June meadows.

But lovers of the Bobolink should not wait for so great a crisis. If the bird’s
western range is increasing, its eastern one is as surely decreasing. Thirty years
ago it was an abundant summer resident in northern New Jersey and in the
region about New York City, where now it is either entirely absent or rare and
local. Trapping in the nesting season and shooting in the fall are possibly in
part responsible for this decrease. The trapping has been stopped, and certainly
we now have reached a stage in our appreciation of birds when we should no
longer rank song birds as game.

Questions for Teachers and Students

Trace on the map the area in which Bobolinks are found during the summer. Why
have they extended their range westward? Where does the Bobolink spend the winter ?
What routes does it follow in migrating between its winter and summer homes? Why
‘does it leave the United States by way of Florida? Does it migrate chiefly by day or
by night? What is its call-note when migrating? Describe the plumages of the male
and female Bobolink What plumage does the male wear in the fall and winter? What
is the Bobolink called in the fall? When does it migrate in the spring? Where is its
nest placed? Describe its eggs? What are the feeding habits of the Bobolink? Is it
beneficial or injurious ?

The Aunubon Hocieties

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT

Edited by WILLIAM DUTCHER

Address all correspondence, and send all remittances for dues and contributions, to
the National Association of Audubon Societies, 141 Broadway, New York City

Notice

Members of the National Association
of Audubon Societies are requested to
send notice of any change in address to
t41 Broadway, in order to insure receipt
of BrrD-Lore. Second-class mail matter
will not be forwarded by postmasters
unless additional postage is paid. To
obviate this, Brrp-LORE will be sent to
summer addresses when they are furnished
by members.

Legislation in New York

New Yorx.—The legislature adjourned
late in April without taking action on the
Francis Plumage Bill (Assembly No. 65),
preliminary reports of which were given
‘in the February and April numbers of
Birp-Lore. The history of this bill is an
excellent commentary on the present con-
dition of politics in New York State.

The bill in question was an economic
measure of the greatest importance to the
agricultural and forestry interests of the
state. It had the backing of representative
organizations, as well as of the press and
the great mass of the citizens, and yet it
was impossible, notwithstanding that
every legitimate effort was made, to get
this bill out of committee, owing to the
political pressure that was brought to
prevent the bill being acted upon.

The chairman of the Law Committee
of the Audubon Society of New York
made four visits to Albany, appearing
before the Fish and Game Committee,
to which the bill had been referred; he
also urged the members of said committee
individually to act upon the bill, but with-
out any results whatever. In addition,
thousands of copies of a circular explain-

ing the bill and with strong endorsements,
were sent broadcast throughout the state.

Readers of Brrp-LORE are familiar
with the text of the circular, therefore it is
unnecessary to repeat it here; but the
weakness in numbers of the opposition
to this bill, which was the wholesale
millinery trade, was shown in the circular.
The feather dealers were astute enough
to employ a lawyer who had great in-
fluence with the dominant political party,
and this influence was presumably used
to prevent any open consideration of the
bill on the floor of either branch of the
legislature.

After the first hearing on the bill in
March, a vote was taken in the Assembly
Fish and Game Committee. This com-
mittee consisted of thirteen members,
three of whom were not present; six of
the members voted to advance the bill
and four, including the chairman, voted
against its advancement. As the bill did
not have a majority vote of the entire
committee, namely seven, it could not be
advanced, and thereafter no was
taken upon it, and no subsequent effort
was successful in haying it advanced.

Assemblyman William B. Reed, of
Cayuga county, previously had introduced
a bill amending section 98 of the law, as
follows:

vote

“Feathers or plumage commonly known
as aigrettes, or the feathers or plumage of
any species of the Heron family, whether
obtained within or without the state, shall
not be bought, sold, offered or exposed
for sale at any time.”

The Audubon Society was heartily in
favor of the passage of this bill, although
it covered only one family of birds instead
of all of the birds of the state, as the Francis
Bill did. Mr. Reed was a member of the

(141)

142

Fish and Game Committee, and out of
consideration for membership, his
bill was advanced and, on April 15, was
on the Assembly calendar for passage.
With Mr. Reed’s consent, Mr. Francis
offered amendments, which were adopted.
These amendments made the Reed Bill

his

virtually the Francis Plumage Bill, better
known in the Assembly as the Audubon
Bill. When this fact was recognized by
the leaders of the Assembly, Mr. Phillips,
of Allegany county, moved a reconsidera-
tion of the vote, by which the amendments
were adopted. This motion was carried.
Again Mr. Francis offered his amend-
ments, which motion, on a rising vote,
was declared defeated; the vote announced
by the clerk being 39 to 41. Mr. Francis
challenged the accuracy of the count, and
the Chair, Mr. Hammond, of Onondaga
county, sustained the clerk. Mr. Francis
appealed from the Chair’s decision, but
was defeated by a vote of 85 to 2,—fear
of the Rules Committee whipping the
members into line. ‘Just to show Mr.
Francis how badly he is defeated,’ Mr
Merritt, leader of the majority, moved
to reconsider the vote by which the
amendments were lost. A roll-call was
taken with the following result:

AYES, 42

Member Politics District County
Mr. Barden .......Rep. Yates
Wir i Batesin tet. rss Rep 29 New York
Mr. Bennett......Rep. 15 New York
Mr. G. W. Brown. Rep. 4 Kings
MinCallani actos... Rep. Columbia
Mr. Caughlan Dem t New York
Mr. Cheney ...... Rep. Cattauragus
Mc (Colnen. = cnt Rep. «1 Kings
Mars Costelloi...s)s Dem 5 rie
Mr. Donnelly ....Dem. 13 Kings
Mr. Edwards..... Rep. 3 Oneida
Mr, Barrar..: a) %.1> Rep. 17 Kings
Mr Koley*s.: -..« fac Dem. 12 New York
Mrs Hrancis jo. .. 1 Rep. 23 New York
Mir Grillenvet a. 10%) Dem 2 Kings
Mr. Goldberg..... Dem. 18 New York
Mr. Goodspeed ... Rep 1 Kings
Mr. Hawley ...... Rep. Franklin
Mr. tod ae aye Dem 4 Erie
Mr. Lanahan..... Dem Richmond
Mr. Leffingwell ...Dem Schuyler
Mr. Lowman..... Rep. Chemung
Mr. uptony io ass Rep. r Suffolk .
Mr. MacGregor... Rep. 8 Erie
Mr. Marlatt...... Rep. 2 Steuben
Mrs Martini crs sits Rep. Seneca
Mr. McElligott ... Dem. New York
Mr. McFarlane .. . Rep. Wyoming

Bird - Lore

Member Politics
Mead, sereer. Rep.
Odes one Rep.
Oliver ih. 5 Dem
O™Neily ere Dem
Partridge..... Dem

e DLE AL ore poreiaee Rep.
Sheridan... = Dem
Sullivan...... Rep.
shoonibs see Rep.
Weavers... % Rep.
Wieberiy sc: suc Rep.
Wiendesreacr Dem
Williams..... Rep.

TE dos ounp. eps

NOEs,

Member Politics
Allleriitsetris «sis Rep.
Baumann Dem.
BanineS aes eae Rep.
Boshante.. Rep.
C. F. Brown . Rep.
Burhytere rt Rep.
Clankeedh see Rep.
Guyvallieneer Dem.

peWeGroote er Rep.
Eapleton a... .- Dem.

S EEVEUTIS Herat nces Dem.

Sel DE ueee oinicin coe Dem.
MNES Soe abe Rep.
Eris bles eetisae: Dem.
Geoghegan ... Dem.

lone trtar. keene Rep.
Greeti nes ses Rep.
Elaicketiy: =a Dem
Hammond Rep.
Hemenway .. - Rep.

Ee Hlowand 2t cm: Rep.
Jiondamera tare. Dem
OSe pieces Dem
Kaleinisirerus se Dem
Lachman Rep.

pp nsyaayers 5 6 Se Rep.

SHIGAZaLUS Pouce evees Rep.

IGA sea on Rep.
mlbevyerr creer Dem
IE OWE Seaed eae Rep.
Miata cr antaiienes Rep.
Mic@ue rnc Dem
McGrath..... Dem

. McInerney .. . Rep.

. McLaughlin .. Rep.

, Miermittec.:. m2. Rep.

Biers as olor ep.

. J. de Miller.2 Rep:

. W. G. Miller. . Rep.

. F. J. Murphy. Rep.

) Newpertamnria Dem.

RINE pe aii s coc Rep.

. B. Bo Parker... ep:

Jee Parkers, ep.

. C. W. Phillips Rep.

~ J... Phillips. -Rep:\

. Robinson ....Rep.
Oza aon eis Dem.
SawUelae.-'s diene Dem
SarPenpirste. er Rep.
skelabaahioline ens c Dem
DOCH siateres cane Rep.

Ae Ly. omithy sem

A(Graspertial sil gees Rep.

_F. L. Smith.. Rep:

District
4

3
3

H Ww
“snuw

“Un

w

vfs
District

I
22

bw

County
Westchester
Rockland
New York
Kings
Fulton and

Hamilton
Essex
New York
Chautauqua
New York
Clinton
Kings
Erie
Delaware
Westchester

County

Chautauqua
New York
Orange
Lewis
Cortland
Madison
Kings
New York
Queens
New York
Orange
Kings
Rensselaer
Schoharie
Kings
Kings
Kings
New York
Onondaga
Ontario
Tioga
Niagara
New York
Queens
Kings
Rensselaer
Monroe
Kings
New York
Jefferson
New York
New York
New York
Monroe
Onondaga
St. Lawrence
Sullivan
Steuben
Nassau
Orleans
Erie
Albany
Genesee
Washington
Monroe
Allegany
New York
Erie
Kings
Kings
New York
Chenango
New York
Otsego

_ Oswego

The Audubon Societies

Member Politics District County
Mr. M. Smith .... Rep. t Dutchess
Mr. Staley........ Rep. Montgomery
Mr. Surpless...... Rep. 6 Kings .
Mr. Thompson ... Rep. 2 Suffolk
Wile, “DIE AISe ls aia aes Rep. 2 Dutchess
Me WOSS.1. 02. 22 = * ep 9 Kings
Mr. Waddell ..... Rep. Warren
Wir Wind ss... Rep. 25 New York
Mr. Waters....... Rep 3 Albany
Mr. L. H. White ..Dem Schenectady
Mr. Whitley ...... Rep 2 Monroe
Mr. Whitney ..... Rep Saratoga
Mr. Wood........ Rep 2 Jefferson
IN rs NENG A Ba eee Rep Putnam
Mr. E. Young ....Rep. 2 Ulster
Mr. Wadsworth ..Rep. Livingston

Nor VOTING, 35

Member Politics District County
Mr. Bohan....... Dem. i1 New York
IMGs se Biraldlivent-) 2 Rep. Greene
Mr. Brennan ..... em. 24 New York
Mr. Conklin ..... Rep. 21 New York
Mr. Draper ...... Rep. 2 Niagara
ING, ID KOEN YS or aeaee Rep. 2 Westchester
Mr. Fellows...... Rep. Herkimer
Mr. Fowler....... Rep. t Ulster
Iles) (Gretel fe) (ie ca kare Dem. 3 Queens
Min Gilweky S200.) Dem. 21 Kings
Mr. Graubard....Dem. 8 New York
Mae cGrayin te. s +: ep. i St. Lawrence
Mr. Gunderman .. Rep. Tompkins
Mr. Haines....... Rep. i Westchester
Wire Efamimgs. :/s %) - Rep. Wayne
Mr. Herrick...... Dem. 14 New York
Iie 1a Woyes ys ta cet em. 13 New York
Mr. A. J. Levy Dem. 4 New York
Mir; Lewis. ..2.... ep 2 Oneida
Mr. Manley ...... Dem t Oneida
Mr. McKeon..... Dem 8 Kings
Mr. C. F. Murphy.Rep. to Kings
Mr. Murray...... Rep. 19 New York
Mr. Perkins:..... ep. Broome
WiteedINeed 2... 00. - Rep. Cayuga
Mr. Schutta...... Dem. 15 Kings
Mr. Silbermann ..Dem. 32 New York
Mr. Spielberg ....Dem. 10 New York
IMGr, SUS nals aineeeneerS Dem. 34 New York
libres S\RSh@ dl eee Dem 6 New York
INilies “Bl a¥oh@lolg ies Hearne Rep g Erie
Mire odd ss).5. <5 = Dem t Queens
Mr. Walters...... Rep 3 Onondaga
Mr. Weimert..... Rep. xt Ene
Mr. E. H. White .. Rep. t Monroe

Speaker Wadsworth was on the floor
at the time, and stood with those (39 to 41)
who voted to defeat the amendments.
His attitude was one of the chief instru-
ments tending to defeat Mr. Francis’
second motion for the adoption of the
amendments.

About two weeks before the adjourn-
ment of the legislature, the Audubon Bill
went into the hands of the Rules Com-
mittee,—Mr. Wadsworth, Speaker, of
Livingston county; Mr. Merritt, of St.
Lawrence county; Mr. Phillips, of Alle-

‘

143
gany county; Mr. Robinson, of 27th
District, New York county; Mr. Frisbie,

of Schoharie county; Mr. Oliver, of 3rd
District, New York county. |

The Audubon Society feels perfectly
justified in believing that five members
of the Rules Committee were opposed
to the Francis Bill, because it will be
noticed that in the test vote on the amend-
ments to the Reed Bill, the only member
of the Rules Committee that voted in
favor of the Francis amendments was the
Hon. Mr. Oliver, of the 3rd New York
District. This gentleman deserves special
credit for the high civic stand he took in
this matter, inasmuch as he did not let
politics influence him to defeat an impor-
tant economic measure that was intro-
duced for the best interests of the entire
citizenship of the state.

In this connection, the Audubon Society
desires to thank, and does thank most
heartily the members who voted for the
substitution. They were acting for the
best interests of their constituents, and
were on a plane above being influenced
by political pressure.

The members who voted against the
Francis Bill, the Audubon Society charges
with acting contrary to the best interests
of their constituents as well as the best
interests of the state at large; the members
who did not vote at all, if they were
present, were not courageous. A repre-
sentative should always have the courage
of his convictions,‘ either for or against
a measure.

The Francis Bill, not haying passed
the Assembly, did not reach the Senate,
and, consequently, we have no knowledge
of what the attitude of that body would
have been; however, it is probable the
same political influence that was brought
to bear upon the members of the Fish and
Game Committee, the Rules Committee,
and the Assembly itself, would have been
used in the Senate chamber.

The fight on the Francis Bill is now
history. The efforts of the Audubon So-
ciety to stop the traffic in wild birds’
plumage, irrespective of where the plumage
came from, whether within or without the

I44

state, have met with defeat, not in an open
the use of
of the

and manly combat, but by
political influences. The action
majority of the present Assembly legalizes,
for another year, the traffic by the milli-
ners in property that belongs to the state,
property that is absolutely essential for
successful agriculture and forestry.

According to the census of 1go0o, there
were in New York State 226,720 farms,
with an acreage of 22,648,129, of which
68.9 per cent was under cultivation; the
balance, 7,048,123 acres, is probably
largely forest growth. The total value of
the cultivated farm and forest lands,
without buildings, is $551,174,220. The
value of the products for one year (1899)
is given as $245,270,600. These tremend-
ous interests were ignored by the majority
of the Assembly in favor of the millinery
dealers, whose combined capital in New
York State only amounts to $11,805,903
(census 1900). Legislation of this char-
acter is a menace to the State. The Com-
monwealth itself over 1,500,000
acres of land devoted to forests, and the
Audubon Society believes that the Forest
Commission is not doing its full duty if it
does not insist upon proper legal protection
for the birds which are essential for the
preservation of the trees. The voters of
the state at the next election should insist
that all legislative candidates must define
their position in respect to bird-protection.
A representative who will not legislate
to protect such vast* interests as those
outlined above is not worthy of the
suffrages of his constituents.

Sprinc Witp Fowr SHooTiInc.—The
usual annual attempt was made in the
New York Legislature this year to repeal
the anti-spring shooting wild fowl law,
better known as the Brown Law. Un-
fortunately, the chairman of the Assembly
Committee was from the First Suffolk
District, Long Island. Notwithstanding
all the protests of the Audubon Society,
as well as of all decent sportsmen, Chair-
man Lupton railroaded the bill through
his committee without giving any hearing
upon it. Fortunately, the bill was defeated.
A similar bill to permit spring shooting

owns

Bird - Lore

on Cayuga and Seneca lakes was also
defeated.

ASSEMBLYMAN JAMES A. FRANCIS.—
The Audubon Society of New York State,
as well as all other organizations that are
interested in the preservation of birds and
game, not only in this commonwealth, but
throughout the country at large, are under
the deepest obligations to Assemblyman
Francis for the splendid fight he made to
pass Assembly Bill No. 65, known as the
Audubon Bill. Mr. Francis used every
possible legitimate effort to pass this bill,
and, under ordinary circumstances, would
have been successful; but, the extraordi-
nary conditions prevailing in Albany dur
ing the last session, made it impossible.
However, Assemblyman Francis is
entitled to the same credit and thanks
that would have been given him had the
Audubon Bill become a law, and they
are hereby extended to him. Such high
civic work as his deserves prompt recog-
nition, and the Audubon Society certainly
hopes that Assemblyman Francis will be
in Albany at the next session of the legis-
lature, in order to continue the fight for
bird preservation which has only just
begun. —WILLIAM DUTCHER.

Legislation in New England

The number of bills adverse to bird-
protection that have been introduced into
the legislative assemblies of New England
during the sessions just closed, or soon to
close, exceeds that of any year within my
experience. It would be impossible even
to list the bills relating to the subject in
the space allotted to this report.

Evidently, the destructionists are trying
hard to regain their lost ground. But, in
the main, their efforts have been defeated,
and progress in bird-protection has been
made.

VERMONT.—The Committee on Fish-
eries and Game selected from the Vermont
Assembly, which met in the fall of 1908,
proved to be generally in accord with the —
spirit of bird- and game-protection. The —
Senate Chairman of the committee, Hon.
Edward Orvis, had much influence and |

a a.

The Audubon Societies

the committee wisely reported against
most of the pernicious legislation that
was referred to them; nevertheless, a bill
to allow fruit-growers to kill cedar birds,
passed the house; but your agent went to
Montpelier at this juncture, and the bill
was killed in the senate.

A bill was passed to establish a closed
season of five years on the Bartramian
Sandpiper, or Upland Plover. All the
efforts of the friends of the birds were
directed to the attempt to pass a bill for
the registration of resident hunters, which
was finally enacted, although so amended
that it will probably produce only one-
half the revenue for bird-protection that
it might have furnished if passed as origi-
nally drawn.

Game Commissioner Thomas and Presi-
dent Carlton D. Howe of the Vermont
Audubon Society, deserve great credit for
their courageous fight to secure the passage
of this bill.

New HAmpsHireE.—Here practically
all adverse legislation was killed in com-
mittee, largely through the efforts of Game
Commissioner Nathaniel Wentworth. The
great effort of the year was made to secure
the passage and enactment of the bill for
the registration of resident hunters, and
your agent exerted all possible influence
in its favor.

Here, again, Commissioner Wentworth
did splendid work. The bill was stoutly
opposed, but finally passed both houses by
a large majority, and, after due consider-
ation, was signed by the Governor.

MASSACHUSETTS.—Here, again, many
vicious bills ‘were introduced, and most
of them have been defeated, although a
few are still pending. Among those de-
feated were:

(zt) An attempt to take the enforcement
of the law from the hands of the Fish and
Game Commission.

(2) A bill to establish an open season
on Gulls.

(3) A bill to permit shooting on lands
of the Metropolitan Water Board.

(4) A bill to permit the killing of Ducks,
Gulls, and other water fowl on reservoirs
of the Metropolitan Water Board.

145

(5) A bill to repeal the law for the
registration of hunters, passed in 1908.

Also many other bills, extending the
open season for game birds, etc. Others
are still pending. The effort to stop spring
shooting, which was defeated in 1908, was
renewed this year with added strength.

Two bills, drawn by your agent, were
introduced by Representative Gates, of
Westboro. The first prohibited the killing
and sale of shore birds from January 1
until August 15, annually, and established
a perpetual closed season on the Killdeer
and Piping Plover. The other protected
Swans at all times and seasons, and fixed
the closed season on Wild Ducks, Geese
and Brant from January 1 to September
15. Both these bills were vigorously
opposed from the beginning, and were
reported adversely by the Committee on
Fisheries and Game; nevertheless, they
have passed both houses.

The shore-bird bill is now in a confer-
ence committee because of a disagreement
on an amendment, and the wild-fowl bill
has not reached the Governor, as this
goes to the printer. Much credit for the
success thus far attained should be given
to Representatives White, of Brookline,
and Gates, of Westboro, to Mr. E. N.
Goding, a sportsman whose assistance has
been invaluable, and to the many members
of the National Association and the
Massachusetts Audubon Society, who
have worked loyally for the cause.

Dr. G. W. Field, a director of the Massa-
chusetts Audubon Society, has left no
stone unturned. General Morris Schaff,
Mr. Wm. R. Sears, Mr. Edward L.
Parker, and scores of other sportsmen, have
not spared themselves in this work.
Former Attorney-General Herbert Parker
has been prominent among the adyo-
cates of the prohibition of spring shooting.

RHODE Is~LAND.—No adverse legisla-
tion was passed. The hunters’ registra-
tion or license bill was enacted and ap-
proved, after a long, stubborn and tedious
fight. Lobbying against this bill went on
practically every day while it was pending.
Notwithstanding this stubborn opposition,
it was passed by a large majority in both

146

houses, although for a time success seemed
unlikely.

Great credit is due to advanced sports-
men, the officers of the State Grange,
Patrons of Husbandry, the State Board
of Agriculture, and the State Audubon
Society for the work done for the bill.
Mr. John J. Dunn, Secretary of the State
Board of Agriculture, and Representative
George Phillips, of Greene, were particu-
larly active, and the attitude of the Bird
Commissioners of Rhode Island had
great weight.

Your agent drew an anti-spring shoot-
ing bill, which was introduced and reported
favorably, but it was laid over by agree-
ment, and, pending the passage of the
hunters’ registration bill, it was re-com-
mitted to the committee and remained
unenacted at the close of the session. A
bill to establish a closed season of several
years on all birds and game was referred
to a committee, but not reported.

CONNECTICUT.—A mass of adverse
legislation has been introduced in Con-
necticut, but, thus far, no bad bills have
passed.

Five bills to amend the present excellent
law for the protection of wild fowl and
shore birds were introduced. Four of these
have been killed by the Committee on
Fisheries and Game, and one has been
tabled. It is expected that a strong fight
will be made to pass it.

A bill to prohibit shooting from power
boats has passed the Senate, but has not
yet passed the House, and its fate is un-
certain.

A bill providing for a closed season of
ten years for the Wood Duck has become
a law.

It is impossible, within the limits al-
lotted to this letter, to give details of legis-
lative work in Maine. These, and the
result of matters now pending in Massa-
chusetts and Connecticut, will be given
later.—E. H. ForBusH.

Legislation in Other States

SoutH CAROoLINA.—Bills for amending
the game laws and providing protection

Bird - Lore

for certain birds now unprotected had
favorable consideration on the part of
the committees from the House and
Senate, and a poll of both houses indicates
that these bills will pass without serious
opposition. The legislature had so much
important work to do at the session just
closed that it was unable to reach our bills
on the calendar, but they are set among
the first for consideration when the legis-
lature convenes in January, 1g10o.

MIssourRI.—Four years ago, the Forty-
third General Assembly passed a law
providing for the protection of game and
fish, and establishing a system of game
wardens for the enforcement of this law.
This wise and beneficient law, one of the
best in existence in the United States,
was repealed in 1907 through the efforts
of those who were opposed to the law on
selfish grounds.

At the present session of the legislature,
a bill, practically identical with the one
passed in 1905, known as the Walmsley
Law, was introduced, and Governor
Herbert S. Hadley considered prompt and
favorable action on this bill of such great
importance that he issued a special mes-
sage to the Forty-fifth General Assembly.
Among other statements, the Governor
said “that Quail and other game had been
slaughtered in large numbers throughout
the state, and sold upon the markets of
the large cities through game dealers
regularly engaged in this business.”’ He
also made the following very pertinent and
forcible statement:

“The value of birds to the agriculturist
and the horticulturist is no longer a matter
of speculation. Without the aid of birds,
the production of harvests of grain and
yields of fruit would, in a short time,
become difficult, if not impossible. The
existence of the insects which accomplish
these Iosses can be largely avoided by the
prevention, through a proper game law,
of the destruction of the birds which make
the existence of these insects in large num-
bers impossible.” ;

Happily, Governor MHadley’s strong
presentation of the case of the birds had
the desired effect, and the bill became a

€

‘
;

4

The Audubon Societies

law and is now in force. The law, among
other things, prevents the sale of game,
limits the bag, and shortens many
seasons.

The plumage section is exceptionally
strong, as it covers possession and sale,
irrespective of whether said bird was
captured or killed within or without the
state. This will effectually prevent the
sale of aigrettes. It also provides for a
Game Commission to be supported by
resident, non-resident and alien license
fees. This new law is one of the best in
force in any part of the country.

It is especially pleasing to this Associa-
tion to have the chief magistrate of a
commonwealth take such a decided stand
for bird- and game-protection as that
taken by Governor Hadley.

Wisconsin.—An attempt was made to
repeal the anti-spring shooting wild-
fowl law, but the bill was killed in the
Assembly by a vote of 46 to 40. This vic-
tory was obtained only after a most strenu-
ous fight; it was probably one of the hardest
legislative battles that has occurred during
the present year. The history of this fight
is too long to record in Brrp-LoRE, but
it is only necessary to say that the fight
for the repeal was not made by the best
class of sportsmen.

The Speaker of the Assembly, Hon. L.
H. Bancroft, and Assemblymen C. H.
Dorner and William M. Bray, were a
tower of strength in opposition to the re-
peal bill, and it was very largely due to
their determined opposition that the bill
was defeated. The high stand of civic
work of such legislators deserves the grate-
ful acknowledgment of all bird-lovers.

MinNnEsota.—The following game-
preserve bill was signed by the Governor
on April 13:

“SeEcTIoN 1. No person shall kill, or
pursue with intent to kill, take, snare, or
have in possession, by any means, upon
the Minnesota state forest reserve lands
or parks, national forest lands, or upon
any lands that may be designated by the
State Game and Fish Commission as game-
propagating and breeding-grounds, any
wild animals or birds protected at any

147

time by law. The killing or having in
possession of each such protected animal
or bird shall constitute a separate offense.

‘“‘Provided, that this act shall not pro-
hibit the killing or destroying of wolves
or other noxious animals by or under the
supervision of the State Game and Fish
Commission or the State Forestry Board.”

The new Superior National Forest in
the northern part of the state, established
February 13, 1909, alone contains nearly
a million acres, which will make it one
of the largest game preserves in the United
States. This Minnesota bill is one of the
most important advances made in game-
protection this year.

OxKLAHOMA.—After a two years’ fight,
this state now has a most excellent game
and bird law, which was approved by
Governor C. N. Haskell, March 8. Among
other things, it provides that all wild
animals and wild birds, resident or migra-
tory, belong to the state; it defines game
birds and non-game birds; it prohibits

sale, and transportation out of the state;

it makes common carriers lable for
transportation; it protects the nests and
eggs of any kind of wild birds, and pro-
hibits snaring and trapping as well as
other illegal methods of capturing game;
it limits the bag and makes reasonably
satisfactory seasons; its plumage clause
is very strong, covering foreign birds;
it establishes a license system, resident
$1.25, non-resident $15, alien $25. Licenses
must be carried on the person while hunt-
ing, and must be shown on demand to any
citizen. It establishes a game commission,
the expenses of which are to be paid from
the game-protection fund; it compels a
biennial report.

The passage of this bill is a strong ad-
vance movement in Oklahoma, and places
this young state well in the advance in
bird- and game-protection.

CALIFORNIA.—An amended law for
the protection of the wild birds, other than
game birds, was enacted at the legislative
session of 1909, and has been approved
by the Governor. This law provides that
“every person in the State of California
who shall at any time kill or catch, or

148

have in his possession, living or dead, any
wild bird other than a game bird, or who
shall purchase, offer or expose for sale,
transport or ship within or out of the
state, any such wild bird after it has been
killed or caught, except as permitted
by this act, shall be guilty of a misde-
meanor.

“No part of the plumage, skin or body
of any bird protected by this section shall
be sold or had in possession for sale, irre-
spective of whether said bird was captured
or killed within or without the state.”

This law will be in effect on and after
June 17, 1909.

The Audubon Society of California has
already warned milliners against selling,
or having in possession for ‘sale, any part
of the plumage of the American Egret, or
the Snowy Heron, plumes
“aigrettes,”’ or any wings,
plumes or other parts of Grebes, Pelicans,
Terns, Gulls, Ibis, or other native or
migrant birds protected by this law.

commonly
known as

Good Results of the Anti-Spring-
Shooting Law in New York

There are still (May 4) three Buffle-
head Ducks in the bay. This is a remarka-
ble record. They seem to be content,—
perfect freedom of the bay and absolute
protection seem to have altered the usual
migration season of these birds. If the
present law is kept in force, I expect to
a noticeable increase in these wild
fowl in the next two years. A few years

see

ago, I though these birds were doomed;
they appeared to be almost gone. How-
ever, during the past two years, I have
seen more than in the previous ten years.
No shooting in January, February and
March on Long Island is the cause of this
great increase. The law was a wise meas-
ure, and it was secured just in the nick
of time to save a grand species of Duck
from the fate of the Wood Duck.

Let shooting be allowed during January
and February, and, in two or three years,
these Buffle-head Ducks will not only
be reduced to where they were three
years ago, but will be entirely wiped out.

Bird - Lore

I am absolutely sure of this from past
experience, and from the habits of the
fowl that are right before my eyes every
day of their four months’ sojourn here.

There are twenty-two fine Mergansers
on the bay today, and several pairs of
Black Ducks in the marshes. I am hoping
the latter will breed here. More records
of the Mallard have been made this spring,
since March 1, than any year since I have
been keeping bird records.

Migration is now well under way, and
the woods are full of Warblers. One
wants to stay right there and forget the
troubles of the common everyday affairs.
—Roy LatHam, Orient Point, Long
Island, N. Y.

Extracts from the Second Annual Report
of the Bird Protection Committee of
the Forest and Field Club of Belmont,
Massachusetts
We are able to report another very

successful year. A citizen of Belmont

who owns 150 acres of land has also had
it posted with signs forbidding shooting
and trapping.

Our chief warden reports a marked
decrease in shooting over last year, and
does not know of a single bird or animal
being shot. Although the shooting has
decreased, we have not let any of our
wardens go; on the contrary we have
added three wardens and a special de-
tective during the year and expect to
appoint two more next month. We have
tried to interest the school children in
birds by giving them first-class stereopti-
con lectures.

Having tried our new method of bird
protection for a year and a half, and found
it a complete success, we urge every town
and village in the United States to adopt
the same plan. We are always*glad to
answer any questions that relate! to bird
protection.

street, Belmont, Massachusetts.

The first report of this extremely suc- —

cessful codperative Local Bird Protec-
tion Club may be found on pages 54 to 56,
Volume X, of Brrp-Lore.

Communications should be |
addressed to S. D. Robbins, 727 Pleasant —

) a —

The Wilson Bulletin

Is a quarterly journal devoted to
the study of the birds as we find
them in the fields and woods.

It is particularly concerned about the study
of the whole life-history of each species,
and about the effects of advancing civiliza-
tion upon the lives of all birds. It urges
the great importance of making a census
of our bird population for the purpose
of determining accurately what change
there may be in numbers due to changing
conditions. It is the official organ of the
Wilson Ornithological Club, which num-
bers among its members some of the
most prominent American ornithologists.
Carefully selected illustrations appear in
each number.

15 cents a number; 50 cents a year

Address
LYNDS JONES, Editor, Oberlin, Ohio.

THE JOURNAL
OF THE MAINE
ORNITHOLOGICAL
SOCIETY

The s1th volume will contain
articles on Maine birds by the leading
ornithologists of the state, as well as
copious bird notes of current interest.

The issues for the year wil] be on
the first of March, June, September
and December.

W. H. Brownson, Editor, Portland, Maine

Louis E. Legge, Associate Editor,
Portland, Maine

Subscription, $1 a year

Send stamp for sample copy

Address—
W. H. BROWNSON
85 Market Street, PORTLAND, MAINE

Perfection Bird Houses
for the Purple Martin

_ We build them. Twenty-five years’ experience
in the study of these fine birds, and success in
their colonization, has taught us the exact re-
quirements of the House Martius and enables
us to coustruct ideal boxes for their use.

Illustrated bouklet 10 cents

THE JACOBS BIRD HOUSE CO.
WAYNESBURG, PA.

The Condor

A MAGAZINE OF WESTERN
ORNITHOLOGY

Edited by J. Grinnell

Associate Editors:

William L. Finley, Robert B. Rockwell
Official Organ of the Cooper Ornithological
Club

Vol. XI, 1909

will contain the usual interesting ar-
ticles by live, active ornithologists
and will be illustrated by the highest
class of half-tones. You cannot
afford to miss a number.

Published bi-monthly at Holly-
wood, California. Subscription, $1.50
per year net in advance. Single
copies, 30 cents each. Foreign sub-
scription, $1.75.

J. Eugene Law, Business Manager
Hollywood, California

W. Lee Chambers, Assistant Manager

Santa Monica, California

The Foremost Recent Book on Animals

By ERNEST INGERSOLL

LIFE OF ANIMALS: The
Mammals

Second Edition, Enlarged. 555 Pages, Octavo. Decorated Cloth
250 Illustrations. $2 net; By Mail, $2.24.

HE idea of the book is to interest the reader in the life of the four-footed
animals, not in their anatomy, nor in their imaginary sentiments; but in the
part they daily play in the world around them, rather than in their posi-

tion in a museum or a scheme of classification. This presentation of the theme has
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most familiar, which the general non-zodlogical reader demands.’’ Putnam’s Monthly
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Along with this popularity the scientific accuracy of the book is well recognized,
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the families in this most important of all animal tribes; nowhere else will be found
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food, how the opossum came to “‘play ’possum,”’ etc.

By the same author

WILD NEIGHBORS: Outdoor Studies in

the United States

With numerous photographic illustrations. Cloth, $1.50

“Such pleasant books as this of Mr. Ingersoll’s are delightful to both old and |

young, and ought to be put into the hands of every lad on the farm.’’—Detroit
Free Press.

THE MACMILLAN COMPANY, PUBLISHERS
NEW YORK

Among Other Issues in the Two Series of

THE AMERICAN SPORTSMAN’S LIBRARY

EDITED BY CASPAR WHITNEY

‘No books have ever come before us that so completely fill the want of Sportsmen and
delight the general reader as the volumes in the American Sportsman's Library."

— SHOOTING AND FISHING
THE DEER FAMILY
By the Hon. THEODORE ROOSEVELT, T. E. VAN DYKE, D. G. ELLIOTT
and A. J. STONE
Illustrated by Carl Rungius and others. With Maps by Dr. C. Hart Merriam

SALMON AND TROUT
By DEAN SAGE, W. C. HARRIS, H. M. SMITH and C. H. TOWNSEND
Illustrated by A. B. Frost, Tappan Adney, Martin Justice and others

UPLAND GAME BIRDS
By EDWYN SANDYS and T. S. VAN DYKE
Illustrated by Louis Agassiz Fuertes, A. B. Frost, J. O. Nugent and C. L, Bull

THE WATER-FOWL FAMILY
By L. C. SANFORD, L. B. BISHOP and T. S. VAN DYKE
Illustrated by L. A. Fuertes, A. B. Frost and C. L. Bull

BASS, PIKE, PERCH, AND OTHERS
By JAMES A. HENSHALL, M.D.
Illustrated by Martin Justice and Charles F. W. Mielatz

THE BIG GAME FISHES OF THE UNITED STATES >
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Illustrated by Charles F. W. Mielatz and others

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By CASPAR WHITNEY, GEORGE BIRD GRINNELL and OWEN WISTER
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GUNS, AMMUNITION AND TACKLE

THE SHOTGUN, by CAPTAIN A. W. MONEY; THE HUNTING RIFLE,
by HORACE KEPHART; THE THEORY OF RIFLE SHOOTING,
by W. E. CARLIN; THE-PISTOL AND REVOLVER, by A. L. A. HIM-
MELWRIGHT, and THE ARTIFICIAL FLY, by JOHN HARRING-
TON KEENE

THE SPORTING DOG
By JOSEPH A. GRAHAM. Fully illustrated

PHOTOGRAPHY FOR THE SPORTSMAN NATURALIST
By L. W. BROWNELL. Fully illustrated from photographs by the author

Cloth, cr. 8vo, gilt top and cover design. Each, $2 net. Postage, 15c.

“ce ”

The Boston Transcript lists these ‘‘accurate and readable illustrated volumes” as par-
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al MACMILLAN COMPANY, Publishers, New York

“If I could give a child but one book this year, it would be this,”
was said of

MABEL OSGOOD WRIGHT’S
(GRAY LADY AND THE BIRDS

STORIES OF THE The book will be welcomed by adults
BIRD YEAR almost as heartily as by younger readers.
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With thirty-six plates in fa F:
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half-tone, and twelve 2 ee :
It is accurate and, on the scientific side,
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of its President, Decorated cloth, xx | 437 pages

Mr. William Dutcher $1.75 net; by mail, $1.90

By MABEL OSGOOD WRIGHT, author of
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CITIZEN BIRD SCENES FROM BIRD-LIFE IN PLAIN |

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Cr., 8 vo. $1.50 net, postage 17 cents

This was described by C. H. M., in Science, as “by far the best bird book for ©
boys and girls yet published in America,” and the statement has remained undisputed
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THE MACMILLAN COMPANY, Publishers, New York :

J. HORACE MCFAALAND CO , MT. PLEASANT PRESS, HARKISBUKG, PA.

A New Book by “Barbara”

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THE OPEN WINDOW

Tales of the Months Told by Barbara

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THE OTHER DELIGHTFUL BOOKS BY ‘‘BARBARA’’:

The Garden of a Commuter’s Wife. tuustrated from photographs

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The People of the Whirlpool Illustrated

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64-66 FIFTH AVENUE, NEW YORK

SS

CAMPS AND CRUISES

OF AN

ORNITHOLOGIST

By FRANK M. CHAPMAN

A fascinating story of eight years’ field work during which
the author traveled over 60,000 miles

432 pages. 250 photographs

Comments of the Press:

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has probably ever before fallen to the lot of an ornithologist.—/ A. A.in The Auk.

‘“There can be no doubt that the series of pictures of bird life is the most
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delphia Press.

“It is hard to say which is the more interesting, the author’s descriptive
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homes of the birds.”’— Brooklyn Daily Eagle.

‘*The naturalist will find here the most careful work; the amateur will get
valuable suggestion as to methods. . . . The work of Mr. Chapman is the most
notable addition to the good books of the kind.’”’—New York Independent.

‘“Mr. Chapman has given us an extraordinarily interesting and valuable
book.’ — Philadelphia Record.

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progress.’’— Chicago Record- Herald.

Sent postpaid on receipt of price, $3.00 by

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EDITED BY

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COPYRIGHT, 1909, BY FRANK M. CHAPMAN R. Weber

AUG 5 1909

Hird - Lore

July - August, 1909

CONTENTS

GENERAL ARTICLES PAGE
FRONTISPIECE IN CoLor. GRAY, PLUMBEOUS, YELLOW - GREEN, YELLOW-
THROATED AND BLUE-HEADED VIREOS .............- Louis Agassiz Fuertes..
A Cow-BiIRp’s NurSERY. IIlustrated........................Clinton G. Abbott.. 149
‘THE HERMIT) THRUSH. >/VETSC. st ree ow che ota eee epee era eer Marion Murdoch.. 153
Some NESTING HABITS OF THE WOOD PEWEE. Illustrated ...... Amanda Elliott... 154
THE, TOWHEE. Illustrated «2. 0.55 cere dele oes ce si cieeinple bles ote ee CHGS ae eemee ee ee
BLACK +: LEBNs Dilisirationy. = .-. emesis te teas sates note See eee J. M. Schreck... 160
REMARKS ON THE HABITS OF THE KINGFISHER ON THE NEW HAMPSHIRE COAST
Illustrated . See aie . Henry R. Carey.. 161

THE Naneanren ce OF a ineoks icatmuditets sae sTihaseeaten By Tas Agassiz Fuertes .
W. W. Couke.. 165

HOUSE WEENS. “Ullustration’ cores sa eee are = re eter ene J.C. Elson.. 168
THE MASSACHUSETTS AUDUBON SOCIETY BIRD LISTS 2.2... -. >. aera 169
NOTES FROM FIELD AND STUDY). ~ (3c -2 eee: er Se ia 174

THE DoVEKIE NEAR BUFFALO, Everett P. Wheeler, II; RETRIBUTION, Illustrated,
W. W. Arnold; A YOUNG ORIOLE’S EXPERIENCE, Mell Rice; RED-WINGS GOING
To Roost, Leander S. Keyser; BENUMBED GROSBEAKS, Isabella McC. Lemmon;
NEST-MOVING, Harold Russell; RECORDS OF KIRTLAND’S WARBLER, Loren C.
Petry; BLUE-WINGED AND PRAIRIE WARBLERS NEAR CHICAGO, Lucy V. Baxter
Coffin; A PERSISTENT RoBIN, Mrs. E. J. Walker

BOOK NEWS-AND REVIEWS: ...2<.-. 0225 22 S08 ods ees Shee cn eee 178
WatTson’s ‘BEHAVIOR OF THE NuoDDY AND Sooty TERNS’; WRIGHT’S, ‘BIRDS OF
THE BOSTON PuBLIC GARDEN’; GRINNELL’S ‘BIBLIOGRAPHY’; KAEDING’ s INDEX
TO ‘THE CONDOR’; JOHN’S ‘BrRDS IN THEIR HAUNTS’; CRUMMER’S ‘MIG ROBIN’;
WATERTON’S WANDERINGS; THE ORNITHOLOGICAL Mac AZINES; Book NEWS.

EDITORIAL. . «2... se) hoc antds comet ear ete wee SL ORS 182 9
AUDUBON SOCIETIES—SCHOOL DEPARTMENT. .....................-........-. 183.
EDUCATIONAL LEAFLET No. 39. THE HOUSE WREN, with colored plate by Bruce
FR OPS [AU “oe os SOR OR Ra ee ae Nee aoe te elas aoe ee Mabel Osgood Wright
AUDUBON SOCIETIES—EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT ...........................-. 187

THE TRADE IN AIGRETTES; THE BROWN Tait MotH; LAW ENFORCEMENT IN
OREGON; REPORT OF KLAMATH LAKE WARDEN; NEWS FROM TEXAS; Mosquito
INLET RESERVATION; A PLEA FOR THE SHARP-SHINNED HAwWk; A RESOLUTION; |
Our Duty To Our BirpD TENANTS.

Pie *, Manuscripts intended for publication, books, etc., for review and exchanges, should be

sent bs ‘the Editor, at the American Museum of Natural History, 77th Street and 8th Avenue
New York City, N. Y.

Notices of changes of addresses, renewals and subscriptions should be sent to
BIRD-LORE, HARRISBURG, PA.

Subscribers whose subscription has
expired will findarenewal blank enclosed
in the present number of the magazine.

To those whose subscription expired
with the June, 1909, issue, and who
have not notified us to discontinue
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newal has been overlooked.

On receipt of your renewal, we will

yet: Sess send you the Sawyer Grouse picture,
Reduced facsimile of a painting from Which should be considered due notifi-
nature of a Drumming Ruffed Grouse. Cation of the entry of your subscription. |

by E. J. Sawyer. The original measur-

ing tox 12 inches, is reproduced by If you do not care to renew, will you
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The Warblers of North America

By FRANK M. CHAPMAN
AND OTHER ORNITHOLOGISTS

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The Condor

A MAGAZINE OF WESTERN
ORNITHOLOGY

Edited by J. Grinnell

Associate Editors:

William L. Finley, Robert B. Rockwell

Official Organ of Beane Ornithological
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Vol. XI, 1909

will contain the usual interesting ar-

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OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE AUDUBON SOCIETIES

Vol. XI JULY—AUGUST, 1909 No. 4

A Cowbird’s Nursery

By CLINTON G. ABBOTT

o HERE ignorance is bliss, ’tis
\ \) folly to be wise’”—and, to
judge by the serenity of her
expression, the little Chestnut-sided War-
bler in our picture has not the least suspi-
cion that the three eggs which she is brood-
ing so happily are not all of her own lay-
ing. Who knows but that it may even be
to her a source of pride that two of them
are considerably larger than the third, giv-
ing promise as they do of babies twice as
lusty as those of her neighbors! Asa matter
of fact, it is the work of the lazy Cowbird.
When the rightful owner of the nest has
been absent, no less than two eggs of this
shiftless vagrant have been imposed upon
her for incubation and care. Whether both
were laid by the same bird I could not of
course determine; but the fact that the eggs
were quite differently marked would indicate
perhaps that two Cowbirds had visited the
nest.

As a general thing, I have no qualms of conscience whatsoever in destroying
every Cowbird’s egg that I find. For although the Cowbird in itself is a harmless
bird, its advent into the world seems necessarily to be attended by the sacrifice
of other birds at least as harmless and usually more attractive. But in the case
of the Chestnut-sided Warbler’s nest an unusual problem presented itself. Here
were two Cowbird’s eggs and only one Warbler’s. Had I removed both Cow-
bird’s, the bird would almost certainly have deserted her home. So, as the nest
was in a convenient situation for observation—in a bush alongside a path, and

CHESTNUT-SIDE ON NEST

150 Bird - Lore

close to the house where I was staying—and as I was curious to watch happen-
ings in the little cradle when the heterogeneous family should be born, I left
the eggs untouched.

The nest was found at Rhinebeck, N. Y., on July 6, 1900, incubation having
apparently just started. Four days later I discovered that one of the Cowbird’s
eggs was infertile; so I removed it from the nest, disappointed that I should not,
after all, enjoy the somewhat unique experience of observing two young Cow-
birds growing up in the same nest. It was sometime during the night of July
13-14 that the first of the remaining two eggs hatched—the Cowbird’s of course.

NEST OF CHESTNUT-SIDE CONTAINING TWO EGGS OF THE COWBIRD
AND ONE OF THE CHESTNUT-SIDE

The Warbler’s hatched between 12 and 12.30 on the 14th. The nicety with which
matters had been so arranged that the young Cowbird would have just a con-
venient start in life over its unfortunate rival commanded at least my admiration
if not my sympathy. Cowbirds must indeed be sharp nest-finders to be able
to discover at short notice not only the nests of certain suitable kinds of birds,
but even nests containing eggs at a certain stage of incubation!

After the hatching of the eggs I spent considerable time at the nest-side, and
observed with interest the many pretty little incidents of a bird’s domestic life—
the constant and tender brooding of the newly hatched young by both Warblers
in turn; the never-ceasing search among the neighboring trees and bushes for
small caterpillars; the delivery of the food by the male to the brooding female,

A Cowbird’s Nursery sit

who in turn would raise herself and pass it to the young; the careful cleansing
of the nest; and many other intimate details of the birds’ loving and happy lives.
When I drew aside the leaves that sheltered the nest and allowed the sun to
shine upon it for purposes
of photography, the
mother, realizing with that
wonderful instinct com-
mon to all birds which
nest in the shade, the fatal
effect on her babies of the
sun’s direct rays, would
take her stand on the edge
of the nest and with out-
stretched wings would
form of her own body a
living shield for the com-
fort and protection of her
young. Although herself
in evident distress from
the heat, and with parted
mandibles continually
gasping for air, she would
remain in this position as
long as the sun shone upon
her, only stepping aside
occasionally when a well-

known signal announced FEMALE CHESTNUT-SIDE SHIELDING YOUNG
that her husband had ar- - | EO SUN
rived with a meal for the little ones. It was a beautiful picture of parental devotion.
As the young birds began to erow, the Cowbird not only maintained but
rapidly increased its lead over its small nest-mate. At every visit of the parent
bird with food, its capacious “gullet could be seen violently waving aloft and
almost completely hiding the feeble little mouth of the Warbler, whose owner
was pathetically doing his best in a dumb appeal for food. The Cowbird’s appe-
tite seemed never to be satiated and, unlike most nestlings, which relapse after
a meal and give their brethren the next chance, he seemed ready for every fresh
opportunity; and by reason of his superior display he usually succeeded in obtain-
ing the coveted morsel. However, the young Warbler did manage to get an occa-
sional portion, and I had strong hopes that he might reach maturity. For I
realized that a Chestnut-sided Warbler’s usual laying is about five eggs, and that
therefore some four eggs must have been made to give place to the two Cowbird’s.
Hence the young Cowbird in the nest might reasonably be granted the room and
food of four young Warblers. More than this I hoped he was not getting.

152 Bird - Lore

oe - “tt, *
YOUNG CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER AND YOUNG COWBIRD AT AGE OF
FOUR AND ONE-HALF DAYS

An idea of the disparity in size of the two nestlings may be gained from the
accompanying photograph, which was taken at 3.30 P. M. on July 18, or when
the birds were about four and a half days old. I replaced them in the nest, but
that was the last I saw of the poor little Warbler. When I returned at 5 p.m. the
Cowbird was in sole and triumphant possession of the nest. Just what became
of the Chestnut-sided Warbler will never be known, but my theory is that weak-
ened by lack of sufficient food the little fel-
low at last became too feeble to raise him-
self at all and was crushed to death by the
Cowbird’s gross body. The parent birds, re-
turning and finding the little corpse in the
bottom of the nest were no doubt impelled
by their instinctive sense of cleanliness to
carry it to a distance; for the most careful
search over a large area beneath the nest
failed to reveal any sign of the missing bird,
thus proving that it had not fallen from the
nest nor been forced out by the Cowbird.

The Cowbird now had things all his own
way and, there being no one to dispute his
right to all the food, he grew with amazing
rapidity. The dainty little cup of a nest,

CHESTNUT-SIDE FEEDING YOUNG
COWBIRD ON NEST never built to accommodate such a monster,

The Hermit Thrush 153

was soon completely forced out of shape. His body then protruded beyond the
lower rim of the nest and the ground underneath became littered with droppings,
quite baffling the cleanly, sanitary instincts of the Warblers.

Our last photograph represents the Cowbird, now almost twice as large
as his devoted foster-parents, rising with hideous chitterings of delight to receive
an ever-acceptable meal. The picture was taken at 7.30 A.M. on July 26. AsI
walked home to breakfast, I resolved that in the interests of justice I ought to
put an end to that Cowbird as a murderer and a menace to the welfare of bird-
dom. But when I returned to the spot, about 9 A.m., he had escaped me; the nest
was empty, my bird flown. No doubt if I had searched and listened I should
have heard him shouting for food not far away, but my spirit of vengeance was
only half-hearted at best, and so I left him, a criminal abroad, to be the parent,
I suppose, of others as bad.

THE HERMIT THRUSH

In the garden here, as a dreamer may,
I sit and muse on the waning day,
And mingled sweet with the sunset flush,
I hear the song of the Hermit Thrush.

In this seraph mood does he sing to me?

Or his mate, enraptured on yonder tree?

Or does love of life into music rush

From the inmost heart of the Hermit Thrush?

Not now to reason of nature’s ways,

But in awe to whisper that joy is praise.

That this halcyon song in the evening hush

Is the prayer to heaven of the Hermit Thrush.
—Marion Murdoch.

Some Nesting Habits of the Wood Pewee

By AMANDA ELLIOTT, New Castle, Ind.

‘ HE bird is very watchful, and never lets any one see her on the nest,’’

I had read of the Wood Pewee, and so was elated to find, on June 24,

a nest by seeing the bird fly to it and nestle down.

Then, purposing to learn all that might be possible of a Pewee’s home-keep-
ing, I seated myself where I could best see it, and for two hours watched con-
tinuously the nest, probably forty feet above me, in the crotch of a dead branch
of a maple, and timed the frequent comings and goings of the bird.

Once in each hour, by looking away I lost the exact moment of the bird’s
return, but only that. The Pewee would seem hardly more than quietly settled
over her eggs, for she was evidently sitting, than she would glide off and away
to a neighboring tree to watch for prey. First from one perch, then from another,
she would alertly watch, then with a graceful sweep dart out and seize some insect
and return. Flying to her nest, she would usually alight on its edge, though once
or twice she was seen to perch first on a near-by twig, then prettily slip down upon
the eggs.

There were four flights during the first hour, after an average time of eleven
minutes on the nest, the absences averaging four minutes; five flights during the
second hour, after an average of ten minutes on nest, the searches for food occupy-
ing two minutes each. This was between two and four o’clock in the afternoon.

No sound was made by the bird either on or off the nest, save a sort of snap-
ping sound when on the wing, which sound might be taken to be made by the
bill when an insect was captured. I failed, however, to discover the cause.

During these two hours of watching the nest, the male was neither seen nor
heard, but at 3.50 o’clock on the next morning, an unusually cool one, his familiar
note rang out. Pe-a-wee, pe-a-wee, he sang, and morning after morning after-
wards I listened to hear him, to find the time at which he began his singing.
Whether he really was the second bird to waken, he was the second one each
day that I noted, the Robin always singing first.

On this morning of the 25th I discovered, to my great delight, that the nest
could easily be seen from my window. At 4.10 A.M. o’clock the bird was on the
nest, and again I determined on a long watch. At 4.34 o’clock what I took to
be the very first of the day’s flights from the nest was made, but the bird was
home again by the time I had jotted down so much. Once during the time of
watching—from 4.10 to 6.08 o’clock—I again lost the exact moment of one flight,
this time a flight from the nest, but, in all, twelve times the bird went in search
of food, the absence from the nest being of shorter duration than in the warmer
afternoon—sometimes one minute, sometimes only half as long; again one
minute and a half, only once so long as three minutes, and, save for that time,
only once so long as two. Two or three times during the two hours the male
perched on a twig near the nest.

(154)

Some Nesting Habits of the Wood Pewee 155

I wished to know, if I could, to what hour in the evening these frequent
and monotonous journeyings from home in search of food might continue.
So a third time of watching was set for the later hours of the day—from 6.15 to
7.31 o'clock. I think no flights were made after 7.31 o’clock, the time of the last
return noted, though by that time it had grown almost too dark even to dis-
tinguish the nest.

Their vision must be sharp, for the prey captured was not always near, and
the wonder was that it had been sighted at all. But I think that not even a
Pewee’s eye could have detected a gnat or fly after 7.31 o’clock on June 25.

Weosyriene by L. s. REDE 2
WOOD PEWEE ON NEST
Photographed by L. S. Horton, at Hyde Park, N. Y.

Ten flights were made between 6.15 and 7.31 o’clock, longer absences being
made at times than had been noted before, one being as long as eight minutes
and one six minutes long. Once, the flight from the nest was probably made
because of the bird’s being frightened away by other birds.

The male was neither seen nor heard during this watch, though at times
during each day, and frequently, he was both heard and seen.

These watches were worth the while, if for nothing else, to enjoy the pretty
picture made by the alert and tiny bird on the compact little nest—just such a
picture as is so beautifully shown in the July-August Brirp-LoreE for 1904.*
Neither bird nor nest was easily distinguishable from the gray bark of the bran-
ches, though the two white wing-bars were plain when once one knew that the
bird was really there.

During the three days after the 25th the nest was watched at intervals, and

*Here reproduced.—Ep.

156 Bird - Lore

shown at times to interested friends to whom the Pewee and her nest were unfa-
miliar. On the evening of the 28th they were pointed out to a small boy who
came across the street to see them. Did I thus, probably, rob myself of my pleas-
ure? For, though the bird was seen again on the nest in the early morning of
the 29th, and heard at least once during the busy forenoon of that day, she was
not seen at any time afterward, though the note of the male was heard at times
every day as usual and not far away. The nest was utterly and thus suddenly
deserted. I questioned—barring any mishap that may have befallen the bird—
could her disappearance have been due to the Pewee’s aversion to being watched ?
Could she have found a more secluded place, possibly, and built there another
nest? If not why did the male remain about his accustomed places singing as
before ?

I thought my opportunity for observing Pewees at an end and that my ques-
tions must go altogether unanswered, but, on July 12 and 13, a pair of the birds
was again frequently seen, and, thinking it might be the same pair nesting in
another place, I began a search for the nest. And on the afternoon of the 14th,
I discovered that they were building in a sweet gum tree just at the edge of the
porch and on a branch only about twenty feet from the ground. The nest was in
plain veiw from both porch and window, save for a screen of leaves which par-
tially hid it. In the corner of the porch, I found my vantage ground, for thence
I could see the nest clearly.

Building was evidently in progress, but it seemed nearing completion, for
the bird—I judged that the female alone was the builder—seemed to bring no
building materials when flying to the nest, but only smoothed its inner walls
with the breast, and with the bill put dainty touches on the outer wall of lichens.

On July 15, the work of building continued, for the bird was seen at least
once to bring a blade of dead grass or a pine-needle to put into the walls. About
4 o’clock of that day, a boy espied the Pewee at her work. The bird seemed
disturbed by his presence and, flying away, was seen no more that day. It began
to seem that the Pewee must have a particular aversion to small boys, and I
feared that this nest, too, had been abandoned. But the morning of the 16th
found the work again going on. By this time the tiny cup-like nest had appre-
ciably gained in size, and the lichen covering appeared more elaborate than
before.

Again and again the bird flew to the nest and smoothed and arranged its
materials. These building days appeared a play time, the bird alighting often
on its favorite perching places—dead branches of catalpa or of pear—whence
to dart out for its prey, or sometimes to sing—if its plaintive note can be called
a song—the visits to the nest seeming to be made only for the sake of variety
and change.

Never was her call the pe-a-wee of the male, but often only a single note
and never more than two. Is this always and only the song of the female?

On the 17th the bird was seen and heard as on the days before, only that it

Some Nesting Habits of the Wood Pewee 157

was not seen to approach the nest until the late afternoon at the close of a wind
and rain storm,—perhaps to see whether or not all things were still in order, for
on the nest she busied herself again in smoothing the inner walls and placing
aright the blue-gray lichens.

While watching the feeding habits this day, it occurred to me to ask whether
the Pewee feeds only on the smallest insects. Never, at any time, could I see any
insect that evidently was seized. In all the time of my observation, I did not see
the Pewee pursue moths, as the Kingbird was seen to do, though there were
moths to be had for the taking.

On July 19 both birds were seen. Incubation began either on the roth or
2oth, but, since almost no observations were made on the 19th, I could not be sure
of the day. On the 2oth the song of the male was heard early and frequently
for some hours. Often both birds were seen together at the nest. This day was
a repetition of the flights and returns to the nest described earlier—until the middle
of the afternoon. Then, after all the long, careful work of building and after
so short a time from completion, the tragedy came. For, on looking from the
window, I saw a robber Blue Jay standing over the nest, deliberately devouring
the eggs even to the shell.

Insolent in his attitude, probably because the Pewee was helpless before
his greater size, he seemed not to heed the cries of the tiny bird uttered again
and again—the cry that I had heard at times before, but only now knew to be
the cry of distress.

Another nesting had ended—this time, I knew, in a tragedy; perhaps the
other had ended so, for the birds had hardly shown themselves so much averse
to being watched as I had thought to find them.

The next morning the Pewee sang and sang again as if nothing had happened;
but, then, one may as well sing.

For one moment the bird was on the nest again, on the 2rst, and I hoped that
the nesting was to continue. Both birds were seen about the tree on the 22nd.
A Jay again approaching the nest, the male, presumably, defended it against
him, and again I hoped that the nesting might continue and undisturbed. But
from that time the nest was abandoned.

After remaining until weather-worn, and ragged, the nest was taken down
from the limb. But even weather-worn it is beautiful—a tiny cup of pine-needles
covered close with lichens. ;

The Towhee
By CHAS. E. HEIL, Needham, Mass.

HE Towhee, or Chewink arrives in my neighborhood during the last

week in April, or the first week in May, and is a common summer resi-

dent. The males arrive before the females—sometimes two or three days,
and sometimes a week or more. Along an old roadway near my home, I can gen-
erally find one on May Day; here as I walk along I see him scratching among
the leaves that lie under the bordering bushes, or, with outspread tail, flying
across the road in front of me; now and then he will pause to call che-wink, and
glance at me with bright eyes. Things of beauty, indeed, are these red, sparkling
eyes, in their setting of glossy black, and many times I have admired them.
To me, this alert, parti-colored bird is one of the handsomest members of the
Finch family; no other is more striking, and I experience great pleasure when
I see the first one of the springtime. The birds are not shy on their arrival, and
one can approach quite near to them as they scratch among the brown, last
year’s leaves. I find that a few people still have the impression that Chewinks,
and other members of this family, scratch like barnyard fowls. A little observation
will show that our domestic birds scratch with one foot at a time, whereas the
Chewinks, and their kind, use both simultaneously.

I have found the nest, with its set of four eggs, as early as May 14, so it appears
that a few of these birds begin to construct their homes almost immediately
after their arrival at the North. The nesting-sites are found in the same over-
grown pastures and woody places that attract the Thrashers, and it is not un-
common to find the nests of these two species within a few feet of each other.
The Chewink invariably builds on the ground; generally the nest is placed at
the foot of a bush or sapling, or under a tuft of grass, and is made of bark, dead
leaves, dry grass, and weed-stems, with a lining of fine dry grass. In a pasture
in Sharon, Massachusetts, I found one lined with horse-hair and dry grass.
The nest when seen on the ground appears strongly made, but, when taken up,
is found to be rather flimsy, and loose in construction.

The eggs—generally four—are whitish, spotted with sienna and madder
brown, and an occasional bit of lilac. I found two so sparsely and faintly marked
that as a distance of a few feet they looked like pure white eggs. The nest and
its contents are fine examples of protective coloration, and it takes a sharp pair
of eyes to find them. The nesting season begins in early May, and lasts till late
July, and undoubtedly two broods are reared by some of the birds. The female
is a very close sitter, and the colors that show when she is on the nest—brown
and chestnut—blend perfectly with the surroundings. On one or two occasions
I have found the male on the eggs, but he did not sit so close as the female. When
the nest is discovered, the owners become greatly excited; they seldom approach
close to the intruder, but flutter about at a safe distance, calling che-wink, che-
wink, che-wank, till the place resounds with the racket, and one is glad to get
away from the vicinity. Incubation takes from twelve to thirteen days.

(158)

I, 2, 3,4. Tame Female Towhee. 5, 6. Towhee Poses. 7, 8. Nest and Eggs of Tow-
hee. 9. Towhees, six days old in nest. to. Towhee about seventeen days old
Photographed by Christina J. Heil

(159)

160 Bird - Lore :

The young birds leave the nest when they are nine or ten days old. At this
age the upper parts are a mottled brown; the under parts are whitish, streaked
with dark brown or black, and there is a faint chestnut wash on the sides. They
soon change this dull dress, however, for the handsome, parti-colored plumage
of the adult birds.

The song—a simple melody—is usually whistled when the bird is perched
ten or a dozen feet from the ground. Now and then, I hear it from the top of the
tallest oak or elm in my neighborhood, and, on two occasions during the past
season, I heard it when the bird was on the ground. Ordinarily, the song consists
of two parts—the first composed of two notes and the second of a trill—but
sometimes the first part consists of three notes, and at times the trill is omitted.

This species feeds on worms, seeds, and insects and their larve, and during
the summer months they vary their diet by eating blackberries and wild cherries.
As I have seen a bird eating an acorn, it appears that nuts are also on their bill
of fare. Much of the food is found on the ground, and once I had an oppor-
tunity to see a bird while scratching among the dead leaves for a meal, make
short flights into the air for passing insects, in true Flycatcher style.

Chewinks are not gregarious, and one seldom sees more than two or three
together. Most of them depart for the South during September, but stragglers
remain until the end of October, and occasionally one spends the winter in this
part of Massachusetts. On December 19, 1906, and again the next day, I saw
a solitary individual—a male, apparently in perfect condition—on the border
of an old roadway in Needham.

SOR. 2, ES
BLACK TERN ON NEST
Photographed by J. M. Schreck, at Edmonton, Alta.

Remarks on the Habits of the Kingfisher on the New
Hampshire Seacoast

By HENRY R. CAREY

HEN the cold east wind from the sea still chills one to the marrow,

\ \) and the clamorous cries of the Crows are yet borne to the ear with

the crispness of passing winter, a moderately large bird, rivaling

the Swallow in his flight and bearing the blue of the sky upon his back, sweeps

up Sagamore creek, near Portsmouth, New Hampshire, for the first time in

many months, rattling as he goes. It is the Kingfisher; he has come as punctually

as if driven by clockwork, in this, the first week of April, to spend his summer
with us.

Like all fishermen, he is independent by nature. Only the power of love is
able to dispel for a time the joy which he finds in his solitary hunting perch. Alone
he sits on his distant point of vantage, twisting his keen eye in every direction
or turning slowly upon his tiny feet, bowing and clattering softly to himself in
his strange tongue. He has no friends; the little birds avoid him. He has few
enemies; the Crows and the Hawks leave him severely alone. Fearlessly he
harries the small fish up and down over his hunting-grounds; courageously he
seeks his prey in the icy salt-water of early spring.

Then, one day, a strange feeling comes upon him. He mounts high into the
air and flies hither and thither with no apparent purpose, making as much noise
as possible, like an excited fly caught in a warm room. Presently he finds a
mate, and he forgets in part his solitary nature. The two go fishing together and
sit side by side on the same perch. But, after all, it is more toleration than love
which they feel toward each other. They do not feed or caress one another
as other birds often do. Each one simply allows the presence of his mate because
of the relation existing between them.

As is well known, the same nesting-bank is often chosen year after year, in .
spite of disasters of every kind which may be connected with it. Since it is not
my purpose here to discuss the well-known details of the Kingfisher’s life, I shall
pass over the various dates of egg-laying, hatching, etc. The food brought to
the nest-hole consists of various kinds of small fish. It not infrequently happens
that one of these fish is too large to be carried by the parent bird into the narrow
passage; it is then dropped upon the bank and is allowed to rot. This fact is often
responsible for a large amount of the odor which is apt to hang about the mouth
of a Kingfisher’s burrow. I once found a common salt-water flounder, four
and one-half inches long and proportionately wide, which, being rather unwieldy
for the parent bird to handle, had been left in this way. Another time I found
a young Sculpin (Callionymus @neus) in the same condition, and, yet again,
a live minnow, which, in spite of a great patch on its side devoid of scales, was
finally freed in perfect health. This fact, by the way, suggests the probable fate of
many a hardy small fish which escapes wounded from the Kingfisher’s deadly beak-

(161)

162 Bird - Lore

The young birds leave the earth about July 25. They are a somber-looking
lot, as for several days they sit tamely about the wharfs or venture on short,
erratic flights, which makes one feel that they have not yet got used to the light —
after their long imprisonment underground. It is at this time that both parents
and young, somewhat crowded in the vicinity of the home nest by their sudden
increase in population, begin to seek out new fishing-stubs, or to use old ones
for the first time in the year. When the young are able to care for themselves,
the old birds leave them and lead once more the single life which they seem to
enjoy most.

At this time of year, frequent quarrels occur among them, mostly about the
best fishing spots, and now that strange, whining note, which Herrick describes
as resembling the grating of two tree boughs in the wind, is often heard. It
appears to be a note of anger; I have heard it when one bird, wanting the perch
of another, hovered menacingly over him. Once I saw two birds dive simultane-
ously for the same spot in the water, the same note escaping them as each reluc-
tantly swerved aside.

On such occasions one bird is often angrily pursued by another. These pur-
suits are most reckless and enduring in character. One sees the two birds swirl
by like two blue flashes of light, to disappear in an instant of time on perfectly
controlled wings perhaps far away in the pine woods, almost grazing the tough
trunk of some mighty tree, or heading straight for a sheer cliff and rising fifteen
feet or more to clear it when it seems that they must be dashed to pieces on the
rock. I once saw a Kingfisher, hard-pressed in such a pursuit, adopt a clever
means of escape. His pursuer was close upon him—about five feet behind. On
they came down the creek, neither bird seeming to gain upon the other. Both
were flying at top speed low over the water. Suddenly there was a splash, and
the foremost Kingfisher disappeared under the water. The bird behind swept
on and lit on a nearby stub, not attempting to renew the chase when his enemy
reappeared. I cannot say that the first bird did not see a fish which he dived for,
but it appeared to me at the time like a very ingenious method for dampening
his opponent’s enthusiasm.

The Kingfisher’s flight is remarkable for its beauty. How easily those long
wings carry him about, as he skims so close over the water that their tips are
sometimes wetted, or, as he hovers, his body appearing absolutely motionless,
in that wonderful way which few birds can equal, for indefinite periods of time.
Sometimes, especially in water half a foot or less in depth, he dives while flying
nearly parallel to its surface. Sometimes, in this journeys from perch to perch —
when fish are plentiful, he dips again and again into the water in this way, remind-
ing one of the Swallow as he gracefully touches the water here and there in his
flight over the mill-pond. Again, he drops like a falling stone in a nearly perpen- —
dicular line upon his fishy prey. bs

But, however interesting his actions on the wing may be, his postures and f
general conduct on the hunting stub also demand our attention, Studer, on page —

Remarks on the Habits of the Kingfishers 163

20 of his large book on the birds of North America, mentions a Kingfisher that
was found in 1850 on the shore of a little Connecticut creek with a clam-shell
closed over his bill. This fact, together with experiences of my own, leads me
to believe that the Kingfisher some-
times fishes from a mud-flat or
even standing in shallow water. A
live clam, so far as I know, does
not open his shell unless exposed
to the air, nor is he found in na-
ture above the surface of the mud.
A Kingfisher would hardly dive at
an object on or in the dry mud.
What, then, could the bird in ques-
tion have been doing when he
found the clam? Obviously he was
either standing or walking on the
ground.

Though I have not yet been
able to prove this statement from
my own observations, yet I have
had several experiences which lead
me to believe that it is true. Once
I awoke early in the morning in my
tent on the shore of a little lake in
Maine. The film of sleep was still
upon my eyes, and I rubbed them
sleepily as I sat up and looked out
upon the water. There, close in
shore, was a small bird resembling
a Kingfisher standing in the shal-
low water, where a school of young
bass, the prey of every passing
pickerel, had congregated for pro-
tection from the larger fish. The KINGFISHER
dampness of the lake mist got into Beouoer ap ned by denny (kh Carey
my nostrils and I felt that I must sneeze. I lay back quickly among my
blankets out of sight. When I peered out again, the bird had disappeared.
Several years later I was watching near the bank of a salt-water creek for the
appearance of a Woodchuck at the mouth of his hole, when a Kingfisher sud-
denly flew up from somewhere below the bank, where, I could not see. He had
either been on a low rock or on the mud itself. The former may have been the
case, for I have seen Kingfishers fishing from perches not over a foot above the
water. This question still remains to be solved.

164 Bird - Lore

Only once have I seen a pellet of fish-bones and scales being disgorged from
the bird’s beak, as he sat on his hunting perch. These pellets are found wherever
the birds are accustomed to sit for any length of time. I once found one com-
pletely composed of various parts of the shell of a small crab. Only a few days
later I had the pleasure of seeing a crab actually caught. The bird captured
him by diving in the usual way and took him to a low rock where he proceeded
to bang him just as he would have done to aminnow. During this process the
crab, which measured an inch and a half sideways across the shell, lost several
legs and was dropped upon the rock, from which by a considerable effort he man-
aged to fall by scrambling to the edge with his remaining legs. The bird, perhaps
seeing that he was rather a large morsel to swallow whole, then forgot him com-
pletely and went on with his fishing.

Two summers ago I found myself wishing intensely to photograph some of
these wild, frowsy-headed dwellers of the earth, the water and the skies. I
studied their favorite perches, my plan being to hide the camera near one of them,
but every one was unsuitable for my purpose. With sagacious caution they had
chosen spots which commanded a wide, open view on all sides, that no enemy
might approach them unseen. It was impossible to hide even so much as a folded
focusing cloth near most of these places, and many, in addition, were only in
the sunlight for a short part of each day, in spite of the broad view which they
afforded. At last I hit upon a plan. Ona small island in Sagamore creek stood a
tiny shack, old and beaten by the elements until the wild creatures had no more
fear of it. One could Sit inside this place early in the morning and listen to the
low, apparently conversational notes of the Crows, as they walked up and down
on the ridge-pole, or watch the shy Night Herons fishing in the water only a
few feet away. Here, too, the Kingfishers came very often to clatter and to fish
in the stunted cedar trees that protected one side of the blind. In the narrow
channel between the island and the mainland, where minnows abound, I stuck
an old tether-ball pole into the mud. On the island, near the pole, I placed an
ancient soap-box with a small hole in one end of it and, between the box and the
shack, I drove as many sticks with staples in them as I needed. After about
a month the box and the pole had weathered enough to make the Kingfishers
no longer afraid of them. Then I placed the camera under the old box, the lens op-
posite the hole, and ran a thread from the shutter, through the staples, to my blind.
Morning after morning I visited the island shortly after sunrise and watched
the habits of the Kingfishers as they plied their fishing from my pole. Many a
minnow I saw go down their rapacious throats after undergoing a vigorous
chewing and banging in their vice-like beaks, and many a curious attitude did
I see them take as they clattered softly to themselves within a few feet of my eye.
And during this time I got a few good photographs by the device already de-
scribed.

The Migration of Vireos
THIRD AND CONCLUDING PAPER

Compiled by Professor W. W. Cooke, Chiefly from Data
in the Biological Survey
With drawings by Louis AGAssiz FUERTES

YELLOW-GREEN VIREO

This Vireo has scant claim to a place in the fauna of the United States. It
occurs regularly in northern Mexico not far south of the United States boundary,
and extends thence through Central America to northern South America.

Wanderers have been taken three times in the United States; at Fort Brown,
Texas, August 23, 1877; Riverside, California, September 29, 1887; Godbout,
Quebec, May 13, 1883.

YELLOW-THROATED VIREO

This Vireo winters south of the United States, and in spring those individuals
that are to nest on the Atlantic slope make the long flight across the Gulf of
Mexico to northern Florida and the Gulf States, avoiding the shorter and easier
flights by way of Cuba and southern Florida.

