Wtt.fi'-.';l;vr.K.;!'.,',i', ^^plUri^i^iliii!:'!'!;:^^': 'ML ;;>;;?:y ,i>i-Y :,r.;. ;;,■,■ .\'. ■':i'n:;t,i:':;::,v,:, !',.;• ■;:-;; ■•: rvi' ■-'•.'•'.Vi''' •' ■■ :i^i''' J :':■"■'. ^*mW«^»,<'. . r . • FOR THE PEOPLE FOR EDVCATION FOR SCIENCE LIBRARY OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY (■ Mx^Hoxt AN ILLUSTRATED BI-MONTHLY MAGAZINE DEVOTED TO THE STUDY AND PROTECTION OF BIRDS EDITED BY FRANK M. CHAPMAN CONTRIBUTING EDITOR MABEL OSGOOD WRIGHT ^C^^.'^' jDtficial flDcgan ot t^t SiuMbon ^ocittits Audubon Department Edited By ALICE HALL WALTER AND T. GILBERT PEARSON VOLUME XX—IQ18 D. APPLE TON & COMPANY IIAURISIURG, PA., AND NFW YORK CITV Copyright, iqiS— By frank M. chapman INDEX TO ARTICLES IN VOLUME XX BY AUTHORS Abbott, Clinton G., Photograph by, 107; Sec- retary's Reports, 106, 502. Allen, Arthur A., Photographs by, 86, 87, 321; Secretary's Reports, 85, 488; When the North Wind Blows, 399. Allen, A. F., see Stephens, Dr. T. C. Allen, Clarence J., Acting Secretary, Report of, 509- Allen, Glover M., Boston Region, 358, 427. Allen, Mary Pierson, Christmas Census, 35. Almy, Madeline E., Secretary, Reports of, 117, 509- Andrews, Theodore, Christmas Census, 40. Androbette, Norman, The Crow, 448. Anthony, Mrs. Joseph, see Bicknell, Mrs. F. T. Arnold, Dr. W. W., A Bird Hospital, 259. Arnold, W. D. I., President, Report of, 490. Bagg, John S. and Aaron C, Christmas Census, 28. Bailey, Henry Turner, The 'Stake-Driver' Again, 29S-. Baldwin, Lizzie Thomas, Poem by, 172. Bay, H. W., Paul Bittenbender, and Alvan Wagner, Christmas Census, 37. Beaumier, Wilfred, Bird-Houses, 315. Beck, Herbert H., Elmer E. Kautz, and Abraham Beck Miller, Christmas Census, 37. Beck, H. H., Wild-Fowl of the Susquehanna Flats, 357. Beck, Rollo H., Photographs of Falkland Island Bird-Life, i. Beckwith, Helen, Corresponding Secretary, Report of, 493. Beebe, Ralph, Summer Records of Winter Birds in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan 291. Beers, Mrs. H. F., Secretary-Treasurer, Report of, 500. Benefiel, Dr. A. H., and Walter Bruce, Christmas Census, 48. Bennett, Elizabeth, Secretary, Reports of, 100, 497- Berger, Mrs. C. L,, Report of, 492. Bergtold, Dr. W. H., Christmas Census, 47; Denver Region, 24, 235, 306, 432. Berlin, Mrs. D., A True Bluebird Story, 318. Betts, Mary, The Tanagers, 449. Bicknell, E. P., Christmas Census, 31. Bicknell, Mrs. F. T., I'hotograph by, 97. Bicknell. Mrs. F. T, Mrs. Robert Fargo, Dr. E. A. Dial, Mrs. W. H. Martz, Helen S. Pratt, Mrs. Joseph .Anthony, L. !•-. Wyman, Mrs. C. H. Hall, and .Mfrcd Cookman, Christmas Census, 49. Biersach, Adolph, Secretary, Report of, 118. Bittenbender, Paul, see Bay, H. W. Blackinton, Katrine, Our Winter Bird Neighbors, 422. Blair, Frank I)., Secretary, Reports of, 102, 497. Blanchanl, (Jeorge C. Christmas Census, 20. Blincoe, Ben J., Christmas Census, 41. Blodget, (ieorge L., Christmas Census, 26. Bohlman, H. T., Photograph by, 468. Bomburger, .\., Secretary, Report of, 485. Bonnig, C, The Bandit: \ Street Scene from Hirildom, 20S. ( Boulton, R. W., Jr., Christmas Census, 36. Bourne, Thomas L., Christmas Census, 32. Bowdish, Beecher S., Secretary, Report of, 482. Bowen, .\lice B., Secretary, Report of, 77. Bowers, John H., See Townsend, Manley B. Brainerd, Barron, and Haskell B.Curry.Christmas Census, 27; see Talbot, L. R. Breder, C, Photography at Feeding-Stations, 140. Brewster, William, A Blameless Cat, 207. Bridge, Edmund and Lidian E., Christmas Census, 28. Bridge, Lidian E., and Annie M. Cobb, Christmas Census, 27. Briggs, Lawrence P., Birds I Have Seen, 189. Bright, Harry G. Secretary, Report of, 94. Brintnall, Mrs. A. W., Our Summer Boarders, 421. Brown, Elizabeth G., Report of, 501. Brown, Roy M., Christmas Census, 40. Bruce, Walter, President, Report of, 506; see Benefiel, Dr. A. H. Bruen, Frank, see Smith, Elbert E. Bryant, Harold C, Bird Horizons in the San Francisco Bay Region, 420. Burnham, Stewart H., Are Starlings as Hardy as English Sparrows? 354. Burns, Mary, Our Birds, 448. Burtch, Verdi, A Day's Sport with the Red-backs and Greater Yellow-legs, 335; A Wild Duck Trap, 410; Notes on the Tree Swallows, 133; The Warbler Wave of the Spring of 1917, at Branchport, N. Y., 154. Butler, Mrs. Jefferson, President, Report of, 89. Butterwick, Claude A., Christmas Census, 38. Button, Lily Ruegg, Christmas Census, 47. Calvert, E. W., A Census from France — An Addition to the Eighteenth Christmas Census, 154- Campbell, Mamie L., A. L. Campbell, and O. I. Gale, Christmas Census, 48. Carlson, Fred C, Sidney E. Ekblaw, and Ed. L. Ekblaw, Christmas Census, 41. Carpenter, Jessie I., A Blackbird Chorus, lOo. Carter, .Mice ^L, see Linton, M. .\lbert Carter, John D.. see Linton, M. .\lbert. Cartliilge, P. Gregory, How I Mothered .\ Pair of IIummirigl>irds, 273. Case, Clifford M., Christmas Census, 29. Caskcy, R. C, see Fairbank, Edward. Chapman, Frank M., F^ditorials by, 56, 160, 23S, 309, 3()3, 435: Notes on the Plumage of North .American Birds, ig. 153, 222, 200, 349. 4i'>: Notes from a Traveler in the Tropics: Down the Coastline to Cuba, ^g^; Reviews by, 53, 54, 167, 108, 23.';. 307- Chase, Richard ^^, and George P. Freelaiul. Christmas Census, 34. Cherrie, George K., Christmas Census, .'7. Cliilds, Helen P., Secretary, l\e|M)rt of. 474- Chute, Miss Eleanor, see Woodbury, .Mrs. Rohuxl. Cleaves, Howard IL, Christmas Census, 33. Clisc, James W., Nesting Records, 370. Coast, Oscar R., \ Santa Barbara Hummer, 291. Coates, Chas. P., Hird-Housi-s for a City Park, 184. iii) IV Index Compton, M. I., Red Crossbills in Seattle, 41S. Congdon, Frances, and Mabel L. Potter, Christmas Census, 28. Cookman, Alfred, see Bicknell, Mrs. F. T. Cox, Elizabeth, Christmas Census, 37. Cox, Richard, Christmas Census, 49. Cramer, \\'illiam G., Secretary, Report of, 482. Crane, Mrs. G. H., Corresponding Secretary, Reports of, g6, 493. Curry, Haskell B., see Brainerd, Barron. Dadisman, A. J., Christmas Census, 39; Feeding the Blue Jays, 352. Dana, Elizabeth A., Secretary, Report of, 92. Danforth, Ralph E. and Stuart £., Christmas Census, 36. Daniels, Edward S., and Geo. F. Tatum, Yellow Warbler vs. Cowbird, 226. Daniels, Edward S., Photograph by, 128. Danner, May S., and Mary King, Christmas Census, 42. Davis, Dorcas, Birds, 378. Dawson. Giles E., and William Leon Dawson, Christmas Census, 50. Deeter, Anna P., and Mary E., Christmas Census, 38. Denny, Mary C, Birds of the Far West, 376. Dent, Paul, and Dent Jokerst, Christmas Census, 45- Des Brisay, Mrs. M. B., Our Summer Visitors— A True Story of Some Nova Scotian Birds, 301. Dial, Dr. E. A., see Bicknell, Mrs. F. T. Dimock, Leila Allen, A Junior Class in the Mountains, 323. Doll, Caroline O., Secretary, Report of, 485. Donaghho, Walter, Secretary, Report of, 484. Dougherty, Margaret, Nature-Study and Audu- bon Society, 186. Dowd, Susan C, Means of Securing Interest in Bird-Study, 313. Dovynhour, Elizabeth, Secretary, Report of, 477. Dreier, Theodore, Christmas Census, 30. DuBois, A. D., Christmas Census, 47. DuBois, Gerard, A. Feathered Patient, 317. DuFour, see Van Arsdale, Mrs. Wm. Dunbar, Lula, Mildred Elizabeth Lean, and Robert Dunbar, Jr., Christmas Census, 43. Dunham, Lieut, Carroll R., and Lieut. Ludlow Griscom, U. S. R., Christmas Census, 46. Dury, Francis, The Signal, 449. Dwightf Dr. Jonathan, Reviews by, 235, 362, 433. Eaton, E. E., see Eddy, William H. Eaton, Warren F., Christmas Census, 27. Eddy, William H., and E. E. Eaton, Christmas Census, 32. Edson, Wm. L. G., and R. E. Horsey, Christmas Census, 34. Egbert, Rose M., The Language of Robins, 300. Ehinger, C. E., Christmas Census, 38. Ekblaw, Ed. L., see Carlson, Fred C. Ekblaw, Private George E., Christmas Census, 45- Ekblaw, Sidney E., A Record of the Bald Eagle from Champaign Co., Illinois, 421; The Blue Grosbeak in Illinois, 421. Eiitharp, Nina Ballard, Secretary, Report of, 508. F.vans, Wm. Bacon, see Linton, M. Albert. Evans, W. Conroy, A Winter House Wren, 159; From Sunset to Sunrise with the Martins Dur- ing the Flocking-Time, 296. Ewing, Gifford, My F'irst Bird Tenants, 316. Fair, Wm. W., Christmas Census, 36. Fairbank, Edward, and R. C. Caskey, Christmas Census, 35. Fargo, Mrs. Robert, see Bicknell, Mrs. F. T. Farquhar, Arthur, and Charies Weiser, Christmas Census, 38. Farrar, Mayme, Corresponding Secretary, Report of, 505. Fearing, Albert S., How I F'irst Got Bird-Lork, 183. Ferguson, Walker, Christmas Census, 44. Ferman, R. II., see LaDue, H. J. Finley, William L., Field Agent, Annual Report, 467. Fisher, M. L., Christmas Census, 42. Fisher, Mr. and Mrs. G. Clyde, and Ruth Anna, Christmas Census, 30. Floyd, Charles B., President, Reports of, 81, 486; Bird-Walks, 279. Flynn, Agnes, The Storj* of a Rose. 449, Fogg, Ada Odiorne, President, Report of. 89. Foltz, H. W., Secretary, Report of, 119. Foot, Nathan Chandler, President, Report of, 81. Forbush, Edward H., General Agent, Annual Report, 469. Photograph by, 380. Ford, Royal W., see Smith, Elbert E. Fordyce, George L., C. A. Leedy, Willis H. Warner, and Volney Rogers, Christmas Census, 43- Foust, Elizabeth, Attracting Birds to My Home, 372. Freeland, George P., see Chise, Richard M. Freeman, Mrs. John, Mockingbird in Iowa, 352. Fuertes, Louis Agassiz, Colored Plates by, facing I, 125, 201, 269, 329, 393; Drawings by, 395, 396. Gabrielson, I. N., and Kalmbach, E. R., Christmas Census, 39. Gaines, Mrs. John, Secretary, Report of, 106. Gale, O. I., see Campbell, Mamie L. Galloway, Mary, A Family of Brown Thrashers, 299. Ganier, A. F., Christmas Census, 40. Gardner, Georgia B., Notes from Canandaigua, N. Y., 351- Gardner, Mrs. Arthur F., The Wren, A House- breaker, 299. Gavit, Joseph, Poem by, 234. Getchell, Ella, An Oregon Oriole, 354; The Black- chinned Hummingbird, 292. Gibson, Dallas Vernett, Old Mother Robin and Her Babes, 188. Gibson Hamilton, see Van Dyke, Tertius. Glover, Mrs. W. B., Secretary, Report of, 472. Gloyd, Howard K., Memories of a Rainy Day, 356. Goelitz, Walter A., A Unique Wren Nest, 295. Gooch, John H., Christmas Census, 41. Goold, Hattie, Secretary, Report of, 501. Gorhfim, Mrs. D. W., The Birds I Watch from My Window, 419. Gormley, Liguori, see Macnamara, Charles, 25. Graves, Frances Miner, Christmas Census, 29. Green, Margaret S., Secretary, Reports of, 108, 502. Greenleaf, Miles, L. O. Horsky, W. W. Marsh, and S. R. Towns, Christmas Census, 47. Gregory, Florence L., Secretary, Report of, 113. Grew, Helen, Nestling Chipping Sparrows, 250. Grey, Clifford R., References of Cliff Swallows in Nesting, 447. ,Griswold, George T., Christmas Census, 29. Groneman, Henry, Photographs by, 325. Index Hall, Mrs. C. H., see Bicknell, Mrs. F. T. Hall, W. W., Jr., Interesting Experiences, 250. Hallett, George H., Jr., see Linton, M. Albert. Handley, Harry and Chas O., Christmas Census, 39- Hannum, W. E., Christmas Census, 40. Hansen, Harold E., see Squires, W. A. Harris, Harry, Kansas City Region 165 431. Hartshorn, H. I., Sparrow Hawk and Starling, 225. Hatfield, Edgar I., President, Report of, 05. Hathaway, Harry S., Christmas Census, 29. Haworth, George D., and H. N. Henderson, Christmas Census, 43. Hay, Helen J., Word from Scranton, Pa. Haynes, Louise deF., Winter Mockingbirds, isg. Heacock, Esther, Corresponding Secretary, Report of, 121; Secretary, Report of, 510. Henderson, H. N., see Haworth, George D. Hill, F. Blanche, Secretary, Reports of, 115, 507. Hill, Leonice, An Observation at First Hand, 66. Hiller, G., A Collapsible Martin-House, 131. Hiller, Marcia B., Secretary, Report of, 492. Hillyer, Emily, The Cardinal, 448. Hix, George E., Christmas Census 31. Hoge, Milton H., Christmas Census, 33. Hollister, N., A Sanctuary within a Sanctuary, 158. Horlick, Bessie, see Van Arsdale, Mrs. Wm. Homer, Charles, School Letters from Lawndale, Pa., 182. Horsey, R. E., see Edson, Wm. L. G. Horsfall, R. Bruce, Colored Plates by, facing 190, 252, 380. Horsky, L. O., see Greenleaf, Miles. Houghton, Clarence, see Lawrence, Joseph S. Howe, H. M., An Industry Awaits a Captain, 160. Humason, MeUcent Eno, The Whip-poor-Will, 214. Hunter, Katherine Upham, Spring Notes from a New Hampshire Farm, 154. Hyatt, Cameron, Corresponding Secretary, Report of, 508. James, Elizabeth F., Secretary, Report of, 92. Jewett, Hibbard J., Memories of the Passenger Pigeon, 351. Job, Herbert K., Annual Report, 469. Jokerst, Dent, see Dent, Paul. Jones, Lynds, Oberlin Region, 22, 232, 431. Jones, Henrietta 0., Corresponding Secretary, Report of, 488. Kalmhach, E. R., see Gabrielson, I. N. Kautz, Elmer E., see Beck, Herbert H. Kellogg, Clinton E., Secretar>'-Treasurer, Report of, 487. Kerth, H. M., Photograph by. 382. Kimes, Edward D., Christmas Census, 42. King, Anne Woodward, and Beth Rankin, A Southern Christmas Census, 67. King, Mary, see Danncr, May S. Knevels, Mary Eastwood, Secretary, Rejwrts of, 93. 491- Kuser, John Drydcn, Christmas Census, 34. LaDue, H. J., and R. H. Ferman, Christmas Census, 44. Langdon, Roy M., Secretary, Reports of, 99, 495. Langc, D. The Evening Grosbeak in Minnesota in Midsummer. 227. Lastreto, C. B., President, Reix)rt of, 74. Latham, Roy, John Treadwell Nichols, and Rolicrt Cushman Murphy. Christmas Census. 31- Latham, Roy, Nighthawk in New York City, 353. Latshaw, Mrs. John T. Secretary. Report of, 507. Laughlin, J. A., Christmas Census, 45. Lawrence, Joseph S., M. D., and Clarence Hough- ton, Christmas Census, 32. Lean, Mildred EUzabeth, see Dunbar, Lula. Lear, Ameha, Communication from Canada, 249. Lear, (ieorge, Christmas Census, 36. Learned, Agnes M. A Rural Junior Audubon Society, 64. Leedy, C. A., see Fordyce, George L. Leister, C. W., A Scene from the House-Life of the Chestnut -sided Warbler, 297; The Black- billed Cuckoo, 277. Lepper, Henry W., see Stockbridge, Charles A. Lewis, Clark L., Jr., and Edward G. Nichols, Christmas Census, 35. Lewis, Norman, A Word of Appreciation and a Testimony to the X^alue of Bird-Study, 64; A Three-toed Woodpecker, 181. Lindsay. Mrs. Eugene I)., Pine Siskins near Edmonds, Wash. 227. Linton, M. Albert, Anna A Mickle, John D. Carter, Alice M. Carter. Wm. Bacon Evans, and George H. Hallett, Jr., Christmas Census, 35. Long, William H., Christmas Census, 33. Loveland, David, A Bird Story, 318. Lundwall, Nelson, Christmas Census, 47. Lunger, John B. Secretary, Reports of, 109, 504. Macartney W. N., Golden-eye Duck Carrying Young, 418. Maclntyre, Emma May, The Lure of the Feather- ed Songsters, 178. Macnamara, Charles, and Liguori Gormley, Christmas Census, 25. Madison, H. L. Secretary, Report of, 483. Marsh, W. W.. see Greenleaf. Miles. Marshall, Elizabeth Lawrence, Notes on Robins' Nests, 158. Marshall. Louise Foucar, A Tragedy, 338. Martz, Mrs. W. H , see Bicknell, Mrs. F. T. Mauterstock, Mrs. Jennie H.. President. Report of, 85. May, John B., ^^ D., Christmas Census, 27; Some Rufled Grouse Notes, 161. McAtce, Waldo, and Edward Preble, Christmas Census, 39. McCamant, Tom, My Back- Yard Feeding Station, 183. McConnell, Harry B., John Worley, and Raymond Timmons, Christmas Census, 42. McConnell, Mrs. .\nnie. Winter Mockingbirds, 160. McConnell, Thos. L., High Mortality among the Purple Martins in Western Pennsylvania dur- ing .Xpril, 1917, 130; see Savage, L. F. McCulloch, Bessie, Poem by, 05. Mcllwraith Ornithological Club. Christmas Census, 26. Mellott. S. W., Christmas Census. 38- Mcngel, Mr. and Mrs. G. Henry. Christmas Census. 38. Merrill, Janet, \'acation Observations. 68. Me.sirow, Mrs. Mildred, Rei»rt of, 115. Mickle, Anna .\.. sec Linton. M. .Mbcrt. Miller. Abraham Beck, sec Beck, Herbert H. Miller, .\nsil B.. Chrislm.as Census, 38; Photo- graph by. .'7-': Robin Nesting on Ground, 302. Miller. W. I)eW., Christmas Census, 36. Miner, Mr. and Mrs. Leo D., anil Raymond W. Moore, Christmas Census, 30- Moore. .Mrs. Katherine .\.. .\cting Presi.lcnt, Ke|x>rt "f. Ml. VI Index Moore, Mrs. Lora D., Secretary, Report of, 103. Moore, Raymond VV., see Miner, Mr and Mrs. Leo D. Moorhead, Alice, Secretary, Report of, 104. Morgan, May, Christmas Census, 44. Morris, Elizabeth, Our Bird Exhibit, 371. Morse, H. G., and D. C. Reed, Christmas Census, 43- Munger, Edwin H., Christmas Census, 2g. Munroe, Mrs. Kirk, Secretary, Report of, 489. Murphy, Mildred H., My Friend, Jim Crow, 3ig. Murphy, Robert Cushman, see Latham, Roy. Myers, Harriet Williams, Secretary, Report of, 472. Nation, Harold T., Honorary Secretary, Report of, 499." NetT, Johnson, Christmas Census, 45. Nichols, E. G., and L. N. Nichols, Christmas Census, 3:^. Nichols, Edward G., see Lewis, Clark L. Nichols, John Treadwell, see Latham, Roy, Nichols, John Treadwell, Bird-Banding, 426; Bird-Lore's Nineteenth Christmas Bird Census, 416; New York Region, 359, 428; Reviews by, 433. Nicholson, G., Junior Audubon Work and the English Sparrow, 68. Nicholson, Nevin G., Cormorant in Western Pennsylvania, 180. Nolting, Frieda E., Amateur Photography, 373. Norton, Arthur H., Field Agent, Annual Report 465- Novak Frank, Christmas Census, 29. Oberholser, Harry C, The Migration of North American Birds, 16, 145, 219, 286, 345, 415; Washington Region, 22, 164, 232, 303, 360, 428. Oldys, Henr>', 'Pauperizing' the Birds, g. O'Neal, R. F., Some Town Martins, 127. Osborn, William P., Christmas Census. 34. Otto, N. C, Cardinal in Wisconsin, 160. Packard, Winthrop, Field Agent Annual Report, 463; Secretary -Treasurer, Report of, 478. Palmer, Dr. T. S., Reviews by, 54, 168, 236, 307, 362, 434. Pangbum, Clifford H., Christmas Census, 29. Parker, John G., Birds and Bees, 293. Pattee, Mrs. Bertha Tracer, Secretary, Report of, 476. Pearson, Haydn S., Maine Notes, 418. Pearson, T. Gilbert, Annual Report, 455; Editorials by, 70, 194, 256, 322, 384, 450; Least Tern, 3S0; Photographs by, 385, 386, 456, 462; Slate-colored Junco, 252; The Raven, igo. Pell, Walden and S. Morris, Christmas Census, 33. Perkins, Edward H., Christmas Census, 28. Perry, Elton, Photograph by, 398. Pershing, II. A., Secretary, Reports of, 112, 505. Retry, Dorothea K., The Starling Pushing North, 182. Philo, Walter, Christmas Census, 34. Pierce, Mrs. Clark, Northern Shrike Visits a Feeding-shelf, 423. Pinkham, Roger D., Actions of a Chimney Swift, 447- Pittman, H. and E., Photographs by, 55, 409. Poarmann, J. H., and Hugo H. Schroder, Christ- mas Census, 44. Potter, Julian K., Christmas Census, 35; Phila- delphia Region, 21, 164, 230, 303, 359, 428; Spotted Sandpiper Colonies, 282. Potter, Mabel L., see Congdon, Frances. Powers, Arthur, President, Report of, 95. Pratt, Helen S., see Bicknell, Mrs. F. T. Preble, Edward, see McAtee, Waldo. Prescott, Hubert, How to Make and Erect Bird- Houses, 138. Pullen, H. F., Vice-President, Report of, 103. Pumyea, Mr. and Mrs. Nelson D. W.. Christmas Census, 36. Quarles, E. .\., Cornell to Teach Conservation of Wild Life, 71. Raker, Mary E., Birds of the Far West, 374; Christmas Census, 48; The Bohemian Wax- wings in Oregon, 187. Raymond, Olney M., Christmas Census, 33. Reading, Gertrude, Report of, 480. Reed, D. C, see Morse, H. G. Reeves, Wvnell, Home Observations in the South, i8s. ReShore, Grace, Why Not Establish a Purple Martin Colony This Year? 125. Rice, Helen M., Christmas Census, 43. Rice, Ward J., Christmas Census, 42. Richards, Elizabeth, Secretary, Report of, 487. Ringwalt, A. A., see Stockbridge, Charles A. Ripple, Harry H., Christmas Census, 42. Roads, Lctha E., Christmas Census, 42. Robbins, C. A., see Tyler, Dr. Winsor M. Robbins, Frank, see Tyler, Dr. Winsor M. Roberts, George, Observations on a Food-Sh 423- Roberts, Thos. S., M. D., Minneapolis Region, 23, 165, 232, 305, 360, 430; House Sparrows Robbing Robins, 354; The Oven-bird in Minnesota, 329. Robinson, Donald H., Poem by, 444. Robinson, Virginia C, Christmas Census, 45 Roehner, Theodore, Christmas Census, 31. Rogers, Charles H., Bird-Lore's Eighteenth Christmas Census, 25; New York City Region, 21, 163, 230; see Young, John P. Rogers, Volney, see Fordyce, George L. Roland, Conrad K., American Egret in Pennsyl- vania, 426; Christmas Census, 37. Rose, Mrs. M. G., Secretary, Report of, 73. Ross, Dr. and Mrs. Lucretius H., Christmas Census, 26. Russell, Private John W., Christmas Census, 40. Rustin, EHne, The Robin, 182. Sadler, Nettie M., Christmas Census, 34. Samek, Blanche, Spring Migration in the 'Ramble,' Central Park, New York City, 224. Saunders, Aretas A., Christmas Census, 30. Saunders, Margery, Anthony Saunders, and F. A. Saunders, Christmas Census, 34. Saunders, Wm. E., A New Feeding-slab, 14. Sauvage, Noel, A Feeding-Station, 446. Savage, L. F., and Thos. L. McConnell, Christmas Census, 37. Sawyer, Eclmund J., Photograph by, 297; Poems by, 6g, 136, 213; Swallows Flocking, 296. Schafer, James D., Christmas Census, 41. Schoonhoven, George O., Secretary Report of, 78. Schroder, Hugo H., Christmas Census, 44; see Poarmann. J. H. Scoville, George, and Theodore Spencer, Christmas Census, 37. Seelig, Grace, Secretary, Report of, 491. Shaw, Henry, A Song Sparrow in January, 187. Shaw, Mr. and Mrs., J. E. Norton, Christmas Census, 28, Index vu Sheldon, Israel R., Some High-School Methods of Bird-Study, 62. Sheridan, J. J , The Size of Rooms in Martin- Houses, 130. Sihier, P. William, Christmas Census, 41. Slate, John D., Christmas Census, 48. Smith, E. E., Christmas Census, 43. Smith, Elbert E., Royal W. Ford, and Frank Bruen, Christmas Census, 29. Smith, O. Warren, A Noteworthy Contest, 188. Smith, Wilbur F., Holboell's Grebe in Connecticut, 143; Photographs by, 202, 204, 205, 206, 207. Spencer, Theodore, see Scoville, George. Squires, W. A., C. R. Thomas, and Harold E. Hansen, Christmas Census, 50. Stalker, Alex., Christmas Census, 47. Stanwood, Maud, How we Made a Bird-Bath, 228. Steadman, Marjorie, see Woodburj', Mrs. Roland. Steele, P. H., Christmas Census, 47. Stelzer, Theo. G., see Van Arsdale, Mrs. Wm. Stephens, Dr. T. C, and A. F. Allen, Christmas Census, 44. Stevens, C. A., Christmas Census, 47. Stockbridge, Charles A., A. A. Ringwalt, and Henry W. Lepper, Christmas Census, 41. Stone, C. F., Photograph by, 13. Stone, Lucy B., Secretary, Reports of, 88, 489. Styer, Elizabeth P., Winter Mockingbirds, 159. S'' je, Dr. Eugene, Field Agent, Annual Report, lalbot, L. R., and Barron Brainerd, Christmas Census, 27. Tatum, E. S., see Daniels, E. S. Terry, H. J., Secretary-Treasurer, Report of, 480. Thomas, C. R., see Squires, W. A. Thomas, John W., Secretary, Report of, 117. Thompson, A. H., An Audubon Library Exhibit, 316. Timmons, Raymond, see McConnell, Harry B. Tindie. Mildred A., Secretary, Report of, 115. Tompkins, Earle, An Exercise in Bird-Study, 66. Tonseth, Helen, D., Christmas Census, 48. Towne, S. R., see Greenleaf, Miles. Townsend, Alice Greenough, Secretary, Report of, 76. Townsend, Manley B., and John H. Bowers, Christmas Census, 26. Townsend, Manley B., Secretary, Report of, 481. Tully, Thomas, The Rabbit, 448. Turner, Mrs. G. M., Retiring Secretary, Report of, 82. Tuttic, F. May, Snowy Owl in Iowa, 426. Tuttic, H. F., Notes on the Nesting of the Nashville Warbler, 269; Some Notes on the Ruffed Grou.se, 342. Tyler, Dr. Winsor M., Boston Region, 21, 163, 230, 302. Tyler, Dr. Winsor M., C. A. Robbins, and Frank Robbins, Christmas Census, 28. Upton, Lucy H., Migrating Bobolinks in Atlanta, 181; Notes on the Flocking of Swifts in Fall, 447- VanArsdale, Mrs. Wm., Bessie Horlick, L. DuFour, and Theo. G. Stelzer, Christmas Census, 44. VanDyke, Tertius, and Hamilton Gibson, Christmas Census, 36. Vibert, C. W., Christmas Census, 30. Vinal, William Gould, The Blue Jay, 245; Photo- graph by, 247. Volkman, Paul, Poem by, 178. VosBurgh, Geo. W. H., IBooming of the .\merican Bittern, 224. Wagner, Alvan, see Bay, H. W. Walbridge, Caroline C., Secretary, Reports of no, 505. Walter, .\lice Hall Editorials by, 57, 170, 239, 312, 364, 436; The Meat-Supply of the World, 438. Walter, Frances K., Secretary, Reports of, 105, 502. Wambole, John, A Good School-room Method, 183. Warner, Willis H., see Fordyce, George L. Watson, C. G., Notes from London, Ont., 229. Watson, John D., Chri.stmas Census, 41. Way, W. Scott, Secretary, Report of, 476. Weatherill, Charlotte, Secretary, Report of, 491. Webster, Leila J., Seen from the Window of a Rural School in Vermont, 445. Weiser, Charles, see Farquhar, Arthur. Welty, Dr. Emma J., Secretary, Report of, 483. Wetmorc, Alexander, Christmas Census, 45, 46. White, Mrs. Kelton E., Secretary, Report of, 504. Whitlock, Howard E., Secretary, Report of, 486. Wicks, Gertrude P., Secretary, Report of, 497. Wiggins, Mabel R., Christmas Census, 30. Wilcox, LeRoy, Christmas Census, 32. Willcuts, Indianola, Suggestions for Bird and Arbor Day, 173. Williams, Belle, Secretary, Report of, 484. Williams, E. W., My Nuthatch Tenants and a Pair of Red-headed Rufl'ians, 217. Wilson, Etta S., Christmas Census, 43. Winters, John II., President, Report of, 79. Wood, Mrs. Wm. S., Our Back- Yard Visitors, 155. Wood, Sheridan F., Christmas Census, 42. Woodbury, Mrs. Roland, Eleanor Chute, Mrs. James Steadman, and Majorie Steadman, Christmas Census, 26. Woodward, Magnolia, Secretary, Report of, 475. Worden, Mona, Christmas Census, 27. Worley, John, see McConnell, Haro' D. Wright, Mabel Osgood, Three Years .-\fter — Some Notes on Birdcraft Sanctuary, Fairfield, Conn., 201; Homeland and the Birds, 406. Wright, Horace W., Robins Repeatedly Using the Same Nest, 156. Wyatt, Elizabeth, How We Study Birds in Our Room, 44s. Wyman, L. E., see BickncU, Mrs. F. T. Young, G. S., The Blue Jay Will Murder, 295. Young, John 1*., and Charles H. Rogers, Christmas Census, 34. Ziegler, Edward K., Christmas Census, 37. INDEX TO CONTENTS Advisory Council, Bird-Lore's, 51. Albatross, Black-browed, figured, 2. Ani, figured, 396. Arizona, 48. Arkansas, 45. Arthur's 'Birds of Louisiana,' reviewed, 235. Audubon Bulletin, noticed, 308. Audubon Societies, Annual Report of the National Association of, 453; State, Affiliated with National Association, 511. Auk, The, reviewed, 235, 362, 433. Beebe's 'Jungle Peace,' reviewed, 433; 'Tropical Wild Life in British Guiana,' reviewed, 167. Bicknell, Mrs. F. T., Photograph of, 98. Bird Almanac, figured, 84. Bird Census, Bird-Lore's Eighteenth Christmas, 25; Nineteenth, 416. Bird Clubs, 73-123, 458; Reports of, 472. Bird-Conservation, see Bird-Protection. Bird-Day Book, noticed, 308. Bird-Houses, 130, 131, 133, 134, 315; figured, 107, 121, 128, 132, 161, 185, 207, 314, 315. Bird-Protection, 63, 70, 71, 77, 79, loi, 194, 198, 257, 264, 26s, 309, 323, 387. Bird-Study, 62, 64, 66, 73-123, 245, 246, 256, 264, 313. Bird's Bath, 228, 265; figured, 498. 'Birds of America,' reviewed, 53. Birds' Songs, 311. Bittern, American, 224, 295, 360; Least, 229, 360. Blackbird, Red-winged, 160, 230, 232, 354; figured, 337; Rusty, 230, 232, 428. Bluebird, 24, 163, 230, 299, 318, 427; figured, 121. Bluebird, The, noticed, 237. Bobolink, i8i. Bob-white, 164, 304. Bunting, Indigo, 304; Snow, 22, 23, 164. Buzzard, Turkey, 394. California, 59, 50, 96, 105, 420, 472, 492, 501. Cardinal, 160, 165, 229. Catbird, 164, 231. Cats, 264, 326. Census, Bird-Lore's Eighteenth Christmas, 25; Nineteenth, 416. Chickadee, 423; figured, 400; Black-capped, 163; Brown-capped, 164. Colorado, 47. Condor, The, reviewed, 54, 168, 236, 307, 362, 434. Connecticut, 29, 95, 143, 472, 493. 500. Coot, American, 231. Cormorant, 180, 396; Double-crested, 361. Cowbird, 226, 232; eggs, figured, 226. Crane, Sandhill, figured, 409. Creeper, Brown, 21, 165, 428; figured, 142. Crossbill, Red, 25, 164, 418; White-winged, 25, 164. Cuckoo, Black-billed, 21, 277; figured, 277, 278; Great Cuban, 397. Dove, Mourning, 166, 230, 232, 394. Duck, American Golden-eye, 165, 231, 418; American Scaup, figured, 411, 413, 414; Bald- pate, 231; Black, 165, 231; nest and eggs, figured, 341; BufBe-head, 165; Canvasback, 165, 231, 304; figured, 410, 411, 412; Greater Scaup, 165, 231; Green- winged Teal, 231; Lesser Scaup 165, 231; Mallard, 165; Pintail, 231, 304; figured, 468; Redhead, 165, 231; Ring-necked, 231; Ruddy, 165; Shoveller, 231; Wood, 432. Eagle, Bald, 421, 429; Golden, 352. Egret, American, 198, 359, 384, 426, 429; Reddish, 384; figured, 385; nest and eggs, figured, 385. El Honero, reviewed, 237. Feeding Birds, 14, 140, 183, 352, 423, 446; figured, 107. Field Agents, 457; Reports of, 453. Finch, House, 234, 338; Purple, 230, 304. Florida, 475, 489. Flicker, figured, 158, 230; Red-breasted, figured, 261. Flycatcher, Crested, 304; Great-crested, 428; figured, 207; Least, 304; Olive-sided, 429. Frigate Bird, figured, 395, 396. Fulmar, Giant, figured, 6. Georgia, 40. Gnatcatcher, Blue-gray, 22, 304, 351. Goldfinch, 428; Arkansas, 432; Mexican, 432. Goose, Canada, 163, 432. Goshawk, 21, 22, 25, 163. Grackle, Boat-tailed, 394; Bronzed, 232, 358 427, 431, 432; Great-tailed, 384; nest, figured, 386; Purple, 230, 231, 359, 429. Grassquit, 397. Grebe, Holboell's, 143; figured, 144, 413; Horned, 164, 360; Pied-billed, 22, 360, 429. Grosbeak, Black-headed, figured, 259; Blue, 421, 431; Evening, 163, 227, 291; Pine, 164; Rose- breasted, 304, 305; figured, 321. Grouse, Pinnated, figured, 102; Ruffed, 23, 161, 342; figured, 162, 343, 492. Gull, Bonaparte's, 304, 361; Dolphin, figured, 4; Herring, 22, 233, 359, 428; Iceland, 25; Laugh- ing, 396. Harper's 'Twelve Months with the Birds and Poets,' reviewed, 167. Hawk, .\merican Rough-legged, 25, 234; Broad- winged, 164, 429; Cooper's, 164; Duck, 230, 394; Ferruginous Rough-legged, 25; Marsh, 25, 230; figured, 336, 337; Red-shouldered. 164; Red-tailed, 164, 429; Rough-legged, 22; Sharp- shinned, 164, 428; Sparrow, 225, 394. Heron, Black-crowned Night. 384; Blue, 166; Great Blue, 231; Great White, 394; Green. 429; Little Blue, 359; Little Green, 394; Louisiana, 384, 394; Night, 359; Ward's 384; nest, figured, 386; Yellow-crowned Night, 394. Herrick's 'Audubon the Naturalist,' reviewed. Hummingbird, figured, on nest, 292; Black- chinned, 292; Calliope, figured, 261. Idaho, 47. Illinois, 41, 99, 421, 476, 491, 495. Indiana, 112, 115, 477, 505. 507. Iowa, 44, 352, 426, Jay, Blue, 166, 245, 246, 248; figured, 272, 353, 29s, 352; Canada, figured, 247. Junco, 427; Gray-headed, 233, 432; Slate-colored, 25, 429, 431; figured, 13, 122. 206. 254, facing 252. (viii) Index IX Kentucky, 41, 95. Killdeer, 22, 230, 232. Kingfisher, 166; Belted, 232. Kinglet, Golden-crowned, 163, 165, 304. Langdon, Roy M., Photograph of, 406. Lark, Bleached Horned, figured, facing, 329; 347; Breeding Areas of the American Races of the Homed, 346; California Horned, 347; Chihua- hua Horned, 347; Desert Horned, 345; Horned, 165, 231, 233. 345, 349- 430; figured, facing 329; Hoyt's Horned, 345; Island Horned, figured, facing 329; Magdalena Horned, 347; Merrill's Horned, 347; Mojave Horned. 347; Montezuma Horned, 347; Pallid Homed, 345; Prairie Horned, 164, 231, 345, 349, 400; figured, facing, 329; Ruddy Horned, 347; figured, fac- ing 329; Saskatchewan Homed, 345; Scorched Horned, 347; Streaked, 347; Texas, 345; Legislation, 70, 263, 309, 322, 387. Longspur, 25; Lapland, figured, 401. Lucas, Dr. Frederic A., Photograph of, 454. Magpie, American, figured, facing 393; 415, 416; Yellow-billed, figured, facing 393; 415. Maine, 26, 77, 89, 418, 465. Man-o'-war Bird, see Frigate Bird. Martin, Cuban, 150; Gray-breasted, 150; Purple, 126-132, 147, 232, 296, 360, 429, 430, 431; Western, 148. Maryland, 38. Massachusetts, 27, 28, 80, 81, 103, 117, 119, 463, 478, 486, S09. McMahon, Walter Freeman, Obituary of, 452. Meadowlark, 22, 164, 232, 233; Cuban, 397; Eastern, 397; Western, figured, 260. Merganser, American, 165; Hooded, 165; Red- breasted, 165. 304. Michigan, 43, 89, 106, 113, 291, 480, 506. Migratory Bird Law, see Legislation; Treaty Act, 387. Miller's 'Birds of Lewiston-Auburn (Maine), and Vicinity,' reviewed, 307. Minnesota, 23, 44, 227, 305, 329, 497. Missouri, 45, 480, 504. Mockingbird, 159, 160, 306, 352, 394. Montana, 47. Nebraska, 46. 47. New Hampshire, 26, 100, 154, 481, 497. New Jersey, 34, 35, 36, 92, 109, 115, 482, 504, 507- New York, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 78, 82, 85, 93. 106, 108, no, lis, 154, 351, 486, 487, 488, 491, 492, 501, 502, 505. Nighthawk, figured, 285; 353, 359. North Carolina, 40. North Dakota, 47. Nuthatch, 420; Red-breasted, 21, 164, 165, 427, 428, 429, 431; White-breasted, 218, 422; figured, 510. Ohio, 42, 43, 88, 464, 482, 490. Ontario, 25, 26, 229. Oregon, 48, 187, 483. Oriole, Baltimore, 304, 427 429; Bullock's, 306; Oregon, 355. Osprey, American, 304 Oven-bird, 329. Owl, Gray Screech, figured, 67; Great Horned, 22, 23, 25, 163, 232; Longeared, 22; Richardson's, 291; Saw-whet, 163, 352; Screech, figured, 374; Short-eared, 166; Snowy, 24, 55, 163, 166. 426. Patterson's 'How to Have Bird Neighbors,' reviewed, 168. Parrot, White-crowned, 397. Pearsons' 'Tales from Birdland,' reviewed, 235. Pelican, Brown, 194, 394, 396; figured, 456; nest, figured, 462. Penguin, figured, 3; Jackass, 7, 8. Pennsylvania, 36, 37, 73, 79, 90, 104, 118, 121, 180, 426, 485, 490, 501, 510. Pewee, Wood, 306. Phainopepla, 222; figured, facing, 201. Phoebe, 231, 232, 303, Pigeon, Kelp, see Sheathbill; Passenger, 11, 351. Pipit. American, 21, 231. Plover, Ring-neck, 359; Upland, 303. Plumage Law, Pennsylvania, 263. Prairie Chicken, figured, 102. Rail, Virginia, 304. Raven, Northern, 190; figured, facing 190. Redpoll, 25, 164, 165, 229, 291. Redstart, 20, 303; American, 429. Reports of Affiliated Organizations, 73-123. Rhode Island, 28, 29, 483. Robin, 25, 156, 158, 166, 230, 231, 234, 300, 302, 354. 358. 427. 431. 432; figured, 205. Sanctuaries, Bird, see Bird Protection. Sanderling, 361. Sandpiper, Least, 22, 259, 361, 430; Pectoral, 232, 429; Red-backed, figured, 335; Solitary, 304, 361; Spotted, 282, 306, 361; nest and young, figured, 283. Sapsucker, Yellow-belUed, 23, 232, 427. Season, The, 21, 163, 230, 302, 358, 427 Sheathbill, figured, 5. Shrike, California, 288; Island, 288; Loggerhead, 288, 290, 394; figured, facing, 269; Migrant, 232, 288; Northern, 21, 23, 25, 163, 164, 401; figured, 402, 403, 423; Southern Loggerhead, 288; White-rumped, 288. Siskin, Pine, 22, 25, 227. Skimmer. Black, 384. Snipe, Wilson's, 166, 232, 361, 304. Solitaire, Townsend's, 233. South Carolina, 265, 484. Sparrow, Bachman's, 305; Chipping, 230, 231, 232, 427; figured, 398; Clay-colored, 25; English, 68, 354; Field, 163; Fox, 21, 23c, 232. 431; Henslow's, 304; House, 354; Lincoln's, 304. 432; Savannah, 230, 304, 428; Song, 187. 230, 428; figured, 136; Swamp, 232; Tree, 163, 105, 432; figured, 206, 404; Vesper, 230, 232, 304; Western Tree, 25; White-crowned, 22; White- throated, 163, 360, 427. 428, 431. Starling, European, 225, 352, 354, 429. Swallow, Bank, 296, 304, 359; Barn, 150, 296, 304, 432; European Chimney, 152; Rough-winged, 204, 296; Tree, figured. 133, 134, 135, 296, 304; White-bellied, 359- Swift, Chimney, 22, 431. Swope, Ur. Eugene, Photograph of, 465- Tanagcr. Cooper's, 145; Hepatic, figured, fac- ing, 125; 147, 153; Louisiana. 18, 10; Scarlet, figured, facing, i; i6, 19, 304; Summer, figured, facing, 125; 145, 153. Teal, Blue-winged. 303, 432; Green-winged, 430. Tennessee, 40, 475. Tern, Caspian, 305; Least. 380; figured, 3S0; nest and eggs figured, 3S2; Black, 428. 429. Texas. 40. 384. Thrasher. Brown, figured, 204, 300; 332. 239; S.-ige. 3.U. Index Thrush, Hermit, 163, 431; Olive-backed, 304, 305. 431- Titlark, 428. Titmouse, Tufted, figured, 141. Towhee, 232. Townsend's 'In Audubon's Labrador,' re\iewed, 307- Trafton's 'The Teaching of Science in the Elem- entary School,' reviewed, 307. Turnstone, Ruddy, 361. Vermont, 26. Vireo, Philadelphia, 304; Plumbeous, 306; Solitary, 304; Warbling, 427; Yellow-throated, 304. 427- Virginia, 3g. Vulture, Black, figured, 386; Turkey, 232. Warbler, Audubon's 25; Bay -breasted, 303, 304, 431; Black and White, 21, 303; Blackburnian, figured, 154; Black-poll, 303, 427, 428, 429; Black-throated Blue, 21, 303; Black-throated Green, 303, 431; Blue-winged, 304; Canada, 303; Cape May, 21, 303; Chestnut-sided, 297, 303; figured, 298; Connecticut, 429; Kentucky, 304, 305; Macgillivray's, 306, 432; Magnolia, 303; Myrtle, 21, 166, 302, 303, 427, 428, 429, 431; Nashville, 269, 270, 271, 304; Prairie, 229; 396; Prothonotary. 304, 360; Tennessee, 304; Virginia, 306; Wilson's, 304; Yellow, 226, 303; Yellow Palm, 230, 302, 303, 427; Yellow- throated, 396. \\'ashington, 48, iii, 113, 227, 505, 506. Water-thrush, Louisiana, 304, 361; Northern, 304- Waxwing, Bohemian, 165, 187, 219, 223; figured, facing 201; Cedar, 21, 163, 220, 223; figured, facing 201. West Virginia, 39, 484. Whip-poor-will, 214; figured, 215, 216. Wisconsin, 44, 509. Woodcock, 21. Woodpecker, American Three-toed, 352; Downy, 10, 23, 420, 423; figured, 405; Hairy, figured, 405, 432; Red-bellied, 351, 397; Red-headed, 22, 166, 218, 428. Wren, Carolina, 304, 352; Bewick's, 431; House, 159, 232, 303, 306; nest, figured, 295; Long- billed Marsh, 360. Yellow-legs, Greater, 335; figured, 336, 337; Lesser. 304, 430, 429. ^o !3 C3 o « ^ 1) < ^ j: ■a 1) o s D *^ **■ s ■yj •c 3 :3 c .c z C4 ■" o c ki o C4 c o j= -5 c >. 5J 3 O k. li. j: rt >. V c ^ ^ >. o c ^ rt Ul ^ rt ^ rt o ce «r o 3 U. c o be « •o ^ tc JO. o •^ 'X; o c °£ &C c c ^ 12 ^ rt 'is V o u T3 Id .c :^ d O \s M Ji "o 'Z c o a tl u •y. c ■c £ a c H c u: j= e » H ^ '^mmm "^^sr^^^ /i Z -^ M S c ii .< 9 S 2 ^ ■ 'Pauperizing' the Birds By HENRY OLDYS INTEREST in birds has grown amazingly in recent years. The charm of establishing friendly relations with these bright and attractive little crea- tures and of becoming familiar with their pretty ways and varied songs is making an appeal to young and old such as it never did before. Some are con- tent with the old method of scattering a few crumbs on doorstep or window-sill and placing rudely constructed nesting-boxes about the home. Those, however, who are stirred by the always laudable ambition to attain the highest success possible study carefully the question of catering to the varied tastes of dif- ferent species. On the grounds of these more energetic bird-lovers, providing for the birds is a much less simple matter. Elaborate tables are spread for the feathered guests; certain selected shrubs, which furnish food, nesting-sites, and shelter from enemies, are planted in profusion; nest-boxes of special sizes and types are constructed or purchased and erected at suitable heights and in carefully chosen localities; the pan of water is superseded by the concrete pool; and many other devices of proved service are used to attract avian visi- tors. Especially are these modern methods and contrivances used in the com- munity bird sanctuaries which are beginning to dot the country in increasing numbers. That the beneficiaries of all this activity appreciate and respond to such provision for their welfare is plainly evident to anyone who visits one of these private or pubKc bird-havens and observes the throng of birds constantly about food-tray and pool; or who is familiar with certain statistics published by the United States Department of Agriculture, which show that while the average density of birds nesting about homesteads in the eastern half of the United States is approximately one pair to the acre, places where the birds find special accommodations have as many as three, five, seven, even twelve, nesting pairs to the acre. And ever before the eyes of those cognizant of the progress of the movement is the remarkable achievement of Herr Graf von Berlepsch, who, on his estate at Witzenhausen, in Thuringia, has induced more than 500 pairs of birds to make their home annually on the 13-acre park surrounding his castle — a bird population of forty pairs to the acre! From the standpoint of increasing the birds, the measures taken are un- questionably successful. Let it not be supposed that a greater number in one place implies a decrease elsewhere — in other words, that the excess on tracts where conveniences are supplied is drawn from other areas that are only nor- mally attractive to birds. Birds are very local in their attachments. The same pair, in the absence of interference, will nest year after year in the same spot. And the banding experiments that have been conducted for some years by an energetic organization tend to show the same tenacity as regards their winter homes. Thus, Whitc-throaterl Sparrows banded on a farm at Thomasville, (9) lo Bird -Lore Ga., were noted at the same spot in the following winter, having spent the summer, as usual with their kind, at some point on our northern border or in Canada. While it is possible that some are diverted from less to more desir- able quarters, this trait of local attachment suggests that by far the greater part responding to the offered hospitality are those which either are making a first selection of a home or have been forced to abandon the old nesting- place. It must be remembered, also, that under the human surveillance and pro- tection engendered by the interest underlying the bounty, more birds survive the winter and more are raised to maturity. The casualties due to winter's inclemency and to the dangers that beset growing birds are almost incalcu- lable. Much of the increase in numbers among the species directly benefiting by the new interest is undoubtedly due to this saving of bird-life. So far all is well. The movement brings about a substantial increase in our beneficial birds and a healthy growth of human interest in animated nature. The desirability of each of these results cannot be seriously questioned. But in the midst of our felicitations on the rapid spread of the movement there comes a discordant note. From sources too sincere, too intelligent, too friendly to birds to be ignored as born of ignorance or prejudice, comes a warning — "You are doubtless enjoying yourselves, and your intentions are praiseworthy, but you are pauperizing the birds and destroying their usefulness. If you supply them with substitutes for their ordinary insect and weed-seed diet they will give up their foraging habits and will no longer hold the enemies of agri- culture and horticulture in check." On its face this is a plausible indictment. A Downy Woodpecker, for example, that obtains all his meals from the suet-basket will be diverted from the insect-infested tree and his service to man and tree will cease. He will be transformed from a very serviceable helper to an idle pensioner, and his practical economic relation to man will be converted to a purely esthetic one. But several factors are here ignored that are necessary to a broad and full understanding of the question. In the first place, it is extremely unlikely that any bird will satisfy his appetite only at the ready-spread table. With birds, as with man, the appetite demands diversity of food. Doubtless the Downy Woodpecker invoked as an example will help himself freely to the convenient suet, especially in times of scarcity of his natural food; but he is no more likely to feed on suet alone because of its ready accessibility than is a man to confine his diet to chicken, if chicken be furnished him without cost. If a man were to try such an experiment he would soon find himself loathing the \ery sight of chicken; and it is probable that birds have a similarly discriminative sense, to force them to seek that diversity of food which they need as much as man. Again, one of the best established ornithological facts is the governance of birds almost absolutely by habit. It is the habit of the Downy Woodpecker to dig in the trees for certain insects to be found there. Pecking into suet ma\" form an 'Pauperizing' the Birds ii agreeable diversion and in an emergency may even be a necessity, but it is altogether unlikely that the ancestral method of feeding imposed on the birds by ages of inheritance will lightly disappear, to be replaced by a different form. It should be remembered in this connection that only as the nesting-boxes supplied birds have approximated their natural nesting-places have the birds been induced to accept them freely. Even so small a change as boring a bulg- ing hole in the box, instead of a straight one, and beveling the lower edge of the entrance-hole, increased the occupancy of boxes in the Berlepsch woods from 50 to go per cent. If our supposititious Woodpecker, who is here doing duty as representative of his entire class, were to give up his investigations of the tree trunks and abandon himself to the luxury of unhmited suet-pecking, nature would prod him with that sharp stick of instinct which she uses as a stimulant to bird activities in lieu of a conscience, and he would find himself seized with an irresistible desire to fly to some tree and explore its bark for the food hidden beneath. In the next place, the enormous number of birds must be considered — some- thing of which few persons have an even approximately adequate conception. The immense concourses of Passenger Pigeons, remembered by many now living and so graphically described by Wilson, Audubon, and other early ornithologists, are common knowledge. But that the Robins of America are todayfar more numerous than the Passenger Pigeons ever were, and that many other species outnumber them also — perhaps three to one — is not generally appreciated. The gregariousness of the Pigeons, causing them to unite in a few great flocks, made the number much more manifest than do the scattered small bands and individuals of other birds. Yet when we reflect that Robins nest over an area extending at its farthest limits from Mexico to the Arctic Ocean and from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and that in much of this \'ast territory they are fairly crowded, it is easy to conjecture what an immeasurable army they would make if gathered into one flock. How many who read this article have even knowingly seen a Longspur? Yet on the morning after a wet snowstorm that visited Minnesota some years ago, one million Longspurs were found lying dead on the ground, having been brought down 1)\- tiio storm out of a flock that was passing overhead through the night. In view of the inconceivably great number of birds tliat pt)pulate tlu- country, then, it should not be difficult to comprehend very readily that the few hundred thousands or even millions that receive a varying j^roportion of their food directly from man constitute an inconsiderable fraction of the whole. If a million Longspurs ma\' be stricken dead in a night without pro- ducing an appreciable increase of insects and weeds, surely we need have no concern over the possible danger that our generosity may work serious injury to agriculture. Moreover, consideration must be given to the increase in the bird population wrought by the greater protection resulting from active interest in the birds, 12 Bird -Lore not only on sanctuaries but elsewhere, as, for instance, in converting many thousands of boys from bird-destroyers to bird-protectors. What degree of suppression of forces inimical to bird-Hfe is thus occasioned we cannot know with exactness, but it must be very great. It is easily conceivable that the quantity of insects and weed seed consumed by the birds thus preserved is at least as great as any increase of these pests arising through feeding the birds. Finally, the young birds raised on sanctuaries, public and private, are not fed from the food-shelf while they are in the nest. They require a diet of soft- bodied insects, which the parents must supply. The more young, the more insects. If four broods are raised where formerly but one was the rule, four times as many insects will be required for the purpose. This necessity of secur- ing insects for the young will of itself prevent birds from incurring any grave danger of being pauperized, and the greater quantity of insects needed for the larger number of broods will obviate any diminution in the service to agri- culture. To this point the argument has been of an a priori character. But a post- eriori conclusion may be drawn from three facts, one general, the other two specific. The general fact is that on sanctuaries, not only do the plants (in- cluding trees) show no deterioration from insect attack, but they seem to be healthier and freer from such depredations than before the feeding of birds was begun. It is largely for the purpose of benefiting the plant-life on estates that sanctuaries are established. The specific facts are as follows: When, a few years ago, E. H. Forbush, State Ornithologist of Massachusetts, increased the number of birds in his orchard by the usual means, his little pensioners, the following summer, saved his fruit crop (and, incidentally, that of his next neighbor) from the attacks of a host of tent caterpillars and cankerworms that ruined every other fruit crop in the region. Again, when a similar outbreak of caterpillars stripped the trees of a large area in Germany so bare that the summer woods resembled those of winter, the birds that Baron Berlepsch had fed and housed so protected his estate that although it stood in the midst of the devastated area the invading army could not get within a quarter of a mile of it. These examples of the actual effect of sanctuary methods amply support the theoretical conclusions previously reached. We may, therefore, reassure ourselves and continue to enjoy our new in- timacy with the birds with clear consciences. We shall not pauperize the birds by our liberality and friendliness. On the contrary, we may rest with confidence in the pleasant thought that, while instituting a delightful relation- ship with our welcome guests and filling our homes with the added beauty of their song and plumage we are increasing their general efiiciency and so in- suring a greater degree of health and beauty to our lawns, trees, shrubs, and flowers. ^ CAMERA PORTRAITS OF THE J UNCO By C. F. Stone, Branchport, N. Y. (is) A New Feeding-Slab By WM. E SAUNDERS. London, Ont. SO MANY of Ihe readers of Bird-Lore are interested in feeding the winter birds that this magazine ought to be a medium for the exchange of ideas on that subject. Few of us Hve where we are not troubled by the EngUsh Sparrows, which therefore must be reckoned with before we can successfully feed our native birds. I have done constant work in trapping Sparrows for two or three years, and have been amazed to find that one can practically exterminate them in his own back yard, even though they may be plentiful within a distance of a hundred yards, or even less. But we are learning all the time that birds are local in their habits, and this is only another proof added to the many that have gone before. I have used the large box-trap, originally recommended, I think, by the Department of Agriculture, into which the Sparrows enter through spaces left at the top. I have also used a trap of the Dodson type, and while both of M^~^- ^11'^ I' l^-' rV .''U- iM'l >V. '^A -.k .1 ■■; ,|| THE SAUNDERS FEEDING-SLAB these are moderately successful, yet I find that they make the Sparrows very wary, and they do not give results that are at all comparable to those obtained by the use of a plain trap consisting of a shallow open box in which the bottom is replaced b} wire netting. This box is held up by a stick 7 or 8 inches long, and a string attached to the stick leads to the living-room window. Millet seed is kept constantly under the box, and the Sparrows feed under it safely; and when a Sparrow gets the habit of coming to my yard at all, he soon finds the food- supply, and I notice that the seed is diminishing daily. The supply, however, is kept up, and some fine mornin/g I find one or more Sparrows under the trap, when there is an opportunity to pull the string. In the spring of igi6 I kept both a Dodson trap and a box-trap set through- out April and May. The Dodson trap caught one Sparrow and the other caught about twenty, and these were, of course, wary old birds. Another great advantage of the box-trap is that it is used constantly by all the visiting and resident native Sparrows as a food-supply, and they act as unconscious decoys for the House Sparrow. The trap is, of course, perfectly safe for the natives, as I never pull the string except for House Sparrows, and it is very amusing to see the absolute disregard with which the Chippies and others steal my bait, for to me the trap forms the best place for feeding native Sparrows. (14) A New Feeding-Slab 15 Constant trapping keeps the numbers of Sparrows down to the minimum, but when in winter I put out food on horizontal platforms or perpendicular slabs, using fat and nuts, not only do the Woodpeckers and others use it, but ihe Sparrows find it a welcome source of food, and if they are undisturbed they will eat two or three times as much as all the native birds put together. I was so bothered in this way last winter that I was driven to invent the upside- down slab shown in the illustration, with the very satisfactory result that while the Chickadees, Woodpeckers, and Nuthatches use it freely, and apparently like it just as well as any other method, the Sparrows never touch it at all. Not only does one get ahead of the Sparrows, but the snow never covers the food, as it does where the supply is on a horizontal platform; and for the northern districts where there is a good deal of snow in winter, this is cjuite an imj)ortant point. The handle which projects from the center at one end of the slab is for the purpose of supporting it. One may have two nails driven in it or two little wooden sockets on the wall or on a tree, the socket or nail nearest to the feed- ing-slab being below the handle, and the one farthest aw^ay being above; with this arrangement one can pull the slab off, take it in for replenishment, and re- place it again with equal convenience. This slab was exhibited at the last meeting of the American Ornithologists' Union and was favorai)ly commented on by many of those present. For food, my j^lan is to get a bag or two of salted peanuts, grind them in a meat-chopper, mix them with melted suet, and plaster the mass on the wood with a spoon. As soon as cool it adheres perfectly, and one has the satisfaction of knowing that the birds do not walk on their food before eating it, though that satisfaction is probably limited to the human race and not shared by the Ijirds themselves. The Migration of North American Birds SECOND SERIES II. THE SCARLET AND LOUISIANA TANAGERS Compiled by Harry C. Oberholser, Chiefly from Data in the Biological Survey See frontispiece SCARLET TANAGER The Scarlet Tanager {Piranga erythromelas) breeds in the United States and southern Canada, north to Nova Scotia, southern Quebec, Ontario, and south- eastern Saskatchewan; south to southern Kansas, Tennessee, northern Georgia, and western South CaroHna. It winters in South America from Colombia to Bolivia and Peru, and migrates through the Greater Antilles and Central America. It is of casual occurrence during migration also west of Wyoming and Colorado, and east to the Bahama Islands and the Lesser Antilles. SPRING MIGRATION LOCALITY Number of years' record Miami, Fla Mosquito Inlet, Fla Dry Tortugas, Fla Savannah, Ga Atlanta, Ga Long Island, Ala Bay St. Louis, Miss New Orleans, La Point Bolivar, Tex San Antonio, Tex Aiken, S. C Raleigh, N. C Weaver\dlle, N. C Variety Mills, Va Washington, D. C '. 31 Waverly, W. Va White Sulphur Springs, W. Va Chattanooga, Tenn Eubank, Ky Helena, Ark St. Louis, Mo Onaga, Kans Hartford, Conn Providence, R. I Boston, Mass Springfield, Mass Phillips, Maine 12 Durham, N. H 3 Rutland, Vt i 11 St. Johnsbury, Vt 17 Morristown, N. J 17 Englewood, N. J 15 New York City, N. Y 31 Alfred, N. Y 21 Ballston Spa, N. Y 17 Average date of spring arrival April 14 April 19 April 16 April 10 April 12 April 24 April 29 April 20 April 30 May I April 28 May 2 April 26 April 18 April 26 April 27 May 7 May 9 May II May II May 12 May 17 May 15 May 14 May 17 IMay 9 May II May 7 May 14 May 13 Earliest date of spring arrival April 2 2, 1911 April 17, 1902 March, 29 i89( April I, 191 2 April II, 1904 April 4, 1910 April ID, 1902 April 6, 1893 April 22, 1907 April 12, 1890 April 21, 1914 April 19, 1911 April 17, 1894 April 21, 1 89 1 April 17, 1899 April 25, 1904 April 28, 1895 April 18, 1910 April 14, 1890 April 10, 1892 April 21, 1887 April 24, 1896 May 4, 1913 May 3, 1905 May 6, 1899 May 8, 1895 May 9, 1905 May 9, 1900 May 4, 1913 May 9, 1905 April 12, 1887 May 5, 1906 April 19, 1882 May 5, 1899 May 8, 1913 (16) The Migration of North American Birds 17 SPRING MIGRATION, Continued LOCALITY Buffalo, N. Y Philadelphia, Pa. Renovo, Pa Beaver, Pa Oberlin, Ohio Richmond, Ind. . . Bicknell, Ind Waterloo, Ind Chicago, 111 Keokuk, Iowa Grinnell, Iowa Sioux City, Iowa . . Detroit, Mich Madison, Wis Lanesboro, Minn.. . Minneapolis, Minn. Vermilion, S. D.. . . Grand Forks, N. D. Scotch Lake, N. B. Quebec, Quebec. . . Montreal, Quebec. . Ottawa, Ont London, Ont Margaret, Man.. . . Qu'Appelle, Sask.. . Number Average date of Earliest date of record spring arrival spring arrival 8 May 9 April 4, 1889 24 May 7 April 30, 1 791 23 May 5 April 29, 1915 14 May I April 22, 1889 24 May I April 24, 1913 9 May 7 April 15, 1911 7 May I April 24, 1894 18 May I April 19, 1889 23 May 4 April 28, 1901 15 May 2 April 26, 1896 7 May 6 April 27, 1888 IS May 13 May 6, 1906 6 May 5 April 29, 1906 23 May 7 April 29, 1899 ID May II May 7, 1887 14 May 12 May 6, 1913 5 May 14 May 9, 1913 May 21, 1903 7 May 25 May 18, 1903 5 May 21 May 14, 1903 4 May 20 May 17, 1893 25 May 20 May 17, 191 2 10 May 5 April 30, 1901 May 24, 1909 5 June 6 May 26, 1909 FALL MIGRATION LOCALITY Montreal, Quebec Ottawa, Ont London, Ont Phillips, Maine Durham, N. H Jefferson, N. H St. Johnsbury, Vt Boston, Mass Providence, R. I Hartford, Conn Ballston Spa, N. Y... New York City, N. ^' Madison, Wis Lanesboro, Minn Minneapolis, Minn.. . . Englewood, N. J Morristown, N. J Philadelphia, I'a. Renovo, Pa Beaver, Pa Oberlin, Ohio Waterloo, Ind Bicknell, Ind Detroit, Mich Chicago, III Sioux City, Iowa Number of years' record Average date of last one observed September 4 September 14 September 9 August 10 7 September 19 b September 6 12 September 28 5 August 29 12 September 25 3 September 19 5 September 2 s September 10 7 September 27 14 September 27 8 October 7 20 September 27 7 September 21 8 September 19 0 September 22 S September 15 2 October 3 () September 27 Earliest date of last one observed September October 3, September August, 15 October 5, October 12 October 2, October 3, October 6, October 17 September October 5, September September October 6, October 22 October 14 November October 13 September October 2, October 6, October 14 October 5, October 12 September 6, 1910 1914 25, 1902 1908 1899 , 1904 1914 1909 1904 , 1894 29, 19x4 1907 25. 1913 II. 1887 1906 , 1904 I 190O 3. 18^5 , IQOI 2b, 1801 1901 i8gi I 1 900 1905 , 1900 25, IglO iS Bird- Lore FALL MIGRATION, COlllinuecl LOCALITY Grinnell, Iowa. Keokuk, Towa St. Louis, Mo. Nebraska City. Xcl). Onaga, Kans Caddo, Okla Washington, D. C.. I'lubank, Ky Weaverville, N. C.. Raleigh, N. C Athens, Tenn Atlanta, Ga Savannah, Ga Tallahassee, Fla Bay St. Louis, Miss. New Orleans, La Port Arthur, Tex.. . . Number of yeiirs' record 4 4 Average date of last one observed Latest date of last one observed September lo September ig August 2 September 28 September 16 October 8 October 2 September 26 September 28 September 2 October 6 September September October 14 September .Vugust 18, November October 21 September October 20 October 17 October 10 October 9, September October 1 2 October 16 October 7, September 22, 1888 2.3, 1893 , 1906 18, 1900 1901 2, 1883 , 1891 22, 1886 , 1Q02 1887 , 1902 1899 15,1 908 1904 , 1901 1896 II, 1913 LOUISIANA (OR WESTERN) TANAGER The breeding-range of the Louisiana Tanager {Piranga Iiidovkiana) extends, in North America, north to southwestern Mackenzie, northeastern British Columbia and southeastern Alaska; west to western British Columbia, Wash- ington, and California; south to southern California, southern Arizona, and central western Texas; and east to New Mexico, Colorado, and southwestern South Dakota. It winters from central Mexico to Guatemala; and occurs casually in migration east to Maine, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, and Louisiana. SPRING MIGRATION LOCALITY Number of years' record Average date of spring arrival Alpine, Tex Albuquerque, N. M Tombstone, Ariz Laguna, Ariz Potholes, Imperial Co., Calif Los Angeles, Calif Modesto, Calif Onaga, Kans Colorado Springs, C^)lo Beulah, Colo Denver, Colo Boulder, Colo Yuma, Colo Custer City, S. D Cheyenne, Wj'O Columbia Falls, Mont Rathdrum, Idaho Meridian, Idaho Portland, Ore Tacoma, Wash Banff, Alta .\thabaska Landing, Alia. Fort Chipewyan, Alta Okanagan Landing, B. C . . 4 April 28 4 April 20 4 April 21 ,•) May 12 10 May 17 i,^ May 14 4 May 18 6 May 13 4 May 14 2 May 27 .S May 23 5 May 18 7 May 20 ^ May 16 ,S May 9 5 May 9 6 Mav 10 May 10 Earliest date of spring arrival May 6, 1901 April 22, 1914 April 8, 191 1 April 25, 1910 .\pril 29, 1910 April 14, 1907 April 14, 191 1 May 9, 191 2 May 12, 1882 May 7, 1911 May 1 1, 1913 May 5, 1904 May 10, 1904 May 24, 1897 May 21, 1888 May 13, 1897 May 12, 1903 May 13, 191 5 May 4, 1897 May 3, 1908 April 30, 1909 May 14, 1003 May 26, 1901 May 14, 191 1 The Migration of North American Birds 19 FALL MIGRATION LOCALITY Henry House, Alta Okanagan Landing, B. C Rapid City, S. D Columbia Falls, Monl.. . . Missoula, Mont Cheyenne, Wyo Ft. Laramie, Wyo. Yuma, Colo Boulder, Colo. Beulah, Colo. Denver, Colo. Carson City, Nev Modesto, Calif Los Angeles, Calif Onaga, Kans Number . 1 » r nf vpar.;' Average date of rec^^d >^^t one observed September 4 August 25 August 30 September 30 Earliest date of last one observed September September October 2, September September September September October 5, October 10 September October 3, September August 24, September August 14, 10, 1895 12, igi3 1909 10, 1H94 11, 1915 5, 1884 I". 1857 1908 , 1909 10, 191 5 1909 18, 1876 1910 30, i8g.s iQi.^ Notes on the Plumage of North American Birds FORTY-SIXTH PAPER By FRANK M. CHAPMAN (See Frontispiece) Scarlet Tanager [Pininga crythromelas, Figs. 1-4). — The female Scarlet Tanager after acquiring its first winter plumage is alike at all seasons and all ages. Beyond saying, therefore, that our figure of it (Fig. 4) is too pale and yellow, we may pass to the exceptionally interesting plumage changes of the male. The nestling of both sexes is dusky green, paler below, streaked indistinctly with blackish. At the postjuvenal molt the tail and wing-quills are retained, and a new plumage is acquired which resembles that of the female but has the lesser wing-coverts black as in the male. The following spring this costume (except the liight-feathers) is exchanged for that of the adult male (Fig. 1). This is worn until after the breeding-season when it is molted for the adult winter dress which resembles the female plumage but has the wings and tail black. The molting bird presents a curious patchwork aj^pearance which has excited the curiosity of many observers not familiar with the changes of plumage through which this species passes. .\t ihe following spring the scarlet ho<|y dress is regained. Occasional orange-bodied birds of tills species are doubtless to be classed as 'albinistic,' or individuals lacking the full share of pigment i)osse<>ied by thf normally colored kinds. Louisiana 'or Western 1 Tanager (/'/> at f.ong Beach, L. I., October 28 (seen by Walter Granger and the writer), a Redstart (also a Black-billed Cuckoo) at Mastic, L. I., November 4 (J. T. Nichols), and a Black and White Warbler at Long Beach on November 6 (J. M. Johnson). Fox Sparrows seemed rather unusually com- mon, singing freely, and Mr. Nichols tells me that they and the Robins stayed unusually late (into the first week of December) at places on the western end of Long Island where they do not winter. Specimens received in November (the earliest on the 5th, from northwestern New Jersey) from outlying districts indicate an invasion of Goshawks similar to that of last winter, and at least six or eight Northern Shrikes, already re- ported from in and around the city, point to a rather large southward movement of that species, which was almost entirely absent last winter when so many other northern birds visited us. Several ad- ditional Red-breasted Nuthatches were seen, but I have heard of no record of any of the boreal Finches, not even the Pine Siskin. — Charles H. Rogers, American Museum of Natural History, New York City. Philadelphia Region. — Character- istic autumnal weather conditions pre- vailed throughout October and November. The first snow occurred November 28. The Pipit was reported as very abundant at numerous points over an extended territory, being very common from the iirst week in October to the middle of November. Fox Sparrows and Brown Creepers were perhaps more plentiful than usual. Reports on the autumn flight of Woodcock are some- what contradictory; that the birds are scarce, taking this region as a whole, there can be no doubt, and a close season for a term of years would not he amiss. .\ Woodcock was found dead early in November at South N'inclaml, N. J., (*l) Bird -Lore wliicli luul c'\i(lenlly llown against a telephone wire. Boreal birds, such as Siskins, Redpolls, Crossbills, and Even- ing Grosbeaks, which wore so plentiful late last autumn, arc as yet almost totally absent. One of the surprises of the season is the appearance of the Snow Bunting in southern New Jersey (Corson's Inlet, November ii, Wharton Huber; Salem, early in November, Dr. Wharton). These birds usually appear hereabouts after blizzard-like weather conditions. Goshawks appeared late in November in considerable numbers; several have already reached the hands of local ta.xi- dermists. .\ flight of about fifty Hawks, probably Broad-wings, was observed at Germantown, Pa., iNTovember i, by Arthur Emlen. Other interesting records are: Rough- legged Hawk, October 20, Lima, Pa., specimen examined, Delos Culver; Pine Siskin,. November i, Ciwynned Valley, Pa., Wharton Huber; White-crowned Sparrow, October 25, Chester, Pa., John Carter; Great Horned Owl, Juliustown, N. J., November 17, Emory Bower; Blue- gray Gnatcatcher, Camden, N. J., Octo- ber 7, J. K. Potter. — JuLi.w K. Potter, Camdcii, X. J. Washington Region. — Notwithstand- ing the unusually cold weather of October and November, there was little out of the ordinary to attract the interest of the ornithological observer about Washington. Eor the non-appearance of rare winter l>irds, the relatively, if indeed not actually, warmer weather of regions farther north probably accounts. The low temperature brought visions of many rare northern visitors, but up to the present these have wholly failed to materialize. The migration during these two months was apparently about normal, although a number of birds stayed rather long, and some winter residents did not appear on time. The Chimney Swift was seen on October 20, which is ten days beyond its average autumn departure, and the Pied- billed (irebe was observed on October 26, u late autumn diile. One species, the Least Sandpiper, ho\vc\er, l)roke all its previous records for autumn lingering, as C. H. M. Barrett reported one on \o\cml)er 22, whereas the previous lat- est occurrence was November i, igi7, this latter in itself far beyond any other date. The Herring Gull, on the other hand, appeared on November 21, which is in advance of its previous earliest record, November 25, 1894. Although in no sense remarkable, a l>ong-eared Owl reported by I. N. Gabriel- son, from East Falls Church, Va. , on November 14, and a Connecticut Warbler by A. Wetmore, at Washington, D. C, on October 14, are probably of suflicicnl interest to merit notice here. Some species have been more than ordinarily numerous this fall, among which might be mentioned the Meadow- lark and the Killdeer. Fully 100 of the latter were noted by C. H. ^L Barrett along the Anacostia River on November 21-24, ill which locality but a few are commonly seen at this season. — Harkv C. Oberholser, Biological Survey, Was/i- iiiglon, D. C. Oberlin Region. — A few Robins and Blackbirds lingered in October until the cold wave and snowstorm of the 30th and 31st, when they disappeared. This un- seasonable storm established winter con- ditions as far as the birds were concerned. There followed nearly three weeks of warm weather and fair skies, but no birds returned to enjoy the belated 'Indian Summer' weather. The usual Flickers and other Woodpeckers were present, and in the beech woods, where the crop of beechnuts is abundant, there were many Red-headed Woodpeckers who seemed intent on spending the winter there. This Woodpecker is not a regular winter Ijird with us, but usually remains when tlierc is an al)VUKlant crop of beech- nuts. As I writi', Oberlin is in tlie midst of a second cold wave- willi attendant deep snow for the region. Wliilc there has been nothing out of the ordinary in the winter bird-life thus far, I fully expect that The Season 2.3 following this severe storm there will be an invasion of the region by northern species. In the midst of this storm I found a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker clinging to the vines which cover one of the college build- ings. He was complaining bitterly. Last winter an individual of this species lived for some time during the colder weather in the same place. The Sapsucker is not a winter bird of the region. — Lyxds Jones, Oberlin, Ohio. Minnesota. — Throughout October the weather all over Minnesota was so cold and stormy as to be almost unique in the records of the state. During the very first days, freezing temperatures pre- vailed from the Iowa line northward, with ice on the ponds and shallow lakes and flurries of snow. Before the month was over, nearly a foot of snow had fallen and subzero temperatures had been experienced in the northern part of the state. The effect of these abnormal con- ditions upon bird-life was, of course, greatly to disarrange the usual migratory movements. This was especially notice- able in the case of water-birds. Many of the Ducks (notably the Canvasbacks, Redheads, and Teal), Rails, Coots, Gallinules, shore-birds, and Herons left much before their time because of the ice that locked up their food-supply. .\mong land-birds there was also a speedy disappearance of species that usually linger through October. The bulk of the Robins, for instance, retreated a month ahead of time and left an unusually heavy crop of mountain-ash berries, wild grapes, and other fruits almost untouched, es- pecially in the northern half of the state. They usually clean up the mountain-ash berries pretty thoroughly before going. I-'ollowing the tempestuous and un- seasonable October came an eciually unusual November, in the beautifully mild and Indian-Summer-like character of many of its days. Snow, ice, and chill disappeared, but the birds that had earlier tied in alarm did not return in any con sideral)le number. At Ihion Lake, a famous water-fowl resort in southwestern Minnesota, and at various places north- ward on both sides of the Minnesota- Dakota boundary, there was an unpre- cedented assemblage of Mallards, with a sprinkling of Pintails, Scaups, Ring- necks, and others. Many thousands were at Heron Lake during the third w-eek of November. The mild November gave way sud- denly, with the advent of December, to bitter winter weather. Temperatures far Ijclow zero liave prevailed all over the state, and even as far south as Minne- apolis several days together have occurred without the mercur)''s rising to zero, even at noon, with 15° and 20° below mornings and evenings. Only light snows have fallen thus far. The winter bird student in Minnesota must find his chief pleasure and excite- ment atield in the Ijoreal visitants. So far this winter there has been little else but (lisappoinlment in this direction, despite tlu' alninflanl food-supply that awaits I hem and the frigid northern weather of late. The usual influx of Redpolls, Snow Huntings, and Lapland Longspurs, and the roving flocks of Even- ing and Pine Cirosbeaks and Hohemian Waxw'ings have not appeared or have eluded observation. .V Northern Shrike on the campus of the University at Minne- apolis in late November is the only win- ter visitant that the writer has seen thus far. P. (). I'rykUind re|)()rls from Badger. iiway up near Lake of the Woods, Novem- ber 23: "In regard to the arrival of winter birds, . . the nnl\- bird i)f tiie kind that has come to my notice is the Snow Bunting which I first saw on the iTith inst. Last Wednesday . there were tliree of us in company, walking all ilay, and the only living things that came to our notice were one (ireat Horned Owl, one KulTed (lrousean^ miles; upland, woods, marsh, beach. Obser- vers together. Herring Gull, 40; Purple Sandpiper, 5; Downy Woodpecker, i; Flicker, 5; Horned Lark, 30; Crow, 13; Starling, 40; Goldfinch, 52; Junco, 36; Song Sparrow, 5; Tree Sparrow, 9; Chickadee, 20; Robin, 12. Total, 13 species, 268 individuals. — Frances Congdon and Mabel L. Potter. Holyoke, Mass. (vicinity of Mt. Tom Range). — Dec. 25; 7 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. Sky overcast, with faint sun at times; 8 to 10 in. of snow; wind north, light; temp. 37° at start, 42° at return. Five to 6 miles on foot. Observers together. Pheasant, i; Ruffed Grouse, 5; Sparrow Hawk, i; Screech Owl, i; Hairy Woodpecker, 2; Downy Woodpecker, i; Blue Jay, 18; American Crow, 14; Starling, 20; Tree Sparrow, 7; Black-capped Chickadee, 15. Total, 11 species, 85 individuals. Have observed recently a Northern Shrike and a flock of Horned Larks. — John S. Bagg and Aaron C. Bagg. Mattapoisett, Mass. — Dec. 25; 8 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. and 2.30 to 4.30 p.m. Cloudy, some sleet; ground bare; wind northwest, moderate; temp. 43° to 36°. Observers to- gether. Seven miles on foot. Horned Grebe, 2; Loon, 2; Herring Gull, 11; Merganser, 3; Black Duck, 3; Scaup, 7; Goldeneye, 7; Old-squaw, 23; Scoter, 80; White- winged Scoter, 3; Surf Scoter, 2; Downy Woodpecker, 2; Flicker, 2; Blue Jay, 2; Crow, 14; Meadowlark, 2; Rusty Blackbird, 16; Tree Sparrow, i ; Song Sparrow, i ; Myrtle Warbler, 50; Brown Creeper, 8; Chickadee, 26; Robin, 4. Total, 23 species, 271 individuals. — Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Norton Shaw. Wareham, Mass. — Dec. 23; sunrise to sunset. Fair; ground generally bare, with scattered patches of ice; wind northwest, light; temp. 14° at start, 28° at return. About 10 miles, mostly on foot. Observers together. Horned Grebe, i; Black-backed Gull, i; Herring Gull, 45; Red-breasted Merganser, i; Black Duck, 154; American Goldeneye, 225; Old-squaw, 7; White- winged Scoter, 3; Surf Scoter, 10; Wilson's Snipe, i; Rufifed Grouse, 3; Red-shouldered Hawk, i; Belted Kingfisher, i; Downy Woodpecker, 2; Northern Flicker, 4; Horned Lark, 28; Blue Jay, 21; Crow, 20; Starling, 60; Meadow- lark, 15; Goldfinch, 4; Snow Bunting, 5; Tree Sparrow, 130; Slate-colored Junco, 175; Song Sparrow, 15; Swamp Sparrow, 2; Northern Shrike, i; Myrtle Warbler, 7; Brown Creeper, 4; Chickadee, 120; Golden-crowned Kinglet, 7. Total, 31 species, 1,073 '^^- dividuals. — Dr. Winsor M. Tyler, C. A. Robbins and Frank Robbins. West Medford, Lawrence Woods and part of West Side Middlesex Fells, Mass. — Dec. 23; 8.30 a.m. to 12.30 P.M. Clear; wind east, light; temp. 10° to 18°. Pheasant, 7; Hairy Woodpecker, i; Flicker, i; Blue Jay, 2; Crow, 9; Starling, 8 (300 in our trees Dec. 20 and 21); Redpoll, 3; Goldfinch, 2; Tree Sparrow, i; Northern Shrike, i; Brown Creeper i; Chickadee, 7. Total, 12 species, 43 individuals. — Edmund and Lidian E. Bridge. Kingston and Narragansett Pier, R. L — Dec. 24; 8 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. Overcast; a little snow on ground; wind southwest, strong; temp. 35° at start, 40° at return. Hol- boell's Grebe, i; Herring Gull, 19; Red-breasted Merganser, 2; Black Duck, 25; BuflBe- head, 3; Rufifed Grouse, i; Sparrow Hawk, i; Downy Woodpecker, 2; Northern Flicker, 6; Horned Lark, 150; Blue Jay, 4; Crow, 8; Meadowlark, 7; Goldfinch, 16; Tree Sparrow, 16; Slate-colored Junco, 23; Song Sparrow, i; Northern Shrike, 2; Myrtle Warbler, 35; Mockingbird, i; Brown Creeper, 3; White- breasted Nuthatch, 2; Chick- adee, 40; Golden-crowned Kinglet, 4. Total, 24 species, 372 individuals. — Edward H. Perkins. Bird -Lore's Eighteenth Christmas Census ig Warwick, R. I. — Dec. 23; 9 a.m. to 3.45 p.m. Clear; 3 in. of snow; wind northwest, light; temp. 18° at start, 36° at return. Ten miles on foot. Herring Gull, 16; Red- breasted Merganser, 20; Scaup, 2,000; Sparrow Hawk, i; Hairy Woodpecker, 2; Downy Woodpecker, 2; Flicker, 8; Blue Jay, 7; American Crow, 29; Goldfinch, 15; Starling, 500; Tree Sparrow, 34; Song Sparrow, 3; Swamp Sparrow, i; Snow Bunting, 12; Northern Shrike, i; Myrtle Warbler, 9; Brown Creeper, 2; White-breasted Nuthatch, i; Chickadee, 25; Robin, 6. Total, 21 species, 2,594 individuals. Juncos absent, Myrtle Warblers and Chickadees uncommon, in comparison with last year. Providence taxi- dermists have had more than 50 Goshawks, 18 Great Horned Owls and 3 Snowy Owls brought in. — Harry S. Hathaway. Bristol, Conn. (Northwestern Section). — Dec. 25; 7 a.m. to 2.30 p.m. Cloudy, then clearing at 9 o'clock, clouding over again and snow-squalls, partly clear at noon; 10 to 12 in. of old snow; wind north, very light, later becoming fresh and ending at north- west, keen, with a dirty, streaky sky; temp. 38° at start, 34° at finish. About 11 miles on foot. Sparrow Hawk, 1; Hairy Woodpecker, i; Downy Woodpecker, 4; Blue Jay, 41; Crow, 38; Starling, 730; Meadowlark, 2: Tree Sparrow, 13; Junco, 8; Song Sparrow, i; Brown Creeper, i; White-breasted Nuthatch, 2; Black-capped Chickadee, 4. Total. 13 species, 846 individuals. — Elbert li Smith, Royal W. Ford and Frank Bruen. Fairfield, Conn. (Birdcraft Sanctuary and Fairfield Beach). — Dec. 25; sunrise to sun- set. Cloudy; temp. 34°; 4 in of snow. Herring Gull, 120; Red-breasted Merganser, 2; Black Duck, 150; Lesser Scaup, 7; American Goldeneye, 3; Old-squaw, 40; White- winged Scoter, 15; Black-crowned Night Heron, 7; Sparrow Hawk, 2; Barred Owl, i; Downy Woodpecker, 7; Blue Jay, 7; American Crow, 15; Starling, 300; Meadowlark, i; Purple Finch, 2; White-throated Sparrow, 2; Tree Sparrow, 17; Junco, 35; Song Sparrow, 8; Northern Shrike, 2; Myrtle Warbler, 5; Brown Thrasher, i; White-breasted Nuthatch, 2; Chickadee, 3; Robin, i. Total, 26 species, 755 individuals. — Frank Novak, Warden. Hartford, Conn. — Dec. 24; 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Clear; 5 to 10 in. of snow and crust; temp, zero to 24° above; wind light. Ten-mile walk. Excellent observations. Variable country, but no heavy timber — open bottom lands and swamps along the Connecticut River north from Hartford. Merganser, 65 -|-; Red-breasted Merganser, i; Ring-neck Pheasant, i; Sparrow Hawk, 3; Screech Owl, i; Hairy Woodpecker, i; Downy Woodpecker, 11; Flicker, i; Prairie Horned Lark, flock of 16; Blue Jay, 6; Crow, Soo-j-; Starling, 8; Meadowlark, 3; Purple Finch, flock of 12; Goldfinch, 5; Tree Sparrow, 500 -f; Song Sparrow, 2; Swamp Sparrow, 3; Migrant Shrike, i; Brown Creeper, 7; White-breasted Nuthatch, i; Chickadee, 6. Total, 22 species, 1,154+ indi- viduals.— Geo. T. Griswold. Hartford, Conn. — Dec. 25; 10 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. Cloudy; 8 in. of snow; wind north- west; temp. 32°. Hairy Woodpecker, i; Blue Jay, 7; Crow, 12; Starling, 56; Gold- finch, 16; Tree Sparrow, 6; (Migrant?) Shrike, i; Brown Creeper, i; Chickadee, 10; Robin, I. Total, 10 species, iii individuals. — Clifford M. Case. West Hartford, Conn.— Dec. 23; 7 to 10 a.m. and 2 to 4.30 p.m. Clear; still; 9 in. of crusted anow; temp, at start 0°, at return 18°. Nine miles of very hard tramping. Birds inactive. Ruffed Grouse, i; Sparrow Hawk, 2; Hairy Woodpecker, 4; Downy Wood- pecker, 2; Blue Jay, 2; Crow, 100; Starling, 200; Redpoll, 12; Goldfinch, 3; Tree Sparrow, 15; Junco, 10; White-breasted Nuthatch, 3; Black-capped Chickadee, 2; Golden-crowned Kinglet, i. Total, 14 species, 347 individuals. — Edwin H. Munger. New Haven, Conn, (from a window of the New Haven Hospital).— Dec. 25. Snow- ing; wind north, light; temp. 30°. Downy Woodpecker, 1; Starling. 3. Total, 2 species, 4 individuals. — Clifford H. Pangbikn. New London, Conn, (to Niantic and Black Point).— Dec. 27; S.50 a.m. to 5.20 p.m. Clear; ground mostly bare; wind northwest, light; temp. 11° at start. Fifteen miles on foot. Horned Grebe, 3; Common Loon, 3; Herring Gull. 172; Red-breasted MerKanter, 30 Bird -Lore 7; Hhuk Duck, 2; JialdpaLe, 10; Scaup sp. , 200; American (joldciicyc, 18; Bufflehead, 1; Sharp-shinned Hawk, i; Kingfisher, i; Downy Woodpecker, 3; Blue Jay, 4; Crow, 15; Meadowlark, 7; Goldfinch, 34; Tree Sparrow, 34; Junco, 22; Song Sparrow, g; Myrtle Warbler, 12; Brown Creeper, i; White-breasted Nuthatch, 2; Chickadee, 12; Robin, i; Bluebird, 7. Also 200 unidcntilu'd Ducks. Total, 25 species, about 678 individuals. — I'"UANCES Miner Gr.-wes. Norwalk, Conn. — Dec. 24; 8.30 a.m. to i p.m. and 2 to 5 p.m. Partly cloudy, a few light showers in the morning; wind southwest, light; temp. 34°; about 10 in. of snow. Twelve miles on foot. Herring Gull, 14; Black Duck, 3; Scaup, 500; Goldeneye, 3; Old- squaw, 42; White- winged Scoter, 6; Hairy Woodpecker, 3; Downy Woodpecker, 5; Horned Lark, 36; Blue Jay, 14; Crow, 7; Starling, 104; Meadowlark, 4; Purple Finch, 4; Goldfinch, 2; White-throated Sparrow, i ; Tree Sparrow, 6; Field Sparrow, i; Junco, 7; Song Sparrow. 14; Brown Creeper, i; White-breasted Nuthatch, 2; Black-capped Chickadee, 8; Robin, i. Total, 24 species, 788 individuals. — Aretas A. Saunders. South Windsor, Conn. — Dec. 25; 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cloudy; 5 to 10 in. of snow; temp. 7,2°; wind light. Twelve-mile walk. Herring Gull, 2; Merganser, 2; Black Duck, i; Ruffed Grouse, 2; Sharp-shinned Hawk, i; Sparrow Hawk, i; Saw- whet Owl, i; Screech Owl, i; Hairy Woodpecker, 2; Downy Woodpecker, 6; Flicker, i; Prairie Horned Lark, 50; Blue Jay, 6; Crow, 200; Starling, 25; Meadowlark, 2; Tree Sparrow, 200; Junco, i; Song Sparrow, 2; Swamp Sparrow, i; Northern Shrike, i; Brown Creeper, 4; White- breasted Nuthatch, 3; Chickadee, 12. Total, 24 species, 527 individuals. I took a three- day census and the additional species included i Goshawk and i Migrant Shrike. — C. W. ViBERT. Douglaston, L. I., N. Y. — Dec. 23; 9 a.m. to i p.m. Clear; 4 or 5 in. of snow; wind northwest, light; temp. ig° at start, 34° at return. Observers together. Black-backed Gull, 2; Herring Gull, 90; (Goldeneye?) Duck, 15; Ducks (other than the supposed Goldeneyes), 16; (Short-eared?) Owl, i (flying over marsh); Belted Kingfisher, 2; Downy Woodpecker, 3; Crow, 35; Fish Crow, 75 (identified by their calls while feeding upon a garbage-dump with House Sparrows and Starlings) ; Starling, 400 (nearly all in one flock) ; Meadowlark, 7; Goldfinch, 4; Tree Sparrow, 24; Junco, 14; Song Sparrow, 24; Swamp Sparrow, 2; Black-capped Chickadee, 2 (one sang). Total, 17 species, about 716 in- dividuals.— Mr. and Mrs. G. Clyde Fisher and Ruth Anna Fisher. East Marion, L. I., N. Y. — Dec. 26; 9.30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Clear; ground nearly bare; wind northwest, light; temp. 20° at start, 23 ° at return. The chief territory covered was about a half-mile of shore along Peconic Bay and a piece of cedar and oak woods with adjoining fields. Horned Grebe, i; Herring Gull, 150 + ; Scaup, 5; Old-squaw, 15; Surf Scoter, 20; Belted Kingfisher, i ; Downy Woodpecker, i ; Flicker, 4; Horned Lark, 3 ; Blue Jay, 5; Crow, 21; Starling, 70; Purple Finch, i; Goldfinch, 4; Tree Sparrow, 50; Junco, 30; Song Sparrow, i; Myrtle Warbler, 25; Black-capped Chickadee, 8; Robin, 2. Total, 20 species, about 417 individuals. An unusually small number of water-fowl were near enough to shore for identification. A Migrant Shrike was seen on Dec. 6. — Mabei. R. Wiggins. Ft. Salonga, L. I., N. Y., near Smithtown. Covered most of the territory within a radius of 2 miles of Sunken Meadow. — Dec. 27; 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Clear; 3 in. uf snow; wind northwest, light; temp. 14° at start, 18° at return. Black-backed Gull, i; Herring Gull, loi; Ring-billed Gull, 19; Bonaparte's Gull, i; Black Duck, one flock of 1,500-t-, 7 single; Green-winged Teal, i; Scaup, i; American Goldeneye, 34; Old-squaw, 21; .American Scoter, 10; White-winged Scoter, 36; Surf Scoter, 3; Canada Goose, i; Brant, i; Black-crowned Night Heron, i; Wilson's Snipe, i; Goshawk (?), i; Red-tailed Hawk, i; Bald Eagle, i; Hairy Woodpecker, i; Downy Woodpecker, 4; Flicker, 4; Blue Jay, 2; Crow, 300 + ; Starling, 100; Grackle, 3; Tree Sparrow, 57; Junco, 200-t-; Song Sparrow, 17; Myrtle Warbler, 16; Chickadee, 144; Robin, 1; Bluebird, Bird- Lore's Eighteenth Christmas Census 31 7. Total, 133 species, 2,700+ individuals. The Green-winged Teal arrived two months ago in some fresh- water ponds and has remained there ever since with a few tame Mal- lards. It is a fine male.— Theodor Dreier. Hempstead, L. I., N. Y. — Dec. 23; 8 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. and (after dark) 5.30 to 6.30 P.M. Clear; about 6 in. of frozen snow; average temp. 24°. Herring Gull, 27; Sharp- shinned Hawk, i; Red-tailed Hawk, i; Red-shouldered Hawk, 2; Sparrow Hawk, i; Long-eared Owl, i; Screech Owl, 3; Downy Woodpecker, 3; Horned Lark, flock of 58; Blue Jay, 21; Crow, 190; Starling, 58; Goldfinch, 8; Savannah Sparrow, 2; Tree Sparrow, 47; Slate-colored Junco, 92; Song Sparrow, 29; Towhee, 4 together; Winter Wren, i; Brown Creeper, 5; Red-breasted Nuthatch, 2; Chickadee, 11; Robin, 2. Total, 23 species, 569 individuals. The four Towhees, three males and a female, allowed one to get within a few yards; also heard them call several times. They were seen several times before in the same place, oak shrubbery in a pine grove. The Savannah Sparrows, together, also permitted close approach so they could be accurately identified. They were also seen Dec. 15, and on the same date 3 Mourning Doves. Other occurrences that seemed unusual to me were: 2 Hermit Thrushes seen Dec. 9, and 2 Woodcock and i Fox Sparrow, Dec. 16. — Theodore Roehxer. Long Beach, Nassau Co., L. I., N. Y. — -Dec. 20. Moderating after severe weather; temp. 35° at daylight and nightfall; ponds and marshes frozen; some remaining snow; wind southwest, light; morning gray, some half-sunshine in afternoon; a broad swell on the ocean breaking into a high, steady surf. Horned Grebe, 4; Loon, i; Black-backed Gull, numerous, at one time fully 100 adults in sight; Herring Gull, abundant; Red- breasted Merganser, several pairs and single birds; Black Duck, innumerable, lying off shore in straggling beds extending with little interruption for several miles along the beach, very few in flight; Red-legged Black Duck, a perfectly fresh bird found dead on the shore; Mallard, a drake, with Black Ducks; Pintail, 5 drakes, with Black Ducks; Greater Scaup, two single birds, male and female, and well out three flocks of Scaups, 17 to 70; Goldeneye, i female; Old-squaw, 20; American Scoter, an adult; Surf Scoter, flock of 20 — several small flocks of Scoters were almost certainly of both these species; White-winged Scoter, two flocks of 20 and 30; all Ducks in continuous flight were going east — larger num- bers approximate; Sanderling, 2 together; Canada Geese, 5 passing out to sea, southeast; Brant, 2 with Gulls on a sand-bar and one on the ocean shore, shot by a gunner — an immature bird; Sparrow Hawk, i ; Rough-legged Hawk, a pair; Horned Lark, frequent in small flocks; Starling, common, one flock of about 200; Meadowlark, i; Ipswich Spar- row, i; Sharp-tailed Sparrow, 3; Seaside Sparrow (?) — a Passerherbulns, quite certainly this, but identification not technical; Tree Sparrow, small flock; Song Sparrow, several; Myrtle Warbler, locally numerous. A Northern Shrike seen at Hewlett, less than 3 miles from Long Beach. Total, 30 species. The best Long lU-ach bird-day for the season that I have ever known. — L. P. Bicknell. Long Beach, Nassau Co., L. I., N. Y. — Dec. 23; 10.05 a.m. to 5 p.m. Clear; ground bare, frozen; ponds and pools frozen, cakes of ice on the beach at Point Lookout; in- coming tide; wind northwest, light; temp. 30° to 35°. Loon sp., i; Black-backed Gull, 5; Herring Gull, 2,000; Red-breasted Merganser, 6; Black Duck, 3; Scaup, 6; Old-squaw, 22; .\merican Scoter, i; Sanderling i (flew by with strong, vigorous flight); Rough- legged Hawk, 2 together; Short-eared Owl, i; Crow, 15; Starling, 5 (in the village); Tree Sparrow, i; Junco. i; Song Sparrow, 8; Myrtle Warbler, 4. Total, 17 species, about 2,083 individuals. The weather was too mild and calm lor many water-fowl. — George E. Hix. Orient, L. I., N. Y.— Dec. 24; O.45 a.m. to 2 p.m. (three observers); 3.30 p.m. until dark (Latham). Cloudy most of the day, with brief periods of sunshine; a little frozen snow on the ground; brisk westerly winds, veering slightly toward south after noon, becoming light with a tra(c of rain toward evening; temp. 31° at h A.M.. rising above 32 Bird -Lore the freezing-point by midday, and thawing perceptibly in the sun. Country visited: Sound and Gardiner's Bay coasts, dune beaches, plowed fields, salt meadows, frozen swamps and lagoons, red cedar groves, deciduous woods on lowlands and hills. Horned Grebe, 4; Common Loon, 3; Glaucous Gull, 2; Iceland Gull, i; Black-backed Gull, 6; Herring Gull, 280; Red-breasted Merganser, 60; Mallard, i (in gunner's bag); Black Duck, 16; Greater Scaup, 100 (some in gunner's bag); American Goldeneye, 5; Buffle- head, 65; Old-squaw, 200; White- winged Scoter, 525; Surf Scoter, 115; Virginia Rail, I (dead); Pheasant, i (in gunner's bag); Bob- white, 7 (in gunner's bag); Marsh Hawk, i; Cooper's Hawk, 2; Sparrow Hawk, 3; Long-eared Owl, 2; Screech Owl, 2; Kingfisher, 2; Downy Woodpecker, 4; Flicker, 8; Horned Lark, 600; Blue Jay, 2; American Crow, 465; Starling, 125; Meadowlark, 12; Cowbird, 44; Rusty Blackbird, 3; Grackle, 11; American Goldfinch, 20; Snow Bunting, 295; Savannah Sparrow, i; White-throated Sparrow, i; Tree Sparrow, 75; Field Sparrow, 9; Junco, 3; Song Sparrow, 60; Northern Shrike, 3; Myrtle Warbler, 215; Carolina Wren, 2; Wren sp., i; Black- capped Chickadee, 20; Golden-crowned Kinglet, 5; Robin, 34. Total, 49 species (includ- ing 4 dead), 3,212 individuals. The Virginia Rail was found by a wood road, frozen with its head tucked under its wing-coverts; it was so thin that it exemplified the adage, but it had not been long dead. At least two of the Horned Larks closely observed appeared to be Prairie Horned Larks, although most were the usual form. The uni- dentified Wren was not a Carolina and probably not a Winter Wren. On Dec. 23, Mr. Latham saw: Canada Goose, 5; Sharp-shinned Hawk, i; Rough-legged Hawk, i; Turkey Vulture, i (latest Long Island record); Fox Sparrow, i; Brown Creeper, i. On Dec. 22, Double- crested Cormorant, i; Fish Crow, i. On Dec. 25, Red-winged Blackbird, 7. — Roy Latham, John Treadwell Nichols and Robert Cushman Murphy. Speonk, L. I., N. Y. — Dec. 28; 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Cloudy; ground bare; wind southwest to west, moderate; temp. 31° to 42°. Herring Gull, 17; Great Blue Heron, i; Black- crowned Night Heron, 1; Marsh Hawk, i; Rough-legged Hawk, 2; Sparrow Hawk, i; Belted Kingfisher, 1; Downy Woodpecker, 2; Horned Lark, 33; Blue Jay, 12; Crow, 7; Starling, 28; Meadowlark, 55; Tree Sparrow, 70; Song Sparrow, 6; Northern Shrike, i; Brown Creeper, 3; White-breasted Nuthatch, i; Chickadee, 6; Golden-crowned Kinglet, 12. Total, 20 species, 260 individuals. — Le Roy Wilcox. Albany, N. Y. (western outskirts). — Dec. 23; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Clear; 4 to 10 in. of snow; wind south, light; temp. 6° at start, 22° at return. Six miles on foot. Observers together. Downy Woodpecker, 8; Blue Jay, i; Crow, 150; Starling, 150; Tree Sparrow, 50; Brown Creeper, 4; White-breasted Nuthatch, 5; Chickadee, 2; Golden-crowned Kinglet, 2. Total, 9 species, 372 individuals. On Dec. 25, 12 Song Sparrows (one sang) and a Robin — both rare here in winter. — Joseph S. Lawrence, M.D., and Clarence Houghton. Geneva, N. Y. (Lake-shore and S. Main St. region, within city limits). — Dec. 24; 9 a.m. to 12.30 P.M. and 2 to 5 p.m. CI )udy; breeze southwest, light; temp. 40° to 50°. Observers together only in the forenoon. Horned Grebe, 7; Herring Gull, 13; Ring-billed Gull, i; American Merganser, 4; Redhead, 7,000; Canvasback, 500; Lesser Scaup, 9; Greater Scaup, 700; American Goldeneye, 8; Bufflehead, 4; Old-squaw, 2; Ring-neck Pheasant, 7; Screech Owl, i; Hairy Woodpecker, i; Downy Woodpecker, 7; Red- headed Woodpecker, i; Crow, 13; Tree Sparrow, 5; Junco, 3; Song Sparrow, 2; Cedar Waxwing, 30; Brown Creeper, 7; White-breasted Nuthatch, 11; Chickadee, 8; Golden- crowned Kinglet, 2; Robin, i. Total, 26 species, about 8,347 individuals. — William H. Eddy and E. H. Eaton. Hamburg, N. Y. — Dec. 23; 8.45 a.m. to 1.15 p.m. Clear to slightly cloudy; ground lightly covered with fresh snow, some old drifts still remaining; wind southwest, light; temp. 22° at start, 34° at return. Eight miles on foot through three large wood-lots, one Bird- Lore's Eighteenth Christmas Census 33 small swamp and intervening farm-land. Ruffed Grouse, i ; Barred Owl, i ; Hairy Wood- pecker, i; Downy Woodpecker, 9; Red-headed Woodpecker, 4; Blue Jay. 7; Crow, 7; Purple Finch, 22; Goldfinch, 35; Snow Bunting, one flock of 250; Tree Sparrow, 45; Brown Creeper, 5; White-breasted Nuthatch, 4; Chickadee, 12; Golden-crowned King- let, 4. Total, 15 species, about 407 individuals. Small flock of Red Crossbills noted here Nov. 29. — Thomas L. Bourne. New Rochelle, N. Y. (Beechmont Park, Mount Tom Road and several other streets). — Dec. 28; 9.30 A.M. to 12.30 P.M. and 2 to 3 p.m. Cloudy; 5 in. of snow; no wind; temp. 27° to 34°. Herring Gull, 7; Ring-necked Pheasant, i; Downy Woodpecker, 2; Blue Jay, 3; American Crow, 5; Starling, 37; Goldfinch, 4; Junco, 2; Song Sparrow, i; Brown Creeper, 5; White-breasted Nuthatch, 2; Robin, 5. Total, 12 species, 74 individuals. — Olney M. Raymond. New York City (Pelham Bay Park region around City Island station). — Dec. 22; II A.M. to 3.15 P.M. Clear; 8 in. of snow; wind west, fairly strong; temp. 40°. Obser- vers together. Great Black-backed Gull, i; Herring Gull, ioo-|-; Duck sp., i; Bob- white, 8; Pheasant, 3; Red-shouldered Hawk, 2; Sparrow Hawk, i; Hairy Woodpecker, i; Downy Woodpecker, 3; Crow, 14; Starling, 45; Red- winged Blackbird, i; Meadow- lark, 3; Purple Finch, i brown; Goldfinch, 5; Tree Sparrow, 10; Slate-colored Junco, 9; Song Sparrow, 4; Brown Creeper, 2; White-breasted Nuthatch, 4. Total, 20 species, about 218 individuals. — Walden Pell, 2nd, and S. Morris Pell. New York City (Clason Point, Unionport and Bronx Park). Trolley used between Unionport and Bronx Park. — Dec. 25; 12 to 4.15 p.m. Cloudy; 4 in. of wet snow; wind northwest, light; temp. 32°. Herring Gull, 450; Black Duck, 55; Scaup, i; Black- crowned Night Heron, 48; Red-tailed Hawk, 3; Sparrow Hawk, 2; Downy W^oodpecker, 5; Flicker, i; Blue Jay, 6; Crow, 52; Starling, 450; Meadowlark, 23; Grackle, 29; White- throated Sparrow, 4; Tree Sparrow, 100; Junco, 33; Song Sparrow, 44; Fox Sparrow, 2; Brown Creeper, 3; White-breasted Nuthatch, 2; Black-capped Chickadee, i. Total, 21 species, 1,314 individuals. About 100 more Ducks on the Sound, too far away for identi- fication. On Dec. 21, 2 Northern Shrikes were seen in Van Cortlandt Park. — E. G. Nichols and L. N. Nichols. New York City (Bull's Head to Richmond, via Greenridge, Staten Island). — Dec. 27; 9 A.M. to 4.30 P.M. Clear; snow on ground; wind northwest, fresh; temp. 15°, rising. Herring Gull, 10; Great Blue Heron, i; Sparrow Hawk, i; Belted Kingfisher, i; Downy Woodpecker, 2; Crow, 8; Starling, 11; White-throated Sparrow, 2; Tree Sparrow, 18; Junco, 35; Song Sparrow, 14; Cardinal, i. Total, 12 species, 104 individuals. — Mjlton H. HOGE. New York City (Staten Island, West New Brighton to Richmond to Bull's Head to West New Brighton). — Dec. 26; 8.30 a.m. to 2.30 p.m. Clear; about 3 in. of snow; wind westerly, light; temp. 15° to 25°. Herring Gull, 150; Red-shouldered Hawk, i; Sparrow Hawk, 3; Screech Owl, i; Hairy Woodpecker, i; Downy Woodpecker, 8; Blue Jay, 12; .\merican Crow, 80; Starling, 24; Meadowlark, 30; Goldfinch, 13; Pine Siskin, ^S; Tree Sparrow, 46; Slate-colored Junco, 25; Song Sparrow, 30; Brown Creeper, 3; Cardinal, 7; White-breasted Nuthatch, i; Tufted Titmouse, 3; Robin, 3. Total, 20 species, 428 individuals. — W^illiam H. Lonc;. New York City (Richmond Valley to Oakwood Heights, Staten Island;. — Dec. 23; 7.15 A.M. to s P.M. Clear; ground snow-covered; dead calm; temp. 12° to 33°. Black- backed Gull, i; Herring Gull, 5,092; Black Duck, 5; Greater Scaup, i; Goldeneye, 6; Bufllehead, 27; Purple Sandpiper, i; Ring-necked Pheasant, 2; Red-shouldered Hawk, 3; Sparrow Ilawk, 4; Screech Owl, i; Great Horned Owl, i; Downy Wood- pecker, 3; Northern Flicker, 2; Horned Lark, 13; Blue Jay, 6; American Crow, 30; Starling, 42; Meadowlark, 22; Goldfinch, 3; Tree Sparrow, 4; Song Sparrow, 10; Swamp Sparrow, 1; Northern Shrike, 2 (one sangj; Myrtle Warbler, 1; White- 34 Bird - Lore breasted Nuthatch, i; Tufted Titmouse, g. Total, 27 species, 5,294 individuals. — Howard H. Cleaves. Poughkeepsie, N. Y. — Dec. 2(3; y a.m. to i p.m. Clear; no wind; temp. 20°; 8 in. of snow. Observers together. Barred Owl, i; Screech Owl, i; Belted Kingfisher, i; Downy Woodpecker, 6; Blue Jay, 10; Crow, 500; Starling, 10; Tree Sparrow, 5; Junco, 2; Brown Creeper, 2; White-breasted Nuthatch, 8; Chickadee, 2; Golden-crowned King- let, 3. Total, 13 species, about 550 individuals. — Margery Sauxders, Anthony Saunders and F. A. Saunders. Rochester, N. Y. (Highland and Durand-Eastman Parks and vicinities). — Dec. 28 7 A.M. until dark. Cloudy, with snow- flurries; ground frozen with about 5 in. of snow wind northwest, 25 miles per hour; temp. 13° at start, 3° at finish. Herring Gull, 18 Ring-billed Gull, 3; Ring-necked Pheasant, 2; Downy Woodpecker, i; Crow, 8; Tree Sparrow, 2; Slate-colored Junco, 2; Cedar Waxwing, 4; Brown Creeper, i. Total, 9 species, 41 individuals. — Wm. L. G. Edson and R. E. Horsey. Rochester, N. Y. (Cobb's Hill and Highland Park). — Dec. 27; 8 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. Clear; 5 in. of snow; wind variable, light; temp. 15° at start, 20° at return. Observers together. Herring Gull, 6; Ring-necked Pheasant, 3; Northern Flicker, i; Crow, 9; Tree Sparrow, i; Slate-colored Junco, 4; Song Sparrow, i; Northern Shrike, i; Brown Creeper, i; White-breasted Nuthatch, i; Robin, i. Total, 11 species, 29 individuals. The Song Sparrow was studied with an 8.x glass at 25 feet. The streaks and spots on its breast were observed and its note of alarm was heard several times. — Richard M. Chase and George P. Freeland. Schenectady, N. Y. (Central Park and vicinity). — Dec. 25; 9.30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Cloudy and dull; wind northwest, strong; temp. 31°; about 7 in. of snow. Distance covered, about 7 or 8 miles. Downy Woodpecker, 2; Blue Jay, 4; Crow, 30; Brown Creeper, 2; White-breasted Nuthatch, 3; Black-capped Chickadee, 12. Total, 6 species, 53 individ- uals.