^ FORTHE PEOPLE FOR EDVCATION FOR SCIENCE LIBRARY OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY mitti'l.ott^'/,,i AN ILLUSTRATED BI-MONTHLY MAGAZINE DEVOTED TO rUE STUDY AND PROTECTION OF BIRDS EDITED BY FRANK M. CHAPMAN toKraphs by tlic- aulliur N( ) one who i> familiar wilh both llu- 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 Wlioo-wJum-n'hoo, too-iclioojoo- li'hoo-ah, there is invariably a response. Whatever this call may mean to the Owl, to the Crows it is evidently a challenge to lombat, and before its echoes have (lied awav one hears the sharj) anv-caic, 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 >hort time one has a tlirong 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 fn m 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 keen .-r-eyed, more agile Crows, and my attempts to deceive the Crows has, I am sorr\- to say, placed more tlian one ( )wl in an exceedingly unpleas- ant position as he has found himself surnuindeil on all sides by a black-coaled mob. Some years ago I decided to take advantage of this universal hatred of Owls, in order to secure photograi)hs of Crows, which are usually s;) wary that they prove difficult game for the bird photograi)her. I therefore borrowed from the American Museum of Natural Histor\-, a mounted Barred Owl and placed it within twenty feet of a hollow chestnut tree. 'V\\\> tree, an old landmark, was a mere shell some twenty-five feet in circumference wilh a hollow nearly eight feet in diameter. On seveia! occasion^ 1 have used It a-^ a cam]) in which lo pass the night, and long before I ihoughl of employing the ( aniera in the >uidy of birds, it had served admirabb' as a natural blind from the concealment of which birds might readily be observed. The lens of my camera was |)ointe(l through a knot-hole, favorably situated on the >ide of the tree facing the mounted Owl, and, after having made all necessary arrangements as to fo( us, etc .. I placed my mouth at another knot-hole and gave utterance to the call of the liarred ( )wl. Within a moment or two the expected res|)onsc came from a neighboring wood, and \er\ shortly the usual throng ot Crows had gathered at the part of the \voo(l> nearest to the tree in which I was concealed. From this i)oint, however, the birds hesitated to make an advance into the open, either because their sus])ici()ns were anniscd, or because' they were not accustomed to lind ( )wls so far from dense cover. I"or s:)me time, thcrefoi'c. they circled oxcrhea 1 in winged reconnaisance. until one of the l)ir(i> actually (4) The Feud of the Crows and the Owl 5 saw the mounled Owl in the tree hclow. Caution was at once abandoned and, utterinK the battle-crv 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 wArnxo I'Ok the crows face. But in s})ite 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 Icnider than his fellow, and one could readil)- imagine that each i^rd was urging his neighbor to open the campaign. This continued for some time until finally one of the Crows mustered suffi- 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 Uhic Javs 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 nnce to understand that they had been imposed upon and lost no time in retreating. ••SCkKAMKl) IHKlk .NO IKS Ol" DKI- l.WCK .XLMDSI IN" HIS u.\rf:si'()xsive face" Birds Seen in Prospect Park, Brooklyn, During 1908 By KATE P. and E. W. VIETOR DURING 1908 we made 135 visits to Prospect Park in search of birds and found ninety-three species. During the summer most of the visits were made in the early morning; since October i 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, Crackle, Baltimore Oriole, Song Sparrow, Chipping Sparrow, Scarlet Tanager, Red-eyed Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Yellow Warbler, Catbird, House Wren, W'ood 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 A\'ashington 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-thrcated Vireo, Black-throated Blue Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler, BlackpoU W^arbler, Black and White W^arbler, 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 Threat, Ovenbird, Parula Warbler, Prau-ie Warbler, Redstart, Wilson's Warbler, Yellow Palm Warbler, Brown Thrasher, Winter Wren, Ciolden-crowned Kinglet, Rub\-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 fur certain feathered folk to stay: Phoebe, November 5; Chipping Sparrow, November 13; Redstart, November 22; Northern Water-Thrush, Noveml)er 30; Hermit Thrush, December 27, and Fox Sparrow, December 30. The birds seen only once were the Rusty Hlackbird, April 7; White-crowned Sparrow, May 12; Orchard Oriole, May ig; Connecticut Warbler, September 4; Red-headed Woodpecker, September 11; and Solitary Sandpiper, September I?. Our first ac(juaintance 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 1908. — K. W. \'. The Comradeship of Redpolls By E. J. SAWYER Illustrated by tlie author THE tamahility of the Redj)oll seems to bo prctt\- 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 hai){)y twittering and something so near to hand-shaking with a wild l)ird. 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 live feet from my hands. Perhaps you have never followed a Hock from field to field, morning till sun- set, day after dav, 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 (|uite so nuuii lo enjoy a gregarious life. When ])art of a fiock llies up from the feeding-place the others at once change their usual notes to the call always given by solitary Redpolls. The llock then either circles about and returns, or is soon joined by the remaining birds. When one or two members of a llock are left alone they soon fiy to the top of some nearby tree or tall bush and call pitifully for their mates. If a fiock Hies l)ast 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 g for their companions until these are found, when the\- again feed contentedh- 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 ha\e called a single l)ird to a tree l:)eside 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 oft' again, onl\- to return as before to the same tree when I whistled. MKIRATIXG SHORE HIRDS Notes on Pacific Coast Shore Birds By JOHN TREADWELL NICHOLS With [jliotograplis hy the author DURINCi a part of the fall migratit)n season of 1908, the writer was doing work on and near our northern Pacit'ic coast for the United States Bureau of Fisheries, and look much jileasure 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- tellied 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 I'acific slope does not extend far to tlie east. Tall mountains shut otT tlie moisture of the i)cean, on which it is de])endent, and ■eastern Washington is a dry, treeless country. About August i. Crab Creek, a clear, cold trout brook, north of the town of Ritzville, Washington, was visited. The drive to the t reek from Ritzville is across a rolling, dusty grain country, ■where one of the many races of Horned Lark was abundant. The rocky slope irom upland down to the (reek is cultivated, covered with a scanty mantle of rank, s|)icy, 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 Mag|)ies. Nighthawks were common, and frequently seen flying about in the bright desert sun.shine, 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 II pipers bobbed along the edge of the brook, and on August i, 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 rock}- 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. A LONELY BUT NOT "SOLIT.\RY" 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 !)>• Louis Aoassiz Fuertf.s anfl Brick Hr)RsFAi.i. CRESTED FLYCATCHER The Crested Flycatcher is one of the slower si)rin<^ migraiils. It winters from Guatemala to northern South America and though it reaches northern Horida in late March, it moves northward so slowly that it is the middle of May l)y the time it has traversed the thousand miles thence to southern Maine. SPRING MIGRATION PLACE Northern Florida Southeastern Georgia . . Atlanta, Ga. (near) Charleston, S. C. (near). Raleigh, N. C Ashcville, N. C. (near).. New Market, Va Variety Mills, Va French Creek, W. Va.. . . Washington, I). C Waynesburg, I'a Beaver, Pa Berwyn, Pa Morristown, N. J New Providence,- N. J. Englewood, N. J ScnUhcastern New \'()rk. Shelter Island, N. Y Ballston Spa, N. J Paradox, N. Y Bridgeport, Conn Ifadlyme, Conn Eastern Massachusetts. St. Johnshury, \'t Southwestern Maine . Mf)nlreal, Canada New Orleans, Ea Southern Mississippi. . . Helena, Ark Athens, Tenn Chattanooga, Tenn Kuhank, Ky St. Louis, Mo.. . ;• Brookvijlc, Inrl.. . .'r"".:".f. Hloomington. Itid ()l)erlin,\().'