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Os WR. < xy. < =a = Py < DW. 2 KAR 2 As = “p, 3 (OOD 3 Jp. & \ ~ P hg ; iy a ~ > Wg = F JS Ny =z YY, 9 Mee = Yn o NSN Wales i Reson cil RS = wien . a De! MFA PaWnchy 2 ne h A i Vie Mer we Sh by iG ee Bird-Lore AN ILLUSTRATED BI-MONTHLY MAGAZINE DEVOTED TO THE STUDY AND PROTECTION OF BIRDS EDITED BY FRANK M. CHAPMAN CONTRIBUTING EDITOR MABEL OSGOOD WRIGHT OMttictal Organ of the Audubon Societies AupuBon DepartmMentT Epitep By ALICE HALL WALTER, ARTHUR A. ALLEN AND T. GILBERT PEARSON z ie - 44q55 1 VOLUME X XI—z919 D. APPLETON & COMPANY HARRISBURG, PA., AND NEW YORK CITY INDEX TO ARTICLES IN VOLUME XXI BY AUTHORS Abbott, Clinton G., Secretary, Report of, 445. Aitkenhead, Paul, see Fisher, M. L. Alexander, Jane Barbara, Poem by, 138. Alexander, Robert, L. Y. Lancaster, and Gordon Wilson, Christmas Census, 44. Allatt, Frank, and Alec Ross, Christmas Census, Aten Arthur A., When the North Wind Blows, 1; The Warblers of Central New York, I, 81; II, 140; Photograph by, 198; Editorial by, 379; Annual Report, 433. Allen, Francis H., The Present Scarcity of Golden-crowned Kinglets, 361. Allen, Glover M., Boston Region, 50, 112, 18 2) 247. Allen, Mary Pierson, Christmas Census, 34. Anderson, N. M,, Secretary, Report of, 438. Atwell, George C., Secretary, Report of, 428. Avery, Carlos, and J. M. Eheim, Christmas Census, 42. Axtell, Harold H., Christmas Census, 31. Ayres, Douglas, Jr., Christmas Census, 31. Bade, Dr. E., How Birds Can Take Their Own Pictures, 342. Bagg, John L., and Aaron C., see Healey, Alden. Bailey, Mary L., Sioux City Bird Club Notes, 128. Bailey, Mrs. H. M., see Marshall, Mrs. F. W. Ballard, Foster, John Austin Kerr, and Jenckes Mason, Christmas Census, 43. Barnes, Emily, Isabel Clay, and S. Wooten, Christmas Census, 44. Barton, R. A., see Keep, O. D. Bates, Gardner, Christmas Census, 41. Battell, F. L., From Ames, Iowa, 303. Beck, Herbert, Hummingbird Photography, 304. Beck, Herbert H., Abraham Beck Miller, and Charles S. Bricker, Christmas Census, 37. Beck, H. H., and V. E. Dippell, Photographs by, 304. Beckwith, Helen C., Annual Report, 438. Beebe, Ralph, Christmas Census, 4o. Beers, Mrs. H. P., Secretary, Report of, 443. Bellinger, H. C., Photograph by, 334. Bergtold, W. H., Christmas Census, 46; Denver Region, 54, 116, 187, 252, 360. Bicknell, E. P., Christmas Census, 32. Bicknell, Mrs. F. T., Letter from, 77; Photo- graphs by, 430, 440. Blake, Isabel, Eave Swallows Nesting on a Painted Building, 194. Blanchard, George G., Christmas Census, 26. Blodget, George L., Christmas Census, 26. Bomberger, Helen A., Secretary, Report of, 431. Botsford, Barton and Nelson, see Keep, C. D. Bourne, Thomas L., see Morey, George W. Bowdish, Beecher S., Secretary, Report of, 429. Bowers, Elizabeth, October in Chicago, 301. Bowes, Mabel L. C., A Robin’s Lament, 244. Brewster, W. L., and D. K. Strong, Christmas Census, 47. Bricker, Charles S., see Beck, Herbert H Bridge, Edmund, and Lidian E., Christmas Census, 27. Bridge, Lidian E., see Jump, Alice O. (ii) Brooks, Allan, Christmas Census from Belgium, 103. Brown, Genevieve, Finding Birds’ Nests, 194. Brown, Roy M., Christmas Census, 39. Bruen, Frank, see Smith, Elbert E. Bryant, Harold C., Unusual Occurrence in the San Francisco Bay Region, 238. Burleigh, Thomas D., Christmas Census, 49. Burnham, Stewart H., Bird Notes from the Lake George Region, 301. Burroughs, Elizabeth, Secretary, Report of, 433. Burtch, Verdi, A Winter Feeding-place for Birds, 351. Button, Lily Ruegg, Christmas Census. 46, Camara, Mary, A Rare Pet, 387. Campbell, A. L., and Mamie, see Patton, Frank. Cannon, Gabriel, and George S. Snowden, Jr., Christmas Census, 39. Carlson, A., Christmas Census, 42. Carter, Ellen C., see Linton, M. Albert. Case, Clifford M., Christmas Census, 29. Caskey, R. C., Christmas Census, 34. Chapman, Frank M., Notes from a Traveler in the Tropics: II, Cuba to Panama, 11; III, From Panama to Peru, 87; IV, Peru, 157; V, Chile, 333; Notes on the Plumage of North American Birds, 24, 102, 172, 355; Nature and England, 215; The Study of Bird-Life in the Schools of New Jersey, 257; Editorials by, 256, 378; Wil- liam Brewster, Obituary, 277; Reviews by 254, 372, 374, 375, 370; Photographs by, 280, 283, 285. Chase, Richard M., Christmas Census, 31. Childs, Helen P., Secretary, Report of, 423. Clay, Isabel, see Barnes, Emily. Clement, Myron, see Hallock, Bessie A. Coffin, Mrs. Francis Hopkin, President, Annual Report, 446. Coker, Robert E., Photographs by, 88, 373. Coleman, Delbert, Christmas Census, 4o. Compton, Mrs. C. N., President, Annual Report, 447- Crane, Bessie L., American Egret in Connecticut, 360. Crane, Mrs. G. H., Annual Report, 430.. Crawford, Elis, Francis Rawsum, Carl and Edward McAndrews, Mary Belle Johnston, and I. H. Johnston, Christmas Census, 38. Crecelius, Alice, Summer, Fall and Winter Observations in the West, 67. Crosby, Maunsell S., Christmas Census, 31. Curry, Haskell B., see Perine, Keble. Dadisman, A. J., Christmas Census, 39; Ruffed Grouse Scarce in West Virginia, 77; Prairie Horned Lark, 181. Daly, E., see Watson, C. G. Danforth, R. E., Christmas Census, 35. Danforth, Stuart T., Christmas Census, 35. Danner, May S., and Mary King, Christmas Census, 42. Davis, Edwin Russell, Christmas Census, 27. DeBoos, Esther, Robin’s Nest on a Wren-house, 103. Index ill Deghuee, Marion, Secretary, Report of, 437. Denker, Wm. A., see Perine, Keble. Dent, Paul, see Jokerst, Dent. Dinsmore, Susan B., Robin Redbreast, Gardener, 192. Dippell, V. E., see Beck, H. H. Doll, Caroline L., Buffalo Audubon Society, 137. Doolittle, E. A., Food of Young Purple Martins, 305; An Old Squaw Joker, 306. Downhour, Elizabeth, Secretary, Report of, 427. Dreier, Theodore, Christmas Census, 33. Dunbar, Lula, and Robert, Jr., Christmas Census, War 4l. Dwight, Jonathan, M.D., Review by, 189. Dyche, Grace L. S., The Nesting of Robins, 243. Eastman, Sarah Chandler, The Cape May Warbler in Southern Maine, 180. Eaton, E. H., see Grant; W. W. Eaton, Warren F., Christmas Census, 27. Edson, Wm. L. G., and R. E. Horsey, Christmas Census, 31. Eheim, J. M., see Avery, Carlos. Ehinger, C. E., Christmas Census, 37. Eifrig, C. W. G., and Chreswell J. Hunt,Christmas Census, 43. Ekblaw, Sergeant George E., and Alfred Nord- strom, Christmas Census, 35. Ekblaw, Sidney E., and W. Elmer, Christmas Census, 43. Elliot, Sarah J., Secretary, Report of, 448. Elwood, Russell, My Experience with Birds, 263. Emmons, E. T., see Grant, W. W. Eno, Henry Lane, Christmas Census, 35. Evans, William Bacon, see Linton, M. Albert. Fabens, M. E., Interlopers, 304. Farley, John A., Breeding of the Myrtle Warbler at Webster, Mass., 300. Farquhar, Arthur, see Weiser, Charles S. Farrar, C. D., and L. E., Christmas Census, 26. Fay, Frank S., President, Annual Report, 441. Fearing, Albert, The Black and White Warbler, 193. Finley, Irene, Photograph by, 412. Finley, William L., Field Agent, Report of, 412; Photograph by, 414. Fisher, M. L., and Paul Aitkenhead, 43. Fisher, Mr. and Mrs. G. Clyde, Ruth Anna, and Farida A. Wiley, Christmas Census, 32. Forbush, Edward Howe, Field Agent, Report of, 408. Ford, E. R., Robins Enjoy Flat Life, 103. Ford, Lee M., Christmas Census, 46. Ford, Louise P., and Marrion I. Pellew, Christmas Census, 43. Fordyce, Geo. L., C. A. Leedy, W. H. Warner, and H. W. Weisgerber, Christmas Census, 43. Foster, Charles I., Secretary, Report of, 450. Fuertes, Louis Agassiz, Colored plates by, facing, 1, 81, 149, 333; Drawings by, 12, 14, 159, 163, 164, 339- Gabriel, Geo. H., Mockingbird in Connecticut, 243. Ganier, A. F., Christmas Census, 45. Gasser, Mrs. G. W., From Near the Arctic Circle, 350- Geiniene, Fred, see Vincent, Ralph. Gooch, John H., Christmas Census, 43. Goodsell, William, Helping Barn and Cliff Swal- lows to Nest, 175. Gordon, Swale, see Monroe, Burt. Gormley, Liguori, see Macnamare, Charles. Grant, W. W., Otto McCreary, E. T. Emmons, Mrs. H. H. Henderson, and E. H. Eaton, Christmas Census, 31. Graves, Francis M., Christmas Census, 29. Graves, Maude A., and Bessie M., Christmas Census, 28. Green, Margaret S., Secretary, Report of, 445. Grimminger, Chas. and Edgar, see McGraw, Harry A. Griscom, Ludlow, ei Census from France, 49; review by, 2 Griswold, Geo. T., Cimstmas Census, 29. Gutman, Joe, see Vincent, Ralph. Hallett, George H., Jr., see Linton, M. Albert. Hallinan, Frances Redfield, My First Experience with a Redstart, 386. Hallock, Bessie A., and Myron Clement, Christ- mas Census, 31. Hamson, Blanche, see Sadler, Nettie M. Handley, Charles O., and Harry E., Christmas Census, 38. Hannum, W. E., Christmas Census, 36. Hansen, Harold E., see Vincent, Ralph. Harper, Francis, and Remington Kellogg, Christmas Census, 40. Harris, Harry, Kansas City Region, 54, 115, 186, 252, 369; see Michaels, W. C. Haskin, Leslie L., Christmas Census, 47; Town- send’s Solitaire, 242. Hathaway, Harry S., Christmas Census, 28. Haven, Herbert M. W., Annual Report, 436. Haworth, George D., Christmas Census, 42. Hays, see McGraw, Harry A Heacock, Esther, Secretary, Report of, 452. Healey, Alden, John L. Bagg, and Aaron C. Bagg, Christmas Census, 27. Heiser, J. M., Bird-Nesting in Texas, 110. Hempel, Kathleen M., Notes on Nesting Blue- birds and House Wrens, 173. Henderson, Mrs. H. H., see Grant, W. W. Herschler, Irene M., Cardinals and Wrens, 246. Hix, George E., Clark L. Lewis, Edward G. Nichols, and L. Nelson Nichols, Christmas Census, 32. Hodgson, F. H., Two Interesting Observations, 200. Holden, Edith S., The A. B. C., 264. Holland, E. W., A List of Virginia Birds, roa. Homan, Dr. R. W., Photograph by, ro. Horsey, R. E., see Edson, Wm. L. G. Horsfall, R. Bruce, Colored plate by, facing 108. Houghton, Clarence, Christmas Census, 30. Hoyt, Gertrude, Starlings Spreading in New York State, 240. Humphrey, Helen, Secretary, Report of, 453. Hunt, Chreswell J., see Eifrig, C. W. G. Hunt, Emily G., M.D., Annual Report, 444. Hurd, Frances A. School Agent, Report of, 418. Irwin, J. L., see Vincent, Ralph. Jack, C. W., Secretary, Report of, 435. Jenness, Perley M., The Birds of Coblenz, 290. Job, Herbert K., Annual Report, 414. Johnson, Charles E., Harris’s Sparrow at Law- rence, Kans., 360. Johnson, Elizabeth H., Winter Feeding of Birds, 70. Johnston, Mary Belle, and I. H., see Crawford, Elis. Jokerst, Dent, and Paul Dent, Christmas Census, 45. Jones, Henrietta O., Secretary, Report of, 444. iv Index Jones, Lynds, Oberlin Region, 53, 114, 185. Judd, Therese, The Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 106. Jump, Alice O., and Lidian E. Bridge, Christmas Census, 27. Keep, C. D., R. A. Barton, and Nelson Botsford, Christmas Census, 34. Kellogg, Clinton E., Making Friends with the Golden-winged Warbler, 241, Kellogg, Remington, see Harper, Francis. Kelly, Berners B., Christmas Census, 46. Kerr, John Austin, see Ballard, Foster. Kimes, Edw. D., Christmas Census, 42. Kinch, Harry B., see McGraw, Harry A. King, Mary, see Danner, May S. Kryss, Rosa, Home Observations, 68. LaDue, Harry Jay, Christmas Census, 41; U- Boat Methods in Nature, 358. Lancaster, L. Y., see Alexander, Robert. Langdon, Roy M., Secretary, Report of, 424. Mellwraith Ornithological Club, Christmas Census, 26. McLeod, J. R., see Watson, C. G. Mengel, Mr. and Mrs. G. Henry, Christmas Census, 36. Metcalf, E. I., Is the House Wren a Bigamist? 303. Michaels, W. C. and Son, A. E. Shirling, and Harry Harris, Christmas Census, 45. Mickle, Anna, see Linton, M. Albert. Middleton, Mr. and Mrs. J. C., see Watson, C. G. Miller, Abraham Beck, see Beck, Herbert H. Miller, Ada, Successful School Observation Con- ditions, 130. Miller, W. DeW., Christmas Census, 34. Miner, Mr. and Mrs. Leo D., Hon. Edmund Platt, M. C. and Raymond W. Moore, Christmas Census, 38. Minor, O. B., A Bird-House Contest, 65. Monroe, Burt, and Swale Gordon, Christmas Census, 44. Moore, Raymond W., see Miner, Leo D. Larrabee, Austin P., and Philo J., Christmas | Morey, George W., and Thomas L. Bourne, Census, 46. Larson, Adrian, Christmas Census, 46. Lastreto, C. B., Audubon Association of the Pacific, 136. Latham, Roy, Christmas Census, 33. Lawrence, Jos. S., Christmas Census, 30. Leedy, C. A., and Fordyce, Geo. L. Leister, C. W., Photographs by, o1, 107, 233; The -» Spotted Sandpiper, 287. LePerrier, Gabrielle, A Pet Robin, 380. Lewis, Clark L., see Hix, George E. Lewis, Dora Worster, The Deserted Home, 104. Lewis, Harrison F., Christmas Census, 25. Lewis, J. H., Photograph by, 250. Lewis, Norman, Studying Birds in Maine and Nova Scotia, 258. Linton, M. Albert, Anna A. Mickle, Samuel N. Rhoads, Ellen C. Carter, William Bacon Evans, and George H. Hallett, Jr., Christmas Census, 36. Lippincott, Joseph W., An Evening with Birds in Florida, 16. Lofstrom, Lawrence L., Pelagic Habits of Kitti- wake Gulls in Winter, 18r. Lowerre, E. M., Red-headed Woodpecker Nest- ing on Long Island, 303. Lownes, Albert E., An Unusual Nesting-site, 363. Lundwall, Nelson, Christmas Census, 46. Macnamara, Charles, and Liguori Gormley, Christmas Census, 25. Madison, H. L., Secretary, Report of, 430. Magee, M. J., Notes from Sault Ste. Marie, 237. Mainster, R. W., Christmas Census, 38. Marckres, Geo. M., Nuthatch Acrobats, 360. Marshall, Mrs. F. W., Josephine Smith, and Mrs. H. H. Bailey, Christmas Census, 44. Mason, Jenckes, see Ballard, Foster. Mc Radteys: Carl and Edward, see Crawford, ‘lis. McAtee, W. L., Alexander Wetmore, and Edward A. Preble, Christmas Census, 30. McCamant, Tom, The Western Robin, 131. McConnell, Harry B., John Worley, and Ray- mond Timmons, Christmas Census, 142. McConnell, Thos. L., and L. F. Savage, Christmas Census, 37; Prothonotary Warbler at Erie, Pay, 2428 McCreary, Otto, see Grant, W. W. McGraw, Harry A., Harry B. Kinch, Harry P. Hays, Ira J. Stouffer, Chas. Grimminger, and Edgar Grimminger, Christmas Census, 37. Christmas Census, 31. Morgan, Griscom, Note from a Young Contri- butor, 265. Morgan, May, Christmas Census, 41. Morgan, Olga Marie, A Brood of Young Robins, 302. Mosk, Sanford, see Vincent, Ralph. Moyer, Albert, Another Wire Wren-nest, 181. Munger, Edwin T., Christmas Census, 29. Munroe, Mrs. Kirk, President, Annual Report, 434. Myers, Harriet Williams, Secretary, Report of, 421. . Neff, Johnson, Christmas Census, 45. Nichols, Edward G., see Hix, George E. Nichols, John Treadwell, New York Region, 51, 112, 183, 248, 308, 364; Editorials by, 57, 110, tor; Reviews by, 55, 56, 117, 118, 188, 180, 255, 371, 370; Bird-Lore’s Twentieth Christmas Census, 351. Nichols, Nelson, see Hix, George E. Noble, G. K., Unusual Breeding-site of Killdeer Plover, 173. Norak, Frank, Christmas Census, 29. Nordstrom, Alfred, see Ekblaw, Sergeant George E. Norman, Harold, Christmas Census, 40. Norton, Arthur H., Field Agent, Report of, AX] Nott, Grace B., Secretary, Report of, 440. Oberholser, Harry C., The Migration of North American Birds, 23, 100, 170, 354; Washington Region, 52, 114, 184, 250, 310, 366; Another Purple Martin Roost in the City of Washington, 96; A Surprised Ruddy Duck, 350. Orr, George B., The Junior Song-bird Club, 265. Osgood, H. W., Photograph by, 223. Otto, M. C., To Hatch and to Raise, 179. Packard, Winthrop, Field Agent, Report of, 410; Secretary’s Report, 427. Palmer, Dr. T. S., Reviews by, 56, 118. Patton, Frank, Mary Patton, A. L. Campbell, and Mamie Campbell, Christmas Census, 47. Pearson, T. Gilbert, Editorials by, 72, 134, 202, 270, 323, 392; Least Bittern, 198; The Red- eyed Vireo 266; Turkey Vulture, 319; Photo- graphs by, 272, 403, 418; Annual Report, 306. Pease, Florence Mabel, Notes from Conway, Mass., 357. Index Vv Peck, Grace H., Pied-billed Grebe Caring for its Young, 110. Pell, Walden, and S. Morris, Christmas Census, 34- Pellew, Marion I., see Ford, Louise P. Perine, Keble, Haskell B. Curry and Wm. A. Denker, Christmas Census, 26. Perkins, Edward H., Christmas Census, 28. Perry, Mrs. Harvey C., Bird Neighbors, 234. Pershing, H. A., Secretary, Report of, 447. Phillips, Charles L , Christmas Census, 28. Pierce, Lillian W., Secretary, Report of, 440. Pike, Mrs. Granville Ross. Suggestions for Junior Audubon Clubs, 63. Pinkus, Albert, Photograph by, 71. Pittman, H. H., Photograph by, 133. Platt, Hon. Edmund, see Miner, Leo D. Potter, Julian K., Philadelphia Region, 51, 113, 184, 240, 300, 365; see Roland, Conrad Kk. Pratt, Margaret, Dixie: A Tame Robin, 176. Preble, Edward A., see McAtee, W. L. Pumyea, Mr. and Mrs. Nelson D. W., Census, 35. é Christmas Raker, Mary E. Christmas Census, 47. Randle, Francis, A Pocket Sanctuary, 219. Rawsum, Francis, see Crawford, Elis. Raymond, Olney, Red Phalarope in Pennsylvania, 230. Reader, Ray E., and Willis C., Christmas Census, Ate Reeves, C. G., An Albino Wood Thrush, 107. Reid, Russell, Christmas Census, 45. Rhoads, Samuel N., see Linton, Albert M. Rice, Helen K., Christmas Census, 42. Richardson, Hattie E., Secretary, Report of, 421. Roads, Letha A., Christmas Census, 42. Roberts, Anna Rogers, One Family of Flickers, 347- Roberts, Mrs. Cora B., Secretary, Report of, 448. Roberts, Thomas S., M.D., Minneapolis Region, 52, 115, 185, 251, 310, 308. Rogers, Sergeant Charles H., Christmas Census, 38. Roland, Conrad K., and Julian K. Christmas Census, 36. Ross, Alec, see Allatt, Frank. Ross, Dr. and Mrs. Lucretius H., Christmas Census, 27. Rowland, Dr. W. H., Photograph by, 301. Potter, Sadler, Nettie M., and Blanche Hamson, Christ- mas Census, 30. Saunders, Aretas A., Christmas Census, 30. Saunders, Hattie, A Bird Time-Table, 60. Savage, L. F., see McConnell, Thos. L. Sawyer, Edmund J., ees Feeding its Mate, 244; Drawing by, 2 ae Prince Michael of, Secretary, Report of, Sclister, John J., Christmas Census, 43. Schroder, Hugo H., Christmas Census, 40; Brewster’s Warbler in Iowa, 303. Scoville, G., and T. Spencer, Christmas Census, 36. Shaw, J. E. Norton, Christmas Census, 28. Shirling, A. E., see Michaels, W. C. Shove, Ellen M., An Albino Robin, 300. Simpson, Assistant Secretary, Report of, 427. Smith, Elbert E., and Frank Bruen, Christmas Census, 29: Smith, Josephine, see Marshall, Mrs. F. W. Snowden, George S., Jr., see Cannon, Gabriel, Snyder, L. L., Tragedies of the Nest, 230. Spencer, Theo., An Eccentric Ovenbird, 180; see Scoville, G. St. Louis Bird Club, Christmas Census, 45. Steele, Jack, Birds That Have Come to Our House, 131. Steele, Paul H., Christmas Census, 46. Stone, Lucy B., Secretary, Report of, 434. Stouffer, Ira J., see McGraw, Harry A. Straw, Mrs. Herman F., Purple Finches, 165. Strong, D. K., see Brewster, W. L. Stuart, F. A., Purple Martins on Stuart Acres; Five Years on a Michigan Farm, 92; A Family of Screech Owls on Stuart Acres, 300. Sutherland, Jean, Notes on the Lark Bunting, 70. Sutton, George Miksch, Night Voices, 108. Swinton, A. A., ‘Crazy’ Grouse, 240. Swope, Eugene, Field Agent, Report of, 410. Synnestvedt, Raymond, An Unusually-placed Robin Nest, 104. Taper, Thomas A., Two Thrushes, 167. Taylor, Clara and Warner, Christmas Census, AI. Thompson, W., My Bird-House, 264. Timmons, Raymond, see McConnell; Harry B. Todd, Willie, Notes from the Northwest, 128. Townsend, Manley B., Christmas Census, 26. Treganza, Mrs. A. O., My Neighbor’s Back Yard, 238; Annual Report, 430. Tucker, Miss A. C., Young Returning to the Nest, ros. Turner, Mrs. George M., Christmas Census, 48. Tuttle, N. E., Photograph by, 228. Tyler, Mr. and Mrs. John G., Christmas Census, 48. Tyler, Winsor M., Boston Region, 307, 364. Barn Swallows Ushioda, S., A Red-eyed Vireo’s Nest, 302. Van Dyke, Tertius, Christmas Census, 35; A Parakeet in a City Park, 174. Van Tyne, Josselyn and Claude, Census, 41. Veazie, Mrs. Carl H., Annual Report, 448. Vibert, C. W., Christmas Census, 209. Vietor, Kate and E. W., Nip, The Young Sparrow Hawk, 225. Vincent, Ralph, Sanford Mosk, Alva Weiner, Joe Gutman, Fred Geiniene, J. L. Irwin, and Harold E. Hansen, Christmas Census, 40. Vorhies, Charles T., Christmas Census, 46. Christmas Walbridge, Caroline C., Secretary, Report of, 446. Walker, Edith F., Christmas Census, 28. Walter, Alice Hall, Editorials by, 58, 120, 192. Warfield, Benjamin and Robert, Christmas Census, 37. Warner, W. H., see Fordyce, Geo. L. Warren, F. R., Notes on Albino Robins, 246. Watson, C. G., J. R. McLeod, E. Daly, Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Middleton, Christmas Census, 26. Way, W. Scott, Secretary, Report of, 451. Weatherill, Charlotte, Secretary, Report of, 437. Weiner, Alva, see Vincent, Ralph. Weiser, Charles S., and Arthur Farquhar, Christ- mas Census, 37. Weisgerber, H W., see Fordyce, Geo. L. Wellman, Helen H., and Gordon Boit Wellman, Christmas Census, 27. Wells, Caroline E., Secretary, Report of, 443- Welsh, F. R., Notes on Grackles and Other Birds, TO5. Welty, Emma J., Secretary, Report of, 430. Wetmore, Alexander, see McAtee, W. L. vi White, Grace L., A Good Word for the Blue Jays, Tar. Whitman, F. N., A Visit with Cedar Waxwings, 203- Wicks, Gertrude P., Secretary, Report of, 442. Wiggins, Mabel R., Christmas Census, 32; Hooded Warbler on Long Island, 303. Wilcox, LeRoy, Christmas Census, 32. Wiley, Farida, see Fisher, G. Clyde. Williams, Laidlaw, Yellow-throated Warbler in Central Park, 182. Wilson, Etta S., Christmas Census, 40. INDEX TO Aconcagua Valley, Photograph of, 336. Advisory Council, Brrp-Lore’s, 21. Aigrette Violations, 75. Alabama, 204. Alaska, 72; Eagle Law of, 204. Albatross, Wandering, 330. Andrews, Roy C., Photograph of, 78. Arizona, 46. Arkansas, 73. Audubon Societies, Annual Report of the National Association of, 395; Reports of Field Agents, 408; Reports of Junior, 404; Reports of State, Auk, The, reviewed, 189, 376. [420. Avery, Edward C., Photograph of, 432. Beebe’s ‘A Monograph of the Pheasants,’ re- viewed, 117. Bent’s ‘Life Histories of North American Diving Birds,’ reviewed, 371. Bird-census, Brrp-LoreE’s Nineteenth, 25;Twenti- eth, 350. Bird Clubs, 63; Reports of, 420. Bird-houses, 65, 206, 212; figured, 66, 92, 93, 94. Bird-photography, 342. Bird-protection, 64, 65, 73, 74, 80, 92, 135, 210, 307. Bird-study, 73, 134, 135, 257, 390. Birds’ Bath, figured, 224. Birds’ Songs, 108, 221, 201. Bittern, Least, figured, 198; 311. Blackbird, Red-winged, 54, 113, 115, 182, 185, 186; Rusty, 113, 183, 185, 186; Yellow-headed, ise Bluebird, 54, 116, 173, 186, 187, 244, 360; figured, 245; young figured, 231. Bluebird, The, noticed, 100. Booby, 80. Brewster William, Obituary, 277; photographs of, 277 280, 283, 285; Memorial Fund, 378. Buffalo, Audubon Society of, 137. Bufflehead, 54, 186. Bunting, Indigo, figured, 3, 60, 366, 368; Lazuli, 253; Snow, figured, 352. Butcher-bird, Northern, 54, 116. California, 48, 238, 420, 430, 444. Canvasback, 53; figured, 2. Cardinal, 246, 310; figured, 344. Cedarbird, 182.Chapman’s ‘Our Winter Birds. How to Know and How to Attract Them,’ reviewed, 376. Chat, Yellow-breasted, 83, 109; figured, 86. Chewink, 185. Chickadee, 51, 53; Black-capped, 50, 112; Long- tailed, 360, = Index Wilson, Gordon, see Alexander, Robert. Wilson, Mrs. C. M., Secretary, Report of, 432. Witt, Ewald, A Home Sanctuary for Birds, 60. Woodward, Magnolia, Report of, 423. Wooten, S., see Barnes, Emily. Worden, Mona, Christmas Census, 28. Worley, John see McConnell, Harry B. Wright, Mabel Osgood, Our Responsibility: A Page from the Birds’ Book of Snow, 6; Annual Report, 422. Yates, Mary F., Home Observations, 68. CONTENTS Chile, Bird-Life in, 333. Coker’s ‘Habits and Economic Relations of the Guano Birds,’ reviewed, 372. Colorado, 46, 54, 116, 252, 360, 421. Condor, The, reviewed, 56, 116. Connecticut, 29, 30, 243, 360, 407, 438, 441, 444. Coot, American, 185, 186, 249. : Cormorant, 89; Bougainville’s, Double-crested, 310 Cowbird, 113, 170, 183, 184, 185. Crane, Sandhill, 54. Creeper, Brown, 112, 115, 184, 186; figured, 381. Crossbill, American, 251; Red, 112, 247, 312. Crow, 112, 183; American, 100, 102; Fish, figured, facing, 81, 102; Florida, 100; Hooded, 102; Northwestern, figured, facing, 81, 100; Southern, 100; Western, roo. Crows, Destruction of, 202. Cuba, Bird-Life in, 11. Cuckoo, Black-billed, 52, 250, 365; Central American, figured, 14; Yellow-billed, 310, 360. figured, 373; District of Columbia, 38, 52, 114, 250, 310, 423. Dove, Mourning, figured, 10, 51, 54, 115, 184, 185, 253- Dowitcher, 308, 365. Duck, Black, 184, 185; figured, 436; Lesser Scaup, 54, 185, 186, 240, 311; Ring-necked, 186, 251; Ruddy, 185, 311, 359; Wood, 311. Eagle, American, 72; Slaughter of the, Golden, 253. Egret, American, 360, 365; young figured, 413. El Hornero, reviewed, 56. Evans, Frank C., Photograph of, 426. 204; Farwell’s, ‘Bird Conservations Near Chicago,’ reviewed, 376. Feeding Birds, 64 70, 380; figured, 380, 383, 384, 385. Finch, Diuca, figured, 335, 337, 338; Purple, 52, 54, 112, 115, 116, 165, 184, 186, 248, 312. Flicker, 184, 186, 310, 347; Northern, 53, 185. Flamingoes, Nesting-site of, figured, 334, 335. Florida, 40, 434, 451. Florida Audubon Bulletin, noticed, 206. Flycatcher, Acadian, 366; Olive-sided, Bure Traill’s, 251, 360. Forbush’s ‘Monthly Bulletin of Information, noticed, 77. Gallinule, Florida, 311. Gnatcatcher, Blue-gray, 184, 365. Golden-eye, 84, 249. Goldfinch, 51, 365. Index Vil Goose, Canada, 54, 249; figured, 133; Domestic, II4. Goura, Plumes of the, figured, 397. Grackle, Bronzed, 53, 182, 185, 248; Purple, 105, 184, 310. Grebe, Holbcell’s, 250; Horned, 250; Pied-billed, 53, L110, 186, 310, 311, 365; Short-winged, 164; figured, 163; wing figured, 164. Grinnell, Bryant and Storer’s, ‘Game Birds of California,’ reviewed, 188. Grosbeak, Blue, 369; Cardinal, 115; Evening, 50, TENTS S85 2A 2A 7 3077 iNew 50; 5105535 I12, 113, 357; Rose-breasted, 248. Grouse, Ruffed, 77; scarcity of, 77, 240; figured, 250, 308. Harris’s ‘Birds of the Kansas City Region,’ reviewed, 180. Hawk, Accipiter, 364; Broad-winged, 105, 114; Duck, 251, 358; Fish, 186; Marsh, 114, 116; Red-shouldered, 114; Redtailed, 51, 114; Rough-legged, 116; Sharp-shinned, 114; Spar- row, 114, 186, 225; figured, 226. Heron, Black-crowned Night, 113, 311; Great Blue, 185, 186; figured, 271, 272, 310, 367; Green, figured, 272; Little Blue, 365. Hummingbird, Giant, figured, 339; 341; Ruby- crowned, 339; Ruby-throated, 304. Idaho, 448. Illinois, 43, 424, 437. Indiana, 43, 426, 435, 447; Audubon Society of, 212. Towa, 44, 135, 303; Conservation Association of, 135. Jay, Alaska, 356; Black-headed, 171; Blue, figured, facing 149; 181, 310; Blue-fronted, 171; Canada figured, facing 333; 354, 350; Coast, 171; Florida Blue, 170; Gray, 355; Green, figured, facing 149; 171, 172; Labrador, 354, 3560; Long-crested, 171, 370; Newfoundland, 354; Northern Blue, 170, 172; Oregon, figured, facing 333; 354, 356; Pinon, figured, facing 3333 355, 350; Queen Charlotte, 171; Rath- bun’s 355; Rocky Mountain, 354, 356; Steller’s, figured, facing 149; 170, 171, 172. Journal of the Museum of Comparative Odlogy, The, reviewed, 255. Juneo, 51, 52, 54, 115, 182, 186, 247, 345, 366. Kansas, 360. Kentucky, 44, 427. Kalldeer 113 ses 183.) TOA) TS54 180, 1S 7, 251. Kingbird, 248, 252, 364, 366, 360. Kingfisher, 113, 116, 186; Belted, 18s. Knot, 365. Lago de San Pedro de Atacama, Photograph of, 334- Laguna Fria, Photograph of, 340. Lark, Horned, 186, 252; figured, 352; Prairie Horned, 181, 182, 302; figured, 353. Legislation, 80, 204, 276. Longspur, Chestnut-collared, 370; Lapland, 115; figured, 351. Loon, 186. MacMillan’s ‘Four Years in the White North,’ reviewed, 55. Maine, 26, 180, 258, 417, 436. Mallard, 54, 115, 185, 311, 360. Man-o’-War Bird, 11, 87. Martin, Purple, 92, 96-99, 184, 185, 186, 250, 305, 310, 366; figured, g2. Maryland, 38. Massachusetts, 27, 28, 50, 112, 247, 300, 357, 408, 410, 427, 453. Meadowlark, 54, 113, 116, 182, 183, 185, 186. Merganser, American, 185; Hooded, 311; Red- breasted, 184. Merlin, Richardson’s, 253. Michigan, 40, 41, 237. Migration, Bird, 307, 354. Miller, Olive Thorne, Obituary, 76. Miller’s ‘In the Wilds of South America,’ re- viewed, 55. Minnesota, 41, 42, 52, 115, 251, 310, 442. Missouri, 44, 45,54, 115, 252, 308. Mockingbird, 108, 243, 310. Montana, 46, 443. Mosley’s, “Trees, Stars and Birds,’ reviewed, ioe Nebraska, 46. New England, Bird-life in, 408. New Hampshire, 26, 428. New Jersey, 34, 35, 240, 420, 437; Heron Colony ith, Dyfi New York, 30, 31, 32, 33, 51, 112, 137, 240, 248, 301, 303, 308, 364, 432, 433, 444, 445, 440. Nighthawk, 248, 250, 252, 201, 367, 368 North Carolina, 39. North Dakota, 45, 46 Norton, Arthur H., Photograph of, 418. Nova Scotia, 258. Nutcracker, Clarke’s, figured, facing 333; 355, 350. Nuthatch, 360, figured, 361; Red-breasted, 50, 114, 115; Slender-billed, 369; White-breasted, I, 51, 186, 302. Ohio, 42, 43, 53, 114, 400, 420, 434. Ontario, 25, 26, 307, 438. Oregon, 47, 242, 430. Oriole, Baltimore, 307, 366, 368; Bullock’s, 370; Orchard, 252, 366. Osprey, 185. Ovenbird, 52, 180, 252, 312; figured, 228; nest figured, 228. Owl, Barn, 184, 249; Burrowing, 116; Great Horned, 18, 116; figured, 19; Long-eared, 51, 114, 116, 187; Saw-whet, 51, 52; figured, 71; Screech, 116, 300, 310; figured, 233, 301; Snowy, 50, 53- Panama, Bird-life in, 11, 87. Paroquet, figured, 12, 174. Pearson, Elizabeth, Photograph of, 418. Pearson and Brimley’s, ‘Birds of North Carolina,’ reviewed, 375. Pelican, Brown, 87; Chilean Brown, 87; figured, 88; White, figured, 412. Pennsylvania, 36, 37, 51, 114, 239, 240, 242, 300, 365, 431, 446, 440, 452. Peru, Bird-life in, 87, 157. Pewee, Wood, 310. Phalarope, Red, 239; Wilson’s, 252, 310, 311. Phoebe, 184, 185, 186, 304, 3605- Photography, Bird, 342. Pintail, 249, 311. Pipit, American, 114, 184. Plover, Black-bellied, 365; Black-breasted, 308; Piping, 309, 365; Ring-necked, 308; Semi- palmated, 250, 365; Upland, 185, 251, 366. Quebec, 25. Vill Index Rail, Virginia, 311; King, 240. Raven, American, 23, 24; Clarion Island, 23; Northern 23; Southeastern, 24; White-necked, 24; figured, facing 1. Redhead, 53, 54. Redpoll, 115, 1806. Redstart, 52, 140, 306, 386; figured, 155, 223. Rhode Island, 28, 430. Ridgway’s ‘Birds of North and Middle America,’ Part VIII, reviewed, 375. Roberts’ ‘Water Birds of Minnesota; Past and Present,’ reviewed, 374. Robin, 102, 103, 144, 116, 176, 182, 184, 185, 186, 187, 243, 244, 248, 310, 302, 300, 380; nest fig- ured, 103, £104; albino, 246, 300, 303; figured, 240. Roosevelt Memorial Fountain, 139; List of Con- tributors to the, 207. Sanctuaries, Bird, see Bird-Protection. Sanderling, 365. Sandpiper, Least, 250, 308, 305; Red-backed, 240, 250; Semipalmated, 250, 308, 365; Solitary, 308, 309; Spotted, 185, 287, 300; figured, 287, 288: nest and eggs figured, 289; Stilt, 308; Western, 306; White-rumped, 250. Sapsucker, Yellow-bellied, 113, 116, 185, 250, 304, 300. Saunders’ ‘Golden Dicky: The Story of a Canary and His Friends,’ reviewed, 373. Scoter, American, 240. Scoville’s ‘The Outdoor Club,’ reviewed, 254. Season, The, 50, 112, 182, 247, 307, 304. Selborne from the Hanger, Photograph of, fac- Shoveller, 54, 185, 360. {ing 215. Shrike, Loggerhead, 365; Migrant, 185, 186, 310, 366; Northern 50, 51, 112, 115, 183, 302. Siskin, Pine, 52, 182, 183, 187, 247, 312, 357- Skimmer, 309. : Skylark, 201. Snipe, Wilson’s, 145, 184, 185, 186, 368. Solitaire, Townsend ’s, 242. Song Birds, Killing of, 136. Sora, 240, 251, 311. South Carolina, 39. Sparrow, Chipping, 113, 183, 184, 185, 253; Clay- colored, 370; Field, 185; Fox, 50, 51, 115, 182, 184, 185, 365; Gambel’s 54, 187, 253; Grass- hopper, 308, 366; Harris’s, 54, 116, 186; Lincoln’s 249, 252; Savannah, 54, 184, 185; Song, 53, 54, 114, 116, 182, 183, 185, 186, 248, 366, 360; figured, 4, 5; South American, 158; Swamp, 185, 186, 365; Tree, 51, 54, 112, 115, 116, 186, 369; Vesper, 113, 183, 184, 185; White-crowned, 51, 116, 365; figured, 197; White-throated, 51, 52, 247, 312, 305; figured, 4; White-throated Song, 158; figured, 150. Squaw, Old, 306. Starling, European, 50, 240, 248, 310. Stilt, Black-necked, 308. Swallow, Bank, 250, 310; Barn, 51, 105, 175, 183, 309, 304; Blue-backed, figured, 163; Cliff, 174; Tree, 183, 184, 185, 248, 308. Swan, Whistling, 54, 180. Swift, Chimney, 250. Tanager, Scarlet, 250, 312; figured, 346. Teal, Blue-winged, 54, 311, 369; Green-winged, 311, 240. Tennessee, 45, 423. Tern, Black, 249, 251, 367; Common, 309, 365, Forster's, 311; Least, 365. Texas, 110. Thrasher, Brown, 113, 114, 184, 185. Thrush, Gray-cheeked, 251; Hermit, 168, 183, 185, 186, 308; figured, 168, 169; Olive-backed, 107, 249, 250, 365; figured, 167; Wilson’s 248; figured, 91; Wood, 107 (albino), 308, 310, 360. Titmouse, Tufted, 310. Towhee, 113, 185, 252; figured, 343. Turco, El, figured, 337. Turnstone, 365. Utah, 137, 239, 430; Audubon Society of, 137. Vermont, 27. Vireo, Bell’s, 369; Blue-headed, 366, 367; Phila- delphia, 366; Plumbeous, 253, 369; Red-eyed, 302, 307, 307, figured, facing 266; Warbling, 248, 307, 309; White-eyed, 369;Yellow-throated 248, 250, 307, 308, 300. Virginia, 39. Warbler, Audubon’s, 370; Bay-breasted, 250, 251; Black and White, 52, 149, 186, 250, 296; figured, 207; Blackburnian, 82, 150, 151, 248, 251, 312; figured, 83; Black-poll, 50, 52, 248, 250, 364; Black-throated Blue, 51, 85, 151, 153; Black- throated Green, 149, 151; Blue-winged, 251; Brewster’s, 303; Canadian, 150, 152, 302, 312; figured, 156; Cape May, 240, 180, 251; Ceru- lean, 150; figured, 82; Chestnut-sided, 140, 312; figured, 84; Golden-winged, 150, 241, 249, 251, 303; figured, 241, 151; Hooded, 150, 250, 303; Kentucky, 249, 251; Magnolia, 52, 150, 151, 248, 252; Mourning, 152, 252; figured, 81, 82; Myrtle, 50, 113, 114, 186, 248, 306, 364, 365, 368; figured, 345; Nashville, 113, 151; North- western Palm, 51; Northern Parula, 150; Parula, 248, 250, 366; figured, 152; Pine, 150, 184; Prairie, 52, 308; Prothonotary, 242, 240, 252; Sycamore, 252; Tennessee, 248, 240, 251, 252: Wilson’s, 249, 252; Yellow, 179; figured, 149; Yellow Palm, 183, 184; Yellow-throated, 182, 250. Water-Thrush, Grinnell’s, 251; Louisiana, 153, 185, 301, 306; figured, 150; Northern 152, 250; figured, 154. Waxwing, Bohemian, 54, 115, 116, 186; Cedar, L106, 252, 293, 370, 204, 295; figured, 293. West Virginia, 38, 77. Whip-poor-will, 250, 367. White, Gilbert, Photograph of home of, facing 205 White-throat, Andean, 158. Willet, 365. Wilson Bulletin, The, reviewed, 254. Wisconsin, 41, 450. Witherby’s ‘A Practical Handbook of British Birds,’ reviewed, 254. Woodcock, 51, 185, 249. Woodpecker, Downy, 50, 51, 112; Hairy, 50, 51, 112, 183, 248; Lewis’s, 370; Pileated, 114, 357, 367; Red-headed, 186, 303, 310. Wren, Carolina, 310; House, 150, 173, 246, 240, 250, 303; Winter, 52, 184. Yellow-legs, 365; Greater, 308; Lesser, 308. CopyriGHt, 1919 By FRANK M. CHAPMAN Q NINETEENTH CHRISTMAS BIRD CENSUS = 30c. Cc — JANUARY—FEBRUARY, 1919 ieee H : Sra be ly Ne bed fs ‘iit rs EDITED 2=Y FRANK M. CHAPMAN PUELISHED FOH THE AUDUEOSN SOCIETIES D. Appleton & Company HARRISBURG, PA. NEW YORK ) 4 AL. rat Domest fhe COPYRIGHT, 1919, EY FRANK M. CHAPMAN &. Weer Hird - Lore January-February, 1919 CONTENTS GENERAL ARTICLES PAGE FRONTISPIECE IN COLOR. WHITE-NECKED AND AMERICAN RAVEN. .Louis Agassiz Fuertes. . WHEN THE NorRTH WIND Biows. Illustrated................0.0eeeeee Arthur A. Allen. . I Our RESPONSIBILITY. A PAGE FROM THE Birp’s Book oF SNOW. .Mabel Osgood Wright.. 6 NOTES FROM A TRAVELER IN THE Tropics. II. CupBa To PANAMA. Illustrated.. ba Frank M. Chapman. . II AN EVENING WITH BIRDS IN FLORIDA.............052-ccesecessce+ssJ»W. Lippincott.. 16 THE GREAT HorRNED OwLt. Illustrated..............................-F. N. Whitman.. 18 Brrp-Lore’s ADVISORY COUNCIL.............. RUC vta « Nie mye steht ira MOR ees ar aT Tot MicraTion OF NortTH AMERICAN Birps. VIII. RAVENS......................... 23 NOTES ON THE PLUMAGE OF NorTH AMERICAN Birps. Fifty-second Peas Frank M. “Chapman. BIRD-LORE’S NINETEENTH CHRISTMAS CENSUS............................... THE SEASON. XI. October 15 to December 15,1918 ............................ 50 BOOK NEWS AND REVIEWS . bdlue Bue Peer Hn Baran neha ENN ni pln ie atesay) oS MILLER’s ‘IN THE WILDS OF Sonnet /Aarrararenes MuacNtimrane ‘Four YEARS IN THE WHITE NortwH’; THE ORNITHOLOGICAL Macazines. BDITORTAD iain eicvaae ses sis, vo rsiacnee ests oe ais oie ociahern aie eset aiahe lal ioe a eiaialos Sleroraear ister 57 THE AUDUBON SOCIETIES—SCHOOL DEPARTMENT ....................... 58 LETTER FROM CALIFORNIA; A YEAR OF ReEconstRucTION, A. H. W.; JuNIOR AUDUBON Work, A. H. W.; For AND From ADULT AND YOUNG OBSERVERS. THE AUDUBON SOCIETIES—EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT..................... 72 SLAUGHTER OF AMERICAN EAGLES; Two REPORTS FROM TEACHERS OF JUNIOR AUDUBON CiassEes; AIGRETTE VIOLATIONS; OLIVE THORNE MILLER; FoRBUSH’S MONTHLY BUL- LETIN OF INFORMATION; A CHRISTMAS CARD; RUFFED GROUSE IN WEST VIRGINIA; Roy C. ANpreEws (Ill.); Bracksrrps aND Mrapow Larks IN CALIFoRNIA; NEW SustTarninc Merempers; Law ror Micratory Brrps Sarre; Birp-Housr ConrTEsT; NOTES FROM WASHINGTON, D. C. *.* Manuscripts intended for publication, books, etc., for review and exchanges, should be sent to the Editor, atthe American Museum of Natural History, 77th St. and 8th Ave., New Vork City. Important Notice to All Bird-Lore Subscribers IRD-LORE is published on or near the first days of February, April, June, August, October, and December. Failure to secure the copy due you should be reported not later than the 18th of the months above mentioned. We cannot supply missing copies after the month in which the number in question was issued. Notices of changes of addresses, renewals and subscriptions should be sent to BIRD-LORE, HARRISBURG, PA. Each notice of a change of address should give the old address as well as the new, and should state whether the change is permanent or for just one or two issues. Make checks and money orders payable to BIRD-LORE. Entered as second-class matter at the Post Office at Harrisburg, Pa., under Act of Congress of August 24, 1912 1. WHITE-NECKED RAVEN (About one-sixth natural size) Sird- Lore A BI-MONTHLY MAGAZINE NTH onal Muse o Re, Yite v1 Vo * rs DEVOTED TO THE STUDY AND PROTECTION OF BIRDS ie et OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE AUDUBON SOCIETIES Vol. XXI JANUARY—FEBRUARY, 1919 No. 1 When the North Wind Blows* By A. A. ALLEN, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Ornithology, Cornell University With photographs by the Author \HE winter Ducks offer another opportunity for the bird photographer. Every winter there are large flocks of Canvasbacks, Scaups, and Red- : heads on Cayuga Lake. There are certain weed-beds upon which they feed, but none of them brings the birds close enough to the shore for successful photography. It is not difficult, however, when one locates the feeding-place of a flock, to bait them up to a blind by scattering a good supply of corn from the bed where they are feeding up to the shore. An amusing incident occurred last winter in such a blind that will illustrate how close the birds can be drawn in. There was a small flock of Black Ducks frequenting the spot where the Canvasbacks were being fed in about four feet of water. They were able to *Concluded from Brrp-LoreE for December, 1918 AT THE PERMANENT FEEDING-STATIONS MUCH CAN BE LEARNED OF THE HABITS OF THE DIFFERENT BIRDS This photograph shows the ‘intimidation display’ of the White-breasted Nuthatch eb im 2 Bird - Lore A FEEDING-STATION FOR DUCKS The Canvasbacks have been lured to the shore by scattering corn from the weed-beds where they were feeding up to the blind dive to the bottom for the grain, and, when alone, did not hesitate to do so, diving with a big splash and using their wings to get to the bottom. When the Canvasbacks were present, however, they seemed a little shy about their clumsiness and usually hunted along the shore. On this particular day a little grain had been spilled in front of the blind, which was merely a few old timbers put up like a billboard close to the water. The Black Ducks, working along the shore, finally came to the grain spilled in front of the blind. We could hear them rattling the gravel and occasionally even see their bills when they reached beneath the lowest board for a grain that was inside the blind. Of course, we kept absolutely quiet. Finally one old bird discovered a trail of grain that led in behind the blind to the sack upon which we were sitting, and never suspecting the surprise in store for him, followed it up until we could feel his hard bill actually grubbing the corn from beneath us. The Black Duck is the wisest and wariest Duck that we have, and finally the strain of keeping absolutely quiet and knowing that Solomon himself was eating off our coat-tails got too much, and a muffled snicker brought the comedy to an end. With a frightened, we almost thought, sheepish, squawk, the blacky leaped over our heads and gave my unoffending ear a bang with his wing as he passed. When the North Wind Blows 3 When birds are watched at close range and for long periods, as is usually the case at permanent photographic stations, one is continually learning new habits of each species or learning to interpret observations that he has made through his glasses. For instance, the little courtship performances of the Chickadees and Nuthatches had entirely escaped the author’s attention until he watched them at his feeding-stations. It seems that bright colors, song, display, and aggressiveness are not the only qualities which the females exact. The males must prove that they are good providers as well. One can often see the male Nuthatch or Chickadee swoop over to the feeding-station from an adjacent tree where he has left the female, gallantly hack open a sunflower seed or rip off a piece of suet, and, with another swoop, return to his prospective and present her with the titbit. Sometimes they will come to the feeding-station together, and yet the female makes no effort to eat until the male has presented her with food which he has selected. In the wings and tail of the Nuthatch are some conspicuous black and maine s marks which. *-.. |. mee : would ordinarily be [ses saieege , considered ‘flash colors,’ because they are dis- played only when the bird is in motion and concealed when the bird is at rest. On numerous occasions we have ob- served at close range at feeding - stations how these ‘flash colors’ are of direct service to the birds in another way, and on two occasions secured photographs of the bird in action. It seems the Nut- hatch is quite an aggres- sive bird and wants things all his own way. If other birds are feed- ing when he wants to eat, he promptly drives them away or, at least, attempts to do so, although with the na- AN INDIGO-BIRD COMING TO A FEEDING-STATION e hard ih There are always surprises in store for those who will keep up Ive Irds that are their feeding throughout the spring Ge 4 Bird - Lore accustomed to his bravado, he sometimes has a hard time. His first procedure is to swoop down at the offending birds as though he were a Hawk. Failing to frighten them away, he alights nearby, with wings and tail spread and feathers shaken out. The aforementioned black and white marks now become very conspicuous and serve to make his increased size all the more impressive. Bis me 3 ee “ a i ss bs : SPRINGTIME SPARROWS, THE SONG-AND WHITE-THROATED Birds and flowers are always closely associated, and the spring feeding-station offers the opportunity to show this photographically. When the White-throats pass through central New York, the saxifrage is in bloom and the hepaticas are past their prime. Pointing his long bill at the offenders, he sways from side to side, still further augmenting his size and the effect of the marks, and advances toward them. This usually produces the desired effect and the other birds leave, whereupon he proceeds to carry off the food and hide it in crevices in the bark where it will be most available to himself and least available to his competitors. Ordinarily, the other birds leave before the Nuthatch comes into the field of the camera, but the preceding photograph shows him in action when a Sparrow, either more brave or more stubborn than the rest, has clung to his post by the food. We might go on recounting the little incidents that occur at arm’s length and the observations that might be made at winter feeding-stations. When the winter is over, we have usually become so attached to our regular pensioners that we hate to see the snow melt for fear the birds will disappear. Some of them will go, but if we keep up the supply of food, others will take their places and present still greater opportunities for the camera. Each spring new birds discover one’s gallery, so that there is a perpetual round of surprises. All of the Sparrow tribe will find it sooner or later if only the winter ration of grains is When the North Wind Blows 5 kept up, and, when one learns to use meal-worms, doughnut crumbs, and fruits, almost any bird can be expected. A year ago, four Indigo-birds made regular trips to the grain, and Catbirds and House Wrens were daily customers at the suet counter. The widest opportunity for one’s ingenuity, at these feeding-stations in the spring, however, is offered by transforming the setting in which the birds are to be photographed so as to make it appropriate to the season and the bird. Birds and flowers are always associated, and if one can show the plants that ‘are in flower at the time the bird is passing through, it adds a great deal to the photograph. Compare, for example, the photograph of the pair ot Song Sparrows with that of the Song and White-throated Sparrows. Two pairs of Chickadees that were with us last winter raised broods of seven each in nesting-boxes near the house this spring; the Downy Wood- pecker nested in a dead branch of the elm shading the porch, and the Nut- hatch built ina knot-hole a hundred yards up the ravine. Now, as I write, it is August, and summer birds are all about us, but somehow our associates that stayed by us when the north wind blew are still the favourites, and we look forward to the coming of winter with a little less reluctance when we know that we can count on their companionship amid the snow and ice to come. A PAIR OF SONG SPARROWS The permanent feeding-station has many advantages. Upon this log seventeen species of birds were photographed Our Responsibility A PAGE FROM THE BIRDS’ BOOK OF SNOW By MABEL OSGOOD WRIGHT HERE are very few pleasures that do not carry with them a responsi- al bility in proportion to their keenness, and I doubt if many of those who are bird lovers and protectionists in theory, really understand the responsibility entailed in living up to their creed. The Yearbook of Bird-life is written in many volumes, and its illustrations glow with all the colors of earth and sky and sea. Its stories are both brief tragedies and joyous serials of comedy and melodrama; then, after it all passes to the broken strains of the songs of the fall migration, comes a sequel as it were, the record of those few hardy clansmen that find it possible to stay with us through the shut-in months. A thin volume this, bound in white and black, threaded with random ribbons of sky-blue with red and gold of sunsets and sun-ups for markers—The Birds’ Book of Snow, which we must read carefully if we would intelligently lure these brave hearts to take shelter in our gardens or in the windbreaks of evergreens; and if they accept the invitation, treat them consistently. This page of The Birds’ Book of Snow that I am transcribing for those who may not understand the sign language of nature, was written in Bird- craft Sanctuary and the surrounding hill country during the bitter winter of LOL7—16. The protection of our winter birds, from our human standpoint, must view them from several angles—death by shooting and trapping, death from the presence of their natural enemies, and death from starvation, due to wastage of their natural food-supply. The first cause may be obliterated by wise laws faithfully enforced; the others offer a more complex problem. If we would have the birds of winter with us, we must be systematic in all our dealings with them, as we would be with domestic fowls or cattle. We should not overload the feeding-table one week—at a time when natural food is plenty—and then go away and leave it bare for perhaps the most icebound, stressful month of winter. We must not make brush tepees and branch shelters and then allow them to become the lairs of stray cats, rats, and weasels, for by so doing we offer a false hospitality and assume a responsibility only to shirk it; better make no effort, and let the birds pass by. Now I hear someone bringing up the well-worn quibble: ‘If winter birds are valuable because they eat the grubs hiding in the tree bark, is it not doing away with their usefulness to feed them, as well as making paupers of them.”’ People who argue thus have never even turned the first page of The Birds’ Book of Snow or they would know that all the human help is auxiliary work, at best a sort of first-aid to bird-life made necessary by a climate that is a professional juggler with his trick-box, a thing never to be wholly understood.’ (6) Our Responsibility 7 (Some pages chosen at random.) Time, February; place, Birdcraft, and about the cottage on the hill. Recorders: Chickadees, Purple Finches, Juncos, Tree Sparrows, a pair of Winter Wrens, an Acadian Owl, a Brown Thrasher that did not migrate, a flock of Pine Grosbeaks, half a dozen Black-crowned Night Herons, and some Pheasants. Thermometer, four below; an hour after sunrise; trees ice-coated; a sound of chopping is heard, with a ring of metal on ice. Chickadees flitting about the feeding-shelf by the house porch find it empty; they move over to another inside the animal-proof fence. A great yellow dog, gaunt and hungry, standing as high as a wolf, comes nightly for the suet; this last time, however, the warden discovered him, and henceforth he will put all bones and fats, not only high up but behind a double screen. The warden comes up from the spillway of the little pond; though the steely cold has locked all other sounds, running water babbles; the birds leave their food and fly toward the sound as by a single impulse; follow them, walking slowly, for the frozen snow underfoot gives out shrill squeaks like the warning cry of small rodents. The water is gushing over the narrow spillway from under the heavy ice that covers the pond, and runs clear, a tiny thread of a stream, but free and shallow between the heavily grassed banks of the overflow, screened by bushes from the north and west, a veritable trap to catch and hold the early morning sunbeams. Bird-calls and scraps of song come from the water, and there is much splashing and preening as the birds bathe and jostle each other, while some of the more timid await their turn. Mind you, it is below zero on the north side of the hill. It was the warden’s responsibility to see that the winter bathing-place was kept open in the one spot where the water from some warm springs in the pond fed it, and all that bitter winter the little stream was freed each morning by a few strokes from the axe and ran all day long. Thus, word was passed through the winter-braving tribes of the region that not only was food to be had in Birdcraft, but water, precious water. As the warden made his morning rounds, keen eyes searching ground, trees, and sky, he saw two sets of footprints going toward heavy brush; those of a Pheasant running parallel with those of a weasel that at this time wears his white winter coat and masquerades as royal ermine. Expecting a tragedy, he pushes through the brush to find, not a dead Pheas- ant, but a rabbit, whose life-blood the weasel has sucked and then abandoned the victim; a little beyond, a glistening heap of feathers that stirs as if moved in some way, gives the warden a start, for a gorgeous male Pheasant is held by the tail a fast prisoner, the moist snow of the previous evening having turned to ice, forging chains of the long feathers. Without the foresight which makes this daily patrol the warden’s self-imposed responsibility, this Pheasant ~ would have died of hunger and cold. 8 Bird - Lore Coming out by a different path, a small bunch in a young cedar held the warden’s eye; he went to it, thinking to find an undiscovered nest. No, it was a tiny Owl, the Acadian, the smallest of his tribe, almost dead from hunger, as an overlapped claw impeded his natural means of hunting, and the cold driv- ing wind was rapidly doing the rest. Hunger and cold a bird may endure, but these, plus wind, will overcome even a deeply feathered Owl. He was taken to the workshop, thawed out, his overlapping claw straight- ened, given a place in a “hospital cage,” and some Starling meat placed at his disposal. Before the month was out he was given the liberty of the cellar, and boarded himself and something over by mouse-catching. A sheaf of rye was set out in the open, and all the winter birds were peck- ing at it; even the Thrasher, who for some whim had not migrated but lived under the cottage porch, was interested. A shadow passed above, and with shrill cries of terror the birds disappeared in the nearest brush. All but one Purple Finch, who was too late. The Sharp-shinned Hawk fell on him and darted away. There is no more agonizing sound than that of a bird who sees the Hawk about to grasp it; this is a tragedy against which the protector of winter bird-life must ever be on guard. In itself this is no small responsibility ; can you accept it? The Thrasher had many narrow escapes from Sharp-shinned and Cooper’s Hawks. A real summer, insect-eating bird like the Thrasher Mockingbird or Orchard Oriole that insisted on remaining during the winter of 1907, is really too great a responsibility as a winter guest; they are ill at ease in bare trees, and I would much prefer that such as these would not take the notion once in a time to keep me company. Though this Thrasher survived last winter and broke into full song before any others of his tribe had arrived, he was always on our minds, and had to be treated as something not normal, an unpleasant condition unless to prove some theory. To my mind, half the real pleasure to be won from nature is from coming in contact with the normal and meeting everything according to its season. Where winter birds gather in unusual numbers, because of food and shelter, there will Hawk and Shrike follow. The deep woodlands are then birdless, and the colder the winter the greater the hunger, while the only remedy is eteinal vigilance—the carefully watched trap with the humane, padded jaws, and the well-aimed gun. The Shrikes, to my mind, should not be protected during their winter migration, the Northern on its southward trip and the Loggerhead on its northern wanderings; their toll of small birds is too great. Let our Wise Men, who framed the generally wise A. O. U. Law, look into the matter; let them examine the blood-splashes on the pages of The Birds’ Book of Snow and see its records of headless songsters, either left on the ground or hooked on bushes and fence-barbs. Now the warden who has been reading in the Book for four Our Responsibility 9 years, never places food either on shelf or ground without flanking it with a shelter, wherein the small birds may dive for safety; and from these shelters lead brush-covered passages, so that several ways of escape are offered. Too often have his tame Chickadees been plucked almost from his hands by these robbers. Next to the active birds of prey in The Birds’ Book of Snow come the Starlings to prey upon the food of the winter birds, and thus are indirect destroyers of them. Hereabouts are thickets of red cedars, bay and barberry bushes, masses of both the black and red choke-berry and several great pepper- idge trees, all heavily laden with fruit in October. What happens? Unless the warden is on the watch when fall sets in, all of a sudden, a flock of Starlings one thousand strong, will settle in these trees, and in a single hour the food store that would Jast our winter birds a month or more is gone! So, also, during last February, when the thaws released the ice-clad berries of the species above mentioned, and the hungry Robins and Bluebirds began to feed eagerly, flocks of Starlings tried the same method, and the native birds, some of which had braved the winter and others the pioneers of spring, were driven to come about the building and beg food from no fault of their own. Sentimentalists who take only the sweet spring whistle of the Starling into consideration, look for yourselves at the black marks against it, not only in the Snow Book but in the whole Yearbook of the birds. Beside the vor- acious, quarrelsome Starling, changed in its habits by expatriation, the English Sparrow is harmless as thistledown. A recent history of Connecticut birds does not list the Black-crowned Night Heron as a winter resident, yet they sign their names annually in the Sanctuary Snow Book, and, after feeding along the tide marshes at low water, they come back in a small flock to roost in the spruces across the road and take their daily drink in the overflow at Birdcraft. The February day of zero weather had no terrors for them, adding one more proof that it is lack of food and water and shelter, more than cold, that scatters the winter birds that might remain. Near the bungalow are tulip trees, and all winter the wind had chattered among their dry, cupped seed-pods. One February day flowers bloomed suddenly along those bare branches, and the Snow Book boasted a picture of summer colors—a great flock of Pine Grosbeaks, many of them adult males, perched in rows, posing as by a special arrangement, quite putting in the shade the male Purple Finches, heretofore the brightest bird of winter. In late February, notes of music broke the monotony of the Snow Book, just as the black and white of its binding was gently suffused by the reddening of swamp maple twigs and the yellowing of willows. The returning Song Sparrow whispered his song happily in the alders that supply him with food, for the Starling has not yet learned to adapt his clumsy beak to stripping the little seeds from the alder cones which supply 10 Bird - Lore this Sparrow late winter and early spring food, a reason why we find the first Song Sparrows in the alders. This is the time that the tree-trunk birds are making their best records—the Downy and Hairy Woodpecker and the Nut- hatches—yet it is the time that the casual and theoretical bird-lover and pro- tectionist sees the least to record in the great outdoors. Why is it? Because so many things born of impulse and the fad-following spirit, instead of true interest, do not survive their first real winter test, and never a one of these reads even a single chapter in The Birds’ Book of Snow. They build some impossible bird-houses very late in the spring and place them as near together as flats in a tenement; they may throw out handfuls of crumbs and soon give up even this feeding because, with improper food, they do not at once attract tame Chickadees, and then they declare ‘there are no birds in our region to be protected,’ simply because they do not feel the responsibility that goes with success in attracting and loving anything animate. YOUNG MOURNING DOVES, FULLY FEATHERED AND CAPABLE OF QUICK, STRONG FLIGHT, BUT STILL TOO INEXPERIENCED TO FEAR THE PHOTOGRAPHER Photographed by Dr. R. W. Homan, Webster City, Iowa Notes from a Traveler in the Tropics II. CUBA TO PANAMA By FRANK M. CHAPMAN With illustrations by Louis Agassiz Fuertes 4 \RAVELERS nowadays soon learn to regard steamship announcements as mere ‘scraps of paper’ which are not to be taken seriously. I was not surprised, therefore, to learn that sailings on the line by which we had expected to reach Cristobal, from Cuba, were cancelled, and correspondingly pleased when a steamer bound for the desired port arrived from Spain, and on her we left Havana on the evening of October 26. With steam-coal at $28 per ton, time is cheaper than fuel, so we jogged along at about three-fourths speed, over a sea so smooth that the entire voyage of four and a half days might have been made in a canoe. Our route ran around the western end of Cuba and thence down the Car- ibbean. It was, therefore, not far from the flight-line of birds which migrate down the eastern coast of Central America, or, perhaps, indeed, over the very waters through which we passed. A month earlier we should doubtless have been visited by numbers of the feathered voyagers, but a Nighthawk and two Barn Swallows, which were first seen on the evening of the 29th, when we were in about latitude 14°, longitude 81° 30’, were the only land-birds observed. The Nighthawk evidently found our nine miles an hour too slow a pace for him and decided to continue his voyage without convoy, but two Barn Swallows (presumably the birds of the night before) accompanied us all the following day, and many were the circles they flew about the ship to accommodate their rate of progress to ours. Of water-birds there were only a single Booby and one Petrel (Aestrelata ?). The latter, after the manner of his kind, was skimming the seas at high speed, as though in a desperate hurry to find something which he expected to dis- cover at the next wing-stroke, but which never seemed to materialize. It is to be assumed that these strong-winged, tireless hunters are sometimes successful, but they must capture their prey ‘in their stride,’ as it were, for they seem never to pause in their rapid flight. As we approached Cristobal, on the morning of October 31, hydroplanes, those recent additions to our avifauna, flew out to meet us, and Man-o’-war- birds, with an utter disregard for the principles of gravitation, ‘floated lazily’ overhead. I use this hackneyed phrase without compunction, for, whatever it may have been applied to originally, it belongs, by reason of its especial fitness, to the Man-o’-war-bird. That he can float, no one who has watched him for hours, sailing serenely through the sky without detecting a movement of the wings, will deny; while, if laziness is to be measured by the difference be- tween what one does and what one can do, the usual inaction of this bird of incalculably powerful flight more than justifies the application of the term. (11) 12 Bird - Lore On a few occasions I have seen Man-o’-war-birds give marvelous exhibitions of their mastery of the air, but to ‘float lazily’ seems to be their principal occupation. The first bird-note which the newly arrived traveler will probably hear in Cristobal will be not the chatter of Sparrows but the shrill twitter of Paro- quets (Brotogeris). If they be passing on the wing, he may have a glimpse of them, but if they are perched in one of the cocoanut palms which line the streets, he may search for them in vain. In Cristobal, Ancon, and Balboa, these little green birds never fail to give welcome emphasis to their tropical surroundings. The bird- student whose first view of a tropical forest is from a train crossing the Isthmus of Panama, will be dis- appointed in the number of birds he sees. But, aside from the fact that his journey may not be made during the small part of the early morning and smaller part of the late afternoon when birds in the tropics are active, the bird- life of a tropical forest cannot be studied from a railway train! However, a sharp lookout is sure to be rewarded, ‘and the possibilities are unlimited. Soon after leaving Cristobal, the train passes through a marsh where, invariably, a number of Herons may be seen. Little Blues, in both slaty (adult) and white (immature) plumage, are always the : most common species of this family; “The first bird-note which the newly-arrived hie f traveler will probably hear in Cristobal will then follow Louisianas and Little Grays not be the chatter of Sparrows, but the shrill (allied to our Little Green), with rarely twitter of Paroquets (Brotogeris). % i White Egrets of both species. Boat- tailed Grackles are common at both sides of the railroad. I saw a single Jacana, daintily raising its wings in characteristic pose until they met above its back, and one Giant Kingfisher (Ceryle torquata), which resembles our Belted King- fisher but is about three times as large. A telegraph wire seemed a peculiarly inappropriate perch for this bird of jungle-bordered streams. The wires also served as lookouts for numerous Sparrow Hawks. In brushy places there were small companies of Anis, their complaining notes drowned by the noise of the passing train. After passing Gatun, the railroad runs for miles along the shores of Gatun Lake and crosses arms of it on causeways. The flooding of this area of necessity Notes from a Traveler in the Tropics 13 killed a great number of forest trees, and their grey skeletons, crowded with parasitic plants, still mar a large part of its shore-line. But I note a marked decrease in their number since my last visit to this region, two years ago, and ere long they will doubtless all have fallen, when this body of water, with its 164 square miles of surface, its richly forested shores, picturesque islands, and distant mountain views will become one of the beautiful lakes of the tropics. Let us hope that birds will discover its charms; that Herons will nest upon its islets and Ducks winter upon its waters. At present few birds are seen, either from a steamer in crossing it or from a train on its shores. Two or three Brown Pelicans, a few Cormorants, and a flock of about fifty Ducks (Tree Ducks) completes the list of those observed. Just before crossing the Chagres River one passes through some really fine tropical forest, with towering walls of rich and varied vegetation rising from quiet pools of water which mirror the countless leaf-forms above. Here I saw two Yellow-breasted Toucans, flapping and sailing their slow way, a pair of large Parrots, and two maroon-colored Tanagers—just a suggestion of the life which these forests doubtless contain. Although the journey from the Atlantic to the Pacific side of the Isthmus is only 50 miles, this narrow neck of land has continental attributes. It has its continental divide, which, in spite of its low altitude of some 300 feet, serves to create a marked difference in the climate of the northern and southern slopes of the Isthmus, giving to the former a much heavier rainfall, and, consequently, more luxuriant vegetation than is found on the southern slope. Before reaching the summit of the divide we had entered the clouds and a downpour of rain shut out the view, but as we went down the southern slopes we left the clouds and rain behind to find a clear evening in Panama. Red Cross duties, connected with the extremely active Canal Zone Chapter and with the Panama Red Cross, left no time for bird-study of even the most casual kind, and the only birds seen in and about Ancon and Balboa were those which could not well be avoided. The surroundings of the Tivoli Hotel at Ancon are not such as to attract many birds. Swifts (Chetura), Martins, Bain Swallows, Turkey Buzzards, and Black Vultures were familiar aérial forms. At sunrise each morning a Banded Ant-bird (Formicarius) sounded his rolling call a few times and was not heard for the rest of the day. A Wren (Troglodytes), resembling our House Wren more nearly in appearance than in song, was common, and a Summer Tanager, whose identity was revealed by its characteristic chicky-tucky-tucky, was seen day after day in a tree near my window. This tree also yielded a Woodpecker (Centurus) and a Yellow Warbler, which may or may not have been our Dendroica e@stiva. Blue Tanagers, a Robin-like Thrush, the Yellow-breasted Kingbird (Tyran- nus melancholicus), a number of graceful Fork-tailed Flycatchers, and the previously mentioned Paroquets were the birds which more than met me half- way about Ancon. «SUOBID0Sse pPaipuny v pasnore (Dau DiagDT) Oo¥IND v JO osIqa [njuinow ayy, (Viaou Diagn T) OOMINOD Nvorawy TVYLNAD V 4 Notes from a Traveler in the Tropics I5 It must be remembered that the rainy season was just drawing to a close and that birds, as a whole, were not in song. In March or April many additional species would doubtless have announced their presence, while one who was looking for birds would unquestionably find the gardens and tree-lined drives of Ancon and Balboa Heights profitable hunting-grounds. The abundance of vegetation about the attractive homes of these towns offers many tropical birds their first opportunity to establish friendly associations with North American bird-lovers. The bird student in the Canal Zone, is not, however, restricted to those parts of the country which have come completely under the dominion of man. From my window in the Tivoli I looked out over the green savannas to the forested foot-hills, accessible and promising grounds, where one may study tropical bird-life under particularly favorable conditions. A visit to the ruin of old Panama, distant about 9 miles, possesses not alone abundant historic interest, but the vegetation which has sprung up in the fallen walls of this ancient city, and which surrounds its site, is filled with birds. I passed an hour there on the afternoon of November 10 with Capt. O’Connell, a former Museum associate, and now in the coast artillery at Ft. Amador. It was an exquisitely beautiful evening, with a richly hued sunset, followed by that marvelous after- glow which so often marks the close of a tropical day. On the broad mud- flats exposed by the low tide there were numerous shore-birds; Laughing Gulls gleaned at the water’s edge, and over the Bay of Panama were long lines of Pelicans, evidently headed for their roosting-places. As the sun fell, the birds in the vegetation about us became more active, and, in spite of the season, the air for a short time was vocal with calls and songs. I recognized the voices of many old friends. There was the chatter of Flycatchers (Tyrannus melancholicus and Myiozetetes), the loud, ringing whistle of a large Wren (Thryothorus), breaking with startling suddenness from a nearby thicket, and stopping as suddenly; there was the mournful whistle of a Cuckoo (Tapera ne@via) which aroused a hundred associations, the thin twitter of dozens of Blue Tanagers, and the shrill cries of many Paroquets exploring the ruins as though house-hunting. There were scores of Seed-eaters and small flocks of Ground Doves (Chaemepelia rufipennis) along the road- side; Hawks, Caracaras, Black Vultures, Swallows, and a single Collared Swift (Sireptoprocne) in the air; Hummers buzzed actively about us, every- where there was movement and a sense of teeming life. As we returned to Ancon in the short twilight, the sky was filled with an amazing number of Nighthawks; they were present by thousands, feeding at first high in the air and coming nearer the ground as the light failed. In strong contrast to their darting, erratic flight was the steady progress of a flock of some fifty large Parrots which passed overhead, bound for their home in the forest. An Evening with Birds in Florida By J. W. LIPPINCOTT, Bethayres, Pa, NVEN in Florida, winter is the time of unsettled weather. In the northern part it may be 80 degrees in the shade one day and 20 the next. Never- — theless there are quantities of birds always at hand. At dawn the Mocker awakens the world by that harsh ery which every other Mockingbird in Florida seems to repeat until the woods resound. Instantly Jays are heard, Red-winged Blackbirds begin to fly, llickers, Sapsuckers and other Woodpeckers commence to feed; the Robins, flying in flocks, seek the edges of lakes where gall: berries are ripening, and from all kinds of impossible places, like bramble thickets, palmetto beds, and swamp tussocks comes a host of other birds. All are busy until the sun is well up, then one after another vanishes—where one rarely knows—until, just before night, the rush for roosting-places comes. Evening in Florida after a pleasant, sunny day is intensely interesting. Let us say that one is moored in a boat in some grass- or lily-studded lake that has a live-oak hummock on one side and on the other, grassy flats, and then the pine-covered sand-hills. ‘The sun is very low, and the reflections in the quiet water clear-cut and many-colored. Tree Swallows have just been dipping their bills for the last hasty drink, but now there is a hush—no bird is in sight. ‘Then on the horizon appear several dots; they come nearer steadily, but are high. Eight Little Blue Herons, two in the whitish plumage of the young bird, pass westward. ‘To the flats now drops a noisy band of Red-wings, and then silently a flock of Meadowlarks, the latter spreading among the grass instead of in the sedge clumps. Robins that have been feeding on sumac berries on a little island hurry away as if making room for a dozen Doves that noisily alight in a clump of live oaks. From the hummock comes the insistent rasp of Brown Thrashers which are worried by some gray squirrels overhead. Here, too, Quail are whistling—not the bob-white of summer, but a more plaintive rallying call. Two Red-tailed Hawks are already roosting in the moss-festooned live oaks, but they make no sound. A mass like a cloud appears over the trees, cal, cah-hah, cah-cah. \t is the Crow army returning to the great roost on Sorghum Hill, near where the 440 Florida Crows—the evening before it was 449—flapping along in a strageling column at least a mile long. They look at everything they pass, some sportively Turkey Buzzards congregate for the night, on dead trees over the river swoop at a Sparrow Hawk, others circle and drop low to see what is going on among the Meadowlarks. Curiosity impels others to follow, but they see the main column flying steadily on, and so quickly rejoin it. Now and then a Crow drops back to talk to one far behind—cah-cah, cah-hah. The column fades away toward the setting sun, and the even swish of nearly a thousand wings is no longer heard. (16) An Evening with Birds in Florida 17 Doves in twos and threes, or singly, are now hurrying to the island. The early ones hunted roosting-places in the live oaks, but those that come now simply drop into the short grass or squat on the mud by the water, their wings whistling as they hover for an instant. Killdeer Plover suddenly cry out from the direction of the flats. One comes to the island and settles there with con- tented little noises; another, hunting him, circles with plaintive calls and then returns to the flats. In the water beside the boat appears a little Grebe. He is startled and dives, leaving scarcely a ripple. Other Grebes are diving among the sedges where the bass are chasing minnows and the frogs are croaking. Nearer to the boat are several hylas, piping away as they do farther north in April. As if in answer to their call, there comes a harsh cry, and over the water flops a Great Blue Heron, followed some distance behind by its mate. The Herons alight in the shallow water near the island, stand awhile stiffly erect, watching for enemies, and then lower their heads for the evening hunt. Now is the time for the Ducks to come to roost in the partly submerged sedge clumps. The sun has gone, and only the red glow remains. Against this there soon appear black specks high over the trees. They grow rapidly larger. There is a whistle of wings, aoar of water as they alight, and there, near the sedge clumps, are a dozen Black Ducks, quacking to each other in truly barn- yard fashion. Others swing in from the same direction, and all swim into the shadow of the water-weeds. Now and then a pair of Wood Ducks comes from the west: If the drake sees the boat, he gives a warning cry which other drakes already in the sedge clumps repeat and the Killdeer Plover echo. The sounds die down. Is the fun over? No! With swishing wings and startled quacks seven Mallards stop themselves in the act of alighting beside the boat. Probably they had been disturbed in some other roosting-place and had come too late to see clearly. Now they skim away to some other lake, leaving behind them a feather or two floating on the water. Surely now it is time to leave. A Barred Owl is hooting in the woods, Screech Owls and night-loving flying squirrels have spotted the boat from the edge of the hummock and are noisy in their disapproval; but something more is wing- ing its way over the water. In the almost vanished glow it dips and circles until almost overhead—a bat. The Great Horned Owl By F. N. WHITMAN, Chicago, IIl. With photographs by the Author FEW pieces of down and some feathers on the side of a hill first drew my attention, and when a short search presently revealed more feathers caught in the ragged edges of an old broken-off oak tree, my expecta- tions quickly mounted. I immediately aimed a few handy sticks at the tree- top and, at the second throw, with startling suddenness, the huge form and spreading wings of a Great Horned Owl emerged. Poising a moment threat- eningly, it then swerved up and away, disappearing in the woods. Thrilling at the discovery of the old Owl’s nest, I accomplished the 25- foot climb in feverish haste, a final swing landing me in a crotch, looking down into the hollow top of the tree. From the 20-inch cavity below, two young Owls, fluffy white balls about twelve days old, gazed back in startled amaze- ment. They had plainly been well fed, for in a circle around them were strewn the remains of five birds, a ground squirrel and a rabbit, the birds including, a Robin, two Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, and two Flickers. Surely here was food sufficient at one time even for hungry young Owls. On my numerous visits to the nest during the three following weeks, there was always a surprise in the variety of new prey these ravenous birds had brought home. Song-birds, Rails, Herons, rodents, and the like, were found, usually with the heads eaten off, as the Owls seemed generally to start with the front end. One Long-eared Owl was also found, testimony of cannibalistic habits. Covered with white down, with head, beak, and talons much out of pro- portion to the body, and their eyes closed, newly hatched Owls are grotesque objects. They are fed at short intervals with small bits from the prey at hand, including feathers, entrails and all, and on this diet grow rapidly, attaining at the age of four weeks almost adult size, although not yet fully feathered. They are soon encouraged to help themselves from the food available, and their legs, at first very weak, in a short time gain strength enough to support them. While one of the parents is attending to household duties the other is forag- ing for more food. In the dead of night, noiselessly, like a ghost, it sweeps along through the trees. It may be mentioned, that, because of their very soft feathers, Owls make not a sound in flight, and so can approach their prey with- out causing alarm; and when the present pair of birds later ferociously attacked me, I had not the slightest warning until they struck me like a discharge from a catapult. With a wing-spread of between four and five feet, large and powerful, dauntless in courage, they prove dangerous antagonists for the intruder who meddles in their home affairs, as will presently be seen. During the time that I spent up in the tree photographing the young, the old birds hooted their chagrin and anger from nearby. Growing bolder, they (18) The Great Horned Owl 19 presently flew into trees closer at hand, to observe what was going on at their nest, sometimes perching low down, sometimes in the very top of the neighbor- ing pines. Their long-drawn doleful hooting, interspersed with subdued cries or an occasional grunt, was accompanied by the ruffling of their feathers and the snapping of their beaks. Thus do they show their anger. When hooting they looked straight ahead, apparently lending their entire attention to the operation, and their white chin-patches seemed to expand, giving them a very peculiar appearance. I was placing my subjects for a last picture, when, suddenly prompted to look up, I beheld one of the old birds only a few yards off, sailing directly to- YOUNG HORNED OWLS A MONTH OLD Their horns are quite distinct. Within a week or ten days they will leave the nest ward me. But instead of attacking me, as it probably at first intended, it lit on a limb within a distance of 6 feet. There it perched, almost within arm’s reach, long ears erect, the powerful talons of its stout, feathered legs gripping and contracting with readiness for action, the large, relentless eyes fixing me with deadly intentness. Unfortunately, the camera was tied in place for photographing the nest, and as it was thus out of commission for the occasion, I had to sit astride a limb content to observe and wait. A hostile move toward the young would have invited vengeance, but, no further provocation being offered, the bird presently glided away. This close introduction apparently having lessened the awe in which it 20 Bird - Lore had held its visitor, it now perched still nearer by, where it was joined by its mate, the two sitting statue-like, side by side, but a few yards distant. Having obtained satisfactory photographs, I was now ready to descend. I was about half-way down when something struck me a terrific blow just back of the right ear, nearly breaking my grip. It was a moment before I could realize what had hit me, so dazed was I by the force of the blow. Hardly had I recovered my hold when another similar blow caught me on the left cheek, leaving a deep gash beneath the eye, and when I finally reached terra firma I was cut and bleeding. A visit to the nest the following day found the Owls on hand, anticipating trouble, and perceptibly more ready for an encounter after the previous day’s experience. On the other hand, I was also on the alert, prepared to protect myself in an emergency. Climbing the tree to and from the nest proved most hazardous, as the Owls seemed to realize fully my awkward position, and to take this act, therefore, as the signal for an attack. During my short observa- tion of the nest the birds hooted and snapped loudly, and as I started down one of them launched out for me. In a long swift swoop, on horizontal pinions, it came on down, the great yellow eyes holding me with a sinister, ominous intensity. The next instant, hugging close to the trunk, I swung up an arm, as if to strike, simultaneously ducking. Checked by this feint, the Owl passed, missing its aim by a few inches, and before its mate could follow up the oppor- tunity, I slipped to the ground. Quick action was demanded, for as one bird came from one direction, the other would follow up the attack closely from the opposite side. The blow, in every case aimed at the head, caused a curious numbing sensation; the bird seemed to strike in full collision, yet at the same time to pass. While the main force of the stroke apparently came from the beak, the claws left their deep unmistakable furrows. Indeed, it was necessary to keep a care- ful watch, when in the proximity of the nest, as the least lapse of vigilance was sure to result unpleasantly. The eyesight of Owls, contrary to popular opinion, is sufficiently keen, even in bright daylight, and the sagacity with which the birds would time their attacks merits admiration. One other incident of the day was of particular interest. One of the Owls was perched in the top of a pine watching me jealously as I handled the young. Suddenly a body shot downward out of the sky, swerving past the Owl’s head with such terrific velocity as to produce a sound like a small clap of thunder. It was an uneasy glance that the wise old bird cast upward, as it apprehended the swoop of the Cooper’s Hawk just in time to prevent being struck. The Hawk evidently had perceived the Owl’s unwonted pre- occupation, and had been tempted to startle it, the result probably being a more or less unusual occurrence in the life of these birds. Bird-Lore’s Advisory Council of the ornithologists forming Brrp-Lorr’s ‘Advisory Council,’ which were first published in Brrp-Lore for February, 1900. To those of our readers who are not familiar with the objects of the Council, we may state that it was formed for the purpose of placing students in direct communication with an authority on the bird-life of the region in which they live, to whom they might appeal for information and advice in the many diffi- culties which beset the isolated worker. The success of the plan during the eighteen years that it has been in opera- tion 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 al] letters of inquiry to members of the Council be accompanied by a stamped and addressed envelope for use in replying. \ \ ] ITH some slight alterations, we reprint below the names and addresses NAMES AND ADDRESSES OF MEMBERS OF THE ADVISORY COUNCIL UNITED STATES AND TERRITORIES ALASKA.—Dr. C. Hart Merriam, 1919 16th St., N. W., Washington, D. C. Axnizons.—Harriet I. Thornber, Tucson, Ariz. CALivornis.—Joseph Grinnell, University of California, Berkeley, Calif. CaLiFornis.—Walter K. Fisher, Palo Alto, Calif. CoLorapo.—Dr. W. H. Bergtold, 1159 Rose St., Denver, Colo. Connecticut.—J. H. Sage, Portland, Conn. DeLaware.—S. N. Rhoads, Haddonfield, N. J. District or CoLtumpia.—Dr. C. W. Richmond, U.S. Nat’). Mus., Washington, D. C. FLorips.—Frank M. Chapman, Am. Mus. Nat. History, New York City. Fiorina, Western.—R. W. Williams, Jr., Tallahassee, Fla. Grorcis.—Dr. Eugene Murphy, Augusta, Ga. Ivimois, Northern.—B. T. Gault, Glenellyn, IL. ILiinois, Southern—Robert Ridgway, U. S. National Museum, Washington, D. C. Inpiana.—A. W. Butler, State House, Indianapolis, Ind. Iows.—C. R. Keyes, Mt. Vernon, Iowa. Kansas.—University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kans. Kentucky.—A. C. Webb, Nashville, Tenn. Lovisiana.—Prof. George E. Beyer, Tulane University, New Orleans, La. Matne.—A. H. Norton, Society of Natura] History, Portland, Maine. MAssACHUSETTS.— William Brewster, Cambridge, Mass. Micuican.—Prof. W. B. Barrows, Agricultural College, Mich. Minnesota.—Dr. T.S. Roberts, Millard Hall, University of Minn., Minneapolis, Minn. Missover.—O. Widmann, 5105 Morgan St., St. Louis, Mo. Montana.—Prof. J. M. Elrod, University of Montana, Missoula, Mont. _ Neprasxa—Dr. R. H. Walcott, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Neb. Nevaps.—Dr. A. K. Fisher, Biological Survey, Dept. of Agr., Washington, D. C. New Hampsuire.—Dr. G. M. Allen, Boston Soc. Nat. Hist., Boston. (21) Bird - Lore to iS) New 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, D. C. New York, Eastern.—Dr. A. K. Fisher, Biological Survey, Washington, D. C. New York, Western.—E. H. Eaton, Hobart College, Geneva, N. Y. Nortu Daxota.—Prof. O. G. Libby, University, N. D. NortH Caroitna.—Prof. T. G. Pearson, 1974 Broadway, New York City. Outo.—Prof. Lynds Jones, Oberlin College, Oberlin, Ohio. Oxitanoma.—Dr. A. K. Fisher, Biological Survey, Dept. of Agr., Washington, D. C. OrEGoN.—W. L. Finley, Milwaukee, Ore. PENNSYLVANIA, Eastern.—Witmer Stone, Acad. Nat. Sciences, Philadelphia, Pa. PENNSYLVANIA, Western.—W. E. Clyde Todd, Carnegie Museum, Pittsburgh, Pa. RuHOopE IstAnp.—H. S. Hathaway, Box 1466, Providence, R. I. SoutH Carortina.—Dr. P. M. Rea, Charleston Museum, Charleston, 5S. C. TENNESSEE.—Albert F. Ganier, Nashville, Tenn. TExas.—H. P. Attwater, Houston, Texas. Utau.—Prof. Marcus E. Jones, Salt Lake City, Utah. VrermontT.—Prof. G. H. Perkins, Burlington, Vt. VrrGiIntA.—Dr. W. C. Rives, 1723 I Street, Washington, D. C. W ASHINGTON.—Samuel F. Rathburn, Seattle, Wash. West VirGiIntA.—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 CoLtumBpiA.—Francis Kermode, Provincial Museum, Victoria, B. C. MANnITOBA.—Ernest Thompson Seton, Greenwich, Conn. Nova ScortrA.—Harry Piers, Provincial Museum, Halifax, N. S. OnTARIO, Eastern.—James H. Fleming, 267 Rusholme Road, Toronto, Ont. ONTARIO, Western.—W. E. Saunders, London, Ont. MEXICO E. W. Nelson, Biological Survey, Dept. of Agr., Washington, D. C. WEST INDIES C. B. Cory, Field Museum, Chicago, Ill. GREAT BRITAIN Clinton G. Abbott, Rhinebeck, New York. The Migration of North American Birds SECOND SERIES VIII. RAVENS Compiled by Harry C. Oberholser, Chiefly from Data in the Biological Survey AMERICAN RAVEN Some form of the common American Raven occupies nearly all of North America and Mexico. Asa species it is chiefly resident, though during autumn and winter it wanders about more or less, especially in the United States; yet it does not pass much to the south of its breeding range, and its movements are not sufficient to constitute a regular migration. From the extreme northern section of its range it withdraws in part during the coldest weather, yet even as far north as Banks Land, Canada, it sometimes remains all through the long Arctic winter night. It is apparently local while nesting, and there are large areas within the limits of its breeding range where it scarcely ever appears at this season; in fact, it is rare at any time throughout the eastern half of the United States. The following four subspecies of the Raven are now known from North America. To correlate these with the A. O. U. Check-List, com- bine the first two for the American Raven, and the last two for the Northern Raven. The American Raven (Corvus corax sinuatus) inhabits middle western North America and breeds north to southwestern Mackenzie; west to British Columbia, northeastern Washington, western Wyoming, southwestern New Mexico, southwestern Arizona, and Tepic, Mex.; south to northern Honduras; and east to Vera Cruz in Mexico, central Texas, eastern Kansas, and central northern North Dakota. At Forestburg, S. D., three years’ observation gives an average autumn arrival of September 26, with September 12, 1904, as the earliest date; and at the same place the latest spring record is April 23, 1904. At Aweme, Mani- toba, three years give an average fall arrival of October 17, with an earliest date of October 10, 1898. At Margaret, Manitoba, three years’ observation gives September 28 as the average autumn appearance, with September 14, 1909, as the earliest date. At the same locality the latest spring record was March 21, 1912. The Clarion Island Raven (Corvus corax clarionensis) breeds in the southwestern United States, north to central northern Oregon; west to western California and western Lower California; south to the Revillagigedo Islands, Mexico; east to southeastern Arizona, central Idaho, and northeastern Nevada. The Northern Raven (Corvus corax principalis) breeds in northern North America, north to northern Greenland, Banks Land, and the northern coast of Alaska; west to the western coast of Alaska, the Aleutian Islands, (23) 24 Bird - Lore and British Columbia; south to western Washington, northern Mackenzie, and northern Quebec; and east to Greenland. The Southeastern Raven (Corvus corax europhilus) breeds in the eastern United States and southeastern Canada; north to southern Labrador and central Ontario; west to Minnesota and Arkansas; south to Tennessee, north central Alabama, and northwestern South Carolina; and east to western North Carolina, New Jersey, Maine, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland. It was noted at Clinton, Ark., on April 9, 1889; in Fulton County, Ky., October 3, 1887; Mendosia, IIl., October 23, 1892; Trout Lake, Mich., November 12, 1896; Grand Rapids, Mich., April 8, 1890; Unity, Wis., October 30, 1914, and Oberlin, Ohio, November 21 and 25, 1896. At Wauseon, Ohio, seven years’ record gives an average autumn arrival of November 1, with an earliest date of October 10, 1890, and an average of departure in the spring of March 21, with a latest record of April 11, 18or. WHITE-NECKED RAVEN The White-necked Raven (Corvus cryptoleucus) is even more sedentary than the American Raven. Its breeding range lies in the southwestern United States and Mexico, and extends north to southwestern Nebraska, central northern Colorado, and northwestern New Mexico; west to central Colorado, western New Mexico, southeastern Arizona, and Chihuahua; south to Michoa- can, Mex., and Guanajuato, Mex.; and east to Tamaulipas, central Texas, and western Kansas. It is apparently extinct in Kansas and Nebraska. All Cali- fornia and Wyoming records are now regarded as erroneous or very doubtful, and these states are, therefore, omitted from its range. Notes on the Plumage of North American Birds FIFTY-SECOND PAPER By FRANK M. CHAPMAN (See Frontispiece) American Raven (Corvus corax sinuatus, Fig. 2). The males, females, and young of the North American Ravens are essentially alike in color. When it leaves the nest, the young bird has the body plumage of a duller black than the adult, that of the underparts especially being dull and brownish. This body plumage changes at the post-juvenal molt, and birds in their first winter are indistinguishable from the adults. The juvenal American Raven has a slight greenish gloss on the throat and upper breast, the remainder of the underparts being dull, lusterless brownish black instead of glossy, slightly greenish black; tthe feathers of the chin are pointed and hair-like, as in the adult, but the lower throat lacks the characteristic elongated, narrow, glossy purple-black feathers. Bird-Lore’s Nineteenth Christmas Census and middle Atlantic States is forty-six by Orient, Long Island; in the south, fifty-five by Fort Pierce, Fla.; in the Mississippi Valley, forty-four by St. Louis; and in the west, sixty-one by San Francisco, California (Santa Barbara, 110, too late for insertion, and Los Angeles not heard from). The present fall and early winter have been exceptionally mild and open. This condition is reflected in the various species which the Census reports in the east have caught north of their ordinary winter range. The Osprey, for instance, is recorded from Sandy Hook, and Morristown, N. J.; the Red- winged Blackbird from Connecticut, near the 43d parallel of latitude in New York, and a flock of twenty-two at Englewood, northern New Jersey; Pine Warbler from New Jersey; Maryland Yellow-throat on Long Island; Cape May Warbler in western New York; and Redstart in Pennsylvania! Of erratic northern wanderers, the Pine Grosbeak shows the most definite ‘flight.’ In New England it occurs on the five Maine and New Hampshire reports (average twenty individuals), and is mentioned by four of the nineteen from Massachusetts and Connecticut (average five). It is also mentioned in Rhode Island. Several eastern observers have found the Hairy Woodpecker more numerous or more generally distributed than usual this season—let us see if the Census © contributes anything on this point. In the 1917 Census it occurred in thirty- two per cent of the New England reports (average 1.9 individuals), and in forty per cent of those from New York to Pennsylvania (average 1.4); in 1918 it is mentioned by sixty-three per cent of the New England reports (average 2.1) and by forty-five per cent of the latter (average 2.2). Lack of space has made it necessary to ‘cut down’ the printed Census wher- ever possible, and to omit certain reports for no other reason than that others from the same vicinity were more complete. We wish especially to thank those whose reports have not been published, for what they have contributed to the competition, and to wish them better luck next time. , \HE highest number of species recorded in this census in the northern Quebec, P. Q. (Bergerville, Ste. Foye, Bridge, Sillery, Wolfe’s Cove).—Dec. 22; 9 A.M. to 1 P.M. and 2 P.M. to 4 P.M. Cloudy; 1 ft. of snow; wind east, very light; temp. 37° at start, 39° at return; light rain in afternoon. Blue Jay, 1; Pine Grosbeak, 10; Redpoll, 50; Red-breasted Nuthatch, 1; Chickadee, 12; Acadian Chickadee. 3. Total, 6 species. 77 individuals.—Harrison F. LEwIs. Arnprior, Ont.—Dec. 25; 9 A.M. to 5 P.M. Overcast all day, with light snow morning and evening; 6-in. snow; wind northeast to north, light; temp. min. 20°, max. 25°. Fifteen miles on foot. Observers separate. Ruffed Grouse, 1; Large Hawk or Eagle (unidentified), 1; Hairy Woodpecker, 3; Downy Woodpecker, 5; Arctic Three-toed Woodpecker, 1; Evening Grosbeak, 52; Pine Grosbeak, 9; Pine Siskin, heard; Snow Bunting, heard; Brown Creeper, 3; White-breasted Nuthatch, 5; Black-capped Chick- adee, 74. Total, 12 species, 154+ individuals. Seen recently: Dec. 15, American Golden- eye Duck, 4; Northern Shrike, 2; Dec. 22, Blue Jay, 3. (25) a6 Bird - Lore The Pine Sinking mentioned above were heard while the observer was in a prove of everreens and it wis impossible to see the birds, The Snow Buntings were heard call ing above the town all last night, A blinding snowstorm wis raging al the time, and what induced the birds to (ly at night is not easily conjectured, A similar occurrence with thin apectes was observed on the night of Noy, 2& We have never heard of Snow Runtings (lying at night before, Red breasted Nuthatches are entively absent here this winter, but Aretic Three-toed Woodpeckers hive been unusually common, Between Oet, 25 and Novy, 24, many Hiudsontin Chickadees passed here, -CrArinnd MACNAMARA and Liguort GorMiny, London, Ont, and vicinity, Dee, a1; 2.40 to §.40 PM., temp. 64° at atart, 48° at fininh (weather exceptionally mild), Wind light southeast; light rain falling most of the lime, Combined list of three parties working separately, Herring Gaull, 2) Sparrow Hawk, 1) Hairy Woodpecker, 2; Downy Woodpecker, 7; Blue Jay, 4) American Crow, 40; American Crossbill, 5 Clock flying overhead, identi fention not positive); Goldfinch, 1 ‘Tree Sparrow, 3; Juneo, 20; Song Sparrow, 15 Cirdinal, 1) Northern Shrike, + (third year in suecession that a Shrike has been found in the same spol on our census (rip); Brown Creeper, 9; White-breasted Nuthateh, 10; Blick-capped Chickadee, 40; Golden-erowned WKinglet, @ (searee this year); Robin, 1, ‘Votul, i& species, 144 individuals, The lollowing hive also been reported from this distriet this winters Redpoll (lock ol @), Pine CGronbenk Clock of 8), Nvening Grosbenl Clock of 6; also a few odd ones at other times), Snowy Owl, Bronged Grackle (Qoaaind, No ducks this winter, weather too mild and too much open water, We also understand that in Poronto a number of Hawk Owls and Barred Owls have been brought in to the taxidermists,—-C, G, Watson, J, BR, MebLnop, & DALY, Mr. and Mis, J. CC) Mippimron, CMeltlwraith Ornitho lopieal Club.) Buckaport, Maine, Dee, 27; 8 Am, tor pM, Cleary 4 in, of snow; wind northeast, very light; temp, tS" at start, ao” at return, Seven miles on foot, Herring Gull, 4 Hairy Woodpecker, 4; Northern Downy Woodpecker, 1) Pine Grosbeak, 14; White breasted Nuthateh, 1) Bliek-capped Chickadee, & Golden-crowned Kinglet, 4; Canada Rufled Grouse iva vesident, but was not seen on this trip, ‘otal, 7 apecies, a1 individuals, Goran L, Bropnawy, Lewiston, Maine, Dec, 20; 10 A.M, to 1.30 pM, Cleary 1 in, of snow; wind south went, very light; temp, 28" to 40", American Crow, 2) Pine Grosbeak, 34; Mvening Grosbeak, 1) Redpoll, 20; White-breasted Nuthateh, 1; Chickadee, 1, Total, 6 species, so individually CC, D, Parkar and b, i, Parra, Plaistow, N, HW. Dec, a7; allday, Mair, partly cloudy; wind northwest, light; temp, 8°) trace of anow on ground, Rulled Grouse, a) Hairy Woodpecker, 1; Blue Jay, 2; American Crow, 4) Pine Grosbeak, 8) ‘Tree Sparrow, 60; Brown Creeper, 1) Black a cupped Chickadee, go, ‘Potal, 8 species, 74 individuals, Goldfinehes (100) and Red polls (so) were seen the previous day by Wim, A, Denker Kane Portne, Haskin, Bh, Curry and Wa, A, Dini, Wilton, N. H.—-Dee, 25; 8.30 to 11,30, AM.; 2.30 to 4 PM, Cloudy; no anow; no wind, temp, qo" to go", Rulled Grouse, 1) Hairy Woodpecker, 1; Downy Woodpecker, 2; Klue Jay, 4) Starling, 7) Pine Grosbeak, go; Juneo, 1; White breasted Nuthateh, 13 Black-capped Chickadee, 6, ‘Total, o species, Or individuals, Three weeks ago T saw 3 Mvening Grosbeaks and a Shrike, -Gnoran G, BLANCHARD, Nashua, N. HH. (into Merrimack and back), —Dee, 28) 8.15 AM, to 3.48 PM, Clear At atart, becoming cloudy, with the sun shining through intermittently; gin, powdery snow; wind northweat, Tpht; temp, 25° at atart, 28" at return, Ten miles on foot, Herring Gull, iy American Merganser, a4; Rulled Grouse, 1) Blue Jay, 3) American Crow, 2) Starling, 116; Evening Grosbeak, 4; Pine Grosbeak, 4; Goldfineh, a; Tree Spar > 2) * a) Bird-Lore’s Nineteenth Christmas Census a4 row, 2; Slate-colored Junco, 2; Vlack- capped Chickadee, 21, Votal, 12 6pecies, 40 indh vidualé,—Maniny B, Towssiemp, Bennington, Vt.—Dec, 27; 16,30 A.M, to noon, (Twoomile auto drive into mountains and « walk of % mile at end of drive and auto back.) Clear with low-lying clouds at horizon; ground bare in lowlands, Yin, snow in mountains, no winds temp, 407, observers together, Hairy Woodpecker, 1; American Crow, 2; Ulue Jay, 6; Starling, 4; Snow Bunting, 14; Northern Shrike, 1; Brown Creeper, 1; aie breasted pinphstestel 4; Chickadee, 5, Total, 9 species, 45 individuals, De, and Mes, Lucene Hf, Bows, Devereux to Marblehead Neck, Mass, (and return), Deen ae 12104 vm, Light snowstorm, wind weet, light; ground bare; temp, 44°, Holboell’s Grebe, 15 Norned Grebe, 9; Vlack-backed Gull, 9; Herring Gull, go, Double-crested Cormorant, 4; American Merganser, 19; Ked-bre asted Merganser, 15; American Golden-eye, 12; Oldesquaw, 24; Kuffed Grouse, 1; Ring-necked Vhesasant, 1, American Crow, 7, Song Sparrow, 1; Chickadee, 2, Votal, 14 species, 145 individuals: Atacy O, Jumy and Lintas ¥, BRIven, Wyoming through Middlesex Vella to West Medford, Mass, Wer, 27; 4 a.m. to tem, Cloudy, ground bare, wind, snow light; temp, 44”, Herring Gulls, 79; lack Duck, 250; Ring-necked Vheasant, 2; Wairy Woodpecker, 2; Downy Woodpecker, 1; Blue Jay, 10; American Crow, 21; Starling, 40; Goldfinch, 7; Vine Siskin, 14; Song v7 Sparrow, +; Northern Shrike, 1 (with Ce in laws), White-bellied Nuthatch, 1; Black-capped Chickadee, 27, Total, 14 species, 443 individuals, -Vouvuny and Linas i, Buon, Middlesex Fells, and Pine Banks, Malden, Mass, View, 77; 4.10 AM, bo 145 WM Vair to cloudy; ground covered by flurry of snow; wind west, light; temp, 21° at « tart, 24° at return, Movements made by automobile to cover the Vells, Observers together, Herring Gull, 2; Merganser, 15 (4 females); Vlack Duck, 75 (Med-legged); Hairy Wood pecker, 1; Downy Woodpecker, 2; Vlue Jay, 5; American Crow, 2; Vine Grosbeak, 17; Goldfinch, 20; Vine Siskin, 10; Vrown Creeper, 1, White breasted Nuthatch, 9; Wack capped Chickadee, 20, Votal, 14 species, 175 individuals,—Hevwm HW, Wetman and GORDON Orr WHAAMAN, Weston, Mass,—Dec, 22; 7.45 10 10.15 A.M; 1.45 10 5.45 #M, Cloudy, followed by light rain; wind light, south and southwest, Ground bare; temp, 44° to go”, Kuffed Grouse, 1; King-necked Vheasant, 1, Hairy Woodpecker, 2; Downy Woodpecker, 7; Vlicker, 1; Blue Jay, 2; American c wow, 475 Pine Grosheak, 5 (have seen these several times); Goldfinch, 15; Pine Siskin, 4 (first seen Dec, 14); Tree Sparrow, 125 Junco, 24; Brown Creeper, 1, Ked-breasted Nuthatch, 1 (positive identification); Wack-capped Chickadee, 12, Votal, 15 species, tor individuals,—Wareenw ¥, Warton, Leominster, Mass. (Leominster and vicinity).—Dec, 24,4 4.u,to 445 7m, Cloudy; no snow, no wind; temp. 45°; warm; ponds open. Herring Gull, 25, Sheldrake, 1; Vheasant, 2; Uairy Woodpecker, 1; Downy Woodpecker, 2; blue Jay, 2 a, American Crow, 55 White-breasted Nuthatch, 2, Chickadee, 2;, Total, 9 species, 43 individuals, (Six Lvening Grosbeaks (males) arrived here Dec, 10, and have been seen nearly every day since, but 1 was unable to locate them Dec, 23.)—ELnwim Russe Davis, Holyoke, Mass, (vicinity of Mt, Tom BRange).—Dec, 25; 9 am, to 2 wm, Shy overcast, intermittent mist and rain; ground bare of snow; little or no wind from the northwest; temp. 75° at start, 42° at return. Seven to eight miles on foot, observers together, Ring-necked Pheasant, 1; Vulfed Grouse, 4 (one flock); American Goshawk, 1; Hairy Woodpecker, 1; Downy Woodpecker, 1; Blue Jay, 4; American Crow, 15; Stas ing, 45 (one flock); Pine Grosbeak, 5 (one flock); Goldfinch, 25 (one flock); Vree Sparrow, 12 (one flock); Brown Creeper, 1; White-breasted Nuthatch, 1, Chickadee, 14; Vobin, 1. Total, 15 species, 174 individuals, Observed recently a Herring Gul and Northern Shrike, The Vine Grosbeaks have heen observed this fall half 4 dozen times in this 28 Bird - Lore vicinity; they are apparently wintering here. Evening Grosbeaks were reported in November from Portland, Conn., and Greenfield, Mass.—ALbEN HEALEY, JOHN L. BacG, and AARon C. BAGG. Southampton, Mass.—Dec. 24; Four hours. Cloudy; ground bare; no wind; temp. 48°. Ruffed Grouse, 1; Downy Woodpecker, 2; Arctic Three-toed Woodpecker, 1; Flicker, 1 heard; Blue Jay, 7; American Crow, 3; Pine Grosbeak, 12; Tree Sparrow, 0; White-breasted Nuthatch, 2; Black-capped Chickadee, 9. Total, 10 species, 47 indi- viduals. Hairy Woodpeckers have been seen within a month. The Hairy and Arctic Three-toed Woodpeckers were both found in a strip of young pine killed by forest fire last spring. No possible doubt of Three-toed, as it has been seen several times and the glossy black back, with yellow spot on head, with white line, were seen each time with the naked eye-—Maupr A. and Brsste M. GRaAveEs. Dighton, Mass.— Dec. 25; 7.30 to 11.30 A.M. Cloudy; ground bare, wind northwest, very light; temp. 34°. Herring Gull, 30; Black Duck, 1; Hairy Woodpecker, 1; Flicker, 2; Blue Jay, 5; American Crow, 35; Starling, 13; Meadowlark, 4; Goldfinch, 350 (very musical; feeding in a weedy field); Tree Sparrow, 30; Song Sparrow, 6; Myrtle Warbler, 15; Brown Creeper, 1; White-breasted Nuthatch, 1; Chickadee, 8. Total, 15 species, 502 individuals —Cuarirs L. PHIips. New Bedford, Mass.