i FOR THE PEOPLE FOR EDVCATION FOR SCIENCE LIBRARY OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY ' Bound ai A.M.Ni . 1909 March, 1908^^ 25 cents a copy $1.00 a year ®i|^ Iamm{^/.,4( nf thr Muint (inttthnlflgiral Bamt^ Editor. W. H. BROWNSON. Portland Associate Editor. FRANK T. NOBLE. Augusta Published by the Society at 97 1-2 Exchange Street. Portland. Maine Entered as second class matter June 1 3. 1 905, at the post office at Portland, Maine under the Act of Congress of March 3. 1 879. J O U RIN A U OF THE Maine Ornithological Society. OmCIAL PUBLICATION Of THE MAINE ORNITHOLOOISTS. Issued every quarter on the first of March, June, September and December of each year. Publication Office: 97 1-2 txcliange St., Portland, Maine. Editor, W. H. BROWNSON, Associate Editor, FRANK T. NOBLE, Portland. Augusta. Price, $1.00 per annum. Single Copies, 25 Cents. Address VV. H. Brownson, 85 Market Street, Portland, Me. The Maine Ornithological Society comprises in its membership the leading ornithologists and bird students of Maine. The membership is constantly increasing and the interest in the society was never greater than now. If you are interested in birds and wish to know more about them you should by all means send in your name for membershiji in this society. The dues are one dollar a year, and payment of this sum en- titles each person elected to membership to the Journal free of charge. Application for membership should be made to the Secretary, Mr. J. Merton Swain, Farmington, Maine. Mr. Swain is also the treasurer and the annual dufes should be paid to him. All persons, both young and old, are eligible to membership. It is not necessary for one to be versed in bird lore in order to insure his election to this society. The larger the membership the more can be done in the way of improving the Journal and increasing its size. Send in your name without fur- ther delay. The society will be glad to welcome you to its meetings, which are held once a year in different cities. The officers of the society are as follows: President, Prof. Leslie A. Leh, Brunswick. Vice President, Dr. H. H. Brock, Portland. Secretary and Treasurer, J. Merton Swain, Farmington. Councillors, Capt. H. L. Spin.nev. vSeguin ; Oka \V. Knight, Bangor. Editor, W. H. Brownson, Portland. Associate Editor, Frank T. Norle. Augusta. Yi»rN<; M\NK S\v m.i.ows. fk<»m Thotim-.k vi-hs i«\ Hi)\v\ku H Ci.k^vks. To .\H.<»MI'\\V \KTIll.l- ON I'M.K H. ©1)^ Juunml Uf till' iHatitf (intitliologiral S^uri^ty Published by the Society on the first of March, June, September and Uecember Vol. X MARCH, 1908 No. 1 Proceedings of the Twelfth Annual Meeting of the Maine Ornithological Society. H\ J. Mi'iKToN vSwAiN, Siriilaiy. The twelfth annual meeting; of the Maine Ornithological Soeiel>- convened at Portland, Nov. 29th and 30th. 1907. A business nieetinj; was called in the lecture room of the Portland vSociety of Natural History, Khn street, with President Leslie A. Lee in the chair, h'ri- day, at 2.15 P. M. The followinc^ officers and members were present : Offickks: — Prof. Leslie A. Lee, President: J. Merton Swain, Secretary and Treasurer ; \V. H. l>rownson, lulitor ; Prof. Ora W. Knight, Councillor. Corresponding Membf:k.s: — Thomas J. lunery, Ivscj.. Cam- bridge, Mass. ; Sherman E. Phillips, Canterbury, N. H. Active Membe;rs: — Prof. \\. F. Hitchings, Waterville : Wal- ter H. Rich, Portland ; A. H. Norton, Portland ; Hiram P^llis, Portland ; Miss Etta Parker, Portland ; Miss Sara C. Ivastman, Portland; Mrs. Fred P. Abbott, Saco ; Miss Helen S. Lewis, Port- land ; Fred M. David, Damariscotta ; Miss Marshall, York. The records of the last meeting were read and approved. 2 JOURNAL OF MAINE ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIKTV. The report of the Secretary and Treasurer was read and referred to the Auditing Committee. The report of the Editor was then read and referred to the Audit- ing Committee. The following committees were appointed : Nomination: — A. H. Norton, Prof. Knight and Miss Marshall. Rksoli'Tions: — J. M. Swain, Miss Lewis. Auditing Committp:e: — Fred M. David, Sherman H. Phillips. The editor's report showed that there is about the same deficit at the close of this year as there was last. The matter was discussed by Prof. lyce, and Messrs. Brown.son and Swain. The following names were proposed for membership by the Sec- retary: Mr. \V. ly. Brown, Bigelow ; Mrs. \V. L. Brown, Bigelow ; Roy T. David, Damariscotta ; H. K. Flynt, Damariscotta. On motion of Mr. Nortoji, the Secretary was instructed to cast the vote for the society, and the ballot was cast, and President Lee declared the above elected. President Lee then proceeded to his annual address to the Soci- ety, which was listened to with a good deal of enthusiasm. He spoke interestingly of the steady, onward march of the society. He spoke of the many dead birds found and reported extensively over the entire State. Many species were reported during the severe storms of last winter, and especially after the heavy fall of snow that came in April after many of our spring arrivals were here. There were many Goshawks reported last winter and also this present winter. One Pine Grosbeak was found dead at Brunswick last week. This was the only Grosbeak he had seen so far this winter. He spoke extensively of the way Mr. Walter H. Rich's book, "F'eathered Game of the Northeast," has been received, and suggested that every member should have a copy of this valuable work. He then spoke of Prof. Knight's work. "The Birds of Maine." that is soon to be ready for distribution. He also exhibited and mentioned several other valuable works on ornithology, among them, "The Birds of Labrador," by Dr. Townsend and Glover M. Allen ; "Birds of Essex Co., Mass., a Bulletin of the Nuttall Club" ; JOURNAL OF MAINE ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 3 "Birds of Cambridge, Mass.," by Wm. Brewster. He also mentioned many works attempting to popularize ornithology, and thought they were too common, as many of them were incomplete and misleading. Prof. Knight was called upon for remarks on the birds he saw on his recent trip to the West. He mentioned large quantities of Crackles, Redwings, and Yellow-headed Blackbirds west of the Mis- sissippi river. Along the prairie region he saw thousands of Ducks. Teal, Canvasbacks and Red-heads were recognizable from the train. In Wyoming, he saw what he took to be the Desert Horned Lark, many Magpies, two varieties of Blue Jays, and two of Juncos. He also mentioned two varieties of Chickadees, Ferrug. Rough-IyCg, Western Red-tailed Hawks, thousands of Juncos mi- grating. Golden Eagles in the mountains and Sage Hens in quanti- ties. Mr. Browiison then requested all the members to assist in the bird census, commencing on the morning of Dec. 22nd, and extending to evening of Dec. 31st, and send reports for the Journal. Mr. T. J. Emery, of the Harvard Law School, then gave a very interesting talk on "Study of Birds in the City Limits." His ob- servations, of more than usual interest, were made near his home in Cambridge, Mass. He also spoke of a pet Crow in Cumberland that could talk. A discussion