SPRING MIGRATION

Number

PLACE cverga| Sects Gate St | Eat cae
Lower Suwanee River, Fla........... March 14, 1890
esac Olan law vee eves le ene ce ale wie la's March 22, 1885
Sayama lena sis sre n0s sie «ue ecb 3 April 12 April 10, 1906
Pala Mban Cras (MCAT:)) 12). sy ae eee tk eB 6 April 15 April 7, 1903
[Ranieri ms: Tin C2 eee ea are aye rae 17 April 5 April 3, 1888
1 Livni ONE ee NV acelecie aes ac ede ne erie 5 April 19 April 12, 1900
RWashinstom DCs SSS aii ek 19 April 26 April 19, 1891
Wea enymbceee ne he aie tose gee sae tie ee 6 April 29 April 26, 1889
MWrounistowis Ne Joes ae eee ne ae 8 May 4 April 27, 1890
BmelewoodmeN reine. <as ney tess ee 6 May 5 May 1, 1886
INIGIY PRO WIGIEINGES, IN ee EAR eee ee ae 6 May 5 May 1, 1890
Croton-on-Hudson, N. Y. .......... 6 May 4 May 2, 1891
vdieo], INT 3 Zep ere ee 8 May 7 May 4, 1904
rallstoma span INV scc0f 2 ccs ene 8 May 9 May 6, 1904
WonulancdenG@oni.. 65cs 4... cts ee 7 May 4 April 30, 1894
IBtaGllirame. ( C@ral ake 8) eee eel nena lar alte 7 May 6 April 29, 1906
ewictinGipyse Conmes. 2. hi we es IO May 7 April 30, 1893
Te lapn iioneals (Croy on olaeerwert hee eee eer ieee site) May 7 April 29, 1906
MEOVIGLCIGO IN| Lesh st aac bale alan 5 May 5 May 3, 1907
West Roxbury, Mass................ 7 May 6 May 3, 1890
pypmmetelds Masse: he. 0 ee V2 a 6 May 7 _| May 4, 1899
EVCLUVAIVEASS facie steed gic cnn al anne if) May 12 . |,. May 8, 1904
ESMOND bes eueie see eieyoe we genes Aa sa 5 May 8 May 5, 1890
EpeomuspUry,: Vitis wie ool. cicsela es 6 May 11 May 6, 1905
Witirsinaman ON cD se 2 NS Pate Shc May 16, 1901
ERS LOLPMVCS Geant Stee cel tenes se May 14, I900
East Sherbrooke, Quebec............ May 10, 1903
PeoMesmtOniO, “LExass 2... 3/0 ods vale el 5 March 20 March 17, 1894
EtentayilllesmMexascnm nici steec anes ota 6 March 24 March 17, 1907
ernmesvilley Wexas. vce iss ot tee 8 April 8 April 6, 1885
enme@rleanss Wain te at fei ts spe on | April 4, 1896

166

PLACE

Bird - Lore

SPRING MIGRATION, continued

Bay St Touiss WWhsss.idale eee es

PelenN aS ALK....cns, uelp ars
Chattanooga, Tenn.....
Athens: s Petar s< eeviens
Dexinpton, oy eee
St. Lois Whos te co
Brookville; Ends 2.45.4...
Bloomington, Ind.......
Watiseon!-@h neers we fhe
© berlin-sOr eae ot

Petersburg, Mich.

Southwestern Ontario...

Ottawa, Ont.

Manhattan, Kans.......

Keokuk, Ia.

Grinnell wats, «see te
Chicago: Wily. is ase

Lanesboro, Minn.

Isincotn:, Nebin«s 252 60
Southern Manitoba.....

FALL MIGRATION

PLACE

Lanesboro, Minn.

Grinnell: Walsh senate
Cincago, Tie eres st.
Wauseon. JsOn sete. a:
Detroit: Mitch) erie. =

St. Louis, Mo

Bloomington, Ind.......
Ariel SMGSS: x acy ees ales
New (Orleans, Tuas oo). e
Phillips: Mies. acheac ewe:
Croton-on-Enudsons Ie eae oe ceca ae
Morristown, N. J.......
Beaver; sharia et ace
Washington, D. C......
Lynchburg sy Viera... es
RalewneN Gee cause >
Tallahassee, Flaccs:5...;

Number |

of years’
record

“In U1

On GW U1 Gs Ge GW

|

|

Average date of

| the last one seen |

September 11
September 13
September 21
September 23

September 25
September ro
October 5

_ September 12

September 22
September 8

BLUE-HEADED VIREO

Number Average date of Earliest date o
of bey spring pital spring bes S-
March 24, 1g02
Peper a < a April 5 March 31, 1905
RBratan Dyers ia we 4 April g April 8, 1905
a chatte eae April 8, 1906
BOA See April 18, 1g02
iia ase Hee 6 April 17 April 13, 1887
Arte UR ery. 4 April 23 April 21, 1894
shceh chai cts Re rs 5 April 24 April 16, 1886
er se Ao 9 April 27 April 21, 1896
Rieter: ott 13 May 1 April 25, 1902
PAS ap Sts 5 It April 28 April 24, 1891
pny tenet te 8 May 24 April 30, 1897
Rae ee eS May 11, 1906
Petey een a April 22, 1885
CMS eee en 7 May 4 April 26, 1896
Ee aS rae 4 May 5 May 1, 1887
sees gemnane tei 10 May 5 April 27, 1902
Bees atte deer 6 May 7 April 27, 1888
Eig os | 4 May 14, May 6, 1899

May 5, 1900

Latest date of the
last one seen

September 15, 1889
September 20, 1889
September 24, 1895 ©
October 2, 1894
October 2, 1904
October 12, 1885
October 19, 1g02
October 14, 1897
October 11, 1896
September 5, 1905
September 28, 1888
September 12, 1906
October 11, 1899
September 29, 1907
September 30, Igor
September 16, 1891
October 15, 1900

The variability of this species has made possible its separation into several
well distinguished forms. The typical Blue-headed Vireo nests from Wisconsin
and from the mountains of Pennsylvania, north to southern Mackenzie and to
Nova Scotia. It winters from Florida and Louisiana south through eastern
Mexico to Guatemala. A few Blue-headed Vireos remain to nest in the southern
Alleghenies, from Maryland to South Carolina, and perform only a short migra-

The Migration of Vireos

167

tion, wintering from the lower parts of South Carolina to central Florida. They
have received the name of the Mountain Vireo, and they migrate earlier in the
spring than the typical Blue-headed form. Near Asheville, N. C., at two thousand
feet altitude, they appear on the average, March 1o, while the Blue-headed
does not reach Raleigh, N. C., until two weeks later, thus reversing the usual
rule that birds on the lowlands arrive earlier than those of the same latitude in

the mountains.

SPRING MIGRATION

IRAvI@ elm, IN Ia \ Co) aeaa ated eaeten qe cto ticaeecaer

Weasinmeatony De Conte is ae Th lee:

Renovo, Pa.
IMOMBISTOWAN ING wire 2c tai eee la de
Southeastern New York.............
WOGamonterNiy esse os aly os Sele oe a rieuns|
Central Connecticut
Beverly, Mass....... Sane Ng lanai ck rg |
Biel une MIASS Sh ca Ss ee eee |
iIMiomadmocks IN; ls. 7.5.2.5. 28 e.5 |
Souupwestenm Miaine............2... |
Miontnealhn@ amadiar 2... foes
Scotch Lake, New Brunswick........ |
SP MIGOMTO MEK ew. ale ek Pwbeeo as |
Sipe Ouissss MOR. ties ss cd te hese |
Bloomimetonelmd). 22... ns cee eee |
(Olorlhtime (O29 &eaees ae een ie, seamen ee
Petersburg, Mich.
inca ee cree. 2 ek es
Southwestern Ontario............... |
Writ Ont Was oe a) ok |
Central Iowa
Lanesboro, Minn.
likeRuvert Minn! 5.8. 5 va sc de.
mente Miamitobal css. ...2-2.525.
Edmonton, Alberta.................
Fort Chipewyan, Alberta
Fort Simpson, Mackenzie

Average date of
spring arrival

Earliest date of
spring arrival

a
HOATO OWW £On ND

Lal

=

(on

Leal
NDEI HH OAM hd OL SE

March 26
April 18
April 22
April 28
May 2
May 4
April 28
April 29
April 27
April 24
May 1

May 5

April 30
April 29
April 29
April 29
May 4
May 4
May 12
May 8
May 8
May 10
May 14

FALL MIGRATION

March 18, 1890
April 6, 1905
April 5, 1905
April 22, 1887
April 30, 1896
May 3, 1885
April 22, 1893
April 19, 1899
April 18, 1897
April 23, 1902
April 28, 1894
May 3, 1890
April 30, 1905
March 3, 1890
April 21, 1896
April 28, 1885
April 17, 1902
April 24, 1885
April 27, 1902
April 25, 1889
May 8, 1904
May 3, 1890
May 3, 1890
May 7, 1887
May 6, 1900 -
May 11, 1897
May 23, 1901
May 22, 1904

PLACE

Athabaska Landing, Alberta.........

maweme, Manitoba..........05..0.-%
Lanesboro, Minn.
Ottawa, Ont.
1 Veni oye (a ees Sie ear eee near
IDietiz@iik, IN DiClo ere ee ene ee eee eee nae
Peace One llega rete etre nt Aeeen a ciaei
HaONAGEINGES Rs Dee ieee eae cielo tebe me es

PROVO s IEEE OYE Se ieee the Oe Ae |

Croton-on-Hudson, N. Y............
EMP TON MOY onie c.f. Stee eee evs

BME OUIS MIO. 0 ce ede ucc sce een 5

Washington, D. C.

DUELING Ra a ee Ea

ees Average date of Latest date of the
Of Nears the last one cean last ane seen
September 4, 1903
6 September 21 | September 30, 1903
4 September 25 | September 28, 1889
October 11, 1891
October 6, 1905
October 8, 1905
3 October 6 October 9, 1895
3 October 8 October 10, 1897
8 October 12 October 17, 1902
4 October 19 October 23, 1887
October 16, 1904
October 20, 1893
6 October 18 November 3, 1906
9 December 15, 1885

October 31

168 Bird - Lore

PLUMBEOUS VIREO

The Blue-headed Vireo of the Rocky mountain region is called the Plumbeous
Vireo. It comes into extreme western Texas and breeds from there west to Ari-
zona and north to Wyoming and South Dakota. It is a late migrant and its arrival
in the mountains of southern Arizona has been noted in different years from
April 30 to May 6. The first was seen at Colorado Springs, Colo., May 3, 1882
and at Loveland, Colo., May 11, 1889.

CASSIN’S VIREO

The Blue-headed Vireo of the Pacific slope has received the above name.
It is an earlier migrant than the Plumbeous Vireo and in southern Arizona it
arrives at least two weeks the earlier and passes on north to breed, while the
later-arriving Plumbeous remains and nests. The arrival of Cassin’s Vireo in
southern Arizona has been noted in different years from April 6 to April 16.
It is present in the fall from about August 20 to the middle of September. The
average date of arrival at Columbia Falls, Montana, is April 28, earliest, April
26, 1895; last seen, September 12, 1895. In southern California the average date
of arrival is April 9, earliest April 4, 1896. Other dates of the first seen are:
Nicasio, Cal., April 5, 1876; Stockton, Cal., April 22, 1879, April 28, 1880;
Beaverton, Ore., April 17, 1885; Fort Klamath, Ore., April 28, 1887; Corvallis,
Ore., April 30, in 1899, 1900 and 1904; Tacoma, Wash., April 28, 1903, April
25, 1904, April 23, 1905 and April 18, 1907; Seattle, Wash., April 17, 1907.
Victoria, B. C., April 27, 1893; Okanagan Landing, B. C., May 4, 1906 and
April 29, 1907. The latest fall date at Los Angeles, Cal., is October 13, 1898;

HOUSE WRENS
Photographed by J. C. Elson, Madison, Wis.

The Massachusetts Audubon Society’s Bird-Lists

HE Massachusetts Audubon Society continues to develop in its members
a practical interest in birds by supplying them with blanks on which
to record the species observed during the year in Massachusetts. The
ten best lists received by the secretary of the Society for the year ending December
31, 1908, were made by the following members: Lidian E. Bridge, West Med-
ford, 219 species; James L. Peters, Jamaica Plain, 218 species; Barron Brainerd,
Brookline, 211 species; Richard M. Markle, 187 species; Joseph Kittredge, Jr.,
179 species; Charles Schweinfurth, 142 species; Anna K. Barry, Dorchester,
138 species; Richard L. Creesey, 137 species; Samuel Dowse Robbins, 121 spe-
cies; Bertha Langmaid, 121 species. The two lists first mentioned are published
herewith.

List of Birds observed by List of Birds observed by
Lidian E. Bridge, in Mass., James L. Peters, in Mass.,
from January 1, 1908, to from January 1, 1908, to
January 1, 1909. January 1, 1909.

Name of Species Locality Date | Locality Date
Holbcells: Grebe). 2..2:...- INAINENE 5 mob aoc Jan. 4 INBUOENNE Sooec oc Feb. 8
formed) Grebe.............. Marblehead ....| Jan. 6 IL NAME dacs dada Jan. 4
Pied-billed Grebe .......... Middlesex Fells.| Oct. 24 || Randolph ..... April ro
NMG TIM e etre eta oe se Saree Marblehead Jan. 6 Swampscott ....| Jan. 4
Red-throated Loon..........| Marblehead ...| Jan. 6 Nahant cr Noy. 28
Black Guilllemot.....:.....- Marblehead Jan. 6 Marblehead Jan. 4
Brunnich’s Murre........... Nahant ....... DDC Shs wen eRe eet atiet ee a iahs chek
Razor-billed Auk .......... INfallvaliatee riser Dec. 22 | Rockport Dec. 28
Romarine Jeger. 0.2: ....-.- IQoswaClites osns.6 c NOR 535 I hiss aces me NG case aillpatesatareverecs
ReibiiWalkes sole rye ee psiwaclies rele Oct 7 ea Nabari nyse) Jan. 1
Great Black-backed Gull....| Nahant ....... ViaNals Zh Teo NOS 55 oo 0 atc Jan. 1
ilienmmes Gall eee es iMieditiond is eia a. Jianke2n a Boston 5 Jan. I
Ring-billed Gull............ INGIOBNME Go saee 6 Oct. 5 || Boston.. : Jan. 1
Laughing Gull ............ Naushon....... July 12 || Wood’s Hole . Aug. I
Bonaparte’s Gull .......... ipsiwal@ litera se epee Aug. 28 || Ipswich........ | Sept. 12
Common penn yar. dete: Naushon....... July 11 || Wood’s Hole Aug. I
NT CHICA CRMs sik eee sas Naushon....... July 11 | Wood’s Hole ...| Aug. 1
INOSCALE MEL 6 csi een Naushon....... [fully em |) Cloning oboe Aug. 31
WeAStAMeTM ec si eu ele cine +s Nantucket ..... July 26 | Chilmark...... Aug. 3
RN llSOniusMe ERG | tetas etter dc |S Joker eh alie x Joie tee ek atleks | Ostscaeneta Nahant Bay.. June 25
Wammeth stare tis oa wee ses eles psiwac ewes sein Nov. 7 || Ipswich........ Oct. 24
Double-crested Cormorant...| Ipswich........ IMlpiyy7, a1) ||) IN azine ea daae « Oct. 12
American Merganser........ Newton........ Mar. 12 || Brookline ..... Mar. 7
Red-breasted Merganser..... Marblehead ...| Jan. 6 | Marblehead ...| Jan. 4
Hooded Merganser......... Middlesex Fells. Nov. 15 | Middlesex Fells.| Nov. 21
VieMland ee ects ie ees we Newton........ Mar. 4 || Brookline ..... Mar. 7
EIBICIEN DTS page eee Middlesex Fells.| Jan. 5 | Boston.. .| Jan. 1
Red-legged Black Duck ....| Middlesex Fells.| Jan. 5 Jamaica Plain . Jan. 1
Green-winged Teal......... Boston. . Soe abO? | BOStOMe. eqs /.| [an i
Blue-winged Teal. .......... Middlesex Fells. Sept. 25 | West Tisbury . .| Aug. 4
Bee cre atts 16s, ote osc a ey te Middlesex Fells.| Oct. 25 | Cambridge ....| Oct. 21
Bicon UC Phe te... Ponkapog...... Aug. 8 | Randolph Jeo Gal Aan ouenl 34
RSet ea Clnveys eects tetera ene) se oer eli oer nyeN tay os, eiuver eh eoermeehaeee "| Edgerton Dec. 30
Pre AMONG ae cis gs vg thee we | Marblehead Hrsg i Aeayeratiads ose, 26, sas | Feb. 8

(169)

Bird - Lore

List of Birds observed by
Lidian E. Bridge, in Mass.,

from January 1,

January 1, 1909.

Name of Species

Lesser Scaup Duck
American Golden-eye
Butie-head <2 2 acc See
Old-squaws cacy. lepres. e
Ameéri€aii ScGters.... 7 eos <
White-winged Scoter
Surf Scoter
Riuddyo Ducks 2. sites on:
Canada Goose
American Bittern
Least Bittern
Great Blue Heron
Green Heron
Black-crowned Night Heron. .
Mirprnia Rails ey ontae ee
Sora
Florida Gallinule
American Coot
American Woodcock
Wilson’s Snipe
Dowitcher: 2.5. 2 ee

Pectoral Sandpiper
White-rumped Sandpiper ...
JLeast. Sandpiper. 4be7420. =
Red-backed Sandpiper
Semipalmated Sandpiper... .
Sanderlin
Greater Yellow-legs.........
Yellow-legs
Solitary Sandpiper
Bartramian Sandpiper ..
Spotted Sandpiper
Hudsonian Curlew..........
Black-bellied Plover.....
Killdeer
Semipalmated Plover.......
Piping Plover
Ruddy Turnstone
Bob-white
Ruited) Grouse. :...2 ee see
Mourning Dove
Marsh: Hawk: io.368 Vientiane
Sharp-shinned Hawk........
Cooper's Hawk. .i..7 Ge ...4%
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk......
Broad-winged Hawk
Am. Rough-legged Hawk... .
Bald Eagle
Duck Hawk
Pigeon Hawk
American Sparrow Hawk....
American Osprey. ...55¢...4).
Short-eared ‘Owl... 5...52..

Locality

Middlesex Fells.
Nahant
Nahant
Nahant
Marblehead

Marblehead

Lpswichs/).v..8 it
Jamaica Pond ..
Middlesex Fells.
Waverly
Cambridge ....
Ipswich? ve5-8:
Cohasset
Tpswichie 2.»
Cambridge ....

Cambridge ....|
Cambridge ....|

Jamaica Pond
Salem
Cambridge ....
ipswich... sce"

Ipswich events

[ubpswachir ease
| ipswieki ho.

: | Rp SWEGH a or, 28

jeEpswichi..1\.173

PDS WAG ochre oa ae
| ApS WIGD eo fsx
| Sudbury
| Nantucket

Ipswich." = <;.2
Vpswichs ...).)...0:
Bramtree..... 42°
| Middlesex Fells.

.| Middlesex Fells.

paareVIOCk.... «a4
Dpswich: 2.5 80e%

Middlesex Fells.
| Waverly
[pswich:..\: tha

SWIC 6. couse

1908, to

nN

NN ADF vp +

ios)

Oct 2;
Mar. 2
May 4
June 21

List of Birds observed by
James L. Peters, in Mass.,

from January
January 1, 1909.

1, 1908, to

Locality

Bostont os. | aaa

ne
Randolph
Edgarton

| Cambridge ....

Mar. 31 |

May 30
April 21

April 22 |

June 5
eb. 17
April 7
April 11
| Aug. 21

| Sept.
| May

Dedham

_Cambridge ....

| Brookline

Cambridge .....

| Cambridge ....

April 29 |
| Jamaica Plain...

| Natick. : eta

| Ipswichy veers

| Franklin Park .

Cambridge ....
Chilmark

Shellburn Falls
Lexington. ..:.-
Chilmark
Ipswich? 2-e)ae
Marblehead
Chilmark
Ipswich? 22
Ipswich. 2 sonne
Arboretum
Arboretum

ee, fe ees a ©

Concord

Belmont

Cambridge ....

Date

Jan. 1

April 8
April 24
May 14
April 24
May 9

April 4
April 20
Mar. 4
May 2
Nov. 10
May 9
Sept. 12
Nov. 24
Jan. 25
May 2
April 11

tam

The Massachusetts Audubon Society’s Bird-Lists

rest

ss

List of Birds observed bv

Lidian E. Bridge, in Mass., |

List of Birds observed by
James L. Peters, in Mass.,

from January 1, 1908, to from January 1, 1908, to
| January 1, 1909. | January 1, 1909.
Name of Species | Locality Date | Locality Date
|
Sencecur@wils soy anns tee | Medford ...... | Jan. 17 | Jamaica Plain _| Mar. 21
Yellow-billed Cuckoo....... | Concord =e. - =. May 18 | Franklin Park .| May 18
Black-billed Cuckoo........ Middlesex Fells.) May 15 | Franklin Park May 22
Belted Kingfisher........... _ Middlesex Fells.| April 5 | Boston.. Seo) Wehr ira
Hairy Woodpecker.......... Middlesex Fells.| Jan. 5 Franklin Park . Jan. 26
Downy Woodpecker........ | Middlesex Fells.) Jan. 19 || Franklin Park .| Jan. 14
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker ....| Middlesex Fells.| April 17 || Ipswich........ April 11
Nedcheaded Woodpecker 2)... sess acenws bee see | Franklin Park .| May 14
Northern Flicker........... Medford ...... Jan. 23 | Franklin Park ./ Jan. 1
Whippoorwill .............. AMMO! Ss ae oo cue a Jan. 15 | Wenham....... | June 25
Nredithaw <n. ee ee at | Sudbury .. .| May 21 | Jamaica Plain .| June 1
CGhimmey Siwitt 5.2... Middlesex Fells. | May 3 || Cambridge ....| May 1
Ruby-throated Hummingbird. Sudbury . | May 21 || Belmont....... May 22
Tin oc FA eee ge Medtond! tec? | May 15 | Jamaica Plain .| May 9
Crested ipeateher ese Rs | Middlesex Fells.| May 26 | Arboretum .....| May 17
IPINGSIDE sraumaiate osama en at OR one WMedtord ass | Mar. 27 || Franklin Park .| Mar. 22
Olive-sided Flycatcher ...... Greylock....... June 13)|,Greylock....... June 30
WioodmRe ween 6... co. 226 | Sudbury .... | May 21 | Marlboro...... May 23
Yellow-bellied Pee eal Middlesex Fells. May 23 | Greylock....... July 1
Alder Flycatcher. . i Greylock: ..| June 13 || |
Least Flycatcher. . | Cambridge ....| April 29 | Dedham ......| April 28
iWonmedlbat kos. eis bee. bata sss sens Warne anal h INiailvaats aap tes | Jan. 1
Prairie Horned Lark........ Pallpsmyachis: as fava on dlipswichy. gee: | Sept. 12
SELIG. || BS Ss Gee aries ae Medford ...... Janko. tp eranichinn be ames ciajan «0
PMIMIEnIGAM, CLOW... 1524 als: Medford ...... Jan. 1 | Franklin Park .) Jan. 1
TBO) OKO) ial ese etek Sept as eee Medford ...... | May a | Cambridge ..... May 2
(COw/lDiGld a sie raeeeren eee Medford ...... Mar. 16] Belmont....... | May 28
Red-winged Blackbird ...... Medford ...... | Mar. 20] Milton.........| Mar. 13
Mieadowilark oo... 06. bees. Medford ...... | Mar. 15 | Cambridge Mar. 14
OnchardsOnoles 5 a5.)2.5 2 | Ipswich........ May 1g || Holyoke | June 27
Baltimore Oriole ........... Medford ...... May i1 | Belmont....... | May 9
Rusty Blackbird............ Cambridge Mar. 25 | Franklin Park Jan. 18
Bronzed Grackle........... Medford ...... Mar. 16 | Milton......... | Mar. 13
munplesbinch. 2.25.25.) 0.0.% Medford ...... April rg | Sharon ........ April 17
American Crossbill.......... Ipswich........ Mar. 31 || Stoneham ..... Mar. 14
White-winged Crossbill...... Middlesex Fells.; Nov. 21 | Arboretum . | Nov. 1
TRG aol he tains eos eee Middlesex Fells.| Nov. 21 || Middlesex Fells:| Nov. 21
American Goldfinch ........ Middlesex Fells.) Jan. 5 || Jamaica Plain .| Jan. 26
LEIS (SSSI ae oem ne Medford. 52-2. April 26 || Franklin Park .) April 26
MOMMA le eh dae Ipswich........ Mar. 31 || Ipswich........ April 1
Lapland Longspur.......... Ipswich........ Oct. 22 || Ipswich........ | Oct. 24
Vesper Sparrow............ Miediord:: 2. i. ee Npomileze Daven <2). a). ais. April 6
Ipswich Sparrow ........... Iqpsiwacht jo... ei Mar. 31 || Nahant ....... Mar. 21
Savanna Sparrow........... Medford ...... Mar. 27 | Jamaica Plain .| April 5
Grasshopper Sparrow ...... Concord ....... May 18 || Hadley........ June 28
Henslow’s Sparrow..........| Norwood ...... June 7 || Norwood.......| May 30
Sharp-tailed Sparrow ....... Ipswich........ May 19} Chilmark...... Aug. 16
White-crowned Sparrow ....| Boston.. May 13 | Arboretum .....| April 26
White-throated Sparrow .... Middlesex Fells. April 7 || Boston. . ..| Mar. 14
sReenSparrow |. ..2-5..5.... Middlesex Fells.| Jan. 5 Jamaica Plain .| Feb. 12
Chipping Sparrow .......... INttickie na April ro || Arboretum .....| April ro
eld) Sparrow... .......5.... Middlesex Fells.| April 7 | Arboretum .....) April 7
Slate-colored Junco ........ Medford ...... Mar. 14 | Franklin Park .| Jan. 25
SOMeUOparrow... 4.0.25... «. Medford ...... Mar. 12 | Jamaica Plain .| Feb. 12
Lincoln’s Sparrow ......... Boston. a.ha.c May 13 | Franklin Park .

Name of Species

|

Swamp oparrowr- aun aye |
BOX SPATLOWss. siete steoieia
Towhee
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Indigo Bunting
Scarlet Tanager
Purple Martin
Cliff Swallow
Barn Swallow
PETES UA LLO Witenes eral ciate ware tae
Bank Swallow
Cedar Waxwing
INorihem Shrike. =. 6 occas «.
Red-eyed Vireo
Warbling Vireo
Yellow-throated Vireo.......
Blue-headed Vireo
White-eyed Vireo
Black and White Warbler .. .!
Golden-winged Warbler

Nashville Warbler
Tennessee Warbler
Northern Parula Warbler....
Yellow Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler.)
Miyrtle; War Dlenirsetsn bene tut:
Magnolia Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Bay-breasted Warbler
Black-poll Warbler......... |
Blackburnian Warbler ......
Black-throated Green Warb’r |

Prairie Warbler
Ovenbird

Mourning Warbler. Pe eae
Northern Yellow-Throat.....

ASAP DIGG say ic eerie en Le
House Wren
Winter W ten... se sai cee
Short-billed Marsh Wren ...
Long-billed Marsh Wren .....
Brown Creeper, yn sisey ns Gh
White-breasted Nuthatch ...
Red-breasted Nuthatch......

Bird - Lore

List of Birds observed by

Lidian E. Bridge, in Mass., |

List of Birds observed by
James L. Peters, in Mass.,

from January 1, 1908, to from January 1, 1908, to
January 1, 1909. January 1, 1909.

Locality Date Locality Date
Cambridge ....| April 6 | Cambridge ....| Mar. 28 -
Medford ...... Mar. 15 || Boston.........| Mar. x4
Middlesex Fells.) April 26 | Franklin Park .| April 26
Middlesex Fells.| May 12 | Arboretum..... May 12
Medford ...... May 12 || Franklin Park .| May 17
Concord ee aca May 18 | Franklin Park .; May 13
Concord esis Mayr | Concord =e | May 2
Goncorders <5) May 18 | Ipswich.*. sey | May 16
Cambridge ....| April 29 || Ipswich........ April rr
Middlesex Fells.) Aprils || Dover: - 2 eee _ April 6
(Concord’s.;)< ae May 1 Ipswich... ere | May 16
Medford ...... | Feb. 15 || Roxbury.......| Jan. 8
Nahant. sae hee. Jan. 4 | Franklin Park .| Jan. 1
Medford ...... May 10 | Jamaica Plain .| May 14
Mediord ' «. 3.5.5 May 18 || Ipswich........ | May 16
Cambridge ....) April 29 | Franklin Park .| May 9
Middlesex Fells. May 12 | Franklin Park .| May 12
Braintree ...... | July 4 | Braintree ...... June 17
Middlesex Fells.| April 24 | Franklin Park .) April 29
Medford ......| May 12 || Franklin Park .| May 12

i CONGCOLdeet rae May x. |\(Concord cee May 2
Medford ...... | May 26 |
Cambridge ....| April 29 | Concord ....... May 2
Medford: =. .4.5 | April 28 | Franklin Park .| April 24
Medford ...... | May 12 | Boston.........| May 13
Middlesex Fells.| April 24 | Sharon ........ | April 17
Mediord= % 5.5 5.2 | May 12 | Franklin Park .| May 12
Miediords sec | May 12 | Franklin Park .| May 13
SS PREC eign | »...... | Wayland... 29) epeeam
Mediord <, si<... | May 19 | Franklin Park .| May 17
Miedtond, acts | May 12 | Franklin Park .| May 17
COnGOIG: #3 a5,5 0 | May : | Dedham. 7. | April 28
Mectord “v4. sea April 17>|| Dover. sone April 6
Medford ...... | Oct. 10 | Middlesex Fells.| Oct. 13
Medtord 275... | April 7 || Arboretumiaees | April 17
Mediord Seam: | May 15 | Franklin Park .| May 12
Medford! 3.0.5.4 | May 3 | Franklin Park . April 30
Cambridge ....) April 29 || Marlboro...... | May 23
Boston:........| Oct. 18 | Greyloek. ae | July x
Greylock....... June 14 Greylock....... | June 29
Concord sea a. May 6 || Cambridge ....| May 1
Medtord 7) oe...) June 7 |
Concora <2 ehr. May 18 | Marlboro...... May 23
Miedtord: Ws). May 23 || Franklin Park .| May 24
Waverly ....... ay 4 | Franklin Park .| May 13

| Middlesex Fells.| April 19} Boston ........ Oct: 55
@oBassets. arm. | April 27 | Arboretum .....] April 26
Boston ayia sie May 5 | Franklin Park .| April 26
Medioncdenins...) April 25 | Belmont ....... May 22
Middlesex Fells.) Mar. 1 Stoneham Weecn Mar. 14
Norwood....... June 6 | Norwood ...... May 30
Cambridge ..... June 5 || Cambridge ....| May 1r
Middlesex Fells.| Jan. 11 ! Jamaica Plain .| Jan. 1
Mediord:. . ca. | Jan. 2 || Jamaica Plain .| Jan. 1
Middlesex Fells.| Jan. 19 | Stoneham ..... Mar. 14

The Massachusetts Audubon Society’s Bird-Lists

173

Name of Species

List of Birds observed by
Lidian E. Bridge, in Mass.,

Chickadee
Golden-crowned Kinglet.....
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Wioomaunnusiisss2) ss e0. fons
Wilsomsilhrush .0..2.0....
Gray-cheeked Thrush.......
iBieknel@s Thrush >... 2...
Olive-backed Thrush........
Elermitaininush=.oes8.. <2.
American Robin.:..........
irelouneleiaewees ens sec reuse ns aes hee il
Dovekie

Iceland Gull
eumalemyse Galle). he oe
Black Tern
Sooty Spearwater...........
American Widgeon
Shrovellermpe tesa citys «eh s..
Wanyvashback. Viki cles
Ring-necked Duck..........
Still Sandpiper
Ring-necked Pheasant.......
WAI SWALLOW sale le. ep ve
Prothonotary Warbler.......
Brewster’s Warbler
Cape May Warbler
Mockingbird...............
CarolimamVVTENy 5). =) 4s os
iNelsonzs Sparrow..© .4.---.-
Balidipater nese oe als oes eee
Hoary Redpoll
Heath Hen

{|
| List of Birds observed by
| James L. Peters, in Mass.,

from January 1, 1908, to | from January 1, 1908, to
January 1, 1909. January 1, 1909.

Locality Date Locality Date
Medford ...... Jan. 1 | Jamaica Plain . Jan. 1
Medford ...... Jan. 5 || Jamaica Plain .| Jan.1r
Migciiond eraser April r7 | Arboretum .....| April ro
Medford... 2. May 12 || Arboretum..... | May 20
Middlesex Fells.| May 3 | Concord....... | May 2
Cambridge ....| Oct. 3 | Franklin Park .) Oct. 11
Greylock so... . June 14 || Greylock....... _ June 29
Medtord. (ss...) May 15 | Franklin Park .| May 12
Medford ...... Aprile. Sharom.ete.t. =. | Aprailry
WilechionGl —s654¢ Mar. 12 | Arboretum.....| Jan. 19
Medford ...... Mar. 8 | Franklin Park . Mar. 12
Rockport ...... IDE, Bit |
Swampscott ....| Jan. 18 | Ipswich........ April 11
Swampscott...) Jan. 1S) |) Wynn. 22.2... 2: | Jan. 4
Boston:........ Jan. 25 | Nahant Jan. 25
pswitcha= ree Aug. 21 | Chilmark......| Aug. 16
Nantucket S’nd.| July 24 |
Jamaica Plain .| Dec. 17 |
Middlesex Fells.| Oct. 31 ||
Newton........ Mar. 12 || Brookline ......| Mar. 7
Middlesex Fells..| Oct. 25 | Middlesex Fells.; Oct. 28
Ipswich........ Aug. 21 |
Medford ......| Jan. 18 || Franklin Park .| Jan. 1
Ipswich........ Aug. 28 |
Concord; (4/15. May 1 |
Arboretum .....| May 20 || Arboretum..... May 14
Bostoma.d 0. ....| Mayas, |
Miedtond yee Feb. 7 | Franklin Park .| Feb. 9
Naushon....... July 14 | Franklin Park .| July 17
Begs pace oie cua enters call Wayland 2. ul Oepts 20
Bane te cs ates san Magee is | Jamaica Plain .| Dec. 14
are ace aerate eens a | Cambridge ....| Dec. 26
St EERE eine oe aan | Edgartown ....| Dec. 30
PG aisha eae . | Chilwark ......| Aug.

Potes from Field anv Study

The Dovekie Near Buffalo

I found on the
Lake

November 15, 1908,

Canadian shore of Erie, about
seven miles from Buffalo, the body of a
Dovekie (Alle alle). The skin was identi-
fied by Mr. Savage and Dr. Cummings of
the Buffalo Academy of Science and is
still in my possession. The specimen was
a male, entirely free from subcutaneous
fat, and the crop was empty.

November 14, 1908, there was a heavy
snow storm with high wind. November
8, 1908, there were many large flocks of
Snowflakes, which is earlier than they
usually appear in this neighborhood.—
EVERETT P. WHEELER, II, Buffalo, N.Y.

“Retribution’’

a

In May, 1908, whilst searching for an
albino Bluebird, which, with her cerulean
mate, were reported to have frequently
been seen on the outskirts of the city, I
discovered two Bullock Oriole’s nests in a
large cottonwood, each occupied by a pair
of English Sparrows. These sharp birds
had pre-empted the last year’s pensile nests
of the Orioles, ballooning them to enor-
mous proportions, building a round door-
way in one side according to their custom;
and in these swinging homes high in the
air, raised their numerous broods during
the summer.

I intended securing one of these nests
to photograph and place in my collection
of odd birds’ nests, but was prevented by
a long, serious illness from doing so until
in October. On October 17, I visited the
tree and found one of the nests still occu-
pied by the Sparrows as a home, but the
other nest had disappeared, whether it had
been torn from its moorings by some wind
storm, or removed by curio hunters, I am
unable to say. In critically scrutinizing
the massive top of the tree with my glasses,
I discovered an Oriole’s nest of the present
season, and, greatly to my astonishment,

x!

noted the presence of the female on a
branch just above the nest. The great host
of Bullock Orioles, which breed and spend
their summer in this region, had left on

/

HOUSE SPARROW ENTANGLED IN
NEST OF BULLOCK’S ORIOLE

their migration to the South a month be-
fore; and why should this lone mother bird
thus delay her going and linger about
the empty nest? Presently, I thought the
key to the mystery was mine, fort with the
aid of the glasses a bird with its neck entan-
gled in the loosely woven horse-hairs of
the upper rim of the nest, was made out
dangling in the air, but the thick yellow
leaves so obstructed the view it was impos-
sible to make out to what species it be-
longed. The fact of the presence of the
female naturally caused me to imagine that
her mate had come to his death in this

(174)

Notes from Field and Study

tragic manner, and that her devotion and
loyalty chained the bereaved mate to the
spot where their summer joys had been
shared together. My mind was filled with
the pathos of the tragic event in the lives
of the beautiful birds, and my heart over-
flowed with sympathy for the lone, faith-
ful watcher beside the empty nest.

The nest was hung to the highest branch
of the tree, and I was unable to secure it the
following day when I procured the old nest
occupied by the Sparrows; but, on the 2oth,
a couple of adventurous tree trimmers
captured the trophy and placed it in my
hands, and what was my chagrin and dis-
gust to discover that the dead bird hang-
ing by the neck was a male English Spar-
row. He had become “‘a hanging bird”
but not an Oriole. The feeling of pity and
sympathy which had filled my heart,
underwent a sudden revulsion, and one of
satisfaction that the highway marauder,
in attempting to destroy the happiness of
a home, had met with a just retribution,
took its place.

But what puzzles me and those familiar
with the migratory habits of the Bullock
Oriole is, why the female should remain
near her nest so late in the season. A cold
wave accompanied by a considerable
fall of snow occurred on the night of the
20th, and she was not seen after that date.

The accompanying photograph of the
nest and dangling body of the self-executed
robber tells the tragic story better than
words.—W. W. ARNOLD, Colorado Springs
Colo.

A Young Oriole’s Experience

On June 6, 1909, as I was on the piazza,
there happened to be a very young Oriole,
just out of the nest, on the ground, not far
away. Apparently this was his first expe-
dition. He did not seem able to fly—but
was hopping about trying to use his tiny
wings. It was very fascinating to watch
him, so J sat down, determined to see what
happened. In a few moments the father
bird came, and fed the little one. It was
a difficult task. The Mockingbirds had
a nest in a tree close by, and, every time

175

the parent Orioles came to feed the young
bird, the Mockingbirds chased them away.
It was a period of twenty minutes from the
time the parent Oriole last fed the young
one till he came again. This time he ap-
peared to be in great agitation, and very
nervous. He did not feed the tiny bird,
but cooed to him in a very excited manner.
Suddenly he turned his tail toward the
little bird, when to my great astonishment,
the little one hopped on. The parent then
proceeded to drag the baby bird along for
a foot or more when off it slipped. The
parent still intent on getting the little bird
away from the domain of the belligerent
Mockingbirds, once more cooed, and
coaxed, then turned his tail for the baby
bird to hop on, which he did.

Just as the father again started to drag
the little one along, down swooped the
Mockingbird, frightening away the parent
Oriole and tumbling the baby on the
ground. I am told by those who have
made a study of birds for years that this
is an exceedingly remarkable and unheard
of thing for any bird to do.

The Mockingbird then began to peck
the young bird. I lost no time in chasing
away the Mockingbird. I am also told
that even birds that will attack a strange
adult bird which ventures near their nest
seldom molest a young bird. After the
baby Oriole recovered from his fright, he
made great haste for alow acacia tree near-
by. In sheer desperation, he finally suc-
ceeded in climbing a slanting bough, or
rather trunk of the tree, and in gaining a
secluded branch. But he could not escape
the vigilant Mockingbird. He had scarcely
secured a sure footing when the Mocking-
bird made another attack on him. Once
more I rushed to the rescue. By this time
it seemed as if the Mockingbird was de-
termined to clear the premises of all Orioles,
regardless of age, and I concluded to guard
the little bird myself. My guard continued
for half an hour or more, during which time
the parent Orioles succeeded in
the tiny bird to a sycamore tree some fifty
feet away. The Mockingbird did not attack
the Orioles again, and I left them to their
fate.—MeELL RICE, Cal.

coaxing

Los Angeles,

176

Red-wings Going to Roost

One evening in April, as I was returning
from a ramble, I passed a swamp which is
a favorite roosting-place in the spring for
a large number of Red-winged Blackbirds.
It was dusk when I arrived at the place,
and a great chattering and “‘o-gleeing”
was going on in the swamp. The odd
thing—if it was odd—about the incident
was the following: A portion of the plowed
hill field at one side of the marsh was black
with birds, I should say several hundred
of them. Quite a number were also
perched on some trees on the crest of the
ridge near those on the ground. Why the
Red-wings had gathered on the hill before
retiring I could only surmise. Now,
instead of all of them flying down to the
swamp at once, a small flock would sud-
denly detach themselves from the rest,
as if by a signal, and swing down into the
vale, distributing themselves among the
reeds and flags. Presently another com-
pany would do the same, and thus the
program was continued at intervals, until
the last Red-wing had left the ridge and
was ensconced in the dense flags of the
swamp.

It looked like an instance of reasoning
among the intelligent birds, for if all the
host had flown down from the ridge at
once, there would have been great con-
fusion in getting to bed. As it was, how-
ever, each flock would wait until the pre-
ceding flock was well settled, and thus
all could retire in good order. At least, it
looked as if that was the controlling idea
in the plan. It was a clear evening, and
perhaps so many of the clans had gathered
just at dusk that they could not all get
to roost simultaneously, and so _ they
settled first on the ridge, and then went to
bed in the orderly way just described.

A couple of weeks later I went to the
place to see whether the foregoing program
was repeated. I am sorry to have to say
it was not. There was no massing of the
clans on the plowed ridge. It was a
cloudy and blustery evening, and many of
the birds had come early, while other small
flocks kept coming from a distance, and

Bird -

Lore

settled at once in the roosting resort. Now
and then a few would fly up from the
swamp and settle for a little while on the
plowed field or on the trees, as if they
felt that they had gone to bed too early.
Then, as darkness fell, all of them swung
down to their sleeping apartments in the
swamp, saying “‘ogle-e-e’? for “good-
night.”—-LEANDER S. KerysER, Canal
Dover, O.

Benumbed Grosbeaks

On May 12, 1909, soon after 8 A.M.
I was called out-of-doors for a most
unusual surprise. The weather was clear,
the mercury during the night barely reach-
ing the frost line, and under the trees by
the house a pair of Rose-breasted Gros-
beaks had just been found, picked up from

the grass almost as easily as if they were’

dead, and there they perched on the hands
that had held them, evidently unable to
fly. The female seemed the more active,
turning her head readily, but the male even
held his eyes nearly shut. Neither showed
any injury, so I carried them indoors,
walking with the very novel sensation of
a live Grosbeak perched on each hand.

Sunlight and a warm room, in a couple
of hours had the desired effect, as their
efforts to escape indicated, and when
taken outdoors both birds made all haste
for the trees. What could have been the
trouble? Were they simply cold ?—
IsaBEL McC. Lemmon, Englewood, N. J.

Nest- Moving

It was with pleasure that we noted the
home-making of a pair of Yellow Warblers
which had chosen the lilac bush at the
end of our front veranda for a nest-site.

A pair of Robins occupied the back
porch, Bluebirds owned the bird-house,
and Swallows were at home in our barn,
so we were glad to have the Warblers
move into our neighborhood.

Material seemed somewhat scarce, so
we scattered colored yarn and cotton-
batting over the lilac bush and waited
to see if our offer of help was to be ac-

Notes from Field and Study

cepted. To our delight, Mrs. Warbler
appropriated all the material which we
had supplied and, in a very short time,
had a somewhat bulky nest built: Inas-
much as the nest would not shape itself to
‘the maker, she added more material of
her own choosing and soon had the nest
finished in a way very satisfactory to all
concerned.

In due time, several eggs appeared and
the work of incubation began.

While we were away for a day or two,
either a cat or an inquisitive small girl who
knew of the nest, pulled it down and part
of the eggs were thrown out.

We straightened up the nest, hoping
that our dainty, trusting bird-neighbors
would continue with us but we were
doomed to disappointment. For two days,
we saw nothing of either bird. Early the
third day, we discovered the mother bird
busily engaged in tearing the old nest to
pieces and carrying it, bit by bit, across
a vacant lot, to an apple tree in our neigh-
bor’s yard. Very faithfully did she labor
all the day until every vestige of the old
nest was removed and a fine new home
constructed in the old tree, safe from
marauding cats and out of the reach of
inquisitive girls.

Here, in their new home, young Warblers
came in due time and were raised to War-

' blerhood in safety.—HARouip J. RUSSELL,
Brocton, N. Y.

Records of Kirtland’s Warbler

On May 18, 1908, a female Kirtland’s
Warbler was seen at Richmond, Ind., by
Mr. M. S. Markle. On May 14, 1909, a
male of this species was observed at
Urbana, O. This one sang repeatedly,
and was watched for a period of an hour
or more by a party of observers.

There are two other records of the
Kirtland’s Warbler in this region. These
are May 13, 1905, at New Paris, Ohio,
and May 7, 1906, at Richmond, Indiana.
May 13 is, therefore, about the average
date of the appearance of this species in
western Ohio and eastern Indiana.—
Loren C. Petry, Urbana, O.

177

Blue-winged and Prairie Warblers Near
Chicago

At Palos Park, Illinois, on May 1s,
1909, as we were walking near a brook
amidst wild crab and thorn trees, we heard
a song which had become familiar in Indi-
ana and southern Ohio as that of the Hel-
minthophila pinus. As this was believed
to be a new locality for this Warbler, we
took pains to ferret out the songster, and
it indeed proved to be the beautiful
Blue-winged Warbler. There were at least
three males in song. One year ago the
writer heard this song in the same locality
but was unable to find the bird. Palos
Park is some twenty-five miles south of
west from Chicago. We hope to find the
Blue-winged nesting in this locality, as
does the Golden-winged Warbler.

On the sand-dunes along Lake Michi-
gan, twenty miles south of Chicago, on
May 17, after watching for some little
time a host of Warblers, more or less
familiar friends, an unfamiliar one ap-
peared amongst them; the first thing
noted was the series of chestnut spots on
the back and then point by point the
Prairie Warbler was revealed, the iden-
tification being completed by the little
fellow lifting his voice in song. As we
found this bird last year at Urbana, IIl.,
where it had been recorded, and this year
find it where it has rarely been seen, we
may hope it is extending its range.—
Lucy V. BAxTER CoFrrin, Chicago, IIl.

A Persistent Robin

I have a Robin that comes regularly
every year and builds under my veranda
in an American ivy, on the identical spot
every time. I remove the old nest when
empty. In 1908 she began the first nest
April 14, the second nest June 4, and the
third nest July 21. The last bird flew
away August 24. I suppose some one
killed the male bird while the female was
sitting the last time, as I never saw him
after that; the female raised her last
brood alone.—Mrs. E. J. WALKER,
North Java, N. Y.

Book Mews and Reviews

THE BEHAVIOR OF NODDY AND Sooty
TeRNsS. By JoHN B. Watson, Profes-
sor of Experimental and Comparative
Psychology. The Johns Hopkins Univer-
sity. Papers from the Tortugas Labora-
tory of the Carnegie Institution of
Washington. II, 1908, 189-255 pages.
11 plates.

While ornithologists must regret that
this, the first adequate study of the nesting
habits of colonial birds, was made by a
naturalist who is not primarily an orni-
thologist, they should be grateful to Dr.
Watson for this unique contribution to
our knowledge of bird-life, as well as for
his admirable exposition of methods of
observation and experimentation which
he has so profitably employed.

Dr. Watson, who, while working under
the auspices of the Carnegie Institution,
incidentally served as a warden of the
National Association of Audubon Socie-
ties, reached Bird Key in the Tortugas
on May 4, and remained there, day and
night, until July 18. He estimated the
avian population of the Key, on the basis
of the number of nests counted, to be 1,400
Noddies and 18,858 Sooty Terns. On
his arrival the birds were beginning to lay;
before his departure young of the year
were flying. Here, then, we havea trained
investigator, an abundance of material,
including two species of birds, and con-
tinuity of observation throughout the
breeding season. Such conditions have
not to our knowledge before been realized,
nor are we familiar with a more important
paper on the life-history of birds.

In addition to a _ detailed, intimate
study of the habits of each species, we are
given the results of a series of carefully
planned experiments designed to test their
intelligence, one of which has already
become widely known as an exceptionally
significant contribution to the study of bird
migration. We refer to the sending of
marked Noddies and Sooties away from
the Key and their release at Key West,
Havana, and off Cape Hatteras, whence

they returned to the Tortugas, on which
we have already commented (Brrp-LoreE,
X, 1908, p. 134).

It is out of the question in this connection
even to outline the results of Dr. Wat-
son’s paper, and we can only urge every
student of bird-life to consult it not alone
for its contained information but more
particularly because of the methods of
research employed.—F. M. C.

BIRDS OF THE BOSTON PUBLIC GARDEN,
A STUDY IN MIGRATION. By HORACE
WINSLOW WRIGHT. Boston and New
York. Houghton, Mifflin & Co. 1909.
16 mo. xili+238 pages; 8 half-tones.

A city park, from the early morning
view-point of the night-migrating bird,
is as much an island of rest and refresh-
ment as though it were surrounded by
water instead of houses. Often the birds,
which, in the country, would have been

distributed over a much larger area, are ©

focused in these small green spaces, there
to remain until they start on another night
journey. Hence birds, as a rule, neither
come to nor depart from these city islands
by day, and the phenomena of migration
are not apt to be confused with merely
local movements or diurnal wanderings.
The record of migration, therefore, is here
written in a few words and a plain
language which the student may hope to
interpret with comparative ease.

For nine years Mr. Wright has observed
the spring migration of birds in the Boston
Public Garden with a diligence which
bespeaks the enthusiasm of the true bird
lover. ‘‘ Not half a dozen days in the eight
seasons subsequent to the year of begin-
ning, have the visit and the record been
admitted after the season had opened”’.
As a result we have a fully annotated list
of the 116 species which have been seen
in the Common or Public Garden, and an
introduction on the general subject of
migration possessing far more than local
interest and value.

(178)

on 5 ota ie

Book News
Mr. Wright, for example, finds that
birds arrive periodically rather than

nightly and, consequently, that migrants
remain in the garden over one or more
nights after their arrival. Migration,
therefore, is not continuous, but is accom-
plished by a succession of flights between
which no newcomers will be found.

Mr. Wright’s habit of recording the
number of individuals, as well as the names
of the species observed, gives us some
interesting data in regard to the make-up
of the mixed bird companies one encoun-
ters during migration. For example,
thirty-three Warblers seen on May 19,
1900, represented no less than 16 species;
while four days later 32 Warblers repre-
sented 15 species; and on May 16, 1905,
37 Warblers of 18 species were recorded.

The little book abounds in interesting
details of this kind, and tempts quotation
more strongly than many a _ weightier
volume. We commend it, therefore, very
cordially to all field students, without
reference to the distance which they live
from Boston Common.—F. M. C.

A BIBLIOGRAPHY OF CALIFORNIA ORNI-
THOLOGY. By JOSEPH GRINNELL. A
contribution from the Museum of Verte-
brate Zodlogy of the University of Cali-
fornia. Pacific Coast Avifauna No. 5.
Published by the Cooper Ornithological
Club. 1909. Royal 8vo. 166 pages.
The literature of American ornithology

has increased so enormously since the

publication of Coues’ bibliography in

1878, that without additional compilations

it has become impossible for us to keep

account of our constantly growing stock
of information. This is particularly true
of the state treated by the bibliography in
question, about five-sixths of the titles
included by Mr. Grinnell, relating to
publications which have appeared since

1878. It may be added that although this

bibliography covers a period of 111 years

(1797-1907) over one-half the papers

listed have appeared during the seventeen

years since the Cooper Ornithological

Club was founded.

It is needless to say that Mr. Grinnell’s
task is admirably done; his brief anno-

and Reviews 179
tations are to the point, and to the bibliog-
raphy proper are added a number of
indices which greatly increase the refer-
ence value of the work.—F. M. C.

[NDEX TO THE BULLETIN OF THE COOPER
ORNITHOLOGICAL CLuB, Vol. 1, 1899,
and its continuation THE Conpor, Vols.
II-X, 1900-1908. Compiled and edited
by HENRY BARROILHET KAEDING. Pa-
cific Coast Avifauna No. 6. Published
by the Cooper Ornithological Club.
1gog. Royal. 8vo. iv+48 pages.

It goes without saying that every stu-
dent of the bird-life of western North
America should have access to ‘The Con-
dor,’ and it is equally true that to every
one who has occasion to refer to the pages
of this excellent magazine this index to
its first ten volumes should be available.

We congratulate the Cooper Club on
the admirable showing which this synopsis
of the work of its first decade reveals,
and join with other ornithologists in
thanking Mr. Kaeding for adding to our
library an exceedingly useful volume.—

I IES (Ge

[British] Brrps In THEIR HAuNTS. By
the late Rev. C. A. Jouns. Edited, re-
vised and annotated by J. A. Owen.
With 64 colored plates (256 figures), by
William Foster. New York. E. P. Dut-
ton & Co. 8vo. xxvi+ 326 pages.

In this new edition of Mr. John’s work
the text is brought up to date by Mr.
Owen, and the publishers have added a
series of drawings by William Foster,
figuring every species in color. The text
is readable and informing, the illustra-
tions satisfactory, those of the larger
birds particularly, showing Mr. Foster
to be a bird artist of exceptional ability.
The work, therefore, makes a_ useful
handbook of British birds.—F. M. C.

Mic Rosin: His Story. By Emma C.

CRUMMER. With Illustrations by the
Author. W. F. Crummer, Oak Park,
Ill. 1909. r2mo. 120 pages.

‘“‘Migratoria Robin” is here made to tell
the story of his youth and growth, his
migrations, courtship, nest-building and
home-life, together with various experi-

180

ences with his neighbor man,—the aim
being to interest young people in bird-life
through the adoption of an intimate and
personal point of view. It is to be regretted
that the realism of the text could not have
been furthered by actual photographs of
living Robins rather than by drawings,
which we fear ‘“‘Mig Robin” would not
always endorse.—F. M. C.

WANDERINGS IN SouTH AMERICA, THE
NORTHWEST OF THE UNITED STATES
AND THE ANTILLESIN THE YEARS 1812,
1816, 1820 and 1824. By CHARLES
WaTERTON. Including a Memoir of the
Author by Norman Moore. With Illus-
trations and a Brief Introduction by
Charles Livingston Bull. New York.
Sturgis and Walton Company. 1909.
12mo. xxvi+338 pages. 16 plates in
tint.

The republication from time to time of
classics like Waterton’s ‘Travels’ is an
excellent reminder of the continued claims
to our attention of the work of these pio-
neer naturalists. The present edition of
Waterton is most attractive; but we think—
and we believe that Waterton would agree
with us—that the publishers have been
unfortunate in their choice of an artist.
However artistic Mr. Bull’s drawings may
be, they are better adapted to illustrate the
tales of Kipling or fancies of Roberts than
Waterton’s more literal text; while the use
of a colored ink, which produces species
unknown to science, and the placing of the
caption “‘Egret’”? under the Jabiru plate,
would we imagine have been resented by
Mr. Waterton with characteristic vigor.—
1 ies ew OF

The Ornithological Magazines

THE Conpor.—The March ‘Condor’
opens with an instructive paper, by H. S.
Swarth, on the ‘Distribution and Molt of
Mearns Quail,’ illustrated by a map of the
bird’s range in the United States and two
figures showing various stages of the molt.
An interesting contribution to the discus-
sion of ‘The Popular Names of Birds’
is furnished by Dr. Dwight, who, with
characteristic humor, shows some of the

Bird -

Lore

disadvantages of dropping the possessive
form of personal names, and pleads for
greater uniformity in the common names
of subspecies.

Mailliard describes a ‘Nest of the Dusky
Poor - Will,’ found near San Geronimo,
Cal., on July 22, rg08, and Stephens
contributes some important ‘Notes on the
California Black Rail.’ The latter bird
is shown to be probably resident in
the salt marshes along the coast of southern
California, where it breeds in March and
April, nesting in the Salicornia, and laying
from four to eight eggs. ‘Among the
Thrashers in Arizona’ is the title of a paper
by Gilman, evidently based on consider-
able field work, for the author mentions
five species and states that in 1908 he made
notes on the nests of 1 Leconte, 27 Palmer,
39 Bendire and 45 Crissal Thrashers,
in all rr2 nests. Bowles ‘Notes on Parus
rujescens in western Washington’ are
confined. chiefly to observations on the
nesting habits of the bird in the vicinity of
Tacoma, showing that the set of seven
eggs is usually deposited the second week
in May, and the number may vary from
six to nine. The most extended article is
Smith’s ‘Observations on Some Birds
found in Southern Mexico,’ near Cuer-
navaca, fifty miles southwest of the city
of Mexico.

Among the brief notes should be men-
tioned the record, by H. W. Marsden,
apparently the first for the state, of the
capture of the Chestnut-sided Warbler
(Dendroica pensylvanica), near Sherwood,
Mendocino Co., Calif., September 21,
1908; and the finding by Howard Wright
of the ancient Murrelet (Synthliboram-
phus antiquus), at San Pedro, Calif.,
Jan, 23, 1908.—T. S. P.

Book News

PROFESSOR WALLACE CRatc, who has
been for some years studying the Pigeons
in Professor Whitman’s columbarium,
presents American Journal of Sociol-
ogy (XIV, 1908, pp. 86-100) a_ brief
preliminary statement of the results of
his labors in advance of their later pub-

a
E

;
5

Book News and Reviews

lication in detail, in book form. The paper
treats of the social life of Pigeons during
the nesting season, with particular refer-
ence to the voice as ‘“‘a means of influencing
the behavior of individuals, so as to bring
them into co6peration, one with another.”

In ‘Methods of Recording and Utiliz-
ing Bird-Migration Data’ (Proceedings
Academy Natural Science, Philadelphia,
1908, pp. 128-156), Mr. Witmer Stone
discusses the problems which have con-
fronted all compilers of migration records,
and suggests various means of presen-
tation in a manner which will interest all
who have to do with this subject.

BULLETIN No. 3 of the Vermont Bird
Club (Carlton D. Howe, Secretary,
Essex Junction) contains some _ thirty
pages of papers and notes relating to
Vermont birds, the most important of
which is Mrs. Elizabeth B. Davenport’s
‘Summer Birds of Mt. Mansfield and
Region Adjacent to the Base of the Moun-

tain’ (pp. 5-12).

THE Kansas University Science Bulletin
for September, 1908 (pp. 377-388), con-
tains ‘Notes on Some [40] Northern Ari-
zona Birds’, made by the author, Alex
Wetmore, at Williams, Arizona, between
February 24 and April 1, 1907.

‘Some Birds of Molakai’ by Wm. Alan-
son Bryan (Occasional Papers of the B.
P. Bishop Museum, IV, No. 2, Honolulu,
1908) contains interesting bio-
graphical matter.

much

WE are in receipt of a copy of the new
edition of Mr. C. A. Reed’s popular ‘ Bird
Guide’ (Worcester, Mass., 1909), in which
the line cuts of the first edition are re-
placed by four-color illustrations. The
result, from both an artistic and scientific
point of view, is a marked improvement,
the new figures being both more pleasing
and more accurate than those of the first
edition. It is to be regretted that Mr.
Reed did not also revise the text of this
useful and convenient manual and thus
bring it up to the standard of his excellent
plates.

181

THE Bulletin of the Buffalo Society of
Natural Sciences (Vol. IX, tr1909, pp.
134-148) contains an interesting article
by Ottomar Reinecke on the Woodcock,
fully illustrated with photographs by
James Savage and E. Reinecke, and draw-
ings by William Wild. The photographs
are excellent and have that interest and
value always attached to direct records
from nature. The drawings, on the other
hand, while no doubt good artistically,
show what may follow when the human
eye rather than the eye of the camera tells
the story. Thus a Woodcock’s nest is
shown with five eggs, a number so un-
usual as to be considered abnormal, while
a sketch of the bird on the nest makes it
a conspicuous dark figure against a light
background, instead of being marvelously
fused with its background as the photo-
graphs admirably depict it.

PUBLICATION No. 103 of the Carnegie
Institution of Washington contains (pp.
139-151) ‘A Contribution to the Life-
Histories of the Booby (Sula leucogastra)
and Man-o’-War Bird (fregata aquila)’
by Frank M. Chapman, in which it is
claimed that Audubon’s record of the
breeding of this Booby in the Tortugas
was based on the Red-footed Booby (Sula
piscator) and that there is no authentic
record of the breeding of the Man-o’-
War Bird in Florida.

‘THE Crow as a Menace to Poultry
Raising’ is the subject of a paper by Leon
J. Cole in the report of the Rhode Island
Agricultural Experiment Station for 1908
(pp. 312-316). Doctor Cole expresses his
belief that while some Crows may destroy
the eggs and young of poultry, we should
not for that reason offer a bounty on
Crows, but should leave the matter for
local adjustment ‘‘for in those localties
where Crows are proving harmful this
should in itself act as an incentive for les-
sening their numbers, while if they are do-
ing no harm or are perhaps of benefit in
other places, a bounty will work against
its own ultimate ends, namely, the inter-
ests of the agriculturist.”

182

BHird- Lore

A Bi-monthly Magazine
Devoted to the Study and Protection of Birds
OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE AUDUBON SOCIETIES
Edited by FRANK M. CHAPMAN
Published by THE MACMILLAN COMPANY

Published August 1, 1909 No. 4

SUBSCRIPTION RATES

Price in the United States, Canada and Mexico twenty cents
a number, one dollar a year, postage paid.

COPYRIGHTED, 1909, BY FRANK M. CHAPMAN

a

Bird-Lore‘s Motto:
A Bird in the Bush is Worth Two in the Hand

MOopeERN nature study, according to its
leading exponents, is merely natural
science for young folks; and your true
teacher of nature study aims to be as
accurate in opening the the child’s mind
to the wonder and beauty of natural
laws as he would attempt to be in present-
ing the results of original research before
a body of his peers.

Nevertheless, we are told by a writer in
the May issue of the ‘Nature-Study Re-
view,’ that “the aim in nature-study”’ is
to arouse “‘sympathy for all that is good
in life’? without regard to whether such
sympathy be based on “‘fact”’ or ‘‘fiction.”’
In other words, the true story of the marvel
of life, in all its endless manifestations,
is not in itself sufficiently marvelous, but
must be supplemented by the products of
minds in which imagination vainly strives
to make up for ignorance.

No teacher familiar with the known
facts in bird-life will ever feel the neces-
sity of resorting to fiction to stimulate the
interest or arouse the sympathy of children
in the real bird; and it should go without
saying that the real, lasting value of the
knowledge on which such interest and
sympathy is based is in direct proportion
to its accuracy.

Ir is rather unfortunate that the editor
of the ‘Bulletin’ of the New York Zo6-
logical Society should state, in the June
issue of that publication, that, “even down
to 1896, the scientific ornithologists of

Bird - Lore

America, as a body, had done absolutely
nothing in the cause of bird protection.”
Wholly aside from the exhibition of a per-
sonal animus which this statement obvi-
ously exhibits, it is untrue.

Any one who writes on the subject
should know that the present bird protec-
tion movement in this country originated
with the American Ornithologists’ Union,
which, in 1885, the year after its organi-
zation, appointed a “‘Committee on the
Protection of Native Birds,’’ with William
Brewster as chairman. From this com-
mittee sprang the first Audubon Society.
Its Bulletin No. 1, published in 1886, is
still one of the most effective and con-
vincing documents in relation to bird
protection which has ever appeared;
while its Bulletin No. 2, published later
in the same year, contained the first draft
of what has since become widely known
as the A. O. U. ‘Model Law,’ and which
is now in force in nearly every state and
territory of the Union.

Since the dates mentioned, the members
of the American Ornithologists’ Union
have led the fight for the better protection
of our birds. It was the A. O. U. com-
mittee, under its chairman, William
Dutcher, which dispensed the Thayer
Fund, and largely from this phase of the
committee’s work the National Associa-
tion of Audubon Societies developed.
Every director of this Association is a
member of the American Ornithologists’
Union; and all have taken an active part
in bird-protective work.

Let us also remember that, in 1883, at
the first meeting of the American Ornithol-
ogists’ Union, there was appointed a com-
mittee, with Dr. C. Hart Merriam as chair-
man, which two years later, as a result of
an appeal made by the Union to Congress,
became the Division of Economic Mam-
malogy and Ornithology of the United
States Department of Agriculture, and is
now the Bureau of Biological Survey. To
the “scientific ornithologists’? who com-
pose this Bureau we are indebted for fully
go per cent of the facts on which any log-
ical, effective plea for the conservation of
bird-life must of necessity be based.

I i 8 i Sar a hw |

&

HOUSE WREN

Order—P. s Family—TROGLODYTIDA

Genus—TROGLODYTES Species—AEDON

THE HOUSE WREN

By MABEL OSGOOD WRIGHT

Che Mational Association of Audubon Societies

EDUCATIONAL LEAFLET NO. 39

interest, we have heard a great deal of vanishing species and of the dis-

couraging side of the matter, while far less has been said about the increase
of certain species of our most familiar birds, which can be still further augmented
by a little care.

We cannot prevent, if we would, the trend of civilization that drains and
reclaims the marshes and swampy woods dear to the water-fowl and so-called
shore-birds. We cannot check, or even guide, the over-thrifty forestry that does
away with the moss-grown stumps—picturesque in their decay,—and fills up
with cement every crack or knot-hole suitable for Owl, Chickadee, Nuthatch,
or Woodpecker; but there are a dozen birds still abundant upon which we depend
for home music, the concerts of the garden and nearby fields, and it is possible
to keep these with us indefinitely if we only see that suitable nesting-places
are left them, or lacking these, provide substitutes.

Rare species may grow rarer, to the despair of the ornithologists who desire
to collect them for the purpose of study or exchange. The Ruffed Grouse and
Quail are disappearing from many old-time hunting-grounds, but hereabouts,
this summer, the dozen species of song birds upon which we depend were never
more numerous or in better voice.

Run oyer this list and you will find that it furnishes both soloists and the
chorus: Wood Thrush, Brown Thrasher, Robin, Catbird, Song Sparrow, Gold-
finch, Baltimore Oriole, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Meadowlark, Bobolink,
Red-eyed Vireo and, last and least in size, though not in importance, the House
Wren.

You may not be able to offer the Brown Thrasher the bit of thick brush that
he loves, the Oriole a high swaying elm or the Meadowlark and Bobolink a
field that either remains uncut, or where the haying is delayed beyond nesting-
time, but very cramped and bare must be the suburban home that does not
offer the Robin and the House Wren a lodging. As for the latter bird of the keen
eye, sharp tongue and eloquent tail, there is positively no excuse for being without

one or more pairs of them.

The family of Mockers and Thrashers to which our House Wren, together
with his numerous cousins of tropical America, belongs, is a most interesting
one, and though containing two distinct sub-families, the species of both have
strongly marked characteristics in common. While the Mockers have the greatest

yin CE the work of bird protection has become a matter of international

(183)

184 Bird - Lore

reputation as colloquial vocalists, the Thrashers have almost the same ability
even though their songs are less sustained; and the songs of our native Wrens
equal either in volume, if the size of the bird is considered.

There are eight species of Wrens locally common to the United States east of
the Rockies, whenever the region is thickly brushed enough to suit their necessi-
ties, and of these three Bewick’s and the House Wren are sufficiently sociable,
not only to prefer to nest near homes, but to quickly take to nesting-boxes in
preference to the ugual crannies and tree holes or the brush heaps in which they
spend so much time creeping to and fro, sometimes in pursuit of insect food
and sometimes it seems in a spirit of pure restlessness.

On some morning in the last week in April, preferably after a night of rain
with wind, we come to consciousness with the knowledge that the morning
song is pervaded by new tones. Presently the voice of the Thrasher is heard
giving direction to an imaginary gardener about his planting; the Catbird has
once more possessed himself of his point of vantage on top of a clothes-post;
the Wood Thrush sings from the dogwood on the edge between garden and
woods, and an unrepeatable burst of melody from the corner of the porch
close under the window draws your attention to the little reddish, olive-brown
bird balancing there, with tail and eyes turned skyward, though you know before
you look that it is Johnny Wren who has returned, and that, pert as he looks, he
will be very soon taking housekeeping orders from the Jenny of his choice.

In a day or two Jenny, or rather a number of Jennys, will appear, and then
follows a month of the most active courtship in the world of song birds. Active?
I had almost said quarrelsome, for such it usually seems; but then a mere human
being may not be able to distinguish between Wren repartee and the actual
“back talk” of real anger.

Whichever it may be, the pastime occupies nearly all the month of apple-
blossoms, the serious nest-huilding not beginning until the last week of May,
in spite of the fact that a pair of House Wrens have been known to rear three
broods of six each in a single season.

For prolific birds such as these, whose cleanly habits lead them to prepare
a new home for each brood, it will be seen that the possibility of finding suitable
nesting-places is a matter of the first importance, as for such ardent insect eaters
the food supply is always at hand during the season—from April to October—
that they are with us.

The old-fashioned farm was the Wren’s paradise, as well as that of the Barn
Swallow, Chimney Swift and Phoebe; though the barn buildings were frequently
too close to the house for the best of human sanitation, and the various appur-
tenances were collected with a view of “being handy” rather than with an eye to
order and precision. Here Jenny and Johnny would locate their first nest in an
empty tin can upon one of the cowshed rafters, filling all the space not absolutely
needed by a mass of small dry sticks; for, above all things, the Wrens seem to
esteem coziness, and if a nook or apartment has too high a ceiling they immedi-

The House Wren 185

ately do away with this objectionable feature by raising the floor. It is well to
keep this requirement in mind when making Wren boxes. A house 4x 4x 6
inches, with a sloping roof to shed water and an opening two inches from the
bottom, and not more than one inch in diameter, will not only meet all require-
ments but help to repulse the innocently pestilent English Sparrow.

The six or eight purplish brown eggs, sometimes darker at the larger end,
in due course turn into little birds that require a deal of tending; and so rapid
is the process of digestion with these very warm-blooded animals that the excreta
is removed almost as fast at the food is supplied and, strangely enough, appears
to exceed the food in bulk; but then it must be remembered that the food is of
the most highly concentrated and nutritious animal matter.

What a thrifty housewife Jenny is! Not a speck or splash is allowed to drop
near the dwelling, and often before the nestlings have actually taken wing, she
is varying her marketing trip by a hunt for dwelling number two.

In searching the outbuilding sacred to tools and general litter to be “mended
some wet day,”’ for the little bags of spider eggs that are so very appetizing to
mother bird as well as the children, Jenny spied an old stone jug that had gone
once too often with cider to the hayfield and come in contact with a rock. Badly
cracked but not broken, it was pushed back on the shelf, neck out. At once curious
and restless Jenny explored the short neck and, finding it much to her liking,
sent Johnny to collect twigs for filling the unnecessary space while she finished
preparing her youngsters to take wing, finding it convenient to leave an egg in
the new nest before she had quite shaken off the care of the first family.

Whether the cider-jug home was too hot, or whether the mice with which the
tool house was filled became too inquisitive, this second home was abandoned
after a few days of incubation. On breaking the jug to see what had happened
to the eggs after the Wren had flown off to find new quarters for a third venture,
evidence pointed to the bird or birds having destroyed their own eggs in a fit of
temper or disgust at their surroundings. Each egg was perforated by a single
sharp thrust that could not have come from the teeth of a mouse, and the con-
tents of the egg had not been otherwise disturbed.

Such a state of things I once practically saw happen under my very eyes,
though, lacking color distinction, I could not tell whether the male or female
was the egg-piercer. The nest was in a small house in the porch vine. One morn-
ing, a few days after incubation had begun, the return of one bird was heralded
by violent scolding on the part of the one sitting. Then both flew about lunging
at each other and fighting desperately. One bird, rather worsted, stopped to
rest, wings spread and panting, when immediately the other flew into the house
and proceeded to scratch and break the furniture. Then this one came out and
flew away. Next day neither appeared and I found the eggs pierced each with
a single thrust.

The third nest that the old farm Wrens built was inside the north window-
blind of the best room of the farmhouse, a window seldom opened between

186 Bird - Lore

spring and fall house-cleaning. As it was then the first week in August, the location,
sheltered alike from sun and thunder-showers, was evidently appreciated. This
third brood, to the number of five, prospered.

It can be easily seen by those who wish to have Wrens about their places
that house-room must be provided, as the English Sparrow is likely to take to
himself many of the old haunts. However, the box with the one-inch opening
is as yet a problem to the Sparrow, or the red squirrel, though the latter can and
will enlarge the hole unless it be edged with tin. Make your houses of the right
size, not one or two, but a dozen. Think out the location and see that they are
at least partly protected from sun. Do not put the houses too close together,
Madam Wren is a bad neighbor and her temper is as quick as her flight.

At the end of the season clear the old nests from the house. A Wren can carry
and lay unbelievably long twigs, but to undo the work is too great a trial of
patience. Last year a series of a dozen of my Wren boxes remained unoccupied
because they had not been emptied. Nests in nooks and corners fall apart in the
wind and winter weather, but those in houses stiffen and are hard to remove even
with human fingers, unless the roof of the box can be unhooked.

Under proper auspices the House Wren is increasing, and if it is not doing
this in your neighborhood may it not be your own fault? Once established in a
locality, the Wren clings to it. This year, other space failing, a pair have made a
strange nest ina house-maid’s pail that was hung, bottom upwards, to air on a
stake behind a trellis where they had once nested. The pail had a slightly in-
curved edge and between this and the supporting stake they built a narrow.
platform up toward the bottom of the pail, which acted as a roof. The structure
was made of sticks, which it seemed impossible that so small a bird could lift,
much less turn endwise and carry through the round meshes of the trellis. The
nest when finished was of the shape of that of the Eave Swallow, the supporting
stake holding it against the side of the pail.

“What shall we do?” I said to the maid, on being shown the nest, which was
well outlined between the morning and the evening of the first day. “‘ My, but the
work of them!” was her admiring reply. “Leave them have it; I can do with
something else, for it’s a sin to discourage that much pluck when it trusts you
for the lend of the pail.”

More of this spirit will mean many more Wrens about our houses.

Questions for Teachers and Students

What are the common song-birds of your neighborhood? Are they increasing or
decreasing in numbers? What can we do to assist in their increase? When do you first
see the House Wren? How long does it remain? When does it begin to nest? In what
kind of sites have you found nests? Of what is the nest composed? How many eggs
are laid? How many families are raised in a season? On what are the young fed ?

The Audubon Docieties

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT

Edited by WILLIAM DUTCHER

Address all correspondence, and send all remittances for dues and contributions to
the National Association of Audubon Societies, 141 Broadway, New York City

A Reason Why the Trade in Aigrettes
Should Be Suppressed

During the summer of 1908 two small
colonies of Snowy Egrets were discovered
on the South Carolina coast and every
effort was made to give them complete
protection. Notwithstanding all that was
done, both of these rookeries were ‘‘shot
out”? quite recently. The perpetrators
of the outrage were discovered and war-
rants were issued by a magistrate, at the
instance of the South Carolina Audubon
Society’s warden, for the arrest of Arthur
Lambert (white) and Robert Green
(colored) charged with trespass and with
shooting Egrets. The warden and con-
stable of the Trial Justice found these
two men on a steamboat and when they
attempted to arrest them, the captain of
the boat refused to allow the arrest to be
made upon his vessel. The constable
thereupon took passage on the boat with
the idea of arresting both men when they
landed. Just before the boat reached the
landing where the men were to get off,
Lambert took a life preserver and jumped
overboard and swam to shore in a swamp.
On arriving at the landing where the
negro got off, the constable was unable
to serve his warrant without its being
countersigned by the nearest Trial Justice;
it being in a different district. By the time
this had been done the negro also got away.