. Plymouth, Mi( h Petersburg, Mi( h Number of years' record 1 12 ! Average date of Earliest dale of spring arrival spring arrival March ^i March 8, 1907 .S April 3 March 21, 1907 13 April i_^ .\pril 3, 1894 II .\pril 16 .\pril 10, 1882 16 April 18 .\pril 9, 1888 1 5 .\pril 20 .\pril 13, 1890 5 Mav 1 April 25, 1897 I r Mav I .\piil 24, i8y2 ,S April 26 .\pril 19, 1891 2.5 April 30 .\pril 20, 1896 4 April 27 April 2ft, 1896 5 Mav I .\pril 27, 1891 i.S Mav ,:; .\pril 24, 1893 9 Mav 6 ; ;. Mav 3, 1887 10 Mav' 8 -,^ ■jMa'v^f*^ Mav 4, 1887 .■ 9 Mav 6, 1905 6 ^rai''6' *•.■■ .\Lav 4, 1888 12 Ntav 8 -" Mav I, 189ft s Mav () Mav 2, 1894 4 .\Ia\ g Mav 8, i88y :; Mav ID Mav 8, 190S g Mav 8 NLiy 4, 1902 1 2 Mav i^, May 8, 189ft M .Mav ift ' Slay 10. 1901 i S Mav 17 May 9. 1904 . Mav 10, 1889 Mav IS March 28 SLirch 12, 1894 ^ Ajjril 6 March 30, 1902 I 2 .\pril 18 • April 12, 1897 .\l)ril 17 •; April 9, 1908 () April 17 X April 12, 1903 10 .\pril 17 April 13, 189^ '' April 24 April 21. 1 88s 4 .\l)ril 21 April 18, 1888 S April 24 April 18, 1893 I 1 .\pril ^0 April 25. 1899 0 Mav 2 April 2S, 1890 I 2 .May J April 27,; 1888 ♦To 111- followed by a scries of similar papers on Ihc Vircos (12) The Migration of Flycatchers 13 SPRING MIGRATION, continued PLACE Chicago, 111 Southwestern Ontario. . . . Ottawa, Ont Hillsboro, la Indianola, la Central Iowa Minneapolis, Minn, (near) Lomita, Tex Refugio County, Tex Gainesville, Tex Manhattan, Kans Onaga, Kans Southeastern Nebraska... Aweme, Man Number of years' record 15 Average date of spring arrival May 4 May 4 May 13 April 26 April 29 May 4 May 17 April 12 April 27 May 3 May 9 Earliest date of spring arrival April 27, 1892 May I, 1900 May 5, 1902 April 20, 1896 April 27, 1902 April 26, 1906 May II, 1889 March 19, 1880 March 13, 1899 April 9, 1885 April 25, 1 89 1 April 27, 1892 May 2, 1900 Mav 24, 1006 FALL MIGRATION The Crested Plycatcher 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; Bluetields, Nicaragua, October 5, 1905; Bonda, Columbia, November i, 1899. FALL MIGRATION PLACE Aweme, Man Montreal, Canada Ottawa, Ont Southwestern Ontario. Chicago, 111 Keokuk, la Onaga, Kans Oberlin, O Wanseon, O New Haven, Conn New Providence, N. J. Berwyn, Pa Washington, D. C Raleigh, N. C St. Mary's, Ga Tallahassee, Fla Biloxi, Miss Ariel, Miss Number of years' record Average date of last one seen August 26 August 31 September 6 September 13 September 11 September 26 September 13 September 16 September 18 September 21 Latest date of the last one seen September September September October 4, September September October 2, September October 2, September September September September October 16 September September September October 15 II, 1906 4, 1893 10, 1893 1903 18, 1900 17, 1901 1891 14, 1899 1894 17, 1907 15, 1887 18, 1899 29, 1907 , 1891 1 1, 1905 19, 1887 30- 1905 , 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 Flvcatcher is found in summer in the H Bird - Lore vallev of the lowt-r Rio (irande in Texas where its arri\al has been noted. April I, 1877; April 28, 1878; April 22, 1880; March 26, 1S94. It remains until late September. The Arizona Crested Flycatcher has been recorded as arriving in southern Arizona April 20, and remaining until Se[)tember. ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER 'i'his species is confined to the western United States, ccMiiing east only to Colorado and to southern Texas. It winters in Mexico and Guatemala. SPRING MIGRATION PLACE Number Average date of Earliest date of ro*'i^ spring arrival spring arrival San Antonio, Tex Huachuca Mountains, Ariz Carlisle, New Mcx Pueblo, Colo Southern California March 10, 1904 April 9, 1903 April 16, 1890 May 12, 1894 March 10 FALL MIGRATION The last is reported from Los Angeles County, Cal., September 14. 1895-. Bonham, Texas, October 17, 1S85; and Silver City, New Mexico, November 20, 1883. OLIVACEOUS FLYCATCHER After spending the winter in Mexico, a few i>f 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 Se|)tembcr 3. A straggler was taken, May 11, 1883, at I'Ort Lyon, Colorado. Bird-Lore's Advisory Council The demands made upon our ^l)ace by the exceptionally large census returns cc»mpel us to defer the publication, for the ninth successive year, of the names and addresses of the ornithologists who, constituting liiRD Lork's Advisory Council, have consented to aid less experienced workers. The Ninth Christmas Bird Census THI-^ ])resent winler appears to be an exceplionally favorable one for birds. We may attribute the presence of several species north of their usual winler 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 Phcel)e at Xew Haven is possibly more surprising than the two Tree Swallows on Gardiner's Island, where the unlimited su])pl\- 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 lie 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 vears, 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. Whiere 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 cxacl numbers. An estimate, however, conveys a much more definite idea than llie terms '"Common," "Abundant," etc. It is also asked whether, when censuses are signed b}' more than one person, the observers worked together, all seeing practicall}- the same birds, or w'hether 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. — Ev). 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, i. 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. — Leslie H. Miller. Millbrook, Ontario. — Dec. 25; 9 .\.m. to 12 m. Thawing; half a foot of snow on ground; wind southwest. Great Blue Heron, i; Ruffed Grouse, i; Downy Woodpecker, i; Blue Jay, 16; White-winged Crossbill, 45; Redpoll, 12; Chickadee, 20; Robin, i. Total, S species, 97 individuals. — Sam. Hunter. (15) i6 Bird- Lore Melville Cross, Ontario. — Dec. 22; 9 a.m. to 12 .\i.; 2 to 3 p.m. Wind west, light; temp., 17° to 20°. Goshawk, i; Downy Woodpecker, 1; Blue Jay, 5; Crow, 2; Pine Grosbeak, 8; American Crossbill, 30; White-winged Crossbill, 5; Pine Siskin, 3; White-breasted Nuthatch, i; Red-breasted Nuthatch, 2; Chickadee, 2. Total, 11 species. 62 indivi- duals.— .\lvi.n' Scott. Orangeville, Ontario. — Dec. 24; 10 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. Wind south, light; temp., 30° to 35°. Hairy Woodpecker, i; Downy Woodpecker, 4; Blue Jay, 7; Crow, i; Pine Grosbeak, 2; Snowflake, 100; White-breasted Nuthatch, 2; Chickadee, 2. Total, 8 species, iiy 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), i; Hairy Woodpecker, 3; Blue Jay, 8; White- winged Crossbill, 40; Pine Grosbeak, 2; Redpoll, 95; Snowflake, 250; Junco, i; Northern Shrike, i; Red-breasted Nuthatch, 4; White-breasted Nuthatch, 9; Chickadee, :is. 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, i; Horned Lark, 8; Crow, 5; Meadowlark, i; Redpoll, 20; Golden-crowned Kinglet, i; Robin, 3. Total, 10 species, 189 individuals. — Sam 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, i; Pileated Woodpecker, i; Canada Jay, 3; Pine Siskin, 5; Brown Creeper, 2; Red-breasted Nuthatch, i; Chickadee, 18; Hudsonian Chickadee, i. 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, i. Total, 3 species, 28 individuals. Saw a Song Sparrow a few days ago, and heard his call-note on Christmas day. — Eliza 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°. Rufi^ed Grouse, 2; Short-eared Owl, i; Downy Woodpecker, i; Blue Jay, 5; American Crossbill, 3; White-winged Crossbill, 30; Redpoll, 150; Snowflake, 12; Field Sparrow, i; Northern Shrike, i; White-breasted Nuthatch, 2; Red-breasted Nuthatch, i; Chickadee, 3; Golden-crowned Kinglet, 1. Total, 15 species, 214 individuals. — L. Henry Potter. Essex Junction, Vt. — Dec. 23; i to 5 p.m. Clear; si.\ inches of snow; wind northeast, light; temp., 10°. English Pheasant (wild), i; Downy Woodpecker, i; Blue Jay, 2; Crow, 79; Goldfinch, 12; Snowflake, 27; Chickadee, 4. Total, 7 species, 126 individuals. — Carlton 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, i; Downy Woodpecker, 2; Blue Jay, 7; Goldfinch, i; Snowflake, about 90; Brown Creeper, i; 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; While-breasted Nuthatch, 2; Chickadee, 9. Total. 