followed, relative to the talking ability of Crows, by Prof. Lee, Messrs. Knight, Norton, Hitchings and Swain. Then followed a discussion of the egg-eating birds. The Crows, Grackles and Jays were especially mentioned. Quite extensive re- marks along this line were made by Prof. Hitchings and Knight, Messrs. Norton and Swain and Mrs. Abbott. Prof. Hitchings then remarked that he would like to hear from any or all of the members relative to a list of the beneficial and also the harmful birds. Miss Marshall, Secretary of the Audubon Society, then gave a most interesting talk on "Destruction of Birds at York, Me." She spoke of the Italians who set traps and killed many Sparrows and Juncos, but soon the sentiment in town grew so strong against this 4 J(K KXAI. ol" MAINH ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIKTV. killing that it was stopped. She also gave her observations of the quantities of birds that came about the houses and stables to feed during the heavy snow fall last April. Mr. Hiram Ellis gave a talk on his observations of birds the past year about the old canal in Westbrook, also on a trip to the Rangeley Lakes. The Nominating Committee here signified they were ready to re- port. Mr. Norton, the chairman, then nominated the same board of officers as served last year. Some of the board objected to this, and it was voted to consider the matter and the final vote be taken at the business session to-morrow. Mr. David, the chairman of tlie Auditing Committee, then re- ported that they had examined the books of the Treasurer and Editor and found them correct. It was voted to accept these reports and the vSecretary was in- structed to spread them on the records. Voted to adjourn to s P. .M. EVENING SESSION. The i)ublic exLiiing session was called to order by President L. A. Lee at S P. M. Ivditor \V. H. Brownson gave a very interesting lecture, illus- trated with many lantern slides, "The Birds about Portland." Captain Spinney then followed with a lecture, which was lis- tened to with great interest. "The Birds about a Lighthouse," using many fine lantern slides. Prof. Knight came last with a fine lecture on "The Birds of the Eastern Coast," showing many beautiful slides of birds taken mostly in the Penobscot Bay waters. AH three lectures were listened to by a very appreciative audience. The meeting was then adjourned to g.15 A. M. Saturday. SATURDAY SESSION. The Saturday session was called to order at 9.20 A. M., Presi- dent Lee in the chair. JOURNAlv OF MAINE ORNITHOLOGICAI, SOCIETY. 5 Officers Present : — Prof. L. A. Lee, President; J. M. Swain, Secretary and Treasurer; W. H. Brownson, Editor; O. W. Knight, Capt. H. L,. Spinney, Councillors. Members Present: — Active, A. H. Norton, Miss Helen S. Lewis, Mrs. Fred P. Abbott, Miss E. P. Parker, Mrs. A. E. Marks, Kben F. Corey, W. H. Rich, Prof. E. P". Hitchinj^s. Corresponding Membp:rs: — Sherman E. Phillips, Prof. Thos. J. Emery. The following new members were elected by the society: Silas B. Adams, Portland; Mrs. W. H. Brownson, Portland; Miss Helen M. Robinson, Portland; Mrs. Ernest E. Brewer, Port- land; Mr. Emil Herms, Turner. The matter of a summer meeting was here discussed. Pro- fessor L,ee suggested that we hold a summer meeting with the New England Federation of Natural History Societies, the first week in July, at Mt. Washington. The matter was left, after considerable discussion, for further consideration. Prof. Knight, chairman of the Nominating Committee, then re- ported, nominating the old board of officers for re-election. The secretary was instructed to cast the ballot and President lyce de- clared the following elected for 1908: President, Prof. Leslie A. Lee, Brunswick; Vice-President, Dr. H. H. Brock, Portland; Secretary and Treasurer, John Merton Swain, Farmington; Editor, W. H. Brownson, Portland; Associate Editor, Frank T. Noble, Augusta; Councillor, Capt. Herbert L. Spinney, Bath; Councillor, Ora W. Knight, Bangor. J. M. Swain, chairman on resolutions, reported as follows: Resolved, That the thanks of the Maine Ornithological Society be extended to the M. C. R. R. for reduced rates to attend this meet- ing, and to the Portland Society of Natural History for free use of its rooms for holding this meeting. The societ}^ voted to accept and adopt these resolutions, and the Secretary was instructed that they be spread upon the records" and a cop3^ sent to the parties mentioned therein. Mr. J. M. Swain then read a letter from Prof. Henry Oldys, 6 . JOURNAL OF MAINE ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY. relative to resolutions being passed by the society favoring the con- tinuance of the work of the U. S. Biological Survey and the appro- priations necessary to continue the great work this division is do- ing. The matter was extensively discussed by Messrs. Swain, Lee, Norton, Hitchings and Knight. On motion of Prof. Hitchings the society voted to leave the matter with Prof. Lee, to draw up the resolutions, and send copies to our Senators and Representatives in Washington. Prof. Lee then brought up the matter of publishing an index to the first ten volumes of the Journal. Discussions followed by Messrs. Knight, Swain, Lee, Norton, Brownson and Hitchings. The matter was laid on the table to await Mr. Emery. President Lee then proceeded to the scientific papers. A paper on "The Bank vSwallows," by Howard H. Cleaves, of Staten Island, N. Y., was read, in the absence of the author, by Editor Brownson. Remarks were made by Prof. Lee relative to continued bird photography. He noted a little falling off of enthusiasm, and hoped the members would keep up this part of the work. He would still be glad to make the slides for them. The society now has about four hundred slides. He has a catalogue of the slides nearly completed. Prof. Hitchings remarked that he would like to arrange with the members to get desirable photos to use in his State work. Rece.ss was declared at 10.15 A. M. for ten minutes. Resuming, Mr. Norton was called and gave notes on a feather of the liider Duck, illustrated with lantern slides, which were very interesting. Mr. Emery was then called to explain his method of an index to the Journal. It was voted to leave the matter of an index to the ten volumes of the Journal in the hands of the following com- mitee : W. H. Brownson, chairman, Prof. T. J. bjnery. Prof. Leslie A. Lee. The matter of deficit on the Journal was discussed, and several members volunteered to give ten dollars each toward this deficit. Mr. Brownson and Mr. vSwain remarked that if we could get caught up. JOURNAL OF MAINE ORNITHOLOGICAL vSOCIETY. 