The warrants have now been placed
in the hands of the sheriff of the county
for service. One of the colonies raided
consisted of about fifty birds, of which
only twelve escaped.

The Aigrette dealers of New York City
claim that no North American stock is
used. The above incident, however,
shows that, whenever and wherever White

Egrets are found in this country, they are
at once killed for the millinery market,
and until the sale of Aigrettes is absolutely
prohibited, the few remaining Egrets
are in danger and the two North American
species cannot escape extermination.—
W. D.

The Brown-tail Moth

At the hearing in March on the Francis
Bill, the Forest Fish and Game Committee
of the Assembly were told by Mr. Forbush,
Ornithologist of the state of Massachu-
setts, and by the President of the National
Association, that in a short time it was
probable that both the Brown-tail and
Gypsy Moths would be found in the state
of New York, and this Committee was
warned in the most positive language that
should these pests become established in
this state, that future Legislatures would,
within five years, be called upon to appro-
priate hundreds of thousands of dollars
each year to fight these pests.

When this warning was given to the
Committee, it was little thought that
within a few weeks that one of these pests
would be found in the state. In the ‘New
York Times’ of July 1, there appeared
an editorial entitled “‘ Fight the Brown-tail
Moth,” in which it stated that this moth
has now appeared in the state, and it
urges the Agricultural Department to be
lavish in spending money to exterminate
it.

This incident shows very forcibly how
great a wrong was committed by the last
Legislature of the state in defeating the
Francis Bill. Larger numbers of wild
birds will be a more effective means of
stamping out these pests than any other
method.—W. D.

(187)

188

Law Enforcement in Oregon

Last February the Oregon Audubon
Society sent out warning notices to all the
milliners of the state calling attention
to the decision rendered by the Supreme
Court of the United States in the Silz
case, and stating that hereafter
would be taken against any firm having
in possession for sale any part of the plum-
age of Herons, Terns, Gulls, Grebes,
Ibis and other birds protected under the
statute. Although the Model Bird Law
was passed in Oregon in 1903, the milli-
ners had claimed the right of selling
plumes that were imported, because the
law did not state specifically that it was
unlawful to sell plumes “whether taken
within or without the state.”

In addition to the warning notices, the
matter was given publicity in the various
papers, but the milliners paid no attention.
On April 2, Mr. William L. Finley, Presi-
dent of the Oregon Audubon Society,
arrested ten of the proprietors of the lead-
ing millinery establishments of Portland
and seized a quantity of plumage as evi-
dence. On April 6, the two leading de-
partment stores of the city, Lipman,
Wolfe & Co. and Meier & Frank, al-
though arrested the first time, failed to
withdraw all the forbidden plumage and
were again arrested. The following week
when these cases came up for trial, all
the milliners pleaded guilty. In view of
the fact that they promised to ship out of
the state within two weeks all plumage
that is forbidden under the law, and since
the largest firms showed telegrams and
letters countermanding orders for fall
aigrettes to the extent of several thousand
dollars, a nominal fine of ten dollars was
imposed for the first offense and twenty
dollars for the second.

In order to protect the few remaining
White Herons in southern Oregon and to
give protection to Grebes, Terns and other
birds nesting on Klamath Lake Reserva-
tion and Malheur Lake Reservation, the
Oregon Audubon Society recentiy raised
a fund of $300 to assist the National
Association in paying for warden services

action

Bird - Lore

in this part of the country. Mr. L. A.
Lewis, of Klamath Falls, has been ap-
pointed warden in charge of Klamath
Reservation, and Mr. Claude Hibbard, of
Burns, has charge of Malheur Reservation.
—WILLIAM L. FINLEY.

Report of Warden of Klamath Lake Res-
ervation. Month Ending May 31, 1909

Conditions on the reservation have
been satisfactory during the month just
ended. In not a single instance have I
learned of a hunter being on the Govern-
ment lands of the Reservation. Hunters
seem to be afraid to violate Government
regulations on the reservation and keep
off entirely.

I have spent, during the month, twenty-
two days patrolling the reserve, and the
balance of the time working on cases on
the border of Oregon and California,
assisting the game wardens of the two
states. No arrests have been made this
month, but one or two cases are being
worked up under the state laws, in which
I believe arrests will be made shortly.

During the month I have made a dis-
covery of by far the largest Pelican colony
on the reserve, in a place I never expected
to find nests. I had noticed many Pelicans
flying around this portion of the reserve,
but supposed, from appearances, it was
merely a fishing-ground. There were at
least 1,500 nests in this colony, together
with 400 or 500 Cormorant nests. I have
found altogether on the reserve at least
600 Blue Heron nests. Very few Grebe
are nesting on the reserve this year—mute
testimony of the inroads of previous
market hunting. A few Gulls and Terns
are also nesting, but very few. No Caspian
Terns have appeared, as far as I have
noted.

Various parties, amounting to about
sixty people, have visited the bird colonies,
but only when I was on hand, as I have
made it a point to see that the birds were
not disturbed. The birds, especially
Pelicans, are very tame, and it is possible
to get as close as ten feet to nesting Peli-
cans.—L. AtvA Lrewis, Warden.

The Audubon Societies

News from Texas

During a full term and two extra ses-
sions, the Texas Audubon Society main-
tained a committee at Austin for work with
the Legislature, seeking betterments of
the Texas bird and game law, and making
a strong fight against the enactment of
objectionable amendments, several of the
latter having been offered with rather
formidable support. In procuring amend-
ments for the improvement of the law we
cannot claim to have been very successful,
for we lost all we asked for, except one,
which provides for a residence license fee,
to go to the support of the state warden

system. Otherwise, the bird and game law

remains unchanged, and it is good for the
purposes, having withstood all the tests
of the courts.

We asked for a provision under which
the Bureau of Biological Survey of the
United States could send its experts into
the field to take birds for scientific pur-
poses, at all seasons. We also asked that
this clause should permit an expert each
representing four of the most important
universities of the state to take birds for
the purpose of stomach analysis in the
interests of science, and for the benefit of
the farmers. That was an important
amendment, and it was lost, although it
was properly safeguarded. The privilege
of taking birds for scientific purposes
under the law enacted in 1903 was abused,
and it was impossible to reconcile the Leg-
islature to the enactment of such an
amendment, however much it might be
hedged about with conditions absolutely
preventing abuse. In the matter of the
residence license fee, we asked that it
might cover the entire state, and apply
to all gunners, even such as should shoot
on their own premises. Such a provision
would have eliminated a hoard of objec-
tionable shooters, using cheap guns, but
we could not make the Legislature see
it that way. The resident license amend-
ment exempts persons in their home coun-
ties and in the counties adjacent to their
home counties. Nevertheless, it will do a
world of good, and if the license fees are all

189

collected it will add not less than $50,000
to the state game warden fund, and this
ought to extend actual and efficient pro-
tection throughout the state.

We defeated the annually recurring
effort of the market hunters to open up
the markets for game, and, in doing so,
we gained a great battle, for the attempts
of the market hunters were strongly
backed by misguided and misinformed
citizens and the fight was a hot one.

The series of lectures conducted by the
Texas Audubon Society for over three
years had a wonderful effect, and much
good came to our cause from the visit to
Texas, during the session of the Legisla-
ture, of National Secretary T. Gilbert
Pearson, who lectured in the Auditorium
of the University of Texas, giving stere-
optican views while the Legislature was
in session. Mr. Pearson also visited
Mexico, and started a movement in the
trans-Rio Grande republic which is already
being felt in the codperation of the bird
protectionists of Mexico, along the Texas
border.

During the session of the Legislature
it is estimated that over five thousand let-
ters were written to state senators and
representatives by Audubon men and
women of Texas. All these agencies,
brought to bear at the proper time, had
wonderful effect, and as we are continuing
the work we firmly believe that when the
next Legislature meets we will make a still
further advance. We are delighted to state
that from the time the Texas Audubon
Society took up the fight there has been
no retroversion in the march for the pro-
tection of the wild birds and animals of
this colossal state-—M. B. Davis, Secre-
tary, Texas Audubon Society.

Mosquito Inlet Reservation

Everything is going on very nicely on the
reservation; we have hatched and raised
a large number of birds this year, as there
have been no storms to destroy the young
birds. We have a specially nice lot of
Least Terns. The only enemies of the birds
are a few skunks.—B. J. Pacretti, Warden.

190

A Resolution

May 24, 1909.
AMERICAN MusEuM OF NATURAL HiIs-
TorRY, NEW YORK.

Dear Sir: I have the honor to inform
you that at the meeting of the Trustees of
The American Museum of Natural History,
held May 10, 1909, the following resolution
relative to the protection of birds, was
unanimously adopted:

Resolved, That in view of the decrease
in the numbers of our native birds through
their destruction by millinery and market
hunters, by foreigners, by sportsmen, and
indirectly by the advance of civilization
in claiming their haunts, and further, in
view of the great and growing economic
value of birds as increasing population
creates added demands for their services as
the destroyers of noxious insects, rodents,
the seeds of weeds and as scavengers, and
also because of the rapidly developing
interest in birds as ‘‘the most eloquent
expression of nature’s beauty, joy, and
freedom,”’ the Trustees of The American
Museum of Natural History heartily
endorse the movement of the Audubon and
Zooblogical Societies designed to protect
birds and to diffuse a knowledge of their
economic and esthetic value to man.

Very respectfully yours,
J. HAMPDEN Ross, Secretary.

Mr. WILLIAM DvuTCHER, National Asso-
ciation of Audubon Societies, t41 Broad
way, New York City.

A Plea for the Sharp-shinned Hawk

The writer wishes to enter a mild protest
against certain parts of the leaflet on the
Sharp-shinned Hawk recently published
by the National Association. In discussing
the economic status of this species, it seems
to me that the destruction of song birds
should be considered quite apart from
the destruction of poultry. The former is
of interest chiefly to the bird-lover, the
latter to the raiser of fowls.

The destruction of small birds, by which
the Sharp-shinned Hawk mainly exists,
does not seem important from an economic

Bird - Lore

point of view, for their numbers cannot in-
crease beyond a certain limit, except by
the food supply. The present abundance
of small birds is probably at about this
limit.

It is a well-known fact that every species
of bird is constantly tending to increase
at such a high rate that it is necessary
that there be some check to their numbers.
This check is found largely in the shape of
predatory animals, such as Hawks, and
if these were exterminated, large numbers
of small birds would have a difficult time
obtaining food and many would doubtless
perish from starvation. The Robin may
be used as an illustration of the rapid rate
at which birds tend to multiply. Every
year each pair of Robins tries to raise two
broods of four young each. To be conser-
vative say that the yearly average of each
pair is only four young. At this rate there
would be, at the end of the tenth year,
118,098 Robins, and at the end of the
twentieth year over 20,000,000,000, all the
progeny of one pair.

No doubt it is necessary and right in
order to secure the protection of the law for
the ‘‘ beneficial’? Hawks, to definitely point
out to law-makers and farmers which the
bird-eating species are. But it does not
seem right that the opportunity should be
used to endeavor to prejudice bird-lovers
against the Sharp-shinned Hawk by calling
it a murderer and a ‘‘convicted felon.”

The Red-shouldered and other mouse- —
eating Hawks are just as much murderers ~
as the Sharp-shinned Hawk, and it seems —
to the writer that unless the human critics —
of the Hawk happen to be vegetarians —
they are worse in this respect than the
Hawk. The author of the leaflet says: —
“Tts trade is battle, murder and sudden ~
death, and unfortunately the greater —
number of its victims are the weak and —
defenseless young of game birds and
poultry, and the beautiful and useful —
songsters of field, farm, grove, orchard —
and forest.”

This certainly makes it look very black
against the Hawk at first sight, but when —
we reflect that the wild birds taken by the
Sharp-shin must necessarily perish in a |

a

The Audubon Societies

way or another, is not the “sudden death”
inflicted by the Hawk as good as any?
Also, it is not apparent just why it’s so
unfortunate that the Hawks’ prey are the
“weak and defenseless young.” It is
certainly better that the young be captured
rather than the parents, and better that
they should be defenseless, else a battle
would ensue each time the Hawk captured
its prey.

Judging by the writer’s own experience,
the account related by Mr. Forbush of the
destruction and driving away of birds
near his home by a pair of Sharp-shinned
Hawks is highly unusual. Most of the
Hawks’ hunting is done at some distance
from the nest, and I have always found
small birds abundant in the vicinity.

In most parts of the eastern United
States this species is almost a rare bird in
the nesting season, and for this reason the
breeding birds can do little harm to farm-
ers in general. The discovery of the nest
of this little Hawk is an event to delight
the heart of the bird student, as this gives
one an opportunity to become intimate
with the species that can be gained in no
other way.

While it is too much to expect the aver-
age farmer or sportsman to lose any oppor-
tunity of destroying the Sharp-shinned
Hawk, let nature-lovers personally give
it the same protection that they give to
other beautiful and interesting forms of
lfe—W. DEW. MitiEerR, New Vork
City.

Our Duty to Our Bird Tenants

Epitor BirD-LoRE: I noticed in our
bird magazine, not long since, the seem-
ingly kind offer of free leaflets, on ‘how
to attract the birds to our homes.” On top
of this offer I put the following parable:
“Several small children were playing
in front of a lady’s house. She, being a
lover of little ones, persuaded them to
come into her yard to play. Then through
some home duty, she was called into her
house. Soon terrible screams caused
her to rush out again. What a sight met
_her vision! On the ground bleeding and

IQI

torn of clothes and flesh lay two of the
little ones, over them growling and snap-
ping, stood the next-door neighbor’s
bull-dog. He had squeezed himself
through a hole in the lady’s back-yard
fence, which she had neglected to repair.
His dislike of children caused the dire
calamity.

The wounds, together with the nervous
shock, resulted in the death of one of
those helpless, trusting children. That
lady, whether she recognized the fact or
not, was certainly one of the means to-
ward that death. She gave those little
ones the impression that her yard was not
only a pleasant spot, but also a safe place
to stay. Her thoughtless neglect to first
make it safe before inviting in the children
resulted in that terrible pain and that
death.”

For eight years, I have had the oppor-
tunity, possessed by few, of studying
bird life, and I warn, solemnly warn, our
Audubon Society, there is a hole, a very
large hole in its back-yard fence, and the
birds by thousands are going to their
death, through our neglect to first attend
to that hole before we attract them to our
homes.

By putting up boxes for nests, by feed-
ing the birds, we plainly say to them, ‘“‘ Our
yard isa pleasant, safe place to stay. ’’ We
are too busy to watch them continually;
the result, our little pets suddenly disap-
pear altogether, or we come across portions
of their mangled forms or bunches of their
feathers on our lawns.

We, in this neighborhood, have abso-
lutely no trouble in persuading the birds
to come. Our trouble consists in keeping
them after they do come. Is seems but
natural for them to pass over this well-
wooded strip of land bordering on Lake
Michigan, when migrating to their summer
and winter quarters. When unmolested,
they remain weeks with us; many of them
decide to stay as long as the weather per-
mits. But alas! their decision only means
their death through the hole in the fence—
cats!

We are a community of homes, lovers
of flowers and birds. Unfortunately every

192

now and then “renters”? move into the
neighborhood, bringing with them their
cats. This spring, just a stone’s throw
on the north from one of my Warbler
boxes, came five cats in this manner. About
twice as far on the south, lives a renter
with six cats. With such odds to meet,
I feel safe in saying, only a miracle per-
formed by the Lord can save the lives of
that pair of birds and its brood when
hatched.

It is said, upon good authority, that,
were all the birds suddenly killed, in seven
years, man would be unable to exist upon
this earth, the increase of insects and
worms would be so great. Birds then,
being of such untold usefulness to man,
ought to have the help of the law to protect
them from their terrible enemy, cats.

I positively know of birds by the hun-
dred that have been destroyed by my
neighbors’ cats, and have grave fears that
if we as a Society do not soon do some-
thing to prevent this terrible slaughter,
we who live in or near cities will not know
what a bird looks like, except through
Sparrows. This class of birds is the only
one that can multiply fast enough to keep
ahead of the work of the civilized (?) cat.

I fail to understand why cats are not
taxed as well as dogs. Were they taxed, it
would put a vast number out of com-
mission, and thus would the lives of count-
less birds be saved.

Just a few words in conclusion. Some
have accused me of being prejudiced
against the cat. These accusers argue
“the cat is God’s creature, as well as the
bird, the one has as much right to life and
freedom as has the other.”

I cannot blame the cat for his mis-
deeds. It is as natural now in his perverted
state to kill birds as it is for him to breathe.
No fence is high enough to keep him out
of our yard. He scratches out our seeds,
destroys plantlets, rare plants,
causing us waste of time, strength and
money. It certainly is not a feeling of
injustice toward the creature to wish him
out of existence or so restrained by his
owner as to be impossible to interfere
with our interests; and it is simply my

ruins

Bird -

Lore

honest belief that if people willfully or
thoughtlessly so far fail to live up to the
Golden Rule as to harbor uselessly that
which causes losses, distress of mind and
pain of heart to those living near, then in
some manner the law should protect and
aid the party being injured thereby.—
MartHa W. Barrows, Chicago, Til.

Bird Day in California

Mrs. Alice M. Park, Chairman Humane
Education Committee of the California
Club, writes that the effort to secure a law
establishing Bird Day in California was
successful, although the law was not se-
cured until after a third and determined
effort had been made. The bill was signed
by the Governor in time to hold the first Bird
and Arbor Day celebration on March 7th
of this year. The time between the signing
of the bill and the day fixed for the cele-
bration was so short that its observation
was not as complete throughout the State
as it is hoped to make it in future years.

Practical Work

At the suggestion of the Ohio Audubon
Society, the boys in the Sixth Grade of the
Public Schools in Cincinnati have made
1,200 bird-boxes which will be distributed
in the parks of that city. Most of the boxes
are for one pair of birds; however, some of
them are apartment houses for the use of
Martins. It is reported that the boys have
entered with great zest into this work. A
twofold good is accomplished; first, the
boys are interested in practical bird pro-
tection, and, secondly, an additional number
of birds will be attracted to the parks.

The South Carolina Society

The indications are that Secretary Rice’s
campaign in Charleston will add about —
three hundred new members to the Audu-
bon Society; he reports considerable en- f
thusiasm amongst the business men and ‘
others in that place. The Society is in
good shape and is growing in popularity —
every day.—B. F. Tayior, President.

4.
ey

The Foremost Recent Book on Animals

By ERNEST INGERSOLL

LIFE OF ANIMALS: The
Mammals

Second Edition, Enlarged. 555 Pages, Octavo. Decorated Cloth
250 Illustrations. $2 net; By Mail, $2.24.

HE idea of the book is to interest the reader in the life of the four-footed
animals, not in their anatomy, nor in their imaginary sentiments; but in the
part they daily play in the world around them, rather than in their posi-

tion in a museum or a scheme of classification. This presentation of the theme has
met with general approval. The critic of The Independent believes that it ‘‘contains
just the information about living and extinct species of mammals, especially those
most familiar, which the general non-zodlogical reader demands.’’ Putnam’s Monthly
has declared it ‘‘the best book of its kind which has appeared up to the present
time.’’ Says the Chicago Post: ‘‘Ernest Ingersoll has for a long while been doing fine
work . . . ‘The Life of Animals’ is just the book one wishes might be in every
home where there are children and young people. Mr. Ingersoll has in excellent
degree the knack of presenting in clear, sympathetic and attractive manner scien-
tific information, zodlogical and geological, and with it a free mingling of the his-
torical, the romantic and the adventurous. ‘There is, however, a commendable
absence of the . . . exaggeration of the human-like qualities in animals.’’

Along with this popularity the scientific accuracy of the book is well recognized,
and it has been adopted as a book of instruction in colleges. Nowhere else is so
intelligently traced the relation between the past (fossil history) and the present of
the families in this most important of all animal tribes; nowhere else will be found
explained many curious customs, such as the origin of the habit of storing winter
food, how the opossum came to “‘play ’possum,”’ etc.

By the same author

WILD NEIGHBORS: Outdoor Studies in
the United States

With numerous photographic illustrations. Cloth, $1.50

““Such pleasant books as this of Mr. Ingersoll’s are delightful to both old and
young, and ought to be put into the hands of every lad on the farm.’’—Detroit
Free Press.

THE MACMILLAN COMPANY, PUBLISHERS
NEW YORK

Among Other Issues in the Two Series of

THE AMERICAN SPORTSMAN’S LIBRARY

EDITED BY CASPAR WHITNEY

“No books have ever come before us that so completely fill the want of Sportsmen and
delight the general reader as the volumes in the American Sportsman's Library."

— SHOOTING AND FISHING
THE DEER FAMILY
By the Hon. THEODORE ROOSEVELT, T. E. VAN DYKE, D. G. ELLIOTT
and A. J. STONE
Illustrated by Carl Rungius and others. With Maps by Dr. C. Hart Merriam

SALMON AND TROUT
By DEAN SAGE, W. C. HARRIS, H. M. SMITH and C. H. TOWNSEND
Illustrated by A. B. Frost, Tappan Adney, Martin Justice and others

UPLAND GAME BIRDS
By EDWYN SANDYS and T. S. VAN DYKE
Illustrated by Louis Agassiz Fuertes, A. B. Frost, J. O. Nugent and C. L, Bul

THE WATER-FOWL FAMILY
By L. C. SANFORD, L. B. BISHOP and T. S. VAN DYKE
Illustrated by L. A. Fuertes, A. B. Frost and C. L. Bull

BASS, PIKE, PERCH, AND OTHERS
By JAMES A. HENSHALL, M.D.
Illustrated by Martin Justice and Charles F. W. Mielatz

THE BIG GAME FISHES OF THE UNITED STATES
By CHARLES F. HOLDER
Illustrated by Charles F. W. Mielatz and others

MUSK-OX, BISON, SHEEP AND GOAT
By CASPAR WHITNEY, GEORGE BIRD GRINNELL and OWEN WISTER
Illustrated by Carl Rungius and others

GUNS, AMMUNITION AND TACKLE

THE SHOTGUN, by CAPTAIN A. W. MONEY; THE HUNTING RIFLE,
by HORACE KEPHART; THE THEORY OF RIFLE SHOOTING,
by W. E. CARLIN; THE PISTOL AND REVOLVER, by A. L. A. HIM-
MELWRIGHT, and THE ARTIFICIAL FLY, by JOHN HARRING-
TON KEENE

THE SPORTING DOG
By JOSEPH A. GRAHAM. Fully illustrated

PHOTOGRAPHY FOR THE SPORTSMAN NATURALIST
By L. W. BROWNELL. Fully illustrated from photographs by the author

Cloth, cr. 8vo, gilt top and cover design. Each, $2 net. Postage, 15c.

The Boston Transcript lists these ‘‘accurate and readable illustrated volumes’ as par-
ticularly desirable when “‘with the coming of spring the blood of the Sportsman begins to
tingle, and in the period between the breaking up of the actual winter and the season
afield he turns to the books of sport wherefrom he may gain some hints for the coming
season's campaign.” ‘ Each volume,” says another critic, ‘‘ was written under the di-
rect supervision of Mr. Caspar W hitney, whose qualifications for this undertaking no
one can doubl, and gives ina clear, untechnical, and interesting style, by writers whose
eminence in their respective branc hes enables them to speak with authority and adequacy,
every pertinent detail, . . . and with much entertainment and instruction for the
general reader,’

THE MACMILLAN COMPANY, Publishers, New York

“If I could give a child but one book this year, it would be this,”
was said of

MABEL OSGOOD WRIGHT’S
GRAY LADY AND THE BIRDS

STORIES OF THE The book will be welcomed by adults
BIRD YEAR almost as heartily as by younger readers.
FOR SCHOOL For teachers and parents and all who

believe in bird protection, it provides a
means of sharing their pleasure in bird life
with the children just when they will most
gladly receive it.

AND HOME

With thirty-six plates in
half-tone, and twelve

It is accurate and, on the scientific side,
dependable, but it is far more than that;
it is a fascinating book of stories, a glimpse
into the riches of poetry and fancy asso-
under the supervision ciated with feathered things.

of its President,

in colors, from studies
made for the National
Audubon Association

Decorated cloth, xx + 437 pages
Mr. William Dutcher $1.75 net; by mail, $1.90

By MABEL OSGOOD WRIGHT, author of
BI RDC RAFT A Field Book of Two Hundred Song, Game

and Water Birds. With 80 full-page plates
by Louis AGASSIZ FUERTES.

Eleventh Edition, xii + 317 pages,
flexible cloth, rounded corners, $2 net

and, with Dr. ELLIOTT COUES
CITIZEN BIRD SCENES FROM BIRD- LIFE IN PLAIN

ENGLISH FOR BEGINNERS. Profusely
Illustrated by LOUIS AGASSIZ FUERTES.

Cr., 8 vo. $1.50 net, postage 17 cents”
This was described by C. H. M., in Science, as “ by far the best bird book for

boys and girls yet published in America,’ and the statement has remained undisputed
up to the publication of ‘‘Gray Lady and the Birds,” which is by one of its authors.

THE MACMILLAN COMPANY, Publishers, New York

J. HORACE MCFARKAND CO., MT. PLEASANT PRESS, HARRISBURG, PAs

A New Book by “Barbara”

(MABEL OSGOOD WRIGHT)

THE OPEN WINDOW

Tales of the Months Told by Barbara

Cloth, 12mo, with frontispiece, $1.50

THE OTHER DELIGHTFUL BOOKS BY ‘‘BARBARA’’:

The Garden of a Commuter’s Wife. Iustrated from photographs

‘* Reading it is like having the entry into a home of the class that is the
proudest product of our land, a home where love of books and love of nature go
hand in hand with hearty simple love of ‘folks.’ . . . It is a charming
book.’’—The Interior.

The People of the Whirlpool Illustrated

“©The whole book is delicious, with its wise and kindly humor, its just
perspective of the true values of things, its clever pen pictures of people and
customs, and its healthy optimism for the great world in general.’’—Phila-
delphia Evening Telegraph.

The Woman Errant

‘“ The book is worth reading. It will cause discussion. It is an interesting,
fictional presentation of an important modern question, treated with fascinating
feminine adroitness.’’—Miss JEANETTE GILDER in The Chicago Tribune.

At the Sign of the Fox

“‘Her little pictures of country life are fragrant with a genuine love of nature,
and there is fun as genuine in her notes on rural character. A traveling pieman
is one of her most lovable personages; another is Tatters, a dog, who is humanly
winsome and wise, and will not soon be forgotten by the reader of this very
entertaining book.’’—The New York Tribune.

The Garden, You and I

‘* This volume is simply the best she has yet put forth, and quite too deli-
ciously torturing to the reviewer, whose only garden is in Spain. . . . The
delightful humor which pervaded the earlier books, and without which
Barbara would not be Barbara, has lost nothing of its poignancy, and would
make The Garden, You and I pleasant reading even to the man who
doesn’t know a pink from a phlox or a Daphne cneorum from a Cherokee
rose.’’—Congregationalist.

Each, in decorated cloth binding, $1.50

THE MACMILLAN COMPANY, Publishers

64-66 FIFTH AVENUE, NEW YORK

$1 a Year
20c aCop

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EDITED BY

FRANK M. CHAPMAN

PUBLISHED FOR THE AUDUBON SOCIETIES

The Macmillan Company

HARRISBURG, PA.

LONDON

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Bird - Lore

September - October, 1909

CONTENTS

GENERAL ARTICLES PAGE
FRONTISPIECE. THE BLACK Ducxk’s CouRTSHIP FLIGHT ........£. J. Sawyer..
HH ICOURTSHIPJOF BUACKEDUCKS j—-nie.a- some ere EJ. Sawyer. Los
WOODPECKERS AND JUNE-BUGS ...:........:....--..+...-A. V. Goodpasiure==, 106
A SuccHssruL HAMWURE. dillustrateds: 72-4) eecs epee Norman McClintock... 198
HAWKS GHALLENGES JV ErS@a soon. coe ae aoe Ee oe Dora Read Goodalé.. 204
HAWKS HUNTING ..... -.--------William Cogswell Clarke... 205
Two WARBLER PrgroGr. APHS. <itiustated.. er ed ies ae Albert Morgan.. 206
THE HANGING HOME IN THE OAK TREE. Illustrated.... Harriet Williams Myers.. 209
BLUE Ay BOARDERS. jllistrated =.) eset) i = eee eerie Paula J. Riiter.. 212

NOTES FROM. FIELD AND STUDY, -. 2222.25.05... 205222 52 2 a ee ee eee 214

A WorD FOR THE CowBirD, R. J. O’ Neal; City Birp-LiFrE, Mary F. Day; BrrDs
AT Mount St. GABRIEL, PEEKSKILL, N. Y., Sister Superior, St. Gabriel’s School;
SAVE THE UNDERBRUSH, Samuel Dowse Robbins; THE ENGLISH SPARROW AND
BIRD Boxes, Althea R. Sherman; SHELTERING WINGS, M. L. Davis.
BOOK NEWS AND REVIBWS., 2. 22.20... «2 2222. hte ok a eee eee 218
Cory’s ‘Brrps OF ILLINOIS AND WISCONSIN’; ‘DOROTHY BROOKE’S SCHOOLDAYS’;
THE ORNITHOLOGICAL MAGAZINES; BOOK NEWS.

EDITORIAL 2 2.5.2 02 2so6 Bhs ein Be eels Ue a eee 222

AUDUBON SOCIETIES—SCHOOL DEPARTMENT. ...................-.....-...-- 223

How OneE ScHoot MADE Birp HOousEs. i ate -John D. Honey... 223
EDUCATIONAL LEAFLET No 4o. THE BusH- rr, with catonea sue by Bruce Hors-

POL ee ces, se o-seece ses. s Williomeimley eee

AUDUBON SOCIETIES EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT teieesdt ese dee 220

ANNUAL MEETING OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION; How To ATTRACT BIRDS; INDI-
ANA News; A FRIEND OF THE FARMER; OLD MAN ISLAND RESERVATION; How
ro ATTRACT MARTINS; ABOUT THE AIGRETTE; THE ‘MILLINERY TRADE RE-
VIEW’; THE SHARP-SHINNED Hawk AGAIN; LEGISLATION IN NEW ENGLAND.

New York Ci UNS MEE

Notices of changes of addresses, renewals and subscriptions should be sent to
BIRD-LORE, HARRISBURG, PA.

Subscribers whose subscription has
expired will findarenewal blank enclosed
in the present number of the magazine.

To those whose subscription expired
with the August, 1909, issue, and who
have not notified us to discontinue
their magazine, the present number is
sent in the belief that the matter of re-
newal has been overlookea.

On receipt of your renewal, we will
- ' sae / send you the Sawyer Grouse picture,
Reduced facsimile of a painting from which should be considered due notifi-

nature ot a Drumming Ruffed Grouse, : H :

by E. J. Sawyer, ‘The original measur. Cation of the entry of your subscription.
ing Iox 12 inches, is reproduced by If you do not care to renew, will you
photogravure and presented to all sub- : 5

scribers to Birp-Lore for Igoo. please notify us:

Inte red as second-class mail matter in the Post Office at Harrisburg, Pa.

LITERARY NOTE

‘The September-October number of Birp-
Lore contains its usual variety of articles
interesting to bird lovers. ‘The lively court-

|} ship of a pair of Black Ducks is related by

one who was fortunate enough to witness
the singular performance. In ‘Woodpeckers
and June Bugs’ are described the habits of
Woodpeckers and the peculiar manner in
which they prepare insect food for their
young. ‘A Successful Failure’ treats of the

‘nest-building habits of the House Wren,

and the difficulty of providing him with a
Mfest-box to his liking. Another article
describes the methods adopted by Hawks in
the pursuit of their prey. ‘Two Warbler
Photographs,’ ‘The Hanging Home in the
Old Tree,’ ‘Blue Jay Boarders,’ and Edu-
cational Leaflet, ‘The Bush-Tit,’ together
with the usual Notes, Reviews, etc., make
up an exceedingly interesting number.

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$i.

The Sparrows of North
America in Color

The next issue of BIRD-LORE will contain the first
plate in the series

By LOUIS AGASSIZ FUERTES

Illustrating the North American members of the family Fringillidae

This group contains many species which are as
dificult to identify in nature as they are to represent
in color, but we believe that the reproductions of Mr.
Fuertes’ beautiful drawings will not only be wholly
satisfactory to ornithologists, but will establish a new
standard in the faithful and artistic portrayal of bird-life.

How to Obtain Free Subscription

The Guide to Nature

SOUND BEACH, CONN.

__ send $3.00 for St. NicHOLAS to be mailed one year to some boy or
girl, and THE GuipE To NATuRE will be sent one year free per following
combination offer:

ST. NICHOLAS (one year) 5 : A $3.00

For young folks

THE GUIDE TO NATURE : ° 1.00

For men and women
$4.00

Both one year for only $3.00
Address and make all checks and money orders payable to
THE AGASSIZ ASSOCIATION

Pees D Icke SO UND) BEACH, CONNECTICUT
PLEASE WRITE FOR PARTICULARS

The Wilson Bulletin

Is a quarterly journal devoted to
the study of the birds as we find
them in the fields and woods.

It is particularly concerned about the study
of the whole life-history of each species,
and about the effects of advancing civiliza-
tion upon the lives of all birds. It urges
the great importance of making a census
of our bird population for the purpose
of determining accurately what change
there may be in numbers due to changing
conditions. It is the official organ of the
Wilson Ornithological Club, which num-
bers among its members some of the
most prominent American ornithologists.
Carefully selected illustrations appear in
each number.

15 cents a number; 50 cents a year

Address
LYNDS JONES, Editor, Oberlin, Ohio.

THE JOURNAL
OF THE MAINE
ORNITHOLOGICAL
SOCIETY

The rith volume will contain
articles on Maine birds by the leading
ornithologists of the state, as well as
copious bird notes of current interest.

The issues for the year will be on
the first of March, June, September
and December.

W. H. Brownson, Editor, Portland, Maine

Louis E. Legge, Associate Editor,
Portland, Maine

Subscription, $1 a yoar
Send stamp for sample copy

Address—
W. H. BROWNSON
85 Market Street, PORTLAND, MAINE

Perfection Bird Houses
for the Purple Martin

We build them. Twenty-five years’ experience
in the study of these fine birds, and success in
their colonization, has taught us the exact re-
quirements of the ‘House Martins and enables
us to construct ideal boxes for their use.

New illustrat d booklet (1910), 10 cents

JACOBS BIRD HOUSE CO.

WAYNESBURG, PA.

| BIRD LORE. BIRD CHART |

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AN Pcmngapied, nn

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PAD > FFX

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HIS chart measures 22 x 28 inches, and figures

rs sixty-two representative species of our cighteen

familiesof Perching Birds. From Crow to Kinglet,

all these figures are photographed to the same scale;

and one may therefore instructively compare, at a glance,

characteristic members of all our families of Perching
Birds.

This chart has been so highly commended by teachers
that we have decided to place it on sale at twenty-five
cents per copy, postpaid. Special terms will be made to
schools and bird clubs ordering ten or more copies.

THE MACMILLAN CO.

Crescent and Mulberry Sts., HARRISBURG. PA.

THE OOLOGIST

Has been purchased and is
now published by

R. MAGOON BARNES, Lacon, IIl.

New Methods ; New Blood.

An illustrated monthly, de-
voted to Birds, Nests, Eggs.
The only medium of ex-
change between those inter-
ested in these.

Bausch & Lomb-

Zeiss Lessar Lens

NOW IN ITS TWENTY-SIXTH YEAR
SUBSCRIPTION, 50 CENTS PER YEAR

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Bird-Lore Wanted

Walvine Ill, No. 2. $750 Shutter
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HELEN BOWNE,
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are meeting success because the

pass is practically unlimited, and
includes not only speed pictures,

Th C d but landscapes, genre and groups.
Ss Onl OT Home portraiture, often so diff-

A MAGAZINE OF WESTERN cult for the amateur, becomes a new

CURD UIIEIOIEG) Ee delight when such effective results

Edited by J. Grinnell are achieved as may be with the
Associate Editors: Tessar.

William L. Finley, Robert B. Rockwell Shall be pleased to send you

Official Organ of Maas Ornithological sample prints illustrating the work
4 . .
of this lens, on receipt of 10 cents
Vol. XI, 1909 in stamps.

will contain the usual interesting ar- PRISM is our little lens ex-

ticles by live, active ornithologists positor. Send for Copy H, free

and will be illustrated by the highest a ; -
class of half-tones. You cannot on request. Also, “Anastigmats,

afford to miss a number. a new photo booklet.

Published bi-monthly at Holly-
wood, California. Subscription, $1.50
per year net in advance. Single
copies, 30 cents each. Foreign sub-
scription, $1.75.

Our Name on a Photographic Lens,
Microscope, Field Glass, Labora-
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Bausch £4 lomb Optical ©.

W. Lee Chambers, Assistant Manager NCW YORK WASHINGTON CHICAGO SAN FRANCISCO
A
Santa Monica, California LONDON ROCHESTER. NY.

J. Eugene Law, Business Manager
Hollywood, California

The Foremost Recent Book on Animals

By ERNEST INGERSOLL

LIFE OF ANIMALS: The
Mammals

Second Edition, Enlarged. 555 Pages, Octavo. Decorated Cloth
250 Illustrations. $2 net; By Mail, $2.24.

HE idea of the book is to interest the reader in the life of the four-footed
animals, not in their anatomy, nor in their imaginary sentiments; but in the
part they daily play in the world around them, rather than in their posi-

tion in a museum or a scheme of classification. This presentation of the theme has
met with general approval. The critic of The Independent believes that it ‘‘contains
just the information about living and extinct species of mammals, especially those
most familiar, which the general non-zodlogical reader demands.’’ Putnam’s Monthly
has declared it ‘‘the best book of its kind which has appeared up to the present
time.’’ Says the Chicago Post: ‘‘Ernest Ingersoll has for a long while been doing fine
work . . . ‘The Life of Animals’ is just the book one wishes might be in every
home where there are children and young people. Mr. Ingersoll has in excellent
degree the knack of presenting in clear, sympathetic and attractive manner scien-
tific information, zodlogical and geological, and with it a free mingling of the his-
torical, the romantic and the adventurous. There is, however, a commendable
absence of the . . . exaggeration of the human-like qualities in animals.”’

Along with this popularity the scientific accuracy of the book is well recognized,
and it has been adopted as a book of instruction in colleges. Nowhere else is so
intelligently traced the relation between the past (fossil history) and the present of
the families in this most important of all animal tribes; nowhere else will be found
explained many curious customs, such as the origin of the habit of storing winter
food, how the opossum came to ‘‘play ’possum,’’ etc.

By the same author

WILD NEIGHBORS: Outdoor Studies in
the United States

With numerous photographic illustrations. Cloth, $1.50

‘Such pleasant books as this of Mr. Ingersoll’s are delightful to both old and
young, and ought to be put into the hands of every lad on the farm.’’—Detroit
Free Press.

THE MACMILLAN COMPANY, PUBLISHERS ©
NEW YORK

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Bird=- Lore

A BI-MONTHLY MAGAZINE
DEVOTED TO THE STUDY AND PROTECTION OF BIRDS

OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE AUDUBON SOCIETIES

Vol. XI SEPTEMBER—OCTOBER, 1909 No. 5

The Courtship of Black Ducks

By EDMUND J. SAWYER, Schenectady, N. Y.
Illustrated by the author

N April 16, 1908, at Hogansburg, N. Y., two Black Ducks began to

() appear regularly in early morning in a rather more secluded part of

the pastures. The ground here was more closely hemmed in by woods.

Several ponds, the largest covering half an acre, with numerous cedar and
willow bushes intervening, attracted the birds.

One morning, just before sunrise, these Ducks treated me to a spectacle as
fine as any it has been my lot to see in the bird world. It was about a quarter
of five when, as I neared the ponds, seven or eight Black Ducks flushed a hundred
yards ahead. After watching them circle off out of sight, my back being then
turned to the pond, I glanced about just in time to see two Ducks dropping
into the water. A minute later, a bunch of five or six more flew into the same
pond. I crept from knoll to knoll until, at a distance of perhaps one hundred
and fifty feet, I could see the birds, and plainly hear their quacking, which
was almost continuous for a quarter of an hour; then it quickly ceased. Some
of the birds were swimming about; others preened or quietly fed near or upon
the bank. Most interesting were the actions of one pair that, from the time the
flock came, constantly raced from end to end of the pond, one bird closely pur-
suing the other. Now and again the chase became too hot, and the leading bird
in a thrilling swirl of water rose several feet into the air, followed immediately
by the other. Toward the farther end of the pond, they would splash into the
water, soon to take wing again in the opposite direction. As, with necks stretched
far out and downward, the pair flew half the length of the pond—two or three
rods—while the other Ducks looked quietly on or went indifferently about
their feeding, making the water dance till it seemed alive with Ducks, the scene
was really spectacular. Again and again I heard the pair of Ducks break from
the water, and the splash, splash, as they dropped into the pond again. Each
time they rose, it seemed as though they must discover me, for at such times I
was in open view, had they glanced in my direction. On other occasions, I have

196 Bird - Lore

frequently noticed the evident blindness of Ducks when they are about to alight
in the water.

This scene continued for half an hour. Then I made the conspicuous mistake
of walking forward, to flush the Ducks. The next morning I waited in an im-
provised blind on the shore of the pond. A natural growth of low cedars, just
in the right place, needed little thatching for this purpose. My camera was
mounted on a tripod in the water, and carefully hidden. Not a duck appeared
in this particular pond. I was forced to be content with the sketches I had made
the day before.

Woodpeckers and June-Bugs
By A. V, GOODPASTURE, Nashville, Tenn.

HE Redheaded Woodpecker is one of the best-known of our birds. His

colors are decided and striking, being sharply defined markings of red,

black glossed with blue, and white. He is proud of his plumage, and,

in his gay and frolicsome flights, displays it in the most conspicuous manner.

He loves our lawn at Dudley, because it is a place of refuge, in whose oaks and

maples he may flaunt his finery, and rear his young with none to molest or make
him afraid.

On July 3, I found a nest a pair of them had excavated in the dead branch
of a black-jack that stood beside the walk. They had just completed the process
of incubation, and were carrying off the broken shells, which they dropped mid-
flight at a safe distance from the nest. I witnessed their arduous labor in feeding
their brood. Every five minutes by the watch, with only slight variations, one
of them appeared with something in its mouth. Though I had a good glass,
I could not make out what it brought. The natural food of this Woodpecker
is insects, their eggs and larve, but they are also fond of fruits and berries in
their season. While I was sure it was neither of the latter, I could not tell on
which of the former they were feeding. Following closely their movements, I dis-
covered this interesting state of facts:

On the farther margin of the road that passes just outside of the lawn, there
is a row of young maples. One of these had been broken off by the storms of
the preceding winter, leaving a shivered stump some four feet high. When one

of the Woodpeckers came in, it did not go directly to the nest, but always alighted -

first on this stump, where it hammered away for a time, then proceeded to the
nest with a shapeless mass in its beak. My glass having failed to disclose their
object in thus lighting and hammering on the stump before feeding their young,
I went down to reconnoiter. The place looked like a field hospital after a severe
engagement. There were wings, and wing-covers, heads and legs strewn around
the stump in great profusion. Then I understood it all. The stump was their

meat-block, and they were preparing the food for their young by removing the

Sue net

Woodpeckers and June-Bugs 197

hard and indigestible parts. They dispatched this work with much dexterity,
- without using their feet to confine the insect; they laid it on the stump, and, with
the bill alone, succeeded in removing the undesirable parts.

The kinds of insects whose remains were found there was a study. They
were almost as gaudy as the Woodpecker himself. A pair of democratic English

_ Sparrows were rearing a brood near by. I saw them feed their young a hundred
times a day, and every time they brought a plain grasshopper, which the neigh-
boring field supplied in unlimited numbers. But the grasshopper formed an
insignificant part of the diet of the aristocratic Woodpeckers. Woodpeckers can
undoubtedly distinguish between colors; they find the ruddiest apple and the
rosiest peach in the orchard. In like manner, they seem to be attracted by bright-
colored insects. They prefer beautiful butterflies, silky moths, and brilliant
beetles. The favorite food of this pair was the June-bug; not the plain brown
beetle of the northern states, but the beautiful green and gold June-bug of the
South,—associated in the mind with sultry summer days, and ripe blackberries,
on which he feeds. He is the delight of the small child, who harnesses him by
a thread, when he promptly takes to wing and hums and buzzes gloriously at
the end of his tether. He never sulks nor tires. Sometimes, by a sudden tack,
he entangles himself in the golden curls of his captor, or wraps his cord around its
little bare legs. But, free him from his entanglement, give him a gentle swing
around the head, and he is off again at the circumference of his circle. He is
unrivaled in the child’s affections, even by the lightning-bug, which he chases
so gleefully in the twilight of a summer day.

I found not only the dismembered wing-covers of the June-bug around the
Woodpecker’s meat-block, but, in a pit on the splintered top of the stump, I
found a live June-bug. And what a prison he was in! It was a thousand times
worse than the Black Hole of Calcutta. They had turned him on his back and
pounded him into a cavity that so exactly fitted him that he could move nothing
but his legs, which were plying like weaver’s shuttles in the empty air. I always
found the June-bugs deposited on their backs, and always alive. The next
maple beyond the stump had a small scar on the side, over which the bark had
not entirely met, leaving a fissure a little wider at the top than at the bottom. In
this fissure they had deposited two June-bugs, with their backs to the tree. The
lower beetle they had forced down into the fissure until they were unable to
recover him when wanted, and were forced to take him out piecemeal.

Wishing to see if they would allow their young a berry or a bit of fruit, I
brought from the orchard and deposited on their stump a peach and a bunch of
ten blackberries. Next morning the old birds consumed them all for their break-
fast; but the little ones were not allowed so much as a taste, being strictly confined
to an insect diet.

A Successful Failure

By NORMAN McCLINTOCK, Pittsburgh, Pa.
With photographs by the author

Y EXT to the much-despised English Sparrow, there is possibly no wild
N bird that has become more domesticated or is better known than the
familiar little House Wren. Partly depending for protection, as he does,
upon the smallness of his size, with his consequent ability to squeeze through a
hole that will block his fighting English foe, the House Wren is able to hold
his own in the presence of that feathered ragamuffin. So it is that the House
Wren readily adapts himself to the little box which our loving hands may erect
for him close to our dwellings. I say “readily adapts,” because I have always
read and heard that this is the common experience of bird-lovers. Not so mine,
however.

I think it was about six years ago that the success of my friends with Wren
boxes, and the many printed references which I had seen at various times as
to the simplicity of erecting, in a suitable spot, any sort of a receptacle, from a
fancy and ingeniously designed box to an old tin can, with the assurance of
success, if the spot be within a Wren zone, led me to build a small house and
to placard it with signs reading, “To let, upon the easiest terms; inquire within.”
At least, I intended the signs should read something like this in the Wren lan-
guage, but, as you will see, I must have made a serious blunder in my phraseology,
or in something else.

My little box was very simply constructed from seasoned wood, with a hole
of regulation size in the regulation spot, and everything else made and placed
according to “Hoyle.” The box was attached to a tree-trunk, about ten feet from
the ground, and was in place some time before the Wrens arrived from the South.

Since my childhood, not a few years ago, I have lived in the same place, in
a suburb of Pittsburgh; and I can not remember a season when a pair of Wrens
did not nest in an old orchard close by our house. To show, by way of a slight
digression, how every opinion depends upon the point of view, I will say that
this orchard was never pruned, and, as a consequence, was doubtless regarded
by Wrens as the best orchard in the neighborhood; although, for the very same
reason, a good horticulturist would have doubtless pronounced it the poorest
orchard for miles around. Every spring, the rollicking and bubbling song of
the male Wren could be heard all day long, day in and day out, through sunshine
and through rain, as only that little king of optimists can sing.

Accordingly, I did not consider myself unreasonable to expect, especially
since this best and poorest of orchards had just been felled by the hand of ad-
vancing civilization, that my box would be occupied. It wasn’t. However, late
in the nesting-season of that year, a male Wren visited the box daily for a time,
and even carried in straws and sticks. I couldn’t understand why, for he appar-
ently had no mate; at least she never came near the box.

(198)

A Successful Failure 199

The following year I erected a second box on another tree, in a different part
of the yard, but with no better success. Wrens were evidently nesting in our
neighbor’s place, about one hundred yards distant, for each year I could hear
a male singing there from the latter part of April until nearly August. For the
succeeding three years, I had the same experience, and, although I finally had
various sizes of boxes and hollowed cocoanut shells all over the yard, I couldn’t
induce a pair of Wrens to raise a brood. I did, however, succeed in keeping a

SETTING THE CAMERA
male Wren constantly singing about the place for several weeks each season,
which was well worth all my efforts. Finally, in July, 1907, the male Wren,
which, as in former years, had been playing at housekeeping all by himself,
was joined by a female. Though late in the nesting season, my hopes rose, and
then rose higher still when the pair began to carry sticks and straws into the box.
This was kept up for a few days, when both birds left the premises and were
not seen again that season.

My curious experience interested me, and I determined to keep careful notes

200 Bird - Lore

of my ill-success and write up my failure for the readers of Brrp-LORE, who
are accustomed only to accounts of success in similar efforts to attract birds.
But all these intentions and plans of mine were spoiled on May ro, 1908, when
one of my old boxes actually contained five young Wrens. I did not, however,
greatly pride myself on this success, or rather failure, because the nesting-site
in our neighbor’s yard across the street had given way to a new dwelling since
the preceding summer.

Of course, I kept careful and detailed notes of everything that transpired
during the rearing of this brood; yet, I will here purposely omit all the customary
details regarding feeding, etc., as similar information has so often been written

THE RETURN FROM THE HUNT

before about the House Wrens. The information that follows was new to me,
and I give it because part of it may prove to be both new and of interest.

In the first place, I was interested in noting the selection of the nesting-box
by the Wrens. All my cocoanut shells, which were securely suspended by heavy
wires from the limbs of trees, so as to be cat-proof, were not fancied, and a small-
sized, old wooden box, on the top of an eight-foot trellis, was chosen.

The feeding of my young Wrens was done entirely by the female, who drove
the unwilling male from the nesting-site the second or third day after the young
were hatched. Several times during the first two days following incubation, the
male appeared at the box with food for his offspring. However, these efforts
were not acceptable to her ladyship, who severely scolded her consort each time
he thus appeared. For a day or two after this, the banished male could be heard

«hONOT ad LNO,,

202 Bird - Lore

singing from a distant tree, and then he disappeared entirely from the premises
until the young were ready to leave their box, some two weeks later. Two days
before the departure of the young from the box, the father returned, and was
seen to carry a horse-hair into the box, though the latter was filled to overflowing
with five fully fledged young. The day after the young left the nest, the male,
singing constantly, remained about the box all day, and spent some time tearing
down the old nest and flinging horse-hair, fine stripped bark and small twigs
to the ground. These actions indicated that the male, who took no more part
in caring for the young after they left the nest than he had done before, possessed
the nest-building instinct at an ineffectual time, and when it was absent in the
female. Now, if these facts can be taken as a criterion for the actions of other
individual House Wrens, they may readily explain the presence in former years,,
of nest-building single males, which had been similarly banished by females
with broods elsewhere in the neighborhood. On the other hand, the single males
mentioned may have been simply bachelors disappointed in love. May there
not also be a possible connection between this curiously persistent nest-building
instinct of the male House Wren and the instinct which impels his first cousin, the
Long-billed Marsh Wren, to construct several complete nests, though occupy-
ing but one?

The return of the nest-building impulse to the female Wren, preparatory
to her raising a second brood, also interested me. At first the expression of this
instinct was confined to late evening twilight, after the female had finished her
day’s toil in feeding the young. I first observed this love-making the second
evening after the young left the box. I again observed it on the fifth evening. The
corresponding early morning hours may also have been employed in love-making,
but I was not then on watch. During much of the time throughout the eighth
day, the parents were together, and on the ninth day the female had entirely
abandoned the young, and thereafter devoted all her time to the raising of her
second brood.

In the feeding of the young, I was puzzled for some time to name a shiny,
blue, berry-like object, which was occasionally administered. These objects
proved to be blue-bottle flies, stripped of their legs and wings. However, these
flies were more often given intact.

Another incident in the feeding of the young apparently demonstrated that —
a Wren, like many human mothers, may make a mistake in the selection of food. —
I one tas noticed a young Wren disgorge food from the box hole. An examina- —
tion of the substance disclosed an old dried-up snail shell, about one-half inch —
in diameter and too large to serve for even grinding purposes.

In the disposition of the young’s excrement, which my records show to have —
been about one-third of the number of feedings, the excrement was always carried — :
up into a neighboring tree, and, whenever I could see its final disposition, was_
laid on a limb, and not dropped to the ground.

I was greatly interested in comparing the length of time between the hatching

Ls . ais sh ax

A Successful Failure 203

of the young Wrens and their departure from the nest with the similar time re-
quired in the rearing of a brood of Hermit Thrushes, studied by me the pre-
ceding year in northern Michigan. As the Hermit Thrush is strictly a ground-
nesting bird, the dangers to its young must be far greater than the dangers
met by immature House Wrens, which are raised under cover and off the ground.
Consequently, it is not surprising that nature should have had the young Thrushes
ready to leave their nest ten days after hatching, and should have kept the young
Wrens in their box for sixteen days. The difference in the relative development
of the two broods, upon deserting their nests, was very marked. The young
Hermits could scarcely fly at all, and depended upon the thick underbrush for
protection; whereas, all the young Wrens, except one weakling, could fly a num-

THE WORLD BEFORE HIM

ber of yards from the first, while, on the day after their departure, they apparently
could fly at will, and in general appearance and actions differed but little from
their parents. Thus, these Wrens were much better equipped than the Thrushes
for the struggle for existence. .

Throughout the nesting period, and for several days thereafter, I carefully
watched the relation between the Wren family and the multitudinous English
Sparrows that were ever present. The Sparrows bothered the parent Wrens
by constantly dogging their every footstep, or perhaps I should say wing-beat.
Upon one occasion, a Sparrow grabbed the female Wren by the tail, just as the
Wren darted into her box, with its sparrow-proof hole. Although I have an
intense hatred for the English Sparrow, yet I must give the devil his due, and say
that I never saw a Sparrow offer to injure a young Wren. The former followed

204 Bird - Lore

the latter about out of an apparently never-satisfied curiosity. I even saw one
inexperienced little Wren, at the end of a short flight, try to alight on the back
of a Sparrow, which simply hopped to one side. From my observations of the
attitude of Sparrows toward immature song birds of the various species about
our neighborhood, it seems to me to be Sparrow etiquette not to attack young
birds of any kind.

HAWK’S CHALLENGE

Winter or Summer, what care I ?—
The tilled or the untilled plain ?
My lot is cast in the blue abyss,
And the lordly sun’s domain. atte od ei”
Over the broad champaign I float,
And over the sparkling sea;
I mount at will to the peak of heaven,
And rejoice that I am free.
Ko, keeo, kilio, keeo!
I exult that I am free!

Like a bolt I plunge to the land outspread,
From the desert realm of air,

To dip my beak in the hot, red blood
Of my little earth-brother there;

I pounce, I seize, and I tear,—why not ?
For the law is aye the same;

And storm and battle, pillage and wrack
Are all a part of the game.
Ko, keeo, kilio, keeo!
They are all a part of the game.

Ko, kileo, ye groundlings born,
Of the tribes that reap and sow,—
Blessing and ban to me are one,
As up and aloft I go!
There are quaking hearts below, I ween,
For this black shape in the sky;
For the Hawk’s breed has a Hawk’s blood,
And a Hawk of the Hawks am I.
Ko, keeo, kileo, keeo!
A Hawk of the Hawks am I!
—Dora Read Goodale

Hawks Hunting

By WILLIAM COGSWELL CLARKE, New York City

Mo years ago, I happened to see a Hawk catch an English Sparrow.

The driven Sparrow dashed into a wire fence a few feet from where

I stood, and the Hawk simply picked the bird off the netting. The
business-like manner of the Hawk and the helplessness of the Sparrow, as if the
occurrence were predestined, made a vivid impression on my mind. Though
I have seen many parts of such a tragedy since, I have not seen the whole repeated
until last summer, when I twice witnessed how birds of certain families are
captured by Hawks.

Late in August, a male Marsh Hawk, apparently hunting as usual for mice,
flapped slowly over the meadows of the Housatonic valley, in northern Con-
necticut. As he passed me, I casually noted his snow-white rump, definitely
confirming his identity. As the big bird wheeled, thirty feet in the air, across
a field of fresh rye stubble, several little Chipping Sparrows scattered in haste
from beneath him. I saw the Hawk mount a little and stop, then deliberately
drop for a moment into the stubble. When he passed us, neither my companion
nor myself could see that he carried anything in his talons. We both thought
he had missed what he had tried for. We were surprised, therefore, to see him
alight in the field a short distance away, and tear at something he held in his
claws. I ran over to the spot as soon as he flew away, which was within two
minutes after he lit, and found two or three wing and a few breast feathers, all
that remained of a Chipping Sparrow, which, not over four minutes before,
had been eating weed seeds with its summer companions. The Hawk was still
in sight, flapping over the fields, his appetite apparently unsatisfied. When
I came back to my companion, the Sparrows that had been frightened away had
returned, and were again eating weed seeds, as if the whole thing were a matter
of course.

In early September, I stood on a roadside in Sandwich, New Hampshire,
when suddenly a Cooper’s Hawk, flying with great speed, darted obliquely in
my direction. Just as it reached me, it dived into the further side of a clump of
alder bushes and hurled itself through the dense mass of branches. I saw then
for the first time a Song Sparrow which, followed by the Hawk, flew out of the
bushes; both dropped into the grass beside me. The Hawk, a never-to-be-for-
gotten picture, with its big tail marked with black bars, stood sidewise, anxiously
looking for the Sparrow, when it saw me. I sprang forward to save the Sparrow,
and the Hawk took a hurried departure. The Sparrow was wedged in the grass,
with one wing outstretched, and her head tucked out of sight in an attempt to
hide. I picked up the Sparrow, which was entirely passive and unresisting.
For several minutes it gasped for breath, while I held it in my hand with no re-
straint, but, finally, realizing that its turn had not yet come, it struggled to be
free, and, when released, flew off with great speed. If I had not been at hand,

(205)

206 Bird - Lore

presumably, the Hawk would have looked around at its leisure, and picked up
the Sparrow as simply as I did.

Hawks, if they can get within a certain distance of their victims without
being seen, can catch those birds that live near the ground and are not naturally
endowed with great powers of flight. These birds either sit still, paralyzed with
fear, or are driven so hard by the Hawk that they soon try to hide, and thus
fall easy victims.

I have seen a Barn Swallow chase and tease a Cooper’s Hawk. Both birds acted
as if there were a mutual understanding. The Swallow knew that it was a better
flier and better dodger than the Hawk, and the latter “acknowledged the corn.”
On the other hand, it is well known that the Peregrine Falcon, or Duck Hawk,
can overtake and catch a Mallard Duck in open flight—a bird of great speed,
but with practically no dodging ability.

In the case of the Cooper’s Hawk, the Sparrow, with wing outstretched and
head in the grass, helplessly attempted to hide. When the Marsh Hawk caught
the Chippie, the Hawk must have been seen by the Chippie’s companions,
because they flew away. It would seem, therefore, that the bird which was caught
either did not see the Hawk until picked up, or else crouched down when the
Hawk appeared and awaited its fate.

Two Warbler Photographs

By ALBERT MORGAN, W. Hartford, Conn.
With photographs by the author

N a locality near the Rhode Island coast, where the cedars were beautiful
| with pendent Usnea moss, it was my great pleasure to make the acquaintance
of a Warbler, in its haunts, which, until June, 1908, was only familiar to

me as a migrant.

The Parula Warbler, with his busy song of wheezy quality, was in evidence
everywhere, scouring the blackberry and huckleberry bushes in search of larvee.
The male bird hunted for the patient female sitting upon the eggs or brooding
the very young, or both male and female went in quest of food for the aes
family with ever-opening mouths.

Only those who more fully appreciate the bright flitting gems of nature know
with what a thrill of genuine pleasure a new nest is added to the list of those
already found. Two years before, in August, an old deserted nest was noted,
and a great desire to visit the locality in the nesting season came over me, and
my hope was realized in the year 1908.

We were enjoying the exhilarations of camp-life, and occasionally a Parula
would alight upon the tent rope, where we had the best view of it. The accom-
panying picture but poorly depicts the picturesqueness of the nesting-site pointed
out to me by the property-owner, who was a retired business man, and alive to

Two Warbler Photographs 207

the wealth of nature’s realm as revealed in his holdings of hill, vale, brooks,
springs, thickets, rocks and cedars.

To get nearer my subject, a more ideal opportunity to make photographs of
a Parula’s nest and occupants never presented itself, perhaps, to any one. The
beard of moss was most luxuriant, and afforded a quantity of material which
needed but few additions when the nest was shaped. A nest containing seven
eggs is, I presume, a rarity, and I could hardly believe I had found one until
the moss was lightly pressed aside and the little speckled objects counted. The
next day they were hatched, or at least some of them. Fear that I would disturb

PARULA WARBLER APPROACHING ITS NEST

the tranquillity of the home made me timid about being too exact or scientific
at this time. However, the next day, there appeared hungry mouths to feed,
and the parent birds were now going and coming every three to five minutes.
in the morning. Photographs were made from a blind of three small cedars,
fastened at the top and spread, tepee fashion, within four feet of the nest. Alfhough

showing signs of fear, at times, the parent birds went to the nest without much
hesitancy. First a sharp chip was heard, then the bird appeared upon the stone
wall in rear of the site, occasionally withdrawing to look at the blind, and at me
with my slouch hat, only partially concealed behind the cedars. Plates developed
every night gave room for improvement, and a last trial was to be made the
day before the camp was left, but my disappointment was great when the nest

208 Bird - Lore

was found deserted. Although a severe thunder- and rain-storm was responsible
for the destruction of another nest under observation, the complete disappear-
ance of all the young from the nest shown in the photograph points to theft.
Perhaps the red squirrel observed high up in one of the big cedars (over four
feet in circumference) was watching me, and later yielded to the desire to destroy.

Not far from the home of the Parula, upon a hillside dotted with small cedars,
a nest of Black-throated Green Warblers was found one and one-half feet from
the ground, in a small cedar. After waiting about half an hour in the hot sun for
the parent birds to alight near the nest, it was decided that it was useless to stay
longer, for the old birds were reluctant to approach. If the family of the Black-
throats had been younger, the parents would doubtless have shown more bravery.
As it was, the young were about ready to leave, and, being slightly disturbed,
they tumbled out of the nest, and this was the signal for the mother bird to flutter
close to me and drop upon the ground, feigning injury to wings or leg, at the
same time spreading the tail feathers wide, showing the outer white ones. It
was then that I noticed she invariably lighted upon a small cedar opposite, and
within seven feet of the nesting-site. This gave me an opportunity to focus upon
her, with the light from a more favorable direction.

While the commotion in the Black-throat family was at its height, a splendid
chance was afforded me of witnessing what appeared to be a flirtation between
two Towhees; and, during the maneuvers, the beauty of the birds was strik-
ingly displayed and the flashes of black, white and brown seemed brilliant as
they fluttered upon a large gray mossy green rock, and then disappeared again
in the tangle of briers.

A Prairie Warbler was also attracted by the clatter of voices, and, after adding
a few of his alarm notes, soared high in the air, and came down in a series of
tumbling flights into a bull-brier thicket over the brow of the hill. In the mean-
time, I was able to make three pictures of the Black-throated Green Warbler,
one of which is presented here.

BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER

The Hanging Home in the Oak Tree

By HARRIET WILLIAMS MYERS. Los Angeles, Cal,

With a photograph by the author

N the morning of February 19, 1908, I
() heard the sharp call of the California
Bush-tit in my yard, and, hurrying to
the door, was in time to see one of these tiny
birds flying from a tree, his mouth full of cottony-
looking material. It was as I had supposed,—
housekeeping time had begun for the Tit family,
as it already had for many another of the feathered
tribe.

In the same block with my home grew a mag-
nificent live-oak tree. Hither the little Bush-tit
bore his cottony mouthful, and hither, also, I
went, -anxious to see just where in the big tree
the long pendent nest which these midgets build
was being hung.

I found the birds, for there were two of them
in the tree, carrying lining material into a nest
which seemed almost completed. It swung—
some ten inches long—on a branch about fifteen
feet from the ground, that hung almost over the
sidewalk, where any one so desiring might easily
see it. And yet, I doubt if any one, save those
I told about it, ever saw the nest; so well did it
blend with the gray bark of the twigs to which
it was fastened.

Only the year before, I had watched the raising
of a brood of Tits in this same tree; and I felt sure,
as I watched this nest, that it was the selfsame one of the year before, and that
the birds were only re-lining it. Such a stupendous task as it proved to be, and
how the little midgets did work!

The birds themselves are about four inches long, having chubby gray-brown
bodies, with long tails of the same hue, and being so much alike that it is almost
impossible to tell them apart.

The morning on which I first found the birds at work I was unable to stay
long at the tree; but two days later, in three-quarters of an hour spent at the nest,
they made twenty-six trips to it, the shortest interval being one-half minute;
the longest, six minutes. Both of them worked. Just which did the most it
was hard to say; often one followed immediately after the other, thus enabling
me to come to the conclusion that the work was very equally divided.

BUSH-TITS’ NEST

(209)

210 Bird - Lore

I imagined that I could tell the male and the female apart by their actions.
These small birds usually utter their call-notes—a bell-like tinkle—as they
forage, and this was kept up in their building. Their coming and going was
always heralded by it. It seemed to me that, though their note was the same,
there was a difference in the intensity of the two calls. One bird came with a
noisy bustle into the tree, proclaiming his presence in no uncertain way. Such
an important little busybody as he was! He was bringing building material
for his nest, and he wanted everybody to know it. I use the masculine gender
in describing this bird, because, the year before, when I had watched them
nesting, I had found that the noisy one was the male,—the female slipping
quietly out from the nest, and as quietly going to it. Of these builders, one little
Tit was much more quiet than the other, and this bird I took to be the female.

The material brought was sometimes so small that it was hard to tell just
what it might be. At other times their mouths were crammed full of cotton, and
cottony-looking material. I have seen them pull at an old rope, raveling out
the material in little tufts, which they carried away. I have heard, too, of their
pulling the wool off a Navajo blanket that was being aired on the clothes-line.
‘The outside of the nest was made of fine material felted together, bits of paper,
strings, cloth, fine grasses, and oak tassels being woven into the outside. Some-
times, when the noisy bird came, he seemed to have nothing in his mouth; but,
going to the opening of the nest, which was a small, round hole near the top, he
would pull off some of the outside material and place it inside, and then fly
away, giving his jovial ‘ts7p, tstp.’

For more than a month I watched these little birds putting the finishing
touches into their home. I wondered if nest-building was like house-building,—
the outside of the structure going up with a rush, and, when looking completed,
being only well begun.

On Saturday afternoon, March 21, at 2.30 o’clock, I found both birds busy
in the tree. In five minutes, one bird, presumably the female, went into the
nest and stayed, while the other foraged noisily for a short time, then flew away.
Seven minutes later the male returned, and the female joined him. Three minutes
later one bird went in with cottony-looking material, coming right out again.
This building after brooding has begun is a habit of these tiny birds. Eleven
minutes after the female left the nest, she returned, and nine minutes later, when
I left, was still there.

In watching the nest the year before, I found that that female—as this one—
came out and joined her mate, foraging for herself rather than being fed by
him, as I have read is sometimes the case with these birds. Never did I see the
male go into the nest after brooding had begun, unless, perchance, it were he
who carried in the building material. The nearest approach to his doing so was
a rather amusing attempt, one evening. At 5.15 I was at the tree. All was quiet
at the nest, but one Tit was about in the tree. At 5.45 a bird came noisily to the
nest, going to the opening, then flying away. Soon he came back and started

a fetes

The Hanging Home in the Oak Tree 207

to go into the nest, but hastily backed out, and into the tree. At 6.03 he again
went to the nest and was very noisy and insistent. I hardly knew what to make
of his actions, but when, in two minutes more, the female popped out of the nest,
I knew that all this noise and fuss was being made by the little male in an effort
to get his little spouse to join him in the tree. For ten minutes Madam was away,
then she returned to her duties, and I do not believe that even an irate mate
could get her off those eggs again that night.

When two weeks of this brooding by the female had elapsed, I went to the
nest, expecting to see both birds busy feeding. From my observations the year
before, I knew that no time was spent in loafing about after the nestlings were
hatched. I have one feeding record of thirty-five times in one hour; another
time the two birds fed forty-seven times in sixty minutes,—the shortest interval
being one-half minute; the longest, five and one-half minutes.

You can, perhaps, imagine my surprise when I found that the Tits were
taking more building material into the nest, instead of food. What could it mean ?
This was April 5. Two days later the pair were still carrying in building material,
making it evident to the observer, as plainly as if they had been able to tell it,
that there were no young in the nest.

- On the morning of the ninth, word came to me that the magnificent oak
where the nest hung was to be trimmed up, necessitating the cutting off of the
branch bearing the nest. I had worked hard to prevent the entire tree being
cut down to make room for a cottage, and, though I had succeeded in saving
the tree, the protest against trimming all the grace and beauty out of it had been
of no avail,—and so the nest had to come down. For a day I left it hanging in
my yard, hoping that the birds might come over, as they had been doing almost
daily, and so resume family affairs; but, when they did not, I took it down and
opened it for investigation. I found two small pinkish eggs, that were laid about
three inches below the opening. It was evident that they were newly laid. Prob-
ably, had the nest been unmolested, more would have been added, since these
birds lay as many as nine eggs in one brood. I had felt, when I found the birds
carrying material into the nest instead of food, that probably, the eggs not hatch-
ing, they had covered them over and gone to laying more. By searching among
the feathers, some two inches farther down, I found that my surmise was right.
There, so completely hidden, that for some time I failed to find them, lay two
more eggs, these two lacking the pink tint of the unbrooded eggs. I also found
that I was right as to this being a last year’s nest. Still down below the old eggs,
nearly at the bottom of the nest, there was a layer of material having particles
of an old egg and shells, plainly showing that a brood had been hatched there.

Originally, it had been some seven or eight inches from the opening to the
bottom of the nest, but the filling-in process had brought the last eggs nearly
up to the opening.

It was marvelous, the number and size of feathers that went into the inside
of that nest. Count them I could not without destroying the nest, but I verily

212 Bird - Lore

believe that there were hundreds of them, varying from one-fourth of an inch to
four inches, or as long as the little builders themselves.

Though my study of this family came to an unhappy ending, later in the
year I had in my yard a large flock of these birds, at least ten of which were
nestlings. It was amusing to see the chubby little fellows sitting in rows on a twig,
hugging close together, as if they feared they might lose each other.

There were at least three old birds feeding this large family, and I did not
know just what to make of it. Were there two families joined forces? If not,
why three old birds feeding? Alas, there are many unsolved questions awaiting
the student who would delve into bird-lore.

For three days they were about in my yard, still being fed, and then I lost
track of them. Bush-tits make almost daily visits to my yard the entire year round,
but just which particular Bush-tits they are, and whether they are “mine”’,
I, of course, have no way of telling.

Blue Jay Boarders

By PAULA J. RITTER
Illustrated by the author

r NHE following notes on the habits of Blue Jays are based on the study of
birds that come to the feeding-shelves in the window of my home situated
four miles from the Court House in the city of Chicago. If a Blue Jay

accidentally pushes a nut off the sill he will not hesitate to fly down on the floor,

and seems to prefer the carpet to the bare wood when walking in the room.

I find that it is a bad policy to let Jays enter the house, however, for they
are such fighters among themselves that if one should attempt to fly out of the
room when another entered, there is always an encounter. In flying around a
room the Jays always touch the ceiling when flapping their wings, and of course
always select the highest perch.

I thought I understood a few of the Jay’s notes, and had decided that “¢e-ha-
ha” was a laugh, if a bird could laugh. It always came from the victor of a fight
in the trees and always brought other birds to witness further fighting. One day,
however, a Blue Jay went astray in my room and perched over my mantle on
a fencing mask which was fastened to two crossed foils, and tied with class colors,
and immediately gave his two college yells, the common “Jay”? and what I had
taken for a sarcastic laugh. He did not seem afraid but kept his perch for fully
five minutes and kept up his noise. I always draw down the blinds and leave
just a part of one window open to show the way out. This bird, however, kept
up his yells. Other Jays came for nuts at the window-sill but paid no attention
to him and finally he flew out.

One queer habit of the Jays is in returning food. Sometimes no bird has been
at the window for ten or fifteen minutes, when one will come and return his two

Blue Jay Boarders 23

peanuts and take his others instead, or else return a piece of soda cracker and
take a peanut instead, or again, take a whole peanut and return a kernel, or
perhaps just return a peanut and retain a kernel in his throat. They never bring
anything other than that which they have taken, except a lot of sand. Their
feet are very dirty and besides scratching a window-sill and leaving it covered
with sand, they soon darken a piece of new wood when they perch on it.

In summer, Jays are reckless in getting nuts and do not mind my sitting at
the end of the window, and people moving about the room, either loud talking
or singing. I took the views I send about three feet from the window, and no
pretence whatever was made at covering the camera or myself, or my hands.
The birds do not object to my sitting at the window. Last summer and fall the
Jays ate about three window-sills’ full of peanuts each morning. That is, I had
to put out three supplies before they were satisfied; but as the weather got cold

BLUE JAY GUESTS

either the number of birds or their appetites dropped off and they ate about a
dozen English walnuts daily. Peanuts were then untouched, both the roasted
and raw, shelled or whole.

Some of the Jays imagine they have more privileges than others and drive
others away, and some, like human beings, allow themselves to be driven away.
Their rule seems to be “one bird at a time.”’ It is very seldom that two birds are
on the sill at the same time unless they are young and being fed. Two birds at
the same time almost invariably results in a fight. As soon as a bird leaves the
sill, after he may have tried to make a combination of any two of the nuts, his
place is instantly taken by another who swoops down and tries to make two of
the nuts fit his throat, often turning the nuts over back end first, or combining
other nuts, or returning some previously taken. I have often seen Jays make a
bee-line for my window from a block away. They seldom eat at the window-sill. A
Jay will generally eat his first portion in a neighboring elm, and after that wait until
his mate has her two nuts, and then both fly away together carrying a nut apiece.

Potes from Fic and Stuny

A Word for the Cowbird

& Mr. Abbott’s interesting article, ‘A
‘Cowbird Nursery,” suggests to me that
there is occasion for a plea for this feather-
ed Ishmaelite, against whom so many
hands are turned.

It is not that Mr. Abbott is really so
red-handed. He destroys Cowbird eggs
without any qualms of conscience; and
early in the morning he resolves to put
an end to the little murderer and menace
to the welfare of birddom. Then, with
malice in his heart, he takes another
picture of the voracious fledgeling, goes
‘to breakfast, and—manages to let the
young monster get away!

Mr. Abbott takes good pictures, but
he would be a failure as exterminator of
Cowbirds. Molothrus is wary, but he
-could hardly find safer place than the
pastures above Rhinebeck.