— ^Walter Philo. Syracuse, N. Y. — Dec. 26; 10.45 ^■^^- to 3.20 p.m. Route from Fayetteville to Kirk- ville through woods. Fair; no wind; ground covered with snow; temp. 22°. Downy. Woodpecker, 5; Blue Jay, 5; Crow, 7; Brown Creeper, i; White-breasted Nuthatch, 4; Chickadee, 9. Total, 6 species, 31 individuals. — Nettie M. Sadler. Tarrytown, N. Y. — Dec. 28; 9.30 to 11.30 a.m. and 1.30 to 4.30 p.m. Overcast; 6 in. of crusted snow; wind northwest, calm to brisk later north; temp. 25°. About 8 miles on foot. Sparrow Hawk, i; Screech Owl, i; Hairy Woodpecker, i; Downy Wood- pecker, 5; Blue Jay, 3; American Crow, 8; Starling, 50+; (Purple ?) Grackle, 20 (first record for this time of year); Goldfinch, 30 -|-; Tree Sparrow, 60; Song Sparrow, 3; Migrant Shrike, i; Brown Creeper, 6; White-breasted Nuthatch, 4; Black-capped Chickadee, 16. Total, 15 species, 209+ individuals. — William P. Osborn. Sandy Hook, N. J., and Lower New York Bay. — Dec. 22; 8.15 a.m. to 4.40 p.m. Mostly clear; ground bare; wind northwest, brisk; temp. 33° at noon. Ten miles by steamboat, 6 on foot. Observers together after 11 a.m. Holboell's Grebe, i; Black- backed Gull, 3 adults; Herring Gull, 1,000; Bonaparte's Gull, i; Black Duck, 10; Golden- eye, i; Old-squaw, 2; White-winged Scoter, 14; Downy Woodpecker, i; Flicker, 8; American Crow, 50; Fish Crow, 75; Starling, 70; Meadowlark, i; Snow Bunting, 3; Ipswich Sparrow, 5; Sharp-tailed Sparrow, 2 (one seen excellently, P. caiidacutus — C. H. R.); White-throated Sparrow, 9; Tree Sparrow, 10; Junco, 38; Song Sparrow, 5; Cardinal, 8; Cedar Waxwing, 3; Northern Shrike, 2; Myrtle Warbler, 35; Brown Thrasher, i (seen excellently — J. P. Y.); Carolina Wren, 2; Black-capped Chickadee, 2 (one sang); Hermit Thrush, 2; Robin, loOk Total, 30 species, about 1,465 individuals. — John P. Young and Charles H. Rogers. Bemardsville, N. J. — Dec. 22; 11 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. and 3 to 5 p.m. Clear; 15 in. of snow; no wind; temp. 28°. Common Pheasant, 4; Great Horned Owl, i; Downy Wood- Bird -Lore's Eighteenth Christmas Census 35 pecker, 3; (Prairie? — Ed.) Horned Lark, 12; Blue Jay, 2; Crow, 15; Starling, 2; Tree Sparrow, 9; Junco, 8; Song Sparrow, 2; Cardinal, 4; White-breasted Nuthatch, 2; Chick- adee, 5; Robin, 2. (Pheasant and Cardinal reported, not personally seen.) Total, 15 species, loi individuals. — J. Dryden Kuser. Camden, N. J. ( and vicinity). — Dec. 23; 10.30 .v.m. to 3 p.m. Clear; ground bare; wind northwest; temp. 30°. Herring Gull, 6; Bob-white, 6; Marsh Hawk, i; Red- tailed Hawk, 6; Red-shouldered Hawk, i; Sparrow Hawk, 2; Barn Owl, i; Short-eared Owl, i; Downy Woodpecker, 2; Flicker, i; Blue Jay, 2; Crow, 10; Starling, 50; Horned Lark, 3; Meadowlark, 6; White-throated Sparrow, 8; Tree Sparrow, 10; Field Sparrow, i; Junco, 20; Song Sparrow, 15; Cardinal, 2; Winter Wren, i; Tufted Titmouse, i; Robin, 2. Total, 24 species, 158 individuals. — Julian K. Potter. Englewood Region, N. J. (Palisades Park, to Nordhoff , to Teaneck, through Engle- wood to Englewood Cliffs, and along foot of Palisades to Edgewater). — Dec. 22; 8 .\.m. to 4.30 P.M. Clear; 8 in. of snow; wind northwest, brisk; temp. 30° to 40°. Fifteen miles on foot. Herring Gull, 300; American Merganser, 4; Black Duck, 15; Marsh Hawk, i; Sharp-shinned Hawk, i; Red-tailed Hawk, i; Duck Hawk, i; Hairy Woodpecker, i; Downy Woodpecker, 10; Flicker, i; Blue Jay, 11; Crow, 15; Starling, 90; Red-winged Blackbird, i female; Meadowlark, 6; Goldfinch, 3; White-throated Sparrow, 23; Tree Sparrow, 21; Junco, 15; Song Sparrow, 33; Fox Sparrow, 3; Brown Creeper, 10; White- breasted Nuthatch, i; Tufted Titmouse, i; Black-capped Chickadee, 3; Robin, i; Blue- bird, 2. Total, 27 species, about 574 individuals. — Cl.\rk L. Lewis, Jr., and Edward (i. Nichols. Hackettstown, N. J. — Dec. 28; 8.10 to 11.30 a.m. Cloudj^; remainder of a i6-in. drifted snow; wind south. Downy Woodpecker, 3; Blue Jay, 4; Crow, 4; Starling, 18; Purple Finch, 21 (most of these are part of a flock of about 40 which feed at my home); Tree Sparrow, 35; Junco, 10; Song Sparrow, i; Brown Creeper, i; White-breasted Nuthatch, 2; Chickadee, 2. Total, 11 species, about loi individuals. Flock of (Prairie? — Ed.) Horned Larks seen Nov. 17. — Mary Pierson Allen. Moorestown, N. J. — Dec. 25; 6.45 a.m. to 5.20 p.m. Cloudy, with rain at intervals through the morning; ground bare; wind westerly, light, becoming fresh; temp, at start 4oK°, at return 36°. Two parties covering different sections, and conveyed by auto- mobiles. First party returned at 12.30 p.m.; second party traveled by auto 53 miles and walked about 8. Herring Gull, 38; American Merganser, 10; Killdeer, 2; Marsh Hawk, 2; Sharp-shinned Hawk, i; Red-tailed Hawk, 7; Sparrow Hawk, 3; Kingfisher, 2; Hairy Woodpecker, 2; Downy Woodpecker, 9; Flicker, 5; Horned Lark, 11; Blue Jay, 20; Crow, 717; Starling, 313; Red- winged Blackbird, 2; Meadowlark, i; Goldfinch, 10; White-throated Sparrow, 26; Tree Sparrow, 81; Field Sparrow, 2; Junco, 272; Song Sparrow, 35; Cardinal, 15; Mockingbird, i; Carolina Wren, 2; Winter Wren. 4; Brown Creeper, 1; Tufted Titmouse, 6; Chickadee sp., 10; Golden-crowned Kinglet, 0; Robin, 4. Total, 32 species, 1,623 individuals. Total area covered was within a diameter of 14 miles. — M. Albert Linton, Anna A. Mickle, John D. Carter. .\lki: M. Carter, Wm. Bacon Evans and George H. Hallett, Jr. Morristown, N. J. — Dec. 25; 9 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. Cloudy; about a foot of old snow; wind west, li^?hl; temp. 36°. Route, out the Lake Road to the Lake Road Bridge, thence through Speedwell Park and Collinsville to the town's disposal beds, reluming along the Erie tracks and through Evergreen Cemetery — about 6 miles. Observers together. Hairy Woodpecker, 2; Downy Woodpecker, i; Blue Jay, 48; Crow, 15; Starling, 48; Purple Finch, 20; Goldfinc4i, 20; Tree Sparrow, 62; Field Sparrow, i(seen at dose range, also two characteristic notes heard); Junco, 60; Song Sparrow, 0; Cardinal, 4; (3 males, I female); Brown Creeper, i; While-breasted .\uthatch, 8; Tufled Tilmousc. 2; Chick- adee, 9; Golden-crowned Kinglet, 4; Robin. ?. Total. iS speries. 300 individuals. — i'.DW \Ki) i'viKHANK and K. C. Caskiv. 36 Bird -Lore Mount Holly, N. J. — Dec. 23; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Clear; no wind; temp, at start 14°, on return, 30°. Ten miles on foot. Observers together. Duck sp., 8; Turkey Vulture, 7; Cooper's Hawk, i; Red-tailed Hawk, 2; Sparrow Hawk, i; Hairy Woodpecker, 5; Downy Woodpecker, 22; Blue Jay, 12; Crow, 5,000 + ; Starling, 500 + ; Goldfinch, 7; White-throated Sparrow, 10; Tree Sparrow, 25; Field Sparrow, 6; Junco, 500 + ; Song Sparrow, 8; Cardinal, 10; Northern Shrike, i; Brown Creeper, 27 (number too high? — Ed.); White-breasted Nuthatch, i; Tufted Titmouse, 18; Chickadee sp., 9; Golden- crowned Kinglet, 4; Hermit Thrush, i; Robin, 3. Total, 25 species, 6,188 individuals. — Mr. and Mrs. Nelson D. W. Pumyea. New Brunswick, N. J. — Dec. 24; 9 a.m. to 1.45 p.m. (S.T.D.), 9.30 a.m. to i p.m. and 3.30 to 4.20 P.M. (R. E. D.) Partly cloudy; 5 in. of snow; wind southerly, moderate; temp. 36° to 43°. The observers covered different ground. Herring Gull, 8; Sharp- shinned Hawk, 2; Cooper's Hawk, i; Goshawk, 7 [?-Ed.]; Red-tailed Hawk, i; Belted Kingfisher, 3; Hairy Woodpecker, 4; Downy Woodpecker, 5; Blue Jay, 15; American Crow, 433; Fish Crow, 36; Starling, 300; Purple Finch, 6; Goldfinch, i; White-throated Sparrow, 2; Tree Sparrow, 4; Junco, 28; Song Sparrow, 14; Cardinal, 7; Winter Wren, 2; Brown Creeper, 5; Tufted Titmouse, 2; Robin, 3. Total, 23 species, 889 individuals. — Ralph E. Dan forth and Stuart T. Danforth. Plalnfield, N. J. (to Ash Swamp and back). — Dec. 25; 7 a.m. to 3.35 p.m. Overcast, drizzling rain from 7.45 to 10 a.m.; about 8 in. of snow; little wind; temp. 38° at start, 37° at return. About 12 miles on foot. Ring-necked Pheasant, 4 (flock); Cooper's (or Sharp-shinned?) Hawk, i; Red-tailed Hawk, i; Red-shouldered Hawk, 2; Sparrow Hawk, i; Barred Owl, i; Screech Owl, i; Hairy Woodpecker, i; Downy Woodpecker, 9; Flicker, i; Blue Jay, 24; American Crow, 125; Starling, 65; Meadowlark, 22; Goldfinch, 5 (flock); White-throated Sparrow, 4; Tree Sparrow, 24; Junco, 24; Song Sparrow, 14; Cardinal, 7; Carolina Wren, 2 together; Brown Creeper, i; White-breasted Nuthatch, 7; Tufted Titmouse, 8; Black-capped Chickadee, 8. Total, 25 species, 362 individuals. — W. De W. Miller. Princeton, N. J. (Mercer St. to Stony Brook, and 3 miles along the brook). — Dec. 26; 10.45 A.M. to 5. P.M. Clear; crisp snow; wind northwest, light; temp. 22° at start, 24° at return. Observers most of time together. Ruffed Grouse, i; (Ring-necked?) Pheasant, i; Mourning Dove, 9; Red-tailed Hawk, i; Downy Woodpecker, 5; Red-headed Wood- pecker, i; Northern Flicker, i; Blue Jay, 8; American Crow, 200; Starhng, 8; Tree Sparrow, 100; Slate-colored Junco, 150; Song Sparrow, 40; Cardinal, 18; Northern Shrike, i; White-breasted Nuthatch, 3; Tufted Titmouse, i; Black-capped Chickadee. 20; Bluebird, 11 (one flock). Total, 19 species, about 579 individuals. Three Song Sparrows singing softly at noon; 14 Cardinals in i flock. — Tertius van Dyke and Hamilton Gibson. Vineland, N. J. (Six miles northeast of Vineland). — Dec. 25; 10.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. Light rain, sometimes mixed vdth snow, all day; wind northwest, light; temp. 39°. Blue Jay, 2; Crow, 5; Starling (?), 25; Meadowlark, 3; Tree Sparrow, 50; Junco, 130; Song Sparrow, 2; Chickadee sp. , 1. Total, 8 species, 218 individuals. — Wm. W. Fair. Ardsley, BUUside and Roslyn, Pa. — Dec. 23; 12.30 to 4.30 p.m. Clear; 5 in. of snow; wind west, light; temp. 32°. About 6 miles. Sparrow Hawk, i; Hairy Woodpecker, i; Downy Woodpecker, 3; Blue Jay, 2; Crow, about 1,000; Starling, 28; Purple Grackle, 2; Tree Sparrow, 62 (in song); Junco, 17; Song Sparrow, 6; Cardinal, i. Total, 11 species, about 1,123 individuals. — George Lear. Beaver, Pa. (Beaver's Hollow, Dutch Ridge Road, Gypsy Glen). — Dec. 26; n a.m. to 5.15 P.M. Clear; 3 in. of snow; wind west, light; temp. 23°. Bob-white, 6(one covey); Hairy Woodpecker, i; Downy Woodpecker, 10; Redpoll, 4; Tree Sparrow, 135; Song Sparrow, 9; Junco, 63; Cardinal, 3; Tufted Titmouse, i; Black-capped Chickadee, 9; Golden-crowned Kinglet, 6; White-breasted Nuthatch, 6. Total, 12 species, about 249 Bird- Lore's Eighteenth Christmas Census 37 individuals. The Redpolls were studied for 30 minutes at 15 feet, and all distinguishing characteristics noted. — W. R. Boulton, Jr. Buckingham (near Doylestown), Pa. — -Dec. 26; 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Clear; 5 in. of snow; wind west; temp. 24°. Walked 5 miles. Bob-white, 2; Cooper's Hawk, i; Sparrow Hawk, 3; Saw- whet Owl, i; Screech Owl, i; Downy Woodpecker, i; Blue Jay, i; Crow, 18; Starling, 20; Canadian [Tree?-Ed.] Sparrow, 2; Junco, 9; Song Sparrow, 3; Cardinal, i; Brown Creeper, i; White-breasted Nuthatch, i. Total, 15 species, about 65 in- dividuals.— Elizabeth Cox. Forty Fort, Luzerne County, Pa. (to Trucksville and return). — ^Dec. 26; 9.30 a.m. to 4.30 P.M. Clear; 4 in. of snow; wind northwest, light; temp. 15°. Eleven miles, covering river-flats, meadow, mountain, valley and swamps. Observers together. Sparrow Hawk, i; Crow, 10; Starling, 2; American Goldfinch, 25; Tree Sparrow, 5; Chickadee, 2. Total, 6 species, about 45 individuals. — H. W. Bay, Paul Bittenbender and Alvan Wagner. Haverford, Pa. (to Darby Creek and back). — Dec. 24; 10.30 a.m. to 4.45 p.m. Clear at start, showery at return; 2 in. of snow, melting fast; wind southwest, moderate; temp. 37° at start, 41° at return. Eight miles on foot. Observers separate in a.m., together in P.M. Red-tailed Hawk, i; Sparrow Hawk, 2; Hairy Woodpecker, i; Downy Wood- pecker, 2; Crow, 15; Starling, 4; White-throated Sparrow, 5; Tree Sparrow, 2; Junco, 44; Song Sparrow, 13; Cardinal, i; Brown Creeper, i; White-breasted Nuthatch, i; Carolina Chickadee, 7; Golden-crowned Kinglet, 3. Total, 15 species, loi individuals. — GuRDON ScoviLLE and Theodore Spencer. Limerick, Pa. (to Linfield, Limerick Center, Stone Hills, and back). — Dec. 24; 10 A.M. to 4 P.M. Cloudy; from 6 to 12 in. of snow; wind southwest, light; temp. 32° to 36°. Sixteen miles on foot. Sharp-shinned Hawk, 3 ; Cooper's Hawk, i ; Red-tailed Hawk, i ;Red- shouldered Hawk, i; Hairy Woodpecker, i; Downy Woodpecker, 6; Flicker, 12; Horned Lark, i; Crow, numerous; Starling, 6; Meadowlark, i; Tree Sparrow, 29; Junco, 53; Song Sparrow, 9; Northern Shrike, i. Total, 15 species, about 125 individuals-!- Crows. — Edward K. Ziegler. Lititz, Pa. (northern Lancaster Co., upper waters of the Hammer Creek). — Dec. 23; 8 A.M. to 5 P.M. Clear; temp. 2°; ground covered with snow; wind, none. Bob-white, 76 (seven coveys); Ruffed Grouse, 2; Turkey Vulture, 28; Red-tailed Hawk, i; Red- shouldered Hawk, i; Sparrow Hawk, i; Screech Owl, i; Downy Woodpecker, 12; Flicker, 3; Blue Jay, 18; Crow, about 2,000'; Goldfinch, 5; Tree Sparrow, 68; Slate-colored Junco, 82; Song Sparrow, 12; Cardinal, 16; Brown Creeper, i; White-breasted Nuthatch, 3; Tufted Titmouse, 10; Chickadee, 6. Total, 20 species, 346 individuals + Crows. — Herbert H. Beck, Elmer E. Kautz and Abraham Beck Miller. McKeesport, Pa. — Dec. 23; 7.15 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. Mostly cloudy; light snow on hillsides; no wind; temp. 20° to 36°. Fifteen miles on foot. Observers together except for four hours. Hairy Woodpecker, 2; Downy Woodpecker, 11; Flicker, i; Crow, 3; Tree Sparrow, 80; Junco, 9; Song Sparrow, 37; Towhee (female; heard and watched at 40 ft.), i; Cardinal, 12; White-breasted Nuthatch, 7; Red-breasted Nuthatch, 2; Tufted Titmouse, 25; Black-capped Chickadee, 14. Total, 13 species, 204 individuals. —I.. F. Savage and Thos. L. McConnell. Oaks, Montgomery Co., Pa. (Perkiomen Creek, from Mill Grove to Skippack— Schuylkill River). — Dec. 24; 8.15 a.m. until 5 p.m. Cloudy; preposterous attempts at rain throughout the day; 4 in. of snow; wind west; temp. 36° at start, 32° at return. Covered a rough triangle 6 miles around. American Merganser, j; Red-tailed Hawk, 2 (adult and immature); Sparrow Hawk, i; Belted Kingfisher, 2; Hairy Woodpecker, i; Downy Woodpecker, 9; Flicker, i; Crow, 300-I-; Starling, 25 -f; Meadowlark, i5-ffflo(k); Tree Sparrow, 20-I-; Junco, 30 + ; Song Sparrow, 5-I-: Cardinal, 4; Brown Creeper 10; White-breasted Nuthatch. 2; Tufted Titmouse, 38 Bird- Lore IO+; Golden-crowned Kinglet, 5 + . Total, 18 species, about 454 individuals. — Conrad K. Roland. Reading, Pa. — Dec. 23; 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Clear; 8 to 10 in. of snow; wind north, light; temp. 10° at start, 35° at return. Observers together. Downy Woodpecker, 10; Blue Jay, 11; Crow, 20; Starling, 20; White-throated Sparrow, 6; Tree Sparrow, 10; Slate-colored Junco, 12; Song Sparrow, 10; Cardinal, 7; White-breasted Nuthatch, 3; Black-capped Chickadee, 10. Total, 11 species, 119 individuals. — Anna P. and Mary K. Dektkr. Reading, Pa. — Dec. 23; 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Clear; 8 in. of snow; wind northwest, light temp. 10° to 32°. Observers together. Sparrow Hawk, 3; Downy Woodpecker, 6 Blue Jay, 14; Crow, 25; Starling, 14; Meadowlark, 2; Goldfinch, 6; Tree Sparrow, 5 Junco, 30; Song Sparrow, 27; Cardinal, 15; Carolina Wren, i; Brown Creeper, i; White- breasted Nuthatch, 6; Chickadee, 10. Total, 15 species, 167 individuals. — Mr. and Mrs. G. Henry Mengel. Springs, Pa. — Dec. 25; 8.15 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. Mostly clear; snow in patches; wind southwest to northwest, light; temp. 42° to 34°. Walked 5 miles. Ruffed Grouse, i; Hairy Woodpecker, i; Downy Woodpecker, 4; Blue Jay, 3; Tree Sparrow, 12; Junco, 9; White-breasted Nuthatch, 5; Tufted Titmouse, 4; Black-capped Chickadee, 6. Total, 9 species, 45 individuals. — Ansel B. Miller. Telford, Pa. — Dec. 25; 8.15 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. Raining at start, but clearing at 10.15 A.M. followed by brisk north wind; temp. 34°; 8 in. of snow. Bob- white, 15 (covey); Sparrow Hawk, 2; Great Horned Owl, i; Downy Woodpecker, 5; Flicker, 4; American Crow, 20; Starling, 6; Tree Sparrow, 17; Slate-colored Junco, 13; Song Sparrow, 11; Brown Creeper, 3; W^hite-breasted Nuthatch, 3; Black-capped Chickadee, i; Golden- crowned Kinglet, 15. Total, 14 species, 115 individuals. Also one unidentified Hawk. — Claude A. Butterwick. West Chester, Pa. — Dec. 25; 11.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. Cloudy, slight rain at start, flurries of snow; ground covered with snow and ice; no wind; temp. 36° at start, 30° at return. Eleven miles on foot. Turkey Vulture, 3; Cooper's Hawk, i ; Red-tailed Hawk, 4; Screech Owl, i; Downy W^oodpecker, 13; American Crow, 115; Starling, 15; Purple Crackle, 2; Tree Sparrow, 50; Slate-colored Junco, 75; Song Sparrow, 45; Cardinal, 13; White-breasted Nuthatch, 3; Chickadee, 4. Total, 14 species, 344 individuals. — C. E. Ehinger. York, Pa. (to Wrightsville, along Susquehanna Rive). — Dec. 27; 7 a.m. to 12.30 P.M. Clear; 4 in. of crusty snow; calm; temp. 18° at start. Six miles on foot. Observers together. American Merganser, 3; Screech Owl, i; Hairy Woodpecker, i; Downy Wood- pecker, 11; Northern Flicker, i; Blue Jay, 5; American Crow, 53; Starling, i; Tree Sparrow, 10; Slate-colored Junco, 21; Song Sparrow, 12; Cardinal, 15; Cedar Waxwing, 3; Carolina Wren, 5 (singing); Brown Creeper, i; Tufted Titmouse, i; Black-capped Chickadee, 12 (singing); Hermit Thrush, i. Yesterday a Crackle was observed, and on Dec. 15 a male Towhee was positively identified where these observations were made. Total, 18 species, 157 individuals. — Arthur Farquhar and Charles Weiser. Chevy Chase, Md. (northeast to Rock Creek and back). — Dec. 25; 7.30 a.m. to i P.M. Sky darkly overcast; snow in sheltered locations; wind north, light; temp. 40° at start, 35° at return; rain 10 to 12 a.m., snow in p.m. Eight or 9 miles on foot. Bob-white, 2; Turkey Vulture, 4; Red-shouldered Hawk, 2; Sparrow Hawk, i; Screech Owl, 2; Hairy Woodpecker, i ; Downy Woodpecker, 1 1 ; Red-headed Woodpecker, i ; Sapsucker, 2; Blue Jay, 21; American Crow, 36; Fish Crow, 25; Starling 15 (first time the Starling has been noted in Chevy Chase; they first appeared Dec. 16); Purple Finch, 3; White- throated Sparrow, 6; Tree Sparrow, 2; Chipping Sparrow, i; Junco, 107; Song Sparrow, 4; Cardinal, 22; Mockingbird, 8; Carolina Wren, 6; White-breasted Nuthatch, 8; Tufted Bird -Lore's Eighteenth Christmas Census 39 Titmouse, 15; Carolina Chickadee, 4; Bluebird, 10. Total, 26 species, about 319 in- dividuals.— S. W. Mellott. Washington, D. C. (from a point 3V2 miles south of Congress Heights to Wood- ridge, D. €.)• — 8:30 A.M. to 5 P.M. Fair; winds light, variable, becoming southerly in P.M.; temp. 16° to 39°. Herring Gull, i; Bob-white, 17; Turkey Vulture, 34; Cooper's Hawk, i; Red-tailed Hawk, 2; Red-shouldered Hawk, 6; Broad-winged Hawk, i; Sparrow Hawk, 2; Barred Owl, 2; Kingfisher, i; Downy Woodpecker, 9; Red-bellied Woodpecker, i; Flicker, 5; Blue Jay, 4; Crow, 10,000; Fish Crow, 91; Starling, 14; Red- winged Blackbird, 2; Meadowlark, 6; Purple Finch, 3; Goldfinch, 51; White-throated Sparrow, 16; Tree Sparrow, 226; Junco, 327; Song Sparrow, 34; Swamp Sparrow, i; Cardinal, 28; Migrant Shrike, i; Mockingbird, 3; Carolina Wren, 5; Brown Creeper, i; Tufted Titmouse, 12: Carolina Chickadee, 12; Golden- crowned Kinglet, 4; Hermit Thrush, i; Bluebird, 14. Total, 36 species, 10,938 individ- uals.— I. N. Gabrielsox and E. R. Kalmbach. Washington, D. C. (Wellington to New Alexandria, Va. ; Arlington, Va. to Wash- ington, D. C). — Dec. 26; 10 A.M. to 4 P.M. Clear; wind northwest, light but penetrating; light snow covering ground; temp. 25° to 30°. Distance 12 miles. Hooded Merganser, 15; Mallard, 50; Black Duck, 25; Redhead, 100; Canvasback, 500; Greater Scaup, 500; Lesser Scaup, 6,000 (two sizes, as well as color reflections of heads); Goldeneye, 30; Bufiflehead, 12 (all ducks through telescope, 25 diameters); Bob-white, 32 (7, 8, 16, i); Turkey Vulture, 10; Marsh Hawk, i; Sharp-shinned Hawk, i; Cooper's Hawk, i; Red-tailed Hawk, i; Red-shouldered Hawk, i; Broad-winged Hawk, i; Bald Eagle, 3; Sparrow Hawk, 2; Downy Woodpecker, 11; Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, i; Flicker, 2; Blue Jay, 5; Common Crow, 300; Fish Crow, 7; Starling, 5; Rusty Blackbird, 60; Purple Finch, 2; Goldfinch, 30; White-throated Sparrow, 25; Tree Sparrow, 150; Junco, 300; Song Sparrow, 10; Cardinal, 20; Migrant Shrike, i; Myrtle Warbler, i; Carolina Wren, 3; Winter Wren, 2; Brown Creeper, 11; White-breasted Nuthatch, i; Tufted Titmouse, 15; Carolina Chickadee, 40; Golden-crowned Kinglet, 150; Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 2; Bluebird, 50. Total, 45 species, 8,458 individuals. Ducks in three flocks, and actual number probably exceeded ten or twelve thousand. — Mr. and Mrs. Leo D. MiNKR, and Raymond W. Moore. Mount Vernon to Dyke, Va. (by way of Dogue Creek). — Dec. 26; 8.30 a.m. to 5.15 P.M. Clear; 2 in. of snow; wind northwest, light; temp. 23° at start, 26° at finish. Twelve miles on foot. Observers together. Red-breasted Merganser, 25; Black Duck, 6; Canvas- back, 300; Lesser Scaup, 10; American Goldeneye, 2; Ruddy Duck, 75; Bob- white, 15; Turkey Vulture, 8; Marsh Hawk, 2; Red-tailed Hawk, i; Red-shouldered Hawk, i; Bald Eagle, 1; Downy Woodpecker, 5; Red-bellied Woodpecker, 2; Flicker, 6; Blue Jay, 16; Crow, 83; Fish Crow, i; Red-winged Blackbird, i; Meadowlark, 19; Goldfinch, 11; White-throated Sparrow, 13; Tree Sparrow, 29; Junco, 156; Song Sparrow, 4; Cardinal, 8; Migrant Shrike, 3; Myrtle Warbler, 4; Mockingbird, 3; Caro- lina Wren, 4; Winter Wren, 3; Brown Creeper, i; White-breasted Nuthatch, 2; Tufted Titmouse, 18; Carolina Chickadee, 7; Golden-crowned Kinglet, 13; Ruby- crowned Kinglet, i; Hermit Thrush, i; Bluebird, 16. Total. 39 species, about 855 in- dividuals.— Waldo McAtee and Edward A. Preble. Grafton, W. Va. (McGee to Benton Ferry).— Dec. 25; 7.30 a..m. to 3.30 p.m. Cloudy and snowing until noon; 2 in. of ^now at noon; wind west, light; temp. 20° at start, 35° at end. Eight miles on fool. Bob-white, 6; Screech Owl, i; Downy Woodpecker, 5; .\mcrican Crow, 2; Chipping Sparrow, i; Slate-colored Junco, 70; Song Sparrow, 8; Cardinal, 16; Carolina Wren, 6; Tufted Titmouse, 2; Chickadee, 4. Total, 11 species, about 120 individuals. — A. J. Dadisman. Lewisburg, W. Va. — Dec. 26; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Clear; 4 in. of snow (snow clinging to the undcri^Towili made the ol)<;rrv,Tti; Canvasback, 20; Lesser Scaup, 75; American Goldeneye, 1; Buffleliead, 0; Whistling Swan, 2; Great Blue Heron, 9; Black-crowned Night Heron, i; Sora, i; Coot, 800; Killdeer, 185; California Quail, 337; Cooper's Hawk, i; Western Goshawk, 3; • Western Red-tailed Hawk, i; Ferruginous Rough-legged Hawk, 2; Desert Sparrow Hawk, 3; Western Belted Kingfisher, 1; Red-shafted Flicker, 6; Anna's Hummingbird, 22; Black Phoebe, 5; California Jay, i; Bi-colored Blackbird, 463; Brewer's Blackbird, 18; Western Meadowlark, 35; Western Purple Finch, i; California Linnet, 2; Green- backed Goldfinch, i; Bryant's Marsh Sparrow, 2; Gambel's Sparrow, 1,200; Nuttall's Sparrow, 1,200; Santa Cruz Song Sparrow, 100; Golden-crowned Sparrow, 12; Sierra Junco, 55; Lincoln's Sparrow, i; Yakutat Fox Sparrow, 4; San Francisco Towhee, 5; California Shrike, i; Hutton's Vireo, 2; Audubon's Warbler, 475; Salt Marsh Yellow- throat, 6; Pipit, 70; Vigors's Wren, 5; Western Winter Wren, 2; Tule Wren, i; Santa Cruz Chickadee, 16; Coast Bush-tit, 49; Ruby-crowned Kinglet, i; Dwarf Hermit Thrush, 7; W^estern Robin, 2. Total, 67 species, 9,868 individuals. On December 24, the following, also, in the near vicinity: American Bittern, i; Western Sandpiper, (flock); Least Sandpiper; Hudsonian Curlew, i; Western Mourning Dove; Marsh Hawk; California Woodpecker; Western Crow; Western Bluebird, (irand total, 76 species, for two days. — W. A. Squires, C. R. Thomas, and Harold E. Hansen. Santa Barbara, Calif. (Mission Canyon, Steams Wharf, Laguna Blanca, west to La Patera — 12 miles over all). — Dec. 26; 6 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. Partially overcast to clear: light rain the preceding evening; temp. 51° at 6 a. m. Forty miles by automobile and on foot. Observers together. Western Grebe, 7; Horned Grebe, i; Eared Grebe, 20; Pied- billed Grebe, 7; Glaucous- winged Gull, 3; Western Gull, 600; California Gull, 250; Ring-billed Gull, 150; Heermann's Gull, 40; Bonaparte's Gull, 60; Royal Tern, 6; Farallon Cormorant, 2,500; Brandt's Cormorant, 500; California Brown Pelican, 60; Mallard, 3; Baldpate, 60; Green-winged Teal, 40; Cinnamon Teal, 3; Shoveler, 1,000; Pintail, 2,000; Canvasback, 90; Lesser Scaup, 300; White-winged Scoter, 300; Surf Scoter, 40; Ruddy Duck, 400; Bittern, i; Great Blue Heron, 6; Sora, i; California Black Rail, I ; Coot, 1,000; Least Sandpiper, 200; Red-backed Sandpiper, 3; Western Sandpiper, 100; Sanderling, 250; Spotted Sandpiper, 3; Black-bellied Plover, 50; Killdeer, 40; Snowy Plover, 4; Valley Quail, 10; Mourning Dove, 2; Turkey Vulture, 7; White-tailed Kite, i; Marsh Hawk, i; Western Redtail, 4; Golden Eagle, i; Duck Hawk, 3; Sparrow Hawk, 8; Barn Owl, i; Burrowing Owl, 2; Belted Kingfisher, i; Nuttall's Woodpecker, i; California Woodpecker, 14; Red-shafted Flicker, 20; Anna's Hummingbird, 10; Say's Phoebe, 8; Black Phoebe, 6; California Horned Lark, 200; California Jay, 6; San Diego Redwing, 700; Western Meadowlark, 200; Brewer's Blackbird, 400; House Finch, 200; Willow Goldfinch, 2; Green-backed Goldfinch, 2; Western Savannah Sparrow, 200; Belding's Marsh Sparrow, 20; Large-billed Marsh Sparrow, 5; Western Lark Sparrow, 5; Gambel's Sparrow, 800; Golden-crowned Sparrow, 40; Sierra Junco, 10; San Diego Song Sparrow, 20; Spurred Towhee, i; Anthony's Towhee, 6; Tree Swallow, 5; California Shrike, 14; Hutton's Vireo, i; Dusky Warbler, i; Audubon's W^arbler, 500; Tule Yellow- throat, 20; Pipit, 400; Western Mockingbird, 2; Western House Wren, i; Tule Wren, 6; Plain Titmouse, 4; Bush-tit, 40; Pallid Wren-tit, 3; Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 8; Western Gnatcatcher, 2; Dwarf Hermit Thrush, 6; Western Robin, 1; Western Bluebird, 8. Total, 92 species, about 14,000 individuals. The California Black Rail, the first I have ever seen at Santa Barbara, was flushed at close range in the Estero, within the city limits. On the 24th: Pacific Loon; Parasitic Jaeger; Herring Gull; Baird's Cormorant; Old-squaw (a female narrowly scrutinized); Wilson's Snipe; Cooper's Hawk; Red-bellied Hawk; Pigeon Hawk, California Screech Owl; and Auburn Caiion Wren. For two days, 103 species. This small list is due in part to an unusually dry season, in part to the recent destruction (by fire) of much of the neighboring chaparral, but most of all to the absence of preliminary scouting trips. — Giles E. Dawson and William Leox Dawson. Bird-Lore's Advisory Council WITH some slight alterations, we reprint below the names and addresses of the ornithologists forming Bird-Lore's 'Advisory Council,' which were first published in Bird-Lore for February, 1900. To those of our readers who are not familiar with the objects of the Council, we may state that it was formed for the purpose of placing students in direct communication with an authority on the bird-life of the region in which they live, to whom they might appeal for information and advice in the many diffi- culties which beset the isolated worker. The success of the plan during the seventeen years that it has been in operation fully equals our expectations. From both students and members of the Council we have had very gratifying assurances of the happy results attending our efforts to bring the specialist in touch with those who appreciate the opportunity to avail themselves of his wider experience. It is requested that all letters of inquiry to members of the Council be accompanied by a stamped and addressed envelope for use in replying. NAMES AND ADDRESSES OF MEMBERS OF THE ADVISORY COUNCIL UNITED .STATES AND TERRITORIES Al.aska. — Dr. C. Hart Merriam, 1919 i6th St., N. W., Washington, D. C. Arizona. — Harriet I. Thornbcr, Tucson, Ariz. California. — Joseph Grinnell, University of California, Berkelej-, Calif. California. — Walter K. Fisher, Palo Alto, Calif. Colorado. — Dr. W. H. Bergtold, 1159 Rose St., Denver, Colo. Connecticut. — J. H. Sage, Portland, Conn. Delaware. — S. X. Rhoads, Haddonfield, N.J. District of Columbia. — Dr. C. W. Richmond, U. S. Nat'l. Mus., Washington, f). (' Florida. — Frank M. Chapman, Am. Mus. Nat. History, New York City. Florida, Western. — R. W. Williams, Jr., Talahassee, Fla. Georgia. — Dr. Eugene Murphy, Augusta, Ga. Illinois, Northern.— B. T. Gault, Glen Ellyn, 111. Illinois, Southern. — -Robert Ridgway, U. S. National Museum, Washington, iJ. (. . Indiana. — .\. W. Butler, State House, Indianapolis, Ind. Iowa. — C. R. Keycs, Mt. Vernon, Iowa. Kansas. — University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kans. Louisiana. -Prof. George E. Beyer, Tulanc University, New Orleans. La. Maine. — .\. H. Norton, Society of Natural History, Portland, Maine. Massachusetts. — William lirewster, Cambridge, Mass. Michigan. — Prof. W. B. Barrows, Agricultural College, Mich. Minnesota. — Dr. T. S. Roberts, Millard Hall, University of Minn.. .Minneapolis, .Minn. Missouri. — O. Widmann, 5105 Morgan St., St. Louis, Mo. Montana. — Prof. J. M. Elrod, University of Montana, Missoula, Mont. Nebraska.— Dr. R. H. Walcett, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Neb. Nevada. Dr. A. K. Tisher, Biological Survey, Dept. of .\gr.. Washington. D t Ni:w II AMi'siiiKr . i)r (i. M. Allen, Boston Soi . \al. Hist., Boston. 52 Bird -Lore \ew Jersey, Northern. — Frank M. Chapman, Am. Mus. Nat. History, New York City. New Jersey, Southern. — Witmer Stone, Academy Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, Pa. New Mexico. — Dr. A. K. Fisher, Biological Survey, Dept. of Agr., Washington, T). C. New York, Eastern. — Dr. A. K. Fisher, Biological Survey, Washington, D. C. New York, Western. — E. H. Eaton, Hobart College, Geneva, N. Y. North Dakota. — Prof. O. G. Libby, University, N. D. North Carolina. — Prof. T. G. Pearson, 1974 Broadway, New York City. Ohio. — Prof. Lynds Jones, Oberlin College, Oberlin, Ohio. Oklahoma. — Dr. A. K. Fisher, Biological Survey, Dept. of -Vgr., Washington, D. C. Oregon. — W. L. Finley, Milwaukee, Ore. Pennsylvania, Eastern. — Witmer Stone, Acad. Nat. Sciences, Philadelphia, Pa. Pennsylvania, Western. — W. K. Clyde Todd, Carnegie Museum, Pittsburgh, Pa. Rhode Island. — H. S. Hathaway, Box 1466, Providence, R. I. South Carolina.- — Dr. P. M. Rea, Charleston Museum, Charleston, S. C. Texas. — H. P. Attwater, Houston, Texas. Utah. — Prof. Marcus E. Jones, Salt Lake City, Utah. Vermont. — Prof. G. H. Perkins, Burlington, Vt. Virginia. — Dr. W. C. Rives, 1723 I Street, Washington, D. C. Washington. — Samuel F. Rathburn, Seattle, Wash. West Virginia. — Dr. W. C. Rives, 1723 I Street, Washington, D. C. Wisconsin. — H. L. Ward, Public Museum, Milwaukee, Wis. CANADA Alberta. — G. F. Dippie, Calgary, Alta. British Columbia. — Francis Kermode, Provincial Museum, Victoria, B. C. Manitoba. — -Ernest Thompson Seton, Greenwich, Conn. Nova Scotia. — Harry Piers, Provincial Museum, Halifax, N. S. Ontario, Eastern. — James H. Fleming, 267 Rusholme Road, Toronto, Ont. Ontario, Western. — W. E. Saunders, London, Ont. Quebec. — E. D. Wintle, 189 St. James Street, Montreal, Canada. MEXICO E. W. Nelson, Biological Survey, Dept. of Agr., Washington, D. C. WEST INDIES C. B. Cory, Field Museum, Chicago, III. GREAT BRITAIN Clinton G. .\bbott, Rhinebeck, New York. 2^oofe ji^etDS! anb IHebietosf Birds of America. Editor-in-Chief, T. Gilbert Pearson; Consulting Editor, John Burroughs; Managing Editor, George Gladden; Associate Editor, J. Ellis Burdick; Special Contributors, Edward H. Forbush, Herbert K. Job, William L. Finley, L.Nelson Nichols; Artists, L. A. FuERTES, R. B. Horsfall, R. I. Brasher, Henry Thurston. Nature Lovers' Library, The University Society, Inc., New York City, 191 7. Three vols. 4to. Vol. I, xviii + 272 pages; Vol. II, xiv + 271 pages; Vol. Ill, xviii -f 289 pages. These handsome, well-made volumes contain descriptions of the plumage, nest and eggs, a statement of the range, and description of the habits of the birds of America north of Mexico. The descriptions of plumage and out- line of distribution are based upon Ridgway's standard 'Birds of North and Middle America. ' Species not as yet treated in that work are here described by R. I. Brasher. The biographies, as the title-page indicates, are from a variety of sources. Some have been contributed by well- known ornithologists of wide experience and contain much original matter. Others have been compiled from various works. They average three-fourth of a page in length, and, so far as these limits permit, usually present a pleasing and satisfactory sketch of the life history of the species. The absence of migration dates, however, detracts from their practical value for the field student. A similar omission is found in the text devoted to nests and eggs. These volumes are profusely illustrated with photographs of birds from nature, from mounted specimens, and from draw- ings, both uncolored and colored. It is to be regretted that, in justice to the bona fide wild-life photographer, the photo- graphs of living birds are not clearly dis- tinguished from those of mounted ones. It is true that photographs of Habitat (iroups and other subjects in the .Vmcrican .VTuseiim, obvioii<;ly depict mounted speri mens. It is equally obvious that photo- graphs by Allen, Finley, Bohlman, and Job, for example, portray wild birds. But there are others, attributed to contrib- utors who are included in the book's '.\dvisory Board' under the head of 'Naturalists' or 'Wild Life Photographer,' which are quite as obviously made from mounted birds placed amid more or less appropriate surroundings out-of-doors. The inclusion of these 'faked' pictures in a work of this nature is unfair not only to the reader, but to every honest bird pho- tographer. The uncolored drawings of birds by Brasher, Horsfall, and Thurston vary much in character. Some are excellent, while others betray an evident unfamili- arity in life with the species figured, and few show that genius for bird portraiture which characterizes the work of Fuertes. The colored plates of birds are by the last-named artist and were drawn by him to illustrate Eaton's standard work on the 'Birds of New York,' in which they originally appeared. We fail, however, to find any statement to this effect, and the inclusion of Mr. Fuertes' name on the title-page of the work with that of the artists who have made drawings for this work leaves one to infer that his draw- ings, in spite of the reference on them to the New York State Museum, also were made for it. As a matter of fact, we are informed that these drawings by Fuertes were included in this work without his knowledge, and that he has instituted proceedings against the publishers of it for the unauthorized use of his name. — F. M. C. .\udubon the Naturalist: .\ History of His Life and Times. By Francis Hobart Herrick, Ph.D., Sc. D. In two volumes, illustrated. D. .Vppleton & Co., New York; London, 191 7. 8vo. Vol. I,xi +451 pages, Vol. II,xiii -+-494 pages. In these two notable volumes Pro- fessor Herrick has shown that a minlni;ic.Tl (S3) 54 Bird- Lore biography may be employed to equal advantage in the study of the biography of an ornithologist. His work is charac- terized by keen, patient, persistent, thorough search for information bearing directly or indirectly on his theme, by breadth of knowledge, both ornithological and historical, which gives him a clear perception of the significance and relations of facts and events, by facility of expres- sion, and by a sympathy with his subject which does not, however, handicap his judgment or predetermine his point of \iew. Add to this equipment an evident interest in his task which has made it a labor of love, and it is clear that the fruit of this labor must be given high rank in the literature of biography. Taken in connection with Audubon's 'Journals,' published by his granddaughter, Maria R. Audubon (Scribner, 2 vols.), Professor Herricks' scholarly memoir gives us as complete, adequate, and faithful a history of Audubon's life as we may ever expect to have. Among the surprising amount of new information concerning Audubon's early life which Professor Herrick has unearthed, the discovery of the place and date of Audubon's birth of course stands pre- eminent. Heretofore the evidence available has led to the generally accepted belief that Audubon was born at Mandeville, La., on May 5, 1780. Professor Herrick, how- ever, presents data which prove that the great naturalist first saw the light at Les Cayes, Haiti, April 26, 1785. From this date to the day of his death, January 27, 1851, Professor Herrick gives us a detailed history of the remarkable life of this remarkable and lovable man. Through it all runs the exhibition of those traits which are shown only by the man born with that intense interest in birds which gives them at all times and in all places first claim to his attention. Whether as a schoolboy in France, as a youthful farmer in Pennsylvania, as a merchant in Kentucky, or as a teacher of drawing in Cincinnati, Audubon's inherent love of birds is constantly in evidence. There were no fellow ornith- ologists, no one to stimulate or encourage him — indeed, his ornithological pursuits were the immediate cause of disaster in his commercial ventures — nor had he up to this time (1820) conceived the idea of his stupendous undertaking. But the germ was there, nothing could prevent its growth, and it finally carried him trium- phant through all the hardships and difli- culties of ornithological exploration and the even greater trials of ornithological publication. To everyone the history of Audubon's life must possess the combined fascina- tion of biography and romance; but to the ornithologist it is a thrilling demonstra- tion of the impelling power contained in an inborn love of bird-life. No manual or textbooks of ornithology can ever teach him the lesson which he may read in every chapter of this work, the lesson that, given a geniune love of birds, he has stored within him a potential force which will enable him to develop his talents to the utmost limit of achievement. — F. M. C. The Ornithological Magazines The Condor. — The number of 'The Condor,' for November, 191 7, contains two general articles, several brief notes and editorials, and the index of the volume. The principal articles comprise 'The Birds of Molly Island, Yellowstone National Park,' by M. P. Skinner, and a description of 'A New Subspecies of Gco- Ihlypis beldingi' by Harry C. Oberholser. Molly Island is a small island in the south- eastern arm of Yellowstone Lake, 20 miles off the usual tourist route, and consequentl}- not often visited. The birds include about 700 White Pelicans and 1,000 California Culls which utilize the island as a nesting-ground, and a few Caspian Terns which have been observed in spring but thus far not found actually breeding. Yellowstone Lake, while one of the im- portant breeding-places of the White Pelican and California Gull, is not the most eastern nesting-ground as intimated. Book News and Reviews since both species breed as far east as North Dakota. Under the name Geo- thlypis beldingi goldmani, Oberholser has separated the Yellowthroat of the cen- tral part of the Peninsula of Lower California and has selected a specimen from San Ignacio as the type of the new form. The short notes include two records of the breeding of the Sierra Junco at Berke- ley in 19 1 7, some additional observations on the occurrence of Goshawks in California during the winter of igi6. and other notes of interest. This number concludes Vol. XIX, which contains 198 pages and shows a reduction of 20 per cent from the size of the previous volume. Doubtless present high prices of paper and press work are responsible for the decrease in the number of pages, but it is to be hoped that it will not be necessary again to reduce the volume below the limit attained a year or two ago. — T. S. P. \ SNOWY OWL Photograph by H. and E. Pittmaii I'ho accompanying photograph of a Snowy Owl was taken in Saskatchewan dur- ing the severe winter of 1915-16. During that winter 1 must have seen nine or ten different birds of this species — more than I have ever seen in a season before or since. \ large straw-pile was left for the young cattle, with two portable granaries to provide shelter. By making a detour it was possible to reach the long catlle-barn from the house without going in sight of the straw-pile, and from the barn it was possible to reach the granaries unseen; it was from one of these that the i)holograi)hs were taken. The Owl, and later on another one, stayed around tiic l)uil(lings and corrals two or three weeks. — H. H. Pittman, Hartney, ^Manitoba. 56 Bird - Lore 2^irti=1Lare A Bi-Monthly Magazine Devoted to the Study and Protection of Birds OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE AUDUBON SOCIETIES Edited by FRANK M. CHAPMAN ContributingEditor.MABELOSGOOD WRIGHT Published by D. APPLETON & CO. Vol. XX Published February 1,1918 No. 1 SUBSCRIPTION RATES Price in the United States, one dollar aud lifty cents a year; outside the United States, one dollar and seventy-five cents, postage paid. COPYRIGHTED, 1918, BY FRANK M. CHAPMAN Bird-Lore's Motto: A Bird in the Bust Is Worth Two in the Hand With the appearance of this number, Bird-Lore enters upon its twentieth year. During the two decades of its existence the organization for which it stands has become a firmly established, powerful influence in the conservation of bird-life and in the dissemination of knowledge concerning the value of these winged protectors of our crops and "most eloquent expression of Nature's beauty, joy, and freedom." Adequate laws for the protection of birds have been passed and their enforce- ment assured. Scores of bird-refuges and nesting-grounds have been guarded by Audubon wardens and their once per- secuted inhabitants, now certain of pro- tection, are returning to their own, and so increasing that those who come after us may be promised those sights in the bird world of which an earlier generation has written. How this preservation of the most attractive of Nature's forms would have delighted the man for whom our Society is named and whose most recent biography is reviewed in this number of Bird-Lore! But first among the notable achieve- ments of the Audubon Association is its work in the schools. During the last three years alone over half a million children have been enrolled in its Junior Classes and have received systematic instruction in the value and beauty of birds. The limit to which this profoundly important phase of the Association's work may be developed is set only by the extent of the resources which may be devoted to it. If the Association had nothing else to its credit but this awakening of the child's mind to the up- lifting influences of an acquaintance with birds, it would be eminently deserving of the support which the public has so generously accorded it. The clouds of war should not be per- mitted to cast their shadow over this work. Howev'cr much we may be called upon to give for the honor of our country and the freedom of mankind, our children should not be deprived of even a frac- tional part of their heritage in nature. Six young men from the American Museum's Department of Birds and Mammals have answered their country's Call to Colors. Anthony is a lieutenant of artillery; Boyle has been in France for months, the first of the group to reach there; Chapin, Empey and Griscom are lieutenants of infantry; and Leo Miller, a lieutenant of aviation. It is an honor-roll of which the Museum may well be proud. All but one of these men have had more or less, several of them exceptional, experience in zoological ex- ploration, and we cannot but feel that the spirit which led them cheerfully to accept the hardships and dangers they have encountered in the pursuit of their pro- fession as naturalists has prompted them eagerly to offer their services in this call to a higher duty. We are sure that it will enable them to meet the vital tests of endurance and courage which await them. This we do know, that their experience in the field helped prepare them for their entrance examinations as well as for the subsequent courses of study and training through which they received their com- missions. We commend to Bird Clubs for discus- sion the possible relation between the unfavorable climatic conditions which prevailed over so wide an area last spring and the existing scarcity of winter birds. Cije ^ububon Societies; SCHOOL DEPARTMENT Edited by ALICE HALL WALTER Address all communications relative to the work of this depart- ment to the Editor, 67 Oriole Avenue, Providence, R. I. A NEW YEAR'S GREETING " 'Tis always morning somewhere, and above The awakening continents, from shore to shore Somewhere the birds are singing evermore!" — Henry W. Longfellow A STEP FORWARD The year 19 18 brings with it many new problems but an equal number of possibilities in the way of real progress. It has long been the wish of the School Department that our State Audubon Societies might be more closely brought together, so that, individually, each might share the benefit of a knowledge of what all collectively are doing. At present, many valuable leaflets, bulletins and larger publications are being issued by State Audubon Societies which do not reach the audience of which they are worthy. There could not fail to be an added zeal in our State Audubon work if more intimate exchanges of reports and observations of bird-study were pos- sible. Take, for example, the recent bulletins in magazine form, published by the Illinois Audubon Society. Here is a wealth of carefully prepared, recent observa- tions and lines of work carried on in the state, which would be valuable and most suggestive to any other State Audubon Society. These bulletins certainly show a decided step forward in the recognition of workable material and live observation. Without attempting to review them, a brief outline of the different aspects of bird-study with which they deal may suggest to other State Societies an improved point of departure. First, these bulletins are charm- ingly illustrated with pictures showing the discriminating photographer and nature-lover. Second, certain broad fields of study are definitely approached, covering areas within the state which deserve particular notice either on account of their natural beauties and advantages or their possibilities of reclamation and ultimate productivity. Thus 'The Ozark Region of Illinois' is described historically in connection with its ecological and ornithological significance, as one of several tracts, which should be put "under the public care at a time when purchase would incur but little expense," and the Illinois Audubon Society is particularly named as the proper sponsor of a movement to pre- serve this tract as "a refuge for wild life and as a source of pleasure to coming generations." SimilarK-, an artirlo dealing with farm and orchard sur\ey>, (57) ss Bird - Lore "primitive" areas, comparison of nesting records, the invasion of new areas, and town or city bird censuses maps out definite work to be profitably done in home surroundings, whether rural or urban. The adventures of a party of Boy Scouts on a trip of discovery down the Kmbarras River, the work of teachers of zoology and nature-study, of local Bird Clubs, and of museums and individual observers ivlio have things of value to report are given sj)ace in a most helpful way. The underlying objects of the Illinois Audubon Society itself are not overlooked, for both legis- lative and educational matters of moment are brought clearly to the atten tion of the reader. It is well worth while to publish such parts of the state and federal game laws as should be made familiar to everyone, whether adult or child, and it is equally of value to collate a bird bibliography especially applicable to the study of birds in the home state of an Audubon Society as is done in these bulletins. The editorials also, are to the point and practical, and are written evidently to aid the farmer as well as the teacher or scholar. Check-lists of Illinois birds, arranged according to orders and com- parative local seasonal lists, place within the reach of every child and Audubon Society member information which otherwise might be unattainable by reason of expense or lack of acquaintance with the nature-books in libraries or actual working lists of reliable ornithologists. Altogether, the appearance of these bulletins is most hopeful for a broader, and far more practical and coordinated grasp of bird-study in relation to Audubon Society ends and aims. From time to time the School Department will bring to the notice of its readers publications of this nature, and, in doing so, invites the cooperation of State Societies in sending copies of such publications for inspection. The success of nature-study undoubtedly depends much upon the united effort of State Audubon Societies and their friends with that of teachers and pupils. Again, the emphasis must be laid upon unity, not only of purpose, but also of action. — A. H. W. JUNIOR AUDUBON WORK For Teachers and Pupils Exercise XXXVII: Correlated with Physiology and Spelling THE BIRD'S STORE OF ENERGY In 1915, we commenced a series of simple studies in structure. The plan of a bird was discussed, some of the most striking features of its skeleton, namely, lightness, compactness, and stability were noted, and the adaptation of the beak and tail and the development and use of feathers were briefly touched upon. All of these parts of a bird's structure are important in its flight, search for food, and nest -building, but they arc no{ the parts which first of all ]")roduce its The Audubon Societies 5g energy. We know that, of all living creatures, birds have the greatest amount of energy and are most tireless in their activities. The secret of this fund of power must be sought in the organs of digestion and circulation. One might suppose that a much larger body would be needed to generate as much energy as a bird needs, and that a framework of elephantine size, for example, would be productive of far greater speed in flight and endurance in cold, storms, or continuous exertion. That this is not only not the case, but is (juite unnecessary and even impracticable. Nature has demonstrated during untold ages; for we have now at hand so many of her former experiments in various types of flying monsters for comparison, that we can safely be assured that the modern bird, endowed with flight, has been developed along the most effective and economical Hues, to take its part in the world-complex of living organisms. Just how this has been brought about, the study of comparative anatomy tells us, for without it, some of the peculiarities of the bird's structure would be an insoluble puzzle. In this exercise, therefore, let us search for some of the reasons why a bird is able to produce and keep up so great an amount of motor- power, or energy, observing that this energy is most strikingly expressed in the form of motion and heat in the case of a bird. When one calls to mind a Hum- mingl)ird, poising on wings which vibrate so rapidly that they cannot be clearly seen, it is certain that there must be a remarkably perfect mechanism for transmitting the energy which sustains such rapid, and long-continued motion. Great wheels chained to roaring waterfalls and belted to smaller wheels, which in turn move giant gangway saws or huge millstones, scarcely produce an amount of power which will cause more rapid motion. Again, if one considers a bird like the Penguin, which nests in Antarctic regions, incubating its single egg and rearing its nestling young successfully with no other aid than a particularly warm blanket of fat which keeps in the heat of its body so that it does not succumb to the cold and freeze, it is clear that the energy necessary to keep up and conserve this body heat must be prac- tically never-failing. The temperature of our own bodies as ordinarily taken by placing a tem- perature-bulb under the tongue, is normally 98.6° F. On the surface of the skin the temperature varies around 90° F., while inside the body, in the li\er, it rises as high as 107° F. Birds normally maintain a tem[)erature of over 100° F, in general 10° to 12° higher than our own, which is an indication of the rapid rate at whicli t hex- generate heat. It is useful to remember that no other living organisms have so high a body-temperature. Now the c|uestion arises: What produces this wonderful amount of motion and heat, and having once produced it, what keeps it up? \ fire will burn l"iercel\- when lirsl kindled, but it soon dies down unless replenished. In a similar manner, as fuel must be conslanlly supplied to keep uj) a lire, so fuel in the form of food must l)e supplied to ki-ej) up the energy 6o Bird - Lore necessary to maintain the heat of the body or any of its activities such as motion, locomotion, or, in man, an activity like the power of thinking. Food, then, is the real source of the bird's unsurpassed energy, and, con- sequently, the food-habits of birds form one of the most important and in- structive chapters in their life-history. In this exercise there is not space to ilcvote to the kinds of food birds eat, since our object now is to gain some idea of how food is transmitted into a sufficient amount of energy to maintain the tireless activities of birds. It is evident that whatever the process of taking in and digesting food is, it must be governed by certain regulations. Some of these regulations in the case of birds are: 1. Capacity for a rapid, large, and frequent intake of food. 2. Capacity for rapid and thorough digestion. 3. Capacity for rapid elimination of all waste material. All of the powerful apparatus necessary to keep up the bird's food- factory must, moreover, conform to the requirements of its general structure, which, we have recalled, are lightness, compactness, and stability. In other words, the bird must at one and the same time keep up a maximum of food-producing energy with a minimum of apparatus. It is a wonderful problem worked out in some of Nature's most perfect ways. Watching a bird eat, perhaps the most surprising thing is the amount it eats and the rapidity with which it eats. Although a bird may occasionally get choked or have a pain from such hasty and unlimited eating, it is prob- able that its digestion is so carefully regulated that few upsets of this kind occur. Nature has provided birds with two very eflfective contrivances to take care of the large amounts of quickly gulped food, namely a crop and a gizzard. The crop, you may recall, is between the mouth and the stomach, a sort of half-way reservoir where food can be stored until the stomach is ready to take charge of it. Now a bird's stomach is made up of two parts, a proventriculus or glandular stomach, resembling the human stomach, with gastric juices to aid in breaking up particles of food, and a gizzard or grinding-mill, as it might be described, from its thick walls and content of stones, swallowed by the bird for the actual purpose of grinding its food. Following the digestive apparatus on farther through its tortuous windings, we discover that as soon as all of the use- ful parts of the food-materials in the stomach have been broken up and passed on into the blood to be circulated throughout the body, the refuse or non-usable parts, are rapidly pushed along out of the food-tube to make room for a fresh supply. This well-nigh perfect system of digestion insures to the bird the ability to produce, by means of an unusually large amount of food, the immense motor-power which it requires for its daily activities. Could we examine in detail this digestive outfit, we should understand far more clearly the value of birds as the friends of man and the guardians of forests and fields. At the same time, we should be more than ever impressed with Nature's ability to perfect a plan in a special manner for a particular purpose. Although The Audubon Societies 6i it is too long and complicated a story for us, as yet, to follow through, we can learn it bit by bit, as we study more and more into the subject of the bird's structure. When we come to the circulatory system of the bird, which goes hand in hand with its digestive system, the same economy of apparatus is found, without loss of thoroughness. In birds, the blood is kept pure and moving rapidly, especially to the relatively huge flight muscles, for it is very necessary to have constantly on hand fresh, air-purified blood in sufficient quantity to aid in pro- ducing the energy which must be ceaselessly transmitted into heat and motion and other uses. If you could look at the heart of a fish and the heart of a reptile and the heart of a bird, with all the arteries, veins, and tiny tubes called capillaries that go into them, you would have one of Nature's interesting stories before you. It is something to look forward to as you study more, and though it is in places difiicult to discover all the reasons for the different ways in which the blood of fishes, reptiles, and birds circulates, there is always a reason and it can be found out by careful study. A point to emphasize now is the practical working of the bird's internal machinery and, as already said, this centers around food. With the bird, it is always food and more food. In fact, food is the mainspring of all life, and this we are coming to realize in these days of stress and war, as never before in this generation. If the food-relations of different races and classes of men could be more equally adjusted, it is probable that the major woes of mankind would dis- appear, for the demand for food and for more food is constantly upper- most in our daily fife, with the increase and spread of population. Birds have then a problem quite Hke our own to face, which should lend interest and sympathy to our study of and relations with them. It is a modern philosopher who says: "The haps and mishaps of the hungry make up natural history." In this year of 1918 we are all called upon to conserve and to produce more food than ever before. The birds can help uS if we will help them. One way to take hold of this question of the food-relations of birds and man is to classify the different kinds of food and food-habits — first, of birds and, second, of man. A simple scheme with reference to birds, as follows, may be suggestive to you. in making out a similar scheme for man: I 1. Fish-eating birds. 2. Vegetarian birds. Weed-seed, fruit, grass and tender weeds. 3. Insectivorous birds. 4. Carnivorous birds. 5. Birds which eat more than one kind of food. b. Birds which vary their food during the diiTer«nt seasons of the year. 7. Birds which eat carrion or are of scavenger habit. 8. Birds which feed in flocks and reasons for the kinds of damage thty may un- wittingly do to crops. 62 Bird -Lore I). Birds which distribute seeds: useful to man; harmful to man. 10. Birds as guano-producers. Actual money-value to man. 11. Birds as guardians of forests; as pruners of vegetation. 12. Birds in relation to destructive insect pests; fungous pests. Refer to Useful Birds and Their Frotection by E. H. Forbush; Birds in Their Relation to Man, by Weed and Dearborn; and bulletins of the United States Department of Agriculture on Economic Ornithology. II 1. Kinds of food of different races of men. 2. Distribution of staple articles of food, such as wheat, corn, rye, barley, sugar- cane, vegetables, fruits, rice and other cereals, cofYee, tea, cacao, cncoanul, dates, figs, fish, and shell-fish. 3. Supply of milk, cream, fats, and meat and necessity for any or all of these. 4. Which kinds of food are most indispensable to life? 5. Which kinds properly cooked and properly eaten will produce the most energy? 6. Which kinds are produced in the greatest abundance? 7. Which kinds are used by the greatest number of people? 8. Which kinds of food preferred by man do birds eat? 9. Which kinds used by man do birds protect? 10. Which kinds are capable of being improved? How? 11. Which kinds can be grown in a home-garden? Which, only in large and si)ecially cultivated areas? 12. How can man best help birds so that they in turn may help him best? See Crop Zones and Life-Zones of the United Stales, by D. C. Hart Merriam; Bulletin No. 10, 1898, U. S. Department of Agriculture; Work of Luther Burbank; Wild Bird Guests, by Ernest Harold Baynes. — A. H. W. FOR AND FROM ADULT AND YOUNG OBSERVERS SOME HIGH-SCHOOL METHODS OF BIRD-STUDY In response to inquiries concerning our work, I wish to inform you of what we are doing here in the way of interesting the students in birds and bird- study. During the first two weeks in February I showed a set of lantern-sUdes to all our first-year classes and encouraged them to form a Junior Audubon Society. The slides showed types of winter birds and methods of attracting birds. In my talk I emphasized the economic importance of birds. Since that time, under the direction of Miss Amy E. Hale, about forty students have formed a society. They are to send their names this week. This past week, through the direction of the South County Rod and Gun Club and the State Bird Commission, thirty-live students have dis- tributed 300 pounds of scratch-feed and the Boy Scouts each carried a bag of grain when they started on their hike. The newspapers have reported The Audubon Societies 6,S this, and some wholesome aid has been given to interesting the people in lind- ing the birds. Miss Hale in her Introductory Science Classes has planned extra work for credit in recognizing and keeping records of birds and bird migrations. Several have started records of this kind. I hope that the stories and records of this work will be worth sending to you later. — Israel R. Sheldox, Principal, Westerly High School, Westerly, R. I. BIRD CONSERVATION IN CEMETERIES AND PARKS Bird-lovers generally are beginning to realize what wonderful opportunities for bird conservation are to be found in our city cemeteries and, possibly, even in the small city parks, wherever the vagrant cat problem is not too much neglected. Philadelphia, with the largest natural park in the world, has just decided to utilize the wonderful resources for increasing the bird-life about the city, a very necessary consideration with all the added vegetable - gardens under cultivation this year. In- secticides are necessary and help- ful, but the best insect-destroy- ers of all do not come in bottles or packages, but in nests and bird- boxes. Under the encouragement of Mrs. W. Hersey Thomas, a stu- dent of birds and insect life, the children in the Friends' Schools of Philadelphia and Germantown have this past spring made a number of Bluebird and Wren- boxes, and, with the cooperation of the Park Commission, forty of these boxes have already been erected in Fairmount Park. al)out Chamounix, and on the upper part of Lincoln Drive. .More will follow next year. Feeding-stations for winter care of tin- birds will .soon !)(' put up, and bird-patrols among the school-children will look atler them. This nio\-emcnl, if consistently dcxelopcd, should succeed in increasinu the IIK (.IkAklJ .WENUK JLMOk M'DUBON SOCIKTV 64 Bird - Lore knowledge of birds and their usefulness to man better than mere class-room work and could well be made part of the regular curriculum in our schools. Every child interested means one less unconscious destroyer of bird-life and one more active helper in its conservation. [To these practical suggestions, the School Department can add only its unreserved approbation. Concrete work with a definite end in view will help to raise the standard of bird-study more than any other one thing. For further advice in this matter, see Circular No. 2, 'Cemeteries as Bird-Sanctuaries,' National Association of Audubon Societies. — A. H. W.] A WORD OF APPRECIATION AND A TESTIMONY TO THE VALUE OF BIRD-STUDY I get the American Boy, Boys' Life, Boys' Magazine, Youths' Companion and many other magazines, but Bird-Lore has always been my favorite paper. I started getting it November-December, 1914. I enjoy reading it through again and again. I wouldn't stop getting it for the world. My favorite pastime is bird-study. I am just 13 years old but have seen, mostly in Hampden, 104 species of wild birds, including the Wood Duck, Snowy Owl, Great Blue Heron, Woodcock, Little Green Heron and Bittern. All of these were seen in Hampden. The Robin, Bluebird, Song Sparrow, Crow and Junco are already here from the South, and to-day I put up a ten-room and a three-room Swallow house and a two-room and a one-room Bluebird house. I already had out several houses and two big lunch-counters. Today I put out a cement bird-bath. I will be mighty glad when I get the next issue of Bird-Lore. — Norman Lewis, Hampden, Maine. [It is pleasant to know that Bird-Lore is so much appreciated, especially when it is compared with such admirable publications as those cited above. One reason for the strong appeal which this magazine makes is the fact that it is based almost entirely upon actual observation of living birds. In no study is there a wider opportunity for keen observation, careful discrimination, and esthetic appreciation. Again the controversy comes to mind of the value of bird- and nature-study for purposes of culture and utility. It hardly seems that any other study is better adapted to these ends. — A. H. W.] A RURAL JUNIOR AUDUBON SOCIETY As the teacher of Junior Bird Class 783, Hudson, Mass., I would like to tell you a little of our work. During the year we held twenty-nine meetings. The average attendance was eight. May 6 we had an exhibition in the primary room of our rural church, which was attended by interested friends, who examined carefully the work of the children. A collection of forty nests, belonging to the class, was shown. Our oldest member gave us the Audubon motto beautifully lettered. Another member had a most interesting collection of feathers, each mounted on a card. The Audubon Societies 65 with the name of the species to which it belonged, while another sliowed a 'Book of Birds' which she had worked on all winter. The Leaflets made a great display and represent many, many hours of work. A short program, given by the children, consisted of original papers, poems by various authors, etc. On our first bird-walk we observed eight species, and on our last walk for the year, twenty-three. The older members keep weekly lists. At our last meeting one member had twenty-six species. The number of species observed by the class is forty-three. It has been a great surprise that the pupils could so easily see and hear such a large number of species. One member saw a Junco with nesting material in its bill, and later in the season I saw and heard the Junco singing its simple trill. A pair of White- breasted Nuthatches nested near my home and brought their three babies to the winter feeding-station. The lessons in the School Department are greatly enjoyed by the class. They are now learning the one about types of nests. The second year's work has started well, fifteen children being enrolled at the second meeting. This report tells nothing of the joy of the children over each new species, nor of my own in the class as a whole. Some of the members are looking for- ward to years of work together.— Agnes M. Learned, Hudson, Mass. [From the Clinton Daily Item the following description of the reasons for the organization of this Junior Class is taken. The article, together with the teacher's letter, brings out several points of distinct value: First, the formation of the Society as a natural and spontaneous outgrowth from a Sunday-school class in which a live interest in nature had been awakened, is distinctly unusual and wholly to be commended. Second, the exhibition held in the children's room in the church, to which "interested friends"_ were invited who "examined carefully the work of the children," is an example of pains- taking, concrete work, individually helpful and rewarding to teacher and pupil alike. Third, the value of weekly bird-walks with individual lists not only taken and kept, but compared in the class, is brought out. Fourth, the joy and comradeship of this Junior Audubon Society, and the desire of many of its members to continue bird-study, are evidently a natural outcome of sympathetic teaching and willing working. — A. H. W.] THE CHICKADEE There's a little bird singing up in the tree, "Chickadee — Chickadee — Chickadee — dee." He wears a black cap and has a black throat. The rest of him's grey. Can you hear his clear note? He does not.keep still very long, you may know, And he keeps hopping 'round, in the rain or the snow. He's happy all day, if warm or if cold; He comes near the house, but is not very bold. He gets very tame if you treat him just right. And will stay near your house from morning 'till night. — By a member of the Hudson Junior Bird Class, Bessie McCulloch, VIII Grade. 66 Bird -Lore AN OBSERVATION AT FIRST HAND 1 am writing to tell you about a bird I have seen. One night after school I was playing in the yard and a Cedar Waxwing lit on the ground l)y a stone. I thought it seemed very tame and so I tried to see how close I could come to it before it flew. So I went up to it. It did not seem afraid, so I picked it up in my hands. It did not struggle. I carried it into the old wash-house in a basket and fed it on seeds. It got so it flew all around and then I carried it across the road and let it go and it flew away. — Leonice Hill, AshviUe, Maine. [Perhaps this bird was exhausted from a storm, or was not well, for even birds can be ill, or it may have been a young bird, strayed from its mates. Cedar Waxwings arc accustomed to go in flocks, usually small but sometimes, as has been lately reported, in numbers as large as twenty-five or thirty or more. — .\. H. W.] AN EXERCISE IN BIRD-STUDY Dear Jerome: In the paper there was a notice to feed the birds. There are a great many birds in your woods, and when you go to the camp you could feed all the wild birds. You ought to read the story of ^^ Freckles'' and do the same as he did. When I go out there we will take a walk in the woods and see the birds. The snow is very deep out there, and the birds can't find anything to eat. I will write and tell you about our bird-club sometime. — Earle Tompkins, East- hampton, Mass. [The teacher who sent this article, simply asked her class to write something about birds, after reading the scene in" Freckles" which describes his interest in birds. She writes: "In addition to the club in my own school, I have been starting bird-study in tlie other public schools of the town. As an experiment, we took only grades 5 to 7 and have ten clubs. The Superintendent has furnished a substitute for my room, and I have done it without extra pay, for the experience. I hope sometime to get into this work altogether." Again, a teacher who is full of enthusiasm and a desire to make bird-study, not only successful, but general in the middle grades, shows how possible it is to i)ul this study on a practical and, at the same time, pedagogical basis. It is much to be desired that more experienced teachers can go into the work of organizing bird-clubs.— A. H. W.] MAKING BIRD-BOXES I am going to make a bird-box for the l)irds. When the cold weather comes they like to have a house to go into. In our room we have made forty-one bird- boxes. Many boys and girls have made one, and they have put up forty-one bird-boxes. In our room some of the boys and girls have joined the Audubon Society. — Edith Strigel, Lawndale, Fa. [This brief chronicle of work accomplished suggests the cjuestion of how many birds seek bird-boxes as places of shelter during the time when they arc not nesting. Who can answer this question from personal observation? — .\. H. W.] The Audubon Societies 67 A SOUTHERN CHRISTMAS CENSUS We are two little girl-sisters who are living in Georgia now with our papa and mama. We were born in Knoxville, Tenn., on Chestnut Hill, where there are a great many birds, and Aunt M ■ W who loves birds, taught us their names. When I was two and a half years old I could name twelve birds. . Aunt M came from Tennessee to spend Christmas with us. This morning we took little sister B- and walked through Inman Park where there are a great many evergreen trees called water oaks. We were looking for birds for our Christmas Census. We saw: 12 Blue Jays, 6 Towhees, 5 Cardinals, 2 Mockingbirds, 25 in all. We heard a Flicker and a Carolina Wren and thought we heard a Bewick Wren. The weather is so warm that we have the windows open. — Anne Wood- ward King (age 5 years), Beth R.\nkin King (age 2 years), Atlanta, Ga. [This census is dated December 25, 1916, and being published a year later, as it is, comparisons with this year's weather, which is unusually severe up to the time of writ- ing, December 12, as well as with the occurrence of winter birds this season, will be help- ful. The fact that one of these little girls learned to name twelve birds before she was three years old suggests the appeal of birds to very small children. A boy friend, James York, learned to recognize many birds from a picture-book almost as soon ashe could talk.— A. H. W.] A SNAPSHOT OF A GRAY SCREECH OWL Note. -The contriinilor of this picture, Wolfrid Rudycrd Boulton. Jr., writes from Beaver, Pa.: "A snaj^shot of a gray Screech Owl thai wintered in our orchard. Its mate was rult)us. .\ pair of I'"lickers raised a brood oi si.\ young ones in the same hole this season.' [This observation of double tenantry during a season might often be duplicatetb no doubt, if Junior .\udubon members were on the lookout liuriug oil seasons of the year- The Screech Owl, one of our small Owls, is (|uite ((.ninion thmuL-lioul a wide area, and 68 Bird- Lore is always an interesting as well as useful neighbor. Just why its weird, tremulous call should lead superstitious people to think it forbodes trouble, it is hard to say, unless it is the survival of a tradition among country folk handed down for centuries. — A. H. W.l VACATION OBSERVATIONS This summer I spent part of my vacation at Lake Winnepesaukee, N. H. One morning when I was out on the lake I saw an Eagle flying not far above us. That afternoon as I was enjoying a motor-boat ride to Centre Harbor, I saw two Bald-headed Eagles resting on the limbs of a dead tree. We were so close to them that we could easily see the white spots on their heads which I was told is the reason for calling them bald-headed. A little further along we passed near two Loons. Our view of them was very short, as they soon went under water, which is their custom when danger approaches. Another day we went across the lake to visit the Libby Memorial Museum, which contains specimens of all the birds, mammals, reptiles, and fish which inhabit the surrounding country. I recall particularly the handsome feathers of the wild Ducks and Pheasants, also those of the Partridge and Woodcock. If any of your readers should visit that part of the country, I hope they will go to the Libby Museum at Luftenbrough. It is worth while. — Janet Merrill, (age 12 years. Grade VIII), Methuen, Mass. ["Written by a member of the Methuen Junior Audubon Society," says the letter of the organizer of the Society which accompanied these observations. "The writer is very observant and enthusiastic, and ... I am anxious to encourage these traits in the other thirty members of our flourishing Club. They read Bird- Lore at the meetings." To those acquainted with the bird-life about Lake Winnepesaukee, these notes on the Bald-headed Eagle and Loon will bring back delightful memories of similar observations on red-letter days. — A. H. W.j JUNIOR AUDUBON WORK AND THE ENGLISH SPARROW We have just got up a bird club in our room, but we haven't named it yet. I would like it to be an Audubon Society. We had a bird club here for children and adults last year. There were about twenty-five adults and twelve boys. We had Prof. Randolf from Youngstown, Ohio, give a lecture on his experi- ences with the birds, using lantern-slides to illustrate it. The club has broken up now although I don't know the reason. I listed 121 different species of birds last year and have 41 this year so far. We are in a good place to look for birds, as Grove City is situated a mile and a half from Barmore Lake, and on the banks of Wolf Creek. Lots of Wild Ducks visit these waters. A Wood Duck has nested for several years along Wolf Creek, 2 miles out from town. As I sit here and write I have to tap the window every few minutes to keep the English Sparrows from eating the food that I have set out for other birds. I have had Robins, Chipping Sparrows, Song Sparrows, and Chickadees The Audubon Societies 69 visit my feeding-liouse, in a town of 5,000. I am eleven years old. — Nevin G. Nicholson, Grove City, Pa. [Readers of the School Department v\all be interested, it is hoped, to report on the amount of interference with other birds, caused by the EngHsh Sparrow at winter feed- ing-counters. All such observations will be gladly received and compared. — \. H. W.] The boys of the Junior Audubon Nature-Study Club, Bellefontaine, Ohio, dec- orated a tree for the birds on December 23. Pop-corn, suet, cranberries, bread, etc., were hung on the tree, with Xmas bells. — Daniel McMillen, President, Bellefontaine, Ohio. BIRDS ON A STATUE I watched some birds across a city street .\flrighted at the sound of coming feet. They scorned the teamster's proffered grain to share, V'iewing each lure askance as though a snare, While little children brought their crumbs in vain. Eager some mark of confidence to gain. Distrustful of each human move, at last They flew upon a statue where they passed Long restful minutes on the arms and head That, never having moved, they knew were dead. O what a travesty on gentle Man! That even little birds have learned to scan Him first, if he indeed be flesh and bone. Or. harmkss bronze, or cold protecting stone. -F. J. Sawykk. ^]^e Butrution .Societies; EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT Edited by T. GILBERT PEARSON, Secretary Address all correspondence, and send all remittances for dues and contributions, to the National Association of Audubon Societies, 1974 Broadway, New York City. William Butcher, President Frederic A. Lucas, Acting President T. Gilbert Pearson, Secretary Theodore S. Palmer, First Vice-President Jonathan Dwight, Jr., Treasurer Samuel T. Carter, Jr., Attorney Any person, club, school or company in sympathy with the objects of this Association may become a member of it, and all are welcome. Classes of Membership in the National Association of Audubon Societies for the Protection of Wild Birds and Animals: $3 annually pays for a Sustaining Membership $100 paid at one time constitutes a Life Membership $1,000 constitutes a person a Patron Ss.ooo constitutes a person a Founder $25,000 constitutes a person a Benefactor Form of Bequest: — I do hereby give and bequeath to the National Association of Audubon Societies for the Protection of Wild Birds and Animals (Incorporated), of the City of New York. A WARNING! There is great danger that, in the face of the numerous calls on the time and means of the people of this country to help fight the battle of civilization, the necessity of conserving our wild bird- and animal-life may, in a measure, be lost sight of. In fact, there are many signs that this tendency has already developed. Numerous bird- clubs and other organizations of a similar character have recently reported the suspension of activities. It is perfectly natural that many good, patriotic people who have theretofore warmly supported bird-protective efforts should now feel that all their available resources must be given to the defense of their country and to the alleviation of human suffering. But if the friends of bird-protection arc to some extent temporarily suspending their interest in the cause, it is most certainly true that the enemies of wild life are very much alive, and the time has come when those of us more actively engaged in wild-life conservation should set the danger-signals flying from every hill. Never since this Association began its organized work, thirteen years ago in Januar\-, ha\c there been so Tnan\- indica- tions of concerted effort to break down bird- and game-restrictive measures as right now. Let me cite a few exmaples: Gunners in several of the eastern counties of Mass- achussetts have combined, and, by the assistance of certain officials in Wash- ington whose names need not be called, have begun a dangerous move to throw open the spring shooting of wild fowl in that territory. Exactly similar efforts are being made by the coastwise gunners of New Jersey. The very existence of Klamath Lake and Malheur Lake as Federal bird reservations is today hang- ing in the balance. These contain the most important breeding colonies of Ducks and Geese in the northwestern part of United States. Down in the mountains of northern New Mexico is one of the largest breed- ing territories of Ducks in the Southwest. For weeks this office and the Game Pro- tective Association of New Mexico have been exerting the utmost efforts to pre- vent this breeding area, known as Stink- ing Lake, from being leased to a company of eastern gunners for exploitation. The most important inland winter- ing-phuc for Ducks in the eastern United (70) The Audubon Societies States is Big Lake, the Federal reserva- tion in eastern Arkansas. As this is being written, a communication lies before me stating that, backed by commercial interest, it would seem that every man, woman, and child in all the country sur- rounding this great lake has recently signed a petition asking that, at least for the duration of the war, all prohibition of shooting be suspended, so that Ducks may here be killed for food. From Virginia come reports of efforts being made to suspend the law so as to permit the netting of wild water-fowl. When we consider the enormity of the food problems which may confront this country, the danger that lies behind these cunningly conceived moves is very appar- ent. The Migratory Bird Treaty Bill passed the United States Senate on July 30, but thus far it has been absolutely impossible to induce Congressman Flood, Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee of the Senate, to report the bill for senatorial action. If this is not done at the present session of Congress, all the efforts which the bird-protectors have made the past two years to get this treaty measure con- cluded will come to naught. There is every indication that tremendous pres- sure has been brought to bear on the Foreign Relations Committee to induce its inactivit\'. What are the friends of the birds going to do in this country? The time has come when the situation should squarely be faced. Are we going to say that we have no more time and money to give to help preserve the birds that make it possible to grow the crops of the land and to preserve our diminishing supply of wild game-birds? Are we going to say that the birds must shift for themselves until the enemy is conquered? In other words, are we going to abandon the work of a generation because of anxiety regarding conditions across the sea? Where can we get more valuable workers to help win the war than we have in our groves and fields? The wild birds ask for nothing more than to be let alone. This Association, in common with other organi- zations and individuals, has for years been standing as best it could between our Wild Life and the greed of mankind, and it would be an everlasting calamity if the work of all these years should be wiped out or nullit'ied to a horrible e.xtent for the lack of earnest volunteer workers, or a few thousand dollars with which to fight the battles for the birds, and yet this is a possibility. There never has been a time when the friends of conservation should more loyally support the efforts for bird- protection than today. CORNELL TO TEACH CONSERVATION OF WILD LIFE By E. A. QUARLES, Director department u[ Game lireedinf, American Game Protective .\ssociation The recent announcement by Cornell expect to engage in the many forms of University of the establishment of a field and executive work that the con- course of intensive instruction in the con- servation movement has already developed, scrvation of wild life is welcome news. such as, for instance, stale secretaryships Commencing February 18, 1Q18, there will of Au(lul)()n Societies, game jirotcctivc be given at this institution what will be associations, bird-lecture work, etc. This known as the Long- and Short-term course will require four years' work for Courses in wild-life conservation. completion and will lead to the degree of The Long-term Course is designed for Bachelor of Science. The usual Cornell those who wish to make a life-work of entrance examinations will be rei|uircd of conservation, and it is designed especially those seeking to take it. for ilu- Iraininu nl imii :in.| women who The Short term CourM-, ior wlii.li 72 Bird- Lore entrance examinations are not required, is designed more particularly for the following: 1. Those who wish to receive instruc- tion in the principles of game breeding and preserving, with the idea of fitting them- selves for the position of gamekeeper. 2. Those who wish to take up the breed- ing of game as a commercial pursuit. Lectures and laboratory work in this course will be given from February i8 to May II, and the entire work of the course will be completed September i, the interval between the end of the lectures and the closing of the course being spent on a game-breeding experiment farm which has just been established at Cornell under authority of an act passed by the New York Legislature at its last regular session. For the benefit of many who will be interested to know the facts leading up to Cornell's unique action, the following brief history is given: To Herbert K. Job, director of the Department of Applied Ornithology of the National Association of Audubon Societies, is due the credit for first putting in operation the teaching of wild-life conservation in an American institution of learning. This work was in the Connecticut State Agricultural E.xperiment Station at Storrs. Later, Charles E. Treman, of Ithaca, N. Y., a trustee of Cornell University, suggested informally that the installation of a game-breeding experiment farm at the University would be of great value in increasing the game-supply of the state. No definite steps were taken, however, to bring about action on the suggestion. Three years ago, those in charge of the Department of Game Breeding and Pre- serving of the American Game Protective Association found that the movement to supplement the supply of wild game by producing it under intensive methods in captivity was heavily handicapped through the lack of men experienced in game- breeding and scientific game-preserv- ing. Men qualified for such work are usually termed gamekeepers. The principal source of supply for such workers was Great Britain, but that countrv was not able to furnish a sufficient number of men to meet the demand. Finding itself faced with such a serious check to a movement so promising to the betterment of wild-life conservation work, the American Game Protective Associa- tion set about finding a solution for the problem. It took little reasoning to suggest that the utilization of the many excellent schools of poultry husbandry promised the best and quickest solution. The Cornell School was fixed upon as an institution of splendid promise after a thorough in- vestigation. Cornell had to be convinced, however, and so an opening wedge was used in the ofifer, two years ago, to give a lecture on the technique of game-breeding before the Department of Poultry Husbandry. This was accepted, and it resulted in an invitation for a second lecture and a series of talks on game-breeding during the following session. These lectures, fourteen in number, were given last December and were attended by more than 1,500 persons. The lecturers were Messrs. Herbert K. Job, Harry T. Rogers, and E. A. Quarles. Several of these lectures were repeated the February following, during Farmers' Week at Cornell, when nearly 4,500 farmers from the entire United States were in atten- dance at the University. The situation was now ripe for the movement to establish a game-breeding experiment farm at Cornell and install a course of instruction in game-breeding and wild-life conservation. A bill appropriat- ing $15,000 to purchase the farm was in- troduced and, strongly backed by the National Association of Audubon Societies, through its secretary, T. Gilbert Pearson, and the American Game Protective .Association, it was passed and received the approval of Governor Whitman. The farm has been selected. Taking title awaits the approval of the Attorney- general. It is located within easy walking distance of Cornell and possesses unusual advantages for the purpose for which it is to be employed. This course of instruc- The Audubon Societies 73 tion has all been laid out and awaits only the approval of the Cornell authorities for announcement. Among those who will take an active part in the lecture work may be mentioned Messrs. T. Gilbert Pearson, Herbert K. Job, E. H. Forbush, Ernest Harold Baynes, and Clinton G. Abbott, well- known lecturers on birds; Louis Agassiz Fuertes, Dr. A. K. Fisher, W. L. McAtee, Bradford A. Scudder, and many others equally well-known. The work on game- breeding and preserving will be con- ducted by Messrs. Job, Rogers, MacVicar, Burnham, Quarles, and others. From the Cornell faculty will be drawn such men as Dr. Arthur A. Allen, whose work in economic ornithology is so well known; Dr. J. G. Needham, the well-known biologist. Prof. James E. Rice, and others. Conservationists may well look upon the work proposed as one of the most impor- tant that has yet been undertaken in con- nection with the national movement to increase the country's wild life. BIRD LECTURES Herbert K. Job, of the Association's Department of Applied Ornithology, will devote part of his time this winter and spring to giving public lectures, both on general topics of wild bird-life and on the practical aspects of attracting and propagating wild birds and game. A descriptive circular of these lectures will be mailed, either by Mr. Job or from this office, to those who desire it. The lectures are illustrated, either with motion pic- tures or from Mr. Job's wonderful col- lection of colored lantern-slides. All fees received are used in support of the work of this Assoication, and it is hoped that these lectures will be in great demand by our friends. Detailed information may be obtained by writing Mr. Job at _'qi Main Street, West Haven, Conn. REPORTS OF AFFILIATED ORGANIZATIONS Audubon Society of Sewickley Valley (Pa.)- — Birds in this valley have noticeably multiplied since the organization of this Society on Apfil 28, 19 14, at the home of Mary Roberts Rinehart, and we feel that a goodly percentage of credit in their increase is due to the efforts of our Society. Our activities for the past year include such efforts as interesting and educat- ing the children through propaganda work in the schools; lectures for all ages; field outings for every member; bringing together the members of two Audubon Societies at a large annual dinner; and legislati\e work for the protection of Herons and migratory birds. The work among the school-children has resulted in several Junior Audubon classes, and in the springtime they made several excursions with their U>aders into the fields and woods. The study of birds is also included in the school curriculum, and a practical turn is given to this study by the making ot bird-houses, of which over seventy were turned out by one school last spring. A lecture in Sewickley, on November 17, by Mrs S. Louise Patleson, of Cleveland, on 'How to Have Bird Neighbors,' was of especial interest, as her bird- and feeding-boxes were so simple that an unskilled chiUl could make ihera. Mr. Oldvs, from Washington. D. C. was again with us this spring, and gave 74 Bird -Lore a lecture on 'Bird Friends' and several informal talks illustrated with stuffed bird si)ecimens. He also conducted several outings. One of the most enjoyable affairs of the year was the second annual meeting of the Western Pennsylvania Audubon Society and the Audubon Society of Sewickley Valley, at a dinner in the Fort Pitt Hotel, in Pittsburgh, at which several hundred members were present. Several notable speakers addressed the gathering, including Mr. Norman McClintock, who illustrated his address with his wonderful moving pictures of birds. A new committee has been appointed to erect bird-houses and winter feeding-stations along the miles of bridle-path through woodland and field. A very interesting article, taken from the Ladies' Home Journal, on 'The Des- Iructiveness of Cats on Bird Life,' was published by this Society in the local weekly paper. The Audubon posters for the encouragement of birds in our war gardens have been displayed in the shop windows of the neighborhood. The Society joinefl in the general protest to Congress in defense of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and many assurances of support were received. A bill before the Legislature at Harrisburg was so amended, on protest by this Society, that full protection to the Herons in this State is now assured. The Society now numbers 235 members and feels that it has had a very successful year. — (Mrs.) M. G. Rose, Secretary. Audubon Society of the Pacific. — This Society was organized January 25, 1917. Though the active members number only 80, and the war has called some away, the organization has already earned recognition by scientific organiza- tions and several departments of our state and Federal governments. The need had long been felt for a sustained supervision over a wider area of the Pacific Coast than had as yet been attained by any local and already-existing State Audubon Society. The organization of the Audubon Association of the Pacific was for the purpose of meeting this necessity. The organiza-tion was hardly completed before many and important tasks were clamoring for atten- tion. In the first few weeks of its existence the Association was instrumental in securing the defeat of the notorious 'Flicker Bill' in Legislature at Sacra- mento. This was an attempt by pseudo-sportsmen to put some useful insectiv- orous and song-birds on the roll of their hapless victims, the game-birds. The preservation of certain harmless Hawks, Owls, and Kingfishers, which had heretofore been included among the destructive species to bird and fish-life in the Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, was taken up with the Directorate of the Park and met with a cordial and ready approval. The passage of the Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act was urged upon representatives from the seven California counties at present included in the membership of the Associa- tion. All these lawmakers expressed approval of the measure and promised to support it. The Association is carrying on a world-wide investigation as to the des- Reports of Affiliated Organizations 75 truction of birfl-life by waste oil on the ocean. It is hoped that some information will be forthcominj^ in the near future, and that measures maybe inaugurated for the suppression of this scourge to the ocean avifauna, which has assumed alarming proportion off our California coast. An investigation as to the killing of birds at the lighthouses of the Pacific Coast is also under way, and some thirty-six letters have been received from lighthouse keepers in answer to a list of questions sent out. The study of these letters promises to shed some new light on the destruction of birds at such places and also some interesting facts as to the migrating habits and routes of travel of our Pacific Coast migrants. Lectures have been given at the monthly meetings, the sub- .^^^^ .^^^ jects presented covering interesting W^^L ^tt^^X ttB^S^I^^^^tB features of research on matters II^^Btoj^S^Hj^ /^Vi^^^^ ornithological, both in local and ^HPI^ .^^Bm^HHr '^^EIH foreign tields. The list of speakers, a veritable scientific galaxy, in- cludes Grinnell, Storrer, Bryant. ^__ Loomis, Kvermann, Maillard, and ^Wf9^-4^^m^ /te "^S'WS ' * others. Frequently, lantern illus- ^^^^ .««lfc- ^ trations were by cinematogra])hs k ^^^^^^ f^ -^^^^Jl and slides, taken by members P^^ ...^^/^ ^1 themselves. ^^ - -^^^ ' "• Field-trips under the guidance of some local expert have been made at fre(|uent intervals. These trips have j)roved most attractive, as well as educational, careful notes of each trip being secured by the 'historian" appointed for the day. These are read at the following open meeting of the Association, after which they are printetl and filed with the Library records. The trip of August 3 to the Farallon Islands was of more than i)assing in- terest. These Islands lie in the Pacific Ocean, 25 miles off the Golden Gale, and are under the jurisdiction of the Department of Commerce. They are well known as of si)ecial ornithological interest, being the nesting-place for ocean- going birds and teeming with bird-life in the breeding-season, and once being a favorite haunt for egg-poachers, as recorded in the encyclopedias. The Federal Government prohibits visitors to the Islands, but, in recognition of the Associa- tion's work, honored it as a special guest, taking us to and from the light- house tender. It seemed to the members of the .Association that the super- abundance of Western Gulls was probably a factor in the evidently stead\- CHASE LnilJCJOllX .\MJ AMV 1,. y.