7 species, 61 individuals. — George I,. Plimpton and Edward H. Perkins. Wilton, N. H. — Dec. 25; 8 a.m. to 12.15 p. m. Clear till 10 a.m; cloudy after; four t(j five inches snow; no wind; temp., 35° to 45°. Rufled Grouse, 2; Hairy Woodpecker, 2; Downv Wdodpec kcr, i; Blue Jay, 9; Crow, 2; Redpoll, 325; Tree Sparrow, 12; Junco, Ninth Christmas Bird Census 17 4; Brown Creeper, i; Chickadee, lo; Golden-crowned Kinglet, 2. Total, 11 species, 370 individuals. — Geo. G. Blanxhard 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, i; Canada Jay, i; 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, i; Flicker, 6; Blue Jay, 2; Crow, 8; Redpoll, 50; Gold- finch, 25; Tree Sparrow, 8; White-breasted Nuthatch, 3; Chickadee, 7. Total, 10 species, 112 individuals. — Edvi^in 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, i; 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, i; Flicker, i; Blue Jay, 4; Crow, 5; Redpoll, 75; Tree Sparrow, 14; Junco, 3; Brown Creeper, i; Chickadee, 11. Total, 9 species, 115 individuals, — CHARLES E. Heil. Waltham, Mass. — Dec. 25; 10 a.m. to i 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, i; 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, i; Flicker, 8; Blue Jay, 6; Crow, 18; Meadowlark, 27; Tree Sparrow, 7; Junco, 15; Song Sparrow, 3; Northern Shrike, i; 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, i; Blue Jay, 3; Crow, 4; American Crossbill, 6; Pine Siskin, 9; Junco, 12; Fox Sparrow, i; White-breasted Nut- hatch, I. 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, i; Blue Jay, heard one flock; Crow, 8; American Crossbill, heard two flocks; Tree Spar- row, heard one flock; Junco, 23; Brown Creeper, i; 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; 2 to 5 p. 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, i; 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, i; Long-eared Owl, i; Northern Flicker, 4; Blue Jay, 2; Crow, 6; Red-winged Blackbird, i; Meadowlark, 3; Purple Finch, i; Redpoll, 75; Goldfinch, 15; Pine Siskin, 40; White-throated Sparrow, i; Tree Sparrow, 12; Junco, 5; Song Sparrow, 10; Swamp Sparrow, 3; Northern Shrike, i; Chickadee, 2; Golden-crowned Kinglet, 5. Total, 21 species, 221 individuals. — Horace W. Wright. i8 Bird -Lore Cambridge, Mass. i^Fresh Pond Reservation, Maple Swamp and Pout Pond Swamp). — Dec. 26; 10 to 11.30 A.M. Partly cloudy, wind west, brisk; temp., 25°. Great Black- backed Gull, i; Herring Gull, 700; Black Duck, 10; American Golden-eye, 35; Ring- necked Pheasant, i; Red-shouldered Hawk, i; Sparrow Hawk, i; Flicker, 3; Crow, 3; Redpoll, 20; Goldfinch, 5; Pine Siskin, 25; White-throated Sparrow, i; Tree Sparrow, 12; Song Sparrow, 2; Red-breasted Nuthatch, i; Chickadee, 4; Golden-crowned King- let, 3. Total, 18 species, 828 individuals. — Barron Brainekd, J. Kittredge and James L. Peters. Brookline, Mass. (Arboretum, Jamaica Pondj.^Dec. 23; 8.30 a.m. to 12.15 p-*'- Cloudy; ground coNcrcd with patches of snow; wind northeast, strong; temp., 15°. American Merganser, i; Mallard, i; Black Duck, 30; American Widgeon, i; Lesser Scaup Duck, 7; American Golden-eye, i; American Coot, i; Downy Woodpecker, i; Flicker, 8; Blue Jay, i; Crow, 42; Pine Siskin, 153; White-throated Sparrow, 3; Tree Sparrow, 2; Junco, 15; Song Sparrow, 2; White-breasted Nuthatch, i; Chickadee, 3; Golden-crowned Kinglet, i; Hermit Thrush, 1; Robin, i. 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- ^'-I 1-55 to 3.55 p. ii. Clear; one inch of snow; wind west, light; temp., 20° to 30**. Herring Gull, 296; Red-breasted Merganser, 8; Mallard, i; Black Duck, 85; American Widgeon, i; Scaup Duck, 450; Lesser Scaup Duck, 6; .American Golden-eye, 52; BufTlehead, 21; Old Squaw, 7; Ruddy Duck, 3; American Coot, 2; Bob-white, 11; Sparrow Hawk, i; Downy Woodpecker, 3; Northern Flicker, 8; Blue Jay, 6; Crow, no; Meadowlark, 4; Redpoll, 2; Goldfinch, i; Pine Siskin, 24; White-throated Spar- row, 11; Tree Sparrow, i; Song Sparrow, 5; Northern Shrike, i; Myrtle Warbler, i; White-breasted Nuthatch, i; Chickadee, 13; Golden-crowned Kinglet, 4; Robin, 5. Total, 32 species, 1,145 individuals. — Barrox Brainerd with If. W. Wright and Dr. Braxnerd 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 I P.M. Fair; ground partly covered with snow; wind southwest, light, temp., 35°. Herring Gull, i; Ruffed Grouse, i; Downy Woodpecker, i; 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 plaie in West Medford. — Edmund and Lidian 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 incli of snow; wind west, brisk; temp., 34°. Great Black-backed Gull, 2; Herring Gull. So; ,\merican Merganser, 39; Mallard, i; Black Duck, 85; .\mcrican Widgeon, i; Wood Duck, i; Lesser Scaup Duck, i; American Golden-eye, 2; Ruddy Duck, 3; American Coot, i; Northern Flicker, 3; Blue Jay, 2; Crow, 6; Redpoll, 2; Goldfinch, i; Pine Siskin, 17; White-throated Sparrow, 5; Junro, 7; Song Sparrow, i; Northern Shrike, r; Myrtle Warbler, i: Chickadee, 18; Golden-crowned Kinglet, i. Total, 24 species, 281 individuals. — -R. M. Marble and Barron Rrainerd. Jamaica Pond and Arnold Arboretum, Mass. — Dec. 25; 9 to n 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, .\merican 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, i; Hawk, i; Flicker, i; Horned Lark, 8; Blue Jay, i; Crow, 100; Junco, 30; Nuthatch, 2; Chicka- dee, 19. Total, II species, 214 individuals. — Jesse Wade, Francis C. Wade and Paul P. PiNGREE. Rockport, Mass. — Dec. 28; 9.45 a.m. to i p. m. Clear; wind west; temp., 40°. Horned Grebe, 2; Xorthern Loon, 2; Black Guillemot, 5; Razor-billed Auk, i; Kittiwake, i; Black-backed Gull, 4; Herring Gull, 25; Red-breasted Merganser, 19; Old Squaw, 4; Xorthern Flicker, 4; Crow, 15; American Crossbill, 3; Snow Bunting, 3; Song Sparrow, 3; Myrtle Warbler, 70; Chickadee, 5; Golden-crowned Kinglet, i; Robin, i. 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, i; 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, i; Myrtle Warbler, 23. Total, 13 species, 276 individuals. — Elizabeth D. Boardman and LiniAX 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, i; Razor-billed Auk, i; Loon, i; 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, i; Snowflake, 14. Total, 13 species, 298 individuals. — -Lidiax 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, i; Herring Gull, 31; Red-breasted Merganser, 5; American Golden-eye, 46; Old Squaw, 12; Northern Flicker, i; Song Sparrow, 3; Fox Sparrow, i. Total, 9 species, 123 indi- viduals.— Edmund and Lidian E. Bridge. Lynn, Nahant Beach, Little Nahant, Big Nahant to Eastern Point and return. — • Dec. 24: 10 .^.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, i; Loon, 2; Red-throated Loon, i; Black Guillemot, i; Brunnich's Murre, i; Razor-billed .\uk, 2; Great Black- backed Gull, 11; Herring Gull, 998; Red-breasted Merganser, 11; Scaup Duck, ^^^ American Golden-eye, 6; Bufl3ehead, 25; Old Squaw, 66; White-winged Scoter, i; Surf Scoter, 4; .\merican Sparrow Hawk, i; Horned Lark, 36; Crow, 43; Snow-flake, 4. Total, 19 species, 1,238 individuals. — Barron Brainerd, R. >L Marble 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, i; Herring Gull, 100; Red-breasted Merganser, 2; Scaup Duck, 8; American Golden-eye, 100; Old Squaw, i; Sparrow Hawk, i; Flicker, 2; Horned Lark, 10; Crow, 100; Meadowlark, i. 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, i; Flicker, 3; Blue Jay, 3; Crow, 3; Redpoll, 5; White-throated Sparrow, 2; Tree Sparrow, 2; Junco, 9; Song Sparrow, i; Cedarbird, 7; Myrtle Warbler, 35; Brown Creeper, 4; Red-breasted Nuthatch, i; Chickadee, 12; Golden-crowned Kinglet, 9. Total, 15 species, 97 individuals. — Sidney F. Bl.\ke. 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: Crovr, 11; Tree Sparrow. 13; Junco, 27; Song Sparrow, i; 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, i; 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; Blueliird, 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., 40°. Blue Jay, 2; Junco, ;^;^; Song Sparrow, i; White-breasted Nuthatch, i; 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, i; Red-breasted Nuthatch, 3; Chickadee, 16. Total, 8 species, 177 individuals. — Edith M. Hodgman. Edgartown, Mass.- — Dec. 30; 6.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. Cloudy; wind east to northeast; temp., 40°. Horned Grebe, 4; Loon, i; Red-throated Loon, i; Herring Gull, 30; Great Black-backed Gull, 7; American Merganser, 8; Red-breasted Merganser, i; Black Duck, 2; Canvasback, i; Red-head, 234; Scaup Duck, 722; American Golden-eye, 84; Buflflehead, 12; White-winged Scoter, 24; Surf Scoter, 2; Canada Goose, i; Heath Hen, 95; Marsh Hawk, i; American Rough-legged Hawk, 5; Bald Eagle, i; Hairy Wood- pecker, i; 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. L — Dec. 25; 7.30 to 11.30 a.m. Clear; snow in patches; wind south- west, light; temp., 35°. Ruffed Grouse, 3; Hairy Woodpecker, i; Downy Woodpecker, 4; Flicker, i; Blue Jay, 4; Crow, 10; Redpoll, 40; Goldfinch, 5; Tree Sparrow, 7; Myrtle Warbler, 7; Chickadee, 10. Total, 11 species, 92 individuals. — J. Irv'ING Hill. Woonsocket, R. L Dec. 25; 9.15 a.m. to 12.15 p-^- Clear; ground bare, except in spots in the woods; wind southwest, light; temp.; 38° to 45°. Blue Jay, 15; Crow, 20; Pine Siskin, 10; Goldfinch, 6; Tree Sparrow, 75; Junco, 50; Brown Creeper, i; 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, i; Chickadee, I. Total, 8 species, 30 individuals. — .