It is a curious fact that, while some
-of the writers pass up the Cowbird with
-a lick and a promise, others have given
much time and thought to this bird’s
habit of laying in the nests of other birds.

Cowbirds come high,—two larks for
a bunting, as Mr. Burroughs puts it,—
but for a long while I have had a suspicion
that they are really worth the price. If
‘the ability to get there under seemingly
adverse conditions may be considered a
point in his favor, then the little walker
should be allowed to step right up and
take his place among the really decent
birds. And his day seems to be coming.
In several of the states he is protected—
by class, if not by name. In Missouri he
has been an outlaw; but, as one of the
respectable Blackbirds, his disabilities
were removed by a law that went into
-effect August 16, and, from now, on the
heavy hand of the Commonwealth will
be laid upon the man who would do so
much as crush the alien egg. This is, of
course, at present mainly on economic
grounds. May it not be that, along with
the general uplift, people’ will come to

see that birds should be allowed to regu-
late their social and domestic affairs.
Is it not just possible that the little Chest-
nut-sided Warbler did not make such a
bad botch after all?

Not many summers ago, I came upon
a young male Cowbird in a small bush
by the roadside in a suburb of St: Louis.
He had left the nest before he could fly,—
a characteristic of this tribe,—and I re-
member well his bright eyes and the spirit
with which he resisted against capture.
It happened that he was brought up with
few restrictions; and in a very short time
he developed into a most interesting pet.
As his wings grew, he was given on oppor-
tunity to try them in a small backyard.
Sometimes he would make extended
flights, circling high above the house-tops
and amusing himself in many ways; but
he seemed to consider it a trick of the
game to return to the finger from which
he had taken flight. I have had a number
of birds, and have observed many others.
I have read ‘Bob,’ the story of Sidney
Lanier’s pet Mockingbird. I know the
pathetic story of the little Scraggles, but
never have I seen a bird that was quite
so companionable and happy as Chip.
He had much curiosity, and a match was
his undoing. A knoll in one of our city
parks became his last resting-place.

There has been not a little discussion
as to whether the Cowbirds ever depart
from their parasitic habits. In at least
one case, it has been reported that in
confinement they built a nest and reared
young. It is not a question of veracity,
for bird-lovers, like fishermen, tell straight
tales. But, were they Cow Buntings?
Major Bendire, who made a most ex-
haustive study of this family, thinks they
were probably Brewer’s Blackbirds. For
a long while, I have been on the look-
out for a pair of the fledgelings, with a
view to making some investigations along
these lines. If Mr. Abbott is willing to
run the risk of being won over, let him
bring up a Cowbird as a pet. The Cow-

(214)

Eee

Notes from Field and Study

birds are all right—R. J. O’NEAL, 314
Pine street, St. Louis.

City Bird-Life

For the encouragement of any one
who is longing to become acquainted with
our native birds, but feels greatly handi-
capped by residence in the city, I wish to
give my experience.

During the winter months, [I live in the
heart of the great city of Brooklyn, N. Y.,
in a section called Stuyvesant Heights,
which is entirely built up. At the corner
is a large church, a few steps from which
is the apartment house in which I live.
The third floor on the east side of the
building constitutes my home, and it is
on a level with the roofs of two small frame
buildings standing between the church
and the apartment.

A small silver maple tree is growing by
the side of the house, so close that some of
the branches brush against the east win-
dow of the dining-room. At the rear of
the house, the block is made up, for the
_ most part, of small, detached houses,
which date back to a time when this part
of the city was suburbs,—consequently
there are numerous large trees both in
front of the houses and in the yards at
the back.

When I first came here to live, which
is about ten years ago, there was a large
vine of Virginia creeper running over a
portion of the church, and other surfaces
were covered with Japanese ivy. Doubt-
less, the presence of the trees and the fruit
of the vines made the locality attractive
to birds, so that during my residence here
I have seen from the windows or the house-
top, or have heard the notes of the follow-
ing species: Baltimore Oriole, Orchard
Oriole, Towhee, Catbird, Cuckoo, Chicka-
dee, Chimney Swift, Fox Sparrow, White-
throated Sparrow, Chipping Sparrow,
Golden-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush,
Wood Thrush, Brown Thrasher, Herring
Gull, Hummingbird, Junco, Maryland
Yellow-throat, Magnolia Warbler, Red-
start, Canadian Warbler, Nighthawk,
Oven-bird, Phaebe, Wood Pewee, Robin,

215

Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Red-eyed Vireo
and Scarlet Tanager.

I have suspected the presence of several
other species, but could not see the birds
well enough to positively identify them,
or could not with absolute certainty dis-
tinguish the song.

One mid-February morning I saw a
“wedge” of birds proceeding northward,
which I supposed were Wild Geese, and in
a nearby street I once saw a Bluebird.

With the exception of the Gulls, all of
the birds have been seen during either the
spring or the fall’ period of migration.
My first acquaintance with the Hermit
Thrush and the Golden-crowned Kinglet
was made from my windows here in the
city. One time a Hermit Thrush calmly
and deliberately took a bath in a pool of
water left by recent rain on the roof of
the adjoining house above referred to, and
another time one rested for at least twenty
minutes in the maple tree, not more than
six feet from the window.

In this same maple tree I have had
thrilling glimpses of Kinglets and Warb-
lers that were almost within reach of the
hand. It stirs one’s blood strangely to
hear such a song as that of the Wood
Thrush (as I did last spring), where ordi-
narily nothing more musical is heard than
the chirp of the English Sparrow, the buzz
of the trolley car and the clang of its bell,
the rumble and clatter of passing vehicles,
the harsh shouts of the vender, or the
persistent clamor of boys at play.—Marvy
F. Day, 658 Monroe street, Brooklyn, N.Y.

Birds at Mount St. Gabriel,
Peekskill, N. Y.

The locality surrounding Saint Gabriel’s
School, Peekskill, N. Y., is rich in bird
life. Ninety different kinds of birds were
identified during the year 1908, within a
radius of a mile and a half from the school;
and thirty-one of these are known to have
nested here. Nests were found belonging
to Baltimore Orioles (four), Redstarts
(two), Wood Thrushes (three), Humming-
birds (three), Chipping Sparrows (four),
Red-eyed Viroes (three), Robins (twelve),

216

Chickadees (two), Bluebirds (two); also
one nest each of Orchard Orioles, Flickers,
House Wrens (in a bird-box), Yellow-
throated Vireos, Scarlet Tanagers, Cat-
birds and Wood Pewees. The following
birds were also here all through the breed-
ing season, although their nests were not
actually found: Oven Birds (at least six
pairs), Red-winged Blackbirds (a colony
of them about a mile up the Peekskill
creek), Brown Thrashers (one _ pair),
Golden-winged Warblers (two pairs),
Veery (one pair), Towhees (several pairs),
Pheebes, a flock of Starlings, Song Spar-
rows (in numbers), Field Sparrows (in
numbers), Crows, Goldfinches (in num-
bers), Swifts (a flock), Kingfishers (one
or two pairs), and Ruffed Grouse (one
pair).

The birds which come to our winter
feeding stations are: Chickadees, Juncos,
White-breasted Nuthatches, Downy Wood-
peckers, Hairy Woodpeckers and Brown
Creepers.

The following Warblers were noted
during the spring migration, the dates
given being those on which the birds were
first seen: Pine Warbler (April 23), Oven
Bird (April 26), Black and White Creeper
(April 27), Redstart (April 28), Maryland
Yellow-Throat (April 28), Worm-eating
Warbler (April 29), Parula Warbler (May
2), Chestnut-sided Warbler (May 3),
Myrtle Warbler (May 4 and probably
earlier), Black-throated Blue Warbler
(May 6), Blackburnian Warbler (May 4),
Northern Water Thrush (May 4), Black-
throated Green Warbler (May 5), Golden-
winged Warbler (May 9), Hooded War-
bler (May 9g), Louisiana Water Thrush
(May 10), Yellow Palm Warbler (May ro),
Yellow Summer Warbler (May 10), Mag-
nolia Warbler (May 15), Yellow-breasted
Chat (May 16), Canadian Warbler (May
17), Black-poll Warbler (May 17), Bay-
breasted Warbler (May 17),—in ll,
twenty-three kinds.

A pair of Northern Water Thrushes
were seen daily during two weeks on the
edge of a swampy about five-
minutes’ walk from the house.

A flock of White-throated Sparrows and

pond,

Bird -

Lore

a flock of Ruby-crowned Kinglets linger
with us for several weeks every spring and
autumn.

A flock of Hermit Thrushes passed
through, April 13, and a flock of Cedar
Waxwings, May 5.

A Green Heron was seen wading in a
pond almost within sight of the house in
August.

Whether from lack of observation, or
because the return route is slightly dif-
ferent, we have seen far fewer Warblers
in the autumn migrations than in the
spring. Observations have been made
for four or five years, but data were not
recorded before last year.—SIsTER Svu-
PERIOR, St. Gabriel’s School.

Save the Underbrush

The ravages of the gypsy moth have been
so serious in eastern Massachusetts that
not only all farmers, but many bird-lovers,
have cut down all of the underbrush on
their estates. They think it is desirable to
shave the ground as smooth as the sur-
face of a mill pond, and apparently con-
sider it a crime to let two trees stand
nearer than thirty feet apart. They have
changed the beautiful woods into lawns,
dotted with artificial bean-poles, stripped
of all branches to a height of twenty feet
above the ground, and left in rows just
so far apart. These excited people forget
that they are driving away the birds; for-
get that they are driving away the greatest
enemies the injurious insects have. The
few birds that are left live either in or near
groves of fir trees, which have not been
disfigured in the battle against the gypsy
moths. I therefore urge all the readers of
Brrpv-LoreE to save patches of underbrush
here and there for the birds, and I recom-
mend that a local ornithologist be con-
sulted before any number of trees or
much underbrush be destroyed. To illus-
trate my point: A gentleman who had a
few acres of woodland cleared of under-
brush and several trees happened to select
a spot which was frequented by the only
Woodcock that is known to nest within

miles of here. Had this gentleman tele-

Notes from Field and Study

phoned to one of the Belmont ornitholo-
gists, he would have been requested to
spare that particular patch. The evening
flight song of the American Woodcock,
which has delighted so many bird-lovers,
will probably never again be heard in this
town. Think, before you cut.—SAMUEL
DowseE ROBBINS, Belmont, Mass.

The English Sparrow and Bird-boxes

A trick of the English Sparrow to drive
other birds from a bird-box, which is situ-
ated eighteen feet from one of our windows,
has been frequently noticed. This box has
been in position for five years, and has been
occupied once by Bluebirds and once by
Wrens. Both of these species every sea-
son show a desire to nest in it, but no
sooner does their choice become manifest
to the English Sparrow than he goes at
once into the box and, hanging himself
half-way out, he keeps up his ribald
demonstrations until the would-be tenants
_ leave the vicinity. The same course of
proceedings on his part was observed last
March, when a Downy Woodpecker was
searching for food there, and possibly may
have taken a peep into the box. This
hostility on the part of the English Spar-
row might be more easily overlooked if
he had ever selected this box for a nesting-
place. As he has never done so, this dog-
in-the-manger attitude shows his evil dis-
position.

Various devices have been tried to keep
these Sparrows from the other boxes, but
none have been so effective as that of
leaving them alone until the incubation
of their eggs is under way, then the nest
and eggs are cast out and the door of the
boxes left open for a few days; after that
Bluebirds and Wrens have been allowed
to use them.

To the dog and the cat is often charged
the spreading of the infectious germs of
swine and poultry diseases. While these
animals have one chance to be such bear-
ers, the English Sparrow probably is
guilty a hundred times, in his réle of
gleaner in the hog-pen and poultry-yard.
One of our neighbors has been quite suc-

2 Ey

cessful, in winter, in killing these Sparrows
that were roosting under a straw-covered
shed. This was done by the fumes of
burning sulphur, which caused the birds
to drop unconscious, and they were drown-
ed before they revived. Another person
has killed them by catching them in a
mouse-trap of the out-of-sight style.
Another neighbor had for a year about his
yard a Screech Owl that kept the Sparrows
away, and made no disturbance aside from
flying against windows on moonlight
nights. Last winter ‘“‘a fool with a gun”’
shot this Owl, and within a month the
English Sparrows were flocking back to
that place.—ALTHEA R. SHERMAN, Na-
tional, Iowa.

Sheltering Wings

It was a very warm day in May, before
the trees had put on leaves enough to
produce any shade, and the young Robins
in their nest in a woodbine, on my porch
were exposed to the direct rays of the sun.
The untimely heat became a burden, even
to us, and the little birds soon began to
suffer, as they showed by panting and open
mouths, even drooping their heads over
the side of the nest. The parents were
evidently distressed by the little ones’
condition, and flew about much excited,
seemingly not knowing what to do; but
it was as evident that they knew the cause
of the suffering, and finally they literally
threw themselves into the breach. — For
one of the birds took its place on the edge
of the nest and stretched out its wings
in such a way as to screen the young ones
from the sun. When it became exhausted
from holding its wings in this unnatural
position, it left, and the other took its
place. Thus taking turns, they sheltered
the nest for several hours, while we watched
this exhibition of parental love and en-
durance.—M. L. Davis, Blue Point, L. I.

[It is not unusual for birds to shelter
their young with spread wings from the
rain as well as from the sun. See, for
example, Mr. Abbott’s photograph of a
Chestnut-sided Warbler in this position,
in the last issue of BrrD-LORE.—ED.]

Book Pews

DoroTHy BRooKE’s ScHoot Days. By
FRANCES CAMPBELL SPARHAWK. With
illustrations by Frank TT. Merrill.
Thomas Y. Crowell & Co., New York.
1909. 8vo. 358 pages.

Dorothy Brooke is a type of a lovable
school girl with a heart large enough to
take in not only her schoolmates, but also
the birds. Her championship of her bird
friends is a fine example for every Ameri-
can school child. The story is one that
should be in every school library. No
mother need fear to place the book in her
daughter’s hands, who, if she adopts the
motto of Dorothy Brooke, can not fail
to become a good woman.

Books of this character are good reading
for the young folks.—W. D.

THE BirpDs OF ILLINOIS AND WISCONSIN.
By CuHarves B. Cory, Curator of De
partment of Zodlogy. Field Museum of
Natural History. Publication 131. Zo6-
logical Series. Vol. IX. Chicago, U. S.
A., 1909. 4 to 764 pages.

According to the preface, “the present
work includes, as far as known, all species
and subspecies of birds which occur in
Illinois and Wisconsin, the total number
being 398, with descriptions of their
various plumages, nests and eggs, and
geographical distribution, together with
more or less brief biographical notes con-
cerning them.” The work is, therefore, a
complete manual of the birds of the two
states.

The illustrated keys are very compre-
hensive, occupying the first 274 pages.
There is also a key to the eggs of the
breeding species and a bibliography of
eleven pages.

The occurrence of so large a number of
birds, 400 species and sub-species, in
these two states, is due to a combination
of favorable circumstances. The proxim-
ity of the Great Lakes results in the pres-
ence of many aquatic species ordinarily
absent from inland localities. The oc-
currence of many western species is another
element. The five characteristic Mississippi
valley species—Yellow-headed Black-bird

and WAeviews

Western Meadowlark, Lark Sparrow,
Clay-colored Sparrow and Bell’s Vireo are
more or less common breeding birds in
at least parts of the area, and constitute
the only important difference between
the avifauna of these states and those
of the Atlantic border. In addition to
these, there are 35 or 40 distinctly western
species that occur as stragglers. The 700
miles between the northern and southern
boundaries of the region results in great
differences between the bird faunas of
the two extremes, and, while some boreal
species have been recorded only from
northern Wisconsin, a much larger num-
ber of typically southern species are known
only from Illinois.

The numerous illustrations—the ma-
jority borrowed from various sources, but
a few, apparently, made especially for
the present work—are of very unequal
merit. Many of the wood-cuts of heads
are lacking both in character and in artis-
tic quality, and are unworthy of a work
of such value. The half-tones, while
more satisfactory, are, in some cases,
marred by slight inaccuracies. Thus, the
tarsus of the Man-o’-War Bird is repre-
sented as wholly devoid of feathers, and
the small hind-toe of the Avocet is re-
markably elevated. An excellent feature
is the representation on one plate of re-
lated species, such as the various Owls
and the Woodpeckers, to show their
relative size.

A few errors have inevitably crept in.
The head of the Long-billed Marsh Wren
does duty for Nelson’s Sharp-tailed
Sparrow, on page 197; the figure of the
Cooper’s Hawk on page 461, is actually
the Broad-winged Hawk, and the latter
species, following the error of the Check-
List, is located in the sub-genus Tachy-
triorchis. A number of sub-genera are
omitted, apparently unintentionally, as
under Marila, Sterna and Pelecanus.

Only the typical sub-species of the
Parula Warbler, Compsothlypis Ameri-
cana, is given; but usneq is the form found

(218)

Book News

in Wisconsin, and probably also in Illi-
nois, although a specimen of Americana
‘has been recorded from the southern part
of the latter state.

These slips are mere details, however,
and do not detract materially from the
general excellence of the work, which
has evidently been carefully done, and
will be a very useful handbook to the
students of Illinois and Wisconsin birds.
—W. DEW. M.

The Ornithological Magazines

Tue Auxk.—‘The Auk’ for July opens
with a suggestive paper by Spencer
Trotter on ‘The Geological and Geo-
graphical Relations of the MLand-Bird
Fauna of Northeastern America.’ Charles
W. Townsend presents an interesting
synopsis of our knowledge concerning
“The Use of the Wings and Feet by Diving
Birds,’ and also a summary of recent
occurrences of the Carolina Wren in New
England, where this bird is becoming
increasingly common. Charles W. Rich-
mond completes his ‘Reprint of the Orni-
thological Writings of C. S. Rafinesque,’
begun in the preceding issue, and of his-
torical interest also is ‘Some Original
Manuscript Relating to the History of
Townsend’s Bunting,’ contributed by
Ruthven Deane, to whom we are indebted
for so many valuable papers of this char-
acter. A. H. Felger writes at some length
of the water birds of portions of Weld,
Morgan and Adams counties, Colorado;
Walter P. Taylor records the capture, at
Nicasio, California, of a Hummingbird
of the Selasphorus ‘floresizt’ type, believed
to be a hybrid between S. allent and
Calypie anna, and comments pertinently
on the ‘Weight of Generic Characters in
the Trochilide.’

The ‘Fifteenth Supplement to the
American Ornithologists’ Union Check-
List of. North American Birds’ is the
final report of the A. O. U. Committee
before the publication of the revised
edition of the Check-List, which will
probably appear during the coming win-
ter. Of special interest to readers of BIRD-

and Reviews 219
Lore will be the changes which have been:
made in the common names of our birds,
and we therefore reprint that section of
the report in full, as follows: ‘‘In addition
to the list of changes given below, it was.
decided to omit ‘American’ as a part
of a vernacular name, and to add ‘Euro-
pean’ where necessary. Also, to abandon
the adjectival form of geographical
names, oe

LIST OF NAMES

OLD
St. Domingo Grebe

NEW
Mexican Grebe

Dark-bodied Shearwater Sooty Shearwater

Stormy Petrel
Tropic Bird
Anhinga
Man-o’-War Bird
Widgeon .

Steller’s Duck
Lesser Snow Goose
Ross’ Snow Goose
White-bellied Brant
Whooping Swan
European Blue Heron
Snowy Heron
Greater Snipe
Bartramian Sandpiper
Ring Plover

Little Ring Plover
Surf-Bird

Partridge

Canada Grouse
Prairie Hen

Sage Grouse
Florida Wild Turkey
Black Merlin
Richardson’s Merlin

Storm Petrel
Tropic-bird
Water-Turkey
Man-o’-war-bird
European Widgeon
Steller’s Eider

Snow Goose

Ross’s Goose

Brant

Whooper Swan
European Heron
Snowy Egret

Great Snipe

Upland Plover
Ringed Plover
Little Ringed Plover
Surf-bird

Quail, in Nos. 292-296
Spruce Partridge
Prairie Chicken
Sage Hen

Florida Turkey
Black Pigeon Hawk
Richardson’s Pigeon

Hawk
Green-crested Flycatcher Acadian Flycatcher

American Raven (No.

486)
Bicolored Blackbird
Tricolored Blackbird
House Finch

Leucosticte (Nos. 523—

526
Snowflake (Nos. 534-

535)
Sandwich Sparrow

Savanna Sparrow*

Western Raven
Bicolored Red-wing
Tricolored Red-wing
California Linnet

Rosy Finch

Snow Bunting

Aleutian Savannah
Sparrow.

Savannah Sparrow

Bryant’s Marsh Sparrow Bryant’s Sparrow
Belding’s Marsh Sparrow Belding’s Sparrow

Townsend’s Sparrow

Louisiana Tanager
Parkman’s Wren
Turner’s Chickadee
Wilson’s Thrush

Townsend’s Fox Spar-
row, and the word
‘Fox’ is added in the
names of all the sub-
species of No. 585-

Western Tanager

Western House Wren

Yukon Chickadee

Veery.

““The word ‘Bewicks’ is to be omitted
from all the sub-species under No. 719,

except the first.

*Named from the city of Savannah.

220

“Ridgway’s vernacular names, in
‘Birds of North and Middle America,’
are adapted for the species and sub-species
of Chamea. ‘Macgilliway’s Warbler’ is
9

not changed to ‘Tolmie’s Warbler.
F. M: C.

Tue Conpor.—Of the eight principal
papers in the May number of ‘The Con-
dor,’ three treat of nesting habits. Hanna
reports the finding of a nest and eggs of
the White-throated Swift, in May, 1908,
in an old quarry on Slover mountain, near
Colton, California; Silloway tells of find-
ing the nests of the Long-billed Curlew and
Short-eared Owl in Montana; and Rock-
well describes ‘The Use of Magpies’
Nests by Other Birds.’ The Long-eared
Owl, Western Horned Owl, Screech Owl,
Sharp-shinned Hawk, Dove and English
Sparrow are mentioned as species known
to utilize abandoned nests of the Magpie
as nesting-sites. In a brief but interesting
article, Gifford gives notes on two pairs of
Mourning Doves which bred in captivity,
and incidentally indicates that the period
of incubation is fourteen days. The chief
point of interest in Tyler’s ‘Notes from
Fresno County,’ is the record of the
Spotted Owl (Syrnium occidentale), near
Elovis, on March g, 1908. In a short,
illustrated article, Ray describes the
“Passing of the Pedro Island Seabird
Rookery,’ in San Mateo county, Cali-
fornia, where eight species of birds still
breed in greatly diminished numbers.
An ‘Ornithological Trip to Los Coronadas
Islands, Mexico,’ is described by Wright,
who adds notes on twenty-two species
of birds found on the islands in June,
1908.

Preston’s brief article on ‘The Swarm-
ing of the Ruby-crowned Kinglet,’ and
an editorial note (here styled
‘Cherisht Pets’) have an ‘unlookt for’ in-
terest ‘attacht’ to them by having their
verbs ‘clipt.’

on cats

Heretofore the appearance
of ‘The Condor’ has been marred by a
few bob-tailed words, like ‘altho,’ ‘thru’
and ‘thoroly.’ Now the editor, in a frenzy
of simplified spelling, has attacked about
twenty chiefly ending in

verbs, those

Bird - Lore

h, k, p, and s. The innovation ‘might be
less objectionable if it were accompanied
by consistency, but it seems to have been
applied only in spots. Judged by the stan-
dard of the pages above mentioned, another
page contains at least half a dozen typo-
graphical errors. A more serious diffi-
culty is the mutilation of names of certain
species, which will probably soon follow.
The use of the forms ‘hatcht,’ ‘lockt,’
‘hopt,’ etc., necessarily means the adop-
tion of such names as ‘Scorcht Horned
Lark,’ ‘Russet-backt Thrush,’ ‘Black-
capt Vireo’ and ‘Sharp-shint Hawk.’ In
fact, the ‘Olive-backt Thrush’ is formally
introduced in abbreviated form in this
num Dere—— Ie. nseies

THE WILSON BULLETIN.—The June,
1908, number of this long-established pub-
lication opens with an illustrated paper on
‘June Birds of the Washington Coast,’ by
Lynd Jones. F. L. Burns contributes the
second of his Alexander Wilson series,
‘The Mystery of the Small-headed Fly-
catcher,’ and there is a large instalment
of Taverner and Swales’ valuable paper
on ‘The Birds of Pt. Pelee.’ In the Sep-
tember issue this paper is completed, and

Burns contributes another paper on
Wilson, while there are various local
notes.

For December, we have ‘The Making
of the American Ornithology,’ from F. L.
Burns. Adrian Larson gives a list of
October birds of Wall Lake, S. D.; P. A.
Taverner contributes his 1908 bird notes
in southeastern Michigan, and Lynd Jones
presents another instalment of ‘The June
Birds of Washington.’ Dr. Shufeldt has
a note on the nest of the Mississippi Kite,
and the usual Ohio notes complete the
issue.

The March, 1909, number contains
another Wilson article by Burns, and an
instalment of Jones’ ‘ June Birds of Wash-
ington.’ B. H. B. also writes of the Barn
Owl in Ohio, and there is an interesting
series of observations by students of Ohio
University who watched nests of young
birds during an entire day, noting the
number of visits made by the parents, etc.

Book News

For June, Lynd Jones contributes an
extended paper on ‘The Birds of Cedar
Point, Ohio,’ while an illustrated paper by
the same author, in conjunction with W.
F. Henninger, treats of the Falcons of
North America. Dr. R. W. Shufeldt con-
tributes ‘Some Washington Bird Notes;’
W. F. Henninger, ‘Spring Migration in
Middle Western Ohio,’ and W. E. Saund-
ers, ‘Notes on the Rough-legged Hawk.’
‘The Bulletin’ also has in each number
many valuable notes, chiefly relating to
Ohio and Michigan.—W. S.

JOURNAL OF THE MAINE ORNITHOLOGI-
CAL SOCIETY.—The June, 1908, number
of this magazine contains a state map,
reproduced from Knight’s ‘Birds of
Maine,’ with an explanatory paper on the
faunal areas. W. H. Brownson contributes
a detailed daily diary of the migration at
Cape Elizabeth, Me., for May 13-27,
which will prove interesting to observers
elsewhere who wish to make comparisons.
P. B. Rolfe writes of ‘Fishhawks Forty
Years Ago.’ There is also an obituary
of Prof. Leslie A. Lee, late president of
the society.

For September, O. W. Knight writes
on Sambo, a pet Long-eared Owl, and
Sara C. Eastman contributes an account
of a pet Blue Jay. Howard H. Cleaves
has a tribute to the Spotted Sandpiper, as
observed at Staten Island, N. Y., —
rather out of the range of the Maine
Society,—and W. H. Brownson writes
entertainingly of ‘A Visit to Grand
Manan.’

In the December number, Francis H.
Allen has an interesting ‘Ornithological
Reconnoissance’ of Monhegan Island;
Dr. Wm. C. Kendall describes a ‘Family
of Loons’ at Sebago Lake; and Mrs. E.
H. Marks contributes a photograph of
three Robins’ nests built close together,
on three successive years.

The March, 1909, number contains
the proceedings of the thirteenth annual
meeting of the society; also, ‘The Carolina
Wren in Maine,’ by Mrs. E. E. Brewer,
and numerous Christmas bird censuses.

In the June, 1909, issue, W. H. Rich

and Reviews 225
writes on the Hungarian Partridge and
its introduction into Maine, Dr. W. C.
Kendall contributes some * Notes on Birds
at Sea,’ collected while serving on the
Fish Commission schooner, ‘Grampus,’
in the north Atlantic. Mrs. D. F. Went-
worth has an article on a ‘Pet Cedar
Waxwing,’ and O. W. Knight describes:
the occurrence of Bohemian Waxwings in
Maine during March, 1909. The usual
numerous local notes and migration records.
form an important feature of all the issues,.
and attest to the continued activity of the
Society.—W. S.

Book News

THE first Annual Report of E. H. For-
bush, State Ornithologist of Massachu-
setts, is issued as a six-page reprint from
the Fifty-sixth Annual Report of the
Massachusetts State Board of Agriculture,
and is an admirable exposition of the ways
and means by which a professional orni-
thologist may be of value to the State.

WE learn from the July ‘Ibis’ that at
the annual meeting of the British Ornith-
ologists’ Union the following’ resolution
was passed: ‘If, in the opinion. of the
Committee, any Member. . . of the Union,
shall have personally assisted in or con-
nived at the capture or destruction of any
bird, nest, or eggs in the British Isles, by
purchase or otherwise, likely, in the opinion
of the Committee, to lead to the extermi-
nation or serious diminution of that species
as a British bird, the Secretary shall be
directed to send a registered letter to that
Member, stating the facts brought before
the Committee and asking for an explana-
tion of the same, but without mentioning
the source from which such
was obtained. After allowing a reasonable
time (not less than a clear fortnight after
the receipt of the Secretary’s letter) for
reply or for appearing in person before the
Committe if he so desire, the Committee,

information

providing not less than four are agreed,
shall have power to remove that gentle-
man’s name from the List of Members
without assigning any reason.”

BHird- Lore

A Bi-monthly Magazine

Devoted to the Study and Protection of Birds
OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE AURUBON SOCIETIES

Edited by FRANK M. CHAPMAN
Published by THE MACMILLAN COMPANY

Vol. XI Published October 1, 19099 No. 5

SUBSCRIPTION RATES

Price in the United States, Canada and Mexico twenty cents
a number, one dollar a year, postage paid.

COPYRIGHTED, 1909, BY FRANK M. CHAPMAN

a

Bird-Lore's Motto:
A Bird in the Bush ts Worth Two in the Hand

HAVING now figured in color the War-
blers, Thrushes, Flycatchers and Vireos of
North America, we shall present in the
next issue of Brrp-Lore the first plate of
the much-requested series illustrating the
Sparrows. The drawings, by Fuertes, will
be reproduced by the most adequate process.

Brrp students should be grateful to the
American Ornithologists’ Union’s Com-
mittee on Classification and Nomenclature
for the comparatively few changes it pro-
poses to make in the common names of
our birds in the forthcoming revised edi-
tion of the ‘Check-List’ of North American
birds. Where scientific names are con-
cerned, the committee has no choice but
to apply the accepted rules of zoGdlogical
nomenclature; but vernacular names know
no law, and the committee here was gov-
erned only by its own judgment. As will
be seen by the list, printed in our notice
of the July ‘Auk,’ in which the committee’s
report appears, aside from minor altera-
tions affecting, for example, compound
names which are capitalized and hy-
phenated to conform to current custom,
most of the changes are distinct conces-
sions to popular usage, such book names

as ‘Bartramian Sandpiper,’ ‘Leucos-
ticte,’ ‘Wilson’s Thrush,’ etc., giving
away respectively, to Upland Plover,

Rosy Finch and Veery.

The committee’s decision to omit the
word ‘American,’ and add ‘European,’
where necessary, tends toward brevity,

Bird - Lore

without loss of clearness. When we speak
of Robin or Crow, for instance, our native
species are, of course, as much understood
as the use of the same names in England
implies that the European species are
referred to. On the other hand, it is
clearly as proper for us to use the word
‘European’ as it would be for the English-
man to employ ‘American’ under similar
circumstances.

Ir is curious to what lengths the special-
ist will go in the effort to show that his
particular branch of science is the only
one through which we may hope to reach
the end in view. Here we have an animal
psychologist, who, writing in McClure’s
magazine for August, assures us that the
day of the study of animal life in nature
is past. It is true, he is good enough to
acknowledge that the ‘‘naturalist of the
older sort did indeed secure much valuable
information,—but it took him a lifetime
to do it. He went out into fields or woods
for the chance of running across some
interesting creature; and, even when luck
favored him most, he had to wait patiently
hour after hour for the chance of seeing
something new or significant.”

Our writer, and his kind, however, have
changed all that. They will waste no
time in learning the relations of an animal
to its natural surroundings and its actions
in them; on the contrary, to quote again,
“he brings the animal into his laboratory,
and arranges matters to suit his conveni-
ence, not its.’ Here, no doubt, he will
ascertain certain facts which the field
observer would never ascertain, but to
assert, for this reason, that the latter’s
days “are past,” is an example of that
narrowness of vision of which scientists
are unfortunately too often justly acccused.

We commend to the writer of the article in

question Doctor Watson’s ‘Studies of
Terns in the Tortugas,’ as a contribution
to our knowledge of animal behavior by
a psychologist, who, although an acknow-
ledged leader in laboratory research, is
still far too good a naturalist to be blind
to the importance of studying an animal
in its own environment. i

UP SN mnt ti

The Audubon HDocieties

SCHOOL DEPARTMENT

Edited by MABEL OSGOOD WRIGHT

Address all communications to the Editor of the School Department, National
Association of Audubon Societies, 141 Broadway, New York City

How One School Made Bird Houses

By JOHN D. HANEY, P.S. 5 Bronx, New York City

: | NDER the stimulus of suggestion from principal and teacher, the boys
of Public School 5, Bronx, New York City, became, last term, very en-
thusiastic over the idea of making bird-boxes or bird-houses. They

realized at once the very real character of the exercise, and the chance of putting

their handiwork actually to use in their own backyards and open spaces around
their houses, for the Bronx is still a part of the city that boasts of open lots and
haunts of Wren and Blue Jay.

For those that wanted to make illustrations instead of houses, or for those
that wanted to make both, the teacher projected the making of posters, to an-
nounce the special exercises that the school would hold on Audubon’s birthday
as a bird day; and these, along with the houses themselves, became part of the
exhibit for Audubon Day.

The houses were made by the pupils when out of school, and from material
that they supplied themselves. The school, not having a shop or adequate
appliances for the work, and having no lumber for the construction, could give
the boys little in way of encouragement, except the spirit of the aim and the desire
to “make something.” But this was sufficient. The teacher secured the pam-
phlets from the Audubon Society, and copies of Brrp-Lore, that gave ideas
in regard to the building of houses, and the pictures of the birds with the cir-
culars telling of their habitat and customs. The boys made a study of these data,
and tried to determine for themselves what kind of house would do for what
kind of bird. They were not always successful in this, because the real bird
was not present to be investigated; but with the stuffed and mounted specimens
from the Museum of Natural History, and with whatever information could be
gleaned from such books as those of Olive Thorne Miller, Chapman, Beebe,
Wright, etc., they made a start.

They were compelled by the conditions of the competition, which was open
to all of the higher grades, to make working drawings of what they intended to
construct before they went about their other task. This was done partly so that
the work might count as an exercise with a real aim in working drawing (too
often an uninteresting drawing), and as an assurance that there would be no
getting of a house that would be a palpable misfit for the occupant in whose
interests it was being made.

(223)

224 Bird- Lore

The boys proved to be tremendously engrossed with their work, and made
their houses eagerly, and sometimes over more than once, in order to get a
result that satisfied them. They sought, and secured with reasonable success,
the rustic appearance, and they wrought out of unpromising material, such as
old soap-boxes, miles too large, neat and satisfying effects.

They kept in mind that a good bird-house does not necessarily look like
a house for human habitation, and that sometimes the less like a real “house’’
the bird-house looks, the better bird-house it may be. They inclined the roof
to keep the rain from soaking through, they studied the location of the perch,
and they considered the problem of the pestiferous cat and the English Spar-
row. They pored over the problem of the size of the hole for an entrance,
and they devised clever doors for the cleaning of the house, after the tenants
had left it.

Public School 5 is a small school, as schools go in the great city of New York,
so that not more than five classes of about forty each were involved in the making
of the posters and houses. The work was wholly voluntary, and was done mainly
after school and at home. It served to arouse an interest in the conservation of
our native birds, and to lead in some small way, at least, to the observation of
bird ways and the function of the bird in the life of the community.

AUDUBON

wore DAT. om

BIRD-HOUSES AND POSTERS FOR AUDUBON DAY EXHIBITION P. S. NO. 5,
BRONX, NEW YORK CITY
Photographed by George Gade

_Bructe Horsrari

BUSH-TIT
Order—PassERES Family—Pariw&

Genus—PSALTRIPARUS Species—MinimMus

The Bush-Tit

By WILLIAM L. FINLEY

Che Mational Association of Audubon Societies

EDUCATIONAL LEAFLET NO. 40

The Bush-tit’s home is on the Pacific coast. He is so much of a Westerner
that he is entirely unknown in the eastern states. He may be recognized by
his diminutive size, as he is but little larger than a Hummingbird, but more
fluffy in appearance and with a tail that is as long as his body. He is dressed
modestly in grays and browns, with not a touch of bright coloring. As a nest-
builder, he has no equal among our small birds, for he builds a long gourd-
shaped home from eight to ten inches
in length, with a side entrance at the
upper end. As a bird character, he is
fearless and readily accepts human friend-
ship.

One can hardly help falling in love
with a Bush-tit. He is such a tiny mite,

not larger than your
Character thumb. He goes along in
such a bustling, business-
. like way. He is absolutely fearless, at
times. One can make friends with the
Bush-tit as easily as with his cousin, the
Chickadee. Any one who has studied
bird character would know that these
two birds are related, even if he did not
BUSH-TIT WITH FOOD FOR YOUNG know that both are members of the
Mi Ft Bebinan family, Paride. I do not know why the
Bush-tits and Chickadees place so much confidence in mankind. Perhaps they
remember only the kindnesses of our race, and not the evils. But, even
though these two birds are so alike in character, they are so different as home-
builders. One might wonder how the Bush-tit has developed such remarkable
ability as a home-builder, when the Chicakdee is content to dig himself a den in
the heart of some old stump.

The Bush-tit never seems to be moody; perhaps he never has the blues.

He loves company. Through a large part of California the Bush-tits forage about
in flocks nearly nine months of the year. In Oregon and Wash-
a BE ington, they come in the spring, nest and depart in the fall. A
pa flock of Bush-tits is always restless. The Juncos, like the Bush-
tits, stay in flocks a large part of the year. I have often watched them about my

(225)

226 Bird - Lore

home. After a hunt for food and their hunger is satisfied, they sit about in some
tree resting and preening themselves, and their continual twittering gives the
impression of a real bird concert. Bush-tits are great talkers. But I have never
seen a flock stop for a rest. Their appetites never seem satisfied. A flock forms
a continual moving excursion. A few always take the lead, bobbing along in
tippling flight from tree to tree. Others follow rapidly, and, when they
take possession of a bush, it looks as if the whole thing had suddenly taken
wings.

The Bush-tit has no distinctive color-marks, such as the white tail feathers
in the Junco; but he has a series of call-notes that are of great importance in
keeping each member of the flock informed as to where the others are. In Volume
V, No. 4, of ‘The Condor,’ Mr. Joseph Grinnell has a very interesting article
on the call-notes of the Bush-tit. In this article he notes a very characteristic
habit of the Bush-tit that I have observed on several different occasions.

I stood, one day, in an alder copse watching a flock of Bush-tits that were
hunting through the branches. It was a family of young birds. Each had learned
to keep up a constant fsre-e, tsre-e! tsit! tsre! as if continually
saying something. But this gossip was not so much for the sake
of the conversation as to keep the whole flock constantly together.
While I was watching, three or four of the midgets were within a few feet of me.
One of the birds in the next tree began a shrill quavering whistle, and instantly
it was taken up by every one of the band. The two birds near me, as well as every
one of the others, rose to their perches. Had I not known, I couldn’t have
told just where the whistle was coming from; it sounded so scattering, like the
elusive, grating call of the cicada. Then I saw a Hawk sweeping slowly over-
head, and the confusing chorus lasted as long as the Hawk was in sight; nor did
one of the little Bush-tits seem to move a feather, but just sit and trill in perfect
unison. It served as a unique method of protection: the whole flock had learned
to act as a unit. It would have been hard for an enemy to tell where a single bird
was, the alarm note was so deceiving, the birds so motionless, and their clothing
harmonized so perfectly with the foliage.

There are several varieties of Bush-tits, living from Washington down to
western Texas. All are very much alike, uniform gray or brownish in color,

darker above and lighter below, except the species that one may
Range see in the mountainous regions of western Texas and northern

Mexico. In this locality, the Bush-tit has a black patch on
the side of its head. Through the western part of Oregon and Washington, the
Bush-tit often nests in willows, hemlocks and hazels, and the site selected is
usually from six to eight feet from the ground. In California, the oaks are favor-
ite nesting-places. Here the Bush-tit builds largely of lichens, plant fibers and
feathers.

The Bush-tit is a master-builder among birds, for he builds a real bird man-
sion. I once watched a pair of these tiny creatures lay the foundation for a

Self
Protection

The Bush-Tit 227

typical long pocket-nest. I say, lay the foundation; but really
the Bush-tit does not follow our ideas of architecture, for he
shingles the roof first and puts in his uprights and _ his
floor-joists last.

After the pair of lovers had selected a site for a home in a hemlock tree, they
began weaving in some cross-pieces beween the twigs. Then they left a place
for a round doorway, and began weaving the walls of moss, fibers and lichens.
This was to be the hallway down to the main living-room. The outline of the
long pocket was built, and then filled out from the inside. The feather lining
was added last, and this required a great amount of hunting. When one of the
Tits came with a feather, he would pop down into the nest, and the whole struc-
ture would shake and bulge, as the little fellow worked and fitted the material
in just where it was needed, and out he would come to continue the hunt. It
seemed they would never get enough feathers; for, even after some of the pure
white eggs were laid, whenever in their travels the pair would run across a feather,
back they would come and add it to their bed.

- In some parts of Oregon where the moss hangs in long bunches to the limbs,
the Bush-tit uses this natural beginning for a nest. I saw one of these birds
build its home by getting inside a long piece of moss and weave it into the wall
of the nest. At another time, I saw a Bush-tit’s nest that was twenty inches
long. The little weavers had started their home on a limb, and it was evidently
not low enough to suit:them, for they made a fibrous strap ten inches long and
then swung their gourd-shaped nest to that, letting the nest hang in a bunch of
willow leaves.

I never had a good idea of the amount of insect food a Bush-tit consumed
until I watched a pair of these birds a few days after the eggs were hatched.

Both birds fed in turn, and the turns averaged about five minutes
Appetite apart during a large part of the day. The parents were busy

from dawn till dark. They searched the leaves and twigs, the
branches and trunks of every tree; they hunted through the bushes and grasses
and ferns, and food always seemed to be abundant. Sometimes they brought
caterpillars, moths and daddy-long-legs, that one could see, and again they
brought bills full of larvee, plant-lice or scale insects that one could not recognize.
One pair of Bush-tits about a locality means the destruction of an untold number
of insect pests. If we could but estimate the amount of insects destroyed by all
the birds about any one locality, we should find it enormous. Without the help
of these assistant gardeners, bushes and trees would soon be leafless.

The Bush-tit does not possess the aérial grace of a Swallow, or even the
nimbleness of a Warbler. He bustles along in such a jerky way he often looks
as if he would topple heels over head, and go whirling to the ground like a tailless
kite. He is not so a successful a wing shot as the Flycatcher, but he has an eye
that few birds can equal in stalking. He is a good assistant to the gardener,
for he is at work early and late and constantly at it.

Building
the Home

228 Bird - Lore

Prof. F. E. L. Beal, of the Biological Survey, has made a careful study of

the Bush-tit and its relation to the fruit industry on the Pacific coast. Three

hundred and fifty-three stomachs of Bush-tits were examined.

Food Habits They were collected during every month of the year, the greater

number being taken during the spring and summer. The fact that

less than one per cent of the food of the Bush-tit consists of fruit, and that over

four-fifths of its diet consists of insects and spiders, nearly all of which are harm-

ful, shows that the bird is a very valuable resident of any fruit-growing or farm-

ing district. According to Professor Beal, the largest item in the insect portion
of the Bush-tit’s food consists of plant-lice or bark-lice or scale.

The San José scale is one of the most pernicious and destructive pests to
the fruit-growing industry on the Pacific coast. As this scale is very small and
its distinctive character so minute, it is very difficult to identify positively after
it has been eaten by the birds and is mixed with the other food in the stomach.
Some species, such as the olive scale, are larger and more easily identified. Out
of the total of three hundred and fifty-three stomachs examined, one hundred
and thirty-eight held scales. Several stomachs were entirely filled with them.
So it is certain the Bush-tit devotes a good part of his time toward destroying
scale insects, which do so much damage to fruit on the Pacific coast.

Professor Beal examined one brood of eight nestlings about ten days old.
The stomach of every one of these young birds contained pupe of the codling-

moth. Two stomachs contained two each, two contained three
Food a each, one contained four, one seven, one nine, and one eleven.
a The place where Professor Beal secured these young birds was
in an oak tree along a stream that bordered a neglected orchard. The parent
Bush-tits hunted through this old orchard, and did much to keep down the horde
of insects that thrived and lived there. This is the Bush-tit’s life-work. It would
be difficult to find a small bird that is a more valuable asset to any farmer
or fruit-grower.

MAKING FRIENDS WITH A BUSH-TIT FAMILY
Photographed by H. T. Bohlman

The Audubon Docicties

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT

Edited by WILLIAM DUTCHER

Address all correspondence, and send all remittances for dues and contributions to
the National Association of Audubon Societies, 141 Broadway, New York City

Notice of the Annual Meeting of the
National Association of Audubon
Societies

The annual meeting of the members
of the National Association of Audubon
Societies for the Protection of Wild Birds
and Animals, for the election of a director
to take the place of William Dutcher,
whose term of office will then expire, and
for the election of an Advisory Board of
Directors, as provided for in the By-Laws,
and for the transaction of such other busi-
ness as may properly come before the
meeting, will be held at the American
Museum of Natural History, Columbus
avenue and 77th street, in the Borough of
Manhattan and City of New York, on the
twenty-sixth day of October, 1g09, at
ten o’clock A.mM.—T. GILBERT PEARSON,
Secretary.

How to Attract Birds

There is evidently a growing interest
in the subject of how to attract birds,
from the number of inquiries that are
being made at the headquarters of the
Association. This work is not only ex-
tremely interesting and entertaining, but
is also economically valuable. In a recent
communication from Prof. H. A. Surface,
Economic Zodlogist, of Pennsylvania,
he writes that the total loss to apple-
growers in his state for the present year
will amount to over one million dollars
from the codling-moth alone. He adds
this strong endorsement regarding attrac-
ing birds: “It has been observed with
certainty that, where birds have been
encouraged around premises, the codling-
moth pest has been considerably reduced.”

Dr. John C. Phillips, a life member

of this Association, gives the following
interesting story of his success with the
Berlepsch nesting-boxes:

“Last March, seventy-five of the Ber-
lepsch nesting-boxes and three of the
food-bells were received from Herman
Scheid, Buren, Germany. The total cost
of this shipment delivered at Wenham,
Mass., was $44.29. During the winter,
the English Sparrows had been perse-
cuted as much as possible, but no other
bird-attracting work was done. Seventy
of the boxes were placed in position, by
the sixth of April, in the woods, orchard,
and about the farm buildings. Within a
few days, the Bluebirds were seen flying
in and out of those boxes nearest the farm-
house.

““As to the sizes, there were far too
many of the Az (iy inches opening).
None of these apparently have been occu-
pied. Box A (1% inches) was used by the
Tree Swallows, in preference apparently
to Box B (1$-inch opening) which they
also used. There were a number of Box
B, but, owing to a mistake, none of size
C (2} inches). The very large size D
(3% inches), of which eight were received,
were placed about the lake, in the hope
of attracting Wood Ducks,—so far with-
out result.

“Tn general, the results from a very
hasty survey have been as follows: The
boxes were placed too late to attract the
winter and local birds. Nearly all the
boxes placed in the orchard were occupied
by Bluebirds and Swallows, with a fair
sprinkling of English Sparrows. ‘Those
placed in the woods were probably none
of them tenanted, although no very care-
ful survey has been taken. Many of the
boxes at a distance from the house were
gnawed badly by red squirrels. (A ring

(229)

230

of sheet metal placed around the opening
might be of use in these cases.)

““Boxes under the eaves of a shed and
in very exposed places seemed to be pre-
ferred by the Swallows. One Swallow
occupied a box on the trunk of an apple
tree, not four feet above ground. It is
fair to say that the orchard to which the
birds were attracted had never been used
by the ‘hole-nesting’ birds before, as the
trees were young and devoid of hollow
limbs, ete.

“As regards future work, it is proposed
this fall to place in position a large number
of boxes, mostly sizes B and C. More
favorable sites will be chosen, and the
denser parts of the woods will receive a
smaller proportion.

“The English Sparrows and the red-

squirrels will be consistently shot and
trapped during the whole fall and winter.
The Crows will be negotiated with a
decoy Owl, Crow decoys and Crow call.

“The winter birds will be regularly fed
under improvised shelters and with the
food bell. The Berlepsch ‘feed tree’ will
also be tried. Elongated, curved forceps
will be obtained for extracting young
English Sparrows from the boxes.

‘Considering the lateness of the season
at which these boxes were put out, the
results appear to me to be very encourag-
If, however, the Sparrows are not
kept more or less under control, I believe
the placing of the nesting-boxes will be
found of very doubtful advantage, as they
offer ideal conditions for the increase of
Passer domesticus.”

The unable
find any manufacturer who will furnish

ing.

Association has been to
nesting boxes at a price that approxi-
mates the cost of those manufactured in
plus the duty and freight.
Several large orders for these boxes and
food bells have just been forwarded to
Germany, at the request of some of our
members.—W. D.

Germany,

Indiana News

In addition to the rigid enforcement of
the law, Z. T. Sweeney, State Fish and

Bird - Lore

has for several
years carried on a campaign of education
among the boys of the state, through the
parents and public schools, with the
result that there is far less destruction of
birds’ nests in the spring and far less
killing of birds in the spirit of wantonness.
In this work, the Commissioner states
that he has been greatly assisted by the
Indiana Audubon Society.

Work of this character is highly ap-
proved of by the National Association, as
it is undoubtedly a fact that work among
the children produces far better results
in bird-protection than any other line of
effort.

Game Commissioner,

A Friend of the Farmer

Miss Rose Williams, of Newark, N. Y.,
one of our valued members, reports the
following interesting item: ‘‘A Pheasant
was run over by a mowing-machine a few
days since, and was killed. As there had
been some discussion among the farmers
of this locality regarding the food of the
Pheasants, and as some of them claimed
that the birds ate a great deal of grain and
corn, the crop of this Pheasant was
opened, and in it were found over two
hundred potato bugs.”

If these introduced birds have acquired
a taste for potato bugs, they will prove
valuable machines for every farmer to
own and distribute wherever these insect
pests are found.

Old Man Island Reservation

Captain Small, our warden, sends the
following interesting report: ‘This has
been one of the best seasons for the Ducks
and Gulls I have seen during my term as
warden. The Eider Ducks left the reser-
vation on the rsth of August, and the
Gulls are all large enough to fly. I found
that one Duck laid and hatched her young
on Cape Wash Island, about one-quarter
of a mile from Old Man Island. I saw
her coming from the brush, and have seen
the young Ducks on the island. There
were about fifty Eider Ducks this season,

Pea

The Audubon Societies

male and female, and J think there were
about sixty young Ducks on Old Man
Island and four on Cape Wash Island.
The Gulls took quite a jump this season.
I am calling them two thousand five hun-
dred old birds and two thousand eight
hundred young.”

How to Attract Martins

Mr. C. E. Hamilton, superintendent of
Heart’s Delight Farm, Chazy, New York,
writes that they have probably one of the
largest colonies of Martins in the country.
The accompanying illustration
their two Martin houses.

shows
The smaller

one, in the foreground, was occupied by
a colony of from two hundred and fifty

MARTIN

to three hundred birds during the present

‘summer; the other house, unfortunately,
Was not completed by the contractors in
time for the Martins to occupy this year;

it has accommodations for five hundred

birds.

Mr. Hamilton sends the following natural
history item: ‘‘ One very interesting feature
about these Martins is, that when they

231

arrive in the spring they all come in one
flock, and seem to have flown a long dis-
tance, as. they are very tired. They usu-
ally arrive in the afternoon, and will lie
on the roofs and ground nearby, com-
pletely exhausted. On several occasions,
we have picked them up, and they were
so tired out they did not attempt to get
away. They seem to be very prolific, and
are an exceedingly nice bird to have
around the place.”

About the Aigrette

Mr. Julian A. Dimock, the well-known
explorer, photographer and magazine
writer, sends us the following appeal:
“ Better than most men, I know the devas-

HOUSES

tating results of plume-bird hunting in.
Florida; therefore, it is to aid in the fight
against the total destruction of Florida
bird life that I appeal to you. Of his
experience in plume-hunting in the Ten
Thousand Islands a _ hunter-boy thus
spoke to me. The first day he and his
brother shot a few birds in the rookery.
The next day the little birds, orphaned_

232

by their shots, were hungry, and calling
so plaintively for frogs and fish that his
heart melted.

“*T couldn’t stand it, hearing those
hungry little birds, and I needed the money
awful bad. John and I went ’gator-
hunting, and worked a month to make a
day’s wages of plume-hunting, but I
couldn’t stand the little birds.’

“This was the effect on a boy brought
up to hunt and kill wild creatures, and it
is to fight this needless cruelty—cruelty
of a kind to revolt a hardened hunter—
that I ask your aid for a law which can
be opposed only by the selfish millinery
interests. |

“Every ‘aigrette’ sold in New York
state means not alone the taking of a
useful bird life, but the starving to death
oj a little brood; for, every allegation to
the contrary notwithstanding, the aigrette
of commerce is obtained only by shooting
the parent birds at the nesting season.

Florida cannot stop this traffic—geo-
graphical conditions forbid, but you can
close the chief market to her plume
hunters.

“Within my own recollection, the trees
on the banks of the bays and rivers of the
Florida peninsula were alive with birds
of many varieties. As night approached,
the air was filled with birds on their way
to their homes in the big rookeries. Often
the foliage of a key was hidden by the
mass of birds, and the island made to look
like a huge snow-drift. The small remnant
has retreated to the fastnesses of the Big
Cypress Swamp and the unexplored
Everglades; but even here the hunters are
following, and year by year the survivors
get fewer and fewer. The market for the
plumage of these beautiful, harmless
creatures is partly furnished by your state,
and it is because of this market that the
slaughter goes on. As a citizen of the
Empire State, I appeal to you to use your
utmost efforts for a law to stop the ‘ai-
grette’ traffic in New York.”

Contrast the above story with the item
following: the first urges a public improve-
ment, the other the selfish appropriation of
a valuable economic public asset.

Bird -

Lore

Interesting Items from the ‘Millinery
Trade Review’

*“A meeting of importers and manu-
facturers of fancy feathers and jobbers of
millinery goods was held at the Broadway
Central Hotel, on Tuesday, June 29, to
consider the feasibility of organizing a
national association of millinery dealers
for their mutual protection against un-
warranted legislation by state or nation,
inimical to their interests as importers,
manufacturers and dealers in _ fancy
feathers and bird plumage of all kinds and
descriptions.

“Tn calling the meeting to order, Mr.
Adelson said that at a previous informal
meeting it had been determined to send
out a circular letter to the principal houses
of the country, both wholesale and retail,
as a feeler, to ascertain their views re-
garding the forming of a national organi-
zation for mutual protection against the
efforts of certain societies and organiza-
tions who are introducing measures in
various state legislatures to prevent
the buying and selling of foreign plumage.
He said that, inasmuch as societies were
organized in every state and principal
city of the Union, and had a large follow-
ing, and a literary bureau to expound their
cause, it was necessary for the trade to
meet them on their own ground, and adopt
the same measures to enlighten the public
as to their method of diffusing false state-
ments regarding the use of bird plumage
in millinery.

“The Feather Importers’ Association
of New York, according to reports sent
out by the Secretary of State, paid $4,200
to fight the bills introduced in the last
legislature which they considered would
injure the millinery business if enacted
into law. These bills were introduced by
Assemblymen Francis and Reed and
Senator Platt, and were designed to pro-
hibit the sale of the plumage of wild birds;
also aigrettes, or feathers or plumage of
herons.

‘“A statement of legislative expenses
prepared under the anti-lobbying law
was filed with the Secretary of State for

|

The Audubon Societies

the Association by its president, Philip
Adelson, which shows that $2,780 was
paid to Benjamin F. Feiner, and $1,421
‘to James C. Sheldon, attorneys, who
‘made arguments for the Association at
legislative hearings.”,—August, page 50.

“The affairs of the National Millinery
Association are in a very satisfactory
condition. The good-will displayed toward
this movement by the trade in general, is
remarkable, to say the least. It points to
the fact that the trade in general have
had more annoyance from the Audubon
activities than they care about for the
future.’’—September, page 76.

“Certain millinery interests in this
city [Boston] are about to codperate with
the New York dealers for the purpose of
checking further legislation by the Audu-
bon Society, in its endeavor to prohibit
the killing of other than song birds for
manufacture, and testing the law exempt-
ing from use the plumage of the heron and
the barnyard fowl. For over two years,
the millinery trade throughout the country
has been seriously affected by the laws
which, framed for the purpose of protect-
ing the song birds, have been considered
questionable and drastic.

“Said a prominent Boston millinery
merchant: ‘It is about time the millinery
trade of the country should codperate and
help defeat some of the high-handed and
drastic measures that the Audubon Society
attempted to introduce in the State House.
The ban against song-birds may be all
right, but to include water-fowl and birds
of prey in the list seems ridiculous.’”’—
September, page 94.
ee are constantly increas-
ing their importations of novelty effects
in aigrettes, goura, paradise and all the
other high-class novelties that are now

being utilized in trimming the street, —

dress and evening hats. Whatever is de-
sirable in bird plumage, in fancy feathers,
wings and marabout, the goods are there
to be had when needed, at prices consistent
with the values that are offered.”

report a phenomenal

233

businesss in ostrich, paradise and aigrettes.
Their business in these staple goods is
larger than before.’”’—September,
page I03.

ever

The Sharp-shinned Hawk Again

In the last number of Brrp-Lore,
Mr. Miller takes occasion to criticise
the Leaflet on the Sharp-shinned Hawk.
He says, in effect, that no doubt it is
necessary, in order to get protection for
the ‘‘beneficial’”? Hawks, to point out to
farmers and law-makers the bird-eating
species. This, of course, was the object
for which the leaflet was written. Mr.
Miller also says, in substance, that it seems
wrong that the opportunity should be used
to prejudice people against the Sharp-
shinned Hawk by calling it a murderer
and a convicted felon. Upon reading the
leaflet carefully since its publication, I
am inclined to admit that Mr. Miller’s
point is well taken. Unfortunately, per-
haps, I did not learn that I was expected
to prepare this leaflet until shortly before
it was needed by the printer. Therefore
it was hastily written, and no time was
available for the careful revision which
it otherwise would have had; but the
matter that Mr. Miller objects to was
not written with the intent of prejudicing
anybody against the bird, but with the
idea of making the leaflet more reada-
ble. I believe that Mr. Miller does not
question the general accuracy of the
leaflet, but only the manner of stating the
facts. My personal attitude toward the
Hawk is exactly the same as his own.
This Hawk is one of Nature’s means of
restricting the undue increase of other
birds, and preventing the perpetuation of
of disease, weakness, etc., by destroying
the sick or unfit. Nevertheless, the
destruction of the young of game-birds and
poultry, and the excessive killing of song-
birds by this Hawk, certainly is unfortu-
nate from the standpoints of the bird-pro-
tectionist and the game preserver, who are
attempting to increase the numbers of
birds upon their own grounds.

Mr. Miller’s contention, that the

234

present number of small birds is probably
about all that can be maintained by the
food supply, is not borne out by my ex-
perience, under the conditions now pre-
vailing in many localities where man’s
influence has decreased the numbers of
birds and where cats and other enemies
of birds are numerous. Protection, shelter
and increased nesting facilities at such
points have been known to increase the
number of birds 200 per cent or more
within a short period, to the great ad-
vantage of the farmer or the owner of the
land. Such an increase of birds is very
likely to attract the Cooper’s Hawk or
the Sharp-shinned Hawk, with such
results to the smaller birds as were shown
in the leaflet. Since the leaflet above
referred to was written, another season’s
experience with the Sharp-shinned Hawk
has given abundant confirmation to the
statements made therein regarding its
destructiveness. I shall hope to have an
opportunity to give to the readers of BirD-
Lore the results of this season’s experi-
ence.—EDWARD HOWE ForBuSH.

Legislation in New England

VERMONT.—The report on legislation
in New England published in the last
number of Birp-LoreE failed to record
the passage of a provision for the protec-
tion of Quail at all times in Vermont until
September 15, rgrt.

It is important, also, to note that an
act was passed giving the Governor power
to issue a proclamation prohibiting all
shooting for a definite period during any
dry time when there is danger of forest
fires. Protection from forest fires is essen-
tial, as many birds are destroyed or driven
out by fire.

MAINE.—Your agent was unable to go
to Maine on account of calls to New York
and Washington, and Mr. Arthur H.
Norton, President of the Maine Audubon
Society, was incapacitated for a long time,
owing to a serious illness. Nevertheless,
although several bad bills were introduced,
the only one that passed was an act allow-

Bird - Lore

ing the killing of the “ Golden-eye, or
Whistler,’ in the county of Hancock, from
November 1 to April 1. This bill should
be repealed at the next session of the legis-
lature.

MASSACHUSETTS.—A similar act to that
passed in Vermont for the protection of
forests against fires in the hunting season
was passed in Massachusetts.

An act was passed allowing land-owners
to rear and sell Pheasants under rules and
regulations made by the Fish and Game
Commissioners and approved by the
Governor and Council. It is hoped that
this act will encourage the artificial propa-
gation of Pheasants, and that the sales
of these birds in the market will take the
place of the illegal, surreptitious sale of
Grouse.

The bill for the protection of shore,
marsh and beach birds, establishing a
close season on Rails, Gallinules, Plovers,
Snipe and Sandpipers between the 31st
of December and the ist of August, was
finally passed on one of the last days of
the session and signed by the Governor.
This bill protects the Piping Plover and
Killdeer Plover at all times.

Unfortunately, however, during a two-
days’ absence of your agent in Connecticut,
the bill was reported and passed both
Houses, under the suspension of the rules,
in a form which included the word
“quarks” in place of ‘‘coots.” This
change was originally made in the House
at the instance of one of the enemies of
the bill. The word “quarks” was then
stricken out in the Senate, but was again
inadvertently inserted by the Conference
Committee in the final draft of the bill.
Owing to the fact that the close of the
session was near, and that unanimous
consent would be required to reconsider
the vote, it was sent to the Governor in
this form, otherwise it would have been
defeated.

The wording of the bill is as follows:
“or any of the Rallide, known as rails,
gallinules, quarks or mud-hens,’’—“quark”
is one of the common names used in
Massachusetts for Night Heron.—E. H. F.

ro 7 oa

Among Other Issues in the Two Series of

THE AMERICAN SPORTSMAN’S LIBRARY

EDITED BY CASPAR WHITNEY

-““ No books have ever come before us that so completely fill the want of Sportsmen and
delight the general reader as the volumes in the American Sportsman's Library.”
— SHOOTING AND FISHING

THE DEER FAMILY
By the Hon. THEODORE ROOSEVELT, T. E. VAN DYKE, D. G. ELLIOTT
and A. J. STONE
Illustrated by Carl Rungius and others. With Maps by Dr. C. Hart Merriam

SALMON AND TROUT
By DEAN SAGE, W. C. HARRIS, H. M. SMITH and C. H. TOWNSEND
Illustrated by A. B, Frost, Tappan Adney, Martin Justice and others

UPLAND GAME BIRDS
By EDWYN SANDYS and T. S. VAN DYKE
Illustrated by Louis Agassiz Fuertes, A. B. Frost, J. O. Nugent and C. L, Bull

THE WATER-FOWL FAMILY
By L. C. SANFORD, L. B. BISHOP and T. S. VAN DYKE,
Illustrated by L. A. Fuertes, A. B. Frost and C. L. Bull

BASS, PIKE, PERCH, AND OTHERS
By JAMES A. HENSHALL, M.D.
Illustrated by Martin Justice and Charles F. W. Mielatz

THE BIG GAME FISHES OF THE UNITED STATES
By CHARLES F. HOLDER
Illustrated by Charles F. W. Mielatz and others

MUSK-OX, BISON, SHEEP AND GOAT
By CASPAR WHITNEY, GEORGE BIRD GRINNELL and OWEN WISTER
Illustrated by Carl Rungius and others

GUNS, AMMUNITION AND TACKLE

THE SHOTGUN, by CAPTAIN A. W. MONEY; THE HUNTING RIFLE,
by HORACE KEPHART; THE THEORY OF RIFLE SHOOTING,
by W. E. CARLIN; THE PISTOL AND REVOLVER, by A. L. A. HIM-
MELWRIGHT, and THE ARTIFICIAL FLY, by JOHN HARRING-
TON KEENE

THE SPORTING DOG
By JOSEPH A. GRAHAM. Fully illustrated

PHOTOGRAPHY FOR THE SPORTSMAN NATURALIST
By L. W. BROWNELL. Fully illustrated from photographs by the author

Cloth, cr. 8vo, gilt top and cover design. Each, $2 net. Postage, 15c.

The Boston Transcript lists these “accurate and readable illustrated volumes” as par-
ticularly desirable when “with the coming of spring the blood of the sportsman begins to
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eminence in their respective branches enables them to speak with authority and adequacy,
every pertinent detail, . . . and with much entertainment and instruction for the
general reader.’’

THE MACMILLAN COMPANY, Publishers, New York

“If I could give a child but one book this year, it would be this,”
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It is accurate and, on the scientific side,
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of its President, Decorated cloth, xx + 437 pages

Mr. William Dutcher $1.75 net; by mail, $1.90

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Eleventh Edition, xii + 317 pages,
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and, with Dr. ELLIOTT COUES
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ENGLISH FOR BEGINNERS. Profusely
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Cr., 8vo. $1.50 net, postage 17 cents
This was described by C. H. M., in Science, as “by far the best bird book for

boys and girls yet published in America,” and the statement has remained undisputed
up to the publication of ‘‘Gray Lady and the Birds,” which is by one of its authors.

THE MACMILLAN COMPANY, Publishers, New York

————— a

A New Book by “Barbara”’

(MABEL OSGOOD WRIGHT)

THE OPEN WINDOW

Tales of the Months Told by Barbara

Cloth, 12mo, with frontispiece, $1.50

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The Garden of a Commuter’s Wife. tlustrated from photographs

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At the Sign of the Fox

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The Garden, You and I

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Each, in decorated cloth binding, $1.50

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=_—_<—"«¥—O-_-__—_—
CAMPS AND CRUISES |

OF AN

ORNITHOLOGIST

By FRANK M. CHAPMAN

A fascinating story of eight years’ field work during which
the author traveled over 60,000 miles

432 pages. 250 photographs

Comments of the Press:

‘“This exceptionally interesting and, in many respects, remarkable
book, where a wealth of photographic illustrations so effectively supplements the
text. It remains therefore, only to say that the story of these varied experiences
is most modestly yet effectively and pleasingly told, without resort to anything
beyond simple and direct statement of events, more varied and opportune than
has probably ever before fallen to the lot of an ornithologist.—/. A. A. in The Auk.

‘‘There can be no doubt that the series of pictures of bird life is the most
remarkable that has ever been brought together in a single work.’’—/Phzi/a-
delphia Press

“It is hard to say which is the more interesting, the author’s descriptive
text or the pictures reproduced from original photographs, taken in the very
homes of the birds.’’— Brooklyn Daily Eagle.

‘The naturalist will find here the most careful work; the amateur will get
valuable suggestion as to methods. . . . The work of Mr. Chapman is the most
notable addition to the good books of the kind.’’— New York Independent.

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progress.’’— Chicago Record- Herald.

Sent postpaid on receipt of price, $3.00 by

D. APPLETON AND COMPANY

PUBLISHERS

NEW YORK

NOVEMBER—DECEMBER, 1909

— X IN oP) =
Ld ee allie ‘ f i wr

bette

EDITED BY

FRANK M. CHAPMAN

PUBLISHED FOR THE AUDUBON SOCIETIES

The Macmillan Company
HARRISBURG, PA.

bth WEG rm

COPYRIGHT, 1909, BY FRANK M. CHAPMAN

$1 a Year

20c. a Cop)

Bird - Lore

November - December, 1909

CONTENTS

GENERAL ARTICLES PAGE
FRONTISPIECE.—CHIPPING, TREE, FIELD, BREWER’S AND CLAY-COLORED SPARROWS
Louis Agassiz Fuertes. .

A Day WITH THE BIRDS ON A GurtANA SAVANNA. Illustrated... C. William Beebe.. 235

To a COLLECTION OF BRAZILIAN HUMMINGBIRDS. Verse...... Edith M. Thomas.. 240
NOTES ON ALBERTA GREBES:> Tlustrated’.. 2.022% 2 ore os ee John M. Schreck... 241
A Heath Hen OveEst.. Dlustratedit st a- cence ee base Katharine B. Tippetts.. 244
A RUFKFED GROUSE’S LODGING Lllustrated. <5: 45.0 nie ee ee Richard S. Eustis.. 248
THE Ways oF Bos-W8HiIreE. Illustrated by George Shiras, 7d ..Frances M.A. Roe.. 249
ANCABRIAL GYMNAST ely. onastep on. eerctsl- ores afte eek aie ener cat Charles Stuart Moody.. 252
BiIRD-LORE’S TENTH CHRISTMAS BIRD CENSUS. ANNOUNCEMENT...........--..-- 253
THE MIGRATION OF SPARROWS. First Paper. Illustrated by Louis Agassiz Fuertes
W Cooke.. 254
NOTES FROM FIELD AND STUDY. >: oo... 3022.5. 6 ech ee ee ace 2 ee 261
KINGLETS CAPTURED BY BurRpDocks. Illustrated. ...... James A. Needham; SOME

INTERESTING REMINISCENCES OF AUDUBON, Alexander Robert Chisholm; BirpD
BaTTLes, Robert Page Lincoln; ARE THE BIRDS GROWING LESS ABUNDANT?
R. P. Sharples; A HORNED OwL ReEcoRD, George H. Selleck; SAW-WHET OWL
IN CENTRAL PARK, Anne A. Crolius; Tur GOSHAWK AS AN ENEMY OF
Pouttry, Edward H. Perkins; NESTING OF THE CHIMNEY Swirt, A. W.
Honywill, Jr.; WHERE ARE THE SWALLOWS? Isabella McC. Lemmon; A BE-
NUMBED EVENING GROSBEAK, Mrs. G. F. Clapp; EARLY ARRIVAL OF EVENING
GROSBEAKS IN SOUTHERN WISCONSIN, W. L. McAtee; RuBy -CROWNED KING-
LET WINTERING IN SOUTHERN WISCONSIN, E. C. Gillette.

BOOK NEWS AND REVIEWS... ...5...2 556.020.0680 es 5 eee
DAWSON & BOWLES’ ‘BIRDS OF WASHINGTON’; LonGr’s ‘WILD EUROPE’; JoB’s
‘Sport OF BirD-StupDY’; WHYMPER’S ‘EGYPTIAN BIRDS’; THE MASSACHUSETTS
Soctrty CALENDAR; THE ORNITHOLOGICAL MAGAZINES; Book NEws.

AUDUBON SOCIETIES—SCHOOL DEPARTMENT. ......................-........ 272
EpitorIAL, M. O. W.; REDpOLL FEEDING, Clifford H. Pangburn.
EDUCATIONAL LEAFLET NO 41. THE MOCKINGBIRD ........ T. Gilbert Pearson.. 274
AUDUBON SOCIETIES—EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT ............................ 278

Directory; ANNUAL MEETING OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION.

ANNUAL REPORT ON THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF AUDUBON SOCIETIES.... 280

4"yManuscripts intended for publication, books, etc., for review and exchanges, shold be
sent to the Editor, at the American Museum of Natural History, 77th Street and 8th Avenue,
New York City, N. Y.

—_—X—s—_—_———=

Subscribers whose subscription has expired will find a renewal
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tie

BIRD-LORE fo
CHRISTMAS

volume of BIRD-LORE contains more than 300 pages of

text (equal to at least 600 pages of the ordinary 12mo.),

12 full-page plates in color, and dozens of unusual photo-
graphic illustrations from nature.

It contains, also, opportunities for every subscriber to come
into touch with others of kindred tastes, who will share the
pleasures of one’s discoveries afield, or aid one with information
or advice.

If, therefore, you have a friend who is interested in birds,
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Tell us, then, to whom you wish us to send BirD-LOoRE for
you during 1910 and we will mail them a Christmas Card signed
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WITH A VERY

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[Sr1eneEepD]

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Besides its unusually practical and timely features devoted
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One of the many notable features of SUBURBAN LIFE
for 1910 is a new serial by Mabel Osgood Wright, who
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To introduce SUBURBAN LIFE tto readers of ‘‘Bird-
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The Refiecting Lantern

or Post-card Projector, in its various forms,
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The Wilson Bulletin

Is a quarterly journal devoted to
the study of the birds as we find
them in the fields and woods.

It is particularly concerned about the study
of the whole life-history of each species,
and about the effects of advancing civiliza-
tion upon the lives of all birds. It urges
the great importance of making a census
of our bird population for the purpose
of determining accurately what change
there may be in numbers due to changing
conditions. It is the official organ of the
Wilson Ornithological Club, which num-
bers among its members some of the
most prominent American ornithologists.
Carefully selected illustrations appear in
each number.

30 cents a number; $1 a year

Address
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By The Wayside

Published monthly,except July
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Has been purchased and is
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The Condor

A MAGAZINE OF WESTERN
ORNITHOLOGY

Edited by J. Grinnell

Associate Editors:

William L. Finley, Robert B. Rockwell

Official Organ of ee Ornithological
iu

Vol. XI, 1909

will contain the usual interesting ar-
ticles by live, active ornithologists
and will be illustrated by the highest
class of half-tones. You cannot
afford to miss a number.

Published bi-monthly at Holly-
wood, California. Subscription, $1.50
per year net in advance. Single
copies, 30 cents each. Foreign sub-
scription, $1.75.

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Santa Monica, California

1. Curprpinc Sparrow, ADULT 4. Frerp SParRow
2. CurppiIne Sparrow, YOUNG 5. CLAY-COLORED SPARROW
3. TREE SPARROW 6. BREWER’s SPARROW

(ONE-HALF NATURAL SIZE)

Bird=Lore

A BI-MONTHLY MAGAZINE
DEVOTED TO THE STUDY AND PROTECTION OF BIRDS

OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE AUDUBON SOCIETIES

Vol. XI NOVEMBER— DECEMBER, 1909 No. 6

A Day with the Birds on a Guiana Savanna

By C. WILLIAM BEEBE
With Photographs by the Author

EW lines of communication have made it
possible to reach wild portions of South
America in a comparatively short space

of time. If we sail from New York City on one of
the comfortable Royal Dutch Mail Steamers, we
will reach Georgetown, the capital of British
Guiana, early on the morning of the ninth day.
Let us see what it is possible to observe in the way
of bird life on this same day. Taking the trolley
to the railroad depot, we can easily catch the 7.30
train, which takes us southward along the coast,
and will enable us to reach the little station of
Belladrum, two hours later. The land all along
the coast is a flat, marshy savanna, dotted here
ee eee ~=—sand there with coolie huts and tiny rice fields.
Se eT CHER Throughout the whole distance, quantities of
birds are constantly in sight; small Seed-eaters! and Scarlet-breasted Blackbirds,”
associating in flocks of hundreds with the equally brilliant Little Yellow-headed
Blackbirds.? When a flock of eight hundred or a thousand of these two latter
species rise up e2 masse from the dull green reeds, the flash of color, scarlet, yellow
and black, is most beautiful.