—Dec. 28; 10.30 A.M. to 4 P.M. Clear during forenoon; cloudy With occasional clearing during afternoon; ground bare; wind northeast, light; temp. 32° to 4o°. About six miles on foot. Hawk, 2; Downy Woodpecker, 8; Flicker, 8; Horned Lark, 53; Crow, 23; Blue Jay, 4; Starling, 6; Meadowlark, 11; Goldfinch, 22; Tree Sparrow, 50; Song Sparrow, 21; Brown Creeper, 7; Chickadee, 19; Robin, 8. Total, 14 species, 232 individuals —Epirn F. WALKER. Mattapoisett, Mass.— Dec. 25; 8 A.M. to 12 M. Mist and fog; ground bare; temp. 42° to 44°; calm to light west wind. Four miles on foot. Holbeell’s Grebe, 1; Loon, 4; Black-backed Gull, 2; Herring Gull, 3; Merganser, 11; Wood Duck, 1; Golden-eye Duck, 10; Old-squaw, 17; Scoter, 2; White-winged Scoter, 8; Flicker, 2; Blue Jay, 5; American Crow, 3; Starling, 16; Meadowlark, 1; Goldfinch, 30; Tree Sparrow, 10; Junco, to; Song Sparrow, 6; Myrtle Warbler, 55; Brown Creeper, 2; Chickadee. 36; Robin, 6. Total, 23 species, 205 individuals.—]J. E. Norton SHAW. Edgartown, Martha’s Vineyard, Mass.— Dec. 26; 8.30 to 11.30 A.M. A few birds seen in the afternoon. Cloudy; ground bare; no frost in ground; wind west, light; temp. 37°, falling a few degrees; about rr A.M. it began to hail, turning to rain and later to snow. Three miles on foot. Loon, 1; Herring Gull, 7; Golden-eye Duck, 0; Kingfisher, 1; Downy Woodpecker, 1; Flicker, 2; Horned Larks, 45; Blue Jay, 3; Crow, 14; Gold- finch, 21; Tree Sparrow, 0; Junco, 9; Song Sparrow, 5; Myrtle Warbler, 11; Pine Warbler, 3; Red-breasted Nuthatch, 2; Chickadee, 7. Total, 17 species, about 150 individuals. Three large flocks of Geese, were reported to me as flying over in the early morning and about roo Mergansers in a pond. The Kingfisher was by a pond and flew off, sounding his rattle. There isa Mockingbird wintering here, apparently the same one that was here the last two years. Dec. 20, I saw a flock of 21 Snow Buntings—Mona WorndDEN. Warwick, R. I—Dec. 25; 9.30 A.M. to 2.30 P.M. Cloudy; ground bare; wind light, southwest; temp. 4o° at start, 45° at return. Eight miles on foot. Herring Gull, 58; Red-shouldered Hawk, 1; Flicker, 8; Downy Woodpecker, 1; Blue Jay, 7; Crow, 13; Starling, 600; Meadowlark, 10; Goldfinch, 51; Tree Sparrow, 14; Junco, 46; Song Sparrow 8 (one singing); White-breasted Nuthatch, 1; Chickadee, 28; Robin, 11. Total, 15 species, 857 individuals —Harry S. HATHAWAY. Kingston and coast from Narragansett Pier to Point Judith, R. I—Dec. 24; 7 A.M. to 4.30 P.M. Overcast in forenoon, rain in afternoon; ground bare; wind east, strong; at return. Holbeell’s Grebe, 1; Loon, 1; Herring Gull, 11; Ameri- J ° ° temp. 30° at start, 47 Bird-Lore’s Nineteenth Christmas Census 20 can Merganser, 3; Red-breasted Merganser, 15; Black Duck, 200; Great Blue Heron, 1; Downy Woodpecker, 1; Northern Flicker, 4; Horned Lark, 60; Blue Jay, 12; Ameri can Crow, 17; Starling, 3; Goldfinch, 42; White-throated Sparrow, 3; Tree Sparrow, 32; Slate-colored Junco, 57; Song Sparrow, 6; Cedar Waxwing, 1; Myrtle Warbler, 52; White-breasted Nuthatch, 2; Chickadee, 28; Robin, 2. Total, 23 species, 544 individuals. The following additional species have been found during the last few days: Bob-white, Ruffed Grouse, Barred Owl, Screech Owl, Meadowlark, Purple Grackle, Pine Gros- beak, and Redpoll.—Epwarp H. Perkins. South Windsor, Conn.—Dec. 27; 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. Partly cloudy; with occasional flurries of snow; wind west, light; temp. 30°. 10 miles. Herring Gull, 4; Black Duck, s; Red-shouldered Hawk, 2; Sparrow Hawk, 1; Ruffed Grouse, 1; Screech Owl, 1; Hairy Woodpecker, 3; Downy Woodpecker, 5; Horned Lark, 45; Blue Jay, 8; Crow, 300; Starling, 25; Red-wing Blackbird, 1; Purple Finch, 15; Goldfinch, 20; White-throated Sparrow, 1; Tree Sparrow, 250; Junco, 15; Swamp Sparrow, 1; Song Sparrow, 12; Brown Creeper, 7; White-breasted Nuthatch, 6; Chickadee, 15. Total, 23 species, about 772 individuals.—-C. W. Viner. Hartford, Conn.—Dec. 25; 4.m.to2p.m. Cloudy; light mist; no wind; ground bare; temp. 45°. Sparrow Hawk, 8; Barred Owl, 1; Screech Owl, 1; Hairy Woodpecker, 7; Downy Woodpecker, 5; Blue Jay, 26; American Crow, 40; Starling, 255; Goldfinch, 49; Tree Sparrow, 65; Slate-colored Junco, 103; Song Sparrow, 3; White-breasted Nuthatch, 11; Chickadee, 42. Total, 14 species, 616 individuals. —Currvorp M. Case. Hartford, Conn. (North from this city beside the Connecticut River several miles, and in the meadows and woodland adjacent to said river).-Dec. 25; 9 A.M. to 4 vM. Cloudy aJl forenoon, to clear in afternoon; temp. 38° to 49°; wind light, and changeable throughout the day; ground bare and muddy. following a very heavy rain all night previous. About 10 miles. Herring Gull, 6; Black Duck, 6; Red-shouldered Hawk, 1; Sparrow Hawk, 2; Screech Owl, 1; Hairy Woodpecker, 2; Downy Woodpecker, 5; Horned Lark, (one flock) 50+-; Blue Jay, 6; American Crow, 1000+; Starling, 200+; Purple Finch, 10; Goldfinch, 75+; White-throated Sparrow, 1; Tree Sparrow, 300+; Slate-colored Junco, (one flock) 30+; Song Sparrow, (unusually plentiful) 20+; Swamp Sparrow, 1; Brown Creeper, 4; White-breasted Nuthatch, 3; Chickadee, 15+. Total, 21 species, 1760+ individuals. Redpolls, Pine Grosbeak and Pileated Wood- peckers reported here recently, but not seen today.—Garo. T. Grisworn. West Hartford, Conn.—Dec. 22; 7 to 12 a.m. and 3 to 4.30 p.m. Cloudy forenoon, rain afternoon. Light wind; ground bare, temp. up to 55°. Nine mile tramp. Ruffed Grouse, 2; Hairy Woodpecker, 1- Northern Pileated Woodpecker, 2; Blue Jay, 3; American Crow, 300; Starling, 150; Goldfinch, 130; Tree Sparrow, 21; Junco, 25; Song Sparrow, 1; Chickadee, 6. Total, 11 species, 641 individuals.—_Enwis H. Muncer. Bristol, Conn. (Edgewood District and northwest quadrant of city).—Dec. 25; 7.20 A.M. to 4.50 P.M. Cloudy with mist and fog on elevated territory; ground bare; trees and bushes dripping; a faint breath of air east; temp. 40° at start, 44° at return. Began to clear at noon; southwest breeze changing to brisk from northwest. and slightly cloudy at return. Hairy Woodpecker 2; Downy Woodpecker, 2; Blue Jay, 19; Crow, 10; Starling. 45; Goldfinch 142+; White-throated Sparrow, 1: Tree Sparrow, 2; Song Sparrow, 2; Winter Wren, 1; White-breasted Nuthatch, 5; Chickadee 25. Total, 12 species, 296 ind‘ viduals—Exeerr E. Surru and Frank Bruen. New London, Conn.—Dec. 26; 9.20 a.m. to 4 P.M. Snowing, very little wind; temp. 38° at start. Seven miles on foot. Holbcell’s Grebe, 1; Horned Grebe, 9; Herring Gull, 182; Ring-billed Gull, 2; Scaup Duck, 10; Kingfisher, 1; Goldfinch, 1; Tree Sparrow, 23; Song Sparrow, 6; Chickadee, 11. Total, 10 species, 246 individuals —Frances M. GRAVES. Birdcraft Sanctuary to Fairfield Beach, Conn.—Dec. 25; sunrise to sunset. Fair, 320 Bird - Lore flemp, 42°, ground bare, Tlerring Gull, g00; Red-breasted Merganser, t; Lesser Scaup, 1) Old-aquaw, 70; Surl Seoter, 5; White-winged Seoter, 200; Mnglish Pheasant, 2; Sharp- shinned Hawk, 1) Sparrow Hawk, 2; Barred Owl, 2; Kingfisher, 1; Hairy Woodpecker, 3) Downy Woodpecker, 5; Blue Jay, 7; Crow, 0; Starling, 250; Meadowlark, 2; Goldfinch, 14; White-throated Sparrow, 11; Juneo, 15; Song Sparrow, 7; Pox Sparrow, 3; Winter Wren, 1; Brown Creeper, 3; White-breasted Nuthatch, a; Chickadee 0; Golden-crowned Kinglet, 2; Robin, 3. ‘Total, 28 species, o28 individuals, —~PRank Norak, Warden, Norwalk, Conn. Dec, 24; 7 to 11 AM, Cloudy; ground bare; wind northeast, very light; temp, g8° to 44°. Horned Grebe, 4; Great Black-backed Gull, 2; Herring Gull, 475 Red-breasted Merganser, 2; Black Duck, 2; Seaup Dueck, 34: Golden-eye Duck, 425 Bultlehead Duek, 5; Old-squaw, 30; Great Blue Heron, 1; Downy Woodpecker, 2; Horned Lark, 9; Blue Jay, 4; Crow, 30; Starling, 13; Meadowlark, 4; Snow Bunting, 560; ‘Tree Sparrow, 8; Mield Sparrow, 2; Junco, 0; Song Sparrow, 3; Pipit, 1; Brown Creeper, 13 White-breasted Nuthateh, 2; Chickadee, 8 Total, 25 species, 320 individuals, The Pipit was in company with the Horned Larks, [ts presenee was first detected by its call note, Later it was observed trom about roo feet, —Arwras A, SAUNDERS, Albany, N. Y. (west side of city).—Dee, 25; 0.30 A.M. to 1,30 P.M,, drizzling rain; wind west; temp, 30° at start, g8° at return; ground bare, Six miles on foot. Sparrow Hawk, 2; Blue Jay, 3; Crow, 753 Goldfinch, 1; ‘Pree Sparrow, 85; Northern Shrike, 1; Brown Creeper, 2; White-breasted Nuthatch, 3; Chickadee, 12, Total, o species, 184 individuals. Jos, SS, LAwRrencn. Albany, N. Y. (north of city, near Hudson River). Dec, 22; 10 A.M, to 2 pM. Light rain; muddy; wind south; temp, 48° at start, 4o° at return, About © miles on foot, Herring Gull, 8; Downy Woodpecker, 2; American Crow, 175) Tree Sparrow, 35; Song Sparrow, 15; Brown Creeper, 3; White-breasted Nuthatch, 7; Black-capped Chickadee, 18, ‘Potal, 8 species, 203 individuals.—CLARENCH HouGHron, Fort Plain, N. Y.-—Dee, 28; 10 A.M, to 4.go PM. Clear, with frequent flurries of snow; ground almost bare; wind northwest, strong; temp, 20° at start, 18° at return, Route, Oak Creek valley, through woods, thenee across open fields to Mrie canal and Mohawk river, following Erie canal towpath home, About to miles on foot, Rutled Grouse, 13 Downy Woodpecker, 2; American Crow, 1; Red-winged Blackbird, 2; Rusty Blackbird, 1; ‘Tree Sparrow, 20; Song Sparrow, 1; White-breasted Nuthatch, 2; Black-capped Chickadee, 18; Golden-crowned Kinglet, 2, ‘Total, ro species, so individuals. ‘The Red-winged Blackbirds are wintering in a nearby swamp, Crows for some reason are searee, Pheasants are quite numerous, but keep well concealed.-—DouGLaAs Ayres, JR, Syracuse, N. Y.——Dee, 20; 9.30 A.M, to 3.30 P.M, Cloudy, with light snow flurries; temp, 28°; light northwest wind; ground bare, slightly frozen, Route from Liverpool to Long Branch, returning to Liverpool by different route. Herring Gull, 22; Black Duck, 2; Downy Woodpecker, 3; American Crow, 4; ‘Tree Sparrow, 20; Junco, 1; Song Sparrow, o; Brown Creeper, 3, White-breasted Nuthatch, 2; Chickadee, 25, ‘Total, 10 species, too individuals. —Nerre M, Santer and BLANCHE HAMSoN, Geneva, N. Y.(City, Lake Shore, Pine Plain, Pre-emption Road Swamp).—Dee, 28; SAM, to 5 PM, Partly cloudy; trace of snow on ground; light northwest wind; temp, about go°. Observers mostly working apart. Horned Grebe, 13 Herring Gull, 20; Ring billed Gull, 1; Redheaded Duck, 2000--; Canvasback Duck, 3; Scaup Duck, 500-3 Goldeneve Dueck, 3; Bufllehead Duck, 0; Old-squaw, 5; Great Blue Heron, 1; Ring- necked Pheasant, 5; Sharp-shinned Hawk, 13 Red-tailed Hawk, 1; Sereech Owl, 1; Hairy Woodpecker, 5; Downy Woodpecker, 21; Red-headed Woodpecker, 1; Elicker, 1; Prairie Horned Lark, 6; American Crow, 1,100; Red-winged Blackbird, 1; Pine Gros- beak, 3; Purple Finch, 2; Redpoll, 1; Goldfinch, 6; ‘Tree Sparrow, 8§; Junco, 7; Song Sparrow, 7; Swamp Sparrow, 2; Cape May Warbler, 1; Brown Creeper, 7; White- breasted Nuthatch, 39; Chickadee, 117; Golden-crowned Kinglet, 11; Robin, 2. ‘Total, 35 ese La UL Bird-Lore’s Nineteenth Christmas Census a1 species, 3,979 individuals, Vor this locality the most unusual results are the searcity of Canvasback, the abundance of Chickadees, and the presence of Cape May Warbler, which has been living near Mrs. Henderson’s feeding shelves for two or three weeks, W. W. Grant, O1rro McCrnarny, bb, T. Emmons, Mes, H, H, Hesoueson, and tv, H, Karon, Rochester, N. Y. (Cobb’s Hill, Highland Ave., Highland Park, Mt. Hope Cemetery, Port of Rochester and Durand-Eastman Park.) —Dec, 24; 4 A.M, to 4 mM, Cloudy; ground bare; wind northwest, strong; temp, 32” at start and finish, Ten miles on foot, Herring Gull, so-+-; Ring-billed Gull, 25 4+-; Ring-necked Pheasant, 3; Hairy Woodpecker, 2; Downy Woodpecker, 6; Blue Jay, 3; American Crow, 7; Tree Sparrow, 25 4+; Slate- colored Junco, 20+-; Song Sparrow, 4; Brown Creeper, 1; White-breasted Nuthatch, 4; Red-breasted Nuthatch, 2; Black-capped Chickadee, Go+-; Robin, 2, Votal, 19 species, 214+ individuals,—Ricnarp M, Cnasn, Rochester, N. Y. (Highland Park, Port of Rochester, Durand-Kastman Park and vicinities). —Dec, 23; 7.40 4.mM. to 5 #.M.; ground bare, wind southwest light, temp, 41° to 45°, Observers together after 10 A.m., inside of a diameter of 11 miles, mostly on foot. Iceland Gull, + (bird watched in flight and at rest at from 16 to 9 yards; identified by absence of black tips to the wings); Herring Gull, 2,000; Ring-hilled Gull, 1,000; Sparrow Hawk, 1; Downy Woodpecker, 4 (4 heard, + seen); American Crow, 6; Tree Sparrow, 8; Slate-colored Junco, 42; Song Sparrow, 8, White-breasted Nuthatch, 4; Red-breasted Nuthatch, 2; Black-capped Chickadee, 75; Robin, 2; Pheasant, 3, Total, 14 species, about 3,095 eaunauale: On Dee, 22 Mr. Horsey reported 3 Vine Gloitencé. and on Dec, 24, 7 were seen by Mr, Kdson.—Ww, L, G. Enson and BR, tt, Horsey, Rush, N. Y. (cemetery, sea orchards, willow swamp and evergreen hedge), Dec, 27; 10.30 A.M, to 2,30 ¥.m, Cloudy; ground bare and frozen; very light west wind; snow flurries; temp. at start 29”, at returning 30°, Downy Woodpecker, 1; American Crow, 6; Snowflake, 10; White-breasted Nuthatch, 2; Black-capped Chickadee, 4; Golden-crowned Kinglet, 1, Total, 6 species, 24 individuals,—Dosatyn Warr Kueves, Rush, N. Y.— Dec, 26; 10.45 4.M. to 2.45 vm. Cloudy; ground bare and frozen; stiff, sharp, west wind; light snow flurries; temp. 28° at start, 30° at return, Vour miles on foot through four wood-lots, one small swamp and intervening fields, Observers to gether about half the time. Ring-necked Pheasant, 4 (cocks); Hairy Woodpecker, 1; Sparrow (flew too quickly to be positively identified), 1; White-breasted Nuthatch, 4; Black-capped Chickadee, 4. Total, 5 species, 14 individuals, Vlock of Horned Larks geen next day in hilly pasture-—Brssin A. Hattock and Myrow Cieuent, Hamburg, N. Y.—Dec. 22; 10.30 AM, to 6 em, Cloudy; ground bare, not frozen; wind southwest, light; temp. 50” at start, 53° at return, Twelve miles on foot, through upland woods and fields, Observers together until 5 p.m. Ruffed Grouse, 1; Goldfinch, 3, Tree Sparrow, 16; Song Sparrow, 1; Northern Shrike, 1; Chickadee, 14, Total, 6 species, 36 individuals, Dr. Morey noted an adult Red-headed Woodpecker on Dec, 23, Birds of all kinds have been unusually scarce here during the present season, The Ked- breasted Nuthatch was fairly common during the fall migration, but has not been seen since Nov. 17.—Georce W. Morey and Tuouss L, Bovey. Rhinebeck, N. Y.—Dec. 25; 9 A.M. to 12 om. and 4 PM. to 4.30 vm, Cloudy in forenoon, clear in afternoon; Hound bare for first time I can remember; wind south, light; temp. 39° at start. Red-tailed Hawk, 1; Hairy Woodpecker, 2; Downy Wood pecker, 6; Flicker, 1; Blue Jay, 10; American Crow, 20; Starling, 2; Purple Vinch, 7; Goldfinch, 26; Junco, 3; Tree Sparrow, 21; Brown Creeper, 2; White-breasted Nuthatch, 4; Chickadee, 15. Total, 14 species, 120 individuals. Dec, 26; 6.15 4.m., on Hudson River, Herring Gull, 4; American Merganser, 1; Blue-winged Teal, 2.—Maunsvur S. Crossy. Cortland, NW. Y. (To Gracy Swamp and back, via the Marl Ponds).-Dec. 27; 9 Bird - Lore ¢ we b> A.M, to 4.30 P.M. Cloudy; 1 in, of snow; wind, northwest, light; temp. 16° at start, 30° at return. Twelve miles on foot. Herring Gull, 12; Ruffed Grouse, 1; Kingfisher, 1; Hairy Woodpecker, 6; Downy Woodpecker, 1; Blue Jay, 1; Crow, 500; Starling, 300 (one flock); White-breasted Nuthatch, 7; Chickadee, 23. Total, 10 species, about 862 individuals—HaAroip H, AXTELL, New York City (Jerome Reservoir, Van Cortlandt Park, Mosholu Parkway, Bronx Park Botanical Gardens).— Dec. 22: 8 A.M. to1.go P.M. Cloudy; light showers from 9 to tt A.M., then steady rain; ground bare; wind, southeast, light; temp. 50°. About eight miles on foot. Observers in two parties in Van Cortlandt Park only. Herring Gull, 250; Greater Scaup Duck, 30; Black-crowned Night Heron, 70 (the Bronx Park Colony); Hairy Woodpecker, 3; Downy Woodpecker, 12; Blue Jay, 3; American Crow. 27; Starling, 140: Goldfinch, 2; White-throated Sparrow, 36; Tree Sparrow, 83; Field Sparrow, 37; Slate-colored Junco, 41; Song Sparrow, 40; Fox Sparrow, 1; Towhee, 1; Brown Creeper, 3; White-breasted Nuthatch, 10; Black-capped Chickadee, 71; Hermit Thrush, 1; Robin, 1, Total, 21 species, 862 individuals——Grorce E. Hrx, CLark L. Lewis, JR., Epwarp G. Nicnous and L. Netson Nicwots. Douglaston, Long Island, N. Y.—Dec. 22; 8.30 A.m. to 1.30 P.M. Cloudy; raining slowly but almost steadily after 9.45 A.M.; ground bare; wind none at start but a light southerly wind developed by noon; temp. 44° at start, 51° at return. Observers together. Herring Gull, 53; Golden-eye Duck, 50; Wild Duck, not identified, but surely not Golden- eye, 25; Black-crowned Night Heron, 1; Kingfisher, 2; Downy Woodpecker, 2; American Crow, 45; Fish Crow, 23; Starling 250 (one flock of 150 feeding with some Fish Crows upon a garbage dump); Rusty Blackbird, 24 (studied with 6X glasses at 30 ft.; the lighr yellow iris and the rusty tips of the feathers of upper and lower parts clearly seen); Grackle, 1 (either Purple or Bronzed); Goldfinch, 26; White-throated Sparrow, 16; Tree Sparrow, 38; Junco, 75; Song Sparrow, 11; Carolina Wren, 1; White-breasted Nuthatch, 1; Chickadee, 7. Total, 19 species, about 650 individuals —Mr. and Mrs. G. CiyprE FisHer, Ruta ANNA FisHEeR, and Farina A. WILEY. Long Beach, Long Island, N. Y.—Dec. 26; 9.30 A.M. to 4.15 P.M. Driving snow most of the morning, melting at the ground; brief sunshine after midday; snow squalls in afternoon; wind fresh, approximately west; temp. 30° at daylight, 36° at sunset; sea rough and weather thick off shore until afternoon. Horned Grebe, 1; Kittiwake (?), a distant flock of 9 small Gulls were doubtless this species; Black-backed Gull, common; Herring Gull, large numbers; Black Duck, some hundreds in “‘rafts” off shore all day; Golden-eye Duck, 2; Old-squaw. 9; Scoter, a distant line going east, species not made out; Sparrow Hawk, 1; Horned Lark, flock of 5; American Crow, common; Starling, something like 200; Ipswich Sparrow, 5 or 6, at one locality only; Savannah Sparrow, r with the preceding; Tree Sparrow, small flock; Myrtle Warbler, 2. Total, 16 species, a low record for Long Beach——E. P. BICcKNELL. Speonk, Long Island, N. Y.—Dec. 23; 8 a.m. to 4.15 P.M. Foggy in early morning, rest of day clear; ground bare; wind north, moderate; temp. 44° at start, 47° at return. Herring Gull, 16; Greater Scaup, 6: Bufflehead, 1; Ruddy Duck, 200; Great Blue Heron, 3; Virginia Rail, 2 (heard in marsh, one flushed Dee 24); Ring-neck Pheasant, 1: Mourn- ing Dove, 2; Marsh Hawk, 1; Red-tailed Hawk, 1; Hairy Woodpecker, 1; Downy Woodpecker, 3; Blue Jay, 3; American Crow, 20; Starling, 6; American Goldfinch, 3; Tree Sparrow, 50; Field Sparrow, 6; Slate-colored Junco, 25; Song Sparrow, 30; Swamp Sparrow, 7; White-breasted Nuthatch, 3; Black-capped Chickadee, 18; Golden-crowned Kinglet, 2. Also 200 unidentified Ducks. Total, 24 species, 609 individuals. Long- billed Marsh Wren was seen on Dec. 24. The weather has been too mild lately to record the large numbers of water-fowl here recently —LrERoy Wrcox. East Marion, Long Island, N. Y.— Dec. 28; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Clear and sunny in forenoon, cloudy in afternoon; ground bare; wind north, almost none; temp. 20°. Chief Bird-Lore’s Nineteenth Christmas Census 33 territory covered, about a mile along shore of Peconic Bay, several small pieces of woods and fields. Horned Grebe, 9; Loon, 3; Black-backed Gull, 1; Herring Gull, 225+; Red-breasted Merganser, 20; Ducks too far out for positive identification but thought to be Scaup, 25; Old Squaw, 1; White-winged Scoter, 30; Flicker, 2; Crow, 60; Starling, 3; White-throated Sparrow, 2; Slate-colored Junco, 49; Song Sparrow, 23; Myrtle Warbler, 7; Brown Creeper, 2; Red-breasted Nuthatch, 1; Black-capped Chickadee, 14; Robin, 7. Total, 19 species, about 475 individuals,—Maprer R, WIGcINS. Orient, Long Island, N. Y.—Dec. 22; daylight to 4 p.m. Light, cloudy in morning, rain in afternoon; light southeast to fresh south wind; temp, 33° to 44°; ground bare, free from frost, no ice on ponds. Holboell’s Grebe, 3; Horned Grebe, 31; Loon, 15; Great Black-backed Gull, 2; Herring Gull, 500; Red-breasted Merganser, 30; MaJlard, 3; Black Duck, 40; Greater Scaup Duck, 200; Golden-eye Duck, 85; Bufflehead Duck, 75; Old-squaw, 1,500; American Scoter, 4; White-winged Scoter, 200; Surf Scoter, 130; Bob- white, 8 (one covey); Sparrow Hawk, 1; Screech Owl, 2; Downy Woodpecker, 3; Yellow- breasted Sapsucker, 1; Flicker, 2; Horned Lark, 370; Prairie Horned Lark (noted with the species); Blue Jay, 3; American Crow, 50; Fish Crow, 3; Starling, 50; Meadowlark, 11; Grackle, 1; Snow Bunting, 325; Ipswich Sparrow, 1; White-throated Sparrow, 5; Tree Sparrow, 50; Junco, 10; Song Sparrow, 185 (one in song. The frequency of this species was one of the chief interests of the day, one flock contained 35 hirds inclusive of this sparrow); Swamp Sparrow, 31 (30 in one colony in a Phragmites swamp); Migrant Shrike, 1; Myrtle Warbler, 5; Maryland Yellow-throat, 1 (female, The only winter record known to the writer for Long Island. The bird was seen late in November, in the same locality, and was rediscovered for the Census only after a long search in a shelter of tall grasses. Its cal) note was heard repeatedly); Lonz-billed Marsh Wren, 1 (in a cat-tail swamp, the bird in plain view at close range as Jong as the observer desired to study it. Although wintering locally in the north, the writer is not aware of another winter record for Long Island); Red-breasted Nuthatch, 1; Chickadee, 22; Golden- crowned Kinglet, 2; Hermit Thrush, 3; Robin, 2. Total, 46 species, 4,025 individuals,— Roy Larsam. New Brighton, Staten Island, N. Y. (cross country to Richmond).—Dec. 25; 8 a.u. to 6.15 p.u. Clear; wind moderately strong, west to northwest; temp. 44° at start, 41° at return. Observers together. Fourteen miles on foot. Herring Gull, 140 (flying across Island); Small Heron, 1(Little Green?); Sparrow Hawk, 1; Long-eared Owl, 1 (asleep in pine, we got close); Screech Ow), 3; Belted Kingfisher 1 (on account of mild season); Downy Woodpecker, 1; Blue Jay, 2; American Crow, 17; Starling, 12; Ked-winged Blackbird, 1 (apparently passing winter in swamp); Savannah Sparrow, 1 (positive identification through glasses at close range); White-throated Sparrow, 2; Tree Sparrow, 2; Junco, 16; Song Sparrow, 35; Swamp Sparrow(?), 2; Cardinal (7) (heard in distance); Winter Wren, 1; Brown Creeper, 2; White-breasted Nuthatch, 4; Red-breasted Nut- hatch, 1; Black-capped Chickadee, 20; American Robin, 2. Total, 24 species, about 270 individuals. On three successive Sundays before Christmas the Great Horned Ow] was seen.— Frank ALiatr and Avec, Ross. Staten Island, (West Brighton to within 3 miles of Tottenville, to New Dorp).— Dec. 28; 7-30A-M. to 5PM. Wind very light, west; temp. about 32°; clear in morning, but overcast in afternoon. Twenty-eight miles on foot. Herring Gull, 200; Buffichead Duck, 1; Old-squaw, 40; American Scoter, 3; White-winged Scoter, 1; Red-shouldered Hawk, 2; Sparrow Hawk, 2; Hairy Woodpecker, 1; Downy Woodpecker, 5; Flicker, 2; Blue Jay, 2; American Crow, 60; Starling, 50; Goldfinch, 1; Tree Sparrow, 21; Slate- colored Junco (one flock of about 100 feeding on the seeds of dead weeds; another flock of about 200 in woods, on the edge of a small pond); Song Sparrow, 2 (in bushes border- ing open fields, and g in tall grass in marshland near the open water); White-breasted Bird - Lore 2 Nuthateh, + ( » Rede breasted Nuthateh, 1) Black-eapped Chickadee, 50; Robin, 1. ‘otal, dy species, About Soo individuals —“Trmopork® Dra, Hackettstown, N. J. Grom Hackettstown to Waterloo and about home feeding atation).— Dee, 20; 8.50 AM. to §.05 PM, Snow storm during morning and part of alternoon; wind southwest, brisky temp, ga°. Tainy Woodpecker, 13 Downy Wood pecker, 2; Blue Jay, 8; Crow, 5; Starling, 1; Rusty Blackbird, 4; Purple Finch, 40; Goldtneh, a; Pree Sparrow, §4) Juneo, oj Song Sparrow, 3) White-breasted Nuthateh, 33 Chickadee, 8) Robin, 1. VPotal, ty species, about ryr individuals, Bald Eagle shot and wounded near town a few weeks ago.-=MARY Preeson ALLEN, Wnpglewood Region, N. J. (Leonia to Nordhoff, through Phelps Estate, then to Coytes- ville, Fort Lee, and Grantwood),-- Dec, 27; 14 AM, to 4.go Pea, Cleary ground bare; wind, northwest, eht; temp, ar°. Terring Gull, go; Sharpeshinned Hawk, 1 Red tailed Tlawk, 3) Sparrow tlawhk, 0) Taine Woodpecker, 1) Downy Woodpecker, 53 Whicker, 1) Blue Jay, a; American Crow, 8) Starling, 8; Red-winged Blackbird, 22 (one flock of mates); Goldtineh, a4; White throated Sparrow, 48; Pree Sparrow, tas; Pield Sparrow, 1) Slate-colored Juneo, Soe; Song Sparrow, 05; Swamp Sparrow, 2) Fox Spar »» ‘Putted Titmouse, 1; Black row, 23) Brown Creeper, ty Whitesbreasted Nuthateh, » capped Chickadee, so, Total, 23 species, svt individuals. =—Rpwarp G. Nicwous, Pnglewood Region, N. J. (OQverpeck River, Phelps Estate, Palisades, and Leonia). Dee, 20, O48 AM. to 4 PM. Showing In morning, cloudy alterwards; ground bare; wind west) temp, 35°. Observers together, Herring Gull, 45; Marsh Plawk, 1; Red-tailed Hawk, 2) Red-shouldeved Hawk, 1) Rough-legeed Hawk, 1) Sparrow Hawk, 2; Short eaved Owl, 1) tlaiey Woodpecker, 2) Downy Woodpecker, 6; Blue Jay, 2; Crow, 73 Starting, os) Meadowlark, 1) Goldtineh, igo; White-throated Sparrow, go; ‘Pree Sparrow, bo; State-colored Junco, 14; Song Sparrow, 8) ox Sparrow, rey Brown Creeper, 13 White-breasted Nuthateh, ay Tulted Titmouse, 1 Chickadee, qo; Golden-crowned Kinglet, 1 Potal, o4 species, about ays individuals, Rough-legged Hawk rose from a wet meadow and was identified in good Tight at fairly close range as it flew by. “Patted Titmouse was observed for several minutes in company with Downy Woodpeckers, Nuthatehes, and Chickadees—WaALbnn Pri ed. and S$. Morris Pru, Rutherford, N. J. (Brom Rutherford to Morris and Essex Canal, and along canal by way of Allwood Road and return), Dee, 28) 8.15 AM, to § Poa, West wind, light; no snows temp, 25° at start, 28° on return, About 1s miles on foot, with observers together, Sparrow Tlawk, 1) Kingtisher, 1; Downy Woodpecker, 3; Plicker, 1; Blue Jay, 8 Crow, go; Starling, 200+; Cowbird, 2 (observed with glasses at close range); Amerioan Goldtineh (?), 1) White throated Sparrow, ss; Pree Sparrow, 753 Junco, 123 Song Sparrow, 8; White-breasted Nuthateh, 3) Chickadee, 32 (conservative estimate), Potal, 1s species, aad individualse=O, D. Kaowe, RAL Barvon and Neuson Borsvorn, Morristown, N. J.—Dece, 253 8 AM, to 12M, Mostly overcast, with occasional brie! intervals of sunshine; ground bares; wind, northwest; rising temp, 41°. Distance covered about © miles, Sparrow Hawk, 1; Osprey, 1 (identification positive, seen first at a con- siderable distance, soaring, and recognised almost at onees then watehed for five minutes or more until almost directly overhead, and not at a great height; call heard, As we customarily see a few of these birds during spring and fall migrations, Tt feel certain of the identifeation); Kinghisher, 1 Tlairy Woodpecker, 2; Downy Woodpecker, 13 Red headed Woodpecker, 1; Blue Jay, 25; Crow, 36; Starting, 7; Purple Inch, 25; (one singing); Goldfinch, o3 Tree Sparrow, 44) Picld Sparrow, 1y Junco, 833 Song Sparrow, 10 (one singing); Cardinal, 2; Brown Creeper, oy White-breasted Nuthatch, 13; Chickadee, ao; Goldenscrowned Kinglet, 1, Total, 20 species, go4 Individuals, Dec, 22, T sawa small flock of American Crossbills, the first in several vears-=R, C, CAskny, Plaintield, N. J. (to Ash Swamp).—Dec, 20; yrs AWM, to 5,20 PM, Pairs ground bare; an wind moderate; temp, 26°. Mourning Dove, 8 (Hoek); Cooper's (2) Hawk, 1; Red-tailed Bird-Lore’s Nineteenth Christmas Census [lawk, 3; Red-shouldered Hawk, 1; Saw-whet Owl, 1; Sereech Owl, 3; (one in a hole, two at dusk); Hairy Woodpecker, 2; Downy Woodpecker, 6; licker, +; Blue Jay, 6; American Crow, 75; Starling, 30; Meadowlark, 35 (flock); Purple Mineh, 8 (flock); Goldfinch, 5; White-throated Sparrow, 25; Tree Sparrow, 135; Micld Sparrow, &; Junco, 95; Song Sparrow, 22; Swamp Sparrow, 2 (together); White-breasted Nuthateh, 8; Tufted Titmouse, 1; Black-capped Chickadee, 18. Total, 24 species, 4o9 individuals. This is my latest record of the Mourning Dove. The Cardinal and Brown Creeper are rarely missed on this route.—W. DeW. Mitnmr. New Brunswick, N. J.—Dec. 27; 8.15 A.M. to 1.30 P.M. Partly cloudy; ground bare; 0 wind northwest, moderate; temp. 25° to 34°. Herring Gull, 4; Turkey Vulture, 1; Red tailed Hawk, 1; Sparrow Hawk, 2; Hairy Woodpecker, 2; Downy Woodpecker. 4; American Crow, 99; Wish Crow, 8; Starling, 14; Purple Minch, 41; Goldfinch, 2; White throated Sparrow, +; Tree Sparrow, 1; Junco, 43; Song Sparrow, 20; lox Sparrow, 2; srown Creeper, 1; Tufted Titmouse, 2; Chickadee, 11; Carolina Chickadee, 16; ‘Total, 20 species, 278 individuals. Two close views of the Turkey Vulture, flying low, were obtained, Three Purple Finches occasionally sang their warbling song. -SruaryT VT, DANDPORTH, Sandy Hook, N. J—Dee. 29; 12.30 p.M. to 3 p.m. Wair; sky, clear; wind, northwest, light; ground, bare; temp. 20°. Herring Gull, 500 (estimate); Double-crested Cormorant, 3; Sora Rail, 1; Sharp-shinned Hawk, 1; Mish Hawk, 2; Short-eared Owl, 1; American Crow, 300 (estimate); Fish Crow, so (estimate); licker, 2; Downy Woodpecker, 1; Starling, 150 (estimate); Cardinal, 4; Goldfinch, 5; Junco, 300 (estimate); Song Sparrow, 2; Vesper Sparrow, 2; White-throated Sparrow, go (estimate); White-crowned Sparrow, 1; Myrtle Warbler, 300 (estimate); Catbird, 1; Hermit Thrush, 6; Robin, 300 (estimate), Total, 22 species; approximately 1,982 individuals.—SmrGnant GuHoren I. fKataw and ALrrip Norpstrom, Monmouth Junction, N. J.--Dec. 27; 0 A.M. to 4.30 P.M. Partly cloudy, ground bare; wind west, moderate; temp. 26° at start. Marsh Hawk, 1; Red-tailed Hawk, 1; Sparrow Hawk, 3; Hairy Woodpecker, 2; Downy Woodpecker, 4; Blue Jay, 1; Crow, 41; Star ling, 170; Goldfinch, 7; Tree Sparrow, 45; Junco, 43; Song Sparrow, 9; White-breasted Nuthatch, 6; Tufted Titmouse, 2; Chickadee, 10. Total, 15 species, 335 individuals, R, i. DANKORTH. Princeton, N. J. (the surrounding country within a radius of four miles, by motor and on foot).—Dec. 26; 10 A.M. to 4.P.M. Morning cloudy; light snow; wind west, afternoon clear; wind northwest; temp. 36° to 34°. Great Blue Heron (took flight 100 feet away, shore of Carnegie Lake), 1; Marsh Hawk, 2; Pigeon Hawk (bluish back, and rapid pigeon-like flight unmistakable), 1; Sparrow Hawk, 4; Downy Woodpecker, 2 (pair); Blue Jay. 4; Crow, 1,000; Starling, 500; Goldfinch, 15 (one flock); White-throated Sparrow, 2 (pair); Tree Sparrow, 15 (one flock); Junco, 25; Song Sparrow, 6; Cardinal, 2; White-breasted Nuthatch, 1; Tufted Titmouse, 2; Black-capped Chickadee, 8; Caro- lina Chickadee, 1. Total, 18 species, 1,590 individuals —Hinry LAni Inno, Princeton, N. J. (along Stony Brook above the Double Bridges 2 miles).—Dec, 26; 10 A.M. to 1 p.m, Alternate snow flurries and sunlight; ground bare, grass green and dandelions in bloom; wind west to northwest, strong; temp, 33° to 35”. Hairy Wood pecker, 3; Downy Woodpecker, 5; Crow, about 50; Starling, about 200 (in one flock); Purple Minch, 1; Goldfinch, 1; Tree Sparrow, 1; Slate-colored Junco, about 75 (three flocks); Brown Creeper, 5; White-breasted Nuthatch, 4; Chickadee, about too (three flocks); Bluebird, 2 (others heard singing). Total, 12 species, about 447 individuals. TERTIUS VAN Dykt. Mount Holly, N. J.—Dec. 25; 7 A.m. to 11 A.M. Clear; wind southwest and light; temp. 42° at start, 48° at return. Covered about 5 miles. Turkey Vulture, 1; Hairy Woodpecker, 1; Downy Woodpecker, 3; Blue Jay, 4; Crow, 5,000+4-; Starling, 10, 36 Bird - Lore Goldfinch, 6; White-throated Sparrow, 21; Tree Sparrow, 30; Slate-colored Junco, 30; Song Sparrow, 14; Fox Sparrow, 1; Cardinal, 8; Myrtle Warbler, 1; Carolina Wren, 1; Brown Creeper, 2; White-breasted Nuthatch, 1; Red-breasted Nuthatch, 2; Carolina Chickadee, 7. Total, 19 species, 5,143 individuals. On walk Sunday Dec. 22, 4918, saw Field Sparrow, Tufted Titmouse, Golden-crowned Kinglet.—Mr. and Mrs. NELSON D. W. PuUMYEA. Moorestown, N. J. (Fifteen mile circle, including shore of Delaware River, Rancocas Creek, Swedes Run, Pompeston, Pensauken and Coopers Creeks).—Dec. 25; 6.50 A.M. to 5 P.M. Fair; ground bare; wind southwest, light, becoming northwest and blustery; temp. 42° at start, 42° at return. Three distinct units, two with automobiles, one afoot. One unit returned at noon; a second also returned but went out again; the third remained out all day. Herring Gull, 86; American Merganser, 50; Black-crowned Night Heron, 2; Killdeer, 1; Marsh Hawk, 1; Sharp-shinned Hawk, 3; Cooper’s Hawk, 1; Red-tailed Hawk, 7; Red-shouldered Hawk, 2; Broad-winged (?) Hawk, 2; Sparrow Hawk, 11; Hairy Woodpecker, 4; Downy Woodpecker, 15; Flicker, 5; Horned Lark, 1; Blue Jay, 12; Crow, 261; Starling, 55; Meadowlark, 25; Purple Finch, 15; American Crossbill, 7; Goldfinch, 33; White-throated Sparrow, 92; Tree Sparrow, 70; Field Sparrow, 4; Junco, 143; Song Sparrow, 77; Fox Sparrow, 1; Towhee, 1; Cardinal, 27; Pine Warbler, 1; Myrtle Warbler, 1; Catbird, 1; Carolina Wren, 9; Brown Creeper, 3; White-breasted Nuthatch, 14; Red-breasted Nuthatch, 3; Tufted Titmouse, 7; Black-capped Chickadee, 19; Robin, 1; Bluebird, 1. Total, 41 species, 1,074 individuals. Three Purple Grackles were reported from Moorestown on the 25th, byaneighbor. The following records may be added: Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Dec. 4, and again about the 20th; Winter Wren con- spicuous by its absence.—M. ALBERT LINTON, ANNA A. MICKLE, SAMUEL N. RwoapDs, ELLEN C. CarTER, WitittAmM Bacon Evans and GrorcEe H. HALLETT, JR. Camden, N. J. ( and vicinity).—Dec. 22; 7.30 to 8.30 A.M. and 10.30 A.M. to 4 P.M. Heavy mist changing to rain shortly, and a driving southeast storm by late afternoon; wind east to southeast; temp 45° to 50°. Observers together. Herring Gull, 103; Mer- ganser, 8; Duck (Black?), 10; Killdeer, 1; Bob-white, 6; Cooper’s Hawk, 1; Red-tailed Hawk, 2; Sparrow, Hawk, 3; Barn Owl, 1; Long-eared Owl, 1; Downy Woodpecker, 3; Crow, 30; Starling, 200; Meadowlark, 1; Goldfinch, 1; White-throated Sparrow, 50; Tree Sparrow, 8; Field Sparrow, 1; Junco, 70; Song Sparrow, 10; Swamp Sparrow, 1; Cardinal, 5; Brown Creeper, 1; White-breasted Nuthatch, 1; Red-breasted Nuthatch, 2; Chickadee, 5; Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 1; Golden-crowned Kinglet, 3. Total, 28 species, 529 individuals—ConrapD K. ROLAND and JULIAN K. POTTER. Haverford, Pa. (to Darby Creek and back).—Dec. 26; 9 a.M. to 4 P.M. Snowing a little, then clearing; strong northwest wind; temp. 32°. Eight miles on foot. Observers together. Broad-winged Hawk, 1 (found dead); Sparrow Hawk, 1; Downy Woodpecker, 5; Crow, 27; Starling, 2; Purple Grackle, 1; Purple Finch, 18; White-throated Sparrow, 33; Tree Sparrow, 2; Junco, 107; Song Sparrow, 9; Cardinal, 2; Carolina Wren, 2; White-breasted Nuthatch, 4; Black-capped Chickadee, 19. Total, 15 species, 233 individuals.—G. ScoviLLE and T. SPENCER. Reading, Pa.—Dec. 25; 7 A.M. to 3 P.M. Clear; ground bare; wind west, fairly strong; temp. 40°. Observers together. Red-tailed Hawk, 1; Kingfisher, 1; Downy Woodpecker, 5; Red-headed Woodpecker, 2; Blue Jay, 2; Crow, 36; Starling, 2; Gold- finch, 6; Tree Sparrow, 63; Junco, 110; Song Sparrow, 18; Winter Wren, 1; White- breasted Nuthatch, 8; Red-breasted Nuthatch, 8; Chickadee, 53. Total, 15 species, 316 individuals.—Mr. and Mrs. G. HENRY MENGEL. Chester Heights, Pa. (to West Branch of Chester Creek and Green’s Creek and back).—Dec. 29; 7 to 9 A.M. Clear; ground practically bare; temp. 20° to 25°. Three miles on foot. Marsh Hawk, 1; Downy Woodpecker, 4; Crow, 30; Goldfinch, 1; Tree Sparrow, 1; Field Sparrow, 1; Junco, 36+; Song Sparrow, 2; Cardinal, 1; Carolina Bird-Lore’s Nineteenth Christmas Census 37 Wren, 1; White-breasted Nuthatch, 2; Black-capped Chickadee, 8. Total, 12 species, 88 individuals—W. E. HANNUM. ‘ West Chester, Pa.—Dec. 25. Brisk west wind; mostly clear, followed by cloudy; ground bare, wet; temp. 42° to 50°. Turkey Buzzard, 4; Sparrow Hawk, 1; Downy Woodpecker, 6; American Crow, 80; Blue Jay, 2; Purple Finch, 2; Goldfinch, 45; Tree Sparrow, 50; Slate-colored Junco, 116; Song Sparrow, 27; Cardinal, 5; White-breasted Nuthatch, 2; Tufted Titmouse, 2; Chickadee, 15. Total, 14 species, 357 individuals.— C. E. EXINGER. Lititz, Pa. (northern Lancaster County, upper waters of the Hammer Creek).— Dec. 28; 8 a.M. to 5 p.m. Clear; ground bare; wind northwest, strong; temp. at start 26°. Twenty-two miles on foot. Observers separate one half the time. Killdeer, 1; Bob-white, 67 (5 coveys); Ruffed Grouse, 2; Turkey Vulture, 15; Red-tailed Hawk, 2; Red-shouldered Hawk, 4; Sparrow Hawk, 2; Downy Woodpecker, 12; Hairy Woodpecker, 2; Flicker, 2; Blue Jay, 2; American Crow, 65; Starling, 22; Purple Finch, 12; (two flocks) Goldfinch, 26; Tree Sparrow, 215; Junco, 415; Song Sparrow, 45; Towhee, 1; Cardinal, 11; Brown Creeper, 2; White-breasted Nuthatch, 20; Tufted Titmouse, 3; Black-capped Chickadee, 105; Golden-crowned Kinglet, 3; Bluebird, 2. Total, 26 species; about 1,075 individuals. Juncos, the Winter Sparrows, and Chickadees, are more numerous than they have been in Lancaster County during winters of the past 20 years. Purple Finches were never observed in a previous Christmas Census. Crows were never so scarce as this season.—HErRBERT H. Beck, ABRAHAM BECK MILLER and CHARLES S. BRICKER. York, Pa. (to Impounding Dam and return).—Dec. 28; 8 a.m. to 2 p.M. Cloudy; ¥ in. of snow; wind west, light; temp. 25° at start, 31° at return. Eight miles on foot. Observers separate. Mallard, 14; Black Duck, 18; Turkey Vulture, 1; Sharp-shinned Hawk, 1; Cooper’s Hawk, 2; Downy Woodpecker, 5; Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, 1; Blue Jay, 4; American Crow, 3,200; Starling, 42; Goldfinch, 1; White-throated Sparrow, 1; Tree Sparrow, 12; Slate-colored Junco, 30; Song Sparrow, 9; Cardinal, 6; Cedar Wax- wing, 1; White-breasted Nuthatch, 4; Black-capped Chickadee, 12; Golden-crowned Kinglet, r. Total, 20 species, 3,365 individuals. Sparrow Hawk and Hairy Woodpecker seen yesterday.—CHARLES S. WEISER and ARTHUR FARQUHAR. Altoona, Pa.—Dec. 25; 8 A.M. to 4.30 P.M. Cloudy; snowing lightly; wind north to west, strong; temp. 42° to 32°. Observers worked separately. Downy Woodpecker, 5; Red-headed Woodpecker, 1; Blue Jay, 12; Crow, 75; Goldfinch, 6; Tree Sparrow, 167; Slate-colored Junco, 56; Song Sparrow, 1; Cardinal, 3; Redstart, 1; White-breasted Nuthatch, 2; Chickadee, 27. Total, 12 species, 356 individuals. Redstart was a young male and was studied through a glass at a distance of 30 feet. It was identified separately by McGraw and Hays.—Harry A. McGraw, Harry B. Kincu, Harry P. Hays, IRA J. STOUFFER, CHAS. GRIMMINGER and EDGAR GRIMMINGER. Chambersburg, Pa.—Dec. 28; 9 A.M. to 1 P.M. and 4 to 5.30 p.m. Cloudy; a little snow in spots; light west wind; temp. 28° to 34°. Four miles on foot in farming country. Crow, 220; Starling, 9; Meadowlark, 6; Purple Grackle, 2; Goldfinch, 4; White-throated Sparrow, 2; Tree Sparrow, Junco, (flock of 60+); Song Sparrow, 11; Cardinal, 4; White-breasted Nuthatch, 1; Chickadee, 2. Total, 12 species, 310+ individuals. Dec. 29 Sparrow Hawk. Seen often recently —BENJAMIN and ROBERT WARFIELD. McKeesport, Pa.—Dec. 29; 8 A.M. to 4.30 P.M. Partly cloudy, with snow flurries; ¥% in. of snow on frozen ground; temp. 22°; wind, light northwest. Sixteen miles on foot. Observers together. Sparrow Hawk, 1; Hairy Woodpecker, 1; Downy Woodpecker, 3; American Crow, 4; Tree Sparrow, 15; Junco, 41; Song Sparrow, 21; Cardinal, 17; White-breasted Nuthatch, 11; Tufted Titmouse, 12; Black-capped Chickadee, 27; Bluebird, 2. Total, 12 species, 155 individuals. On Dec. 8, Catbird was seen and care- fully noted; ‘“‘cat’’ call-note heard and bird watched at 25 feet with 5X glasses.— Twos. L. McConnett and L. F. SAVAGE. 38 Bird - Lore Baltimore, Md. (western outskirts).—Dec. 23; 9 A.M. to 3 p.m. Clear; ground bare; wind northwest, light; temp. 47° at start, 53° at finish. About 7 miles on foot. Bob-white, 6; Turkey Vulture, 6; Downy Woodpecker, 1; Flicker, 3; Blue Jay, 4; American Crow, 39; Goldfinch, 21; White-throated Sparrow, 11; Slate-colored Junco, 67; Cardinal, 7; White-breasted Nuthatch, 7; Tufted Titmouse, 7; Black-capped Chickadee, 3. Total, 13 species, 182 individuals.—R. W. MaInsTeER. Camp Meade, Anne Arundel Co., Md. (chiefly along Little Patuxent River).— Dec. 22; 8.40 A.M. to 5.30 P.M. Continuous rain; ground bare; wind southwest, light to brisk; temp. c.50°. Fourteen miles on foot. Bob-white, 15 (one covey); Red-shouldered Hawk, 1; Hairy Woodpecker, 2; Downy Woodpecker, 7; Red-bellied Woodpecker, 3; Flicker, 3; Blue Jay, 1; American Crow, 12; Purple Finch, 10 (one flock); Goldfinch, 11; White-throated Sparrow, 64; Tree Sparrow, 1; Field Sparrow, 3; (with the Tree) Slate- colored Junco, 120; Song Sparrow, 15; Cardinal, 32; Myrtle Warbler. 2 (together); Carolina Wren, 2; Brown Creeper, 1; White-breasted Nuthatch, 5; Tufted Titmouse, 14; Carolina Chickadee, 12; Hermit Thrush, 2; Bluebird, 1. Total, 24 species, about 340 individuals. The rain kept at least one species, Turkey Vulture, from the list. Some seen next day.—Cnarirs H. Rocrrs, Sergeant, Co. B, 31st M. G. Bn. Morgantown, W. Va. (Route from Morgantown to Cheat River).—Dec. 27; 7.45 A.M. to 4.45 P.M. Cloudy; no wind; 1 in. of snow; temp. 30° at noon. Sixteen miles on foot. Mourning Dove, 3; Belted Kingfisher, 1; Downy Woodpecker, 6; Slate-colored Junco, 55; Song Sparrow, 38; Cardinal, 15; White-breasted Nuthatch, 6; Tufted Tit- mouse, 13; Chickadee, 11. Total, 9 species, 148 individuals.—A. J. DADISMAN. Charleston, W. Va. (Kanawha County).—Dec. 22; 1 to 5 p.m. Cloudy; ground very wet; wind north, light; temp. 57°-at start, 54° at return. Six miles on foot. Observers together. Bob-white, (three coveys) 22; Downy Woodpecker, 3; Hairy Woodpecker, 2; Red-headed Woodpecker, 1; Crow, 7; Goldfinch, 13; Field Sparrow, 108; Slate-colored Junco, 106; Song Sparrow, 27; Cardinal, 69 (most we’ve ever seen); Carolina Wren, 24; White-breasted Nuthatch, 1; Tufted Titmouse, 6; Black-capped Chickadee, 17. Total, 14 species, 406 individuals. Same territory covered as last 4 years, and have never before covered it without seeing at least a dozen Towhees (last year, 88).—Etis CrAw- FORD, FrRANcIS Rawsum, CARL and Epwarp McANnprews, (Miss) Mary Brie Jounston, and I. H. Jounsron. Lewisburg, W. Va.—Dec. 23; 8.15 A.M. to 5 p.M. Partly cloudy; ground bare; no wind; temp. 33° at start, 4o° at return. Ten miles on foot. Observers together. Ruffed Grouse, 3; Turkey Vulture, 13; Red-tailed Hawk, 4; Sparrow Hawk, 1; Hairy Wood- pecker, 3; Downy Woodpecker, 9; Northern Pileated Woodpecker, 2; Red-bellied Wood- pecker, 6; Flicker, 1; Blue Jay, 8; American Crow, 18; Goldfinch, 66; Tree Sparrow, 286; Slate-colored Junco, 160; Song Sparrow, 12; Cardinal, 8; White-breasted Nuthatch 15; Tufted Titmouse, 7; Bluebird, 10. Total, 19 species, 642 individuals.—CHARLEs O. and Harry EI. HANDLEY. Washington, D. C. (Wellington to New Alexandria, Va.; Four Mile Run, Va.; Arling- ton, Va. to Washington, D. C.).—Dec. 27; 7.30 A.M. to 4 P.M. Slightly cloudy; wind northwest, light; temp. 25° to 35°. Distance 15 miles. Horned Grebe, 2; Herring Gull, 12; Ring-billed Gull, 2; American Merganser, 6; Hooded Merganser, 8; Black Duck, 3; Lesser Scaup Duck, 12; Golden-eye, 8; Great Blue Heron, 1; Turkey Vulture, 8; Sharp- shinned Hawk, 1; Cooper’s Hawk, 1; Red-shouldered Hawk, 2; Broad-winged Hawk, 1; Bald Eagle, 1; Sparrow Hawk, 3; Barred Owl, 2; Kingfisher, 1; Hairy Woodpecker, 1; Downy Woodpecker, 18; Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, 4; Red-headed Woodpecker, 7; Red- bellied Woodpecker, 3; Flicker, 15; Blue Jay 16; American Crow, 350; Fish Crow, 100; Red-winged Blackbird, 12; Purple Finch, 20; Goldfinch, 20; White-throated Sparrow, 40; Tree Sparrow, 200; Field Sparrow, 11; Junco, 400; Song Sparrow, 20; Swamp Sparrow, 2; Fox Sparrow, 14; Cardinal, 25; Migrant Shrike, 2; Myrtle Warbler, 2; Bird-Lore’s Nineteenth Christmas Census 39 Mockingbird, 3; Carolina Wren, 4; Brown Creeper, 13; White-breasted Nuthatch, 8; Red-breasted Nuthatch, 4; Tufted Titmouse, 30; Carolina Chickadee, 25; Golden- crowned Kinglet, 3; Bluebird, 21. Total, 49 species, 1,467 individuals. Same territory a few days previous yielded 42 species, including Bonaparte Gull, 1; Marsh Hawk, 2; Killdeer, 25; Pipit, 15; Winter Wren, 1; Hermit Thrush, 5. Hydroplane mock attacks have driven the ducks from the Potomac in the vicinity of the city —Mr. and Mes. Leo D. Miner, Hon. Enmunp Pratt, M. C., and Ravmonp W. Moore. Mt. Vernon to Dyke, Va. (via Dogue Creek).—Dec. 23;9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Clear; prac- tically no wind; temp. 8 A.M.,42°;12M., 56°; 4P.M., 52°. About 12 miles on foot. Observers together. Horned Grebe, 1; Herring Gull, 32; Ring-billed Gull, 29; Common Tern, 2; Hooded Merganser, 312 (estimated); Canvasback, 00 (estimated); Lesser Scaup, 200 (estimated); Ruddy Duck, 7; Turkey Vulture, 32; Marsh Hawk, 1; Cooper’s Hawk, 1; Red-tailed Hawk, 1; Bald Eagle, 2; Sparrow Hawk, 1; Long-eared Owl, 1 (recently killed); Hairy Woodpecker, 1; Downy Woodpecker, 2: Red-headed Woodpecker, 1; Red- bellied Woodpecker, 2; Flicker, 11; Blue Jay, 13; American Crow, 250; Fish Crow, 3; Starling, 15; Meadowlark, 2; Goldfinch, 6; Tree Sparrow, 5; Field Sparrow, 7; Junco, 141; Song Sparrow, 7; Cardinal, 5; Myrtle Warbler, 26; Mockingbird, 2; White-breasted Nut- hatch, 2; Red-breasted Nuthatch, 10; Tufted Titmouse, 17; Carolina Chickadee, 10; Bluebird, to. Total, 38 species, 1,660 individuals.—W. L. McAtger, ALEXANDER Wet- MORE, and Enywarp A. PREBLE. Boone, N. C.—Dec. 27;8.304.M. to4p.M. Clear; light west wind; ground partly covered withsnow. Temp. 20°. Hairy Woodpecker, 4; Downy Woodpecker, 6; Blue Jay, 1; Ameri- can Crow, 5; Red-winged Blackbird (female), 1; American Goldfinch, 6; White-throated Sparrow, 1; Junco, 175; Song Sparrow, 20; Fox Sparrow, 1; Cardinal, 5; Brown Creeper, 2; White-breasted Nuthatch, 12; Tufted Titmouse, 11; Carolina Chickadee, 7; Golden- crowned Kinglet, 5; Bluebird, 4. Total, 17 species, 266 individuals—Roy M. Brown. Spartanburg, S. C.—Dec. 26; 9 a.m. to 2.15 P.M. Clear; ground bare, but very wet; wind, west, very light; temp. 34°. Observers together for the greater part of the time. Mourning Dove, 7; Turkey Vulture, 13; Sparrow Hawk, 1; Hairy Woodpecker, 1 (much larger than the following); Southern Downy Woodpecker, 1; Flicker, 4; Red-headed Woodpecker, 1; Blue Jay, 12; Crow, 4; Meadowlark, 12; Purple Finch, 47; American Goldfinch, 13; White-throated- Sparrow, 5; Savannah Sparrow, 4; Field Sparrow, 7; Junco, 70; Song Sparrow, 5; Towhee, 4; Cardinal, 2; Loggerhead Shrike, 1; Myrtle Warbler, 15: Pine Warbler, 2; Mockingbird, 2; Catbird, 1 (unusual for us; wing seemed to be broken); Carolina Wren, 3; Brown Creeper, 1; Red-breasted Nuthatch, 1; Brown- headed Nuthatch, 1; Tufted Titmouse 2; Carolina Chickadee, 7; Golden-crowned King- let. 5; Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 4; Hermit Thrush, 9; Robin, 1; Bluebird, 14. Total, 35 species, 272 individuals. A Phoebe seen Dec. 25.—GABRIEL CANNON and GeorGE S. SNOWDEN, Jr. Aiken, S. C. (a mile and a half along a creek, and two adjoining home places). — Dec. 21; 11 A.M. to 3 P.M., and 4.30 P.M. to 5.30 P.M. Calm; temp. 72°. Bob-white 3 (2 coveys); Mourning Doves, 4; Red-shouldered Hawk, 1; Sparrow Hawk, 1; Black (7) Vulture, about 50; Southern Hairy Woodpecker, 2; Southern Downy Woodpecker, 8; Red-headed Woodpecker, 7; Red-bellied Woodpecker. 2; Flicker, 14; Phoebe, 2; Blue Jay, 20; Meadowlark, 25; Rusty Blackbird, 50; Goldfinch, 9; Vesper Sparrow, 41; Henslow’s Sparrow, 1; White-throated Sparrow, 225; Chipping Sparrow, 91; Field Sparrow, 118, Junco, 124; Song Sparrow, 92; Swamp Sparrow, 20; Towhee, (both Red-eyed and White- eyed), 26; Cardinal, 22; Loggerhead Shrike, 2; Myrtle Warbler, 20; Pine Warbler, 54; Mockingbird, 26; Catbird, 6; Brown Thrasher, 11; Carolina Wren, 17; Brown Creeper, 3; White-breasted Nuthatch, 3; Brown-headed Nuthatch, 20; Tufted Titmouse, 12; Caro- lina Chickadee, 23; Kinglets (both Ruby-crowned and Golden-crowned) 14; Hermit _ Thrush, 26; Robin, about 100; Bluebird, 30. Total, 43 species. 1,352 individuals. On ie) 40 Bird - Lore Dec. 28, 25 Fox Sparrows and 200 Bluebirds.—(Miss) LoutsE P. Forp and Marion I. PELLEW. Sterling, Ga. (near Brunswick’s our woods and Pyles Marsh).—Dec. 23; 9 to 11.30 A.M., 1 to 4 P.M. Cloudy; wind, east; temp. about 60° at start and 50° at return. Six miles on foot. Blue-winged Teal, 2; Little Blue Heron, 1; Killdeer, 7; Mourning Dove, 3; Ground Dove, 3; Turkey Vulture, 8; Black Vulture, 86; Marsh Hawk, 1; Cooper’s Hawk, 1; Downy Woodpecker, 1; Red-cockaded Woodpecker, 1; Yellow-bellied Sap- sucker, 2; Red-bellied Woodpecker, 1; Wood Pewee, 1 [Phoebe?]; Blue Jay, 11; American Crow, 8; Fish Crow, 112; Meadowlark, 1; Purple Grackle, 14; Boat-tailed Grackle, 4; American Goldfinch, 2; White-throated Sparrow, 51; Chipping Sparrow, 5; Song Sparrow, 260; Swamp Sparrow, 6; Fox Sparrow, 1; Chewink, 19; Cardinal, 5; Loggerhead Shrike, 1; Myrtle Warbler, 1; Palm Warbler, 7; Maryland Yellow-throat, 2; Mockingbird, 15; Brown Thrasher, 3; Carolina Wren, 3; House Wren, 1; Carolina Chickadee, 2; Ruby- crowned Kinglet, 9; Hermit Thrush, 4; American Robin, 10; Bluebird, 42. Total, 41 species, 493 individuals —DELBERT COLEMAN (15 years old). Fort Pierce, Fla.—Dec. 24; 7 to 11 A.M. South along Indian River to White City station, 12 to 4.30 P.M. Southwest of Ft. Pierce. Cloudy, several light showers during morning; wind south, light; temp. 68° at start, 75° at return. Eleven miles on foot. Herring Gull, 12; Laughing Gull, 16; Bonaparte’s Gull, 5; Royal Tern, 53; Florida Cor- morant, 19; Brown Pelican, 250; Lesser Scaup Duck, 2,000; Ward’s Heron, 4; Louisiana Heron, 7; Little Blue Heron, 26; Wilson’s Snipe, 1; Spotted Sandpiper, 2; Killdeer, 42; Mourning Dove, 138; Ground Dove, 26; Turkey Vulture and Black Vulture, 262; Marsh Hawk, 1; Sharp-shinned Hawk, 1; Cooper’s Hawk, 2; Red-shouldered Hawk, 5; Bald Eagle, 3; Florida Sparrow Hawk, 18; Osprey, 13; Owl (unidentified), 1; Kingfisher, 18; Red-cockaded Woodpecker, 4; Red-bellied Woodpecker, 15; Flicker, 16; Phoebe, 14; Florida Blue Jay, 4; Florida Crow, 3; Fish Crow, 85; Red-winged Blackbird, 2; Southern Meadowlark, 48; Boat-tailed Grackle, 167; Florida Grackle, 7; Goldfinch, 4; Savannah Sparrow, 10; Field Sparrow, 8; Swamp Sparrow, 1; White-eyed Towhee, 3; Florida Cardinal, 13; Tree Swallow, 95; Loggerhead Shrike, 17; Yellow-throated Warbler, 2; Palm and Yellow Palm Warblers, 132; Florida Yellow-throat, 5; Mockingbird, 25; House Wren, 31; Brown-headed Nuthatch, 12; Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, 7; Robin, 1; Bluebird, 60; Total, 55 species, about 3,725 individuals. Saw 6 Snowy Egrets, Wood Ibis, Little Green Heron, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Dec. 22; Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Dec. 23; Pied-billed Grebe, Dec. 26; Loon, Pileated Woodpecker, Pine Warbler, Prairie Warbler, Dec. 27; Black-crowned Night Heron, Catbird, Towhee, Dec. 28.—Total of 68 species observed during Christmas week. It seemed rather strange that I should see but one Robin on the 24th, but saw hundreds on the 27th. Have seen no Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers during December. Have seen them during every other month since I came here in August—Huco H. SCHRODER. Reed City, Mich. (Up the Hersey River about 4 miles). Dec. 29. Clear; very little snow; practically no wind; temp. 15° at start, 18° at return. About 15 miles on skis. Evening Grosbeak, 6; Chickadee, 7; Slate-colored Junco (two flocks), 150; White-breasted Nuthatch, 3; American Goldfinch (heard). Total, 5 species, 166 individuals.—HaAROLD NorMAN. Detroit, Mich.—Dec. 29; Belle Isle Park, 9.30 A.M. to 12 M.; Palmer Park and vici- nity, 1 to 4 P.M. Snowing; light snow on ground; wind, southwest, brisk; temp. 30°, Herring Gull, 2; Bob-white (tracks) 5; Ring-necked Pheasant, 7; Hairy Woodpecker, 1; Downy Woodpecker, 3; Blue Jay, 5; Slate-colored Junco, 20; Song Sparrow, 6; White- breasted Nuthatch, 6; Chickadee, 3. Total, 10 species, 58 individuals.—RALpPH BEEBE. Detroit, Mich. (Belle Isle and river front). Dec. 27; 8 a.M. to 12 M. Cloudy; ground bare; no wind; temp. 20° to 25°. Herring Gull, 102; Ring-billed Gull, 20; American Merganser, 3; Red-breasted Merganser, 6; Golden-eye Duck, 75; Barrows Golden-eye, 10; Bird-Lore’s Nineteenth Christmas Census At Greater Scaup Duck, 15; Lesser Scaup, 20; Barred Owl, 1; Hairy Woodpecker, 2; Downy Woodpecker, 9; American Crow, 3; Pine Grosbeak, 12 (one rosy male); Goldfinch, 1; Cardinal, 3; White-breasted Nuthatch, 11; Black-capped Chickadee, 9. Total, 17 species, 302 individuals.—EtTTa S. WILSON. Ann Arbor, Mich.—Dec. 26; 8.30 A.M. to 3.30 P.M. Cloudy; 1 in. of snow; wind west, light; temp. 27° at start, 24° at return. Observers together. Hairy Woodpecker, 2; Downy Woodpecker, 7; Blue Jay, 6; American Crow, 3; Tree Sparrow, 160; Junco, 13; Song Sparrow, 1; White-breasted Nuthatch, 4; Chickadee, 18. Total, 9 species, about 214 individuals.—JOSSELYN VAN TYNE and CLAUDE VAN TYNE. Camden, Mich.—Dec. 25; 10.30 A.M. to 1.30 P.M. Cloudy; 1%4in. snow; wind North- west, light; temp. 24° at start, 28° at return. Six miles on foot. Observers together. Marsh Hawk, 2; Hairy Woodpecker, 5; Downy Woodpecker, 2; Horned Lark, 5; Blue Jay, 6; Tree Sparrow, 9; Cardinal, 5; White-breasted Nuthatch, 8; Tufted Titmouse, 1; Black-capped Chickadee, 8. Total, 10 species, 51 individuals—Ravy E. READER and Witiis C. READER. Bronson, Mich.—Dec. 26; 11.30 A.M. to 4 P.M. Clear at first, clouded up in the after- noon; fairly strong west wind; about 3 inches of snow on ground; brush covered with snow, making observation hard; no signs of thawing. About 1o miles. Marsh Hawk, 1; Hairy Woodpecker, 2; Downy Woodpecker, 7; American Crow, 3; Blue Jay, 7; Gold- finch, 2; Song Sparrow, 1; Tree Sparrow, 100 (approximately, all one flock); Cardinal, 5; Chickadee, 7. Total, 10 species, 135 individuals—GARDNER BATES. Waukesha, Wis.—Dec. 25; 9 A.M. to 12.30 P.M. and 4 to 5 p.m. Cloudy until middle of forenoon, remainder of the day remarkably fine; temp. 20° to 30°; wind westerly, light becoming fresh; ground in places bare, but for most part covered with dry, powdery snow that had fallen the preceding day, the first snow of the season; drifts 3 or 4 feet deep across the roads in places made walking difficult. Nine miles on foot along tree-bordered roads, and in the outskirts of the town. Hairy Woodpecker, 2; Downy Woodpecker, 1; Blue Jay, 10; American Crow, 12. Total, 4 species, 25 individuals. Winter mild so far, streams unfrozen. Note scarcity of seed-eating birds again this winter—May Morean. Madison, Wis. (encircling Lake Monona).—Dec. 27; 12.30 to 4.30 P.M. Clear. 4 to 6 ins. snow; wind southwest, very light; temp. 15° to 20°. Ten and one-half miles on foot. Observers together. Hairy Woodpecker, 1; Downy Woodpecker, 3; Red-headed Woodpecker, 1; Blue Jay, 5; American Crow, 14; Goldfinch, 3; Tree Sparrow, 100; Junco (slate-colored), 25; Song Sparrow, 1; White-breasted Nuthatch, 2; Red-breasted Nuthatch, 1; Chickadee, 2. Total, 12 species, about 160 individuals. I am only sorry that I cannot report as belonging to the above list one White-winged Scoter, one Great- horned Owl, and three Pine Grosbeaks, seen on December 22.—CLARA and WARNER TAYLOR. Lauderdale Lake and vicinity, near Elkhorn, Wis.—Dec. 26; 10 to 11.10 A.M. and 1.40 to 3.30 P.M. Partly cloudy; ground snow-covered; wind southwest, brisk; temp. 18° at 10 A.M., 23° at 3.30 P.M. About 4 miles on foot. Observers working together. Hairy Woodpecker, 1; Downy Woodpecker, 7; Red-headed Woodpecker, 1; Blue Jay, 6; American Crow, 16; RustyBlackbird, 3; Redpoll, 6; Tree Sparrow, 100; Brown Creeper, 1; White-breasted Nuthatch, 7; Black-capped Chickadee, 12; Robin, 1. Total, 12 species, 161 individuals —LuLA DUNBAR and ROBERT DUNBAR, JR. St. Peter, Minn.—Dec. 25; 8.30 A.M. to 3.45 P.M. Clear; 1 in. snow; wind south, light; temp. 7° to 20°. Six mile tramp; woods, fields, river-bottom and lake. Mallard, 2; Mourning Dove, 5; Hairy Woodpecker,.5; Downy Woodpecker, 3; Pileated Wood- pecker, 1; Blue Jay, 4; American Crow, 6; Red-winged Blackbird, 36; Tree Sparrow, 26; Slate-colored Junco, 6; Fox Sparrow, 2; Northern Shrike, 1; Brown Creeper, 1; White- breasted Nuthatch, 9; Red-breasted Nuthatch, 2; Black-capped Chickadee, ro. Total, 16 species, 119 individuals—Harry Jay LADUE. 42 Bird - Lore Hutchinson, Minn,—Dec, 22; 10 A.M, to 2 pM, Cloudy; 4 in, Iresh snow; wind, brisk northwest; temp, 28° at start, 26° at return, Wight miles on foot, Observers together, Mathird, 1; Hairy Woodpecker, 3; Northern Downy Woodpecker, 5; Blue Jay, 1; Redpoll, 14; Tree Sparrow, 6; White-breasted Nuthatch, 5; Black-capped Chickadee, a2, ‘Total, 8 species, 57 individuals, It was unusual to see a Mallard at this lime of the yeare=Cartos Aviry, State Game and Fish Commissioner, and J, M, Wiiwim, Game Warden, Oberlin, Ohio (east, south and west of town).—Dee, 26; 10 A.M, to 3 PM, Cloudy; light fall of snow; strong northwest wind; temp, 30° at start, 26° on return, Ten miles on bieyele, 4 miles on foot, Seaup Duek (2) male (not near enough for identification), 13 Sparrow thawk, 1) Barred Owl, 1) Seveech Owl, 2; Hairy Woodpecker, 1; Downy Wood pecker, §; Ilicker, 2; Blue Jay, 3; Meadowlark, 8; Tree Sparrow, 25; Slate-colored Juneo, 12) Song Sparrow, 3) Cardinal, 3; White-breasted Nuthateh, 6; Chickadee, 25; Kobin, 2, ‘Total, 16 species, 160 individuals, Bluebird seen two weeks ago. —Heinn NI, Rien, Lakeside, Ohio. —Dee, a5; 1 to 6 pw, Cloudy; ground bare; wind northwest, light; temp, 28°. Four miles, Cardinal, 2; Slate-colored Junco, 8; Horned Lark, 7; White-breasted Nuthateh, 4; Pree Sparrow, 6; Tufted Titmouse, 6; Downy Woodpecker, 1, Votal, 7 species, 29 individuals. —A, Caruson, Canton, Ohio. ——Dee, 20; 8.30 AM. to 3.40 P.M, Cloudy; ground bare; sharp wind; \ (a) lemp, 25°, ‘Pen miles on foot, Observers together, Cooper's Hawk, 1) Sereech Owl, 13 Downy Woodpecker, 4; Blue Jay, 2; Tree Sparrow, 75; Slate-colored Junco, 35; Song Sparrow, §; Cardinal, 10; Brown Creeper, 5; White-breasted Nuthatch, 10; Pulted ‘Titmouse, vo; Chickadee, 12, Total, 12 species, 172 individuals. —May S, DANNER and MAry Kone, Canton, Ohio. Dec, as; 7 A.M. to 3 pM, Cloudy and threatening; ground bare; slvong southwest wind; temp, go° at both start and return, Distance covered 7 miles, Bonaparte’s Gull, vy TMairy Woodpecker, 1; Cowbird, 1; Tree Sparrow, 125; Slate colored Juneo, 4) Song Sparrow, 4; Cardinal, 4; White-breasted Nuthateh, 0; Tulted Titmouse, 8; Black-capped Chickadee, 16, Total, ro species, 170 individuals. —Kpw, D, Kimas, Cadiz, Ohio.—Dee, 22; o.45 A.M, to 1.45 P.M. Cloudy; light rain; wind southwest, light; temp, s2° to 53°; over vin, of rain the preceding night, A seven-mile walk in the woods and fields about Cadiz, Red-tailed Hawk, 1; Great Horned Owl, 1; THairy Woodpecker, 2; Downy Woodpecker, 3; Red-headed Woodpecker, 6; Red-bellied Woodpecker, 4; Blue Jay 1; American Crow, 3; Tree Sparrow, 25; Song Sparrow, 33 White-breasted Nuthateh, 5; Tulted Titmouse, 10; Chickadee, 4, Total, 13 species, OS individuals, ‘Phere were fewer birds for each hour spent afield than any time during my twenty years of bird study, A Mongolian Pheasant is roosting with a neighbor's ehickens, the third case of the kind that has come under my observation near here in the past two vears==Harry B, McConneni, John Wortey and Raymonp Tinmons, Wilmington, Ohio, — Dee, 22; 0 A.M, to 4 pM, Cleary ground bare; wind west, strong; femp, §2° at start, sa° at return, Eight miles on foot, Mourning Dove, 14; Red-tailed Hawk, 5; Tlairy Woodpecker, 2; Downy Woodpecker, 43 Red-bellied Woodpecker, 6; licker, 3; American Crow, 123; Meadowlark, 10; Tree Sparrow, 43) Junco 112; Song Sparrow, 12; Cardinal, 2; Brown Creeper, 2) White-breasted Nuthateh, 12; Tufted Titmouse, tr; Chickadee, 19, Total, 16 species, 380 individuals, Jays we have at our feeding table, but could find none on the walk, Birds well seattered on account of warm weather will answer for some of the small numbers, Meadowlarks singing like springtime, One snake and one buttertly out,-Gwo, D, Haworrn, Hillsboro, Ohio. Dee, 27; 7.90 AM, to 3 PM, Partly cloudy; light southwest wind; q> ¢ o 1 in, of snow; temp, 22° to 36°, Walked 7 miles, Bob-white 8; Mourning Dove, 2}; Bird-Lore’s. Nineteenth Christmas Census 4 — Sparrow Hawk, 2; Red-shouldered Hawk, 1; Sereech Owl, 1; Belted Kingfisher, 1; Hairy Woodpecker, 6; Downy Woodpecker, 5; Yellow-hellied Sapsucker, 2; Med bellied Woodpecker, 3; Wlicker, 25; Horned Lark, 20; Blue Jay, 4) Bronzed Giaclle, 4; American Crow, 10; Tree Sparrow, too->; White-throated Sparrow, ag; Vox Sparrow, 10; Junco, 200; Song Sparrow, too; Cardinal, go; Mockingbird, 1; White breasted Nuthatch, 10; Red-breasted Nuthatch, 2; Tulted Titmouse, 12; Chickadee, 14) Mobin, 2, Total, 26 species, 620-4 individuals, ~Luria MW, ROADS, Youngstown, Ohio,—Dec, 25, 8 A.M, to 5 PM, Cloudy; misty rain, with an oc caslonal snowflake: brisk southwest wind; ground bare; temp, 44” forenoon, 4497 alter noon, Distance walked about 12 miles, Vob-white, 19; Screech Owl, 15 Kinglisher, 1; Hairy Woodpecker, 2; Downy Woodpecker, 6; Red-bellied Woodpecker, 1; Wlue- Jay, 11; Goldfinch, 4; Tree Sparrow, 25 Junco, o; Song Sparrow, 7; Cardinal, 16; White breasted Nuthatch, ro; Tufted Titmouse, 6; Chickadee, 63, ‘Votal, 19 species; 193 individuals, Guo, In Forpyen, C, A, Lanpy, W, HW, Wane, WH, W. Wiisonnnmn, Lafayette, Ind. (to Soldier's Home by river road and return by Happy Hollow road), Dec, 25; 8.46 A.M. to 12M, Cloudy; snowing, ground slightly covered with snow; wind west, brisk; temp, 30”, Might miles on foot, Observers together, Belted Kinglisher, 1, Downy Woodpecker 6; Horned Lark #8; Blue Jay,4; American Crow, 9; American Gold finch, 4; Tree Sparrow, 20; Slate-colored Junco, 140; Song Sparrow, 115 Cardinal, 9, White breasted Nuthateh, 6; Pulled Titmouse, 1g, Total, 12 species, 219 individuals, The king fisheris unusual, but was identified with doubt, -M, L.iisnnk and PAUL AITKIN nH An, Millers, Ind, (Walk from Gary to Millers and among the Sand Dunes at Millers), Dec, 27; 11 A.M, 104 97.M, Ground covered with 4 in, of snow; sky overcast; wind south west, light; temp, 26", Downy Woodpecker, 1; Red-headed Woodpecker, 2; Ulue Jay, 10; American Crow, 6; Wvening Grosbeak, 4; Kedpoll, 20; Tree Sparrow, 6; Cardinal, 1; Chickadee, 13, Total, 9 species, 63 individuals, On Dee, 21, go Mvening Grosheaks were seen at Millers,-—C, W, G, Wirnia and Cukmsawiin J, Hone, Millers, Ind.—Dec, 26; 7.30 A.M, to 4.40 1M, Clear; 4 in, snow, wind southwest; temp, 14° at start, 24” at return, Twelve miles on foot, Observers together, Werring Gull, 15; Merganser, 3; Red-headed Woodpecker, 4; Wlue Jay, 190; American Crow, 4; Redpoll, 25; Goldfinch (7), 1; Pine Siskin, 10; Tree Sparrow, soo; Junco, 19, White breasted Nuthatch, 1; Tufted Titmouse, 1; Chickadee, 2, 200 individuals, The Pine Siskin was studied with glasses at 2g feet, yellow on wing noted —Postun BALLARD, Joun Austin Kune, and Junckus Mason, Chicago, IMinois, Zuma Township, Rock Island Co., Ill.,-—Dec, 22; 4 a.m, to 3,45 ¥.M, Cloudy and foggy; ground bare and very wet; wind west, light; temp, 48” at start, 40” at return, Twelve miles on foot, Bob-white, 25 (two covies); Kough-legged Hawk, 3; Screech Owl, 1; Great Horned Owl, 1; Hairy Woodpecker, 5; Downy Woodpecker, 12; Med headed Woodpecker, 49; Red-bellied Woodpecker, 4; Vrairie Horned Lark, 12; Ulue Jay, 30; American Crow, 17; Tree Sparrow, 160; Slate-colored Junco, 25; Cardinal, 7; Brown Creeper, 6; White-breasted Nuthatch, 11; Tufted Vitmouse, 4, Chickadee, 22 Total, 1% species, about 249 individuals,—Joum J, ScnAKiN, Rantoul, Ill.—Dec, 26; 10 Am, to 12 Mm, Ground frozen; cloudy with snow flurries northwest wind; temp, 20°, Prairie Hen, 27; Cooper's Hawk, 1; Ked-shouldered Wawk, 1; Rough-legged Hawk, 3; Screech Owl, 3; Hairy Woodpecker, 2; Downy Woodpecker, 3; Vlicker, 7; Prairie Horned Lark, so; Blue Jay, 2; American Crow, 42; Lapland Long spur, 65; Tree Sparrow, 95; Junco, 30; Song Sparrow, 2; White-breasted Nuthatch, 1, Total, 16 species, about 415 individuals, Sipmuy Vi, Wentaw and W, Vimirk WenLaw, Albion, Ill.—Dec, 25; 4,30 to 11.30 a.m, Cloudy; ground hare; wind west, light, temp, 26° to 28°, Six miles, Killdeer, 1; Bob-white, 1; Prairie Chicken 9; Mourning Dove 1; Cooper’s Hawk 1; Barred (7) Owl, 1; Hairy Woodpecker, 1; Downy Wood pecker, 5; Red-headed Woodpecker, 5; Red-bellied Woodpecker, 12; Wicker, 11; Blue / Votal, 1% species, about 44 Bird - Lore Jay, 26; American Crow, 3; Goldfinch, 1; Tree Sparrow, 100; Junco, 700; Song Sparrow, 3; Cardinal, 1 pair, 1 individual; Tufted Titmouse, 2; Chickadee, 5. Total, 20 species, 881 individuals—Joun H. Goocu. Sioux City, Iowa (Car to Noith Riverside, north to ravines and return).—Dec. 26; 10 A.M. to 4 P.M. Cloudy; light fall of snow, intermittent through the day; wind west and northwest, strong in the open; temp. 28° to 30°. Eight miles on foot, distance covered 18 miles. Observers together. Hairy Woodpecker, 1; Downy Woodpecker, 2; Flicker, 1; American Crow, 8; Blue Jay, 2; American Goldfinch, 5; Tree Sparrow, 60 (estimate); Junco, 14; Cardinal, 8; White-breasted Nuthatch, 2; Chickadee, 50 (esti- mate). Total, 11 species, about 153 individuals—Mrs. F. W. Marswatrt, Miss JOSEPHINE SmitTH and Mrs. H. M. Battery. Lexington, Ky.—Dec. 27; 10 A.M. to 12.30 P.M. Alternate sunshine and cloudy, occasional flurries of snow, little snow on ground, not covering it; temp. 24° to 28°. Route through cemetery where are many shrubs, evergreens and deciduous trees. Downy Woodpecker, 1; Red-bellied Woodpecker, 1; Flicker, 2; Crow, 1; Junco, 50; Cardinal, (one pair); Brown Creeper, 3; Chickadee, 8; Golden-crowned Kinglet, 25. Total, 9 species, 93 individuals—Emity BARNES, ISABEL Clay, and S. WOOTEN. Louisville, Ky.— Dec. 25, 8.30 A.M. to 3 P.M. Ground bare at start; snowing profusely at return: wind southwest, strong; temp. 28° at start, 29° at return. Nine miles on foot. Observers together. Mallard Duck 5; Red-shouldered Hawk (?), 2; Belted Kingfisher, 1; Hairy Woodpecker, 1; Downy Woodpecker, 3; Red-bellied Woodpecker, 2; Flicker, 1; Blue Jay, 3; American Crow, 15; Red-winged Blackbird, 1; Meadowlark, 50; White- throated Sparrow, 27: Slate-colored Junco, 60; Song Sparrow, 19; Towhee, 3; Cardinal, 75; Brown Creeper, 4; Mockingbird, 1; White-breasted Nuthatch, 5; Tufted Titmouse, 21; Black-capped Chickadee, 19. Total, 21 species, 318 individuals. Blue Jays, which usually abound in this vicinity, are exceedingly scarce now, the above being the first noted in 5 or 6 weeks—Burtr Monroe and SwaLE GORDON. Bowling Green, Ky.—Dec. 23; 8.30 A.M. to 3.30 P.M. Cloudy; wind north, light; temp. 33° to 48°. Four miles on foot. Observers together. Turkey Buzzard, 1; Black Vulture, rr; Belted Kingfisher, 1; Hairy Woodpecker, 3; Southern Downy Woodpecker, 6; Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, 1: Flicker, 4; Prairie Horned Lark, 9; Blue Jay, 13; American Crow, 125; Purple Finch, 30; American Goldfinch, 30; White-crowned Sparrow, 40; White-throated Sparrow, 8; Tree Sparrow, 3; Chipping Sparrow, 5; Slate-colored Junco, 150; Song Sparrow, 11; Towhee, 7: Cardinal, 75; Cedar Waxwing, 25 (one flock); Myrtle Warbler, 8; Mockingbird, 4; Carolina Wren, 3; Bewick Wren, 1; White-breasted Nuthatch, 2; Tufted Titmouse, 50; Carolina Chickadee, 50; Bluebird, 47. Total, 29 species, 723 individuals. Other birds seen within the week preceding census: Killdeer, Mourning Dove, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Meadowlark, Field Sparrow, Brown Creeper, and Robin. Grand total, 36. Golden-crowned Kinglets, usually winter residents, are not in evidence this winter, being rare even in migrations. On account of the mild fall and winter there have been many more birds here this winter than were to be found last winter. Two flocks of Rusty Blackbirds seen as late as December 7.—ROBERT ALEXAN- DER, L. Y. LANCASTER, and GorRDON WILSON. St. Louis, Mo. (Creve Coeur Lake).—Dec. 28; 9.45 A.M. to 3.45 P.M. Clear; slight covering of snow; wind northwest; temp. 25° to 28°. The party, 12 in number, covered an area of about two and a half square miles. Bob-white, 1; Marsh Hawk, 1; Sparrow Hawk, 6; Red-tailed Hawk, 1; Red-shouldered Hawk, 3; Bald Eagle, 2; Hairy Wood- pecker, 5; Downy Woodpecker, 13; Red-bellied Woodpecker, 13; Red-headed Wood- pecker, 1; Flicker, 61; Blue Jay, 1; American Crow, 61; Cowbird, 1; Red-winged Black- bird, 68; Purple Finch, 6; American Goldfinch, 27; Tree Sparrow, 250; Junco, 67; Song Sparrow, 67; Cardinal, 54; Logger-head Shrike, 1; Brown Creeper, 2; White- breasted Nuthatch, 1; Red-breasted Nuthatch, 1; Tufted Titmouse, 47; Black-capped Bird-Lore’s Nineteenth Christmas Census As Chickadee, 20. Total, 27 species, 773 individuals.—THE Sr. Louis Birp CLus, Dr. RoBertT J. TERRY, President, Mrs. KELtton E. WHITE, Secretary. St. Louis, Mo. (Creve Coeur Lake and vicinity).—Dec. 22; 7.30 A.M. to 2.30 P.M. Clear. and very damp; wind southwest, strong; temp. 40° at start, 48° at return. Twelve miles on foot. Observers together. Pied-billed Grebe, 1; Green-winged Teal, 6; Caro- lina Rail, 1; Bob-white, 6; Duck Hawk, 1; Sharp-shinned Hawk, 1; Cooper’s Hawk, 1; Red-shouldered Hawk, 1; Sparrow Hawk, 4; Bald Eagle, 1; Pigeon Hawk, 1; Kingfisher, 1; Downy Woodpecker, 16; Hairy Woodpecker, 8; Red-headed Woodpecker, 2; Red- bellied Woodpecker, 2; Flicker, 15; Blue Jay, 15; Crow, 70; Prairie Horned Lark, 13; Meadowlark, 2; Red-wing Blackbird, 1; Bronzed Grackle, 1; Purple Finch, 6; Goldfinch, 9; Tree Sparrow, 187; White-throated Sparrow, 7; Song Sparrow, 14; Fox Sparrow, 2; Slate-colored Junco, 124; Towhee, 1; Cardinal, 44; Northern Shrike, 1; Myrtle Warbler, 2; Mockingbird, 1; Carolina Wren, 3; Winter Wren, 2; Tufted Titmouse, 35; Carolina Chickadee, 27; Golden-crowned Kinglet, 3; Brown Creeper, 5; White-breasted Nut- hatch, 4; Robin, 2; Bluebird, 7. Total, 44 species, 656 individuals —DENT JOKERST and Pau DENT. Kansas City, Mo. (Country Club and Brush Creek Region, Swope Park, and Lower Blue Valley).—Dec. 25. Clear; 11 in. snow on ground; light northwest wind; temp. 7°. Bob-white, 8; Red-tailed Hawk, 1; Sparrow Hawk, 2: Screech Owl, 1; Hairy Woodpecker, 8; Downy Woodpecker, 7; Red-bellied Woodpecker, 3; Northern Flicker, 1; Prairie Horned Lark, 6; Blue Jay, 10; American Crow, 45; Red-winged Blackbird, 15; Bronzed Grackle, 2; Crossbill, 3; Goldfinch, 35; Harris’s Sparrow, 40; White-crowned Sparrow, 2; Tree Sparrow, 50; Slate-colored Junco, 500; Song Sparrow, 250; Fox Sparrow, 8; Towhee, 5; Cardinal, 25; Carolina Wren, 6; Brown Creeper, 12; White-breasted Nuthatch, 2; Red-breasted Nuthatch, 3; Tufted Titmouse, 15; Black-capped Chickadee, 75; Blue- bird, 1. Total, 30 species, 1,141 individuals.—W. C. MicHaeEts and Son, A. E. SHIRLING and Harry HArris. Marionville, Mo.—Dec. 26; to A.M. to 6 p.m. Clear; wind, northwest; about 6 in. of snow; temp. o° to 35°. Area covered about 8 miles. Bob-white, 100; Marsh Hawk, 1; American Rough-legged Hawk, 1; Screech Owl, 2; Downy Woodpecker, 10; Red-bellied Woodpecker, 1; Flicker 1; Prairie Horned Lark, 150; Blue Jay, 18; Crow, 800; Meadow- lark, 2; Purple Finch, 14; American Goldfinch, 30; Harris Sparrow, 4; White-throated Sparrow, 4; Tree Sparrow, 200; Field Sparrow, 20; Slate-colored Junco, 600; Song Spar- row, 230; Fox Sparrow, 2; Cardinal, 20; Loggerhead Shrike, 1; White-breasted Nut- hatch, 3; Chickadee, 20; Tufted Titmouse, 16. Total, 25 species, about 2,250 individ- uals —JOoHNSON NEFF. Nashville, Tenn.—Dec. 24; 1 to 5 p.m. Cloudy; ground bare; wind north, stiff; temp. 38° to 32°. Four miles on foot. Killdeer, 2; Bob-white, 6; Black Vulture, 8; Red-tailed Hawk, 1; Sparrow Hawk, 2; Screech Owl, 1; Great Horned Owl, 1; Hairy Woodpecker, 1; Downy Woodpecker, 4; Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, 2; Red-bellied Wood- pecker, 3; Flicker, 6; Prairie Horned Lark, 40; Crow, 18; Meadowlark, 6; Bronzed Grackle, 4,000 (at roost); Goldfinch, 8; Savannah Sparrow, 4; White-throated Sparrow 15; Field Sparrow, 20; Slate-colored Junco, 110; Song Sparrow. 18; Fox Sparrow, 2; Towhee, 12; Cardinal, 25; Migrant Shrike, 1 (rare here); Mockingbird, 8; Bewick Wren, 1; White-breasted Nuthatch, 1; Tufted Titmouse 4; Carolina Chickadee 10; Bluebird, 14; Robin, 8.000 (roosting in cemetery evergreens with the Grackles). Total, 33 species, 12,360 individuals—A. F. GANIER. Bismarck, N. D.—Dec. 26; 9 A.M. to 1 p.m. Medium light wind; temp. 20° to 30°; ground completely covered with snow, quite deep in places. About 15 miles covered. Pinnated Grouse, 2; Prairie Sharp-tailed Grouse, 25; Screech Owl, 1; Prairie Horned Lark, 8; Magpie, 10; Redpoll, 35; Black-capped Chickadee, 4. Total, 7 species, 85 individuals ——RussELL REID. 46 Bird - Lore Charlson, N. D.—Dec. 20; 10 a.m. to 4 P.M. Mostly clear; ground partly snow-covered: wind varying from southwest to southeast, light; temp. 20° at start, 30° at return. Prairie Sharp-tailed Grouse, 19; Goshawk, 1; Magpie, 6; Redpoll, 15; Bohemian Wax- wing, 14. Total, 5 species, 55 individuals——ApDrRIAN LARSON. Yankton, S. D.—Dec. 27; 1.15 to 5 P.M. Cloudy; traces of snow on the ground; wind northwest, medium; temp. 25°. Distance covered, 6 miles. Observers together. Hairy Woodpecker, 2; Downy Woodpecker, 5; Flicker, 1; American Crow, 1; Redpoll, 45; Tree Sparrow, 60; Slate-colored Junco, 10; Montana Junco, 3; Bohemian Waxwing, 115; Brown Creeper, 4; White-breasted Nuthatch, 1; Long-tailed Chickadee, 25; Golden-crowned Kinglet, 1; Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 2. Total, 14 species, 275 individuals. —AusTIN P. LARRABEE and PutILo J. LARRABEE. Fremont, Neb. (Hormel’s Island, and country roads leading to town).—Dec. 26; 8.45 A.M. to 1 P.M. Partly cloudy; ground covered lightly with snow; light wind; temp. 30° to 35°. Distance covered, 8 miles. Screech Owl, 1; Hairy Woodpecker, 10; Downy Woodpecker, 12; Northern Flicker, 2; Prairie Horned Lark, 5; American Crow, 25; Goldfinch, 7; Lapland Longspur, 6; Tree Sparrow, 58; Slate-colored Junco, 7; Cardinal, 8; Brown Creeper, 2; White-breasted Nuthatch, 2; Chickadee, 43. Total, 14 species, 188 individuals.—Lity Rurcc Burton. Bozeman, Mont.—Dec. 25; 10 A.M. to 2 P.M. Clear; ground thinly covered with snow; calm; temp 16° at start, 26° at return. Five miles on foot. Red-shafted Flicker, 1; Magpie, 16; Redpoll, 23; Pale Goldfinch, 5; Western Tree Sparrow, 8; Mountain Song Sparrow, 5; Bohemian Waxwing, 70; Dipper, 1; Long-tailed Chickadee, 21; Mountain Chickadee, 1. Total, ro species, 151 individuals NELSON LUNDWALL. Great Falls, Mont. (Observations at ranch 18 miles west).—Dec. 25; 2 to 5 P.M. Clear; light snow on ground; mild west wind; temp. 33°. Four miles of river bottom. ‘Pin-tail’ Grouse, 8; Hairy Woodpecker, 3; Downy Woodpecker, 1; Flicker, 3; Horned Lark, 7; Magpie, 27; Pine Siskin, 33; Lapland Longspur, 5; Redpoll, (estimate) 150; Tree Sparrow, 29; Northern Shrike, 2; Bohemian Waxwing, 49; Chickadee, 23. Total, 13 species, 340 individuals. Birds observed with an 8X Bausch and Lomb glass. The Pine Siskins, Redpolls, Tree Sparrows, and Chickadees, were intermingled in a sun- flower field, and I am satisfied there were a great many more of each variety than I was able to count. The Horned Larks and Lapland Longspurs were also found together. The Waxwings were feeding on the berries of wild rose bushes.—LEE M. Forp. Great Falls, Mont. (City Limits)—Dec. 25; 1 to 3 p.m. Clear and bright sun; skim of snow; no wind; temp. 32°. Bufflehead Duck, 52; Downy Woodpecker, 2; Sparrow Hawk, 1; Hawk (unidentified), 1; Magpie, 3; Siskin, 30; Tree Sparrow, 12; Northern Shrike, 2; Chickadee, 3. Total, 8 species, 106 individuals —BERNERS B. KELLY. Denver, Colo.—Dec. 25; 8 to 9 A.M. and 5 to 5.30 p.m. Walking and by auto, 7% miles; 90 per cent cloudless; ro in. of snow on ground; wind light, east; temp. 7° in forenoon and 20° in afternoon. Ring-necked Pheasant, 2; Long-eared Owl, 5; Orange- shafted Flicker, 4; Prairie Horned Lark, 11; Magpie 1; Meadowlark, 5; Red-winged Blackbird, 60; House Finch, 16; Tree Sparrow, 11; Mountain Junco, 3; Pink-sided Junco, 2; Song Sparrow, 1. Total, 12 species, 121 individuals—W. H. BERGTOLD. Golden, Colo. (Walk to Lookout Mountain and return).—Dec. 26; 8.30 A.M. to 3 p.M. Clear; 6 in. of snow; chinook wind; temp. 15° at start, 36° at return. Ten miles on foot. Rocky Mountain Hairy Woodpecker, 1; Red-shafted Flicker, 3; Magpie, 7; Long-crested Jay, 1; Gray-crowned Rosy Finch, flock of 35; Western Tree Sparrow, 14; Pink-sided Junco, 12; Gray-headed Junco, 5; Northern Shrike, 1; Red-breasted Nuthatch, 2; Mountain Chickadee, 5. Total, 11 species, 86 individuals.—PAUL H.STEELE. Tucson, Ariz., (University of Arizona campus, west and north in Santa Cruz and Rillito valleys).—Dec. 26; 11.15 to 11.45 A.M. and 2 to 5.30 P.M. Clear; light south wind; temp. 57°. Duck (unidentified), 1; American Coot, 3; Mourning Dove, 30: Inca Dove, Bird-Lore’s Nineteenth Christmas Census 47 2; Marsh Hawk, 2; Desert Sparrow Hawk, 1; Road-runner, 1; Gila Woodpecker, 3; Red-shafted Flicker 3; Gilded Flicker, 7; White-throated Swift, 15; Say Phoebe, 5; Black Phoebe, 1; Vermilion Flycatcher, 1; White-necked Raven, 110; Yellow-headed Blackbird, 75; Red-winged Blackbird (subsp.?), 400; Rio Grande Meadowlark, 11; Western Lark Sparrow, 5; Gambel’s Sparrow, 225; Montana (?) Junco, 6; Cafion Towhee, 4; Arizona Pyrrhuloxia, 9; White-rumped Shrike, 4; Audubon’s Warbler, 3; Western Mockingbird, 1; Palmer’s Thrasher, 19; Cactus Wren, 4; Mountain Bluebird, 13. Total, 29 species, 964 individuals. Numbers above 50 are estimates.—CHARLES T. VORHIES. Multnomah (near Portland), Ore., to Columbia Slough (near Vancouver), Wash.— Dec. 22; all day. Clear day; very little wind; temp. about 40°. Observation taken within to-mile radius. Glaucous-winged Gull. 89; Herring Gull, 47; California Gull, 11; Mallard Duck, 187; Hooded Merganser, 12; Green-winged Teal, 2; Eared Grebe, 19; unidentified Ducks on wing, about 1,000; Canvasback Duck, 14; Canada Goose, 29; Great Blue Heron, 1; Belted Kingfisher, 1: Northwestern Flicker, 4; Steller Jay, 3; Crow, 137; Western Meadowlark, 5; California Purple Finch, 17; Willow Goldfinch, 9; Oregon Junco, 98; Golden-crowned Sparrow, 21; Rusty Song Sparrow, 6; Oregon Towhee, 7; Pipit, 96; Western Winter Wren, 1; Nuthatch, 5; Oregon Chickadee, 9; Chestnut- backed Chickadee, 7: Western Golden-crowned Kinglet, 21; Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 1; Western Robin, 4. Total, 29 species, about 1,862 individuals. Observed together. A car passed over the trestle while we were observing the ducks and caused them to rise from the slough, we were all surprised at the large number. Two old duck-hunters told us that it had been years since they had seen so many at one time.— FRANK Patron, Mary Patron, A. L. CAmpBpett, Mamirt CAMPBELL. Portland, Ore.—Dec. 23; 8.45 A.M. to 4.30 P.M. Clear; heavy frost in morning, not entirely melting all day; light easterly winds; average temp. 32°. Glaucous-winged Gull, 2; Herring Gull, 5; California Gull, 8; Wilson’s Snipe, 5; Mallard, 160; Cinnamon Teal, 6; Pintail Duck, 2; Scaup Duck, 15; Coot, 8; Bob-white, 1; California Quail, 12; Ring-necked Pheasant, 7; Desert Sparrow Hawk, 1; Belted Kingfisher, 1; Red-shafted Flicker, 6; Western Crow, 10; Western Evening Grosbeak, 1; Crossbill, 50; Willow Goldfinch, 4; Pine Siskin, 10; Oregon Junco, 20; Rusty Song Sparrow, 10; Yakutat Fox Sparrow, 1; Oregon Towhee, 3; Western Winter Wren, 1; California Creeper, 1; Red- breasted Nuthatch, 5; Oregon Chickadee, 18; Chestnut-backed Chickadee, 3; Western Robin, 1. Total, 31 species, 353 individuals —MAry E. RAKER. Portland, Ore. (Hills near Portland and Guild’s Lake).—Dec. 24; 8 A.M. to 3 P.M. Clear, sunny; ground bare and frozen hard; wind northwest, brisk; temp. 33° at start, 36° at return. Seven miles on foot. Observers together in forenoon, separated in afternoon. Glaucous-winged Gull, 19; Western Gull, 12; Canvasback Duck, 43; Great Blue Heron, 2; Killdeer, 4; Wilson Snipe, 2; Lewis Woodpecker, 5; Red-shafted Flicker, 2; Northwestern Crow, 27; Western Meadowlark, 17 (flock); Brewer Blackb*rd, 63 (flock); Willow Goldfinch, 30 (flock); Intermediate Junco, 37; Rusty Song Sparrow, 10; Oregon Towhee, 3; Vigors Wren, 5; Western Winter Wren, 3; Oregon Chickadee, 6; Chestnut-backed Chickadee, 4; Golden-crowned Kinglet, 11. Total, 20 species, about 280 individuals. Lewis Woodpecker seen flying about oak trees on an island in Guild’s Lake, greenish back, white collar and reddish throat and breast noted —W. L.BREWSTER, Jr., and D. K. Strone. Sodaville, Ore., (by way of Waterloo, and Berlin, to Scott Creek Ford, with team, twelve miles and return.)—Dec. 21; 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Cloudy; no snow; wind, east, light; temp. average 36°. Cooper’s Hawk, 1; Western Red-tail, 1; Desert Sparrow Hawk, 8; Northwestern Kingfisher, 3; Harris Woodpecker, 1; Red-shafted Flicker, 29; Steller Jay, 4; Crow, 200; Weste1n Meadowlark, 25; Crossbill, 400; Oregon Junco, 1,000; Rusty Song Sparrow, 12; Oregon Towhee, 10; Dipper, 1; Seattle Wren, 9; Western Winter Wren, 20; Red-breasted Nuthatch, 3; Oregon Chickadee, 12; Western Golden-crowned King- 48 Bird - Lore let, 36; Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 4; (Dwarf) Hermit Thrush, 1; Western Robin, 1; Western Bluebird, 2. Total, 23 species, about, 1,783 individuals. Concerning the Hermit Thrush, there is a variety which spends the winter here, but the authorities are too indefinite concerning winter ranges, for a positive statement as to its correct name. Bird seen at. twenty feet with an 8X glass.—LeEsiie L. HASKIN. Turlock, to Newman, Calif.—Dec. 25; 11 A.M. to 3 p.m. Clear; warm; light northwest wind; temp. 53°. Twenty-two miles by auto. Pied-billed Grebe, 1; White Pelican, 8; Mallard, 2; Green-winged Teal, 1; Shoveller, 17; Geese, (sp.?) 300; Great Blue Heron, 1; Little Brown Crane, 5; Coot, 125; Greater Yellow-legs, 1; Killdeer, 98; Valley Quail, 6; Western Mourning Dove, 23; Turkey Vulture, 3: Marsh Hawk, 3; Western Red-tail, 8; Red-bellied Hawk, 2; Ferruginous Rough-leg, 1; Sparrow Hawk, 5; Burrowing Owl, 7; Nuttall Woodpecker, 1; California Woodpecker, 6; Red-shafted Flicker, 10; Say Phoebe, 1; Black Phoebe, 6; Yellow-billed Magpie, 126; California Jay, 16; Western Crow, 11; Bicolored Red-wing, 50; Tricolored Red-wing, 300; Western Meadowlark, 175; Brewer Blackbird, 86; House Finch, 12; Willow Goldfinch, 8; Green-backed Goldfinch, 3; Western Savannah Sparrow, 15; Western Lark Sparrow, 4; Gambel Sparrow, 110; Golden-crowned Sparrow, 20; Thurber Junco, 60; San Diego Towhee, 1; California Towhee, ro; Cedar Waxwing, 2; California Shrike, 11; Audubon Warbler, 4; Pipit, 15; Western Mocking- bird, 4; Plain Titmouse, 3; Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 5. Additional species seen in same locality on Dec. 20: Willow Woodpecker, 2; White-tailed Kite, 2; Flycatcher, (Empi- donax sp.?) 1; Fox Sparrow, (Insularis ?) 5; Phainopepla, 1; Pacific Yellow-throat, 1; San Diego Wren, 2; California Bush-Tit, 12; Pallid Wren-Tit, 1; Western Robin, 1; Western Bluebird, 18. Total, 60 species, 1,738 individuals —Mr and Mrs. JoHN G. TYLER. Riverside, Calif. (City Parks).—Dec. 25; 9.30 to 11.30 A.M. Clear, strong northwind; temp. 58°. American Coot, 81; Killdeer, 1; Western Red-tail Hawk, 1; Black-chinned Hummingbird, 1; Cassin’s Kingbird, 1; Say Phoebe, 1; Black Phoebe, 4; California Jay, 1; Western Meadowlark, 11; Brewer’s Blackbird, 36; Lawrence’s Goldfineh, 6; Western Vesper Sparrow, 1; Gambel’s Sparrow, 12; Golden-crowned Sparrow 1; Western Chipping Sparrow, 2; Black-chinned Sparrow, 2; San Diego Song Sparrow, 8; House Finch, 11; California Towhee, 4; Bohemian Waxwing, 1; California Shrike, 6; Hutton’s Vireo, 1; Myrtle Warbler, 1; Audubon’s Warbler, 13; Pacific Yellow-throat, 2; Western Mockingbird, 10; Western House Wren, 3; California Bush-tit, 16; Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 5; Western Robin, 3; Western Bluebird, 16. Total, 31 species, 262 individuals.— Mrs. Greorce M. TuRNER. San Francisco County (Golden Gate Park, Sutro Park, and Lake Merced).—Dec. 22; Clear; temp. 55°. Western Grebe, 2; Eared Grebe, 25; Pied-billed Grebe, 9; Western Gull, Herring Gull, California Gull, Ring-billed Gull, 6,000 in all; Glaucous-wingedGull, 2; Farrallone Cormorant, 1; California Brown Pelican, 2; Mallard, 84; Baldpate, 22; Green-winged Teal, 44; Shoveller, 188; Canvasback Duck, 3,500; Lesser Scaup Duck, 20; Bufflehead Duck, 3; White-winged Scoter, 1; Ruddy Duck, 50; Great Blue Heron, 9; Coot, 1,000; Killdeer, 1; Black Turnstone, (1 on Seal Rocks); California Quail, 50; Barn Owl, 1; Burrowing Owl, 1; Willow Woodpecker, 1; Red-shafted Flicker, 5; Belted Kingfisher, 2; Anna Hummingbird, 7; Black Phoebe, 4; California Jay, 1; Bi-colored Blackbird, 250; Western Meadowlark, 50; Brewer Blackbird, 2; California Purple Finch, 2; California Linnet, 35; Green-backed Goldfinch, 8; Gambel’s Sparrow and Nuttall Sparrow, 300; Golden-crowned Sparrow, 12; Sierra Junco, 30; Santa Cruz Song Sparrow, 200; Yakutat Fox Sparrow, 5; San Francisco Towhee, 2; California Shrike, 2; Hutton Vireo, 2; Audubon Warbler, 1; Townsend Warbler, 1; Salt Marsh Yellow- throat, 2;.Pipit, 25; Vigors Wren, 2; Western Winter Wren, 1; Tule Wren, 1; Santa Cruz Chickadee, 14; Coast Bush-Tit, 35; Golden-crowned Kinglet, 32; Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 8; Dwarf Hermit Thrush, 6; Varied Thrush, 1; Western Robin, 1. Total, 61 species, 12,058 individuals.—(Troop 20, San Francisco, Boy Scouts of America.)— Bird-Lore’s Nineteenth Christmas Census AQ. RALPH VINCENT, SANFORD Mosk, ALVA WEINER, JOE GUTMAN, FRED GEINIENE, J. L. IRWIN, and HAROLD E. HANSEN. Is-sur-Tille, Dept. of Cote d’Or, France. Dec. 7; 8.15 A.M. to 4.25 P.M. A little sun- shine, but mostly cloudy, with fog during part of the morning; calm; ground bare; temp. about 50° to 60°. Kind of country visited: Plateau of Langres (mostly its eastern slopes), covered with thick growth (plantations) of pines, spruce, and larch; open cut- over oak woods; thickets of cedar, juniper, Crategus, etc.; pasture land; ploughed fields; and rather open bottom-land of Tille River with bordering beds of bulrushes; sedge, and reed (Phragmites). Distance covered about eight miles. Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos), 3; Water Rail (Rallus aquaticus), 1; Kestrel (Tinnunculus tinnunculus), 1; Tawny Owl (Syrnium aluco), 1; European Kingfisher (Alcedo ispida), 1; Greater Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopus major), 4; Magpie (Pica pica), 7; European Jay (Garrulus glandarius), 7; Carrion Crow (Corvus corone), 16; House Sparrow (Passer domesticus), 75; Bullfinch (Pyrrhula europaea), 3; Crossbill (Loxia curvirostra), 4; Chaffiinch (Fringilla celebs), 1; Yellow Bunting (Emberiza citrinella), 25; Gray Wagtail (Motacilla boarula), 2; European Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes), 5; Continental Great Tit (Parus major), 2; Continental Coal Tit (Parus ater), 3; Continental Blue Tit (Parus ceruleus), 4; Crested Tit (Parus cristatus mitratus), 13; Marsh Tit (Parus palustris longirostris), 8; Golden- crested Wren (Regulus regulus), 33; Firecrest (Regulus ignicapillus), 1; European Black- bird (Turdus merula), 2; Missel Thrush (Turdus viscivorus), 5. Total, 25 species, 227 individuals —FRANcIS HARPER and REMINGTON KELLOGG. Sore, Dept. of Landes, southwestern France.—Dec. 15; 8.30 to 11.30 A.M., 1.30 to 4.30 P.M. Weather clear and sunny; temp. 50°; ground bare; no perceptible wind. Euro- pean Coot (Fulica atra), 1; Wood Pigeon (Columba palumbus), 4; European Sparrow Hawk (Accipiter nisus), 1; Common Buzzard (Buteo vulgaris), 1; Green Woodpecker (Gecinus viridis), 8; Woodlark (Alauda arborea), 4; Magpie, 25; European Jay, 6; Car- rion Crow, 50; House Sparrow, 10; Chaffinch, 20; Common Bunting (Emberiza miliaria), 1; Reed Bunting (Emberiza schoeniclus), 5; White Wagtail (Motacilla alba), 2; Gray- headed Wagtail (Motacilla flava), 4; Tree Pipit (Anthus trivialis), 12; European Wren, 10; Tree Creeper (Certhia familiaris), 6; European Nuthatch (Sitta caesia), 5; Long-tailed Tit (Acredula caudata), 35; Great Tit, 2; Blue Tit, 23; Crested Tit, 9; Dartford Warbler (Sylvia undata), 2; Firecrested Wren, 20; European Robin (Erithacus rubecula), 12; European Blackbird, 2. Total, 27 species, 280 individuals.—Tuomas D. BurLEIGH, A.E.F. Chaumont, Dept. of Haute Marne, France.—Dec. 16; dawn to 12.30 P.M. Overcast; frequent showers after 9 A.M.; strong west wind; temp. 40° to 50°. Country visited: Val- ley of the Marne River, uplands, ploughed fields and conifer woods on the hills. Dis- tance covered about to miles. Little Grebe (Podiceps fluviatilis), 1; Wood Pigeon, 2; European Buzzard, 2; Kestrel, 4; European Kingfisher, 2; Skylark, 25; Magpie, 10; European Jay, 2; Carrion Crow, 10; Rook (Corvus frugilegus), 2; Chaffinch, 8; House Sparrow, 4; European Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus), 14; Yellow Bunting, 20; Cirl Bunting (Emberiza cirlus), 1; European Wren, 5; Tree Creeper, 1; Long-tailed Tit, 16; Great Tit, 5; Coal Tit, 2; Marsh Tit, 5; Blue Tit, 2; Dipper (Cinclus aquaticus), 1; Gold- crest, 15; Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita), 1; European Robin, 1; European Blackbird, 2; Missel Thrush, 2. Total, 28 species, 165 individuals. Very poor country for birds. This is a small list for this latitude in Europe. The Chiffchaff is quite exceptional at this sea- son so far north. Seen also since Dec. 1., European Sparrow Hawk, 1; White Wagtail, 1; Gray Wagtail, 1—LupLow Griscom, 2d Lieut. Inf. U.S. A. THE SEASON XI. October 15 to December 15, 1918 Boston Rrecion.—The two months since mid-October have witnessed the transition from the close of fall migration to the con- ditions of early winter. October was re- markable for its succession of fine sunny days without extreme weather. Novem- ber, on the other hand, was less delightful, with many gray and rainy days. The first snowfall came December 3 and was fol- lowed by a second, with several inches of snow. Succeeding warmer weather, how- ever, with rain, had quite melted it away by the rsth, revealing once more the grass still green underneath, The latter half of October saw prac- tically the close of the autumnal migration. The passing hosts of Blackpoll and Myrtle Warblers quickly dwindled; the last one of the former was seen at Cambridge on October 31 and most of the latter had gone a little before. Fox Sparrows arrived in some numbers during the latter half of the month, but were not as abundant as in some years. The first Tree Sparrows were noticed on November 3, in Cambridge, but the flight seems to have been small. Hairy Woodpeckers have been unusually noticeable. A number appear to be win- tering in Cambridge, attracted, no doubt, by the many dying or partly decayed trees which, after the plague of gypsy, brown- tail and leopard moths, elm-leaf-and other beetles, during the past decade, have gradually succumbed. About November 1r, a Hairy Woodpecker was seen on two or three successive days excavating a roosting-hole in a dead branch of an elm. Downy Woodpeckers have also been more conspicuous than usual, coming freely into the more settled parts of the city, attracted, like the Hairys, by the amount of food to be found in the decaying trees. A few Flickers still remain, and are doubtless the ones that will winter. More Black- capped Chickadees are to be seen than last year, apparently, yet there are no large bands, but small companies, seldom over five in number. These have settled down for the winter, each in some par- ticular neighborhood. ‘Thus, one little company of five is usually to be seen work- ing through the shade trees, spruces, and willows, of the part of Cambridge near the Botanic Gardens. Much interest attaches to the arrival of the irregular winter visitors from the north. Already, in late September, a few Red-breasted Nuthatches had made their appearance, but the flight has been dis- appointingly small; only a comparatively few birds seem to have come from the north. Great Northern Shrikes appeared in November and have been rather com- moner than usual, even coming into the city. A few Snowy Owls have been re- ported from the coast, as at Ipswich and Essex. Pine Grosbeaks in small numbers also came in November, and, best of all, Evening Grosbeaks are with us again. A few were noticed in Belmont, November 29, and other small flocks have been re- ported from several nearby localities. It has been suggested by Dr. Walter Faxon that the extensive planting of box-elders, or ash-leaved maples, has been responsible, in part at least, for the almost regular visits of this bird in the east of late years. The seeds of this tree form one of its favorite articles of diet, and it is interesting to see that there is an abundant crop on the trees this year. In Cambridge, the Starling is becoming a familiar bird and bids fair to make an attractive addition to the city avifauna if it keeps within bounds. Its habit of gathering in small companies in tree-tops, and there keeping up a musical soliloquy of sweet, whistled notes is at least a decided improvement over the House Sparrows’ jargon. An interesting effect of the deep snow of December 6 was to temporarily deprive the street Pigeons of their ground food, so that at Cambridge three or four were seen awkwardly balancing among the (50) ‘ The Season SI small twigs of a hackberry tree while they greedily gathered its still hanging fruits.— GLover M. ALLEN, Boston, Mass. New York Recion.—The late fall was unusually mild, the trees becoming bare, grass growing brown, and country assum- ing a wintery aspect without the usual cold snaps. There seems to have been no general tendency for birds to linger late, however, with the one exception of Fox Sparrows, but several isolated cases of individuals, noted far later than the accustomed dates for the departure of their respective spe- cies, are at hand: near Plainfield, N. J., a Woodcock, December 8, and a flock of fifteen Mourning Doves, December 15 (W. DeW. Miller); two Barn Swallows migrating westward at Long Beach, No- vember 26 (J. R. P. Janvrin); a Black- throated Blue Warbler in Prospect Park, Brooklyn, November 2 (Theodore Dreier); three or four Northwestern Palm Warblers at Garden City, December 1, and a single one on December 8and 15 (J.T. N.). There is one other December record for this bird on Long Island, an individual observed in 1914 in the same part of the island, by Messrs. R. C. Murphy and C. H. Rogers. Otherwise it has not been noted after the middle of October. During this period Goldfinches have been in larger flocks and more generally distributed than usual, these and the wan- dering flocks and waves of Juncos being often the most abundant species met with on country tramps. Tree Sparrows have been late in reaching their accustomed fall feeding-grounds, having been scarce on Long Island until about Thanksgiving Day, and not being numerous yet south- westward. Except for a small flight of Pine Siskins in late October and early November, word has not reached us of the presence of any of the erratic northern Finches, except for a single Pine Grosbeak reported at Sands Point, Long Island, November 23 (Laidlaw Williams). There have been two or three reports of the Saw-whet Owl and Northern Shrike. In late November there was a noticeable influx of Hairy Woodpeckers to localities where the Downy only is common. The Hairy was frequently observed in Central Park, and a dead one was seen there by Dr. Jonathan Dwight. Of possible bear- ing on this movement of the Hairy is an observation made by the writer in the wooded district of south-central Long Island (Mastic), somewhat earlier, of a straggling, restless, noisy flock of upward of half a dozen birds. The species is com- mon there but almost always occurs singly or at most two together.—J. T. Nicnots, New Vork City. PHILADELPHIA REGION.—The mild, pleasant days of late October and early November passed with very few unusual occurrences in the bird world. The weather averaged several degrees warmer than common. White-throated Sparrows and Juncos reached the peak of their abundance about October 20 and remained very common until November 3, when they gradually decreased until they reached the ordinary winter level. During this period, also, hundreds of Robins and numbers of Cedar-birds were present. White-breasted Nuthatches were common, and several Red-breasted Nuthatches were observed (three October 20). The October flight of Woodcock was very light; most gunners I have interviewed simply say “saw none.” Horned Larks were first observed No- vember 1o at Norristown, Pa. A flock of fifty Pipits were seen on November 5 at Camden, N. J. Chickadees and Tree Spar- rows are much more common than they were last fall. To date I have noticed but two Red-tailed Hawks, while other years I have seen large numbers of them. This may be a local condition and due to some extent to the extremely mild weather, there having been no snow up to the time of this writing (December 11). The rarer northern visitors are notice- ably absent, although I have a reliable report that a flock of Pine Grosbeaks were seen in central Pike County, Pa., so it is quite probable that this species may be seen at points farther south before the end of the winter. Long-eared Owls were 52 Bird - first observed in their winter quarters, a thick growth of pines, November 23. A dead Saw-whet Owl, which had been shot, was found December 8.—JuLIAN Kk. Potter, Camden, N. J. WASHINGTON REGION.—Ornithological conditions about Washington during Octo- ber and November have been, with little exception, about normal. In some respects, however, the autumn migration has been rather irregular. Owing, doubtless, to the fine and moderate weather generally pre- vailing, there has been a tendency among summer birds and transients to linger later than usual. This is evidenced most con- spicuously by the Redstart, which was seen October 6 at Camp Meade, Md., by Sergt. C. H. Rogers, the latest previous autumn record of which is September 30, 1906; the Nashville Warbler, seen on October 13 by the same observer, the latest previous record of which is October 5, 1916; the Ovenbird, noted on October 4, the average departure of which is Sep- tember 28; the Black and White Warbler, seen, October 2, average date of departure, September 15; Prairie Warbler, October 2, average date of departure, September 14, and latest, October 6, 1912; the Magnolia Warbler, seen, October 16, at Kensington, Md., by Mrs. Edgar W. Moore, average date of departure, September 29; the Blackpoll Warbler, seen, October 25, by Miss K. B. Baird, average date of depart- ure, October 11; Black-billed Cuckoo, seen, October 2, average date of departure, September 21, and latest, October 8, 1916. On the contrary, several winter birds appeared earlier than common. These are the Herring Gull, noted by B. H. Swales, November 7, on the Potomac River, the average earliest autumn appearance of which is November 22; the White-crowned Sparrow, seen, October 6 at Camp Meade, Md., by Sergt. C. H. Rogers, the earliest previous autumn date of which is October 7, 1888; and two other species, observed by Mr. and Mrs. L. D. Miner, the records of which were received too late for inclus- ion in our previous report: the Junco, seen, September 14, the earliest previous autumn Lore appearance of which is September 22,1913; and the White-throated Sparrow, noted on the same day, the previous earliest date of which is September 15, 1880, if we except the unusual record of August 9, 1907. The Pine Siskin, which is by no-means a common bird about Washington during autumn, was noted on November 16 by L. D. Miner. The delightful little Winter Wren is apparently more common than usual this fall, and, induced by the mild weather, was heard singing by W. L. McAtee on November 17. On November 8, while exploring the nearly dried-up marsh along Four-mile Run, in Virginia, a tributary of the Poto- mac River, we came across two Song Spar- rows which were singing almost contin- uously a song so strange and utterly unlike any that we have ever before heard from the throat of a Song Sparrow that we could scarcely credit the evidence of our eyes. It was long and rambling, in form much resembling the song of the Purple Finch, but totally different in quality, being very harsh and scarcely musical, more like the grating notes of the Yellow-headed Black- bird than anything else that now occurs to mind. It would be interesting to deter- mine whether it happened to be simply an individual peculiarity, or whether it is the more or less regular late autumn song of the species —Harry C. OBERHOLSER, Biological Survey, Washington, D.C. MINNEAPOLIS ReEGION.—The weather conditions in southern Minnesota during the last two months have been unusually mild. The first killing frost did not occur in this vicinity until November 1. Thin ice formed on shallow ponds on that date, but there was no real freezing weather until three weeks later. Thanksgiving Day, November 28, there was a light snow on the ground, and for a few days it was rather wintry, but since then it has been mild for the time of the year, with con- siderable rain instead of snow. At this date the ground is bare and the larger lakes and rivers are only partially frozen over. These are exceptional December conditions in this part of Minnesota. The Season 53 No winter visitants have thus far been observed in this locality, but it should be said that the writer has been too much occupied of late with other duties to keep in close touch with bird matters. Carlos Avery, Game and Fish Commissioner, re- ports that he saw two Pine Grosbeaks up near Lake Vermillion, close to the Inter- national Boundary, during the last week of November. This bird is of regular occurrence in the winter in the northern part of the state, but south of the Canadian Zone it appears so infrequently that it is but little known to bird students in the Transition Zone. A Snowy Owl was taken October 14, near Bruno, Pine County, and several others were seen about the same time in Cass County. These localities are in the Canadian Zone, far north of Minne- apolis. A feature of special interest this fall, already referred to in my last report, was a marked falling off in the numbers of migrating Ducks. While the flight was fairly good for a day now and then in some localities, and hunters were satisfied with their bags at such times, it became plainly evident, as the season advanced, that the general abundance of nearly all species was much below the normal. Mr. Avery, closely in touch with the situation, as Game and Fish Commissioner, agrees with the estimate at which I had arrived that the bulk representation this fall was prob- ably not over 25 per cent of the normal of recent years. Various conjectures as to the reasons for this most unexpected con- dition have been offered. The abnormally low stage of water the past summer in all of the sloughs, ponds, and lakes of the breeding-area has been advanced as a possible cause. But this does not seem a wholly adequate explanation, and there must be other reasons. Wild rice and wild celery were unusually abundant this year, but this was of little avail, as the failure in the number of birds must have occurred from conditions operating further north earlier in the summer, before these crops were ready. The subject is worthy of special investigation, as it is a really im- portant matter. The situation was wholly unlooked for, coming as it did just when the increased protection of the past few years led everyone to expect that exactly opposite conditions would prevail. It is sad to think that the good old times are past, when, each October, the Canvas- backs and Redheads rose from the shallow waters of Heron Lake in such numbers that the sound made by their wings re- sembled the noise of a rapidly moving rail- way train. While it is probably true that the increased and systematic hunting of late years has played its part, it is reason- able to believe that the chief factors in this destruction have been the extensive drain- age operations, the tilling of both uplands and lowlands, and the presence of many men and their habitations in that great Northland which was once in quiet and undisturbed possession of these birds as a safe and congenial sanctuary for rearing their young.—TuHomas S. Rogerts, M.D., University of Minn., Minneapolis, Minn. Toe OsertIn Recion.—The most striking thing about the months under re- view has been the return of the bird-life to winter conditions in the third week of October, notwithstanding the lack of any- thing approaching wintry weather, even to the date of writing. Two large flocks of wild Geese, species not determined, but probably Blue Geese, were seen passing southwestward on November 23, and a smaller flock on the 25th. Ducks were reported as being excep- tionally scarce in the marshes in the vicinity of Sandusky. None visited the Oberlin waterworks reservoir, and only two Pied-billed Grebes were seen there during the autumn months. The first Snowy Owl which the writer has ever seen in this vicinity visited the western outskirts of Oberlin on the after- noon of November 30. One Bronzed Grackle and one Robin remain in the village, but there appear to be no Red- headed Woodpeckers anywhere in the re- gion. Northern Flickers are in their usual winter numbers. Chickadees have in- creased over the numbers of the two pre- ceding winters. Song Sparrows are also 54 more numerous than usual in winter. Six Mourning Doves have remained in a corn- field. They are pretty certain to remain all winter.