\ INTERVIEW l\f; A BARV PUFFIN 76 Bird - Lore decrease of the once amazingly abundant Murre population, and that measures for lessening the Gull myriads might be advisable. The Association has also asked the Federal authorities to extend the closed season on the Islands to the end of August, as many young birds and some brooding ones were evidently disturbed and endangered by our visit on August 3. We subscribe, through the National Association, for the magazine, Bird-Lore, which we place in the hands of every member. — C. B. Lastreto, President. The Bird Club of Long Island. — ^During the past year the Club has acquired an additional membership of 159 — 138 being annual subscribers and 21 life members. This gives the Club a total enrollment of 535, and thus presents a very satisfactory increase over the membership list of the previous year. It may be noted also that the Club is represented in no less than fifty- four localities on Long Island, and has therefore a more extended influence than ever before. The Treasurer's statement shows receipts, including the balance of last year, in the sum of $1,248.43, leaving a credit on July i, after the payment of all necessary expenses, of $1,047.64, of which the sum of $780 is represented in an interest-bearing certificate issued by the New York Life Insurance and Trust Company, this amount, however, being for investment by our Finance Com- mittee, and covering life-membership fees, as under a previous ruling of the Executive Committee these are retained and only the income may be applied toward general expenses. The activities of the Club have been pursued along nearly the same lines as during the previous season. More than 1,000 enamel and Hnen signs, printed in English and Italian, were posted on trees and fences, threatening all persons with arrest and prosecution who molested birds or destroyed their nests. The public and private schools now enrolled as unit members show a total attend- ance of some 2,235 children who receive, under the same arrangement as last year, through the National Association of Audubon Societies, such printed matter as it may issue, including leaflets and pictures of bird-life, and thus acquire a knowledge of the usefulness of birds and an interest in their protection. Bird buttons were distributed to the children attending pubhc schools, and also given to the employees on private estates, in order to arouse their sympathy and support and instil in the minds of all, especially those of foreign birth, the fact that birds must not be harmed or injured in any way. A publicity com- mittee of seven was also instituted to collect and publish information and answer inquiries; these are numerous and indicate a widespread desire on the part of many to cooperate in extending the good work which the Club was intended to perform. A larger membership, however, is desirable in order to provide an adequate income to carry out the useful purposes for which our Club was organized and also permit the Executive Committee to undertake the development of certain Reports of Affiliated Organizations 77 'W *K .;,.c' : .- 'ir^;^**^.:. COL. THEODORE ROUaE\ ELT, PRESIDENT OF THE Lu.\u l.-LAXD BIRD CLUB, TALKING WITH CAPT WM. SPRINKLE, AUDUBON WARDEN AT PASS CHRISTIAN, MISSISSIPPI. ■& plans in view. It is therefore urged that an active interest may be shown to increase our list of subscribers to at least 1,000, and that our birds may be pro- tected, their wanton destruction checked, and information distributed as to the best methods of attracting them, while their economic value may be taught to the landowner and farmer in every part of our Island. This great service The Bird Club of Long Island is anxious to perform if means are forthcoming from a larger membership to enable it to accomplish those benefits to the community that its limited resources render impossible at this time. With the present scarcity of labor, the necessity of bird-protection becomes more and more evident, and this was never more apparent than at the present moment. — Alice Greenough Townsend, Secretary. Bird Conservation Club (Maine). — Our Bangor Club, which was started three years ago by a half-dozen ladies who were especially interested in bird- study and conservation, grew rapidly for the first year, and during the last two years has increased more slowly but steadily. Our membership is now 75. Our activities have not included great undertakings, but we know that we have influenced the sentiment of our community. We have had printed some 78 Bird- Lore conservation posters, planned lo interest and enlighten, and these wc have had distributed broadcast over the state, to school-rooms, post-offices, town halls, wherever our members have wandered. Also, we have had printed some cloth reservation posters. These we have used in vicinity of Bangor, where we have persuaded many owners of large estates or woodlands to reserve their property as bird sanctuaries and to forbid all shooting and hunting. We have communicated with all the granges of our county and distributed much literature to them. Thus we hope to reach the ears and hearts of the farmers, to whom bird-conservation is so important. Wc are not allowed to form clubs in the public schools of the city, but we have offered prizes for bird-houses, and the manual training departments of the schools have turned out a great many nesting-boxes which we have assisted the boys and girls to place. The Club itself has placed eight to ten dozen nesting-boxes, and we have been rewarded by many bird tenants — Martins, Bluebirds, Wrens and Tree Swallows. During the winter months we have fed the winter birds. Last winter several hundreds pounds of suet were placed by the Club and by individual members, as well as large quantities of dry feed for the seed-eating birds. Not many species of birds brave our Maine winters, but Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers, Chickadees, and both White- and Red-breasted Nuthatches were daily pen- sioners of our bounty, and several other kinds came occasionally to our feeding- stations. We have also been visited by flocks of Pine Grosbeaks, Evening Grosbeaks, Bohemian Waxwings, and Redpolls. In the last two years our Club has planted nearly a hundred trees in the various parks of the city: fruit-bearing trees, mountain-ash, and wild crab- apple to furnish food for our winter birds, and evergreen trees to furnish them needed shelter. During the winter we held regular monthly meetings, when we have listened to many interesting papers and discussions. Occasionally we have secured speakers of some note. The meetings have been very well attended. During the spring season, and again in the fall, we have held numerous field meetings, which have been delightful and conducive to increase interest. W^e have tried to 'do our bit' by writing letters to our Congressmen in both State and National Legislatures whenever any measures bearing on bird-pro- tection were up for consideration. We have done something in the past, and we hope to do more in the future. — Alice B. Bowt.n, Secretary. Birdlovers' Club of Brooklyn (New York). — During the season of 19 1 0-17 the Birdlovers" Club of Brooklyn held monthly meetings from October to May and conducted monthly field trips to Prospect Park under the leadership of members of the Club. Addresses were given on various phases of bird-study and identification in the field by Dr. Edward W. Vietor Reports of Affiliated Organizations 79 and Edward F. Fleischer. Howard H. Cleaves, of the Staten Island Museum, gave an interesting address on his recent trip to the Virginia coast, with beautiful lantern slides of the bird-life of that region. The Club sent typewritten letters to all Senators and Representatives at Washington in favor of the Migratory Bird law, and many individual members wrote both Senators and Representatives. A bird-glass was presented as a prize to the boy or girl doing the most efficient work in bird-study in the Children's Museum. This competition aroused much interest among the school-children in the study of local birds. The study collections of the Children's Museum Bird-Room were materially increased and improved by a fund of nearly $200 raised by the Birdlovers' Club. These study collections are used continually for intensive study by groups of Audubon members. The Birdlovers' Club maintains, through Doctor E. W. Victor, a monthly Bulletin, posted in the Brooklyn Museum and in the Children's Museum, of the birds of Prospect Park. Up to the present time the Club has identified a total of 168 species of birds in Prospect Park. One interesting inquiry came to the Club from Russia, the heart of the war zone, for material on the subject of bird-conservation. — George O. Schoon- HOVEN, Secretary. Blair County (Pa.) Game, Fish and Forestry Association. — The conser- vation and propagation work of the Association, as applied to wild birds, was carried forward during the past year in the same effective manner as that of previous years. Realizing that it is education that forms the common mind, the Association ofifered prizes to the school-children of the county who would erect bird-boxes and have them first occupied in the spring. The children entered spiritedly into the contest, with results that were countywide. The sum of S25 was appropriated for bird-boxes that were presented to the schools of the county, hundreds of houses being built by the Association on Government specifica- tions and sold broadcast for 25 and 30 cents each, or the bare cost price. The sum of $42 was appropriated and invested in grain, which was carried to all sections of the county during the severe winter months and used to feed game-, song- and insectivorous-birds. The .\ssociation also invested S33 in barberry and bayberry trees, planted in selected spots to furnish feed for birds. The Blair County Clul) is inslniincnlal in liaxing the county closed to Quail and Ring-necked Pheasants for the 1917 season, and made an earnest effort to have Ruffed Grouse protected for a year, but in this was unsuccessful. Several hundred notices, calling attention to the sUite law regarding the ilis- turhiiig of wild birds or their nests, were |)(>ste(l in all parts ol the county, and So Bird- Lore several prosecutions were made and convictions secured for the killing of wild birds, with excellent effect on the irresponsible element that causes such des- truction. And what is probably most important in the organization's work, it has educated an unthinking public to a point where there is a protective thought for the wild bird. — John H. Winters, President. SIGN AND BIRD-BOX ERECTED BY BLAIR COUNTY, PENN- SYLVANIA, GAME, FISH AND FORESTRY ASSOCIATION. THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE PASS CLOSE BY THIS SPOT. Brookline (Mass.) Bird Club. — The report of the Brookline Bird Club for this year might well be a repetition of last year's work. Though the war has stopped the proposed publishing of the work of the Club to date and drawn very heavily upon the time and energy of the Directors, progress can be reported in all lines of effort. The membership of the Club — nearly 600 — is the largest since the organiza- tion came into existence. The lectures and 'round-table talks prove as popular as formerly, and much information and instruction is obtained by those attending. This year, the Directors are endeavoring to develop these meetings so that more members will take an active part and become contributors to it, thus offering an opportunity for questions and the relating of bits of interesting bird- experiences. Reports of Affiliated Organizations m We are especially glad to be able Lo report that, through the efforts of the Club, Horace Taylor was again engaged to lecture to the children in the public schools. We believe that this will now become a permanent feature of the nature-study work, and the Superintendent of Schools states that an appro- priation will be asked for next year to continue this good work. The Forestry Department of the town, whose activities are closely inter- woven with those of the Bird Club, continues its very practical bird-welfare work. Mr. Lacey, the Superintendent and Bird Warden, reports that his sixty feeding-stations, scattered about the town, will be maintained again this com- ing winter. Permanent, solid shelters are being set up at these stations, and last year's results will justify the expenditure of public money in this manner. The several hundred nesting-boxes which were placed about the town ha\-c been reset and many of them located to better advantage. The laws regarding shooting within the town (now a reservation) are well observed, and public sentiment leans strongly toward their enforcement. These all contribute to the very healthy interest in birds and their protection that increases every year, and we are more and more impressed by the real interest displayed by those who are taking up the subject of ornithology as beginners, even among the older people, and how true it is that those once actually interested seldom, il (!ver, lose this interest. — Charles B. Floyd, President. Brush Hill (Mass.) Bird Club. — The most important move on the ])ail of the Club during the past year was to extend our active membership list so as to include the entire township of Milton; up to last April only resi- dents of the Brush Hill and Blue Hill sections of the town were eligible as a ctive members. This has resulted in bringing in many new members from the more densely settled parts of Milton and has made the Club a town affair, rather than a sectional one. We had a talk last November by Mr. Floyd, President ot the Brookline Bird Club, on the organization of his Club and its activities, municijial or otherwise. During the winter Messrs. Adams, Horton, and Wall F. McMahon, the latter from the National Association of Audubon Societies, gave us illustrated lec- tures on local topics. In April, when we made the change in the ct)nstitulion, we had Mr. Baynes give his j^opular illustrated lecture at the Town Hall. During the past two years we ha\ e prosecuted a vigorous campaign against the English S])arrow, hiring an em])loyee of the State Fish and (iame Com- mission to exterminate these birds wherever possible in our section of the [own. This was made possible by the cooperation of the Board of Selectmen, who a])iK)inte in our section. .\s a result, over i,()oo Sparrows were shot la>t year and over ()oo the year before, when we instituted the plan and had but a short time to act. This almost exterminates the local llocks, but the fact that their places S:- Bird - Lore are taken every fall by migrations from the neighboring cities makes a yearly campaign necessary. Our business manager, Dr. Harris Kennedy, secured a good collection of the skins of common perching birds of this neighborhood last spring, and has had them preserved in individual celluloid tubes which are unbreakable, hermetically sealed, but perfectly transparent. These are to be used as a cir- culating library by members of the Club, for study or reference, as the case may be. The collection was purchased by means of a fund collected from some of the Club's members for that purpose. Naturally, the war has made itself felt here, and there has been a very notice- able slackening of interest among the Club members. We hope, however, that we can keep the organization running fairly strong despite this fact. We are about to start a 'fall drive' in the town in an attempt to materially increase our active membership. — Nathan Chandler Foot, President. Buffalo (N. Y.) Audubon Society. — The eighth year of this organization closed May i8, 19 17, with a paid-up membership of 264. There were four meetings of the Society and six meetings of the Executive Committee for the transaction of business during the year. Through the courtesy of Henry R. Howland, Superintendent of Natural Sciences, cards of admission to four lectures were sent to each member. The lectures of the year were as follows: October 16, Mrs. S. Louise Patterson; November 23, Ernest Harold Baynes; December 5, Edward C. Avery; De- cember 8, T. Gilbert Pearson; February 24, Guy A. Bailey; March 23, Dr. Arthur A. Allen; March 30, Chnton G. Abbot; May 18, CHnton E. Kellogg. For the second year the Audubon Society furnished money to pay dues to make each boy and girl on the Cattaraugus Indian Reservation a member of a Junior Audubon Circle. Membership in the National Association of Audubon Societies and in the Erie County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was continued. The financial report of the year ending May 18, 19 17, follows: Receipts, $932.28; disbursements, $629.65. On hand. May 18, $302.63. To this will be added more than $50 from 'Notes of the Audubon Society,' published in the Express, not yet paid in. The Bird Almanac netted the Society $68.71. The copies that remain unsold may be obtained free from Miss Mary Ellis, 763 Bird Avenue, by members of the Society or by teachers who have formed Junior Audubon Circles. The postage is 5 cents for BufTalo. For the seventh year 'Notes of the Audubon Society' have (since March 8) appeared weekly in the Illustrated Sunday Express. One-half value of published articles is returned to the writers. The Junior Audubon work is very prosperous. The Director, Miss Mary Ellis, is untiring in the work; and as many Circles have been formed during this as in past years. The Migration Calendars in the Express have been in charge of Miss Caroline L. Doll, whose efificient service is appreciated by Reports of Affiliated Organizations 8^; many readers in western New York. At the direction of the Executive Com- mittee, the Secretary prepared an article on 'How to begin Bird Study,' and mailed it to twelve newspapers in Erie County, outside of Buffalo. Copies of papers containing the printed article were returned by the publishers to the Secretary. Four bird identification walks, free to members of the Audubon Society, were conducted by the Secretary in May. Nineteen bird talks were given by members during the year, under the auspices of the Society: C. B. Hersey gave three, H. C. DeGroat gave two, and the Secretary gave fourteen. Ten new lantern-slides have been added to the set owned by the Society. There are now sixty-five slides, all in perfect condition. Seven members of our Society were sustaining members of the National Association of Audubon Societies the past year. The Tri-State Bird Contest for 19 16 was won by western New York. Owing to the much-regretted death of Rev. Reuben F. Randolph, who orig- inated the Tri-State Contests, a challenge from New York has not been accepted for 19 17. The past year has furnished an opportunity to every member of the Society to help further protective legislation. Calls were received as follows: August, 1916, to protest against an extension of an open season on wild-fowl in any part of the county; September, 1916, to help save Lake Malheur, Ore., as a bird res- ervation; February, 1917, to help in passing the Migratory Bird Treaty Act; March, 1917, to endorse the State Legislature imposing a tax on cats. The response of members to these calls for help have been most gratifying. Realizing the need of educating the general public regarding bird helpfulness to man, bird laws, and how to have laws enforced, 25,000 copies of a circular fully explaining these points have been printed and distributed in more than 100 schools of Buffalo and western New York. Additional circulars are in the hands of the Secretary, Miss C. A. Doll, 587 Ellicott Street. Upon request they will be sent, to the number of 100 or less, to persons or places where they would be helpful. Members are asked to give thought to this offer. A special meeting of the Audubon Society, held May 5, led to a change in the administration of the affairs of the Society. At the annual meeting of May 18 a new constitu- tion was adopted. Officers and Directors were elected as follows: President, Dr. Channing E. Beach; Vice-President, Dr. Anne E. Perkins; Secretary, Miss Caroline L. Doll; Treasurer, Miss Harriet S. Baker; Directors, Miss Mary Ellis, James Savage, J. M. Overfield, Jr. According to the new constitution of the Society, the annual meetings are to be held the third week in F« bruarv . Dues are payable fin advance) March i of each year. The Secretary has received a most courteous response from all ncwspapcrb when requested to give publicity. The appreciation of the Society is due to our printer, Charles AL Nicholson, of 84 Ellicott Street, for the interest he has. for seven years, shown in rendering prompt and accurate service at a very moderate price. In closing a ser\-ice of eight years, on arcount of the removal o| o4ttnanac ^. J3JZ ^ COVER OF A LARGE BIRD CALENDAR ISSUED BY THE BUFFALO AUDUBON SOCIETY (84) Reports of Affiliated Organizations 85 her home from Buffalo to Riverside, Cal., your Secretary desires to express her sincere appreciation to the Society for the freedom that has been permitted her; for the confidence shown in her; for the loyal responses to her many re- quests for assistance; for the many kind words expressed; and for the goodly amount of work accomplished through the united efforts of the members. Under the new officers, with its large membership, healthy bank account, and a splendid foundation on which to build, the Audubon Society of Buffalo should render additional service to its members and to its larger field of work — all western New York. — Mrs. G. M. Turner, Retiring Secretary. Burroughs Junior Audubon Society (Kingston, N. Y.). — Our Society was organized in the fall of 19 15 with about 80 members. Each year new members have been added. Our meetings have been held monthly, at which time different birds, their habits, etc., were discussed. During the past year we visited John Burroughs, the naturalist, at his home in West Park, N. Y., saw and inspected 'Slabsides' and enjoyed a most profitable experience. Mr. Burroughs himself was a guest at one of our meetings and told many inter- esting stories of his acquaintance with birds. His granddaughter is a member of our Club, and this week was elected Secretary. Last February we hired Edward Avis to give his lecture-recital 'Birdland.' This was illustrated with stereopticon-views, and various birdcalls were given by him. With the proceeds of this lecture we purchased several additional books for the bird library, Victrola bird-records, field-glasses, bird-houses, etc. Some of the boys are making feeding-stations now for the coming winter. Just before school closed we donated $30 to the Red Cross. Last April, on State Bird Day, we gave the little playlet which was pub- lished in Bird-Lore, in the school assembly. We are trying to create a wider interest in birds and hope to make the com- ing year the most successful one we have had. — (Miss) Jennie H. Mauter- STOCK, President (Honorary). Cayuga (N. Y.) Bird Club. — Seven morning trips for the study of birds completed the fourth successful year of the Cayuga Bird Club. These trips were held in the Bird Club Sanctuary Saturday mornings, from April to June, and were well attended, requiring three or four sections each morning. L. A. Fuertes, A. A. Allen, Mrs. A. A. Allen, and C. W. Leister acted as leaders, and, owing to the retarded vegetation, unusual numbers of birds were seen. The number of public lectures was this year reduced, but the activities of the Club in other ways surpassed previous years. The annual Field-Day, usually held in the Bird Club Sanctuary, was this year altered so that the Club might cooj)erate with the city authorities in the establishment of a new park in Six-Mile Creek Glen. Benefiting by their previous experience in the Sanctuary, the 700 or 800 school-children ably assisted in the building of the 80 Bird- Lore DEDICATING THE AkCH Al IHK hMRANlh (Jl- THE CA\ L (. A lilKI' lEL b Photograph by A. A. Allen.' \.NL i I vkv. paths, the clearing of brush, and the planting of wild flowers in this new park. The Bird Club, with the help of Mr. Bush, the manual- training instructor, instituted a bird- house competition in which about 75 boys took part. Excel- lent nesting-boxes were built by the boys, and these were put up in the new park as one feature of the exercises. Another successful enterprise with which the Cayuga Bird Club cooperated was the establishment of a program of wild-life conservation in connection with RUSTIC RRIDGR AND FEEDING-ARCH, CAYUGA RIRD SANCTUAR>- PhotoKraph by A. A. Allen. Reports of Affiliated Organizations 87 Farmers' Week at Cornell University. The program consisted of a series of lectures by eminent authorities in the various fields of wild-life conservation and an elaborate exhibit, and was concluded by a banquet tendered to the visiting conservationists. It is planned that this program shall become a per- manent feature of the annual gathering of the farmers of the state at the State College of Agriculture at Cornell University. LOUIS AGASSIZ TUERrKb Al THE lUbklKs AktH EN- TRANCE OF CAYUGA BIRD CLUB SANCTUARY PhotoRraph by A. A. Allen. Equally successful was the movement to construct a suital)k' arch at llic entrance to the Bird Club Sanctuary. A concrete arch was designed b\' Presi- dent Fuertcs, and funds for its construction raised by public subscription. The ground had been prepared for it on the previous annual Field-Day, when the children, with great eagerness, had placed their names in a steel bo.x to be incorporated in (he foundation of the arch. Upon the completion of the arch. 88 Bird- Lore appropriate dedication-exercises were held, and the arch, which had been con- cealed by large American flags, was unveiled. The usual work of feeding the birds in winter was carried on by the Club in its Sanctuary, and several hundred pounds of grain were given to the Ducks on Cayuga Lake. Through the generosity of James S. Taylor, a rustic feeding arch, similar to the one erected near the rustic bridge in the Sanctuary, was placed in the city cemetery, and this will henceforth be maintained. Upon the resignation of the Treasurer, Mrs. S. A. Munford, because of leaving the city, a vote of appreciation for her efficient services was extended to her. Mrs. A. A. Allen was elected to the vacancy. The officers of the club are: Hon. President, Dr. Andrew D. White ; President, L. A. Fuertes; Vice-Presidents, Mrs. J. H. Comstock, Mrs. A. W. Smith, W. D. Funkhouser; Secretary, Dr. A. A. Allen; Treasurer, Mrs. A. A. Allen. — A. A, Allen, Secretary. Columbus (Ohio) Audubon Society .^Beginning in October with a very successful bird-protective exhibit at the Public Library, the Columbus Audu- bon Society has held a meeting each month. Three illustrated lectures were given. Sixteen field-trips have been taken, and $150 worth of prizes were distributed in the bird-house contest in March. In January, Ernest H. Baynes lectured on 'How to Attract Wild Birds.' In February, Prof. Lynds Jones talked of the 'Value of the Quail to the Farmer.' At the beginning of the garden season Prof. Hobert Osborn, of the Ohio State University, lectured on the relation of birds to injurious insects. During the Bird Exhibit 39 new names were added to the membership. OLUMBUS Audubon Sogiety BIRH EXHIBIT OF \\\V. COMM KUS, OH lo AIDl'HON SOCIKIV. Reports of Affiliated Organizations 89 Over 90 people joined the Club at the time of Mr. Baynes' lecture. The field- trips have been the means of attracting 35 more, making an addition of 171 new members. Among the 3,000 visitors to the October Exhibit were about 400 students from the State School for Deaf Mutes. These children eagerly grasped everything explained to them. They afterward wrote creditable essays on what they had seen, some of them closing with "I wish to hear the song of birds." Many pupils and teachers from the State School for the Blind attended Mr. Baynes' lecture and are planning to make bird-houses for the next contest. Space was given the Audubon Society for an exhibit at the State Fair in August, in order to reach the farmers. The farmers showed more appreciation of the display of birds and their nests, weed seeds, winter foods, etc., than did the city people. One country woman remarked, reminiscenth', "Oh, yes, I know the Quail; he hollers nice." The men were glad to get the National Association's 'war' posters to put up on their farms. Many of them told of feeding the winter birds. People from nearby towns asked for information about starting bird clubs and were interested in the bird books displayed. Besides the 'war' posters given out to the farmers, the Boy Scouts put up numbers of them in the parks and surrounding country. — Lucy B. Stone, Secretary. Cumberland County (Maine) Audubon Society. — November 3, 19 16, in the first snowstorm of the season, a little band of seven people gathered at the Natural History Rooms to form a society for the study and protection of the birds. Though small in number, the enthusiasm was great. Those present were made a committee of the whole to obtain new members, and though not yet a year old, we have an active membership of 107. We met once a month until June, when outdoor walks took the place of indoor meetings. On January 7, Arthur H. Norton, the well-known ornithologist of our own city, gave an illustrated talk on 'The Mockingbird' that was wintering in one of our parks. In February, letters were sent to our Congressmen in regard to the Migratory Bird Treaty, and replies from them, promising their support, were received. In April, Ernest Harold Baynes gave us a much-enjoyed lecture, and in May, Mr. Bisbee, of our own city, gave us an illustrated lecture. No 'war' bird posters have been put up as yet, but we are now working for that, as well as arranging for the winter feeding of the birds. We have all enjoyed the work and meetings, and feel that a foundation has been laid for much good work in the future. Our later reports will prove if this be so and il we are doing our part to keej) the birds with us. — .\i).\ Odioknk Foc.c, President. Detroit (Mich.) Audubon Society. — The Detroit .\udubon Society was organized May <-U TRIP OF THE DOYLESTOWX, PEXXS VLVAXIA, NATURE CLUB. bird-protection. The Bird Sanctuary of the Nature Club is situated at Fonthill, the estate of Dr. Henry C. Mercer, and comprises 10 acres. A third of it is wooded, with plenty of water, and berries, fruits and weeds allowed to grow wild for bird-food. Many bird-boxes, for nests, and feeding-boxes are placed in appropriate places, and in winter systematic feeding of the birds is done. An old stone house built in 1755, situated in the heart of the Bird Sanctuary, has been loaned to the Nature Club by Dr. Mercer, and a museum of natural science has been started there with many interesting specimens. — Elizabeth F. James, Secretary. Englewood (New Jersey) Bird Club. — Last April the Englewood Bird Club entered the third year of its activities with a large membership, one-third of which is Junior — that is, under eighteen years of age. Reports of Affiliated Organizations 93 During the past months men of reputation in the bird world have inspired us. Among them, Charles C. Gorst, of Cambridge, Mass., by his remarkable imitations of bird-songs; Howard H. Cleaves by his 'Experiences in Wild Bird Photography;' Herbert K. Job, by his helpful talk and wonderful motion- pictures; and Mrs. Mabel Osgood Wright, who pointed to us the way of 'The Making of a Bird Sanctuary.' From time to time letters have been written our Congressmen relative to the passage of such bills as the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, the Cat License Bill, etc., in the good cause of bird-conservation. A specially delightful feature of the spring was a series of bird-walks under the competent leadership of Howard H. Cleaves of the Staten Island Museum, Charles H. Rogers of the American Museum of Natural History, and others. When nearly 40 members tumble out of bed to meet at a remote station of the town at 6 a. m., the enthusiasm may be taken for granted, but — (addendum) — Dr. Frank M. Chapman was our leader! Recently the following officers were elected: President, Dr. Frank M. Chap- man; Vice-President, W^illiam M. Shackford; Secretary, Miss Irene A. Hackett; Treasurer, Howard Barton. — (Miss) Elizabeth A. Dana, Secretary. Forest Hills Gardens (N. Y.) Audubon Society. — A noticeable increase in the number and variety of the birds visiting the Gardens and remaining there to make their nests is the most important thing to record for the spring and summer of 19 17. It is believed that this increase is due to the fact that in Forest Park the underbrush has been cleared away and the natural cover so destroyed that the birds have taken refuge in the Gardens where the shrubbery has grown rapidly and where there is abundant food, water and protection. Only the vagrant cat remains a problem, especially to the little, low-nesting birds. The Society lost its efficient President, E. A. Quarles, and gained a genuine bird- and nature-lover and knower in Fritz Hagens. Two lectures, one by Neil Morrow Ladd, President of the Greenwich Bird Protection Association, and one by Mr. Button of the State College of Agriculture, N. Y., were given dur- ing the year. But the main efforts of the Society were concentrated on an exhibit of local birds which was held during the Easter holidays at the schoolhouse. Besides the specimens of stuffed birds, there were charts and other educational matter loaned by the American Museum of Natural History, the Children's Museum of Brooklyn, and the National Audubon Society. Some one of the trustees was in charge each day, and each afternoon there was some sort of entertainment. One day Mrs. Schoonover, from the Children's Museum of Brooklyn, gave a talk, and another time the Garden Society gave a copy of Reed's 'Bird Guide' to the l)()y and girl able to name the most birds out of a possible list of twenty-five. A feature of our work which is continuous throughout the year is the (^4 Bird -Lore lamp-post bulletins which give items of bird news and siiow appropriate pictures. The Society made a particular effort to provide adequate winter feeding during the early spring snow- and sleet-storms which meant starvation and death to the birds unfortunate enough to be caught at that season. It also distributed free loo pounds of chick-feed, and at different times put out 15 pounds of suet in especially designed wire baskets. — Mary Eastwood Knevels, Secretary. Frankfort (Ky.) Bird Club. — Our Club was organized in July, 19 16, following a lecture by Ernest Harold Baynes. In October, Mrs. McBrayer Moore, President of the Bird Club of Versailles, Ky., a neighboring town, came before the Club and gave an interesting talk on the different characteristics of birds, as well as on the separate functions of the wings, tail, feet, and bill of a bird. Mrs. Elizabeth King Smith, of Lexington, Ky., addressed the Club in January of this year, telling her experiences with birds during the last fifteen years. In April, another speaker from Lexington, Mrs. W. L. Maclain, gave an interesting talk on the songs of birds. Last winter many persons became interested in feeding the birds during snowy weather, due largely to a campaign waged in the interest of the feathery tribe by members of the Club and by friendly newspaper articles. The Boy Scouts put out a good many seeds. The school-children in general were much interested, and a feeding-station was established in the cemetery. Several bird-walks were conducted by older members of the Club for the Junior members, and many of the children taking manual training made bird- houses. Audubon buttons and printed matter on birds were furnished each Junior member. Another Bird Club was organized by a member of the Frank- fort Club, a teacher in a suburban school, and all the pupils evinced much interest. At one time in the late winter, while snow was still on the ground, large flocks of Robins arrived in Frankfort, and several bird-lovers entertained literally hundreds in their backyards for several days. One member of the Club solved the problem of how to take care of the birds when the snow was on the ground in January, by sweeping the snow from the roof and sill of her library bay-window, which was directly below the sill of an upstairs window, and fill- ing the window-sill and roof with bread-crumbs, hominy, rice, and hemp seed. The ground-feeders were not forgotten and reveled in all the bird-seed they could eat, feeding on a snow-cleared path. She reported the following birds as her visitors: a Blackbird, Crow, Yellow-hammer, Chewink, Blue Jay, Mocking- bird, several Cardinals, Tomtits, Chickadees, Fox Sparrows, Woodpeckers. Juncos, and the ubiquitous English Sparrows. — Harry G. Bright, Secretary Reports of Affiliated Organizations 95 Glenville (W. Va.) Normal Bird Club. — Our Club was officially organized March 30, 1917. We have an enrollment of 52 members, and at least 30 of these are young teachers, while a large majority of the rest expect to teach. During the last five years we have studied birds in connection with a Nature-study Course offered in the Normal School. A study of birds is required of all Nature-study students and comprises nearly one-third of the course. Beginning in the early spring and continuing until sometime in June, we make two bird-study trips every Saturday morning. The first group starts at 5.30 and the second one at 8 o'clock. These trips are under the guidance of the biology teacher, E. R. Grose, who is a most efficient student of birds. Last winter there were four feeding-boxes put up by members of our Club, and two of these were so arranged as to be seen from the windows of the Train- ing School. Miss Ina Barnes, Supervisor of Training, contemplates organizing a Junior Bird Club in the Training School this year. Our Club has ordered a number of the cloth 'Warning Notices' and is going to post them about our town and in the rural community surrounding it. We feel that many people take no action against the mistreatment of birds through sheer ignorance of the law concerning them. We have also distributed the following publications of the National Associa- tion of Audubon Societies among our members: 'Audubon Movement,' 'Formation of Bird Clubs and Audubon Societies,' 'Women and the Birds,' and 'Cemeteries as Bird Sanctuaries.' — Edgar I. Hatfield, President. Hartford (Conn.) Bird-Study Club. — The past season has been a busy one for the members of our Club, as a copy of our Year Book will indicate. We have held twenty-four indoor meetings and twenty field meetings. Despite the number of persons engaged in the great war's activities, our average attendance at both indoor and outdoor meetings has been good. As heretofore, the greater part of talent for our indoor meetings has been supplied by our own members. During the season, however, we have been favored with illustrated lectures by Charles Crawford Gorst and Clinton G. Abbott, which were largely attended and much enjoyed. Many rare and unusual birds have been seen on our outings, among which might be mentioned the Little Blue Heron, Whistling Swan, Widgeon, Gadwall and Canvasback Ducks, White-rumi)e(l and Pectoral SandpijK'rs, Golden and Black-bellied Plover, Pileated Woodpecker, Snowtlake, Evening Grosbeak, both varieties of Crossbills, and Connecticut Warbler. On one of our field- trips we were privileged to see a female Worm-eating Warbler on her nest within a few feet of us, and located not 60 feet from the nest of a Whip-poor- will. The nest of a Rough-winged Swallow was also observed. Over 40 pounds of bird-seed have been fed at one windowsill feeding-tray 96 Bird- Lore to a flock of Evening Grosbeaks — the location being in the city where houses are close together. The Club drew up and presented to our last Legislature what it considered a model cat license bill, but was unsuccessful in having it enacted as a law. We are not discouraged, however, and shall make another effort at our next legis- lative session to have the bill become a law. Largely through the efforts of our Club, a joint field meeting was held in May of this year at 'Birdcraft Sanctuary,' Fairfield, at which meeting twenty different nature clubs were represented by upward of 300 people. At this meeting the Connecticut Federation of Bird and Nature Clubs was formed and a constitution adopted. This Federation had been in process of completion for nearly five years. Our Club is now planning the organization of junior departments for the benefit of the younger people located in the many suburbs of Hartford, in order that meetings may be held in close proximity to the homes of the children, with the idea in mind that to preserve the bird-life of the future we must cultivate the junior nature-lover of today along the right lines. Many bird-boxes have been erected by Club members during the year, with varied success. Personally, I have had nesting in my front yard four varieties of birds, within an area of 50 feet square, in boxes which I erected for their use. We would appreciate suggestions from anybody who may be interested concerning the organization and operation of junior departments above referred to. — Arthur Powers, President. Los Angeles (CaL) Audubon Society. — The activities of the Los Angeles Audubon Society have been directed the past year along the lines of the economic value of birds. We have been addressed by the following speakers: Mrs. Wm. Folger, past President of the North Dakota Audubon Society; Dr. L. B. Bishop, of New Haven, Conn.; Mrs. Hatch, of Imperial Valley; Mrs. H. D. Moore, of Seattle; Dr. Mary Hart, of Alaska; Mrs. Charles A. Wiley, of the Forestry Department; Prof. Alfred Cookman, of Long Beach; Dr. Emily Hunt, Pasadena; and Mrs. G. H. Schneider, one of our own members, and now holding the office of 'official speaker' of our society, who reported active bird work among the Boy Scouts, schools, clubs, etc. We have had, besides the indoor meetings, nine field-day trips to beaches and canons, and one reciprocity program for women's clubs in the District Federation. A charming playet, 'The California Woodpeckers' Convention,' was given. It was written by our able President, Mrs. F. T. Bicknell, and Mrs. Robert Fargo. We have created the new offices of Official Speaker, Custodian, District Federation Secretary, Historian, and District Press Chairman. Our President has been appointed District Chairman of Birds, and our honorary member, Mrs. Harriet Williams Myers, Chairman of the National Federation. At each indoor meeting we have had interesting reports of the birds seen at Reports of Affiliated Organizations 97 LOS ANGELES AUDUBON MEMBERS STUDYING THE TULE WREN AT DOMINGUE/^ SLOUGH. Photograph by Mrs. F. T. Bicknell. the previous field-day; have held nine Board meetings through the year; ha\c had our annual pilgrimage to Fellowship Hill, and the usual day in June with the Pasadena Society, as their guests. We are working hard to secure a cat license for our city. We have been able to secure protection for water-birds at Silver Lake, near Los Angeles. In legislative work we have helped secure pro- A LOS AN(;EL1.- Al III HON ME.MHER TOSIING ONE OK THE NATIONAL AS.SOCIA- TION'S' WAR" NOTHKS IN THE CLEVELAND 1-OREST RESERVE L\ THE SAN JACINTO .MOUNTAINS, CALIEORNIA. MRS. F. T. BJCKNELL, President of the Los Angeles Audubon Society (98) Reports of Affiliated Organizations 99 tection for Blackbirds, Meadowlarks and Flickers, and the amendment to the hunting license limiting the age of applicants to not less than fourteen 5'ears. We have had notices of meetings posted in all libraries and have joined with the Pasadena Socipty and all interested in birds and formed an 'Audubon Council' at which, after an enjoyable luncheon, we discuss all Audubon matters and find this of material benefit. At the State Federation Meeting of Women's Clubs in Pasadena, our Society participated, and on request furnished an attractive exhibit of a mounted black cat, amid trees and shrubs, holding an Oriole in its mouth, and a nearby poster announced it to be 'The Birds' Worst Enemy.' We have added a number of rare mounted birds to our Museum — birds found disabled or dead — and have also secured over $150 to build a bird fountain in Exposition Park. The President has had over five dozen 'war posters' put up during the summer. During the field-trips, and 'trail' trips conducted through the summer, there have been observed 125 species and 4,310 individual birds. — (Mrs.) George H. Crane, Corresponding Secretary. Majrwood (111.) Bird Club. — Our Club was organized March 6, 1917, at the home of Samuel A. Harper, its founder and President. An able lawyer, a successful business man, a social worker, two women active in club and civic affairs, a minister, and a grade school principal compose its directorate. Active membership numbers a few less than 100 persons. Meetings are held in the village hall. The Club is a sustaining member of the National Associa- tion of Audubon Societies and a contributing member of the Illinois Audubon Society, As a mark of recognition, the Club has elected to honorary membership three sons of Illinois who have attained eminence as ornithologists: Robert Ridgway, Benjamin T. Gault, and Ruthven Deane. Other honorary members are the presidents of the village School and Library Boards, and the teachers of Junior Audubon Classes in Maywood and Melrose Park schools. The Club printed and distributed two circulars containing information about nesting-boxes and the security of their tenants from cats and English Sparrows. Copies of articles on the protection and encouragement of birds were distributed at meetings, village ordinances relating to these matters were reprinted in tlu- local papers, and items on the Club and its work and on the cat were contrib- uted. At the request of the Club, Dr. W. A. Evans wrote, in the Chicago Tribune, a health article on cats entitled, 'Cats Only a Menace.' Ten copies of the Biological Survey poster, 'Feed the Birds This VVinter,' were displayed as soon as they came off the press. The Maywood Public Library is adding a few bird books each month, selecting titles from a list submitted by the Club. This spring, the Maywood Twentieth Centur>- Club offered prizes to school- children for the Ix'st three essays on hirHs written by girls and for the best loo Bird -Lore three nesting-boxes made by boys. The contest was a great success. The Bird Club will urge the women to hold this contest each spring. Supplementing this, the Maywood Bird Club fostered the making of nesting-boxes by the boys during and after school hours. Over night, it seemed, bird-boxes grew on trees and posts and buildings everywhere until there were more houses than bird families. Maywood now has a model cat ordinance, framed by the Club and passed by the unanimous vote of the village Board. The opposition, by a futile petition to the Circuit Court to enjoin the village Board from enforcing the ordinance, gave it statewide pubHcity and thereby made it a precedent. Being based on the law relating to public nuisances, it declares stray and unrestrained cats to be a source of damage to gardens and a menace to public health and bird-life. It provides for the killing of all stray cats and the confinement of all other cats between 7 p. m. and 9 a. m. every day from April i to September 30, inclusive. All persons are given the right to kill any and all cats trespassing on their premises. Fines are imposed for violations. The Maywood Bird Club asked the Illinois Audubon Society to assume the responsibility of securing an amendment to the Illinois statutes which will enable villages and cities to pass ordinances compelling the licensing of cats. April 3 is now a red-letter day in Maywood. This spring it was John Bur- roughs' eightieth birthday. On that day, in honor of Burroughs and Audubon, the Club organized Junior Audubon Classes and created the Burroughs Associa- tion of Junior Audubon Classes as a department of the Club through which to assist them. When school closed in June, 12 classes, with an enrollment of 330 children, had been organized. The Club is now putting the matter before each of the remaining 50 teachers with the hope that every school-boy and girl in Maywood and Melrose Park will soon be wearing a button with a Robin on it. As protection and encouragement naturally follow enlightenment on bird-life, and as bird-lore greatly adds to the joy of living, the Club considers the organization and moral and material support of these classes of first importance. — Roy M. Langdon, Secretary. Meriden (N. H.) Bird Club. — Our Club began the year by issuing its Third Annual Report. This document is in the form of a book containing 114 pages and 32 half-tone illustrations from photographs. The following im- portant letters, recently received by our General Manager, also appear in the Report: My Dear Mr. Baynes: I have heard with sincere interest of your campaign in behalf of American birds, and want to give myself the pleasure of expressing my great interest and of wishing you the most substantial success. Cordially yours, (Signed) Woodrow Wilson. Reports of Affiliated Organizations loi My Dear Mr. Baynes: I wish you all possible success in your movement. Few things mean more for the attractiveness and beauty of the country life than the establishment of these bird clubs, and this entirely apart from their general utilitarian significance. The Meriden Bird Club has been an example of inspiration to all of us, and I earnestly hope its example will be followed throughout the country. Sincerely yours, (Signed) Theodore Roosevelt. Through our influence, bird clubs have been formed recently in Topeka, Kans.; San Antonio, Texas; Yonkers and Millbrook, N. Y.; Northfield, Brad- ford, and Lunenburg, Mass.; and at Wellesley College; and many clubs previ- ously organized have been persuaded to join the National Association of Audubon Societies. The Club has had interesting lectures by Herbert K. Job, Robert Cushman Murphy, Henry Oldys, Lawrence Smith, and Ernest Harold Baynes. The students and faculty of Kimball Union Academy have shown unusual interest in our work this year, and the senior class has pledged itself to support the Bird Club in every possible way. For the third successive year, the Congregational Church at Meriden recognized 'Bird Sunday.' Services were held in the Sanctuary as usual, and Mr. Baynes delivered a sermon on 'Our Bird Allies in the World's War.' Mr. Wilfred Barnes furnished violin music, and the pastor. Rev. Noble O. Bowlby, conducted the service. The offering was divided between the Church and the Bird Club. In August, the Ben Greet Players gave two performances of 'As you Like It' on the stage in the Sanctuary, and the Club made a net profit of $85. In September, the General Manager delivered a lecture for the benefit of the local branch of the Red Cross Society. 'Sanctuary Day' was held on Monday, October 8, and sixteen women, sixteen men, and two horses worked in the Sanctuary with a view of making it more attractive, both to the bird tenants and their human visitors. Our members have put up thirteen war posters supplied by the National Association of Audubon Societies. — (Miss) Elizabeth Bennett, Secretary. Minneapolis Branch, Minnesota Game-Protective League. — Most of the work being done by the Minneapolis Branch is more or less a duplication of the work done during igi6. Briefly, the new work accomplished by our League the past \ear is as fol- lows: During thelastsessionof the Legislature, eleven out of twelve bills in which we were interested were passed. Among the most important of these were: .\ close season on the Ruffed Grouse for three years; the cutting in half of the open season and bag limits on Prairie Chickens or Pinnated Grouse, Sharp-tailed Grouse and Quail; stoj^ping of shooting from automol)iles; an Alien Gun Law similar to that in force in the State of Pennsylvania; the age-limit taken from I02 Bird- Lore the Hunter's License Law providing that all persons over fourteen years of age, instead of twenty-one, must take out a license to hunt; protection of bear, gray and black fox squirrel which have not had protection in the past in Minnesota; and a law providing for the codification and revision of the Game and Fish Laws to be presented to the next session of the Legislature; also, an appro- priation of $15,000 for the maintenance of a State Game Farm for two years. Upon this appropriation being made, the Minneapolis Branch turned over to the State, on May i, 1917, the Big Island Game Farm where more than 3,000 W^^wf^ ■'-•Vrff-.-^v PINNATED GROUSE, OR PRAIRIE CHICKENS, AFTER BEING CURED OF JIGGERS AND READY TO LEAVE THE HOSPITAL. birds were reared and distributed this year. The Minneapolis Branch main- tained the same number of paid employees as given in the Annual Report, with the exception of the Big Island Game Farm where I am now employed by the State as Superintendent of Game Propagation. Since the MinneapoHs Branch started, in March, 19 15, with a paid Field Secretary, much work has been accomplished, especially in the way of establish- ment of game refuges. The Refuge Law was passed in 19 15 through the efforts of the Minneapolis Branch. The Minnetonka Game Refuge, covering 69,000 acres, was the first refuge established under this law. There are now more than 2,000,000 acres in game refuges, which include the Superior National Forest Reports of Affiliated Organizations 103 and State Parks. Minnetonka Refuge recently has been increased to 85,000 acres, which makes about 100,000 acres in game refuges now cared for and patrolled under the auspices of the Minneapolis Branch. Public sentiment in favor of wild-1'fe conservation has been very noticeable during the past two years, especially in regard to the protection and care of the song and insectivorous birds and in game-breeding. The Hterature and books put out bv the National As ociation of Audubon Societies has probably done more in helping to create this sentiment than anything else. Several hundred copies of the Bulletin on 'The Breeding of Upland Game Birds and Aquatic Fowl,' written by Mr. Job, were distributed throughout the state. Without these Bulletins it is not likely that game-breeding in Minnesota would have received the attention that it has. Many of the notices put out by the National Association of Audubon Societies during the past year, against the slaughter of birds, were received and posted by wardens employed by our I.eague. The war has stopped the taking up of any new work during the past few months, but the regular work of the League will be carried on as usual so far as is known now. — Frank D. Blair, Secretary. Natural History Society of British Columbia (Victoria, B. C, Canada). — This year, for the first time, a Bird Section of the Society was formed, with Dr. Hasell as President and Henry F. Pullen as Vice-President. Several interesting round-table talks were given, illustrated by museum skins. The most interesting of these were by Frank Kermode, Director of the British Columbia Museum, Dr. Hasell, and Arthur S. Barton. Note was made from time to time throughout the year of the scarcity of birds in this section of the country. This was supposed to have been caused by the severe winters of 1915-16 and 1916-17. From all over Vancouver Island similar reports arrived. All bird-life has been scarce, but especially the insect- eating migrants, such as the Warblers, Song Sparrows, Wrens, and Humming- birds. Last winter there was an invasion of Western Horned Owls, caused, it is said, by unusual scarcity of rabbits in the northern interior. These birds attacked almost everything, but their favorite prey was the Chinese Pheas- ants which formerly were very numerous here. They were reported to have killed cats, puppies, and many species of birds. Hundreds of the Owls were shot, but some remained in the vicinity until spring. — H. F. Pullen, Vice- President. Newburyport (Mass.) Bird Club. — As the result of a lecture delivered in this city by Mr. Baynes, the Newburyport Bird Club came into existence, and was formally organized in November, 19 16, as a branch of the Conserva- tion Department of the Women's Club. It ha<^ since become an indcpendeni I04 Bird -Lore society of about 70 members and seeks to cooperate with the State and National Audubon Societies in their aims and work. The first year of the Club has been an interesting and successful one. Its individual members have endeavored to attract, feed, house and water the birds, and many of the school-children have become interested in this phase of the work. One of our members keeps a most accurate record of his observa- tions the year round, and by comparing the records of several successive seasons has gathered some valuable information in regard to bird-life in our community. Winthrop Packard gave an interesting illustrated lecture in the fall of 1916. Last spring we were favored by an afternoon with C. C. Gorst, whose wonderful gift of imitating bird-notes was much enjoyed and appreciated. This talk was inspirational as well as educational. One or two members addressed the Club during the winter months. In connection with the Gorst lecture there was an exhibition of Audubon leaflets, colored by the school-children under the direc- tion of the Teacher of Art. This was honor work, and only the best 150 were selected. These leaflets, neatly mounted, adorned portions of the wall in the hall where the lecture was held. There were also specimens of bird-houses made by some of the school-boys. This small exhibit was afterward transferred to the Public Library for the summer, as an encouragement to the children and an incentive to further work. A small, enthusiastic bird-class took walks in the spring, during a period of six weeks, under the direction of the well-informed members of the Club. Much pleasure and profit resulted therefrom. This organization supported the passage of the Migratory Bird Law, through the Massachusetts Congressmen, at Washington. The cat and Sparrow questions have been discussed, but although some traps are in use, no genuinely satisfactory method of dealing with the problem has been found. The Club hopes to continue doing good work through the coming year and especially to interest the children in a much greater degree. — (Mrs.) Lora D. Moore, Secretary. The North East (Pa.) Nature-Study Club. — Our Club was organized May 8, 19 16, and has a membership of 25 enthusiastic men and women, boys and girls. The President and Vice-President are men of wide experience and careful study, which they are willing to share with others. The regular meetings are held monthly from September to June, inclusive, one of the most interesting features being the specimens brought by each member, either labeled with a description of the same or for identification. As many as forty specimens are often presented at one meeting — some of them rare and beautiful and their display made possible only by the combined efforts of many. They include flowers, ferns, leaves, fungi, galls, berries Reports of Affiliated Organizations 105 seeds, vines, mosses, lichens, birds and their nests, butterflies, moths, insects, frogs and bats. The Club divided into groups to mal^^e a special study of one subject dur- ing the summer months and then report. The fern group studied under the direction of L. B. Cushman, who has a collection of at least twenty different species of fern growing on his private grounds. Two high-school girls did splendid work in the moth and butterfly field, having about fifty specimens mounted and ready to exhibit and describe. The different stages of the worm and the chrysalis, or cocoon, were also shown. Robert Cushman, an entomologist stationed in the Lake Erie fruit-belt by the Government, spoke to the Club on the subject of 'Flowers and In- sects.' Our Vice-President addressed the high-school students on 'The Pro- tection of Our Songbirds.' The Club has placed two scientific magazines and a book on 'Moths' in the public library. Members of the Club who travel often give us observations from other places, and word-pictures of Florida and the Adirondacks were made much more vivid to us by reason of our mutual knowledge of scientific terms. — (Miss) Alice Moorhead, Secretary. Pasadena (Cal.) Audubon Society. — Our Society held seven meetings during the year, about six weeks apart, one of them in the afternoon, five in the evening, and the last was an all-day picnic outdoors. At the first meeting Mrs. Harriet Williams Myers, Secretary of the Cali- fornia Audubon Society, gave a talk on the recent progress of Audubon work; Miss Ahce Lockwood, of Sierra Madre, read a paper entitled, 'Our Feathered Friends as Weed-Destroyers.' At the second meeting we had an illustrated lecture on bird-life by Mrs. Granville Ross Pike, Bird Chairman for the Fed- erated Clubs of the State of Washington, and lecturer for the National Associa- tion of Audubon Societies. Wilfred Smith, one of the Directors of the California Audubon Society, and at that time its Acting President, was the speaker at our third meeting, and at our fourth, Mrs. Mary E. Hart, President of the Alaska Cruise Club, gave us a lecture on the 'Customs and Superstitions of the Alaska Indians,' with remarks upon the bird-life of that country. Mrs. William Folger, formerly president of the North Dakota Audubon Society, gave a delightful talk at our fifth meeting on the birds about her Dakota home. At the sixth meeting, we enjoyed a talk by John J. Fredericks, 'IVeasurer of the California Audubon Society, on the subject of his then-recent work in the cause of birds among the legislators at the state Capitol. The seventh meeting was the picnic, where our entertainers were three members of the Los Angeles Audubon Society. At all these meetings there were, besides the above, prepared pajjcrs or informal talks, or both, by our members. Our Society has had made and placed on the roof of a tall bank building of io6 Bird -Lore Pasadena a Martin box consisting of thirty rooms, in three stories. At Christ- mas time we placed a 'Birds' Christmas Tree' in one of our parks, in close proximity to the large municipal Christmas tree. We thought this might add to the children's interest in birds. In the winter we contributed $200 each to the California Humane Association and the California Audubon Society, to aid them in important legislative work then pending. We were able to give this sum of S400 through the generosity of Mrs. E. W. Brooks, since deceased, who was always a true friend to the birds. We are annual members of the American Humane Association, The Cali- fornia Humane Society, Pasadena Humane Society, the National Association of Audubon Societies, the California Audubon Society, and the British Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. Some of our members, in small groups, but not as a Society, have taken bird- walks now and then during the year, especially in the spring. A number of the National Association's 'war' posters have been put up. — (Miss) Frances K. Walter, Secretary. Port Huron (Mich.) Bird Club. — The Club has had the pleasure of hear- ing two public speakers during the year 1916-17. On October 20, 1916, Walter Tripp, of Forest, Ont., gave an interesting talk on 'My Bird Friends.' Prof. Hegner, of Ann Arbor, in connection with the Teachers' University Extension Course, gave a lecture illustrated by the stereopticon, February 8, 19 17. In March, a bird-house campaign was started and work was zealously done by the school-children. On April 7, the exhibition of bird-houses was held in the Public Library, and prizes were awarded for best workmanship in high-school, seventh and eighth grades, and below the seventh grade. Prizes, also, for feeding-, drinking- and bathing-devices were open to all grades. The school having the most entries was given an Audubon Chart, thus stimulating interest in bird-study. Prizes were also given for bird stories. There were 115 entries in the exhibit, and the increasing number of bird-houses seen around the city shows splendid interest in the welfare of the birds. A fine present of bird food was given to the different schools, to be fed by the children to the birds in the winter-time when food is scarce. — Mrs. John Gaines, Secretary. Rhinebeck (N. Y.) Bird Club.~The Rhinebeck Bird Club was just two years old when, on November 21, iqi6, it became officially affiliated with the National Association of Audubon Societies. In that time it had grown from nothing to a vigorous club with the sentiment of the whole village aroused to a keen interest in its bird-life. During the last year it has, perhaps, been not quite so active, owing to the absence of the President on military duty and other urgent demands upon its members. Nevertheless, the usual program has been maintained, including public lectures, work in the schools, and publications. I. PLACING SEEDS FOR BIRDS. 2. CHICKADEE AT FEEDING STATION. //MffiS^ 3. CHICKADEE AT SULT STICK AND SUET 4- CHICKADEE AT FOOD HOTPER. BASKET. Photographs by Clinton G. Abbott, Rhinebeck, N. Y. (107) ro8 Bird -Lore Herbert K. Job, William L. Finley, and Maunsell S. Crosby have been the lecturers so far this year. One of the difficulties of the Club is the absence of a hall large enough to accommodate all those who desire to attend the lectures; for Mr. Finley two sessions were necessary. Junior Audubon work is flourishing in the schools, 262 Junior members being recorded at the last annual meeting. A contest in bird-feeding devices and nesting-boxes made by school-children brought forth so much excellent material that the judges had a hard task to select the prize- winners. In addition, commercially manufactured bird-boxes are always for sale at the headquarters of the Club and have been extensively purchased by members. Winter bird-food, amounting to ton figures, has also been used by members. For small users, the food is put up in 5- and lo-pound bags, marked with the name of the Club. In the way of publications, the Club has distributed its Annual Year-Book, which this year included a reprint of twenty-two neswpaper articles by the President, Maunsell S. Crosby. The booklet has proved of such value that it is being used as a textbook on birds in some of the schools of Dutchess County. At the proper seasons, the Club sent to its members and to all school-children tables of spring and fall migrations and nesting dates, also compiled by the President from his observations. Finally, illustrated Rhinebeck Bird Club 'stickers' for letters and parcels have been distributed broadcast through the town. — Clinton G. Abbott, Secretary. Rockaway (N. Y.) Bird Club. — In November, 1916, we completed the organization of the 'Rockaway Branch of the National Association of Audubon Societies' by forwarding our fee to the home office and becoming formally affiliated with the National work. We have had two public meetings during the year, both of them lectures illustrated by stereopticon views. The first speaker was Herbert K. Job, of the National Association, and, it being our first attempt, the lecture was held in a small hall. We were delighted to find it filled to overflowing, with corridor and all available spaces occupied by standees. With this encouraging outlook, we held the second lecture by Baynes in a much larger hall. There was a splendid attendance and several dollars were added to our almost empty treasury. The monthly programs have brought forth several interesting and valuable papers and talks on such subjects as 'Conservation as Applied to State Forest Land in the Adirondacks,' 'A Visit to Fairfield (Connecticut) Sanctuary,' 'Bird Migration,' 'Bird-Routes and Time-Tables.' An interesting part of each program is the round-table talks and the question-box with which we usually conclude our meetings. Bird-houses have been made and placed, several bird- baths made, feeding-stations established and kept supplied all winter, and ice in fresh-water ponds broken and the water made accessible to winter residents. Reports of Affiliated Organizations log On January i, 19 17, when members were replenishing a birds' Christmas tree, several varieties of birds were seen drinking at a hole made in the ice within a few minutes of its being opened. Among these were Robins and a Red- breasted Nuthatch that passed the winter in the vicinity. One of the most fortunate events that has occurred so far in the history of the Club is the establishment, by Mrs. Daniel Lord, of her estate 'Sosiego' as a bird sanctuary. The estate is bordered on one side by the salt-marshes near the ocean, and has a large fresh-water pond and a wood which has long since been appropriated by the Black-crowned Night Heron and the Little Green Heron as a sanctuary peculiarly their own. Members of the Club are privileged to visit the estate at any time for observation and study. We have taken an active interest in the Migratory Bird Law at Washington and have endorsed and cir- culated the petition for legislative work on the 'Robinson Act' for licensing of cats in New York state. On June 16 the Club joined the Woman Citizens' League of Flushing, L. I., in a bird-walk and basket picnic, ending with a talk on birds by Dan Beard. In the same month we sent a special contribution of $5 to the National Associa- tion in response to an appeal for money to carry on the work of further protect- ing the song-birds from ruthless slaughter. The Club received and placed in various haunts of the birds, both in Queens and Nassau Counties, 600 of the National Association's 'war' posters, printed on cloth, and is expecting to post 100 more of these when they arrive. The English Sparrow discussion has been frequent and animated, but, without organized and united effort of the entire community, it is nearly useless to attempt anything. The townspeople, as a whole, do not seem keenly interested in Nature, but the Club hopes to reach many of these indifferent people through its various Junior Audubon Clubs, several of these having already been started by teacher- members of the regular society. If we can get enough of these formed, we will at least rest assured that we have laid a firm foundation for thorough and suc- cessful work in the future. — Margaret S. Green, Secretary. Rumson (N. J.) Bird Club. — Owing to the war, there has been a re- stricted activity in the affairs of the Rumson Bird CIul) this past year of 1017. We, however, have not been altogether inactive. In January, we had a very interesting lecture entitled 'Wild Birds and How to Attract Them,' by Ernest H. Baynes, of Meriden, N. H. The lecture was held at the residence of the President of the Club. There was a good attendance, composed of all the prominent members. In February, a lecture was given by the well-known bird imitator, Edward Avis, in the People's Lecture Course at Oceanic, \. J., the expense oi the lecture being defrayed by the President of the Rumson Bird Club. Becchcr S. Bowdish, Secretary of the New Jersey Audubon Society, was present at this lecture and spoke, particularly urging the boys and girls to engage in a contest for the con- no Bird- Lore struction of bird-houses, for which suitable prizes were awarded. There were three prizes, all in gold, which were presented to the successful contestants in March. In April, Chapman's book, entitled 'Travels of Birds,' was distributed among the individual members of the Club. We have endeavored to support the efforts of the National Association and have posted 250 parchment circulars in regard to bird-protection. This was done under the supervision of the Rev. Arthur A. McKay, of Oceanic, a part of the Borough of Rumson. Mr. McKay is at the head of the Boy Scouts in Rumson, and the boys were employed to distribute these circulars. We have distributed approximately 150 bird-houses this fall, comprising those for Flicker, Nuthatch, Wren, and Bluebird, among the members of the Club. We expect to go still further with this work in the year of 1918. It is the aim of the Executive Committee of the Rumson Bird Club to en- deavor to stimulate interest in birds and their protection, particularly among the natives of the borough. Unfortunately, the Club has not had very much success at present in exciting much interest among the children of the wealthy summer residents. The Executive Committee is convinced that native children will be more receptive and show more interest in birds and their pro- tection if some kind of stimulus can be placed before them. This we hope to do by offering yearly prizes for bird-house construction, engaging some well- known lecturer to speak as a part of the regular Oceanic Course of Entertain- ment, and always at the expense of the Rumson Bird Club. — John B. Lunger, Secretary. Saratoga (N. Y.) Bird Club. — Our Club has held nineteen meetings dur- ing the year. The following addresses and talks have been given : September, 1916, 'Forestry and Its Importance in Preserving Wild Life,' Prof. Samuel N. Spring, Cornell School of Forestry. November, 19 16, 'Birds of Saratoga County,' S. R. Ingersoll, Ballston Spa, connected with Federal field-work; the meeting on this date was held with the Junior League at the High School Auditorium. March, 1917, 'Bird Migration,' S. R. Ingersoll. March, 19 17, 'Birds of Texas,' Mrs. James W. Lester, a Club member. July, 1917, 'Birds and Trees of Florida,' Mrs. Adelaide Deubon, a Club member. August, 1917, 'The Human Side of Birds,' Dr. Caline S. May, New York City. At the March 15 meeting, the President, Waldo L. Rich, reported hav- ing written members of the Senate regarding passing of the cat ordinance. April 5, 1917, 'Bird Sanctuaries,' Gilbert Benedict. May 17, 1917, 'Meth- ods of Teaching Children How to Work with Best Results,' Miss McCluskey. The Bird Club enjoyed a visit to the country home of one of its members, a short trip by trolley. The importance of bird-protection has often been emphasized. The Juniors built a Martin-house for our city park. Last November our Club joined the Reports of Affiliated Organizations ttt National Audubon Society. Our President has reported forty pairs of Martins in his garden this summer. Mr. Ingersoll told us that the most beautiful bird he had ever seen was a Redstart, which was pure white except the wings, which were yellow, a very rare case. — Caroline C. Walbridge, Secretary. Seattle (Washington) Audubon Society. — The second year of our Society has been one of success, both in the increase in membership and in interest shown. There are now 132 active members. Regular monthly meetings are held in the rooms of the Chamber of Commerce and Commercial Club, where lectures have been given by Samuel F. Rathbun, Prof. Trevor Kincaid, Miss Mc- Carney, and others. We have had a number of 'bird-walks' which have been well attended and much pleasure and knowledge derived therefrom. The public school teachers have entered into the work whole-heartedly, and too much praise cannot be given them for the work that they are doing with the school- children. Our chief activity during the year was a bird-exhibit which was given in conjunction with the manual training department of the city schools. Bird- nOOTH OF SEATTLE AUDUBON SOCIETY AT SPRING COLLECTION C)|- BIRD SKINS LOANED BY I'ROI-. •BIRD E.XHIBIT." loi; TREVOR KINCAID. 112 Bird - Lore houses by the hundreds were exhibited, also bird-nests. Great interest was manifested, and the exhibition was visited by several thousand people, the hall being crowded all day and evening. The advertising was unique, bird-houses by the hundred being hung up at street-corners and electroliers in the business EXHIBIT IN SEATTLE, WASHINGTON. BIRD-BOXES MADE BY PUBLIC SCHOOL PUPILS UNDER DIRECTION OF PROF. B. W. JOHNSON. district, each carrying a banner advertising the exhibition. The boys sold a great many houses, and the Society received an accession in memberhip. Efforts are being made to have bird-houses and drinking-fountains placed in the public parks, and the Society hopes that the time is not far distant when the cats will be licensed, to which end we hope to secure the cooperation of the Humane Society. Addresses before the Parents-Teachers' Associations have been made by local members. A call for literature on bird conservation came to us from far- oflf Russia, and these things have given us courage and enthusiasm for the work of the coming year. — (Mrs.) Katherine N. Moore, Acting President. South Bend (Ind.) Humane Society. — The South Bend Humane Society has about loo slides of birds, and during the year these have been used in a number of the schools. Reports of Affiliated Organizations 113 The Bird Club in this city has been more or less active and has had monthly meetings and numerous bird-walks. Quite extensive bird-work has been done in the public schools through the aid of the teachers. Once a week every teacher in the lower grades gives talks on the birds and animals, and a great many of the buildings are ornamented with hundreds of bird pictures in the halls and rooms, so that the children are being continually educated by the eye as well as the ear. This spring we had an essay contest at which over 500 essays on birds and animals were submitted. This winter the Society expects to give quite a number of illustrated bird-talks. A few days ago the writer gave a bird-talk for the benefit of the Red Cross Society with the result that the sum of $40 was secured for the work. During the year the National Association of Audubon Societies formed a number of Junior Audubon classes in the schools of South Bend. These did good work. — H. A. Pershing, Secretary. South Haven (Mich.) Bird Club. — This Club was temporarily organ- ized in August, 191 7, under the direction of Ernest Harold Baynes, following one of his lectures, and the presentation of the Bird Masque, 'Sanctuar>\' We permanently organized in October, with 36 members enrolled. We meet once a month; short papers and informal discussions make very enjoyable evenings. We joined the National Association, placed the magazine Bird- Lore in our library, asked our local paper to publish a list of bird books to be found at the library, and for a few weeks caused to be published, one day a week, a few suggestions for the care and protection of our early migrants. Our Christmas Census contained 14 species and 151 individuals. At the 'Scott Club' (our local ladies' literary club) we celebrated John Burroughs' birthday, April 3^ by giving a bird program, decorating the rooms with spring flowers and buds, nests and forty mounted specimens of birds and a hundred or so colored plates, bird-houses, bird-music, bird-poetry and bird-papers, filled two hours' time and much interest was taken. Many of our members added more houses for the spring arrivals, and some have successfully trapped the English Sj^arrow. A Mockingbird gladdened the heart, eyes, and ears of our President all winter and well into the spring, when she spent much lime in her garden. May 5 a small party of our members spent a delightful day in the woods, by creeks and lakes, and identified 52 species of birds. We are trying to get our Council to secure an ordinance for the control of stray cats. We are young, very young, and a little proud, so far. for a one-year-old. — Florence L. Gregory, Secretary. Spokane (Wash.) Bird Club. — Our organization has been in existence for three years. Early in the present year we had an illustrated lecture by 114 Bird- Lore Prof. Hungate of the Cheney Normal School on^ 'The JEconomic |Value of Birds.' One of the regular meetings was planned for the pur])osc of making the members acquainted with each other. Instead of the usual formal program^ contests were arranged, requiring the identification of local birds. Last spring several bird-trips were planned by the committee appointed for that purpose, the one on Decoration Day to Glen Tana Farms being the most A VIEW OF PORTION OF EXHIBIT MADE BY SPOKANE BIRD CLUB AT THE INTERSTATE STATE FAIR, SEPTEMBER, 1917. largely attended and the most successful from the standpoint of the number and variety of birds seen. The Bird Club exhibit at the Interstate Fair, held the first week in Sep- tember, was greatly appreciated, judging from the favorable comments of the large crowds that stopped to examine this display. The members of the Bird Club feel that they have accomplished a good work this year by helping to establish a much-needed city museum. One floor of a down-town business block has been rented, and a large collection of stuffed birds, birds' eggs, and other interesting material has been assembled for the instruction of the public. A curator has been placed in charge, and the museum is kept open each afternoon of the week. The Bird Club now holds its fortnightly meetings in these rooms. — Gertrude Kaye, Secretary- Treasurer. Reports of Affiliated Organizations 115 Sussex County (N. J.) Nature-Study Club. — This Club will, in November, celebrate its eleventh birthday, and, although organized for the study of Nature in general, from the first, birds caught and have held our interest, and our 'bird-walks' still prove the most popular feature of our work. While this has not been a banner year in the number of birds seen, we have been pleased with a number of the rarer ones — Pine and Evening Grosbeaks, several species of Ducks, Lawrence and Mourning Warblers, and White-crowned Sparrow. The food-shelves provided by the individual members attract the usual winter visitors, many of whom become tame enough to eat from the hand. The in- creasingly large flocks of Starlings are causing apprehension. Three years ago only here and there was a stray one to be seen. Our Club has endeavored to comply with all recjuests sent by the National and State Audubon Societies relating to legislative work, and have posted in various places in our county the 'war' posters provided by the National Association. During the year one moving- picture entertainment was given at the county-seat, Newton. This consisted of an exhibition of reels from the National Audubon Society. Every month a report of the Club-meeting is sent to the county papers, and the interesting bird items contained in these reports have, we believe, done their part toward rousing the interest of the people of Sussex County in birds — their great value and the necessity of becoming their protectors. As in many communities, there still exists in the hearts of some of our hunters an antagonism for the Audubon Society, but a lack of sympathy for the law-breaker is fast causing enforced respect, if not honest abandonment of ruthless killing. — F, Blanche Hill, Secretary. Vassar College (N. Y.) Wake-Robin Club. — During the past year the activities of our Club have not been so extensive as formerly, because of the necessity found in all organizations in college of economizing both in time and money, as a result of our war-preparedness program. We led the birds on the campus during the winter In the spring the Club made its annual visit to John Burroughs at 'Slabsides,' where, after a picnic lunch, Mr. Burroughs spoke to us informal])- on the birds. — (Miss) Mildred .\. Tindle, SecreUiry. Vigo County (Ind.) Bird Club. — The plea of the birds was first heard in Terre Haute in .\ugust of i()i6. Their messenger, Ernest H. Baynes, the naturalist of Meriden, N. H., on a Chautauqua tour, organized the Vigo County Bird Club, whose aim was to foster bird-presersation and -study and further the movement for bird sanctuaries. The officers were: President. Mrs. Sara Messing Stern; X'ice-President, Assistant Superintendent of School> Tilley; Treasurer, .Mrs. William Cheney; Secretary, Miss .\manda Lolzc. The regular program for the \ear, under the direction of Prof. Tilley, whose suggestions were most helpful, was as follows: 'Biography of John .Audubon;' 'Fall Migration;' '.\ study of vacated nests' (found by the meml)er> ii6 Bird -Lore JOHN BURROUGHS, AT SLABSIDES, ENTERTAINING THE VASSAR COLLEGE WAKE ROBIN CLUB. and brought to the meeting) ; 'Our Winter Birds;' 'Physiological Parts of a Bird ;' a stereopticon lecture on 'Winter Haunts.' Many additional features were accomplished through the aid of Prof. Tilley and Prof. Howard Sandison of the Indiana State Normal School. A contest was conducted among the school-children for the making of novel and practical bird-houses. These were exhibited in the windows of the prominent stores and the awards made at the Public Library. Many of the public schools made charts of their districts. The children located as many bird-nests as possible and marked their location on the chart. They then watched the progress of the brooding and, as the eggs were laid, colored the marks on the chart accordingly and classified the species. This slight research work aroused great interest among the little people. Miss Rose Griffith, head of the art department of the pubhc schools, stimulated further interest by introducinga course of bird- and nest-drawing into the curriculum of her department. A vigorous newspaper campaign was conducted against the wearing of bird ornaments or feathers as adornment. The general publicity, so graciously given us by the newspapers, was of great aid in our first year's work. They accorded space for articles written monthly by Club members, the subject each month being the birds inhabiting these parts at the time. The Bird Club was Reports of Affiliated Organizations 117 instrumental in having the Congregational Church bring to the city Mrs. Theron Colton, of Chicago, who gave an interesting and illuminating talk on 'Birds and Their Nests,' illustrating her lecture with some fifty specimens and enlivening it with her interpretation of bird-calls. Many other activities, too numerous for mention, were carried on. As we of the Vigo County Bird Club look back upon our first year's work, we feel most happy at the results our efforts have obtained, and we look forward eagerly to another year's work and study of the little feathered brothers. — (Mrs.) Mildred Mesirow. Wellesley College (Mass.) Bird Club. — Our Club is only six months old, but it combines with the enthusiasm of youth very definite purposes. Its objects are to encourage the study of birds and to conserve and develop the bird-life of the college grounds. The need of conservation was the immediate motive for the organization of the Club, the restoration of the birds to the campus being called for by the ravages of the gypsy moth. The Club was organized early in the spring of igiy and was launched very happily upon its course by Ernest Harold Baynes, with a lecture on 'Wild Bird Guests.' During the spring the Bird Club organized and conducted a series of earh' morning bird-walks and kept posted on its bulletin board a record of spring arrivals. Each member of the Club was provided with a check-list of the Mas- sachusetts Audubon wSociety,and in several cases these lists included more than 70 birds observed. The Club is also working in close cooperation with the Faculty Committee on the Conservation and Development of the College Grounds (one member of this Committee being a member of the Executive Committee of the Club). This Committee, by means of a generous gift of an interested alumna, had, dur- ing the preceding fall, established more than a dozen winter feeding-stations at various points on the campus, and had erected posts for nearly 100 nesting- boxes. The Bird Club was presented with 75 'Wellesley' bird-boxes by their designer, John C. Lee, of Wellesley. In the care of these feeding-stations and of the nesting-boxes, the Bird Club will render valuable assistance to the cause of conservation. .Mready, in the first season, more than half the boxes were occupied by nesting birds. The restoration of birds to the college grounds and their protection will hr an active stimulus to the study of birds. The Club, therefore, in its many plans for the future, keci)s steadily in mind measures that will assist in their conserva- tion. It is their aim to make, each year, some permanent contribution to this cause, such as a bird-bath, a drinking-fountain, or a bit of planting that will provide both food and shelter. In this way the interest of the Club will find permanent expression, and the beauty of the campus will be preserved and increased for future generations. — Madfiinf F. .\lmy, Srcretary. ii8 Bird -Lore Western Pennsylvania Audubon Society. — The Society's outings the past year under the enthusiastic leadership of the 'Country Rambler,' Edmund W. Arthur, were very popular. These are all-day affairs (Saturday). Arriving at the appointed place, the Chairman appoints leaders of small groups and assigns them a territory. In the mid-afternoon all groups unite and the leaders report the discoveries made by his or her group. Usually a silent period was observed, all listening for bird- voices. The lectures arc, as a rule, free to members, with a small fee for visitors. The lecturers during the past year were Henry Oldys, Washington, D. C; Mrs. S. Louise Patteson, Cleveland, Ohio; George L. Fordyce, Youngstown, Ohio; T. Walter Weiseman, Emsworth, Pa.; W. S. Thomas, Pittsburgh, Pa.; W. E. Clyde Todd, Beaver, Pa.; and T. S. Briggs, of Norristown, Pa. A union dinner of our Society and the Sewickley Valley Audubon Society is an annual affair in March. Members are thus enthused to get out notebooks and field-glasses and take to the highways and hedges. Last March 580 bird- lovers dined and were addressed by the President of the societies, Charles B. Horton, and by Witmer Stone, of Philadelphia, Pa., President of the state So- ciety. Greetings were received from Walt F. McMahon, representing the National Association of Audubon Societies. Mr. Norman McClintock, of Pitts- burgh, exhibited his wonderful motion pictures of bird-life — proclaimed by authorities to be the finest ever taken. The Society has increased the interest in bird-study in the schools and created a desire for bird-knowledge in thou- sands of people. All over western Pennsylvania, bird-shelters, feeding-stations, and nesting-boxes have been erected; food-bearing shrubs and trees have been planted; cat facts have been made known; and appeals for bird-feeding at times of heavy snow-fall have been made in the daily papers. The officers of the Society are as follows: President, Charles B. Horton; Vice-President, Fred L. Homer; Second Vice-President, E. J. Robinson; Third Vice-Presi- dent, R. H. Santens; Treasurer, T. Walter Weiseman. — John W. Thomas, Secretary. Wild Life Protective Society of Milwaukee. — Realizing the immense value of junior work in connection with wild-life protection and conservation, our main activities were centered about the school-children and their schoolrooms with the idea of organizing a strong army of defense — inculcating into every boy's and girl's mind the noble spirit of wild-life protection. In other words, we hoped to accompHsh by constructive measures what restrictive measures had failed to do. Our plan was to organize in every school, whether public, private, or parochial, a bird club comprising the fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth grades. The teachers of the different grades selected one of their number to act as director of the club and the children elected a president and secretary. Each member of these clubs was then presented with a l)utton emblematic of the Reports of Affiliated Organizations iic> parent society and showing their affiHation with it. Each club was also presented with a No. i Audubon Bird Chart to be used in their daily or weekly work, and especially for object study. The future conduct of these clubs is, of course, left largely to the directors and the principals of the various schools, our Society being at all times ready to assist them by word and counsel. With the assistance of a large chart, slides, and films, I talk to these clubs from time to time and help to keep alive the interest. We have now some 8,000 children enrolled in these affiliated bird clubs, and we have only started. Have also had made a set of slides for use in our local movie houses. We have found these to be of great value in carrying on this work and earnestly recommend this method of propaganda to all our fellow conservationists. This has been almost our entire effort the past year, and we hope to continue the work this coming year. I believe that education is the only real solution of this great problem, and that to educate the children and teach them the first ethics of wild-life conservation is the greater and more important obligation of all lovers of our feathered friends. — Adolph Biersach, Secretary. Williamstown (Mass.) Bird Club. — Our Club was started in January, 1917, after a lecture by Mr. Baynes. In the spring there was a lecture for the school-children, given by Mr. Packard. On Arbor and Bird Day there were addresses by Prof. S. F. Clarke and Judge Fenney. Letters were written by Prof. Clarke and by Judge Fenney to our legis- lators, in regard to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. The Club was made a member of the National Association of Audubon Societies by the sending of $5 to the Massachusetts agent, Winthrop Packard. A special contribution of $5 was sent to the Massachusetts Audubon Society for the protection of our native birds, made necessary at that time by the unusual amount of the shooting of birds by foreign laborers, who plead the excuse of the high cost of meat. A beginning has been made toward a collection of bird-skins, and the follow- ing ones have been purchased: Tree Swallow, pr.; Red Poll, pr.; Tree Sparrow, pr.; Evening Grosbeak, pr.; Chickadee, pr.; Pine Finch, i)r.; Hudsonian Chickadee, pr. The Bird Box Committee was authorized to sj^end vSi5 on nesting-boxes. About fifty boxes were put up in various parts of the village and many of them were occupied. Some members of the Club were active in reducing the number of English Sparrows, and more members fed the winter birds with seeds and suet. The Club has a membership of 57 anrl a balance in ihe l)ank of S47. -Mary L. Fkrnald, Secretary. Winston-Salem (,N. C.) Audubon Society.- Our May meeting was held on the lawn at Mr. and Mrs. H. W. Folt/'s liomc on West Second Street. 120 Bird -Lore There was a very large attendance, including several visitors, and three new members were added to our roll. This was our first outdoor meeting, and it was so thoroughly enjoyed by all present that we decided to hold more of them. We met at 4.30 p.m., Dr. Schallert, the President, presiding. After the business had been attended to. Dr. Schallert read a very gratifying report of our Society from the last annual report of the National Association of Audubon Societies. He also told us of his experience in providing nesting-boxes for the birds at his home. Upon invitation it was decided to hold our next meeting with Mr. and Mrs. Victor Craigen, two miles out of the city, near the Bethania Road. Our kind host and hostess then conducted the company over their spacious grounds of several acres, where we were shown the nests of various birds, including the Robin, Cardinal, Thrush, Catbird, Bluebird and Carolina Wren, some on trees and bushes, some in nesting-boxes, and some on their back piazza. Also a goodly number of birds were seen and heard during the evening, and they seemed to fear no danger from the gathered company. We returned by way of some well-laden service berry and cherry' trees, the delicious ripe fruit of which constrained us to linger long by the way, and when we finally reached the lawn again, we were refreshed with most excellent lemonade before we adjourned to our homes. Our June meeting was held with our enthusiastic members, Mr. and Mrs. Craigen, at their beautiful new home northwest of the city, near Reynolds. The afternoon was warm but clear, and a goodly company were in attendance. We first adjourned to the fine springs at the foot of a steep hill north of the dwelling, and after drinking of the excellent water, we started on our tramp of a half-mile through the woods and fields, along streams of running water bordered with beautiful ferns and wild flowers of many varieties, the latter being ex- plained to us by our botanical friend, Dr. Schallert. Among the birds' nests found and examined we remember especially thai of a Chipping Sparrow in an old apple tree; a Chewink whose nest with five brown spotted eggs was right on the ground; a nest of Flycatchers on a dog- wood limb that was so full of fluffy youngsters that it seemed to be overflowing; a Mourning Dove that was sitting on her two cream-white eggs in a rough- looking nest in a wild plum tree, but she flew away on our approach. When we returned to the house, almost every lady had quite a collection of wild flowers and medicinal herbs. Sitting on the large front piazza in the cool evening breeze, the business session was attended to, and then we bid our kind hosts adieu, and in motor cars sped away to our city homes. We have a number of Junior Audubon Societies organized in our city schools, and some of them are doing splendid work. We are going to try to extend our work to the country schools this fall and hope to have good results. We had one excellent illustrated lecture during the year by R. E. Parker, Reports of Affiliated Organizations 121 State Secretary of the Audubon Society of Nortli Carolina. — H. W. Foltz, Corresponding Secretary. Wyncote (Pa.) Bird Club.— In the history of the Wyncote Bird Club the past year has been the most successful because the Club has become more of a community activity. This has been in spite of the fact that in these war days so many more pressing duties are demanding our attention. Our Presi- Ifl.LI-.lilkl) Al liOX MADE BY WYNCOTL UIKD i UK. dent, E. H. Tarry, who has done so much for our birds and for our Bird Club, expects any day to go to camp at his country's call; our fornur President, Ernest Corts, is already in camp, and we will unqucstionabK" miss their able assistance. Over loo Wren and Bluebird houses have been made and erected in the neighborhood. On a Junior walk in early spring we put up some of the5e houses in an old orchard and within fifteen minutes saw Bluebirds enter one of them. Adult and Junior walks were conducted frequently in the spring, usually going by autos to some woods over a mile from Wyncote. These trips are vrr\ 122 Bird -Lore popular, and sometimes our trusty Fords are filled to overflowing. We had our usual picnic in June, with a Ijird-walk first and then lunch in the woods. In July, 47 members went in two big automobile trucks to visit the Philadelphia Academy of Natural Sciences, lo miles away. JUNCOS IKEDIXC; OX WINDOW SILL. \V^•.