At the Abary river, we enter a small launch and start up stream for a twenty-
mile journey inland. Blackbirds are as abundant as ever, and on all sides, as far
as the eye can see, scattered over the marshes are American Egrets,* each stand-
ing apart from its fellows and fishing in the numerous small creeks. Here and
there among them are Wood Ibises,° and at last we discover the bird for which
we have been searching—the Great Jabiru,® or ‘Negrocop,’ as the natives call
it. These splendid storks tower high above the herons, and with their jet-black

1S porophila sp 34 gelaius icleroce phalus 5 Mycleria americana
4 Teistes guianensis 4 Herodias egretia 6 Jabiru mycteria
&

236 Bird - Lore

heads and red neck-pouches are visible a long distance away. As our launch
puffs along, Jacanas! fly up in pairs with loud cackling notes; their dark chocolate
and pale yellow colors flashing conspicuously. Tiny Comorants,” in groups of
from four to ten, spatter ahead of us now and then. Snakebirds? are less numerous,
but far from uncommon. One of the most abundant larger birds is the Cream-
headed Hawk,* to which small birds pay no attention, as it feeds only on insects
and mollusks.

From every bush along the bank, there fly one or more of the small Guiana

¥ om

BUNGALOW ON ISLAND IN THE SAVANNA. THE AUTHOR’S HEADQUARTERS

Green Herons,° leaving their nests, which are built close to the surface of the
water. Much more wary, and never allowing us to approach closely, are
the beautiful Great Cocoi Herons.® About eleven o’clock, we see in the dis-
tance what appear to be great patches of burnt reeds. But, as we draw near
to these, we are astonished to find that they are phalanxes of Ducks. Nearer
and nearer we approach, and at last those nearest us take to flight, passing
back over the heads of the others. Then hundreds begin to rise at once,
until, for fifty yards or so, there is a literal wave of birds rising on each
side of the river, flying upward and backward in two vast unbroken sheets.

4 Parra jacana *Anhinga anhinga ® Butorides striata
4Phalacrocorax vigua 4 Busarellus nigricollis 6 Ardea cocot

A Day with the Birds on a Guiana Savanna 237;

From this mass, giving forth a shrill whistle which soon deepens into a per-
fect roar of wings, single lines of Ducks shoot out in all directions, passing
up the river on right and left over the savanna. They are Gray-necked Tree-
ducks,! with a thin scattering of Rufous? and White-faced® Tree-ducks. The
great wave of life never ceases for a moment, but widens and thickens, and wheels
behind us, until the whole sky is pitted with their bodies. I take picture after
picture, with the ground glass revealing myriads of swiftly moving birds. We
count those in one short line near us, and find there are 420 individuals. It is
impossible to count the whole number, but there must be at least fifteen or twenty

LAGOON AND SAVANNA FROM THE BUNGALOW
thousand in the first great flock of Ducks which we encounter. Little by little
the Ducks settle down on the savanna, and soon nothing is visible except hundreds
of their heads and necks stretched high, and all watching us curiously. These
birds are Tree-ducks only in name, as next month hundreds of eggs will be found
scattered all over the savanna, and the flocks will gradually dissolve into pairs,
each to nest on some sheltered hummock in the marsh. In the course of the
trip, we pass several such masses of Ducks as I have described, while smaller
flocks of several hundred are constantly passing overhead. Now and then we
hear a louder whistle of wings, and a family of four or five great black Muscovy
Ducks' rushes past, the leader, a drake, being almost twice the size of the others.

A low line of shrubs and small trees appears along the right bank of the narrow
winding river, in which Great Kiskadee Flycatchers® are nesting every hundred
yards or so, and Smooth-billed Anis® flutter awkwardly and utter their harsh

4Dendrocygna discolor i Dendrocygna viduata &Pitangus sulphuratus
4Dendrocygna bicolor 4Cairina moschata 6Crotophaga ani

238 Bird - Lore

notes from almost every bush. At length we come in sight of a small bungalow,
built on a little island, some five acres in extent, the only high land we find in all
this region. This island has an interesting history, as it was thrown up by the
runaway slaves who fled thither sixty years ago, and tried to eke out an existence

+. ’ nr
a 8 ’ .
. ‘
iv a * , A
a? vier ae 7 2 "
e
3 rj a ae a4 * - y ee s. " a ? .
: " Ane . + c.
mS). 8 . ‘
. , = i
~ te
.
7 ”

DSI SEES LCDI i A ATES SS: aoe ee
TREE DUCKS OVER THE SAVANNA

in this desolate region. It would take many pages to describe the wonderfully
interesting fauna of this little island, and I have space only to touch on several of
the more interesting birds. The Hoatzins,' those strange reptile-like birds, are
abundant in the shrubby growth which lines the western side of the river. This
growth has been cut away between the island and the river, and at five o’clock
each afternoon the Hoatzins, from far down the river, will collect at one edge and,
after many false starts, will fly, one by one, across the open space and back again,
within fifty yards of our hammocks. Only a few are strong enough to make the
whole distance at one flight, the others falling down helplessly into the marshy
reeds. They nest within sight of the house, and at this time (mid-April) are sitting
on their eggs. One comes and perches for a time on one of the beams of the
veranda, and every afternoon and early morning the air is filled with their hoarse
croaking chorus.

Jacanas lead their tiny black broods over the lily pads to the very edge of
the island, now and then cackling in fright as a crocodile pushes up his snout near
them. The deep black lagoon surrounding the island is filled with life: Fishes
of many kinds, most of them small and brilliant in color; although occasionally
a big tarpon noses his way in from the river beyond. Terns of two species, the
Great-billed? and the Little Eye-browed Tern, fish all day long within a few
yards of the island.

20 pisthocomus hoazin 2Phaethusa magnirostris 3 Sterna superciliaris

A Day with the Birds on a Guiana Savanna 239

In the evening, the creatures inhabiting the water of the lagoon begin to stir
into action. There is one crocodile of large size, not less than nine feet, and a
host of others two or three feet in length, and these bellow and grunt loudly at
intervals. The most noisy creatures are the otters, some of which are six feet
_ from head to tail, and which slip through the water almost as rapidly as the fish.
There are a few capybaras here, but we see nothing of them except their foot-
prints.

A half-dozen trees on the island afford nesting-places for many species of
birds. Yellow Orioles’! nests are common, and the Gray-breasted Martins” have
already built among the rafters. Three kinds of Tyrant Flycatchers and two
pairs of the little Todirostrums,® have their homes here, while a pair of Guiana
House Wrens‘ are nesting in a hollow stub at the very steps of the porch. A Cotton
bird,°® or Pied Ground Flycatcher, and a White-headed Tyrant® both have half-
finished nests in the nearest trees, and a pair of Great Rufous Kingfishers’ have
bored into a very poor apology for a bank nearby. At dusk, two species of Goat-

HOATZIN

suckers begin to call. One kind says very distinctly “ Who are you?” with the
accent on the first and last syllables, while the other species we recognize as the
Parauque®, from its liquid double note. Through the night, as a background
of sound, for the occasional noises of crocodiles and night-birds, is the never-

1Iclterus xanthornus 4Troglodytes musculus clarus *Ceryle ltorquala
2Progne lapera 5 Fluvicola pica 8 Nyclidromus albicollis
®Todirostrum cinereum 6 Arundinicola leucoce phala

240 Bird - Lore

ceasing hum of the myriads of mosquitos, which strive to penetrate our hammock
nets, and a few of which invariably manage to find their way in. Early next
morning, with the first whistle of wings of a passing flock of Muscovy Ducks,
the sun appears upon the distant savanna horizon. A loud clattering of beaks
draws our attention upward to a line of seven Jabirus flying over the house;
a deep-voiced note, A-ru-cof A-ru-co! announces the presence of a Horned
Screamer! behind the bungalow, and another tropical day has dawned.

1 Palamedea cornuta

TO A COLLECTION OF BRAZILIAN
HUMMINGBIRDS

Dainty motes of airy thought,
Iridescent fancies caught
On a weft by magic wrought
To a bird’s dear guise!
Starry lusters, steely glints,
Flower and flame and sunset tints,
Volitant, stray color-hints
That elude mine eyes!
Off, with you, to lands remote,
Cousins of my Ruby-throat—
Off, in South-sea dreams afloat,
Now my fancy flies!

Where strange flowers their odors flung,
You on vibrant wing have hung,—
Probed for sweets, with arrowy tongue,—
Honey-wine and meal!
I’ll not think how, as you sipped
From those blossoms, Circe-lipped,
You of light and life were stripped!
Rather, let me feel
I can see you, as you poise,
Hovering, with a dream-like noise;
Let me share those flowery joys,—
Deep in warm Brazil!
—kdith M. Thomas.

Notes on Alberta Grebes

By JOHN M. SCHRECK
With Photographs by the Author

6 OMING to the Canadian Northwest, near Edmonton, from an eastern city,

the great variety and abundance of water-fowl seemed to attract me most,

for in my eastern home the opportunity to see and study these birds was
limited to the period of their hurried passing to and from the breeding-grounds.
Every little slough and pot-hole had at least one pair of Ducks or Grebes nesting
about it, and localities of this nature are very plentiful in northern Alberta. Dur-
ing my first season I often passed a pot-hole where a pair of Horned Grebes
seemed at home, but at first I could not locate anything that looked like a nest.

.

HORNED GREBE REMOVING COVERING FROM EGGS ON RETURNING
TO NEST

A few days later, I stopped at the edge of woods surrounding their miniature
lake and scanned every clump of grass with my glasses, and was rewarded by
seeing Mrs. Grebe on her nest well out from the shore in a clump of slough grass.
As I approached the shore, she slipped off the opposite side and swam off under
water; not being used to such tactics, it is no wonder I did not locate her sooner.

(241)

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(242)

Notes on Alberta Grebes 243

I rigged up a blind of limbs near the nest, and concealed a camera among
them. That afternoon, both birds hovered around, and did everything except go
on the nest. A few times one climbed up to the nest, only to cross and dive in on
the other side. It was very amusing to watch them swim slowly away sideways,
_ then turn and swim toward the nest at high speed, their heads nodding at a great
rate, but, as they approached, their courage failed them.

The next few days, I found that they had become accustomed to the blind
and paid little attention to the addition of the camera, and I secured some inter-
esting photographs of the Grebe removing rubbish from her eggs, etc. The
Holbeell’s Grebe is very common in this vicinity, but is usually in small colonies
in the larger sloughs and small lakes. On several occasions, I witnessed the inter-
esting sight of young Grebes riding about on their mother’s back, taking a boat-
ride, as it were. The Western Grebe I have seen only in fairly large colonies, and
then only at a few of the larger lakes. Eared and Pied-billed Grebes are also
noted in this vicinity, but not so commonly as the others.

»

HORNED GREBE ON NEST

A Heath Hen Quest

By KATHERINE B. TIPPETTS

\ N J HEN, a few years ago, a Boston paper came out with the startling

headline “ Bill passed to protect the Heathen on Martha’s Vineyard,”

it seemed to the uninitiated as if the legislature was usurping the

rights of the home missionary. To those more fully informed—the game-com-
missioner and bird-lover—it appeared a huge joke.

The island of Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, is the home of a recently
almost extinct game-bird, T’ympanuchus cupido, the Heath Hen,—or, to use the
vernacular of the islander, ‘Heath’en.’ The clever writer of the article mentioned,
wishing no doubt to introduce a touch of local color, had used the name Heath’en,
and the apostrophe had been lost in the setting up.

Although this headline caused many a smile, the bill in itself was no joke,
as was proven recently when, in company with a number of other Audubon
Society members, I visited the Heath Hen in its native haunts, and talked with
the warden the bill had made possible.

It had been four years since I first saw Tympanuchus, and that just before
he was protected. I had wandered over down and dune and penetrated vast
jungles of scrub-oak for two seasons, in company with another bird student,
seeking his whereabouts. As our second strenuous season was about ended, we
were rewarded most richly. I can feel the tingle of startled joy—the rapture-
return after four years, as I recall this first appearance.

The day was in mid-September,—a luminous, song-lilting sort of day. We had
left the aster-starred downs and come into the undulating country, where the
slopes were already taking on a mosaic of colors which must ever be the despair
of the realistic artist.

We were not dreaming of “elusive Tym,” as I familiarly designated the
object of our quest, amid all this glory. Further along, within the scrub-oak
thickets, we might find some trace of him, but hope had long since become tinged
with resignation.

The ubiquitous Kingbirds flitted saucily before us, and the Towhees rustled
in the dry leaves under the bushes. We entered the edge of the forest of scrub-
oak reverently. One does learn to revere the unattainable. And what more unat-
tainable than a glimpse of T’ympanuchus cupido these last two years? A mighty
scurrying to our left. “ Rioting Towhees,”’ I exclaimed, and then gasped “‘ Heath
Hens!”’

There they were—a pair of them—looking as natural as the stuffed specimen
in the Museum of Natural History. They crossed an open space, looking back-
ward nervously, and entered a clump of oaks. We came up on opposite sides, sur-
rounding and surprising them once more. They evidently planned to escape by
skulking rather than by flight; but when we followed close upon them, even in
dense cover, were we electrified by a whirring sound, as one large bird shot

(244)

A Heath Hen Quest 245

upward in a straight line which bent as the flyer progressed. We could see him
winging strongly, then resting apparently a-wing, —but it was all over in a few
moments. The dark shape dropped into the far-away oaks as suddenly as it
had arisen. Meanwhile the mate had scuttled into the unknown. We hunted
her for hours with no success. Then came three years’ absence from the island.
In the meantime, the bill for protection and the warden came into being. This
brings me to the present quest.

We were taken to the warden’s house by the most enthusiastic of guides,
a local clergyman, who has a long check-list of island birds, and a fund of know-
ledge not gleaned altogether in bird-books.

HEATH HEN
From a mounted specimen in the American Museum of Natural History. Reproduced from -
Brirp-LoreE for April, 1903

After a long drive, we reached the warden’s house, which is set in the midst
of the scrub-oak district. No one was at home save a chained dog and two cap-
tive Red-tailed Hawks. The Hawks eyed us suspiciously, but consented to pose
for their pictures, after we had assured them of our kindly dispositions by pre-
senting portions of our lunch. Vast quantities of cleanly picked bones lay all
about their wire home, telling of voracious appetites or a long captivity.

In a barn at a distance from the house, we found a man at work, a Portu-
guese, from whom we learned that Heath Hens were seen in that vicinity. He
thought we might find nests and seemed ready to promise us any pleasure, especi-
ally after we engaged feed for our horses.

“Nests in July!” I exclaimed. “Why, I have heard they nest only in May,
or earlier. They do nest in May, don’t they?”

“Y-as,’’ he assured me placidly, “ July—May.”

246 Bird- Lore

“You have seen the nests perhaps,’’ I continued; for I had not then seen
the warden and learned how difficult this was.

“Y-as,’’ he effervesced. He had “ Y-as”’ ever ready on his lips, and let it fall
as gently and soothingly as summer rain.

“What were the color of the eggs?”

“Color? White—yellow,” he declared. “ Y-as.”’

“Oh, no, light green,” I corrected, airing my book knowledge.

_ “Green? Y-as,’’ he acquiesced cheerfully—‘all green.”

This was bad enough, but, when we spied a man hoeing corn, we came upon
something worse. We reached him after crossing row after row of freshly hoed
corn. His arm flew out with automatic precision, and as we approached we stood
in danger of being hoed under with the top soil.

“ Good-morning.’’ The head was lifted.

“T had a distinct shock,”’ said one of the party afterward, ‘‘and visions of the
Mafia, in one glance.”’

The scowl on his face made us wary.

“Will you please tell us if you have seen any Heath Hens around here?” I
asked most conciliatingly, and smiled. Instantly there was a strange contortion
of features. The man looked bland, but remained dumb,—another Portuguese.

“Call them Heath’en,”’ some one advised.

“Heath’en,” I repeated. “Are any around here?’’? My arm swept in the
surroundings.

“The Man with the Hoe” eyed our cameras and field-glasses with brighten-
ing eyes.

“Y-as, blueberries. All here.’’ He repeated my sweep of arm, deciding,
no doubt, that our cameras were American inventions for holding berries.

“No, not berries—birds!” I shouted. “Big birds.” I did everything but
fly, to enlighten him.

“Ya-s,—blue birds!’ The smile had grown expansive. Colors seemed to
appeal to the nationality. Thanking him for the time we had taken, we retraced
the difficult way.

The corn-field, however, proved our Mecca. Early in our quest I had quoted
from various authorities regarding the ways of the Heath Hen, speaking of a
habit they were said to have of coming out to the public roads at times to dust
themselves.

As we neared the edge of the cornfield, we startled the very bird we were
in search of, engaged in this occupation. The flight was our first intimation of
its presence. We stood straining our eyes to catch each movement of the oblique
flight till it dropped amid the scrub oak far distant. This time there was scarcely
a sound, as on that first occasion when Tympanuchus had gone upward with
an alarm-clock accompaniment. We searched for the mate or possible chicks,
but none were found; so we concluded the bird had come alone to dust its feath-
ers, while the rest of the family took their noonday nap. There, in the loosened

A Heath Hen Quest 247

sand of the cornfield, was left his wallowing hole, deep, round, and as large as
a basin.

Later, in clear spaces amid the oak growth, we found bare cavities which
we thought might also be wallowing holes.

It was hot, strenuous work, invading the scrub-oak, although I must say
it was really easier than it had looked at first sight. To glance across acre after
acre of such a growth, on what is called the greatest extent of level country in
Massachusetts, and to think of covering the same, with the thermometer above
80°, and under a sun which seemed to have migrated with the birds from Florida,
is no alluring prospect, even when buoyed up by the recent discovery of an almost
extinct Heath Hen.

Why it was easier lay in the fact that these clear spots existed. One could
not see them from the road. Instead, the oaks seemed to touch and interlace
in the most intricate manner, protecting their wary habitants from intrusion.

After braving this formidable breastwork, however, and battling awhile with
tough boughs and snapping twigs, the delight of these oases can be imagined.
Blueberries grew and shrivelled here for lack of rain; but T’ympanuchus, no doubt,
likes them that way, for he is said to be as averse to moisture as a turkey, and his
usual diet of small acorns, buds and occasional leaves, must make dried berries
seem quite luscious by comparison.

The existing drought had caused the blueberry leaves near the ground to
assume a fiery red, relieved here and there by dainty white asters—the most
soothing thing in nature we encountered,—although some belated goat’s-rue
caused us to cry out in admiration of the pastel-coloring of its ripened bloom,
so much more artistic than when first opened. Sun-heated sweet fern filled our
nostrils, wafted hither by a redeeming “sou’-wester.”’

The sight of the first Heath Hen we had considered a stroke of good luck;
but when a pair of them were “flushed” in the scrub at our right and shot up-
ward, partridge-like, we blessed Dame Fortune, instead. One of them passed
directly above our heads, showing the dark reddish brown bars on a breast of
white, and in watching its strong flight we lost sight of its mate. Whether it
flew as swiftly in an opposite direction or sank again was merely a matter for
conjecture. But we may have “flushed” it again, for soon after, the same, or
a fourth Heath Hen, whirred and flew aloft as the others had done.

Four Heath Hens in half as many hours! To be sure, our cameras had been
too slow; but it was long past nesting-time, when one might hope to catch a family
and attendant parent bird.

In spite of the rapidity with which they flew, we haa good views of the birds,
whose long routes in flying kept them for some time within the vision of our
glasses.

On our return, sunburnt but jubilant, we met the warden, a sturdy-looking,
determined young man, who listened to our tale of victory, and said we had done
well at this season of the year.

248 Bird - Lore

In the winter, he told us, the birds came much nearer his home. That he fed
them twice a day during extreme cold, but that they never came to eat the food
he put out while he was in sight.

“No,” he said, “I have never found a nest. Have I searched? Yes, but
I have too much to do to make that my business. I heard one was found as early
as April near the old Seaman’s hospital, back of Vineyard Haven, but it was
not proven.”

“Ts the Heath Hen increasing?” I asked.

“It is,”? replied he. “When I came here, about two years ago, there were
less than sixty in the flock which came to feed in cold weather. This last winter
I counted over a hundred. In my report to the Fish and Game Commission, I
estimated the entire flock on the island at one hundred and fifty.”

“That removes the fear of extinction,” I concluded. “A game bird that
triples in number within two years must survive, even if it never becomes as num-
erous as in the days of early Boston, when its common prevalence caused servitors
to stipulate with their employers not to have Heath Hen served oftener than once
a day.

— ae - = ae = <a:

ENTRANCE AND EXIT OF A RUFFED GROUSE’S NIGHT’S LODGING
Photographed by Richard S. Eustes, at Randolph, N. H., Jan. 1, 1909

The Ways of Bob-White

By FRANCES M. A. ROE

E happen to be living at an old southern home at Port Orange, Fla.,
\) \ for a while, that has acres of grounds, immense oak trees with quanti-
ties of waving Spanish ‘moss,’ and where for years, birds and squirrels
have been welcome to the best there is, be it the buds of early peaches, or the
last choice persimmon. Close to one of my windows runs a picket fence, that |
separates the yard where there are flowers, tropical shrubs and fountains, from —
another part of the grounds where things have been left wholly to nature, and |
where, underneath the oaks, scrub palmetto and vines are thick. After seeing
a beautiful gray squirrel on the fence two or three times, corn and wheat were
put on the window-sill, and from that day on, squirrels, Cardinals and Blue
Jays have been my constant guests.

Early in August, 1908, a pair of Florida Bob-whites began to make us almost
daily visits, ever coming from the scrub. After seeing the birds on the window
a few times, the cock flew up, but the hen was shy, and much’ lacking and |
coaxing was necessary, before she could be induced to join her mate.

The cock came alone, one day, and wishing to hear how affairs were at home,
he flew up on the fence, and, facing the palmettoes, commenced to call loud and
regularly. Just then a squirrel came along, and seated himself upon a post of
the fence, about three feet from the Quail. He watched and listened a minute
or two, but finally could stand it no longer, and slowly crept from picket to picket
to the Quail, when he hesitated a second, and then actually put his nose on his ,
Wing, evidently trying to discover where such a tremendous noise came from!
The cock seemed to consider it a friendly joke, for, except to turn his head a
trifle the better to see him, he paid no attention whatever to the squirrel, but :
kept up his loud whistling. The squirrel went back to his post, every hair on :
his tail standing out straight, and there he sat in deep meditiation, until the Quail
flew away, when he jumped off as though something evil was after him.

Not long after that, there was a most pathetic sight. The two Quail appeared,
and between them was just one little chicken. The hen looked dejected, and the
chick acted as though it suspected there was something wrong with this big
world, and kept close to its mother’s wing. Possibly the little mother was think-
ing of a “might have been’’—of an awful tragedy out in the scrub, when precious
eggs and snakes were horribly mixed. But the cock’s head was high, and his
crest raised, and he plainly said “Isn’t he a fine fellow.”? The chick was about
the size of a Wren, and the lack of wing and tail feathers made his legs look
absurdly long.

The little family made us frequent visits for a week or more, and the chick
grew wonderfully fast. About this time another pair of Quail appeared, coming
from a different part of the grounds, and whenever the two families would happen
to meet here, the strange cock invariably tried to sneak up to the chick, evidently

(249)

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The Ways of Bob-White 251

with a desire to tear him in pieces, but the father was ever on guard, and the fights
between the two birds were often long and fierce. At the very first sound of the
battle-cry, the chick would disappear and remain lost until the fight was well
over.

On September 10, plaintive little sounds were heard, very much like the faint
“Deep” of young turkeys—and at once it seemed as though the ground itself
was moving along, it was so impossible to distinguish the tiny Quail from the
dead oak leaves. There were over twenty of the little brown things, and with
them were two cocks and two hens! Just how the forced friendship had come’
about, we will never know, of course, but it was apparent at once that the two
large families had become liopelessly mixed, although the Quail were just from
the nest. The chick was there too, suddenly developed into a small cock, very
independent, and scratched energetically for the babies, who commenced to eat
wheat at once. Since that time they have grown amazingly, and as soon as they
could fly, they came to the wheat on the window, and eight have been seen there
at one time, each one singing his sweet little song of “wheat, wheat ah!”

The two families soon separated, but the wicked cock and his hen have only
three of the chickens. They seldom come here now. The other cock is a grand:
bird, quite capable of managing his large covey. On one occasion three of the
chicks loitered behind, and were slow in coming to the grain, and the ever-watchful
father seeing this, ran around back of them, gave one a sharp peck that started
him off, and the other two with him. The cock followed them slowly, and with
great dignity. While the chicks are scratching and feeding—never longer than
two minutes—he almost always sits on top of the fence at the corner of the house
where he softly whistles his two notes—“all’s well!”’ One day, however, he changed
off to different notes, also very low, but which every little bird heard, and recog-
nized as a warning, for instantly every one of them disappeared from sight — all
but the two chicks that happened to be on the window, but they, too, squatted
right there, and drew their little heads in. I have always thought that it was
a bit of discipline on the cock’s part—a kind of a “fire drill.”’ He is a handsome
bird, his back a bright cinnamon, and his crest jet-black. Several times when he
has been on the sill, I have put my finger within two inches of his sharp little
eyes. He must have seen it, of course, but both birds and squirrels seem to think
that inside the glass and screen is another world that does not concern them.

This opportunity to study Quail almost daily, in their natural wild life; to
watch their wonderful affection for each other; to learn their many calls, every
one of which has a meaning, is as unusual as it is delightful.

An Aerial Gymnast

By CHARLES STUART MOODY, M.D., Sandpoint, Idaho

T is doubtful if we ever learn all there is to learn about anything. Now,
| for instance, I thought that I could tell practically every event in the life
history of the Golden Eagle, from his cradle in the old pine upon the mountain ~
side to his grave in some “bird stuffer’s” show window,—for I am convinced
that that is the cemetery of practically all the Eagle family. I saw something
last summer, though, that taught me never to be too cock-sure of anything.
The mountains of Idaho are peopled with Golden Eagles and the lake region
of the northern part seems to be a favorite habitat for them. The aéries are
scattered all around the shores of our larger bodies of fresh water, usually quite
near the water’s edge, but occasionally one will be found upon the crest of some
sharp mountain peak, where a blasted pine has withstood the storms of centuries.
Ornithologists say that the Golden Eagle often nests in clefts of rocks; but they
never do so in this country. I have studied carefully the habits of the bird, have
located innumerable nests, but never one in any other location than the very
summit of a pine, or larch tree. The bird chooses, by preference, one that has
been struck by lightning and entirely deadened, or, at least, the top killed.
My note-book speaks of the curious antics of an Eagle that we noticed on
July 14, 1908, on Lake Pend Oreille, Idaho. As I recall the matter, it was
in the mid-afternoon of a warm sunny day. There was not a breeze stirring.
My son and I were trolling for charr from a boat, without very flattering success.
I noticed a very large Golden Eagle sitting upon a pine some three hundred yards
distant from the shore. The pine stood upon the top of a narrow ridge. When
I first called the attention of my son to him, it was for the purpose of having the
boy notice that the bird was making his toilet. He was preening his feathers and
laying them down carefully. After completing his labors, he spread a pair of
five-foot wings and sailed out over the water. I remarked that, if he hadn’t any
better luck fishing than we had had, he would do just as well to rest and not exert
himself in the hot sun. He had no intention of fishing, however. When well
out over the water he began to ascend in broad spirals, as though he were mount-
ing some aérial stairway. Up, up, he went until he looked about the size of a
Sparrow Hawk. After poising a minute or two in the air, he began to descend,
turning over and over in the air, with wings outspread. Not doing summersaults
like a Tumbler Pigeon, but sideways. When about half way to the lake, that is
when he was about five hundred feet in the air, he suddenly reversed the process
and turned in the opposite direction. In this manner he fell until only a few
yards from the water. My son said that he “wound himself up, then had to
turn in the other direction in order to unwind.” My acrobat was not content
with doing this stunt once, but repeated the action time and time again. In fact,
he kept it up half the afternoon. All the time he was talking to himself in possibly,
what seemed to him, an undertone, though it was perfectly audible even at the

(252)

Bird-Lore’s Tenth Christmas Bird Census 253

great height he attained. This monologue was different from any Eagle note
I had ever heard. The two notes expressed by this family have always sounded
to me like kee-kee-kee when they are undisturbed, and a sharp kiah-kiah when
I have been attempting to climb to their nests. This bird uttered a note that is
impossible of reproduction; but it may be likened to the soliloquy of a tame
Magpie when he is engaged in some particularly impish bit of mischief. There
was something decidedly musical in the note, and nothing harsh, like the usual
note of the raptores.

I have watched smaller birds do air-dances in the nesting season, particu-
larly the Bobolink, but I have never seen these tricks done by the larger raptores,
and especially after the nesting season was well over. Nor have I ever seen any
bird go about it with such perfect gravity, and perform the action with such
mathematical accuracy. I am sure that the bird turned an equal ue of times
in each direction.

In discussing the matter with Dr. W. T. Hornaday, he suggested that there
had always to be “a first time.” I wonder if that is the first time the Eagle
ever did that, or am I the first person to see him do it, or has he always done
it and many persons have seen him do it, and I never found it out?

Bird-Lore’s Tenth Christmas Bird Census

IRD-LORE’S annual bird census will be taken as usual on Christmas
B Day, or as near that date as circumstances will permit.

Reference to the February, 1901-1909 numbers of Brrp-LoreE will
acquaint. one with the nature of the report of the day’s hunt which we
desire; but to those to whom none of these issues is available, we may explain
that such reports should be headed by a brief statement of the character of
the weather, whether clear, cloudy, rainy, etc.; whether the ground is bare or
snow-covered, the direction and force of the wind, the temperature at the time
of starting, the hour of starting and of returning. Then should be given in the
order of the A. O. U. ‘Check-List,’ a list of the species seen, with exactly, or ap-
proximately, the number of individuals of each species recorded. A record should
read, therefore, somewhat as follows:

Yonkers, N. Y. Time, 8 A. M. to 12 mM. Clear, ground bare; wind west, light; temp.
38°. Herring Gull, 75. Total,—species,—individuals.—JAmEs GATES.

These records will be published in the February issue of Brrp-Lore, and
it is particularly requested that they be sent the editor (at the American Museum
of Natural History, New York City) not later than December 28. It will save
the editor much clerical labor if the model here given and the order of the A.
O. U. Check-List be closely followed.

The Migration of North American Sparrows
FIRST PAPER
Compiled by Professor W. W. Cooke, Chiefly from Data in the Biological Survey

With Drawings by LoutIs AGAssiz FUERTES
TREE SPARROW

This is one of the best examples of a bird that remains near its far-northern
breeding-grounds in the fall until forced southward by the approach of winter.
The last birds left Nome City, Alaska, September 10, 1899; Kowak River,
Alaska, September 12, 1898; St. Michael, Alaska, September 21, 1899; Fort Rae,
Mackenzie, October 11, 1893; North River, Prince Edward Island, average
October 13, latest, October 25, 1889; Yuma, Colo., latest, November 17, 1908;
Aweme, Manitoba, average of ten years, November 3, latest, November 13, 1905;
Montreal, Canada, average, November 2, latest, November 7, 1889; Ottawa,
Ontario, average of thirteen years, October 30, a few occasionally seen in winter;
southern Maine average of nine years, November 19, and a few in winter. The
northern limit of the normal winter range extends from Oregon to Colorado,
southern Minnesota, southern Ontario and southern Maine, and the species
winters thence to Arizona, Oklahoma and South Carolina. The following table
gives the dates of arrival in the fall at the winter home. The more western records
relate to the western form of this species.

FALL MIGRATION:

+ ae
Nitmber

PLACE SWYRRE | Average date of | apt deo
brenchs Greek, Wien Videiarr ieee eee 4 | November 15 | October 15, 1888
Washington, (DN. aye h ene a ener 7 _ November 21 | October 31, 1886
STIG, Sa Mees aene ke Be Oe EE re tree October 26, 1889
Central Newalersey. ase oe oe 5 _ November 1 September 30, 1905
Providence hea. pete eee oe 5 | October 31 October 7, 1906
Central Massachusettsnetis a oe eee 12 October 24 October 20, 1886
Southern New Hampshire........... 3 October 19 October 13, 1899 _
pouthern Maines ;25osareu tes ae eo II October 19 September 26, 1892
Quebec; (Canada, 4.2: 2 August 21 August 20, 1890
Central Missouri.. 4 November 12 | November 5, 1889
Chicago, Ill.. Sd Wa SESS Rt has 9 October 13 October 4, 1896
Waterloo, Ind. (near). . kfc anes Pray cane ae 4 November 4 October 15, 1887
Oberlin, O DE UN eee et ets snr ea EM 6 October 25 October 21, 1907
Wauseon: Oas., 6 shone eens 5 November 7 October 19, 1892
Palmer) Wich? oe eee ae October 7, 1894
Plover Mills) @nikeyc: eect era er October 1, 1890
Guelph: #Ont. baer be eee re oes September 20, 1904
Sabula: Tan 250i oe 7 October 20 October 8, 1892
Grinnell: Tat ete 2 eee ene 4 October 22 October 19, 1886
North Freedom, Wis!...>......5< +9. 4 October 16 October 10, 1903
Lanesboro: Miami. sn seine: cen ree 7 October 16 October 6, 1889
Onaga, San sates erates. cee e atte 15 November 1 |= October 19, 1901
Southeastern Nebraska.............. 3 October 13 October 7, 1899
Aweme,; Manito bae os cater. ten 10 September 19 | September 9, 190f
Mumas Colom sagen: ae host 3 October to October 5, 1906
Cheyenne, Wy0iss. «> 1 teener datos September 28, 1888
Terry, Mont.. : Petre eae 2 October 16 September 26, 1896 —
Okanagan Lz nding, bs ok Ree tat October 23, 1905 %

(254)

The Migration of North American Sparrows

SPRING MIGRATION

Number :

PLACE ee ee
SOMineirin Mewes hay ed ss Ob eo aoe c 18 April 4 A few winter
East Sherbrooke, Quebec............ 3 April 11 March 29, 1903
@OwehbeciCity sCanadday.. osteo. ae. 9 April 18 March 26, 1902
Central New Brunswick............. 8 April 19 April 2, 1903
North River, Prince Edward Island May 12, 1889
Lake Mistassini, ee eae May 15, 1885
Plover Mills, Ontario. . 6 March 23 March tro, 1887
Kearney, Guernica ee a: March 27, 1902
Ojiiawal, Omtarto yes n.255 he he aces es 18 April 12 January 2, 1886
IPelliam@ies IM EKCIOAE ketene a Uiteesusies Banu es Eee March 21, 1894
leronmWalkey Minne sey ae sate 8 March 18 Ferbuary 5, 1890
Minineapolisn Minnie. 22m ans - 5 March 25 January 12, 1906
Tele JRikyeres Thy nab alee cis nec nae ea ies oesedib Be 8 April 1 March 25, 1889
Huron, S. D.. March 12, 1887
Harrisburg, N. De We ialn oP tesa adobe pen Ra March 24, 1904
Welles Manitoba: 4-52 ana: 2 II March 27 March 4, 1905
Wulimngg7 (COO ssa ale ee ee en eee 4 March 1 February 24, 1908
(Ghevenmew Why Ons. c se ee tees 2 Feb. 14 January 21, 1889
isles Sena chyz5 | Wi Kovettioeva aalnietere yore aren ee eae 2 March 16 February 24, 1907
Columbia Falls, Mont............... March 25, 1804
Oslerwsaskatchewank ae... ose = 42 | April 6, 1893
Fort Simpson, Mackenzie............ April 30, 1904
Heya Camas Alaska...) cc oe dee April 28, 1882

Number Average date of | Latest date of the last

PLACE on eS the last one seen one seen
\Wieislaunnetkoiak,) JOG M Corina migints olcisipecis ces 9 March 26 April 1, 1900
Mopuistowml ING eel a eee 5 April 17 April 28, 1907
EAM EROTE MG OMM eles ek ee haven baste 5 April 19 May 1, 1898
ERO Gece Redint 22: Oihidis alas ae: 5 April 19 April 22, 1904
Central Massachusetts............... I5 April 17 April 26, 1896
Southern New Hampshire........... 8 April 20 April 23, 1898
SMUlilnenin: MENTS Seon oseeeeles ans mMeues 8 May 1 May 8, 1907
Onebeci@ity Canada. 42.2. ay. 13 May 7 May 20, 1904
CoenimaleViissoumitee ace. 2 eee 5 April 13 April 18, 1902
(CINE ZO), IU ea see leva Reem lea e ie eae 16 April 12 April 25, 1897
Waterloosmlind:) (mean). .sacecse son. 10 April 13 April 18, 1891
Olperlliin, (Oras Pa rerraencas ear ete ccmee a 12 April 26 May 3, 1903
WVGNISC OME ORS le 2 find cect eo cea 9 April 16 April 25, 1888
IPeiersioumg, IMGs ss oaaseoueseecton a= 6 April 25 April 30, 1893
Ghrapelinehy (Omits a. das wale Mesa eae se May 27, 1890
Soniienun Omtano. iF. cabs whens 7 April 29 May 1, 1889
S Duillar alta, esyaiaaiey alee Se ee ee eon eyo Sy 9 April 7 April 10, 1897
AMS POLO s Ldeees tons. ce ye mga eee ae 5 April ro April 19, 1899
Nocioni wells Sutra fis ctag. detieuss Minch Soca 4 April 13 April 14, 1902
Ciriani sss ose sche tia ests Sear pak suas 6 April 15 April 22, 1889
WH ACIIS OR INVSsc to sek sicantics aiteeesine oir ae 5 April 21 April 29, 1894
ILAMES OOO); AMONG er Genes Hea bone = 7 April 25 May 6, 1893
ROA SATS ae. wien Piste oie toad Sayatls dst 16 April 1o April 18, 1892
Southeastern Nebraska........... noe 6 April 13 April 20, 1890
PENANG TEIS IOUS StI eID) aA ete mene ona ee May 3, 1904
AwieimeVilamitomans «ese eeu ele al 9 April 28 May 19, 1897
‘Weatuuimaic (CZ) Kae hry hs Praia Peso hacne ce tee onate April 17, 1905

Ising Seely IM Weroh eta ean te oaios cules

May 9, 1907

256

PLACE

Raleiwh? N.C.cn fant
Weaverville,
Variety Mills, Va.....
New Market, Va......

Bird - Lore

CHIPPING SPARROW

SPRING

MIGRATION

Prency (Creek owe V asks ian ootsslos wakes

Waverly, W. Va.
W ashington, 198 C..
Erie, Pa. :
Morristown ok N. I
Englewood, N. J..

New Providence, N. eee are

Portland, ‘Conn.....)...

Hartford, (CONT Ge ees oe a Ee

Jewett City,
Providence, R. I......

Central’ Massachusetts: .........:-..-|

Charlotte, Vt.

Southern New ‘Hampshire. Et hed dnd |

Southwestern Maine. .
Ply mouth,

East Sherbrooke, OUCH cea eae |

Quebec City, Canada.
Scotch Lake; N: B.. ..
St. John, N. B..
Pictou, N. S..

North River, PE. pores

Rrelena Anke, secs 4
Athens, PUM ern ace Bia

Goninties= ice Se eis eee

Ruban Rye i.e ong eat ee ae

Lexington, Ky........
Dia WOWIsss lone. fear
eon lee oo oe

Brookville; din. stress Meena oat
Bloomington; dyads 5 s)cs wes lcuta ai

Muncies adie aaicten cite ote

Sedany lind yee. eases

Petersbury Michie. a ee eee

Plymouth, Mich......

Palmer, Mich. pal Ameren tro a

Southern Ontario. .

Ottawa. Ont. pone re ees

Kearney, Ont. (ean) .1osen

Keokuk; Taner

Sa bwla wa sasacivrench eer ah ear ane ae

ID UKACiiy dere, ces
Chicago; ilar ents

Milwaukee; Witizrsi, sive oe cue ho oa
North: Freedom, Wis: oss ss0 a <a

Lanesboro, Minn...

Minneapolis, Minn....

Elk River, Minn......

Number
of years’
record |

Lan)

H H HoH is) bow
AwINTIWW nN HP WNNWsT DH ATI HO A

AW UwsaTtUm bv

Li i oe Bn oe
Nwwokw oOo

Io

lanl

-

FOO FfX NN OWN

Average date of
spring arrival

March 11
March 17
March 22
March 28
March 26

March 3

March 19

April
April
April
April
April
April
April
April
April
April
April
April

April
April

May 2

26
20

May 1
May 6
May 2

March 13

March 17
March 13
March 17
March 22
March 29
March 18
March 24
March 31

April
April
April
April
April
April
April
April
April
May
April

April -

April
April
April
April
April
April
April
April

Earliest date of
spring arrival

A few winter
March 9g, 1894
March Io, rgor
March 13, 1894
March 21, 1893
March 25, 1904
March 9g, 1902
April 3, 1892
March 22, 1890
March 21, 1897
April 8, 1892
April 5, 1892
April 4, 1906
April 5, 1907
April 3, 1907
April 4, 1903
April 14, 1893
April 15, 1898
April 14, 1905
April 19, 1896
April 1891
April “1904
April 1895
April 1902
April 1888
April 26, 1894
May 11, 1888
March 5, 1907
March 13, 1903
March 3, 1893
March 15, 1903
March 10, 1887
March 28, 1885
March tro, 1888
March 16, 1902
March 20, 1894
March 23, 1889
March 25, 1886
March 23, 1903
March 20, 1894
April 3, 1888
April 3, 1893
April 25, 1899
April 7, 1896
April 12, 1905
April 22, 1898
March 30, 1896
April 2, 1889
March 18, 1894
April 9, 1905
April 5, 1896
April to, 1886 *
April 7, 1904
April 2, 1892
April 14, 1889
April 21, 1884

The Migration of North American Sparrows

SPRING MIGRATION, continued

PLACE

Wilante Tseirln IM bislinen ease eos a 4 olen

Agee uma, ING Tinta nee rie eth et
admaonuony Alljyentaws sien. selec eee -
Hortpoumipson,, Mack... 0.3520 02.6.. >
‘SOU COCs doug eeseeoceo none
IRE UIleN a. (COllOys. cave n'y eateries ee nlate
pratima COON ieps cite eh wees hc nam nure ees
POO IeyeMmMme Wy Orc olin ash nko ee sees
IRevilnghetatiam,, TUG Noga: Gc eye oecid ecke a elo ol
Terry, Mont.. MSS Mat coral Saha
Columbia Falls, “Mont.. Me Cae PP AT
San Mrancisco, Calits (Mean) aaaq5 a: -
Northwestern ‘Oregon ape Shea teal Eis eae
PIR ACOMMAREAIAS Ase: scacse) sane sau aioe els «aes
Ollymapa NW aise seca cis talon ass et
SHDON NSS. VN ENS oleracea hee
Cliillinmacke Bie. ici ee a Sea

Number
of years’
record

ARUP

oORAA LR

Average date of
spring arrival

Farliest date of
spring arrival

257

March 23
April 12

May 22
April 7
April 25
April 26

May 10
May 9
April 9
April 14
April 12

April 22

May 3, 1882
March 8, 1894
April 11, 1890
May 2, 1904
May 12, 1903
May 18, 1904
April 1, 1886
April rz, 1906
April 21, 1906
May 6, 1888
May 11, 1906
May 5, 1893
April 26, 1894
March 22, 1877

April
April
April
April
April

Il

15

21

12,

12,

IQO4

7 1905

IQ04

3 1907
, 1906

In northern Florida, where the species does not breed, the average date of the
last seen in the spring is April 17, latest April 24, 1902; the last at Gainsville,
Tex., May 15, 1884. When the species returns south in the fall, it appears in
northern Florida, on the average, November to, earliest, October 23, 1904;
Frogmore, S°C., earliest, November 2, 1885; Bonham, Tex., average, October

20, earliest, October 14, 1885.

FALL MIGRATION

PLACE

Number
of years’
record

WieawenvmillessNis (©. i. or sis Cee etn.
rence @nrecla.aWie Vale. coos ens
RVashimatony, WD C©.8. cs dies «faa wos
pig Coppa ane nerhtoss «| aah or oa tiees pac
IVWromeistowanye Nie ii. \.c cs Se ke wet
anbiondesGommnls occ. bastawcra hook.
IPO NVINGISraVeLSs, RNR Is Coches ee ee ae
Central Massachusetts...............
IDG ea inal INES 1S Lee tiie ee Ra
North River, Prince Edward Island. .
[Sleleingl, suelic os Aes ene meter lilisto Mic ea ear oe
Seclavn,: lhl Sha eee eee Re eaten ee
boommmaton Ind. ite les
O) eral @ Sess sass: a wee aly cles amie a hoes copter
\Weiseoini, Osan eae epi pe een a ee met
Southern Michigan’... 080. cks oes ee
SOUUMertas Ohaichavoy arene ae Aenea ke
@OlttawarwOmtste ci. eee aie os Lk ete
(Gretta Gill Sole ee) a eee tae cae ecm Cea
Sabula, Tal

Beaver Dam,
Lanesboro, Minn.

UMWw nO A~Tf

ra

|

HAS HNOF OF

aN

Average date of
the last one seen

October 28
October 23
November 11

November 6
October
October
October
October
October
October
October

October 8
October
October
October
October 2
October
October

October 14

Latest date of the
last one seen

November 4, 1894

October

October
October
October
October
October
October
October
October
October

31,

23)
28,

1894

IQO5
1897
1904
I1Q05
1885
1887
1893
1899
1887

- November 6, 1890
December 17, 1899
October 27, 1888
November 14, 1905
October 29, 1887
November 2, 1904
November 13, 1898
October 31, 1897
October 13, 1888
November 6, 1894

November g, 1902

258

Bird - Lore

FALL MIGRATION, continued

PLACE

Southern = Wanitobaces .4 oc. sale oe

Fort Chipewyan, Alberta ...........
CUS OlO sh okitaacstapese cele a alee oe
SAP WAGHe, MeOlOrre ont. cee cue efocte tin Me
Columbia Balls. Montsf.. 222 .an- 5

Saticoy, Calif.

Okanagan Landing, B. C.. =

Number
of years’
record

w

Average date of
the last one seen

September 18

October 21

FIELD SPARROW
SPRING MIGRATION

Number

PLACE of years’
record

Buiohlands NGC Rien sie ks ene ee

Prenchi@reelkw Wig Videns ae cie,tenreeloine 3
Englewood, N. ae II
New Providence, N. J. IO
Hartford, Conn.. ie)
Jewett City, Conn.. 18
Mauntong VaSSss on) ee oe eee 4
iBeverlya "Massa. . 3. ee ere sen eae ee 7
Fitchburg, Mass.. 5
Randolph, Vt.. son Daa oatmeal 4
Southern New Hampshire SE eS 8
Praichin' “alls: Nie bd.torccrcenmertets meee | 6
Lewiston, i Ie ae eS eth oa 6
Portland’ Avles-<.jou,care try seer he ea ieee | 4
avian hyo lank 6. estas eabe, Baer

SLs MOIS. VO’, ransties cache eaten Rane | 3
Brookville Indi 2.40, °c. tasertsecstee ee | 6
Bloomincton wind.) 2... acta aera | 5
Waterloo;sindi (near): ... ets me
Oberlin vOut shea) oon See ee oe Io
Wauseon Oi wink oat nanan ten seeds te 13
Chicago Wier: bee cepa eH 19
Plymouth 2Moich: an: sen steam iain: 9
Detroit:MiGhise ine. oot eee eee ne 4
Petersbiirg @MMichiat ns soso etn ec 12
Brant, WMich-a(Mean))1.. aiken enords 7
Southwesterns Ontario: 32. tease or 6
Toronto,/Ontisre:..2..s ae ees 5
Plover.Mills-.Ont).230) ea 4
Keokuk, Tass. s.04- 9
cae - 4
Gronnell las, Sve Gene keene eae 6
Sabula, ee 9
Lanesboro, Minn.. ha eae thea ah ite)
Redwing, Minis kak ram oa

Minneapolis, Wiiai sia ume eee te

Manhattan, anes. aeensct tae a ars 4
Onaer, IKansicy aise: cis Seiteeee tent 14
Southeastern Nebraska.....4....0.2..2 4

Average date of

spring arrival

March 16
March 26
April 5
April 6
April 8
April 7
April 8
April 12
April 21
April 16
April 17
April 22
April 23

March 7
March 15
March 18
April 2
March 24
April
April 3
April 5
April 6
April 9
April
April
April
April
March 23
March 26
March 30
April 2
April 9

March 24
March 24
April 2

Latest date of the
last one seen

September 23, 1903:
October 11, 1893
October 28, 1903
November 6, 1907
October 7, 1893
November 5, 1872
October 6, 1905

Earliest date of
spring arrival

March 1, 1886
February 26, 1890
March 20, 1898
March 25, 1884
March 27, 1898
March 29, 1905
March 31, 1888
March 30, 1902
April 8, 1904
April 15, 1886
April 10, 1905

April 13,
April 14,
Aprilia

1890

1897
1906

13, I89r
17, 1886
25, 1892
26, 1902
1889
1898
1894

February
February
February
February
March 25,
March 12,
March 20,
March 22, 1907
March 29, 1891
April 2, 1905
April 1, 1894
April 8, 1903
April 12, 1890
April 14, 1896
April 12, 1890
March 18, 1900
March 20, 1898
March 24, 1889
March 23, 1894
April 1, 1888
April 21, 1906
May 7, 1898
March 14, 1894
March 8, 1900
‘March 20, 1904

oe

The Migration

FALL MIGRATION

of North American Sparrows

259

Latest date of the
last one seen

Number Site

PLACE or years’ | AAveyade ate of
inememnmGnreelksi We IV al ccs cd serene lc wien 4 November 4
TEAAI@, TPES e-Sier ah eh even Uae ietie ries ess cele gti ee
Hmelewood se Nejc sicerecis ss Gee apes « 2 November 4
INeweerovidence INE Ieetwte. ones 22k 6 October 26
Talewetiti oneal aX Coy altaya eeean le eumser era osatoecia ae 6 October 13
Oia ences wlnrasieea sete ume os 4 November 21
Central Massachusetts............... Te October 23
SouLbwestenm laine a esse ae sae: 6 October 9
WexaMe ton Kayes sid, a eaiduenie. ots foeaer
Chicago, TL. ERE tse eae ht aS 4 October 4
Waterloo, Ind. (near). Seta Ney ee en oes | 6 October 29
Oberlin, ON ee ee Na eter ieee | 6 October 22
Wauseon, Oy Reise eta con mean a cenenenaes ie 5 October 20
Soutnedstern Michigan..o....-..--.- 3 October 7
Southwestern Ontario............... 5 October 11
EAvienGamimaNNASs: = snus selon cco ;
TRG OIRUIR leh Aiaiecrne erie rer ieee eer ata eae 5 October 27
ES CUO MM arpa cee ecrats. capes Seah es nine sees | 9 October 25
(Gammell, “ZIG ee eek ee een ee en 4 October 16
WaAniesbonos= Win. 3.2. e5. es aces so 6 October 17
Ome Ge),s TRL eyed ee amen cetuen eels. cf manera | 5 October 19

November tro, 1892
October 26, 1900
December 25, 1885
November 2, 1892
October 24, 1887
Occasional in winter
October 31, 1889
October 15, 1902
December 25, 1904
October 20, 1906
November 5, 1903
October 25, 1897
October 27, 1897
October 8, 1905
October 15, 1900
October 28, 1899
November 15, 1902
November g, 1888
October 20, 1888
October 28, 1888
October 31, 1896

CLAY-COLORED SPARROW

SPRING MIGRATION

Number Se
PLACE qi eae ae et | uae et

RS oIMOMISM NEOs ii) Wis Mls deca Wen Sloman 3 May 5 April 28, 1884
im OSep Mb MMOs: Sek. ee oe 3 April 28 April 11, 1896
Wirlogmgs, Mle es eens bere meaner ete May 5,° 1905
Porri: lahunovals AM Veleeraers oes csi ie ele Ge May 2, 1901
Salowilla, Jesse cease tac ee eee ee eer ee 5 April 16 April r1, 1896
SIO as Giitayemeli A AEe ae A! ees cvala Geet Sie 4 April 28 April 24, 1902
<GuritmminGlll, UA) celia airs eal scel eae ieee erate uae April 22, 1889
Wales onorw MOMs. Ace. -2 aoe sane ee 8 May 2 April 25, 1887
Minmmeapolisss ima: e sess poss cote ale 6 May 5 April 28, 1888
Sits Winneeimis IW bimicnaicn ae plo 6 codes 6 May 13, 1896
SAM NMLOMNO 4 Nex: snes enn mentees 4d coae 2 March 21 March 20, 1891
Waictontarerl Cxenrees see Sie oe eae April 2, 1907
Wiamilatitiar sams. 2 5.54.2: 8 April 30 April 18, 1896
Omacavians:cs.2 06... : erat ist he 13 April 26 April 14, 1896
Southeastern Nebraska.............- 5 May 5 April 27, 1900
Wernmilioims, Sy; ID samen aa eeece ees cite May 8, 1884
(Cieanidmnonkss Ni. IDs oie Se. a eee | May 8, 1903
Aivenac, Mahl eeueees faeces cee ols II | May 5 May 3, 1906
Qiur Appice, Srisieaoareiee Sie aioe © hic ee | May 9, 1904
HOniENeEsSOlition.) WMiaGkss ses sec se ae | June 26, 1903
Aronia one Olas toma are 2h | | April 25, 1886
Moira, (COO use aia taiepe cone nena ae | May 4, 1905
NOivevenme OW YO... <i cules. ot ee a May 17, 1885
Terry, Mont.. Birt at vemcret area ered 2 May 17 May 16, 1905
Great Falls, Mont.. see is ahaa erey seal 3 May 24 May 16, 1891
ING Cie er tA setae mo) ence n tn ame 2 May 14 May 11, 1893

260 Bird - Lore

South of the breeding range, the average for four years of the last one seen
at San Antonio, Tex., is May 12, latest, May 15, 1885; Manhattan, Kans.,
average of five years, May 11, latest, May 15, 1884; Onaga, Kans., average of
fourteen years, May 14, latest, May 21, 1899.

FALL MIGRATION

Number

, | Average date a

PLACE of pee / the last ees ie peed
IslesRoyale, Mich sci. oct ee brelae ~ August 31, 1904
Manchester, (MUCK. .c-o.-.0 oe sete ioe September 3, 1894
Sil Eee brags eee RR aia oer pues i, Be September 26, 1894
FRAMES DOLO;. MUM a scrercrosete saree ek 5 October 11 October 19, 1892
DUnparye NeDios cs men tes oles erent October 17, 1904
AWemey WanItO Dax nn. ects tests Mes 9 September 21 | September 26, 1go1
Great Haus Montis:t4..0i- Lo eee September 9g, 1891

BREWER’S SPARROW

Winters principally in Mexico, whence it enters the United States in early
March; Los Angeles, Cal., March 2, 1900; Borega Springs, Cal., March 24,
1895; Palm Springs, Cal., March 24, 1896; Vegas Wash., Nev., March ro, 1891;
Ash Meadows, Nev., March 17, 1891; Huachuca Mountains, Ariz., March 20,
1902; near Tombstone, Ariz., April 5, 1881; Coventry, Colo., April 28, 1908;
Monon, Colo., April 29, 1905; Fort Lyon, Colo., April 28, 1885; Salida, Colo.,
May 10, 1908; Arvada, Colo., May 14, 1905; Cheyenne, Wyo., May 14, 1889;
Fort Custer, Mont., May 15, 1885. It has been taken as far east as Marathon,
Tex., May 12, 1901; and Cherry county, Neb., May 16, 1891. The species was
still common September 25, 1906, on the Book Plateau, Colo. and the last have
been noted in the Huachucas, Ariz., October 28, 1907; near Silver City, N. M.,
November 6, 1906; and near Garnsey, Cal., November 1, 1903. A belated bird
was taken December 27, 1899, at San Fernando, Calif., and a straggler, December
15, 1873, at Watertown, Mass.

Notes on the Plumage of Sparrows

In addition to the migration records, which Professor Cooke will supply
(and of the value of which it is not necessary to inform Brrp-Lore’s readers),
the colored Sparrow plates will be accompanied by a series of articles, by
the Editor, on the plumage of the birds illustrated. These papers will treat of
seasonal changes of plumage and of the diagnostic characters of the more closely
related species, and should be of value as an additional aid to field identifica-
tion. The first paper will appear in the next issue of Brrp-Lore and will deal
with the species illustrated in both this and that number.

Potes from Field and Stuop

Kinglets Captured by Burdocks

On an afternoon in October, some ten
years ago, a student, Mr. Floyd Hartman,
came into my laboratory in Lake Forest,
Illinois, and told me that he had just
liberated a little bird which he had found
struggling to free itself from the hooks of
some ripening burdock heads, in which
its feathers were hopelessly entangled.
He also stated that he had noticed several
other similar birds that had been unable
‘to free themselves, and had perished.
I asked him to show me the place. It was
a partly wooded pasture, in the northern
part of the town, within a block of the
railroad. The trees were white oaks and
hickories; all underbrush had been thinned
out, and in its place had grown scattering
clumps of burdocks. The birds were all
Golden-crowned Kinglets.
It was no trouble to find
them. They were visible in
all directions, scores of
them sticking to the tops of
the clumps on the most ex-
posed clusters of heads. The
struggle had ended fatally
for all that I saw, and its
severity was evidenced by
the attitudes of their bodies
and the disheveled condition
of their plumage.

I examined a number of
the burdock heads to de-
termine what attraction had
brought the Kinglets within
range of the hooks, and
found insect larve of two
species present in consider-
able abundance. Most
abundant were the seed-
eating larve of an obscure
little moth (Metzgeria Ja-
pella), but the larve of the
well-known burdock weevil
were also present in some
numbers. Doubtless, it was

GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETS IN BURDOCK

in attempting to get these larve that the
Kinglets (mostly young birds) were cap-
tured.

In the few minutes that I had to spare
I gathered a few clusters of burdock tops
and carried them with the birds upon them
into my laboratory, and made half a dozen
photographs of them, from three of which
the accompanying figures are reproduced.
Shortly thereafter I learned that Mr. W.
Hamilton Gibson had published a draw-
ing of this same sort of fatality a good

(261)

262 Bird - Lore

~ _

ae

WITH WINGS HELD FAST BY BURDOCK HOOKS

many years before. So, while I have fre- my text-book of General Biology, and as the
quently loaned the negatives to ornitho- editor of Brrp-LoRE has thought that the
logical friends for lantern-slide making, others would be of interest to its readers,
I have not offered them for publication... I have gladly offered them for its columns.
I have, however, recently used one of them —JameEs G. NEEDHAM, Ithaca, N. Y.

for illustration of the mistakes of instinct in

SECTIONAL VIEW OF BURDOCK BURS SHOW
ING LARVAE
Note also the hooked spines

Some Interesting Reminiscences
of Audubon

I perfectly recollect the
world-renowned naturalist, John
James Audubon, whom, as a
boy, I visited at his home in
what is now Audubon Park,
New York. My grandmother,
Sarah Hazzard, widow of Major
William Wig Hazzard of South
Carolina, in the Continental
Army, having moved to New
York, purchased the Brockholst
Livingston estate of twenty acres,
on the Hudson at goth Street,
where my mother, while visiting
her, died, leaving me to her ten-
der care. Another daughter,
Mrs. Horace Waldo, lived with

Notes from Field and Study

her, under whose care I fell on the death
of my grandmother. Thus it was that we
became neighbors of Audubon at what
is now 155th Street, New York.

Audubon, in November 1843, had
returned from one of his long scientific
journeys to the great West. My aunt, Mrs.
Waldo, desired to visit him before he cut
his hair and beard, which it was his custom
to permit to grow untrimmed while on
these expeditions. She took me, then nine
years of age, with her. I have a perfect
recollection of that visit, and can now
imagine that I see him sitting in front
of his home, with the genial welcome
given to our party. He looked very old;
his hair and beard were then longer than
is represented in the frontispiece portrait
of his granddaughter M. R. Audubon’s his-
tory of his life; both were entirely un-
trimmed, the beard being very long and
pointed. He was dressed in a loose blouse,
apparently such as he had worn on his
expeditions of wonderful research.

Close to the house was a large live
animal, either a deer or an elk, while close
by was a wire cage in which was a collec-
tion of large wild birds. All these riveted
my youthful attention, being indelibly
engraved upon my memory.

When old enough, I returned to South
Carolina, living there until 1870, when I
moved to New York. One of my first
visits was to Trinity cemetery, to view
the monument to this illustrious man.”?—
ALEXANDER ROBERT CHISHOLM, Late
Lieut.-Colonel Confederate States Army.

Bird Battles

It is the custom, nowadays, to speak of
the English Sparrow as if he were the only
quarrelsome member of the flock, while
all the rest of the feathered songsters dwelt
in peace and harmony; but there’s many
a deadly battle waged in the tree-tops in
which no immigrant from over the sea
has a bill. The Bluebirds and the Swal-
lows have been carrying on a long warfare
over a Martin house, and the outcry up
there, followed by the expulsion of one
bird, with two or three of his enemies in

263

close pursuit, is no unusual occurrence.
Some time ago, there were always two
or three Hummingbirds hovering over
each bush in the flower-bed. On one of
the bright feeding-grounds daily visitors
were but three—a pair of birds and one
lone Ruby-throat. That poor winged
bachelor fared hardly at the hands of his
two fellow food-seekers. The two divided
their time equally between gathering
insects and chasing off what they were
pleased to consider the intruder on their
preserves. Hardly a bite could he get,
for their attentions. But he was persever-
ing, and would fly off to a near-by tree,
and, as soon as his pursuers’ backs were
turned, like a flash he would be back again,
trying to get his bill into a flower before his
rivals should see him. Recently I saw a
duel between a Kingbird and a plucky
young Robin, that fought as though he
meant to get revenge for the many wrongs
that had been perpetrated against him,
and victory perched on his banner. At
the end of a hard-fought battle, the King-
bird lay dead on the ground, while the
Robin retired to the branches of a tree,
where he spent the rest of the afternoon
resting from his hard labors. Nor do these
little warriors confine their valor to com-
bats with their own kind. In an emergency
they will attack an even more formidable
enemy. They have been known to attack
cats, and to put this dreaded foe of theirs to
flight, though they are not so apt to worry
this enemy as are the Swallows. The
writer was recently moved to go to the
rescue of the family cat, when set upon by
a Barn Swallow, that was worrying the
feline into a frenzy.—ROBERT PAGE
LIncoLn, Minneapolis, Minn.

Are the Birds Growing Less Abundant?

Societies for the preservation of bird life
have for one of their strong arguments the
statement that the birds are being exter-
minated. In this, I feel like taking issue
with them, so far as our district is con-
cerned, though I do give them much credit
for their efforts to preserve bird life.

Here, in Chester county, Pennsylvania,

264

where I have been a close student of bird
life for forty years, there is unquestion-
ably an increase. At the same time, some
curious changes have taken place.

The Red-tailed Hawk and the Great
Horned Owl, were quite abundant during
the sixties. Now not more than one of each
is found nesting during a season. In their
place have come the Broad-winged Hawk
and the Barn Owl,—both more numerous
as nesting birds than the ones they dis-
placed. These birds are both highly bene-
ficial to the farmers, and are not subject
to the merciless persecution of the earlier
species; though it must be said that the
Red-tailed Hawk is also classed as a bene-
ficial bird. He was wiped out some years
since, by a state law which paid a bounty of
fifty cents on every Hawk or Owl killed.

In 1860, the Bluebirds and the Red-
headed Woodpeckers were among our
most abundant insect destroyers. Later
they disappeared, victims, probably, of
unfavorable weather conditions, until
practically none were left. The Bluebirds
have come back again, and the Red-headed
Woodpeckers are also slowly gaining in
numbers, though not yet as numerous as
formerly.

Among new birds to spread over the
country may be mentioned the cheery
little Carolina Wren, an all-the-year resi-
dent, and a wonderfully fine singer. This
is a southern species, but it is every year
extending its range further north. The
-same may be said of the Cardinal. Along
the Susquehanna river there are great
numbers of these brilliantly colored
birds, and they are also becoming much
more abundant hereabout. Their cheery
whistle can be heard all the winter through
in the protected swamps that give them
shelter.

One of our reasonably common birds
that is rarely seen is the Grasshopper
Sparrow. It is quite common, apparently,
and several will be heard by the close
observer on a day’s walk, though it hides
successfully in the grass fields and is very
skillful in concealing its nest,—the latter
being made rather late in the season,
generally located on the ground.

Bird -

Lore

Since Crow-Blackbirds have been put ~
on the list of game birds, they also are
disappearing. This is to be regretted,
because they are not game-birds and are
not fit to eat. Making an open season for
them results in their being wantonly shot
and then thrown away. If the farmer,
when he shoots one would cut its stomach
open and examine the contents, he would,
in the springtime, find it filled with cut-
worms and some others of the most
troublesome insects that infest his fields.

The Crow is a bird that is universally
persecuted, though it seems to be holding
its own fairly well. It is a robber of other
birds’ nests in the summer time. Re-
cently, Dr. Elinger, of West Chester, was
walking near the Normal School, when he
noticed two Crows flying overhead. One
of them carried some object in its claws.
Presently the Crow dropped it, when the
second Crow swooped down and succeeded
in catching it before it had had time to
reach the ground. Shortly afterward the
second Crow dropped it. The doctor was
curious, and went over to examine what
the Crows had carried. He found a young
half-grown Blackbird that had evidently
been stolen from a nest. It was still alive,
and the doctor carried it home and placed
it in a nest full of young Robins. The old
Robins did not object, but the young Black-
bird would not eat food, when offered by
the foster parents, and died during the
night. Then the Robins pitched it out of
the nest.

My observations and my records show
that hereabouts birds are increasing in
numbers, with the exception of those shot
for game. These become more numerous
for a year or two, and then a cold, wet
nesting season comes along and they are
almost exterminated.—R. P. SHARPLES,
West Chester, Pa.

A Horned Owl Record

After the first deep snow in December,
1902, I discovered some strange marks
made by a large bird in the snow that had
drifted over a stone wall. They were at
first almost without meaning to me. What

Notes from Field and Study

bird was large enough to make such deep
indentations in the snow, and what pur-
pose could he have had in view which
made such a variety of marks with feet,
body, feathers and wings? After consider-
‘able study, I think I solved the problem.

A Great Horned Owl settled on the
wall just over the crest of the drift at the
right, making a row of small depressions
in the snow with the feathers of the right
wing. Turning abruptly, he made several

265

behind him. So I feel sure that the Owl
King, Bubo virginianis, had been about.—
GEORGE H. SELLECK, Exeter, N. H.

Nesting of the Red-Cockaded
Woodpecker

In the South Atlantic states the nest of
the Red-cockaded Woodpecker is, so far
as I have observed, always excavated in
the trunk of a living pine tree. The site

A HORNED OWL RECORD
Photographed by George H. Selleck

short plunges down the sides of the drift,
making two deep irregular furrows with
his feet. He had heard the squeak of a
mouse which he may have caught at the
last plunge. Then, as he swung around
and sprang up, his feathers swept the
snow and his body sank deep into it. His
first strong wing-beats made the spread-
eagle marks at the left after he was in the
air.

I searched carefully among the trees
and bushes near, but could find neither
pellets nor feathers to substantiate my
theory. A Crow or a Blue Jay had brought
a small ear of corn to an overhanging apple
tree, and had dropped the cob; but neither
bird was large enough to leave such marks

chosen varies from twentv-five to fifty feet
from the earth. The general appearance
of the nest, externally as well as internally,
does not present characteristics materially
different from the usual Woodpecker exca-
vations except in one striking particular.
The bird pecks numerous small holes
through the bark in the neighborhood of
the entrance to the nest. These are dis-
tributed entirely around the tree, and
sometimes extend up the trunk for a dis-
tance of two feet or more, and often down-
ward for a distance of six feet. From
these wounds the turpentine of the tree
exudes and runs down the bark, often
completely covering the surface, and pre-
senting a mark which can be seen through

266 . Bird -
the open pine forest several hundred
yards. What good reason the birds may

give among themselves for this strange
performance I do not know, but it doubt-
less protects the nests from certain ma-
rauders, possible flying squirrels, which
inhabit the pine lands abundantly.

There is little doubt but that, in some
instances at least, the nest is occupied
in successive years by the same pair of
birds, and in one instance at least I have
known one to be used by a pair of Red-
bellied Woodpeckers.—T. GILBERT PEAR-
SON, Greensboro, N. C.

A Saw-whet Owl in Central Park

On the morning of January 4, 1909, I
saw a fine specimen of a Saw-whet Owl in
the ramble of the park quietly sleeping in
a low pine tree. I remained an hour in its
society and managed by bothering it a
little to get a good study of it. It was
perched so low, and was so indifferent to
things generally, that I could easily have
taken it from the branch. It didn’t
altogether like my opera-glasses when I
held them near, for it opened its eyes wide
and followed them as I changed position,
in the meantime giving me excellent views
of it.

A Hermit Thrush, some White-throated
Sparrows, and a crowd of English Spar-
rows, made things lively for a time; but,
finding they made no impression on their
enemy, they finally left, and let it take its
sleep in peace.—ANNE A. Cro ius, New
York City.

The Goshawk as an Enemy of Poultry

The Goshawk is rare in this locality,
appearing only once or twice during a
winter. This winter (1907-08) I know
of two records. In both cases the Hawk
made an attack on poultry. On November
19, a farmer, living near the village, on
hearing an outcry from his hens, went
to the barnyard and found that they were
attacked by a large Goshawk. The Hawk
had killed three hens was after a
fourth when the farmer appeared. The

and

Lore

man went for his gun; upon-his return he
found that the Hawk had succeeded in
killing the hen and was sitting on the
stone wall eating it. The bird seemed
quite tame and was easily shot.

The other Goshawk was seen by me
on December 13. I was walking by a
farmhouse when my attention was at-
tracted by the loud cries of ahen. The bird
was in a clump of bushes over which
hovered a Goshawk. The Hawk pounced
twice at the hen, but could not hit it on
account of the thick branches. On seeing
me, the Goshawk gave up and flew away
to the woods.—EDWARD H. PERKINS,
Tilton, N. H.

Nesting of the Chimney Swift

Spending a large part of my summer
vacation of 1907 in the lake region of
Minnesota, I had a good chance to observe
the birds of this region. One of my experi-
ences follows.

On July 31, while following up a stream
that flowed into a near-by lake, I came
across an old deserted hunting-cabin. The
building was about 10x 12 feet and had
one small window and a doorway about
four feet high. On entering and looking
about, I saw a Chimney Swift on its nest
at the farther end of the building. I
walked up to the nest, which was about
opposite my head, and stood looking at
the bird for some time at a distance of two
feet. The Swift kept its little, black, bead-
like eyes fixed on me, but did not move
until I reached out my hand and touched
it on the back.

The nest contained four young birds,
that I should say were four or five days
old. When I made a squeaking noise,
they raised their heads to be fed, but very
soon settled down.

When I again visited the cabin, on
July to, three of the young birds had
climbed out of the nest and were hanging
on the log walls within a foot of their home,
while the fourth was still in the nest. They
were all rather uneasy, and on a close
approach attempted to climb away.
Neither of the old birds entered the cabin

Notes from Field and Study

while I was within, but I heard them over-
head outside.

I rather think that two or three pairs
of swifts were nesting in a large hollow
stump standing on the bank of the stream,
but I could not get at it to make certain.—
ALBERT W. HONYWILL, JR.

Where Are tue Swallows?

Have other readers of Bird-Bore noticed
an unusual lack of Swallows and Swifts
this season? As a rule, this part of the
country is swarming with them during
August and September, particularly the
Tree Swallows, as these collect at night by
millions among the reeds of the Hacken-
sack and Overpeck marshes, and scatter
over the surrounding country during the
day. Usually an early September after-
noon will show quantities in the sky, or
lines upon lines of Tree Swallows on the
telegraph wires, their white breasts fairly
glittering in the sunlight.

This season I have seen almost no Tree
Swallows, and few even of the Chimney
Swifts, which are almost always plentiful.
Is this probably due to a lack of insects,
caused by the cool, dry summer? For,
according to my observation, mosquitos
have been remarkably few in this neighbor-
hood, and even house flies have been
scarce.—ISABELLA McC. Lemmon, Engle-
wood, N. J. ~

A Benumbed Evening Grosbeak

I noticed an account in the July-August
number of Bird-Lore of a pair of be-
numbed Rose-breasted Grosbeaks. I had a
similar experience last winter, which, how-
ever, was not with the Rose-breasted, but
the Evening Grosbeak. About noon, Feb-
ruary 24, 1909, I received a telephone call

from a neighbor, asking me to send over |

for a bird which he had just picked up off
the snow in a benumbed condition. I sent
for it, and it proved to be a male Evening
Grosbeak, which had by this time revived
sufficiently to keep its eyes open and to
make some vicious thrusts with its strong
beak. An examination revealed no wounds
of any kind, so we thought it might be

267

suffering from hunger. It refused both
water and bird seed. As it continued to
become a little more active, I carried it
outdoors and set it at liberty. It was a
minute or two before it realized it was free.
Then it flew into a tree near the porch,
where it rested, motionless, for an hour or
so, then flew a few rods to another tree,
where it rested about the same length of
time. Then, when I looked out it had gone.
There was considerable snow on the
ground, but the day was sunny and not
especially cold.

There had been small flocks of Evening
Grosbeaks about all winter, and, as they
are a cold-weather bird, I cannot under-
stand how this one could have been so
affected by the cold, and especially on a
day much milder than many we had had.—
Mrs. G. F. Crapp, Ashland, Wis.

Early Arrival of Evening Grosbeaks
in Southern Wisconsin

The following note on the Evening
Grosbeak is worth recording, as bearing on
the movements of the 1908-1909 winter
wave of the species. On October 27, 1908,
the writer saw three Evening Grosbeaks
feeding on the seeds of a box elder in
Marquette, Wisconsin. This date of ar-
rival seems earlier than usual for southern
Wisconsin.—W. L. McATEE, Biological
Survey, Washington, D. C.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet Wintering in
Wisconsin

I was very much interested, in reading
Notes from Field and Study in your
March-April issue, to see the Ruby-
crowned Kinglet reported as a winter
visitor in- New York and New Jersey.
I saw and unquestionably identified one
here in Lake Geneva on December 22,
1905.—EUGENIE C. GILLETTE, Lake
Geneva, Wis.

Carolina Wren in Massachusetts

A Carolina Wren was found in this
town by Miss Julia Laws, and was ob-
served and identified by others also, on
April 4 and 5, 1909. The bird sang freely.
—ALpHEUS D. SmitH, Bedford, Mass.

Book Mews and Meviews

THE BirpDs OF WASHINGTON. By WII-
LIAM LEON Dawsov, assisted by JOHN
Hoorer BOWLES. Seattle. The Occi-
dental Publishing Co. 2 vols. 4to. xiv-+
997 pages, 300 half-tones from photo-
graphs, 40 drawings, 12 full-page plates
in color.