—Lynps Jones, Oberlin, Ohio. Kansas City Recion.—The first stormy period of the season, which occurred on October 25 and 26, had been preceded by the usual migratory drifting of the more common species, marked by somewhat un- usual numbers of Savannah Sparrows, Purple Finches, and Song Sparrows, and an altogether unprecedented scarcity of Harris’s and Tree Sparrows. An up-river correspondent states that on October 10 a flock of Sandhill Cranes, numbering twenty-seven birds, was seen on an island in the Missouri River, and on October 14 a freshly killed specimen of the Wood- cock was examined. This region lies prac- tically outside the range of this bird, as the available records and traditions of its occurrence here, covering a period of sev- eral decades, indicate that it is merely a straggler up the Missouri valley, though common enough in the eastern part of Missouri during migration, and fairly abundant in the sunken regions in winter. The first movement of water-fowl on the Missouri River occurred on October 25, when great numbers of Coots, together with scattered small flocks of Blue- winged Teal, Shovellers, and Lesser Scaup, and a few Mallards, with one Redhead, were seen. Canada Geese in some num- bers were heard migrating during the nights of October 24 and 25, though none were seen on the river. These wise birds have long ago learned to avoid the centers of population in the Missouri valley, where their enemies are numerous and murderous. The next stormy period, during the third week in November, brought the Ducks in in greater numbers. During this flight a specimen of the Barrow’s Golden- eye was taken, this being the third recorded specimen from this region. R. P. Holland, who handled and photographed this Duck, saw a flock of three Whistling Swans on the Missouri River near the Iowa line on November g. This observer states that Bird - Lore the Bufflehead has been seen in numbers this year. This little Duck, like the Ruddy, is very irregular in the Missouri Valley. On November 17 and 24 swarms of mi- grating Sparrows of several species were found in the weed patches and willow thickets of the bottom-lands. The mild- ness of the season probably accounts for the unusual numbers, as under normal weather conditions the bulk of these birds are south of here at this time. The expected hordes of wintering Red- winged Blackbirds seem to have chosen other fields this year, or have not yet ap- peared, as they are scarce and wild. On December 1 a lone Bluebird was seen, as well as a small troop of three Meadowlarks.—Harry Harris, Kansas City, Mo. DENVER ReEGION.—The one standing interest in bird-life is the constant possi- bility of surprises. On November 22, dur- ing a ‘cold snap,’ while on my way to breakfast at the U.S.A. General Hospital, I was delighted, yet amazed, to see a single Bohemian Waxwing. This is the first time I have known this species to visit Denver during two succeeding winters; since see- ing the first one, a small flock has lingered about the hospital grounds, having been noted on November 26, 29, and 30, and December 4. Gambel’s Sparrows stayed here until October 28, and the Tree Sparrow, too, has been unusually common all fall. One might forecast an early and severe winter from the early arrival of the Tree Sparrow and the presence of the Waxwings, yet the season, so far, has been very mild, clear, and almost cloudless. Robins, Meadow- larks and Red-winged Blackbirds are still with us, and it is a treat to hear an occa- sional Meadowlark song. The Great Northern Butcher-bird has visited the hospital grounds this fall at least three times, to wit: on November 12 and 17, and December 7. I imagine it takes pretty heavy toll from the Tree Sparrows and Juncos, the latter being here in their usual winter abundance and va- riety.—W. H. BERGTOLD, Denver, Colo. Book Dews and Kieviews In THE WILDS OF SoUTH AMERICA. By Lro E. Mitrer. Chas. Scribner’s Sons, New York, 1918. 8vo. 424 pp.; colored frontispiece; 48 full-page illustrations from photographs, and 2 maps. This is a narrative of travel and explora- tion in the less-accessible part of our sister continent, incident to a study of its avi- fauna by the American Museum of Natural History. The narrative follows the course of nearly six years’ almost continuous ex- ploration into the tropical Jungles of the Amazon, Paraguay, Orinoco, and others of South America’s master rivers, and to the frigid heights of the snow-crowned Andes. The value to science of Mr. Miller’s work is familiar to every student who has fol- lowed Dr. Chapman’s recent publication on South American birds. The present volume is an interesting record of achieve- ment which will prove usefulin many ways. It gives a detailed, clean-cut picture of conditions, which will be of service to any future traveler. The author’s per- sonality, as revealed by various physical and human vicissitudes of an unnkown country, should be of interest to the in- experienced explorer. We have all of us mental pictures of the strange and beautiful birds of South Am- erican jungles. Comparatively few of us will be so favored as to know them in na- ture. Wesee them as on a Japanese screen, suspended against an intangible back- ground, and descriptions of conditions under which they are met with have much interest; for instance, the paragraphs relative to bird-life on the Rio Sucio in Chapter IX. The author here speaks of “fan interesting provision of nature where- by three families of birds frequently found in the same locality are able to obtain their sustenance. They are the parrots, trogons, and toucans, all of which feed upon fruit, each seeming to secure its food in a different manner. The zygodactyl feet of the parrots enable them to climb out to the tip of fruit-laden branches and to Cling to them in any position while feed- Ing; toucans, endowed with an enormously elongated bill are able to reach a long dis- tance for a coveted morsel, which is grasped between the tip of the mandibles and tossed back with an upward jerk of the head, to be swallowed; a trogon has a very short beak and neck, and the delicate feet are not adapted to climbing, but the wings of the bird are so constructed as to enable it to hover, from which position the fruit it desires may be snapped off the stem, when the bird returns to its perch to devour it.” Although obviously intended for popu- lar reading and full of human interest, it is to be regretted that the book is without an index which would have enhanced its reference value. It is illustrated from photographs of the country and natives and with a colored frontispiece of the Cock-of-the-rock by Fuertes.—J. T. N. Four YEARS IN THE WHITE NortTH. By Donatp B. MacMitian. Harper Bros., 413 pp., illustrated by photographs. This is a narrative of an Arctic Expe- dition in search of the supposed ‘Crocker Land.’ Its scene of operation was north- western Greenland and the land to the west thereof. An appendix of nine pages, which takes up 35 species of birds from this section of the Arctic, has much more ornithological interest than would be sup- posed from its brevity. We read with in- terest as regards the Fulmar that, “from a rest upon the water this bird spreads its wings and dives fully beneath the surface to grasp food.”” This is a method of feed- ing rare among Petrels, and which is, we believe, sometimes paralleled by species of the Southern Hemisphere. There are frequent references to birds in the narra- tive, and photographs of a flock of Little Auks and of the nest of the Knot—one showing a set of three eggs, the other the brooding adult—deserve special mention. “Contrary to the general belief, this bird lays its eggs not near the shore, but (55) 56 well back among the hills. The color of the back so closely resembles that of the soil that the bird on its nest can only be detected with difficulty.”—J. T. N. The Ornithological Magazines Ext Hornero.—The first number of this magazine of South American ornithology was reviewed in Brrp-LoreE for May-June. The second number, May, 1918, of 80 pages, has now come to hand. A leading article in it, by Roberto Dabbene, begins a review of Argentine Lariforms or Gulls, etc., illustrated with excellent line draw- ings of details of these birds, the present number dealing with the Gulls proper ’ (Larus). There are several local or faunal lists, especially noteworthy being one of birds of northeastern Argentina. By way of variety are articles by Pedro Serié, listing common and technical names of about 150 Argentine birds, an article by Anibal Cardoso, in which are repro- duced figures published by early Spanish pioneers of the Rhea and other species, which they encountered, and a reprint of a poem about the ‘Hornero’ by Leopoldo Lugones. A number of pages are devoted to shorter notes, especially interesting ones having to do with nesting and other life- histories. Here we find a full-page plate of a pair of Hawks, their nest and young, mounted in the National Museum of Natural History at Buenos Aires, and the description of a new subspecies of Bush Shrike (Batara cinerea argentina), and Dabbene describes the remarkable habit of the Yellow-billed Teal which at times lays its eggs away from water in the nest of the communal Parakeet (Myiopsiita monachus).—J. T. N. THE Conpor.—Despite its small size, the December number of ‘The Condor’ has rather varied contents and includes two general articles, four brief notes, a discussion of the use of trinomials, and the index of the volume. The leading article, by W. C. Bradbury on the ‘Nesting of the Rocky Mountain Jay,’ illustrated by Bird - Lore eleven unusually clear cuts, is a distinct contribution to the life-history of this interesting bird and a fit companion- piece to the account of the White-throated Swift by the same author in the May number. Little is really known about the breeding habits of this Jay, notwithstand- ing the fact that the first nests were collected nearly forty years ago. Like other members of its family, the bird breeds early, while snow is on the ground. The three nests here figured were found in Grande, Saguache, and Gunnison counties, on May 2, April 26, and April 21 re- spectively, at altitudes varying from 8,600 to 10,600 feet. The Saguache county set contained three eggs and the others two each, all of which are figured and accompanied by detailed measure- ments. The second article contains a ‘Descrip- tion of a New Lanius [Lanius 1. nelsoni] from Lower California,’ by H. C. Ober- holser, based on a specimen collected by E. W. Nelson and E. H. Goldman at Todos Santos, December 26, 1905. The brief notes include the record of a Kaeding Petrel taken just inside the southern boundary of California, thus restoring the species to the state list, records of the eggs of the Dwarf Cowbird found in June and July, 1918, in the San Bernardino Valley in ten nests of other species of birds, a remarkable observation of the first flight of a young Golden Eagle, and miscellaneous notes on several inter- esting Texas birds. Those who are interested in the sub- species question should read Taverner’s communication on ‘Trinomials’ in reply to a criticism in the July number and then turn to Dwight’s ‘Exaltation of the Subspecies’ in ‘The Auk’ for January, 1904. Volume XX of ‘The Condor’ is larger than its predecessor but still ro per cent smaller than the average size established for several years, and 20 of the 226 pages are necessarily devoted to the index and list of members. We hope that next year conditions will be favorable for the publica- tion of a volume of normal size—T. S. P. Editorial 57 Hird-Lore 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. XXI Published February 1,1919 No.1 SUBSCRIPTION RATES Price in the United States, one dollar and fifty cents a year; outside the United States, one dollar and seventy-five cents, postage paid. COPYRIGHTED, 1919, BY FRANK M. CHAPMAN Bird-Lore’s Motto: A Bird in the Bush Is Worth Two in the Hand THE present winter doubtless finds an unprecedented number of Birp-Lore’s friends among foreign surroundings, for- eign peoples, and foreign birds. The first aspect of the situation which we will mention is that as this January- February number goes to press, material for this page has not been received from the Editor (last heard from in Peru), doubt- less because of the uncertainty of trans- portation, and consequently of the mails. Our most recent word from him is there- fore the second of his South American travel articles which came to Brrp-LORE’S office only a short time ago. Of late our faces have been so much turned toward France that the three Christmas Census reports from members of the American Expeditionary Forces there, have an especial interest. Aside from this especial interest, it will be worth while for Brrp-Lore’s readers to compare them with those from our side of the water; in number of species observed they agree with those of the latitude of New York City. Like the American lists, they con- tain a Kingfisher, one or two Raptores, Woodpeckers, Crows, and Jays. The seed- eating Finches are a large element. There is the Wren (allied to our Winter Wren), Creeper, Nuthatch, Kinglet, Blackbird, to correspond to our Robin, and one or two other Thrush-like birds. They men- tion more species of Titmice than the American reports; Wagtails, which are absent here; Magpie and Dipper—forms which strangely enough range across Asia and occur in census reports from the western states, but are not found in the east. On the whole these reports from France are very comparable with those from the United States, although the species are different. Tf it is true, as we believe, that a thor- ough knowledge of any phase of a subject is the best preparation for grasping the subject as a whole, and that no one phase can be thoroughly mastered without some knowledge of the others, we may proph- esy that an interest in foreign bird-life will be a valuable tendency for American bird- students to follow. Birp-Lore is interested in birds rather than in their names, but it will do no harm to glance at certain problems in regard to names recently discussed by our contem- poraries, as these are bound to affect us sooner or later. There are many geographic races of the Horned Lark occurring in North America. An interesting fact about the Horned Lark is its differentiation into these races, but, as many of the races cannot be identified with certainty in life, it is essential that we have an English and a technical name for the species as a whole—‘Horned Lark (Otocoris alpestris).’? There are, however, persons who would confine this name to the race of the Horned Lark breeding in the Arctic, which leaves the species name- less. Again, allied birds occurring on more or less adjacent territory are customarily considered geographic races when inter- mediates between them occur. Ordinarily, intermediates occur only when the two birds differ from each other in ‘quantita- tive’ characters, one being larger than the other, lighter or darker, redder or grayer in plumage, etc. Where thoroughly unlike birds have intermediates, as they do in some cases, it is a question whether calling both by the same species’ name facilitates the discussion of them, or even expresses their true relationship most satisfactorily; perhaps respectively the two best reasons for naming them at all. Che Audubon 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 YEAR OF RECONSTRUCTION The year 1919 is destined to go down in history as a period of peaceful reconstruction. That, at least, is the hope of the world. Never before have like conditions confronted the world. Never before has the world been as ready to discuss disputed conditions so sanely and thoughtfully. It is a year opening with high aspirations, ideals of far-reaching influence, and, best of all, a year betokening a new era of sympathy and brotherhood. It would seem as if every living being must respond to the mighty move- ment of National life, now making itself felt literally throughout the earth. The only true response to such a stupendous stimulus must show in action. No longer will passive acceptance or a negative attitude of silence be welcome in a society throbbing with a universal heartbeat. To bring about the era of real peace and common prosperity to which each one of us would attain, but which can only be assured through the codperation of everyone, is a task at once individual and collective. Reconstruction is the keynote of the conception of world-security upon which to-day hangs the fate of nations, a reconstruction such as no person, however great in authority or position, has ever deemed possible of accomplish- ment until now. Even now, at the dawn of a New Year and a new era, this radiant goal may only be reached by the unified, harmonious effort of all. Statesmen may chart the way, governments may pave the course, but the goal will be won by individual runners, and only those will attain who fall into line on this blood-bought path, each step of which must be cleared of dangerous obstructions by the advancing hosts. Everywhere the effect of this great enterprise is felt. Homes, churches, business and educational institutions, as well as every form of artistic and industrial undertaking are reacting to this supreme influence of beneficent reconstruction. - Again and again, we should say to ourselves: ‘‘Never let prejudice, ignor- ance, or indifference come between me and the truth.” Looking ahead, the Audubon Society sees, as ever, a long, long vista of betterment in its work, and it is becoming a broadening vista, with the end more plainly in sight. Here, as elsewhere, reconstruction is needed, ready hands and keen brains. When education shall have accomplished what is now only insecurely held by (58) The Audubon Societies 59 legislation, the Audubon Society may feel that its work is prosperously in line with larger enterprises affecting national welfare. It is not necessary to seek new problems or to search for a new world in which to work. The task is set, the time is now, only the spirit and method of the undertaking needs the reconstructive influence. Let us review the whole work, carefully, alertly, not trying to gloss over the weak places, but getting straight to the real issues, namely: t. Are we upholding conservation measures wisely and thoroughly? 2. Are we personally extending our own knowledge of actual conditions or helping anyone else to get at the truth in our study of nature? 3. Are we raising bird- and nature-study to the highest and most beneficial standard in club, home, and school? 4. Are we aware of the true value of our relations to nature? 5. Have we ever yet allowed ourselves or helped others to gain the full benefit of the outdoor world? 6. Are we seeking through all channels, scientific and esthetic, to know, feel, and enjoy nature and, through nature, life? In the words of Browning, ask yourself, “Do I seek how star, earth, beast, Bird, worm, fly, gain their dower For life’s use, most and least?”’ Do not confess “Back from the search I cower,” but rather “Seek and find some sense which no peer Yet from singer, sayer, Ever has extracted—listening to “. . . the bird-like fluting Through the ash-tops yonder— Five-pearled notes that surely Gather, dewdrop fashion . . .” Then will Nature “Yield new men new learning.” Remember that through appreciation of the beautiful and the cultivation of that finer inner sense of kinship with Nature, born of a desire to know the truth, come man’s highest aspirations and the ardent glow of life which stirs to the noblest SERVICE.—A. H. W. 60 ‘Bird - Lore JUNIOR AUDUBON WORK For Teachers and Pupils Exercise XLIII: Correlated with History, Elementary Agriculture, and Animal Husbandry II. BUTTER, MILK, CHEESE, AND POULTRY As we begin work again after the holiday season, let us look far out toward the most distant horizon of our studies, instead of glueing our eyes to the pages of a book for a certain number of hours each day. The world in 1919 is rapidly changing, so far as its geography, political and economic development, and intellectual and spiritual forces are concerned. Of this fact we have become more and more aware through the vicissitudes of a world war. What we are less informed about and, consequently, are less sure of, are the manifold changes which from year to year through countless ages the world of Nature has undergone. The great war is teaching us much, perhaps nothing of more lasting value than the real worth of truth. We read that the George Washington in its recent, memorable voyage abroad carried safely to the Old World not only a company of peace-makers, but also several truck-loads of plain, carefully compiled facts, in other words, tons of truth stated as clearly as possible by eminent scholars of the New World. What these facts touch upon is of interest to every person, and, now that it is safe to refer to their content, we will do well to get a glimpse of what as stable a peace as can be devised will have for its foundation. History, geography, economics, education, map-making, irrigation, physiography, and international law are the bases of this gigantic assemblage of facts. Specu- lation or guess-work have no place in this attempt to base peace upon truth. The needs, resources, opportunities, and possible attainment of all affected nations are illuminated by as photographic a likeness of their actual conditions as can be made by telling the simple truth about them. When a durable peace is effected, it will signify a consideration of many matters about which every person should know something, namely, all material resources, such as food, minerals, water-power, fuel, crops, live-stock, with traffic routes and natural and political boundaries; the present state of irrigation and possibilities in its development; raw materials of all kinds, cable and coaling stations, rail- ways, free and open ports, etc; historic rights and laws and customs affecting the religious and political life of nations and all phases of history relating to treaties, frontiers, and territorial waters, as well as educational advantages and progress.* This same spirit of getting at the truth animates most of the students of *See Science, N. S. Vol. XLVIII, No. 1250, pp. 5090-592. Inquiry of the American Geographical Society for the Information of the Peace Commissioners. The Audubon Societies 61 Nature. If we are to make any real progress in knowledge and its practical application, that is, if we are going to use anything we learn, we must start from the truth of what is already known toward the truth of what may be known in the future. And so, I urge you, by these examples of the importance of an accurate knowledge of facts, to lay more and more stress upon getting at the truth of anything you may be studying. In the matter of food-conservation, upon which we have touched briefly in the two foregoing exercises, those who have taken pains to become thoroughly and correctly informed about the natural and domestic distribution of food-supplies throughout the world are the ones who can conserve intelligently and with benefit to themselves as well as to those in less fortunate circumstances. In considering the topic of meat, the related topics of milk and cheese should be taken up, both of which may be termed by-products of meat. It is by means of our knowledge of the value of milk and cheese in human diet that we come to understand why cows should be increased rather than “prize” beef, i. e. highly fattened steers. In these days, not only should larger herds be kept in order to increase the supply of meat, but more people should learn how to make butter and cheese, and everyone should study the manifold uses of milk in human diet. It is a really fine accomplishment to know how good butter and cheese are made, and one in which our grandmothers took much pride. Just before the war, an acquaintance of the writer began to experiment making cottage cheese. She devoted much thought and time to studying the best method of making soft cheeses, with the result that in addition to plain cottage cheese, she learned the secret of making delicious pimento, sage, and pepper cheeses, which, if placed on the market, would command a high price. A millionaire became interested in cheese-making late in life, when he had practically retired from active business, and anyone who is fortunate enough to procure one of his Jersey cream or even skim-milk cheeses could easily imagine he was eating the most delicately flavored Edam. Considering the high nutritive value of milk, butter, and cheese, it becomes a matter of much importance, whether the boys and girls of the present day revive the interest of former generations in learning to make butter and cheese of a high grade, and to keep herds of cattle which will insure a proper milk-and meat- supply to the world. Since it is unlikely that a sufficiently large supply of meat will be raised unless added to by poultry products in the way of eggs and fowl, the poultry business should be more widely studied and carried on. Although not strictly equivalent to the meat furnished by cattle, poultry makes one of the most palatable meat substitutes, while eggs are relished by the majority of people. Poultry-raising can be made profitable only through a correct understanding of the best use to which different varieties of fowl can be put, that is, whether 62 Bird - Lore to the production of eggs or of marketable food, together with a practical ex- perience of the difficulties of keeping poultry up to a given standard of health, production, and purity of strain. Success with poultry is not a matter of luck, guesswork or anything else which denotes a careless, unintelligent method. Scientists of reputation have devoted years of painstaking study to the domesticated fowl, while in every state in the Union an agricultural college of standing is putting into practice the laws which govern the maintenance of the highest grade of poultry production. The history of a common hen has as much attraction as the story of many a world-traveler. If we turn back to look for the origin of the hen, we find that we must practically encircle the globe. In India, southern China, and the East Indies there still persists a wild fowl known as the Jungle Fowl, from which some of our domesticated poultry have des- cended. ‘The oldest fowl in domestication, however, is the Aseel or Malay fowl, which has been bred for over 3,000 years,” the origin of which is still uncertain. “It is still possible that the ancestor of this bird or its bones may be found in the interior of New Guinea, Borneo or the Philippines.” There are notable differences between the Jungle and Aseel fowls, differences important for us to learn about. “The Jungle Fowl is a slender, agile bird with long wings, erect tail and a good flyer, while the Aseel is a very broad, heavy bird with short wings, drooping tail and unable to fly. The Jungle Fowl has a long, slender beak; that of the Aseel is short and thick. The comb of the former is single, high; that of the latter triple and low. The former has slender, olive-colored shanks; the latter thick and yellow shanks. The Jungle Fowl has a red eye; that of the Aseel is pearl-colored.”” In coloration and pattern of plumage these two ancient stocks differ widely. The Aseel is a mottled bird while the Jungle Fowl is variegated red with a black breast. Internally, as well as externally, the two are unlike, as their descendants prove, for the “nervous, flighty, egg-laying races,” such as the Leghorn, Minorca, Spanish, Andalusian, trace back to the wild Jungle Fowl, while the large, stocky, poor egg-layers, like the Plymouth Rocks, Wyandottes, Orpingtons come from the Aseel or Malay fowl. By studying the heredity of fowl we discover which kinds are better egg-producers and which are more suitable for the table. Historically, the story of the distribution of poultry is worthy your attention. It is prob- able that Alexander the Great brought back from his expeditions to Persia some, and perhaps most, of the races of fowl “that first spread over Europe.” Descendants from the Aseel fowl were brought to America, so that we can trace our Asiatic breeds and many of our large breeds to Eastern India and China. Let me suggest that during the cold month of February you study the hen and write out its history. If possible, add. to this study the wild turkey and compare the history of these two important types of birds. Before spring comes, be prepared to name from pictures, or by visiting poultry-farms or poultry-shows, at least six races of poultry. Learn the difference between these The Audubon Societies 63 races in pattern of plumage, comb, egg-production, size, and color. Do not be afraid to consult scientific magazines and poultry-books, for, although you may not be able to read them with complete understanding, you will find help- ful pictures and many bits of useful and enjoyable information. In connection with the increase of the meat-supply of the world, do your “bit” by first learning as much as possible about the common domesticated animals, and then, wherever opportunity offers, keep a pig, calf, small flock of hens, or a sheep. Boys and girls who live in the country have the best chance, of course, to do this kind of nature-work, but thére is no reason why pupils in the city should not know where the eggs, meat, milk, butter, and cheese they eat come from, and how they are produced. Any reports of pig or poultry clubs will be gladly received by the School Department; also, compositions on the hen and wild turkey. We must strive to get our food-supply up to a point where we can say, as the observant writer, Torkington, did in his “Diarie of English Travell”’: “In this yle ys... . . . Plente of lambes, Gotys, [Goats,| motons, {muttons], and also hennys [hens], and capons.” [A.D. 1517.| SUGGESTIONS 1. Refer to the Encyclopedia Britannica, the Century Dictionary, Agricultura] reports, and bulletins of the United States Department of Agriculture; also communicate with your State Agricultural College. 2. What fowl has white feathers and a dark blue skin? 3. What fowls have feathered legs, if any? 4. Did you ever hear of a fowl that had no tail? or of one that had no use of its wings? If so, where? 5. What kind of a call or song does the Jungle Fowl have? 6. Do chickens and turkeys like insects? 7. What diseases affect domesticated fowls? 8. Why are eggs so valuable to man as food? g. Can you give the meaning of heredity, dower, production, domestication, and nutrition as used n this issue of the School Departmenl?—A. H. W. For and From Adult and Young Observers SUGGESTIONS FOR JUNIOR AUDUBON CLUBS By MRS. GRANVILLE ROSS PIKE, Yakima, Wash. 1 Provide Water for the Birds. Make fountains in the school-grounds and home-lawns as soon as possible. Mean- time, keep fresh water supplied in shallow vessels, above the ground-level, located near trees or shrubs. Observe what kinds of birds drink and bathe there. Keep a notebook and list all birds recognized at watering-places and elsewhere. 2 Provide Cover for the Birds. Plant a bird-garden, having trees, shrubs, vines and plants that furnish food, shelter, and nesting-sites for the birds. In this garden include honeysuckle, scarlet runner beans, salvia, columbine, and other plants attractive to Hummingbirds. 64 Bird - Lore Build and keep, the year round, in a retired corner or nook, a neat brush-pile as shelter and playhouse for the birds. Mold clay birds as decoys for fountains. Learn to recognize birds by flight, movements, call, or song. Practise imitating bird- notes. Make whittled and sawed birds as bird-sticks, supports for vines and shrubs. 3. Provide Food for the Birds. Collect in summer. and fall an abundance of seeds, nuts, and berries. Notice what weed-seeds are especially liked by birds and harvest a large quantity of these. Grow a large quantity of sunflower and vegetable seeds. Dry, and grind seeds of melon, squash, and pumpkin. Save stale cornmeal or other cereals, also bread and cake crumbs. Collect wild berries, waste cherries, and other cultivated fruits, drying these for winter. Write a record of foods eaten by birds on your premises, noting especially anything you can find out concerning kinds and numbers of insects eaten. Make feeding-tables, cafeterias, shelters, food-cars, feeding-sticks, and other devices for serving food to the birds. Assist in maintaining, during winter, a chain of feeding- stations in the open for game- and other wild birds. _ Place suet-holders on poles, trees, or buildings, well out of reach of dogs and cats. Photograph birds at watering-places, feeding-tables, and -stations. 4. Provide Houses, Roosting-places, and Nesting Materials. Bird-houses should be well made, attractive in appearance, and adapted to bird- needs. Erect a variety of houses suitable distances apart in well-chosen locations. Be sure that the houses are of proper proportions, dull in color, and that the openings are correct in size. There should be ventilation without drafts. In the spring, nesting materials of grasses, leaves, string, horse-hair, wool, cotton, feathers, moss, or other soft materials should be furnished. This may be placed on bushes, trees, or brush-pile. It is interesting to observe which birds use these. Make a map showing location of nests in streets and nearby fields. 5. Protect Birds from Dangers. See that birds on your premises are kept safe from eats, English Sparrows, and other enemies. Encourage others to assist in befriending birds. Observe whether or not women are wearing real or imitation feathers as hat-trimmings. Care for wounded birds. Make a cemetery for those found dead. Write your game warden requesting a summary of State Game Laws. Qualify as a junior game warden if you are eligible, and your game warden will furnish you with an official badge. Report to the game warden or commissioners if bird- protection laws are disobeyed. Do not disturb birds during the nesting season. Most birds desert their nests if people visit them often or touch the eggs. Ground-nesting birds frequently come to grief because visitors make a trail which cats and other bird enemies follow and so find their nests. Never catch birds learning to fly. The parent birds seldom find and feed little ones that have been carried away from their nests. Hints for Bird-Study Club Programs and Activites. Include in the club all pupils in the schoolroom, if possible, and organize as suggested in Audubon Leaflet. Decide on a good special name for your club, and have pennant colors and club emblems. Present attractive monthly programs centering about birds studied in the regular course. Give place also to reports of service rendered to the birds and to statements con- The Audubon Societies 65 cerning bird-needs, such as the proper time to plant bird-gardens, to put out nesting material, or to begin winter feeding. Bird-games are an important feature. Occasional special programs should be provided, when bird specialists may be heard, or at which plays, pageants, debates, or mock trials concerning birds may be presented. Furnish your local papers with accounts of club activities, timely information, and general bird-news. Continue bird-club work if possible during summer, in the form of bird-hikes, pic- nics, and porch parties. Clubs should coéperate, also, making a notable event of the annual Bird and Arbor Day by erecting community bird-houses, feeding-shelves, and fountains. Members should participate also in story-writing and other contests. Constitute your club an insurance company which issues policies covering preventable injuries and death to all birds in your district. Collections may be made in autumn of vacated bird-nests. Arrange them in groups, accompanying with pictures of the former tenants. Bird-feathers, picked up here and there during molting season, make an interesting collection. Dennison’s crepe-paper birds are much used for decoration. Classified clippings and stories about birds make a valuable scrap-book. Bird illustrations, photographs and colored pictures arranged in an album are enjoyed. Posters, indicating birds observed each year by the club, a list of bird-books avail- able in public or school library, a list of plants for bird-gardens, naming local bird enemies, or carrying legends along any line of bird interest should be prepared for school-room use. Gather a schoolroom loan-library on birds by bringing albums, scrap-books, and bird-books owned by club members. Suggest bird-books as gifts for birthdays and holidays, consulting the Audubon Leaflets, Brrp-Lore, and other published lists for titles. Write a courteous letter to the Department of Agriculture at Washington, D. C., requesting copies of Farmers’ Bulletins, Numbers 760, 609, 630, 493 sent to your address. Study real live birds, beginning with caged birds, Pigeons, or fowl in the school- room, next the common birds in your own dooryard, thus gradually extending your observation and service to the great world of birds in the wide, free, open air. [Mrs. Pike, the author, has recently passed away, but her work as ‘The Pioneer Bird-Woman of Washington State’ will live long, for she organized hundreds of Junior Audubon Societies most successfully. The suggestive outline given above has been used and found of practical value in teaching bird-study, especially in the grades.—A. H. W.] A BIRD-HOUSE CONTEST The enclosed illustrations of bird-houses may be of interest to readers of Brrp-Lore in showing that interest in the welfare of our friends, the birds, is surely increasing. They were produced by the codperation of our very young but promising local Audubon Society and the pupils of the sixth and seventh grades of our public schools. Both boys and girls competed, and some of the very clever houses, although not awarded prizes, were built by girls. No suggestions were offered, and each house represents the individual 66 Bird - Lore ORIGINAL DESIGNS OF BIRD HOUSES idea of the builder. The prizes were awarded on the adaptability of each house for the needs of the birds it was built for. Sufficient interest has been displayed generally, so that the teacher of manual training in the public schools will now direct the building of houses for the birds along approved lines of construction. The present contest was held in March and preparations were immediately started for another on a larger scale in May, at which time more and larger prizes will be offered, all payable in Thrift Stamps. In the present illustrations, No. 1 shows all the houses built; Nos. 2 and 3, THREE HOUSES OUT OF THE TOTAL TAKING A PRIZE The Audubon Societies 67 the prize-winning houses and their builders—O. B. Minor, Secretary of the Tuscarawas County Fish, Game and Song Bird Protective Association, New Philadelphia, Ohio. [In this and the following notes from adult and young observers, it may be seen that the boys and girls in our public schools are not only quickly interested in bird- and nature-study, but that their interest is genuine and needs only the spur of friendly competition, a little timely aid, or sympathetic approval to develop into a lasting asset in the sum of benefits which education is supposed to give the individual. The idea of offering Thrift Stamps as prizes is a good one.—A. H. W.] SN eg 6 ORG ie ll, THREE PRIZE-WINNERS SUMMER, FALL AND WINTER OBSERVATIONS IN THE WEST At this date, October 25, I am yet seeing many birds. Just now I see about roo English and Chipping Sparrows in our backyard. Although they (the English Sparrows) are not very useful birds, they are always birds. Just now a dark bird passed. It was flying in a waving manner. Day before yesterday, I saw a Chickadee. It is a common bird here. Cardinals are common around here also. They stay winter and summer. We have a very large lake near our house. In winter I see Teals, Mallards and many other birds. In summer I see Cormorants, Kingfishers, Water-hens, Hell-divers and Spotted Sandpipers in it. Cormorants are scarce in this part 68 Bird - Lore of the country, but a doctor from St. Louis came out and killed one, so that is how I know it was a Cormorant. He had it mounted. It is a big black bird with a hooked bill for catching fish and a short, stiff tail to aid it in flying. I see Hummingbirds here often. Some of the birds I see are Cardinals, Red-headed Woodpeckers, Red-winged Blackbirds, Crows, Bluebirds, Rose- breasted Grosbeaks, Barn Swallows, Owls, English and Chipping Sparrows, Cowbirds, House Wrens, Quails, Bobolinks, Thrashers, Orchard Orioles, Flickers, Mourning Doves, Blue Jays, Catbirds, Mockingbirds, Vireos, Red- starts and Pewees. I wish that our teachers would join an Audubon Society. How fine that would be! Since we have no school on account of the influenza I have been studying birds. I am in the eighth grade and go to the Point School. I enjoy studying and watching birds more than studying my school lessons.—ALICE CRECELIUS (age 12 years), Jefferson Barracks, Missourt. [The Cormorant listed was probably either the Double-crested, or, possibly, a Mex- ican Cormorant which goes as far north as Kansas and southern Illinois. Brewer’s Blackbird is a casual visitor in states bordering the Mississippi River. The tooth meri- dian marks about the limit eastward of the range of the Arkansas Kingbird. “‘Canary”’ may mean Goldfinch or Summer Warbler, usually, one says ‘‘Wild Canary”’ for these species; “‘Hell-diver’’ is a common name for the Pied-billed and some of the other Grebes; ‘“‘Water- or Mud-hen”’ refers usually to the Coot. In studying birds it is a wise thing to learn the accepted as well as the common name of a species.—A. H. W.] HOME OBSERVATIONS I This summer and spring I found a great number of birds’ nests and saw the birds. We have an old stable which Sparrows and Swallows like to build nests in. Last summer a Sparrow built a nest in it and laid four eggs. Every egg hatched and all the young birds flew away. This year, a Sparrow built a nest right next to its last year’s nest, but there was one egg left in it which did not hatch. All the others did and the birds were flying around for a long time. This year there were two nests near our house. One of them was destroyed by the cat as soon as the birds were a few days old. The other one was safe and I tried to see that the cat did not get it. I have seen many others but these are the ones I took most care of —Rosa Kryss. [It is a fine way to study the birds nesting about one’s home, and to help protect them.—A. H. W.] ; II Your magazine is always read with interest in our school, and the children are working with enthusiasm for the protection of bird-life since our Junior Audubon Class was formed. As I have not seen many letters from the Cana- dian West in Brirp-Lore, I thought perhaps the following details might be of The Audubon Societies 69 interest to yourself or your readers. The children (twelve in number, from five to twelve years old) kept a list of all the birds observed here (central Saskatchewan) during the month of September. They recorded in all forty- one species, which included such birds as the Cedar Waxwing, Loggerhead Shrike, Baltimore Oriole, Goldfinch, and several different Hawks, etc. Several of them I thought better to list as doubtful, since I had no other proof than the children’s statements, that they ranged so far west. These were: Summer Tanager, Scarlet Tanager, and Indigo Bunting. We are hoping to find next year that they really are residents of this district. I am enclosing two letters written by my scholars, when asked for a letter on things they had seen or done relating to the birds. With every wish for your success in the splendid work you are doing.— Mary F. Yates, (teacher), Beresford School District, Kelliher, Sask. [The Indigo Bunting finds its widest distribution in the eastern United States, though it ranges west to the plains, casually to Colorado, and breeds as far north as Nova Scotia and Manitoba. A verified record of it in Saskatchewan would be of value but itis quite doubtful whether it ever goes as far northwest, unless accidentally. The Summer Tanager would be even less likely to occur so far north of its normal range. The Scarlet Tanager, like the Indigo Bunting, reaches Manitoba, and might possibly be found in South Dakota, but hardly farther northwest. Your method of interesting the pupils is excellent, and still more worthy of mention is the interrogation mark after doubtful records —A. H. W.| A BIRD- TABLE This spring the scholars of Beresford school made a table for the birds. We all brought some wheat to school, and the crumbs left from our dinner we put on the table. Then we covered it over with leaves and some of the birds came and ate it. We put some wheat and crumbs on the table every day, and the birds like to eat off the table. There are quite a few birds in the woods opposite the schoolhouse. We hang some suet out for the Chickadees to eat.—HATTIE SAUNDERS. [The idea of ‘‘camouflaging” the birds’-table with leaves is very interesting. Sun- flower seeds, millet or various weed-seeds take the place of wheat and are probably pre- ferred by most species of birds.—A. H. W.] A HOME SANCTUARY FOR BIRDS I have been subscribing for Brrp-LorE ever since Jan. 1, 1918, and I think it is a very interesting magazine, especially for bird-lovers and friends of birds. I have read everything in it thoroughly and some numbers I have read twice. I belong to the Nebraska Ornithologist Union. January 15, 1918, two boy-neighbors and myself started a bird club for the protection and study of our song and insectivorus birds. We also set aside a patch of land of about six acres. We now have about thirty bird-houses and 70 Bird - Lore six food shelters in our Sanctuary. We intend to feed the birds as soon as cold weather and snow set in. I intend to join the Audubon Society as soon as I have money enough to become a life member. The name of our Bird Club is Hillcrest Bird Club. I am the Secretary of the Club now. I would like to communicate with other readers of Brrp- Lorr.—Ewa.p Wirt, (Route 1), Scribner, Neb. [Will some of our readers correspond with this enthusiastic worker, and exhange helpful experiences? This is the first home-sanctuary for birds, started by young people, that has come to the notice of the School Department.—A. H. W.] NOTES ON THE LARK BUNTING For three or four years I have taken a great interest in birds, and have noted the peculiar things about each one as I have seen it. The most peculiar thing I have noticed is about the Lark Buntings. As far as I can remember, the Lark Buntings have just been seen in the fields north of Boulder every other year. Why this is, I have not been able to find out. Last year the Lark Buntings were plentiful in the fields, but this year not one was seen. They have a beautiful song which is often uttered on the wing. One will be sitting on some bush and then will suddenly rise up in the air singing, and then will gradually come down to earth again, much after the manner of the Bobo- link.—JEAN SUTHERLAND (age 13 years), Boulder, Colo. [It would be wise to continue observations of the Lark Bunting until certain of its movements from season to season. Mrs. Florence Merriam Bailey gives a charming description of their habits in her ‘“‘Handbook of Birds of the Western United States.” She refers to their song, stating that they sing in chorus.—A. H. W.] WINTER FEEDING OF BIRDS I had always loved birds and was very sorry when they left us in the migrat- ing season. On a Thanksgiving day, when the snow was silently falling, I heard a little Chickadee. Knowing that he was to be a winter resident, I decided to have him for my boarder. I went to work diligently for the re- mainder of the morning fixing a little feeding-station. It took but a short time for the Chickadee to find refreshments. This is what I prepared for him: suet with chopped nuts, and doughnuts. The dough- nuts I suspended from a branch, while I secured the suet by a wire to the tree. Evidently the Chickadee reported about my feeding-station, for it was but a short time before a Nuthatch and Woodpecker came around. When more feathered friends came to patronize me I was encouraged and must have given them more because the Red-breasted Nuthatch and the timid Brown Creeper came. From then on I made a regular daily visit to the feeding-station. The Audubon Societies 71 I shall tell about the Chickadee first, as he is my favorite. He was the tiniest visitor and always sang his cheery chick-a-dee-dee. Even on the coldest and dreariest winter day he would cheer the disconsolate, piping his name. Often I tried to approach him, and after persevering I was one day rewarded by finding him perched on my hand. The habits of the other birds also interested me very much. The Nut- hatch family, instead of going up the tree for their meals, would proceed down the tree. None of the birds were able to hang on the suspended dough- nut like the Chickadee, and consequently unless the doughnut were fixed purposely for them they would prefer the suet. I continued feeding my winter visitors, and could not have derived more pleasure from anything than helping to save the few birds which remained with the northerners during the winter months.—E.izaABeTH H. JOHNSON (age 15 years), Plattsburg, N.Y. [Comment is not necessary here. Evidently the writer has discovered the true way of making friends with the birds and coming into intimate contact with them. Home- work like this is of the greatest value, not only to the birds but to the bird-lover.—A.H.W.! SAW-WHET OWL IN CENTRAL PARK, NEW YORK CITY Photographed by Albert Pinkus, (Boy Scout), November 11, 1918 Che Audubon 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. Telephone, Columbus 7327 WILLIAM DutTCHER, President Freperic A. Lucas, Acting President THEODORE S. PALMER, First Vice-President T. GILBERT PEARSON, Secretary JonatHAN Dwicut, 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 $1,000 constitutes a person a Patron $5,000 constitutes a person a Founder $25,000 constitutes a person a Benefactor Form oF BEequest:—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. SLAUGHTER OF AMERICAN EAGLES The Territory of Alaska has entered upon a campaign to destroy all the Bald Eagles within its boundaries. A law en- acted in to17 by the legislature of the Territory reads in part as follows: “Section 1. That there be, and hereby is placed upon every eagle within the Ter- ritory of Alaska, a bounty of fifty cents ($0.50), said sum to be paid in accordance with the provisions of this Act. “Section 2. To obtain said bounty, any person killing an eagle within the Territory of Alaska, after the passage of this Act, shall, as soon as possible, exhibit both feet of said eagle, to any United States Com- missioner within the Territory of Alaska, together with a certificate in substantially the following form, etc.” As a result of an investigation we have learned that from the date of the passage of this measure, April 30, 1917 to Decem- ber 6, 1918, a period of about nineteen months, bounties have been paid for 5,100 dead Eagles—an average of 266 a month! In a letter recently received from a cor- respondent in Juneau, there occurs this statement: “So far as I have been able to ascertain no specific information or statistics were presented to the legislature as a basis for the passage of the bill, the basis for its enactment being upon statements by ob- servers that in their belief the depreda- tions of this bird were seriously affecting the salmon supply by destroying the fish while engaged in spawning in the small streams, that they also killed a great many fawns of deer, and young forest and shore birds, as well as ducks, geese, etc.” Thus another instance has come to light where a wild bird has been tried and con- demned apparently without any previous scientific investigation as to the validity of the charges made against it. The legislature that passed this law is not controlled by wild Indians and ignor- ant Eskimos, but by men who have mi- grated from the States and men who should know better than to condemn any form of wild life merely on rumors and the loose statements of prejudiced observers. This is a sample of the kind of efforts the National Association of Audubon So- cieties has had to face in all parts of the North American continent for the past fourteen years. The fact that the battle is not yet won is indicated afresh by com- munications just received to the effect that some of the southern states will, during the present legislative year, seek to take from (72) The Audubon Societies 72 certain birds the meager protection they now receive, on the grounds that the birds are more or less detrimental to the inter- ests of mankind. It takes a long time to educate a hundred million people and keep them educated! TWO REPORTS FROM TEACHERS OF JUNIOR AUDUBON CLASSES From Fayetteville, Arkansas I wish you could see my Boys’ Bird Class, they are so courteous, alert and responsive. The ripple from the wave of interest we excited in our school spread into the town schools and resulted in the organization of a large number of children in Junior Audubon Classes, and even tiny tots outside of school are building bird houses. Boys and young men in the neighbor- hood who have been suspected of killing Robins and other songbirds, have been approached, remonstrated with gently, and now understand fully the legal penalty for violating bird-protective laws. They were also invited to be present Bird Program Day. A movement of this kind was surely needed here for game and songbirds are rapidly. disappearing. Robins are still shot for potpie the children say, but proofs are lacking. A young farmer came to me the other day to inquire if our Club (the name Audubon seems one to conjure with) could not get closed season for the Quail, which though once plentiful here are now scarce. I find this is one of the chief good of this class, to act as a centre of approach and information for bird preservation for the community. We meet once in two weeks in my big livingroom, or outdoors with field glasses, if weather is fine, and talk over a subject assigned at previous lesson. The teacher is often the one taught, for these bright young eyes have learned their bird-lore in the woods and fields. ‘Our first lesson was on the ‘Value of Birds to Field, Orchard and Garden.’ The second on ‘Migration.’ One of the seed- stores here gave us some blank books and the boys used them for migration records. They have done some good work along this line, and they enjoy it, for they say it makes them see more birds. Our last lesson was about ‘Nests’ and I believe the boyish desire for hunting birds’ nests was grati- fied just as fully by the collection in the autumn of old nests for study. We found one rare one, a dove-shaped, beautifully made, softly lined one, with the tiny round aperture on one side: some kind of War- bler, probably the Blue-throated Warbler, we have decided. Young people will not destroy anything which has become an object of sympa- thetic study and interest, and they need only a word in the right direction to make them the champions instead of the hunters of their feathered brothers. That belief has been the keynote of my work with them and I have required no pledge. Boys so love to do things with their hands. At just a hint from me and show- ing pictures of the first lesson in regard to bird-boxes, in less than a week they each made several and brought them to me. Being not unmindful that the way to a boy’s heart at least is through his stomach, I always have a little treat for them of doughnuts and cookies. We do have such good times together.—THERESA JENNINGS. From West Point, New York Bird-study for children at the West Point School has been carried on for some time, the general methods employed being as follows: In the morning exercises, at the discre- tion of the teachers, reports are received and discussed concerning birds, known and unfamiliar to the one who makes his re- port. If the bird is known and has been previously discussed, its presence is made simply a matter of record. If the bird is unknown to most present, the various 74 Bird - Lore e means of identification are resorted to, viz., size, color and markings, bill, call or song, mode of flight, manner of alighting, food- plants, etc. A discussion of these important and interesting facts is of distinct value to the pupil, in that it provides a source of information, and develops the powers of observation to a remarkable degree of keenness. If the description proves incom- plete or unsatisfactory, the colored plate will often clarify the cloudy atmosphere which envelops the bird in the mind of the pupil. If good fortune prevails, the teacher may be able to identify the bird if it comes into view while both pupil and teacher are present. The blackboard affords an excellent means of illustrating the various features of physical structure in the bird, thus ren- dering its identification less difficult by calling attention to the presence of certain dominant characteristics. If these are not present, then the process of elimination will narrow the list to a certain point where identification results in a positive form. On the blackboard drawings are so arranged that the bird’s adaptability to its environ- BURYING A DEAD SPARROWHAWK, FOUND AND BROUGHT TO SCHOOL. MEMBERS OF JUNIOR AUDUBON CLASS AT HIGHLAND, NEW YORK ment is made clear. At this juncture it is also made a matter of relative importance to emphasize the economic value of the bird to agricultural conditions, in addition to its beauty of dress, and sweetness of song. During the winter, when the absence of foliage reveals readily the presence of the bird, and the lack of food supply forces it to seek more intimately the society of man, the children are then encouraged to feed and study the birds, making them their friends. The winter birds under the prevailing conditions are easily studied and quickly identified. The placing of suet in the trees and the scattering of grain upon the snow or ground creates in the child such an interest in birds that, by the time the great migratory waves of spring occur, he has grasped with an awakened interest the influences of an unknown and an unlimited number of species. Each season he is en- abled to grasp and absorb a little more from the passing procession of northern migrants. The pupils are taught to reason that there must be a counter-migration in the fall. The Audubon Societies For the many migrants which do not stay with us but which are wayfarers in flight, observation methods alone are used. For those birds which return to surround- ings of former years, ald is extended in the building of houses for domestic purposes. Here the builder must be taught that pre- caution is necessary in guarding against the unlawful quarters by the [nglish Sparrow. size of entrance songsters’ The must be made small enough to exclude this unwelcome visitor and destroyer of Many pupils have this spring provided houses for the birds, one or two being especially attrac- occupation of homes. tive and unique in design. The older pupils under the supervision of school officers have studied the educa- tional leaflets published by the National Association of Audubon with water colors have made a copy of the finished plate on the sheet with the outlined drawing. essential details in much general, and some particular, knowl- edge is gained. Socicties, and sy calling attention to structure and color The younger pupils who are not skilled in the use of water colors “ are provided with crayons to acquire the shaded relations. -lMpMuND Cocks. Aigrette Violations Although the Wpret, from which the heron aigrettes are taken, cannot legally be killed in the United States, and although aigrettes can neither be imported into this country, nor sold in many states, one may still see many of these feathers worn, The Conservation Commission of New York State has been active in its enforce- ment of this Audubon Law ever since it went into effect on July 1, 1914. Searcely successfully conducts prosecutions of mil liners who insist on violating the law by selling these feathers, lor example, during the month of December, 1914, there were five such prose cutions in New York. The Government has also taken a hand in this important subject. Mr. I. V. Visart, at one time the Arkansas agent for this Association, and now a United States game warden, reports: “YT know that you will be interested to BUILDING BIRD HOUSES. MEMBERS OF JUNIOR AUDUBON CLASS AT HIGHLAND, NEW YORK 76 Bird - Lore know that on December 3, 1918 I con- fiscated 122 dozen individual aigrettes and the back skins and aigrettes of six Herons. Total valuation was $1,370.50. ‘These were taken from Phil Levy, Hot Springs, Arkansas.” Olive Thorne Miller Mrs. Harriet Mann Miller, better known as Olive Thorne Miller, died at her home in Los Angeles, California on Christmas Day, 1918. Mrs. Miller was one of the first women in America to attain distinction as a stu- dent of bird-life and as an author of bird twenty years in Chicago. Later her home for a long time was in Brooklyn, New York. Several years ago she moved to California, and there, in a little bungalow in a quiet part of Los Angeles, she passed her remain- ing years surrounded by trees and shrub- bery, which furnished homes for many of the birds she so much loved. I shall long remember her as I saw her in this home in 1912, a small, quiet woman with an alert mind, sitting in a rocking- chair on the veranda, and half playfully, half seriously seeking to frustrate my efforts to take a photograph of her. Mrs. Miller was a writer of many maga- zine articles, and during her life delivered JUNIOR AUDUBON CLASS AT BRIGHTON, NEW JERSEY books. During 1896-1903 she was an active member and worker with Miss Emma Lockwood and others associated in the work of the New York State Audu- bon Society. Her interest in birds which began at an early date, continued until the time of her death in her eighty-eighth year. She was born at Auburn, New York, June 25, 1831. After her marriage to Watts Todd Miller, at Rock Island, Il., August 15, 1854, she resided for the next numerous lectures. Her books, some of which are still sold extensively, are as fol- lows: ‘Nimpo’s Troubles,’ ‘Little Folks in Feathers and Fur,’ ‘Queer Pets at Marcy’s,’ ‘Little People of Asia,’ ‘Bird Ways,’ ‘In Nesting Time,’ ‘Four-handed Folk,’ ‘Little Brothers of the Air,’ ‘Our Home Pets,’ ‘Bird-lover in the West,’ ‘True Bird Stor- ies,” ‘With The Birds in Maine,’ ‘Kristy’s Queer Christmas,’ ‘The Children’s Book of Birds,’ ‘First Book of Birds,’ and ‘Second Book of Birds.’ The Audubon Societies "7 Forbush’s Monthly Bulletin of Information Among the many useful efforts to en- courage bird-study and bird protection that E. H. Forbush, State Ornithologist of Massachusetts, has set in motion is his monthly “Bulletin of Information.” The one for December, 1918 consists of six extra-large pages of mimeographed data regarding the more notable events in the distribution and migration in Massachu- setts. These bulletins are sent broadcast and much of the information they contain is copied by the public press. Mr. Forbush encourages people throughout the state to supply his office with data regarding the coming of migratory birds, their numbers and distribution. This, together with his own wide knowledge of the subject, forms a basis for these extensive notes, The Bul- letin just issued is the twelfth that has thus far been published. Letter from California Mrs. writes: “Tt is not from lack of interest that the Los Angeles Audubon Society is not taking part in the Christmas Census this year, but for the reason that so many of its members, upon whom we rely for correctly identifying the birds, have been, and still are ill, and not to be depended upon. “Then, too, one of our largest ‘birding’ localities for shore-birds was drained this last summer and it has cut down our pro- ductwe territory considerably, and will necessitate new lines of work. We hope by another year to adjust ourselves and enter into the contest with renewed energy and enthusiasm. “On account of the Spanish influenza we have not been allowed to hold any indoor meetings this fall. We have had our regular field trips, however, with good attendance and are encouraged to feel there is no lack of interest. A Jittle later we intend send- ng you the record of a new bird for our ocality upon which we are now making F. T. Bicknell, of Los Angeles, notes. I am working for Birp-Loru sub- scriptions and hope to send names very soon,” A Christmas Card The following poem, under the title, ‘Brother Bird to Brother Man,’ by Miss Gertrude Knevels, appeared on an attract- ive ‘Christmas Greeting’ sent out by the Forest Hills Gardens Audubon Society. How big your nest is, neighbor Man, How beautiful your fare, While small birds in the wind and snow Are starving everywhere. Some scattered crumbs, a little seed, A drop of water too, And we will sing our gratitude Big Brother Man, to you. Ruffed Grouse Scarce in West Virginia But a few years ago the Ruffed Grouse, was fairly common throughout the hill re- gion of West Virginia. Why it has become so very scarce in the last year or two is a mystery, but, nevertheless, it is true. A party of three, hunting squirrels for three days in the mountainous part of Tucker County in September, reports sce- ing but two Grouse. Another party of three, hunting in the mountains of Webster and Randolph counties six days in No- vember, reports secing thirty-one Grouse, In both places there is an abundance of wild grapes, gum berries, beech nuts and other food for the birds. A few years ago Grouse were plentiful in these same areas. Some hunters killed a few Grouse and it was noticed that all the birds killed were males. One hunter reported that he had killed his quota of Grouse this year. Among the twenty-five birds was but one female. He had hunted over several coun- ties and noticed that there were very few birds this year, whereas he had found them plentiful last year. It was also -noticed that practically all the birds killed were old birds. There seems to be a possibility that a large number of Grouse froze to death last ROY C. ANDREWS President Bronxville (N. Y.) Bird The Audubon Societies 70 winter. The female birds might have per- ished in this way, thus accounting for more males than females as well as the few young birds this year.—A. J. DADISMAN, Morgantown, W. Va. Blackbirds and Meadowlarks in California With unswerving regularity, worthy of a better cause, the question as to whether Meadowlarks and Blackbirds are a nuis- ance in California continues to be raised every year. At the coming session of the legislature, bills in ail human probability will be introduced looking to the destruc tion of these birds. Somebody will again claim that Blackbirds are eating the grain and Meadowlarks are destroying the grape crop. The California Audubon Society, ever watchful for the interests of the wild birds, has just issued a six-page pamphlet con- taining testimonies of some ranchers tend- ing to show that the Meadowlark and Blackbird are of real economic value. This circular deserves to be given wide publicity and it is difficult to see how any legislator would approve of taking protection from these two birds after reading such an inter- esting document. Success to the California Audubon So- ciety in its legislative efforts this year and more power to Harriet Williams Myers, its active and resourceful Secretary! New Sustaining Members Enrolled from October 19, 1918 to January 1, 1919 Abbott, Miss Ella L. Adams, Silas B. Armstrong, Edward E. Beach, Miss Elizabeth T. E. Bennett, Ernest P. Benson, Mrs. Louis F. Biddle, Mrs. Thomas M. Billings, Mrs. C. K. G. Bishop, J. E. Blickensderfer, C. Botsford, E. F. Boyden, Harry H. Brandt, Frederic F. Breck, Frances S. Brodland, Mrs. Lucas Brooks, Mrs. Anson Brown, Miss Mary L. Buchanan, Genl. James A. Burk, Mrs. A. N. Campbell, Mrs. Stuart Caster, Benjamin Chanler, Mrs. Winthrop Chapman, Mrs. Eustace Cheever, J. S. Christian, Miss Susan Clark, Miss Mary T. Clarke, Miss Mary S. Congdon, Miss Frances Cowling, Sarah F. Curtis, Eva C. Danielson, Mrs. Richard Dillon, Fred N. Dinsmoor, John C. Easton, Mrs. N. Howard Eckstein, Miss Babette Edge, Mrs. C. N. Ehrmann, Dr. Fred J. E. Elliot, Sarah J. Finch, Mrs. Gertrude K. Fox. Miss A. M. Franke, Mrs. Albert Gardner, Mrs. Arthur F. Hamann, William A. Hayward, Miss Emma Herrmann, F. Hill, Mrs. J. A. Hill, William H. Hoover, Harris M. Houghton, L. Jennings, Philip B. Kelly, Mrs. S. La Boiteaux, Miss L. M. Langdon, Roy M. Legg, Mrs. J. Francis Lindsey, Edward Low, Mrs: Seth Lyman, Miss Clara McCarrell, Mrs. Robert L. Mabie, Clarence Madeira, Miss Elizabeth Manning, Mrs. C. B. Matheson, Mrs. W. I. Mennen, William G. Miller, Mrs. Ellen H. Minnesota State Library Minns, Master Frederick Montgomery, Henry B. Ostrander, Mrs. Charles L. Partridge, Mrs. H. G. Paul, Mrs. Gertrude, Sr. Pease, Frank A. Peterson, Charles S. Pirie, John T. Poole, Miss Grace H. Porter, Mrs. Samuel Potts, Master Harry Richmond, F. E. Riddell, Mr. and Mrs. B. H. Rodgers, Miss H. T. Rumford, Dr. Lewis Rumsey, Bronson 80 Bird - Lore Scattergood, Mrs. J. Henry Schwartz, Mrs. Morton L. Shaver, Mrs. B. F. Smith, C. B. Smith, Miss Henrietta A. Sprague, Major A. A. Stetson, Miss Charlotte Stewart, Robert L. Storm, Raymond W. Thresher, Henry G. Tomlinson, Mrs. Antoinette F. Townsend, J. W. Truesdale, Mrs. H. C. Turner, Richard G. Tuttle, Mrs. Harry A. Upham, Miss Edith S. Walker, E. Robbins Warner, A. L. D. Washburn, Mrs. Edward A. Welch, Mrs. E. L. Whitehouse, J. Henry Williams, Mrs. Norman Wilson, Mrs. C. M. Woolverton, William H. Wotkyns, Dana B. Zapp, Louis Law for Migratory Birds Safe A news dispatch, recently sent out from Washington, D. C., stating that the Gov- ernment had dropped the case of appeal before the Supreme Court in reference to the constitutionality of the Migratory Bird Law, has led many people to under- stand that migratory birds are no longer protected by Federal statute. Such is not the case, however. What really happened was this: The old Shauver case which had been pending for several years before the Supreme Court was finally disposed of merely for the purpose of clearing this dead issue off the docket. The.treaty be- tween the United States and Great Britain affecting migratory birds in the United States and Canada is much more compre- hensive than the old Migratory Bird Law, and as the Enabling Act, making the treaty operative, was enacted by Congress July 3, 1918, those engaged in bird-pro- tection took no further interest in the for- tunes of the old Migratory Bird Law. The action of the Supreme Court, therefore, does not adversely affect in the slightest the Federal guardianship of migratory birds. Bird-House Contest The Pittsburgh Chronicle-Telegraph has opened its third annual bird-house contest. This closes on February 22, 1919. There are three first, second, third, and fourth prizes, allotted to different districts. The first prize in each case is a bicycle, the second, a chest of tools, third, a suit of clothes, fourth, a jig-saw; fifty additional prizes, consisting of gold Waldemar com- binations, twenty-five to the winners within the city limits and twenty-five to those living outside the city. Any boy under sixteen years of age is eligible to enter the contest. Another special prize is a gold watch given ‘for the most unique and serviceable bird-feeding station made according to dimensions as specified on the Telegraph dimension card. All requests for privileges to enter the contest should be addressed to T. Walter Weiseman, Bird- House Editor, Pittsburgh Chronicle-Tele- graph, Gazette Square, Pittsburgh, Pa. Notes from Washington, D. C. The bill intended to prohibit the sale of game in the District of Columbia is held up and probably will not pass at this ses- sion of Congress. The measure went through the House of Representatives all right, but struck a snag in the Senate, for here it was referred to the Committee on the District of Columbia, the chairman of which, Senator Smith of Maryland,appears to be dead opposed to the enactment of such a measure for bird-preservation. Game-protectors and bird-lovers of Mary- land have been bombarding him with letters to no avail. The efforts of the National Association to make Senator Smith see the light have alike proved un- successful. It takes a long time to get a Federal law when it comes to conservation. Owing to the absence of Henry Oldys in France the publication of Current Items of Interest, by the District of Columbia Audubon Society, will for the present be discontinued. The Society is planning to continue its bird-walks this spring, as in years past. Do You Want Few or Many Bird Tenants? If you want ONLY Bluebirds, House Wrens and Tree Swallows, buy your bird houses anywhere, or make them for yourself. But if you want Bluebirds, House Wrens, Tree Swallows, AND Woodpeckers, Nuthatches, Crested Fly- catchers and others which rarely or never use ordinary nest boxes, write for our catalogue. We are the sole American manufacturers of the natural log bird houses which are used exclusively by the famous Meriden Bird Club, and which are now being erected by hundreds in bird sanctuaries and private gardens all over the United States. THE AUDUBON BIRD-HOUSE COMPANY Meriden, New Hampshire Wine GUIDE TO NATURE A Magazine of Commonplace Nature with Uncommon Interest BEAUTIFULLY ILLUSTRATED MANY NEW FEATURES “It is all very well to be a specialist. but it is bad to be nothing but a specialist.’’ —Dean Coulter, Purdue EDWARD F. BIGLOW Managing Editor Subscription, $1 a year; single or sample copy, cents The Agassiz Association ArcApiA: Sound Beach Connecticut Order Bird Houses Now to be delivered when you want them. The best houses at moderate prices. New and second- hand books. Old and rare books. What book do you want? Mail orders only. Send for circular. BOSTON BIRD HOUSE AND BIRD BOOK COMPANY 162 Boylston Street, Boston, Mass. Bird-Lores Wanted (The publishers of BIRD-LORE respectfully urge aie cribers who desire to have unbroken Siles of the magazine to renew their subscription at the time of its expiration. Vol. VIII, Nos.3, 5; Vol. LX, No. 3;Vol. X, No. 6; Vol. XII, No. 6; Vol. XIII, Nos. 1, 3, 4.—W. B. ALEXANDER, Hon. Li- brarian, care of Zodlogical Gardens, Park- ville, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Vol. I, Nos. 2, 2 2 6, with Index; Vol. II, Nos. il, a), Vol. III, Nos. De 3, AMO: with a —Rarpu W. JACKSON, Route No. 1, Cambridge, Md. Save Food and supply table d’hote dinners to all who fight under four flags. Enroll your bird army and watch them make a ‘‘ChateauThierry’’ clean-up | in your garden. You will think a wireless has ordered all the bugs i and worms to flee to Holland. EVANS BROS. supply everything for our native birds. Send five cents in stamps for catalogue of bird- | houses, food - houses, etc. 230 MAIN STREET, EVANSTON, ILLINOIS Dr. Chapman’s New Book—Just Published vy 4 [ leg ppg | ae cA Companion to “The Travels of Birds” by the same cAuthor, « OUR WINTER BIRDS By FRANK M. CHAPMAN The extraordinary, but not unexpected reception accorded to Dr. Chapman’s little volume on “The Travels of Birds” has led to the preparation of this work, which is designed to form an introduction to the study of birds. The author believes that winter 1s the best season mm which to begin the study of ornithology, for the reason that there are fewer birds and they may be more easily identified, and they are generally hungry and conse- quently more approachable. The birds have been separated into three easily-grasped groups of field birds, forest birds, and home birds, and in an entertaining manner the author discusses their habits and chief characteristics. There are numerous illustrations. 12mo. Cloth, $1.00 net per copy. By mail, $1.10. Also an edition for use as a school reader. This is an Appleton Book D. APPLETON & COMPANY Publishers 35 West 32d Street New York Se. I VOL. XXI 200, aC bidet MARCH—APRIL, 1919 ss avout a ie as Ip rie ae ATTA a Miia in ; mmm” 1 i) gs yy Jd ¢ a7} jail) ANN Py Wait i gs ‘ M4 1h, \) “i Aly i da te Ml m bah f y OG Ve if ar fii frit 1, All y.Oe ds Geb, Wri Dds, G5 Ps 9D "ap A!) Lp) fal) Wy, We ul | MY i Siti MARL ties SENATOR nob A HH irs adults bi MNRAS) bonnet hill OKT MTA Mh A) Wn of) WW) ( - 11 i RY j Cas eae “Hn fy) We Si im, / a i iS q 5 il oh f Ths y WA ey i h | eh) fC i iN LDITLD HT FRANK M, CHAPMAN PURLAGH EL KOH THK AUDUHOR SOCIETIES D, bapeiion & Company HARRISBURG, PA. NEW YORK, Tes “Wa Wy p “ai adie COPYRIGHT, 1919, BY FRANK I, CHAPLIN hb. Wier Hird - Lore March-April, 1919 CONTENTS GENERAL ARTICLES FRONTISPIECE IN COLOR. CRow, NORTHWEST CROW AND FisH Crow. . Louis Agassiz Fuertes. . THE WARBLERS OF CENTRAL NEW York. Illustrated A.A. Allen.. NOTES FROM A TRAVELER IN THE Tropics. III. From Panama TO PERu. Illustrated. . Frank M. Chapman. . PurPLE MarTINS ON STUART AcRES. Illustrated F.A. Stuart. . ANOTHER PURPLE MarTIN ROOST IN THE City OF WASHINGTON ...Harry C. Oberholser. . THE MIGRATION OF NortH AMERICAN Birps. IX. Crows NOTES ON THE PLUMAGE OF NorTH AMERICAN Birps. Fifty-third Paper Frank M. Chapman. . NOTES FROM FIELD AND STUDY A BELATED CENSUS FROM BELGIUM, Allan Brooks; Ropins Enjoy Fiat Lire (Illus.), E£. R. Ford; Roptn’s NEST ON A WREN HOwsE (lIllus.), Esther DeBoos; AN UNUSUALLY-PLACED Rosin Nest (Illus.), Raymond Synnestvedt; THE DESERTED Home, Dora Worster Lewis; BROAD-WINGED HAWK IN THE CHRISTMAS CENSUS (A Correction); YouNG Barn SwaLLows RETURNING TO THE Nest, Miss A. C. Tucker; NoTES ON GRACKLES AND OTHER Brrps, F. R. Welsh; THE RuBy-cROWNED KINGLET, Therese Judd; AN ALBINO Woop TurusH, G. G. Reeves; NicHT Voices, George Miksch Sutton; PIED-BILLED GREBE CARING FOR Its YouNG, Grace H. Peck; BIRD-NESTING IN TEXAS, J. M. Heiser, Jr. THE SEASON. XII. December 15, 1918, to February 15, 1919 Glover M. Allen; J. T. Nichols; Harry C. Oberholser; Lynds Jones; Thos. S. Roberts; Harry Harris; W. H. Bergtold. BOOK NEWS AND REVIEWS MOosELEy’s “TREES, STARS, AND Brrps’; BEEBE’s ‘A MONOGRAPH OF THE PHEASANTS’; THE ORNITHOLOGICAL MAGAZINES. EDITORIAL THE AUDUBON SOCIETIES—SCHOOL DEPARTMENT HIGHER STANDARDS, A. H.W.; Brrp AND ARBoR Day THOUGHTS; JUNIOR AUDUBON WoRK; For AND From ADULT AND YOUNG OBSERVERS. THE AUDUBON SOCIETIES—EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT SUMMER SCHOOL AT AMSTON; SUMMER SCHOOL AT TAHOE; IOWA CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION; SONG-BIRD KILLING IN GEORGIA; AUDUBON ASSOCIATION OF THE PACIFIC; GULLS; ROOSEVELT MEMORIAL FOUNTAIN. *,* Manuscripts intended for publication, books, etc., for review and exchanges, should be sent to the Editor, atthe American Museum of Natural History, 77th St. and 8th Ave., New York City. Important Notice to All Bird-Lore Subscribers IRD-LORE is published on or near the first days of February, April, June, August, October, and December. Failure to secure the copy due you should be reported not later than the 18th of the months above mentioned. We cannot supply missing copies after the month in which the number in question was issued. Notices of changes of addresses, renewals and subscriptions should be sent to BIRD-LORE, HARRISBURG, PA. Each notice of a change of address should give the old address as well as the new, and should state whether the change is permanent or for just one or two issues. Make checks and money orders payable to BIRD-LORE. Entered as second-class matter at the Post Office at Harrisburg, Pa., under Act of Congress of August 24, 1912 nage ee 2. NORTHWEST CROW 3. FISH CROW (About one-sixth natural size) 4 \ Ww Cn X Deo x . a . , — ea Ail >Q\) Die in a ag A BI-MONTHLY MAGAZINE DEVOTED TO THE STUDY AND PROTECTION OF BIRDS OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE AUDUBON SOCIETIES Vol. XXI MARCH—APRIL, 1919 No. 2 The Warblers of Central New York By A. A. ALLEN, Ph D., Assistant Professor of Ornithology Cornell University With Photographs by the Author i | \HE fascination of the Warblers is >» irresistible. Their arrival in the . spring awakens even the most callous ornithologist and pulls him out of bed before his accustomed time. Their bright colors, their great variety, their active habits, almost madden the begin- ner, as, in a frenzy, he follows their darting forms through the tree-tops or strains his neck in an effort to locate some lisping song. Years go by before the maze of plumages is straightened out and the songs finally remembered from spring to spring. But he who follows the little fellows after they leave the gardens and shade trees and hide themselves in thicket, forest, and swamp, has a still greater enchantment before him. Decades may pass before he has traced them all to their abodes, learned all their breeding songs, and discovered the nest of every species. For bird-nesting is a_ time- consuming business. Days may be spent The male Mourning Warbler hasfedtheyoung 10 @ fruitless search of the undergrowth and is now waiting until he hears his mate before. the Mourning Warbler gives up coming before leaving. 5 its secret, and one’s neck may feel broken a hundred times from scanning the tree-tops before one finds the nest of the Blackburnian or the Cerulean. But what a joy it is at last to 82 Bird - Lore discover the nest! The more difficult the search, the greater seems the reward. What a thrill passes over the searcher when a little greenish bird flutters from beneath his feet and he feels his patience rewarded! What a feeling of expec- tancy when a_ bright colored male Warbler hesitates for a moment near a dark spot among the leaves overhead and one climbs the tree to make sure that the nest is there. If one is interested in photography, there is much _ satisfaction in planning the method of approach, the placing of the blind, or the fasten- ing of the camera. It taxes one’s ingenuity to the utmost. The nest may be fifty or sixty feet from the ground and far out on a branch. Usu- ally it is in the deepest shade. The bird may be exceedingly timid, and High in the trees, concealed with bits of lichen and woody fungi, Ges ca always count the shallow nest is very difficult to find and still more difficult to On its being extremely phovogren active. Scores of prob- lems are presented for solution before one can secure satisfactory photo- graphs, or even watch at close range the nesting habits of many of the Warblers. The majority of Warblers, however, are less timid than most birds and this facilitates their study. Many species seem not to know fear about their nests. Indeed, in the case of one Blackburnian Warbler, shown me by G. A. Bailey, I had difficulty in keeping the bird off the nest long enough to photo- graph the eggs, even though I lifted her from the nest. The nest was about 25 feet from the ground in a small hemlock that swayed with the weight of my body and shook with my labored breathing. Indeed, the motion of the tree was harder to combat than the movements of the bird, and many failures resulted until I held my breath during the exposure. So it is with many and, perhaps, the majority of Warblers: there are some individuals of each species that seem devoid of the fear instinct. One needs to work with them for only A CERULEAN HOME The Warblers of Central New York 83 a few hours before they become accustomed to one’s presence and may even be coaxed to feed their young on one’s hand. There are some exceptions to this, however, chief among which is the Yellow-breasted Chat. Unlike the rest of its family in many ways, it carries its peculiarity in this respect to the extreme, so that it becomes practically an impossible subject for the photographer or the student of bird home-life. The slightest disturbance of the nest, or the leaves about it in discovering it, is apt to cause the birds to desert. Even with the maternal instinct at its height, when the young are fully fledged, they will leave them upon the slight- est provocation. In Central New York the Chats’ nests are the most easily discovered of any of the Warblers, though, of course, they are far less common than many. They ordinarily nest about four feet from the ground in clumps of cornus, spirea, or viburnum, or other shrubs which grow in patches and which present a dense exterior but are sparsely branched and free from leaves on the inside. THIS BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER PERMITTED ITSELF TO BE LIFTED FROM THE NEST It is necessary merely to insert one’s head beneath the crown of the bushes and a glance tells whether or not the bulky nest is present. Since both birds are rather noisy about the nesting grounds, the nesting area is easily located and there are usually not a great many possible nesting sites. One spring we discovered twenty different nests of the Chat. They were built, however, by but seven pairs of birds, an average of nearly three nests per pair. Apparently something had happened time and again to disturb the birds 84 Bird - Lore while they were incubating and they had each time deserted the nest and built a new one in the vicinity. Some of the deserted nests were empty, some con- tained one or two eggs, and some the full complement of four, our only way of knowing that the nests were deserted at the time of discovery being the finding of another nest in the vicinity containing warm eggs. Usually we were unable to discover the cause of desertion, but in two of the nests were the eggs of the Cowbird. The eggs of the two species are almost identical and yet the Chat seems to know the difference or to be able to count and remember the number A TAME CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER FEEDING ITS YOUNG which she has herself laid. I have known no instance of a Chat hatching out the Cowbird’s egg. A shy bird like this is very discouraging to the student of bird home-life for, when the mere discovery of the nest causes the bird to desert, it gives him not even a chance to test his skill. Upon two occasions, however, we were able to outwit the Chat by discovering the nests from a distance and not going near them until the proper time. One nest was located in an elm sprout close beside a cow-path and the bird had apparently become accustomed to the passing of the cattle. It was raining on the one day that we had a chance to photograph this nest and this, perhaps, caused the bird to stick closer. I set up my umbrella blind and my camera at a distance without disturbing her, and, getting inside, The Warblers of Central New York 85 I lifted the whole thing and lumbered slowly down the path to within six feet of the nest. She would have let me come closer but the nest was on a side hill and this was as close as I could get and still view the nest. Apparently she was accustomed to having cows grazing about her, for she paid no attention to any of the sounds coming from the blind. After making several exposures, I decided to leave without disturbing her and come back again after the eggs had hatched and family life had become more interesting. Instead of moving back up the path the way I had come, I whistled for my companion, thinking that if the bird were frightened from the nest by someone else, she would not suspect the blind of being anything but an inoffensive cow. It was a fatal mistake. My al A WOODLAND RESTAURANT While the Black-throated Blue Warbler fed its young on my knee, the deer-flies and mosquitoes fed on my hand. The one made up for the other companion had to approach very close to the bush before the bird would leave, in fact almost touch it. The bird left with considerable alarm and to the best of my knowledge never came back. We removed the blind but when we came again, a week later, the eggs were cold and the birds were calling about another thicket lower down the hill where we did not disturb them. The other nest we discovered when the young were about to leave, and, since the old bird never left the side of the nest, I assume she thought herself undiscovered. The next day, before we went near the nest, we carefully con- cealed the camera in a box close to the ground, focusing it upon a prepared perch. The old bird was not near when we approached the nest but all of the 86 Bird - Lore young fluttered from it in alarm. Before we had captured them all, one of the old birds returned, but, after scolding for a while, disappeared. Without delay we fastened the young in the grass beneath the perch upon which the camera was focused and concealed ourselves. After a while one of the old birds came back. We could not tell which one, but it was probably the other one, because only one returned; it showed no alarm, and, when it heard the food-calls of the young, it flew directly to the perch we had prepared. To get the Chat feeding its young and determine the nature of the food it was bringing was not so easy, for while we were placing them upon another perch, the old bird came back and caught us in the act. She told us very plainly in Chat language what she thought of such a proceeding, and waited two hours before she finally fed them and we secured the accompanying photograph. Whether the Chats are as sensitive as this in all parts of their range I do not know, because there is a great deal of difference among individual birds. If we can judge from the particular branch of the tribe that lives about Ithaca, however, we would say that shyness is a species characteristic more strongly developed than in the Herons, Gulls, Skimmers, Doves, or any of the species that have a reputation for extreme timidity. (To be concluded) A CHAT BEFORE LUNCH The youngster has waited two hours for this meal, and apparently registers disapproval. The Chat is the most difficult bird to photograph the writer has ever encountered Notes from a Traveler in the Tropics III. FROM PANAMA TO PERU By FRANK M. CHAPMAN Line, left her moorings at Balboa and steamed slowly through the small gateway in the submarine nets guarding the Pacific entrance to the canal, which is closed nightly from 6 p.m. to 6 A.M. The beauties of Panama Bay with its islands, bare and wooded, the foothills and mountains of the surrounding mainland, the white towers and red roofs of Panama remain to become common knowledge; while the history of this region, from Balboa to Goethals, makes as strong an appeal to the imagination as do its physical features to the eye. The waters abound with fish, and the air above them is correspondingly alive with birds. Nowhere else have I seen Man-o’-War Birds so numerous, while Brown Pelicans in stately files flew to their favorite fishing grounds. Some years ago a party of ichthyologists, whose desire for specimens was evidently stronger than their regard for the laws of angling, exploded charges of dynamite in these waters as the most direct means of making a census of their finny inhabitants, but when the shocked or killed victims came floating to the surface the Man-o’-War Birds and Pelicans proved so much more skillful as ‘collectors’ that the fish-men got a comparatively small share of the booty! South of the equator, at just what point I am unable to say, but doubtless near the boundary line of Ecuador and Peru, the Brown Pelican is replaced by the Chilean Pelican, a related but distinct species; but, singularly enough, in spite of the abundance of food and the astounding numbers of birds off the coast of Peru, the Man-o’-War Bird was not observed south of Panama Bay. The absence of the Brown Pelican from the east coast of South America presents a similar inexplicable problem in distribution. During the succeeding two days few birds were observed. An occasional Shearwater or Petrel (4strelata?) was seen scaling over the waves in its unending and apparently fruitless search for food, but we were evidently not sailing over good feeding grounds. At 9 A.M. on the 16th we passed about ten miles to the east of Malpelo Islet, a rocky pile which loomed to surprising height above the horizon. Doubtless it is the home of many sea-birds, but, so far as I know, no naturalist has ever landed upon it. At 7 o’clock on the morning of the 18th we were off Point Parina, the most western part of South America, and near enough to the shore to see the oil- derricks, which indicate the product of this barren coast. At 10 A.M. we reached Payta, our first port from Panama, and we were now fairly within the zone which distinguishes the Peruvian littoral as the home of countless hordes of sea- birds. There were Gulls, Cormorants, Boobies and Pelicans in amazing abun- (87) Tit on the morning of November 14, the S.S. ‘Ucayali’ of the Peruvian dv1g0j0yd sty} 19x90D “A 0G Aq peydeis0j04d PIO ‘AVI LO} auszo3D py 214GD4F 09H) [DUONID N ay, ul poonpoidad sem Y O DNILSAN SNVOITdd NMOUWA NVATIHO AUYAd AO LSVOO NYAHLYON ‘QNVISI VUaANnAV SOPOT N Notes from a Traveler in the Tropics 89 dance. There is doubtless no area of equal extent in the world with a larger sea-bird population than the waters off this coast. Throughout its entire length of some 1,200 miles, birds are always present in large numbers, and when some unknown cause induces the small fish on which they feed to appear ina comparatively restricted area in incalculable myriads, there is a corresponding concentration of the feathered forms which prey upon them. On November 20, when we were anchored off the port of Salaverry, it was obvious that we were in the center of such a gathering. Whether one looked north, east, south or west, birds could be seen in countless numbers passing in endless files, fishing in dense, excited flocks or massed in dark islands on the sea. If one looked toward the shore, where the bare, blazing sand-dunes smothered in smooth banks the base of coastal hills rising dark and desolate behind them, to be in turn overtopped by the distant Andes, long, waving, whip-like streamers and banners of birds passed in endless, undulating files sharply silhouetted against the atmospheric mountains. Seaward, like aérial serpents, sinuous lines crawled through the air in re- peated curves which lost themselves in the distance, or processions streaked the sky or water in rapidly-passing, endless files, flowing steadily by, hour after hour, during the entire day without ceasing, and with but slight breaks in the line. At times the flocks were composed of Cormorants, with, at intervals, an. occasional white-bodied, brown-winged Booby. At others, they would be made up almost wholly of Boobies, accented here and there by a Cormorant, while for an hour or more Cormorants were passing northward some forty feet above the sea, and below them, low over the water, Boobies were flying south- ward, the head and tail of each procession being beyond the limit of vision. The Booby formation was less regular than that of the Cormorants, three or four birds often traveling abreast, and they passed at an average of three hundred per minute. It was not possible, however, to estimate from such observations the number of birds which passed a given point during the day, since the direction of flight was at times reversed as the birds sought new fish- ing-grounds. These were near the shore, and the focal points toward which sooner or later, the birds converged, resulted in a scene to which no description can do justice. There was not a passenger aboard the ship who did not express his lively interest in it, and throughout the day it commanded untiring and often excited attention. The Cormorants fished from the surface where they were evidently sur- rounded by a sea of the small fry, which, with much plunging and diving, they gobbled voraciously, until, their storage capacity reached, they rested in great black rafts on the water, waiting for the processes of digestion to give both excuse and space for further gorging. The Boobies fished from the air, plunging headlong and with great force from an average height of fifty feet into the water almost directly. Like go Bird - Lore a great flying spear-head they strike the water and disappear in the jet of foam which spurts upward as they hit the surface. It isa more thrilling, reckless performance than even the plunge of the Fish Hawk. The dive of a single Booby, like that of the Hawk, is always a notable exhibition of skill, strength, and perfection of the winged fisherman’s art. Only a person rarely gifted in the use of words could adequately describe it. How, then, can one hope to paint a pen-picture of a thousand Boobies diving, of a skyful of Boobies which, in endless streams, poured downward into the sea? It was a curtain of darts, a barrage of birds. The water below became a mass of foam from which, if one watched closely, hundreds of dark forms took wing at a low angle to return to the animated throng above, and dive again; or, their hunger satisfied, they filed away with thousands of others to some distant resting-place. It is difficult to understand why the birds emerging from the water are not at times impaled by their plunging comrades, and how the Cormorants, always fishing on or near the surface, escape. But the most amazing phenomenon in all this amazing scene was the action of flocks of Boobies of five hundred to a thousand birds, which, in more or less compact formation, were hurrying to join one of the Booby squalls which darkened the air over the fishing-grounds. If, unexpect- edly, they chanced to fly over a school of fish, instantly, and as one individual, every Booby in the flock plunged downward and in a twinkling the air which had been filled with rapidly flying birds was left without a feather! This spectacle, the most surprising evolution I have ever seen in bird-life, was wit- nessed repeatedly during the day. We left Salaverry late in the afternoon, when the setting sun revealed an apparently endless succession of mountain ranges leading to the far-distant Andes, and seemed to light each with a different color—gray, pink, brown, or purple— and the birds were still waging active warfare against the inhabitants of the waters. But I could look at them no longer without experiencing a feeling of confusion and dizziness. For the first time in my life I had seen too many birds in one day! November 19, off Eten, the first Albatross, a bird of the Yellow-nosed group, was seen; the following day a Skua was observed, and thereafter a few individuals of these species were seen daily. Diving Petrels and Inca Terns were not noted until we entered Lima Harbor on November 21. It is, of course, well known that the combination of fish, fish-eating birds (transformers, they might almost be called), islands on which the birds may nest in security, and a rainless climate has resulted in the production of the guano deposits which have constituted one of the principal commercial assets of Peru. The Incas, who used guano to fertilize the areas they irrigated for agricultural purposes on the coast of Peru, are said to have imposed the penalty of death on anyone who killed a guano-producing bird; and the existing Peru- vian Government rigidly protects them. The original supply of guano has long since been removed and the industry Notes from a Traveler in the Tropics ope now consists in collecting the annual deposit. I have no figures at hand which will show what this amounts to, but a prominent Peruvian official informed me that a three-year deposit on one island amounted to 30,000 tons. The size of the island was not stated, but from Captain Richmond, of Mollendo, I learned that a comparatively small roosting-island—a pyramidal rock— furnished a thousand tons of guano yearly. The remarkable photograph which is reproduced with this article, was made by Mr. R. E. Coker, of the United States Fish Commission, on the island of Lobos Afuera, off the northern coast of Peru some years ago. Mr. Coker at this time was making studies of the fish and of the guano-producing birds of Peru for the Peruvian Government. Much of the interesting data gathered by him have, I understand, not yet been published. If the information given me by Peruvian officials is correct, the remarkable Pelican photographs made by Mr. Coker could not now be duplicated. According to these gentlemen the Pelican is being replaced by the Booby—‘Patita,’ or little Duck, they call it. Boobies are said to be parasitic on Pelicans, robbing them of their food. I made no observations verifying this statement, but certain it is that thousands of Boobies were observed to one Pelican, and if both my memory and observa- tions are not at fault, Boobies are more abundant and Pelicans less numerous than they were on the Peruvian coast in June, 1916. WILSON’S THRUSH Photographed by C. W. Leister, Ithaca, N. Y. Purple Martins on Stuart Acres FIVE YEARS OF BIRD-PROTECTION ON A MICHIGAN FARM By F. A. STUART, Marshall, Mich. With Photographs by Dr. W. H. Rowland TUART ACRES is a tract of land in Eckford Township, Calhoun County, S Michigan, extending from the Kalamazoo River on the north to Upper and Lower Brace Lakes on the south, and comprising altogether a little more than two thousand acres of land devoted to general farming, fruit culture, and livestock. The topography of the tract is sufficiently diversified with wood- land, lowland, water courses and cultivated fields to make this section admirably suited for both land and water birds native to this climate. Bob-whites are plentiful except after severe winters, there are a few Ruffed Grouse and even a small flock of Pinnated Grouse (Prairie Chicken) now practically extinct in Michigan, besides a few breeding Mallards and Wood Ducks. Articles on birds appearing in the National Geographic Magazine in the winter of 1913-14 aroused the interest of the writer in the protection and con- servation of bird-life in general and of bird-house species in particular. Late in March, 1914 this early enthusiasm took tangible form in the erection of be- + “AT REVEILLE.” JUNE 10, 1018 (92) Purple Martins on Stuart Acres 93 tween 300 and 4oo bird-houses of every sort and description, from the small rustic Wren house to large logs of the Von Berlepsch type for Wood Ducks and Screech Owls and including ten Martin-houses. Previous to March 20, rg14, there were no bird-houses of any description, neither were there any Purple Mar- tins, Tree Swallows, nor House Wrens. Many bird-boxes have been added each season since 1914, until, at this writing, there are more than 1,400 on the whole estate; there were at one time (1916) over 1,600 houses, but about 200 have been removed because, for some reason or other, they were left unoccupied; it was a waste of time and labor to look after them, since it was very soon discovered that success with bird- houses meant regular, sys- tematic attention for the removal of English Sparrow nests, this nuisance being pe the most serious obstacle senna to bringing back and re- : ata t poke A establishing our native birds STARTING OUT ON THE DAY’S WORK OF as far as bird-house occu- Removing House ee other undesirables pants is concerned. There- fore, every bird-box is examined every 21 days in the nesting season and an accurate report made of what is found, no account being taken of any nest unless it contains either eggs or young birds. Therefore, there is no guess- work either as to kind of bird or numbers, since no mention is made of incomplete or unoccupied nests; the reports of the four young men who make the regular inspections can be depended. upon to be absolutely accurate. It might be of interest, but would require too much space, to relate in detail the experiences, successes, and disappointments of the five years past, but suffice it to say that results speak for themselves and briefly stated here they are. In the June inspection of 1914 there were 46 pairs of Martins in the 10 Martin- cE 94 Bird - Lore houses, in the smaller houses 7 pairs of Bluebirds and 5 pairs of House Wrens made up the total of desirable bird-house occupants up to July 1, ror4. In comparison, we found the following season, on May 3, 1915 inspection, 22 pairs of Bluebirds, every one of which brought off the young of the first brood and many more nests were found either incomplete or abandoned, of which no record was made. June 16, 1915 inspection showed in the 1o Martin- houses 117 pairs of breeding Martins, 16 pairs House Wrens, 12 pairs Tree Swallows, 8 pairs Flickers, 2 pairs Chickadees, 1 pair Crested Flycatchers. TREE SWALLOWS FAVOR THIS TYPE OF HOUSE Seventy-seven pairs had either eggs or young on Stuart Acres, in houses of this kind or similar to it on June 19, 1918 The next season, 1916, June 13 inspection showed 159 pairs Martins, 27 pairs Bluebirds, 21 pairs Tree Swallows, g pairs Flickers, 2 pairs Chickadees, 20 pairs House Wrens, 2 pairs Screech Owls, 1 pair Brown Creepers, 1 pair Tufted Titmice, 153 pairs English Sparrows. The season of 1917, inspection of June 19, showed 190 pairs Martins, 46 pairs Bluebirds, 43 pairs Tree Swallows, 18 pairs House Wrens, g pairs Flickers, 4 pairs Screech Owls, 64 pairs English Sparrows. For the present season the inspection made June tro, 1918, follows: 222 pairs Martins, 38 pairs Bluebirds, 77 pairs Tree Swallows, 4 pairs Flickers, 4 pairs Screech Owls, 1 pair Sparrow Hawks, 8 pairs House Wrens, 30 pairs English Sparrows. Bluebirds and House Wrens are much fewer than in previous years, prob- ably on account of the extraordinary severity of last winter, 1917-1918. In conjunction with the Game Warden’s Department of the State of Michigan an Purple Martins on Stuart Acres 95 attempt is being made, during the present season (1918), to propagate the Ring- necked Pheasant, the result of which cannot be known until late this autumn. List of birds seen on Stuart Acres or vicinity either as permanent residents, summer residents, or in spring and fall migrations: Red-breasted Merganser Hooded Merganser Mallard Green-winged Teal Blue-winged Teal Pintail Wood Duck Redhead Bluebill Golden-eye Bufflehead Ruddy Duck Canada Goose American Bittern Least Bittern Great Blue Heron Little Green Heron Sandhill Crane Sora Coot Woodcock Jack Snipe Spotted Sandpiper Killdeer Bob-white Rufied Grouse Pinnated Grouse Chicken) Mourning Dove Marsh Hawk Sharp-shinned Hawk Cooper’s Hawk Red-tailed Hawk Red-shouldered Hawk Sparrow Hawk* Barn Owl Screech Owl* Yellow-billed Cuckoo Black-billed Cuckoo (Prairie Kingnsher Hairy Woodpecker Downy Woodpecker* Red-headed Woodpecker Northern Flicker Whip-poor-will Nighthawk Chimney Swiit Ruby-throated Humming- Kingbird [bird Crested Flycatcher Phoebe Wood Pewee Least Flycatcher Prairie Horned Lark Blue Jay Crow Bobolink Cowbird Red-winged Blackbird. Meadowlark Orchard Oriole Baltimore Oriole Bronzed Grackle Purple Finch American Crossbill Redpoll Goldimch Vesper Sparrow Lark Finch Whiite-throaied Sparrow White-crowned Sparrow Tree Sparrow Chipping Sparrow Field Sparrow Janco Song Sparrow Swamp Sparrow Fox Sparrow Chewink Cardinal Rose-breasted Grosbeak Searlet Tanager Purple Martin* Barn Swallow Tree Swallow* Bank Swallow Cedar Waxwing Red-eyed Vireo Warbling Vireo Yellow-throated Vireo Black and White Warbler Yellow Warbler Black - throated Blue Warbler Myrile Warbler Chestnut-sided Warbler Blackburnian Warbler Biack-throaied Green Warbler Maryland Yellowthroat Yellow-breasted Chat Redstart Caibird Brown Thrasher House Wren* Shori-billed Marsh Wren Long-billed Marsh Wren Brown Creeper* White-breasted Nuthaich* Red-breasted Nuthatch Tuited Titmouse* Chickadee* Golden-crowned Kinglet Ruby-crowned Kinglet Wood Thrush Robin Bluebird* Nore.