\nna 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.- ICdward IT. Pkkkins. Waterbury, Conn., to Waterville and Brown's Farm. — ^Dcc. 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, i; Blue Jay, 4; Crow, 9; Goldfinch (heard); Pine Siskin, i; Tree Sparrow, i; Junco, 20; White-breasted Nuthatch, i; Chickadee, 6; Bluebird, 6. Total, 10 species, 50 individuals. — Norman B. Pilling and H. G. Anderson. Washington, Conn. — ^Dec. 27; 9 to 9.30 a.m. Fair; ground covered with light snow; Ninth Christmas Bird Census 21 no wind; temp., 34°. Brown Creeper, i; 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. — WlLHELMIN.^ C. KnOWLES. Westville, Conn. — Dec. 25; forenoon. Clear to cloudy; ground partly snow-covered; wind southwest, light. Hawk, i; 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, i; White-breasted Nuthatch, 3; Chickadee, 11. Total, 14 species, 105 individuals. — Mrs. C. A. Dykem.ax. 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, i; Shore Lark, 8; Crow, 22; Meadowlark, 24; Goldfinch, i; Pine Siskin, 13; White-throated Sparrow, i; 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 ^-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, i; Downy Woodpecker, i; Blue Jay, 11; Grow, 6; Redpoll, 175; Goldfinch, 3; Tree Sparrow, 75 Junco, 46; Song Sparrow, i; White-breasted Nuthatch, 2: Chickadee, 5; Bluebird, i. 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, i; Downy Woodpecker, 3; Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, i; Blue Jay, 11; Crow, 19; English Starling, ^t,; 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, i. Total, 18 species, 280 individuals. — Clifford 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, i; 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, i; Tree Sparrow, 38; Song Sparrow, 17; Fox Sparrow, i; Chickadee, 3; Robin, 2. Total, 19 species, 210 indi- viduals.— Albert W. Honyvvill, Jr., 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, i; 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, no; 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, i. Total, 20 species, 299 individuals. — -Clifford 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, i; Herring Gull, 127; Black Duck, 5; Golden-eye, i; Bufflehead, i; Old Squaw, 15; White-winged Scoter, 20; Sharp-shinned Hawk, i; 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- row, T,^; Slate-colored Junco, 2; Song Sparrow, 15; Myrtle Warbler, 2; White-breasted Nuthatch, 3; Chickadee, 25; Robin, i. 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., ^5°. Sparrow Hawk, i; Downy Woodpecker, 5; Blue Jay, 8; Crow, 12; Starling, 32; Purple Finch, i; Goldfinch, 8; Pine Siskin, 8; White-throated Sparrow, 13; Tree Sparrow, 5; Junco, 7; Song Sparrow, 3; Myrtle Warbler, 5; Carolina Wren, i; Brown Creeper, i; 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 .\.m. Northern Loon, i; 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, i; 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, 10; Titlark, i; Carolina Wren, i; Winter Wren, i; White-breasted Nuthatch, 11; Chickadee, 26; Robin, 2; Bluebird, i. Total, 32 species, 626 individuals. Red and White-winged Crossbills have been here. Three Red-headed Woodpeckers are wintering here. — Norw.m.k 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, i; Junco, 6. Total, 5 species, 18 individuals. — Mary Wadham.s. Rochester, N. Y. — Dec. 27; 9 to 11 a.m. Cloudy; ground partly bare; wind south- east, brisk; temp., 32°. Downy Woodpecker, 4; Flicker, i; Crow, 10; Redpoll, 3; Brown Creeper, 2; White-breasted Nuthatch, i. 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, i; Downy Woodpecker, i; Kingfisher, i; Crow, 10; Snowflake, 2; Tree Sparrow, 12; Junco, 15; White-breasted Nuthatch, i; 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; RulTcd Grouse, i; Ring-neck Pheasant, 8; Screech Owl, i; Hairy Woodpecker, 2; Downy Woodpecker, 7; Prairie Horned Lark, i; Crow, 300; Rusty Blackbird, i; 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. Hall 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, i; Robin, i. Total, 2 species, 2 individuals. — WiNTiiKop T. Pennock. Rhinebeck, N. Y. — Dec. 25; 9.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. Cloudy; ground snow-covered; wind south, moderate; temp., ^t,° to 39°. Rufi'ed Grouse, i; Red-shouldered Hawk, i; Barred Owl, 1; Hairy Woodpecker, i; Downy Woodpecker, 4; Flicker, 3; Blue Jay, ifi; Crow, 20; Goldfinch, 12; Tree Sparrow, 15; Brown Creeper, i; White-breasted Nut- hatch, 8; Chickack'i', 20. Total, i ; species, 103 iii(li\ iihials. On Dei cinber 24, Sparrow Ninth Christmas Bird Census 23 Hawk, i; Pine Siskin, 50; Bluebird, 2; Dcccnit)er 26, Song Sparrow, 2. December 27, Robin, I. — Mauxsell S. Crosby. New Rochelle, N. Y. — Dec. 24; 9 .\.m. to 4 p.m. Overcast, threatening snow; two inches snow on ground; no wind; temp., 20° at start. Herring Gull, 100; Ducks (could not distinguish kind), 15; Red-shouldered Hawk, i; Cooper's Hawk, 2; Pigeon Hawk, i: Barred Owl, i; Screech Owl, i; Kingfisher, i; Downy Woodpecker, 3; Flicker, 2; Blue Jay, 6; Crow, 30; Purple Grackle, 12; Starling, 50; Meadowlark, 10; Goldfinch, q; 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, i; Golden-crowned Kinglet, 4; Robin, 2; Bluebird, i. 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, i; Blue Jay, 3; Crow, 15; Starling, 10; Cowbird, 1; Goldfinch, 15; White-throated Sparrow, i; Tree Sparrow, i; Golden-crowned Kinglet, i. Total, 9 species, 48 individuals. — Robert Crane. Bronx Park, through the Hemlock Grove, New York City. — Dec. 28; 10 a.m. to 12 M. Clear; a little snow on the ground; wind light and westerly; temp., 35°. King- fisher, i; 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, i; Brown Creeper, 5; White-breasted Nuthatch, 2; Golden-crowned Kinglet, i. Total, 14 species, 106 individuals. On December 24, a Barred Ow'l and a Bob-white, and on December 24, a Barred Owl were seen. — Ludlow Griscom and Stanley V. Ladow. Central Park, New York City. — Dec. 24: 9.15 a.m. to 12.15 p-^^- Cloudy; wind south- east, light; ground snow-covered; temp., 25° to 30°. Herring Gull, 20; Red-shouldered Hawk, i; Downy Woodpecker, 4; Crow, i; Starling, 50; Goldfinch, 4; White-throated Sparrow, 40; Junco, 5; Song Sparrow, 9; Fox Sparrow, 4; Towhee, i; 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, 10; Junco, 3; Song Sparrow, 3;'Fox Sparrow, i; Cardinal, i; Carolina Wren, 2; Golden-crowned Kinglet, 11; Hermit Thrush, 3. Total, 11 species, 345 individuals. — George 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, i; Hermit Thrush, i. Total, ID species, 42 individuals. — Charles H. Rogers. Battery, New York City, to and at the Farms (10 A.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; Kittiwakc, 15; Herring Gull, 4,000; Ring-billed Gull, i; Bonaparte Gull, 500; Gannet, i; American Scoter, 25; White-winged Scoter, 5 or 6; Crow, 8; Pine Siskin (?), i. Total, 10 species, about 4,67c individuals. — R. E. Stackpole and C. H. Rogers. 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, i; Herring Gull, 325; Bonaparte's Gull„iH5; Old Squaw, 32; Sparrow Hawk, i; Barred Owl, 2; Downy Woodpecker, a; Flicker^ 2; Crow, 40; Euro- pean Starling, 44; Meadowlark, 18; .\m. Crossbill, 5; Goldfinch, 2; Pine Siskin, 31; Ipswich, Sparrow, i; Savanna Sparrow, 2: White-throated Sparrow, 5; Tree Sparrow, 6; Junco, 24 Bird - Lore 38; Song Sparrow, 9; Swamp Sparrow, 5; Fox Sparrow, i; Cardinal, i; White-breasted Nuthatch, i; 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, r; Redpoll, i; Pine Siskin, 7; White-throated Sparrow, 5; Song Sparrow, i; Hermit Thrush, i. Total, 5 species, 15 inrlividuals. — • 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, i; Pine Siskin, 11; White-throated Sparrow, 27 (some singing); Song Sparrow, ^; Fox Sparrow, i; Carolina Wren, i; Brown Creeper, 2; Golden-crowned Kinglet, 6; Hermit Thrush, i; Robin, i. 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, i; Screech Owl, i; Downy Woodpecker, 3; Crow, i; Starling, 24; Pine Siskin, 8; White-throated Sparrow, 30; (5 singing) Junco, 3; Song Sparrow, 2; Fox Sparrow, 3; Brown Creeper, i; Golden-crowned Kinglet, 2; Hermit Thrush, i; Robin, 2. Total, 15 species, 85 individuals. December 26, Carolina Wren, i. — 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, i; 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., ^;^° to 40°. Horned Grebe, 6; Loon, 2; Kittiwake Gull, 9; Great Black-backed Gull, 1; Herring Gull, 300; Black Duck, 6; Old Squaw, 8; White-winged Scoter, 40; Bob-white, 2; Ring-neck Pheasant, i; Red-shouldered Hawk, i; 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 Anma Washburn and Robert CusHMAN Murphy. 