\^0■rI•. PENNSVL\ANL\, BIRD ("LIH. Prizes were awarded for: (i) Bird photographs; (2) imitations of bird songs; (3) essay on 'Wild Life;' (4) first bird (other than English Sparrow or Starling) to hatch young in box made by competitor; (5) first person on whom a wild bird alights (not awarded). A Sparrow trap was bought by the Club, and the English S[)arr()w popula- Reports of Affiliated Organizations 12 tion has considerably diminished. Some have tried eating them and endorse this as a good way to aid food-conservation. Several feeding-stations were kept constantly supplied with food last winter, and the State Game Commission helped us in this by donating $io to the cause. We have had some good lectures this year, one by Samuel Scoville, Jr., Stafif Naturalist of the Boy Scouts of Philadelphia and Counties; Rev. Herbert Westwood, of Mt. Airy, who used the Pennsylvania State Museum Slides; and Dr. Joseph Kalbfus, Secretary of the State Game Commission, who used stuffed specimens of our common birds to illustrate his interesting talk. In December, 70 of us went to hear Ernest Harold Baynes, the founder of our Club, in his ever-interesting and impressive lecture on 'Wild Birds.' At one meeting the entertainment was almost entirely by the Juniors. Their interest is a great source of encouragement to the Club. We feel that especially in these strenuous times the Bird Club gives a needed recreation and has another purpose than helping the birds. — Esther Heacock, Cor- responding^ Secretary. JOIN THIS ASSOCIATION AND HELP THE CAUSE OF BIRD-PROTECTION! ^i ^ftr^ The Educational Leaflets OF THE National Association of Audubon Societies ^ The best means of learning the birds of your neighborhood, and of teaching your children. ^ Each leaflet describes the habits and utility of one bird, and contains a detached colored plate and an outline sketch of its subject. ^ The Colored Plates are faithful portraits of the birds, yet treated artistically, as is shown by the ex- amples in the border. No better pictures of their kind exist. (Plates not sold separately.) ^ The Outlines are unshaded copies of the plates, intended to be colored — the best method of fixing facts in a young mind. ^ These leaflets, 94 in number, are sold at 3 cents each. A list of these Leaflets, and other publica- tions, will be sent on request to the National Association of Audubon Societies 1974 Broadway, New York City >fS«^ /^\ SUBSCRIBE TO THE MAGAZINE BIRD - LORE COLORED PLATES ONE DOLLAR AND A HALF A YEAR 1. SUMMER TANAGER, Adult male 2. SUMMER TANAGER, Young male 3. SUMMER TANAGER, Female 4. HEPATIC TANAGER. Male 5. HEPATIC TANAGER, Female t One-half natural size) 2^irt=lLore A BI-MONTHLY MAGAZINE DEVOTED TO THE STUDY AND PROTECTION OF BIRDS Official Organ of The Audubon Societies Vol XX March— April, 1918 No. 2 Some Notes on Martin Colonies I. WHY NOT ESTABLISH A PURPLE MARTIN COLONY THIS YEAR? By GRACE ReSHORE, Dowagiac, Mich. IF YOU love the companionship of birds, plan to establish a Purple Martin colony this year on your home grounds. Several years ago, a bird-loving friend said to me one April day, "I see, on the wires about the city, hundreds of Martins that I think would nest and spend the summer here if they could find suitable nesting-places." For years we have had one colony in the cornice of one of our business blocks; the space is limited, and when the young birds return to the home nesting-place, after their winter in South America, they are obliged to move on to find and make new homes for themselves. The old birds will, if the nests suit them, return each year to the old home and bring their family with them, who in turn will make for themselves new homes in the same locality, if suit- able places can be found. In my innocence and ignorance, I wrote Ernest Harold Baynes, a well-known authority on the subject, that there were Martins in the town, but that I had never seen them about our place — did he think I could get them to locate there? He replied that I had never seen them, probably for the reason that I had never had anything there to attract them; that, if I would put up a Martin- house, they would, without doubl, inspect it within an hour: they would come and look it over, and, if it suited, would take possession probably the tirst year. (Two houses are better than one, as the Martins like company.) Mr. liaynes stated that there were many good Martin-houses on the market, but he had ne\ er been able to see that the birds showed any preference. They would be as ai)t to locate in a simjjle homemade affair as in a more elaborate one, and if the house were well located in the open, with the pole on which it was mounted made cat-i)roof, I would, without doubt, liaxe tlu' pleasure of seeing the house used and hearing the Marlins' jolly nuisic all siunnier. 126 Bird -Lore About that time, I saw in Bird-Lore a cut, with accurate measurements and directions for making a ten-room Martin-house. I took the cut to a local carpenter, asking him to make me two of the houses, following the same general plan as illustrated in the cut, which he did. I do not think the houses would be winners in a beauty contest, but, as Mr. Baynes said, the Martins are not critical. I secured a 20-foot pole from the local telephone company, and, before painting it, I covered a part of the lower half of the pole with a sheet of tin, thus making it cat-proof. I then fastened the house on the pole with heavy angle irons, getting the first one up late in the afternoon of May i. The next morning I heard an unusual bird-note and looked out to locate it: sure enough, there were six or eight of the Martins circling over and around the new house. They soon alighted on it and looked into the rooms. More came, until it seemed to me that all of the Martins in the city must be there on a tour of inspection, but they did not remain long. In a day or two I put up the second house, and that, also, was, in its turn, promptly looked over. There would be a day or so at a time when I did not see any birds around, but nearly every day a few would come and fly back and forth from one house to the other, then go away. By the middle of the month, a few pairs came to stay; probably they were the young, immature birds from the old colony. I could not see much differ- ence in the birds, as all looked alike. The young male and adult female look very much the same — backs a dusty black and breasts gray. The full-plumaged male does not have the complete dress of shining purple-black until his second postnuptial molt. My success encouraged others to erect houses for them, and we now have in the city nine or ten houses of from eight to twenty rooms, all of which are occupied partly or in full. For the last two years I have had 'capacity' houses. During the middle of a hot day they will seem to be away for several hours, but morning and evening they can be seen and heard most of the time. It is said that a Martin will eat a thousand mosquitoes in a day. While I can- not say that I miss any yet, I know that the Martins get a large part of their food at or near the house, and all of their food is obtained from the air as they fly about. The only time you see Martins on the ground is when they are gather- ing materials for their nests. Straw, dry leaves, shavings, mud, and a few green leaves for lining the nest seem to be the materials most used, and from the inspection of the nests when the houses are taken down for the winter, one could not give them a first-class recommendation either as housekeepers or nest-builders. They nest only once during the season, and that rather late, as it must be warm enough for plenty of insects to be in the air for food for the young birds. Plan to start a colony this year ; get your house ready and put it up the last of April or the first of May. Any boy can make one. Mount it away from trees Some Notes on Martin Colonies 127 or buildings, put it up 15 or 16 feet from the ground, and see if it will not attract some of the birds flying over, who will come down and inspect it and, perhaps, locate. You will be repaid for your effort by their jolly music during the summer. The Martins leave rather early in the season — soon after the young learn to fly. The time of their coming varies with the season — April 15 is as early as they have come to stay in southern Michigan. 11. SOME TOWN MARTINS By R. F. O'NEAL, St. Louis, Mo. For several seasons we have had a colony of Purjjlc Martins in a rather thickly settled residence part of St. Louis. It seems that they have found their surroundings congenial enough, and that they are not at all disturbed by the noise and bustle that are a part of city life. At first there was a four-family box, then two of them. For two summers it has been a sixteen-family settlement and the home of ten to twenty Martins. The small boxes — about 25 feet above the ground — are on scantlings fastened to a frame garage about 25 feet from the rear of the house and on the line of a brick-paved and, at times, very noisy alley. The large box is on an upright that rises from the center of the roof. Within 300 feet there are five garages tenanted mainly with not always silent Fords, and there is nothing of the 'Sleepy Hollow' kind in this stretch of alley. So much for the social disposition of these cheerful birds. The first box was not put up until the Martins had been flying about for some time, and they came to it at once. On March 31, 1914, a lone male came to the box about 7 o'clock in the morning, sat on the upper perch for a little while, then flew away. It seems that the males always come first, and the first to put in his appearance in 191 5, came on April 6. Others were flying about in a leisurely way, and it is possible that they had l)een in the neighborhood for several days. In 1916, the date of arrival was March 30, again at about 7 o'clock in the morning. The winter of 191 6 17 was a mild one, a good part of March being rather springlike, and one or two came about 0 o'clock on the morning of the 15th. A somewhat pecuHar feature in the domestic situation of these birds is the fact that the little colony for several seasons has been made up almost en- tirely of females. There have been visitors from time to time, sometimes mak- ing up a mixed compan\- of some twenty-tive, but for three summers there were seldom more than two males that seemed to he taking part in building the nests and bringing up the young birds. Sometimes two females gave their attention to one apartment, anfl it seemed probable that they were using a single nest, as is common with some of the domestic fowls. At first, the dirt of the fledglings is made up of the coniniou latch that is 128 Bird- Lore easily swallowed and quickly digested. Later, when the young are well grown, it seems that dragon-flies are much sought, and these are crammed down the throats of the voracious youngsters — wings, legs, and all, without trimming, pruning, or macerating of any kind. Catch on the wing and feed as caught — this seems to be the Martins' way of providing for their young. While highly specialized along certain lines, as in their manner of seining the air for gnats and other minute flyers, the Martins are not all-round experts by any means. They are very solicitous for the safety of their young, but they are not apt at meeting some unusual conditions, and the fledgling that falls to the SOME TOWN MARTIN HOMES Photographed by Edward S. Daniels ground is usually lost. And that first plunge, that trying of wings without even the experience that comes of instinct, with even chance of reaching a landing or dashing against a wall — this is the supreme test in which a Martin lives or dies. They are real artists in some respects, but are utterly lacking in the skill that enables some of the ground-birds to pound a hard beetle into a luscious morsel. They know nothing of the engineering tactics shown by the House Wren when she takes a stifif 6-inch twig through a hole the size of a quarter. The straw that olTers slight resistance is allowed to fall to the ground, and they seem to waste a good deal of time in building very ordinary nests. The young birds usually come out in July, and, if the first flight is successful, soon learn {o Some Notes on Martin Colonies 129 disport themselves with remarkable ease and grace. They usually leave for other climes about September i, but they sometimes get away earlier. And that long flight may be from New England to Brazil — but what is that to these free-lances of the air! There seems to be a rather general impression that Martins are very partic- ular as to the size of their quarters, and especially as to the size of the openings through which they are to come and go. There are reasons why this is partly true; there are reasons, too, why it is true only in part. The habits of animals and birds are controlled largely by instincts that lead them to seek dark corners in inaccessible places, mere existence being the first consideration, comfort and convenience not having much part in the matter. Wild creatures can exist under most uncomfortable conditions, but they should not be forced to do so. If we set out to attract the birds and offer artificial homes as inducements, we should also consider their comfort and happiness, as well as their safety, even if in so doing we run counter to some of their ways. Shame on the bird-lover who would inveigle a pair of Wrens into a tomato can, only to be roasted, with their little ones, in the broiling sun of the long summer days! The dimensions of our smaller boxes are, approximately, 15 x g>^ x 1 1 inches. This gives the lower apartments about 6 x S}4 inches, with height of 5 inches. The slanting roof, which has a break on each side for ventilation, gives the upper apartments the advantage of greater height. The openings are 2 x 2 inches, the height being increased by slight arch, with perches about ij4 inches from the box. An extra perch, much liked by the birds, is on slender uprights and about 6 inches above the roof. The large box — the centerpiece of the set — has the upper perch, also upper and lower perches on the four sides, and eight apartments, each about 83/4 x 14)4 inches. This box fronts in four directions and has sixteen openings, about 2X x ^^}4 inches. Not much to the liking of the birds at first, not at all in accordance with the ideas of the critics of this kind of architecture, it has been a kind of playground, and several broods have been brought uj) in it. With the ordinary boxes, if the several apartments are occupied, there is not room at night for the pair and their fledglings, and the result is that some of them are crowded almost to sufl'ocatit)n. Just here il is that the large box has served as a sort of overflow l)ungalow, alTording da\'time shelter in in- clement weather and comfortable sleeiMiig-quarters for home folks and guests through the warm summer nights. It was the intention to let the birds give grace and charm to the i)icture, but they stole away early, without notice of the time of their departure. OftheMartiiisit maybesaid that they are birds of good cheer. When perched about their homes, and also in their r(K)ms, they have a kind of rolling warble, winding up with a smacking of the mouth, and repeated ad Jincni, if not ad hifniitum. Tluir nott-, when on the wing, is clear and far-carrying, and seems lo mean thai tlu-v are having a verv good time. .\n occasit)nal jiarl ot their 13© Bird -Lore noisy ways, heard usually when they have gone into their chambers, is a sort of subdued chuckle, with sound suggestive of the grinding of molars, that seems to be an expression of good feeling and contentment. Such are some of their usual notes, but there is one other that is perhaps best of all. This is their loud, clear, exultant call, uttered when the bird is perched, with an air of great alertness, when his fellows are cleaving the air for the sheer pleasure of artistic flying — the ringing 'come-home' call and the joyous welcome to the swift flyer that is first to reach the goal. III. THE SIZE OF ROOMS IN MARTIN-BOXES By J. J. SHERIDAN, St. Joseph. Mo. It seems to me some steps should be taken to unify sentiment on building bird-nesting boxes for Purple Martins. An exhibition of bird-boxes being held at our public library this week shows the greatest variety of ideas as to the proper size to construct these boxes, one handsome structure containing forty apartments had the rooms 3^ x 5 inches in dimensions, while another had them about 10 inches each way. That this condition should be corrected in some manner goes without saying, but the leading authorities are as widely apart. For example, in your January-February issue of 1914, a writer on 'How to Start a Purple Martin Colony' says the rooms should be 8 x 8 x 10 inches, while Mr. Ned Dearborn, a Government expert, says the rooms should be 6x6x6 inches. An authority on the subject says the Purple Martin is 7.8 inches in length. If this is a fact, then it stands to reason a room should be at least large enough to admit the entire bird, and 8x8 inches would be none too large. There is no doubt but the bird will adapt himself to 6 x 6-inch quarters if he can do no better, but he will abandon the restricted quarters when he can find rooms large enough to accommodate him. I can recall several instances where this has happened. My boxes are built with rooms 8x8x6 inches, and I think this compromise will come as near meeting the require- ments of the birds as any size I have seen mentioned — at least my colonies stay with the boxes, and that is a good argument. IV. HIGH MORTALITY AMONG THE PURPLE MARTINS IN WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA DURING APRIL, 1917 By THOS. L McCONNELL, McKeesport, Pa. The old saying about the arrival of spring birds bringing good weather has no foundation upon actual facts. The warm spell in March, 191 7, brought back the Purple Martins ahead of time, and the subsequent cold rainy weather almost annihilated the early migrants. Insectivorous birds that feed, like the Swallows, entirely on the wing and not ofT the trees or on the ground, require warm, fair weather. Some Notes on Martin Colonies 131 On May 20 the writer removed seven dead male Purple Martins of mature I^lumage from his bird-house at Kittanning, Pa. This colony is about twenty years old, and for years has been made up of about fourteen pairs of older birds, all in high plumage, and this is the first year that many birds in second- season plumage are in evidence. Last year's young birds do not return until May, and usually cannot get room in a well-established colony, hence seeking new homes. It is estimated that between one-third and one-half the older Martins perished during April. Upon going back over the daily weather reports for March, April, and May for Pittsburgh, Pa. (45 miles south of Kittanning), the following exceptional conditions were found: It rained almost continuously from April 4 to 8, inclusive, with the highest temperature for each day under 50°, except on the 5th, when it climbed to 61°. From the 9th to nth, inclusive, it was fair and cold, the highest daily tem- peratures being 40°, 34°, and 49°. During the remainder of the month there were shorter periods when the Martins were unable to feed. The fact that all the dead birds found were males leads to the conclusion that the high mortality must have been early in the season, as the males precede the females in migration. The date of arrival for the Kittanning colony is not known, but it is known that the Martins returned seven to ten days ahead of their usual time throughout the state. The first Martin, male, reached McKeesport on March 26, and many first arrivals were seen on the 24th at Waynesburg, Pa. Referring to the mortality among the Martins at McKeesport, the writer's present home, there are now only six to eight birds where sixteen to twenty were seen in previous years. The two big local colonies are nearly wiped out. While this calamity is only a light killing when compared to the almost total destruction of Purple Martins throughout the New England States in 1903, had the bad weather come two or three weeks later there would have been few Martins left to replenish our colonies. V. A COLLAPSIBLE MARTIN-HOUSE By G. HILLER. Cincinnati, Ohio For the benefit of some of your readers, I enclose herewith pictures of a 'Homemade Martin-House,' made of soap-boxes, the lower story being somewhat smaller, thus giving the effect of a Swiss cottage. The house is hinged together and collapsible. The removable pins in the hinges allow the house to be taken apart for cleaning. The side of the house where the openings are for the nesting chambers is provided with hinged [torches, thus making it possible to kcej) the house closed to Sparrows until the proper tenants, the Martins, arrive. The partitions inside are worked in grooves, thus allowing a thorough cleaning. The pole or |)ipe is made of two 132 Bird- Lore pieces, 2 and i^ inches in diameter respectively, with a collar near the top from which three thin cables run to as many cement anchor posts. The house has a 2-foot pipe fastened to the bottom, fitting snugly in the main pole, the latter resting on a firm cement base, 5 feet in the ground, with a steel shafting in center extending 3 feet above base, over which the main pole slips in place. In winter, the pole with house is taken down to be put in a safe place indoors, to preserve it from the ravages of winter. While we have other bird- houses in our garden, this is, by far, the prettiest of all, and its cost is very Httle. COI.LAPSI BI.E MARTIN HOUSE A MARTIN HOME IN CINCINNATI Notes on the Tree Swallow By VERDI BURTCH With photographs by the author T HIRTY years ago Tree Swallows were very common over Lake Keuka, at Branchport, N. Y., and from early spring, often before the ice had left the lake, until mid-September, these grace- ful Swallows coursed over the marsh and skimmed over the waters of the lake, their beautiful, irridescent blue backs gleaming in the sun. In those days there were, bordering on the lake and marsh, many old willow, elm, and maple stubs with their deserted Woodpecker holes, and in these the Swallows made their nests. As the years passed, the old stubs were cut, or crumbled and fell until all were gone, and the Swallows, after spending the early spring with us, passed on to some more favorable locality to rear their young. In the spring of 191 5 I saw a pair of Tree Swallows investigating a box that M.\LE TREE SWALLOW Watching female as she leaves the nest, almost turning over as she swings away. I had put up on my lot for Bluebirds the lake, and, although the Swal- lows hung around it for several days, it did not seem to suit them exactly and was not used. How- ever, their presence about the box gave me an idea which I carried out the following spring, when I made boxes purposely for the Swallows, [)lacing them on the sides of posts which were driven out in two or three feet of water in the marsh. This was done April 28, when there must have been twenty or more pairs of Tree Swallows living about. The very next da\' I saw a Swallow enter one of the boxes, and on May 4 a pair of Swallows were carrying nesting materials into one of them. This same dav This box was more than ;o rods from M.\LK TREK SW.VLI.OW (133) 134 Bird -Lore I grafted an old Downy Woodpecker's nest on to the top of another post which was driven out in the water, and before I had rowed my boat 15 feet away from it, a female Tree Swallow had alighted and was peering into the hole, while her mate was hovering overhead. The hole seemed to suit, as they almost immediately took possession and began to carry nest materials into it. A TREE SWALLOW FAMILY.— THE MOTHER RETURNS Although they began nest-building thus early, it was done in a rather desultory manner, and they did not appear in real earnest until the latter part of May. By June 20 they were feeding young, both parents working diligently and supplying an abundance of food, various small dragon-flies forming a large part of it. Both parents were seen carrying excreta from the nest, flying with it out over the water, where they dropped it 5 or 6 rods from the nest. A record of a typical half-hours' observation at the nest June 30 follows: Female feeds young while the male sits on top of the stub resting and yawning several times, then he flies away and soon returns with a small dragon-fly, which he takes into the nest and almost immediately reappears with excreta which he carries out over the water, dropping it some distance away. Soon he comes again with another dragonfly, alights at the hole, but flies away again without entering; does this several times, then enters. Appears in the opening, where he remains several minutes until the female comes. She goes in and stays there. Soon he comes back with a dragon-fly, goes part way in, backs out again, and waits for the female to crowd out past him when he goes in. Of the nine boxes placed in the marsh this year, five were occupied. Notes on the Tree Swallow 135 After the nesting-season is over, the Tree Swallows, with hundreds of Barn, Cliff, and Rough-winged Swallows, gather in the evenings over the waters of the lake and creek, where they skim lightly over the surface of the water or fly high in the air, gathering their suppers from the hosts of insects flying there. At night they roost in the cat-tails, many of them close to the water's edge. A few alight at a time, those already there welcoming the others with soft twitter- ings as they come ; then there are constantly some flying up to take a few more turns in the air, and one too many will alight on the same leaf, causing it to bend to the water, when all fly up and ahght in another place. So it is really quite dark before all get settled for the night. The fishermen here use an acetylene light with reflector, and we sometimes get one of these and row down the creek, and, by going carefully and throwing the light on the cat-tails, the Swallows can be seen, with heads tucked under their wings, asleep. Rowing carefully along, we were able to pick them from the flags with our hands. The Tree Swallow is very fond of the water and will be found most abundant about a lake or stream where there are many dead trees, with their old Wood- pecker holes, and, as I have shown, they can be easily induced to use boxes put up by man. :^^ FEMALE LOOKING OUT IROM NEST ^WVH\, TO THE SONG SPARROW By EDMUND J. SAWYER 'Ground Bird' we called you in our barefoot days, When Spring impelled us on our truant ways. How well we knew and loved those happy lays You caroled from the 'pussy-willow' bough ! In feather, form, and note you are the same; Old Time has overlooked you, soul and frame; The flight of years has changed you but in name; 'Ground Bird' of old, we call you Song Sparrow now Now flitting and skulking by the brook, Calling and peering from the grassy nook. Hopping and hiding, you have every look Of sprightly youth you had in days of yore. Your merry song, so sweet, so glad and free; Your pose atop the fence or willow tree; ' Your long, loose tail, abob— all bring to me The days that were, the days that are no more. (136) To the Song Sparrow From morn till night you sing, unlike the Thrush Remote within the woodland's shade and hush, Nor like the soaring Lark whose songs outgush But reach us faintly like the songs in dreams. Banks of the tinkling stream, the grassy dell. The homely wayside nooks of field and fell — Familiar places that we love so well — These are at once thy chosen haunts and themes. Of gorgeous birds in fabled happy lands. Or flying over palms on coral strands. Where tropic seas and isles the view commands. Let others sing; their splendors 1 despise. The Eden of your songs my feet have trod; The Heaven that you praise is just the sod; Yet somehow 1 seem nearer to my God, Brown bird, with you, my Bird of Paradise! 137 naga, Kans 17 .\ugusl 20 September 2&, 189O Charleston, S. C. October 0, 19 1 1 Bird- Lore FALL MIGRATION, Continued LOCALITY Savannah, Ga.. . Tallahassee, Fla. Orlando, Fla Carrollton, Ala.. Biloxi, Miss New Orleans, La .Vustin, Tex Tombstone, Ariz Stockton, Calif.* Number of years' record Average date of last one observed September 18 August 24 August 23 October 8 September i 7 Latest date of last one observed August 30, 1909 September 27, igoi December 18, 191 ^ August 28, 1886 October 9, 1910 October 22, 1894 September 28, 1893 September 10, 1909 September 6, 1878 CUBAN MARTIN The Cuban Martin {Prague cryptoleuca) is a native of the island of Cuba, but is of accidental or occasional occurrence in southern and central Florida. The only authentic records for the United States are one specimen taken at Cape Florida on May 18, 1858, and another specimen, without date, obtained at Clearwater, Fla. GRAY-BREASTED MARTIN The Gray-breasted Martin (Progne chalybea) ranges from northeastern Mexico and extreme central southern Texas, south through Mexico, Central America, and South America, to Bolivia and southern Brazil. The only records for the United States are a specimen taken at Rio Grande, Tex., on April 25, 1880, and another obtained at Hidalgo, Tex., on May 18, i88g. BARN SWALLOW The Barn Swallow {Hirundo erythrogastris) is one of the most familiar and widely distributed North American birds. It breeds north to central Quebec (southern Ungava) , southern Manitoba, northern Mackenzie, and northwestern Alaska; south to North Carolina, Arkansas, southern Texas, Guanajuato, Jalisco, and Tepic, Mex. It winters from southern Mexico, through Central America and South America to Brazil, Argentina, and Chile. In migration it passes through the Bahamas and the West Indies, and is of accidental occurrence in Greenland, the Bermuda Islands, and the Galapagos Islands. Si-RING MIGRATION LOCALITY Number of years' record Average date of Earliest date of spring arrival spring arrival Dry Tortugas, Fla.. . 2 10 4 April 8, 1890 April II April 9, 1916 April 5 March 26, 1905 April 10 April 3, 1909 Amelia Is., Fla Savannah, Ga Charleston, S. C The Migration of North American Bird: 151 SPRING MIGRATION, continued LOCALITY Biloxi, Miss New Orleans, La Eagle Pass, Tex Gainesville, Tex Albuquerque, N. M Tombstone, Ariz Fresno, Calif Raleigh, N. C New Market, Va Washington, D. C Cambridge, Md White Sulphur Springs, W. Va. Athens, Tenn Eubank, Ky Onaga, Kans Boulder, Colo Morristown, N. J Philadelphia, Pa Oberlin, Ohio Richmond, Ind Chicago, 111 Concordia, Mo Keokuk, Iowa Lincoln, Neb Jewett City, Conn Providence, R.I Woods Hole, Mass Boston, Mass Phillips, Maine Tilton, N. H St. Johnsbury, Vt Ballston Spa' N. Y. New York, N. \' Ann Arbor, Mich Madison, Wis Minnca|)olis, Minn X'ermilion, S. D (Irand Forks, N. I) Cheyenne, Wyo 'I'erry, Mont Crea't Falls, Mont .Meridian, Idaho I'ortland, Ore Jacoma, Wash I'ictou, N. S St. John, N. B North River, P. E. I. (^)uebec, (Quebec ... .Montreal, Quebec Ottawa, Ont i.istowel, Ont .\wcme, Man Indian Head, Sask. Carvel, .\lta Okanagan Landing, H. C. Fort Chipewyan, Mack Nulato, Alaska Number of years' record 3 6 19 27 6 8 6 23 13 22 5 8 3 30 20 7 6 17 24 5 13 Average date of spring arrival April 3 April I February 28 March 30 April 10 March 14 .-\pril 14 April 15 April 14 April 1 1 April I 2 April 14 April 10 April 1 7 May 5 April 1 9 April 18 April 1 2 April 15 April ig April 21 April iQ April 24 April ig April 25 April 15 April 22 April 28 April 27 April 26 April 28 April 20 April iS April 22 April 26 May 2 May 12 May 1 1 May 15 May 13 Earliest date of spring arrival April 29 May 13 May 6 Mav 9 April 29 Ai)ril 30 April 2() April ^3 May 15 Mav 18 May 13 Mav 8 March 27. 1904 March 20, 1895 February 9, i88; March 21, 1886 April 5, 1914 March 20, 1909 March 4, 1914 April 2, 1888 April 5, 1888 March 30, 1890 April 3, 1913 April 3, 1892 April 8, 1906 April I, 1 89 1 April II, 1899 April 21, 191 2 .\pril 5, 1890 April II, 1 91 6 March 30, 1897 April I, 1893 April 4, 1897 April 17, 1914 April 3, 1903 .\pril 18, igoo .\pril 3, i8g2 April 16, 1906 April I, 1894 .Ypril 14, 1904 April 25, 1908 .\pril 18, igi.s .\pril 14, 1890 .\pril 16, 1891 April 2, 1882 April 7, 1 888 .\pril 14, 1 90 1 April 9, 1908 April 29, 19 1 2 May II, 1908 .\pril 21, 1889 May 5, 1894 May I 2, i8qo .\pril 25, 1914 April 13, 1897 April 24, 1908 May I, 1895 April 23, 1890 May 7, 1887 Ajjril 22, 1906 .\pril 25, 1804 .Vpril I 7, 1 900 .\pril 15, 1890 May 2, 1915 NLiy 7, 1903 May 6. 191 5 .•\pril 26, igoh May 20, 1827 May 13, 1807 K2 Bird -Lore FALL MIGRATION LOCALITY Sitka, Alaska Pictou, N. S St. John, N. B North River, P. E. I Quebec, Quebec Montreal, Quebec Ottawa, Out Aweme, Man Okanagan Landing, B. C Orono, Maine Tilton, N. H St. Johnsbury, Vt Woods Hole, Mass Providence. R. I Hartford, Conn New York, N. Y Ann Arbor, Mich Madison, Wis Lanesboro, Minn Great Falls, Mont Meridian, Idaho Seattle, Wash Newport, Ore Morristown, N.J Philadelphia, Pa Renovo, Pa Oberlin, Ohio Richmond, Ind Chicago, 111 Grinnell, Iowa Concordia, Mo Lincoln, Neb Washington, D. C Raleigh, N. C French Creek, W. Va Athens, Tenn Onaga, Kans Caddo, Okla Boulder, Colo Frogmore, S. C Savannah, Ga De Funiak Springs, Fla Amelia Is., Fla Biloxi, Miss New Orleans, La San Mateo Mountains, N. M San Pedro River, Mex., Bound. Line Ariz Fresno, Calif Number of years' record Average date of I last one observed I Latest date of last one observed 6 28 14 7 4 6 6 13 19 13 5 19 7 5 7 9 9 4 5 24 September 11 September 6 August 29 September 6 September 10 September 14 September 5 August 28 September i September 18 August 29 September 20 September 3 September 16 August 29 September 14 September 18 September 10 September 9 August 30 September 18 September 19 September 4 September 8 September 20 October 2 September 8 August 26 August 22 September 4 September i 7 September 23 September 20 October 15 October i October 24 September 28 August 22, September September September August 23, September September September September September August 31, September October i, September October 9, September September September September September September October 12 September October i, October 17 September October 15 October 13 September September October 11 October 5, September September August 24, September October 5, September September September October 27 September December October 19 November September 1912 I, 1894 22, 1893 15, 1887 1894 8, 1912 29, 1910 28, 1907 20, 1907 10, 1890 1911 3, 1915 1894 19, 1904 1900 23, 1904 9, 1915 26, 1915 8, 1887 4, 1889 15. 1914 , 1915 16, 1900 1905 , 1915 29, 1908 , 1906 , 1906 15, 1914 16, 1885 , 1909 1899 19, 1912 16, 1880 1889 15, 1902 1893 19, 1883 29, 1909 28, 1885 , 1910 26, 1909 13, 1905 , 1905 3, 1896 20, 1906 October 15, 1892 October i, 1905 EUROPEAN CHIMNEY SWALLOW The European Chimney Swallow {Hirundo rustica) is a familiar bird in Europe, where it takes the place of our Barn Swallow. In one or more of its forms it occurs in summer or winter over nearly all of Europe, Asia, Africa, and the East Indies, and travels occasionally to Australia. The typical subspecies, Hirundo rustica rustica, finds a place in the list of North American birds only by reason of its accidental occurrence in southern Greenland. Notes on the Plumage of North American Birds FORTY-SEVENTH PAPER By FRANK M. CHAPMAN (See Frontispiece) Summer Tanager (Piranga rubra, Figs. 1-3).— At the first fall (postjuvenal) molt the young male acquires a plumage which closely resembles that of the female (Fig. 3) but is somewhat more ruddy, with saffron under tail-coverts and a tinge of red on the crown. The extent of the spring (first prenuptial) molt varies greatly among different individuals. Some birds gain a wholly red body and retain only the primaries and secondaries of the winter plumage. Others acquire only a few red body feathers. Between these extremes there is every degree of intergradation, the bird shown in our plate (Fig. 2) representing a not infrequent plumage of this Tanager in its first breeding dress. Birds in this plumage present a most striking appearance and are sometimes reported by inexperienced observers as 'new' or 'strange' species. At the second fall (first postnuptial) molt, the adult plumage, with wings and tail as well as body red, is donned, and thereafter (unlike the Scarlet Tanager) the bird shows no further change in color. The female passes from the nestling or juvenal plumage into one resembling that of the adult (Fig. 3). This, it will be observed, is much yellower than that of the female Scarlet Tanager, the wings and tail especially being less fuscous. Hepatic Tanager {Piranga hepatica, Figs. 4, 5). — The nestling of this species is olivaceous above, paler below, and is obscurely streaked with blackish. At the postjuvenal molt, the male in passing into first winter plumage, becomes much like the adult female (Fig. 5). A plumage essentially like this, but with a few more red feathers on the head and throat, is worn by at least some birds in their first breeding dress. I have not a large enough number of specimens to state whether all young males wear this plumage, which corresponds to the first breeding dress of the Summer Tanager. The adult plumage is apparently secured at the first postnuptial or second fall molt, and is thereafter retained. It may be like that of our plate (Fig. 4), or still show traces of the olive-green dress of immaturity. After the postjuvenal molt the female presents no color changes in plumage. -^^ (153) ^otes from JFielti anti ^tutip A Census from France^ — An Addition lo the Eighteenth Christmas Census Northeastern France. — Dec. 12; 10 A.M. to 4:20 P.M. Cloudy; wind light; temp, about 40°. Partridge, 71; Wood Pigeon, 4; Skylark. 38; Rook, 800; Carrion Crow, 5; Jackdaw, 100; Magpie, 32; Jay, 11; Starling, 83; Goldfinch, 2; Chaffinch, i; Yellow Bunting, 41; Wren, 3; Tree Creeper, i; Marsh Tit, 7; Blue Tit, 3; Great Tit, 15; Redbreast, 4; Blackbird, 3. Total, 19 species, about 1,225 individuals. — E. W. Calvert, Canadian Expedi- tionary Forces. The Warbler Wave of the Spring of 1917 at Branchport, N. Y. The weather last May was very un- seasonable at Branchport, N. Y., and the Warblers were a week late, the bulk arriv- ing May 20. Even then it was cold, and I think it was on this account that they were THE BLACK BURNI AN WAkHl.hk Photographed by Verdi Burlch SO tame and kept in the lower branches of the trees and even on the ground instead of in the tree-tops as usual. Many Cape Mays and Tennessees were seen. This was unusual, as some migra- (i tions pass without our seeing a single one. The streets were full of Redstarts and Blackburnians. The Redstart, in parti- cular, was noticed by many people who usually take no interest in birds, and many came to me asking about the beautiful little black-and-orange-colored bird that they had seen. A friend who was working on a new cottage by the lake said that a Redstart alighted on his shoulder, also on his hat and on a rule that he held in his hand, then it flew up and hung before his face on rapid-beating wings. A neighbor brought to me a beautiful male Black- burnian which he found fluttering against the window in his barn. Another neighbor brought a dead male Chestnut-side that her cat had brought in; and I have no doubt that hundreds were killed by cats while they were so close to the ground. May 20 a male Blackburnian spent nearly the entire day on my lawn and in the garden. He was very busy all of the time, hopping over the ground like a Chipping Sparrow and seemed to be pick- ing up minute insects. It was difficult tc get a photograph of him, not that I could not get near enough, for he came up verj' close to me, even passing between my feet. The trouble was that he came too close, and although I had him on the ground- glass many times, sharp and life-size, and made my exposures in 7^ second, he was so lively that when I developed my plates I found my Blackburnian out of focus. Many times he was within a few inches of my hand as I was on my knees holding my camera near the ground. I used eight plates in all, at a distance of from 2 to 6 feet, and got just one good picture. — X'erdi Burtch, Branchport, N. Y. Spring Notes from a New Hampshire Farm "There is a gorgeous riot of color fly- ing up in front of the tractor; come to the meadow and see!" 54) Notes from Field and Study ^SS This invitation lured me to the great meadows bordering the Connecticut River whence a sullen 'chug-chug' announced the progress of a farm tractor. That the machine was 'doing its bit' on a New Hampshire farm the increasing acres of brown furrows showed plainly — the large green wheels rose and dipped over the undulating land. I followed them and so made my discovery of a power in the tractor not advertised in commercial catalogues; for even as the Pied Piper charmed the rats of Hamehn with his strange notes, so did this throbbing engine draw the birds. They hopped and flew ahead of the wheels; there were large birds and small birds, birds of brilliant and of dull plumage. Ours is an old farm, dating from Colonial days, when the pioneers left their hill homes (secure from prowling Indians), to raise, in common, crops on these fertile river meadows. Until this spring of 19 17 no other power than horse or ox has moved the plow, yet now, when the novel monster moves over the acreage, the birds, with indifference, just keep be- yond the wheels — their attitude is absolute unconcern. I kept my eyes on the ground in front of the tractor where the birds were hunting grubs and bugs. The dark, rain- filled clouds overhead intensified the color- ing of the feathered gleaners — it was as though a flock of tropic butterflies were balancing on the dun earth. Here four Scar- let Tanagers, gorgeous in their red and black, fairly burned the soil; there several dainty Canadian Warblers e.xplored; be- yond, tiny Redstarts, fan-tails spread, like shuttlecocks dyed flame and black, flew up and down, up and down, in ceaseless play. Satiny, soft-hued Kingbirds, au- dacious Bobolinks, Field Sparrows, and other birds garnered on the ground, while above, the Swallows skimmed and di|)i)cd past the steaming funnel. Then the clouds dropped rain and I left the river-rimmed meadows to hurry for the distant house. But I soon forgot the raindrops, for between the stables and the corn-barn I came upon a band of Warblers feeding on the ground. There were male Chestnut-sided Warblers picking up invisible bits; one bird let me stand beside him while he pecked in the road. Some very friendly Black-throated Blue Warblers and a Black-throated Green Warbler picked up their supper, chicken-like, at my feet. There were Red- starts everywhere, both male and female; they fluttered into the cow-stables, allowing the herdsman to catch them. One moved between the ponderous hind feet of the work horses, flying onto their driver's boot. These Redstarts were very confiding with me, and I watched in fascination the Japanesy little Warblers. One Redstart, feeding beside me, would dart into the air to the height of my head — once, plop! down he came on my hat- brim and hopped around it ! This bewildering springtime brought its tragedies; such confidence was sometimes betrayed — witness an exquisite dead Parula Warbler (a female), and a handsome male Magnolia Warbler, and one of the Red- starts— these last, with their heads snapped off and lying beside their bodies. I have always known and observed the bird-life about me, but never do I recall such myriads of birds. To a patriotic farmer's wife it seems a hopeful sign that our feathered friends in strong battalions will help us feed the world and win the war. — ^Katharine Upham Hunter, West Claremont, N. H., May 24, June 3, 15. 1917. Our Back-Yard Visitors Perhaps many city people think bird- study is a too far distant subject to take up, that in order to study and know the birds one must be out-of-doors the whole time, or else take many trips to the woods or country. But such is not the case, for if one keeps his eyes open he can see many of these bird treasures in his own garden. In looking over our lists, it is surprising to find that until June i, 191 7, we have seen about fifty different kinds of birds in our yard, and probalily then have not seen all that were there, as many of the observa- tions were short ones. Throughout the winter we were regularly visited by three Chickadees, three or four iS6 Bird -Lore Nuthatches, two to four Downy Wood- peckers, occasionally a Crow and Pine Siskins, and one unwelcomed Sharp- shinned Hawk. February 27 brought the first Robin, which was again seen on the 28th, but a cold spell after that probably caused him to seek warmer quarters. This is the earliest date, for the Robin. March 18, Purple Crackles fed in the yard, and a flock of them has since nested in a small cemetery about two blocks away. A day later, Juncos and Bluebirds put in their appearance. April brought us a visit from a single Meadowlark, a number of Brown Creepers and Chipping Sparrows, a pair of which have nested in our pear tree. Flickers occasionally find their way here, and a pair of them have a nest in a stump in the cemetery with the Crackles. Early one morning we saw two Hermit Thrushes. White-throated sparrows were quite numerous during migration, and both Kinglets were seen. The May visitors were much more numerous about the middle of the month. One rainy morning, a flock of four Purple Finches created havoc by picking off many blossoms, particularly from the plum trees. Their work seemed to be in direct con- trast to that of the Orioles which were among the blossoms at the same time. The next morning was fair, and the Finches were still around, not in the fruit trees, however, but eating the seeds of the elm. The change in the weather had caused them to change their diet, but why I do not know. Barn and Tree Swallows were seen flying overhead, as were also numerous Hawks. House Wrens are nesting with us, and Swifts can be seen at any time. Hummingbirds are occasionally seen, and we welcomed visits from the Oven-bird, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Scarlet Tanager, Rose-breasted Crosbeak, and Hairy Wood- pecker. A Least Flycatcher, Warbling Vireo, and Yellow-throated Vireo sing in the trees continually, and, we presume they are nesting in the vicinity. The Warbler migration. May 17 to June I, brought a number of interesting visitors in the order named: Black and White, Yellow, Redstart (numerous), Black-throated Creen, Black-throated Blue, Magnolia, Wilson's, Canada, Ten- nessee, Bay-breasted, Blackburnian, Nashville, and Blackpoll. Other visitors have been a Red-breasted Nuthatch, which took a few meals from our suet, Song Sparrows and Catbirds, a Black-billed Cuckoo, an Olive-backed Thrush, and numerous Coldfinches, of which we had the pleasure of seeing eight male birds at one time, in an elm. This concludes the May migration seen in our yard. So far in June the Night- hawk is the only new arrival. It is quite surprising when looking over the notes to find that so many birds have visited us this year. With the exception of the Meadowlark, which was seen in the lot back of our yard, all of the birds mentioned have been seen in the yard or flying overhead. Probably many others of our city folks who think they cannot study the birds will see just as many, or perhaps more, if they keep their eyes open and give a few spare moments to the things that are going on in birdland in their own yards. — Mr. and Mrs. William S. Wood, Kingston, N. Y. Robins Repeatedly Using the Same Nest In the summer of 1916, at Jefferson Highland, N. H., a Robin, for her second nesting, built in the woodbine climbing on the front of our cottage, which faces northeast, placing her nest upon a sub- stantial crossing of stout stems of the vine close to the shingles and under a project- ing cornice about 12 feet from the ground. Its position secured to the occupant com- plete protection from falling rain and all drip from the roof. So well placed was the nest that a casual observer would have said of the location, "How discreetly chosen!" The Robins proceeded very quietly and confidently all through the nesting period, scarcely' sounding any shrill cries of alarm over our movements day by day, and they brought up their brood successfully. This was a July nest- Notes from Field and Study 157 ing. It is likely that the pair had brought up a first brood somewhere near in June. Very soon after the young were on the wing from their home in the woodbine, we perceived that the mother was again occupying her nest, and our continued observation showed that she laid a second set of eggs in it and brought up a second brood, which got on the wing in August. The impression conveyed at the time was that she had found such full satisfaction and contentment in hef chosen site that she was drawn back to it for her next nesting. When we returned to the cottage on June I of the following summer, 191 7, we discovered that a Robin had built the nest for her first brood on a horizontal beam of the covered piazza on the south- east side of the house, placing it snugly up in the corner where the beam joins the house. So little did this mother Robin give heed to our movements, and so little did we hear any loud cries of alarm during the entire nesting, that we felt quite sure that our woodbine-nesting Robin of the previous summer was again with us, and that she had again made choice of a well- protected site, this time under the roof of the piazza, thereby showing the same dis- cretion which had guided her the pre- vious season. At this time the woodbine had not yet put forth its leaves. The last year's nest, however, was still rest- ing securely in the vine, but was fully exposed to view. Two birdlings were raised, and these left the nest on June 16. Ten days later we perceived that the Robin was again occupying her nest on the piazza beam without having made any attempt to reconstruct it or build anew. Again it was apparent that she liked this chosen location so well that she at once returned to it for her second nesting, as soon as slu- 1i;h1 sufliciently cared for the first brood, thus showing an indisposition to choose some other location. This second nesting proceeded successfully. On July 7 there were three young which the parent birds were feeding, and on the 20th, towards evening, the birdlings left the nest, or, rather, one was seen taking short flights about the piazza and the other two seemed ready to use their wings. But we were apprehensive the next morning whether these two had gotten safely away, since we found the nest had been pulled from its place by some agency we could not with certainty determine, and lay empty and broken upon the floor. We kept no cat, and there was but one, to our knowledge, in the immediate neighborhood. This one may Jiave been the culprit. With our hope that the birdlings had already safely flown before this catastrophe came was united a regret that the nest had been de- stroyed, for we felt it would have been very interesting to learn whether this Robin was of so constant a nature in her satisfaction with a well-chosen site that she would retain it for a third nesting. The oppor- tunity for this test was lost. But there came, perhaps, the better proof of her constancy when, six days later, we perceived that the old nest in the woodbine on the front of the house was again in use. There was no remaining question with us now. Our piazza-nest- ing Robin, which manifested her tenacity to a location there by twice using the same nest for two broods, was indeed the wood- bine-nesting Robin of 19 16 which had used the same nest for two successive nestings in the vine. She had now returned to her first well-chosen site, to her old nest, still in a full degree of preservation, and at this time well screened from view by the thick leafage of the vine, for her third nesting of the season. Three eggs were laid, and three birdlings were hatched and grew to maturity. They left the nest on August 27. Thus we have the interesting fact of a Robin building but two nests for the rearing of five broods in two successive seasons, and during t he second season, after rearing two broods in the same nest, returning to her old nest of the previous year, in which she had then reared two broods, for raising her third brood. Such an example of constancy and conservation is, perhaps, rare. In this instance it was doubtless due first to her good judg- 158 Bird- Lore ment in selecting locations, and then to her full contentment and sense of satis- faction arising from her daily experience of living undisturbed and not being inter- fered with in any way. Her mate, as may be supposed, gave us much song early and late and between- whiles. His night perch was just across the road where is a wooded hillside. One evening in early July, when I was record- ing the order of the evensong of all the bird voices within reach of me, this mate sang his final song at 7.50, and a very pretty little response came from the mother on her nest in the woodbine, just a few softly given notes expressing 'good night,' and there was silence. — Horace W. Wright, Boston, Mass. Notes on Robins' Nests For three summers now we have been visited by Robins which are very poor nest- builders. I imagine it is the same pair each year which has not improved in their method, and realize, perhaps, that Fate, FLICKER AT NEST IN 1111. LUjN> CAGE in the guise of my father, will take care of them. The first summer, a hard wind- storm during the night loosened the badly constructed nest, built in an apple tree, and the four little birds fell to the ground. The distress of the parent birds attracted my father. The baby birds were apparently dead, but finding one showed signs of life, he carried them all into the house, wrapped them in flannel (only one had a few feathers appearing) and put them on the hearth of the kitchen stove. Then he went out and patched up their nest, finally tying it with a piece of black silk, the old birds all the time regarding the affair with great interest. The little birds, when thoroughly warm, revived and were returned to the nest, and three lived to grow up. The next year the Robins built on a board which I had nailed under the eaves, and the nest, when the young were half- grown, being most inadequate and shaky- looking, another board was nailed under the first, making the shelf wider. This summer the Robins built over a little water-pipe, and, again, when the young birds looked in imminent danger of falling, an under board, with low rail-effect in front, was put up for protection. If the old birds noticed while it was being erected, no outcry was made, and while the little front board almost hid the nest, the male Robin, with- out an instant's hesitation, on perceiving the change, flew up and fed the young birds as before. — Elizabeth Lawrence Marshall, Jamestown, R. I. A Sanctuary within a Sanctuary Although the entire 169 acres of the National Zoological Park at Washington, D. C, constitutes a carefully preserved sanctuary for native wild birds, some sum- mer visitants this past season, apparently not satisfied with the protection afltorded by the Park authorities, found added Notes from Field and Study LION'S CAGE IX THE XATIOXAL Z0"L0GICAL PARK AT WASHIXGTOX IX WHICH A PAIR OF FLICKERS AND A PAIR OF HOUSE WRENS NESTED security by nesting within the outdoor enclosure of an African lioness. The lion's cage is 20 by 30 feet and 10 feet high, joins the building on one side, and is otherwise completely enclosed by steel bars 3)4 inches apart at the most open places. In holes in a stump of an old tree within this enclosure a pair of Flickers and a pair of House Wrens nested and reared their broods in safety. The Flicker hole is 6>^ feet above the ground, and the Wren's nest about 6 inches higher, on another branch. Visitors to the Park were quick to find interest in this novel sight, and crowds enjoyed watching the Flickers dart be- tween the bars of the cage to feed their eager young, while the Wrens fussed, scolded, and sang from their own par- ticular branch of the snag. The lioness, an unusually active animal, offered no objection to the intruders. Surely a place safer from nest-hunting boys or predatory animals could hardly be found than that selected by these two pairs of birds, and this lion's cage has every claim to tin- title of a model bird sanctuary. — X. HOLMSTER, Nalional Zoological Park, Washington, D. C. A Winter House Wren Not far from my home in Evanston lives a florist who has a large green- house. One day last fall he left the front door open all day. Toward evening he closed it and soon heard a House Wren's song inside. The bird evidently flew in through the open door. It seemed very content, and so was allowed to remain. In the zero weather of January it was delightful to go in and hear the cheerful song of the Wren. It also helped the florist, in a large measure, to keep the insects in check. — Conroy Evans, Evans- ton, III. Three Winter Mockingbirds \ mockingbird was seen here the lirst week in January. It was feeding on honey- suckle and pokeberries and apples hang- ing on the tree, and was quite shy. — I'.i.iZABKTU I'. Styer, ConcordvUlc, Pa. It seems worthy of note that among our bird-guests there is a Mockingbird. For several years we have heard of a single male being at Sandy Hook, and now he seems to have chosen this side of the i6o Bird -Lore river for a winter abode. Perhaps the constant firing at the proving-ground got on his nerves! He is eating the berries on a spikenard shrub near the house, and also drinking at the bird-bath. Yester- day (November 28, 191 7) we saw him chasing three Cardinals who are our con- stant visitors, much to our distress. — Louise deF. H.4Ynes, Highland, N. J. On November 30, a mild, still day, a Mockingbird was about our place all morning. For some little time he was resting on the bushes some 12 feet from the plate glass window Four of us had a perfect view of him. I have seen him several times during the fall, but not close enough to be sure of his identity until the 30th. — Mrs. Annie B. McCoNNELL, Watch Hill, R. I. Cardinal in Wisconsin On December 24 a Cardinal was seen here in the neighborhood of our smallest lake — Wingra. The day was mild until noon, but a raw, cold wind was blowing from the north when, somewhere between 3 and 4 o'clock in the afternoon, the Cardinal was observed. While this is the first time I have seen this rare visitor, he has been seen by sev- eral different people since late November. On one of these days, in early December, the thermometer registered 20° below zero. — N. C. Otto, Madison, Wis. A Blackbird Chorus On a perfect Sunday afternoon in spring, we went to the cottonwood trees at the edge of the meadow and sat down on some flat rocks in the sun. Almost immediately a flock of Red-winged Black- birds flew into the trees close by and began an anthem. They did not seem to be in any more of a hurry than we were, and they gave us a concert wonderful to hear and free of charge. We all sat watching and listening, much as one would to a symphony orchestra. In fact, we dis- covered that it was a sort of orchestra. The accompanists struck up a three-bar introduction in two-part time, and, after the third bar, others joined with soft whistles. Instantly, the music was punc- tuated with the liquid notes of the more polished singers, while the steady accom- paniment consisted mostly of a soft chip - chip - chip - chip - chee-chip - chip - chip chip-chee, the oka-ree — oka-lee rising above the music of the orchestra e.xactly like the notes of an opera singer or the voices of the choir as they take up their parts in the proper places. The finale was by the orchestra, in several 'selectious,' with a crescendo flourish, as of measures played after the singers are through, and having a dis- tinct time rhythm. Often there was a pause by the entire company as if, hav- ing finished a 'number,' they were rest- ing before beginning another. We had noticed, when listening to them at a distance, that they did not all sing alike. There was a clearer and more defi- nite note heard above the accompanying chorus of chirps and whistles. It actually seemed as though the main body acted as an orchestra while a few birds did the real singing. They sang there for fully half an hour, with little pauses that strongly suggested the rests between performances of an orchestra of stringed instruments at any musical entertainment. — Jessie I. Carpenter, Boulder, Colo. An Industry Awaits a Captain Birds benefit agriculture by destroying caterpillars and other pests. The bird population can be increased greatly by simple means, one of which is the setting out of nesting-homes, not so much to facilitate nesting as to give protection from cats, snakes, and other enemies, and a refuge from extreme cold. The good done thus has been made so clear that the farmers in some parts of Europe have set out nesting-homes of their own initiative. Much information on this subject is given in a little book 'How to Attract and Protect Wild Birds' (National Association of Audubon Societies). In order to have any appreciable ceo- Notes from Field and Study i6i nomic effect, nesting-homes must be set out, not in tens but in hundreds of thou- sands, if not in millions, and hence they must be made cheaply enough to permit this. The experiments of the Bedford Audubon Society, of Bedford Hills, N. Y., show that gourds fulfil the needs of the case, in being both very attractive to the birds and extremely cheap, so cheap that over 2,000 of them have been sold within the last two years to people living in and about Bedford Township. They were first brought here for this purpose by Wm. G. Borland. These gourds, when tried in competi- tion with more than 600 shingle boxes, of a form approved by several of the most competent American authorities, proved much the more attractive, 50 per cent of NESTING-BOX AND GOURDS those examined having been nested in during the first year against only ig per cent of the boxes. These gourds, strung with marlin and ready for hanging, with the proper holes for entrance and draining, cost us only 10 cents apiece. But a properly organized industry ought to turn them out much more cheaply, probably at a cost of not over 6 cents each, because our cost was based on unfavorable conditions, working in an amateur way, with no special ap- pliances, wholly by adult liand-labor, on a small scale, and at a great distance from North Carolina, where our gourds were raised, so thai our frciglil charges were excessive. A gourd lasts four years, and |)crlia|)S longer. Papier-mache gourds would last much longer, and might, perhaps, be made at an even lower cost, to judge from the cost of papier-mache pails, but here actual experiments are needed to show whether a finish could be given them which would attract the birds. The cost of raising and curing the gourds themselves is very small, and the only additional expense is that of clean- ing them out and cutting and stringing a few holes, so that the total cost is small enough to permit distributing them on a scale of real importance to agriculture. The preparation would naturally be done in winter, and therefore under favorable labor conditions. Here, then, seems to be an industry awaiting a captain. The work to be done is, first, to diffuse among the farmers the knowledge of the benefit from setting up nesting-homes and winter feeding, so as to create an active demand; and, second, to organize in ^ the South an industry for preparing and delivering these gourds. — H. M. Howe, Bedford Hills, N. Y. Some Ruffed Grouse Notes The Ruffed Grouse, in spite of three centuries of persecution, is still fairly common in some parts of Massachu- setts. Even within 10 miles of Boston it is met occasionally by the haunters of the isolated woodlands which persist almost in sight of the gilded dome. The wise policy of the Metropolitan Park Commission in setting aside hundreds of acres of un- developed land has done much to pre- serve our wild life, while the town of Brookline has been a pioneer in prohibiting shooting at all times anywhere within the town boundaries. The accompanying photograph, was taken at Waban, Mass, May 13, 1Q16, in a small plot of second-growth woodland, adjoining on one side a large cornfield and on another side the Metropolitan Park Road along the Charles River. Quail are sometimes seen in the cornfield, and Plicasants are i)ccoming very common l62 Bird- Lore through the entire neighborhood, but the Grouse was a surprise. From my house in Waban I heard the harsh cackling of the cock Pheasants daily in these woods, and their dusting-places were frequently seen. On the afternoon of May 12 I started out to look for a Pheas- ant's nest, near where the cackling seemed most frequent. I had hardly gone 200 feet from the edge of the cornfield clearing when, to my sur- prise, I saw a hen Pheasant sitting among RUFFED GKULbE SITTING Waban, Mass., May 13, 1916 the dead oak leaves at the base of a small chestnut tree. She sat very close, not leav- ing her thirteen greenish tinted eggs until I had crept^up to within 6 feet of her. I regret to state that she never came back to the nest. The only other Pheasant's nest I have found was also immediately deserted, though in this case there was only one egg, and we almost stepped on the mot her[ without seeing her. The nest was not touched or disturbed in any way, as the eggs were plainlj' visible as soon as the hen flushed. I considered myself in great luck to have found the nest before the bird flushed from it, as her protective coloration makes dis- covery difficult, but even better luck was in store. A few minutes later, at the base of a small second-growth oak, within 150 feet of the Pheasant's nest, I found a second nest, and, to my surprise and de- light. Mother Grouse was at home. She flushed when I was about 10 feet away, but was back on the eggs in about an hour. There were eleven eggs in this nest, quite different in appearance from the Pheas- ant's eggs, being smaller and buflFy in color. The next morning I returned to the woods with camera, tripod, and a 15-foot extension cord for releasing the shutter. The Pheasant's nest was unoccupied, and I snapped the eggs, then approached the Grouse's nest. The mother was less timid today, but I could not quite snap her before she flushed. I therefore set up the camera, took a couple of pictures of the eggs, and left for an hour's walk by the river. Returning I found Mother Partridge as you see her in the picture. She was still sitting on May 20, when I last saw her, but upon my return from a brief visit to my camp in New Hampshire, some broken shells showed that the young had been successfully hatched. Later, a friend told me that he saw a brood of Ruffed Grouse, tiny downy chickens, about May 30 in these same woodlands, and I trust the family is still intact and will increase in the neighborhood. The previous fall we had posted the district pretty thoroughly with 'No Shoot- ing' signs, and many birds had crossed the river to seek sanctuary from the gun- ners. The river being in the Metropolitan Park, is a bird reservation, and is re- sorted to yearly by American Mergansers, Golden-eyes, and, occasionally, Wood Duck, Black Duck, and Teal. — John B. May, M.D., 'Winnetaska,' Ashland, N. H. THE SEASON VI. December 15 to February 15 Boston Region.^ — The present winter has proved the most severe season recorded from this region by the weather bureau. Low temperatures have been phenomenal, both on account of protracted periods of cold, during which the thermometer has remained at zero or below, and on account of the extremely low temperature (15° and 20° below zero) which has accom- panied the cold waves. The ground was covered with snow and ice from November 28 (the first snowfall) until the thaw of February 12-15 removed a large part of the snow. Fortunately, there were very few birds here to suffer from these unfavorable weather conditions. Although flocks of Cedar Waxwings continued to appear through the winter and Black-capped Chickadees were present in normal numbers, wintering Juncos and Tree Sparrows were rare. From the observa- tions of several members of The Nuttall Ornithological Club it appears that most of the Tree Sparrows of this region are collected south of Boston, and although many, of course, are wintering along the seacoast, the inland country to the west and northwest of Boston is nearly de- serted. The harshness of the winter brought one novelty — during the arctic weather, Snow Buntings, of late years a rarity except on the seacoast, came familiarly in flocks of dozens into the country roadways and even into the streets of Lexington, where they fed on horse-droppings. — Winsor M. Tyler, M.D., Lexington, Mass. New York City Region. — Till this winter, the local weather bureau's lowest recorded temperature was -6°, touched several times, but that record has been broken on two occasions, -13° being reached on December 30, and -7° in January. Furthermore, remarkably cold weather has been almost continuous. How- ever, it has not been an unduly stormy (I winter, but, in the lack of warm spells, the snow that has fallen has stayed, so that the ground was not bared from the time of the first snowfall, late in November, till a general thaw which began in the second week of February. Naturally, ice- thickness broke all records; people walked across the Hudson from upper New York City. On the whole, birds have been scarce these last six weeks, both in species and individuals, so that it has been customary to list about sixteen species in a day's tramp instead of the ordinary twenty-odd. There has been a particular scarcity, at least in northern New Jersey, but less so in the city and eastward, of White- throated and Tree Sparrows and Juncos, and I know of no record since December for Field Sparrow (except one on Long Island by E. P. Bicknell,) Golden crowned King- let, Hermit Thrush (except on Sandy Hook), or Bluebird. On the other hand. Downy Woodpeckers, Goldfinches, White- breasted Nuthatches, Black-capped Chick- adees, and others have been in wonted abundance, and it is remarkable that on Long Island, with so much ice, Canada Geese have been much less scarce than usual in winter. The presence of the Northern Shrike in exceptional numbers has been a feature of the season; in a dozen trips, since December 20, the writer has seen six, whereas he had previously not averaged one a winter. Many Goshawks have been taken around the outskirts of our Region (in Connecticut and north- western New Jersey), but I have heard of none nearer by. There has also been an unusual southward movement of Owls, indicated hereabouts by several Great Horned (apparently of one or more north- ern races), a Snowy trapped at Wilton, Conn., and one claimed to have been seen by a Coast Guard on Long Beach, Nassau County, L. I., and rather more Saw-whels than usual. I know of no record, anywhere near this Region, of Fvening Grosbeak, ^'J) 1 64 Bird -Lore Pine Grosbeak, Red Crossbill, White- winged Crossbill, Redpoll, or Brown- capped Chickadee. — Charles H. Rogers, American Museum of Natural History, New York City. Philadelphia Region. — This vicinity came in for its full share of the abnormal cold of December and January. All re- cords of the local weather bureau for long- continued cold were broken. The depar- ture from normal averaged, for the two months, almost -8°. The Delaware River, above Philadelphia, was frozen from shore to shore, and ice was said to be i8 inches thick a short distance up the river (Tor- resdale. Pa.), the thickest in the memory of the local rivermen. As for the birds, there appeared to be about the same number of species present as in late November, but a decided falling- off in the number of individuals was ap- parent. This was no doubt due to some extent to the deep snows, which forced the birds into restricted areas where food was obtainable. For instance, a small flock of Meadowlarks which had taken winter quarters on a nearby river-meadow could not be found. After repeated attempts to locate them had failed, they were finally discovered some distance away feeding on the top of a heap of compost. They were very loath to leave and came back as soon as the opportunity offered. With them were numbers of Horned Larks and Song Sparrows. The Northern Shrike was the only species from the North that appeared in sufficient numbers to break the monotony of the ordinary list of the common winter birds. A brief but characteristic report for the two months might be summed up in the words: bitter cold, birds scarce. — Julian K. Potter, Camden, N. J. Washington Region. — Notwithstand- ing one of the severest winters in local annals, there were few of the more northern winter residents about Washington during December and January. The common and regular winter birds have been about as numerous as usual, although more un- equally distributed, owing perhaps to the cold weather and almost continuous cover- ing of snow in the country districts. Very noticeable, however, has been the almost entire absence of the Red-breasted Nut- hatch, which is normally a more or less common winter resident. Hawks have been present in more than ordinary numbers, many of them resorting to places in the immediate suburbs of the city, particularly the lower part of the Potomac Park. Here the Red-tailed Hawk, which is considered a rather rare bird about Washington, has been seen regularly. Other species observed during December and January were the Red-shouldered Hawk, Broad-winged Hawk, Bald Eagle, Marsh Hawk, Cooper Hawk, Sharp- shinned Hawk, and Sparrow H-awk, and most of these have been reported as more or less common. In the District of Columbia, that is, the environs of the city of Washington, the Bob-white has been, it is a pleasure to say, unusually numerous. In view of the severe weather, interested persons took measures to save the birds from starva- tion by systematically feeding them, and with gratifying results. A flock of Prairie Horned Larks, rather large for this vicinity, consisting of several hundred individuals, with a slight sprink- ling of Horned Larks, were by several observers noted in the vicinity of Arling- ton, Va., on January 24 and on several subsequent dates. The Prairie Horned Lark has also been reported from other places in the Washington region. The European Starling has been much in evidence, moving in flocks all winter, and has appeared in a number of places in various directions from Washington. It is perhaps also worthy of note that the Horned Grebe was observed by Mr. B. H. Swales, on December 6, 12, 13, and 14, 191 7, in the Potomac River, opposite the lower end of Potomac Park, and a Cat- bird in the same place on December 6, 1917. Of the more uncommon winter visitors there are few to record. A single Snow- The Season 165 bunting, noted by C. H. M. Barrett, along the Anacostia River, on December 19, 1917; one American Crossbill, seen by E. A. Preble, near Cleveland Park, on December 15, 1917; and a single Northern Shrike, observed in Potomac Park, on December 28, 191 7, about comprise the list. Perhaps the most interesting ornith- ological feature of this winter has been the large number of various kinds of Ducks. These have remained in the Po- tomac River, from the Potomac Park down to Dyke and beyond, so long as the river or a portion of it was free from ice. In fact, the Ducks have been much more numerous this season than for many years; and, off Dyke alone, observers have frequently seen flocks aggregating several thousand. When undisturbed they often approach near the shore, but habitually keep to the middle portion of the river. The species thus far reported this winter are twelve, as follows: Ameri- can Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Hooded Merganser, American Golden- eye, Buffle-head, Greater Scaup, Lesser Scaup, Canvasback, Redhead, Ruddy Duck, Black Duck, and Mallard. — Harry C. Oberholser, Biological Survey, Wash- ington, D. C. Minnesota.— Until the beginning of the second week in February, uninterrupted low temperatures prevailed all over Minnesota. The cold has been unusually severe, and there have been no intermis- sions, not even for a day, as is usual in January. No snow of any account has fallen, and as a result the ground is deeply frozen and the ice on lakes and sluggish streams is between 2 and 3 feet thick. The gorge of the Mississippi River below St. Anthony Falls has been daily filled with a dense mist which rose from the water's surface in great swaying wis])s and floated away over the top, making t he- chasm seem like some great, dim, and mysterious steam-vent from regions un- seen. Between February 8 and 13 came a break in these arctic conditions, and for the first time since last N<)\cnil)(.'r, molting temperatures at noontime appeared. The scanty snow disappeared in exposed places, and on February 12 a venture- some Horned Lark was reported near Minneapolis. A considerable flock of Cedar Waxwings appeared in the out- skirts of St. Paul, feeding on mountain- ash berries (Miss C. K. Carney). But on the 14th came the severest blizzard of the season, with wind 45 miles an hour, blinding snow, and, the following morn- ing, a temperature of 10° below. In spite of all this severe weather, there have been occasional reports of Robins seen in the vicinity of the Twin Cities^ stray birds that for lack of migrating instinct, or other reasons, failed to depart with their more normal fellows. Frank A. Bovey reported seeing a Car- dinal several times during January on his grounds at Lake Minnetonka, some 15 miles west of Minneapolis. This is a rare event. From Lanesboro has come the report that the Brown Creeper and the Golden-crested Kinglet have survived the winter (Hvoslef). A single flock of Bohemian Waxwings at Christmastime, a Shrike January 22, and a flock of 50 Redpolls February 10, all at Duluth, with Pine Grosbeaks in Carlton County about December 2$ (Van Cleef), comprise all the winter visitants thus far reported. An occasional Red-breasted Nuthatch, Junco, and Tree Sparrow has been seen in the southern part of the state. Chickadees and all our regular winter birds are still scarce. — Thos. S. Roberts. University of Minnesota, Minneapolis. Kansas City Region. — The outstand- ing feature of the season's work was the finding of three forms of the Red-winged Blackbird wintering here. The aggregate number of individuals was below normal, but the presence of Agctaius phanicfus fortis, A. p. arctolcgus, and .1 . p. prcdatorius (formerly A. p. phceniceus) is, as far as the writer knows, unusual. The three forms were present in about equal abundance, as indicated by specimens taken. The wintering Ducks and Cicesc were i66 Bird - Lore driven further on by the severe weather conditions of late December and early January, the last seen being Canada Geese, Mallards and Canvasbacks on the Mis- souri River on Christmas Day. A hybrid, apparently the common one of Mallard X Black Duck, was taken on December 8. It may be worthy of note that the water- fowl flights at this point have shown a decided increase since the passage of the Migratory Bird Law. It may not be generally known that the sportsmen of this section have opposed the spirit of this law with more effect than those of any other part of the country. A troop of perhaps fifty Short-eared Owls spent several weeks prior to early December on an extensive tract of land recently formed by the meandering of the great river. This tract, embracing a thou- sand acres or more, is overgrown with typical bottom-land vegetation, bordered by thickets of young willows, and affords ideal roosting-places for these Owls. An unusual feature of their stay at this time was their feeding on the Tree Sparrows that frequented the willows in droves. Every pellet examined contained some token of the Sparrows. The fact of this unusual diet being resorted to, as well as the favorable locality being refused as a winter roost, may be accounted for by the absence of favorite rodent-prey on this new ground. Blue Jays and Red-headed Woodpeckers have been here in greater numbers than usual, perhaps because of an abnormal crop of acorns, notably of the shingle oak. A lone Kingfisher was noted on February 17, rattling disconsolately along the course of a frozen stream. On this date were seen the only Crossbills of the winter — a flock of five. The usual crowd of Sparrows braved the rigors of the severe winter in the deep shelter of the Missouri River bottoms. Not so many Harris's Sparrows, however, were seen as during previous winters. Myrtle Warblers, which have been met with nearly every winter in the timbered bluff regions feeding on poison ivy drupes , were not present this winter. — Harry Harris, Kansas City, Mo. Denvkr Region. — The weather con- ditions in this region during these two months have been most enjoyable and pleasant; there has fallen a goodly amount of snow in our neighboring mountains and foothills, but not an excessive depth in the immediate vicinity of Denver. There have been several spells of low tem- peratures during this time, the minimum in Denver having been 15° below zero. Notwithstanding the proximity of the cold mountains, and the spells of low temperatures, there has been a good deal of 'open water* about the Denver Region, a condition probably permitting a Great Blue Heron and a Kingfisher to stay here all winter, the first having been seen near Denver on December 25, and the latter on January i. The 'open water,' as is well known, also encourages Wilson's Snipe to remain during what would appear, other- wise, to be an unfavorable season; one was seen here on January i, and another by Dr. A. K. Fisher on January 23. This latter day was a very mild one, and it seems strange to be able to record the occurrence, during its afternoon, of a Snowy Owl at the edge of the mountains about 16 miles west of Denver, one having been seen there by one of the writer's friends. Dr. Fisher and the writer also saw a Mourning Dove near the city on January 23, which in this locality is an unusual record for January. Robins have been more common in the city during the period now under consideration than in any other similar period during the writer's twenty-four years of observation here; individuals of this species were seen in December and in every week since January first. Individuals of our ordinary winter bird-population have been common, and this population is well reflected in the Christmas Census for Denver, as given in the January-February (1918) number of Bird-Lore. — W. H. Bergtold, M.D., Denver, Colo, 25oofe jl^ehjs; anb iHebietos; Tropical Wild Life in British Guiana. Zoological Contributions from the Trop- ical Research Station of the New York Zoological Society. By William Beebe, Directing Curator, and G. Inness Hartley, Research Associate, and Paul G. Howes, Research Assistant. With an Introduction by Col. Theodore Roosevelt. Vol. I. New York Zoo- logical Society, in Broadway, New York City. 191 7. 8 vo. xx + 504 pages, numerous illustrations. Mr. Beebe is to be congratulated on the privilege of heading what, so far as the reviewer knows, is the first expedition to leave this country in search, chiefly, of facts concerning birds rather than their skins. The museum man and the pro- fessional collector are obliged to bring back specimens. The former, for the ex- hibition halls and laboratories of the insti- tution he represents, and which requires, furthermore, some tangible, appraisable results for the money expended; the latter, to ensure the success of his enterprise or, at least, to assist in defraying his expenses. To Mr. Beebe, therefore, belongs the credit of impressing those in authority in the organization which already owes so much to his labors, with the value of researches, to the outcome of which no pecuniary valuation could be attached, but which might result in securing information of high scientific importance. We hope that the showing he and his associates make in this report (which should be considered a report of progress) will lead to the sending of many similar expeditions. Taking a region (about Bartica, British Guiana) whose bird-life is fairly well known, where faunal problems are not complicated by altitude, and hence where intensive collecting is not essential, Mr. Beebe and his associates devoted six months (March to August, 1916), to a study of various problems, chiefly orni- thological, which presented themselves. Specimens were collected when they were needed for identification or study, but no attempt was made to amass a collection, each man feeling wholly free to devote his entire time to observation without the necessity (ever present in the collector's mind) of securing at least so many speci- mens a day. As a result of this method, we have in this preliminary report so many additions to our knowledge of the habits of South American birds and so many suggestions in regard to further subjects for investiga- tion, that we cannot begin to enumerate them in this review, which indeed is designed to comment on Mr. Beebe's unique undertaking rather than to detail its outcome. We can only hope that he will return in safety from his service as an aviator in France and, with additions to his staff, be spared to continue his studies in the jungles of British Guiana. Meanwhile we advise every student of tropical life to secure this volume.— F.M.C. Twelve Months with the Birds and Poets. By Samuel A. Harper. Ralph Fletcher Seymour [Chicago?]. 12 mo. 295 pages. Devoting a chapter to each month in the year, the author pleasantly inter- weaves his own observations and appre- ciation of birds with those of the orni- thologist and poet. His reading has evi- dently carried him far afield in both the science and sentiment of ornithology, and, combining the results of these excur- sions with his own, he has written a vol- ume which contains much of interest for both bird students and general readers. It is a little difficult to reconcile his fondness for the English Sparrow with a genuine love of the birds in whose ways wc find some expression of those traits which we commend in mankind, but at best wc may credit him with the courage to cham- pion a member of the feathered race whose friends arc found chiefly among those un- familiar with other forms of bird-life. Excellent taste has been shown in the makeup of this book, which may well 07) i68 Bird - Lore find its way to the library of the nature- lover.— F.M.C. The Book of Birds, Common Birds of Town and Country and American Game Birds. By Henry VV. Henshaw. With Chapters on 'Encouraging Birds around the Home' by F. H. Kennard; 'The Mysteries of Bird Migration,' by Wells W. Cooke; and 'How Birds Can Take Their Own Portraits,' by George Shiras, 3d. Illustrated in natural colors, with 250 paintings by Louis Agassiz FuERTES. National Geographic Society, Washington, D. C. Royal 8 vo. viii + 195 pages; many illustrations in color and black and white. The Editor of the National Geographic Magazine has here brought together the various articles on birds which have ap- peared in that publication and with which the readers of Bird-Lore are doubtless familiar. It is difficult to overestimate the educa- tional value which these admirable articles have already exerted, and we cannot therefore be too thankful that they should now be presented in a form which makes them readily accessible. — F.M.C. How TO Have Bird Neighbors. By S. Louise Patteson. Photographs by the Author. D. C. Heath & Co., Boston, New York, Chicago. i2mo. viii -)- 128 pages; numerous illustrations. In this book the author recounts her experiences with bird neighbors in a man- ner well designed to hold the attention of the boys and girls to whom it is dedicated and for whom it is written, as well as those children of maturer years who find per- petural youth in association with birds. Numerous photographs from nature add greatly to the value and realism of the text.— F.M.C. Ornithological Magazines The Condor. — The January number of 'The Condor' contains seven general ar- ticles, two of which relate to the nesting habits of waterfowl. Munro describes the habits of 'The Barrow Golden-eye in the Okanagan Valley, B. C.,' with notes on their nests. He attributes the birds' pref- erence for strongly alkaline lakes to the presence of certain small crustaceans which form the principal food of this Duck. In a charming account of 'A Return to the Dakota Lake Region,' Mrs. Bailey touches on the various species of waterfowl met with, including the White-winged Scoter, which was found on the Sweetwater chain of lakes. Squires and Hanson contribute a com- prehensive review of 'The Destructon of Birds at the Lighthouses on the Coast of California,' based- on reports from thirty- seven stations, only ten of which report any destruction at all, and even here the de- struction is slight and is confined mainly to waterfowl and shore-birds. Wetmore, in 'A Note on the Tracheal Air-sac in the Ruddy Duck,' states that further examina- tion of birds in the field shows that this air-sac is a secondary sexual character found only in males, and that the birds habitually keep the sac inflated, even while diving. The remaining articles comprise three local lists of rather unusual interest. Mailliard gives an account of 'Early Autumn Birds in Yosemite Valley' with a list of twenty-three species that have apparently not heretofore been recorded from the floor of the valley. He overlooks the fact that Ray collected eggs of Anna's Hummingbird in i8q8, and that Muir reported Lewis' Woodpecker from the valley a number of years ago. In 'Notes on Some Birds from Central Arizona,' Swarth summarizes the results of his ob- servations during a trip along 'The Apache Trail' between Phoenix and Globe in the summer of 191 7. Among other interesting records he was able to add two species, Bendire's Crossbill and the Indigo Bunt- ing, to the state list, making the number of species now known from Arizona 375. The concluding article, by Quillin and HoUeman, contains a list of eighty-two species of 'Breeding Birds of Bexar County, Texas.' In one of the brief notes Grinnell calls attention to the fact that so far as now known the White-rumped Petrel on the California coast is^Beal's Petrel {Occano- droma leucorhoa bcali), and that there is no record of Kaeding's Petrel (0. /. kaedingi) having been taken in the state. — T.S.P. Editorial i6g 2^irti=1Lore A Bi-Monthly Magazine Devoted to the Study and Protection of Birds OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE AUDUBON SOCIETIES Edited by FRANK M. CHAPMAN Contributing Editor, MABELOSGOOD WRIGHT Published by D. APPLETON & CO. Vol. XX Published April 1, 1918 No. 2 SUBSCRIPTION RATES Price in the United States, one dollar and tifty rents a year; outside the L'nited States, one dollar and seventy-five cents, postage paid. COPYKIGHTED, 1918. BY FRANK M. CHAPMAN Bird-Lore's Motto: A Bird in the Bust Is Worth Two in the Hand The cause of nature-study has lost one of its earliest and most effective advocates in the death of Mrs. Frank N. Doubleday, which occurred in Canton, China, February 22, 1918. Under the name of "Neltje Blanchan" Mrs. Doubleday made nu- merous contributions to the literature of popular ornithology, botany, and horti- culture. Her first and most important book, 'Bird Neighbors,' was published in 1898, and at once met with a wider sale than any other bird-book which had then appeared. Mrs. Doubleday's book on 'How to Attract Birds' was among the first formal treatises on this subject in which she was deeply interested. 'Birds Every Child Should Know' further expressed her desire to popularize bird-study, and she was doubtless largely responsible for the atten- tion paid birds by 'Country Life in Amer- ica,' of which the firm founded by Mr. Doubleday is the publisher. It was natu- ral that a person with Mrs. Doubleday's broad sympathies and active, constructive mind should offer her services to her country. Since the outbreak of the war she had been continuously engaged in relief work, and at the time of her death she was traveling with her husband in behalf of the Red Cross. In Ajjrii, iSO;, Riibcrt Ridgway l)eiainc connected with the Smithsonian Institu- tion at Washington, and the present month, therefore, marks the conclusion of his fiftieth year in the service of the Government. A half a century takes us back almost to the date of publication (1858) of the Pacific Railroad report on the birds of North America by Baird, Cassin and Lawrence, or, in other words, to the birth of systematic ornithology in America. It was to Ridgway that Baird, claimed by growing executive cares, handed the torch which he had lighted, and during the five decades which Ridgway has borne it, it has steadily increased in power, until to- day it shines without a rival in the world of ornithology. Ridgway, in a memorial to Baird presented before the Annual Congress of the American Ornithologists' Union in 1887, and published in 'The Auk' the following January, states that until the middle of 1864, when he was in his four- teenth year, he was unacquainted with the name of a single living naturalist and with only general or superficial works on natural history. At the sugges- tion of a lady living in his native town of Mt. Carmel, 111., he wrote to the Com- missioner of Patents at Washington en- closing a life-size, colored drawing of a pair of Purple Finches with the name "Roseate Grosbeak, Soxia rosea." In due time he received a reply from Professor Baird, then Assistant Secretary of the Smithonian Institution, commend- ing "the unusual degree of ability as an artist" shown in his drawing, which was identified as that of a Purple Finch, and offering to aid the young ornithologist by "naming your drawings, or in any other way. " It is interesting to remember that, just about twenty-five years before, Baird had appealed to Audubon for aid in identifying a bird and had received a reply essentially similar to the one just quoted, .\clually, as well as scienlilKally, Baird, therefore, formed the connecting link between .\u- dubon and Ridgway. Three years later Baird called Ridgway to Washington to start the career which has made him foremost among systematic ornithologists. SCHOOL DEPARTMENT Edited by ALICE HALL WALTER Address all communications relative to the work of this depart- ment to the Editor, 67 Oriole Avenue, Providence, R. I. ARE YOU DOING YOUR PART? A year goes quickly in these momentous times, and before these words are in type, Spring will once more be with us, and Bird and Arbor Day in its train. We have had many pleasant programs in times past for this occasion, many happy gatherings of teachers, pupils, and parents, and, it is to be hoped, really fruitful results from the observance of this annual nature-festival. This season our eyes are strained toward one goal, namely, winning the war, and it is both right and imperative that we turn every effort in that direc- tion. Of all the yearly hoHdays and anniversary days which we are accustomed to celebrate, no day lends itself so well to the great conservation movement of the present as Bird and Arbor Day. Without vegetation, trees, shrubs, plants, grains, and grasses of all kinds on land, and marine vegetation in water, there could be no life and no means of sustaining life on this earth, for without vegetation animals must perish, a truth which is emphasized by Arbor Day instructions. Now you and I may at present seem to be very far removed, on the one hand, from any natural disaster which would cut off all life-supplies for man and beast, and, on the other hand, from real extremity in the matter of food, by reason of impending crises in national and international affairs. If we are in this complacent attitude of mind, it shows how small our compre- hension is of the true situation. We must realize two facts clearly, and we must realize them now: first, that there are just as many, and probably more, de- structive agencies at work in forest and field now than before the war, since millions of human workers have left their accustomed duties to go to the front, and, second, that the last surplus bushel of wheat in this country has already been shipped abroad, so that we must redouble our efforts to conserve and use substitutes for what we have until another harvest. Here is the plain statement of the case. With fewer and fewer men left to keep up agriculture and forestry, insects, field-mice, gophers and other pests are likely to increase more rapidly, while, at the same time, the actual food- supphes of the world, which must feed every living creature until more can be grown, are smaller and more unevenly distributed. This coming Bird and Arbor Day, let us say less and do more. Let us put greater effort into plans for safeguarding crops and timber and make that effort count for something beyond patriotic programs. Instead of planting a tree or so about our schools, let us turn our energies to studying how to in- crease and conserve the food and fuel supplies in our own neighborhoods. This (170) The Audubon Societies 171 is a subject for State Audubon Societies, as well as for teachers and scholars, to take up actively. Let our Audubon Societies reach out, on the one hand, to the schools and, on the other, to the homes for support in this matter. Take as a slogan: Food and Fuel — Friends and Foes, and, with this as a text, spread accurate information about local food and fuel supplies, and their feathered guardians and insect enemies. The New Jersey Audubon Society, among others, publishes excellent bird- study leaflets, in which the value of birds and their status under the game- laws of that state are presented. The United States Department of Agriculture prints reams of authentic information, not only about birds, but also about insects, forests, crops, and many kindred subjects. Not illustrated bulletins from Departments of Agriculture alone will do what is needed. Practical demonstrations and experimental observation- plots, as well as careful cultivation and inspection of areas ordinarily tilled or held in reserve must form the backbone of this movement. Junior Audubon Societies represent a respectable army in point of numbers, and, under the leadership of their various state organizations, a mighty move- ment could well be organized along the following Hnes of endeavor: 1. Canvass a definite locality, preferably a home or town area, and learn the pres- ent condition of food and fuel supplies. 2. Study these supplies with four ends in view, viz., a. Comparison with former abundance. b. Actual present location and condition. c. Methods of increase and conservation. d. Special agents affecting these supplies, such as birds, insects, animals, fire, frost, average rainfall, temperature, storms, human depredations. 3. Bring reports to school of home-conditions, whether farming areas in rural dis- tricts or lawns and back yards in towns and cities. 4. Make charts, colored to show the location of food and fuel areas. Uncultivated or neglected areas should be shown in a special color. 5. For your Bird and Arbor Day program, present a graphic, practical report of the conditions in your neighborhood, with suggestions for improvement, illustrative material showing the benefits of conservation, and a series of comparative pictures taken from magazines or other sources, which shall point the moral of intensive cultivation and protection of small areas. 