—There are doubiless many other species, especially water-birds in migration, which frequent the tract, but with which the writer is not sufficiently familiar to be sure of the identification. Species checked (*) in above list are those which have at one time or an- other occupied the bird-houses. The Tufted Titmouse and Brown Creeper but once, however. Another Purple Martin Roost in the City of Washington By HARRY C. OBERHOLSER UR experience during 1917 with the Purple Martin roost in the city () of Washington aroused a natural curiosity regarding the birds’ return in 1918. Nor was this expectation doomed to disappointment, for the birds appeared considerably earlier than in the previous year, and like the city’s war workers, in ever-increasing numbers. In many respects they were so different this season that some further notes seem worthy of permanent record. Comparison with their behavior in 1917 can readily be made by con- sulting the writer’s account in last year’s Brrp-LorE.* As is well known, great changes have taken place in the capital city of our country during the past year. War conditions have made necessary the occupation of park space by temporary buildings. Several such structures have been erected along 4th Street in the Mall, close to the very trees in which the Purple Martins roosted in 1917. Either on account of this environmental change or for some more obscure reason best known to themselves, the Purple Martins, likewise the Purple Grackles and European Starlings, abandoned the former roost and chose a spot about a mile farther west, on 17th Street, N. W., at the western edge of that part of the Mall called the ‘White House Ellipse’. The other surroundings are very different from those of 1917. Just across 17th Street stands the Red Cross Building, the steps and portico of which afford an unobstructed and exceptional view of the tops of the trees used as the Purple Martin roost. Indeed, the opportunity for observation could hardly have been more favorable. This part of 17th Street has no electric car lines, but is a favorite thoroughfare for automobiles and pedestrians. South of the Red Cross Building, on the same side of the street, is the Pan-American Building; and north of the former, but on the opposite side of the street, is the State, War, and Navy Building, from which latter, to the Navy Annex, there stretch, high across 17th Street, the wires of the naval wireless telegraph station. Seventeenth Street is here lined on both sides with good-sized trees, principally elms and sycamores. The Purple Martin roost was situated in a small clump of thirteen trees, thirty or forty feet in height, all elms, except one box elder, and standing close to the broad sidewalk over which some of them spread. The birds commonly used only seven or eight of these trees, but, when an unusually large number of birds was present, occasionally as many as ten. This roost was occupied by the Martins for the first time on July to, 1918, and every day thereafter for more than a month. The daily arrival of the first few birds in the vicinity of the roost varied from twelve to thirty-three minutes before sunset—on August 1, this occurred at 6.50 p.m. (actual standard time), on August 24 at 6.32 P.M. and during the succeeding half hour the number rapidly increased up to the time of entering the roost. A part of the *BrrD-LorE, XIX, No. 6, Nov.—Dec., 1917, pp. 315-317. (96) Another Purple Martin Roost in the City of Washington 97 birds, from 100 to 2,000 or 3,000, as they arrived, sought the wireless telegraph apparatus, where they perched close together on the wires, and even lined the nearly vertical wire supports. This took place on nearly every evening, though occasionally all the birds remained in the air; at times they would all suddenly leave the wires as though by a common impulse, circle around in the air, and either return or enter the roost. On a few evenings they were observed resting in numbers also on the cornices of the various buildings in the vicinity. The birds that remained in the air would course leisurely about in all directions, covering a wide area, and, as the number increased, would form a more compact company, usually directly over the roosting place, sometimes high in the air, sometimes low, rarely ever moving very swiftly or as a unit until time for enter- ing the roost arrived. Up to about the middle of August there were commonly 3,000 to 5,000 Mar- tins in the air when, each day, the rush for rooms in the Martin hotel began. This took place from seven to twenty-one minutes after sunset, according to the state of the weather—at 7.20 p.m. on August 1, and at 7.10 P.M. on August 20. The entry was usually made rapidly and continuously after once begun, but on one occasion, August 9, it was twice interrupted for several minutes after a few at each time had begun to roost. During the first half of August the birds entered rather gradually, slowly circling or flying aimlessly low over the roost, then suddenly dashing into the trees, often with great swiftness. After the first rush, which usually consisted of the birds lower down, those from higher up, sometimes many hundreds of feet in the air, would, with wings nearly closed and rigidly set, begin to drop, each like a miniature aéroplane in a tail- spin, nearly vertically into the roost, and check themselves when only a few feet above the tree-tops. During these proceedings streams of other Martins continued to arrive, coming almost entirely from the west and south, singly and in small flocks, for several minutes at a rate of 2,000 or more a minute, then in gradually diminishing numbers for several minutes longer; flying leis- urely at first, but, as the daylight waned, at a.rapidly accelerating speed, as though fearful of arriving too late for a lodging place. During the latter part of August, however, the character of the flight materially changed, for the birds more and more collected into a well-defined flock, which performed its aérial evolutions more as a unit, and rarely entered the roost until all the stragglers had arrived; when, swarming over the tops of the trees, sometimes low down, sometimes at a great height, in rapidly moving circular form or otherwise, on one occasion even in the form of a huge inverted cone, like the cloud of a tornado, the birds, in great numbers, sometimes many thousands together, would dash with great speed directly down into the trees. The time occupied by this performance was only from three to five minutes, whereas during the early part of August, when the birds entered as they arrived, this extended over a period of from twelve to thirty minutes. The last straggler was safely housed by twenty to thirty minutes after sunset—on August 1, 98 Bird - Lore at 7.32 P.M.,and on August 24, at 7.13 P.M. Unlike all the other hostelries in war-crowded Washington, this Martin lodging-house seemed to have plenty of room for all comers. The birds appeared restless for some time after settling into the trees, and sometimes, particularly when roused by the firing of a gun, the clapping of hands, or other sudden noise, would rise in numbers and circle over the tree-tops, soon, however, dropping into their places again. There was, also, more or less moving about among the branches of the trees, as many of the birds exchanged their places for others apparently more to their liking. Dur- ing the early part of August, they were exceedingly noisy, and continued their chattering well into the night, usually later than 10 p.m.; but as the month waned they gradually became more silent and often scarcely uttered a note after all had entered the roost. At first a large proportion of the birds were adult males, but later on their places were taken almost entirely by females and young. Purple Grackles and European Starlings roosted in the trees adjacent to those occupied by the Martins, but the number of the former was never over 150, of the latter not over roo, and both of these species gradually diminished in numbers and finally disappeared from the vicinity while the Martins were still there. The same is true of the Bank Swallows, of which on August 5, there were 250 roosting in the same trees with the Martins, though on no other occasion were there over 40, and usually a much smaller number. These Swallows always appeared just as the last few of the Martins were entering the roost, and immediately sought places among the trees. Often they came in after the last of the Martins, sometimes as much as ten minutes later. A small flock of about 100 Chimney Swifts resorted to a chimney near the Martin roost on the evening of August 20, though their presence doubtless had little or no connection with the Martins. The writer is indebted to Mr. R. M. Barr, night superintendent of the Red Cross Building, for interesting particulars concerning the actions of the Purple Martins at the roost after dark. On July 25, about 8 or 9 o’clock in the evening, the birds were evidently much disturbed by a heavy thunder-storm, for after every brilliant flash of lightning followed by heavy thunder they rushed from the trees in great clouds, flew wildly about for a short time, and then settled into the roost again. The same performance was repeated a number of times during the course of the storm. This observation is of considerable interest, for we have comparatively little accurate information regarding the behavior of birds of any kind during the hours of darkness. On August 21 the roost was visited early in the morning for the purpose of ascertaining when the birds departed. Before 4 a.m. (actual standard time) the Martins were entirely silent, and we heard their first note at 4.03 A.M. Subsequently no sound came from them until 4.35 A.M., when a chorus began which continued with scarcely a break thereafter. At 4.40 A.M. the birds became somewhat restless and commenced to move about from branch to branch Another Purple Martin Roost in the City of Washington 99 among the trees. The first took wing from the roost at 4.55 A.M.; five minutes later a flock of about 1,000 dashed out suddenly in a horizontal direction through the trees, then circled about in the air above the roost for a few minutes, when they disappeared. At 5.02 A.M. about 3,000 or 4,000 left in the same manner, not rising above the tree-tops, but sweeping through the branches as though aiming to escape observation. The birds continued to leave in greater or less numbers until 5.15 A.m., when the last individual departed. The number of Purple Martins that occupied this roost was considerably greater than in 1917. The birds first appeared in 1918 in comparatively small numbers, but rapidly increased during the latter part of July and early August until they reached the maximum of 35,000 on August g; after which, with more or less fluctuation, they gradually diminished in numbers until August 20 when about 12,000 were present; and subsequently the number still more suddenly dropped to 150 on August 24, which was the last day of their occupation of the roost at the Red Cross Building. On that evening some 500 to 600 were seen passing overhead, coming from the west and going in the direction of the Capitol grounds. Whether or not the birds were disturbed by the many people that visited the vicinity of the Red Cross Building to watch them, it is difficult to say, but certain it is that the Martins left this location after August 24 and took up their nightly abode in some elm trees over the street-car track near the corner of B Street and Delaware Avenue, S. W., on the edge of the Capitol grounds. About a thousand birds had, however, about the middle of August roosted, but only for a night or two, in some sycamore trees at the Pan-American Building, not far from the main gathering. At the Capitol grounds not more than 800 birds assembled: these usually came in a single flock, and without previous evolutions swept downward from a considerable height into the trees. This roosting place was very similar in character to the one of 1917 in the eastern part of the Mall. In this secon- dary roost the birds remained until the night of September 19, on which occasion their numbers had decreased to about 100. On September 20, a cold rainy day, the birds disappeared, and have been seen no more. This, how- ever, is a new record for the autumn stay of the Purple Martin about Washington, the previous latest date being September 14, 1889. The Migration of North American Birds SECOND SERIES IX. CROWS Compiled by Harry C. Oberholser, Chiefly from Data in the Biological Survey AMERICAN CROW The common American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) is one of our best- known birds. In one or another of its forms, it occurs at some season over practically all of the United States and over all but the northernmost parts of Canada. It is, however, of more or less infrequent occurrence in the arid parts of the western United States. In the northern portion of its range it is only a summer resident; almost everywhere else it remains throughout the year. It is divided into five geographic races, the ranges of which are given below. In the A. O. U. check list the Southern Crow is included with the American Crow; and the Northwestern Crow appears there as a full species. The American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos brachyrhynchos) breeds in northeastern North America, north to Newfoundland, central Quebec, central Keewatin, and northwestern Mackenzie; west to northern Alberta, Minnesota, and northwestern Texas; south to north central Texas, Missouri, Iowa, and New Jersey. It winters from about the northern border of the United States south to a short distance beyond the southern limit of its summer range. The Southern Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos paulus) is resident in the eastern United States, north to Maryland and southern Illinois, west to eastern Texas, and south to the coast of the Gulf of Mexico and to northern Florida. The Florida Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos pascuus) is confined to the southern portion of Florida, where it is permanently resident. The Western Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos hesperis) is resident in the western United States and southwestern Canada, north to Montana and central British Columbia; west to central Washington and western California; south to Wisconsin and New Mexico; and east to New Mexico and North Dakota. The Northwestern Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos caurinus) is resident on the Pacific slope of northwestern North America from Kadiak Island and the Alaska Peninsula, Alaska, south to Neah Bay in northwestern Washington. In the following tables, records of the Western Crow are marked with an asterisk (*); all the others refer to the common American Crow. SPRING MIGRATION Number : LOCALITY ctigenre | AVeraeoraeteSeh | 2 Eile cate Sclaunvler Wake, IN, Wascocosascopccen 5 February 15 January 31, 1889 SWE RO RING VE Mere natal iors cack mie: 16 March 6 Rare in winter Charlotterits aie pig cence ete ee 12 March 1 Rare in winter Routlan dl Vite een nae eee ere es 10 January 24 Rare in winter WEI IRGKYGIRS Widosao oes qcodoces boo d0 8 February 26 February 16, 1912 The Migration of North American Birds SPRING MIGRATION, continued —— eee LOCALITY St. Johnsbury, Vt. Sue ee ee eee Jello, IMIEMIN@ ase 6 odd oc go ote 0% Plnuillijos, MiguINe, ooo5coaccccnesbouec | Orono: Wiainessyc eee wo). ele nena | TBilsyrowrtln, IMEI, 6s se eocc ooo co 0des Momincall, QUEM. Jocccscasca nse cac | Oweloee, QUEWSCs.>crccececcas0ucce Godbout, (@uebeo. 3 ...7 5.2)... ee. | (Ghratthvam IN BS eae aici es ane necel ScotchaWwalkessNe Bier Se ane amsinigem Minch eae aie eo Mee eee | Armin ANreloyoue; IMCs eS owes coe eee coos | IBany (City, IMUClIGs Sole tise solute lol Geo elerc IN@ygloeiny, WWUiClins Geiss 6 60 bo 56a 6 aoa | Houghton, Mich...... RUS UCU aE IListOwEll, OiMntEWMO©,cscccscooseconbvoe Queensboro, Ontario................ OttawaerOntanlotes sree ae ea ae GnossesWiSts Sa cacy ete nema A MMNOOCA, MUM. os ccocsceaseoo ube’ Minneapolis, Minn................. White Earth, Minn St. Vincent, Minn Killarney, Man AWICTOAC, IMIG, 500000 00c0066 00000050 ve allunsniss ira sesecst arse. Py eed te Lac du Brochet Post, Man Qu’Appelle, Sask lag statis Aittare eco Geen eae ea Ft. Chipewyan, Alta................ Ft. Providence, Mack *Grafton, N. D pebauligaterNe ie: hae re | Eaeriny ag WUOM byt cman eS et *Great Falls, Mont Number of years’ record | Co | 9 13 | 9 4 17 16 4 19 19 6 28 II Qo 8 | 17 9 31 5 II II Average date of spring arrival February 19 February 5 February February March 4 March 3 March ro March 11 March 16 March 9 February 23 February 21 March 7 March 7 March 7 February 2 February 2 February 21 2 I pov Rn February 2 February March 6 March 2 March 11 March 19 March 23 March 27 April 16 March 25 March 26 April 11 April 22 March 20 March 28 April 14 April 7 Iol Earliest date of spring arrival January 7, 1915 January 10, 1910 January 18, 1913 January 2, 1896 February 24, 1911 January 1, 1889 March 2, 1894 March g, 1885 Rare in winter | February 16, 1905 | Rare in winter | Rare in winter | January 21, 1889 January 31, 1916 February 4, 1914 February 8, 1894 January 2, 1908 January 1, 1894 | February 15, 1907 | January 24, 1889 February 3, 1906 January 5, 1882 February 24, 1896 | March 1, 1915 February 25, 1911 March 15, 1895 April 6, 1889 February 24, 1905 March 12, 1916 March 25, 1886 April 20, 1888 March 13, 1914 March 15, 1896 April 1, 1905 March 26, 1915 FALL MIGRATION Number ver f Latest date of LOCALITY es fieae ene last one observed clausylere Ake, IN. Moo sscoccccecgcee 2 November 15 | November 21, 1885 JRO NTAUG SS Wastes east arene eae Nes ane Sn 3 December 1 Rare in winter felonoreys\Vlaime nn week «ae ae ) November 23 | December 24, 1909 Playas, WIENS... o6es bees seen ee oc 10 November 23 | December 28, 1912 @ronoi Maine 2 25 2. ee ee 3 October 16 Rare in winter leillisnnvomtln, IMIEWIN®. . 65 .cccanascc+ ees 2 November 6 Rare in winter Miomtxeall@uebecuaae oa] nae a aie) November 8 Rare in winter Omebec Ouecbee uss ee 2 October 16 Rare in winter Scotchaake- Ni B eS See aee se . 9 November 23 | Rare in winter Detroit Machi sa, anh es ae 4 December 9 Rare in winter INewbernyaqVidichi= lee eee 6 October 24 November 4, 1914 @alhime the Miich exe See ree ear 5 October 5 October 21, 1910 Listowel, Ontario................... 3 November 5 Rare in winter Ottaway Ontanioneem (yee an eee 16 November 4 Rare in winter Ayia Tr Oca Vinnie ani ye 3 November 11 | November 25, 1890 WihitesBannthe Mcmnee sie snes December ro, 1881 SiaVanicents Minnis ee 3 October to October 20, 1895 igiilermaey, WAS; ..026s5cnsc8sedeoos 9 October 11 November 2, 1909 Aswemmes Mra cite oer Ue ia ote te cis cana, 18 October 19 November 7, 1907 102 Bird - Lore FISH CROW The Fish Crow (Corvus ossifragus) is permanently resident in the Atlantic Coast and Gulf regions of the eastern United States, ranging back from the coast at least to the Blue Ridge Mountains, and from Connecticut and the lower Hudson Valley, New York, the Delaware Valley in New Jersey, the Susque- hanna Valley in Pennsylvania, and the Potomac Valley in Maryland, south to the whole of Florida, and west along the Gulf Coast to southeastern Texas. It is also of casual occurrence north to Massachusetts. ROOK The familiar European Rook (Corvus frugilegus), as a species, breeds in most of Europe excepting the extreme southern part, and ranges east to China and Japan; in winter, also south to Formosa, northern India, and northern Africa. The typical subspecies is North American only by reason of its accidental occurrence at Kangarsik, near Cape Dan on the eastern coast of Greenland. HOODED CROW The well-known hooded crow of Europe (Corvus cornix), in some one of its several forms, breeds over Europe except the southwestern portion, and south to Egypt, Syria, Mesopotamia, and Afghanistan, and east to Turkestan and western Siberia, wintering also south to northwestern India and to Spain. The typical race is included in our North American list on account of its having been taken at Angmagsalik on the eastern coast of Greenland. Notes on the Plumage of North American Birds FIFTY-THIRD PAPER By FRANK M. CHAPMAN (See Frontispiece) American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos brachyrhynchos, Fig. 1). The plumage of our Crows, like that of their large counterparts, the Ravens, does not vary significantly with either sex or age. The eastern American Crow will serve as an example for them all. Adult males and females are alike; when it leaves the nest, the young bird has the body plumage, that of the under parts especially, duller and browner than the adult. This body plumage is changed at the post-nuptial molt, and thenceforth it resembles its parents. Potes from Field and Dtudy A Belated Census from Belgium I made a bird-census today (December 24, 1918) as I have often done out here before to remind me of my old life—soon to be taken up again. Notice the pre- ponderance of the Corvide in this list; this is what keeps the bird-life down here. 9 A.M. to 12 M.; temp. 30° to 40°; light south wind; fine. Distance covered 7 miles, woods and open cultivated country. Gray Partridge, 46; Pheasant, 2; Wood Pigeon, 2; Green Woodpecker, 1; Sky- lark, 6; Magpie, 14; Jay, 1; Carrion Crow, 12; Hooded Crow, 8; Rook, 215; Starling, 12; House Sparrow, 55; Tree Sparrow, 2; Chaffinch, 18; Greenfinch, 1; Linnet, 1; Yellow Bunting, 2; Tree Creeper, 1; Greater Titmouse, 9; Blue Titmouse, 15; Marsh Titmouse, 2; Golden-crested King- let, 2; Blackbird, 2. Total, 23 species, 429 individuals —ALLAN Brooks, Jauche (20 miles southeast of Brussels), Belgium. Robins Enjoy Flat Life One by one the birds that formerly nested in our neighborhood disappear. They come at springtime,—Oriole, Wren, Cuckoo, Thrasher, ‘Yellowbird’ and a few others—but such changes affect the city, such tearing down of old buildings and erection of new ones, such elimination of door-yards and shade trees, that they do but regale us with a sad song or two and bid us farewell. But not so the Robin. That most adaptable of birds which, whether on the farm or in the suburbs is well content to join its architecture to that of man, now accepts the encroach- ing city in the same spirit. The pictures accompanying show a Robin’s nest in which a brood of four was successfully raised in spite of the interest of a dozen families and the apartment building janitor. No family of Robins was ever offered a more unusual menu than was comprised by the dainties set out on the posts and railings of the court porch of which one picture gives a general view. The building, a new one, of three stories, completely encloses the court. There are no trees or green open spaces, except the _ ee: ROBIN NEST IN THE CITY parkway lawns, in the immediate vicinity. But Robin saw on the joist supporting the floor beams of the top-story porch an ideal nesting-site and the result justified the selection.—E. R. Forp, Chicago, Til. Robin’s Nest on a Wren-House Our neighbor built for us an attractive little birch-covered bird-house, ‘bungalow style,’ with a porch and overhanging roof. We put it up under the eaves of the house, just about the time we thought the Wrens would appear. But before any of their kind had been seen, a Robin spied the structure. She was evidently a city Robin, for she was at once attracted to the modern little house we had put out for ‘Jenny’ (103) 104 Wren, and she immediately proceeded to tenant the ‘upper flat’—in other words, she began at once to build her nest on the roof of the bungalow. Here she lived ROBIN’S NEST ON WREN HOUSE happily and reared her family of four, which have now flown away. In the accompany- ing print you see her feeding the babies. Our Wren failed to appear. Maybe the family upstairs were too noisy to suit her tastes !—ESTHER DE Boos, Madison, Wis. An Unusually-placed Robin Nest I think that the readers of Birp-LORE would like to see a pho- tograph of a _ Robin’s nest in what looks to me like an unusual place. The nest was begun on May 15, 1017, but when nearly completed, it slid over the edge of its support and remained hanging from the electric- light wires as shown in the picture. The Robins soon went to work and built another one above the old one. On May 21 both Robins disappeared and did not return till a AN UNUSUALLY-PLACED ROBIN NEST Bird - Lore June 11. In their absence, upon looking into the nest, a single egg was found. This - egg was not disturbed. When the birds re- turned on June 11, they put a few finishing touches to the nest and then went to work in earnest and raised a brood of three. It was interesting to watch the young birds being fed, as the window from which I took the photograph, was only about ten feet from the nest. Last spring and part of the summer I kept a little record of the nesting birds on our place (about six acres). I find from this record that the following birds were reared: Four broods of Robins, 13 young; two broods of Wrens, 8 young; two broods “of Wood Thrushes, 4 young; one brood of Red-eyed Vireos, 2 young; one brood of Brown Thrushes, 2 young. Two broods of Bluebirds were raised in a bird-house put up by one of our neighbors. During the year, my brother and I identified over forty species of birds in this vicinity. This winter we are feeding the birds and also trying to tame the grey squirrels in the hope that they will drive away the red squirrels. We have built and erected ten bird-houses, three of which have been occupied.—RAYMOND SYNNEST- VEDT, Bryn Athyn, Penna. The Deserted Home Over the front of the low farm house, climbing with the aid of a trellis above Notes from Field and Study the eaves, ran a fine, old, trumpet honey- suckle. It had a stem as thick as its owner’s wrist and was the pride of her heart when covered with its load of golden-hearted, scarlet blossoms. One day in early spring, when she had taken the curtains down from the south window, under the honeysuckle, two Sparrows began to build their nest in the fork of two branches. All went well with them until the cur- tains were put back into the window, then trouble began. The shade was dark green and plainly reflected the two birds in the window. Mr. Sparrow, thinking that his reflection was an intruder in his peaceful home, flung himself against the glass and beat with all his might. Finally, when tired out he flew to a neighboring tree where Mrs. Sparrow was perched. “Jack,” she said, “‘let that Sparrow alone until he touches you and help me build the nest!” ‘No,’ he cried, ‘‘what is the good of building a nest and then being driven away. You remember last year we had just finished our nest, and you had laid the eggs, when our English cousin threw them out of the nest and made it into a home for himself.- Then, of course, we had to make a new one,” and stirred up by the thoughts of his wrongs, he flew to attack the reflection in spite of the pro- tests of his wife. Needless to say he made no impression upon his antagonist. After beating against the glass until he was tired out, he again returned to Mrs. Sparrow, to rest. At intervals he kept up the unequal contest all day. He at length said to his wife “‘It isn’t any use, T can’t drive him away, and T won’t work cn a nest to be driven away after all that trouble. But down in the lower corner of the orchard there is a little apple tree where we could build a nest in safetv.”” “Oh dear,’ said Mrs. Sparrow, “TI hate to leave this lovely honeysuckle, but I suppose I must.” So down in the orchard they built a new nest and sang their sweet songs un- disturbed, while the honeysuckle, whose branches would have sheltered them so lovingly, sighed as the wind whispered to 105 it, ““Why can’t people let well enough alone?”—Dora WorstER Lewis, Bangor, Maine. Broad-winged Hawk in the Christmas Census—A Correction Unlike its relatives the Red-tailed and Red-shouldered Hawks, the Broad-winged Hawk is a highly migratory bird which winters south to Venezuela and Peru. Its status in the United States in winter is somewhat uncertain, owing to the ease with which small individuals of the larger species may be confused with it. We noted, therefore, not without a certain satisfac- tion, that a record for this species at Haverford, Pa., in the census just pub- lished, was based on a bird ‘found dead.’ However, a wing of this bird courteously forwarded to the writer, and received after the census had gone to press, proved that it had been wrongly identified—J. T. Nicuots, New York City. ; Young Barn Swallows Returning to the Nest During our stay at the shore this sum- mer, we were much interested in a family of Barn Swallows that were nesting under the eaves of the piazza. We were surprised to notice that, after the young left the nest, they all returned to it at night. As many as could, would get into the nest, while the others would cuddle up as close to it as they could. They seemed to re- gard the nest as their permanent home. This they did for four nights. As we left then, I don’t know how much longer they kept it up.—(Miss) A. C. TuckeEr, Matta- pan, Mass. Notes on Grackles and Other Birds A few days ago, in the western part of New Jersey not far from Camden, Grackles visited a garden, and tearing the pods open, ate the peas. Not having heard of their doing this before, I made some inquiries and found that they did the same thing in the eastern part of New Jersey last year 106 with some peas that were left on the vines for seed, and that another garden always had mosquito netting over the pea vines, as otherwise the peas were all eaten up by them. I have frequently known of their eating Robin’s eggs and once saw them attack a young Robin which was just out of the nest and could scarcely fly. On the other hand, Blackbirds undoubtedly eat great quantities of insects and some weed seeds. I have seen them following a plow about ten feet behind the driver and eat- ing all the worms, grubs and insects that were turned up. On quite a number of occasions I have seen Crows take young Robins from the nest and, asarule, they killed all the young Robins in the nest before they flew off with one. When engaged in such work they are very furtive and silent and they will take the early hours of the morning, before people are about, to search for nests near houses. One Fourth of July some children were sitting on the front steps of a porch indus- triously throwing fire-crackers onto the walk in front of them and at times setting off whole packs. At one end of the steps within reach of one of the children was a Chipping - Sparrow’s nest in a_ white hydrangea bush. During the whole per- formance the old Chipping Sparrows kept feeding their young quite as unconcernedly as if nothing were going on. Once when a pack of fire-crackers was exploding, one of the old Chipping Sparrows brought a small worm to the nest, flying about four feet over the pack. In shooting on places where there were many birds I have found that Robins, Wood Thrushes, Song and Chipping Spar- rows very soon learned that I was not after them and paid no particular atten- tion to the noise of the gun. As far as my observation goes, shooting around a place or the setting off of fire-works has no tendency to drive away the birds not shot at or pursued. In one case a man tried to break up a Grackle roost in the fall by firing a gun under the roost where hundreds of Black- birds had assembled. Not succeeding, he Bird - Lore took to shooting the birds themselves. This did not prevent their returning night after night as they had been in the habit of doing for years. I understand he shot thirty or forty birds. The next year, how- ever, the roost was abandoned. In walking under one of these roosts at night I have clapped my hands suddenly and startled the Blackbirds and Robins out of the trees. After doing this two or three times, the Robins would pay no attention to the noise but the Blackbirds would always fly off.—F. R. Wetsu, Philadelphia, Penna. The Ruby-crowned Kinglet He was long an unsolved puzzle. He had a large family and they seemed to prefer the garret rooms of the tree houses. One could not be sure how much of his want of size was due to his remoteness. It is a question whether the time and energy consumed in the miles of chase the acquaintance of most birds costs the ama- teur find their value received. In the mo- mentary delight that follows sure identi- fication? Sensation as a compensation has its value, and the keenest is sometimes the fleetest. There is a royal road to bird-lore. It is traveled alone, on foot and without a glass. It was along this highway the King- let met me several times and at intervals of miles and months, to be truthful, before that supreme moment of identification. From the tree-tops they looked like a company of goldfinches in their winter uniform. One day they marched to a new tree pasture without the hop-skip-and- jumpy flight of the Goldfinch. At that moment a new interest was born. Near the close of the fourth migration, which brings us to the springtime of the next year but one, a long tramp brought me to a gooseberry patch just at nightfall. The dainty green leaves were half grown and probably teeming with small life, for half a hundred pale olive birds, two-thirds the size of a corpulent Wren, were busy getting supper. Who were they? Ah! my friends of the tree-tops. Yes, but who? Wing-coverts alternate white and black, making a thread stripe herringbone at the Notes from Field and Study base of the tail. Big brilliant eyes, set in a circle of white, too big by far for the tiny head. Long legs, like the stems of maiden- hair, complete the gnome effect. When he went from bush to bush, he flew straight up, hovered as though taking his bearings, then swooped to the mark like a Kingfisher to his prey. One confid- ing little chap lights within arm’s length. Now Ill have him. His business is so en- grossing he forgets to be afraid, if he ever knew how. And why should such a little fellow be afraid—who would harm so small a thing as he? Come to think of it, barring the Hummer, he is the smallest grown-up bird I have ever seen. I wonder—? Oblig- ingly he dips his head, the wind raises a feather or two from its top, and lo, there is the trade-mark. Just a brushful of bril- liant red, safely hid from the commonplace crowd as my lady would carry her most valued jewel—a Ruby-crowned Kinglet. Kinglet! Why, did you think he was a bigger bird? You'll go to the foot in the word-analysis class shortly. After a couple of years of acquaintance, during which I considered myself lucky if after a couple of hours’ patient watching he showed his beauty spot, one day fortune smiled. A company of friends were watch- ing his antics in mating time. He and his pretty sweetheart were playing in some low shrubbery by the river’s edge, when, of a sudden, there grew from the top of his head the most beautiful filigree crown of blood-red frost. The delight and wonder of it! For minutes the slender sticks held aloft the brilliant crest. Then feather by feather it melted till every hint of the transfiguration was gone. He was again the commonplace gnome it must have puzzled his bride to distinguish from his brothers. He is a globe-trotter and visits Iowa twice a year, in April or May and again in September. He commonly stays a couple of weeks at each visit, but he is weather-wise and comes and goes when the climate prompts him. His feeding-call is noisy for his size, but his song, which he gave me the day we played Peeping Tom at his declaration of 107 love, is a real warble—a series of sweet notes and trills in a tone of voice that suits his size and daintiness. He has a double cousin who is a little grayer of olive and who takes his name from his crown of orange. This crown is framed in black and is always on exhibition. The Kinglets are clannish and the two families consort always, though the Orange- crowned is apparently the hardier as well as a trifle the larger, as he comes ahead of his more brilliantly decorated cousin.— THERESE JupD, East San Diego, Calif. An Albino Wood Thrush During the several years that I have been interested in bird-life it has been my constant expectation and desire to discover an Albino, having never seen one except in photographs. Until July, 1916, my hopes had not materialized. On July 28 I started out to visit the bird-haunts and met some workmen soon after starting, who, know- ing of my interest in birds, called to me and inquired, ‘‘What kind of a bird is it that is entirely white, has pink eyes, and is nearly as large as a Robin, but has a shorter tail?’’ Only those with a keen love for new things in bird-lore can know the real thrill of pleasure that went through me at that moment. The very thing that had been sought for so long a time was now, it seemed, within reach, as the loca- tion in which this strange white bird had been seen several times recently was only a short distance from my home. But, alas, I had heard of the freak too late, since several long waits and faithful searchings failed to reveal our white friend. It had been seen in a low woodland near a small stream in company with “‘other birds of the same size, of a brown color above with round brown spots on a light-colored breast.”’ This description, of course, gave a positive clue to the identity of our strange bird, as I knew it could be none other than the Wood Thrush; but my chief desire was as far from being satisfied as before, though I must confess that the pleasure I had in searching for the bird with the hope and expectation of discovering it at any time, 108 fully repaid me for the search. My hopes were yet to be realized. A neighbor re- ported on August 20 that a white bird had been seen in his garden in company with Robins. It had been several days since it had been seen; however, if it reappeared I would be called on the ’phone at once to see it. On September 1, just about sun- set, I received the ’phone call with the assurance that I might view the ‘White Robin’ if I wished to do so. Of course I lost no time in reaching the spot, and, on arriving, found a perfectly white Wood Thrush retired for the night in the dense foliage of a small cherry tree. A positive identification could not be made from this view, as only the head and one-half of the body could be seen; so the tree was slightly jarred to make the bird move. He flew to a nearby tree and gave his whit-whit, end- ing in the familiar rolling call-note, thus giving a positive identification. Have there been previous reports of an Albino of this species? I do not recall having seen one.—G. G. REEVES, Winston-Salem, NEG: Night Voices Mysterious night! Nor have I ever been alone in the opinion. I shall never forget the strange spell under which I fell when I first heard the geese passing over me in the cool, quiet night. I could not see them, yet I knew they were there, and there was a wonderful strangeness about it all that has never left me. Since then I have tried to forget, at least partly, the mystery of those voices, and tried to look at them in a matter- of-fact way. Of course, the geese were migrating, they were flying both day and night that they might arrive at their des- tination as soon as possible. There was not nearly so much mystery about it after all. And then I met other deep night voices, these too, mysterious. Screech Owls were common—lI knew their small size, and had seen them often, so there was not much mystery about them, but oh! when I heard my first Barred Owl and then my first Great-horned Owl, I was again under that Bird - Lore strange spell, this time not simply because it was vague, but because it was terrible! I knew that these birds were no toys, they were not far up, out of reach, and sailing away as fast as their wings could take them, but here they were on my earth, in my kingdom, and, worse still, I was in theirs. I felt rather small! Then, bravely, I thought how much larger I was than a field mouse or even a Bob-white, and knew there was nothing to fear, when all at once the hollow hoot would sound two or three blocks nearer and I would feel almost out of place. That is, I felt that there were places better suited to me. The feeling of fear has long left, but the wonder remains. I have never re- gretted a night spent in the woods. To my surprise I have found that there are hosts of night voices, not strange wild wood- tyrants, but ordinary day voices echoed at night. Thus there seem to be the three classes of night voices: the migrating ones, which call to one another as they journey along, the hunting ones, that make the woods shiver, and, finally the truly mys- terious ones—our own little day singers— about whom it would seem there should be the least mystery, and yet for me about whom hangs the greatest. The first of these that I heard was the famous Mocker. When I landed in Texas, I was soon told to listen for the night Mocker. I listened, of course, and strangely, perhaps, it did not seem very wonderful that he should be singing. He was a Mockingbird, and Mocking- birds sing that way, so why should I wonder? But after two weeks I found my- self seeking a reason. I determined to find why, if I could, he should spend his sleep- ing hours working like that. The first step I took in my study was to spend the night with the Mockers. He had sung all day, and I thought he would have been tired. I thought that he had done enough jumping up in the air and tumbling down on singing wings, to last for at least one day, so I was not surprised when I saw him start off on a flight across the prairies to his Notes from Field and Study roosting place in a grape-vine thicket. I waited until it grew dark, yet did not want to frighten the fellow from his thicket. I supposed, truly, that he was not going to sing that night. And then the moon came up and found me waiting for the Mocker. I did not have to wait more than two hours longer surely, though I did not look at the clock, until back came the Mocker. Now here was some of the mystery: Why should he come back to this particular telephone pole, or this particular chimney to do his singing, when his roost was a quarter of a mile away? If it was to entertain his mate who was likely asleep on her nest, why should he not sing nearer to her, for she was at least three blocks away? And then, why should he sing at all? It was entertaining to hear and watch him at any rate, whether there was mys- tery or not. He was surely not asleep, as some have thought, for I could see his little form shoot up into the air and come back to the pole just as nimbly and unerringly as in the day, and his voice was just as clear, if not clearer, and his program just as wonderful and varied as it had been in the day. He sang here on the telephone pole for a long period and then flew to the chimney. Finally, I felt that I knew why he came here. If he should have been attacked by enemies, who could see better than he at night? He would not have had much chance for escape in the thicket, but from the chimney he had wide sweeps of prairie on all sides at his command, and this probably gave him a feeling of safety. Probably the desire for this feeling deter- mined the place where he was to sing, whether it was near his mate or not. Therefore I felt that I had solved my problem so far. But why should he sing at all? and then a new thing happened. I heard another song—not that of an Owl, a Night-hawk, or a Whip-poor-will—but of a common Lark Sparrow. Another singer for the night? I went to find him, and there he was on a telephone wire, about a block from where I had been. This was a genuine surprise, and made things fairly 109 hot with interest. He was not asleep either, for he stopped singing when I came too near, and finally flew away. So the Mockers were not alone. Later I found there were many other night singers. A pet Dickcissel I had in a large cage regularly sang on the bright nights, and he was answered from the fields. A Slate-colored Junco, in the same cage, sang too, but the Mockers and the Lark Sparrows were by far the most common. The most singing was done on the bright- est nights to be sure—and I would have thought that the birds mistook the moon for the sun had they never sung in the same way, at the same time and place, when there was absolutely no moon, or the light so dim that I could not see the birds there. I do not believe the moon fools the birds after all. Since then I have come to West Virginia, and have further studied the night singers, and have had good opportunity as I sleep out-of-doors. The Yellow-breasted Chat is the most common night voice. Like the Mocker his program is just as varied as by day, though strangely the Chat does not seem to select a particularly open place as the Mocker did. Then, too, I frequently hear the Yellow-billed Cuckoo, and Wood Pewee. Some of the individual birds which I have heard sing at night, I feel sure, were just temporarily startled by a sudden wind, a loud noise, or some other disturb- ance unknown to me. But just why should any of them sing, instead of spreading alarm, or some such thing? First, I believe that the nesting season —and this is the one during which they most frequently sing—is a nervous time. The fact that the cares of a family and not an individual only are upon them, may cause this partly, and possibly also the fact that their whole system at the breed- ing season is in higher tension. If this be so, and I think it is, much slighter noises than usual would awaken the sleeping bird. Thus a slight breeze in the grape-vine thicket may have wakened the Mocker, and a mouse in the raspberry vines may have aroused the Chat. Once 1 Ke) the bird is awake, and especially if it is light, the means of getting back to sleep are probably few, and the bird sings rather than do nothing at all. It may be that singing becomes a habit with a few indi- viduals, but I believe that it is rarely so. I can see no reason why a bird should waken himself to sing, or why he should waken his mate just to have her listen, when both of them are likely more in need of sleep than at any other season of the year. I feel quite sure of myself in saying this, for frequently on nights before storms when there was absolutely no wind blow- ing, the Mocker would not be at his singing post. Itis not the policy of a good, healthy normal bird to be idle if he is awake. If there ever was a busy creature it is certainly a bird. Night is no time for a day bird to find anything to eat—perhaps he would if he could; then there is no family to feed, no bath to take, so why should he not sing so long as he is awake? That is the way I like to look at it. Whether this explanation is satisfactory or not the Chats will go on making the nights lively with their strange noises, and the Mockers singing their accompani- ments to the Texas moon. It is mysterious still!—Grorcre Mixscu Sutton, Bethany, W. Va. Pied-billed Grebe Caring for Its Young The article in July-August, 1914 num- ber of Brrp-Lore, ‘At Home with the Hell Diver,’ was of particular interest to me, recalling as it did the experience ofa friend, Mr. Ward Lounsbury, of 520 Axtell St., Kalamazoo, a man of observant habits and unquestioned probity. As told to me, the incident was as follows: Early in the summer, four or five years ago, Mr. Lounsbury was spending the day fishing at Atwater’s Pond, a few miles southwest of this city. Two Pied-billed Grebes, each accompanied by two young about the size of a week-old chick, were swimming about not far away. After watching them for some time from his boat he determined to try to catch at least one of the young, and moved up toward Bird - Lore them. However, he could not come close enough to reach them as the mothers would take the young upon their backs and so make better speed. Moreover, when too closely pursued or perhaps fatigued, they would push the young from their backs, and evidently giving them a signal which was understood, each baby took a portion of the mother’s tail in its bill, and all disappeared under the water, coming up some distance away with the babies still clinging to mother’s tail. This was done repeatedly by both groups of birds, until after spending about two hours in the pursuit Mr. Lounsbury gave up the chase, thinking they had earned their freedom. Mr. Burroughs tells of the Loon taking its young upon its back and swimming away with them, but I have nowhere read of an instance like the above.—Grace H. Peck, Kalamazoo, Mich. Bird-nesting in Texas Early Sunday morning, June 3, 10917, Norman Pecore and the writer started out on a bird-trip which we had been looking forward to for several months. With our field-glasses slung over our shoulders and sufficient provisions to carry us through a long strenuous day, we boarded the inter- urban for South Houston, a little settle- ment on the prairie a few miles southeast of this city. Arriving at the little station, we turned our faces in the direction of a small pear orchard out in the open prairie which was our destination and started off on a bee- line for it. Several times we flushed sput- tering Meadowlarks from almost under our feet, but a most careful search for nests availed us nothing. Every few feet the dry prairie grass was adorned with wild flowers of different kinds, which caused us to stop and comment on its beauty or perhaps remove their thorns from our cloth- ing and persons. Then we ran across a large colony of fat, sluggish-looking young bugs in different stages of development. These were black with orange-red trim- mings, and wingless. A few in the last Notes from Field and Study stage of development were colored with a mixture of yellow, green, and black, had wings and long, spiny legs, from which we came to the conclusion that they were a species of locust. When within a short distance of our destination, we disturbed a flock of Buzzards at their sickening feast, and one of them flew in the direction of the clump of trees. As he was passing, a Scissor- tailed Flycatcher darted out from the foliage and attacked him with a ven- geance. The melée ended with the Buzzard fleeing with precipitate haste, and the victorious Scissor-tail flew back to receive the plaudits of his mate. No wonder he was so vigilant and brave, for we found his nest out on a horizontal branch of a gum tree, about six feet from the ground. In the nest were four prettily tinted eggs, speckled with brown. In the next tree to this, and high in the topmost branches, we found a Kingbird’s nest, and the two anxious owners watched us while we looked in upon their four treasures. Before we could climb into the next tree, a Dove dropped from the lowest branch and trailed along the ground. Her going left uncovered one egg and one tiny, helpless nestling, which apparently had just hatched. We found several more Doves’ nests with eggs, and one unfinished nest of the Orchard Oriole, besides three empty Grackles’ nests. After Jooking into all the nests, we wiped the sweat from our faces and arms, and sat down under a shady tree to eat our lunch, leaving plenty of crumbs for any of our feathered friends that might care to eat them. We then moved on to a small clump of trees about half a mile beyond the first one. On the way we passed a small, dried- up pond and startled a pair of Killdeers, but couldn’t find their nest, although we did discover a few unoccupied Redwing nests. As we drew near our second stopping IeIC I place, a crowd of chattering and scolding Grackles hovered over us and their noise was almost deafening. The first nest we investigated here was a huge structure almost too big for the small pear tree which held it, and while we were getting in position to look into it two half-grown Grackles flopped out. After much exer- tion, we finally captured them and put them back into the nest, while the flock over our heads raised Cain. In the next tree were two Grackles’ nests and two Doves’ nests; and in the next, two Doves’ nests and an Orchard Oriole’s nest with five eggs, four which rightfully belonged there and one deposited there by the shiftless Cowbird. Every tree in this grove con- tained at least two nests, and some con- tained as many as five. The nests were those of the Dove, Orchard Oriole, King- bird, Mockingbird, and Grackle. A china-berry tree, a little apart from the pear trees, held two Grackles’ nests and a nest full of young Orchard Orioles. Near- by we found a Dove’s nest upon the ground and it contained, as did nearly all the others, two glossy white eggs. The sun was beginning to sink in the west when we started upon our homeward journey. As we sat in the comfortable inter- urban car homeward bound, we examined our record for the day and found that we had discovered the following nests, and probably had overlooked some in our excitement: 2 Kingbird, 29 Grackle, 12 Dove, 6 Orchard Oriole, 4 Mockingbird, 1 Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, 3 Redwing Black- bird, unoccupied. I am unable to account for the large number of nests in these few trees, unless it was due to the fact that there are no other trees to be seen for several miles in any direction. Altogether, we considered the trip a wonderful success, and are look- ing forward to another one next summer. —J. M. HEIsER, JR., Houston, Texas. Bird - Lore THE SEASON XII. Boston REGIoN.—Mid-February brings the low ebb of the year, with a brief period of dearth before the awakening of early spring. These first two months of winter have been of extraordinary mild- ness for eastern New England. December and January had many cloudy days but no great cold nor severe storms. The few storms that did pass, nearly all brought rain instead of snow and there were many successive days of sun and mild weather. Sap has dripped at intervals all winter from broken twigs of the sugar maples. Thus a season of most unusual mildness succeeds, in striking contrast, the very exceptional cold of the previous winter. The chief interest has centered in the winter visitors. A few reports of Evening Grosbeaks have come in from towns north and west of Boston, particularly from Essex County. Apparently most of the flocks have not been much in excess of twenty-five birds. A few Pine Grosbeaks have been about nearly all winter in the outlying towns, but apparently not in large numbers. Great Northern Shrikes came in the early winter and still remain. Two Red Crossbills appeared in the Har- vard Observatory grounds on January 28, sampled the Norway spruce cones, and departed with characteristic notes. But few others have been reported this winter, so that there has not been a marked visita- tion. Other than these, there have been but few northern winter birds inland. Of the usual winter residents, there has been somewhat of a scarcity despite the open and apparently attractive winter. The New England landscape would seem strange indeed without Crows and numbers have wintered near the coast, yet seemingly not in the abundance of some winters. The unusual abundance of Hairy Wood- peckers was mentioned in the fall report. These and Downy Woodpeckers remained in force through January, but seem to have slowly filtered away, particularly December 15, 1918, to February 15, 1919 the Hairies, during early February. They had been conspicuous in Cambridge during December and January, frequent- ing the old trees and announcing their presence by their vigorous actions and voices. No doubt many were visitors from somewhat farther north, for such winter birds are often larger than the resident form, approaching the northern Jezco- melas. Tree Sparrows and even wintering Song Sparrows have seemed few, and Juncos apparently have been little in evidence about Boston. Purple Finches are reported wintering to the south of Boston, as at Sharon, where many make daily visits to a friend’s feeding-shelf. Most noticeable has been the almost total absence of Golden-crowned Kinglets and Brown Creepers. These hardy little birds commonly enter the towns, usually accompanying the little flocks of Black- capped Chickadees on their regular beats through the village trees. But this winter the Chickadees have come and gone on their rounds alone. A solitary Kinglet appeared in Cambridge on January 14, but no others were observed in the course of several walks. And this has been the experience of others. No doubt the pre- ceding bitter winter brought unusual mor- tality among them. A pleasing local feature has been the great congregations of Herring Gulls on the Back Bay Basin in Boston. Owing to the mildness of the season, this has been open most of the winter or at times partly frozen over. On bright forenoons upwards of 1,000 or more birds have gathered here to rest and bathe, sitting in close order on the water, or standing at the edge of the ice. Among them have been a few Black-backed Gulls in the proportion of about one to a hundred of the Herring Gulls.—GtLover M. Aten, Boston, Mass. New York Recion.—This period was remarkably free from winter gales, extreme cold, or snow. The accompanying con- The Season GE ditions of bird-life during the first month (when insects, as aphides etc., were still in evidence) are more adeqtately portrayed by Christmas Census reports in BrRp- Lorr’s last issue, than space permits here. The outstanding feature, correlated with weather, was the scattered reports of sum- mer or fall birds of abnormal occurrence in winter. Such are Vesper Sparrow at Van Cortlandt Park, December 29, Killdeer, Red-winged Blackbird, Cowbird, Tow- hee and Chipping Sparrow in the Bronx, January 3, (reported to the Linnean So- ciety by E. G. Nichols); a female Towhee at Hempstead, Long Island, December 28 (Theodore Roehner); a Nashville Warbler in the northern outskirts of the city up to January 9 (S. H. Chubb and W. De- Witt Miller). Report reached us that a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker was wintering in the Bronx, and that a Brown Thrasher had been seen there in February, but the last month was in the main featureless. Stragglers from the flight of Pine Gros- beaks which earlier swept across New England, penetrated our region to the northwest. Throughout the winter there was a dearth of water-fowl at the shore. It can not be said that none of the northern species were present, as a Glaucous Gull was observed off the Battery, February to (Ludlow Griscom). The Golden-crowned Kinglet was unusually scarce. Locally, at least, there was a scarcity of certain other land-birds which in most winters are present in moderate though reduced numbers. On west-central Long Island where the writer resides, the Meddow- lark is such a species. Ordinarily the Meadowlark is here a rather common winter bird, but this year they disappeared abruptly at the close of the fall migration. The same thing is true of the Myrtle Warbler further east at Mastic on the south shore. The most ready explanation is to be found in the very severe weather of the preceding winter during the close of which these two species had become rare and absent respectively in the locali- ties stated. The individual birds which perished (of course) or were driven out last year did not attempt to winter this year. This year the last autumn and first spring song of the Song Sparrow both fall in this period. December 15, at Garden City, Long Island, a moist, unseasonably warm day, one was singing repeatedly full song, and Mr. W. DeW. Miller re- ports one in full song-at Plainfield, N. J., February 2.—J. T. NicHors, New York City. PHILADELPHIA REGION.—A sharp con- trast to last winter’s bitter cold and heavy snowfall is the present winter’s mild weather and warm rains. The temperature for December averaged five degrees above normal, and that of January, six degrees. As for snow, there has, up to the present, February to, practically been none; a few flurries and about two inches February 7, which quickly melted, gives a very good idea of the total amount fallen. Extracts from the writer’s notes taken January 1, when the temperature reached sixty-two degrees, read as follows: “In more pro- tected swamps skunk cabbage shows per- ceptible growth, elder shows new sprouts. Faint notes of the little Hyla heard today.” These notes show to some extent the unusual mildness of the winter. The weather, of course, has had more or less effect on the winter bird-life and a number of species that are normally almost, if not quite, entirely absent, are present in variable numbers. A flock of eleven Killdeer, December 25, Black-crowned Night Heron, December 28, Kingfisher, January 1, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Jan- uary 5, all at Camden, N. J., anda Myrtle Warbler at Sewell, N. J., January 26, point to abnormal weather conditions and all of these birds at least could hardly be found during an average winter here- abouts. By late January some of the early spring migrants had already put in an appearance, two weeks to a month before the average date of arrival; Camden, N. J., January 26, Bluebirds, Red-winged Blackbirds, and Rusty Blackbirds; February 9, several flocks of Robins. II4 At Cape May, N. J., January 10, a flock of about fifty Snow Buntings were observed, and on the same day a Brown Thrasher, a rather unusual mixture of the breezy North and the sunny South.— JuLian K. Porrer, Camden, N. J. WASHINGTON REGION.—The bird-life of the region about Washington during December, 1918, and January, 1919, was decidedly less interesting than usual. The great numbers of Ducks that were such a conspicuous and attractive feature last winter were largely absent, at least from the immediate vicinity of the city, either disturbed by the continuous operations of numerous aéroplanes and _ hydroplanes along the river, or induced by the mild winter weather to remain at more northern or more coastwise localities. Farther down the river, at Mt. Vernon and below, how- ever, the Ducks have been present in larger numbers. Nor have most of the regularly common winter residents been more than ordinarily in evidence, as either species or individuals, in spite of the open winter. Robins, however, have been seen more frequently than is usually the case during the winter, and a single Song Sparrow was heard singing in the city on January 14. Six species of Hawks—Sparrow, Sharp-shinned, Marsh, Broad-winged, Red- shouldered, and Red-tailed—have been fairly common, particularly in the valley of the Potomac River. The Red-breasted Nuthatch, the practically total absence of which was so noticeable last winter, has returned in its. normal numbers; but almost none of the rarer winter visitors from the North have been seen. An American Pipit was noted on December 15, 1918, by Mr. L. D. Miner, which is of interest because it is the only definite local record between November 30 and February 16. The Myrtle Warbler, which is usually but a rare winter resident, has been tolerably common this season. The Pileated Woodpecker, one of our rarest birds, was seen by Dr. A. K. Fisher at Plummer’s Island, Maryland, on De- cember 8, 1018. Two of the most important ornitho- Bird - Lore logical occurrences of this winter have already been recorded by Messrs. W. L. McAtee, Alexander Wetmore, and Edward A. Preble, in their Christmas bird census in the last number of Brrp-LoreE, but to which it may be worth while to call further attention. On December 23, they found a dead Long-eared Owl near Mt. Vernon, Va., a species not now often met with here. They also saw two Com- mon Terns along the river near Mt. Vernon, which observation represents the first winter record of this species for the vicinity of the District of Columbia.— Harry C. OBERHOLSER, Biological Sur- vey, Washington, D.C. OBERLIN REGION.—Such an open winter has not been known here for sixteen years. At no time has the ground been covered with snow for longer than three days at a time, and even then at a depth of less than three inches. Under such conditions it would naturally be expected that bird- life would be so affected that more birds than usual would be found in the region. But quite the opposite has been the case. Not only have the regularly resident birds been less numerous than usual, but the regular winter visitant species have also been represented by fewer individuals than usual, and no unusual winter birds have been noted. During the warm days of early February the three Robins which remained were singing, the Cardinals and Song Sparrows | joined the chorus in the mornings, and beyond the borders of town the Meadow- larks sang during the mornings. | Chick- adees, Tufted Titmice, and Downy Wood- peckers, began their courting, and even the Northern Flickers began to show symptoms. Flocks of Geese were reported as having been heard passing northward on February Ir and 12, but it is possible that the calls were those of a flock of domestic Geese southwest of town. At any rate the writer has neither seen nor heard migrating Geese since last November. From the standpoint of an ornithologist the winter has been the most disappointing The Season one in more than a decade. The disappoint - ment has probably been accentuated by the natural feeling that so warm a winter season ought to be appreciated by the birds as well as by man. It seems to me more than possible that the extreme cold of the previous winter may be the cause of the scarcity of the birds this winter.— Lynps JONES, Oberlin, Ohio. MINNEAPOLIS REGION.—Viewed as a whole, the present winter has been a phenomenally mild one in all this region. Thus far there have been only two short spells of cold weather, the first in early January and the second in early February, when for a few days really severe sub- zero weather (twenty-three degrees below at Minneapolis January 3), prevailed, and the gorge of the unfrozen Mississippi below this city was filled with rising vapor. The largest lakes hereabouts did not freeze over until Christmas time, and the ice has been thin all winter. January was the third mildest month in the history of the signal service here and the only time when the month has closed with no snow on the ground. There have been numerous days warm and pleasant like spring, interspersed with days of fog and rain instead of snow. In the northern part of the state there has been considerable snow since late fall, but the marshes are scarcely frozen and Lake Superior has been free from ice all winter, an almost unheard-of thing. After the great scarcity of birds last winter, it has been a special pleasure to bird-lovers to find a goodly number and variety present this season. Pine Gros- beaks, Evening Grosbeaks, and Bohemian Waxwings have been here since December, but not commonly. Flocks of Redpolls have been about all winter. The mild weather has induced many Tree Sparrows, Juncos, a few Purple Finches, Brown Creepers and Red-breasted Nuthatches to remain with us in sheltered places. One of my students, Mr. Burton Thayer, reports large flocks of Red-winged Black- birds wintering along the Minnesota River, a few miles south of the city, and tits since February 1, he has seen several Horned Larks and one Great Northern Shrike. A few Crows have been about all winter and someone reported flushing a Wilson’s Snipe from a spring-hole about February 1. Two Cardinal Grosbeaks have been reported to the writer this winter—one at the summer home of Mr. Russell M. Bennett, at Lake Minnetonka near this city, and the other at Faribault, Rice County, reported by Mrs. Guy C. Menefee as coming to her feeding station. The Christmas censuses in the last number of Brrp-Lorr contain reports from St. Peter and Hutchinson by Mr. H. J. LaDue and Messrs. Avery and Eheim respectively, which contain the following southern birds in addition to the above wintering in Minnesota this season: Mourning Dove, Fox Sparrow, and Mallard Duck. The Fox Sparrow is an addition to the list of Minnesota winter birds. Again the Snow Bunting and Lapland Longspur have been entirely absent here- abouts. What has become of these birds, formerly soabundant?—THos.S. ROBERTS, M.D., University of Minnesota,Minnea polis Minn. Kansas City REGIoN.—It is difficult to understand why birds will accept decidedly unfavorable winter conditions in a given region, remaining to starve and freeze throughout an unusually severe season, and will fail to take advantage of entirely favorable conditions in the same territory during other winters. Thus, during the record-breaking winter of 1917-1918 when the Missouri River was locked by ice from its mouth to its source, an extensive tract of bottomland in particular, newly formed by the river’s meandering, was the winter home of great numbers of Sparrows of several species, as well as untold thousands of Red-winged Black- birds, of three subspecies. Yet the present winter, mild and open in comparison, sees this same bottom region nearly deserted. The weed patches have greatly increased in number and extent; the thickets and tangles afford better shelter; the upland 116 feeding stations remain unchanged; but the flocks of birds left shortly after Christmas with the coming of the first real severe weather. This is the first winter in the writer’s memory that no Harris’ Sparrows have remained through January and _ early February, and in fact they seem not to have passed through in anything like their usual abundance. Tree Sparrows have been unaccountably scarce. The White-crowns seem to have all passed on farther south, and the usual throngs of Red-wings are entirely missing. Song Sparrows, however, are present in some numbers. The first restless Robins appeared on January 19, and on the 26th several small flocks, together with a few Blue- birds were seen. Of twenty-one species noted on this date, a Yellow-bellied Sap- sucker and a Kingfisher were the most unusual. Among the rarer wintering species may be mentioned a troop of Purple Finches and a flock of a few dozen Cedar Waxwings that have remained in the shelter of Forest Hill Cemetery, and a flock of about thirty Mergansers that have been using a quiet side-channel of the Missouri River some three miles above the mouth of Big Blue. The Waxwings have been feeding largely on an abundant crop of hackberries. The Ducks probably came down with the Christmas storm as they have been under observation since late in December. They are unquestionably in pairs. A few Mallards and Pintails began to feel the call of their northern homes during the unseasonably balmy days of late January and early February. The appearance of these early migrants coin- cident with false press notices relative to the unconstitutionality of the federal law called into being more than the usual spring activity among local shooters. Their organization is dying hard, and it is fervently hoped that their long-sought Bird - Lore court-test is at hand—Harrvy Harris, Kansas City, Mo. DENVER ReEcIoN.—Im so far as the writer’s experiences and opportunities go, the two months now in review have seemed ornithologically colorless. While there has been a welcome abundance of Meadow- larks, many unusually exuberant with song,.and also of Red-wings, Bluebirds, various species of Juncos and of Tree Sparrows, many other species, frequently and even regularly seen here during January and February, have been nearly or quite absent. Thus the writer has seen no more Great Northern Butcher-birds, only one American Rough-legged Hawk and but four Marsh Hawks. The Robin was seen in Cheeseman Park on December 29 and 30. The new year opened auspiciously in many ways, not least of which was the sight of a Richardson’s Merlin just out of the east edge of Denver. It is probable that a few Bohemian Waxwings have been lingering about the hospital region all winter, for several small flocks of birds have been seen resembling this species, but at too great a distance to be posi- tively identified; flight, size and flapping characters, however, all pointed to the correctness of this diagnosis. This question of diagnosis and of the occurrence of unusual species and of possibility of unique experiences are (and have been for years) a source of keen interest to the writer, making for an undying interest in bird-work. For example, it has been rather a unique experience to observe in the immediate neighborhood of the com- manding officer’s house at General Hos- pital No. 21, three species of Owls; twice the Great Horned Owl, twice the Screech Owl, and on several occasions a number (perhaps a family) of Long-eared Owls, while the reservation at the same time boasts, in the late fall and early spring, the presence of the Burrowing Owl.—W. H. Bercroup, Denver, Colo. Book ews and fiebietus TREES, STARS, AND Brirps. A Book of Out- door Science. By Epwin LINCOLN MoseEtey, A.M. World Book Company. Yonkers-on-Hudson, N. Y., to1g. 8vo. 396 pp., 244 text-figures; in the back 16 colored plates of 58 species of birds. We expect that this little volume will fill a distinct need as a text-book of nature study in the schools, for which it has evidently been planned with care. Trees, Stars, and Birds are perhaps the three classes of natural objects about us most consistently through life, and some knowl- edge of them cannot fail to broaden the viewpoint and be a source of constant pleasure. The last third of the book, devoted to birds, we will speak of more in detail. The treatment begins with the higher kinds of birds—Bluebird, Robin, etc., and ends with the lower, as the water-birds, of which there is scant mention, thus reversing the conventional order. This is probably wise, as it brings the more familiar species to the attention first. It is to be regretted that nothing at all is said of some important lower orders; for instance, the diving birds: the Loon, a representative of that group is familiar to so large a proportion of outdoor people. The structure of birds, their place in nature, value to man, methods of attract- ing and encouraging them, the more not- able of their habits—as migration—are skil- fully introduced and clearly described. The subject matter is throughout well chosen and authoritative, in keeping with the colored plates by Louis Agassiz Fuertes, mostly from a publication of the United States Department of Agriculture. The text-figures have much merit; a number of these are excellent photographs of specimens in the American Museum of Natural History, and many photographs of living birds in the West by Finley and Bohlman are especially attractive and interesting. As the text has to do with eastern species, these do not always correlate with it, but they will very likely make the book more useful in the West than it otherwise would be. We have very nicely illustrated here how the current system of bird-names breeds confusion; turn to the paragraph on Shrikes. There are only two species of Shrikes in the country—the Northern Shrike and the Loggerhead Shrike. The Loggerhead Shrike is divided into several geographic races, and this, aside from the fact that they are such, which is not mentioned, can certainly have no inter- est for the students for whom the work is intended; yet we find the names, Northern Shrike, Migrant Shrike, [a race of the Loggerhead], and Loggerhead Shrike all with the same emphasis, illustrated with a photograph of the California Shrike [also a race of the Loggerhead!. Practically the photograph of the California Shrike is a good illustration of the Loggerhead Shrike, but the reader has no more means of know- ing this than that the illustration of Black Pheebes on an ensuing page is of an entirely different bird from the Phebe mentioned in the accompanying text.—J. T. N. A MONOGRAPH OF THE PHEASANTS. By WILLIAM BEEBE. In four volumes, Vol- ume I. Witherby & Co., London, 1918. R. 4 to. 198 pp.; 19 full-page colored plates of Pheasants and 15 photograv- ure plates of their environment, etc.; 5 distributional maps. For several years the bird-students and bird-lovers of the world have known that this monograph was in preparation and have awaited its appearance with keen anticipation. They cannot be disappointed in Volume I, which takes up the pheasant- like Blood Partridges and Tragopans, the Impeyan Pheasants and Eared Pheasants, seventeen species in all, of which several vary into geographic races. This volume also contains an intro- ductory discussion of the group in general, the habits of Pheasants, their place in nature and relation to man. Here we find generalizations and suggestions of very (117) 118 great interest toevery naturalist, whetheror not he accept them in their entirety. The publication of this first volume follows something like nine years’ more or less continuous study of Pheasants, the initial seventeen months of which comprised extended exploration of their habitat in Asia and Malaysia, with the purpose of becoming familiar with each of the dif- ferent kinds in life. The author’s resultant thorough familiarity with the birds not only gives his statements the stamp of authority but has enabled him to write of Pheasants with unusual ease and clear- ness, whether presenting details of plumage or hypotheses of evolution. : The Pheasants are not a large group and most of the species possess strikingly beautiful plumage. They rank high as game birds, are readily kept in captivity, and in general have long been well known, though the inaccessibility of their haunts has prevented earlier ornithologists from becoming familiar with many species in nature. They lend themselves to elaborate monographic treatment, in fact, have been monographed before by Daniel Giraud Elliot, 1872. The merit of such a mono- graph is, then, not in difficulties to be overcome in preparing it, but in its excel- lence. The best talent has been secured in preparation of the plates, those in the present volume by G. E. Lodge are remarkable for poise and atmosphere; those by A. Thorburn are particularly life- like, the bird very skilfully placed in its environmental background; and one is by C. R. Knight, master of color—all these artists recognized for the ability and accuracy of their work. Plates by H. Grénvold, of plumage details of the young, one of wattles of cock Tragopans and one of eggs, are excellent. One feels that lavishness in the matter of illustrations and make-up is in keeping with the author’s having given unsparingly of his best in preparing the work and making the studies on which it is based. In our opinion, this volume is the most enjoyable, important and _ satisfactory book of birds recently published, and we Bird - Lore hope that the succeeding volumes will not be long delayed.—J. T. N. The Ornithological Magazines THE Conpor.—The opening number of Volume XXI of The Condor, for January, IQIQ, presents an unusually varied contents in six general articles and a number of short notes. Mrs. Bailey’s ‘Return to the Dakota Lake Region,’ continued from the last volume, is devoted largely to an account of the habits of various marsh birds. Dawson’s ‘Solitaires of Shasta,’ illustrated with five figures, is an interest- ing description of six nests of Town- send’s Solitaire, each containing from two to four eggs, discovered near the timber- line on Mount Shasta, Calif., in July, 1916. From observations extending over a period of two weeks, the author estimates the number of Solitaires on Mount Shasta as approximately 1,500. Kitchin contributes an illustrated account of the ‘Nesting of the Short-eared Owl in Western Washington.’ The nests observed were located in rather open sites on the edges of sloughs in a tidal marsh near Tacoma. The question of whether birds mate for life is discussed in two articles by Law and Carpenter, and several instances are mentioned by the latter author which seem to support the theory in the case of certain species. Under the title, ‘Parasitism of Nestling Birds by Fly Larve,’ Plath presents the results of careful observations and experi- ments on 63 nests, representing six species of birds. ‘‘Of these, 39, or nearly two-thirds, were infested by blood-sucking fly larve.”’ Birds such as Goldfinches and Linnets, which build compact nests, showed a larger proportion of infection than those like the California Brown Towhee which have nests of looser construction. This important subject merits much more attention in the field. Among the brief notes, Grinnell gives a list of twenty-three ‘Recent Additions to the California State List of Birds,’ which brings the total number of species and sub- species up to 564.—T. S. P. Editorial Asird-Lore A Bi-Monthly Magazine Devoted to the Study and Protection cf Birds OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE AUDUBON SOCIETIES Edited by FRANK M. CHAPMAN Contributing Editor, MABEL OSGOOD WRIGHT Published by D. APPLETON & CO. Vol. XXI Published April 1, 1919 No. 2 SUBSCRIPTION RATES Price in the United States, one dollar and fifty cents a year: outside the United States, one dollar and seventy-five cents, postage paid. or COPYRIGHTED, 1919, BY FRANK M. CHAPMAN Bird-Lore’s Motto: A Bird in the Bush Is Worth Two in the Hand BIRD-LOVERS of America are privileged to have enjoyed (we should rather say to enjoy) the companionship of a great man, Colonel Theodore Roosevelt. To those of us who knew him personally, that com- panionship will certainly always be a very real and living thing. Whether we like it so or not, this world is one of change. The circumstances, the pleasures, the opportunities, and the friends of yesterday are not those of today. The present is an intangible point which scarcely exists, if at all. A moment does not register on our consciousness until it is already past and a mere memory. Looking back, we are sometimes tempted to wonder if it is really we who wake up in the mornings of 1919, we who lived in the nineteen-hun- dreds, the nineties, or the more distant eighties, or whether our selves of other years have not migrated to our sons. An acquaintanceship with birds helps faith in the permanence of the things worth while, the things we love, in the face of an ever-changing kaleidoscope of time. As with each recurring spring we look forward to and welcome back the migrants from the South in regular succession, our own youth is renewed with that of the woods and fields. With waning winter we begin to hear the Song Sparrow’s refrain; mem- bers of the flocks of Juncos along the hedge- rows chase one another in exuberance and burst into simple tinkling trills. This year, as early as March 1, scattered Robins are back on Long Island, going quietly about IIQ their accustomed haunts, or signaling as they take wing from the tree-tops for com- panions who have not yet arrived. The call of the Bluebird drifts down to us from now here, now there in the sky, as though he were a shuttlecock in the losing game Caurus plays against the sun; Grackles fly about the towns, clanging defiance of sur- prises winter may yet have in store, and restless flocks of male Rusty and Red- winged Blackbirds appear in the swamps, following close upon the heels of retreating winter. Before this Birp-LoreE reaches its readers, the Robin chorus will be in full swing from the tree-tops at dawn, and we shall hear the notes of the Phoebe. The flock of Red-winged Blackbirds will be chattering in the swamp as it did thirty years ago, though its personnel has changed many times since then, as the feathers of each bird change each year. Once tap the springs of memory and not only time but space are annihilate. Over the broad wastes of the central Pacific Ocean, trade-wind-blown Tropic-birds are still courting the sun as on my first outward voyage. I may see the Red-wings if I wish tomorrow, but so far as I can now tell, these Tropic-birds will never again be within range of my field-glasses. Yet they are, if anything, the more real of the two. I scarcely need close my eyes to see their white forms circling over the blue water, smell the clean wind, hear the spray strike the vessel’s rigging, and feel the staggering decks underfoot and the warm sun stream- ing down between the fleecy clouds. Colonel Roosevelt, had he been spared, would now be enjoying the ever-wonderful return of spring, not only in the general way in which everyone enjoys it, but with recognition and appreciation of each species of bird as it arrived at Sagamore Hill. For he himself was a bird-student—the slayer of grizzlies and elephants took keen pleas- ure in observing migrant Warblers with an opera-glass. When but twenty years of age, he published a paper on Oyster Bay birds, and even during the strenuous days of his Presidency he took time to note those which visited the White House grounds, and to keep a list of them. Che Audubon 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. HIGHER STANDARDS More than once a plea has been made in these pages for higher standards in teaching and reaching people not only along the lines of nature-study but in educational work of all kinds. A very definite and sane criticism appeared in the December issue of the Nature-Study Review by W. G. Vinal, who strikes at the heart of this matter in an article entitled ‘First Grade Readers,’ wherein he exposes the flimsy sentimentality and actual lack of observation of common phenomena shown by the well-meaning but uninformed authors of certain school-books that are supposed to introduce our children to the great outer world. Without going into a discussion as to the place and value of fairy-tales, myths and folk-lore in the education of boys and girls just entering the grades, it is wise to lay stress on the fact that no eyes are quicker to see and no minds to receive impressions, often lasting impressions be it said, than those of young pupils. For this reason, if for no other, care should be exercised as to how far the unreal, should take the place of the actual, or how far imagination should be pushed beyond observation. Certainly, all affected, sentimental, and unwholesomely infantine methods should be frowned upon. Children have a high regard for real things, for the reasons why those things are as they are, and although they may not understand the fragmentary explanations and hurried answers of their elders, often grudgingly vouchsafed them in reply to their eager questions, they at least perceive the difference between what rings true and what does not. It is possible that if we ourselves, in our very early stages of education, had had a better start in becoming familiar with common facts, we might now be in a far better position to enjoy life, nature, yes, and friends, and to share our attainments with others. In a word, let us see to it, now that a general reconstruction is going on along so many lines, that this and coming generations be taught more intelli- gently and with greater sincerity and clarity. It is painful to reflect upon the number of bright boys and girls who are given an irrational, inadequate, or partially misleading conception of Nature, and who arrive at maturity with minds focused on shams, unmeaning details, and useless methods. Mr. Roosevelt has been lauded justly for his splendid achievements, but no single contribution that he made to us as a nation surpasses his fine concep- tion of life based on a normal and truthful appreciation of nature. A delicate (120) The Audubon Societies 121 child, he was scarcely the one to be selected for the strenuous pursuit of nature with which we are now familiar and which has added fame to his attainments. He reached out and won health and an abounding life by seeking the true approach to the world about him. Most of his admirers who are acquainted with him only through his books should not overlook the fact that among his earliest nature studies is an annotated list of the birds which he identified about his home at Oyster Bay, Long Island, a brief bulletin of a few pages, in which, however, the bird-lover traces his eager observation of what was actually to be discovered within the limits of his home-estate. High up on a north- shore bluff, overlooking the Sound and two of its main inlets, Oyster Bay and Cold Spring Harbor, with the bold promontory of Lloyd’s Neck directly to the east, and the lowland of Center Island curving irregularly to the north, Saga- more Hill has a commanding and unusually beautiful outlook upon nature, while to the south, through the winding paths of wooded areas so familiar to Mr. Roosevelt, afoot or on horseback, the charm of almost primeval forests still lingers, despite the sad inroads of the chestnut fungus disease which has killed so many noble trees, and wartime necessity that has caused the felling of gian walnuts and stately white oaks. Here, if anywhere, one must love nature for what she has to show the truthful observer, and it is fine to recall that Mr. Roosevelt chose to keep his estate in its natural condition of wild loveliness rather than to convert it into a show place of artificial beauty. He had keen joy in the companionship of the common Sparrows in his fields and of the Screech Owl which at dusk commonly flitted near his porch, in the discovery of the Black-throated Green Warbler, of whose identity as a summer resident at this point on Long Island he felt certain, in the migratory movements of the Fish Crow and the late appearance of a straggling Black- crowned Night Heron, simple facts in themselves, based upon true observa- tions, but facts which were woven into his daily life, giving it true focus and constant enjoyment. It is such a grasp of nature that I plead may be made possible to our boys and girls, and especially to those who must depend largely upon books about nature, since the outdoor world is paved beneath their feet and walled from their eyes in our large cities —A. H. W. BIRD AND ARBOR DAY THOUGHTS THE TREES OF ENGLAND “The trees of England! While she hath her trees She hath great virtues still! While formal yews Guard her trim gardens, she can never lose Homes for her scholars, men of learned ease. 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AE A ' es j MANGAS el b The Audubon Societies 123 To quit her peace, and though it burn or freeze, To win for her in grim and perilous realms New and great glory. With her mighty-thewed Oaks shall abide her spirit bluff and strong; And while her winds are prayerful in great elms, Poets shall seek her haunts of solitude, And English leaves shall murmur through English song.” —GEOFFREY Howarp, in The New Witness. “Much can they praise the trees so straight and high, The sailing pine; the cedar proud and tall; The vine-prop elm; the poplar never dry; The builder oak, sole King of forests all; The aspen good for staves; the cypress funeral; The laurel, meed of mighty conquerors And poets sage; the fir that weepeth still; The willow, worn of forlorn paramours; The yew, obedient to the bender’s will; The birch for shafts; the sallow for the mill; The myrrh sweet-bleeding in the bitter wound; The warlike beech; the ash for nothing ill; The fruitful olive; and the platane round; The carver holme; the maple, seldom inward sound.” —SPENSER, ‘Faerie Queene.’ ‘Tis sweet, in the green Spring, To gaze upon the wakening fields around; Birds in the thicket sing, Winds whisper, waters prattle from the ground; A thousand odors rise, Breathed up from blossoms of a thousand dyes. Shadowy, and close, and cool, The pine and poplar keep their quiet nook; Forever fresh and full, Shines, at their feet, the thirst-inviting brook; And the soft herbage seems Spread for a place of banquets and of dreams.” — BRYANT. “‘Where roads are made I lose my way, In the wide water, in the blue sky there is no line of a track, The pathway is hidden by the birds’ wings, by the star-fires, by the flowers of the wayfaring seasons. And I ask my heart if its blood carries the wisdom of the unseen way.” —RABINDRANATH TAGorE, ‘Fruit-Gathering.’ SUGGESTIONS 1. Reread Longfellow’s ‘Hiawatha,’ noting the references to nature, especially trees and birds. 2. Read ‘The Fountain’ and ‘The Prairies’ by Bryant. 3. In the foregoing selections, note carefully the descriptive words used by the poet, and look up the meaning of any words with which you are not familiar. 124 Bird - Lore 4. Send to Enos A. Mills, Long’s Peak, Estes Park, Colo., for cards entitled, ‘A Little Tree,’ and ‘The Trail.’ 5. Look up in School Education, October, 1917, an article on ‘Bird Migration,’ by Indianola Willcuts, which contains very helpful directions for schoolroom exhibits and bird-study. 6. If you wish a practical field notebook, try the ‘Bird Tablet,’ arranged by Josephine A. Clark, Northampton, Mass. 7. Have you seen the poster stamp ‘Protect the Birds’ which is issued by the Cleve- land Bird Lovers’ Association? 8. Consult ‘The Natural History of the Farm,’ A Guide to the Practical Study of the Sources of Our Living in Wild Nature, by James G. Needham, The Comstock Pub- lishing Company, Ithaca, N. Y. This book is full of material for the wide-awake teacher, and of interesting information for the enthusiastic student. 9. Following the suggestion of Dr. A. F. Blakeslee, study a single tree throughout the year, noting its appearance from different sides, its changes, activities and uses. to. Learn to associate birds with trees, remembering what trees are the homes of certain nesting-birds. Are there any kinds of trees in which birds seldom or never nest? 11. Make Bird and Arbor Day a time for personal observation. 12. Have the English Sparrow and Starling increased near you in the last year? —A. H.W. JUNIOR AUDUBON WORK For Teachers and Pupils Exercise XLIV: Correlated with Botany, Reading and Food-Supply POULTRY, continued, AND SUGAR “It is now high time to plan for crops to fill the crops of fowls and chickens next fall and winter. It may not be convenient for many who keep poultry to raise wheat, oats, barley or buckwheat, although these make excellent feeds which may be fed right in the shock or bundle, letting the hens work out the grain, and can therefore be easily handled. Indian corn, sweet corn, pop-corn, and sunflower seed may all be raised to advantage in the same yard as growing chickens. As soon as the plants get well up, if chicks are small they will do no harm until the corn is ready for picking and even then the damage will be slight, compared with the benefits received. The cultivation of the ground makes it more beneficial to both plants and chickens, and the growing corn pro- vides shade for the poultry in exchange for the fertilizer produced and the insect life destroyed. Sunflower seed is an excellent food for both chicks and fowls, but on account of the large amount of oil they contain, they must be fed sparingly. Sugar-beets and mangel-wurzels are without doubt the best root crop to raise for poultry. There are several varieties, but the ‘Mammoth Long Red’ is one of the largest and best. “The land must be well broken up, deeply plowed and well fertilized. Lime should be used in addition to other fertilizer if soil is acid. Salt at the rate of 300 pounds per acre may be added to take the place in part of potash. Plant seed by hand or with a planter, in rows 2% to 3 feet apart, and thin to 12 or rq inches apart in rows, at last hoe- ing. The extra plants pulled or cut out make excellent greens for the fowls in yards during the summer. Harvest just before the ground freezes and store in a dry cellar for future use.”’—Extension News Service of Rhode Island State College. Now that we have learned how to make successful ‘war gardens’ and how to keep NCLOSED YARD USED ON A HOME LAWN IN THE CITY i a cs NG WAR GARDEN ADDS TO THE FARE OF THE POULTRY WASTE GREENS FROM AN ADJOINI (125) 126 Bird - Lore poultry in small quarters let us not give up such practical projects, since we may not only gain from them more real knowledge and serviceable methods than by studying books alone, but may also add much healthful food-material to our family store. The young woman whose experiments in raising chickens in a patent house which accom- modates twelve or fourteen hens, has found a mulitwm in parvo (much in little) method of keeping her home table supplied with fresh eggs and poultry, as well as having a sur- plus to dispose of in various ways. A neighboring artist reports similar success, and would not care to give up so pleas- ant and profitable a form of home economics as he has discovered in a small flock of poultry. Besides the food value of the project, the chickens are pets for the children and are also used to teach principles of thrift. Days of peace, we trust, are coming, but if we wish to make certain of them, we must do all in our power to cultivate habits of thrift and to practice helpful codperation. Sugar is a very good article upon which to base simple experiments in thrift, for the reason that we have so long been accustomed to use it lavishly. If a few lessons might be devoted to this topic in connection with nature-study work, the result would be a better balanced conception of the whole matter than if only a chance reading or remarks were made with reference to the nature and value of sugar. The following outline may suggest a workable method of presenting this important subject in the classroom or in community exercises where parents and home-makers may also be reached. SUGAR, ITS NATURE, PREPARATION, USES, AND VALUE VEGETABLE— Sugar-cane, sugar-maple, sugar-beet, maize, sorghum, birch, parsnip, LESSON I. sugar-pine, Indian honey-bearing reed. ANIMAL— Milk-sugar (made from whey), bees’ honey. Look at pictures of all the sugar-producing plants and trees commonly used for making sugar, and learn to name the most important ones. Learn also to how great an extent sugar in some form is found in vegetables, fruits, and grains. Study the sugar-maple, the sugar-cane and sugar-beet more thoroughly, and write notes on the particular qualities of each with reference to the production of sugar. Compare the sugar-maple with other species of maple. Compare the sugar-cane with sorghum and with other species of grasses. Compare the sugar-beet with the mangel-wurzel and other varieties of beets, and also with other root-vegetables. Look up the sugar-pine and note where it is found. Make a classroom picture-book of all sugar-producing forms of vegetable life and learn where they grow. How is bees’ honey related to vegetable products? Would you classify it as animal or vegetable product, or both? LESSON II. What part of the tree, plant, grass or vegetable produces sugar? What is the name or names of manufactured sugar? Does the amount of sugar-material, such as sap or juice vary at different seasons of the year? When is maple-sugar made? When are cane-sugar and beet-sugar made? Study the different processes of manufacturing sugar from vegetable products. The Audubon Societies 127 (See Encyclopedia Britannica, Century Dictionary, cut under ‘sugar-mill’); send to the United States Department of Agriculture for bulletins on the manufacture of cane- sugar, sorghum, beet-sugar and maple-sugar, also, bees’ honey. LESSON III. What is the principal use of sugar? As a food for man, learn the meaning of the term carbohydrate. How many different forms of manufactured sugar can you name, telling from what source each is derived? e.g. Brown sugar, confectioner’s sugar, granulated sugar, pulverized sugar, cut sugar, crushed sugar, Malado sugar, liquid sugar, syrup, honey, loaf-sugar, malt-sugar. How many products can you name which are manufactured from sugar by reac processes? How is starch converted into sugar? (Correlate with physiology.) What is glucose? dextrose? cellulose? maltose? lactose? saccharose? quercite? Name as many commercial uses of sugar and sugar-products as possible. Are there any uses which should not be allowed? e.g. Sugar used to weight silk? Study the history of the use of sugar among different nations. How early was the first use of sugar and among what people or peoples? LESSON IV. Study the value of sugar, as an article of food and as a commercial product. How does sugar act upon the human body as a food? What is its fuel-value per pound (number of calories) ? Compare it with other foods. Is it easily digested? is it nourishing, stimulating, heat-producing, or a clog to the system? In what quantity should it be eaten for health? What is the food-value of the sugar contained in fruit and other vegetables and products not used for making sugar? Does one need to eat a large amount of artificially manufactured sugar in order to supply a proper amount of carbohydrates to his diet? In what form is sugar most healthful, pure or manufactured into mixtures such as confections, pastries, candy and jellies? Study the commercial value of sugar, with reference to its production in different countries. What countries manufacture cane-sugar? beet-sugar? maple-sugar? sorghum? other sugar-products of commercial value? GENERAL QUESTIONS AND SUGGESTIONS. What animals other than man like sugar? Do any birds like sugar? Can you name a species? Look up Sugar-bird, Honey-eater, Sap-sucker. Do animal-tamers ever use sugar in coaxing animals to do tricks? How is sugar connected with disease? Is sugar of value in medicine? What birds nest in the sugar-maple? in or about sugar-cane grown in the United States? Two practical ways in which boys and girls can study sugar, are, first, to make some sugar from sap or sweet juices, and second, to learn how to use sugar in combination with other articles. Try jelly-making and learn how to make jelly with varying amounts 128 Bird - Lore of sugar. The well-known recipe of ‘pound for pound,’ that is, one pound of sugar boiled with one pound of fruit-juice is extravagant in these days of thrift and conserva- tion. Very delicious jelly can be made by using one-half, one-third and, with certain fruit- juices, one-fourth part of sugar to one part of juice. Experiments: Study solubility, crystallization, extraction, evaporation, purification by putting sugar in water, boiling a piece of sugar-cane, or maple-sap, or sliced beet- root, and noting the varying appearance of the boiling juice, and at what stages scum occurs and crystallization. Write compositions upon the different processes of making sugar. Keep account of how much sugar you use a week, month, or year, and compare these records with a view to determining the proper use of sugar.—A. H. W. For and From Adult and Young Observers NOTES FROM THE NORTHWEST We are so much interested in birds here at Newlands school that the Bird Club asked me to write a letter to you. There are a great many birds here, such as the Kingbird, Flycatcher, Loggerhead Shrike, Cowbird, Towhee, Meadowlark, Chestnut-collared Long- spur, McCown Longspur, many different kinds of Sparrows and a great many Prairie Horned Larks. The Prairie Horned Lark is a bird that stays with us both winter and summer. On March 1 we began to record birds and now we have about fifty dif- ferent kinds. At our Bird Club meeting we have each member report what they have seen of bird-life in the field. We would like to know how we could attract more birds around the school where there are no trees.