7 and get square with the printer, so not to have to use the dues col- lected for this coming year to pay for the 1907 Joitrnal, the society would then be on a sound financial basis, and urged every member to procure as many new members as possible to help make the Journal a continued success. Prof. Knight then gave an interesting talk, "Random Notes on Bird Migration." Notes by Robert D. Perry and Miss Elizabeth W. Russell, in the absence of the authors, were read by the vSecretary. Capt. Spinney gave a most interesting talk on ''Scarcity of Eagles in the Kennebec Valley." He said that where, ten years ago, he knew of fifteen occupied nests, but three now remain. His remarks were followed by observations by Prof. Knight. The Secretary and Treasurer wished here to thank the many members w-ho have so promptly responded to the notices of annual dues. Never since our society was organized have the dues come in so promptly as they have thus far for 1908. It is very gratifying, both to the Secretary and the Editor, to have the dues come in so promptly, for this is a very important part and helps very much to assist us in planning the publications of the society. Prof. E. F. Hitchings, entomologist to the Department of Agri- culture of Maine, then gave a most instructive talk on "Insectivo- rous Birds." On motion of Mr. Norton it was voted to place in the hands of the council the matter of joining the Federation of New England Natural Historj^ Societies. The place of our next meeting was then taken up. Prof. Eee extended an invitation to the society to hold the next annual meet- ing in Brunswick. Several members expressed a desire that the meeting should be held in Brunswick. The decision was left with the council to report later. On motion of Prof. Knight, it was voted to adjourn to the call of the council. J. Merton Swain, Secretary. 8 JOIKXAL OF MAIXK ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY. A Visit to a Colony of Bank Swallows. By Howard H. Cleaves, .Statcii Island, X. Y. I)irds that live in colonies are generally very interesting, and, in niv opinion, the Bank .Swallows are especially so. The\- will not build unless a certain kind of bank is available. \'er\- near where I live there are banks which, from a distance, bear the same appearance as the ones which these Swallows have chcseii. On close examination of the former, however, I found that the earth was very hard, too hard for even the Kingfi.sher, while the bank where the .Swallows were (four miles distant) was of a sand\- charac- ter, and easil\- j^enetrated. The bank faced to the north and over- looked a large expanse of salt water. ]\stimating roughly, the colony ()ccu]Med at least three hundred yards of the rather pre- cijjilous bank, tlie lop of which was about thirty feet above sea level. The holes which led to the nests were made, almost invariably, about tweUe to sixteen inches from the top of the bank, where the fibrous roots of the grasses from above helped to strengthen them. Not all, however, had made their nests so near the to]!. In one place, wliere the bank was perpendicular, fifteen or twenty holes had l)een made some ten feet from the to]i. I undertook to count the holes of the entire colony. There weie three hundred and eight in all. including many, probably, which were not in use : also some wliich might have been only five or six inches deep, llie mere deserted beginnings of nests. The tunnels went straight back from the openings for a distance of about two feet, and terminated in slight enlargements, at the bottom of which were rather frail nests. .\t the time of my visit (July 4lh. ii)()6) many of the young had left the nests and were flx'ing about with tlie twittering swarm of adults, while others were .still too young to take to their wings. The old liirds would skim over the surrounding fields and water until sulTicieut insect food had been accumulated in their mouths, JOURNAL OF MAINK ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY. Q when they would enter their nests, and feed their young. It seemed that they never made a mistake, but always knew what entrance to approach. Now and then an adult could be seen feeding a youngster on the wing. I imagine it must have been a delicate performance, both birds fluttering their wings rapidly and presenting much the appearance of a combat, such as I have seen between two English Sparrows. Occasionally a young one, not quite bold enough to trust to his wings, would completely obstruct the entrance and be fed there by one of the adults, the latter with braced tail and toes clinging tightly to the earth. So pleased was I with the colony in 1906 that I decided to visit it again this year, and, if possible, to secure some pictures. On June 30th, 1907, therefore, I went to the place again. The colony seemed not to be quite so large as before, and I removed from one or two of the holes sticks and stones which had been placed there by either an evil-minded or a thoughtless person. Hugging close under the bank were two young birds, appar- ently unable to fly well. They were quite easily captured, but I found that they were by no means unable to fly and it was with great difficulty that photographs were secured. When just ready to make an exposure, away would fly the bird. He must have been captured and recaptured at least a half-dozen times. He seemed to be possessed with the natural instinct to fly in a circuitous route and attempt to enter the dwellings at a different point along the bank. His judgment in flying for a hole seemed to fail him, how- ever, and, his strength wasted, he would be obliged to flutter down the steep bank until lodged somewhere and allow me to pick him up. I do not know whether more than one brood is brought forth in a season, but I am inclined to think not. At the end of the summer I have often seen the Bank Swallows perched on wires, together with such other species as the Barn Swallow and the Tree Swallow, preparatory to the great southern migration, to the land of insect food. lO JOURNAL OF MAINE ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY. Were These Loons Racing? By Frank A. Brown, Beverly, Mass. This past summer, late in August, while on an idle bird trip in the deepest of the Washington County, Maine, forests, by canoe and portage we reached a lake where I became the interested observer of something I had read of some years before in one of Dr. Long's books, but hardly expected to see personally. We were well into a lonely part of the country, having come from big Nickatous Lake, by paddle and portage, much of the latter included, by way of Big and Little Machias Lake, into Big Sabeo, as it is called. It was rainy and a strong half gale was blowing up the lake as we entered from the dead water above at about five in the afternoon. The in- creasing white caps and the tree-tops bending to the blast warned us to keep under the lee shore and not attempt the crossing of the lake that night, so we pitched our little shelter tent in an opening among some birches and poplars, almost out of sight of the lake, and hauled our canoes out among the abundant blueberry bushes. After a night of rain and wind, we found it still misty and showery in the morning, hut ])y 7 o'clock it cleared sufficiently for us to see well across the lake. Well under the opposite shore from where we were, across a half mile of water, for we were in a small bay, we saw some eight or nine Loons which were calling incessantly, and were apparently very uneasy. Our camp and canoes were well hidden, so we were sure our own presence had not alarmed them. Through the glasses, we noted them swimming in circles, and now and then one standing up on its tail and flapping its