6. Present a set of simple instructions in forestry, arboriculture, and horticulture, suitable for boys and girls. 7. Do your part by engaging in active service. Children can learn the value as well as the fun of discovering waste wood about farm and dwelling, and picking it up for kindling next winter's fires. They can also help in the garden, by working a little here and a little there, for it is a happy, joyous kind of play, really, to be in a garden with the vegetables, weeds, fruit-bushes and trees and all the strange feathered, winged, running, crawling, buzzing folk which frequent it. Make work a play whether indoors or out, and make duty a joy. Do your part, whether young or old, by discovering the opportunities to learn new methods of doing things, new comliinations of food, new ways of saving, new ideas about your share and my share in this world now so rapidly changing. Move on ahead or you will be left behind. — \. \l. \V. 172 Bird -Lore JUNIOR AUDUBON WORK For Teachers and Pupils Exercise XXXVIII: Correlated with English, Reading, and Agriculture "The world is all before me; but I ask Of Nature that with which she will comply — It is but in her summer's sun to bask, To mingle with the quiet of her sky, To see her gentle face without a mask, And never gaze on it with apathy." ". . . . The green hills Are clothed with early blossoms, through the grass. The quick-eyed lizard rustles, and the bills Of summer-birds sing welcome as ye pass; Flowers fresh in hue, and many in their class. Implore the pausing step, and with their dyes Dance in the soft breeze in a fairy mass; The sweetness of the violet's deep-blue eyes, Kiss'd by the breath of heaven, seems colour'd by its skies." — Byron. Although Byron is not generally thought of as a poet of nature, in these few lines he expresses much of the true nature-lover's delicate attunement to the pure and quiet joy of "the green hills," the "early blossoms," "soft breeze," and "summer birds" which "sing welcome" to the passer-by. Only a poet could express so beautifully the appeal of the fresh spring flowers, which 'Hmplore the pausing step," perhaps only a poet could have phrased the wish to see the gentle face of nature "without a mask and never gaze on it with apathy." A SPRINGTIME HERMIT By LIZZIE THOMAS BALD'WIN. Jamestown, N. Y. One April morn, when skies were gray, I watched. A little king dropped down; And I had wished a sunny day. Upon his head a ruby crown, I wandered where God's acre fair His royal song rose, glad and clear. Calls birds to matins, men to prayer. My preening bird awoke to hear. He answered low; then swelled to theme — Within a darkling evergreen An overture to Love's sweet dream. A bird did sit, and there did preen His wings. 'Twas he who soon goes north Dear hermit thrush! My cup runs o'er And there his matchless hymn pours forth With rapt'rous song ne'er heard before. In forests dim, on mountains high, Thou'st sung! And shall I ever say, As Love's full song mounts toward the sky. Ah, me! What's in a rainy day? The Audubon Societies Suggestions for Bird and Arbor Day 173 By INDIANOLA WILLCUTS [Note. — A resourceful teacher from Holyoke, Minn., has contributed the followinf^ successful method of arranging Bird and Arbor Day exercises.^ — A. H. W.] PROGRAM I. Songs — "The Woodpecker" ) Modern "The Owl" >Music Series j (Primer) II. Game — "If I were." III. Poem— "I Used to Kill Birds," H. W. Longfellow. IV. Readings — (from six bird charts). V. Game — "The Farmer's Friends." VI. Comparison of adjectives. VII. Name fifty birds. VIII. Game — "I saw a," "I saw an." IX. Best story (read). X. Game^"Bird Calls, Songs and Whistles." XI. Rhymes. XII. Reading — -"The Magpie's Nest." XI 11. Dramatization — "Cock Robin's Wedding." GET READY FOR BIRD DAY Arrange your daily work in school for the month before Bird Day, in such a way that when the day comes your program is ready without having had any rush or much extra work. Send out invitations, ilcktograph a good numi)er of Rfd-hcaded Woodpeckers 174 Bird - Lore (Reed's 'Bird Guide,' or Audubon Educational Leaflets). Color these carefully and cut out. Paste a cut-out on the lower left corner of a piece of white drawing-paper or good cardboard, s^ by 4>^ inches. Print or write the following: BIRD CONCERT! .\T THE SCHOOLHOUSE MONDAY AFTERNOON [Date] [Time] IJird Day in the various states is not on the same day, so be careful of the date. Have a program for each guest. Use white drawing-paper 63^ by 6 inches. On 6- inch side fold a 2-inch lap, leaving a 43/4 by 6-inch space under the lap, on which print or write the program. On the lap, paste a Scarlet Tanager cut-out (Bird Guide or Educational Leaflet). Below, paste the words "Bird Day," cut from red paper oblongs }ihy yi inch. During the month preceding Bird Day, hektograph large copies of birds and let children color them. Arrange them artistically around the room as soon as finished. Hektograph on Manila drawing-paper two concentric circles, the outer, 8 inches in diameter, the inner, 7 inches, in which has been traced a Cardinal (Perry Picture Co.) It is necessary to hektograph two copies; in one the bird faces the left, in the other, the right. Color, cut out, and paste the two together. Cut two strips of Manila paper 12 by yi inches, paste together, insert one end between the two circles, and paste so that the bird will be standing in the right position. Hang one in each window. Arrange the front of the room as a stage, with three or more evergreens on each side of the stage, back of which the birds may stand. In every part of the stage where it is possible, place branches of trees to which twisted bits of pink paper have been pasted to represent pink blossoms of fruit trees. Cut the papers 4 by 3 inches with corners rounded, twist at center and paste on to bare twigs. Let the children do this. In the song, "The Woodpecker," let the boys tap on their desks when they sing "Rap," etc. In Art Song Cycles I and II, published by Silver, Burdett & Co., may be found beautiful bird-songs. Typical songs may be found in "A Little Book of Bird Songs," published by Longmans, Green & Co., and also, in "Songs about Birds," published by A. W. Mumford, 536 South Clark St., Chicago. An attractive but inexpensive way to make costumes for the "birds" is this: Ask each child to bring an old stocking, the top of which will go over the head easily. Cut off leg, to make a snug cap, then sew up, and cut, being sure that the cap comes well over the forehead. Buy rolls of cheap crepe paper in colors to represent "birds" as near as possible. For Red-headed Woodpecker, for example: 1. Place cap on head. 2. Fit the edge of the end of roll of red crepe paper close to edge of cap. Cut it off a little below the child's neck in the back. 3. Pleat corners at front until paper fits head like a bonnet. Sew pleats, but do not let them meet under the chin. 4. Sew end of black paper onto red at back of neck. Cut off at waist-line, rounding the lower corners. The Audubon Societies 175 5. Place end of white crepe paper under child's chin. Fasten one corner to pleats on left side of red cap; pin the other corner to pleats on right side. Cut off at waist, round ing corners. 6. Sew a short red bib over the white. Keep paper up around neck for a high collar. 7. Cover lap in back with black strip, lengthwise. 8. Make pointed bill, three-sided, of stiff paper 9 inches long. 9. Use yellow circles for eyes. 10. Leave opening at one side so the whole goes on like a bonnet. 11. Let "birds" go stocking-footed, or with stockings pulled over their slippers or shoes. Fathers and mothers enjoy games on a program. The one described below is easily devised. "IF I WERE A — " 1. Use stiff cards 8 by 18 inches. In right end mount a bird, one well colored by a child. Print, for e.xample, "handsome Mr. Blue Jay" or "funny nimble Nuthatch" on their respective cards. Have ten or fifteen such cards. Place cards on chalk-tray. Teacher: "Earl, if you were a bird, what bird would you like to be?" Earl (with his chosen card held by both hands so that each one in the room may see it): "If I were a bird, I'd be the handsome Mr. Blue Jay." Each child, in turn, takes card to his desk, after repl>'ing to the teacher's question. To replace the cards on chalk-tray, when all have been drawn, use this question and answer: Teacher: "Earl, what bird were you?" Earl: "I was the handsome Mr. Blue Jay," (places card on tray). THE FARMER'S FRIENDS 2. Prepare charts 9 by 24 inches. Paste at top a picture of a bird, a Chickadee, for example. Below print its common articles of diet. Have ten such charts. Let child with pointer stand near chart and say: "The Chickadee is 5K inches long. It likes suet and bread crumbs. It helps the farmer because it eats canker-worms, plant-lice, caterpillars, etc." (from the chart). ADJECTIVE GAME 3. Use chart paper, 24 by 18 inches. Let an apt child color a Bronze Crackle, a Red-winged Blackbird, and a Crow. Cut out and mount one beneath the other in a vertical row on left side of chart. Oppo- site Bronze Crackle print "black"; opposite Red-winged Blackbird "blacker"; and opposite Crow, "blackest." Then the child reads: "The Bronze Crackle is black; the Red-winged Blackbird is blacker; but the Crow is blackest." Teacher covers the Red-winged Blackbird. Child reads, "The Bronze Crackle is black, but the Crow is blacker." Have three black objects near-by to compare. Vary the charts. Use tall, taller, tallest for water-birds, small, smaller, smallest, and large, larger, largest, etc., for lano- birds. Compare height of two or three children. Si.x or eight charts are not too many. It is a good idea to have fine wire nails, 8 inches apart at intervals along the top ot the blackboard. Punch all charts 4 inches on each side of center. Hang on nails. 176 Bird -Lore NAMING FIFTY BIRDS 4. Mount pictures of fifty birds at least (Audubon or Perrj' Pictures) on attractive gray mounts. In various ways draw attention to them the month before Bird Day. During the last week let the pupils see who can name all of them. On Bird Day hang them across the front of the blackboard on a wire. Let the child who named them per- fectly in school point to and name them. Parents are surprised by this exhibition. TO PLAY THE GAME, "SEE, SAW, A, AN, ETC." 5. Use cards 6 by 12 inches. Print "I saw a," "I saw an," "I see a," "I have seen an," etc. on them. Place these, with mounted pictures, on chalk-tray. Let each child draw two cards to read, for example, "I saw an Oriole," and read them aloud. Another, "I have seen a Flamingo," etc. Parents learn the use of "see," "saw" "a," "an," etc. Ask the child why he said "an Oriole." "BIRD-CALLS, SONGS, AND WHISTLES" 6. Child steps to front of room and says: "Chick-a-dee-dee." Next child stands by his side, says: "Chick-a-dee-dee, adding, "Bob-white, Bob- white." Third child stands in the line, sings: "Chick-a-deedee," "Bob-white, Bob- white" and adds the whistled notes of the White-crowned Sparrow. Continue until all the children who can find a bird to imitate are in line. The fif- teenth child, should give the fourteen sounds made before him and add a new one of his own. RHYMES 7. Cards 18 by 12 inches (18-inch side is top). Print such a rhyme as the following, omitting the last word: "When little field-mice go out for a walk. They'd better look out for the hovering ." At center of lower edge of card punch a hole. Fasten a card-hook to picture of a Hawk. Child reads rhyme, chooses bird, and hangs it into the hole in the card when he says the word "Hawk." Hang ten or twelve such cards on nails 8 inches apart on edge of blackboard. Stand the bird pictures in chalk-tray so that they may be easily available for selection. There are fine rhymes in 'Babes and Birds' bj' Jessie Pope, published by H. M. Cald- well Co., New York and Boston. A good reading is "The Magpie's Nest" (Art Literature Reader II). Let one child represent the Lark, one the Magpie, and so on, having one for the book itself, but read each part from the book just as in a reading-class. If you can possibly do so, dramatize "Cock Robin's Wedding" (see July, 1915, issue of "Something To Do," 120 Boylston St., Boston, Mass.). Dress "birds" in costumes described in this article. Teach calls, whistles, etc., of birds or use some tiny tin whistles found in prize candies. A pretty way to introduce the guests at the wedding is to have a short song about each guest, as he or she arrives. I used "Songs about Birds." One child sang several as solos. If some tot dances well, let her represent a bird whose song has light music, dancing to her place around the stage. Have an "Owl" on a ladder and a "Whip-poor-will" on a high bench, etc. If you cannot secure the "Wedding," use one of the following playlets: "Who Stole the Bird's Nest?" (Poems by Grades, Primary); "Laura and the Birds" (Brooks' The Audubon Societies 177 Reader II); "The Cat and the Birds" (Brooks' Reader II); "The Tongue-cut Sparrow" (Japanese Fairy Tales I, by Teresa Williston). Little girls and boys dress in kimonos for the latter and many "birds" are along the roads. Read "Why the Woodpecker's Head is Red," from "Book of Nature Myths" by Florence Holbrook. Let children rewrite it. Have the best story read on "Bird Day." Make at least six beautiful reading-charts about birds with bird-pictures pasted on them. If you have the "Audubon Bird Charts" let a child name the birds on them. These birds make fine outlines to hektograph for the children to color. I USED TO KILL BIRDS By Henry W. Longfellow I used to kill birds in my boyhood, Bluebirds and robins and wrens, I hunted them up in the mountains, I hunted them down in the glens; I never thought it was sinful — I did it only for fun, And I had rare sport in the forest, With the poor little birds and my gun. But one beautiful day in the springtime, I spied a brown bird in a tree. Merrily swinging and chirping, As happy as bird could be; And raising my gun in a twinkling, I fired, and my aim was too true, For a moment the little thing fluttered, Then off to the bushes it flew. I followed it quickly and softly. And there to my sorrow I found, Right close to its nest of young ones, The little bird dead on the ground ! Poor birdies! For food they were calling; But now they could never be fed. For the kind mother-bird who had loved them. Was lying there bleeding and dead. I picked up the bird in my anguish, I stroked the wee motherly thing. That could never more feed its dear young ones. Nor dart through the air on swift wing. .\nd I made a firm vow in that moment, When my heart with such sorrow was stirred. That never again in my lifetime. Would I shoot a poor innocent bird! [Other suggestions for Bird and Arbor Day exercises may be found in preceding years of Bird Lork, in the issues of March- .Xpril. H is most desirable that great emphasis be placed this spring ujjon practical plans for increasing anfi conserving food- and fuel- 178 Bird -Lore supplies. An attractive exercise is to let a class or several classes illustrate the principal trees of the locality, showing branches, some of which will be in flower, and a group of other pupils illustrate the birds which nest in the respective trees. A chart representing a tree census of the neighborhood would make an excellent background for the pupils as thej' stand on the stage and exhibit and name the trees. — A. H. W.] FOR AND FROM ADULT AND YOUNG OBSERVERS [Note. — The Editor of the School Department desires to assure its readers that con- tributions are not delayed in publication without reason. In order to combine articles in as helpful a form as possible, or to include a certain number of articles and cuts in a certain space, it becomes necessary to hold matter over. In this section the emphasis is upon migration, late winter experiences, and school-room methods]. THE BLUEBIRD Hark ! and look Just over the brook, What is it I hear In March's wind so drear? Is it not my friend The Bluebird I hear Singing his spring song So soft and clear? — Paul Volkman (Age 12 years), Naperville, III. THE LURE OF THE FEATHERED SONGSTERS Many people believe that birds may be studied only in summer. They class quick, merry chirps or sweet prolonged notes with balmy May days or bright June days. These people only study and enjoy birds halfway, for is not this world still inhabited with featliered songsters during the six months of autumn and winter? It is easier to study birds in winter, that stay all the year, as they cannot be confused with April migrants. March 3, 191 7, was a brisk, wintry day, with just enough snow on the groimd to remind one of Christmas. Not many people would venture into the depths of snow-covered birdland, but, instead, went to pleasure-houses. They were unaware that the world's most lovely pleasure-ground lay open to them, and that they were even invited to this land that morning as the sun rose. Who invited them? The black- winged Crow told of the world's beauty by his lusty cawing. A party of three, including an instructor, was lured into this land of ever- lasting beauty and joy. The Audubon Societies 179 We had the pleasure of meeting a number of the large Sparrow family. They were the Fox Sparrow, Tree Sparrow and Song Sparrow. We heard the clear, sweet song of the Song Sparrow ring out over snow-covered meadows, and felt that our trip was worth while, even if this were its only pleasure. But it was not the only pleasure nor the greatest, for after a while we heard a loud chirp- ing and, looking up, saw a large flock of Starlings. The chirping stopped abruptly, and we then heard the song of the Starling. At length the great flock rose and sailed across the leaden sky like a black cloud. I was delighted, for it was the first time I had ever seen a flock so large. Later in our walk we heard the Downy Woodpecker and the Chickadee. Looking up, we saw, sailing over stately snow-laden hemlocks, which over- hung a rippling silver brook, a Crow, the messenger of spring. He blended oddly with the silent study in black and white, the view of nature in repose. Farther on we saw the little friend of the north, the Snowbird, hopping over his native element and pecking happily at a withered brown bean-vine. A short distance from him we saw the female Cardinal perched on a low bush. To our great joy, she flew down from the bush to the little stream under it and drank of its cold, crystal water. All this took place just beyond a rail-fence. At the fence was a clump of trees heavily laden with the snow. We were just turning away from the trees and the scene of recent discovery when we heard the wild clear cry of the male Cardinal. We were held breathless while those true notes of nature were sung by our little friend's mate. Every chord of our minds was entirely thrilled. Those few notes of the untaught bird expressed more of nature's wonderfulness than can be written on paper. They made one feel as though being a bird were the only life worth living. This half-minute of our walk was worth more to us than a day of ordinary indoor bird-study. The only way to really study a bird or anything in nature is to go to the woods or fields and see it as it really is, not as others see it. Those who know nothing of nature have missed half the joy of life. — Emma May MacIntyrk (Age 14 years), Secretary of the "Wake-Robin" Club, West Philadelphia, Pa. [To see nature as "it really is" is surely worth many days of plodding indoor study. The plea for outdoor study is more than ever worthy our attention in these strained, unnatural times. — A. H. W.) A SPRING NOTE FROM THE TEACHER OF THE WAKE- ROBIN CLUB Our first spring walk was taken on March 3, with two of my oldest pupils, and original members of the Wake-Robin Club. The snow was 5 or 6 inches deep, but they wished to go. I myself had been exploring the snow-white country two days previously, and had found out rare birdland secrets. I was delighted to have these pupils go. My happy hunting-grounds are the creek valleys, where there is woodland, field, swamp, meadow, and bushes. I haunt the near-by creek section particularly. i8o Bird -Lore On two occasions, both snowy days, I saw seven Cardinals. I never before saw Cardinals there, and after I found them, I was attracted irresistibly to the place. I shall never forget the tirst one that favored me with a glimpse of his beautiful self. I was watching a flock of Fox Sparrows when the Cardinal, a male, flew out from their midst and alighted on a tall weed, about two feet from the ground, a bit of flame showing red against pure white snow. I remained transfixed until he flew. I saw flocks of Cardinals in Florida last winter, but to me this single rosy specimen, seen in depths of winter, made the most vivid, startling picture I ever feasted eye on in the bird-world. I am learning to know the birds in this near-by creek valley quite well. Here, on these snowy days, February 19, 1 saw a Meadowlark; later, the Blue- bird. Last week I saw the Carolina Wren and heard that clear and wonderful song. It seems all too loud to issue from a bird of its small dimensions. I caught a glimpse of a Winter Wren. The Chickadees and Downy Woodpeckers, Juncos, Tree Sparrows, and Fox Sparrows are in the same locality. I have seen more winter birds this year than ever before, but when I took the class out they always seemed to beat a retreat. Along a two-mile stretch of road we counted thirteen nests of the Red-eyed Vireo, and I was able to show them the nest of a Goldfinch that had withstood the storms of winter. — Clara J. Clair, Philadelphia. [The above record dates back to March, 191 7, but we may gain all the more benefit from it by comparing it with observations made this spring. In addition to work with the children of the Wake-Robin Club, this teacher conducted a six-weeks' course in bird-study in the Philadelphia Normal School, having the students out for two hours or more each morning. It is to be hoped that sometime Miss Clair will tell us of her experiences with Hummingbirds during the nesting-season. — A. H. W.] CORMORANT IN WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA During the spring migration, when the Ducks were returning north, Mr- Kennedy, two boys, and myself happened to be at Barmore Lake. It was a good thing we happened to be there that morning or we would have missed a rare find. As we went around a corner of a vacant summer cottage, we saw a bird located on the top of a dead stub, several rods from us. It was about three feet long and three feet from wing to wing. It stayed there awhile, and then it was a beautiful sight to see it pose in mid-air a few seconds, then flying down the lake, where it lit. We watched it swim and dive and made sure of its identi- fication before going away. We saw it once more that morning. It was flying northwest. Mr. Kennedy said, "You had better take another look as you wiH probably never seen another Cormorant in this part of the country." — Nevin G. Nicholson (Age 1 2 years) , Grove City, Pa. [The writer of the above note says: "Last spring I had a pleasant experience which I thought might interest the readers of Bird-Lore. I am twelve years old. Last year I listed 173 different species of birds, the rare ones being a Least Bittern, Cormorant, and The Audubon Societies i8i Barrow's Golden-eye Duck. Mr. James Kennedy, one of the best authorities on birds and wild life in this section, and also a Director of the "Wild Life League,"' was always with us when we saw these rare birds, else we could not have identified them ourselves. This year I have succeeded in getting a Junior Audubon Society in our room at school. I think it will be successful as our teacher is quite interested in the birds." Having studied birds from the age of seven in his home township, "an area of i8 square miles," the above record of 1 73 species is all the more interesting and valuable. If each observer would keep accurate yearly records about his own premises even, or in his own town or county, much information, at present not verified with sufficient accuracy to be strictly reliable, might be sifted and made useful for purposes of comparison in other sections. In many ways a concentrated, limited-area study has the advantage o\cr unlimited wandering. — A. H. W.] A THREE-TOED WOODPECKER Three years ago 1 saw an Arctic Three-toed Woodpecker and made a de- scription of it. I did not find out its name till the other day. According to Reed's "Wild Birds of New England" this species is not very common in Maine. I am fourteen years old and enjoy bird-study very much. Bird-Lore is a great help. — Norman Lewis, Hampden, Maine. MIGRATING BOBOLINKS IN ATLANTA In April we were daily watching eagerly for spring migrants. On the 20th a watchman reported that on the previous night he had heard the loud call ("hollering") of migrating birds at intervals, and morning showed that we had a visit from a flock of Bobolinks. They took for headquarters a field of red clover, which had been planted in winter grain the previous year. Several males at one time would sway each on top of stalks of grain, thus being above the level of the field, and each would joyfully sing his heart out. The Bobo- links were with us until May 11, but evidently the personnel of the flock changed. At first, among fifty birds, only a few females were seen; later, when the flock numbered one or two hundred, about one in ten was a female; still later there was one female to five males while just before their disappearance, when not many birds were left, there were five or ten females to every male. During this period of time there were Bobolinks in widely separated parts of the city. — Lucy H. Upton, Providence, R. I. [Readers of Bird-Lore will be glad of this record from the pen of Miss Upton, especially since it gives data on the confusing point of the order of migration among species. In Dr. Arthur .\llen's monograph on the Red-winged Blackbird, it is said with regard to that species that "the normal migration (at Ithaca, N. V.) can l)e divided into seven periods according to sex, age, and nature of the l)irds (whether resident or migrant t, as follows: 1. Arrival of "vagrants." 2. Arrival of migrant adult males. 3. .Arrival of resident adult males. 4. Arrival of migrant females and immature males. 5. Arrival of resident adult females. 1 82 Bird -Lore 6. Arrival of resident immature males. 7. Arrival of resident immature females." By the term "vagrants" is meant stray birds of either sex which may have wintered not far south of the locality studied, and which do not properly belong to the host of long-distance migrants whose first appearance is generally two weeks later. "Vagrants," if seen, appear in February, but the migrants do not arrive until March. Since the Bobolink is closely related to the Red-winged Blackbird, belonging to the same family group, the observations of Miss Upton become all the more significant in the light of Dr. Allen's authoritative statements which are based on most careful studies.— A. H. W.] THE ROBIN I'm glad I am a Robin, I'm glad that I can sing, I'm glad that spring is fresh and sweet, I'm glad for everything. — Eline Rustin. SCHOOL LETTERS FROM LAWNDALE, PA. I. ABUNDANCE OF ROBINS IN 1915 We have been doing a great deal in helping the birds. Nearly all the children in the Lawndale School are making bird-houses. The boys and girls in our room have at least forty-one houses put up. We have a great many Robins here this spring. I think that the Purple Martins are very scarce. In our room we account for the birds we see each day by writing them on the blackboard. We have about ten different kinds on the board to-day. There are a great many Woodpeckers around. Some of the boys and girls in our room formed an Audubon Society. They each received a button with a Robin on it. They are also getting a few pictures of different kinds of birds to color. — Charles Horner. [From season to season, the constant observer notes a difference in the numbers of some of the more common and abundant species. The Robin is particularly interesting in this connection, showing, as it is likely to do, considerable variation in abundance, at definite points of observation. How many of our readers have accurate data about this matter?— A. H. W.] II. THE STARLING PUSHING SOUTH I am writing a few lines about the birds. In our school-room the boys and girls have made forty-one bird-boxes and put them out. There are birds in some of them. This morning when coming to school, I saw two Robins. There are all kinds of birds in Lawndale. I will name some of them. They are the Wren, Robin, Meadowlark, Blue- bird, Purple Martin, and Starling. There are many more birds besides these. I am going to join the Audubon Society. — Dorothea K. Petry. The Audubon Societies 183 [Note the occurrence of the Starling wherever it has been observed in the United States. The above was written in 1915. A report of the number of Starlings now about Lawndale would be appreciated in this Department. — A. H. W.] III. A GOOD SCHOOL-ROOM METHOD We are writing about birds. There are a great many around now. Every day the girls and boys write on the board how many birds they have seen and what kind they are. We have forty-one bird-boxes. Some of them have eggs in them. Some of us have seen birds carry food into the boxes. One boy says that he thinks he has young birds in his box. We put pans of water out for the birds to drink. Some of the boys and girls throw out crumbs of bread. — John Wambole. [This exercise of writing on the blackboard in the school-room the names of birds seen is excellent. It helps pupils to spell correctly, to remember what they see, to have a common interest in the birds about them, and it also stimulates competition and a desire for discovery. — A. H. W.] HOW I FIRST GOT BIRD-LORE I was so interested in birds that a friend of my sister gave me some old copies of Bird-Lore. I read them so many times that I could almost tell everything in them. My mother decided to give it to me for a Christmas present, and I have had it three years now. I am writing this so that other Bird-Lore readers will lend the magazine to bird-lovers and so that many people will know how interesting it is. — Albert S. Fearing (Age 12 years). MY BACK-YARD FEEDING-STATION This summer I started putting out food for the birds and since then my back-yard feeding-station has been one of my greatest interests. I started in July and my first welcome visitor was a White-crowned Sparrow, and for a long time that variety of bird was my only visitor. Then competition com- menced and, of course, then I began to work harder because I wanted to have more birds than my competitor, a boy living next door to me. My friend had the advantage of position. Across the street from him is a garden with many shrubs and other attractions for birds. My friend immediately took away my most common visitor, a White-crowned Sparrow with a nest, but I am glad to say not all of my birds. Then began my worst trouble and the only troul)lc llial discouraged mc for a while, worse than even cats and rats, both of which I have been bothered with — the English Sparrow. To me one EngHsh Sparrow means no harm, although I would rather not have any, but when it comes in numbers, such as ten and up, then there is trouble. It not only keeps other birds away l:)ut the amount 1 84 Bird - LoTt of food eaten makes it impossible to iceep up the food-station on account of the expense. This may sound foolish but a boy with a dollar a month allow- ance can't afford to spend twenty-five cents a week on food for birds. Now let me tell you that, although it is the greatest pleasure I ever had — putting out food for the birds — it, like anything else, has its cares and worries. Finally a family of Juncos visited my friend's food-station and later visited mine. Then was the first and last time I have seen a Junco bathe. It was a young one. I guess Juncos are not much given to bathing. Then I went to the beach, arid when I got back there was not a single bird in the neighborhood. After waiting a long time I saw a Junco. Then I put out food, and in a few days there were about twenty back again, for we have counted nearly that many. Then came Song Sparrows and, once, a Towhee. Then again came the troublesome English Sparrow, and I abandoned the lunch-counter for a while. When I once again started in the Juncos and a Song Sparrow came back, and to-day the Towhees. On the whole, I think a food-station is a thing of great pleasure and advise others to try it. — Tom McCamant (Age 13 years), Portland Oregon. [This record of practical experience ought to be of value to others. — A. H. W.] BIRD-HOUSES FOR A CITY PARK Dr. R. J. Terry, the local president of the Bird-Lovers' Club here, suggests that I send the enclosed prints. Your magazine, to the best of my knowledge, has never printed anything from this locality. The Martin-house shown was constructed by the several boys grouped about I'AkK., ST. LOUIS The Audubon Societies 185 A 'MISSION' MARTIN HOUSE it. It is a replica of a Spanish mission, containing sixteen rooms of size given in U. S. Bulletin No. log. There are over five hundred tiles upon the roof, each one of which was made from rough stock lumber. The large group of houses were built from slabs, the waste product of a walnut lumber firm having a contract to make gunstocks for the armies of France and England. All the houses were built to be placed in Forest Park, the home of thousands of 'house-nesting' birds. — Chas. P. Coaxes, Instructor in Manual Training (Marquette School), St. Louis Schools, St. Louis, Mo. [Communications are printed as soon as space permits. If delays seem long the Editor of the School Department begs the reader's favor. The good work described above is in line with progress. — A. H. W.] HOME OBSERVATIONS IN THE SOUTH My papa loves the birds and feeds them on the window-sill every winter. We had twelve different kinds of birds that ate from our window. One day a Mockingbird came for his breakfast while mamma was jilaying the piano. He turned his head first to one side then the other and looked at her for a long time. I think he was trying to learn the tune so he could whistle it to his mate while she sits on her nest this spring. One day I went for a walk with papa and we met two Mockingbirds that kept scolding us. We looked in a small pine bush and saw a pile of twigs. Papa held me up and I saw four little birds in the nest, and they had no feathers on them but they wore real black. About a week later we went to the nest again and when papa held me up the little i86 Bird - Lore birds were covered with feathers and seemed afraid of me. Three days later we saw one of the old birds feeding the young ones, but could not find the other old bird. A few days after this we went again to look for our birds and found a new nest and the mother bird sitting on the nest but she flew off and began to scold when we went near. Papa held me up and I saw three green eggs covered with brown spots. Late this fall one morning I saw the mamma and papa and seven children birds eating holly berries from a tree in our yard. It is nearly Christmas now, and we see our family of Mockingbirds most every day. — Wynell Reeves (Age 7 years), Winston-Salem, N. C. [Accompanying this straiglitforward statement of bird-records about home, is a note saying that the article was prepared solely by the young observer. It may be of interest to southern readers to know that Mockingbirds have been seen more frequently in the North this season than usual. The ability of other species to imitate sounds is a question of much interest. How many species other than the Mockingbird can you name, which imitate sounds? — A. H. W.] NATURE-STUDY AND AUDUBON SOCIETY We have seventy-six members in our society and most of them have been members for three years. We have a meeting once every two weeks, at which the officers take charge and different members help prepare the program. SOME OF THE MEMBERS OF THE JUNIOR AUDUBON SOCIETY OF PEORIA, ILL. When the weather is pleasant, we have some of our meetings out-of-doors, and we go on field-trips, six or eight at a time, with our leaders, to look for birds and listen to their songs and calls. Our school-building is near the edge of the city, and there is a field just back of the school which has many trees and a creek running through it. Many birds live there. The Audubon Societies 187 We love birds and are glad to learn more about them and to help protect and feed them. — Margaret Dougherty, President, Russell Planck, Secretary, Columbia School, Peoria, III. [The teacher who sent this picture and letter writes: "We have a large and enthusi- astic society composed of the children of the fifth and sixth grades. In a contest among the Junior Audubon Societies of the state last year, our club won second prize for their study of birds, and their efforts in protecting them. The si.x excellent books about birds which they received encouraged and helped them in their bird-study this year. They have been keeping close watch of the birds as they return, and are learning their songs and calls." The value of careful study combined with enthusiasm is told in this brief report. Distinguishing the songs and call-notes of birds is evidence of a high grade of work. — - A. H. W.] A SONG SPARROW IN JANUARY January i, 1917, was a "red-letter day" for me. I was putting up bird- houses with a friend of mine, when I heard a familiar song. I looked up, and on the top of a maple tree I saw a Song Sparrow. Two days later I saw it again. — Henry Shaw, Jr., (Age 11 years), Morristown, N. J. ["Red-letter day," the very phrase suggests the delightful discoveries always awaiting the bird-lover, like this of a Song Sparrow in midwinter. Many people have found bird-study unusually attractive this last winter, because the severity of the weather in some sections made birds more than ordinarily dependent for food upon the hosj^i- tality of man. With harbors and rivers frozen solidly for weeks, flocks of Gulls and Ducks were at times practically deprived of accustomed food-supplies. In one instance. Herring Gulls came some distance inshore to pick up corn muffins thrown out by a bird- lover who happened to have nothing else at hand to offer. th?m^ The habit of Gulls and Terns of alighting on floating drift, buoys or any available foothold at sea, has become of immediate benefit to man. More than once in the present war, ships have discovered their proximity to mines by spying Gulls over them. — A. H. W.) THE BOHEMIAN WAXWING IN OREGON On the afternoon of February 7, 1917, I saw a rather rare visitant, the Bohemian Waxwing. While on a bird walk I stopped to observe some birds that were feeding on wild hawthorn berries, not far from Mt. Tabor Park, and while there I saw a flock of eighteen Bohemian Waxwings. I am very certain that there is no mistake as to their identity, for they corresponded in every detail to the description in Florence M. Bailey's "Birds of Western United States." On Januar\' 24, I saw, in this vicinity, one bird thai 1 thoughl was a Bohe- mian Waxwing, but I was not al)S()lule]\- certain, as I did not know then the distinguishing marks lor which to look. However, when I saw the tlock of eighteen on February 7, 1 noted particularly ihe size, larger than the Cedar Waxwing, which is (|uite common here in sunmier; tin- white wini^ coverts, and broader hand of yellow on the tail. On I'ebruarv cj, 1 again noted tweUi- Bolu'inian Waxwings, prohablx' ol the i88 Bird- Lore same flock noted previously, as it was in the same vicinity. I think these birds were probably migrating, and not in their usual course, as they are considered rare in this part of Oregon. — Mary E. Raker (Age 13 years), Portland, Oregon. [Bohemian Wiixwings have been seen in Massachusetts this winter. .\ possible first record in Rhode Island was not sufiicicnlly well established to be recorded. — A. H. W.] A NOTEWORTHY CONTEST A FEW OF THE CONTESTANTS WITH THEIR HANDIWORK This photograph was taken immediately after the close of our first bird- house contest. There were nearly a hundred entries and an exhibition that would have done your heart good. The results have been permanent, I think. There was a prize offered for the boy who first reported a bird building in one of the houses which had been on exhibition. The first bird to settle was a Blue bird, and the lad who erected the house received a check for five dollars. — 0. Warren Smith, Washburn, Wis. [Two other most attractive photographs were sent by this contributor, a minister who has done much excellent work among the young people of Washburn. If there was available space for the illustrations which are received with articles sent to this Depart- ment it would be a pleasure to print them all. — A. H. W.] OLD MOTHER ROBIN AND HER BABES Old Mother Robin built her nest one spring, about eleven years ago, in the old pine tree in front of Grandma G 's house. She made it of strings, grass, twigs, and mud. When she had it about the right shape, she laid four little blue eggs in it. In about two weeks there were four little birds instead of the eggs. The Audubon Societies 189 When the Httle birds were old enough to fly, she crowded them out of the nest on to the limb. One of the little birds went to the ground and sat there. The old bird flew down to the little bird and talked to him. Then she hopped a few inches away, and the little bird hopped to her. She continued this a few times, after which she went about three feet away ; but the little bird did not come. She then hopped about half-way back, and chirped; still the little bird did not come. By this time she was provoked, and rushed back, and pecked him on the head. Then she flew to the fence, and the little bird flew up to her. She then flew away to let him take care of himself. — Dallas Vernett Gibson (Age II years). BIRDS I HAVE SEEN Crow. — March 12, 1914, in a tree on west of street, on my way to school. Color, black. Robin. — March 24, 1914, in a cherry tree between our house and the one next door. Color, brown on back and light red on breast. Dove. — March 22, 1914, on one of the buildings down town. Color, purplish blue and brown and red. Sparrow. — March 23, 1914, in front of the hotel. Color, brownish gray. Phoebe. — March 24, 1914, at the place next door. Color, brown and black. Woodpecker. — March 24, 1914, at the first farm east of town. Color, red and black. Flock of Wild Geese. — April i, 1914, flying south. Color, brown and black. Bobolink. — April 11, 1914, on our lot back of the barn. Color, black and yellow. Blackbird. — April 16, 1914, on the top of a barn. Color, black and brown. — Lawrence P. Briggs (Age 10 years), Apulia Station, N. Y. (Member of class 524-) [The teacher of this class writes: "This is the manner in which the pupils report their observations. These different reports make up the school bird calendar. "In this report the Blackbird T believe to be a Cowbird from the description, but as I did not see it myself I am not positive." As a method of reporting birds, the above has certain points in its favor. It is always desirable to note the locality where one sees a bird, even rather minutely, as detailed particulars suggest the nature of its habits in perching, singing, flying or search- ing for food and nesting. The date of a record is also an indispensable part of an accurate report, and as careful descriptions as one can make of the color and appearance of the bird seen. In addition to theses [xiints, the size, form of bill, heatl, wings, and tail, kind of feet expressed by noticing whether a bird walks, hops, clings, clutches, paddles, wades, or runs are very essential matters which in reality are often of more assistance in identi- fication than color, since colors appear very dilTerent in changing light and shade. \ daily bird calendar and, also, a (lower calendar are line additions to any school- room. Teachers everywhere will find them well worth the time and trouble given to keepinu' them accurately. — A. H. \V.| THE RAVEN By T. GILBERT PEARSON '^e J^ational S^isiomtion of iSlububon ^otittita EDUCATIONAL LEAFLET NO. 95 One July morning, in company wilh Edward H. Forbush and William P. Wharton, I landed on a small wooded island off the coast of Maine to visit a group of Herons said to be nesting there. Clambering up the rocky shore, we proceeded, with some difficulty, through the thick underbrush of the ever- green forest until the heronry was reached. Here the trees were more scatter- ing, and the sun's rays, breaking through, were ripening the thousands of goose- berries that covered the network of vines below. A few pairs of Great Blue Herons were found, and their nests and young soon discovered. The main colony, however, consisted of Black-crowned Night Herons. Approaching a tree where one of their nests was located, I was surprised to find on the ground beneath, the remains of four young birds about one-third grown. The flesh had been picked from the bones, but these were in no way broken, which pre- cluded the possibility of the mischief having been done by a predatory animal, if indeed any such existed on the island. While we stood about discussing the matter, a cry so wild and unusual rang through the damp woods that in an instant our attention was riveted on the sound. Presently it was repeated and was quickly answered from two other directions. At once we began a search, which soon resulted in finding that the calls emanated from a family of young Ravens, now well grown, but still attended by their parents. The evidence that the Ravens had destroyed these young Herons was indeed scant. However, I believe all the members of the party, knowing something of the habits of these birds, still regard it as probable that it was the Raven family that had raided the big stick nest in the evergreen trees. That something was feasting liberally on young Night Herons was quite plain, for we found the fresh skeleton remains of at least a dozen of these birds, and a more thorough search of the colony might possibly have revealed others. This was on Bradbury Island, in the year 1914. A few days before this. Ravens and a Raven's nest were found on Heron Island. On another occasion, in company with Arthur H. Norton, I was shown a large nest in an evergreen on No-Man's-Land Island, which we were told had been occupied by a pair of Ravens every spring for many years. Ravens may be found also on Old Man, Black Horse, and, in fact, on almost any of the uninhabited islands along the Maine coast. In a little opening in the woods back of the Lake Hotel in Yellowstone Park, Wyoming, the garbage from the hotel tables is dumped. Thousands of tour- ists annually visit this dump to see the bears that come out to feed there in the (190) NORTHERN RAVEN Order-PASSERBs Famlly-CoRviD.t Genus-CoRvus Speclss-coRAX principalis National Association of Audubon Societies The Raven 191 evening. This garbage-heap affords another interest to the bird-student, for Gulls come up from the Lake and settle here in quest of food, and not infre- quently the hoarse croak of the Raven may be heard in the trees nearby. In fact, these great black birds come at irregular intervals all during the summer to pick up such scraps of food as strike their fancy. In August, 1916, 1 saw a Raven feeding her three young with scraps picked up at a garbage-heap back of a hotel on the western verge of the Glacier National Park in Montana. Although aware that she was being watched, the old Raven would unhesitatingly come to the garbage-heap, walk around until she found something that suited her taste, and then fly with it to the trees 50 yards away. Apparently she would not suffer her young to leave the shelter of the forest. The wide range of the croaks and cries made by their young was astonishing. Anyone who may chance to be in the mountains of western North Carolina and may desire to see Ravens can usually have his wish gratified by going out to some of the remote settlements and visiting the places where cattle are slaughtered for market. Sometimes as many as eight or ten Ravens gather around a slaughter-pen and with evident impatience await their opportunity for a banquet. From the above references it may be seen that the Raven has a wide range in the United States. In fact, there are few states north of South Carolina and Louisiana where it may not be seen, although its range is far more restricted than in former times. Many of the early writers speak of seeing Ravens in territories not now inhabited by them. For example, Thomas Lawson, Gentle- man, who visited the coast country of Carolina in the year 1700, writes of seeing it there. Today Ravens rarely, if ever, occur east of the mountainous portions in the CaroHnas. Regarding the habits and manners of the Raven during the nesting-season, John James Audubon has given this description in his usual picturesque lan- guage: "Their usual places of resort are the mountains, the abrupt banks of rivers, the rocky shores of lakes, and the cliffs of thinly-peopled or deserted islands. It is in such places that these birds must be watched and examined, before one can judge of their natural habits, as manifested amid their freedom from the dread of their most dangerous enemy, the lord of creation. "There, through the clear and rarified atmosphere, the Raven spreads his glossy wings and tail, and, as he onward sails, rises higher and higher each bold sweep that he makes, as if conscious that the nearer he approaches the sun, the more splendent will become the tints of his plumage. Intent on convincing his mate of the fervour and constancy of his love, he now gently glides beneath her, floats in the buoyant air, or sails by her side. Would that I could describe to you, reader, the many musical inflections by means of which they hold con- verse during these amatory excursions! These sounds doulHless express their pure conjugal feelings, confirmed and rendered more intense by long years of 192 Bird- Lore happiness in each other's society. In this manner they may recall the pleasing remcmljrance of their youthful days, recount the events of their life, and express the pleasure they enjoy. "Now, their matins are over; the happy pair are seen to glide towards the earth in spiral lines; they alight on the boldest summit of a rock, so high that you can scarcely judge their actual size; they approach each other, their bills meet, and carresses are exchanged as tender as those of the gentle Turtle Dove. Far beneath, wave after wave dashes in foam against the impregnable sides of the rocky tower, the very aspect of which would be terrific to almost any other creatures than the sable pair, which for years have resorted to it, to rear the dearly-cherished fruits of their connubial love. Midway between them and the boiling waters, some shelving ledge conceals their eyrie. "To it they now betake themselves, to see what damage it has sustained from the peltings of the winter tempests. Off they fly to the distant woods for fresh materials with which to repair the breach; or on the plain they collect the hair and fur of quadrupeds; or from the sandy beach pick up the weeds that have been washed there. By degrees, the nest is enlarged and trimmed, and when everything has been rendered clean and comfortable, the female deposits her eggs, and begins to sit upon them, while her brave and affection- ate mate protects and feeds her, and at intervals takes her place. All around is now silent save the hoarse murmur of the waves, or the whistling sounds produced by the flight of the waterfowl traveling towards the northern regions." In general appearance the Raven closely resembles a Crow, but it is larger. A Crow rarely is more than 1 8 or 20 inches in length and has an expanse of wings of less than 3 feet. A Raven is 2 feet long from bill- tip to tail- tip and measures 4 feet or more across when its wings are spread to their lull capacity. A close inspection of the two birds reveals a certain marked difference in the shape of the feathers of the neck, those of the Crow being rounded at the ends, while those of the Raven are sharply pointed. In flight the two birds may usually be distinguished, as the Raven has a way of sailing at times to an extent rarely, if ever, equaled by a Crow. The well-known caw of the Crow is replaced in the case of the Raven by a croak so deep, so unlike any other sound in nature, that once heard it is not easily forgotten. As indicated above, Ravens build their nests on the ledges of cliffs or in trees. These usually are bulky, and as additional materials are brought year after year, they grow in some instances to be very large affairs. The eggs range in number from two to seven. In color they are olive or greenish, thickly spotted and blotched with olive-brown. Twenty days of brooding are required to hatch them. The Raven's food consists of a wide variety of objects, but evidently animal matter predominates. They eat grasshoppers, beetles, lizards, mice, and young birds. They are scavengers and feast upon dead animals, both large and small. The Raven 193 In August, 1916, while working about Malheur Lake in the deserts of southeastern Oregon, we found Ravens much in evidence. During a day's travel of perhaps 30 miles about the Lake, I saw at least a dozen individuals. Usually only one or two would be seen at a time. One that kept in front of us for some distance, alighting at intervals on the posts of a barbed-wire fence carried an object in its beak at which it would peck and pull whenever it perched. Once, just as it took wing, my companion fired a shot from his re- volver, with a view of startling the bird and causing it to drop its prey. The experiment succeeded, and, picking up the object, we found it to be a section of a rabbit's backbone about 2 inches in length. Writing of the Raven's feeding habits, Alexander Wilson said: "It is fond of birds' eggs, and is often observed sneaking around the farmhouse in search of the eggs of the domestic poultry, which it sucks with eagerness; it is likewise charged with destroying young ducks and chickens, and lambs, which have been weaned in a sickly state. The Raven, it is said, follows the hunters of deer for the purpose of falling heir to the offal; and the huntsmen are obliged to cover their game, when it is left in the woods, with their hunting frocks, to protect it from this thievish connoisseur, who, if he has an opportunity, will attack the region of the kidneys, and maybe the saddle, without ceremony."' Throughout all ages certain birds have been famous, and very often much significance is attached to their presence. They have been regarded as aff'ect- ing the lives of human beings by bringing joy or sorrow. Thus the Cuckoo is the ancient marriage bird; the Eagle stood for strength and vigor; the Bittern represented desolation; and, in our own country, we have the Bluebird for happiness. The Raven, which has a wide distribution throughout the world, has more or less typified the coming of calamity. It has been one of the favorite birds of literature. In the ancient Hebrew writings we find that the Raven was the first bird that Noah sent out Irom the Ark. When Elijah was a refugee and was hiding by the brook Cherith, we are told that the Ravens came daily and brought him food. Despite the fact that it appears to have been useful to some of the early Hebrews, Moses wrote down in his law that this was an unclean bird. Shakesi)eare was fond of referring to the Raven. Thus, when Lady Macbeth was told that Duncan was coming, she said, while laying her plans to kill him: The Raven himself is hoarse That croaks the fatal entrance of Duncan Under my battlements." In our modern American literature surel\- nothing so weird or depressing has ever been written as Poe's 'Raven.' Two sub-sjK'cies of the large Raven are recognized in this country: One, the American Raven, loiiiid in western United States and south to Guatemala, the other known as the Northern Raven inhabiting eastern North America. Ravens are supjmsed to live to a great age. EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT Edited by T. GILBERT PEARSON, Secretary Address all correspondence, and send all remittances for dues and contributions, to the National Association of Audubon Societies, 1974 Broadway, New York City. William Dtjtcher, President Frederic A. Lucas, Acting President T. Gilbert Pearson, Secretary Theodore S. Palmer, First Vice-President Jonathan Dwight, Jr., Treasurer Samuel T. Carter, Jr., Attorney Any person, club, school or company in sympathy with the objects of this Association may become a member of it, and all are welcome. . nr-u Classes of Membership in the National Association of Audubon Societies for the Protection of Wild Birds and Animals: $5 annually pays for a Sustaining Membership $100 paid at one time constitutes a Life Membership $1,000 constitutes a person a Patron $5,000 constitutes a person a Founder $25,000 constitutes a person a Benefactor Form of Bequest: — I do hereby give and bequeath to the National Association of Audubon Societies for the Protection of Wild Birds and Animals (Incorporated), of the City of New York.. DEATH TO THE PELICAN! During January there began a great outcry against the Brown Pelican at vari- ous points along the Gulf Coast of the United States. Those who have been show- ing the most active interest in starting a war on these big picturesque birds are people financially interested in commercial fisheries. The claim is being put forth that Pelicans are eating up the fish at such a rate that the birds must be destroyed if we are going to have sufiicient food to feed our people and win the war against the Kaiser. The Evening Independcnl of St. Peters- burg, Fla., has championed these food conservators of the Tampa Bay country. The articles which appear in its pages tend to show that the Federal and state governments have done a very foolish thing in seeking to protect birds that are so terrifically destructive to fish. Editori- ally this paper says: "It is time that the Government was in- formed as to the destruction that is being wrought by Pelicans in southern waters. The Pelicans are protected by a National law and therefore are thriving and increas- ing in number, and it will be only a few years until the people will have to choose between the Pelicans and the fish. The ( Pelican is no earthly use to anybody and serves no useful purpose. The fish are needed to help supply the deficiency in food. "One Pelican will consume 100 to 300 small fish in a day. Multiply that by the thousands of Pelicans in this section, and you have some idea what the Pelicans do to destroy fish. It is a tremendous price the Government is paying to satisfy a few sentimentalists who want to save the birds." Captain Barney Williams, Deputy Fish Commissioner at St. Petersburg, has advanced a plan which he thinks will take care of the matter locally. His plan is to destroy all the eggs laid by Florida Peli- cans for a period of five years, and then let them have one year in which to bring forth their young. The Evening Independent announces its hearty approval of this plan. At the last two sessions of the legislature of Texas, bills were introduced which had for their purpose the authorization for people to kill Gulls and Pelicans along the coast of that state, because of their alleged destruction to food-fishes. From this source fresh complaints are now com- ing. They claim that fishermen should be 194) The Audubon Societies 195 relieved of the presence of the Pelican, because it greatly interferes with their business. It is but natural that the Pelican op- ponents should file complaints with the United States Food Commission in Wash- ington, and as a result the Association received the following letter under date of January 21, 19 18. Dear Sir: We are receiving many very definite requests from the Gulf of Mexico district that the Government take steps to exter- minate the Pelican. "The recommendations in this matter are very largely grounded on the follow- ing statement of apparent facts: "i. That the birds in question annually destroy millions of pounds of food-fish. "2. That the birds interfere very materially with the operations of the fisher- men and result in very largely reduced catches of food-fish in all the fishing dis- tricts. "3. The Pelican serves no useful pur- pose whatever, and is not a scavenger, never having been known to eat fish that have been washed ashore, etc. "While we are not at present consider- ing any recommendations in this matter, we would very much like to have a full expression of opinion from your society on the subject and any data which you can provide us with regarding the Pelican, and as answer to the very definite state- ments which are coming to us, as before mentioned." Very truly yours, United States Food Administration. Per Keneth Fowler. Upon receipt of this letter, a copy of it was sent to a number of observers who have had more or less opportunity to study the feeding-habits of these birds, and their replies, in due time, were filed in Washington. These were quite suffi- cient to convince the Food Administra- tion that at least for the present there was no need for beginning a war of extermina- tion on the Brown Pelican. Since Mr. Fowler's letter was written, new and additional pressure has been brought to bear on the Food Administra- tion, and the question at the present writ- ing is a very live one. As a result the Association is now planning to go some- what theum, to carry out in gn-ati-r detail the seasonal scheme of the first room. *Uiiii) I.ORK for Jiily-AuKUst, ims, |>ul)iishcil a pajx-r liy Mrs WriKlit u|>i>n itii- intc|>li»n aiion Society of the Slate of ("onnectirut. LD ORCHARD FROM THE OVERLOOK Photographed by Wilbur F. Smith BIRnCRAl' I lUNCAi.dU , WAKDKN'S HOME > - ■ > . \1 M I I I 1. 1, KowM wi THE CONNECTICUT AUDUBUN SOCIETY Photographed by Mabel Osgood Wright (202) Three Years After 203 In the second unit there are three large picture groups: (i) One of Ducks and other Shore-birds of the New England coast. (2) A wood scene, with per- spective glimpses of hills and meadows, against which are grouped many of the birds of prey and the chief mammals of Connecticut, shown because of the relation of some to the destruction of game-birds, i. e., a gray fox is shown stalking some Quail while the fox cub in its den is nosing the remains of a RufTed Grouse, etc. (3) A picture group of the Sanctuary itself is used to show all the birds that have either nested therein, rested there during the migrations, or been its winter guests. The value of this group is to show students the scope of bird-life that may be found in the neighborhood, as the •■fyi??^j A VlMlOk records kept by the warden place the (lisi)lay upon a scientific basis and eliminate anything like guesswork. The arrangement of our little museum aimsal doing awa\' with iheconfusion that falls upon the amateur when \isiting great collections, for we limit our- .sclves to lairds common to Connecticut, and, in addition lo the picture grt)ups, we are developing three "study cases" wherein the birds are shown in |)airs, or male, female and immature, and plainly labeled. Have people tired of the exhibit? No. Those who came at tir>l from mere curiosity, came again with interested friends. Teachers make \isits a rewani of merit for their Junior Classes, and automobilists leave the i)ost-road lo "lake in Hirdi raft." Our last annual record of visitors was 6,200 peo|)le, a small nuni- l)er for a tit\ nui>eum. but \erv signiticant for a rural, cottage affair. The use 204 Bird - Lore TilE IHKASHKR IN MOLTING IIME Photographed by Wilbur F. Smith of the tfround inside the so-callefl cal-proof fence is confined to accredited adult l)ir(l-slu(leiUs admitted l)y personal card. To carry out the purpose of the place, there must be a degree of quiet that cannot be had in a semi-public resort. Neither is general bird photography allowed; birds can be disturbed and driven from their haunts by rearranging the surroundings of their nests as surely as by shotguns or egg-collectors. The record of birds seen in 191 7 was as follows: Species seen, 147. Species nesting in Sanctuary, 24 — with 102 indi- vidual nests, as listed below: Robin, 22; Wrens, 13; Song Sparrow, 13; Field Sparrow, 11; Catbird, 8; Brown Thrash- ers, 5; American Goldfinches, 2; Cedar ^- '~'HBH Waxwing, i; Bluebirds, 2; Maryland '^' Bh^ Yellow-throats, 3; Blue-winged Warbler, I ; Towhee, 3 ; Great-crested Fly-catcher, i; Chat, i; Black-billed Cuckoo, 2; Phoebe, i ; Wood Pewee, i ; Flicker, 4; Rose-breasted Grosbeak, i; Screech Owl, i; Red-eyed Vireo, 2; Chimney Swift, 2; Quail, i covey of 7. One-hundred and thirty birds killed b}- natural causes were brought in by children. Permission having been given us l)y the State Commission of Fish and Game to retain these birds, they were ||| j^ ^^^^H mounted by the warden, who is a taxidermist, for the museum, and dupli- cates kept as "skins" for exchange. If this great annual loss of bird-life could be more frecjuently saved from waste by this method, it would be pos- sible to form small collections for school study without taking the life of a bird. The indi\idual birds and mammals taken in the Sanctuary are as follows (we have a state permit to destroy any bird that is detrimental to the Sanctuary), during 1917-1918: English Sparrows, 269; European THE THRASHER THAT WINTERED Starlings, 542. Thcsc two spccics destroy Photographed by Wilbur F. Smith thc UCStS t)f Uiorc UScful birds and COn- Three Years After 205 A ROBIX TENANT I liicL .i,iy» after hatching this liird lost his wife a raised the brood alone Photofiraphed by Wilbur !•'. Smith thereafter sume, not only the natural food of native species, but great quantities of the grain, berries, etc., for winter feeding. Purple Crackles, 28; Crows, 12. These birds break up nests, we find, while the Crow we have proven to be an egg and squab thief to such a degree that, whatever good he may do under other conditions, he is an impossibility in a Sanctu- ary. We use the old country way of placing l)oison in hens' eggs, by punching a small hole in one end and stirring in the poison with a straw. I'HorcxiKAi'iiiNr. a robin ri:N\Nr Hy Wilbur K. Smith 2o6 Bird - Lore Hide ihc cti^s where \vc will, the Crows always line! and eat them, proving equally their menace to poultry-raisers. This method would be unsafe in any but land enclosed like the Sanctuary. We also trapped: Sparrow Hawks, 4; Red-shouldered Hawks, ,:;; Long-eared Owls, 2; Barred Owls, i; Screech Owls, i; Sharp-shinned Hawks, 4; Cooper's Hawks, 3; Northern Shrikes, 14 (26 seen). (All birds of prey are caught in a trap with padded jaws, so that harmless and protected species like the Owls may be liberated unhurt.) The Red-shouldered Hawks are always set free when caught, as the warden finds them great destroyers of rodents, and has as yet failed to see them harry the birds. A CHRISTMAS SHKAI' FOR THE J UNCUS AM) 1 RKK SPARROWS The Northern Shrikes, next to the Sharp-shinned Hawks, have proved the most ruthless harriers of our winter birds in the Sanctuary. They also gave ex- hibits of their "butcher bird" habits by impaling victims on the barbs ot the fence. Valuable and precise data on the cat question has been collected during these three years, when 107 cats have been taken in the enclosed grounds of Bird- craft, 24 having worked their way between the barbs and over the top of the "cat-proof fence! While 50 of these cats might be classed as homeless wan- derers, the others were well-fed adult cats in whom the bird-hunting instinct was so dominant that they would take great risks to satisfy it. This type of cat, together with Crows, we are convinced, causes quite as great losses to poultry-raisers as all the Hawks combined. Three Years After 207 It can he easily seen that by feeding and housing more than an average number of birds in a given area, their natural enemies are attracted and increased, so that it is of little avail to create a so-called Sanctuarv unless constant protection from a resident warden is supplied. In addition to general supervision, our warden makes his rounds early in the morning and at twilight, on the lookout for unusual happenings and new arrivals. Predaceous mammals, and the like, must be looked for, and his catch of detrimentals for the past year includes 21 rats, I skunk (who helped himself to eggs meant for the Crows), i weasel, and 17 striped snakes, we having decided to destroy these because of the harm that we have found that they did in breaking up the nests of Song and Field Sparrows, while the small Owls and Red-shouldered Hawks can be trusted to keep down such rodents as the snakes would destroy. One lesson can be learned through our experience by those wishing to put u{) Ijird- houses — do not place them at random or too near together as if your garden was a salesroom. With a few gregarious exceptions, birds like privacy, and one house should not be within sight of another. Then, too, the houses of simplest construction find the readiest tenants. A long, squared box with the proper ojjening at top and a few chips and shavings inside will suit a Flicker or Screech Owl as well as the elaborate von Berlepsch construction, proving that American birds, like American people, have no use for German Kiiltiir. We have found a double reason for clearing out bird-boxes during the winter. In half a dozen cases the white-footed or deer mouse has made a .soft nest in them, and in one Wren box a family of ten was wintering. This house and contents, carefull\- mounti-d, is an object of interest in one t)f the stud\- cases. Among the notable birds thai iiave adojjted our home-made houses is the Great-crested Flycatcher, who was (|uite at home in a decaxed ap|)Ie stub with a bark roof. A natural brush-heap, su|)plemented from lime lo time, is i)arlicularl\ l,Ki:.\r (RliSTED 1LV( atchkr ITS NESTINC.-BOX PhotoKraphcd by \Vill)ur !•'. Smith \M> 20S Bird- Lore aUraclivc [o the lirowii Thrashers, who arc last hecomiiiK regular visitors to the feeding-shelf in spile of alleged shyness. A j)air of Thrashers made up their mind to winter with us. The female succumbed after Christmas, during the first zero weather, but the male lived on, roosting in some salt hay that packed pipes under the north porch, feeding upon cornbread, meat-scraps, and the like and sunning every day under the shelter of a bank. On Monday, .-Xpril i, he began to sing in a broken fashion, while on the loth he burst into full soiii^I This seems to me an im])orlant record, as the KlI.KASlXCi A LONG-EARED OWL— A SIl li\ IN EXPRESSION IMiotnfjraphcd by Mabel Osgood Wriglil migrant Thrashers are not due until the last week t)f April and rarely sing until Ma\' i. During the winter si.x Acadian Owls were recorded. One was picked up in a half-frozen stale and after being thawed out, was put in a cage and fed with pieces of English Sparrows and Starlings that the warden caught for it. After a time the cage was placed in the cellar, which is light and above freezing temperature. The Owl was let fly about, so that it might keep its wing action until the weather was mild enough to liberate it safely. The cellar had been overrun with meadow mice and white-foots. Suddenly the warden discovered that the little Acadian was catching them as cleverly as the most experienced cat or human mouse-catcher. In a short time the cellar Three Years After 209 ^4 WARDEN' MOWING A TRAIL THROUGH A I HH KM itl IINK STEEI'LK \\\:><\\ Photographed by Wilbur F. Smith was cnlircl}' clocUicd and when the Owl was set free in March, he had paid well for his board and lodging. The having of a bird student as warden in Birdcraft makes it a gathering- place for those who have tales to tell of their local experiences, and allows these stories either to be proven by him or disproved with authority. This also helps the warden to keep in touch with local bird-life through the specimens brought Kl.liUI\i.> 1^1. A NO 2IO Bird - Lore in for mouiiling and he is able to control, in a measure, illegal shooting hy refus- ing to mount the specimens shot and reporting them to the county warden. As an instance of establishing a local record — word was brought to him during the January zero weather that from three to live Wilson's Snipe were living in a marsh meadow one-fourth of a mile away. The first impulse was to laugh at the report, but as the boy's story was backed up by others, our warden went to investigate. The Snipe were there and a record established, the secret of the open bit of marsh being the exhaust-steam pipe from a nearby factory which kept open ground for the Snipe through this bitter winter. First and last, Birdcraft is proving itself a place to answer truly the ques- tions of the bird-lover and student, questions asked both by eye and tongue, and to help its visitors think for themselves. Is not this "making good"? Little by little native butterflies and moths will appear in the study case and some of the vanishing wild flowers find their natural habitats in the Sanctuary, so that the economic relation between flowers, insects, and birds, may be made ])lain, but this will be another story. Nature's plan is eternity!. ONE PIPE FOR TWO.— A CHICKADEE SHARES THE WARDEN'S CORN-COB A Blameless Cat By W^ILLIAM BREWSTER "Sans pew cl sans reproche" might be said of her no less appropriately than it was of the illustrious Chevalier Bayard in days of old. What matters it that she catches no mice, since birds are similarly immume from her attack! She sits beside me now, this maltese-and-white pussy, gazing intently at the two dogs lying at my feet, whose eyes are correspondingly fixed on her. Just how and why she came to be so installed — nay even cherished — in a household not overgiven to favoring such a pet may interest Bird- Lore's readers. It happened thus. Like many another elsewhere in New England, the grassy dooryard, looked upon from southern windows of our old farmhouse at Concord, Mass., is shaded by large elms and partly enclosed within moss-grown stone walls overrun by poison ivy and fringed with barberry, elder, and other bushes. It has also bordering flower-beds and two pools of water, one deep enough to harbor iish, frogs, and turtles, the other shallow enough for birds to drink and bathe in fearlessly. From it a lane, similarly walled and leaf-screened, leads to woodlands not far away. Thus conditioned and environed, the dooryard does not fail, of course, to attract various birds and other creatures, including some ungiven to venturing equally near human habitations. Chipmunks inhabit it numerously at every season — although not seen in winter, when hibernating underground. They have troubled us increasingly within recent years by dig- ging up and eating the bulbs of crocuses, tulips, and other early-flowering plants. These depredations became so frequent and widespread last spring that we could no longer tolerate them. The chipmunks might easily have been shot or trapped but were not, for their familiar and ever-pleasing presence was even more valued than that of the flowers they destroyed. How to safe- guard the latter without losing the former was therefore the problem lh;U must be solved. We first tried small-meshed wire netting, spread out flat over the beds, Init it impeded plant-growth, and the squirrels soon learned to burrow under it. Their evident fear of prowling cats, who sometimes justifled it 1)\- preying on them, was next thought of as something that might be employed to our advantage. For obvious reasons, no living cat was desired about the place, hut the stuffed skin of what once had been one would perhaps serve ciuite as well or better. So the maltese-and-white pussy mentioned in the |>relude to this narrative was purchased from the M. Abbott Frazar Company, Boston taxidermists. Admirably mounted, in an altitude characteristic of all her tribe when on the watch for prey, and having glaring yellow eyes, she was so very liftlike that to come on her suddenly amid rank herbage seldom failed to startli- niLinlKTs of our household ignorant or forgetful of her presence there. As for the chipmunks, the merest glimpse of her sutYiced to till them with such abiding terror that for days afterward they dared not return to any spot where (211) 212 Bird -Lore she had been eiuounlered. It might have proved otherwise with them had we not fre(iuently moved her from place to ])lace, always so screening her that she could he \iewed from one direction only— a i)lan equally necessary to adopt in dealing with scarecrows, unless one be willing to have them contemptuously ignored bv intelligent Crows, as hai)])ens so often in New England corntlelds and elsewhere. Tims managed, our stufied cat safeguarded the bulbs through that entire spring, yet banished the chipmunks no further than to neighboring stone walls, along which they cyntinued to scamper freely, or to a well-curb still nearer the house, whereon they loved to bask in warm sunlight. Her effect on birds then nesting in or near the dooryard was different and less jileasing. For whenever it became known to them that she was lurking there, Robins, Cat- jjirds, Wrens, Song Sparrows, Orioles, and others asssembled, fluttering as close about her as they dared, uttering cries of alarm or protest which sometimes swelled into clamor so disturl)ing that we had to remove her from their sight. After thus accomplishing all that had been desired of her at Concord, the inanimate juiss was taken to Camljridge later in the year, and there rendered similar useful service by preventing certain birds from eating fruit which we did not care to let them have. Numerous Starlings, especially coxeting that of our Parkman's apjile tree, were kept away from it by the cat until at length one of tluni found opportunity to watch the placing of her in the tree. What he then saw must have been correctly interpreted and also ])romptly communicated to the other members of the flock, for they soon returned to resume their interrupted feast and thereafter took no ap])arent notice of the cat. All this transpired within my view. It suggested that Starlings may not only observe, but also reason, shrewdly. Doubtless there are many other birds no less gifted with such intelligence. The foregoing testimon)' should convince at least some of those who read it that a stuffed cat may be better worth her keej) than a living one — especially in limes of food scarcity like these. If, during the continuance of her allotted nine lives, such an animal may occasionalh^ have employed a dolorous voice to shatter midnight cjuiet, or needle-pointed claws to transfix defenceless little birds or beasts, what does it matter now? .\11 such transgression must of necessity date back to a more or less remote ])ast and hence need give no present concern to anvone. The Lark By EDMUND J. SAWYER He little knew the modest Lark who said, ^'He sings inspired at high heaven s gate.'' The bird to his own native soil is wed And sings because enraptured with his mate. Far more than sky, with sun or starry train, Green fields, or barren brown, to him are worth. He seeks no closer view of heav'n to gain; He soars but for a better view of earth. '-i'Mt^Htu, (Hi) The Whip-poor-will By MELICENT ENO HUMASON, New Britain, Conn. Willi I'hotoK'raphs by Leslie \V. Lee 0\E evening, just before dusk, as a friend and I were scrambling over a rocky wooded ledge, after a long day's tramp in the mountains, we were suddenly surprised by a low chuckling purr. Gazing through the dim light, at the spot whence came the sound, we saw a dusky shape quietly glide into the trees, with the planing, sidelong swoop of a bat. Stealthily it alighted on a limb almost directly above a hollow of dry chestnut-oak leaves in which lay two white spotted eggs. So here was the Whip-poor-will, in this lonely deserted place, on this high mountain ridge at the top o' the world, with apparently no neighbors to intrude. We departed from the site as quickly and noiselessly as possible, leaving her to return in peace; then we rested on a Hchen-mottled rock about 50 feet away. It was truly dusk now. The lights in the little cottages of the valley below glittered with friendly eyes; a wagon rattled down the stony road on its home- ward journe}-; a dog howled long at some imaginary foe in the thicket; a Scarlet Tanager uttered his deep chip-chur-r-r; the Wood Thrushes tinkled their evening bells; and then, close at hand, a full-throated whip-poor-will, whip- poor-will, many times repeated (once we counted 267 calls, without a second's intermission) , betokened felicity and happy companionship on the ledge. Early the next morning we climbed the stony path, bordered by maple- leaved viburnum and dogwood, to the abode of our newly discovered residents. Instead of going directly to the nest of the Whip-poor-will, we made a wide detour around her, approaching her from the rear, over a large rock, which bore convenient depr essions in the shape of steps. Long grass grew in the crevices of our excellent staircase, and shiny-berried Solomon's seal stretched yearningly toward the light. Climbing, then descending this rock, we mounted another, from the farther end of which we surveyed the scene — brilliant now in the morning light — of the night before. Three trees formed the background and wings, namely, the yellow oak, the chestnut oak, and the pignut hickory. W^e glanced into the 'spotlight' formed by the flickering sun. There were no eggs to be seen ! Using our glasses, what had at first appeared to be the end of the rotten liml) now shaped itself into a brooding bird. Soon we clearly defined the whiskers, the shut eyes, the sagging mouth. Caught in its sleep, I declare! At the snap of a twig the 'limb' took wings, and, repeating the sound of the night before, fluttered, almost stupidly, to a branch only a few feet away from the eggs. There, the W^hip-poor-will stolidly blinked at us and seemed not afraid. (214) The Whip-poor-will 215 My companion quickly descended the rock toward the eggs, set up his 5 x 7 camera on a tripod, took a picture of the eggs — I cannot say nest, then draped the camera with sassafras leaves, set it, and came away, carrying with him the bulb, attached to tubing 25 feet long. Then we crouched behind the stair- case and awaited proceedings. Would the Whip-poor-will venture down from her perch, we wondered, with that fierce machine staring at her, 26 inches from her brooding-place? wnir-i'(H)k u iij. i.kooi.iN^, Though we tried to conceal ourselves behind the rock, her eye was upon us, and though she did not tly to safer distance, neither did she Ijudge an inch from her location. We dropped the bulb where we were so insufliciently concealing (?) our- selves, and strolled to the ledge where we had lingered the previous evening. Immediately we were settled, in recuml)eiit and ap|)areiitly unconcerned posi- tions, the Whip-poor-will Hew back lo her nest. I'ully twenty minutes after her interru|)tion, my com|)anion stealthily stole u]) the 'back stairs' again, bulb in hand, antl ])eering, with glasses, over the edge, s|)otted her and sna|)ped. Once, twice, the click resounded 1 could 2l6 Bird -Lore hear it where I was so anxiously awaiting — but the Whip-poor-will did not quiver a whisker. For sixteen days after our discovery of the eggs, we tramped up that rocky path to our destination, the home of the Whip-poor-will, a three-mile walk each way. By this time we were exceedingly fond of her; in fact, contrary to our general custom, we had killed a six-foot blacksnake which was stealthily crawling upon her unawares, and we awaited the advent of her babies with much solicitation and joy. The sixteenth day, the Whip-poor-will whirred up, and there, in the de- pression of the chestnut-oak leaves, were two little Whip-poor-will babies. WHIP-POOR-WILL TWINS Their beaks and heads were plentifully besprinkled with egg-shells, little particles of which were quite imbedded in their fur. Perhaps one will dis- pute the possibility of W'hip-poor-wills bearing fur, but I can at least assure you that these infants bore no resemblance to the young of most birds. In- stead of being pink, with only wisps of feathers protruding from their skin, they were completely covered with a nice soft down, which might be likened to that of a chick. Fragments of shell were scattered on the leaves about them. After taking a picture of the youngsters, while the mother fluttered wildly about us, cackling in guttural notes, we hurriedly left the trio. The next day we revisited the site and found that the young Whip-poor-wills were begirming to look like their mother, especially around the beak, and that The Whip-poor-will 217 they were rather inclined to crawl out of their shallow home. A day later we again walked three miles to pay our respects to the Whip-poor-will family, but no trace of it remained save a few white chips of egg-shells and two stray feathers from the faithful bird who had reared so tenderly her 'babes in the woods.' Doubtless she had carried them to a safer retreat in the forest depths beyond. My Nuthatch Tenants and a Pair of Red-Headed Ruffians By R. W. ■WILLIAMS TAKOMA PARK is a town of approximately 3,000 population, partly in the District of Columbia and partly in Maryland. The boundary of my front yard is the line between the District and Maryland, my home being wholly within the state. The yard is 100 feet wide and about 175 feet long. A small stream flows through a part of the premises in the rear. Neighbors, whose places are about the area of my own, have a goodly supply of shade trees, largely oaks. I have ten oaks in the yard, the majority standing in a cluster to the east of the house. In the winter I feed the birds, and during that season am the host to Jays, White-throated and Song Sparrows, Juncos, Cardinals, Downy Woodpeckers, Tufted Titmice, Carolina Chickadees, White- breasted Nuthatches, and, occasionally, a Purple Crackle. One morning in the latter part of last February, I saw at the same time six male Cardinals sitting in a small tree in the back yard. At the time of the events about to be narrated, a pair of Flickers were contentedly housed, and raised their brood, in a box on one of the oaks in the cluster. In March last I made a bird-box out of four light boards about 15 inches long and 6 inches wide, with projecting top and inserted bottom. The three exposed sides and top I covered with bark. A hole about \)/2 inches in diameter was bored rather close up under the projecting top. Sometime in the latter part of the month I nailed this box about 25 feet up on the south side of the main trunk of one of the oaks in the cluster. During the last days of the month a pair of White-breasted Nuthatches were frequently seen on and around the box, and by the end of the first week in April I was most agreeably surprised to find that they had settled themselves there for the season. Their antics were comical. I frequently observed one or the other of ihcni on top of the box or on a nearby limb, swinging its body from side to side for several minutes at a time, until I wondered if it possibly could escape dizzi- ness. But they seemed never to tire of this performance and certainly were physically none the worse for it. At first they were fairly noisy, but after a while, I suppose when incui)ation began, they became, and until the young were hatched they continued to be, (|uii't. I'earing that so unusual a tenant might descTt the box if disturbed, I 2i8 Bird -Lore was never able definitely to determine when the eggs were deposited, or, for that matter, much of anything that transpired within the box. They had not long hatched the young, however, before I discovered that fact by observ- ing the i)arents carrying food to them. Bright and happy days for the birds, old and young, ensued, until one morning before breakfast (May 9) two Red-headed Woodpeckers arrived on the scene and inspected the box. I did not attach much signiticance to this and contented myself, before leaving for my office, with frightening them away by vigorous gesticulations and by small sticks thrown at them. These methods seemed to suffice for the time. Later in the day, however, I received a message that the Woodpeckers were enlarging the entrance and possessing the box, throwing out the young Nuthatches — three having already been cast to the ground — and altogether evicting the parents, which, grief- stricken, were looking on from nearby stations. The red-headed ruffians were at the box when I reached home that afternoon but they disappeared at my approach. I procured my gun and took a position from which I would be sure to reach them if they returned. I had not long to wait. One of them alighted at the entrance of the box. I fired and the bird fell to the ground directly under the box. Both of the Nuthatches flew to the base of the tree and, clinging there within a foot of the ground, regarded the Woodpecker for more than a minute, with exhibitions of keen satisfaction and exultation. I found another of the young Nuthatches dead a few feet away from the tree. None of the young birds was mutilated to any extent, from which cir- cumstance it seems probable that the Woodpeckers were not in quest of food, but distinctly bent on mischief. The following morning another Red-head appeared, and 1 promptly dis- patched him. But, alas, the home of the Nuthatches had been desolated, and, while for a day or two they would sit upon the box for a few minutes and occasionally look in the entrance, they never went in, and finally abandoned the place. I shortly removed the box as the sight of it kept alive in me distressing recollections of this pathetic incident. As I write this, some months afterward, 1 can add that, although the Nut- hatches abandoned the box and its immediate vicinity, they remained in the neighborhood thereafter and are still here, occasionally feeding on the sun- flowers in my garden. Provision will be made for them during the coming winter, and a box will be erected for them in the spring. Red-headed Wood- peckers, beware!* *In justice to Red-headed Woodpeckers as a race, I should say that by no means are they all so demoniacal as those above mentioned. There are good and bad in all races, avian or human, and the race should not be condemned for the misdeeds of some individuals. The Migration of North American Birds SECOND SERIES IV. THE WAXWINGS AND PHAINOPEPLA Compiled by Harry C. Oberholser, Chiefly from Data in the Biological Survey (See Frontispiece) BOHEMIAN WAXWINQ The North American breeding-range of this boreal bird {BombyciUa garrula) extends north to northern Mackenzie and northern Alaska; west to western Alaska and western British Columbia; south to Washington and Montana; and east to northeastern Manitoba. It winters east to Nova Scotia, and south, though irregularly, to Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, southern Illinois, Kansas, Colorado, and southern California. It is of casual occurrence in Arizona. SPRING MIGRATION LOCALITY Hiinlf, Alta Fort Simpson, Mack.. Fort AndeJrson, Mack Dawson, Yukon Number of years' record Average date of spring arrival April 7 May iS Earliest date of spring arrival March 21, 1914 April 25, i860 May 10, 1863 May 24, 1899 LOCALITY N'umber iif years' record Shelter Island, N. Y. . . . (leneva, N. Y Bennington, Vt Scotch Lake, N. B Montreal, Quebec Youngstovvn, Ohio New Bremen, Ohio Chicago, III Ann Arbor, Mich Ottawa, Ont Sioux City, Iowa La Crosse, Wis Minneapolis, Minn Lincoln, Neb. Faulkton, S. 1) .Margaret, Man Boulder, Colo Ciilmer, Wyo Terry, Mont Gait, Calif Camp Harney, Ore Walla Walla, Wash Okanagan Landing, B. C Average date of last one observed .\pril 20 April 13 February 28 March 18 March 20 March 18 .April I .Mar(h jj .\pril 1 March 20 February 2S Latest date of last one observed May 12, 1887 .\pril 27, 1910 April 25, 1915 .April 28, 1905 .\pril 27, 1857 May 14, 1908 January 22, 1910 April 18, 1911 March 10, 1888 March 30, 1897 .'\pril I, 191 2 April 5, 1905 April 25, 187b March 6, 191 1 March 17, 191 7 .\])ril 10, i90() .\|)ril 14, 1917 .March 7, 1870 March 31, 1904 March 14, 191 1 March i, 187(1 March 3, 1881 March 22, 1907 (219) 220 Bird - Lore FALL MIGRATION Number LOCALITY of years' record Average date of last one observed Latest date of last one observed Moose Camp, Kenai Peninsula, \laska October 8, iqos Iknhel, Alaska August 8, 1914 LOCALITY Geneva, N. Y Dighton, Mass Lynn, Mass New Haven, Conn Ottawa, Ont Ann Arbor, Mich New Bremen, Ohio Chicago, 111 , . . La Crosse, Wis Superior, Wis Minneapolis. Minn Sioux City, Iowa Ames, Iowa Aweme, Man Lincoln, Neb Halsey, Neb Manhattan, Kans Big Sandy, Mont Terry, Mont Fort Bridger, Wyo Boulder, Colo Fort Mojave, Ariz Okanagan Landing, B. C Walla Walla, Wash Camp Harney, Ore Daggett, Calif Number of years' record Average date of first one observed January 3 December b January 21 December 14 February 7 November 3 November 17 November 6 Decembar 15 November 7 Earliest date of first one observed January 9, 1913 December 26, 1885 February 18, 1877 February 11, 1875 November 11, 1883 December 12, 1869 Januarj' i, 1910 November 22, 1906 December 22, 1909 September 20, 1902 October 9, 1888 January 21, 1912 November 21, 1879 October 20, 1903 November 8, 1910 October 27, 1906 December 6, 1879 October 23, 1906 October 25, 1895 December 8, 1857 November 6, 1910 January 10, 1871 October 18, 1905 November 19, 1881 November 23, 1875 December 13, 1910 CEDAR WAXWING The Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) breeds north to northern Nova Scotia, northwestern Quebec, northern Ontario, central Manitoba, central Alberta, and central British Columbia; and south to southern Oregon, Arizona, northern New Mexico, Kansas, northern Arkansas, and western North Caro- lina. It winters in most of the United States, and south to Mexico, Cuba, and Panama. It isof accidental or casual occurrence in Jamaica, the Bahama Islands, the Bermuda Islands, and England. It breeds late in the spring, and in many localities is of very irregular occurrence; hence its migratory movements are somewhat unsatisfactory to trace. The Migration of North American Birds SPRING MIGRATION LOCALITY Orlando, Fla Tallahassee, Fla Savannah, Ga Charleston, S. C Autaugaville, Ala.. . . Biloxi, Miss New Orleans, La Helena, Ark Brownsville, Tex San Antonio, Te.x.. . . Kerrville, Te.x Bonham, Tex Huachuca Mts., Ariz. Los Angeles, Calif.. . . Number of years' record Average date of last one observed May 9 April 27 May 5 May 18 May 5 May 9 May II May 6 May IS May 17 May 22 Latest date of last one observed May May May June May May May May May May May June May May 15, 1911 8, 1903 14, 1915 3, 1910 25, 1914 26, 1910 19, 1900 23, 1904 24, 1912 25, 1885 23, 1911 3, 1887 6, 1902 24, 1908 LOCALITY Bennington, Vt Wells River, Vt St. Johnsbury, Vt Durham, N. H Tilton, N. H Portland, Maine Phillips, Maine Scotch Lake, N. B Halifax, N. S Pictou, N. S Charlottetown, P. E. L. . Montreal, Quebec Quebec, Quebec .\weme, Man Terry, Mont Indian Head, Sask Sandy Creek, Alta Carvel, Alta Okanagan Landing, B. C Number of years' record Average date of spring arrival May 12 May 20 April 23 May 8 April IS April 24 May 24 June 2 May 30 June 2 April I ' May 29 May 28 June 3 May 30 April 30 June I Earliest date of spring arrival March 29, 191 1 April 17, 1905 February 10, 1915 April 10, 1898 March 9, 1915 February 6, 1889 April 10, 1905 May 9, 1889 March 2s, 1890 May 23, 1889 June 21, 1900 March 29, 1889 January 2s, 1892 April 15, 1899 May 21, 1901 May 31, 1906 May 27, 1903 May 14, 1903 April s, 1909 May 26, 1906 FALL MIGRATION LOCALITY Charleston, S. C Kirk wood, Ga Savannah, Ga Tallahassee, Fla Montgomery, Ala Autaugaville, .\la. Helena, Ark Bay St. Louis, Miss. Gainesville. Tex .\ustin, Tex Thirty miles south of Fort .Xpacho, Ariz Los .'Vngclcs, C'alit. Number of years' record Average date of fall arrival October 13 October 20 November 7 Octol)cr 19 November (> September : 7 Earliest date of fall arrival October 12, 1908 October 18, 1898 September 18, 1910 October 19, 1901 October 20, 1913 October 26, 1913 November 13, 1S96 October 13. 1898 November 17, 1885 October 25, 1S93 September 11, 1S73 .August 26, 1907 222 Bird -Lore FALL MIGRATION, continued LOCALITY Number of years' record Average date of last one observed Latest date of, last one observed Montreal, Quebec C'harlottetown, P. K. I.. . Halifax, N. S Scotch Lake, N. B Ellsworth, Maine Phillips, Maine Portland, Maine Tilton, N. H Durham, N. H Wells River, Vt Aweme, Man Athabaska Landing, Alia Okanagan Landing, H. C Missoula, Mont Bozeman, Mont S 7 3 3 3 i6 5 September 19 September 25 September 21 October 2 October 4 October 7 September 20 September 20 September 5 September 16 October 25 October 22 September October 10 October 3, September October 21 October 10 October 20 October i, October 8, September September October 13 September 1908 1901 10, 1902 , 1902 1912 25, 1909 , 1914 , 1906 , 1900 1914 1907 1 1 , 1 903 15, 1913 , I 916 29, 1912 PHAINOPEPLA The Phainopepla {Pliaiiiopepla 11 i tens) breeds north to central western Texas, New Mexico, southern Utah, southern Nevada, and central California (casually to central Nevada and northern California) ; and south to the Mexican States of Mexico (Valley of Mexico), Puebla, and Vera Cruz. It winters locally from central California and southern Arizona south at least to the southern limit of its breeding range. SPRING MIGRATION LOCALITY Tucson, Ariz Tule Wells, Yuma Co., Ariz Tombstone, Ariz Santa Barbara, Calif Fresno, Calif *Probably wintering. Number of years' record Average date of spring arrival March 24 .