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, i; Red-tailed Hawk, i; 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, i; Chickadee, 25; Golden-crowned Kinglet. 2; Hermit Thrush, 3; Robin, 12; Bluebird, 10. 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, i; Herring Gull, 461; Red-breasted Merganser, 89; Mallard, i; Black Duck and Red-legged Black Duck, 42; Greater Scaup Duck, 220; .\merican Golden-eye, 5; BufHehead, 8; Old Squaw, 609; .American Scoter, 5; White-winged Ninth Christmas Bird Census 25 Scoter, 179; Surf Scoter, i8; Bittern, i; Wilson's Snipe, i; Bob-white, 30; Sharp-shinned Hawk, i; Cooper's H&wk, i; Sparrow Hawk, i; Screech Owl, 2; Downy Woodpecker, 1; Flicker, 16; Horned Lark, 551; Crow, 306; Fish Crow, 9; Starling, 27; Meadowlark, 157; Goldfinch, 17; Pine Siskin, 70; Snowflake, 19; Lapland Longspur, i; Tree Spar- row, 64; Junco, 25; Song Sparrow, 42; Swamp Sparrow, i; Fox Sparrow, i; Northern Shrike, i; Myrtle Warbler, 32; American Pipit, 55; Carolina Wren, 2; Winter Wren, 2; Chickadee, 61; Golden-crowned Kinglet, 23; Ruby-crowned Kinglet, i; Hermit Thrush, i; 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. — H.ARRY, Frank and Roy L.atham. 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., ^^° to 40°. Horned Grebe, 7; Loon, 16; Red-throated Loon, i; Brunnick's Murre, i; Kittiwake, i; Great Black-backed Gull, i; 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, i; Bob-white, 35; Pheasant, 55; Marsh Hawk, 10; Cooper's Hawk, i; Goshawk, 2; Red-tailed Hawk, 5; Red-shouldered Hawk, 4; Rough-legged Hawk, 3; Bald Eagle, i; Duck Hawk, i; Long-eared Owl, 2; Downy Woodpecker, 5; Flicker, 18; Horned Lark, 32; Crow, 235; Fish Crow, 8; European Starling, 8; Meadowlark, 40; Pine Grosbeak, i; White-winged Crossbill, i; 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, i; 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 Nordhoflf, 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, i; 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, i; Crow, 4; Downy Woodpecker, i; Starling, 119; White-throated Sparrow, 4; Junco, i; Song Sparrow, ^;. Brown Creeper, i; Golden-crowned Kinglet, 2; Hermit Thrush, i; Robin, 5. Total, i* species, 142 individuals. — Louis 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, i; Blue Jay, i; Crow, 1; Starling, 20; Goldfinch, i;. Pine Siskin, 3; White-throated Sparrow, 6; Tree Sparrow, 2; Junco, 4; Song Sparrow,. 3; Brown Creeper, 2; Chickadee, i; Golden-crowned Kinglet, i; Pvobin, i. Total, 14 species, 47 individuals. — Chas. 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, j; Red-tailed Hawk, i; Red-shouldered Hawk, 2; Downy Woodpecker, 2; Red-headed Woodpecker, 2; Northern Flicker, 2; Blue Jay, 13; Crow, 40; Starling, 3; Meadowlark 15; GokJfiiich, 3; White- throated Sparrow, 12; Tree Sparrow, 75; Song Sparrow, i; Slate-colored Junco, i; 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.— Benj. 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-sliiniied Hawk, i; Red-tailed Hawk, 2; Sparrow Hawk, i; Barred Owl, i; Downy Woodpecker, 10; Flicker, 3; Blue Jay, 17; Crow, 50; Fish Crow, 2; European Starling, 50; Meadowlark, 16; Bronzed (?) Crackle, i; Purple Finch, 2; Am. Crossbill, 9; Goldfinch, 9; Pine Siskin, 90; White-throated Sparrow, 15; Tree Sparrow, 12; Junco, 80; Song Sparrow, 12; Swamp Sparrow, 2; Fox Sparrow, i; Winter Wren, i; Brown Creeper, 2; White-breasted Nuthatch, 6; Tufted Titmouse, 5; Chickadee {P. atricapillus), 13; Hermit Thrush, 2; Robin, i. Total, 29 species, 416 indi- viduals. Before this winter the Fox Sparrow had never been seen near Plainfield between December 2 and March r. — W. DeW. Miller. Morristown, N. J. — Dec. 25; 8.45 to 11 .'\.m. Partly cloudy; wind southwest, light; ground partly covered with snow; temp., 38°. Red-shouldered Hawk, i; Kingfisher, i; Downy Woodpecker, 6; Red-headed Woodpecker, i; 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, i; 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; 10 a.m. to 12 m. Partly cloudy; ground covered with light snow; wind southwest, light; temp., 38°. Red-shouldered Hawk, i; Crow, 11; Blue Jay, 20; Purple Grackle, 5; Red-headed Woodpecker, i; Downy Woodpecker, 3; Junco, 47; White-breasted Nuthatch, 2; Red-breasted Nuthatch, i; Song Sparrow, i; Fo.\ Sparrow, i; Chickadee, i; White-throated Sparrow, 5. Total, 14 species, 99 indi- viduals.— Anna .\. and Frank D. Vogt. Princeton, N. J. — Dec. 25; 9.15 a.m. to 1.30 p.m.; 3 to 5 p.m. Clear to cloudy; wind norlhwest, light; ground snow-covered, average depth, four or five inches; temp., 28°. Red-tailed Hawk, i; Red-shouldered Hawk, 2; American Sparrow Hawk, i; Hairy Woodpecker, i; Downy Woodpecker, 5; Flicker, i; Horned Lark, i; Blue Jay, 13; Crow, 500; Purple Finch, 46; Goldfinch, 37; White-throated Sparrow, i; Tree Sparrow, 225; Junco, 200; Song Sparrow, 50; Cardinal, 18; Carolina Wren, i; Brown Creeper, 2; White- breasted Nuthatch, 2; Tufte'd Titmouse, 16; Chickadee, 7; Golden-crowned Kinglet, 2. Total, 22 species, 1,132 individuals. — ^WiLLiAM M. NoRRis, Jr. Asbury Park, N. J. (Around Deal Lake). — Dec. 26; 9 to 11.45 am. Clear; ground snow-covered (not deep); wind west, moderately strong; temp., 42°. Herring Gull, 25; Downy Woodpecker, 3; Crow, 7; Tree Sparrow, i; Song Sparrow, 3; Junco, 2; Carolina Wren, i; Brown Creeper, i; Tufted Titmouse, 2; Chickadee (heard). Total 10 species, about 46 individuals. — Bess 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, i; Blue Jay, i; Crow, 3; Purple Finch, 3; Goldfinch, 43; Tree Sparrow, 8; Junco, 10; Song Sparrow, 9; Myrtle Warbler, i; White-breasted Nuthatch, i; Chickadee, 2; Golden-crowned King- let, i; Robin, i. 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 soulli, very light; ground covered with six to fifteen inches of snow; temp., 40°. Cooper's Hawk (?), i; Red-shouldered Hawk (?), i; Downy Woodpecker, 6; Crow, 6; Blue Jay, 4; Meadowlark, 3; Goldfinch, 3; Tree Sparrow, 30; Junco, 100; Song Sparrow, 10; Robin, i; Chickadee, 8; Bluebird, 5. Total, 12 species, 180 individuals. — Wm. W. Fair. Moorestown, N.J. — Dec. 28; 6.33 to 7.40 a.m.; S.05 a.m. to 12.45 pm-; i-3o to 6.30 p.m. Cloudy, becoming clear; ground generally snow-coVcred; wind west, light; temp., 32°. Turkey Vulture, i; Marsh Hawk, i; Red-tailed Hawk, 4; Red-shouldered Hawk, i; Sparrow Hawk, 6; Hairy Woodpecker, 3; Downy Woodpecker, 6; Flicker, i; Horned Lark, 20; Crow, 92; Meadowlark, 29; Purple Finch, 2; Goldfinch, 22; White-throated Sparrow, 13; Tree Sparrow, 30; Snowbird, 104; Song Sjiarrow, 39; Cardinal, 8; Winter Ninth Christmas Bird Census 27 Wren, 4; Brown Creeper, 3; White-breasted Nuthatch, i; Tufted Titmouse, 7; Chicka- dee, 2; Catbird, i. Total, 24 species, 400 individuals. — -William B. Evans. Easton, Pa. — Dec. 25; 8.30 a.m. to 12.15 p-^^- To 10 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, i; Crow, 4; Purple Finch, i; Goldfinch, 2; Tree Sparrow, 16; White-throated Sparrow, 2; Junco, 18; Song Sparrow, 19; Cardinal, i; Winter Wren, i; White-breasted Nuthatch, i; Robin, i. Total, 12 species, 67 individuals. — Edward 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, i; 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, i; Bluebird, 2. Total, 15 species, 122 individuals. Recently I saw a flock of about fifteen English Starlings in the neighborhood of Germantown. — George 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, i; White-throated Sparrow, 40; Junco, 25; Song Sparrow, 14, Winter Wren, i; Robin, i. Total, 8 species, 84 individuals. — Thomas R. Hill. 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, i; Red-shouldered Hawk, i; Rough-legged Hawk, i; Hairy Woodpecker, i; Downy Woodpecker, 2; Crow, 51; Fish Crow, 2; Meadowlark, 10 (flock); Rusty Grackle, 4; Purple Grackle, i; 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, i; Fox Sparrow, i; Towhee, i; Cardinal, i; Titlark, 11 (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, i; Downy Woodpecker, 12; Flicker, i; Crow, 1,000; Meadowlark, i; Goldfinch, 5; Tree Sparrow, 50; Junco, 30; Song Sparrow, 15; Cardi- nal, 3; Carolina Wren, i; Winter Wren, i; White-breasted Nuthatch, i; Chickadee, 15; Golden-crowned Kinglet, 20. Total, 16 species, 1,173 individuals. — Horace J. Grubb. Kennett Square, Pa. — Dec. 25; i to 5 p.m. Cloudy; temp., 42°: Turkey Buzzard, 3; Marsh Hawk, 2; Cooper's Hawk, i; Red-tailed Hawk, i; Downy Woodpecker, i; Flicker, i; Blue Jay, i; Crow, 27; Meadowlark, 16; Tree Sparrow, 55; Junco, 41; Song Sparrow, 11; Cardinal, i; Winter Wren, 3; White-breasted Nuthatch, 2; Tufted Tit- mouse, i; Chickadee, i. 