wings, then swimming round excitedly, and all talking as if it were a ladies' sewing circle. After a time, they swam quickly up in one direction several hundred feet, and then back again, then seemed to back up and scatter along in a string, with the exception of two. who, with a good deal of calling, suddenly started side by side, feet and wings going at utmost speed, and water flying, for perhaps half a mile or more, amid the excited cries of the rest. After that they all gathered again and apparentl}^ JOURNAL OF MAINE ORNITHOI.OGICAL .SOCIETY. II talked it over. To me, watching, if it was not a pre-arranged race, I do not know what it was. They all displayed ever\^ manner of interest and excitement, of delight and curiosity, as plainly as bird manners could display them, and, although who can say what a bird ma}^ be thinking about under such circumstances, it would ap- pear in our own thought as a carefully discussed and premeditated race. I was pleased to note the past June quite a few Wood Ducks in the vicinity of Grand lyake Stream and elsewhere in Washington County, evidently breeding, although in August, on the trip above mentioned, we saw few Ducks of any kind, and even those few were mostly Black Ducks. At Grand Lake Stream village there is a very prosperous colony of Purple Martins, and Mr. Rose, of "Ouan- aniche lyodge," their owner, is taking the best of care to keep them, proposing, I believe, the coming spring, to put up a second large house for their accommodation. There were some twenty or thirty pairs there this spring l^reeding. American Birds, by Wiliam L. Finley. Charles Scribner's Sons, New York, have recently published a handsome volume, entitled "American Birds Studied and Photo- graphed from Life," by William Lovell Finley, a well-known western ornithologist. The book is profusely illustrated from photographs by Herman T. Bohlman and the author, in fact there are forty-eight full-page half-tones. The interesting articles which are here printed in book form were first published in The Condoj', and it is gratifying to have them in more convenient and permanent shape. They are suited primarily for popular reading, but they contain a great amount of original information regarding the birds studied, valuable to the ornithologist. Among the birds portrayed and pictured are the 12 JOURNAL OF MAINE ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY. Hummingbird, Flicker, Grosbeak, Crow, Wren, vShrike, Kingfisher, Blue Jay, Phoebe, Gull, Chickadee, Yellow-throat, Red-tailed Hawk, Owl, Oriole, Warblers, Sparrows, \'ireo, Robin, Thrush, Heron and Eagle. It should be kept in mind that the author has reference to western forms of these species, but he has given them in every case the familiar eastern names. It would have been bet- ter to have figured the birds under their proper scientific names, thus adding strict accuracy to valuable popular life histories. Except this criticism, there is nothing but tlie highest praise to be written of the book. It is finely printed and the half-tones are admirable. The descriptions and narrative are interesting and trustworthy, and the book, on the whole, is a noteworthy addition to the already large quantity of bird literature of this general character. Record of Myrtle Warblers, 1907=8. ByW. H. Hkownsox. Myrtle Warblers were first discovered by me wintering at Cape Elizabeth in the winter of 1903-4. Every winter since then for five winters, including the present season, the Myrtle Warblers have been observed there. The birds were present last December, but were not noted in January. They have, however, been seen in the same locality in P^ebruary, thus making the record consecutive for five years. The observations the past winter were as follows : Nov. 24. — Cold day, with east wind, threatening snow. No snow on the ground, but during tlie night the first snow came. At Delano Park, at least five Myrtle Warblers, in sheltered place on lee side of hill. Birds in brown plumage, with considerable yellow on sides. Dec. I. — Raw and uncomfortable day. Trace of snow on the ground. \'isited Delano Park late in the forenoon, the conditions being unfavorable for finding any birds at all. One Myrtle Warbler JOURNAL OF MAINE ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 1 3 sat quiet in low tree for ten minutes and then flew to bayberry bush and ate quite a number of the berries. Then he flew to the ever- green woods on the.other side of the road, where it is likely that the rest of the flock were sheltered. Dec. 8. — Very mild day. No snow on the ground, except traces on shaded northerly slopes. Two Myrtle Warblers seen flying high and lighting on the top of a tall pine tree, half way from Delano Park to Pond Cove. One Robin near Delano Park. Two Black Guillemots not far from the shore. Dec. 28. — Mild day. No snow on the ground, except traces in hollows and depressions. Two Myrtle Warblers seen near Delano Park. Other birds very scarce. Feb. 16. — Mild day. No snow on the ground. Five Myrtle Warblers seen at Cape Elizabeth, just south of Delano Park. Warblers were near a great field of bayberries, on which they were feeding. During January several trips were made to the Cape, but not a single small bird of any kind was seen. Even Chickadees were absent from the locality. The record of Christmas week and the record of Feb. 16 make it evident that the Myrtle Warblers spent the winter in that locality, since the ones noted on the December visits and the last visit in February were found in exactly the same place, feeding in the same field of bayberries. It is thought that the birds found a favorite resort not far away, beyond a stretch of deep woods, since they were seen more than once flying to and from that general direction. The Ornithological Magazines. The Auk. — The Auk for January, 1908, contains, besides the usual number of general notes and reviews of recent bird literature, the following leading articles : "A I^ong-drawn-out Migration: Its Causes and Consequences," by Rev. G. Eifrig ; "Notes on the Spring Migration (1907) at Ann Arbor, Michigan," by Norman A. 14 JOURNAL OF MAINE ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY. Wood : "Nesting Habits of Birds at Stamford. Connecticut, as Affected bj^ the Cold Spring," by Louis N. Porter; "The Breeding Season of the American Barn Owl iStrix pmtincola) in South Carolina," by Arthur T. Wayne ; "Summer Birds of Southwestern Saskatchewan," by A. C. Bent; "Red-spotted Bluethroat of Alaska," by S. Buturlin ; "The Generic Names Mycteria and Tantalus of Linnaeus, 1758," by J. A. Allen ; "The Birds of Custer and Dawson Counties, Montana," by E. S. Cameron; "Summer Birds of the Green Mountain Region of Southern \'ermont," by Francis H. Allen; "On the Status of Brewster's Warbler {Helmi7ithophila leucobronchialis),'" by Charles W. Townsend, M. D. ; "Bird Records from Great Slave Lake Region," by Ernest Thompson Seton. The Condor. — The Condor for January-February, 1908, con- tains some handsome half-tones of the California Condor, Western Horned Owl, and the New Reserves on the Washington Coast. There are valuable articles on "Life History of the California