That one of the youngest states, orni-
thologically as well as politically, should
have devoted to an exposition of its avi-
fauna so elaborate and attractive a work
as ‘The Birds of Washington’ is evidently
due to the energy and courage of its au-
thors. Eastern states whose bird-life was
better known fifty years ago than that of
Washington is today are still
for a chronicler to do for their birds what
Mr. Dawson has done for those of Ohio
as well as for those of Washington.

The present work treats at length of
the 372 species and subspecies of birds
which have been recorded from Wash-
ington, giving, under each, paragraphs
uniformly headed, “Description,” ‘‘Recog-
nition Marks,” “Nesting,” ‘‘General
Range,” “Range in Washington,” ‘Au-
thorities’”’ for occurrence in Washington,
and ‘Specimens’? in Washington or
the Provincial Museum at Victoria. A
general account of the birds’ habits follow.

The book is notable for the number as
well as for the excellence of its illustrations.
The larger number are from photographs
of birds, their nests, eggs and haunts,
many of which are by the authors, and
there is also a series of admirable drawings
by Allan Brooks, twelve of which are
beautifully reproduced as full-page plates
in colors.

Mr. Brooks also supplies a list with
descriptions and annotations of the
twenty-five species of birds which have
been found in British Columbia but are
as yet unrecorded from Washington.
An analytical key to all the species in-
cluded has been prepared by Lynds
Jones.

All in all, the ‘Birds of Washington’ is
a notable contribution to ornithological

waiting

literature which, both because of its beauty
and usefulness, should greatly stimulate
the study of birds on our northwest coast.
—F. M. C.

BirD-HUNTING THROUGH WILD EUROPE
By R. B. Lopcr. New York. D. Ap-
pleton & Co. 1909. I12mo. 333 pages,
124 half-tones.

As a pioneer bird photographer, Mr,
Lodge has long since captured the image of
those birds most accessible to the British
ornithologists. With this preparation he
started in pursuit of some of the rarest of
European species, and the present vol-
ume is a record of their pursuit in Spain,
Montenegro, Albania, Servia and Hun-
gary.

Vultures, Eagles, Pelicans, and Egrets
were chief among Mr. Lodge’s desiderata,
but many other species are also dealt with.

His account of his varied experiences,
by no means relates to birds alone, but
describes the countries and people visited,
and, as his quest led him into truly wild
portions of Europe, his book has the added
interest of a narrative of travel.

That Mr. Lodge’s hunt was successful
is evidently due to a determination which
knew not the meaning of defeat, and as a
result of his courage and persistency he
secured pictures of European birds which
have not before been figured by the
camera,—F. M.’C.

THE Sport oF Birp Stupy. A book for
young or active people. By HERBERT
KEIGHTLY Jos. Connecticut edition.
New York. Outing Publishing Com-
pany. xili+312+iv pp. 131 half-tones.
Avoiding a formal method of treatment,

Mr. Job here aims to arouse and hold the

interest of ‘‘young or active people” by

the adoption of a narrative form which,
for the young people at least, should have
the appeal of a story. Mr. Job’s own
enthusiasm is so unbounded that his
readers cannot but share it, and the book
should therefore achieve the end in view

(258)

Book News

and, at the same time, convey much in-
formation in regard to the species treated.

The photographs support the text
nobly and are here far more effective than
drawings could possibly be. They prove
beyond question that Mr. Job practices
as well as preaches. No nesting bird is
beyond the reach of his camera, and in
making the series of pictures illustrating
this book, he has displayed a patience and
persistence beyond the conception of the
person who has not had some experience
in similar lines. The result clearly jus-
tifies the effort. Not only has Mr. Job
had the ‘‘sport’? of which he writes so
graphically, but he has made some of the
best photographs of our commoner land-
birds which we have ever seen; and while
only the “young and active’’ may hope to

emulate his success with a camera, every ~

one who cares for birds will be interested
in this splendid series of bird portraits.

The present edition of the work con-
tains as an appendix an annotated list
of the 216 species of birds which have been
recorded from Litchfield county, Conn.—
F. M. C.

EGYPTIAN BIRDS FOR THE Most PART
SEEN IN THE NILE VALLEY. By
CHARLES WHyYMPER. London, Adam
and Charles Black, 1909. [New York,
The Macmillan Company.] 12mo., x+
221 pages, 51 full-page plates in color,
11 line cuts in tint. Price, $6.50.

_ Mr. Whymper writes “for the wayfaring
man who, traveling this ancient Egypt,
wishes to learn something of the birds he
sees.” (preface.) To this end he treats
serially the commoner winter birds of
that portion of Egypt most frequently
visited by tourists, gives a description of
the plumage of each species, and devotes
usually two or three pages to an account
ef its habits, haunts and manner of
occurrence in Egypt.

Mr. Whymper writes largely from per-
sonal observation and knows his bird
not only in nature, but also in the glyphs
and myths of the passed civilization
which renders this region so attractive to
the traveler, for whom, therefore, his
book possesses an especial interest.

and Reviews 269

It is, however, through his pictures that
Mr. Whymper appeals most strongly.
He possesses an exceptional ability to
draw a bird in its haunts and do equal
justice to both. In such pictures, there-
fore, as those of Coots at ‘‘'The Sacred
Lake of Karnak,’’ Gulls on the Nile at
Cairo, and other species in equally au-
thentic if unnamed settings, he places his
birds in the landscape with rare skill.
The ornithologist may occasionally find
reason to query certain details of form and
pattern, but of the beauty and artistic
excellence of these plates there can be
only one opinion.

The book ends with a briefly annotated
list of the 356 birds of species which have
been recorded from Egypt.—F. M. C.

The Calendar of the Massachusetts
Audubon Society

The Massachusetts Audubon Society
as usual issues an attractive bird calendar
for the ensuing year. The birds repre-
sented by colored plates are the Junco,
Sora, Kingbird, Hermit Thrush, Screech
Owl, and Lapland Longspur. The ac-
companying text is by Mr. Ralph Hoff-
The calendar may be purchased
of the secretary of the society at 234
Berkeley street, Boston.

mann.

The Ornithological Magazines

THe Auxk.—This serial completes its
twenty-sixth volume with the October
number, 483 pages being the year’s output
of its indefatigable editor. While space in
this publication, the official journal of the
A. O. U., is primarily devoted to matters
of scientific interest, there is always some-
thing to occupy the attention of those who
feel that scientific ornithology is too deep
for them. Surely Dr. T. S. Roberts’
‘A Study of a Breeding Colony of Yellow-
headed Blackbirds’ in the current number
is a happy combination of the scientific
and the popular. The wealth of half-tones
that illustrate this paper save us from the
dangers of sunstroke and wet feet while
we stand face to face with the Blackbirds

270

and their nests. We can also enjoy a
pleasant account of ‘A Nesting of the
Blue-winged Warbler in Massachusetts,’
by Mr. H. W. Wright.

‘An Inquiry into the History of the
Current English Names of North American
Land Birds,’ by Dr. S. Trotter, shows us
the probable origin of many popular
names. Dr. Trotter, among other things,
truly says that “‘a respectable antiquity
attaches itself to the vernacular,” and in
this connection it may be noted that Dr.
J. A. Allen, in a recent number of ‘Science,’
goes even farther and advocates the use
of a vernacular name in certain cases to
determine the type of a genus. Thus it
may even come to pass that the vernacular
sword of the down-trodden amateur will
be mightier than the Latin pen of the
proud and haughty expert!

Mr. E. Blackwelder furnishes an anno-
tated list of the ‘Summer Birds of Iron
county, Michigan,’ and Mr. Sidney S. S.
Stansell one on the ‘Birds of Central
Alberta.’ It would be interesting to know
if the Solitary Sandpiper of Alberta may
not prove to be the western race, cimna-
momeus. ‘The Birds of Colorado—Third
Supplement,’ by Mr. W. W. Cooke, and
‘The Singular Case of the Black Duck
of North America,’ by Dr. J. Dwight, Jr.,
complete the list of papers.

The usual goodly list of Notes and
Reviews conclude the volume, which has
twenty-eight pages of index. —J. D. J.

THE Conpor.—Of the eight articles in
the July number of ‘The Condor,’ all but
three are devoted to nesting habits of
various birds. Among the general papers
the principal one is ‘An Annotated List
of the Birds of the Barr Lake District,’
Colorado, by Hersey and _ Rockwell.
Brief notes are given on 205 species of
birds which have been observed in this
region, 19 miles northeast of Denver. In
a brief paper, Grinnell gives three definite
records of ‘The Littlke Brown Crane in
California;’ one specimen was obtained at
Newport, Orange county, ten or twelve
years ago, and two others were purchased
in the Los Angeles market, March 21, 1904.

Bird -

Lore

Under the title ‘Notes on the Birds of Los
Coronados Islands, Lower California,’
Osburn mentions 34 species observed in
the spring of r908. Dr. T. W. Richards,
U. S. N., describes the nesting of the
Black-footed and Laysan Albatrosses on
Midway Islands, where the breeding sea-
son begins in November; and A. M. Inger-
soll describes in some detail ‘The Only
Known Breeding Ground of Creciscus
coturniculus (California Black Rail),’ near
San Diego, where three sets of eggs have
been found. Mailliard presents a few
notes on the ‘Nest of the California Bi-
colored Blackbird;’ Willard describes the
‘Nesting of the Arizona Junco,’ in the
Huachuca mountains, Arizona; and Mrs.
Harriet W. Myers contributes an inter-
esting paper on the ‘Nesting Habits of the
Rufous-crowned Sparrow,’ near Los
Angeles. This last article merits especial
attention as an illustration of one kind of
field work which will yield valuable re-
sults without recourse to libraries or mu-
seums.

Of the six articles in the September
number, three are general and three de-
voted to nesting habits. Gilman tells of
‘Some Owls along the Gila River in
Arizona,’ where six species were observed
in 1908 and 1909; Wetmore contributes
‘Fall Notes from Eastern Kansas’ on 74
species of birds found on Washington
creek, near Lawrence, during the month of
September in 1907 and 1908; and Sheldon
adds ‘Notes on Some 57 Species of Birds
of Kern county.’ Gilman also contributes
some ‘Nesting Notes on the Lucy Warbler,’
made at various points along the Gila
river during the last two seasons. In
‘Cliff-Climbing for Prairie Falcon Eggs,’
Richards describes the method of collect-
ing a set of eggs in an almost inaccessible
cliff near Littleton, Colorado. Osburn’s
account of ‘The Nesting of the Herrmann
Gull,’ is of special interest as the breeding
grounds of this bird along the Mexican
coast have long been sought. In the spring
of 1909 a colony composed of 31 pairs of
breeding birds was found occupying a
remote rock off the coast of Jalisco, Mex-
ico, in latitude 18° north.—T. S. P.

Editorial

Hird- Lore

A Bi-monthly Magazine

Devoted to the Study and Protecticn of Birds
OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE AUDUBON SOCIETIES

Edited by FRANK M. CHAPMAN
Published by THE MACMILLAN COMPANY

No. 6

Vol. XI Published December 1, 1909

SUBSCRIPTION RATES

Price in the United States, Canada and Mexico RYENEY, cents
a number, one dollar a year, postage paid.

COPYRIGHTED, 1909, BY FRANK M. CHAPMAN

Bird-Lore’s Motto:
A Bird in the Bush ts Worth Two in the Hand

THE Twenty-seventh Annual Congress
of the American Ornithologists’ Union
will be held at the American Museum of
Natural History, December 7-9, 1909.
The daily sessions from Io A. M. to 5 P. M.,
with an hour and a half intermissions for
luncheon, will be devoted to the reading
and discussion of scientific papers. On the
evening of the 7th there will be an informal
reception in the bird laboratories of the
Museum; on the evening of the 8th the
annual dinner of the Union at the Hotel
Endicott (the hotel headquarters); on the
afternoon of the 9th the Union will visit
the Museum of the Brooklyn Institute,
and on the roth the New York Zoological
Park.

It is also proposed to charter a sea-going
tug for an expedition to the vicinity of
Sandy Hook to see and protograph the
Gulls which congregate there.

Every real bird student in this country
should be associated with the American
Ornithologists’ Union, not only for what
he will receive from the Union, but for
what he already owes to it. The present
widespread interest in birds in this coun-
try is directly attributable to forces set in
motion by the Union, and many persons
who are now enjoying the delights of a
knowledge of birds would have been with-
out this pleasure and resource were it not
for the activity of an organization to which
ornithology and ornithologists are so
deeply indebted. It should therefore be
considered a privilege, as indeed it is, to

271

be affiliated with this body and we urge
all American bird students who are not
already associate members of the Union to
present at once their application for
membership in order that it may be con-
sidered at this coming meeting. It may
be sent to the treasurer of the Union,
Dr. J. Dwight; Jr., 134 West 71st street,
New York City.

There is one phase of the Union’s work
which has unjustly brought it more blame
than praise, but which a later generation
will value at its true worth, if the present
one does not. We refer to the labors of its
Committee on Nomenclature and Classi-
fication, which is currently credited with all
the undoubted confusion wrought by the
numerous changes in the scientific
names of our birds. As a matter of fact, it
is not the function of this committee to
make such changes, but to sit as a court of
inquiry and accept such changes as are
proposed only when they prove, upon
investigation, to be necessary upon an
unbiased application of the prevailing
laws of zoGdlogical nomenclature.

If from the time of Linnéus a similar
body had been in authority, we today
should be enjoying that long-hoped-for
stability in nomenclature which, thanks
to the A. O. U., will be the fortunate lot
of those who come after us.

A recent correspondent protests against
alleged changes in the common names of
our birds by the Union, but his criticism
is unwarranted. It is true that in the first
(1886) edition of its ‘Check-List’ the
Union adopted certain ‘book names’ for
several species, but the fact that they have
not become current has induced it to
abandon them in the forthcoming edition
of the ‘Check-List’ and to employ those
in common use.

WE note with pleasure the announce-
ment of the formation of the Bristol County
Academy of Sciences, at Taunton, Mass.
A museum, laboratory, library, lectures,
publications and a bureau of information
are included in the plan of development.
The latter is designed to place the inquirer
in touch with the authority he wishes.

The Audubon Docieties

SCHOOL DEPARTMENT

Edited by MABEL OSGOOD WRIGHT

Address all communications to the Editor of the School Department, National
Association of Audubon Societies, 141 Broadway, New York City

THE WINTER-FEEDING AGAIN—BOTH SIDES
OF THE QUESTION

\ N 7 ITH the falling away of the leaves and the outlining of the pond edges

with ice, the question of the winter-feeding of the birds comes to the

fore. Some of us have continued the practice in a degree all summer,

‘in order not only to keep a few of the least-wandering species in remembrance of

their winter haunts, but for the gratification of our personal pleasure of the

intimacy, which, if not precisely “Over the Teacups,”’ is something akin in
delightful informal sociability.

A few years ago, this matter of winter-feeding was urged as a duty toward the
‘birds, a sort of payment for their services of song and insect destroying. Now
I think that it will be agreed by those who have established a lunch counter
with a more or less regular set of customers, that, like many other forms of charity,
the really greatest benefit is reflex and falls upon ourselves.

As to the ways and means of feeding, it may not be amiss to rehearse them, in
-spite of all that has been written upon the subject.

In general, for the dweller in the open country, or upon the edge of a village
with near-by fields reaching through brush lots to the real woodland, there are
‘three classes of birds to be considered: (1) What may be termed “ window-sill
birds’”’—those like the Bluebird, Robin, Starling, Tree Sparrow, Chickadee, etc.,
that may be coaxed to feed almost on the window-ledge itself. (2) The tree-trunk
birds, Woodpeckers, Nuthatches, the Brown Creeper, together with the Winter
Wren, Kinglet, Myrtle Warbler and Jays, who, though willing to come very close
to a house, still prefer to lunch on a tree counter, where they can see all about
them. (3) The game birds—Ruffed Grouse and Quail, who must have either
-corn-stalk teepes, log hutches or carefully adjusted brush heaps, arranged to
-shelter themselves, as well as the food offered, if it is to benefit them. In regard
to this last class of birds, let it be well understood that, whatever sort of shelter
is provided to cover the ration of buckwheat or mill sweepings, it should have at
least two entrances, one of these connecting with sheltering bushes, so that in
-case of a heavy snow, or of ice forming while the birds are in their feeding-place
their means of escape will not be cut off.

In establishing either a window-sill or tree-trunk bird-counter, two things
‘must be considered—protection from the weather while feeding and protection
ifrom cats and rodents. The window-sill stand may be easily protected from both,

(272)

The Audubon Societies Bg

but the tree-trunk will often need an inverted tin funnel fastened about it, such
as 1s often used on the posts that support granaries. If this is not done, much
food that is supposedly eaten by hirds will be taken in the early morning by the
rats, that have a way of going where even cats will not be tempted, while the
birds that we think well fed go breakfastless.

I had such an experience with what had been a very successful counter on the
top of a stone wall, which was a favorite place for the shyer birds until the rats
grew too bold.

Regularity in the supply of food is the vital point after a feeding-station has
been established, for after the birds have been accustomed to regular rations
the lack of them will be all the greater hardship. Never go away in the hungry
season without leaving the supplying of the birds’ table in reliable hands. When
all is running smoothly, what a zest is added to life by the waiting for and watch-
ing the hardy winter troop. Any day may bring a surprise, suddenly color will
liven the harsh iron-gray branches of the apple tree, and a flock of brilliant male
Purple Finches settle upon the dried currants that you had chanced to mingle
with the crumbled dog biscuits.

This winter feeding is a lure not only for the birds but for ourselves—a motive
for body and eye—outward and upward, and an outlet for gratitude and an inlet
for cheerfulness and winter sunshine. .

wed ee
REDPOLL FEEDING
Photographed by Clifford H. Pangburn, at New Haven, Conn., May 6, 1007

THE MOCKINGBIRD

By T. GILBERT PEARSON

he Mational Agsociation of Audubon Societies

EDUCATIONAL LEAFLET NO. 41

What the Nightingale is to Europe the Mockingbird is to the southern states, —
the most wonderful song-bird of the country and the universal favorite of the
people. His reputation as a musician is world-wide. Whoever hears his song is
deeply impressed, and wherever the story of the birds is told the power of the
Mockingbird’s voice is recalled. He is one of the first in the spring to sing; indeed,
I have heard him near the northern border of his range, singing with great force
on a clear February morning when ice covered the trees.

In those states which border on the Gulf of Mexico, Mockingbirds sing at
intervals throughout the winter months, and by March 1 are in full song. In

that semi-tropical climate they abound, and in many sections
Song are the most abundant species. I have sometimes thought that

they must be conscious of the power of their numbers, from the
bold defiant manner in which the music will often come from a dozen or more
throats within hearing at one time, drowning in its volume the notes of all other
denizens of the fields and shrubbery. The bird revels in the glory of his vocal
strength, and shouts his ringing challenge to the trees, the flowers, the very sky
itself. Watch the Mockingbird some spring morning, as with ruffled feathers
and drooping wings he sits on the topmost bough of a neighboring tree and pours
out the beautiful story of his love. At times, the very intensity of the music within
his breast seems to lift him many feet in the air. With dangling legs and carelessly
flopping wings, he drops again to his perch, singing the while. Anon he descends
to the earth for a moment, a few rapid hops in the grass, and he bounds again into
the air with scarecly an intermission in his song. Music high and low, loud and
soft, hilarious and sad, with never a hesitation, never a false note, is what falls
upon your ears as you hearken to this wonderful, masterful fellow, the music-prince
of the southern highways and groves. However, it is at night that the Mocking-
bird is at his best. If he is the music-prince of the grove by day, he is the song-
king of the lawn on moonlight nights, when at times his singing may be heard
until dawn.

Besides his native song, the Mockingbird has the wonderful power of acquir-
ing by practice the notes of many other birds he is accustomed to hear. He
imitates the song of the Robin and the Wood Thrush, the Bluebird and the
Wren. With wonderful distinctness he will give the clear whistle of the Cardinal
Grosbeak. In regions where the little Sparrow Hawk is a common resident,
many Mockers can reproduce its cry so perfectly as to deceive the most trained

(274)

MOCKINGBIRD
Order—PAssERES Family—Mimip#&

Genus—Mimus Species—PoLyGLorTros

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7
a
7, so
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s
VY
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ae J
rt
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er et jay px MAS oe

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mal if Ls mln ia)

The Mockingbird 275

ear. Not all Mockingbirds have equal power of imitation. The gift of mocking
in different individuals seems to vary as much as the range of their natural song.
An observer in South Carolina speaks of hearing one mimic the notes of no less
than thirty-two birds during an interval of ten minutes.

The nest of the Mockingbird is variously situated, in small trees, brush heaps,
briers, in the corners of rail-fences, in the decayed trunks of trees, on stumps,

in piles of cord-wood, and at times in vines growing about the
eee doors and verandas of southern homes. Once I found a nest

between the wall and the stick-and-clay chimney of a ruined
negro cabin. The nesting material consists of twigs, plant stems, dry grasses,
pieces of paper, strings, strips of bark, feathers, rags, or other suitable articles
which can easily be procured. The structure is generally lined with rootlets.
The distance at which the nest is placed above the ground varies from three
to ten feet. Rarely one may be seen elevated fifty feet in the air on the bough of
a large tree.

The eggs have a pale greenish blue ground-color, and are rather heavily
covered with reddish brown spots. Four is the number generally laid in a nest,
sometimes five, and rarely six. The one profession of the male in spring is sing-
ing, and so completely does this engross his mind that to his mate is left the entire
responsibility of constructing their habitation and hatching the eggs. May is
the principal month for nesting, although I have seen Mockingbirds incubating
their eggs as far north as Ocracoke Inlet, North Carolina, by April ro. In the
southern part of its range two broods are reared in a season.

While engaged in incubation or caring for the young, the nest is guarded
with the utmost care. The parents will not hesitate to attack any enemy, real or
imaginary, which may approach their domain, be it Crow, or dog, or man. If
they do not actually assail, they will at least approach near and scold soundly.
Their cry of alarm at once warns other birds in the vicinity of approaching
danger. If the intruder be a Hawk, the cry is taken up and passed from garden
to garden by these self-appointed sentinels, and the evil news of the Hawk’s
approach is heralded faster than the winged desperado can fly.

If a Mockingbird’s nest be destroyed, the mother-bird will, within a few
days, begin building a new one. If an accident likewise befalls this, still another
will be built. A pair once made their nest among the rails of a fence near my
home. The owner of the fence soon afterward, while making some repairs,
accidentally tore the nest from its position and the eggs were broken. The birds
then built in a small tree nearby, but an animal in the pasture rubbed the tree
down, and the birds were again without a home. In their search for a more secure
position, the distressed Mockers sought the protection of a large orange tree,
and on a large horizontal limb, ten feet from the ground, built a nest. Here more
trouble awaited them, for a cat climbed the tree, despite the thorns, and ate the
young in the nest. If the poor birds were discouraged by this series of disasters,
they did not show it by their actions. A week after this last catastrophe I saw

276 Bird - Lore

the female carrying twigs in among the dagger-shaped leaves of a yucca. Here,
at last, she found a sure retreat, and reared her young in safety, free alike from
the intrusion of man, and ox, and cat.

If kindly treated, this bird will ofttimes become very trustful; ated: if you are
so fortunate as to have trees and shrubbery about your house, he will perch in

your doorway, and even hop about your room. I knew one which
In Captivity often did this, until one day a heavy hand was laid upon him

and he was placed in a cage. But the moment he was imprisoned
his tameness vanished. He refused all food and, dashing wildly against the cruel
bars, long and untiringly sought his freedom. Outside he could hear the buzzing
of a Hummingbird’s wings among the woodbine on the veranda trellis. He heard,
too, the twitter of Swifts as they circled and darted about the sky, and again and
again the songs and calls of his fellows reached his ears, as they chased each other
about the grove in their mimic combats. In his efforts to escape, he drove his bill
continually between the bars of the cage until his head was bleeding from many
bruises. At times he called loudly for help, and was never content a moment
until his wings bore him once more into the bright sunshine; for, like most wild
creatures that have grown to maturity in the free air, he could never be taught
to live in captivity.

A friend of mine once picked up a young Mockingbird which had been
injured, and kindly cared for it. She placed it in a cage, and fed it for a time with .
ripe berries and a mixture of boiled egg and potato. Later, when it was able to
fly, it was given its liberty. Instead of leaving, it followed her about the house,
hopping and flying along the floor. It would alight on her arm and feed from
her hand. If she was out of its sight for an hour, it would become uneasy, and,
entering the house by door or window, would seek her from room to room, chirp-
ing loudly in distressed tones. For many weeks the bird remained about the house
and lawn, and would come when called by its mistress.

Unfortunately for their preservation, Mockingbirds, when taken while young,
will, with proper care, thrive in captivity. Thousands of young are collected
each year and placed in cages, and only a small per cent of these captives survive
the first few months of their imprisonment. As a result of this traffic, Mocking-
birds in many communities are rapidly becoming exterminated.

Although Mockingbirds are found more abundantly in the southern states,

they occasionally wander much farther north in summer; some,
His Range indeed, have been known to build their nests in Illinois and New

Jersey. Upon the approach of winter, these bolder spirits usually
seek the South, and seldom winter north of Virginia. Now and then, for some
reason, a Mockingbird declines to leave his northern summer home and, despite
the snows and sleet, will remain. In the winter of r905-6, one is known to have
stayed at Rochester, New York, possibly induced in part to do so by the abundant
food provided for it by Mrs. Carroll E. Brown.

The Mockingbird Ales

While investigating the feeding habits of this remarkable bird, Dr. F. E. L.
Beal found that in the fifty-two stomachs examined 29 per cent

His Food of the contents consisted of vegetable origin. Of the latter, 50:
per cent was of fruit, and 21 per cent of seeds and other items.

The birds’ appetite for fruit and berries in some communities becomes at times.

so marked that many fruit growers complain of their depredations, while others.

plant more fruit in order to provide enough both for man and bird. This latter
is the humane and economic method, and should be followed by all orchardists.

e

Copyrighted by A. Radclyfe Dugmero

YOUNG MOCKINGBIRDS
Photographed by A. Radclyffe Dugmore

The Audubon Bocicties
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT

Edited by WILLIAM DUTCHER

Address all correspondence, and send all remittances for dues and contributions to
the National Association of Audubon Societies, 141 Broadway, New York City

DIRECTORY OF THE STATE AUDUBON SOCIETIES

With names and addresses of their Secretaries

Mrs. HARRIET W. MYERS, 306 Ave. 66, Los Angeles

Mr. JOHN J. WALLACE, JR., Montgomery
Mrs. HARRIET B. THORNBER, Tucson

Mrs. WILLIAM BROWN GLOVER, Fairfield

Delaware okces hos eer ee Mrs. WILLIAM S_ HILLEs, 904 Market street, Wilmington
District ‘of Columbia: i: 5.)cc ce hoe eee ee ee Miss HELEN P. CuILps, Chevy Chase, Md.
Florida so ocseseick «ers sas Sash cise eee ee ee eee eee Mrs. I. VANDERPOOL, Maitland
Win ois fe wor Mesa oe aoe Sateen ee Miss MARY DruMMoND, Spring Lane, Lake Forest
Wadia ss ccesoosccec cee Sere ee ae Miss FLORENCE A. Hows, 2043 Hillside Ave., Indianapolis
MWR eo IR Soak cee he ee Mrs. WILLIAM F, PARROTT, 302 Franklin St., Waterloo
OE BB Ge se rc perecs herman Arar cat tere ee TRS i ett din SS Mr. FRANK E. MCMULLEN, Wichita
WOWISIRNAS ca 264 oe ed senate eee eee MRS. PERCIVAL WRAIGHT, -60 Pine St., New Orleans
ID TN iaisiarae oid sta cts cic Mae ae SORES ee en Mr.ARTHUR H. Norton, 22 Elm St., Portland
Marylandi ces ocner occa ee ee ree Miss MINNA D. STARR, 24co North Charles St.,Baltimore
Massachusetts .............. MIss JESSIE E. KIMBALL, care Boston Society of Natural History, Boston
MUCH p Mite. snorts sect ceed tec een eee MR. JEFFERSON BUTLER, 121 Grummond Ave., Detroit
Minnesota: 2301s aaneees outa een ee Mr. JOHN W. TAytLor, 206 Globe Building. St. Paul
Missigai pyii sso) 0 issn corse oh Metron eloatac en Sais ae ee EE ee Mr. ANDREW ALLISON, Ellisville
IMINROUIT on as ns oc acer Ore en xe es Mr. H. R. WALMSEY, 318 Keith & Perry Building, Kansas City
Nebraska viscosa coer ne vesdleca isidtats mienaa cere niente eieisiee Miss Joy HIGGINS, 527 Park Avenue, Omaha
New Hamipshire .%.scactesacaccte sia doamecaeeeee PER Ha aan eee eee eae MIss aaa HAzarD, Mane ee
Miss JULIA S. SCRIBNER, 510 East Front street, Plainfie
NGM I CIRO Yc ica.c fee eos eens ee ee { MRs. BENJAMIN P. HoLtmMEs, Summit
New) Worle aos sn oincs tava cove da cee eo Rone eae Rae Miss EMMA H. Lockwoop, Scarborough
North; Caroling’ 2275 jcci ana ne one tere lo ieee ee eee Mr. T. GILBERT PEARSON, Greensboro
North Dakota. 23:70 eee ee Mrs. G. F, RUEDIGER, South 4th street, Grand Forks
Ohio Miss KATHERINE RATTERMANN, 510 York street, Cincinnati
Oklahiommial Fees. accross sae elo Aero ee cece ee eee oa ei eae Miss ALMA CARSON, Guthrie
Oferon Sis sok oe ee oe ee Dr. EMMA J. WELTY, 321 Montgomery street, Portland
Penusylvaniay 2.35 ciscicconsae ecco Miss ELIZABETH W. FISHER, Room 22, 524 Walnut St., Philadelphia
Mhodertinland iso. s'est os eee Miss ALICE W. WILCOX, 165 Prospect street, Providence
South Carolina: <.s553-58h nae ce Mr. JAMES HENRY RICE, JR., 336 Pine street, Spartanburg
South Dakotatcati scccueaeen ae ree eee ree eee Mr. GEORGE A, PETTIGREW, Sioux Falls
DT OKAR ie odo kio sina el viee'd Samay Pee aoe Dae Ree Eee ea eee eee M. B. Davis, Waco
W.SKENON fone oo Samet ie SNe eee LEE ne ee MR CARLETON D. Howe, Essex Junction
Virpiniaiictcice onthe r een aac bee ....Mrs. A. S. BuForRD, J]R., 20 W. Franklin street, Richmond
Washington’ a: Sccete ck 5 s.ccsete ne ee en ee Mr. H. RIEF, 320 Jefferson street. Seattle
WWisconiatn Siac02 2k screen keke eee CHARI ES E. Brown, State Historical Library, Madison

a

Annual Meeting of the National
Association

The fifth annual meeting of the National
Association of Audubon Societies was held
October 26, in the American Museum of
Natural History, New York City.

The President reported to the members
that the recommendations approved at
the meeting held October 27, 1908, rela-
tive to a reduction of the Board of Direc-
tors from thirty to eleven and for amend-
ments to Articles III, IV and V of the By-
laws had been carried out. He also re-
ported that the certificate of incorporation
of the Association had been amended in
accordance with the change in the con-

stitution and that the attorney for the Asso-
ciation had filed all necessary papers with
the Secretary of State of New York in
Albany.

Dr. Allen moved that Mr. William
Dutcher be elected to fill the only vacency
existing in the Board of Directors; this
motion was unanimously carried.

Dr. Palmer placed in nomination the
names of the following persons to be mem-
bers of the Advisory Board of Directors, as
provided for in the amended By-laws: Col.
Jos. H. Acklen, of Tennessee; Protea:
P. Attwater, of Texas; Mr. Amos W. But-
ler, of Indiana; Mr. Ruthven Deane, of
Illinois; Mr. William L. Finley, of Oregon;
Mr. E. H. Forbush, of Massachusetts;

(278)

The Audubon Societies

Mr. Ralph Hoffman, of Massachusetts;
Mr. Carlton D. Howe, of Vermont; Mr.
David Starr Jordan, of California; Mrs.
C. Grant LaFarge, of New York; Mrs.
Kingsmill Marrs, of Florida; Mr. Frank
_M. Miller, of Louisiana; Mr. Arthur H.
Norton, of Maine; Dr. T. S. Roberts, of
Minnesota; Mr. Witmer Stone, of Penn-
sylvania; Miss Katherine H. Stuart, of
Virginia; Mr. Abbott H. Thayer, of New
Hampshire; Mr. John E. Thayer, of Mas-
sachusetts; Mr. W. Scott Way,of Maryland;
Mr. Wm. P. Wharton, of Massachusetts;
Mr. Robert W. Williams, Jr., of Florida;
Mrs. Mabel Osgood Wright, of Connec-
ticut. They were duly elected.

The report of the Treasurer was read,
together with the report of the Certified
Accountant and the Auditing Committee.
All of the above were ordered to be printed
in the Annual Report of the Association.

The Secretary’s report, together with ©

those of Field Agents Forbush and Finley,
were presented, and were also ordered
printed in the annual report.

Clinton G. Abbott, B.A., gave a lecture
entitled “‘Half Holidays with the Birds.”
Mr. Abbott’s talk was received with great
enthusiasm by the members present, who
appreciated the splendid slides presented.
The pictures and talk both were a strong
argument in favor of the camera over the
gun, as an aid to bird study.

On the adjournment of the meeting of
the Association, a meeting of the Board of
Directors was held, when the following
officers were elected for the ensuing year:
William Dutcher, President; Theodore
S. Palmer, First Vice-President; Dr. J. A.

_ Allen, Second Vice-President; T. Gilbert
Pearson, Secretary; Jonathan Dwight, Jr.,
Treasurer.

Mr. Samuel T. Carter, Jr., of New
York City, was reappointed counsel for
the ensuing year.

The President was directed to reéngage
all of the field staff of the Association,
together with as many or all of the special
wardens as should be found necessary
during the breeding season of 1910.

_ The President recommended that a
suitable certificate should be prepared

279

by the Association, to be given to patrons
and life-members, and also to such _ per-
sons whom the Board of Directors con-
sider to have performed extraordinary and
meritorious work for bird protection.

It was ordered that the recommenda-
tion be referred to a Committee of two,
to prepare designs for a certificate or
medal, or both, and present the same with
their report at the next meeting of the
Board. The following Committee was
appointed: Dr. H. C. Bumpus, Mr. Frank
M. Chapman.

The counsel of the Association notified
the Board that certain mortgages held as a
part of the endowment fund would soon
fall due, and that some of them undoubt-
edly would be paid to the Association.

Dr. Bumpus offered the following
resolution: ;

Resolved: That, in case any mortgages
held by the Association may*be paid off
from time to time, the monies so real-
ized must be reinvested in bonds se-
cured by first mortgages on improved real

-estate within the City of New York, and

that the President, Treasurer and Coun-
sel of the Association be, and they hereby
are appointed a Committee to arrange for
such investments, with the express under-
standing that no mortgage loan shall be
made in a larger amount than. two-thirds ©
of the appraised value of any property;
such appraisal to be made by any one of
the following parties:

Official appraisers of Title Guarantee
and Trust Company; Official appraisers
of Lawyers Title Insurance and Trust
Company; Douglas Robinson, Charles ~
S. Brown & Co.; Horace S. Ely & Co.

The above motion was unanimously
carried.

It was suggested by Dr. Palmer that
the Association should in a systematic way
provide wardens employed by this organi-
zation with suitable bird books and other
literature, in order that they may learn
the proper names and true value of the
birds they are protecting, and also that
they may be able to impart such knowledge
to the public among whom they work,
when occasion demands.

AHL “SQUIH LNOUV NOILIUALSNI AUK AUVHA ALINVSsanUv ©

Fifth Annual Report of the National Asso-
ciation of Audubon Societies, 1909

CONTENTS

ADDRESS OF THE PRESIDENT.

EDUCATION AS A FACTOR IN AUDUBON WORK.
RELATION OF BirpDs TO MAN.

REPORT OF THE SECRETARY.

GAINS AND LOSSES IN LEGISLATION.
List OF RESERVATIONS.
EXECUTIVE AND FINANCIAL.

REPORT OF FIELD AGENTS.

EDWARD HOWE ForBUSH IN NEW ENGLAND.
WILLIAM LOVELL FINLEY ON PactFic Coast.

REPORTS OF STATE. SOCIETIES.

Reports from Alabama, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Delaware, District of
Columbia, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts,
Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Hampshire,
New York, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Penn-
sylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Wash-
ington, Wisconsin.

LIST OF MEMBERS AND CONTRIBUTORS.
REPORT OF TREASURER.

ADDRESS OF THE PRESIDENT

ANNUAL MEETING 1909

EDUCATION AS A FACTOR IN AUDUBON WORK.—
RELATION OF BIRDS TO MAN

MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL AssociaTION: In our address to you at the
meeting held a year since, we gave a brief foreword on education as related to
the work of this Association. This year we will endeavor to elaborate this impor-
tant subject, for it doubtless is the most powerful factor we are using, and is the
surest road to success.

To educate is to impart knowledge, to develop by mental and moral training,
to cultivate and qualify by instruction for the business and duties of life. Thomas
Jefferson said, “Educate and inform the whole mass of the people, enable them
to see that it is their interest to preserve peace and order, and they will preserve
them.”’

It is the chief function of this Association to educate the whole mass of our
fellow Citizens regarding the value of wild birds, and the intimate relation that

(281)

282 Bird - Lore

exists between them and agriculture. If we can devise some means of imparting
such knowledge to the whole mass of the people, we will most surely show them
that it is to their interest to preserve birds; and, when we have succeeded in
doing this, the result desired—the preservation of birds—will surely follow.
That the present knowledge of this important economic subject is lamentably
deficient is a self-evident fact which is shown in many ways.
Among a great many people, chiefly agriculturists, there still
exists a deep-seated prejudice against Hawks and Owls, which
are now known to be of the very highest value. In a recent government publi-
cation, Dr. Fisher says, “The sooner farmers, ranchmen, horticulturists and

Present Lack
of Knowledge

nurserymen learn that the great majority of birds of prey are their friends and
deserve protection, the sooner will depredations by noxious rodents and insects
diminish.”

Unfortunately, this knowledge is still largely in the hands of a restricted
class of persons who have made a scientific study of the habits of such birds,
and until it is widely diffused among the public it is of little value. It is our duty
to see that this knowledge is given to the people; when it is, prejudice will be
supplanted by protection to the inestimable benefit of agriculture. It is also
shown by the mass of contradictory bird laws now upon the statute books of
the Commonwealths of the country. Local and selfish interests are the basis
of many of the existing laws. The beneficial laws that have been secured in the
past decade are largely the result of the small measure of education that has been
imparted by this Association, and its allies, the scientists in the United States,
who are slowly but surely collecting and arranging facts and data of the utmost
value. When this information has been imparted to the public, we hope, by this
Association, the people will voice their wishes to legislators; and, as a result,
laws will be enacted that will be national in their far-reaching effect, replacing
statutes which cover only restricted districts. Only ignorance and selfish local
interests permit entirely contradictory bird laws to control in areas separated
only by an imaginary line, or laws that permit the traffic by a restricted class of
persons in assets that belong to the whole people. Nor will it be possible for a
legislative body to be so controlled by partisan political influences that it defeats
measures introduced for the benefit of a Commonwealth.

The conservation of the natural resources of the country is one of the subjects

that is now beginning to engage the attention of the public, and

Importance among its several divisions one of the most important is the careful
of Such - : : = - -
Knowledge and frugal use of its wild life. The vast importance of this move-

ment is just beginning to be realized. It is a fact not to the credit
of the public that the present generation is selfishly wasteful of the natural wealth
of the country. The original owners of the land, we are told in “ Purchas Pil-

grimage,’’* were taught to husband the earth and the trees. Today wild life is —
wasted to the point of extermination, in some instances; and within the lifetime —
of many of the members of this Association, several species of birds have become —

(legge iam Spe 9

Address of the President — 283

extinct in North America. Had the educational work we are now commencing
been started before the middle of the last century, these races of birds might have
been saved.

To help us realize the importance of the conservation of wild life, let us for a
moment consider the interests involved. No one can deny that the foundation
of the wealth of this country is its agriculture and forestry. In just the measure
that these industries are hindered is the wealth of the country diminished. The
last census (1900) gives the number of farms in the United States as 5,739,657,
with an acreage of 841,201,506. Every acre harbors swarms of insect and rodent
pests that destroy crops, entailing enormous losses, amounting to over one billion
dollars yearly. When we consider these figures, should we not realize the import-
ance of educating the masses to the inter-relation between wild life, and especi-
ally of wild birds, to agriculture and forestry? It is vitally necessary that every
agriculturist should know intimately the value of each species of birds, and just
what its function is in the work of suppressing insect and rodent pests. When
the tillers of the soil have learned these facts as well as they now understand the
value of fertilizers, the rotation of crops, and the use of labor-saving devices,
the work of the husbandman will be repaid far better than it now is, and much
of the annual loss of one billion of dollars will be saved. You may say that you are
not engaged in agriculture, and consequently are not interested in, or called upon
to help in, this educational work; but we most emphatically say that you are
directly and vitally interested. No matter what your daily vocation is,—a banker,
manufacturer or tradesman,—you are primarily dependent on the success of
agriculture. When the crops are good, trade in all its many ramifications is
flourishing; and, on the contrary, when the crops fail, there is an immediate
curtailing of trade, and we hear the well-known cry of “hard times.” It has
almost become axiomatic; successful agriculture equals general prosperity. You
see that you have an interest in advancing agriculture, and consequently should
be willing to bear your part in our educational plans.

This leads us to the important question of what knowledge should be imparted

to the public about birds. This can only be considered very
What briefly at this time; its elaboration is a part of the plan proposed
Knowledge to Seas : ; : :
Be Imparted by the Association. We wish to instruct regarding the value of

birds. Now, this value consists in the amount of noxious insect
and rodent life destroyed by birds while seeking food; therefore it is important
that every one should have at least a general knowledge of the food habits of
birds. These facts cannot be accurately discovered by the individual, but must
be looked for by persons specially qualified for research work. It is the province
of this Association and a part of its plan to secure such data, and after arranging
it in the simplest and most easily assimilated form, to give it to the masses. A
tree has many enemies, which, if left to work unchecked, would kill it in a very
short time. We need to show the owner of the tree just what birds feed on the
insects that are sapping its life. Every part of the tree has one or more varieties

OTads V INASAAdAA SAIHdOUL SIH “STANNVHD ONOUM NI NAAG SVH NOILVONGA ASOHM AVI ¥

~eE Eps PIONEER

+ ee

Address of the President 285.

of birds that glean the major part of their food from the enemies of the tree.
The same condition obtains on the ground, in the air, and on the water, —all have
their bird-workers, who have well been called “policemen of the air.”

Nature study is engaging more and more the attention of the public, and it

is an elementary part of the work of this Association to encourage
How to the study of bird life, especially in its relation to mankind, or at
Impart Ra : :
Knowledge least in its bearing on agriculture and forestry. Many of the

teachers of the country in the rural schools are expected to be
able to give some sort of instruction on nature subjects. At least one state,
Illinois, has recently passed a law which went into effect as late as June of the
present year, two of the sections of which are as follows:

Section II. “In every public school within this state, not less than one-
half hour of each week, during the whole of each term of school, shall be devoted
to teaching the pupils thereof kindness and justice to, and humane treatment
and protection of, birds and animals, and the important part they fulfil in the
economy of nature. It shall be optional with each teacher whether it shall be a
consecutive half-hour or a few minutes daily, or whether such teaching shall
be through humane reading, daily incidents, stories, personal example, or in
connection with nature story.

Section V. “The principal or teacher of each public school shall state briefly
in each of his or her monthly reports whether the provisions of this Act have been
complied with in the school under his or her control. No teacher who knowingly
violates any provision of Sections I, II or III of this Act shall be entitled to receive
more than 95 per cent of the public school moneys that would otherwise be due
for services for the month in which such provisions shall be violated.”

The object of the Act above quoted is to raise the standard of good citizenship.
Undoubtedly, the desired result will be secured if the teacher is prepared to in-
telligently carry out the full requirements of the Act; but it seems premature to
require a teacher to impart knowledge that he or she does not possess, and it is
an injustice to exact such a heavy penalty as 5 per cent of the salary of the teacher
for failure to give to scholars what they never received themselves.

There are nearly six million farms in the United States, which means that

at least that number of adult males are engaged in agriculture.
To Adults It is too late to undertake to give them a thorough training about

the value of wild birds. This knowledge should have been given
them as a part of their common-school training. However, it is not too late
even now to make them fairly familiar with this important subject. Through
the medium of the printing-press and the widely extended rural free delivery,
educational bird literature may be disseminated to the greatest advantage. In
addition, men and women fully equipped as lecturers can be sent into the rural
districts and, with the aid of the stereopticon and colored slides of birds, plants
and insects can instruct in an entertaining manner hosts of farmers and their
wives. Such valuable work entirely changes the viewpoint of the hearers; as soon

286 Bird - Lore

as they learn of the value of birds they commence to show an active interest in
their preservation. This is one of the educational plans of this Association,

A prominent bird student and writer recently said, “The main hope for ade-

quate bird protection lies in educating the children up to a proper

To Children __ realization of the importance of birds to humanity.” With this

statement and idea we are in the most hearty and complete accord;

in fact, we believe it to be the best and surest solution of the problem that we are

% 4

x re

CORMORANTS

Note artistic effect developed by the photographer. A striking illustration of the advantages of the
camera over the gun. Photographed by P. B. Philipp

now struggling with. When we have given the eighteen millions of school chil-
dren of this country a comprehensive knowledge of birds in their relation to man,
our great problem will be satisfactorily solved. Children are our hope for the
future. Through them we shall be able to secure far better results than by any other
method of work. They should be taught about birds and nature from the kinder-
garten to the university. Every aspect of the relation of birds to mankind should
be embraced in the curriculum, especially the economic. Having grounded them
in this phase of the subject, the esthetic value will naturally make itself known
to the student. A large porportion of the school children of today will be the
agriculturists of the near future, and some of them will be the law-makers. Can

Address of the President 287

any one doubt that the children who are trained in the manner above outlined
will be the best type of citizens? An intimate knowledge of birds leads to kind-
ness and consideration of their rights as fellow citizens; this leads to the adoption
of the golden rule as the guide to all other affairs in life. Francis Bacon in his
essay, “Of Custome and Education,” says “Mens Deeds are after as they have
beene Accustomed. Therefore, since Custome is the Principale Magistrate of Mans
life; Let Men by all Meanes endevour, to obtaine good Customes. Certainly.

ee. : ee
CORMORANT BREEDING COLONY
Photographed by P. B. Philipp
Custome is most perfect, when it beginnethin Young Yeares: This we call Edu-
cation; which is, in effect, but an Early Custome.”

What was true three centuries ago is equally true today. This Association
must spend a large part of its energy in teaching children the good custom of
protecting birds and animals.

As it is manifestly impossible for us to reach the individual scholar, the know-
ledge we wish to spread must be imparted through the medium of school-teachers.

However, before teachers can instruct, they must be taught
By Teachers themselves. To that end, it is the hope and aim of this Association
to establish a great school or university devoted solely to the work
of fitting teachers to be instructors about birds in their relation to man. That

288 Bird - Lore

such a school is necessary there can be no question, and until one is established
our work with the school children of the country will necessarily make slow
progress. This Association now has an endowment that enables it to carry on its
legislative work for ideal bird laws; and also for the material increase of wild
bird and animal refuges, which must always be guarded by special wardens,
but our present fund is not large enough to carry on the educational work with
the breadth and force its importance demands. This branch of our work must
be carried on intensively, and to that end we must seek for a proper educational
endowment, the minimum sum of which should be one million dollars. Such sums
are given every year for objects no more worthy or important than that carried
on by this Association. If we can save for the public by our efforts only 1 per cent
of the annual loss to agriculture, it will amount to ten million dollars,—ten times
the sum we modestly ask as an educational endowment. Further, we will do
what is far more important than mere money-saving, we will train children to be
kind and gentle to birds and animals, without which trait of character they cannot
become citizens of the highest type. From their ranks must come the men and
women with high ideals who will carry on our work after we have laid down our
arms. I cannot better conclude than with these grand words of Wordsworth:
“Wisdom and Spirit of the Universe!

Thou Soul, that art the Eternity of thought!

And givest to forms and images a breath

And everlasting motion! not in vain,

By day or starlight, thus from my first dawn

Of childhood didst thou intertwine for me

The passions that build up our human soul

Not with the mean and vulgar works of man,

But with high objects, with enduring things,

With life and nature; purifying thus

The elements of feeling and of thought,

And sanctifying by such discipline

Both pain and fear,—until we recognize

A grandeur in the beatings of the heart.”

YOUNG ROYAL TERN

Annual Report of Secretary 289

ANNUAL REPORT OF SECRETARY

The past year of Audubon work has been marked by some of the fiercest
struggles we have ever encountered with the enemies of bird and game protection.
During the years when our legislative activities were devoted largely to securing
the enactment of laws for the protection of the non-game birds, our chief enemy
was simple indifference to the importance of bird preservation on the part of
people generally. In only a few instances did active opposition have to be over-
come. However, since the work of the Association has grown to include the field

WILSON’S PLOVER

A game bird too small to make it available for food; it should be removed to the non-game bird
class. Photographed by P. B. Philipp

of game bird and animal protection, a formidable array of market men, market
hunters and bird dealers have been encountered. Furthermore, with the estab-
lishment of state game commissions, supported by hunters’ license fees, large
sums of money have been gathered in the game-protection funds in many states,
which has attracted the attention and drawn the interest of politicians, whose
desire, in some instances at least, has been to aid their political friends rather than
the cause of game protection. Again, new laws, which if left undisturbed would
eventually prove to be wise ones, often appear to conflict with the interests of
people, and, before a fair trial can be given, attempts are prematurely made to
repeal them.

A still further source of opposition has been the large millinery interests,
which, from a business standpoint, naturally resent the attempts of the Associa-
tion to strengthen the non-game bird laws of the country by prohibiting the sale
of the plumage of all wild birds.

290 Bird - Lore

As a result of these various causes for opposition, the advancement of the
legislative work of this Association, although executed with all the vigor within
our power, does not of late show the apparent progress noticeable in previous
years.

While the Audubon societies are by no means responsible for all the advance-
ment made in bird and game protection in this country, their influence is without
doubt the most pronounced factor for the cause which is in operation today.
Wherever the interests of the birds are threatened, the Audubon workers appear,
and a close watch is kept upon all proposed bird legislation of whatever char-
acter. In many instances the Association initiates legislation, often preceding
the same by extensive campaigns.

The following is a partial trial balance, showing legislative gains and losses
in the United States during the past year:

GAINS LOSSES
California.—Amending and strengthening — Illinois.—Protection removed from _ all
the ‘‘Model Law.” Establishment of Hawks.

Bird Day.
North Carolina.—A
Game laws.
North Dakota.

number of local

enactment of the ‘‘ Model

Law” (exception permitting sale of
cage birds).
Oklahoma.—Enactment of the ‘‘ Model

”

Law.

Idaho.—Protection accorded blackbirds.
Montana.— Doves

the year.

protected throughout

Nebraska.—Doves protected throughout
the year.

Massachusetts.—Spring shooting prohib-
ited.

North Dakota.—Spring shooting prohib-
ited.

New Mexico.—Protection removed from
Road Runners.

North Carolina.—Jurisdiction of Audu-
bon wardens restricted to forty-four out
of ninety-eight counties.

Oklahoma.—Doves left without any close
season.

Pennsylvania.—Loons and Grebes classed
as game birds and given an open season.
Protection removed from Shrikes, Eagles,
Buzzards, Ospreys, Cranes, Herons,
Bitterns.

Utah.—Protection removed from Black-
birds, Blue Herons, Bitterns, Squaks,
Magpies, Kingfishers.

West Virginia.—Protection removed from
all Hawks, Owls, Fagles, Crows and
Kingfishers.

Indiana.—Spring shooting extended two
weeks.

Nevada.—Spring shooting extended two
weeks.

Oregon.—Spring
weeks.

shooting extended two

Nebraska.— Spring shooting extended

three weeks.

Idaho.—Shooting permitted in January
and February.

Washington.—Spring shooting of shore
birds along the coast permitted in Janu-
ary, February and March.

Detailed reports of the more important legislative fights which have been
waged during the year have appeared from time to time in the columns of “ Brrp-
Lore,” hence it is scarcely necessary to deal with them fully in this annual

Annual Report of Secretary 291

summary. It may be well, however, to call attention to the fact that some of
our most notable gains have been in the New England states, where the educa-
tional campaign has been longer waged than elsewhere. ‘The results in that
territory serve to emphasize most strongly the tremendous importance of dis-
tributing literature, using the press, and maintaining strong, intelligent field
agents.

EDUCATIONAL EFFORT

During the year, our regular educational and special leaflets have been issued
to the number of 155,000. In addition, there have been published 2,c0oo annual
reports, 10,000 copies of the president’s address, 1,000 supplemental leaflets for
the booklet “How to Attract and Protect Wild Birds,” 30,500 letters and circu-
lars in the interests of New York legislation for the session of r908-9, and 19,000
for the legislative season of 1909-10; 1,000 post-cards for the New Jersey legis-
lation, and 500 post-cards for the Virginia legislation. Thus making a grand
total of 216,000 separate documents issued by the Association. Besides this,
the general correspondence of the New York office has been unusually heavy.
Syndicate articles have been issued to the public press regularly, as heretofore,
and detailed information was furnished to a number of persons engaged in the
preparation of magazine articles. It has been possible for the officers and field
agents to accept only a small per cent of the invitations which have been received
asking for bird lectures. The demand for public talks of this character is growing
annually.

FEDERAL BIRD RESERVATIONS AND WARDENS

To this Association is largely due the credit of interesting President Roosevelt
in establishing the fifty-three National Bird Reservations now in existence in this
country. Until July 1 of the present year, this Association had borne the entire
expense of employing the warden force which guarded them. Since that date,
the salaries of the wardens have in part been paid by the government. The fol-
_ lowing is a complete list of the bird reservations established up to date:

List of Reservations Made by President Roosevelt, Together with the Dates
of the Several Executive Orders

Wisc hina Ook ese Pelican Island Reservation. Pelican Island in Indian River,
Florida.

October 41904. 22: = Breton Island Reservation. Breton Island, Old Harbor and
Free Mason Islands, Louisiana.

Ma CHEO; SEO OG nonin = 5 2 Stump Lake Reservation. Stump Lake in North Dakota.

October to, 1905.....Siskiwit Islands Reservation. Unsurveyed islands of the Siski-
wit group on the south side of Isle Royal in Lake Superior,
Michigan.

Ociober no, nOO5. see: Huron Islands Reservation. Unsurveyed islands of the Huron
Islands group, Lake Superior, Michigan.

OCWOIEIE TOS WOYEIS a 5 ga Passage Key Reservation. An island near the mouth of Tampa

Bay, Florida.

292

February 10, 1906....
August 8, 1907......

August 17, 1907.....
October 14, 1907....

October 23, 1907....
October 23, 1907....

October, 23, TH07...-

December 7, 1907

February 24, 1908...

April’6, 2908s. 2... os

August 8, 1908..

August 8, 1908......

August 18, 1908.....

August 28, 1908.....
September 15, 1908..
September 26, 1908..
September 26, 1908...

October 23, 1908....

October 26, 1908....
January 26, 1go9....

February 3, 1909....

February 25, 1909...
February 25, 1909...

February 25, 1go9....

. East

. Mosquito Inlet Reservation.

Bird - Lore

Indian Key Reservation. An island in Tampa Bay, Florida.

Tern Islands Reservation. All the small islets commonly called
mud lumps in or near the mouths of the Mississippi River,
Louisiana.

.Shell Keys Reservation. Unsurveyed islets in the Gulf of Mexico

about three and one-half miles south of Marsh Island,
Louisiana.

Three Arch Rocks Reservation. Unsurveyed islands known as
Three Arch Rocks in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of
Oregon.

Flattery Rocks Reservation.
Washington.

Copalis Rock Reservation. Islands lying off the coast of the State
of Washington in the Pacific Ocean.

Quillayute Needles Reservation. Islands lying off the coast of

Washington in the Pacific Ocean.

Timbalier Island Reservation. Small marshy islands
commonly known as East Timbalier Island in the Gulf of
Mexico, south of Louisiana.

Small mangrove and salt grass
islets, shoals, sand-bars and sand-spits in and near the
mouths of the Halifax and Hillsboro Rivers, Florida.

Tortugas Keys Reservation. Group known as Dry Tortugas
in the Gulf of Mexico, South Florida.

Islands lying off the coast of

.Key West Reservation. Keys and islands of the Florida Keys

group near Key West, Florida.

Klamath Lake Reservation. Islands situated in Lower Klamath
Lake and the marsh and swamp lands unsuitable for agri-
cultural purposes in Townships thirty-nine, forty and
forty-one south, Oregon, and in Townships forty-seven
and forty-eight north, California.

Lake Malheur Reservation. Shore lines of Lakes Malheur and
Harney and the streams and waters connecting these lakes,
Oregon.

Chase Lake Reservation.
North Dakota.

Pine Island Reservation. Bird Island and Middle Island in
Pine Island Sound on the West Coast of Florida.

Matlacha Pass Reservation. Three small islands located in
Matlacha Pass, West Coast of Florida.

Palma Sola Reservation. Small unsurveyed island in Palma
Bay, Florida.

Island Bay Reservation.
islands in Township
Florida.

Loch—Katrine Reservation. Lands about reservoir site in Oregon
Basin, Wyoming.

Public lands about Chase Lake

Unsurveyed mangrove and other
forty-two south, West Coast of

Pelican Island Reservation. Enlarged to include several other

adjacent islands.

Hawaiian Islands Reservation. Islets and reefs situated in the
Pacific Ocean, near the westetn extension of the Hawaiian
archipelago.

.Salt River Reservation. Parts of Townships four and five north,

Gila and Salt River Meridian, Arizona.

East Park Reservation. Parts of Townships seventeen and eigh-
teen north in California.

Deer Flat Reservation. Embracing parts of Townships two
and three, Boise Meridian, Idaho.

February

February

February

February

February

February

February

February

February

February
February

February

February
February
February
February

February

Febraury

February

April 2, 1909

25>

255

275

275

1909...

1909...

1909...

1909...

Ig0Q...

Ig0Q...

Ig0Q...

1909...

Ig0Q...

1909...
1909...

IgoQ...

1909...
QoQ...
1909...
1909...

1909...

1909...

1909...

Annual Report of Secretary 293.

.Willow Creek Reservation. Embracing part of Township.

twenty-one, Montana Meridian, Montana.

.Carlsbad Reservation. Embracing two reservoir sites along

Pecos River in Townships eighteen, nineteen, twenty and
twenty-one south, New Mexico.

-Rio Grande Reservation. Embracing parts of Townships.

seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve and thirteen south,
Principal Meridian, New Mexico.

.Cold Springs Reservation. Embracing parts of Townships.

four and five north Willamette Meridian, Oregon.

.Belle Fourche Reservation. Embracing parts of Townships.

eight, nine and ten north, Black Hills Meridian, South
Dakota.

. Strawberry Valley Reservation. Embracing parts of Town-

ships three and four south, Uinta Meridian, Utah.

. Keechelus Reservation. Embracing parts of Townships twenty-

one and twenty-two north, Willamette Meridian, Washing-
‘ton.

.Kachess Reservation. Embracing Kachess Lakes reservoir site,.

Washington.

.Clealum Reservation. Embracing parts of Townships twenty,

twenty-one and twenty-two north, Willamette Meridian,.
Washington.

.Bumping Lake Reservation. Embracing the Bumping Lake-

Reservoir Site, Washington.

.Conconully Reservation. Embracing part of Township thirty—

five north, Willamette Meridian, Washington.

. Pathfinder Reservation. Embracing parts of Townships twenty~

six, twenty-seven, twenty-eight, twenty-nine and _ thirty
north Wyoming.

. Shoshone Reservation. Embracing part of Township fifty-two.

north, Wyoming.

.Minidoka Reservation. Embracing parts of Townships eight

and nine south, Boise Meridian, Idaho.

.Tuxedni Reservation. Embracing Chisik Island and Ege

Island entrance to Tuxedni Harbor in Cook Inlet, Alaska.

.Saint Lazaria Reservation. Embracing the Island of Saint.

Lazaria, entrance to Sitka Sound, Alaska.

. Yukon Delta Reservation. Embracing all the treeless tundra.

of the delta of the Yukon River west of longitude one hun--
dred and sixty-two degrees and twenty minutes west from.
Greenwich and South of the Yukon River, Alaska.

.Culebra Reservation. Embracing the islands of the Culebra.

group, Porto Rico, excepting Culebra island, which is a.
naval and light-house reservation.

.Farallon Reservation. Embracing the Middle and North.

Farallon islands and other rocks northwest of the same,
located on the coast of California near San Francisco.

President Taft extended Mosquito Inlet Reservation from.
Township fifteen south, range thirty-three to cover all un-.
surveyed and unappropriated mangrove and _salt-grass.
islets, shoals, sand-bars and sand-spits in the south half of
Township fifteen south, range thirty-three, in Townships.
sixteen south, ranges thirty-three and thirty-four and in
Township seventeen south, range thirty-four, all east of
the Tallahassee Meridian, Florida.

In guarding the more important reservations and bird colonies during the
past year, the Association kas employed forty-four wardens, who are requiredi

2904 Bird - Lore

in their Annual Reports to submit a list of the birds whose breeding-grounds
they have guarded, and also to give as nearly as possible an accurate account
of the number of young raised in the colonies during the summer. Their reports
of the number of young raised are necessarily far from accurate, but it is believed
the correct number lies somewhere between 200,000 and 400,000, the greater
number of these being Puffins, Murres, Gulls, Terns, Petrels, Rails and Herons.

EXECUTIVE AND FINANCIAL

The general office of the Association is maintained, as hitherto, at No. 141
Broadway, New York City. An office force of five persons has been employed
regularly, and additional service has frequently been necessary. Four field agents
have been employed to give a portion of their time to campaign activities. These
were Mr. E. H. Forbush in New England, Mr. W. L. Finley, on the Pacific coast,
Capt. M. B. Davis, in Texas, Miss Mary T. Moore in the Carolinas, Miss Gret-
chen L. Libby in California, and the Secretary in the South Atlantic and Gulf
states. Miss Katharine Stuart, School Secretary of the Virginia Audubon Society,
has also engaged at times in work for the Association. There is great need for
at least two additional field agents at once, one of these to be located in the Mid-
dle West and one in the southwestern part of the Union. In fact, our work will
not reach the stage of greatest proficiency until that good day comes when a
field agent can be employed in every state to give his entire time to the work.

The hearty cc6peration of the members of the Board of Directors is every
year increasing tremendously the efficiency and power of the Audubon Work,
which in the years to come will, in America, wield an untold influence for good.

The membership and financial support of the National Association continue
to grow steadily. The sustaining members now number 1,140 and the life mem-
bers 87. This represents a gain during the year of 158 of the former’and 21 of the
latter. We are pleased also to announce the name of our first patron, Mr. Wm.
P. Wharton of Groton, Mass. It is necessary to engage in a constant and per-
sistent canvas for new members in order to even keep the total membership
normal, as throughout the year there are necessarily many deaths and losses of
membership from other unavoidable causes. We need greatly an additional
one thousand members during the coming year. If each person who is now a
member would interest one friend also in joining the Association, this end could
be accomplished.

It has been utterly impossible to meet a large per centage of the import-
demands made upon us during the year, which would require the expenditure
of funds. The field, however, has been covered as fully as possible, selecting
always those lines of effort where the demands seemed strongest, and where
there appeared the greatest promises for definite and far-reaching results. Much
valuable time and interest has been given by the Treasurer, Dr. Jonathan Dwight,
Jr., to the financial aspects of the Association’s interests. During the year, a

Annual Report of Secretary 295

profound loss has been sustained in the death of one of the members of the
Advisory Board of Directors, Mr. Wm. H. Fisher of Cincinnati, who was also
president of the Ohio Audubon Society. Another warden was murdered on
November 20, 1908. This was Columbus G. McLeod, on duty in Charlotte
Harbor, Florida.

SECRETARY’S WORK

During the past six years the Secretary has lectured and performed other
campaign work in nine of the southern states, as well as many of those in the
North and Central West. While thus engaged, he has sought as far as possible
to form the acquaintance of Ornithologists, Game Commissioners, officers of
game protective organizations, members of Congress, and others who might
become interested in the work of this Association and lend it their aid and sym-
pathy. One result of this policy has been the gradual formation of a wide circle
of correspondents, which now requires much attention.

The past year, in addition to attending to the duties of the southern office,
your Secretary has spent considerable time in the field on enterprises of a diversi-
fied character. In the interests of the work he has given many public talks.
Among these were the State Audubon Society at Richmond, Virginia, the Vir-
ginia State Educational Conference at Newport News, and Hampton Institute
at Hampton.

As retiring president of the North Carolina Academy of Science, he gave
the annual address at Trinity College. Three night lectures were given before
the 2,000 teachers gathered at the Summer School of the South ‘at the
University of Tennessee. He spoke at San Antonio, at the University
of Texas at Austin, and before a joint gathering of the Legislature. of
Arkansas. He addressed legislative committees in North Carolina, and spoke
before the Indiana Nature Study Society at ‘‘ Buzzard’s Roost” near Indianapolis,
as well as at several schools and colleges in North Carolina and Virginia.

He has visited and held personal conferences with the officers of the Audubon
Societies of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Virginia, Texas and Wisconsin, and has
corresponded much with the officers of several other states.

He drew state game protective bills, to be introduced in the legislatures of
Florida, Georgia and Arkansas, and wrote many letters to people in these states
soliciting their support for the proposed legislation. He also visited Congress
in the interests of national bird legislation.

After consultation with other members of the committee, he prepared and
forwarded to Mr. Gifford Pinchot our first preliminary report on the subject
of Bird and Game Protection in America, and outlined an extensive plan of in-
vestigation, of which Mr. Pinchot approved. In behalf of this movement and the
protection of our migratory birds in winter, he visited Mexico City and held a
personal conference with President Diaz. The President expressed himself as
interested in the proposition to form an organization for wild-bird and animal

296 Bird - Lore

protection in Mexico, and named his son, Proferio Diaz, Hijo, as the proper
person to head the movement. President Diaz also volunteered to aid in gathering
information in the Republic for our Committee on Conservation.

Thus briefly I have endeavored to outline the work of the National Associa-
tion and its officers the past year. The detailed reports of the various state socie-
ties have been received, and will be included when this appears in printed form
for distribution.—T. GILBERT PEARSON, Secretary.

eS ,

re pet a ke

bes

WILSON’S PLOVER. SHADING EGGS FROM ‘THE SUN
Photographed by P. B. Philipp

Report of Field Agents 297

REPORT OF FIELD AGENTS

REPORT OF FDWARD HOWE EORBUSH

In attempting to review the efforts put forth to advance the cause of bird
protection in New England during the past year, your agent can merely report
upon the work itself and its immediate results. How far the educational work
done will extend its influence into the years to come can only be conjectured.

LEGISLATION

The greater part of the work done has been legislative. This work has con-
tinued for ten months out of the twelve, beginning in Vermont in November, 1908,
and ending in Connecticut in August, 1909. :

Every Legislature in New England was in session during the season of 1908-09,
and a great mass of legislation adverse to bird protection was introduced into the
different assemblies. Seventy-five bills regarding the protection of birds and
mammals were presented to the General Assembly of Connecticut. Thirty
were introduced into the Great and General Court of Massachusetts, and the
numbers brought before the Legislatures of Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont
were considerable. Only three bills were introduced in Rhode Island, and these
were all calculated to secure better protection; but they were all fought at every
stage, and only one was passed.

Your agent was disabled by an accident in September, 1908; but, shortly

after the Annual Meeting of the National Association, he was able to go to Mont-
pelier and attend the sessions of the Legislature there during the latter months
of the year. A bill was passed protecting “Upland Plover” at all times until
August, 1915, and Quail until August, rgrr. A bill to allow the killing of Cedar
Birds was defeated in the Senate. Several other bad bills were killed in Com-
mittee. :
Attempts were made by hunters in all the states to secure the passage of bills
for the payment of bounties on birds and mammals, including lynx, porcupine
beaver, mink, weasel, fox, owls, hawks, crows, and other birds and mammals.
Ten bills relating to bounties were introduced in Connecticut alone. All these
bounty bills were killed in all the states, except a bounty on the bay lynx, which
is now in force in Vermont. It was shown before the Committees that the pay-
ment of bounties for the destruction of many species of mammals and birds
would encourage irresponsible hunters to be abroad at all times of the year,
and would make extremely difficult the enforcement of all game laws.

Bills regarding the establishment of reserves and sanctuaries for birds and
game were passed in Massachusetts and Connecticut, and bills were also passed

298 Bi rd- Lore

in Massachusetts, Vermont and New Hampshire, giving the Governor the right
to issue proclamations to stop all shooting and declare a close season, when
hunters in the woods are likely to cause forest fires during dry weather.

Bills establishing a system of registration for resident hunters were enacted
in Rhede Island, New Hampshire and Vermont, and attempts to repeal or nullify
such laws were defeated in Massachusetts.

Bills forbidding the spring shcoting cf wild-fowl and shore-birds were enacted
in Massachusetts, and a sticng attempt to repeal a similar law in Connecticut
was defeated. All the states of New England, except Rhode Island, now pro-
hibit the spring shooting of wild-fowl, but there are one or two unimportant
exceptions made to this rule in Maine and New Hampshire. This year the Maine
Legislature passed an act establishing an open season on the “Golden-eye or
Whistler” in Hanceck county from November 1 to April 1. All such exceptions
to the general laws abolishing spring shooting should be and must be repealed.
Spring shcoting in New England is now very nearly abolished, so far as legislative
enactments can prevent it. It must be the task of the future to close the gaps in
this legislaticn as fast as possible, and to influence public sentiment in favor
of the enforcement of these laws.

The laws that have been enacted for the prohibition of spring shooting and
for the registration of hunters could not have succeeded without the cc6peration
of the best sportsmen of New England, who have worked unsparingly for the
passage of these bills.

There have been the usual efforts to abolish or change the game commissions
in the New England states, but ncne of these attempts have been successful.

The increase of deer throughout New England is a matter for serious con-
sideration. In many locatities they are regarded as a nuisance by the farmers.
The rapid multiplication of these animals shows the possibilities of protection
by statute. Most of the natural enemies of the deer having been killed, they have
increased tremendously in thcse New England states where they have been pro-
tected at all times, and even a short open season, such as is allowed now in Ver-
mont and New Hampshire, has not greatly decreased their numbers; while in
Maine, with a longer open season and much hunting, they are holding their own
very well.

Acts prohibiting hunting from power-boats, such as one passed in Connecticut
this year, are now in force in most of the New England states. Shooting wild-fowl
from sail-boats, which is prohibited in some states, should be forbidden in all.

Certain acts that were introduced for the purpose of securing statistics of
the amount of game taken were defeated, as were also most of the bills limiting
the number of birds to be taken in a day. Many sportsmen still oppose such
legislation.

There seems to be no disposition now in New England to repeal the laws for
the protection of song and insectivorous birds, but in some states the laws regard-
ing the use of birds for millinery ornaments need strengthening.

Report of Field Agents 299

Connecticut has followed the lead of Massachusetts in establishing the office
of State Ornithologist. A law passed during the last session of the legislature
places the office under the control of the Connecticut Agricultural College.

Your agent made a trip to Washington during the winter, as Chairman of the
National Association Committee for the Protection of Birds, which codperates
with the National Conservation Commission. At this time he attended the North
American Conservation Conference, for the purpose of requesting the Mexican
delegates to take up the question of the protection of migratory birds, etc., in
Mexican territory. This the chairman of the delegation agreed to do, with Dr.
T. S. Palmer, our Vice-President, and we hope to see better bird legislation in
Mexico.

BIRD RESERVATIONS

The important problem of providing refuges for birds is now being taken
up by the state authorities in New England. Connecticut this year passed a law
giving its Fish and Game Commissioners greater freedom in regard to game pre-
serves. Massachusetts has made all public lands bird and game reservations
by legislative enactment. This will include not only the thousands of acres
now in public parks, forest parks and public grounds, but also the forest lands
coming into the control of the State Forester under the laws enacted last year.

Game reserves are being set aside also by private enterprise. Some of these
are maintained for the benefit of the owners, but others are intended for the bene-
fit of the public. Within the year, a large reservation of thousands of acres has
been obtained by an Association in Plymouth county, Massachusetts, for the
purpose of propagating game, birds and fish. Other undertakings of a similar
character are purposed by the Fish and Game Commissions of other states,
or by organizations for the protection of birds and game.

In July, your agent visited for a few days the bird reservations in Duke’s
county, Massachusetts. Here the Fish and Game Commissioners of the state
have now more than 2,000 acres under their control. The Pinnated Grouse, or
Heath Hen, has nearly doubled in numbers there since the work of protecting
them on this tract was begun two years ago. The birds were seriously threatened
by fire, in the nesting season; but the fire was stopped near the boundaries of
the reservation, and did very little, if any, injury to the birds. Broods of young
birds have been seen, and the probability is that there will be a good increase
there this year. Dr. Field, Chairman of the Commission, however, believes that
there is an excess of male birds among the adults, and this, if true, will tend to
check the increase.

The colonies of Least Terns, on which a report was made last year, seem to be
holding their own on Martha’s Vineyard; and, from all the reports received,
the Common and Roseate Terns and Laughing Gulls breeding on the islands
off the southeastern coast of Massachusetts are doing well. During this trip,
an example of the value of protecting wild-fowl in spring was seen. A gentleman

SLLASNHOVSSVW NI AUOL

IYadL GALIOALOUMd NO VNLLOCA UNV NAL Lovan

Report of Field Agents 301

who has control of the greater part of a large pond allows no shooting there during
the spring, although he shoots some there during the fall. Early in August,
fully seventy-five Black Ducks were seen around this pond, most of which were
raised in the marshes bordering it.

During a little more than two weeks spent in Maine, in an attempt to interest
some of the summer residents in the work of the National Association, your agent
found the different species of Gulls and Terns, which are protected there, very
numerous along the Maine coast.

EDUCATIONAL WORK

During the holidays of 1908, an exhibit was made by the National Association
and the Massachusetts Audubon Society at the Boston Sportsmen’s Show.
This attracted a great deal of attention, interested many sportsmen in our work,
and was the means of somewhat increasing the membership of both Associations.
This exhibit lasted two weeks.

The greater part of the educational work for the year has been conducted
by means of forty lectures given since the first of January by your agent. More
than the usual proportion of the lectures has been given before Farmers’ Organi-
zations, Agricultural Societies, Horticultural Societies and Pomona and Subordi-
nate Granges of the Patrons of Husbandry. The intelligent farmers of New
England are fully awake to the importance of the protection of birds, and the
demand for lecturers on birds at Grange meetings is very great. Much influence
for better bird legislation is now brought to bear by farmers’ organizations. The
audiences at these lectures have been large, as a rule, and a great deal of interest
has been manifested, particularly among teachers and students. The demand
for lectures continues unabated; and to meet this demand, in Massachusetts
alone, would require the entire time of one man.