\pril 24 April 13 Earliest date of spring arrival February 5, 191 6 February 12, 1894 January 14, 191 2* April 7, 1910 March 26, 1906 Notes on the Plumage of North American Birds FORTY-EIGHTH PAPER By FRANK M. CHAPMAN (See Frontispiece) Phainopepla {Phainopepla nitens, Figs, i, 2). — On leaving the nest, the male, as well as the female, Phainopepla bears a general resemblance to the adult female, but is browner with duller and narrower margins to the wing- feathers. The postjuvenal molt is apparently usually complete, the primary coverts being sometimes retained, and the male now acquires a black plumage which, however, differs from that of the adult in having the body feathers, Notes on the Plumage of North American Birds 223 especially below, margined with grayish, the wing-coverts and inner quills with white. With the advance of the season these markings disappear, and by the follow- ing summer young and old are essentially alike. Bohemian Waxwing {Bomhycilla garrula, Figs. 3,4). — In general appearance the nesthng of this species differs from the adult much as the young of the Cedar Waxwing does. In the single specimen seen (Biological Survey, No. 165, 808, Yukon River, July 29, 1899. W. H. Osgood) the wings have red tips and in their yellow-and-white markings resemble those of the average adult. It is evident that this is not always the case, since some specimens, in what is other- wise adult plumage,. are without either red tips or yellow markings on the wing- quills. According to Dwight, the postjuvenal molt "involves the body plumage and wing-coverts, but not the remiges or rectrices." The well-developed plumage of the nestling above mentioned indicates that the first winter dress cannot certainly be distinguished from that of the adult, and also that the character of the wing-markings is individual rather than due to age. It is shown at its full development in Fig. 3, but specimens having only narrow white tips on the wing feathers, as in Fig. 4, are not in- frequent. There is no spring molt and, as with the Cedar Waxwing, the slight difference between winter and summer plumage is due to wear and fading. In addition to its larger size, the Bohemian Waxwing differs from the Cedar Waxwing in its generally grayer underparts, the abdomen being like the lower breast and not yellow; chestnut under tail-coverts, white wing-markings and, usually, blacker throat; all differences sufficiently pronounced to be observ- able in life. Cedar Waxwing ( Bomby cilia cedrorum, Figs. 5, 6). — The sexes of this beauti- ful bird are alike in plumage, but the young, on leaving the nest, have a smaller crest and wear a dress easily distinguishable from that of their parents. As Fuertes' drawing shows (Fig. 6), this nestling or juvenal plumage, is decidedly streaked with whitish. The streaks are more pronounced below than on the back, the abdomen is whitish instead of yellow, and there is less black about the bill than in the adult. As a rule the secondaries are without the 'wax' tips, but rarely traces of them appear. At the postjuvenal or fall molt, all but the tail and main wing-feathers of this plumage are shed and the winter plumage is acquired. This is similar to that of the adult, but it is probable that the size and number of the 'wax' wing- tips increase with age, while the occasional presence of these appendages on the tail-feathers possibly indicates advanced age, though it may be due to exceptional vigor of the individual possessing them. There is no spring molt, and the slight ditTerences botwein winter and summer plumage are due to wear and fading. ^otes from JTtelti ant l^tutip Booming of the American Bittern With pen sketches by the author I have read several accounts of the booming of the Bittern, which I have had the pleasure of witnessing three different times, but none of them were accom- panied by satisfactory illustrations. As I have heard the notes, they sound like chunk-chiink-a-lunk-plunk, and at a dis- tance very closely resemble the noise produced by driving a large wooden stake in marshy ground with a large iron mall. At the first note — chunk — the bird stands erect, with the bill pointed well up. .\fter delivering it, the body seems to echo the effort, with a slight jar. With chunk, the second note, the bill is dropped slightly and a little force added, and the note echoed, as it were, in the body a little harder. At a — the third note — the bill is dropped down a little more, the head drawn slightly back, the whole body thrown very slightly forward, and after the delivery, echoed as before with a most noticeable jar of the body. Lunk, the fourth note, is delivered with about the same force as the last, but with the bill down about level, and head and whole body thrown a little more forward, echoed as before by the jar of the body, which by this time becomes quite violent, accompanied by a very slight ruffling of the plumage. Plunk, the fifth and last note on the bar is delivered with consider- ably more force, and with the whole body, especially the bill and head, thrown, or jerked, violently forward, apparently as far as the bird can reach. The echoing of the note in the body is very pronounced, with a return immediately to the first position to repeat the whgle series again, and not only the second time, but, in one case (May, 1917), six times. As a rule, I think, it is repeated only four times. I had discovered a slough in the north- eastern part of Illinois, where I started a Bittern early in April, so I kept watch on the place, and one day, as if in answer to a mental wish, the bird stepped out in plain view and good light, and gave me a real entertainment; in fact, acted as if trying to outdo himself for my especial benefit. After each act he would seem to rest, at least wait two or three minutes, and then give me the next act, and so on until I tired of watching — if that could be. — Geo. W. H. vos Burgh, Columbus, Wis. Spring Migration in the 'Ramble,' Central Park, New York City Writing of one of his boyhood friends, Henry James says, in 'A Small Boy and Others,' "He opened vistas, and I count ever as precious anyone, everyone, who betimes does that for the small straining vision." In my own case I always re- member gratefully as one who "opened vistas" a frail young woman in a raincoat whom I saw one very stormy day in the spring of 191 7 in the bird section of the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. We were both looking at birds' nests, and being the only two persons BOOMING OF THE BITTERN This series of five positi^qns is repeated six limes Drawn t)y Geo. \V. H. vos Burgh (224) Notes from Field and Study 225 in that part of the building, we began quite naturally to talk. I remember that I was bewailing my fate because, after having spent six very delightful weeks on a farm in the Berkshires — from the middle of March to the end of April — here I was obliged to return to my home in the city just at the time when Spring was offer- ing her most interesting treasures to a lover of flowers and birds. "When you have tramped the fields and woods in April," I went on, "when you have hunted down the first hepaticas, trailing arbutus, violets, bloodroot, saxi- frage, and wake robin — when you have heard the Song Sparrow's cheery outburst and the Red-winged Blackbird's vibrant note of spring — when you've seen the early Bluebirds perching on the dusky red berry-cones of the sumach, the ground all white with newly fallen snow, the electric blue of the birds making stunning contrast to the red berries against a white background — then you'll admit that it's not easy to extract much comfort from looking at dry-as-dust stuffed specimens in a museum." She laughed sympathetically and said, "Why don't you try the 'Ramble' in Central Park for birds? I can't promise you any trailing arbutus, but you will find large numbers of birds migrating through in spring and fall." The next morning found me in Central l^ark bright and early, and every morning thereafter for the month of May. Of course, I missed some of the earliest mi- grants, but in spite of my late start, I was able to get a list of more than seventy species of birds, one of them being that rare creature, the Mourning Warbler. The record for a single day's observation, so . far as I know, was forty-five species, and the season record for the largest total obser\'ed was ninet_\-onc b\' Dr. M. P. Denton. Not the least interesting part of the daily excursion was the opportunity of meeting other bird-lovers who had discovered the 'Ramble.' The mere fact that you carried a pair of bird-glasses was introduction enough ioT these enthusiasts, and I hc_\' unhesitatingly stopped you to exchange notes about their latest find and yours. There was the Clergyman from New Jersey who came two or three times a week and insisted that the country was not nearly so good for birds as the 'Ramble.' There was the Famous Surgeon who stole away from an.xious patients for an hour almost every day to refresh his own weary soul. There was the Biologist who "loved every bit of life," as she put it, and never missed a chance to study it. There was the Board- ing-house Lady who came each morning after her marketing to forget her material cares by quoting Dr. van Dyke's "The Woodnotes of the Veery" and by hunting for that elusive bird. There was the Naval Reserve Man who had left Yale to enlist, who came every morning for the week that he was on leave and "hoped his boat would be ordered where there would be interest- ing birds to watch." There was the Park Policeman who was the first to see the Black-billed Cuckoo (on whose pronuncia- tion we could not agree). There was the Park Gardener who never forgot to show newcomers the roost of the Black-crowned Night Heron. And, oh, there were lots of others of us, but you must come and see for yourself. And among us all was the keenest good-natured rivalry as to who should be the first to see the new arrivals from the South; and woe betide you, a newcomer, if you had seen some species which an old hand at the game had missed, or if you claimed to have seen a bird some days before it was due. So, if you would have new vistas open before you, if you want one of the best things of spring, even if you are city-bound, you have only to go to the 'Ramble' and join the bird colony. — Blanche Samek, New York City. Sparrow Hawk and Starling On March 26, 1918, back of the American Museum of Natural History, \ew York City, a Sparrow Hawk was seen, with an adult Starling for its victim. When first observed, the two birds were on the ground, the Hawk on top of the 2 26 Bird - Lor« Starling, and showing every evidence of a good grip. The Starling seemed fairly exhausted but jerked around spasmodically every time the Hawk made a move, which was sometimes merely to change its position, but more often to nip the side of the Starling under its wing. The Hawk's wings were continually si)read so as to prevent the Starling from overturning him. The abo\c actions were continued for about ti\c minutes, wlicn t lie Hawk three feet, no injury could be seen. U there was one it was well concealed by feathers. — II. 1. H.\rtshorn, Newark, N. J . Yellow Warbler vs. Cowbird A N'ellow Warbler's nest containing two eggs of the Cowbird was found by the writers in the Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, in Maj^, 191 7. Tt was an un- usual one for this species to build, in that a (luaiititx' of newspaper was used in its COWBIRD'S EGGS BURIED IN THE 'CELL.\R' OF A \ EI.I.OW Photographed by E. S. Daniels WARBLERS NEST was frightened away by a move of the observers and, although he stayed in the vicinity of the Museum awhile, his courage was not equal to his fear of dis- turbance, and he did not return for his supper as long as the Starling was being observed. The Starling, in the meantime, ap- parently recovered somewhat and flew to a nearby window-ledge. Its flight, although weak, was straight, so it was obvious that no flight-bones were broken, and when the bird was viewed at a distance of about construction. The nest was also not as compact as is usually built by this species, being very looselj' constructed, and as we watched it from time to time, we were fear- ful that the nest would fall apart before the young were old enough to leave it. When first noted it was of normal size and contained one Cowbird egg, which in a few days was covered by a small piece of paper. The second foreign egg was laid at a slightly higher level. Then the Warblers began to work in earnest, rapidly building a thick false bottom to the nest and raising Notes from Field and Study 227 the walls. The female bird laid four eggs and brought off a brood of three Warblers, one of the eggs evidentl}- being infertile. The accompanying photograph shows the size and construction of the nest, which has been opened sufficiently to show both of the unhatched Cowbird eggs. — E. S. Daniels and Gko. F. Tatum, SI. Louis, Mo. The Evening Grosbeak in Minnesota in Midsummer Last summer, during the months of June and July, Mrs. Langeand I occupied a forester's cabin within a quarter of a mile of the international boundary line between Minnesota and Ontario. Our cabin was located on the rocky shore of North Lake, which is one of a chain of deep, cold lakes running east and west in a general direction, and including Gun- flint Lake, Little (iunflint, North Lake, and South Lake. (Jn July 15, IQ17, we saw a male Even- ing Grosbeak in full breeding plumage at the east end of Gunflint Lake. The bird, when first seen, was sitting on a bare patch of gravel in front of a settler's cabin. After he had been picking gra\'el or small insects for a very short time, he flew to the roof of a nearby house, remained there a few minutes, and then flew away into the timber on the Minnesota side. The bird, when first seen, was sitting only a few yards south of the Canadian line, but flew into the mixed timber on the Minnesota side. Mrs. Lange and myself stood within 20 feet of the bird, which displayed his plumage in the open all the time that we observed him. A week later, on Sunday, July 22, we went to the place, thinking that we might see the bird again, and that we might possibly fmd the nest. We spent several hours looking through the young growth of si)ruce, balsam, and poplar, but we saw no signs of the Evening Grosbeak. Two settlers who live near the east end of (iunflint Lake, one on the Minnesota side, and one on the Ontario side, told me that they had seen these birds there for several years. .\lt hough we moved around on these lakes quite a little and saw many northern Warblers and an abundance of Hermit Thrushes, this was the only speci- men of the Evening Grosbeak that we observed. I am not sure whether this is the first notice of the Evening Grosbeak in Min- nesota during the summertime, or whether the bird has been found before along the international boundary. The place where the bird was seen was about 30 miles north of Lake Superior. It seems likely that the Evening Grosbeak nests very sparingly along the international border in northeastern Minnesota. The timber in this region consists principally of spruce, balsam, birch, and poplar. There are some open spots where fire went through some years ago, but a large portion of the region still contains the original growth of timber, except that the scattered pine has been logged out. — I). Laxck, .S7. Paid, Minn. Pine Siskins near Edmonds, Wash. The Canadian observer who reported Pine Siskins from British Columbia in the November-December, 1Q17, HiRU- LoRE prompts me to send in my observa- tions of this bird. Each winter, for three \ears, I have seen near Edmonds, Wash., large flocks of Siskins, but I did not know that their appearance was unusual. On November 4, 191O, I noted a flock of about three hundred, and from that date on until March 24, 1917, they came to our fruit- farm early and late, day after day. Possibly one reason why I observed large numbers of them so often is the presence of fifteen alder trees in a ravine just south oi our house. In the Middle West 1 have been accustomed to think i>f the alder as a good-sized bush, but here alder trees are larger than the average «<>ttonwood or birch of the East. Our alders are from 50 to 00 feel high, anI)riiary at Cam]) Mcadc, Md. A large lompaiiN of Vox Sparrows, numhoring some 150 indixiduals, was observed at Falls Chiirih, \a., March 15, 1918, by Mr. I. N. Ciabrielson; and a small flight of Red-tail Hawks, numbering 20 individuals, was noted at the same i)laLC by the same observer on Marrh 6, igiS. The (Ircat Horned Owl, which is regarded as a rare bird in this vicinity, was found by Mr. Raymond W. Moore at Kensington, Md., several times between March 0 and 10, probalily nesting in that vicinity. A single !>ronzed Cirackle,abird of rare and irregular occurrence in this vicinity, was seen in the grounds of the Agricultural Department on March 18, and, possibly the same individual, on one or two subsequent dates in the same vicinity. — Harry C. Oberhoj.ser, Biological Survey, Wasliiiig- loii, D. C. Oberun Region. — i'he 1918 season opened with the arrival of Crows, Blue- birds and Robins on February 14, which is the earliest date in the historj' of this r(gion. 'F'licre was no further movement uiilil a Killdcer appeared on the 2 2(1. On the lirst day of March there was a considerable movement of Crows, Blue- birds, Robins, and Song Sparrows, fol- lowed two days later by the first Meadow- lark, Bronzed Crackles, and Mourning Doves. During this period of unseasonable warmth the resident Woodpeckers, White- breasted Nuthatches, and Tufted Titmice began their courting. The ne.xt migration nioxcincnt oc( urrcd on March 13, willi the arrival of the Rusty Blackbird and Towlicc, and a decided increase of tiie Mcadowlark and Bronzed Gracklc. On I he lOlli (he Red- winged Blackbird and Mourning Dove became common, and the Migrant Shrike and Cow bird arrived. The ne.xt day Blue- birds became common and the Fo.\ Sparrow arrived. The rest of March witnessed the usual scattering arrivals of Field Sparrows on the 20th, Pha-be on the 2ist, and Belted Kingfisher on the 23d, with an increase of earlier arrivals. The largest wave thus far began on March 31 and e.xtended to April 8. The Turkey Vulture and Vesper Sparrow came on the 31st, Pectoral Sandpiper on the ist. Swamp Sparrow and Bittern on the 2d, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker on the 3d, Wilson's Snipe and Brown Thrasher on the sth, Chipijing Sparrow on the 6th, House Wren on the 7th and Purple Martin on the Sth; and a decided increase of species which had arrived earlier. While the weather of the latter half of I'cbruary and nearly the whole of March was unusually warm and bright, the mi- grations, after the first arrivals on Feb- ruary 14, were late and slow. Ducks were conspicuous by their almost entire absence, and Woodcock and Wilson's Snipe were not found until it was unusually late for them. Vesper Sparrows usually come in a great swarm on the first day, but even at this writing thej' are less common than usual. The exceptionall}' hard winter brought about almost an extinction of the Bob- white. Until December there were numer- ous coveys on all sides of town. Now only a single pair can be located in the whole region. — Lynus Jones, Ohcrliii, Ohio. Minnesota Region. — The third week of February was a continuation of our unusually severe winter, a temperature of 14° below being recorded on the 20th and 2ist. But from this time began a remark- ably mild and beautiful spring, broken by only a single setback which occurred March g, when a terrific blizzard, with a very heavy snowfall, swept the entire stale. lUit warm days followed immediate- ly, and this snow quickly disappeared, except up north, and a spring, a week or ten days ahead of the ordinary, was ushered in to continue until the present date. Robins appeared in numbers in the vicinity of the Twin Cities in the middle of March and reached the "Range" country above Duluth, where much snow and ice still lingered, by the end of the month. On March 25, the ice went out of the Mississippi River for some distance above St. Anthony I-alls (Minneapolis) The Season 233 ten days or two weeks ahead of time, and that day several Herring Gulls were seen cruising up and down the gorge, looking for food among the floating ice-masses. On March 31 a nest of the Horned Lark, containing young birds just hatched, was found at Cambridge, Isanti County, some forty miles north of Minneai)olis, by Lawrence Lofstrom. This bird will nest as soon as the ground is bare of snow, regardless of temperature, and many of the earlier nests are destroyed by freez- ing weather and snows. Hy the end of the first week in April, tlie ice in the large lakes in the latitude of Minneapolis was adrift and rapidly i)rcak- ing up. Farther north it was still inlact. The intense cold and absence of snow the past winter caused ice to form on all still or sluggish water to the thickness of nearly three feet. The quiet manner in which this great ice-sheet became honeycombed and disapjieared was most fortunate. I'liick. solid ice, loosened from the land, and heavy winds sometimes work terrible havoc along the shores of our larger lakes. On March 17, at Minneapolis, Robins were passing by in large companies; Blue- i)irds had paired and were examining possible tenements; Phoebes were sim- ilarly occupied; flocks of Rusty Blackbirds were making music in the groves; male Red- wings were conspicuous in the swamps; Song Sparrows were everywhere; a few Hermit Thrushes were silently searching the coverts; Flickers were beginning their noisy love-making, and the bushes were full of Juncos and Tree S[)arrows. From I his time on the regular procession of I he earlier migrants thai move on a tempera- ture rather than a fixed schedule, arrived in the usual order but a week or so ahead of time, in correspondence with the earlier season: I-'ox Sparr(>ws, .\pril .s~0; I'ied- l)illcd CIrebcs, April q; and on .\pril i.j. N'ellow-headed Blackbirds, a .Migrant Shrike, a Kingbird, Lesser Vellowlegs, .Myrtli- Warblers, and many Coots; also, on the i4lh, many Blue-winged Teal, Shovellers, I'intails, ISaldpates. and (iail walls in a large slough, some ten miles I'mni Minneapolis, where they were feeding and seemingly mated. By the middle of April, vegetation w.is fairly started, hepatica, bloodroot. Nut- tail's pasque flower, the catkin-l)earing trees, and the hazelnut being in full bloom. Up in northern Minnesota conditions are still, at this date, much more wintry. Piles of snow yet remain in sheltered places, the nights are cold, and the Duluth Harbor is piled high with thick masses of winter ice driven in from the frigid waters of Lake Sujierior. Only the hardier migrants, like the Robin, the Song Sparrow, and the Red-wing have ventured thus far. — Thds. S. Roberts, Zooloi^ical Museum, Ihii- vrrsily of M iniirsola, .\f luihti /xilis. Di'.NVEii Region. — We are told that there is no accounting for taste; sometimes I think that there is no accounting for the seasonal distribution of our birds. I had anticipated an early return of our birds this season because of the mild local weather conditions in the West. N'et, Hawks were nol earl\- in getting here but, rather, were a little behind the usual schedule, for it was not until .\pril 7 that many Red-tailed, Ferruginous, Rough- legged and Sparrow Hawks were seen in the southern outskirts of the city. On the other hand the first Sage Thrasher I saw was on time (.•\i)ril 7), though one of my friends reports having seen one nearly a month earlier. Last year at this time there were many Townsend's Solitaires in the \arious parks of the city, \et I lia\e utterl\- failed to see e\-en one sinei' last autumn. At I lie pvesenl writing (.\|)ril IS), all I he spe( ies and subspecies of Juncos wintering here have left, except (he (iray-headed, which is an unusual situation, sime they linger ordinarily well on toward (he end of .\pril. it is always a matter of interest (o no(e each winter lli.it. while a few Meadowlarks ri-inaii\ in I he rural disi rids about I )en\-er, it is seldom or never that oni" is seen in wind-r in our p irks, or within (he ci(y l)roper; (his spei ies reached (he \icinity of m> iioine about April 1, a dale close lo 234 Bird- Lore the average of the past eight years. I had anticipated and expected seeing them two weeks earlier. The American Rough- legged Hawk and the Northern Shrike were prompt in leaving on time, while the Mountain Bluebird was late in arriving, both in the outskirts and in the parks and city. All these remarks are based purely on my own personal observations and records, which might easily conflict with those of someone who had more time and opportunity for field work. The gist of all these remarks is that birds which I had looked for early arrived on time, or perhaps a little late, while species which I thought would leave for the North early, departed as usual, hence my opening paragraph. While driving about in the outskirts of the city on April 3, during a fairly heavy snowstorm, I was surprised to see several different flocks of Robins, at different times, migrating nortlnvard, despite the storm. It is probable that the storm was l)urely local, producing little, if any, effect on the birds as they traveled north. A heavy, extended snowstorm does otherwise: on April 9, 1913, the weather in Denver was ideal, and we had our usual number of Robins in our parks, but that night there occurred a heavy snowfall extending over a large area adjacent to Denver, and the next day was clear and cloudless. The city was found, at daylight, to be full of Robins. They remained all day in the city, began leaving shortly after sunset that night, and one could hear them call- ing, as they winged away, until late in the evening — in fact I heard them from my sleeping-porch until nearly midnight. The next day Denver's Robin population was again at its normal level. The mild weather here in March seemed to accelerate the nesting of three species: the Pine Siskin (March 22), the House Finch (March 24), and the Robin (April i). — W. H. Bergtold, Denver, Colo. TO AN UNSEEN SINGER (Acrostic) Why do you tempt me when I may not come? Have you no heart beneath that liquid voice, Insistent singer? Do you e'en rejoice, Persisting when the sleeping world is dumb? Persuade me not to try to find your home! Oh leave me to my work, for tho' my choice, O Temptress, were to follow you, the price Restrains me. Go, whence-ever you may come! Would you be quieted, or louder call If I should tell you that I toss, awake, List'ning to catch your song across the brake — Losing e'en that, and sleeping not at all? — Joseph Gavit %ook J^m^ mh iHebietoj; The Birds of Louisiana. By Stanley Clisby Arthur, Ornithologist, Depart- ment of Conservation. Bulletin No. 5, Department of Conservation, Slate of Louisiana, New Orleans, January, 1918. 8 vo. 79 pages; photographs and line cuts. The present paper hias been prepared, the author states, "in response to numerous requests from schools, nature teachers, bird lovers, and others. It is based in part on original observation, and also upon the lists of Louisiana birds by Beyer and by Kopman, and upon Howell's 'Notes on the Winter Birds of Northern Louisiana.' " It treats of 368 species and subspecies from a somewhat general point of view, there being practically no exact dates of arrival and departure of the migrator}' species. Brief descriptions of plumage and notes upon numbers and haunts make it a popular exposition of the Louisiana avifauna rather than a scientific treatise upon it. As such it should reveal to the residents of the state the wealth of their bird life and the responsibility resting upon them for the conservation of the water-fowl which winter in their waters. — F. M. C. Tales From Birdland. By T. Gilbert Pearson. Illustrations by Charles Livingston Bull. Doubleday, Page & Co., Garden City, New York. iquS. 12 mo. 237 pages; 46 line cuts and half- tones. In story form Mr. Pearson here recounts, sometimes the individual experiences, at others the more generalized history of a number of well-known birds. The method followed, while not obviously intended to convey reference book information con- cerning the species treated, seems much l)etter designed to hold the attention of youthful readers than a more formal pres- entation of the same facts. We especially like the local (olor of t lie stories fricniiis amfricaniis Bechstein,' reaches the conclusion (earlier advanced by Dr. L. B. llishop) that this Curlew is represented by two r;i(t's, amcricanus and occidentalis. We must con- fess we are far from being convinced that the question is correctly settled, in spite of the array of localities, dates, and figures iMCsented. Mr. Oberholser also presents a fifth instalment of 'Notes on North American Birds,' and a compilation entitled 'Third Annual List of Proposed Changes in the A. O. U. Check-List of North American Birds.' However, let not the rank and file despair, for the A. O. U. committee has never yet failed to reject less than about 50 per cent of all l)roposed changes. Mr. Richard C. Harlow continues his list of the birds of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and Mr. Raymond L. Dice con linues his on the birds of southeastern Washington. 'A New Species of Loon (Gavia viridigularls) from Northeastern Siberia' is descriljcd by Dr. J. Dwight. The various departments closing the issue are full of valuable items of informa- tion, and the list of those A. O. IJ. members tailed to the colors i'^ muih extended. — J. D. The Condor. — An interesting memorial, by W. K. Fisher, of Lyman Belding, one of California's pioneer naturalists, forms the opening article of the March number of 'The Condor.' It is accom- panied by an excellent portrait and a bibliography of 48 titles contributed by Joseph Orinnell. This is followed by an account of the habits of 'The Salt Marsh Vellow-throats of San Francisco,' by G. W. Schussler. Attention is called to the fact that the practice of truck gardeners of cutting wire-grass in the vicinity of Lake Merced for binding vegetables proi>ably results in the destruction of numbers of eggs and young and forces the birds to nest in the inaccessible tules in the lake or in the thickets higher up toward the banks. The continued article by Mrs. Bailey on ' Tlic Return to tlie Dakota Lake Region' is devoted mainly to the birds along Phalarope Slough and those ol)served from the farmhouse. Ray contributes an interesting account of I lie hinls of the Tahoc region cnlilled. Book News and Reviews 237 'Six Weeks in the High Sierras in Nesting Time,' and shows that some of the birds begin to nest the middle of May when snow is still on the ground. A month later (June 12) nests and eggs of Mountain Chickadees, Sierra Creepers, Williamson's Sapsuckers, Blue-fronted Jays, and Sierra Juncos were found at the base of Pyramid Peak, at an altitude of 8,000 feet, when the region was covered with deep snow. Under the title 'The Scarlet Ibis in Texas,' Sell reviews the mass of data relating to the local occurrence of this species and accounts for no less than nine mounted specimens said to have been obtained in the state. If these records are authentic, the bird is evidently not so rare in Texas as has been supposed. 'The Subspecies of the Oregon Jay' have recently been examined by Oberholser and Swarth independently, and the differ- ences in the conclusions reached by these two ornithologists are commented on briefly by Swarth. In 'Bird Notes from Forrester Island, Alaska,' made in igi/, Willett adds fifteen species to the island bird-list, including the Pink-footed Shear water and Brandt's Cormorant, recorded for the first time from Alaska. As a rcsuil of Held work in 191 7, in Mono and Inyo Counties, in the region east of the Sierras, Grinnell is able to add seven birds to the California list. Two of these, the Inyo Slender-billed Nuthatch {Silla c. tanuis- siina) from the Panamint Mountains, and a Hermit Thrush {Hylocichla g. polionola) from the White Mountains, are described as new subspecies; positive evidence is produced for the first time of the breeding of the Hroad-tailed Hummingbird in Cali- fornia, and the Roi ky Mountain Pigmy Owl, White-breasted Woodpecker. Chest- nut-collared Longspurand Mountain Tow- hee are species new to the state. -']'. S. P. V.\. iloRNKKu. — This recent addition tit the list of ornithological magazines is the organ of the Ornithological Society of La I'lata. It lakes its name from iiirnariiis rii/us, the Oven-bird, one of the most characteristic and well-known species of Argentina. riuis far only the first number of 'El Hornero,' dated October i, 191 7, has reached us. It outlines the admirable aims of the Society it represents for the protection of birds and for arousing an interest in them in Argentina and the neighboring countries, and contains a number of technical and popular articles. Roberto Dabbene, the well-known Curator of Ornithology in the Museo Nacional at Buenos Aires, and president of the Society, presents a summary, with illustrations and a key, of the Swifts of Argentina, and also contributes a paper on a collection of birds from the island of Martin Garcia in the Rio de la Plata. M. Doello-Jurado writes at length on the birds of Puerto Deseado off Patagonia. His extended notes on nesting-habits are accompanied by excellent photographs. Under the title 'Formacion del "Gabi- nete del Rey," ' Felix F. Outes gives some most interesting historical data concerning the earliest notices of South American birds and bird collections. Manuel Selva discusses in a suggestive manner a classification of birds based on haunts and nesting habits, and there are shorter notes by Pedro Serie, Hector Ambrosetti, and Roberto Dabbene which, together with several pages of news items, show that ' 101 Hornero' is not lacking in material for its pages. We wish this magazine and the Society of which it is the organ every possible success. — F. M. C. Book News Students of the coloration of i)irds will be interested in an article by iJr. W. H. Longley, entitled 'Studies upon the Bio- logical Significance of Animal (\»loration.' which appeared in 'The .\merican Natu- ralist' for May, 191 7 (pp. .'57--'85). "I'he Pluebird,' pul.li^-iud at Cleveland. ( )liio, announi es that on and after .April I its yearly subscription |)rice will bo increased to Si. 50, that single copies will be 15 cents, and that no free copies will be distributed. 23S Bird - Lore 2^irti=lLore A Bi-Monthly Magazine Devoted to the Study and Protection of Birds OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE AUDUBON SOCIETIES Edited by FRANK M. CHAPMAN ContributinK Editor, MABP:L0SG00D WRIGHT Published by D. APPLETON & CO. Vol. XX Published June 1, igi8 No. 3 SUBSCRIPTION RATES Price in the United Stales, one di. liar anil tiftvrentsa year; outside the United States, one dollar and seventy-five cents, postage paid. COPYRIGHTED, I918. BY FRANK M. CHAPMAN Bird-Lore's Motto: A Bird in I be Busb Is Worth Two in the Hand When the Birdcraft Sanctuary and Museum was evolved under the direction of Mabel Osgood Wright, some three years ago, we unreservedly expressed our belief that, in its field, the enterprise was one of the most important practical steps to promote an interest in the study of birds with which we were familiar. It required, indeed, very little imagina- tion to see the bright future which lay ahead of this novel attempt to combine a museum of dead birds with an exhibit of live ones. Nevertheless, we read with much satisfaction Mrs. Wright's report of the development of this enterprise and of its growing hold upon the locality in which it is situated. Birdcraft, having passed the experi- mental stage, is now a convincing demon- stration of what may be accomplished with a comparatively small outlay in any suburban community. It was not necessary to acquire square miles of territory — ten acres were enough — nor was a large and imposing edifice essential. A modest building, enlarged as circumstances required, has answered every purpose. Herein lies Birdcraft's chief value as an object lesson — it was not planned on a scale which prohibits duplication. What we now hope to see is the adop- tion of the Birdcraft idea throughout the country. Here is a mark for every public spirited nature-lover, Audubon Society, and bird club to aim at. One is not re- quired to advocate the adoption of a theory, for the greatest doubter must admit that Birdcraft has passed the theoretical stage. Here is an abiding place for the local natural history society, and a focal point in every phase of community life which has to do with nature. The value to any organization of a home where its interests may be developed and its possessions deposited is too well known to require comment. But we perhaps do not at first realize how greatly any group of people who are aiming to secure the support and cooperation of their neighbors for the common good, is strengthened by having an actual exhibit of what they stand for. The influence of the Birdcraft idea on children cannot well be overestimated. The very fact that, as Mrs. Wright says, it is a "rural, cottage affair" is all in its favor. A visit to a neighboring city with its great museum may be out of the ques- tion, but a local, village museum is always within reach. And the chances are that, so far as its collections go, more informa- tion will be gained from the small local, than from the large general institution. So far as we are aware no large museum in this country has solved the problem of making its exhibits speak. Infinite care has been devoted to labels and no pains spared to word them intelligently and print them clearly. But too often it happens that he who runs does not read and, at the best, the average mind soon tires in its search for information. Herein, in our opinion, lies the very e"5sence of Bird- craft's success. Its exhibits are not ex- pected to tell their story merely through the printed, but also through the spoken word. No Birdcraft then will be complete unless it includes, besides its specimens, stuffed and living, a caretaker, warden, or curator, call him what you will, who can and will speak with authority and sympa- thetic understanding of the student's difficulties, concerning the museum and sanctuary of which he has charge. Inci- dentally, such a position offers wide oppor- tunity for an intensive study of bird-life. SCHOOL DEPARTMENT Edited by ALICE HALL WALTER Address all communications relative to the work of this depart- ment to the Editor, 67 Oriole Avenue, Providence, R. I. AWAKE TO THE TIMES A familiar precept says: "Do the duty that Ues nearest thee." Never was this admonition more needed than now, when duties of many kinds crowd upon one, jostling one's accustomed habits of action, upsetting, as it were, for the moment, all preconceived ideas of personal preference and estimates of service. From all sides come instructions as to what to do, how to do, when to do, where to do, and from all sides, too, come appeals so urgent that only the selfish, indifferent, and idle can hear them and shirk the responsibility they impose. ¥ov the instant, one is swept from the familiar moorings of everyday routine, helplessly groping for some stable anchor. The kaleidoscopic changes in world- issues from day to day grow in number and intensity until one is forced to "speed up" every mechanism of mind and muscle, to keep abreast of the whirl- ing destinies of the nations. Once wide awake, however, to the fact that, shaken as we are to the very foundations of life, a sublime reconstruction of society is in the making, we look forward with hope to new ideals and a new goal. It is useless to try to prop up the old life so rapidly vanishing, or to attempt to understand the onrushing events, which outline daily more clearly the new life ahead, by means of processes now outgrown. The day has come when one and all must act together, think together and bridge over together the old and the new. Are you personally awake to the times? The scope of readjustment necessary to accomplish this personal reconstruc- tion is very broad, so broad, indeed, that it reaches out to the small interests of life as well as embracing the larger. In the storm of events of world-wide bear- ing through which we are passing, there may seem to be little place for bird- study and smaller need for effort in Audubon Society work. It is a mistake, however, to get the idea that ])Cople are too busy to pay attention to the birds or to nature in general either in the field or along educational lines. .\ moment's reflection will convince anyone of the importance and i)eiH'til of pushing steadily ahead in all of these undertakings. Two items fnnii the front are as good as more proof that bird-study and bird-work are of value tunc. Il is stated, on authority, thai Canaries, kej)! in llie Ireiuiies, deled the onrush of the loathsome and poisonous gases, which are a consianl menace lo millions of lives, before any human being is aware of ihe danger, and ihat thus these tiny songsters act as a safeguard, not only to st)ldiers, but also lo civilians in their neighborhood. (230) 240 Bird - Lore Of quite as great service, also, are the migrating and nesting birds, of which a member of an important commission, visiting the front, wrote: "In the lull of the booming artillery I heard the birds singing in the few remaining trees of the vicinity. It was the sweetest music that ever fell on my ears." This observer also made the statement that from an eminence where thirty- eight villages were visible before the war nothing is to be seen now except shell- holes and ashes, dotted here and there with patches of green containing rows of white crosses. Far below the surface of what once could be called the earth, but which now bears no resemblance to soil, are soldiers in trenches, some ol whom ha\'e not had even a day's furlough in fourteen months. What must the songs of wild birds, as well as of Canaries, mean to these dauntless heroes! What, too, must be the strength of the instincts of those feathered travelers from afar, who, returning to their accustomed haunts, find only here and there a stub of a tree, still struggling to put out leaves, where they may rest and break forth into song. The thought of the birds' constancy and cheer in those areas of utter desolation, where only soldiers remain, living like the cavemen of old, fills one with wonder and gladness. Recently, at an Audubon Society mass meeting in Tremont Temple, Boston, especial emphasis was laid upon the relation of birds to gardens, orchards, crops, and forests, and the unusual opportunity now before us of making this relation better understood and more widely appreciated. Without multiplying instances further, let the facts be accepted that birds are of probably greater value than before the war, and that there has never l)een a time when bird-study and bird-work were more needed, both objectively and subjectively, than now. In this connection three matters make a particular appeal at the moment of writing: First, is the i mmed iale }ieed oi estahMshmg the most practical relations between birds and man in agriculture. Thousands of home gardens are being made, in addition to the cultivation of thousands of extra acres for cereal crops. Birds can do much to help and somewhat to harm if left to themselves. An intelli- gent gardener, horticulturist, farmer or forester will study the birds which find their food and make their nests in his especial precinct, and after observing at first-hand their habits, will seek to take advantage of their helpful methods and to protect his fruits or crops in case he discovers any harmful practices on their part. To aid him, as well as to stimulate healthful competition in bird-study in the graded schools, the scheme of charting the food-supplies grown within stated areas, such as towns or counties, might verw profitably be undertaken. Charts of local areas should form the basis of county and state charts. In order to make the survey successful and the charts of value for purposes of actual comjiarison, the following points are suggested for the consideration of teachers or directors of Junior and Adult Audubon Societies. The Audubon Societies 241 1. Prepare correct outline maps of the state in which you live, having as many maps as there are counties in the state. 2. Prepare county maps on a scale corresponding to that of the state maps. 3. Indicate in different colors, on both state and county maps, the distribution of the principal food-crops of the state, such as grains, potatoes, hay, sugar, garden vegetables, etc., adding, also, forested areas, water areas, and orchards and forests. Study the dis- tribution of minerals and indicate the location of mines or veins of minerals. 4. When these maps have been carefully worked out in as complete a manner as possible, superimpose each county map, in its proper position, on a state map and study the result. 5. Take up towns and villages in the same manner, with reference to county maps, drawn to sufficiently large scale to be easily seen when hung on the wall. 6. Study these charts in detail, until you are clearly informed as to the natural resources of the state as a whole. 7. When the resources of your own state are exhausted, try comparing them with those of adjoining states. 8. So far as possible, determine the birds which are distributed in the various parts of any particular county, keeping a record of the habits and occurrence of each species with reference to gardens and cultivated areas throughout the state. Note particularly the differences in distribution of forested, wet and dry, cultivated and uncultivated areas. 9. Make a state, county, and town or village record of the average annual rainfall, snowfall, and extremes of heat and cold, and of humidity and aridity. 10. Study soils, learning to recognize different degrees of fertility by means of analyz- ing the composition of soils, and make a village or town chart, showing the location of fertile and infertile areas. Look up a few facts about the diiificulty of "clearing" land and of the rapidity with which neglected farms or gardens go back to a state of nature. If possible, assemble such village or town maps by counties, and then groups of county maps by states. Where possible, use modeling clay to make topographic maps instead of ordinary charts. 11. In a general way, gain an idea of the humid and arid areas in the United States and Canada, noting the location of forested areas, large bodies of water, average rainfall, snowfall, and extremes of temperature. Isothermal (equal heat) and isohyetal (equal rain- fall) charts are full of interest and are not difficult to understand. I 2. With this knowledge as a background, review the migration and nesting dis- tribution of our native birds. Try to find out some reasons why birds frequent the particular areas where they are most commonly found. Reference lo the followin"^ works will be helpful: Life Zones and Crop Zones of the United States, by Dr. C. Hart Merriam, Bulletin No. 10, Division of Biological Survey, U. S. Department of Agriculture. Laws of Temperature Control of the Geographical Distribution of Terrestrial Animals and Plants, by Dr. C. Hart Merriam, National Geographic Magazine, Vol. \'I, pp. 229-238. The Geographic Distribution of Animals and Plants in North America, 'S'earbook of the U. S. Department of Agriculture for 1894, pp. 203-214. Useful Birds and Their Protection, and also. Game Birds, Wild Fou'l and Shore Birds, by Edward H. Forbush, Massachusetts Department of .Agriculture. Consult the bibliographies in Chapman's Handbook of Birds of Eastern North A merica, and Color Key to North American Birds, Weed and Dearborn's Birds in Their Relation to A/aw, and also, Yearbooks of the U. S. Department of Agriculture, as well as bulletins and re[)orts [)ublished by State Departments of Agriculture. 242 Bird - Lore A second matter of unusual, indeed, of pressing iniportance at this time, is bird legislation. Scarcely a state is safe from the influence of various classes of selfish or ignorant and wilful people who want laws sufficiently lax to enable them to shoot, trap, or destroy birds and their eggs without penalty. Nowhere, apparently is the feminine public as yet educated to the necessity and desira- bility of eliminating the plumage of birds from hats. To destroy birds for the purpose of using their plumage as trimming for hats, or neck-scarfs and capes, is becoming more and more a crime against which every reasonable person should enter a protest. This spring, women of all ages and classes are appearing in hats decorated with wings, quills and elaborate feather-garlands ad nauseam, to say nothing of a superabundance of ornaments in the simiUtude of aigrettes, which are too inartistic to adorn the hat of anyone who has regard to her appearance. There is a warning we should all heed now, in the terrible and apparently unending destructiveness of war, and that is, that part of the depravity underly- ing such appalling waste comes from the encouragement of cruelty and UNLAWFUL PRACTICES in the economic world, of which every purchaser of a bird's feather on a hat, as well as of garments made in sweat-shops or by child-labor, is as much a part as the owners of stores or factories dealing in these articles or conscienceless dealers who profit by the plunder of natural resources at the ultimate expense of the public. The trade in bird's plumage is absolutely unjustifiable, involving, as it does, not only the destruction of a valuable natural resource, but, also, cruel practices which debase the ignorant or lawless creatures who are tempted to them for a pittance. Far greater progress has been made in raising the standard of conditions in factories than most people are aware of. It is easy to find practically ideal conditions in such places, and it is not difficult to point to very fair conditions, but in the matter of traffic in the plumage of birds, aside from that in ostrich plumes, nothing in favor of it can be said. It is a lasting disgrace to every woman that such a trafiic exists. Will the girls of this coming generation put the stamp of disapproval upon it and banish forever the plumage of wild birds from their wardrobe? Why not at this critical juncture lend our influence toward finding a means of support for the thousands upon thousands of refugees and crippled soldiers, who from now on will be forced to a restricted livelihood, by offering to adorn hats with simple but artistic ornaments which they could make? If we create such a demand, we might relieve an unlimited number ot cases of destitution and assist materially in lightening the burden ot the Red Cross and other relief societies, and even of governments. Everyone must have a chance to live, and we must learn to help more than ever before those who have been made helpless. The decoration of a woman's hat might become an insignia of noble service instead of a disgraceful badge of perverted vanity. Shall we redeem the The Audubon Societies 243 past by renouncing forever the traffic in bird's plumage and by substituting for it one which will bring hope as well as financial return to thousands who need our assistance? One further matter is urgent, and that is the training of nature-study teachers. Aside from the fact that many teachers have gone into government or relief service, there is an increasing need for well- trained instructors in nature- study. More than ever, the appeal of Nature comes now as a source of stable, safe, and sure comfort. In our present overwrought condition, everyone needs the cheer and healthful influences of outdoor life and associations. It will be wise, therefore, to make provision for this need by assisting teachers to take special training in l^ird- and nature- study work. ReaHzing this need, many of our summer schools are offering uncurtailed courses, in the face of large deficits. Will our State Audubon Societies not take up this matter and find out ways to enable teachers to attend these schools? This suggestion has been made before. It should not be overlooked. A. H. W. JUNIOR AUDUBON WORK For Teachers and Pupils Exercise XXXIX: Correlated with Home Gardening, Civics, History and Field Observation In a quaint old volume entitled 'Annals of Salem,' there are many references to the difficulties of getting a sufficient supply of food raised to save the pioneer population from distress in the early days when our country comprised but a thin fringe of seaboard colonies along the bleak Atlantic. Governor Endicott wrote to Governor Winthrop in 163 1 with reference to dismissing Court until the "corn be set": "Men's labour is precious here in corn setting time, the Plantation being yet so weak." Corn became so scarce, owing to insect pests, frosts, and droughts, that "many families in most towns had none to eat, but were forced to live of clams, cataos, dry fish, etc." In those early days the raising of wheat was an experiment, although the annalist observes that Massachusetts promised to become a wheat-growing colony. Then, as now, in times of food-shortage, "human selfishness was on the alert for gain, and benevolence cast into the back- ground," for the ignoble prolitecr was not an uncommon member of society. Gray squirrels were said to "devour the corn exceedingly," but no mention seems to be made of Crows. Some of the farmers dug trenches around their fields to protect the corn, and more especially, wheat and barley, from ravages of cankerworms. Under date of July 30, 1770, cankerworms were extensively destructive, even penetrating houses, rooms, and beds. "To hinder this an- noyance, houses were tarred." Several decades earlier, the Bishop of Lausanne 244 Bird - Lore "gravely pronounced sentence of excommunication against the multitudes of caterpillars which desolated his diocese." The annals continue: "None of our countrymen have believed in such means as efficacious. They have devised measures to destroy them all they could and then waited for their disappear- ance." There was a general impression that cankerworms ran out in seven years. At any rate "after 1S34 their numbers were smaller," and the apple-tree eventually furnished their favorite food. So destructive were some of these pests that fasts were held from time to time on account of caterpillars and "palmer worms." That the numbers of these insect foes were alarmingly great seems evident from the current reports of those who journeyed from one locality to another. Even making due allow- ance for exaggerated descriptions, it is hardly likely that anyone would write: "This summer multitudes of flying caterpillars arose out of the ground and from roots of corn, making such a noyse in the aire, that travellers must speak loud to hear one another, yet they only seazed upon the trees in the wilderness," unless great numbers of locusts were present. The struggles of our forefathers to establish an adequate and increasing food-supply, we, in our day and generation, shall never be able to realize. Without proper and time-saving implements, or sufficient fertilizing material, and probably with very little if any idea of intensive cultivation, their labors in productive agriculture were rigorous and more often than not, unrewarding. How ample to them would seem the food-supply of to-day, and how simple and easy the requirements for food-conservation laid down by our wise administrators! It is interesting to find references to nesting and transient birds in these forgotten annals of olden times. Writing to the Countess of Lincoln in 1631, Governor Dudley said: "Upon the 8 of March from after it was faire daylight untill about 8 of the clock in the forenoon, there flew over all the towns in our plantacons soe many flocks of doves, each flock conteyning many thousands and some soe many that they obscured the light, that passeth credit, if but the truth should bee written." Doubtless the "doves" mentioned were Pas- senger Pigeons, lost to us and to all who come after us. The migration of birds was little understood in those early days, so it is not surprising that the appearance of such large flocks of Pigeons was thought to portend some great event. How great the changes are that have come to our land since its pioneer settlement, we can grasp more clearly by studying graphic charts than by read- ing statistics. In the editorial of this number entitled, "Awake to the Times," is a suggestive outline by means of which fairly accurate comparisons of pres- ent conditions can be made. When }'ou have a general idea of these conditions, a mental picture, as it were, of the resources of your home state and adjoining states, add to it, from a study of early American history, such facts as will show The Audubon Societies 245 the progress made in agriculture, horticulture, farming, forestry and the con- servation of natural and cultivated resources. Some very startling discoveries will be made in the course of this study and some very hopeful signs. We have reached a point now, where everyone's duty is to become well informed as to the sources of the world's food-supply, and measures to increase and conserve it. SUGGESTIONS 1. Look up the meaning of isolhcymal and isohyctal. 2. Consult the Century Dictionary under the words palmer and palmer-worm. 3. Turn to the Bible under Joel i :4 and 2:25, also Amos 4:9, for further references to palmer-worms. 4. What is a tiiicid molh? What harm does it do to apple-trees in June? What is its !ar\al form? 5. See, also, in Century Dictionary cuts under coni-inol/i and hear [section 6, cut of common yellow bear-moth in its larval stagej. 6. Study the most common insect pests of our gardens and grain-fields; learn whether they are native (indigenous) or introduced, and, also, what species of birds destroy them. 7. Which grains are native and which are introduced? 8. Why is corn of unusual value and usefulness in the United States? The following lesson on the Blue Jay is an admirable outline to take up at this season. Similar lessons have preceded this and it would be well to refer to them again as well as to work out some lessons of your own. With the bulletins which are available through the federal and state Departments of Agriculture, no one need be at a loss to determine the common insect pests of this country. Make a special effort to correlate bird-study with the study of insects and \egetation. May every home-gardener succeed this season and every home- garden vield a store of knowledge as well as of food ! — A. H. W. Suggestive Lessons in Bird-Study THE BLUE JAY By WILLIAM GOULD VINAL ■Ilu' Rhode Island Normal School 1. FIELD OBSERVATIONS There is only one jjractical use to which you can put these suggestions. Make them the purpose for wood excursions, not for the class, but for individuals and small groups. No one should try to teach what he docs not know, but there is a great deal about a Blue Jay that one can know. You must catch the spirit before the lesson, and a single excursion into the woods of autumn or winter will give it. for the Blue Jay is a jicrmanent resident. You ought to hear his notes ring through the silence of the October frost! Stand still and see if \()u tan discoxer liis business. 1. In what sort of a localil> do you discover him? 2. Describe his method of flight. ,5. Does he walk or hop? 4. What docs he eat? 246 Bird -Lore 5. How do the other birds like him? 6. How does the Jay break off an acorn? 7. How does he open the acorn? 8. Where does he hide the acorns? [Birds' nests are more easily found in winter than in summer, and this is really the time to study them, as one can collect and observe them carefully without disturbing the tenants.] 9. Where do you find the Blue Jay's nest? 10. In what kind of a tree? 11. How high is it from the ground? 12. Where is it in the tree, on a branch or in a fork? 13. Is the nest easy to find? Why? 14. Of what material is it built? 15. How is the material arranged? 16. What holds the nest together? 17. In the spring try to find a Blue Jay building his home. Do both parents work at the nest-building? 18. When do they commence to build their nest? 19. How does the Jay get twigs? 20. Where are the twigs obtained and how carried to the nest? This is a kind of nature-test. It differs from most school studies in that the test comes right at the beginning of the subject. It is a test of the power to observe nature. Again, it gives the child an experience of his own. He has something interesting for conversa- tion. His own experience is really the only kind of a subject for him to write about. It gives him an opportunity for self-expression, something different from the phonograph method by which someone else's ideas are repeated. Do not let him put on smoked glasses or stuff cotton into his ears after he has observed these twenty points. It would be like planting twenty seeds in a garden and never looking at them again. Some naturalists have been observing the Blue Jay for fourscore years or more, and there are still new Blue Jay sounds and tricks to hear and see. Here, again, is the difference between book- study and nature-study. A test in the former ends the study, but in the latter it is simply opening the way for a lifelong examination, besides being a great deal more fun. By the latter method, one's failures are not proclaimed, and his successes are a point in pedagogy for other subjects. 2. BLUE JAY EXPERIENCES. (A Character Study) As I do not know the iiluc Jay experiences of other [)C()plc, I shall have to tell about mine. They started on a farm in South Scituatc, Mass. The Blue Jays were stealing the corn, and that was an unpardonable sin on the farm. There are four more chapters of this story of which I will simply give the titles: An Old Shot Gun; Concealed in the Bushes; Imitations of the Blue Jay's Call; A Dead Blue Jay. This paragraph would not have to be written had I been given the opportunities that boys and girls have to-day for bird-stud}'. Right here I want to say that I do not belittle the ojiportunitics of the farm. One has to know things to succeed on the farm. He must plant, harvest, prepare, and use. In the city it is a little mone}', a store, and a can-opener. If the city boy or girl wishes to share in the experience of the great out-of-doors, he only needs to step into the parks and use his senses. Thus he may acquire some real knowledge by observation, a funda- mental principle in education. As a farmer-boy I knew the Blue Jaj^ his haunts and his failings, and could call him The Audubon Societies 247 to any tree. What I needed was a teacher, someone to organize, direct, and guide (not stuff) my observations. The next notable Blue Jay experience that I recall was when I had a class on a field- trip. We went to a field to watch some Purple Crackles. One of the Crackles flew to a large elm tree, carrying a white grub which he had excavated from the ground. Just as the Crackle landed, a Blue Jay flew down, snatched the grub, and flew to another limb, where it proceeded to beat the worm against the tree. When this juicy morsel had been devoured, the Jay flew again, this time to where its nest was located. This whole picture was run off in about two minutes. The incident showed the thieving instincts and "cheek" of the bird, but at the same time his fondness for grubs. Wc had his character in a nutshell. The Blue Jay is also a big tease, at times a bully. The house across the street has a picket fence along the side of the lawn. One day in the fall we saw a cat sitting peace- fully on the upper ledge of the fence. Suddenly, two Blue Jays appeared on the scene. A CANADA JAY^ CALLER Photographed by Mr. Wm. G. \inal They flew back of the cat and perched three or four feet away, from time to time swoop- ing down at it, being perhaps within a foot above it. The starting-point was a maple tree that shaded the fence. Now and then the birds would call y<;.v-7(/y-7(;y. The whole performance seemed to be a game, and was seen at two different times and several months apart. In .Si'ptcml)cr, 1916, T went on a trij) to \cw Brunswick. It was a "camera hunt," which is much more fun than shooting with a gun. The cruise led twenty-four miles from the nearest house and settlement, right into ihe woods on the headwaters of the .Miramichi. Our party found quarters at an old abandoned lumber camp. On a fishing- ing-lrip up the Little Dungavon one day, wc cooked our noon meal at the junction of two streams. I'rom our (ornmeal allowance wc hafi made some bannock. It was con- sidered nil her \aluable, since we had 'luted' uur prDxisiun-. mi our bai ks, i arr\iiii: enuuL'h 248 Bird - Lore for a week which is quite a lug. 1 hud forded one of the streams to get some dry wood for the fire, and, upon turning toward the place where our provisions were spread out, I saw a bird making away with our golden bannock. I decided that if it tasted as good to the bird as it did to me, he would return, so I hid in the tall grass and focussed my camera on a tin cup which held the disputed food. I did not have to wait long before he came back. Without following even woodsman etiquette, this feathered messmate tried to stand on the rim of the cup, which upset both of our plans, blurring the picture I tried to make. Such little unexpected or unplanned incidents, however, only add to the excitement. This was the first time that I had ever seen the bird, but I remembered its picture and knew that it was the Canada Jay. On returning to civilization (?) we learned that the lumbermen call it the Moose-bird. In some parts it is called Meat Hawk, Carrion-bird or Whiskey-Jack. Kennicott suggests that its Indian name, Wiss- ka chon, was probably contorted into Whiskey-John and thenceto Whiskey-Jack. Many of the strange noises we heard in camp, near sundown, were undoubtedly not bears or wildcats but the Moose-bird. We later made friends at camp. I would place bait on one of the lumber-camp stools and sit eight feet away on another, ready to shoot with the camera. As the picture shows, the bird had no fear of the revolver. The bird ate a little and then would carry off a large piece. He gave a sort of whining tone as he returned from one tree and then another. Picking up an acquaintance with city Blue Jays is easier than one would suppose. Last spring one sunflower seed was planted near our grape-arbor. The Blue Jays came regularly to get the sunflower seeds. To take a picture I placed the camera near the grape- arbor and had a thread leading into the house. When the Jays came I pulled the thread. Next year we plan to have a row of sunflowers by the arbor for the Blue Jays. My last experience was in a Providence park, while taking the picture of a Blue Jay's nest. An old gate was used for a ladder, and after I had climbed up into the tree, a Jay came and perched overhead. Soon I saw another Jay coming down the path. Both Jays had a sort of military bearing, with their blue uniforms, white collars, and black belts. The patrol of the branches, however, was more alert than his mate below, and I was not called upon to explain my presence in the tree. 3. BLUE JAY ECONOMICS. (Debit and Credit Account) My early impression of Jay morals was that they were not as 'true blue' as the bird's dress. I am not so sure now but what the Jay had a right to some of the corn. Audubon pictures a Jay sucking an egg and writes: "I have seen it go its round from one nest to another every day, and suck the newly laid eggs." Barrows, however, in 'Michigan Bird-life,' says that these robberies are restricted to particular Jays and are not general. Forbush, in 'Useful Birds and Their Protection' says that "Jays eat the eggs of the tent caterpillar moth and the larva; of the gipsy moth and other hairy caterpillars." He concludes that it should not be allowed to increase at the expense of smaller birds. Prof. F. E. L. Beal, in the bulletin entitled, 'The Blue Jay and its Food' (published by U. S. Department of Agriculture), says: "Jays do not eat the seeds of the poison ivy {RIiks radicans) or poison sumac {Rhus vcrnix)." The Blue Jay helps in forestation by planting seeds of various trees, such as nuts and the like. Thus, on the whole, and aside from the enjoyment we get from his beautiful color, his neighborliness and cheery call, we may say that there is a great deal to be added to his credit account, and that he is a good friend to man. 4. THE BLUE JAY IN LITERATURE What facts do the different poets tell us about the Blue Jay? Could you appreciate what they write if you had not heard and seen the Jay? The Audubon Societies 249 Pick out the words that describe him. This is what a few writers think the Jay says: Flagg: Dilly-lily. Hoffman: Djay djay, tee-ar tec-ar Iccrr, too-whcrdlc loo-U'hccdlc, which suggests the creaking of a wheelbarrow. Matthews: J-aa-y j-aa-y, ge-rul-lup, ge-nil-lup, hcigh-ho. Samuels: Wheeo-wheeo-wheeo. Scton: Sir-roo-tlc, sir-roo-tic, sir-roo-llr. "Blue Jay, Clad in blue with snow-white trimmings." — Fr.\nk Bolles. The Blue Jay "Blows the trumi)ct of winter." — Thore.'\u. "The brazen trumj) of the impatient Jay." — Thorkau. "The Robin and the Wren are flown, but from the shrub the Jay, And from the wood-top calls the Crow through all the gloomy day." — Bryant. "Proud of cerulean stains From heaven's unsullied arch purloined. The Jay screams hoarse." GiSBORNE. "He who makes his native wood Resound his screaming, harsh and rude, Continuously the season through; Though scarce his painted wing you'll view With sable barred, and white and grey. And varied crest, the loncl}^ Jay!" — Bishop Manx. FOR AND FROM ADULT AND YOUNG OBSERVERS COMMUNICATION FROM CANADA Would \'()U care to hear from a rural school in Ontario which, lhroti<,'h a circular received from the Uniled States, got into touch with the Audubon Association and has now a very interesting Junior Audubon Society? We l)cgan our meetings in the s])ring of IQ16, using the leallet supplied when in the classroom, and following our own bird friends when lime and weather ])cTniitted working outside. All the pui)ils in tin- school who were old enough (Iwenly-si.x) became members, but we had a failiiful and interesting following among the younger pupils. Last spring we held a meeting in our classroom, to which |)arenls and Iriends were invited. The room was decorated with evergreens.'! )ird-hou.ses, a collec- tion of nests made in the late fall, and our colored bird-pictures. 2SO Bird -Lore The program consisted of solos and duets, both vocal and instrumental, choruses, readings, and an address by our president (a boy of thirteen), outlin- ing the nature of our Society and the work covered. Several pupils had colored the drawings provided with the leaflets, and prizes were given publicly for the three best. The parents and friends have, as a result, taken more interest in us and the subjects of our study. Our 1917-18 meetings have proved more enjoyable than thoseof the previous year, and we are planning a public meeting for this coming spring which we feel sure will add to the interest taken in our feathered friends. As teacher of the school I very much appreciate Bird-Lore. The children find it most interesting. — Amelia Lear, Courtice, Ontario, Can. [The writer of this admirable report says: "In many ways I feel a stranger to the Association (Audubon) and its ideals, but hope to become better acquainted by the close of 1918." It has been suggested before in this Department that an exchange of greetings and reports of work and common interests of study between schools in this country and other countries would be helpful and especially stimulating. Will some Junior Audubon Society in the United States enter into correspondence with the school in Courtice?— A. H. W.] NESTLING CHIPPING SPARROWS Some Chippy Sparrows built their nest in a potted tree next to the house, and a few weeks ago they flew from the nest. It was in the morning, and as I walked past their nest out they flopped. I was afraid they would be hurt or even killed but they were not. I then sat down to watch them. One of them hopped up into my lap and as it seemed so tame I had its picture taken with the other two. There were four in all, but we could not find the other one. The one that sat on my finger was so tame that I could feed it bits of bread. When I went in I set it down in the shade of a bush, and when I came back it was gone. — Helen Grew. [It is characteristic of many young nestlings which are just ready to fly that a slight disturbance will cause them to spring prematurely out of the nest. When this occurs, it is an extremely difficult matter to return them to the nest, but it is often possible by patient care to place the nestlings where the parents can easily find and feed them. A young Baltimore Oriole was picked up and brought to the writer recently, and although quite a distance from the place where it was found, it was returned to a bough near the spot where it was first discovered and after twenty minutes of "cheeping" on the part of the little orphan, the male bird arrived with food. — A. H. W.j INTERESTING EXPERIENCES I thought that you might be interested to know how a female Red-eyed Vireo once proved to me her courage and devotion. I was out one afternoon with a party, assembled for the purpose of study- The Audubon Societies 251 ing birds, when we ran across the Vireo's nest, about five feet from the ground in a small tree. We moved a little closer, and focused our glasses upon the bird, and there she was sitting upon the nest. The leader of the party moved still further toward the tree, and although he did not wish to frighten or dis- turb her, he did want to test her courage. I do not believe that he was more than twelve inches from her before she flew away. Her courage, in my mind, was remarkable, and the sense of duty which she showed in guarding and car- ing for those eggs is a good lesson by which human beings may profit. Just the other day I witnessed a sight about which I have often read. The leader of the party about which I have just spoken called my atten- tion to a female Oven-bird in the grass near where we stood. Upon approach- ing she flew away, keeping about a foot from the ground and spreading her right wing while she did so. I was then informed that she was making out to be wounded, so that we should follow her and so draw our attention from her young ones. Sure enough, there were the young birds in the grass, with onlv a few feathers on. It is interesting to note such incidents as these, and I think that one can have great success in observing birds with a bird-bath. I simply purchased a large, inexpensive pan, and put it in a place which I had dug in the ground to fit it. Then I sprinkled a little gravel in the bottom, put a few stones around the edge, and filled it with water. I had fixed the pan so that one end was shallower than the other. Soon I observed the birds bathing in it. They would very timidly hop first upon the stones on the edge, and then, gradually becom- ing more courageous, they would plunge into the water. It is very amusing when a particularly large Robin takes a very long bath and uses the whole tub, splashing about, while four or five smaller birds are impatiently waiting on the edge for this most important individual to complete its toilet. — W. W. Hall, Jr. (Age 13 years), Buckhill Falls, Fa. [It is always a pleasure to receive observations which have been made at first-hand in the true spirit of inquiry. Concerning; the fear of brooding birds, Mr. Herrick explains to us in his study of the 'Home Life of Wild Birds,' the ditTerent stages of timidity and courage through which parent birds pass while nesting. In studying the habits of birds always be careful not to disturb birds which are about to nest or which are just be- ginning to brood. Later, as they become more attached to the nest and eggs, they usually show less fear. — A. H. W.] SLATE-COLORED JUNCO By T. GILBERT PEARSON Clje Rational ^£f£(ociation of Hububon Societies; EDUCATIONAL LEAFLET NO. 96 ''A ^^^^a^i^^ coming of autumn Ijrings many changes in ' I ^] the bird world. The Orioles and Tanagers depart. I|^m4 The Warblers leave and other familiar birds of A f I^Dl summer disappear. ■^ IflH Then comes the White-throated Sparrow, the HB|| -^^^^ Tree Sparrow, the Sapsucker, and other visitors ^Hjjj^^. from the North. Among these new arrivals, but ^^^BP not the first to appear, is the Slate-colored ^^SJMBfe^ Junco. In thousands of dooryards they are WSm^m^^^^ rarely seen until the first fall of snow. Upon looking out of the window sorne morning one - , may see a dozen or more little birds flying about in the shrubbery or hopping around the doorway, looking for seeds or stray crumbs. Other small ■ ^. -- . birds have this habit at times, but by the follow- ing signs you may know the Junco: It is very nearly the size of an English Sparrow, with this difference, its body is not so large and its tail is slightly longer. Its general color is dark gray, except the belly, which is white. The bill is flesh- color, and when it flies white feathers are shown at the sides of the tail. This description fits no other bird. Bear these points in mind, and you cannot miss recognizing the Junco when he comes to visit you. This little bird of the winter has many friends. Coming as it does at a season when other birds are few, and visiting the dooryard, as it frequently does, there is small wonder that many people know it and hail with pleasure its appearance from year to year. 'Snowbird' it is often called. After the summer birds, and the migrants that are with us only for a time, have departed, and the bird-life has settled down to the usual scant winter population, the Juncos appear more in evidence than when they first arrived late in September. Then you will find them associated in flocks numbering from ten to flfty or more along the roadside skirted by thickets or in overgrown fence corners. Fields grown up in shrubbery and the borders of woodlands are also favorite haunts for these small winter neighbors. Here you will see them hop- ping about on the ground or alighting on limbs or stakes. Always they seem to be in such places that upon the call of danger they can dart, by a short flight, into the friendly cover of shrubbery or trees. (252) 'J- y ' ^h- > / -^ i SLATE-COLORED JUNCO Order- Passkrfs Famlly-FKiNaii.LiD/n Ceniis-JuNLO Spocles-HYRMAi is National Assorlation of Aii(iiil' and respectfully requested. (Signed) F. Gilpin H. L. Hall Theodore Rouault, Jr." The above statements were not corrct t in at least one particular, as the National Association of Audubon Societies had not withdrawn its opposition, and these gentle- men were so informed. Mr. Gilpin came to New York for a conference with the writer in the hope thai the one remaining obstacle might be re- moved. He proved to be a very broad- minded gentleman, greatly interested in conservation, and in the end stated that if he could not secure this concession from the GoNcrnmcnl he was quite willing to (onlribute toward the maintenance of the warden which the Audubon Associa- tion hopes soon to see placed on Stinking Lake. After this the end came speedily. Mr. Gato Sells, Commissioner of Indian Affairs, under date of May 2, 1918, wrote the fol- lowing letter: .1/y dnir Mr. Pearson: This will refer further to the question of granting a permit to the Jicariila Wild Game Sanctuary Association for the privilege of establishing a shooting pre- serve on Stinking Lake, on the Jicariila Indian Reservation. I have carefully considered this matter, and, in view of the circumstances, I do not deem it advisable to permit any shoot- ing whatever on Stinking Lake, and have accordingly notified the Superintendent. There is enclosed a copy of instructions to the Superintendent as to the steps to be taken with regard to the granting of shoot- ing privileges on other lakes on this reservation. The letter of instructions to which he refers follows: Mr. Chester E. Faris, Supt. Jicariila Agency. My dear Mr. Faris: The question of granting a permit to the Jicariila Wild Game Sanctuary Associa- tion for the privilege of establishing a shoot- ing preserve on Stinking Lake has been carefully considered, and it has been decided to deny the privilege requested by that Association. In view of the exceptional natural advantages afforded for the breeding of wild birds on Stinking Lake, I do not deem it advisable to permit any shooting what- ever on this lake, and you are hereby directed to prohibit all shooting, either by whites or Indians, and you are requested to exercise every precaution to enforce this ruling. You are hereby authorized to grant jjermits to responsible parties for shooting privileges on oilier lakes on the reservation, such shooting to conform with the Federal law as to the season for shooting birds, and to conform with the State Law in respect to the bag-limit which may be taken. It is not deemed advisable to grant any pre- ferred privileges to any parties or associa- tions in the premises. In this connection you are requested to submit vour views and recommendations The Audubon Societies 259 as to the promulf^ation of regulations which may be deemed suitable for the govern- ing of the shooting privileges under i)ermits to be issued by you as instructed above. Sincerely yours, (Signed) Cato Sells, Commissioner. Approved: April 30, iqiS. Alexander T. Vogelsang, First Assistant Secretary. The Biological Survey, ever heljiful in such matters, already has a man on the ground trapping such predatory animals as are injurious to the breeding wild fowl and will, this summer, have a man investigating further the bird-life of the region. Stinking Lake is now a bird sanctuary and is the only one of the first importance over a vast area of our southwestern country. Its value as a breeding-place for Ducks and as a haven of refuge for them during migration can hardly be over- estimated. A BIRD HOSPITAL By DR. W. For a number of years my attention has been directed to the large numbers of maimed birds ever present here in Colorado Springs, and greatly augmented after the migratory waves of bird-life in the spring- time and early autumn. That it was within my power to e.xtend to these un- fortunates a rescuing hand did not grasp my mind until one day a tender-hearted lassie brought to me a Nighthawk with a broken wing, and with tearful voice shot at me the question, "Doctor, can't you make this bird's broken wing well just as you do the broken arms of the little boys and girls?" This opened a door into a new world in which I have now been revel- ing for several years, deluged with delights and surprises foreign to ordinary mortals, and solving the mystery of eternal youth. A commodious aviary was erected, answering the purposes of a general hospital, where the aerial voyagers, arrested in their journeys to and fro across the country by some unfortunate accident, are cared for as tenderly as though so many children. When recovered from their disabilities, these feathered patients are given their liberty, returning to their accustomed haunts in life, and taking up again their numerous a( tivities in behalf of the welfare and happiness of mankind. These feathered patients very (iui( kly adjust themselves to the novelty of the shut-in life of the hospital, and, by the lime the repair processes arc completed, have become contented and gentle. The intimate relationship established ■W. ARNOLD with the birds, while ministering to the relief of their various disabilities, reveals phases and secrets of bird-life obtainable in no other way and flashing with constant surprises. The varieties of feathered patients brought to the hospital represent about all the bird families of the Pikes Peak region. STLHHV, A HLA< k HKADKI) OROSRKAK WinK anil Ick broken l»y gunshot. Wins rccov- trcd, foot amputated. Has been in the hospital four or five years. found in summer and winter, from the rare and fairylike t'alliope Hummingbird, the common Tern, a rare visitor of the region, to the Raven and (iolden F.agle. .\ very satisfactory percentage of the injured birds recover and are sent back WESTERN MEADOWLARK Gunshot wound of wing. Recovered m ONE DAY'S WORK BY THE MURDEROUS CAT (260) YOUN'G CALLIOPE HUMMINGBIRD, THIRD RK( nkh I SMALLEST PATIEM Kl DMI Al- 11.11 I 1,11 K IK WiriK Irokcn by contact with telephone wire. Rvcovcrcs for the boys in France. It is for the battalion which guards the cotton crop which is used for surgical purposes and for gunwads. It is for the battalion which saves our forests from which we get the lumber to build great ships and air-planes. "The birds have been officially recog- nized by the United States Government for their valuable aid to agriculture and horticulture. This fountain is placed here as our personal recognition of their value." The fountain is made of artificial stone. It is five feet in height, with an octagonal base six feet in diameter. Two Pelicans are so moulded as to form the shaft support for the center basin. The bowl is three inches deep and twenty-six inches in diameter. Within the bowl, as if just alighting, is an American Bittern with a tiny fish in its beak. The water flows from the mouth of the fish into the bowl and overflows into the octagonal basin, which is three-quarters of an inch deep and raised four imhcs from the ground. Bird Day in South Carolina The following proclamation has been issued by the Governor of South Carolina: Whereas, May 5 is a popular day for Bird Day throughout the United States, and Whereas, Science proves that insectiv- orous birds arc the destroyers of iioxious weeds and insects that injure our food and textile crops; experience proves that game- birds may be made a valuable adjunct to our food-supply; and sentiment proves that song-birds minister to our happiness, and Whereas, It is especially important that we educate our children and i)rolect our birds in order to foster our resources in time of war: Now, therefore, I. Richard I. Manning Governor of South Carolina, do hereby designate Monday, May 0. iqiS (since .^hly 5 falls on Sunday) as Bird Day for the current year in South Carolina, and refpiest the Superintendents and Teachers of the Public Schools of the State to observe said day and to devote it to the formation of Bird Clubs among the children of (uir schools for the |)urposc of ct)- o])erating with the Slate Game Depart- ment in the protection of these feathered friends of mankind. ?66 Bird - Lore Given under my hand and the seal of the State this twenty-first day of April of the year igiS A. D. Richard I. Manning, Governor of South Carolina "Bobbie in Birdland" "Wc have just given with success the play 'Bobbie in Birdland.' Our costumes for this were especially effective. They were made by the Household .\rts and Home Economics Department of our school, and they, together with the bird- notes made bj' our boys behind the scenes, made the birds seem very real. I wonder if tlierc are not other Audubon Clubs which would like to rent these costumes in pre- senting the same play. Our town, which had never taken any very great interest in birds before, was thoroughly aroused on the subject. The children are all imitating the birds." (Signed) Mrs. ¥. C. BiviNS, Durham, N. C. NEW LIFE MEMBERS Enrolled from March 1 to May 1, 1918 Adams, Joseph Ainsworth, Mrs. H. A. Bailey, Mrs. Charles Ball, ]Miss Susan L. Battles. Miss C. Elizabeth Brownson, ]Mrs. Willard H. Bushnell, Mrs. Harriet L. Cate, Mrs. Isaac AL Cooper, Mrs. Theresa B. Dietz, Mrs. C. N. Elser, Albert C. Emerson, Mrs. G. ]). Fortmann, Henry E. Garrett, Mrs. P. C. Gelpcke, Miss A. C. Gelpcke, Miss Marie Gribbel, Mrs. John Hamilton, Mrs. H. R. Hamilton, Mrs. W. P. Hansen, Miss Emilic L. Henderson, William Hubby, Miss Ella E. Tselin, Mrs. C. Oliver James, EUerton Lauder, Miss E. S. Liesching, Bcrnhard Loring, Miss Helen McCormick, Mrs. R. T. McKim, LeRoy Minshall, Miss' Helen Morgan, J. P., Jr. Mott, Mrs. John B. Norrie, Mrs. E. L. Breese Parsons, Mrs. J. D., Jr. Perkins, Mrs. Gilman H. Pope, Willard Powers, Thomas H. Procter, Mrs. Wm. C. Rogers, Miss Julia Sarmiento, Mrs. E. J. Shepard, Mrs. Elizabeth D. Short, William Sloane, Henry T. Smith, Erancis D. Strong, Mrs. J. R. Velie, Charles D. Whiting, Miss Gertrude. During the same period there were also enrolled 154 new Sustaining Members and 12 new Contributors. CONTRIBUTORS TO THE EGRET FUND March 1 to May 1, 1918 Previously acknowledged . . .Mien, Miss Edith H Allen, Miss Mary P .\nonymous .Vuchincloss, Mrs. E. S. . .\yres, Miss Marj' A Babson, Mrs. Caroline W. Bainbridge, Mrs. M. H. . iiarnes, R. Magoon . . Bates, Clifford L Ba.xter, Miss Lucy W. . . . Bird Lovers' Club (Brooklyn) . liliss. Miss Lucy B Bridge, Mrs. Lidian E. . . . .$i,0oo 05 1 00 2 40 4,35 00 5 00 5 oc 1 oc 5 00 10 GO 5 00 5 00 2 00 4 00 10 00 Brown, T. Hassal $10 00 Browne and Nicholas Bird Club 18 20 Campbell, Donald 3 00 Chittenden, Mrs. S. B 2 oc Christian, Miss Susan 10 oc Cohen, Judge William N. . . . 5 00 Davis, \Iiss Lucy B 3 oc Detroit Mird Protecting Club 5 oc DeXormandie, James 5 00 District of Columbia Audubon Society 5° 00 Douglass, Mrs. Charles .... S 00 Durham, J. E 2 00 Embury, Miss Emma C. . . . 5 co The Audubon Societies 267 Evving, Mrs. H. E Ferris, Miss Ida J Flint, Mrs. Alonzo "Friend" Gault, B. T Grasselli, Miss Josephine. Greene, A. E Gwalter, Mrs. H. L Hage, Daniel S Hager, George W Hodenpyl, Anton G Hodgman, Miss Edith M. , . Hungerford, Richard S. . . Hunter, Mrs. W. H Hunter, William T., Jr. . Jackson, P. T., Jr James, Mrs. Walter ii. Johnson, Mrs. Eldridge R. . Joslin, Ada L Knowlton, Mrs. Mvra R. Marshall, Mrs. E. O Milwaukee Downer ColU Students Moore, Robert Thomas . . . Murray, J. Irwin, Jr Netherland Societ\- for Protec- tion of Birds Oppenheim, Myron 11. Parker, Edward L Petty, E. R Phinney, Charles G. . . Potts, Mrs. William M. . . Putnam, Mrs. A. S Randol])h, Evan Rca, Mrs. James C. Reeves, Dr. William ('. Rich, Master Howard E. Robbins, Miss X. P. H. . Robbins, Mr. and Mrs. R. E Rowe, Mrs. Henr\ E. . . . Russell, Mrs. Wiliiam \). Savage, .\. E Seattle .\udubon Society Shepard, Mrs. Elizabeth 1). Stanton, Mrs. T. (i. ... Struthers, Miss Marv S. . . Tate, J. M., Jr. . .' . Topliff, Miss .\nna E. . Varicle, Miss ReneO Warlsworth, Mrs. W. .\ustin Whitney, Thomas IE . 'I'olal $2 00 I 00 I 00 5 00 2 00 2 00 ^ s° 4 oc I 00 .5 00 10 00 3 00 10 00 2 00 I oc 25 00 TO 00 10 00 2 00 10 00 I 00 i.S 00 50 00 I oc 5 00 I 00 50 00 5 00 3 00 .S 00 r 00 .S 00 2 .so TO 00 5 00 A 00 10 00 10 00 2 oc 5 oc ,^o 00 .SO 00 2 00 10 00 1 00 .T 00 2 00 ^ 00 s 00 />4l -2 5 Letters from Young Bird Students The class is studying about i)irds. 1 will tell you how the bird I am lliiiiking of looks. It is the Chickin Hawk. lie is the color of the Irei's antect the birds? What kin«l have you? We have been studying ab<)ut birds for three days and I am very much interesteii in them. — i-.nirii .