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, i; Red-shouldered Hawk, i; Sparrow Hawk, i; 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, i; 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, i; Golden-crowned Kinglet, i. Total, 23 species, 180 indi- viduals.— Alfred C. Redfield. Concordville, Pa. — -Dec. 28; i to 4 v.m. Clear; ground covered with snow; slight 28 Bird - Lore west wind; temp., 50°. Mouiniiig Dove, 2; Marsh Hawk, 2; Sparrow Hawk, 2; Turkey Vulture, 3; Screech Owl, 3; Downy Woodpecker, 2; Flicker, i; Meadowlark, 15; Crow, 20; Blue Jay, i; Goldfinch, 27; Pine Finch, 20; Vesper Sparrow, i; White-throated Sparrow, 12; Tree Sparrow, 30; Junco, 40; Song Sparrow, 25; Cardinal, 2; Carolina Wren, 2; Brown Creeper, i; White-breasted Nuthatch, 2; Tufted Titmouse, i; Chicka- dee, 2; Golden-crowned Kinglet, 4. Total, 24 species, 218 inidviduals. — Katharine R. Styer and Elizaheth P. Stver. Lititz, Pa. (northern Lancaster Co., and valley of Hammer Creek). — -Dec. 27; & A.M. to 5 P.M. Clear; ground snow-covered; no wind; temp., 26° to 35°. Ruffed Grouse,, i; Turkey Buzzard, 3; Cooper's Hawk, i; Red-tailed Hawk, i; Sparrow Hawk, 2; Screech Owl, i; Kingfisher, i; Hairy Woodpecker, 2; Downy Woodpecker, 10; Flicker, i; 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, i; White-breasted Nuthatch, 7; Black-capped Chickadee, 21; Golden-crowned Kinglet, 7. Total, 25 species, 3,028 individuals. — Herbert H. Beck and Ei.MKR F,. Kantz. Columbia, Pa. — Dec. 25; 9 a.m. to 12 ii. Cloudy; snow on ground; temp., 40°. Sparrow Hawk, i; Downy Woodpecker, i; Blue Jay, i; Crow, roo; Song Sparrow, 20. Total, 5 species, 123 individuals. — Wm. M. Flanagan and Wm. 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, i; Junco, 4; Song Spar- row, 3; Cardinal, 2. Total, 4 species, 10 individuals. — Milo 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, i; Red-cockaded Woodpecker, 2; Flicker, 4; Phoebe, i; Blue Jay, 22; Crow, 6; Red-winged Blackbird, i; Vesper Sparrow, 11; White-throated Sparrow, 23; Junco, 5; Song Sparrow, 50; Towhee, 12; Cardinal, 9; Loggerhead Shrike, i; Myrtle Warbler, 8; American Pipit,. 51; Mockingbird; 5; Brown Thrasher, 4; Carolina Wren, 11; Brown-headed Nut- hatch, i; Tufted Titmouse, i; Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 13; Hermit Thrush, 6; Bluebird, 5. Total, 26 species, 263 individuals. — Edward S. Dingle. Palma Sola, Fla. — Dec. 25; all day. Loon, 2; Laughing Gull, 4; Royal Tern, i; Black Skimmer, 14; Florida Cormorant, 20; Brown Pelican, 40; Red-breasted Mer- ganser, 16; Wood Ibis, i; Florida Great Blue Heron, 5; Louisiana Heron, 12; Little Blue Heron, 7; §emipalmated Sandpiper, 5; Killdeer, 10; Black-bellied Plover, 2; Florida Bob-white, 15; Ground Dove, i; Turkey Vulture, 13; Black Vulture, 12; Bald Eagle, 2; Belted Kingfisher, 2; Red-bellied Woodpecker, 3; Phcebe, i; Florida Jay, i; Loggerhead Shrike, 2; Palm Warbler, 30; Maryland Yellow-throat, i; Marian's Marsh Wren, 2; Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher, 14; Mockingbird, 3. Total, 29 species, 241 indivi- duals.— Carlos P^arle. Knoxville, Tenn.— Dec. 26; 7 to 10 a.m. Clouds and sunshine; ground covered with light snow; wind northwest, rather heavy; temp., _^7i°. Crow, 5; Junco, 4; Song Sparrow, i; Cardinal, 3; Chickadee, 3; Carolina Wren, i; 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°. Walkc previous days. — John A. Spurrell. Milwaukee, Wis. — Dec. 26; 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Clear; ground mainly bare; snow in woods; wind southwest, light; temp., 20°. Herring Gull, 120; Scaup, 45; Golden-eve. 30; Downy Woodpecker, 2; Blue Jay, i; Crow, 2; Tree Sparrow, 300; Junco, 200: Chickadee, 3. Total, 9 species, 603 individuals. — I. N Mitchki.i., F. W. Ells, E. W. Sticknev and W. H. Cheever. Branch, Wis. — Dec. 25; Herring Gull, 100; Downy Woodpecker, 2; Blue Jav, i: Snowflakc, 75; Goldfinch, 12; Chickadee, 8. Total, 6 .species, 19S 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, i; Downy Woodpecker, 2; Blue Jay, 5: Crow, 22; Tree Sparrow, i; Slate-colored Junco, 25; Brown Creeper, i; White-breasted Nuthatch, 2. Total, 8 species, 59 individuals. — Sarah Francis, Mabel Beckwith and Medora 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 5.30 P.M. Clear; wind northwest; temp., 32°. Bob-white, i; Screech Owl, i; White-breasted Nuthatch, i; Chickadee, i. Dec. 27; 9.30 to 11.30 a.m. Fair; temp., 30°. Downy Wood- pecker, i; Blue Jay, 6; Goldfinch, 5; Tree Sparrow, 12; White-breasted Nuthatch, i; Chickadee, 6.^ — Mrs. \V. 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, i; Downy Woodpecker, 2; Blue Jay, 7; Crow, 3; Goldfinch, 6; Junco, 25; Brown Creeper, 2; White-breasted Nuthatch, 3; Red-breasted Nuthatch, 3. Total, 10 species, 99 individuals. — John N. LOSHINSKI Sheboygan Falls, Weedens Station and Sheboygan, Wis. —Dec. 26; 10 a.m. to 5.4V 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; Rufled Grouse, 1; Downy Woodpecker, 6; Hairy Woodpecker, 2; Crow, 50; Blue Jay, 2; Pine Siskin, 12; Brown Creeper, i; Red-breasted Nuthatch, i; 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, i; White-breasted Nuthatch, 2; Chit kadee, 10. Total, 11 species, 137 indi- viduals.— Caryl 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, i; Red-headed Woodpecker, 4; Blue Jay, 15; Redpoll, 30; Gold- finch, 6; Tree Sparrow, 4; Junco, 12; White-breasted Nuthatch, 2; Chickadee, iS. Total, II species, 146 individuals. — Patience Nesbitt. Minneapolis, Minn. Dec. 21; g a.m. to 4 p.m. Fair; light, southwest wind; about Ninth Christmas Bird Census 35 a foot of snow; temp., io° to 23°. Boh-white, 10: Downy Woodpecker, 3; Blue Jay, 14; Snowflake, 5; Brown Creeper, i; White-breasted Nuthatch, 4; Chickaciee, 5; Robin, i. Total, 8 species, 43 individuals. — H.^rriet Bird Club. Red Wing, Minn. — Dec. 25; 1.30 to 4.30 p.m. Clear; northwest wind; six inches of snow; temp., 26°. Barred Owl, i; Redpoll, (a small flock); Goldfinch, 6; Tree Sparrow, 150; Brown Creeper, 4; White-breasted Nuthatch, 4; Chickadee, 3. Total, 7 species, 175 individuals (estimated). — Nels Borgex and Frithjof N.'vce. Lake Minnetonka, Minn. — Dec. 26; 10 a.m. to 12 m.; i 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, i; Brown Creeper, i; White-breasted Nut- hatch, i; Chickadee, 3. Total, 4 species, 6 individuals. — E. F. Pabody, Jr. Spink, Union Co., S. Dakota. — Dec. 24; 10.30 a.m. to i p.m. Clear; one inch of snow on ground; wind northwest; temp., 24°. Mallard, i: 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. — .\ndre\v 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, i; Downy Woodpecker, i; Crow, 4; Redpoll, 100; Lapland Longspur, i; Tree Sparrow, 7; Northern Shrike, i; Brown Creeper, i; White-breasted Nuthatch, i; Chickadee, 3; Total, II species, 120 individuals. — .\drian 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, e.\- cept on wind-swept fields; temp., 14° to 20°. Sharp-tailed Grouse, 25; Horned Owl, i; Hairy Woodpecker, i; Downy Woodpecker, 2; Blue Jay, 3; Pine Grosbeak, 8; Redpoll, 16; Snowflake, 2; White-breasted Nuthatch, i; Chickadee, 10. Total, 10 species, 69 individuals. Six Ruffed Grouse were seen on Dec. 25; one Saw-whet Owl, Dec. 18; three .\merican Ravens, Dec. 13; one Northern Shrike, Dec. 20; one Snowy Owl, Dec. 24. — -John Woodcock. Bozeman Greek 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, i; Alpine Three-toed Wood- pecker, i; Desert Horned Lark, 4; Magpie, 12; Clark's Nutcracker, 2; Alaskan Pine Grosbeak, 32; Redpoll 65; Western Tree Sparrow, 2; Mountain Song Sparrow, i; American Dipper, 4; Long-tailed Chickadee, 2; Mountain Chickadee, 18. Total, 12 species, 144 individuals. — Aretas .\. Saunders. Bozeman, Mont. — 9.30 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, i. Total, 4 species, 20 individuals. — Percy L. Judd. Naramata, B. C. — Dec. 21; i to 4.30 p.m. Very cloudy; cold, south wind; six to ten miles; ground bare; temp., 25°. Gull (unknown), i; .\merican Golden-eye, 4; BufSe- head, 2; American Coot(estimated), 300; Downy Woodpecker, 3; Red-shafted Flicker(?), i; Steller's Jay, i; Clarke's Nutcracker, 9; Magpie, 6; Water Ouzel, i; Rocky Moun- tain Creeper, 2; Red-breasted Nuthatch, 40; Chickadee, 80. Total, 14 species, 450 indi- viduals.— Jno. M. Schreck. Olymfia, 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, i; 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; \'aried Thrush, 26. Total. 17 species, 167 individuals. — Mrs. M.\Y R. Th.ayer. Prescott, Wash. — Dec. 25; 10 .\.