The correspondence of your agent in New England has increased enormously,
and the acquaintance with people interested in the protection of birds is constantly
widening. The results in every respect are encouraging, except that not enough
financial support is forthcoming, as yet, to carry out the missionary work that
is so much needed in the schools of this region. A very large immigration of for-
eigners of the bird-killing class is continually coming into this territory, and work
among them and their children is urgently needed.

A series of newspaper articles, begun in 1908 and published in the press of
New England, has been continued during the past year.

REPORT OF WILLIAM L. FINLEY

During the past year, the Audubon Societies on the Pacific coast have accom-
plished good work in the cause of bird protection. In Oregon, the law against
selling aigrettes and the plumage of other native birds is now strictly enforced.
_ Last April, ten of the leading milliners of Portland were arrested for selling

302 Bird - Lore

aigrettes. All of the people arrested pleaded guilty and paid their fines. This
resulted in the countermanding of large orders for fall aigrettes, and at present
no plumage of Herons, Grebes, Terns and other native birds is sold by the milli-
ners in this state.

In the state of Washington, the same law will be strictly enforced after January
1, 1910. At a meeting of the leading milliners that was held in Seattle, they
agreed, if given until the first of January, not only to cease handling any plumage
of native birds, but also to stop using the plumage of the birds of Paradise; and
they further agreed to assist, in any way possible, in preventing others from
violating this state law.

At the session of the California legislature held last spring, an amended law
for the protection of wild birds was passed, and went into effect on June 17. This
law is stronger than those of Oregon or Washington, because it prohibits the sale
of all plumaged native birds, irrespective of whether the birds have been captured
within or without the state.

With the enforcement of our bird laws in Washington, Oregon and California,
we can hereafter prohibit the sale of the plumage of Herons, Grebes, Pelicans,
Terns, Gulls, Ibis and other native birds, so many of which have been killed
up and down the Pacific coast.

The action of the Washington Legislature last spring in setting aside Lake
Washington and prohibiting the killing of birds on that body of water or within
one mile of the shore, has made a splendid bird reserve in a portion of the country
that is being rapidly settled.

The establishment of the two large reserves, Klamath and Malheur Lake
Reservations, in southern Oregon and northern California, has already proven
a great benefit in wild-bird protection on the coast. Up to the time of the estab-
lishment of these reserves, the non-game birds had no protection from plume
hunters. White Herons were slaughtered almost beyond recovery. Many of
the Grebe and Tern colonies were annihilated. Very little was done in the en-
forcement of game laws throughout this part of the country. During the present
year, however, things have changed, and birds have received careful protection
by the employment of a good warden in charge of each of these reservations.
To meet this expense, the Oregon Audubon Society raised a fund of $300, the
National Association has contributed liberally, and the Audubon Society of
California has also started a fund to help in this work. The state game officials
of Oregon and California have given assistance, and aided materially in securing
the better enforcement of laws.

As the Klamath Lake Reservation lies partly in Oregon and partly in Cali-
fornia, and as this is such a rich field for the plume hunter in summer and the
market hunter in winter, it has been a very difficult matter to secure bird pro-
tection in this region because of the difference in state game laws. Now the
situation is entirely changed. The warden in charge, Mr. L. Alva Lewis, of Kla-
math Falls, has his appointment from the Department of Agriculture. He is

Report of Field Agents 303

also an authorized game-warden both of California and Oregon. With the patrol
boat “Grebe” furnished him by the National Association, Mr. Lewis has done
most effective work. His recent arrest of the Mayor of Merrill, a small town
between Lower Klamath and Tule Lakes, and three other prominent citizens,
for shooting Ducks out of season has had a good effect throughout that part of
the country, for there has been considerable more respect paid to game laws.

Warden Claud Hibbard, who is in charge of the Malheur Lake Reservation,
has been working in conjunction with the residents through that part of the coun-
try, and has secured good protection for all the birds on the reserve. Mr. Hibbard
writes, “I believe we have accomplished a great deal by gaining the sympathy
and ccdperation of the residents about the lake. I believe that next season the
residents almost to a man will he helping in every way they can to preserve the
birds and enforce the law.”

The sentiment for bird protection all through the Northwest is continually
growing stronger. In certain fruit-growing sections, there has been some com-
plaint against birds for destroying fruit; but this has been only against one or
two species in particular. Professor F. E. L. Beal, of the Biological Survey, has
recently visited the fruit-growing sections in Washington and Oregon, and says
that, almost without exception, the farmers and fruit-growers understand thor-
oughly the economic value of wild birds. As a general rule, they express regret
that there are not more song birds. Professor Beal’s work during the coming
year through the orchard-growing sections of the Pacific Northwest will furnish
us scientific data that are needed in relation to birds and the fruit-growing in-
dustry.

At the last meeting of the Oregon Conservation Association, complaint
was made by timbermen in some sections of the state because insects were caus-
ing the destruction of pine and fir timber. As our wild birds are the natural
check against these insect pests, efforts will be made to get better bird protection
in order to save the forests. A campaign of education will be carried on in this
line.

Legislation during the past year on the Pacific coast has been very favorable
for Audubon work. There has been no backward movement. A number of minor
changes have been made in game laws. In Oregon, all the old game laws were
repealed and an entirely new code adopted. Besides shortening the seasons and
reducing the bag limit on game-birds, we were fortunate in securing the passage
of laws closing the season entirely for elk, mountain sheep, antelope, does and
spotted fawn. Laws were also passed giving protection to Doves, Wild Pigeons,
and all shore- and wading-birds. Another law of considerable importance pre-
vents the burning or setting fire to Tules, during the spring and summer, where
Ducks, Geese and other water-birds are accustomed to nest.

No change was made in the Model Law in Washington or Oregon, but in
California it was made stricter. Besides this, a law was enacted establishing
March 7_as Bird and Arbor Day, to be observed by all public schools and edu-

304 Bird- Lore

cational institutions, not as a holiday, but by including in the school work suitable
exercises that will give instruction concerning the economic value of birds and
trees, and promote a spirit of protection for them.

During the past year, I have delivered illustrated lectures on wild-bird pro-
tection under the auspices of the Audubon Societies of Detroit, Cincinnati,
Indianapolis, Chicago, Madison, St. Paul, Fargo and Grand Forks. In the state
of Washington, I have given eight lectures, some of which were under the aus-
pices of teachers’ institutes. In Oregon, I have lectured at various times and
places throughout the year.

I represented the National Association at the Seventeenth National Irrigation
Congress, which was held at Spokane, Washington, August 9-14. This is an
organization of great importance in the West, and is composed of a large class of
practical men. I gave a talk on “The Value of Wild Birds to Forest and Field.”
Considerable interest was aroused in bird protection, and strong resolutions
were passed endorsing the work of the Audubon Societies.

As representative of the National Association, I also attended the First Na-
tional Conservation Congress held at Seattle, August 26-28. I gave an illustrated
lecture on “The Conservation of Wild Birds.” This is an organization that is
sure to lend great help toward preserving all our natural resources, and the
saving of our wild birds and animals is a very important feature in the work.

State Audubon Reports 305

STATE ANDUBON REPORTS

The reports of the State Audubon Societies show a marked progress in bird-
protection work, and will well repay a careful reading by the members of the
National Association and the other readers of Brrp-LoreE.

Alabama.—Few states in the Nation, and no state in the South, have made
such progress in recent years in matters relating to game and bird preservation
as has Alabama.

Prior to the enactment in 1907 of the law creating the Department of Game
and Fish, and establishing uniform laws throughout the state for the protection
of birds and game, but little attention was paid to the local game laws that applied
to the various counties. These statutes were openly and notoriously violated by
practically every one, and no effort was made to institute prosecution against
game-law infractors.

Recognizing the fact that no law is automatic, and that, in order to secure
its enforcement, it must be entrusted to some specially constituted service, or else
it will remain a mere nullity on the statute books, the legislature established a
most efficient game warden service for Alabama, that has vigilantly and rigidly
enforced the game and bird laws of this state.

Public sentiment is strongly favorable to game and bird protection. Birds
and game are considered as among the most valuable of the state’s natural
resources, and every effort is being made, not only to save this asset from anni-
hilation, but to increase every species that dwell or temporarily sojourn within
our borders.

Vandalism has been largely reduced and the farmers’ rights have been pro-
tected, by taking the guns out of the hands of the shiftless and roving class that
patrol the state, and, under the pretense of hunting, commit many petty offenses.

The bag limit on game birds has had a very fine effect in restraining the reck-
less hands of game destructionists that formerly masqueraded under the guise
of sportsmen. Under the law, pheasants and all imported birds are protected
until December 1, 1912. This provision has served to induce the importation
of a large number of pheasants by gentlemen who are interested in the propa-
gation of game birds.

Formerly, it was the custom to scatter wheat or other provender on fields,
for the purpose of attracting Doves in large numbers. This practice served to
collect practically all the Doves within a radius of fifty miles. At an appointed
time, hunters in great numbers would repair by daybreak to the baited field,
and the rapid discharge of firearms could be likened unto the raging of a mighty
battle. As many as six thousand Doves have been bagged in one field in Ala-
bama in a single morning. Prokably one-fourth more were fatally shot, being

306 Bird - Lore

so badly wounded that they were enabled to fly but a short way, only to die.
The baiting of fields is but a relic of barbarism, and no surer method is conceiy-
able by which Doves can be speedily exterminated than the pernicious practice
of baiting fields. This custom has been stopped in Alabama, and Doves have
rapidly increased.

Reports from every section of the state indicate the fact that squirrel and deer
are rapidly multiplying. In many places where deer have not been seen for years
they are now fairly abundant, and squirrels are found in practically every wood-
land. The provision of the law making it a violation to offer game for sale has
served the excellent purpose of disbanding the great army of murderous pot
hunters that formerly combed the state, eager to slaughter every species of wild
life that could be sighted. Formerly, the fronts of our market were strung with
game, birds and animals, which stood out as a nauseating sight to those who
knew the practices resorted to in bringing so much game to bag. No game or
birds is now being sold in Alabama, except here and there in isolated cases.

Formerly, thousands of Quails were trapped and shipped to foreign markets.
Those who engaged in this practice had emissaries in practically every section
of the state, who would capture the birds and ship them to headquarters, from
whence they were expressed out of the state. Many packages of dead game
were likewise expressed from Alabama, all of which has been stopped.

Wild Turkey and Wood Duck, two of our most valuable game birds, that
were formerly nearing the point of extinction in Alabama, are now frequently
seen in large flocks in practically every section of the state.

The Commissioner of the Department of Game and Fish prevailed upon the
State Superintendent of Education to set aside the 4th of May, the anniversary
of the birth of Audubon, as Bird Day in Alabama. At the request of Mr. Gunnels,
the State Game and Fish Commissioner prepares annually a Bird Day Book,
which consists of a suitable program of recitations and declamations. The
institution of Bird Day has been most valuable in inculcating into youthful
minds a higher appreciation of song birds, and of educating them to a compre-
hensive idea of their economic value.

As a reciprocal obligation which is due by us to those who reside in the North,
migatory birds should be protected by the Southern states. Were it not for the
fact that during the nesting and breeding season these birds are protected, it
would not be long before there would be no birds to migrate during the autumn
and winter seasons to this section. Birds know no state lines, and, in so far as
the preservation and protection of those that belong to the migratory family
is concerned, it is a national and not a state question.

A few of our citizens have objected to the protection of Robins. These birds
nest to the North in orchards and in the immediate vicinity of the homes of citi-
zens; they are much loved on account of their friendliness to man, and because of
their sweet songs during the spring. Formerly, Robins were slaughtered by
millions in the South, and oftentimes were fed to hogs. The sensation of horror

State Audubon Reports 307

that must have been felt by the people whose sweetest song-bird is the Robin
would be much akin to that which we would experience if our Mockingbirds,
the Sonthland’s sacred songster, should migrate to Cuba and be butchered, as
Robins formerly were in Alabama.

Under the hunters’ license system, more than fifteen thousand dollars annually
is paid into the game and fish protection fund, which is largely in excess of
the expense of the Department of Game and Fish. Although game wardens
are at all times on the lookout for violators of the law, yet, when infractions are
reported to the Department of Game and Fish, the Commissioner at once orders
game wardens to the scene of infractions, and every effort is made to apprehend
and to convict breakers of the game law.

Public sentiment demands the conviction of those who transgress the bird
and game laws, hence hundreds of convictions are had each year in Alabama.
Every activity is demonstrated by the Department of Game and Fish, in keeping
constantly before the people the provisions and the benefits of the law relative
to game and bird preservation, for only by these means can the sympathy of our
citizens be enlisted, and their ccéperation had, in the matter of protecting the
wild life of the state—JoHn H. Wattace, Jr., State Game and Fish Commis-
sioner.

Arizona.—The Arizona Audubon Society was organized April, 1908, with
a small but active membership. After making a program for the following year’s
work, the Society adjourned for the summer, to begin the following October.
While the apparent result of the first year’s work to a non-interested party has
not been so great, yet the enthusiasm of the members and good words spoken
for the Society by outsiders are very encouraging. Several meetings were held
during the year, when Educational Leaflets were distributed; also bird life
about Tucson was studied. Hundreds of Tucson school children were told of their
feathered friends. It is hoped that the organization of a Junior Society will be
part of the coming year’s labor.—Mrs. Harrrett B. THORNBER, Secretary.

California.—Though a number of distressing cases of bird destruction have
been reported during the year, on the whole, it would seem that the bird-lovers
have no reason to be disheartened. Public sentiment is on the increase in favor
of bird protection.

At the recent legislative session, our Society made a vigorous and successful
fight against the passage of two especially undesirable bills; one intended to re-
move protection from the Meadowlark, and the other to permit children under
fourteen years of age to hunt without a license. One of the interesting incidents
connected with the defeat of the Meadowlark Bill was the statement of Senator
Curtin that his young son, aged only nine years, had written him that he did
not want his father to come home unless he could say that he had voted to save
the Meadowlark. This boy had collected and forwarded to his father reliable

308 Bird- Lore

data concerning the food habits of this bird, which the Senator used in its
defence.

The amended non-game bird bill prepared by the Society passed both branches
of the legislature with practically no opposition, received the approval of the
Governor, and is now in effect. It is a great improvement over the old law,
making, as it does, illegal goods of all plumes and skins of birds native or migrant
in California, whether taken in or out of the state. It also defines “game”’ birds
more closely, restricts the collection of eggs and skins for alleged scientific pur-
poses, and otherwise strengthens the old law in several essential features. Hun-
dreds of circular letters were sent out to milliners throughout the state, notify-
ing them of the change in the law, and that it would be enforced by the Audubon
Society. As far as I know, no effort is being made by these milliners to evade
the law, many of them being glad of the opportunity given them to cease carrying
aigrette plumes and skins, obtained in such an inhumane way.

An important change in the game law, and one for which our Society has
long worked, was giving the Mountain Quail a closed season for a period of years.

By means of the Humane Education Committee of the California Club of
San Francisco, a law was enacted making March 7, of each year (the anniversary
of the birth of Luther Burbank), Bird and Arbor Day, and directing that all
public schools observe this day, not as a holiday, but by including in the-school
work suitable exercises and instruction of the value of birds and trees, and the
promotion of the spirit of protection toward them.

About the middle of the year, Miss Gretchen L. Libby, of Riverside, was
appointed as School Secretary to take charge of the school work. So successful
was she in creating an interest among teachers and pupils that the Directors
voted to engage her entire time for the year beginning October 1, 1909. She will
have at her disposal the Society’s lantern and colored bird-slides to illustrate
her lectures. Much good is expected to come from this educational campaign.

The greatest calamity that has befallen the Society at any time is the removal
from the state of its beloved and efficient Secretary W. Scott Way. He it was
who started the Audubon movement in California and placed it on a firm footing.
The new Secretary and the Board of Directors, because of their interest in the
work and their regard for its founder, are determined that it shall continue, and
to that end are putting forth every effort for a successful year.—Mrs. HARRIETT
W. Myers, Secretary.

Connecticut.—The work of the Connecticut Audubon Society has continued
mostly along educational lines during the past year. We have added six new
libraries of books for the Public Library Committees’ traveling libraries, and
twenty-five sets of bird charts.

Our libraries, charts and portfolios have been sent out between three and
four hundred times.

We have distributed Educational Leaflets of the National Association, and

State Audubon Reports 309

have taken interest in the doings of the Connecticut legislature in regard to the
passage of bills for the protection of birds. The Executive Committee has held
nine meetings in the year, with an average attendance of twelve members.—
HELEN W. GLOVER, Secretary.

Delaware.—I was away from home when your letter came, and, as I could
not answer until after the date mentioned, I simply let it be. Here in Delaware
we continue to try to increase our membership, especially among children, and
also try to see that our bird laws are obeyed. I hear constantly of the interest
and care exhibited in the birds by the children of the rural schools. This I take
to be a very good sign. Certainly, we see a greater number of birds than we used
to a few years ago, and I do not personally recollect having seen a Delaware
woman with an aigrette on her hat this year. I’m sorry my report is late and that
it is short, but what there is to it is to the good.— FLORENCE B. HILLEs, Secretary.

District of Columbia.—Since our last report we have had several very inter-
esting lectures and our Annual Bird Class and Field Meetings. The latter have
become exceedingly popular; so many people attending the walks that at times
it has been really difficult to study the birds. We feel that next year we shall have
to limit the attendance in some way, possibly having one or two meetings for the
general public and restricting the others to members of our Society.

Hitherto, our efforts have been to interest all whom we could reach in the
work of the Society, but this year we felt that they might appreciate more some-
thing for which they made some return. Following that line, we decided to charge
twenty-five cents for thirty-two of the Educational Leaflets published by the
National Society, and we have had a much greater demand for the Leaflets
than when we gave them away. We have also published, for free distribution, _
several Leaflets, edited by Mr. Henry Oldys, of the United States Biological
Survey, on “Current Items of Interest,” which have been much appreciated.

Both our Senior and Junior membership seem to be having a natural and
healthy growth.— HELEN P. CuiLps, Secretary.

Florida.—The year has been one of success, both by increasing membership
and interest; we congratulate ourselves that so much has been accomplished
with a few active workers and a limited income; we are neverthelesss confronted
with the fact that we are powerless for great good without the support of the state.
We need improved legislation, as well as the rigid enforcement of now-existing
laws. .

Leaflets, circulars, educational matter, bulletins from the Agricultural De-
partment in Washington, and from Massachusetts, have been widely distributed.
Charts, pictures, outline drawings have been furnished to schools, and prizes
given for excellence of work or composition. The Press of the state and the
Southern Express Company have given us helpful service.

310 Bird - Lore

We have active Auxiliary Committees at Port Orange and Bradentown. “The
Housekeepers Club” (100 members), at Cocoanut Grove, made “Bird Day”
of especial interest. Mrs. Kirk Munroe reports that bird protection is receiving
much attention, and good work is being done among the Women’s Clubs in the
state; “The Rangers,” her club of boys, are constantly doing protective work.
Some two hundred and fifty women belonging to the ‘“ Federation of Florida
Women’s Clubs” have signed a pledge sent out by the Florida Audubon Society,
modeled after that of the National Association, agreeing not to wear aigrettes
or bird plumage, the ostrich being excepted.

The Robert Hungerford Industrial and Normal School (colored) has made
bird study a part of the year’s course. We have a second school of colored children
at Cecoanut Grove, where teachers and scholars are doing fruitful work. Prizes
of books have been given to schools in Orlando and Maitland, but this all repre-
sents individual interests, for we are unable to obtain the support of the State
Board of Education.

There has been no new “reservation” during 1909; but, on recommendation
of Mr. Dutcher and by order of President Taft, “ Mosquito Inlet Reservation ”’
has been extended some four or five miles in a much-needed direction. As the
result of Warden Pacetti’s vigilance, there has been a noticeable increase of
aquatic bird life. Reports are frequent of the sale by Indians, in and about
Miami, of aigrettes and bird plumage. The officers of this Society have appealed
to those in authority to stop this trade, but without success, for every winter the
Indians bring their boats down the rivers from the interior, laden with plumes
and feathers obtained during the spring and summer. This business flourishes,
for women can buy aigrettes and feathers much cheaper here than from milliners
in the North. A mcst serious blow was given to all efforts for protecting the
Egret by the recent decision at Washington, countermanding the order of Col-
lector Loeb that certain confiscated aigrettes should be burnt. The decision to
have them sold at public auction puts them directly into the hands of the dealers,
who will now, with the plume-hunters, exult in their success. We have read
that Ruskin says somewhere, “If woman decided that there should be no more
war, war would cease to be.’’ We are not sure that such power can be claimed
for the sex, but, if it is true, then it goes without saying that, if woman decided
the aigrette was not to be worn, the aigrette would not be for sale; for the one
appalling fact stands forth that woman, and woman alone, will ever be held
responsible for the ultimate extinction of the Egret.

The publications this year include an illustrated Leaflet on “The ‘Bob-
white,’ by Dr. C. F. Hodge, giving its great value as an insectivorous bird and
the possibilities of its domestication; an illustrated Leaflet by the Rev. Herbert
K. Job, “Shall we protect the Pelican,’ showing that the bird in no way pre-
vents man’s obtaining a supply of fish food (both Leaflets are of such importance
they should be read by all interested in bird protection); a Leaflet for clubs,
societies and schools, with suggestions for “ Bird and Arbor Day;”’ a most inter-

State Audubon Reports 311

esting and valuable Leaflet by President Wm. F. Blackman of Rollins College,
Winter Park, ‘The Economic Value of Birds to the Farmer and Fruit-Grower,”’
giving important statistics regarding the destruction of weed-seeds and insects,—
this Leaflet is the synopsis of a paper read by Dr. Blackman before the Horti-
cultural Society of Florida at Daytona, May 19, 1909. A set of four picture
post-cards has been issued, two with illustrations and text on the aigrette, the
others on the Pelican and Bobwhite.

Under the auspices of the Florida Audubon Society, some twenty lectures,
illustrated with lantern slides, were given in various towns on the east coast,
and in Central Florida, by the Rev. Herbert K. Job, with the most gratifying
results.

A garden party in the interest of the Society was given by the President,
Mr. Dommerich, at Maitland, which gave to a large company many practical
suggestions for the welfare and protection of birds, while walking through the
groves, “hammocks” and gardens of his estate.

Each year, the great need of a Game Commisioner is felt. There should be
a revision of all license laws in regard to birds and their eggs. A gun license
should be imposed on the resident as well as the non-resident of the state. Pro-
tection from private and amateur collectors and tradesmen is needed, calling for
a change in licenses given for “scientific purposes,”’ for the law, as it now stands,
quite defeats the object of this Society, hundreds of birds and their eggs being
lost every year. It is suggested that all licenses for “scientific purposes” should
be issued under the seal of the Department of Agriculture at Washington, where
properly attested application for such license shall be sent by the Commissioner
of Agriculture from the state where the application is made. The amount of
the bond should be made protective, and a heavy penalty attached for any evasion
of the law.—Mrs. Kincsmitt Marrs, Chairman of Executive Committee oj
Florida Audubon Society.

Illinois.—This report, as far as statistics are concerned, covers the time from
May, 1908 to May, 1909. During that period nearly eleven thousand Leaflets
were distributed. “ By-the-Wayside” has been sent each month (free) to 100
teachers in the state; the five sets of mounted pictures, the lecture and the four
libraries have gone about doing good work; about two thousand children and forty
adults have joined the Society, and hundreds of letters have been received and
written. The money receipts have been $396.39, and the expenditures $377.18.
At we started into the year with a balance of $297.93, May 1, 1909, found us
with the sum of $317.14 to begin our new year. A sketch of Audubon’s life, with
picture, by Mr. E. B. Clark, has been issued as a Leaflet; a program for Arbor
and Bird Day was prepared by Mrs. E. C. Adams, at the request of the Chicago
Outdoor League. The Leaflet on the “Study of Birds,” by Mrs. Alice Hall
Walter, has been reprinted, with a number of additions. A new lecture written
by Mr. J. L. DeVine and the pictures furnished by Mr. Frank Woodruff have

312 Bird - Lore

been added to our plant, and we have begun a work we hope to extend largely
in the future; that is, we have already placed loosely bound portfolios of Leaflets
and pictures in four public places, libraries, etc.

Mr. Frank Daggett, as a special Publicity Committee, has published a number
of short aritcles in various newspapers. One of our Italian papers has printed
an appeal for the birds; but our most important work in this line, largely brought
about by Miss Amalie Hannig and our President, Mr. Deane, has been the
publication in the September, 1909 number of the Ladies’ Home Journal, of a
series of graphic pictures, with a few words explaining each one, illustrating the
tragic story of the aigrette. The hearty thanks, not only of the Illinois Society,
but of all bird-lovers and humane workers, are due the editor of this paper and
his associates. To Mr. George B. McCutchon, that talented and kindly cartoon-
ist, bird-lovers also owe a debt for his two cartoons, “Speaking of Easter Hats”
and “The Slaughter of the Innocents.”

Two illustrated lectures have been given, one by Mr. Wm. L. Finley, in Decem-
ber, “On the Trail of the Plume Hunter,” and one by Dr. Dearborn, at the
annual meeting of May 1, on “Studies in Bird Life.”” That Dr. Dearborn has
left our state is a loss much felt by our Society.

Mrs. H. C. Adams, Chairman of the Forestry Committee of the Illinois
Federation of Woman’s Clubs, is doing yeoman’s service for the trees and birds.
Through her influence, some 1,500 children of her home town (Danville) have
joined the Audubon Society, and the Woman’s Club have taken up the study
of forestry and birds in a series of twenty-seven meetings, one of which is entirely
devoted to such topics as “ Audubon Work”’, “ Game Laws, etc.,’’ while at nearly
all the others one or two birds are made a special subject, in addition to forestry
matters.

At our annual meeting, a resolution was passed endorsing a bill asking for
the appointment of a Forestry Committee and the setting aside of a Reservation
in Ogle county. This bill did not pass; but a Humane Education Bill, which
requires the teaching in the public schools of “humane treatment and protec-
tion of birds and animals, and the important part they fulfil in the economy of
nature,”’ and also requires the consideration of this subject once a year at Teach-
ers’ Institutes, did become a law.—Mary Drumnonpn, Secretary.

Indiana.—The activities of the Iridiana Audubon Society have been continued
along the lines which experience has proved to give the best results. These are,
educational work in the schools, through the press, and lectures and bird talks
given throughout the state. The Society has loaned its set of slides, and added
considerably to the number of slides in use. Pamphlets and literature have been
sent to various clubs and societies interested in nature and bird study. In co-
operation with the Indiana Humane Society and the State Fish and Game Com-
mission, much has been done for the enforcement of the bird laws. At present,
a special effort is being made to discourage the sale of “aigrettes.”’

State Audubon Reports 313

The increased interest in bird study in the regular school work is gratifying;
many of the schools having the study of one bird carried through the year in
each grade. The pupils begin with the nest study in the winter, which leads to
interest in watching for the return of the bird being studied, and a sympathetic
study of its habits, song, etc., on its return. This kind of work is developing an
interest in the living bird, which means much in the way of bird protection.

The annual meeting of the Society was held this year in Newcastle. At the
two evening meetings held in the largest church, the house was filled to the doors,
to listen to stereopticon lectures by Mr. A. W. Butler and Dr. D. W. Dennis.
The afternoon meeting was held in the Horticultural and Historical Society
rooms, with “standing room” only. These societies are very strong organiza-
tions, working along the line of the economic value of birds, doing much field
study, and their influence is much felt in their part of the state. The morning
sessions were held in the various schools of Newcastle, bird talks being given
by the Audubon Society members in every school in the city—FLORENCE A.
Howe, Secretary. .

Iowa.—The growth of the Society has been slow, but substantial and gratify-
ing to all workers. Many Leaflets have been sent out, and 167 names added to
the membership. Warning notices have been sent to milliners, in some localities,
regarding the law concerning the sale, transportation and shipping of plumage
of all non-game birds killed within or without the state.

The teachers in our public schools are endeavoring to instill the love of nature
into the minds of the young, and,. generally speaking, they find the children
very responsive to suggestions for bird study.

During the spring time, the members and officers of the Audubon Society
receive and respond to many invitations from teachers’ clubs and library asso-
ciations, for talks on birds and nature study.

_ We are greatly indebted to Miss Jane Hammond, of Schaler, Iowa, for a
lantern and sixty beautiful slides, accompanied by a lecture prepared by Edward
D. Clark of Washington, D. C., also several hundred valuable Leaflets on the
subject of birds. This equipment is freely offered for use in any locality of the
state, the only stipulation being that the shipping expenses be paid by the Society
making the application for its use.

The club women of Iowa have taken up the cause. At the last Biennial of the
Iowa Federation of Women’s Clubs, May, 1909, the outgoing president, Mrs.
John A. Nash, assisted in making the Audubon Society a part of the Federation,
and, at the present time, the incoming President, Mrs. Julian W. Richards,
has also greatly assisted the cause by placing the President of the Audubon Society,
Mrs. W. B. Small, of Waterloo, on the standing committee on Conservation.
So, henceforth, the conservation of our natural resources in the standing com-
mittees of the I. F. W. C. will include the protection of birds, as well as the pre-
servation of forests and waterways.

314 Bird - Lore

Since we are supported by humane state legislation, and the penalty for the
sale of bird plumage has been specified, it remains for the women of Iowa to
assist the milliner in observing, instead of breaking, the law.

An appeal is made to all to join the Society, not only in sympathy, but by
adding to its membership and thus substantially helping the cause.—Mrs.
WitiiaM F. Parrott, Secretary.

Louisiana.—Owing toa change of President and a somewhat unsettled state
of affairs, our meetings during the year have been confined chiefly to business,
embracing several necessary changes in the charter, and much discussion of the
policy of the Society, regarding the methods of the new State Game Ccmmission;
therefore, little work along educational lines was undertaken.

Monthly meetings were decided upon for the winter months, with illustrated
lectures, if possible. A definite understanding regarding our attitude toward
the State Game Commission was aimed at, and the resolutions concerning the
platform of the Society were published, and also forwarded to the President of
the National Association.

We are now working on common ground in regard to important resolutions
on spring shooting, and the amount of license for professional hunters and a
stricter supervision of them, knowing that the conditions here will not warrant
an effort to abolish them altogether.

Owing to a financial shortage, the care of the bird islands and reservations
has had to be left entirely in the hands of the National Association and the State
Commission. To relieve these two bodies of this responsibility, as far as possible,
will be one of the measures with which the Society will try to cope.

The Society in Louisiana has never had many active members, and, as those
we have are mostly of New Orleans, it has been a much harder problem to interest
new people in the birds themselves than it would be could one “ take to the woods”
with a would-be convert.

Many people find great hope in converting the farmer to the practical value
of bird life to his farm; while some others of us have reason to believe him a pretty
skeptical old fellow, whom “you can’t fool with a cartload of statistics,” but
who would be generous enough to make a free gift of a little fruit and grain to
the birds his children have learned to love —KATHERINE S. WRAIGHT, Secretary.

Maine.—The interest during the year 1908-og has increased to some extent.

A new local Society at York Village has been under process of organization,
under the secretaryship of Miss Katherine Marshall.

Several illustrated lectures have been given by local secretaries, and mem-
bership has been increased.

The officers remain the same as last year.—ARTHUR H. Norton, Secretary.

State Audubon Reports 215

Massachusetts.—Durin g the past year our membership has increased to 7,198
persons, of which 2,302 are juniors and 122 local secretaries. A new class of
members has been admitted, called active members, who pay twenty-five cents
per year. In addition to our local secretaries, we have four branch societies,
called local committees.

A great many Leaflets, cloth warning-posters, and copies of the laws, have
been distributed. Also, postal-cards issued by the State Fish and Game Com-
mission, stating the law in regard to birds protected in our state, calling attention
especially to the law forbidding the use or possession of feathers of small birds,
Terns, Gulls, Grebes, Herons (including “aigrettes,”’ “ospreys’’), certain Owls
and Hawks. The Educational Leaflets published by the National Association
were especially liked.

Complaints of violations of law received were immediately reported to the
state officers, the Fish and Game Commission, and promptly attended to.

Our four traveling libraries have been in constant use, and our three traveling
lectures were used in a number of schools and clubs. There has been a good sale
for our bird-charts, calendars, and plates. For our calendar this year we are
to republish the plates used on our calendar for 1909. These plates, which came
from Japan very late last fall, are uniform in style and artistic merit with our
calendars for the past four years.

Our protection committee watched legislation closely, and we tried to aid Mr.
Forbush in every way in our power. At the end of the season, it was voted that
our Society appropriate $100, to reimburse the National Association for legis-
lative work up to May 1. We also voted a contribution of $100 to the work for
the Heath Hen which Dr. Field is doing at Martha’s Vineyard, and one of $50
toward the further protection of Gulls, etc.

Much time and work were given by one of our Directors, with a view to
increasing our membership and coming into closer touch with our local secre-
taries than the Secretary’s duties left her opportunity for.

The Society has offered a lecture on birds, free of expense; to the four local
secretaries, or local committees, sending the largest number of new members
before January 1, IgIo.

Plans have been made for a three weeks’ lecturing tour through the state by
Mr. Baynes, for the purpose of stimulating interest in the work, and thus helping
the local secretaries and committees. Subscriptions to cover part of the expense
have been received.

Through the courtesy of Mr. Forbush, our charts, calendars, plates and leaf-
lets were shown at the Sportsmen’s Show. This fall we are planning an exhibit
for the New England Fruit Show, and one for the “ Boston 1915”’ Exposition.

The question of incorporation is under consideration, and a report of our
work is to be published soon.

In addition to the regular monthly meetings of the Board of Directors, an
annual meeting, open to the public, was held, and a course of four lectures given,

316 Bird - Lore

with Mr. Hoffman, Mr. Chapman, Mr. Underwood and Mr. Job, as lecturers.—
Miss Jesste E. KIMBALL, Secretary.

Maryland.—Since the report of 1908, there have been no new legal enact-
ments.

It is the ambition of the bird-lovers of Maryland to have the model law passed,
and to that end they work through educational methods. One great source of
encouragement is the fact that it is now the exception, where it was once the rule,
to see children on the country roads hurling stones at birds or robbing nests.
These children will one day make the laws of Maryland; so good laws should
evolve as naturally as fine fruit on a healthy tree.

It is saddening, however, to witness so little diminution in the wearing of the
aigrette plumes; but we must remember that the progress of any permanent re-
form has never been a steady onrush; but, like the incoming tide, there is always
a rolling backward—a series of retreats—to gain greater momentum for the next
forward movement. Apparent retreat frequently precedes final success.

The passing of this cruel slaughter for the gratification of personal vanity will
surely result, if every earnest woman will endeavor in a tactful way to influence
her personal friends.

One of the prominent Woman’s Clubs of the state is taking at this time a
special interest in bird study. Each one of these women touches the lives of many
others; so by simple, natural and yet powerful means will true reform be ulti-
mately accomplished.—Minna D. Starr, Secretary.

Michigan.—The work of the past year has been carried on mainly in the
schools. We have been obliged to leave the enforcement of the law almost wholly
to the game warden. The State Game Warden, Charles Pierce, has improved
matters materially, although pot-hunting is still common. He has shown a will-
ingness to codperate with the Audubon and other protective Societies. The Audu-
bonists joined with the Michigan Association in endorsing the bill prepared by
the Association. This proposed bill provided for the abolishment of spring shoot-
ing, as well as a state license for hunters, which would have increased the revenue
of the game warden and supplied him with sufficient deputies to carry out the
law.

There was opposition from the sportsmen of the western portion of the state,
and the bill was modified so as to provide for spring shooting with a shortened
period. The bill passed the House, but failed in the Senate. The only reason
given was that the bill provided for the taking of one deer during the season for
each hunter, while the Senate insisted on the allowance of two deer, which
amendment the House would not agree to. A bill passed prohibiting the killing ~
of Quail until the year 1914, and Pinnated Grouse are absolutely protected.
The season is extended to beaver, bear, otter, fisher, marten, fox, mink, raccoon
and skunk and the protection of fur-bearing animals is much more stringent.

State Audubon Reports 317

The fishing laws were considerably improved. The Michigan Association
is making a special effort, with the aid of the Audubonists, to arouse sentiment
in favor of more stringent law, especially in regard to spring shooting.

There is a strong feeling that the game warden should have no connection
with politics. If it were not for the popularity of Game Warden Pierce, the question
would be agitated wth more vigor. Michigan is greatly influenced by New York,
and we are in hopes we can show the advantages of a Commission, or at least
of non-partisan appointments.

Our Society has given fifty prizes to schools during the year, and the Audubon
Leaflets are now used in sixty-eight schools in the state. We have three good
workers in this line. Our Vice-president, Mrs. Anna Walter, a club woman and
newspaper writer, is endeavoring to discourage the wearing of feathers among
the women members of the press and Women’s Clubs, and is doing a splendid
work.

A farmers’ organization, known as the Grange, is strong in Michigan. The
Secretary of the Audubon Society has spoken at a number of their meetings
during the year, and outlined a plan of bird study, which was published in the
Grange papers and taken up for study and discussion. There are 800 local lec-
turers or divisions. They asked to be supplied with Audubon literature, which
was a greater task than we could meet. It we could secure their united support,
the whole question of bird protection would be settled.

Our Society has coéperated with the Michigan State Humane Association,
and is in hopes that by working together they can reach those portions of the
state that are without organized effort in child, animal and bird protective
work.—JEFFERSON BUTLER, Secretary.

Minnesota.—The Minnesota Audubon Society has, during the last year,
confined itself to establishing school branches through the state. We have been
aided in this by the County Superintendent of Schools in each county. In this
way a large number of children have become interested, and have formed branch
Societies in the more remote parts of the state, as well as in the cities. We have
also interested the Humane Society of the state in bird protection, and have
put up warning notices of prosecution for violation of our bird laws. Many
persons, mostly boys, have been brought before the courts and fined and cau-
tioned. We also have a department in the Institute of Science and Arts, with
monthly lectures and frequent meetings. A large amount of literature has been
sent out by ourselves and through the State Humane Society, and many letters
answered from all parts of this state and western Wisconsin and northern Iowa
and Dakota.

For want of funds, our work has been more limited than we could wish. Our
Secretary has done good work and accomplished much by her correspondence,
under really trying circumstances, being able to work only when through with
her regular daily duties as teacher. On the whole, we can report progress of a very

318 Bird - Lore

satisfactory kind. We know that thousands are interested who before the organi-
zation of our Society never thought of the Birds, or protected them or their nests.
Now you can see bird-houses all through the country, and the questions asked
by children as to the names of birds and how to distinguish them shows a grow-
ing interest, which keeps us at our work and makes us feel that we are doing some
good. We see fewer hats with birds on, which is satisfactory.—J. W. TAYLorR,
President.

Mississippi.—The withdrawal from the field of Special Agent Kopman gave
so severe a blow to the yet young and tender Audubon Society of Mississippi
that a heavy falling off in paid membership must be reported for the past year.
There has been progress in the state in the matter of legislation among the coun-
ties, the gun license showing a steady growth in favor and the bag limit exhibiting
a downward tendency.

The educational work done by the Secretary in the Summer Normal School
at Hattiesburg, aroused some interest among the teachers. This work will be
continued throughout the school session by the publishing of monthly articles
on birds and bird study in the Mississippi School Journal. A campaign to increase
the paid membership is now in progress, and we hope for less of the minor chord
in our tidings of 1910.—ANDREW ALLISON, Secretary.

Nebraska.— While the efforts of our Nebraska Society have not been increased,
they are maintained. It is aimed to put a book on birds or a chart into the library
now to be placed in each school in the state, under a new law. Our Check-list
also should go with it. This names 4oo species eastern, western and rare, seen in
Nebraska, prepared at our suggestion by the University specialists. Funds are
our great need.—S. R. Towne, Secretary.

New Hampshire.—The work of the New Hampshire Audubon Society for
the past year has been much the same as usual.

The principal work accomplished has been the free distribution of the “ Prang”’
Educational Leaflets and Bird-charts to the remoter districts which could not
afford to pay for them, the posting of game laws and warnings, the loaning of
bird books, sending to the principal newspapers of the state Mr. Forbush’s semi-
monthly articles on bird protection and the work of the Audubon Societies, and
the establishing of a memorial day in the public schools in honor of Audubon’s
birthday.

There has been a change of officers in the Society, and we cannot say how
deeply we regret Mrs. Batchelder’s resignation as Secretary and Treasurer.
She has served the Society faithfully and competently for twelve years, and she
now feels obliged to withdraw from active work on account of numerous pressing
duties. The present officers are as follows:

President, Mrs. Arthur E. Clark; Vice-presidents, Mrs. J. Byron Chandler,

State Audubon Reports 319

Mrs. H. Melville French, Mrs. Frank Carpenter, Mrs. F. W. Batchelder, Mrs.
John C. Bickford; Vice-president in charge of organizing branches, Miss Mar-
gueritte Morrill; Corresponding Secretary, Miss Sarah Hazard; Recording
Secretary, Miss Margaret French; Historian, Miss Christine Johnson; Treasurer,
Miss Louise Means.

Our last meeting was in June at the home of our President, Mrs. Arthur E,.
Clark, and was most delightful and instructive. We met in the arbor in Mrs.
Clark’s flower garden midst the fragrance of flowers and the singing of birds.
A cherry tree nearby seemed to attract the Robins, for they sat in the branches
and sang their beautiful song without stint, and quite outshone the orchestra
which played later. Mr. Edward Howe Forbush, ornothologist of the state of
Massachusetts, and New England Agent of the National Association of Audubon
Societies, addressed the meeting, and earnestly advised all bird-lovers to exter-
minate as far as possible the English Sparrow and tramp cat—or cats without
a home—as a measure for the protection of the birds we love. Mr. Forbush
said that we should not allow the English Sparrow to occupy our bird-houses,
that it was much better to close the openings than to have the houses so occupied.
He also spoke about feeding the birds in the winter.

In closing, I should like to send Brrp-Lore readers some charming lines
written some time ago for our New Hampshire Audubon Society. “The Plaint of
Chocorua’s Tenants,” Elizabeth C. Bolles, whose summer home is here in New
Hampshire at the foot of Chocorua. They are “a message from the heart of
nature’s self”’ and they will well bear re-reading.—Miss Saran Hazarp, Cor-
responding Secretary.

New York.—The most important incident in the history of the Audubon
Society of the state of New York, during the past year, was the failure of the Fran-
cis Bill to pass the Assembly. The whole story has been given to the public
through the able Leaflets issued by Mr. Dutcher, which may be had upon appli-
cation to either the State or the National organization. It presents a very curious
commentary upon present-day legislative methods. The Assemblymen who
voted against the bill were elected largely by residents of agricultural dis-
tricts, and they placed themselves in the anomalous position of neglecting the
interests of their constituents in a matter vitally concerning them, and of setting
aside all moral and humane claims involved,—for what? To aid a small class
of tradesmen to continue a nefarious business.

There is some satisfaction in knowing that their success cost in dollars more
thousands than the Audubon Societies spent hundreds. The National Association
again generously shared the expenses; the funds of the State Society were, how-
ever, much diminished by the struggle.

The State Society, in fact, was saved from bankruptcy last December only
by a timely donation; however, the members responded finely to an appeal for
funds, and all necessary expenses have been met. Through the kindness of our

320 Bird - Lore

Honorary Vice-president, Mrs. Frank K. Sturgis, a fair for the benefit of the
Society has recently been held in Lenox.

We issued the new certificate last fall, and it has met with much favor. With
the exception of the Annual Report, the Society has published no Leaflet during
the year, using those of the National Association almost exclusively.

The Annual meeting last March was a notable affair. Mr. Louis Agassiz
Fuertes gave a fascinating talk, illustrated by off-hand sketches of the birds, in
color, with whistled imitations of their songs, to the delight of the large
audience.

The work done among the school children by the Local Secretaries in the
following towns deserves especial mention: Auburn, Fonda, Oneida, Ossining,
Hudson, Binghamton, Olean. The work is also well under way in Orange county,
under the charge of competent Local Secretaries.

The Buffalo Society has now organized with its own Executive Committee,
and the spirit of utmost codperation with the State Society is shown. Through
their aid, the interests of bird protection in the western portion of the state should
develop rapidly, and, with this efficient support, our next “Francis Bill” may
become a law of the state.

The present total membership is 10,536.

The indications are that the coming season will show a great increase in the
study of birds in the schools—Emma H. Lockwoop, Secretary.

New Jersey.—A request for a report of the work done by the New Jersey
Audubon Society during the past year seems strikingly like an order for bricks
without straw, inasmuch as the Secretary has so little material at her command
for such a report.

All we can say is that the law for birds and the interest in birds is still here.
As time goes on, methods of work have to be changed; and, while we do not make
so many yearly additions to our membership as of yore, yet more and more chil-
dren are reached through the influence of those who have been stirred to action
in the past. Educational Leaflets have been distributed, and letters written in
response to inquiries, but little has been done, to our knowledge, in the way of
legislative work.

The Secretary would be much pleased if application could be made to her
for leaflets or other literature, and she would be delighted to supply any such
demand.—JUuLiA S. SCRIBNER, Secretary.

LaRue Holmes Nature Lovers’ League, New Jersey.—The first lecture of the
movement for the protection of nature, known as the LaRue Holmes Nature
Lovers’ League, was given by Mr. William Dutcher of the National Audubon
Society, in March, 1906.

The League movement is not a memorial, but simply a continuation of work
begun by its originator, whose name was given to the organization by the Board
of Directors, after his death.

State Audubon Reports 321

The purpose of the movement is to awaken the public to a keener sense of
the vital importance of nature protection, in which is involved the future health
and financial prosperity of this country. Further purposes: To lay a hand against
remaining elements of barbarism and vandalism in human nature; to implant
in youth the ennobling ethical sentiment of self-restraint; heroism for another,
however humble or weak.

LAUGHING GULL ON NEST

Taken on LaRue Holmes Nature Lovers’ League Bird Refuge, Cape May County, New Jersey.
Island of one hundred and fifty acres—purchased and dedicated in perpetuity as a bird-breeding
place and sanctuary. Photographed by B. S. Bowdish

The funds of the organization are used in giving lectures, in the distribution
of Leaflets, literature treating of nature and the need of protection, etc. No
officer receives any returns for directing the work, except in pleasure which results
through returns for securing members, collecting dues, or other parts of the League
service apart from professional lectures.

One hundred and ten addresses have been given since the last Report was
issued. Thanks are due the following-named members and friends who have
given addresses on forestry, bird life, conchology, self-restraint and other topics:
Messrs. O. C. Horseman, R. B. Werney, A. MacCall, B. O. Tyler, Wm. Hughes,

322 Bird - Lore

E. V. Curtis, C. E. Hasselgrave, I. MacNaughton, W. Hoppaugh, J. W. VanIngan,
R. Wilkinson, H. B. Kummel, H. Tuttle; to the United States Forestry Service
for lectures by Mr. Enos A. Mills, and to Mr. B. S. Bowdish, through whose
courtesy, and that of the National Audubon Society, eleven illustrated addresses
on birds were given. Thanks are also due Miss Julia Rogers, Miss L. R. Morris,

and Miss M. A. Burnett, for similar service.

ee 2 EMIS Bibi 2
LAUGHING GULL NEST AND EGGS
LaRue Holmes Nature Lovers’ League Bird Refuge. Formerly the scene of merciless slaughter of
breeding birds for millinery ornaments. Photographed by B. S. Bowdish

Our chapters have found much pleasure in the address given by Mr. A. S.
Williams, illustrated by living reptiles, and in the entertainments given by Mr. E.
Avis, who so wonderfully reproduces the bird songs, the joyous choirs of the woods.

Immediately after the organization of the League movement, Mr. William
Dutcher, who is ever alert to provide for the needs of our little feathered friends,
called attention to the fact that no provision had been made, through any agency,
for the protection of the Gulls, and other birds nesting on the New Jersey coast.
Mr. Dutcher kindly consented to negotiate for the purchase, in behalf of the or-
ganization, of an island of some hundred and fifty acres, hereafter to be known

State Audubon Reports 323

as the LaRue Holmes Nature Lovers’ League Bird Refuge, which has recently,
through the kind agency referred to, been conveyed to League ownership.

The island is a level, marshy expanse, lying near Stone Harbor, Cape
May county, where the Gulls have bred for centuries, and whence they would
eventually be driven were no means taken for their protection.

The island was formerly the scene of merciless slaughter of Gulls to meet
the cruel demand of women for their plumage; thousands being slain, and but
a few hundred remaining. Had not the National Audubon Society sprung to the
rescue, extermination had completed its devastating work; but competent warden
service has resulted in an increase of the Gull colony now numbering from 1,200
to 1,500. The La Rue Holmes Nature Lovers’ League now takes up the respons-
ibility of the warden service.

The Gulls are the scavengers of the coast, necessary to healthful conditions
along the shore. They are life-savers, giving warning to seamen, to whom lights
and fog-horns are lcst in the obscurity and the uproar of storms; the wings of
the Gull go through fogs, and give warnings that land is near. The Gull, sweeping
ever across the waters, and cradled at night upon the sea, is an embodiment of
poetry, as well as an asset in utility, which New Jersey cannot afford to lose.

The League membership roll has now increased to thousands, distributed
through thirty-six chapters. Sixty thousand bird pictures, nearly eight thousand
booklets, leaflets and pamphlets, and a number of thousand packages of garden
seeds have been distributed since giving our last report.

Of essays on natural history subjects, submitted to the Committee, 140
were sent for publication to Newark and other local papers.

Interest in the League movement is deepening. The most encouraging
reports reach us of the changed attitude toward humble life, among children,
through League influence. Where we work there stands no material building,
but the fabric we are fashioning is built into human character. He who catches
the inspiration to find joy in creating happiness for another thereby brings into
his own life one of the elements of nobility and strength GEORGIANA KLINGLE
Hotmes, General Secretary.

North Carolina.—The Audubon work in North Carolina, the past year, has
been conducted along the same general lines of activity as in previous years.
The educational endeavor has been pushed as heretofore. Twenty-one junior
secretaries have charge of local organizations consisting chiefly of children who
are doing work in bird study. One of these classes contains over one hundred
and sixty members. Each secretary is supplied with “ Brrp-LoreE” and a library
consisting of ten or fifteen volumes of bird and general-nature books. The pupils
are all furnished with Audubon Mockingbird buttons and the Leaflets issued by
the National Association. Thousands of pages of literature have also been mailed
to other teachers in schools of all grades. The Secretary has given a number of
public lectures before representative gatherings in the state. A force of exactly

324 Bird - Lore

100 wardens has been employed, on fees or salary, to enforce the bird and Game
protective laws. These officers have distributed literature, posted warning-
notices, and by their activity have prevented much illegal killing of wild birds
and animals. Especial attention has been given to the enforcement of the laws
providing close seasons for the killing of Quail, Wild Turkeys and Robins.
The breeding colonies of sea birds have also been carefully guarded. Many

arrests have been made for violations of the game laws, and in 163 cases the de-
fendants were convicted. The Society does not receive any revenue from this

ROYAL TERNS ON PROTECTED SAND-BAR IN NORTH CAROLINA
Photographed by P. B. Philipp

source, as, by a constitutional provision in North Carolina, all fines and forfei-
tures go to the school fund.

Our legislature met the past winter, at which time, by a concerted effort on
the part of those who disapprove of the work of the Audubon Society, an effort
was made to destroy its usefulness. In this, however, they were only partly
successful, while, on the other hand, the Society and its friends were able to
secure the passage of a number of local laws providing for much-needed restric-
tions on hunting.

Our receipts for the year were $12,947.35, and our expenditures $12,758.20,
leaving a balance on hand of $188.53.—T. GILBERT PEARSON, Secretary.

State Audubon Reports 325

Ohio.—The past vear has been the banner year in the history of the Audubon
Society of Ohio, at least as regards the educational work. We saw what could
be done by a systematic and well-directed effort on the part of a corps of enthusi-
astic, capable members of our Society, and we feel assured that the work has not
been without its definite effect upon the thousands of school children who so thor-
oughly enjoyed the series of lectures on ‘“ Birds” whch were given in every part
of Cincinnati last year.

The plan was as follows: We had as many as half a dozen lectures (mostly

SAND-BAR IN NORTH CAROLINA OCCUPIED BY ROYAL TERNS
It is only a few inches above sea-level and storm-tides often sweep over it, destroying all the
young Dirds and eggs. Note grouping of birds about Audubon warning notice. Photographed by
P. B. Philipp.

lantern-slide talks) in the various branch libraries, on the same afternoon,
for which tickets of admission were issued only to those students who were inter-
ested enough to attend. We divided the public schools into sections, allowing
about six schools to each library, and sending only enough tickets not to exceed
the capacity of each auditorium. By rotating the lecturers, we managed to give
a series of three lectures in each branch library; and the way in which the children
responded is sufficient evidence that the subject is one that appeals to a child’s.
imagination. This was the second year that the bird lectures were given, but on
a more extended scale, and we feel gratified with the result.

326 Bird - Lore

Not only did we have the codperation of the principals and teachers of the
public schools which Superintendent Dyer made possible, and the help of the
librarians in the various branch libraries, but even our University auditorium
and ornithological exhibit were thrown open to the young people, and a delight-
ful repast served to them in a talk on “Table Manners of the Birds,’’ by Professor
Harris M. Benedict.

We feel a sort of gratified pride in having been in any way responsible for
a linking together in a common bond of study the three systems of education
of Cincinnati,—the public schools, the libraries and the University. We hope
that this series of lectures may become an established custom, and that they will
always be so fascinating and attractive as to be their own advertisement. Nor
must we forget to express our gratitude to the newspapers, which have, both
editorially and reportorially, given ample encouragement to the public to take
up the study of birds.

A very gratifying piece of news is the establishment of a new branch Audubon
Seciety in Covington, Kentucky. Covington really ought to be a suburb of
Cincinnati, it is so closely related, commercially and socially; and so we feel that
this local Society, while in another state, belongs to us, as it really was formed
and launched under the efficient guidance of our President, Mr. Wm. Hubbell
Fisher, and we feel a parental pride in the auspicious beginning of the life of the
new fledgeling.

Our field meetings were many and very enjoyable. Here, again, we see the
inter-relation of the University and the Audubon Society, as most of the excur-
sionists were connected with one or both institutions.

We can see where we have made great advance over the preceding year;
but we are not blind to our weak points, and hope to strengthen these in the near
future.

While there are many requests for literature and information from all parts of
the state. there has never been sufficient time or funds, as yet, to establish many
strong local societies in Ohio. There are a few, but not a systematic chain of
forts, as we dream of in the not-impossible future. But first we must fortify
ourselves financially, to make the other fortification possible.

The Committee on Bird-houses, under the efficient chairmanship of Prof.
George W. Harper, went quietly but effectively to work, and in May reported
over one thousand Bird-homes completed by the pupils in the manual-training
department of the public schools, ready for placing in the parks. Our monthly
meetings are still as attractive as possible, when those who have been busy in
the good cause are allowed to sit back and enjoy hearing some charming narra-
tion of bird observation.

Last year also records a visit from Professor Finley, with his unsurpassed
stereopticon pictures.

The work goes steadily on, making itself felt in many ways,—in our own
lives, and in those about us; and we hope the little feathered creatures feel safer

State Audubon Reports 327

and freer “to enjoy life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,’’ because of some
small service on our part.

May the new year see a continuance of the effort to spread broadcast the ideals
of the Audubon Society of Ohio.— KATHERINE RATTERMANN, Secretary.

Since the above was written, the Society has lost its President. Almost his
last work was to read and approve this report.—(K. R.)

dn Wemoriam
WILLIAM HUBBELL FISHER

BorN NOVEMBER 26, 1843, DiED OCTOBER 6, 1909

‘Will ye not send one tone of sorrow
Through the pines,—one murmur low;
Shall not the green fields,
From your voices know
That I, your friend, am gone?’’

“William Hubbell Fisher, the friend of birds and children, has passed away.
Always a lover of nature and her works, a devoted friend of birds and their pro-
tection, he organized the Audubon Society of
Ohio in 1898, and was elected its President,
and has been reélected every year since. He
never missed an opportunity to advance the
cause of birds and the study of their lives and
habits.

“Resolved: That the Audubon Society of
Ohio has lost its most valuable member, and
it hereby extends to the family its sincere
sympathy in its great loss.”

In these words the Audubon Society of
Ohio, through its Committee, tried to express
its deep sorrow in the loss of its President, who
died, after a very short illness, October 6,
1909.

William Hubbell Fisher was born in
Albany, New York, November 26, 1843, the
son of Rev. Samuel Ware Fisher, a Presbyte- aioe:
Manmnister, who later became president of | WILLIAM HUBBELL FISHER
Hamilton College, at Clinton, New York, and it was there that William Hubbell
Fisher graduated in 1864.

He always associated himself with such organizations as tended to the uplift
and the raising of the ideals of humanity, and his loss will be felt in many circles
of Cincinnati and other localities, where his happy, genial disposition made him
such a general favorite. A man of culture and refinement, he was a valuable

328 Bird - Lore

addition to any society, as is shown by the high positions of honor which he held.
He was a member of the honorary fraternity of Phi Beta Kappa, a life member of
the American Forestry Association, a member of the Cincinnati Literary Club,
President of the Cincinnati Society of Natural History, Corresponding Secre-
tary of the Cincinnati Young Men’s Christian Association, and Superintendent
of the Sunday School of the Presbyterian Church of the Covenant, of Cincinnati;
and, as before stated, he was the president and recognized head of the Audubon
Society of Ohio.

William Hubbell Fisher has passed away; but he leaves behind him a record
of a noble life, an example which those who honor his memory may strive to
emulate.

Oklahoma.—The Oklahoma State Audubon Society has established head-
quarters in the office of the Local County Superintendent of Public Instruction
at Guthrie.

As a result of the agitation, and the distribution of literature by the state
officers, interest in the work has more than doubled during the past year. Mem-
bers pay their dues cheerfully, and teachers and pupils in the public schools are
making the study of birds a part of the regular school work, and many schools
have established annual Bird Days. The Capitol School at Guthrie, celebrated,
May 4, Audubon’s birthday anniversary as Bird Day, and the essays, talks,
orations, songs and bird drawings and paintings, furnished abundant evidence
of the fact that the study of birds had been given much attention and had developed
good results.

The State Convention will be held in November, and plans will be laid for
the extension of the work.—Atma Carson, Secretary.

Oregon.—The year has been one of reasonable activity. A large amount of
literature published by the National Association, as well as Educational Leaflets
of our own, have been sent to teachers and others. Every public library in the
state was furnished with one or more complete sets, as were the Granges of the
State.

From reports in various sections of the state, especially among fruit growers,
we learn that there is a general sentiment in favor of bird protection; only in
isolated cases or regarding special species is there any complaint.

There is a demand for lectures and familiar talks on bird subjects to societies,
Granges and schools. We meet these requests as far as possible, and are pleased
to find that the schools give enthusiastic welcome and a request for more.

During the legislative session last winter, there were no bills introduced that
interfered with our model bird law. The game laws were codified. The season
for Ducks was shortened one month in the fall, and lengthened fitfeen days in
the spring. The law gives a number of closed years for Elk, Antelope and Moun-
tain Sheep, and protects Doves, Wild Pigeons, Shore and Wading Birds. A law

State Audubon Reports 329

was also passed which prevents the burning or setting fire to tules in the swamps
where Ducks, Geese and other birds are accustomed to nest. With these improve-
ments, we think our laws are not surpassed by any state in the Union.

There seems to be little complaint of shooting on the reservations, the work
accomplished by the wardens being very satisfactory. Mr. Alva Lewis, the warden
on Klamath Reserve, by arresting the Mayor of Merrill and three other leading
citizens, for shooting Ducks on the Reserve, taught hunters throughout that
locality to give more heed to the observance of game laws.

This Society has sent $200 to the National Association, to assist in caring
for the Oregon Reservations. It is our intention, later in the season, to use another
hundred for the purchase of an extra launch for use of the warden on Malheur
Lake.

Early in the spring, letters were sent to the milliners of the state, warning
them that the laws protecting native birds were to be enforced, and that no plu-
mage of these birds could be sold. No regard was paid to the letters, and we caused
the arrest of ten of the leading milliners of Portland. Two of the ten repeated the
offense, and were again arrested. They all pleaded guilty and were fined, the
fees amounting to $140. These arrests related especially to the sale of aigrettes,
and, while we have reason to think that there are some aigrettes sold, they are
sold under cover and promise of secrecy. In the main, the sale of these plumes
has been stopped, and a salutary lesson taught, by the publicity given through
papers and otherwise. We have in the past month become incorporated under
the laws of Oregon. We expect this year to push our work along the lines open
to us, realizing that “precept upon precept, here a little and there a little,” when
taken together, makes a goodly sum.—E. J. Wetty, M.D., Corresponding Sec-
retary.

Pennsylvania.—The work of the Society during the past year has been more
in the schools than ever before, and therefore encouraging. A number of teachers
have taken up the work in a most enthusiastic and intelligent way, with most
satisfactory results among their pupils.

A number of Audubon Clubs through the state have been busy doing field
work during the spring and summer, after careful preparatory winter work
in the museum collections. Our club made a special study of the songs of the
Thrushes, and, by patience and hard work, gained a remarkably good idea of
the identity of this puzzling family of singers by their notes alone.

A step backward in legislation has to be reported, for, in spite of opposition
from the Audubon Society and other bird-lovers, the Bald Eagle, Osprey, Heron,
Bittern, Kingfisher and Shrike have been taken off the protected list. To some-
what compensate for this error, however, we have a law which forbids “ unnat-
uralized foreign-born residents of the state to hunt or own shotguns or rifles.”
The traveling libraries took their usual place in the work of the year, and
' several additions were made to their ‘st.—EuizaBetH W. FIsHeEr, Secretary.

330 Bird - Lore

Rhode Island.—The Audubon work in Rhode Island has been carried on
during the past year along four main lines: Education, Legislation, Traveling
Libraries and Lecturers.

The educational work has been emphasized and extended by the zealous
efforts of the Education Committee, of which Mrs. Herbert E. Walter is the chair-
man. The aim is to introduce bird study into the secondary schools of the state
as fast as the teachers are prepared to teach it and the necessary illustrative
material can be supplied. A good deal of interest was aroused, and valuable
suggestions were given to the teachers, at a Nature Study Conference arranged
by the Education Committee and held at the Rhode Island Normal School on
April 8. Prof. C. F. Hodge, of Clark University, gave an inspiring lecture on
“Practical Methods in Teaching Nature Study,”’ illustrated by domesticated ,
Bobwhites and colored slides.

The Committee is getting together, in codperation with the Park Museum,
twelve sets of material to illustrate the economic value of birds, to loan to the
rural schools. The Museum will supply similar collections to the City Schools.

Interest in legislation has been fostered by the Committee on Legislation,
working in codperation with the Bird Commissioners of the state and Mr. Edward
H. Forbush, with the result that on April 6 our state legislature passed the Hunt-
ers’ License Bill. This requires registration of all and license fees as follows:
$1 for each citizen resident in the state; $10 for each citizen non-resident in the
state; $15 for each unnaturalized foreign-born person. A fine of $20, $50, or
thirty days’ imprisonment, or both, is imposed for violation of this act. The Com-
mittee also petitioned our Senators and Representatives to favor the bill for the
Federal Protection of the migratory birds.

The traveling library work has been extended in interest by the addition of
four new libraries, making eleven libraries and 275 books in all. Two of these
were bought largely by a grant from the State Appropriation for traveling libra-
ries, one was given by an interested and generous member, and one by the pub-
lishers of Nature Study books and exhibited at the Conference. The last two
libraries will be circulated through the public schools.

The lectures during the year have been of great interest and have reached
more people than ever before. Two lecture centers have been established through
the education Committee at the Providence Public Library and the Roger Wil-
liams Park Museum, at each of which four free bird lectures were given during
last spring. Eight lectures were given also in different grammar schools by Mr.
Murphy, of our Society. All these were in addition to the valuable series of illus-
trated popular lectures, which were given before the Society and its friends, after
the bi-monthly meetings of the Directors, by Mr. Forbush of Boston. Mr. Mur-
phy, of Brown University, Professor Hodge, of Clark University, and Mr.
Clinton G. Abbott, of New York City.

The Society has published a full report, giving its officers, members, by-laws
and results of the varied work of the Society.—Atice W. Witcox, Secretary.

State Audubon Reports 221i

South Carolina.—Hard fighting, with continued progress, has marked «he
third year of the Society’s labors. Nothing resulted from the effort to get a Game
Commissioner appointed and a resident license law passed, at the last session
of the general assembly, which met in January.

The Society secured a moral victory, and met with a more cordial reception
than it has ever yet had; but politics was supreme, and the bills brought in from
the Committees were not acted on.

Since that time, the Secretary has consistently directed attention to the various
farmers’ organizations in the state, and has secured their endorsement in turn.
The Society will go before the legislature next time with the endorsement of
every organization of farmers in South Carolina. This ought to be sufficient
to secure the necessary legislation.

FreLD Work.—Failure in the halls of legislation has been offset by success in
the field. The Secretary organized a branch Society in the city of Charleston
with a large and enthusiastic membership, and this led to a consolidation with the
South Carolina Audubon Society, organized in 1900 (January 4). This Society,
of which Miss Sarah A. Smythe, of Charleston, was the able and untiring Sec-
retary, had carried on its good work unaided for many years, and had produced
a visible effect. During a stay of four months in Charleston, this last winter
and spring, the Secretary saw only three aigrettes, and was intensely gratified to
learn that they were worn by visitors. No Charleston woman of good breeding
wears them.

THE CHARLESTON BRANCH.—The officers of the Charleston Branch are well-
known business men and sportsmen. The President is Frederic L. Green, Teller
of the Bank of Charleston; the Vice-president is Edward F. Lowndes, of the
Virginia—Carolina Chemical Company; and the Secretary is Capt. George H.
Petermann, of the large wholesale firm of Petermann Bros., East Bay, and also
member of the B. H. Worthen Arms Company, King Street.

The membership represents the very best business, social and professional
elements of Charleston—the typical Charleston, about which one reads in the
romances and the histories.

The significance of this is of the last importance to the cause of bird pro-
tection on the coast. Charleston is still surrounded by immense plantations,
and by large hunting preserves, the owners of which can render service of utmost
value to bird protection. The consolidation of all these interests into one Society,
dominated by a common aim, was a work that would have been sufficient for
an ordinary lifetime. The result is that the South Carolina coast-line, rich beyond
computation in the variety and extent of its bird life, is now guarded by a militant
camp of citizens.

One immediate effect was the trial and conviction of Arthur Lambert, notori-
ous poacher and plume hunter. Lambert had shot up the rookery of American
Egrets, photographed by Mr. F. M. Chapman, and, when hotly pursued by
wardens with warrants, had sprung overboard in Sampit river and swum ashore,

332 Bird - Lore

escaping into the swamps of Georgetown county, with which he was perfectly
familiar. Some two weeks afterward he was captured in Georgetown, secreted
in a trunk, by Deputy Jake Ward.

Lambert was carried to McClellanville, Charleston county, tried before
Magistrate G. W. Ward, and convicted, both of trespass and of killing non-game
birds. He was accompanied by one Palmer, notorious “blind tiger” or illicit
whiskey dealer, of Georgetown, who has been acting as a broker in buying
plumes. The conviction put a stop to plume-hunting for this season, but it will
have to be fought another year.

EDUCATIONAL WorkK.—The Secretary has been in the field the whole year,
talking to every kind of audience on the subject of birds and their protection.
Meetings were held on the Sea Islands, in the interior, and even in the mountains.
The work has met general favor, and has been expedited by the cordial codépera-
tion of the men engaged in farm demonstration for the United States Department
of Agriculture. A strong sentiment for bird protection is now coextensive with
the state, and the Farmers’ Union, representing about 35,000 farmers in the state,
has actively declared for the Audubon Society, and is backing its work with all
the energy at its command. There will be no active opposition in the general
assembly of a direct kind, but politicians will fight to take over the appointing
of wardens, or whatever else they may be able to make capital out of.

Mempbersuip.—The membership of the Society has grown steadily, and will
have doubled since last year, provided there is general renewal of membership,
as is to be expected. Renewal is proceeding in a satisfactory manner, but not all
members have been heard from yet. At any rate, there has been healthy and
vigorous growth.

As far as possible, the cause has been taken to the schools, and Secretary Rice
has talked to negro schools, as well as to schools for white children, receiving
hearty response from both.

The annual meeting has not yet been called, but will be held at some time
during the fall.

There has been, on the whole, less friction in enforcing law, but there has been
some. Wardens Weathersbe and Williams were fired into by fish poachers near
Langley, and a desperate battle ensued, ending happily without loss of life;
but all of the fishermen, three in number, were wounded, and Warden Weathersbe
was shot through the arm. The wardens were indicted for assault and battery
and riot, but were acquitted by a jury at Aiken. Convictions have been numerous,
but have not yet been tabulated, and it is not practicable to give them here.
There is marked difference in observance of law, especially as relates to non-game
birds.

The state has been visited by a number of insect pests, many of which are
new, and this has emphasized the need of protecting the insect-eating birds.
The next annual report will contain much statistical data, not included in former
reports.—JAMES HENRY RICE, JR., Secretary.

State Audubon Reports 333

Texas.—Following legislative work last winter, beginning about the middle
of January and ending in May, which was partially successful, the Texas Audu-
bon Society has maintained two lecturers in the field, one being the Secretary,
and has very nearly covered the state so far as cities and towns of from 5,000 to
10,000 population are concerned. We have also, during the present year, lectured
in five of the cities of over 20,000 population, before large audiences, in the latter
case invariably using the stereopticon and slides.

The Texas Audubon Society believes that it has made a strong and lasting
impression upon this state in favor of the preservation of the wild birds and ani-
mals of the fields and forests. We have also assisted the Fish Commissioner in
his duties, and have protected the streams, to a considerable extent, from those
who take fish by unlawful methods. We have encouraged the creation of arti-
ficial lakes, and the distribution of improved fish, supplied from the hatcheries
of the United States Government. We have codperated with the State Warden
Department, and have succeeded in procuring about twenty convictions for vio-
lations of the Bird and Game Law.

The Secretary of the Texas Audubon Society is convinced that the most
effective work that has been done in promoting interest in bird and game pro-
tection has been lectures delivered before the farmers’ and teachers’ institutes
and the boys’ corn clubs of the state. Those bodies constitute what might be called
“ready-made audiences, ’’ and, whenever they meet, an Audubon man is heartily
welcomed, and accorded a place on the program with liberty to consume whatever
time he thinks proper in conveying his message to those present, who always
show the deepest interest and ask many questions. The Texas Audubon Society
assumed some of the duties of the forest service, and labored in the prevention
of unnecessary destruction of trees by lumbermen and by fires. A large mass
of literature, supplied by the federal forest service, was circulated along with the
Audubon literature and distributed on lecture occasions.

The last legislature, while passing a license clause, did so in the fashion of a
button with a string on it. It was provided that no license should be required
for gunning in the gunner’s residence county and in the counties adjacent to
his residence county. In very many cases, this leaves unlicensed gunners the
privilege of districts larger than some of the smaller states of the Union, and the
exemption defeated one of the chief purposes of our advocacy of the gun license,
for it left in the fields the hordes of cheap-gun aliens and lower classes, who shoot
indiscriminately and are the chief destroyers of wild life wherever it can be found.
A uniform gun license would have eliminated not less than 25,000 gunners of this
state who would never pay any license at all, and would be subject to arrest and
imprisonment when found taking birds or game at any season.

We are now working hard to get into better shape before the next legislature,
and we hope to at length accomplish our purpose, feeling certain that, if we can
accomplish all we have undertaken, the birds and game of Texas will be pre-
served for future generations.—M. B. Davis, Secretary.

334 - Bird - Lore

Vermont.—A forward movement was made for bird protection at the recent
session of our State Legislature, when a hunters’ license law was passed. Although
the bill was modified somewhat from that originally introduced, we feel that the
principle was recognized. The bill, as amended, provides for a fee of fifty cents
for resident hunters and fifteen dollars for non-resident hunters. Although the
law has been in force only a little over a month, it is reported that 20,000 licenses
have already been issued, thus bringing $10,000 at least for bird protection.

A law was enacted prohibiting the shooting of Wild Ducks by any kind of
artificial light, or with a boat propelled otherwise than by hand.

A closed season was made for Upland Plover until the year 1915, for Quail
until rg11, for English Pheasant until 1913. The open season for Ruffed Grouse
and Woodcock was shortened fifteen days, from September 15 to November 15.
The number of Grouse and Woodcock that a single hunter may shoot during
the open season was lessened from thirty-five to twenty-five.

A bill providing a bounty on Hawks was introduced, but died in Committee.
A bill allowing fruit-growers to kill Cedar birds gave us a struggle. It passed
the House, and probably would have passed the Senate but for the timely appear-
ance on the scene of Mr. E. H. Forbush. In fact, most of the legislation mentioned
above may be credited, in large part, to his persistent and faithful efforts. The
influence of the State Game Commissioner, Mr. H. G. Thomas, was on the right
side, and helped us greatly.

The Secretary has distributed thousands of Audubon Leaflets, and given
many bird lectures in different parts of the state.

At the suggestion of the State Commisssioner of Agriculture, the Secretary
has prepared a forty-page bulletin, entitled, “Birds in Relation to the Vermont
Farmer,’’ which will be distributed to the farmers of the state and also to the
schools.—CarLtTon D. Howe, Secretary.

Virginia.—The Audubon Society of Virginia, organized in December, 1908,
chartered April 2, 1909, now numbers about two hundred and fifty members
in the city of Richmond and several hundred throughout the state.

Junior Societies for the study of birds have been formed among the school
children under the direction of Miss Weddell. .

Leaflets on birds have been distributed among them.

The boys have made bird-boxes, which have been put on the grounds of sub-
urban residents.

Several outings were held in the spring for the purpose of studying the native
birds.

Three free lectures, illustrated by stereopticon views, were given during the
winter, the first by Mr. T. Gilbert Pearson, Secretary of the Audubon Society
of North Carolina, the second by Dr. Henry Oldys, Department of Agriculture,
Washington, D. C., and the third by Mr. Frank M. Chapman, the foremost
ornithologist in the country.

State Audubon Reports 335

Branch Societies have been formed in Ashland, Va., under the direction of
Mrs. Smythey; and in Lynchburg, Va., under the direction of Miss Mosher.

Col. Eugene Massie of Richmond has been appointed head of the Legislative
Committee to represent the Society before the legislature, with the view of
securing a good game-warden system.

An exhibit of stuffed birds, eggs, nests and pictures was held at the State
Fair, October 4-9, under the able supervision of Miss Katharine H. Stuart, of
Alexandria.

Hundreds of Leaflets were distributed, and posters were placed in the Agri-
cultural Department, to enlist the interest of the farmers in the work of protect-
ing the native birds.—Muss I. G. Fitzpatrick, Secretary.

Washington.—The State Society has been successful in securing the enforce-
ment of the law regarding the sale of illegal plumage. We have entered into a
contract with the milliners throughout the state to allow them to dispose of all
their stock on hand before January 1, 1910. They have pledged thems:lves that
after said date they will aid and assist us in enforcing the law.