\. S(iii;i.i.v, CliVilitnJ, Ohio. JOIN THIS ASSOCIATION AND HELP THE CAUSE OF BIRD-PROTECTION! l^ The Educational Leaflets OF THE National Association of Audubon Societies ^ The best means of learning the birds of your neighborhood, and of teaching your children. ^ Each leaflet describes the habits and utility of one bird, and contains a detached colored plate and an outline sketch of its subject. ^ The Colored Plates are faithful portraits of the birds, yet treated artistically, as is shown by the ex- amples in the border. No better pictures of their kind exist. (Plates not sold separately.) ^ The Outlines are unshaded copies of the plates, intended to be colored — the best method of fixing facts in a young mind. ^ These leaflets, 94 in number, are sold at 3 cents each. A list of these Leaflets, and other publica- tions, will be sent on request to the National Association of Audubon Societies 1974 Broadway, New York City / ^■ SUBSCRIBE TO THE MAGAZINE BIRD - LORE COLORED PLATES ONE DOLLAR AND A HALF A YEAR ,a^»'^^^' 1. NORTHERN SHRIKE. Adult 2. NORTHERN SHRIKE. Young 3. LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE (One-half natural size) 2^irb=1tore A BI-MONTHLY MAGAZINE DEVOTED TO THE STUDY AND PROTECTION OF BIRDS Official Organ of The Audupon Societies Vol. XX July— August, 1918 No. 4 Notes on the Nesting of the Nashville Warbler By H. E. TUTTLE, Lake Forest, 111. With photographs by the Author IT WAS mid- June at Lake Forest, 111., and a heaviness hung in the air laden with the sweetness of the clover fields. My bird-season was draw- ing to a close. I was strolling along a steep side hill, where birches and azalea bushes made the walking difficult when, from between my feet, there fluttered forth a little green bird which flew swiftly into the tops of the birches and disappeared without a note of protest. To make assurance doubly sure I looked for a nest and presently found it — a grassy cup set in a bit of moss under a bunch of drifted leaves and crisp twigs. Wintergreen leaves and the withered ends of the spring's arbutus carpeted the immediate surroundings. So well hidden was it that I had to remove the roof of dead leaves, better to take my pictures. When the five eggs had hatched, I returned with an umbrella tent which I set up within a yard of the nest and inside of w^hich I installed my camera. Even as I did so I had my second glimpse of the bird and knew it for the Nash- ville Warbler. Leaving the tent to convince her by its lifelessness of the innocency of my intentions, I wandered down the side hill to an open glade where the Towhee nested under the dead bracken, and the Indigo Bunting among the young sprouts, and where the tiresome lay of the Chestnut-sided Warbler rose like a fountain day and night. An hour later I revisited the bhnd and discovered the Nashville quietly brooding. Slipping under its far side, I was soon inserting a plate-holder, and shortly after took a ten-second exywsure of the bird. I made other exposures of equal length, and in only one out of four did she move, and this was because a young bird underneath tried to change its position. A lazy little song from the birch lops, which caused the Uttle green bird on the nest to jerk her head up quickly and fly away, led me to believe that Nashville pire was not overmuch interested in his growing family. In a few moments his better half was back with a hunch of green cater- 270 Bird - Lore pillars, all cut into short lengths— or so they seemed— and delivered them to the open mouths that greeted her. The shutter clicked, but she no longer minded that, for as an extra precaution I had clicked the shutter incessantly "THE NASHVILLE QUIETLY BROODING' until she ceased to jump at the sound, before I had inserted the first plate- holder. Of course there were lots of failures— plates were fogged, the Nashville moved too quickly, or the light was poor— but there were good pictures, too, a reward for sitting hunched up under an unbrella with one knee crooked Notes on the Nesting of the Nashville Warbler 271 about a sapling in order to stay on the hillside and endure in silence the friendly ants which crawled down the back of my neck, not to speak of mosquitos whose number was legion. The nest was in deep shadow during the greater part of the day, and, in consequence, I attempted slow exposures when the bird brooded and, of necessity, faster shots when she stood on the edge of the •i)i:i.i\ I, Ki;ii 1 11 KM II' 1 HI •i;\ Mori'Hs riiAT (iKr.i:ri:i) iikr ■ nest or fed the young. Once the sun struck so^full on the small l)irds thai I had to erect a little sunshade of dry leaves to shield them from the heat. The Warblers (for though I could not identify him positively, I am sure the male must have shared in providing the larder) delivered food on an average of every three and a f|uarter minutes, with an occasional interval of five minutes or longer. The nest was cleaned e\ery third or fourth trip. I find only one unusual habit scribbled into my lield notebook. "Sometimes the 272 Bird - Lore bird pokes its bill deep into the grasses of the nest's bottom, poking and shov- ing hard against the lining until I can plainly hear the impact." The Nash- ville's chestnut crown, so prominent in the descriptions of the bird-books, is a more or less concealed patch, like the Kingbird's, or perhaps the male alone shows it to advantage and I was wrong in supposing that he shared in the domestic duties. I never saw a real touch of brown, or even a suggestion of it, except once, and then before I could make sure the bird had flown, this, too, although my observations were made at a distance of twelve inches. The Nashville was not an expert at broken winged tactics when driven from the nest, but soon desisted and flew into a nearby bush, where she lisped a monotonous protest. There were few disturbances in the bird-life of the birch hillside. Once, at a most awful outcry among the denizens of the open glade, I lifted the tent flap, whereat a big Red-shouldered Hawk vaulted upward from a low birch tree and left for fresh woods and pastures new. I used the blind at intervals during three days, and then, having secured as many pictures as I wanted, I picked up my tent and wandered out of the birch thickets into the dusty road. The nesting season was over as far as I was concerned, and, in spite of the mosquitos and exploring ants, I was sorry. But before many days I paid a farewell visit to the Nashvilles. Where the azaleas gave way before the ranks of the white birches, there was desolation wrought. Whether a stray cat, curiously following the trail of a man, had in the stillness of the nighttime scooped Nashville mother and half-fledged young from the depths of their grassy nest, only the birch trees know. THE BLUE JAY'S WHEATLESS DAY Photographed by Ansel B. Miller, Springs, Pa. How I Mothered a Pair of Hummingbirds By P. GREGORY CARTLIDGE, Oregon City, Ore. THE trees, shrubs, and vines about my Oregon home grow in such pro- fusion that many species of wild birds have chosen my garden for their domain. This not only affords me the pleasure of studying them, but the opportunity to protect them and otherwise to advance their welfare. One lovely afternoon in June, as I sat sewing at my open window, enjoying the fragrance from the rose-garden and the contented twitter of fledglings, suddenly the 'S.O.S.' of bird distress sounded from a nest near me in the honey- suckle vine on the porch. I looked cautiously about, to see if some prowler could be annoying, but saw none; hence I attributed the incessant squeaks (I know of no better word for the noise) to baby-bird hunger and went to another part of the house where the distressing cries were inaudible, to remain until their impatient wants were satisfied. But it was not long until I returned to my delightful window and found the cries even more nerve-racking than before. Something was wrong, but what? I went out on the lawn and stood peering up at the nest, when sud- denly a wee mite of a dark something tumbled to the ground near me. I tenderly lifted it and held it in the palm of my hand. It was a tiny Hummingbird, no larger than a bumblebee— just a wee little somber bit of life that 1 might easily crush between my fingers. The warmth of my hand soothed but did not cjuiet it, and with a feeUng of helplessness I climbed to the nest to replace it, and there another little mite, hardly as large nor as strong as the one that had fallen, but with squeaking abilities second to none, peered up at me and opened its tiny beak so very wide I knew it must be ravenously hungry. But where was the mother? What could be keeping her away from her nestlings? It did not occur to me until some time later that perhaps I could feed the birds — I was willing to attempt anything to stop the noise. Knowing that they liked nectar, I thinned some honey with water and was ready to begin. Never had I seen so small a beak before. I was not a little puzzled to know how to feed them. After some strenuous moments spent in experimenting, from which the birds emerged wet and sticky, I was on the verge of giving up in despair, when I chanced to spy some toothpicks. They more nearly resembled the mother's beak than anything 1 had yet tried, so I made a final attempt with them. The result was pleasing indeed. What a feast that meal was! Surely the birds liad never been so iiungry before! When they were both thoroughly satistied I rej)lace(l them in the nest, hoping the little mother had not returned in the meantime and, linding them gone, needlessly suffered the pangs of bereaved motherhood. For awhile the l)irds were content, but not long. Then 1 did not know what was best to do. The shadows wrre lenglliening on tin- lawn, and the bree/.e (273) 274 Bird -Lore that had been so soft all afternoon was wafting the chill from the far-oflf snow- clad peaks. Something surely had happened to the mother. Never had she neglected them before. I then tried to run away from the cries of the birds, as I had done before, but I found myself listening anxiously — the farther away I got the more intently I listened. At last I realized that I could not leave them so, and returned to the nest and fed them again. But I earnestly hoped that the mother would appear before fcedimg-time again came round. How vain was that hope — she had gone on her last errand of love ! Twilight was falling fast as I went into the rose-garden for flowers, and, passing a climber that had fallen on one of my choice shrubs, I again attempted what I had failed to accomplish that morning — to tie the rose up to the per- gola. I had worked but a few moments when I found the explanation for the neglect of the wee bird babies. There, entangled in the string, was the mother bird, a sacrifice to mother love ! She had come to the sweet-flowering shrub to get nectar for her precious little ones, her buzzing wings had tangled in the string, and her little body was cold and rigid. Just at dusk I loosed the moorings of the small but beautifully made nest on the porch, and took the little ones into my home. But just what to do with them was perplexing. I sought my books and turned to the chapter on Oregon birds. But it told me nothing of the fine art of mothering such delicately organ- ized life. At length, left to my own initiative, after feeding, I placed them in the nest on the mantle in the study, and covered them with softest cotton. There they would be safe, if they lived — but would they live? Very early the next morning I hastened to the nest, expecting to find two lifeless forms. Carefully I lifted the cotton, and beheld two wide-open beaks greeting me and sending in a hurry call for breakfast. This was the first order, and it was by no means the last. I cannot count the many meals they had that day. They averaged one about every fifteen minutes until darkness fell. The imperative way they had of announcing the lunch period was not to be disregarded. And what appetites they had! So greedy were they that neither would wait for the other to be fed, so I was compelled to take both of them in the palm of my hand and alternate the doses until each was satisfied. But honey became an expensive diet, and someone suggested that brown sugar was good enough "for those ugly bugs." So I tried sugar and water, and, to my surprise, they liked it better than honey. As the weeks passed, the meals became less frequent but greater quantities were required. The birds began to develop rapidly, and the little nest soon became too small. Then I gave them a new home — a shoe-box filled with cotton — and they were as happy in their new quarters as birds could be. By this time they began to be very interesting. They would stretch their How I Mothered a Pair of Hummingbirds 275 little necks and eye me from a dozen different angles; at other times they would snuggle down in the cotton and go to sleep. But when they surveyed me, I studied them. One discovery made at such a time startled me extremely. Holding them to the light to enjoy their coloring, I noticed, for the first time, that their little bodies were translucent — I could see into them, if not entirely through them. The sunlight X-rayed them, making the fragile bone-structure visible. They were very active now and, in exercising their little wings, learned to make a tremendous humming noise, which warned me that they needed a cage. I made one, some 6 feet square, of ordinary wire window-screening, not at all ornamental but excellent for them; and, by the end of the first six weeks, they frolicked to the limits of their little world. The days as they came and went found my chief delight in these birds, so when two months had passed— busy, busy months in which my attention had been so centered that duties in other directions had suffered — I determined to devote less time to them. By making little grooves in beeswax and filling them with sweets, I tried to teach them to care for themselves. But it was a mistake; they would not touch it. Gathering deep flowers, honeysuckles and the like, I hoped further to entice them, but this, too, was a failure. Having provided for them in this manner, I often left them for an afternoon, in an effort to teach them self-reliance. But on my return, the first step on the porch told of their utter dependence on me, for I could hear their insistent demands for refreshments. Although my needlework, music, and household cares were neglected in my desire to raise these helpless little creatures, I did not begrudge the time devoted to them ; I enjoyed the experience in a way I cannot relate. It was interesting to watch the birds develop. The larger of the two became a most beautiful bird. As he dashed wildly to the corner of the cage and hovered momentarily over some flower I had placed there, vibrating his wings rapidly, he seemed to diffuse an iridescent glow; becoming calm, his little body radiated soft coppery tones with each quiet movement. The smaller bird was not so bold in her coloring or conduct; she was by nature modest and retiring. Although somber and delicate, she was, perhaps, as beautiful. When they had been three months in my home, they seemed fully devel- oped, and I thought how happy they would be if free, for their wild tendencies had never been tamed though I cared for them so constantly. True, I found them submissive at feeding-time, but when hunger was appeased I became a strange monster, and when allowed a flight througli the rooms, feeding-time must come again to recapture them. Was it right, I asked myself, to imprison these little creatures, now mature, when they could provide for themselves — if they ever could. Having made up my mind, I chose a beautiful (hi\- in September in which to free them, a splendid time in western Oregon, for flowers still l)loom and nectar is still plentiful. I chose the morning, for many hours would pass before 276 Bird -Lore Iwilif^lU fell, and, if in need of help after their first view of the world, perhaps they would come home to me. And so the last little meal of which they partook from my hands was a very ceremonial affair. Often I paused for a loving caress and told them of the big strange world they would soon enter and how very much I should miss them. Little Dick seemed to sense what I said, and I fancied looked alert and eager for the adventure awaiting him. His little companion seemed thoughtful, anticipating imaginary troubles ahead. Did she shudder at the contact with the world? Did she long to stay with me? Was she thinking this little home good enough for her? At last, the impressive meal over, I partially enclosed them in my hands and went to the rose-garden — down to the very shrubs where the mother had last sought sweets. With joy I noted them as perfect, as beautiful as she was. Then musing, "Farewell, little friends, you have a mission in life as well as I; my usefulness to you is past," I tossed them lightly to the pergola, and simply said, "Go!" Scarcely realizing their new strange freedom they nestled for a moment on the sweet climber, then, with a wild humming sound as he dashed to the right and the left to get his bearings, Dick disappeared. I never saw him again. Then, suddenly, the little female followed, and when she too was gone, I waited anxiously an hour or more for their return. Never had I listened more intently to the sounds of the air, but there was no message for me. Feeding-time came and went; the second one came — and, oh joy! with it came the call ! Quickly I ran into the yard and found that the little one had come home. Perched on the clothes-line, pitifully crying, I found her. And when I raised my open hands, she fairly fell into them and nestled contentedly once again. How lovingly I held her ! And what a big feast I gave her ! Then, reluctantly, but hopefully, I again opened my hands to the heavens, and this time she dashed happily away to the mysteries of her own little world. The Black-billed Cuckoo By C. W. LEISTER. Ithaca, N. Y. With photographs by the Author THE Cuckoo is a bird of mystery. He glides from place to place through the trees with an ease and quietness that is uncanny. Along with this unbirdlike characteristic, he is a ventriloquist. Often you hear his repeated kuk-kuk, kuk-kuk, but it is very difficult to tell how far away or in what direction to find him. Sitting on a branch, he moves his head slowly from side to side ; his sharp eye soon sees the caterpillar eating the leaves. There is a quick bob of his beak, and the caterpillar disappears down his throat, with a gleam in his red- dish eye, and the Cuckoo is ready for another victim. Always hungry, and with caterpillars forming the principal part of his diet (the more hairy they are the better he seems to like them), he is one of the most valuable birds we have. Unlike the European representative of the family, it is not customary for the American Cuckoo to lay eggs in the nests of other birds, but they have been known to lay in other Cuckoos' nests, and, very rarely, they have para- sitized other birds. Due to this parasitic habit, so widely mentioned, the Cuckoo is well known throughout the country and for some peculiar reason, probably that he is supposed to utter his call-notes before a storm, he is commonly called 'Rain-Crow' or 'Rain Dove.' I was eager to study this interesting l)ird, so, when I found a nest of the Black-billed species in a small clump of wild cherry and young elm trees, I resolved to watc li the nest and take some photographs. The nest contained three dull bluish eggs, and the female had been incu- bating them for they were quite warm. But she had doubtless heard my approach and (juietly slipped from the nest. The next day a make-believe camera, made up of three sticks and an old oil-can, was set up nearby, so that (277) YOUNG BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO 'i"hc- (|uill-sheaths remain close until the bird is nearly ready to leave the nest, then open within a few hours 278 Bird -Lore the old bird would get accustomed to it and not notice the camera that was to be substituted later on. In a few days all the eggs had hatched. The young grew rapidly on their diet of tent caterpillars, and several photographs were taken of the adults feeding them. When the old bird returned to the nest and found me nearby, she would fluff out her feathers, droop her wings, and flutter around through the branches, appearing three times her normal size and kuck-kucking her alarm all the while. Young Cuckoos are peculiar-looking little fellows, for instead of their feathers growing out gradually, as is the case with other birds, they grow out enclosed in a quill-like sheath. After a time these sheaths break open, and in a few hours the young bird is fully feathered. I wanted very much to watch this process but was disappointed, for when the young were almost old enough to change, they seemed to get the wanderlust and would not stay in the nest. They scrambled to the edge, hung there for a time, and finally dropped to the ground. One was more precocious than the other two and caused the most trouble. I found him under the nest several times by following up his call. I took a picture of him in his suit of quills and placed him back in the nest. When I came back the next day it was empty. The young also have peculiar spots in the roof of the mouth. These dis- appear after a time, and no one knows whether or not they are connected with some body function. BLACK-HILLED CUCKOO FEEDING YOUNG Note the apparent pattern of marking occasioned by the sunlight and shadow Bird Walks By CHARLES B. FLOYD, President of the Brookline Bird Club, Brookline, Mass. Among the most successful and popular activities of the Brookline Bird /~% Club are the frequent afternoon walks in the field. They were first undertaken to interest the members and to teach them where to find birds and how to study and identify them. During the spring, autumn, and winter these walks have been conducted every Saturday afternoon, and during the height of the migration in May, twice a week, for several years past. They give an opportunity for the bird student, whether he knows much or little about birds, to observe them in the open and to impart or to receive knowl- edge of bird ways. Besides these afternoon walks, all-day trips are planned for holidays to more distant places, as Ipswich, Mount Greylock, and Cape Ann. Members of the Club who are interested in flowers, trees, ferns, mosses, or other branches of nature study are sure to find congenial company on these excursions and much to study besides birds. A small committee is appointed each year by the president to arrange a schedule of walks. This committee selects the leaders and arranges all the details relating to the meeting-points, transportation, probable expense, and whether or not a supper shall be taken, and a printed notice covering these details is sent each member every three months. In making up such a sched- ule the committee considers the possibihties of each location at the particular time chosen and also what birds in all likelihood may be found and what the walking conditions may be. If possible, the walk is so planned that if any of the members wish to leave before the tramp is completed they will find them- selves within reasonable distance of a car-line. A leader is selected who is thoroughly familiar with the territory over which the walk is to extend and who has a good knowledge of the favorite haunts where particular birds may be expected. While the leader cannot, of course, guarantee the presence of any special bird at a certain time and place, much of the success of the walk depends upon him, and he should have the cooperation of all those who accompany him. The functions of the leader are to select the exact ground to be covered, keep the party together, identify, if possible, whatever is seen, and to make sure that everyone observes the birds that are found during the trip. He should also keep a record of the birds seen and of everything of interest in connection with their observation. People have various ways of searching for birds in the field. Some prefer to select a likely spot and wait for whatever Fortune may send along. Others walk along, quietly following up whatever birds are flushed or heard singing. It requires some tact on the part of the leader to keep the trampers from advanc- ing too fast while others are loitering needlessly, and he must l)c alert to restrain any over-eagerness of this nature. All should h;i\e an opportunity to see the (279) 28o Bird - Lore birds found and have their field-marks and distinguishing characteristics pointed out if they do not already know them. Slow, quiet walking, no quick movements, modulated voices, eyes and ears alert, are the instructions that should be given before the start. Formality should be done away with, and the opportunity taken for self-introduction and acquaintance-making among the members on the walks. Having noted how the schedule is prepared and the duties of the leader, let us now refer to the bulletins for a sample year and see how the program is worked out. We will begin with the walks in quest of winter birds, both resi- dents and visitors. For the winter water-birds like the Scoters, Old-Squaw, Bufflehead, Golden- eye and Scaup Ducks, Red-breasted Mergansers, Loons and Grebes, Squantum, Devereaux, Nahant, Lynn, or the beach at Swampscott furnish a wide range of possibilities. Here, too, the Snow Bunting and Horned Lark may be found, and perhaps some of the rarer winter visitors like the Iceland Gull, Dovekie, Murre, Red-throated Loon, or Purple Sandpiper. There is always the chance, too, that even rarer birds will appear, which adds zest to the hunt though wintry winds sweep in over the ocean. When, perchance, a Kumlien's Gull, Snowy Owl, Rough-legged Hawk, or Goshawk is seen, the bowl of happiness runs over. For the winter land-birds one walk may be as good as another, though thickets of berry-bearing trees and shrubs offer the greatest attraction. The red cedars, sumac, bayberries, box elder and hawthorns each have their devotees, attracting the Evening and Pine Grosbeaks, Siskins, Redpolls, and Waxwings, while the stubble-fields and weed-patches draw Sparrows, Juncos, and Goldfinches. The common insect-eating birds — Chickadees, Creepers, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Hairy and Powny Woodpeckers — are to be found in every favorable place, but there is always the possibility of finding a Shrike, a rare Hawk, a Winter Wren or Mockingbird, or even an Acadian Chickadee or Orange-crowned Warbler. A list of the summer birds that have occasionally wintered here is interesting, including besides the Robins, Meadowlarks, Song Sparrows and Bluebirds, Bronzed Crackles, Hermit Thrushes, Brown Creepers and Baltimore Orioles. When the spring walks are planned, they are arranged with the dates of various arrivals in mind so that the migrants may be found before they pass along on their northward journey. Since they remain longer in some places than in others on their migration, and since the weather may retard or hasten them, some of the rarer ones may be missed entirely. Walks near small streams that are well bordered with underbush, or near marshy land where the sun can beat down and arouse the insects as well as warm the air, will be found to contain more birds than the exposed locations. Walks are taken at this season to Arlington, Belmont, Wellesley, and the Felsway. When May arrives with its rush of Warblers, few better places can be found than the Parkway, and, Bird Walks 281 strange as it may seem, the Public Garden in Boston. In the Garden alone splendid lists of birds are made each year, including a number of the rarer species that drop in during the night to rest and feed for a few days. In the Parkway near Longwood is a sheltered spot where a few large red oaks grow, and, nearby, hawthorns and other small trees with a profusion of shrubbery. The Warblers seem to be especially attracted to this spot. Appar- ently, the swelling buds exude a sap that attracts the insects, and they in turn make easy foraging for the northbound Warblers. Standing here in an open spot last spring, Cape May, Tennessee, Nashville, Blackburnian and Bay- breasted Warblers were in sight at one time, while most of the commoner species, including the Water-Thrush, were in the immediate vicinity. When such a favorable locality is discovered it is well to approach it quietly and then remain in one place and identify the birds as they pass. To see certain species that are only found locally or in favored spots it is, of course, necessary to take special walks, and trips have been made in search of Golden-winged Warblers, Prairie Warblers, Prairie Horned Larks, Crested Flycatchers, Chats, and Orchard Orioles. When the weather is sufficiently warm, suppers are carried so that more time may be spent in the field and an early start for home will not be necessary. The evening songs of many birds can be enjoyed while the party stops to rest and eat supper and to wait for the nocturnal birds — the Whip-poor-will, Nighthawk, Woodcock, and Owls. A marsh haunted by Bitterns, Great Blue, Little Green and Night Herons, Rails, Gallinules, or Marsh Wrens, is an inter- esting place at this time, for their activities are greatest at dusk. During June, July, and August, when the nesting season is in full sway, fewer songs will be heard, and at this time, too, many of the club members are away. This is the season for acquiring an insight into the family cares and prob- lems of the birds, and much of interest and profit can be learned. But great care should be used at all times in approaching nesting birds, that they may not be frightened from their eggs or young. August brings us to the beaches for the first of the returning migrants, the shorebirds or waders. Although the spring is the best time to look for the Plovers, Sandpipers, and other waders, as they, like the land birds, are then in the adult breeding plumage, without the confusing coloring of the imma- ture birds to puzzle the observer, more varieties of shorebirds are to be seen in August and September. The weather, too, is cooler along the beaches than in the woods or open fields, and it is more comfortable for tramping. Duxbury, Marshfield, Ipswich, and Nahant beaches may furnish surj^rises at this lime. October and November with their clear, cold nights bring great waves of returning migrants and splendid, comfortable walks can be enjoyed. A special watch should be kepi for those birds which only make their appearance during the fall migration, using another route during the long spring journey. Con- necticut and Orange-crowned Warblers, Pipits, Longspurs. and Ipswich Spar- 282 Bird -Lore rows may be found, and a study of the call-notes of the migrating birds at night is of great interest. At this season, too, the ponds are visited for the freshwater Ducks, and Jamaica, Fresh, and Spy Ponds and the Chestnut Hill Reservoir are eagerly scanned for Teal, Mallard, Black, Pintail, Red-head, Baldpate, Ruddy and Wood Ducks, Coot, and Mergansers, and occasionally even a Canvasback, Shoveller, or Ringneck is revealed. Even after the ponds are mostly frozen over, some of the Ducks remain in the small open spaces and may then be observed at very close range and even photographed. With the final freezing of these ponds the last of the migrants leave for the south, and only the winter residents are left behind with which to begin another year of bird-study. But each year brings new names to the list of birds and new facts concerning the old familiar friends, and so the interest never wanes though seasons change. Spotted Sandpiper Colonies By ]. W. LIPPINCOTT. Camden, N. J. With a photograph by the Author THAT the Spotted Sandpiper sometimes associates with others of its kind and may be found breeding in a restricted area, is an established fact, but I believe, however, that this habit is the exception rather than the rule with these birds. In the spring of 1913, I discovered Spotted Sandpipers nesting in colonies in two widely different localities: one in the city limits of Camden, N. J., the other in the wilds of Pike County, Pa. There lies in the city mentioned a piece of marshland, about 20 acres in extent, which has defied the encroachments of the contractor and builder. Though sur- rounded on all sides by city improvements, this low meadow probably presents about the same appearance it did fifty years ago. A tidal ditch, an extensive mud-flat, on which for some reason vegetation does not grow, and a slight elevation, sparsely grown with weeds, and comparatively dry, are some of the features which make it an ideal spot for the Spotted Sandpiper. A short time after the birds arrived this spring, they seemed to develop a particular liking for the elevated portion of the marsh, and whenever this spot was invaded, several Sandpipers flew up from the weeds and, with shrill pip- ings, circled off to the flat. Suspecting that they were nesting, I made a careful search of the surroundings, but failed to locate any nests until the last week in May, at which time incubation had already commenced. After locating the first nest, I discovered three others within a week, and later on two more. Five of the nests were located within a space of one- fourth acre, placed among weeds of rather a scattered growth. The other nest was built in a thick growth of short grass and was the best constructed Spotted Sandpiper Colonies 283 nest of any observed, probably because of the abundant nesting material near at hand. All nests appeared to be composed of material, scraped together, lying in the immediate vicinity of the nest. If in the weeds, the nest was built of old weed-stalks; if in the grass, dried grass became the nesting material. After the young left a nest, the first rain completely obHterated all signs of it, and the site could only be located by the mark which had been placed by it. The first young were seen out of the nest the second week in June, and I con- tinued to see young birds in various stages of growth until July 15, at which NEST OF SPOTTED SANDPIPER WITH ADDLED EGG AND TWO YOUNG "The egg led to the discovery of the young which were not seen until I bent over to examine the egg" time I saw the last young bird, which was unable lo ily, running about on the mud flat, the favorite feeding-ground for all the birds. The Sandpipers con- tinued to occupy the marsh until the middle of August, when they all sud- denly descried it. It is interesting to note that, with one exception, every clutch of eggs hatched. This set of eggs was ap]>arently deserted because of the dampness of ihe site chosen. This, I ihink, is a \ery good percentage for the \icinit\- of a city, where nest tragedies are liie rule. Of course, I am unal)le It) tell just how many young were destroyed after liiey left tiie ne>l, but I observed quite a iiuii)l)fr of N'ounsf birds after lhe\- were al)Ie to llw 284 Bird -Lore The third week in June I spent in Pike County, PennsyK^ania, and while there discovered the other colony of Sandpipers mentioned. It was located on what was once the bottom of a lumberman's 'splash dam pond'. The water had been drawn off early in the spring, leaving the ground littered with dead trees, sticks, and other refuse. Here the Sandpipers made no pretense of nest-build- ing, simply placing their eggs in a hollow among the sticks. During my short stay I located three families in different stages of development, the young of one family being almost ready to fly. I think that there were at least a dozen pairs of birds occupying this locality, but lack of time prevented me from any very careful search for nests. Strange to say, the young birds seemed to be just as far advanced as the young of the Camden colony, although the season is much later (about two weeks) in the mountains. Two localities could hardly present a wider difference in appearance. Over one blows the breath of the city, laden with smoke and nauseating odors from neighboring chemical plants; over the other blows the breath of the hills, permeated with the ozone and the fragrance of the woods. This inter- esting little Sandpiper, however, seems to be content whether he is teetering about on the banks of a sluggish drainage-ditch or flitting from stone to stone in the bed of a rushing mountain stream. A safe breeding-place and plentiful food-supply are the important factors in his choice of a nesting-site. The Migration of North American Birds SECOND SERIES V. THE SHRIKES Compiled by Harry C. Oberholser, Chiefly from Data in the Biological Survey (See Frontispiece) NORTHERN SHRIKE The Northern Shrike {Lanius borealis) breeds in Canada, north to northern Unga\a (Quebec), southern Keewatin, northern Mackenzie, and northwestern Alaska; south to southern Alaska, central Saskatchewan, southern Ontario, and southern Quebec. In the United States it is only a winter visitor, ranging as far south as Virginia, Kentucky, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and central California. SPRING MIGRATION LOCALITY Number of years' record Average date of spring arrival Earliest date of spring arrival Godbout, Quebec Carlton House, Sask Fort Liard, Mack Fort Resolution, Mack P'ort Simpson, Mack 2 2 April IS April 2 2 April 4, 1885 April 22, 1827 April 2, i860 April 24, i860 April 16, 1904 LOCALITY Number of years' record Waverly, VV'. V'a Washington, D. C Renovo, Pa Morristown, N. J New York City, N. V. New Haven, Conn.. . . Portland, Conn Providence, R. I Boston, Mass Tilton, N. H Ellsworth, Maine Scotch Lake, N. B.. . . St. Joseph, Mo Chicago, 111 Oberlin, Ohio Detroit, Mich Ottawa, Ont Keokuk, Iowa Grinnell, Iowa La Crosse, Wis Lanesboro, Minn Fort Snelling, Minn.. . Onaga, Kans Falls City, Neb \'ermilion, S. D 5 5 15 4 3 4 Average date of last one observed February 6 .\pril 4 February 27 March 2g March 20 March 17 March 22 April 10 April 1 March 15 February 24 .\pril 14 March 1 1 March 2^, March 2q March 25 March 12 March 1.^ March 20 Latest date of last one observed March 20, 1904 February 10, 18. April 15, 1900 March 14, 1914 March 19, 1906 April 18, 1885 .•\pril 4, 1873 April 22,, 1907 April 8, 19 II .\pril I, 1897 April 15, 1913 April 15, 19 14 April 7, 1896 April 6, 1900 April 3, 1899 March 15, 1903 .\pril 18, 1908 .\pril 9, 1899 March 31, 1885 March 31, 1907 March 31, 1893 April 14, 1891 .April 19, 1891 March 25, 1889 March 28, 1889 (286) The Migration of North American Birds 287 SPRING MIGRATION, continued LOCALITY Number of years' record Average date of last one observed Latest date of last one observed Las Vegas, N. M Fort Whipple, Ariz Boulder, Colo Camp Floyd, Utah Fort Bridger, Wyo Bozeman, Mont Carson City, Nev Okanagan Landing, B. C 2 3 6 March 15 March 30 April II February 7, 1902 February 6, 1865 March 19, 1910 March 18, 1859 April 6, 1858 April 3, 191 2 March 25, 1868 April 20, 191 2 FALL MIGRATION LOCALITY Fort Simpson, Mack Fort Resolution, Mack Montreal, Quebec Scotch Lake, N. B Kllsworth, Maine Phillips, Maine Durham, N. H St. Johnsbury, Vt Harvard, Mass Block Island, R. I Hartford, Conn Geneva, N. Y Morristown, N. J Erie, Pa Renovo, Pa Washington, D. C White Sulphur Springs, W. Va. . . Munson Hill, \a Plover Mills, Ont Detroit, Mich Oberlin, Ohio Waterloo, Ind Chicago, 111 St. Louis, Mo La Crosse, Wis Minneapolis, Minn. Grinnell, Iowa Keokuk, Iowa Aweme, Man Fort Pierre, S. D Lincoln, Neb Onaga, Kans Hozeman, Monl I'ort Hall, Iflalio Henry's Fork, (Jreen River, Utah Houldcr, Colo I>as Vegas, X. M Okanagan Landing, B. C Shoalwater Bay, Wash. Carson City, Nev Number of years' record 5 3 7 3 7 10 4 9 16 Average date of last one observed Latest date of last one observed November 10 October 26 November 11 November 7 November 14 November 7 October 29 November 10 November 18 November 10 October 31 November 5 November 29 November 21 November 9 October 29 November 9 October 9 November 3 October 27 October 29 October i November 5, 1903 October 9, 1859 December 2, 1856 October 3, 1913 September 17, 1913 October 19, 1909 November 4, 1900 November 11, 191 2 October 22, 1913 November 3, 191 3 October 20, 1906 November i, 1909 October 29, 1905 September 21, 1892 October 24, 191 2 October i, 1891 November 4, 1887 November 11, 1887 October 19, 1890 November i, 1901 November 6, 1897 November i, 1887 October 12, 1906 November 2, 1906 October 18, 1901 November 2, 1905 October 18, 1886 October 27,, 1900 October i, 1902 October 21, 1855 October 27, 1900 October 13, 1893 October 19, 1913 October 12, 1872 October 2, 1S70 October 21, 191 2 December 23, 18S2 September 19, 1908 November 18, 1854 November 5, 1883 288 Bird - Lore LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE The Loggerhead Shrike {Lauius ludovicianus) as a species occupies prac- licall)' all of the United Stales and Mexico and southern Canada. It separates, however, into six subspecies, all but one of which occur in North America. This one, the Mexican Shrike (Lanius ludovicianus mexicanus) is confined to Mexico. The distribution of the North American forms is as follows: The Southern Loggerhead Shrike {Lanius ludovicianus ludovicianus) is resident in the southeastern United States and breeds north to eastern North Carolina, northern South Carolina, central Georgia, central Alabama, central Mississippi, and northern Louisiana; west to Louisiana; and south to the coast of the Gulf of Mexico and to Florida. The Migrant Shrike {Lanius ludovicianus migrans) breeds in the north- eastern United States and southeastern Canada, north to New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, southern Quebec, southern Ontario, Michigan, Wiscon- sin, and Minnesota; west to Iowa, eastern Kansas, and eastern Oklahoma; south to Arkansas, western Tennessee, Kentucky, western North Carolina, and southern Virginia; and east to Virginia, Maine, and New Brunswick. It winters south to the Gulf States, west to Texas. The White-rumped Shrike {Lanius ludovicianus excuhitorides) breeds in central western North America, north to southern Manitoba, central Saskatche- wan, and central Alberta; west to Alberta, Montana, southeastern Oregon, Nevada, northeastern and southeastern California; south to Tepic and Durango in Mexico, and east to central Texas, central Oklahoma, central Kansas, North Dakota, and South Dakota. It winters south over all Mexico to the Isthmus of Tehuantepec in the state of Oaxaca. The California Shrike {Lanius ludovicianus gambcli) breeds in the Pacific Coast region, north to southern British Columbia; south to northern Lower California; and east to central eastern California, central Oregon, and Wash- ington. It winters south to southern Lower California and through western Mexico to the state of Morelos. The Island Shrike {Lanius ludovicianus anthonyi) is resident on the Santa Barbara Islands in California and on Santa Margarita Island, Lower California. Only three of these subspecies are migratory, and these three in spring, autumn, and winter become so intermingled with other races or with each other that it is often difficult to separate their migration notes. In the follow- ing tabular arrangement records of the White-rumped Shrike are marked with an asterisk (*) ; those of the California Shrike with a dagger (f) ; and all the others refer to the Migrant Shrike. The Migration of North American Birds SPRING MIGRATION LOCALITY Portland, Conn. Auburn, N. Y Syracuse, N. Y. . . , Rutland, Vt Phillips, Maine. . . , Scotch Lake, N. B Montreal, Quebec. Wooster, Ohio. . . . Oberlin, Ohio Ann Arbor, Mich. Listowel, Ont Chicago, 111 Waterloo, Ind Keokuk, Iowa Orinnell, Iowa. . . . Madison, Wis Lanesboro, Minn . pnaga, Kans Valentine, Neb.*. . Rapid City, S. D.* Reaburn, Man.*. . Aweme, Man.*. . . . Qu'Appelle, Sask.* Yuma, Colo.* Cheyenne, Wyo.*. Missoula, Mont.* Flagstaff, Alta.*.. . Chilliwack, B. C.+ . Number of years' record 5 7 4 9 4 8 ID 23 12 12 19 lO 3 3 1 1 i6 5 6 Average date of spring arrival April 2 April I April 3 April 3 April ig April 4 April I March 20 April 7 April 3 March 25 March 31 March 13 March 27 April 3 April I March 24 April 1 7 April 17 April 24 April 27 May 5 April 26 May 3 April 26 Earliest date of spring arrival April II, 1900 March 18, 1884 March 24, 1886 March 24, 1907 March 29, 1914 March 28, 1902 March 23, 1887 March 9, 1902 March 2, 1901 March 2, 1888 March 15, 1887 March 8, 1906 March 19, 1894 February i;^,, 1890 March i'8, 1888 March 19, 1902 March 15, 1889 March 8, 1898 April II, 191 5 April 8, 1909 April 2, 1897 April 3, 1900 April 3, 1903 April 23, 1908 April 29, i88g March 19, 1916 April 6, 191 5 April 9, 1888 Raleigh, N. C Brownsville, Te.\.*. Laredo, Tex.* San Antonio, Tex.* Number of years' record Average date of last one observed March 21 April 18 Latest date of last one observed April I, 191 5 March 2, 1892 April 20, i86h April 20, 1890 FALL MIGRATION Scotch Lake. \. H Orono, Maine Phillips, Maine Rutland, Vt Syracuse, N. Y New York City, N. Y.. . Ottawa, Ont Chicago, III Oberlin, Ohio Lanesboro, Minn Grinncll, Iowa Keokuk, Iowa Aweme, Man.* \'alcnlinc. Neb.* Avera'^e flate of last one observed Latest date of last one observed October 13 August 17 October 14 September 23 September 10 October 3 Scptcml)cr 24 September iS September 25 October i 2 Sci)tember 2^, Sei)tember (> October 22 September August 27, October 28 September October 22 October 4, No\ember October 31 October 10 October 26 October 29 October 8, September , 1910 6, 1890 1906 , 1915 4, 1886 , 1904 1907 II, 1906 , 1896 , 1892 , 1889 . 1893 1890 10, 1914 290 Bird - Lore FALL MIGRATION, Continued LOCALITY Number of years' record Onaga, Kans 10 ]\Iissoula, Mont.* Pumpkin Butte, Wyo.* Fort Laramie, Wyo.* Yuma, Colo.* 3 Denver, Colo.* Number LOCALITY of years' record Laredo, Tex.* Brownsville, Tex.* Raleigh, N. C i 16 Average date of last one observed .\ugust 26 September 24 Latest date of last one observed September 15, 191,3 October 12, 1915 November 18, 1859 September 9, 1857 October 2, 1906 November 2, 19 10 Average date of fall arrival September 6 Earliest date of fall arrival September 8, 1866 October 6, 1892 August 21, 1886 Notes on the Plumage of North American Birds FORTY-NINTH PAPER By FRANK M. CHAPMAN Northern Shrike {Lanius borealis, Figs.* i, 2). — In nestling plumage the Northern Shrike is brownish gray above, paler and with dusky wavy markings below; the prominent black cheek-stripes of the adult are dusky and the lores are grayish. The wings and tail are dusky black, the wing-coverts, inner wing- quills and central tail-feathers being tipped with rusty. At the postjuvenal molt the wings and tail are retained and the rest of the plumage replaced by the first winter dress. This bears a general resemblance to that of the adult female. Breeding plumage is acquired by a limited amount of feather change about the front part of the head and by loss through wear of the brown wash on the back and dusky markings below. The young male now differs from the adult male mainly in the brownish wings and tail. At the postnuptial (second fall) molt these, with the rest of the plumage, are shed and the second winter or fully adult plumage gained. The female passes through a similar series of plumage changes, but it is always more or less barred below and in first winter dress is decidedly brownish above. Females and males in first winter plumage (Fig. 2) may be known from the Loggerhead or the Migrant Shrike by their larger size, brownish upperparts, and wave-marked underparts; adult males, by their larger size, paler upper- parts, and grayish, not black, lores and forehead. Loggerhead Shrike (Laniiis ludovicianiis, Fig. 3). — The nestling Logger- head has the brownish wash and dusky wavy markings of the Northern Shrike. These are especially noticeable on the underparts, but they practically disap- pear with the postjuvenal molt which, according to Dwight, involves the tail and the rest of plumage but the wing-quills. First winter plumage is prac- tically indistinguishable from that of the adult. The prenuptial molt is re- stricted to the front parts of the head, and, as the season advances, the plumage shows the results of wear. Unlike the Northern Shrike, the male and female are alike in plumage. *Fig. I represents the fully adult male; I'ig. 2, the young of both sexes in first winter piuma§Q, J^otti from iFielti antr ^tutip Summer Records of Winter Birds in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan During a residence of several years in the upper peninsula of Michigan the writer had the opportunity of observing some entirely new facts in regard to the habits of some of the northern species of birds. The northern peninsula has been very little studied by ornithologists, but it offers a rich field for consecutive effort in bird- study. It seems to be a converging point for eastern, western, northern and southern species. The following observations upon the northern species were made in Luce County. EvEXiKG Grosbeak. — The Evening Grosbeak is common usually every winter, arriving mostly about November and lingering into May. But some individuals have different habits or habitat. On July i6, igii, a flock of a number of males, females, and young of the year were seen. The birds allowed close observation. On Aug. i8, 1912, seven were seen, six being in one flock. Aug. 10, 1913, two were seen. July 14, 1Q15, two, and on Jul\' 20, were again seen. Richardson's Owl. — On July 19, 1913, a young Richardson's Owl was captured alive. Its plumage was carefully examined and compared with identified plumage of the same species. Measurements were also made and they corresponded perfectly. On the night of .-Vug. 15, a bird, supposed to be of this species, was heard. Reupoi-L. — The Red|)oll is usually credited with being a winter visitor from November to .\pril. It is quite true that the greater number do come at this time, l)ut during a long residence I seldom failed to fmd a few jjirds in July or .\ugust. The following are some dates of arrival: .Vug. 5, 1909; July 16, 191 1 ; .Vug. 12, 191 2; July 15, 1913; July 21, 1914; and young of the year were seen on Aug. 31. Flocks of fair size were seen June 9 and 21, 191 2, and May 17, 18, 20, 21, 26, and 27, 1914. The records of the Evening Grosbeak seem particularly interesting as it seems certain that the birds nest somewhere in the middle west. — Ralph Beebe, 600 HiUger Aveniir, Detroit, Mich. A Santa Barbara Hummer This beautiful little Hummingbird chose for her home a crape myrtle tree in a Santa Barbara rose-garden, and all who have been in Santa Barbara in the winter and spring know what a feast of beauty that meant. There, while building her dainty nest — an inch and a half in diameter, perfect in architecture, gray in color and decorated with lichen, — she probably knew that she would have daily song-recitals of Mockingbirds such as would make mortals despair in their vain efforts. , I was much surprised to find the bird so confiding that I was able to put up rhy camera, focus it 4 feet from the nest, and give one-second exposure without her moving. The nest was about 5 feet above the ground. When the two little birds came, I was an.xious to get a picture of the mother feeding them, which she did very quickly, standing on the edge of the nest and running her long bill most energetically away down their throats. When the mother was away foraging, I covered the camera with green leaves, focused it upon the nest, then drew a thread, which I had attached to the shutter, into a room that looked down u[)on the nest, and there awaited the mother's return at dinner-hour. I am sure that she carried a watch, for dinner was always served promptly between 1.30 and 2 o'clock. She was frightened on seeing the camera, and for some time surveyed it suspiciously from her perch on a telephone wire. Then, knowing that iier Utile family's life U9U 292 Bird - Lore depended upon lier, she bravely llew all around the camera, examining it critically and lighting upon the edge of the nest, and gave them the feast for which their wide- open mouths began to plead at exactly the dinner-hour. I pulled the thread just as the mother lit upon the edge of the nest. In another exposure T caught her feeding the young bird (one had dis- appeared when very small), but as the light was poor, an exposure of one-fiftieth A SANTA BARBARA HUMMER of a second gave little detail. Unfortu- nately, confidence and want of suspicion in building her nest so near the earth (and the untaught small boy) brought a sad tragedy, as a boy took the nest and bird, and they were both found on a path not far distant — the bird dead. Surely, through the splendid work of the Audubon Society and nature-study in the schools, together with many charm- ing bird-books, we may hope that our birds, our trees, and our flowers may soon be appreciated as blessings that will need no protection of the law, hut, until that time arrives, let intelligent instruction in our homes and schools go hand in hand with enforced laws. Warnings are posted to protect forests, and might it not be well to have such warnings, or at least sugges- tions for the protection of birds, placed in our schools and libraries? — Oscar R. Coast, Santa Barbara, Calif. The Black-chinned Hummingbird I had an enjoyable experience last summer, at Eugene, Ore., with a Black- chinned Hummingbird, which will, per- haps, be of interest to other bird-lovers. One day, early in May, we spied a pair of those living jewels darting about the loganberry bushes. The next day, the female came often about the bushes, but we never again saw the male. I have been told that he never shares in any of the domestic affairs of his kind — builds no nest — feeds no young. Certain it is that this one shirked all responsibilities. Little lady bird chose a most uncommon location for her nest, selecting a bush that grew close beside the walk, where we passed a dozen times a day, within 6 feet of the kitchen door. No attempt was made to shield or hide it, but, rather, it was placed on the very outer stalk. Thinking to encourage her to remain where we might watch the process of nest- building, my friend hung bits of cotton- batting and silk threads in the bushes. These the bird used almost exclusively. I doubt the wisdom of her choice, for, when a long rainy spell set in, the tiny nest was soaked, and became so heavy as to be almost dislodged from its frail support on the stalk. But, when newly made, a more dainty bird-home cannot be imagined. A silver dollar would easily cap the top. John Burroughs tells us we should not attri- bute any artistic sense to birds. I do not question that high authority, but I am glad this Hummingbird's "inherited in- stinct" prompted her to cover the outside of her nest with gray-green moss or bits of lichen. The tin\- home-builder was so industri- Notes from Field and Study 293 ous that in a few days the nest was com- pleted, and, directly, two pure white eggs lay like pearls in a velvet jewel-case. They were scarcely larger than navy beans. Now began an anxious season, at least for us. The rain and cold continued. Scarcely any sunshine ever reached the nest, on the north side of the house. Sleet and hail beat upon it. For days the cotton was a soggy mass, and, worst of all, little Betty Flewster, as my friend had nick- named her, would be gone from the nest several hours at a time. Repeatedly we said in despair, "Those eggs will never hatch." But Lad\' lk'tt\' knew her business better that we, though we liad declared her a "greenhorn," both in the choice of loca- tion and, later, in the care of her eggs, for in just two weeks from the day the firsl egg was laid, my friend called to me excitedly, "The first egg is hatched I There's a bird in the nest!" The next morning the other egg was hatched. Such funny little birdlings, no larger than yellow-jackets, with no hint of a feather on their wrinkled bodies, except three greenish barbs on each wing. For several days they were too weak to raise their heads and were blind as little kittens. We wondered how the mother bird succeeded in feeding them during that stage, but could never happen to be pres- ent at mealtime. Perhaps they, like little chickens, require little or no fcxxl for tlie first three days. Later, when they were stronger, and eyes open, we had several glimpses at the feeding process. Perched on the edge of the nest, the old bird thrust her bill, seem- ingly full length, into the gaping mouths and went through a pumping, ramming |)ro- cess that seemed certain to pierce tiieir little bodies. Of just what the food coti sisled, we were ne\er aliie to determine, l)ul of whatever nature, ihe birdlings tlirived on it. (iraduall_\' ihi' wrinkled bodies grew plump; the litlie greenish l)arbs on each wing showed where feathers would later appear. Tiu-ir backs were tirst lKiir\-, then glossy, golden green with minute feathers. When fully grown, the}- closely resembled the mother. I had always supposed that Humming- birds were very shy, but we found this one quite approachable and very curious. After an hour of quiet, patient maneuver- ing, my friend succeeded in persuading the bird to sip honey from flowers in her hand, and later fed her with jelly, while sitting on the nest. I made several unsuccessful attempts to get pictures. The kodak excited her cur- iosity and some fear. Again and again she circled around it, coming closer each time, till finally, having several times tapped it daintily with her bill, she seemed satisfied it meant no harm, so settled calnil\- on her nest. .\11 during the nesting-time. Lady Hetty seemed to consider the berry-bush her special property, and waged instant and furious warfare on all intruders, big or little, bee or bird. 'Twas quite funny to watch her when she discovered a bee in the flower she wished to visit. Instantly she became a little fury. Her feathers stood out, and the humming became double-quick and so loud that the invader fled in terror. Even the Swallows who were housekeeping in a bird-house nearby, appeared to respect her rights, and quickly withdrew when that fiery dart hurled her- self at them. I, too, have flinched when it seemed aimed straight at my eyes. I know of no way to attract Humming- birds to build near about our homes, but when those tiny creatures favor you as we were favored, consider it time well spent to watch them closely. — Kr.i.A Getchell, Wilhiiar. Miint. Birds and Bees I'or tlinc seasons now we have had ratiier unusual bird tragedies in our garden. .\lthough our house is set on a lot of onl> about one-half acre, we have oicupants in the Wren, Bluebird, and .\hirlin houses, and there are Redheaded Woodpeckers in the soft maples. In our back yard we have a great ma>' colonies of bees, and a (la>' in 294 Bird- Lore May when the blooming apple trees re- sound with their murmuring hum of industry-, combined with the rich plaintive warble of the Bluebirds, the joj'ous gurgle of the Martins and the incessant singing of the Wrens thrill the heart of a nature- lover. One day in the summer of 1915, when the oldest of the Woodpeckers left the nest and hopped and flew from fence-post to tree, I noticed he was getting rather near some prosperous colonies of bees, and, thinking to turn him back, T approached carefully, but he flopped down onto the entrance of a very strong colony, and in less than a minute they pounced on him. I removed him with all haste possible, first covering him with a burlap sack to stop the advance of the enemy, but he soon expired in great agony. He was a seething, hissing mass of angry bees, and pract-call}' covered with bee-stings. So infuriated were the bees that those who had lost their stings (for a honey-bee can sting only once) were clinging to the feathers and biting with their mandibles. The move- ment of their wings rubbing against the feathers made a noise not unlike escaping steam. I did not feel so grieved about him, as his parents had often snapped up my virgin queens when they left their hives for their nuptial flights, costing me $1.50 per snap. I felt that the Woodpecker family deserved some punishment for their treatment of royalty, though it was rather a severe revenge. Last sfeason, when the Bluebird family left their home, two out of the five young ones met the same fate as the Woodpecker. In crossing the garden the young birds hopped onto the doorsteps of the bee- hives, when the occupants rushed out by the dozens and pierced the dainty visitors with their deadly stings. In the winter months of 1916-17 we spent considerable time constructing a fancy Martin-house to take the place of the old soap-bo.x home which had col- lapsed in a winter storm, and erected it with due ceremony in the garden near the grape-vines when spring came. Our labor was rewarded by the Martins accept- ing it, on their arrival in .\pril, and we enjoyed hearing their gurgles of approval. Sometimes there would be twenty or more inspecting all the rooms and sitting on the roof having a friendly chat. Martins have a way of visiting all the houses in the neigh- borhood before accepting one for nest- building. Later in the season we noticed that the birds had difficulty in alight- ing on the house, due to the bees pur- suing them. As soon as the Martins would circle about the house, an army of bees would follow, but the birds always kept ahead of them and didn't seem to notice them while in the air. But when they would alight on the house, the bees appeared to settle on them, and they would fly away with frightened squawks. Only one pair remained in the house, and only by rushing through the air and pop- ping into the opening, without alighting outside, were they able to keep house at all. They managed fairly well until the young needed constant feeding, when the battle for existence began. There were never less than a dozen angry bees hover- ing about the entrance, and whenever a parent bird would leave the house, more joined in the pursuit. In returning, the birds would sometimes make several attempts to enter before being successful, so persistent were the bees. Finally the Martins became discouraged and fed the young only early in the morning and late in the evening, when the bees were quieter. The birds would make several trips in the morning, and I could hear the clamoring of the young as they were fed. Then, when the angry hordes gathered, the par- ents disappeared, and I saw no more of them all day until just about sunset, when they would return and make a few hurried trips, remaining with the young at night. One of the young birds sat with his head just showing in the doorway of the house, chirping hungrily, for three days, but the parents never came near, except as stated above, and finally they failed to appear at all. The chirping of the young grew fainter and fainter, and on the fourth day all was silent about the house, though several angry bees kept up the unceasing watch. Notes from Field and Study 295 This fall the house was taken down and three dried skeletons gave mute evidence of the unequal conflict that was waged under the summer skj-. — John G. Parker, Ilartlaud, Wis. The "Stake-Driver" Again I, too, have read several accounts of the l)ooming of the American Bittern, includ- ing that of Mr. vos Burgh in your May- June number. Permit me to add an impor- tant detail not mentioned in Mr. vos Burgh's well-written description. After concluding with the "plunk" position, the bird rests for some time; then, as though a new thought had suddenly occurred to him, he begins to pump in air, appar- ently, for his next performance. With his l)cak in nearly normal position, he "gulps," his throat begins to swell, and his beak rises to the "plunk" position (as shown in the sketch). Another "gulp," at a higher key than the first, increases the size of the throat and raises the beak to the "plunk" position. Other gulps follow, successively nearer together, successively in a higher key, and with ever higher angle of beak, the throat constantly enlarging to an immense size. The sound suggests to the listener 60 feet away the filling up of a jug with water. When the beak is more nearly vertical than shown in Mr. vos Burgh's first drawing, and the neck is relatively as large as that of the throat of the hylodes before peeping, the real stake- driving begins. The bird seems to have tapped it in before beginning the hard echo- raising blows! — Henry Turner Bailey, Cleveland, Ohio. A Unique Wren Nest It seems that birds, copying after man, have been developing in an inventive line. At least one pair of House Wrens at Quincy, III., have come as far as the iron age anrl arc constructing their nests with an idea of having them lire|)roof. Recently the Inivcrsity of Illinois Museum at thampaign was the recipient of an interesting Wren nest. It was found by Miss Jessie Brackensick, of Quincy, in an angle of the top sill and braces under the roof of a chicken-house. In the fall of 1915 a tangle of rusted chicken-netting was thrown behind the shed, and the following spring a pair of House Wrens in search of nesting material found that the wire would break easily into pieces just suiting their purpose. They used this wire to the prac- tical exclusion of all other usual materials WIRE-WOVEN WREN'S NEST FITTED INTO LOCATION SIMILAR TO THAT OF ORIGINAL. Photographed by Walter A. Goelitz and formed from it a very solid but rather bulky nest. To smooth the cavity some- what, the birds used a few grass stems and long black horse-hairs, also one small mass of cobweb. This completed the list of materials. The Wrens have used this same nest for two seasons and probably would have occupied it again this year had it not been collected and donated to the Museum. — Walter .\. (ioEi.irz. Cliom- p(tif,it. III. The Blue Jay Will Murder While reading the war news, the mur- derous cry of a Blue Jay was heard, and, at the same time, the pitiful notes of a pair of Robins came to my ears. Upon investi- gation I found that the Jay had hustled a young Robin out of its nest in an adjacent tree and as soon as it struck the ground was pulling shreds of flesh from its breast. When driven away, the Jay called out a defiant note, as though it were part of its daily duties to kill and devour young ?96 Bird- Lore Robins. I'Or many _\cars wc haw known that the old squawker Ja\- was ^'uilty of stealing the eggs of other birds, but we have never before been positive that he was a murderer, and can only wonder if the Blue Ja\' is a Prussian l)hu' Jay ! — (i. S. VuuNG, Alma, Mich. From Sunset to Sunrise with the Martins During the Flocking-time For a week ])re\ious to Labor Daw great numbers of Pur])lc Martins were strung along the telegra[)h lines and hovering near certain abodes in North Hvanston, 111., near Sheridan Road. On Labor Day it was decided to watch these thousands of birds, .\rriving at the scene at 4 o'clock in the afternoon, great numbers were seen wheeling in the air. Following them, we came to a woodland where vast numbers of (Jrackles had darted into safety. On viewing this spot from quarters, we found that the Martins were descending in great companies. Though the air was literally filled with birds, and the greatest uncertainty seemed to prevail in their wheeling and soaring, yet at a certain moment a command was seemingly given, for all at once they began to take refuge for the night in the tops of trees. The woodland occupies nearly a square block, and is a dense undergrowth of elder below young trees, mostly elms. To sa3' that the trees swayed with the weight of the birds will perhaps give some idea of their numbers. The sight was such that we marveled that people did not come from far and wide to see it, yet so intent are human beings in pursuit of their own particular plans that party after party motored by without one paus- ing to look. As the stock e.xchange sounds from the gallery like the buzz of a million bees, so did the whir of wings and bird exclamation thrill and stir the air. Emi- grants of every nation, all babbling in a corner of Ellis Island, could scarcely have caused such a din, yet underneath was a sense of law, order, and definite plan. Feeling that this was a rare oppor- tunity, two of us ardent bird-lovers decided to camp out all night to observe the actions of the birds during the night. But so keen is the instinct of self-protection, that, de- spite all the other sounds, the moment that human footsteps were heard, the flutter- ing would begin, birds would fly from their perches, and a general commotion followed. Observations, therefore, had to be made outside the copse. At daybreak, between, 4 and 4.30, the vast horde began their preparation for leaving. The sound pro- duced by their wings could be only com- ])ared with that of a huge thrashing-ma- chine running at top speed. There must have been some 12,000 birds falling into line leaving the wood. So accurate, so definite was each plan that one could almost imagine he heard the roll called as the birds departed. These jjerformances continued each day until the first cold spell, when the last company departed. — W. Cunrov Evans, Evaiislon, III. Swallows Flocking The accompanying photograph was made in the middle of October and shows a flock of Swallows on Black River Bay, which is an arm of Lake Ontario injefferson County, N. Y. This flock was made up largely of Tree Swallows, but included also Barn and Bank Swallows, while the most interesting member of all, to me at least, was a single Rough-winged Swallow, for I have not found this species at all common in this part of the state. This picture was made on the very edge of a large marshy stretch known, locally, as the 'Dexter marshes.' The extensive flag- and reed-beds of this locality make it a fa\orite place for Swallows and Red- winged Blackbirds to congregate and rest while the birds arc assembling in late summer and early fall. Incidentally, the plentiful growths of wild rice among the patches of arrowhead and pickerel weed bring many wild Ducks to the same marshes. I have seen the Swallows rise in a mass from the place of their night's rest and on investigation have found a considerable Notes from Field and Study 297 section of the cattail bed bent down in a continuous littered mass, as though it had been the bed of some great bird instead of that of hundreds of tiny individuals closely huddled. The Swallows all leave these sleep- ing quarters soon after daybreak, but often, instead of leaving the marsh entirely, they will resort to some tree or cluster of trees and here rest for an hour or two before scattering over the neighboring country never seen these birds here or anywhere else in this north country in numbers which compare with the swarms of Swallows I have observed near the Hackensack meadows near New York City. No doubt northern New York is too far toward the northern limit of the Swallows' summer range to ever witness flocks of these birds of the size they form as they progress farther southwarfl. adding to their numbers A SWALLOW WAV-STATION Photographed by K. J. Sawyer to feed through the rest of the day. It was at this time, or about 7 or 8 a.m., that I rowed my boat to within several yards of the birds assemblcfl on a few low willow trees, landed and made the picture here shown. These birds were remarkably lame, allowing me to approach to within 5 or 6 feet of them and to thrust my cam- era, as it were, almost in their faces. ."Mthough the flocks of Swallows in these marshes may well be called large, I ha\e as they .V. ]'. go. — K. J. Sawvik. W'aterlowu, A Scene from the Home-life of the Chestnut-sided Warbler riu- ni'^l luTc shown was found at Ithaca, \. \'., on June 15. 1915. It was on a hillside covered with 'slash' from old lumbering operations. This had since grown uj) to a tangle of scrub second 298 Bird - Lore growth and raspberry bushes. The nest was in one of the hitter, about 3 feet from the ground. It was well built. The founda- tion was made of coarse grasses and root- lets, lined with finer grasses and fibers. It was not so bulky and much firmer than that of some of our other Warblers. When we came up the mother bird flew away, revealing four downy young about three days old. After taking a position near the nest, I found that a blind would not be needed to Both birds shared in the work of feeding the young and keeping the nest scrupu- lously clean. At first, until the male became accustomed to the camera, the female was somewhat overworked, because she had to feed the young and keep them warm, too. He made up for his not working somewhat by singing almost continuously from a favorite tree nearby. The food brought to the young consisted mostly of plant-lice and the larvae of leaf-eating insects. — C. W. Leistkr, Ithaca, N. Y. THE WHOLE CHESTNUT-SIDE lAMlLV Photographed by C. W. Leister, Ithaca, N. Y., June 20, 191 6 watch and record the activities of the Warbler family. The young were quite small, and the mother bird soon came back and began brooding them. Her parental instinct quite overcame her fear of the camera and of man, allowing me to come within 3 feet of the nest and set up the camera. With the male bird it was quite different, for he would not come near the nest unless I partly concealed myself in a clump of bushes lo to 12 feet away. .\ string was stretched from the camera to the hiding place, and most of the pictures were taken by pulling it. The Bandit. — A Street Scene from Birddom Walking in X'irginia Park one morning, I witnessed the following amusing little scene in bird-life, illustrating the audacity and impudence of the omnipresent Eng- lish Sparrow. A Robin was working hard to get a worm out of the ground. After much picking, pulling, and jerking it finally succeeded, and. raising its head high, it held the worm in its bill ready to enjoy a well-earned meal. Notes from Field and Study 299 Meanwhile a pesky little Sparrow, sitting about 5 feet away, had watched the efforts of the Robin with interest, and no sooner did he see the dainty morsel in its bill, than the little pirate darted like an arrow toward the Robin, picked the worm from its bill and flew swiftly about 20 feet away, to enjoy its booty undisturbed. The Robin, on the other hand, was so completely taken by surprise b\' this bold attack that it stared motionless for several seconds after the receding bandit, and then started unruffled to dig for another worm. — C. BoxNiG, Detroit, Mich. The Wren, a Housebreaker Late in March a pair of Bluebirds took possession of a box on a slender pole in the corner of our kitchen-garden and April 18 tjcgan to build their nest. The next day our Robins began to build on a platform on the southern end of the front porch. Late in Maj- a pair of Chippies came house- hunting and finally chose a very bushy place in the crimson rambler, high up. in the rose-trellis on the front porch. About the same time a Wren came to the box be- longing to a small boy some 200 feet away. The Wren came into the yard occasionalh' but was promptly chased out again by cither the Bluebird or the mother Robin, and sometimes cjuiet little Mrs. Chippy joined in the chase. June 2, the Bluebirds went away with their four speckled babies, and then the Wren came oftener to the yard and garden. Several times I saw him fly from the grape- arbor into the rose-trellis but supposed he went there for the aphides which were abundant on the crimson rambler. .After the mother C'hijjpy had been sitting for several days, I noticed one afternoon as I sal on the porch with my sewing, that she was not on her nest. When three-quarters i)f an hour had passed without bringing the Chippy to her nest, I investigated. In the nest were two cold eggs. One was all right, the other had a small, clean-cut hole in it, and a third one lay on the ground broken. I suspected the Wren, but felt almost ashamed of myself for doing so. The last of June the Bluebirds came back for a second nesting, and after looking over the new box put out for them, decided that they liked the old one better, and the mother bird set to work to re-line the nest. One morning after I knew there were eggs in the nest, 1 heard the Wren scolding softly in the garden. The Bluebirds were away. I stepped out on the upper back porch to see where he was and found him on the wire running between the two Blue- bird boxes. I threw a stone at him but did not frighten him at all, and he went on into the Bluebirds' nest-box. .\s I turned awaj' to go down and drive him off, he came to the door of the box and threw out an egg. I rushed downstairs and out to the garden where I could reach the wire, gav'e it a sharp pull, setting the box to swaying, and the little Wren tumbled out and flew away. On the ground beneath the box lay three broken eggs, and the nest was empty. Now I know why the other birds dislike the Wren and chase him away when he comes to the yard. I should like to ask Bird-Lore whether this is a trait of the Wren family or is this particular Wren a degenerate member of the family? — Mrs. Arthur F. Gardner, is5 Maple Avenue, Troy, N. Y. A Family of Brown Thrashers The Brown Thrasher is usually a shy uncompanionable bird, displaying none of the friendliness for people so notable in the Robin and Phoebe. He is frequently seen about thickets and roadside under- growth, which afford ample means of con- cealment. He flits shyly about at a safe distance from the observer, protected by intervening brushwood, and as he is seldom seen at rest, it is not easy to observe him closel)'. The presence of a pair of Thrashers about a brushwood in my field led to the discovery of a nest deep among the dead branches, and it contained three newly hatched young. Desiring an acquaintance with this interesting family, I frequently visited them during the day. The old birds remained at a distance until I was within JOO Bird - Lore 5 or 6 feet of the nest, then the mother darted into the brush and covered the young while the male flitted about the other side of the pile, trying to decoy me away from the nest. This was repeated at intervals during several days, while the birds gradually grew a little less timifl al my presence. The mother always took the nest while the male, when I allowed him to draw m(- to the other side of the brush with a piece of apple which, after a tenta- tive taste, he would peck eagerly as I held it, even allowing my hand to touch his breast or back. The photograph was taken just in time, as the next day the young birds were gone from the nest, and there- after, though I occasionally saw the old birds, I could never again approach them. — Mary Galloway, 357 Hubbard Avenue, Detroit, Mich. TAMINC; A BROWN 111 RASH K K would sit motionless on a twig, manifestly afraid but determined to stand his ground if only he could keep me away from the nest. After repeated visits he would per- mit me to come gradually nearer till I stood within 2 feet of him. Hoping to induce him to eat from my hand, I offered him grain and angleworms, but though he would not stir till my hand almost touched him, he refused to be conciliated and would peck at my hand and hiss his desire that I should go. I won him at last The Language of Robins Early in the summer, a pair of Robins nested on a corner of our front piazza, which was in constant u«e, and many times the mother bird acted as if we had no right there. Perhaps she knew by that time it was a very public place to rear a family. However, she stuck to the home nest, and when four baby birds came, she took good care of them. They grew so fast and crowded so far over the nest that we often wondered where she found room to stay there at night to protect them. After they were feathered, one little fellow tumbled down on the porch- rug, and though he seemed almost large and strong enough to take care of himself, wc jnit him back in the nest. They cried so for food that the parent birds were kept busy finding worms and insects to satisfy them. One afternoon, when I was preparing the strawberries for supper, I found a number of soft ones and decided to give them to the young birds myself. I stood on a chair which raised me high enough to reach the nest and also to see the fun. All were so hungry and evidently all liked strawberries for they raised up, opened those big mouths, and I ne\er could tell which of them got anything, for they all grabbed al each piece I held out. I suppose the old birds were not far away and heard the noise and chatter, for soon, from the pine tree whose branches hung near the porch, came another kind of chatter — a shrill, quick, chi, chi, chi, chi. chid, cha, — chi, chi, chi, chi, chid, cha — repeated again and again till the youngsters heard and noticed it and then, hungry as Notes from Field and Study 301 they seemed, every bird quieted at once, shut their mouths, and lowered themselves in the nest, till only four quiet little heads seemed to be in it. I tried and tried, but could not get one of them to take another bite. I could not e\cn pry their mouths open. I do not understand the language of birds, but it seems there must be something of the kind. I really think the mother bird said: "Don't take another thing from that girl," and they did not. Call it what you will, I never saw surh prompt obedi- ence. After a few days they were gone. I did not see them leave the nest, but saw the parent walk ahead, about 2 or 3 feet, and coax one bird at a time after her till she had taught them to walk from the porch, back behind the garden, where they had their flying lessons in the apple ore hard. — RosK M. Egbert, Chatham, A'. ./. Our Summer Visitors. — A True Story of Some Nova Scotian Birds i'hcy arri\cd unexpectedly, having given us no notice of any kind. The first intimation we had of their presence was the sound of a great chattering outside of the front door. "Whoever you arc," we thought, "your tones are not cultivated, and you are inclined to be quarrelsome." We opened the door, and there they were, perched on a fir tree branch nearby, and looking very belligerent, a [lair of King- birds, dressed in black and silver-gre_\-, with topknots on their heads and white rings around their tails. They had actually built a nest, almost on a level with our eyes, and we had never noticed them. W'c knew they belonged to the I'lycalchcr family, as we had seem them or some-like them, the year before, and watched them darting and circling after insects. N'ow wc were to have a great opportunity of getting acquainted; and not a day passed on which wc did not observe them more or less. Sometimes there would be a fearful com motion, and wc would look out to see them chasing a Robin from the tree, or fighting each other with their sharp beaks. W nc to any small bird who approached too near; he would be routed without ceremony. .Robins appeared to be their chief enemies, and one day, hearing the usual riot, we saw two Robins and the pair of King- birds in pursuit of each other aroimd the tree. The jjerpendicular red line in their foreheads showed very plainly, as it always does when they are angry. The Robins, however, had the best of it this time. As soon as they were driven ofT on one side of the tree, they would dart back to the other side. This game was kept up until another Kingbird came to the rescue, and the three succeeded in driving their enemies from the lawn. .\bout this time the nest contained eggs, as we judged from the birds' behavior, the male always watching the nest when the female went in pursuit of food, which she did at short intervals. He sat nearly always on the same branch, so that he could look into the nest, and waited pa- tiently till she was on her \\&y home, when off he went, and she would settle on the nest in a business-like manner. Sometimes he lingered, and she chattered away to him, while he listened in a dignified wa\-, and said nothing. What conversations they had when the young birds were hatched ! Sitting on the edge of the nest together, and turning their heads first on one side and then on the other, with such an air of pride! l'"requently the little ones must be fed with insects. From an upstairs window we ( ould look right into the nest, and many a poor dragonfly we saw dissected alive, a leg to one and a wing to another. Some- times one had the whole insect and the rest ojiened their wide mouths in vain. One l)oor baby bird was neglected, perhaps purposely, for they seldom gave it a mouthful. At last its poor little dead body was found (Ui the lawn; whether murdered by unnatural parents, or by some marauder in their absence, wc never knew. There wire \ ery few mosquitos in the garden that year, and wc believed the Kingbirds were our deliverers. Making a circling flight, liny would snap up a June bug. a liiittcrtly, or a iicc, hardly ever missing. 302 Bird - Lore and return to their perch without a sec- ond's pause. At last 'Tag-rag' and 'Bobtail' (as we called them, from their disheveled appear- ance) were taught to flap their wings, to sit on the edge of the nest, and, after much exhortation and example from their parents, to get out on the nearest twig; then to make little flights of a few inches over each other's back, then to fly from branch to branch; father and mother all the time going back and forth over the route they wished the little ones to take, chattering in a jieculiar language they had never used before. They were evidently suspicious of the big setter who often occupied the top veranda step, and who seemed as inter- ested in the show as anyone; and at last the male bird, his forehead blazing red, flew right into the dog's face. But Dick stood fast, and the birds continued the training. Thus far had their education gone one evening when we bade them good night; and the next morning, hearing the same peculiar note, we looked out to find they had accomplished the flight to a nearby tree, and before noon they had worked their way out of our neighborhood. Only once more did we behold them, a few days later, on a tree in the garden; and we greeted 'Tag-rag' and 'Bobtail' with real l)leasure. Soon after, a pair of Cedar-birds came and took away every thread of the nest, to build one for themselves, although it seemed rather late in the season for them to rear a family. — Mrs. M. B. Des Brisay, Bridj^rwalcr, N . S. Robin Nesting on Ground On May 8, 1918, I discovered a Robin's nest built flat upon the ground, in a clump of clover. It was located in an orchard, in which there were numerous good nesting- sites in the trees, some of which held other Robins' nests. The nest was of the ordinary Robin architecture, with the usual mud, etc., and contained four eggs, three of which hatched, and, so far as I know, the young were successfully raised. While I have before found the Robin to nest within a foot of the ground, upon rail- fences, I have never before heard of it building right upon the ground, like a Vesper Sparrow, for instance. — Ansel B. Miller, Springs, Pa. THE SEASON VIII. April 15 to June 15, 1918 Two contributors to this department of Bird-Lore have been "called to the colors" — Charles H. Rogers, reporter for the New York City region, and also editor of the Department, is now in camp in Georgia, and Dr. Winsor M. Tyler, reporter for the Boston region, is now a Captain in the medical service and is stationed at Newport. Wherever they go and whatever be their duty we may be sure that their interest in bird-life will prove a welcome source of relaxation from the strenuous demands of their pro- fession.— F. M. C. Boston Region. — The season, delayed by cold and rainy weather, made little progress during the latter half of April. On May i, it was scarcely more advanced than the extremely late season of 191 7. The spring remained backward until May 7, when a few days of summer temperature stimulated such a rapid growth of vegeta- tion that, on May 11, judged by the blos- soming of the horse-chestnut trees, 1918 was three weeks in advance of 191 7. Ten days later the country had assumed almost the appearance of summer, the full- grown leaves casting dense shade. Thus in two weeks a backward spring was transformed into summer. During the last days of April, there came an unusual flight of Yellow Palm Warblers with the Myrtle Warblers, both The Season 3' good season for birds, and both species and individuals have been 304 Bird - Lore mimeroiis. Notwithstandiiij^ this, some birds have been remarkably scarce. This is notably the case with all the Swallows, the Carolina Wren, the Solitary Vireo, Least Flycatcher, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Vesper Sparrow, Solitary Sandpiper, and the Lesser Yellow-legs, the last mentioned of which has entirely escaped observation. It would be interesting to determine whether this scarcity is merely local or more or less general, as some species affected are transients, others are summer residents. On the other hand, a number of species have been more than ordinarily numerous; notably the Tennessee, Kentucky, Bay- breasted, Blue-winged and Wilson's War- blers, Baltimore Oriole, Scarlet Tanager, Rose -breasted Grosbeak, Olive -backed Thrush, Bob-white, and Bonaparte's (Jull. The first-mentioned of these is usually a rare bird during the spring migration, but this year it has been one of the common Warblers. A few birds this season have appeared in great numbers for a short period, apparently representing waves of migra- tion that affected but a species or two at a time. Conspicuous among these have been the Purple Finch, Scarlet Tanager, Kentucky Warbler, and Indigo Bunting. The duration of their greatest abundance, however, has been usually but a day or two. In point of time, the spring migration this year has been about normal, though, as is often the case, somewhat irregular. The remnants of the great flocks of Ducks that wintered on the Potomac River lingered rather long in their winter haunts, a few species longer than ever before. The Baldpate, the latest previous spring record of which was March 31, 1912, was seen by Lieut. Ludlow Griscom on April 14, and the Pintail, by the same observer also on .April 14 (latest previous date, April i, 1842); the Canvasback remained until March 31, which is the latest definite date, although there is an old record for some time in April, 1843. Mr. C. R. Shoemaker also reported the Red-breasted Merganser on April 12, which constitutes our only definite s|)ring record for the species. Another water-bird, the N'irginia Rail, was observed on May 11, more than a month beyond its previously recorded latest date, .\pril 6, 1892. Some of the other birds which remained beyond their usual time, a few of these equaling or approach- ing their latest records, are: Junco, seen on May 3; Savannah Sparrow, May 11; Wilson's Snipe, May 11; Golden-crowned Kinglet, April 2; American Coot, May 11; and Bonaparte's Gull, May 13. Likewise a few were rather late in putting in their spring appearance, such as the Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, which came on April 16 (average date of arrival, April 7); Tree Swallow, April 14 (average date, April 7); Solitary Sandpiper, May 5 (average date, April 28); and the Rough- winged Swallow, .\j)rii 17 (average date, April g). Early arrivals were, however, more numerous, several of them being consider- ably beyond previously known dates. The Louisiana Water-Thrush was observed on March 31 (earliest previous date, April I, 1910); the Bank Swallow on April 4 (earliest previous date, April 10, 1904); Lincoln's Sparrow, April 21 (earliest previ- ous date. May 3, 1885); and the Nashville Warbler, April 23 (earliest previous date, April 29, 1885). A single Indigo Bunting was noted on April 18, four days ahead of its previous earliest record, April 22, 1917, but no other individuals were seen until April 30. Two of our rarest spring birds also appeared earlier than ever before: the Philadelphia Vireo on May 6, the earliest previous date of which is May 12, 1902, and the Prothonotary Warbler, which Lieut. Ludlow Griscom and Mr. Francis Harper saw at Dyke, Va., on April 28, two days ahead of its earliest previous published record, .\pril 30, 191 1. Other early birds were: the American Osprey, April 6; Barn Swallow, April 6; Henslow's Sparrow, April 14; Yellow-throated Vireo, April 18; Northern Water-Thrush, April 2 1 ; Crested Flycatcher, April 21 ; Tennessee Warbler, May 5; and Bay-breasted Warbler, May 6. The appearance of two birds \'ery rare The Season 305 about Washington deserves mention here. Bachman's Sparrow was observed at Kensington, Md., by Mr. Raymond W. Moore on May 2. This is a species which seems but recently to have reached the District of Columbia, for no observers reported.it until within the past few years, and it is still very rare. The Caspian Tern was seen at Plummer Island on May 5, by Mr. A. Wetmore, which is its second known local spring occurrence. Another interesting manifestation of bird-life during this spring, to which the good weather has doubtless contributed, is the rather unusual song activity, par- ticularly of certain species. This has been especially noticeable in the Olive-backed Thrush, the Rose-breasted Grosbeak, the Kentucky Warbler, and many of the other Warblers. Kven on the warmest days their singing has continued throughout a much greater portion of the afternoon than is commonly the case. This has aided much in making daily observations, and is doubtless partly responsible for the excel- lent records of numbers of species and individualsjnoted that many observers have made during the 1918 migration season in the vicinity of Washington. — Harry C. Oberholskr, Washington, D. C. MiNNKAPoi.is, Minx., Region. — The unusually mild weather and the early spring awakening of March and the first half of .\pril was checked by a cold spell that lasted from April 16 to May i. Heavy frosts and freezing temperatures prevailed throughout the state, and on the 23d the thermometer registered 15 degrees at Dululh, with snowfall along the Canadian boundary. This put a check on both vegetation and bird arrivals. Then fol- lowed a week of very warm weather, May 6 being the hottest May Sunday on record in Minnea|)olis— 86 degrees at noon. Following this came another interval of chilly weather, terminating May 13 witli heavy frost and ice at Minneapolis and 28 degrees up at Lake Superior. From this time on continuous warm wcatiuT |)re- vaiied. Alter I lu' t nmparaliv I' (Irougiil of .March and April more than the usual amount of rain fell in May, which, with the hot days that ushered in and completed the month, caused the waiting vegetation fairly to spring forward and burst into a rapid luxuriance that quickly more than made up for the delay caused by the frosty weather. So, by early June, vegetation was some days ahead of the normal sched- ule, and by mid- June, white water lilies, tiger lilies, and linden trees were in bloom nearly two weeks ahead of time. The following are the dates of blooming of a few of the common flowers at Min- neapolis: April 27, marsh marigold and wood anemone; May 2, greater bellwort and rue anemone. May 5, nodding tril- lium; May 6, first plum and crab apple trees; May 12, puccoon (hoary and long- flowered), spiderwort, three flowered geums, ginger root; May 16, showy orchis; June 6, great-blossomed pentstemon and pale larkspur. In regard to the birds, it seems to be the general consensus of opinion of obser- vers in the vicinity of Minneapolis that there has been something seriously amiss with the customary spring movement this year. Day after day the usual waves of migrants filling the tree-tops and thigkets were waited and watched for, but as the season waned, it became all too plainly apparent that the pitiful representation of species ordinarily abundant was all that we were to see. In only a few instances were there anything like the normal numbers. All the various species were no doubt present but in many cases so spar- ingly and so widely scattered that they easily eluded observation, and it was only by comparing notes with several observers that their presence was made known. The always abundant Warblers, like the .Myrtle, Palm, Tennessee. Nashville, Black and White, BlackpoU, and Maryland Vellow-throal were far below the usual number. Others less common, like the Canadian, Hlackburnian, Hlack-tiiruatcd (ireen, Magnolia, Cape Ma\', Wilson's Blackcap, etc., were represenlcii by only one or two individuals, or not at all, after much watching in favorite haunts. Tlie .^o6 Bird - Lor*e same is true of the Sparrows, Fl\caUhcrs, Kinglets, Thrushes, and other groups of smaller land-birds. Of the water-birds the writer can speak less definitely as oppor- tunity for thorough observation was limited, but it was noted that the always common Spotted Sandpiper was almost absent. Since the end of the migration, con siderable time has been spent in the field and it is plainly evident that our land- birds at least, with but few exceptions, arc greatly reduccil in numbers this year. Meadowlarks, Song Sparrows, Chipping Sparrows, Scarlet Tanagers, Catbirds, and Robins, are possibly nearly as numer- ous as usual, but the woods and tields are for I lie n\osl |)arl strangely silent and deserted. Of course it is not intended to give the impression that there are no birds, for all species arc represented, but the i)ulk of bird-life, as far as individuals are concerned, is far below what it has been of late years, to say nothing of thirty or forty years ago. Why this should be so is still a mystery but the fact remains that but a small portion of the birds that left the vicinity of Minneapolis last fall re- turned this spring. Reports from other localities are awaited with much interest. — Thos. S. Roberts, Zoological Museum, U iiiversily of Minnesota, Minneapolis. Denver Region. — The bird-lover who lives in the usual haunts of the Mocking- bird and hears each year the wonderful exuberance of its nesting-song, can feel with me the pleasure I have had over a great influx of Mockingbirds to this region during this season. It is now more than twenty years since I have seen so many of these birds in the neighborhood of Denver. As I write, I hear one singing lustily in the adjoining park — -a rare treat. I have always believed that we would have many more with us regularly if they were not searched for and disturbed so per- sistently during the nesting-season. As soon as a pair or two appear in a neighbor- hood, everybody seems to desire a young bird for a pet. No suitable locality within a radius of twentv-five miles of Denver has failed to show a Mockingbird since the arrival of the first wave of May 2. There has been a singular absence of Warblers this season; perhaps I overlooked them, but at any rate the only migrating Warblers 1 have seen this spring were .Macgillivray's and Virginia, and during the same time I did not see even a single White-crowned or a (Jambel's Sparrow, or a Bronzed Grackle. 1 have always seen these species in the neighborhood of mj^ present home, without making any special effort. There has been an unusual number of Bullock's Orioles, House Wrens, and Plumbeous Vireos. The nesting of the House Wren in my vicinity last year and its recurrence now, lead me to hope that it will become a regular breeding bird in our park. Nighthawks reached us about on time (May 24), and again a Poor- will visited Cheesman Park, the second in eight years, coming on May 29. Our Wood Pewee was the last of the Flycatchers to appear in Denver, arriving May 23. I have often wondered what would become of an escaped Canary, and I have had an answer this spring, for a male has been living in the vicinity of my house for several weeks, singing lustily, and get- ting its own living of weed and dandelion seeds as cleverly as our native House Finches, with which it has consorted much of the time. I had looked forward with a great deal of anticipation to the time of the sun's eclipse (June 8), in order that I might note the behavior of birds on the approach of, and during, the transitory night. To our great disappointment, the afternoon was cloudy, and we were not treated to that rare phenomenon which comes with a total eclipse and an unclouded sky, the sudden and awesome change from day to night. Nevertheless, during totality(ninety seconds) the mountains and plains were covered by a striking and weird semi-dark- ness, and as it approached, the Horned Larks became more voluble, and the Night- hawks took up their crepuscular ways, only to roost again on the fence-posts, when sun- light once more prevailed. — W. H. Berg- told, M.D., Denver, Colo. ^ook J^t\s)^ anb llebietosi In Audubon's Labrador. By Charles Wendell Townsend, M.D. Houghton, Mifflin & Co., Boston and New York. i2mo. xiv+354 pages; 64 half-tones, I map. Dr. Townsend tells us that e\'er since his boyhood he has longed to follow .Xudubon's footsteps in Labrador. This volume, therefore, not only marks the realization of an early ambition, but it serves also the dual purpose of convey- ing much interesting and valuable in- formation regarding the region to which it relates and of being an illuminating and always sympathetic commentory on the e.xplorations of the great ornithologist. Doubtless there is no one better qualified to write a book of this nature than Dr. Townsend. .\ boy's imagination, stirred by Audubon's graphic description of his voyage, was doubtless further stimulated by contact with George C. Shattuck, one of Audubon's young companions, after- ward a well-known Boston physician under whom, many years later. Dr. Town- send served as house officer at the Massa- (husetts General Hospital. Add to these circumstances a keen interest in bird-life and the strong touch which comes from personal experience, and it is evident that Dr. Townsend, so far as Labrador is ( (incerned, is .Vudubon's lineal re])rescnta- ti\c. Dr. Townsend does not confine him- self to birds, but writes also of plants and nf people; and always there is an historical l)ackground in which, so comi)aratively little has the scene changed in its major features, the past is brought singularly near the present. — V. M.-C. I'.iRUS OF Lkwiston-Auburn [Maink] and Vicinity, iiy Carrie Llla Miller. With an Introduction by I'rofessor J. V. Stanton. Lcwiston Journal Co., Lewislon, Maine. i2mo. 80 pages; 2 half-tones. This is a I horouglilN' well amiotatcd list of 1(11 >pci ii's in wjiic h I lu- author's 1^0 enthusiastic love of birds finds frequent expression. Her remarks, therefore, are not confined to mere statements of manner of occurrence with dates, etc., but show a keen appreciation of the songs of birds and a discriminating interest in their ways. — F. M. C. The Teaching of Science in the Ele- mentary School. By Gilbert H. Trafton, Instructor in Science at the State Normal School, Mankato, Minn. Houghton, Mifflin & Co. i2mo. xii-|- 288 pages. Professor Trafton, drawing on his own wide experience, here writes a book for teachers on methods of teaching science. The book has six major headings as follows: I, The Pedagogy of Science Instruction; II, Biological Science; III, Agricultural Science; IV, Hygiene; V, Physical Science; VI, Outline of Science Instruction. There is no padding, but a wealth of practical suggestion and information based not on theory but on practice. We should say that no teacher of elementary science could fail to profit by an examination of this volume. — F. M. C. The Ornithological Magazines Tm: Condor. — Five general articles and a number of short notes make up the varied contents of the May number of 'The Condor.' In a brief account of 'The Short-eared Owl in Saskatchewan.' Goelitz describes the nesting of the bird on the open prairies and the finding of several nests, one of which, containing nine eggs, is reproduced from a photograph. One of the most interesting articles in Bradbury's 'Notes on the Nesting Habits of the White-throated Swift in Colorado,' well illustrated with five views of nesting- sites and one photograph of a nost and four eggs collected June 24. u)i<'. near Hot Sulpiuir Springs. Colo. This paper and Ilanna's arlii le on the Swift in the niiniher ;^o8 Bird- Lore for January, 1Q17. are substantial contri- butions to our knowledge of the nesting habits of this characteristic species of the mountains of the West. Mrs. Bailey's paper on 'A Return to the Dakota Lake Region' is continued with an account of the 'Birds of the Unbroken Prairie.' The type, locality, early history, and name of Costa's Hummingbird are discussed by the present reviewer, who shows that the species was described from a a specimen collected in all probability at Magdalena Bay, Lower California, and that the bird was not taken in California until twenty years later, and its eggs not until nearly half a century after the dis- covery of the species. In an interesting review of 'The Dis- tribution of the Subspecies of the Brown Towhee' (Pipilo crissalis), based on a study of 383 specimens. Swarth shows that the three forms of this bird in California {Pipilo c. crissalis, P. c. carola, and P. c. soiicula) occupy well-defined areas which arc outlined on an accompanying map. It is rather remarkable that, although this Towhee is so characteristic of the coast region, no specimens from Lake Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, or Santa Cruz counties seem to have been examined in the preparation of the paper. In view of the recent discussion concerning the scarcity of the Brown Towhee on the San Francisco peninsula it would have been interesting to have had some explanation or mention of the local rarity of the bird in this part of its range. The brief notes include Hunt's in- genious reconstruction of certain evidence of the presence of a Short-eared Owl near the University campus at Berkeley (an addition to the species of the local list) and Bryant's summary of the contents of 18 stomachs representing 1 2 species of Hawks and Owls from California. — T. S. P. and years of constant noise and flames, gases and dangers, wild birds have shown an astonishing disregard of these supreme efforts of mankind. They soar and vol- plane, they seek their food, quarrel with one another, carry on their courtship, mate and rear families in close proximity to the actual fighting and exploding shells. In fact, their numbers have increased near ruined villages where they nest in the shattered houses and in cathedrals still smoking from devastating bombardment." The Twenty-seventh Annual Report of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, presented at the general meeting of March 12, 1918, recounts the efforts of the Society in combating the popular but thoughtless desire to increase our food- supply at the expense of our bird-life at a time when birds are of exceptional impor- tance to our agricultural, interests. Fortunately, the efforts of the Society were warmly supported by the public, to which it appealed through a special leaflet, entitled 'Birds, Insects and Crops.' The Society remarks with much truth, "Un- doubtedly this was a duty which should have been fulfilled by the Government departments entrusted with agricultural and educational interests and with public money for such purposes; but since these had sj'stematically neglected it, a Society with an income less than that of many an individual salaried official had to come to the rescue." The spring and summer, 1918, issue of the 'Audubon Bulletin' of the Illinois .\udubon Society contains 48 pages filled with interesting matter relating chiefly to birds and bird-conservation in Illinois. The address of Miss Amalie Hanning, the treasurer of the Society, is 1649 Otis Building, Chicago. Book News In the May issue of the New York Zoological Society's 'Bulletin,' William Beebe, writing on ',\nimal Life at the I'ront," says that "in sjiitc of the months The Department of Fish and (iame of the state of Alabama, has issued its usual 'Bird Day Book,' a pamphlet of ninety- six pages containing selections in prose and verse on the beauty and value of birds. Editorial 309 ^irb=1Lore A Bi-Monthly Magazine Devoted to the Study and Protection of Birds OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE AUDUBON SOCIETIES Edited by FRANK M. CHAPMAN Contributing Editor, MABELOSGOOD WRIGHT Published by D. APPLETON & CO. Vol. XX Published August 1. 