Con- dor," by William L. Finley ; "The Locust-destroying Birds of the Transvaal," by Dr. Frederick W. D. Evelyn ; "Nesting of the West- ern Horned Owl in Colorado," by R. B. Rockwell ; "The Tawny Creeper in Western Washington," by J. H. Bowles; "The South- ern California Chickadee," by Joseph Grinnell ; "Notes from the Diary of a Naturalist in Northern California," b}^ John F. Ferry; "An Arizona Nest Census," by F. C. Willard : "The New Reserves on the Washington Coast," by William Leon Dawson. Bird-Lore. — Bird-Lore for January-February, 1908, has hand- some colored plates showing three western species of the Kingbird and the Snowflake. There are finely illustrated articles on "The American Dipper in Colorado," by Julius Henderson ; "The Bird That Nests in the vSnow," by Sidney S. S. vStansell ; "Redpoll Lin- nets," by Lottie Alvord Lacey; "Young Kingfishers," by James H. Miller; "The Migration of Flycatchers." by W. W. Cooke; "The Twenty-fifth Congress of the American Ornithologists' Union," "Clarke's Nutcracker," by Evan Lewis. Tine Wilson Hillictin. — The Wihon Bulletin for December, JOURNAL OF MAINE ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 1 5 1907, contains the following articles ; "J"ne with the Birds of the Washington Coast," by Lynds Jones ; "The Birds of Point Pelee," by P. A. Taverner and B, H. Swales ; "Birds Observed in Hawkins County, East Tennessee," by J. H. Fleming ; "The Ruffed Grouse in Pennsylvania," by Frank h. Burns. Bird Protection in Massachusetts. — In the Massachu- sett's Crop Report for September, 1907, Edward Howe Forbush, ornithologist of Massachusetts State Board of Agriculture, has a valuable article on "Statutory Bird Protection in Massachusetts." He gives the present status of waterfowl, shore birds, upland game birds, Pigeons and Doves, and non-game birds with a history of the legislation in years past, looking toward their protection. He also makes valuable suggestions regarding the enforcement of bird laws, needed legislation, and the prohibition of all spring and sum- mer shooting. He recommends that the sale of game birds be for- bidden. He is in favor also of setting aside tracts or reservations of woodland, lake, river or shore within the limit of w^hich all killing of birds by man may be prohibited, under heavy penalties. In such tracts or reservations the resident game and birds can breed unmo- lested, and can replenish the surrounding country. Here migrants can find safety to stop and rest from their long journey. He says, "A chain of such sanctuaries established along the Atlantic coast of North America would probably preserve our stock of wild fowl and shore birds indefinitely. The sanctuary has succeeded in Europe, and it is no new idea here. Already in Massachusetts we have been experimenting with it in a small way." Christmas Bird Census. Reports of Winter Birds by Members of the Maine Ornithological Society During the Period from Dec. 22 to 31, Inclusive. For the past two years, at the Christmas season, the members of the Maine Ornithological Society have reported their observations, which have been published in the March issues of the Journal in l6 JOURNAL OF MAINE ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 1906 and 1907. The third Christmas Bird Census is reported here- with. The reports are not so numerous as before, but it has been a time of unexampled scarcity of birds all over this State. Therefore the meagerness of the reports is in itself valuable, as correctly repre- senting the prevailing conditions. The only report which is volum- inous is that of Mrs. Abbott, of Saco, who seems to have met with better success than any other observer. This report includes several species in the identification of which unusual care should be exer- cised. Some of them are very difficult to recognize with certainty at a considerable distance. Leaving out all doubtful records, however, Mrs. Abbott still has a fine record, and one that will ibe read with interest. For the fifth consecutive winter Myrtle Warb- lers have been observed at Cape Elizabeth during Christmas week. The reports sent by different members for Christmas week of 1907 are as follows : Prof. Leslie A. Lee. Bird census, Dec. 22 to Dec. 31, 1907, at Brunswick: Dec. 22. — Sky clear, wind southwest, temperature 26 degrees, eight inches of snow, some on the pine trees. Walked from 9.45 to 11.45, about three miles, in pine woods east of village, along a weedy meadow, and on F'ederal street. Birds seen — Chickadees, 8 ; Brown Creeper, i . Dec. 24. — An hour's walk in the woods and along the roads disclosed no birds. Dec. 25. — A part of the forenoon was spent in the pine woods in studying the pine blight and marking trees. No birds were ob.served. Dec. 29. — A walk of three miles across the plains, among the pitch piilcs and birches, where some birds are iisually seen, gave no results. Dec. 31. — From the trolley car to Bath six Crows were seen near the New Meadows River, among the pine trees. Other oliservers in town report the scarcity of birds during this period. JOURNAL OF MAINE ORNITHOLOGICAI. SOCIETY. . 17 On January 3rd, 1908, the Kennebec River was only partly frozen over. Between Augusta and Waterville the channel was open for fully half the distance. While on the train I noticed two ducks, probably Black Ducks, flying over the water. P'or more than two and a half minutes they kept up with the train, or ahead of it, while it was moving not less than thirty-five miles an hour. D. W. Sweet. Obser\^ations at Avon, Franklin County : Dec. 22nd, 3 Blue Jays, 5 Chickadees; Dec. 23rd, i Chickadee; Dec. 24th, I Chickadee; Dec. 25th, 5 Chickadees, i Brown Creeper, I White-breasted Nuthatch; Dec, 26th, 2 Blue Jays, 2 Chickadees; Dec. 28th, 2 Downy Woodpeckers, 3 Chickadees, i White- breasted Nuthatch, i Brown Creeper, 2 Redpolls, 4 Blue Jays; Dec. 29th, 4 Blue Jays, 3 Chickadees, 2 Redpolls; Dec. 30th, a small flock of Redpolls, 2 Chickadees; Dec. 31, 4 Chickadees. Louis E. Legge and Danforth S. Hersey. Observations in Cape Elizabeth and Old Orchard: Dec. 22nd, 14 Chickadees, i Myrtle Warbler, 3 Robins, i Dovekie, 2 Horned Grebes, 2 Crows, 2 Loons, 15 Red-legged Black Ducks, 200 Herring Gulls; Dec. 25th, several hundred Herring Gulls, 7 Crows, 7 Myrtle Warblers, 15 Chickadees, i Black-backed Gull, I Horned Grebe, 2 Black Guillemots; Dec. 29th, several hun- dred Herring Gulls, 5 Crows, 9 Chickadees, i Red-breasted Nut- hatch, 3 Loons, about 100 White-wings and Surf Scoters, about 75 Old Squaws, 10 Horned Grebes, 2 Northern Shrikes. W. H. Brownson. Observations at Pine Point and Cape Elizabeth: Dec. 22nd, 500 Gulls, I Black-backed Gull, 6 Horned Grebes, 5 Scoters, 100 Old Squaws, 50 Whistlers, 8 Snow Buntings, 14 Horned Larks, 15 Crows; Dec. 28th, 2 Myrtle Warblers, i Robin, 4 Chickadees, 50 Gulls, 2 Loons, i Black Guillemot; Dec. 29th, I White-breasted Nuthatch, i Golden-crowned Kinglet. l8 journal of maine ornithological society. Sara C. Eastman. Birds seen at Christmas near Portland : Although I searched diligently for Horned Larks and Snow Buntings in the locality where I saw them in November, I was unable to find them or to discover a footprint on the sand. My record is as follows: Dec. 25th. 150 Herring Gulls (esti- mated), 7 Crows, I Loon, 5 Old Squaws, many Black Coots; Dec. 26th, 60 Herring Gulls. 