During the past year, we have been successful in securing convictions against
some fifty-three violators of non-game bird laws. Four of these were cases where
the skins were shipped from the Orient; one case was contested, but we secured
the conviction; the others, after seizing the goods, were placed under arrest,
entered a plea of guilty, were fined and surrendered the goods.

From general reports throughout the state of Washington, I find that the
sentiment for the protection of wild bird-life is greatly on the increase. The
members are doing active work along these lines.

The coming year promises to be active and prosperous.—H. RIEF, Secretary.

Wisconsin.—The Wisconsin Audubon Society has been very active during
the year 1908-1909. Five directors’ meetings were held in Madison, at which
matters of importance connected with the advancement of the state wild-bird
protection movement were considered.

Early in the year, the Society loaned to the Milwaukee Public Museum the
greater portion of its series of bird-study lantern slides. They were in constant
use at that institution by Lecturer Alfred C. Burrill of the museum staff, from
March until June, being employed in connection with illustrated ature-study
lectures to the public school children of Milwaukee. They were used before
seventy-six different audiences, embracing a total of nearly three thousand pupils.
Certainly, no better use of these slides has ever been made, and Mr. Burrill’s
carefully prepared lectures to these chldren should be the means of saving the
lives of many useful birds. Some of the slides were also used in several lectures
given to adult audiences in that city. At the Society’s suggestion, about forty
of them were also loaned to Milwaukee-Downer College, for the use of a class
in bird study. As the lantern slides were in continuous use in Milwaukee, a number

336 Bird - Lore

of requests for their loan received from other parts of the state had to be denied.
As the Milwaukee institution has now provided itself with a collection of bird
slides of its own, this difficulty of meeting other requests need not occur in the
future.

At the 1909 session of the state legislature, several measures proposing to
again permit the hunting of wild Ducks during a limited term in the spring of
each year were introduced. These bills were supported by a very large num-
ber of hunters and misguided citizens, and, as many of the legislators were
known to favor their passage, the Wisconsin Audubon Society, prominent edu-
cators, and the better class of sportsmen, were compelled to concentrate every
energy in defeating their vicious purpose. This was finally accomplished, but
only by a very narrow margin. The first of these obnoxious bills was killed
in the state assembly, on April 22, by a vote of forty to forty-six. The remaining
bills died natural deaths, in consequence. The adoption of measures forbidding
spring shooting in other states will do much to prevent the future resurrection
of spring-shooting measures in our own. The Society desires at this :ime to ex-
press its grateful thanks to Speaker L. H. Bancroft, Assemblyman C. H. Dorner,
and several other legislators, who proved themselves, at this trying moment,
stout champions of the Audubon movement for bird preservation.

The local outdoor bird-study classes were this year conducted by Mr. Frederick
Brandenburg, an experienced ornithologist, who very generously offered his ser-
vices.

Various members of the Society have given talks and lectures during the year
before public school audiences, teachers’ institutes and women’s clubs, with
promising results. As usual, a large number of bird Leaflets have heen dis-
tributed to the state public libraries through the courtesy of the Wisconsin
Free Library Commission, and to other educational institutions by the Society
itself. If its income were larger, a greater number of the latter might be eached.
Such literature and reports as it has received from other state societies has been
placed in the care of the University library. The subscriptions to By-the Way-
side, the official organ of the Society, have increased in number. Under present
arrangements, every member will receive the monthly issues of this valuable
and instructive publication withou: additional charge.

The eleventh annual meeting of the Society was held in the lecture hall of
the Madison Public Library on Saturday, June 5.—C. E. Brown, Secretary.

List of Members

337

LIST OF MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
OF AUDUBON SOCIETIES

BENEF ACTOR

PTAIeLEMVINCOxmn tests. moet nM uae yy ook, 1906
PATRON
Wallllnrcuriale Erin Fo mabe is nee iletconie: tte Vaa Tren ie sia wee eh those 1909
LIFE MEMBERS
Bowman, Miss Sarah R............ TOO a) Coolidge, mle) \ettersony acd> aan 2.
lomenrsieie, We wale o)5 oe bose oor ooo TOOL. | WOOWe,| awn IDs, ss noboopadsene
Ison omare, lo JBKT Gono ones oc ou ooee 1905 | Havemeyer, Mrs. H. O., Jr.........
Childs John Lewis.:...J...22-...- 1905 | Hoffman, Samuel V..............
Clyde, W. P.. eee a OOS Lostettens 1) msblenbent seri eres
Crosby, Maunsell S.. Soon on so HOO | Illianver, Wallis Simenqie.ccaugcecane
Earle, Carlos Y. Poitevent.......... LOOS|4|) Rickman Virss) Ducdleyiltaan os ane
Earle, Miss Eleanor Poitevent......1905 | Tufts, Leonard..................
Fay, Mrs. Flora Warden cncae. os: L9g0y | Barnes, Miss Cora F...............
*Frothingham, Howard P........... 1905 | Chapman, Clarence E..............
Hemenway, Mrs. eae Slat pn oeae LOOS Mp (LOzet- Wirs. edleewisnemcn seen oe
Hunnewell, H. S.. TOO || licker, Dei, cooccescausouenoc
Huntington, Archer M.. 1905 | Emmons, Mrs. R. W., and........
Kidder, Nathaniel T.. sigiciae PUOVOS, || WEG eolae. Telcom ada nad whi Awol
iawrence, samuel: Ci2.2.55.-5.-.:- TOOS |) Gallatin Nir. s ota ne dele rae oe
North Carolina Audubon eg ...1905 | Gazzam, Mrs. Antoinette E.......
Pearson, T. Gilbert. . a5 ....1905 | Gifford, Mrs. Robert L...........
nillipssMVinse ye (Co. ts secs cee oe eet 1905 | Jackson, Mrs. James............
enlllnpostasjolame © 2 hss ee 1905 | McConnell, Mrs. S. D.. saya
JPreriesjso, ANmiey \sboe 5 uu ds Secs oF 1905 | McGraw, Mrs. Monae Se esa
Eiecnnepontwe|Oln Jess... 740.-0-=-.2905 | Mackey, ‘Clarence MH... ... 2.2. 2.:
IRGttswmeNOmas <i shan ones TOS = Banker SAs Miers se oY eaters oon
Reed, Mrs. William Howell......... 1905 | Phillips, Eleanor H..............
Desempw scomknsselle. 7 4. as se -LQO5 || Reynolds. R:. Jc... 26.8: dese oh
teneivamesVillard (Git.4 054-1905. | Saltonstall: John W..2...0% a. ose
Ween Geoncey Yin. se6 5c a cen. s: 1905 | Stokes, Miss Caroline Phelps.....
DMGiosicitl Ge te vit ene rel ess OOH (havlon.s Chassthles Une sa. once oas
Bancroft, William P................1906 | Thompson, Mrs. Frederick F..... ..
PSO OVS Me Ne eies Siave ss Us hoarse eos Mateos ons esas 1g06 | Ward, Marcus L.. aRerasean pid
Brooks, Mrs. Shepherd....... ... 1906 Woodward, Mrs. George... S/o ahe one
iRastmans George. ....s....08 le. ss 1906 | Bolling, Mrs. Raynal Cher eis
Miearslhalll IW Ouiss. 2.0. she fy ciels Oe es 1906 | Campbell, Miss Helen Gordon......
Moston Wiss Mary... 5... 9224.2 +- 29000) Harwell; irs: John V.. Jr...5....
Osborne, Mrs. Eliza W.............1906 | Moore, Clarence B...............
Gielen WV J, osc cas 6 eoielee ss os BOON eV Rap live karan klimes. e. e c le
Pinchot, Mrs. James W............. TOS) || Ieeirlker Ielwweiel Ios .56504005c05
Satterlee, Mrs. Herbert L...........1906 | Peck, Mrs. Walter L...............
SiientekomMirseHid@.nhaes a2. se bOOO || Poland: james (Puzo. sides 2 laa
Beebe Mirsea)js Anthurs oe +-6 asso. NO O7a eeeeimne wVisse Commeliae sei aeicie:
Bingham, Miss Harriet.............1907 | Thayer, Mrs. Ezra R..............
ibridwemsidiams. osc csc sa cee ete Loe) || Ie, Ola Ips cucoccaodoocanc
Brooks, Mrs. Everett W............1907 | Weekes, Henry de Forest..........
IB TROOMS es Sesh it han enaeeae aes iGO || \iallbienans folovn IDssaoceopooeooe 5c
Garr Wan S aes e ts ales ceases 1907

*Deceaesed

338

Bird - Lore

ANNUAL MEMBERS AND CONTRIBUTORS FOR 1909

Abbott, Clinton G... $
Abbott, Mrs) Babs
Abrahams, Miss E.R.
Achelis; Pritzoo:3..
Achilles, Mrs. G. S..
Acklen, Jars an:
Adams, Emily B....
Adams, H. W.......
Agassiz, Maximillian
APASSIA ee Noten wes:
Aiken, John A... ...
Aldrich, Spencer. .
Allen County Audu-
bon Society......
Allen: Chas, Ac: s..2
meres GYeLs. chia
Allen, Miss M. K...
Almons Mrs. io:'... .
Almon, Miss M. E..
Alms, Eleanora C...
Amend, Bernard G..
Ames, Miss Mary S..
Ames, Mrs. Wm. H.
Anderson, Mrs. J. C.
Andrews, Mrs. H. E.
Anthony, Mrs. S. R.
Appleton, J. W.....
Archbold, John D...
Arnim, Miss A. von.
Asher, Herman A...
Atkins, Mrs. Ed. F..
Atwater, Chas. B...
Auchincloss, J. W.. .
Audubon Society of
@alitorniay.. 02. 14
Austin, Francis B...
Avery, Samuel P....
Bacon, Mrs. F. E...
Bacon, Miss M. P...
Badger, Arthur C...
Babr, Dr esr ev
Bailey, Geo., Jr.....
Bailey, WeiC oe. e
Baird, Miss Lucy H.
Baird, Spencer. (In
memoriam)
Baker, Geos wea 5
Baker. aD. arta 5
Baker, Mrs.Wm.E.. 5
Balcom, H. Tracy ..
Ball, Miss H.A...,. 5
Balph, Mrs. J. M... 5
Bancroft, Mrs. W. P. 10
Banger. By rane 5
Banning, Mrs. W.C. 5
Barhydt, Miss C.... 20
Barhydt, Mrs. P. H. 5

AGnanuvnn

=
AMmninurur

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H

UWnumnoim ourrmoao

Barnard, : JOD... - 5
Barnes, Mrs. H.S... “5
Barnes, Herbert S... 5

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Carried forw’d . .$365

80 |

Brought forw’d. . $365
Barmesse)-eos hls. o>
Barnum, W.M..... r0
Barnum, Mrs. W.M. 5
Barron, Geo. Ds...) 5
Barrows, Mrs. F. H. 5
Barrows, Mrs. M... 5
Bartlett, MrsaG. Ts5 5
Bacto) Evel. mice 5
Batten, GO... shee 5
SOB Cash ryenccet hen. 105
Beal Mrssaji bw
Beach, Mrs. H. H. A.
Beckwith, Mrs. D...
Behr, Edward A....
Beech, Mrs. H......
Bell, Mrs. Gordon. .
Bemis, Mrs. Frank.
Benedict Wheo su.) 55
Benkard, Harry H.. 5

5
5

Unni

Io

Benn, Miss Abby E.
Benn Geo Wee
Bent, Arthur C.....
Bertschmann, Jacob
Bevint while ania.
Bickmore; Ae S4ca5-
Bigelow, Mrs. P....
Bigelow, W.S. :..--. I
Bill, Nathan D.....
Billings, Miss E....
Billings, Mrs. F.....
Binney, Edwin.....
Bird, AmiraiC sea
Bind Chass snsasone 5
Bishop; agencies 5
Bissell Mrs) Bi yees 5
Black, (Mirs? Jere S:. 5
Black Robert Cx. 95
Blair, C. Ledyard... 5
planers Dt Gees ac
5
re)
5
5
5
5

mammnman omni

Blakely, Walter J...
Bliss, Mrs. R. W.... 2
Busss: Wires Woes
Bliss, Mrs. Wm. H..
Blue, Mrs. Chas. E..
Blunt. dlizatseuse-
Boardman, Miss E.

| Boeker, Leopold.... 5

Bolles, Miss D. F... 5
Bolling eC em 5
Bolling, Stanhope... 5
Bond-Foote, Miss M.

Srinie\e 6 i See we euels

5
Bonner,:Mis. Parke. 5

Borden, EmmalL... 5
Borg, MrsisrC.a.5 4 00
Borland, Wm. G... 5
BOwWdISh; WB ipo syns 5

Bowditch, Miss C... 5

80
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Carried forw’d ..$795

80

Brought forw’d..$795 80

Bowditch, James H. 5
Bowlker, “20 ivaeeme 5
Bowman, Miss S. R. 50
Boyce, John J
Boyle, Edward J.....
Bradford, Mrs. G.G. 5
Bradley, Miss A.A.. 5
Bradley, 5
Bradley, Edward R. 5
Bradley, Miss L.... 5
Bradley, Robert S... 5
Bradlee, Thomas S.. ro
Bragdon,J. W...... 5
Brandreth, Courtney 5
Brazier, Mrs. J. H..
Breed, Stephen A...
Brennecke, Geo....

Bristol, John I. D...
Brooks, Mrs. A. S...
Brooks; Mirsib secs
Brown, Chas. E.....
Brown, David S....
Brown, Edwin H...
Brown, Elisha R....
Brown, Elon R.....
Brown, Mrs. E. C...
Brown, Harry W....
Brown, L.. 2. eee
Brown, Ronald K...
Brownell, Cakes
Browning, Wm. H..
Bruen, Frank......
Bryan, Wm AGleeee

AAAnAnaAnnIrnnnnnnnninnnnnwnin

Bulkley, Mrs. E. M..
Bumpus, HC
Bunn, ‘C2 Wee
Burke, ]. Fee
Burgess, John K....
Burnham, William.
Burnham, Mrs. G.,
Burnham, Mrs. J.A.
Burr,-L. Tuckernsene
Burr, Mrs. aes
Burt, Henry Peer
Bush, Mrs. Emma
F.(In memoriam). 5
Bush, Mrs: FP. Does
Butler, Emily OFF. = 95
Butler, Mrs. Paul... ro
Butler, Miss V...... 5
Bye, Christine Heaseaans
Cabaniss, Winship... 5
Cabot, ‘Geo, E.veeer 5

Cabot, Mrs. ‘H. Bias
Cabot, Louis 5
Cabot, Mrs. W.C... 5
Cady; Winkle ware 5

Carried forw’d, $1,135

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80

List of Members

ANNUAL MEMBERS AND CONTRIBUTORS, continuod

Brought forw’d,$1,135 80
“Caxchiley Adele peeeaee 5 00
Callander, James P. 5 00
Callaway, W.T..... 5 oo
Calkins, Mrs. F.H.. 5 00
@ameron, H.S...... 5 00
Campbell, Mrs. T.B. 5 00
Carey, Mrs. S. W... 5 00
Carnegie, Morris T. 10 00
‘Carpenter, Chas. L.. 5 00
(Calne IR 6 1s eae seer 5 00
‘Carr, Miss Eva A... 5 00
Carson, Robert D... 5 00
Carter, John K..... 5 oo
Carter, Samuel T... 5 00
Cary, William A.... 5 00
Case, Miss L. W.... 5 00
ChateereVinseeA en) 15 (OO
Chamberlain,Geo.N. 5 00
Chamberlain, L.T.. 5 oo
Chamberlin, C. W.. 5 00
‘Chamberlin, Mrs. E.

eee era s,s Se OO
Whanler, Wink ©... . 5 co
Channing, Mrs. W.. 5 oo
Chapman, Mrs. E.

Wise rricr retin 5 OO
Chase, Mrs. Alice B. 5 00
CRAISC REE See) .5.) os 5 00
Chase; oidmey= = +. «,. 5 00
Chase, Mrs. Theo... 5 00
Gieever ws. 24. 5 00
hemeya Vis WAGs) 15 Oo
Cheney, Louis R.... 5 00
Chesbrough, F. B... 5 00
Chisolm, Alex. R... 5 00
Choate, Miss Mabel. 5 00
Christy, Bayard H.. 5 oo
Christian, Miss E... 5 oo
Christian, Miss $... 5 oo
‘Clonbtl5)) 5) 1S) ESR ene 5 00
Chubbuck, Isaac Y.. 5 00
Church, Fred. C., Jr. 5 00
Churchill, W. W.... 10 00
Clapp, Mrs. Ernest. 5 oo
Clapp, Miss Helen.. 5 00
Clapp, Miss Martha

(Gis <1 Bie ane eae ee 5 00
Clark, Miss Anna B. 5 00
Clark, Mrs. Chas. E. 5 oo
Cilavcl<, Idvcaihy IDSp Age 5) OO)
(Cligieligh lg dt Gere tea 5 00
Clark, Mrs. John T. 5 00
CIBbFSs IR RS Sete aEieMee 5 00
Clarks Miss)S: He... 500
Claim Wi Re ons siete 2 5 00
Clarke, Miss H. E... 5 00
Clarke, Rowena A.. 5 ©o
Wlagkew Wri. C225. 1500
Glarkson.D.VAve Jo. 5300
Clemens, Miss J.L.. 5 00

Carried forw’d, $1,430 80 |

Brought forw’d,$1,430
Clemens, Samuel L.. 5
Clemson, Geo. N... 5
Clinch, Edward S... 5
Clinch, Howard T.. 5
Coates, Sarah H.... 5
Codman, Miss C. A. 5
Codman, Julian.... 5
Codmanye|pyS-see 5
Coffin, George S.... 5
Cogswell, Ed. R.... 5
Coleate Re Rena. IO
Collamore, Miss H.. 5
Collier, IR. Wescoto ss 5
Collins, Miss Ellen.. 5
Collins, Miss G..... 5
Collins, Miss M.... 5
Collord, George W.. 5
Comfort, Miss Annie 5
Comfort, Mrs. A. E. 5
Concord, Mass.,

Women’s Club... 5
Cone, Julius W..... 5
Cone Miosesn s) aaa.
Connecticut Audu-

IDOI SOCKS. 5 26 a
Converse, Mrs.C.C. 5

Cook, Edward ..... 5
CoolidcerAd Gea. 5
Coolidge a: sRaae a. 5
Coolidge, John T... 5
(Cooliiclae, 1). Is, Wire 2)
Coolidge, Mrs. J. R. 50

Cooper, Howard M. 5

Coopers Miss kas aes
Cope eAllipaiaee er 5
(Cope. Wa IRs. itso ase, 5
Comiies, IML, tbe. o oan 5
Corning, Mary I.... 50
ras Wore ses a eae bike)
Cowles, Mrs. W. H..

Coxy ohne eee.

5
5
Cox, Mrs. Mary F.. 5
(Qreaniis, [ola Wesewe &

5

Cramer, Mrs. A....
Crane, Miss Clara

A le ae aes hee ean 20
Crehone Ee Vier gsee 5

Creighton, Miss E.S. 5
Crenshaw, Mrs. E.C 5
Crocker.) Davide:
Crocker, Mrs. David 5
GrockereaWere ee IO
Cromwell, James W.
Crosby, Mrs. E. H..
CrosbyapseeNis se ee
Crosby, Mrs. S. V.R. 1
Crossman, Geo. W..
Cudworth, Frederic.
Culin, Miss Mira B.
Cummins, Miss A.M.

mune Om

80
oo
(ele)
(ele)
(ele)
(ele)
(ole)
fefe)
fete)
(ele)
fefo)
(eXo)
(ele)
(ele)
(ele)
(ele)
(ele)
(ele)
(ele)
(ele)

(oXe)
(ote)

OO |

feXe)
fofe)
(exe)
(ofe)
[ofe)
[oxe)
(of)
(ofe)
(ote)
(ete)
(efe)
(ote)
OO
(oye)
(ote)
(ote)
(ote)
(efe)
(oye)
(ofe)

(oye)
(exe)
(efe)
[ofe)

5 00

(ote)
(ote)
fofe)
foto)
fete)
(ote)

oo |

(oxo)
fete)
(exe)

Carried forw’d, $1,870

[oje)

539

Brought forw’d,$1,870 80
Cummins, Miss E.I. 5 00
Currany Henny. cleans oo
(Cisne, leery IE 2 SS
Cine Chas Rees Co
GurrieriGeonOs ees oo
Currier, Robert M.. 5 00
Curtis Mirse Ce Brae s noo
Curtis, Mrs. E. A... 5 00
Curtis, Mrs. Louis.. 10 oo
Curtis, The Misses.. 15 oo
Curtiss, Miss Sophia 5 oo
Cutting, A. W...... 5 00
Cutting, Robert F... 5 oo
Dalton, Mrs. James. 5 oo
Dana, Miss Ada... 5 00
Dana, MissE.A..... 5 00
Dane, Mrs.A.L.... 5 ©0o
ID, lel, (Co.5. 5 Co
Daveis, Edward H.. 5 00
Davenport, Mrs. E.

ID yseeeemctcens. « avoteacte 5 00
Danica Ca eleates ae IO 00
Davis, Mrs. W. R... 5 00
Davis, Walter R. (In

memoriam)...... 5 00
Day, Mrs. Albert M. 5 00
Day, Mrs. Frank A.. I0 00
ID ei IMIS I Sy Balan 5) le)
Day, Miss M. F.... 10 00
Dean, (Claas, Mocs. OS
Deane, Ruthven.... I0 oo
IDE Copan 18. Iosas 95 OS
Gle Jhortesic, Jel; WWioosn 5 SS
IDegeingie, Wo IPs. boo IO 00
IDeimiayy, 1 MiMeA. 2 o = 5 00
Detroi ye Bizds sero0-

keaciimes (Clu... 5 00
Dewey, Chas. A.... 10 ©0
IDessucir, CeORGES 6 5 2 IO 00
Dietz, Mis: Gi Nen- e5 Oo
IDjtimanoyelis, LECOs Izv. | OS
Wods Miss Hh Mi. =) 5/00
Dodge, Mrs. €.€... 5 oo
Dodge, Cleveland H. 50 00
Doyle, INE, IDE S52 OO
Dodge, Miss G. H... 5 00
Dodge, M. Hartley.. 50 oo
Domimerich Us Ee) 50S
Dommick, Mrs. M.

Wikicist taewecre anes 26) OO:
Dorrance, Miss A... 5 00
Dorrance, Benjamin 5 oo
Doughty, Mrs. Alla. 5 oo
Dows, Mrs. Tracy.. 5 00
Dows, iracy. 3. 1s) 5 00
Doylestown Nature

Clube facia tec 5 00
Drake, Edward’ BE... 5 00
Draper, ben's.) ..7- 5 00
Draper), Geo.wese ep 5 00

Carried forw’d, $2,285 80

340

Bird - Lore

ANNUAL MEMBERS AND CONTRIBUTORS, continued

Brought forw’d sac sent:
Drew, Miss E. E. 5
Drew, Ei Wisew: es 5
Drude, Miss... oe
Drummond, Miss E.
Drummond, Mary..
Duane, James May.

Dubois" MB eek
Duncan, A. Butler..
Dunham, Arthur L.. 1

Dunham, E. K.....
Dunham, Horace G.
Duryee, Miss A. B..
Duryee, Geo. V. W.
Dutcher, Mrs. C. O.
Dutcher, Miss M...
Dutcher, William ..
Dwight. n)csa) ines sas
Dyer, Edward T....
Dyke, Arthur C. ..
Earl, Miss F.M.....
Eaton, Howard....
Easton, Stanley A...
Eaton, Miss M. L...
Eaton, Mari yas cesar
Eddy, Miss B. M...
Elliot, Mrs. J. W.

Ely, Smith ee
Embury, Miss E. C..
Emerson, Miss J. T.

i |
Ammann omomnuUnnmnininnid oOumui

Lal

Emerson, Ps. 2s)

Emery, Miss G. H... 10
Emery, Miss: G:..... : a5
Emery, Mrs. L. J... 25
Enders, Jolin O:. > 5

Eno, Henry CC... ../,
Estabrook, Arthur F. 5
Eustis, Frederick A..
Eustis, The Misses.. 5
Evans, Mrs. R.D... 5
E,VErett, jnubawscasn 5
Evers, Rev. Ss Jie 5
Fackler, David P.. 5
Faile, Miss Jane R.. 5
Fairbanks, Mrs. E.C. 2
Fairchild, Benj.T... 5
Fairchild, Samuel W. 5
Farnam, Henry W.. 5
Farrar, Miss E. W.. 5
Faulkner, Miss F. M. 5
Fay, D. aE 5
ay Mire EE. <a
Fenno, L. Cartret. 5
Ferry, Miss Mary B. 5

5

Fessenden, ee
Field, E. B scan cae
Field, Mrs. Samuel

1 ae hae ees ie hs 5
Finley, William L 5
Bish. Aaya ie 5
Fish; Mis: FP i

80
rele)
fete)
fefe)
foto)
foto)
feYe)
fofe)
fofe)
fofe)
rele)
fete)

fete)

Carried forw’d, $2,669

80

Brought forw’d,$2,669
Fisher, Miss E. W...- 5

80

ele)

Fiske, Mrs. eee G: “5irco
Fitton, Mrs. S. D.. 5 00
Flagg, Elisha.. 5 00
Blinty Kate S vem 5 00
Fogg, MissG.M.... 5 00
Pollett; RB ye.. eSeoo
Forbes, Alexander... -5 00
Forbush, Bo H.... 5. II 40
Foster, Henry El. a OO
Foster, Macomb G.. fefe)
Box, }Ghas hence foe)
Box blenny. acmione fofe)

5
5
5
Fraser, Lillian A.... 5
Freeman, Mrs. J.G. 5
Breer, (Chastain. 5
French, Miss C. A.. 5
French, Miss E.A... 5

5

5

Freudenstein, W. L.
BrickabeaDiet cccones
“Friend,” froma... 10
HrISSelly SAG ores. 5

Frothingham, Mrs.
Furness, Caroline E. 2
Gaillard, Mrs. W.D. 5
Gallun, Mrs. A.F... 5
Gannett, Lewis S... 5
Garrett, Mrs. E.W.. 5
fe)

Gatter, Miss E. A... 1
Gavitt, Wine sce... si. 5

Gelpike, Miss A. C.. 10
Geer, Mrs. Walter... 10
GerdizenyG_cacc ees
Gillett, Lucy D.. 5

Gillingham, Mrs. T.
E..

fort ;
Gimson, hom ae pee 20
Glessner, Mise Jind 25
Goddard, Geo. A... 5
Godeffroy, Mrs. E.H 5
Goodrich, CyiG an 45
Goodrich, Miss J.T. 5
Goodrich] ee Riss 5
Goodwin, Mrs. H.M. 5
Gotthold, Arthur F.. 5
Gould Geo se 5
Grant, WoaWea ms 5
Gray, Miss Emily.. 5
Gray, MissIsaE.... 5
Gray, Mrs. Morris... 5
Gray, Roland 5
Greene Margaret... 5
Greene, Miss M.A.. 7
Greenfield, Audu-
DOM OCI V cian: 5
Gregory, Mrs. R. B. 5
Grew, Mrs. E. W... 5
Grew, -Mirs;-He S10 5
Griffins Mrs.s. Bs. 5

Carried forw’d, $2,992

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20

Brought forw’d,$2,992
Griscom, Ludlow...
Guthrie, John D....
Hadden, A.M. D...
Hadley, Mrs. A. P..
Hagar, Eugene B...
Haines, Miss Jane R.
Haines, Reuben....
Hall, Alfred B......
Hamill, Eleanor C..
Hamilton, Miss E. S.
Hansen, Miss E. L..
Hardie, William T..
Hardon, Mrs. H. W.
Harper, Francis....
Hardy, Mrs. R....
Harral, Mrs. E. B...
Harriman, Miss M..
Harris, J.C. eaeeee
Harrison, Mrs. M. A.
Harrison, Mrs. P....
Harrown, Mrs. A.K.
Hartline: DS ose
Hartley, Mi Cee
Hartness, Mrs. J....
Haskell, Miss H. P..
Hathaway, H. B....
Havemeyer, Jone c:
Haynes, L. deF..
Hazard, R. G..
Heaton, Mrs. ye
Hecker, Frank J..
Hemenway, A...... 20
Henbach, Mrs. G...
Henderson, J. B., Jr.
Hendrickson, W. F..
Henshaw, Henry W.
Herrick, Harold.... 1
Herremann, Mrs. E.
Hicks, Mis) Beha.
Higginson, Miss E.B.
Higginson, Mrs.H.L.
Higginson, J. J.....
Hills, Won, eee
Hills, Mrs. E. A.....
Hittinger, Jacob....
Hoague, Theodore. .
Hodge; (C. Ioan
Hodgman, Mrs.Wm.

L

ANA nnnninin OouUnrinnownnnninnnInoInInrnnNOnAnnInnNAnnnna1 an Unt 1 UL

Hoe, Mrs. Re Minos

Hoe, Richard M.... 5
Hoffman, ©) Ata 5
Hoge, Miss: Ear 5
Holbrook, Mrs. E... 5
Holden, Ey hacen 5
Holden, Mrs. E.R.. 5
Holdren, M. E.. sen Io

Hollingsworth, Mrs.
5
Hollister, Mrs.G. A. 5

20
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0°
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oo
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oo
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Carried forw’d, $3,487

20

List of Members

341

ANNUAL MEMBERS AND CONTRIBUTORS, continued

Brought forw’d,$3.487 20
Holt, Mrs. Henry... 5 00
olf, Mrs: RoS.. 5.5. 5), 00

Hopkins, Josephine. 5 00
Hopkins,Mrs.J.C.H. 5 00
Hoppin, Mrs. Sarah

C. W. (ote)

Hornblower, Henry. fete)
Hornbrooke, Mrs.

Francis Bu (exe)
Horton, H. ie fofo)

Houghton, C. Say

Houghton, Miss M.. 1
Hovey, Miss J. F....
Howe, Mrs. A......
Howe, Miss Edith..
Howe, Mrs. J.S....
Howe, Miss Louise.
Howe, Mrs. Lucien.
Howells, Frank S...
Howland, Miss E...
Howland, Miss I....
Hoyt, Edwin........
Hoyt, George S.....
Hoyt, Walter S.....
Hubbard, Miss A. W.
Hudson, Mrs. J.E...
Hudson, P. K......
Hull, Mrs. A.G.....
Humphreys, Mrs. H.
Hunneman, W.C...
Hunnewell, Walter. 2
Te hobaits 144 Cron lence

Huntington, Mrs. R.

(ofe)
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HH

NHOMnMninnnrninnin1 oOMnunwini1i0T$§ OUMmut OL UL

Pe: 5 00
Hussey, Wm. H.. 5 00
Hutchins, A. K.. 5 00
Huyler, We Gunso 5 00
Hyde, Mrs. E. F... (ele)
Indiana Audubon

SOCIEVG ae Bp aEee
Ingraham, E. D.....
Iselin, Mrs. C. O....

5
25
6
5
5
Issendorf, G.N..... 5
5
5
5
5

Iselin, Mrs. Wm. E.. (ofe)

00
Issenhuth, E. C.. 00
Jackson, Miss M. C. 25 00
Jamison, Chas. A.. (oye)
Jamison, M. A..... feye)
Jaymes ©. Pr. oe. 5 00
Jenckes, John...... 5 00
Jems CS SR eters 5 00
Jenks, Mrs. Wm. H. 5 00
Jenney, Bernard.. 5 00
Jenkins, Geo. W.... 50 00

Jennings, G.H..... 5

Jesup, Mrs. M. K... 25 00
Job, Herbert K..... (ofo)
Johnson, Arthur S.. 5 oo
Johnson, Edward C. 5 oo
Johnson, Mrs. F.S.. -5 00

Carried forw’d, $3,909 20

Brought forwd’, $3,909
Johnson, Wolcott H. 5
Jones, Boyd B...... 5
Jones, Chas.H..... 5
Jones, Chas. H..... 5
JIomes, Wis, (Codslioce.
Howes pEISther yee 5
Jones, Frederick.... 5
Jones, MissG.A.... 5
Jones Csi @ aoe 5
Jones, Mrs.R. McK. 5
Jordan, MissC. M.. 5
Kahn, Otto H...... 5
Keen, Miss Bis. 2.7: 5
Ie, AVCKEbING Spoce &
Kempster, James... 5
Kendall, Miss G.... 5
i<ermebel, 18 Jaloooo ds |
Kennedy, Mrs. J.S.. 25

5

20
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Kent, Edward G.... (oye)
Kerr, Mrs. J. C..... I0 00
Kerr, Miss Lois..... 5 00
Kessler, Miss J. D.. 5 00
IR@yWeing Ws Soo bee 6 5 00
Kimball, Mrs. C. O. (oJo)
Kimball, Helen F... rele)

King, Miss E.......
King, M. K........

5

5

5

5

5

5
Kite, Mrs. M....... 5
Kittredge, S. D..... 5
Kletzsch, G. A..... 5
Kneeland, Frances.. 3
Knight, Mrs. A.S... 5
Knudson, Miss E:.. 5
Kolbe, Lawrence A.. 5
Kunhardt, W. B.... 5
Iwi, As Roo csc c8 5
Kuser, Mrs. A. R... 5
Kuser, John D..... 5
Kyle, Wm. S....... 5
Lacey, MiltonS..... 5
La Farge, Mrs. C.

Miss H.
Lampton, L. L.....
Lancashire, S. H....
Lane, Miss M.L....
Langdon, W. B.....
Langeloth, Jacob...
Langmann, G......
awaenGes: \esqaee
Lawrence, R.B.....
Learned, Mrs. B. P..
ee; Krederic S.. : 2:
IbSiolay Tig Woe ob aouc
Leman, J. Howard.
Lemmon, Miss I.
IMIG Ce eercetveen ae as 5

Lagowitz,

CLAN ha

Carried forw’d, $4,217

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20

Brought forw’d SS
Lester, Mrs. J. W
Leverett, GEO, War :
Levey, Mrs. W. M.. 5
ILNAV,, INGA, Wao a4 6 5
lincoln, Alex... .- 5
Livingston, Miss A.. 5
Livingston, Goodhue 5
Lodge, H. Ellerton.. 5
Logue, Mrs.IdaL.. 5
Loines, Mrs. M.H.. 5
Lombardi, ©........ 5
Wontorpelarcny Veer a 5
Loring, Mrs. A..... 5
Loring, The Misses. 5
Loring, Mrs. W.C.. 5
Lord, Miss Cowper. 5
Lounsbery, Leonora 5
Lounsbery, R. P.... 5
LOW, S@tll. 5 ocoso06 5
Lowell, MissC.R... 5
Lowell, James A.. 5
Lowell, uey 5
Lowell, Sidney Wr 2
Lowndes, James. . 5
Loyd, Miss S. A. C.. 5
Luce, Matthew Siakote 5

5
Lyman, Arthur ..... 5
Lyman, Arthur T... 5
Lyman, Mrs. F. W.. 5
Lyman, Theodore... 5
McCormick, H.D.. 5

McCormick, Mrs. H.

Mac Dougall,G.R.. 5
McEwen, D.C..... 5
Mager, F. Robert... 5
McGowan, Mrs. J.

McHatton, H...... 5
McKee, Mrs. W.L.. 5
McIntire, Mrs. H.

| heseiieratees a, I
Macy, V. Everit....

Macy, Mrs. V. E....
Madden, Miss A. T.
Maddock, Miss E...
Maghee, John H....
Maitland, R. L.....
Malcom, Mrs. A....
Manning, F. H.....
Manning, W.H.....
Markham, Miss F.G.
Markham, Mrs. G.

H

namin omun Oo

o
on

Carried forw’d, $4,505

20
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20

342

Bird - Lore

ANNUAL MEMBERS AND CONTRIBUTORS, continued

Brought forw’d,$4,505
Markoe, Mrs. John. 5
Marling A. ns oss
Marrs, Mrs. K...... 5
Marsh, Ruths. 6c
Marshall, Chas. C..
Marshall, Mrs. E. O.
Martin, Miss C. M
Martin, Mrs. J. W..
Martin, Mrssii....2
Marvin, Chast, <
Maryland Audubon

Society .Sh.0 <5
Mason, Miss E. lice
Mason, Miss F. P...
Mason, Geo Grant. .
Massachusetts Audu-

bon Society...... 100
Mastick, Mrs.S.C.. 5
Matheson, W. J..... 5
Mauran, Mrs. J.L.. 5
May sObneS a. = 5
Mayo, Amy L.....: .. 5

5
5
5
5

me OD
mnmomoodoMmmn

wn

nw

Mead, Larkin G....
Meech,
Meigs, Mrs. T. B...
Meloy, Andrew D...
Men’s Union of the
Adams Square
Congregational
Church. . 2 hs
Merrill, Miss F. E... 5
Merria nine Bop oc: /- 30 5
Merriman, Mrs. Din. 5
Merriman, Tbe
Misses
Merritt, Mrs. D. F..
Mershon, W. B

5
5
Metcalij~ MM; Bic: 5
Mietcalins Ons ste 5
Meyer, Miss, H-5..)..000
Miles) irs. HiAes 22 35
MillemsMits Hiis-ace) a5
Maller si set ot. 2.0 25
Miller, Roswell..... 5
Miller, Mrs. R. F... 5
Mills, Enos A... .:. 5
Milwaukee, Downer

SCHIOl:, .ceites Shae
Mitchell, Mary
Mitchell, Mrs. M. B.
Montgomery, M. A..
Moon. EBs. tune
Moore, C.de R.,...
Morgan, Albert.....
MormissiGy Wis...
Morris, Robert O...
Morris, Dr, Rane.
Morse, Miss F. R...
Morse, Mrs. John

T., Jr Steet een Ns

Amnnnunnu 1 O U1

20
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[ote)

fete)

Carried forw’d, $4,920

20

Brought forw’d,$4,g20
Morse, Miss M....
Moseley, Miss E. F..
Moseley; So. 2 aes I
MORE 2AL UW tage. stg
iN Teo) RN Fogel ORY |) cei
Motte. Mire: <;
Mumford, Mrs. T. a
Munroe, Miss M.
Nettleton, (So Rs.
New Century

of Utica. :
Nichols, A. Te W.
Nichols, | I Ge ae
Nichols, J. W. T....
Nichols, Mrs. John

Wisk lt een anna seo:
Nicholson, Misses

Rebeccaand Sarah
Norcross. Ga lls,
Noyes, Mrs. H. A...
Oeitinger, Peaalice
Oldberg, Mrs. O..
Olin, Stephen H..
Olivet Young Peo-

ple’s Association. .
Opdycke, Mrs. E...
Opdycke ibs Eis...
Oregon Audubon

OGICLYRarttys nt ee 200
Osborn, Henry F...
Osborn, Miss M. B..
Osborn, Mrs. W.C.. 1
Osborn, William R..
Ostrom, Mrs. H. l..
Otis3C hassReee sr.
Outerbridge VAC s\n.
Owen, Mrs. M. L...
Paddock, Royce....
Paine, Mrs. A.G....
Paine, Miss Ethel L.
Paine, Mrs. F. W...
Paine, Geo. M......
Paine, Robert T.
Paine, R.sL., 20d...
Paine, Mrs. Ried,

ond..

Palmer, “Miss ey Se
Palmer, Edgar.....
Palmer, Masse aiSen.
Palmer, Miss M....
Lecillinachds I Pato Nits cha tye
Parke Louis i...
A eT: i eles 22 tek ty I0Oo
Parlin Aci cine tron
Parsons, Robert L..
Paniridige N.dao rae
Patten, Mrs. W.S...
Patterson, W.F.....
Peabody, Mrs. O. W.
Peabody, Mrs. A. P.

mmnnNwuonowmuwn

Club

on mu DH

nnn wn vt

nut

ANIA nNInInniM” oOMmui

mono un U1 un

on

Carried forw’d, $5,489

20
foje)
[ote]
eye)
[oje)
oo
lote)
[ote)
lole)
[ofe)

5°
[ofe)
[oye
lete)

foto)

fofe)
(ote)
[ole)
[oye)
[ole)
[oye

[oye)
fefe)
fete)

fete)
[ofe)
fete)
[ofe)
[ofe)
[ole)
fete)
[efe)
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oOo
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oO
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fete)

[ofe)
fete)
fefe)
loko)
oOo
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fefe)
[oye)
[efe)
[efe)

70 |

Brought forw’d,$5.489 70
Peabody, Geo. A.... 50 00
Peake. Ei ieee 5 00
Peck, “Mrs. E..P= ae 5eoa
Pell, Mrs:J, HL. Seemed
Pell, Wm. Eee 5 00
Penfield, Mrs. €: Sx 7= ao
Pennock, Wi. gj 5 00
Perkins, Miss E.G.. 5 oo
Peters, Francis A-3 4 5000
Pierce, Henry C.) oa) awee
Pierce, Miss K. C... 10 00
Pillsbury, A. N., Jr.. 5 oo
Philipp, 2.) B eee 30 00
Phillips, Mrs. Chas. 5

EEL Ss Jee 5 00
Phillips; joivige eee 5 00
Phipps, Hee ekaods 5 00
Pilsbury, Frank O.. 5 00
Pinchot, Mrs. J..W.. 25 00
Pitkin, F. W.c.- eee 5 00
Planten, John Re==eseoo
Poe, Margaretta.... 5 00
Pollock, Geo. Es: jaw esnoo
Pond, C. H.. 32S
Pope, Alexanderss5n0e
Post, Abnera, ae 5 00
Post, Wa.) cena 5 00
Potter, Miss Gia ayeoG
Potter, JulianyesmoS
Potts, Jesse Walker. 5 00
Potts, Miss Sarah B. 5 00
Powell, Miss L.G... 5 00
Pratt, Geo. Di; ees
Pratt, Joesph Hyde. 5 00
Pratt, Miss’S. Hi. 7 peajmas
Price, Mrs: Geos. eee
Price, John S:s)zasaesmoe
Prosser, Mrs. R22. s5moo
Pryer, Chas. -. saa 5 00
Pyle, Howard=.-e-en 5 00
Raeth, Valentine.... 5 00
Ralph, Mrs. G. F... 5 oo
Rathborne, R. ©...) joe
Read, Sarah Ee. 2 3. 5 00
Reading, W. V..-..)5890
Rees, Normanl.... 5 00
Reilly, John ACaeee 5 00
Reinhold; Acv|iemer 5 00
Renwick, Edward S. 5 oo
Renwick, Ilka H.. 5 00
Renwick, Mrs. Wm

(ex Peon a ie
Reynolds, Dien 5 00
Rhoads, Mrs B.M.. 5 00
Rhoads; J. a5s.eneee 5 00
Rhoads, Miss L. W.. 5 00
Rhoads, Mrs. S. W.. 5 00
Richards, Miss H. E. 5 00
Rice, Mrs. Ey Fi. sees

| Richards, Miss A. A. 5 00

Carried forw’d, $5,870 70

List of Members

343

ANNUAL MEMBERS AND CONTRIBUTORS, continued

Brought forw’d,$5,870
Richardson, M. H.. 5
Richardson, H. H... 5
Richie, Miss Sarah.. 5
Richmond, Walter.. ro
Richmond, W.L.... 5
Ricketson, Walton.. 5
Ricketts, Miss Jean. 5
Ripley; BoL........ 10
Rives, Wm.C...... 5
Robbins, R. C...... 5

5
Roberts, Mrs. Chas. 5
Roberts, Miss E.C.. 5
Roberts, Miss F. A.. 5
Roberts, Thos. S.... 5
Robertson, Mrs. F.P. ro
Robertson, Miss J... 5
Robinson, Miss A.

5
Robinson, C. A..... 10
Robinson, Mrs. G.

Robey, Port? 5
Rochester, E.N..... 5
Rockefeller, John

D., Jr
Rockefeller, Mrs. J.

1D). {ieee re aie eee
Rockwood, Mrs. G.I
Rodman, Alfred. .
Rodman, Miss ae see
Rogers, Chas. H....
Rogers, Geo. J.....
Rogers, Mrs. L.S...
Roper, Rev. Y. C...
[Roeland Spteeclen cuenee
Rowley, John......
INoviGes Mee Bese 2.
Rushmore, Mrs. T.

NNN AON oo

IRyaaae val, fe ladeo as craic
Sage, Mrs. Dean....
Sage ohmerese 0. -
Sit Olav, 19, lees aa ee
Sanborn, Mrs. F. A.. 1
Sanford, Miss A. F..
Sargent, Mrs. J. W..
Saunders, Miss M...
Saunders, W. E..
Sauter, Fred.. :
Savings of Carola

and her Brothers. 50
Scarborough, J. V.B. 5
Schieffelin, Mrs. H.

M

Mune OU U1 on on U1

Schramm, Arnold... 5
Schroeder, Arthur.. 5

70
co
0O
00
(ote)
(ote)
(ote)
(ote)
00
00
(ofe)
(ote)
(ote)
(ote)
(ote)
00
00
(oxo)

Carried forw’d, $6 201 70 |

Smith, Mrs. A. J....
Smith, Byron L.....
Smith, Miss C. L....
Smith, Rev. C. B....
Smith, Edward C...
Smith, Miss E.C....
Smaithy Miss JeNia

Brougth forw’d,$6,201 70
Selaiyaio, (Crs Wales 3 one 5 00
Schwab, Rev. L. H.. 5 00
Scrymser, Mrs. J.

RRs OR ae hore 25 00
Seabrook, Mrs. H.H. 5 oo
Seaman, Ic. W...-.- 5 00
Scammains, (Ca Weasan 5 -@o
Sears, Francis B.... 5 00

Sears, Mrs. S. C.. IO OO

Sears, Wm. R.. 5 00
Seccomb, Mrs. E. A. 5 00
Sedgwick, Mrs. E.. 5 00
See, Alonzo B...... 5 00
Seiss, Ir; IR, Weoecen 5 ©O
Seitz, Carcass 5 00
Seligman, A. ..... 5 ©o
Seligman, Geo. N... 5 00
Seligman, Isaac N... 5 oo
Seligman, Mrs. I. N. ro oo
Seton, Exnest Ws. =. 5/100
Sewall, MissH.D... 5 oo
Shannon alt=) -|iree as) 2) OO
Sharpe, Miss E. D.. 55 00
Sharpe, Master M.P. 5 00
Shattuck, Geo. C.... 5 00
Shattuck, Miss G. A. 2 oo
Shaw, Francis...... 5 00
Shaw, Mrs. G. H.. 5 00
Shaw, Q.A., Jr.. 5 00
Shaw, Sherburne (in
memoriam) ee cane 5 00
Shaw, Mrs. R.G.... 5 00
Sheldon, Mrs. H. K. 10 00
Shepard, C. Sidney. 5 00
Shepard, Emily B 5 00
Shepard, Mrs. E. E. 5 00
Sherman, J. P. R... 10 oo
Sherman, Mrs. nee
PeRG: 5 00
Shiras, Geo., ‘3rd... 5 00
Skidmore, Samuel T. 5 00
Shortall, Mrs. jc tba 5) OO
Simmons, B.F...... 5 oo
Simmons, Geo. O... 5 00
Simpson, Mrs. A. L. 5 oo
Sinnot, E. W....... 5 00

Sitgreaves, Miss M.J ro 00
Skeel, Mrs. R., Jr... 10 00
Skibbe, Fred.......
‘Skinner, Francis....
Slocum, Wm. H.....
Smith, Miss Alice W.

(In memoriam). .

eH

AMWMnM OMmUnut Umut
fe)
(eo)

Carried forw’d, $6,580 70

Brought forw’d,$6,580
Smith, Mrs. R. D...
Shoahielm, Wraywoy Nos 56 6
Smith, IRON igs o'c aoe
Smith, Theo. H..
Smith, Wilbur iB.
Smyth, Ellison A... .
Snyder, Watson ....
Soren, Geo. Wales. .
Speyer, Mrs. James.
Spofford, Paul N....

AMWMnMMaAnnnnnn na ot

Spooner, Miss M. L.
Sypmavewie, 15 12. a6 ox
Sprague, Mrs. Isaac.
SPRAY Oeulees coe
Steinmetz, Frank J.. 5
susiabbayer, I (Conp ae ae 5
Stetson, Francis L... 5
Stevens, Mary...... 5

Stevenson, Miss A.P 5
Stevenson, Miss A.B 5
Sueyemsom, 19. Grose. &
Stevenson, Mrs. R.

5
Stick, H. Louis..... 5
Stilwell, Maria C.... 5
Stillman, W. O..... 5
Lome Chasey ser eens 5
Stome, IWillkem Wocs cos 5
Stone, Gen. Geo.... I0
Stone, Herbert F....
SUOMeny, IN (Cag bs sane
Storrow, Mrs. J. J...
Stratton, Chas. E...
Sisehiagegerr, IB nS ec see
Strong, S. B
Strong, Richard A...
Stout, Andrew V...
Sturtevant, Mrs. M.
P..
Sugden, Arthur W...
Sussex County Na-
(ime Chwoys Sok oses §
Swan, Mrs. R. T.... ro
Swasey, FE. R....... 5
Swezey, Mrs.I.T... 5

“I UL Anaininnan on

Taber, Mrs.S.R.... 10
Taber, Snyder R.... 5
Talcott, James..... Io

Tanenbaum, Leon.. ro
Tapley, Mrs. A.P... 5
Alanoley, ANNES 1235.05
Tarbell, Miss K. A.. 5
Taylor, Alex. R.. 5
Taylor, B. F.. 5
Taylor, Mrs. W.R.. 5
Thaw, Benjamin.. 5
Thayer, IEVAPEY RSS gs PAS
Thayer, Mrs. Geo.

J aNiea| BS caesar ey obs 5
Thay er, James B.. 5

Carried forw’d, $6,9c8

[ofe)

344

ANNUAL MEMBERS AND

Brought forw’d,$6,908 20

Thayer, Mrs. JohnE 5 00
‘LDA yer, Jc teasritan oo 5G Oo
Thayer, Mrs. N..... 5 00
Thebaud, Paul G... 5 00
Thomas, Miss B.H.. 5 00
Thomas, Mrs.L..... 5 00
‘Phomas, Mrsa.- 50D
Thorndike, Albert.. 5 00
Thorne, Samuel.... 10 00
Thornton, Mary C.. 5 00
Mingley, S/H. sack = 5 00
‘Tinkham;). Res. -.35 00
EMCUS 5 koe, | Milsere eye 5 00
OUG J) AMES- cons 5 00
orrey, Mrs: B....:... 5 00
Torrey, Miss J. M.. 5 00
Tower, Mrs. K.D... 5 00
Towne, Miss R. M.. 5 00
MOWUSENG la. od. «= 5 00
Trainer, Chas. W... 5 00
firme, RalphoW...:. .° 75-00
Mucker,; Wameeki.....o2 NS kOO
Tuckerman, Alfred. 5 00
Tufts, Miss M.A... 5 00
Turle, Mrs. Walter. 5 00
Turner, Mrs. W. J... 5 00
‘Puttle; Albert H.-.- 5 00
Tuveson, Nels A.... 5 00
Tweedy, ee rer 5 00
‘woombly, We -F- 1.8 -°5.00
Tyson, Mrs. Geo.... 25 00
Unknown Remitter. 5 00
Utley, Mrs. Samuel. 5 00
Van Orden, Miss M.

Atenas cial dearer GSO
Vermilye, Mrs. W.G_ 5 00
Wa Dertya Gs Weis. st hey 5200
Wietor; vB W272 ec)- 5 00
Wade Hel ied: 5 00
Wadsworth, C.S.... 5 00
Wadsworth, Mrs. O.

1 BOO
Wadsworth, “Mrs. W.

MISUED sts tepoyete sue 5 00

Wadsworth, R. C.

W. (In memoriam) 15 00
Waldo,@has-5,7.,75,5400
Walker, MissA.M.. 5 00

Carried forw’d, $7,193 20

Bird - Lore

Brought forw’d,$7,193 20
Walker, Oliver..... 5 00
Walker. Relic. ay 5 00
Wallace, Mrs. A.H.. 5 00
Wallace, N.. 5 00
Walley, Henshaw B. 5 00
Ware, Horace ‘E.... 5 00
Warner, Mrs. G. M. 5 o0
Warner, He Stk. 5 00
Warren, Bentley W.. 5 00
Warren, Miss C..... 25 00
Warren, Mrs. E. W.. 5 00
Warren, Samuel D.. 5 00
Wassall, J. W...... 5 00
Watkins, John..... I 00
Watson, [bee 5 00
Watson, Miss J.S... 5.00
Wead, Miss C.E.... 5 oo
Webb, Gerald B.... 5 00
Webster, Edwin S... 5 00
Webster, Mrs. E.S.. 10 00
Webster, Susie cee 5 00
Weeks) be Pen ee Seoo
Weeks, Andrew G... 5 00
Wehrhane, Chas.... 5 00
Weld, Mrs.C.M.... 5 00
Weld, Rev. Geo. F.. 5 00
Wieldtist Misa a aaa CO
Wells, Oliver J...... 5 00
West, Chass ©.e nor. 5 00
Weston, Helen...... 5 00
Wetmore, Edmund. 5 00
Wharton, Mrs. E.R. 5 00
Wheeler, Miss E. O. 5 00
Wiheeler D>... 5 00
Wheeler, Miss L.... 5 00
Wheeler, S. H.. IO OO
Wheelwright, Miss

MiGs. 5 00
Whipple, Mrs. H. B. 5 00
White, Miss A. J.. 5 00
White, Mire Tt 5 00
White, Horace...... fefe)
White, Miss H.H... 5 00
Whites |assa CG erer: 5 00
White, Miss M.A... 5 00
White, Mrs. W. C... I0 00
Wii tin ose Wier a 5 00
Whitney, Miss A.... 5 00

Carried forw’d, $7,459

20

CONTRIBUTORS, continued

Brought forw’d,$7,459 20
Whitney, M. Bio. So eemor
Whiton)5.G. nae 5 00
Whittaker, William. 5 00
Widmann, Otto.... 5 00
Wiechers, Adolph... 5 00
Wilbour, Theodora. 5 oo
Wilcox; T. Poca ee 5 00
Wildman, A. D..... 5 oo
Willard, Miss H.... 5 oo
Willever, J. Care 5 00
Williams, A. Hit eeeesecs
Williams, BlairS.... 5 oo
Williams, E. R..... 5 00
Williams, Mrs. F.H. 5 00
Williams, Mrs. I. T. 5 oo
Williams, Rose..... 5 00
Willis, Mrs. Adeline. 5 00
Willis, Mrs. Foie aseoo
Wills, Chas: aes eee 5 00
Wilson, Miss A. E.. 5 00
Wilson, C.. Wieaeroaee 5 00
Winchester, Repeat-

ing Arms Co.....300 00
Wing, Asa) S:eeeee (ole)
Winsor, Mrs. Alfred 5 00
Winsor, Miss M. P.. 5 00
Witcover, H. W..... 5 00
Wolff, Mrs. L. S.... 5 00
Wood, Walter...... fofe)
Woodcock, John.... 5 00
Woodman, Miss M.. 10 00
Woodward, Lemuel

Fx. 2). 4Gcscneeee 5 00
Woolman, E. W.... 5 00
Wray, Chas. Paes 5 90
Wright, Crosby M 5 00
Wright, Miss H. H.. 5 00
Wright, H."W.:0)..- esas
Wright, Mb 5 00
Wright, Mrs. M.O.. 5 oo
Wright, Mrs. W.... 5 00
Wyatt, W..S.. vee 5 00
Young, l. S)- eee 5 00
Young; Benj. L.. 25.00
Young, Wm. H...2 Smeg
Zabriskie, Mrs. A.C. 5 00
Zollikoffer, Mrs. O.

F ite ss onesie ee 5 00

Total asco $7,984 20

Report of Treasurer 345
The Report of the Treasurer of the National Association
of Audubon Societies
BALANCE SHEET
Exhibit “‘ A” October 20, 1909
ASSETS
Cashin Farmers Loan and Trust Company................ $9,666 81
Etim ine san dy NixtUneSier pei eaenie veces cusses sts = he 251 30
ANWIGI SO TBORNISN(WOhYS)) Soocua dla 5/6 cae a gious ooo ems Hine 4 nanan 3,210 46
Investments —
United States Mortgage and Trust Company Bonds
uaa te € inten taste erat incni cals, sia enlars ays taekha ee tae ecuayee: $3,000 00
Bonds and Mortgages on Manhattan Real Estate....... 316,000 00
: Manhattan Beach Securities Company Bonds guaranteed. 2,000 00
——— 321,000 00
Deficitt—Amount existing at October 20, 1908.............. 9,517 39
Deduct—Balance from Income Account, per Exhibit “B” . 877 39
—_—_— 8,640 00
TE CG areal haat Bs: Sacco APS an a eee $342,708 57
Endowment Fund— LIABILITIES
Ralleres Be OYCIOIs AC UO Clig dognee cubes odocn souGoTe $338,702 00
Received from Patron and Life Members.............. 3,150 00
$341,852 00
Bradley Fund—
Moral conibriby uted epee ier y-cedeen woes ailcleaie esol eittietey «om wear achre 1,900 40
Less amount invested, Taxes, repairs, etc.............. 1,615 33 |
—___———— 285 07
Special Funds—
Massachusetts Legislative Campaign, 19I0............. 500 00
INcsenyabionmiunchasey Muir aan ees sole wie rss eis 08 suerte 125 00
VWWnldl@yaee Lisle lel Mtoe hs romecharaes aeaae clo ceeers ew clo ke 6 Slee ene erecar 6 50
——_— 631 50
ATG i) bare Ni Wace Nae ei ce yey ee ee ere TE $342,768" 57

INCOME AND EXPENSE ACCOUNT FOR YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 20, 1909

Exhibit “B”

INCOME—
Migmal see aI DS aeians coma caeiese aero on Mie $5,700
(omit ubiOMms aaa worse sco one elay cee ie sae 2,284
Interest romaslmvestmalemtseew ceteris ean deaer 16,165
Educational Weatlets—Salesss.-....2-4-5.--4--- 689
WonrBerlepsch=Books—salles.. .aiap seem sass - 128
EXPENSES—
Warden Service and Reservations—
SALARIES Ss, revere aie ieeice Waele eaah aoa et ere coe sapena tens $1,806 58
ILeUNAS NN IDS eS ig cease td 6 Ee he Poeun 374 98
————— 2,181
Legislation—
Mla Tene TINE ssc eee, cesses Spun ta sponret ette Semuace eter ates spn 201 95
EEX CMSESS sei cts rectory ate cetiee Sane ee Momence actos ue uscnae ahve 44 23
New York Aigrette Amendment... -....2....... 35 00
—— 281
ExpensesycannmedhOrwaud. ccd sccue otal) ste $2,462

fete)
20
21

55
80

—— $24,967 76

74 $24,967 76

346 Bird - Lore

INCOME AND EXPENSE ACCOUNT FOR YEAR ENDING OCTOBER, 20, 1969, continued

INCOME; brought Torward: .70.'.4 2c). eee pe aie ae re $24 967 76
EXPENSES, brought forward:.22.. cass: a. os ee $2,462 74
Educational Effort—
T. G. Pearson, salary and expenses-<> .. wa-7 ner $2,202 04
E. Ho Forbush;, salary’ and €xpenses.€% .<5.c./.5 2,5rz0"50
H. H. Kopman, salary and expenses........... 458 go
Miss Moore salary quciccts Alc cto ce mie ncehon’ or 340 00
M. B. Davis, salary. . Pita fe ee Se cece eres bitte ates 300 00
W.. \ La Binley salanyeandvexpenses...,.\. ties oe 1,159 98
Curran & Mead, Press Information............ 1,800 00
Plates ants OMGINeS. erie t,«.c ae Shwe cite strane go6 76
DUCES ANG GA WINS oF Simic. ccwe 25 eo eer te stores 362 33
Blectrossana: lalt-tQnes.. 7... «tris oer ie) 368 81
‘BIRD-VORE: to WMembers.7..°. 2- =. aye see se 1,027 go
Extra pares DIR D=LORE =. «| tlancnporecsis: simian 437 83
BORE ce ans cts wo be ieee Cel en ese Cra aetiers ieee 705 68 *
Newspaper: Clippin gsi ter. noun ate marae eee 60 00
Educational ieaflets: 70% .o15e tea orien es 762 41
Von Berlepsch Books... id Sop Rp SAR 143 45
Lecture and Stereopticon works. 2s use 238 78
AE TAY SUING. cre taro ste Stee ae ed eos ie neta ae ee ne 201 95
SSS 13,603 41
Southern Office—
EXPENSES aie ya eatcss ee cea. See arent cee rae 196 59
State Audubon Societies—
PU CRAS eM .-hons ny eee Me isons lee EP ee eee ae $50 00
News VOrk <2 i hpcnpietn iene etter > eae ee eat 33055
WVASGORSIN. «5 nce ona ge eae eee Ce ge een ee 60
IEW. sCXSCY 2.35 V0 hee ite ce EEO ae et gee eras 5 00
South: Garolina.-\ see. + es sie ae eee ee ere 500 00
South \Gaxolina,Lepalstixpensess.. veer 75 00
MVIISSISS UPON Gk ete Pcs colette Ne ee cares oe 5 50
ConmectCut.i)4 3 56a ee he ae oe Ge oe 62 86
NY fey ca aE: Loe ee peas PR Oe art SPT ees hd Yan = 26 94
MUONS heh 3 LE eieis. ote Beare: -¢ e e 50
Otc Oe ar eae ie W Pye PN aban SoC se MET ope G4 oS 43
i VokG hE: oY eee Mee EM trick 5 SSN ARGOI ae anhy Girone. thy ota 50
Minnesota sc soso e cle e taena ae ee 64
North Dakota f). Paves iste me terete skerses 118 75
FZOUISHAMIA Sendhil ok ye dbase Ane eee 45 00
Tae 925 27
General Expenses—
Salarys@lneh Glenks yr: cose cas ote ico aes $1,040 00
Salany, Cashier andyBookkeepens ces 4s che 776 00
Salary, two.StenoprapMersays-\-rcisso vy tediaiens racirs <5te 1,092 00
Salary; jumioriGlerk trctor kien e orcs Mie ene ae 352 00
BOSEAP EC Sanja bcns is eta teleosts a ee eae ae 743 97
Telepraphiand Melepoonearnn ce erie ke se cee 97 39
Office ‘andistorercomirente ges. <2 ee ote 820 02
ptenopraphic-wOtkonth aeeer heen otc ty teks 55 63
Legal’ Sryicess 29 cats nial Eki etre Ghee tebe 172 16
Bnvelopessand: Sup pliesiretsteteremicr echt ne 157 25
Express and (Gartages:,.. sanekcume teeta ak ee arene Q2 34
COMMISSIONS 4:5 "Ne giv. hose, RITES ee ee eee 239 25
Soucitine Memnibershipstarat acre: aol tarornenee enema er ers 243 96
Mhscellaneause cic vey tierce os. < crate eae eee ret 620 39
————— 6,502 36
Total exA@nsess dys sr XZ neta s aie wees A me eee $23,690 37
Balance—Net Income........ Sct SE eee $1,277 39

Deduct—Amount paniileaeee be Ww. Pp. ait bation in
1908 (making $1,000.) now applied to En-
dowment Bund .as Patrons 6. oy esc. s vi oye ee 400 00

Balance—Sur plus, per Exhibit “A”................ $877 39

Report of the Treasurer 347

LAWRENCE K GIMSON, CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT,
82 Wall Street

New York, October 23, 1909
Doctors J. A. ALLEN, AND H. C. Bumpus,

Auditing Committee,

National Association of Audubon Societies,
141 Broadway, New York City.

Dear Sirs:—In accordance with your instructions, I have made an exami-
na ion of the books and accounts of the National Association of Audubon Socie-
ties for the year ending October 20, 1909, and present herewith the following
Exhibits :—

Exautpit ““A’’—BALANCE SHEET, October 20, 1909.
Exutsit ‘B”—INCOME AND EXPENSE ACCOUNT FOR YEAR ENDED OCTOBER

20, 1909.
All disbursements have been verified with properly approved receipted vouch-
ers and paid cheques; all investment securities, with Safe Deposit Company have
also been examined and found in order. Yours very truly,

LAWRENCE K. GIMSON,
Certified Public Accountant.

New York, October 22, 1909
Mr. WitLtiAmM DuTCHER, President,

National Association of Audubon Societies,
141 Broadway, New York City.

Dear Sir:—We have examined the report submitted by Mr. Lawrence k.
-Gimson, a Certified Public Accountant, of the accounts of the National Asso-
ciation of Audubon Societies, for the year ending October 20, 1909, which report
shows balance sheet as of October 20, 1909, and income and expense account
for the year ending on the same day.

Mr. Gimson states, moreover, that he has audited and verified all vouchers
and paid checks, and he also reports that all investment securities have been
examined and found correct.

We therefore recommend his report for adoption. Very truly yours,

J. A. ALLEN,
H. C. Bumpwus.

348 Bird - Lore

Officers and Directors of the National Association of Audubon
Societies for the year 1909

OFFICERS

President, WILLIAM DUTCHER, of New York.

First Vice-President, THEO. S. PALMER, M.D., of District of Columbia.
Second Vice-President, Dr. JOEL A. ALLEN, of New York.

Secretary, T. GILBERT PEARSON, of North Carolina.

Treasurer, DR. JONATHAN Dwicut, JR., of New York.

Attorney, SAMUEL T. CARTER, JR., of New York.

DIRECTORS

Mr. WILLIAM DuTCHER, New York
Mr. FRANK Bonp, Wyoming

Dr. JoELt A. ALLEN, New York

Dr. HERMAN C. Bumpus, New York
Dr. FREDERICK A. Lucas, New York

Dr. GEO. BIRD GRINNELL, New York
Mr. T. GILBERT PEARSON, N. C.

Mr. FRANK M. CHapmMANn, New York
Mr. WILLIAM BREWSTER, Mass.

Dr. JONATHAN Dwicut, Jr., New York

Dr. THEO. S. PALMER, District of Columbia

ADVISORY BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Cor. Jos. H. ACKLEN, of Tennessee
Pror. H. P. ATTWATER, of Texas

Mr. Amos W. Butter, of Indiana

Mr. RuTHVEN DEANE, of Illinois

Mr. Ws. L. FINLEy, of Oregon

Mr. E. H. Forsusu, of Massachusetts
Mr. RALPH HOFFMAN, of Massachusetts
Mr. Caritton D. Howe, of Vermont
Dr. DAvip STARR JORDAN, of California
Mrs. C. GRANT LAFARGE, of New York
Mrs. KincsMILL Marrs, of Florida

Mr. FRANK M. MILteEr. of Louisiana
Mr. ArTHUR H. Norton, of Maine

Dr. T. S. RoBeErts, of Minnesota

Mr. WITMER STONE, of Pennsylvania
Miss KATHARINE H. Stuart, of Virginia
Mr. Joun E. THAYER, of Massachusetts
Mr. Aspspott H. THAYER, of New Hamp-
Mr. W. Scott Way, of Maryland [shire
Mr. Wm. P. WHARTON, of Massachusetts
Mr. RoBERT W. WILLIAMS, JR., of Fla.
Mrs. MaBet Oscoop Wricut, of Conn.

Among Other Issues in the Two Series of

| THE AMERICAN SPORTSMAN’S LIBRARY

EDITED BY CASPAR WHITNEY

| ‘** Ne books have ever come before us that so completely fill the want of Sportsmen and
‘ delight the general reader as the volumes in the American Sportsman's Library.”

— SHOOTING AND FISHING
THE DEER FAMILY
By the Hon. THEODORE ROOSEVELT, T. E. VAN DYKE, D. G. ELLIOTT
and A. J. STONE
Illustrated by Carl Rungius and others. With Maps by Dr. C. Hart Merriam

SALMON AND TROUT
By DEAN SAGE, W. C. HARRIS, H. M. SMITH and C. H. TOWNSEND
Illustrated by A. B. Frost, Tappan Adney, Martin Justice and others

| UPLAND GAME BIRDS
By EDWYN SANDYS and T. S. VAN DYKE
Hlustrated by Louis Agassiz Fuertes, A B. Frost, J. O. Nugent and C. L. Bull

THE WATER-FOWL FAMILY
By L. C. SANFORD, L. B. BISHOP and T. S. VAN DYKE
Illustrated by L A. Fuertes, A. B. Frost and C. L. Bull

| BASS, PIKE, PERCH, AND OTHERS
By JAMES A. HENSHALL, M.D.
Illustrated by Martin Justice and Charles F. W. Mielatz

THE BIG GAME FISHES OF THE UNITED STATES
By CHARLES F. HOLDER
Illustrated by Charles F. W. Mielatz and others

MUSK-OX, BISON, SHEEP AND GOAT
By CASPAR WHITNEY, GEORGE BIRD GRINNELL and OWEN WISTER
Illustrated by Carl Rungius and others

GUNS, AMMUNITION AND TACKLE

THE SHOTGUN, by CAPTAIN A. W. MONEY; THE HUNTING RIFLE,
by HORACE KEPHART; THE THEORY OF RIFLE SHOOTING,
by W. E. CARLIN; THE PISTOL AND REVOLVER, by A. L. A. HIM-
MELWRIGHT, and THE ARTIFICIAL FLY, by JOHN HARRING-
TON KEENE

THE SPORTING DOG
By JOSEPH A. GRAHAM. Fully illustrated

PHOTOGRAPHY FOR THE SPORTSMAN NATURALIST
By L. W. BROWNELL. Fully illustrated from photographs by the author

Cloth- cr. 8vo, gilt top and cover design. Each, $2 net. Postage, 15c.

The Boston Transcript lists these ‘‘accurate and readable illustrated volumes’? as par-

ticularly desirable when “with the coming of spring the blood of the sportsman begins to
tingle, and in the period between the breaking up of the actual winter and the season
afield he turns to the books of sport wherefrom he may gain some hints for the coming
season's campaign.” ‘‘ Each volume,” says another critic, ‘‘ was written under the di-
rect supervision of Mr. Caspar Whitney, whose qualifications for this undertaking no
one can doubl, and givesin a clear, untechnical, and interesting style, by writers whose
eminence in their respective branches enables them to speak with authority and adequacy,
every pertinent detail, . .. and with much entertainment and instruction for the
general reader.”

THE MACMILLAN COMPANY, Publishers, New York

‘If | could give a child but one book this year, it would be this,”
was said of

MABEL OSGOOD WRIGHT’S
(GRAY LADY AND THE BIRDS

STORIES OF THE The book will be welcomed by adults
BIRD YEAR almost as heartily as by younger readers.
FOR SCHOOL For teachers and parents and all who

believe in bird protection, it provides a
AND HOME means of sharing their pleasure in bird life

with the children just when they will most

With thirty-six plates in ehhy
See ee gladly receive it.

half-tone, and twelve ; ia ;

It is accurate and, on the scientific side,
dependable, but it is far more than that;
it is a fascinating book of stories, a glimpse

in colors, from studies
made for the National

Audubon Association into the riches of poetry and fancy asso-
under the supervision ciated with feathered things.

of its President, Decorated cloth, xx + 437 pages

Mr. William Dutcher $1.75 net; by mail, $1.90

By MABEL OSGOOD WRIGHT, author of
BIRDCRAFT A Field Book of Two Hundred Song, Game

and Water Birds. With 80 full-page plates
by Louis AGASSIZ FUERTES.

Eleventh Edition, xii + 317 pages,
flexible cloth, rounded corners, $2 net

and, with Dr. ELLIOTT COUES
CITIZEN BIRD SCENES FROM BIRD- LIFE IN PLAIN

ENGLISH FOR BEGINNERS. Profusely
Illustrated by LOUIS AGASSIZ FUERTES.

Cr., 8vo. $1.50 net, postage 1'7 cents

This was described by C. H. M., in Science, as “ by far the best bird book for
boys and girls yet published in America,” and the statement has remained undisputed
up to the publication of ‘Gray Lady and the Birds,” which is by one of its authors.

THE MACMILLAN COMPANY, Publishers, New York

A New Book by “Barbara”

(MABEL OSGOOD WRIGHT)

THE OPEN WINDOW

Tales of the Months Told by Barbara

Cloth, 12mo, with frontispiece, $1.50

THE OTHER DELIGHTFUL BOOKS BY ‘‘BARBARA”’:

The Garden of a Commuter’s Wife. tustrated from photographs

““ Reading it is like having the entry into a home of the class that is the
proudest product of our land, a home where love of books and love of nature go
hand in hand with hearty simple love of ‘folks.’ . . . It is a charming
book.’’— The Interior.

The People of the Whirlpool Illustrated

““The whole book is delicious, with its wise and kindly humor, its just
perspective of the true values of things, its clever pen pictures of people and
customs, and its healthy optimism for the great world in general.’’—Phila-
delphia Evening Telegraph.

The Woman Errant

‘“'The book is worth reading. It will cause discussion. It is an interesting,
fictional presentation of an important modern question, treated with fascinating
feminine adroitness.’?—Muiss JEANETTE GILDER in The Chicago Tribune.

At the Sign of the Fox

““Her little pictures of country life are fragrant with a genuine love of nature,
and there is fun as genuine in her notes on rural character. A traveling pieman
is one of her most lovable personages; another is T'atters, a dog, who is humanly
winsome and wise, and will not soon be forgotten by the reader of this very
entertaining book.’’—The New York Tribune.

The Garden, You and |

“* This volume is simply the best she has yet put forth, and quite too deli-
ciously torturing to the reviewer, whose only garden is in Spain. . . . The
delightful humor which pervaded the earlier books, and without which
Barbara would not be Barbara, has lost nothing of its poignancy, and would
make The Garden, You and I pleasant reading even to the man who
doesn’t know a pink from a phlox or a Daphne cneorum from a Cherokee
rose.’’—Congregationalist.

Each, in decorated cloth binding, $1.50

THE MACMILLAN COMPANY, Publishers

64-66 FIFTH AVENUE, NEW YORK

J. HORACE MCFARLAND CO., MT. PLEASANT PRESS, HARHISBURG, PAs

From a drawing by Ernest Thompson Seton
Woodland Caribou, male and female

Life - Histories of Northern Animals

By ERNEST THOMPSON SETON

With 68 maps and 600 drawings by the Author. In two large Sva
volumes, of over 600 pages each. 2 vols. $18 net. (Expressage Ext.a)

“4 NHIS book is the result of the Author’s thirty years of careful
observation and study of the quadrupeds of North America,
and is the most comprehensive and authoritative as well as

interesting work on these animals. It is a book of popular
natural history on a strictly scientific basis. In it are treated some
sixty quadrupeds that are found in Manitoba, thus taking in all the
large land mammals of the United States, except about a dozen, in-
cluding five of the big game; among them are buffalo, antelope, elk,
beaver, fox, squirrel, bear, coyote, rabbit, mouse.

‘Everything in my power,’’ says the author in his preface, ‘‘has
been done to make this a painstaking, loving attempt to penetrate the
intimate side of the animals’ lives—the side that has so long been
overlooked, because until lately we have persistently regarded wild things
as mere living targets, quite forgetting that they have their homes,
their mates, and their sorrows, a home life that is their real life. The
illustrations which are most remarkable, are from _PnorsaS
drawings, and maps.

CHARLES SCRIBNER’S SONS, 153 Fifth Avenue, NEW YORK CITY

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