1918 No. 4 COPYRIGHTED, 1918, BY FRANK M. CHAPMAN Bird-Lore's Motto: A Bird in the Bust Is Worth Two in the Hand At last migratory birds have been accorded full national citizenship. No longer at the mercy of this state or of that; no longer the victims of laws made with a view to their destruction rather than protection, they are now wards of the Federal Government. And, within the limits of the United Stales, have certain clearly defined rights which are legally as effective in Florida or Maine as they are in California or Oregon. Furthermore, these rights will be main- tained in the interest of the birds, not of their enemies. The species classed as game- birds will still have to contribute their share to gratify the love of sport which for many generations will doubtless continue to be an inherent human attribute. But their contribution will be made with due regard to maintaining the source of supph' and not to gratify the selfish thoughtlessness of tiic passing generation. When on July 3, 1918, President Wilson signed the 'Enabling Act' making effective our treaty with Canada for tin- protection of migratory birds, he com- pleted the structure which for the past third of a centurs- the friends of birds have ;i( lively Ijeen endeavoring to build. Only those familiar with the history of bird legislation and who have been engaged for a more or less prolonged period in the fight to secure for our birds a satisfactory legal status, can begin to realize the signiti cance of the victory which places their care in the hands of the National Cio\ernmint . For years, it is true, certain of our slates, have recognizerl the claims of birds to tlic proleilion ol' the law. Hut sU( li protection extended only to the limits of the state that gave it while in the neighbor- ing state the bird could, perhaps, not only be legally killed, but a price might actually be placed on its head! With every state making its own laws — or failing to make any — uniformity of treatment of the subject of bird conserva- tion was out of the question. The first man to give public e.xpression to the inadequacy of state game laws was George Shiras III, who, on December 5, 1904, introduced the original 'Migratory Bird Bill' into Congress. The ideas it embodied were loo novel to be immedi- ately accepted, but, at least, they were presented for the consideration of the public, to live or die on their merits. Bird-protectors were quick to see the far-reaching importance of Federal legis- lation; while those sportsmen who think only of the number of days of shooting they can crowd into each year were equally C(uick to realize how materially it would restrict their activities. Federal bird legis- lation, therefore, soon developed many enemies as well as many friends. Each side fully understood the nature of the struggle and was determined to fight to a finish. Fortunately the cause of the birds has never lacked for earnest and effective leaders. Shiras was succeeded by Weeks and Lacey and McLean, and finally a bill bearing the hitter's name was passed on January 22, 1013, and ap])roved by the President on March 4 following. iU^aten in Congress, the enemies of the l)ir(ls soon attacked the ((mstitutionalily of the law. This question was finally brought before the Supreme Court which gave no decision but called for a rehearing. .Meanwhile in January, iqi^, the allies of the l)irds, represented by Senators Root and McLean, had taken the initial steps toward the passage of a migratory- bird treaty which should embody the pro- visions of the Shiras- Wecks-Lacey-McLean law. it is the 'Enabling .\ct" making this tri;it\ etTeclive which has become the law of tlie Nation to i)e administered by the Hioiogiial Sur\e> of the United States |)eparlnient of .\gri( uil ure. Cfje ^utiubon Societies; SCHOOL DEPARTMENT Edited by ALICE HALL WALTER Address all communications relative to the work of this depart- ment to the Editor, 67 Oriole Avenue, Providence, R. I. PRACTICAL CONSERVATION OF BIRDS The Superintendent of Public Schools in Wilmington, N. C, writes: "We are endeavoring to make our entire county, New Hanover, a Bird Conserva- tion County. On two sides we have the sea, and on the other, the Cape Fear Ri\er. A number of migratory birds spend the winter here. W'e want to con- tinue our work through the schools, and to make it effective and permanent." In direct connection with the suggestions in the last issue for making state, county and village census-maps of bird-populations, for purposes of study and comparison, is this practical plan of setting about systematically to conserve bird-life within a single county. There could be no better way to make a real beginning in conservation than to start all the schools within a limited area in a study of the different species of birds found there throughout the year, together with the best methods of attracting and protecting them. Results are bound to come more rapidly in this way, for concentrated effort is an essential point in any successful undertaking. Think what it would mean in any state, if individual counties or towns determined to find out more accurately the kinds and numbers of birds present, the kinds of food preferred by them, the enemies and dangers about them, and the laws governing their relations to man! Within a short time the pubhc would become far more wide awake to the conditions most favorable to birds and man alike, and measures of protective control would be supported without the opposition, now so unhappily and disastrously raised by ignorant or unprin- cipled politicians. A recent Danish paper mentions the wholesale exportation of Gull's eggs from neighboring islands, due to the unusual demands made by the war. Just how far such utilization of a natural resource can be safely allowed, responsible ])ersons in authority should know definitely. In our own country, the national food-administrator, recognizing the value of birds to man, particularly through their relations to agriculture, has urged upon every- one the importance of conserving bird-life. We have the opportunity now, as at no other time within our memory, to make use of every natural resource to its fullest value. Instead of minimizing the necessity of bird-study, the critical moment has arrived when we should strain every nerve to gain any advantage which birds can help to give us. It is gratifying to receive reports that birds seem unusually abundant this season. At the moment of writing, in northeastern Vermont, Bluebirds are (310) The Audubon Societies 311 calling with much the same frequency that they did before their sudden decrease. Laughing Gulls were seen along the shores of Rhode Island in early June, while the Prairie Warbler was recorded not far inshore. Such species as these, whose numbers or distribution are varying, are singled out simply as interesting examples of beneficial species which show a rapid increase or decrease, according to favorable or unfavorable conditions. Is it not possible to take up careful limited area studies more generally, not only in schools but also in clubs and communities, so that town by town, county by county and state by state, we shall have a continuous link of thorough investigation? In order to aid this movement. State Audubon Societies would do well to get into closer touch with each Junior Audubon Society within their limits. Not infrequently, appeals come to the School Department for informa- tion as to how and where to get material, lectures, and organized assistance in forming a bird club or Junior Audubon Society. Why not send a circular of information to each school in the state from the head office of the State Audu- bon Society and thus establish, not only acquaintance but a working relation, between such isolated centers of interest? The 'endless chain' idea might well be applied to bird-study and bird-conservation. — A. H. W. JUNIOR AUDUBON WORK For Teachers and Pupils Exercise XL: Correlated with Music, Basket-making, and English. Summer Bird Music. Part III The season has come when most people fail to take the keen interest in bird-study which they do in spring or even during June, yet there is very much to see and to hear throughout July and August, and those who really wish to become thorough students of bird-life should not neglect midsummer observations. From any single vantage-point a list of twenty or thirty species may be listed, provided the locality is a favorable one. Should one do no more than to follow these thirty or less species, a great deal could be learned about ihoir daily activities, which would throw light on the habits and movements of many other species. The following random list of birds seen or heard from a piazza on a rainy July morning illustrates the value of hot-weather hird-sUuly. The environment of the locality' was ])ossil)ly more than ordinarily favoral)le, since it combined a sail-water inlet wilh a somewhat shaded roadside bordering on a thin fringe of woodland. One or two old apple trees, several large locusts, a few cherry trees, culti\ate(l once, perhaj^s, but now run wild, shrubs and road- side weeds made up in general the vegetatit)n. One large locust alone otTered sufficient op|iortuiut\- for obserxation. On its bark, the White-breasted Nut- hatch and Downy Woodpecker and the smaller Hlack-and-white Creejier were 312 Bird -Lore busily engaged, uttering their various calls from time to time. At this season of the year, the Creeper gives two songs, one far less rasping than its common wee-see, wee-see, wee-see. Should there happen to be a bevy of young Creepers about, their notes might so much resemble those of a soft-toned Chipping Sparrow as to deceive one unaccustomed to them. Flitting about in the highest branches of the locust were Baltimore Orioles, mostly silent except for a lisping call-note or brief chatter, in striking contrast to their full-throated, ringing whistles uttered in mating-time. Dropping in with them for a brief survey of the available food-supply on and in the weather- worn locust were a late-nesting pair of Chickadees, than whom no bird friends are more dear or constant. Just how frequently the pewee song of this species is given as compared with its chkk-a-dee-dee note throughout the year, would be an interesting point to observe. Heard in the evergreen woods of more north- ern localities against the high, flute-like notes of the White-throated Sparrow, the Chickadees' plaintive song takes on a distinctly minor character, but here by the shore, in the open covers of the locust, the ear noted only major cadences. The Yellow Warbler shows brilliantly against the soft, waving, green leaves of the locust in the sunlight, but on this wet morning one would never have suspected that it had any color aside from green. For a week or more during midsummer, the penetrating song of this Warbler suddenly stops, when only the keenest eye can detect the molting bird tucked away in some shady nook, moping and evidently far from its normal vivacity. The Yellow-throated, Red- eyed and occasionally a White-eyed Vireo frequented the locust and neigh- boring shrubs, although the ])resence of all three on this particular morning cannot be affirmed. It is always a pleasure to train the ear by timing the number of phrases given per minute by the different Vireos. Should one luckily discover their nests, there is an added pleasure in detecting minute differences in the shape and construction of them as well as in the materials used in mak- ing them. The call-notes of young Vireos, either in or just out of the nest, add another point of interest to these leaf-frequenting species. In the lilacs and syringas under the locust, Catbirds abounded, singing less and less and uttering their notes in more whispered tones with the advance of summer, while from the woods to the west the call of the Wood Thrush was heard most frequentl\' in the early, dewy morning or toward dusk. Now and then the note of an Oven-bird might be heard, although, after early July, this species is seen much oflener than heard. If not too busy a thoroughfare, it may even be found along the roadside, where overshadowing trees are thickest. Goldfinches, now setting about mating and nesl-building, gave deliciously sweet call-notes, as they kept unremittingly at their task of selecting a suitable site for their home and a suitable food-supply. Back and forth on undulating wing, these beautiful songsters constantly engaged the eye as well as the car of the observer. With Chimney Swifts and Ram Swallows twittering and gyrating overhead. The Audubon Societies 313 an occasional Kingbird, or, possibly a Red-shouldered or Sharp-shinned Hawk, the air above seemed full of life as well as trees and shrubs. The Kingbird is especially attractive when poising high up or breaking forth into infrequent, musical though brief song. It is likely, however, to confuse one who is unaware of its appearance in midair or its song. The Scarlet Tanager and Crested Flycatchers are a delight during the sum- mer months, and the Purple Finch also, if one is so fortunate as to be in its vicinity. The Tanager's fragile nest is rather easily discovered, and, like the Goldfinch, the brilliant and attentive male makes a picture not soon forgotten, as it carries food to the young, or, in the latter instance, to the female as well. One must not forget the humble Sparrows either, for without the familiar songs of the Chipping and Song Sparrows, a summer bird-chorus would seem thin and lacking in quality. Up on the dry pastures. Grasshopper Sparrows give their indistinct buzzing notes, and occasional flight-songs of more musical value, but by the salt-water inlet which I am describing, the Chipping and Song Sparrows most commonly represent the great family of fringilline birds. Wrens find this environment congenial, especially House Wrens, which chatter and scold on the slightest provocation. When a big Carolina Wren chanced that way on its rather erratic wanderings, excitement prevailed, for its notes awaken even the careless onlooker of Nature. The Wood Pewee is one of our most delightful summer birds. When Phoebe has become silent and is secretively getting off its last brood, the Wood Pewee is pursuing household duties with unfailing care and charm. A Pewee's nest is almost as beautiful a structure as a Hummingbird's. Forget an aching neck if the opportunity comes to watch one in the making or the using. Around the honeysuckle and creepers about the locust. Hummingbirds came regularly. They seemed to have each desirable flowering plant or shrub located, so constant were their visits. In contrast to these minute rapid crea- tures were the slow, big Herons on the inlet at low tide, whose raucous notes are familiar to all who visit the neighborhood. Sometimes an early migrating Great Blue Heron chanced in the inlet. With Kingfishers and a flock of Laugh- ing Gulls, an occasional Tern or Herring CiuU, and Spotted Sandpipers, the water side of the road was equally attractive. Indeed there is always so nuK li to see and to learn, one can hardly afford to give up bird-study because of hot weather. When early fall comes, conditions change and migrating birds of many species confuse the observer. It is wise to improve each da\- in July and August. — A. H. W. For and From Adult and Young Observers MEANS OF SECURING INTEREST IN BIRD-STUDY .\s a first step in securing interest in our spring bird-study, I suggested to my fifth-grafle jnipils that the\- form a Junior Audubon Club. Having seen 314 Bird - Lore some of the sample pictures and leaflets, they were glad to do this and became enthusiastic when I allowed them to choose a name for the club by voting, as well as to elect their own officers. Interest in the club did not lessen, because of the regular meetings for which a program was arranged by the president who secured the material and selected the pupils who were to take part. Short NOVEL BIRD-HOUSES accounts of these meetings were kept by the secretary. On one occasion we were guests of another club which entertained us quite pleasingly. A number of stuffed birds loaned by the Science Museum introduced to the children birds of different families and gave them an idea of the relative sizes of various birds which could not be obtained from pictures. The study of these birds formed a good foundation for the outdoor excursions which followed as soon as the weather permitted. After considering bird-houses from the standpoint of the birds' comfort, measurements for houses which might be tenanted, were suggested and the method of construction was discussed. Meanwhile the children placed out nesting material for the early builders. A few of the houses, which were made at home, are pictured here. The results were purposely practical rather than ornamental. One lad made a house from an old China teapot which was quite ingenious if not altogether a work of art. It is hoped that next year the con- struction of practical bird-houses may be included in our manual training work. We correlated our bird-work with drawing by cutting birds out of paper and also by drawing them, following this by coloring them. The cover of the secretary's book was also designed by one of the pupils. Several phases of our bird-work formed a basis for written as well as for oral work in language. In literature Celia Thaxter's poem "The Robin" took on added meaning after they had actually heard a Robin singing during a spring shower. The children became familiar with the calls and songs of some of our common birds through the entertaining medium of the victrola. This trained them to listen for bird- The Audubon Societies 315 songs more carefully and more intelligently. The games suggested in Bird- Lore were always enjoyed, as well as was the spare time when Bird-Lore was the popular reading. Always when it was a case of attention to a lesson or watching or listening to a bird from the windows, our little feathered friends won out. But was not this the enthusiasm I had been striving for? That they might learn to know and to love "The bluebird balanced on some topmost spray, Flooding with melody the neighborhood; Linnet and meadow-lark, and all the throng That dwell in nests and have the gift of song." — Susan C. Dowd, Springfield, Mass. [Several points in this admirable outline of work are important to notice particularly. One is the correlation of bird-study with drawing. Another is the systematic organiza- tion of the Junior Audubon Club which is so actively and interestingly managed. Profit also by the advice that pictures of birds are deceptive in the matter of size. It is unfor- tunate that the illustrations in many bird-books give so little idea of the relative sizes of different species, since size is an especially good field mark. — A. H. W.] BIRD-HOUSES We want to make friends with the birds because they eat insects and make life more pleasant. We can attract birds to our homes by making bird-houses, and by putting out bread for them in the wintertime. You can have a Blue- bird come to your bird-house or a House Wren. You must have no cracks in the wood where drafts may come in. The hole must be sandpapered so the bird will not catch any of its feathers. The roof must come beyond the back so the water will run off the roof. The house must be made so it can be taken apart to be cleaned. Lots of birds do not like perches because English Sparrows can get on and chat and bother the birds inside. If you are going to put your bird-house on a pole, paint it white; if on a tree, paint it a dull color. — Wilfred Beaumier, Springfield, Mass. A HOV AND HIS UlRli.UUX 3i6 Bird -Lore AN AUDUBON LIBRARY EXHIBIT Because these boys in the picture are more interested in birds than they ever were before, and because they read Bird-Lore in the children's room of the public library where this exhibit was held, we are sending the picture to you. There was no prize at all, and yet many boys responded. All the books and articles from magazines were utilized, and yet many boys tried original models. BIRD-BOXES MADE WITH AND WITHOUT MODELS Now we are looking for simple bird-baths. Each one of these boys, and many others, have gardens of their own and Mr. Fullerton told them that each garden needs a bird-bath. Most models are too elaborate. There never have been so many beautiful birds here before! Can it be because boys everywhere, who used to shoot them, are now their protectors? — A. H. Thompson, Whiteston, L. I. [More birds than usual at this season of the year are reported in parts of Rhode Island and elsewhere. It is to be hoped that continued protection of birds in the South will increase their numbers in the North. — A. H. W.] MY FIRST BIRD TENANTS When, on June i, I reached Sorrento, Maine, where I was to spend the summer, I was delightfully surprised to find that many summer birds had already arrived. The Robins had begun to build their nests, and some had laid their eggs. That same day about ten Tree Swallows came and inspected the bird-boxes I had made r.nd put up the year before. They seemed to be specially attracted by a box which was made out of a hollow log which I had gotten at a nearby sawmill. By night it was plain that one pair had decided The Audubon Societies 317 to build in it. The next day they began to bring bits of grass and straw, although it already had sawdust in the bottom of it. The nest was lined with feathers. I could easily make these observations, as the roof of the box was hinged on. I did not put my hand in the box or disturb the nest in any way, but just looked in, never leaving the top open for more than a minute. Every day one egg was laid until there were four. Then one day, when I looked in I saw that the red squirrels had made a visit. The eggs were broken and the nest destroyed. I half expected something of the kind, for I had seen the squirrels around the box and been obliged to drive them away. Another of my boxes was inhabited by Tree Swallows. I never saw the young birds, but when I cleaned out the box in the fall, I could find no traces of broken eggs, so I think that brood was successfully raised. I also made a bird-bath by digging a shallow hole of the right size and shape, and coating the sides of it with cement. Robins, Chipping Sparrows, White-throated Sparrows, Song Sparrows, Juncos, and a Yellow Warbler visited the bird-bath this summer. I had a self -filling food-box outside the window on the side of the house. Song Sparrows came to it mostly, but I saw a few Chipping Sparrows in it. Before I left last fall I took down the boxes, cleaned them out, and put them up again for the birds to use for shelter this winter. I also tied suet to the trees for them. I saw sixty-eight species of birds last summer. Among them, at Washing- ton, D. C, were a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Black- throated Green Warbler, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Black-throated Blue Warbler, Black-poll Warbler, White-breasted Nuthatch, Tufted Titmouse and Brown Creeper. At Sorrento, Maine, a Blue-headed Vireo, Great Blue Heron, and Sandhill Crane (?). My earliest record for this year is a Robin which I saw at Yonkers, N. Y., on February 2. Four Robins were seen fhe following week. — Gifford Ewing, (age, 13 years). New York City. [Bird-work of this kind should be more and more encouraged. The list of birds given for Washington, D. C, is not dated, but is probably a migration rather than a nesting list, since most of the species mentioned nest farther north. The record of a Sandhill Crane in Maine is improbable for several reasons. First, no record of this species for that state is known; second, this Crane has become extremely rare in most localities where it was formerly common; and, third, its normal range is not along the Atlantic seaboard in the vicinity of Maine. It is quite likely that a Green Heron, American Bittern or Black-crowned Night Heron was seen by the observer. A good rule to follow in study- ing birds is to look up the normal range of a species when first identifying it, and in case of a doubtful record, to consult as many reliable lists as possible to discover its regular occurrence. Learn what nol to expect in any locality. — A. H. W.] A FEATHERED PATIENT Perhaps you would like to hear about something that haj^pcned yesterday. I was going through a field when I saw a Robin lying on the ground. 1 ran 3i8 Bird -Lore quickly and picked it up and looked at it. It had a broken wing. I brought it home, but did not know what to do to help it. After awhile I thought per- haps Doctor Michaud would be able to fix the wing. I took the bird to him and asked him but the doctor said he could not. He told me to take the Robin and leave it in the woods so the cats would not get it. I did this and I soon saw three Robins come with the Robin that had the broken wing. I felt better because I thought they would take care of it. We have an Audubon Class in School, and like to have things read out of Bird-Lore. — Gerard Dubois (age, lo years). Sacred Heart School, Bathurst, N. B., Can. [Bird hospitals are among the latest advances in protective work for our feathered friends. It would be a good thing if someone in every community knew how to save a bird with a broken leg or wing. — A. H. W.] A TRUE BLUEBIRD STORY More than threescore years ago, two little girls, Jane and Phoebe Waite, lived in a rural district in New York. In summer they often went berrying. Late one afternoon they discovered a Bluebird's nest in the cavity of a tree, containing three baby birds. After admiring them, Jane and Phoebe decided the babies would make most desirable pets. They carried them home carefully and showed them to their mother. Mrs. Waite was shocked at the thoughtless- ness of her little daughters. Kindness to birds and animals had always been a principle in the household. Although twilight was deepening, the mother bade her children take the little birds back to the nest. They found the parent birds in great distress. When the baby birds were safe in the nest, the mother and father Bluebird manifested so much joy and love for their babies that Jane and PhcEbe sat down and cried, realizing how nearly they had been to causing a tragedy in the home of their bird friends. You may be sure they never carried away any more baby birds. — Mrs. D. Berlin, Wimbledon, N. D. [Frequently boys and girls or even adults, pick up nestlings with the idea of caring for them for a time. Unless the birds are injured and helpless, it is a far better way to leave them with their parents, and to observe their habits at a safe distance. Nearlj^ everyone who has vines about a porch will discover there a Robin's nest or a Chipping Sparrow's. These familiar species readily adapt themselves to rather close contact with people. It is not difficult to become intimate with many shyer species, and the joy of such acquaintance can only be appreciated by those who experience it. — A. H. W.] A BIRD STORY One day when I was out in the back yard, I saw a Wren and her young ones. She was up in a tree and her young ones were on the ground. I was near the tree. The babies thought that I was a tree, so they hopped up on my legs as if they were trees. The mother of the baby birds did not like it at first, but The Audubon Societies . 319 when she saw that I was not going to hurt them, she stopped scolding. Then she called her young ones to her and they flew away and I went into the house. This story I tell you is true.— David Loveland, (age, 8 years), Lincoln, Neb. [The little boy's mother adds: "l saw the two baby Wrens alight on his legs, one on each leg, as he was standing still, eating cherries from the tree in our back yard. David is a member of our Twentieth Street Audubon Society and is much interested in birds." This is a valuable observation with reference to the actions of young birds. — A. H. W.] MY FRIEND, JIM CROW Doubtless, when you read the title of my story, some of you will say, "She is not very careful in her selection of a friend." However, in spite of the bad reputation of this bird family, I will not change it, for, judging from my personal acquaintance with these birds, I know that, like some human beings. Crows are not as black as they appear. Their intelligence and cleverness cannot help but win the admiration of those who know them well. I have had the pleasure of taming three Crows, but I shall tell only of some of the e.xperiences with the one that I had for over two years, the one which was so faithful that he refused to associate with any of the Crow family who tried to coax him away, but remained with me during two cold winters. Our acquaintance began when he was pushed out of the nest, a baby Crow, so young that all he knew was to open his mouth wide and call for food as soon as I appeared. He was so helpless, he could not even walk, but would flap his wings and call until his hunger was satisfied with a liberal supply of bread and milk. After a time, he was able to travel, and would follow me about, but began to depend more upon himself to find food. He was my faithful attendant to and from school, or to the village, watching from the pine tree in the yard, and flying to meet me at noon and night when I returned home. If there was any special work to be done, Jim was there to superintend it and nothing seemed to escape his bright eyes, as he sat with his head cocked on one side, closely watching. He was fond of bright colored objects, and nothing of the kind was safe with him, for sad to relate, Jim was a thief. One time, on returning from a neighbor's, I found he had entered an open window and was sitting on the sewing-machine with a silver thimble in his bill. Before I could rescue it, he swallowed it. Thinking about what the owner would say (for she was not as fond of Jim as I), I grasped him by the throat and choked him until he spit out the thim- ble. With an angry squawk, he flew away, refusing to notice me for a long time. One kind of work, in which Jim was especially interested, was the washing, and at this time he required watching, for no sooner were the clothes pinned to the line, than he was after the clothes-pins, which he carried away to some hiding-place, sometimes tucking them under (he shingles on the roof, sometimes in trees near the house, where we after- ward found tliL-m. If discovered at this mischief, he would //(// ha! as if it were a good joke. Mother failed to sec the humor of it, and one washday, saying "Old fellow, we'll see I" pinned some of the clothes to the line with common pins, thinking there wt)uid be no more trouble. Hut Jim was equal to the occasion, and a little later, a row of pins was dis- covered on the ground beneath the clothes-line. Members of the family were not the only victims of Jim's thievish pranks — even the cat did not escape. One day, Jim si)ied her playing with a mouse, and the temptation to 320 Bird -Lore gel it was too strong to resist, but how, was the question. He strutted back and forth in front of her, talking all the while in Crow language, but keeping well out of reach of her claws. This plan not seeming to succeed, he resolved to try another. Quickly slipping behind her, he seized her tail in his bill, pinching it till the poor cat released the mouse, and angrilj' turned to strike at him. Jim was too quick for her, however, and, with the mouse in his possession, flew to a nearby tree, where he sat and watched the disgusted-looking cat below him. Like other Crows, Jim was interested in certain branches of agriculture, but, unlike them, he turned his attention to the onion bed, watching carefully the putting out of a large bed of onions sets, — but that was not all! As father put out row after row, Jim was following quietly behind him, pulling out set after set, so that when father turned to look at his work, every set lay on top of the ground. As this was the first offense of its kind, it was overlooked, and after Jim was driven away, the onion sets were again put in the ground as before. Several days later, when father went to look at his onion bed, he found the sets up, nicely piled in little heaps on the top of the bed. This was too much for the patience of any man to endure, and Jim was condemned to death, but so strong a plea for his life was made, that the sentence was changed to imprisonment until the garden was well started. These were only a few of his many pranks, and yet Jim did not spend all of his time in mischief. He was an accomplished mimic. He would say "hello" so plainly and laugh so much like a person as to deceive anyone. His imitation of the cackle of a hen was so perfect that he deceived some of the family who hunted in the woodshed, from which the sound came, to find a nest. No nest was there, but finally Jim was caught at his joke, and upon being discovered, showed his appreciation of it by giving a loud "ha! ha!" In only one attempt as an imitator was Jim a failure. In his case, the motto "Keeping everlastingly at it, brings success," did not prove true, for he did his best to gobble like a Turkey, though in vain. I have seen him, an hour at a time, follow the Turkeys about, trying to learn how to gobble, but he never succeeded in adding this to his list of accom- plishments. In the early part of the second winter of his stay with me, Jim met with a misfortune, which seemed to sober him and cause him to lose many of his bright, cute ways. One day he failed to appear, and he was found on the hill, caught in a rabbit trap, one leg nearl}' severed. Not a few tears were shed, for fear he would die, but with care, the wound healed, and Jim, though a cripple, still followed me about. The next spring, however, Jim disappeared, and in spite of all our efforts, he could not be found, but in a few days we learned his fate. He had been found in another trap, by a trapper, who mercifully ended his suffering. So because of my affection for this member of the Crow family, I cannot help but have charity for others, regardless of the questionable traits which they possess. This is a true account in every detail. I am sorry I have no photos to illustrate some of the amusing incidents. — Mildred H. Murphy, Treadwell, N. Y. [If birds are kept as pets, as in this case, it is wise to select a species like the Crow, whose habits cannot be too thoroughly investigated. Personal e.xperiences with the clever and highly intelligent Crow prove more conclusively than argument the value of intimate study of this much-discussed and too often misunderstood bird. In this con- nection look up the bulletins on the Crow published by the U. S. Dept. of Agriculture. — A. ri. W.l TWO SCL;M;S in a kUsl.-llKliA-.! I.l) OKO^UKAK. HoMK Phiilc.graiihed by A. A. Allen ^i^t Bubution Societies! EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT Edited by T. GILBERT PEARSON, Secretary Address all correspondence, and send all remittances for dues and contributions, to the National Association of Audubon Societies, ig74 Broadway, New York City. William Dutcher, President Frederic A. Lucas, Acting President T. Gilbert Pearson, Secretary Theodore S. Palmer, First Vice-President Jonathan Dwicht, Jr., Treasurer Samuel T. Carter, Jr., Attorney Any person, club, school or company in sympathy with the objects of this Association may become a member of it, and all are welcome. Classes of Membership in the National Association of Audubon Societies for the Protection of Wild Birds and Animals: $5 annually pays for a Sustaining Membership $100 paid at one time constitutes a Life Membership $i,ooo constitutes a person a Patron $5,000 constitutes a person a Founder $25,000 constitutes a person a Benefactor Societ Form of Bequest: — I do hereby give and bequeath to the National Association of Audubon ieties for the Protection of Wild Birds and Animals (Incorporated), of the City of New York. THE ENABLING ACT BECOMES A LAW The Enabling Act to make operative the treaty between the United States and Great Britain regarding migratory birds of Canada and the United States, after a final, bitter, two days' fight in the House of Representatives, recently was passed. On July 3, 1918, it was signed by President Wilson and is now a law. Thus ends the struggle to secure Government control of migratory birds which began away back in 1904 when the first migratory bird bill was introduced in Congress by Representa- tive George Shiras 3d, of Pennsylvania. No complete history of the long struggle that has since ensued for the support of this measure will here be given, but briefly it may be stated that, although the bill advocated by Mr. Shiras did not become a law, others were inspired to follow his example in the succeeding sessions of Congress, and the McLean bill finally was enacted, and signed by President Taft March 4, 1913. In the minds of some people there was doubt as to the constitutionality of this measure. At least two Federal judges took this position in cases that were brought before them. One case finally went to the Supreme Court. This body, apparently unable to agree, referred the matter back (3 to the United States Department of Justice with the suggestion that it again be brought before the Supreme Court at a later date. In the meantime a movement had been set on foot to secure a treaty between this country and Great Britain, covering the protection of migratory birds in Canada and the United States, the opinion being given by lawyers of high standing that after a treaty covering the principles in- volved in the McLean Law should be con- summated, it would take the place of the McLean Law and would not be subject to revision by the Supreme Court. This treaty was finally ratified by the Senate August 29, 1916. But this did not end the matter, for until Congress should pass an 'Enabling Act' there would be no funds available for enforcing the provisions of the treat)', nor would any department of the Government be authorized to admin- ister it. This Enabling Act, which has been hanging fire in Congress for the past two years, is the one which has just become a law. This new statute gives authority to the Department of Agriculture to employ wardens and to make and execute regula- tions for carrying out the provisions of the 22) The Audubon Societies 323 treaty. Automatically it takes the place of the old McLean Law, and the machinery created under that law, therefore, comes to an end. In the history of this country there has never been a conservation matter before Congress which has attracted such wide attention and has brought to its support such vast numbers of organizations and individuals connected with conservation as has this one for Federal protection of migratory birds. Bitter opposition, cunningly marshaled, and effectively hurled against the move- ment has time and again blocked its progress. The writer, who has been inti- mately associated with practically all the moves that have been made by friends of the measure the past fourteen years, is in position to know of the real forces which have been behind it. Offhand I can name at least sixty organizations and sev- eral hundred people who time and again have worked arduously for this Govern- ment control. I hope someone with an impartial pen will write the complete story, and thus permanently record the efforts made by public-spirited men and women to help win this fight. To my mind, towering above all others, stand three men whose names we should always hold in grateful remembrance. First, George P. McLean, United States Senator from Connecticut, who, by his great influence collected the forces in Congress and passed his original migratory bird bill. Although a Republican and <)I)crating in a Democratic Congress he was able later to guide to a successful conclu- sion the ratification of the Migratory Bird Treaty, and finally, at the very last mo- ment, when the Enabling Act was about to be passed, his watchful eye fell upon two very harmful amendments that had l)een injected by the Conference Com- mittee, and by prompt action he secured their withdrawal. Second, John B. Burnham, President of the American Game Protective Associa- tion. He, more than any other man out- side of Congress, has been responsible for the success of this vast campaign. He or- ganized the first important hearing given on the bill in Washington, and for six years has made the matter his chief work in life. He visited Canada and, more than any other person in this country, was responsible for getting a correct under- standing of the principles involved before the Canadian authorities and securing their cooperation. Mr. Burnham has led to a successful conclusion the most impor- tant measure ever enacted in the world for the protection of migratory birds. Third, E. W. Nelson, Chief of the Bur- eau of Biological Survey. Through him and his assistants invaluable aid has been furnished the workers for this measure from the very beginning, and his aid to Senator McLean, Mr. Burnham, and other workers has been of the utmost importance. If time permitted, other senators and congressmen should be mentioned, who at various times have rendered most valuable aid. Especially should be included Con- gressman Charles M. Stedman, of North Carolina, without whose splendid efforts in the House of Representatives the Enabl- ing Act would not have been passed at this session of Congress. The National Association of .\udubon Societies has, of course, always been ac- tively interested in this work, and through the home oflice, field agents, afliliatcd societies, and general membership has lime and again labored to bring pressure to bear on Congress, and to arouse the public sentiment of the country to a better appreciation of the importance of the measures involved. A JUNIOR CLASS IN THE MOUNTAINS The Kiil)in junior .\u(lul)()n (lass, which The afternoon session was given to the comprises pupils from the three district exercises. The entertaining school had schools in the valley of the Catskills, held decorated the room attractively with its fourth annual nueling on .\i)ril i(), lyiS greens. Hags, and Liberty Loan posters. 324 Bird - Lore Good work was reported of winter feed- ing and bird-observation. One i)upil had noted twenty-one varieties of birds this spring; another twenty-one; others less. Calendars had been kept up. Recitations were given and compositions read on the subject of birds and their service to us. The second part of the program was given to patriotic exercises, reviewing work that had been done already, and suggesting further effort, in Red Cross work, food- saving, gardening, and buying of Thrifl Stamps. On a poster showing our soldiers going 'over the top' for us, had been lettered "Give Them Wheat — Eat Pota- toes," and this suggestion was emphasized. At the close of this brief address the whole society took the pledge: "I promise to serve my country in her time of need!" Admirable compositions on patriotic service were read by the pupils. After election of officers, the exercises were fol- lowed by games and refreshments.^ i>i;ii,A .\llen Dimock. JLAiUK ALivLDUA cL.Ass l-UK.\ii.U li i MR^. A. U . UIMOCK, PEEKAMObE, N. Y. ELGIN, (ILL.) AUDUBON SOCIETY'S ANNUAL EXHIBIT The Elgin Audubon Society held its second annual exhibit from April 19-22 in the parlors of the Young Women's Christian Association building, during which time it is estimated that at least 2,000 interested visitors availed them- selves of the privilege of examining the hundreds of specimens. Besides numerous cases and collections of native birds, there were interesting groups of birds from Mexico, Australia, South America, Europe, and India. Through the influence of one of our mem- bers, who is on the staff at Field's Museum, Chicago, we had the loan of a very fine collection of fifty-three bird-skins. The part that bird-study is taking in the schools was shown by the display of bird- PART OK A LARGE COLLECTION OF BIRD-BOXES AND MOUNTED BIRDS SHOWN AT THE ELGIN (ILL.) AUDUBON SOCIETY EXHIBIT Photographed by Henry Groneman BUTTERFLY COLLKCIION. ELGIN (ILL.) AUDUBON SOCIETY EXHIBIT Photographed by Henry Groneman (3-^5) 326 Bird - Lore houses, paintings, and short essays on birds — all work done ^by the school chil- dren. The exhibit was not confined to ])irds, but included a beautiful collection of sea- shells collected from all over the world, loaned by Field's Museum, Chicago, sev- eral collections of well-mounted and classi- fied moths, butterflies, insects, shells, fish, fossils, minerals, fungi, and plants. A collection of hornets' nests, varying from the size of a peach to that of a half-bushel basket, were arranged on a tree, together with several nests. There were photo- graphs of birds taken by some of the members, and a group from the Laysan Islands taken by Homer Dill, curator of Iowa State University. There were three collections of eggs, one of which bore a sign saj'ing they were collected over twenty years ago, before the value of bird-protec- tion was realized, and that it was now against the law to rob the nest of any bird except for scientific purposes, for which a license has to be procured. Hill's nursery of Dundee contributed a box of bushes attractive to birds; the National Association of Audubon Societies sent quantities of free literature which was distributed; and the local book-stores furnished samples of all their bird-books and bird-records for the victrola. On the walls were many signs calling attention to the value of protection of our feathered friends, and the aims of the Audubon Society. Thirty-seven new members were added to the club which brings the membership to no. The Elgin Society justly feels its annual exhibit was a great success, and that out of it has come, and will continue to come, an added interest and appreciation of all wild life. BIRDS AND CATS The nesting season of the birds has arrived. Whether or not there will be the desired increase in birds this season de- pends very largely on thf protection which will be received by the adult birds during the hatching period, and the young birds until they can fly and have learned to shift for themselves. One of the greatest menaces to the bird- life of the country today is the house-cat. There are very few cats which, if given the opportunity, will not kill a mother bird on the nest or a helpless fledgling fluttering around on the ground. The •zreat tragedy is as likely to occur in the clematis along the porch, or in the flower- garden, as it is in the remote places fre- quented by the so-called 'wild' hunting house-cat. This is no attempt to indict the cat. We have great sympathy for and appreciation of the affection between Tabby and her owner. We are simply asking that at this crucial period the birds be given all benefit of the doubt. We earnestly ask the owner of every house-cat during the next three months to assume the responsibility of seeing that the cat will not be given an opportunity to kill birds. The country is at war. To win the war we must have food. It is common knowl- edge that the birds are a tremendous factor in the protection of the food-supply from insects. Cats, if unrestrained, especially at this season, will tremendously weaken that protection. The logic is simple. The birds are trying to do their bit. Let us all help them. — Issued bj' the Commissioners on Fisheries and Game for the State of Massachusetts, May 15, 1918. The Audubon Societies 327 REPORT OF JUNIOR AUDUBON CLASSES Despite all the distracting influences the past year, the formation of Junior Audubon Societies has gone steadily on as hereto- fore. The systematic plan of supplying children with first-class material for doing simple elementary work in bird-study is appreciated by school men and women in every state in the Union and in Canada. One evidence of how the Junior Audubon work holds in a school where it is once established is shown by the many teachers in the grades who have formed a Junior Society every season for the past five or six years. Usually the classes move on so that the teachers have a new set of children each year, but their interest in the work causes them to encourage each group coming under their care to organize for bird-study. In many other instances, where a Junior Class has been formed in one of the lower grades, the children have insisted on reorganizing year after year, although the class continually passes on to the care of different teachers. This year, as heretofore, immense num- bers of bird-boxes have been built, and around thousands of schoolhouses birds have been fed in winter. Many attractive programs have been rendered, and the local interest in bird-preservation kept alive and stimulated by the little folk at school. For the school j-ear enfiing June i, 19 18, classes were formed and members enrolled in the dilTerent states and Canada, as shown in the following summary: Summary for Year Ending June i, 1918 State Classes Members Alabama 5 147 Arizona 4 74 Arkansas i 31 California 197 5,678 Colorado 48 1,487 Connecticut 324 7, 608 Delaware 3 51 District of Columbia . . . i 33 I'lorida 21 483 (icorgia 30 938 Idaho 57 1,530 Illinois 247 7,285 Indiana 109 2,999 Iowa 118 3,021 State Classes Members Kansas 65 2,009 Kentucky 29 851 Louisiana 7 212 Maine 37 856 Maryland 46 1,421 Massachusetts 329 8,210 Michigan 196 5,099 Minnesota 261 6,375 Mississippi 16 484 Missouri 100 2,658 Montana 66 1,620 Nebraska 78 i,99S Nevada 30 New Hampshire 92 2,221 New Jersey 174 4,885 New Mexico 3 92 New York 891 24,448 North Carolina 48 1,245 North Dakota 30 938 Ohio 815 18,227 Oklahoma 26 814 Oregon 90 2,716 Pennsylvania 460 14,169 Rhode Island 19 548 South Carolina 24 901 South Dakota 33 889 Tennessee 26 693 Texas 45 1,269 Utah 37 826 Vermont 37 797 Virginia 25 715 Washington 214 5,339 West Virginia 39 1,260 Wisconsin 161 3,981 Wyoming 5 147 Canada 381 8,763 China i 15 Totals 6,071 159,083 Never in the history of our country have school children been called upon to con- tribute to so many projects, and so con- tinuously, as of late. The campaign in the schools for War Saving Stamps, for mem- bership in the Junior Red Cross, seeds for war gardens, and other war activities, have been tremendous. Giving continually to these most worthy causes has had a very decided effect on the enrollment of the Junior Audubon members. Scores of teachers have reported that they found it absolutely impossible to collcrt the 10 cents necessary for the Junior fees. In one large school building in the Middle West, a teacher who had asked that the children in the various grades bring their 328 Bird - Lore Audubon fees to send in on a certain date, found when she went to collect them that the children had brought their money, but that at the last moment the principal of the school had instructed them to give this money to the Red Cross. This is only one of many instances of a more or less similar character. As a result of these causes, enrollment of the Junior members showed a marked falling off from the year previous when the number reached the high- water mark of 261,654. This work with the young people was made possible by the following contri- butions: Unnamed Benefactor . Mrs. Russel Sage . . . General Coleman duPont George Eastman ... Mrs. Frederick H. Alms Mrs. E. B. Dane . . . James H. Barr .... Mrs. T. J. Emery . . . Richard M. Hoe . . . Edward L. Parker . . Mrs. Elbridge Torrey . H. O. Underwood . . . Miss Edith G. Bowdoin Miss Mary Drummond Albion E. Lang .... E. W. Mudge .... Miss Mary Mitchell Mrs. Dudley L. Pickman Miss Mary I. Corning . Mrs. Denning Duer . . John R. MacArthur . . Mrs. John C. Phillips . W. E. Roosevelt . . . Mrs. Ezra R. Thayer . Mrs. William H. Reed . John D. Williams . . . Miss Louise W. Cate F. Coit Johnson . . . Mrs. C. R. Sanger . . Miss Rosina C. Boardman John L D. Bristol . . Total $26,080 00 $20,000 00 2,500 00 1,000 00 1,000 00 250 00 200 00 100 00 100 00 100 00 100 00 100 00 100 00 so 00 50 00 50 00 SO 00 SO 00 50 00 25 00 25 00 25 00 25 00 25 00 25 00 20 00 20 00 10 00 10 00 10 00 5 00 S 00 New Life Members Enrolled from Maj' i to July, 1918. Baldwin, S. P. Dunbar, F. L. Harriman, Mrs. J. Low Huntington, Howard Lancashier, Mrs. J. H. Lippitt, Mrs. C. Merriam, A. Ware Rumsey, Mrs. Charles C. Speed, Mrs. J. B. Warren, Mrs. E. Walpole Watt, Mrs. Henry C. During the same period there were also enrolled 114 new sustaining members and 23 new contributors. Contributors to the Egret Fund May I to July i, 19 18 Previously acknowledged . . . $2,641 25 Anderson, F. A 3 00 Anderson, Miss M. B 3 00 Auchincloss, Mrs. H. D. . . . 5 00 Audubon Society of Skaneateles 5 00 Ballantine, Mrs. Robert F. . . 25 00 Biddle, Elizabeth, Caroline and Clement M 5 00 Bishop, Miss Abigail H. . . , 5 00 Breed, S. A 2 00 Brewster, Mrs. Benjamin ... 10 00 Carroll, Elbert H 10 00 Case, Mrs. James B 10 00 Cochran, J. D 5 00 Conner, Miss M. A. .... . 5 00 Curtis, Clara K 2 00 Gushing, Miss Margaret W. . . i 00 Evarts, Miss Mary 5 00 Garst, Julius 3 00 Henderson, Alexander .... 2 00 Hessenbruch, Mrs. H 5 00 Hupfel, J. C. G 5 00 Lang, Henry 5 00 Levey, W. Charlesworth (In Memoriam) 5 00 Lewis, Mrs. August 10 00 Luttgen, Walther 5 00 Mansfield, Miss Helen .... 2 50 Marsh, J. A 5 00 Mason, Mrs. George G 10 00 Mosle, Mrs. A. Henry .... 5 00 Pennoyer, Mrs. P. G 5 00 Potter, Hamilton F 3 00 Raht, Charles 5 00 Redmond, Miss Emily .... 10 00 Richard, Miss Elvine 15 00 Roesler, Mrs. Edward .... 2 00 Sampson, Miss Lucy S i 50 Stewart, Mrs. Edith A 10 00 TurnbuU, Sarah A 2 00 Upham, Miss E. Annie .... i 00 Wagner, W. A 5 00 Walker, Mrs. A. H 5 00 Warfield, Mrs. W. S., Jr. . . . 5 00 Watrous, Mrs. Elizabeth ... i 00 Whiteside, T. H 5 00 Willis, Miss Adeline 15 00 Wright, Mrs. William P. . . . 5 00 Total $2,900 25 -. iwiwitfv- 1. ISLAND HORNED LARK 4. PRAIRIE HORNED LARK. Summer 2. RUDDY HORNED LARK 5. PRAIRIE HORNED LARK, Winter 3. BLEACHED HORNED LARK 6. HORNED LARK (One-half natural size) 2^irb=1Lore A BI-MONTHLY MAGAZINE DEVOTED TO THE STUDY AND PROTECTION OF BIRDS Official Organ of The Audufon Societies Vol. XX September— October, 1918 No. 5 The Oven-bird in Minnesota By THOMAS S. ROBERTS, M.D., Minneapolis With photographs by the Author SOME years ago, while strolling quietly, on the last day of September, by a long since abandoned and overgrown wood-road that skirted one of the back bays of beautiful Lake Minnetonka, I startled from the path a small, dull-colored bird. It flitted silently to a tangle of fallen branches not far distant in the thick underbrush. Following carefully, and peering intently, glass in hand, I soon discovered the unknown, creeping cautiously away. Its prettily banded head and its dainty, mincing walk disclosed at once its identity. Carefully it went over the soft, new-fallen leaves, availing itself now and then of a half-buried log or branch as a convenient pathway, until, believing itself concealed behind a little tuft of faded ferns and twigs, it paused, ever eyeing me intently through the netlike interstices of the tangled growth that inter- vened between us. Without the glasses it was entirely invisible, but with their aid the suspicious little eye, with its lighter setting, revealed the whereabouts of its always anxious owner. Thus we stood for some time, silently studying each other. Goldencrown wearied first, or, becoming reassured, resumed his jjretty walk, this lime more openly and rapidly, until at last he took wing and, by short flights from bush to bush, passed out of sight and away from the fancied danger. His crown was bright and his plumage fresh, suggestive of springtime, but the fall woods, with their eddying leaves and odor of decay, were silent and, despite his presence in their midst, no longer reverberated with his ringing crescendo or knew his wonderful flight-song. These fading woods and shorten- ing days and chilling winds thai make life hard and dangerous, warn him thai it is time to hie himself away to that far southern home where, with spirit tamed and ])ipe not attuned, he awaits in silence fresh promptings to begin life anew. When the warmer suns and softer winds of the late vernal season have again made green and joyous and fragrant the wooded hillsides in the Northland, he will come once more with quickened pulse and swelling breast and instinct wild that will send him madly chasing in liot jiursuil amid the 330 Bird- Lore bursting trees, impelled by a spirit of ecstatic love that finds vent ever and anon in as joyous and triumphant and melodious an outburst as the wild woods know. Such is the Oven-bird or Golden-crowned 'Thrush' or Accentor or 'Teacher Bird,' as it is variously called. A plain, modest little bird, shy and suspicious in the presence of man ; a lover of the deep woods, from the protecting shades of which it rarely ventures; often heard, seldom seen, except by the initiated; a graceful walker instead of a hopper; and possessed of a voice and exuberance of spirit during courting-time that marks it among its fellows. Difficult as it ()\ i;.\-i;iRi) AS lOLXi). lU'ii/r, u INSTANCE, OF FINE GRASSES may be, time is well spent by the bird-lover in making the intimate acquaint- ance of this phantom bird of the woodland depths. The Oven-bird comes to southern Minnesota about the end of the first week in May, sometimes a little later, less frequently a little earlier. Two April records in 1884, one from Red Wing and one from Lanesboro, are very unusual, and that same year it was not reported from Elk River until May 10. The 'teacher' song commonly comes from the budding spring woods just as they are thickening sufficiently to cast their first faint shade upon the newly opened bellworts, wood anemones, and yellow violets below, and usually on the very day that the rich notes of the Rose-breasted Grosbeak and Baltimore Oriole and the cheery song of the House Wren are first heard in the land. The main The Oven-bird in Minnesota 331 Warbler wave is still a little way behind, though spring must be well assured before the Oven-bird ventures to appear. If the data at hand are to be relied upon, its progress northward is unusually slow, for ten days or two weeks elapse before it reaches the Canadian boundary. It is an abundant breeding bird everywhere in the wooded portions of the state. Farther northward many individuals penetrate the fur countries, even to Hudson Bay and westward to Alaska, while eastern Canada and Newfoundland are the summer home of the far travelers through the eastern states. The courting season is as brief as it is ardent, for during ordinary seasons mating is accomplished, nests built, and eggs deposited by the third week in May, in the vicinity of Minneapolis. y^tgg^r' THE SAME NEST, OPENED TO SHOW THE TWO EGGS OF THE OWNER AND THREE OF THE COWBIRD The nest is always on the ground, more or less buried beneath fallen leaves and withered grasses, and is usually in a little opening in the forest or along a trail or abandoned wood-road. As Frank Bolles says in his pretty poem about this l)ird: "To the forests, to the leaf beds, Comes the tiny oven builder. "Daintily the leaves he tiptoes; Underneath them builds his oven; Arched and framed with last year's oak leaves, Roofed and wailed a^^uinst the raindrops." 332 Bird -Lore The nest is constructed of dead leaves, dry grasses, and slender weed-stalks, sometimes almost entirely of one or the other material; the lining is fine grass, rootlets, and hair. It is completely roofed over, spherical or short cylindrical in outline, and is entered by an opening in one side, thus resembling a minia- ture Dutch oven, whence the common name of the bird. As it forms only a slight and inconspicuous mound above the general leaf-bed, it is almost im- possible of detection unless the bird is flushed from the nest. Seeming to realize her security, the mother bird is a very close sitter and will not fly until almost stepped upon. Then, if the eggs are near hatching or there are young in the nest, she will often flutter out and run away over the ground with trailing wings and complaining note, feigning injury, in the hope of enticing the intruder from her treasures in a vain chase after herself. This same ruse is also resorted to for some days after the young have left the nest, if their retreat be intruded upon. [ The eggs are three to six in number, commonly four; they are white with chestnut and lilac-gray markings, sometimes small and evenly distributed, at other times more or less aggregated about the larger ends, forming irregular blotches and occasionally wreaths. The acuteness of the Cowbird as a nest- hunter is shown by the frequency with which its eggs are found beside those of the Oven-bird. Indeed, in my own experience it has been an unusual thing to find an Oven-bird's nest without one or more of the parasite's. Two or three alien eggs, besides an equal number of the owner's, are often found. A friend reports finding an Oven-bird incubating two eggs of her own and three of the Cowbird, but when a fourth Cowbird's egg was deposited the affront was too great, and she deserted the nest. As many as five in one nest have been reported. The ordinary song by which the Oven-bird commonly announces his pres- ence in the woods is an emphatic, ringing series of notes, beginning low and deliberately, increasing in pitch, intensity, and rapidity of utterance until it ends with a vigor that sends the last notes echoing among the tree-tops. Mr. Burroughs' happy rendering of this song long ago in 'Wake Robin' has ever since met with the approval of nearly all writers and has given to the species its name of 'teacher-bird.' When one of these birds starts to sing in the quiet of the deep woods, it is at first difficult to locate him, as the song has a marked ventriloquous character, caused, perhaps, by the great increase in intensity as the song proceeds. To quote Bolles again: "Strange, ventriloquous his music, Far away when close beside one; Near at hand when seeming distant; Weird his plaintive accrescendo." But the Oven-bird has another very diflerent utterance which is its true song — its love or passion song. It is known to but comparatively few, though some observers believe that in proper season and place it is to be heard as often The Oven-bird in Minnesota 333 as the crescendo call. It has been stated that it is delivered only at nightfall and above the tree-tops, but this is not quite true, for it may be heard in deep, damp woods in the height of the love season at any hour of the day, as the impetuous lover pours it out in snatches of variable length as he goes dashing about under the forest canopy. When thus delivered it may either be preceded or followed by the 'teacher' call; most frequently, however, these fragments are given alone. It is always uttered on the wing, and it is probable that in its 'r^^ THE OVEN-BIRD AT HOMK full development it is always an accompaniment of a soaring llight above the tree-tops. Lynds Jones says ('Warbler Songs,' 1900): "I have seen the Oven- bird suddenly vault into the air, mounting to the tree-tops on ciuivering wings, then dart back and forth in a zigzag course swift as an arrow, and linally burst into a song as he floated gently down. The song seems to swing once round a great circle with incredible swiftness, but perfect ease, ending in a babbling diminuendo as the performer lightly touches the perch or ground with half- rigid wings held high." I have seen the Oven-bird, early in July, thus disport- ing itself of an evening above the cathedral-like, terraced spires of the tall 334 Bird -Lore spruces on the west shore of Lake Itasca, minghng its dashing melody with the wonderful, serene anthems floating down from the Hermit Thrushes perched aloft in the great pines. Ernest Thompson Seton ('Birds of Manitoba,' 1890) states that "this lark-like song may be heard at almost any time of the night in the grove where a pair of these birds have settled for the love season;" and BoUes relates: "When the Whip-poor-will is clucking, When the bats unfurl their canvas, When dim twilight rules the forest, Soaring towards the high star's radiance, Far above the highest tree-top, Singing goes the sweet Accentor. The middle of July closes the song-season, and thereafter the Oven-bird is rarely observed. Most of the Oven-birds leave during the month of September, and by the close of that month only stray individuals, like the one mentioned at the beginning of this article, are to be encountered. They are then wending their way leisurely to their winter abode in Mexico, Central America, the West Indies, and southern Florida. 'TERRACED SI'I!.!. RED-BACKED SANDPIPER A Day's Sport with the Red-backs and Greater Yellow-legs By VERDI BURTCH, Branchport, N. Y. With photographs by the Author OCTOBER had arrived with its reds, golds and browns; the day was warm and mellow. It was the thirteenth of the month, and the most of the birds had already passed on to the southward. The soft, muddy shores of the marsh, where a month ago numbers of Solitary, Least, Semipal- mated, and Pectoral Sandpipers, Yellow-legs, Killdeers, Semipalmated Plover, Green Herons, Mourning Doves, Crackles, Cowbirds, Red-wings, Robins, and a host of Song, Swamp, and Savannah Sparrows were feeding was now almost deserted. Only in the early evening did it show signs of its former activity, when the Red-wings, Cowbirds, and Crackles stopped there to get a lunch before retiring to their roost in the cattails. But during the day only a few- Pectorals and Yellow-legs that had escaped the gunners were seen. It was much too nice a day to loaf around home, so, taking my Craflex, I mounted my bicycle and rode two miles down the lake to a small marsh which is cut oiT from the lake by a long gravelly bar. Earlier in the season this marsh is very beautiful, with its great masses of yellow water-lilies and floating alga all through the center, and sedges, cattails, great burr reed, sagittaria, sweet flag, and water plantain reaching out from the shores into the shallow water. But at this time the water was low, leaving wide, muddy shores which were covered with the stranded algic and various water-weeds. As the shooting season was on and most of the sh()rc-l)ir(ls were gone, I (335) 33^ Bird - Lore hardK- exjwcted to see any birds, or, at most, one or two watchful Yellow-legs or Pectorals. But, as I neared the swamp, three Red-backed Sandpipers were feeding along the shore of a little shallow lagoon. Dismounting, I worked my way slowly through the bushes and cattails on the border of the swamp and obtained my first shot when they stood in a row facing me from the opposite side of the little pond. They had seen me, however, and began to move off, slowly. Cautiously following and expecting them to fly every moment, I made two more shots as they were in retreat and was rather surprised that they did not fly. As they were now well aware of my presence, I crossed boldly in the open and sat down on the clean gravel of the bar where I could watch their every move. They went calmly on with their feeding, working back and forth in front of me, probing in the mud with their long, black, slightly curved bills and seemingly ignoring my presence. However, when they passed they would shy out around me, watching me closely from the tails of their eyes. I had been seated but a short time when I heard the soft, musical whistle of a Greater Yellow-legs, and it came wheeling down from the upper air and alighted gracefully on the beach some ten rods away. There it stood, bowing with quick little jerks and eyeing me suspiciously for a MARSH HAWK GREATER VKI.I.dW l.i;( , A Day's Sport with the Red-backs and Greater Yellow-legs 337 C moment, and then flew away, to alight farther up the beach, then, seeming to gain confidence it began to work toward me. Never having been able to photograph this wary bird, and expecting that it would fly away, I wasted several plates on long shots, but it came steadily on and joined the Red-backs scarcely a rod away from me. Many times before had I tried to photograph a Yellow- legs but without success, and now as it mingled with the Red-backs I had my chance. It was not a question of getting near enough, but rather of catching a good pose and of getting one bird out alone or all of them in the same plane so they would all be in good focus. Always active, with little jerky moves, the Red-backs went about probing in the soft mud or wading out in the shallow water and sometimes swimming a little. The Yel- low-legs was more deliberate but always moved with infinite grace. One of the most graceful moves of a bird is the stretching of the wings by a Yellow- legs or Solitary Sandpiper, and some day I hope to catch it on a photographic MARSH HAWK PURSUED BY RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD GREAlEk V1;LL(J\\ hl.UM MAKl.NC K1M,.> Ul RIPPLES I.N lllh (JLILI U A 1 l.R' 338 Bird -Lore plate. Before noon I had used all of my dozen plates, and when I left the beach the birds were quietly feeding. When I came back with plate-holders reloaded, they were still there, and I took my position on the bar without disturbing them. The Red-backs always kept close together, so all show in each of my pictures, except one. This time they all came along the beach toward me, hesitating as they drew near, then made a detour out into the water, filing past in front of me and so close that I could hardly rack my lens out far enough to get them in sharp focus. The Yellow-legs kept mostly to the little lagoon close inside the bar where it scampered zigzag after the minnows or pollywogs, or probed in the muddy bottom, causing rings of ripples in the quiet water. As the shadows lengthened across the clear waters, I used my last plate, but still I was loth to leave. I had spent more than seven hours with these interesting birds, and made twenty-four shots, and, as development afterward proved, had bagged fifteen beautiful pictures, and my game was still alive to enliven the shores of other lakes and marshes, and let us hope that they reached their winter homes in the far South without accident. A Tragedy By LOUISE FOUCAR MARSHALL. Tucson, Ariz. THE House Finch bride stood for a moment on the fig tree before taking a drink from the bucket of water under the dripping faucet. Perhaps it was a Hummingbird, poised before a rosebud, or a Wren slipping in and out of the rose-vine, that persuaded her to fly over and investigate. A little spot at an intersection of the trellis, hidden by rose-leaves, seemed an ideal building-site. She started immediately to homestead it by bringing in a few sticks which she arranged for the bottom of her nest, -unmindful of the fact that the trellis was but eight inches from the porch window, and that her nest, just at a convenient height, had no protecting leaves to shield it from full view from within the porch. The next morning (March 28, 191 7) she came again, and with little twigs built up half of the skeleton framework of her cuplike nest. She worked until noon, alone and untiringly, her mate sitting on the fig tree singing his delight. Then they disappeared until evening, when she came to see if all was well. The next morning she was at work again. The place seemed more enchanting than ever, for there were strings cut at various lengths hanging all about the trellis, and wonderful buds of cotton- wool on the rose-thorns; even a few stray horsehair and downy chicken feathers were miraculously convenient. She toiled until noon finishing the framework, now using sticks, strings, and horsehair. Before bedtime she came to see that nothing had been disturbed. The third day she worked from morning till night, strengthening the frame- A Tragedy 339 work with twigs and string, stuffing the Httle cracks and hollows with wool and feathers, covering every rough twig. Many times during the day she would slip into the nest to try it, that it should be the right shape and size and height. This seemed an important part of her work, for after these trials she would remedy some defect, working and weaving with the materials already in the nest. She now evidently considered the nest finished, as she came but few times during the next few days, then only putting in a few downy feathers or adjust- ing the cotton-wool lining. She built her nest entirely alone, her mate coming no nearer than the fig tree, where he sat singing incessantly while she was at work. On the morning of April 3 she came early and sat quietly on the nest, her mate as usual singing lustily from the nearby fig tree. About 7.30 she hopped from the nest, calling loudly for her mate, every fiber of her body aquiver with excitement. He came like a shot, embraced her with great fluttering of wings and excited twitterings, and then they looked into the nest. Wonder of won- ders! A pale bluish green egg with a few dark brown spots and lines at the larger end. She went on to the nest, twittering snatches from lullabies, while he went back to the tree to tell the world of the great event. Was there ever so much excitement, tenderness, and romance contained in such a little scrap of flesh and blood! In about an hour they both left, returning two or three times during the day to look at the wonderful egg. The next morning she was on the nest again, and at 8.15 she called her mate to see the second egg; and after sitting for a half hour upon the eggs, twittering and crooning, she left with her mate, returning from time to time to admire her eggs. The next day at about 9.15 the third egg was laid, and the program of the previous days repeated. The fourth and last egg, which was a trifle smaller than the others, was laid the next morning at 8 o'clock. Each time that she laid her egg she called her mate with excited, urgent chirps. Always he came like the wind from his perch nearby; always they met with fluttering of wings, twitterings, and embraces before flying up to the nest to inspect the eggs; always, after the inspection, she would sit on the nest for about a half hour, whispering and twittering, while her male was announc- ing the good news to the bird-world and singing his gratitude and joy to his little bride. After the fourth egg was laid she settled down to incubate, calling her mate every few hours, and then with a distinctly dilTerent note asking for food. She always hopped off the nest to meet him whenever he came to feed her. If he saw anyone approach the rose-vine, or when within the porch we would come near the window, he would allay her fears with encouraging messages and she would answer with brave little chirps. On the afternoon of .\pril 8 a severe windstorm came up, with a downpour of rain and hail. She was exceedingly frightened at the \i()lence of the wind and the large hailstones striking her nest and herself. She called anxiously; 340 Bird - Lore her male came and sat beside the nest during the whole storm, sat in an un- sheltered spot in the very teeth of the gale, bruised by the hailstones and wet to the skin. After the storm was over and the sun came out again, he perched in the tree, drying his feathers; she called to him; he tried to sing his little roundelay, but only two notes came. The next morning his cold, lifeless body lay beneath the fig tree. The rain and hail and cold had proved too much, and his love and devotion to his mate had cost him his life. It took some time before the little bride realized that she was now a widow. In the morning she began calling, insistently, impatiently, then anxiously, and finally hopelessly. Whenever she saw a scarlet-capped Finch come to the drinking bucket she would call to him and fly into the fig tree voicing her hunger and sorrow. Many, many times during her days of incubating did she fly out with her tale of hunger and grief, but never was there a response from the passing males. A little food-shelf with canary seed and bread-crumbs was hung near the nest, but only twice was she seen to eat anything. Every day she grew weaker and more dejected. Could she hold out until the eggs were hatched? Ten days had passed since she began incubating, and there seemed no hope for those four eggs, for they had often been chilled, as the weather was un- usually cold; and did not Coues say that eggs were usually kept at a tempera- ture of loo degrees and hatched in about ten days? Fortunately she had not read about it and stayed on her eggs until the thirteenth day, when one little bird emerged from the shell; the next day two more came out to gladden the little mother's heart, for she who was always so chatty, always twittering and bubbling over with joy, had become sad and silent, and even when the little birdlings came her broken heart could whisper no welcome, only feed them and keep them warm. On the second day after the little ones were hatched she met another mate on the fig tree by the water bucket, a somber, joyless mate. Perhaps he, too, had suffered until his voice was silenced, or perhaps his sense of duty or his bereavement impelled him to feed the widow and orphans. For two days he silently fed both mother and babies, and then during the night something happened, — for in the morning the nest was empty — no trace of birdlings or mother. No doubt she, too, shared the same fate as her family, for she never returned. The falling rose-leaves have filled the nest, and the rose- vine is deserted. NEST AND EGGS OF BLACK DUCK Photographed April i2, 1914, at Ponkapog Pond (about 10 miles from Hustunt M; (341) Some Notes on the Ruffed Grouse By H. E. TUTTLE, Simsbury, Conn. OVER the ridge that brimmed the glade a hen Partridge was hurrying. She did not walk with noiseless step nor did she keep a constant watch for possible enemies. Her footsteps on the dry leaves rustled loudly; her head swung forward and back as she walked, like a barnyard fowl. Twice she stopped, but only for a moment, then the noise of pattering footfalls began again as she ran toward a laurel thicket that flanked the glade. The glade was a bowl-shaped hollow, free from underbrush, with here and there a good-sized chestnut tree. On one side was the laurel thicket, interspersed with birches, behind which rose the steep sides of the bowl. One might have said that it was an amphitheatre set for a play, and not have greatly erred. The only spectator was lying flat beneath the low-spreading fronds of a young hemlock which grew near the laurels, halfway up the bowl. He held a bit of cord gripped tight in his hand, and in spite of his difficult position on the hillside he did not move. He had lain there four hours. Had you been there to see, you would have noted, on following up the length of cord, a bunch of leaves supported by a three-legged branch. The bunch of leaves was a camera, the three-legged branch a tripod. The Grouse had reached the laurels and had stopped within their shade to reconnoitre her position before traversing that last ten feet in the open, to the spot that had claimed her sole attention for the past half month. The nest with her ten eggs lay in the hollow at the foot of a little rotted stump. It faced the open woods, and in front stood the three-legged bunch of leaves, with its baleful glass eye glaring down into the hollow. The bunch of leaves, like a Cyclops, had stood guard over the nest for a week, and the hen Partridge had begun to regard it as a natural part of the scenery. She was a bit timid still; sometimes as the cord tightened she spread her tail and with ruffs extended hissed into the glass eye, while, unknown to her, the spectator under the hem- lock frond was hoping and praying that she would step back into focus. This time she stepped out of the laurel thicket with just a touch of defiance in her pose. The watcher from where he lay lost sight of her after she went under the stump, so that his shots were in a large part lucky, if they were in any way successful. He saw her disappear under the stump, threw a loop of slack down the cord in the hope of provoking a new pose, then drew it tight. The shutter clicked, and the Grouse ran out from the stump and roared up in flight. I had been trying for two days to secure a picture of the Ruffed Grouse as she approached her nest. It was quite easy to snap the brooding bird; that merely involved leaving the camera for an hour, to return at the end of that time and pull the shutter by means of a long thread. I had secured some good pictures in that way a week previous. This new game, although it included (342) Some Notes on the Ruffed Grouse 343 mosquito-bites and personally conducted tours by ants, was more fraught with failures, but more exciting. I was very much surprised when I first saw this hen return to her nest, her footsteps were so noisy. She was not at all the 'each-step-taken-with-care' kind of bird that I had always pictured. She reminded me very much of a broody RUFFED GROLSK PhotoRraphed by H. E. Tullle Plymouth Rock. (Later observations have persuaded me that individual birds differ very greatly in this. One Grouse that I watched and photographed last spring approached her nest so cautiously that I was unable to detect her slightest footfall until she had approached within ten feet of the spot where I was hiding.) 1 watched her for an hour one day as she budded a poplar tree, climbing parrot-like from liml) to limb willi the aid of her stout beak, nearly losing her footing on more than one occasion as she reached for a catkin high 344 Bird - Lore above her head. I watched how, when the camera was pointed a little to the left of the nest, she invariably entered on the right, and vice versa. She apparently appreciated the territory swept by the lens. Once when I had seen her approach as far as the laurel thicket and had heard no further footsteps for half an hour, I pushed aside the hemlock branches to see, if possible, what had frightened her. There was a rush of air through stiff wing-quills as I showed myself, and a Red-shouldered Hawk left the dead limb where he had been sitting, to wing his way swiftly out of the woods. At another time I surprised a fat woodchuck within a yard of the nest. Whether he intended harm or not I do not know, for he beat a hasty retreat before I could satisfy my curiosity. I watched this Grouse in her efforts to overcome her fear from ii o'clock in the morning till 3 o'clock in the afternoon, and out of four shots got one good picture. She was not absent from her nest during this entire time, for in order that the eggs should not get cold and that she might acquire confidence, I allowed her to brood at intervals. The weather was warm and the eggs were due to hatch in a few days. (It seems necessary to note here iJiat all the eggs hatched in due course of time.) I have, in the not very remote past, walked the crisp autumn hillsides with my gun held in readiness, and, though a poor shot, have enjoyed my occasional kills with the pleasure of an amateur and the ensuing repertoire of a veteran; but birds are scarcer now, and the Ruffed Grouse, even in districts where it could for years wage an equal battle in the fight for existence, must inevitably go the way of the Heath Hen and the Prairie Chicken, unless, in addition to laws adequate to protect it and an honest effort to enforce them, there is a will to abide by the closed season which shall become part of the traditions of ever\' man who calls himself a sportsman. As the bird disappears from the coverts that knew it of old, the salt of shooting loses its savor, and there is little pleasure in exchanging the roar of its wings as it bursts from cover and rockets upward through the birch-tops, or bores its way, bullet-like, through a tangle of underbrush, for the fading colors of a reminiscence. For the Ruffed Grouse is an inspiration; his spring drumming wakes the old desires toward a life in the open, and the foar of his wings among the dry leaves of the November woods quickens with secure delight the hearts of wayfarers on the upland trails. The Migration of North American Birds SECOND SERIES VI. HORNED LARKS Compiled by Harry C. Oberholser, Chiefly from Data in the Biological Survey The Horned Larks are among the most puzzling as well as most interesting of North American birds. They are the only native Larks in North America, but have not the usual gift of song that has made famous some of the European members of the family. All the American Horned Larks belong to a single spe- cies and exhibit geographic variation to a degree shown by few birds. No less than twenty-three subspecies of Otocoris alpestris inhabit America, and they range as far south as Bogota in Colombia, and north to the Arctic Ocean. All but five of these forms occur in North America proper, and there are others to be described. The distribution of the North American races is as follows: The Homed Lark {Otocoris alpestris alpestris) breeds in northeastern North America, north at least to Hudson Bay; west to Hudson Bay; south to the southern end of James Bay and to Newfoundland; and east to Labrador. It winters west to Manitoba and Nebraska, south to Louisiana and South Carolina; and is of casual occurrence in Greenland and the Bermuda Islands. Hoyt's Homed Lark (Otocoris alpestris hoyti) breeds in middle northern Canada, north to the Boothia Peninsula; west to the valley of the Mackenzie River; south to Lake Athabaska; and east to Hudson Bay. It winters south to Nevada, Kansas, Ohio, and Long Island, N. Y. The Pallid Homed Lark {Otocoris alpestris arcticola) breeds in north- western North America, north to northern Alaska; west to western Alaska; south to southern Alaska and central British Columbia; and east to Yukon Territory. It ranges in winter south to Oregon, Utah, and Montana. The Saskatchewan Homed Lark {Otocoris alpestris enthymia) breeds north to central Saskatchewan; west to eastern Montana, eastern Wyoming, and eastern Colorado; south to northwestern Texas; and east to central Kansas, central Nebraska, and central North Dakota. In winter it ranges south to southern Texas, and casually west to Utah and Arizona. The Prairie Homed Lark {Otocoris alpestris praticola) breeds in the north- eastern United Stales and southeastern Canada; north to souihwestern (Quebec and central Ontario; west to western Manitoba, eastern .North Dakota, and eastern Kansas; south to central Missouri, central Ohio, and Long Island. .\. \ .\ and east to New Brunswick. It winters south to Te.xas and South Carolina- casually southwest to Colorado and .\rizona. The Texas Horned Lark {Otocoris alpestris t^iraiuli) is a permanent resident in I lie coast region of Texas and northeastern Tamaulipas. The Desert Horned Lark (Otocoris alpestris Uncolaevia) breeds in the U4S) BREEDING AREAS OF THE AMERICAN RACES OF THE HORNED LARK 1. Andean Horned Lark 2. Oaxaca Horned Lark 3. Tamaulipas Horned Lark 4. Mexican Horned Lark 5. Texas Horned Lark 6. Chihuahua Horned Lark 7. Scorched Horned Lark 8. Sonora Horned Lark Q. Magdalena Horned Lark 10. Island Horned Lark 11. California Horned Lark 12. Mojave Horned Lark 13. Bleached Horned Lark 14. Montezuma Horned Lark 15. Ruddy Horned Lark 16. Streaked Horned Lark 17. Merrill's Horned Lark 18. Desert Horned Lark iQ. Saskatchewan Horned Lark 20. Prairie Horned Lark 21. Horned Lark 22. Hoyt's Horned Lark 2.?. Pallid Horned Lark (346) The Migration of North American Birds 347 interior of the western United States, and north to southern Alberta; west to western Montana and western Nevada; south to south-central Nevada, southern Utah, southern Colorado, eastern and central southern New Mexico, and central western Texas; and east to central northern Texas, central Colorado, central Wyoming, and central Montana. In winter it ranges south to south- eastern California, Sonora, Chihuahua, and southern Texas. The Montezuma Horned Lark (Otocoris alpestris occidentalis) breeds in central New Mexico, west to central Arizona. It ranges south in winter to northern Sonora, northern Chihuahua, and central western Texas. The Chihuahua Homed Lark {Otocoris alpestris aphrasta) is resident in the southeastern corner of Arizona, the southwestern corner of New Mexico, and southeast through Chihuahua to Durango and southern Coahuila. The Scorched Homed Lark {Otocoris alpestris adusta) breeds in central southern Arizona and winters south to northern Sonora and northern Chi- huahua. The Bleached Homed Lark {Otocoris alpestris leucansiptila) is resident in the southwestern corner of Arizona, the northeastern corner of Lower California, and north through the extreme western edge of Arizona, and the southeastern border of California to southern Nevada. The Mojave Homed Lark {Otocoris alpestris ammophila) breeds in south- ern California from the Mojave Desert north to Owens Valley, and winters south to the Mexican Border. The California Homed Lark {Otocoris alpestris actia) is resident in middle and western California, north to San Francisco, and south to the Pacific side of northern Lower California. The Magdalena Homed Lark {Otocoris alpestris enertera) is resident on the Pacific side of central and southern Lower California. The Island Homed Lark {Otocoris alpestris insularis) is resident on the Santa Barbara Islands, Calif. The Ruddy Homed Lark {Otocoris alpestris rubea) is resident in the mid- dle portion of the Sacramento Valley in central northern California. Merrill's Homed Lark {Otocoris alpestris merrilli) breeds in the north- western United States, and north to south central British Columbia; west to central Washington and central Oregon; south to northeastern California; and east to northwestern Nevada, central Idaho, and northwestern Montana. In winter it goes as far south as central California. The Streaked Homed Lark {Otocoris alpestris strigata) breeds in western Washington and western Oregon. It ranges south in winter to northern Cali- fornia and east to eastern Washington and eastern Oregon. The accompanying map shows more graphically the breeding ranges of the various North American Horned Larks. Some of the western races seem to be strictly resident ; but most of the others arc more or less migratory; and several subspecies thus may be found at the same season in one h)cality. Owing to 348 Bird - Lore great seasonal and other variation among the Horned Larks, their migratory movements are in most cases impossible to trace except by the examination of specimens. In the following tables records of the typical Horned Lark are marked (*) ; Hoyt's Horned Lark (f); the Pallid Horned Lark (+) ; the Prairie Horned Lark (II); and the Desert Horned Lark (^). All the other records are not with certainty subspecifically determinable. SPRING MIGRATION LOCALITY Greensboro, Ala.* ||. . Kirkwood, Ga.* Charleston, S. C*. . . Raleigh, N. C* ||.... Raleigh, N. C French Creek, W. Va Washington, D. C. . . Philadelphia, Pa Hackettstown, X. J.. New Haven, Conn.*. Portland, Conn.*. . . . Providence, R. I Woods Hole, Mass.. . Harvard, Mass.* .... Boston, Mass Pearl River, La.*. . . . Athens, Tenn Lexington. Kv Oberlin, Ohio* Oberlin, Ohiof Plymouth, Mich.*. . . Austin, Te.x Lincoln, Neb.f Cando, N. D.f Chilliwack, B. Ct . . Number of years' record 13 5 3 5 13 Average date of last one observed February 3 February 25 March i March 25 March 9 April 15 April 6 March 26 March 26 March 24 March 2 P'ebruary 18 February 23 March 27 Latest date of last one observed Januar}' 20, 1893 January 20, 1893 January 20, 1893 February 20, 1895 February 20, 1895 February 15, 1891 April 7, 1889 March 12, 1791 March 21, 1916 April 15, 1882 March 30, 1899 March 31, 1900 April 20, 1890 April 17, 1909 April 10, 1909 February 22, 1895 April 26, 1909 April 8, 1906 April I, 1899 February 24, 1904 March 10, 1895 April II, 1894 February 4, 1899 April 22, 1895 April 29, 1889 LOCALITY Number of years' record Average date of spring arrival Earliest date of spring arrival Scotch Lake, N. B Pictou, N. S Montreal, Quebec Ciodbout Quebec 17 3 9 4 March 6 April 10 March 8 April 9 February 7, 1908 March 21, 1894 February 23, 191^ March 16, 1888 Paradise, Labrador Fort Simpson, Mack.t Fort Simpson, Mack.f Forty-mile, YukonJ April 22, 1913 April 28, 1904 May 10, 1904 May ID, 1898 The Migration of North American Birds 349 FALL MIGRATION LOCALITY Number of years' record Ticoralak, Labrador Scotch Lake, N. B.. Montreal, Quebec. . Ottawa, Ont Listowel, Ont Ft. Simpson, Mack.. Indian Head, Sask.t .\veraKe date of last one observed Latest date of last one observed November 2 October 30 October 24 November 19 October 12, 191 2 November 27, 1913 November 15, 1908 November 11, 1898 November 24, 1900 October 3, i860 November 25, 1890 LOCALITY Number of years' record .\verage date of fall arrival Earliest date of fall arrival Boston, Mass Harv^ard, Mass.* Woods Hole, Mass New Haven, Conn.* Princeton, N. J Washington, D. C Washington, D. C.|| French Creek, W. Va Raleigh, N. C.|| Raleigh, N. C Clayton Co., Ga.|| Ottawa, Ont.* Isle Royale, Mich.* Plymouth, Mich.* Oherlin, Ohio* Lexington, Ky Athens, Tenn Okanagan Landing, B. Ct Chilliwack, B. C.J Lincoln, Neb.* Giddings, Te.\.!l Austin, Tex October 22 October 25 October 23 December 5 October 24 December 9 November 15 December 9 October 16 September 11 August 28 October 9 October 7, 1909 October 19, 1907 October 7, 1889 October 29, 1888 November 12, 1905 October 29, 1889 August II, 1889 October 12, 1891 December 7, 1886 November 21, 1888 November 30, 1907 September 27, 1890 September 13, 1905 November 13, 1891 November 14, 1896 November 12, 1904 September 29, 1903 August 25, 1907 August 28, 1889 December 24, 1908 November 3, 1889 October 8, 1893 Notes on the Plumage of North American Birds FIFTIETH PAPER By FRANK M. CHAPMAN (See Frontispiece) In its distribution and geographic variations the Horned Lark is among the most interesting of North American birds. The facts that it is the only American member of a family of some 200 species, and that, in spite of its j)lasticity. none of the American races have l)ecome specifically distinct from each other or, as a group, from the Old-World species, leads us to believe that the Horned Lark has reached this country in, geologically speaking, compara- tively recent times. 350 Bird -Lore Nevertheless, it has become widely distributed, and where local conditions are suited to its peculiar needs as a terrestrial bird, it thrives in widely varying climatic surroundings from the cold, moist Arctic tundras to the burning deserts of Mexico. It is common even on the Andean plateau of Bogota, Colombia, though between this distant locality and southern Mexico no form of the species is known. And here we have an ornithological index of climatic changes, the significance of which strongly tempts speculation. With birds which vary geographically as much as do the Horned Larks, the problem of field identifica- tion becomes difficult and its solution is apt to be far from satisfactory. Fortu- nately, however, many of these forms are restricted to certain areas, and while in the winter the more northern races invade the ranges of those to the south, the student may, at least in the nesting season, name the bird seen by the locahty in which it is found. I make no attempt, therefore, to describe racial differences but refer the student to the map accompanying Dr. Oberholser's paper. As the race which will doubtless come to the attention of the largest number of Bird-Lore's readers, I describe the plumage changes of the Prairie Horned Lark. Prairie Horned (Shore) Lark {Otocoris alpestris pralicola; Figs. 4, 5.) In nestling plumage a Horned Lark looks more like the chick of some gallinaceous bird than the young of a passerine species. Or, expressed technically, it sug- gests a precocial rather than an altricial bird. This juvenal plumage is brownish above, the feathers being tipped with buffy spots, the breast is paler, with an admixture of black, the throat and abdomen whitish, the former being some- times slightly tinted with pale yellow. The postjuvenal (first fall) molt is complete. The first winter plumage resembles Fig. 5. Male and female are much alike, but the former has more black on the forehead and usually fewer streaks on the breast. There is no spring, or prenuptial molt, and the summer dress is acquired by wear which more clearly reveals and more sharply defines the black areas of the breast and head. With the fall molt feathers are acquired with fringes which partly conceal these areas. There is now little or no difference between young and adult birds, but the latter, as a rule, have fewer streaks on the breast. As the frontispiece shows, the Prairie Horned Lark (Figs. 4, 5) is a slightly smaller bird than the Horned Lark (Fig. 5), from which it further differs in having the forehead postocular region and line over the eye white instead of yellow, and there is less yellow on the throat. The character of the variations of the other races of this species are indicated by the remaining figures in our plate, from the bleached race of the desert to the deeply colored ones of more humid regions. /^oteg from ifieltr anb <^tutip Memories of the Passenger Pigeon The last flock of Passenger Pigeons that I remember seeing was about 1886-7. It was in the late autumn, after the leaves had fallen from the trees. There were about 120 birds in the flock. They lighted in the top of a large beech tree; and, finding that the beechnuts had fallen out of the hulls, dropped in rapid succes- sion from branch to branch till all had reached the ground. I never have seen more intense activity or seeming system in feeding than those birds displayed. They worked in a wing-shaped group, moving nervously forward in one direc- tion around the tree, gleaning the entire nut-covered space as they went. Those falling to the rear of the flock, where the nuts were picked up, kept flopping across to the front so as to get the advantage of the unpicked ground. A few that wandered apart in search of scattered nuts kept scurrying about and tilting as they picked them up and then hurried back to the flock as if they feared that the flock would soon be through feeding and off on the wing. This restless, voracious activity was continued till the flock took fright and burst into the air, to fly away and disappear as a small cloud. Will they ever appear again? — Hibbard J. Jkwett, X cilia, Ohio. Notes from Canandaigua, N. Y. There appeared in the Brigham Hall grounds, May 18, 191 7, a bird seldom seen north of New Jersey — the Blue- gray Gnatcatcher, — a male in fine plum- age. This Cinatcatchcr is a tiny bird, not much over 4 inches in length, having aTi exceedingly long tail, which has white outer feathers. Like its Kinglet relatives, it had the same habit of flitting ncrvousl_\' from twig to twig. \\\- n()te