—WILLIE Topp, Secretary, Nobleford Bird Club, Nobdleford, Alberta. [For those of our readers who are unacquainted with the physiography of Alberta, a description of its climate, topography, and fauna and flora is worth looking up, since it is so varied a region. The writer of these notes from Nobleford, evidently lives in the prairie section, where there are no trees. The species of birds enumerated, it will be noticed, are mostly ground-feeders and dwellers. Attracting birds in such a locality presents, of course, some difficulties, but it seems as though a lunch-counter properly made, and, if necessary camouflaged with grasses, might, if covered with seeds that these birds relish, attract many. Can anyone who is familiar with prairie conditions suggest a practical way to arrange a lunch-counter? A birds’ drinking fountain or a pool for bathing might attract more birds than a lunch-counter, unless their food-supply becomes much reduced. As the snowfall is not heavy usually in Alberta, seed-eating birds doubtless find winter forag- ing less difficult than in localities where snow and ice prevail during winter.—A. H. W.] SIOUX CITY BIRD CLUB NOTES In the September-October number of Brrp-Lore, I notice a paragraph speaking of a column in the Pittsburgh Chronicle-Telegraph devoted to birds, The Audubon Societies 129 As we have entered on our third year of work of this kind in the press, you might be interested to know of it. The column devoted to “Our Bird Neigh- bors” is published every other Saturday and we are led to believe it is of interest outside of our city, for we receive many letters of commendation, one university writing that the articles therein are kept on file, while a principal of a school in a smaller town reports that they are put up on the school bulletin board as soon as received. Our next issue will contain a list of forty-five birds seen by the writer dur- ing the month of October, 1918. We have a Bird Club here of about sixty members, which is not so large as before war activities took so much time. A Junior Club of over one hundred members has been held in suspension during the period of the war since leaders of the groups were not available-—(Mrs.) Mary L. BaILey, Sioux City, Towa. [The column of bird notes, referred to under the title: “Our Bird Neighbors,’ is made up of observations in the vicinity of Sioux City, and constitutes a local bird- calendar of much interest, as well as preserving in permanent form many incidents of timely value. In addition to seasonal notes, this column is made additionally attract ive by various bird happenings and experiences, such as this, for example: “‘A new bird-bath in a North Side yard was eagerly watched by members of the family to see what birds would help to dedicate it. Imagine the surprise and pleasure of the watchers when a Pheasant stepped in daintily to taste of the water! Where did it come from? Is there someone near who owns one for a pet, or did it only stop in passing? The Ring- necked Pheasant is not unknown here, but it is by no means common.”’ Those who are familiar with the tricks and activities of the Crow will enjoy the account given below of a pet Blue Jay. The following story was written for the Bird Notes by Mrs. John M. McDonald, of our city. It is of especial interest because it is true in every detail and also because it belongs to an early period of our development as a city: On the 4th of July, 1890, while taking a family drive in the woods at Riverside (then unknown to park fame) a young Blue Jay was discovered at the roadside, evi- dently having fallen from the nest and unable to help itself. It was rescued by the ‘good man of the house,’ and brought home in a handkerchief. Hunger forced it to adapt itself readily to its new surroundings and in a short time it would eagerly swallow food such as flies, worms and other insects dropped into its wide-open beak by its new-found friends. The little fellow matured sturdily, and, never being caged, but having the entire freedom of the house and yard, going and coming at will; he developed many cunning and remarkable habits, and was a constant source of delight throughout the summer, - on into the late autumn, when after several flights and returns he departed. To the one member of the family that gave him the most care, he became greatly attached, flying after her to the street as she was about to take the car, and sometimes following her inside. The motorman, in those days of common interest with the North Side dwellers, and not being overly busy with passengers, would carefully hide the little fellow until upper Jackson street was again reached, when he would stop and take him toward the house. On one of these attempts to see more of the world, Jay succeeded too well. As usual, this motorman had placed the protecting hat over him on the seat, but a passenger, a man at that, with great curiosity, hearing the scratching lifted the hat and away flew 130 Bird - Lore Mr. Blue Jay. It being a strange part of the town it was several days before he found his familiar landmarks, but one day our maid ran in excitedly to announce his return. As it was impossible for Jay to open doors or windows for himself, he would come to the window-sill to be let out, and when coming in would light on the top of the screen frame to tap sharply on the glass. If he failed to get a response in one room he would try another. He was particularly fond of butter and at meal-time would perch on the gas fixture in the hall, from where he had an unobstructed view of the dining table, and when butter was being served he would, with unerring aim, swoop down across the table, getting his mouth full. If he were not to be found at feeding time, one had only to stand outside and extend the arm with food in the hand, and almost immediately from out of space, Jay would appear. : To one member of the household, only, he appealed for his bath, and his wants were always heeded. A cover was spread on the floor, a large basin filled with water and put down, and one would think a new automatic fire extinguisher had been turned on. Another amusing instance: The dear mother was quilting that summer and Jay seemed to enjoy keeping her company, flying in and out of the room and trotting around on the frames, but the quilter was too busy putting in the beautiful stitches to notice what the tiny companion was doing. In the winter, however, when finishing the edges of the quilts, her needle would strike against buttons, sticks, pebbles and anything Jay was able to tuck away in the cloth. Belonging to the magpie family he was not particularly honest, and if we missed anything, from a diamond earring to a door key, we knew Jay had hidden it somewhere, and at times it required a diligent search to find the missing article; but when in hot weather a bit of raw meat had been carefully secreted under the bed on the slats, we . were very thankful that our sense of smell directed us to the hidden dainty. Jay had a most unusual marking on his head, a single feather about two inches long growing from the tip of the crest, which, added to his saucy, bold manner, gave him quite the air of a Mephistopheles. : It seemed cruel to cage the joyous creature through the long winter, so, after many family councils, it was decided to let him follow his natural instincts, which took him away finally. We missed the brilliant flash of color and the companionship of our little pet, and even now on hearing the challenging note of his kind we recall that happy summer with our own Blue Jay.—Sioux City Daily Tribune. This method of educating public sentiment in regard to birds and bird-protection is especially helpful, when spontaneous coéperation underlies it—A. H. W.] SUCCESSFUL SCHOOL OBSERVATION CONDITIONS The observations of my fourth grade have been withheld as long as possible. Enthusiasm runs high, and our fifteen-minute bird-talks on Friday mornings are entirely too short. Our study club meets every two weeks. At this time the leaflets are carefully studied and additional material discussed. With spring near, I am planning a contest. The child seeing, identifying, and entering in his bird record, the, most birds during spring, migration, at least fifteen, is to receive Reed’s Bird Guide. A similar contest for the identification of wild flowers is being planned. The Audubon Societies 131 Our schoolhouse is an annex, situated near a yard of fruit trees and shrubs. A quince bush, elder bushes, and two apple trees touch our three south win- dows, while peach trees and maple trees touch the southwest and west sides of our house. Just outside_our center south window we have a feeding-board. Cardinals have visited all winter, with Tufted Titmice occasionally. While the Cardinals are feeding, the children often skip past the window, but our Cardinals are rarely frightened away. The first Cardinal whistle was heard January 18, about 7.45 A.M., (just before coming to school). This, of course, is an ideal spot for birds. Last spring, Redstarts were quite numerous, even sitting on the window-sills of our open windows. From the windows we saw Black and White Warblers, Redstarts, Myrtle Warblers, Kinglets, and Vireos, besides our Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers, Flickers, Goldfinches, Tufted Titmice, and Blue Jays. The entire class saw these. Do you think there is a reason for enthusiasm? Our building is an annex to the grade and high school building. We have recess both morning and afternoon. The birds are not frightened away but rather seem to enjoy the children’s laughter and romping. Can you blame me for hoping for another spring similar to last year’s?— AtMA MILLER, Galion, Ohio. BIRDS THAT HAVE COME TO OUR HOUSE I have made bird-shelves. Nuthatches, Chickadees, Fox Sparrows and the Cardinal have come. In the morning we often hear the Cardinal. Once the Sparrow Hawk made us a visit.— JACK STEELE (Aged 9 years). [The writer of this contribution is now fourteen years old, and has doubtless had much more experience in feeding and protecting birds. We should be glad of his address and also of any further notes he may have made during the last five years. Comparisons with this record during the successive seasons which have elapsed will prove helpful not only to him but also to our readers.—A. H. W.] THE WESTERN ROBIN Bailey’s ‘Handbook of Birds of the Western United States’ says of the Western Robin: ‘He nests in the mountains or far north, and when seen in winter is shy and nervous.” “The Birds of California’ says, “He goes up into the lonely Sierra Nevada forests.” From these quotations it would seem that the Robin is shy and nervous in the West; but ‘The Birds of Oregon and Washington’ says: “The Robin is a common bird.”’ The first two observations are undoubtedly from California, while the last is from Oregon. I live in Portland, Oregon, where the Robins are both common and tame. Even as I write I hear their beautiful song which rings loud and clear in the early morning and at intervals through the day, and then again before going to bed. They bathe in my garden, and in winter eat apples which I put out 132 Bird - Lore for them. In fact, I know of a nest across the street from the post-office which is in the heart of the city. There is also a nest in our climbing rose. This year I was favored with a trip to California on which I took pleasure in finding the truth about the Robins. In the spring, when I made the trip, I did not see a single Robin until I visited Yosemite National Park; there they were common and quite tame, too. They were probably nesting, but I did not succeed in finding any nests. Again the ‘Birds of California’ says, ‘“The nests also of the western Robins that I have found have been somewhat different from those of the eastern bird and very much prettier, being decorated with moss woven in the mud instead of straw, and carefully lined with moss.”’ This is probably because moss is easier for the forest Robins to get than straw, and in the city it would be almost impossible to get moss, so that the eastern birds have acquired the habit of using straw and the California birds the habit of using moss. Many of the nests in Portland have no moss in them. The nest in our climbing rose has a foundation of twigs and straw and a mud cup lined with grass. There is also much string and yarn, which I supplied, woven in. I found a good many Robins’ nests this year, built in many different ways and in many different locations. One of them contained a great deal of moss, but a great many had none. In most of them the lining was all pushed down into the bottom of the nest by the time the birds were through with it. From one nest straw hung down for over a foot, making it very conspicuous. Now the question arises, What makes the Robin nest far from the homes of man in California, while in Oregon it is very tame? It seems to me the only way to explain this difference is that it is due to climatic conditions. It might be better to say that the Robin goes to the mountains where it is cool, rather than to say that it goes far from the homes of man. By watching Robins on a hot day it certainly is apparent that they do not like the heat. They keep their bills wide open, panting, and I have seen an old male Robin spread its wings out and lie down in a flower-bed as if from sunstroke. Then it would get up and go on hunting for worms. The ‘Handbook of Birds’ says that the Robin is shy and nervous in winter; but this is easily accounted for because Robins are usually more nervous in winter anyhow. Individual peculiarities are often observed in birds, especially in the Robin since it is so common. I once saw a Robin with a very curved bill, the upper mandible extending far out beyond the lower. The other day I saw a young Robin, the speckles being very prominent, molding an old nest. The nest was nearly torn to pieces, but the young bird arranged it with its bill and molded it with its breast as if it were building a new nest. However, nothing ever came of it as the task was abandoned before anything was accomplished. This may be a proof that the bird was working an account of an instinct which matured too soon.—Tom McCamant, Portland, Ore. [The spirit of investigation, careful observation, and comparative study shown in this composition written by a boy of thirteen, deserve commendation.—A. H. W.] CANADA GOOSE Photographed by H. H. Pittman, Manitoba, Canada. The photograph is of a wild bird suspicious, but not alarmed, taken in a little runway by which a hiding-tent had been placed (133) Che Audubon 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. Telephone, Columbus 7327 WiLirAmM DutcHER, President FrRepERIc A. Lucas, Acting President THEODORE S. PALMER, First Vice-President T. GILBERT PEARSON, Secretary JONATHAN Dwicut, 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 $1,000 constitutes a person a Patron $5,000 constitutes a person a Founder $25,000 constitutes a person a Benefactor Form or Brequest:—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. SUMMER SCHOOL AT AMSTON Great progress has been made with our Audubon ornithological experiment station and summer instruction project at Amston, Conn. To secure funds for the enlargement of the work, an organization has been formed comprising prominent men in Con- necticut, and known as The Amston Game Club. The main purpose is to develop large, practical, game-farming operations and varied lines of experimental research in practical bird-work, with also some rec- reational and social features. Game Com- missioner F. N. Manross is president, and Colonel Louis R. Cheney, ex-mayor of Hartford, vice-president. The enterprise is in charge of Herbert K. Job. One of the most expert professional gamekeepers in America is permanently employed. For- merly he was gamekeeper to the King of England at Windsor Castle. This summer Pheasants, Quails, and wild Ducks will be raised on an increased scale, and other species experimentally, including an experi- ment in commercial breeding of Canaries. This great tract of diversified country, with its large and beautiful lake, together with abundance and variety of wild bird life, interesting and instructive game-farm operations, and a growing constituency of nature-lovers, makes Amston an ideal spot to spend a vacation. The Summer School project begun last season gave encouraging results, and it will be continued and enlarged for the sea- son of t919. There will be two sessions, each of three weeks. The first, from July 5 to 25, will offer courses in field ornithology, general applied ornithology, or practical methods in attracting and propagating wild birds, and also nature photography, plate and motion pictures, with practical field demonstrations. The second session, from July 26 to August 15, will be a school of commercial and practical game-farming, to prepare landholders, farmers, or others, to raise game-birds and wild fowl. There will be lectures by visiting specialists, and recreational features. Students and visi- tors will be accommodated at The Amston Inn, and will be welcome at The Audubon House headquarters, with bird collection and working ornithological library, all being open after the latter part of May. Clubs and parties may arrange for outings. A few furnished cottages may be had on early application. Information and circular may be had from Mr. H. K. Job, West Haven, Conn. (134) The Audubon Societies SUMMER SCHOOL The Bureau of Education, Publicity and Research of the California Fish and Game Commission has outlined an attractive course in wild life study to be given the coming summer at Tahoe, Calif. In the announcement just issued the statement is made: ‘‘Everyone wants to recognize the plants and wild things en- countered on the summer vacation. There is no better way of developing this ability than to accompany one who knows wild life. A competent instructor will take groups of not more than twenty on field excursions where first-hand knowledge of living things will be obtained. Special attention will be given the identification of birds by call, song, color, and habits. The motto of these classes will be: ‘Learn to read a roadside as one reads a book.’ 135 WORK AT TAHOE Knowledge of wild life insures better con- servation of it. Special excursions for children.” Evening illustrated lectures arescheduled for the following subjects: ‘Common Song- Birds of the High Sierras,’ ‘The Game- Birds of California,’ ‘Sierran Mammals,’ ‘Wild Animal Life in California,’ ‘Forest Trees of the Sierras,’ ‘The Fish and Fish- eries of California,’ and ‘Wild Flowers of the Sierras.’ One can hardly imagine a more beautiful place in the West to study wild life than at Tahoe, and anyone who can take ad- vantage of the opportunity offered above may be sure of spending his vacation in an interesting and most worth-while man- ner, under the inspiring leadership of Mr. Harold Child Bryant and his associates. IOWA CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION The following is contributed by George Bennett, Field Representative of the Iowa Conservation Association. “The purpose and work of our organiza- tion are the protection and preservation of the wild life of the state, and the founding of city, country, state and national parks. Its membership has been largely increased within the last two years, with a future out- look that is bright. “This Association is actively engaged in promoting the founding of a national park in the northeastern section of Iowa, where there is a magnificent area of wood and water, rock and dell—scenery of the first order. Here the Mississippi flows through appealing natural beauty, whether it be Wisconsin on the east or Iowa on the west, and the time cannot be far away when the bill, already in Congress, will be favorably acted upon, for the setting apart for all time of this great historic and nature arena, for the benefit of the entire citizenship of the United States. “Tn connection with such enterprise, a movement is on foot to place on Pike’s Peak, the highest point and on the Iowa side, a memorial of that splendid piece of wild life remedial legislation, the Migratory Bird Treaty between the United States and Canada. “Among the many reasons for such a movement, two specific ones make their appeal. One is that the far-famed Missis- sippi Valley is the grand central highway of great numbers of birds as they journey from one clime to another. Again, when this national park is established, it will draw on a far larger population than any such park in the distant West, and, stand- ing as it will for the redemption of our bird- life, will tell its story to an ever-increasing multitude that sees on that majestic ele- vation, where in 1805 Zebulon Pike planted the first American flag that floated to the breeze in the Northwest, a great contri- bution to a greater cause.” Bird - Lore SONG-BIRD KILLING IN GEORGIA The past few months we have been re- ceiving more than the usual number of complaints of the killing of song-birds in the southern states. Such letters as the fol- lowing from a gentleman in Macon, Ga., emphasizes most strongly the great need of extending the Junior Audubon work in the southern states, as well as the impor- tance of putting lecturers in the field to arouse the people of that section to the desirability of protecting birds. The letter in question runs as follows: “Tam writing to inform you of conditions here in Macon which certainly ought to be tolerated no longer, if there is any source of help to which we can appeal. “During the past few days immense flocks of Robins have entered the city and they are being shot all over town by the hundreds. Boys and men, both white and colored, are engaged in this wicked busi- ness. I am told that they are sold for food. Yesterday—Sunday, by the way—I saw a flock of upwards of one hundred Cedar Waxwings, and they too were the victims of this wicked practice. “T had supposed that the Audubon Model Bird Law protected all song-birds in every state of the Union at all times. If there is any possible way of offering these birds protection, I should be glad to co- operate with you to that end. To one who has been raised in a state where children are taught, both in school and at home, to love and protect birds, such conditions as prevail here seem almost inconceivable.” AUDUBON ASSOCIATION OF THE PACIFIC Our young Association at San Francisco entered into its second year with very promising prospects of continued rapid growth and important accomplishments. Many new members were added and strong committees were well launched into their work. The abnormal conditions caused by the war, interrupted, but let us hope only postponed, expected accomplishments. At least seven of our foremost members, Dr. Gibbons, Messrs. Webb, Newsom, Peck, Loeb, McClenahan and Levis, some of them active committeemen, in answering their country’s call, made their absence felt. But, on the other hand, we are proud of the representation they give the Asso- ciation in the country’s service and we can thank them for the greater work they per- formed. The other activities that fell to the part of the civilian also deprived many others of the time and opportunity to do what they would for the good of the Association. The monthly meetings, however, con- tinued. As much can be said of our monthly field trips, all of which were very successful, both in the pleasure and instruction af- forded and the interesting observations recorded. It behooves us to be vigilant and ready to enlist our services where they may be needed, as, for example, against the pur- pose to drain the Klamath Lakes, which would destroy a valuable reservation and bird-preserve. It is an unfortunate circum- stance that little sympathy has been won from our local press for our work and ob- jects. It might even be stated that we encounter here an opposition that we have to combat, by what means it is hard to outline exactly. For example, the almost violent attacks on the treaty that protects migratory birds, with special reference to ducks, are evidently the outgrowth of fal- lacious opinions and interested opposition. Enlightenment cannot of itself conquer this hostility. We may, for the present, have to limit our efforts to influencing pub- lic sentiment to counteract the effect of malicious propaganda. Pursuing our plan to study the truth of a question and seek the guidance of scien- tific experts before taking sides or adopting a course of action, at two of our monthly meetings we had the question of the alleged damage of Ducks to the California rice fields expounded by such authorities as Messrs. Hunter and Bade, Dr. Bryant and The Audubon Societies Professor Mackie. The net result is that the Duck, as an accused pest to the rice farmer, is at most incomparably less such than rodents and insects, against which birds are the best combatants, though scantily acknowledged by the same that impeach the Duck. We learned, besides, that even the comparatively small damage actually done to the rice can easily be avoided by the shooting of bombs to scare away the Ducks from the fields, while a better plan is to sow the seed properly, so as to thoroughly cover the ground with the growing crop and not leave exposed puddles for the birds to descend into, where they may begin the damage. In line with our juvenile program, we have found a fertile field anxiously await- ing our cultivation in the Boy Scout organ- ization. When announcement of intended bird-instruction was made to a theatre full of boys, the enthusiastic reception ex- pressed by themin their loud and prolonged cheers was an imperative demand made upon their elders and those that are able to satisfy their desire for bird-knowledge. Already Mr. Hansen has begun the good work, and as Scout Master of a troop, with the assistance of Dr. Leggett and Mr. Thomas, has begun to instruct them. Soon they will be taught about bird-houses and how to help birds to build their nests, so that they may prepare to aid their feath- ered chums during the coming housekeep- ing season. An effort will be made to publish a monthly bulletin, reporting our activities and containing bird-news, which is to be sent to each member. Every member will be requested to communicate to the Cor- responding Secretary any item of interest to the Association, personal observations, and suggestions. By such general and generous support all can help to develop a publication that may be a source of pleasure and pride. Initial steps have been taken, and the coéperation of the Cooper Ornithological Club secured, to cause the adoption of municipal cat-licensing ordinances. The success, growth, and value to each 137 member of the Audubon Association de- pends upon the interest each takes in its welfare —C. B. Lastreto, President. Utah Audubon Society After seven years of inactivity the Utah Audubon Society has again marshalled its man-power to renew the struggle against the waste and despoliation of its bird-life Since its inception in 1912, sporadic efforts to carry out a definite program have been unfruitful; but it is hoped that junior organization among the Boy Scouts and in the public schools will soon be produc- tive of inspiration and awakening interest. A meeting held January 2, 1919 resulted in the election of officers for the present year as follows: Prof. J. H. Paul of the University of Utah, president; Nephi Reynolds, vice-president; A. O. Treganza, treasurer; Mrs. A. O. Treganza, secretary. Buffalo (N. Y.) Audubon Society The Audubon Society of Buffalo has just completed its tenth year with a paid-up membership of 250 members. The newly elected officers are: Edward C. Avery, president; Dr. Channing E. Beach, vice- president; Mrs. C. M. Wilson, secretary; J. M. Overfield, Jr., treasurer; Miss Mary Ellis, C. Brooks Hersey, and Miss Caroline L. Doll, directors. The society has awakened much interest in bird-study and bird-protection through its lectures and field-trips. It has pub- lished and sold 1,000 copies of its annual Bird Almanac, this year’s edition of which was extremely interesting and instructive. —CarRoLinE L. DoLt, Retiring Secretary. An Interesting Booklet The ro19 edition of the Doylestown Nature Club’s booklet is a most attrac- tive publications Printed in green ink on white paper it presents a photograph and story of its Museum, list of officers, constitution and by-laws, program of meetings for the year, and list of all the Club’s members. Bird - Lore GULLS By JANE BARBARA ALEXANDER O gulls, as you circle and swoop and scream, What is that force which urges you on? The voice of the wind, like the rush of a stream, Scent of the sea, or the spray, or the dawn? Or is it the sun with his buoyant rays That thrills you to madness and whirls you on high And tosses you swirling afar o’er the haze, *Twixt a wind-swept sea and a sapphire sky? Flashes of white ’twixt the sea and the sky, You swoop and you circle, You vanish and gleam, And some of that sadness which throbs in your cry Drifts through my soul like the ghost of a dream. And my heart’s filled with sadness, and why, oh why? As you circle and swoop ’twixt the sea and the sky! The Audubon Societies 139 ROOSEVELT MEMORIAL FOUNTAIN A Call to the Nature-Lovers of America The great spirit of Theodore Roosevelt, an inspiration to naturalists, bird-lovers, conservationists and sportsmen, today rests upon the nation like a mighty benediction. Men of the open loved him and the faces about his campfire, whether black or yel- low, white or copper, bent their gaze upon him with that respect and affection which men of towering nobility have ever in- spired. He was a scientific collector of birds in his youth and in manhood sought the fiercest animals of the jungle and brought his trophies to museums where the public might look upon them and learn. As Presi- dent he established the principle of govern- ment bird-reservations, and created fifty- one of these national wild-life sanctuaries. He awoke the nation to the need of saving its forests and other natural resources. He taught and practiced clean, straight sportsmanship with a power that has caused thousands of men afield to walk in straighter paths. He discussed questions understandingly with our greatest technical naturalists and at the same time was president of the Long Island Bird Club that feeds the wild birds in winter and teaches little children to love them. The man or woman who is wedded to the open knows these facts and many others. It is because of this knowledge and of a desire to give some tangible expression of esteem in which his memory is held that the plan has been formed to erect at some appropriate spot a memorial that speaks of the wild bird-life in which he was so deeply interested. The National Association of Audubon Societies and affiliated organizations of various kinds throughout the United States, therefore, call upon the friends of their great fallen leader to erect a Roosevelt Memorial Fountain. The possibilities of such a work of art are boundless and in the hands of some great American sculptor there can be wrought a fountain of such beauty and appropriateness that it will become one of the landmarks of our country, and ever serve as a reminder of the great American nature-lover. When the first announcement of this proposition was made, the committee pur- posely withheld any suggestion as to its location, with a view of learning the wishes of those who contributed to the work. The general sentiment seems to be crystallizing around the idea that it should be located in Washington, D. C., this being the one city which belongs to the whole nation. It is hoped and confidently expected that every Audubon Society, Bird Club, Conservation Association, Sportsmen’s Club, or other organization interested in the conservation of wild life in America will feel a responsibility in contributing and aiding in securing contributions individuals. The entire cost of the clerical work in sending out circulars, attending to cor- respondence and bookkeeping, as well as several thousand dollars to be used in the initial expenditures for circulars, postage, etc., will be borne by the National Asso- ciation of Audubon Societies and its friends, with a view of keeping the entire fund in- tact to be used exclusively for the Mem- orial Fountain. A separate bank account from has been opened for this fund and the interest accruing from the deposit will be added to the principal. Thus the Asso- ciation is showing its interest in the Memorial Fountain, which, it desires to be distinctly understood, will be erected by the “lovers of wild life in America,’’ and not by the “Audubon Societies.” The following committee has been formed to aid in the collection of funds and in the ultimate selection of a proper work of art: National Committee on the Roosevelt Memorial Fountain T. Gilbert Pearson, Chairman, Broadway, New York City William H. Taft, New Haven, Conn, 1974 140 John Burroughs, West Park, New York Henry Fairfield Osborn, President New York Zoélogical Society, New York City Gifford Pinchot, 2138 Locust St., Phila- delphia Senator George P. McLean, Simsbury, Conn. Ernest Thompson Seton, Chief Wood- craft League of America, New York City. George Shiras, 3d., Stoneleigh Court, Washington, D. C. Oscar S. Straus, 5 West 76th St., New York City William Beebe, New York Zodlogical Park, New York City Enos A. Mills, Estes Park, Colo. John M. Parker, New Orleans, La. Mrs. C. Oliver Iselin, Glen Head, Long Island, N. Y. John Hays Hammond, President Rocky Mountain Club, Washington, D. C. Gilbert Grosvenor, Editor National Geo- graphic Magazine, Washington, D. C. John B. Burnham, President American Game Protective Association, New York City George L. Hubbell, President Camp-Fire Club of America, Garden City, N. Y. Edmund Seymour, President American Bison Society, New York City Mrs. John D. Sherman, Chairman Dept. of Conservation, General Federation of Women’s Clubs, Chicago Charles Lathrop Pack, President Ameri- can Forestry Association, Lakewood, mle J. F. Atwood, President League of Ohio Sportsmen, Columbus, Ohio John H. Sage, President American Orni- thologists’ Union, Portland, Conn. James E. West, Chief Scout Executive, Boy Scouts of America, New York City Dr. Thomas S. Roberts, 2303 Pleasant Ave., Minneapolis, Minn. Bird - Lore Clark McAdams, Post Dispatch, St. Louis, Mo. W. H. Bergtold, Denver, Colo. John M. Phillips, Game Commissioner of Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh, Pa. William L. Finley, Oregon State Biol- ogist, Portland, Ore. Edward H. Forbush, State Ornithologist, State House, Boston, Mass. J. Horace McFarland, President Ameri- can Civic Association, Harrisburg, Pa. Charles B: Reed, 31 N. State St., Chicago. Ruthven Deane, 112 W. Adams St., Chicago William B. Mershon, Saginaw, Mich. William Frederic Badé, President Cali- fornia Associated Societies for Con- servation of Wild Life, Berkeley, Calif. The books are now open for subscrip- tions, and contributions may be sent to Dr. Jonathan Dwight, treasurer, 1974 Broadway, New York City, or to any member of the committee. In addition to the usual receipts, subscriptions, unless otherwise requested, will be published in Brirp-Lore. The first notice of the action taken to erect a Memorial Fountain for Theodore Roosevelt was given out on January 23, 1919, and the first circular appeals for funds were mailed February 7, 1919. The following contributions were re- ceived between February 10 and March 1, to1g. They are here listed in the order in which they were received, with the excep- tion of those who desired that their names be withheld, or contributions which came in anonymously. These are grouped at the end of the list. CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE ROOSEVELT MEMORIAL FOUNTAIN February 10 to March 1, 1919 Paul Keil. . $3 00 Eugene Swope : foe) L. Armitage 00 Mrs. C. P. Farrell . Mrs. L. B. Carew . Miss Eva Hawles . . Mrs. W. F. Stafford . Mrs. L. A. Kinney . . Miss Jean W. Simpson . Carl E. Akeley . R. Clifford Black . Miss Emma Marburg Miss Florence L, Pond . [oje) fofe) (oye) co (ofe) (efe) fofe) oOo fofe) [ole) HH AnNOdonnnnnn Uw Robert B. Brandegee .... . . $1 00 Miss Clara Lipman Mann .. . . 10 00 Robert M. Parmelee. . . . . . . 10 00 Mi An (Geisser ei eel) oo ees OO Wigwore 18, Jal, Ines 5 gS 5 4 4 GB OO Inlemay IBIGIGI® 5 5 2 a 5 a se ns LO CO Mirsky Caennin gs ene ONOO Miss Winifred Root ....... 5 00 Weonard SiEentz. ae aa 2OnOO Miss Frances Haight. .... . . 2000 Ceke Machadden’) 5 = 2) 2a 25,00 Miss Frances Phelps. ..... . 5 00 PME IWS. 5 oo eo oo oo 8 OO The Mrs. Mansfield Merriman . . Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Peters Harry Wearne : Mrs. C. M. Newcombe . Miss E. L. Adams . Pierre J. Smith . Mrs. Ernest G. Vietor . Miss M. Louise Sullivan . Mrs. M. E. Oppenheimer . Mrs. August Lewis Mrs. Andrew L. Shrum Mrs. Wm. H. Beebe . Jas. M. Motley . F ; Mrs. Emily D. S. Berger 5 Chas. A. Wimpfheimer . Miss Martha L. Isaac . L. F. Woodward Peter M. Cohen . : Mrs. Clara R. Prescott . George L. Fordyce. Mrs. F. L. MacLeod . L. F. Webster. : Mrs. Jos. H. Brazier . M. Elizabeth Cottier. Mrs. Charles Bailey . Ruthven Deane. . Miss Elizabeth S. Edwards John A. Roebling . . : Miss Marion Scofield Mrs. Philip A. Chase Sidney V. Lowell A. D. Irwin. . . Charles Edwin Eaton Walter Pierson, Jr. Mrs. C. K. Winne . Wm. N. Cohen . t Miss H. E. Richards . Harold Herrick . A. W. Parker . Mrs. Jno. M. Holcombe and friends. Miss E. S. eerenton E. W. Farrar . S. P. Wetherill Louis R. Cheney Dudley Olcott Charles N. Winship . Miss Helen E. Chase. . . Mrs. Francis H. Williams. Henry Hentz . : Charles O. Lyon. Robert O. Morris . Stephen N. Bond . Anna R. E. Bond . Paul C. Gifford . H. I. Judson ; : Miss Helen Merriman : L. B. Price . ; James F. Hubbell . Mrs. J. J. Boericke Mrs. C.G. LaFarge. . . Mrs. Martha J. Kimball . Martha S. Kimball Kate D. Tower . Mrs. L. Clark. J. E. Durnham . H Lo] ll iS) iS) Amann HORN OH OWN RH OWNWNUN On Oo Audubon Societies ' $300). “HEM. Paul, |. . .20 00 Francis J. Kellogg . oo §6©.dzsMrrs. O. Nowland . oo |§6 Mrrs.: J. W. Elliot oo ©6©LC«uL. M.. Horton . oo ~6©6-d Robert L. Spencer . oo §6©Sara Morrison . . : oo )§6©60d Mrs. Wm. L. Kingsley . oo ~=6. Lucy B. Dane. oo §)=6or RR. E.. Vom Saal . oo §6©>-:d Sohn B.. Minor oo €6©. Myr tis Page coo ~6©>-w Holker Abbott oo ~§6©60C.. W.. Chamberlain oo §6©.:w Mrs. Geo. C.. Perkins oo §6Mrs. M. L. Williston. oo §=6©. Charles E. Graham oo §6©60wds Mrs. Wm. Hamilton . oo §6©.s Miss E. Annie Upham . oo ~=r—s&EYr.. P. J. Oettinger oo)§=6«6d Mrs. L.. P. Feustman oo @6©0.—dws Miss Caroline F. Barr . oo §6©«6 Mrs. L. S. Richards . oc A. H. Emery . oo 6rd .:« E. Young . oo ©6©3>.«s Miss Clara Collord 10 00 §6©6-«sM rs. M.. G.. Higginson . 100 0o0-6)}36« Miss M. E. Maund 5 00 6Mrs. John Taylor . oo §=6©. Charles H. Stearns 1 oo @6. J. Amory Haskell .. 5 00 .~=6. Frederic S. Boutnell . 5 00.6«-~ Miss M. F. Kimball . .20 00 Mrs. Jane B. Jones . 10 00 6©6©Owen Roberts. 5 00 ©6©6 Miss T. Bulkley. 5 oo 6—WW.. F.. Provo 10 00 ~)©6r William Mitchell .25 00 Mrs. A. J. Flandrau . 10 oo 6 “A F riend”’ . : 4 5 co ©§©60©. Wm. _Haueisen 5 00 -~=6- Boyd B.. Jones 5 00@63«.-ws M rr. and Mrs. Chas. H. La Wall 5 00 ©6—‘‘Two Bird-Lovers” 25 oo 6 Miss M. F. Day. . . .10 oc .§6©6-«s Miss. S.. D.. Grinstead oo §6=6d Mrs. F. M. Sackett oo §6©.-dsSMrrs. Carl Brandt . oo §6©60wWW mm. E_ Isseelin. Ns oo §6« Mrs. C.. J. Steedman. oo ©. George E. Dimock. oo §6©. George W. Banks . . oo /§6=Or—«s Mrs. x H.. A.. Bierworth OOum we AcsMallkee ose ns oo Clarence H. Eagle . oo §)6 Mrs. N. D. Holbrook oo ©§6©.—ws Mrs. H.. P. Hodson oo §6.« Jas. F. MacEnroe. . oo 6©o.-s Annie K.. Blanchard . oo ©=6-—d€Y rr. G.. Lagai . oo )}©609WNWm. C. Wood 6 JID. Pell 2 2 oo ©6©.-« Miss Annie W. Cobb. oo §6€CrwsF. R. Masters. oo «Clarence D. Turney . HoH HHH HHND DY HHHRDNHDKRHRHRNOMNNYN FG a Los] 4 Lo | MHOaANOHHONHMNOHKHMNNMNNNN HHH HH ONWHAHNHHNW HH RH = to = 4 HN Ll MUmMnd OMmnuninNn ONOMHNHOMNONHHAHNNHN to to 142 Miss L. Gerstenberger . Mrs. Walter P. Warren Dr. W. A. Wake M. P. Rich . A. Bidwell . BEN Miss M. L. Sturtevant . James L. Higgins . Hattie B. Robinson . Miss Jane I. Anderson . Mrs. C. B. Ellinwood Mrs. M. H. Knapp S. W. Childs Charles D. Haines . Edward S. Robinson . Clara Roberts. Nathan C. Brown . Wallace S. Draper. Elizabeth G. Houghton Mrs. A. G. Fuller . W. M. Brown. ; Mrs. C. M. Kepner Mrs. Denning Duer . Gifford Ewing. i Henry L. deRham . Mrs. C. B. Curtis . Frank Bond Miss Alice Cushman . Geo. C. Shattuck . H. Ellerton Lodge . Mrs. J. A. Brown . O. Frederic Dabney . Emily E. Hildreth . Miss Mary Findlay Mrs. Corydon Wheat Mrs. Arthur D. Baldwin . Louise H. Fletcher Josie K. Barnes . Mrs. M. W. Dominick . Lee S. Crandall . W. F. Newberry. Miss Ella S. Coe A. E. Steinbring. Mrs. H. M. Barber Mrs. S. E. Gage. . Mr. and Mrs. Walter 1b; Kimball Mrs. E. W. Harral. : John K. Burgess P. P. Claxton . R. Sayre & Co. Nels A. Tuveson . . Mrs. W. S. Warfield, Jr. Mrs. Emma Hayward é Mrs. I. M. Lehmr . Frank C. Evans . Charles I. Ranson . Merrill E. Smith R. A. Beitz . Lee A. Lyman . , Caroline M. Hamed. . Miss Mary O’H. Darlington Geo. W. Morris . Jas. H. Barr . . ; Miss Lucia R. Crabbe ; Mrs. N. B. Updegraff Mary S. Avery . : A NS 1 How [= UE mMMnNOMmN tH HHH HMNNNNNEHHNANNNNt NNR ON N OO OH HNHUMWBNHNNDnHW OMWUNNNNWUN NHN NH HHRNHRDNHWUN [ofe) foJe) (oye) oO oo [ofe) [ofe) (eye) oo (exe) [ofe) fefe) [efe) [efe) (efe) [ofe) (ote) (oye) 0Oo (oye) 0O [ofe) [ofe) oo [ofe) fete) eje) fefe) oO oOo 0O [ofe) (efe) [ofe) [exe) (eye) foto) oOo oOo [ofe) (exe) fefe) oo fefe) [ofe) oOo oOo 0O [efe) (exe) fete) [ofe) 0Oo feJe) [oxe) [oxe) (efe) [exe [ole) oOo [oye) oo (ote) [ole} (ojo) Bird - Lore Mrs. J. F. Fowler. ... 1 Miss Margaret Fowler . J. F. Fowler, Jr.. : Mrs. Jas. W. Ripley . Mrs. T. Dudley . Miss E. F. Williams . C. O. Rhodes . Miss Anna Morris . George Vonnegut . Mary S. Struthers . Mrs. Wilton Lockwood. Franklin S. Billings Mrs. R. S. Hulbert Miss M. G. Folsom Mrs. Arthur S. Johnson E. B. Culbertson Mrs. Jos. Cook . Charles H. Strong . Mrs. Herbert E. Miles . J. M. Bates. : John E.Semmes . . J. Arthur Bullard, M. D. W. 4H. Sprunt . ! i Mrs. Jeffrey Davis. Mrs. H. R. Hamilton ‘Wn. F. Lisk . Miss Baker . Miss Bugbee . : Miss E. A. Corning Mrs. C. Hoening j Mrs. Francis T. Redwood S. P. T. Willets . Elbert H. Carroll . Henry F. Osborn Robert W. Williams . Mrs. Clark E. Clark . Wm. L. G. Edson . Mrs. E. Payson Hammond . Fred A. Geier . : Frank J. Lanahan . Mrs. J. Beer . . Miss Sophia Curtiss . Felix Fuld). = Mrs. Elizabeth C. Marmon . Andrew Roberts. ; Wm. Schattgen . “Columbia”’ Thos. Whitney : Mrs. G. A. Lochman. H. W. Abraham. Mrs. F. W. Paine. . . Miss Harriet E. Wallan Mrs. W. G. Hubbard George R. Goodwin . S. V. LaDow . Miss Mary E. Converse Miss E. L. Suyden. Mrs. F. F. Buermeyer . Dudley B. Fay . . Mrs. Ansel O. Cole Willard L. Metcalf Mrs. Chas. Douglas . Mrs. Goddard DuBois . Mrs. Henry R. Rea . FR Beatrice and Humason Steinmetz y Lonl Leal me bd iS) is) lal to to onl eq eH GHONHOHNONNONHHHHHNHHMNMNNNNOHHMHNAHNNHWNONNOMND OH OMNnNNHNHNHNHHWWNHWHHHOOY Lal [oye) [ofe) fete) (ote) [ofe) [ofe) [exe) fofe) fefe) (exe) oOo [ofe) fefe) 0Oo [ofe) (exe) fefe) fefe) (ofe) fefe) [ote fefe) fofe) oOo (ofe) oOo 0O [efe) fefe) fefe) oo (efe) (exe) oO oOo (exe) [oxe) fofe) fefe) (ote) (oJe) (oye) [efe) fete) fefe) oo feje) (ofe) [ofe) foto) (exe) [oxe) (efe) fete) [oje) fefe) [ofe) oo 0O [ofe) (eye) [eje) oOo [oje) leje} Miss Sarah E. Wierman B. Schultz - E. W. Nelson . Atkinson Allen . ; Mrs. H. C. Hasbrouck . Miss Matilda Jacobs. D. L. Browne . J. M. Tate, Jr. . . Mrs. S. C. Mastick - Henry R. Scully. ~ Walton Ricketson . Edwin L. Brown, Jr.. Miss E. Mildred ‘Smith. Mrs. Bryan Lathrop . J. C. C. Waldeck Mrs. G. S. Achilles Dudley W. Smith . Miss Mildred Evans . Miss Alice O. Hastings . Mrs. Mary G. Hastings Mrs. Charles M. Loring Mrs. Leonard S. Smith. Mrs. E. H. Godeffroy Walter R. Kirk. . . Mrs. M. C. B. Chase INE Wiead’) sti. Alfred M. Collins . J. R. Coolidge. H. W. Little Miss Carrie Benninghofen M. Westoner . W.EH.Smith ... Mrs. G. A. Archer . Miss Anna F. Sherwin . Francis D. Smith George A. Veeder . Miss Anna M. Clark. Mrs. G. G. Whitney . H. G. Morse : Miss Alice W. Wilcox Miss Adeline E. Boe i Elihu B. Taft... . Miss Mary T. Jackson . Thomas Goodwillie The Messrs. Verrill “A Friend”. . Miss Cornelia L. “Lovell Miss J. R. Foster . O. E. Hawk Ha Miss Harriet Pairce . Mrs. Lucia W. Shead Manton Copeland . Mrs. B. R. Green . : Mrs. D. B. Thompson . Elisa W. Redfield . Mrs. W. L. Hall. Edward D. Keith . Miss Mary C. Page : Dr. V. H. Jackson . Miss Emma A. Lawrence. Simon Weiller. Misses Theresa F. and Maude it, Littlefield Miss Frances D. Trafton . Miss Elizabeth B. Davenport . The Audubon Societies iS) DANN ARRNMRBNMDndnBANMNMO OMNANNNINNWHINNnNMNM BUN DnH BHM DnHUMNaNNU a 4 HN HH ONHHOMNO 4 Ls Le | HHOOHMNMHHUNWH OHN on Wm. S. Welles Mrs. Charles H. Collins John B. Beebe . . Gibson T. Williams William Douglas Gilbert V. Lamb .. . Mrs. H. A. Ainsworth . W. 4H. Sudduth . Alfred S. Walker Arthur Hopkins . Frederick K. Rupprecht Mrs. F. C. Butler . N. T. Pulsifer. : Abraham Shimon . . Misses M. R.and Florence Audubon. C.F. Morse . . Miss Liske Stillman . { Mrs. Lee McBride. Miss M. C. Jermain . Mrs. J. I. Raymond . John Gath . ; : Mrs. Chas. S. Edgar . Gustace H. Schiff . R. D. Garden. . Mrs. A. Howard Hinkle ‘Mrs. Sophia Heron Dr. and Mfrs. Earl S. Sloan . Mrs. J. G. Chandler . Wm. Tappenbeck . Fred N. Willson. . . . Lieut. James L. Peters . Charles Strauss . : Miss Esther Heacock Miss H. Lang . R. E. Ward. : Mrs. Annie T. Slosson é Miss M. L. Hyde . . : Mrs. H. R. ey A. Wilson . Samuel Lee. . eon Mrs. John D. Parsons, Jr. : Mr. and Mrs. E. B: Hatch ! Wm. W. Weitting . Augusta B. Greene Mrs. J. Breuchaud. Miss Emma Seymour Mrs. Chas. H. Turner . W.N. Yeaton. . . Harry Stephen Ladd . Miss Mary Turner. A. P. Sherrill . Alexander Backus . Thomas Akin . Miss Carrie E. Day . . . Miss Elizabeth Worcester H. T. Rutter . s Mrs. Henry M. Warren C.S. Broadhead. . Miss M. A. Conner Nathaniel A. Francis. Walker Hill. ; Mrs. Henry A. Miles. Wnt. C. Rives. Gorham Brooks . Mrs. Bruce Ford J. Rappe Myers, Jr. . on HOH b&b b H MAMNnNOMmMNtHHNHDHNHHNN . [oO i iS} : to MWUNONOMNNHtHOHOMUUNNNnHNHONKHUNNMNMHNDHNOODOMNOMNUUNN = = iS) 5. ako) 5 aLX@) H fe) 144 Walter E. Hatch Miss. Harriet E. Freeman. Mrs. G. H. Gold . . Mrs. Wm. Church Osborn Miss Mary A. Ayres . Miss L. E. Catlin . Andrew D. Meloy . ee Mrs. Myra R. Knowlton . Mrs. James Hartness G. Frederick Schwarz John R. Strong . . Col. and Mrs. F. Q. Brown . Miss Harriet L. Hemenway. Chas. J. Davol Henry Zuckerman . Anglo-American Society Harold V. W. Halsey Robert Forsyth . Julius Kayser. . Robert Van Iderstine David White. . 3 Mrs. Wm. T. Brooks. Henry W. Gillett Miss Matilda Miller . Miss Gertrude Mendenhall Edwin Willard penne F. S. Chase . ae James H. S. Bates . Miss Marjorie Snell . Miss Annie E. Munroe . Mrs. Henry Rottschaefer . Miss M. A. Bellinger. Mrs. Kate F. Coe . George T. Adee . Alex. Cristadoro. : Mrs. H. M. Goodwin L. C. Jones, M.D. . T. J. Ashe : Mrs. Mary H. Loines C. W. Allen. Sanford Ritchie . Miss Lydia Barnstein Miss Florence E. Tower Mrs. Louis A. Lehmaier Caspar Whitney. A. N. Whitson . . Walter J. Hewlett . Frank Bruen . J. W. Franzen Miss Elizabeth Putnam Moore Mrs. J. H. Martin . Miss Helen D. Wise . Arthur W. Snyder . Frank L. Dunbar . . Miss Lucilla Dunbar. Mrs. Julia D. Carlisle Charles I. Long . Miss Emma G. Cummings Benjamin F. Bemis Mrs. Martha M. Johns. Mrs. Moses H. Cone. Mrs. Hobart Ames 1, JB Jebus ; Mrs. H. M. Paul Miss Marie Gibert. HH . HHH OOH HHHWWHRHHN NH HHH Bird - Lore . $5 ©) . IO ae = BE Se HN RNY RD DPR RD AR eee a eH 00 00 00 fof) fete) oOo [efe) 00 (exe) (ote) (ote) [ofe) foYo) 00 [ote) [ete) (ote) [ote) foe) (ote) [oxe) (ote) [efe) (ote) oY) (ote) 00 00 [ofe) (ete) 00 [ofe) [ofe) (ote) [ofe) [ofe) fofe) [ofe) [ofe) 00 00 50 [efe) [ofe) oOo [efe) [efe) (ote) 00 oOo 00 [ole fof) (ofe) foYo) [ofe) 00 (ofe) [oxe) (ote) [ofe) [ote) 00 foXo) fof) Mrs. Frederick H. Alms Miss Kate E. Coney . Mrs. Emma Oldberg . Olga Oldberg Smallwood . Mrs. J. M. Danner Miss Julia W. Coles . Fred R. Fairchild . M. Chandler . James B. Purdy . Harry P. Lovett. Mrs. S. Neustadt . ey Mrs. Caroline A. Creevy . Mrs. Frank E. Lowe . Mrs. H. G. Hamlin “Pennsylvanian” Mrs. Burkes Brown . Mrs. J. Rossbach . J. M. Wilzin GEM Clanky see Miss Julia R. Brewington A. F. Troescher . . ; G. R. Livingston, Jr.. Scituate Woman’s Club Lyman Underwood 5 Mr. and Mrs. B. G. Willard Mrs. Wallis Craig Smith . Miss Marie L. C. Winslow . Wm. J. Riker. Miss Katherine Pomeroy . Edw. E. Armstrong . Miss Eleanor B. Jilson . Mrs. Chauncy Keep . George Roberts, Jr. : Mrs. Edward Holbrook Miss Amy C. Duryee Dr. A. A. Brill. Nathaniel A. Elsberg Mrs. Ernest Knaebel. William C. Ferguson. Mrs. Frank A. Day . Robert M. Catts Edmund Seymour . Robert R. Comly . Leland G. Banning J. T. Daniel : James Shewan Frank H. Tichenor John C. Crosby . F. C. Willard . Lyman Ward . Dr. L. Dennis. . . Miss Mary F. Bartlett . Miss Emilie L. Hansen. Miss Elizabeth J. Hofer Arthur A. Carey Mrs. T. A. Beall . Miss Ora D. Sweet Mr. and Mrs. George I. Rockwood Elizabeth Stevens . W. P. Wadsworth . N. C. Wyckoff i Mrs. M. Reichenberger.. Miss Elizabeth C. Noyes . Maurice G. Brooks : Charles F. T. Seaverns. I 4 iS) to = a = NANONMNMHtHONHNOMHUMNMNNNANNHHOHNHOKHRMNNMNHDHNNHHUNNN HHH Lal MHUMMNMHNYNHANDUNNHNONHHH HY ” is} tO oH tO iS) HN HH OmMNHHOMNODO H fe) (e) bo oo [ofe) [eXe) (exe) feJe) fete) fexe) oOo (efe) fefe) oo (ote) [exe) (exe) fefe) [ofe) [efe) [efe) (ofe) fefe) [ofe) [ofe) [ofe) fefe) (exe) (ofe) (ote) 0O (ote) [ofe) (ote) (efe) [efe) (oye) oOo [oje) (ote) (ofe) fefe) (ojo) oOo [ofe) (oye) [ofe) (exe) (oye) 0O (exe) (exe) [exe) [oxe) (oye) (efe) oOo [ofe) (ote) foto) 0O (exe) fofe) oo fefe) fofe) oo (ojo) The Audubon Societies William Phillips, Jr. . H. Roger Hegerman. . Mrs. Walter L. Preston Clarence E. Chapman . Arthur C. Badges . T.S. Palmer . F. O. Pilsbury Mrs. J. Bertram Lippincott Roy Latham . . Frank E. Ballou. Mrs. C. E. Grammer. Kate P. and E. Vietor . Mrs. Geo. A. Plimpton. Mrs. Alfred Windsor. . . Mrs. R. Hall McCormick. Alvin R. Cahn Hugh A. Bain. : A Mrs. Clayton M. Brown . Mrs. F. L. Pratt H. W. Gibbons . David J. Hill . SCS i Dr. Geo. E. Blackham . Jesse C. Adkins . ; Miss Jennie P. Dow . Chas. D. Booth . Thomas K. Marshall. Chas. S. Weiser . G. B. Dorr. . Carl J. Lomen Dr. Geo. W. Field . John A. Cousens F. T. Ducharme. Russell J. Coles . E. J. Taylor JinomEleSasen Miss J. K. Fraser . Miss Adeline Willis Mrs. Abby B. Jones . Mrs. T. B. Clarke, Jr. . Mrs. John Lawrence . W.D. Tracy . . Miss C. S. Playter. Mrs. F. W. Morris. Edwin G. Baetjer . Wm. P. Wharton . George M. Burroughs, M.D. Miss Helen A. Hartwell Meriden Bird Club Howard Eaton Francis A. Foster . Mrs. H. W. Dresser . Wm. F. Earle. . . Mrs. Henry C. Watt. Wm. E. Curtis A. N. Lewis .. Miss Annie S. Bissell. Mrs. J. B. Ames. On Playa Miss Alletta R. Runyon s Mrs. H. R. Butler . Mrs. R. A. Newman . J. Merton Swain . Wm. B. Ginson, M.D. Mrs. Caroline Gibson : Miss Margaret B. Gibson. . $10 On = is) HN OH RHO NNndnd NNN OHNO Le lal HHHHMNMNHNHMNMDH OUMUNUNN Hw ND HH HnNOMNOdOOdON . LO 00 fete) oo (ofe) (ote) [ofe) fete) fete) (ete) fete) (oye) foe) foto) (oe) eX) oY) [ofe) [ofe) (oY) oo (ote) [ofe) [efe) [ofe) 00 50 oY) (ote) (oe) [ofe) 00 (ote) feYo) feo) 00 [efe) (ote) fete) (ote) 00 (ote) 00 oo (oY) fete) 00 (ote) [ofe) (oY) [ofe) (oY) [ofe) [ofe) feYo) [ofe) (ote) (ote) (ote) [efe) [ofe) (oY) fore) 00 [ofe) fete) Wm. Gordon Gibson. Clarence M. Arnold . . Henry N. Woolman, Jr. Dr. L. M. Thompson Mrs. Pierre Lorillard. . Mrs. Charlotte B. Kip . Malcolm S. Mackay . Richard Wayne . Anna B. Duryee. Doylestown Nature Club . Merritt J. Corbett. Mrs. Martha C. Clark . Mrs. M. C. spends S. A. Tabnall . H. C. Bumpus N. A. Nutt . . Dr. Chas. A. Elsberg. Anthony W. Robinson . John D. Sherman, Jr. Mrs. John A. Holmes Wm. Mitchell Mrs. Farnham Yardley. James W. Stuber H. L. Orrman. i : Miss Phyllis C. Swain . Mrs. Chas. G. Bates . Mrs. D. L. Pickman . Miss Alice P. Tapley W. H. Quinby (In Memoriam) Miss Jane Tuttle Horatio Walker . : Mrs. C. Boughton Wood . Carl Merz . . ee R. King Kauffman, Jr. : Wilfred H. Osgood. Z Mrs. Norman G. Buxton . Edmund Penfold W. J. Hunsaker . Clark L. King. . . Mrs. Wm. H. Bradford. Mrs. Wm. J. Rotch . Miss Alice M. Bullard . E.L. Dean. . Miss S. J. Day . Mrs. Emma K. Vinal Edward J. Ill . cee Mrs. Henry S. Graves . H. L. Bruner . William H. Hill . Miss Ruth Patrick. “Friends” . Mrs. Wm. H. Bliss Wm.N. Perry . . Miss Elizabeth B. Bigelow Edward Marsh . ; Harry S. Hathaway . Charles M. Chapin Dr. and Mrs. L. H. Taylor Miss Harriet L. Lagowitz. Tertius van Dyke. . Mrs. H. A. Brayton . Theodore Spencer. . . Mrs. George Chahoon, jr. Mr. and Mrs. C. W. Merrill Massillon Burroughs - Nature Club . Leal) ty On eS H NO HOMNOHNO oon oa | HOt HNOOUMMNMA ON N Aw aS) on HH OOnMHMN nn ie} iSat a) MOnNNONnKMNNNNHHHOWH OMNNDHHNHHMaUY = Lal 146 Mrs. James Moses. W.B.Mershon. . . Mrs. Adam Leroy Jones Mrs. P. Whitney Rev. Francis Bonforti Miss Orpha App J. E. Roth . . Mrs. E. T. Newell. S. W. Sturgis. . Geo. L. Hubbell. John Borden . . . Mrs. Edwin A. Quier Mrs. Gladys Gordon Fry . Miss Ethel L. Goff Wm. G. L. Betsch . E. A. MclIlhenny Miss Isabel Howland Dryden W. Phelps. Geo. Van Buskirk . Dr. and Mrs. B. J. Baldwin, Warner Taylor H. F. Wendell Miss Lottie D. Berry E. A. Doolittle : Mrs. A. Sumner Rose . HN fee USTOW sahara etal esters ti, Dr. Charles W. Waidner . Mrs. Joseph E. Putopp: Walter Deane. . Dr. W. W. Arnold . Henry Beneke : Miss Lottie B. Gregory. Prof. E. H. Eaton . James B. Peter . Miss Imogene T. Fisher R. P. Bowler . . . Mrs. Fred Willenbroch Ridgewood Audubon Society Henry Lang . . Miss Edna N. Hafer . ““A Bird Lover”. . . Miss Emily Lehman . Brookline Bird Club . Elles W. Kreikhaus Miss Amy C. Kenyon Harry N. Baetjer . Miss Mary S. Lawrence Mrs. A. D. Pease . Cae irae ae John Daintry Fitzburgh Miss Agnes A. Acton Mrs. Louisa T. Lyle . Walter Scott . M.D. Follin . ; Miss Eliza J. Hogeman. Lieut. Commander G. M. Adee Mrs. Seth M. Le J. M. Keck . Mrs. L. P. Bayne . Rev. Charles Wood Mrs. M. E. Judd R. L. Coffin S.S. Spaulding . Florence D. Merrick . M. D. Hart. = bo iS} Lol 4 HHMHDHMNONHONKMNNHMNHBNNHONNONKHMNN HHH NN OR RPWHWHNNNMNHNNnD OMHHMNNMHnNAnNNnNOM HN 4 iS) = Lal iS) Bird - Lore $1 2 1 iS) (exe) Nickerson Rogers . C. M. Carter . : Mrs. John H. Hall. Fred Whitaker L. A. Schreiner . Mrs. Edw. W. Hutchins Thos. F. Welch . Herman Grimes . T. B. Janney. . . Miss E. S. Lauder . Mrs. John Firth. Mrs. E. K. Warren . . Miss L. Elizabeth Clark J. L. Biddlecom . Miss Ellen P. Rice. . Franklin Farrell, 3d. . J. Walcott Thompson Mrs. Joseph Davol George Ade. . Mrs. Alice H. Calkins Charles A. Graves . Mrs. W. Goddard . A. Raymond Raff, Jr. Douglas F. Cox . Clarence Blakeslee. Hugh L. Thompson . Edmund C. Bates . Mrs. A. G. Scherer J. P. Poland Albert Vander Veer ; Richard A. Strong. . Miss Mary P. Allen . Miss Gertrude Allen . Jacob C. Allen : Edward Dizabean . Miss A. D. Hopkins . H. D. Bartholomew . W. Harry Brown J. H. Trumbull . George B. Morley. . Mrs. John Anderson . Miss M. W. Brooks . Mrs. W. K. HAarnneien: F. E. Howd. . . W. T. Hornaday Mrs. Mona Worden . Chas. W. Welch. : Mrs. Geo. O. March . Mrs. A. Roche ; Miss Anna K. Barry . : Audubon Society of Ohio . Miss Caroline W. Babson. Miss Mary Winslow Allen Samuel E. Perkins, oF A. Beller . : Geo. L. Williams Miss E. B. Scripps. : Mrs. Arthur Hunnewell W. C. Bradbury. Mrs. A. M. Fletcher . Geo. F. German. ik Mrs. William H. Laird . (Cina, 10 Walle, 5. : Harvey F. Williamson, Jr. F = Hb NAORNMnDHOMUMUMUNANNnDFAUNMnNNNHNOOHWHHWBHANNNnNNOMHN HH iS} = On Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Strong by b HHNHNHUNNNNNNtNRdnd NM OHM to i HOH OnE TORO fexo) 00 fee) (eX) fete) 00 00 50 feYo) 00 foYo) 00 feXe) 00 feXo) (eX) (eX) 00 00 (eX) eX) feXo) (eX) 00 feXo) 00 (eX) fey) [efe) feXo) foro) 00 00 fexo) 00 feyo) (eX) 00 00 00 feXe) feo} foXe) 00 00 00 feXe) foro) 00 00 foXo) 00 00 00 feXe) (eX) feo) feXe) feo) feXe) fee) 00 eX) feXo) 00 Miss Bessie Dennis G. Willett § j Mrs. Mackenzie Gordon ; Mrs. Bertha Coope V. Danford . Mrs. C. Klingenstein. Mrs. Harriet W. Myers Mrs. F. M. Fauvre i Miss Minnie M. Benedict Miss Mavis A. Benedict Lorenzo Benedict . f Miss Ellen J. Windsor . Mrs. John K. Whiting . Dr. W. G. M. Bes ‘ E. P. Gavit. ; R. T. Kellogg . Mrs. W. A. Bonnie Fred D. Williams . Owen Wister . : Mrs. Ida L. Logue. Howland Russell Thos. S. Roberts Wm. M. Sprinkle . Wm. Otto Emerson . . Miss Elizabeth Remsen Mrs. Katharine G. Gere . Mrs. Galleraith Miller, Jr. A. H. B. Jordan. The Audubon Societies BS) H to H HOOK HRN HN OR NHR NUN HH RR RWW OM H Leal se) H {e) fo) Lieut. Commander Stuart Davis. . 25 Miss Anne E. Hartwell. Miss Nina A. Children . Mrs. A. Van Cortlandt, Jr. . Dr. Melville Black. K. L. Mather . Miss Emma C. Jones Miss M. A. Montgomery . William R. Williams . A. F. Leonhard . G. P. Waldorf. L. A. Bauer. Pearl Wight Morris Burt, Jr.. i Miss Florence M. Burnett Miss Sara Wadsworth . Chas. A. Bigelow Mrs. W. W. Bond . Miss Mary T. Rogers F. B. Williams aes Mrs. C. J. Shepherd . H. Partridge .. . S. R. Glassford . ; Miss Helen R. Clapp . Mrs. Ferdinand Weiler . Miss Annie A. James Miss M. E. Drake . Mrs. F. B. Spalter. Mrs. H. A. McIver Mrs. A. Hornby. : Mrs. Thomas Morrison. Richard B. Watrous . Miss Catherine Allen Mrs. G. W. Cady . Outram Bangs . . Frederick M. Hodgdon. Mrs. Robert Fargo I H [e) a (Oo) (=) i= H FHHNHHATPHPONNHNONRY HHH MAnNUnNHNHDNYHHNNHUNMNN OO O fofe) [efe) (oye) 0O [ofe) (exe) fefe) [oxe) [ofe) [oxe) (ote) fefe) [efe) [ofe) [exe) [oje) oOo oOo (oye) [ofe) oOo [ofe) [ofe) [ofe) (exe) [ofe) oo [ofe) 0Oo [ele) oOo fofo) (exe) [ofe) fefe) co (exe) (ote) [ofe) (eye) oOo [ofe) [ofe) oOo feje) (exe) 0O [efe) (efe) [ofe) fefe) [ofe) [efe) (ote) [ofe) oo [oxe) (oye) feJe) [ofe) [eje) co eje) (ojo) fofe) A. Maclay Pentz . Miss Margaret Kudlich Mrs. Elizabeth K. Folsom Arthur A. Osborne. Dr. and Mrs. L. J. Lautenbach . Sussex County Nature Study Club . Charles Nettleton . L. W. Dommerich . Willard Pope . se Mrs. J. Lou Harriman . Mrs. E. O. Marshall . Mrs. T. W. Hall, Jr. . H. S. Townsend . : Mrs. D. L. Schwartz. William A. Warner Mrs. M. C. Scudder . Frederick L. Emery . . Miss Anna M. Schutz . P. Van Wyck. . Read, Mark and Learn ‘Club H. D. Brewster . ; Edward C. Gude James Brite. Mrs. James Brite . Mrs. A. M. Crane. Mrs. Townsend Jones Wm. L. Bailey Aig Mrs. M. W. O’Brien . Miss Julia Twining saaet J. Howard Cowperthwait . Austin K. Chadwick . Mrs. N. A. Eddy . . Mrs. Ada C. Walker . E. B. Renwick : W. H. Schroder . Noel Morris . . é Miss Vernette R. Mowry : Herbert Vanderhoof . Mrs. Willis D. Wood. S. R. Dunbar . Lee S. Bernheim . . ; Miss Grace M. Bernheim. Mrs. Geo. Gordon Battle . Mrs. Lillis S. Rogers . W. E. Saunders . A. S. Peters. Z Frederick M. Dille. Miss Emily M. Banks . Joseph Ward, Jr. . Miss C. W. Biddle. Richard S. Rosenfels. Hugh K. Milliken . 10), 125 J@luastiom 5 5°. Mrs. G. S. Selfridge . Miss Jenette Robertson Wm. W. Fair . : Miss M. Young. . ; Miss Wilhelmina H. duPont A. M. Crane : sane Bai Miss Mary C. Walker . Miss Elizabeth Peters . N. B. Lidgewood : Mrs. Emma M. Clement . ' £8 = fe) NN nd FAANNANNHHHONOMnN ON NH H Robert, George and Alfred Sawye ryer . RR Burroughs Junior Audubon Society. Leal Lal NAH HOH KR HMNNHHRMNMAHNNDSNHN HD HHHNHHNNNINNKNOMN OW iS) to fofe) 148 Bird - A. A. Sprague. sae $10 00 Ac (Ca Banlettqyiie. ) sso ene pena LONOO) Dr. J. E. H. Kelso. I 00 Frederick W. Renz Eliot D. Moore . Mrs. A. O. Treganza. [ofe) 00 [efe) Museum of Comparative Oology foe) T. E. Douglas. Suoahes (ore) G.O. Smith .. foo) G. Clyde Fisher. . . 50 Mrs. G. Clyde Fisher 50 Mrs. Rosa B. Roth fee) Arthur Harris. roy) W. H. Fobes . IO 00 Harold G. Cook . Mrs. W. H. Williams Theo. F. Thieme Miss Mary King Wm. E. Reed. . William Shaffner Miss Anna Fournace. Miss Sarah D. Gardiner Mrs. George Church . Louis L. Curtiss. : Mrs. John F. Russell. : Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Owen . Girl Scouts of Buffalo Miss Mary Brickenstein Miss Lucy Brickenstein . . Audubon Society of the District of Columbia. . . : , tO Woman’s Club of Sarasota 3 5 Thos. W. Kussmaul . 2 00 Mrs. Edwin Barrows. BR Air Wee ticlnes BUCO) Mrs. Carroll J. Post, Jr. . . . . . 5 00 Bel oec UNM oa 2) 0O (exe) [ofe) fofe) 00 (exe) [efe) [ofe) (eJe) fofe) fefe) fofe) 0O (eye) (eye) = MOH nONMUN HHH BNI NOMNNHNHRANMARON (e) foJe) (ote) James F. Parker. . . fee) Mrs. Willard B. Walker foro) Miss Anna Smith . I 00 Miss Margaret Burgi I 00 Thos. C. Wilson. I 00 Rasmus Hanson. OU Ren ere a Ret 21S OO) Benton Hanchett . . Mihaela TOUOO Mrs. Mary R. Stanley . Sen tle OO Miss H. B. Audubon. .... . . I oo Why, 1, Is Sane, 5 2 . 2 = tS OO 1D, 185 SoM 5 5G Rhy enh es MMe eT OOO Mrs. W. H. Shearman Bath RE > i Oo) Dis Chass dea Vorhies 4. ae TOO Total Anonymous. ..... . . 23 00 Names Withheld 565 50 Total . $6,777 55 Reporting Violations Members of the Association and others can help in the cause of bird-protection by reporting to this office any violations of the bird and game protective laws that come to their attention. Some members have been doing this for years, and when the evidence presented is of such a char- acter that it would seem a game warden would be able, upon further investigation, Lore to bring a successful prosecution, these cases are immediately reported to the game come mission of the state in which the offenses occur. State game officials are usually prompt in giving attention to matters of this character reported by the Association. The following letter from Game Pro- tector Thomas H. Allen, of the State of New York, addressed to Inspector Claude Hanlon, is only one of numerous investi- gations which have been brought about through reports made by members of the Association. Mr. Allen reported: “T beg to report to you in regard to the complaint received from Westbury, Long Island, as to the boys killing birds with rifles, and to say that immediately upon receipt of the complaint from the New York office, I went to Westbury on Sat- urday, December 28, 1918, and patrolled the village. I found one boy with an air- gun and took him home to his mother. Took the gun from him. His mother stated that she would not let him have the gun again. I then went to see Mr. ——. He stated that the boys were shooting birds. I went to see Constable Conner and he told me that he would stop all boys shoot- ing air-guns in the village of Westbury. After that I went to see the principal of the school, but he was out of town during the Christmas holidays. I will reach him by letter and ask him to place this matter before his boys and bring to their atten- tion the seriousness of destroying birds of any kind.” Let Bird-Lovers Be Watchful Now that the world war is over, the United States is faced with the tremendous task of helping feed the famished countries of Europe in addition to maintaining its own domestic food supply. The wild birds constitute our greatest natural guardians of the growing crops, many of them daily eating their own weight in insects. Never before has the need for conserving our wild bird-life been so tremendously vital as at this time. It is, therefore, highly important that everyone should be greatly interested in bird-protection, and no opportunity should be lost to encourage the birds to come about the home, and to see that they are protected from all destructive agencies. No. 1. Japanese Barberry. The birds feed on the berries in the spring. No. 2. Japanese Dogwood. Flowers as con- spicuous as our native dogwood. No. 3. Arrowwood. Sure to be on the bird’s fall bill of fare. No. 4. Chinese Christmas Berry. As spark- ling as the eyes of the birds they attract. 50 plants (our assortment), 1% feet high, $10; THE BIRDS LOVE BERRIES When you first look out of the window early in the morning you will see the birds getting their breakfast from the berry-bearing shrubs. These same shrubs will also provide lunch and dinner, in fact will yield a perpetual feast. It is a simple matter for you to surround your garden with berry-bearing shrubs, or plant a copse in some quiet corner. All of these shrubs are distinctly ornamental the year round, and can be used in place of ordinary shrubs that have no attraction after the flowers have faded. No. 5. Japanese Silver Thorn. The birds and the children are both fond of the berries. No. 6. High Bush Cranberry. Exceedingly showy all winter. No. 7. Black Alder. good ways off. No. 8. Bush Honeysuckle. feast on them in August. 100 plants $19 The birds can see this a Watch the birds The above prices are for Bird-Lore readers only “FLOWERING TREES AND SHRUBS.” Another Hicks Monograph for all who love the usual and are interested in the unusual flowering shrubs and trees. HICKS NURSERIES Sent free on request Westbury, New York BNA Nt Cait Dik ee § a Ki ea anit ei ee fr AS EO Dodson Auto- Dodson matic Sheltered Sheltered Feeding Table, Food House x Dodson Purple Martin complete with complete with automatic hop- House, 28 rooms, height automatic hoppers, wire feed pers, wire feed baskets and : ooks for suet. Size 24x24x18. Size 24x24x12. Price $6.00. Price $8.00 POPSON Bird Houses and Feeding Stations win the birds, because they are built by Joseph H. Dodson, president of the American Audubon Association, who for twenty-six years has Studied the habits of our song birds and how to attract them to beauti- ful Bird Lodge, his home and bird sanctuary on the Kankakee River. Dodson Bird Houses and Feeding Stations 44in., width27in.,length baskets and hooks for suet. 8lin. Price $12.00. Dodson Wren House. Built of solid oak with cypress roof and copper for every kind of bird. No grounds are quite complete without the coping.| 4 compartments, size 28 song birds. Furnish them with safe homes and shelters and they x18, Price $5.00. 5 will come back to you season after season. Don’t Wait—OrderNow Free Bird Book senton request, telling how to attract the song birds and illustrating Dodson line, giving prices. Also beautiful colored Bird picture FREE. JOSEPH H. DODSON, President American Audubon Association 712 Harrison Avenue Kankakee, Illinois Piz A ENTRANCE FURE, =a'3i/4 B -SECOND FUAREL 2 Err ear o Dodson Bluebiri Hcuse. ee Built of solid oak with cy- res. roof and copper cop- ing. Size 21x18. 4 compart- ments. Price $5.00. Dodson Sparrow Trap, guaranteed to rid your community of these noisy, quarrel- some pests. Price $7.00. Dodson Feeding Car, Complete with 50 foot cable and cord and automatic honpers, wire feed baskets and hooks for suet. Size 23x15. Price $5.00. CHARLES CRAWFORD GORST Lecture-Entertainment “ADVENTURES IN SNARING BIRD-SONGS” Program.—Introductory whistling solos, if de- sired, and good accompanist is furnished. Sixty of his 400 bird-imitations. Novel responses and actions of birds. Original four-foot paintings of enlarged birds under special light. Original method of writing bird-songs. Popular presen- tation of the variety, organization, tunefulness, language and artistic beauty of bird-songs. Vivid pictures of the agricultural value of birds. Organizes bird clubs where possible. Program modified for children. Comment.—“Your call on me made a distinct impression. Your rendering of the songs was Bird-Houses and Books About Birds Send for Circular BOSTON BIRD HOUSE AND BIRD BOOK COMPANY 162 Boylston Street, Boston, Mass. BIRD TABLET FOR FIELD USE By JOSEPHINE A. CLARK On sale at HAMPSHIRE BOOK SHOP Northampton, Mass. Price 60 cents. Special price for 10 or more copies the best I have heard.’”—John Burroughs. “Mr. Gorst has an exceptional talent for the imitation of birds’ notes, combined with a keen ear and an evident knowledge of birds in the field, which makes his reproduction of birds’ songs the most satisfactory of any I have ever heard.”,—Frank M. Chapman. Engagements —Massachusetts Audubon So- ciety, eleven times in Boston in four years. American Museum of Natural History, New York, four times. Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D. C. Records.—Victcr and Edison, eight whistling solos and bird-imitations. ADDRESS: Until March 15, 3319 Dodge St., Omaha, Nebraska; afterward, Cambridge, Mass. Save Food and supply table d’hote dinners to all who fight under four flags. Enroll your bird army and watch them make a ‘‘ChateauThierry’’ clean-up in your garden. You will think a wireless has ordered all the bugs and worms to flee to Holland. EVANS BROS. supply everything for our native birds. Send five cents in stamps for catalogue of bird- houses, food - houses, etc. 230 MAIN STREET, EVANSTCN, ILLINOIS Books for Bird-Lovers By FRANK M., CHAPMAN Editor of Bird-Lore HANDBOOK OF BIRDS OF EASTERN NORTH AMERICA Third edition. With introductory chapters on the study of Ornithology; how to identify birds and how to collect and preserve birds, their nests and eggs. 20 full- page plates and 150 cuts in the text. 12mo. Library edition, $4. Pocket edition, $4.50 net. BIRD LIFE A guide to the study of our common birds. With 75 full-page colored plates and numerous text drawings by Ernest Thompson Seton. Containing an Appendix, especially designed for teachers. 12mo. Cloth. $2.50 net. BIRD-STUDIES WITH A CAMERA A fascinating account of the habits of common birds, with descriptions of the largest bird colonies existing in eastern North America. The author’s phenomenal success in photographing birds in Nature not only lends to the illustrations the charm of realism, but makes the book a record of surprising achievements with the camera. 12mo. Cloth. $2.25 net. WARBLERS OF NORTH AMERICA A full description of our most beams ial, most abundant, and least known birds. Dr. Chapman knows these “‘dainty, fascinating sprites of the treetops” perhaps better than any other student of Nature, and he has here drawn on his great wealth of material for one of the most interestingly instructive books of this kind ever written. Illustrated with many colored plates and photographs of nests and eggs. Imp. 8vo. Illustrated. $3.50 net. CAMPS AND CRUISES OF AN ORNITHOLOGIST The story of eight years’ experience in travel, in which the author covered over 60,000 miles in his search for material with which to prepare a series of groups of American birds, to exceed in beauty and scientific value anything which had here- tofore been attempted in this line. The illustrations, over 250 in number, are from Dr. Chapman’s photographs, and beyond question form the most remarkable series of pictures of bird-life which has ever appeared. 8vo. Decorated cover, gilt top, rough-cut edges. Illustrated. $3.50 net. COLOR KEY TO NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS This work may be described as an illustrated dictionary of North American birds. It is the most complete publication of its kind, and makes an admirable introduc- “tion to the study of birds and the literature of Ornithology, and at the same time /., is an authoritative work of reference. Over 800 pictures. $3 net. ouR WINTER BIRDS * An introduction to the study of birds. The author believes that the study of Orni- thology should begin with the winter birds as they are fewer in number and easier to approach. Divided into convenient groups such as field birds, forest birds, home birds, etc. Illustrated. 12mo. $1 net. THE TRAVELS OF BIRDS A series of chapters on bird migration, describing birds as travelers, why they travel, dangers by the way, night flyers and day flyers, etc. Many illustrations from drawings. Illustrated. 60 cents net. For Sale at All Booksellers Publishers D. APPLETON AND COMPANY ” New York VOL. XxXI 30c. ac aes MAY—JUNE, 1919 Saco aye a rp e Nis Dy Sas alk AUS Tou cul ie | fontan } "Sty wal ‘4 EDITED BY FRANK M. CHAPMAN \ ap Na ‘ ar PUBLISHED FOR THE AUDUBON SOOIETIE Vi useu\ Se, =a a D, Appleton & Company HARRISBURG, PA. NEW YORK } unl COPYRIGHT, 1919, BY FRANK M. CHAPMAN &. Weber Wird - Lore May-June, 1919 CONTENTS GENERAL ARTICLES FRONTISPIECE IN COLOR—BLUE JAY, STELLER’S JAY, AND GREEN JAY Louis Agassiz Fuertes. . THE WARBLERS OF CENTRAL New York. Illustrated Z NOTES FROM A TRAVELER IN THE Tropics. IV. PrEru. Illustrated. Frank M.Chapman. . PuRPLE FINCHES Mrs. Herman F. Straw. . Two Turusnes. Ulustrated.....0-.4....0se-0- sss ene soso see. Lnomas A. Taper. Tue MicraTion oF NortH AMERICAN Birps. X. BLuE JAy, STELLER’S JAY, AND GREEN JA Vin ee ee oe ao eee tel eee omic cel amy Cn Oberolscr Nores ON THE PLUMAGE OF NorTH AMERICAN Birps. Fifty-fourth Paper Frank M. Chapman. . NOTES FROM FIELD AND STUDY.................2. 2000200000 ee eect ee ce eee ees UnusuaL BREEDING-SITE OF KILLDEER PLOVER, G. K. Noble; NoTEs oN NESTING BLUE- BIRDS AND House WRENS, Kathleen M. Hempel; A PARAKEET IN A City Park, Tertius van Dyke; HELPING BARN AND CLIFF SwALLows To Nest, William Goodsell; Drxtr, A Tame Rosin, Margaret Pratt; To HatcH aNp To RatsEe, M. C. Otto; AN ECCENTRIC OvENBIRD, Theo. Spencer; Tok CAPE MAY WaRBLER IN SOUTHERN Maine, Sara Chandler Eastman; ANOTHER WIRE WREN Nest, Albert Moyer; PRAIRIE HorNED Lark, A. J. Dadisman; Pevacic Hapits oF KittrwAKe GuLis IN WINTER, Lawrence L. Lofstrom; A Goop WorpD FoR THE BLUE Jays, Grace L. White; YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER IN CENTRAL Park, Laidlaw Williams. THE SEASON. XIII. February 15 to April 15, 1919.......................-2 0205. Glover M. Allen; J. T. Nichols; Julian K. Potter; Harry C. Oberholser; Lynds Jones; Thos. S. Roberts; Harry Harris; W. H. Bergtold. BOOK NEWS AND REVIEWS GRINNELL, BRYANT AND STORER’S ‘GAME BIRDS OF CALIFORNIA’; HARRIS’ ‘BIRDS OF THE Kansas City REGION’; THE ORNITHOLOGICAL MAGAZINES. EDITORIAL THE AUDUBON SOCIETIES—SCHOOL DEPARTMENT Tue Museum Birp CLus or ToLEepo, Onto; Ropin REDBREAST, WAR GARDENER; THE BLACK AND WHITE WARBLER; FINDING Birps’ Nests; EAVE SWALLOWS NESTING ON A Paintep Bur~pinc; A List oF VIRGINIA Brrps; THE WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW. EDUCATIONAL LEAFLET No. 98. Least Birrern. With Colored Plate by Bruce Horsfall T. Gilbert Pearson. . THE AUDUBON SOCIETIES—EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT A NatION-wipE Errort To Destroy Crows; THE Eacre Law oF ALASKA; GAME-LAW ENFORCEMENT; SUGGESTED BirD PROGRAMS; CONTENTS OF ITALIAN HUNTER’S GAME- Bac; Mrs. MARSHALL ACTIVE; PrrTspuRGH’s BirD-Hovuse Contest; FLoripA AUDUBON BULLETIN; THe RoosEvELT MemortAL Fountain; ToLrpo’s Birp Day; St. PETERS- BURG’s Birp-Housre CoNnTEST; CONVENTION OF INDIANA AUDUBON SOCIETY. *, Manuscripts intended for publication, books, etc., for review and exchanges, should be sent tothe Editor, atthe American Museum of Natural History, 77th St. and 8th Ave., New York City. Important Notice to All Bird-Lore Subscribers IRD-LORE is published on or near the first days of February, April, June, August, October, and December. Failure to secure the copy due you should be reported not later than the 18th of the months above mentioned. We cannot supply missing copies after the month in which the number in question was issued. Notices of changes of addresses, renewals and subscriptions should be sent to BIRD-LORE, HARRISBURG, PA. Each notice of a change of address should give the old address as well as the new, and should state whether the change is permanent or for just one or two issues. Make checks and money orders payable to BIRD-LORE. Entered as second-class matter at the Post Office at Harrisburg, Pa., under Act of Congress of August 24, 1912 -. 1. BLUE JAY 2. STELLER’S JAY 3. GREEN JAY (About one-third natural size) A BI-MONTHLY MAGAZINE Nee DEVOTED TO THE STUDY AND PROTECTION OF BIRDS “ // OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE AUDUBON SOCIETIES RN Vol. XXI May—JuNE, 1919 No. 3 The Warblers of Central New York* By A. A. ALLEN, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Ornithology, Cornell University With Photographs by the Author HERE are thirty-nine species of Warblers that breed in eastern North America. Of course, one could not expect to find all that number nesting in one place for some are charac- teristic of the south and others of the north. The largest number are found in the intermediate regions, and are about equally divided between the Canadian and Transition life-zones. Here, in cen- tral New York, we are located in the Transition Zone, but a few of the typi- cally Austral Warblers work their way this far north and a number of Cana- dian species remain this far south on the tops of the higher hills and in the deeper ravines. Within the Cayuga Lake basin we have found the nests of twenty-two species, though in the case of one of these, the Prothonotary, the nest was built entirely by the male bird and never occupied, since no female ever appeared. The commonest and most typical species, in the order of their abundance, \ are the Yellow, Redstart, Northern WOOL- GATHERING Yellow -throat, Ovenbird, Chestnut- York are the Yellow, Redstart, Ovenbird, ana, Sided, Black and White, and Black- Northern Yellow-throat. Here is a Yellow Warbler gathering nesting material. * Concluded from Birp-Lore for April, 19109. ‘Onal Myse 150 Bird - Lore throated Green Warblers. The Louisiana Water-Thrush, which is typically an Austral bird, is found in every ravine and is perhaps more abundant than the Black-throated Green or the Blak and White. It seems strange to find this Austral bird nesting in the same ravines with Blackburnian, Canadian, THE ORIGINAL CAFETERIA The Louisiana Water-Thrush is typically an Upper Austral bird, but finds suitable conditions of humidity in all the ravines and Magnolia Warblers, Winter Wrens, and Juncos. Temperature alone will hardly explain all the problems of distribution. The other Austral Warblers are the Hooded and Cerulean, which are firmly established in the swampy woods at the north end of Cayuga Lake. Their number in these woods during the summer is so out of proportion to the number seen on the migration at the south end of the lake that it seems probable that they come in from the west or even from the Austral territory that lies to the north, along Lake Ontario. With them are associated a num- ber of Golden-winged Warblers, a species never recorded at the south end of Cayuga Lake, but which regularly migrates up the Seneca Lake basin, 20 miles west. This is a strangely restricted migration route for a bird of such wide- spread distribution. The Pine and the Northern Parula Warblers, which are typical of the Transition Zone, are uncommon nesters with us for perhaps another reason. The Pine Warblers favor the pitch pines and the Parulas, the Usnea moss, neither of which is abundant. How the Parula adapts itself to the absence of Usnea, we learned for the first time a year ago by finding a nest composed The Warblers of Central New York 151 entirely of leaf skeletons. The nest was at the edge of a small lake, hung in the tip of a drooping hemlock branch about 25 feet above the water. There was no Usnea moss in the vicinity, but the substitute had been quite as skilfully used. The presence of the Magnolia and Blackburnian Warblers is determined by extensive growth of hemlocks, either in the ravines or on the tops of the hills above an altitude of 1,500 feet. The Black-throated Green is somewhat in- fluenced in the same way, although we have found more nests in the tops of deciduous saplings than in evergreen trees. The nests resemble, in position and structure, those of the Redstart, but they are made of different materials and are usually 15 to 30 feet from the ground. The Black-throated Blue is seldom found outside of the deep ravines, except above 1,500 feet, and although it more often nests in low bushes or sprouts from deciduous trees, it frequently chooses the ground hemlock and seems to be partial to woods where it grows. DOWN WITH THE DESTROYERS OF CROPS The young Golden-winged Warbler in the shade is negotiating a large insect, with the assistance of its mother The Nashville Warbler seems to require the presence of sphagnum moss, and although not abundant in the real sphagnum bogs, it is always found in our deciduous woods where there are little runs and hillocks with occasional patches of sphagnum. They are more common on the tops of the hills but 152 Bird - Lore occur also in woodlands that are typically Transitional, if the proper conditions are found. The nest is usually placed at the base of a bush-or an alder growing from the side of one of these hillocks, usually in or near a clump of sphagnum. The (Northern) Water-Thrush and the Mourning Warbler seem to be influenced more by extreme humidity than by temperature. The damp, low- land woods, where skunk cabbage and nettles thrive, attract the Mourning Warbler and if, added to these, there are numerous pools of standing water SUBSTITUTES IN BIRD-LAND In this nest of the Parula Warbler, leaf skeletons have been substituted for Usnea moss, and used quite as skilfully the Water-Thrush is satisfied to go no farther north. Fallen logs, moss, and royal ferns make it still more attractive for the Water-Thrush. Both the nest of the Mourning Warbler, built up from the ground in a skunk cabbage or anettle, and that of the Water-Thrush, sunk in the moss at the foot of an alder, are difficult to find. The Canadian Warbler is another species that seems to enjoy humidity, for although it nests on the relatively dry hilltops, it is more abundant The Warblers of Central New York 153 about the edges of sphagnum bogs, along cool trout-streams, and in the deep ravines. Even as strange as the association of Louisiana Water-Thrushes with nor- thern Warblers in the ravines is that which occurs in the swampy woodlands at the north end of Cayuga Lake. Here are the standing pools of water and the acres of skunk cabbage that attract large numbers of Mourning Warblers and Water-Thrushes, but with them, because of the open character of the deciduous trees, the undergrowth and the heat of the lowland woods, are numbers of the Austral Cerulean and Hooded Warblers. The typically Tran- sition Redstarts and Yellow Warblers are the most abundant forms, and with them a colony of Goldenwings. Truly, with some birds, humidity and the resulting vegetation are more important than temperature in controlling their distribution. Temperature and humidity are ordi- narily so closely interwoven that it is difficult to determine which is the more important. Extensive forest growth always increases humidity by retarding evaporation and by the actual discharge of moisture from the leaves. This, in turn, modifies the temperature. When all of central New York was covered with forest, much cooler and more humid conditions undoubtedly existed than do today, and the birds that are now confined to the ravines and hill- tops were probably much more wide- spread. This might have been due to temperature alone. But when, today, we find adjacent woodlands, where tem- A HOME IN THE WOODS A typical nest of the Black-throated Blue War- bler in a beech sprout, with the female incubating perature conditions are approximately the same, the dry woods supporting purely Transition or even Upper Austral birds, and the swampy woods supporting birds that are common throughout Canadian woodlands, it seems that humidity is the more important factor in controlling their distribution, and that the extensive forest growth and lower temperature of the Canadian wood- lands produces the necessary humidity even where there is no standing water. 154 Bird - Lore In studying the home-life of the Warblers, one is continually being im- pressed by the great individual differences in the habits of each species. When one is about ready to make a generalization, for example that the male Yellow- throat never assists in incubation or care of the young, the very next pair that one watches may reverse the tables and the male may do most of the work. In general, however, the cycle seems to me to be as follows: the resident individuals arrive after a certain number of migrating individuals have passed through. The resident males arrive sometime before the migrating females and several days, or even weeks, before the resident females. Each male selects a circumscribed nesting-area where he permits of no intrusion by other males of his species. Here he sings and displays and awaits the A SWAMP-LOVING FAMILY The (Northern) Water-Thrush requires extreme humidity, pools of standing water, moss, and ferns coming of a female that will be susceptible to his charms and that will approve his choice of a nesting-area. Very often it is the same female that accepted him the \ear before, because the homing instinct is just as strong in her as in the male, and she will ordinarily return to the spot where she nested the year before. If her former mate is still strong enough and aggres- sive enough to drive off other males, she re-accepts him. Otherwise she accepts, with equal grace, his conqueror. The female selects the actual nest- ing-site and ordinarily builds the nest, though the male often pretends to help and is occasionally quite assiduous in his assistance. In the case of the Pro- thonotary Warbler, already mentioned, the male built an entire nest while waiting for a female to put in an appearance. In the majority of cases the female performs all the duties of incubation, The Warblers in Central New York 155 though there are many individual exceptions, even among such brightly colored males as the Redstart and Black-throated Blue Warblers. When it comes to the care of the young, the males ordinarily share the labors equally with the females, and in the presence of danger are much more courageous or at least less timid in their defense. Seldom, if ever, do any of the Warblers raise two broods, though they ordinarily persist until they have successfully raised one. Since many of the FEMALE REDSTART AND NEST first nests are broken up, even two or three times, Warblers are often found nesting far into July, but I have never discovered any positive second broods. At the close of the nesting season, the males are the first to molt, but the young often begin their wanderings before the males start on their southward migration, and are, therefore, the first to appear outside their normal range. The first Warblers are heard going over at night, usually the last week in July, when there is, apparently, a movement of Ovenbirds, Water-Thrushes, Black and White, Chestnut-sided, and Yellow Warblers, and Redstarts. About this time the Chats disappear. The cool spell which occurs about the middle 156 Bird - Lore of August brings on hosts of these species and starts the Magnolias, Parulas, Nashvilles, and Black-throated Green Warblers. September ushers in the more northern species, the Canadians, Black-throated Blues and Blackburn- ians, followed by the Blackpolls, Baybreasts, Myrtles, and Tennessees. In general, the first to migrate are the Transition species, the next the Cana- dian, and finally the Hudsonian. The Myrtle and Orange-crowned Warblers that have not far to go, delay their leave-taking until October and occasion- ally even until November. With the disappearance of these, the Warblers are a memory until the first twitter of the Pine and the ringing notes of the Louisiana Water-Thrush in early April announce that spring is well under way. A SLIM MEAL The male Canadian Warbler is about to give a crane-fly to its young Notes from a Traveler in the Tropics IV. PERU By FRANK M. CHAPMAN With illustrations by Louis Agassiz Fuertes XCEPT where occasional small, shallow, snow-fed rivers reach the sea kK and in the generally adjacent irrigated areas, the coastal region of Peru is almost devoid of vegetation. But this barrenness, this nakedness, as it may well be called, serves but to reveal the infinitely diverse beauties of form, structure, and color of the earth’s surface far more clearly than if they were cloaked by a forest. I yield to none in my love of trees; I know the charm of tree-covered hills and mountains, but their attractiveness is from within rather than from without. One revels in this grandeur of trunk and grace of limb, their vistas, their play of sunlight and shadow, the fertility to which they give such noble expression, the life to which they give abode. But from a scenic point of view they have concealed the charms of the earth in which they grow as effectively as one could hide the exquisitely modeled form of a deer by draping it in a sheep’s skin. No one complains of the Grand Cafion because it is treeless, and I have small patience therefore with those writers who describe the coast of Peru as mono- tonous and lacking in interest because of its aridity, when from the sea to the summit of the Andes there stretches a panorama as varied in feature as it is vast In size. It is true that fogs and low-hanging clouds at times prevail on this coast, and when they persistently shut out the view of mountain ranges arising to snow-clad peaks they accentuate the impression of desolation which the bar- renness of the foreground, seen alone, may produce. But, on the other hand, when they disappear before the heat of the ascending sun or are penetrated by its setting rays, they reveal the weird, impressive world which lies behind them, and create effects of singular and indescribable beauty. It must be admitted that distance here truly “lends enchantment to the view.”’ Doubtless it may be seen to best advantage, and unquestionably with the greatest comfort, from the deck of a coasting steamer which, sailing from - port to port, gives one a frequently changing outlook. It should be clear, from what has been said above, that western Peru is not fitted to support a large or varied avifauna. In the ‘distribution’ of bird-life in this part of the world, the sea received by far the larger share. Great stretches of coast are as lacking in birds as they are in plants, and it is only about the rivers and irrigated districts that birds are found in any numbers. Neverthe- less, the bird-life of western Peru presents several exceptionally interesting problems which the American Museum is now attacking in the field and about which I hope to have something to say at a later day. (157) 158 Bird - Lore In the preceding paper of this series I have tried to convey, with, I fear, but poor success, some idea of the marvels of sea bird-life of the Peruvian coast. Here I shall write of the wayside birds one sees ashore. As usual on the Pacific coast, the steamer dropped anchor some distance from shore, and we landed at Callao in one of the fleet of small boats which, like aquatic hacks, crowd about the gangplank, with Cormorants bobbing up and under, here and there, almost until we reached the quay. From the electric train, which takes us rapidly over the eight miles between the port of Callao and Lima, it is probable we shall see fields white with Gulls, attracted, doubtless, by freshly plowed ground, and with them we definitely leave behind us the birds of the sea. Lima, fortunately, has thus far escaped the House Sparrow pest, and, in- deed, is distinguished by having a Swallow (Atticora cyanoleuca) as its char- acteristic, in fact, only street bird. It is a Swallow somewhat smaller than, but resembling in form and color, our Tree Swallow, but with the low-dashing, reckless flight of a Barn Swallow. It darts through the traffic of Lima, skim- ming the pavement, and surprising you at times by the nearness of its approach. Beyond a superabundance of house-flies, due we may be sure to no desirable cause, I detected no winged insects on which these blue-coated ‘police of the air’ might feed, and if they confined their activities to capturing these dissemi- nators of disease, they were performing a service which should win them a warm place in the hearts of all Limefios. At dusk a swarm of Nighthawks appeared above the house-tops to carry on in their special field the war on insects which the Swallows waged by day. One cannot go far in a South American city without finding a park or plaza with, even in desert regions, trees, bushes and plants. And one cannot go far in any plaza in Lima without seeing, and generally hearing, a Sparrow slightly larger than a Song Sparrow, with a white throat bordered by black patches and rufous, and with a slight crest. I know of no distinctive native name for this bird. Andean White-throat it has been called in books, and at one time it was placed in the genus Zonotrichia.. South American Song Sparrow (Brachy- spiza capensis) it has also been called, and since it is not confined to the Andes but is distributed throughout South America, where it takes much the same place that the Song Sparrow does with us, it may perhaps be well called White- throated Song Sparrow. The bird is so abundant, sings so freely and so large a part of the year, that no ornithologist can have much field experience in those portions of South America in which it is found without establishing many associations with it. Each time I return to South America, I anticipate meeting this Sparrow with the same pleasure that one looks forward to seeing a friend with whom one has much in common, and the first note of its song opens the door to a host of half-forgotten scenes and memories. Like many effective bird-songs, it is very simple: three long-drawn, sweet, Notes from a Traveler in the Tropics 159 singularly tender, appealing whistles form its theme, and they are sometimes followed by a short trill or twitter. It strongly suggests in tone and form the song of the White-crowned Sparrow, and one need only be familiar with the notes of that bird to find an immediate place in his affections for its distant South American relative. The resemblance is so close that, after years of association, the song of the more southern bird still awakens recollections of a camp in the Sierras, near Lake Tahoe, where the plaintive notes of the White-crown were among the most frequently heard bird-voices. We reached Lima in mid-November, as spring was passing into summer, and never, it seems to me, have I heard the White-throat sing more sweetly. Another half-familiar and common bird-song is that of the House Wren. It is clearly dif- ferent from that of our bird and still sufficiently like it to awaken at once a suspicion of its author’s identity. In spite of its small size, the House Wren is doubt- less the most widely distributed of American birds. Few favor- able localities (except in the West Indies) from Tierra del Fuego to Canada are without it, and everywhere it shows an evident fondness for our society and proclaims its presence by voice: and manners ormithos 20) foe ee a aa logical works it appears under a variety of scientific names; but this, to paraphrase Thoreau, is one of the instances where, if names were invented to conceal facts, zodlogical nomen- clature is a great improvement on a bad invention! Within certain rather narrow limits it varies locally in color and size, and many well-marked geo- graphical races may be recognized in its surprisingly extended range; but they should not let us lose sight of the fact that whether we call them species or sub- species, they are all representatives of the House Wren. In the larger parks and gardens there were Ground Doves and numbers of large Pigeons, whose sonorous calls echoed through the groves of eucalyptus and araucaria. The attractive zoélogical garden contains but a meager repre- sentation of Peru’s rich avifauna, and a self-invited group of Anis, which were constructing a large nest in a small tree bordering one of the walks, formed a more interesting ornithological exhibit than any the directors had provided. The Rimac River, on which Lima is situated, runs throughout the year and 160 Bird - Lore supplies water for the irrigation of a comparatively large area. This is almost wholly under cultivation in cotton, sugar-cane, and alfalfa, but there are stretches of bottom-lands and river-margins, subject to overflow, unfit for agriculture, where wild cane and the scrubby bushes which apparently belong to the natural flora of the region, still flourish. I hope in time to obtain data which will show the effects of irrigation on the distribution of bird-life in this and similar oases of western Peru, but the only observations I could make on this occasion were passing glimpses from an automobile or car-window of Sparrow Hawks, Red-breasted Troupials, Mockingbirds, Anis, several species of Doves (Chemepelia, Zenaida, Columba), Sparrows (Brachyspiza, Vola- tinia, Sicalis), and Vermilion Flycatchers. The latter bird is found here in two forms, one of which is the normal brown above with the crown and under- parts vermilion, while the other is uniform dark sooty brown with, at times, a red feather or two. The question whether the two breed together or represent distinct ‘species’ presents an inviting problem in dichromatism or mutation which remains to be solved. December 4, I sailed from Lima for Mollendo, Peru’s most southern port, arriving there December 7. The coast here is extremely rugged, with outlying rocky islands tenanted by seals and Cormorants. Following a phenomenal rainfall of seventy-six hours’ duration, a surprising growth of flowering plants appeared on the usually barren coastal plains. I counted some twenty species in an hour’s walk, most of them abundant and blooming profusely. Every spring (November) a luxuriant growth of flowering plants covers the slopes of the mountains at an altitude of from 2,000 to 3,000 feet, where the coastal clouds supply them with moisture; but this, it was said, was the first time in forty years that such a growth had reached the margins of the sea. Several species had already matured their seeds, which may lie in the dust of the desert for forty more years before they germinate. Birds have no such means of biding a favorable time, and the conditions which made millions of plants appear where none had been before seemed to have exerted no influence on their numbers. I saw but four Finches during my morning walk, but, doubtless, in the course of time, they will harvest their share of the unwonted crop of seeds. Even from the sea the slopes of the usually brown coast range appeared distinctly green, and as we climbed upward on the railroad to Arequipa, the plant-growth increased in luxuriance, until at 2,800 feet it was as rank as it is in the United States in August and September. There were masses of color, with yellow predominating—all strange and unknown flowers, except one, the heliotrope, which grew in large bushes at the sides of the track. Here White-throats, Swallows, and Doves were common, and a single Con- dor soared overhead, doubtless tempted from his Andean heights by some dead cow or burro. At 3,000 feet the range, against which the coastal clouds mass themselves, Notes from a Traveler in the Tropics 161 ends abruptly and is succeeded by a flat desert so absolutely devoid of life that the slow-moving sand crescents, which by hundreds cluster on its eastern half, seem its only animate forms. Beyond this plain the way lies through a fiercely arid range, with reddish rocks sculptured by sand-blasts into weird, fantastic shapes. Far below, the Chile River winds through a ribbon of green which, gradually widening, be- comes the beautiful valley of Arequipa. My home in Arequipa was in a garden where White-throats sang through- out the day; House-Wrens trilled musically; and for two days two Black- headed Goldfinches sang a duel for the possession of a mate who, on the third day, was seen carrying nesting material into the upper branches of a large cypress. A pair of small Doves had selected the same tree for a nest-site, and their curious little grunting notes came from the heart of it. There was a small Flycatcher (Ornithion) with an abrupt, exclamatory call, a Warbler (Dacnis), and two species of Hummingbirds, while hundreds of the same species of Swallow seen in Lima gave life to the air. After a short stay at Arequipa, the journey to the tableland was continued. The railway at oncé leaves the irrigated district, with its fields of rye, barley, corn, and alfalfa, bounded by fig trees and willows, to climb the slopes of Cha-Chani, dotted with a species of organ-pipe-like cactus which continues to an altitude of about 9,500 feet. At about 11,000 feet, the bunch-grass which characterizes the tableland or puna of Peru, affording pasture to its millions of sheep, llamas, and alpacas, appears. The slopes soon give way to level stretches, with marshes, streams, and lakes, and we now enter a region of surprising interest to the ornithologist, for these apparently desolate heights, lying between twelve and thirteen thousand feet above the sea, support a wealth of bird-life. We may see a Puna Flicker, or even a troop of twenty or thirty of them go bounding over the puna, and we will recognize them at once by their white rump and characteristic flight, but the smaller land-birds are not to be seen from the window of a moving train. We shall not, however, go far after reach- ing the tableland without passing some marshy, boggy spot (there is one just before reaching Crucero Alto at an altitude of 14,688 feet) where we shall be surprised by seeing what is apparently a flock of tame Geese. Some of them may stand and watch us pass at a distance of not more than forty yards, and it is only when others take wing that we realize that they are in truth wild Geese. Then we may discover less conspicuous species near them—Ducks of several kinds, Coots, Herons and Ibises, the last two very closely resembling and obviously representing our North American Black-crowned Night Heron and Glossy Ibis respectively. A few miles beyond Crucero, the track runs between two beautiful lakes. On July 1, 1916, in the heart of a Peruvian winter, when first I saw them, snow extended down the mountain slopes to their margins, but it was now midsum- 162 Bird - Lore mer (December 15) and although there were patches of snow along the track at Crucero Alto, only the summits of the mountains about the lakes were snow- covered. From the train one sees small groups of Ducks and scattered Coots on. the lakes, and a pearl-backed, white-winged Gull, known only from the high Andes, seems far more at home over these bodies of water than when seen in the puna marshes or following the course of a roaring mountain stream through a narrow, high-walled canon. But the supreme and surprising experience for the ornithologist in these bleak heights is the sight of a flock of Flamingoes. To find these birds, which we are accustomed to associate with tropical surroundings, in this cold tem- perate zone, feeding in lagoons where, in the winter, ice forms frequently, and snow falls not rarely, is one of the anomalies of bird distribution. From Lake Junin, in central Peru, southward to at least central Chile, Flamingoes are permanent residents of the lakes and lagoons of the high Andes. ‘They are found also on the pampas of northwestern Argentina, and southward into Patagonia. No Flamingoes are known between Peru and the southern borders of the Caribbean Sea, and the problem of their distribution calls for an explana- tion of their presence south of the Equator as well as for their existence almost up to the limits of perpetual snow. It is far too complicated a question to be discussed during the course of this informal narrative, but it may at least be said that there is much evidence in favor of the theory that the Flamingoes, with some other forms of life inhabit- ing these Andean lakes, have risen from sea-level to their present high altitude, through that elevation of the earth’s surface in which the Andes have their origin. In 1916, | saw Flamingoes from the train in one of the lakes mentioned above, on the tableland north of Juliaca, and we found them also at a small lake east of ‘Tirapata. The Herons, Ibises, and Geese are surprisingly tame and are often seen about the outskirts of villages, but the Flamingoes, although they apparently are not pursued by man, show a lack of confidence in him which induces them to take flight long before one comes within gunshot. No one seemed to know when or where the Flamingoes nested, but it should not be difficult to find their breeding-grounds. The voyage across Lake Titicaca is designed to speed the traveler on his way rather than to give him an opportunity to see this beautiful body of water, with its Inca-terraced islands, its pastoral shores and, toward the east, stupendous wall of snow-covered mountains. The through steamer leaves Puno at nightfall, on the arrival of the train from Arequipa, and reaches Guaqui on the Bolivian side of the lake the following morning at 7 o’clock. A smaller steamer, which delivers freight at the small Indian villages on the lake, takes three days for the same trip. Only native passengers are expected to patron- ize this boat, and the food is designed to meet their tastes rather than those “‘peay S}I JOAO APIYSI] WITYS YIM SMOT[EMS Payoeq-any{q |[[etus IY} jo gs0Y} ULY} JoZuo] ou Ayjenqzoe oie ASYT, “Ile oY} Ul FI as{eI 0} [BUS 00} aW0Daq ALY y3Tg JO sueSIO se asnsIp Ysno1y} A[qeuinsoid ‘ssurM sj}t nq ‘9q915) SJ[OG]OH Io jo azis 94} Jnoge ‘pilq a8Ie] Apey ev STAT “WYSIY Jo romod 9y} jSo] sey Hf Fey} Ile oy} UT SBUIM S}I IOJ SN 9]}}I] OS pey sey 7 *edROI}LT, UO Jsed ajOUIAI 9Y} U! [PATIL S}I BOUTS “IOJ ‘asNSIpP JO SJoaHo 9y} Ul Wossa] sjqeiwpe ue soystuINy (uinsajg 0421 DULjago“uay) ager) SII, Sieh eh gis ge, seecceeeesiite septate aM: = z : 164 Bird - Lore of foreigners, but the slight discomforts of the journey are more than offset by the glimpses it affords of Titicacan life, both human and feathered. The myriads of water-birds which inhabit the lake congregate chiefly in the shallow bays where there is a dense growth of the reeds from which the natives make their canoe-like balsas. These places are, unfortunately, not visited by the steamer; nevertheless, birds are constantly in sight in varying numbers, both along the shores of the lake and in open water. There were Ducks (chiefly Pintails), Coots, Gulls, Cormorants and Grebes of several species. One of the latter (Centropelma micropterum) furnishes an admirable lesson in the effects of disuse, for since its arrival, in the remote past, on Titicaca it has had so little use for its wings in the air that it has lost the power of flight. It is a fairly large bird, about the size of our Holboell’s Grebe, but its wings, presumably through disuse as organs of flight, have become too small to raise it in the air. They are actually no longer than those of the small blue-backed Swallows which skim lightly over its head. Possibly these small wings may make more effective paddles under water than would longer ones, but the bird’s best efforts on the sur- WING OF THE FLIGHTLESS GREBE, COM- _ face bring it only to a half-sitting PARED WITH THAT OF A SWALLOW (Atticora) _,ocition when, with the aid of its feet and a flapping of its stubby wings, it progresses with surprising rapidity, leaving a broad wake and creating a rushing sound, which, on still days, may be heard for some distance. 