12 Chickadees, 3 Myrtle Warblers, i Robin, I Crow; Dec. 27th, 5 Chickadees; Dec. 28th, 54 Herring Gulls, i Black-backed Gull, 4 Old Squaws, i Crow. Mrs. Sarah Rideout Abbott. Observations at Saco, Maine: Dec. 22, 1907, fair and mild. Tree Sparrows, 5 ; Blue Jay, i ; Crows, 1 1 ; Herring Gulls, 90 ; Black-backed Gulls, 3 ; Brown Creeper, i; Chickadees, 6 ; Downy Woodpecker, i. Dec. 23rd, severe rain storm. Crows, 42; Herring and Black- backed Gulls, 108 ; Flicker, i . Dec. 24th, fair and mild. Blue Jay, i ; Tree Sparrows, 11 ; Red-polls, 5 ; Myrtle Warblers, 8 ; Partridges, 2 ; Brown Creeper, I ; Golden-crowned Kinglets. 7 ; Shrike, i ; Crows, 19 ; (kills, 53 ; Loon, I ; White-winged, vSurf vScoter and Old Squaw Ducks, 187. Dec. 25th, warm and fair. Downy Woodpecker, i ; Tree Spar- rows, 1 1 ; Redpolls, 6 ; Chickadees, 3 ; Golden-crowned Kinglets, 8 ; Horned Owl. i ; Shrike, i ; numerous Ducks on the bay, did not count these or the Gulls and Crows ; American Goldfinch, 31 ; small, dark bird, little smaller than a Robin, unidentified; Myrtle War- blers, 3. Dec. 26th, warm and fair. Sparrow Hawk, i ; Nuthatch, i ; Partridges, 2 ; Golden-crowned Kinglets, 3 ; Chickadees, 5 ; Tree Sparrows, 11 ; Myrtle Warblers, 2; Crows, 7; Herring Gulls, 87 ; Loon, I ; Dovekies, 3 ; Old Squaws and White-winged Scoters, 58 ; many sea birds too far off to identify. Dec. 27th, fair and warm. Redpolls, it ; Tree Sparrows. 15; JOURNAI, OF MAINE ORNITHOLOGICAL vSOCIKTY. 19 Blue Jays, 3 ; Crows, 28 ; White-breasted Nuthatch, i ; small Spar- row-like bird, unidentified; English Sparrows, 18 ; Goshawk, i ; Flicker, i ; Gulls, many didn't count; Ducks, many not counted or identified; Myrtle Warblers, 7; Chickadees, 17. Dec. 28th, fair and mild. Whistlers, 7; White-winged Scoters and Old Squaws, 85 ; lyoons, 2 ; Herring Gulls, 108 ; Black-backed Gulls, 9; Mergansers, 11 ; Song Sparrow, i; Tree Sparrows, 15; Chickadees, 3 ; Brown Creeper, i ; Blue Jay, i ; Partridge, i ; Golden-crowned Kinglets, 8 ; Crows, many not counted ; Gold- finches, 17; Pine Siskins, 11. Dec, 29th, fair and warm. American Goldfinches, 23 ; Robins, 2 ; Myrtle Warblers, 13 ; Downy Woodpecker, i ; Tree Sparrows, 5 ; Golden-crowned Kinglets, 7 ; Shrike, i ; Robin, i ; Chickadees, 2 ; Partridges, 2 ; Blue Jays, 3 ; Sparrow Hawk, i ; Herring Gulls, 80; Black-backed Gulls, 9 ; Kittiwakes, 15 ; Crows, 18 ; Loons, 2 ; Old Squaws, 23 ; many Ducks not near enough to identify. Dec. 30th, heavy rain storm. Gulls, seen from window, 85 ; Crows, 17; White-breasted Nuthatch, I ; Chickadee, i ; Song Spar- row, I. Dec. 31st. Gulls, 58 ; Crows, 27 ; Tree Sparrows, 12 ; Ameri- can Goldfinches, 33 ; Downy Woodpecker, i. N. W. IvERMOND. Observations at Warren, Maine: Birds seem to be unusually scarce. I spent a good part of the 29th out looking for them for your bird census, with this result : Crows, quite plenty ; Blue Jay, i ; Herring Gulls, 2 over Georges River ; Saw-whet Owl, i ; Downy Woodpecker, i ; Black-capped Chickadees, a few; Ruffed Grouse, 2. J. Merton Swain. List of birds observed by J. Merton Swain in different Maine counties. I went to Boston and did not return till Monday, Dec. 30th, so my opportunity to assist on the bird census was rather slim. Dur- 20 JOURNAL OF MAINE ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY. ing the week in Boston, I saw hundreds of Herring Gulls, and a few Ducks, but they were so far out on the sand bars, off Winthrop Beach, that I could not count them. On Dec. 30th, we had a snow squall, I drove from Wilton to Livermore Falls, but only three Chickadees were seen. The 31st, I drove from Livermore Falls to Winthrop. Two Canada Ruffed Grouse and five Chickadees were all that I saw. Have heard of but one small flock of Pine Gros- beaks in the State thus far. This flock was seen feeding in Dr. E. L. Pennell's yard at Kingfaeld. Have seen four good-sized flocks of Snow Buntings thus far; three of them were seen the week of Dec. 16-20 near Athens (in Somerset County). I saw a large flock Jan. 3rd, between Stratton and Bigelow (Franklin County). Mrs. E. E. Brewer. Observations at Woodfords, Maine: My record this year of winter birds seen during the days for the Christmas census is very small. But three species have come to our trees in the time. A little band of a half-dozen Chickadees and three Downy Woodpeckers come many times each day for suet, and a Robin with an injured wing comes to a tree for frozen apples. In these same trees last year at this time I saw twelve species, a single bird of some kinds, others in quite large flocks, thus showing the difference in mild and extremely cold winters. F. M. David. Observations at Damariscotta: Dec. 22nd, 30 Whistlers, 7 Crows, 8 Herring Gulls, 5 Chicka- dees, I Shrike; Dec. 25th, 7 Chickadees, 5 Herring Gulls, 8 Crows; Dec. 26th, 2 Eagles, 4 Chickadees, 4 Crows, 7 Herring Gulls; Dec. 27th, 2 Herring Gulls, i Blue Jay, 5 Chickadees; Dec. 28th, 4 Chickadees, 5 Herring Gulls, 3 Crows; Dec. 29th, 17 Chickadees, 2 Crows, I Ruffed Grouse; Dec. 30th, 15 Crows, 2 Chickadees. A Great Blue Heron was here up to Dec. 9th, and from two sections reports of Robins nearly every week. JOURNAL OF MAINE ORNITHOI.OCICAL .S()CI1<;TV. 2 1 FrKD B. vSPAUIJilNG. 01)servations at lyancaster, N. H.: While I did not have an opportunity to get into the woods dur- ing Christmas week, I saw two birds here in lyancaster village that were very interesting to nie. Dec. 24th, a Bronzed Grackle was seen, also seen several times during the three preceding weeks, apparently hale and hearty and in beautiful plumage. It was fre- quenting the same places as the English Sparrows, though not a.ssociating with them. Jan. ist, I saw a Tree vSparrow, the only record I have for this month, as it usually disappears in November. Sherman E. Phiij.ips. Observations at Canterbury, N. H.: It seems to me that birds are scarce in this section this winter. During the time of taking the census I saw three species. Dec. 23rd, Chickadee; Dec. 25th, about a dozen Chickadees, two White- breasted Nuthatches; Dec. 28th, Blue Jay. NeiXiR F. Dunton. Observations near Bath: When I saw in the December number of the Journal the call for the bird census, I fully intended to send my list and did not for- get it, but saw so few during the time it did not seem worth while. Went into the country Christmas day and into the woods for an hour or more Jan. ist, but saw no birds, so my observations were from the windows only. Have fed a small flock of Chickadees in a tree near the house all winter, so they were there daily, and with them on Dec. 25th and 29th was a Brown Creeper. He now comes nearly or quite every day. Also saw the Gulls flying over the river, but these are all, during those days, excepting the P^nglish Sparrows and Pigeons on our streets. A small list surelv. 