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, i; Killdeer, i; Bob-white, 20; Mourning Dove, 5; American Gos- hawk, i: 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 Wa.xwing, 150; Rocky Mountain Creeper, 4: Oregon Chickadee, 11. Total, 17 species, 437 individuals. — Lee R. Dice. Seattle, Wash. — Dec. 20 9 .a.m. to 3 p.m. Clear; ground bare; wind southeast, light: temp., 35°. Northwest Flicker, i; Gray Jay, i; Sooty Song Sparrow, i; Oregon Junco, •8; Oregon Towhee, 2; Golden-crowned Kinglet, i; 'Seattle' Wren, i; Varied Thrush, 3; Western Robin, 24. Total, 10 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°. \'allcv (^uail, 10; Western Red-tailed Hawk, 8; California Woodpecker, i; 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, i; Plain Titmouse, 3; Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 10; Western Golden-crowned Kinglet, i; Western Robin, 30; Hermit Thrush, 8; Western B!uel)ird. Total, 21 species, 174 individuals.. — Emma Beebe. LaCanada, Los Angeles Co., Cal. — Dec. 24; 8 to 9 a.m.; Dec. 25; 10 to 12 a.m. 2 to 4 P..M. Clear; wind light; temp., 62° to 81°. Valley Quail, i; Mourning Dove, 2; Pigeon Hawk, 3; Red-breasted Sapsucker, 2; Red-shafted Flicker, 20; Anna's Hummingbird. 4; Rufous Hummingbird, i; Black Phoebe, i; 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, i; Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 10; Western Gnatcatcher, 14; Russet-backed Thrush, i; Western Robin, 100; Western Bluebird. 15. Total, 27 species, 722 individuals. — Mi.NNiE K. Anderson, Henrietta Horne, Louise Washington, Clara .^rmstronc, and Marion Lee. San Diego, Cal. — Dec. 25; 8 to 10.30 a.m.; 4.30 to 5.30 p.m. Forenoon fair, showers from I to 4 P..M.; wind north, light; temp., 60° to 75°. Valley Partridge, 350; Western Red-tailed Hawk, i; 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, 10: Western Meadowlark, 115; Brewer's Blackbird, 65; California Purple Finch, 60; Arkansas Goldfinch, 36; Lawrence's Goldfinch, 2; Western Grasshopper Sparrow, i; Intermediate White-crowned Sparrow, 1,000; Bell's Sparrow, 2: Rufus-crowned Spar- row, s; California Towhee, 35; California Shrike, 2; Audubon's Warbler, 150; Town- send Warbler, i; Sage Thrasher, i; Mockingbird, 6; California Thrasher, 8; Parkman's Wren, 6; Dwarf Hermit Thrush, 5; Bluebird, 32. Total, 28 species, 1,018 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 37 A Bi-monthly Maeazine Devoted to the Study and Protection of Birds OFFICIAL OKGAN OF THR AUDUBON SOCIETIES Edited by FRANK M. CHAPMAN Publiahod by THE MACMILLAN COMPANY Vol. XI Published February 1. 1909 No. 1 SUBSCRIPTION RATES Price in the United States, Canada and Mexico twenty cents a number, one dollar a year, post- age paid. COPYRIGHTED, I9O9, BY FRANK M. CHAPMAN Bird-Lore's Motto : A Bird in the Bush is 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. With 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. \ number of species owe their place in our "Check-List' of North .\merican 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 .\merica, 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. Clje Audubon ^ocittit& SCHOOL DEPARTMENT Edited by MABEL OSGOOD WRIGHT AddresJ all communications to the Editor of the School Department. National Association of Audubon Societies. I4< Broadway. New York City How Our Birds Spend the Winter 1M the bird world ihere i.s suj)])()sed to t)c no rla» distiiiclion, no rich, no poor; all arc equipped alilce for the Ijattle of life by instinct. Yet those of us who have followed the hves 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, liobolink. 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 loc^se b\- 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 Ijy land and sea in this journey, long llights and fastings and buffetings; but wlien at last they arrive it is usuallx' to lind good mar- keting and a roof-tree waiting. Of course, there are sometimes ill timed journeys, when winter has given ■& false alarm of retreat and, coming back, locks uj) the larder, and the tired wayfarers perish by the way, — but this is the e.xception, 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 brood:-. -After the breeding season comes a period of enforced rest, called the molting time. While the nest \V(»rn feathers are being changed, the birds at this .season are enervated and lacking the strength for long flight they mo])e and gossip (yes, I've heard them, of this I'm positive) in well-leafed shade, all the while eating •well of the plenty (»f late summer; for August, the la/.\' month, is the time that Nature has set apart for tlie feather-changing process. (}8i The Audubon Societies 39 Then follows two months or more of the social and communit} 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 b\- the very march of the civilization of w'hich 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 \\-indow 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 deliberatel\- shirk responsibility we have ceased to live in the best sense. Remember, my friend, in Februarv 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 TOf i15ationaI Si&dociation ot ^auDubon feocictieg EDUCATIONAL LEAFLET NO. 36 (Issued also as Special Leaflet Xo. 19 1 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 Its ^^cst &nd • - 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 Food and I-Jke all fresh-water ducks the Mallard is largely a vegetarian, Economic but it prefers soft, succulent vegetable matter when such is to be ^■'"^ 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 armv (40) ff 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 larvae, 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 (Rnppia). 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, algae, roots of arrowhead (Sagittaria), fruits, such as grapes, dogwood, sour gum, and bayberries, and the seeds of such small aquatic plants as milhveed {MyriophyUiim), horned pondweed (Zanni- 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 run 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 Abundance . . . 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 difl&cult to get food enough to carry them through the winter. 42 Bird - Lore WIk'ii ihc Ahillard begins to decrease precei^lihh' on tlie northern breeding grounds it is time to inquire the cause of such depletion. Prof. W. W. Cooke oi the Biological Survey gives as the l)rincipal causes of the diminished numbers of water-fowl, market Depletion 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 ])astures. This agricultural occujjation and improvement of the land, which has broken u]) the l)reeding gnjunds from Arkansas to Athabaska, has been accom])anied by unlimited destruction of the l)irds for food and other ])urposes. Thus hunting, particularly the spring shooting, has di-iven 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 reproduclion. Looked at from the slandjxjint of the present day, the waste of bird life in the last centur}- was ai)palling. 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 awav. Unrestricted market hunting was carried on also for manv 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 120,000 were sent to market during that season, from that jjlace alone. Sportsmen deceived by the apparendy inexhaustible numbers of wild fowl destroyed great numbers. Mr. W. I,. Miiley who has recently (1908) explored Malheur Lake, (Jregon. says that fornurl\ , \\ hen the wild ft)wl were ver\- 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 lo he!]) 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 guinier more destructive than ever before. In 1900 I visited a gunning preserve in I'lorida where northern sportsmen were shooting ducks by the lum- drcd and giving them away to their friends and to settlers. OiH' of these gentlemen arnud with repeating guns and supplied with a man to load and others lo drive the bircJs 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 (Julf coast aver that market hunters there have been killing 100 birds each i)er dav. The Houston (Texas) Vosi of Januar\- 29, 1908, asserted tiiat during the [)revi- 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, emi)tied their guns and gathered 107 killed, not (ounling th.e wounded and missinji. Tlic birds were mainh Mallards. The Mallard 4S These recent instances will serve to show the danger that now menaces- American wild fowl by reason of the vast and increasing number of liunters 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 fiftv vears 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 DUCKS AS PETS Photographed on Lake Worth, Fla. draining of marshes and slough s-^xd'/// go on; it cannot be stoiJi)ed. 