3 I landed one morning while we were discharging freight, which was being transferred to the backs of llamas, burros, and men, and in the patches of purple lupine and the scrubby growth at the foot of a protecting bluff, found numbers of land-birds. There were the omnipresent and always welcome White- throat and House Wren, a large sooty Robin-like Thrush, Swallows, and dipper- like Cinclodes. Only the White-throat and Wren were heard to sing. Indeed, without them the traveler on the treeless shores, slopes, and plateaus of Peru would rarely be cheered by the songs of birds. After anchoring off the long stone causeways which formed the ports of four villages on the west shores of the lake, we left Copacabana on the after- noon of December 17, and the following morning we arrived at Guaqui and took the train for La Paz. Purple Finches By MRS. HERMAN F. STRAW, Manchester, N. H. WONDER if some of the readers of Brrp-LorE might not be interested | in my experience with Purple Finches! For several years I have had shelves for birds outside my upper sitting- room windows and have kept on them different kinds of seeds, also fruit, crumbs, suet, whatever I have had reason to think might possibly attract birds of any kind. I have had for visitors at various times, White-bellied Nuthatches, Chickadees, one Downy Woodpecker, Myrtle Warblers, Black and White Warblers, and Summer Yellow-birds, but this year there have been only Finches. Last April, as I came into this room one morning, I saw what seemed to be a red bird, with wings and tail outspread, trying to get a footing on the out- side of the window-pane. (Possibly my Canary, hanging in his cage on the inside, may have attracted him.) I stood perfectly still for a minute or two to assure myself as to what the bird was, and found it to be a Purple Finch, a gorgeous male! Then I quickly went to get some seed, as there happened to be very little on the shelf, and my bird had flown when I came back, I feared, for good, but I put out the seed—sunflower, rape, hemp, and canary, and watched. To my great delight he was back again within half an hour and surely found something to his liking, for he ate greedily several times during the day. The next morning he brought two females with him, and in less than a week there were two males and several brown companions here many times each day. Then, suddenly, they disappeared, and I thought I should see them no more, but about four weeks later a female made her appearance, bringing a young bird with her. Then, the next day, came the male, and here on the shelf, while I sat at the window knitting, the little one was fed by the parents, day after day. They did not have this feeding-place to themselves long, how- ever, for more were with them soon, and then, more still—several males and many females—until now, August 26, there must be thirty Finches, surely, frequenting this shelf, for I have counted twenty-three eating at one time. Many little ones have been “brought up,’’ sometimes the mother taking them in hand, sometimes the father helping out. This feeding is done by regur- gitation, and the process is most interesting. The baby droops its wings, cocks its tail over the back as far as possible, raises its tiny crest, hops after first one parent and then the other, crying and coaxing plaintively, with its mouth wide open. Finally, one of the parents gives it three or four mouthfuls from its own crop, gulping up the food with apparent ease. The little one seems saved the trouble of swallowing, for its mouth is open all the time, and the parent’s beak is thrust down the baby throat as far as possible, time after time, in quick succession. (165) 166 Bird - Lore Some males now moulting have brilliant color in patches; some have pink on the breast; others rose-red heads; one is mottled in rose, brown, and gray; another has a blood-red (almost purple) head and neck; another has pin- feathers all over the head and bright rose just above the tail. All are getting a little more perceptibly mature each day, and if they stay I shall have a wonderful exhibition of males as “purple” as they ever are, I expect. This mixture of red of various tints among the brown females, when the sun shines full upon them all, is something extremely beautiful. Speaking of sunshine makes me think of one other thing to write about. One day I noticed one of the birds squatting on the shelf, tail and one wing spread out to the fullest extent, one leg stretched as far as possible to one side, its neck turned so far around that the head seemed upside down, mouth open, and feathers fluffed out all over the body. Such a strange position! I felt sure this Finch was dy- ing, and feared I had given it something that had poisoned it, for in my great desire to keep these Finches here I had put out fruit (which they do not eat), crumbs of cake, crackers, etc. Consequently I was much relieved when another Finch, flying to the shelf just at this time, pecked the first bird, instantly re- storing him to life and flight. Since then I have often seen seven or eight birds at the same time, in as many ungainly and ludicrous positions, “sunning”’ themselves in the bright, hot sunshine. It surely is a laughable sight, and they do look as if they were ‘“‘passing away”’ in good earnest, but if anything dis- turbs them they are alive and alert in an instant. Just one other incident. A male alighted on the edge of the shelf one morn- ing; he was all by himself. After eating for a few moments, he gave a little call, sweet and low and plaintive, then another and another, each time a little louder than before. Then I heard an answer from a tree nearby, and, after numerous repetitions, he began to sing. Such a joyous, bubbling-over song! The notes fairly tumbled over each other, they came so fast, and before this musical treat was quite over, a modest brown lady stood beside him. The male went quite close to her, twittering and chirping and talking, then he spread his beauty before her, hopping off a little way, then coming back, strut- ting and bowing in a most comical way, all the time with wings out and tail up, showing that beautiful rose-colored body and the brilliant crest on his head. The lady looked on admiringly, showing her approval by putting her head round on one side and then on the other and making little soft sounds until he must have understood that she was ready to give him her “hand and her heart,”’ for again came that happy, exuberant, melodious singing, and they flew away together. These birds have been a constant source of delight to me and to my friends, and I wish I might share it with all bird-lovers! Has anyone else ever had a like experience? I might add that my home is in the midst of a city of 80,000 inhabitants, but stands by itself, surrounded by three or four acres of land and many trees of various kinds. PRES er, § DO OLIVE-BACKED THRUSH AT NEST Two Thrushes By THOMAS A. TAPER, Lake Linden, Mich. With Photographs by the Author HE summer is the time of the year when the lover of nature hears and heeds the call of the Thrush, and nowhere else is that call more inviting than in the woods of birch, maple, and conifer of the Keweenaw Penin- sula in northern Michigan. The word forest suggests delightful shade, acquaint- ance with multitudinous sights and sounds, an opportunity to fall in tune with nature’s moods, and, moreover, some leisure to philosophize. As one passes by the last farmhouse one hears the enthusiastic gushing song of the little House Wren; as one enters either by sylvan path or woodland road, one is at once refreshed by the cool air and delicate fragrance, and finds an inviting log on which to sit and rest awhile. A group of barefooted boys now approaches; their countenances are aglow; they are returning from a morning inspection of their traps. One of the boys has a box in which there is a live red squirrel, destined to become a house-pet; all of the others have deadly missiles in the form of stones for ‘slingshots.’ So here is an opportunity for a friendly warn- ing to the boys not to kill the feathered songsters. There is a better way to hunt birds, and that is with the camera. The walk in the woods is continued and the desired spot is reached—the nest of the Olive-backed Thrush. The nest of this Thrush was built in a birch sapling which was growing on the side of a wide ravine, and it was fairly well shaded from the sun. It was constructed with twigs and birch bark and was lined with small roots and dead grass. It contained two young birds about four days old. The camera was placed about 28 inches from the nest. A fishline was attached to the (167) 168 Bird - Lore shutter release and led to a place behind a tree, about 25 feet from the nest. I then sat down behind the tree and waited. It was not long before I had my first picture. The stop used was //6.3, and the exposure was one-fifth of a second. I took three pictures, all with the same stop and the same exposure. The second nest studied was that of the Hermit Thrush. This bird builds its nest on the ground and usually lays four greenish blue eggs which are un- spotted. The nest, in this instance, was placed in a bare hummock in the ‘forest primeval.’ It had birch bark on the outside and was lined on the inside with thread-like roots and some dead grass. Two or three undersized ferns protected it from the sun. In the nest there were three eggs of the char- acteristic color. A picture of the nest was taken with the use of the portrait- lens. The stop used was //32, and the exposure twenty seconds. One afternoon, about a week later, I visited the nest again. In it there were three young Thrushes about two days old. The afternoon was cloudy and was not suited for bird-photography in the deep forest, but I set the camera about 28 inches from the nest, so that the birds would become accustomed to it. The birds did not seem to mind the camera at all. I took two pictures, but they were underexposed. The following day was windy, with clouds and sunshine in the morning; in the afternoon the sky was a perfect blue. The birds had become thoroughly acquainted with the camera, and the mother bird even permitted the operator to be in full view at times while she fed her young. However, the bird approached the nest with caution. On the return from a food-quest, it would first land on the horizontal branch of a hemlock sapling, then fly to a log, then to a low stub, and finally come to the nest. It had the habit of stopping and looking whenever it detected a slight movement of the cord. While the bird was in this attitude, the picture was taken. HERMIT THRUSH AT NEST Two Thrushes 169 The young were fed and the nest cleaned several times during the day, the excreta being carried several feet away from the nest. In one instance I observed that the mother bird devoured the excrement. The duty of nest- inspection was performed with great promptness. After the nest was inspected, HERMIT THRUSH AT NEST the bird would fly to a favorite tree, and from here it would go somewhere else in the forest. Sometimes the male bird would give the female a dainty morsel, and she, in turn, would carry it to the nest for the young, while he kept guard at a safe distance. On the third day of the observations, the young were fed more frequently, and, consequently, they gave evidence of much growth. They had their eyes about half open and moved about the nest considerably. The intervals between feedings were not without incident. It was interest- ing to observe the creeping of sunlight and shadow over the nest, the intense radiant energy from the sun reduced somewhat by the canopy of green. Only for a half-hour was the nest fully exposed. It was at this time that the mother bird brooded over the young. A herd of cows, which were grazing on maple seedlings and thin grass, approached dangerously near the nest, and it became the duty of the observer to direct the movements of one or two members of the herd. Some red squirrels ran along logs and on the forest floor, giving evi- dence of the precarious position of the young birds in the nest. During the morning and afternoon a Red-eyed Vireo charmed the observer with several instalments of his cheerful warble. This song was not so incessant this day as it usually is, for I suspect that he, too, was busy with household cares. The harmony of the forest was broken at times by the harsh cry of the black Crow, that villain who has figured in more than one bird tragedy. On the fifth day I again visited the nest, but it was empty. Let us hope that the parent birds had witnessed a successful departure of their young. The Migration of North American Birds SECOND SERIES X. BLUE JAY, STELLER’S JAY, AND GREEN JAY Compiled by Harry C. Oberholser, Chiefly from Data in the Biological Survey BLUE JAY The common and well-known Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) of eastern North America is, as a species, permanently resident, except along the northern- most border of its range. It comprises two subspecies, the ranges of which are as follows: The Northern Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata cristata) breeds in eastern North America, north to Newfoundland, central Quebec, northern Ontario, and northern Alberta; west to central Alberta, eastern North Dakota, central Nebraska and eastern Colorado; south to central Texas, Missouri, central Illinois, and North Carolina; and east to eastern Virginia, the coast of New England and of Nova Scotia. It is of casual occurrence in northern New Mexico (Fruitland, Oct. 17, 1908). The Florida Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata florincola) is resident in the southeastern United States, north to South Carolina, Alabama, southern Illi- nois and northeastern Texas; west to eastern Texas; south to the Gulf coast of Louisiana and Alabama, and to southern Florida; and east to eastern Florida and eastern South Carolina. The few migration records in the following table all refer to the Northern Blue Jay: SPRING MIGRATION | Number ) Average date of Earliest date of LOCALITY | Ciyeats spring arrival spring arrival Montreal Ouchbech 5 aera ee | 3 | May r March 22, 1890 | | (rare in winter) Ottawa, Ontario. ..... coneendodneac | 5 February 9 January 5, 1909 Mouth of Little Red River, Alberta. . May 15, 1901 Whine, QWEDEC's oscccgsccoav000006 | June 20, 1909 FALL MIGRATION LOCALITY Shee Average date of Latest date of ey last one observed last one observed Miomimenll, OWEOGC. ccaccocesodsuaoce 3 November 2 | November 25, 1856 Ottawa Ontarlome serene December 1, 1885 STELLER’S JAY The range of the Steller’s Jay (Cyanocitta stelleri) extends from Alaska through western North America to the highlands of Honduras. This bird is practically everywhere resident, such movements as occur being in the nature of wander- (170) The Migration of North American Birds 7A ing or of descent from the mountains into the valleys during the winter season. Six subspecies of this Jay inhabit North America, and two others occur in central and southern Mexico and Central America. The geographic distribu- tion of the North American forms is given below: The Steller’s Jay (Cyanocitta stelleri stellert) occupies the Pacific Coast dis- trict, north to Cook Inlet, Alaska, south to northwestern Oregon, and east to western British Columbia and western Washington. Its range includes the islands off the coast of southern Alaska and British Columbia, excepting Prince of Wales Island and the Queen Charlotte group. The Queen Charlotte Jay (Cyanocitta stelleri carlotte) is resident in the Queen Charlotte Islands, British Columbia, and Prince of Wales Island, Alaska. The Coast Jay (Cyanocitta stelleri carbonacea) is resident in the Pacific Coast district, north to central Oregon, south to Monterey County, California, and east to the California coast ranges and the Siskiyou and Cascade Moun- tains. The Blue-fronted Jay (Cyanocitta stelleri frontalis) occupies the mountains of California, north to the northern part of the state; west to the eastern coast ranges as far south as San Luis Obispo County, also west to Ventura County and the southwestern corner of the state; south to northern Lower California; and east to eastern California and west central Nevada. The Long-crested Jay (Cyanocitta stelleri diademata) is resident in the Rocky Mountain region of the southwestern United States and in the Sierra Madre of northern Mexico, north to northern Colorado and northeastern Utah; west to southwestern Utah, western Arizona, eastern Sonora, eastern Sinaloa, and Tepic; south to northern Jalisco and Zacatecas; east to Zacatecas, central western Texas, and eastern New Mexico. The Black-headed Jay (Cyanocitta stelleri annectens) occupies the moun- tains of southwestern Canada and the Rocky Mountain region of the north- western United States, north to southwestern Alberta and southeastern British Columbia; west to eastern Washington and central Oregon; south to south- eastern Oregon, northern Utah, and southern Wyoming; and east to north- western Nebraska, western South Dakota, and central Montana. GREEN JAY The gayly colored Green Jay (Xanthoura luxuosa glaucescens) is the only form of its species occurring in the United States, although there are several other races in Mexico and Central America. The geographic distribution of the Green Jay extends from northern Tamaulipas and Nuevo Leon in north- eastern Mexico, north to the valley of the lower Rio Grande in central southern Texas. It is permanently resident in most, if not all, of its United States range. Notes on the Plumage of North American Birds FIFTY-FOURTH PAPER By FRANK M. CHAPMAN (See Frontispiece) Northern Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata cristata, Fig. 1)—The brightly colored Blue Jay, Steller’s Jay, and Green Jay show their relationship to the somber Crows and Ravens in undergoing very slight plumage changes. Essen- tially the same ‘uniform’ is worn at all seasons by both sexes and all ages. The head and body plumage only of the young is more or less dull compared to that of their parents until, by a postjuvenal molt of the body plumage, they pass into a first winter plumage like that of the adult, from which they are henceforth indistinguishable. The juvenal Blue Jay has the crest shorter than the adult, blue of head and back less bright, wing-coverts only indistinctly barred, and black mark across the forehead indistinct. Steller’s Jay (Cyanocitta stelleri, Fig. 2)—The young of the Blue-fronted race of Steller’s Jay (Cyanocitta stelleri frontalis) will stand for the various races of that species. It lacks all blue in the head and body plumage except a tinge on the side of the rump. Its crest is less full than that of the adult, crown and back somewhat browner, throat with streaks only faintly indicated, breast dark sooty gray, passing to dark ashy gray on belly and rump. Green Jay (Xanthoura luxuosa glaucescens, Fig. 3).—The juvenal Green Jay has the blue of the head paler and more greenish than the adult, black of the head and breast duller. Its underparts are pale grayish yellow only faintly tinged with green on the breast. (172) Motes from Field and Study Unusual Breeding-Site of Killdeer Plover The Killdeer Plover has always been a rare bird in the Cambridge region. There are only a few records of its breeding within that area (Cf. Brewster, 1906, Mem. Nut- tall Ornith. Club 4, 168). It was, therefore, of some interest to find a pair breeding last summer in a plowed field bordering on Soldier’s Field, very near where another pair bred in 1903 (Cf. Brewster loc. cit.). The chief point of interest, however, was not the reappearance of the Killdeer in the Cambridge region but of its apparent in- difference to its surroundings, then greatly altered to meet war conditions. Several times a week, throughout the summer months, the geater part of the 4,500 men in training at the Harvard Radio School paraded on Soldier’s Field. They were gen- erally accompanied by one or two bands and one or two bugle corps. While the several battalions of sailors would occupy the main drill-grounds, the naval cadets of the Officer Material School, and sometimes the students in the R.O.T.C., would carry out maneuvers on the surrounding fields, and at least one day on the very field where this pair of Killdeers were breeding. The first time I observed the birds was during the last week in June. The pair flew out from the plowed field over the heads of an advancing battalion of cadets. After uttering a few plaintive hkil-dee’s, they alighted only a hundred yards from the column and stood motionless. When the battalion drew somewhat nearer, they arose again and flew to another corner of the field. I saw the pair many times throughout July, and they always showed this same indifference to the presence of large masses of men or to the loud-sound- ing bands which accompanied them. There is a series of tennis-courts along one side of Soldier’s Field. These are pro- tected by a wire fence. When repeatedly flushed from the field, the Killdeers would at length scale down gracefully to the courts, and, after running a short distance, stand motionless in their characteristic way. Various military duties prevented me from ever searching for the nest which these birds apparently tended in the old plowed field. But in the second week in August, when a change of routine again brought me to Soldier’s Field, I was much interested to find four Killdeers in the usual corner. These birds allowed me to approach to about 50 yards, and at that distance it was possible to observe, even without glasses, that two of the group were youngish birds. For more than a week the birds were in the vicinity, and would always fly out at the approach of our battalion. Then came another break in my visits, and when I again returned to the field in early September, the birds had disappeared. From these random observations it seems certain that the pair of Killdeers suc- cessfully raised a brood of two young on the edge of a much-used drill-ground. It is possible that this was not their first brood, for the dates of the appearance of the young is much later than that given by other observers. It is impossible to say whether or not there was an earlier set of eggs, but at least it was obvious that the birds were very devoted to their nesting- site in spite of much noise and confusion.— G. K. Nosie, New York City. Notes on Nesting Bluebirds and House Wrens Every year a pair of Bluebirds builds in our garden. There are two houses just alike, and about to or 12 feet apart, one facing south and one east. This year, when the birds arrived, they chose the one with the southern exposure. The nest was soon completed, and the female began sitting. Some time later I noticed that the birds were carrying grass and things into the (173) 174 other house. I went out to investigate and found five eggs in the first nest. There had been a week of cool weather, and we thought perhaps the eggs had been chilled. I cleaned out the house and waited. Again five eggs were laid and the incubating pro- cess begun, and again the female refused to stay in her nest. Her mate would try to coax her back, and he even fluttered about and beat her with his wings—she would go back for a moment, but not to stay. In a few days they were back at the first house and another nest was completed. This time it was carelessly put together. They then built a still poorer nest at the second house, which I had cleaned out, and then both birds disappeared. The next week a pair of Bluebirds began a nest in house No. 1, and the family was raised with success. I often wondered if it was the same pair, or if Mr. Bluebird at last succeeded in getting a wife who was a home-lover. He certainly deserved one. The other observation was made with Wrens and is even more unusual, or at least we thought it was. Early in the summer two Wrens looked over the houses at their disposal and at last selected the one on our front porch. The nest was built and the eggs laid, or so we thought, for the male soon began feed- ing his mate. A few weeks later we noted that another Wren was carrying sticks into a house in the flower-garden. She seemed to do most of the work, although her mate would come and sit on the clothes-line and warble his approval. Soon she was snugly settled, and then we discovered we had a real romance on our hands, for her mate was also the mate of the bird in the front porch, or, in other words, he was a bigamist. Of course now we watched with even keener interest than before, for by the time mate No. 2 was comfortably settled, mate No. 1 was able to forage for herself and family. He also helped to feed the little birds, but he never neglected to bring choice morsels to Madame Wren in the garden. By the time No. 2’s eggs were hatched, brood No. 1 had flown, and he could care Bird - Lore for his second family with ease and com- fort—KaATHLEEN M. Hempet, Elkader, Towa. A Parakeet in a City Park Nothing could be more pleasing to the eye than the sight of the distinguished officers of the Allies in their handsome uni- forms as they go about the streets of our city. The drab-clad civilian notes them from the corner of an envious eye, and the small boys gaze with frank and unquali- fied admiration. I noticed much the same effect among the birds in Central Park one afternoon in October. I was coming along the path around the Reservoir above 85th Street when my eye was caught by a large flock of dingy English Sparrows that were feeding in the grass by the bridle-path. As my eye roved from the outskirts of the flock toward its center I became aware of some cause of commotion and special interest. The birds were craning their necks, chirping loudly, and jostling one another in their effort to stand all in the same place. In another moment I had discovered the cause. Shin- ing with the brightness of a patch of sun- light on the green grass, and politely obliv- ious of the vulgar peering crowd about him, sat a little Parakeet busily engaged in feed- ing on the grass seeds. He showed little fear as I approached, and finally flew to a small tree a few paces away, from which he watched a moment or two and then re- turned to the grass. The distinguished stranger was about the size of a White- throated Sparrow in body, but of course his tail was much longer. On his forehead he bore a clear yellow mark. His head, throat, breast, underparts, and rump were bright bluish green. His upperparts were distinctly yellowish green, while the wing- coverts were blackish, each feather being delicately fringed with pale yellow or whitish. The tail feathers, as the bird spread them in alighting, showed a fringe at the outer ends of yellowish green and whitish. Such a sight always fills the observer with strange thoughts of other lands and {o> "A 2.1 (B) Notes from Field and Study times. Perhaps some will be reminded of the day when Carolina Paroquets were casual visitors even in New York State. I suppose the little Parakeet was an escaped cage-bird, or, possibly, one that is allowed to fly at large to return at night to his cage. Anyway, I have not seen him since, and often wonder what became of him. But nothing can blot out the picture of the graceful, brilliant stranger so su- perior to the vulgar curiosity of the dingy Sparrows.—TERTIUS VAN Dyker, New York City. Helping Barn and Cliff Swallows to Nest For several years the writer has spent the summer on the shore of a lake in the Adirondacks, where there seem to be great attractions for birds of the Swallow family, as Barn, Cliff, Bank, and Tree Swallows all nest there in considerable numbers. The Barn and Cliff Swallows nest side by side on exteriors of buildings, frequently using the remains of old nests as founda- tions for those of the following year. The Cliff Swallows build on old nests of Barn Swallows, and vice versa. The nesting habits of the two kinds seem to be similar, except as to shape of nests and materials of construction, the Cliff Swallows build- ing the typical retort-shaped nests and not using the grasses, feathers, etc., which the Barn Swallows use for linings. After careful observation, it would seem that neither kind has a dislike for painted surfaces on which to build nests, but that they are unable to securely attach nests to painted perpendicular surfaces, when the paint has been put on within one or two years. When paint has been on a consider- able time they are able to build nests on it securely, and frequently do so. They are very persistent in trying to build on a selected spot and will make repeated efforts to do so, starting imme- diately to rebuild when partially completed nests have broken off and fallen to the ground. Last summer a pair of Barn Swallows 175 succeeded in building on painted surfaces in a corner between two wings of a build- ing, where the efforts of both Barn and Cliff Swallows had been unsuccessful in several previous years, though numerous attempts at different times had been made to build there, as the corner seemed to possess peculiar attractions. The only ex- planation that suggests itself for the suc- cess last summer is that, in course of time, some change had taken place in condition of the painted surfaces. In early summer the immediate neigh- borhood of the nests is comparatively free from black-flies and mosquitoes. Believing that this condition was due to the feeding activities of the Swallows, an attempt was made to aid and encourage them in nesting by increasing the number and extent of the places where they could build. In places where they either did not or could not build, considerable success was secured by providing shelves or supports on which nests could be securely started. A comparatively easy way of doing this is to nail a piece of 2x 4-inch scantling lengthwise on the side of buildings, under cover of eaves or other projections that will give complete protection from rains, which seems to be a necessary condition. The scantling is best fastened with a wide side against building and with a clearance from protecting surface of about 5 inches at the upper outer edge of scantling. This seems to be a sufficient clearance for easy approach and is perhaps more attractive than a greater one. Originally a greater clearance was given, but this has been gradually reduced, as it seemed that the Swallows preferred a location where the nests were concealed as well as possible from other birds in the air; perhaps, also, in the case of the Cliff Swallows, where the least material was necessary to build nests right up to the protecting cover, which they usually do when it is near. Apparently a 2 x 4-inch scantling is better . than a 2x 2-inch one, as the 4-inch face furnishes a better brace for the tails of the Swallows when they cling with their feet to the side or upper edge, as they fre- quently do. 176 Perhaps an improvement, though involv- ing more work, is to fasten a strip of wood 2% inches wide by 3 or % inch thick on top of the scantling and to roughly round the outer edges of the strip. The half- inch projection beyond the _ scantling offers a convenient foothold for the Swal- lows when clinging to the side. While undoubtedly preferable, it is not necessary for supports or brackets to be placed high from the ground under eaves of roofs of two-storied buildings, as the Swallows will build under roofs of piazzas and porches when construction is favor- able. Probably they always choose a spot with a perpendicular surface on at least one side of the nest-place. The brackets or supports can be painted the same color as the surrounding wood- work, so as to be less conspicuous to people, but, if painted, it is best to leave the sur- face of the wood rough, not plane it smooth before painting. The first supports put up were simple shelves of thin board from 2 to 6 inches wide, fastened to sides of buildings at various distances, as great as 18 inches, below the eaves. These were used by the Swallows to a certain extent. Wide sup- ports are objectionable where there are English Sparrows, as they will build their nests on them, while they have difficulty in doing so on those as narrow as 2 inches. On buildings where the Swallows have not built before, it may be better the first year to place supports, or some of them, farther down from the eaves than 5 inches, so as to be more apt to attract the notice of the Swallows as they fly past. Nests are seldom built on the north side of build- ings; of the other exposures, the south seems to be the favorite. The shores of the lake in locality men- tioned are sandy, and there is no clay in the vicinity, so that the Swallows are de- pendent for their building material on the mud which they gather from holes in dirt roads or depressions in bare ground, where water stands after rains. Apparently, they can postpone the build- ing of nests and laying of their eggs for a considerable time when they are unable to Bird - Lore secure material for building or completing nests. To supply them with mud in un- usually dry seasons, depressions in ground have been filled with water from a hose, the supply being replenished as water dis- appeared. It is astonishing to see how quickly the Swallows will discover such a spot and gather around it in large numbers, starting almost immediately to carry away the mud for their nests. While the Barn Swallows usually, and perhaps preferably, build their nests inside of barns and similar buildings which offer opportunities for nesting, they probably would build much more frequently on the outside if they found suitable places, and, perhaps, they could be attracted to many buildings they do not now frequent. The Cliff Swallows could, perhaps, also be attracted to more buildings. They are generally supposed to select one or a few buildings in a neighborhood for their nests. It would be interesting to investigate and see if the buildings selected are those which both offer favorable sites for nests and are nearest to a supply of mud or clay for their construction. For their nests they require considerably more material than do the Barn Swallows. Perhaps some of your readers will be sufficiently interested to study and experi- ment on lines suggested in this article and add to the general information on a sub- ject about which little or nothing has been published.— WittiamM GooDSsELL, Bay Pond, Franklin County, N. Y. Dixie, a Tame Robin Dixie was one of those more unfortunate members of a large bird-family, who, through some accident, left the home-nest at a very tender age. But, unlike many other such unfortunates, this sad accident did not end his career. We had been out bicycling one early June day in 1913, and, while walking up a hill, had discovered him, an inadequately feathered young Robin, lying on the sidewalk, legs extended, and flapping feebly, while his enormous bill emitted faint croaks. Of course, we picked him up and carried him home with Notes from Field and Study us, where he received, among other things, his Christian name of Dixie. A small basket with a handle, lined with soft _ grass, was his home, and‘there he lay on the bottom of it, undecided whether to live or die. We were now confronted with the prob- lem of food and drink for our new pet. Worms were probably the natural diet, but that meant we would have to dig for them in the garden. We must, therefore, find something simpler, something requir- ing less effort on our part. So we consulted a book on birds. One chapter was devoted to the rearing of young birds, and in this we found that finely crumbled hard- boiled egg-yolk and potato would be the proper thing. This, then, was Dixie’s diet for two months or more. Still following the book, we fed him frequently during the day, but at rather irregular intervals, I’m afraid. As regards quantity, we were at a loss, so we held his bill open, stuffing the egg down until he choked and flopped, where- upon we stopped. We followed the same method in regard to his drink. With a medicine dropper we injected water until he indicated by a contortionist stunt that he could hold no more. In this same chapter on the rearing of young birds, the author makes the state- ment that it is practically impossible to raise baby Robins—they are too delicate. But Dixie thrived from the first and grew steadily. Once his basket got left out inthe cold entry during the night, and the next morning Dixie lay stiff and cold in the bottom. Apparently, he was perfectly dead. On a chance, however, we let him warm up gently in the oven, and in the course of the morning he came to and was as lively as ever. In a week or ten days he had started to feather out and could hop on the handle of his basket and sit there. A portable wire- netting enclosure was built for him and placed out on the shady lawn. Here he stayed when out-of-doors. And again he had a narrow escape, when one day he got out and the neighbor’s cat almost killed him. We were positive that this tragedy 177 had occurred, and were loudly lamenting the fact when Dixie hopped quietly out from under the ferns up close to the house where he had taken refuge. Indoors, he was allowed the freedom of the kitchen, where he managed adroitly to keep himself from getting stepped on and won the affection of the cook. As he grew, he developed a distinct per- sonality. He had a temper like a red-headed Irishman, was extremely dictatorial and selfish, but very fond, in his own way, of father. At a whistled call from him, Dixie would always appear, and would suffer himself to be handled in any way. With other members of the family, however, he was merely tolerant, and indignantly re- sented being fussed with too much. Here I may mention an interesting, instinctive trait. When one went to pick him up, he would be willing to hop onto one’s finger or nestle in one’s hand, but if one lowered one’s hand over him, so as to grasp him by extending the fingers around him, he would squawk and peck angrily. We attributed this to an instinctive fear, per- haps, of being clutched in the talons of a larger bird. Though now old enough to eat alone, he absolutely refused to feed himself, and would lie on his back, screeching until someone came and stuffed egg or worms down his throat. If you offered too much, he would again scream and peck at your hands. This daily use of his lungs developed a very harsh, piercing note which we could always recognize as his, easily distinguish- ing it from the calls of other Robins. Be- sides his egg and potato diet, he now ate worms and grasshoppers—when we would catch them for him—but he never made any attempt to get them for himself. In our walks through the fields he would fol- low in the rear, generally protesting, for what he most liked was to hop on the toe of father’s shoe and ride that way. ‘‘Don’t do anything for yourself that anyone else can do for you” was Dixie’s motto, strictly lived up to. Toward the last of September we com- menced to pack up to return to our home near Boston for the winter. During the 178 general upheaval connected with closing a house and transplanting a large family, we discovered another characteristic of Dixie’s. He loved noise—grating, pound- ing, squeaking noise. When barrels and boxes were nailed, he would sit on the top, within a couple of inches of the crashing hammer, perfectly happy. An- other attractive pastime was riding the carpenter’s plane in its swift journeys along the surface of a board. By this time Dixie was about full grown. He used his wings to fly off to a nearby grove, but would always return upon hearing the familiar whistled call. Nights he spent sleeping in the cellar, but once he stayed out. It was a wet, shiver- ing, woe-begone Dixie that we welcomed in the early morning. When the time came to leave, not one of us could bear to leave behind our dic- tatorial little friend and protégé, but there seemed no other way out. The difficulty was solved, however, by buying a small wicker hand-bag, cutting little holes in the sides, and carrying him along with us in that. Thus Dixie traveled some one hundred miles from Amherst, Mass., to Wellesley Hills, attracting no little attention at way-stations, as he popped his head in and out and squawked for food. But in his new home, Dixie grew wilder and wilder. His trips were longer and more frequent, and he came less promptly at our call. Then he took to sleeping out at night, but, even so, he always returned very early in the morning, shrieking at the door until father came out and talked to him. Several times we thought he had left for good, but after a few days he would return. One Sunday afternoon in October, father was working in the cellar. All afternoon Dixie hung around the window, seemingly much distressed about some- thing. That night he disappeared as usual. But when, after a week or so, no Dixie screamed at the door, we knew he had gone South. Spring came around again, and when the first Robin hopped on the lawn, we thought of Dixie. Would he come back? Had he, Bird - Lore perhaps, already returned to Amherst? But early one morning there was the fa- miliar squawking at the door. There was no mistaking that hoarse, imperative note —Dixie had returned! After having been brought up in Amherst, and later spending only a short time in Wellesley Hills, he had returned to the latter place from whence he had gone South. Yes, there was Dixie at the door, but a confused, puzzled Dixie. He had come back to the old place; habit and perhaps some vague memory urged him to come and be fed and petted. But instinct, stronger than habit, and a newly acquired fear kept him from coming down to us as he had always done. Down he would swoop to within a foot of the porch, and back he would dart to sit on the nearest tree, squawk despairingly, and then repeat the process. Dixie spent that whole summer with us, but after the first few mornings he never ventured up to the house. We knew he was in the vicinity by his shrill, angry call, particularly in the early mornings and late evenings. We even guessed at the location of his nest and pitied his family, unless the southern climate had changed his dispo- sition, but Dixie had grown wary and dis- trustful, and, although always around the house and grounds, would never come down to us in his old friendly way. For three springs following, when the Robins came back, we were positive that Dixie was with them, for at sun-up and sun-down we would hear his angry, im- patient squawk from the nearby trees. But these last two years we have not been so sure. That peculiar note of his has lost some of its harshness, and we may be mis- taken, when, at a shrill call, we say, “There’s Dixie!”’ That Robin, sitting there in the dusk on the tree across the way, breaking the soft stillness with an im- patient squawk, may be Dixie and it may not—we hope so! But we like to think, anyway, that cross-tempered, dictatorial little Dixie is still alive and that he comes back to us in the spring —MARGARET Pratt, Wellesley Hills, Mass. Notes from Field and Study To Hatch and to Raise Somewhere near the middle of June, we discovered that a pair of Yellow Warblers had chosen to build their nest in a syringa bush close to our living-room window. Here was an opportunity to watch a bit of bird-life without leaving the house. The three eggs were hatched out June 30. By the next afternoon one of the young birds appeared larger than the others. Another day, and there was no doubt about it; the difference was obvious. No wonder, for this greedy individual hardly permitted the others to be fed at all. Toward evening, on July 2, one of the three, which had remained a little, throb- bing lump of pink flesh, ceased to lift its head when the mother bird came to the nest. Up to this time, I had accepted the larger individual as a young Yellow War- bler, but it now dawned on me that it was a Cowbird. And this became more evident as the disparity in size between the two remaining occupants of the nest became more marked. One could almost see the Cowbird grow, and as it grew, it more and more completely dominated the food- supply. July 4 was a hot day, and the Cowbird was restless. The nest was now hardly large enough to hold both it and the Warbler, and the latter was badly crowded and maltreated as its big nest-mate moved around in the narrow quarters. So matters continued until the forenoon of July 5, when the Warbler was several times almost, and then quite, crowded out of the nest by the Cowbird. It managed, however, to hang to the nest by what, in the case of a human being, would be the chin, and after a lively struggle, succeeded in getting into the nest again. But it appeared to be utterly exhausted. The struggles of the little fellow were too much for my scientific attitude; I concluded to take a hand. Securing a Warbler’s nest of the previous year, I fastened it to the bush a foot below the original nest. Into this I put the Cowbird, leaving the young Warbler in the old nest. 179 The adult Warbler came to the old nest, fed its one occupant, and seemed not the least disturbed by the absence of the other. In this way the young Warbler was fed four times without interference from the Cowbird. When the adult came the fifth time, the Cowbird made such a commotion that its foster mother was attracted to it. Thereafter she went each time to both nests, but always to the old nest first. The Cowbird, however, was so loud and insistent in its demands for food that often the mother bird would stop in the very act of offering food to the Warbler and take it down to the Cowbird. That night she covered her own offspring. A week after being hatched out, July 6, the Cowbird was larger than the adult Warbler, and the nest was being spread all out of shape by it. The young Warbler, on the contrary, was showing signs of weakness, at first only listlessly reaching for the proffered worm, and then paying no attention to it whatever. The mother bird was obviously disturbed. Going to the nest with a worm or gnat in her bill, she would chirp several times, waiting for it to be accepted. The young Warbler remaining motionless, she would then feed the Cowbird, but return immediately to the old nest, and occasionally settle herself for a little time on the little Warbler before she flew off again to the hedges. In the afternoon a shower came up, and she sat on the nest until it was over, a feathered epitome of solicitude. Nothing, however, availed. When, after the shower, she came again with food, the occupant of the old nest was beyond the want of it. Until well into twilight she fed the Cowbird, continu- ing, however, to go to the other nest first, and after dark she protected the little dead Warbler from the night air. The next day, July 7, she devoted her- self entirely to the Cowbird which now sprawled over the top of its distorted nest. Nor did she any longer go first to her own nest. Only occasionally, before flying off again for more food, would she hop up and examine the nest and the dead bird. And that night she slept away from home. On the 8th she was on hand early, and 180 busier than ever. Her step-child, now over twice her own size, had an insatiable appetite. The Cowbird sat boldly on the edge of the nest, sometimes almost falling off in his eagerness for what she brought. During the forenoon it moved to a nearby branch, and, later, to the ground. In the afternoon it tried its wings for distance, and although it had had no practice, easily crossed the road to the top of some sumach bushes. Before sunset it had ven- tured to the willows along the lake-shore. And everywhere its faithful foster mother followed with such dainties as she knew how to find. I saw what I took to be our Yellow Warbler for the last time on July 10, when she came and once more examined the old nest. Following her as she darted through the trees toward the lake, I heard the voice of a young Cowbird pleading for food. “‘I thought so,” I said to myself, but I was wrong. This Cowbird was being fed by a Song Sparrow.—M. C. Otto, Madison, Wis. An Eccentric Ovenbird On the morning of the second of July (1918), at about 10.30, I was startled to hear the Ovenbird’s flight-song repeated in the air over the pines toward the moun- tains. He sang the entire song and then darted down into the trees. About half an hour later, I heard it again, this time over the birches, to the west. Once more he sang—at 2 o’clock—over the maples, eastward. The next day, he sang, at 9 o’clock. This time, and on the sth of the month, he sang three times before 4 o’clock. He re- peated his song on different mornings— fifteen times in all—the last on August 31— and every time before 3 o’clock. I think it was the same eccentric bird who sang every time, for the notes were the same on each occasion. Bradford Torrey, in ‘Birds inthe Bush’ says that he heard the Oven- bird sing but three times before 3 o’clock in the afternoon. In the evening this song is a common one near our house, situated, as it is, in the midst of the forest. Through June, July, Bird - Lore and part of August it can be heard half a dozen times every evening between sunset and dark. Even tonight (September 5), as I write, one rises from the trees, uttering excited ‘chips’ and bursts into melody. But what does the morning singing of this peculiar Ovenbird mean? Has he lost his sense of time? or is he a lover singing, per- haps, for a lost mate?-—THEO. SPENCER, Chocorua, N. H. The Cape May Warbler in Southern Maine During the three years previous to 1917, two or three persons who are interested in birds reported that they had seen the Cape May Warbler in the migration sea- son. One lady, a keen observer, whose home is very favorably situated for the study of birds, saw two pairs in May, 1915, and again in September, when they were accompanied by their young. This was, to me, extremely interesting information, and last year I diligently sought to find the Cape May, but not until this spring (1917) were my efforts re- warded. On May 25, in company with a bird- loving friend, I was standing among some low trees and bushes at the head of a small pond, watching a flock of birds that was flying about us, in which were two beau- tiful male Rose-breasted Grosbeaks and one female, three Baltimore Orioles, two Purple Finches, two Northern Parula Warblers, two Canadian, one Wilson’s, and one Blackpoll, when, suddenly, I caught sight of a bird that was new to me. In an instant I thought what it was, and, turning to my friend, I exclaimed, “‘I do believe that I just saw the Cape May Warbler!’ As I spoke, the bird flew into a bush close by us, and she, having pre- viously seen that Warbler, said, “‘That is the bird,” and, indeed, he was a fine male. Never was a bird more obliging than he, for he flitted about us, displaying all his markings to the best possible advantage. For me, it was a moment of delight. On May 28 I saw in another locality, Notes from Field and Study also near a small pond, three Cape May Warblers, two males and a female, and my quest was ended. As the bird has been seen by so many observers, I think it probable that it may become a migrant to this part of our state, and I certainly hope that such may be the case.—SARA CHANDLER EASTMAN, Port- land, Maine. Another Wire Wren Nest I have read with interest the article in Birp-Lore of July-August, 1918, on, ‘A Unique Wren Nest Made of Wire.’ A similar nest was found last year in a bird- box on the place of Mr. Wm. B. Conrad, Nyack, N. Y. This nest was composed largely of small-mesh chicken wire, rusty hairpins, and other pieces of small wire. One of the pieces of chicken-wire, however, must have required a great deal of ingen- uity to get it into the hole of the bird box, as it took considerable space of time for Mr. Conrad to fit it in such a way as to go back into the hole—ALBert Mover, New York City. Prairie Horned Lark I find on page 346 of Birp-Lore for September-October, 1918, breeding-areas of Horned Larks. I notice that the breed- ing-area of the Prairie Horned Lark does not include any of West Virginia. Three years ago last summer a brood of Prairie Horned Larks was reared within the cor- porate limits of Morgantown, W. Va. Isaw the young birds in the nest when they were about large enough to leave it. Prairie Horned Larks have been seen near Morgan- town several times; only the one nest mentioned has been found.—A. J. Dapis- MAN, Morgantown, W. Va. Pelagic Habits of Kittiwake Gulls in Winter It may, perhaps, be of interest to give some notes regarding our return voyage from Brest to New York. During the en- tire trip (Jan. 24 to Feb. 1, 1919) Kitti- 181 wakes were in constant attendance in the wake of our transport. However, the flock on each succeeding day was probably com- posed of new individuals. Between twenty- five and fifty were usually to be seen hov- ering over the path churned up by our propellor. Any scraps or refuse thrown overboard would instantly attract aswarm of fluttering wings. Some would alight on the water, with poised pinions; others dis- appeared beneath the surface in pursuit of some morsel. Occasionally we disturbed bands of Murres in their ocean solitudes. At our approach they made away in slow, clumsy flight. A few sought refuge beneath the surface. These would soon appear again, only to take wing in consternation.— LAWRENCE JL. Lorstrom, Cambridge, Minn. A Good Word for the Blue Jays I have frequently seen statements derog- atory to the character of the Blue Jays and would like to tell a little in their favor. Friends of mine, living on the main street of the village, have, for two sum- mers, had the Jays nest and raise their young in a cedar tree close to the front of the house. I asked the man of the house his opinion as to the Jays being thieves and undesir- able. He replied that, both seasons, Robins had nested in the same tree with the Jays, and that whenever there was a quarrel amongst them, invariably it was the Robins that commenced it, but the Jays always were the victors. He said that he never knew the Jays to disturb the Robins’ nests, eggs, or young, and that he consid- ered them desirable bird tenants. When I visited the nest this May, there were four young birds nearly ready to leave it. Within two or three days there- after, a great commotion was heard in the tree, and, upon investigating, my friends found that a red squirrel was robbing the nest. The man rushed for his gun, shot the squirrel, and saved the life of the fourth little Jay, the other three having been killed before help arrived. A score for the 182 Blue Jay and against the red squirrel !— GrRAcE L. WHITE, Watkins, N. Y. Yellow-Throated Warbler in Central Park In Central Park, New York City, on April 15, 1919, I had the pleasure of seeing a Yellow-throated Warbler (Dendroica dominica subsp.). The yellow throat and breast were plainly seen, as were also the black cheek-patches and streaks on sides. My identification was promptly checked up by examination of skins in the Natural History Museum. The bird evidently stayed in the vicinity, as it was seen authoritatively several times later in the same week.—LAIDLAW WILLIAMS, York City. New Bird - Lore [April 16 wasastormy day. On the 17th the bird was seen again by Albert Pinkus, and Messrs. W. DeW. Miller and H. I. Hartshorn, from the American Museum, accompanied him to the Park, corroborat- ing the identification. Dr. E. Eliot has since called Birp-LoRE on the ’phone to report having seen the Yellow-throated Warbler on April 17 in an oak tree near the Schiller Statue. The others had seen it at ‘the point’ which projects into the lake. It has not been reported since the 17th, though observers have been on the lookout for it. Mr. Miller was not satis- fied as to whether the bird belonged to the South Atlantic or Mississippi Valley race of this species, and since he has had power- ful glasses available to determine this point, no one has seen it.—J. T. N.] THE SEASON XIII. February 15 to April 15, 1919 Boston Recion.—The past winter un- til mid-February, was one of unusual mild- ness and lack of snow. The latter half of the month, however, bade fair to redeem the vigor of the season with several minor snowstorms and cold days. Yet February 22 brought Prairie Horned Larks at Way- land, the first, perhaps, of the migrants to return. A few reports of small roving flocks of Robins and Cedarbirds came in the latter half of the month, perhaps birds that had wintered at no great distance to the south and were already pushing north. The appearance of such flocks in the last week of January, or in early February, is an almost usual occurrence with us. March opened auspiciously with warm, enticing days. Promptly at the first beckoning of spring, on March 5, arrived the vanguard of the migrants. Red-winged Blackbirds, Bronzed Grackles, Meadowlarks, Song Sparrows, Robins, and Bluebirds came all together and in some numbers, a well- marked wave, though of a few of these species scattering individuals had been earlier reported. On the same day a large flock of nearly forty Pine Siskins was seen feeding on gray birch seeds. But the fickle New England climate forthwith sent a suc- cession of colder days that stopped further pronounced flights. An unusual abundance of Bluebirds was noted in certain places, as at Arlington Heights, where a flock of forty or more stayed several days on the southerly slopes of an orchard, held up in their northward flight by the cold which reached ro degrees above zero on March 14. The remainder of the month saw little change. There was a small increase in the number of arriving birds but no very marked flight. Juncos came, but not in great abundance, by the 7th and days fol- lowing. Fox Sparrows were reported from towns south of Boston about the middle of March, but their numbers were small in the latter half of the month, and though a few sang from the thickets, they did not become common till the first week of April, when the main flight went through, and had passed by the roth of that month. Flickers seemed less in evidence than usual, and especially the wintering birds. One was heard singing his wake-up roll in Cambridge on March 3, but this was The Season doubtless a bird that had been seen at in- tervals all winter in the city limits, perhaps the same individual that has spent the winter near the Harvard College grounds for a number of seasons. In the outlying country, Flickers seem notably scarcer than in other years. Possibly many win- tering birds succumbed to the severity of the previous winter. About March 20, single male Robins appeared in the gardens and yards of Cam- bridge and vicinity, the local summer resi- dent birds arriving, no doubt, for they seemed at home at once. A blizzard in the last days of March, with snow and cold ranging to 14 degrees above zero, caused a temporary disappearance of Bluebirds at Arlington, where so many had been seen shortly before. The other birds seemed to have survived well, however, gathering into sheltered spots and about the springs, although there were reports of many killed. A visitation of Killdeers accom- panying this storm was a remarkable fea- ture. Single birds were reported afterward from several localities. April to the middle of the month, has been a seasonable period, with warm rains, east winds, and fair days, in typical New England. fashion. Vesper Sparrows came on the 6th, and numbers in full song were seen on later days. Crows were nest-build- ing at the same time. The 13th saw many arrivals—some of birds that average a few days later here. Thus were noted Barn Swallows, Yellow Palm Warblers, Ruby- crowned Kinglets, and Hermit Thrushes. Tree Swallows and Cowbirds had come a few days previously. Of the winter birds, Northern Shrikes stayed well into March, one being seen on the 20th at Arlington; Redpolls were re- ported there on March 7th. Evening Gros- beaks mostly disappeared during Feb- ruary, though a late report of a few birds seen in Essex County brought their stay into early April. A few Hairy Wood- _ peckers still frequent the woods and come freely into the more settled parts of the towns. Herring Gulls no longer gather in such large numbers in the Back Bay basin as they did in winter, but a few continue 183 to frequent its waters daily. On the whole, the spring is hopefully normal so far.— GLOVER M. ALLEN, Boston, Mass. New York Recion.—The mild winter was followed by an early spring, with bud- ding vegetation and earliest flowers un- usually advanced as to date, and the first migrant birds came back at dates averag- ing earlier than usual. A flock of Rusty Blackbirds in song and several scattered Robins were noted at Mastic, Long Island, February 22. Grackles appeared in Garden City, February 27. In this west-central part of the Island, a few Meadowlarks (surprisingly absent during the present winter) began to be noticed during the first week in March, and the species was fairly common by the 2oth of the month. At Plainfield, N. J. (W. DeW. Miller), Cowbirds and Rusty Blackbirds were first seen on March 2, and the Hermit Thrush on March 30. The first ten days of April more than the usual number of migrant species were reported in Central Park, New York City. A sharp cold snap the last of March seems not to have delayed the arrival of birds, with the possible ex- ception of the Chipping Sparrow. The first Chipping Sparrow was noted at Gar- den City April ro, just a week later than in 1918. During this two-month period, a small flight of Pine Siskins has been noticed in several localities. This last Sunday (April 13) was a windy day on Long Island, alternately overcast and chilly, bright and sunny. A Robin was seen sitting and a Song Sparrow carry- ing nesting material. In the woodland, a scattered flock of about ten Yellow Palm Warblers was moving through the under- growth; nearby was a Sapsucker that had driven a row of punctures in one of the trees. A number of Cowbirds were on the ground among some cattle in a meadow. In town, toward sunset, a Hermit Thrush was seen to fly up into the trees. For a week or two Flickers have been much in evidence, alternately calling and drum- ming, their drumming with more of a whirr to it than that of Hairy or Downy Wood- peckers.—J. T. Nicuots, New Vork City. 184 PHILADELPHIA REGION.— Continued mild weather prevailed throughout Feb- ruary and March. The heaviest snowfall of the winter, three inches, occurred March 14, but scarcely remained a day. During the last four days of March, a vio- lent northwest gale caused noteworthy damage in this vicinity and literally blew a considerable portion of the water out of the Delaware River. The water was from 2 to 5 feet lower than the usual low tide, and a number of vessels grounded. For the first time in the writer’s experience, at this season, no Herring Gulls were seen about the ferries, the birds apparently having taken refuge from the gale in more shel- tered situations. The average number of Ducks arrived during late March and early April. Blue- bills, Black Ducks and Mergansers made up the bulk of the flight. Six Red-breasted Mergansers were observed April 6. This bird is a much less common migrant on the Delaware River than the American Mer- ganser. There is an apparent dearth of Brown Creepers and Golden-crowned Kinglets this spring, few individuals of either of these species being seen. The Phcebe has returned in increased numbers, in contrast with last spring, but, apparently, has not yet reached its normal abundance. One of the pleasing features of the season was the abundance of Fox Sparrows in full song, their mellow whistle being a delight- ful addition to the early spring bird-chorus. A Barn Owl, recorded April 6, is prob- ably worthy of mention. While this Owl is quite often seen during the fall and winter, it somehow usually succeeds in finding some safe and obscure retreat dur- ing the remainder of the vear. This par- ticular Owl had taken refuge in a large dead water-birch, the bird being flushed from behind a good-sized strip of bark, sticking up and out from the trunk and held more or less in this position by en- twining vines. March and early April migrants were recorded as follows: March 2, Flicker and Purple Grackle; March 8, Purple Finch; March 23, Savannah Sparrow; March 30, Bird - Lore Vesper Sparrow; April 2, Phoebe; April 6, Wilson’s Snipe, Chipping Sparrow, and Yellow Palm Warbler.—JuLtan K.PoTTEPR, Camden, N. J. WASHINGTON REGION.—The status of bird-life about Washington during the months of February and March, 1919, was rather peculiar. Following a winter of un- usual mildness, the weather became rela- tively colder in March, after the vegeta- tion had made a good start. This recrudes- cence of winter at the beginning of spring has had a curious effect on the birds. Some of the rare winter residents, such as the Robin and the Killdeer, have been more than ordinarily numerous, but several others, such as the Vesper Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, and the Cowbird, had not, up to April 1, been reported at all. The same is true of several migrants, such as the American Pipit, Purple Martin, and Pine Warbler, all of which should have arrived by the last of March. Even the Phebe, which usually appears at Washington by March tro, and occasionally even remains throughout the winter, was not reported until March 14, although it had been seen at Culpeper, Va., on March 7. On the other hand, a number of migrants appeared before their average time, such as the Chipping Sparrow, which was seen on March 23; the Brown Thrasher on March 25; and the Blue-gray Gnatcatcher on March 30. The Mourning Dove, too, which, while it occasionally winters here, ordinarily does not appear until about March 21, was seen this year by Dr. A. K. Fisher as early as February 16 at Plum- mer’s Island, Md. The Purple Grackle appeared in force earlier than common, having been first noted on February 17 by Mr. N. Hollister. Furthermore, the Tree Swallow was observed two days earlier than ever before in this vicinity—on March 24 at Bethesda, Md., by Mr. Ray- mond W. Moore, its very earliest previ- ous record being March 26, 1887. Several species, such as the Song Spar- row and Robin, were singing much more freely than is usual in February; a Winter Wren was heard in song by Mr. A. Wet- The Season more on March 16; and the regular summer song of the Chewink by Mr. E. A. Preble on March 23. Owing probably to a decrease of aero- plane and hydroplane activity along the Potomac River, the large flocks of Ducks have again moved up the river to Wash- ington. Most of these birds certainly iden- tified prove to be Mallards, Black Ducks, Greater Scaups, and Lesser Scaups. On March 25 there was a long flock of some 3,000 individuals lying quietly on the other side of the river towards Alexandria. On this date the American Merganser was fairly common on other parts of the river. Such erratic bird movements as have been in evidence during February and March of this year apparently indicate that the weather plays an important part in some bird migrations; and the subject still presents an inviting field for investiga- tion.— Harry C. OBERHOLSER, Biological Survey, Washington, D.C. OBERLIN ReGIon.—The first clear mi- gration wave began on February 19, when the first group of Robins appeared. On the 21st there was a marked increase in the number of Crows, Song Sparrows, and Northern Flickers; on the 25th the first Bluebirds, and on the 28th the first flock of Bronzed Grackles. There was no further movement until March 2, when the first Migrant Shrike was seen; then on the 3d the first Mourning Doves, the 4th the first Killdeers, these making up the second distinct wave. Then came the usual mid- March filtering in of Red-winged Black- birds on the roth, Meadowlarks on the 12th, Towhee on the 13th, Cowbird on the 15th, Lesser Scaup Duck and Bufflehead on the 17th, Rusty Blackbird on the 2oth, Phoebe and Shoveller on the 26th, and Vesper Sparrow on the 29th. Fox Sparrow came on April 2d, Great Blue Heron and Belted Kingfisher on the 3d, Field Sparrow on the 5th, Hermit Thrush on the 6th, and Turkey Vulture, Wilson’s Snipe, Chipping Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Purple Martin, Tree Swallow, Upland Plover, Louisiana Water-Thrush, and Savannah Sparrow on the 7th. Ruby- 185 crowned Kinglet and Woodcock came on the 8th and should be added to this distinct wave. Brown Thrasher and Ruddy Duck on the roth, Mallard, Coot, Barn Swallow, and Osprey on the 12th, and Spotted Sandpiper on the 13th belonged to this movement, but were a little delayed. A study of the records reveals the fact that practically all of the March records are late except that of the Ducks. Eight species which normally arrive in March did not come this year until April, but five mid-April species were a week early. Thus far there have been no arrivals on the median date of arrival for the species.— Lynps Jones, Oberlin, Ohio. MINNEAPOLIS REGION.—The third week of February continued the prevailingly mild weather of the past winter, but on the 24th of that month the thermometer fell to — 7 degrees, and the cold continued with an intermission of only one day—March 3 —to the second week of March. February was the coldest month of the winter, though slightly above the average of other years. The mean was +16 degrees, the highest temperature +37 degrees, and the lowest, —13 degrees on the 27th. Five or six inches of snow fell on the last days of the month. March, after the subzero weather on the 1st and 5th, was a mild month with, for the most part, pleasant and spring-like days, the ground freezing hard for the last time on the 26th and 27th. The first thunder and lightning storm of the season occurred on the 29th, with a temperature of 76 degrees above zero in the sun at 3 p.m. The first half of April continued mild, but on the 14th it became colder, and a heavy, wet snow fell continuously for nearly forty-eight hours. The ice went out of the Mississippi River above the Falls on March 22, the channel below hav- ing been clear for some time before. About this time a space of a hundred feet or so was open around the larger lakes in the vicinity, and on April 5, the ice broke and soon disappeared, several days earlier than usual. Following the mild winter, spring activi- ties began somewhat earlier than usual, 186 but still not as much earlier as might have been expected, due, perhaps, to the spell of severe weather at the end of February and in early March. Hazel bushes were in bloom and the buds swelling on the maples and elms on April 6. The earliest pasque flowers had opened some days before. After the limited numbers of last year, it was a happy surprise to find the Juncos and Tree Sparrows coming in great abundance in late March and early April. The Purple Finches, here all winter, were greatly added to about April 1, and since then their sweet warble has been common music hereabouts. Redpolls, abundant all winter, disappeared early in April, and the last Bohemian Waxwings ‘were reported on March 29 (Thayer). The Horned Larks that were here the latter part of the winter left about March 15, and none has been seen since in the places frequented by them. For assistance in compiling the following record of spring arrivals, I am indebted to Mr. Burton Thayer and Mr. F. W. Commons. February 22. A Kingfisher, probably a winter bird. March 9. Crows became common (some here all winter). March ts. Numerous Robins and Blue- birds (all males); Red-winged Blackbirds (males) in nesting-places. March 18. A Killdeer and Herring Gulls. March 22. Flickers (common April 13); Great Blue Herons; Song Sparrows (com- mon April 6). March 25. A Whistling Swan, killed near St. Paul by some boys, sent to the Museum by Prof. Riley, State Entomologist. Re- port says that a number were seen in this vicinity (Avery). March 27. Meadowlarks (common March 29); Rusty Blackbirds abundant. March 30. Red-headed Woodpecker; Migrant Shrike. April 1. A pair of Sparrow Hawks. April 6. Phoebes; a Pied-billed Grebe; Swamp Sparrows (common April 13); Ruby-crowned Kinglets (common April 13); Loons; Brown Creepers very numer- ous (a few present all winter). April 10. A Fish Hawk, taken at St. Bird - Lore Paul, presented to Museum by Mr. Carlos Avery. This bird was formerly common in Minnesota but is disappearing of late years. April 13. Golden-crowned Kinglets; a male Sapsucker feeding, as usual, in the early spring, among the catkins of a poplar tree; American Coot; Wilson’s Snipe; Her- mit Thrush; flocks of Lesser Scaup and Ring-necked Ducks in the lakes; a White- breasted Nuthatch and a Robin building. April 14. First Myrtle Warblers. The most noticeable feature in the spring movement thus far is the considerable in- crease in birds over last year.—Tuos. S. Roperts, University of Minnesota, Min- nea polis, Minn. Kansas City Recton.—This region, ly- ing close to the winter home of so many species of birds,—in fact, being the home itself of such a goodly number,—the effect of an exceptionally mild and open winter is readily noticeable in the early start of the northward movement. The winter just past was such a one, and while, for some unaccountable reason, the wintering birds were far less numerous, both as re- gards species and individuals, than during less favorable years, the sudden and early appearance of large numbers of Grackles, Red-wings, Rusty Blackbirds, Meadow- larks, several species of Sparrows, both Kinglets, Robins, and Bluebirds indicated that our usual winter crowd had spent the season not far to the south. The usual cold storms of mid-March seemed to have had little or no effect on the restless throngs, and, by the second and third weeks of the month, migration was under way in earnest. The continued unaccountable absence of the usual num- bers of Harris’s Sparrows in their accus- tomed haunts has caused no little specula- tion among local observers as to the reason for this favorite deserting us for a season. Purple Martins were a week ahead of schedule, two being seen on March 29. Black and White Warblers were seen on April 5, which is six days earlier than any previous date of arrival known to the writer. Ruby-crowned Kinglets were The Season heard in full song on the 6th, which is quite unusual for this region. The present cold period of April 9 and 10 finds Robins setting on eggs, with the trees containing the nests just beginning to bud. By the time the more northerly nesting hordes of Robins have reached this point, our local birds will be feeding their first brood. These same north-bound migrants will have returned in the fall, square-tailed and fresh in their new coats, before our own ragged and overworked birds have completed their post-nuptial moult. The notorious and troublesome oppo- sition to the Federal Migratory Bird Law by the organized sportsmen of this and surrounding territory is as bitter and de- termined as ever. The situation, however, has greatly improved lately, owing to the untiring and efficient efforts of R. P. Hol- land, the Biological Survey’s splendid field agent in this region. Over a dozen arrests have been made, and though a Missouri injunction temporarily embarrasses Mr. Holland’s office in the further execution of its duties, the good work is on in earnest and the early heavy flight of water-fowl has been protected against the customary 187 spring slaughter.—HArry Harris, Kansas City, Mo. DENVER ReEcIon.—It is common knowl- edge that the Robin does not burst forth in full song until he has been in his breed- ing-area for some time in the spring. Hence it was a surprise to the undersigned to hear, on March 3, 1to1g, at daybreak, a Robin whose song was, to the writer, as abundant and full as any nuptial song he has heard later on in the season. The birds have returned rather early this spring, Gamble’s Sparrow reaching here very early, having been seen on the hospital grounds March 27, and still being present at the end of this period. The writer has seen, however, very few Bluebirds, much to his regret, noticeing but two on March 27 and two more three days later. The Kill- deers and Sparrow Hawks have, however, returned about on time, and the Pine Sis- kins have started to build nests in their usual early and industrious fashion. A family of Long-eared Owls has preémpted an old Magpie’s nest, and gives every evi- dence of using it as this season’s breeding- place.—W. H. BERGToLp, Denver, Colo. Book Mews and Kebiews GAME BIRDS OF CALIFORNIA. By JOSEPH GRINNELL, HAROLD CHILD BRYANT, and Tracy Irwin SToRER. University of California Press, Berkeley, Calif., 1918. Large 8vo., 642 pp., 16 colored plates and 94 text figures. About four-fifths of this volume con- sists of a systematic treatment, species by species, of the Ducks, Geese and Swans, Ibises, Cranes, Rails, etc., shore-birds, gallinaceous birds and Pigeons of the state of California. For each species there is a description of size and color, marks for field identification, voice, nest and eggs, general distribution, and distribution in California, followed by a running narra- tive taking up habits, use as game, econo- mic status, etc. Sixteen full-page colored plates are by Louis Agassiz Fuertes and Allan Brooks; 94 excellent text figures are mostly of bills, feet, etc., and nineteen tables relate to such matters as the taking and sale of game, and nesting of certain species. Introductory chapters treat of the de- crease of game, natural enemies of game birds, sportsmen’s game preserves and gun clubs, introduction of non-native birds, propagation of game birds, legislation rela- tive to game birds in California, and there is sufficient information concerning tech- nical terms and methods to facilitate the use of the descriptive portion of the book. As regards the decrease of game, it is esti- mated that ‘‘waterfowl and upland game birds have both, on the average, decreased by fully one-half within the past forty years. Very likely the reduction totals much more in many individual species.’’ Many causes have led to this decrease “‘but all are due in last analysis to the settlement of the state by the white man. Some of these factors, such as excessive hunting and sale of game, are subject to control; but others, such as reclamation of land, and overhead wires, are inevitable.” We learn from the preface that the in- ception of the work dates from 1912, when it was decided that the staff of the Califor- nia Museum of Vertebrate Zoélogy should actively interest itself in the conservation of the native fauna. A study of the situ- ation soon led to the conclusion that, as regards game birds, what was needed was not more numerous nor more stringent game laws so much as a better knowledge of these birds and the necessity of conserv- ing them among sportsmen and by the public. ‘Game Birds of California’ has been prepared as a manual of such infor- mation for all the various persons who, for one reason or another, have an interest in these birds. We may safely say that it is a most useful work for this purpose, and that the mass of facts which it presents is admirably arranged for reference. Com- pared to conditions in eastern states, game birds are still abundant in California, and it is to be hoped that this book will form a basis for their intelligent preservation, in maximum numbers compatible with fur- ther settlement of the country. A mass of information has been brought together from which the student of birds will derive much profit and pleasure, and those of scientific turn of mind will be gratified by the absolutely unbiased man- ner in which all the facts are presented. We would recommend especially to the consideration of all sportsmen the chapter on ‘Natural Enemies of Game Birds,’ as there has, of late, been evident in this country a regrettable tendency towards the indiscriminate destruction of Hawks, etc., borrowed from methods used on foreign preserves which are little more than farms for the artificial propagation of game birds, a procedure ill-adapted to conservation over a wider, freer territory. The colored plates are all of a high standard—real contributions to the pub- lished portraits of American birds—but the ones of Mallard and Widgeons by Fuertes and that of the Surf-bird by Brooks stand out preéminently for their excellence. In the general descriptions of transient shore-birds, the authors show a lack of (188) Book News familiarity with them in the field, con- trasted with the very interesting accounts of certain nesting species. Descriptions of their migrating calls, one of the most attractive features of such birds, are especially weak. Similarly, the white ‘diamond’ in the back of the Dowitcher is not mentioned among the field characterist- ics of that species, although it is the best and most reliable one, probably because it is not evident in prepared skins. As should be the case in any such com- prehensive work, information is drawn from many sources, and its reference value is enhanced by a convenient list of litera- ture cited, as also by a good index. All in all, the volume is a very satisfactory one, the best that has been published of similar scope, and a model of good book-making. —J. T. N. BirDS OF THE KANSAS City REGION. By Harry Harris. Transactions of the Academy of Science of St. Louis, Vol. 23, No. 8, 1919. 8vo. I5Q9 pp. This is an annotated list of 311 species, with four others included as of probable occurrence. In a number of instances more than one race of a species is listed. The Red-winged Blackbird, which nests in this locality, belongs to a race which is also widely distributed to the east. It is very abundant in migration but comparatively few are found in winter, at which season the Rocky Mountain race, as also the one which breeds to the north, may be present in large numbers. There is a general statement of the times of arrival and departure of migra- tory birds, and although no attempt is made to give dates consistently through- out, there is much definite information of this character, for instance, an interesting comparison of dates of spring arrival of two Flycatchers, the Pheebe, an early migrant, and the Crested Flycatcher, a late one. In the former there is a variation of twenty- seven days (March 3 to 30) with the mean (March 16) slightly earlier than the middle of this period and an average deviation of six days from the mean. In the latter there is a variation of eighteen days (April 15 to and Reviews 189 May 3) the mean (April 27) lies in the latter part of the period, with average deviation of only three days from it. As this is the first list from the locality it will be of much service to local students. The fact that Kansas City lies in the com- paratively little studied Prairie region makes it of especial interest to those who deal with North American birds as a whole, and readers of Brrp-Lore’s seasonal re- ports will find the ones from Kansas City (by the same author) rendered more in- teresting by reference to this list —J. T. N. The Ornithological Magazines Tue Avuxk.—The January issue deals largely, although not exclusively, with Canadian birds, and the excellence of a number of the half-tones is worthy of notice. The first part of an annotated list of ‘The Birds of the Red Deer River, Alberta,’ by P. A. Taverner, is most instructive and is based chiefly on observations made dur- ing the summer of 1917; we find ‘Notes on Some Birds of the Okanagan Valley, British Columbia,’ by J. A. Munro, and ‘Further Notes on New Brunswick Birds,’ by P. B. Philipp and B. S. Bowdish, the latter article with illustrations of the nest of the Cape May *Warbler, of Wilson’s Snipe and of the Arctic Three-toed Wood- pecker, and with valuable notes on these and other nests of considerable rarity. The ‘Winter Birds of East Goose Creek, Florida’ are listed by R. W. Williams, and, on the next page, at the other extreme of the continent in ‘Notes on the Summer Birds of the Upper Yukon Region, Alaska,’ Eliot Blackwelder describes a country little known to the ornithologist and lists the birds seen there in the summer of 1o15. The reader is also taken out into the Pacific Ocean and may read of ‘The Hawaiian Elepaio,’ by Vaughan MacCa- ughey,—largely a field study of this Fly- catcher, but, nevertheless, monographic in its completeness. A new subspecies of the Hepatic Tanager (Piranga hepatica oreophasma) is described by H. C, Oberholser, who also advocates 190 certain rectifications—virtually none of them new—in the status of certain forms of North American birds; a new species of Seaside Sparrow (Thryospiza mirabilis) from Florida is described by A. H. Howell and several new birds from South America by Chas. B. Cory, but the exact details of these purely scientific matters can scarcely be of vital interest to the average reader of Brrp-LorE, and the reviewer feels that they should here be passed over with briefest comment. ‘The Thirty-sixth Stated Meeting of the A.O.U.’ is statistically written up by T. S. Palmer. It was wholly a business affair because of the prevalence of the influenza epidemic at that time of the year. It may be worthy of note that, owing to printing difficulties, for which the editor was in no wise responsible, the January ‘Auk’ was a fortnight late in publication, thereby breaking all previous records! In the April number so many cross- currents of opinion are in evidence that no review can do justice to the authors of the various articles. An obituary of Mrs. Olive Thorn Miller, by Florence M. Bailey, re- minds us that Mrs. Miller was among the pioneers of those who have contributed so much and so well to the hosts of books on popular ornithology. A. D. Dubois writes of ‘An Experience with Horned Grebes (Colymbus auritus) in Montana’ describing with minuteness his observations on a nesting pair of these birds which may be seen in some excellent half-tones; Harry Harris, in ‘Historical Notes on Harris’s Sparrow (Zonotrichia querula)’ brings together some of the early and late history of this species; W. H. Bergtold discusses the status of ‘The Crow in Colorado’; and H. F. Lewis presents in- teresting notes on ‘Winter Robins in Nova Scotia.’ E. T. Seton, writing ‘On Popular Names of Birds,’ advocates a somewhat eclectic method of obtaining appropriate ones, which, after all, merely emphasizes the fact that language is always in process of evolution, and so the popular name of today may or may not be the name of tomorrow, Bird - Lore L. M. Loomis believes in ‘The Reality of Bird Species,’ but realities and opinions are somewhat mixed. J. T. Nichols, in ‘Problems Suggested by Nests of Warblers of the Genus Dendroica,’ rests his hypo- theses on rather slender assumption, inter- esting though they be, for we do know that birds of the same species make different nests in different localities, and that con- cealment is a very relative matter after all. In A. Wetmore’s ‘Notes on the Structure of the Palate in the Icteridae,’ the question arises as to how important as a generic character the palatal keel really is; in J. Dwight’s ‘Reasons for Discarding a Pro- posed Race of the Glaucous Gull (Larus -hyperboreus)’ there is raised a similar ques- tion as to subspecific values, and A. C. Bent, in ‘Geographical Variation in the Black-throated Loons,’ questions the actual relationship of these birds. They are all controversial matters of opinion rather than of fact. In addition to the above technical papers, is one by T. E. Penard, reviewing Beebe’s ‘Tropical Wild Life’; one by C. B. Cory, describing new birds from South America, and one by H. C. Oberholser, bringing to- gether a long list of prospective changes in the A.O.U. Check-List. ‘The Birds of Red Deer River, Alberta,’ by P. A. Taverner, is brought to a con- clusion, and a map of the trip is included. The virtual abandonment of the use of trinomials in this list calls down criticism from W. Stone (page 317) who feels pessi- mistic about the future of nomenclature which he thinks ‘“‘is now bearing about all the burdens it will stand.’’ There is com- fort, however, in the thought that many other things in the world today are in much the same position. The death of Dr. Frederick DuCane Godman, a veteran of the A.O.U. Honor- ary Fellows, is a matter of more than passing interest.—J. D. BLUEBIRD has begun its eleventh volume with the December, 1918, number as a quarto instead of an octavo. The cover design is also different.—J. T. N. Editorial AHsird-Lore 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. XXI Published June 1, 1919 No. 3 SUBSCRIPTION RATES Price in the United States, one dollar and fifty cents a year; outside the United States, one dollar and seventy-five cents, postage paid. COPYRIGHTED, 1919, BY FRANK M, CHAPMAN Bird-Lore’s Motto: A Bird in the Bush. Is Worth Two in the Hand THE Eprror of Brrp-Lore, left the United States as American Red Cross Com- missioner to South America a few days after theSeptember-October, 1918, number of the magazine was issued. Before his departure he had mapped out the three succeeding numbers, so that little remained save see- ing them through the press. During his absence, BrrD-LoRE’s New York office was practically out of communication with him for considerable periods of time, and as he was not expected back until May, and the June number goes to press the latter part of April, it seemed that this number would have to be made up in his absence. About the first week in April, however, we were advised by wireless that he was arriving on a north-bound steamer then off the coast, and the next day found him most opportunely in his office. Ten days or so later he was obliged to leave for France, but he hopes to be again in New York by June 1, to resume ornithological activities which for a number of months have had to take second place in their demands upon his time and attention. Although while on the South American trip he was able to contribute for each issue of Brrp-LoreE an article on some different and interesting aspect of bird-life from the varied tropical countries visited, Dr. Chapman’s Red Cross duties necessitated continuous travel, without so much as a breathing-space to devote to the study of birds. He came in contact with a great 191 many persons of diverse nationalities, but also with our countrymen scattered over the breadth of South America, and was able to bring to them a message concern- ing America’s part in the war for world freedom. As an example of his work, he tells us that on Sunday, January 12, he occupied the pulpit of the Scotch Presby- terian Church in Valparaiso and took for his text ‘America’s Heritage fromEngland.’ A week later he spoke to 1,500 miners in the heart of the Andes. Both experiences were novel to him. A talented naturalist has published an article in a current bird periodical on the vernacular names of birds, and in the same issue we learn that one of our most active workers in ornithology is preparing, as a hobby, a dictionary of such vernacular names. These days, when the value of democracy in institutions is to the fore, we may reflect that the vernacular names of birds are, and, by virtue of being a part of the living, everchanging language, will remain, perhaps the most democratic fea- ture of the study of birds. If interest in birds is superficial or slipshod, any thorough and precise system of vernacular names will either be disregarded or used in a super- ficial and slipshod way. Just so far as those interested in birds are in touch with one another and the public will we get uni- formity in names throughout the country; just so far as such persons are disorganized will there be a multiplication of local names. Probably the names used by scholars, by sportsmen, or by the man in the street, will never be exactly alike, because the same terms will not equally serve the diverse viewpoint of each. When the man in the street is sufficiently interested ‘to vote,’ his name for the bird will be accepted and become fixed in the language—slightly modified to fit the needs of others—because he is the majority; and if any one of us cares enough about it to select the best name and to stick to its use, he will exert an influence for its acceptance in direct ratio to the wisdom of the selection, his reputation as a bird-student and his ‘stick- to-itiveness.’—J. T. N. Che Audubon 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. We regret that, on account of serious illness, Mrs. Walter has been unable to prepare the editorial matter which she had planned for this issue of the School Department.—J. T. N. FOR AND FROM ADULT AND YOUNG OBSERVERS THE MUSEUM BIRD CLUB OF TOLEDO, OHIO For years the Toledo Museum of Art has maintained a Bird Club for chil- dren, of which there are 20,000 members. Each one of these children has signed a pledge card promising to protect wild birds. The Museum has now on its staff an instructor in nature-study. We feel that the study and apprecia- tion of nature is within the province of an art museum, and we are fortunate in having a mayor who is interested in and furthers every progressive move- ment in the city of Toledo. I enclose April 2 newspaper clippings of a proclamation by Mayor Cornell Schreiber, of Toledo, which may be of interest to you.—Mrs. GEORGE W. STEVENS. [We quote the following sentences from the Mayor’s proclamation: “Toledo’s parks and boulevards are hereby declared to be permanent bird sanctuaries. . . . I hereby appoint the boys and girls of Toledo as guardians of the birds, to work with the city administration for their protection.”’] ROBIN REDBREAST, WAR GARDENER A TRUE STORY One day last summer Grandma Mack left the pies she was making and Grandpa Mack and little James, who was visiting from the city, came out of the garden to see what the birds were making such a fuss about. They found two old Robins flying around, crying and scolding dreadfully. On the ground was a little bird. It was still covered with down and was so young and helpless it could not even hop. Grandpa picked the little Robin up and climbed into the cherry tree which grew beside the house, and under which the little bird lay, but he was unable to find the nest from which the little bird had fallen. ‘Well, James,” he said, “I guess we will have to take care of this little Robin.” (192) The Audubon Societies 193 He got a box to put the bird in and then showed James where to dig in the garden for the long earth-worms which ‘Bobbie’ liked to eat, and how to feed the little bird. Several times every day after that James dug worms and fed them to his pet. Bobbie grew rapidly and soon learned who furnished his food. Then he went with James to get the worms, and when he had had enough he would jump up on James’ shoulder or head, or fly to a limb of the nearest tree and sing his sweetest song. Then it was no longer necessary to keep him shut in his box. He slept in the trees, and during the day he followed James around, often coming into the kitchen. There he stole strawberries from Grandma’s pan and bathed in any dish of water that was handy. One day after Bobbie was full grown and very tame, Grandpa said the bugs were eating his beans badly. ‘‘Bobbie likes bugs,” said James. ‘Well, suppose you take him out in the bean-patch,’’ Grandpa answered. James got his pet and went at once into the garden, where Bobbie, without ceremony, be- gan to eat bugs. Up and down the rows he hopped all day. The next morning, when James got up, Bobbie was busy catching bugs in the bean-patch. The beans in the neighbors’ gardens on all sides of Grandpa’s were almost entirely destroyed by the bugs, but, thanks to Bobbie, Grandpa had almost a full crop.—Susan B. Dinsmore, Mesa, Ariz. JAMES, WITH ‘BOBBIE,’ HIS PET ROBIN THE BLACK AND WHITE WARBLER One day in the summer another boy and I were climbing a tree when we noticed a bird. It had a striped black and white back and a spotted breast. I knew it was a Black and White Warbler. We kept still and watched it. Then another one came, and they kept coming nearer and nearer, till one almost touched the other boy’s foot. At last they flew away and we got down 104 Bird - Lore and went to look for other birds. I have seen them a number of times since come to that same tree, and we call it the ‘Black and White Warbler Tree.” —ALBERT FEARING, (Age 13 years), Dorchester, Mass. FINDING BIRDS’ NESTS I live in Gilbert, Minn., and am the president of the Gilbert Audubon Society. Iam very much interested in birds and would like to tell you about my vacation last summer and what I have seen of birds. Last summer, around the 4th of July, our family went out to Vermillion Lake on an island. Right near our camp, in the bushes, was a nest with three little Robin’s eggs in it. I felt them and they were warm. I did not want to frighten the poor mother Robin, for fear she might leave her little ones. Another day we went on the other side of the island to fish. As we were crossing, my brother found another bird’s nest. This one was a Swallow’s nest, with three little baby birds in it. I kept away from the nest so the mother wouldn’t stay away from it. I had further adventures with birds, too. After a few days we went home. In Gilbert, near the house where I live, is a forest which my sister and I call the ‘Gilbert Park.’ There I spend most of my vacation; I try to find birds’ nests and other things, which I like to do very much.—GENEVIEVE Brown, (Age to years), Gilbert, Minn. EAVE SWALLOWS NESTING ON A PAINTED BUILDING On a little church, painted white, in this town there were, by actual count, nearly fifty nests of Eave Swallows. They also built in the eaves of a hall opposite, and this, too, was painted.—IsaBEL BLAKE, Boston, Mass. [The question of how frequently these Swallows nest on painted structures was raised in the December Brrp-Lore, pages 447-8. ‘Eave Swallow’ and ‘Cliff Swallow’ are two names for the same bird. What is probably the correct solution of the problem will be found in an article by William Goodsell under ‘Notes from Field and Study’ in the present number of Brrp-Lore.—J. T. N.] A LIST OF VIRGINIA BIRDS Last year I organized in my grade—as I have done for a number of years— a Junior Audubon Class. Among the members was a boy of ten, Joseph Jones. I soon learned that he was a close observer of birds and deeply interested in them. Joe is not my pupil this season, but our common interest in birds has natu- rally brought us into touch with each other more than once this fall. Several days ago he handed me a notebook which he has been keeping during the year 1918. An Oar An The Audubon Societies 195 I asked his permission to copy some of the notes to send to you for pub- lication. The enclosed notes are just as I found them in his book.—(Miss) E. W. Hoitanp, Berryville, Va. BIRDS THAT I HAVE SEEN IN 1918: . Tufted Titmouse . Downy Woodpecker . White-breasted Nut- hatch . Hairy Woodpecker . Chickadee . English Sparrow Junco . Red-bellied Wood- pecker . Yellow-bellied Wood- pecker . Cardinal . Tree Sparrow . Mocking-bird . Screech Owl . Winter Wren . Crow . Turkey Vulture . Bob-white . Sparrow Hawk . Loggerhead Shrike . Red-tailed Hawk . Robin . Bronzed Grackle . Bluebird . House Wren . Killdeer 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 50. 5i. BA BIRDS THAT HAVE BUILT THEIR NESTS ON THE YEAR 1918: Mourning Dove 53- Wood Pewee Flicker 54. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Chimney Swift 55. Ruby-throated Hum- Red-winged Blackbird mingbird Meadowlark 56. Green Heron . Goldfinch 57. Black and White . Catbird Warbler . Kingbird 58. Vesper Sparrow . Kingfisher 59. Ruby-crowned Kinglet . Blue Jay 60. Crane . Towhee 61. Maryland Yellow- . Brown Thrasher throat . Chipping Sparrow 62. Red-headed Wood- . Orchard Oriole pecker . Song Sparrow 63. White-eyed Vireo . Least Flycatcher 64. Red-shouldered Hawk . Nighthawk 65. Yellow-throated Vireo . Baltimore Oriole 66. Black-throated Green . Semipalmated Sand- Warbler piper 67. Myrtle Warbler . Barn Swallow 68. Red-eyed Vireo . Starling 69. Palm Warbler . Yellow Warbler 70. Black-throated Blue . Phoebe Warbler . Indigo Bunting 71. White-throated Spar- Yellow-billed Cuckoo row Yellow-breasted Chat 72. White-crowned Spar- Hermit Thrush 73. Carolina Wren [row OUR PLACE IN . Bluebird in bird-box on post. . Robin built in hawthorn tree. . Song Sparrow built on ground in gar- den. . Blackbird built in damson tree. . Blackbird built in pear tree. . English Sparrow built under eaves of house. . English Sparrow built under eaves of house. . Song Sparrow built on ground in pasture. . Blackbird built in apple tree. . Robin built in apple tree. Il. r2) 13. Robin built in apple tree. House Wren built in bird-box on post. Chipping Sparrow built in currant bush. . Blackbird built in elm tree. . English Sparrow built in cornice of house. . Song Sparrow built in brush-pile. . Baltimore Oriole built in walnut tree. . Song Sparrow built in honeysuckle. . Chimney Swift built in chimney. . Blackbird built in walnut tree. . Robin built in elm tree. . Robin built in locust tree. 196 Bird - Lore 23. Robin built in apple tree. 29. Cardinal built in grape arbor. 24. Catbird built in walnut tree. 30. Catbird built in apple tree. 25. Least Flycatcher built in apple tree. 31. Wren built in bird-box. 26. English Sparrow built in cornice. 2. Cardinal built in apple tree. 27. Robin built in wild cherry tree. 33. Catbird built in honeysuckle. 28. Catbird built in damson tree. ACCIDENTS HAPPENING TO BIRDS rt. I found a Catbird in a large, high tub that the cattle drink from. This bird had only one leg. It had come to the tub to drink, could not balance itself on the side of the tub, and fell in and drowned. 2. We found a male Baltimore Oriole hung in the nest it was building in one of our walnut trees. 3. I was down at our pond one evening watching two Snipes feeding around the edges of the pond. Suddenly one flew up, and flew against a telephone wire, and dropped in the road. I ran and picked it up. I thought it was dead, but when I got home with it it could walk. We left it in a pen with no top over it so it might fly away if it could. We took it to the pond every day and it would eat. I found it Monday evening, and it died Thursday night. It could run and swim very fast. It must have hurt its wings for it never flew at all. After look- ing it up I learned it was a Semipalmated Sandpiper. [No habit is more valuable for the student of birds to acquire than that of keeping regular notes. It is only by so doing that one can speak with certainty of past obser- vations which may at any time become of interest to one’s self or to others.