22 JOURNAL OF MAINE ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY. The Occurrence of Woodcock in Maine at Abnormal Seasons. By Arthur H. Norton. A Woodcock was caught on Portland street, Portland, Maine, December i8, 1907, by Mr. .Silas B. Adams. Mr. Adams saw the bird strike one of the poles by the curbing, and jumping from a car caught it without difficulty. It was handled with great care by its captor, and given every opportunity at the rooms of the Natural History Society to regain sufficient strength to be set at liberty, but it lived but a couple of days. Most of its tail feathers were missing. After its death, bruises were found upon the breast, but none upon the head. The limbs showed no previous wounds. The last of the Woodcock usually leave Maine during the first week of Noveml^er. There are, however, numerous records of the occurrence of the bird at abnormal dates. During the fall of 1907 I was told of the shooting of one and the seeing of another at Scar- boro, Maine, on Nov. 15th. On Nov. 23, 1900, Mr. Ralph Norton shot two females in perfect health at Westbrook. Maine, and dupli- cated the experience on the same date in 1901. Mr. Walter Rich has recorded the occurrence of the bird (near Portland) on Nov. 25th and 30th, ' and what he calls an early occur- rence on Feb. loth.* In 1882, Mr. N. C. Brown wrote. ".Stories are current of the appearance of Woodcock in February. ■^ In 1883, Mr. Everett Smith reported its occurrence in instances until December, and recorded an instance of one having been picked up dead at Camden, Maine, on Feb. 25, 1882, by Mr. James Wight." * ^ Feathered Game of the Northeast, p. 127. ■-• Ihid, p. 108. » Proc., Port Soc. N. H., II, p. 25. * Forest and .Stream, XX, No. 4, p. 66— Feh. ZZ, 1883. JOURNAL OF MAINE ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 23 Mmxt (intttl|0l0gtral i^nn^tg A Quarterly Magazine Devoted to the Study and Protection of Birds Vol. X Published March 1, 1908 No. 1 SUBSCRIPTION RATES: $1.00 a year; 25 cents a copy The Editor announces with much pleasure that the finances of this society are in better condition than ever before. At the last annual meeting there was a deficit of more than $112.00. Several members made special contributions of ten dollars each, and the re- sult is that not onlyjias the deficit disappeared, but we have money in the treasury after every debt of the society has been paid. If members and subscribers will send in their cash promptly in the future there will be no difficulty in keeping our bills paid as fast as they accrue. We welcome a new member and a valuable contribution from his pen in the present issue. Mr. Howard H. Cleaves, of Staten Island, N. Y., writes in a very interesting way of a colony of Bank Swallows not far from his home. ' The Christmas Bird Census is reported in this number, and it shows that the members have not lost their interest in this branch of ' the work. The unusual scarcity of birds during the past Christmas week is the feature of the census reports. The Journal had a narrow escape from disaster during the City Hall fire in Portland, in January. All the material for the pres- ent number, the mailing lists, the cash book, and the entire file of the 7th, 8th and 9th volumes were in the Editor's office, directly in the path of the flames. At 4 o'clock in the morning, the Editor, after saving the records of the School Department, succeeded in rescuing all the property of the Journal, which was carried by policemen to a place of safety. The Editor lost many valuable books of his own, including quite a number of government bird publica- tions, which cannot be replaced, because they are now out of print. During a recent visit to Washington, the Editor had the pleasure of visiting the Zoological Garden, which, under the care of the National Government, is likely to become the leading institution of the kind in the country. There are many Maine birds in the great iron cages, including Night Herons, Bald Eagles, Great Horned Owls, Barred Owls, etc. Turkey Vultures and Cardinals were the noticeable wild birds seen in the reservation. The Editor visited the Biological Survey and made the acquaintance of the director. Dr. C. Hart Merriam, and Prof. F. E. E. Beal, in charge of the department of economic ornithology. It is a pleasure to be able to announce that no trouble is anticipated this year in securing the necessary appropriation from Congress to carry on this valuable work. 24 JOURNAL OF MAINE ORNITHOLOGICAL vSOCIETY. lirii NntM. Notes and observations upon bird life within our State are earnestly desired from all our readers for publication in this column, and should be sent to the Editor, W. H. Brownson, 85 Market street, Portland, Maine. We note with much satisfaction the increasing frequenc}- with which the members of our society report to this Journal their ornithological observations. This is an important part of our duties, one to another, and should be shared in by all interested in bird life. The Journal's columns are always open to contributors of items of general interest relating to Maine birds, and we trust our members will, through this medium, disseminate such knowledge as they personally possess. Florida (tAllinule, Stilt and Bukk-breasted Sand- pipp:r. — Arthur H. Norton contributes to the Auk for January, 1908, the following note: "On October 15th, a female Florida Galli- niile {Gallinula galea fa) was shot at Atlantic House Pond, Scar- boro, Maine. It passed into my collection. Its gullet contained three specimens of Plaiiorbis campanulatus^ and its stomach another. In the gizzard were a number of seeds. I am not aware of the pre- vious capture of the bird at Scarboro, though two are recorded from Falmouth in 1894 (cf. Brock, Atik^ XIII, p. 255). The only Stilt Sandpiper {^Micropalama hiniantopiis) that I have heard of in this vicinity this fall was taken near Pine Point, Scar- boro, a day or two previous to September 26th. It passed into the collection of Bowdoin College. On September 5th, a beautiful male. Buff-l)reasted Sandpiper {Tryngitcs subriificollis) was taken in Scarboro, near Pine Point. It is now in my collection. Mr. Blanchard Pillsbury, who brought it to my attention, informs me that it is the only specimen that has come to his notice for at least three years." A Correction. — In my article on the Yellow Warbler, which appeared in the March, 1907, issue of the JoI'RNAl, page 8, I note a serious mistake regarding the time given for the young remaining in the nest. As a matter of fact, the real figures regarding the time jorKNAi, oi" :\iAiN]'; ornithoi.oc.icaIv .sociivTn'. 