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 i will appl\' to wild fowl as well. With such laws well enforced, and with spring shooting stopped, the Ijirds will come back to breed in every favorable spot, as the\- have done in states where spring shooting and sale are now pro- hibited. I^ven 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 thev 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, Alass., 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 w'as 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 kilHng of wild fowl that the extermination of the birds may proceed unham- pered. uThe 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 w-ell-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 tlic slate in tlie year 1900 and there has been a large increase in [)()pu- lation since that year. If these hunters should each kill but ten ducks or geese in a }ear, 473,670 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 supjjly — to the state can hardly be estimated. Do the farmers of Te.xas 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 the\- 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 tlooded fields, prevented early harvesting and destnned a great part of the crop. In "Rice Industry" for November i, 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 croj) 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 heavv 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 1)\- 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 properlv 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 IRIENDS OF THE F.^RMER 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 fro nr 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 llelds 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 (Toinif to luirt it much and certainlv the birds and hogs won't hurt it at all." A WILD 1>LCK PRI'.SKRXK Messrs. Frank Hond 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 rea])ing will place the birds wholly on the beneficial list. Wild ducks are the most useful of all birds to the rice farmers because thev 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 b\' many persons to produce red rice, but the Louisiana station has proved that the red rice is a distinct varietw 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 (juantitios 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 i"e(|uire the burning of whole tields 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 crayhsh 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 dela\"s harvesting and allows the wild fowl to arrive before it is com- plete; but the good the\' 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 lifteen 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 freelv bv Wild Ducks 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 held in this country was the one called by President Roosevelt last spring, 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 formation of the National Conservation Commission, under the leadership of Mr. Gifford Pinchot, Chief Forester of the United States. Recently Mr. Pinchot asked the Na- 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 6rst 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 mui h more S( ientific basis than the present knowledge of the subject permits. The Committee will welcome the aid of every member of the Association, as well as every reader of Bird-Loke, ail the sportsmen of the United Stales, and all others interested in wild birds and animals. State Audubon Reports South Carolina. — The Audubon So- ciety, of South Carolina, was chartered by the General Assembly, 1907. Organized with election of the following oflScers: 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 was taken on the society's bills, introduced into the General Assembly which cim- vened in January. The society had no means of raising revenue e.xcept from membership fees, save a small amount, about two thousand dollars, that was realized from a non- resident license. During the year, liowcver, tlie wDrk has been pushed with vigor and determination, the secretary ha\ing spent the entire year in the field. One hundred and si.x wardens are now working, most of them doing satis- factory work. The secretary has ilelivcred lectures in every quarter of the slate, and has aroused acute interest in the subject of bird and game protection. He is also an active warden, and has made many arrests and secured a number of convictions. .\t the same time President Taylor, who is a business man, with headquarters at Columbia, devoted a great deal of his lime to s|)reading the propaganda of bird (48 The Audubon Societies 49 protection. He prepared and hud 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, several million acres being river swamp. From early days South Carolina has had a variety and an abundance of birds, game and fish, natural fastness preventing their e.xtermination. 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 .\iken 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 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; (/') violations of laws for protection of non-game birds; (c) violations of game laws. .-ANNUAL MEETING AND RECO.MMENDATIONS 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 reelected 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 Bird - Lore 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, S. C. 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 ])osition of having legislative and executive departments completely antagonistical to all effort toward protection or conservation. We have endeavored to arouse interest, but 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 proper laws. But we feel that Missouri will soon be able to report more progress 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 conservation of our natural resources. It is the first time in her history that Mis- souri has had at her helm an educated, 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 indiue our new legis- lature to pass a new ami much-needed law, thus wiping out the shameful legacv of our last administration. We have gotten the Park i^oard of Kansas City to issue an order that all their employees, iiK hiding |)olircincn and Street sweejiers, must he able to i)ass an examination on the subject of birds and their relation to man and agrii id- ture. We have agreed to furnish free to the park board a sufl'icienl number of bound volumes to enable tlu-m to leach this subject to their employees. We intend to hind up pamphlets of the De- partment of .\gric idture and National Association in book form. 11. K. Walmsi.EY, President. Audubon Warden Murdered L. V. Reeves, who was a faithful em- ployee of the South Carolina Auduborh Society, was brutally murdered about the middle of September. lie 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 xoung and prosperous- farmer, was returning hcjme from carry- ing hands from the tields lo their houses. He was shot with a lull < harge 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 fifl}- yards, mounted a mule and rode away. Bloodhounds were sent down at once from Columbia, but would not trail ihe 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; ihey had repeatedly nuule threats against Reeves, and this can be jjroved. Both are notorious fish-pirates. These men had been warned by Reeves and threatened witli ])rosecution, and they had resented it bitterly. Governor .\nsel has ottered a reward of $500, but he has not employed a detec- tive. This should be clone, and it would be done, l)ut 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 go\cTnor strongU', anil he has been achised to use certain men in ferreting out tliis crime; this should be done for the- honor of the state. The .Audubon people are \ery much stirred over this murder, and if the assassirv is c aught he will be hanged. The whole case is known to several people, and if a detective went in there, he would t'lnd out cnougli in short order to hang somebody. Hranchville has long been headquarters for a nest of criminals — aboiU eight in all. The\' liaxe committed 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, l)Ut after- HOME OF WARDEN McLEOD, NORTH END CH.XRLOTTE HARBOR, FLA. 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 si.xty 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. Verv little information resarding this 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. 52 Bird- Lore •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 "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 inrlulKcd in for vears bv guests ^'^ \K 1.1. N > ' 1 I.U of ijirds as an asset of tlic slate, and estab- lish a Game Commission in order to see that the bird and game laws are enforced. Mosquito Inlet Reservation "I have just returned Irom a trij) nvvr the reservation made with ( aplaiii Paictti, and am inuch gratified wiiii conditions prevailing there. \'ery good order exists, there being praitically no shooting, and the fact that the Government is in control -