—J. T. N.] THE WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW The White-throated Sparrow is a familiar fall and winter bird, but how many of Brrp-Lore’s young readers are familiar with its handsome relative, the White-crowned Sparrow? In the east the White-crowned Sparrow is rare, one of the prizes of migration, which may be looked for for years before it is satisfactorily seen and identified. In the west where the White-throated Sparrow does not occur, the White-crowned is more abundant, and there are three geographic races of it recognized. See what Dr. Frank M. Chapman has to say of the song of this bird, speaking of one of its South American relatives elsewhere in this issue of Brrp-LoRE. WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW Photographed May 4, by C. W. Leister, Ithaca, N. Y. si (197) LEAST BITTERN By T. GILBERT PEARSON Che Mational Association of Audubon Societies EDUCATIONAL LEAFLET NO. 98 One morning, early in May, I pushed an old flat-bottomed boat through the reeds growing along the shore of a shallow southern lake until reaching an open place, I dropped my baited hook among the lily-pads. The sun had but recently risen, and the plant-life on every hand was glistening with dew. The morning was very still, and the squawk of a slow-flying Heron came dis- UPON APPROACH OF ENEMY Photographed by Arthur A. Allen FEMALE LEAST BITTERN “FREEZING” tinctly across the water from a distance of a quarter of a mile. On a nearby bush a Red-winged Blackbird balanced and _ saluted with song the new day. Kong-quer- ree, kong-quer-ree, came his musical voice over and over again. In the woods along the shore Cardinals called incessantly, and a Carolina Wren threw to the air a tempest of melody. A Woodpecker some- where was tapping on a dead limb, and a Fish Crow flew over without a sound. It was good to be on this quiet lake, where no farmhouse was within sight and into whose soli- tude the shriek of a locomotive whistle never. entered. While sit- ting here enjoying the tranquil surroundings, I suddenly noticed a movement among the tops of a clump of rushes, perhaps fifty feet away. Three or four of them appeared to be swaying ever so gently, and yet they surely were in motion. A moment later there appeared an object just coming into view from below, indistinct and yet real. It appeared the same color as its surroundings— LEAST BITTERN Order -HERODIONES Family—ARDEID& Genus—IxoBRYCHUS SpecieS—EXILIS National Association of Audubon Societies = at NS er deme Saris a Least Bittern 199 as though a small portion of the denser rush clump had quietly moved upward into view. And then, as I gazed, the motion of the reeds ceased and the object blended with the reed stalks and disappeared. . Puzzled and curious, I waited, but nothing more happened. Laying my fishing-pole on the lily-pads, I picked up the paddle and slowly and cautiously pushed the boat forward. Not until the prow of the boat came to a stop within 5 feet of the spot I was so intently watching were my eyes able to again outline the yellowish brown mass whose movements I had watched a few moments before. Grasping the stem of a stal- wart reed, with body erect and long bill pointed skyward, there stood a bird, silent and motionless as the rushes around it. Can any bird of the wilderness, by remaining motionless, be better hidden in its surroundings than the Least Bittern? If so, I have yet to meet it. After watching my neighbor for a minute, or two, I slowly arose and started toward the front end of the boat. At this, the bird lowered its head and, with one bound, sprang from its hiding. The instant for flight had come; the light yellow eyes gazing at me from either side of its upturned bill had told it that its deception had been discovered,that a probable enemy was fast approaching. With dangling legs and labored beating of wings the bird flew over the reeds, much as young birds fly, and, looking at it for the first time, one might expect it to fall from sheer weakness. However, the flight soon became stronger, and, stretching its legs out straight behind, it was soon going with ease and at a fairly rapid rate. Three hundred yards away it dropped from sight among the rushes and was seen no more. Turning to look again at the cluster of rushes from which the bird had flown, I discovered its nest—a large, double handful of rush leaves and water grasses, perhaps eight inches across the top. It was held in place by the surround- ‘ing rushes and was supported by a mass of the previous year’s growth that had died and were bent down. In the slightly depressed top lay four pale blue eggs about an inch and a quarter in length. No wonder the bird wanted to hide, perhaps feeling that when it flew its treasures might be revealed. Later in the day I again visited the nest and found the bird at home, or, as I have alw&ys believed, the mate of the one that was there in the morning, for its behavior was totally different. As I approached, instead of raising its bill as if in silent _ supplication to heaven, and ‘freezing’ as still and rigid as the rushes about it, it merely squatted low, spreading its wings as if to shield the nest from view. With the feathers of its neck raised and head drawn back in a threatening attitude, it showed clearly its anxiety and willingness to strike if the intruder upon its solitary domain should approach too closely. That it was quite cap- able of doing this was quickly shown when, upon reaching out my hand, that sharp and strong beak made a vicious stroke which, had the blow gone home, would most assuredly have drawn blood. Sixteen days are required for the eggs of the Least Bittern to hatch, but long before this period had passed my duties had taken me elsewhere, and I 200 Bird - Lore was not to see the babies in their cradle, or ever to learn whether they escaped the dangers that beset the little wild birds that begin life in the marsh. Another time, in a distant state, I again invaded the haunts of the Least Bittern. I came upon three young birds, in a bush, that probably were only a day or two out of the nest. Evidently, they had traveled some distance from the place of their hatching, for there was no shelter within a hundred yards where the nest could have been concealed, and all search failed to reveal it. I was passing within five feet of their hiding-place when I discovered them. All were standing perfectly still, with their bodies compressed rigid and upright, and their long necks and bills pointing straight upward. Foolishly, I tried to take one in my hand, and it immediately flew, but either through weakness or some other cause, fell into the water before going far. I picked it up and restored it to the bush, but it at once attempted to escape, this time falling almost at once. Fearing that by repeated annoyance the bird might overdo its strength and perhaps drown, I backed the boat slowly away, and in a few minutes had the satisfaction of seeing the young Bittern rejoin its companions on the bush. The other two being wiser, or less frightened perhaps, had made no effort to “escape, and, so far as could be seen, had never changed their position since my first intrusion. There are some birds that seek their living while hopping or flitting in bushes or trees; others as they walk or hop along the ground; some as they circle through the air far above the ground, and still others while swimming on the water or diving below its surface. This Bittern belongs to the family of Herons, and, as is well known, Herons secure their prey by wading in shallow water and striking out with their long, sharp bills. Although a Heron, the Least Bittern does not go fishing in this way. Its body is light and its toes long and flexible. Apparently, it feeds entirely where the water is too deep for the bird to wade. With lowered head and bill extended, it goes through the marsh grass or reeds, grasping first one stalk and then another, as it proceeds just above the water. * The great naturalist, John James Audubon, tells us in his writings about the kind of food this bird eats. He says: “The food of this bird consists of snails, slugs, tadpoles, or young frogs or water-lizards. In several instances, however, I have found small shrews and field-mice in their stomach. Although more nocturnal than diurnal, it moves a good deal about by day in search of food. About noon, being doubtless much fatigued, they are not infrequently observed standing erect on one foot, and so soundly asleep as to be easily knocked down or even caught by the hand, if cautiously approached.” The Least Bittern is fully 16 inches in length, provided the measurement is made from the tip of the bill to the end of the nail of the long little toe. From tip to tip of its wings, when these are spread, the distance is 1% feet. It is astonishing how a bird of this size can pass with such ease through the thick Least Bittern 201 clusters of reeds and rushes among which its life is spent. Audubon, who kept some of them in captivity for a time, found that they could easily pass through a crack only one inch in width, and this without any special effort or evidence of distress on the part of the bird. Like the Rail and some other water birds, it has the power of greatly compressing its body, thus making it thinner than at normal times. The home of the Least Bittern is in the fresh-water marshes. Rarely, along the Atlantic coast and down along the Gulf of Mexico, I have seen the bird in salt-water marshes, but all search for its nest in these localities has been in vain. One characteristic of the Herons is their habit of coming together in numbers for the purpose of laying their eggs. Very often hundreds, or even thousands, of several different species will be thus congregated. The bird we are discussing, however, does not have this habit. In a growth of buttonwood bushes, in the shallow waters of a small Florida lake, I once found five nests of the Least Bittern within a few yards of one another, but such occurrences, in my opinion, are rare. Usually, the birds seem to prefer to be alone. On a few occasions I have found them nesting in bushes in the midst of a colony of Boat-tailed Grackles, but I suspected that they chose the locality because it seemed especially suitable for their nesting purposes and not because they sought the society of their large black neighbors. Enemies the Least Bittern certainly has. Water-snakes capture the young and perhaps at times eat the eggs. Muskrats, found in nearly every marsh, are to be dreaded, as are minks and Hawks. Fish Crows are ever on the lookout for eggs and perhaps this is the reason why the birds bend down- ward the tops of the rushes to shield the eggs from above. The draining of marshes, which thus destroys their feeding and nesting places, has caused these birds to become scarce in many parts of the country. The Least Bittern ranges over a large part of North America, being found in summer from Oregon and the southern Canadian provinces southward throughout the United States, West Indies, Central America and northern South America. When winter comes, the birds in Canada and the United States retire southward, and none are known to pass the winter north of the region immediately bordering the Gulf Coast. Che Audubon 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. Telephone, Columbus 7327 WiLiiamM DuTCHER, President Freperic A. Lucas, Acting President THEODORE S. PALMER, First Vice-President T. GILBERT PEARSON, Secretary JONATHAN Dwicat, 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 $1,000 constitutes a person a Patron $5,000 constitutes a person a Founder $25,000 constitutes a person a Benefactor Form or Brequest:—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 NATION-WIDE EFFORT TO DESTROY CROWS The Sporting Powder Division of E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company has started a movement which it calls the “National Crow Shoot.” An eight-page circular, decorated with a drawing by Kalmbach, has been distributed widely throughout the United States, urging the killing of Crows and offering prizes. A bronze lapel button is to be given to every contestant who, during the year 19109, kills twenty-five Crows. There are also first, second, and third ‘‘National Prizes” and first and second ‘‘State Prizes” offered to contestants of any state in the Union or any province of Canada. The argument made is that the agricul- turists of the country will be far better off if the Crows are killed, and that ‘‘It is for this purpose that the National Crow Shoot will be conducted during 1919.” For the evident purpose of giving respec- tability to the circular, a quotation is in- serted from Bulletin No. 621 of the Bureau of Biological Survey, in which the author says: “One of the strongest arguments against the Crow,” is its destructive- ness to “nesting birds of highly beneficial species.”” The reader is left with the im- pression that the United States Bureau of Biological Survey condemns the Crow. As a matter of fact, the Government publica- tion referred to is a very exhaustive and certainly fair treatise on the subject. Had the author of this circular been interested - in doing justice to the Crow rather than in simply finding arguments against it, he might also have quoted from this same bulletin the following extract: “The Crow’s destruction of insects pre- sents the strongest argument in the bird’s favor. Nearly a fifth of the adult Crow’s yearly sustenance comes from such sources, and a great part of the insect material is eaten early in spring, a time when the life- cycles of many of the most destructive pests are at their lowest ebb. A little later, nestling Crows appear on the scene, outnumbering their parents two to one, and assist in the work of destruction. Not only do the young birds eat a much larger proportion of insect food than do their parents at the same time of year, but the quantity of food required to develop their rapidly growing bodies is considerably greater. That injurious insects greatly outnumber beneficial insects in the diet of (202) The Audubon Societies the Crow will be seen from the following review of the four most important orders. abe Or he might have gone on to the ‘‘Con- clusion” and quoted this: “The misdeeds of which the Crow has been convicted greatly outnumber its virtues, but these are not necessarily equal in importance. Much of its damage to crops and poultry can be prevented, while the bird’s services in the control of insect pests can ill be spared. At the same time, no policy can be recommended which would allow the Crow to become so num- erous that its shortcomings would be greatly accentuated. As the capabilities of the Crow for both good and harm are great, it is believed that an extermination of the species would have ultimate con- sequences no less serious than an over- abundance.” He could hardly, however, have been expected to quote the very last statement in the bulletin which reads as follows: “Bounties cannot be recommended; neither can a campaign of wholesale de- struction where complete extermination is the object sought. However, a reasonable reduction of numbers is justifiable in areas where there is an overabundance of the birds. The attitude of the individual farmer toward the Crow should be one of toleration when no serious losses are suf- fered, rather than one of uncompromising antagonism resulting in the unwarranted destruction of these birds which at times are most valuable aids to man.” It may be remarked incidentally in pass- ing that it is understood that the Powder Company that originated and is fostering this movement advises dealers in sporting goods to encourage the killing of Crows as it means an increased sale of cartridges. This office has received these circulars from various sections and has noticed the ex- tensive publicity which has been given with a view of encouraging the undertak- ing. We have also received various com- plaints regarding local shoots that this circular has inspired. For example, under date of April 19, 1919, a gentleman at Rapidan, Minn., writes: 203 “So-called sportsmen and other persons have organized at Mankato, Minn., with the point in view of killing off Crows, Blackbirds, and certain Owls and Hawks. They have offered to cents per Crow’s head. The Crows cannot last long, for boys will go out and rob the nests of young ones at this price. The Crows do very little harm here. The Hawks and Owls that have a price on their heads are either beneficial or so rare as to do very little harm. If you can do something about this, do it.” So it seems that the Crow tribe is to be slaughtered. There is no law, either state or Federal, protecting the Crow, and there appears to be a sentiment in many quarters that the Crow is a bad actor, and the world would be better off if the last member of his tribe should be gathered to his ances- tors. Nevertheless, there are those who enter- tain the feeling that possibly the Crow is not so black as he is painted, and that he possesses certain beneficial qualities and has his part to play in the great economy of nature. Personally, I have always liked the Crow, who is not only very astute, but his presence often gives life to an other- wise barren winter landscape. If the Crows should all disappear, I, for one, would miss them. I would not have every Crow killed any more than I would every Humming- -bird or gray wolf or shark in the ocean. To some of us it seems a calamity that the last Dodo, Great Auk, Passenger Pigeon, or even the great Dinornis should have passed away. With the departure of each species of wild life the world loses some- thing of its charm. This nation has existed and been fairly prosperous for over one hundred and forty years with the Crows in our woods or decorating our fields, their numbers, on the whole, being kept within reasonable bounds in most localities by the usual destructive agencies. Why the necessity for this sud- den nation-wide effort to kill them? Is the motive back of the enterprise a desire on the part of a commercial interest to con- tinue the sale of powder now that the demand for this commodity across the 204 seas has been so largely reduced? One is constrained to answer this question in the affirmative after reading number three of the ‘‘Conditions of the Contest” which the E. I. duPont de Nemours and Company’s circular puts forth, and which reads as fol- lows: ‘‘To receive credit in the contest, Bird - Lore Crows must be killed with shot-gun or rifle.’ In other words, the E. I. duPont de Nemours and Company, while very solicitous to protect the farmers’ crops from the ravages of the Crows, will award prizes for dead Crows only if they have been killed by the use of gun-powder! THE EAGLE LAW OF ALASKA In response to a letter from this office to Governor Thomas Riggs, Jr., urging the repeal of the law in the territory of Alaska, which provides for a bounty of 50 cents on every American Eagle killed, the follow- ing answer from him has been received: “A bill was introduced in the present current Legislature, the object of which was the repeal of the existing law, but failed of passage, it having been shown that the Eagle is very destructive of the game- and fish-supply of the territory, which I think is quite probable, as Eagles have been, and are still, very plentiful. I believe that the bounty should be extended to other predatory birds, namely, Hawks and Owls, which destroy the food birds. “The Alaska Fish and Game Club has given the question a great deal of study, and it is of the opinion that predatory birds do a great damage to the other wild life of the territory. I am in receipt of a letter from one of my correspondents on the sub- ject of game, in which he states that he recently destroyed an Eagle’s aerie which contained the bones of a large number of lambs of the wild mountain sheep.”’ From another correspondent in Juneau we learn that the number of Eagles killed, for which bounty has been paid by the territory of Alaska, between the dates of April 30, 1917, and April ro, 1919, is 5,000. Not only did the Territorial Legislature recently refuse to repeal this bounty law, but evidently their stand was approved by the Alaska Fish and Game Club. Our cor- respondent states that at a meeting of the Club, held during the session of the Legis- lature, at which the subject was discussed, “Strong opposition was shown (to the Eagle) and a tendency to include Ducks, Gulls, and other aquatic birds, feeding from fish, under the same bounty law as Eagles.” Mr. C. D. Garfield, Secretary of the Alaska Fish and Game Club, who is quoted above, states, however, ‘During the next two years we shall attempt to gain more knowledge regarding the alleged depreda- tions of the Eagle, so as to be more intelli- gently advised in the future.” GAME-LAW ENFORCEMENT IN ALABAMA The following letter was recently re- ceived from the Hon. John H. Wallace, Jr., Commissioner, Department of Game and Fish of the state of Alabama: “Tt affords me a very great deal of pleas- ure to advise you that twenty-five indi- viduals, indicted in the United States court at Montgomery, Ala., for violation of the migratory bird-treaty act by killing Doves out of season, have just come for- ward and entered a plea of guilty. These persons were indicted upon information furnished by me to the United States District Attorney, and their conviction has had a most salutary effect upon the migra- tory bird situation in Alabama. “Alabama claims the distinction of having secured more convictions under the migratory bird treaty than all the other states combined.” The Audubon Societies Suggested Bird Programs A circular, containing suggestions for bird programs and citations to books, bulletins, magazines, and other literature where material may readily be found, has been prepared by Mrs. Harriet W. Myers, Chairman, Division on Birds, General Federation of Women’s Clubs. Most un- 205 doubtedly the wide distribution which this circular is receiving among the women’s organizations of America will greatly stimulate the rendering of bird programs. Copies may be secured upon request, accompanied by postage stamp, if directed to Mrs. Harriet W. Myers, 311 N. Ave- nue 66, Los Angeles, Calif., or to this office. CONTENTS OF ITALIAN HUNTER’S GAME-BAG The photograph here reproduced shows 17 Robins, 1 Thrush, 1 Warbler, 1 Cow- bird, and 2 Woodpeckers. All were killed for food by an Italian in Maine. He was arrested by Warden George E. Cushman, of Portland, while picking his birds, and was taken before a United States Court and fined $25. 206 Mrs. Marshall Active The Massachusetts State Grange has for years been doing notable work in con- nection with encouraging the study and protection of wild birds. The chief power back of this work is Mrs. E. O. Marshall, of New Salem. Every year the State Grange has presented a program which has given benefit and enjoyment to many hundreds of people who were fortunate enough to attend the exercises. This year the function took place at North Easton on Saturday, May 1o. It began with a bird-walk at 8 o’clock in the morning. At 9.30 was held a contest for the identifica- tion of birds from pictures; at 10 o’clock examination of the State Audubon So- ciety’s exhibit of bird-houses and feeding appliances. Demonstrations were made by E. H. Forbush, and music was furnished by the school children. At 10.30 the Na- tional Association’s moving-picture films of wild birds, made by Herbert K. Job, were shown at Miracle Theatre. A basket lunch was served at noon. Beginning at 1.30 in the Ames Memorial Hall, addresses were made by Leslie R. Smith, Master of the Grange, and Winthrop Packard, of the Audubon Society. The programme con- cluded with an entertainment by Charles Crawford Gorst, well-known imitator of bird-notes. How splendid it would be if such programs might be rendered in other communities in the United States. Pittsburgh’s Bird-House Contest A notable bird-box contest has just been concluded by the Pittsburgh (Pa.) Chronicle-Telegraph. The Circulation Manager of this paper, Joseph M. Ayl- ward, is a most enthusiastic advocate for the cause of bird-protection. Through the columns of the paper with which he is connected, he has been able to wield wide influence in arousing interest in the subject in Pittsburgh. He is one of the shining disciples of Hon. John M. Phillips, the veteran bird-lover of Pittsburgh. Asso- ciated with him is T. Walter Weiseman, who for over a year has been conducting : Bird - Lore a most interesting and worth-while depart- ment in the Chronicle-Telegraph under the heading ‘‘Our Native Birds.” The contest, which has recently been closed in Pittsburgh, was open to members of the Junior Audubon Societies and all other young people, especially those of the “Tele” Boys’ Bird-House Club, which now numbers in the neighborhood of one thousand members. In the contest more than one thousand bird-houses and feed- ing stations were entered. Prizes were awarded by the Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania and the Humane Society. Twenty-three prizes were given, and a vast interest was quickened in the whole subject of bird-study and bird-pro- tection in Pittsburgh and vicinity. Florida Audubon Bulletin ' The Florida Audubon Society has begun the publication of a quarterly bulletin, the first number appearing in April, 1919. In the introductory announcement in refer- ence to it, W. Scott Way, the Secretary, states: ‘Its purpose is to chronicle the affairs of the Society, report items of in- terest concerning birds, keep its readers informed as to bird legislation and conser- vation, and to briefly note the more inter- esting personal observations of its readers who have a deep or growing interest in wild bird-life.”’ The bulletin will be sent free to all mem- bers of the Florida Audubon Society. This first publication contains an account of the eighteenth annual meeting of the So- ~ ciety, which was held at Winter Park, on March 15, 1919. There are also a number of “‘Bird Notes,” a list of bird lectures recently given by the Secretary, a brief account of the Winter Park Bird Club, a list of new members, notes from the Cocoanut Grove Branch, Miami Audubon Society, the St. Petersburg Branch, and a letter from Mrs. Hanson regarding the conditions in Lee County. Reference is made to the Junior Classes, notes of not- able work done by Mrs. E. E. Coulsen, of Leesburg, Federal Game WardenPacetti, Mrs. Kingsmill Marrs, and others. The Audubon Societies THE ROOSEVELT MEMORIAL FOUNTAIN Contributions for the Roosevelt Mem- orial Bird Fountain, to be erected perhaps in Washington, D. C., continue to arrive daily. Audubon Societies, sportsmen’s organizations, women’s clubs, school chil- dren, and many others are showing interest in this undertaking. Three sculptors have for some time been at work on designs to submit to the Committee for consideration as the work of art to be chosen. To make an adequate memorial, which will fairly represent the interest which the bird-lovers of the country have in preserving the memory of Theodore Roosevelt, it is esti- mated that $100,000 will be needed. All contributions received go directly into the Memorial Fountain Fund. It is hoped that every reader of Brrp-Lore will take some part in bringing this effort to a successful conclusion. The following contributions received to May 1, ro1g, are herewith acknowledged: Previously acknowledged . . $6,777 55 Mrs. Louise M. Smith. .... . 200 Many), lelemar ish Ise se 5 5 6 5 5 6 Be) Olan Gleason, Itc os #5 5 6 6 Oo Mims, (C, 18i, Gleason. 5 6 5 6 5b G OO P. A. Mosman . . Maia a eLOOO Mrs. Frances P. Shiras . I0O 00 George Shiras, 3d . : 100 00 Burton M. Hovey . : ae a eNOO Mrs. Frederick M. Wilson ae LOMOO IR@lnere I, IMCS 5 5 6 a 5 0 on & OO Mrs. Thomas R. Hill ...... 200 Robert Somerville. . . . .. . .10 00 Charles Berkowitz. . .... ..10 00 W.B. Mallory ... Ie ee TAO) Mrs. George M. Clark . 2 00 jJ.G. Armstrong. . . I 00 Mrs. George H. Coney. I 00 Hal H. Coffel . : 5 00 Mrs. D’Arcy Paul 15 00 Children of The House a St. Giles the Cripple . T 25 O. J. Murie . : I 00 C. Hart Merriam . 5 00 E. F. Clark, Jr. . 5 00 G.H. Reed. . 5 00 Clarence J. Allen I 00 D. E. Pomeroy . IO 00 Miss Fern Work . . I oo Miss June R. Work . I 00 Mrs. E. L. Borden 2 . IO 00 Maj. Edward B. Clark . 5 00 Edward Oswald . 5 00 G. A. Bailey . . . IO 00 Mrs. J. H. Wheeler I 00 Dr. A: A. Robison . R. W. Van Boskerck . John Uri Lloyd . . Mrs. C. W. Mead . Mrs. T. H. Bishop . : Miss Harriet R. Pease . Mrs. Maud W. Adams . H. V. Knighton . Miss Helen Simpson . Saratoga Bird Club Robert B. Chilton . ; Mrs. Henry W. deForest . : Mr. and Mrs. Wm. B. Kirkham . Louis McLane Fisher C. L. Bates . ; Arthur Paladin . Howard P. Cornell M.H. Taylor. . . : Mr. and Mrs. Joseph P. Curry Y Mrs. Ella C. Steffler . b J. H. Snodgrass . Dr. Tamayo Lawrason Brown H. F. Benjamin . L. P. Chatterton F. H. Lucas F. O. Berg . Louis P. Lang . . Mrs. W. Austin Wadsworth Miss Alice E. Ball . : Mrs. A. I. Sondrol . Dean Babcock . . Miss Mary S. Eaton . Mrs. Wm. L. Lyman Mrs. Frank A. Hall . Miss Emma Anderson . Childs Frick : Mrs. R. C. Watson H. C. Hasbrouck Josiah Dow. . . Miss Caroline W. King . The Kez-hi-kone Camp Fire Girls . Dudley P. Rogers. . , Bellows Falls Woman’s Club . Miss Elizabeth Thompson Ethan W. Thompson Alfred J. Sterne. . Monticello Seminary Bird Club . J. R. Bingham eee vit Rene cankin- Mrs. Walter Dean . John H. Barbour St. Agatha Junior Audubon Class z Milton P. Skinner . Charles W. Norris . J. T. Mellns B. F. Mears . E. J. Chubbuck . “ihc Miss Ellen G. Perkins . Wha, 1b, Co Bacon 5 5 5 5 Mr. and Mrs. Elliot C. Bacon : W.S. Bigelow 5 ee Miss Helen Mansfield 5 al 207 Leal H i HHH HON HNOM RNR eNO OKHOWNNHNnNNOHKHNHUNNOMUUNUNNNHt OWN = Lol iS} I 53 | mwHoaoo fofe) feXe) (ole) (ole) fofe) (ojo) fofo) oo (ole) fofe) fofe) feXe) [eXe) (oye) (ole) fofe) 00 | oo fofe) fofe) fefe) fefe) fefe) 00 oo 00 00 fofe) feXe) fefe) 00 fefe) fofo) feJe) (ole) 00 (ole) fefe) fefe) fofe) fofe) fofe) fofe) feJe) fofe) fefe) fofe) oo 25 fofe) feJe) fofe) (eJe) fefe) fefe) feJo) (ele) foe) feJo) (oe) (oJo) (ole) fete) 208 T. E. Snook 3 Miss Wilhelmina Heuser b Mrs. J. M. Barrett F Miss Emma A. Hagaman Resolute Circle of the ‘King’ 5 Daughters (Ivoryton, com): Mrs. Jennie Clark. . . : Mrs. M. Hoppes Aj Be Ragen : Meee Se Crosby ee Augusta Current Events Club . R. A. Gillian . . . Mrs. Abigail S. Hodgdon . Miss Emily J. Anthony Miss Margaret O. Stone . Harrison F. Lewis . Russell Errett Edward,L. Parker... . Staten Island Bird Club . Mrs. Emeline G. Fisk Miss Mary S. Nixon . Mrs. Helen M. Driver . Mrs. Helen D. Hecker . E. Raymond Driver . SamueljFrankenheim Henry L. Ward . Mrs. H. T. Shriver Stanley G. Breneiser . F. M. Pedersen. . . Mrs. Merritt Peckham, ‘Jr. Miss Clara C. Fuller . Mrs. E. M. Hamlin . Albert H. Vilas . W.N. W. Blayney F. M. Prince . : Dr. A. K. Fisher Mrs. James Talcott . E. F. Frey . W. 8B. Bourn . . Decorah Monday Club . Mrs. Henry Bartlett . Lott Van de Water, Jr. Miss Florence H. Poucher Leon J. Cole . . Mrs. Albert L. Pope . John W. Mailliard . Charles A. Hardy . V. Stefansson. . Miss Ella F. Hubby . Miss Emily Howland John Burling Lawrence ‘ Hood River Woman’s Club . Mrs. E.R. Jump . . Miss Elizabeth B. Dawes . Mrs. F. Robert Mager . Harry V. Long . . Miss Sadia Haskell SBE aya Mrs. G. Hh. Danforth Miss Katherine NEED C. W. Vibert . Curt H. Reisinger. . Mrs. C. L. Despaud . A. B. Shearer . F. W. Cook . $1 ra LS) H OOH TR HWNHNDOWUNNINNNNOWN HH RHONA A HoH iS) MANMAMNNtOMWMHUNNNtAUWUNNNtnNnNt dnd AWHONN H = Bird - Lore HAH Miss Carrie M. Jacobs . Winfield S. Davis . T. H. Whiteside Miss Rose Brooks . ( George A. Crocker, Jr.. . Miss Elizabeth E. Welch . Mrs. N. G. M. Luykt Alexander Shilling . Miss Jessie E. Dolsen Julian S. Huxley ; : Mrs. Edward W. Forbes . Mrs. J. S. Gray . : Francis R. Cope, Jr. . : Mrs. pice B. Hurlburt Thomas Baring . ; : George D. Haworth . H. L. Stoddard . : Dr. Lyman F. Bigelow . Miss Anna L. Slater . Wm. Henry Trotter... . California Audubon Society Mrs. Maria E. Bates W.F. Holt. . Wilfred Smith . . Miss Margaret G. Grant . Gardner Cornett Ewald Witt Mrs. H. D. Earl F. H. Krimicute . Dr. H. Holbrook Curtis Mrs. Frank J. Sheble Mrs. Wm. A. Russell Mrs. Benjamin Nicoll Elgin Audubon Society Mrs. John R. Rogers George W. Billow . Elford Caughey . William C. Adams . William H. Browning Miss Annie M. MeClymonds Herbert Simpson Mrs. J. E. Borne H. W. DeForest . Ph Mrs. Louis C. Madiera . Mrs. Mary S. Fisher . W. G. Vesey Los Angeles Acabon Society . Oregon Audubon Sone Oe: Tracy Dows . . : : Miss A. W. Morrill Charles E. Adams. . . Cedar Rapids Woman’s Club . Miss Marie T. Berge. . Weekes Diuvalicsee Horace M. Modermell . B. C. Hochwalt . S. M. Edwards . : 4 Cortlandt Van Rensselaer 5 Mrs. John Ross Delafield St. Petersburg Audubon Society . Thomas Jennings . Carlisle B. Tuttle . Mrs. J. W. Phelps St. Petersburg Ween Clube Miss Anna W. Ely " Ne | H AnnNtnnNOdOdOWH HUN O MAwuntk nd UN 4 4 NO al HNOMOMUNnNNNnNtNNNNOHNOHAHOHHNHHNMNOHRNDHDAUNNNNHNDHAN HA foXo) fofe) 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 oY) lofe) 0o 00 00 00 lofe) fofe) 00 00 00 fete) oO 50 00 [ofe) [ofe) 00 00 00 00 00 00 [efe) fete) [efe) foXo) (oY) 00 00 [ote] (ele) [ofe) 00 00 fof) foYo) 00 (ete) [ofe) 00 fefe) 00 00 00 fe) 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 The Audubon Societies Nature Department Cedar Rapids Woman’s Club. . . Sane Decorah Current Events Club Harold M. Holland Charles J. Smith Batesburg Improvement Assn. Edward B. Butler . Sam A. Hudson . ‘ Miss Marianne Schurz . Seats Riiclngyeal 12, ISicdy 5 5 6 6 ea 8B M. Wilton Wolf, Jr. . Mrs. W. H. Whiton . C. J. Van Etten . : Mrs. C. H. McNider. . . Nature Study Department ‘of the Mason City Civic League Mrs. Emily L. Russell . Mrs. J. M. Camden . DelLekKnox . - Camp Fire Club of Chicago. Mrs. Henry E. Ewing . Miss Elizabeth Enlow . Heman Dowd. . . i Miss Frances D. Troy : Walter D. Wilcox . . Woman’s Club of Rochester, Ind. Mrs. Herman E. Lewis . : Miss Elizabeth G. Brown. Mrs. A.S. Putnam . . Fortnightly Club of Rice Lake, Wis. Progress Club att Ind. as ae James F. Gifford . . ayo MAAMBONN tN DNA HN FH ooo0°0o ei Charles C. Clauser Robert Ridgway R.S. Pusey. . . é William H. Bixby, Brig.- "Gen | Magazine Club ere avs Ind. 2 : J Hope men. Joseph A. Ford . Henry C. Brown Aaron V. Fost Robert J. Leonard . Bertram Goodhue . Albert Z. Gray Robert C. Hill . . . Lieut.-Gen. S. B. M. Young Miss Hope Bradford . M.F. Westover. . . Saturn Club (Buffalo) . ; Fortnightly Club, Sharon (Mass. os Coeur d’Alene Civic Club ee Josiah M. Lasell Bishop Talbot John J. Rankin . 5 Mrs. Laura P. Elliott : Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Alexander. Robert H. Keiser . F Mrs. Coleman du Pont . Dr. R. D. Book. . Mrs. Charles Corss Louis Maurer. . Dr. Alexander W. Fairbank. Louis B. Bishop. . sane Mrs. B. F. Stickley H. V. Ogden HHAHMHRH OH FR KRNHNABNH a ne bp eH woe manoonadoad to H MOUnnNMNUUMNNtDnDNHUMOMMNMHANNAMN 0o oOo 0o (eJe) fete) (eye) [oye) oo oOo tote) 0Oo 0Oo 00 00 00 00 [efe) 00 00 50 fof) 00 (eX) 00 00 (ele) 00 fefe) 00 (ote) 00 00 00 00 00 foe) 00 00 00 00 (ele) 00 00 foXe) fefe) 00 [ofe) 00 (eX) 00 00 00 foYe) fore) 00 00 fof) [efe) foXo) fete) 00 00 00 209 Mr. and Mrs. W. L. Arnold. . $2 00 Charles Wheeler. . 10 00 W. H. Tappan Lenk mame iad OROO AGEhI Mara tna epee ee se enTeOO N. E. Montross . Seta dac die) eel OOO, Vel, Jo INNIS 5 6 oo oe 0 oo SG OO Miss Lucy B. Stome ..... . =. 1 oo Frank Lyman. . . Sheba es aL OOO Mrs. Charles Keidel . . . Sia SOO Mrs. Maurice La Montagne . . 10 00 James E. Burt ... 56 0 § CO eSB Clowneliiiae tena ea OO Samuel P. Avery Pd ent ee OMOO Johny Paslutchinsontre i.) ese 5100 Robert F. Phillips . 10 00 John M. Phillips 100 00 Carl Riordon . : 5 00 Mrs. W. F. Norris . 5 Ek OS) Mrs. A. E. Pfarre . E 2 2 OO Mrs. M. E. Stephenson » § Co J. P. Whittemore . I 00 C. W. Kress . 5 00 C. L. Carpenter. . - 5 00 Wyncote Bird Club (Pa.) . 5 00 Edgar Huidekoper. . Le LONOO Saturday Club, Ft. Wayne, Inds tie 06 Dr. Robert P. Morris 5 00 Dr. Robert A. Adams . 10 00 Harmon Smith . . . 5 00 Mrs. N. Bosworth . > § CO Miss M. W. Johnson. 2 00 H. Geo. Schuette . I 00 R. J. H. DeLoach . TOO W.R. Brown. . . 2 00 Dr. W. P. Manton ; 10 00 Charles F. Uebelacker . IO 00 Mrs. William F. Hopson . 2 00 “Field and Stream” . 25 00 Percival Chrystie . 5 00 Emil F. Kuithan eee ua LOROO Mrs. George Browne. . . . . . . Io Canya Childrens ec) ee eee OO Joseph Kalbfus . 10 00 Stanley D. McGraw. . ; 10 00 Elizabeth and Jessie Eldridge : 2 00 J. M. Eder . , 10 00 George Douglas Krumblaer . 2 00 Radoff Bros. Notion Co. I 00 F. C. Lawrence . 2 00 F. O. Vaille . es I 00 C. D. Van Vechten siaes 5 00 Mrs. C. D. Van Vechten . I 00 Prescott Oakes 5 00 H. P. Brown . ; 5 00 G. W. Harrington. . 5 00 The Browning Club (Pasadena, Cal. ) 5 00 John D. Hazen . I 00 Miss Mary Gibson I 00 George D. Stewart 5 00 Miss E. A. S. Pennell 2 00 H. W. Carter . I 00 Meriden Sportsmen’ s "Assn. (Conn.) IO 00 George W. Garrard Ale 5 00 Dr. H. E. Houston I 00 Regan Bros. Co. 5 LOEOO 210 G. H. Gould. Nae . $10 00 Mrs. Geo. S. Ray . 5 ft OS Mrs. J. A. Fenner . I 00 W. B. Jaques . i 5 00 G. Henry Mengel . . I 00 Mrs. F. A. Decker . I 00 Frank W. Young : 5 00 Miss Louise B. Moyer . I 00 Miss A. L. Goslin. . . 2 00 The Browning Club (Pasadena, Cal. ) 2 00 Miss Mary Ames Van Dyke I 00 Miss Rose Cassidy I 00 Mrs. Ira Thrush I 00 Joseph Glather . 2 00 A. D. Butterfield 2 00 H. E. Denig I oo Henry S. Chafee 3 00 H. G. Campbell, Jr. . . IO 00 Richard Bullock. : 5 00 New Jersey Audubon Society . . 25 00 Clark B. Stocking . : 5 I 00 Ga DS Ropee S215 OO Hoosac Wallese Bird Club (Mass. ) 5 00 Mrs. Louis Kohn . . I 00 George B. Vanderpoel . : 2121500 P.S. McGlynn . . 2 00 Scarsdale Bird and Tree Club (ON Y. ) IO 00 AaB oyeIE Wife JECTS. a 2 00 W.D. Despard . . Me eh RO OO Miss Rebecca S. Ryder. peels as erases OO} George Peabody Wetmore 100 00 William Y. Wemple . IO 00 RaleighwRaines i. oe ee aT OO) Miss Helen L. Carter : 5 00 Public School No. 68, New York City . : Sta sti DOR AAC) IMFOLTISyVOSSUS aa etait an he a2 OO Charles H. French. . . ee OO Woman’s Club of Knox, Ind’ at rico ID, LOWS Aly SSxaoIM fg 486 5. G CO Wm. Albert Harbison 5/16 16 LO CS Drdelt Tee Gr aviesie sq es er aean ROO F. ArmibrOSeiie te. Me pie. ese eee OO Mine. 19, AN. Swezey. . OO Audubon Society of Western, Pa. . 10 00 No On Islets 2 : > OO Louis C. Lafontaine hae Ae SOO Bird Club of Groton, Mass. . IO 00 Norwood Johnston Le AKO ROO Mrs. W. C. Alexander . . Br caeiiteXe) Woman’s Club of Ouray, Cole co Mrs. James E. Greenbaum . . IO 00 Mrs. A. A. Whittemore .. . . . I oo Iho Wo JANOS 5 5 co 5 6 oo 6 6 OO Miss F. A. Roberts 5 4 0 FO) CO J. Sanford Barnes . IO 00 John J. Pierrepont. 5 00 Scott G. Harry . RAMS eee ec aia) Samuel Wadsworth . . Bh A ists Lolo) Woman’s Civic League (Ind. ye I 00 H. N. Fiske. . a eA ee OO, Birdlovers’ Club of Brooklyn 2b REE OO A. D. Walker . : nie fb 9 ihe) CO) Miss Marie L. Russell . IO 00 William N. Cohen . eons Lee TOUOO Virginia A. Raynolds’ . . . .... 2 00 Bird'- Lore )peregeennys ee $25 Miss Lucy D. Gillett . Srey oe) Mrs. Charles C. Bolton ..... 5 Wiles, AS ANG \WAISO@I Go oe ee oo G Col. Edwin S. George : 10 Mr. and Mrs. Edwin W. Andrews . 5 Miss Elizabeth B. Clark . . . eae William H. Porter . Serna te acai S. W. Sturgis. . . aes SOMO RED Mrs. Herman Livingston Biicic nicer Benjamin W. Strader ...... 5 Mrs. Edward Dean Adams . 25 Miss Clara Shepard . ie) Naturalists’ Club (Bronx, N. VY.) 4 Miss Sarah Grace Pickens .... 1 Miss Laura F. Philbrook. .... 2 Mrs. Annie B. McConnell . . . . 50 Mrs. Emily S. Morrison pA D Mrs. E. R. Waite... . 2 Miss Emily S. M. Waite . . a2 The Home Garden Club (Minn. ) . 10 Miss Althea R. Sherman . . 5 Smithland Audubon Society (Lowa) I Century Club of New York. . . . 25 BEN Res test aS fo) 5 fo) I I Charles S. Averill . Mrs. C.N. Burk . . Benjamin Walworth Arnold. Max Baer . . Bie EPR Miss Lyle M. Swift Miss Sarah E. Halsey . J.S. Stewart . . 5 Audubon Clubs of Girls’ ‘High (N. Y. ) 6 Mrs. George C. Miller . JScELVINIGH Olson iver ae aoe seks apse Mrs. T. J. Abbott . oan ee Herman H. Horne. . Mrs. F. V. Mills. Mrs. C. T. Candee HHUMN OM W. Roxbury Woman’s Club (Mass ) 5 Alexander Alexander. . . . I Charles Sumner Bird 5 DS George MiceMiaster my a a cine Gifford Pinchot . 100 Minnesota Game Protective League. 50 00 00 [ofe) 00 (ote) [efe) 00 fete) (ote) [ofe) [ofe) [ofe) oO 00 [ofe) [efe) (ete) 00 00 00 (oye) 00 [ote) [efe) 00 [ofe) [ofe) (exe) 00 [ofe) [efe) 50 00 (ote) [efe) [efe) [efe) [efe) foo) 00 (oe) [ofe) [ofe) 00 Warren Coleman . . 5 00 Blair County (Minn.) Game, Fish and Forestry Assn. : . IO 00 Frank A. Miller. . . IO 00 Mrs. C. C. Arnold . 300 Mrs. M. E. Hills I 00 Mrs. G. M. Turner I oo C. C. Rockafellow . I 00 1, (Go IGE 6 2 00 W. A. Macpherson, iene svi > tk OO Current Events Club, Alamosa, Col. 5 00 Detroit Bird Protection Club . 2 00 V. W. Bates . . 2 00 Pierian Club (DeWitt, Towa) . I 00 Edward R. Warren . I 00 Kimmerling’s Junior Audubon So- ciety... Se Tee eae Mase he tacee os WaE EEO A. R. Arvidson . . I 00 Fairmount Junior Audubon Society. 2 00 Mrs. H. M. Barksdale. . . 5» BS CO Coeur D’Alene Women’s Clube a 3 00 Luella and Edith P. Sovereign .. 2 00 The Audubon Societies 20a ae Wome Clubye eas 2 ree Sea nky Bird Clap (Ind.) . 8 00 rs. Jacob Hittmyer RN RecN ae) fo) essie Hoyt Hatc 5 00 Cornelia F. Woolley. . . . . . . 25 00 Audubon Club of FranklinAcademy IMDS TIGky IMIG EMS GS Bb eo eo a 4) Ce) and Prattsburgh High School. . 2 70 Pact BOWANES 55 6 1b a 6 2 CO hae Te Literary Club ee ic 2 © ohn Bancro ah! . . 10 00 ohn Aull. . I5 00 Tourist Club of Cedar Rapids. so § CO IP. Se ING it, Bayonne, N. Te : 00 are ae one nee Brace TOO) Delphi Junior Audubon Club (Ind.) I 00 r. an rs. E. L. Baylies. . . . 20 00 ean Evans . . : I 00 Fortnightly Club, Piqua, Ohio. . . 10 00 Lafayette Civic Club (Mich.) . : I 00 fee aie ‘ Jel 5 545 <5 6 1b LO OO yee (Neb. ) 5 00 rs. Brookes Brown. . . . . . . 2.00 atirays oa ; ° Charles S. Horner. ....... 500 £=Mrs. Clara M. Johnson : 3 Miss Mary A. Walker . . . . I 00 Walter Gray Crump, Jr. . 5 00 ene we of Leadville, Col... . 10 00 ae oe Trowbridge Smith . TOO ilton Klein . 5 9 A t OO) ursday Fortnightly Club, Ja- West Chester Bird Club (Pa.) . 5 0 1) CO) maica Plain, Wiens, ? : oe 5 00 Mrs. W. I. Russell. . . . . 5 00 Miss Mary E. "Smith . 2 Mrs. E. L. Breese Norrie. . . . . 10 00 Miss Jessie Ziegler. 2 ee Mr. and Mrs. James R. Poor . . . 2 00 J. Walter Wood . 20 00 Arthur L. Carns. . . . ob a § CO “af OS iellleneal 9 4 2 00 Mrs. J. O. Boyd. . . . 10 00 Woman’s Club of Greenwood, Ind. . 1 00 Woman’s Club of Seymour, Conn. . 5 00 6©Anonymous. . ‘ 3 00 Osceola Field Club (Wis.) . : 1 00 Names Withheld Lit 25 Massachusetts Audubon Society . ‘800 00 et Ea George He Jennings = 2 = 274 22 5)100 Total $11,684 19 Mrs. A. W. Jamieson . . 2 00 St. Joseph Federation of Women’s : f Clubsiee a Sis eT HOO Toledo’s Bird Day Dr. F. W. Langdon os I 00 Elmer Waggoner I 00 No doubt as result of the work of bird- John H. Child .I0 00 protectors which centers around the Miss Caroline E. Crane 5 °° Toledo Museum of Art, Mayor Cornell Albert J. Pirie . . ; SO aan f 1 Mas Caroline |: Malone. He chreiber, of Toledo, has recently made Pe eDowe no. : 1 oo an unusual proclamation. April 4 is Bird ee HE dae a - 10 00 =6and Arbor Day in Ohio, and in this con- iss Lillian Weather y I 00 : E : : Tee EO ataine UGhapter SF Eke nection Mayor Schreiber gave out this Cooper Ornithological Club . 5 6o SALEM. E. H. Parry, Sgt. Sr. Gr. . I 00 “Tt constitutes a penal offense to shoot Mrs. Robert C. Black . 10 CO or in any way molest a useful bird. Bird- Mabel A. Metcalf-Merwin * 5 °° fountains will be erected in the public Mrs. F. M. Metcalf . 5 00 par. : Mise MIE IDES too. ©Parks by the Welfare Division. Birds are J. E. Zalles . 10 oo ~©=—rnot only beautiful, but they serve a useful Mrs. C. E. Raymond . 5 ©O purpose in eating the insects that destroy r ze pataieht c : : a our crops, trees, and flowers. Valparaiso iguana a Chip (Ind. ) i = 6S) “T have been assured of support in this Progress Club (South Bend, eee 1 oo bird activity by the Burroughs Society, ees e vee as Io 0© ~=6 the Art Museum Bird and Tree Committee, rs radford Scott . . I co : Bani onsinied= tense Club (Pa) Bose Toledo Girl Scouts, Toledo Humane So- NEON] Pollock too ciety, Toledo Boy Scouts, Museum of Art Ernest and Howes Burton 5 oo Nature Study Class, Wild Bird Protective Warris K. Bredbury . I 00 §6Association, Newsboys’ Association, Au- Propylecius Association . . tT 0° dubon Society, Dorr Fish and Game Pro- Parent-Teacher Association (Cal. \. 5 00 : Ae h iiss Grea (Claaefeun 5 00 tective Association, and I delegate to eac Ottomar H. Van Norden . 12 2 1© CO of these organizations to appoint repre- Edward A. Hall . ee OOh sentatives: tos act im concert iin this for- Mrs. Russell Hawkins . ESE CONG ye dummawemment? 212 St. Petersburg’s Bird-House Contest The Audubon Society of St. Petersburg, Fla., collected the prizes and arranged for a bird-house contest to be staged in the Harrison Hardware Company’s show win- dow. The bird-houses were made by the boys of the Manual Training Department of the St. Petersburg public schools. There were 129 in all, and the space in front of the windows was so crowded during the three days of the exhibition that many complained the time was too short, as they had not been able to get near enough to view the exhibit. The next year’s contest is already arranged and will be of longer duration. The judges awarded the prizes as follows: For the most practical bird-house, a gold watch, to Henry Lindelie. The money for the watch was given by H. C. Albrecht, Mrs. H. E. Rowe, Winston Branning, Edward McPherson, A. J. Johnson, Advance Art Printery, F. F. Smith, and Mrs. Katherine B. Tippetts. Honorable mention was given Wallace Fishken and Harold Reece. The house showing the best workmanship, prize $10 in gold, given by T. H. Kards, Manual Training Instruc- tor, went to George Fogarty; honorable mention to Glen Harrod and Charles Knoener. The house most closely imitat- ing nature, prize set of auger bits, given by the Harrison Hardware Company, went to Burnham Hawley; honorable mention to Floyd Sterns and Victor Crook. Most ornamental bird-house, prize Yankee screw-driver, given by Walden Hardware Company, went to Arthur Armstrong; honorable mention to Harold Hjort and Thomas Squires. The birds will act as judges for the $5 prize in gold offered by the Audubon Society for bird-house first occupied by a bird family. Several of the bird-houses were sold, the highest price being $10, which was paid for a thirty-room Martin-house, sold to Mrs. H. E. Rowe, and which she will put up on her lawn in Youngstown, Ohio. Miss Lillian Rusling, Chairman of the Bird - Lore Equal Suffrage Association of Pinellas County, purchased one which was labeled as an ‘Equal Suffrage Bird-House’ and bore a jingle advocating the same. Dr. Grace Whitford, of the Child-Welfare Department of the State Board of Health, also invested in one to advocate hygiene, even in houses for birds. Many others thus set forth their ideas, and the window became the point of interest to the many tourists in town. The President and Secre- tary have been busy ever since answering letters and sending suggestions to the four points of the compass, as these tourists return home and tell of the contest. When the tourists return next season, they will see the remaining houses set in the city parks, on the streets, and in the cemeteries, and it will impress them still further that in this way the youth of the land are being educated to the idea of bird-protection as a fundamental point in conservation measures. Katherine B. Tippetts, President of the St. Petersburg Audubon Society, has for- warded the above report and speaks with enthusiasm of the widespread interest which the contest has aroused. Convention of Indiana Audubon Society The Indiana Audubon Society held its twenty-first annual convention in Kokomo, Thursday and Friday, May 8 and g. The general subject discussed was the im- portance of bird-study and the protection of birds, in their relation to the life of man. Speakers on the program were Dr. Stanley Coulter, of Purdue University, president of the Society; William Watson Woolen and Amos W. Butler, both of Indianapolis; J. J. Mitchell, of Logansport; Oscar Tharp, of Kokomo; Alden H.Hadley, of Monrovia, and Miss Margaret Hanna, of Fort Wayne. On Friday morning a breakfast tramp and drive was held at the Kokomo Country Club. Dodson Purple Martin House, 28 rooms, height 44in., width 27 in., length 8lin. Price $12.00. D Dodson Sheltered Food House uv complete with automatic hop- ers, wire feed baskets and ooks for suet. Size 24x24x18. Price $8.00 Dodson Auto- matic SheJtered Feeding Table, complete with automatic hoppers, wire feed baskets and_hooks for suet. Size 24x24x12. Price $6.00. ODSON Bird Houses and Feeding Stations win the birds, because they are built by Joseph H. Dodson, president of the American Audubon Association, who for twenty-six years has studied the habits of our song birds and how to attract them to beauti- ful Bird Lodge, his home and bird sanctuary on the Kankakee River. Dodson Bird Houses and Feeding Stations Dodson Wren House. Built of solid oak with cypress roof and copper coping.; 4 compartments, size 28 x18, Price $5.00. song birds. for every kind of bird. Furnish them with safe homes and shelters and they will come back to you season after season. Don’t Wait—OrderNow No grounds are quite complete without the Free Bird Book senton request, telling how to attract the song birds and illustrating Dodson line, giving prices. Also beautiful colored Bird picture FREE. JOSEPH H. DODSON, President American Audubon Association 712 Harrison Avenue ae ae S = —- Ma ain co Dodson Bluebiri Hcuse. es Built of solid oak with cy- res. roof and copper cop- ng. Size 21x18. 4 compart- ments. Price $5.00. some pests. Price $7.00. ore Dodson Sparrow Trap, guaranteed to rid your community of these noisy, quarrel- Kankakee, Illinois (A> ENTRAATE FURARS B-Seconp FuAnEA H ‘C-trtomanic on D Renova cace Dodson Feeding Car, Complete with 50 foot cable and cord and automatic honpers, wire feed baskets and hooks for suet. Size 23x15. Price $5.00. Tae GUIDE TO NATURE A Magazine of Commonplace Nature with Uncommon Interest BEAUTIFULLY ILLUSTRATED MANY NEW FEATURES ‘It is all very well to be a specialist, but it is bad to be nothing but a specialist.”’ —Dean Coulter, Purdue EDWARD F. BIGLOW Managing Editor Subscription, $! a year; single or sample copy, 10 cents iw The Agassiz Association ArcApiA: Sound Beach Connecticut Bird students, one or two, may do cooperative housekeeping or board sim- ply with a bird enthusiast on an aban- doned farm in Maine. Collection of bird skins used for study. Address Miss E. P. Moore, North Anson, Me. Bird Sanctuaries Berry-bearing shrubs that furnish food, ever- greens that provide shelter and nesting-places for your bird-friends, are noted in our booklet, “HOME LANDSCAPES.”’ A copy. will be sent to Bird-Lore readers who ask for it. HICKS NURSERIES, Westbury, L.I., N.Y. Bird-Houses and Books About Birds Send for Circular BOSTON BIRD HOUSE AND BIRD BOOK COMPANY 162 Boylston Street, Boston, Mass. Save Food and supply table d’hote dinners to all who fight under four flags. Enroll your bird army and watch them make a ‘‘ChateauThierry’’ clean-up in your garden. You will think a wireless has ordered all the bugs and worms to flee to Holland. EVANS BROS. supply everything for our native birds. Send five cents in stamps for catalogue of bird- houses, food - houses, etc. 230 MAIN STREET, EVANSTON, ILLINOIS Books for Bird-Lovers By FRANK M. CHAPMAN Editor of Bird-Lore HANDBOOK OF BIRDS OF EASTERN NORTH AMERICA Third edition. With introductory chapters on the study of Ornithclogy; how to identify birds and how to collect and preserve birds, their nests and eggs. 20 full- page plates and 150 cuts in the text. 12mo. Library edition, $4. Pocket edition, $4.50 net. BIRD LIFE A guide to the study of our common birds. With 75 full-page colored plates and numerous text drawings by Ernest Thompson Seton. Containing an Appendix, especially designed for teachers. 12mo. Cloth. $2.50 net. BIRD-STUDIES WITH A CAMERA A fascinating account of the habits of common birds, with descriptions of the largest bird colonies existing in eastern North America. The author’s phenomenal success in photographing birds in Nature not only lends to the illustrations the charm of realism, but makes the book a record of surprising achievements with the camera. 12mo. Cloth. $2.25 net. WARBLERS OF NORTH AMERICA A full description of our most beautiful, most abundant, and least known birds. Dr. Chapman knows these “dainty, fascinating sprites of the treetops” perhaps better than any other student of Nature, and he has here drawn on his great wealth of material for one of the most interestingly instructive books of this kind ever written. Illustrated with many colored plates and photographs of nests and eggs. Imp. 8vo. Illustrated. $3.50 net. CAMPS AND CRUISES OF AN ORNITHOLOGIST The story of eight years’ experience in travel, in which the author covered over 60,000 miles in his search for material with which to prepare a series of groups of American birds, to exceed in beauty and scientific value anything which had here- tofore been attempted in this line. The illustrations, over 250 in number, are from Dr. Chapman’s photographs, and beyond question form the most remarkable series of pictures of bird-life which has ever appeared. 8vo. Decorated cover, gilt top, rough-cut edges. Illustrated. $3.50 net. COLOR KEY TO NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS This work may be described as an illustrated dictionary of North American birds. It is the most complete publication of its kind, and makes an admirable introduc- tion to the study of birds and the literature of Ornithology, and at the same time is an authoritative work of reference. Over 800 pictures. $3 net. OUR WINTER BIRDS An introduction to the study of birds. The author believes that the study of Orni- thology should begin with the winter birds as they are fewer in number and easier to approach. Divided into. convenient groups such as field birds, forest birds, home birds, etc. Illustrated. 12mo. $I net. THE TRAVELS OF BIRDS A series of chapters on bird migration, describing birds as travelers, why they travel, dangers by the way, night flyers and day flyers, etc. Many illustrations from drawings. Illustrated. 60 cents net. For Sale at All Booksellers Publishers D. APPLETON AND COMPANY ~ New York a i) " y f) ul ei } i) {| (i | 4 Mn | eee GUST, 1919 [wD Re EE NMS EDITED BY FRANK M. CHAPMAN PUBLISHED FOR THE AUDUEOWN SOOIETIES D. Appleton & Company HARRISBURG, PA. NEW YORK DD > ee aD A AS nH UMP q NO pcan ter : D y Ll ll Nid Torerraer 1 href tre a ee nl SM S MM Wir Inte hh te COPYRIGHT, 1919. BY FRANK M. CHAPMAN 30c. a Copy $1.50 a Year Bird - Lore July-August, 1919 CONTENTS: GENERAL ARTICLES pe PAGE FRONTISPIECE—PHOTOGRAPH OF SELBORNE FROM THE HANGER.. Be NATURE AND ENGLAND. Illustrated...................... irene 1. ‘Chopepep 215 A POcKET SANCTUARY.. mit Ms ae MEE AD des Bet ces ..Faye Randle 2190 Nip, THE YOUNG Secon Tela, Oiliuctrated! ENA “iol P. dad E. W. Vietor 225 THE NiGHT WARBLER. . ae OE EC eke Se Oe manele 229 THe TRAGEDIES OF THE omen! Ciwertaed! Bee None anal e alle aly lilieealesinced band Epis MULE Sa SPAXO) Birp NeErcHBORS. Illustrated.................................Mrs. Harvey C. Perry.. 234 NOTES FROM FIELD AND: STUDY 55: he cei ok Sos oan aN ein bees oan oreo 237 Notes FROM SAULT STE. Marig, Micu., M. J. Magee; UNUSUAL OCCURRENCES IN THE SAN Francisco Bay REeGiIon, Harold C. Byrant; My NEIGHBOR’S BACK YARD, Mrs. A. O. Tre- ganza; RED PHALAROPE IN PENNSYLVANIA, Olney Raymond; A'TarDy EVENING GROSBEAK, John P. Young; ‘Crazy’ Grouse, A. A. Swinton; STARLINGS SPREADING IN NEW YORK Strate, Gertrude Hoyt; MAKING FRIENDS WITH THE GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER, Clinton E. Kellogg; PROTHONOTARY WARBLER AT ERIE, PA., Thos. L. McConnell and L. F. Savage; TOWNSEND’S SOLITAIRE, Leslie L. Haskin; MOcKINGBIRD IN CONNECTICUT, Geo. H. Gabriel; THe NESTING OF Rosins, Grace L. S. Dyche; A RoBin’s LAMENT, Mabel C. Bowes; BLuEBIRD FEEDING Its Mate, Edmund J. Sawyer; NOTES ON ALBINO RoBINs, LE. R. Warren; CARDINALS AND WRENS, Irene M. Herschler. THE SEASON. XIV. April 15 to June 15, 1919............... chee ee eee ee ee 247 Glover M. Allen; J. T. Nichols; Julian K. Potter; Harry C. Oberholser; Thomas S. Roberts; Harry Harris; W. H. Bergtold. BOOKGNEW SAND SREWTE Wis! oe ecu sie coe) cicunientcteteee iecclioree ioe sororities eron oreo Renet Meter 254 WITHERBY’s ‘A PRACTICAL HANDBOOK OF BRITISH BIRDS’; SCOVILLE’S ‘THE OUTDOOR CLUB’; THE ORNITHOLOGICAL MAGAZINES. DIT © RTA iii Seer artes aie eke Siccc ae SRN COL SICA: BNA CG ec pels UA ei eve neyo note 256 THE AUDUBON SOCIETIES— SCHOOL DEPARTMENT. 257 THE STUDY OF BIRD-LIFE IN THE SCHOOLS OF NEW JERSEY; STUDYING Birps IN “MAINE AND Nova Scotia; My EXPERIENCE WITH Birps; My Brrp-Hovuse. EDUCATIONAL LEAFLET No. 99. RED-EVED VirEO. With Colored Plate by Edmund J. SE ATG RE COMIC SOC ROS Oca Engi nomicaa Meno daa mMoMUOOU Go Ub OOO odan 266 THE AUDUBON SOCIETIES—EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT.................... 270 REPORT OF JUNIOR AUDUBON CLASSES; LATE SPRAYING Kitts Brrps; A NEw JERSEY HERON Cotony, (Ills.); Goop Work OF THE BIOLOGICAL SURVEY; NEW LIFE MEMBERS; BirD-Box CONTEST; INTERFERENCE WITH FEDERAL COGPERATION. *,* Manuscripts intended for publication, books, etc., for review and exchanges, should be sent tothe Editor, atthe American Museum of Natural History, 77th St. and 8th Ave., New York City. Important Notice to All Bird-Lore Subscribers IRD-LORE is published on or near the first days of February, April, June, August, October, and December. Failure to secure the copy due you should be reported not later than the 18th of the months above mentioned. We cannot supply missing copies after the month in which the number in question was issued. Notices of changes of addresses, renewals and subscriptions should be sent to BIRD-LORE, HARRISBURG, PA. Each notice of a change of address should give the old address as well as the new, and should state whether the change is permanent or for just one or two issues. Make checks and money orders payable to BIRD-LORE. Entered as second-class matter at the Post Office at Harrisburg, Pa., under Act of Congress of August 24, 1912 Soren we has ae Gene Diy SELBORNE FROM THE HANGER A classic view looking down upon Gilbert White’s home, ‘The Wakes’. His church is in the middle distance and the oaks shown in a succeeding picture lie just beyond ES D5 dv Fis A BI-MONTHLY MAGAZINE DEVOTED TO THE STUDY AND PROTECTION OF BIRDS OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE AUDUBON SOCIETIES Vol. XXI JULY—AUGUST, 1919 No. 4 Nature and England By FRANK M. CHAPMAN With Photographs by the Author , \HE Red Cross mission which has claimed my service for the past eight months, brought me, this past May, to London. England was still returning from the war. The steamer on which I crossed the Channel was crowded with homeward-bound troops; men and women in uniform formed a large proportion of the street population. For years all their energy and prac- tically every activity of their nation had been directly or indirectly devoted toward the winning of the conflict which threatened the freedom of their country. There had been no relaxation in the severity of the struggle; no rest period between campaigns; the war had been one continuous battle. Now, for the first May in five years, England was at peace and her people were free to gratify their desire for recreation without fear of air-raid, or of submarine disaster, and without anxiety for the safety of those at the front. ‘With no thought whatever of giving even casual attention to the subject, it required only three or four days, including a Saturday and Sunday, to impress upon my mind a vivid picture of a war-weary nation finding its sources of rest, refreshment, and pleasure out-of-doors. Scores were tilling their garden plots. The Thames was alive with punts, rowboats, canoes, and shells; the gardens at Hampton Court and the spacious grounds at Kew were thronged with people who were evidently deriving keen enjoyment from the beauty of their surroundings and from the opportunity they offered for close contact with nature. Hundreds of people strolled slowly over the velvet lawns as though loath to miss a breath of the fragrance of spring or a note from the songs of Chaffinch, Thrush, and Blackbird. Hundreds more were seated beneath the trees or stretched upon the turf in complete abandonment to the sweet and peaceful influences of a sunlit May day. One heard no shouting, no loud talk- ing, no boisterousness; even the most devout nature worshiper could find here no apparent lack of reverence for his temple or his gods. On a nearby common were rows of occupied tennis-courts and croquet lawns; a small army held the cricket-fields and golf clubs and polo mallets 216 Bird - Lore marked those who were bound for the links or polo-field. Space in the daily press, which in the preceding May was given to ghastly reports of death and destruction, to stories of heroism under fire, was now occupied by cricket, golf, and tennis scores, to praise of the batsman who had made a ‘century.’ Already the dealers reported that their supplies of racquets, bats, and golf clubs were becoming exhausted and players were urged to “freshen up old stock.” But it was not alone his inherent love of sport that called the Briton out-of-doors; nor was it only the sportsman to whom the press appealed. In spite of the demands of world news, the leading London daily found room for a column in praise of the Nightingale’s song, the outpouring of a heart which had been stimulated to fervent expression by this most famous of feathered minstrels; while not an issue of this paper was without a tribute to bird, blossom, or season from the pen of some follower of White and Jefferies. Sunday morning, May 18, I went with a nature-loving companion 30 miles by train to a thinly populated region where extensive commons of field and woodland, hill and dale offered opportunity*to renew acquaintance with the common British birds. The season, so far as one could judge from the vege- tation, appeared to be about as far advanced as, in normal years, it is about New York City on that date. Apple trees were still in luxuriant bloom; horse- chestnuts, which are so much more abundant in England than in America, were in full blossom; hawthorne was spreading its snowy lines along the path- ways and roadside; dry sunny hillsides were yellow with gorse; and in shady places the ground was purple with wild hyacinth. The outlook on every side suggested complete accord between man and his environment. Nature seemed his willing ally in grainfield, pasture, woodland, or garden. And all this charm- ing, friendly landscape found its voice in the songs of birds. Chaffinches ex- pressed its good cheer; Song Thrushes its content; Blackbirds its peace; young Rooks, calling lustily from their nests, its domesticity. The mellow coo of Wood Pigeons spoke eloquently of that harmony between human life and bird-life, which permits the existence in numbers in thickly settled places of this fine bird, and emphasized, by contrast of results, our treatment of the Passenger Pigeon. The Moor-hen, essentially like our Florida Gallinule, which we saw on the margin of a small stream, and which one may count on finding in every reed-grown pool in England, further illustrates in its abundance how much more powerful than law is sentiment. Swallows and Martins, Jackdaws and Starlings made their homes about those of man; there were Robins and Accentors in the hedgerows; Jays, Warb- | lers, Titmice and Nuthatches in the woods. Lying beneath a hilltop yew we looked out from under its low-spreading branches over a scene where one’s every concept of pastoral England found its counterpart. The tolling bells from the church in the village below were echoed in the notes of the Cuckoo calling from the far-distant somewhere, and as a Skylark, mounting heavenward, showered the earth with its ecstatic notes, Nature and England 217 I experienced that “‘serene exaltation of spirit’? of which Burroughs long ago wrote on listening to the hymn of the Hermit Thrush. If, in coming thus far to a comparatively unsettled locality, we had thought to enjoy these enchantments undisturbed, we were not long in discovering that there were others who evidently shared our desire for solitude. The motorists who passed us on the highway, bound for parts unknown, at a speed which forbade attention to much of anything besides the effort to retain their head- gear, were not of our kin; but the cyclists who, pedaling along slowly, had UNDER THE OAKS AT SELBORNE time to enjoy the beauties of the wayside, or who left their wheels here and there to enter field and wood in search of flowers or birds, were not riding for exercise alone; and the pedestrians we encountered were evidently desirous of closer contact with Mother Earth than can be had in an automobile. They passed us in such increasing numbers that we sought the quiet of a lane branch- ing from the main road, but, as the morning wore on, this, too, became populous. The further we went afield, the more people we found before us. Every path had its strollers; from the densest copse one heard voices; and by noontide the open fields were thickly dotted with outers. Some had plant-boxes, some bird-glasses, a few butterfly nets, while by far the larger number carried merely their luncheon; but whatever was the special 218 Bird - Lore object that had called them afield, it was clear that all alike shared the common desire to be out-of-doors. Here was no question of sport; there were no cricket- fields or tennis-courts, nor any attractions other than those offered by nature itself. It was evident, too, that most of these people had not come from the immediately adjacent neighborhood, but from varying distances. They were not merely casual strollers, but were taking a definitely planned outing. And nowhere did I see the disgusting litter which too often in this country marks the lunching-place of ‘picknickers’ who show their respect for their surround- ings by treating them as they would a garbage-dump. To the impression created by the thousands seen in the parks of London the preceding afternoon was added, therefore, this view of a rural population taking its holiday out-of-doors, and the two experiences combined etched more deeply the lines of the picture of a nation which, in a hundred different ways, was realizing upon its assets in nature. For more than four years it had given unsparingly and effectively of its forces in the world war; now it renewed its strength in those cleansing, purifying: influences which, however they may be exerted, find their best expression in fresh air, blue sky, and sparkling water, the majesty of trees, the fragrance of flowers, and the songs of birds. These are the potential heritage of both poor and rich, and the nation which avails itself of these priceless resources need have no fear of the materialistic influences which today darken the horizon of some parts of the world. THE BEECHES IN THE NEW FOREST A Pocket Sanctuary By FAYE RANDLE, Portland, Ore. = GARDEN is a lovesome thing,” as the old song tells us truly, and though the owner of that formal garden, “‘Rose plot, fringed pool, ferned grot,” might deny the title to the one we had, there was never a more lovesome thing nor one better loved. A garden of weeds in a ravine does not require seasons of labor nor a knowl- edge of landscape gardening. The procedure is simple. First, buy or rent your ravine. That is the most difficult task, as it must be a proper ravine, with the brook that made it still flowing through the bottom of it. The one we rented, along with an acre or so of pine woodland and a small brown bungalow, boasted. a brook that was all of 3 feet wide, in the widest places, at certain times. The next indispensable thing is a fence to keep out cattle and horses. Our ravine had been pastured for years, and showed it. Barbed wire was cheap, effective, and prompt, so we used it; but if I were getting what I wanted, and hoped to keep, I would choose rail-fences. After you have got your ravine and fenced it off, take a big basket and go gleaning. You will fill it many times with papers, rags, wire, bottles, broken dishes, tin cans, leaky kettles, bottomless pans, and spoutless coffee-pots. Eleven people out of every dozen look upon a ravine, or any sort of hollow in the ground, simply as a most convenient dumping-spot. Break the dead limbs out of the bushes and small trees. Rake the accumulated trash out of the bed of the brook. Tidy the place up a little, but not too much; and then watch it and love it. You will see marvelous things. Even by June 2, our wild garden, set in the midst of the closely cultivated and pastured Palouse lands, was beautiful to see. By June 3, it was a climbing, sprawling, riotous, pink tangle of wild roses, wild geraniums, and wild peas. A closer look showed that the prevailing pink was underlaid and streaked with gold. There were more than a dozen kinds of yellow flowers in June alone. The sweetest of these golden blossoms, the fragrant buttercups, came in March, and the latest arrivals, the goldenrod, lingered in damp, shady spots until October. There were spring violets and autumn asters, the white radiance of the service-berry blooms, the delicate lavender of the tiny flowers of the brook mint, the dusky blue of larkspur. If this were a story of the flowers of our wild garden I could tell you more—much more. Out of the buck brush on the slope pops a frowsy Fox Sparrow. He looks as if he had just crawled out of bed; his hair is so tousled, his clothes so mussed. The small frogs sit in the edges of the upper spring and sing lustily. Tiny blue moths flutter above the cowslips. A cotton-tail races up the hill and dives into a brush-pile. A chipmunk runs along his highway through the tops of the smaller pines. Later on, when the service-berries are ripe, he will share them with the Catbirds. If there are a great plenty, we may even get some of the. berries ourselves. (219) 220 Bird - Lore The Catbirds were the only residents who disputed my equal rights in the ravine. The others may have thought a good deal, but they never said anything. They either avoided me, or ignored me, or tolerated me. The Catbirds would do none of those things. They were especially ferocious when I chose the stump-seat among the service-berry bushes. The fact that I was usually armed with ‘Walden’ did not appease them a particle, although I am unalterably per- suaded that it should have done so. There might be a moment’s peace, then wo-ow, wo-ow, wo-ow! here they came, sometimes both, sometimes only one. Inquisitively they tipped their heads and eyed me boldly. Indignantly they jerked their tails, showing the reddish patch beneath. Incessantly they flitted from bush to bush, just out of reach, yelling at me every few moments: wo-ow, wo-ow, wo-ow! I forgave them later on, when I found out where the nest had been hidden. I could almost have reached it from where I sat. The next summer, luckily for the nerves of all concerned, the Catbirds built beyond the bridge; and though they still scolded me once in awhile, they had to make a special trip to do it and it was not such a convincing performance. They would have been much improved if they could have taken a few lessons in good manners from the Black-headed Grosbeaks who built that year in the bushes on the other side of the stump-seat. In the matter of archi- tecture, it is about six of one and half a dozen of the other, but the Grosbeaks are much more agreeable neighbors. The down from the willows was lying thickly on the ground and clinging to the bushes when the Grosbeak nestlings broke through the shells. I had to look twice and see those gaping mouths open wide before I realized that three tiny birds filled the nest, and not willow fluff. I never saw the youngsters after they grew big enough to move around a little. The Grosbeaks were as shy as they were quiet; and they hid the little ones so skilfully in the thicket that finding them would have created more disturbance than I cared to make. Better luck attended my acquaintance with a Flycatcher family. One summer afternoon I was at leisure to sit still long enough to satisfy the bird proprieties. The flowers, the bees, and the butterflies keep right on about their usual affairs under any amount of restless curiosity, but the birds have more reserve. The sun was rather too warm for comfort on the stump, so I sat at the foot of one of the twin pines that stood in the ravine and reached a long way towards the clouds. A clump of willow, service-berry, and wild rose bushes cast a welcome shade. The brook trickled through the bushes and around the roots of the big pine. I did not have the least idea that there were nestlings in the thicket; but when a dainty, Quaker-gray bird, with a slightly raised crest, lit on a willow branch above my head, then popped into the rose bushes, I rolled my eyes and craned my neck in that direction immediately. I have never felt free to take the liberties with birds and their families that some people take. Usually, I do no more than sit tight and hope they won’t mind if I stare. This pair of Wright’s Flycatchers proved very amiable. They A Pocket Sanctuary 221 trusted me to such an extent that they even fed the little ones where I could watch them, after they were out of the nest. They were careful, however, to keep each one in a separate place. A few days after the Flycatchers had left their summer home, a family of Chickadees came visiting. I was sitting in the same shady spot, feeling rather pensive over the empty nest, when I heard the sweetest, silveriest song over my head: dee-dee-dee-dee. I looked up cautiously and there was the jolliest family that ever went on a vacation after a hard summer’s work. The five youngsters were able to hunt bugs for themselves, and did so, very busily and happily, but the father and the mother of the family could not break themselves of their old habits very easily. Every little while they flew to one or the other of the youngsters with an extra juicy morsel. It was no wonder the little fellows were so fat. They stayed nearly an hour, and I never enjoyed afternoon callers more in my life. The Doves usually did their visiting mornings, but they were welcome for all that. Morning after morning, in June, their sweet, trembling notes floated down from the upper branches of the twin pines as softly as the snowflakes in January floated down from the clouds not so very much higher. And like the snowflakes, the Dove notes, one upon another, filled the cup of the ravine until it was running over with beauty. It was upon a June morning, also, that I first saw our Lazuli Bunting neigh- bor. One learns to hope for unexpected things in a wild ravine garden on a June morning; but when, my feet deep in wet clover, stepping carefully along the narrow path, trying to keep from brushing the dew off the wild pea vines, stooping low under the willows to save myself a shower-bath, I straightened up and saw before me this gorgeous little bird, the thrill of discovery was as enjoy- able as if I had found a specimen new to science. In a moment I saw his mate. She was very soberly dressed, in comparison with the gentleman’s fine trap- pings. That was her only public appearance, but she found shelter and raised her family somewhere in or near our pocket sanctuary I am sure, for nothing else would have kept the dandy hanging around one spot so long. He warbled a little, occasionally, but he was not a fine singer, though he had fine feathers and was a fine bird. The sweetest bird-song I ever heard in the ravine, or, indeed, anywhere else, was accompanied with the prettiest performance; and it came from the pulsating throat and loving heart of a very plain-feathered bird—the Rusty Song Sparrow. On a spring day I stole, as quietly as possible, down the path that led from the kitchen door. Birds were often bathing or drinking in the pools near the foot of the path, where the brook tumbled over the bare roots of an old stump. Once, at my approach, a bevy of Quail flew up with a whir of beating wings. This morning, half-way down the path, I stopped suddenly, hearing an unfamiliar song. A moment more and the musician came into view, out of the overhanging bushes, into an open space along the brook. He was a 222 Bird - Lore small brown bird; and so intent was he upon his song that he never saw me at all. As for his dear love, she had neither eyes nor ears for anyone but her sweet singer. He hopped backward before her, pouring out a continual, wonderful melody. She followed, closely, silently. So they passed into the wild rose thicket, out of sight, and gradually out of hearing. Swallows often came and looped the loop under and over the bridge that crossed the ravine just at the edge of our domain. Robins built as readily in the twin pines as in orchard trees. One pair of Robins raised a brood on a beam under the bridge. The next year a pair foolishly built on a protruding beam, and a cat soon left the feathers of the brooding mother in a pathetic little heap. Young Robins with spotted breasts fluttered in the buck brush on the slopes, and many Robins from the neighborhood resorted to our sanctuary brook for drinks and baths, although the Palouse River was within sight and even within hearing. We tempted the Mountain Bluebirds to build in the ravine by nailing a box in a tree on the slope, where we could see it from our windows. To our great delight they took the box, and four broods were raised there in two summers. It turned out, however, that this location was only second choice. A rather dilapidated old house in the neighborhood was first choice, when it was not otherwise occupied. The Mountain Bluebirds are as exquisitely, as enchantingly blue as an October sky. They are not the gentlest of birds, how- ever. Ours were inclined to dispute possession of the Wrens’ houses with their proper tenants, even after they had proved to themselves, by repeated trials, that the Wrens’ doors were too small. The Wrens visited garden, orchard, field, and ravine at their own sweet will. The Chipping Sparrows, with their jaunty little caps of cinnamon-red, were companions in friendliness and usefulness to the Wrens. They came and went to and from their nests in the smaller pines quite openly. The Juncos, nesting on the ground, were naturally much shyer. They are the most trusting of birds at other times, and the flash of their white petticoats from beneath their gray cloaks could be seen in the wild garden on almost any day the whole year round; but they were very careful not to betray their homes. After the youngsters could help themselves a little, they were not so cautious. It was amusing to watch a row of little black-hooded heads pop up above the top of my old stump-seat every time either one of the parent birds flew past me down the hill. The twin pines lured many visitors besides the Doves. The Meadowlarks delighted to stand on their topmost twigsand pour out their high, sweet, varied melodies. Magpies were both seen and heard there, occasionally. Brewer’s Blackbirds chose those trees for their convention hall in the autumn. When the first brown needles began to sift down through their branches, the Nut- hatches returned from the mountains and walked upside down all over them, breaking off small bits of bark and dropping them into my eyes, quite carelessly and cheerfully. A Pocket Sanctuary 223 Those two big trees were great favorites with the Red-shafted Flickers. Their beautifully engraved trunks were pitted all over with holes that showed where borers had vainly tried to hide their wicked heads. Often, in the sum- mer, I felt the fanning of the wide-spread wings as a Flicker family dashed by. Often, in the winter, the fire-red wings against the snow were at once a chal- lenge and a promise. One winter day I stood between the twin pines, beside the frozen brook. There was a rush of flame; then, like a torch blown out by the wind, a Flicker landed at the base of the nearer tree and began to circle it in ascending spirals. Only two small sparks glowed among his dull feathers, to show the flame was still burning. Over the bridge, singing in notes that chimed like tiny silver bells, fluttered a flock of Chickadees. They swooped down upon the box-elder tree and the slender, bare branches swayed with their activities as if a light wind were blowing. Nothing else moved in the frozen ravine except the Flicker on the pine tree trunk. A soft, cold touch brushed my face, and in a moment there seemed nothing else in the world but motion, as the Christmas snowstorm came whirling from the clouds. I huddled up against the big pine, but after awhile, because the Flicker and the Chickadees had gone away, it was too lonesome down there. As I started to climb out of the ravine I counted up on my fingers: “The rest of December doesn’t matter, because it’s Christmas; so there’s January, F ebruary—that’s a short month anyhow—then March! And the buttercups, and Robins, and maybe—maybe—the first Meadowlarks.”’ A FRIENDLY REDSTART Photographed by H. W. Osgood, Pittsfield, N. H. TIl ‘VLOGNAW XOOTIM ‘A AIGVS JO ANOH AHL LV HLVd-Guld AAILOVALLVY NV Nip, the Young Sparrow Hawk By KATE P. and E. W. VIETOR, Brooklyn, N. Y. URING the first days of April, 1916, a Sparrow Hawk appeared in our D neighborhood, a closely built-up section of Brooklyn, N. Y. His killy- killy was often the first sound we heard in the morning, and a high church-steeple was his favorite perch. On the 13th of the month there were two Sparrow Hawks about, and on the 16th one was seen entering a broken cornice on a house in the next street. This situation was rejected, however, and we never discovered the real nesting- site, but we knew it must be nearby, and several times during May (though the 13th was the only date we noted) we saw a parent bird carry off a fledgling from a colony of English Sparrows’ nests in a vine on a house at the rear of our yard. On July 16 a lady brought us a young Sparrow Hawk which she had found on her doorstep in a nearby street. Excepting for his tail, which was only 3 inches long, he looked fully grown. He was wild and sullen and defiant; draw- ing himself back as if to strike, he fiercely nipped our hand though his mandi- bles were too soft to be formidable. It was Sunday, and there was no raw meat to be had, so we tried to feed him with the yolk of a hard-boiled egg, but though it was easy to put it on his tongue, for his bill was constantly distended, he would not swallow, so we put him under a peach-basket and left him in a darkened room. Peeping through the cracks a little later, we saw him lying on his side, with legs drawn up, and supposed him to be dying, but the next time we looked he was sitting up. Toward evening we took him out, and, holding him firmly, dropped water from a spoon into his open bill. To our delight he swallowed it eagerly. In this way we managed to wash down a little of the egg-yolk. A berry-crate was substituted for the peach-basket, and he was left alone for the night. More than half expecting to find him dead, we hurried down next morning, but he was alive and lively. We procured some beef, cut it in bits, and, holding him as before, offered him a bit. He ate it greedily, bit by bit, and as he ate he became docile. We put him back in his improvised cage, but he had tasted freedom, and, fortified with the good beef, soon found his way out and estab- lished himself on top of the crate where he sat, quiet and contented, the most of the day. Toward evening he sprang about a foot to a shelf in the extension which had been given up to him, where he sat on a box the second night. He was now so tame that he would sit on our hand, and although he showed a great aversion to being held, or to having his head touched, he did not object to being fondled, and showed much pleasure in having his back stroked, rais- ing it under the hand, like a cat. On the third day he adopted a perch, the highest the extension afforded, but often turned his head on one side as though looking for a higher one. Al- (225) 226 Bird - Lore though he would sit for hours at a time on the perch, he would leave it readily if a finger were offered instead, and invited attention by cocking his head on one side and opening his bill; raise a finger and he would nip it gently, and once he climbed on a shoulder and nipped an ear. Altogether one could not wish for a dearer or more interesting pet than was Nip during this time. Indeed so gentle and friendly did he seem, that we had visions of a semi-domesticated Sparrow Hawk who would make our neighborhood his home and keep it free of English Sparrows. Then he was so pretty, with his crown of rufous, tipped with gray, giving a changeable effect; his soft buffy throat and cheeks of the same hue, outlined by black lines; his buffy under- parts, streaked with brown on the breast; and his barred back and tail; but the ‘eyes’ on the inner web of the primaries which in the folded wing formed bars, were the most wonderful thing about his coloring. After the first day, when he fed many times, he never ate over an ounce of beef a day. We fed him about 8 o’clock in the morning and 5 in the after- noon. He always made a good breakfast, but sometimes re- fused supper altogether. He showed a decided preference for ‘NIP, THE TAME SPARROW HAWK very fresh meat. He ate daintily PROSE DNS Pet re Ee aaa and never gourmandized. He seemed to like water but not to know how to drink; so we sometimes dipped his meat in water. He would not bathe. On the fourth day he made his first flight, a distance of about 6 feet, and repeated it several times. Toward evening, being taken to the yard, he flew to the fence, and then across the next yard, but readily submitted to capture. Two days later, the door having been left open, he flew to a line in the kitchen, and from that to the top of an open door, the highest in the room. Taken back to his quarters and the door shut, he flew against it so persistently that he ruffled his tail. Later. when he had achieved liberty, this ruffled tail served as a mark of identification. Fearing that he might injure himself severely, we opened the door, when he immediately repeated his flight, first to the line, and Nip, the Young Sparrow Hawk 227 then to the top of the high door, and for the remainder of his stay with us, this was his perch. During the day, he kept to the outside, but as evening approached, he settled near the wall. We never caught him napping; steal down stairs ever so quietly after dusk had fallen, we always found him awake and alert. During this time, his tail grew a full inch and he began to show signs of restlessness. It was plain that he wanted more space, so, on the morning of July 25, nine days after he came into our possession, we took him to the roof, hoping that we could feed him there until he was able to care for himself. From the vantage-ground of a chimney, Nip looked at the great world beneath and the great sky above, where even then his parents were sailing, and a wonderful change came over him. For a moment he stood poised with outspread wings, in true Hawk fashion, and we who had been so necessary to his existence and had flattered ourselves that he had repaid us in affection, realized that we were no longer either necessary or desirable to him. The wild nature reasserted itself, and a barrier, intangible but very real, was drawn between us and him. Sadly we left him and went down to the humdrum of civilized life. | An hour later, from the street, we saw him launch forth into the world. Slowly, but straight, he flew over a tree and out of sight, and we thought never to see him again, but, lo, next morning, he was perched on a neighboring chimney, and a series of insistent insect-like notes was traced to him and found to be his hunger-cry, for soon one of the old birds brought breakfast. And for three weeks after his liberation, the following program was daily carried out. Between g and ro o’clock we would hear a clamor from the English Sparrows, and, on looking out, would see Nip on some chimney or coping and hear his hunger- cry. After a time, sometimes soon, an old bird would dash into view, quickly give Nip the quarry, and then from some chimney or the steeple, keep guard while he regaled himself. Usually he was fed again about 5 in the afternoon, but sometimes, either for the sake of discipline or from ill-luck in hunting, he went to bed supperless. We could not often see what the prey was, but once we distinctly saw that it was a full-grown Sparrow. The last time we saw him fed was on August 13, when, from the screaming of the poor victim, we knew he had been entrusted with a live bird. Next day Nip sat and called a long time but no parent appeared, and we concluded that he had been thrown on his own resources. We never saw him perch on a chim- ney again, but until well into December, we occasionally got a glimpse of a Sparrow Hawk flying over the roofs and we noticed a decrease in the number of Sparrow pests. any A ‘H Aq peydeiz0j0y4g LSAN SLI GNV GaIdNaAO NV The Night Warbler By H. E. TUTTLE, Lake Forest, III. Ke ARELY, rarely comest thou, spirit of delight,’’ so may we excuse the Oven-bird his oft-repeated daylight roundelay, for his songs of the noon hour are but jingling alliterations beside the floods of ecstasy that he pours forth above the tree-tops in the dark of night. How should he consent to vain repetitions, like the Pharisee, that had sent his song athwart the heavens in wild lyrics of unearthly joy? For “he was taught in Paradise to ease his breast of melodies,’ and needs but some dream-sent quickening power to yield increase. When the starlit nights are warm with the promise of June, then may you hear the first glad upward rush of that far-flung torrent of poetry. Mounting with hurried gladness, as if he feared some surcease of delight, he gains the open sky, spilling the gay notes earthward in his wake, like the tumbling drops of a mountain waterfall. While the last burst of warbled rapture haunts the still air of night, he has sheered into a swift descent, with perhaps a murmured snatch of the refrain, uttered regretfully, as if Lethe had overtaken the singer and hushed the gay chords whilst yet they trembled from his heart. But with the dawn of day he is again the demure and mincing walker of the forest trails, forgetful of, or choosing to ignore, his midnight revelries. The spell that was on him has been withdrawn, and he returns to the workaday world, like Cinderella to her ashes. He sings with vigorous gaiety, till the woods ring with his song, but neither the words nor the measure is the same: it is a gay song, but it wants art; there is not in it the careless rapture of his moonlit flights. Sometimes, even when the sun is high, he falls into a reverie, perched on a horizontal bough above the glade, then, rarely, and but for a moment, as if in a day-dream, the lyric gift is restored. He darts from his perch like a mad thing, and whips through the woods with incredible speed, singing wildly his flight song with all the abandon of a Bacchante, till, as suddenly, he comes to rest upon the branch from which he started, dozes a space, and wakes to walk quietly the length of his perch, returning to the earth as if quite unconscious of what has occurred. ‘The cares of the nesting season, though they may scant him in his diurnal pleasures, have no power over the hours of darkness, and if you are wakeful you may hear the aérial love-song of this midnight troubadour, that, forsak- ing earth, launches himself toward the stars. (229) Tragedies of the Nest By L. L. SNYDER, Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, Ont. N looking over my observation notes for the months of June and July, I was very much surprised to find so many casualties which had befallen the birds and their nests in the ‘Harcroft’ Sanctuary, near Toronto, Ont. This reservation is the property of Mr. J. A. Harvey. It embraces about 25 acres and contains both high and dry woodland and low and wet marshes, which make it attractive to a great variety of birds. It was here that I had the opportunity of watching bird migration and, later, although rather intermittently, to observe birds nesting. Although many birds had successfully reared their broods on those 25 acres, there were quite a number which met with difficulties or complete failure. No warden protection was given to the Sanctuary, but it was carefully watched over by the two families residing on the grounds. Such helps as shooting stray cats, driving out human molesters, keeping down the harmful Hawks and Owls, as well as hav- ing a watchful eye on Crows and Grackles, were constantly in practice. My list of tragedies starts with the Wilson Thrush or Veery. This master of nature’s flute selected a bush-covered bank near the edge of a pond for his deep and well-concealed nest. In a short time the nest was completed, and one morning I found a dazzling greenish blue egg deposited in it. On the following morning I found a Cowbird’s egg in the nest. Although young Thrushes are almost as'large as young Cowbirds, and could probably hold their own in the same nest, I thought it advisable to remove the egg because of the abundance of Cowbirds in the vicinity. The next day I found the nest empty. Where the Veery egg had gone to (and probably a second egg laid that day), I do not know. On the following day another Veery egg was in the nest. In due time this egg hatched and the little Veery left the nest in the normal way. Although the efforts of the Veery were not all in vain, the brood was not a success. The second nest which I watched was that of the Chipping Sparrow. It was constructed in a young elm tree about 8 feet from the ground. Three days after I had found this little cradle, which rocked and tossed in the wind, I discovered it tilted up and the few speckled eggs broken on the ground. The wind, very likely, was the cause, as, upon removing the nest, I found that it had been placed between two branches in such a way that, when either branch moved, the movement would tend to loosen their grip on the nest. Birds frequently choose unwise sites for their nests and generally suffer for it, as did the Chipping Sparrow. The third nest tragedy fell to the lot of our most popular native bird, the American Robin. The pair had built their nest over the dining-room door of Mr. Harvey’s house; four eggs were laid and, without anyone noticing it, the eggs disappeared, also the nest was partially destroyed. The pair were not discouraged, but remodeled their home and four more eggs were laid. Four (230) Tragedies of the Nest Zar young Robins finally made their appearance and were thriving when, one day, a black squirrel, which had always been encouraged about the house, turned criminal and proceeded to devastate the home of Mr. and Mrs. Robin. Mrs. Harvey noticed the confusion outside, and, upon investigation, found the black intruder in the act of throwing out the little naked birds. The squirrel had dropped one to the ground and was holding another in his mouth. Just what his intentions were, I do not know, nor did Mr. Harvey wait to see, but promptly frightened the squirrel away and replaced the little birds in their nest. ‘They did not seem to be injured and after several days were fully feathered and started off to learn the art of extracting earthworms from the lawn. “THE FIVE YOUNG BIRDS . . . WERE BROUGHT TO MR. HARVEY” Photographed by L. L. Snyder The next family circle to be broken up was that of a pair of Bluebirds which had nested in a bird-box in the neighborhood. A boy, who wished to try out his rifle, killed the mother bird. The five young birds, which were almost fully fledged, were brought to Mr. Harvey. Mrs. Harvey reared the family upon egg-and-milk custard, a most unusual diet for birds, but, nevertheless, the youngsters did well and were soon able to feed themselves. They were then given their liberty about the lawn, and it is hoped that they will all be back next year. One day I started out for a walk, armed with my field-glasses and notebook. While going through a cherry thicket, close to the edge of a pond, I caught a glimpse of a tiny yellowish green bird fairly rolling over the ground. It was the female Yellow Warbler. Her frantic efforts to entice me to follow her were of no use, because I wanted to have a look into that little gray cup which was 232 Bird - Lore sure to be somewhere near. After a few moments’ search, I found it in the fork of a cherry sprout, about 3 feet from the ground. The sole occupant of the nest was a fat, lazy Cowbird. The details of this story were missing, but it was not hard to see how several little Warblers were crowded off this earth by this clumsy interloper. Other similar cases must have happened in the vicinity, because, on two other occasions, I have witnessed the rather disgust- ing, but still comical, sight of a tiny mother Warbler, or a Song Sparrow, devoting its entire time to satisfying the enormous appetite of a young Cowbird. One morning I was asked to locate a Song Sparrow’s nest which was some- where in the vicinity of a thistle patch which Mr. Harvey wished to clear out. A few of the thistles had been cut, but operations had been suspended because of the serious objection of the parent birds. I took my post nearby, being partly concealed by the tall grass and weeds. Both the male and female birds came down, time after time, with their mouths full of small moths and other insects, only to be devoured by themselves after much chirping and shifting of positions. I took this to be bird strategy, and for three hours I sat fighting the mosquitos as best I could without making much commotion. It finally dawned on me that the birds were as much baffled as to the whereabouts of the nest as I was. On first thought I supposed that, because of part of the thistles being cut, the birds had somewhat lost their sense of direction, but it proved that the nest had been overturned. I turned it right side up, but could see nothing of the little birds. With my hand I scratched away the dead leaves and grass, and even the earth, and there, buried in the ground, were the three little birds, still alive, and one egg. My next query was what to do with the young birds since the nest was partially destroyed and the protecting thistles gone. I decided, rather than to move the nest any distance where it would be protected by the weeds, that I should move the protection to it. So I dug up tufts of sod and transplanted them about where the nest had been. Then I remodeled the nest and placed it in a pocket between the tufts of grass. The little birds and the egg were then replaced in the nest. It was only a moment before the parents were feeding the young just as if nothing had happened. The egg proved to be infertile, but the young birds were soon fully feathered and left the nest. Another Song Sparrow family had an exciting time when they were intruded upon by an otherwise friendly dog. The little Song Sparrows, being now fledged, promptly left the nest, as they had been instinctively taught to do when the dog’s sniff sounded too close. The movement, of course, attracted the dog, and she caught one of the little birds. I was hurrying to the scene as fast as I could, but speed was impossible since I was in a rowboat, with a short board for a paddle. My shouts caused the dog to drop the bird and, upon examination, I found an abdominal wound, large enough to allow the bowel to protrude. I took the little Sparrow home and he was immediately placed on ' the operating table. With a fine silk thread I sewed up the wound and then Tragedies of the Nest 233 washed it with disinfectant. The following day the little fellow was quite active, but refused to take food. I believe it was because he was too old to be fed by a foster parent, because young and more unsophisticated birds uncon- sciously open their mouths to be fed. After several fruitless attempts to feed him various kinds of insects, I decided to take him back to his mother. This I did, and she began feeding him at once. Just what the outcome was I do not know, but when I last located him, he seemed perfectly healthy. Whether the silk thread stitches will cause trouble, or whether Nature will discard them, I do not know. - Other cases of destruction, such as the disappearance of the nest and eggs of a Brown Thrasher, add more to my list of bird tragedies. This case, I pre- sume, was due to some passer-by, since the nest was close to a public path, and there are always a few individuals whose eyes are pleased with a collection of birds’ eggs dangling on a string. ; Although my observations will convey nothing new to the one who studies birds, they record a few more instances of bird tragedies and point out some of the causes. Some of the destructive agencies cannot be overcome, but for that reason we should double our efforts to protect our feathered friends; with interest, care and action, we can vitally aid the birds and, consequently, ourselves and the world in general. YOUNG SCREECH OWLS Photographed by C. W. Leister, Ithaca, N. Y. Bird Neighbors By MRS. HARVEY C. PERRY, Westerly, R. I. T is much easier to have ‘bird neigh- bors’ than many of us suspect before we have tried it, and one of the best ways to succeed is to follow the advice given in a little book, ‘Methods of Attracting Birds,’ by Gilbert H. Trafton. It is not necessary to follow his directions to the letter or to spend much money, as one spring’s experience in this New England town has proven. Here we have had trees and nesting-boxes on all sides inhabited, each with its appropriate pair, and, though well within the borders of the town, our back yard and bathing- pool have had daily, and often hourly, visits from such rustics as Meadowlarks and Red-wings. The first residents were Bluebirds, who appropriated a starch-box covered with bark and which was placed in an old apple tree. For a week there were glorious day-long battles with the English Sparrows, giving occasional need for human interference, when a gallant but tired little gentleman would sit on a twig, confidently congratulating himself and his mate, while the Sparrows, in noisy rout, fled before waving arms and clapping hands. As soon as building began there was peace and victory—peace, if no Spar- row stopped on or under the tree—and always victory. We have repeatedly seen the fire-eating lord of the family jump directly on a Sparrow’s back and drag him from the very door of the house. This lord did no work himself but almost burst with pride and affection at each tiny straw that was brought to the box. And surely such loving lovers there never were. We never found out how many little ones they owned, but we discovered one egg that did not hatch and was the prey of marauding Sparrows after the brood had flown. For two weeks we thought that we were deserted, but one morning there he was again, the same little fire-eater, darting at the Sparrows and keeping them well away from his old home. He kept with him, for nearly a week, a queer mottled child which he fed most diligently, till it, thankless, left him. But his wife never came back, and for two weeks his call to her was never silent from morning till night. In and out of his old home he went, and into all the other boxes, only to be driven away by indignant owners, and never to find that industrious and exemplary cause of all his happiness. Of course, we will never know what has become of her or of him. Maybe they, or their children, WHERE FLICKERS LIVED (234) Bird Neighbors ARs will come to us next spring. But, in any case, we are glad that his heart- broken calls have ceased to harrow our feelings. In the meantime, there was domesticity on all sides. A joyous, noisy Flicker had found his box, and, regardless of a Sparrow’s nest in the bottom and angry, screaming Sparrows on all sides, calmly took up his abode there every night, and every day used the sides for his drum. We thought he was only an old tramp, till we found he had a wife and family in an apple limb two trees away, and used our box only as an annex. But soon he became overwhelmingly busy with an obstreperous crowd of small replicas of himself, who wanted very much to come out of the hole but never quite dared. They silenced his hurrahing shout and made him merely humdrum and business-like, as dull as any com- muter. A pair of White-breasted Swallows found a home in the hulk of an old toy boat which had been fixed up for Martins, and they were nearly the most amus- ing of all. The poor flustered bride could never tell which of the four rooms was hers and spent hours of unnecessary labor carrying feathers and straws into all of them, while her husband sat idle but interested on a telephone wire. The hole they had chosen was in the stern, but the prospective mother vacillated long between that and the one in the bow, having succeeded after many failures THE BLUEBIRDS’ HOME in eliminating the other two. She had made five trips in succession to the wrong hole, always hovering uncertainly before the right one, when her ex- asperated lord and master, with excited twitterings, called her out and escorted her to the stern. After that we noticed no more mistakes. It was a slow time till the eggs were hatched, but then slow no longer. We counted twenty feedings in forty minutes, and from occasional observations are inclined to think that this was the rate for most of the day. Both parents 236 Bird - Lore were hard at work now, and not many weeks were passed before the hole was crowded with small white throats and gaping yellow mouths, and then in a few days empty again and Swallows and twitterings were no more. Since the Swallows had appropriated the Martin-box, there was nothing for it but to build a new eight-room cottage for these hypothetical tenants. This was set up on a pole and promptly occupied by English Sparrows. Every day there was a nest built and every evening it was torn out. Then one day there was a nest and an egg to lose and finally a Sparrow shot; and the next night a pair of Martins actually arrived. After that they came, one by one, the males always first, and a great rejoicing crowd they made, perched all over their house, chattering together, and then starting off on their great tireless swooping flights, playing wonderful games in midair, with feathers or green leaves dropped and caught again, till they were off through the sky and away out of sight. Soon they were busy with family cares, and the tired mothers would come out in the evenings to gossip and stretch their cramped wings before they were back again at their monotonous duties, while the fathers had a gay time together out over the river catching gnats and dragon-flies. Last and least came a pair of Wrens and adopted a green-painted chalk-box in a lilac bush by the porch. Of these we knew little except a preposterously loud and cheerful song and an occasional little brown bird which slipped noise- lessly into a tiny black hole. All this had happened by the first of July. The advantages which this place possesses are not unique—old apple trees, nearby water and some shrubbery— yet besides the tenants of our boxes much could be said of Robins and Cat- birds, of Orioles and Kingbirds, of Chippies and Goldfinches and Yellow Warblers and Hummingbirds, some a prey to Sparrows and some to cats, but most, at the last, leading out a victorious brood, working away all their gay spring spirits, but earning again their trip to the South and their fountain of eternal youth. If any man believeth, let him goand do likewise, and above all let him swear unending hostility to English Sparrows, Starlings, and Cats. Motes from Field and Dtudyp Notes from Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. February 17 to May 29, 1916, and from October 22 to May 28, 1917, I had Even- ing Grosbeaks feeding daily at my feed- ing-boxes and window-tray. Last winter was a disappointment—only one visit, February 24, from 3 males and a female. This season (1918) they are back. The first, a male, was in the window-tray when I came down to breakfast October 15. October 19, at same time, a female came in, and the same afternoon there were 8. Now, October 28, there are 19, 11 males and 8 females. They are here, as before, every day from just after daylight until mid-afternoon. Last season a male Junco stayed all winter. This spring he mated, and much to my disgust, on July 8 he and his wife proudly brought to my window-tray and exhibited a young Cowbird! This is the first year (1918) that I have kept a supply of sunflower seed out all summer. A flock of Purple Finches came March 23 and were here continually until October 21, when they left for the winter. From June 15 until the end of July many young birds were around. Frequently sev- eral would be in the window-tray at one time, being fed by their parents. June zo I noticed the first second-year male begin- ning to acquire the red plumage, and it was well along in October before all had changed. June 12 I saw 3 young Pine Siskins, just out of nest, being fed by the old birds, and by June 17th I had a flock of 20 old and young feeding. They stayed until July 15, coming in to feed and wash in the bird-bath daily. Many White-throated Sparrows and Song Sparrows visited me. From May g to May 23 I had a small flock of 5 White-crowned Sparrows. I have never, thus far, been able to find a White-Crown in this vicinity, except right at my own doorstep. For five years I have had a small flock, from 4 to 6, for a few days every spring and fall. A pair of Wood Pewees were around the house all summer. September 17 I saw the old birds feeding four young well able to fly. They must have immediately left for the South as that was the last I saw of them. April 26 I saw 6 Savannah Sparrows in open fields a quarter-mile from the house; by May 1 there were at least a hundred. They stayed all season and nested. I saw the first young being fed July 10 and many young during the next three weeks. August 4 I noticed the first signs that the birds were flocking; August 6 they were still in the fields. I then left ona fishing-trip, and on my return, August 18, the fields were empty. Two pair of Bobo- links and two or three pair of Meadowlarks nested in the same fields. Dr. Christofferson, my partner on bird tramps, and myself last fall and winter found birds very scarce in this locality. However, over Washington’s Birthday, we had one exceptional trip. With two others we went by train about 40 miles, then, the doctor and I on skiis, the others on snow-shoes, packing our provisions, blankets, etc., tramped 8 miles to a hunting-camp. We had the most perfect weather—no wind, bright sunshine, and, during the day, temperature just about freezing or a little above. There was over 2 feet of snow, but when you woke in the morning you were reminded of a balmy spring day, for the forest around was alive with birds singing and chirping. When we first arrived we dug out the woodpile and exposed quite a little patch of unfrozen ground—this was a Mecca for the birds. We also put outa little food on the cabin step and the birds came down to feed. We had Tree Sparrows, Pine Siskins, Chickadees, Redpolls, Golden-crowned Kinglets, Red-breasted Nuthatches, American and White-winged Crossbills, (237) and, one morning, a visit for about an hour from a flock of to Evening Gros- beaks. The woods all around the camp was alive with Crossbills, flock after flock, not less than 500 in all, the White-winged variety predominating, about two to one, and the males singing most beautifully. This fall the Doctor and I have been particularly fortunate in checking the unusual for this locality, latitude 46 degrees 30 minutes north. September 15. A Red-headed Wood- pecker. The only one either of us ever saw in this part of Michigan. A _ Yellow- throated Vireo and two Olive-sided Fly- catchers. September 22.