25 young Yellow Warblers remain in the nest are eleven to fifteen days, generally much nearer the lesser period. The period printed in the article, "fifteen to twenty days," is, of course, not only erroneous, l)ut utterly nonsensical. We all know, however, that the printer plays queer antics sometimes. Ora W. Knight. Bangor, Feb. i, 1908. NiGHTHAWKS Rkar Young IN Rokin's Nkst. — It is Said that Nighthawks never build nests, and that they never inhabit trees, but a case comes to my notice of where a pair lived in a tree and used a deserted Robin's nest as their home. When living in the old jail at Farmington, with my father, who was jailer, a pair of Nighthawks took possession of a deserted Robin's nest, laid their eggs in the nest and reared their young. The tree with the nest was burned in the big fire October 22, 1886. I think they must have lived in the tree at least five years before the fire occurred. The male sat on a limb near the nest during the daytime. I think this a noteworthy feature in the lives of Nighthawks. H. W. Jkwki,i<. Farmington, Jan. i. 1908. NoTKS From Frankijn Co. — Winter birds have been very scarce thus far, on my territory, covered every two weeks. Feb. 4th, two Crows were seen feeding in the road near East Livermore. Feb. 5th and 6th, three small flocks of Snowflakes were seen near Wayne and Winthrop. I have seen but two Pine Grosbeaks thus far. These were seen near Stark, Feb. 20th, feeding on frozen apples. Chickadees have been seen in about their usual numbers. But few Woodpeckers have been seen. Sunday evening, Feb. i6th, between six and seven P. M., my little girl called my attention to a Ruffed Grouse feeding on the buds in a small yellow birch, in the orchard within six rods of the house. For about a half-hour it made its evening meal on birch buds, then flew to a small patch of woods below the orchard. Have noted twelve or fifteen Tree Spar- rows, feeding on a patch of weed seeds, in a garden on the road 26 JOURNAL OF MAINE ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY. from Farmington to New Vineyard, for several trips as I drive be- tween the two towns. Blue Jays are seen every day or two. On the whole, I have seen fewer winter birds than any previous winter for a long time. J. Merton Swain. Farmington, Feb. 22, 1908. IvATE Savanna vSpakrows Near Portl.vnd, Maine. — On Feb. 9, 1908, Mr. P. H. Timberlake, zoological assistant at Bowdoin College, and the writer observed a Savanna Sparrow on Old Orchard Beach, and about two miles away another, on Pine Point Beach, Scarboro, Maine. The mercury stood near 10" Fah., yet the birds suffered no appreciable inconvenience. Both were tame and were carefully and satisfactorily observed. Their small size, dark backs, heavily marked breasts and bright yellow superciliary stripes left no question as to their identity. I am well acquainted with the Ipswich Sparrow, both in life and in the cabinet, and gave due attention to the distinctions between the two species. The occurrence of the Savanna Sparrow at Seguin on Jan. 24, 1897, has been recorded, as well as Penobscot Bay, Nov. 2S, 1898. The latter was deformed and probably could not migrate. Portland, Feb. 20, 1908. Arthur H. Norton. Winter Myrtle Warblers. — Although I have been out as much as usual, and visited places where I have never failed to find winter birds plentiful, have often returned without recording a single specimen. The winter birds have been unusually scarce. Feb. i6th, at Pond Cove, Cape Elizabeth, saw to-day two Myrtle Warblers and fifteen Chickadees. This was the greatest number of Chickadees I have seen this winter at any one time. The Myrtle Warblers I have noted at this place in different sized flocks all through the fall and winter months, excepting January, when I did not go in this direction. Louis E. Leoge. Portland, Feb. 17, 1908. ^Journ. Me. Orn. vSoc, VI, p. 45. JOURNAI, OF MAINE OKNIT HOI.OGICAL SOCIprrv. 27 Notes from Avon. — I saw two Pectoral Sandpipers Oct. 5th. They were at the edge of a pool of water in a marshy place, but later flew into a dry field some distance away and appeared to be feeding. I saw a Northern Shrike Nov. 7th. I heard the call notes of the Pileated Woodpecker Dec. 21st, and again Jan. 26th. Gold- finches have been rather scarce. The last one I saw was Jan. 26th. I saw a flock of Redpolls Nov. 24th, Later I came upon a flock feeding upon the seeds of a clump of scrub cedars. I have seen but very few since. I saw a Pine Grosbeak Jan. 23rd, and heard one whis- tling Jan. 26th. Dana W. Sweet, Avon, F'eb. 20, 1908. Pine GrOvSbeaks. — While at Tunk Pond, town of Franklin, Dec. 23, 1907, hundreds of Pine Grosbeaks were seen, also over a hundred Hudsonian Chickadees in small bands of their own kind or mingled with flocks of the common Chickadee. At Bangor there has been an absolute absence of winter birds up to Feb. nth, when a small flock of Snowflakes were seen between Bangor and Orono. Ora W. Knight. Bangor, Feb. 10, 1908. Birds of Maine. — Press work on "Birds of Maine" is pro- gressing very satisfactorily, and there is no reason to doubt that it will be issued on time. Only a few copies of the subscription edition are now unengaged, and parties not promptly engaging this book may be unable to obtain a copy of the first or subscription edition at any price. Ora W. Knight. Bangor, Feb. 10, 1908. Feeding Winter Birds. — No winter birds at all so far up this way. Mr. Brown, of Bigelow, has a flock of Chickadees, Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers he and his wife are feeding in front of their home. J. Merton Swain. Farmington, Feb. i, 1908. 28 JOURNAL OF MAINE ORNITHOLOGICAL vSOCIETY. Sparrow Hawk in December. — On the 20th of December, I saw in the Eastern Cemetery a Sparrow Hawk. He remained there for more than two hours after I discovered him. He flew so near that I could see his markings perfectly. The cemetery is the haunt of English Sparrows, and Pigeons are constantly flying"about there, but on this occasion they had evidently detected the presence of an enemy, for not one was to be seen. Sara C. Eastman. Portland, Jan. i, 1908. Scarcity ok Winter Birds Near the Coast. — During the winter just closing birds of all kinds have been unusually scarce in the vicinity of Portland and all along the coast, so far as I can learn. There has been very little snow in southern and central Maine this winter, most of the time the fields having been bare and in the woods no snow at all, except for a few days at a time. It seems to me that the mildness of the winter explains why birds have not journeyed to the coast regions in large numbers. In hard winters, when the snow lies deep in the woods everywhere, the ordinary food supply of seeds, berries and wild fruits fails and the birds seek a liv- ing elsewhere, coming naturall}^ to the coast, where the weather is milder and where in the fields and sunny slopes along the shore tlie}^ find plenty of bayberries, red cedar berries and the like. Doubtless in the interior of Maine, this winter, birds have been fully as abundant as ever, if not even more plentiful, though this may not be apparent when they are scattered through the woods in small flocks, often some distance apart. Whether this is the correct ex- planation or not of the fact that there have been few birds in south- ern Maine this winter, I do not know positively, but it is offered as a theory that may be accepted or rejected, according as one has or has not a better solution of the question to offer. W. H. Brownson. Portland, Feb. 15, 1908. Winter Records : — Saw at Delano Park and Pond Cove, Cape Elizabeth, Feb. 23rd, 29 Chickadees, i Myrtle Warbler, i Purple Finch (male), in fine plumage; March ist, 5 Chickadees, 4 Myrtle Warblers. Louis E. Legge. Portland, March 2nd. Faunal Map of Maine. From the Forthcoming "Birds of Maine." By Courtesy of thf. Author, Ora W. Knight, of Bangor. Unsha