—A Philadelphia Vireo, 2 Wood Pewees, 2 Least Flycatchers and, in a swamp.on an island in St. Mary’s River, 3 miles from town, 2 Long-billed Marsh Wrens, 2 Swamp Sparrows, and a male and female Maryland Yellow-throat. September 29.—A Blue-headed Vireo. October 6.—A Lapland Longspur, 2 Fox Sparrows, 2 Palm, and 2 Black- throated Green Warblers. October 13.—Two Chipping Sparrows, 3 Hermit Thrushes, 4 Lincoln’s Sparrows (extremely rare here), 2 Northern Water- Thrushes (rare here, a very late date, and, I believe, a record for Michigan, the latest previous date I can find being October 8, 1889, near Detroit, 270 miles south of us), 2 Harris’s Sparrows (unusual and rare; up to 1912 but three records from the state; however, one of these was from here, and the specimen is now in our High School Museum). The above date, October 13, was our ‘red letter day’ for this season. The Lincoln’s and Harris’s Sparrows and Northern Water-Thrush we picked up along a half-mile of wire fence dividing a stretch of wood and a low-lying, rather wet meadow along the river-bank. The fence was mostly out of sight in the under- brush. October 16.—A Myrtle Warbler and a Great Blue Heron. November 13.—A Bohemian Waxwing, the first seen since April 23, 1916, arrived this morning and was feeding in my boxes Bird - Lore with the Evening Grosbeaks.—M. J. MaceEEr, Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. Unusual Occurrences in the San Fran- cisco Bay Region That birds fluctuate in numbers from year to year is so well known that record of unusual local occurrence would be hardly worth while were it not for his- toric significance. The matter which appears trivial at first sight may become important later when statistics are being compiled. As a general rule there are few note- worthy variations in abundance among the visiting birds in the San Francisco Bay region. Of course, the Western Robin does not appear in equal numbers from winter to winter and sometimes the Red-breasted Nuthatch appears in such small numbers that it is rarely seen. But seldom are unusual increases or decreases conspicuous to the amateur bird student. The past winter, 1918-19, however, two winter visitant birds which are usually uncom- mon in the Bay region have appeared in such numbers as to become conspicuous, and one winter visitant, usually fairly common, has been so rare as to be un- observed up to February 10, to1g. The Golden-crowned Kinglet and the Western Bluebird are the two belonging to the first category and the Varied Thrush is the one belonging to the second category. Another notable occurrence remains in our memory—the numerous Western Wood Pewees found on the University Campus, Berkeley, in the summer of 1912 and the dearth of these birds in the same locality since that time. The above occur- rences have been so conspicuous as to be noticeable by both professional and amateur bird students——Haroip C. Bryant, Berkeley, Calif. My Neighbor’s Back Yard In view from the south window of my living-room is a half-acre of neglected ground, covered with low shrubbery and a half-dozen plum and apple trees that year Notes from Field and Study after year bear their meager pittance of fruit which is never gathered. This deserted lot and a low, shambling cottage are the heritage of a lone spinster who is ever alert for trespassing boys, lest they covet a sour plum or a worm-eaten apple— these are left for the birds; they revel by day and the stray cats by night. This small area, just one mile from the heart of the city, has attracted Black- headed Grosbeaks, Bohemian Waxwings, Western Robins, Red-shafted Flickers, Mountain Chickadee, Ruby-crowned King- lets, Yellow Warblers, a pair of these birds having bred in this yard for seven years; Townsend’s Solitaire, Spurred Towhee, a single Wilson’s Warbler, this bird had evidently wandered far out of its geo- graphic range, but it remained in full view sufficiently long to be sure of its identifica- tion; a Yellow-breasted Chat; a pair of Rocky Mountain Pine Grosbeaks were noted several times during their breeding season. We have studied these birds in the high mountains where they remain both summer and winter; however, their recurrence led us to the belief that they might be nesting in the pine trees in Liberty Park, about a half-mile distant. Once, when I had thrown out some sun- flower seeds, I was pleased to find a lone Crossbill enjoying the feast. Today, while sitting at my window read- ing, a shaft of copper distracted my atten- tion. For the moment I thought it was the male of a pair of Robins that returns to us each year, but there was too much bustling and commotion among the low bushes to indicate the presence of my quiet friend, and a more careful scrutiny revealed a male Spurred Towhee. How intensely busy he was; how perfectly oblivious to his surroundings. Soon there was another, and then a third Towhee— such darting to and fro, a moment of repose, then a mad catapulting. It seemed as though the entire dynamic force of the whole bird world was pent up in these three energetic little creatures. It was intensely interesting to watch them scratch for food, using both feet at the same time, jumping forward and back, and 439 with their little black heads bobbing, it reminded me so much of the negro rousta- bouts that used to come up the Miss- issippi on the old lumber scows—the boats unloaded, their joy found vent in singing and jigging the ‘Coonjine’ to the strumming of a banjo or perhaps the syncopated rattle of a pair of bones. For two weeks a male Robin has been singing each morning and evening his praises of the spring returned and calling to his mate to hasten back and join him. This afternoon, as he sat on his high perch on the box-elder tree, he could not long withstand the sight of another bird of copper, brown, and white. He flew to the ground, and I could almost see his dis- appointment. He stood perplexed, be- wildered; he looked down at himself, then at the other bird—yes—the same color- ing, but was it of his kin, this nervous, restless creature—no, indeed. I could see his indignation rise as he straightened back his head and puffed out his already corpulent little body—such needless haste to secure one’s dinner—his utter disgust was so manifest. He hopped in a semi- circle intently watching the Towhees, then, as much as to say, ‘‘Now watch me,” he pulled a huge worm out of the soft earth, leisurely eating it piece by piece, but the Towhees did not heed the admonition; they kept right on with their bustling and scratching. Finally one discovered a mass of snow remaining on top of one of the low bushes. Instantly an inspiration had seized him, and he was on top of it. In another second he had shaped a little cavity; then the snow began to fly, left, right and in every direction—oh, such an exciting time, but finally the snow- bath was accomplished—and the entrance of a hungry gray cat dispersed the bird’s matinee—Mrs. A. O. TREGANZA, Salt Lake City, Utah. Red Phalarope in Pennsylvania On Sunday morning, December 15, 1918, a George School student picked up a strange bird which he brought to the school. The bird was still alive but in a 240 helpless condition and died the same after- noon. The next day, those interested hav- ing failed positively to identify it, the bird was sent to the Academy of Natural Sciences -at Philadelphia to be stuffed and identified. It appears that the bird was a Red Phalarope in winter plumage, the first of its species ever recorded in Pennsylvania. The Red Phalarope is an exclusively mari- time bird, and this specimen only occurred thus far inland because of two days of foggy and rainy weather during which it had evidently lost its direction. This specimen, because of its scientific value, will remain in the local collection at the Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, Pa.—O.tNEy RAYMOND, George School, Bucks Co., Pa. A Tardy Evening Grosbeak A female Evening Grosbeak was seen here May 2, 1919.—JOoHN P. YounG, Williams port, Pa. ‘Crazy’ Grouse I live on the lake-shore, with a small fringe of trees over the bluff between my residence and the lake. As far back as I can remember, there comes a time in the fall, about September 15, when Partridges behave in a very peculiar way. I thought, until this year, that it was due to the break- ing up of the covies, or that they were dis- turbed by hunters at that time, yet this explanation was not entirely satisfactory to me. This year there was no Partridge hunting in our state, but conditions re- mained the same. About that time of the year, that is about September 15, I have noticed that Partridges about my residence are very erratic in their flight. I have picked up as many as five in one forenoon that have flown against windows and buildings. I got two one morning that, after having been disturbed, flew against the side of a green, painted barn. I picked up another this fall, a matured bird, that, in a practically open piece of ground, flew Bird - Lore against the side of a summer cottage. I saw the bird do it. This does not happen at any other season of the year. Can you offer any explanation?p—A. A. SWINTON, Charlevoix, Mich. [In reply we quote from Seton’s ‘Wild Animals I Have Known’: “By a strange law of nature, not wholly without parallel among mankind, all Partridges go crazy in the November moon of their first year. They become possessed of a mad hankering to get away somewhere, it does not matter much where. And the wisest of them do all sorts of foolish things at this period. They go drifting perhaps, at speed over the country by night, and are cut in two by wires, or dash into lighthouses, or locomotive headlights. Daylight finds them in all sorts of absurd places—in buildings, in open marshes, perched on telephone wires in a great city, or even on board coasting vessels. The craze seems to be a relic of a by-gone habit of migration, and it has at least one good effect, it breaks up the families and prevents the constant inter- marrying, which would surely be fatal to their race. It always takes the young badly their first year, and they may have it again the second fall, for it is very catch- ing; but in the third season it is practically unknown.’’—EpITorR.]| Starlings Spreading in New York State From my own observations and from those of my friends here, I have proved that the Starling is beginning to spread toward the east-central part of New York state. Last spring, for the first time, I was attracted by a new bird-call in an old grove near my home. I could not tell exactly the kind of bird it was, and thought perhaps it might be a Blackbird of some species. Later there were at least a half- dozen of them. They stayed about two weeks and then disappeared. They were very shy and flew before I could get near enough to observe them with my glasses. I did not think of the Starling, knowing that they were found farther south, nearer Notes from Field and Study New York City, but later in the summer a bird student about six miles from here shot several Starlings and I was fortunate enough to see one. It quite resembled my visitors in the grove and it made me keen to know whether mine were Starlings or not. This spring the same birds again re- turned, and in greater numbers. There must have been twelve or fifteen in all. They were still as shy as ever, and I could get no nearer to them. But one day, near June 1, I had a pleasant and yet not a pleasant discovery. I was attracted to the tree where for two years my Flicker had built his nest. In the same hole one of these black birds (Starlings) was feeding its young. What a squeaking noise, both parent and young made! Now I had a splendid chance toidentify my bird. Sure enough my glasses told the story. I could see the metallic green and purple plumage, spotted indistinctly with white. Its breast feathers were not smooth, but as it called each stood out on its breast separately. The tail was blunt and its beak fairly long. Just above this place, ¥, A TRUSTFUL GOLDEN-WING 241 in another tree, was a nest. These were the only trees that were inhabited in the old grove, but I felt very indignant that another pest was added besides the Crow and Sparrow to this charming nesting- site of so many of my bird friends. I wish heartily that something might be done to stop the spread of these pests up state GERTRUDE Hoyt, Hobart, N.Y. Making Friends with the Golden- winged Warbler I am enclosing a picture of a Golden- winged Warbler which may be of interest to the readers of Brrp-LoRE. One day in June, 1018, I discovered a nest of the Golden-wings in a clump of weeds in an open woods near the road. It was somewhat disappointing, however to find that the male would not come near the nest nor attempt to feed the young while my camera was in sight. The female came rather frequently, but she was so excited and cautious that I failed to get her picture. The next week I found another Golden- Photographed by Clinton E. Kellogg 242 wing’s nest hidden under the broad leaf of a skunk cabbage in an open swamp. To my surprise and delight, the male did all the feeding of this family and he seemed not to mind the camera in the least. Returning a few days later, I found the young birds preparing to leave the nest. I took them up to prevent their. escape while I was getting ready for another picture when, to my astonishment and delight, the male came and fed them as they sat in my hand. Believing that this was as unusual an experience for the Golden-wing, as | am sure it was for me, I send you the picture which I managed to secure—CLINTON E. Keiocec, Secretary-Treasurer, Burroughs Audubon Nature Club, Rochester, N. Y. Prothonotary Warbler at Erie, Pa. The vicinity of Erie, comprising the lake-shore, Presque Isle, commonly known as the Peninsula, and Waldameer Park, is an enchanted paradise for bird-lovers in the Keystone State. From September 4 to 7, 1918, we spent four days profitably observing and study- ing bird-life around Erie. The Warbler migration, with its passing ‘waves’, showed us 23 different species of the Mniotiltide. On September 6, we watched a Pro- thonotary Warbler feeding on the berries of the ‘Devil’s Club’ tree at the entrance to Waldameer Park. The bird was under extended observation for at least an hour by both of us, with field-glasses, under a strong early afternoon sunlight. This beautiful, well-marked specimen was a gorgeous sight in the bright sunshine, as it lazily devoured the ripe berries. A male Black-throated Blue and several other Warblers were feeding on the same ‘Devil’s Club’ tree about 8 feet above the ground. When we approached within about 15 feet of the birds, the Prothonotary Warbler flew away, but the others allowed a much closer approach before taking alarm. Whereupon we retired, and, after a few minutes, the group of Warblers returned and resumed their feast. We Bird - Lore repeated this many times and studied them with our binoculars from all sides, although glasses were almost unnecessary at such close range. The Prothonotary Warbler drew all our attention on account of its beauty and rarity. We compared it on the spot with Chester Reed’s colored plate which does not do the bird justice. Even Ridgway’s beautiful colored plate falls short of the réal bird. The intense yellow, nearly an orange, on the whole head and underparts showed it to be seemingly a male bird. The ashy blue color of the wings (without bars) contrasted prettily with the gold. Even the white on the outside tail-feathers was plainly evident. The back of head was not yet washed with dusky, as described by Chapman for the adult male’s fall plum- age, but the uniform orange- yellow encircled its whole head. This bird might be more aptly named the Golden-headed Warbler. It was not until after our return, when reading Todd’s ‘Birds of Erie and Presque Isle’ that we realized that we made a first ‘observed record’ for Erie or vicinity. — Tuos. L. McConneE Lt and L. F. Savace, McKeesport, Pa. Townsend’s Solitaire I wish to record a visit of Townsend’s Solitaire to this locality on April 11 and 12, 1919. The bird first appeared on the 11th, and was seen by the writer flying about in an old deserted orchard in the foot-hills, but having no glass I could not identify it at the time. The next morning, however, I found it again, this time in my own orchard, and was able to observe it at leisure for more than an - hour, making identification absolutely certain. During this time its flights were confined to the orchard and roadside, and a stumpy pasture adjoining. It was feed- ing constantly, taking its prey in Blue- bird fashion, by watching for it from fence- ~ posts and stumps, and dropping to the ground only when an insect had been located, returning immediately to its point of observation. In fact, in its habits, Notes from Field and Study and in the general appearance of its head and neck, it constantly reminded one of a female Bluebird, although its longer form suggested a slender Thrush, with a hint in its actions, and especially in flight, of the Sage Thrasher. When the bird finally left me behind, it flew in the direction of the old orchard where it was first seen, and, later in the day, I again foundit there, and spent nearly two hours watching it. Although some- what timid if approached too closely, it took little notice of my presence as long as I remained quiet and at a little distance. While in the orchard it seemed to feed principally on angle worms, which it secured Robin fashion, except that in- stead of watching for them from the ground it would drop down upon, them from the lower limbs of the fruit trees, returning immediately to its perch. In fact, during the entire time I watched it, I did not see it take more than half a dozen hops along the ground, and I did not hear it utter a single note. Possibly my presence may have had something to do with this cautious silence. It may be that the birds seen were not the same one, and that several were present, but of this I cannot be certain. The locality where it was observed is in the lower foot-hills of the Cascades, and at an altitude of approximately seven or eight hundred feet. Of course, it was only a stray, lost in migration, but as I have never seen another such instance recorded, I am inclined to think it a very rare occurrence. —LesieE L. Hasxtn, Lebanon, Ore. Mockingbird in Connecticut Saturday afternoon, March 15, the writer was walking along Farmington Avenue in the town of West Hartford, Conn., about 4 miles west of Hartford City Hall. A bird-song of remarkably good quality drew my attention to a nearby back yard. At first I thought it might be a Catbird; later, it very strongly re- minded me of the song of the Brown Thrasher; but investigation showed the 243 singer to be a Mockingbird perched in a small peach tree. He did not sing very much after being discovered, but a few notes were heard. A Robin in a nearby tree attracted his attention and was promptly chased out of the tree, and when last seen the Mocker was flying fast towards Hartford—Gro. H. Gasriet, Hartford, Conn. The Nesting of Robins Having read in March-April Brrp-Lore, Horace W. Wright’s article on ‘Robins Repeatedly Using the Same Nest,’ I submit to ‘Notes from Field and Study,’ my observations on their nesting during the past three years. In 1916 we built our cottage on the bluff at Wequetonsing, Mich., and when we arrived at our summer home, the latter part of June, we found it already in possession of three families of Robins, who had taken shelter on the inside ledges of two large pillars at either end of our front veranda and on a similar ledge at the side entrance to our cottage. These nests added greatly to the interest and delight of our newly acquired possession. It proved to be one of our chief pleasures to watch our Robin families at close range during this first summer. Our comings in and our goings out and our many delightful days on our veranda did not seem to disturb our bird friends, and we began to feel that a close companionship existed between us. We looked forward with great pleasure to our second summer, hoping to meet our Robin friends again, but having a family of Wrens in a bird-house swinging in a tree directly in front of our veranda, our attention and interest became divided, for while we delighted in the calls of the Robins and their constant presence with us, yet the lovely songs of the Wrens added much to our summer’s pleasure. As soon as the last birdling had flown from the nests of the Robins (1917), one morning, to our great surprise, we heard the Wrens making a great commotion, attacking and apparently tearing apart the nests of the Robins. Only two of the 244 nests were thus attacked by the angry little Wrens, who busied themselves for several days carrying away bits of straw, string, and twigs. This last summer (our third year in Michigan) we were curious to know if the Robins would nest again in these nests which had been partially destroyed by the Wrens, and when we arrived on June 27 we found only one of the three nests occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Robin, and, curiously enough, it was the one which had not been attacked by the Wrens. We also discovered that a second nest, constructed mostly of mud, had been built as a sort of second story on top of the nest at the side entrance. If that had been rebuilt and occupied by a Robin family or some other kind of a bird family in the early months, the birds had all flown before our arrival in spring, and it was not occupied again this summer. Unlike her ancestors of the two former summers, Mrs. Robin, who was nesting when we arrived, seemed especially timid and wild, and would never remain on her nest when we were occupying our veranda, nor could she stand the opening and shut- ting of our front door. As we could not abandon its use, the poor lady Robin abandoned her nest, leaving behind her two unhatched eggs (which we discovered at the end of the season), and started nesting on the opposite end of our veranda in the other unoccupied nest, a bit farther away from our entrance door. Here she raised her little family of four. It is a curious thing that, during the three years that we have been studying Robins, watching their rapidly growing offspring day by day, and seeing them stand with uncertain legs on the very edge of their nest and flutter their tiny wings for exercise, we have never yet seen them make their first flight into the world. We have decided they must take that plunge in the ‘wee sma’ hours’ of the morning, before the inmates of the cottage are awake to frighten them. It was a great disappoint- ment to us that we did not reach our summer home early enough for Wren renters this season, and our lonesome little bird-house, swingin, in the tree- Bird - Lore bough, remained unoccupied all this summer. Next year we hope for Martins and Bluebirds, as we have purchased additional bird-houses for our grounds and have arranged to have them placed earlier in the season. We hope to hear many bird-notes next summer at Min- no-to-win Lodge.—Gracr L. S. DyYcHE, Evanston, Ill. A Robin’s Lament One dreary, rainy afternoon last week, a beautiful Robin dropped dead on my porch roof. This was about 2 o'clock, and immediately his mate came and stood beside him. She looked and chirped and walked around him for several minutes, then seemed to realize there was something wrong. She stood guard, as it were, first look- ing at her mate, then looking away, never leaving nor getting more than 15 inches from him, until 7 o’clock at night. There was a fine drizzling rain falling continually, but she never ceased her vigil nor took a mouthful of food during those five hours. It seemed such a sad sight and we were so desirous of learning the outcome, that some of the family kept watch continually. At 7 o’clock she flew down to the ground and began getting some supper for herself; and as the rain had ceased, another Robin appeared, and they became very friendly, and after a few minutes flew away together. My small son remarked, “Why, mother, she’s forgotten all about her other husband and has gone away with a new one!’”—MaseL L. C. Bowes, Utica, N. Y. Bluebird Feeding Its Mate At no time of the year are the human- like instincts of birds so strikingly de- veloped as in the nesting season. One of the many pretty things not uncommonly done by nesting birds is for the male to. bring food to his mate while she sits on her nest. Still this is clearly a case of mere instinct growing out of the necessity of Notes from Field and Study the situation. In the following incident there was apparently no such necessity. Though I am under the impression of hav- ing seen a few other similar acts, in no other case were the details so striking as in this one at Kingston, N. Y., on May 18. BLUEBIRD FEEDING ITS MATE Drawn from nature by Edmund J. Sawyer 245 A pair of Bluebirds had a nest in a low, hollow stump on the edge of a pond. From the direction of this stump I saw the dull- colored female fly to an orchard nearby. Alighting on the upper branch of an apple tree, she called repeatedly, using exactly 246 the notes of a young Bluebird and imitat- ing perfectly all the fluttering actions of a young bird ‘begging for food. Her mate had been near her in the tree, but he flew away and soon returned with food which he tenderly placed in her open biil, while she continued to flutter and ‘beg’ for it. After a little while both flew away in the same direction—EpMuND J. SAWYER, Watertown, N. Y. Notes on Albino Robins As albino birds of any kind always attract special attention among people, I thought the following notes might be of interest to Brrp-Lore’s readers. In to17 a partially albino male Robin was seen several times near my home in a oe AN ALBINISTIC ROBIN Photographed by E. R. Warren Colorado Springs, Colo. The bird was first seen March 31 and again on the following day, when IJ secured a few photographs. Though it was quite tame and permitted a fairly close approach, it was difficult to tell how many white feathers there were. As the picture shows, there was one white feather in the upper part of the tail and one or more were mixed in below, a rather vague statement, but that is as nearly as I Bird - Lore can express it. There was also a round spot VY to 3% of an inch in diameter on each shoulder. After the above date the bird was seen several times within a radius of 150 yards, until June 23, and then not until September 17, when it made its last ap- pearance for 1917. I was naturally pleased and interested when I saw the bird again March 15, 1918, and it was noted occa- sionally until May 5, since which time it has not been seen. During 1918 I saw several other partially albino Robins, and heard of more, includ- ing one entirely white bird. One of those that I saw had a number of small white spots all over it, and another a white spot the size of one’s thumb-nail in the middle of its back. This also was a male, and was seen a number of times. These oc- currences would seem to indicate that there is a family or families of these albinos about the city—E. R. WARREN, Colorado Springs, Colo. Cardinals and Wrens This spring, on March 27, a pair of Cardinals began the building of a nest in a weeping mulberry tree. The tree is very low and quite close to the house and one could almost reach the nest through a window at the side of the house. The nest itself was constructed of sticks and small twigs. On April 12, I discovered one egg in the nest. The egg was white, spotted with brown. The next day there was another egg in the nest and the day after that another. Then the female stayed on the nest. We often looked out the window and watched them and they grew used to us. I watched the nest closely and on April 26 discovered three young birds in it. Then Father and Mother Cardinal were very busy and excited. The male carried worms to the female who, in turn, fed them to the young birds. I watched the young birds develop. Often I went to the nest and watched the mother and her little ones. The female always stayed on the nest and did not get Notes from Field and Study 247 in the least excited when I stood very near it. The young birds grew fast and soon began to look like their mother. Then, one day, I looked into the nest and, lo, it was empty! It was so sudden that I thought a cat must have eaten them. I listened and heard the short chip of the Cardinals, which usually means that something is wrong. I followed the sound to a clump of bushes, and, on a very low branch, I saw the baby birds. The parents were teaching them to fly. I stood near and watched, quietly. The male would fly to a low branch and the female stood by and tried to urge the little ones to try it too. This was repeated again and again. It grew dark and I could not watch them any longer, but the next afternoon we saw the male and female with the three little ones and they could fly. So ended happily the history of our Cardinals. I have three Wren-houses in the yard. This spring, on May 1, a pair of Wrens began carrying sticks and straw to one of the boxes. One morning I counted the trips of the Wrens to and from the house and they made on the average of five or six a minute. After a while I noticed a pair in another Wren-house. I discovered it was the same pair. Had they deserted the first nest? I watched. No, they still made frequent trips to the first box. When there were two eggs in house No. 2a heavy storm beat upon the box and it was blown to the ground. I opened the box and found the two eggs crushed. The Wrens then were seen most fre- quently in house No. 1. Eggs were laid and then I noticed the same pair of Wrens building a nest in another box, which I shall name house No. 3. Soon the eggs in house No 1 hatched. The little birds were tenderly cared for. House No. 3 was never used any further than the building of the nest.—IRENE M. HeEr- SCHLER, Worthington, Ohio. THE SEASON XIV. April 15 to June 15, 1919 Boston REcion.—A New England spring, anticipated through a winter’s sea- son of cold, frequently proves a disappoint- ment, andin many respects this was the case in t919. A remarkably mild winter was succeeded in late April and most of May, in eastern Massachusetts, by an unusual succession of cold or rainy days with a prevailingly east wind causing chilly and cloudy weather. The April migrations, well under way and even advanced for the season in case of some species, were abruptly checked by inclement days in the latter half of the month, culminating in a sharp freeze with a biting northerly gale on April 25 that killed the tender shoots of many trees already started. No doubt many birds suffered from this, though exact information is difficult to obtain. A dead Hermit Thrush, reported from one locality in southern New Hampshire, seemed to have met its fate through exposure. The usual flight of White-throated Sparrows, due in late April, was extremely small. A few scattering birds were seen, one singing feebly May 6, at Lexington, and a few up to May sixteenth. A late Junco was twice seen at Lexington, once on May g and again on the 15th, possibly a left-over from the April flight. A flock of twelve Red Crossbills stopped in some Norway Spruces at the same locality on May ag, perchance returning from the winter’s wanderings to the south. Pine Siskins were more in evidence than usual at this season: many small companies up to a dozen individuals were of frequent occurrence till May 18. A considerable flock of Evening Grosbeaks (75 to too birds) reported as wintering at Beverly Farms, was last 248 seen there on May 1g. As an aftermath of the winter’s abundance, a few Hairy Woodpeckers seem to have settled near the towns. One on the main highway at Arlington attracted attention from passers- by through May on account of his loud and persistent drumming. As for the usual spring migrants and summer residents, the continuously un- favorable days of May seemed inconducive to marked waves of migration. Most species made their general appearance a few days behind the average time of arrival and came, unobtrusively, in small numbers. On May 15, following a fine, clear day, came the most marked flight, when many species of Warblers, including Blackburnians, and large numbers of Parula, Myrtle, and Magnolia Warblers, swarmed through the trees. The three last continued to be conspicuous for several days. Kingbirds seemed very late in general arrival; the first were noted at Lexington on May 18. The first songs of Wilson’s Thrushes were heard the same date, eleven days after the first arrivals. Baltimore Orioles and Rose-breasted Gros- beaks came together in numbers on May 5. A shy Lincoln’s Finch was observed at Lexington during parts of the 17th, in the vicinity of a brush-pile, whence, with characteristic caution, it would sally forth into the grass, only to disappear utterly and mysteriously if too closely approached. Noticeable was the small number of Blackpoll Warblers. in contrast to their abundance last fall. Yellow-throated Vireos seem nearly gone from our region. Only one singing bird at Lexington was found after covering much open and orchard country. One or two pairs of Warbling Vireos are apparently settled in the old elms of the town, but the species is much less in evidence than it used to be before the extensive spraying of shade trees against insects. Cedar-birds also seem to be very few. It is interesting to find that the Tennessee Warbler, of unusual abundance as a spring migrant the two previous years, was present again this season in small numbers. Singing birds were several times recorded during casual Bird - Lore walks between May 21 and June 1 at Cambridge and Lexington. On the even- ing of May 29, several small flocks of Nighthawks, numbering eight to twelve birds each, passed over, flying high, steadily, and due north. The local birds that breed on the graveled roof-tops of Boston had arrived all of two weeks earlier. This late migration of Night- hawks, doubtless of more northerly breed- ing birds, is a usual occurrence here in the last days of May. This year it marked practically the close of the spring migra- tions. The local breeding birds are already well started in nesting. Starlings were out of the nest in Cambridge by the middle of May. It is worth recording that they are more noticeable this year in the suburbs north of Boston, as at Arlington and Lexington. Asa city bird they are nesting in the very heart of Boston. The Robins and Bronzed Grackles, whose summer roost at Lexington was described last year, were already resorting to it nightly by early May, but, apparently, these were almost all male birds. Probably the females were left to brood the eggs and young. By the middle of June, Robins are already on the wing and many of the earlier breed- ing species, as Song Sparrows, Bronzed Grackles, and Tree Swallows, have young nearly ready to fly. Early June has proved seasonable as to weather and favorable for the hatching broods.—GLovER M. ALLEN, Boston, Mass. New York Recion.—This year the arrival from the south of the arboreal birds, which come when the trees are leaf- ing out, especially transient species, was of much interest. Perhaps, due to the spring being at first advanced and later retarded, some species arrived late and others at unprecedented early dates. Among the latter the Black-poll Warbler is noteworthy, reported the end of April, and many of them arriving as early as the first week of May. Learning of their presence in Central Park, New York City, on May 5, they were looked for carefully at Garden City (though that locality is a The Season poor one for transient birds, being off any migration route) and the species recorded there on May 6, apparently the earliest date for Long Island. In spite of their early arrival, Blackpolls lingered as late as usual—until the first days of June. In the Englewood, N. J., region B. S. Bow- dish noted the House Wren on April 20 Walter Granger the Worm-eating and Kentucky Warblers on May 6; he and Ludlow Griscom found the Cape May Warbler and Olive-backed Thrush May 6; Lincoln’s Sparrow, Golden-winged and Tennessee Warblers, May 11. The Golden- winged is one of the rarest spring Warblers there, and all the other dates are excep- tionally early. There seem to have been certainly not more than the usual number of May migrants, but more rarities than usual turned up among them. On May 2 there was a Prothonotary Warbler in Cen- tral Park. Was it a mere coincidence that this second southern straggler occurred there two weeks or so after the Yellow- throated Warbler reported in the June Birp-Lore (Brrp-Lorre, May-June, roto, p. 182)? Can any student link these records by a study of southern weather conditions during the migration period? During the spring migration transient Flycatchers were notably scarce. Eastward on Long Island water-fowl lingered very late. On Moriches Bay the last Golden-eye Duck was seen on April 27; a flock of Pintail on the wing, three or four Green-winged Teal, and a ‘Pulduw’ or American Coot on May 3. On the same date three or four drake Scaup, playing about a Duck on the water, allowed a close enough approach before taking wing to be satisfactorily identified as the Lesser Scaup. It is seldom that one can differ- entiate the two Scaups with certainty in life. As late as May 24 two drake American Scoters accompanying a duck were ob- served at the edge of the jutting salt marsh. When we rounded a curve in the marsh and came close upon them, the drakes took wing almost at once, but they would not leave the duck, which seemed little alarmed, splashing in the water, apparently bathing and working 249 off-shore before our canoe. One actually alighted with her again, and the other circled about until finally she also took wing and the three, close together, flew out over the bay. Three ‘wild’ Mute Swan have been frequenting the shallows close to the salt marsh behind the beach. It is a fine experience to hear the rush of their great wings as they rise from the water and see them in air, snow-white growing smaller and smaller against the distant sky-line—J. T. NicHots, Mew York City. PHILADELPHIA REGION.—The tempera- ture for April and May averaged about normal, while the total rainfall exceeded the average by about 3 inches. Rainy days were in order, especially during May yet there was no apparent delay in the migration, most of the migrants arriving according to schedule. An _ interesting flight of Canada Geese occurred the latter part of April, flocks being reported at several points. Those that came to the writer’s notice were a flock of four April 17, and a flock of six April 26. The presence of more Woodcock in this region than for a number of seasons is very gratifying, two nests with young and a number of individual birds have been recorded. The Warbler migration was a decided improvement over last spring, but not up to the banner spring migration of 1917, when unusual weather conditions were met with by returning migrants. All the more common Warblers that appeared to be so unusually scarce the spring of 1918 passed through in numbers, and it was possible to get a good list by dint of hard work. The writer and Conrad K. Roland, working together, procured a list of eighty- nine species on May 11. The observers were out from 9 A.M. until 8.30 P.M. and at no time were more than 3 miles from the city limits of Camden, N. J. The Black Tern, King Rail, Sora, Red-backed Sand- piper, Barn Owl, Golden-winged Warbler, and Kentucky Warbler were some of the more unusual birds observed. The Red- backed Sandpiper and the Kentucky 250 Warbler, which were discovered by Mr. Roland, are the first records the writer has for Camden County, N. J. The Kentucky Warbler, while very common in all the creek valleys of the Pennsyl- vania side of the Delaware, rarely is found on the New Jersey side, for some un- accountable reason. An interesting feature of May was the presence here at Camden of an unusual number of shore-birds. Besides the com- mon migrants, such as the Yellow-legs, Solitary Sandpiper, etc., there were observed during the last two weeks of May large flocks of Least and Semi-palmated Sandpipers and a dozen or more Semi- palmated Plovers, and on May ar a Turnstone and two White-rumped Sand- pipers were noted; these, in addition to the Red-backed Sandpiper above mentioned, make a very surprising list of birds for this immediate neighborhood. East and northeast winds, with rain, during the first two weeks of the month are no doubt a contributing factor when accounting for the presence of these birds. A Holbeell’s Grebe, noted May 13, and two Yellow-bellied Flycatchers May 2s, are uncommon enough to mention. The last migrants noted were an Olive- backed Thrush, May 30, and a Blackpoll Warbler, June 1. Mr. Wm. Evans, of Marlton, informed me today (June 6) that up to the present only one Martin had appeared at his Martin-house; and in a recent auto trip through South Jersey he saw many houses but all apparently vacant. Continuous wet weather has no doubt a fatal effect on numbers of Martins.—JuLIANn K. Porter, Camden, N. J. WASHINGTON ReEGION.—The ornitho- logical situation about Washington during April and May was of considerable inter- est. Notwithstanding the rather low average temperature, the bird migration was in general somewhat early. The Hooded Warbler broke all previous records by appearing on April 13, on which date it was noted by Mr. A. Wetmore. Its previous earliest record was April 1o, Bird - Lore 1896. The Nighthawk, of which the previous earliest date was April 10, 1877, was reported on April 18 by Dr. H. H. T. Jackson. In addition to these, many other species came a day or two in advance of their normal arrival, and the following several days ahead: Yellow-throated Warbler, April 6; Chimney Swift, April 7; House Wren, April 10; Whip-poor-will, April 12; Black and White Warbler, April, 12; Bank Swallow, April 13; Yellow-throated Vireo, April 17; Parula Warbler, April 20; Bay-breasted Warbler, May 4; Black-billed Cuckoo, May 4. A few, however, were a little late, such as the Northern Water-thrush, which came on May 3, whereas it should appear on April 28; and the Purple Martin, the arrival of which was noted on April 6, but which normally arrives about March 31. Most of the winter residents left for the north about their ordinary time, but among the exceptions might be noted the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, which was ob- served until May 13, and the Horned Grebe, which was seen on the same date. Both these birds remained thus fully three weeks beyond their usual time of depar- ture. Birds, on the whole, have been numerous in individuals, fairly so in species, and good records have been made by all-day observers. On May 3 and 4 a very pro- nounced movement of birds took place, . this migration wave bringing during these two days the first arrivals of twenty-seven species, together with a goodly number of individuals of these and others. The height of migration this spring occurred about May 12, but soon thereafter, particularly beyond the 18th of the month, the numbers of transients rapidly dim- inished, and few remained until the last of May. ; It has been a really good season for birds, in fact, not far from what might be considered normal in this region. A number of species were considerably more numerous than usual, some of them sur- prisingly so. For several days the Scarlet Tanagers were everywhere about the The Season woods, and the Blackburnian Warbler could be seen almost as ubiquitously. At times the Tennessee Warbler was about the commonest bird in suitable woodland, and in full song. Likewise the Kentucky Warbler, the Blue-winged Warbler, the Golden-winged Warbler, and the Traill Flycatcher, all but the first of which are rather rare about Washington, appeared much more frequently than is ordinarily the case. We note, however, the relative scarcity this spring of the Cape May Warbler and the Gray-cheeked Thrush, both of which have for a number of years past been common during the migration. This season has been in no sense re- markable for the occurrence of rare birds, as was the spring of 1917, but the Upland Plover at New Alexandria, Va., on April 22, observed by Miss M. T. Cooke; the American Crossbill, reported by Mrs. Chamberlain at Thrifton, Va., April 10; and the Philadelphia Vireo, seen by R. W. Moore at Washington on May 8 are perhaps worthy of mention. Several years ago a Duck Hawk took up its abode in the high tower of the Post- office Building in the city of Washington, and at times played havoc with the flocks of domestic Pigeons which frequented the market-place near-by. After various at- tempts the Hawk was finally killed and since then no Hawk has regularly resorted to this place. On April 30 of the present year, however, H. H. Sheldon saw a Duck Hawk fly from the Postoffice Building, which appears to be the latest spring date of which we have any record.—Harry C. OBERHOLSER Biological Survey, Washing- ton, D.C. MINNEAPOLIS REGION.—After the prom- ise of an early season in March and the first half of April, the weather turned colder for two or three weeks and the advance of spring was so retarded that the arrival of bird and the blooming of flowers was rather later than usual. A considerable fall of wet snow on April 14 and 15 and freezing temperatures for a night or two following, checked the bird migration for several days. Chilly nights and cool Diet north winds perdominated until the first days of May. May, however, was for the most part a mild and pleasant month, with exceptionally hot weather during the last week, which has continued until the present date. On May 28, the thermometer registered 87°, the highest May record for several years. This very hot weather forced vegetation ahead rapidly and sent the late migrants northward more speedily than usual. Early June has been like midsummer. The conspicuous feature of the bird migration this spring, as compared with the past few years, has been the appearance of most kinds of birds in such decidedly increased numbers that it has been possible to find those species that were apparently absent in recent years. Viewed as a whole, the migration has been more nearly a normal one than we have had for some time. The various species appeared in the old-time ‘waves.’ The Warbler migra- tion, for example, approached the con- ditions of former years and was not the disjointed and disappointing affair of last year. The writer saw twenty-two out of a possible twenty-six species and three of the remaining four were reported by other observers. Only the rare Blue-winged Warbler was not reported. There was a large movement of Tennessee Warblers and the Cape May, Bay-breasted, Wilson’s Golden-winged and Blackburnian were present in considerable numbers. Grin- nell’s Water-Thrush was not seen in the large numbers noted last year. Water-birds, on the other hand, were rather scarce. The number of most species is steadily decreasing each year. The Killdeer, Black Tern, and Sora are exceptions and still return in something like their old abundance. Ducks in this vicinity were not numerous. However, many Ring-necks passed by between April 13 and May 4. They are always paired when they appear, even though in flocks. At this writing, the summer conditions as to number of birds is a decided improve- ment over last year. Most species of land- birds are quite as common as they have been at any time in recent years. But the 252 Towhee and Oven-bird continue scarce, and the Horned Lark is almost a rarity as compared with earlier times. A strange feature of the present summer is the almost entire absence of Nighthawks hereabouts. Only a single bird has been seen by the writer thus far. A second-year male Orchard Oriole was seen May 30, the first individual of this species that has been noted here for several years. Three Wilson’s Phalaropes were found at the Long Meadow Sloughs, to miles south of town, on June 4. They are still there and are presumably breeding. This was formerly an abundant nesting bird but these are the first that have been seen in this locality for many years——THOMAS S. Roserts, University of Minnesota, Min- neapolis, Minn. Kansas City Recrion.—All conditions favorable to traveling birds have com- bined this spring to make the migration just passed a spectacular one indeed. Meteorological conditions have been ideal; insect food has been abnormally abundant, several larval forms, notably the canker worm, being present in such numbers as to suggest an invasion; and vegetation has been earlier and more luxuriant than for many years. As a result, the bulk of the migrants have been slow in passing, and the straggler of a few species have tarried days beyond their accustomed times of departure. Tennessee Warblers in thousands, rep- resenting unquestionably the major part of the flight, were present until May 23, filling the city parks and boulevards with a bedlam of sharp staccato notes, and stragglers were present until May 28. The spring throngs of this species are normally through passing by the middle of the month, and the latest previous record for the last seen was May 25 (1916). The attraction for these Warblers was evidently the abundant supply of canker worms. Lincoln’s Sparrows were heard in full song during late April, which is not usual in this region. Swarms of migrating King- birds, Nighthawks, and Orchard Orioles were noted on the prairie regions of the county on May 2. The Kingbirds and Bird - Lore Orchard Orioles more often go in numbers up the Missouri River bottoms rather than over the higher prairie country of this immediate neighborhood. Two locally rare Warblers, the Sycamore and Magnolia, have been reported on several occasions, the first record of the former being April 28, on which date the Prothonotary was also seen. On May 9, Mourning and Wilson’s Warblers were observed, as well as a few scattered flocks of Bobolinks, which, in this region, are rather rare birds. Cedar Waxwings have noticeably in- creased in numbers during the past two years, and local students are hoping to find it breeding here at last. A nesting pair of this species has been a desideratum of long standing, since the bird is found here practically throughout the year. The making of the annual spring horizon resulted this year in breaking the record that has stood since May 9g, 1914, when two observers noted tor species. Eight observers went forth at daylight on May 4, scattering in different directions, deter- mined to find every species present. The day was far from being ideal for field-glass work, as the sky was darkly overcast and showers were intermittent, but migration was well under way and the birds were, for the most part, in full song. While it was unfortunate that several species known to be present failed of record, the grand total of 115 species observed was highly satisfactory. Another attempt on the following Sunday by six observers resulted in a list of 104 species. The long-awaited decision of Federal Judge Van Valkenberg in the matter of his opinion as to the validity of the Migratory Bird Law is still forthcoming. It will be remembered that this is the heart of the enemy’s country.—Harry Harris, Kan- sas City, Mo. DENVER Recrion.—As the writer reviews his notes covering the period now under consideration, he is struck anew by the fact encountered many times in past years that scarcely any two similar seasons in different years show identical bird-migra- tion conditions. The season here has been The Season rather dry, but our vegetation, depending largely on irrigation, has developed about as usual, and the dry conditions do not seem to have affected the bird-migration. This may not be wholly true, since Gambel’s Sparrow lingered about Denver no later than May 11, while the Plumb- eous Vireo, which is not at all uncommon here each spring, was seen in the neighbor- hood of Denver but twice, on May 22 and 24. On the other hand, the Chipping Spar- row reached this region on April 20, which is a fair average between the earli- est and latest arrival dates in my notes for this species. There have been many Lazuli Buntings about the nursery ground of U. S. A. General Hospital No. 21 this spring, and their sprightly song and beautiful plumage have lent unusual charm to the bird-life about this institution. The writer has but one record of Richardson’s Merlin occur- ring about Denver during the spring, and this spring adds another, a single bird 253 having been detected in the outskirts on May 1, a date not very close to the first record (April 19). The writer found a Mourning Dove’s nest on May 30, with newly hatched young, in the ‘foot-hills’ near Denver, at an altitude of 6,800 feet, which is very early for that date and altitude; this observa- tion may refute the writer’s general idea that this season’s unusual warmth and dryness had not affected migration. On the same day that this Dove’s nest was found, our party had the happy experience of watching, with naked eye and with glass, an enormous Golden Eagle, soaring overhead for several minutes. The bird was once not more than 500 feet above us, and as it sailed about in the varying circles, without a wing quiver, it was the picture of a huge airplane, banking, and rising, and falling. Even our matter-of- fact company were enthusiastic over this rare and yet remarkable sight—W. H. BERGTOLD, Denver, Colo. Book Mews and Kebiews A PracticAL HANDBOOK OF BRITISH Brrps. Edited by H. F. WITHERBY. 8vo. Illustrated with colored plates and nu- merous text figures. In eighteen parts. Part I, pp. i-xvi, 64; March 3, r919. Part Il, pp. 65-128, April 30, 1919. Price 4s. per part. The present work differs so radically in character from its numerous predecessors that the authors need make no apology for adding another to the already large list of books on British birds. Mr. Wither- by secured the codperation of E. Hartert, A. C. Jackson, C. Oldham, F. C. R. Jourdain and N. F. Ticehurst, each of whom treats of some department with which he is especially familiar, thereby adding greatly to the authoritativeness of the book as a whole. The book, unlike most other books in its field, abounds in analytical Keys. There are Keys to Orders, Families, Genera, and Species. The Key to Orders is of the illustrated type which was, we believe first used in ornithology in the reviewer’s ‘Handbook of Birds of Eastern North America,’ and which was originated by Ernest Thompson Seton. The most distinctive and valuable feature of this work is its descriptions’ of plumages, mainly by the editor, and which, it is said, are “‘more complete than any hitherto published in a book on British birds.” The sections on ‘Breeding Habits’ (by Jourdain) are also admirable and contain in condensed form an amount of information for which one generally searches in vain, such, for instance, as the number of days incubation, when begun, whether by one or both sexes, etc. The paragraphs on migration (Tice- hurst) and distribution (Witherby, Tice- hurst, Jourdain, Hartert) are also most satisfactory, but we must confess our disappointment with that part of the work relating to general habits and notes. We have, for example, nearly a page and a half devoted to the plumage of the Starling but only five lines on its general habits and the single word ‘loquacity’ is the only one referring to its notes. Only nesting haunts are given, while the stereotyped method of treatment employed appears to have prohibited all reference to the bird as a part of animate nature, in short to the sentiment of ornithology. The book, indeed, is eminently practical, but we fear that the authors have been too modest in calling a work which will apparently fill nearly 1,200 pages and cost about $18, a ‘Handbook.’ Unquestionably it will long be the standard source of information on the plumages, migrations, and breeding habits of British birds.—F. M. C. THE OvuTDOoR CLuB. By SAMUEL Sco- VILLE, JR. Philadelphia. The Sunday- School Times. 12 mo. This is the story of how a father led his children to nature. We cannot imagine any child who would not like to have joined his ‘Band,’ as it was called. but we know, alas, many fathers who, even if they desired, could not make such an ad- mirable band-leader as the one who wrote this little volume. Fortunate, indeed, are the children who so soon and so happily come into possession of this heritage in nature. We especially commend this re- cord of joyous days afield to parents.— F. M. C. The Ornithological Magazines THE WILtson BuULLETIN.—The March issue (Vol. XXXI, No. 1) contains as its leading article an interesting account of the ““Food-Birds of the Smith Sound Eskimos’ by W. Elmer Ekblaw. Every species, as a matter of fact, is eaten, the Dovekie being the most important, while only a rather hungry Eskimo will eat an Old-Squaw. The author concludes that were it not for the birds and their eggs, the Eskimo’s food-supply would often fail them, and the abundance of birds is one of the most important conditions which make life possible in the Northland. Harry C.-Oberholser describes a new (254) Book News Red-winged Blackbird from Texas, which he calls megapotamus. He finds that examples of Agelaius pheniceus rich- mondi from northeastern Mexico and central southern Texas differ from typical richmond: from farther south in that the females are less brownish, and both sexes are larger. In ‘Migration Records for Kansas Birds,’ Bessie Price Douthitt continues a subject begun in the last December issue. The article is really a very briefly annotated list of the birds of the state, while the migration data for the commonest species are obviously very incomplete. It should serve, however, as a good basis for future field-work, and should stimulate other Kansas bird-lovers to record the neces- sary additions and corrections. We cannot but doubt, for instance, if the Olive-sided Flycatcher is a rare summer resident, when the data given does not even indicate such a possibility. The usual general notes conclude the issue. The ‘European Widgeon in Lake County’ (Ohio), by E. A. Doolittle, is as excellent an example of a sight record, which is brightly written and convincing, as we have seen in a long time. If ‘opera glass’ students and amateur observers could write in the same style it would greatly decrease the troubles of ornitho- logical editors.—L. G. THE JOURNAL OF THE MUSEUM OF Com- PARATIVE OoLocy.—The first number of this new Journal was published on March 26 of this year and consists of 35 pages, illustrated. Officially, this is Numbers 1 and 2 of a periodical “intended eventually to be issued as a Quarterly, but now put out as an Annual.” The Museum of Comparative Odlogy, re- cently established at Santa Barbara, Calif., with Mr. William Leon Dawson as Direc- tor, is devoted to the study of the birds of the world, their nests and eggs. It is the purpose of the institution to become the World’s Museum of Birds’ Eggs, and to devote itself especially to those problems of ornithology on which the eggs, nests, and nesting habits of birds can throw light. and Reviews 255 The present issue of the Journal is taken up mainly with notice of the establish- ment, purposes, and policies of the Mu- seum. As frontispiece, there is a photo- graphic reproduction of the late Rowland Gibson Hazard, who was very much in- terested in the enterprise of the Museum, and, on a later page, a short memorial notice of Mr. Hazard, especially as regards his connection with the Museum. In future issues of this Journal we hope to see valuable contributions to our knowl- edge of those interesting phases of bird- life which surround the egg: all the inter- esting instincts and habits of nest-building and nidification, on the one hand, develop- ment and care of the young, on the other. It is to be regretted that the pagination in this first issue is spelled out at the bottom of each page instead of plainly set forth in figures at the top, as is customary. There seems to be no value in this novel arrangement, which we trust will not be continued.—J. T. N. Book News Tue California Fish and Game Com- mission announces that ‘‘Compact nature- study libraries will be placed at those Tahoe resorts which are selected for the state of California nature-study field excursions this summer. The libraries will include books on _ birds, game birds, wild flowers, trees, and kindred objects. Donated to the state by the California Nature Study League, they will be deposited with the Fish and Game Commission to be thus utilized in the Commission’s educational work. “Tn addition to this library there will be displayed at each resort where lectures and field-trips are given, a large number of colored plates of birds and mammals. Thus vacationists will be able to increase their fund of information regarding wild life by a study of pictures giving full colors, by specimens and by books giving detailed facts.” We commend this admirable plan to the attention of other fish and game com- missions, 256 HSsird-sILore 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. XXI No. 4 Published August 1, 1919 SUBSCRIPTION RATES Price in the United States, one dollar and fifty cents a year; outside the United States, one dollar and seventy-five cents, postage paid. — —— COPYRIGHTED, 1919, BY FRANK M. CHAPMAN Bird-Lore’s Motto: A Bird in the Bush Is Worth Two in the Hand IN resuming his editorial duties, the Editor gratefully acknowledges the support which he has received from John T. Nichols during the past eight months of Birp-LoRE’s existence. A magazine can- not well be taken on prolonged journeys where mail connections are infrequent and uncertain. Nor can it be left at home unless one can find the proper person to whose care it may be committed. The Audubon Departments fortunately were in hands which long have had them in charge, but there were left the ‘body’ of the magazine, the ‘make-up’ of the whole, with such allied matters as the annual index, Christmas Bird Census, ‘The Season’ (Mr. Rogers, to whom we are so deeply indebted for editorial supervision of these departments, being in service), reviews, editorials, and a correspondence which consumes almost more time than all the others put together. No one, we think, who has examined the last four issues of Brrp-Lore will doubt (the present Editor does not) that Mr. Nichols was the ‘proper person’ for the job he was kind enough to take upon _ his shoulders, and we are glad to be able to announce that in the course of post- war adjustments he will remain on Birp-Lore’s staff in charge of ‘The Season.’ Mr. Nichols will also review ‘The Auk,’ replacing Dr. Dwight who, after years of service, claims the right of retirement, a claim to which we re- luctantly accede. Bird - Lore WE observe that in Brirp-LoreE for May-June, our predecessor made some pertinent remarks concerning the ver- nacular or ‘common’ names of birds. This is a subject in which Brrp-LoreE is es- pecially interested, since it is our custom in this magazine to use (except in certain formal cases) only the common names of North American birds, a custom, we may add, for which we have at times been criticized. We maintain, however, that the ‘Check-List’ of the American Orni- thologists’ Union supplies us with a standard nomenclature of common as well as of scientific names. The former, indeed, are far more ‘standard’ than the latter. Brirp-LorE aims to use these common - Names consistently and we contend that this custom renders unnecessary and pedantic the employment of the scientific name also, except in those comparatively rare cases (e. g. Coot) where the ‘Check- List’ name may not be in general use. IN giving only one common name as well as only one scientific name for each species, the authors of the ‘Check-List’ were not infrequently obliged to choose from many local names and in other cases they arbitrarily replaced long-standing names with others which, in their opinion, were better fitted for the birds in question. THE latest edition of the ‘Check-List’ was published in 1910, and it is not too soon, therefore, to ask to what extent their rulings have influenced popular usage. The reply is that it depends largely whether the name in question applies to a widely known bird or to one familiar only to bird students. A library of ‘Check-Lists’ will not change a ‘Peep’ or ‘Ox-eye’ into a Semipalmated Sandpiper, make the ‘Quail’ universally Bob-white, or the ‘Partridge’ a Ruffed Grouse. On the other hand, it is only the older ornithologists who remember that the Myrtle Warbler was the Yellow- rump, the Magnolia, the Black and Yellow, or the Yellow Palm Warbler the Yellow Redpoll. Knowledge of the existence of the last-named birds is, as a rule, acquired only from books and they are consequently known by their book names. Che Audubon Societies SCHOOL DEPARTMENT We regret extremely to be obliged to announce that continued ill health has forced Mrs. Walter to resign the editorship of this Department. For nine years her helpful editorials and correlated studies have stimulated and directed the labor of teachers of bird-lore throughout the country. It will be exceedingly difficult to find some one who can adequately fill her place.—ED. THE STUDY OF BIRD-LIFE IN THE SCHOOLS OF NEW JERSEY Dr. Robert G. Leavitt, instructor in botany and zoélogy in the State Normal School at Trenton, has prepared a pamphlet for the Department of Public Instruction of the state of New Jersey, which teachers everywhere will find of value. In an introductory ‘Foreword,’ Calvin N. Kendall, State Commissioner of Education, writes: “The study of birds has been recognized for a long time as an important feature of public-school work. Large numbers of teachers are interested in it, and their work has been productive of excellent results. It is said that the number of birds is increasing, and this is largely due to efforts teachers have made to give pupils, particularly boys, a higher appreciation of bird-life. It is not necessary to make any argument for the conservation of birds. It has come to be recognized that many birds are of economic value in the raising of crops. An understanding and observation of birds has come to be widely recognized as a means of pleasure and recreation.” Under the heading ‘Why We Should Study Birds in All Elementary Schools,’ Dr. Leavitt writes (after a statement of the economic value of birds): “Outdoor activities are a rich source of high pleasure in life. The child is born with a nature, instincts, tastes, potential interests, which have a deep relation and correspondence to the nature, forms, and processes of the world into which he is born. We have no right to cheat the child out of a fair oppor- tunity to enjoy this world of surrounding influences, from which he is entitled by the fact of his birth to draw comfort, inspiration, happiness. The school that does not lead its boys and girls to enjoy outdoor life, to love the sights and sounds of nature, to take pleasure in mountains, woods, trees, flowers, birds, wild animals, the sky and clouds, the stars, the sea—that school is not the ideal school, however well it may teach arithmetic and English. Enjoy- ment of nature is to be counted among the great durable satisfactions of life. (257) 258 Bird - Lore We must definitely plan to increase the outdoor activities and interests of American people. Here lies for many the road to more bodily and mental health and happiness. “A third argument for the introduction of bird-study will be appreciated by teachers. To many teachers the bugbear of school-work, the thing that wears until it either kills or hardens, is discipline. The one disagreeable feature of many an otherwise pleasant position is police duty. And discipline often wears on pupils. Whatever, therefore, conduces to pleasant relations between governor and governed and works to improve the conduct of the school should make a strong appeal to teachers from a purely selfish standpoint if from no other.” ‘Typical Instances of Successful Bird Study,’ and a detailed ‘Plan of Action’ conclude this suggestive and practical little manual.—F. M. C. FOR AND FROM ADULT AND YOUNG OBSERVERS STUDYING BIRDS IN MAINE AND NOVA SCOTIA By NORMAN LEWIS, (Age 14 Years), Hampden, Me. In the summer of 1913, at the age of nine, I was visiting at my mother’s old home in Halifax. While there I was taken to see the Halifax Museum several times. I was so impressed by it that I decided to start a museum of my own. My aunts were cleaning up the house and in the attic they found ten ‘Bogota skins’ of birds from Colombia, South America. My grandfather had given an old sea-captain a pair of elk antlers for them. There was also an Amazon Parrot which he had obtained alive from a sailor whose ship lay in the harbor. After it died he had it well mounted. A Barred Owl and some birds’ eggs completed the outfit which they gave to me. I was crazy over my ‘museum,’ as I called it, and when I got back to Hampden, Maine, the lady next door gave me a mounted Wilson’s Snipe, picked up near Boston. The only egg that survived the journey was that of a Bob-White, but a friend in Hampden gave me several sets, and I found some left-overs in deserted nests. I never robbed a bird’s nest. The next spring—1914—I started studying birds outdoors. There was no one to help me, so I had to go it alone and without any books for reference. In early September I was given for a birthday present a copy of Reed’s ‘Land Birds.’ I received it joyfully and began to study birds in dead earnest. That was my only equipment but it settled most of my problems. By the end of the year I had identified fifty species of wild birds in the field. I did not take the book to the woods with me, for I knew every picture in The Audubon Societies 259 it, and whenever I saw a new bird I identified it at once or went home and looked it up at the end of the hike. Hampden is an old-fashioned place with hundred-year-old elms shading the streets and scattered over the fields and along the stream. The general features about here are open fields and hedges, old orchards and wide meadows. The stream is lined with open woods and thick underbrush. A mile up the stream is the Intervale, a large meadow with dense shrubbery all around. 0,4 Tem atl Ae Al a= s ith rar Sa a ee : ~ . : ; wait me ae a Bs A SITTING RUFFED GROUSE._NOTE THE SPREAD TAIL Photographed by J. H. Lewis at Kineo, Me. Here I would go nearly every day for a couple of hours or more. Through our orchard, full of Bluebirds, Robins, Song Sparrows, and Chippies, across the fields, where Flickers, Meadowlarks, and Bobolinks abounded, I entered the woods which were always full of Warblers. The Intervale trail was packed and worn smooth, mostly by my own feet, and led along the edge of the stream. The stream itself was inhabited by Spotted Sandpipers, Great Blue Herons, Bitterns, and others. At the Intervale I often saw a Duck or Grebe. Hawks hung in the sky, and the bushes about the edge of the meadow were full of the smaller birds. 260 Bird - Lore . In those days I was frail and delicate and considered a 2- or 3-mile hike enough for a day and was often tired by it. Last summer I hiked 16% miles in five hours, although I hadn’t gone more than 4 miles when I was caught in a thunderstorm. When I arrived home I was soaked to the skin, but I had a rub-down with a rough towel and got into dry clothes and showed no ill effects afterward. I owe my present health and my First-Class Scout badge to my interest in bird-study that kept me tramping the Intervale trail once or twice a day. Ernest Thompson Seton’s “Two Little Savages’ did more to interest me in wild life than any other book. The Boy Scout ‘Handbook,’ ‘Freckles’ and some of Long’s and Robert’s books were among my first natural history books. That first year I had a hard time of it, but by working hard and sticking to it I managed to make a start in ornithology. I kept a journal that year, filled with notes on the birds and sketches. Looking over it now I can make many corrections, but it is nevertheless something that I would not part with. That winter I subscribed for Brrp-LorE and got a copy of Reed’s ‘Water Birds.’ The Educational Leaflets of the Audubon Society, bound into a book, and ‘Birds Every Child Should Know’ completed my library. During the winter I did a lot of sketching and made many trips into the snow-covered woods where I found Black-capped Chickadees, Red-breasted Nuthatches, and Golden-crowned Kinglets. In early March the Crows came north. Toward the last of March, rushing water and brown fields began to take the place of the ice and snow. The hill- sides were covered with hundreds of tiny brooks which made walking undesir- able. Then the Grackles began to arrive, at first in small flocks and later by the hundreds, to squeak and clatter in the tops of the leafless trees. Robins and Bluebirds appeared in the orchard, pecking away at last year’s apples. Song Sparrows tuned up in the alder bushes along the edge of icy brooks. It was a time to be outdoors and on the watch. Some of the arriving migrants were new, and I added them to my list, and many were old friends which I was glad to see again. I was busy all through the spring, but when August came the mosquitos and flies made the woods unbearable. The woods were also too hot, and few birds were to be seen, so we set out to visit at my uncle’s farm near Truro, Nova Scotia. Our train pulled out of Bangor at 4 o’clock in the morning. I had traveled about a little before, having been born in New Brunswick and lived in New- foundland and different parts of Nova Scotia and Maine, so it seemed like old times for me to be spinning along over the rails through the gray dawn. Going through New Brunswick in broad daylight I was, of course, at the window I got a glimpse of a Martin-house on a pole and a male and female in the air: about it. That was the only time that I ever saw a Martin. The Audubon Societies 261 While traveling along I noticed dozens of old friends among the birds and flowers. I also saw the common mallow and bluebell for the first time. We arrived at Truro late at night. My uncle, who used to meet us with a horse and carriage was waiting now with a ‘Ford.’ Reeling off the miles toward the old farm in my uncle’s car, we could not see much of the surrounding country, but the chill night air, sweeping over the salt marshes and striking us in the face, the bridges, curves, and a few houses seen by the glare of the head- lights were all familiar. Arriving at the house we entered the kitchen, had a warm drink over the fire, and went off to bed. I was awakened in the morning by the noise of a clattering Kingbird outside the window and in five minutes was downstairs ready for breakfast. The main road coming across the marshes is dotted here and there by solitary farmhouses. Our driveway turns from the main road and climbs a hill. It is shaded by four massive willow trees on either side of the driveway which gives it the name of ‘Willow-bank.’ At the bottom of the hill the marsh grass and swale stretch away on either side, but the hillside on the left contains an orchard that is firm and dry. The old house on the hilltop is covered with five-fingered ivy, or woodbine. Nearby are the workshop, the horse- and cattle-barns and the henhouse. Above the barns are dry hay- and wheat-fields and beyond them the pasture and blueberry patch. To the left is the road to the old bone-mill, a hundred yards away. The corner of the woods about the old bone-mill is open, save for patches of laurel bushes, and that spot is the haunt of Flickers and Jays. The old wood-road runs from there into the woods, and, a few days after my arrival, I decided to explore it. I followed the road for a few miles through the mossy, overgrown timber swamp and caught a baby Junco just out of the nest. I saw a pair of Yellow-bellied Flycatchers, and, after following them about for awhile, I returned home. Nighthawks could be seen everywhere fly- ing high over the burned ground that lay in desolate ruin all about, uttering their strange call-note. Returning to the farmhouse I saw a Bittern flying up from the marsh. The next day I hunted flowers and the day after I saw a Blackburnian Warbler and a Sparrow Hawk for the first time. The next day I saw a pair of Fox Sparrows and heard the male sing in the damp, mossy woods back of the bone-mill. On rainy days there was no haying to be done and my father and I would lie in the loft in the big barn and watch the Barn Swallows. It was great fun watching the little ones taking their first flights. I caught a baby Goldfinch down under the willows and decided to explore farther in that direction. Across the road the marshland was rimmed with dykes to keep out the tide. A little red-mud creek, fringed by long marsh grass, ran down to the big 262 Bird - Lore red-mud river. This creek came from the cool, clean woods, where it was good drinking-water and had maidenhair berries and wood sorrel along its mossy banks. When it entered the pasture it widened, and brook trout were sometimes found in it. Entering the marsh it came into the red-mud region and from there on it was as bright red as the banks that it flowed through. The marsh was full of Sparrows that I could not name, and an occasional Duck or two flew over. Discovering muskrat tracks on the margin of the creek about the bridge, I kept on down it to the mouth. Here it widened consider- ably, and I ran across some Least Sandpipers tracing patterns in the mud not far from me. After that I explored the marsh every day, finding Bitterns, Herons, Ducks, Sandpipers, and other birds that I could not get close enough to to identify. After the day’s haying was over, if there was no ‘cocking up’ by starlight to be done, I would go down to the river and watch the sun set over the marshes. As things were darkening down and the wind was moaning through the tall grass, I could see the Sandpipers and Ducks at home along the river. I watched them as long as there was light and then returned to the cozy fire- side at the farmhouse. At last, when the time came for us to leave ‘Willow-bank,’ we got into the ‘Ford’ and set out. The Barn Swallows circled about us, and I said goodby to them and we leit. We traveled for several hours through the night, and then, as dawn was breaking, we had a race southward with a flock of Ducks. As we dashed over the St. John bridge, it was low tide below us, and I saw several Sandpipers. I saw muskrats swimming the ponds and cardinal flowers blooming along the streams. It made me think that in a few hours I would be finding cardinal flowers along my own stream. Then we saw a white-tailed doe beside the track, gazing calmly at us over her shoulder. I had seen a buck once, about a quarter of a mile from home, along the stream. The sights became more and more familiar until in the afternoon we arrived home. Then I started off up the stream. The Intervale grass was cut and taken in and fall was beginning to come. I returned to the Intervale every day, check- ing off arriving and departing migrants. Those September and October days, with hazy mornings and bright, cool afternoons, were the best time to study birds. Before and after school I made many observations and found many new birds. Then the red and brown leaves began to fall, the winds were stronger and the days were cooler and soon the birds were scarce. The Juncos and White- throats flew cheerily about the autumn woods, fed at my lunch-counter, and slept in the evergreen hedge just outside the kitchen windows. They, too. left before the snow came and winter set in in dead earnest. The Audubon Societies 262 When the year ended, my list had swelled to 100 species, which doubled last year’s record. The next three years were spent in Hampden and few birds were added to the list. I studied and sketched them at all seasons and formed quite an inti- mate friendship with them. In the winter of 1917-18 I got the ‘Birds of America,’ in three volumes, from the ‘Nature Lovers’ Library,’ and I use this for my main guide. The colored plates by Louis Agassiz Fuertes are the most important part of the work. His plates in Brrp-Lore and the ‘National Geographic Magazine’ have also been a great help. In August, 1918, I got a pair of Reed’s nature-study field-glasses, and I always take them to the woods and fields with me. The discovery of each particular species was a matter worth remembering, but if it were rare it was doubly so. I can well remember the thrill of pleasure that came with the finding for the first time of some particular bird—the Loon, Black Duck, Wood Duck, Golden-eye, Merganser, Bittern, Great Blue Heron, Little Green Heron and Woodcock seen along the stream on different occasions; the Saw-whet-owl in the pine woods; the Snowy Owl chased by Crows about the autumn woods; the Arctic Three-toed Woodpecker found in the burnt woodlands after losing sight of the Owl; the Goshawk in the winter; the Even- ing Grosbeaks seen in the spring of 1916, and the Rose-breasted Grosbeak this summer. As I am only fourteen years old now, I may have other opportunities to travel about and study the birds. I hope so. MY EXPERIENCES WITH BIRDS I am a member of the Audubon Society and I want to enclose some stories of what I have seen. The Blue Jay.—I once tied a piece of suet to a tree just outside our dining- room window. Nothing came for a week, then one day a Blue Jay saw the suet and came again and again until the suet was gone and then continued to come and would stand on the branch and look for the suet. After each meal he would fly from tree to tree, rubbing his bill and uttering his shrill screams of delight. Experience with a Chipping Sparrow.—Once I was at Camp Dix. On the border of the Camp I saw a little Chipping Sparrow. When I attempted to go near he hopped away a few times, then sat on a stump and let me come very close to him, and give him some food. He picked it up and flew away. Bird Playmates.—One day while riding my wheel through the woods, I heard a Catbird and a Cardinal and stopped to get a good view of them. Much to my surprise I found that both were young and were hopping around in the bushes having a good time together. They were quite tame so I went very close. The Mother Cardinal was near, keeping watch over her little one. 264 Bird - Lore Woodpecker Tenants——Just a few yards from our house is a tree with a Woodpecker’s nest in it. They have come back to it for the third year now. Each year they find the gray squirrels have used it for the winter and they have quite a fighting time for a few days. Each time the Woodpeckers conquer and the squirrels have to take their young out and find another house. Then the Woodpeckers work at cleaning out and throwing out shells and carry in - other stuff for themselves. They come here late in March and leave in October. I have just finished making two bird-houses and want to make some others.—RussELL E_woop (age 11 years), Absecon, N. J. THE, Ax BC: As soon as I became a member of the Junior Audubon Club of the Hardie School, Beverly, I made up my mind to form a club of my own so I got four children and formed the A. B. C. (the American Bird Club). We meet Wednes- days after school. We have a president, a vice-president and a treasurer. The dues are five cents every two weeks. We buy pictures of birds and give them out at the meetings. At the last meeting a slip of paper with the name of a bird on it was drawn by each member. Each member must be able to tell about that bird at some other meeting. At the meetings the roll is called and reports of all birds seen are given. We plan to go on bird-walks, and we have very pleasant times studying the birds in the Club. I have seen, this spring, Chickadees, Juncos, Blue Jays, Bluebirds, Fox Sparrows, Song Sparrows, Robins, Goldfinches, and Grackles.—EpitH S. HOLDEN (age 12 years), Beverly, Mass. MY BIRD - HOUSE In the early spring of 1917 I spent a few days of my Easter vacation in erecting some bird-houses in the apple trees behind our house. I took some pains in making two wooden ones and placed them in the choicest crotches of the trees. I also made a hole in a tin can, punched a few small holes in the bot- tom, smoothed the rough edges, and, with its cover on, nailed it to a limb. Little did I expect any bird would desire this for a home. When returning again from school, I investigated my bird-houses. To my great joy and surprise I found a partially built bird’s nest in the tin can. I did not have to watch long before I saw it was a pair of pretty Bluebirds building there. They would light near the can with a twig or piece of straw in their beaks, then, after glancing around, would enter the can, making some noise while passing into their tin house. I listened to their singing and watched them much from the ground during the summer, but finally curiosity overcame me, and I climbed the tree again. Taking off the roof of the house, I saw three greenish blue eggs. While I was looking in, one of the birds lit nearby and scolded me in very sweet tones. A The Audubon Societies 265 week later I was alarmed to find the Bluebirds squabbling with a pair of intrud- ing House Wrens. The latter were driven off, though, and the Bluebirds were soon able to lead their family proudly into the world. Immediately on this family’s departure, the House Wrens took charge, and I was often charmed by their gushing song. When I investigated their nest, the birds, without seeming fear, attacked me with much chattering. I was surprised at the size of a nest for such small birds. The can was entirely filled with twigs, excepting a deep hollow in the center where lay seven speckled, flesh-colored eggs. These birds also successfully brought up their young. The two Bluebirds and House Wrens returned last spring. This spring I was obliged to move the bird-house while the Bluebirds were building in it. At first they seemed dumfounded, and I feared they might seek a new home, but they soon found the rusty can and seem satisfied with their new situation.—W. THOoMp- SON, Fitchburg, Mass. THE JUNIOR SONG-BIRD CLUB Six of us boys have a little bird club named “Junior Song-Bird Lovers.’ We live near the Western Cemetery, where we can see lots of birds. We had the pleasure of seeing a flock of Evening Grosbeaks. In 1916 and 1917 these birds were quite common, but in 1918 we didn’t see one of them. In 1919 they came back again. I am very much interested in the Cedar-bird. I have had several chances to meet this bird. We went to a bird lecture by Charles C. Gorst. I sold eight tickets for it—GEORGE B. Orr, Portland, Maine. NOTE FROM A YOUNG CONTRIBUTOR I saw a bird in the garage. That bird was dead. There were cater- pillars all over it. It was a Wren. I have seen them very often. They have a nest beside our porch. They have a pretty little song, but they scold when we go near them.—Griscom Morean (age 7 years), Englewood, Ohio. THE RED-EYED VIREO By T. GILBERT PEARSON Che Mational Association of Audubon Societies EDUCATIONAL LEAFLET NO. 99 Any boy or girl in eastern United States who begins to study wild birds will probably not proceed very far before learning to know the Red-eyed Vireo. To be sure, it is one of our small birds, measuring only about 6% inches in length, and this fact, together with its rather dull greenish coat and whitish underparts, renders it of unstriking appearance, yet it is very well known. And why? Chiefly because it sings so much. It announces its arrival in spring with such loud notes that many mistake its calls for those of the Robin. For three full months and more it is with us, and every day, from long before sun- rise until evening, its simple songs are repeated over and over again. No other bird of our land retains its energy and enthusiasm for song as does the Red- eyed Vireo. Neither the anxieties of the nesting season nor the irritations of the molting days appear in the least to affect its behavior in this regard. RED-EYED VIREO ON NEST Photograph by Dr. Frank M. Chapman No wonder, therefore, the young bird-student soon makes its acquaintance. Even as I write these lines, on a hot afternoon late in June, I can hear the notes of a Vireo coming in through the open window. The bird is out there among the trees of a vacant lot, where the small boys have dug their trenches and are sending forth their volleys of vocal musketry. The savage shouts of (266) RED-EYED VIREO Order—PASSERES Family—V1REONID& Genus—VIREOSYLVA Species—OLIVACEA National Association of Audubon Societies The Red-eyed Vireo 267 youth and the song of the Vireo have been going on together now for some weeks, and the authors of all the din apparently have never noticed each other. The past four years a pair of Vireos has spent the summer in the trees of this vacant lot. One June day I found the nest near the outer end of a white birch limb. The nest could easily be reached by a grown person standing on the ground beneath. It was a beautiful cradle, hung in the fork of two twigs, and was made mainly of strips of bark, dried grasses, and plant fiber. A piece of white string and some scraps of paper decorated the outer sides. It contained four white eggs, lightly spotted around the larger end. From these there emerged in time four little birds that for many days engrossed their mother’s attention. After they had flown away I took the nest and placed it on the wall of my study. The next spring, while passing near the place with a little friend of mine, I went over to the limb and showed her the place from which I had cut the twig to take the nest. Just as I took it in my fingers I was surprised and delighted to find a new Vireo nest not more than 12 inches from where the other had been, and in it sat a parent bird, its red eyes plainly visible. In due time this nest also was removed to the study. The past year I could not find the nest, although the birds were about and the male was heard singing every day. When autumn came, however, and the leaves had fallen, the nest was discovered in another tree a few yards away at a height of at least 20 feet from the ground. Only yesterday I learned that for the fourth time a Vireo’s nest has been found in the vacant lot. One of the boys discovered it suspended from a swinging limb just over a path along which commuters hurry every morning for trains. So I went out to look, and found that it held one vigorous young bird that cried most outrageously when I pulled the limb down a few inches in order to remove a dead one whose head hung over the edge. One of the questions which naturally arises in connection with this record of nests is whether they were all built by the same pair of birds. It would seem that such was probably the case, although there is no possible way of knowing. In a few weeks now the Vireos will be gone and for more than eight months we shall hear no more of them. Traveling southward, chiefly by night, stopping to rest in groves, orchards, and forests as they proceed, the Vireos journey on, some of them passing downward through western Texas and Mexico to the far- away tropics. Others reach the Gulf of Mexico along the coast of Louisiana, Mississippi, or western Florida, and there, after a brief pause, plunge out across the tumbling waters of the sea and never sight land again for six to eight hundred miles until they reach Yucatan or Central America. Through the interminable jungles of South America they continue their journey until they reach the regions of the equator, many going on southward into southern Brazil. Here, in the great steaming forests, they remain for some months until the instinct of migration again begins to beat in their veins. Then our little friends turn northward, and those that have survived in due time gain the boundaries 268 Bird - Lore of the United States. A little time passes, and then one spring morning we again hear their cries in the grove about the house. Wilson Flagg once said that the words which the Red-eyed Vireo sings are clearly these: ‘““You see it— you know it—do you hear me? Do you believe it?” Never do I pause to listen to one of these birds without recalling these words, for the music comes in a series of groups of short, clear, questioning calls, and Mr. Flagg’s interpreta- tion is perhaps as accurate as any that has been suggested. How little we know of the courtship of birds! Dr. W. M. Tyler, of Lexington, Mass., writing in Birp-LorE some time ago, related this remarkable experience: “This afternoon, about 6 o’clock, I saw a pair of Red-eyed Vireos acting in a manner new to me. They were in a small gray birch tree, 12 feet from the ground, and almost over my head. The two birds were very near each other; so near that their bills might have touched, although they did not. The male, or at least the bird who played the active role, faced the side of the other bird, so that their bodies were at right angles. The bird, who, from her passive actions, I assumed, but perhaps wrongly, to be the female, sat crouched low on her perch, with the feathers slightly puffed out: But, although in the attitude of a sick bird, she appeared in good health, I thought, and I am certain, that she gave close attention to the strange actions of her companion. The bird I have called the male, and I think it is safe to so consider him, was constantly in motion. He rocked his body, especially his head, from side to side, his bill sweeping over the upper parts of the other bird, never touching her, nor, indeed, coming very near it, for his head was above and a little to one side of her back. In swinging from side to side he moved slowly but with a tenseness suggesting strong emotion. In contrast to the fluffy female, the feathers of the male were drawn closely about him, so that he looked slim and sleek. The neck seemed constricted, giving him a strangled appearance. “Neither bird opened its beak, but one of them continually uttered, with no suggestion of Vireo phrasing, some faint notes in a thin, almost squeaky tone, nearly as high-pitched as a Kingbird’s voice. I thought, when I first heard the notes and stepped aside to identify the bird, that a Goldfinch was singing very softly under his breath. There were the same little trills, and, in between, the same sustained notes, the whole suggestive of the Goldfinch, but very quietly and gently given. It was as if a Goldfinch who had lost much of his power and all of his energy were whispering his song into the ear of his lady-love “Few birds are so tame when on the nest as is the Vireo. Only this spring I pulled down a twig where a bird was brooding her eggs and actually thumped the bird on her breast with my finger before she would leave, and when I went away she immediately returned to her vigil.’’ Dr. Anne E. Perkins, of Gowanda, N. Y., has written a story about a female Vireo that was so unusually tame that she tried the experiment of feeding it. In her account she says: “T hastily caught a small, succulent green grasshopper and slowly, cau- The Red-eyed Vireo 269 tiously, advanced my hand till the grasshopper was within easy reach of the bird. The male kept up a constant scolding in the top of the apple tree con- taining the nest, while I stood trying to win his wife’s confidence. It seemed many weary minutes that she sat motionless or with a slight suspicion of fear in her little red eye, cowering closer to the eggs. Then, just as my hand ached intolerably and I was about to withdraw it, she made a slow movement of the head towards me—and hastily snatched the grasshopper. I was delighted and praised her audibly for her discrimination and confidence. She devoured sev- eral more grasshoppers very readily, once the ice was broken. The male bird all the time seemed anxious and kept up a continual scolding. I made visits once or twice daily thereafter, and she was perfectly fearless about taking food, eagerly accepting small flies and grasshoppers, invariably refusing worms, and showing preference for grasshoppers. “She would allow me to stroke her, close my hand about her, almost lift her from the eggs, reach under her, etc. Once or twice she left the nest and flew at her mate when he was making demonstrations of fear and distress, knocked him smartly off his perch, snapping her bill and scolding vigorously, then took her place again on the eggs. It was exactly as if she told him that she would not be interfered with and that he could attend to his own affairs.” Mr. E. H. Forbush, who has studied carefully the feeding habits of many birds, says of the Red-eyed Vireo: “Tt is one of the most effective enemies of the gipsy and brown-tailed moths. Moths and butterflies of many kinds are eaten; also assassin bugs, tree-hoppers, bugs that eat plants and fruit. Many beetles, among them boring beetles, black beetles, and weevils, grasshoppers, katydids, locusts—all are eaten. This bird at times becomes an expert fly-catcher, taking horse-flies, mosquitos, and other gnats and gall flies. It appears to take a larger proportion of fruit than other Vireos. Blackberries, raspberries, and mulberries are commonly eaten.” He quotes other authorities as stating that the bird eats dogwood berries, sassafras, magnolia, poke-berries, and wild grapes. The Red-eyed Vireo belongs to the order Passeres, perching birds, and to the family Vireonidz, of which there are twenty-five species in North America. i uy " 4 8 NG i) Ww AN 0S x ': Wt| S - Y Zs A\ wit wiqnll! Myne Che Audsubon Docieties 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. Telephone, Columbus 7327 WILLIAM DUTCHER, President FrREDERIC A. Lucas, Acting President THEODORE S. PALMER, First Vice-President T. GILBERT PEARSON, Secretary JONATHAN Dwicnat, 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 $1,000 constitutes a person a Patron $5,000 constitutes a person a Founder $25,000 constitutes a person a Benefactor Form or BEQquest:—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. REPORT OF JUNIOR With the ending of the world war and the gradual tendency of the country to re- turn to normal, the interest in the organ- ization of Junor Audubon Societies began toincrease. Toward the close of the school- year, Junior memberships were pouring into the home office often at the rate of 10,000 a week. To the delight of the office force the mails began to assume somewhat their pre-war appearance. Another year there should be a very large enrollment, as the calls on the school- children for contributions to the Red Cross, War Savings Stamps, and numerous other activities incident to the war will undoubtedly be less than during the past two years. Hundreds of letters received from teach- ers and pupils give evidence of the vast influence that the Junior Audubon So- cleties are today exerting in the United States and Canada. Scores of communi- ties have been aroused, almost to fever heat, on the subject of constructing and erecting bird-boxes, giving bird-exhibits, bird-programs, or in reporting violations of the game-laws. Many of the Juniors serve as volunteer deputy game-wardens, and are constantly on the lookout for AUDUBON CLASSES hunters who illegally shoot birds. In hun- dreds of local newspapers the progress of the local Junior work has been scheduled and commented upon. If all the phases of the National Associa- tion’s activities had to be abandoned but one, it is very probable that the responsible officials would vote to maintain the Junior work as the one most important feature. The following table shows the number of Junior classes formed and the enroll- ment of the Junior members: Summary for Year Ending June 1, 1919 State Classes Members Alabama. ; 14 407 Anizoniae en (.cet eane npaen Rte 2 73 Arkansas 7.) sauce aaieten atta 254 California 96 3,407 Colorado. . 5 FO 2,009 Connecticut oo DAO 13,050 Dela Ware ys Raia e eae 133 District of Columbia ... 1 30 Florida 14 427 Georgia 12 384 Idaho . . 26 849 Illinois . 250 8,714 Indiana . 5 HAG 4,570 Towa . 150 4,733 Kansas 48 1,566 Kentucky : 21 506 ILO, 6 6 6 o 0 6 0 5 171 (270) The Audubon Societies State Classes Members Witainveee eee sR ee nO 22 Manylandie sco ik. io) eee 55 1,963 Massachusetts Ran ne AS Cee O23 IMuchiganeet ncaa eh amare Oo 5,008 Minnesota . Nii serie BLO 8,517 IMNSSISSIP Plays namie Ayes heey IS 185 WMaSSOUIbe gees orien ae 3,259 IMI@RAERING) 2 ese cigearee Up ee thy) 979 INGbias kareena eects see OO 2,281 INieva late ern: ae armas ci 185 New Hampshire .... . 58 1,626 INewellerseye os ss = 2 203 6,325 NewaMiliexicor oF sss ose 23 88 INiguy Woidle 53 tee S gos oe OH = Sees Northi@arolinay ys 22. 20 476 North Dakota Eee ==2 -= 220 750 Ohio pee es Fa ae NOS Siam eat OBIT Olklahomates aay <= See eA, 1,421 Oneconeeni = ee ee LOS 35753 Pennsylvania sees ee 5h 104d! Rhodesislandes yee re he 410 SouvhmGarolimass 2 esse alo 771 SoutheDakotas i) Ess ey i343 u 1,069 MleTmnesseceeaas, wee, 2 hes 30 289 exasieee tt, ve ey on OO 827 UO srallaverncey ta aes SS eee TO) 416 WiStmOnitn